Rapper 21 Savage and producer Metro Boomin announced that they will release the follow up to their 2016 EP “Savage Mode” on Friday. The news comes two weeks after more than 28,000 fans signed a petition for “Savage Mode 2’s” release, according to XXL. The announcement arrived with an epic trailer, narrated by actor Morgan Freeman. The one-minute, Gibson Hazard -directed clip finds the duo in the studio on a dark, snowy night. See the trailer below.

This clip appears courtesy of Gibson Hazard.

Rapper DaBaby leads the 15th annual BET Hip Hop Awards with twelve nominations. Roddy Ricch follows with eleven. Megan Thee Stallion and Drake are tied for third place, with eight nominations each. Future received six nominations. Lil Baby grabbed four. Beyonce, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott and Mustard each received three. DaBaby has double nominations in four categories: Best Hip Hop Video, Song Of The Year, Hip Hop Album of the Year, and Best Collaboration. According to BET, this is the first time an artist has had two nominations for Hip Hop Album of the Year in the same year. DaBaby won Best New Hip Hop Artist last year. Ricch was nominated in that category last year. This year’s nominees in that category are Flo Milli, Jack Harlow, Mulatto, NLE Choppa, Rod Wave and the late Pop Smoke, who died on Feb. 19 at the age of 20. The BET Hip Hop Awards will air on Tuesday, October 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Here’s the complete list of nominations.

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO

DABABY, “BOP”

DABABY FEAT. RODDY RICCH, “ROCKSTAR”

DRAKE, “TOOSIE SLIDE”

FUTURE FEAT. DRAKE, “LIFE IS GOOD”

LIL BABY, “THE BIGGER PICTURE”

RODDY RICCH, “THE BOX”

BEST COLLABORATION

DABABY FEAT. RODDY RICCH, “ROCKSTAR”

FUTURE FEAT. DRAKE, “LIFE IS GOOD”

JACK HARLOW FEAT. TORY LANEZ, DABABY & LIL WAYNE, “WHATS POPPIN (REMIX)”

MEGAN THEE STALLION FEAT. BEYONCÉ, “SAVAGE (REMIX)”

MEGAN THEE STALLION FEAT. NICKI MINAJ & TY DOLLA $IGN, “HOT GIRL SUMMER”

MUSTARD FEAT. RODDY RICCH, “BALLIN’”

BEST DUO OR GROUP

CHRIS BROWN AND YOUNG THUG

CITY GIRLS

EARTHGANG

JACKBOYS

MIGOS

RUN THE JEWELS

BEST LIVE PERFORMER

BIG SEAN

DABABY

DRAKE

MEGAN THEE STALLION

RODDY RICCH

TRAVIS SCOTT

LYRICIST OF THE YEAR

BIG SEAN

DABABY

DRAKE

J. COLE

MEGAN THEE STALLION

RAPSODY

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

CACTUS JACK & WHITE TRASH TYLER

COLE BENNETT

COLIN TILLEY

DAVE MEYERS

DIRECTOR X

TEYANA “SPIKE TEE” TAYLOR

DJ OF THE YEAR

CHASE B

D-NICE

DJ DRAMA

DJ ENVY

DJ KHALED

MUSTARD

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

9TH WONDER

DJ KHALED

HIT-BOY

JETSONMADE

MIKE WILL MADE-IT

MUSTARD

HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR

DABABY

DRAKE

FUTURE

LIL BABY

MEGAN THEE STALLION

RODDY RICCH

SONG OF THE YEAR

“BOP” – Produced By JetsonMade & Starboy (DABABY)

“LIFE IS GOOD” – Produced by Ambezza, D. Hill & OZ (FUTURE FEAT. DRAKE)

“ROCKSTA”R – Produced by SethInTheKitchen (DABABY FEAT. RODDY RICCH)

“SAVAGE (REMIX)” – Produced by J. White Did It (MEGAN THEE STALLION FEAT. BEYONCÉ)

“THE BOX” – Produced by 30 Roc & DatBoiSqueeze (RODDY RICCH)

“TOOSIE SLIDE” – Produced by OZ (DRAKE)

HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR

DABABY – BLAME IT ON BABY

DABABY – KIRK

FUTURE – HIGH OFF LIFE

LIL BABY – MY TURN

MEGAN THEE STALLION – SUGA

RODDY RICCH – PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR BEING ANTISOCIA

BEST NEW HIP HOP ARTIST

FLO MILLI

JACK HARLOW

MULATTO

NLE CHOPPA

POP SMOKE

ROD WAVE

HUSTLER OF THE YEAR

CARDI B

DJ KHALED

JAY-Z

MEGAN THEE STALLION

RICK ROSS

TRAVIS SCOTT

SWEET 16: BEST FEATURED VERSE

BEYONCÉ, “SAVAGE (REMIX)” (MEGAN THEE STALLION FEAT. BEYONCÉ)

BIA, “BEST ON EARTH” (RUSS FEAT. BIA)

CARDI B, “WRITING ON THE WALL” (FRENCH MONTANA FEAT. POST MALONE, CARDI B & RVSSIAN)

FUTURE, “ROSES (REMIX)” (SAINT JHN FEAT. FUTURE)

RODDY RICCH, “ROCKSTAR” (DABABY FEAT. RODDY RICCH)

TRAVIS SCOTT HOT (REMIX) (YOUNG THUG FEAT. GUNNA & TRAVIS SCOTT)

IMPACT TRACK

ANDERSON .PAAK & JAY ROCK, “LOCKDOWN”

DABABY FEAT. RODDY RICCH, “ROCKSTAR (BLM REMIX)”

J. COLE, “SNOW ON THA BLUFF”

LIL BABY, “THE BIGGER PICTURE”

RAPSODY FEAT. PJ MORTON, “AFENI”

WALE FEAT. KELLY PRICE, “SUE ME”

BEST INTERNATIONAL FLOW

DJONGA (BRAZIL)

KAARIS (FRANCE)

KHALIGRAPH JONES (KENYA)

MERYL (FRANCE)

MS BANKS (UK)

NASTY C (SOUTH AFRICA)

STORMZY (UK)

This song is the property of Blue Stamp Music.

Aaron Tyler, known professionally as MC Eiht, is an American rapper/actor from Compton, CA. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in rapper KRS-One’s name. He chose Eiht for its links to “hood culture” including Olde English 800 and .38 caliber firearms. He began his career as a member of the West Coast rap group Compton’s Most Wanted. He’s known for his role as A-Wax in the 1993 film “Menace To Society”, as well as voicing the character Ryder in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. During the course of his career he’s released the albums “We Come Strapped” (1994), “Death Threatz” (1996), “Last Man Standing” (1997), “Section 8” (1999), “N’ My Neighborhood” (2000), “Tha8t’z Gangasta” (2001), “Hood Arrest” (2003), “Veterans Day” (2004), “Affiliated” (2006), “Which Way Iz West” (2017), “Official” (2020) and “Lessons” (2020).

This song is the property of The Playground.

Rahbi is an American singer from Atlanta, GA. He began his career singing gospel before catching the attention to Antonio “LA” Reid, who recruited him to be a member of the R&B vocal group 4th Avenue. When the group’s career faltered, he pursued a solo career and has developed a following that includes Erykah Badu and Jonelle Monae among others. He’s released several singles. “I Love You” is among them.

Happy Birthday

Singer Alicia “Miki” Howard 60

Singer Marilyn McCoo (The Fifth Dimension) 77

Singer/songwriter/producer/musician Patrice Rushen 66

Singer Emily “Cissy” Houston 87

DJ/producer Marlon “DJ Marley Marl” Williams 58

Remembering singer Franklin “Frankie” Lymon (September 30, 1942-February 27, 1968-Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers)

Singer Sylvia Peterson (The Chiffons) 74

Singer Aloe Blacc was been making his presence felt since the release of his 2010 album “Good Things.” With his appealing vocal demeanor, he’s extremely comfortable handling several genres. He can also roll the artistry dice by making a song his own. His remake of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” is one example. Yet when it comes to his sweetest spot, Blacc excels on such songs as “The Man”, “King Is Born” and “Wake Me Up.” He returns to the airwaves with the uplifting gospel infused pop number “Hold On Tight.” Guided by producer Jonas Jebergr, the intense bass drum and pulsating guitar set the foundation for Blacc’s steady tenor and nicely layered choir arrangements. While “Hold On Tight” finds hope through dark times, empathy is the utmost element in breaking through the darkest times. In essence, no matter what Aloe Blacc sings about, his immaculate attention to the storylines and his distinctive vocals are the artistic essentials. Listen to “Hold On Tight” below.

This song is the property of BMG Rights Management.

Dom Kennedy has returned to the airwaves with the album “Rap N Roll.” The project features special guest appearances by Casey Veggies, Niko G4, TeeFlii, and Allyn. The album is 17-tracks in length and is the rapper’s first solo release since 2018. The MC pays homage to Nipsey Hussle on the track “Saint Ermias” along with additional references sprinkled throughout the album. Listen to “2 Love Is Gangster” below.

This song is the property of The OPM Company.

Massachusetts based breakthrough artist Raiche just released the single “Funeral” via Atlantic Records. The track is the follow up to her stand out release “Pick A Side.” Raiche has been creating a buzz in the music industry. She’s garnered attention and a mass following with her vibey vocals and refreshing singing style, and is definitely an artist fans need to keep on their radar and playlist. She combines R&B, soul and pop to create a sound all her own. In 2019, Raiche released her debut EP “Drive”, which followed the release of “Money Pies.” “Money Pies” was accompanied by a visual directed by the all-female collective Verluxe, and was followed by “Complicated.” The year also marked the announcement of her 12 city sold out Pink Beginnings Tour with labelmate Pink Sweat$, which begins in Vancouver, BC and wraps up in Toronto, ON. During the COVID-19 pandemic Raiche has release several quarantine style videos including “Drive” and the in studio version of “Complicated.” “Funeral” is the ultimate break up song for those who have reached the point of no return in their relationship. “Funeral” leaves no ambiguity as to whether or not the relationship can be salvaged. It’s over. Period. Listen to “Funeral” below.

This song is the property of Atlantic Records.

Happy Birthday

Singer/songwriter/producer Donald “DeVante Swing” DeGrate (Jodeci) 51

Singer Debelah Morgan 43

This song is the property of Grand Hustle/Empire.

Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., known professionally as T.I., is an American rapper/actor/record producer/entrepreneur/record executive/author from Atlanta, GA. Harris signed his first major label deal with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace Records in 1999. In 2001, he formed the Southern hip hop group P$C along with fellow Atlanta artists Big Kuntry King, Mac Boney, and C-Rod. Upon being released from Arista, he signed with Atlantic Records and subsequently became the co-CEO of his own label imprint, Grand Hustle Records, which he launched in 2003. He released his debut album “I’m Serious” via Arista Records in October 2001. His sophomore effort, “Trap Muzik”, was released on August 19, 2003 via Grand Hustle Records. It debuted at number four and sold 109,000 copies in its first week. It featured the singles “24s”, “Be Easy”, “Rubberband Man” and “Let’s Get Away.” His third studio album, “Urban Legend”, was released in November 2004. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart and featured the single “Bring Em Out.” He has also released the albums “King” (2006), “T.I. Vs. T.I.P.” (2007), “Paper Trail” (2008), “No Mercy” (2010), “Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head” (2012), “Paperwork” (2014) and “Dime Trap” (2018). Harris recently announced that his forthcoming album will be titled “The Libra.” “Ring It”, a collaboration with rapper Young Thug, is included on the album.