NEWS
Cole Bennett’s media empire Lyrical Lemonade has revealed the lineup for the 2023 edition of the Summer Smash Festival in its home state of Illinois. The headliners are pretty familiar if you follow major North American rap festivals —Kid Cudi, Future, and Playboi Carti — though one of the fest’s marquee performers is a secret for now, billed only as “a very special Chicago guest.” Best case scenario it’s Chief Keef, who hasn’t returned to the state in years. Worst case, it’s self-proclaimed Hitler-liker Kanye West.
Other than that somewhat ominous mystery, there’s a lot of rock-solid acts on the roster: Ice Spice, Vince Staples, GloRilla, Freddie Gibbs, Rico Nasty, Lil B, Babytron, SahBabii, Bktherula, Eem Triplin, Jeleel!, Lil Uzi Vert, Veeze, Babyxsosa, and many more will be spread out across the three-day festival. See the full lineup below via Stereogum.
Busta Rhymes is honoring his late friend D’Angelo in a truly moving way. The rapper released a heartfelt tribute track titled “Magic,” marking one of his most emotional releases in years. The song celebrates the neo-soul legend D’Angelo, who sadly passed away earlier this month after a private battle with cancer. Over the smooth, soulful backdrop of D’Angelo’s “One Mo’ Gin” from his 2000 classic Voodoo, Busta reflects deeply, sharing raw and powerful emotions through his storytelling.
Throughout the seven-minute piece, Busta takes listeners on a journey through his 34-year friendship with D’Angelo. He recalls their early sessions with A Tribe Called Quest and describes the lasting connection they built over the decades. Instead of simply celebrating the music, Busta pays homage to the person behind it. He describes D’Angelo as a rare, once-in-a-generation artist who “never needed a co-sign” and “touched the souls of the people and everything between.”
During an interview with Okayplayer, Busta called D’Angelo “a godsend,” reflecting on his influence across R&B and hip-hop. “The Earth shifted when D came to do music,” he said, a statement that perfectly sums up D’Angelo’s impact. Anyone familiar with Brown Sugar, Voodoo, or Black Messiah knows his legacy speaks volumes.
“Magic” feels like a conversation between two lifelong friends. Busta Rhymes gives fans an intimate look at a bond that helped shape decades of soul-infused hip-hop. The tributes pouring in since D’Angelo’s passing highlight not only his extraordinary artistry but also the love and respect he inspired among peers. Lauryn Hill expressed it beautifully, writing, “Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us.”
