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Russia Invades Ukraine, Celebs Get Candid

Russia Invades Ukraine, Celebs Get Candid
Image source: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

The potential nightmare of Russia moving in on Ukraine came true at 4AM on Feb. 24.

This comes after months of Russia assembling military troops around the small country. The number of those troops is now approaching 200,000, as stated in reports from the White House. According to the report by Ambassador Michael Carpenter, the measures taken by Russia can be described as “the most significant military mobilization in Europe since the Second World War.”

The tensions rising between the two European nations might also dramatically impact the rest of the world. Russia has a long history with nuclear warfare. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, Vladimir Putin’s state poses a threat of around 6257 atomic warheads. Indeed, it’s an instrumental day for global politics. Since Ukraine’s invasion broke, the celebrity world has given its thoughts. In a mix of sympathetic and strange, some of the world’s biggest stars are making themselves heard on this pressing issue.

Cardi For The Citizens Of Russia And Ukraine

One of the first celebrities to speak out on the Ukraine crisis was New York rapper Cardi B. Earlier this week (Feb. 22), Cardi took to Twitter to vent after a fan asked for her take.

“Wish these world leaders stop tripping about power and really think about whose really getting affected (citizens) besides the whole world is in a crisis,” she typed. “War, sanctions, invasions should be the last thing these leaders should worry about.”

Cardi posted a video doubling down after another Twitter user implied someone else was behind her rant.

“I actually want to say a lot of things, but I’m just gonna mind my business. Sometimes, I feel like I have such a big platform that if I don’t say the right things, I might get killed,” she began.

“I’m really not on NATO’s side or Russian’s side. I’m actually on the citizens’ side. At the end of the day, the world is having a crisis right now. There’s inflation not only in America but everywhere in the world,” Cardi explained. “There is so much shipments and embarkments, backed up. China’s not really messing with us, so a lot of things are behind, a lot of goods are behind. This shit just made it a lot more complicated, so I’m just really annoyed by this.”

The ‘Up’ rapper ended the video with a simple wish. Cardi called for world leaders to come to a “logical conclusion.” This is also a sentiment shared by many citizens of Ukraine, most likely including the dead civilians.

The War Between Russia And Ukraine Is Personal For Some

“Dancing With The Stars” alum Maks Chmerkovskiy is pleading for peace. The Ukrainian-American ballroom dancer posted several videos from Kyiv on Thursday, showing the raw reaction of his hometown invasion. “Honestly, I’ve been getting really emotional. It’s been a little difficult.” He said shakily. “You know me, I stay strong; I don’t show it. But I want to go back home.”

In one of the videos, Maks also explains his privilege as an American citizen. “I realize that I have a way. I realize that I have a different passport, and my family is far away. What I’m realizing is my friends whose kids are here, whose moms/dads are here, and elderly people, and they can’t just escape.”

Similarly to Cardi, Maks expressed what he wants is a peaceful resolution. However, in a more pointed response. He placed responsibility, particularly on Russian citizens. “I think that in 2022 [in the] civilized world, this is not how we do things. And I think as a powerful, forward-thinking nation, not a third-world country, Russia needs to get up and actually say something. No one’s opinion is being heard. This is all one man’s ambition.”

How Not To Speak On The Ukraine Crisis

Andy Cohen and John Cena have also thrown their 2 cents in on the less nuanced end.

The Bravo talk show host posted a screenshot from the popular game Wordle to his IG story this Thursday afternoon.

Clearly, the photo is a blend of too much and not enough. It’s also possible that Andy didn’t want to step on any toes and opted for simplicity. Nonetheless, it’s a little tacky.

While some chastise the 53-year-old for being slightly tone-deaf, The Real Housewives creator subsequently stepped in the right direction. He posted his Ukrainian trainer Stanislav Kravchenko speaking on his personal experience with the invasion. In his story, the trainer detailed the dire conditions of his family and friends are forced to seek shelter from the violence. As quickly as he received flack, he got praise for amplifying a Ukrainian’s voice during these worrying times.

 

 

One thing for sure, it was undoubtedly a better showing than John Cena. Most would choose an inspirational or encouraging message for times like these. clearly, the former wrestler had a different idea.

Yup, The Suicide Squad star used the impending European war to promote his HBO Show Peacemaker. As you can imagine, fans were not happy with the ill-timed promotion. Many Twitter users quickly brought up a May incident where Cena mistakenly called Taiwan a country.

Currently, the tweet has over 3000 quotes and hundreds of angry replies. So hey, the promotion may have worked after all.

The Case Of Terrible Timing

The Weeknd falls in an awkward middle on the scale from appropriate to ill-fitting.

Russia had just begun its missile assault when the “After Hours” star promoted an unknown project. Suddenly, fans were stupefied by his apparent excitement in the midst of receiving information on Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1496690244753641472?s=21

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1496617450011389952?s=21

“LET’S GOOOOOOOO,” he typed. “it’s FINALLY HERE ! It’s time .. TOMORROW !!!” This vague announcement was coincidentally sent out before Russia’s attacks became public knowledge. Yikes.

The Weeknd was quick to acknowledge the unintentional mishap. “unfortunately i’m just now seeing what’s happening with the conflict and will pause on tomorrow’s announcement. i pray for everyone’s safety,” he clarified. While it’s apparent that lousy timing was the culprit, It’s good to know his heart is in the right place. This, of course, didn’t stop his own fans from making fun.

It’s important to note that celebrity input is a small piece of this current global conflict. It’s natural to use Hollywood affairs to escape, but the situation below is still the reality. 

Donate to charities like the International Medical Corps, United Help Ukraine, or Global Giving to aid the people of Ukraine. We may not have the platform of Cardi or The Weeknd, but it’s all the same good intentions.

 

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Dreema Carrington|IG @dr3amgirl79|Twitter @notdreema

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Billboard Reevaluates The Weeknd’s #1 Spot Due to “Suspicious Data”

A few days ago, fans were lauding the Weeknd’s claim of the number one spot on the Billboard over Gunna. However, the tide has turned. Today, headlines read, sales numbers for The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM” are under review.

The Weeknd vs. Gunna: Road To The Top

Both the Weeknd and Gunna dropped their new projects to the masses on Jan 7. Before the release, fans made projections of who would ascend to the top of the charts. The Weeknd’s projection outshined Gunna’s by an ample margin. However, the Weeknd and Gunna’s numbers were quite close upon the release and initial sales calculation. Only a 2,000 margin of sales underlined The Weeknd’s claim of the number one spot. But, despite the proximity of the margin, the numbers certified his title.

Suspicions Abound About The Weeknd’s Win On Billboard

The triumph did not come without a fair amount of surprise. The Weeknd had not released any physical copies of his material. Without physical copies, it would prove that fans bolstered him massively, purely with the procurement of digital content. The source claims that “Dawn FM’s” physical copies’ drop date isn’t even expected until the 28th of this month. So many people are scratching their heads. No doubting the clinch was incredible, undergirding the power of fandom to boost their favorite artist to the top even without physical copies in hand.

Did The Weeknd Claim The Number One Spot On Billboard?

If anyone remembers, a tweet was released on Jan 15 at 5 PM with “Dawn FM” in the top spot. Although many thought the artist held the number one spot, no one fully validated the numbers. Because of the holiday, Billboard postponed the verification of The Weeknd’s sales. However, some maintain the delay was not solely due to the holiday. A few hypothesized the reason for a delay could also be the sales data suspicions. Billboard affirmed this following issuing a statement reading,

“In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious and unverifiable is disqualified prior to the final calculation. This can cause delays in publishing.”

Presently, there are no reports of rational findings. No one knows what the specialists presume to be dubious about the data. However, some are leaning on how the Weeknd released and marketed “Dawn FM” as a consideration.

What Are The Suspicions?

Some fans are considering the unorthodox release tactics for “Dawn FM.” A source noted that no physical copies of the project were released in the first week, and there was no real promotional run before the album dropped.

Are physical copies and promotions essential to securing a massive amount of sales?

In the wake of the controversy, Gunna is turning up. While all eyes were trained on the Weeknd, Gunna sailed by clutching the number one spot for himself with DS4Ever The revised chart was tweeted yesterday by Billboard. So who can blame him for celebrating the climb? According to Billboard, they will post the new chart officially on their site tomorrow,

“The new, Jan 22 2022-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard’s website on Jan 19 – one day later than usual, owing to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Jan 17 in the U.S.”

As for The Weeknd, we are standing by to see his response to the controversy. But, it can’t be easy sinking so quickly from number 1.

Congratulations to Gunna. And FM Hip Hop will keep you informed of any developments with this Weeknd controversy as or if it evolves.

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Written by Renae Richardson

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Do you want to know more on about the initial news surrounding The Weeknd’s placement on the Billboard 200 Charts? Then check out FM Hip Hop’s retrospective article.

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The Weeknd Barely Beats Gunna To The Number 1 Spot On Billboard 200

January 7th was popping for The Weeknd and Gunna! Both dropped incredible new music for the fans. The Weeknd came in blazing with “Dawn FM,” and Gunna came through with “DS4EVER.” Like heavyweight bout fans projected which artist would debut on top. Weeknd was the favorite. Fans expected his project to overshadow Gunna’s to the tune of 157,000 copies in sales to Gunna’s 140,000. So we are speaking about a 17,000 spread, a substantial forecast in the Weeknd’s favor.

The Results are in Weeknd vs. Gunna

Although Weeknd was favored for the number one spot, things didn’t develop as most thought. The Weeknd claimed the title and landed the number one spot. However, the spread was not nearly as considerable as initially expected. The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM” only beat out Gunna’s “DS4Ever” by 2,000 sales. As reported,

“He [The Weeknd] landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 154,000 sales, and Gunna placed No. 2 with 152,000, almost 10,000 more than what predictions said.”

A Surprise for The Weeknd

While not necessarily a surprise to the fans, the number one spot was quite surprising for “Blinding Lights,” crooner. During the time of release, The Weeknd said,

“This [sales] doesn’t matter to me. What matters is getting to experience the album together with the fans during these times.”

In fact, no one could physically acquire his music in the first week, as there were no physical copies available. So, his first week’s sales are based purely on streams. So those numbers say a lot.

Weeknd’s Love for Fans Paid Back in Kind

This type of feedback is the outcome when love for the fans and the music are first. The Weeknd kept it a hundred. Before the release, he said,

“Happy new year! Everything feels chaotic again. Music can heal, and that feels more important than another album rollout. Let’s just drop the whole thing and enjoy it with the people… XO.”

The people did just that. So even with no physical copies, fans showed the man much love and appreciation.

Everybody Wins

Both artists are doing their thing. A 2,000 difference in sales is not a tremendous gap. But those numbers were enough for the Weekend to push past Gunna. Congratulations to both for claiming number one and two spots on the Billboard 200. Since the initial release, both artists have made some amendments to their albums. Gunna added a Drake feature, “P Power.” The Weeknd has released another version of his album, with bonus material not on the original release. So, if interested in what these heavyweights are rocking, check out their projects. Let us know what you think?

Are you interested in some insight on what else is happening in the Weeknd’s life? Then check out FM Hip Hop’s retrospective article.

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Written by Renae Richardson

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The Weeknd Drops New Album ‘Dawn FM’

the weeknd
the weeknd

We’re entering a new era of The Weeknd with the unveiling of his new project, Dawn FM.

The Weeknd kicks off the year

The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, first teased his fifth studio album Dawn FM with a trailer back in August. He finally dropped the anticipated record late at night on Jan. 7. The 16-track project clocks in at just under an hour-long, and includes singles like “Take My Breath,” “Sacrifice,” “A Tale” and “Out of Time.”

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1478726694257106944?s=10

The Weeknd held a virtual listening party with his fans last night to celebrate the drop and “experience the album together”

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1478543564657201154?s=10

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1479151568599465987?s=10

Dawn FM is stacked with features from prolific artists like Tyler the Creator and Lil Wayne. Most notably, comedian Jim Carrey makes an appearance on the album. Carrey is evidently a huge Weeknd fan, making headlines earlier this week (Jan.3) for praising the project.

“I listened to Dawn FM with my good friend Abel @theweeknd last night. It was deep and elegant and it danced me around the room. I’m thrilled to play a part in his symphony,” Carrey typed.

https://twitter.com/jimcarrey/status/1478079298779058177?s=10

The Weeknd was quick to respond with his appreciation. “Thank you for being a part of this. It’s kismet. Full circle 🥲” he replied. Clearly, the unexpected duo have a great working relationship.

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1478080839359483905?s=20

A win for Weeknd

Dawn FM follows the wildly successful 2020 album After Hours,which debuted at number 1 on the billboard top 200 and had the highest first-week sales of the year. While After Hours famously went unnoticed by the Grammys that year, it saw tremendous commercial and financial success. With 3 billion streams, a eight-time platinum certification, and ‘Blinding Lights’ spending 90 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, The Weeknd had a career-changing 2020. In addition to landing his first Super Bowl gig, the 31-year-old singer took home 10 Billboard Music Awards that year. Obviously, the Grammy snub hasn’t slowed the Toronto artist down at all.

The Weeknd spoke to Rolling Stone early last year to expound his feelings on the unexpected event. “I use a sucker punch as an analogy,” he said.

“We did everything right, I think. I’m not a cocky person. I’m not arrogant. People told me I was going to get nominated. The world told me. Like, ‘This is it; this is your year.’ We were all very confused.”

Two years later and the support continues to pour in for The Weeknd. Fans were quick to take to social media to express their love for Dawn FM.

You can stream Dawn FM on Spotify and Apple Music now.

RELATED STORIES:

Aaliyah’s New Song “Poison” Featuring The Weeknd Gets Mixed Reviews

The Weeknd: How He Found Grammy Success Despite Boycott

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Dreema Carrington|IG @dr3amgirl79|Twitter @notdreema

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The Weeknd is Arresting Attention with Reveal of New Album Cover

Today, fans woke to an unexpected tweet from “Earned It,” artist The Weeknd. At 9:04 am on January 4, 2022, The Weeknd revealed the artistic rendering of his new album cover in a tweet. The reveal left many with a few questions.

What’s So Interesting About The Weeknd’s Album Cover?

Well, let’s say he looks a bit different. Some say he’s looking almost unrecognizable as an older version of himself. One thing is sure the skills of the Weeknd’s makeup artist are on point with this one. He seems so authentically aged one would wonder if this were the real him.

The Weeknd Flexes The Album With PR Strategy

Of course, the reveal of the album cover is a move to boost interest in his upcoming release. This Friday, fans can expect the Weekend’s newest album, Dawn FM.

The Tweet Shouldn’t Be Too Shocking.

A day before the tweet, The Weeknd went public with an announcement on Instagram. And he included the exact rendering in the video. Not only did he arrest attention with his aged image but also with a message. According to iheart.com, the message was as follows,

“…You’ve been in the dark for way too long. It’s time to walk into the light and accept your fate with open arms.”

What does It All Mean?

Honestly, it’s cryptic, and in this case, context matters. Only we don’t know the context in which the artist speaks. Interestingly, the quote is not the only mysterious thing about the promotional video. The Instagram announcement also included highly recognizable names, Jim Carrey, Quincy Jones, Tyler, The Creator, Lil Wayne, and Oneohtrix Point Never. Could it be that the statement and the names are linked? Who knows? Followers will have to wait until Friday for further revelation.

Apart from the Weeknd’s new album release, the artist is also preparing for his massive tour. And according to iHeart radio, The After Hours Til Dawn tour is still on for the summer.

So, all if this album information roused your interest and you are ready for The Weeknd and the advent of a “New Sonic Universe,” Friday will be here soon enough.

Interested in why the Weeknd rescheduled his tour dates? Then we got you covered! Check out FM Hip Hop’s retrospective article. 

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Written by Renae Richardson

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Aaliyah’s New Song “Poison” Featuring The Weeknd Gets Mixed Reviews

Aaliyah and The Weeknd
Source: Getty

Aaliyah‘s music is timeless. Not only is Aaliyah’s music timeless but, her voice is timeless. As such, musicians have always done posthumous collaborations with her. Every time they do so, it sounds like she’s still alive. Even teenagers in 2021 are familiar with her sound and aesthetic. 

Thanks to Aaliyah’s uncle, Barry Hankerson, fans have access to her albums on all music platforms. That comes after only having access to most of her music through YouTube. He also promised that there will be a new album coming featuring artists such as Drake, Chris Brown, and Future. 

While fans await Aaliyah’s upcoming album, The Weeknd dropped a new song with her called “Poison.”

Click here to hear “Poison”:

“I’m so excited to share this new song by Aaliyah and the very talented The Weeknd,” said Barry Hankerson. “I wanted her adoring fans to get a special gift before the holidays and felt it was the perfect time to release a never-before-heard offering.” 

It’s also worth mentioning that Hankerson is the founder of the legendary Blackground Records. Aaliyah, among other iconic singers, was signed to the label.

Naturally, Aaliyah fans have a lot to say about “Poison.” Here is what they are saying on Twitter, for example: 

https://twitter.com/justicesoiam/status/1471772683889115138?s=20

https://twitter.com/callmedollar/status/1471835253362905094?s=20

Despite what critics say, fans are super excited to hear Aaliyah’s voice on something new.

The Weeknd sampled Aaliyah’s “Rock The Boat” earlier in his career on “What You Need.” The song appeared on his 2012 album Trilogy. Nine years later, he comes back with a legit collaboration that might just hit the billboard charts. 

Written by Amber Alexander
Twitter: Ambernofetari

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The Weeknd: How He Found Grammy Success Despite Boycott

This year has been one of the greatest stints in music for Canadian singer The Weeknd. His released his latest album, After Hours, in March of 2020. However, the record continues to make history as lead single “Blinding Lights” is now the top Billboard Hot 100 song of all time. The album, which also “Save Your Tears” featuring vocal powerhouse Ariana Grande, solidifies why fans appreciate The Weeknd’s musical genius. Now, the Weeknd has three new Grammy nominations under his belt, although the artist’s relationship with the Recording Academy has been turbulent.

The Weeknd has openly boycotted the Grammys in the past, after he did not receive a single nomination in 2021. Despite record-breaking streams and a gratifying NFL Halftime Show performance, he found himself “uninvited to the show.”

“Because of the secret committees, I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys,” he said.

The 2022 Grammy nomination list revealed The Weeknd received three nominations, despite last years boycott. Two of the nominations come for collaborations with Kanye West on Donda, and one for a collaboration with Doja Cat.

It is important to realize that The Weeknd stands on his word. The nomination stems from submissions of West’s parent label, Def Jam, and Doja’s, RCA. The Weeknd’s nomination was, in fact, made possible by a recent Grammy rule update. This eliminated a previous rule that mandated songwriters have contributed 33% of a Best Album nominee to receive recognition.

The Recording Academy’s Evolution with Music

The Weeknd’s boycott of the Grammy’s sparked a “f**k the Grammy’s” movement across social media. Fans and artists openly questioned the validity of the Recording Academy nomination process. In response, over the years, The Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees has appeared to keep up with the evolution of music and how listeners consume it.

For instance, in 2014, they allowed samples of previously written songs in all songwriting categories. In 2017, they made streaming-only recordings eligible for Grammys. Still, the changes are not enough for the many artists snubbed of nominations.

Jay Z who is now the most Grammy nominated artist of all time, first boycotted the awards show as early as 1999. At the time, the late DMX was at the height of his career with two No 1. albums. Surprisingly, DMX has not received a single nomination. Artist Zayn Malik has also voiced discontent with the Recording Academy’s progress.

https://twitter.com/gwsrameen/status/1463160111812251660?s=20

Pressing Onward and Upward

The Weeknd has plenty more in store for loyal fans. In a recent episode of “Memento Mori”, the artist’s Apple Music 1 radio show, he announced he has completed his next album The Dawn, which will come soon. He shared explicit details with Billboard:

“Picture the album being like the listener is dead. And they’re stuck in this purgatory state, which I always imagined would be like being stuck in traffic waiting to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. And while you’re stuck in traffic, they got a radio station playing in the car, with a radio host guiding you to the light and helping you transition to the other side. So it could feel celebratory, could feel bleak, however you want to make it feel, but that’s what The Dawn is for me.”

https://youtu.be/CdGenQIXxh8

The Weeknd is also now working on HBO drama series, “The Idol,” The Weeknd will serve co-creator of the show alongside Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. The artist announced he’ll star alongside Lily-Rose Depp and Melanie Liburd of “Power Book II: Ghost.” With an all-star cast and team, the bar is high for the new series.

Although fans still await solid tour dates, his new single with Post Malone offered up a new bop to vibe to.

With the Grammys around the corner, it is unclear if he will make an appearance. Either way, we salute the mega-star.

Read more on this year’s Grammy nominations and nominees here.

Written by Antoinette Ford

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Jay Z Is Now The Most Grammy Nominated Artist Of All Time

Jay Z

Jay Z is now the most Grammy-nominated artist of all time! Of anyone who has doubted his GOAT status, Jay-Z added yet another prestigious honor to his already lengthy memoir. Mr. Carter, alongside legendary musician and producer Quincy Jones, shared the title with 80 nominations. Furthermore, with the release of the 2022 nominations, Jay Z now has 83 nominations.

His nomination for Album of the Year and Best Rap Song derives from Kanye West’s Donda album. The third from the same Best Rap Song category for the song “Bath Salts” by Nas and the also late DMX.

The Grammy full-circle moment

The honor of this nomination with late Bronx rapper DMX surrounds Hov’s first Grammy nomination in 1999. Jay recalls how he boycotted the awards show due to DMX not receiving a nomination.

However, he had two albums that charted No. 1 on Billboards 200. He has always shared respect for other rappers and also displayed this early on in his career. Listen to this snippet of Power 105.1’s “The Breakfast Club; Rumor Report.“

Jay-Z and other Artists demand respect from The Recording Academy

Jay-Z’s decision to boycott the Grammys has seemingly been a reoccurring theme. Several artists have questioned the motives of the academy’s voting standards. This year alone has caused the most prominent artists of this decade to call out the recording academy. They called attention to the lack of gender and racial diversity displayed amongst past winners.

Speculation of a deficiency in the nomination process stemming from 63 years of the Grammys. For this reason, The Weeknd, who had the most successful runs of his career, was left questioning what may be the problem. His LP, After Hours, was on the Billboard 200 consecutively 4 weeks and counting but somehow did not receive a nomination.

“Because of the secret committees, I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys,” he said.

The unleash of f*** the Grammy’s tweets flooded social media. Kanye West, who urinated on his Grammy in frustration, was less than pleased with his standings.

https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1306280073209589760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1306280073209589760%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Fawards%2Fartists-calling-out-grammys-9543230%2F

In 2018, Hov led the nominations with 8 but lost in every category. He didn’t hold back on the awards when he and wifey Beyoncé released “APESH –.”

“Tell the Grammy’s f— that 0-for-8 sh–,” he rapped.

Signed, sealed, delivered

The Brooklyn, New York music mogul is coasting his way into history. With his recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and now Grammy historical moment, Jay-Z made his name one that will ring on far longer than we can fathom.

Written by Antoinette Ford

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The FMHip Hop Retro Review: Drake’s ‘Take Care’ (2011)

drake take care

Take Care is undoubtedly one of Drake’s most successful albums to date.

The album was released November 15, 2011, and was his second LP. The delivery of this album became the catalyst for the cementation of his name and brand. Although his 2013 album, Nothing Was The Same, took the world by storm, its predecessor is still arguably his greatest work. The attention to detail is apparent, down to the sincere emotion of his heartfelt lyrics.

In October, Billboard commemorated Drake’s Take Care for withstanding 450 cumulative weeks on the Billboard 200, making him the third rapper to do so. With Eminem’s Curtain Call: The Hits, spending 550 weeks on the charts, and Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, spending 468 total weeks, he proves he is amongst the greatest to do it.

Drake is notably one of the greatest rap artists of our time. He trailblazed a lane of his own with his smooth vocals and, in a world where rap is a breeding ground for misogynistic lyrics, the Toronto rapper capitalized on his lover boy charm.

With the album celebrating its 10th anniversary of success, its only fitting we take a trip down memory lane. Here we are giving you the 6 God’s top six songs from this classic album.

Original Take Care Tracklist, Where is this Photo From? | Kanye to The
Drake celebrated Take Care’s 10th anniversary by sharing this handwritten track list of his second studio album. via Instagram(@champagnepapi)

The Top Six Tracks From Take Care

1. Marvin’s Room

Marvin’s Room is a fan favorite. The title is a reference to Marvin Gaye’s studio, popularly known as “Marvin’s Room”, where Drizzy recorded the track. Believe it or not, this song almost didn’t make the track list. Producer of the song, 40, convinced Drake to keep the track on the album following the track’s leak several months prior to the LP’s release.

Giving his signature polished and effortless vocals, this love turned sour track instantly became an anthem for the scorned lovers.

“I’m just saying you can do better,” sang Drake. The downtempo range created a congenial environment for drunk-calling our ex. With his unapologetic approach to overstepping boundaries, he really captured the essence of wanting that old thang back. Marvin’s Room opened doors to other R&B natives to jump in on the action. With covers by Chris Brown, JoJo, Teyana Taylor, and Jhené Aiko, this song proved its excellence.

2. Headlines

Drake debuted Headlines as the first single off the album. Drake’s hype train became a reality with this track. With the line, “The realest is on the rise, f*ck them other guys,” he gave fans a moment to realize the place he was gunning for in hip hop. This summer time jam provided the accelerated beat needed to really get a party going. Drake told Billboard:

“By no means is it the best song on my album, it’s really just the song for this moment, right now,” he said. “I always try to put forth a song with a message. A lot of people pick their single by what’s the strongest song. I don’t really do that. I like to make sure that the content is very relevant to right now.”

3. Take Care ft. Rihanna

With rumors of the two dating, this single came with a flirtatious vibe that sent the popular duo to the forefront of every convo. The Barbados fire-cracker is pop royalty and the Toronto rapper was on a steady climb, making for the perfect duet.

4. Crew Love ft. The Weeknd

A bromance was perfectly brought to life with this dynamic collaboration. Talks of groupie love are to be expected, especially from the charismatic charmer. The addition of The Weeknd gave a smooth essence to the arrogance this song brings.

“This ain’t no f*cking sing-along, so girl what you singing for,” is the perfect example of The Weeknd’s ability to deliver this rude but inviting line. They lovin’ the crew for sure with this one.

5. HYFR (Hell Yeah F*ckin Right) ft. Lil Wayne

The classic Drake and Lil Wayne team-up is one we are honored to receive. Anytime these two are on a track it is sure to be a banger. and “Hell Yeah F*ckin Right” was a banger indeed. This song is another alcohol-induced display of affection for his ex-lover.

“I learned Hennessey and enemies is one hell of a mixture,” Drizzy raps.

Conversely, this is a reoccurring theme in his work. Either way, this song gave us some upbeat rhymes contradictory to his usual melodic tunes.

6. The Motto ft Lil Wayne & Tyga

“The Motto” needs no intro. This track paraded the YOLO (You Only Live Once) train and awakened a time period for the rambunctious and unrestrained. Again, this Drake and Lil Wayne collaboration is why the two are amongst the greatest. With YMCMB labelmate Tyga, this song promoted the leisure seekers to emerge. The clubs kept this track in heavy rotation.

 

Whether you call him Drake, Drizzy, Champagne Papi, or Lover Boy, Drake is one of the greatest rappers of our time, maybe the greatest.

Written by Antoinette Ford

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Post Malone and The Weeknd Drop New Collaboration

Post Malone and The Weeknd are two of the hottest artists to give us lasting hits. Now, the two present a new single. “One Right Now” was announced by Post Malone’s team via Instagram. Take a listen!

The official video is expected to drop next week, and fans are sure to be blown away. Both artists are eccentric and execute the perfect aesthetics when dropping visuals. This duo did not need a colossal introduction when dropping a single, so Post’s manager dropped a snippet of the song via his Instagram.

This on-time track gives classic Malone and Weeknd vibes. This collaboration shows why the direction of hip hop is monumental for the new and old. “Said you love me, but I don’t care” is effortlessly sung to introduce the song. Malone gives his classic but evolving rap-sing style of the aeromatic beat. With smooth echoes and cold lyrics, this is sure to be a great vibe as we head into the cold season.

Malone on the scene

Post Malone first shattered the music scene in 2015 with his smash, White Iverson. The song was a soft melodic tune that was brought to life when the beat took over. This song’s execution made Post a sought-after rapper due to the significance of his rap style and his gothy and unconventional fashion choices.

Post’s first album Stoney, helped to forge his musical identity. This album featured chart-topping artists, Justin Beiber, Quavo, 2 Chainz, and Kehlani. Notably, his debut solidified his music and would soon make the rapper a highly sought-after in addition to several hits.

 

De Ja Vu was dropped in place of the late release of the album. This hit with heartthrob, Justin Beiber, was a great way to keep fans thirsty for his LP’s release. Since the release of his debut, Post Malone has been no stranger to dominating the Billboard charts. He has racked up several awards throughout his career. At the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, Post dominated the night, taking home nine awards, including the top artist nomination.

The Weeknd

The Canadian singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, has imprinted on contemporary popular music. With his uniquely spelled name, The Weeknd, he has given us music as unique as his name. The singer, songwriter, and producer trio began a silent start in music in 2009. In 2011, his House of Balloons mixtape solidified his fanbase. He went on to score a record deal with Republic Records that same year.

His distinct singing voice, along with the dance moves, have made musical force and performer. Along with Toronto’s musical ally and friend, Drake, they made a classic Crew Love. The song was featured on Drake’s, Take Care album. They collaborated again on The Zone.

So far, this year has been a propelling year of the famous singer. The Weeknd performed the 2021 Superbowl Halftime Show. Fans were thrilled because his performance was the first to appeal to cutout and digital attendees amidst the pandemic. With his tour still looming, he has built a solid amount of suspense on when it will commence. With Blinding Lights being at the height of its streams, it quickly became the favorite of the performance.

New Duo Alert

The Post Malone and The Weeknd match has fans over the surprise release of the track. Especially since the teasing snippet circulated. They have built up anticipation for the take over of the song on the charts giving us the collaboration we didn’t know we needed.

Antoinette Ford

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