Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, students around the world have had to alter their graduation plans this year. Instead of holding a big ceremony with family and friends cheering on students as they walk across the stage and accept their diplomas, a virtual gathering was held with star-studded speeches and performances.
Beyoncé, Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, BTS, and more were all present to deliver wise words to the graduating class of 2020, contributing to the "Dear Class of 2020" event. Megan Thee Stallion is also being celebrated for her high-energy performance, which also doubled as a tour of her home.
One moment, in particular, is being praised as "epic" when the Stallion performed her break-out hit "Big Ole Freak" before jumping into the splits on her couch and twerking for the camera.
"I know Megan did not just jump into a split on di couch and bounce with it," wrote one graduating student in pure disbelief.
During her performance, Megan sang her #1 hit "Savage," "Cash Shit," "Hot Girl Summer," "Captain Hook," and more.
While this was not one of the most inspiring moments of the live-stream -- that goes to either Queen Bey or the Obamas -- this was certainly one of the more entertaining performances of the night.
J. Cole Spit Bars For Inmates After Visiting Prison
J. Cole visited San Quentin State Prison in 2017, uplifting incarcerated inmates and spitting some bars.
J. Cole enjoys uplifting people in his music and in real life, often taking time out of his busy schedule to interact with people who have been dealt a bad hand in this game of life. Three years ago, he took a trip to one of San Francisco's most famous prisons and one of the inmates is shining a light on how life-changing his visit was.
"We got the opportunity to spend the day at San Quentin State Prison talking and meeting inmates who will never see the outside again," wrote Cole's manager, Ibrahim "Ib" Hamad at the time. It turns out that Cole did more than just talk -- he actually spit some bars for about forty inmates facing life in prison.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Replying to a post asking about experiences seeing big artists perform in small rooms, former incarcerated lifer Adnan Khan spoke about his experience hearing the rapper spit bars during his visit to San Quentin.
According to the formerly incarcerated man, Cole's visit didn't include a performance of sorts. However, he did sit down in a circle before spitting some bars without instrumental backing.
According to Khan, Cole's visit was deep. "He knew how fucked up the system is & wanted to learn more from us living in the fire-to use his platform to educate fans & bring actual change," he writes.
Take a look at some pictures below.
Juice WRLD’s Mom Shares Photo From His First Music Payout
Juice WRLD took a photo with a $100 bill, which he earned for his first-ever paid performance in March 2017.
Juice WRLD passed away at the young age of 21 due to a drug overdose. The recording artist was one of the most popular musicians in the world at the time, breaking the hearts of so many of his fans. His mother has taken control of his estate, establishing the Live Free 999 fund and sharing plenty of memories to social media.
This week, she went back to when Juice WRLD earned his first few dollars from performing, posing with a $100 bill and looking toward the future.
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images
“This was the first money Jarad made for performing,” wrote Carmella Wallace, the rapper’s mother, on Instagram. “I told him we needed to capture the moment. The pic was taken March 2017 and the rest is history!”
At the end of his career, Juice WRLD was likely earning thousands upon thousands of dollars for his performances. He started at the bottom though, clawing away until he reached rap’s pinnacle. Unfortunately, his success didn’t last as long as he had hoped as his issues with substance abuse signaled the end of his journey.
Juice WRLD’s first posthumous album, The Outsiders, has been detailed by his girlfriend Ally Lotti. Look out for further announcements about the new album soon.
Long Live Juice WRLD.
Doja Cat Ignores Controversy, Performs "Say So" On BBC Radio 1
Despite recent calls to cancel her after videos surfaced of her engaging in racist behaviour with alt-right incels, Doja Cat still performed her #1 hit "Say So" on BBC Radio 1.
In the midst of the #DojaCatIsOverParty, the artist in question performed her #1 hit "Say So" from her house for BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend on Saturday (May 23rd). The Internet was rampant with calls to cancel Doja this weekend after videos of what appeared to be her engaging with known alt-right incels on TinyChat surfaced. Tons of claims were made about how she frequents these chats, which often allegedly serve as cesspools for racism and overall reprehensible behaviour.
As Twitter users began digging deeper into Doja's past, they came across a song of hers titled "Dindu Nuffin," a term used as a derogatory slur toward black people who stress the innocence of victims of police brutality. All of this mess caused #DojaCatIsOverParty to start trending, and since then, the rapper has remained silent.
However, although she has yet to address this "exposé" of sorts, Doja did perform "Say So," which recently spent two weeks at No. 1 and remains in the top 5 on the charts, as part of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend event to make up for her cancelled show in the UK a few weeks ago. Although it's unclear whether Doja filmed the performance prior to this whole scandal, the video premiered on Saturday long after the alleged tea had been spilled. Watch the performance below and stay tuned for her eventual response:
Doja Cat Delivers Dazzling "Say So" Performance
Doja Cat drops a live performance of her hit single “Say So” for Vevo Lift.
Doja Cat is having the best year of her career so far, earning her first-ever Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Say So” and grabbing Nicki Minaj for the brand new remix. The track is poised to continue its outstanding performance, due largely to its reception on social media. As one of the most exciting emerging artists in the world, Doja Cat is turning heads and she was picked to perform a live rendition of the single for Vevo Lift, a platform that puts on for up-and-coming stars.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Doja Cat is arguably one of the most popular female rappers in the country right now but still, her brand is untapped to some potential fans. She decided to roll through Vevo’s studio to deliver a stunning performance of “Say So” where she pranced around the hot pink room and danced for the entire world to enjoy.
The Los Angeles native is the name on everybody’s tongue right now as Doja Cat continues to rise as a superstar rapper. Her sophomore album Hot Pink was received extraordinarily and “Say So” remains in the Top Ten. With a new remix from Nicki Minaj, the track is bound to keep rising toward the top.
Watch her dazzling show below.
Travis Scott Sets New All-Time Record On Fortnite
Travis Scott’s virtual “Astronomical” performance broke Fortnite’s all-time record for most live viewers at a time, raking in 12.3 million.
Travis Scott beat the all-time record on Fortnite previously set by Marshmello for the most live viewers at a time with his virtual ASTRONOMICAL performance on Thursday night. It had been speculated for quite some time that Travis was involved with the wildly popular video game in some way, but last week, some mined leaks seemed to provide concrete proof that the rapper was scheduled for an in-game performance. A few days later, a date and time was set for the virtual event, entitled ASTRONOMICAL, and on Thursday night, fans around the world tuned in to watch an animated Travis put on one hell of a show.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
During the roughly 15-minute concert, Travis performed some of his most beloved tracks, including “Highest In The Room.” He also previewed his new song with Kid Cudi called “The Scotts,” much to the excitement of fans. Overall, the event drew a massive online audience, garnering a whopping 12.3 million viewers. This number, which was no doubt somewhat thanks to the widespread quarantine occurring, officially marks the largest amount of live players on Fortnite at once. Travis broke the game’s all-time record previously set by Marshmello in February of 2019, when the DJ raked in 10.7 million live viewers during his own in-game musical event.
Fortnite has set four additional “tour” dates for Travis’ ASTRONOMICAL concert to accommodate fans living in different time zones: Friday, April 24th, at 10:00am. EST; and Saturday, April 25th, at midnight EST, 11:00am EST, and 6:00pm EST.
Jhené Aiko & H.E.R. Perform "B.S." On BET’s COVID-19 Relief Special
Jhené Aiko and H.E.R. performed an acoustic version of their duet, "B.S.," on BET's virtual COVID -19 relief special, "SOS: Saving Our Selves."
Jhené Aiko and H.E.R. joined the myriad of artists that performed on BET's COVID-19 relief special, "SOS: Saving Our Selves," on Wednesday by doing an acoustic rendition of their collaboration, "B.S." off Jhené's latest album, CHILOMBO. BET held the virtual event in an effort to raise money for their COVID-19 Relief Fund. The star-studded evening, hosted by Regina Hall, Kelly Rowland, Terrence J, and Anthony Anderson, included appearances from tons of celebrities, including Halle Berry, Usher, John Legend, Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, Charlie Wilson, D-Nice, Ciara, Tiffany Haddish, and more. Some attendees, like John Legend, also provided some musical stylings. Among this herd were Jhené and H.E.R., who showed up to the live streamed event ready to provide some from-home entertainment to the masses.
With her guitar in tow, H.E.R. strummed along while Jhené sang, until it was her turn to show off her vocals. The two songstresses managed to turn their respective homes into a modest stage of its own with the stripped down version of the song. Catch Jhené and H.E.R.'s full performance of "B.S." below:
If you missed out on BET's "SOS: Saving Our Selves" special, here's a music montage to give you a taste of the soul-healing event:
View this post on InstagramKid Cudi Roasts His Old Dance Moves
Some would say that Kid Cudi is "So Appalled" by his performance moves with the microphone stand.
Kid Cudi and Kanye West have shared the stage so many times, reuniting years ago at Coachella for a joint set as Kids See Ghosts. During their run on top of the music industry, we would have loved to hear West's thoughts on Cudi's sometimes cringe-worthy dance moves.
As he has begun teasing new songs from his upcoming album Entergalactic, Kid Cudi went back in time to find an old video of himself dancing while Kanye West rapped "So Appalled." He clearly was not impressed with what he was pulling.
"What am i doin w the mic stand?? Hahah that was my main move back n the day," laughed the 36-year-old artist.
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesIn the video, Cudi can be seen placing the microphone stand between his legs and riding it like a horse. For real... At least he knows how funny he looked back then.
In his defense, it's pretty easy to get carried away when you're on stage performing for thousands of fans.
Whenever Kid Cudi is back on the performance circuit, you better keep your eyes peeled to the microphone stand. Old habits die hard and since this was one of his preferred moves, it could eventually make a return.
Check it out below.
Travis Scott In-Game Fortnite Concert Might Be Happening Soon
A Travis Scott in-game concert might be happening on Fortnite, according to some new leaks.
Fortnite gamers could be getting blessed with an in-game musical performance by Travis Scott in the near future, as evidence has been gathered from some leaks found within the world of the battle royale island. While it has yet to be officially confirmed or announced, it looks like Fortnite is might have plans to follow up their 2019 Marshmello concert with another in-game performance from the Astroworld rapper himself. Tons of hints have been collected from an amalgamation of mined files, including some posters found within the game depicting a planet orbiting above the Fortnite map, with a music symbol in the middle.
While this clue could point to a number of different space-enthused artists, it definitely seems to be indicating that a concert is in the works. Further, a new "planet texture" has been discovered, depicting a bright pinkish-purple bubble-like fixture featuring carnival images that many think is meant to be "Astroworld." What's more is that, when hovered over, the planet plays an audio file. The audio in question? "Highest in the Room" by Travis Scott.
This is not the first time Travis Scott Fortnite content has been rumoured to be in the works. As pointed out by GameRant, "files related to a Travis Scott cosmetic set, as well as a photo of a Travis Scott skin, were both leaked in February and March, respectively."
Doja Cat Performs In Pink Sumo Suit On Instagram Live
Doja Cat took over Levi's Instagram live to perform some of her biggest hits, and she rocked a pink inflatable sumo suit the whole time.
Doja Cat is definitely upping the ante for her Instagram live sessions these days, and her latest stunt included performing her biggest hits on Levi's IG account in a pink inflatable sumo suit. Doja has always been one to engage in some hilarious antics, especially in the IG live world. Like many celebrities, the rapper has been hopping on live a lot more often lately while she's been in quarantine, and we're so thankful that we get to witness her hilarious personality in action that much more. Although she certainly had her fans in a fit of laughter after reciting the lyrics to Roddy Ricch's "The Box" in a Shakespearean manner (complete with a chainmail headdress), she followed this up with a performance on Levi's Jeans' Instagram account dressed in a sumo suit and a bedazzled denim jacket from the brand.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for TIDAL
Doja opened the set with her hit song, "Cyber Sex," followed by the silly "Mooo!" track that made her go viral back in 2018 and was responsible for ultimately launching her into stardom.
