Nearly three decades after its release, Lil’ Kim’s groundbreaking debut album Hard Core continues to influence hip-hop culture—this time earning the distinction of being ranked the best hip-hop album cover of all time by Billboard. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B (@billboardhiphop) Released in 1996, Hard Core arrived during a pivotal moment in hip-hop, when female rappers were still fighting for space, visibility, and creative autonomy. Lil’ Kim stepped

SZA’s SOS Deluxe: Lana, the deluxe edition of her 2022 album SOS, has set a new record as the album with the most tracks that have received Grammy nominations – a whopping nine tracks. These nominations have been spread out over four Grammy eligibility years. “Good Days,” which was released in December 2000, was nominated as a stand-alone single at the Grammy ceremony in 2022.  “Kill Bill,” “Ghost in the Machine” (with Phoebe Bridgers), “Love Language,” “Snooze” and “Low” were nominated at the

Ciara is settling into her new life in New York beautifully, and her latest surprise proves it. Billboard has the exclusive premiere of a brand-new video that captures Ciara bringing a massive burst of energy to Times Square with a 40-person flash mob, created in honor of her newest single, “Nice n’ Sweet.” The early-morning shoot, recorded Nov. 17th during rush hour, features dancers performing not only to the CiCi deluxe version of the track with MOLIY and Oxlade, but also to “BRB” and TikTok

Offset is facing new scrutiny after Instagram model Jordyn Gorr publicly shared what she claims are leaked text messages from the Migos star — and suggested he attempted to involve her in an alleged setup targeting NFL player Stefon Diggs, who shares a child with Cardi B. The accusations spread quickly across social media after Gorr posted a screenshot carousel and a provocative caption aimed squarely at the rapper. “@offsetyrn keep violating me but stay in my phone asking me to help set up Ste

Donald Glover recently shared that he suffered a stroke in 2024. Glover explained his health scares during a performance at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw, which was captured on social media. I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana, and I did the show anyway,” Glover said.“And I couldn’t really see well, so when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital, and the doctor was like, ‘You had a stroke.’ ”  “The first thing I thought was like, ‘Oh, here I am still copying Jamie Foxx.’

Garry George “Jellybean” Johnson, a founding member of the legendary funk band The Time, has passed away. He was 69. According to an official statement from his family, Johnson passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov.21. “The family of Jellybean Johnson is deeply saddened by the passing of their beloved husband and father,” the family’s statement read. “Passing just shortly after his 69th birthday this past Wednesday, November 19, on the evening of Friday, November 21, 2025.  “Jellybean was

Cardi B is easing her way back into fitness as she prepares for a massive touring year ahead. The rapper shared a gym clip to her Instagram Story showing her sweating through a stairmaster session, a video she noted was originally recorded on November 13th and posted on November 20th. Still adjusting to life after giving birth, she told fans she’s intentionally starting slow as she rebuilds her strength. “Tour journey with me,” she wrote. “I haven’t started tour rehearsals yet but I’m doing li

D’Angelo’s estate has launched a new initiative that links his artistic legacy to a fight that reaches far beyond music.  This week, the estate announced the D’Angelo Estate Pancreatic Cancer Fund, created in partnership with the Black Boy Joy Foundation, to honor the late musician’s battle with pancreatic cancer and support families facing the disease. The fund marks the first large-scale philanthropic effort tied to Michael D’Angelo Archer’s name since his passing. In its statement, the esta

Teyana Taylor was having a completely normal day doing her skincare routine when everything changed. The singer and actress revealed to PEOPLE at Elle’s Women in Hollywood event on November 17 that she learned about her Grammy nomination with a face mask drying on her skin. In the Instagram video she posted on November 11, she is shown frozen in place as she tries not to crack the mask. “I got a mask on so I can’t move my face,” she says after hearing that her 2025 album Escape Room is nominate