Hip-Hop: Last News

Pink Siifu's new album BLACK’!ANTIQUE has arrived. The 19-track record — released on Roc Nation Distribution and one of our most-anticipated albums of 2025 — includes features from Ho99o9, Bbymutha, 454, HiTech, Big Rube, Vayda, Monte Booker, Liv.e, Jack Davey, GKFAM, and more. Stream it here.

Music creation platform Splice and MIDiA Research shared their “Sounds of 2025” report earlier this week, highlighting the music trends that took over 2024 and predicting which ones will set the tone for 2025. “The music industry is always trying to get ahead of trends, but there is perhaps no more forward-looking cultural trend than sample usage,” said Mark Mulligan, Managing Director and Music Analyst at MIDiA Research.

A$AP Rocky‘s lawyers have said he fired “two warning shots” from a starter pistol to break up an alleged fight.On Friday (January 24), the rapper – real name Rakim Mayers – appeared in court as part of his ongoing firearm assault trial, where he is accused of two counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon.Prosecutors told jurors that, three years ago, Mayers had fired multiple shots from a 9mm semiautomatic pistol during a fight with former friend A$AP Relli – real name Terell Ephron – in Hollywood.Mayers’ lawyer Joseph Tacopina has denied the allegation, calling it a lie orchestrated for cash, per Rolling Stone.Tacopina said that Mayers admits to pulling the trigger on a firearm he was carrying that night, and that the rapper fired “two warning shots” from his “starter gun” to break up an alleged fight between Relli and A$AP Illz (real name Illijah Ulanger) – another member of their A$AP Mob collective.He added that the gun used that night was a “prop gun” from a music video he had filmed months earlier with Rihanna, described in the trial as his “life partner” and the mother of his two young sons.“Rocky fired that prop gun,” Tacopina continued. “He fired twice, hoping the sound would be enough to scare off Relli and protect Illz.”He went on to say that those in Mayers’ inner circle are aware he carried a “fake gun” to “scare off attackers” after previously experiencing violence and stalking.“This case about one mans’ lies, jealousy and greed,” Tacopina said, referring to Relli as the “source of all the evidence” in the case.

Kneecap have announced plans for a huge arena concert in Dublin to cap off 2025.The Northern Irish hip-hop trio will perform at Dublin 3Arena on December 17. Tickets go on sale at 10am next Friday (January 31) and can be purchased here.

SZA will be joining Kendrick Lamar for his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime show performance – find out more below.In September, the NFL, Apple Music and Kendrick Lamar confirmed that the ‘Not Like Us’ rapper wold be headlining the Super Bow LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans on February 9.Kendrick said in a trailer at the time: “What you doing everybody? My name’s Kendrick Lamar, and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX. Will you be pulling up? I hope so! You know there’s only one opportunity to win the championship, no round twos. Let’s get it!”“I don’t want you to miss it.

De La Soul have shared their new unheard song ‘Bigger’ from the 20th anniversary reissue of their album ‘The Grind Date’.‘Bigger’ is the first of two unheard tracks that were recorded during the same session as ‘The Grind Date’ and will appear as bonus songs on the reissue of the legendary hip-hop group’s seventh album. Originally released in 2004, ‘The Grind Date’ saw De La Soul team up with various artists such as the late MF DOOM, Ghostface Killah, Carl Thomas and Common.Speaking about the reissue in a press release, De La Soul’s Posdnous (Pos) said: “With the 20th Anniversary of ‘Grind Date’ we just feel blessed in knowing that we put together this album that, right now, with its re-release feels fresh, it doesn’t feel outdated, the lyrics feel relevant.”He continued: “It really feels good to know that with the re-release of this album it takes myself and Mase back to knowing that this album was the first album done outside of our Tommy Boy relationship and it stands the test of time alongside that catalogue, so yeah it’s a blessing.”‘The Grind Date’ 20th-anniversary re-issue is set for release on March 21 and will be available in CD and LP packages. A limited edition 140g splatter double vinyl will be available and will feature four instrumental versions of the leading tracks.The CD of the reissue will also feature the instrumental version of the leading tracks alongside the ‘Bigger’ and another unheard and unreleased track.

Flooding the internet with music is a risk. Dropping multiple projects before anyone but your most dedicated listeners has time to process them implies that you’re a force to be reckoned with; but even if you prove yourself to be undeniable (not just unavoidable), will the volume of music build momentum, or become an immovable monolith, buried deep beneath the surface? Lil Xelly, the 24-year-old Maryland rapper who was tragically killed last week in Rockville, never seemed to regret his decision to be one of the most prolific rappers of the SoundCloud era.

Diddy has been accused of threatening to eat the flesh of one of the contestants on his 2000s music competition show Making The Band. New documentary The Making of a Bad Boy was released last week (January 14) on the streaming platform Peacock. The film explores Diddy’s early life and career, featuring interviews with people close to the rap mogul.In the film, former Bad Boy Records signee Sara Rivers accuses Diddy – real name Sean Combs – of threatening her and her bandmates during her time on the show between 2002 and 2004.“When he got angry with one of my band members, he said, ‘You make me so mad I want to eat your flesh,'” Rivers said.

JPEGMafia‘s show in Berlin earlier this week, it has been reported.The US rapper, singer and producer played at the Huxley’s Neue Welt venue in the German capital on Monday night (January 20) as part of his current European tour.According to the Associated Press, several fans were injured at the gig as a result of pepper spray. It is said that six people were subsequently admitted to hospital with respiratory issues.JPEGMafia – real name Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks – reportedly ended the performance early because of the incident.

A$AP Rocky has rejected his final prosecution plea offer of 180 days in jail and now faces a possibility of a guilty verdict as his firearm assault trial starts in Los Angeles.As the Associated Press reports, the rapper – real name Rakim Mayers – the plea deal was given to the rapper if he were to plead guilty to one of his two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.The outlet reports that Los Angeles County prosecutors would also recommend a seven-year suspended sentence, three years of probation and a six-month jail term. However, A$AP Rocky denied the plea when his trial began this week.The 36-year-old rapper is accused of firing a gun at a former friend near a Hollywood hotel in 2021, and could get given up to 24 years in prison if he is found guilty and convicted.More than 100 prospective jurors were summoned to the downtown Los Angeles courtroom today (January 21), and the opening statements will come once 12 of them are seated – which according to AP is most likely to be Wednesday (January 22) or later.

Flavor Flav has partnered with GoFundMe to create a fundraiser focused on helping black families who have been displaced by the LA wildfires.Since the devastating wildfires began on January 7, over 180,000 residents of Los Angeles were forced to evacuate their homes. To date, 27 confirmed deaths have been reported, with over 20 people reported missing.Yesterday (January 21), the legendary rapper took to his official social media accounts to share a video of him announcing the partnership. Flav revealed that he teamed up with both GoFundMe and the Black Music Action Coalition as a way to collect donations for displaced black households who were affected by the disastrous wildfires in the Pasadena/Altadena area.“This is Flavor Flav in the building,” he said in the video.

Soulja Boy has taken aim at Drake in a new video posted to social media, telling him to remain out of the United States and “stay in Canada”.Soulja Boy (real name DeAndre Cortez Way) took to an Instagram live stream to poke at Drake. “You can’t even come to America and talk to the president,” he said.

Drake name-checking him in his most recent lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG).Last spring, Drake and Kendrick Lamar went back and forth in a historic rap feud. Across various diss tracks aimed at one another, the duo send scathing shots at one another.

Black Eyed Peas have cancelled their 2025 Las Vegas residency due to “current circumstances”.The trio – comprising Will.I.Am, Apl.De.Ap and Taboo – shared the update in a recent post on their Instagram Stories feed, according to Billboard.“To our dearest Peabodies,” they wrote. “It is with a heavy heart that, in light of current circumstances, our Las Vegas shows will not be moving forward as planned.”The statement continued: “Ticket providers will issue full refunds automatically.

Krept & Konan and Bashy are among those set to perform at the 2025 MOBO Awards. Find further information below.The 27th edition of the annual ceremony, which celebrates music of Black origin, is due to take place in Newcastle for the first time.

Busta Rhymes has been charged with assault after allegedly punching a man in the face in New York City.TMZ and the New York Post first reported that the rapper turned himself into a police station in Brooklyn on Tuesday (January 14) and has since been charged with misdemeanour assault, attempted assault and harassment.Rhymes – real name Trevor Smith Jr. – is now due to appear in a criminal court on February 3, with the New York Police Department stating that the case is “ongoing”.According to New York state law, a misdemeanour assault means a person intentionally inflicts physical injury, “recklessly causes physical injury” or “causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument”.The incident is thought to have occurred on January 10, with a 50-year-old man being punched in the face multiple times in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighbourhood.The rap legend was recently awarded with the Global Icon Award at the MTV Europe Music Awards, with UK hip-hop star Little Simz presenting him with the prize.In November, he also applauded GloRilla for her “unfiltered” authenticity, describing the 25-year-old as “a different type of beautiful”.“What I love about GloRilla – and I hope that we can hold on to this GloRilla as long as possible before she evolves to her Beyoncé level – but the GloRilla that we love is the GloRilla that we see ourselves in,” he continued.

Rap Blog is a showcase of a standout rap song. Lelo doesn’t seem like someone who’s ever found himself at a loss for words. Whether rapping over frantically clattering instrumentals or ambient puffs of cloud rap, the Michigan lyricist is uncannily agile, high-stepping over beats with preternatural ease.

January 2025 kicked off with a major ice storm across the U.S. and Canada dumping more than a foot of snow across multiple states and provinces.

The Game has been providing help and supplies to firefighters while they work to keep the LA wildfires at bay.Since January 7, wildfires have erupted and spread across the Los Angeles metropolitan area – causing widespread damage, particularly in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Many have been forced to evacuate while various fire departments and volunteers try to keep the blaze under control.At the time of writing, the notorious LA Fires have taken at least 24 lives, damaged over 12,401 structures, and forced nearly 180,000 people to evacuate their homes.Born and raised in LA, rapper The Game – real name Jayceon Taylor – shared photos and videos of him with the Pasadena Fire Department, explaining in a Instagram video that he was giving out “blankets, pillows, coffees, bananas, waters – just anything we can give out to help these firemen out here.”A post shared by The Game (@losangelesconfidential)A post shared by The Game (@losangelesconfidential)In a later video post, Taylor declared: “It’s just a time where everybody needs everybody.

BRIT Awards 2025.The comedian, actor and writer will return to present the ceremony for the fifth time, having previously hosted in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.Mo Gilligan took on the job in 2022 and 2023, with Clara Amfo, Maya Jama and Roman Kemp co-presenting the BRITs 2024.This year’s awards are due to take place at The O2 in London on Saturday March 1, broadcast exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX.Whitehall said: “They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that is absolutely the case with the BRIT Awards – it is my favourite night of the year, and I am delighted to be invited back to host in 2025.”Damian Christian, Managing Director and President Of Promotions at Atlantic Records (part of Warner Music UK) and Chair of the BRIT Committee for 2025, added: “I’m excited that we’ve been able to bring Jack back to host for a fifth time.A post shared by The BRIT Awards (@brits)“Jack is a true professional who makes one of the toughest gigs on TV look effortless. His cutting wit will keep everyone on their toes, while his charm and humour will make the audience at home feel closer to the awards.”Check out the announcement video above.The BRITs has also confirmed today (January 16) that presenter and DJ Harriet Rose and satirist, presenter and producer Munya Chawawa will be co-presenting a pre-party programme on ITV2 and ITVX, The BRITs 2025: The Warm-Up.This is scheduled to air at 9pm GMT on Thursday February 27, with further details to follow at a later date.Rose explained: “The BRITs is easily one of the highlights of my year! I love every minute of chatting with the amazing artists, so being back for 2025 is an absolute dream.

Drake is suing Universal Music Group (UMG) for releasing Kendrick Lamar‘s diss track ‘Not Like Us‘ last year – where Drake and his peers were described as “certified paedophiles” who should “be registered and placed on neighbourhood watch”.The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court today (January 15), called the release and promotion of the track, where Lamar alleged Drake “likes ‘em young”, an example of valuing “corporate greed over the safety and wellbeing of its artists”.As The Guardian reports, the lawsuit alleges that UMG “approved, published and launched a campaign to create a viral hit out of a rap track” that was “intended to convey the specific, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response”.The suit also draws attention to the artwork for ‘Not Like Us’, which features a picture of Drake’s Toronto house with markers used to identify the homes of registered sex offenders. It then mentions a shooting which occurred outside the rapper’s house two days after the track was released, calling it “the 2024 equivalent of ‘Pizzagate'”.Lawyer Michael J Gottlieb is representing Drake in this case.