Kendrick Lamar has all the time been certainly one of rap’s more fascinating and sensitive artists. He took us into the deep recesses of his past, his way of considering and his motivations. But Lamar’s latest, surprise-titled album features the Compton, California MC as his most raw, unfiltered version of himself. And that is largely due to the feud that modified the trajectory of his profession.

For the past 15 years, Lamar has rigorously crafted his personal story for the masses. A person who claimed to guide a boring life was in a position to convey every aspect of his messages to the world. We discovered he went to Africa when he told us the trip inspired him in 2015. Near the top, we learned that Top Dawg Entertainment CEO Anthony “Top” Tiffith once robbed Lamar’s father. Lamar revealed his own relationship and mental health issues on the show. Unlike, say, Drake, who lives on the Internet and filters most of his personal life through TMZ, NBA courtside memes, and his own ecosystem of rumor mills, Lamar only shows up when he desires to tell us enough to feel a connection to him.

But all the pieces modified in 2024.

The feud with Drake forced Lamar to show to another person who’s putting his business on the road. This caused him to react for the primary time in his profession. And although he eviscerated Drake throughout the whole argument, this exchange of pure aggression taught us more about Lamar than we ever knew. Namely, we learned that Lamar is a compassionate and tender, yet vengeful, Gemini demon seed that’s equal parts hate and love, with each emotions flowing from his pores with the intensity of 1,000,000 warheads. It was through his feud with Drake that we learned what drives Lamar: his must be the perfect, the non-public insult he feels when someone tests him, his love for hip-hop and uniting culture with home, and the undeniable fact that this man I do not know what exaggeration is. We’ve spent the last decade learning lots about Lamar at our own pace, but now we all know what makes him… And I suppose we will thank Drake for that.

gives us a Lamar who has the alternative in his hands. He can ignore the unintentional leakage of a deeply felt ethos and create something latest. Or he can lean on the Lamar we all know and love greater than ever. Fortunately, he selected the latter and gave us an album that, while reflecting more of his complaints, also frees Lamar to point out his love as loudly as ever before. Sure, his harsh attacks on rapper Snoop Dogg I’m posting a Drake diss track earlier this 12 months and his sadness over rapper Lil Wayne’s anger at not being chosen for the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans in February 2025 will make headlines like other victory laps on Drake ‘at. But the album can also be a tribute to the influences that made Lamar who he’s.

In fact, it’s an old-school Buick, and the sounds of the album appear to be the music Lamar listened to when he was a child, driving around in certainly one of these classic cars. We get a Luther Vandross sample, interpolations of a Tupac Shakur song, an SWV hook, and a complete lot of West Coast tracks backed by DJ Mustard. This last one is particularly necessary to handle, dear reader, because many individuals check with these songs – “hey now”, “tv off” and “dodger blue” amongst them – as mere “Not Like Us” riffs. Please ignore them as they arrive from an era and understanding of hip-hop that doesn’t bear in mind regional sounds and a real love for music that sounds at home. In their very own way, these songs are also a rebuke to Drake. You see, the Canadian MC from “Houstalantavegas“fame helped usher in an era of Frankenstein music that connected so many regions that it became increasingly difficult to inform Atlanta from New York or Los Angeles from Chicago. But Kendrick uploaded the album clearly G-Funk inspired, synth driven, powerful The West Coast sound powered by the biggest producer within the region. Each song appears like it could possibly be a Super Bowl halftime hit and features hometown rappers (Dody 6, Sam Dew, Roddy Ricch and more), continuing the show’s theme of bringing the neighborhood together.

But it’s the opposite moments, those during which Lamar is menacingly introspective, chest out after crushing his rap peer, which can be as triumphant as DJ Mustard’s horns. “man at the Garden” is already amongst my most played songs of November. The song is inspired by Nas’ “One Mic,” one other early influence, and features the affirmative chorus “.” The song is not as up-tempo as protest anthems “Alright” or “Not Like Us,” but it surely has a chant that helps listeners end our own battle with imposter syndrome. “,” he raps on the track.

But Lamar’s Gemini tendencies are showing again on the album as he stands proud his chest and reflects on his flaws. ON “heart part 6” Lamar walks us through the formation of Top Dawg Entertainment and his group Black Hippy, while taking blame for the group’s shortcomings and admitting where he might have been more mature. This is the sort of vulnerability we have come to expect from Lamar, but it surely feels much more real because we all know him higher now.

The “Heart” series normally appears before Lamar’s album release. Add that to the very fact preview fragment the album features two cars and a song that wasn’t on the album, and it looks like we’ve got one other full-length project on the way in which. Lamar has been releasing songs during American holidays since his feud with Drake began, so I would not be surprised if there was a song for Thanksgiving, or somewhat MLK Day releases (which took place per week before the presidential inauguration). Either way, perhaps we’ll get a project that tells a whole story, like most of Lamar’s albums.

For now, we will bask within the organic, chaotic, experimental reality of the brand new Lamar, who feels most familiar and down-to-earth at the same time as his profession enters a special stratosphere.

Sade celebrates his son, Isaac Adu.

In the new music video for his first single in six years titled “Young Lion”, released on Friday, November 22, the 65-year-old Nigerian-British music legend gives a rare insight into his family life. In the song’s lyrics, she also reveals her perspective as a mother raising a transgender son.

The singer croons, “Young man/It’s been so hard for you/You must have felt so alone” originally of the music video, which features footage of her and Isaac over time. There are shots of the “Paradise” singer holding her son as a baby, him playing outside as a baby, and plenty of of them living and growing up together in the UK where they live.

The lyrics of the song proceed to illuminate Sade’s feelings as she watches her son grow up and realize his gender identity.

“Forgive me, son. I must have known,” she sings at one point.

Elsewhere in the song, he sings, “You shine like the sun.”

At the tip of the four-minute video, a clip of adult Isaac appears, after which the video ends with the classic shot of mother and son embracing on the beach.

Sade first shared the song in October as a part of an AIDS nonprofit Red Hota special compilation of the album “Transa”, which was released on Friday, November 22. The compilation goals to bring awareness to the transgender community and features songs from each members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Other artists featured on the project include Andre 3000, Moses Sumney, Niecy Blues, Yaya Bey, Sam Smith and more.

I’m talking to Rolling Stone upon the song’s release, Isaac offered his response.

“Even though I didn’t have to forgive her for anything, the words, ‘Forgive me, son, I should have known,’ moved me,” he said. “My mother never tried to oppress the boy; Secretly, I always knew this was the case. She always let me be myself.”

He added: “I hope this will provide a sense of comfort, validation and a sense of being seen and understood.”

According to Sade, the song was inspired by a letter she gave Isaac on his twenty first birthday.

“I think a song where a parent apologizes for not understanding their child can be incredibly meaningful to the transgender community,” she said. “This song can serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder that parents can learn, grow, and ultimately accept their children for who they truly are.”

Sade, who shares Isaac with Jamaican record producer Bob Morgan, gave birth to their son in 1996. He is her only child.

Beloved pastor and spiritual leader Bishop TD Jakes caused quite a scare amongst his faithful and online followers during his televised Sunday service on November 24 from The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas.

The church was filled with worshipers when the 66-year-old preacher suddenly suffered a health emergency while preaching, prompting many to fear he can have suffered a stroke or heart attack.

Sitting all the way down to deliver his message, Jakes began the service by expressing his unwavering passion for service.

“I still love preaching. I’m not uninterested in preaching,” he said, drawing thunderous applause from the congregation. He rubbed his face and admitted, “I miss you.”

Jakes then shared an analogy concerning the power of preaching. Comparing it to visiting patients within the hospital, he thought, “You think you’re giving something, but you get back more than you gave,” his voice was hoarse with emotion as he added, “I love you.”

Jakes’ hand began to shake, but at this point the shaking was not noticeable as he lowered the microphone.

His tone modified as he prayed: “Now, Lord, let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. O Lord, my strength, my Redeemer, let them go in peace.”

The pastor’s body trembled much more as he dropped his handkerchief, signaling that something was fallacious to his team and the armor bearers who sprang into motion, rushing to his aid. They might be heard over microphones calling on people to “step back” and “give him some space.”

The camera recording the image moved forwards and backwards, showing people within the pews reaching out to the preacher and praying.

Bishop TD Jakes had a medical emergency during today’s service. I’m unsure if it was a stroke.
Pray for TD Jakes pic.twitter.com/6eUc5X7TwF

— Lutomia Goddy (@LutomiaMGodfrey) November 24, 2024

Page six he stated that the live broadcast was interrupted shortly thereafter, however the moment had already sparked widespread concern online.

Social media platforms were soon flooded with reactions, prayers and speculations.

“It looks like a stroke. The same thing happened to me, I sat too long with my legs dangling. I even have a blood clot. That’s exactly what happened,” one person said common.

Someone else he said“I hope it’s not pneumonia.”

Another concerned copycat he wrote“The probate was due to the stress of the allegations.”

Others chimed in with messages of support, including “Prayers for him and his family.”

As hopeful news continues to trickle in, Jakes finds himself at the middle of the storm once more – amid multiple allegations surrounding his involvement with Sean “Diddy” Combs following the arrest and indictment of the Bad Boy Records founder.

Likely a results of the stress of the accusations

— HCH (@Sammy20545318) November 24, 2024

YouTuber Tasha K sent viral video of Jakes throughout the service, although reactions from her followers ranged from concern to disrespect.

“Everyone has been struggling since Diddy went down,” one person joked.

Others said, “He must repent. Rumor has it that he attended Diddy’s parties.

“I hope this wasn’t a skit! It seems strange that this happened right after all the things he said. I even have so many questions,” one person commented, adding, “Was he sick to the purpose that he had to sit down all the way down to preach? He seems exhausted, so should he have preached there? Is this some stunt he’s pulling because he knows he’s (perhaps) about to hit the fan? I hope he’s okay.

Several followers were outraged by the remark and wrote: “You should be ashamed of these comments.”

Jakes and Diddy are closer than many thought. In 2021, they announced “Kingdom Culture with TD Jakes” on Revolt, the network founded by Diddy. The following yr, Bishop was captured on video at Diddy’s 53rd birthday celebration.

While some viewed his latest statements as denials, reps claimed that Jakes only showed as much as Diddy’s party since it was a “respectful order” for the one that hosted your show on the network.

In February 2024, Jakes’ name appeared in one other lawsuit against Combs, this time filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, producer of Diddy’s “The Love Album: Off the Grid.” Jones sought $30 million in damages, claiming he was drugged, sexually harassed and possibly assaulted, and compelled into compromising situations involving prostitutes.

Although Jakes was not a defendant within the lawsuit, Jones accused Diddy of wanting to “use his relationship with Bishop T.D. Jakes to mitigate the impact on his public image” stemming from the fallout from a previous lawsuit filed by Cassie Ventura, which Diddy settled inside 24 hours of filing application in November 2023.

Since then, the Justice Department has raided Combs’ homes before bringing a series of great charges against him.

Although Jakes has not been accused of any wrongdoing, his relationship with Diddy, which dates back a few years, raises eyebrows.

In response, his team issued a blanket denial. Jordan A. Hora, executive director of public relations and communications for TD Jakes Group, TD Jakes Ministries and The Potter’s House said via statement to The Christian Post: “Recent claims circulating on social media about Bishop TD Jakes are unequivocally false and baseless.”

Jakes himself briefly touched on this topic in his sermon last Christmas, stating, “I will not use this holy day and this holy pulpit to speak of lies when I have the opportunity to preach the truth.”

Now, almost a yr later, that very same pulpit has develop into the positioning of his health scares. Hours after the incident, The Potter’s House released a statement assuring followers that Jakes had received medical attention.

“During today’s service, Bishop TD Jakes experienced a minor health incident and received immediate medical attention following his hour-long message,” the statement read. “Bishop Jakes is stable and under medical care.

“The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from the community. Thank you for your understanding and continued prayers.”

Statement from the Potter household in Dallas
November 24, 2024

During today’s service, Bishop TD Jakes experienced a minor health incident and received immediate medical attention after his full hour-long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under medical care… pic.twitter.com/QupVK29mQd

— TD Jakes (@BishopJakes) November 24, 2024

Singer Fred Hammond also reported the news on his Instagram: “The last news I received is that the bishop is doing well and resting!!!”

He later wrote: “Latest news. Bishop was in a position to rise up and walk to the wheelchair. And when he was near his chair (pulpit), he walked as much as the microphone and said, ‘I’ll see you next week.’

Queen Latifah was also one among many individuals to reply, writing, “God bless you Pastor Jakes! God actually heals. I already know that your assistance is on the way in which. I thank God upfront for all the things that is occurring in your behalf. Amen.”

As Bishop Jakes recovers, the church community and his hundreds of thousands of supporters unite behind him in prayer, hoping that their beloved leader will soon return to the pulpit where he inspired so many.