NEWS
Everybody is talking about Beyonce this week. The main reason is that she released her new album COWBOY CARTER which saw her collaborating with stars like Miley Cyrus and Post Malone. It also saw her covering classics from artists like The Beatles and Dolly Parton. The album has unsurprisingly received massive acclaim from fans and critics alike. And with seemingly perfect timing, Bey was given a special award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards this week.
She became the most recent artist to receive the show's Innovator Award. She joins Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift and even more big names who have taken home the award in the past. During her acceptance speech she thanked many of the people who have helped her channel her creativity along the way. Most notably she thanked Jay-Z, who earlier this year called out the Grammys for having never given Bey the Album Of The Year award. But that wasn't the only news she made the night of the show. Check out who she reunited with backstage during the festivities below.
Jennifer Hudson shared a picture of her and Bey backstage alongside a message congratulating her. "I am so happy I got to be there to cheer on my Dreamgirls sister as she received the @iheartradio Innovator Award!!!
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.”
