Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Ciara To Headline Summer Tour

Even a total solar eclipse couldn't outshine the brilliance of Missy Elliott's latest announcement: her first-ever headlining tour, "Out of This World – The Missy Elliott Experience." The tour launches this summer across North America and will feature hip-hop heavyweights Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland.

“This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing so many milestone ‘firsts,’” Elliott said in a statement announcing the tour. “Being the first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and now going out on my first headline tour – fans have been asking me to tour forever, but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right. If I was ever going to do it, I had to do it big, and I had to do it with family! So get ready to be taken out of this world with me, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland!”

The 24-city tour kicks off July 4th at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, with stops in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Brooklyn, and more, before concluding in Rosemont, Illinois, at the Allstate Arena on August 22nd.

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News of the tour was shared in a sci-fi-themed video posted hours before Monday's total solar eclipse. The clip features Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and Ciara venturing outside a spaceship after accidentally landing on a strange planet.

The tour announcement follows Elliott's historic 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making her the first female rapper to receive this honor.

"Missy has always been an iconic groundbreaker," Mona Scott-Young, Elliott's longtime manager, added. "This headlining tour is another testament to her enduring impact and a long-awaited gift to her dedicated fans."

Out of This World — The Missy Elliott Experience tour dates
According to Monday's announcement, Elliott's tour will be stopping by the following locations:

Thursday, July 4 — Vancouver, British Columbia — Rogers Arena
Saturday, July 6 — Seattle — Climate Pledge Arena
Tuesday, July 9 — Oakland, California — Oakland Arena
Thursday, July 11 — Los Angeles — Crypto.com Arena
Saturday, July 13 — Las Vegas — T-Mobile Arena
Tuesday, July 16 — Denver — Ball Arena
Thursday, July 18 — Austin, Texas — Moody Center
Saturday, July 20 — Houston — Toyota Center
Sunday, July 21 — Fort Worth, Texas — Dickies Arena
Wednesday, July 24 — Tampa, Florida — Amalie Arena
Thursday, July 25 — Sunrise, Florida — Amerant Bank Arena
Saturday, July 27 — Atlanta — State Farm Arena
Thursday, Aug. 1 — Baltimore — CFG Bank Arena
Friday, Aug. 2 — Hampton, Virginia — Hampton Coliseum
Saturday, Aug. 3 — Belmont Park, New York — UBS Arena
Monday, Aug. 5 — Philadelphia — Wells Fargo Center
Thursday, Aug. 8 — Washington — Capital One Arena
Friday, Aug. 9 — Newark, New Jersey — Prudential Center
Saturday, Aug. 10 — Boston — TD Garden
Monday, Aug. 12 — Brooklyn, New York — Barclays Center
Thursday, Aug. 15 — Detroit — Little Caesars Arena
Saturday, Aug. 17 — Montreal — Bell Centre
Monday, Aug. 19 — Toronto — Scotiabank Arena
Thursday, Aug. 22 — Rosemont, Illinois — Allstate Arena

Watch: Big Sean Brings Hits, Heart to Tiny Desk Performance

Detroit rapper Big Sean took the virtual stage for his debut performance at NPR's Tiny Desk concert series. In a 26-minute set uploaded to NPR Music's YouTube channel on Wednesday, he captivated viewers with a 14-song performance accompanied by a small string quartet.

Sporting a Beastie Boys shirt and a Detroit Tigers cap in tribute to the late J Dilla, Big Sean's Tiny Desk debut held special meaning. He left his cap on the set as a keepsake, a tradition among Tiny Desk performers. "This is something my kids can look back on, something my family can look back on to see where I was at in my career," he shared.

The rapper kicked off with "Memories," the opening track from his sophomore album "Hall of Fame." He then showcased hits like "One Man Can Change the World," his Grammy-winning collaboration with Kanye West and John Legend. Pausing between tracks, Big Sean acknowledged fellow Detroiters in the audience and even debuted a new song dedicated to his partner, Jhené Aiko, and their son Noah.

Reflecting on his rise to success, Big Sean expressed gratitude for his fans, highlighting his journey as a "blog-era mixtape rapper" who built a fanbase organically. "To make it out of there, it wasn't easy... It really made me who I am," he remarked, highlighting the resilience and determination that propelled his career.

SET LIST
"Memories"
"Nothing Is Stopping You"
"Blessings"
"Play No Games"
"Light"
"My Last"
"Marvin & Chardonnay"
"All Me"
"Beware"
"I Know"
"Bounce Back"
"One Man Can Change the World"
"On Up" (unreleased?)
"I Don't F*** With You"

R&B Legends Headline Massive 'Queens of R&B' Concert Tour

The Queens of R&B Tour. Photo Credit: Derek Blanks with crowdMGMT

In a historic moment for R&B, powerhouse groups Xscape and SWV are teaming up for "The Queens of R&B Tour." They will be joined by fellow '90s hitmakers Mýa, Total and 702.

The tour was announced on Sherri Shepherd's talk show on Tuesday following a viral video depicting a playful therapy session between the groups. Produced by Monami Entertainment and Live Nation, the tour kicks off June 27 at the Toyota Pavilion in Concord. It will journey through 30 cities nationwide, including stops at Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

It’s official.!! SWV & XSCAPE summer tour!!! 🔥 my poor pockets! https://t.co/EHpDjTZuG7 pic.twitter.com/DsVpHICfjo

— ThereGoTerry (@ThereGoTerry) March 25, 2024

Fans may remember that Xscape (Kandi Burruss, Tameka "Tiny" Harris, Tamika Scott) and SWV (Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, Tamara "Taj" George, Leanne "Lelee" Lyons) attempted to organize this tour on their 2023 Bravo series, "SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B." Despite initial challenges, the groups have united to deliver what promises to be an unforgettable R&B concert event.

"To bring this HERstorical tour to life during Women's History Month is a dream come true," said Mona Scott-Young, CEO of Monami Entertainment. "This celebration of R&B royalty is going to be something special."

Tickets for "The Queens of R&B Tour" go on sale March 26.

Megan Thee Stallion Unveils 'Hot Girl Summer Tour' with Global Reach

Three-time Grammy Award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion today announced her highly anticipated global "Hot Girl Summer Tour," produced by Live Nation. The 31-city tour will feature special guest GloRilla, the Grammy-nominated artist behind hits like "Tomorrow 2 (feat Cardi B)" and "Yeah Glo!."

The tour will kick off on May 14 in Minneapolis, with stops in major U.S. cities including New York City, Los Angeles and Houston. It will wrap up its North American leg in Las Vegas on June 22. European dates include performances in Scotland, England, France, Germany and Ireland.

Tickets will be available through a Citi presale starting March 20, followed by additional presales. General on-sale begins March 22 at 10 AM local time.

The announcement comes on the heels of Megan's recent chart-topping success with her single "HISS," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February.

2024 HOT GIRL SUMMER WORLD TOUR DATES

North America

May 14 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center^

May 17 – Chicago, IL – United Center^

May 18 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena^

May 21 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden^

May 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center^

May 24 – Napa, CA – BottleRock Napa Valley Festival*

May 26 – Boston, MA – Boston Calling Festival*

May 28 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena^

May 30 – Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum^

Jun 1 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena^

Jun 4 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena^

June 6 – Hollywood, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino^

Jun 8 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena^

Jun 10 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center^

Jun 11 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center^

Jun 13 – Austin, TX – Moody Center^

Jun 14 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center^

Jun 16 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival*

Jun 17 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena^

Jun 19 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center^

Jun 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena^

Jun 22 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena^

Europe

Jul 4 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

Jul 5 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live

Jul 7 – Paris, FR – Zenith

Jul 10 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome

Jul 11 – Cologne, DE – Lanxess Arena

Jul 14 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena

Jul 16 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena

Jul 17 – London, UK – The O2

^With Support From GloRilla

*Festival Appearances

J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, SZA to Headline Dreamville Festival

J. Cole's Dreamville Festival returns to Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 6-7, with a lineup packed with music industry heavyweights.

R&B stars SZA and Chris Brown headline Saturday's performances, joined by Jeremih, Amaarae, Teezo Touchdown, J.I.D., ScHoolboy Q, Sexyy Red and others.

Sunday's lineup is just as exciting, with J. Cole and Nicki Minaj taking the stage as headliners. Festival-goers can also catch performances by Monica, Muni Long, Chase Shakur, Rema and Jeezy.

Dreamville Festival isn't just about the music. The event also features carnival rides, art installations, a variety of food vendors, and more, creating a weekend celebration of music and community.

This marks the fourth edition of Dreamville Festival, and tickets are selling fast. Limited general admission passes are still available for this two-day music extravaganza.

Full Lineup:

Saturday, April 6

SZA

Chris Brown

J.I.D.

Lil Yachty

ScHoolboy Q

Sexyy Red

Jeremih

EARTHGANG

Teezo Touchdown

Amaarae

Lute

Luh Tyler

Domani

Sunday, April 7

J. Cole

Nicki Minaj

Rema

Jeezy

Monica

Rae Sremmurd

Key Glock

Bas

Muni Long

Cozz

Omen

TiaCorine

Kid Cudi Announces 'Insano World Tour'

Kid Cudi, the Grammy Award-winning multiplatinum artist, producer, and actor, announced his "Insano World Tour" on Wednesday. The tour kicks off June 28th in Austin, TX, hitting 25 North American cities before extending to the UK and Europe in February 2025.

He will be joined by an impressive lineup of supporting acts: hip-hop legend Pusha T, multi-hyphenate Jaden Smith, and the dynamic duo EarthGang. The tour boasts stops in several major cities including New York, Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, concluding its North American leg on August 30th.

Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, March 15th at 10:00 a.m. local time. For more information on the lineup, tickets or tour dates click here.

The tour follows the release of Kid Cudi's ninth studio album, "Insano," which debuted in January 2024. The 21-track album includes collaborations with Travis Scott, Pharrell Williams, and others. 

Megan Thee Stallion Announces Tour and Album Amidst Feud and Doxxing

In a bold move, Megan Thee Stallion has announced a summer tour and album titled "Hot Girl Summer" on Tuesday, reclaiming the term associated with her and fellow rapper Nicki Minaj despite their recent public feud.

The tour and album signal a powerful revival of empowerment and self-love, harking back to the collaboration that Megan and Minaj once celebrated together. This revelation unfolds amidst a contentious back-and-forth between the two artists, turning what was once a celebrated partnership into a clash marked by subliminal disses and online confrontations.

Confidently declaring on "Good Morning America," Megan stated, "The Hot Girl Summer Tour is gonna be 2024 summertime." This announcement goes beyond a mere return to the stage; it's a bold assertion of ownership for Megan, reclaiming a phrase she helped popularize and infusing it with fresh energy after years of navigating industry dynamics and personal battles.

While specific tour details, including dates and locations, remain under wraps, fans can anticipate the ultimate "Megan Thee Stallion experience." Expect sweat-drenched anthems celebrating self-love and female empowerment, interwoven with fire beats to create an electrifying spectacle. Adding to the excitement, Megan teased a new album dropping before the tour, promising fresh bangers to soundtrack the season's liberation.

However, the impending summer's heat is shadowed by a chilling development. Minaj, once a collaborator and friend, has become an antagonist in this unfolding drama. According to TMZ, Paradise South Cemetery, where Megan's mother rests, is now under heightened security after Minaj's fans leaked its location online — an incident that adds another layer to the ongoing battle between the two artists.

Their collaboration began showing cracks in late 2019, coinciding with Megan's work with Cardi B, Minaj's longtime rival. Public appearances together dwindled, and social media interactions became less frequent. In August 2020, Minaj's tweet questioning the narrative surrounding Megan's shooting was interpreted by many as insensitive, sparking accusations of betrayal. Minaj later clarified her tweet as a general message about protecting women, but the damage was done.

Subliminal disses in both artists' music fueled further speculation about a rift, reaching new heights in January 2024 when Minaj made disrespectful comments about Megan's late mother on a streaming platform. This ignited a social media firestorm and led to the doxxing of Megan's mother's gravesite.

Despite the ongoing drama, both Megan and Nicki Minaj continue to be successful solo artists with dedicated fan bases and numerous accolades. As Megan gears up for her "Hot Girl Summer" reclamation tour and album, the unfolding personal conflict will undoubtedly be closely watched by the public eye.

Watch: From Geto Boys to Grandmaster, Scarface Reigns in Soulful Tiny Desk Concert

In the realm of hip-hop, Scarface, also known as Facemob and Brad Jordan, has etched his legacy as one of the genre's most influential storytellers. Monday on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert, the legendary emcee and producer delivered a 30-minute set that stands as a testament to a rap career spanning decades, defined from his time as a seminal member of Houston's Geto Boys to his stellar solo journey.

Anticipation for Scarface's Tiny Desk appearance crackled after DJ Cuzzin B, the series' producer, declared on X (formerly Twitter) last week, "Just watched an edit of Scarface's Tiny Desk. Yeah.... it's the best hip-hop Tiny Desk we've ever put out. A new crown holder.... Monday." The hype proved prescient.

I just watched an edit of Scarface's Tiny Desk. Yeah.... it's the best hip-hop tiny desk we've ever put out. A new crown holder.... Monday.

— DJ Cuzzin B (@DJCuzzinB) December 13, 2023

From introducing his backup band to the final song, Scarface took the audience on an intimate lyrical and musical journey, raw and unflinchingly honest yet undeniably entertaining.

"I don't know if you want to call me the DJ or the conductor of the railroad but my name is Facemob. We came here to jam for y'all tonight, this morning, whenever the f—k it is," Scarface shares, setting the tone for an intimate and powerful performance.

Mike Dean, grabbing the mic, interjects with humor, questioning, “You were high?” Scarface responds affirmatively, "That's going to be the basis of all our f—ing songs, man. I swear," before launching into the rap star's signature tune, "On My Block." The performance is gritty, soulful, and captures the essence of what has made Scarface's hip-hop career special.

The Tiny Desk concert offered a rare glimpse of Scarface not just as a seasoned emcee but as a conductor, navigating through multiple eras of his extensive catalog. Classics like "Mary Jane," "Smile," "Fk Faces," and the bone-chilling "I Seen a Man Die" all made the setlist.

Days before the show, Scarface added a surprise element by bringing in Dean, elevating the performance with unmatched authenticity and shared stories. This dynamic collaboration underscored the profound impact Dean's production has had on Scarface's classics and Rap-A-Lot records.

Scarface's influence extends beyond the stage, as evidenced by his recent recognition alongside Rakim with the inaugural Hip-Hop Grandmaster Award from the Paid in Full Foundation. This accolade, coupled with substantial financial and healthcare support, reaffirms Scarface's place as a pivotal figure in hip-hop history.
Watch the entire performance in the video below.

Set List:
"On My Block"
"Mary Jane"
"Smile"
"I Seen a Man Die"
"F**k Faces"
"Mind Playing Tricks on Me"

Musicians:
Scarface: Lead vocals, guitar
Mike Dean: Keys
Steven "Spud" Howard: Vocals
Takai "Cookie" Hicks: Vocals
Peigh Jones: Vocals, guitar
Corey "FunkaFingers" Stoot: Guitar
Josh Henderson: Keys
Jason "The Bishop" Allen: Keys
Savar Martin: Drums
Anthony "Antboogie" Nicholson: Bass, musical direction