Tag: album

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FM News Trending

Young Thug’s Latest Album “Business Is Business” Released During Incarceration

"Business Is Business" Album Released By Young Thug
Young Thug. Image source: AllHipHop.

Young Thug, the Atlanta-bred rapper known for his innovative sound and style, has recently orchestrated a monumental album release, captivating fans with his highly anticipated project titled “Business Is Business.” Released on June 22, the incarcerated artist, who has captured the attention of music enthusiasts worldwide, made this exciting announcement through his social media channels just last Thursday.

What immediately catches the eye is the album’s striking black-and-white cover art, which transports us to a courtroom scene. Positioned in the center, Young Thug commands attention, surrounded by his co-defendants on either side. This powerful imagery raises many questions about his artistic expression and personal journey.

Following the remarkable success of his previous album, “Punk,” released in 2021, fans have been eagerly awaiting this new project, hungry for Young Thug’s distinctive blend of rap and melodic innovation. However, the circumstances surrounding this release make it even more exciting. It serves as his first full-length album since his recent arrest and later imprisonment on RICO charges, alongside fellow rapper Gunna and numerous others, as part of a massive gang indictment.

Listen to “Business Is Business” here.

With these developments in mind, we wonder: What artistic revelations does Young Thug’s “Business Is Business” hold? How have his experiences with the legal system influenced his music and outlook? Will this album further solidify his status as a boundary-pushing artist?

The Transformative Effect Of Star Support On Thug’s Album Release

After Thug dropped the bombshell, the renowned producer Metro Boomin took to Twitter, revealing the album art and fueling anticipation with a thought-provoking caption: “BUSINESS IS BUSINESS AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE TONIGHT!! … FREE TWIN. I LOVE YOU.”

 

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As if the excitement wasn’t already sky-high, influential figures like Drake, 21 Savage, and Coi Leray joined the hype, sharing the album’s mystery countdown on their own social media platforms days before the official announcement.

 

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Do you have any idea what impact this kind of support will have on Thug’s upcoming album? How did this cryptic countdown capture such a vast audience, leaving them wanting more? It’s like an orchestra warming up for a concert. All the individual instruments are tuned, getting ready for the big show. When all the instruments come together, the finished product is much more powerful than it would have been without individual contributions. This is what star-studded support has done for Thug’s upcoming album: it’s taken it from a single curiosity to a huge thing.

From Allegations To Indictments: The Legal Chaos Surrounding Gunna

In a riveting turn of events, Gunna has recently unveiled his highly anticipated album, “A Gift & a Curse,” comprising a compilation of 15 songs. What’s even more astonishing is that this album is Gunna’s first release since his incarceration. However, the question arises: What led to his arrest in the first place?

"Business Is Business" Album Released By Young Thug
Gunna’s fourth studio album “A Gift & a Curse.” Credit: Genius

Listen to the album here.

Enter the Young Slime Life gang, a group that strongly resembles Young Thug’s independent label, Young Stoner Life. This gang, allegedly consisting of Thug and others, found themselves caught up in a web of criminal activities. From murder and drug and gun possession to witness intimidation, carjacking, robbery, theft, and drug dealing, their list of charges was staggering. It’s difficult not to wonder how such a notorious operation could come to light.

"Business Is Business" Album Released By Young Thug
Rap stars on Young Thug’s independent label Young Stoner Life. Credit: Pitchfork

Additionally, the prosecution’s case grew even stronger with the addition of indictments encompassing 28 individuals affiliated with YSL. These defendants faced a hefty 56 counts relating to gang activity and racketeering. Amidst this legal chaos, Gunna was accused of committing various felonies, including receiving stolen property and drug possession with the intent to distribute.

The Storyteller Within The Rapper

With Gunna’s album release coinciding with his release from jail in December, it raises thought-provoking questions about his artistic journey and his legal troubles. How will this recent chapter in Gunna’s life shape his music? Will it be a testament to his resilience and growth? Only time will reveal the many layers of Gunna’s career.

It’s as if Gunna is writing a book with each new chapter he enters in his life. His journey to this point may have had some bumps and detours. However, each new experience he adds to the story will bring a new perspective and nuance to the way he creates music.

Written by Nikiya Biggs | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

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FM Spotlight

Dropping Knowledge Through Hip-Hop: Apollo Liberace’s Album And Its Educational Value

apollo

Many sources of inspiration are available to aspiring rappers currently making their way in the industry, such as Apollo Liberace. His recent releases include the singles “Love For Rap” and “Love From You,” as well as his self-titled album Apollo Liberace and music videos for both singles.

Following the release of his latest album and singles, there has been a noticeable increase in his online engagement. Each of his singles, “Love For Rap” and “Love From You,” generated over 30,000 views on YouTube, while his self-titled album Apollo Liberace gained over 560,000 streams on Spotify. These impressive numbers demonstrate the impact of Apollo Liberace’s music on his audience and show the growing fanbase he is building through his hard work and dedication to his craft.

The Benefits Of Running Your Own Independent Record Label

Apollo was previously part of the hip-hop group Minus Gravity, which was signed to Capitol Records in 2019. However, he has since decided to embark on a solo career and has transformed Minus Gravity into an independent record label.

As an independent label, Apollo will have more creative control over his music and the ability to release it on his own terms, without the restrictions and obligations of a major record label. This move also allows him to discover and promote other up-and-coming artists, giving them a platform to share their music with the world.

Exploring The Themes Of Apollo Liberace’s Latest Album

Releasing his self-titled LP, Apollo Liberace, on his birthday, February 27, the Maryland native embarks on a new journey as a solo artist. Through singles like “Love For Rap” and “Love From You,” listeners can gain insight into the album’s overall sound and style.

In his album, Apollo portrays his journey in the music industry, which includes his departure from a music group and his subsequent pursuit of a solo career. Additionally, he addresses the violence and hate often associated with rap music and expresses his views on this topic through his music.

Apollo Liberace’s latest album, “Apollo Liberace.” Credit: Spotify

Apollo’s decision to address hate and violence in rap music is commendable, as music significantly influences people’s attitudes and behaviors. The messages conveyed through music can affect people’s attitudes and beliefs regarding various topics, such as violence and hate. Through their platform, artists can facilitate positive change and challenge harmful attitudes and behaviors by addressing these issues. Bringing attention to hatred and violence in rap music can also combat negative stereotypes about the genre and demonstrate its ability for social commentary and change.

Listen to the album Apollo Liberace below:

Amazon Music |  Spotify | Apple Music

The Artistry Of “Love For Rap”: A Deeper Look At The Single

Apollo shares in songs such as “Love For Rap” that “This song encompasses the moods and emotions felt in a very pivotal moment of my life after having been signed to a major record label, and the business models used to control young artists.” His goal is to avoid the pitfalls of music politics while staying true to his process and passion for creating music.

As one of the tracks on his album, Apollo intends to highlight his distinctive talent for blending melodic sounds with socially conscious rap lyrics. Specifically, he addresses themes such as drug use and violence within the black community, the ongoing issue of gun violence and systemic racism, the impact of greed, and the urgent need to move away from a societal model that idolizes material possessions.

One should definitely keep an eye on the “On Ice” rapper, as he has a unique style that sets him apart from the typical rapper. Despite his unconventional approach, Apollo possesses the lyrical cadence to rival some of this era’s most prominent conscious and freestyle hip-hop artists. In a music industry where social media commercialization and clout chasing have become pervasive, Apollo defies these trends through his album. As a multifaceted artist, he can produce music that caters to the culture and progressive thinkers, challenging stereotypes and breaking new ground in the genre.

The Evolution Of Apollo Liberace: A Tale Of Music And Growth

Born on February 27 in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Apollo Liberace started his music career in the South, drawing inspiration from various music genres, including Rock, R&B, and Hip-Hop, from all regions of the United States. From an early age, he showed promise as a musician, starting with his involvement in church choirs and youth camps before eventually transitioning to performing at nightclubs and larger venues.

Initially, Apollo began his music career as a member of a trio based in San Antonio, TX, known as Minus Gravity. Since then, he decided to pursue a solo career and now performs under the name Apollo Liberace.

Liberace is a standout in the music industry for his exceptional performances and unwavering commitment to his craft. He pours his heart and soul into his music, setting him apart from his peers. In addition to being a gifted performer, Apollo is a versatile artist, serving as a singer, songwriter, producer, hip-hop artist, and audio engineer. He takes complete control over the creative process in the studio, demonstrating his passion and expertise in all aspects of music production.

His global fan base eagerly awaits each of his releases, eager to hear his distinctive fusion of high-energy rock, soulful R&B, and thought-provoking Hip Hop. As an artist, Apollo consistently pushes the boundaries of musical artistry, refusing to be limited by the constraints of any one genre. His creative approach results in a rich, multifaceted sound that sets him apart from his peers and positions him for great success.

Written by Nikiya Biggs

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FM Spotlight

The Journey Of Ian Kelly: From Passionate Musician To Landing Big Time Opportunities

Ian Kelly

A new artist is making his way to the forefront of the music industry. Ian Kelly is a rapper, actor, and songwriter from Oakland, California. His father and grandmother profoundly influenced him as a young man and imparted the concept of community to him. Observing them, Ian realized the importance of helping others and supporting his family during difficult times.

Hip-Hop Music Drives Him

The introduction of hip-hop to his life soon led Ian to realize that music could be a tool that would fulfill his goals. Combining his family’s values and the introduction of hip-hop to his life is like two sides of a coin. The former provided him with a deeper understanding of the importance of community, and the latter gave him an avenue to express it.

At the age of 18, Ian began to develop a passion for music. His cousin commonly shared underground mixtapes from rappers such as 50 cent, Lil Wayne, and local Bay area artists. As a result, his inspiration for writing his own rhymes came from this. Since then, Ian’s been committed to perfecting his craft and advancing his abilities. In 2013, the “Take My Time” rapper released his debut album, In The Mean Time. The unique sound of his music became a hit with fans, which began his journey.

A Great Deal Has Been Happening For Ian Kelly

Many people are unaware that Ian has written music for R&B singers. Among the artists he has worked with are Rapsody, Phesto (member of Souls of Mischief), Jane Handcock, and many others. During his freestyles on Sway In The Morning and Bars Session with Gray Rizzy, the rapper attracted the attention of hip-hop fans nationwide. Queen Latifah praised his work, and he was featured on the soundtrack of the 2015 movie Creed.

In addition, Ian’s music has been featured on the tracklist for Madden 22 and premiered fan favorite “Misunderstood” on BET.

Ian intends to continue releasing music in the near future. His upcoming joint project with Drew Banga is scheduled for release in March of this year. Acting is also a part of his plans, as he will appear on Keke Palmer’s new television network in the show “Big Girl Blues.”

The increasing popularity of rap music has led many rappers to explore the possibility of pursuing acting and other forms of media. Rappers such as Ice Cube and Queen Latifah have had successful careers in music and acting, encouraging other rappers to follow in their footsteps.

Check out Ian’s music below:

Spotify | YouTube | Apple Music

For more updates, follow Ian Kelly on his social media channels:

Twitter | Instagram

Written by Nikiya Biggs | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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Trending

Cardi B Teases New Music As Fans Await Her Sophomore Album

CARDI B MET GALA

Rapper Cardi B‘s debut album “Invasion of Privacy,” released almost five years ago, left a big impact on the music industry. The New York rapper shocked a lot of people with her talent, as many knew her as a social media influencer, stripper, and Love & Hip Hop alum. The debut album received a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and BET Award for Album of the Year, both collected in 2019.

New Album Next Year

However, it looks like she is teasing new music even though she has released tracks since her debut such as hit “WAP” featuring Meg Thee Stallion, and TikTok fave “Up.” The snippet of the potential new song, or early Christmas gift to her fans, will not be on the upcoming album. But she has promised that her sophomore album will be released next year.

Seven-Second Snippet, But Not On New Album

The seven-second snippet was to keep her Bardi gang hydrated, since the thirst for her music is real because her first album was in 2018. The Bronx native’s caption read “HERE some scraps since yall STARVING (followed by laughing emojis).” Then, Belcalis answered a fan’s question of why this was scraps saying “I just don’t love it.” The lyrics are “they be watching every time that I post. Postin’ nothin,’ always gotta do the most. B**ch it sound like you broke. Broke!”

 

Cardi Feeling The Pressure From Her Fans

Cardi B is absolutely feeling the pressure from her fans, since her first project was well recieved. But the pressure upon female’s in hip-hop makes the stakes even higher for her new album. In an interview with The Breakfast Club earlier this month, Cardi explained she feels she has no choice and has to put out new music. She reveals she was having some trouble making up her mind on what to put out.

Written by Vhannah | Instagram: vhannahmontana

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FM Cinema Trending

Yara Shahidi’s Day Off Season Finale: Family Reunion With Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Nas

Yara Shahidi Day Off Season Finale Is Here
Yara Shahidi and Nas. Image source: Facebook Watch.

The season finale of Yara Shahidi’s Day Off, hosted by actress Yara Shahidi has been released! This episode features Yara’s cousin, multi-platinum recording artist Nas, and other family members playing games and drinking hand-crafted mocktails. The conversation between Yara and Nas focuses on music, inspiration, and investing in the future.

Nas Reminisces With Family Members

In addition to Nas’s daughter Destiny Jones, Yara’s brother Sayeed also participated in the family fun. They exchanged old and new family stories while playing games and enjoying mocktails. According to the host, her mother often mentioned how Nas would make his entry into music, but the entire family believed it to be a joke.

“I think I told Uncle Walter. I thought he’d be, like, ‘Yeah, you know, I heard of hip-hop,’ ” said Nas. “Didn’t know what I was talking about. I was young, so it was a dream. But it winded up happening.”

The conversation follows Nas and his daughter, Destiny Jones, speaking more about their experience at the Grammy Awards.

“That was actually a lot of fun to do, The Grammys,” said Destiny. The most memorable experience for her was sharing a trailer with her father. Moreover, Jones points out that Nas was a little nervous that night, even though he does not often experience anxiety.

“She’s right. I was backstage, and I was a little nervous because, you know, that’s a big show,” he said. After 20-some years, I’m like, I got to do this right. I got to remember the words. That was the main thing, remember the words.”

Nas did not anticipate performing at the Grammys. Therefore, it came as a surprise.

Actress Yara Shahidi Inquires About The Importance Of Nas’ Fellowship Program

The conversation then focused on his commitment to investing in future generations through the Harvard Hiphop Fellowship program. In addition, Shahidi asked him what was important to him about the Fellowship.

“The Fellowship is amazing because I didn’t finish. I had a lot of distractions, and I didn’t really finish high school,” said Nas.

Due to not completing high school, the rapper was unhappy for a considerable time, which is understandable since education is a fundamental part of one’s development.

In putting his name on this Fellowship, the “Patience” rapper felt a sense of responsibility as it represented his recent development and direction. Additionally, he asserts that now is the time to look at generational wealth. “It’s not as equal still in an investment space as it should be,” he continued. “So, yeah, we got to think about how we got to make the most, pass it on to the next generation.”

Check out the full episode below!

20th Anniversary Of  The “God’s Son” Album

Nas is known as a musical genius. In case you are unaware, actress Yara Shahidi confirms that Nas’s sixth studio album God’s Son is approaching its 20th anniversary. This album is particularly noteworthy to her because of the words of affirmation it contains and his ability to make music that people can relate to.

Following Yara’s appreciation of the album, Nas elaborates on his music journey and what it means to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his album, God’s Son.

“I never thought I would be celebrating an album that’s 20 years old,” he replied. “It’s the coolest thing ever because you go, you know, it’s a marker in your life where you was. And where I was– I was kind of in a dark moment around that time.”

In 2002, Nas lost his mother to cancer. Several songs on God’s Son are dedicated to his mother, including “Dance.” Nas also felt that he was maturing in terms of rap years and wanted to create something new and different. Sometimes, the artist was not interested in making music or living a performer’s flashy, on-stage, loud life. “I wanted to really kind of just coast through life and go to Barnes & Noble and go do regular, cool things,” Nas asserted.

Actress Yara Shahidi
Nas’ 2002 studio album, God’s Son. Credit: Deep Discount

Meanwhile, the energy within him and the passion he felt were telling him to make that record. During a challenging time, Nas was able to draw strength from that album. The name ‘God’s Son’ represented his desire to focus on the positive aspects of the business and connect his spirituality with that higher vibration to ward off all the bad coming his way and remain humble.

Dream Big & Stay Ambitious!

In the last segment of the discussion, Yara mentions that the culture of critique is something she is always fighting and does not necessarily view this as a call to action.

“It’s an interesting next step to be like, ‘I can use this as ​​the fire under me to do something about it.’,” she said. “Right. Right. And you’ve been doing that. I mean, you have become an inspiration for so many people,” said Nas. “I go places, and people are like, ‘Yara’s your cousin.’ And they tell me about things that I missed.”

Furthermore, Nas maintains that actress Yara Shahidi has always appeared focused at such an early age. The extent of her focus was unknown to him. You would expect many children to do activities related to their peers. However, Yara’s ambition has been integral to her personality since childhood.

In his statement, the “Hero” rapper encourages people not to fall victim to dream killers. “So, with our family, we’ve been lucky enough, blessed enough to have people who really care. That’s important,” he said.

This episode concludes with Nas giving Yara her flowers. “I love that you’re doing this show. This is perfect for you,” he said. “I can’t wait to watch all of it, and I’ll continue to support everything you’re doing. Continue to go.”

Check out the previous episodes from Yara Shahidi’s Day Off on Facebook Watch!

Written by Nikiya Biggs | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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FM Interviews Trending

FM Interviews: Ryan Oakes On The New Album, Rap Career, And Dream Collaboration

Ryan Oakes On Dream Collab, Album, Career
Ryan Oakes. Image Source: Travis Shinn.

Musicians whose songs express their feelings are destined to be heard by listeners. Storytelling is an art that everyone enjoys. In a recent interview with FMHipHop, Los Angeles rapper Ryan Oakes discussed his new forthcoming album, his popular singles, his rap career, and much more.

Oakes was born in Fairfax County, Virginia. After moving to Leesburg, Virginia, he remained there for five years before moving to Los Angeles. Recently, Ryan was signed by an independent music label based in Los Angeles called “Position Music.”

As a youngster, the “2 am” rapper faced several challenges. One of those challenges was finding the appropriate outlet. Thus, at twelve years old, he began “lifting weights,” which helped. However, there were some aspects he could not overcome.

Significantly, taking part in physical activity can help reduce stress. Nevertheless, more must be done if the desired results are to be achieved.

The Beginning of Ryan Oakes’s Rap Career

Aside from that, Oakes vividly recalls his childhood days of “being bored on YouTube” and discovering Eminem’s “Till I Collapse” video. As the Virginia native was experiencing a bad day, he reflected on how it must feel good to get on a track and let stuff off your chest. That led him to try the method and never look back.

Furthermore, the 27-year-old began producing beats on Garageband (a music production program) with friends. They started making parodies similar to those of Weird Al. With maturation and a commitment to his art, Ryan developed into a better artist over time.

Singles of Popularity

Oakes has built a remarkable career in less than a decade. His resume includes 300 million total streams, one million+ monthly Spotify listeners, and 20 million+ song impressions on TikTok. With his sleeper hit “Drinking About You,” the LA-based rapper has accumulated more than 40.4 million Spotify streams.

Additionally, Oakes has earned a substantial following with releases such as “NUMB” and “HELLBOY.” Radio One and SiriusXM have praised his fusion of hip-hop and pop-punk. However, his passion for being revered as a full-fledged MC is evident in his single “WAKE UP.”

‘Wake Up’ Music Video Details

A music video for “Wake Up” depicts Oakes in a full-blown Hannibal Lecter avatar while living in a psychiatric hospital. Throughout the track, the rapper bodies the beat with cuckoo flows slapped with power while a thumping bass line rocks it like a hard blow to your face.

Essentially, the song serves as a visual alarm to indicate that Ryan Oakes will not be going anywhere anytime soon. As shady businessmen and evil surgeons torture Oakes, the powerful narrative follows Oakes’s long, torturous journey in a straight jacket.

In addition, the rapper used a conceptual approach behind the single “Wake Up.”

“Feeling like the industry’s best-kept secret. As an independent artist prior to inking my new deal with Position Music, I self-released nearly 250 songs and pulled in roughly 300 million streams.”

Despite receiving recognition for his music, Ryan stated that most people are unaware of his work. “So I wrote that song inspired to really give them something to talk about so they’d “Wake Up,” said Ryan.

“WAKE UP” came out on Friday, October 7.

His Upcoming Album: What You Can Expect

Currently, Oakes states that “WAKE UP” serves not only as the name of his first single but also as the name of his first full-length album. The album will supposedly come out in May 2023. “It’s the perfect fit. There’s a song for everyone. It blends so many genres together. I’d say pretty much all genres besides country,” Oakes said.

There will be a variety of styles available on the upcoming album. “There’s hardcore rap for the OG Ryan Oakes fans, hard-hitting rock and punk tracks for the newer fans that found me through that stuff, and a little taste of pop in there as well,” said the rapper. “Big shout out to my producers on this one. No one is mixing genres as well as we are, and most of that credit goes to their immense talent and patience when trying to craft a new sound.”

Effortless Songs Receive Applause

Moreover, artists often do not know which songs will be viral hits before they create them. However, in Ryan’s case, “it always seems to be the songs that come together effortlessly and very quickly. Even when I try to go back and rewrite that quick verse, the original verses still sound the best, so I keep them,” Oakes explained.” It’s either the ones like that or, honestly, the ones that you think will kind of just be a niche fan favorite that may not be something everyone likes and tends to absolutely rip. It’s pretty funny.”

Sometimes things happen when you least expect them. It took the LA-based rapper no more than ten minutes to compose his most popular streaming song on Spotify, which has 42 million streams. As successful as Ryan has been throughout his career, he had to overcome several obstacles to reach the level of success he has achieved today.

Many Challenges Have Characterized the Rap Career Of Ryan Oakes

Throughout his journey, he has maintained a mindset of “never giving up.” “On average, it takes about 32 songs (or so I’ve heard) to break an artist. And, like I said, I’ve put out about 250 songs,” said Oakes.

Throughout the first six years of his career, the rapper faced many issues in remaining motivated and convincing himself that there was something special about him. In addition to being “treated as a laughing stock,” those closest to him did not recognize his potential or take it seriously.

“It’s all part of the journey, though; without all that stuff happening, I’m not sure I’d be nearly as good of an artist as I am today,” Ryan asserted. Rather than being discouraged or giving up, Ryan remained committed to his craft and proved everyone else wrong.

Regardless of the challenges, artists encounter throughout their careers, collaboration with prominent artists will enhance their status and possibly lead to an end to their struggles. During the interview, Oakes said he would “love to do a track with NF.” Fans have begged Oakes to collaborate with the “Time” rapper for years. “I honestly really love his music. We would do a track together in a dream scenario and run up a tour,” he said.

Valuable Advice From Ryan Oakes

Toward the end of the interview, Ryan provided some essential advice for emerging artists wishing to make their mark. “You’re not crazy. If you’re willing to really give this your all and immerse yourself and go through this journey, it will always reward you,” said Oakes.

There was a sense of passion and seriousness to the rapper’s message. “I’m not joking; everyone I know who never gave up has made it. And it’s at least a dozen people,” he continued.

“Whether their music projects blew up or they landed a life-changing song they wrote for someone else, everybody made it. None of these people got lucky. They just really made it their life and lifestyle,” said Oakes. “I think that anyone that is really willing to spend every minute trying to become a better artist is going to make it one way or another.”

For more information on Ryan Oakes, follow his social media, Instagram – @ryanoakesmusic and TikTok – @ryanoakesmusic!

Nikiya Biggs brought the interview with Ryan Oakes | Instagram: @competent_journalist | Twitter: @BiggsNikiya

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FM News Trending

Ari Lennox’s Upcoming Project Is Being Mixed

Ari Lennox Album Is In The Works
Arri Lennox. Image source: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella.

Great news for R&B singer Ari Lennox fans: her new album is currently mixed and on the way. The songstress seems pretty pleased with the results so far. She referred to the project as “beautiful soul music.” Her debut album, 2019’s “Shea Butter Baby,” hasn’t aged a day.

However, fans want more, and the R&B artist is taking her time to craft the perfect delivery. She sat with Coke Studios and teased some insights. Ari explained she wishes she could release the album immediately, but it’s not up to her.

“I think it’s a part of healing to release music, and I kind of feel like it’s a whole bunch of just…stuff,” Ari explained. “I have to keep inside when I would like to just get it out.”

What Else Can We Expect From Ari Lennox’s Album?

Ari also said listeners should expect “a lot of singing.” She also indicated the album would reflect a more “grown-up” version of the R&B artist. 

While making “Shea Butter Baby,” Ari admitted to being naive and idealistic. This time, the artist rectifies this by being more honest about what she wants and needs. It seems the singer is a lot more confident about her career’s direction. This is especially great considering the turmoil Ari went through earlier this year. In January, the “Pressure” singer shared on Twitter that she wanted to be dropped from her label after an interview went wrong. 

Then in March, Ari split from her management team, Black Wax. However, the singer is still working with J. Cole’s Dreamville Records and Interscope Records. Thankfully, no other drama appears to be on the horizon.

“We’re in the middle of finishing some music videos. So, it’s beautiful. Things are moving. It’s just, man. I want it out now.”

There isn’t any information on album art or a release date, but when there is, fans are sure to go crazy for it.

Written by Kimberly Stelly | Instagram | Twitter  | Spotify

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FM News Trending

J-Hope And The Future Of BTS

BTS J-Hope: His First Solo Album, Future Of BTS
J-Hope reveals where BTS stands as a collective and his creative process for the album "Jack in the Box." Image Source: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

On July 15, BTS (“Bulletproof Boy Scouts” or “Bangtan Boys”) member J-Hope released his debut album, Jack in the Box. A total of 10 tracks make up this album, resulting in 22 minutes.

While BTS is currently active, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook announced on June 14 during their Bangtan Dinner Party that they would focus on solo projects. This does not imply that the group is disbanding permanently; it is merely a break in communication. Fans reacted differently to the news, resulting in J-Hope’s surprised reaction.  

In an interview with PICKCON, J-Hope also briefly explains what Jack in the Box songs is about. “Jack in the box is an album that I prepared to show you something new,” he said. “It’s filled with my honest thoughts, worries, passion, and aspirations.”

Furthermore, he recommended that listeners listen to the album chronologically from 1 to 10. This suggestion would facilitate the understanding of the album.

“Let’s listen to the first track, “INTRO,” “PANDORA’S BOX,” and “MORE,” J-Hope also said in the interview. “Pandora’s Box talks about J-Hope’s birth and the background of the album.”

BTS Member J-Hope Believes In Experimenting With Different Approaches

According to him, the pause is intended to allow all group members the opportunity to hone their skills individually. In this way, they will be able to reunite and work more efficiently.

Variety reports that J-Hope is the first member of BTS to release a solo album. Therefore, it appears that J-Hope was confident in his ability to showcase his project for the world to see. However, despite his involvement in group projects, the rapper claims he regularly thought about the kind of music he could offer as a solo artist.

Moreover, BTS’ sustainability, open-mindedness, and health will be enhanced by taking the time to work on different projects separately. In addition, to raise awareness about the 2030 World Expo, there will be a concert in Busan, South Korea, in October.

What is “Arson” About?

Click this link to direct you to J-Hope’s Instagram account regarding his 2nd single from Jack in the Box called “Arson.” The song is a reflection of J-Hope’s passion for music. The emotional depth that J-Hope communicates throughout the song as he learns that success comes with demands and fears is also a crucial component. Furthermore, this track deals with his dilemma regarding whether he wishes to extinguish the flame he started or continue to fan it and feed it. 

Listed below are some tweets regarding J-Hope’s new album. 

 

 

Written by Nikiya Biggs

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New Music Trending

Pusha T pushing Vory’s Album Through “Daylight”

Vory's new album has Daylight
Vory. Image source: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images.

Pusha T is helping advertise Vory’s debut album. He claims that he is a big fan of the new single “Daylight.”

Vory’s debut album, “Lost Souls,” is out on Jun 3. Though a small handful of the songs had already been released. Such include “Daylight,” which also features Kanye West.

Kanye West is also going to be on the album. He appears in the song “Daylight.” The song was originally going to be on Ye’s “Donda.” It showed up on early tracklists and was even shown at a listening party in Vegas.

Pusha T knows about the song through either that listening party or as preparations for his own additions to West’s album. Either way, he claims that it is his favorite song in the world.

Vory’s and Kanye West’s Relationship

Vory had recently done an interview with XXL. He talked about his relationship with Ye and the making of “No Child Left Behind,” the most recent song that the duo released together. Their tight relationship leads to more potent creativity. More ideas then also come out of it. Both artists add something from themselves to the music, fulfilling and adding up to each other.

“With ‘No Child Left Behind,’ [Kanye] had an idea: ‘ Never abandon your child.’ That’s what he was trying to run with, so that was a whole different song. And then I was like, ‘Nah, bro, say something [that] means the same thing, but it’s a different saying. More of a quote.'”

If the rest of the album is as good as “Daylight,” then it might have a chance of being one of the greatest of all time. We can only wait until Friday and see what the rest of the album has.

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Written by Justin Acosta

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Hip-Hop’s History Presented At An Exhibition In A Museum

History of Hip-Hop Is On Display At A Museum
In the photo above on the left, Roy Lewis captured a photograph of Chicago's "Wall of Respect" in 1967. The image on the right shows a 1997 photograph taken by Al Pereira of the Tupac memorial mural in New York City. Image Source: Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture

Represent: Hip-Hop Photography’ is the latest exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is located on the second floor of the Earl W. and Amanda Stafford Center for African American Media Arts.

What Is This Hip-Hop History Exhibit Designed To Do?

On Friday, May 6, the exhibition featured photographs from hip-hop historian Bill Adler’s Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection. These images depict the early days of hip-hop and its growth into a cultural movement during the mid-to-late 1990s. “Represent: Hip-Hop Photography” displays a selection of some of hip-hop’s most iconic moments along with historical images from the museum’s collection. It’s inspired by the four elements of hip-hop: DJs, MCs, Breakdancers, and Graffiti.

This exhibition explores how cultural movements, famous figures, art, and dance have influenced the musical genre. As a social commentary medium throughout history, hip-hop has enabled artists to express their thoughts on society and draw attention to the problems of social injustice they face.

This exhibition draws attention to the genre’s development as it gained popularity over the decades. Moreover, it displays hip-hop’s link to African American history and culture.

Furthermore, in 2015, the National Museum of African American History and Culture acquired Alder’s Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection. This is the museum’s most extensive collection of hip-hop photographs. Also, music historian and former Def Jam Records publicist Adler wrote about hip-hop culture, supported it, and explored it since the 1980s.

After shutting down his New York gallery, one of the first in the country to specialize in hip-hop photography, Adler gathered a massive collection. This collection contains more than 400 images by almost 60 artists. Famous photographers included are Harry Allen, Janette Beckman, Michael Benabib, Al Pereira, and Jamel Shabazz.

An Album With Extensive Content

This exhibition comes after the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap release. It’s an album that captures hip-hop’s evolution over the years. The anthology includes nine CDs containing 129 tracks of music. There is also a coffee table book with 11 essays. They belong to Cey Adams, the original creative director at Def Jam.

The exhibit was on display at the museum from 2018 to 2019. It will remain on display until Sep 25.

The NMAAHC opened its doors on Sep 24, 2016. Since then, over 7.5 million people have viewed its exhibits in person and millions more online. In addition, this nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., directly next to the Washington Monument. After all, it is the nation’s largest and foremost museum committed to educating the public about African American history and its influence on the world and American history.

Visit nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or contact Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000 to learn more about the museum.

Written by Nikiya Biggs

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