Your cart is currently empty!
Category: Music
-
JPEGMAFIA fires back at Danny Brown over ‘Scaring the Hoes 2’ comments: “This Isn’t True”
When crafty, unpredictable artists like JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown team up, something interesting tends to happen. Their 2023 effort, ‘Scaring the Hoes’, was celebrated for its wild production and chemistry—no ordinary Hip-Hop collaboration. The culmination of that success left fans hungry for a sequel. But things have gotten a bit messy.
In an interview with Billboard, Danny Brown claimed that the follow-up album ‘Scaring the Hoes 2’ was being delayed because JPEGMAFIA wasn’t showing up. Brown’s words: “It’s up to Peggy! I’ve been ready”, he said.
“I call him all the time, tell him, ‘Let’s do it.’ He tells me, ‘I’m comin’, I’ll be there on this day.’ That day comes, he don’t come. That’s been the process for a while.”
For many fans, Brown had set the narrative: the sequel exists, the will is there—but one half of the duo is not playing ball. Enter JPEGMAFIA, who pushed back publicly, via social media, saying Brown’s assertions are false. He tweeted and retweeted, “This isn’t true. I personally texted Danny today and told him to stop lying for lame teenagers on the internet. Because this is the second time he’s done it.”
He didn’t stop there. JPEGMAFIA added:
“This year I’ve been taking care of a sick family member all year—that’s why I haven’t been around. Stop making things up to entertain yourself. I’m not part of your marketing plan.”
He was careful to insist there’s no personal animosity, but did question Brown’s decision to air allegations publicly instead of reaching out directly:
“I have no beef with Danny… It’s just weird that he goes on the internet to say things he never says in person, when he could just call or text me. There’s no need to blast literal lies to teenagers who thirst for bullshit all day.”
So what’s really at stake here? A few threads to pick apart:
Photo: Pittsburgh Magazine 1 The sequel-expectation trap
When the original album landed and resonated, the sequel became inevitable. But expectations rise as soon as you say ‘2’ or ‘Part II’. Brown’s comments suggest he was ready, and the public assumed production must just be delayed. But JPEGMAFIA’s explanation adds context: life stuff happens (in this case, caring for a sick family member). In creative partnerships, such personal factors often get hidden until they Pop publicly.2 Narrative control & public discourse
Brown went to media; JPEGMAFIA responded on social. Both are shaping how fans perceive the project’s status. Brown’s version: He’s kept reaching out, the other side is stalling. JPEGMAFIA’s version: those claims are lies, my absence is for personal reasons, I’m not holding you up. Both sides have to manage brand, legacy, and the relationship with their fan base.3 Fan/industry implications
If ‘Scaring the Hoes 2’ is delayed indefinitely (or worse, shelved) because of this conflict—or worse, because of lack of clarity—fans may lose patience. Industry watchers might also interpret this as a red flag: two artists who collaborated well once, now stiff-arming each other publicly. This could affect future collaborations, label negotiations, and promotional strategies.4 The human element
Caring for a sick family member is a heavy burden. JPEGMAFIA’s mention of this shifts the frame from “creative delay” to “life happens”. It invites empathy, yet also calls into question the timing of public claims made by Brown. In other words: How do you balance transparency with respect for privacy? When creativity is a public act, personal issues become public too.In summary
The sequel to ‘Scaring the Hoes’ is still talked about—and maybe still exists—but its pathway is now murky. Danny Brown believes the project is held up by JPEGMAFIA; JPEGMAFIA says the narrative is false and that he’s been unavailable for valid personal reasons, not for stalling. The public spat raises questions about creative partnerships, timing, how artists manage fan expectations, and how much of the behind-the-scenes world gets broadcast. -
Watch New Jersey artists MoRuf and SZA reminisce about time spent in her mama’s ‘PT Cruiser’
MoRuf’s children and his wife make a cameo in the video.
Three weeks ago, MoRuf, one of our favourite artists ever, released the official music video for his latest track, entitled ‘PT Cruiser’, featuring longtime friend and fellow Jerseyan SZA. Throughout the good-feeling nostalgic track, the friends reminisce about the time they shared in high school, even though she didn’t know him for a long time. It also doubles as a song about falling in love as a child.
According to Wikipedia, MoRuf “sings about spending time with a former love interest in the backseat of her mother’s PT Cruiser, and SZA references her high school pastime of improvising car freestyles with Moruf on her mother’s driveway.”
In terms of their friendship, they’ve known one another for over a decade, and the multiple GRAMMY-winning superstar credits him as the person who motivated her to start making music when she was in high school, stating on an Instagram post, “Without our car freestyles in my mom’s driveway there’d be no me !”
Check out the song produced by Jesse Boykins III, Nate Bajar, MeLo-X, Aspene Taylor, and Matt Cody. The official music video was directed by Joshua Kissi, a celebrated Ghanaian-American photographer and filmmaker. It is approaching one million views (currently at 949,000), and his forthcoming album ‘Moolodic: Hotep Luxury’ is out today. It was executive produced by Jessie Boykins, art direction and cover art by Joshua Kissi, and mixed and mastered by Matt Cody.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAmSmQ5JBs0&h=315]
-
African artists likely to be nominated at the 68th GRAMMY AWARDS
Africa’s current wave of global dominance in music is reflected in the shortlist of artists likely to secure GRAMMY nominations today. The projected list includes acts that have challenged the definition of what it means to be an African artist, pushing the boundaries of their respective genres while expanding the global music and African music categories beyond conventional frameworks.
DAVIDO – ‘5IVE’ The Album (Best Global Music Album)
[media-credit name=”Davido/#5AliveTour” align=”alignnone” width=”169″]
[/media-credit]Davido anchors the list. The 5ive Album remains a benchmark in global album craft, striking a balance between Afrobeats/Nigerian culture and structure, Western-standard engineering, and crossover vocal control. It’s a logical Best Global Music Album contender.
DAVDO – “WITH YOU” featuring Omah Lay (Best African Music Performance)
[media-credit name=”Davido/5AliveTour” align=”none” width=”225″]
[/media-credit]Davido’s record “With You” positions him again in Best African Music Performance, a very strong contender for a nomination at the 68th Grammy Awards. The song ‘With You” samples Pa. Bright Chimeze’s “Because of English” and Stanley Nnorom’s “ARABANKO”, two original Nigerian heritage classics, spotlighting Davido’s ear for outstanding musical delivery. From the master record to the official video, the execution of this single earns Davido his place at the 68th Grammy Awards.
DAVIDO – “OFFA ME” featuring Victoria Monét (Best African Music Performance)
This is my personal favourite on the 5IVE album and also the first Davido collaboration designed as a deliberate GRAMMY crossover, merging Afrobeats pulse with R&B precision. The first video I ever saw, Davido getting geared up to bust moves like Michael Jackson, and as Africans, dance is the pulse of our living and our music; that’s why I see this song as a strong contender in today’s announcement.
TYLA & Wizkid – “Dynamite” (Best African Music Performance/Best Global Music Performance)
Rhythmic and intimate, its nomination potential for both Best Global Music Performance and Best African Music Performance reflects its dual-market viability; it’s structured for both African sonic syntax and Western placements, and since the collaborative efforts between music stars in South Africa and Nigeria, we have begun to see the impact of merging or crossing cultures, as the popular term goes.
I personally feel like TYLA & Wizkid should be able to snag a nod at the 68th Grammy Awards nomination.
Amaarae – “Black Star” (Best Global Music Album)
View this post on InstagramWhen I say music has to evolve, I’m talking about what Amaarae did on the Black Star project. It belongs in the Best Global Music Album discussion for its audacious experimentation. It redefines pan-African alternative pop through tonal layering, genre collapse, and a self-contained production language that ignores Western mimicry. She carries her home country, Ghana, on her back, signalling responsibility and representation.
Shallipopi & Burna Boy – “Laho II” (Best African Music Performance)
This song totally asserts the street-to-stage transition in Nigerian sound culture. Its potential nomination is driven by its rawness and feel-good vibe. Should Shallipopi get a nomination for this song, this would mark his first nomination/entry for the Grammy Awards.
Rema – “Is It a Crime” (Best African Music Performance)
Rema positions himself as an emotional technician. His control over pitch and melodic phrasing allows the record to occupy a crossover lane without loss of origin.
Coming off his nomination at the 67th Grammy Awards, Rema might snag a nod yet again this year.
Olamide – “Billionaires Club” featuring Wizkid & Darkoo (Best African Music Performance)
This would mark Olamide’s first Grammy nod, which is long over-due if you ask me.
Olamide has held down the Nigerian industry for decades and I would say he deserves his place in the Afrobeats Mount Rushmore. His newly released project ‘Olamide” reinforces his curatorial dominance. Both records demonstrate maturity in structure and tone, capturing the progression from local dominance to global readability.
Gunna – “Forever Be Mine” featuring Wizkid/ “WGFT” ft. Burna Boy (Best Melodic Rap Performance)
Gunna has been on a roll in 2025, and with the singles off his newly released project “The Last Wun”, he is a strong contender for Best Melodic Rap Performance entries. They fuse trap melodies and logic with African demeanour, which is a notable pattern in most African and Western collaborations.
There goes my top picks for this year’s nomination ceremony. Wishing all contenders good luck and congratulations to the nominees.
Disclaimer:
The following commentary reflects the personal opinions and professional analysis of Recording Academy member Manny King John. It does not represent, reflect, or imply any official position, endorsement, or viewpoint of the Recording Academy, its affiliates, or its voting bodies.
-
Watch Ty Dolla $ign’s dreamlike achromatic music video for ‘Wit It’ featuring Chlöe
At the beginning of R&B star entertainer Ty Dolla Sign’s video for ‘Wit It’ featuring fellow star singer-songwriter and producer Chlöe, there’s a symbolic narration detailing the meaning of the word “tycoon” and how “the world twisted it like all beautiful things”. Instead of leading lives of integrity as the rest of the world might hope, the elite groups of people mentioned seem to “carve laws to suit their sins and erase guilt with money thick as blood.”
As these men in suits see a magazine page featuring a faceless and topless woman, the Ye collaborator sits at their table. Is he one of them? You’ll have to watch the black-and-white treatment with random animals, champagne, firearms, and pole dancing to throw your vote in the bucket.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX1S1mn2vDA&h=315]
It isn’t quite at one million views yet, but we believe it will eventually cross that line. It was released two weeks ago.
-
Hoodrich Pablo Juan’s ‘First Day Out’ music video hits YouTube’s Music Trending Chart
Hoodrich Pablo Juan was released from prison on October 19, 2025, according to Wikipedia.
Six days ago, Atlanta-based star rapper Hoodrich Pablo Juan, who was signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 Eskimo and arrested in 2020 and sentenced to five years in prison connected to RICO charges, released a brand new video for his track ‘First Day Out’. It captures the moment he leaves the Georgia Department of Corrections as a free man, shops for new outfits and designer accessories, and counts thousands of dollars in cash in the back of a Maybach. Emitting his classic flow over a catchy trap beat produced by DJ Champ, he reminds us that he’s fly, handsome, and that he’s a player like (NBA) 2K, as he heads to the strip club. Aside from cameos made by Lil Baby and BlocBoy JB, the ‘Zambamafoo’ rapper shouts out to Young Scooter, who passed away on his 39th birthday, viewers get to see glimpses of Atlanta nightlife.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m06cS-Z-Xug&h=315]
The Seen Marcell-directed music video is currently #8 on YouTube’s Music Trending Chart, with over one million views and counting.
-
Ari Lennox’s ‘Under the Moon’ lyrics
Read the lyrics to Washington, DC singer-songwriter Ari Lennox’s record ‘Under the Moon’ in English.
[media-credit name=”Spotify” link=”https://open.spotify.com/album/5htwDF4DJFuae9rE5LDQiV?si=IWkOFgZLQH2Chy8Yk6d22A” width=640 align=”center”]
[/media-credit][Intro]
Shoo-wop, shoo-wop
Shoo-wop, shoo-wop[Verse 1]
Straight from a Hollywood scene, licked his teeth like I was a cuisine
He was sweet to a tea, begging me for a treat, oh
Felt a suspicious mystique, something’s giving me the creeps
Nah, I’m trippin’, I’m so smitten, now I’m drippin’, started kissin’[Chorus]
Under the moon with you
So majestic, fucking vicious
Like a werewolf when you’re in it
Under the moon, ah-ooh
I’m addicted (Ah), so horrific (Ah)
And you kill it (Kill), and you murder, oh[Verse 2]
Silver bullet through your bullshit
Ripping my clothes, hands on my throat
Know I should go, pulling me close
I don’t feel right, now he’s preyin’ on my life
Intuiton never misses
Shoulda listened, bad decisions[Chorus]
Under the moon with you
So majestic, fucking vicious
Like a werewolf when you’re in it
Under moon, ah-ooh
I’m addicted, so horrific
And you kill it, and you murder, oh[Bridge]
It’s so strange
It’s so, something isn’t right[Outro]
Sayin’, ah-ooh (Say it)
Sayin’, ah-ooh (Come on, y’all)
Sayin’, ah-ooh (Say it)
Sayin’, ah-ooh (Yeah)
Sayin’, ah-ooh
Fucking lyin’, ah-ooh
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh (Shoo-wop, shoo-wop)
It’s so clear, ah-ooh (Shoo-wop, shoo-wop)
Shoo-wop, shoo-wop
Shoo-wop, shoo-wop
-
Watch R&B star Ari Lennox and her man morph into beasts ‘Under the Moon’
Clever songwriting: Is Ari Lennox howling like a wolf through the chorus?
Four days ago, Ari Lennox shared the haunting visual for her latest single, ‘Under the Moon’. At the beginning of the storyline, the ‘Shea Butter Baby’ singer’s date places a strange order at a local restaurant. As Ari Lennox and her date sit at the table and wait for his order to arrive, the pair flirt and watch one another morph into what they are at the surface.
Watch the Erik Rojas-directed music video below to see the night play out for the young star in character.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSrlrUg3qtE&h=315]
-
Jorja Smith’s ‘The Way I Love’ lyrics
Read the lyrics to English singer-songwriter Jorja Smith’s new track ‘The Way I Love’ in English. It’s about acts of service.
[media-credit name=”Spotify” link=”https://open.spotify.com/track/2a1YoHUcoZeQMCDT5jIRMr?si=fc6769bd3c3b43b3″ width=640 align=”center”]
[/media-credit][Chorus]
I don’t wanna be without your love
I don’t wanna be without your trust
I don’t wanna leave before I tell you I’m the only one that loves you
How you gonna live without my love?
You don’t wanna see the end in us
Don’t you know that I could never love somebody else the way I love you?
No, no[Verse 1]
What do you see when you look at me?
How do you feel when you’re touching my body?
It’s not as deep as it’s meant to be
Where do we go from here?
What do you do when I’m outside?
How do you feel? Are you missing me, baby?
I know you don’t tell me everything (I, I)
But whеre do we go from herе? (I, I)[Pre-Chorus]
I don’t wanna be without your—
Way I love you, way I love you, love you
Way I love you, way I love you, love you
Way I love you, way I love you (My)
Way I love you, love you (My body)
Way I love you, way I love you, love you
Way I love you, way I love you, love you
Way I love you (My), way I love you (My, my)
Way I love you (My)[Chorus]
I don’t wanna be without your love
I don’t wanna be without your trust
I don’t wanna leave before I tell you I’m the only one that loves you
How you gonna live without my love?
You don’t wanna see the end in us
Don’t you know that I could never love somebody else the way I love you?[Verse 2]
Why’d you pretend you’re not into me?
We both know the truth, why we holding back, baby?
Is this as deep as it’s meant to be?
I don’t want to believe
I’m just as confused about you and me
We both said before we don’t want to be something
What a fantasy (I, I)
This love could set me free (I, I)[Chorus]
I don’t wanna be without your love
I don’t wanna be without your trust
I don’t wanna leave before I tell you I’m the only one that loves you (I, I)
How you gonna live without my love? (I, I)
You don’t wanna see the end in us
Don’t you know that I could never love somebody else the way I love you?[Outro]
I don’t wanna be without your—
Way I love you, way I love you, love you
Way I love you, way I love you, love you
Way I love you, way I love you (My)
Way I love you, love you (My body)
Way I love you, way I love you, love you
Way I love you, way I love you, love you
Way I love you, way I love you (My)
Way I love you
I don’t wanna be without your—
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbFpxsqjWfs&h=315]
-
English star Jorja Smith shares acoustic visual for ‘The Way I Love You’: Watch
“This love could set me free”
Two days ago, Walsall-native singer-songwriter Jorja Smith released the official acoustic music video for her latest record, ‘The Way I Love You’. With this heartfelt release, the Burna Boy collaborator takes time to sing about wanting to hold onto her partner’s love and trust, although she’s experienced confusion and a period when he behaved as if he didn’t like her. Within the musical composition, she wonders how he would continue to live without her love when she’s the only one who loves him, and he doesn’t want to see their relationship come to an end.
“What do you see when you look at me?
How do you feel when you’re touching my body?
It’s not as deep as it’s meant to be
Where do we go from here?
What do you do when I’m outside?
How do you feel? Are you missing me, baby?
I know you don’t tell me everything (I, I)
But whеre do we go from herе? (I, I)”Regardless, the pair seems to be on the brink of separation, so Smith asks the difficult questions with hopes of getting answers.
“Why’d you pretend you’re not into me?
We both know the truth, why we holding back, baby?
Is this as deep as it’s meant to be?
I don’t want to believe
I’m just as confused about you and me
We both said before we don’t want to be something
What a fantasy (I, I)
This love could set me free (I, I)”Watch the music video for the acoustic version above. It is produced by Ed Thomas, Maverick Sabre, and Shayk.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbFpxsqjWfs&h=315]
-
Spotify increases Premim fees in the United Kingdom, citing platform upgrades
[media-credit name=”Spotify Newsroom” width=1920 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]Spotify has announced a forthcoming hike in its Premium subscription fees for United Kingdom users, part of a broader global pricing adjustment set to roll out across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In the United Kingdom, existing subscribers will see the individual Premium plan increase from £11.99 to £12.99 per month starting in November.
Spotify claims that the change is intended to support ongoing product improvements and feature expansion. The company says that the student discount tier will remain unchanged at £5.99, and that subscribers will not be locked in—they can cancel at any time if they choose not to accept the new rate. In regions beyond the United Kingdom, Spotify will notify users via email about updates to pricing and what changes will apply to them.
This is not the first increase in recent years—the United Kingdom has already seen multiple £1 raises in its Premium pricing over successive years. Meanwhile, Spotify’s leadership suggests additional hikes could come as part of a “toolbox” approach to balancing revenue and investment. Alex Norström, Spotify’s business chief, has implied that price adjustments are now a built-in lever to help the company sustain growth and fund new innovations.
Industry observers note the risk that rising prices may trigger subscriber pushback or increased churn, especially in markets sensitive to cost pressures. But Spotify appears confident that the upgrades to its platform and feature set can justify the increases.
As Spotify continues to expand its reach and ambitions—aiming toward new markets and perhaps a billion paying users—its pricing strategy will likely remain a closely watched lever for balancing investor demands, consumer resistance, and the costs of innovation.