Podcast: "Reparations" (The BackBeat)

This Week on The BackBeat, we get into the 2018 GRAMMY nominations and talk through some of our favorite nominees. From Album of the Year to Best Urban Contemporary Album, we have you covered. Later we get into the passing of Lil Peep and the importance of discussing addiction and mental illness. We've been gone for too long but it's time we brought it back! ;)

Podcast: "Change The System" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we get into the controversy surrounding the GRAMMY Awards and album of the year, Donald Glover getting cast as Simba in the new Lion King film remake, Russell Simmons hosting a Muslim rally, as well as Meek Mill using his social media platforms to discuss gun violence. We also get into The Roots having a new musical that is slated to be performed at the NBA All Star Game this weekend in New Orleans.

As always, tune into the end of the episode to hear our Songs of the Moment that include music from Remy Ma and Fat Joe, Future, Jidenna, Trey Songz, Davion Farris, Solange, and Whitney “The Voice” Houston.

Podcast: "Shut Up & Listen" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we discuss why TI should have just shut the hell up instead of saying his sexist comments about Hillary Clinton & women presidents, we review Bryson Tiller’s new LP Trap Soul, & share our thoughts on the American Music Award nominations, which recognized both Fetty Wap for Best New Artist and D’Angelo’s Black Messiah LP for Soul/R&B Album. We also look out how hip-hop culture is slowly taking over primetime with new shows by Ludacris, Diddy, and Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino are in the works. We get into our feelings over Bobby Brown’s alleged “tell all” book on Whitney Houston and Bobbi Kristina, as well as highlight the activism of Lady Gaga and Lupe Fiasco through their foundations to serve teenagers struggling with mental illness and bring start-ups to inner city communities.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear what our Songs of The Moment are this week! Marcus chooses some great songs from Amel Larrieux, Tamar Braxton, and Janet Jackson. Kyera dips into the discography of Musiq Soulchild, Lady Leshurr, and The Internet.

Enjoy!

New Joint: "Marry You" (Childish Gambino)

Donald Glover is set to appear tomorrow in Magic Mike XXL and ahead of the film's release, the actor turned rap as Childish Gambino is now trying his hand as a singer, covering Bruno Mars' wedding anthem "Marry You," which is featured on the film's soundtrack.

Featuring a solid crooning voice, I am interested to hear what Childish Gambino has been cooking up in the studio and if his forthcoming effort is going to be a mixture of singing and rapping. With that said, take a listen below to his cover of "Marry You" and Enjoy!

Set: "iHeartRadio Festival 2014" (Ariana Grande)

Last night in Las Vegas, Ariana Grande took part during the iHeartRadio Festival 2014 with a solid set from the diva-in-training. Opening up with her smash hit single "Problem," Ariana then slid into "Break Your Heart Right Back" with the assistance of Childish Gambino who once again appeared to help Ariana out on her infectious Diana-Ross sampled joint.

Following "Break Your Heart Right Back," Ariana performed potential third single Cashmere Cat assisted "Be My Baby," glided into the single that started it all "The Way," and then took off at the end with her current single "Break Free." Peep all of Ariana's sublime set below and Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Break Your Heart Right Back" (Ariana Grande ft. Childish Gambino)

Yesterday, Ariana Grande took over NBC's The Today Show with a mini concert celebratng the release of her sophomore album My Everything and towards the end of her time on The Today Show, Ariana performed her Childish Gambino assisted joint "Break Your Heart Right Back."

While it was unclear if Childish Gambino would make the early am appearance to support Ariana, he did indeed come out towards the middle of the song and he and Ari offered up a solid live performance of "Break Your Heart Right Back," which has an instantly recognizable sample of Diana Ross's "I'm Coming Out."

Peep Ariana and Childish Gambino's performance of "Break Your Heart Right Back" below and Enjoy!

Playback: "Bed Peace" (Jhené Aiko ft. Childish Gambino)

While Jhené has been riding high on her hit single "The Worst," which has become her highest peaking single on the Billboard charts to date, I thought it would be nice to take a playback to her Childish Gambino assisted single "Bed Peace," which led off her debut EP 'Sail Out.'

Produced by Fisticuffs, "Bed Peace" was the first single lifted from 'Sail Out' and while it peaked at #25 on the Hot R&B Songs, it didn't officially chart on any other chart, even though it's a brilliant song in my opinion and has a great message.

With that said, take a playback to Jhené's "Bed Peace" below on this relaxing Sunday and Enjoy!

New Video: "Bed Peace" (Jhené Aiko ft. Childish Gambino)

Jhené Aiko and Childish Gambino share a bed in the official visual for their joint "Bed Peace," which is a riff on the iconic photos and clips of  John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-Ins for Peace protesting the Vietnam War.

With that said, Jhené's seven track EP "Sail Out" is slated for release on November 12th and features collaborations with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples and Ab-Soul.

Watch the official video for "Bed Peace" below and lookout for "Sail Out" when it's released towards the middle of next month!

New Joint: "Bed Peace" (Jhené Aiko ft. Childish Gambino)

Jhené Aiko is back with the first official single lifted from his forthcoming EP "Sail Out" in the form of "Bed Peace." Featuring Childish Gambino on this solid mid-tempo joint, the single artwork is reminisent and clearly inspired by Yoko Ono’s Bed-Ins for Peace.

With that said, "Sail Out" is slated for release on October 29th and will feature appearance from  Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Ab-Soul, and Kendrick Lamar, in addition to Childish Gambino. Therefore, take a listen after the jump to "Bead Peace" and Enjoy!

New Joint: "Trouble" (Leona Lewis featuring Childish Gambino)

Leona Lewis's latest single "Trouble" has just been released and her mid-tempo joint finds the famed "The X Factor UK" champ collaborating with Childish Gambino (comedian Donald Glover). While sonically it's a lot different than her original lead single "Collide," "Trouble" is the right first step in my mind to putting "Glassheart" on some solid footing. Either way you might feel, take a listen below and Enjoy!