Music
Kendrick Lamar Takes Over XXL’s Winter Issue
After covering last year’s Winter issue, Kendrick Lamar returns a second time not only covering XXL, but writes his own editorial as well. Picking up where he left off, the TDE spitter talks about the impact of his sophomore LP To Pimp A Butterfly, the pressures of being a rapper, change, and much more.
Read an excerpt from the cover story below:
It’s funny because I ask other artists about their experience with success. I wanna know what happened to them. Did you feel how I feel? When did everything change for you? When did you start noticing the ways you were acting differently? Or when the people around you changed how they treated you? Or just, how did your world change? For me, the whole complete world changed within six months of good kid, m.A.A.d. city coming out. It wasn’t about the money change, although, that did happen, but it was like I stared seeing who I really was during that first run and learned more on the second. Either you notice who you are who are or what you ain’t pretty fast when you get fame.
The past few years or so has been very politically charged and controversial. From Trayvon Martin, to Eric Garner to Michael Brown and issues of police brutality and racism and for so many other reasons. All of it has really struck a nerve with me because when you experience things like that personally and you know the type of hardships and pain that it brings first-hand, it builds a certain rage in you. It brings back memories of when I’m 16 and the police come kicking the door in. They don’t care that I’m a little boy and they stumped me in my back two times and they dragged me out the house and have us all handcuffed. It brings back those memories. Memories of losing loved ones. It brings back some of the most painful memories and deepest thoughts of real life situations that I didn’t even want to address on good kid. Or wasn’t ready to. Rage is the perfect word for it.
But I think about how I’m two-projects in and you have the world saying I’m the one. And I’m still trying to figure out who I even am. My little sister is 16, my little cousin is 20, my younger brother is 10, they all looking at me like that. When they friends around, they friends can’t walk pass me without asking a million questions about my lyrics. I can’t go to their schools without the same thing. Just having the amount of love and energy that these younger fans bring and how enthused they are from just talking with me about important topics. And I’m sitting there thinking, “These kids are really listening to me.” But why am I the one to get this opportunity? And how do I keep that from going to my head and not have an ego? How do I balance it out?
I know I’m chosen. I know I’m a favorite. I know in my heart there’s a whole other energy and leadership side of me that I have probably run from my whole life. How much power do I want? How much can I handle? That’s the question I keep asking myself. ’Cause when you are a voice for the youth, nothing can stop you. The youth is what changes things. Can I lead that? Should I? I get confused because people are championing me to be that vocal point and it’s a challenge for me to be that because I have some fear of that type of power. This goes back to me being who I naturally am or who think that I am now, that 28-year-old kid that’s kind’ve a recluse. But 28 is old enough for me to figure out who I am and have that power at the same time, that’s the battle and it’s a trip.
Culture
Chance The Rapper Announces New Mixtape ‘Star Line’
Chance The Rapper quietly revealed his upcoming mixtape, “Star Line,” via Instagram. In his bio, he simply stated, “Working on my mixtape it’s called Star Line.” The project will feature collaborations with notable artists like Lil Wayne, DJ Premier, Lil Yachty, and more.
On X (formerly Twitter), Chance shared a teaser clip featuring appearances from Wayne, Preemo, Lil Yachty, Jermaine Dupri, T-Pain, Jazze Pha, and Vic Mensa. Additionally, he gave fans a sneak peek of a new track titled “Buried Alive” and polled them on whether he should drop a music video for it.
I’ll be ready to go pic.twitter.com/zYliNZJsjj
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 21, 2024
“Star Line” marks Chance The Rapper’s follow-up to his 2019 album, “The Big Day.”
Audio
Quavo Claps Back at Chris Brown with New Diss Track ‘Over Hoes & B*tches’; Chris Brown Responds
Quavo has fired back at Chris Brown with a new diss track, “Over Hoes & B*tches,” following Brown’s earlier release of “Weakest Link” aimed at him. This exchange began when Brown dissed Quavo on his track “Freak” from the deluxe version of his latest album, “11:11.” Quavo countered with “Tender,” prompting Brown’s response.
The latest track premiered on DJ Akademiks‘ livestream on Monday, Apr. 22, with Quavo targeting Brown and his associates from OHB, Saweetie and more.
“Lil boy wanna die ’bout some coochie?/You still fucked up ’bout Karrueche?/You tried to beat up Teyana, but Usher wouldn’t let you do it/The cocaine got him your honor, bipolar disorder, no wonder/You was the greatest, n***a, you fumbled/Going out sad, I’m watching you crumble.” Quavo spits.
Chris Brown has since responded to the diss stating that he’s disappointed.
Music
Renni Rucci & Big Lex Team Up on Blacc Zacc’s ‘NOLA’ Visual
After dropping his anticipated “48 Hours” mixtape with NEKKO BABY, Blacc Zacc is back with a bang, dropping the official video for “NOLA,” a standout track from the project. Teaming up with fellow South Carolina rapper and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Renni Rucci, along with the charismatic Big Lex, known for her stint on Joseline’s Cabaret and also a South Carolina native, this collaboration brings together a trifecta of talent straight out of the Palmetto State.
In 2021, Big Lex dropped her debut EP Carolina Princess. Back in October, she dissed Stunna Girl on the track, “Number 1 Stunna.”
Recently, Renni Rucci dropped a track titled “Love You More” and announced during a taping of Love & Hip Hop that she is pregnant with Blacc Zacc’s child.
We can't wait to meet your new bundle of joy, @RenniRucci! 🫶🏾 #LHHATL pic.twitter.com/vuUVrqN5rb
— Love & Hip Hop (@loveandhiphop) April 17, 2024
Watch ‘NOLA’ above.
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