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Essence Festival organizers have taken responsibility for a concert that ran so far behind schedule that Lauryn Hill wound up taking the stage at around 2:30 in the morning.

Delays completely derailed the opening day of the 31st annual event, which returned to the Superdome in New Orleans this past weekend. According to Nola.com, opening night Friday, July 4, featured a whopping eight acts, with Hill joining the lineup just two days before the concert. As the show got underway, it was quickly beset by scheduling issues that only got worse as the night wore on.

“Beyond the Gates” stars Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree) and Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), as well as executive producer Sheila Ducksworth, will be attending this year’s Essence Festival of Culture event taking place in New Orleans, LA., from Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6.

The group will be part of a panel discussion moderated by Crystal Renee Hayslett from the Essence Main Stage at 3:25 p.m. Ct on Friday, July 4 (Independence Day).

Launched in 1995 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, the Essence Festival of Culture celebrates African American culture, music, and entertainment and is the largest of its kind in the U.S.

Attendance at the festival reached a record-breaking 250,000 people in 2024.

Musical acts set to perform this year include Maxwell, Babyface, The Isley Brothers, GloRilla, Psiryn, Lucky Daye, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Buju Banton, Summer Walker, Master P, Nas, Doug E. Fresh, and many more.

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Artists, tastemakers and executives converged in Kingston, Jamaica February 19 through 23, 2025 for the third annual Island Music Conference (Imc). Launched in 2023 by co-ceo’s Judith Ann Bodley and Sharon Burke, along with Chairman Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, the conference has quickly established itself as a premier hub for networking, music discovery, and critical discussions around the future of reggae and dancehall.

This year’s event, held primarily at Courtleigh Auditorium in downtown Kingston, brought together industry professionals for an array of panels, workshops and performances, offering both new and seasoned artists a chance to gain invaluable insights into the evolving music landscape.

The conference kicked off with a cocktail event Wednesday evening, followed by all-white dinner hosted by Shaggy. The “Boombastic” singer, who has long been a champion of dancehall reggae’s international expansion, sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss his role in the conference and why he felt compelled to be part of it.

Rapper Fat Joe is ready to take on a role he’s never tried before: talk-show host. His new series “Fat Joe Talks,” which will feature intimate conversations and never-told-before stories with some of America’s favorite celebrities and newsmakers who drive the cultural zeitgeist, premieres on Friday, Oct. 4 on Starz. The show will allow viewers to get to know their favorite stars in ways they never thought of before, delving deeply into topics that matter most to them. You can watch “Fat Joe Talks” with a Subscription to Starz.

How to Watch ‘Fat Joe Talks’ Premiere When: Friday, Oct. 4 TV: Starz Stream: Watch with a Subscription to Starz. Sign Up $10.99+ / month starz.com About ‘Fat Joe Talks’

Fat Joe’s Grammy nominations are all well and good, but the rapper wants to get more of the story than he’s seen so far. He’ll start by sitting down with Method Man,...

Starz has announced the movie and TV titles that will be available on the service in October. The Starz October 2024 schedule includes the series finale of Power Book II: Ghost, the series premiere of Fat Joe Talks, and new episodes of the limited series Three Women.

Sweetpea will also have a special Thursday premiere on October 10 at 8:00 p.m. Et/Pt before the new “coming-of-rage” series moves to its regular time slot on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. Et/Pt.

Sweetpea

On the film front, Cocaine Bear, Champions, Clawfoot, Of an Age, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Ant-Man, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and several other notable titles join the Starz app this month.

Plus, look for a special Halloween Horror collection of new and old favorites, including M3GAN (Unrated Version Premiere), Imaginary, Halloween Ends, The Strangers: Chapter 1, Nope, Ghostbusters (2016), Ghostbusters (1984), The Blackening, Saw X, and more.

Power Book...

Starz released a new trailer for the network’s first weekly interview series, “Fat Joe Talks,” hosted and executive produced by Grammy award-nominated artist and cultural icon Fat Joe. In each weekly 30-minute episode, Fat Joe will bring the audience along for intimate conversations and never-told-before stories with some of America’s favorite celebrities and newsmakers who drive the cultural zeitgeist.

According to Starz, “Fat Joe Talks,” will premiere Friday, October 4 with Method Man, award-winning music artist and star of “Power Book II: Ghost,” as its inaugural guest.

See ‘Sweetpea’ trailer: Ella Purnell stars in killer new comedy series on Starz [Watch]

“You’ve seen talk show hosts, but never one like me,” Fat Joe asserts in the trailer. “In 1993, I took the hip-hop world by storm. Platinum records, Grammy nominations, entrepreneur, podcast host, philanthropist, I’ve done it all. Now, I’m using my voice in a new way. I...

On Thursday, September 19, Starz shared the first trailer for the all-new interview series Fat Joe Talks. Beginning Friday, October 4. The weekly interview show will follow the Grammy-nominated artist as he brings viewers into intimate conversations with familiar faces in the fields of politics, entertainment, sports, and more. Season 1 will open in the borough that birthed the Wu-Tang Clan — Staten Island, New York. Fat Joe will talk with one of the group’s most iconic members, Clifford “Method Man” Smith Jr., about coming of age in hip-hop during the ’90s, the legacy of the Wu-Tang Clan, and managing the demands of Hollywood with his role of husband and father. Additional first-season guests include Method Man’s Power Book II: Ghost co-star Mary J. Blige, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, 12-time Grammy winner Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, dancehall icon Buju Banton, chart-topper Alyssa “Latto” Stephens, entertainment mogul Clifford “T.I.” Harris, and Fat Joe’s close friend and collaborator,...

Starz announced today that the network’s first weekly interview series, Fat Joe Talks, will premiere on Friday, October 4, with Method Man, award-winning music artist and star of Power Book II: Ghost, as its first guest. Fat Joe will be the first to capture Method’s reflections on his NAACP Image Award-winning role as Davis MacLean following the closing chapter of the acclaimed series.

The two artists also discuss their shared history of coming up in the hip-hop world during the 1990s, the enduring legacy of Wu-Tang Clan, and balancing Method’s very public career while preserving his privacy as a family man. Filmed in Method Man’s hometown of Staten Island, New York, the two visit locations around the community that remain meaningful to Method’s life and work.

New episodes of Fat Joe Talks will be released every Friday at midnight on the Starz app and on linear at 9:00 p.

He’s walked the walk, now watch him talk the talk in Starz’s first trailer for “Fat Joe Talks.”

Set to his song “All The Way Up” with Remy Ma, Thursday’s preview traces Fat Joe’s career from rapper to entrepreneur while promising Method Man as his inaugural guest during the upcoming Oct. 4 premiere.

Additional guests for Starz’s first-ever weekly talk show include Mary J. Blige, Hakeem Jeffries, T.I., Babyface, Latto, Buju Banton and Remy Ma.

“I’ve been preparing all my life for the moment to host my own show and it’s finally here,” Fat Joe said in a statement. “We are going to make history and I’m grateful to Starz, Embassy Row and SpringHill for believing in the vision. I’m looking forward to showing another side of my personality and having compelling conversations with some of the world’s most influential leaders and entertainers.

“They said to me, you will never come back to the United States of America,” dancehall and reggae maven Buju Banton told the sold-out crowd at Long Island’s Ubs Arena on the steamy evening of July 14. “I said to them, lets see what God will do.” Banton took the stage in New York for the first time since 2008 and in the U.S. for the first time since 2011, the year that he was found guilty of federal drug crimes. He served seven years in a Georgia prison before being...

Buju Banton has announced “The Overcomer Tour,” the reggae artist’s first-ever arena tour of the United States. The 14-date trek kicks off in August and arrives in support of his 2023 album, Born for Greatness.

Get your tickets here, and keep reading for more details, including pre-sale ticket info and codes.

Get Buju Banton Tickets Here

What Is Buju Banton’s “The Overcomer Tour”?

After playing two sold-out shows at the Ubs Arena in Long Island, New York on July 13th and 14th — his first shows in the US in 13 years — Buju Banton is taking his tour back on the road in late August for his first-ever arena tour in the United States. Banton will perform alongside the Shiloh Band, named after Banton’s 1995 album ‘Til Shiloh.

“The Overcomer Tour” kicks off in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 23rd; the Jamaican reggae and dancehall star will then hit arenas in cities like Tampa,...

The Book of Clarence's soundtrack adds a unique flavor to the comedy-drama, balancing contemporary comedy in a biblical setting. The collaboration with prominent Black artists creates an excellent soundtrack that perfectly melds their styles with the main character's experiences. The songs featured throughout the film, including tracks from Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, Doja Cat, and Jay-Z, contribute to the film's impactful themes.

The Book of Clarence's soundtrack adds a unique flavor to the comedy-drama, allowing the daring film to bring a perfect balance of contemporary comedy to the biblical setting. The 2024 film is written and directed by Jeymes Samuel, who was also responsible for the songs featured throughout Clarence's story. This required the combined efforts of several big names in the music scene, including Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, Doja Cat, Jay-Z, Yemi Aldi, and many more.

Samuel's The Book of Clarence, which hit theaters on January 12, 2024, follows...

Filmmaker Jeymes Samuel’s latest offering, The Book of Clarence, is now open in theaters. In celebration, the writer-director-producer is celebrating with the release of an epic collaboration matching the scale of the film, pairing Jay-Z and D’Angelo on the nine-minute song “I Want You Forever.”

Leading up to the stateside release of The Book of Clarence, Samuel appeared in conversation with Jay-Z — who also serves as a producer on the film — at a screening. There, the filmmaker described the record as “nine minutes and 32 seconds of absolute soulful, biblical bliss.

Jeymes Samuel unveiled the music video for “Hallelujah Heaven” on Wednesday, the first single from the soundtrack for his upcoming film, The Book of Clarence.

The director and musician appears alongside Lil Wayne, Buju Banton, and Shabba Ranks, plus cameos from the movie’s stars, Lakeith Stanfield & Rj Cyler. Directed by Child, and filmed in Jamaica and Los Angeles, the video follows the trailer release for The Book of Clarence, which is scheduled to hit theaters on Jan. 12, 2024.

“The Book of Clarence is a film that I wanted to make for many years.

Welcome To Our weekly rundown of the best new music — featuring big singles, key tracks from our favorite albums, and more. This week, Taylor Swift surprise drops a gorgeous pre-breakup ballad, Beyoncé returns to detonate the dance floor, and Jung Kook gets a hand from Usher on a slick disco tune. Plus, new tracks from Mgmt, Milo J and Peso Pluma, and a highlight from the first Peter Gabriel album in 20 years.

Taylor Swift, “You’re Losing Me” (YouTube)

Beyoncé , “My House” (YouTube)

Jungkook feat. Usher, “Standing Next to You” (YouTube)

Mgmt,...

Is there anything more sacrilegious than pretending to be Jesus Christ? Lakeith Stanfield is about to find out in "The Book of Clarence," the new movie from "The Harder They Fall" director Jeymes Samuel. Set back during the time of Jesus Christ, the story follows a down on his luck man named Clarence who is trying to help his mother, impress a woman he loves, and generally prove that he's not a nobody. Since everyone seems to be smitten with the miracles of a certain prophet, Clarence comes up with a plan to make a name for himself by pretending he has the same abilities as Jesus.

As you can see in the new trailer for "The Book of Clarence" above, even though this is a Biblical tale, it has a modern filmmaking style, complete with a hip hop fueled soundtrack provided by the likes of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi,...

Filmmaker and musician Jeymes Samuel has linked up with Lil Wayne, Buju Banton, and Shabba Ranks for “Hallelujah Heaven,” the first offering from the soundtrack for Samuel’s upcoming movie, The Book of Clarence.

Samuel served as director, writer, producer, and composer on The Book of Clarence, and in a statement, he noted “the story and music” for the film was “always there percolating in my mind” as he worked on other projects (like his 2021 feature The Harder They Fall).

“There was never a question as to whether I would...

Jeymes Samuel has released the first single from the soundtrack of his upcoming feature film, The Book of Clarence. The track, “Hallelujah Heaven,” was written and produced by Samuel and features verses from three of several prominent artists who appear on the album: Lil Wayne, Buju Banton and Shabba Ranks.

“I didn’t know Wayne,” Samuel tells The Hollywood Reporter of working with the rapper. “I just sent Weezy the track and he said, ‘I’m doing it.’”

The Book of Clarence, set in 29 A.D. Jerusalem, stars Lakeith Stanfield in the lead role of Clarence, a trickster who, out of desperation to prove that he’s not a nobody to everyone around him, claims to be a new messiah. The biblical epic, which also counts Omar Sy, Caleb McLaughlin, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Anna Diop among its cast, explores themes of race and religion through both the storyline and musical...

We’ve compiled the eclectic mix of hip-hop, Latin pop, R&b, Afrobeats, and K-pop music of the artists featured in the fifth installment of our Musicians on Musicians series into a mega playlist on iHeart. From the song that changed Omar Apollo’s life to Latto’s own track that Snoop Dogg requested at his photoshoot with the Atlanta rapper, tune into the hits that made these musicians’ careers.

Snoop Dogg

“Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang” feat. Dr. Dre

“Drop It Like It’s Hot” feat. Pharell

“Sensual Seduction...

While much of the charm of Victoria Monét’s stunning new album Jaguar II comes from how skillfully she channels 1970s soul while establishing her own unique sound, Buju Banton has remained a fixture in reggae and dancehall since the 1980s by adapting the genres to the times. He broke out in 1987, broke Bob Marley’s record for the most Number One singles in Jamaica in a year in 1992, and earned six Grammy nominations for Best Reggae album between 1998 and 2020, and winning in 2010.

Monét, 34, was just a girl when her...

Across the roll out of her debut studio album, Jaguar II, Victoria Monét has been a jokester and a party girl, all while proving that her skill is nothing to play with. The 34 year-old is a real triple threat who writes, sings, and dances with social media appeal that can draw both pop and R&b lovers into her world.

Take the music video for her latest standout single “On My Mama,” where she sings smoothly of bad bitchery and uses luscious, syrupy horns to elevate an interpolation of Texas...

Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and producer, Victoria Monét winds up summer playlists even more with the official follow up music video to her latest smash single, “On My Mama”, just released!

The 2000s-nostalgic video overflows with southern flare while being accented with ground-scraping lowriders, signature Y2K street style, cameos from Black fraternities and sororities and Hbcu culture, various dance numbers from renowned choreographer, Sean Bankhead and special cameos from Monét’s own mama and intuitively talented 2-year-old daughter, Hazel Monét. The “On My Mama” visual reminds of a significant era in the early 2000s when underground southern music began to take over national airwaves and catch the eye of people across the globe.

“‘On My Mama’ is the soundtrack to positive affirmations. I wrote it postpartum when I wasn’t feeling my best, but spoke to how I wanted to feel. Singing the lyrics about yourself will change your frequency,...

Victoria Monét is getting some top-notch features on her debut album. On Monday, the prolific songwriter and R&b extraordinaire announced the track list for Jaguar II, featuring some heavy hitters and her own daughter Hazel.

“I’m so happy to finally share this with you!! Look at these Features ,” she wrote on Twitter. “Screaming..what is life?! “

The album will include 11 songs, and features production from Kaytranada on “Alright,” Buju Banton on previously-released “Party Girls,” Lucky Daye on “Smoke,” and legends Earth, Wind & Fire along with her daughter Hazel on “Hollywood.

It’s her mothaf—in’ moment! On Monday, Victoria Monét announced the tour dates for her fall headlining Jaguar Tour, which will support the release of her album Jaguar II, out August 25.

“Where the Jaguar goes,” she wrote. “Can’t wait to see you there!!”

Monét will kick off her tour in Detroit on Sept. 6 before making her way to cities such as New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Los Angeles. She’ll also head to the UK in mid-November for a show in London.

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Welcome to our weekly rundown of the best new music — featuring big singles, key tracks from our favorite albums, and more. This week, Janelle Monáe gets sensual, BTS deliver for a sleek salute to our planet, Phoebe Bridgers lends vocals to new songs by Arlo Parks and Rob Moose, and Lil Durk celebrates his long-odds success with the help of J. Cole.

Janelle Monáe, “Lipstick Lover” (YouTube)

BTS, “The Planet” (YouTube)

Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life” (YouTube)

Arlo Parks feat. Phoebe Bridgers, “Pegasus” (YouTube)

Gale, “La Mitad” (YouTube)

G Flip,...

Welcome to our weekly rundown of the best new music — featuring big singles, key tracks from our favorite albums, and more. This week, Grupo Frontera enlist Bad Bunny for a masterclass in apologies, Latto pops off on a hot single, a glistening track off Suga’s debut, and the first new music from the Foo Fighters since the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera “un x100to” (YouTube)

The Weeknd feat. Future, “Double Fantasy” (YouTube)

Latto, “Put It On Da Floor” (YouTube)

Suga, “Sdl” (YouTube)

Foo Fighters,...

It’s 4/20, which means there’s no better time for a new collaboration from dancehall legend Buju Banton and Snoop Dogg about the magical mysteries of marijuana, aptly titled, “High Life.”

The breezy, bumping, horn-laced tune is “about how innate consciousness and connection is to the blessed herbs,” Banton tells Rolling Stone via email. “Not just from a feel good perspective but also a spiritual level as well. It was our intent to pay homage to that sacrament.” The two artists do exactly that, while still having some fun with it,...

There were great reggae bassists before him, and after, but more than any other instrumentalist, Robbie Shakespeare, in tandem with his drum partner and co-producer Sly Dunbar, defined the bass-centric approach of the genre’s modern era, from the roots-rocker sound of the Seventies to the digi-dub dancehall of the Eighties, Nineties, and beyond. His playing was so deeply grounded, its pulse felt biological, and so irresistible he became not just the go-to man for reggae musicians, but for anyone interested in seismic grooves, from Dylan and Mick Jagger to No Doubt and Simply Red.

Max Romeo, the reggae singer who worked with Lee “Scratch” Perry on their classic 1976 album War Ina Babylon, spoke to Rolling Stone to pay tribute to his friend and collaborator following Perry’s death Sunday at the age of 85.

“The first thing is, he was truly a producer; he didn’t just a sit in a chair in the studio and listen to what you got and record it. He joined in in the building of the thing,” Romeo tells Rolling Stone from his farm in Jamaica.

“He’s a...

Dvsn and Ty Dolla $ign have dropped the video for their new single “Memories.” The track will appear on their collaborative album, Cheers to the Best Memories, which arrives on Friday via Ovo Sound.

The video’s aesthetic mirrors the retro vibes of the song, which reworks a sample of Silk’s song “Freak Me.” In the visual the guys are in a night club hanging out and performing the vocoder-laden song. The grainy retro-style footage features women moving to the grooves in the flirty clip. “I want to make some memories tonight,...

North Carolina rapper Rapsody has shared a scathing new song, “12 Problems,” which will appear on the upcoming Roc Nation social justice charity compilation, Reprise, out October 9th.

“12 Problems” boasts production from Don Cannon and Cubeatz, who pair concrete drums and rumbling bass with a loop of disconcertingly heavenly choral vocals. On the track, Rapsody spits a pair of visceral verses that tackle police brutality, the prison industrial complex, the War on Drugs and more, pulling it all together with a chorus that puts a new spin on a classic Jay-Z...

In today’s TV news roundup, Quibi revealed a new trailer for “Reno 911!,” and Amazon Prime Video announced the premiere date for “Utopia.”

Dates

Amazon Prime Video has announced a Sept. 25 premiere date for the new conspiracy thriller series, “Utopia.” The show follows the fans of a comic book series called “Utopia” that seems to have clues hidden inside that hint at and predict real-world dangers that threaten the fabric of humanity. Based on the British series of the same name, the Amazon version is written and executive produced by Gillian Flynn. Other executive producers for the show include Jessica Rhoades, Sharon Levy, Sharon Hall, Toby Haynes, Karen Wilson and Dennis Kelly. Watch a trailer below.

First Looks

Quibi has unveiled a new trailer for the next batch of episodes of “Reno 911!,” set to premiere Aug. 24. The 13 new episodes center around members of the Reno Sheriff’s Department...

Grammy Award-winning reggae musician Buju Banton appeared on The Daily Show to perform an anthem of strength and resilience, “Buried Alive,” from his album Upside Down 2020. The passionate performance from Banton and his band took place in an isolated studio.

“I was buried alive but I’m still breathing,” Banton sings. “I don’t know what tomorrow may bring but I got a feeling.”

It’s an appropriate sentiment during the Covid-19 crisis, and during his interview with Trevor Noah, Banton stressed the importance and integrity of socially conscious lyrics in reggae.

In February 2011, one day after dancehall and reggae icon Buju Banton won his first Grammy, he went to trial to face charges of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute. Despite a thin case and evidence that Buju had been entrapped, he wound up serving seven years in in an American federal prison. His release and return to Jamaica, in December 2018, was akin to a holiday for his fans. Buju was back.

With Upside Down 2020, Buju’s first album in a decade, he sounds as vital as ever. At 46, his iconic,...

A month after Buju Banton announced the impending arrival of his new album Upside Down 2020, the reggae superstar revealed Friday that his first LP in 10 years will be released June 26th.

Banton also shared his new single “Blessed” from Upside Down 2020, which marks Banton’s first full-length album since his prison release in December 2018 following a seven-year stint on U.S. federal drug charges. John Legend, Pharrell, Stephen Marley and Stefflon Don are among the album’s guests.

The dancehall star last released Before the Dawn in 2010. A decade later,...

Legacy, a 12-part documentary series, explores Jamaican culture in part three: Bob Marley: Righteousness.

Clocking in at nearly 20 minutes, the mini-documentary features several Rastafarians discussing the root of their religion and spirituality. “Locks don’t make me be a Rasta,” Ricky Chaplin says, showing the camera his dreadlocks. “This is my identity.”

“A pureness of the heart will supersede anything,” Buju Banton says before Marley’s “Natural Mystic” plays in the background.

We also get a peek at the lush, sprawling hills of Kingston, as well as locations like...

Other than the actual fundraising, one of the enjoyable things about “at home” music events in this time of coronavirus is watching artists perform unvarnished.

This was largely true of Bet’s “Saving Ourselves” event (dubbed S.O.S.) on Wednesday (April 22). Although most of the videos were pre-recorded using backing tracks, the home-spun feel of the broadcast and warm-hearted sentiments made for an entertaining and poignant couple of hours that raised funds for communities of color — disproportionately affected by Covid-19.

Emceed by four different hosts — Anthony Anderson, Kelly Rowland, Terrence J and Regina Hall — all presenting from their homes, the absence of any stage direction or time restrictions that typically accompany formal televised events added a loose informality to the occasion.

The benefit kicked off with an uplifting gospel-infused song, “I Smile,” performed by the ageless Kirk Franklin and featuring Kelly Price, Fantasia, Tyrese and others.

The TikTok feel...

The Jamaican singer Protoje, who is intent on bringing the fervor of classic reggae to contemporary streamers, announced a new deal with RCA on Monday. The company will throw its weight behind Protoje’s label In.Digg.Nation, supporting the singer’s own music along with that of two other artists he has signed, Sevana and Lila Iké.

While these deals are common in the American market, they are a rarity for Jamaican acts. “I still get to run my own label, have a certain level of creative control, but have support from a major,...

Bob Marley’s family and friends discuss the late reggae legend in Bob Marley: Legacy. The clip is the first episode of a 12-part documentary series that will premiere on YouTube in the months to come.

Nearly 20 minutes long, the episode shows Marley’s home of Jamaica and the influence he had on the island. His family — Ziggy, Julian, Skip, Rohan and others — appear in conversation with friends and musicians, including Buju Banton and Lloyd “Bread” McDonald. Topics include Marley’s artistry and the influence marijuana had on him; vintage...

In 1994, the Jamaican singer Buju Banton released a track titled “Murderer,” unleashing a torrent of fury and shame at killers — “Why did you disobey the first commandment?” — and any government that uses them: “Some are murdering people to collect medals/Stop committing dirty acts for the high officials/You could wash your hands until you can’t wash them any more/It is like an epidemic and you won’t find a cure.”

Roughly 25 years later, Banton is still exploring similar themes: In his new video for “Steppa,” a roaring reggae cut,...

While sitting down for our “Musicians on Musicians” package, Diddy and DJ Khaled reminisced about pivotal moments in their careers and personal lives for Rolling Stone‘s “The First Time” video series.

The pair start the interview by recalling the first time they met. For Khaled, he met Diddy long before they were friends when he did street team for Jack the Rapper. Diddy, however, is a bit cagier about the time when the pair met as peers. “We don’t have to live that way anymore,” he adds.

Both...

DJ Khaled and Sza teamed up as royal warriors in the video for their collaboration “Just Us.” The visual, directed by Joseph Kahn, features Sza and Khaled battling gladiator-style and emerging victorious, eventually garnering them praise from the kingdom they reign over.

“Just Us” appears on Khaled’s latest album Father of Asahd, the follow-up to his 2017 LP Grateful, which also boasts appearances by Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Cardi B, Nas and Buju Banton.

Along with the visual for “Just Us,” Khaled also released an inspiring video for “Higher” featuring Nipsey Hussle,...

Jamaican dancehall singer Buju Banton, one of reggae’s most popular artists before his career was curtailed by a 10-year prison sentence, was released from a federal prison Friday after serving seven years behind bars.

The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Banton had been released from Georgia’s McRae Correctional Facility, CNN reports.

In February 2011, Banton was found guilty of illegal possession of a firearm and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute; a Drug Enforcement Administration informant provided evidence of Banton brokering a cocaine deal in Florida.

Tampa, Fla. — A Florida juror who voted to convict Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton on drug charges has denied improperly researching the case during trial, despite a weekly newspaper's report that quoted her as saying that she did.

Banton is serving a 10-year prison sentence for his convictions on cocaine conspiracy and trafficking charges stemming from a 2009 arrest. The Grammy winner faces an additional five years for his conviction on a related gun possession charge, but his resentencing hearing was postponed to investigate the report of juror misconduct.

Banton's attorneys have filed a motion in Tampa federal court seeking a new trial. If granted, it would be the second mistrial for Banton, whose first trial in 2010 ended with jurors deadlocked. He was convicted in 2011 in his second trial.

U.S. District Judge James Moody reserved judgment Thursday on the defense motion.

Jurors were told during the trial not to do...

Tampa, Fla. — Buju Banton's new attorney has asked a federal judge in Tampa to reconsider the 10-year prison sentence the Jamaican reggae singer is serving on two drug charges.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is set to appear Tuesday in Tampa federal court for a re-sentencing on a gun possession charge. That charge carries an additional five-year prison sentence.

The motion filed last week includes a letter to U.S. District Judge James Moody from Banton's former attorney, David O. Markus.

Markus represented Banton in the singer's two trials in Tampa in 2010 and 2011. He says Banton is eligible for a reduced sentence of five years and a day because he's a first-time, non-violent offender with "the support of his entire country" and a history of charitable works.

On Warning Shots 3: One Foot in the Grave, Sai focuses on street-bred raps.

By Rob Markman

Saigon

Photo: Saigon

Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables

Mixtape: Warning Shots 3: One Foot in the Grave

Headliner: Saigon

Real Spit: Now that Saigon has finally told his greatest story, the hard-nosed rap spitter has returned to bust more shots. After almost five years of delays, Giddy dropped his debut The Greatest Story Never Told in February 2011, and he's not letting up with Warning Shots 3: One Foot in the Grave, his newest mixtape released on January 24.

Hosted by multiplatinum producer Just Blaze, WS3 opens with a bang. "Bbb (Real N---as Never Die)" samples Buju Banton's 1992 reggae classic "Boom Bye Bye" and launches a full-scale attack on fashion-forward MCs, focusing his energy on street-bred raps instead. "I rather hear a n---a lying on firing glocks/ Than to have to hear a n---a rhyme about designer socks.

While I'm writing this, London is burning. I'm without words, as landmark buildings, double-decker buses, and theaters go up in flames. I just don't know what to say.

Of course, we had already seen pictures from the set, but it's still very cool to see a list of guest stars for the new season of Sesame Street. I see out ginger Jesse Tyler Ferguson listed, and I'm so glad his relationship with Justin Mikita didn't suffer any lasting harm once Elmo got handsy.

Esurance, the direct-to-consumer car insurance company has just donated $50,000 to The Trevor Project based on new "Likes" on their Facebook page.

Rod 2.0 brings us the happy news that murder music king Buju Banton has been transferred from jail to federal prison following his conviction on drug charges.

Masterpiece Theater has announced plans for a prequel to Inspector Morse.

Jon Huntsman, who is the single most reasonable sounding Republican candidate in the race,...

Happy 34th Birthday to Jason Mraz

Ae's music expert Davis Mallory is auctioning off items from his Real World and Road Rules shows, with proceeds going to The Trevor Project and GetEQUAL. The semi-finals on The Voice were held last night, and below you can see which of unfortunate tweeter Cee-Lo's picks advanced. Was it out singer Nakia or the other one?

Project Runway will return on Lifetime on July 28th at 9 Pm Est. No word on the contestants yet, but this year the show will start with 20 designers, and pare it down to 16 before the first episode is over. Harsh! NPR asks the question, Could we be heading toward the end of gender? Psychologists Find Link Between Ovulation and Women's Ability to Identify Heterosexual Men. A couple of sad and ignorant HIV items. 25 Percent Of Americans Still Believe HIV Can Be Transmitted By Sharing A Drinking Glass. And...

Buju Banton has been sentenced to ten years behind bars in his recent drug case. The reggae star had originally pleaded not guilty to three drug charges following his December 2009 arrest when he was found trying to purchase cocaine from an undercover police officer. Banton was later found guilty on all counts, including "conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense (more)...

ReelzChannel Celebrity Rundown

All the rooftop partying has taken a toll. Lindsay Lohan failed her court-ordered alcohol test last week and is headed back to court for a probation violation hearing this morning. Ironically, Lohan's "Alcohol is not in my house, so it's just not a part of my life" interview with Life & Style Magazine was given 5 days after she failed the June 13 test.

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Jealous of that impressive ring on Kim Kardashian's finger? Turns out it's cheap costume jewelry, according to her sisters, Khloe and Kourtney. In a backstage interview at the Today show, Kloe said "Oh, it's fake. You can suck on it, like a lollipop. Kim's ring is from Nordstrom's. $7.99."

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Buju Banton, whose Before the Dawn won best reggae album at this year's Grammy Awards, has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for helping to set up a cocaine deal in 2009. The case against him in Tampa...