Your cart is currently empty!
Author: grungecake
-
Hear Dominican-American musician Twin Shadow’s latest single ‘Awkward Backward’
“I could make mountains from jealousy”
[media-credit name=”Instagram” link=”https://www.instagram.com/p/DN1AMsZ3iBD/?img_index=1″ width=1440 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]Today, Dominican-American musician Twin Shadow shared the second track, ‘Awkward Backward’, from his forthcoming album ‘Cadet’. For the song, the gifted music-making actor sings about feeling lost, navigating through heartbreak, and what appears to be a relationship that has given him more confusion than clarity. Aside from the complexities tied to his deep emotions, the song is an incredibly endearing one that most people could relate to and potentially enjoy because it was well-made.
About the self-produced track, Twin Shadow explains,
““Awkward Backward’ is a song about insecurities—about always needing to be the first to figure out what’s going on in a relationship, to predict who’s going to jump ship first. It’s about dodging bullets and trying to get the upper hand, all in the name of protecting your own ego. But beneath that defensiveness lies an admission: these are my shortcomings. The song is a confession and an invitation to go deeper, to ask if maybe it’s finally time to stop running and truly connect.”
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUiIiGpMAko&h=315]
-
Afrobeats royalty Kizz Daniel makes his case in ‘To Be a Man’: Watch the lyric video
“She won’t stop pushing until she see my cadaver”
[media-credit name=”Notjustok” link=”https://notjustok.com/songs/kizz-daniel-to-be-a-man” width=1125 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]Last week, Nigerian musical legend Kizz Daniel released a new single called ‘To Be a Man’, along with a simple yet striking official lyric video. In the picture, the Afrobeats pioneer, hailing from Ogun State, sings and poses an important question to his partner: Quality time or a Gucci bag?, as a direct response to him being overworked as a provider (”I work hard, 16 hours in a day/No time off, no holiday”). And if you thought that lyric was thought-provoking, he doubled down on the next couple of lines: “Omo, if e easy to be a man/Take my shoes and go crazy”.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRr-5bhkUlM&h=315]
If you’re an entrepreneur or a man with great responsibilities and the weight of mountains sitting on your skull, you may have an appreciation for this song more than I could. Check it the well-made track above and learn the lyrics so we all can sing together at his concerts.
-
Watch Houston rapper Monaleo’s kickback visual for ‘Putting Ya Dine’
Her flow sounds a little different than her previous releases.
Last week, Houston’s rising star Monaleo released the official music video to her new song, ‘Putting Ya Dine’. As the rapper tells her truth and explains why she believes her competitors or fellow rappers cannot get deals, she’s joined by friends and her boyfriend, Stunna 4 Vegas, who’s also DaBaby’s Billion Dollar Baby artist, in what one could simply describe as a chill kickback setting. Watch the music video below to see her rapping with new shiny gold teeth in her mouth.
[media-credit name=”X” link=”https://x.com/themonaleo/status/1961846209628287140?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet” width=1366 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgPj14GtKJc&h=315]
-
Ciara and Diamond Platnumz ignite the dancefloor for ‘Low’: Watch the visual
“When you be holding me, something comes over me”
Two days ago, American Pop-R&B superstar Ciara released the official music video for her new single featuring Tanzanian music legend Diamond Platnumz. Entering the club wearing a fluffy black-and-white fur coat, she immediately heads to the dancefloor to sing about her partner taking control during their moments of intimacy. For his verse, the Bongo Flava icon croons about her body driving him crazy and craving her presence. Leading up to its release, the ‘Level Up’ singer, which is now platinum, teased the record for weeks alongside her latest album ‘CiCi’. Now, the colourful visual is available for consumption.
Without further ado, check out the music video for ‘Low’ to see how the accomplished, award-winning megastars dance side by side to the infectious Afro sounds produced by Ebenezer and Blaq Tuxedo.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBdAQaV1oQo&h=315]
In July, Ciara officially became a citizen of Benin, where her West African roots derive, through a new law offering citizenship to descendants of enslaved Africans. Based on what I’ve researched, the movement is called the Blaxit movement—”a social movement that promotes the repatriation of Black people from the United States and Europe to Africa. The term now includes all people of African heritage who desire to move to Africa for many reasons, including new economic growth opportunities and cultural reasons.”
-
Ye’s Instagram hacked amid launch of new meme coin
On August 26, 2025, Ye—formerly known as Kanye West—alerted his 33.1 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) that his Instagram account had been compromised. The artist warned that hackers had manipulated his account to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency, whilst he shared the genuine details of his new Solana-based meme coin, “YZY MONEY”.
Ye clarified to fans: “My Instagram has been hacked and it’s following a fake coin. The official project is @YZY_MNY.” He emphasised the authenticity of the project by furnishing the correct Solana contract address.
This marks Ye’s first legitimate venture into cryptocurrency using his own name and likeness—a notable shift from past involvement. Back in 2014, he famously sued the creators of “Coinye West”, an unauthorised meme coin that had co-opted his likeness. Earlier this year, he shared that he had declined a two million offer to endorse a faux cryptocurrency scheme that would involve claiming a hacked account shortly after promotion.
Despite an impressive debut of nearly three billion in fully diluted value, YZY MONEY experienced a steep 81% decline in market value, resulting in substantial losses for some investors.
Fortunately, Ye appears to have regained control of his Instagram. The suspicious account promoting the fake token no longer appears among his followers, and the illicit posts have been removed.
-
Rihanna teases special release ahead of ‘Music of the Sun’ 20-year milestone
[media-credit name=”Instagram” link=”https://www.instagram.com/p/C_EyREht1BS/?img_index=5″ width=1440 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]On August 27, 2025, Rihanna sparked a wave of excitement by updating her social media profiles across X and Instagram. Her longtime profile picture was replaced, and the banner now showcases the titles of all her studio albums, signalling something big is on the horizon.
Roc Nation, her label, further fuelled speculation with a shareable video plastered with the names of her albums and a link teasing new merchandise. The merch is set to drop this Friday, in honour of the 20th anniversary of her debut album, ‘Music of the Sun’.
It’s been nearly a decade since Rihanna released her critically-acclaimed eighth album, ‘ANTI’. Whilst she’s made sporadic musical appearances—most recently contributing songs to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and a Smurfs movie soundtrack—fans have eagerly awaited new studio material. Rihanna has also been balancing her artistic pursuits with flourishing entrepreneurial ventures. Her Fenty brand—including fashion, beauty, and hair products—has elevated her to billionaire status. On the personal front, she and partner A$AP Rocky are expecting their third child.
Amid all this, Rihanna has been quietly working on her ninth studio album. She recently shared during a red carpet interview at the Fenty Hair launch that she’s returning to the studio with renewed energy. Reflecting on her creative process, she said:
“I’ve been working on the album for so long… now I’m prepared. So I’m gonna start over… see what I’m still in love with.”
Whilst the merch drop is a confirmed celebration, fans are hoping this moment might also mark the beginning of a new musical chapter. Rihanna’s twenty-year milestone could well be the perfect launching point for her next era.
-
Missy Elliott’s lawyer breaks silence on songwriting lawsuit settlement
[media-credit name=”Derek Blanks” link=”https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/missy-elliott-honored-national-museum-african-american-music-1234757140″ width=910 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]Hip-Hop icon Missy Elliott has officially settled her protracted legal battle with music producer Terry Williams—just moments before jury selection began in a Philadelphia federal courtroom on August 22, 2025.
Williams, who initially sued Elliott in 2018, claimed he had co-written four songs on Sista’s 1994 album ‘4 All the Sistas Around da World’ but was omitted from the songwriting credits. He also attempted to claim credit on Aaliyah’s 1996 single ‘Heartbroken’, but US District Judge Nitza I Quiñones Alejandro dismissed that allegation in August 2024, ruling it was barred by the statute of limitations.
Despite denials from both sides and anticipation of a courtroom showdown, Elliott’s attorney, Mike Trauben, confirmed that “no money was paid in connection with any of Terry Williams’ claims”, though a “small sum” was paid to acquire beats Williams created that Elliott ultimately used in her songs. Additionally, Elliott’s personal writings and music in Williams’ possession were returned to her upon settlement.
The lawsuit, which spanned nearly seven years, also named producer Timbaland and major record labels—Elektra, Atlantic, Warner Music Group, and Reservoir Media—but many of those claims were dismissed or stayed during the litigation.
By resolving the dispute just before the trial, Missy Elliott avoids a juried reckoning over her early career contributions and preserves her legacy as one of Hip-Hop’s most influential creatives.
-
Alana Rich chases “The Thrill” in bold, cinematic return
There’s a certain electricity in the air when Alana Rich sings, a concoction of nostalgia and forward momentum that feels like watching a classic film reel spliced with flashes of neon. With her latest single “The Thrill,” the rising pop innovator captures that exact sensation: the fleeting moment before everything changes.
[media-credit name=”Alana Rich” align=”aligncenter” width=”3211″]
[/media-credit]From its opening synths, “The Thrill” doesn’t just play, it pulses.
Co-produced by Justin Sprout, with Samantha Dang and Ken Tran, the track straddles genres with ease, marrying retro soul textures to sleek modern electronic edges. It’s a song built on tension: desire versus decision, risk versus reward, holding on versus letting go.
Coming off a GRAMMY nomination on Dr. Antonio Vergara’s project ‘The Fury’, who happens to be a friend of mine, Alana Rich is writing her next chapter with “The Thrill”, one that feels bigger, braver, and more cinematic than ever before.
View this post on Instagram“This song feels like the feeling right before everything changes,” Rich explains. “It’s nostalgic, a little dangerous, and a little euphoric, like the flicker of something just out of reach.”
-
Drake reigns supreme as Billboard’s top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Century
[media-credit name=”GQ” link=”https://www.gq.com/story/drake-certified-lover-boy-style” width=1080 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]Billboard has officially crowned Drake as the #1 R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the 21st Century, recognising his unrivalled impact on both Rap and R&B since his chart debut in 2009. Drake’s dominance is backed by numbers few artists in history can rival: Thirty #1 singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, 15 #1 albums, and 67 weeks atop the albums chart. On top of that, he holds the record for the most top-10 hits (135) and most total entries (355) on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. These figures not only underline his prolific output but also highlight a consistency that stretches across more than a decade.
What sets Drake apart is his ability to bridge genres. From introspective R&B ballads like ‘Marvins Room’ to arena-ready Rap anthems such as ‘God’s Plan’, he has blurred the lines between Hip-Hop and R&B in ways few before him managed. His versatility has made him a streaming powerhouse, shaping playlists, radio rotations, and global soundscapes.
Billboard’s list also reflects the broader landscape of modern music. Drake edged out titans such as Beyoncé (#2), The Weeknd (#3), Chris Brown (#4), Usher (#5), Lil Wayne (#6), JAY Z (#7), Rihanna (#8), Eminem (#9), and Alicia Keys (#10)—a mix of singers, rappers, and genre-shaping icons.
Beyond accolades, the milestone underscores Drake’s cultural influence. His collaborations have uplifted younger artists, he has set streaming records with nearly every release, and his sound continues to define a generation of Hip-Hop and R&B fans worldwide. In short, Drake isn’t just topping charts—he’s rewriting how success is measured in the 21st century.
-
Timbaland addresses Bryson Tiller’s claims, telling him to quit his job and allegedly ghosting him
[media-credit name=”Facebook” link=”https://www.facebook.com/Timbaland” width=554 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]Hip-Hop legend Timbaland has responded to Bryson Tiller’s recent remarks that the veteran producer encouraged him to quit his job—and then seemingly disappeared.
In an exclusive statement to The Shade Room, Timbaland acknowledged advising Tiller to leave his job, but firmly denied abandoning him. “Bryson is a great guy, and at that moment I remember me telling him he had to quit his job”, he said. He added that at the time, he was deeply preoccupied with another artist, Tink, as he wasn’t sure if Tiller was serious about pursuing a music career.
Timbaland praised Tiller’s talent, calling him “one of the illest writers and a talented guy that I know.” He explained that whilst his attention was focused on others, he still tried to position Tiller for success through his manager, Rich.
The Louisville, Kentucky, singer-songwriter didn’t even have his breakout hit ‘Don’t’ when Timbaland first met him—but, after leaving his job, Tiller reportedly created the song that would become his career-defining smash. “After he quit his job, he came up with ‘Don’t,’ and that was the biggest record of his career”, Timbaland said.
This response comes after Tiller recounted the episode on the New Rory & Mal podcast, which some media outlets later portrayed as implying Timbaland had strung him along. Tiller pushed back against that narrative, calling out “malicious media,” whilst Timbaland reaffirmed his high regard for Tiller, calling him “one of the best artists out there.”
In the end, Timbaland’s statement reflects a nuanced perspective: Whilst admitting to the initial push that led Tiller to take a leap of faith, he rejects the notion that he abandoned the budding artist.