Machine Gun Kelly has been flexing his skills outside the realms of rap lately, from acting in upcoming films like Big Time Adolescence alongside Pete Davidson and action-western flick The Last Son Of Isaac LeMay to plans of dropping a punk pop album. However, the papaya-loving emcee assures us all that he will not be abandoning hip-hop or the music industry anytime soon.

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The self-prcolaimed "blonde don" took to Twitter yesterday (March 11) to give his million-plus followers an update on his current career moves. "Just because i’m acting doesn’t mean i stop making music," he wrote, following with another line that read, "just because i’m making a pop punk album doesn’t mean i stop rapping." A move from hardcore hip-hop into the indie/alternative scene might be scary for some artists, but MGK says that doesn't apply to him by also adding, "just because ‘you’ fear something new doesn’t mean i’m going to." He concluded his message with one final line that read, "a creative’s job is to break the barriers not stay inside them," ending things with the simple statement "i’m bored of normal." Wheter or not his rapper-turned-actor status or the Tickets To My Downfall album prove to be missteps in the long run, we just commend the dude for following his own path as an artist.

Read Machine Gun Kelly's original tweet below and let us know if you agree with his overall message:

Live Nation is halting all domestic and international tours as a temporary measure, due to the growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak around the world. Per Billboard, the event promoter has instructed all of its touring shows to pack their bags and head home for the time being. Following suite of other events around the world that attract large gatherings of people, current touring arena shows under Live Nation will be cancelled through the end of the month in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Select shows on Thursday and Friday this week will, however, proceed as scheduled. The company plans to re-evaluate the situation come April, with hopes of resuming touring by May or June. Among the tours affected are Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Cher, Kiss, Tool, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Chris Stapleton.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation

Live Nation has also ordered all of its employees not to come into the office, and instead work remotely from home. For the most part, their Beverly Hills headquarters will be closed until the end of March. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the company is not planning to lay off any employees, as staff have been informed that the company is “well-positioned to weather the closure.”

Quavo was unfortunately forced to cancel his third annual Huncho Day on the Nawf football event, under the advisement of health professionals in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. As coronavirus continues to impact virtually every event and public space worldwide, Quavo’s Huncho Day has also fallen victim to the threat of COVID-19. On Thursday, the Migo shared an official message on his Instagram, informing his fans and prospective Huncho Day attendees that the special football event had to be cancelled due to the now-pandemic status of coronavirus. 

“Due to the Coronavirus being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO); along with public and government concern regarding crowd gatherings, we will be cancelling the 3rd Annual Huncho Day on the Nawf on April 5, 2020,” the message reads. “We are disappointed, but feel strongly about doing our part to keep people safe and this virus contained. Thanks for your support and understanding. Please make sure you’re taking the necessary steps to take care of yourself and your family.” The announcement was signed by Quavo himself, who wrote in the caption, “HUNCHO DAY 2020 CANCELLED. Stay Safe Everybody. God Bless You All”

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Quavo launched Huncho Day back in 2018 in an effort to give back to his high school alma mater, Berkmar High School. The event comprises of a carnival for families, a football camp for kids, and a star-studded game of flag football. Past years have seen celebrities like 21 Savage, Offset, Lil Yachty, 2 Chainz, YFN Lucci take the field to toss the old pigskin around, and last year, former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick even made an appearance. The event will surely be missed this year by all those who planned to attend.

At long last, Jay Electronica's debut studio album, A Written Testimony, is set to arrive on March 18th, and the elusive and stoic rapper has officially sent the tracklist out into the world. Dropping the reveal exclusively in Arabic, his English-speaking fans took the additional measure of hitting that Google translates with the quickness. As such, it didn't take long before a rough translation began circulating the internet, revealing ten songs, features from Travis Scott and The-Dream, and the alarming absence of Jay-Z. 

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Roughly translated, we're looking at:

1. The Omnipotent Event
2. The Ghost of Soulja Slim
3. Blinding (feat. Travis Scott)
4. The Eternal Tale
5. The Cosmic Soldier
6. The Brilliant Suit Theory (feat. The-Dream)
7. Intensive Flowing
8. The Fruits of the Soul
9. The Wheel of Ezekiel (feat. The-Dream)
10. Praise Be to God

Curiously, it was originally reported that the project would feature a "heavy Jay-Z presence," with the legendary rapper said to be blessing over seven of the album's tracks. It's entirely possible that Jay Electronica has decided to keep the Jigga Man uncredited; these days, discovery is half the fun, and the suspense will certainly encourage fans to simply sit back and hit play. Otherwise, the fact that one of the only features comes courtesy of Travis Scott, who might be the antithesis of Jay Elec's style, has already piqued our interest.

Though it's arriving during a time where shit has hit the fan and the blades have yet to stop spinning, the hype for A Written Testimony continues to build. Perhaps it's the product of its own mystique, the long-awaited conclusion to a narrative years in the making. Whether it lives up to the hype is anybody's guess, but we won't have to wait much longer to find out. 

Out of absolutely nowhere, Lil Uzi Vert shocked the world when he released Eternal Atake last week. The album had been rumoured for the following week but we were all getting tired of waiting and, apparently, so was Uzi. Without much notice, the project was uploaded to streaming services and, ever since its arrival, we've been bumping it heavily. It should come as no surprise that this week's staff-curated TIDAL-exclusive playlist features a shit-ton of Uzi songs, as well as choice selections from Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Yachty, and more.

Cruising through the 32-song tracklist for this week's playlist, you'll notice a lot of Lil Uzi Vert. Hopefully, you're feeling EA as much as we are in the office. Our additions from the hit album include "Celebration Station," "P2," "Silly Watch," "Baby Pluto," and more.

In another direction, we've also added Lil Yachty's high-class return single "Oprah's Bank Account," as well as a couple of Jadakiss bangers, the new Grafh and Hopsin joint, and some slowed-down jams from Jhené Aiko. You're getting lots of variety (and even more Uzi) this week.

If you're not yet signed up with TIDAL, take advantage of your free 30-day trial here. Let us know who had your favourite picks this week.

Alex Zidel (Editorial)

Lil Yachty & DaBaby - Oprah's Bank Account (feat. Drake)
Gunna - SKYBOX
Lil Uzi Vert - P2
Lil Uzi Vert - Silly Watch
Lil Uzi Vert - I'm Sorry

Noah C (Editorial)

Gunna - SKYBOX
Jhene Aiko - Surrender (feat. Dr. Chill)
Lil Uzi Vert - Silly Watch
Lil Uzi Vert - POP
Lil Uzi Vert - Bigger Than Life

Alex Cole (Editorial)

Lil Uzi Vert - Silly Watch
Lil Uzi Vert - Baby Pluto
Lil Uzi Vert - Lo Mein
Lil Uzi Vert - Urgency (feat. Syd)
Lil Uzi Vert - Celebration Station

Paul Pirotta (Sales)

Jadakiss - (NYB) Need Your Best [feat. Ty Dolla $ign]
Lil Baby - We Should (feat. Young Thug)
Jadakiss - Angels Getting Pedicured (feat. 2 Chainz)
DJ Kay Slay - No Permission (feat. Juicy J, A$AP Ferg, & Dave East)
Royce Da 5'9 - Upside Down (feat. Benny the Butcher, & Ashley Sorrell)

Cole Blake (Editorial)

Lil Uzi Vert - POP
Lil Uzi Vert - You Better Move
Lil Uzi Vert - Prices
Lil Uzi Vert - Venetia
Lil Uzi Vert - P2

Keenan Higgins (Editorial)

$NOT - ROADRUNNER+ 
Larry June - Summer Snow (feat. G Perico)
Grafh - Who Shot Ya (feat. Hopsin)
CJ Fly - LV ASCOT

Rose Lilah (Editorial)

Lil Uzi Vert - P2
Lil Uzi Vert - Celebration Station
Gunna - SKYBOX
Rema - Rainbow

Bhaven Moorthy (Editorial)

Rich The Kid - Red
Lil Baby - Emotionally Scarred
Lil Baby - Same Thing
Jay Whiss - Valet (feat. Puffy L’z)

Lynn S (Editorial)

Bree Runway - APESHIT 
Lil Uzi Vert - I’m Sorry
Lil Uzi Vert - Lo Mein
Megan Thee Stallion - Savage
Jhene Aiko - B.S. (feat. H.E.R.) 

Megan Thee Stallion is in the midst of a legal battle with her label, 1501 Certified Entertainment but she still managed to release her new project, SUGA last week, thanks to the judge who granted her a temporary restraining order against the label. Even though the project managed to find its way onto streaming services, Meg’s battle against 1501 Entertainment is far from over. 

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In new documents obtained by Bossip, a lawyer for the label has filed a motion arguing that Megan Thee Stallion has no right to take them to court. Although details of Megan having to go through arbitration with the label were previously revealed, a lawyer for 1501 has asked to have this case dealt with privately. Ultimately, this would mean that the results of the case would not be available to the public.

The agreement is apparently in the very contract that Megan Thee Stallion signed two years ago. The contract states that any disputes between them would be settled in a private matter. If Megan’s case proceeds as she plans, then she’d allegedly be violating their legal agreement. They’re not necessarily arguing aspects of this case but would rather have it dealt with behind closed doors. 

A judge has yet to file a ruling on the motion. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates. Read our review of SUGA here.

Joyner Lucas is trolling his fans once again about further delaying the release of his upcoming debut album, ADHD, eight more years, due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus epidemic. The status of the artist's debut album has been up in the air for awhile now, ever since he announced it way back in October of 2018. Last month, he finally gave fans a time frame for when they could expect to hear the project, and a few weeks later, he announced that the official release date would be March 27th, 2020. Now, with the worldwide panic surrounding the rising threat of COVID-19, the rapper joked that ADHD would be pushed back another eight years.

Over three years have passed since Metro Boomin & 21 Savage fused to spark Savage Mode, a mixtape gem that was heavily circulated four years ago thanks to singles such as “X” & “No Heart.” Sand has passed through the hourglass of Savage’s career since he released what might be his edgiest collection of songs; a composition that came to define his signature sound. But with the emcee facing growing popularity and budding mainstream appeal, some of that edge seems to have been shaved off. 

21 Savage seemingly hinted at a release date for Savage Mode 2 on Instagram earlier this week: Friday the 13th. How fitting, as the pair combine to create an ominous and menacing soundtrack for the trap’s underworld. Even after the success of Savage Mode, the marriage between Metro and 21 continued to be a magical big bang of cosmic forces – culminating in banger-filled projects like Not All Heroes Wear Capes & Without Warning with Offset. Metro’s dark beats bring out the best of Savage. The musical architect frequently utilizes piano solos on top of strings and other subtle, almost indistinguishable sounds reminiscent of a double cello or bass. The audacity and braggadocios bars of Savage go perfectly over Metro’s spooky foundation. But considering the rapper a different artist now than he was at the tail of the last decade, how might the sequel differ from its predecessor? 

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Image

It can’t be denied that I Am > I Was found Savage exploring en entirely new style of production. Consider how hit single “A Lot,” produced by DJ Dahi & J White Did It, employs the psalms of a chorus sampled from “I Love You” by East of Underground, which itself samples 1970s trio The Fuzz. Moving into Savage Mode 2, it’s likely we see an updated perspective and evolved musical direction. A merger of both the classic 21 Savage sounds and his new-found tone. Each has a place in his catalog and if blended appropriately has the potential to be brimstone hot. I expect we get more of the creative and imaginative delivery from the rapper with a bit less character than on his last album, I Am > I Was. The effortless and spectacularly unenthusiastic bars only Savage-level swagger can pull off. The variance of his inflection is mesmerizing. He does a phenomenal job of not letting his voice get too mundane on any song. Not to mention exquisitely placed ad-libs to enhance the listening experience. Peep the penultimate verse from “Mad High” for reference.

Pull up on a back street, roll the window down
Pull up on a back street, another n***a down
That AK47 turn your smile into a frown
Bitch I’m from the street, I turn a seven to a pound
I left my baby mama and I went and got a model
You can’t get no guala if you don’t know how to swallow
What the bombaclot, I feel like Oscar ’cause I’m a shotta
You say you gettin’ money what you using as your product?
I hit my first lick and I spent that shit on Prada
N***a sneak dissin’, I got shots for all your partners
Bitch I’m from the six, I eat soul food, not Benihanas
I keep that 223, I knock your head out of your Honda 

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. 21 even named a song on his last album after the term. His voice invokes a euphoric tingling prefacing a transient state of escape into the music. He does an exceptional job of creating aura and atmosphere by crafting everything from the beat to his delivery to match his chosen vibe. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves for his actual ability to spit. When that’s his focus on a brief section of a track, he does damage to the notepad. But don’t expect overwhelming lyricism from Savage, as the rapper has said he’s never going to fixate on being the most lyrical. As such, it’s unlikely Savage Mode 2 will see vast improvements in that department. 

Whether you like it or not, you can plan to expect R&B singing from an increasingly melodic Savage — how Metro will merge this sound into the overall consistency of the project is something that should be interesting to see. Speaking again on their musical chemistry, Boomin does a great job of dropping the beat almost entirely to allow 21 space to perform these vocal theatrics; an example of this can be heard on “Do Come Outside.” We can also expect to hear the theme of growth from the rapper who has had several life experiences since the release of Savage Mode. The artist admitted that the project was an acceptance of where he’s been with an eye toward the future. Despite allusions to a more serious tone, hopefully we can expect more of the foolish belligerency that makes Metro-Savage collabs so entertaining. The first chapter started off with the lyrics “F*ck her in my rollie, f*ck her in my rollie, Imma f*ck her in my rollie.” I mean, that’s the Savage we want to hear.

Since garnering a load of press in 2019, Savage has been fairly quiet thus far in 2020. Will he move forward as a greater emcee than he was before his most widely recognized album? We will all find out soon enough.

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Dave Burd, better known to the masses as Lil Dicky, has finally checked off a major bucket list item with the arrival of his new FXX series Dave. In celebration of the show, which happens to be executive produced by Kevin Hart, Dicky came through for another appearance on Sway In The Morning. Fans know that Burd has left a lasting impression on the Sway In The Morning squad, having laced a pair of memorable freestyles during his time in the booth. Here, he's foregoing the bars and talking shop, taking the opportunity to break down the hip-hop hierarchy of basketball talent and his lofty place within it.  

After expressing that making the NBA is the only one of his childhood dreams yet to manifest, Heather B suggests hitting up the Celebrity All-Star Game as a litmus test. "I haven't played in that game yet," says Dicky. "I've been waiting cause I really just want to be ready. When I play in that game I'm going to score like, thirty-six points." His claim is met with incredulity, with Heather straight up saying it won't happen. "First off, it's the NBA celebrity game," retorts Dicky. "Honestly, everybody sucks in that game. They all suck!"

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Sway claims that neither Quavo, Common, nor Chris Brown suck, which Dicky agrees with. "But that's borderline it," says Dicky, though he does give Kevin Hart props for being athletic. "I've never played with him, but I know for a fact if he really D'd me up it'd be hard to do stuff on him," says Dicky, his phrasing on-brand with his moniker. "He's probably very annoying."

When Heather B mentions 2 Chainz, Dicky admits that Tity is nice but seems more comfortable in a mentorship role these days. "He doesn't play in the game that often," explains LD. "I was just in a game with 2 Chainz and he was like coaching, cause he didn't want to run around a lot. He's a great coach though. He put me in the right position, I thrived in that game. I had like sixteen points. I played really well. I think everybody would say I was the most impressive part of that game." Sway seems unconvinced, prompting Dicky to up his intensity. "Ask Chris Brown if I'm impressed at basketball," he challenges. "I'm one of the best rappers that play basketball, no question." 

"J Cole looks really good," he continues, spelling out the hierarchy of rap basketball elite. "I've never been on the same court with him but I know he's good. Chris Brown, definitely good. Quavo, definitely good. I think right about there, Common is good. I haven't played with [Drake] but he looks alright. I feel like I could beat Drake, but he's probably so much stronger than me. It depends how they want to play one-on-one. If he's going to back me down and put me all the way under and he's really good at finishing. But I don't really fear Drake on the basketball court."

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@lildickygram is reintroducing us to himself as Dave Burd, and his FXX/Hulu show is a semi-autobiographical story about how he became this superstar rapper. Coming up all Dave wanted to be was a rapper and basketball player, and in this hilarious interview, he talks to us about how all of that panned out. Link in bio.

A post shared by Sway Calloway (@realsway) on Mar 11, 2020 at 9:49am PDT

The entertainment and music industry is starting to become affected by the spread of COVID-19 after it was revealed that Tom Hanks and his wife contracted it in Australia. Now, it looks as though musicians and record labels are beginning to lock down on their current plans, even delaying single and album releases as a direct result of the coronavirus.

Cardi B has been very vocal about her fear of the rapidly-spreading virus, ranting online about how she's considering a move to Antarctica to stay as far away from the real world as possible.

When one hungry fan asked her when her new music would be arriving, the rapper responded that it's actually been delayed indefinitely.