Coolio’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise.’ (Tommy Boy Records) It’s been 30 years since Coolio released his most popular hit, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but producer Doug Rasheed admits there was a time when he didn’t think the song would see the light of day. Speaking to ABC Audio, he recalls his thoughts after learning Stevie Wonder refused to approve the sample of his song “Pastime Paradise”…
Cover of Rihanna’s ‘Music of the Sun’/ (Def Jam Recordings) Twenty years ago Friday — Aug. 29, 2005 — Rihanna released her debut album, Music of the Sun, featuring her first hit, “Pon de Replay.” To celebrate her two-decade music career, she’s put some special merch up for sale and also announced a vinyl box set. The…
Rapper Fat Joe performs during Day 2 of 2025 Jazz In The Gardens Music Festival at Hard Rock Stadium on March 9, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage) No one can accuse Fat Joe of being humble. During the latest episode of the Joe and Jada podcast, Fat Joe made a pretty boastful claim that he…
T-Pain accepts BMI President’s Award during the 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in LA, August, 2025 (Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BMI) T-Pain and GloRilla were presented with special honors at the 2025 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, presented by the performing rights organization BMI Thursday in LA. T-Pain received the BMI President’s Award in recognition of his career and…
DJ Khaled has unveiled two new songs, his first new music in three years. “You Remind Me” features Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Mavado, Bounty Killer, Rorystonelove and Kaylan Arnold, while “Brother” features Post Malone and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Khaled’s 14th studio album, Aalam of God, is coming soon and is available for preorder now. Fridayy has released his new single, “Below Zero.” The singer says in a statement that the song “is about feeling numb…
Leon Thomas performs on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on June 3, 2025. (Disney/Randy Holmes) It’s the cover you didn’t know you needed. Leon Thomas has put his own spin on folk singer-songwriter Bon Iver’s “Holocene.” In a video posted to TikTok, the “MUTT” singer delivers a haunting and soulful rendition of the track under the glow of blue lighting. The…
Gunna performs at Rolling Loud Thailand 2024 at Legend Siam Pattaya on November 24, 2024 in Pattaya, Thailand. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images) Gunna is a runna. The rapper launched his new running club, Wunna Run Club, on Thursday, with a planned 5K set for Sept. 3. The 5K will take place in Prospect Park in Brooklyn…
Mya poses during a photo shoot in Sydney, New South Wales. (Photo by Justin Lloyd / Newspix / Getty Images) When Mya took the stage at the BET Awards 2025, it was more than just a throwback to the 106 & Park video countdown show. It was a celebration of her song “Case of the Ex,” which celebrates its…
Flo Milli performs during Revolt World 2024 at Pangaea Studios on September 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage) Flo Milli is enjoying life as a mom. The rapper, who gave birth to son Sixx in April, tells Billboard that motherhood has been, “Everything, plus more than I expected from it.” “It’s just cool having a mini-you,” she…
Kid Cudi performs live on stage during Rock en Seine music festival at Domaine National de Saint-Cloud on August 21, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images For ABA) Kid Cudi is opening up about his marijuana use. In a new interview with People, the rapper says writing his memoir, Cudi: The Memoir, prompted him to…