J. Cole has suggested that his forthcoming album, The Fall-Off, may represent a turning point in his career rather than a continuation of it. As the project approaches release, the rapper has indicated that his interests are moving away from releasing solo albums. Instead, he has expressed a growing focus on producing and contributing behind the scenes. The comments have prompted discussion about what the next phase of his work may look like. During a recent “Ask Me Anything” session with fans, Cole addressed his outlook directly. “I appreciate all the support. My love for music is authentic, and what’s truly exciting about this album is the immense inspiration I feel right now,” he said. “While I don’t foresee myself creating more albums under the ‘J. Cole’ name, my enthusiasm lies in music production.” He added, “I will continue to write and record music whenever the inspiration strikes, and I may release new tracks if I feel compelled to do so. However, The Fall-Off stands as a significant work that I won’t seek to surpass.” Cole expanded on that idea by describing a long-standing interest in collaboration. “I aspire to make beats and assist in producing for other artists, even if my input doesn’t entail creating the actual track,” he said. “Shaping someone else’s vision is a passion of mine that I haven’t fully explored, given that my focus for years has predominantly revolved around my own narrative.” He added that he believes his strengths may be better realized in a supporting role. A Pivotal Release The Fall-Off will be Cole’s seventh studio album and is scheduled for release on February 6. The project includes collaborations with Burna Boy, Erykah Badu, Future, Morray, Petey Pablo, PJ, and Tems. Industry projections cited by Talk of the Charts estimate first-week sales between 260,000 and 300,000 album-equivalent units. That performance would make it his strongest debut since KOD in 2018. Following the album’s release, Cole marked the moment with a low-key promotional effort. He traveled to North Carolina A&T University, where he sold copies of The Fall-Off directly from his car. The effort, which he referred to as a “Trunk Sale Tour,” echoed earlier moments in his career. It also reinforced his emphasis on accessibility and direct connection with listeners.

On a recent episode of the Million Dollaz Worth Of Game podcast, Lizzo reflected on the roots of hip-hop. She highlighted the genre’s struggle for recognition within a music industry long dominated by established players. Her comments offered insight into the challenges faced by Black artists, particularly around sampling—a practice central to hip-hop’s identity and creative innovation. Speaking with hosts Gillie and Wallo, Lizzo explored hip-hop’s complicated relationship with sampling. By borrowing sounds, rhythms, and melodies from existing recordings, artists have built the foundation of the genre. Yet she emphasized that copyright laws have often constrained Black creativity rather than safeguarding it. Recalling Biz Markie’s legal battles over “Alone Again,” Lizzo noted how disputes like his led to albums being pulled from stores. These actions reveal the broader consequences of restrictive sampling rules on Black musicians. Tracing the earliest pioneers of sampling to Black rappers of the 1980s and ’90s, Lizzo highlighted the ingenuity behind the practice. “They were sampling records because they didn’t have access to big studios,” she said. Many repurposed their parents’ vinyl to forge new sounds, often without formal musical training. “They were just outside, just like, ‘OK, this is just what it is.’ And then hip-hop was born, and it was this beautiful thing,” she added. This underscored the genre’s organic and innovative beginnings. Policing Black Creativity Reflecting on contemporary perceptions, Lizzo criticized the framing of sampling as theft. “The theft of it all, putting theft on Black culture, that’s the part that kind of turns me off,” she said. For her, sampling is a legitimate and essential creative practice, embedded in hip-hop’s DNA. Yet, it is often mischaracterized as criminal. She suggested that these restrictions may have racial undertones, functioning as a means to limit Black artistic expression. Fans can also expect Lizzo’s involvement on Cardi B’s forthcoming album, Am I The Drama?, set for September 19. The collaboration hints at further explorations across hip-hop, pop, and R&B. It signals the evolution of her artistry while honoring the foundational roots of the genre.

According to Billboard Canada, The Weeknd has set the record for most performances by a Canadian artist at one of Toronto’s biggest stadiums — the Rogers Centre, which also houses the Toronto Blue Jays. The singer performed four shows on his After Hours Til Dawn Tour at the Rogers Centre, which began on Thursday, August 7. The outlet also reported that he set the record for “most shows at the venue by a male solo artist on the same tour.” This trek would count as The Weeknd’s seventh concert tour. The stadium tour was in support of his fourth, fifth, and sixth studio albums: After Hours (2020), Dawn FM (2022), and Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025). This tour serves as a victory lap for the “Timeless” singer and marks the end of his Weeknd era. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NFR Podcast (@nfrpodcast) Last month, The Weeknd was awarded the ultimate honor from his hometown of Toronto by receiving the Key to the City and a citywide proclamation of “The Weeknd Weekend” from July 26-27.  Complex reported that the City of Toronto recognized” the pop star actor for his accomplishments as a singer-songwriter and producer, his enduring humanitarian efforts, and his dedication to giving back to his city.” During the private ceremony, The Weeknd was presented by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who was attended by youth from West Scarborough and The Weeknd’s alma mater, Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute. “I’m deeply honored to receive the Key to the City. It feels good to be home,” The Weeknd said. “Toronto is where I found my voice, and I’m committed to helping the next generation find theirs. That’s why I’m proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough and my former high school, Birchmount Park, providing youth with the means to unlock their full potential.”

Is there anything that Queen Bey can’t do? Whether it’s sparking online debates or shattering Grammy records, Beyoncé has more than proven herself worthy of all her accolades. So it’s no surprise that when Billboard released its “The 75 Best R&B Artists of All Time” list, Beyoncé ranked high among her peers. Landing at No. 4 on the list, the Renaissance singer follows behind icons like Michael Jackson (No. 3), Aretha Franklin (No. 2), and Stevie Wonder (No. 1). The late, legendary, singer and diva, Whitney Houston, rounded out the group at No.5. The criteria for ranking included “vocal prowess, body of work, career longevity, industry achievements, game-changing influence, and enduring generational/cultural impact.” “Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century also happens to be one of the Best R&B Artists of All Time. In fact, it’s her dedication to her R&B foundation that has helped her become one of music’s most innovative, impactful, and impressive artists,” the outlet wrote. “The 35-time Grammy-winning Houstonian first hit the Billboard charts as the lead vocalist of Destiny’s Child, the girl group in which she honed her now-signature staccato rap-singing, a vocal approach that can be heard in virtually every contemporary R&B song today.” Beyoncé has been named the #4 ‘Best R&B Singer of All-Time’ by Billboard staff. pic.twitter.com/bFcg8myACW — Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) June 19, 2025 Other notable artists included in the list include: James Brown (No.6), Prince (No.7), Mariah Carey (No.8), R.Kelly (No.9), and Marvin Gaye (No.10). Last December, Billboard crowned Queen Bey as the greatest pop star of the 21st century. The publication said she’s “the century’s biggest pop star based on her full 25 years of influence, evolution, and impact.” “The reasons why Beyoncé captured the top spot on our list were beyond numerous. Ranging from her 25 years of timeless albums and singles to her incalculable industry impact and influence on other artists, to her peerless raw talents as a singer and performer.” Billboard said. “Few artists this period can match her in any of the most critical basic categories of pop stardom. Commercial success, performance abilities, critical acclaim and accolades, industry influence, iconic cultural moments – and absolutely no one can equal her in all of them,” Billboard continued.

Latto is setting the record straight when it comes to her personal life. Amid ongoing speculation about her relationship, the artist made it clear that she’s not interested in proving anything to the public. In a recent interview with Paper Magazine, Latto addressed the curiosity surrounding her romance—widely believed to be with fellow rapper 21 Savage—and emphasized that her decision to keep things private is intentional. “I have nothing to prove to anyone. I have no rumor to clear up,” she says. “I’ve been with my man for years now, and it ain’t going nowhere. To me, that’s clearly a result of me moving and operating how I do.” Latto says, reinforcing her confidence in both herself and her relationship. The two artists have been linked since around 2020, with fans often speculating about their connection based on subtle clues and social media moments. Over time, Latto has acknowledged the relationship in her own way, referring to her partner as “my man” in interviews without diving into specifics. “too many cooks in the kitchen” “When it comes to female rappers, female artists — we’re told that we have to put so much of our life out there, and then it becomes too much about our personal life and not enough of the music,” Latto explains. “That’s how stuff just ends up crashing and burning, because you got too many cooks in the kitchen. I’m my own person outside of my relationship as well. I don’t want to make that the forefront of my existence, my career. I got a man at home, I’m happy and I’m well taken care of, and that’s about all anyone needs to know.” View this post on Instagram As previously reported, Latto announced her upcoming album, Big Mama, with a huge reveal that she is pregnant. “BIG MAMA (the album) 5/29. Business & Personal (Intro) song & video out now. Thank you God” she wrote via Instagram. View this post on Instagram

Jay-Z is returning to Yankee Stadium for a third summer concert, with Roc Nation dubbing the event “Extra Innings” in a social media announcement on Tuesday. It is scheduled for Sunday, July 12. Tickets will go on sale at 1:00 PM on March 24. This new date joins previously announced shows commemorating the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt. It also joins the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint, set for July 10 and 11. When sales opened Monday, fans flooded social media with complaints of ticket queues swelling to nearly 800,000. These stadium performances follow Jay-Z’s headlining slot at the Roots Picnic in May. This marks a summer packed with milestone appearances. JAŸ-Z 30 SOLD OUT JAŸ-Z 25 SOLD OUT JUST ADDED JAŸ-Z Extra Innings on Sunday, July 12th Yankee Stadium On-Sale at 1pm ET Today Tuesday, March 24th: https://t.co/jA4w7geADf pic.twitter.com/IdLawVRmny — Roc Nation (@RocNation) March 24, 2026 Jay-Z on Creativity, Authenticity, and Making Music on His Own Terms The announcement coincides with Jay-Z’s recent conversation with Frazier Tharpe for GQ, where he reflected on the challenges of creating music under expectation and scrutiny. When asked about a potential new project, he admitted uncertainty. “I don’t know yet. I don’t know. But I know that we have enough negativity currently,” he said. “Forget the landscape of music. I don’t know what I need to create currently that’s going to fulfill me and make me happy because that’s most important. I know I just got to be honest about what I feel and where I am. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Maybe I’m stopping myself from just creating. Whatever it is, it just needs to be a true representation of how I feel. Trying to create something that people like is where I think a lot of artists get jammed up. And people can feel that because it’s not authentic. I just got to make something timeless that I really love and that’s really honest and true to who I am.” Beyond discussing his personal creative process, Jay-Z spoke about nearly collaborating with Clipse on Let God Sort Em Out. Additionally, he discussed the responsibilities of being a “good billionaire,” and the ways he navigates influence, legacy, and cultural impact in music today.

Nelly and Ashanti are preparing for another chapter on screen as their Peacock series, We Belong Together, moves into a second season. The renewal follows a strong debut in June 2025. During its debut, the show quickly established itself as one of the platform’s most-watched unscripted releases. Production has already begun, signaling confidence in the couple’s ability to sustain audience interest. The upcoming season, first reported by Variety, is expected to premiere later this year. It will continue documenting the pair’s day-to-day lives. Much of the focus centers on how they manage overlapping responsibilities—maintaining careers in music and business while raising their young son, KK. Their relationship began more than two decades ago. In that time, it has been marked by both separation and reconciliation, culminating in their marriage in 2023. With the arrival of their son in July 2024, the series now turns toward the quieter, more demanding rhythms of parenthood. Hits to real life: Nelly and Ashanti on Peacock For viewers, the appeal lies partly in the couple’s professional histories. Nelly rose to prominence at the start of the 2000s with songs like “Ride Wit Me,” “Dilemma,” and “Just a Dream,” earning multiple Grammy nominations and awards. Ashanti followed with her own breakout success in 2002, led by “Foolish,” and expanded her career into acting, including a role in John Tucker Must Die. Their combined experience offers a broader context for the personal moments the series captures. Both artists also serve as executive producers, working alongside a team that includes Tina Douglas, J Erving, Rebecca Quinn, Jennifer O’Connell, Nick Alarcon, Steve Michaels, Simon Thomas, Ariel Brozell, Oji Singletary, and Asabi Lee. The show is produced by Pantheon Media Group and Velvet Hammer Media. It has leaned into a more observational style, favoring candid interactions over polished presentation. That approach helped the first season connect with viewers and is likely to shape the next installment. Season 2 will debut later this year on Peacock, with episodes released across the season.

Usher and Justin Bieber are reportedly had a heated argument that unfolded during an exclusive Oscars afterparty hosted by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. According to TMZ, tensions flared between the two artists during the star-studded event. While details about what sparked the disagreement remain unclear, sources claim the exchange became noticeably intense. Sources close to Justin Bieber reportedly tells TMZ, that Usher came up to Justin at the party with “energy and anger,” and the two got into a “heated exchange.” View this post on Instagram Both Usher and Bieber share a long history in the music industry, with Usher famously playing a role in Bieber’s early career rise. Because of that connection, news of any conflict between the two has quickly caught attention online, with fans speculating about what may have led to the reported clash. Despite the incident, neither artist has publicly addressed the situation, and it’s unknown whether the disagreement was a brief misunderstanding or something more serious. According to reports, the event was star-studded with guest including, Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler, Teyana Taylor, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Austin Butler, Chloe Bailey, Vanessa and Natalia Bryant and more. View this post on Instagram

Finesse2Tymes has publicly criticized his deal with Mob Ties, calling it the “worst deal I ever signed” and comparing his experience to modern-day slavery. In a video shared on social media, the rapper expressed frustration over opportunities denied to him and the talent he feels is being wasted. “I should’ve just went to Atlantic by myself. Why is it motherfckers that ain’t got no hits, ain’t accomplished nothing, how the fck are they getting in these rooms I ain’t getting in. I got gold plaques and sh*t… All this talent is just going to waste. At this point, this is slavery. Let me out. Let me go. I don’t wanna do the album no more,” he said, voicing his growing disillusionment with the music industry. Finesse2Tymes has achieved commercial success over the years, including his 2022 single “Back End,” which earned RIAA gold certification. When DJ Akademiks shared the video on Instagram, the rapper responded in the comments, clarifying his stance. “I ain’t looking for not sympathy u live and u learn but I pictured a life wayyy better than this. It is what it is. We live and we learn,” he wrote, highlighting both his disappointment and pragmatic outlook. Fans Celebrate Finesse2Tymes’ Independence Fans quickly rallied behind the rapper, praising his candor and independence. “He showing all the artist why it’s important to stay independent it might take a little longer but at least it’ll be worth it,” one supporter commented. Another added, “Say what you want, but finesse really can rap. They really wasting his talent.” These reactions underline a broader conversation in the music industry about creative freedom and contractual limitations. Finesse2Tymes’ reflections serve as a reminder of the challenges artists face when navigating labels, while his closing words—“We live and we learn”—capture both the frustration and resilience that often define the modern hip-hop landscape.