Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Hip-Hop's Golden Night: Diddy, Taylor, and Megan Drama Highlight 2023 VMAs

 Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV
In a star-studded spectacle at Newark's Prudential Center in New Jersey on Tuesday night, the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards showcased unforgettable performances, jaw-dropping wins and appearances by some of music's biggest stars.

Hosted by rap legend Nicki Minaj, the event also celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop while recognizing outstanding achievements in music videos.

One of the most anticipated moments of the night was the return of two legends: Shakira and Sean "Diddy" Combs. Shakira received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, while Diddy was honored with the Global Icon Award.

Both delivered memorable performances, but it was the Bad Boy CEO, who was presented the honor by his daughter Chance Combs, that swept the audience into a wave of nostalgia.

Taking the stage with boundless energy, the music mogul, joined by his son King Combs in a special father-son moment and several surprise guests, treated the audience to a thrilling medley of his greatest hits. The performance opened with the iconic "I'll Be Missing You," a poignant tribute to the late Notorious B.I.G. This heartfelt homage was followed by the infectious "Bad Boys For Life," infusing the atmosphere with an electric vibe.

Megan Thee Stallion and Olivia Rodrigo also graced the stage, admirably representing the next generation of music stars. However, the evening's standout was undoubtedly Taylor Swift, who earned an impressive 11 nominations and eventually claimed the prestigious Video of the Year award for her hit "Anti-Hero."

Yet, the true heart of the 2023 VMAs lay in its celebration of hip-hop. The iconic "Hip-Hop Royalty" performance took fans on a journey through the genre's evolution, from its roots with Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five to the modern era with Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. The tribute underscored hip-hop's profound impact on the music industry over the past half-century.

The event did not shy away from recognizing rising talents in the genre, with artists like GloRilla, Ice Spice and Kaliii making appearances, signaling a promising future for hip-hop.


Nonetheless, the ceremony was not without its share of surprises and drama. Backstage, a momentary exchange between Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake piqued curiosity. While it appeared as if they were in disagreement, later sources clarified that it was a friendly encounter, marking their first meeting.

2023 MTV VMA Award Winners
  • Video of the Year: Taylor Swift – "Anti-Hero"
  • Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
  • Song of the Year: Taylor Swift – "Anti-Hero"
  • Best New Artist: Ice Spice
  • Show of the Summer: Beyoncé
  • Group of the Year: FIFTY FIFTY
  • Song of the Summer: Taylor Swift ft. Ice Spice – "Karma"
  • Album of the Year: Nicki Minaj – "Super Freaky Girl"
  • Push Performance of the Year: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – "Sugar Rush Ride"
  • Best Collaboration: KAROL G, Shakira – "TQG"
  • Best Pop: Taylor Swift – "Anti-Hero"
  • Best Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj – "Super Freaky Girl"
  • Best R&B: SZA – "Shirt"
  • Best Alternative: MÃ¥neskin – "THE LONELIEST"
  • Best Rock: MÃ¥neskin – "THE LONELIEST"
  • Best Latin: Anitta – "Funk Rave"
  • Best Afrobeats: Rema & Selena Gomez – "Calm Down"
  • Video For Good: Dove Cameron – "Breakfast"*
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Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Chart Triumph: Doja Cat's 'Paint the Town Red' Reclaims Rap's Billboard Hot 100 Crown

In a historic moment for the rap genre, Doja Cat's "Paint the Town Red" has soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, ending a year-long absence of rap songs at the chart's pinnacle.

"Paint the Town Red" debuted at a respectable No. 15, but it took the Hot 100 by storm, claiming the No. 1 position after just five weeks. This remarkable feat puts an end to four consecutive weeks of country songs dominating the chart, with Zach Bryan's "I Remember Everything" slipping to No. 2 this week.

For Doja Cat, this achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. "Paint the Town Red" marks her second song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, following her collaboration with Nicki Minaj on "Say So" in 2020. The track achieved this feat with 32.1 million radio airplay audience impressions, 27.7 million streams, and 8,000 downloads in the first week of September. Its success has been further fueled by a viral TikTok dance challenge.

The last rap song to reach the No. 1 spot was Minaj's "Super Freaky Girl" on August 12, 2022, marking a 54-week rap drought. Notably, the late '90s and early 2000s witnessed a similar hiatus between rap No. 1 hits, with rap songs absent from the top spot between Will Smith's "Wild Wild West" in July 1999 and Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me" in February 2001.

"Paint the Town Red" carries additional significance due to its sampling of Dionne Warwick's "Walk on By," last on the Hot 100 at No. 6 in 1964. This sampling posthumously rewards songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David, both celebrated for their previous No. 1 hits. Bacharach, whose career spanned 55 years, co-wrote eight Hot 100 No. 1s, while David, who passed away in 2012, co-wrote five No. 1s, all with Bacharach.

Following her chart-topping success, Doja Cat has unveiled the tracklist for her fourth studio album, "Scarlet," scheduled for release on Friday, September 22. This 15-track album includes "Paint the Town Red," alongside previously released hits like "Demons" and "Attention." "Scarlet" notably boasts no featured artists, signaling Doja Cat's determination to shine as a solo artist.


"Scarlet" follows Doja Cat's 2021 album "Planet Her," which generated multiple Hot 100 top ten hits and featured the Grammy-winning collaboration "Kiss Me More" with SZA. Doja Cat's chart-topping "Paint the Town Red" now solidifies her position as a leading figure in the rap and hip-hop scene.
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Monday, September 11, 2023

VP Kamala Harris Shimmies to Iconic Beats at Hip-Hop's 50th Bash

Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a gala celebration at the vice presidential residence in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The event featured a lineup of iconic hip-hop artists and pioneers, including Common, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante, and more

The celebration marked a significant milestone in the genre's history, with hip-hop enthusiasts from across the nation gathering to honor its cultural impact. Harris, a self-professed fan of hip-hop, emphasized its profound influence on American culture.



"Hip-hop is the ultimate American art form," Harris declared. "It tells stories that often go unheard, serving as a powerful medium for truth. As the great Chuck D once said, rap is Black America's CNN. It calls us to action."
The event, a collaborative effort between Harris's team, the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective, and Live Nation Urban, drew approximately 400 guests. DJ D Nice, renowned for his Club Quarantine events during the pandemic, co-hosted the celebration, adding musical flair to the festivities.

Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff embraced the hip-hop spirit, dancing to classic tunes, including Q-Tip's "Vivrant Thing." The celebration showcased hip-hop's evolution from a local phenomenon in the Bronx to a global cultural force, intertwined with social and racial justice movements.

Notable political figures in attendance included Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland and Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri. The event underscored Harris's connection to hip-hop, a cultural touchstone that resonates deeply with a diverse range of Americans.

The celebration also featured electrifying performances, with Lil Wayne making a surprise appearance and thrilling the audience with a rendition of "Mrs. Officer" from his critically acclaimed album "Tha Carter III."
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