Tyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, The Creator, is a rapper/songwriter/producer/video director. Born on March 6, 1991, in Ladera Heights, CA, he rose to prominence after the release of his debut mixtape “Bastard.” The tape was ranked number 32 on Pitchfork Media’s list of Top Albums of 2010. He has gone on to release “Goblin” (2011), “Wolf” (2013), “Cherry Bomb” (2015) and “Flower Boy” (2017).
Bridget Kelly is a singer/songwriter from New York, New York. In 2008, she signed with rapper Jay Z’s Roc Nation. She has filled in for singer Alicia Keys when performing the single “Empire State Of Mind.” In early 2011, she and her production team asked singer Frank Ocean to write a song for her debut solo album. The song became “Thinking About Forever.” Kelly worked with producers The Dream, Ne-Yo, Jerry Wonda, James Fauntleroy, Ryan Leslie and Shea Taylor on her debut solo album. Prior to the album’s release, Kelly released the EP “Every Girl.” In June 2014, Kelly announced that she was leaving Rock Nation and would release her next album independently. She went on to release the singles “I Won’t Cry” and “Almost More”, which are previews of her forthcoming music. She now appears on the reality series “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.”
A day after previewing an unknown track via social media, singer/songwriter The Weeknd surprises fans across the country. Rumors swirled last week, but today the crooner releases his brand new EP “My Dear Melancholy.” Featuring six tracks, the EP is the first new material from the OVO signee since his 2016 effort “Starboy.” The project includes the singles “Call Out My Name”, “Try Me” and “Privilege.” Mike Will-Made-It, Skrillex, Frank Dukes and French DJ Gesaffelstein handled the production work. The EP received rave reviews before it was released. The Weeknd will headline the Coachella Festival next month, followed by Panorama in July and Lollaplooza in August. Cash Money Records signee Jacquees is preparing for a breakout year. He’s finishing his debut album, and recently completed a joint project with singer Chris Brown. As for his solo effort, he revealed that it was inspired by his upbringing. He collaborated with Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Young Thug, Jermaine Dupri, Brian “Birdman” Williams, Donell Jones and LaTocha Scott of Xscape to create what he calls a “classic.” Next, he plans to release a visual for the single “Inside”, his collaboration with Trey Songz. Bridget Kelly has returned to the spotlight. After splitting with Roc Nation and joining the cast of “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood”, the singer is preparing her highly anticipated debut album “Reality Bites.” Today, she unveiled the single “Sedated.” The clip showcases various sides of the songstress. She begins the video in a neon-lit warehouse before a lingerie clad Bridget seduces viewers in a hotel room. She revealed that “Sedated” is a metaphor for how intoxicating love can be when you have ended up on the wrong side of it. The Isaac Yowman directed clip also captures that dilemma from different angles. “Reality Bites” will be released on April 27. “Sedated” is available for streaming via all digital music platforms now. Rapper Tyler, The Creator released a surprise track titled “OKRA” yesterday. In the description in the accompanying You Tube video, the rapper refers to the track as a “throwaway song.” He also posted the lyrics, which include a shout out to Timothee Chalament, among other references. No word on whether an album is in the works, however. Rapper Cardi B. continues to offer previews of her forthcoming album “Invasion Of Privacy” in the form of the single “Be Careful”, which was released today. The track contains a steady beat, with Cardi showcasing a slower, more R&B vocal delivery than usual. She appears to be calling out boyfriend Offset regarding his infidelity. Yesterday, Cardi announced the single via Twitter, and revealed its artwork. The artwork shows the rapper sporting a futuristic pink mini-dress, fishnet stockings, and a fluffy fur coat. The pink theme extends to the background, into a vanity room with pink furniture. “Invasion Of Privacy” will be released April 6.
Kiari Kendrell Cephus, known professionally as Offset, is a rapper/songwriter from Lawrenceville, GA. He is a member of the rap ensemble Migos in addition to being a solo artist. He has also collaborated with numerous artists.
Jessica “Jessie” Reyez is a Colombian singer/songwriter. She was born in Toronto to Colombian parents. She and her family later moved to Brampton. She played guitar as a child and began writing her own music in high school. In 2014, she and King Louie released the collaborative single “Living In The Sky.” In 2016, she released the singles “Shutter Island” and “Figures”, which premiered on Beats 1 Radio and reached No. 74 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. In 2017, Reyez released her debut EP “Kiddo” along with the short film “Gatekeeper.” She received two iHeart Radio Much Music Video Award nominations for Best New Canadian Artist and Fan Fave Video for “Shutter Island.” She performed “Figures” at the 2017 BET Awards on June 25, 2017 and appeared on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon on August 8, 2017. She won Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent to the American Grammy awards in 2018.
A week ago, R&B songstress Tinashe unveiled the cover art and release date of her highly anticipated sophomore album “Joyride.” Now, she’s revealed the track listing for the project. The 13-song project includes the singles “No Drama” and “Faded Love.” Rappers Ty Dolla $ign and French Montana make special guest appearances on the album. In related news, Tinashe and NBA star Ben Simmons went public with their relationship. Singer Lana Del Rey will receive the Global Impact Award at the 35th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards. The ceremony will take place on April 23 in Los Angeles, CA. Del Rey is a multiplatinum singer/songwriter. The three time Grammy nominated artist has achieved success with four of her albums having reached the Top 2 of the Billboard 200 charts. She has also reached the Billboard Hot 100 11 times. The ASCAP Global Impact Award recognizes the popularity of ASCAP members and their music. Mac Cosmetics and i-D are joining forces to pay homage to late R&B songstress Aaliyah. The two companies, along with Aaliyah’s brother Rashad Houghton, will celebrate the singer’s legacy with a film titled “From A To Z Of Aaliyah.” Fans are being asked to submit videos and photos of themselves that show how Aaliyah has inspired them while being sure to use the hashtags #AtoZofAaliyah and #AailyahForMac. The deadline for submissions is April 6. Winners will be flown to New York to participate in the video. They are looking for muses, voices, movers and everyone in between according to Instagram cut out postings. Songstress Nikkie Ariel takes her talents to the beach in the visual for her latest single “Never.” The clip marries the song and depicts the essence of the love she has for her significant other. She is shown walking across a beach that is hit by a luxurious sunset and waves behind her as if there is a magical force in the air that brings her emotions to life. Toward the end, she’s shown carving their initials in the sand with a heart surrounding it. It’s moving and exemplifies what being in love is like. Singers Jessie Reyez and Daniel Ceasar have delivered their collaboration “Figures Reprise.” The song, originally linked to Jessie, was the singer’s debut track. Now that the two have developed solid careers, this one couldn’t have been released at a better time. The Canadian duo premiered the remix during the Juno Awards on Sunday night, where they performed. While Jessie sings about leaving a love that brought her nothing but self-doubt and pain, Daniel tries to win her over by reminding her that every relationship has its trials but that’s what makes them worth it. Jessie is currently celebrating her Juno Award win for Breakthrough Artist of the Year while Daniel Ceasar is celebrating his win for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for his debut album “Freudian.” Rappers 2 Chainz, YG and Offset all love their mothers, and now they have a music video to prove it. They just released the video for their collaborative single “Proud”, which features the mothers of all three artists as the stars. 2 Chainz’s mother, sporting her son’s gold “Truu” necklace and gold tinted Tom Ford Oliver shades, tackles the first verse with the same energy as her son. YG’s mother takes the second verse, sporting dark red lipstick, a bright red jacket and red bandana tied around her neck. For the final verse, Offset’s mother keeps it cool like her son. She’s shown sitting on a couch in a bordered up dusty apartment, counting money while her son’s heavy gold “Offset” chain rests around her neck. Prior to the video’s release, the trio previewed the clip with pictures of themselves with their mothers on the video set. Fans will enjoy this one. Brooklyn based rapper Joey Bada$$ has scored his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 as his single “Infinity (888)” enters the chart at No. 83. “Infinity (888)” earned 9.1 million streams and sold 2,000 downloads during the week ending March 22, according to Nielsen Music. Congratulations Joey!
Singer/songwriter/producer Daron Jones returns with his latest single “Say Sum.” The smooth, uptempo number finds the crooner praising his lady. This is sure to become the anthem of the upcoming summer season.
Mariel Semonte Orr, known professionally as Trouble, is a rapper/songwriter. Born on November 4, 1987, he rose to prominence following the release of his debut mixtape “December 17” in April 2011. The mixtape landed at No. 23 on Complex magazine’s 25 Best Mixtapes of 2011. The mixtape included the single “Bussin”, which featured rappers Yo Gotti, Waka Flaka Flame and Trae tha truth on the remix. In 2017, Trouble signed a recording contract with Ear Drummer/Interscope Records. He released his full length debut album “Edgewood” last Friday.
