Lil Rekk Announces1ONE, Out 1/14 via Highbridge The Label/EMPIRE
The North Philly Riser Shares A Performance Video of The Album’s Opening Track “Confetti”
Featuring An Appearance from 42 Dugg, The Highbridge The Label Rapper Lets His Guard Down In The Name Of Authenticity On New 12-Track Project
Critical Praise:
“Lil Rekk is only getting more popular with each video that he drops and while he is sitting atop the New York underground scene at the moment it is only a matter of time until he is pushed into the mainstream’s focus.” – Lyrical Lemonade
The Announcement + Video:
Channelling the valuable lessons he learned through his experiences in the streets, Lil Rekk (pronounced “Lil Reek”) utilizes honest lyrics and upbeat tempos to create his own unique style of “pain music.” Today, Lil Rekk announces 1ONE, his new project. Pronounced “one-one,” the title of the project comes from a nickname given to Rekk by his friends, signifying the North Philly rapper’s singular ability to overcome obstacles and make it out of the city. Throughout the project’s 12 tracks, Lil Rekk promises to succeed not only for himself but also for his loved ones and for his loyal fans. Featuring one guest appearance from 42Dugg, 1ONE will be available everywhere on January 14 via EMPIRE/HighbridgeTheLabel.
Along with the project announcement, Lil Rekk shares his new song “Confetti,” performed live as an exclusive with 4 Shooters Only. Performing “From The Block” outside of an NYC bodega while wearing his heavy namesake chain, Rekk pairs his casual bravado with his flex-heavy lyrics. Backed by booming 808’s, Rekk makes it known that his career is his main focus: “I ain’t tryna make new friends, I been on some business s***.” The opening track from 1ONE, “Confetti” arrives in the wake of Rekk’s two recent singles, “Time” and “Ooters,” the latter of which has racked up 1.5 million views on YouTube since its mid-November release.
Born and raised in North Philly, Rekk only started focusing on his musical career in 2019 after he watched one of his friends get into the rap game. Inspired by his friend’s hustle, Rekk found his own footing in the industry and has since released two full-length albums, The Ticket in 2019 and World Plus in 2021. The latter album has found mainstream success with Rekk’s “So So Dangerous” featuring StunnaGambino & YXNGK.A receiving over 2.4 million views on YouTube. Now signed to Highbridge The Label, Lil Rekk is ready to bring his confident and relatable street music to his ever growing fanbase.
With 1ONE, Lil Rekk is ready to prove that he’s next out of Philly, and ready to follow his Highbridge labelmates A Boogie and Don Q to stardom.
Born Tyreke Curry in Philadelphia, PA, Lil Rekk was forced to grow up fast. The absence of his father and childhood trauma introduced him to the harsh realities of life. Fortunately, Hip-Hop gave Lil Rekk an outlet to express himself. Music would eventually become his salvation. He began calling himself Lil Rekk and released his debut mixtape The Graduation, in 2018. The 20-year-old artist who is signed with Platinum Recording Artist A-Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s Highbridge The Label went on to release an increasingly impressive series of singles, remixes, and albums which accumulated over 5M streams in the process. Influenced by modern Hip-Hop and R&B sounds, his music inspirations include Drake, Lil Durk, Boogie and Lil Baby. His upcoming project will showcase the sound of an artist confidently stepping into the spotlight. With his ever growing catalog of compelling tracks, it’s clear that Lil Rekk is on the journey to stardom.
A Highlight From His 2021 Blood Was Never Thick As Water Project, the Video for “Stuck In Admiration” Blends Beautiful Desert Landscapes With Vintage Animation and Twisted Americana
Critical Praise:
“He’s one of the most creative minds in music right now. His songs are always versatile and complex considering he fills them with a plethora of true stories and experiences, and his music videos never disappoint even slightly.” – Lyrical Lemonade
The Video:
A staple of the Miami rap scene, Pouya flexed his creative muscles in 2021, releasing some of his most introspective and varied music to date. Driven by a twangy guitar loop and an addictive and self-affirming hook, “Stuck In Admiration” finds the rapper assessing his place in the universe and coming away satisfied with all he’s accomplished. Directed by MidVessel, the song’s new music video combines the song’s reflective and triumphant vibe with some of the absurdity that tinges Pouya’s worldview.
The video uses a variety of styles, focusing on Pouya as he drives through the desert, the background landscapes switches between live action to papercut animation. As a Misfits t-shirt-clad Pouya takes his muscle car through the winding roads of the American Southwest, the video intercuts Pouya’s journey with clips that give the proceedings a dark undercurrent, including morbid sequences of classic animation, old-timey reel footage, and twisted images of classic Americana (Grant Wood’s famous American Gothic duo appear to be reciting Pouya’s lyrics).
“Stuck In Admiration” is a standout track from Blood Was Never Thick As Water, Pouya’s recent album, and an artistic step forward for the respected rapper. Packed with mosh pit-ready bangers and introspective anthems alike, the project is a versatile effort, allowing Pouya to flex his range and introduce himself to new fans. The album’s pre-release singles illustrate how the Miami artist has grown–on one hand, Pouya fights his demons while soul searching on the jazz-infused “The First Step To Becoming God Is A Bottle To The Face,” while on the other, he recruits fellow Florida native Denzel Curry for the bass heavy “Wig Split” to help him let the people know that he can’t be messed with. The album was executive-produced by Pouya’s longtime collaborator and friend, Mikey The Magician, and features additional production from Rocci and IvanRamirez, amongst others. Characterized by Pouya’s distinctive flow and versatile beats, Blood Was Never Thick As Water is available everywhere now.
An iconoclastic figure who’s collaborated with everyone from $uicideboy$ to Juicy J, Pouya grew a massive fanbase with SoundCloud singles, independent albums, and visceral live performances. The prolific artist has released three studio albums–Underground Underdog, FIVE FIVE and The South’s Got Something to Say–along with multiple mixtapes with fellow BuffetBoys rappers like FatNick and BoobieLootaveli. In July 2021, Pouya made a triumphant return to Rolling Loud, a festival at which he’s been a fixture since the very first event in 2015, firing up crowds with his vast catalog.
With Blood Was Never Thick As Water, Pouya bares his soul, fearlessly plumbing the recesses of his mind and daring fans and newcomers alike to accept him as he is. Making it clear that he sees himself as his only real competition, the 26 year old rapper is determined to show the world that he should no longer be seen as an underdog. Stay tuned for more from Pouya as 2022 moves along.
To be fully independent as an artist in this day and age is to know your musical & creative worth; trusting the process and fully believing in your project. For Miami native Kevin Pouya, better known as Pouya, there’s been no hesitation as he’s climbed through the ranks from his humble Soundcloud beginnings to upwards of 3.5 million monthly Spotify listeners, a number that’s consistently growing.
With a devout fanbase and the constant itch to not only make great music, but the love of helping his community and giving back, Pouya is becoming a household name. Ever-expanding through genre defying beats, he’s leaving no stone left unturned as he creates music to be angry to, to get hyped to, to be sad to and every emotion in between – vocally exuding his story & becoming more and more relatable – building and unbreakable bond between him & his fans.
With the success of his previous albums, Underground Underdog, FIVE FIVE and The South’s Got Something to Say, alongside multiple mixtapes with underground veterans Fat Nick & Boobie Lootaveli, multiple international tours under his belt, and working with stars such as Juicy J, The Ying Yang Twins, J.I.D & more – this is truly just the beginning for the young rapper. Be on the lookout for yet another massive album with some big features from the Buffet Boys rapper – Pouya is a name you’ll be remembering.
SZA was at the center of a big music story on TikTok that occurred just before the New Year. For much of 2021, the R&B star’s gloriously petty break-up ballad “I Hate U” lived as a SoundCloud-only release–something for the fans, not meant to be a big single. That all changed when TikTok got ahold of it–a user-uploaded version of the song generated over 600k video creations, prompting SZA to comment on Twitter. In early December, inspired by the TikTok trend, SZA officially released “I Hate U” to DSPs, and TikTok activity skyrocketed. With over 1.2 million creations so far, SZA’s emphatic line, “If you wondered if I hate you, I do” resonates with creators as they call out their exes, share their failed hair journeys, and express their dislike for their professors as they complete course evaluations. SZA also hopped on the trend, using the sound to record her cats chewing on her Bottega Veneta heels. Spurred by the TikTok-generated momentum, “I Hate U” debuted at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. More recently, another line from the song, “I be so sick of you,” has resonated with creators as they share their frustrations with dating. While some creators are easily smitten by text messages, others can’t resist words of affirmation, quality time, and nicknames from their partners.
Recapping a busy year of music on the platform, TikTok shared its “Year On TikTok: 2021 Music Report” in mid-December, offering data and in-depth analysis about the platform’s biggest songs and most impactful trends. View the full report here: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/year-on-tiktok-music-report-2021
TikTok Rings in the New Year with Drill-Soundtracked 2021 Recaps, Breakthrough R&B Hits, and ’70s One-Hit Wonders
The News:
Each week, the TikTok Treats newsletter gives a snapshot of the state of music on TikTok, touching on trending hits, emerging artists, superstar moves, ascendant memes, and much more. TikTok continued to make a major impact on the music industry in 2021, launching new hits, reviving old ones, and providing a platform for stars new and old to share their music and engage with fans. If the first week of 2022 is any indication, the platform will continue to forge trends, mint stars, and send songs to the charts. Below check out some of TikTok’s hottest music trends that helped ring in the New Year:
Just days into 2022, one of music’s biggest stars made his presence felt on TikTok. Bad Bunny greeted his fans on the platform with a special New Year’s video, soundtracked by his song “Si Veo a Tu Mamá” and co-starring his significant other. The Puerto Rican superstar has a rabid fanbase on TikTok (the hashtag #badbunny has over 12 billion views) and his New Year’s message racked up over 56 million views in just three days. El Conejo Malo is clearly up to something, but he’s not too busy to goof around–he just posted a follow-up video poking fun at the pleas from his stans in the comments begging him to make another TikTok. Already a TikTok natural, don’t be surprised if their prayers for more videos are answered frequently in the coming weeks and months.
There are many things that the TikTok community loves, and a good remix and a good montage trend are two of them. One of the hottest new songs on TikTok combines both of these favored trend mini-genres. To cap off a whirlwind 2021 and usher in 2022, creators have been sharing their photo and video montages of their best memories of last year to the tune of UK rapper Jnr Choi’s “To the Moon,” a drill remix to Bruno Mars’ 2010 “Talking to the Moon.” With over 586.5K creations, the sound is inspiring creations from those who want to flaunt their fashion sense, barber skills, and baecations with their significant others. Since its November release and subsequent virality on the platform, the track has amassed over 12M streams on Spotify and landed in the top 20 on Spotify’s Viral Hits chart.
R&B is having another major moment on TikTok, with the sultry sounds of singer-songwriter Muni Long’s “Hrs & Hrs” (67.8K+ creations) leading the way. Creators are taking to the smooth track to display the lovers in their lives. The sensual vibe of the sound is sparking creations from TikTok users who go the extra mile to plan the perfect date night, tell their own love stories, and admire their parents’ 20-year marriages. As the song has continued to rise, Muni Long has been showing love and appreciation to fans who helped propel the track up the Apple Music charts and to artists like Doja Cat who have been emphatically singing the song on social media. The track’s success has made its way from TikTok to Billboard, debuting at #83 on the Hot 100 this week and marking Muni Long’s first career Hot 100 entry as a recording artist.
With the new year comes reflections, and TikTok creators are taking a moment to reminisce on some of their favorite memories of themselves and their loved ones. TikTok creators in a reflective mood have given new life to former English pop band Edison Lighthouse’s notable 1970 track, “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” (329.9K+ creations). Edison Lighthouse’s playful lines, “She ain’t no money/Her clothes are kinda funny/Her hair is kinda wild and free,” inspires TikTok users to share their best personality photos and videos, throwback pictures of their parents, and post their favorite footage of their furry companions. The revival of Edison Lighthouse’s catchy pop track on TikTok made an impact on streaming, as the song reached the Top 5 of Spotify’s Viral 50 Global chart.
SZA was at the center of a big music story on TikTok that occurred just before the New Year. For much of 2021, the R&B star’s gloriously petty break-up ballad “I Hate U” lived as a SoundCloud-only release–something for the fans, not meant to be a big single. That all changed when TikTok got ahold of it–a user-uploaded version of the song generated over 600k video creations, prompting SZA to comment on Twitter. In early December, inspired by the TikTok trend, SZA officially released “I Hate U” to DSPs, and TikTok activity skyrocketed. With over 1.2 million creations so far, SZA’s emphatic line, “If you wondered if I hate you, I do” resonates with creators as they call out their exes, share their failed hair journeys, and express their dislike for their professors as they complete course evaluations. SZA also hopped on the trend, using the sound to record her cats chewing on her Bottega Veneta heels. Spurred by the TikTok-generated momentum, “I Hate U” debuted at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. More recently, another line from the song, “I be so sick of you,” has resonated with creators as they share their frustrations with dating. While some creators are easily smitten by text messages, others can’t resist words of affirmation, quality time, and nicknames from their partners.
Recapping a busy year of music on the platform, TikTok shared its “Year On TikTok: 2021 Music Report” in mid-December, offering data and in-depth analysis about the platform’s biggest songs and most impactful trends. View the full report here: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/year-on-tiktok-music-report-2021
The Underground Legend Proves That Even Those Who Have Passed On Can’t Resist His Beats
Critical Praise:
“The Michigan-born rapper was one of the earliest and most influential artists to rise through the SoundCloud ranks in the early 2010s thanks to a truly unique aesthetic, an aura of mystery and a sound that would go on to be mimicked by his genre for years to come.” – HYPEBEAST
‘Already one of the most influential artists in rap and the SoundCloud underground, Bones shows no signs of slowing down.” – HYPEBEAST
“O’Connor’s short tracks, creepy videos, and one-word tweets rack up millions of social media interactions from a cult following that helped him sell out shows in 25 cities on a recent tour. The hip-hop elite is taking notice.” – The FADER
“Elmo Kennedy O’Connor was in pre-school when he became obsessed with the Southern artists of No Limit and Cash Money. Later in life, he would adopt the rap moniker Bones and amass a significant cult following. His gothic lyrical style, allergy to songs longer than two and a half minutes, and lo-fi visual aesthetic have convinced a quarter million people to subscribe to the SoundCloud page of his rap collective, TeamSESH.” – HotNewHipHop
The Video:
Constantly finding new ways to make his music stand out among the rest, BONES never stops working. Coming through with a nightmare released just before Christmas, BONES embodies his Ricky A Go Go persona and shares “DeathTrain,” his new claymation-animated video. The single finds BONES/Ricky channeling some of the lushest pop sounds of the 1980s, showing off a smooth singing voice and an LL Cool J-inspired flow as the underground legend professes his undying love to his partner. Never one to shy away from wearing his heart on his sleeve, Ricky/BONES sends a vulnerable message to his muse: “I never thought too highly of the world we’re in / until I met you now I got a reason to live.”
In the Alex Machin-directed claymation video, all of the characters are portrayed as skeletons with clothing on, paying homage to BONES’ artist name. Opening up with the characters attending a concert at the Soul Train-esque “Death Train,” the claymation version of BONES rolls up in a casket before hopping out and putting on a show. Even though there are multiple female skeletons losing their minds at the intimate concert, BONES only has eyes for his muse as the music plays on. He even defends her from a particularly diabolical skeleton dressed in period-correct garb.
“DeathTrain” closes a remarkably busy year for BONES, marked by five full-length albums including Scraps, his November collaboration album with TeamSESH producer Lyson. October’s ForbiddenImage immediately followed July’s InLovingMemory, a dark and personal album that featured the recent single “WhiteBoyRick.” In March, BONES released PushingUpDaisies, a full-length collaborative album produced by TeamSESH producer Deergod. Featuring the single “PopRocks,” which earned praise from Stereogum, the album thrives on the impeccable chemistry between producer and rapper. Earlier this year, BONES shared his BURDEN album and released albums recorded under the moniker surrenderdorothy onto DSPs for the first time ever.
If there’s one thing to know for sure about BONES, it’s that he’s always working on his next project. Stay tuned for much more to come from the TeamSESH founder in 2022.
BONES has proven to be one of the most enduring, influential, and creative hip-hop artists to emerge in the early 2010s. The TeamSESH founder has recorded dozens of albums, racking up hundreds of millions of streams and feeding a fanbase that eagerly awaits his every move. Despite remaining fiercely independent and true to his underground roots, his music has permeated the mainstream–in 2015, A$AP Rocky sampled BONES’ song “Dirt” for “Canal St.” (124 million streams), and in recent years, BONES has performed in prime slots at festivals such as Rolling Loud as a member of Seshollowaterboyz (along with Xavier Wülf, Chris Travis, and Eddy Baker).
TikTok Celebrates a Huge 2021 and Welcomes 2022 with LIVE NYE Concert
With Performances from Charlie Puth, Kali Uchis, and Rico Nasty, Plus Appearances from Popular Creators, TikTok’s New Year’s Eve Celebration Airs on TikTok From 6pm PT to 7:15pm PT on 12/31
The News:
At the end of another year as a driver of music and culture, TikTok is set to host a bash celebrating some of the artists and creators that made 2021 one-of-a-kind. On December 31st at 6pm PT, TikTok airs TikTok New Year’s Eve Concert, a LIVE New Year’s Eve celebration, saying farewell to 2021 and ushering 2022 with a bang.
The upcoming concert will feature performances from three artists who made their mark on TikTok Music in 2021 (listed in order of performance):
Kali Uchis – Kali’s song “telepatía” was the Top Latin Song of 2021 on TikTok, riding its status to the upper reaches of the Billboard Hot 100.
Rico Nasty – The impossibly energetic rapper behind trending hits like “Smack A B*tch” is also a prolific TikTok creator, as she engages with trends on her own page (1.8 million followers)
Each artist will perform a set during the LIVE, each taking place on a different floor of the TikTok Towers–an apartment-themed staging area where the event will take place–each floor custom designed to fit each artist’s set. Along with the artist performances, TikTok’s LIVE New Year’s Eve Concert will feature appearances from some of the community’s favorite creators, including event host averagefashionblogger, plus scarlet_may.1, tracy.oj, cristiandennis, tyshonlawrence, and 8illy.
TikTok’s New Year’s Eve Concert caps a can’t miss year of TikTok LIVEs, including standout streams from Justin Bieber and J Balvin and the Headstream series, a unique interview that takes fans inside the minds of their favorite artists like Demi Lovato, P!nk, and more.
Tune into TikTok’s New Year’s Eve Concert LIVE on the @tiktok account, airing on December 31st from 6pm PT to 7:15pm PT.
Post Malone Performs During Rolling Loud Miami 2021 (Credit: Rolling Loud/@baeth)
The Announcement:
Returning with a vengeance after a pandemic-induced absence, Rolling Loud reaffirmed its status as live rap music’s top dog in 2021. Never fans of resting on laurels, Rolling Loud turns its sights to the new year, announcing an Early Bird ticket presale for Rolling Loud Miami 2022. Offered at a special, discounted price, the Early Bird ticket sale gives Rolling Loud’s biggest fans the first chance to nab tickets to its flagship festival. With a lineup yet to be announced, Rolling Loud Miami will return to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL on July 22-24, 2022. Limited tickets are available at 12pm ET on 12/30 at http://rollingloud.com/miatix.
Setting the bar as the first major festival to return to the stage in 18 months, Rolling Loud Miami 2021 boasted performances from stars like A$AP Rocky and Post Malone, welcomed dozens of rising artists for their first festival-sized performances since the start of hte pandemic, and served as a gathering place for stars like Rihanna, Diddy, Teyana Taylor, James Harden, Iman Shumpert, Tyler Herro, and many more. For the first time ever, Rolling Loud welcomed the WWE® to the festival’s main stage, hosting two star-studded bouts that aired during FOX’s WWE SmackDown®.
Rolling Loud’s massively successful 2021 continued in October with Rolling Loud New York, which brought an all-star lineup of talent to hip-hop’s birthplace, and concluded in December with Rolling Loud California, which brought headliners like Kid Cudi, J. Cole, and Future to San Bernardino to rub shoulders with West Coast favorites. Last week’s festival concluded memorably when Kanye West graced the stage during Future’s set, marking his first festival appearance since the onset of the pandemic.
Rolling Loud, led by founders Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif, have even bigger plans for 2022, including festivals on multiple continents, as they continue to lead the vanguard of live music experiences in hip-hop and beyond. Stay tuned, and check out Rolling Loud on Instagram for all the latest updates.
Buy Rolling Loud Miami 2022 Presale tix on 12/30 @ 12 PM ET (Ages 16+): RollingLoud.com/miatix
“In four and a half years — beginning small in Miami, and now promoting Coachella-sized events around the country — Rolling Loud has established itself as a playground for the young…This time last year, many of the rappers now drawing crowds of several thousand were barely known.” – The New York Times
“Rolling Loud is the be-all of hip-hop festivals.” – Billboard
“The Rolling Loud New York experiment was a success—one which will likely earn it a return trip to the city in future years. Far from a traditional NYC rap experience, it was a two-day event that catered to the genre’s youngest fans, with an eye squarely focused on the future.” – Complex
“In only its fifth year with four major destinations and more in the pipeline overseas, athletes, celebrities and others are forking over as much as $20,000 for VIP packages. Of course, imitators are cropping up.” – Pollstar
“…within five years Rolling Loud has grown into one of the biggest hip-hop brands in the world. Locally, it has surpassed rival events Ultra and III Points in stature and rivals prestige festivals like Coachella.” –Miami New Times
Founded by Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif as a one-day Miami show, Rolling Loud has grown into a global festival phenomenon, putting on shows on both coasts and in multiple countries. Rolling Loud is the premier festival brand in hip-hop, known for its expert curation of wide-ranging lineups that reflect the state of the genre.
The festival returned from a 18-month hiatus on July 23rd-25th, with the sold out Rolling Loud Miami 2021, its biggest event yet, bringing in over 85,000 fans per day to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. With headliners like Post Malone and A$AP Rocky, Rolling Loud Miami 2021 was a triumphant return for live rap music, and a coming out party for risers and new superstars eager to play in front of a festival crowd. Rolling Loud Miami kicked off a massive year for the festival brand, arriving ahead of Rolling Loud New York 2021, and Rolling Loud California, headlined by J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and Future.
During the pandemic, Rolling Loud expanded into much more than just a live festival company. With no in-person show possibilities in sight, Rolling Loud pivoted to become a heavy-hitter in the world of Livestreaming, drawing millions of unique viewers and landing multiple events in Pollstar’s Year-End Livestream Chart. In June 2021, Rolling Loud launched Rolling Loud Presents, their first venture into tour promotions, taking the Rolling Loud experience on the road with a series of tours headlined by some of the biggest stars in hip-hop, including Rod Wave, Trippie Redd, Jack Harlow, and more to be announced.
Quickly Following His Video For “Last Time” ft. PopLord, the Alamo Records Closes Out a Busy 2021 With a New “4 Shooters Only” Performance That Shows Off His Live Singing Chops
Critical Praise:
“It seems Chino Cappin’ has found his own lane, and he performs best when he puts his impressive voice to use.” – HotNewHipHop
“He explores his relationships with his loved ones on the deeply personal track” – UPROXX
“Dirty South influences and driving top lines set Chino Cappin apart” – Dummy Mag
The Video:
Straddling the line between romantic R&B and street savvy hip-hop, Chino Cappin is solidifying his status as one of Georgia’s most masterful melodists. Proving that his silky smooth vocals translate extremely well to a live setting, Chino shares his new song “Ed Edd Eddy,” performed live as an exclusive with 4 Shooters Only. Harkening back to the classic Cartoon Network series, “Ed Edd Eddy” is an uptempo and braggadocious heater, as Chino talks his smack with an infectiously rhythmic flow: “Count a hunnid with my eyes closed, tell me how that feel now?”
Performing “From The Block” and singing his heart out into a dangling microphone, the ski-masked Chino demonstrates his ability to remain grounded in where he came from even as his talent and profile continues to grow. The new video is the latest in a line of impressive live performances by Chino, including standout renditions of “Shine” (w/ string quartet) and the Fabolous-sampling “On My Last.” With a full version that features 21 Lil Harold and earned an IG shoutout from 21 Savage himself, “Ed Edd Eddy” arrives ahead of Permanently Scarred, Chino’s next mixtape, due in 2022 via Alamo Records.
The new live video for “Ed Edd Eddy” quickly follows “Last Time,” a new collaboration with fellow Georgian PopLord. A scintillating duet between the two rising melodists, “Last Time” finds both rappers pondering the nature of love, bragging about their ends, and casually dismissing the need for serious relationships. In the video, Chino plays the song on piano as a beautiful woman braids his hair, before him and PopLord cruise through the ATL in an electric blue Lambo. With over 800k video views since its early December release, “Last Time” will appear on Permanently Scarred, along with “Demon,” a string-laden banger with over 470k views on YouTube.
2021 was a busy year for Chino Cappin, as he continued his rise out of his small hometown of Fort Valley, GA on his way to the top of the ATL hip-hop scene. The artist shared Ladders, his first project released by Alamo, characterized by his relatable lyricism and infectious vocal lines. Home to recent videos like the Willie Hutch-sampling “Money On My Mind” and the playful “Still Loading,” Ladders drips with the bravado of a man confident in his abilities. In June, Chino shared F*CC It BaCC To The BasiCs, a new mixtape that finds Chino rhyming over instrumentals from all eras, focusing on R&B and rap from the early ’00s, including samples of songs by MoneybaggYo, Usher, and more. As he made waves with singles like the sultry break-up anthem “Fake Love” and the Metro Marrs-featuring “Hot Sh*t,” Chino has earned praise from UPROXX and Dummy Mag, and told his story in an interview with Dirty-Glove Bastard.
On the upcoming Permanently Scarred, Chino shows that he’s ready to explode out of his hometown in rural Georgia and draw new connections between rap and R&B on a national scale. Be prepared: 2022 begins Chino Cappin Szn.
Chino Cappin is a lyricist and singer of many hats. First and foremost, he’s the voice of the streets, with a background in the slums that has given him the creative drive to progress in the packed hip-hop industry. But in addition to his rough and gruff image, he’s a fun-loving goofball, intense creative, and mastermind of charisma. With co-signs from No Jumper and the UK’s Dummy Mag, it’s clear many people from around the world have begun to tune in to hear what Chino’s been saying and continues to say. To date, Chino has amassed over 1.1 million streams, 900,000+ views, and an Instagram following of 28k+. These are authentic, consistent numbers that reveal a fanbase genuinely attracted to Chino in all capacities. His impact can be attributed to his authentic approach to rap and, surprisingly, his process of making music which is a unique take on two well-tested methods. He typically looks to select beats that evoke emotion and then lay down melodies and write to them. However, he also enjoys going off the top with whatever he’s feeling in the moment as well.
Dee Ponders His Past, Present, and Future in His First New Song Since Releasing His Problem Child 3 Mixtape
Critical Praise:
“What sets Watkins apart from his peers, though, is a natural bounce that sits at the core of his best songs…Dee Watkins makes songs that you can party to in one setting, and learn life lessons from in another. He can really do it all.” – Complex
“Listening to Dee Watkins on ‘Hell Raiser’ is a bit like watching Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: You get the sense the delinquents are having more fun.” – Pitchfork
“Dee Watkins has been rapping for more than a decade, first picking up the trade when he was just 9 years old. By 10, he was recording in his next-door neighbor’s studio under the name Lil D. He’s come a long way since.” – XXL
The Video:
Rhyming with a deep drawl and innate sense of melody, Florida’s Dee Watkins turns heads with his clear-headed reality raps. Taking stock of his changing position as he heads into a new year, Dee shares “Right Or Wrong,” a new song and music video. Marked with speaker-knocking percussion, airy vocal samples, and an appealing mix of piano and electric keys, “Right Or Wrong” finds Dee in a reminiscent mood, thinking back on all the sordid things that he did to keep himself alive while trying to make it in rap, resolves not to trust anyone who hasn’t been there from the beginning, and echoes a sentiment too many in the rap game are feeling right now: “You gotta face all your problems, ain’t no point in running/So many people been dying, feel like the trenches haunted.” In the video, directed by Dee’s frequent collaborator Herve Mompoint, the North Florida boy heads south to cruise around Ft. Lauderdale, counting his cash as he cruises in his all-black SUV.
“Right Or Wrong” is Dee’s first new song since the release of Problem Child 3, Dee’s new project, which came out in November. A return to Dee’s signature mixtape series, Problem Child 3 is home to multiple highlight singles that show his versatility. Dee promised to always take care of his loved ones on the humble banger, “JPay,” while he focused on relationship issues on his new emotional banger, “Hurtin’ You,” singing: “I’m running out of love, I’m running out of patience / I was f****** with you, but no more I can’t take it.” Problem Child 3 is Dee’s second full-length of 2021. Earlier this year, he shared Not One Of Them, a 10-track album featuring “Proud Of Me” ft. FCG Heem, which raked in over 2.5 million views on YouTube. Featuring appearances from NoCap, Hotboii, and Quail P, Problem Child 3 is available everywhere now via Alamo Records.
The new video closes out a busy 2021 for Dee Watkins, who kept his fans happy with two new projects and a series of standout performances opening for fellow Floridian Rod Wave on the “SoulFly Tour.” In 2022, look for Dee to continue his upward rise, while never forgetting to look inward and stay ten toes down. Stay tuned for much more music and more flashy videos in the near future.
A rapper since age 10 and an artist since age 15, Dee Watkins caught fire in Florida and beyond with his crisply rhythmic flow and sharp Southern drawl. The 23-year-old artist first caught mainstream attention when he shared a remix to “Act Up” by City Girls, garnering millions of streams across platforms. He proved that he was here to stay with his origin story, “Bad Ass Jit,” a slinky rider’s anthem that racked up more than 39 million YouTube videos and inspired Young Dolph to hop on the remix. Dee built momentum in the streets with his Problem Child series of mixtapes, which included regional hits like the Pitchfork-praised “Hell Raiser” and “Fake Sh*t” ft. NoCap.
The Chicago Standout Shares a Creative Clip From His WAKE UP LUCKI Project, Produced in Full by F1LTHY of Working On Dying
Critical Praise:
“Lucki Can Tell Nothing But His Truth…Lucki is shameless about his pain. Whether the 22-year-old Chicagoan—born Lucki Camel Jr.—is rapping about his bouts with depression and anxiety, his role in sabotaging his romantic relationships, or his prescription drug addiction, he refuses to hide his flaws. His candor about his life lows has made him a relatable antihero to a loyal cult following of fans who regularly take to social media with comments like, ‘Lucki changed my life’ or ‘Lucki gets me’ whenever he releases new music or opens up about his struggles publicly.” – Pitchfork
“Lucki has been applying the truths of this life to his music for the better part of a decade.” – Complex
“Lucki has been building his resume for years, crafting understated, infectious tracks that have shades of fellow Chicagoans like Chief Keef and Supa Bwe, but a swagger and sensibility that is all his own.” – Pigeons & Planes
“Lucki’s music can feel like you’re about to be submerged in a swamp or like you’re about to fall asleep behind the wheel of the Lamborghini from Suicide Squad“ – The FADER
‘On this blessed day, we also get Days B4 III, the new full-length from Lucki, the muttering young cult-rap icon whose self-destructive lyrics have the power to punch you in your soul.” – Stereogum
The Video:
Crafting absorbing and insular rap songs since the age of 16, LUCKI hypnotizes fans with his mantra-like rhymes. Harkening back to a recent past that feels like eons ago, the Chicago native shares the video for “2019.” Produced by F1LTHY of Working On Dying, the song finds LUCKI finding the negative space between carnivalesque synth arpeggios, which provide a bright atmosphere to contrast with LUCKI’s stream-of-consciousness rhymes. The song tells a fragmented story about a relationship, one that started as a fan-artist connection but evolved into something far more complicated. Directed by Lucki’s frequent collaborator Lonewolf, the video conjures a dreamlike atmosphere, as LUCKI and his lady friend attempt to rendezvous on a beach full of empty beds, each searching for the other in vain as day turns to night.
“2019” is a highlight track from WAKE UP LUCKI, the new collaborative project between LUCKI and F1LTHY. Spanning 12 tracks, WAKE UP LUCKI continues the 25-year-old artist’s penchant for existential and starkly honest lyricism, with an added sense of urgency from F1LTHY’s video game-worthy beats. The new tape is home to the recent single, “NEPTUNE V.S INDUSTRY,” a bite-sized banger that examines LUCKI’s role as a “real geek boy in the industry,” and generated over 1.5 million views on its LONEWOLF-directed video, and more recently, “U.G.K.,” also directed by Lonewolf. One of the most accomplished projects in LUCKI’s 8-year career as a singular talent, WAKE UP LUCKI is available everywhere via EMPIRE.
WAKE UP LUCKI is the culmination of an action-packed 2021, packed with music and live performances. In the Spring, LUCKI released Almost Woke, a double-single that hinted at the expansive production styles of WAKE UP LUCKI, home to “LifestyleBrazy” and “No Joke,” with the former racking up over 1 million streams on Spotify. Prior to the two pack, LUCKI dropped the Lyrical Lemonade-approved banger, “Greed” featuring Lil Yachty. Since releasing those three tracks, LUCKI kept busy by actively touring, playing his extensive catalog and major music festivals across the U.S. including Summer Smash in Chicago and Rolling Loud in New York and California. . The artist took a step forward in his career by embarking on two headlining tours alone in 2021, the “Almost There Tour” and the “Wake Up Lucki Tour,” the latter ending with a hometown show in Chicago on November 27
WAKE UP LUCKI disturbed the sleepers, but it marks just the latest step in the artist’s stardom trajectory. Stay tuned for a new album in 2022 that will satisfy longtime fans and newcomers alike. Stay woke.
Cultivating an ever-growing following since he debuted in the rap game in 2013 at 17, LUCKI has earned glowing praise from both critics and industry figures, including shoutouts from Pharrell and Justin Timberlake. He’s collaborated in the past with the likes of A$AP Rocky, Chance The Rapper, Playboi Carti and many others. The rapper formerly known as Lucki Eck$ feeds his fans with a consistent output of boundary-pushing music that plumbs the depths of his soul.
LUCKI had a breakout year in 2019, during which Lucki collaborated with ChaseTheMoney and Earl Sweatshirt, released acclaimed projects Freewave 3 and Days B4 III, and earned praise from Pitchfork, who raved “Lucki’s music works so well in large part due to his ear for production, plodding hi-hats that make it feel like your brain is stuck in quicksand, and his eerie, doomsday melodies.” 2020 was another banner year for the young artist, featuring the release of his 12-track project Almost There, home to the fan favorite single “Faith.”
The Detroit Artist Shows Off His Hustle with Blinding Diamonds and Stacks of “Work” In The Latest Visual From His Hard 2 Kill Project, Acclaimed by Pitchfork and More
Critical Praise:
“For once, everything in Detroit hip-hop is clicking, and KOD is a step closer to Lonnie reaching a breakthrough that so many Detroit icons before him couldn’t.” – Pitchfork
“With effortless stick talk and references to Scooby Doo, Jerry Rice, and King Tut, the Detroit rapper passes with flying colors.” – Consequence
The Video:
A student of hip-hop with a sharp sense of humor, Bandgang Lonnie Bands has a way with punchlines that would make fellow Detroiter Eminem proud. Paying tribute to Detroit’s most famous rap export in his new video, Lonnie shares “Where Is Marshall.” The song is produced by L.A. sound architect Cypress Moreno, who mutates Dr. Dre’s classic beat for “The Real Slim Shady” by adding the distorted 808s and bouncy snares of modern Michigan rap. Using his own nonchalant, sing-song flow, Lonnie recounts growing up not far from Eminem’s home and brags about “breaking bad like I’m Heisenberg” and having “dope so good the fiends stalk you.” Directed by Anfy, the video deposits Lonnie in a trailer park not dissimilar to where Marshall Mathers grew up, as the 6 Mile rapper stars in moments that evoke Em’s best videos, including “The Real Slim Shady,” “My Name Is,” “Forgot About Dre,” and “Lose Yourself.” “Where Is Marshall” is a highlight track from Hard 2 Kill, Lonnie’s acclaimed album, released in October.
Arriving months after Lonnie survived a near-fatal shooting incident, Hard 2 Kill brims with a sense of energy and urgency that adds drama to each piano riff and 808 thump. On the album, Lonnie rhymes with a new level of fearlessness, discussing his exploits in the streets, demonstrating his rap supremacy, and daring the opps to take another shot at him. H2K benefits from Lonnie’s spectacular ear for beats, each of which slyly subverts the kinetic, piano-heavy Detroit sound that he helped popularize with BandGang and can be heard in his video singles “Foreva Rollin” and “Glocks & Choppas.” Praised by Pitchfork, Stereogum, Consequence, HowNewHipHop, and many others, and with guest spots from ESTGee, OhGeesy, YoungNudy, BIG30, ReeceYoung’n, OnFully, and more, Hard 2 Kill is available everywhere via TFEntertainment.
With over 100 million YouTube views in the bank, BandGang Lonnie Bands is ready to prove that he’s one of the best bar-for-bar rappers in the game today. He made his name as one of six members of BandGang, a Detroit collective that helped bring the piano-heavy sound that now dominates Detroit to the forefront. The 26-year-old rapper made his name as a solo act with his KOD project, acclaimed by Pitchfork, and expanded his audience with guest appearances on tracks by Shoreline Mafia, Drego & Beno, and more. Though the last two years have been hard, punctuated by Lonnie’s near-death experience and the loss of several close friends including BandGang Paid Will, the rapper emerged from his trials stronger as a man and an artist, determined to support his family by doing what he loves most–making music.
“I got something to prove right now. I feel like my breakout moment hasn’t even come yet,” declares BandGang Lonnie Bands. A forefather of Detroit’s ongoing Rap renaissance, Lonnie has amassed over 100 million video views across dozens of tracks and visuals that stream into the six and seven figures. Introduced as a standout member of the six-man BandGang crew, Lonnie has carried that momentum into collaborations with Shoreline Mafia, ShredGang, and others. However, after a string of mixtapes and albums, the pressures in BandGang Lonnie’s private life affected his stride. “I lost everybody,” he admits of tragedies throughout his family, rap group, and inner circle. Over two years, pain transformed into perseverance. On October 7, BandGang Lonnie Bands emerges with his H2K album. Hard To Kill refuses to retreat. Across 16 songs featuring Young Nudy, BIG30, EST Gee, and others, Lonnie insists his moment has arrived. “Can’t nobody mess with me on this one. This album is coming from the soul.”
The Sky’s The Limit for These AT Clients–Watch Them Soar in 2022
We at Audible Treats love nothing more than to watch one of our clients bubble up from promising newcomer to full-fledged star. With help from their artist teams and some gentle pushing on our end, past clients of ours like Rod Wave, Lil Durk, 24kGoldn, Maxo Kream, Sleepy Hallow, and more have been able to reach the highest echelons of rap stardom, earning Grammy nominations, Billboard smashes, XXL Freshman placements, among other honors.
Our team is constantly on the lookout for the next big thing, and each year, we have a few candidates who are already on our client roster. The below artists come from places as varied the mean streets of Brooklyn, the lonely Massachusetts seaside, and the deep heart of Texas. They range from hard-nosed drill bruisers, to emo-rap songsmiths, to chaotic lyrical wunderkinds, to drawly trap. There’s one thing that these artists all have in common: they’ve got NEXT.
Before we get to our selections, let’s take a look at how some of our 2021 picks raised their profiles:
Morray:
His breakthrough single “Quicksand” was certified Gold by the RIAA, after generating over 200 million combined streams, reaching the Top 10 of the YouTube Music Video chart and Urban Radio airplay, and peaking at #65 at the Billboard Hot 100.
He earned two GRAMMY nominations for his performance on J. Cole’s #2 Billboard single “m y l i f e,” which also featured 21 Savage.
He was selected to XXL’s 2021 Freshman class, and earned “Best New Artist” Nominations at the BET Hip-Hop Award and the Soul Train Awards
He released his critically acclaimed debut album Street Sermons, which debuted at #41 on the Billboard 200 and propelled Morray to #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. The album was praised by Complex, who put it at #10 on their Best Albums of 2021 So Far list in July, and at #37 on their year-end Best Albums of 2021 list.
He joined J. Cole and 21 Savage on Cole’s “The Off-Season Tour,” and made his first-ever festival performance at Rolling Loud Miami.
He appeared on “In My Blood,” a posthumous single by Mo3, one of his favorite artists. The song was eventually selected by Barack Obama as one of his favorite songs of 2021.
$NOT:
Raised his monthly listeners on Spotify to over 9 million, propelled by successful singles like “Whipski” ft. Lil Skies, “RED,” and “Go!” The release of “Whipski” helped him earn his first placement on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart.
The be-hoodied rapper topped Complex’s list of “Rappers To Watch” in 2021, and earned a cover story in his hometown Miami Herald in which his frequent collaborator Cole Bennett stated, “
He made his first Billboard Hot 100 appearance as a guest on Cochise’s “Tell ‘Em,” which peaked at #64 (and charted on the Top 100 in the UK and Canada), eventually earning GOLD certification from the RIAA. “Tell ‘Em” was also $NOT’s first-ever number one hit, as it topped the pop charts in New Zealand.
He commenced the 50-date “$NOT WORLD TOUR,” which criss-crossed the U.S. in 2021 and heads to Europe next year, and performed raucous sets at festivals like Rolling Loud, Day N Vegas, Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash, Hard Summer and Firefly Festival.
The 23-year-old artist started his own clothing line YORDIE, which sells out instantly with every drop, and collaborated with brands like Rose In Good Faith.
And now, some of our clients you’ll be hearing a lot more of in 2022…
DUSTY LOCANE emerged as a crucial presence in a heavily populated Brooklyn drill scene that lacked a clear superstar in late 2020. After racking up hit after hit with his booming basso and titanic presence in his first year in the game, the keys to the Brooklyn scene’s future seem to be secure in DUSTY’s hands. Shortly after releasing his debut album, UNTAMED, earlier this month, DUSTY joined the exclusive ranks of artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Coi Leray, Pooh Shiesty, and many more, by being welcomed into the #RIAAClassOf2021 for receiving his first GOLD certification this year with his debut single, “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN FREESTYLE” which racked up over 200 million combined streams. Meanwhile, his buzzing single, “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN PT. 2 (PICTURE ME),” has been taking TikTok by storm in recent weeks with over 140k video creations featuring the sound. As 2021 comes to a close, DUSTY continues to perfect his sound and aims to rise even higher in 2022.
“That boy bad news, he a menace to society” – if you scrolled TikTok at all during the Summer of 2021, you probably heard that phrase, memorably uttered by Cico P on his hit single “Tampa.” Originally released in 2019, “Tampa” was a glorious synthesis of down-home southern rap and futuristic plugg music, Cico’s drawl seamlessly connecting the worlds of the internet and IRL. In 2021, “Tampa” found second life on TikTok, generating over 14 million YouTube views and over 60 million Spotify streams en route to the Billboard Hot 100.
With his mixtape NawfJaxx, released this summer, Cico proved he was much more than just “Tampa,” connecting with Southern stars like Kevin Gates and Maxo Kream for standout tracks. Now signed to APG, the powerhouse label behind Gates and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Cico looks primed to leap out of his tiny hometown of Jacksonville, Texas and follow his APG labelmates to Southern Rap stardom.
Hailing from South Carolina, Dro Kenji’s rise from his small town to the big time was swift. The 19-year-old artist earned major co-signs from Taz Taylor and Nick Mira of Internet Money, becoming the first signee to Mira’s MiraTouch imprint. Powered by those Internet Money beats and his own strong work ethic, Kenji is prolific–he’s released four new projects since 2020, each one streaming more than the last. He broke out with his single “SAVE ME” in 2020, and 2021 saw Kenji flex his melodic mastery on singles like “KILL CUPID,” a heartsick ballad with an appearance from $NOT (10+ million Spotify streams).
After a year full of career landmarks, including his first-ever festival performance at Rolling Loud Miami and his first headlining tour, Kenji looks to go even bigger in 2022. His most recent singles, “VANISH” and “FINDERS KEEPERS” ft. Scorey, have already earned over 2.5 million streams combined on Spotify alone since late October. With his new project WITH OR WITHOUT YOU due early in 2022, Kenji is looking to follow the path set by Juice WRLD and Lil Tecca to become the next Internet Money-produced superstar to take the world by storm.
Big Jade cultivated a loyal audience with bruising freestyles and buoyant shows of personality, earning her a mentor in BeatKing and a record deal with Alamo Records. In 2021, the Beaumont, Texas started to show the world what she’s capable of, as she released Pressure, her debut album, earning critical acclaim from Stereogum, who called the album “grimy and guttural, with a punch-you-in-the-jaw directness and a deep snarl,” and Pitchfork, who named the album one of the best overlooked albums of Spring 2021.
Big Jade announced herself as an artist to watch in 2021, but Pressure and her follow-up sample-heavy mixtape Jade Wins are just the beginning. Next year, don’t sleep on Jade as she takes the next step in her evolution from Texas local hero to national icon.
Slimelife Shawty rhymes with a conversational melodicism that draws the listener deep into his starkly honest street stories. His songs brim with hooks, but they pop up in unpredictable places–he speaks directly from the soul, arriving at punchlines and choruses not when conventions demand, but when it feels natural. The Atlanta native’s unapologetic realness has earned him co-signs from some of the biggest names in street rap, including Young Thug, Lil Baby, and Lil Durk, who executive-produced Slime’s 2021 project Better Living.
Though he’s already regularly reaching the million view mark on his YouTube videos, Slimelife knows there’s another level that he can reach. With his sights on reaching the highest levels of stardom in Atlanta and beyond, the 23-year-old rapper is primed for a massive 2022.
My Favorite Color introduced himself to the world with his 2019 project Velma, a deeply personal and musical effort that expounded upon the rapper’s biography. With his superhero origin out of the way, the artist born Anthony Willis to show off his powers–rapidfire flows, tongue-twisting lyricism, and a biting sense of humor.
This past summer, My Favorite Color released “Old News,” a wacky, flute-laden banger that came with a colorful music video, in which the rapper played multiple characters a la Eddie Murphy. The “Old News” video’s combination of showmanship and skill caught the attention of Pigeons & Planes, who named the L.A.-via-Pittsburgh artist one of the best new artists of September 2021, saying “Masquerading as a multitude of characters all while delivering lyrics wrapped in a kinetic sound, it’s clear My Favorite Color is okay not taking himself too seriously and letting the music speak for itself.” The artist followed up “Old News” with an even more chaotic and virtuosic effort, “Mayday,” in which MFC has fun mixing party-positive flexes with tongue-twisting geopolitical analysis: “I ain’t f*ckin’ with no socialism, communism, chauvinism/Quit votin’ for the puppets, n****, don’t nobody give a f*ck so f*ck it, n****a.”
Signed to Rostrum Records, the label that helped make stars out of Pittsburgh rappers Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, MFC is looking to become the next rapper with Steel City roots to hit the big time. Stay tuned next year for a full album of songs as creative and surprising as the two he released in 2021.
Dedicated to confounding expectations and versatile enough to escape from any box people try to put him in, rising singer-songwriter Lonr. is in a category of his own. His pen game, punctuated by soaring hooks and Instagram caption-worthy lyrics, has earned him influential co-signs and a deal with Epic Records. Building on his 2020 collaborations with H.E.R., which earned Lonr. a Grammy nomination, the artist who hails from a small town in coastal Massachusetts shared Land Of Nothing Real 2, a versatile 8-song EP, reflecting Lonr.’s broad array of musical interests. There high energy moments, including rock-influenced ragers like “RENT FREE” and mosh pit-appropriate bangers like single “RED LIGHT,” as well as romantic ballads like “READ MY MIND” ft. Yung Bleu (483k YouTube views) and the soaring “CUFFIN,” featuring 2021 guest verse goddess Coi Leray.
With his 2021 music only showing a sliver of the artist’s artistic potential, look for Lonr. to make his mark on 2022 with his astonishing vocal power and sharp songwriting.
END
12.16.2021
2021 Audible Treats Gamechangers: Movers and Shakers in Music and More
Press Release
2021 Audible Treats Gamechangers: Movers and Shakers in Music and More
These Audible Treats Clients Shaped Culture and Started Trends in 2021
We at Audible Treats are blessed to work with some of the most exciting companies in the entertainment business. Each of the below companies makes an indelible and immense impact on music and culture, shaping conversation, breaking new stars, and showcasing established ones.
Read below to see how these AT clients changed the way business was done in 2021:
TikTok emerged as a dominant force in music and culture in 2020, but they didn’t rest on their laurels in 2021. The app continued to be the leading destination for music discovery, and the most effective way for artists to market their music. The platform supercharges fan engagement and encourages creativity, providing more ways for fans to show their love and for artists to respond.
This month, TikTok released its “Year On TikTok Music Report,” which quantified the massive impact TikTok as on the music industry. Approximately 430 songs crossed the billion-view threshold, a 146% increase from 2020, with the most-viewed among these approaching, and even exceeding, 20 billion views. Over 175 trending TikTok songs made it to the Billboard Hot 100 this year, up from 90 in 2020.
In 2021, TikTok made its mark early, helping supercharge the ascent of Olivia Rodrigo, the year’s biggest breakout pop star, who emerged with the biggest-ever debut week in Spotify history in “Driver’s License,” and helped propel The Kid Laroi’s song “STAY” to multiple weeks at the top of the Hot 100. TikTok also paved the way for the rise of PinkPantheress, whose sample-heavy and bite-sized songs are perfect for the platform.
Beyond the new stars, TikTok continued its embrace of catalog acts, onboarding iconic artists like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and ABBA, and hosted record-breaking LIVE streams with megastars like Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran. Already massively influential for such a new company, 2021 is just the beginning of TikTok’s cultural dominance in music and beyond.
In 2022, look for TikTok to grow even more, as it continues to be the primary driver for music and culture on the internet and beyond.
A media giant that has become synonymous with the concept of streaming itself, Netflix is devoted to telling the stories of underrepresented groups. In 2021, Netflix produced a variety of films, shows, and limited series that put Black creators and stars front-and-center.
From the torrid, Zendaya/John David Washington two-hander Malcolm & Marie, to Blood Brothers, the documentary exploration of a crucial Civil Rights-era relationship, to Yasuke, an anime about the first-and-only Black samurai, Netflix continues to push culture forward by telling stories that give voice to the unheard and give prominent Black icons the platform they deserve.
A brief list of Netflix recs for your queue: Malcolm & Marie, Army Of The Dead, Yasuke, Blood Brothers, Biggie: I’ve Got A Story To Tell, Colin In Black And White, Concrete Cowboy, The Harder They Fall, Bruised, True Story
Founded by Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif, Rolling Loud mastered the pandemic pivot in a disastrous 2020 for the live industry, leveraging its brand equity to transform into a livestreaming giant on Twitch. But in 2021, Rolling Loud went back outside, and they did it in a big way.
Rolling Loud Miami 2021 was the first major festival to return from the pandemic, hosting headliners Travis Scott, Post Malone, and A$AP Rocky and 85k fans per day over three days in July. October’s Rolling Loud NY was equally successful, with Travis, J. Cole, and 50 Cent thrilling a crowd of 60k+ in Citi Field in Queens. The year ended with a bang–December’s Rolling Loud California closed with one of the biggest moments in festival history: Kanye West hopped on stage during headliner Future’s set, performing new and classic hits and delivering an impromtu freestyle over “F*ck Up Some Commas.”
Not satisfied with merely being the world’s premier rap festival brand, Rolling Loud expanded into promotions. They founded Rolling Loud Presents, planning and promoting tours by Lil Durk & Lil Baby, Rod Wave, Trippie Redd, Jack Harlow, and more.
Latin trap and reggaeton have grown into major forces in worldwide pop, and Baja Beach Fest has grown along with it. The oceanside event in Rosarito Beach, MX radiates positive vibes, as fans from Mexico and the U.S. stream in to see their favorite artists in a picturesque setting.Just three years after starting as a single-day festival, Baja Beach Fest is now the biggest Latin music festival in North America, with two three-day weekends, both of which sold out in 2021. The fest boasted headliners Anuel AA, J Balvin, and Ozuna, along with red hot stars like Karol G, Farruko, Rauw Alejandro, El Alfa, and more. Founded by Chris Den Uijl and Aaron Ampudia, and fiercely proud of its Mexican roots, Baja Beach Fest gives some of the world’s most popular artists the showcase they deserve. Look for the Beach Fest to move beyond Baja in the near future.
Don’t forget to check out the two-part BBF 2021 Aftermovie to get an approximation of the fest’s unbeatable vibe: Part 1, Part 2
Founded in 2018 by Moe Shalizi, The Shalizi Group has quickly become one of the most successful entertainment and management companies in the music industry. With clients like Marshmello, Jauz, and Alesso, Shalizi made major waves in the world of EDM, but in 2021, The Shalizi Group made major inroads into hip-hop.In fall of 2020, TSG client Morray released “Quicksand,” which built organic momentum until it reached the Top 10 of YouTube’s U.S. Music Videos chart, approached the Top 10 of Urban Radio, and charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Backed by his team at TSG, Morray capitalized on the momentum of “Quicksand” into a bevy of “Artist to Watch” designations, and a critically acclaimed debut mixtape Street Sermons. Morray earned Best New Artist nominations at the BET Hip-Hop and Soul Train Awards. Most significantly, Morray earned two GRAMMY nominations for his role singing on “m y l i f e,” a song by J. Cole, who welcomed Morray to his “The Off-Season Tour.”
With new music on the way from Morray, plus additional rap clients like Pouya, Wacotron, Lil Dusty G, Kameron, and more, look for TSG and Pick Six Records to make an even bigger mark on 2022.
Young Dolph Mourned in Memphis at “Celebration Of Life” Memorial Service
With Words From Family and Friends, Emotional Performances, and Tributes from Hip-Hop Royalty, the Service Illustrated the Enormous Impact Dolph Had On His Community and the World at Large
The Announcement:
Young Dolph left the world far too soon, but in his 36 years of life, he made an impact on his loved ones, his community, and on music that is impossible to quantify. Taking stock of his uncountable accomplishments and a legacy that will live forever, Dolph’s family and friends hosted a “Celebration of Life,” a public memorial service at Memphis’s FedEx Forum.
Broadcast live on REVOLT, the emotional service touched on all aspects of the rapper’s life as an artist, a role model, a citizen of Memphis, and a family man. The service featured moving performances from Keke Wyatt, Cam Bethany, and Bobbi Storm, and a dance performance set to Dolph’s music by DRAEM.
The “Celebration of Life” kicked off with an acknowledgment of Dolph’s role in rap game, bringing video tributes from Dolph’s peers in the Southern rap game, including Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, and T.I., fellow Memphis legends Juicy J, 8Ball & MJG, and Gangsta Boo, plus NFL legend Deion Sanders and his son Shadeur, the starting quarterback at Jackson State University, an HBCU in Memphis where Deion is head coach. Bookending the message from Dolph’s peers came messages from Dolph’s Paper Route Empire artists and team, including messages from Snupe Bandz, Big Moochie Grape, Paper Route Woo, and behind-the-scenes figures like his photographers, his booking agent, and his tour manager.
A notable moment a recorded message from Corey Miller, the former No Limit rapper known as C-Murder, who is currently serving a life sentence in prison, and a moving speech from R&B singer Monica, who read a letter from the rapper that revealed that Dolph frequently visited the incarcerated artist in prison (C-Murder was Dolph’s favorite rapper of all time), and made financial arrangements to give assistance to the rapper’s family.
Community leaders like former mayor of Memphis W.W. Herenton, Reverend Earle Fisher, and Principal Michael Bates, Dolph’s former high school geography teacher, attested to Dolph’s dedication to giving back to the community he came from. In honor of his influence and his philanthropic efforts, Tennessee state senator Katrina Robinsonofficially proclaimed November 17th, the date of Dolph’s passing, to be officially known as the “Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr. Day of Service,” and revealed that the Georgia state legislature passed a resolution to honor that day as well.
Mourners in the FedEx Forum were treated to stories of Dolph’s incredible generosity from the recipients of his largesse, themselves. Jose, who received $25,000 for winning Dolph’s “Penguins” challenge, awarded to the person with the most creative interpretation of Dolph’s verse on that song, spoke about how Dolph’s gift helped him get his life right after his release from prison. Jackie, affectionately known as “Lamborghini Jack,” won Dolph’s “Rich Slave Lamborghini Giveaway,” receiving Dolph’s personal 2018 custom-wrapped Lamborghini Aventador, which she sold for enough money to buy her growing family a home. Timothy Fletcher, a drummer who won Dolph’s “#ThatsMajorChallenge” in 2019 and earned $30,000, reflected on Dolph’s words of wisdom he offered when they met, and credited Dolph for being a role model to him and others.
Most significant were the eulogies offered by Young Dolph’s family, including his beloved Aunt, his cousins, and his siblings. The ceremony closed with a heartfelt message from Dolph’s wife Mia Jerdine, and messages from his 4-year-old daughter Ari, and his son Adolph Robert Thornton III (“Tre Tre”). “If you’re feeling sad about my dad dying,” said Tre-Tre, “I’m going to let you know that everything will be fine. If you don’t know, then I know that I will become a great man just like my dad.”
The “Celebration Of Life” occurred just one day after the City of Memphis named a street in his hometown of Catalia Heights after the rapper. Living on as a permanent reminder of Dolph’s lasting legacy as an artist and citizen, the span of Dunn Avenue between Airways Blvd and Hays Road will heretofore be known as be known as “Adolph Robert ‘Young Dolph’ Thornton, Jr. Avenue.”
The Highbridge The Label Rapper Only Has Time for the Real Ones in Latest Video
Critical Praise:
“Lil Rekk is only getting more popular with each video that he drops and while he is sitting atop the New York underground scene at the moment it is only a matter of time until he is pushed into the mainstream’s focus.”- Lyrical Lemonade
The Video:
With over 5 million streams in the bank, 22 year old LilRekk (pronounced “Lil Reek”) captivates his listeners with his soul-baring anthems. Doing double duty by addressing the haters and the fakes, Rekk shares “Time,” his new video single. Rekk makes sure to call out the people who are only in his life when it’s convenient for them, saying: “I be tired of making time for em / They weren’t around when I was down / Don’t got no dime for em.”
In the JMO directed-video, Rekk keeps it lowkey in the backseat of his Cadillac before joining his crew on stage to perform for a fired-up crowd. Donned in a full Chrome Hearts outfit and rocking a chain with his name on it, Rekk emits confidence as he retreats to the venue’s dressing rooms to embrace his inner lone wolf. “Time” is the latest video single to come from Rekk, following his recent vulnerable banger, “Ooters,” which racked up over 1.2 million views on YouTube since its mid-November release.
Born and raised in North Philly, Rekk only started focusing on his musical career in 2019 after he watched one of his friends get into the rap game. Inspired by his friend’s hustle, Rekk found his own footing in the industry and has since released two full-length albums, The Ticket in 2019 and World Plus in 2021. The latter album has found mainstream success with Rekk’s “So So Dangerous” featuring StunnaGambino & YXNGK.A receiving over 2.3 million views on YouTube.
Now signed to Highbridge The Label, Lil Rekk is ready to bring his confident and relatable street music to his ever growing fanbase. Keep your ear to the ground for more major moves in 2022.
Born Tyreke Curry in Philadelphia, PA, Lil Rekk was forced to grow up fast. The absence of his father and childhood trauma introduced him to the harsh realities of life. Fortunately, Hip-Hop gave Lil Rekk an outlet to express himself. Music would eventually become his salvation. He began calling himself Lil Rekk and released his debut mixtape The Graduation, in 2018. The 20-year-old artist who is signed with Platinum Recording Artist A-Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s Highbridge The Label went on to release an increasingly impressive series of singles, remixes, and albums which accumulated over 5M streams in the process. Influenced by modern Hip-Hop and R&B sounds, his music inspirations include Drake, Lil Durk, Boogie and Lil Baby. His upcoming project will showcase the sound of an artist confidently stepping into the spotlight. With his ever growing catalog of compelling tracks, it’s clear that Lil Rekk is on the journey to stardom.
Young Dolph Honored With Officially-Designated Street Name in Memphis
Located in Dolph’s Home Neighborhood of Castalia Heights, the Street Commemorates the Life and Legacy of the Iconic Artist
See Photos From The Ceremony Below
Young Dolph’s Loved Ones to Host “Celebration of Life” at FedEx Forum in Memphis on 12/16
With Words from Those Who Loved Him Best and Performances in His Honor from Paper Route Empire Artists, the “Celebration of Life” Pays Tribute to the Man and His Music
The Announcement:
Beloved in Memphis and beyond for his invigorating rap music and dedication to charitable efforts, Young Dolph made a major impact in his industry and his community during his too-short life. In an unanimous voice vote earlier this week, the Memphis City Council resolved to name a street in Memphis in Dolph’s honor. Revealed during a street naming ceremony earlier today, a section of street in Dolph’s home neighborhood of Castalia Heights will forever be known as “Adolph Robert ‘Young Dolph’ Thornton, Jr. Avenue.”
The new street, span of Dunn Avenue between Airways Blvd and Hays Road, will live on as a permanent reminder of Dolph’s lasting legacy as an artist and citizen. The City of Memphis also decreed that November 17th, the date of Dolph’s passing, will be a recognized Day Of Service in the city, honoring his lifetime of dedication to his community.
Councilman JB Smiley, Jr., who sponsored the honorary street name resolution, said, “It’s about celebrating our own. Young Dolph was truly one of us.”
Tomorrow, Dolph’s loved ones will host a “Celebration of Life” honoring the man’s life as a rapper, businessman, philanthropist, and family man. The service will include performances, words from his family, his Paper Route Empire team, and reminisces from philanthropy recipients Dolph gave to throughout the years. The event occurs Thursday, 12/16, from 11am-2pm at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Open to the public, free tickets for the event sold out in a matter of minutes. The event will stream live on REVOLT’s YouTube channel.
“Whether or not you realize it, this Puerto Rican rapper is one of the most popular artists in America right now.” – Vice
“Luckily, a few artists have taken on the task of ensuring [reggaeton’s] origins aren’t suppressed or forgotten. Farruko is one of the few at the forefront, doing so in the most overt fashion…Farruko, who has over a decade of experience in the music industry, has been a part of that time of reinvention for reggaeton, trap en español, and now reggae…Taking on the advice of the wise, Farruko more often than not says the least but does the most, pouring out his thoughts, emotions and vision for the future of Latin music into extended albums and tracks.” – Remezcla
Background:
About Farruko
Farruko is recognized as one of the most important musical phenomena in the Latin music industry. Thanks to his fantastic artistic versatility and his excellence on stage, the multi-platinum artist and two-time Latin GRAMMY winner has managed to conquer massive audiences around the world, becoming one of the most innovative exponents of the reggaeton genre. With eight successful studio albums and multiple collaborations with international artists of different genres, his success has impacted the Hispanic American community, in such a way that his career has been recognized by HBO with a documentary, “Farruko: En Letra de Otro.”
His latest album Gangalee debuted #2 on Billboard’s “Top Latin Songs” chart, entered the “Billboard 200” global chart, and was certified 7x multi-platinum. This album presents essential singles like “Nadie,” “Inolvidable,” “La Cartera” with Bad Bunny, and “Delincuente” with Anuel AA. Likewise, his single “Calma – Remix” with Pedro Capó became an iconic hit of popular reggaeton, which not only received a Latin GRAMMY award but has also been certified as platinum by the RIAA. Additionally, the song received an ASCAP 2020 award and has almost two billion views in its music video. Farruko is characterized by his highly-adaptable skills across musical genres, and his ability to break international barriers with his unique talent. Constantly demonstrating his musical evolution, Farruko reaffirms his position as an artistic powerhouse in the Latin music industry.
About Carbon Fiber Music
Carbon Fiber Music, Inc. (CFM) is a record label specializing in the international Latin market, established in 2014 and founded by international superstar, Farruko, and his manager/entrepreneur Franklin Martinez. Today, Carbon Fiber Music is one of the most respected independent record labels in the music industry and is responsible for the internationalization of multiple artists such as: Farruko, Ankhal, Lary Over, Milly, Akim, Lil Tati, Josephlee, and producers and songwriters: Sharo Towers, K4G K LO K, Ghetto, White Star.
The label is characterized by its mastery of a wide variety of musical styles, which reflect the constant evolution of the Hispanic American youth thanks to its wide and successful catalog that has taken it to win multiple Latin GRAMMYS and tour the world with its artist roster.
Carbon Fiber Music has always distinguished itself for its consistency and the quality of its releases, leading it today to become one of the most recognized and significant brands in Latin Urban music, with more than 3.97 million followers through its social networks and more than one billion views on its official YouTube channel.
GLOBAL SUPERSTAR FARRUKO DROPS MUSIC VIDEO FOR “LA BENDICIÓN” FEATURING LENIER
The Announcement:
December 15, 2021 (Miami, FL) – Puerto Rico-born superstar Farruko is one of the most versatile artists in Latin music, incorporating the sounds of the music that he loves into his vast sonic tapestry. Today, he releases the latest video off of his critically acclaimed album LA 167, “La Bendición” featuring cuban artist, Lenier, highlighting their Caribbean roots with an iconic and festive salsa, produced by IAmChino and Mauro Silvino Betran.
Directed by Cristian J Aguilar and produced by HERO KIDS, the video for “La Bendición” is the ultimate kick-off to the holiday season. With scenes that capture the true essence of the song’s lyrics among dancers and a full blown party, both artists sing its chorus “Yo, no pararé, voy a seguir gozando, que aquí se vive una sola vez” (I won’t stop, I’m going to keep enjoying life, because you only live once), inviting their audience to enjoy life to the fullest.
Recently, Farruko wrapped up the first leg of his first US Arena tour with 8 sold out shows which included stops in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas. Farruko delivered an electrifying show night after night, giving fans an unforgettable experience and demonstrating why he is one of the most celebrated artists of our time. In February 2022, Farruko will kick off the second leg of his tour starting at his nativo Puerto Rico. He hit a career milestone and made history by selling out Puerto Rico’s renowned Coliseo arena during a presale for 2 nights for his upcoming homecoming shows of “LA 167 Tour” on February 4 and 5th, 2022.
Social Media Following: Instagram (18.5 million), Twitter (4.7 million), Facebook (15 million likes), YouTube (13.7 million)
2x Nominee at the 2021 Latin American Music Awards (vote here until 3pm ET on March 23rd)
Winner – Premios Juventud 2021 (La Mezcla Perfecta)
2x Latin GRAMMY Award Winner (2016, 2019)
ASCAP Latin Songwriter of the Year (2018)
Latin Billboard Award Winner (2015)
Nine Latin Airplay #1 Hits (including 2020’s “La Toxica”)
“After his 2017 single ‘Krippy Kush’ became the first Latin trap song to reach the Hot 100 singles chart, Farruko did the unexpected by shifting his next album away from the burgeoning format and returning to urbano’s reggae roots. Eschewing tough rap braggadocio in favor of tuff gong vibrations, Gangalee makes Carribbean connections via cuts like the breezy ‘Quédate’ and the throwback ‘Pórtate Mal.'” – Rolling Stone’s Best Latin Albums of 2019 (Gangalee)
“Whether or not you realize it, this Puerto Rican rapper is one of the most popular artists in America right now.” – Vice
“Luckily, a few artists have taken on the task of ensuring [reggaeton’s] origins aren’t suppressed or forgotten. Farruko is one of the few at the forefront, doing so in the most overt fashion…Farruko, who has over a decade of experience in the music industry, has been a part of that time of reinvention for reggaeton, trap en español, and now reggae…Taking on the advice of the wise, Farruko more often than not says the least but does the most, pouring out his thoughts, emotions and vision for the future of Latin music into extended albums and tracks.” – Remezcla
Background:
About Farruko
Farruko is recognized as one of the most important musical phenomena in the Latin music industry. Thanks to his fantastic artistic versatility and his excellence on stage, the multi-platinum artist and two-time Latin GRAMMY winner has managed to conquer massive audiences around the world, becoming one of the most innovative exponents of the reggaeton genre. With eight successful studio albums and multiple collaborations with international artists of different genres, his success has impacted the Hispanic American community, in such a way that his career has been recognized by HBO with a documentary, “Farruko: En Letra de Otro.”
His latest album Gangalee debuted #2 on Billboard’s “Top Latin Songs” chart, entered the “Billboard 200” global chart, and was certified 7x multi-platinum. This album presents essential singles like “Nadie,” “Inolvidable,” “La Cartera” with Bad Bunny, and “Delincuente” with Anuel AA. Likewise, his single “Calma – Remix” with Pedro Capó became an iconic hit of popular reggaeton, which not only received a Latin GRAMMY award but has also been certified as platinum by the RIAA. Additionally, the song received an ASCAP 2020 award and has almost two billion views in its music video. Farruko is characterized by his highly-adaptable skills across musical genres, and his ability to break international barriers with his unique talent. Constantly demonstrating his musical evolution, Farruko reaffirms his position as an artistic powerhouse in the Latin music industry.
About Carbon Fiber Music
Carbon Fiber Music, Inc. (CFM) is a record label specializing in the international Latin market, established in 2014 and founded by international superstar, Farruko, and his manager/entrepreneur Franklin Martinez. Today, Carbon Fiber Music is one of the most respected independent record labels in the music industry and is responsible for the internationalization of multiple artists such as: Farruko, Ankhal, Lary Over, Milly, Akim, Lil Tati, Josephlee, and producers and songwriters: Sharo Towers, K4G K LO K, Ghetto, White Star.
The label is characterized by its mastery of a wide variety of musical styles, which reflect the constant evolution of the Hispanic American youth thanks to its wide and successful catalog that has taken it to win multiple Latin GRAMMYS and tour the world with its artist roster.
Carbon Fiber Music has always distinguished itself for its consistency and the quality of its releases, leading it today to become one of the most recognized and significant brands in Latin Urban music, with more than 3.97 million followers through its social networks and more than one billion views on its official YouTube channel.
The Brooklyn Native Sets a Vibe with Yung Bleu in Latest Video from Debut Album, UNTAMED
Critical Praise:
“A rumbling voice that could be picked up on a seismograph” – Pitchfork
“He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with, and he knows it.” – Lyrical Lemonade
“…hard-hitting rhymes that will surely be heard blaring over car stereos in Brooklyn.” – HotNewHipHop
The Video:
As 2021 comes to a close, DUSTY LOCANE has left no doubt that he’s the face of the future of Brooklyn drill. With the crown firmly secured on the Canarsie native’s head, DUSTY returns to remind us that every king needs his queen with steamy new visuals for the seductive street ballad, “WHAT YOU NEED.” Featuring an appearance from Mobile, AL artist, Yung Bleu, the track is a standout from DUSTY’s debut album, UNTAMED, released earlier this month.
The No More Heroes-directed visuals show DUSTY and Bleu maneuver through a strip club, serenading dancers as they ponder consummation and create precipitation. Though the video shows a new side of DUSTY, his distinct Brooklyn swagger is on full display in the video. It’s clear that he’s no less at home in the club with beautiful women huddled around him than he is in the streets surrounded by his suvies.
The last two weeks have put an exclamation point on what’s been a stellar year in the rise of DUSTY LOCANE. After releasing his debut album, UNTAMED, on December 3rd, DUSTY joined the exclusive ranks of artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Coi Leray, Pooh Shiesty, and many more, by being welcomed into the #RIAAClassOf2021 for receiving his first GOLD certification this year with his debut single, “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN FREESTYLE” which racked up over 200 million combined streams. Meanwhile, his buzzing single, “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN PT. 2 (PICTURE ME),” has been taking TikTok by storm, with over 130k video creations using the sound.
Beyond the hits, UNTAMED introduces new bangers like the apocalyptic, guitar-flecked “ICEDOUT,” and the Canarsie neighborhood theme song “FLOSSSTATEOFMIND.” Featuring appearances from Yung Bleu, OBNJay, RahSwish, and more, UNTAMED is available everywhere via EMPIRE.
UNTAMED Tracklist:
1. CHANGE YOU
2. ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN FREESTYLE
3. RUMBLE
4. MISFIT ft. OBN Jay
5. ICED OUT
6. DEADLY
7. FLOSS STATE OF MIND
8. CHEAT CODE
9. 5TH CLOCC FINEST ft. 3Kizzy
10. WHAT YOU NEED ft. Yung Bleu
11. ROLANDO (Caught In The Rain)
12. ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN PT. 2 (PICTURE ME)
13. BEST FRIEND ft. 8ANDITT
14. EDEN ROCC
15. A DAY ON THE FIFTH
16. REWIND
17. GET MONEY
18. BIG WOOS ft. Rah Swish
19. CLICC CLACC ft. KG MORE BREESH
20. CANES WORLD
“It was all in front of me; I just had to go get it,” DUSTY LOCANE says at the beginning of his viral drill heater, “Rolando (Caught In The Rain).” That’s an understatement: less than a year after he started rapping, the gruff-voiced, baby-faced Brooklyn spitter has experienced one of the most meteoric rises in recent rap history. He’s only released three songs, and he’s already a star: his breakout song “R60LLXN N CONTROLLIN” went viral instantly, and its follow-up “Rolando” garnered 1 million video plays and 1 million streams in its first week. The world is closely watching Dusty, and he’s ready to deliver.
TikTok Shares “Year On TikTok: Music Report” for 2021
The Report Reveals Key Stats, Emerging Artists, and Fascinating Stories From the Year in Music on TikTok
Packed With Data and In-Depth Analysis, TikTok’s Music Report Examines the Stars, Songs, and Stats That Defined a Another Massive Year as the App Grows Into a Dominant Force in Culture and the Music Industry
The News:
TikTok was the talk of the music industry in 2020, for its unprecedented ability to send previously unknown artists and songs to the top of the charts and the highest echelons of music stardom. In 2021, as artists and the industry, TikTok’s role expanded–it remained a supercharged engine for music discovery, but also became a kind of town square for music, where artists would share their new music and let the community do its thing.
To take stock of a massive 2021, TikTok shared its second-ever “Year On TikTok Music Report,” offering in-depth analysis, lists of top songs, genres, and artists, and other fascinating data and stories that defined music on TikTok this year. Below are some key takeaways from the report:
TikTok’s video views and creation numbers remain staggering! – Last year, over 175 songs reached 1 billion video views on TikToks that used their sound. In 2021, the number ballooned up to more than 430 songs that surpassed 1 billion views, with the most viewed among them approaching 20 billion video views.
Success on TikTok directly impacts chart, sales, and streaming success: As music lovers flock to TikTok as their platform of choice, a song’s success on TikTok increasingly correlates with improved streaming numbers and chart positions. Over 175 songs that trended on TikTok reached the Billboard Hot 100, many of which topped Billboard charts. That’s a twofold increase from last year, when nearly 90 songs reached the Hot 100.
Trending songs came from all over the globe: Trending songs from TikTok emerged from six continents and dozens of countries, crossing borders on the backs of worldwide trends. Some of the more notable international tracks to make an impact were CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” (Nigeria), Hoàng Read’s “The Magic Bomb” (Vietnam), and Mc Don Juan’s “Bipolar” (Brazil).
TikTok is the most vital tool for emerging artists of all genres to further their careers: TikTok is the ideal platform for exciting new artists to find and build an audience, without sacrificing creative autonomy or compromising their authenticity. The TikTok list of 20 emerging artists includes artists from ten different countries and multiple genres, but they were all able to find and expand their audiences by capitalizing on trending songs.
“Comeback” Songs–released between 5-25 years ago–play a growing role on TikTok – Oldies bring nostalgia and new music brings thrills, but what role do songs that don’t quite fit either category play? This year, TikTok gave those wayward songs a home, as a host of non-current, not-yet-classic songs reached trending status and gained second life as a result. Hits like Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite” and Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” gained renewed attention, but less-famous singles by The Noisettes, Dr. Dog, and Lukas Graham inspired trends that brought their music to a new audience.
Latin music lives on TikTok.– Latin music was the fastest-growing genre on TikTok in the U.S., rising from 10th in 2020 to 6th this year. The TikTok Music Report spotlighted Latin music, revealing the top Latin artists on the platform, as well as the top Latin songs from 2021. The report reveals that TikTok creators enjoy Latin music of all genres and eras–they vibed with hits by reggaetoneros like Bad Bunny, regional Mexican music from Ivan Cornejo, Latin pop from Camilo, and EDM-flavored bangers from Farruko.
TikTok plays favorites: Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat repeated their reign as the #1 and #2 artists by catalog, solidifying their spots as defining artists of TikTok. Lil Nas X, who had one of the first and biggest TikTok hits with “Old Town Road,” was the most viewed artist (by video views on his page). Relative newcomer Olivia Rodrigo ascended into the ranks of TikTok royalty, as nearly every song from her debut album SOUR garnered over 100k video creations.
Women Dominated the U.S. Top Artist and Songs Lists: Four out of the top five artists of 2021 by catalogue creations were by female artists–Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, and Cardi B. TikTok has evolved into the most important platform for female hip-hop artists: 5 of the top 10 hip-hop songs in the U.S. came from women, including superstar entries like Megan’s “Cognac Queen” and Cardi B’s “Up,” but fiery cuts from emerging artists like Erica Banks (“Buss It”) and Kayla Nicole (“Bundles”).
Things Got Weird – memes, soundtracks, and more trended alongside pop hits: While you’d expect to hear songs by Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo when scrolling through the For You page, but many unexpected sounds captured the hearts of TikTok creators. For a couple months in 2021, it was impossible to spend 2 minutes on TikTok without hearing the sound of The Backyardigans, a 2000s-era Nick Jr. cartoon whose soundtrack snuck into the Top 20 artists by catalogue behind infectious bangers like “Castaways” and “Into The Thick Of It.” At the top of the year, #ShantyTok took over the globe, inspiring creative multi-layered interpretations of hundreds-year-old songs with the duet function. An ideal person to capitalize on TikTok’s convergence of music, comedy, and internet cultures, Bo Burnham scored several trending songs from his Netflix special Inside, a statement about life on the internet that may have resonated a bit too well with TikTok creators wading through the second year of a pandemic.
Day 2 in San Bernardino Brought J. Cole, A Rae Sremmurd Reunion, and a Moving Tribute to the Late Young Dolph
THE RECAP:
Bringing a constellation of rap stars to the Inland Empire, Rolling Loud California’s second day boasted a spectacular lineup packed with some of the genre’s hottest names. The festival’s second day brought slightly warmer weather and a busier slate of artists, all hungry to make their mark on the sold out festival crowd.
The night featured a headlining performance from J. Cole, who played songs from The Off-Season and performed with his Dreamville signee Bas, and an unexpected Rae Sremmurd reunion between Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi, who connected on stage to perform their #1 hit “Black Beatles.” Rolling Loud hosted a tribute set for the late Young Dolph, featuring performances from his Paper Route Empire signees Snupe Bandz and Paper Route Woo, and a cameo from Curren$y to play his Dolph collab “All Work.”
Rolling Loud wouldn’t be Rolling Loud without a thrilling undercard, featuring red hot names like Jack Harlow and Aminé. Saturday brought performances from some of the most exciting women in rap, including Rico Nasty, who brought fierce energy, Kali, who performed at her first-ever Rolling Loud, and Kaash Paige’s cloudy euphoria, along with XXL freshman Lakeyah, TikTok sensation ppcocaine, and more. Scintillating sets from California local heroes like Bino Rideaux, AzChike, Rucci, and more.
Check below for photos from the action-packed day in the ‘Dino, and stay tuned for tomorrow’s finale, featuring a performance from Future and even more of the biggest names in the world’s biggest genre.
J. Cole caps off the fest’s second night, performing what he said would be his last show “in a while” (Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @sokrispy)
JACK HARLOW:
What was poppin on Saturday? Jack Harlow’s CIROC Stage set (Credit: Rolling Loud / @jessicapadover)
SWAE LEE:
Swae Lee brought up his brother Slim Jxmmi for “Black Beatles” and announces the upcoming SremmLife 4 Album (Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @frankievergara)
YOUNG DOLPH TRIBUTE:
The Rolling Loud crowd came out to pay tribute to Young Dolph in a set that featured appearances from Curren$y and Paper Route Empire rappers Snupe Bandz (right) and Paper Route Woo (Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @srodriguez92)
RICO NASTY:
Rico Nasty performs with passion (Credit: Rolling Loud / @jordankelseyknight)
AMINÉ:
The Portland rapper sparkles during his Punx Stage set (Rolling Loud/@alexxfigs)
$NOT:
The mysterious $NOT delivers one of the highest-energy sets of the festival at the Power 106 Stage (Credit: Rolling Loud / @themcdub)
SOFAYGO:
Michigan riser SoFaygo ascends to a higher plane of existence (Rolling Loud/@themcdub)
DUKE DEUCE:
Memphis’s most energetic rapper fires up the crowd with bouncy bass and profane ad-libs (Rolling Loud/@sokrispy)
TEEZO TOUCHDOWN:
Teezo Touchdown cuts a unique figure at Rolling Loud (Rolling Loud/@kadeeeem)
LEADING LADIES:
KAASH PAIGE (Credit: Rolling Loud / @jordankelseyknight)
LAKEYAH (Credit: Rolling Loud / @justnjames_)
ppcocaine (Credit: Rolling Loud / @frankievergara)
KALI (Credit: Rolling Loud / @kadeeeem)
CALI NATIVES:
BINO RIDEAUX (Credit: Rolling Loud / @justnjames_)
RUCCI (Credit: Rolling Loud / @JORDANKELSEYKNIGHT)
AZCHIKE (Credit: Rolling Loud / @shaunllewellyn)
SCENES FROM THE FESTIVAL:
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @edgar.xl)
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @edgar.xl)
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @srodriguez92)
Each performer received a custom Rolling Loud chain to commemorate California 2021. Here’s Wiz Khalifa showing his chain off after performing last night (Credit: Rolling Loud / @katialuu)
Critical Praise:
#4 on Pollstar’s List of 2020’s Top Livestreamers
“In four and a half years — beginning small in Miami, and now promoting Coachella-sized events around the country — Rolling Loud has established itself as a playground for the young…This time last year, many of the rappers now drawing crowds of several thousand were barely known.” – The New York Times
“Rolling Loud is the be-all of hip-hop festivals.” – Billboard
“The Rolling Loud New York experiment was a success—one which will likely earn it a return trip to the city in future years. Far from a traditional NYC rap experience, it was a two-day event that catered to the genre’s youngest fans, with an eye squarely focused on the future.” – Complex
“Rolling Loud continues to prove its hip-hop tastemaking status is no fluke” – Pollstar
THE BACKGROUND:
Founded by Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif as a one-day Miami show, Rolling Loud has grown into a global festival phenomenon, putting on shows on both coasts and in multiple countries. Rolling Loud is the premier festival brand in hip-hop, known for its expert curation of wide-ranging lineups that reflect the state of the genre.
The festival returns from a 18-month hiatus on July 23rd-25th, with the sold out Rolling Loud Miami 2021, its biggest event yet, bringing in over 75,000 fans per day to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. With headliners Travis Scott, Post Malone and A$AP Rocky, Rolling Loud Miami 2021 is a triumphant return for live rap music, and a coming out party for risers and new superstars eager to play in front of a festival crowd. Rolling Loud Miami kicks off a massive year for the festival brand, arriving ahead of Rolling Loud New York, headlined by Travis Scott, J. Cole, and 50 Cent, in October and Rolling Loud California, headlined by J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and Future, in December.
During the pandemic, Rolling Loud expanded into much more than just a live festival company. With no in-person show possibilities in sight, Rolling Loud pivoted to become a heavy-hitter in the world of Livestreaming, drawing millions of unique viewers and landing multiple events in Pollstar’s Year-End Livestream Chart. In June 2021, Rolling Loud launched Rolling Loud Presents, their first venture into tour promotions, taking the Rolling Loud experience on the road with a series of tours headlined by some of the biggest stars in hip-hop, including Rod Wave, Trippie Redd, Jack Harlow, and more to be announced.
Kid Cudi Headlines a Successful First Day of the Fest, Which Brought Highlight Performances From Cali Natives and Blog-Era Titans
THE RECAP:
Nestled in a picturesque mountain range approximately 60 miles East of Los Angeles, San Bernardino’s blend of rustic Americana and natural beauty provide the ideal setting for a West Coast hip-hop festival. Rolling Loud California 2021 rose to the occasion, with art installations that evoke SoCal skate culture and the region’s spectacular golden hour sunshine.
The first day of Rolling Loud California was highlighted by standout performances from blog era heroes. Kid Cudi closed out the night with his melancholy bangers, while Wiz Khalifa brought out special guests like Ty Dolla $ign and Problem that prove how well the Pittsburgh native has adapted to the women-weed-and-weather West Coast lifestyle. The day was heavy on local heroes, with Los Angeles melodists Ty Dolla $ign and Blxst turning in standout sets, and Sacramento hard-head Mozzy performing for a rapturous crowd. Check below for photos from these performances and many more, and stay tuned throughout the weekend for performances from J. Cole, Future, and more, plus special guests and more surprises.
Mr. Solo Dolo plays tracks from Man On The Moon 3 live for the first time, and announces a new album from the Rolling Loud stage (Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @itchyeyephotos)
WIZ KHALIFA:
Wiz and his band played classic hits and welcomed a host of special guests: Juicy J, Ty Dolla $ign, Problem, Rubi Rose, and Chevy Woods (Credit: Rolling Loud / @josh.sobel)
LIL DURK:
Durkio closes out a massively successful 2021 with a hit-filled set (Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @sokrispy)
TY DOLLA $IGN:
Ty Dolla $ign thrilled his hometown crowd with his ultra smooth vocals (Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @jessicapadover)
Two L.A. crooners unite as Blxst joins Ty to perform their smash hit “Chosen” (Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @jessicapadover)
2 CHAINZ:
2 Chainz digs deep into his bag of hits, including “I’m Different,” “It’s A Vibe,” and “Duffle Bag Boy” from his days in Playaz Circle (Photo credit: Rolling Loud / @justnjames)
FRENCH MONTANA:
The New Yorker travels coast-to-coast, bringing his boisterous attitude and Billboard hits (Credit: Rolling Loud / @henryhwu)
BIA:
The 2021 breakout star rocks designer as she performs her hit “WHOLE LOTTA MONEY” (Rolling Loud/@shaunllewellyn)
ACTION BRONSON:
The Queens-born multi-hyphenate bares his soul under the luminous Cali moon (Rolling Loud/@srodriguez92)
CALI NATIVES:
BLXST (Credit: Rolling Loud / @themcdub)
MOZZY (Credit: Rolling Loud / @jessicapadover)
RISING STARS:
YUNG BLEU (Credit: Rolling Loud / @justnjames_)
SPOTEMGOTTEM (Credit: Rolling Loud / @Eazypho)
SCENES FROM THE FESTIVAL:
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @justnjames)
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @jessicapadover)
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @itchyeyephotos)
(Credit: Rolling Loud / @katialuu)
Critical Praise:
#4 on Pollstar’s List of 2020’s Top Livestreamers
“In four and a half years — beginning small in Miami, and now promoting Coachella-sized events around the country — Rolling Loud has established itself as a playground for the young…This time last year, many of the rappers now drawing crowds of several thousand were barely known.” – The New York Times
“Rolling Loud is the be-all of hip-hop festivals.” – Billboard
“The Rolling Loud New York experiment was a success—one which will likely earn it a return trip to the city in future years. Far from a traditional NYC rap experience, it was a two-day event that catered to the genre’s youngest fans, with an eye squarely focused on the future.” – Complex
“Rolling Loud continues to prove its hip-hop tastemaking status is no fluke” – Pollstar
THE BACKGROUND:
Founded by Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif as a one-day Miami show, Rolling Loud has grown into a global festival phenomenon, putting on shows on both coasts and in multiple countries. Rolling Loud is the premier festival brand in hip-hop, known for its expert curation of wide-ranging lineups that reflect the state of the genre.
The festival returns from a 18-month hiatus on July 23rd-25th, with the sold out Rolling Loud Miami 2021, its biggest event yet, bringing in over 75,000 fans per day to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. With headliners Travis Scott, Post Malone and A$AP Rocky, Rolling Loud Miami 2021 is a triumphant return for live rap music, and a coming out party for risers and new superstars eager to play in front of a festival crowd. Rolling Loud Miami kicks off a massive year for the festival brand, arriving ahead of Rolling Loud New York, headlined by Travis Scott, J. Cole, and 50 Cent, in October and Rolling Loud California, headlined by J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and Future, in December.
During the pandemic, Rolling Loud expanded into much more than just a live festival company. With no in-person show possibilities in sight, Rolling Loud pivoted to become a heavy-hitter in the world of Livestreaming, drawing millions of unique viewers and landing multiple events in Pollstar’s Year-End Livestream Chart. In June 2021, Rolling Loud launched Rolling Loud Presents, their first venture into tour promotions, taking the Rolling Loud experience on the road with a series of tours headlined by some of the biggest stars in hip-hop, including Rod Wave, Trippie Redd, Jack Harlow, and more to be announced.
The Harvey, IL Rapper Struts His Stuff Over Beats From Songs by Chief Keef, Baby Keem, Kodak Black & More
Critical Praise:
“Ty is a lyrical rapper, but his dense thickets of wordplay are more concerned with depicting scenes and telling stories than drawing attention to their own cleverness.” – Pitchfork
“Ty Money hails from Harvey, Illinois, a suburb on Chicago’s South Side. He’s been recording for years, weaving subtly artful narratives about life in his far-flung, poverty-stricken city.” – Noisey
“Each volume has showcased what makes Money stand out: his vivid narratives of street life, freighted with pathos, delivered in a rush of syllables that cuts through the instrumentals like a souped-up car racing through a mountain tunnel.” – Chicago Reader
The Mixtape:
Specializing in gritty, true-to-life rhymes delivered with snappy wordplay, Chicago-area rapper Fat Money (fka Ty Money) is ready to turn heads. Starting a new chapter in his career, the artist shares Disruptive, a brand new mixtape. The new tape finds the artist flexing his lyrical muscles over well-known beats, ranging from Young Nudy‘s creeping “Mini Me,” to fellow Chicago rapper Chief Keef‘s fierce “Harley Quinn,” to Beanie Sigel & Jay Z’s classic soul-sampler “It’s On.” Earlier this year, Fat Money shared a video of his freestyle over Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar’s “Family Ties,” an effort that shows Fat Money’s willingness to go toe-to-toe with the best rappers in the game. Dedicated to the memory of Virgil Abloh, Disruptive is available to stream on SoundCloud and YouTube.
Born and raised in Harvey, Illinois, an exurb 30 mins south of Chicago, Fat Money has built a loyal following since emerging onto the scene in 2011. He earned critical acclaim with his 2015 mixtape Cinco De Money, a dark and dense project that delivered street-level stories about his hometown. The artist kept the Cinco De Money mixtape series going for six years, each tape arriving on May 5th and each tape expanding Fat Money’s sonic world and stylistic palette. Now, Fat Money is ready to disrupt old patterns, and put the industry on notice—there’s no stopping his takeover.
Disruptive tracklist:
1. Mini Me (Young Nudy cover)
2. On God (BiC Fizzle ft. Gucci Mane & Cootie cover)
3. LLC (Money Man cover)
4. Family Ties (Baby Keem cover)
5. Harley Quinn (Chief Keef cover)
6. Super Gremlin (Kodak Black cover)
7. It’s On (Beanie Sigel cover)
Fat Money is focused on reinvention. Since the mid-2010s, the Chicago-born rapper has delivered lyrically sharp, narratively rich, and emotionally nuanced street rap as Ty Money. Each mixtape and the six volumes of his annual Cinco De Money series brought listeners to 147th St. and Sibley Blvd. in his hometown of Harvey, Illinois, the war-torn block where emptied clips lead to closed casket funerals and physical scars form long before psychological wounds heal. After years of prison stints and staunch independence, he’s free, working with SALXCO management, and signed to EMPIRE, creating the most emotionally affecting and stylistically versatile music of his career. The change to Fat Money, which everyone calls him in his hood, signifies Money growing into himself: personally, professionally, artistically.
Rolling Loud Reveals New Merch for California 2021, Including Collabs With Kappa and Designer Humans
Headlined by Kid Cudi, J. Cole & Future, Rolling Loud California Occurs at NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA This Weekend
The World’s Premiere Rap Festival Announces Partnership with Fanaply to Launch “Loud League” NFT Program–Fans Can Compete and Collect Them All
The Announcement:
Rolling Loud is known for its expert curation, both in its star-studded festival lineups and impeccable selection of merch. Today, Rolling Loud highlights the new merch and collabs created especially for Rolling Loud California 2021, occurring this weekend. Along with Rolling Loud’s own designs for hoodies, t-shirts, hats, and more inspired by the festival’s SoCal setting, Rolling Loud recently announced collaborations with Kappa and Designer Humans.
Inspired by the rolling hills and bright lights of Hollywood, the Designer Humans collection features a custom t-shirt and hoodie and will only be available during Rolling Loud California. Announced earlier this week, the collaborative RL x Kappa collection will include tracksuits, soccer and goalie jerseys, hoodies, sweatpants, bucket hat, snapback, and top-selling Mitel slides with distinctive Kappa x Rolling Loud branding throughout. The 7-piece limited edition capsule collection launched with a video featuring NorCal rap icon Mozzy, and follows the successful Kappa x Rolling Loud collaboration for Rolling Loud New York.
Along with the merch details, Rolling Loud announces that they’ve partnered with Fanaply, one of the leading developers of eco-friendly NFTs in music, sports and entertainment, to launch “Loud League,” Rolling Loud’s first-ever NFT program. During Rolling Loud California, the festival will release its first-ever NFTs, offered for free to Rolling Loud California attendees. Fans can earn these NFTs via QR code by checking in to stages or particular activations around the festival. Fans can check the Rolling Loud “Loud League” leaderboard to see where they stand. Collecting these free NFTs now will grant these fans rewards and access to other Rolling Loud events and to the larger “Loud League” program in 2022.
The fourth Rolling Loud to occur in Southern California, Rolling Loud California 2021 promises a mix of national names and local heroes that paint a picture of rap’s current moment while also nodding at the rich history of the bustling West Coast rap scene. The festival is headlined by Kid Cudi, making his first Rolling Loud performance, J. Cole, and Future. Beyond the headliners is a deep roster of rap’s hottest names, plus plenty of local Cali heroes to give the festival a truly West Coast feel.
During the festival, Rolling Loud will exclusively broadcast the livestream via Twitch. Hosted by Hakeem Rowe, Tallie Spencer, Jacques Morel, Sade Vanessa, and Brittany Renner, the livestream will feature the high production value of Rolling Loud’s previous “Loud Stream” virtual festivals, with a curated stream of live artists performances, exclusive interviews, behind the scenes content, and an active Twitch chat, which will remain open throughout the stream. Featuring performances from artists like J. Cole, Future, Playboi Carti, and more, plus appearances and commentary from special guests, the Rolling Loud California livestream airs from 3pm-11pm PT on Friday 12/10, 1pm-12am PT on Saturday 12/11, and 1pm-11pm PT on Sunday 12/12, only at Twitch.Tv/RollingLoud.
Rolling Loud California is the third Rolling Loud festival of the year. Rolling Loud triumphantly returned with the blockbuster Rolling Loud Miami 2021, which marked live rap music’s coming out party after a year stuck inside. Earlier this fall, Rolling Loud embarked on its second foray to the Big Apple, hosting Rolling Loud New York 2021 at Citi Field, with headliners including 50 Cent and J. Cole.
With Rolling Loud California, the biggest rap festival in the world closes out another successful year. Check back for more from the festival throughout the weekend.
In accordance with state guidelines in California, Rolling Loud will be requiring proof of other COVID vaccination or negative COVID test prior to entering the upcoming festival.
“In four and a half years — beginning small in Miami, and now promoting Coachella-sized events around the country — Rolling Loud has established itself as a playground for the young…This time last year, many of the rappers now drawing crowds of several thousand were barely known.” – The New York Times
“Rolling Loud is the be-all of hip-hop festivals.” – Billboard
“The Rolling Loud New York experiment was a success—one which will likely earn it a return trip to the city in future years. Far from a traditional NYC rap experience, it was a two-day event that catered to the genre’s youngest fans, with an eye squarely focused on the future.” – Complex
“In only its fifth year with four major destinations and more in the pipeline overseas, athletes, celebrities and others are forking over as much as $20,000 for VIP packages. Of course, imitators are cropping up.” – Pollstar
“…within five years Rolling Loud has grown into one of the biggest hip-hop brands in the world. Locally, it has surpassed rival events Ultra and III Points in stature and rivals prestige festivals like Coachella.” – Miami New Times
Founded by Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif as a one-day Miami show, Rolling Loud has grown into a global festival phenomenon, putting on shows on both coasts and in multiple countries. Rolling Loud is the premier festival brand in hip-hop, known for its expert curation of wide-ranging lineups that reflect the state of the genre.
The festival returned from a 18-month hiatus on July 23rd-25th, with the sold out Rolling Loud Miami 2021, its biggest event yet, bringing in over 85,000 fans per day to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. With headliners like Post Malone and A$AP Rocky, Rolling Loud Miami 2021 was a triumphant return for live rap music, and a coming out party for risers and new superstars eager to play in front of a festival crowd. Rolling Loud Miami kicked off a massive year for the festival brand, arriving ahead of Rolling Loud New York 2021, and Rolling Loud California, headlined by J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and Future.
During the pandemic, Rolling Loud expanded into much more than just a live festival company. With no in-person show possibilities in sight, Rolling Loud pivoted to become a heavy-hitter in the world of Livestreaming, drawing millions of unique viewers and landing multiple events in Pollstar’s Year-End Livestream Chart. In June 2021, Rolling Loud launched Rolling Loud Presents, their first venture into tour promotions, taking the Rolling Loud experience on the road with a series of tours headlined by some of the biggest stars in hip-hop, including Rod Wave, Trippie Redd, Jack Harlow, and more to be announced.
Audio: Dro Kenji – “FINDERS KEEPERS” ft. Internet Money & Scorey
The Internet Money & MiraTouch Golden Child Connects with Syracuse Riser Scorey on Love Ballad Banger
Critical Praise:
“South Carolina rock-infused rapper Dro Kenji has been on a tear since last August when he received a call from the Internet Money team. Releasing project after project, Kenji has been showcasing his impressive vocals and emotion-filled lyrics. With his newest project, “F*CK YOUR FEELINGS”, we see Kenji’s most confident and cohesive work.” – Earmilk
“Once he selects a beat, the melodies and lyrics flood over him like an epiphany. The result is raw and heart-sinking music, meant to be a guiding light to fans.” – Audiomack
The Song:
In an era when young artists are often thrust into the spotlight overnight and forced to learn and adapt along the way, Dro Kenji stands out as a rarity who came into the game fully prepared to dominate with his music on a frequent, consistent basis. Continuing that trend, Dro Kenji returns today to share “FINDERS KEEPERS,” featuring an appearance from Syracuse native and Polo G-signee, Scorey.
Featuring a lively, dynamic Internet Money instrumental, courtesy of Nick Mira, Nash & Taz Taylor, with catchy guitar loops and a bouncy bass line, the track sees Dro Kenji navigating his newfound success, maneuvering past his opposition while holding his lover close. Kenji croons, “Got a lot of evil energy, but it’s not mine/Got a lot of evil enemies, and that’s all fine/But you’re the only thing I worry ‘bout when I’m not high.” “FINDERS KEEPERS” is the latest single from Dro Kenji’s upcoming album, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, due to arrive in January 2022 via Internet Money Records/MiraTouch/10kProjects. The track arrives following lead single “Vanish,” which has amassed over 1.5 million Spotify streams since its late October release.
With his forthcoming album, Dro Kenji looks to kick off 2022 with the same high-octane energy he unleashed in 2021. This past year saw Kenji embark on his first headlining national tour, which he wraps up this weekend with a performance at Rolling Loud California. 2021 also saw Kenji release two new mixtapes, including EAT YOUR HEART OUT, this past spring, featuring “KILL CUPID” ft. $NOT (10 million Spotify streams), which received an animated video, and the early summer’s F*CK YOUR FEELINGS, which saw the rapper flex and reflect over 16 tracks of expansive Internet Money production, and features highlights like “SUPERSTAR” and “TRANCE.” With over 15.6 million streams on Spotify since its release in June, F*CK YOUR FEELINGS is available everywhere via Internet Money Records/MiraTouch/10k Projects.
Please consider Dro Kenji’s music when compiling your year-end lists and stay tuned for more from Dro Kenji in 2022, including new music released through Nick Mira’s MiraTouch imprint.
Dro Kenji’s rise is a testament to the power of the internet. Last year, the 19-year-old artist was a senior in high school in South Carolina, releasing a string of captivating singles and mixtapes on his SoundCloud. Now, he’s preparing to release his debut album on Mira Touch/ Internet Money Records/ 10K Projects, collaborating closely with the label’s team of platinum-certified producers, and hoping to earn some plaques of his own. A true child of the digital age, raised on video games and the lo-fi sounds of rap’s online underground, he has a remarkable ability to capture both the apathy and aspiration of his generation in his songs and a spellbinding voice with which to tell these stories.
“Bourne’s raps are wordplay-heavy, funneling boasts about money and fashion, flirtations with lovers, and the occasional autobiographical gem through the tried-and-true art of the metaphor.” – Pitchfork
“these are easily Bourne’s strangest and most thrilling designs. They can feel equal parts absurd and scintillating, like plugging a jailbroken Super Nintendo into a particle accelerator or rigging an augmented reality headset to convert the pixels of cartoon gifs into sounds.” – Pitchfork
The Album + Video:
December 10, 2021 — (Hollywood, CA) — Today, TM88 and Pi’erreBourne return with Yo!88, their sleek new highly-anticipated joint album laced with radiant production, infectious hooks, and features from WizKhalifa and YoungNudy. TM88 & Pi’erre Bourne combine their skills to create a masterpiece for their fans in time for the holidays fusing Pi’erre Bourne’s introspective rapping over full-production from TM88’s catchy anomalous crafted beats. The album is out today on Capitol Records / TaylorGang / InterscopeRecords / SossHouse and it arrives alongside the video for “Pop Out,” a stylish track that evokes all the effortless cool of its two creators.
Watch the Cam Busby (LilBaby, MeganTheeStallion, LilTjay) directed visual for “Pop Out” HERE.
On “Pop Out,” one of the album’s stalwart standouts, Pi’erre Bourne raps over retro synths and insistent trap percussion, bringing his vivid imagistic memories and free-associative flexes to fruition. “I’m on the South Side — Curtis Jackson,” a nod to fellow NYC Queens native 50Cent he raps, “Feel like a casting, n***** be acting when they be rapping.” The accompanying video looks like it was filmed through Pi’erre Bourne’s signature sleepy purple haze, and in the clip, Pi’erre Bourne and TM88 oscillate between the block and the highway as they pop bottles and celebrate their squad running the streets of Queens and Soho. Elsewhere on the album, the duo teams up with Taylor Gang affiliate WizKhalifa (“ChitChat”) and YoungNudy (“RicherDreams”) for tracks that push Yo!88’s luminous trap energy to totally new realms.
Yo!88 is a long time coming – the two hitmakers have been teasing the album in interviews and online for a while now. Naturally, that’s only led fans to speculate about what’s to come and, given the two artists’ genuine friendship and natural chemistry, it isn’t hard to see why. Fans got their first glimpse of Yo!88 when Bourne and TM88 released “Block Boy,” the glistening, energetic offering that received recognition from TheFADER, Pitchfork, Complex, HNHH and more. Now that Yo!88 is out, they’re only adding to the lengthy legacies they’ve each created individually.
For years now, these two have helped define an era of hip-hop. GRAMMY®/NAACP nominated, TM88 helped develop the vibrant aesthetic of trap music from the 2010s to now. In 2017, he produced Lil Uzi Vert’s “XO TOUR Llif3,” a song that’s been certified 7x platinum since its release. More recently, he produced “Way 2 Sexy,” a Future and Young Thug-assisted Drake song that peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. For his part, Pi’erre Bourne first left his mark as a producer. He kicked off his career working on massive singles for Playboi Carti (“Magnolia”), topped Billboard’s Hot 100 Producer chart working with Lil Uzi Vert (Eternal Atake), and eventually became a GRAMMY® Award winning producer (Kanye West’s Jesus Is King) – all the while establishing himself as a successful rapper in his own right with his solo critically acclaimed albums The Life of Pi’erre 4 and The Life of Pi’erre 5, which was recently listed as one of Complex’s“Top 50 Albums of 2021.” With their team-up and the vibrant Yo!88, it’s clear that these two rap greats are ready to make yet another seismic impact.
Rolling Loud Announces Set Times for Rolling Loud California 2021
The World’s Premier Rap Festival Heads to San Bernardino For Three Action Packed Days This Weekend
Watch the Livestream Exclusively on Twitch, Airing From 3pm-11pm PT on Friday, 1pm-12am PT on Saturday, and 1pm-11pm PT on Sunday
Headlined by Kid Cudi, J. Cole, and Future, Rolling Loud California Occurs at NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA on 12/10-12/12
The Announcement:
Bringing the world’s premier rap festival to the West Coast, Rolling Loud California 2021 promises three days of non-stop music from some of the genre’s biggest names and hottest rising stars. Today, Rolling Loud announces the set times and livestream details for this weekend’s festival, occurring 12/10-12/12 at NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA. All set times are subject to change.
Hosted by Hakeem Rowe, Tallie Spencer, and Jacques Morel and airing exclusively on Twitch, the livestream provides a premium, at-home experience for any fan who can’t be on the ground this weekend. The broadcast will feature the high production value of Rolling Loud’s previous “Loud Stream” virtual festivals, with a curated stream of live artists performances, exclusive interviews, and behind the scenes content. The Twitch chat will be open for the entire stream, and viewers will be able to vote on which artist performances they want to see in real time. Featuring performances from artists like J. Cole, Future, Playboi Carti, and more, plus appearances and commentary from special guests, the Rolling Loud California livestream airs from 3pm-11pm PT on Friday 12/10, 1pm-12am PT on Saturday 12/11, and 1pm-11pm PT on Sunday 12/12, only at Twitch.Tv/RollingLoud.
The Rolling Loud California 2021 livestream follows in the wake of previous “Loud Stream” virtual festivals that Rolling Loud hosted in partnership with Twitch. Rolling Loud hosted three multi-day “Loud Stream” festivals on Twitch, with headliners like Trippie Redd, Swae Lee, Gunna, Ski Mask The Slump God, Fetty Wap, and Lil Skies, drawing millions of unique viewers and landing multiple events in Pollstar’s Year-End Livestream Chart. Since the return of live music, heralded by the massively successful Rolling Loud Miami 2021, the Rolling Loud team have adapted what they learned during their livestreaming era to help enhance the Rolling Loud experience for viewers at home.
The fourth Rolling Loud to occur in Southern California, Rolling Loud California 2021 promises a mix of national names and local heroes that paint a picture of rap’s current moment while also nodding at the rich history of the bustling West Coast rap scene. The festival is headlined by Kid Cudi, making his first Rolling Loud performance, J. Cole, and Future. Beyond the headliners is a deep roster of rap’s hottest names, including A-listers, like Wiz Khalifa, Playboi Carti, Moneybagg Yo and Lil Durk, young superstars like Polo G,Rod Wave, Lil Tjay, Jack Harlow, and Ski Mask The Slump God, up-and-comers, like Toosii, 42 Dugg, Morray, $NOT, and Latto, and Cali heroes like Ty Dolla $ign, Drakeo The Ruler, Blxst, Kalan.FrFr,and Bino Rideaux, giving the festival a truly West Coast feel.
Rolling Loud California is the third Rolling Loud festival of the year. Rolling Loud triumphantly returned with the blockbuster Rolling Loud Miami 2021, which marked live rap music’s coming out party after a year stuck inside. Earlier this fall, Rolling Loud embarked on its second foray to the Big Apple, hosting Rolling Loud New York 2021 at Citi Field, with headliners including 50 Cent and J. Cole.
With Rolling Loud California, the biggest rap festival in the world closes out another successful year. Check back for more from the festival throughout the weekend.
In accordance with state guidelines in California, Rolling Loud will be requiring proof of other COVID vaccination or negative COVID test prior to entering the upcoming festival.
“In four and a half years — beginning small in Miami, and now promoting Coachella-sized events around the country — Rolling Loud has established itself as a playground for the young…This time last year, many of the rappers now drawing crowds of several thousand were barely known.” – The New York Times
“Rolling Loud is the be-all of hip-hop festivals.” – Billboard
“The Rolling Loud New York experiment was a success—one which will likely earn it a return trip to the city in future years. Far from a traditional NYC rap experience, it was a two-day event that catered to the genre’s youngest fans, with an eye squarely focused on the future.” – Complex
“In only its fifth year with four major destinations and more in the pipeline overseas, athletes, celebrities and others are forking over as much as $20,000 for VIP packages. Of course, imitators are cropping up.” – Pollstar
“…within five years Rolling Loud has grown into one of the biggest hip-hop brands in the world. Locally, it has surpassed rival events Ultra and III Points in stature and rivals prestige festivals like Coachella.” – Miami New Times
Founded by Matt Zingler & Tariq Cherif as a one-day Miami show, Rolling Loud has grown into a global festival phenomenon, putting on shows on both coasts and in multiple countries. Rolling Loud is the premier festival brand in hip-hop, known for its expert curation of wide-ranging lineups that reflect the state of the genre.
The festival returned from a 18-month hiatus on July 23rd-25th, with the sold out Rolling Loud Miami 2021, its biggest event yet, bringing in over 85,000 fans per day to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. With headliners like Post Malone and A$AP Rocky, Rolling Loud Miami 2021 was a triumphant return for live rap music, and a coming out party for risers and new superstars eager to play in front of a festival crowd. Rolling Loud Miami kicked off a massive year for the festival brand, arriving ahead of Rolling Loud New York 2021, and Rolling Loud California, headlined by J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and Future.
During the pandemic, Rolling Loud expanded into much more than just a live festival company. With no in-person show possibilities in sight, Rolling Loud pivoted to become a heavy-hitter in the world of Livestreaming, drawing millions of unique viewers and landing multiple events in Pollstar’s Year-End Livestream Chart. In June 2021, Rolling Loud launched Rolling Loud Presents, their first venture into tour promotions, taking the Rolling Loud experience on the road with a series of tours headlined by some of the biggest stars in hip-hop, including Rod Wave, Trippie Redd, Jack Harlow, and more to be announced.
DUSTY LOCANE Named to the RIAA’s Class of 2021 Off the Strength of “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN FREESTYLE”
The RIAA Class of 2021 Honors Artists Who Received Their First GOLD or PLATINUM Certification This Year
Culminating His Rise to the Top of the Brooklyn Rap Game, DUSTY LOCANE Released His Debut Album UNTAMED Last Week
Critical Praise:
“A rumbling voice that could be picked up on a seismograph” – Pitchfork
“He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with, and he knows it.” – Lyrical Lemonade
“…hard-hitting rhymes that will surely be heard blaring over car stereos in Brooklyn.” – HotNewHipHop
The Announcement:
DUSTY LOCANE emerged as a vital voice in Brooklyn’s rap scene, collecting hit after hit with his bone-deep voice and natural gravitas. This week, DUSTY revealed that he’s been named to the RIAA’s Class Of 2021, a group of artists honored for earning their first GOLD or PLATINUM certification from the RIAA in 2021. DUSTY LOCANE earned his first GOLD record this year–his song “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN FREESTYLE,” an eerily melodic banger that generated over 200 million combined streams. DUSTY joins an exclusive group of artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Coi Leray, Pooh Shiesty, and many more as part of the RIAA’s inaugural class of newly-certified artists.
Last week, DUSTY shared UNTAMED, his hotly-anticipated debut album. Over the course of 20 tracks, DUSTY perfected his unique flavor of Brooklyn drill. DUSTY attacks beats with a sonorous sing-song flow, often backed up by ethereal and haunting vocal samples. The album benefits from the artist’s stark and aggressive lyricism, as he shows fierce loyalty to his suvies and promises a rough time for anyone who dares cross him.
The new album is home to “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN FREESTYLE,” as well as follow-up smashes like “Rolando (Caught In The Rain)” and “RUMBLE” that dropped earlier this year and still can be heard blaring out of car stereos from Bed Stuy to Bay Ridge. DUSTY’s single “ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN PT. 2 (PICTURE ME)“ is currently scorching hot on TikTok, trending at #9 on the app’s list of Top Trending U.S. Songs last week. Just last month, DUSTY shared a hair-raising video for “CANES WORLD,” as DUSTY opened up about his life in the trenches and his motivations to leave that life in the past.
Beyond the hits, the project introduces new bangers like the apocalyptic, guitar-flecked “ICED OUT,” the thug love anthem “WHAT YOU NEED,” and the Canarsie neighborhood theme song “FLOSS STATE OF MIND.” Featuring appearances from Yung Bleu, OBN Jay, Rah Swish, and more, UNTAMED is available everywhere via EMPIRE.
With his debut album under his belt and the streets of Brooklyn on his back, DUSTY LOCANE is a great bet to reach the upper echelons of rap stardom.
UNTAMED Tracklist:
1. CHANGE YOU
2. ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN FREESTYLE
3. RUMBLE
4. MISFIT ft. OBN Jay
5. ICED OUT
6. DEADLY
7. FLOSS STATE OF MIND
8. CHEAT CODE
9. 5TH CLOCC FINEST ft. 3Kizzy
10. WHAT YOU NEED ft. Yung Bleu
11. ROLANDO (Caught In The Rain)
12. ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN PT. 2 (PICTURE ME)
13. BEST FRIEND ft. 8ANDITT
14. EDEN ROCC
15. A DAY ON THE FIFTH
16. REWIND
17. GET MONEY
18. BIG WOOS ft. Rah Swish
19. CLICC CLACC ft. KG MORE BREESH
20. CANES WORLD
“It was all in front of me; I just had to go get it,” DUSTY LOCANE says at the beginning of his viral drill heater, “Rolando (Caught In The Rain).” That’s an understatement: less than a year after he started rapping, the gruff-voiced, baby-faced Brooklyn spitter has experienced one of the most meteoric rises in recent rap history. He’s only released three songs, and he’s already a star: his breakout song “R60LLXN N CONTROLLIN” went viral instantly, and its follow-up “Rolando” garnered 1 million video plays and 1 million streams in its first week. The world is closely watching Dusty, and he’s ready to deliver.
The Bay Collides with The U.K. in Latest Video from Offset Jim’s Rich Off The Pack
Critical Praise:
“Offset Jim’s music feels current in the sense that it’s vital, loose, and alive, but it also feels totally unswayed by the creative winds of the moment. From production to slang to wobbling beats with stuttering drums, it’s aggressively, audaciously Oakland.” – Vulture
“Offset Jim keeps his voice low-key and contained, and somehow that makes his sh*t slap all the harder.” – Stereogum
“Jim prefers his deadpan snarl, firing off boasts and threats like poisonous darts… You’re probably not going to miss anything, but you’ll still want to run it back.”- Passion of the Weiss
The Video:
Today, Offset Jim once again reminds the world why he cannot be contained to the Bay, releasing visuals for his international banger, “Chinese K” featuring U.K. rap star, Aitch. While Aitch has become something of a household name in the U.K. in his own right, the pair first connected when the Manchester rapper posted an Instagram story of himself rapping Jim’s hit, “No Pressure,” word-for-word, hailing the Oakland native as a G.O.A.T. Finally reconnecting to drop Fred Focus-directed visuals, “Chinese K” shows the international duo flexing as usual while the rappers bounce their smack talk off one another: “Smoke blunts big as little n****s/Dior to the floor, you in Hilfiger,” spits Jim, and Aitch retorts, “From the Bay to the UK we got a shipment/Broski in the trap, but s***, he run it like a business.” “Chinese K” is just the latest addition in a series of recent high-production videos from Offset Jim’s critically acclaimed Rich Off The Pack, like “Thugs Cry,” “Off White Mikes” ft. EST Gee “Members Only,” “Face Card” ft. Kenny Beats, “Make No Sense” ft. Babyface Ray, and “Regular.”
The video for “Chinese K” arrives while Offset Jim wraps up a career year in major fashion. As he prepares for his set at Rolling Loud California this weekend, Bay Area fans have been buzzing with excitement since Jim’s friend and 3-time NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson, shouted Jim out on his Instagram live, urging fans to cop Rich Off The Pack.
“I like his music a lot,” said Thompson to The Ringer, “He’s just really the voice of Oakland. His storytelling, his ability with flow and talking about where he came from. The struggles, the obstacles he had to overcome to be the artist he is today. That’s why I like him a lot. Because he’s raw and he’s authentic to who he is.”
In a heavily populated Bay Area rap scene, Offset Jim has remained a standout since emerging alongside fellow Play Runners Association rapper ALLBLACK in 2018 and 2019. Hailing from the notorious Oakland neighborhood known as the Murder Dubs, Jim first made waves after back-to-back releases in 2019. The first was his solo effort, No Pressure, featuring the local hit titular track, which amassed over 3 million streams, and the second, 22nd Ways, a collab mixtape with ALLBLACK, featuring the Bay Area favorite, “Trip On It,” which amassed over 8 million streams. With the release of Rich Off The Pack, Offset Jim has put the nation on notice that he’s far more than just the Bay Area’s problem now.
Please consider Offset Jim’s music when compiling your year-end lists, and be sure to catch his upcoming performance at Rolling Loud California this weekend.
Video: Lil Gotit – “Walk Down” ft. Biggz, CEO Trayle & Lil Double 0
The ATL Trap Star Cleans House and Tosses Opps to Clear the Way for Upcoming Big Zone 3 Project
Critical Praise:
“The centerpiece of the mixtape is the hypnotic “Get N Dere Gang,” which I could see holding a permanent place on DJ sets throughout the summer.” – Pitchfork
“Lil Gotit is continuing to slither his way to the top of Atlanta’s new wave with the release of his latest project, Top Chef Gotit.” – Complex
“Since officially stepping into the Rap game in 2017, Gotit has been one of several standout stars to come out of Atlanta’s buzzing scene and he continues to impress with each new release.” – HotNewHipHop
“Lil Gotit is the heir to Atlanta’s rap throne” – The FADER
The Video:
After feeding the streets with Top Chef Gotit, Atlanta’s one and only “real hood baby” must have left the stove running. Continuing to cook up heat and icing any opp that can’t handle it along the way, Lil Gotit returns to share “Walk Down,” his new single and music video. Featuring a guest verse from rising rapper CEO Trayle, as well as spots from Gotit’s associates Biggz and Lil Double 0, the track sees Gotit in his musical element, flashing an unfazed flow over a frantic, menacing trap instrumental. His laid-back bars, juxtaposed with the urgent, booming beat on the track gives a sense that the threat of imminent danger is looming, but not for Gotit. Directed by ShotByWolf, the video finds Lil Gotit and company trading verse after verse, sending warning shots toward anyone bold enough to try them.
“Walk Down” arrives ahead of Lil Gotit’s forthcoming project, Big Zone 3, due for release in early 2022 via Alamo Records. Big Zone 3 follows behind the Gunna-executive-produced Top Chef Gotit, released early this past summer. Featuring multiple appearances from his brother Lil Keed, an additional verse from NAV, and additional guest spots from Yak Gotti, Millie Go Lightly, and Lil Pj, Top Chef Gotit marked Gotit’s ascension into the ranks of Atlanta’s trap elite, earning the official co-sign from his slimes like Young Thug. With Big Zone 3, Gotit looks to cement his legacy within ATL’s storied trap tradition.
Stay tuned for much more from Lil Gotit in early 2022.
“Whether or not you realize it, this Puerto Rican rapper is one of the most popular artists in America right now.” – Vice
“Luckily, a few artists have taken on the task of ensuring [reggaeton’s] origins aren’t suppressed or forgotten. Farruko is one of the few at the forefront, doing so in the most overt fashion…Farruko, who has over a decade of experience in the music industry, has been a part of that time of reinvention for reggaeton, trap en español, and now reggae…Taking on the advice of the wise, Farruko more often than not says the least but does the most, pouring out his thoughts, emotions and vision for the future of Latin music into extended albums and tracks.” – Remezcla
The Background:
About Farruko
Farruko is recognized as one of the most important musical phenomena in the Latin music industry. Thanks to his fantastic artistic versatility and his excellence on stage, the multi-platinum artist and two-time Latin GRAMMY winner has managed to conquer massive audiences around the world, becoming one of the most innovative exponents of the reggaeton genre. With eight successful studio albums and multiple collaborations with international artists of different genres, his success has impacted the Hispanic American community, in such a way that his career has been recognized by HBO with a documentary, “Farruko: En Letra de Otro.”
His latest album Gangalee debuted #2 on Billboard’s “Top Latin Songs” chart, entered the “Billboard 200” global chart, and was certified 7x multi-platinum. This album presents essential singles like “Nadie,” “Inolvidable,” “La Cartera” with Bad Bunny, and “Delincuente” with Anuel AA. Likewise, his single “Calma – Remix” with Pedro Capó became an iconic hit of popular reggaeton, which not only received a Latin GRAMMY award but has also been certified as platinum by the RIAA. Additionally, the song received an ASCAP 2020 award and has almost two billion views in its music video. Farruko is characterized by his highly-adaptable skills across musical genres, and his ability to break international barriers with his unique talent. Constantly demonstrating his musical evolution, Farruko reaffirms his position as an artistic powerhouse in the Latin music industry.
About Carbon Fiber Music
Carbon Fiber Music, Inc. (CFM) is a record label specializing in the international Latin market, established in 2014 and founded by international superstar, Farruko, and his manager/entrepreneur Franklin Martinez. Today, Carbon Fiber Music is one of the most respected independent record labels in the music industry and is responsible for the internationalization of multiple artists such as: Farruko, Ankhal, Lary Over, Milly, Akim, Lil Tati, Josephlee, and producers and songwriters: Sharo Towers, K4G K LO K, Ghetto, White Star.
The label is characterized by its mastery of a wide variety of musical styles, which reflect the constant evolution of the Hispanic American youth thanks to its wide and successful catalog that has taken it to win multiple Latin GRAMMYS and tour the world with its artist roster.
Carbon Fiber Music has always distinguished itself for its consistency and the quality of its releases, leading it today to become one of the most recognized and significant brands in Latin Urban music, with more than 3.97 million followers through its social networks and more than one billion views on its official YouTube channel.
Farruko Ends First Leg of US Tour Celebrating an Unprecedented Year of Successes
The multi-Platinum selling artist gave a showstopping and emotional performance to a sold out crowd of over 11,000 at Orlando’s Amway Center
The Puerto Rican Urbano performer’s LA 167 album and His Global Hit “PEPAS” made history this year, Time magazine, NY Times and Billboard include “PEPAS” in Top Songs and Albums of 2021 lists
Credit: Imagine It Media
The Announcement:
December 7, 2021 (Miami, FL) – Latin music’s most versatile and experimental artist, Farruko, wrapped up the first leg of his first US Arena tour this past Sunday at Orlando’s Amway Center to a sold out crowd. This was one of 8 sold out shows on this tour which included stops in California, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas. Farruko delivered an electrifying show night after night, giving fans an unforgettable experience and demonstrating why he is one of the most celebrated artists of our time.
This year, the platinum selling artist continues to make history with the release of his critically acclaimed album LA 167 which includes the global phenomenon hit song “PEPAS“. Since its debut, “PEPAS” has encountered vastly monumental successes having charted No. 1 on Billboard’s “Hot Dance/Electronic Songs” (8 weeks in the top spot), “Hot Latin Songs,” “Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales,” “Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs,” and “Latin Digital Song Sales” charts. The song was listed at No. 29 on Billboard’s Hot 100, currently ranks at No. 5 on Spotify’s Global Top 50 chart, and has over 830 million total streams (it has well over 236.9 million views on YouTube alone) and over 3 million daily streams. The recognitions did not stop there. Farruko’s LA 167 was included in The New York Times “Best Albums of 2021” list and “PEPAS” was named by TimeMagazine as the number 1 song of 2021 and Billboard recognized the global phenomenon song in the Top Ten Hot Latin Songs of 2021.
Farruko hit another milestone with “PEPAS” and was nominated for the 2021 American Music Awards in the “Favorite Latin Song” category. “PEPAS” continues to establish itself as a massive Latin crossover hit with Farruko’s late-night TV debut performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Sony Music Latin and Carbon Fiber Music have also awarded the performer with commemorative plaques celebrating the song’s global success and the myriad of certifications it has received: Platinum in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico; CAC Platinum + Gold; 2X Platinum in Peru; 3X Platinum in Spain; Gold in Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands; and 8X Platinum in the United States.
The Puerto Rican multi-Platinum selling artist’s success doesn’t end with “PEPAS” as his album LA 167 also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. For this album, Farruko felt inspired by the nostalgia of his youth and named the album after the main highway that runs through his hometown of Bayamón, PR. Staying true to his nonconformist approach to music, LA 167 fuses and embodies the eclectic subcultures and genres that have inspired the singer-songwriter throughout his career. As an ode to both Puerto Rico and his late grandfather, the album is nostalgic, festive, vulnerable, and full of pride for the Urbano pioneer’s heritage. LA 167 features 25 expansive and unrivaled tracks that coalesce perreo beats, “pilita” (the EDM sounds popularized by the Dominican Republic), and reggae.
Farruko’s hit anthem “La Tóxica” also finds a home on the new album. “La Tóxica” debuted in the top 10 of Billboard’s “Latin Digital Song Sales” list, in the top 15 of “Hot Latin Songs,” peaked at No. 1 in nine countries, No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs and Latin Streaming Songs, and scored him a 2021 Latin GRAMMY® nomination in the “Best Reggaeton Performance” category. Most recently the singer-songwriter released the video for his song “Amigos Nuevos No” with Fresy Franklin, which is also part of the album. The album also sees Farruko team up with Ñengo Flow, Myke Towers, Jay Wheeler, Brray, Secreto, Noriel, Luar, White Star, India Martinez, Lenier, Jamaican dancehall singer Mavado, and repeat collaborator Pedro Capó, who worked with the performer in 2019 for the 25x Platinum hit “Calma.” In February 2022 Farruko will kick off the second les of his tour starting at his nativo Puerto Rico. He hit a career milestone and made history by selling out Puerto Rico’s renowned Coliseo arena during a presale for 2 nights for his upcoming homecoming shows of “LA 167 Tour” on February 4 and 5th, 2022.
Social Media Following: Instagram (18.5 million), Twitter (4.7 million), Facebook (15 million likes), YouTube (13.7 million)
2x Nominee at the 2021 Latin American Music Awards (vote here until 3pm ET on March 23rd)
Winner – Premios Juventud 2021 (La Mezcla Perfecta)
2x Latin GRAMMY Award Winner (2016, 2019)
ASCAP Latin Songwriter of the Year (2018)
Latin Billboard Award Winner (2015)
Nine Latin Airplay #1 Hits (including 2020’s “La Toxica”)
“After his 2017 single ‘Krippy Kush’ became the first Latin trap song to reach the Hot 100 singles chart, Farruko did the unexpected by shifting his next album away from the burgeoning format and returning to urbano’s reggae roots. Eschewing tough rap braggadocio in favor of tuff gong vibrations, Gangalee makes Carribbean connections via cuts like the breezy ‘Quédate’ and the throwback ‘Pórtate Mal.'” – Rolling Stone’s Best Latin Albums of 2019 (Gangalee)
“Whether or not you realize it, this Puerto Rican rapper is one of the most popular artists in America right now.” – Vice
“Luckily, a few artists have taken on the task of ensuring [reggaeton’s] origins aren’t suppressed or forgotten. Farruko is one of the few at the forefront, doing so in the most overt fashion…Farruko, who has over a decade of experience in the music industry, has been a part of that time of reinvention for reggaeton, trap en español, and now reggae…Taking on the advice of the wise, Farruko more often than not says the least but does the most, pouring out his thoughts, emotions and vision for the future of Latin music into extended albums and tracks.” – Remezcla
The Background:
About Farruko
Farruko is recognized as one of the most important musical phenomena in the Latin music industry. Thanks to his fantastic artistic versatility and his excellence on stage, the multi-platinum artist and two-time Latin GRAMMY winner has managed to conquer massive audiences around the world, becoming one of the most innovative exponents of the reggaeton genre. With eight successful studio albums and multiple collaborations with international artists of different genres, his success has impacted the Hispanic American community, in such a way that his career has been recognized by HBO with a documentary, “Farruko: En Letra de Otro.”
His latest album Gangalee debuted #2 on Billboard’s “Top Latin Songs” chart, entered the “Billboard 200” global chart, and was certified 7x multi-platinum. This album presents essential singles like “Nadie,” “Inolvidable,” “La Cartera” with Bad Bunny, and “Delincuente” with Anuel AA. Likewise, his single “Calma – Remix” with Pedro Capó became an iconic hit of popular reggaeton, which not only received a Latin GRAMMY award but has also been certified as platinum by the RIAA. Additionally, the song received an ASCAP 2020 award and has almost two billion views in its music video. Farruko is characterized by his highly-adaptable skills across musical genres, and his ability to break international barriers with his unique talent. Constantly demonstrating his musical evolution, Farruko reaffirms his position as an artistic powerhouse in the Latin music industry.
About Carbon Fiber Music
Carbon Fiber Music, Inc. (CFM) is a record label specializing in the international Latin market, established in 2014 and founded by international superstar, Farruko, and his manager/entrepreneur Franklin Martinez. Today, Carbon Fiber Music is one of the most respected independent record labels in the music industry and is responsible for the internationalization of multiple artists such as: Farruko, Ankhal, Lary Over, Milly, Akim, Lil Tati, Josephlee, and producers and songwriters: Sharo Towers, K4G K LO K, Ghetto, White Star.
The label is characterized by its mastery of a wide variety of musical styles, which reflect the constant evolution of the Hispanic American youth thanks to its wide and successful catalog that has taken it to win multiple Latin GRAMMYS and tour the world with its artist roster.
Carbon Fiber Music has always distinguished itself for its consistency and the quality of its releases, leading it today to become one of the most recognized and significant brands in Latin Urban music, with more than 3.97 million followers through its social networks and more than one billion views on its official YouTube channel.
The Rapper Whips Through the Chicago Streets in Special Effects Filled Video Off of His F1LTHY-Produced WAKE UP LUCKI Album, Out Now via EMPIRE
Critical Praise:
“Lucki Can Tell Nothing But His Truth…Lucki is shameless about his pain. Whether the 22-year-old Chicagoan—born Lucki Camel Jr.—is rapping about his bouts with depression and anxiety, his role in sabotaging his romantic relationships, or his prescription drug addiction, he refuses to hide his flaws. His candor about his life lows has made him a relatable antihero to a loyal cult following of fans who regularly take to social media with comments like, ‘Lucki changed my life’ or ‘Lucki gets me’ whenever he releases new music or opens up about his struggles publicly.” – Pitchfork
“Lucki has been applying the truths of this life to his music for the better part of a decade.” – Complex
“Lucki has been building his resume for years, crafting understated, infectious tracks that have shades of fellow Chicagoans like Chief Keef and Supa Bwe, but a swagger and sensibility that is all his own.” – Pigeons & Planes
“Lucki’s music can feel like you’re about to be submerged in a swamp or like you’re about to fall asleep behind the wheel of the Lamborghini from Suicide Squad“ – The FADER
‘On this blessed day, we also get Days B4 III, the new full-length from Lucki, the muttering young cult-rap icon whose self-destructive lyrics have the power to punch you in your soul.” – Stereogum
The Video:
Forever marching to the beat of his own drum, LUCKI has an undeniable knack for crafting meditative rhymes, coupled with his attentive ear for production. Taking a look at his position as an underground icon, LUCKI shares “U.G.K,” his new LONEWOLF-directed video. The visual bounces back and forth between behind the scenes footage of LUCKI shooting the video then jumps to the Chicago rapper throwing down bars as he speeds in his foreign car. Full of addicting bars and flawless production, “U.G.K.” is a highlight track from the recently released WAKE UP LUCKI, a collaboration between LUCKI and F1LTHY.
Spanning 12 tracks, WAKE UP LUCKI continues the 25-year-old artist’s penchant for existential and starkly honest lyricism, with an added sense of urgency from F1LTHY’s video game-worthy beats. The new tape is home to the recent single, “NEPTUNE V.S INDUSTRY,” a bite-sized banger that examines LUCKI’s role as a “real geek boy in the industry,” and generated over 1.3 million views on its LONEWOLF-directed video. New highlights include “NEEDED,” which combines an instrumental that wouldn’t sound out of place on Dance Dance Revolution with LUCKI’s triplet-flow flexes and “LOVE IS WAR,” a heartbreaking tale of relationship failure and relapse.
WAKE UP LUCKI is the culmination of an action-packed 2021, packed with music and live performances. In the Spring, LUCKI released Almost Woke, a double-single meant to prepare fans for his WAKE UP LUCKI artistic direction, home to “LifestyleBrazy” and “No Joke,” with the former racking up over 1 million streams on Spotify. Prior to the two pack, LUCKI dropped the Lyrical Lemonade-approved banger, “Greed” featuring Lil Yachty. Since these three tracks were gifted to the public, LUCKI has kept himself busy, playing his soulful catalogue at major music festivals across the U.S. including Summer Smash in Chicago and Rolling Loud in New York. The artist took a step forward in his career by embarking on two headlining tours alone in 2021, the “Almost There Tour” and the “Wake Up Lucki Tour,” the latter ending with a hometown show in Chicago on November 27. LUCKI will conclude his live shows with a performance at Rolling Loud California next weekend.
With WAKE UP LUCKI, LUCKI releases one of the most complete artistic statements of his career. Stay tuned for much more in 2022 from the young artist, plus plenty more music videos before the year ends.
Cultivating an ever-growing following since he debuted in the rap game in 2013 at 17, LUCKI has earned glowing praise from both critics and industry figures, including shoutouts from Pharrell and Justin Timberlake. He’s collaborated in the past with the likes of A$AP Rocky, Chance The Rapper, Playboi Carti and many others. The rapper formerly known as Lucki Eck$ feeds his fans with a consistent output of boundary-pushing music that plumbs the depths of his soul.
LUCKI had a breakout year in 2019, during which Lucki collaborated with ChaseTheMoney and Earl Sweatshirt, released acclaimed projects Freewave 3 and Days B4 III, and earned praise from Pitchfork, who raved “Lucki’s music works so well in large part due to his ear for production, plodding hi-hats that make it feel like your brain is stuck in quicksand, and his eerie, doomsday melodies.” 2020 was another banner year for the young artist, featuring the release of his 12-track project Almost There, home to the fan favorite single “Faith.”
