#nicki minaj mariah carey beef

[cyarsk52-20]

Music

Nicki Minaj is the conductor of her own downfall. And it's sad to watch.

Rap legend has been actively polluting her legacy for quite some time

There’s a figure in American life who’s compulsively divisive. They govern by their own rules. They speak solely to the segment of society — albeit millions of followers — who lap up their Jim Jones-flavored Kool-Aid because, in this alternate reality, they’re the agents of truth and salvation. Any opposition is just an enemy of the state. Perhaps most importantly, too, misinformation is the highest form of currency. 

No, not former President Donald Trump (though it applies to him, too). But given the last week in Black pop culture, that figure is Nicki Minaj. 

What should be one of hip-hop’s sterling legacies has long been sullied by her support-at-all-costs dictatorship. Her alleged off-putting demeanor has circumvented anything she’s done for at least the past half-decade. Her closest affiliations and decisions have threatened to make her a pariah. And her catalog — despite its chart success — has produced bloated numbers and empty statistics primarily driven by a cult following who’ll support her regardless of her morals, targets or intentions. Nicki Minaj has become a cancer to an art form she once almost single-handedly carried on her back.

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Megan Thee Stallion is running hip-hop. Deal with it.

On Wednesday, she joined Joe Budden’s Spaces on X, formerly known as Twitter, to discuss the fallout from Megan Thee Stallion’s new single “HISS,” — which could become the No. 1 song in the countrynext week. The aggressive invitation-for-smoke is presumably aimed at a cast of characters — most notably Nicki Minaj. In her rant, she blamed parties like YouTube and the “machine” for Megan Thee Stallion’s notoriety and the song’s success. She doubled down on making fun of the Houston rapper, saying she wanted her “Rihanna moment” — referring to the singer’s 2009 domestic violence incident with then-boyfriend Chris Brown — as a means to dilute her trauma stemming from the July 2020 shooting that landed singer/rapper Tory Lanez in prison. Nicki even went as far as to insinuate that Roc Nation is Megan’s puppeteer while avoiding mentioning the company’s founder, Jay-Z, or his wife, Beyoncé. 

But a big part of the problem is that Nicki Minaj can’t lyrically squabble, not on wax and certainly not when she’s under pressure. Many of her direct shots at opponents have come on award show stages, at pop stars such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus or her former fellow American Idol judge Mariah Carey. Her past beefs with rappers such as Remy Ma or Cardi B have been one-sided and not necessarily in her favor. With her response to Megan Thee Stallion, “Big Foot” — a pieced-together arts and crafts project, at best — Nicki brought a knife to a gunfight. A pen to a test, as another New York MC once said while engaged in battle. And it’s a battle she herself, more than anyone else except Megan Thee Stallion, knew was bubbling for quite some time.

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Nicki’s Spaces tirade came after the Queens, New York, rapper spent days spiraling on social media about Megan Thee Stallion. The last four years of Megan’s life have been filled with controversy, suicidal thoughts and anxiety. Suspected targets in “HISS” included rapper Drake, Lanez, her former best friend Kelsey Harris, former boyfriend Paridson “Pardi” Fontaine and more. The most poignant of the bars was seemingly directed at Nicki — an artist Megan herself once said she had been her fan since 2008 and she was one of her biggest inspirations.

“These h— don’t be mad at Megan, these h— mad at Megan’s Law/I don’t really know what the problem is, but I guarantee y’all don’t want me to start/B—-, you a p—-, never finna check me/Every chance you get, bet your weak a– won’t address me.”

Megan’s Law was signed into law in February 1996. It required registered sex offenders to publicly disclose their place of employment and residence to local law enforcement. Nicki Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, served 4½ years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted rape in 1994 when he was 16. Nicki Minaj and Petty were sued for witness tampering in 2021. Jennifer Hough, the survivor of the attempted rape, claimed the couple pressured her to recant her story after Petty was arrested shortly after moving to California for essentially failing to comply with Megan’s Law. Jelani Maraj, Nicki Minaj’s brother, was sentenced to 25 years to life for the sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl in 2017. Fair or not, her proximity to these heinous offenses has irreparably harmed her career. 

“Nobody is saying that Nicki isn’t happy, [or] that Nicki’s man doesn’t love her, [or] that they don’t have a supportive relationship,” media personality and attorney Rachel Lindsay said on her Higher Learningpodcast with co-host Van Lathan. “But I just feel like aren’t you always tired of having to go off on somebody bringing up what actually happened? … She just gets so outraged anytime it’s brought up, but it’s true! At least as far as the record is concerned. I just wish she would just stop.”

Following the release of “HISS,” Nicki Minaj immediately took to social media to respond in a bizarre Instagram Live video where she soft-launched “Big Foot.” The song was filled with erratic thoughts of her lamenting the shooting that landed Lanez in prison, invoking Megan Thee Stallion’s mother, Holly Thomas, who died of brain cancer in 2019, and blasting Megan’s alleged sexual history. How the record came to be is a microcosm of where Nicki Minaj, an undisputed hip-hop icon in her own right, currently stands.

Nicki’s most recent album, Pink Friday 2, showcased moments of glory like “Barbie Dangerous” and introspective odes like “Are You Gone Already?” and “Just the Memories.” The album hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart for one week and is currently a top 100 album in the country. Her dominance, however, lives mainly on the internet. Online is where she’s most influential and her security most shielded. 

America is no stranger to celebrity worship. Beyoncé has the Beyhive, Rihanna has her Navy, Justin Bieber has the Beliebers and Taylor Swift has the Swifties (which now includes the NFL). In a world where celebrity worship, or “stanning,” sits further on the maniacal side than charming, Nicki Minaj’s “Barbz” resemble a cult more than an online fan club. The local cemetery where Thomas is buried has reportedly alerted local authorities about increasing security due to alleged calls from Barbz to desecrate Thomas’ grave. Sadly, Nicki rarely does much to control those who hang on to her every word.

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Despite last week’s drama, it’s nearly impossible to envision a world where she didn’t see a response coming. The two initially linked up in 2019. They soon collaborated on Megan Thee Stallion’s hit “Hot Girl Summer.” In August 2020, a month after Megan was shot, Nicki Minaj again praised her following the release of her Cardi B collaboration “WAP,” saying that she “was the perfect example that we can be fun and smart at the same time.”

Everything changed in 2021 when both artists unfollowed each other on social media. Subliminal disses from Nicki Minaj followed, like 2021’s “Seeing Green” and last year’s “Ruby Red Da Sleeze,” which contained bars referring to her alleged alcoholism and her Doritos Super Bowl commercial. In the fall of 2022, Nicki Minaj alleged that she once tried to get her to consume alcohol while she was attempting to get pregnant, a claim Megan Thee Stallion vehemently denied. 

Nicki Minaj claims to have several more songs in the tuck should this beef continue. It begs two questions. One, does she herself consider “Big Foot” better than “HISS”? And two, why lead with this one, an objective dud if there are other options? 

Megan Thee Stallion has not responded since dropping “HISS,” opting to use the attention to promote the song, her upcoming album and tour. Nicki, who prided herself for years on how she commands a media cycle, essentially got TKO’d at her own game. The same thing happened to her after Remy Ma dropped her colossal diss record “shETHER.” It happened again when Cardi B attempted to fight her at New York Fashion Week in 2018, which promptly revived conversations about respectability politics. 

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Nicki Minaj’s impact over the last 15 years is undeniable, and her role in the evolution of women in rap is objectively unimpeachable. She’s done it in many ways, from underground mixtapes to outrapping established stars through fashion, album sales and awards. She is a star, with no disclaimer on gender. Nicki Minaj should be celebrated as a rap legend. She can rap and is amazing at it when she decides to be. All of which makes her response — with years of tensions marinating below the surface — even more head-scratching. The only approval came from the same fans who would support her regardless of what she does. 

It’s impossible to predict if Nicki can fix her public image — but it’s clear at this point she doesn’t care to or even have to. She hasn’t been the superstar she once was in her mind — or the Barbz’s — in years. And she likely never will be again. But much like the aforementioned former president, rapper Kanye West or even Lanez, there’s value in cultivating one’s own alternate reality because it means there’s never any reason to leave.

How the Head Barbie in Charge is discussed in American hip-hop and pop culture now is primarily based on the person she is, not the feats she accomplished. The pathetic part is it never had to be like this. What’s even more pathetic is that she doesn’t care to acknowledge it at all.

Justin Tinsley is a senior culture writer for Andscape. He firmly believes “Cash Money Records takin’ ova for da ’99 and da 2000” is the single most impactful statement of his generation.Nicki Minaj is the conductor of her own downfall. And it's sad to watch. Rap legend has been actively polluting her legacy for quite some time

Read in Andscape: https://apple.news/AAIYZTC1oQZeJvl1j1T6XCw

Shared from Apple News

Sent from my iPhone

[celebritygossip007]

Since entertainment is one of the most carefully regulated industries, it is no surprise that some of the most influential people in the world are forced to work with each other. But not everyone can be happy working with their colleagues, especially when they are former friends. Here are 5 celebrities who can't seem to get along.

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[kaeyasaki]

💔 — :; who they leave you for

-> an :; all jokes, this has been in my drafts for a while now and i never finished it because i was clearly on something when i first started it and never bothered finishing,, it seemed fitting as my final goodbye to the hq fandom as i’m only writing for tetsu now, so thanks hq fandom,, you were okay for the most part

-> ft :; miya atsumu, suna rintarō, kozume kenma, sakusa kiyoomi, iwaizumi hajime, bokuto koutarō + oikawa tooru

-ˏˋ miya atsumu ˊˎ-

atsumu x camilla cabello -> atsumilla

to put it short they’re both musty and musty people belong together. all it took was a jokingly sent feet pic into camilla’s dms and she was quickly packing her things to leave hers and shawn’s house. their first date went well, but camllia decided atsumu was a real keeper when she found out he was a great kisser! better technique than shawn and didn’t mind that camilla enjoys kissing like fish. he indulged in it and the two of them quickly drove other couples eating in the five star restaurant away with their... interesting displays of pda.

-ˏˋ suna rintarō ˊˎ-

suna x kris jenner -> sunis

suna was actually aiming for kendall when he spammed the jenners on twitter, but these days kendall’s busy connecting with nature and getting herself into photoshop scandals so she never actually saw suna’s tweets. you know who did see his tweets though? social media’s hawk eyed kris jenner! kris thought suna was cute and he’s a lot younger than corey gambles who was her partner at the time. younger man = more media coverage which = more income into her bottomless pocket! when she first approached suna, he didn’t even care he hadn’t gotten kendall’s attention because his eyes were wide open and focused on her mother, milf kris jenner.

-ˏˋ kozume kenma ˊˎ-

kenma x travis scott -> kenvis

kenma was happily logging on ready to stream on his youtube channel before he was hit with a copy right claim. it turns out he’d used ‘sicko mode’ in one of his fortnite streams and never gotten permission. thinking contacting the record label for permission seemed long winded, kenma shot travis himself a dm and travis fell hard! he thought kenma’s stoic face perfectly complimented his own and offered kenma permission and a dinner date and the two have been happy together since! these days kenma still streams but he helps coparent stormi with his lover travis while kylie’s busy slandering kenma and his stream on her instagram story between promoting her new line of kylie skin.

-ˏˋ sakusa kiyoomi ˊˎ-

sakusa x chrissy tiegan-> sakussy

the queen of twitter clapbacks and the king of twitter burner accounts, these two had beef on one of chrissy’s threads, but it turns out the two were just a case of the typical enemies to lovers troupe! chrissy was actually impressed with sakusa’s wit and callouts and the two of them slowly became a twitter stan duo! after finally meeting, sakusa explained why he used burner accounts and suggested chrissy do the same as she keeps getting blocked, now the two of them harass controversial celebrities and anti’s and have several burner accounts logged in to continue the argument after getting their main ones blocked. petty but hot of them.

-ˏˋ bokuto koutarō ˊˎ-

bokuto x oprah winfrey

bokuto made his raging crush on oprah no secret and has been dedicating each one of his scores to her on live television. oprah got tagged in so many fan cams made by his loyal fans that she just had to notice him. oprah saw bokuto as a marketing opportunity at first because come on, he’s the himbo to her girlboss, what a media pleasing couple! bokuto was thrilled when oprah invited him to meet but since meeting, oprah’s fallen hard for bokuto’s infectious laughter and she’s found herself feeling young and free again. bokuto is just happy he’s somehow cuffed a nice woman with a big ass.

-ˏˋ iwaizumi hajime ˊˎ-

iwaizumi x nicki minaj -> iwaicki

these two met when iwaizumi was in cali and he was walking out the gym. miss minaj had just come out from her own private session and iwaizumi just couldn’t help but notice what a great looking specimen she was. however, his face fell when he saw kenneth petty, criminal and nicki’s lover. iwaizumi knew kenneth was a bad match for nicki because hello? he’s a literal criminal and he’d never forgive himself if he allowed such a goddess to fall into the wrong hands when he knew he could treat her better. iwaizumi knocked kenneth out and proclaimed how well he’d look after nicki to her in front of her car and nicki couldn’t help but stan! herself and iwaizumi have been a happy couple since and any man that comes within a 5 metre radius of her is getting hard stares from him. truly a power couple.

-ˏˋ oikawa tooru ˊˎ-

oikawa x bryan tanaka -> oikyan

oikawa has had personal beef with mariah carey ever since she featured on his spread in volleyball weekly. he didn’t even know how she managed to get into it because the only sports she does is running and that’s only her mascara when a minor occurrence happens. he’s had twitter wars and been blocked on several social media platforms but he won’t stop until he’s satisfied. one night oikawa was ready to grow up and forget about it all until he ran into bryan, mariah’s boyfriend at a local convenience store. bryan was buying stuff that he’d tiredly said mariah had demanded and oikawa took this as the chance to finally get back at her for his highschool years. he told bryan not to bother and that he’d never boss him around the way mariah does. a tired, but grateful bryan gave in and the two have since found interests in gardening and guitar together leaving mariah scrambling to fix her tear stains before christmas just before her yearly relevancy comes back.

[blacksunscorpio]

Hey! Hope all is well. What are some indicators of rap talent in the natal chart? I’ve never seen anyone talk about rap or hip-hop in the chart

Oohhhh good one.

Indicators of Rap Talent in Astrology

Strong Mercurial Influence

This includes:

Sun in Gemini

moon in Gemini

Mercury in Gemini

Venus in Gemini

Mars in Gemini

Jupiter in Gemini

3rd House Dominant

Virgo placements

I’ve mentioned it before a few times on here but strong mercury influence in that natal chart is often found in rappers. We have to remember Mercury rules the lower mind, how we speak and communicate. It bestows on the native the “gift-of-gab” so when one has strong Mercurial influence, especially in benefic aspect one can have a way with words. This includes poetry, conciseness, and wit. A “bar” is basically a grouping of words that include all of the former. Mercury, when in harmonious aspect also gives one good rhythm, Something one needs if they’re to follow a beat well. They need to be able to go with the flow and hit every pause, break, and hook on a good beat, A good example of this would be Compton native Kendrick Lamar, whose Sun is in Gemini. Songs Like Rigarmortis, The Jig Is Up, M.A.A.D City and She Needs Me demonstrated that he has full control over his lung capacity and eloquence spitting each and every line. Christopher Wallace A.K.A the Notorious B.IG who hails from my hometown also has Mercury ruling over his Sun and he is considered one of the best rappers alive. His best friend turned Rival Tupac Shakur was also blessed by quick Silver. To this day, his metaphors resonate in songs like Changes, Hail Mary,  and Hit ‘Em Up. G Eazy is another who cannot get through one song without mentioning he’s a twin. Chris Brown is a crooner but if you’ve ever heard “Holla at Me” you’ll see the kid actually has bars. Azealia Banks, another Gemini [and rather under-developed] despite her problematic tendencies has quite a talent with words. Her song 212 is indicative of this. The Late Lisa Lef-Eye Lopes, Lauryn Hill, Naughty by Nature [all Virgo’s save for one], Ice Cube, and last but not least, one of the most polarizing people on the planet, Kanye West has his Sun and Jupiter sitting in all that airy energy. Despite his tendencies, we cannot discount his consistent hits since 2003. The man even found a way to spit verses with his mouth wired shut in “Through The Wire”. I believe the most developed influence of Mercury was presented to the world when he delivered us his Magnum Opus My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

Leo Placements

We must not forget the nature of rap is boastful. It is not an art of humility or meekness. The nature of Leo is the very same. Apollonian energy needs to ROAR. It demands to be heard. It needs to proclaim itself “King”. As a result, you’ll find many Rappers with strong Leonine energy.

This includes: 

Sun in Leo

Mercury in Leo

Mars in Leo

Venus in Leo

Midheaven in Leo

The Late Great Ermias Asghedom A.K.A Nipsey Hussle has a stellium of solar energy with his Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Mars in Leo. The Notorious Tory Lanez also has his Sun and Mercury and Venus in Leo and his energy in most of his songs, especially Talk to Me Nice, Litty Again, Shooters and Blue Jay Season demonstrate his “IDGAF, Worship Me” vibes. I saw him in concert and that man is all about the showmanship. I was holding his legs up as he crowd surfed just so he could rap in the middle of the room. Young Thug, Stormzy Soulja Boi, Bobby Shmurda, and Lil Uzi Vert are also MC’s with Suns Steeped in Leonine energy.

Martian Placements

This includes:

Sun in Aries

Moon in Aries

Mars in Aries

Mercury in Aries

Mercury conjunct Mars

Mars Conjunct/Trine/Square Pluto

Mars Conjunct Chiron

Mars Conjunct Uranus

Mars Conjunct Jupiter

Why? Let's be frank, Rap is not a soft art. Many involved in the trade have come for very war-like backgrounds. It takes a tough individual to make their way through the game. Rap is also the art form of those who do not care to wait, they take what they feel is theirs. Such is the nature of Cardinal energy [Which Mars rules] As a result, you’ll find many Arians or those with significant Martian influence heavily involved in rap. Big Sean has his Sun in Aries as does Young MA, Ryan Lewis, Lil Nas X, and Ty Dolla Sign. Meek Mill of “Championships” and Drake Beef fame has his Mars conjunct Chiron [healing] and he has often expressed that his drive [Mars] for music has healed his wounds coming from a rough neighborhood in Philly. Lil Wayne also has Mars touching his Chiron and has expressed the same sentiments. In addition, we have Eminem with his Mars Conjunct Pluto. This is NOT a placement to be fucked with. If any of you have followed Marshall’s career over the decades, he has proven that he has not one fuck to give. This man dissed his own mother on his album. Let’s not forget how he aided in ending Ja Rule’s rap career after he roasted the man on Hailey’s revenge. This is the placement of someone who cannot wait and WILL not wait to call you out. He spent the 5 bars in Jimmy Crack Corn exposing his illicit sexual relationship with Mariah Carey. Yikes.

Plutonic Influence

This includes:

Sun in Scorpio

Mars in Scorpio

Moon in Scorpio

Venus in Scorpio

Mercury touching Pluto

Mercury in Scorpio

Why? Because Pluto is all about death, wealth, and sex. Many rappers cannot get through a song without reminding you they are either unafraid of death, unafraid of subjecting someone to said fate, reminding you about how much wealth they’ve achieved and the process in which they started from the bottom and now they’re here. Case in Point: Drake. Probably one of the most famous Phoenix’s in the rap game. Drake is steeped in plutonic energy with a stellium consisting of his Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Pluto. His drive is formidable. He boasts a Mafia-boss-Esque vibe with songs like “Going Bad” and “Mob Ties”. He’s transformed from Jimmy on Degrassi to a Multi-Platinum-selling artist. He does not stop when it comes to delivering content. Such is the nature of Pluto to forever rise/be reborn from the ashes. His buddy and favorite collab artist, Future is also a Plutonian [with a Gemini Moon]. Belcalis Almanzar whom you all know as Cardi B, though a Libra, has a Scorpio stellium with her Mercury, Venus, and Pluto sitting in Pluto’s domain. Her Moon is also in Aries [It explains so much, doesn’t it? lol]. Hip-Hop Heavy Weight Jay Z also has some Plutonic influence with his Mercury touching Pluto. He is probably the most tactical when it comes to merging his rap empire with his business ventures. The first Hip-Hop Billionaire. If that’s not Plutonic level tactics, I don’t know what is. On the same note, Sean Combs A.K.A Diddy is a November Scorpio and he’s right up there with Jay Z in regard to turning his rap game into an empire. Bad Boy is the reason we even know who Biggie is. Rapper Nas has his Venus in Scorpio as well.

Taurean Influence

This includes:

Sun in Taurus

Moon in Taurus

Mars in Taurus

Taurus MC

2nd House dominance

Taurus Mercury

Remember, Taurus Rules the throat. In addition, Venus rules the 2nd House of material possessions and what we appreciate. Again, Rap is boastful and most of the individuals involved will never let you forget who they are or what they’re capable of. Meek Mill again is a Taurus Sun as is Travis Scott. Machine Gun Kelly before he switched genres is a Taurus sun. Aubrey has his MC in Taurus and so does his arch-nemesis Pusha T [who also has his Sun in Taurus]. Let’s not forget the Story of Adidon where he outed Drake’s Secret love child with a French Erotic Model [Smh]. Ruthless. Some other honorable mentions are Llyod Banks of G-Unit, Busta Rimes, and Ghostface Killa.

Sagittarius Placements

This includes:

Sun in Sagittarius

Jupiter Dominant

Moon in Sagittarius

Mercury in Sagittarius

Mars in Sagittarius

Sag is ruled by Jupiter which is all about expansion. There can also be a touch of drama with all that fire energy going on. As a result, rappers with Sag placements make their presence known. They will not stop until they’re heard. Prime example of this is the Barb herself, Nicki Minaj. Say what you want about the Queens native, her verse on Monster was probably the best out of everyone. Objectively of course. Beyonce’s Hubby Jay Z is an archer as is Compton Native The Game, Offset, and DMX.

[jackisreallycool]

Debate your mother

1. Uffie- pop the Glock

2. Nicki Minaj - super bass

3. Jeremih - oui

4. Laurel Halo - years

5. Kelela - rewind

6. Sunny Sweeney - from a table away

7. Miley Cyrus - space boots

8. Black eyed peas - meet me halfway

9. Hyuna- bubble pop

10. Winter Gordon - dirty talk

11. Lady antebellum - need you now

12. Shady - Go in

13. Taylor Swift - the archer

14. Ciara - ride

15. Fifth harmony - work from home

16. Nav- myself

17. Xxyyxx - about you

18. Travis Scott - sicko mode

19. Yung lean - ginseng strip 2002

20. Brianna Perry - Marilyn Monroe

21. Katy b - Katy ona. Mission

22. Maggie Rogers - on + off

23. Saweetie - my type

24. Picture plane - goth star

25. Charli XCX - Gone

26. Lorde - Ribs

27. Juice Wrld - lucid dreams

28. Lady Gaga - Judas

29. Selena Gomez - bad liar

30. Rick Ross - BMF

31. Migos - motorsport

32. Best coast - boyfriend

33. Clairo - bags

34. Anna Meredith - nautilus

35. DVSN - too deep

36. Teen suicide - salvia Plath

37. Skrillex - bangarang

38. IloveFriday - Mia khalifa

39. Young MA - ooouu

40. 21 savage - ocean drive

41. FEMM - fuck boys get money

42. Kreayshawn - Gucci Gucci

43. Jazmine Sullivan - mascara

44. Becky G - shower

45. Troye Sivan - bloom

46. SZA - drew veeeymore

47. Yves rumor - licking an orchid

48. Hyetal- Phoenix

49. DJ Dodger stadium - love songs

50. SIA - Chandelier

51. Nadia Oh - taking over the dance floor

52. Jennifer Lopez - on the floor

53. Rebecca black - Friday

54. Gil Scott heron - New York is killing me

55. Grimes - oblivion

56. Beyonce - formation

57. The knife - full of fire

58. NERO - promises

59. Nicki Minaj - starships

60. M.I.A. - xxxo

61. Kero kero bonito - only acting

62. Xxxtentacion - look at me!

63. Tove Lo - habits stay high

64. oOoOO - hearts

65. Rihanna - love on the brain

66. Jam city - the courts

67. Taylor Swift - we are never ever getting back together

68. Salem - king night

69. Azealia banks - Anna wintour

70. Lana Del Rey - the greatest

71. Maren Morris- 80s Mercedes

72. AG Cook - keri baby

73. The Dream - Yamaha

74. Travis Scott - antidote

75. Bladee - be nice 2 me

76. Icona pop - I love it

77. Ciara - bodyparty

78. Sky Ferreira- everything is embarrassing

79. Charli XCX - vroom vroom

80. Dej Loaf - try me

81. April - oh! My mistake

82. Drake - hotline bling

83. Yemi alade - Johnny

84. Madonna - god control

85. Playboi Carti - lean 4 real

86. Nicki Minaj - black barbies

87. Kane brown - heaven

88. George clanton- slide

89. Elle king - exes and ohs

90. Selena Gomez - good for you

91. Cigarettes after sex - each time you fal in love

92. Moses sumney- don’t bother calling

93. Waka flocka flame - hard in da paint

94. LOONA - girl front

95. Weyes blood - andromeda

96. Purity ring - fineshrine

97. Ariana gende - thank y next

98. Lady Gaga - do what u want

99. Ski mask the slump god - faucet failure

100. Marina - how to be a heartbreaker

101. Ellie Goulding - love me like you do

102. Hatchie- sugar and spice

103. Spooky black - without u

104. Loreen - euphoria

105. Ella Mai - boo’d up

106. Rina sawayama - alterlife

107. Sofi de la torre- vermilion

108. Billie Eilish - bury a friend

109. Rihanna - what’s my name

110. Chelley - took the night

111. Noah Cyrus - make me cry

112. Crim3s - stay ugly

113. Kacey Musgraves - merry go round

114. Rosalia - malamente

115. Nicki Minaj - chun li

116. Drake - crew love

117. Anhoni- drone bomb me

118. Britney Spears - til the world ends

119. Didddy dirty money - ass on the floor

120. Lana Del Rey - video games

121. Daphne and Celeste - BB

122. City Girls - act up

123. SOPHIE - bipp

124. Moses sumney- quarrel

125. Lil uzi Vert - xo your life

126. Wonder girls - I feel you

127. Kyary pamyu pamyu- ponponpon

128. Taylor Swift - look what you made me do

129. Lorde - royals

130. Cupcakke - cpr

131. White ring - IxC999

132. Jai Paul - str8 outta Mumbai

133. Tay K - the race

134. Flo milli - beef flomix

135. Katie got bandz - I need a hitta

136. Jhene aiko- sativa

137. Fever Ray - to the moon and back

138. The internet- girl

139. Susanne sunddor - delirious

140. Future - codeine crazy

141. JLin - erotic heat

142. ASAP ROCKy - LSD

143. Mariah Carey A no no

144. Dua lipa - don’t start now

145. Paramore - hard times

146. Azealia banks - heavy metal and reflective

147. Kesha - tik tok

148. One direction - kiss you

149. Kelis - acapella

150. Azealia banks - 212

151. Future - mask off

152. Demi Lovato - cool does the summer

153. 100 gecs - money machine

154. Chief keef - love Sosa

155. Lana Del Rey - high by the beach

156. Post Malone - better now

157. Lim kim - awoo

158. Nicole Dolangangrr - chapel

159. Let’s eat grandma - falling into me

160. Miley Cyrus - we can’t stop

161. Charli XCX - track 10

162. Cardi b - bodakyellow

163. Leikeli47 - attitude

164. K Michelle - VSOP

165. Sevyn streetwr - it won’t stop

166. The band Perry - if i die young

167. Usher - climax

168. Trippie Red - love scars

169. Lady Gaga - bnorm this way

170. Lana Del Rey - Venice. Bitch

171. Kelly Rowland - motivation

172. Yung lean - Kyoto

173. BANKS - Gemini feed

174. Hudson Mohawke - fuse

175. F(x) - 4 walls

176. Rihanna - kiss it better

177. ASAP Ferg - Shaba

178. Sophia Grace - Best friends

179. Kim Petras - heart to break

180. Sleigh bells - tell em

181. Sandy Alex g - Bobby

182. Florrie- I took a little something

183. The 1975 - love it if we made it

184. Nicki Minaj - your love

185. Mitski - your best American girl

186. Carly Rae Jepsen - run away with me

187. Robyn - honey

188. Jade bird - lottery

189. Rosalia - con Altura

190. Kanye west - black skinhead

191. Solange - cranes in the sky

192. Lil Peep - kiss

193. Fka twigs - two weeks

194. Ty dolla sign - paranoid

195. St Vincent - masseduction

196. Bad bunny - caro

197. Drake - in my feelings

198. Kanye west - father stretch my hands

199. Bhad Bhabie- hi bich

200. Caroline polachek - Door

[queensofrap]

Most Misunderstood: Iggy Azalea's American Dream    

he early reality of Amethyst Kelly is difficult to imagine. There was once a small home in the tiny Australian town of Mullumbimby, made of red brick, cemented by mud and laid by her father's careful hands. Her mother would spend her days emptying trash bins at a motel as a vacation rental cleaner, a path Amethyst would eventually follow at age 14. Water didn't always run, clothes were never new, and bathrooms were separated from the home by a muddied path. It's a tale of immensely humble beginnings, a hemisphere away from the life she would come to inhabit as Iggy Azalea a decade later. And while her origins are unfathomable for some, it's Amethyst's American dream that remains universal.

I first witnessed a glimpse of that dream in the fall of 2011. It was through a cracked iPhone screen, held casually by my friend. "You have to see this bitch," she announced, flicking her perfectly coiled locs and turning up the volume. "She's every-fucking-thing!" There, on the screen, was a tall, curvy woman with ice-blonde hair and creamy incandescent skin. She was surrounded by two brown cheerleaders in matching green uniforms, strutting in towering heels and rapping furiously: My world, rhyme vicious/ White girl team, full of bad bitches. Immediately, I recognized her: this confident, eccentric girl who didn't fit into preppy white hierarchies. While others girls were quoting lines from Mean Girls, imagining themselves Regina George, she appeared as someone I knew. A girl unruly and self-possessed, always late to class, always blasting D4L. I could see her crafting beats with her knuckles and strolling into class hours late, another detention slip placed on her desk. We were sold.

If "My World" was the bait, "Pussy" was the hook, line and sinker. Iggy, Iggy/ Pussy illy/ Wetter than the Amazon/ Taste this kitty! Her accent was thick and affected, reminiscent of our cherished childhood favorite Diamond from Atlanta's Crime Mob. The "Pussy" video was a Boyz N The Hood homage with ATLien pastiche. There were ice cream trucks and babysitting, front porch posing and concrete runways, sherbet-colored pants and shredded shorts. And we weren't the only ones taking notice of Iggy and her ways. Seemingly overnight, our private cafeteria secret had become a viral phenomenon.

“ Here I am at the darkest period of my life, contemplating suicide, and I'm singing "Switch.“

Press came quickly, grand and bold. The New York Times suggested that "all this proximity to blackness characterizes Iggy Azalea as a person who is no stranger to black culture and communities, suggesting it's no anomaly for her to rock the mic." The Los Angeles Times described her flow as "brash and aggressive," while Complex decided that she was ready to "really make her mark on the game." Classmates had her image as their screensavers and sprawled across their Tumblrs, and were dropping her name in new music debates. She performed at small venues in Atlanta and cars across the city boomed with Never not better/ Law should ban it! A few months later, when "Murda Bizness" featuring T.I. dropped, her dream was actualized. She was not a one-hit wonder. She was a star, poised to rise.

There are many forgotten Iggy freestyles from that era. In one, she raps over Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now," prophesying her divisive nature. In another, titled "Home Town Hatred," she reflects on her time in Australia and her desire to leave. Over Kanye West's ominous "Hell of A Life" beat, she details how industry executives told her to dumb it down. But it was her 2011 "D.R.U.G.S." freestyle that first illuminated the parameters of her ignorance.

Reflecting the industry's tendency not to look at things too deeply, at first the song went unchallenged. (It would be a year before its lyrics were critically examined). In fact, Complex covered the freestyle, commending her craft and comparing her to fellow white rapper Yelawolf. The following January, Iggy signed to major label Interscope, tweeting, "Get used to me + Jimmy [Iovine] smashing shit, cause that's the plan."

In February of 2012, she landed the coveted cover of XXL's Freshman Class issue: an annual declaration of hip-hop stars poised to break big. Between up-and-comers French Montana and Future stands Iggy in a lush green fur. She was the first woman to ever grace the cover — a backhanded achievement. For many, XXL is a bastion of hip-hop excellence. To be a cover star and stamped with their approval was to suggest an imminent dominance. If Iggy could be shot, styled, and photographed for her buzz, where were the black women who broke the boundaries, paved the lanes, and inspired her craft?

It was Harlem-born musician and artist Azealia Amanda Banks who first articulated concern about Iggy's image and her space within hip-hop. On Twitter, Banks wrote, "Iggy Azalea on the XXL freshman list is all wrong. How can you endorse a white woman who called herself a 'runaway slave master'? Sorry guys, I'm a pro black girl. I'm not anti white girl, but I'm also not here for any1 outside of my culture trying to trivialize very serious aspects of it."

Media outlets immediately crafted Bank's criticism into a heavily publicized rap beef, thrusting Banks into the insidious stereotype of bitter black woman. The line Banks referred to was a re-interpretation of a Kendrick Lamar lyric on Iggy's "D.R.U.G." freestyle. In Kendrick's 2010 track "Look Out For Detox," he raps, When the relay starts/ I'm a runaway slave. In Iggy's version, she says, When the relay starts/ I'm a runaway/ Slave master/ Shittin' on the past/ Gotta spit it like a pastor.

Conversations surrounding the lyric lacked necessary context. Journalists missed questions and painted simple proclamations. In October of 2011, Banks had tweeted, "how sexy is iggy azalea?? It's kind of ridiculous…*tugs collar to let out steam*." In January, she wrote "Iggy Azalea's hair looks really great in her new video. How long do you all reckon that hair is? 40" in? By March 2012, the dream was dented, with Iggy being called out as misappropriating at best, racist at worst.

She issued a heartfelt apology, which fell on mostly unsympathetic ears. Two months later, Iggy was dropped by Interscope. Her debut album, The New Classic, stalled indefinitely. But still, there was room for redemption. In April 2013, Iggy signed with Mercury Records, a UK subsidiary of Universal Music Group. After recording new music in England, she returned stateside, armed with a completed album and a firmly set 2014 release date. During press runs she's tested: asked if she's an imposter; if her body is enhanced; if the cringe-worthy assumptions about her mentor T.I. are true. Old tweets were dug up, which made the disdainful murmurings worse. She's asked to freestyle on Sway, but instead inexplicably recites a line from her own album. Her music begins to change, becoming less lyrically explicit and trap-influenced, and more poppy and prim. Now a Complex cover star, she fumbles when asked about her divisive rapping accent. She's quoted saying, "This is the entertainment industry. It's not politics." Soon enough, that statement would no longer be true.

In 2012, political discussions had begun to dominate all forms of media. The slain lives of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis became proponents of combustible change. Movements like Black Lives Matter materialized, refusing silence or forgetfulness of the innocent and slaughtered black people, churning hundreds of American murders into global narratives. Each case, though singular and specific, represented the transgressions of America's not-too-distant-past and its perpetual present. If there was once a time when innocent victims could be smudged from history and their murderers left unscathed, that clock no longer ticked. Images of callous violence circulated more than music. Cellphone and camera footage displayed women being beaten, children being shot, and men being strangled. Language seemed to shift, relegating all ignorance to silence; expanding itself to capture the expansive feelings of others. And at the top of the same year, "Fancy" was released. Like lightning, Iggy's dream merged seamlessly with reality. She was now a star with a verifiable hit.

With her Clueless themed video for the inescapable track, 2014 became the year of Iggy's art. She held the number one spot on Billboard's Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. She luxuriated in the second spot too, appearing as a featured artist on Ariana Grande's "Problem." Billboard claimed Iggy tied with The Beatles and attached her name to the legacies of Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Nicki Minaj. She was now booking prime-time television spots — appearing on Good Morning America with Charli XCX — and on the covers of grocery store aisle magazines. Forbes declared her "Hip Hop's New Queen of Rap" and she was nominated for four Grammys. Simultaneously, America's racial rhetoric and division began to feel claustrophobic. In early February, Yvette Smith was murdered on her front porch. In August, Michael Brown Jr. and Ezell Ford were shot and killed. November was the month Laquan McDonald and Tamir Rice became portraits of unfinished lives. In July, Eric Garner was placed in an illegal chokehold, his last words becoming a symphony of unbearable sadness. The dichotomy between a world callously slaughtering black people on one end and rewarding a white rapper with success and visibility on another was dizzying.

What is it like to attach oneself exclusively to a dream, to pursue it even as the odds are stacked against you?

By 2015 the dream dissolved completely. Iggy was accused of racism, cultural appropriation, minstrelsy, and ignorance, becoming the perfect conduit for whiteness and all of its horrors. Her silence during racist events was considered complicit. A world tour was canceled, and neither a follow up album or a Top 10 hit reappeared. In 2016, she announced Digital Distortion, her sophomore album that was ultimately held after three singles — "Team," "Mo Bounce," and "Switch" — and a leaked music video. This year, Iggy released "Savior" with hopes of a refresh.

To some, she was an untalented white supremacist Barbie, infiltrating a space crafted by black people and laughing to the bank. Her dream — an innocent one of music, money, and acclaim — had become grotesque. To others, she was an iconic legend who was just easily projected upon. Now a refracted mirror for public opinion, a line was permanently drawn: black or white — no in-between.

But for me, there's always been a gray area. In art, in music, and in life, there is a space where the eye can shift inward to ask and answer questions. What might it look like for a young girl in Australia to re-discover life through hip-hop? What did it look like to want to manifest a world of make-believe, to create art once unseen? What is it like to attach oneself exclusively to a dream, to pursue it even as the odds are stacked against you? What do you do when you can't separate criticism from hate? When each day you're bombarded with projections based on media machinations? What does it look like when your dream comes true, when it's finally real, only for it to be mocked? To me, it's a perfect portrait of America.

At The Roxy Hotel, in New York City, I sat with Iggy Azalea. We spoke about her life, her dream, her craft, and her upcoming music. She was thoughtful and articulate, eyes glinting with Gemini humor and intellect, deeply apologetic and severely misunderstood. This is what transpired.

Can you take me back to your childhood? I read that your hometown is called "The Biggest Little Town in Australia." What was it like?

I still don't know why the fuck they call it that. It was a really small town, incredibly rural, but there's a looser, less stereotypical element to it. There were a lot of crystals and hippies, weed smokers, and horoscopes. The town was split between this hippie, carefree fairy spectrum, or conservative farmers and their crops. My parents were on the fairy spectrum, but I went to public school. Everyone there was straight-laced with names like Amber and Stephanie and there I was as Amethyst, with platform shoes, and immediately it was like, Okay, bitch prepare to get bullied.

What were the students like?

There were two schools. One was private and more artistic, and that's where all the people that could be considered carefree and more imaginative were able to go. The public school was very sterile, very conservative. The private school was expensive and my family had no money for that, so I went to the public school and I was miserable. These were the children of bricklayers whose parents drove tractors and guys who played football on the weekends. I got teased for everything. Literally everything, there was no winning with those kids.

I'm ignorant to Australia — I've never been — but there is the classic stereotype of the tanned, athletic, white Australian. When we think of whiteness, we often forget its specifications, even the types that are lauded and coveted. For instance there's the archetype of the popular blonde. You were tall, pale, and curvy…

Oh my goodness, yes! And I was never that girl. Not even anywhere near that girl's posse. I never fit in and there was a time I really tried to fit in. I remember getting teased because I hadn't shaved my legs yet. I was only in sixth grade and I had never even thought of something like that. They would call me "monkey" everyday. One day I got my mom's razor and shaved my legs thinking it would finally be over and it wasn't. There was always a new thing. My hat. My mole. My weight. All of these things now seem so dumb, but I didn't do anything like them and there was no appeasing those kids.

When did you first think of leaving?

I always knew I was going to leave because I knew I didn't belong with any of the people that lived there. I only decided I wanted to go to America when I visited the states with my grandparents. I was 11, and I remember seeing all the showgirls in Las Vegas, all their sparkles and rhinestones. They were the most fabulous girls I had ever seen. I had only seen something like that on TV, and it blew my mind. Then we went to Hollywood, and there were all these wig stores and the Star Walk, and just seeing all the ways people dressed, how they styled their hair, the color of their wigs, I wanted to be able to do all of those things. When I wanted to dress like this in Australia, I'd get shitted on. But coming to America and watching people put on a show, watching them being ridiculously fabulous, no one was doing that where I was from. Nobody was even wearing high heels in Mullumbimby.

When did you put the plan in action?

That happened when I really started to get into music. I was insanely confident, with the kind of deluded grandeur that I think you need when no else believes in you. I thought I was good at it even though in retrospect I was bad still. I was about 14 and that's when I started writing music. I'd go to open mic nights and take the bus all over the city. I'd go to battle raps, I'd get booed. There was a sound audio engineering school, called SAE, and the first music I ever recorded was there. From 14 to 16, that's when the plan formed. As soon as I started writing, I knew music was what I had to do. Even if I wasn't a rapper, I thought I could be a sound engineer or a writer. I just knew I wanted to be involved in music. And I knew I had to get the fuck out of where I lived. It was suffocating me. I wanted to live in a place where the sky was the limit, a place where my dreams weren't strange or weird, where others had even crazier ideas than me. I knew all of that was in America, and that's where I had to go and that's where I thought people were going to accept my wild thoughts. I tried Sydney and Melbourne and they just weren't it. Nothing else was.

"I wanted to live in a place where the sky was the limit, a place where my dreams weren't strange or weird, where others had even crazier ideas than me. I knew all of that was in America."

Why Miami first?

They had a SAE campus in Miami. I thought I would be able to get in and get a student visa. I saved up enough money to live there for a couple of months, but I didn't have enough to live and go to school, so I ended up not going.

Next was Houston. What was that like?

I only lived there for a year. This producer found my music through Myspace, and he said if I was ever in Houston to let him know. Then he told me all the people he produced for, and I was so excited because I really loved Rap-A-Lot records, so I went. I met him and he was really cool. We recorded a bunch of songs and we would go to Metropolis. It was in a strip mall and everyone would just hang out in front of their cars, and inside one side was reggaeton and the other was a Slim Thug record chopped n' screwed. The plan was to give the DJ your cd and hopefully he'd play it, which they never do. Then you'd hangout in the parking lot until someone has a fist fight and then you go home. Those were my nights there. Just absorbing everything. I made some friends and then Hurricane Ike hit. Most of my friends were moving to Atlanta because their homes were destroyed. I went too.

How were you making money?

Two of my friends introduced me to their sound engineer and his girlfriend would come to the studio and drop him off lunch. She and I ended up becoming roommates. I told her how I had gone to Thailand before and how fascinated I was with the hair. How you could get in bundles and stuff. She said we should save up money to go and then bring it back and sell it to salons. So we saved up and went on our last dime. She had just graduated college and was working at Bank of America and we went out there and got a bunch of hair. When we came back we sold it super quick, wholesale, to all the salons. It was insane. Technically, even though I didn't have a work visa it isn't illegal if you invest in someone's business. So she registered it as little corporation under her name and I invested in it.

There's this idea that there was "Fancy" and then boom — immediate success! But there were a lot of setbacks.

Obviously there are years that people don't know about. I was in Atlanta for nearly two years just writing for people. I was doing so many writers camps for other known artists, just trying to get my spot. That's why there were a lot of pop demo references that came out. Everyone accused me of wanting to be a pop star and that wasn't something I've ever been interested in. I would write pop music with other people and try to get it placed. I've always rapped. Even the video that came out of the pop song, that was just some shit I did with my friend. We were playing.

The wildest thing is that there are so many reports that I used to be a model and that's always been strange. Just last week on my Spotify profile my bio says, "Iggy Azalea was a high profile model before she became a rapper." When?! I would have loved to be a high profile model, but last time I checked I'm a fucking size eight. What the fuck runway or editorial model do you know that size? There's so much of those kind of rumors that have a mind of their own now.

How did you end up in LA?

The music I was making in Atlanta, I started putting a couple of songs online. They didn't have anymore than 300-400 views. I still don't know how the fuck they found me, but an A&R at Interscope messaged me. He told me he had asked his girlfriend at the time, "Who do you think is cool?" And she played him my music. I was skeptical but he ended up being legitimate. He said I should move to LA and as soon as my lease was up, I went.

When I moved there they put me with a bunch of people. They were trying to help me make connections, but they didn't really understand what I was doing. I met these guys who make up "D.R.U.G.S." about a year after I moved to LA. We'd record in their garage. YG was there. Mustard was there before he was DJ Mustard. Ty Dolla $ign was there all the time. That's where I made Ignorant Art and put out "Pussy."

That song was such a success, Interscope must have been happy.

I had gotten to the end of things with Interscope and was at the point where I felt like since they didn't understand me, this would be a "fuck you." As soon as I put out "Pussy," they called me and said they totally understood the vision. It was a "what the fuck" moment. For nearly a year I had been trying to explain it to them, and suddenly when I did it on my own they want me? I don't think they truly got it, I think they just saw the numerical element to it.

Were you signed to Interscope yet at that point?

I finally had my meeting with Jimmy Iovine after that, and they wanted to sign me. The problem was my A&R wanted to manage me. Interscope, at the time, was working on an in-house management team with LMFAO. They wanted me to sign a document that literally detailed how signing would be a conflict of interest. They gave me two options: sign or leave. I had so many potential deals with other labels but in the end I chose Interscope. We got all the way down to the agreement and, the day of, the deal was dead. Completely done. I had bigger offers, better offers, and I stayed to be loyal to the people who helped me when I was in Atlanta.

What happened?

That was a Jimmy situation and it had a lot to do with Azealia Banks. They wanted to sign her and it became a conflict of interest. Once that happened, everyone wondered why I wasn't signed, why Jimmy didn't want it, and it brought into question my worth as an artist. No one wanted to fucking touch me at all. I couldn't get a deal anywhere after that. Before this I could've asked for a fucking elephant, a Ferrari, four monkeys, and a million dollars — after there was nothing. People wondered, What was wrong with Iggy Azalea? That's how it works with these things. I was done.

What'd you do next?

I had to go to England. I got new management based out of the UK and went and recorded a bunch of music in Wales with a few producers from America. I recorded "Work" and most of The New Classic there and went and shopped a deal in England. They were the only place that didn't give a fuck about what had happened in America. I signed to Mercury Records and after putting out my music there, I came back to America to get upstreamed through Universal Records. I put out five singles through Def Jam before I ever had "Fancy." I toured with Nas before "Fancy." I toured with Beyoncé before "Fancy." I toured my own tour in Europe and North America before "Fancy." I had done five tours before I ever made "Fancy." "Fancy" was truly the last attempt. Not for me to quit music, but for the label to quit me. They had given me four video budgets, none of them exceeded their expectations, and "Fancy" was their last hurrah. For them it was like either this works or it doesn't, but we're gonna put the album out and see if it sells. I decided to do something left and do Clueless, and it worked. Luckily, we had so many attempts before that with the label and this one worked.

What was that moment like?

I was really happy and surprised. I've always known the art I make is pretty left. I didn't expect it to connect. Music has changed a lot from when I first started, but at the time, my music was considered left. There was a lot of monumental success from "Fancy" that I didn't anticipate. All these people were discovering my music and suddenly I'm doing shows with 6,000-7,000 people. It was way more than I ever imagined. I thought I'd be doing basement shows or college parties and even that was so cool to me. I thought I had fully made it! I didn't think beyond that. To see brands that I knew, magazines, all of these mainstream fixtures, people, and media embrace my music, I never could have dreamt that.

When "Fancy" gained such visibility, the media seemed to adore you. Billboard said you tied with The Beatles and bested Michael Jackson. Forbes declared you "Queen of Hip Hop." What were your thoughts during that time?

It was very strange. I never said I was the queen of rap, I've never even thought that. I truly think it was like a great white hope, similar to the film Rocky. All of these people were championing me and branding me these things because of their own projections and not only were they outlandish, they were all incredibly premature. I had just started and there was this influx of, "Queen of rap! Queen of the world! Best record ever! Song of the century!" And so everyone starts saying, "No she's not, fuck her! She has some fucking nerve!" And all of those are things I never said.

What were your thoughts when you were then nominated for four Grammys, including Best Rap Album and Best Record of the Year?

I remember sitting at the Grammy's praying to God I didn't win, literally crossing my fingers, hoping there was no media frenzy. I didn't ask to be nominated. I don't even think I deserved nominations. People were so frustrated with those headlines and all those articles became attached to me personally. People assumed that's how I saw myself, or how I thought of my music. It's never been that. There was this element of trying to humble me, a moment where it seemed like, "Oh this bitch thinks she's this? We're gonna fucking show her that she ain't shit."

Did you ever anticipate that side of fame?

I've always known that I'm controversial. I love to move the needle. Things like "Murda Bizness," yes — I'm going to put toddlers and tiaras in a music video and I know many won't understand it. Or with "Pussy," yes there is a child and I know it pushes buttons. But I think that the best things in pop culture are polarizing. I knew I would always come with controversy, but that was a different kind of controversy. I didn't anticipate that. I didn't even anticipate the success. I didn't think that would be the thing that made it all come crumbling down.

"I think that the best things in pop culture are polarizing."

What is your biggest regret during that time?

I wish that I would've handled criticism better in the beginning. I knew I was polarizing. I aim to be polarizing, sometimes too polarizing where I've pushed the limit too far. When I first got here, there was so much I thought I understood that I really didn't. I've really had to learn a lot of things by being here and having friends and seeing things play out in real life. Especially in the last few years in culture and how far conversations have come, I look back and cringe.

Like what?

Things like the Kendrick lyric, something I profusely apologized for and have learned from. That wasn't okay. It was insanely ignorant. That wasn't an experience to toy with. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, specifically with that line, like fuck, I hate that I said it. There was so much criticism that came with "Fancy" and I wish I would've handled it better, but it felt very thick.

Everything was coming from every angle. My success. Being worn out. Having lawsuits. I had five different court cases and all of that factored into my responses. It was hard to decipher what criticism was valid and what criticism was just hate. Even with Azealia, we've since spoken and in retrospect, I'm sorry that I trivialized the way she felt about her experience as a black woman navigating the music industry. She and I have our own history and beef about other shit, but when she went on the radio and spoke there was validity to it. Those were her experiences that many others could relate to and I can't take those away, but at the time I thought it was her saying 'fuck you' and trying to hate on me.

You felt what she said was valid in the end?

There were so many critiques she made that were valid. I wish I hadn't been so defensive and emotional, but it invalidated important conversations that shouldn't be overlooked. It created a situation where it looks like I'm unable to be accountable, or I'm unable to accept criticism, that I'm tone deaf, and a fucking idiot. I felt like I had to defend myself against everyone, and that attitude didn't work in my favor. I wish I didn't give impulse responses and say things that made it worse. I was just popping off shit, and I wish I would've thought before I spoke. The problem got so big that I didn't know how to handle it, and I just thought I'll just go away and wait until it blows over or gets better. But it won't just get better, I have to acknowledge it and have conversations about it because otherwise it seems like I don't give a fuck or I'm not ready to take accountability.

Why do you think you weren't able to hear the criticism at the time?

I think when you're an artist and you're just starting out, especially as someone who isn't American, there's a difficult line to walk. I came here when I was 16 and people don't seem to understand that that time period truly defines who I am. They don't get that a lot of these things are my genuine influences, the same way they were informed and influenced by their surroundings. I really did live here. I lived in apartment full of people from Jamaica and after work we'd battle rap by the pool. I really did have friends that were involved in illegal activities. I was actually in the south, recording with Dem Franchize Boyz, listening to Outkast, Dungeon Family, Field Mob, Crime Mobb. And that seems incredibly hard for people to swallow. People think I should rap about Australia in an Australian accent but I'm 28-year-old woman now. I can't rap about being 10 and living in Australia. That never inspired me. My time in America, my time in those cities, were when I really started having life experiences that were worthy of going into my music. It all happened here in this country.

"I wish I hadn't been so defensive and emotional, but it invalidated important conversations that shouldn't be overlooked."

On some of the leaked tracks for Digital Distortion you didn't seem afraid to acknowledge it. Tracks like "Middle Man," "7Teen," and "Elephant" were incredibly aggressive and direct. What happened with that era?

For the record I love Def Jam, there are a lot of people that I truly respect and like. The problem I had during this time was that I was preparing to address how I felt. I had gotten so pop, and when you have success as a pop artist it makes the label a lot of money, so they pushed me to keep churning out hits. They pushed for more branding money, more endorsements — that's their job. And I made the conscious choice to go along with it because I was making a lot of fucking money.

But in doing that I think I isolated a lot of my original supporters. I also stifled myself creatively because I wasn't making the kind of music I wanted to make. If I wanted to make endless hits, I would have been making pop music from day one. I just lost my passion. I didn't feel motivated in the studio. When I told them I was going to make an album, I sat there with the president of the label and told him that his 10-year-old daughter is probably not going to like the songs. I said, "She's not gonna want to come to the concert," and I could see a look of pure horror etched on his face. The expression of, "Fuck, the money maker is going to make some weird, non-radio album."

They weren't backing you up.

There was no support in my decision. They couldn't understand it unless it fit into a radio format, but I knew I would never have success again unless I connected with my original fans. That's what I knew I needed for me to have authenticity and for me to feel passionate. Not only that but for me to just endure life. Everything was falling apart and I need to love the music I'm making and truly believe in it. When I delivered the album, they wanted to know where the radio hits were. All they wanted to create were songs like "Switch." And those songs are great, but pop records don't work without a foundation. Those big songs are supposed to be cherries on top, not just a roof with no house. Pop records are like Skittles, they taste really good but if you eat too many you'll feel sick. They're not a creative meal. Here I am at the darkest period of my life, contemplating suicide, and I'm singing "Switch."

Can you tell me a bit about this new era — Surviving The Summer?

Releasing "Savior" was incredibly therapeutic for me. It felt good to have a record where I can talk about depression, and just let down all my cards. It's completely different from a lot of the other tracks which are heavily rap.

Who are you collaborating with?

I'm working with Detail. I'm working with Pharrell. There's still going to be those unexpected Diplo elements like my early mixtapes. I'm really taking it back to that place. I started with Digital Distortion, but that was really aggressive and angry. I'm not in that place anymore. I'm happy. I know my fans want me to rap and I want to give them that. I want to give them the hard shit that they love, the shit that's different, that moves the needle. I hope people will support it.

From your rapping accent, to your pop accolades, you're constantly criticized for being inauthentic — specifically within the hip-hop realm. What do you think, ultimately, of those debates?

The way I've always felt about music is that I never approached anything as partial to a genre. There's never been a sense of this is a pop record, this a rap record. Even with the way music is today, there are so many melodies and variations to any song, any genre. I think a big part of the judgement in those things — not exclusively for me, but for most women in the music industry — is misogyny. Do you know how many men are on pop records? When they do it, it's rewarded and they're considered smart for reaching a bigger audience.

People like to pick and choose the rules. We bury things that don't give our theories sense. Everyone does it, it's human nature. I feel like with me, there's a lot of reasons why people are trying to invalidate me. Is it not authentic because I make pop music? Or is it because I'm from Australia? What about the fact that I've been here for 12 years? What about white rappers who are saying the most absurd things about hip-hop, but in the club everyone's singing their songs? Other rappers are allowed to do the things that I do — even things I would never even think of doing — but it's okay because they have likability, or a different perception attached to their image, or a fucking dick. People are misogynistic. It is what it is.

"Fuck what I was doing before, I'm doing new shit. It's exciting."

Do you feel like you're a new artist now?

Yes, 1000 percent! It's almost harder now because when you're new people have no preconceived notions about what you are or what you represent. When you become mega successful and you go mainstream, no longer is the sky the limit. It becomes, "Oh she's mainstream, she's had a Steve Madden deal, she's on Cosmo," and the art becomes dissected in a new way with more eyes. But I like it. Sonically, when I'm in the studio, it's fun approaching music as a new artist. Fuck what I was doing before, I'm doing new shit. It's exciting.

[krazye1]

The Only Reason Why 13377810568_Lid Bee Beez Beezi Beezy Of Nicki Minaj Each Song Beez In The Trap_Ban Band Bandon Bandon Brandon Gangsta Kapone Korleon Leapard Jaguar Exstrodinarisi Perfecirisi Nastei Hornei Keith Thugsta Pablo Pachino Tiger Lion Magnifisi Superiosisi Freakey Corney Malbreaux-Lid Jizz Jizzl Jizzul Jizzle Jiyezzl Jiyezzul_18177578116 Neva Been Posting Status On News Feed On Instagram Because There Was Witchcraft On Brandon Brains As To Where Brandon Familys Turned Against Brandon So Brandon Was Thinking Natural Of Brandon Natural Born Self As To Where Brandon Familys Turned Against Brandon So Brandon Was Like Fuck It We Beefing But Neva It Was Only Dat Witchcraft On Brandon Brains Brandon Familys As In Beyonces An Beyonce Each An Brandon Super Famous Singers As Alicia Keys Each An Ashanti Each An Keri Hilson Each😀 An Ciara Each An Nicki Minaj Each An Rihanna Each An All The Rest Of Brandon Super Famous Singers As In Mariah Carey Each An Toni Braxton Each An Janet Jackson Each An Brandon Other Familys As In Christina Milian Each An Angel Brinks Each An Draya Michele Each Parish Hilton Each An Tyra Banks Each An All The Rest Of Brandon Familys As In Kim Kardashian Each An Paris Hilton Each So Brandon Stop Likeing An Luving An Caring About Brandon Familys Forevers An Evers Until Forevers Until Infiniti An Beyond Alright But Dat Was Only Dat Witchcraft So Everything Is Everything Between Brandon An Brandon Familys Example All Brandon Kids Mothers All Over The Worlds An Universes Thanks To Brandon Familys For Our Kids An Staying With Brandon Threw Thick An Thin Thanks Muah Luvs Deuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!��!!!Yes We Are Saved USA US USA USOA USUA TUSOA TUSUA-THE UNITED STATES UF AMERICA AMERIKA AMERISA NOT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR NOT THE UNITED STATES OFF AMERICA OR NOT THE UBITED STATES OF OFF AMERICA OR NOT THE UNITED STATES OFF OF AMERICA ITS ALWAYS AN FOREVERS THE UNITED STATES UF AMERICA AMERIKA AMERISA YES GO WHITE HOUSE AN GO WASHINGTO DC AN GO USA BYE NOH MUAH REMEMBER WE THE PEOPLE UNITED WE STAND WE THE PEOPLE AS IN WE ALL RACES AN CULTURES THE PEOPLE UNITED EE STAND (WE THE PEOPLE UNITED WE STAND)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (at Lafayette Parish, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXPZP66u-ig/?utm_medium=tumblr

[eartheaterr]

mariah carey and nicki minajs beef is literally me and my sister bc my aries ass is obviously much better at singing than her silly lil Sagittarius behind.

[stagesandpages]

Slay, Belles

VH1 DIVAS HOLIDAY: UNSILENT NIGHT

recorded at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn

Headliners (listed alphabetically): Mariah Carey Patti LaBelle Chaka Khan Vanessa Williams Teyana Taylor

with special guests: Diana Gordon JoJo Remy Ma BeBe Rexha Serayah

DID YOU KNOW?

Mariah Carey’s return to the Divas stage after over fifteen years, after appearing at the inaugural concert and again in 2000.

Chaka Khan’s fifth Divas appearance.

Though they did not appear onstage together, Patti LaBelle is Mariah Carey’s godmother.

Weeks before the concert, and older performance of Patti LaBelle singing the modern holiday classic “This Christmas” went viral. It was originally announced that Patti would be singing the modern holiday classic at this concert, which she recorded in 1990 for her album of the same title. She sang “When You’ve Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)” instead.

Two of Nicki Minaj’s biggest beefs were with the night’s performers Mariah Carey and Remy Ma. The Mariah beef happened after Nicki and Mariah’s earlier appearances in the concert series, but the beef with Remy would not erupt until the months after this concert.

Teyana Taylor was featured on the Vh1 series “The Breaks” which aired the year after this concert.

Patti LaBelle and JoJo appeared here just days after performing at the “Keep the Promise” concert to raise AIDS awareness and bring about reform to the epidemic.

This concert happened between two of Vanessa William’s two other diva-related Vh1 projects, 2000′s A Diva’s Christmas Carol and 2017′s “Daytime Divas.” This is the shortest Divas concert to date. Outside of Patti LaBelle, who duetted with Chaka Khan during her medley, all of the performers sang only one song, before joining in on “I’m Every Woman.”

Thanks to the Christmas theme, Mariah Carey was able to perform her biggest-selling single, the recurring hit “All I Want For Christmas is You.”

JoJo, Bebe Rexha, and Serayah performed the song “All Alone At Christmas,” which was originally performed by Darlene Love, best known for the holiday classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

This concert featured the third performances of both “Natural Woman” (performed previously in 98 and 01) and “I’m Every Woman” (performed in 99 and 03).

Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams and (most notably) Mariah Carey all have released multiple Christmas-themed albums. Vanessa and Mariah have released two, and Patti, as of 2017, has released three.

The highest-rated Divas concert of the decade.

Despite high ratings and reviews, the concert did not come back the next calendar year.

Vh1 Divas / 1999 / 2000 / 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / Relaunch / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / Holiday

More Vh1 Divas

[ts1989fanatic]

Katy Perry vs. Taylor Swift Beef Debrief: Experts Declare Winner & Loser -- Or Call for a Truce

For almost three years, it was the Voldemort of pop diva beefs: a roiling public battle whose generals could not, would not be named, even if everyone had both on their tongues almost from the start. Taylor Swift came out first, swinging hard with "Bad Blood" in 2014, but in interviews she demurred when it came to describing the subject of the song beyond saying it was "about losing a friend" and that the person (ID'd as a fellow female pop star) did something "so horrible" they became "straight-up enemies."

Katy Perry, her alleged target, subtweeted a short time later about watching out for "Regina George in sheep's clothing" and then weighed in on a side beef between Swift and Nicki Minaj with another tweet in 2015. Fast-forward to last month, when Perry revved up the promo machine for her Witness album by menacingly telling Entertainment Weekly: "You can't mistake kindness for weakness and don't come for me."

It was the first of several shots fired from Perry, who went on to give the most complete rundown to date of the source of the duo's beef during a "Carpool Karaoke" segment -- it was, as rumored, over shared backup dancers -- during which she doubled down on her previous finger-wagging comments. The singer tripled and quadrupled down in subsequent interviews, telling the NME that Taylor tried to "assassinate my character with little girls" after releasing the not-at-all-subtle Minaj duet "Swish Swish."

So there's been a flurry of activity in a battle that everyone thought was pretty much over. In every war, there must be a winner and a loser, so Billboard asked some PR experts to weigh in on who they think came out on top, or whether two of the most powerful women in pop should just call a truce and work together to make a change.

Karen Civil, author, social and digital media strategist "I ran my first marathon listening to 'Roar' the whole time, and I loved how Katy was always so empowering, but with this project and her demeanor, I was confused," said Civil, who took particular issue with Perry's Migos collabo "Bon Appétit," which she said just confused her. "Her and Taylor had their quarrels, but they never said each other's names -- you had 'Bad Blood' -- but when you go public because you want it to be part of your press campaign? You always let the records talk."

Civil said Perry might have looked better if she had arranged a performance where the two women hugged it out, but with Swift keeping quiet, there is no clear winner or loser in this public feud. "Katy usually wins with her music, but this time, it’s not resonating, and Taylor coming back being petty releasing her music on Spotify [the same day Witness dropped], that's not what I want to see," she said. "These are both great women and I hate in our society that there can't ever be more than just one [woman who wins]."

Given the choice between Witness and grabbing all her favorite Swift songs on Spotify, Civil opted for neither, instead grabbing SZA's CTRL album. "It's just Katy beating a dead horse, and, you know, Taylor's not paying it any mind and will just come out with a hit record while Katy's album will come and go," she said. "Taylor needs ammo, and music is therapeutic for her. You're just giving her ammo for a No. 1 hit about you. I'm expecting 'Bad Blood... Continued.' This is a one-sided beef, and I'm not into it."

Verdict: Swift by a nose

Howard Bragman, veteran publicist and crisis manager, founder of Fifteen Minutes PR Bragman is a longtime proponent of the "everyone loves a good comeback story" line of reasoning when it comes to America's obsession with redemption tales. When it comes to this kerfuffle, though, he thinks it's mostly a teen-pop tempest. "I think in the world we live in, it depends on who you liked going in," he said. "The one you like better going in is probably the one you will like going out. We all have an amazing ability to see the world through partisan eyes."

Given Perry's massive career, including what she's done and what she will likely do in the future, Bragman doesn't see her shots fired at Swift -- followed by a series of olive branches and even a "Swish Swish" lyric swap during a performance Monday that switched "don't you come for me" to "God bless you on your journey" -- as a game-changer either way. "This is a non-controversial controversy," he said. "It benefits them both and it doesn't do any real damage. They're both laughing all the way to the bank. I think if they saw each other in the real world, they would hug each other."

Verdict: Both winners

Holly Baird, veteran publicist, crisis manager Baird isn't even really sure if the Taylor vs. Katy beef is as big a deal as Taylor's skirmish with Nicki Minaj over VMA nominations. Plus, she thinks the dancer tug-of-war is only half the story and that the real beef between the women might be the unspoken girl-code breaking that occurred when Perry dated John Mayer after Swift had a brief fling with him in 2009.

"When you're making friends in the industry, any woman, when you call someone a friend and that friend dates someone after you do... you have to wonder, 'Was that person my friend?' and wonder what their motives were," said Baird, who would also rather see women in the industry collaborate than bicker. That said, Baird thinks Swift has taken a "much more gracious route" in this latest digging up of dirt, especially for someone whose every move is placed under the microscope and analyzed in minute detail.

"I love Katy, but I'm not sure if these antics and the interviews where's she's saying, 'You can't mess with me' are really her. It's so edgy and it might not be who she is," she said. "Taylor releasing her music on Spotify is a smart cover move, but I think it would have happened whether Katy was releasing an album or not. I don't think the Spotify thing is a quick call that instantly releases everything. It's a longer process. It's not that deep, but maybe just a sh--ty coincidence."

The bottom line for Baird is that the silent moves are the best, in which case Swift's best one is to not mention, acknowledge or give it any attention. "If you do that, then the situation can't control you -- that's what I tell my clients," she said. "Just release better music and have better contacts and friends. Katy has always been such a great advocate for women standing up for themselves, but sometimes you get in a situation where your emotions are caught up. The best is if they say, 'Let's bury the hatchet and discuss ways we can work together to help other women.' Because that's the message she’s trying to get out. She's not being [counseled properly] and decided to get into dirt and that message isn't getting out."

Verdict: Swift

Marvet Britto, publicist, brand strategist and Britto Agency founder who has worked with Mariah Carey, Foxy Brown, Eve, Angela Bassett and many others

In a career aimed at helping female artists make the most of their brands, Britto has a very simple rule: Stay focused on you. "They're each fueling a beef that is not in alignment with their brand -- being a wholesome advocate for girl power," she said. "They should talk through it privately, because young girls are their base and they should focus on being champions for young women, girl power and feminism. That's what has allowed them to have such vast audiences."

Britto noted that Swift has stayed mostly above the fray this time, coming off as the more mature artist and following her golden branding rule: "The moon never barks down at the dog." In other words, when you're on top, you should focus on what’s ahead and not what's beneath or behind you. "Responding is a distraction that takes you off course," she said. "[Perry] should get back to music and why people fell in love with her in the first place rather than building her career on the back of someone else. True stars at the top of their game are focused and deliberate and don’t allow distractions to take them off course."

Verdict: Call it a truce

ts`989fanatic I personally don’t care what they say Taylor Swift stayed out of it and wins hands down.

[taytay4ever]

For almost three years, it was the Voldemort of pop diva beefs: a roiling public battle whose generals could not, would not be named, even if everyone had both on their tongues almost from the start. Taylor Swift came out first, swinging hard with "Bad Blood" in 2014, but in interviews she demurred when it came to describing the subject of the song beyond saying it was "about losing a friend" and that the person (ID'd as a fellow female pop star) did something "so horrible" they became "straight-up enemies."

Katy Perry, her alleged target, subtweeted a short time later about watching out for "Regina George in sheep's clothing" and then weighed in on a side beef between Swift and Nicki Minaj with another tweet in 2015. Fast-forward to last month, when Perry revved up the promo machine for her Witness album by menacingly telling Entertainment Weekly: "You can't mistake kindness for weakness and don't come for me."

It was the first of several shots fired from Perry, who went on to give the most complete rundown to date of the source of the duo's beef during a "Carpool Karaoke" segment -- it was, as rumored, over shared backup dancers -- during which she doubled down on her previous finger-wagging comments. The singer tripled and quadrupled down in subsequent interviews, telling the NME that Taylor tried to "assassinate my character with little girls" after releasing the not-at-all-subtle Minaj duet "Swish Swish."

So there's been a flurry of activity in a battle that everyone thought was pretty much over. In every war, there must be a winner and a loser, so Billboard asked some PR experts to weigh in on who they think came out on top.

Karen Civil, author, social and digital media strategist "I ran my first marathon listening to 'Roar' the whole time, and I loved how Katy was always so empowering, but with this project and her demeanor, I was confused," said Civil, who took particular issue with Perry's Migos collabo "Bon Appétit," which she said just confused her. "Her and Taylor had their quarrels, but they never said each other's names -- you had 'Bad Blood' -- but when you go public because you want it to be part of your press campaign? You always let the records talk."

Civil said Perry might have looked better if she had arranged a performance where the two women hugged it out, but with Swift keeping quiet, there is no clear winner or loser in this public feud. "Katy usually wins with her music, but this time, it’s not resonating, and Taylor coming back being petty releasing her music on Spotify [the same day Witness dropped], that's not what I want to see," she said. "These are both great women and I hate in our society that there can't ever be more than just one [woman who wins]."

Given the choice between Witness and grabbing all her favorite Swift songs on Spotify, Civil opted for neither, instead grabbing SZA's CTRL album. "It's just Katy beating a dead horse, and, you know, Taylor's not paying it any mind and will just come out with a hit record while Katy's album will come and go," she said. "Taylor needs ammo, and music is therapeutic for her. You're just giving her ammo for a No. 1 hit about you. I'm expecting 'Bad Blood... Continued.' This is a one-sided beef, and I'm not into it."

Verdict: Swift by a nose

Howard Bragman, veteran publicist and crisis manager, founder of Fifteen Minutes PR Bragman is a longtime proponent of the "everyone loves a good comeback story" line of reasoning when it comes to America's obsession with redemption tales. When it comes to this kerfuffle, though, he thinks it's mostly a teen-pop tempest. "I think in the world we live in, it depends on who you liked going in," he said. "The one you like better going in is probably the one you will like going out. We all have an amazing ability to see the world through partisan eyes."

Given Perry's massive career, including what she's done and what she will likely do in the future, Bragman doesn't see her shots fired at Swift -- followed by a series of olive branches and even a "Swish Swish" lyric swap during a performance Monday that switched "don't you come for me" to "God bless you on your journey" -- as a game-changer either way. "This is a non-controversial controversy," he said. "It benefits them both and it doesn't do any real damage. They're both laughing all the way to the bank. I think if they saw each other in the real world, they would hug each other."

Verdict: Both winners

Holly Baird, veteran publicist, crisis manager Baird isn't even really sure if the Taylor vs. Katy beef is as big a deal as Taylor's skirmish with Nicki Minaj over VMA nominations. Plus, she thinks the dancer tug-of-war is only half the story and that the real beef between the women might be the unspoken girl-code breaking that occurred when Perry dated John Mayer after Swift had a brief fling with him in 2009.

"When you're making friends in the industry, any woman, when you call someone a friend and that friend dates someone after you do... you have to wonder, 'Was that person my friend?' and wonder what their motives were," said Baird, who would also rather see women in the industry collaborate than bicker. That said, Baird thinks Swift has taken a "much more gracious route" in this latest digging up of dirt, especially for someone whose every move is placed under the microscope and analyzed in minute detail.

"I love Katy, but I'm not sure if these antics and the interviews where's she's saying, 'You can't mess with me' are really her. It's so edgy and it might not be who she is," she said. "Taylor releasing her music on Spotify is a smart cover move, but I think it would have happened whether Katy was releasing an album or not. I don't think the Spotify thing is a quick call that instantly releases everything. It's a longer process. It's not that deep, but maybe just a sh--ty coincidence."

The bottom line for Baird is that the silent moves are the best, in which case Swift's best one is to not mention, acknowledge or give it any attention. "If you do that, then the situation can't control you -- that's what I tell my clients," she said. "Just release better music and have better contacts and friends. Katy has always been such a great advocate for women standing up for themselves, but sometimes you get in a situation where your emotions are caught up. The best is if they say, 'Let's bury the hatchet and discuss ways we can work together to help other women.' Because that's the message she’s trying to get out. She's not being [counseled properly] and decided to get into dirt and that message isn't getting out."

Verdict: Swift

Marvet Britto, publicist, brand strategist and Britto Agency founder who has worked with Mariah Carey, Foxy Brown, Eve, Angela Bassett and many others In a career aimed at helping female artists make the most of their brands, Britto has a very simple rule: Stay focused on you. "They're each fueling a beef that is not in alignment with their brand -- being a wholesome advocate for girl power," she said. "They should talk through it privately, because young girls are their base and they should focus on being champions for young women, girl power and feminism. That's what has allowed them to have such vast audiences." 

Britto noted that Swift has stayed mostly above the fray this time, coming off as the more mature artist and following her golden branding rule: "The moon never barks down at the dog." In other words, when you're on top, you should focus on what’s ahead and not what's beneath or behind you. "Responding is a distraction that takes you off course," she said. "[Perry] should get back to music and why people fell in love with her in the first place rather than building her career on the back of someone else. True stars at the top of their game are focused and deliberate and don’t allow distractions to take them off course."

Verdict: Call it a truce

[magneticmaguk]

Funkmaster Flex Vs. DJ Clue is the DJ Battle the Culture Needs

Hot 97 or Power 105.1? Which seminal hip-hop/R&B New York radio station you pledge allegiance to is bound to provoke heated debates.

DJ Funkmaster Flex and DJ Clue—the de-facto voices of Hot 97 and Power 105.1 FM respectively—have recently turned up the heat on their long-standing feud over who is the number one DJ in New York, period. But this time, the fight is not just for radio supremacy. On March 8th, Bronx-bred super-producer Swizz Beatz stoked the flames for a DJ battle between Flex and Clue to settle their longstanding rivalry for once and for all.

Funkmaster Flex and DJ Clue have been rivals on the radio, on the mixtape circuit, and in nightclubs. They both are icons for DJ culture, which is why Hot 97 and Power 105.1 have elevated them as their primetime DJ talent. Their rivalry has escalated over the years, and the battle proposed by Swizz could finally be their tipping point. Whether or not Flex and Clue actually decide to go into combat, it is no doubt as important as previous face-offs between Nas vs. Jay Z, Kanye West vs. 50 Cent, or Kendrick vs. Drake. Flex and Clue have their own strengths and weaknesses as hip-hop DJs, and since there aren't any set terms for this type of DJ battle—opponents are judged on everything from their technical skills to their showmanship appeal—it's impossible to predict who would win. Still, it's a given that DJs are competitive, and a battle could raise the bar for the art of DJing.

On that night in March, while at a private dinner inside of what looks like a fancy car dealership, Swizz put Clue on the spot in an Instagram video, pressuring him to battle Flex and "earn that crown back." Also present were rapper Fabolous, A&R/photographer Lenny Santiago, and singer/producer Ryan Leslie, who stirred the pot by laughing at Swizz's comments. "Flex is gonna try to finish you," said Swizz. Cue Flex writing in the comments section: "He don't want none of me on that Fucking set BRUH!" Warning shots fired?

DJ Clue and Funkmaster Flex hosting the 2014 McDonald's Flavor Battle (Photo by Patrick Neree)

Since then, Flex and Swizz have repeatedly tried to bait Clue, both posting Instagram clips of Flex scratching the "earn that crown back" taunt over the instrumental to Biggie's "Who Shot Ya?", as if to suggest that he's scared. Yet Clue, the self-proclaimed "Michael Jordan of Mixtapes," maintained a zen master's poise; he assured fans on Instagram last month that he has exclusives that can outshine Flex's turntable skills. (Flex, Swizz, and Clue did not return THUMP's multiple requests for comment.)

A week before Swizz put Clue on the spot, Swizzy had engaged in a high-profile beat battle against Just Blaze at an undisclosed location in NYC, and arguably won by playing an unreleased Jay Z, Jadakiss, Nas, DMX collaboration in a "drop the mic" moment. Meanwhile, apparently Pharrell and Timbaland are talking about going at it in their own beat battle.

For his match with Clue, Flex has suggested playing exclusive for exclusive, DJ skills for DJ skills. Both artists have an impressive discography of songs, mixtapes, and studio albums spanning generations of hip-hop and R&B. Clue has a nice rep merging gritty rappers with beloved pop stars; he produced Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" (Remix) featuring Jadakiss and Styles P. Flex has a slight edge with reggae and dancehall collaborations, so the idea of Flex playing dub plates roasting Clue are probable.

According to a recent post on a fan's Instagram, Clue has denounced back-spinning songs as irrelevant to this brewing battle. Yet, there is no denying that two turntables and a mixer are the tools of the trade, and rewinding a record manually or scratching samples lies at the core of hip-hop. Taking two songs and looping the instrumental break to hype up the party is the great invention by hip-hop's founding fathers Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa, who built the foundation for club DJs.

When radio DJs go at it, they are empowered by the almighty microphone to strike down with furious anger from the mountaintops.

Finalists in the Disco Mix Club (DMC) World Championship are given six minutes to showcase their talent, no sound effects. Clue and Flex both use a bomb—a seven-second explosion sample that sounds like the ground is erupting from under you—as their signature drop. Flex introduced the atomic bomb first, and in the beginning, reserved as a signpost that he was going to break a major rap record live on Hot 97—Nas "Hate Me Now" or Fat Joe "My Lifestyle" for example. The impact of the bomb is now oversaturated from Flex using it as a point of emphasis during his on-air rants, and Clue co-opting it. Clue's current arsenal of drops ranges from a sample of his signature laugh to his catchphrase "Do Remember." When he shouts his alias "ClueManatti," it rings through like a rapid fire of syllables, long before "G-G-G-Unit" was on the tip of the rap world's tongue.

Then there is the question of showmanship—the scratching, beat-juggling technical DJ skills that defines the DJ's pedigree. When Flex scratches, his style is recognizable—he masterfully rubs the records, yet he doesn't lean heavily on the crossfader to cut smaller pieces of the song. He hits with power instead of precision. On the other hand, Clue's scratching and mixing are questionable, and he rarely does it.

Clue is from Queens, Flex is from The Bronx; their battle is like the DJ version of Coke vs. Pepsi, Mets vs. Yankees, or MC Shan vs. KRS-One. But Clue and Flex's feud actually most vividly recalls the one between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, and the gloves have been off long before Swizz became the quasi-Don King. Ali and Frazier were friends before they became bitter rivals, just like how the DJs were on somewhat respectful terms in the 90s, when Clue hosted his own weekly show, "The Monday Night Mixtape" on Hot 97, where both he and Flex worked at the time. Clue even shouted out Flex, plus a handful of Hot 97 staff, on his "Winter War Mixtape" in '95. (Clue left Hot 97 in 2006.)

Five years ago, Funkmaster Flex aired out Clue, sending shots at the Power 105.1 DJ over who rules the NYC airwaves after Flex scooped him on the Nicki Minaj, Cam'Ron & 2 Chainz collab, "Beez In the Trap." "I see this guy talking tough last night… by the way, the Mets they win sometimes too; two weeks out of 52," said Flex live on the radio. He never calls out Clue by name, but it's obvious who he is referring to. A few days later, Clue tweeted and responded with a few scathing insults for Flex on air, calling him a hoe and a clown, and a "number 2 … worrying about what I'm doing." He also claimed Flex plays parties for free—a knock on a DJ who is synonymous with the dynasty of hip-hop nightlife in the 90s.

Besides Clue and Flex going at it, there is no lack of shots at Flex thrown from Charlamange Tha God, or Peter Rosenberg at The Breakfast Club—no one is safe, anybody gets it. But when radio DJs go at it, they are empowered by the almighty microphone to strike down with great vengeance and furious anger from the mountaintops.

A rivalry of a similar scale happened in the early 80s when the late-great Frankie Crocker, program director for WBLS—the first Black-owned New York radio station—was up against Barry Mayo, the general manager for WRKS 98.7 KISS FM. Crocker introduced hip-hop music onto the airwaves on a station known for black adult contemporary R&B music, and hired the late DJ Mr. Magic from WHBI to play on BLS. Not to be outdone, Mayo, hired DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout to challenge KISS FM. (Fun fact: Flex used to carry Chuck's records back in the day.)

So, can anyone be friends? Former Hot 97 host-turned-Power 105.1 host DJ Envy told Vlad TV in 2012 about the beef between the stations: "There is no talking to your enemy, no shaking hands with your enemy, or DJing a party with your enemy." Despite the entrenched animosity between Flex and Clue, it is competition at the end of the day, akin to a reality TV drama on your car stereo.

But after all the talk, where is the action? It's been over one month since Clue was called out by Swizz on Instagram, but a date still hasn't been set for this brewing showdown—or any of the other dream battles by Swizz. The main display of DJ talent we've seen Flex associated with is Turntable Tuesday—a weekly showcase on Hot 97 in which Flex invites guest DJs like Rob Swift, Scram Jones, and most recently, Just Blaze, to get busy on the 1s and 2s. During the show, Flex stands by on camera, smiling at the artful display of turntablism (real DJing).

As great as all the guests are, they are the undercard. Flex vs. Clue is the main event we're waiting for. A bridge between the two DJs could help end the rift between them, despite what DJ Envy said about how there is no crossing of lines between the station's personalities. But just like an actual bridge, it is a massive undertaking, and like most construction in New York, you can't hold your breath on a quick completion.

Correction: a previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Power 105.1 and Hot 97 are owned by the same parent company, Emmis Communications. Only Hot 97 is owned by Emmis Communications.

[latestnews2018-blog]

How To Spot Fake Celebrity Beef, According To Jasmine Brand

New Post has been published on https://latestnews2018.com/how-to-spot-fake-celebrity-beef-according-to-jasmine-brand/

How To Spot Fake Celebrity Beef, According To Jasmine Brand

It’s Beef Week at HuffPost Culture. Fight us.

The site feels like something straight out of 2010. The boxiness evokes fond memories of MySpace, or maybe Blogger. You look at it, and you remember an easier time in internet history, when you could flip through a blog and see what had been on the writer’s mind that day. But theJasmineBRAND, a gossip site, is a very 2018 sort of publication. It’s about celebrity and culture and the way we love to consume both through a firehose.

“I was always intrigued by how regular people like you and I are fascinated with celebrity culture,” the site’s proprietor, Jasmine Brand, told me. “So I started the site.”

It’s also, in a way, about beefs. “Lil Mo Calls Taylor Swift A THOT, Accuses Her of Having STD’s [AUDIO],” reads one headline. “K. Michelle Calls Tamar Braxton A Muppet After Tamar Insults Love & Hip-Hop Paychecks,” reads another. Brand is conscientious about beefs. She understands that our love for fights will cause celebrities, at times, to start a beef for marketing purposes. But she and her 26-person staff ain’t with the shits. Each beef is vetted to ensure readers only see stories about the real stuff, the beefs that have levels. (For the sake of journalism, I searched the site for mention of the peak fake beef between Bhad Bhabie, Lil Tay and Woah Vicky. I found nothing.)

It’s hard to imagine now, but celebrity beefs operated differently eight years ago, when Brand started the site. Twitter wasn’t poppin’ like that, and Instagram hadn’t been born. Brand had to score her celebrity news in a very offline sort of way: by sending Hail Mary emails to celebs; hiring a publicist to help secure interviews; and posting up at The Park at 14th in D.C., where famous people of the musical variety would often come and perform. Early on, she got an interview with Joan Rivers, her first A-list interview, because the comedian loved her hair. “I had like a little pink-hair situation going on,” she recalled.

Things began to get easier for Brand. “The more status I got, the more people started hitting us up and I didn’t have to beg as much,” she told me over the phone. “When social media came around and became poppin’, it made getting content easier,” she added.

Brand and I chatted about how her site chooses which beefs to cover, how to spot fake feuds, her personal favorite celeb spats and how a good beef can serve as a window into a celebrity’s soul. 

I would define it as a disagreement — not necessarily physical. But a disagreement that kind of spills over. In 2018, beef spills over into social media usually. A fallout, a spat, an argument between two celebrities. A to D list, doesn’t really matter.

How does theJasmineBRAND cover beefs? How do you decide what beefs you’re going to cover?

Well, we usually decide based on the popularity of the person. Both the people don’t have to be popular, but at least one of them has to be popular. And it has to be something that everyone is talking about, something that has legs and will get traction. It won’t be a one-day story.

Sometimes we’ll sit on a beef because it’s really, really apparent that it’s staged. We usually won’t cover those. But if it looks like it might be authentic, and it may have layers to it, we’ll be like, maybe we should cover this one and then see what happens.

How do you decide if it’s authentic or not? Like, what makes you see a beef and just be like, “Oh, there’s levels to this one.”

We’ve had the site for eight years, so we pretty much know celebrities’ temperaments. You know, what they’re known for, what they’re not known for. A newer celebrity or these reality stars? It’s kind of hard to gauge. If we see something on social media, we’ll look at the comments and see how the audience, how their fans or how their critics are responding and figure it out.

It’s things you just kind of know. Certain people have the temperament of always responding, lashing out. Those are usually authentic. Then there are other celebrities that aren’t known for it. So those can be good too. But with reality stars, it’s kind of hard to gauge because a lot of times they use a beef to create a storyline for a show or to get coverage. It’s kind of tricky sometimes.

And so when there’s a lot of back and forth between two or more people, how does the site keep up with everything that’s going on?

Well, it’s like a virtual newsroom. We have a team of writers and then we have people that are really good at digging on social media. And we update stories as it happens. We’ll update something on social media. We don’t necessarily just use the website to provide an update.

I was on the site’s Instagram and I noticed that not just theJasmineBRAND but other celebrity gossip sites such as The Shade Room, YBF, Baller Alert — y’all post IG comments. Why do you think celebrities have a tendency to be shady in the comments sections?

Because they get coverage. They know we’re gonna post it. If we decided we’re not gonna post a celebrity’s comment, they wouldn’t do it. They do it for attention. Before there was social media, celebrities really didn’t have an immediate outlet.

You know, you’d have to go be on a carpet somewhere. They would go to their publicist, or they would call up People to comment on something. But now it’s an instant gratification for them. They don’t need publicists anymore. They like the laughs and the likes and the attention. All of them aren’t like that, but I feel like if you are someone who is constantly making comments, it’s so that you can get attention. There’s no other reason to me. If it happens once in a while where you’re making a comment, I feel like it may be authentic. You may really want to get this off your chest. But if you’re constantly doing it, it’s so that you can get coverage. That’s my perspective. I could be wrong though.

Which celebs are constantly popping up on the site? I know Future has been in the blogs lately because he proposed to Brittni Mealy or something like that. So are there any celebs that are just constantly being covered because they’re constantly in something?

Everything goes in phases and waves. Right now, we’re talking about Future. But we can always get something from Tamar Braxton. There was a time when we could get something from Tyrese. Then he kind of calmed down. We can always get content from Kim Kardashian. It’s not necessarily that she’s always commenting, but she’s always posting. So whenever someone posts, we can always get something from them. Nicki Minaj is someone who, as of late, is always popping up. K Michelle. Kanye. Those are people whose names are always in headlines.

Do you think that celebs know the marketing benefits of getting involved with the beefs?

They absolutely know and they use it to their benefit.

How does the site benefit off of them knowing the benefits of marketing? Is it like a symbiotic relationship between the two?

I’m not really sure about others, but if it’s gonna make good content for us it’s likely that we’re gonna do it. If it’s not gonna make good content and we feel like they’re trying to really benefit off of manufacturing a fake beef? We’re not trying to cover a fake beef. Even if it’s gonna bring some clicks, we’re really not trying to. Sometimes we get duped. But we’re really not trying to benefit off something that’s fake.

What beefs have duped you?

I can’t think of any right now. But you usually see it with the reality shows. Actors don’t really participate in it like that. It’s more of a reality genre situation.

What does make those beefs obviously fake?

If they’re sending it to us themselves. If they’re sending us what they said, footage and clips and screen grabs. To me, that reeks of staged. Or, say two celebrities are beefing with each other, but they’re following each other on social media. If you don’t care for what they did, why are you following them?

But usually it’s tipped off by them sending it in themselves or their publicist sending it in. It’s like, why would you want us to cover this? Usually celebs are like, “You guys never cover anything positive. Why don’t you cover anything positive?” And so if you’re DMing us negative things, then it’s a red flag. They’re a bit on the thirsty side for some coverage.

That makes a lot of sense. Wow. So what is your all-time favorite celebrity beef? Or top three?

I really loved when Amber Rose and Kanye West were going back and forth. And then when Khloe hopped in. That was the gift that kept on giving. It was different layers.

I loved when Remy Ma and Nicki Minaj were beefing because we got some good music and it was one of those things where there were layers to the story. It was multiple stories.

I don’t know if I would call this one a beef necessarily, but I loved the back and forth — even though it was a little one-sided — between Mariah Carey and J.Lo.

What made the Kanye–Amber one the gift that kept on giving? Because that was a mess.

[Note: Kanye West said during a 2015 radio interview that he had to “take 30 showers” before he could date Kim Kardashian since he had previously dated Amber Rose. This caused Amber to tweet about Kardashian’s sex tape with singer Ray J and it spiraled downward from there.] 

It was. The thing that was great about it was that Amber had never really said anything about Kanye. There were rumors that she had signed this NDA and she couldn’t really say. So when she finally did, that was pretty cool. She gave us some insight on their relationship. And then it was juicy. Although it could have been false or whatever, it was juicy. Then she was talking about the Kardashians so that gave it another layer. Then you got the little jokes from Amber.

Remember when Kanye and Amber were together, Amber really didn’t talk. Like, she didn’t. We’d see her out smoking her little cigarettes. She’d be in the park just looking really pretty. She didn’t say anything. There was this mystery about her. So obviously after they broke up, she got with Wiz [Khalifa] and she started talking. But we never heard her talk about her relationship with Kanye. So I appreciated that.

I felt like it gave us some insight into what happened. And then it was, you know, you got more than five stories out of it. What she said was pretty entertaining, too.

As a consumer of celebrity beefs, that’s one of the fascinating things when people do start talking. Yeah, they can say some really messed up stuff. But you can also get that insight there. And with Kanye — not the kink-shaming part — it’s like, “Oh, this is what dating this guy was like.” And then his public persona continued to validate what she had already told us.

The thing about Kanye is, we feel like we kind of know him, but we don’t really know what it’s like to date him or sleep with him. You know what I mean? Even Kim doesn’t talk about what their relationship’s really like. She doesn’t give that many details, you know? So the Amber beef probably gave us the biggest glimpse we’ll ever get into what it’s like to be with Kanye, which I thought was cool.

Would you say that beefs, in some cases, cause celebrities to be more honest?

I think it does. When you’re beefing with someone, it shows partially that you’re a little insecure. It’s one thing behind closed doors for a celebrity to talk smack about somebody. But it’s another thing to talk publicly. But I feel like it shows that you are human.

Even with the whole Nicki Minaj stuff right now. It’s just like: What is going on here?

If you’re not her fan, you’re probably like “What’s going on?” But it makes me feel like she is human. She has some insecurities or some issues or some things that she feels like she was treated unfairly about. It speaks more to what you have going on sometimes as opposed to what your issue is with another person.

Some of the stuff she’s been saying is very valid, especially with the Spotify stuff. But what type of things do you usually see celebrities accuse one another of?

You’ll see celebrities accusing the other one of not giving them credit for something. Or them doing something first. I usually feel like it has to do with, “I’m low-key better than you.” Sometimes it’ll have something to do with a man. It just varies. There doesn’t seem to be one common denominator.

I really feel like it usually boils down to “I’m better than you” though.

Is there any beef or competition between the sites that cover celebrity beefs? Does it spill over?

You know, I’m sure there is, but I’m a rarity. I really don’t pay attention like that. But I don’t really feel like there is.

People in the comments will go try to pit us against each other sometimes. But most of the people who run the sites or the writers know what’s going on. We know what’s going on with celebrities and how they try to maneuver. So we know what’s up when we see people in the comments trying to get us to go back and forth with each other.

It’s kind of boring anyway, going back and forth with another site or a blog. Everybody is in this little rat race. And I don’t think people really have time to beef — at least that’s what I would like to think. I’m not worried about what other sites are doing because I just don’t have the time. You know what I mean? I just can’t get distracted. There’s too much other stuff going on.

So you’ve never thought about starting a beef with The Shade Room?

No. For what? It’s of no benefit to me. That’s whack to me. That’s super whack. And if they did, I’d be like: “What is y’all doing?” I mean, it would be entertaining — but no. I have not ever thought of it.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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[popsongloversss-blog]

Chapter 1: Trump is dead!

(Kelsea)

“Oh, he’s dead!” Someone yelled. I ran down to the living room, on the big TV screen the dead body of Donald Trump was seen. Is Trump dead? What a crazy and nice suprise!!!

“And Melanina shot herself.” Kim said.

“Why?”

“Failed plastic surgery.” Katy said.

“Wow.” i said.

“Some people just can't get it right.” Nicki said.

“You don't say.” Ariana Grande said and smirked.

“This is so tragic. NOT” Taylor said.  

“Hahahahahaha.” I laughed.

“Maybe it was someone here who killed him?” Kourtney said while she yelled at Khloe in a corner. I smirked.

My name is Kelsea Kardashian. I was an orphan, starving on the streets when an woman picked me up, that woman was Kris Jenner/Kardashian and now I’m here, hehe so funny. I’m 16 years old, i have blonde hair and brown eyes, I’m a beauty queen!!! Only my lips are fake. It’s so fun to look good and I’m not a whor* like the other girls in my school. My hobbies is actually to spill tea of course. That’s why Kim and Kourtney are my best friends and best sisters. I need to live with Mariah Carey tho, I dont like her, of course.

“Why would someone here kill him?” Khloe asked.

“We think Donald Trump was killed by one of those celebrities. 1. Justin Bieber. 2. Katy Perry. 3. Kim Kardashian. 4. Taylor Swift. 5. Ariana Grande. 6. Nicki Minaj. 7. Lady Gaga. 8. Beyonce. 9. Shakira. 10. Camila Cabello. And at, the orphans.” The reporter said from the TV. I was shocked, I didn’t kill that b*tch, tho I wish I would have. Everyone glared at the suspects in the room.

“It wasn’t me!!!” Taylor yelled.

“I love a drama queen.” Nicki said ironic.

“Stop beefing sis.” Ariana said.

“It were none of my kids!” Kris said and hugged me. She was the best mom ever, she would make med a model one day.

“Thanks mom.” Kim said.

“And now to something more funnier, tho that was fun.” The reporter said. “It’s time for the VMA’s in some day and we are looking forward to great music and shows.” I was still shaken by the news so I had to call my BFF Cardi B.

“Hi girl.” Cardi said. “I saw the news, was it you?”

“Of course not and I’m really worried, can we meet up tomorrow at Starbucks?” I asked.

“Of course.” Cardi said.

Later that night i watched some TV with my family. Kourtney didn’t show up tho, she was mad at Kim.

(Allison)

I sat and looked at the TV. Trump is dead, that’s amazing! I’m really worried about being accused though. I don’t want to go to jail! I’ve already been there for underage drinking and it was awful! If they take me to court I may have to throw Kelsea under the bus, she’d love it since she’d get a shitton of attention on social media.

“It’s going to be okay Allie.” Said Harry and gave me a hug. “You’re not going to go to jail.”

“I know, Harry.” I said. But what he didn’t know is that I once met Trump when he was in my apartment to fu*k my mother.

My name is Allison Styles-Malik-Horan-Payne-Tomlinson but everyone calls me Allie. I have pale skin and dark circles under my eyes. My hair is black and wavy and goes down to my lower back. I’m very skinny because I probably have anorexia. I like emo music, gaming and reading. I always wear a black hoodie, black skinny jeans, black converse, black underwear, black mascara and black eyeshadow. The boys in my school thinks I’m hot but I don’t see it.

“I bet you’re the one who did it you emo wh*re!” Kelsea yelled from across the room.

“Fuck you!” I yelled back and she laughed at me, I ran up to my room, tears escaping my eyes. I locked the door and heard footsteps approaching it.

“Honey are you okay?” Asked Zayn from behind the door.

“I’m fine!” I said back even though I wasn’t fine, I was dying inside.

“I can tell your crying.” He coaxed.

“Well you’re wrong, leave me alone.” I said and heard them walk away.

“No one cares about me.” I whispered and grabbed my dull razor from under my bed and cut myself five times to relieve my pain. I then bandaged it and went to bed.

(Brittany)

“I think I am going to pass out.” I yelled before I passed out. Or at least I thought I was going to pass out, turned out I wasn’t. It was really shocking for me to hear that Trump had died, I was not happy though. The face of my two of my boyfriends appeared in my view. At least I have five boyfriends left since my baby daddy died.

My name is Brittany Minaj. This is my story. I am a lovely seventeen year old girl who loves all my boyfriends, of course I have favourites, but don’t tell Liam. I also love my stunning daughter, . She is just three years old, but she is such a boy chaser. I know that she will probably try to steal my boyfriends when she gets older. Oh, I almost forgot, my heart will always belong to my baby father, it was such a shame that someone murdered Donald. RIP my baby. I am not like other girls, I am so much hotter than the other girls. Especially Alison, I know that she is kind of my stepdaughter, but I hate her and the day that I officially marry all of her fathers, I will kick her out of the household.

“I am so sorry for your loss baby girl, but at least you can spend more time with us and you won’t have to worry about him cheating on you with pornstars or with his wife again. Harry whispered in my tiny ear. His voice was so extremely sexy that I wish I wasn’t on my period.

“Harry, why are you even here? You know we don’t like you!” Niall screamed. He is often very jealous and he doesn’t like Rabat I am dating all of his friends.

“I love you. Do you love me too? I hate fake people. I hope you aren’t fake Harry. If you are fake I have to cheat on you.” I whispered in Harry’s ear. I would kill them if I actually found they were cheating on me. That’s why I often try to expose them for cheating, so that I can sleep at night knowing that they love me and that they will never cheat.

“But why would I cheat on you? And with who?”

“With your secret  lover of course. Yes. I know everything about your secret love story?”

Niall started to look really bothered. But then he smiled the smile he knew I loved.

“Sugar top. Honey bear. Do you love me?” He asked with that quirky smile on his lips.

He started to take off his shirt and that made me sooo happy. I know it might be hard for me to have five relationship at the same time, but I know if I work hard enough I can handle it. Niall started to walk up to me.

“Wow. Another proof that I am grown.”

“Hun. I thought you forgot me. Why do u think I cheated on you and who do you even think I cheated with?”

“Oh sorry baby boy. I will now expose you. I know you cheated on me with the the robot.” I felt how true my words were and Harry looks very disturbing.

“I promise I never cheat with the android. I promise you that I will take care of u and your baby girl Donald Jr, but only if you marry me tonight.” I don’t think that I am available tonight, I think it was Zayn’s night tonight. But I can’t tell Harry that. I looked nervously from Harry to Niall.

“I don’t know, I’ll have to ask my other boyfriend what do!” Then I ran away. I wasn’t sure what else I was supposed to do.

Zayn where you @? I texted.

[newssplashy]

Drake is the cream of the crop in the rap game, but questions have been asked of his abilities lately and he provides adequate answers on ''Scorpion''.

Adversities either breaks or make a man and for Drake, he utilises his dark moments to create a radiant project in 'Scorpion'.

Drake had started the year as the heavyweight boxer in the ring, and despite the best attempts by the likes of Kendrick Lamar and J Cole at shooting for the throne, deft moves like giving out the entire budget for his videos for 'God's Plan' and the star-studded 'Nice For What', ensured that the belt was tightly wrapped around his waist.

But everything changed in May when Pusha T reignited a long feud by baiting him on Infrared from his long-awaited Kanye West produced Daytona album.

Fired up, Drake released a response in Duppy Freestyle barely 24 hours after the album was officially out, his reply was a deep punch that struck the right the right nerves and landed Pusha a well-struck punch.

ALSO READ: Album Review of Nas's album, Nasir

But everything changed with The Story of Adidon, Pusha went personal, he had unearthed Drake's secrets, touched on his family and landed a knockout punch that was way below the belt.

This had fans excited, their heavyweight rapper was about to rise up and land his own blows, but Drake never did, he laid with his face in the ring, while the Referee counted away.

Hip-hop don, J Prince had attempted a reason for this, people began to insinuate that this could turn bloody, but the truth is Pusha had won the battle, at least this round of it, now it was time to focus on the war.

Of what use is a Scorpion when it cannot sting?

Friday, June 29, Drake released his fifth solo studio album, Scorpion, the album has two sides, Side A contains 12 songs which cater for his rap fans, while the B Side is filled with 13 RnB songs, so this review will be broken into two parts, with this part focusing on the Side A.

Scorpion shines bright, as he maintains the same concept and delivery styles that worked for him on his early projects, but this time there is an edge to his delivery, a new hunger that makes it more lethal.

The album features previously unreleased material with Michael Jackson and the late Static Major, a verse from Jay Z, Nicki Minaj, TY Dolla $ign and Future.

'Survival 'and 'Nonstop' open the doors into Scorpion, on the former, he touches lightly on his industry beefs and how he is the cream of the crop, while the latter sees him demanding for respect like Lebron.

But it is on 'Elevate', where it begins to get really exciting as Drake is intricate with his lyrics, this is the ultimate demonstration of his newfound level of domination.

''Couldn't picture wifing Braden when I was pumping gas on road trips to go from Cincinnati on to Dayton, I couldn't gauge it, I wanna thank God for working way harder than Satan, He's playing favourites, it feels amazing (yeah)''

 'Emotionless' is the reason why we have been waiting for this album with heightened expectations in the past few weeks, as in contrast to the title, Drake lets his emotions out as he addresses the issues raised by Pusha T on his ''Story of Adidion'' diss, with the blessings of a Mariah Carey sample.

''I wasn't hiding my kid from the world, I was hiding the world from my kid, from empty souls who just wake up and looked to debate, Until you starin' at your seed, you can never relate''.

Previously released singles, God's Plan, which topped the charts following its release, and I'm Upset are lined up immediately after.

There is the bragging Drake on '8 out of 10', ''I been on top for three sets of three years'', Mob Ties and Can't Take A Joke is Trap Music with Southern flavour.

''Sandra's Rose'' is one of the most enjoyable moments on the project.

 Drake delivers a track that is the very essence of what brought him to this great heights as he makes the beat fall back while he just raps from his soul, there are more names dropped on this song than on a line assembly.

From Sandra (A perceived reference to his mother's name, Sandi, to Charmalagne, Mohamed Hadid, Adele, Amber Rose and more), this is a line by line dissection of his story.

Jay Z appears on ''Talk Up'' and the duo indeed Talk it up, this is a smart move as the duo have also been involved in a beef in the past, but with Pusha's association with Kanye, it was only wise he aligns with another top-shot in Hov.

No one brags like Jay Z and he reigns 'Supreme' (No pun intended) on this, ''Niggas would be like Young, I got your President tweeting, I won't even meet with him, Y'all killed X and let Zimmerman live, Streets is done''.

Drake is imposing on ''Is There More'' as he closes the Side A gloriously while acknowledging there is more music on the R&B part.

It has been a year of great albums, rap has flourished under the Kanye West album series and the unannounced invasion of Everything Is Love by Hip hop's power couple, Hov and Bey but Scorpion, as expected, doesn't get lost in the numbers.

There is a plea, a raw one at-times mixed with relatable, catchy and re-energised edge in Drake's lyrics, even when he is bragging.

Scorpion is not Take Care or Nothing Was The Same, but it is a beautiful masterpiece that even when it does not totally wipe out the cut that Pusha placed on his abilities, it is an album that keeps the crown on his head and reminds doubters of the greatness of the man from Toronto when he is in the zone.

Rating: 4/5

Ratings

1-Dull 2-Boring 2.5-Average 3-Worth Checking Out 3.5-Hot 4-Smoking Hot 4.5-Amazing 5-Perfection

via NewsSplashy - Latest Nigerian News Online,World Newspaper

[krazye1]

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