Alt-R&B duo Lion Babe dropped their latest song and visual (April 23).
"Frida Kahlo" pays homage to the equal-parts eccentric and iconic Mexican visual artist. The track, inspired by vocalist Jillian Hervey's love and admiration for Kahlo, speaks to the act of drawing on one's own life and experiences for inspiration.
"Her art and creativity helped to nurture her pain," Hervey says. "It is a celebration of her fearless authenticity."
Producer Lucas Goodman effortlessly weaves together soft flutes, dancing percussion and sharp guitar hits, creating an instrumental bed of sunshine and flowers to underlie Hervey's rappy cadence and uplifting lyrics. "If you're tryna be someone, go look where you came from," she sings, "It's all there for you."
The accompanying music video shows Hervey in a number of vibrant Kahlo-inspired looks, with a rainbow gem unibrow sitting atop her natural arches. Her hair, which resembles art itself, is braided with colorful flowers, palm leaves and ribbons.
The single comes ahead of Lion Babe's third studio album, Rainbow Child. The album was written in 2020 and heavily inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. The duo has been busy this year, releasing four singles, one of which served as the soundtrack to Michael Kors' latest perfume launch.
Ken Carson has finally released Cartunez, the deluxe edition of Xperiment, and the project finds him making several bold moves. One of the biggest moments comes on “9 bitches,” his collaboration with ApolloRed1, where Carson appears to directly target Nine Vicious. The tension began after Nine Vicious criticized the Opium label and mentioned its cofounder, Opm Babi. Carson seemingly answers those remarks through the new track, firing back at the polarizing former YSL rapper. He calls out Nine Vicious by name and delivers several harsh lines aimed in his direction. Carson also brings people close to Nine Vicious into the conflict, making it obvious that he is ready for the situation to escalate if Nine decides to respond.
Release Date: August 27, 2026
Genre: Hip-Hop
Album: Cartunez
And I got nine bitches
N***a talk down on the O, we gon' put nine stitches
ARP on me bold, I've been ridin' with it
Pussy bitch, know you a ho, Nine Vicious
