Lil Nas X has made a dramatic return to the spotlight after months of near silence. Earlier this year, he dropped Days Before Dreamboy, a surprise eight-song project made up of tracks released between 2024 and early 2025. Not long after, he told fans that he had been hospitalized in April with partial facial paralysis. By May, he reappeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show to remind everyone that a new album was on the way. Then everything went quiet again. View this post on Instagram A post shared by QUEEN MADELINE (@lilnasx) That changed this week when he cleared his Instagram and began filling it with striking images and short previews of unreleased music. On August 19th, he shared a photo of himself in a golden gown and white boots while holding lanterns, standing in a room scattered with fabric. Other posts showed a desk surrounded by art, a dramatic portrait, and a playful selfie where he wore a fur coat, cowboy hat, crown and red lipstick with the caption, “OH NO sHES GONE MAD! CRAZY I TELL U!” Soon after, the music started. One clip revealed a track called “Black Horse,” produced by Young Kio, that leans into the Western sound of his breakout hit “Old Town Road.” “Turn on the cable, Nassy’s out the stable/ B–ch I’m back around, let them n–gas know it’s fatal/ And I ain’t finna take s–t, n–gas better watch it/ You know I love the sound of them rounds when the Glock hit,” he raps. Another preview featured Lil Jon on a track titled “Kimbo,” where Nas sings, “I know you feel pressure/ When nobody’s around/ You Kimbo.” He then switches into a raunchy verse that continues the energy. Additional snippets included a tambourine-backed a cappella moment and a pop-inspired tune over a colorful mural. So far, no release date has been confirmed, and his team has yet to respond to requests for comment.

K. Michelle just shared some major personal news while also giving a glimpse into her creative process. The singer surprised fans by confirming that she is married and spoke honestly about the challenges of balancing her personal life with her music career as she prepares to step into country music. View this post on Instagram A post shared by K. Michelle (@kmichellemusic) “I’m not in the best space all the time. I’m human. I’m very difficult when I record, very precise. I’m overwhelmed with my career, being a mother, and the pressures of giving my husband a baby immediately (something I want to do for him) and entering a new genre of music,” she revealed in a heartfelt message. She went on to describe how deeply invested she feels in her upcoming album. “Not only that I’m about to release my soul my album. Country music is my soul. Thank God my team knows me and has sheltered me. My music team understands my passion. I want this perfect down to the very last note. I deserve this. I love my team. I’m just not like most. The makings of an outlaw. People don’t understand me and I give zerofuvks. Music isn’t something I picked it picked me. See yall 8/29.” Fans also got to see studio footage that showed how hands-on she is when creating her sound. In the clip, K. Michelle carefully instructed her team on the rhythm of a track, explaining that the pace was too fast and urging them to slow it down. “Even if you say, don’t do the doom, doo is too fast,” she said, noting that every note needs space in order to bring out the emotion she wants the listener to feel. Her upcoming project represents both her vulnerability and her strength. The world will get to hear it for the first time on August 29.

Kendrick Lamar has reached another historic benchmark in his career, officially crossing 50 billion total streams on Spotify. With this feat, he becomes only the 14th artist in history to hit that number and just the fifth rapper to do so, joining Travis Scott, Eminem, Kanye West, and his long-standing rival, Drake. Kendrick Lamar has officially surpassed 50 BILLION streams on Spotify, making him just the 14th artist in history to do so. He reached this milestone with only 251 credited songs — the third fewest of any artist, and the fewest of any rapper. pic.twitter.com/p0o23ix8JL — NFR Podcast (@NFR_Podcasts) August 20, 2025 What makes this achievement even more remarkable is how efficiently Lamar reached it. He did so with only 251 credited songs, fewer than any of the other rappers who share the milestone. The update arrives shortly after another accomplishment, when his 2017 classic Damn passed 10 billion streams earlier this month. Across his catalog, Lamar has released six full-length albums: Section.80, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly, Damn, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, and GNX. Tracks that continue to dominate Spotify include “luther,” “All The Stars,” “Not Like Us,” and “Money Trees.” Each has played a part in keeping his music at the forefront of global hip hop conversations. The streaming success, however, has been shadowed by controversy. Drake is pursuing legal action against Universal Music Group, accusing the company of manipulating promotion in favor of Lamar’s hit “Not Like Us.” He claims UMG relied on “covert tactics” to push the track, which contains harsh lyrics aimed at him. On the record, Lamar raps: “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles… Why you trollin’ like a b*tch? Ain’t you tired? / Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.” While the legal battle plays out, Lamar continues to tour globally. His Grand National Tour with SZA will start again in Mexico City on September 23, followed by shows in Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Australia.

Fivio Foreign recently sat down with Jim Jones for a candid conversation on Artist 2 Artist, part of Jones’ new IFC Factory platform. The Brooklyn rapper opened up about the music that shaped him and admitted that Nas was not a major influence during his come-up. Fivio explained that his teenage soundtrack was dominated by Chicago artists, especially Chief Keef, who inspired much of his style. “I’m not saying that the man is wack or he’s not a legend,” Fivio clarified. “I got a song with the n—a. I got a song on the album and the album got a Grammy, but I can’t sit there and say a Nas bar to you or a song — I like ‘One Mic.’” Jim Jones responded with his own perspective, making it clear that he grew up in an era where Nas was central to hip hop. “That’s what I want the people to know — but I can ‘cause Nas was my era. I came up f—kin’ with Nas. I know the Nas sh—t. But moving forward, I started a whole new era and a whole new genre and a generation of people…I just be doing me.” When pressed about his biggest influences, Fivio again highlighted his admiration for Chief Keef and the Chicago drill movement, saying he was “infatuated” with that sound. That passion ultimately fueled his own contributions to New York’s drill scene. Their talk also touched on the challenges that come with viral moments. Fivio recently made headlines after clashing with streamer PlaqueBoyMax and fellow rapper Lil Tjay during a livestream that got heated over smoking in an Airbnb. Meanwhile, Jim Jones was pulled into his own debate earlier this year when a college student claimed on a podcast that Dipset had a greater influence than Nas, sparking discussions about legacy and impact.

Lance “Un” Riverea calls cap on Fat Joe, who said he made tracks with The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige. During an interview with The Art of Dialogue, Rivera addressed Joe’s assertion head-on, expressing skepticism and a touch of humor while firmly.  “I love Fat Joe, Fat Joe is my guy. I love the Jada & Joe show, and now I know why they’re running with the ‘Joe is the King of Cap,’” Rivera laughed. “Imma call cap, without even knowing, ’cause I don’t know for sure, but I’m calling cap […] If there was a real, legitimate album, I would’ve heard about that. I wouldn’t have heard about them doing songs,” he continued. The founder of  Untertainment Records, Rivera and Biggie, on several projects including Junior Mafia’s 1995 album The Conspiracay. So any songs featuring Fat Joe would have come across his desk. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Art Of Dialogue (@theartofdialogue) “And I wouldn’t have heard about them doing songs together, right? Because in Daddy’s House, Big go in the studio, you could get a verse or you might not get a verse, depending on his mood and how much money you had in your pocket. He was a ‘How much weed you got on you’ type sh*t, you know what I’m saying? But I call cap off that, Joe. Show me the receipts, Fat Joe.” In an interview from 2023, Fat Joe claimed to have recorded several songs that never saw the light of day because they included disses toward Tupac.  “We made a bunch of songs, y’know what I’m sayin’?” Joe said. “But it was really disrespectful and hateful, and so [Biggie] died and 2Pac died. They might have burnt them sh*ts, to be honest with you, ’cause you know, it was distasteful after the fact.”

Tyler, The Creator is keeping the Chromakopia era alive with a stunning new visual for his track “Darling, I.” The self-directed video, released this week, plays like a retro film reel—blending romance, humor, and cultural callbacks with Tyler’s trademark eccentricity. Among the standout appearances are Nia Long, Lauren London, and Willow Smith. Other cameos include Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Teezo Touchdown (who is also featured on the track), Na-Kel Smith, Chase Infiniti, Oriane Strohhacker, and Jasmine Rutledge. The video opens on a 1970s-inspired bus depot, where Teezo Touchdown plays the driver ushering passengers into a world of vibrant set pieces. From there, viewers are taken through a series of intimate, playful, and surreal vignettes—each with its own flair. NIA LONG MAKES AN APPEARANCE: One of the buzziest moments comes when Nia Long leans in toward Tyler as if to kiss him, only to mischievously stick out her tongue. Willow Smith, meanwhile, joins Tyler in portraying members of the Black Panther Party, sharing a playful photo booth moment that adds political undertones to the otherwise whimsical storytelling. Lauren London also takes center stage in an evocative booth scene, while Lionel Boyce channels tension in a gritty payphone exchange. The aesthetics throughout feel drenched in nostalgia, complete with vintage wardrobes, analog backdrops, and subtle references to Tyler’s Chromakopia motifs. Though Tyler recently shifted focus with his 2025 album Don’t Tap the Glass, the “Darling, I” video doubles down on the visual narrative that accompanied Chromakopia. Tyler, who directed the video under his real name Andrew Okonma, continues to lean into bold color palettes, whimsical costume design, and layered symbolism—cementing his role not just as a rapper but as a full-fledged auteur.

Ciara has first-hand experience of what it means for an artist to own their master recordings. During a recent interview with Forbes, Ciara shared how she became an independent artist and how label drama led to owning her masters. “It was also one of my greatest meetings because that propelled me to become independent, because literally he did not see the vision of what ‘Level Up’ was,” said Ciara. “I remember going downstairs to the person that was my A&R at that time his name was Monti Olson […] I’m forever grateful for him because he also believed in me when I was like eight months pregnant to sign a deal with meHe was one of the executives that were actually still at the company when the old CEO went out.” “I asked for my masters and they gave it back to me for free, so let you know how much they didn’t believe, and now ‘Level Up’ is almost three times platinum,” she continued. Betting on herself turned out to be the best decision the “Goodies”  singer ever made. The success of “Level Up” helped to launcher her independent label, Beauty Marks Entertainment, which she established in 2017. The hit song became the first release from her label and debuted at 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 31, 2018 moved to number 59 the following week. It debuted at number 10 on the US Digital Songs chart that same week, becoming Ciara’s sixth top-ten hit on the chart and first since “Love Sex Magic” in March 2009.

Tamar Braxton recently detailed her close call with death. Taking to her Instagram page Tuesday, August 19 where she reposted a quote on her story that read “Thank you God for waking me up today.” “I struggled to write this but everyone keeps calling me and honestly, I can’t even really talk anymore I’m so weak. I almost died Sunday. I was found in a pool of blood from my friend with a face injury,” she explained. “As the days go by the worse it is. I fractured my nose, lost some teeth and mobility. The way I look at life now is totally different,”she continued. “As my health is on the mend my mental journey begins. Pray for me for real I don’t even know what happened to me.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tamar Braxton (@tamarbraxton) While Braxton did not disclose the what cause her injuries or any photos,  she said that she was discovered by her friend. Before her injuries, Braxton has been featured cast members on the reality show The Braxtons on We TV, as the show is preparing for its second season.  “The main reason for wanting to do The Braxtons again is because of Traci,” Toni Braxton shared in a trailer for season 1.  “She asked us to do this — this was her last wish,” Miss E added. In April, Tamar shared a clip on Instagram where she and her family celebrated what would have been Traci’s 54th birthday. “Happy Heavenly Birthday beautiful @therealtracibraxton,” Tamar wrote in the caption. “We miss you down here sis!! But I know God didn’t want to see you sick like that so, he brought you home to himself to heal you Tamar was also touring on October London’s  October Nights: Calling all Lovers Tour with Ro James.

Timbaland is opening up about how being a dad kept him steady while navigating fame and success. The four-time Grammy-winning producer joined his daughter Reign Mosley on her podcast Reign Check on August 13th, where the two spoke openly about family, growth, and what fatherhood really means. Timbaland, born Timothy Mosley, shares Reign with his ex-wife Monique Idlett, whom he divorced in 2013 after ten years of marriage. He also has two sons, Demetrius and Frankie, from earlier relationships. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Timbo the King (@timbaland) When Reign asked about how parenthood influenced his view of success, Timbaland explained that fatherhood didn’t necessarily change his outlook, but it gave him a deeper sense of purpose. “It didn’t really shift my perspective on fatherhood. It probably made me have a more respect for fatherhood,” he told her. “It kind of gave my success a purpose in a way. I really think it was needed.” He added that being a parent grounded him during moments when the pressures of fame could have become overwhelming. “Fatherhood was needed in my life because success could have destroyed me because you get caught up in so many things,” he said. “God will place things that you don’t know that you need in your life and fatherhood was the thing that I needed to balance success. Because if I didn’t, I could have been destroyed.” Earlier this year, Timbaland spoke on The Pivot Podcast about battling opioid addiction and revealed that his family played a vital role in helping him stay alive. He previously shared with Men’s Health that his dependency on OxyContin and Percocet began after dental surgery in 2011. Looking back, he said on The Pivot Podcast, “Then looking at your kids and really saying, like, ‘I have value in this world.’ I love my kids to death…That’s what I work for.”

Halle Bailey has been recognized not just for her artistry, but for her courage in speaking up about maternal health. The City of Los Angeles recently presented her with an honor at Project Pit’s Maternal Health Summit, applauding her for using her platform to shed light on postpartum struggles and for being open about her personal journey as a new mother. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Halle Bailey (@hallebailey) The acknowledgment highlights how Halle has become a voice for women who often face these challenges in silence. Since giving birth to her son Halo in 2023, she has been transparent about the realities of postpartum depression and how deeply it affected her. Her openness has helped spark greater awareness of Black maternal health and mental wellness, as well as the need for community care. After receiving the honor, Halle shared her appreciation in a heartfelt Instagram post. “Hii everyone i just want to thank the City of Los Angeles and [Project Pit] for this incredible honor. To be recognized for speaking up about maternal health and my own postpartum journey is really humbling just a reminder that vulnerability is not a weakness, it’s the bridge that connects us all.” Her words echo the message she has carried into public spaces since becoming a mother. Earlier this year, she revealed in a Snapchat video that she struggled to be away from her baby for even brief periods of time. “I don’t know who I am,” she admitted, sharing that she felt like an entirely different person after giving birth. What makes Halle’s recognition so meaningful is not just the award itself, but the change it represents. By being honest about her challenges, she has shown that vulnerability can inspire connection and healing, turning her personal journey into a source of strength for countless others.