What an absolutely bonkers week for music releases. While it's exciting for us listeners who get to consume a variety of new tunes, the artists that dropped projects might be feeling a tad competitive. On our radar, we have Lil Uzi Vert's Eternal Atake, Megan Thee Stallion's Suga and Jhene Aiko's Chilombo to consider. 

This week saw two major projects' release dates being announced on short notice, a move that could either be risky or favourable in terms of album sales. Amid a highly-publicized legal dispute with her record label, Megan Thee Stallion revealed on Wednesday (Mar. 4) that her debut album, Suga, would be arriving on Friday. According to Hits Daily Double, Suga is projected to move 35-40k album-equivalent units, which would mark Meg's biggest debut to date.

On Friday (Mar. 6), it was announced that Justin Bieber's arena tour in support of his new album, Changes, would be downsizing to smaller venues. Coronavirus was cited as a factor leading to these adjustments, as it has been impacting everything else in the world. The pandemic-approaching virus was reported to have had a negative effect on ticket sales for Bieber's tour in select markets. His upcoming performances in eight arenas in different cities across the United States are being moved to the cities' respective stadiums. The venues were bestowed with the responsibility of informing ticketholders of this news, as Biebs himself refrained from offering any comment on his personal social media accounts. 

If you look at the rap releases from the past few weeks, or 2020 so far, you'll see that it has essentially been a takeover by the youngins. Two weeks ago, YoungBoy Never BrokeAgain dropped Still Flexin Still Steppin, which debuted at No. 2 with 98,000 album-equivalent units moved. Last week welcomed new projects from G Herbo (PTSD) and Lil Baby (My Turn), which both landed within the Billboard 200's top ten. This #NewMusicFriday was marked by surprises from Lil Uzi Vert (Eternal Atake) and Megan Thee Stallion (Suga). With all this going on in such a short period, it's hard not to notice that the youngest tier of rappers has been stepping on the gas. 

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While the hip hop community has often been fraught by intergenerational debates, Meek Mill did not hesitate to commend his successors. I'll point out that Meek Mill, 32, is by no means "old". However, he seems to see himself as belonging to a different class than the artists listed above - perhaps drawing the line between artists in their twenties and those in their thirties. The Philly rapper took to Twitter to praise them for out-hustling his own generation and those that preceded him. "The young artist got the older artist shook after further review ima just be the first to say it [multiple crying emojis]", he wrote. He then warned that their reign may not continue for that much longer, since he plans on reclaiming power with his forthcoming release. "Ima light y’all lil asses up when it’s my turn tho .... keep snapping youngbulls!!!" 

Back in November, Lil Uzi Vert tragically informed his fans that he was no longer on the best terms with Playboi Carti. Uzi and Carti rose to prominence simultaneously and, essentially, hand-in-hand. They collaborated frequently and were often spotted together. They were the leading duo of the new school, sharing rockstar aesthetics and experimental inclinations. Learning that their friendship dissolved was a tough pill to swallow, one that made their overlapping fanbases nostalgic for a more joyous time. 

As is often the case, sadness over these circumstances has translated into anger. Now that Lil Uzi Vert has released his long-awaited sophomore album Eternal Atake, fans are lashing out at Carti for not following suit with his own long-awaited sophomore album, Whole Lotta Red. If you go to Carti’s last Instagram post – a fit pic from eight weeks ago – you can see that the comments sections is being flooded by frustrated fans. Most of the harassment echoes the same complaint: Your “ex” dropped and you haven’t. What are you gonna do about it? 

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“Uzi rly flexin on u,” claimed one commenter. “Your ex flexing on you whatchu bout to do?” wrote another. Someone shared their belief that Uzi even dissed Carti on Eternal Atake. The following bars on “Silly Watch” were interpreted as a shady reference to Carti’s hit “Magnolia”: “I’m with my boys and no we don’t milly rock / Funny money no this is no silly guap.” 

Other people weren’t trying to fuel a feud between the two rappers by getting Carti to drop his opposing project, but were hoping that he would hop on the deluxe version of Eternal Atake. Uzi has been teasing that additional tracks with high-profile features are arriving imminently, but when asked about the possibility of Carti appearing, he claimed he didn’t even know where he was. “I hope you ft with uzi rn…” wrote a fan. 

Read some of the comments below. 

Lil Baby has confirmed that his crew, 4PF, absolutely did not jump his fellow Quality Control artist, Offset, calling the reports "fake news." Rumours began spreading this week that Lil Baby's squad, 4PF, a term coined by the artist that stands for "4 Pockets Full," and the Migos rapper got into a bit of a scuffle, which allegedly ended with Offset in his underwear.

Lil Uzi Vert is an open book. The rollout for Eternal Atake entailed Uzi sharing all his whims on Twitter and then acting on them. Considering how constrained by label issues he appeared to be in the past, it's exciting to see Uzi maneuver as he pleases. However, the release of his long-awaited sophomore album has also largely involved the input of his fans. The Philly rapper has been interacting with them on Twitter for this past week, hyping them up and answering questions. 

The Eternal Atake rollout is not over. The same day as its surprise release (Mar. 6), Uzi teased that the album's deluxe version is on the way. He tweeted all the artists he hopes to bring on board asking if they're ready. The list included Future, Lil Baby, Young Thug, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. While he selected these guest features himself, he's seeking the advice of his fans regarding which songs should be added to the tracklist. 

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Fans are pulling inspiration from Uzi's previously previewed and leaked songs. One in particular that was heavily requested is "Myron", which was teased in a video of Uzi dancing to it back in 2018. It's produced by Working On Dying and had surfaced online under the title "Bonnie & Clyde". It was proven that "Myron" will finally gets its official release in a video Uzi just shared recording his ad-libs for the track. Uzi has also taken the suggestion of including "Jellybean" (aka "Kobe Rollie"), which boasts production by Pi'erre Bourne. 

Justin Bieber and his team made the "hard decision" of downsizing eight stops on his Changes 45-date stadium tour to instead take place in arena locations, after the Coronavirus scare appears to have had a negative effect on ticket sales in select markets. Justin first announced the Changes tour on Christmas Eve, far ahead of the release of the title project, which marks his first album in five years. While there was no indication of the venue changes on Justin's official social media accounts, eight arenas in different cities across the United States announced that his show had been moved to their venue from the initial stadium location due to "unforeseen circumstances."

While Drake is brutally honest in his songs, he has a tendency to get mysterious on social media. Remember his 2015 Instagram post with “thoughts brought to you by the shaky warrior”? What was up with that? People are still unpacking it to this very day. Drizzy got in one of these moods early Saturday morning (Mar. 7) when sharing an IG story that is… so metaphorical. 

He compares the recent roadblocks in his life to an unfortunate Jolly Rancher-related scenario. Over an image taken in a dark vehicle driving through the night, the shaky warrior wrote: “I had a crazy few days where I feel like I can’t win… then I just opened a cherry jolly rancher and it dropped on the floor of the car… then I looked in the pack and realized that was the last cherry one and it was just a down moment that summed up a series of tough moments and I felt like ok I get it this is my L’s I gotta take in sequence… and then I turned my iPhone light on and realized a watermelon was a cherry so I got one… blessings to all y’all it’s always there you just gotta find it.”

So, what started out as a rather bleak message took a hopeful turn in the end. We don’t know what “L’s” Drake is referring to, but his track record proves he will always come out on top. Life Is Good. Anyway, is he even right about the cherry Jolly Rancher being the best flavour? 

Hip-hop fans have become accustomed to one thing from Statik Selektah, and that’s quality. In fact, there are some who might even feel comfortable naming him one of the game’s most consistent producers, having laced beats for Mac Miller, Royce Da 5’9″, Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, KXNG Crooked, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Mick Jenkins and countless more. Now, it has been confirmed that Statik is gearing up to drop off a new full-length album called The Balancing Act, which arrives in partnership with Mass Appeal.

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The project will be arriving this summer complete with features from Nas, Griselda, 2 Chainz, Dave East, Joey Bada$$, and Method Man. At this stage, he’s still in the process of “rounding out the album,” and that “it will get even more special.” Speaking on the partnership, Statik opened up about his decision to link with Mass Appeal, citing their dedication to hip-hop culture as a deciding factor. “Mass Appeal and I have always seen eye to eye with how hip-hop should be represented, and this album is another chapter in that,” he explained to Billboard. 

As of now, there’s no indication as to what the music will sound like, but his recent collaborative project with Paul Wall (Give Thanks, appropriately released on Thanksgiving) was strong across the board. And if not for anything, the idea of hearing some new bars from legends Method Man and Nas is enough to pique interest, especially if the old head energy runs strong. Look for The Balancing Act to arrive this summer, release date forthcoming.

Post Malone had fans worried about his health this week after a couple videos went viral of the Hollywood’s Bleeding rapper performing from his knees and rolling around on the stage looking quite disheveled and “fucked up”. Several fans believe this was proof that the singer should be seeking help, either for alcohol or substance abuse, but apparently Posty says its nothing to worry about.

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During the latest stop of his tour Friday night in Memphis, Tennessee, Post decided to address the topic of his health to the crowd, saying he’s not on drugs and feeing the best he’s ever felt in his life. He even thanked his fans for their concern but said he’s feeling “fucking fantastic.”

“Im not on drugs and I feel the best Ive ever fucking felt in my life” Post says. “Thats why I bust my ass for these shows and fucking fall on the floor and do all that fun shit. But for anyone thats concerned here I appreciate the love and support but I feel fucking fantastic,” he said to the erupting crowd.

Check out Post’s response (below) and let us know what you think. Do you think Post is telling the truth here or nah?