Publishing date: May, 27, 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. Mura Masa announced his new album and single, Justin Timberlake sold his entire music catalog, and Kehlani became music video official with 070 Shake—this is what you missed this week.
#1
Mura Masa Announces New Album and Drops Single Feat. Skillibeng, Pa Salieu
The year is 2017, it’s summertime, Uber was still affordable, and the only filters you used were on Snapchat. Mura Masa drops “Love$ick” featuring A$AP Rocky and it’s playing everywhere becoming the unofficial summer anthem. It’s been a minute but Mura Masa is back with a new album, demon time, scheduled for release in September. The title is chaotic and I love it. Not to worry because the album’s first single has arrived as well and it’s giving that 2017 energy like it’s about to dominate airwaves everywhere. Featuring UK rapper Pa Salieu and Jamaican dancehall star Skillibeng, “blessing me” is the perfect fusion of both cultures with Mura Masa’s signature flair. The forthcoming album will also include the previously released singles “2gether” and “bbycakes” featuring Lil Uzi Vert, PinkPantheress, and Shygirl.
#2
Atlanta Trap Meets Introspective Lyrics on EarthGang’s Biodeghettable Tour
Rap duo EarthGang’s Biodeghettable tour is in full swing, bringing some Atlanta to a city near you. The tour comes on the heels of their second major-label album Ghetto Gods, released in February, which is the epitome of Atlanta rap sonically steeped in the trap sounds of Zone 6 and the Southern twang of Georgia. Comprised of WowGr8 and Olu, the duo signed to the prolific Dreamville Records label in 2017, fitting in perfectly with the J. Cole curated roster of formidable lyricists. Ghetto Gods pairs introspective lyrics with the sounds of Atlanta trap which creates a dichotomy between the Young Nudy hustler anthems and the lyricism EarthGang is known for. The album tells the stories of the community they grew up in, unpacking some heavy themes of racism, poverty, dating, materialism, and more in the most EarthGang way. I caught their show in Toronto this week and they did not disappoint, starting off their set with “Ghetto Gods” before going into the high energy banger “Billi” featuring Future. Their on-stage presence and energy were infectious, not missing a beat during the hour-long set. Dreamville fans would be happy to know the setlist included “Down Bad” (my personal favorite) and “Sacrifices” from the Revenge of The Dreamers III collaborative album. Run, don’t walk to get tickets for the Biodeghettable tour.
#3
Justin Timberlake Sells His Entire Music Catalog For $100 Million
Justin Timberlake isn’t bringing “SexyBack” because as of this week he sold his entire music catalog to Hipgnosis Song Management, a music-investment company backed by private-equity firm Blackstone Inc. The catalog was reportedly sold for upwards of $100 million, according to Wall Street Journal, and includes hits he wrote or co-wrote during his 20-year career as a member of NSYNC and a solo artist. Yes, this deal includes “SexyBack” along with other notable JT songs like “Cry Me a River” and “Mirrors”. Timberlake’s catalog is the largest music-rights acquisition by Hipgnosis so far (took over a year to close) but it sits among good company—Nile Rodgers, Timbaland, and Neil Young to name a few.
#4
Brandy Enters The Jack Harlow Chat and Raps Over “First Class”
Last week, Jack Harlow went on Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning and a clip from the interview went viral because he didn’t recognize Brandy’s “Angel In Disguise” song from 1998 during the show’s “White-ish Wednesday” segment. The hosts tried to give him a hint by saying the singer is Ray J’s sister and he looked even more clueless than before. When he finally clues in he’s in utter disbelief that a. the song is Brandy’s and b. that Brandy and Ray J are siblings. I, and the millions of others running up the streams, thought this was funny but alas Brandy did not. She replied to a fan’s tweet of the video and said “I will murk this dude in rap at 43 on his own beats and then sing his ass to sleep” which she replies again in the same thread saying it was a joke *heart emoji* but throws shade saying she had no idea he rapped. Well, she made good on her promise and freestyled over Harlow’s “First Class” beat which aired on Ebro in the Morning. The good people of the internet have uploaded it to SoundCloud so you can listen and make your own judgments or subtweets.
#5
Kehlani Creates a Modern Love Story With 070 Shake In ‘Melt’ Video
There’s Instagram official and then there’s music video official, Kehlani and girlfriend 070 Shake took the latter route this week. Kehlani shared the visuals for her song “Melt” off her new album Blue Water Road which captures the artists sharing intimate moments while they do laundry, go to the park, and take photos. You know, couple tings. The video was shot in São Paulo, Brazil, so naturally, the setting is gorgeous. Speaking about the track, Kehlani said “it’s about the feeling of laying up with someone, cuddling, or even being sexually intimate, and you want to fall in their skin.”