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: "Fact Check Yo Self" (The BackBeat)

On this week's episode of The BackBeat, we discuss Miley Cyrus and her claim that Hip Hop is too sexist for her. Next, we get into the debacle of the Fyre Festival that has Ja Rule looking like a scammer in these streets. We briefly discuss the drama between Ms. Aretha, Dionne, and Gladys. Make sure you stay tuned in until the end of the episode for our favorite songs of the moment. Kyera chooses cuts from DJ Khalid ft. Quavo, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne. As well as new jams from Goldlink and SZA. Marcus selects jams from Tamar Braxton, Kendrick Lamar and Sabrina Claudio.

Podcast: "Flamed Out" (The BackBeat)

In this week's episode, we briefly talk about the success of Kendrick Lamar's DAMN, Migos wanting the little boy who went viral to be in their next video, how women have been shut out of Billboard's Hot 100 this week, and K. Michelle's latest Twitter comments about Loni Love and Angela Yee. ​Additionally, we get into Tinashe's new video for "Flame" and speculate on why Black female artists aren't getting the push they deserve.

Make sure you tune into the end of our episode where we get into our songs of the moment that include Ja Rule, Ashanti, Bow Wow, Ariana Grande, Lil Kim, Zara Larsson, & Tank and the Bangas.

Podcast: "Humble Yo Self" (The BackBeat)

In our latest episode of The Backbeat, we celebrate the best singers born during Aries season. Next, we discuss Kendrick Lamar’s new single “Humble” and the backlash he’s received from women on Twitter. We also get into French Montana’s disappointing comments about Black women on social media. Finally, we end the episode with a discussion of Kendall Jenner’s problematic Pepsi ad, which seeks to unite protestors and police officers with an ice cold Pepsi Cola (major side eye!) We hope you enjoy the episode

Podcast: "Do Your Research" (The BackBeat)

Hey Friends! On our new episode, we talk about the tragic trailer for the new Nina Simone movie starring Zoe Saldana. Next, we fan out over Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album “Untitled and Unmastered.” We then discuss Sam Smith’s problematic Oscar acceptance speech. Also, we breakdown hip-hop drama between Joey BadA$$ and Troy Ave followed by a discussion of Tank vs. Tyrese. Finally, we show love to the new Hamilton mixtape that is dropping soon!

Stay tuned to the end of the episode where we discuss our songs of the moment. Kyera chooses songs from the Hamilton Cast Recording, The Alabama Shakes, and Chris Brown. Marcus chooses cuts from Jazmine Sullivan, Erykah Badu, and Fifth Harmony.

Podcast: "To Pimp A Grammy" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we talk about the GRAMMY Award nominations where Kendrick Lamar dominated with 11 nominations, Ayesha Curry's politics of respectability tweets, Twitter's #BlackestSongsEver, Wu-Tang Clan album being sold to pharmaceutical villain for $2 million, as well as Erykah Badu's Twitter chat. We also discussed how Chance the Rapper isn’t here for Chi-Raq and Spike Lee's response.

Also make sure you tune into the end of the episode where Marcus and Kyera share their Songs of the Moment.

Award Nominations: 2016 GRAMMY Awards

The 2016 GRAMMY Award nominations were announced earlier today and Kendrick Lamar leads this year's nominees with eleven total nominations. The Grammys return to L.A.'s Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 on CBS at 8pm EST. No host has been announced yet but you can get into all the award nominations below from the major 4 categories (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist) to the R&B and Rap categories respectively.

Award Nominations: 2015 MTV Video Music Awards

The nominees have been announced for the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards and Taylor Swift leads the pack with nine nominations followed by Ed Sheeran with six, Beyoncé and Mark Ronson with five apiece, and Kendrick with four.

For Video of the Year,  Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will face off against one another again this time with Swift's "Bad Blood," featuring Kendrick and Beyoncé’s "7/11. Joining these two pop divas are " Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud," Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk" featuring Bruno Mars, and Kendrick's "Alright."

With that said, Miley Cyrus will host the  2015 MTV VMAs which will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 9 p.m. See a full list of nominees below.

New Video: "Classic Man (Remix)" (Jidenna ft. Kendrick Lamar)

Yesterday, Jidenna dropped the official music video for "Classic Man (Remix)" with the assistance of Kendrick Lamar, and if you had any doubts about Jidenna's hit single, I am sure this official remix will blast it into the Top 40 and enter it into conversations on "Songs of the Summer."

With that said, the video features Jidenna, Janelle, Kendrick, as well as the Wondaland crew all just having a blast. Peep the official music video below for "Classic Man (Remix)" and Enjoy!

Podcast: "I Got Enemies" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, Marcus and Kyera talk about 2 Chainz being sued for $5 million dollars, Jill Scott retracting her support for Bill Cosby, Shia LeBeouf plagiarizing Rap Crew ANOMOLIES, Ariana Grande’s donut moment, Kendick Lamar challenging Fox News, Tyga’s rumored transgender mistress, Kylie Jenner’s record career, Miguel shading Frank Ocean, and the Amy Winehouse documentary AMY.

We also highlight new music from Lauryn Hill, Vince Staples, Meek Mill, and Jill Scott. In our Blast From the Past segment, we honor Diddy’s Bad Boy the Saga Continues, give a shout out to Angel Haze, and reminisce about the demise of 3LW. And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

Podcast: "Young, Gifted, & Black" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we tackle Lupe Fiasco’s letter on white supremacy, Taylor Swift’s fight for artist compensation from #Apple, #TheDream’s Billboard interview about race and music, Bobbi Kristina’s medical condition, Eminem’s new show Narc, D’Angelo’s follow up to Black Messiah, Beyoncé headlines the Made in America music festival, and Diddy’s kettlebell fight.

We also highlight new music from Janet Jackson, Fetty Wap, Jidenna, Tiffany Evans, Kendrick Lamar, Bilal, and #LeonBridges. In our Blast From the Past segment, we honor Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt and remember Michael Jackson on the anniversary of his passing. And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

Remix: "Classic Man" (Jidenna ft. Kendrick Lamar)

Jidenna's hit single just got a major co-sign with the official remix which dropped yesterday. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, the "Classic Man" remix is a solid joint listed from Wondaland Presents: The Eephus EP, whch is due August 14th.

In addition to the remix, you can find Jidenna and Janelle Monáe's collaboration "Yoga," as well as contributions from Wondaland artists Roman GianArthur and Deep Cotton. With that said, take a listen below to the official remix of "Classic Man" and Enjoy!

Podcast: "The BackBeat Ep 2: I Don't Understand The Question"

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, Marcus and Kyera discuss the foolishness that is Rachel Dolezal, Ariana Grande’s feminist letter, Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean’s high school visits, Tamia’s Love Life, Katy Perry’s fictional “Trap House,” Brandy’s desire to join NBC’s remake of The Wiz, and Iggy Azalea’s cancelled Pittsburgh Pride performance.

In addition during Blast from the Past, “Woman to Woman” by Shirley Brown is unearthed, Mariah and Young Jezzy celebrate different milestones, and Erykah gives us a lesson on bullying in a somewhat comical manner.

With that said, take a listen below to the latest episode of The BackBeat and if you like what you hear, subscribe!

Award Nominations: 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards,

Earlier today the 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards were announced a a bit surprisingly, Kendrick Lamar netted three nominations. While they are well deserved, the NAACP Image Awards have often shied away from nominating rap stars and it seems as though Kendrick has broken through.

With that said, Beyoncé and Pharrell topped the nominations with four nominations and you can peep them all below. The 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards is set for Friday, February 6, 2015, with the show set to air live on TV One.

Remix: "Next to Me" (Emeli Sandé ft. Kendrick Lamar)

While Kendrick looks like he is getting ready to release his next album and Emeli Sandé has been hard at work on crafting the followup to her debut album, I thought it would be nice to reivist their collaboration on the official remix to "Next to Me"

Lifted from her critically-acclaimed debut album Our Version of Events,  Kendrick Lamar offers a solid verse to kick off this remix to "Next to Me" and you can listen to it below.

New Joint: "It's On Again" (Alicia Keys ft. Kendrick Lamar)

Earlier today, the Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar collaboration "It's On Again" hit the net. Produced by Pharrell, "It's On Again" is the first joint lifted from the forthcoming soundtrack to The Amazing Spiderman 2, which is due in theaters May 2nd.

While the soundtrack is slated for release on April 22nd, if "It's On Again" is any indication of what we can expect from The Amazing Spiderman 2 LP, I feel like it could become the latest soundtrack to top the Billboard Top 200 Album charts following Frozen's groundbreaking run.

With that said, take a listen to "It's On Again," which kicks off with Kendrick Lamar and Enjoy!

Live Clip: "Radioactive" (Imagine Dragons ft. Kendrick Lamar)

Earlier tonight, Imagine Dragons were the musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live and during one of their performances the GRAMMY-winning group performed their breakout hit single "Radioactive" alongside Kendrick Lamar.

Having performed almost a week ago at the GRAMMYs during a mashup of their joints "Radioactive" and Kendrick's  "m.A.A.d City," the two artists came back together earlier tonight at 30 Rockefeller Plaza to perform the official remix to "Radioactive." Watch it all go down below and Enjoy!

Live Clip: "GRAMMYs Medley" (Kendrick Lamar & Imagine Dragons)

Moments ago, Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons, two of the best new artists of 2013 in my book collaborated with one another live on the 56th Annual GRAMMY Award stage offering up the best performance of the night in my opinion.

Starting off with Imagine Dragon's breakout hit "Radioactive" and then moving into Kendrick's "M.A.A.D City," the mashup was the perfect blend of rap, rock and pop into something that in my opinion definitely needs to be released officially for further consumption.

Watch Imagine Dragon and Kendrick Lamar's sublime performance from the GRAMMYs earlier tonight and Enjoy!

Remix: "Next To Me" (Emeli Sandé ft. Kendrick Lamar)

While Emeli Sandé didn't get any GRAMMY love for her debut album Our Version of Events here in the States after making her debut earlier this year, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit her solid remix to her joint "Next to Me" with the assistance of Kendrick Lamar.

Lifted from her critically-acclaimed debut album Our Version of Events, Kendrick Lamar offers a solid verse to kick off this remix to "Next to Me" and you can listen below to the official remix which helped break Emeli into the US market.

Live Stream: "Made in America Festival 2013" Day 2

Today is the second and last day of the second annual Made in America Festival, and if you weren't able to get to Philadelphia to watch all the action go down in person, you can still catch the entire festival live thanks to a live stream via YouTube.

Featuring performances by Nine Inch Nails, Wiz Khalifa, Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Solange, Fitz & The Tantrums and Alunageorge today, among others, peep thelineup after the jump  in addition to the live stream!