Publishing date: Jun, 24, 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. Beyoncé’s new single is giving quit your job energy, Kendrick Lamar performs and pays homage to Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton’s show, and FKA Twigs is related to Jorja Smith—this is what you missed this week.
#1
Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” Signals the End of Grind Culture
Queen Bey is back, following the surprise announcement of her forthcoming seventh album last week and she dropped her first single from the album in a similar fashion. Without warning, “Break My Soul” was released at midnight on June 21st and the internet quickly took note. The single is an ode to house music and resignation because the lyrics are giving big quit your job energy:
“Now, I just fell in love, and I just quit my job
I’m gonna find new drive, damn, they work me so damn hard
Work by nine, then off past five
And they work my nerves, that’s why I cannot sleep at night”
To be clear, Beyoncé is still working but she sees you and all your 9 to 5 unresolved overtime and HR complaints. The song’s refrain has an extremely catchy ‘90s home workout VHS vibe to it by bounce icon Big Freedia. The last time these two collaborated was on “Formation”. Who am I to not listen to the words and wisdom of Beyoncé? Maybe the quit your job message is meant in a spiritual sense, but either way, it’s the perfect song to release your anger and release your mind—as Big Freedia says—after a long day at work.
#2
Kendrick Lamar Performs From the Front Row at Louis Vuitton
Beyoncé may be unequivocally crowned queen by her Beyhive but Kendrick Lamar wore an actual crown of thorns this week when he performed front row at the Louis Vuitton Men’s show in Paris. Nestled in between supermodel Naomi Campbell and pgLang partner Dave Free, Kendrick performed songs from his latest album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, such as “N95”, “Count Me Out”, “Savior” and “Rich Spirit”. The aforementioned crown is the same one he wore for the artwork of his Mr. Moral album. He closed out the show with an homage to the late Virgil Abloh in the form of a “Long live Virgil” repeated mantra. The late designer and cultural icon held the position of artistic director for menswear at Louis Vuitton before his passing and was well known for his strong ties to music and the hip-hop community. Seems only right his contribution was acknowledged during the brand’s show and I can’t think of anyone better than Lamar to give a meaningful tribute.
#3
FKA Twigs Collaborated With Jorja Smith and Found Out They’re Related
Turns out FKA Twigs and Jorja Smith have more in common than their British origin and profession. In a new interview with GQ, Twigs talked about her collaboration with Smith on “darjeeling” , a drill song from her latest album, Caprisongs. “I’d never met her [Smith] before, and I jumped in her car with her, and I remember thinking to myself, Gosh, that’s really strange. We’ve got exactly the same kind of skin,” she recounts. Call it intuition or family ties but the two stayed in touch after working together and became friends. The plot thickens, “A few months later I was on the road to go to LA and she left me a voice note saying, you’re never going to believe this, but I’ve just spoken to my dad and he’s spoken to his sister and we’re related.” The pair are cousins, making their collaboration a family affair à la Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem.
#4
R&B Artist Amaal Performs to Sold-Out Crowds on Charlotte Cardin’s Tour
If you’re not familiar with Amaal, prepare to be enamored with her ambient and soulful R&B music inspired by the greats like Aaliyah and Destiny’s Child. Her 2021 EP, Milly, introspectively explores topics deeply relatable to the female experience. Her honeyed vocals and infectious melodies tell the story of her own liberation as a female—including her feelings about intimacy and female autonomy. It’s exactly what made her the perfect opener for Charlotte Cardin’s sold-out tour dates in Montreal. Speaking about the experience she says, “I’m really excited for the opportunity to open for Charlotte on these shows, especially in Montreal, a city that has a special place in my heart. If this first show is any indication of the next 3 we are playing together, I know they’re going to be amazing. Everyone from the venue to Charlotte and her team have been so easy to work with.” Reflecting, she continues. “Any nerves I felt washed away after the first few seconds. I feel with everything back open the energy is infectious and you sense how grateful we all are to be able to experience live music again. Overall I’m just so lucky to be back on stage getting to perform my music and my latest project Milly.”
#5
Kid Cudi Announces Tour With Don Toliver, 070 Shake, Denzel Curry & Strick
The Cudiverse is coming to a city near you, as Kid Cudi announced his upcoming To the Moon world tour this week. Starting off in Vancouver, Cudi will be stopping all over North America as well as Tokyo and Europe wrapping up the tour overseas. He’s bringing with him not one or two openers but four—Don Toliver, 070 Shake, Denzel Curry, and Stick. It’s good news for Don Toliver and Strick fans as they’ll be performing at all North American tour dates while 070 Shake and Denzel Curry make guest appearances throughout the tour. Openers for the European leg have yet to be announced but tickets are currently on sale and the tour kicks off in August.