Music
J. Cole Talks Relationships with Nas and XXXTentacion, “1985 Controversy” and More with Billboard
Since the release of his album K.O.D., J.Cole has been making appearances a lot more often in public and has been using his platform to speak up on controversial issues. Landing on the cover of Billboard‘s 2018 R&B | Hip-Hop Power Players issue, Cole talks about an array of topics from XXXTentacion’s death to domestic violence.
Looking up to Nas and crediting him for being an influence early in his career, J. Cole says he was hurt by the allegations Kelis’ brought upon the rapper regarding domestic abuse toward her, never being sober around each other, and their ongoing custody battle.
“It feels weird because I f**k with Nas, but I just have to be honest. I came up seeing too much f**ked-up shit for that to be acceptable,” he said. “I don’t care who it is. I don’t f**k with people abusing women, and I don’t f**k with people not taking care of their kids.”
J. Cole also opened up about meeting with XXXTentacion back in February. Going through a domestic violence case at the time, XXXTentacion opened up to Cole about not being in a good place.
”He started off the conversation literally on some, like — he didn’t even say hello. He started off basically saying, “I’m not on your level yet,” he recalled. “He was talking about spiritually and mentally, and that was intense because I was like, “Huh? I’m not on no level.” He was praising me while also saying he was going to achieve whatever it is he felt that I had. I’ve dealt with mentally ill people in my life before, many of them. And right away, I notice that this kid is super passionate and smart, but I could also see that he was so deep in his mind.”
—
Continue reading about J. Cole’s views on domestic violence and the misinterpretation surrounding his K.O.D. LP-cut, “1985” below.
On Domestic Violence toward Black Women:
That’s tough because we’re talking about black women,” he said. “If it was a white woman involved with these allegations, then sadly — I’m realizing as I’m talking to you — maybe people wouldn’t cancel them just as quick, but labels would be forced to cancel, because white outrage is way more powerful than black outrage, unfortunately. When white people start getting outraged about this type of sh*t, then maybe something will happen.”
The Misinterpretation of “1985”:
“Finger wagging,” that’s a phrase that clearly gets shared around. I’m like, “Y’all don’t even understand.” This happened when [2014 album] Forest Hills Drive came out, and I saw someone review it. It was this white girl — no disrespect to white girls, that’s just what she was — and she pinpointed a few lines and tried to make it sound like that’s what I was saying.
I’m like, “Damn, you really missed what I was attempting to do.” I saw that with “1985,” too. I would just chalk it up to, they’re not rap fans. They don’t understand subtlety and nuance in the genre. But what you just said is way more of an on-point reasoning. I made that song a year before, and so much sh*t happened, mentally, leading up to the song and after it. And it’s like people never even get a chance to hear that side of me. But I don’t care to correct it. I don’t have an urge or a desire to be like, “Hey, y’all, you know when I did ‘1985,’ I wasn’t really finger-wagging.” It’s not my job to correct the narrative.
Read the rest of the Billboard cover story here.
Audio
Kendrick Lamar Responds to Super Bowl Discourse with New Track
Earlier this week, Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL announced that Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Since the announcement, there has been significant online discourse, particularly around the idea that Lil Wayne, a New Orleans native, should have been selected for the performance since the event will be held in his hometown.
Birdman weighed in on the debate with a post on X, saying, “These n-ggaz Pussi @NICKIMINAJ @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m make these n-ggaz respek us on Gladys.”
These niggaz Pussi @NICKIMINAJ @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m make these niggaz respek us on Gladys 🐐
— BIRDMAN (@BIRDMAN5STAR) September 9, 2024
Nicki Minaj also expressed her frustration over Lil Wayne not being chosen to perform. “Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego,” the Pink Friday rapper wrote. “Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola what’s good?!!!!!! Eminem stood firm on having 50Cent come out.” She further added, “One n-gga took a knee, the other n-gga took the bag. He gon get you ‘n*ggers’ in line every fkng time.”
God will punish you. Mark my words.
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 9, 2024
The man that has not only pushed his pen the hardest, but gave the game more than 1 hip hop ICON as well on his watch? Represent the RAP game?!?!! The best RAPPER don’t represent the RAP GAME well enough 4u? Black ppl. Wow. If this don’t hurt… https://t.co/ONxZnL4KoO
In response to the growing conversation, Kendrick Lamar dropped a new track today, September 11, where he addresses the situation. “Just walked that man down, that’ll do everyone a solid / It’s love but tough love, sometimes gotta result in violence,” Kendrick raps.
Stream the track below.
Albums
Eric Bellinger Drops ‘The Rebirth 3 Remixes & More’ Featuring New Collaborations
Eric Bellinger has returned with The Rebirth 3 Remixes & More, a fresh take on his album The Rebirth 3: The Party & The Bedroom.
The nine-track EP includes three bonus songs, including a collaboration with Jastin Martin on the track “Chase,” as well as updated versions of records from the original album, such as “La Perla (Remix)” featuring Vedo, “Backstage (Remix)” with J. Valentine, and “Your Mind (Remix)” with Ye Ali, among others.
The Rebirth 3: The Party & The Bedroom is the third installment in Bellinger’s The Rebirth series, which began in 2014 with The Rebirth.
Originally released on March 1, The Rebirth 3 featured contributions from Ne-Yo, Tone Stith, Queen Naija, Zae France, K Camp, Mozzy, and more. Earlier this year, Bellinger supported the album on The Rebirth Tour, with special guest Zae France.
Audio
Kilynda Releases 2-Pack, “Deserved Better”
After releasing her “Heart Strings” visual in April, Kilynda returns to streaming platforms with an exciting new two-pack featuring her latest tracks, “Ever Since” and “Chains.”
After releasing her “Heart Strings” visual in April, Kilynda returns to streaming platforms with an exciting new two-pack featuring her latest tracks, “Ever Since” and “Chains.”
“I’ll never stop screaming THANK YOU to the people who continuously support me, even after I take long breaks. I spent a lot of time trying to make sure everything was perfect,” Kilynda wrote in an Instagram caption. “Come to find out, not everything needs to be perfect. You’ll be hearing more from me soon, but for now, here’s a two-pack you can enjoy for a while. All love.”
Kilynda consistently delivers, blending transparency and relatability with each release. Her music always seems to arrive just when we need it most. Stream the two-pack below and let her words resonate.
- Culture3 weeks ago
8 Zipp, Heffna Don and More Charged in Federal Sweep
- Audio4 weeks ago
Drake Releases 3 New Songs ‘Circadian Rhythm’, ‘SOD’ & ‘No Face’
- Audio3 weeks ago
Kilynda Releases 2-Pack, “Deserved Better”
- Culture4 weeks ago
Kehlani Announces Release Date & Tracklist For ‘While We Wait 2’ Mixtape
- Audio4 weeks ago
Travis Scott Releases ‘DAYS BEFORE RODEO’ On Streaming Services
- Albums3 weeks ago
Production Credits For Big Sean’s New Album ‘Better Me Than You’
- Music3 weeks ago
Halle Releases New Single ‘Because I Love You’
- Albums3 weeks ago
Big Sean Releases New Album ‘Better Me Than You’