Grammy-nominated artists Quavo and Lana Del Rey join forces with Luxembourg-based DJ and producer Gravagerz for the latest dance remix of their hit single “Tough.” After charting on the Billboard Hot 100 following its original release, Gravagerz reimagines the country-trap summer anthem into an ethereal club banger. His lush chord progressions, high-tempo drum groove, and deep-house synth melodies create a new backdrop for Quavo and Lana’s heart-string pulling vocals, making the track a must-play for DJs. This new rendition follows last week’s hypnotically funky Channel Tres remix, adding another layer of excitement to the song’s ongoing success.
Today, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Bilal makes a triumphant return with his first album of new music in eight years, Adjust Brightness, out now on all major streaming platforms. His long-awaited release features 11 brand-new tracks that showcase Bilal’s visionary approach to blending soul, funk, jazz, and futuristic electronic elements, offering listeners an immersive and boundary-pushing sonic experience. Following the success of his June Black Music Month project, Live at Glasshaus, which featured musical heavyweights like Questlove, Common, RobertGlasper, and more, Bilal’s Adjust Brightness takes his artistry to new heights. The album is a bold step forward in his evolving sound, continuing to defy genre conventions and highlight his unmatched vocal and musical prowess.
Reflecting on his new album, Bilal shares, “I wanted to create music that challenges the digital age — music that confuses the algorithms and speaks to our humanity. Adjust Brightness is about love, warmth, and intimacy. It’s an intimate, human record that speaks to the heart in an era of cold, digital sounds.”
Eight years following 2015’s In Another Life, a collaboration with Adrian Younge that drew from the psychedelic verve of vintage funk, Adjust Brightness marks a bold new chapter for Bilal. This album is a giant step forward, as Bilal merges his organic, soulful roots with experimental electronic influences inspired by artists like Aphex Twin, Stereolab, and Jai Paul.
The creation of Adjust Brightness was deeply inspired by a period of musical and visual experimentation. Bilal began to approach his music much like a painter approaches a canvas, focusing on moods, textures, and atmospheres rather than traditional song forms. His experiences with experimental jazz and live performances fed into this avant-garde direction and tracks like “Sunshine” and “Humility” highlight his innovative use of atmospheric grooves, intricate beats, and sonic manipulation.
Today, multi-platinum rapper / artist Moneybagg Yo unleashes a deluxe version of his latest album, now titled SPEAK NOW OR…,featuring seven new tracks. The 24-song project isn’t just expansive, it’s also packed with ferocious wordplay, infectious hooks and bumpin’ beats — not to mention brand new and exhilarating collaborations.
Among the new entries is “WYD” featuring Memphis heavyweights GloRilla and Big Boogie, a club-ready anthem that spotlights the raw talent from all three major players, and “OUTTA TOWN” alongside Tallahassee’s Bossman Dlow. Other highlights include “DO YO SH*T”, “SUM TO HATE ON” and Bagg’s typically raw and unfiltered “FOOT SOLDIERS.” All told, the deluxe edition expands on the vision of SPEAK NOW and delivers more than half a dozen new hits geared to captivate fans for months to come.
SPEAK NOW arrived earlier this Summer to widespread anticipation. One of the main highlights from the record includes massive RIAA Gold-certified collaboration “Whiskey Whiskey” featuring country superstar Morgan Wallen, a southern hip-hop / country hybrid which has taken both worlds by storm. Since release, the song has hit No. 28 on the Billboard Hot100 Chart, Bagg has joined Wallen on stage earlier this summer to perform the cross-genre hit, Wallen used the full track during the famous ‘walk out’ at his Hyde Park Concert in London, and the song was even chosen as one of former President Barack Obama’s top songs of the summer.
With SPEAK NOW OR…, Moneybagg Yo supercharges his most recent album and sets the stage for his next chapter. See full tracklisting below.
There has been a beef brewing in Baton Rouge after NBA YoungBoy sent a public shot to Boosie Badazz for not making an effort to sustain their friendship, rapping on a track, “Feel like Boosie don’t even like me, b****, don’t call my phone (F*** you).” Now, Boosie has to send a few shots of his own with a response.
In his latest effort, “I Don’t Call Phones I Call Shots”, the title even seems like it was directly aimed at NBA YoungBoy. Boosie managed to rap about more than just the young Baton Rouge rapper, but this one was obviously made with YoungBoy in mind.
Houston superstars Trae Tha Truth and OMB Bloodbath link up with buzzing radio personality DJ Hawk for a new frontiered release, titled “Sunny Daze.” Produced by Apexx and Hawk-himself, the track blends Trae’s deep-toned street raps with Bloodbath’s catchy signature vocals about cruising in the sunshine.
A game-changer, different from normal releases, Hawk smarten up his campaign with the addition of NFT, several redeemable editions of the song out now.
“NFTs are a new way for independent artists to take control and make money off of their art,” Hawk said on accompanying the NFT with the new song. “It’s harder, especially during times like these, to make money as an artist since tours/shows are getting canceled and we’re only getting fractions of pennies per stream. So I decided to partner with Moxie Labs, a tech company based out of Philly, and create this way for my fans to connect directly with me by owning a piece of my art with the end goal of us ALL making money.”
In Texas, DJ Hawk, born Alexander Haq, rose through the status quo as a radio-club DJ, connecting and networking with the region’s up-and-coming-turned-superstars artists and breaking new sounds to an organically driven trendsetting market. Hawk is the current show producer for The Breakfast Club with DJ Envy, Charlamagne Da God and Angela Yee at Houston’s 93.7 The Beat.
“I’ve learned everything from the old school to new school gear,” says Hawk. “I prefer to use Pro Tools. But, in the end, all I want is to make great music that makes people feel good. So, if I can turn it on and my fiancé or sister, the ladies, like it and catch a vibe, then that’s a good thing.”
“Sunny Daze” is the latest drop ahead of the upcoming album following the previous Pzee Fire and Stoppa-featured track “Escape” released last year.
Trae Tha Truth appears on the track courtesy of ABN/EMPIRE and OMB Bloodbath appears courtesy of Interscope Records.
Stream “Sunny Daze” below and purchase the NFT here.
Tekashi 6ix9ine gives credit where credit is due. His latest praise is to ATL rapper, Lil Baby. Last Friday, both rappers debut new songs. After a number of date changes, 6ix9ine dropped his anticipated single, “TROLLZ,” with Nicki Minaj.
The My Turn rapper dropped his newest single “The Bigger Picture.” His songs align with the current times, addressing racism, police brutality, Black Lives Matters, and more.
6ix9ine broke his previous record of most Youtube views for a Hip-Hop video in 24 hours with 46 million. His former feat was 43 million following the release of “GOOBA.” On the other hand, Lil Baby has amassed 5.6 millions views since its Friday release. Both songs were well received. But Twitter was not happy with the amount of love that Tekashi 6ix9ine received as oppose to Lil Baby.
Despite the comparison, 6ix9ine took to Instagram comments to share that Lil Baby is currently his favorite rapper. While many Hip-Hop heads do not agree with the colorful rapper often, this is a sentiment that they share in common. Meek Mill and Tory Lanez took to Twitter to voice their praise of Quality Control Music’s biggest artist following the release of “The Bigger Picture.”
Meek says Lil Baby is trending upward towards legendary status. Tory believes Lil Baby deserves a Grammy mid-way through 2020. Do you think Lil Baby is 2020’s Hip-Hop MVP thus far?
His album, My Turn, recently returned to the top of Billboard 200 charts almost 4 months after its release. The project was certified platinum last month as well.
Trap History author A.R. Shaw discusses Gucci Mane’s rise to fame in “The Evolution of Gucci Mane,” episode 3 of the Trap History audio documentary that will be released on Tuesday, March 3 on Audible. The audio documentary is a companion piece to Shaw’s Trap History book, a compelling, thoroughly researched 300-page work that tells the story of the popular hip hop subgenre by describing the rise of the music as well as explaining the politics and sociology that fueled the sound.
In Shaw’s interview with producer Zaytoven, the Atlanta-based beatmaker who has also worked with Usher, Migos and Future, explains that the GRAMMY-nominated, platinum rapper with hit collaborations with the likes of Drake, Bruno Mars, and Selena Gomez, was not pursuing a rap career when they met in 2001. At the time, Gucci Mane was managing his nephew and took him to Zaytoven’s studio to record music.
“So Gucci came with a mutual friend and he brought his nephew. His nephew was trying to be a rapper,” Zaytoven says in an excerpt of the “Tap History” audio documentary. “Gucci was writing the songs for him. He was like, ‘Ah man, I want to get some beats. I’m trying to put my nephew on.’”
Zaytoven immediately noticed that Gucci was more than a manager. He was also a talented artist. “It went from him writing songs for his nephew,” Zaytoven says. “A lot of times, he had to go in there and say it so his nephew could see how he’s supposed to say it and rap it. And it just turned into me really just listening to him and listening to the words that he’s putting together like, ‘Man, you got it.’”
Very quickly, Gucci began changing his focus from manager to artist. “I didn’t see his nephew but what twice,” Zaytoven says. “After that, it was like it was Gucci recording. And we started building our relationship just like that. I’m making beats. I got the studio. He rapping the songs. I think he’s the dopest in the world. He thinks I’m the dopest in the world, and that’s it. We doing that everyday.” That same year, Gucci released his first project, Str8 Drop Records Presents Gucci ManeLe Flare on his label Str8 Drop Records.
The “Trap History” audio documentary also has chapter episodes on “T.I., Atlanta Culture and the Beginning of Trap Music” (Episode 1), “Is Jeezy’s ‘Trap or Die’ the Greatest Mixtape in Rap History?” (Episode 2) and “How Migos’ ‘Culture’ Album Changed the Culture of Trap Music” (Episode 4).
The groundhog did not see his shadow, and while we are not that keen on superstition, we might have to believe him on this one. The weather is unseasonably warm. Sure, you can say that’s because of the deteriorating ozone layer and global warming— That really is a thing.
But we think there might be another reason.
According to The Source’s MUSIC FRIDAYS, there are other reasons why this winter is unusually warm. Some of your favorite artists are out here throwing flames all over the place and this week there are some fire spitters that we want you to be all the way up on them.
The Source’s MUSIC FRIDAYS presents new releases from your favorite artists.
Already classified as a legend, North Carolina’s own Rapsody released visuals to her song Afeni ft. PJ Morton featuring a classic hip hop hook by the late Tupac. The Roc Nation-signed hard hitter is delivering once again from her album Eve which features songs all named after an influential black woman.
Known for her brilliant bars and moving messages, the natural born lyricist breaks down the relationships between the black man, black woman and child. In the captivating video we witness a young couple in love warp into a single black mother raising her son. Bringing us wisdom and tears simultaneously Rapsody is a true queen in hip hop speaking for a generation of those who go unheard.
[Chorus: 2Pac] Now since we all came from a woman Got our names from a woman and our game from a woman I wonder why we take from our women Why we rape our women Do we hate our women? Now since we all
[Verse 1: Rapsody] My brothers (My brothers)‚ I love you (I love you) I hate to know some of you treat us like Glover (Glover) Black card revoked‚ maybe you could use Discover (Discover) Define yourself, do you feel the same way ’bout your mother? (Mother) Do you overlook our beauty, but you lovin’ on all the others (Others) Hope you teach your daughters all to stay away from suckas Like yourself if you don’t love yourself I’m so Southern (Southern)‚ I was taught to feed the soul with or without hot ovens Here’s a plate, know your hate come from a black man struggle (Struggle) We all in the same shape, so I know I fit your puzzle (Puzzle) Either way‚ we got your back, we only pray you’ll be our muscle (Pray you’ll be our muscle) Strength in the times we all overcome with trouble Every day we pullin’ doubles for ourself and home (For ourself and home) My mom and daddy taught me, early on, protect your own (Protect your own) We never stopped lovin’ you, so turn your love back on (Your love back on) And I pray you feel the same way as that 2Pac song We ain’t your hoes or your bitches, trophies, or meant for pimpin’ Recognize a gift from God outweighs a birthday or a Christmas To protect our lives, you gon’ take it to the limit? (You gon’ take it to the limit?) Rib of my rib, do you still feel us in ya
While the world will have a chance to get a glimpse of the first Gangstarr album in almost two
decades, the two producers who worked closest with Guru, the late founder of the famed chain
and the star, have yet to settle on who will control the fate of the Gangstarr legacy. After the
release of the “Family And Loyalty” single featuring J.Cole, 7 Grand Records CEO and Guru’s
last known affiliate Solar has been committed to not only continuing Guru’s legacy, but also
letting the world know who created the original music that has been released as Gangstarr’;s
long-awaited LP One Of The Best Yet.
After the publishing of the New York Times article, it was evident that Solar and longtime
Gangstarr producer DJ Premier have polar opposite perceptions of who owns the music, brand
and legacy, but even Premier admits in the expose “I knew there had to be material out there that [Solar] was sitting on, I could just feel it.” With Solar stating that there was and still is “no valid agreement” between him and Preemo, the healing process expected by Solar has become a battle over the Gangstarr post-Premier recordings.
“Family and Loyalty” Original Song By Solar and Guru
According to Solar, an appellate decision granted him all rights to the original masters, which leaves the Gangstarr legacy in two parts; Solar’s original production and recordings with Guru and the album that was released without granting Solar any of the credit for the songs that were written and recorded by the duo under the 7 Grand banner. For those who’d like to weigh and judge the similarities versus the distinctions for themselves, check out the “original” songs that were recorded, mastered and even copywritten by Solar and the late, great Mr. Elam and how they were remade for the Gangstarr album.
“Sunny Daze" ft. 
New music & some studio exclusives. 
