‘4:44’ is being hailed as JAY-Z’s most personal album yet – and for its physical edition, Jigga is bringing things even more close to home. Literally.
For, it’s been revealed that Blue Ivy – his five year old daughter with Beyonce – will feature on the beefed up issue of the LP.
Due stores tomorrow (after a one week window of exclusivity on TIDAL), the set will house three additional songs; one of which being the duet with his daughter.
Per the list, Miss Carter will appear on the song ‘Blue’s Freestyle / We Family,’ which is joined by ‘Adnis’ and ‘MANYFACEDGOD.’ Both beingtwo cuts previewed in separate virals.
Needless to say, it’ll be interesting to see how “going wide” at retail will affect the commercial performance of ‘4:44’ – which has already been certified Platinum.
Lil Wayne is tired of his legal battle with Birdman and won’t rest until he is paid the money he says the mogul owes him!
After suing the power player’s Cash Money music group for $51 million, Wayne then set his sights on its parent label Universal Music Group by seeking $40 million they owe him for his contributions to the business.
Today, he believes Birdman and UMG execs were in cahoots, joining forces to ensure he didn’t access money generated by his artists Drake and Nicki Minaj.
Wayne’s lawyer, Howard King, filed docs saying the Cash Money honcho and Universal backdated a deal to make it look like it was signed BEFORE Young Money’s deal ran out. In docs obtained by TMZ, Wayne’s camp says Universal knew that backdating the deals would screw Lil Wayne out of profits from Young Money and the artists signed under his label.
As widely reported, the Pop starlet has been battling producer Dr. Luke over various claims of sexual harassment; a legal showdown that has seen her experience a number of setbacks.
Still, she drummed up colossal support in the court of public opinion.
Looking to put the drama behind her, the singer has returned with new single ‘Praying’ – the lead single from her long-awaited third album ‘Rainbow.’
Much to the elation of her fans, the 30-year-old unwrapped the video for the track too.
Watch below…
A marked departure from the dirty Pop she was pushing in prior years, this made for a compelling listen.
The song places her vocal and lyrical content to the forefront, highlighting that there’s more to Ms. Sebert than the catchy hooks of ‘Tick Tock’ and ‘Die Young.’
It’s very much on par with what we’d expect to hear and see from her first after all that’s happened.
A part of us hopes that there’ll be traces of the upbeat bangers she’s known for on the way. But, at the same time, it’d be understandable if she’s rebranding to showcase more a mature sound.
Rita Ora is more than getting by with a little with a little help from her friends. She looks set to thrive with them too.
The British hitmaker is putting the finishing touches to her second album – which is her first globally – with intent to release this Fall.
Having given a masses a taste with UK top 10 ‘Your Song,’ which was penned by Ed Sheeran, Ora has revealed that more major names in the mix.
Speaking to Nylon, the 26-year-old confirmed that 2 Chainz joins her on the Atlantic Records set. Also on-board are Coldplay’s Chris Martin,MØ, and Charli XCX.
Explaining her approach to collaboration on the LP, Ora said:
“I’ve just got the record full of my friends. It explains my last three years of being stuck in limbo-land, coming back out with a fresh start, and making songs for people to just relax to.”
Of course by “limbo” the singer is referring to her legal wrangle with former label Roc Nation – a tussle that saw her unable to release music.
With that all in rearview, it seems Rita is speeding ahead with her comeback.
We’re buzzed to hear what she’s been baking; are you?
With her top 5 debut album, ‘Ctrl,’ still earning thumbs up from critics across the board, SZA is looking to take her act on the road to gain even more fans.
The 4-month long trek, set to kick off August 16th in Richmond, VA, will see the up-and-comer touch every corner of the U.S. including Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago and more across its span and even enter some Canadian provinces.
Bringing along special guests Smino and Raven Lenae, the trio will hit the aforementioned cities and over 30 more before wrapping up in St. Louis a week before Christmas. Curious to know if SZA will be bringing the best of ‘Ctrl’ to a city near you? Look below to see:
SZA 2017 Tour Dates
08/16 – Richmond, VA @ TBD *
08/17 – Washington, DC @ The Fillmore Silver Spring *
08/18 – New Haven, CT @ TBD *
08/20 – Providence, RI @ Fete Music Hall *
08/22 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre *
08/23 – Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre *
08/25 – Boston, MA @ TBD *
08/26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Afropunk Fest
08/27 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts *
08/29 – Grand Rapids, MI @ TBD *
08/30 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrews Hall *
08/31 – Chicago, IL @ TBD *
09/01 – Minneapolis, MN #
09/03 Lawrence, KS @ Granada *
09/05 Lincoln, NE @ TBD *
09/06 – Denver, CO @ TBD *
09/08 – Las Vegas, NV ^
09/10 – Sacramento, CA @ TBD *
09/12 – Santa Cruz, CA @ TBD *
09/13 – Eugene, OR @ Wow Hall *
09/14 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom *
09/16 – Portland, OR @ TBD *
09/17 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre *
09/19 – San Francisco, CA @ TBD *
09/21 – Phoenix, AZ @ TBD ^
09/22 – Tucson, AZ @ TBD ^
09/25 – Los Angeles, CA @ TBD #
09/28 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues ^
09/29 – Dallas, TX @ TBD *
09/30 – San Antonio, TX @ TBD *
10/01 – Austin, TX @ TBD *
10/03 – Houston, TX @ TBD *
10/07 – Miami, FL @ TBD ^
10/08 – Tampa, FL @ TBD *
10/09 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle *
10/11 – Greensboro, NC @ Cone Denim Entertainment Center *
10/12 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground *
12/08 – Norfolk, VA @ TBD *
12/09 – Baltimore, MD @ TBD *
12/11 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza *
12/13 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues *
12/15 – Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe at Old National Centre *
12/16 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom *
12/17 – St. Louis, MO @ TBD *
As we reported here, Jennifer Lopez was on hand at last night’s ‘Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular’ to show off selections from her array of hits and introduce new numbers to the crowd.
First dazzling the crowd with a live rendition of her 2002 hit ‘Jenny From the Block,’ a quick costume change saw the dive re-emerge to premiere her new single, ‘Ni Tu Ni Yo’ (from her first full length Spanish album, ‘Por Primera Vez’).
Did you miss any of the action? If so, catch it below:
Jay-Z changed the game in 2013 thanks to an innovative deal with Samsung and his critically acclaimed ‘Magna Carta.’ The deal, which saw the technology giant purchase his album in bulk, may have not worked to his favor from Billboard’s standpoint, but it certainly helped the rapper around RIAA’s then-platinum certification rule (later inspiring them to change it).
The very change he incited played in his favor yet again when his most recent effort, ‘4:44,’ was certified platinum (as we reported here). Available exclusively to Tidal and/or Sprint customers (as of time reported), the set’s content has had the net buzzing since last week and now that buzz has only intensified with the RIAA’s shocking report.
Leaving many with scratched heads and Kanye “How Sway?” faces, Billboard has finally lifted the veil on how Jigga landed his historic 13th platinum certification.
“One equivalent album unit, as recognized by the RIAA, is equal to: one album sale, 10 tracks sold from an album, or 1,500 on-demand audio and/or video streams from an album. 4:44 was released on June 30 by Roc Nation, and was initially exclusively available as a stream to existing customers of Tidal and Sprint. However, by July 2, the album was also offered as a free download — sponsored by Sprint…
Those album downloads — which were free to the consumer but purchased by a company (Sprint) for distribution — were counted towards the platinum certification.”
*****
It should be noted the report yielded by Roc Nation to the RIAA says the 1 million album equivalent mark was reached purely by downloads and does NOT include any TIDAL streaming figures.
Furthermore, like ‘Magna’ before it, Billboard was sure to clarify that its pricing policy (which only counts albums purchased at $3.49 or above) still stands and the Sprint-sponsored downloads will NOT count toward ‘4:44’s chart placement. Only TIDAL figures properly reported to Nielsen Music will count toward its debut ranking.
The release date of her serially delayed sophomore album, ‘Digital Distortion,’ may be unclear, but that hasn’t stopped rapstress Iggy Azalea from hyping its content to her faithful fans (affectionately called #Azaleans).
Despite a leak that let listeners in on some of its sounds earlier than expected, one of the set’s most anticipated entries is the recently announced collaboration with her longtime nemesis, Azealia Banks. And, while their shocking reconciliation surprised some and pleased others, a select few weren’t exactly thrilled at news the duo was readying a duet of sorts.
Taking to Twitter recently, the ‘Team’ maestra not only defended her decision to team with Banks for a recording, but also shocked fans by announcing there will be TWO collaborations – one for each of their albums.
Read it inside:
Fans hoping to see a video for their joint effort were disappointed to learn the new song will not be a single.
The rap titan unleashed his 13th album ‘4:44’ last week and just five days later has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association America.
In bestowing the 47-year-old with the honor, the RIAA officially recognize the LP for shifting 1 million units – sold and/or streamed in the United States.
Jay, who welcomed twins with Beyonce last month, now has 13 Platinum (or higher) solo studio Album Awards in the US – more than any other hip hop artist in the history of RIAA’s Gold & Platinum Program.
He is also the only Hip-Hop artist with more than 10 RIAA Platinum (or higher) studio albums. Jay, real name Shawn Carter, also has 4 additional Platinum Album certs for collaborations with Kanye West, R. Kelly, and Linkin Park.
The company’s president Cary Sherman (photo’ed with Jigga above) said in a statement:
“Props to JAY, he’s done it again! Another Platinum album adds to an already iconic career.”
**********
Congrats are definitely in order.
That said, we can’t be alone in wondering “how” this was pulled off.
‘4:44’ arrived on TIDAL exclusively and the numbers are yet to be reported publicly.
Kanye West supposed financial woes were flung out onto Front Street last week when his former friend Jay-Z hit out at him on his ‘4:44’ set.
But you got hurt because you did cool by ‘Ye // You gave him 20 million without blinkin’ // He gave you 20 minutes on stage, f*** was he thinkin’? // ‘F*** wrong with everybody?’ is what you sayin’ // But if everybody’s crazy, you’re the one that’s insane.
This week, sources close to the moguls claim that the truth lies in a very different story and that money Jay-Z loaned West wasn’t a loan at all.
The $20 million was a payout advance which could also cover expenses — including the floating stage — for Kanye’s “Saint Pablo Tour.” The money is sometimes used to cover various production costs and staff. It’s actually standard for artists at Kanye’s level to get such an advance. It’s part of the deal.
West parted ways with Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation following drama surrounding his role as executive-producer on the first draft of Rihanna‘s ‘ANTI.’
This week, the world learned that he had also parted ways with TIDAL.
Riding high on the wave built by the single ‘Tyrant’ is Pop’s most promising starlet Kali Uchis.
Touted by some industry insiders as the one to give the likes of Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj a run for their money, the entertainer is set to soar with the unveiling of her debut studio album and the treasure chest of visuals she’ll build to support it.
Keen to catch her live?
We have good news…she’s hitting the road…this year!
After selling more albums than any other artist in 2016, the Purple One’s magnum opus – the ‘Purple Rain’ soundtrack – is looking to help him lay claim to the title again in 2017.
Last week’s deluxe reissue of the 1984 classic (which hit #1 the year of its debut) includes remastered versions of the original album with unreleased bonus tracks, B-sides, and other rarities. The “new and improved” edition of the set was just enough to get the late entertainer’s beloved fans out in droves to purchase and hoist it right into the Billboard 200’s DJ Khaled-led top 5.
The album — combining all versions of Purple Rain, past and present — earned 52,000 units in the tracking frame (of which 48,000 were in traditional album sales). The set collected a 3,633 percent gain in units for the week, and a 4,767 percent leap in album sales.
Purple Rain was reissued in a variety of formats, including a 20-track deluxe edition with unreleased bonus tracks and a 35-track expanded edition with additional B-sides, rarities and a live DVD of the Purple Rain Tour from 1985.
Per the list, Miss Carter will appear on the song ‘Blue’s Freestyle / We Family,’ which is joined by ‘Adnis’ and ‘MANYFACEDGOD.’ Both being two cuts previewed in separate virals.
