Drake’s fireworks extended past the T-Mobile arena stage were he notched a record-breaking 13 award victories. Joined by OVO’s Baka, Drizzy made his performance of the ‘More Life’ single “Gyalchester” at the fountains of the Bellagio hotel for an ultimate Vegas-like performance.
With the fountians spectacular water show and flames going off behind him, Drizzy showed his intensity while “wearin’ all night” as he says in the song. The performance definitely showcased why Drake won the award for “Top Rap Tour”.
It was a historic Billboard Music Awards for Drake, who entered the night with an all-time record in nominations with a total of 22. Before the show even began Drizzy had already won 10 of those 22. By the end of the award show, Drake broke Celine Dion and Adele’s record of 12 with 13 total wins.
Drake shared a special moment on stage for his record-breaking final award of the night “Top Artist of the Year.” Accompanied by his squad comprised of father Dennis Graham, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Jas Prince, and his core of childhood friends, Drizzy showed gratitude and appreciation while mixing some jokes in there.
“Life is like toilet paper. Either you’re on a roll or you’re taking shit from assholes,” he said before continuing with, “I want to say, Nicki Minaj, I’m so glad we found our way back because I love you and I could never ever see it any other way. I want to say, Lil Wayne, if it wasn’t for the risk you took, none of us would be here tonight. And I want to say, my dad got on a purple suit with purple shoes. Boy, if you don’t stop!”
Aside from the “Top Artist of the Year” honors, Champagne racked up wins in other categories like Top Male Artist, Top 100 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Rap Artist, and Top Rap Tour.
Next year’s awards can be pretty record-breaking considering all these awards were for his ‘Views’ album, which many people believe to be his weakest body of work. In 2018 his ‘More Life’ album (or playlist) will be in the running having already broke a number of streaming records and currently charting at No. 5, after topping the Billboard 200. However, next year he will face some tougher competition with Kendrick Lamar’s ‘DAMN.’ album also in the running.
Wiz Khalifa remixes Drake’s “Passionfruit” off his ‘More Life’ album with a smoker-friendly version of his own called “Passit”. Stay tuned as ‘Rolling Papers 2’ is on the way!
Once again Music Mogul/Businessman/Entrepreneur, Diddy tops the “Forbes Five” hip-hop’s wealthiest artist of 2017 list.
With a staggering $820-million estate, Diddy is closing in on billionaire status and takes the crown of hip-hop’s wealthiest acts again. His fortune comes mostly from his very lucrative Ciroc deal with Diageo, Revolt TV network, alkaline water brand AquaHydrate, Deleon Tequila, his “Bad Boy Reunion Tour,” and other unspecified investments. No Dirty Money needed here (pun intended).
Jay-Z isn’t too far from Diddy and is sure to become a billionaire soon as well. If you combine his fortune with wifey, Beyoncé’s they’ve already reached billionaire status. Hov’s hefty bank comes from his TIDAL streaming service, which is worth more than 10x than what the rapper paid for it. Sprint’s $200-million investment in the company also doesn’t hurt. Jay is also making money from selling his Roc Nation logo, which he was paid $200-million for, as well as being a majority owner of Roc Nation, his film-TV deal with The Weinstein Company, and other side ventures.
Coming in at third place is LA’s very own, Dr. Dre. The Doctor is worth a reported $740-million with earnings from his 2014 selling of Beats headphones to Apple for $3-billion, a 14,000 square foot mansion in LA, which is now worth 20-percent more than the $40-million he purchased it for, other real estate property, royalties, and side ventures.
Birdman might not be paying his artists and maybe that’s why he’s eating so good. The Cash Money head-honcho takes the No. 4 slot with $110-million, thanks mostly to the success of Cash Money superstars like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne. Put some “respek” on that.
Cash Money recording artist, Drake follows his boss with a No. 5 standing. Drizzy’s $90-million fortune is owed to the success of his music, touring, OVO record label and clothing, his Virginia Black whiskey, Apple music deal, and Nike and Jordan partnerships.
Who will become a billionaire first? Tell us in the comments below.
“FORBES FIVE” HIP-HOP LIST 2017
1. Diddy – $820 million
2. Jay Z – $810 million
3. Dr. Dre – $740 million
4. Birdman – $110 million
5. Drake – $90 million
Former UCLA baller and hopefully future LA Lakers guard, Lonzo Ball has been making headlines for selling his signature shoe without a sponsor for $500. After being shutdown by Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour, Ball aka ZO2, is giving the companies “Free Smoke” in a remix of the Drake single.
“I be ballin’ like I’m sponsored / On the beat, man, I’m a monster,” spits Lonzo on the track referring to his father being shutdown by shoe companies and deciding to do his own thing.
ZO2 isn’t the only baller to try his hand at rapping, in the past SHAQ, Kobe Bryant, Chris Webber, and others have released rap songs of their own. J. Cole and 2 Chainz even gave up on their hoop dreams to pursue a full-time rap career, and it has worked out for them. Do you think If basketball doesn’t work out for Lonzo he can make it as a rapper? Tell us in the comments below.
Dave East goes “somewhere in North Philadelphia” for the “Free Smoke (EastMix)” video. The Max Comfort-directed video takes you a day in the life of the New York spitter. Dave chills with his Philly folks, twists Backwoods, smokes, and raps on the street in the clip.
The “Free Smoke (EastMix)” is a one-off along with his other EastMix tracks, as he warms the people up for his forthcoming project, ‘Paranoia’.
On Cinco de Mayo Logic will be releasing his third studio album and follow-up to 2015’s ‘The Incredible True Story’. Based on the tracks he released to date, it’s shaping up to be a very conscious, backpack rapping album that touches on a lot of issues like race, biracial relationships, suicide, and more. It will include features from Juicy J, Khalid, Big Lenbo, Killer Mike, Alessia Cara, Black Thought, and Chuck D.
LA’s own, Kid Ink will also be dropping his ‘7 Series’ project on May 5th. The project follows last year’s ‘Rocketshipshawty2′ and will likely serve as a warmup to Ink’s forthcoming album expected to drop later this year. ‘7 Series’ will include the singles “Swish” featuring 2 Chainz and “F With U” featuring Ty Dolla $ign.
L.A. Leakers Indie Pick of the Week alumnist, Russ has came a long way since I featured him as IPOTW. The SoundCloud sensation, who is now signed to Columbia will be releasing his debut album ‘There’s Really A Wolf’ on May 5th. The album will be lead by the singles “Do It Myself,” “What They Want”, and the song that caught my ear “Losin Control”.
Yesterday Meek Mill shared on his Instagram that he will be dropping a project called ‘Free Pack’ on May 6th, the rapper’s birthday. In the same post Meek previewed a track that is set to be on the project, while fans wait for ‘DC4.5’.
Cleveland representer, Machine Gun Kelly just celebrated his 27th birthday on April 22nd. The rapper will keep the celebrations going with the release of his forthcoming album ‘bloom’ on May 12th. MGK will even have a song on the 13-track album called “27” in addition to the lead single “Bad Things” featuring Camila Cabello. Other features include Migos, Ty Dolla $ign, Hailee Steinfeld, James Arthur, and DubXX. Also lookout for MGK’s LA Leakers freestyle coming soon. (EYE LOOKING EMOJI)
After almost a decade with T.I.’s Grand Hustle and Atlantic Records, B.o.B will release his first independent album ‘Ether’. The album will be the Atlanta rapper’s first since 2013’s ‘Underground Luxury’ and include the single “4 Lit” featuring T.I. and Ty Dolla $ign. He recently inked a deal with SKAM Artists and will release the album under his label No Genre through EMPIRE.
A collaboration album between Faith Evans and her former husband, The Notorious B.I.G. has been years in the making and now we’re finally getting it on May 19th. The 25-track album will include features from The LOX, Snoop Dogg, Lil’ Kim, Lil’ Cease, Busta Rhymes, 112, Kevin McCall, Biggie’s mother and more. Already two songs have been leaked and they sound pretty good.
Snoop Dogg has experimented with a lot of different styles over the years, even dropping a reggae album. I guess that’s what happens when you have longevity. On May 19th the Dogg is taking it back to his gangster roots for his ‘Neva Left’ album. Snoop has tapped OGs like Method Man, Redman, and Cypress Hill for the forthcoming album and I’m sure some new heads will be on there as well.
Last week Young Thug went on Twitter and said he was dropping a “singing album” executive produced by Drake last week. Anyway, the album never came so maybe it will this month. Although with Thugger you never know and it may come in December.
Last night Young Thug shared on his Twitter account that he will be dropping a “Singing album this week…” Thugger went on to reveal that Drizzy Drake will be executive producing the album. That is very good news for Thug, given Drake’s track record and current winning streak of being like, Oprah in the sense that everything he touches or cosigns has a successful outcome.
The two have a very close relationship with Drake taking Thug on his “Boy Meets World Tour” and gifting him a diamond-studded “YSL” necklace for his birthday. Thug has also gone on social media in the past to praise Drake by saying he is one of the realest guys in the industry. Thug was also featured on “Sacrifices” and “Ice Melts” off The 6 God’s ‘More Life’ album.
“u 1 of the realist rappers I know… very GgenuinNe man and brada, I love the way u treat me and respect me and my heart!!! YOU R NUN LIKE THESE OTHER RAPPERS. I mean ALL OF EM…. And for that I’m with u foreva!” – wrote Thug on Instagram following the conclusion of the “Boy Meet World Tour”.
The two possible titles for the “Singing album” could be ‘Easy Breezy Beautiful Thugger Girls’ or Michael Thugger Jackson’, as Thug tweeted both titles. Thugger also said that he has another album on the way aside from the “Singing album”. The “Singing album” will be dedicated to Thugger’s girlfriend, Jerrika Karlae.
Still fuming from his hot set at Coachella weekend 1, Travis Scott hits “The Ellen Show” to perform his smash-hit “goosebumps”. With Mike Dean backing him Travis went to work on his ‘Birds In the Trap Sing McKnight’ standout. At weekend 1 of Coachella Scott brought out Kendrick Lamar to perform the single with him.
At his stop in Portland, Oregon last night Scott brought out Drizzy to fittingly perform “Portland” off ‘More Life’ with him.
The Young Money “Big 3” hit London to shoot the video for “No Frauds”.
In the Benny Boom-directed video, Nicki shows off her superior royalty in exquisite wardrobe provided by Alexander McQueen, Philipp Plein, and Charbel Zoe. Barbz slays it with scenes on a throne, in a nightclub and London streets. Nicki also gets petty by putting Remy Ma’s former friend, Rashida “Rah” Ali in the video.
Drizzy and Wayne join her in the club with footage that showcases the Young Money reunion.
We can expect the video for “Regret In Your Tears” off Nicki’s “#3PackFromParis” in the coming days, as the DIVA previewed the Mert & Marcus-directed mini-movie on her social media accounts a few days ago. Stay tuned.
Gucci Mane summons “Both” Young Money rappers, Drake and Lil Wayne for the remix of his banging single off ‘The Return of East Atlanta Santa’, which dropped last December.
Over the Metro Boomin’ and Southside co-produced track, Weezy adds a verse where he also gets “Both” high and drunk rapping, “I don’t usually do this but the drink has got me moody / Got me thinking ’bout decisions man, I should’ve left with Juve / Got me bustin’ with my cutie, I can’t trust her nor her booty / Every night, she actin’ new school, I am not gon’ be a student / I got class, I got trash, I got bills, I got pills / Heard them boys gon’ write me off, hope they also writing they wills,” spits Wayne at the front of his verse.”
The remix keeps “Both” GuWop and Drizzy’s original verses. Listen below via Apple Music.
While we wait for his ‘Perfect Timing’ collaborative project with Metro Boomin’, NAV drops the visuals for “Good For It”. The video combines behind the scenes footage of NAV likely on the “Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour” with cameos from Drake, The Weeknd, Lil Uzi Vert, Cash, Qunicy, and more. NAV is also showed hanging with beautiful women and sipping champagne, celebrating life.
“Good For It” is off NAV’s self-titled, debut album that also includes the single “Some Way” featuring The Weeknd. Catch NAV performing at Coachella this weekend.
It should come as no surprise that Drake leads the Billboard Music Awards with the most nominations, following all the success the rapper has had and all the records he has broke with his music. The 6 God is tied with The Chainsmokers with 22 nominations to lead the list of nominees.
Drizzy is nominated for the most awards in different categories ranging from Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top R&B Song Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, in addition to a few others.
The 6 God faces off against other successful artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West, J. Cole, Justin Bieber, Future, The Weeknd, Bruno Mars and others in all these different categories.
Following Drake and The Chainsmokers for most nominations is RihRih with 14, The Weeknd with 13, and Beyoncé with 8 noms. For the Top Artist award Drizzy is going up against Adele, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, The Chainsmokers, Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes, Rihanna, Twenty One Pilots, and his OVOXO brother, The Weeknd.
The 2017 Billboard Music Awards will take place May 21st and will air on ABC. See the full list of nominees below.
2017 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES
TOP ARTIST
Adele
Beyoncé
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
TOP NEW ARTIST
Alessia Cara
Desiigner
Lil Uzi Vert
Lukas Graham
Zayn
BILLBOARD CHART ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED BY XFINITY
Luke Bryan
Nicki Minaj
The Chainsmokers
The Weeknd
Twenty One Pilots
TOP MALE ARTIST
Justin Bieber
Drake
Future
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd
TOP FEMALE ARTIST
Adele
Beyoncé
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Sia
TOP BILLBOARD 200 ARTIST
Beyoncé
Drake
Prince
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
TOP HOT 100 ARTIST
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
TOP SONG SALES ARTIST
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Prince
Justin Timberlake
Twenty One Pilots
TOP RADIO SONGS ARTIST
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
TOP STREAMING SONGS ARTIST
The Chainsmokers
Desiigner
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
TOP TOURING ARTIST
Justin Bieber
Beyoncé
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
TOP R&B ARTIST
Beyoncé
Bruno Mars
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
The Weeknd
TOP R&B TOUR
Beyoncé
Lionel Richie
Rihanna
TOP RAP ARTIST
J. Cole
Desiigner
Drake
Future
Rae Sremmurd
TOP RAP TOUR
Drake
Future
Kanye West
TOP GOSPEL ARTIST
Jekalyn Carr
Kirk Franklin
Travis Greene
Tamela Mann
Hezekiah Walker
TOP BILLBOARD 200 ALBUM
Beyoncé, Lemonade
Drake, Views
Rihanna, ANTI
Twenty One Pilots, Blurryface
The Weeknd, Starboy
TOP SOUNDTRACK/CAST ALBUM Hamilton: An American Musical Moana Purple Rain Suicide Squad: The Album Trolls
TOP R&B ALBUM
Beyoncé, Lemonade
Bruno Mars, 24K Magic
Frank Ocean, Blonde
Rihanna, ANTI
The Weeknd, Starboy
TOP RAP ALBUM
J. Cole, 4 Your Eyez Only
Drake, Views
Kevin Gates, Isla
DJ Khaled, Major Key
A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It From Here…Thank You For Your Service
TOP R&B SONG
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”
Rihanna, “Needed Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “Starboy”
TOP R&B COLLABORATION
Drake Featuring WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
PARTYNEXTDOOR Featuring Drake, “Come and See Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “I Feel It Coming”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk, “Starboy”
TOP RAP SONG
Desiigner, “Panda”
Drake, “Fake Love”
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad and Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane, “Black Beatles”
TOP RAP COLLABORATION
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”
Zay Hilfigerr & Zayion McCall, “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)”
Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello, “Bad Things”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad and Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane, “Black Beatles”
TOP GOSPEL SONG
Jekalyn Carr, “You’re Bigger”
Tasha Cobbs, Featuring Kierra Sheard “Put A Praise On It”
Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy??”
Travis Greene, “Made A Way”
Hezekiah Walker, “Better”
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