Stormzy

Stormzy

Photo: Matt Crossick/Getty Images

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Stormzy Announces Heavy Is The Head 2020 World Tour

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The U.K. grime artist has revealed dates and pre-sale info for his massive 55-date 2020 tour
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2019 - 1:06 pm

While many of us were recovering from a Thanksgiving carb-fest by shopping "huge deals" online in our stretchiest pants, Stormzy revealed his plans for world domination with his 55-date Heavy Is The Head – The World Tour 2020. The British rap king's big trek runs from Feb. 10 with dates across the globe until Oct. 10 and is in support of his forthcoming sophomore album, Heavy Is The Head, due out Dec. 13.

The world tour's first two legs has Stormzy trekking through Europe and Asia in February and March, kicking things off in Brussels on Feb. 10 and closing March out in Seoul on the 29th. The "Vossi Bop" artist will then bring the heat to New Zealand, Australia and North America in May and June, including dates in Oakland, Calif., Los Angeles, Toronto, Brooklyn, N.Y. and Chicago on May 26, May 27, June 2, June 4 and June 9, respectively. The last U.S. date is set for June 13 in Dallas.

After a short tour break, the U.K. grime heavy-hitter will start things up again on Sep. 3 in London, with dates across his native U.K. and Ireland for the rest of the month. Finally, the H.I.T.H. World Tour will wrap up with four dates in Africa, including a stop in Accra, Ghana (his mother hails from Ghana) on Oct. 9 and a final show in Lagos, Nigeria on Oct. 10.

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Visit stormzy.com for complete tour dates, along with info on how to sign up for the pre-sale. Pre-orders of Heavy Is The Head and merch bundles from his online store come with pre-sale access codes.

Ahead of the album's forthcoming release, Stormzy has dropped the singles "Vossi Bop," "Crown," "Wiley Flow" and, most recently, "Own It," featuring Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran. He was also featured on Sheeran's "Take Me Back To London," from the currently GRAMMY-nominated, collab-heavy No.6 Collaborations Project.

As noted by Pitchfork, last week, in addition to the tour announcement, the rapper shared a message with his fellow Brits, encouraging them to vote and revealing his support for Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. His stand against conservatism saw a spike in voter registration in the country and a regrettable response from a leading Conservative MP Michael Gove.

This summer, during his headline set at the iconic Glastonbury festival, Stormzy wore a Banksy-designed bulletproof vest emblazoned with the Union Jack flag and stab marks, as a statement on the chaotic state of the union in his home country. While The Guardian and others celebrated the emblematic fashion choice—which was on display in Bansky's "Gross Domestic Product" installation and is featured on the H.I.T.C. album art—Gove found offense in its powerful statement.

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Afro Nation

Afro Nation Portugal 2019

Photo: Andre Machado /Mai Magazine

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Afro Nation Puerto Rico: Patrice Roberts, Beenie Man, 2Baba, Afro B & More

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The four-day music festival features global artists making waves, highlighting the biggest players in Afro-fusion, reggae, dancehall, soca and more
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Nov 5, 2019 - 1:54 pm

Today, Afro Nation Puerto Rico announced the first wave of its (stacked!) inaugural lineup, featuring Beenie Man, Burna Boy, Chronixx, Davido, 2Baba and Patoranking as headliners.

Following this summer's sold-out Afro Nation Portugal, the 2nd edition of the fest will make its North American debut beachside in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 18–21, 2020.

The four-day music festival features artists from around the world making waves on a global scale, highlighting the biggest players in Afro-fusion, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, soca and other black-led musical movements. As the press release states, the new event was "founded on good vibes and #BlackExcellence."

In addition to GRAMMY-winning King Of dancehall Beenie Man, other Jamaican acts on the first-round lineup include 27-year-old GRAMMY-nominated reggae prince Chronixx, reggae/dancehall singer Kranium and rising dancehall queen Shenseea.

Afro Nation

Afro Nation Portugal 2019 | Photo: Samuel Martins

Nigeria's rich, diverse Afro-fusion scene are headliners Burna Boy, 2Baba and Patoranking, as well as singers Rotimi and Teni. South-African poet and singer Busiswa, who is featured on Beyoncé's Lion King: The Gift album, will also bring heat to the fest.

One of Trinidad's First Ladies of Soca, Patrice Roberts, will also perform, as well as rapper Afro B, a leading force in U.K.'s rising Afrowave sound. Ghanaian dancehall artist Stonebwoy rounds out Afro Nation Puerto Rico's initial lineup, with "loads more [artists] TBA."

The ticket pre-sale opens Thurs., Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. EST, with general sales opening up the following day. More info on the fest, as well as the email sign up for pre-sale tickets can be found on its website here.

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Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith & Jay Rock

Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith & Jay Rock

Photo: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Interscope

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TDE Holiday Concert & Toy Drive To Feature Performances From Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, SZA & More

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The legendary L.A. hip-hop label, home to Kendrick Lamar, SiR, ScHoolboy Q, SZA, Jay Rock and more, kicks off their sixth annual community-centered, donation-based concert and community day on Dec. 18
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 17, 2019 - 1:38 pm

Today, heavy-hitting Los Angeles hip-hop label Top Dawg Entertainment announced the details for their sixth annual holiday concert and toy drive. The two-day, community-focused event will take place at Nickerson Gardens in Watts, with the TDE artist-led concert taking place tomorrow, Weds., Dec. 18, followed by a "Local Community Day" on Dec. 19.

According to a press release, the donation-based concert will feature "performances from TDE's entire roster and surprise guests." The epic TDE roster is made up of GRAMMY winners Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, past GRAMMY nominees ScHoolboy Q, SZA, Ab-Soul, as well as powerhouses SiR, Isaiah Rashad, Lance Skiiiwalker, Zacari and REASON. Last year's special guests included past nominee Travis Scott.

Gates for the special show open at 11 am tomorrow; TDE asks that attendees bring an unwrapped gift for free admission and notes that "any and all donations" will be accepted to share with those in need in the local community.

Read: SiR Is 'Chasing Summer' And, With A Little Help From Kendrick Lamar & Others, Making His Dreams Reality

"The annual event is embedded into the ethos of the L.A. label and extremely important to TDE as it focuses on giving back to the same community and neighborhood that gave TDE CEO Anthony 'Top Dawg' Tiffith and many others in the TDE family their start," the press release notes.

Nickerson Gardens is a large, long-standing affordable housing community in Watts, a neighborhood that has historically been on the frontlines of racist policies, heavy policing, gang violence and income inequality. In addition to Tiffith, fellow TDE leader Punch, as well as Jay Rock, grew up in Nickerson Gardens. 

Day two of the event focuses on bringing as many people as possible in Nickerson Gardens with holiday cheer and hope.

"The annual Community Day provides the Nickerson Gardens community with things that all children and families should have around the holidays, such as gifts, clothing and food. Above all else, the annual event provides the community with hope and real-life examples in the artists and people who make up the TDE family that no matter where you come from, you can do something positive and put yourself in the position to give back to your community," the press release continues.    

"TDE encourages everyone who attends the event to respect the neighborhood and residents and work toward continuing to foster community by volunteering/getting involved and just having a good time when you show up."

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The concert and toy drive will happen concurrently on Dec. 18, with gates opening at 11:00 am. Exact start time or lineup (although TDE confirmed all of their artists will perform) details have not been shared yet; you'll have to show up with a donation and see for yourself. The Local Community Day follows on Thurs., Dec. 19 and will take place from 10:00 am–6:00 pm. Both events will take place at William Nickerson Recreation Center, 1590 E 114th St, Los Angeles, Calif. 90059.

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Travis Barker

Travis Barker

Photo: Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage/Getty Images

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Travis Barker Launches DTA Records With New Lil Wayne & Rick Ross Collab

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The Blink-182 drummer announced the new record label that will serve as a home for his collabs in hip-hop and other genres, as well as for artist development
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 13, 2019 - 12:20 pm

Today, Travis Barker announced a new record label, DTA Records, which he is launching in partnership with Elektra Music Group. The Blink-182 drummer also released its first single, "Gimme Brain," a raunchy collab featuring his frenetic drumbeat and bars from hip-hop icons Lil Wayne and Rick Ross.

The new label caps off a busy year for Barker, who not only toured and released a new album with Blink-182, but also worked on a lot of collab tracks and projects, including two collab EPs; LIVE FAST DIE WHENEVER, with $uicideboy$ and Meet The Drummers with 03 Greedo.

DTA Records will serve as a home for Barker's collabs in hip-hop and other genres, as well for artist development under his leadership.

Read: Blink-182 Announce New Album 'NINE' Release Date, Plus New Song "Darkside"

"I wanted a label partner that I trusted with true artist development," Barker said about Elektra, in a statement shared with Billboard.

"As an artist, it's important to me that an artist's vision is protected at all costs. It's crucial that I'm able to look an artist in the eye and believe it when I say we can take them from a basement to an arena. Elektra's track record and belief are proof of that, and I'm stoked to continue to build that legacy together through DTA Records."

According to a press release, the song "represents a continuation of Barker's passion for beat making and production, especially within hip-hop which was his first love growing up."

Weezy and Blink-182 toured across North America together this summer. He, Barker and Ross first worked together back in 2011 on "Can A Drummer Get Some," from the drummer's similarly titled rap-collab-heavy solo album, Give The Drummer Some.

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GRAMMYs
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Poll: Who Do You Think Voters Will Pick For Best Rap Performance At The 2020 GRAMMYs?

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J. Cole, J.I.D., Bas, EARTHGANG, Young Nudy, DaBaby, Nipsey Hussle, Roddy Ricch, Hit-Boy, Offset and Cardi B are all in the running for Best Rap Performance at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards—tell us who you think will win!
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 11, 2019 - 2:10 pm

And the Best Rap Performance GRAMMY goes to…

We'll have to wait until the 62nd GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 26, 2020 to find out how the sentence will be completed, so, for now, let's revisit the talented artists and fire tracks that are currently nominated for Best Rap Performance. Take the poll below to pick who you think Recording Academy voters will select as the winner, and read on to learn a bit more about the songs and artists in the running, which include J. Cole, J.I.D., Bas, EARTHGANG, Young Nudy, DaBaby, Nipsey Hussle, Roddy Ricch, Hit-Boy, Offset and Cardi B.

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Who Do You Think Voters Will Pick For Best Rap Performance?

Former 2012 Best New Artist nominee J. Cole has become one of the biggest names in hip-hop over the past decade, and with his talent-rich Dreamville Records imprint, is bringing many younger rappers up with him. This past January, the North Carolina legend released "MIDDLE CHILD," which would serve as a lead single to the Dreamville compilation album, Revenge of the Dreamers III, released later in the year, on July 5.

Not only is Cole up against himself in this category, as "Down Bad" is also nominated, he and the Dreamville squad are also up for Best Rap Album for Revenge of the Dreamers III.

Related: Find Out Who's Nominated For Best Rap Album | 2020 GRAMMY Awards

Following a series of mixtapes, first-time GRAMMY nominee DaBaby, also from North Carolina, released his debut studio album, Baby On Baby, this past March. It was indeed a huge year for the rising rapper, as not only was his album well-received, but he also saw viral success with its single, "Suge," and he was featured in XXL's 2019 Freshman Class. He also served up several high-profile features, including for remix versions of both Lizzo's "Truth Hurts" and Lil Nas X's "Panini."

"Suge," whose title is a reference to Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight, is also nominated for Best Rap Song, a songwriters' award.

"Down Bad" was released on June 12, 2019, one week after Revenge of the Dreamers III finally dropped, as its next single. As the album itself is a product of the collaboration of many artists, the majority who are signed to Cole's Dreamville label, this track is a shining example of both a solid rap posse cut and the collab-led album.

"Down Bad" features J.I.D., Bas, EARTHGANG—all of whom are on Dreamville, Young Nudy and Cole himself, who offers his flow to a bulk of the LP's 18 tracks.

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"Racks In The Middle," was the last empowering single Nipsey Hussle released before we lost the Los Angeles icon this spring. The track features emerging L.A. rapper Roddy Ricch, another XXL Class Of 2019 inductee and GRAMMY-winning producer Hit-Boy. Like "Suge," "Racks In The Middle" is also both up for Best Rap Song.

The late, great Hussle is also up for a third nomination this year, for DJ Khaled's track "Higher," which also features vocals from John Legend and was released after Hussle's death. At the 61st GRAMMYs earlier this year, the hip-hop hero received his first GRAMMY nomination for his long-time-coming debut studio album, Victory Lap.

Hip-hop powercouple Offset and Cardi B slayed at the 2019 GRAMMYs this past February. Not only did they look fly on the red carpet, they shared a major moment onstage earlier this year when Cardi took home her first golden gramophone, for Best Rap Album for her 2018 killer debut studio album Invasion Of Privacy.

Later that month, Offset released his first solo album, FATHER OF 4, the final Migos' member to release their solo project. The album's second single, "Clout," features none other than Cardi B, who adds a big dose of bad b***h attitude to the track and music video.

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