Latest news with #UnitedMasters
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Bay Swag Turned His Pain Into a Debut That's Both Fun and Vulnerable
Management firm 11AM NYC's midtown Manhattan offices are abuzz on a Wednesday afternoon. Plaques for hit releases by A$AP Ferg and Lil TJay adorn the walls, and employees are moving about, hoping to help Queens rapper Bay Swag earn one of his own for his upcoming debut album, Damaged Thoughts (out July 25 on United Masters with a documentary to follow). The office's air conditioner is on the fritz during my visit, which means the office is baking on this 86-degree day. But Bay Swag and his four-person team are keeping it cool inside the main conference room. He greets me gregariously; I've met young artists who haven't yet assumed the social responsibilities of being a star, but Bay isn't one of them. He has a natural alacrity, and he's also been around the music industry since he was nine, when trips to the Queens strip club Starlets weren't out of the question. More from Rolling Stone Lizzo on Her Surprise Rap Mixtape: 'I Feel Like a Brand-New Bitch' Everything We Really Know About Cardi B's 'Am I the Drama?' Loyle Carner on How Fatherhood and Guitars Opened Up His Musical World 'I was scared, bro,' he jokes of his first time at Starlets. 'My uncle had me in there. I'm like, 'No, I'm gonna get in trouble with my mom!' I'm nine years old, it's girls shakin' ass everywhere.' His manager Derben Chrisphonte comedically interjects, 'I was there,' adding that he's 15 years older than Bay, who's 'always been around' him and older peers. 'We had a dog and a kid in the club. A French Bulldog,' the manager marvels. 'I never hung out with kids my age,' Bay adds. 'I was always with my big cousins.' That's not entirely true; he tells me about middle-school years spent enjoying the competition and camaraderie of playing organized basketball, football, soccer, and baseball with fellow kids in the Little Neck section of Queens. But in time, his adolescence was shaped by private jet rides with Diddy's son Christian 'King' Combs, whose CYN collective Bay Swag joined in 2015. He also frequently met stars at the warehouse for renowned New York clothing brand SlowBucks, where his uncle Windsor 'Slow' Lubin hosted 'literally every rapper, every actor, every whoever' who came through New York. Another key figure in his early life was his father, Lloyd 'Bay Lloyd' McKenzie. Bay Swag tells me fondly about grabbing Chinese food with his father, and playfully singing the intro to Jay-Z's 'Song Cry' while riding through the city. Bay Lloyd is a party promoter from Queens who's worked with A Tribe Called Quest: He's in the 1993 video for 'Electric Relaxation' as a waiter, and he has a production credit on 'Busta's Lament' from the group's 1998 album The Love Movement. He also toured with Tribe and Swizz Beats, forging industry connections for both himself and his son. Passingly, Bay reveals that his dad 'made' radio DJs play his early songs on the radio; anybody who can pull that off carries a lot of respect. Bay Swag tells me that New York rap icons like Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Jadakiss, as well as Philly rapper Meek Mill, essentially watched him grow up and are still just a phone call away. He strikingly resembles his father, and it's worth wondering how much of Bay Lloyd those artists see in Bay Swag. In 2017, Lloyd was convicted for allegedly ordering the 2012 murder of law student Brandon Woodward. Reports framed the murder as a $161,000 drug deal gone bad. The McKenzie family believes he was wrongfully convicted. As their petition on puts it, 'LLoyd McKenzie is presently [serving] time on a 85 years sentence for a crime he DID NOT COMMIT NOR HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF.' On 2017's 'Saucin,' Bay Swag raps, 'Daddy got locked 'cause my daddy was trappin'/They tried to say he killed a nigga in Manhattan/Jury believed the nigga that was rattin'/I'ma get you out, Pops, swear I ain't cappin'.' Currently-incarcerated Chicago rapper Lil Durk jumped on the remix and rapped about his own father's incarceration. Bay Swag says 'Saucin' was his graduation from a lithe-voiced teenager exploring his craft into a young adult with a defined creative approach. He started rapping at 13, when his father had him record over reference tracks he had procured. But after his father's incarceration, Bay Swag had to make his own songs, crafting verses in his head (a practice he continues to this day). That development has led to Damaged Thoughts, a project he says is as much about introspection as it is about fun songs like 'Caicos' and 'Matte Black Master.' 'My thoughts were damaged a lot from just growing up seeing the things I've seen,' he says. 'Just having to deal with so much hate and envy.' Snacking on his second fun-size bag of Welch's fruit snacks, he explains more what he means by that. He tells me about how a heartbreak frayed his perception of romance: 'I might think a girl is doing something [devious], and she might not be. I have a lot of girl friends. I see what they do, so I'm like, 'Damn, is my girl doing this?'' The late Philly artist PnB Rock was a friend, and Bay Swag laments that in 2022 he was killed while simply eating a meal at an L.A. Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. 'That fucked me up,' he says. 'Being an artist is the most dangerous shit in the world. You gotta post where you're going to be… Shit crazy, bro.' The album's title track is the most personal, as he raps about his mom's cancer diagnosis (he tells us that she's since 'beat it') and rhymes, 'Sometimes I be lost in my thoughts with my friends/But it's not my fault, 'cause I don't talk about my problems' over a heartfelt vocal sample. The line is true to life, he admits, telling me, 'Music is therapy. I don't talk with people [about hard times], so I just rap about it.' The result is a holistic project that marks him as an artist willing to dig deep. There's a scene in the upcoming Spike Lee film Highest II Lowest where Denzel Washington, playing a record executive, demands that a posturing artist shed his swagger and be vulnerable. The moment speaks to the throng of rappers who are quick to rap about violence or be braggadocious but won't always admit the trauma that such bravado conceals. Damaged Thoughts shows Swag never needed that memo. When I ask him how he manages to have the fun he has on the album while going through some of the turmoil he rhymes about, he smiles and says, 'I don't know,' while shaking his head. 'A day at a time,' Maria Gracia, a senior marketing director at his label, adds. He's wearing a white hockey jersey and designer jeans, though he might be changing for the video shoot in Teaneck, New Jersey, that he's headed to after our holistic interview. Swaying back and forth in his roller chair, he makes consistent eye contact, and after expressing himself sometimes asks, 'You get what I'm tryna say?' in a way that doesn't feel like a knee-jerk punctuation, but a genuine desire to have a two-way conversation. Even without his lineage, Bay probably would have won over many of the artists in his vast network. Damaged Thoughts boasts appearances from 42 Dugg, Sheff G, Meek Mill, Quavo, Kyle Ricch, and Young Thug. Bay Swag recorded 'Lil Jasmine' with the latter artist before the YSL indictment, and says they have since recorded another song alongside Ty Dolla $ign. He counts Thug as a friend who once offered to pay for his father's lawyer. And, of course Bay, Swag gets slizzy alongside Cash Cobain on the smooth 'Don't Care No More' and bouncy 'Caicos,' which has a similar island vibe to Cash's bubbling 'Feeeeeeeeel' single. When I ask Bay Swag about the first rap song he fell in love with, he mentions Nas and AZ's 'How Ya Livin',' saying he loved their back-and-forth rhymes and enjoys emulating that format alongside Cash. Many were first introduced to Bay Swag's music when he featured on Cash's 'Fisherrr,' a silky track that helped set off last summer. Bay Swag says he thinks people love the sexy drill movement because people 'feel good' listening to it, and it's danceable without being violent. As I wrote in 2022, it's an offshoot of drill where listeners can have fun shimmying and mimicking the slithery cadences without worrying about lyrics dissing dead people or other borderline themes. Bay Swag is a notable figure in that shift, entrenching his name in the fabric of New York culture in the same way his father did years ago. He shows me a promotional clip for the album where he notes, 'If [my father] would've never went through that, went to jail, had life in prison, I would've never had that hustle. I would've never had that drive. That made me become the man of the house, at a young age too.' New York City, like so much of America, is plagued by the justice system's systematic thrusting of parents from homes, sparking changes of fortune that only sometimes lead to triumphs like Bay Swag's. Hopefully, we can reach a world where more artists can find their greatness without having to prove their resilience amid tumult. But in this one, Bay Swag is yet another example that it's possible. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brent Faiyaz Announces New ‘Icon' Album: See When It Arrives
Move over, Cardi B. Brent Faiyaz announced his upcoming album, Icon, on Thursday (July 3), which is slated to hit streaming services on Sept. 19 — the same day as Cardi's Am I the Drama?. Faiyaz sent fans into a frenzy with a post to his Instagram Story featuring the album title and a possible cover art for Icon, alongside the expected release date of Sept. 19. More from Billboard Boldy James Finally Explains Why Amanda Seales Claims He Owes Her Money Jim Jones Says He Didn't Realize How Many People Loved Nas Until Viral Comparison: 'I'm Watching People Go Absolutely Batsh- Crazy' Liam Gallagher Apologizes for Using Racial Slur, Says 'It Wasn't Intentional' The R&B singer's wasting no time kicking off the rollout on Friday (July 4) when a pair of singles, named after famed fictional characters 'Tony Soprano' and 'Peter Pan,' will arrive. A snippet finds Faiyaz lending his intoxicating croon to laid-back production: 'I wish that I could breathe underwater/ I'll swim to the deepest ocean to be where you are, babe/ If I could be there, I would love you inside out,' he sings. Icon serves as Faiyaz's first studio album since 2022's Wasteland, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. He also released a mixtape in 2023 with Larger Than Life featuring Missy Elliott, A$AP Rocky, Babyface Ray, Coco Jones and Tommy Richman. Ahead of the mixtape's arrival, Billboard reported that Faiyaz inked a lucrative distribution deal with UnitedMasters and launched his ISO Supremacy record label/creative agency. 'My role musically and artistically, that's not really up for me to interpret,' Faiyaz told Billboard in 2024. 'There are still a lot more things I want to learn. But now I'm realizing how important it was to break the mold so that people can see my story, see what we did and say, 'All right, I can do that. It's just another way to go about it. It doesn't really have to be so black and white.' That has been my role: to usher in this new wave of creative freedom.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Mopani masters' champs crowned
LIMPOPO – KCE Masters and United Masters FC have emerged as champions of the Mopani Masters League in Streams A and B, respectively. KCE secured their Stream A title with a 2-0 victory over Julesburg Masters at the Mafarana Sports Ground over the weekend. Meanwhile, United Masters clinched the Stream B title with a narrow 1-0 win over Matlule Masters on their home turf. The top nine teams from each stream will now advance to the league playoffs, scheduled to take place on June 22 and 29 at Nkowankowa Stadium. The overall league champion for both streams will be crowned on June 29. KCE Masters captain Lloyd Mtebule expressed pride in his team's achievement, especially considering the team was only established in May last year. 'We're excited to win Stream A. Our goal now is to claim the overall league title. The boys are working hard to bring the trophy home,' said Mtebule. On the other side, United Masters team manager Cooper Rikhotso confidently predicted victory in the final stage. 'We're taking the trophy, no doubt about it. There's no real competition in the league for us. We've beaten KCE in all four of our previous encounters, so they know what's coming,' said Rikhotso. The overall champions will walk away with a R30 000 cash prize, along with medals and a trophy. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
United Masters set the pace as KwaGuqa Masters League heats up
United Masters set the pace as KwaGuqa Masters League heats up Defending champions United Masters have made their intentions for the 2025 season crystal clear – they're not letting go of the title without a fight. As of June 15, United Masters sit comfortably at the top of the Emalahleni KwaGuqa Masters League table after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Phathudi Masters. The win marks their third consecutive triumph of the season, giving them a perfect nine-point record so far. Hot on their heels are Shining Stars, last season's runners-up, who also made a bold statement with a commanding 3-0 win over Maredi United. Their performance not only keeps them in close contention but also signals that the race for the top spot is far from over. Shining Stars chairman Daisy Tseka believes this season could be one of the most competitive in recent memory. 'This league is on fire right now,' Daisy, said. 'The quality, the hunger, the passion – it's unmatched. Every team is bringing their best, but make no mistake, Shining Stars are here to light up this league. We're not just aiming for the top – we're ready to take it.' Other matches on the day included a narrow 1-0 win by Vhithiza Legends over Dangerous Darkies, while ST John Legends edged Umlilo Masters by the same score line. In a closely contested clash, 3D Masters and All Nation Masters played to a 1-1 draw. As the early weeks of the league unfold, fans are already witnessing thrilling football and growing tension at the top of the table. With both United Masters and Shining Stars showing strong form, the season promises a battle that could go down to the wire. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘A Shared Language': Inside Country Music's Rap Revival
It's no coincidence that the two songs tied for most weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 toe the line between country and rap. Lil Nas X set the record with his Billy Ray Cyrus-featuring 'Old Town Road' in 2019, and late last year, Shaboozey tied the record when 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' hit the same 19-week mark. 'Country and rap might come from different worlds, but they thrive on the same foundation — raw storytelling and authenticity,' UnitedMasters director of A&R Aaron Hunter says. More from Billboard BigXthaPlug's Texas-Sized Charm Is Beloved By Country's Biggest Stars — And Coming to Nashville Kneecap Announce Massive Wembley Arena Headline Show Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR Announce '$ome $pecial $hows 4 U.K.' Tour Dates Hybrids of country and hip-hop have a long history in popular music, dating back to the 1980s including hits like Sir-Mix-A-Lot's 'Square Dance Rap,' Kool Moe Dee's 'Wild Wild West' and Shawn Brown's 'Rappin' Duke' (which The Notorious B.I.G. sampled in 'Juicy' a decade later). This year has brought an even bigger boom of successful crossovers between the genres. Post Malone's Big Ass Stadium Tour with Jelly Roll — two artists with roots in hip-hop now making country music — has so far featured special guests including Eminem and Quavo. Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug teamed with Bailey Zimmerman for 'All the Way,' a top five hit on the Hot 100, while ERNEST and Snoop Dogg released their country collaboration, 'Gettin' Gone.' On the festival front, the country-heavy Stagecoach was more rap-inclusive in 2025, with Nelly and T-Pain playing to major audiences. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen's Sand in My Boots Festival had Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz and Three 6 Mafia onstage. 'Both genres share the same theme of heartbreak, life stories and struggle, whether it's rural life or urban hustle, and that grit creates a natural connection,' Hunter says. He also points to the rising use of trap drums and 808s in country and rap, which has 'blurred lines, making collaborations feel less forced and more like a shared language.' BigXthaPlug will follow the success of 'All the Way' with a country-trap project this summer that will include guest appearances from Jelly Roll, Post Malone and Shaboozey. Even though the Dallas native never listened to country music growing up, he has felt a warm welcome from the Nashville community. 'My fan base is the country world's fan base,' he says. 'They was messing with me, [but] now it's a full acceptance.' This story appears in the May 31, 2025, issue of Billboard. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
