In today’s hyper-visual age, there’s a necessity for rising stars to be multi-hyphenate; to be more than just one thing.

This is a memo rapper EROCK is well acquainted with.

Making a name for himself as a model, the Brooklyn bred talent (real name Shawn Sutton) has featured in runway and print campaigns for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Ted Baker, Givenchy, Target, and Macy’s. He’s also appeared in music videos for Beyonce (‘Run The World’) and Kelly Rowland (‘Motivation’).

Now, he’s stepping into the spotlight as an artist.

Having cultivated his own unique take on Hip-Hop, EROCK has sewn together a new mixtape christened ’16.’

Speaking on the inspiration for his 16-track set, he says:

“It is my hope to inspire the black youth with dreams whether they be hoop ones or rap ones. Even the nerdy awkward kid that gets picked on. I want to encourage them, not to limit themselves, or give up on success. Always going hard for what you believe in and empowering others to believe. From the projects of your city to Beverly Hills, never lose sight of your goals. Always strive for a way out, even in the face of adversity.”

Take a listen below, where a free download and video for ‘April 16’ also await…

Your thoughts?

After helping himself to a critically acclaimed comeback with ‘Let Me Help You,’ R&B singer Mario continues his quest for a Hot 100 resurgence with the deeply personal number, ‘Pain is the New Pleasure.’

Taking to Billboard recently to dish on the new single, the crooner shared:

“The song deals with my thoughts and feelings towards self-sabotage, self-love and the experience in relation to the material world we live in. The song is really about finding true happiness and I feel like that’s something that can only come from within. The record represents finding that space where you choose to finally love yourself and choose to make better decisions.”

The Pham produced tune comes as the latest from his newly titled forthcoming fifth album, ‘Cosmo 17.’  Get into it below:

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As she seeks to build a solid fan base the rapper Chanel West Coast finds herself faced with criticism that her hype’s bark is louder than her lyrical bite.

One of her critics? Charlamagne Tha God.

What happened when the pair came face to face? Mayhem which now forces Chanel to prove her worth as a rapper.

Watch  below…

She got soooo maddd ??? just cause you signed with a label don’t make you great ??? pic.twitter.com/K2LG0aS1aq

— H. (@Mshannahhhh) June 17, 2017

Unfortunately, several people on Twitter echoed Charlamagne’s sentiments…

Detroyyyyyed I love @cthagod he speaks the truth! Her songs are trash sorry @chanelwestcoast

— The Weed Lady (@MaryFuckedJane) June 17, 2017

Young money got a BET award, they let her on stage lmao

— Shanimals ? (@_shannn___) June 17, 2017

I just heard her songs they trash af lmao

— Speedy (@Ryan_eb23) June 17, 2017

Your thoughts?

There’s sources and there’s sources.

Many outlets have gone live with confirmation that Beyonce gave birth to twins earlier this week – citing “sources.”

However, the most emphatic declaration came courtesy of the singer’s own father Mathew Knowles.

Taking to Twitter, the star’s former manager wrote “They’re here!” and, just to ensure there was no confusion, he hashtagged #twins #beyonce #jayz #happybirthday:

Stay tuned for more Bey and Jay’s new arrivals.

Your thoughts?

Today, we journey back to the very beginning of the century with a track that is enjoying renewed relevance. Santana’s ‘Maria Maria’ is this week’s From The Vault pick.

The flavoursome track was produced by Wyclef Jean who is also listed as a feature act alongside his protégé duo The Product G&B. It was released in late ’99, but eventually reached the highest spot of the Hot 100 – where it stayed for 10 weeks. Like its parent album ‘Supernatural,’ it was a global hit, charging into the Top 10 in the UK (#6) and #1 in France, Germany, and Canada among other territories.

Its accompanying video saw Carlos, Wyclef and G&B all congregate for a Mexican-themed street party. Echoing the song’s lyrics, the clip borrows elements of the ‘West Side Story’ throughout.

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‘Maria Maria’ premiered 19 years ago, and with DJ Khaled and Rihanna’s ‘Wild Thoughts’ (which samples the song) currently ruling iTunes and VEVO, it looks like a whole new generation will be able to appreciate its greatness. And we’re all for that!

Your thoughts?

DJ Khaled is creating all the right waves ahead of the release of his hotly anticipated 10th album ‘Grateful.’

And he’s done so with the help of notable names like Rihanna and Bryson Tiller.

The duo appear alongside the hitmaker on his latest single ‘Wild Thoughts’ – the video for which was unleashed on Friday.

Now, the trio are giving the masses a behind the scenes look at how the track (which is currently rocking radio and iTunes alike) was brought to life by Colin Tilley.

Check it out below…

‘Grateful’ arrives in stores, via Epic Records / Roc Nation, on June 23rd.

Your thoughts?

If folk thought Remy Ma and Nicki Minaj‘s beef was coming off the cooker anytime soon – think again.

Last night the ladies performed at Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash and ensured to bash each other during and after the event.

Taking to Instagram Live following her performance (during which she threw shots at her rival), Remy poked fun at Onika again. She heavily implied that the leader of the Barbz had influenced odd security measures to ensure she and Remy never crossed paths.

Peep the clip and caption below…

A post shared by iamstuntgangladies (@iamstuntgangladies) on Jun 18, 2017 at 12:22am PDT

Everybody knows I’m still on papers & I really be on some chill sh*t; perhaps that’s why b*tches out here “FRAUDing” ??‍♀️#WhyYouFrontingLikeYouDidSomething #YouWaitedTilHoursAfteriLeft #LikeUAlwaysDo #StopMentioningFelonsTilThatALLEDGEDPedophileGetOfTrial #NoFraudsFlopped #DrakeDidntLaughHePutHisHeadDownInTheVideo #TheRestOfThe3PackFromParisFloppedToo #WhyEveryTimeIExposeYouYouLeaveTheCountry ? #WhyDoYouHaveOnAFurInJune ? #InAtlanta ?#NobodyThinkingBoutYou #AndIMeanNOBODY #YouMadLonely #GetOverIt #SHETHER #???? #JustTakeTheL #WhatASoreLoser?#AreYouDumb #RemyMa #RemyMafia

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Beyond throwing shots with a performance of ‘No Frauds,’ Minaj didn’t directly respond.

She did however, “LIKE” the following tweets on Twitter..

Fiona really be “addressing” stuff because she’s deadass mad. Nicki just be doing it to poke fun and torture her. ??

— Bella ♥ (@MzBellaBarbie) June 18, 2017

complete the look for only $10! get in quick before it sells out. pic.twitter.com/86On540kA9

— PRICE (@iFeelFreedxm) June 18, 2017

Do not take your foot of her neck!Keep torturing her. This shit is killing her ? @NICKIMINAJ

— Kyn ? (@kyndall_kashme) June 18, 2017

SHE TURNED OFF HER COMMENTS???IM SCREAMING #AGrownAssManShouldNotBeThisPressed pic.twitter.com/A6PpALwIBo

— Ida Minaj? (@nickixonxfleek) June 18, 2017

#NoFraudsSoldMoreThanYourAlbumTho pic.twitter.com/IGXaom3Py4

— Bruce (@watchinpitfalls) June 18, 2017

“And then she came on stage and the crowd started rapping her tracks against me. I mean she tryna stop my bag again. Time to go live on IG” pic.twitter.com/EaVzPca6dl

— angel™ (@ehiroman) June 18, 2017

They’re like I shouldn’t “refer to a black woman like that” bitch her black ass shouldn’t of said all that nasty shit about nicki minaj foh

— Bruce (@watchinpitfalls) June 18, 2017

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To keep it 100, the ladies are doing just as much as the other to keep the flames of fury ablaze.

It certainly makes for an entertaining watch. Although, we are scratching our heads as to whether there’s a winner. Because everyone is coming across petty.

Your thoughts?

Mariah Carey is undeniably one of the most highly decorated talents in music history.

However, recent years have been marred by a number of on-stage snafus.

The latest came last night in Austria where the diva experienced a… vocal malfunction.

While performing ‘Vision Of Love’ Mimi’s voice left on-lookers with a vision of confusion.

See what we mean below…

A post shared by Shawn Simmons (@shawnsimmons1980) on Jun 18, 2017 at 6:26am PDT

Oh Mariah…

Few voices have withstood the test of time + rigours of the road. But, this was hard to watch.

It’s dangerous to make assumptions, so we’ll just say that we hope she tends to whatever the issues are and does better. Because reaching for notes that aren’t there is not the tea.

Your thoughts?

Following his creative union with Wilhemina Models, Cordell Broadus joined King Bach, Diggy Simmons, Christian Combs and a fresh batch of runway walkers to support Dolce & Gabbana‘s Spring/Summer 2018 fashion show.

With the support of their fathers Snoop Dogg and Diddy, Broadus and Combs took to the runway in Milan to sport fits from the fashion house’s latest collection before the industry’s elite.

Ready to catch the fellas in action?

Press play…

Your thoughts?

A multitude of reports assert that Beyonce and Jay Z did indeed welcome twins this week.

Details remain scarce ahead of a definitive announcement, however TMZ have gone live with further insight into the delivery and aftermath.

Citing a source close to the situation, they report:

Beyonce has given birth to a boy and a girl, but an issue surfaced that has kept them in the hospital for nearly a week … TMZ has confirmed.

Sources connected with the family tell us the twins were born Monday in a Los Angeles hospital. We’re told a “minor issue” surfaced, and as a result … doctors do not feel comfortable releasing them.

We do not know the nature of the issue.

One source told us Beyonce also remains at the hospital, but as far as we know she’s okay. The babies are expected to be okay as well. [Source]

Sending well wishes to The Carters!

Your thoughts?

Waves of negative criticism has done little to stop ‘All Eyez On Me’, the Tupac biopic, from faring well at the box office.

Slammed by the rapper’s friend Jada Pinkett-Smith, the project has been mocked online thanks to appearances of iPhones and contemporary dance routines…invented years after the rapper’s death.

Tupac had an iPhone 7 in the movie pic.twitter.com/5ti2EZDFZm

— All Def Digital (@AllDefDigital) June 17, 2017

So, exactly how much money did the movie make?

$31. 2 million.

Via ‘Deadline’:

Weekend box office for June 16-18 per industry estimates on Saturday AM:

1.). Cars 3 (DIS), 4.256 theaters / $19.6M Fri. (includes $2.8M previews) /3-day cume: $51.8M/Wk 1

2.). Wonder Woman  (WB), 4,018 theaters (-147)/ $10.8M Fri./3-day cume: $40M (-32%)/Total:$273.8M/ Wk 3

3.). All Eyez On Me (LG), 2,471 theaters / $12.8M Fri. (includes $3.1M) /3-day cume: $31.2M/Wk 1

4.). The Mummy (Uni), 4.034 theaters (-1) / $3.8M Fri. (-68%) /3-day cume: $13.5M (-57%)/Total: $56.1M/Wk 2

5.). 47 Meters Down (ENT), 2,270 theaters / $4.3M Fri. (includes $735k) /3-day cume: $10.7M/Wk 1

6.). Rough Night (SONY), 3,162 theaters / $3.3M Fri. (includes $700k) /3-day cume: $8.7M/Wk 1

7.). Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales  (DIS), 2,759 theaters (-920)/ $2.3M Fri./3-day cume: $8.5M (-21%)/Total:$150.1M/ Wk 4

8.). Captain Underpants  (DWA/20TH), 2,968 theaters (-561)/ $2.1M Fri. (-40%) /3-day cume: $7.3M (-40%)/Total: $57.9M/Wk 3

9.). Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2  (DIS), 1,813 theaters (-1,098) / $1.2M Fri.  (-27%)/3-day cume: $4.8M (-23%)/Total:$374.7m/ Wk 7

10.). It Comes at Night (A24), 2,450 theaters (-83)  / $822K Fri (-67%) /3-day cume: $2.45M (-59%) /Total:$10.8M/ Total: Wk 2

Your thoughts?

Blue Ivy is officially a big sister!

That’s right, after days of speculation proud parents – Beyonce and Jay Z – have reportedly welcomed twins to the Carter family.

According to PEOPLE magazine:

“Bey and Jay are thrilled and have started sharing the news with their family and closest friends,” a source tells PEOPLE.

Multiple sources echoed the sentiment above to US Weekly.  While we await official news from the Carters, we extend the heartiest of congratulations to the growing family!

Your thoughts?