One of the more interesting hip-hop developments to occur year is the budding creative partnership between Eminem and KXNG Crooked, with whom he recently collaborated with on Music To Be Murdered By highlight "I Will." While that marked their lone musical link-up, Em took a moment to chop it up with Crook on "Crook's Corner," an extensive interview that has since amassed over one million views. Since then, Crook has openly mused on the possibility of lacing a joint album with Slim, and while we're not getting that anytime soon, we will be getting another collaboration to tide us over.

Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images 

Taking to Twitter, Crook revealed that his group Family Bvsiness would be dropping off a new single called "Skip This Ad," produced by none other than Eminem. While clearly more recognized for his prowess behind the mic, Em has amassed a strong production repertoire throughout his career, the best of which you can check out right here. As of now, the single appears to be dropping on May 15th -- it's unclear as to whether a full-length album will follow.

Check out the announcement below, and stay tuned for that Horseshoe Gang slash Slim Shady link-up. Who knows -- at this rate we might actually see Crook and Eminem get serious about taking their creative partnership to the next level. But that's a thought for another day.

There’s a genuine case to be made that Lil Baby is the biggest star to emerge from hip-hop’s new generation, with his recent My Turn album validating his lofty position in the game. And even though he just came through with twenty new tracks at the tail end of February, Lil Baby has decided to keep the ball rolling with yet another single. This one is titled “All In,” and seems to have been recorded and filmed during a period of self-imposed quarantine, if the visuals are any indication.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

On that note, Baby took to Instagram to promote the upcoming single, promising that he would be dropping the track at some point “today” — provided he could secure fifty thousand comments. To be fair, it’s likely that Baby always intended to release this one at midnight, and made the announcement knowing full well how easy it would be for him to meet his goal. Either way, everybody wins, and new Lil Baby is all but guaranteed to arrive by the time the clock strikes twelve.

As for the song itself, “All In” appears to be another emotional banger from Lil Baby, a style that’s he’s becoming increasingly synonymous with. Lyrically, it covers his come-up days when music was never in the cards, hard to believe how naturally gifted at it he seems to be. It’s funny how things turn out. Keep an eye out for that new Lil Baby to land at some point today, and sound off – has he earned your loyalty as a fan yet?

Post Malone‘s Nirvana tribute concert to raise money for coronavirus relief efforts has been given the seal of approval from the late frontman’s wife, Courtney Love. Posty teased his plans to pay homage to the legendary grunge band social media on Wednesday by posting a clip of himself on stage while a Nirvana song plays in the background. The clip ends with the details for the tribute concert, indicating that it will take place on Friday (April 24th) at 6:00pm EST/3:00pm PST live stream on Youtube. Posty has often expressed how instrumental Nirvana was in influencing his music taste, so it’s no surprise that he chosen to perform some of his favourites from their catalogue in order to raise money for United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

While the Nirvana lead, Kurt Cobain, is not here to offer his blessing, his wife, Courtney Love, sure is. On Wednesday, Courtney posted a screenshot of a headline announcing Posty’s plans on Instagram to show her appreciation for his efforts, along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Google for their role in the benefit event.

“Thank you @postmalone @who ( worldhealthorganization) & @google who will match 5 million $ in donations,” she wrote in the caption. “Thank you beloved @coreresponse and the amazing @nhs (profound to watch this amazing health care system working=inspiring).” She also recognized her late husband for his talents that have stood the test of time and led to amazing efforts like these. “Thank you mighty kc for writing these songs with your elegant and monkeyed hands that the kids still want to sing and play and hear and use to fight and hunt and cure and heal and eradicate this fucking covid19 virus. I approve the usage. Good luck mr malone.” Don’t miss the Nirvana tribute concert streaming live  Post Malone’s official Youtube channel on Friday, April 24th at 6:00pm EST/3:00pm PST.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic having a profound impact on the economy, with millions unemployed and struggling to pay rent, celebrities and role models have been stepping up to do their part in helping out. That includes Anthony Tiffith, better known in the rap game as Top Dawg, CEO of the legendary Top Dawg Entertainment.

As confirmed by LA City Councilmember Joe Buscaino, Top Dawg recently took it upon himself to cover the rent of over three hundred Watts families, a gesture celebrated on Buscaino’s Instagram page. 

Christopher Polk/Getty Images 

“Would like to give the biggest shout out to Anthony Tiffith, @dangerookipawaa founder of @topdawgent who just paid the rent for 311 families in our public housing developments in #Watts including #ImperialCourts, #JordanDowns, and #NickersonGardens,” he captions, alongside an image of himself and the TDE mogul. “Senior citizens are a group that are often overlooked. This gesture is not just about philanthropy but humanity overall, and it’s just the kind of good news our city needs right now.”

Though it’s easy to focus on the music, especially given the talent Top’s roster possesses as a collective, we mustn’t forget the community work that TDE has been doing. It’s the reason many still look to hip-hop for role models, and further confirmation that Los Angeles would not be what it is today without it. We’d like to echo Buscaino’s shout out to Top Dawg, Punch, and everyone at TDE doing their part to help out during this trying time. Stay safe everybody.

Several years have passed since the last studio album release from Joey Bada$$ but, thankfully, we may not need to wait much longer to receive the next.

Fans of the Brooklyn rapper have been begging him to drop for the last couple of years, replaying All-Amerikkkan Badass as they wait. The 25-year-old has been working in the studio, but he has failed to offer a timetable as to when his next full-length release will come. As the month of April soon comes to a close, Badmon revealed the possibility of new music on the horizon, telling fans that he would soon reward them for their patience.

"Life sucks rn, yes!?," wrote the multi-faceted artist on Twitter. ".....But on the bright side, we get closer to new Joey Bada$$ music everyday :) you will be rewarded for your patience I promise."

The-Dream has officially launched a free OnlyFans account in order to allow his fans the opportunity to create NSFW videos using his freshly released SXTP4 album as a soundtrack. As tons of folks remain stuck in quarantine, many celebrities have taken to joining OnlyFans; some as a platform to share explicit content, others simply to have a medium through which they can more easily connect with fans. The-Dream has decided to use the social media service to give some of his fans more exposure, while promoting the "baby making album of the year" in the process. According to a press release, the page will reflect the erotic nature of the music on SXTP4, by giving "the opportunity to several fans to perform their own sensual choreography to his latest tracks." The content that will come out of these efforts is described as "a modern twist on the music video," essentially allowing fans to come up with their own visuals to accompany the music they love.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The-Dream advertised his new venture  Twitter on Tuesday, writing, "S/O @OnlyFans and all the beautiful ladies involved!!!"

Ever since Royce Da 5’9″ and Eminem renewed their creative partnership on 2011’s Bad Meets Evil album, fans have been excited to witness the follow-up — especially in a current climate, where both parties are firing on all artistic cylinders. It’s fair to say that both Music To Be Murdered By and The Allegory found both emcees in a heightened state, with Royce bringing a new weapon to the battle — his production.

Skip Bolen/WireImage/Getty Images

On that note, Nickle has been spending his quarantine hunkered down behind the boards, laying down a few beats as he plots his next move. For months now, the masses have been salivating at the thought of some new Bad Meets Evil, especially given that the past few years have seen them increasingly active. With both having recently dropped off solo albums, it seems as if a sequel to Hell: The Sequel is a logical step — especially if Royce decides to produce the bulk of the project, thus facilitating any back-and-forth that might otherwise stymie the workflow.

Today, Royce took to Instagram to preview a few of his latest instrumentals, coyly pondering which one to send to his “caucasian counterpart.” Naturally, both selections sit comfortably in Em’s stylistic wheelhouse — which is to say, uptempo dark bangers. While Royce did seem to outline a pick-one-or-the-other scenario, many were quick to counter with a well-meaning “can’t it be both?” Suffice it to say, the people are fiending for some new Bad Meets Evil. And let’s be honest, both beats would be swiftly decimated by the Detroit emcees. 

We’re not sure if you caught Joe Budden‘s previous podcasts, but the rapper made claims that if he was to enter the Verzuz Instagram Live Battle arena, he knew he would be able to beat Lloyd Banks and Fabolous. Then, after some thought, Budden decided to return with an apology. “I don’t think I’m beating Banks if he’s adding G-Unit stuff,” Budden said. “I think I lose that.”

Frederick M. Brown / Stringer / Getty Images

The Joe Budden Podcast may be social distancing, but that doesn’t keep the heated debates at bay. Budden’s co-host Rory stated that when it comes to just mixtapes, Joe Budden still would lose (by five) if he was up against Lloyd Banks. Budden was insulted by the remarks, so while filming a recent episode, he called up Banks to see what the former G-Unit rapper thought about the conversation.

After giving a chuckle, Banks admitted that he saw a tweet about the topic. He added that he has a few mixtape eras, so it all depends on what records are included. Rory chimed in that Joe has two eras, as well, calling one of them “sad.” They all shared a laugh over Rory saying Joe Budden could play his classic hit “Pump It Up” 20 times and still lose. Watch the discussion below and let us know if you think this would be an evenly-matched battle.

We’re sure that wherever Tory Lanez is currently under quarantine, bottles are popping. The Canadian artist has been taking the music world by storm these last few years with his mixtape series and collaborations. He recently delivered The New Toronto 3, his critically acclaimed mixtape that he’s still promoting with new singles and visuals. Tory Lanez apparently knocked it out of the park with this one, because The New Toronto 3 landed the 27-year-old his third No. 1 album.

Erik Voake / Stringer / Getty Images

According to Billboard, The New Toronto 3 “earned 64,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending April 16, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.” Of the mixtape series, this third installment is reportedly the first one to make its way to the Billboard chart. If you’re surprised by the record taking the top spot, so is Tory. In a statement he shared with Billboard, the singer didn’t expect The New Toronto 3 to do as well as it did.

“It’s a mixtape, I don’t even know how!” Tory Lanez told Billboard, semi-jokingly. “I didn’t promote it. I put it the cover to it like a week before it came out. I thought it was gonna sell like 10,000.” Last year Tory did an interview and said he would one day be one of the biggest artists in the world, and he well on his way. What did you think of The New Toronto 3? Was it deserving of a No. 1 achievement?

[]

These Instagram Live Battles have everyone desiring a chance to show off their catalog. Sure, any two artists can decide to go head-to-head at any time to please their fans, but because Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have created Verzuz, many artists want their stamps of approval. We've watched friendly battles between Scott Storch and Mannie Fresh, T-Pain and Lil Jon, RZA and DJ Premier, The-Dream and Sean Garrett... and now Ray J wants his turn.

Jonathan Leibson / Stringer / Getty Images

While Teddy Riley—who just faced off against Babyface in a battle between legends—was livestreaming, Ray J was spotted in the comments letting it be known that he's ready. "Yo @timbaland I'm next up!! Who want the smoke?" The innocent request quickly circulated on social media, and since then, people have been weighing in with their opinions. Let's just say, not everyone has been kind. 

"Ray J wants to do an IG live battle, and I say let 'em. He can play 'Wait A Minute' and clear the place out," one Twitter user wrote. Another added, "Not everybody that’s in the music scene deserve a battle. Im not trying to see a Ray J, Romeo, Bow Wow, Lil Salt Shaker, mixed paprika smoke or emcee basura go beat for beat or bar for bar. Let’s cut the bulls**t people. ???‍♂️."

Supporters of the singer-reality star pointed out his discography including tracks like "Wait a Minute" with Lil Kim, "Another Day in Paradise" with his sister Brandy, "Sexy Can I" featuring Young Berg also known as Hitmaka, "Famous" with Chris Brown, and "Tie Me Down" with the New Boyz. Some have suggested Ray J battle against artists like Fabolous or Chris Brown, but not everyone was on board. If Ray J did participate in a Verzuz battle, who do you think he should go up against?