Kendrick Lamar will perform as the headliner of the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025. On Sunday (Sept. 8), K-Dot hopped on his Instagram page to post a video of himself formally announcing that he will perform at the 2025 Super Bowl in February.
“You know there’s only one opportunity to win the championship. No round twos,” the Compton rhymer said in the clip, which can be viewed below.
Kendrick’s Super Bowl Halftime performance will hold a special place in hip-hop history, as he’ll become the first solo rapper to headline the event after The Black Eyed Peas did it as a group at Super Bowl XLV in 2011.
“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one,” said Kung Fu Kenny in a press statement.
Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation company is co-producing the halftime show, added: “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Hov’s Roc Nation has been advising on the selection of artists for the Super Bowl performances since 2019.
Creative Direction for Pulitzer Kenny’s halftime performance will be provided by pgLang, the creative company founded by Kendrick and longtime collaborator and filmmaker Dave Free.
Kendrick previously performed at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent.
The 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show will air live on Fox on Feb. 9, 2025
According to TMZ, the news was confirmed by the former Think It’s A Game Records artist’s family as well as a representative for the Fulton County morgue after speculation about his passing began circulating on social media on Thursday afternoon (September 5).
While they did not reveal a cause of death, Rich Homie Quan’s family told TMZ they are “shattered and heartbroken by his sudden death.”
Boosie Badazz was the first member of the Hip Hop community to issue a public reaction, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “JUST GOT WORD @RichHomieQuan JUST OD [double exclamation points emoji] JUST TALK TO WUAN [sic] THE OTHER DAY #gomissun-gga.”
JUST GOT WORD @RichHomieQuan JUST OD ‼️JUST TALK TO WUAN THE OTHER DAY #gomissunigga
— Boosie BadAzz (@BOOSIEOFFICIAL) September 5, 2024
Born Dequantes Devontay Lamar, Rich Homie Quan first rose to prominence with the release of his 2013 single “Type of Way.” Later that year, he delivered a show-stealing performance on YG‘s “My N-gga,” paving the way for his inclusion as part of XXL‘s 2014 Freshman Class.
He and Young Thug would then join forces as Rich Gang, releasing their mega hit single “Lifestyle” via Cash Money Records in 2014.
While he’s been less active on the music front in recent year, Thug’s YSL RICO case had Quan reflecting his career, particularly his lyrics.
Speaking with Sway’s Universe in 2022, Quan revealed that he had rethought how he writes his lyrics in the wake of his former collaborator’s legal troubles, mostly because he doesn’t want his children to get the wrong idea about their father.
Sunday (August 25) marked 23 years since she died in a plane crash in the Bahamas in 2001. Taking to X, Missy reflected on her friend and collaborator’s legacy.
“Your IMPACT on music is still being felt & studied by the generations behind you!” she said. “They LOVE seeing your STYLE & MUSIC was different over 20 years ago & til this day you r still that TRENDSETTER.
“Prayers for your family & the families of those other talented lives who left with you on this day. You will NEVER be Forgotten.”
Last year, Ginuwine shed some light on his falling out with Aaliyah before her death in an interview with Drink Champs.
The R&B crooner explained there was no real beef — it was more a misunderstanding when it came to his relationship with the late singer.
“We were all a family — Missy, Timbaland, her [Aaliyah], myself, Magoo, Playa, Tweet — all of us,” Ginuwine said, touching on the closeness with his former label mates.
“Her and I weren’t seeing eye-to-eye. I think it had to do a lot more with her loyalty to her uncle, Barry Hankerson — he was the record [company] head and [his] company was my manager — I just decided to leave because whatever reason. Of course, her loyalty was to her family. So, that’s where that stemmed from.”
EnjoyTheBEATZ.com Top 10 Remix Chart (based on sales) February 2024
Excludes free remixes.
10. Deniece Williams – Let’s Hear For the Boy remix
9. Bjork – Big Time Sensuality remix
8. Big Sean vs Chris Brown, Tyga – I Don’t Fuck with Ayo mashup
7. Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke remix
6. Doechii feat Kodak Black – What It Is (Block Boy) remix
5. Alicia Keys – Fallin remix
4. Digital Underground – Humpty Dance remix
3. Kevin Gates – 2 Phones remix
2. Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer remix
50 Cent may have found a new home following the success of his inaugural four-day-long Humor & Harmony Weekend Festival in Shreveport, La. this past weekend.
Months after 50 Cent announced the launch of G-Unit Studios in Shreveport, La., which will be the presumed home of his G-Unit Film & Television company, the rapper-turned-mogul threw a slew of star-studded events.
XXL was in attendance for the festivities, including a comedy show with an afterparty to follow, an XXL Freshman showcase, a celebrity basketball game, car show and much more. The events were welcomed by the people in the city, who came together to support G-Unity Foundation’s sole mission to promote Conscious Capitalism, an action that resulted in an economic boost, and brought millions of dollars to the city.
Not to mention, Shreveport, La., an area with a very high crime rate, had no reports of violence throughout the weekend, prompting 50 to share on Instagram that he wants to hold the festival again.
Rappers, Comedians, R&B Singers and More Come Together Humor & Harmony Weekend
This past Thursday (Aug. 7), Fif kicked off Humor & Harmony weekend with endless laughs provided by comedians Katt Williams, Andrew Schulz and Michael Blackson, among others. There was even a surprise appearance from Dave Chappelle, who did a set. The following day on Aug. 8 was the XXL Freshman showcase featuring Skilla Baby and ScarLip, and other rising artists. Following the Freshman concert was the celebrity basketball game, with team QC facing off against TDE. Cam’ron provided hilarious play-by-plays of the players.
On the court were a variety of celebs from different spaces, including rappers Master P, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie and DaBaby, rapper-turned-podcaster Gille Da Kid, NFL legend Terrell Owens and numerous actors and actresses from 50’s Powerverse and BMF, to name a few.
Last Saturday (Aug. 10), Humor & Harmony Weekend Festival held a car show hosted by 50 and Power 105’s DJ Envy. After the family-friendly daytime event, some of the biggest names in hip-hop, such as Moneybagg Yo, 2 Chainz, French Montana, A Boogie and 50 himself, hit the stage for the 50 Cent and Friends concert. R&B artists Monica, Muni Long and Jeremih were among several singers to perform as well. Things closed out on Sunday (Aug. 11) with an all-white party.
Watch Videos From 50 Cent’s Humor & Harmony Weekend Festival
Drake surprised fans by unleashing 100GB of content on a website called 100gigs.orgon Tuesday (August 6). The release initially appeared to be a leak as it emerged from a seemingly random Instagram account, now speculated to be Drake’s burner.
“100 GIGS FOR YOUR HEADTOP,” the account declared.
Drake’s label OVO Sound confirmed the content was not a leak on X (formerly known as Twitter). It shared a link to the website and tagged Drake in a post on Tuesday afternoon.
The 100GB release included three new songs. Latto, who appeared on one of the tracks, shared a snippet with a video of her riding a horse on her social media platforms.
Drake enlisted Latto for a song called “Housekeeping Knows.” Frequent collaborator 21 Savage and the incarcerated Young Thug contributed to a track titled “It’s Up.” The third song was a solo cut called “Blue Green Red.”
The rest of the content was filled with behind-the-scenes footage of Drake from music videos, studio sessions and more. The 100 gigs site made every folder available for download.
While the Chicago rapper has announced public listening events, titled Writings on the Wall, across the U.S., Juvie got his own special preview of the highly-anticipated project in his hometown of New Orleans.
The Cash Money legend was impressed by both the music itself and the audio-visual experience of the listening event, calling them “amazing.”
In a video posted on Chance’s Instagram, he gushed: “This shit is one of the greatest experiences. First of all, the music is so touching, right? But this technology is so great. You can feel that shit in your body.
“Then you’re seeing the words and you got the headphones [on] listening to the music. It’s like a sing-a-long song, right? When you get to the next hook, you should know the words. This shit is amazing.”
Another clip shows Juvenile listening to Star Line with glow-in-the-dark headphones on and saying: “Wow… Chance, this is fucking amazing” while applauding.
Chano added in the caption:”Had to give my guy @juviethegreat a lil private listening between the NOLA #writingsonthewall sessions.
“I wanna thank the good folks over there at @studio_be_ especially @bmike2c for collaborating in such a meaningful way and bringing Juvie and @pjmorton thru. Cant wait for the next one y’all.”
Chance The Rapper has been teasing Star Line for a while, sharing a video earlier this year that hinted at features from the likes of Lil Wayne, Lil Yachty, Jermaine Dupri, T-Pain, Jazze Pha and Vic Mensa.
He also worked with the legendary DJ Premier on the recent single “Together,” which found him calling for housing justice in his native Chicago.
EnjoyTheBEATZ.com Top 10 Remix Chart (based on sales)
January 2024
Excludes free remixes.
10. City Girls – Twerkulator remix
9. Nelly vs Chic – Hot In Herre for Good Times mashup
8. Olivia Newton-John – Magic remix
7. Missy Elliott vs The Commodores – Work It Like a Brick House mashup
6. City Girls – Work For It remix
5. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop remix (Clean)
4. New Order – True Faith remix
3. LL Cool J – Rock The Bells remix
2. Ini Kamoze vs Latto, Mariah Carey – Here Comes the Big Energy Hotstepper mashup
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon, LL COOL J, has announced his 14th studio album, The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy).
Set for release on September 6th via Def Jam Recordings / Virgin Music Group, the highly anticipated 14-track album features an impressive lineup of guest artists, including Nas, Eminem, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie, Snoop Dogg, Don Pablito, J-S.A.N.D., Mad Squablz, and Sona Jobarteh.
The FORCE, LL’s first new album in over a decade, is a powerful testament to his enduring influence in the music industry. Produced entirely by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, the album showcases LL’s renewed vigor and lyrical prowess. The Queens emcee describes the creation process as “learning how to rap again,” resulting in a record that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in Hip-Hop tradition.
“It’s like a director going back to film school after he’s had blockbusters,” LL says, or “Denzel going back to acting class.”
This album explores various themes, from racial injustice and law enforcement abuses to the effects of the pandemic, isolation, and LL’s legacy in the Hip-Hop canon. With sharp writing and dynamic vocals, “The The FORCE blends serious topical content and energetic, fun tracks, demonstrating LL COOL J’s continued relevance and creativity.
“We’re talking 14 tracks of straight fire, all crafted by myself and the one and only Q-Tip,” LL said. “When you listen to this album, you’re not just hearing music, you’re experiencing a whole new vibe, a whole new level of artistic passion.”
The FORCE is set to inspire and challenge the genre, offering a new direction for Hip-Hop while celebrating its rich history. Fans can look forward to a modern, thought-provoking album that reaffirms LL COOL J’s place as a Hip-Hop legend.
Previously, LL COOL J triumphantly returned to music with his new single “Saturday Night Special” featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe. Released via Def Jam Recordings and Virgin Music Group, the track marks LL’s comeback after a decade-long hiatus.
The new single, produced by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Q-Tip, kicks off with an innovative sonic approach. LL COOL J, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe navigate the track with lyrical finesse, depicting life’s harsh realities, intricate dynamics, and the code of ethics governing it. Named after the revolver class “Saturday Night Special,” the song explores key players in the hustle, such as the “greedy killer” who reacts violently to disrespect and the “daredevil type” who seeks attention. Emphasizing self-preservation and strategic interaction, the song’s core message revolves around trust and reciprocity in the hustle.
The minimalist, black-and-white music video, directed by JakeTheShooter with creative direction from HiHat, brings the hustler anthem to life. Shot in Miami, Florida, the video features LL, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross performing together.
“‘Saturday Night Special’ is just the beginning,” LL said. “There’s a lot more where this came from, and I’m hype for y’all to hear this new record. We’re doing this for the fans and for Hip-Hop culture.”
You can see the tracklist below.
1. Spirit of Cyrus (Featuring Snoop Dogg)
2. The FORCE
3. Saturday Night Special (Featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe)
4. Black Code Suite (Featuring Sona Jobarteh)
5. Passion
6. Proclivities (Featuring Saweetie)
7. Post Modern
8. 30 Decembers
9. Runnit Back
10. Huey In Da Chair (Featuring Busta Rhymes)
11. Basquiat Energy
12. Praise Him (Featuring Nas)
13. Murdergram Deux (Featuring Eminem)
14. The Vow (Featuring Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D., and Don Pablito)
