Publishing date: Jun, 29, 2023
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. Drake is officially making waves in the literary world, Flatbush Zombies have heard our cries and are bringing BetterOffDEAD to streaming platforms in honor of its tenth anniversary, and Dua Lipa welcomes a roster of special guests onto the third season of her podcast—this is what you missed.
#1
Flatbush Zombies Are Bringing ‘BetterOffDEAD’ Mixtape to Streaming Services
It’s been ten—long—years since Flatbush Zombies released their legendary mixtape BetterOffDEAD. To celebrate the milestone, the trio of Zombie Juice, Meechy Darko, and Erick the Architect announce the exciting news, giving their dedicated fans exactly what they’ve been pining after—the mixtape will finally be hitting streaming services. With a playful teaser video, Flatbush Zombies poke fun at the relentless inquiries fans have indicated them with for a decade and the message is clear: “You’re fucking welcome.” Originally released on September 11, 2013, BetterOffDEAD made waves with its vivacious energy, “horrorcore” aesthetic, and collaboration with artists like Action Bronson and Danny Brown, really solidifying Flatbush Zombie’s presence in the rap and hip-hop scene. While the trio has ventured into individual projects over the years, with solo releases from all three members, they continue to captivate their listeners as Flatbush Zombies, with Vacation In Hell, released in 2018, followed by the EP now, more than ever in 2020. Now, as the anniversary of their decade-old mixtape approaches, fans can take solace in knowing it’ll be available on streaming platforms starting on September 15th. Prepare for convenient access to BetterOffDEAD, in all its replay-factor glory. After all, as they’ve poignantly pointed out, we’ve “been asking for this shit for 10 years”.
#2
Drake Announces New Album ‘For All the Dogs’ and Drops Poetry Book
Drake is officially a published poet making waves in the literary world. The rapper’s announcement of Titles Ruin Everything came via Instagram, where he expressed his deep desire for people to support and purchase the book, co-written with Kenza Samir, Drake’s frequent songwriting partner, showcasing a stream of consciousness that captivates his die-hard fans. Drake had previously hinted at the poetry book during the debut episode of his radio show, Table For One, last summer, expressing his excitement about the upcoming release. One person who had no trouble getting his hands on the surprise release was DJ Khaled, who shared his unboxing experience on Instagram, reading passages that showcased Drake’s minimalist writing style, repeatedly cracking “The man wrote a book! He wrote a sentence!” After unveiling his poetry book, Titles Ruin Everything, Drake surprised fans by revealing a forthcoming album titled For All the Dogs. The rapper took out full-cover advertisements in renowned newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and the New York Post, enticing readers with a QR code that led to the album’s teaser website, TitlesRuinEverything.com. In a statement, Drake explained that he intentionally created the album to complement the book, teasing, “They say they miss the old Drake, girl, don’t tempt me. FOR ALL THE DOGS.” While the book was immediately available for purchase, the release date for For All the Dogs remains a mystery. This new project follows Drake’s recent collaborative LP, Her Loss, with 21 Savage, and Honestly, Nevermind which just came up on its release anniversary. Drake’s foray into literature alongside his music career just continues to demonstrate his multidimensional talent and creative prowess. Stay tuned for more updates on the next Drake project as we eagerly await the release.
#3
Dua Lipa’s Podcast Welcomes Billie Eilish, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, and More as Special Guests
It almost seems as if Dua Lipa is never not on vacation—we aspire—yet, finds the time to be a pop star extraordinaire. Get ready for another season of star-studded conversations as Dua Lipa brings back her hit podcast, Dua Lipa: At Your Service! Season three is set to kick off on June 30, and it’s packed with an impressive repertoire of special guests. The lineup includes the incredible Billie Eilish, BLACKPINK’s very own Jennie Kim, Penn Badgley from You, drag superstar Sasha Velour, and relationship expert Esther Perel. To start things off with a bang, Lipa will be joined by the hilarious Amelia Dimoldenberg, host of Chicken Shop Date. The new season promises to delve into specific themes tailored to each guest, offering a deeper insight into their lives and experiences. But Dua Lipa isn’t just conquering the podcast world; she’s also been making her mark in the movie industry. Keep an eye out for her upcoming role as Mermaid Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Barbie film, hitting theaters on July 21. Alongside Margot Robbie as the iconic doll and Ryan Gosling as Ken, Lipa also contributed the infectious disco-pop anthem “Dance the Night” to the film’s soundtrack. With exciting interviews and a thriving career in both music and film, Dua Lipa continues to dazzle us with her talent and versatility as we tune into the next season of her podcast.
#4
James Blake Announces Sixth LP and Shares New Song “Big Hammer”
If you’re in need of ethereal melodies and heavenly tunes, James Blake is going to deliver, as per usual. James Blake announced his sixth studio album Playing Robots into Heaven on September 8th, to follow his successful release of 2021 Friends That Break Your Heart. To give us a taste of what’s to come, he has shared the lead single, “Big Hammer,” a glitchy and spiraling instrumental club track that incorporates chopped-up dancehall vocal samples, a fresh vibe compared to his previous work. These days, James Blake hasn’t just been working on his album, he’s been making waves throughout the year, surprising fans with guest appearances at Rolling Loud and lending his talent to the soundtrack of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, and even co-produced the epic collaboration “Scientists & Engineers” featuring Killer Mike, André 3000, and Future. And the excitement doesn’t stop there! James Blake has also announced a tour to accompany the release of Playing Robots into Heaven, hitting both European and North American cities, including Montreal and Toronto, bringing his captivating live performances to fans around the world.
#5
Mindflip Releases Debut EP ‘Duality: The Life of a Gemini’
From coping with Tourette’s Syndrome to conquering the charts, Mindflip’s journey is an inspiration. With a modern twist on 90s and 2000s hip-hop, he’s captured the hearts of Canadian listeners, accumulating over 40 million streams. His gold-certified single “Run My Shit,” dominated Spotify’s Hot Hits Canada and soared to the Top 10 on Spotify Canada’s Viral 50 charts, making him impossible to ignore. Now, Mindflip is set to release his debut EP Duality: The Life of a Gemini, a 7-track hybrid project that showcases both his signature style and exploration of new sounds on June 30th—in true versatile Gemini nature. Mindflip’s achievements have cemented him as an undeniable up-and-coming force in the music industry, even gracing main stages ahead of Redman & Method Man and selling out debut hometown headline shows. Get ready to be swooned by Mindflip’s captivating sound and embrace the aspirational idea that any individual can be more than one thing.