NEWS
Taraji P Henson performed a parody of Kendrick Lamar's hit song, "Not Like Us," to open the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday night. In doing so, she rocked a similar outfit to what he wore for The Pop Out - Ken & Friends concert in Los Angeles, earlier this month. She also changed the lyrics to “it’s about us.”
Fans on social media had mixed responses to the bit. "This is super corny but that song is hot," one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another remarked: "As proven this track took off because of the beat lol." Elsewhere during Henson's opening monologue, she made reference to Donald Trump's recent comments on "Black jobs" during the first presidential debate for the 2024 election. “[This is] a show packed full of all-stars with Black jobs. Whatever that means,” she said. “But clearly we know there’s a difference – thanks for the info, but we already knew it.”
Since dropping the song amid Lamar's viral feud with Drake, "Not Like Us" has become one of his most successful tracks to date. After The Pop Out, Lamar took to the streets of L.A. to record a star-studded music video for the song. He's yet to provide a release date for it, however.
Check out a clip of Henson performing her version of "Not Like Us" above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Taraji P Henson on HotNewHipHop.
NEWS
Big Sean is in disbelief in the aftermath of the release of his fourth song with Eminem, seeing his journey from fan to collaborator come full circle.
Taking to X on Tuesday (July 2), Sean reflected on how Em’s 1999 album The Slim Shady LP was the first album he ever bought – and here he is appearing on Em’s latest album, which is a send-off of the Slim Shady alter ego.
“Not gon hold you, Slim Shady LP was the first CD i bought wit my own money at Costco,” Sean wrote. “Me n Em bout 4 songs in now (DVE, No Favors, Detroit 2 cypher) but being on the Death Of Slim Shady is full circle. I aint know when i bought that, that id be one of the next 1’s out da city…”
He added: “Let alone even know Em. A reminder to myself of how real unrealistic really is.”
Eminem’s twelfth studio album is less than two weeks away from going live.
On Tuesday (June 2), the rap veteran released its second single “Tobey” in partnership with fellow Detroit MCs Big Sean and BabyTron. Joining the never-ending debate over the greatest rappers of all time, the 51-year-old asserts his dominance in the culture, while addressing those who have questioned it.
“Ain’t feelin’ your top five favorite rappers/ So I know they ’bout to be pissed at me/ But this, to me, is a mystery/ How rappers I’ve already ripped could be/ Higher up on a list than me/ Yet here I sit on your list though at five (Hm), which still was fine/ But just know inside, to me, that shit’s hilarious,” he spits on the explosive track.
Shifting his focus to Melle Mel’s recent criticism of his place in Hip Hop, Em adds: “When I get dissed though and by a pioneer/ Who was one of the reasons why I am here/ They tell me I should just let that shit go and slide/ ‘Melle Mel shouldn’t get no reply’/ ‘That man is a legend,’ bitch, so am I.”
Directed by Cole Bennett, the music video for the new joint will go live on Friday (July 5).
The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe De Grâce) is scheduled to be released on July 12.
Last month, Eminem kickstarted its rollout by releasing an obituary for his fictional alter ego, Slim Shady. Published in the Detroit Free Press back in mid-May, the piece was was centered on the forthcoming LP.
