Kenya’s President William Ruto says he will withdraw a finance bill containing controversial tax hikes after deadly protests which saw parliament set ablaze on Tuesday. (more…)

Florida rapper Julio Foolio, also known as Foolio, was shot and killed while celebrating his 26th birthday in Tampa.

RIP Julio Foolio

The rapper was killed while celebrating his birthday party in Tampa 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/wsA0UegylH

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) June 23, 2024

The incident occurred during a party, and details surrounding the shooting are still emerging.

🔥🚨BREAKING: Florida rapper Julio Foolio has been shot and killed at his birthday party. This rapper was notorious for going viral in 2021 after he made a song mocking all of the people who he didn’t like that were killed. pic.twitter.com/Tx6qUNh093

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) June 23, 2024

Foolio was known for his controversial song ‘When I See You,’ which discussed the death of his enemies on their birthdays.

Read Also: Rising D.C. Rapper KP Skywalka Drops Highly Anticipated Sequel to Granny’s House With “Back To Granny’s House”

His death has sparked discussions about violence in the rap community and the consequences of provocative lyrics.

Yungeen Ace Drop This Same Night Julio Foolio Died Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/AkM0ZwzeJh

— General (@pluggysteph_) June 23, 2024

Today, the multi-platinum, four-time GRAMMY-nominated artist 6LACK returns with the release of his stirring new song “FTRG” (“Fuck The Rap Game”) via LVRN/Interscope Records. The track sees 6LACK in deep reflection as he honors his rap roots, revealing much about his own staggering personal and professional journey. A journey lined with the tumultuous ups and downs of the music industry that goes hand-in-hand with  his own journey as a man in today’s world. It’s the result of a man vehemently working to be his best for his family, his friends, his peers, his community and himself, choosing to stay focused on his higher purpose that led him to find music. Directed by AboveGround, the video brings to life the many sentiments at play in this song: The flashiness and allure of the industry while 6LACK bares himself and remains authentically him.

“FTRG” follows the release of his beloved More Lonely Nights acoustic project that celebrated the one year anniversary of his Grammy-nominated album, Since I Have A Lover. It also arrives as 6LACK is in the middle of his striking No More Lonely Nights Tour that has introduced a series of intimate performances that capture the raw emotion that lines the collection of songs on Since I Have A Lover, delving into 6LACK’s personal journey with mental health, healing, personal growth, love and finding his way through it all — the good and the bad.

Since I Have A Lover has received large critical acclaim from the likes of NPR, Zane Lowe, Rolling Stone, Forbes, Business Insider, Complex, Fader and Pitchfork to name a few. It introduced a collection of profound songs speaking on mental health, recovery, self-improvement, love and revealed much about 6LACK’s personal journey navigating life’s highs and lows. It’s 6LACK like we’ve never seen or heard him before. The album features stunning collaborations with Don Toliver, Wale, India Shawn, Ty Dolla $ign, QUIN, and production by Leon Thomas, OZ, Fwdslxsh, Scribz Riley, EarthGang’s Olu, Teddy Walton and others.

ABOUT 6LACK:

Pronounced “Black”, the four-time GRAMMY-nominated and multi-platinum selling artist has brilliantly captured a voice of a generation through his dynamic art for years now. Born and raised in Zone 6 of Atlanta, 6LACK exploded onto the scene with his breakout debut FREE 6LACK album in 2016, cementing his insatiable, singular sound. He was later catapulted into stardom in 2018 with the arrival of his critically acclaimed album, East Atlanta Love Letter, which hit No. 1 on the Top R&B Albums and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

The revered artist has amassed over 9.2 billion global streams across platforms while also giving the world some of the biggest hits from the past decade through explosive collaborations with some of today’s most beloved artists including J. Cole, Future, Selena Gomez, Young Thug, Timbaland, Normani, Isaiah Rashad, Rita Ora, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Baby, Khalid, Jessie Reyez, Nao and many more. Most recently, his colossal collaboration with Lil Tjay on the song “Calling My Phone” earned him a No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and hit No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track has since reached platinum status and was brought to life through a moving performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

6LACK: NO MORE LONELY NIGHTS TOUR DATES:

Sat Jun 22 | Waukee, IA | Vibrant Music Hall

Thu Jun 27 | McKees Rocks, PA | Roxian Theatre

LISTEN TO THE SINCE I HAVE A LOVER LP HERE

LISTEN TO THE NO MORE LONELY NIGHTS EP HERE

6LACK Press Photos: https://umusic.box.com/s/aul0i6w5w7x1c3kos9jtihrnwsxo5y86

Follow 6LACK: INSTAGRAM I TWITTER I YOUTUBE I SOUNDCLOUD | FACEBOOK I WEBSITE

For more information visit www.6LACK.com

Rapper Travis Scott was arrested and booked into Miami-Dade County Jail early Thursday morning on charges of trespassing property after being given a warning and disorderly intoxication, county jail records show. (more…)

Making a monumental power move, VERZUZ—the online award-winning, multi-media platform launched by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland—has cemented an exclusive partnership with Xfor distribution. Swizz and Timbaland personally broke the news at an activation in Cannes, France today.

Earlier this year, Swizz and Timbaland reacquired VERZUZ from previous partner Triller, now owning 100% of the platform, while retaining their equity (along with the artists who participated in VERZUZ) in Triller. Upon resuming complete control, they sought out the perfect channel for independent distribution.

The partnership journey with X has now begun!

Together, the companies orchestrated a mutually beneficial alliance where Swizz and Timbaland maintain their full ownership and creative control, while X receives exclusive distribution rights. As a result, VERZUZ will now broadcast to an audience of over 550 million active users, exponentially expanding its viewership and international reach like never before. Since the inception of VERZUZ, the conversations around each VERZUZ naturally evolved on X from fans and enthusiasts alike. Viewers will now be able to watch for FREE exclusively on X, bringing the visual series, and viral conversation, all to one platform! Stay tuned for the announcement of the next VERZUZ matchup coming soon.

About this chapter, Swizz stated, “We are beyond thrilled to have found the best partner for Verzuz. Not only are we excited to have Verzuz on X, we’re excited to help X build the biggest entertainment company in the world. I would like to thank Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Brett Weitz, Mitchell Smith and the entire X team for believing in the Verzuz vision. We can’t wait to get to work.”

Timbaland added, “We are thrilled to partner with X, the most innovative platform globally. Our goal has always been to bring Verzuz to the world which we can now do bigger than ever.”

As they have since the first VERZUZ, the founders uplift the culture and community into the spotlight in the center of the world’s stage. However, they preserve the same grit, honor, authenticity, and integrity that makes hip-hop, rap, R&B, soul and ALL genres of music so special. They have the opportunity to magnify its resonance, thanks to Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, and the entire X team championing their unfiltered voices.

Linda Yaccarino stated, “X is so proud to partner with trailblazing creators, artists, and entrepreneurs Swizz Beatz & Timbaland. Our platform stands at the forefront of innovation, and Verzuz defines the essence of an innovative content experience. As we continue to work with the most exciting voices to bring premium content to X, there is no better fit than this series. Together we will redefine how consumers engage with their favorite entertainment, one Verzuz at a time.”

VERZUZ has partnered with Uncontained Media, led by Christian Sarabia, and Raymond Garcia. Together, they have produced multiple hit shows including Emmy Winner DRIVE WITH SWIZZ BEATZ and will serve as the production company and Executive Producers of VERZUZ.

The influence and impact of VERZUZ has proven to be undeniable. So far, it has produced over 40 episodes, generating 100 million-plus live views and over 70 billion impressions. It has naturally encompassed other verticals with VERZUZ SPORTS, and VERZUZ COMEDY, all which play well to some of the most highly engaged communities on X. Not to mention, the power of the #VERZUZEFFECT cannot be overstated. Every artist that has participated in a VERZUZ have seen dramatic increases in streaming, ticket sales, merchandise, and overall revenue from just one appearance.

Welcome to the biggest, boldest, and best era of VERZUZ. Welcome to the future of entertainment.

Sir Ian McKellen has been taken to hospital after falling off stage during a performance of Player Kings at the Noël Coward theatre in London. (more…)