Watch: New Beyoncé Levi’s Ad Pays Homage to ’80s Iconic Denim Spot

Beyoncé is once again rewriting the rules of style and sound — this time through a denim-clad remix of a Levi’s classic.

The global icon headlines a new commercial for the brand’s “Levii’s” campaign, a sleek, Americana infused homage to her country crossover era, “Cowboy Carter.” Directed by longtime collaborator Melina Matsoukas (“Queen & Slim”), the latest spot reimagines Levi’s iconic 1988 “Refrigerator” ad — but this time, Beyoncé is the center of gravity.

Clad in her custom “Levii’s” jean shorts, the superstar retrieves a denim shirt from the fridge while country artist Willie Jones — who also appears on “Cowboy Carter” — looks on. The spot’s soundtrack features her song “Levii’s Jeans,” a collaboration with Post Malone, weaving the campaign directly into the sound and style of Act II of her anticipated musical trilogy, which began with 2022’s “Renaissance.”

Filmed in late July at the chrome-plated Bendix Diner in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, the commercial marks Chapter 3 of Levi’s larger “Reiimagine” series. The spot is one of several Beyoncé-led reinterpretations of the brand’s most iconic ’80s and ’90s ads. Chapter 1, titled “Launderette,” was shot at a laundromat in Nutley, New Jersey, and flips the 1985 Nick Kamen Levi’s ad. Chapter 2, “Pool Hall,” features actor Timothy Olyphant and riffs on a 1991 favorite.

While Jersey locals might recognize the Bendix from its cameos in “The Many Saints of Newark” and other productions, the impact of Beyoncé’s “Levii’s” campaign is unmistakably global — rooted in legacy denim but refreshed with a distinctly Southern Black flair.

The campaign is one of several strategic moves tied to the launch of her “Cowboy Carter” era, which continues April 28 when her Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour kicks off with five dates in Los Angeles. Beyoncé will then bring the tour to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for five more shows later in May.

It’s the latest example of Beyoncé’s precision-crafted evolution — merging pop stardom, fashion innovation, and cultural storytelling in one sleek package.

The full “Reiimagine” campaign, including the new “Refrigerator” ad, is now streaming on Levi’s official channels.

Watch: Flo Milli Debuts New 'Never Lose Me' Verse in Soulful Tiny Desk Set

Screengrab: YouTube

Known for her sharp lyrics and distinctive style, rapper Flo Milli took her talents to NPR's Tiny Desk concert series recently, marking her first performance with a full band. The set, released earlier today, is part of NPR's Black Music Month celebration showcasing the talent and diversity of Black women in music.

The rising star from Mobile, Alabama, opened with an energetic medley of "Conceited" and "Bed Time," setting the stage for an engaging performance. Backed by Atlanta's Band of Brothers and her backing vocalists, the Floettes, Milli showcased her versatility, transitioning smoothly into a soulful rendition of her breakout hit "Beef FloMix." The song, a fan favorite from her 2020 debut mixtape "Ho, Why Is You Here?", proved its enduring appeal in this new arrangement.

The highlight of the set came at the end, when Milli and her band switched to acoustic instruments for a stripped-down version of her single "Never Lose Me." In a special treat for the audience, she debuted a brand new verse exclusive to the Tiny Desk performance.

Milli's Tiny Desk appearance is a significant milestone in her career, which has been on a steady rise since the release of "Ho, Why Is You Here?" She followed up her debut with "You Still Here, Ho?" in 2022 and "Fine Ho, Stay" in 2023, earning a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and critical acclaim, including recognition from Rolling Stone as "one of the most fun rappers alive."

This Tiny Desk concert, a celebrated platform for showcasing musical talent, underscores Flo Milli's growing influence in the music industry.

Watch the full performance below.

Watch: 'Lion King' Prequel Gets Trailer; Beyoncé's Daughter Blue Ivy Carter Cast

Photo Credit: Beyonce.com

The excitement surrounding the upcoming "Mufasa: The LionKing" prequel roared even louder with the release of its teaser trailer on Monday. The trailer itself fueled anticipation, but it was the star-studded cast that truly captivated audiences.

Directed by Barry Jenkins, the photorealistic-animated prequel features a returning cast of beloved characters. John Kani reprises his role as the wise Rafiki, while Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner return as the hilarious duo Pumbaa and Timon, respectively. Donald Glover steps back into the role of Simba, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter rejoins the cast as Nala.

However, it was the addition of another member of the Carter family that stole the show – Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé's 12-year-old daughter, makes her film debut by voicing Kiara, Simba and Nala's daughter.

Blue Ivy Carter: A Timeline

• **Jan. 7, 2012:** Blue Ivy Carter is born to Beyoncé and Jay-Z at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
• **Jan. 8, 2012:** Beyoncé and Jay-Z release a statement and photo welcoming Blue Ivy to the world.
• **Feb. 1, 2012:** Blue Ivy becomes the youngest person to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to a feature credit on her father's song "Glory."
• **2015:** Blue Ivy is credited as part of the choir on Coldplay's song "Up & Up."
• **2018:** Blue Ivy begins attending West Hollywood's The Center for Early Education.
• **2020:** Blue Ivy features on her mother's track "Brown Skin Girl," winning a Grammy Award as the youngest winner in a non-competitive category.
• **Nov. 2020:** Blue Ivy narrates Matthew A. Cherry's book "Hair Love," sparking speculation about future voice acting endeavors.
• **Jan. 21, 2023:** Blue Ivy joins her mother onstage for the first time, singing "Brown Skin Girl" at a private show in Dubai.
• **May 26, 2023 (present):** Blue Ivy joins her mother on the Renaissance World Tour as a dancer for "My Power" and "Black Parade."

The teaser offers a captivating glimpse into the film's narrative. Rafiki narrates the legendary tale of Mufasa to a young Kiara, voiced by Blue Ivy Carter. Flashbacks then reveal the origin story of Mufasa, portrayed as an orphaned cub who embarks on an extraordinary journey after encountering Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a sympathetic lion. Thandiwe Newton, Anika Noni Rose, and Keith David round out the cast, bringing life to key characters in Mufasa's life.

Blue Ivy's involvement in the film marks a significant milestone in her burgeoning career. Born into music royalty, she has already made waves in the industry, credited as a featured artist on her mother's hit song "Brown Skin Girl," which earned her accolades as the youngest winner of both a BET Award and an MTV Video Music Award.

Watch the trailer below.

Watch: Ne-Yo Brings Hits and New Song 'Two Million Secrets' to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert

R&B singer Ne-Yo brought his smooth vocals and songwriting talents to NPR's Tiny Desk concert series on Friday.

Ne-Yo launched into a four-song medley of his hits, including "Because of You," "So Sick," and "Sexy Love," before surprising fans with a new song, "Two Million Secrets." Ne-Yo described the new track as a "personal reflection" on growth and redemption.

He further showcased his songwriting prowess with covers of songs he wrote for Rihanna ("Take a Bow"), Beyoncé ("Irreplaceable"), and Mario ("Let Me Love You").

The intimate concert concluded with Ne-Yo's signature anthem "Miss Independent."

Born Shaffer Chimere Smith, Ne-Yo is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter with multiple platinum-selling albums. He remains a force in R&B, both with his own music and as a sought-after songwriter.

Watch the entire performance below.

'Lamest S*** I Ever Did': J. Cole Regrets Kendrick Diss

In a surprising turn of events, J. Cole expressed regret over his recent diss track aimed at Kendrick Lamar during his performance at the Dreamville Festival in North Carolina.

During his set on Sunday, Cole reflected on his latest project, "Might Delete Later," and openly admitted to feeling remorse regarding his diss towards Kendrick Lamar.

Acknowledging his own misstep, Cole described it as "the most regrettable, misguided s—t," expressing a desire for reconciliation. This revelation follows a recent feud ignited by songs on both Lamar's and Cole's latest projects.

This is my 9/11
pic.twitter.com/zjLF0XN7Rn

— Cole World (@JColeVillle) April 8, 2024

Cole placed the song last on his surprise new project "Might Delete Later," which dropped on April 5. On the track, he responded to Lamar's verse on Future and Metro Boomin's "Like That," where Lamar took shots at Drake and J. Cole for categorizing him as part of "the big three."

"I'm so proud of ['Might Delete Later'], except for one part," said Cole. "It's one part of that sh—t that makes me feel like, man, that's the lamest sh—t I did in my life, right? And I know this is not what a lot of people want to hear."

Continuing his reflection, Cole expressed feeling conflicted about publicly responding to Lamar's diss and the pressure to engage in the discourse it sparked. He admitted that releasing the diss track "spiritually felt bad" and disrupted his peace.

In a plea for forgiveness and reconciliation, Cole publicly addressed Lamar, acknowledging his greatness and expressing regret for his actions. He concluded by hoping to return to his true path and acknowledging the discomfort he felt over the past two days as a result of the feud.

Additionally, Cole announced his decision to remove "7 Minute Drill" from streaming services as a gesture of remorse for its content.

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"

Watch: Hip-Hop Legend Dr. Dre Immortalized on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Courtesy Photo

Dr. Dre, the iconic rapper, producer, and entrepreneur, was awarded the 2,775th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today. The ceremony took place in front of the Jimmy Kimmel Studios on Hollywood Boulevard.

Hosted by radio personality Big Boy, the event included speeches from fellow artists Eminem, Xzibit, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and music mogul Jimmy Iovine.

"I’d like to thank the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for finally deciding I deserve to be in the company of Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent. Who all got stars before me for some f—ing reason," remarked Dr. Dre, born Andre Romelle Young, to the crowd. "It’s all good, I’m finally here!"

Reflecting on his journey from Compton, Dr. Dre shared, "I never imagined a kid from Compton would stand here among my idols."

As a nine-time Grammy winner, co-founder of Death Row Records, and the visionary behind Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, Dr. Dre solidified his place in hip-hop history. His iconic 1992 solo album "The Chronic" achieved triple-platinum status.

"I want to thank all my fans for supporting me from day one. We've grown up together, and at 60, I appreciate you still rocking with me," Dr. Dre said. "And trust me, I'm far from done. There's much more to come."

Longtime collaborator Snoop Dogg praised Dr. Dre's influence: "There would be no Snoop without Dre. Together, we revolutionized the game, and our music has left an indelible mark on the world."

Dr. Dre's star is located on 6840 Hollywood Boulevard, adjacent to the star of his close friend, Snoop Dogg.

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Watch: Super Bowl Trailer Has Ludacris, Lil Jon Hunting for Usher in Vegas

Usher has dropped a star-studded new trailer for his Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show, igniting intrigue with a playful "Where's Usher?" theme. The seven-minute film, reminiscent of "The Hangover," follows a comedic quest through Las Vegas, led by Ludacris, Lil Jon and Taraji P. Henson as they search for the missing R&B icon.

Their journey takes them past iconic landmarks like Caesars Palace, where they encounter celebrities including Anderson .Paak, J Balvin, Wesley Snipes and the Blue Man Group. A surprise appearance by Andre 3000 as "Zoltar 3000" fuels speculation about potential collaborations during the live performance.

The trailer concludes with Usher performing for a bridal party at the Caesars Palace Fountain, showcasing his signature moves and hits like "Climax," "Nice & Slow" and "Bad Girl." The clip ends with Snipes comedically channeling Omarion's iconic dance moves to "Standing Next to You."

Usher's halftime show promises to be a monumental celebration of his 30-year career. With over 80 million records sold and hits like "8701" and "Confessions," his impact on the music industry is significant.

Anticipation is further heightened by the release of his ninth studio album, "Coming Home," two days before the Super Bowl. Presented by Apple Music as part of a multi-year partnership with the NFL and Roc Nation, the halftime show is expected to be a major draw for music fans worldwide. Super Bowl LVIII airs live on CBS February 11th.

Watch the trailer below.