Stevie Wonder is one of the greatest musicians of all time and at 75 years old, he has no plans to retire anytime soon. During a new interview with BBC’s Sidetracked podcast on Monday, July 21, the Motown legend revealed that he will keep performing as long as he can. “For as long as you breathe, for as long as your heart beats, there’s more for you to do,” Wonder told host Annie Mac. “I’m not gonna stop the gift that keeps pouring through my body.” He went on to explain that “an artist doesn’t stop drawing just because.” Instead, “you keep on. So as long as you can imagine, as long as you are going to be creative, and as long as you let your mind work, you don’t have to retire.”  The 25-time Grammy Award winner said he still gets excited about music just like he did when he released his first album at 12. “I love playing music, that’s like my mantra. I think I can do all the stuff I want to do – still have fun and do what I need to do – but I’m not going to stop the gift that keeps pouring through my body,” he said. “I love doing what I’m doing,” Wonder added. While some artists may have an issue playing their hits, Wonder loves to play the hits from his enormous catalog. “Songs are like children, they’re with you forever,” he said. ‘They are statements from the spirit within you, and singing those songs is like me taking another breath.”  Recently, Wonder answered all the conspiracy theories about him not being blind. “I must say to all of you, something that I was thinking, ‘When did I want to let the world know this?’ But I wanted to say it right now,” Wonder said at tour stop in Wales. “You know there have been rumors about me seeing and all that? But seriously, you know the truth.” “Truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind,” Wonder continued. “Now, that was a blessing because it’s allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight. See people in the spirit of them, not how they look. Not what color they are, but what color is their spirit?” Currently, Wonder is performing on the “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart Tour,” with shows in Pittsburgh, New York City, and Atlanta. 

Chuck D stopped by HOT 97 to talk to Nessa about his new album Radio Armageddon and what it means to be a true voice in hip hop today. He shared what led him to work with Def Jam again after decades, why he believes the genre needs more depth, and how he views his role as an OG in the culture now. Chuck opened up about his early days with Rick Rubin, producing Ice Cube’s first album, and how artists like J. Cole, Kendrick, and Drake fit into today’s landscape. He also reflected on 35 years of Fear of a Black Planet, how “Fight the Power” came to life with Spike Lee, and what that message means in 2025. He also talked about AI’s impact on the world, his support of Colin Kaepernick, and the lessons he’s learned over 45 years in hip hop. Chuck talked about longevity, legacy, and how he hopes Public Enemy is remembered—and gave some powerful advice for the next generation along the way.

Ty Dolla $ign has proclaimed Leon Thomas the new “King of R&B.” After Thomas’ set at the  Wireless Festival in London, Ty spoke glowingly about his artist and mentee. “We started our record company EZMNY — me and Shawn Barron — and signed Leon Thomas, who is now the new king of this sh*t. He’s the easiest artist I’ve worked with — ever in life,” Ty told Billboard.“He’s the new example of what an artist should be, in my eyes.” Ty went on to recall a meeting where Thomas used a PowerPoint presentation in front of the executives at Capitol and Motown Records. “We were in a label meeting. EZMNY, Motown and Capitol. When we go into this meeting, this man pulls out his laptop and asks for it to be hooked up to the TV so we can talk about what’s going to happen with this new album. He pulls up a f**king PowerPoint display,” Ty Dolla $ign said. “These are the colors I want to use. This is the stage. These are videos, and the people I want to work with for the videos. And these are the people who I want to style me. And this is the work.” While his talent is obvious, Ty is most impressed with Thomas’ creative process and work ethic. “A lot of people need to give them ideas. You have to make it for them, and he showed me there are people who know the whole thing,” Ty explained. “You go years and years of f**king with different artists and them blaming you for the way their success went when it’s really on you, just like how it was all on me.” In September 2024, Thomas released MUTT, his critically acclaimed sophomore album. The project was named the #1 R&B Album of 2024 by Billboard and VIBE, and has been recognized on several other “Best of 2024” lists.

Buffalo rap star Benny The Butcher is back with his latest project Summertime Butch 2. Benny is never short on material. In 2024, he inked a deal with Def Jam Recording and released Everybody Can’t Go  followed by the the first instalment of Summertime Butch. Back in May of this year, Benny impressed with his muscular ‘Excelsior’, which featured collaborations with Boldy James, Styles P, Harry Fraud, Daringer, and his BSF family.   Keeping up he rapid pace of music, Summertime Butch 2 has contributions from Benny The Butcher takes charge, joined in the studio by Westside Gunn, Bun B, Mike Will Made It, G Herbo, Bruiser Wolf, Daringer, Bink, OT The Real, ElCamino & Duckman. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐵𝑒𝓃𝓃𝓎 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐵𝓊𝓉𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓇 (@getbenny) In an interview with Complex last year, Benny explained his creative process. “I don’t think so [people care enough about the artistry]. I don’t think so because people see—I’ve been talking lately about the critiquing of hip-hop, right? So the people whose critiquing and really level of respect went down for the outer street is the people who want to be artists,” Benny explneed.  “So they don’t got respect for the guys they’re critiquing,” continued. “They feel they can do it better. So know what I mean? It’s no respect for the art. Everybody wants to do it, and they not in a position to do it.  Check out the tracklist for Summertime Butch 2 below: Summer Feelin’ (Intro) Jasmine’s FEAT Westside Gunn Hood On Fire FEAT Bruiser Wolf Told You So Where’s Butch (Skit) Summer ‘25 Why Would I FEAT G Herbo 77 Club Gold Plated Leica FEAT OT The Real In The Wall FEAT Bun B Pandoras FEAT ElCamino & Duckman Lo Lo’s

21 Savage and Young Thug sparked laughs across social media this weekend after getting into a playful roast session on Instagram. The two rappers traded jabs by sharing unflattering and hilarious pictures of each other, keeping fans entertained with their friendly rivalry. View this post on Instagram A post shared by No Jumper (@nojumper) Young Thug kicked things off by uploading a snapshot of 21 Savage standing beside Taylor Swift, along with another image showing him proudly posing in front of a sneaker wall. Not one to back down, 21 fired back with an old photo of Thug—set to the emotional soundtrack of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”—which quickly became the standout moment of their digital roast battle. Once their posts started circulating, fans flooded the comments with reactions. “If I was Thug, 21 would’ve had to see me wit these fists after that picture,” one user joked. Another chimed in, “That’s the type of pic that turns a play fight into a real one.” After the jokes, 21 Savage shifted the focus back to music by sharing footage from his high-energy performance at London’s Wireless Festival. He joined Drake onstage as one of several surprise guests during the rapper’s headlining set. Other artists making appearances included Skepta, Central Cee, Latto, and Sexyy Redd. Drake set the tone for the night with a bold statement: “All that sweetheart, singing sht? That sht is over tonight. This is for my motherf*cking dogs. I see my dogs came out tonight.” While 21 has been lighting up stages, Young Thug is in album mode. He’s prepping for the release of UY Scutti, his first full-length project since taking a plea deal in the YSL RICO case. The album’s lead single, “Money on Money,” dropped in April, but no official release date has been confirmed yet.

The late and legendary Fatman Scoop is still receiving his well-deserved flowers. The Freeman Family, NYC Council Member Dr. Yusef Salaam, and the Forever Fatman Scoop Foundation have announced the official street co-naming ceremony honoring Grammy Award-winning artist and Harlem native, Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III. The intersection of 109th Street and 5th Avenue will be officially co-named “Isaac ‘Fatman Scoop’ Freeman III Place.” The ceremony takes place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fatman Scoop (@fatmanscoop) This ceremonial renaming recognizes Freeman’s decades-long impact on music, entertainment, and community empowerment. Known for his unmistakable voice, high-energy performances, and cultural relevance, Fatman Scoop is not only a global entertainer but also a proud son of Harlem whose roots remain deeply planted in the neighborhood. Kendell “Sav” Freeman, Scoop’s brother, expressed his gratitude for the prestigious honor. “Scoop has always represented Harlem with pride,” Freeman said. “This co-naming is a tribute not just to his artistry, but to his ongoing commitment to uplifting the community that raised him.” The ceremony will “bring together friends, family, local leaders, and community members in a celebration of legacy, culture, and Harlem pride.’ Born and raised in Harlem, Fatman Scoop was known for his booming, raw vocal presence and high-energy performances and rose to prominence with his 1999 single “Be Faithful” (featuring the Crooklyn Clan). An instant club classic, the song became a number one hit in the UK and Ireland in 2003, and also charted in Denmark and Australia. Throughout his career, he collaborated with some of the industry’s biggest artists, including Missy Elliott’s “Lose Control,” which won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video, and Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That.   Scoop passed away on August 31, 2024, at the age of 56.

Pusha T is speaking his truth about why he and Kanye West don’t see eye-to-eye anymore. During an interview with Ebro Darden for Apple Music, he spoke about how their once-close relationship deteriorated.  “I feel like me and Ye, we don’t gel,” Pusha told  Darden at around the 45-minute mark. “Where I am right now in my life, I’m not with anybody who ain’t on my team — especially when I’ve been on your team.” Pusha also shared that West would collaborate with artists he saw as enemies, which accelerated the end of their partnership.  “He champions and stands next to anybody and everybody who don’t f**k with me,” Pusha explained.“And I don’t get that. I don’t understand that.” He also was not feeling how West spoke about the music they both created. “Why would you ever say anything negative about the music we created when you know it slaps?” the former GOOD Music president said. This continues Pusha T’s current trend of speaking candidly about West. In a previous interview with GQ, he said he lost respect for Ye as an artist and as a man. “We made some great sh*t, bro,” Pusha said. “He’s a genius. But that’s why me and him don’t get along, because he sees through my fakeness with him. He knows I don’t think he’s a man. He’s shown me the weakest sides of him, and he knows how I think of weak people.” On July 11, Clipse will release their highly anticipated sophomore project, Let God Sort Em Out. So far, the dynamic duo had released “Ace of Trumpets” and “So Be It” to critical acclaim.

Nicki Minaj set social media ablaze Tuesday after airing grievances against Jay-Z, and Megan Thee Stallion. Her posts drew immediate attention, with the rapper accusing Jay-Z of owing her $200 million while also criticizing Megan’s legal issues and suggesting Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez was part of a larger industry problem. In a pointed reference to Cardi B’s underwhelming single “Outside,” Minaj’s commentary seemed both strategic and personal, fueling a new wave of speculation across fan circles. Amid the digital uproar, Minaj turned to X (formerly Twitter) to ask her fans where she should take her livestream content next: Twitch or Kick? That question quickly reached Adin Ross, a leading creator on Kick, who jumped into the conversation with a direct—and business-minded—offer. He warned that Twitch’s strict guidelines might limit Minaj’s ability to speak freely, especially on hot-button topics involving Jay-Z or Megan. Kick, on the other hand, would welcome her voice without restrictions. Minaj’s next move could shake up streaming To make the proposition even more enticing, Ross offered Minaj equity in the platform—signaling just how serious he is about bringing her into the fold. Known for his ties to Drake and Stake, Ross has carved out a space in the streaming world that aligns closely with unfiltered entertainment and hip-hop culture. With Minaj already finding success on StationHead through raw, unscripted audio sessions, the move to a visual platform like Kick feels like a natural next step. Whether Minaj accepts the offer remains to be seen. But her decision could carry major implications for the future of creator-led streaming. If she opts for Kick, it could challenge Twitch’s dominance and reshape how artists connect with fans in real time.

Clipse believe that Tyler, the Creator, is their biggest fan. Speaking with Ebro Darden about merch in support of their highly anticipated album, Let God Sort Em Out, in the Complex Shop, they revealed that Tyler holds the top spot as their biggest fan. “As a fan of the discography, Tyler is the number one Clipster,” Pusha T said. “He can tell me things about albums and the time periods and everything, from production to raps, when it comes to Clipse albums.” Tyler and the rest of Clipse nation can rejoice on July 11 when the album drops, which is solely produced by Pharrell Williams. .@tylerthecreator is the number 1 Clipster. We’re a close second. Don’t miss the livestream on Thursday, July 10 at 8pm PT / 11pm ET on Apple Music. https://t.co/KoxiFMSZhQ pic.twitter.com/Z6ZOafIsKr — Apple Music (@AppleMusic) July 8, 2025 Speaking on Popcast,  the dynamic duo shared their thoughts on the absence of Chad Hugo, co-founder of the iconic production duo the Neptunes. “Absolutely miss Chad. As far as you know, being on the album,” No Malice said. “But I’ll see Chad in the airport, in the street, at Buffalo Wild Wings, you know, in VA. Whatever they got going on, just hope for the best for that […] Whenever we see each other, it’s always still love. Always.” “For me, no, you know, no. Everybody knows my favorite album is  Hell Hath No Fury Pharrell did that alone. That’s it […] Chad’s my guy. I love Chad. Pharrell’s my guy, love Chad, too. We’re brothers, we came up together,” Pusha explained. “But, you know, when you say missing in the music, there is no missing in the music when it comes to the Clipse. And if it’s just P, it don’t matter—we find what we find.” In April 2024, Williams and Hugo were involved in a legal dispute over the group’s name, which HO797 previously reported.

A$AP Rocky may have a new album on the way, but right now, his main focus appears to be family. As he and Rihanna prepare to welcome their third child, a new report from PEOPLE highlights just how locked in the Harlem rapper is when it comes to parenting and supporting his partner. A source allegedly close to the couple shared that the bond between Rocky and Rihanna has only strengthened since becoming parents. The two already share sons RZA Athelston and Riot Rose, and reportedly always planned to have their children close in age so they could grow up with a strong sibling connection. “Rihanna and Rocky couldn’t be more thrilled to be growing their family again with baby number three,” the source said. “They’ve really embraced this chapter and their bond has only deepened since becoming parents.” Rocky is described as deeply involved and attentive—taking on everything from bedtime routines to household duties so Rihanna can get the rest she needs. “He’s so hands on with RZA and Riot,” the insider added. “He’ll run her baths, massage her feet, and take care of things around the house so she doesn’t have to lift a finger.” Beyond the physical support, he’s also been a consistent source of emotional comfort. “He always makes her laugh, he keeps things light and full of love.” While the two artists are clearly thriving in their personal lives, fans online are still keeping one eye on Rocky’s long-delayed album DON’T BE DUMB. With no official release date in sight—and Rihanna’s return to music still up in the air—some listeners are starting to grow restless. But from the looks of it, A$AP Rocky is putting fatherhood first, even if that means making fans wait a little longer.