Publishing date: Feb, 11, 2022
If you’re anything like us, we see an interesting headline during our daily scroll—pause to read it—but then keep scrolling without reading the actual story. So at the end of each week, we’re rounding up all the buzziest, news-worthy headlines you might have missed. Think of it like the “saved” feature on Instagram but for news instead of aesthetically pleasing photos. Charli XCX takes a Twitter break, Snoop Dogg acquires Death Row, Fivio Foreign collabs with Alicia Keys and Kanye West—this is what you missed this week.
#1
Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and More Performing at Super Bowl Halftime Show
It’s Super Bowl weekend and if you’re not watching for the teams then you’re likely there for the halftime show, star-studded commercials, and snacks. After The Weeknd’s theatrical show last year, the Super Bowl LVI is going back to its regularly scheduled programming of multiple headliners. If this year’s show had a theme it would be hip-hop heavyweights featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Eminem. The game is taking place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California so it’s fitting to have two Los Angeles legends like Snoop and Kendrick headlining the show. The five headliners combined have 43 Grammy awards and 19 No. 1 Billboard albums.
#2
Machine Gun Kelly Teams Up With Willow Smith for “Emo Girl”
It’s a hot emo girl single for Machine Gun Kelly and Willow Smith this week as they release the music video for their collaborative song. The music video makes a strong case for the revival of Hot Topic and early 2000s pop-punk trends as MGK and Willow sing about falling in love with an emo girl. The father of pop-punk, Travis Barker, also makes a cameo as an understated school teacher (no tattoos, wig, glasses) taking his class on a trip where MGK and Willow school them on the ABCs of emo aesthetics. Naturally, by the end of the trip (and song) Travis has returned to his normal tattoo-covered and spike necklace wearing self, and his students have a new emo aesthetic to match. The single is part of MGK’s highly anticipated album, Mainstream Sellout, arriving on March 25th.
#3
Snoop Dogg Acquires Death Row Records
Snoop Dogg made boss moves this week acquiring ownership of Death Row Records, the same label that signed him in 1992, from MNRK Music Group. It’s also the label he released his debut album Doggystyle with making his career come full circle. “It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members. This is an extremely meaningful moment for me,” Snoop said in a press statement. To commemorate the occasion he’s released his 19th studio album, B.O.D.R. (Bacc on Death Row) today.
#4
Fivio Foreign Recruits Kanye West & Alicia Keys on “City of Gods”
Fivio Foreign has released the first single off his upcoming album .B.I.B.L.E and it’s featuring Alicia Keys and Kanye West. Titled “City of Gods” the song is dedicated to Tahjay “T Dott” Dobson, a late friend and collaborator of Fivio. In a statement about the song and dedication he says, “T Dot. That’s my baby boy, I never thought I’d be doing this without you here with me. You supposed to be here with me but you gon always be the Prince in the City of Gods. Your name will forever live through me. Long Live Prince T Dot.” His forthcoming album is due next month and is executive produced by Kanye.
#5
Charli XCX Announces Twitter Mental Health Break
For many, artists and celebrities take on such a larger-than-life persona that it’s easy to forget they’re human at the end of the day. Charli XCX faced backlash from fans on Twitter this week after it was announced she will be headlining Afterparty—an NFT-gated art and music festival. The festival is set to take place in March in Las Vegas and performers include the Chainsmokers and the Kid LAROI as well as Charli. The tickets for the festival are in NFT form, attendees must own one of 1500 “Utopian” NFTs. Charli responded to the criticism saying she’s been struggling with her mental health as of late and coming across negativity only makes it harder. She’s stepping back and letting someone from her team post updates on Twitter, the full candid statement can be read here. Charli is not the only artist taking a step back this week due to negativity on social media, Roddy Ricch deleted all of his socials after posting a snippet of an unreleased song and receiving an overwhelming amount of negative feedback. A reminder for everyone that words carry weight and no one is invincible—except maybe Rihanna (kidding).