Zach Bryan’s new song is raw, bold, and already turning heads — and he hasn’t even dropped the title yet. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Author: alaskaadmin
Last New Year’s Eve, more than a dozen performers took the stage to help ring in a new year. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Kane Brown and his wife, Katelyn, are getting into the holiday spirit with their new roles as television executive producers for a new holiday movie. The couple has teamed up with Lifetime for Thank God: Christmas at Keller Ranch, a festive new film inspired by their chart-topping duet, “Thank God.”
The song has already taken Brown’s career to new heights, and now it’s opening an entirely new chapter. Following its release in 2022, it rose to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in February 2023, earned three CMA Award nominations, including single of the year, and won the CMT Music Award for video of the year in 2023.
Fans instantly connected with the heartfelt story that finds the couple realizing how lucky they are to have found each other. The lyrics center around their deep appreciation for each other’s love and acts almost like a prayer of gratitude for finding their soulmate in the world.
“The song ‘Thank God’ is so special to us. We love performing it on stage and it’s incredible how it’s connected to so many fans,” Kane and Katelyn Brown said in a statement, according to Billboard.
The upcoming Christmas romance will capture that warmth and connection through its stars, UnREAL’s Arielle Kebbel and One Tree Hill’s Tyler Hilton. While Kane and Katelyn won’t appear in the film themselves, their presence is felt throughout as their song is expected to play three times.
“We also really love Christmas and celebrating as a family. So for these two worlds to collide, we couldn’t be more excited,” they added.
In the film, Hilton takes on the role of a pro hockey player who endured an injury just weeks before Christmas and heads to Keller Ranch to work on his rehabilitation. There, he meets an equestrian therapist and single mom, played by Kebbel. With Kane and Katelyn as executive producers, they were able to work closely with the creative team to weave the song’s core themes of love, faith, and redemption into the storyline.
“This film captures and translates to the screen the soul and wildly universal themes behind Kane and Katelyn’s hit duet,” said executive producer Adam Reed in a statement. “Their music evokes a feeling that has attracted millions of fans around the world, and it’s a gift to work with them and our partners at Lifetime to bring this movie to life.”
“We are thrilled to have the incredibly talented Kane and Katelyn Brown join our Lifetime holiday family,” adds Elaine Frontain Bryant, executive vp and head of programming for A&E, Lifetime and LMN. “Their music not only touches the heart but also tells a story, and we are excited to transform those stories into an extraordinary movie experience.”
Together, Brown and his wife are expanding their creative reach with “Thank God” while staying true to the heart of the song that has already made such a positive impact on their lives. This will also mark the first time either one will executive produce a movie. A specific release date for the holiday film has not yet been shared, but the movie will air on Lifetime as part of the channel’s annual It’s a Wonderful Lifetime programming.
The post Kane Brown And Wife Katelyn To Executive Produce New Lifetime Christmas Movie Inspired By ‘Thank God’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
During Brandon Lake’s King of Hearts tour stop in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, October 5, Cole Swindell surprised fans as a special guest in his home state. In what Lake described as an intimate “living room session,” the GRAMMY-winning Christian artist welcomed his “new good friend” to the stage, where they performed Swindell’s latest release, “Make Heaven Crowded,” together.
“Would you guys please give the warmest welcome to my new good friend, Cole Swindell, y’all,” Lake told the crowd, prompting a roar of excitement to sweep through the venue.
The pair of artists sat on a set of stools in the center of a spotlight with Swindell’s co-writer, Joel Hutsell on guitar, and took turns singing the powerful ballad that finds Swindell questioning what things would be like if more people accepted Jesus into their hearts.
Videos of the performance are already flooding the internet as fans make sure to highlight the powerful moment they experienced in Atlanta. In the clips, Lake can be heard talking about the doors that have opened for him in the country space recently, allowing him to meet fellow artists of a new genre and expand his artistry. One of the acts he’s met through this journey is Cole Swindell.
“I’ve been just having fun writing country songs filled with faith and country songs about my wife and all this fun stuff. Well, a really special guy, DM’d me and just super, super encouraged me. I’ve been a big fan of his music and he has a really special song that he just released,” Lake began.
@justkim__notkimberly @Brandon Lake surprises us with special guest @coleswindell and sings Make Heaven Crowded with him at the King of Hearts Tour, Atlanta 10/5/25 tour stop. #brandonlake #coleswindell #fyp #makeheavencrowded #worship ♬ original sound – 💫 🦋 𝓚𝓲𝓶 🦋 💫
The two of them revealed that their friendship began online after Lake took notice of the power behind Swindell’s new song.
“I just wanted to tell you thank you man, you did not have to bring this song up or even do any of this man,” Swindell told his fellow artist, sharing gratitude for his support behind the tune.
He admitted to reaching out to Lake, asking if he would be able to come attend the Atlanta show with his wife, Courtney. Lake then explained, “You can’t be who you are and be like, ‘I’m just coming to a show.’ Like, no, I’m going to put you to work,” he joked.
Swindell responded, “That’s fine. It’s an absolute honor.”
Lake explained that “Make Heaven Crowded” hit him extra hard because of the timing of its release. The “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” penned the tune with Greylan James, Joel Hutsell, and Blake Pendergrass. He teased a snippet of it to social media on September 20, just 10 days after the assassination of conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. In the post, he revealed that the inspiration behind the story stemmed from a moving tribute from Kirk’s widow, Erika, who spoke publicly for the first time following her husband’s passing.
This situation hit extra close to home for Lake, who led what he says felt like “half the world” in worship at the Charlie Kirk memorial.
“You must be a songwriter, an absolute legend to turn around a song that fast after what we had all experienced. And I love that this song is literally sharing the story of it hitting all of us,” shared Lake.
Swindell went on to give a deeper dive into his thoughts behind the song’s message. “This is the first thing that’s ever happened like this, obviously. When I even saw you lead worship at his memorial, about a week before I’d heard Erika Kirk give her speech. I scrolled across it and it wasn’t what she said, it’s how she said it, who she was talking about. And I’d seen the phrase, I heard it before, but not like it hit me when she said, ‘you’re just making heaven crowded which is what you always wanted to do.’ I just, it hit me so hard. I said, if I was gone, somebody said that about me and just, it made me take a look in the mirror…”
“I wanted to see a show I’ve never dreamed I’d get to sing the song right here tonight,” he added.
With that, the artists performance the faith-driven narrative as well as one of Brandon Lake’s recent releases, “When a Cowboy Prays.”
Swindell later shared photos of that memorable night and further shared how much that moment on stage and Lake’s support really meant to him.
“Gratitude 🙏 If you haven’t seen his King Of Hearts Tour, trust me…GO. @brandonlake, what you’re doing up on that stage is absolutely incredible. It’s more than a show.. It’s a spiritual, emotional experience that I’m still not over. You could literally FEEL Jesus in the room all night. It would’ve been a blessing just to witness that, but for you to invite me to share my new song with YOUR sold-out crowd in my home state meant the world to me. Won’t ever forget it! Safe travels 🤝 Always in your corner”
Brandon Lake followed in his lead and noted he was “honored” to have the country act join him on stage.
“Honored to have the one and only @coleswindellhop up with us in Atlanta last night!!! Yall go check out Make Heaven Crowded & When A Cowboy Prays now!! 🤗🤗🤗”
Swindell added, “I’ll be talking about last night for a long time my friend. Still not over your whole set. Inspired 🙏”
“Make Heaven Crowded” gained such an overwhelmingly positive response from fans just in the teaser, that Swindell make a quick decision to release the song instantly. This turned out to pay off because it went on to claim the No. 2 on the all-genre chart and the No. 1 spot on the country chart.
In a new video, Swindell took a moment to reflect on the incredible reaction he’s gotten from fans of all ages. He explained, “this is what it’s all about…keep tagging me in videos, sharing the song, it’s powerful.”
The post Cole Swindell Teams Up With Brandon Lake For Surprise Performance Of ‘Make Heaven Crowded’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Brantley Gilbert has just signed with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, marking the start of a major new chapter in his career. The announcement was made on stage during the MULTI-PLATINUM-selling country artist’s recent Nashville stop as part of his current headlining Tattoos Tour.
Jon Loba, BMG Americas President of Frontline Records was on hand alongside the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville team in commemorating the milestone moment with Gilbert over the weekend.
Reflecting on this partnership, the 7x No. 1 hitmaker expressed pure excitement for the next chapter in his career and the opportunities ahead.
“I’m fired up to kick off this next chapter with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville,” shares Gilbert. “They support their artists in ways that really move the needle, and it means a lot that they believe in what we’re building and want to be a part of it. We’ve got some big things on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to having this crew in my corner as we take it to the next level.”
“I’ll never forget years ago when JoJamie Hahr came into my office on fire about an independent artist named Brantley Gilbert,” adds Loba.”From my first listen, it was easy to hear what she was so excited about. He proved her right, exploding into the mainstream of Country music. He continues to be one of the most exceptional writers of today with the live show to match. We saw the rabid connection he’s built with his audience again Friday night at First Bank Amphitheater. JoJamie and I dreamed of one day working again with Brantley. Luckily for us and BMG, dreams come true!”
To date, Brantley Gilbert has amassed over 8.3 BILLION career streams and boasts consecutive PLATINUM-selling albums. He has also achieved seven chart-topping No. 1 hits, including the RIAA 7x PLATINUM “Bottoms Up;” 2x PLATINUM “Country Must Be Country Wide;” 2x PLATINUM “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do;” 2x PLATINUM “One Hell of An Amen;” and the PLATINUM-certified “What Happens In A Small Town.” Additionally, he’s credited as the songwriter behind ACM Artist of the Decade and now labelmate Jason Aldean’s massive No. 1 hits, “My Kinda Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem.”
A driving force in modern country’s rock-and-rap evolution, this ACM, CMA, and AMA award-winning artist began his musical journey in 2009 and has continued to build a legacy of powerful storytelling that combines his passion for hard work with humble faith, and fearless storytelling.
Named after his latest album, Gilbert’s Tattoos Tour launched at the top of the year and will continue running from coast-to-coast across North America through February 2026.
The post Brantley Celebrates An Exciting New Chapter In His Career appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Lauren Alaina gets vulnerable with fans in an emotional new video that captures her reflecting on the loss of her father, J.J. Suddeth, on what would have been his 13th year of sobriety.
With tears in her eyes, the songstress admitted that although this was an incredibly hard post for her to make, she wanted to do it to honor her dad, who unexpectedly passed away in July of 2024.
“Today would’ve been his 13th year of sobriety if he had made it. He passed away a little over a year ago, but he didn’t make it to his 12th year either, and I’m not even sure about his 11th. He relapsed, and It’s a major contributing factor to why he’s no longer here with us.”
Carrying this weight of knowing how much her dad struggled and the tragedy that came as a result, Lauren Alaina goes on to offer encouragement to anyone facing similar challenges.
“I just wanted to say that if you’re struggling, there are so many people who love you, and for you to love yourself and to get the help that you need and surround yourself with people who love you.”
The “All My Exes” singer choked back tears as she shared that she was choosing to spend this difficult day going through a few of her dad’s things. She decided to pick out a few of his clothes to keep and make into a blanket for her daughter, Beni Doll, who will unfortunately never get to meet her grandfather. The rest of his clothes will be donated to a veteran organization, with the intention that they might bring comfort to someone and offer the hope her father never found.
She ended with another message of resilience, pleading with her followers to “Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Life is so short. Take care of yourselves. There are people that love you. Don’t ever forget that this is a really.”
Within the caption, Alaina admitted that this day made her heart ache even more than his birthday or Father’s Day because she’s left with the reminder that this would have been a particularly celebratory event had his pain not taken his life too soon.
She wrote, “Today I choose to honor him still. He was a proud father and pawpaw. He was a proud Army veteran. He was smart. He was kind. He was the funniest person I have ever met. He always had the answer to any question I had. He is so missed. Love yourself and others. Prioritize your mental health. Surround yourself with people who help you in your healing journey. I so wish my dad had done this.”
Lastly, Alaina asked that if anyone seeing the post knew of any veterans organization that could benefit from her dad’s belongings to share them in the comment section.
“I know that would make him proud,” she added.
Just as she was the day she announced his death, Lauren Alaina was surrounded by loving and supporting messages from members of the country music community who attempted to lift her up on this heartbreaking day.
Jake Owen wrote, “Amen. There’s plenty of love out here to comfort those that are lost . Proud of you Lauren. ♥️”
Kylie Morgan promised that she would take some time out of her day to “[Say] a prayer for you baby doll ❤️ love you”
“I admire your strength, love you Lauren ❤️,” duet partner Chase Matthew added while Carly Pearce said, “Love you, Lauren ❤️” and Tigirlily Gold sent, “Big hugs 💛💛💛💛💛.”
Lauren Alaina announced the news of her father’s passing on the morning of Wednesday, July 24. At the time, she noted she would be stepping away from a few shows to spend time with family at home.
“We lost my daddy last night, and I really have no words yet,” Alaina began in her statement shared via Instagram. “I am going home to be with my family. Thank you for your prayers and understanding,” her message concluded.
Throughout her life, Alaina and her dad had a few ups and downs in their relationship, however they became especially close in the recent years before his death. He inspired several of her songs, including “Doin’ Fine,” “My Old Man,” and most recently, “Little Things.” With each tune, she taps into the power of a father-daughter relationship and notes how his presence left a lasting impact on her life.
Lauren Alaina was able to share her wedding day with her father before tragedy struck, but he sadly didn’t get to meet her baby girl. She’s since found meaningful ways to honor his memory and keep his spirit alive in her family and her music.
The post Lauren Alaina Gets Emotional Remembering Her Late Father On What Would Have Been His Sobriety Anniversary appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
From hilarious crowd interactions to on-stage pranks, collaborative performances and more, Parker McCollum made Saturday night in Tinley Park, IL a show to remember.
The Texas native made the trip to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre on Saturday, October 4 alongside his openers, Hudson Westbrook and Ashley Cooke, who kicked off the evening with sets that got the packed crowd warmed up and ready for the main event.
At approximately 9:20, the lights in the outdoor venue went dark with the only illumination coming from the screen that read “Parker McCollum” in big letters layered over the top of his fifth studio album artwork.
The country star made his entrance from side stage, and while there wasn’t an abundance of over-the-top effects, his slow, confident walk to grab his guitar was enough to send the crowd into a frenzy. He took his time, making a full lap around the stage and nodding to each section before stepping into the spotlight. Then, with a few strums of his guitar, he kicked off the night with “My Blue” and “Big Sky,” the first two tracks from his latest project.
From there, he brought the nearly 20-song set list back to his first album, Limestone Kid with “Meet You in the Middle” and to his 2020 release, “Young Man’s Blues.”
McCollum took a brief pause from the music to address the excited crowd that chose to spend their Saturday night with him.
“My name’s Parker McCollum, I’m from Conroe, TX. Thank y’all for showing up and showing out,” he shouted.
His lighthearted personality came through right away as he shared his first of several fun facts of the night. “Fun fact, Tinley Park was originally called the Village of Bremen. Y’all didn’t know that. That’s fact, means it true…Rest in peace to the Village of Bremen, it’s damn good to be in Tinley Park tonight, ‘yall.”
@countrynow.com Parker McCollum turned his Tinley Park stop into a trivia night 🤠😂 #parkermccollum #countrymusic #concert #funfacts ♬ original sound – CountryNow.com
Throughout the show, he also mentioned that the brownie and spray paint were invented in Chicago. These small but clever interludes kept the crowd laughing and made the large amphitheater feel more like a local hangout than a big show.
At the start of the night, the country act promised that between the performances and the perfect temperature in the air, the night was about to be a memorable one.
“[We’ve] got a brilliant evening ahead of us,” he promised. “I ain’t nothing to drink yet, bought to start…hope y’all are ready to have a good time out there. It’s so good to be here, thank you guys.”
His setlist bounced seamlessly between albums, intertwining some of his biggest fan favorites with newer material and the hits that have already earned him four No. 1s: “Handle On You,” “Pretty Heart,” “Burn It Down,” and “To Be Loved By You.”
Between songs, McCollum kept things light, pausing at one point to offer an all-encompassing “happy birthday” to everyone celebrating in the crowd, then followed it up with, “happy Halloween, happy Thanksgiving and Merry damn Christmas,” earning a round of laughs and cheers.
The night’s set continued with powerful standouts like “Hope That I’m Enough,” “What Kinda Man,” “I Can’t Breathe,” “Killin’ Me,” “Burn It Down,” and more. Plus, since it was the final night of the run for Westbrook and Cooke as openers, McCollum made sure to bring both of them out to have a moment on stage. Up first was Hudson Westbrook who returned to the stage to join him for “Rest of My Life.”
The first thing McCollum’s fellow Texan said into the mic was “This is my last show with you dog…I’ll miss you bro,” which prompted the “What Kinda Man” singer to respond, “I’ll miss you and your boys too.”
@countrynow.com @Hudson Westbrook joined @parkermccollum in singing “Rest Of My Life”🎤#parkermccollum #countrymusic #hudsonwestbrook #tinleypark ♬ original sound – CountryNow.com
He kicked off the vulnerable tune as Westbrook delicately strummed his guitar before jumping into join him on the chorus. McCollum made sure to also give Westbrook his own moment on the following verse before giving his final goodbye to the tour.
When it was time for Ashley Cooke to return to the stage, she made sure to celebrate her final night with an unforgettable prank. As soon as she stepped into the light, fans realized that instead of wearing something from her usual wardrobe of denim and rhinestone looks, the songstress was dressed in the same exact outfit as Parker McCollum. Her look featured a pair of blue jeans, cowboy boots, a white t-shirt, a belt buckle and a Fresh Western cap.
The Texas native quickly caught on to the joke, shaking his head and fighting back laughter as he sang “Pretty Heart.” Cooke fully committed to her new persona, mimicking a few of his signature moves, which led McCollum to grin and say, “Give it up for Parker McCollum,” as she grabbed the mic and nailed her part of the song.
Once Cooke left the stage, McCollum wrapped up the night with higher energy than when he started, performing “Like A Cowboy” and “My Worst Enemy” from his signature golden mic, a fitting instrument for the man known as the “Gold Chain Cowboy.”
Between crossing off bucket lists and sitting down on the edge of the sage to snap photos with young fans, McCollum made sure that his fans felt the love and appreciation from him.
Between crossing off bucket-list moments, sharing laughs with the crowd, and taking time to sit at the edge of the stage for photos with young fans, McCollum made sure everyone in the audience felt seen, appreciated, and part of the night.
By the time the final notes faded out of the speakers, it was clear that Parker McCollum hadn’t just delivered a show, he’d created an unforgettable experience for his fans at Tinley Park.
There are only six dates left in Parker McCollum’s self-titled 2025 tour. His final show will take place on October 18 in Bismarck, ND. Fans can already look forward to more performances from him in 2026, as he has already announced that a 14-date run will launch on January 23, 2026 in El Paso, TX.
For more information and a full list of dates, visit the country stars official website.
The post Parker McCollum Brings His 2025 Tour To Tinley Park, IL For A Night To Remember appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Released on October 7, 1997, Janet Jackson’s sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope, caught a lot of people off guard with its frank exploration of sexuality, the complexity of human relationships, and the worrisome burden of emotional trauma. “I always write about what’s going on in my life,” Jackson told this writer in 2001, reflecting on her most controversial album. “It’s like cutting yourself open and exposing all of your insides, and at that point you’re very vulnerable. People were so eager to take potshots at me with The Velvet Rope album, but I was really being completely honest with everything that I was saying.”
Though Janet Jackson’s solo recording career began in 1982 at A&M Records, where the label was initially keen to portray her as a cute, innocuous, girl-next-door figure, she grew frustrated at being a producer’s puppet and decided to reinvent herself. Adding edge and attitude, Jackson hooked up with ex-Time members, songwriters and producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, in 1986, and began making music that reflected her life. What resulted was the platinum album Control, whose autobiographical theme about taking the initiative and being true to yourself instantly transformed Janet into a pop star whose success began to rival that of her more famous elder sibling, Michael.
“I’m inviting you inside my velvet rope”
By the time The Velvet Rope came along in 1997, the girl from Gary, Indiana, had morphed into a confident young woman whose two follow-up albums to Control – 1989’s Rhythm Nation 1814 and 1993’s Janet, both co-produced by the singer with the dependable Jam & Lewis – made her the most famous woman in the world at that point.
But The Velvet Rope, following in the wake of a newly renegotiated contract with Virgin Records (bringing her a massive and – at the time – record-breaking $80 million advance), mired Jackson in controversy, especially with conservative religious groups. They objected in particular to the singer’s acceptance of same-sex relationships, which manifested itself in the song “Free Xone,” a satirical swipe at sexual discrimination riding on funkified backbeat. Jackson also raised eyebrows with her daring take on Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s The Night,” subverting the original by transforming it into a lesbian ode to seduction.
The whole album was an access-all-areas invitation into Janet Jackson’s internal private world – a world usually cordoned off by a velvet rope. Explaining the album’s title and concept, Jackson said, “We’ve all driven by premieres or nightclubs, and seen the rope separating those who can enter and those who can’t. Well, there’s also a velvet rope we have inside us, keeping others from knowing our feelings. In The Velvet Rope, I’m trying to expose and explore those feelings. I’m inviting you inside my velvet rope.”
In terms of its sound, The Velvet Rope is breathtakingly kaleidoscopic in the way it refracts pop, R&B, jazz, rock, funk, folk, hip-hop, electronica, classical music, and trip-hop styles through the prism of Jackson’s personality, arriving at a unique and highly individual sonic identity.
“It was very cathartic and therapeutic”
On the tone-setting introductory title song, Jackson sings “living the truth will set you free” over a mesmeric groove, and then for the remainder of the album proceeds to share her thoughts on a wide range of subjects. She mourns a friend who died of AIDS on a catchy slice of retro soul called “Together Again,” and investigates domestic abuse on the chilling “What About,” a split-personality song defined by dramatic moods as it fluctuates between a soft ballad and strident piece of thumping R&B.
Joni Mitchell tops the album’s guestlist, appearing alongside A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip on The Velvet Rope’s first single, “Got Till It’s Gone,” which samples the Canadian singer’s 1970 protest song “Big Yellow Taxi.” Elsewhere, the New Jack Swing group Blackstreet appear on the plaintive slow jam “I Get Lonely,” which was the album’s biggest single, peaking at No.1 in the US R&B charts.
For Janet Jackson, who openly admitted to suffering a breakdown during her Janet World Tour prior to the sessions for The Velvet Rope, the album – though at times difficult to make – was ultimately rewarding in terms of both her personal and musical evolution. Its soul-baring quality gave Jackson a valuable kind of therapy through which she could come to terms with her personal problems. “That wasn’t a bad space to be in because it taught me a great deal,” she said, 17 years ago. “It was very cathartic and therapeutic. Writing music and melodies is a sure way of finding release.”
Despite the controversy it engendered, The Velvet Rope topped the album charts around the world on its release in the autumn of 1997 and reaffirmed Janet Jackson’s position as the pre-eminent top-selling female recording artist of her generation. But Jackson’s main goal was more about personal development and exorcising her demons than selling records. Above all else, her honesty on The Velvet Rope was genuine and sincere. “I think it’s important to be true to yourself in your music,” she said. “I think that’s the only way I can actually write music.”
Shop for Janet Jackson’s music on vinyl or CD now.
Discover more about the world’s greatest R&B artists | uDiscover Music
October 2025, Hip-hop history is being written as “Not to Be Defined” by Detroit-based physician-rapper Lazarus featuring the legendary Rakim officially enters Grammy consideration for Best Rap Song.
The collaboration has already struck a chord with audiences worldwide, amassing nearly 10 million views on YouTube since its release and drawing unanimous praise from critics and fans alike. The record has been hailed as a lyrical masterclass, seamlessly bridging eras of hip-hop while remaining deeply relevant in today’s rap landscape.
At the core of the track lies Lazarus’ relentless pen and Rakim’s timeless delivery a combination that has left listeners describing it as “a song that will outlast its time.” Behind the boards is Grammy-winning super-producer Dem Jointz, known for shaping iconic records with Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg. His crisp, cinematic production provides the perfect foundation for Lazarus and Rakim’s verbal fireworks.
“Hip-hop has always been about truth, skill, and evolution,” said Lazarus. “To stand alongside Rakim, the God MC himself, on a track that’s being recognized at the Grammys is beyond anything I imagined when I first picked up a mic.”
For Rakim, the recognition is especially historic. Despite being revered as one of the greatest rappers of all time, this consideration marks a rare moment in his career potentially his first-ever Grammy nomination. “It’s a blessing to see the culture still growing and to be part of a record that represents that growth,” Rakim shared.
Music critics have echoed the sentiment. One review called the track “an undeniable contender for Best Rap Song not just for its bars, but for its cultural weight.”
As awards season approaches, “Not to Be Defined” continues to prove its title true, a song beyond labels, beyond eras, and beyond definition.
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lazdetroit/
AllHipHop
Lil Durk is pushing to have his federal murder-for-hire case tossed, claiming prosecutors are hiding key facts that would allow him to mount a fair defense in court.
The Chicago-born rapper is accused of orchestrating a plot to kill a man identified as Quando Rondo, in retaliation for the 2020 killing of his close friend King Von.
Prosecutors allege Durk used coded messages and promised cash or music deals through his Only The Family (OTF) collective to incentivize the hit.
Federal authorities say Durk directed his crew to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles in August 2022 to kill Quando Rondo, who managed to escape the broad daylight shooting at a gas station.
Quando Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson, was shot dead during the violent altercation.
Prosecutors claim Durk arranged for vehicles, weapons and ski masks to carry out the ambush. Durk’s legal team—Drew Findling, Marissa Goldberg, Jonathan Brayman and Christy O’Connor—argues the indictment is vague and lacks the specifics needed to prepare for trial.
“While the Indictment alleges that the co-conspirators carried out various acts ‘at the direction of’ Mr. Banks—flying to Los Angeles; tracking, stalking, and attempting to kill [Quando Rondo] by gunfire; and procuring the firearms and equipment used to do so—it fails to give any specifics. When, where, how, and to whom did Mr. Banks give these alleged directions? To ensure the basic fairness of this trial, the defense is entitled to know,” Findling said.
The indictment accuses Durk of setting a bounty and offering “lucrative music opportunities” to anyone who carried out the killing. Defense attorneys say the government has not identified who received the messages, what the alleged code words were, or when and where any offers were made.
They argue that the lack of detail violates Durk’s constitutional rights and could lead to a conviction based on unclear or shifting allegations.
“What the Indictment fails to tell us are the very things the defense is entitled to know: the ‘operative facts’ underlying the government’s theories of Mr. Banks’ guilt. There is no allegation here that Mr. Banks physically participated in the stalking and shooting at issue,” Findling added.
The defense has filed a motion to dismiss the charges or, at the very least, compel prosecutors to provide a detailed bill of particulars.
Durk remains in federal custody after his October 17, 2024, arrest near Miami International Airport.
A hearing on the motion is scheduled for 10 A.M. on November 18, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald in Los Angeles.
AllHipHop