The format that was supposed to be dead is filling overnight hours in six major markets, and programmers say the numbers are not close. Late-night slow jam blocks are cheap to run, easy to sponsor, and hold listeners far longer per session than daytime rotations. One programmer described average quarter-hour figures he had not seen […]
British rapper Derek “Sway” Dasafo has died at the age of 44. According to a report in U.K.’s The Guardian, published on Thursday (Sept. 17), Sway Dasafo passed away at his home in Ghana, Africa. The cause of death has not been disclosed. The news of his death was announced by the MOBO Awards on […]
Vinyl pressing plants are reporting some of their longest order queues in years, and executives say deluxe reissues of classic soul and R&B albums are a major reason why. Anniversary editions with restored artwork and bonus tracks have become reliable sellers, particularly among younger collectors discovering catalog music through streaming first. One plant manager said […]
Lil Durk is scheduled for a bond hearing shortly after his second trial for murder-related racketeering charges next month. According to a document obtained by XXL on Friday (Sept. 18), Durk’s attorneys requested a bond hearing on Nov. 4, 2026 before Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald, who presided over the Chicago rapper’s murder-for-hire trial. A member […]
Live choir recordings have become one of the quiet streaming stories of the year, with several gospel titles crossing onto mainstream charts in recent weeks. Analysts credit short-form video clips of choir performances, which have introduced the sound to listeners far outside the traditional gospel audience. Choir directors say the attention has translated into sold-out […]
Offset is ready to shell out his best life and relationship advice on a late-night hotline. On Tuesday (Sept. 15), the Atlanta rapper announced his new “NEED FM” hotline, where fans can call in and ask questions about whatever they need. The effort is in promotion of his new single “Something I Need,” out Friday. […]
For most of two years, Nyla Monroe was making an album nobody will ever hear. Twenty-six songs, three cities, four producers, and a growing sense that none of it sounded like the person singing it. What survived is ‘Velvet Hours,’ an eleven-track record cut with a seven-piece band over three weeks. There is almost no […]
YouTube children’s educator Ms. Rachel announces she will match Macklemore‘s $1 million Palestine donation. On Thursday (Sept. 17), Ms. Rachel shared a message on her Instagram page in response to Macklemore’s call for wealthy celebrities to match his $1 million donation to organizations providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians. In her missive, which you can read […]
Radio programmers in several major markets say the boundary between pop and R&B playlists has thinned dramatically this quarter, with crossover spins climbing on both sides of the dial. Station music directors point to a run of mid-tempo singles that test equally well with both audiences, a trend that has not held this long since […]
Young Thug insists marketing is dead as he seeks to help artists turn their influence into power. On Tuesday (Sept. 15), Thugger hopped on his X account and proclaimed, “Marketing is dead. That means talent now holds all the power.” “I want artists, athletes & creators thinking bigger than quick bags,” he continued, adding, “I’m […]