The legacy continues.

Two weeks before its release, the tracklist for DMX’s posthumous album Exodus 1:7 has been revealed.

Executive produced by Swizz Beatz, the star-studded set includes collaborations with Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, The LOX, Benny the Butcher, and Moneybagg Yo. Nas makes two appearances on “Walking in the Rain” and “Bath Salts,” which also features JAY-Z. Usher lends his vocals to “Letter to My Son (Call Your Father”), while DMX’s youngest son Exodus Simmons is credited on “Walking in the Rain.”

Additionally, the 13 tracks include U2’s Bono on “Skyscrapers,” which was originally recorded for Swizz’ unreleased album Haute Living in 2011. “It’s crazy. It got like a Miami feel to it,” X told N.O.R.E.’s “Drink Champs” of the track.

Earlier this week, Swizz held a listening session for the album. Attendees raved about X’s latest body of work, calling it “perfect for his legacy,” while one DJ said it “brought me to tears.”

Exodus 1:7, DMX’s first album since 2012’s Undisputed, arrives May 28. “People should hear what he wanted them to hear. Nothing should stop the creativity from flowing because it’s actually what he had fun doing,” Swizz told Hot 97. “This was his gift to his audience and his family and his fans. It’s only right that people should get the gift that he left them.”

Exodus 1:7 Tracklist

1. “That’s My Dog” feat. The LOX and Swizz Beatz
2. “Bath Salts” teat. JAY-Z and Nas
3. “Dog’s Out” feat. Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz
4. “Money Money Money” feat. Moneybagg Yo
5. “Hold Me Down” feat. Alicia Keys
6. “Skyscrapers” feat. Bono
7. “Male Stick Up Skit” feat. Cross, Infrared, and Icepick
8. “Hood Blues” feat. Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher, and Conway
9. “Walking in the Rain” feat. Nas, Exodus Simmons, and Mr. Porter
10. “Take Control” feat. Snoop Dogg
11. “Exodus Skit”
12. “Letter to My Son (Call Your Father)” feat. Usher and Brian King Joseph
13. “Prayer”

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Jaden Smith is giving back in a big way.

The rapper-actor has announced plans to open his I Love You restaurant to feed the homeless. Launched on Jaden’s 21st birthday in 2019, the concept started as a food truck providing vegan food bowls to the residents of Skid Row in downtown L.A., the center of the growing homeless crisis.

According to Variety, it will now expand into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. “It’s for homeless people to get free food,” Smith said.

Those who are not homeless will be asked to spread the love by paying for their food as well as the person behind them. “But if you’re not homeless, not only do you have to pay, but you have to pay for more than the food’s worth so that you can pay for the person behind you,” he explained.

Jaden remains committed to feeding disadvantaged communities. “The @ILoveYouRestaurant Is A Movement That Is All About Giving People What They Deserve, Healthy, Vegan Food For Free,” he previously said.

This is Jaden’s latest act of goodwill. In 2019, he set up a mobile water filtration system in Flint, Michigan amid the water crisis that exposed 100,000 residents to elevated lead levels. He has also launched the Water Box project to provide access to clean water in underserved areas.

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In two weeks, DMX’s posthumous album Exodus will be released.

On Thursday night, executive producer Swizz Beatz previewed the star-studded project during a listening party for radio DJs and other industry tastemakers, some of whom attended via Zoom and shared their takeaways on social media (via HipHop-N-More).

The album reportedly features 10 tracks, with appearances from Lil Wayne, Bono, Alicia Keys, Moneybagg Yo, Griselda, The LOX, and Snoop Dogg. Nas appears twice including on a song with JAY-Z (The two recently collaborated on DJ Khaled’s “Sorry Not Sorry”).

“The new DMX album is incredible.. Brought me to tears,” tweeted one DJ, who also remarked over the last song featuring Usher.

“This was the perfect LP for his legacy,” added another attendee.

In one of his final interviews with N.O.R.E.’s “Drink Champs” podcast earlier this year, X revealed that Pop Smoke would be a featured guest, but the song did not make the album for undisclosed reasons. “It didn’t make the cut because of a situation but Swizz didn’t go into detail,” tweeted Tony Hanes.

Exodus, DMX’s first album since 2012’s Undisputed, will be released May 28, less than two months after he died from a heart attack at 50.

“My brother X was one of the most pure and rare souls I’ve ever met,” Swizz previously said. “He lived his life dedicated to his family and music. Most of all, he was generous with his giving and loved his fans beyond measure. This album, X couldn’t wait for his fans all around the world to hear and show just how much he valued each and every single person that has supported him unconditionally.”

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Nicki Minaj is breaking her silence about her father’s death.

After returning with new music, the rap queen penned a letter to her fans on her official website in which she addressed the “devastating loss” of her dad, who was killed in a hit-and-run in February.

Minaj admits it has been difficult to grapple with the loss. “Tho I can’t really bring myself to discuss the passing of my father as yet; I can say it has been the most devastating loss of my life,” she said. “I find myself wanting to call him all the time. More so now that he’s gone. Life is funny that way.”

She added, “May his soul rest in paradise. He was very loved & will be very missed.”

She also mourned the recent death of DMX. “The passing of DMX hit me like a ton of bricks,” shared Nicki. “Losing him felt like losing someone I grew up with. I adored him. Blessings to his family.”

The new mom, who welcomed her son last fall, has been enjoying motherhood. She revealed that her baby boy, who she affectionately calls “Papa Bear,” loves watching Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and that he recently said “mama.”

“I’ve also been completely overwhelmed with joy & fulfillment in the world of Papa Bear,” gushed Nicki. “Each day creates a new & fascinating, magical memory that I hide far away into a little cute compartment of my heart; vowing never to forget any of it.”

Elsewhere, Nicki shared her love for The Crown and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. “His acting knows no bounds. I can’t believe he was taken from us so soon. The man was on his way to becoming a full-fledged ICON!!!” she said of the late actor.

Minaj released her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty to streaming services for the first time on Friday featuring three new tracks including “Seeing Green” with Drake and Lil Wayne. She is now working on her fifth studio album.

“I can’t wait to share these new vibez wit yall,” added Nicki. “It’s so important to always go back to basics for me. This world of smoke & mirrors can blind you. Be careful.”

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J. Cole’s new album arrived Friday to much anticipation, but one song in particular has everyone talking.

The Fayetteville rapper opens up about his infamous fight with Sean “Diddy” Combs on “Let Go My Hand” off The-Off Season. Midway through the track, he brings up his rumored altercation with the Bad Boy mogul that happened back in 2013.

“But sometimes a ni**a pulled my card, tryna expose me for a fraud / And with my reputation at stake, I was scufflin’ just to save face / Couple wins, couple losses / Some broken up too quick to call it,” Cole raps.

“My last scrap was with Puff Daddy, who would’ve thought it? / I bought that ni**a album in seventh grade and played it so much / You would’ve thought my favorite rapper was Puff / Back then I ain’t know shit, now I know too much.”

According to XXL, there were reports that the two got into a fight at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party hosted by Puff in 2013. Rumor has it that Cole was dancing too close to Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie, while others say Cole intervened when Puff tried to throw a drink on Kendrick Lamar after hearing his controversial “King of New York” line on Big Sean’s “Control.” After the scuffle, Cole was allegedly kicked out of the party.

At the time, both Cole and Diddy denied the reports. “People will believe anything,” Cole tweeted, while Diddy added, “I usually don’t address rumors but I got too much respect for my bro @JColeNC. We are friends The rumors are not true. We had a great party.”

Dreamville President Ibrahim Hamad also shut down rumors of an altercation. “The Internet is a crazy place you ni**az reporting shit with no facts, Cole ain’t get thrown out no party and he damn sure aint get beat up,” he wrote.

Cole and Puff appear to be on good terms these days as Diddy provides the prayer-like outro on “Let Go My Hand.” “Lord, please guide our steps / Watch us, cover us so that every move we make is in alignment with your will,” he says.

After the song dropped, TDE President Punch also recalled the eight-year-old incident. “Ahhh the infamous and ever elusive Cole and Puff fade. What a night. Lol,” he tweeted.

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Whether it’s Kim Kardashian or French Montana, we’ve all witnessed the power that millions of followers can have on a person’s career. But building an online brand doesn’t just happen overnight. However, with invaluable marketing tools at your fingertips, like the ever-powerful Instagram, enforcing a brand and even running a business is easier than ever — if you know the right way to use it, that is. 

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The Queen is back.

Twelve years after dropping her groundbreaking mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty, Nicki Minaj surprises fans by releasing it to streaming services for the first time ever.

In addition to the original 18 tracks, there are three new songs including “Fractions,” “Crocodile Teeth (Remix),” and “Seeing Green,” which features her Young Money brothers Drake and Lil Wayne. The previously-released “Chi-Raq” and “Boss Ass Bitch (Remix)” are also included.

“This is just to get back to the basics a little bit, to the essence of why I started rapping. I started rapping because I love listening to people who spit. I love punchlines,” Nicki told fans on Instagram Live earlier in the evening.

She also went live with Drake, who she credits for helping her overcome writer’s block. “This little hiatus was really fun because I was in mommy mode but also I went through this crazy little writer’s block for a second,” she said. “This made me feel so competitive again. When I hear Drake and Wayne rap, it’s always gonna inspire something out of me. He’s a f**kin’ genius.”

Beam Me Up Scotty arrives ahead of Minaj’s upcoming fifth studio album, her first since 2018’s Queen, which is on the way.

Stream Beam Me Up Scotty below.

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Three years since his last album, J. Cole gets back in the game with his sixth and “most ambitious” album yet, The Off-Season.

The 12-track set, which follows 2018’s KOD, opens with the Cam’ron-assisted “95 South,” and includes appearances from 21 Savage and Morray (“My Life”), as well as Lil Baby (“Pride Is the Devil”). T-Minus serves as executive producer, with additional production from Timbaland, Boi-1da, DJ Dahi, Jake One, Frank Dukes, and Tae Beast.

“The Off-Season symbolizes the work that it takes to get to the highest height,” Cole told SLAM. “The Off-Season represents the many hours and months and years it took to get to top form.”

Cole’s days as a rapper may be numbered. He plans to release two more projects, It’s a Boy and The Fall Off, before potentially calling it quits. But he’s making sure he goes out on top.

“I’m super comfortable with the potential of being done with this shit. But I’m never going to say, Oh, this is my last album,” he said. “Because I never know how I’m going to feel two years, three years, four years down the line, 10 years down the line, but please believe, I’m doing all this work for a reason.”

When he’s not in the studio, Cole has been putting in work on the basketball court. He is expected to play for the Rwanda Patriots BBC in the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League.

Stream The Off-Season below.

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In addition to J. Cole and Nicki Minaj, Migos returns with their new single “Straightenin.”

The DJ Durel-produced song, which the Atlanta trio teased back in March, marks the first offering from their long-awaited album Culture III.

In the video, Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff head back to the trap, spitting flames over the heavy-hitting beat. “Ni**as act like somethin’ been taken / Ain’t nothin’ but a little bit of straightenin,” raps Huncho.

Anticipation continues to build for Culture III, the long-awaited third installment in Migos’ Culture series, which follows 2018’s Culture II.

“The vibe on the album is more of Culture, and that’s all I should really share,” he told GQ in July. “We feel good. We feel new and refreshed.”

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T-Pain revisits one of his biggest hits on a new collaboration with Kehlani.

On “I Like Dat,” the Auto-Tune King flips his 2007 single “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” for 2021. On their new duet, which Kehlani dubbed “Buy You a Drank Part 2,” T-Pain turns his hit song into a female empowerment anthem.

“She don’t even need me to buy her nothin’ (drank) / She got money in the bank,” sings T-Pain.

Earlier in the week, T-Pain went live on Instagram with CEO Mark Zuckerberg to talk about his missed DMs. At the end of the livestream, he surprised fans by welcoming Kehlani and announcing their new collaboration.

T-Pain has a big year ahead including a new book and album Precious Stones, which are both slated for a September release.

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