ReportWire

Tag: chance the rapper

  • One Musicfest Showcases the Women of Today’s R&B Sound

    [ad_1]

    Jai’Len Josey (above) during her One Music Fest performance on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2025. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    The landscape of R&B music is constantly changing, from the singing-in-the-rain type yearning to self-assured women owning their femininity. There’s a debate on whether real R&B is dead and gone, but as long as there is love, the genre will never cease to exist, even if it sounds a little different. R&B is in good hands, and the women at Saturday’s One Musicfest showcased that.

    The day started with UK girl group FLO, who, as a trio, have been bringing back the essence and power of girl groups. Renée, Jorja, and Stella can easily be compared to girl groups of the past, such as Destiny’s Child, and the influences are certainly there, but the girls have blended their own form of fun and sensual music. They commanded the stage with silky, cohesive harmonies and a synergy only seen from a group that had been friends first. They ran through hits from their EPs and debut studio album, such as “Immature,” Fly Girl,” “Walk Like This,” and their breakout debut single “Cardboard Box.” 

    British girl group FLO (above) during day one of One Music Fest 2025. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Atlanta native Jai’Len Josey has been steadily building a name for herself in the city she calls home, and it’s not hard with a voice as soulful as hers. With a unique texture and grit to her voice, she serenades whether it’s an intimate crowd like her set at OMF’s Toyota Stage or a concert venue. Josey opened up with a cover of “Need U Bad” by Jazmine Sullivan, her inflections mirroring those of the powerhouse songstress. Backed by Vibe Ktrl, Poetry on Peter’s resident band, she moved into her own songs, “Southern Delicacy,” “New Girl,” and “Willie’s Interlude,” the latter a dedication to her late grandfather. 

    Kehlani rounded out the new age R&B acts for the night. Her confident persona on stage was a testament to her longevity in the music industry, with over a decade of hits complemented by smooth vocals, effortless dance breaks, and a boldness that can’t be taught. Kehlani’s set was one filled with gratitude. The singer-songwriter acknowledged how, even a decade later, her career continues to grow in ways she never imagined, evident by her latest song “Folded,” which has taken over the charts and snared the hearts of listeners and R&B legends such as Brandy, Toni Braxton, and Tank. She began her set with a teaser of the song before moving into hits such as “The Way” featuring Chance the Rapper, “I Hate the Club,” “Can I,” “Nights Like This,” and “After Hours.” She ended the set with “Folded,” but it was more of a collaborative effort. The audience swayed, hugged, and waved their hands as they sang along to every word.  

    [ad_2]

    Laura Nwogu

    Source link

  • Houston Concert Watch 9/24: Jimmie Vaughan, Whiskey Myers and More

    [ad_1]

    We music geeks are, by and large, completists. Record companies know this, which is why, even in an era when physical media is becoming a thing of the past, they keep releasing “deluxe,” “expanded” or “complete” editions of classic rock albums.

    The formula is generally this.  Remix the album in question, add a disc or two of alternate versions of songs and maybe a few tunes that didn’t make the cut when the album was initially released, and find some live recordings (sometimes an entire concert) from the era. Throw in reproductions of ephemera (backstage passes, decals, maybe a poster) and perhaps a modest coffee table book, and you’ve got something that can be sold for a premium price. And that’s how you generate some cash flow from material that has already been bought and paid for.

    Do I sound skeptical or, at the very least, cynical? Of course I do. I’m a music writer. Or maybe my attitude has to do with having bought bootlegs that promise “revelatory” alternate takes and mixes which, in point of fact, offer little more than slight variations on what was actually released. But, having said that, there are some box set behemoths that are slated for release within the next few months that are, in fact, worthy of consideration.

    Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set (2 CD / 4 LP / 1 Blu-Ray)
    Jethro Tull – Still Living in the Past (5 CD / 1 Blu-Ray)
    Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska ’82 (4 CD / 1 Blu-Ray)
    Little Feat – The Last Record Album (4 CD)
    The Who – Who Are You? Super Deluxe Edition (7 CD / 1 Blu-Ray)
    Jimi Hendrix – Axis Bold as Love (4 CD)
    The Beatles – Anthology 2025 (8 CD)

    Ticket Alert
    Christmas music comes in all forms, so if your jam is of the singer-songwriter variety, you can load up the sleigh and head to the Heights Theater for Jack Ingram’s “Acoustic Holiday Tour.” Tickets for the Houston (Fine, Woodlands) native son’s show on Saturday, December 13, are on sale now.

    Cardi B has a new album (Am I the Drama?) coming out, and she is taking the unusual step of appearing at Walmarts across the country to pimp it during the record’s rollout. The Houston Walmart stop took place yesterday, but don’t despair if you missed it, since Ms. B will be perform at Toyota Center on Wednesday, March 3. Presales are in progress, with the general sale set for Thursday. Hmm. Makes you wonder. Is a ZZ Top promotional tour at Buc-ee’s across Texas in the offing?

    In the tradition of Prince, who for a time went by the moniker “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince,” Kanye West, who legally changed his name to “Ye,” and Sean Combs, who has been known as “Puffy,” “Puff Daddy,” “P. Diddy” and just “Diddy,” Machine Gun Kelly has decided that he will henceforth be known as MGK. OK. The musical chameleon will play the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Saturday, May 23, with Wiz Khalifa and Beauty School Dropout opening.  Tickets are on sale now.

    Concerts This Week
    Granted, there aren’t many original Temps or Tops remaining, but you can’t argue with the catalogs that both acts assembled during the ‘60s and ‘70s. The Temptations: “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” The Four Tops: “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” “It’s The Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” If that list doesn’t get your head to bobbing, well, I don’t know what to tell you. Get your groove on tonight at the Smart Financial Centre.
    Chance the Rapper is not your typical rap artist. Gospel and jazz influences pop up in his work, and his lyrics have dealt with subjects not usually addressed in rap, such as Christian theology. Chance will perform on Friday at the Bayou Music Center, and you can find out more by taking a look at this Houston Press interview.
    There are two shows of note this week at the Mucky Duck. On Friday, blues / Americana artist Seth Walker will be in town to showcase tunes from his most recent album Why the Worry. Then on Saturday, the West Texas Exiles will celebrate the release of their new record 8000 Days with early and late shows. For more on the Exiles, check out this week’s Houston Press interview with the band.. Tickets for all performances are in short supply, so getting while the getting is good would be the recommendation.
    Charlie Wilson earned his bona fides as the lead singer of the Gap Band for the entirety of the group’s existence, 1967-2010. Wilson has also distinguished himself as a solo artist and a producer. On Friday, Wilson will bring “Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout” to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, presenting a bill that also includes venerable old-school artists Babyface and K-Ci (of Jodeci fame). Now, since this event is billed as a “cookout” and is designed to engender a “cookout” atmosphere, there will, I image, be a code of behavior that should be followed. This video might help those who have not yet been schooled. And this one, re: potato salad.
    Whiskey Myers and its “What We Were Born to Do” tour rolls into the Pavilion on Saturday. This band, the pride of Palestine, TX, has a country twang but still rocks hard when the need arises. Dexter and the Moonrocks, purveyors of what they call “western space grunge,” and Landon Smith will open.
    Jimmie Vaughan was, at one time, a wild-ass teenaged guitarist lighting it up with the Chessmen in the mid-‘60s and making a name for himself as one of the best players in Texas. After a few years, though, Vaughan looked to the past, refining his style and wholly embracing the blues. He formed the Fabulous Thunderbirds with Kim Wilson and recorded classic albums like What’s the Word? (1980) before departing the band to explore less commercial but more authentic musical pastures. Vaughan and his Tilt-a-Whirl band will play the Heights Theater on Sunday, conducting a master class in the blues, with Houston’s own rising star Mathias Lattin opening.

    [ad_2]

    Tom Richards

    Source link

  • Houston Gets First Look at Chance the Rapper’s Star Line Tour

    [ad_1]

    Chance the Rapper spoke with the Houston Press ahead of his return to the city, where he will open his And We Back Tour at Bayou Music Center on Friday, September 26. The tour comes on the heels of Star Line, his first full studio album since 2019’s The Big Day, and Houston will be the first city to experience his newest body of work live.

    “I’ve always considered myself more of a performance artist than a recording artist,” Chance said. “My favorite thing in the world is performing. When you get on stage, you can emphasize the parts that need to be emphasized, and you can dynamically shift. I feel like an orator when I’m up there.”

    That sense of theatricality is what excites him most about performing new songs from Star Line. Tracks like “Letters” and “Drapetomania” have already taken shape in rehearsals, but the opener, Star Line Intro, carries extra weight. In our interview, Chance revealed something he hadn’t told anyone before: the track originally featured a Jackson 5 sample that had to be cut at the last minute. “We couldn’t clear it at the very last moment, like two weeks before the album came out,” he said. “I was worried at first, but now it’s one of my favorite hooks on the project. People really love it, and I can’t wait to feel those drums and hear those words reverberated back on stage.”

    For Houston fans, this show is more than a debut. It’s also the first time Chance has performed in the city since his RodeoHouston appearance in March 2020, when he turned the cavernous NRG Stadium into something closer to a revival meeting. That night’s surprisingly emotional set, filled with both gospel energy and Chicago grit, left a lasting impression on the thousands in attendance.

    Now, five years later, Chance is bringing his words, energy, and new vision back to Houston. “Houston is one of my favorite cities to perform,” he said. “Starting the tour here is going to make everything real. It’s almost been ten years since I took all new works and went out on the road, and this makes it all come full circle.”

    The And We Back Tour will travel through 15 cities across the U.S. and Canada, but Houston gets the first look. Expect a set that blends the fresh material of Star Line with beloved tracks from Coloring Book and Acid Rap, all delivered with the fire of a performer eager to reconnect with his fans.

    Tickets for the September 26 show at Bayou Music Center are available now through Live Nation.

    [ad_2]

    DeVaughn Douglas

    Source link

  • Chance the Rapper speaks out against ICE on his second full-length

    [ad_1]

    Chance the Rapper’s second studio album, “Star Line,” just dropped, his first since 2019. The artist is using his platform to voice his feelings about ICE and Trump’s continued escalation of immigration raids…

    [ad_2]

    Amy Young

    Source link

  • The Iconic Brasstracks On His New Single “Indigo”

    The Iconic Brasstracks On His New Single “Indigo”

    [ad_1]

    One thing about Brasstracks is that he can make a collaboration with just about anyone and it’s a guaranteed hit. But you don’t really need me to tell you that, ask his Grammy awards for songs like Chance The Rapper’s “No Problems” or Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar.” He’s collabed with big names across all genres like Anderson .Paak, Khalid, and Mac Miller, and his recent singles are no exception.

    Brasstracks came back with yet another hit in “Anesthesia” with the ever-talented Mandy Lee of Misterwives for a fast-paced, hard-hitting single that gets you up and moving. He followed it up with “Indigo”, which features the smooth vocals of Adelaide James and also reveals the name of his album. “Indigo” is the perfect representation of Brasstracks’ album: complementary beats paired with talented vocalists, hard sounds and soft words.

    “Indigo” is about something we can all relate to: being a night owl and its consequences. It has all the makings of a hit: lyrics that make you want to scream along, a catchy back beat, and a signature Brasstracks feel. You can listen to the single here:

    Brasstracks has already had a noteworthy, iconic career helping others create hits…but his own music is equally worth the hype. He sat down with Popdust to talk about those collaborations, his new album, and more! Check it out below.

    PD: Congratulations on your new single, “Indigo”, do you have a favorite memory making this track?

    Thank you!!! Yes I do – I remember the moment that we decided to make the chorus sound pitched up, or “chipmunk-esque” to some. After writing the chorus, we slowed the song down a whole bunch and also pitched it all down. We recorded the vocals at this new key and tempo, and it felt like we were swimming through molasses. We had our fingers crossed the entire time, hoping that when we brought it back to the original key and tempo it would sound like what we wanted, and to our surprise, it sounded better than anything we could have imagined. I think I settled on the album name being “Indigo” just a couple days later.

    PD: “Indigo” is about not being a morning person and that edgy feeling you get when you wake up. How does this song set the tone for the rest of your album?

    It goes a bit deeper than that- it’s about being a habitually nocturnal person deeply interested in someone who is maybe a bit socially healthier than you. The twist is, that person hates their life as a “socially healthy” person and would rather spend their time with you. It’s definitely a “fuck mornings” anthem, but it also touches on some of that “the grass is greener on the other side” energy- which pops back up in other records like Anesthesia, Knee Deep, I’m Only Me, Nobody’s Fool. There are a lot of themes of jealousy through the whole album.

    PD: What was it like working with Misterwives’ Mandy Lee for “Anesthesia?”

    A dream. I went to high school with Mandy, and we were friendly but not close. We were in a songwriting class together- generally I was slacking off noodling on instruments while Mandy was seriously presenting full songs to the class every week. Total badass. We reconnected in 2017 playing on the same bill, and man it was so nice to see her. Her energy is infectious, and we exchanged info and just stayed in touch. Both of us went through some rocky label situations a few years ago, and she felt like a lifeline. When I had the idea for “Anesthesia” I hit her up expeditiously, and she breathed some of that infectious energy into the song. We’re big fans of each other, and we want each other to win big time. If music was a gambling game (it often is) I’d put all my money on Mandy and Misterwives.

    PD: This certainly isn’t your first collaboration. You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the industry like Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson, Mac Miller, and BTS. Does your writing process change depending on who you’re collaborating with?

    Yes and no. Gotta be clear here – I haven’t been lucky enough to “write write” with a lot of these folks yet. I think a big part of my strength comes from being not just a producer and multi instrumentalist, but being a songwriter… I’m just coming into my own now though. It’s taken me years. But I’ve helped on records with all of these folks, and it comes down to making the best record possible in the moment. Putting your ego aside is tough but it has to be done, especially if you’re contributing as a horn player. Working for any of the above listed, it was always important to be a good listener, and if they said they wanted a certain style or era of playing or producing, I was all ears. I’ve studied a lot of different kinds of music, so shifting gears is kind of part of my process. So I’m pivoting based off of who I’m working for, but that is a general part of my process…. I don’t know, complicated question!

    PD: You’ve won Grammy’s for working on “No Problems” with Chance The Rapper and “Watermelon Sugar” with Harry Styles, which were easily the biggest songs of their respective year…can you talk about working with those artists a little bit and how it felt creating those tracks?

    Chance The Rapper is one of the most talented artists of this generation, easily. I watched him damn near freestyle the hook to “No Problem”. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing – that was early in my career. Harry Styles is obviously stupidly talented, and filled to the brim with charisma. My favorite thing about Harry is how he treated me and my friends when I met him. We were playing with Harry on SNL the night Watermelon Sugar came out. Before the show, he came up to our dressing room and spent a bit of time thanking me and my horn players for being there, which was unheard of in itself – but the man INTRODUCED himself to us, like we didn’t know exactly who he was!! He’s a different kind of humble, a different brand of kind. I’ll never forget how he treated us. Meant the world to me and my friends.

    PD: You’re now ready to release your second album, how will this feel different from any of the collaborations you’ve done? And how did it feel different from the process of the first?

    This is the first time I’ve been able to let off an album that conceptually makes sense to me. Everything else has been compilations of songs pretty much. No real concept, just good songs put on a project. Being able to talk about different angle of one concept over the course of 12 tracks is a crazy feeling. I’m stupidly proud of this one. And I feel like I’ve shed some skin- a version of myself that I wasn’t in love with. Releasing this one is important to me to grow as a human.

    PD: What are your favorite tracks off the album and why?

    That’s a tough question. I love every song. I’m excited for folks to hear the most unexpected things from me – I’m Only Me, Tragedy, Knee Deep all come to mind. I’m also excited to display some of the best songwriting that’s ever been attached to Brasstracks- Home Improvement, Cowboy, Nobody’s Fool…. All of them are special!! Rothstein put me on the path of “Make the SONGS good, not just the productions” and I really feel like I’m on that wave now. I take it with me everywhere I go. Indigo is the first time I said “fuck it, I’m making a pop banger” and Addy (Adelaide James) was right there by my side ready to do this thing with me. Good Morning, NY is special because my best friends from high school are doing the skits for it, Matt and Darryl. They’ve been my rocks for 17 years. I’m really proud of all of these records, and I’ve bonded more with every single feature on here because of what we did together. I can’t say the same for a lot of the songs I’ve made in the past. I cherish this one.

    PD: What’s next for you this year? Any tours coming?

    I’m not allowed to talk about it just yet, but we have a couple fun things coming up. In the meantime, I’ll just be promoting the SHIT out of these records, because creating the music is only half the battle. I’m thankful to have people listening to the music I’m putting out and I will never, ever, ever take it for granted.

    [ad_2]

    Jai Phillips

    Source link

  • Snakehips and Tkay Maidza Team Up For “Show Me The Money” In Back-To-Back Interview

    Snakehips and Tkay Maidza Team Up For “Show Me The Money” In Back-To-Back Interview

    [ad_1]

    Sometimes, two music geniuses get together to create a track and it just works. That’s exactly what happened when Snakehips and Tkay Maidza teamed up for “Show Me The Money.” Pair Snakehips’ ability to make the catchiest beat ever with Tkay Maidza’s insane vocal talent and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a hit track.

    Snakehips made an instant splash into the music industry with their record “All My Friends (feat. Tinashe + Chance The Rapper),” and followed up with the equally earth-shattering “Cruel (feat. ZAYN).” Since then, they’ve been collaborating successfully with MØ, Joey Bada$, and for their new album never worry, there are vocals from the likes of Tinashe and Bryce Vine.

    Tkay Maidza is a rising star in the R&B and Hip-Hop world, melting genres into one while also making a name for herself in dance and electronic music. She’s gone on tour sharing her vocals with pop icons Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, but she’s also a threat in the fashion industry. Tkay has been the face of YSL Beauty and has collabed with some of the biggest brands in the world including Nike and Coca-Cola.

    So, as you can see this collaboration just makes sense. “Show Me The Money” is a great track to add to your everyday playlist this summer. You can listen to the track here:

    Exclusively with Popdust, Snakehips and Tkay Maidza did a back-to-back interview to talk about their new single.

    Snakehips

    You’ve made many hit singles like “All My Friends” (feat. Tinashe and Chance The Rapper) and “Cruel” (feat. ZAYN) and now “Show Me The Money” with Tkay. What’s the writing process like for your collaborations, especially for this new single?

    Yeah, we’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing artists over the years. When it comes to collaborations, we always start by getting in the studio with the artist and just having a chat. We like to get to know them, their style, and what they’re feeling at the moment. From there, we’ll usually start jamming and coming up with some ideas. For “Show Me The Money” with Tkay, it was a really fun and organic process. We just bounced ideas back and forth and landed on something we all loved.

    Speaking of collabs, your debut album, never worry, comes out in April and features names like BIA, Bryce Vine, and Duckwrth. What’s it like working with so many different genres of artists?

    It’s been an incredible experience working with all these different artists from different genres. We’re always looking for new sounds and new ways to push ourselves creatively, and working with artists from different genres really helps with that. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking at first because you never know how it’s going to turn out, but we’ve been really happy with the results so far.

    What can fans expect from this new album?

    We’re really excited for fans to hear this album. We’ve been working on it for a while and we’re really proud of how it’s turned out. There are a lot of different styles and sounds on the album, but it’s all very much Snakehips. We’ve got some upbeat tracks that we think people are going to love, but we’ve also got some more laid-back tracks that we think will surprise people. Overall, it’s a really fun and energetic album that we can’t wait for people to hear.

    How does “Show Me The Money” represent the rest of your album?

    “Show Me The Money” is definitely a good representation of the album as a whole. It’s upbeat, it’s fun, and it’s got that classic Snakehips sound.

    You’re looking forward to touring your new album – what’s your favorite part about going on tour?

    There are so many things we love about touring. Obviously, getting to perform in front of fans and seeing their reactions is amazing. But we also love getting to travel and see new places. We’ve been fortunate enough to tour all over the world, and it’s always an adventure. And of course, we love meeting new people and seeing new places. It’s really cool to see how our music has touched people’s lives, and we’re grateful for every opportunity we have to connect with our fans.

    Tkay Maidza:

    What was it like working with Snakehips for this song?

    It was great! I had the vocals already done and we were trying to figure out how we could collaborate and what ideas we both had for each other and they loved it! We went in together to tighten up the vocals and it was wrapped up so quickly. They’re so lovely so it felt like friends hanging.

    What was your favorite memory of making the track?

    I think my fave moments in sessions are when you know everyone in the room is happy and thinking “this bangs.” I’m usually dancing and being silly at that point.

    You’ve toured with some of the biggest names in the pop world like Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish, as well as sold-out headline tours. What’s your favorite part about performing live?

    Being able to experience the real energy of the song and how it hits other people the adrenaline is like no other!

    You’re one of the faces of YSL and collabed with brands like Nike and Stella McCartney. What’s your favorite way to incorporate fashion into your music career?

    I think what matters most to me is if it feels authentic to me – it’s really cool that I’m able to transform into so many different versions of myself. It’s been really cool to do high fashion and move into sports and activewear – they’re both equally important to me. Super grateful!

    What can your fans expect for the rest of 2023 from you?

    Album time! So many collaborations and a lot of new music – I’m really excited. The Snakehips track was just the beginning.

    [ad_2]

    Jai Phillips

    Source link

  • Martin Short Blows Away Chance The Rapper With Simple Act Of Kindness

    Martin Short Blows Away Chance The Rapper With Simple Act Of Kindness

    [ad_1]

    Chance The Rapper had a chance encounter with Martin Short that surely made him a lifetime fan of the actor.

    The meeting of the two entertainment titans didn’t take place on a film set or at an industry event, but on an airplane when the rapper was traveling with his 7-year-old daughter, Kensli.

    Chance noticed that his and his daughter’s seats weren’t together, but he didn’t want to “inconvenience anyone by asking them to swap seats.”

    However, before he could say anything to his fellow passengers, a man that the rapper described as a “kind older gentleman” offered his seat to Kensli so the dad and daughter could sit together.

    Some people might be surprised just to receive a random act of kindness, but the rapper was most shocked by the person who was offering to swap seats: the “Only Murders in the Building” star.

    “We both said thank you and as he stands up, I realize it’s THE Martin Short!! So cool and Kensli freaked out cause she’s obsessed with The Santa Clause 3. What an awesome person!” Chance tweeted.

    Although a fan asked Chance if Short recognized him as a fellow celebrity, the musician didn’t think that was the case.

    “Definitely not, which made it way cooler. He just a nice dude ig,” the rapper tweeted.

    Other celebs were a little star-struck by Chance’s chance encounter.

    And some people weren’t surprised by Short’s kindness to a young parent since he is, after all, Canadian.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Going Deep with Joey Purp

    Going Deep with Joey Purp

    [ad_1]

    As part of the Chicago collective Savemoney, Joey Purp has aligned himself with longtime friends like Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa. He’s established his own identity as an MC who can quickly shift styles. His lyrics can be playful and fun, but also sharp and aggressive. His affinity for classic soul samples is reminiscent of fellow Chicagoan Kanye West.

    It’s been four years since his breakthrough debut album QUARTERTHING. Will we get the followup soon? So far in 2022, he’s released an album with Kami, and he promises new solo music in the near future.

    Jordan Edwards and Demi Ramos talked to Joey about upcoming new music, his favorite artists, and collaborating with Kami and Chance the Rapper. Watch the interview below.


    Joey Purp | It’s Real with Jordan and Demi

    www.youtube.com

    [ad_2]

    Staff

    Source link