Wu-Tang is for the children!
Get ready to bring da ruckus.
THE BEAT DROP
A pulse of the culture
If you’re reading this, it’s another Sunday in the culture and this week RZA announced Wu-Tang Clan’s final tour for a “Wu-Tang show unlike anything you've ever seen.” Meanwhile, Lil Baby was accused of inciting gang tension that led to the death of two teenaged boys. And at last, Drake resolved his issues with iHeartMedia.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST
The most important news items of the week.
RZA announced the start of Wu-Tang Clan’s final tour, Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber, and talked about it with New York Times.
Lil Baby was accused by the Atlanta Police of inciting gang violence.
Drake settled with iHeartMedia over alleged “Not Like Us” payola and removed their name from the lawsuit that was filed in Bexar County.
Angie Stone was killed in car accident following a show in Alabama. She was 63.
Nipsey Hussle’s Marathon Burger had a grand opening ceremony in the Fairfax District.
Notorious B.I.G.’s estate initiated the sale of the late singer’s publishing and masters for a reported $100 million.
MF DOOM’s notebook was rightfully returned to his widow.
Young Thug’s jewelry was ordered to be returned to him and apparently he signed Nine Vicious.
JAY-Z’s defamation suit against Tony Buzbee is going to trial.
Jeezy filed a lawsuit against his longtime manager and business partner because he wants to see the books.
BARS OF THE WEEK
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“That was like Godzilla versus King Kong. It's valuable in Hip Hop. Because Hip Hop is a sport.” — RZA on the Drake v. Kendrick Lamar beef.
“Nokia in the club omfg >” — Latto on experiencing PND and Drake’s “Nokia” in the club for the first time.
“Everything will come to light soon…and we are not accepting apologies.” — Gordo on those who picked sides in the Drake v. Kendrick beef.
“Me and these rappers, we nothing a like” — A$AP Rocky on a snippet of what’s to come on Don’t Be Dumb.
“Zero, zero, zero, zero, zero / I takе everything from thesе n*ggas and give it to bitches / I sound like a hero / Bad bitch, Robbinhood.” — Tia Corine on “ATE.”
“I don’t know youuuu!” — Future on the phone with Gorgeous Doll defending his honor.
“I ain’t think I was a prospect, I come straight out the projects. Pen was in the trap house he was tryna make a 9 stretch.” — Rob49 spitting on snippet.
“Miami NOT spring break no more!!! ITS HOUSTON” — Also Rob49, this time with a new mandate, effective immediately.
CHART TOPPERS
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
Drake and PartyNextDoor’s $$$4u landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 246,000 sold its first week. All we need now is “Nokia” to be available as a ringtone. After all, It is No. 1 on the iTunes Store (where ringtones are purchased).
Thanks to TikTok, Fetty Wap’s 2015 banger “Again” is back on the Billboard 100.
SOUND WATCH
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Tia Corine “Ate” like she always does.
Lizzo returned with a music video for a fun, new song called “Love In Real Life" — which is also the title of her upcoming album that is slated to be released this summer.
SAINt JHn delivered his Festival Season album, 18 songs deep.
Larry June, 2 Chainz and The Alchemist’s Life Is Beautiful project is now available chopped not slopped, exclusively by The Chopstars.
Not only that, the music video for “Colossal” is out now.
Future shared the music video for “Lil Demon.”
Honey Bxby released her new single “Right On Time.”
Billy Blue shared his latest single "Lil Yeah Yeah”off his upcoming project The Life Of Pedro.
Icewear Vezzo offered a cool visual for his cut “Minnesota.”
Poiison and Haviah Mighty linked up for the "Pursuit” remix.
Justin Bieber shared a sample of some music he’s been working on and it sounds like he wants to be in the studio with Cash Cobain.
NBA Youngboy dropped a music video for a song called “5 Night” and Yaya Mayweather made a guest appearance.
D4vd gave us the visual for “Crashing” with Kali Uchis.
Shygirl got Jorja Smith and SaBboi on a song together called “Wifey Riddim.”
The duo that is Paris Texas shared their EP They Left Me With A Gun.
Astral Trap finally delivered the music video for his song “Block Thump.”
Gustavo Gatsby teased the release of his next joint “Stavi, Hope Of The Nawf'“ for a March 3 release.
Big Hit dropped Free Big Hit with features from Lefty Gunplay, Baby Stone Gorillas and Ty Dolla Sign, among others.
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Industry news.
Dende signed to Def Jam under Tunji.
STEAK REPORT
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
Dee-1 called out Meek Mill in 2023, and according to the faith-based artist the two have reconciled thanks to Fredo Bang.
Fans are concerned with whether or not Bow Wow and Omarion are cool after a fan suggested the pair speak about The Millennium Tour. Bow Wow simply replied with: “No we don’t.”
PartyNextDoor seemingly dissed Tory Lanez on a snippet he teased saying: “F*ck what Tory Lanez say.” He later apologized.
Kash Doll had some of the rap “dolls” in a tizzy after she stated that she was THEE doll during her Club Shay Shay interview. Especially Asian Doll. Now, Asian is making Twitter threats instead of just getting in the booth.
Kanye West has found himself in the middle of Alabama Barker and Bhad Bhabie’s feud, this week. Even though West cleared his “Carnival” sample for Bhad Bhabie, he didn’t realize it was for a diss track and stated that he wants no parts in whatever this is supposed to be.
TOUR BUS
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
The Wu Tang Forever: The Final Chamber tour kicks off June 6. Tickets are on sale now. Expect to hear unreleased Wu if you go!
Lizzo is set to perform three intimate fan shows in March. The first will be in Los Angeles at The Wiltern on the 12th, followed by Irving Plaza in New York on the 16th and then First Avenue in Minneapolis on the 18th. Sign-up for ticket pre-sales here.
Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash Festival is expected to take place June 20-June 22 at the Seat Geek stadium in Chicago. No lineup has been announced yet.
Rihanna is rumored to be performing at Glastonbury and is also rumored to be doing a residency in London. I have my passport ready.
Young Thug’s first show is slated to take place at a festival in Belgium called Les Ardents. Again, the passport is ready.
Drake postponed his remaining Anita Max tour dates due to scheduling conflicts.
FREESTYLE
Memes and viral moments.
Fair.
RAP HILL
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
Drake reached a settlement agreement with iHeartMedia over alleged “Not Like Us” payola in a lawsuit Drizzy filed in Texas. UMG is now the sole defendant in the case. A hearing is set for March 3.
A$AP Relli filed a civil suit against A$AP Rocky, despite Rocky’s not guilty verdict.
A songwriter is taking Chlöe Bailey and Parkwood Entertainment to court over what they claim to be copyright infringement of their work on her Paradise In Trouble project. They are asking for $5M per song in damages.
OUTSIDE
Sightings and appearances.
A$AP Rocky was spotted in Milan with Brent Faiyaz. Here’s to hoping Brent makes it on Don’t Be Dumb.
Drake, Lil Yachty and Travis Scott attended WWE’s Elimination Chamber in Toronto.
Alemeda recently performed in Los Angeles and had the crowd singing “I Hate Your Face” word for word, bar for bar.
Janet Jackson, excuse me, Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty, celebrated someone’s birthday in style.
Ms. Tina was spotted going down the spirit tunnel at Jennifer Hudson’s show
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Lakeyah, Earl Sweatshirt, Money Man, Sah Babii, Lil Gnar, Glockianna, Lil Troy, Rihanna, Micheal Jordan
OUTRO
A final thought.
Wu-Tang is forever.