Roc Nation CEO Shares Why Kendrick Lamar was Chosen for Super Bowl, Black Artists Who Could Win a Grammy, White Guy Behind Kendrick Lamar Bangers, Drake Called Out for Lawsuit, and More Music News

Catching you up on all the news in music this week

Published

January 31, 2025

Graphic: Images: Christopher Polk/Billboard, Pascal Le Segretain, Emma McIntyre, Arturo Holmes, Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images / Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy, Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press

Roc Nation CEO Breaks Silence on Decision to Choose Kendrick Lamar Over Lil Wayne For Super Bowl Show

Photo: Getty Images Christopher Polk/Billboard Photo: Getty Images Christopher Polk/Billboard

Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, is clearing up why Kendrick Lamar was chosen as the headliner for the Super Bowl Halftime show. Despite claims that it was done to slight Lil Wayne, she confirmed that it was more about “the pulse of the times.” — Noah A. McGee

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Tramell Tillman Talks Sparring with Tom Cruise and Bringing That Severance Heat to Mission: Impossible

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Tramell Tillman Talks Sparring with Tom Cruise and Bringing That Severance Heat to Mission: Impossible

Photo: Getty Images Pascal Le Segretain, Emma McIntyre, Arturo Holmes Photo: Getty Images Pascal Le Segretain, Emma McIntyre, Arturo Holmes

The countdown to the Annual Grammy Awards starts now! And after an amazing year for Black music, all eyes on are the Recording Academy to see who will walk away with a win. — Phenix S Halley

Image: Getty Images Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images / Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy Image: Getty Images Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images / Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

If 2024 was the year of Kendrick Lamar, 2025 is already his victory lap. The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper is still fresh off the release of his sixth studio album, “GNX,” gearing up for a highly anticipated Super Bowl performance and stadium tour with the reigning queen of R&B, SZA. — Jared Alexander

Photo: Getty Images Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press Photo: Getty Images Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press

The time is almost here. In less than a week, the Recording Academy will honor and recognize the best the music industry has to offer. Even with all the artists, songs, and albums that are nominated for awards, all eyes will be on one track in particular. — Noah A. McGee

Photo: Getty Images Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times Photo: Getty Images Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times

While sports fans are focused on the Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, hip-hop fans are looking forward to Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance. And they are specifically asking the question: will he perform “Not Like Us?” — Noah A. McGee

Photo: Getty Images Carmen Mandato Photo: Getty Images Carmen Mandato

Universal Music Group is not backing down against Drake. More than a week after he filed a defamation and harassment lawsuit, accusing them of heavily promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” the behemoth music company is filing a motion to have it dismissed. — Noah A. McGee

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Roc Nation CEO Breaks Silence on Decision to Choose Kendrick Lamar Over Lil Wayne For Super Bowl Show

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