Beefs, new albums and comebacks, it's been another busy week in the world of hip-hop and R&B music. Billboard No filtering has the chance to return with an all-new episode that recaps all the events of Thursday (August 1).
Advertising sign Co-hosts Carl Lamarre, Trevor Anderson and Damien Scott discussed many topics including Ice Spice Y2K! debut LP, hip-hop media beefs and Will Smith's return to the music scene nearly two decades after his Lost and found album in 2005.
Senior Charts & Data Analyst Trevor Anderson anticipates the Ice's Y2K! to debut outside the top 10 of the Billboard 200, but could crack the top 20 with a late surge.
“Eventually it ends up being one of those albums where the EP, the tapes, the singles from before will be what we remember more than the actual debut album,” Anderson adds. “For whatever reason, when this album comes out with the word — I don't know if it's the pressure building up or whatever — but I feel uhh.”
He continues: “If you think Ice Spice is going to break out and turn to lyricism in a way that's going to be a lot more introspective or more than he is, it's not going to be for you.”
For Associate Director of Hip-Hop/R&B Carl Lamarre, he sees Ice Spice more as a single artist moving forward rather than putting together cohesive projects.
“When I think of Ice Spice, I just think of her as a single artist. An artist who thrives on being single, an artist who could thrive on her own. I don't think he's someone who could produce a coherent body of work. Which is going to be mind-blowing in terms of physical work.”
It's not just rappers on fire, as media personalities Elliott Wilson and Charlamagne Tha God have been embroiled in a simmering feud this week. The fight appeared to be sparked by Charlamagne taking issue with Elliott's placement at No. 5 Complex Hip-Hop Media Power Rankings.
Associate Director, Editorial Damien Scott found the beef “evil” and believes they should set the right example for the next generation and kick it off the internet.
“I find this whole thing really bad,” says Scott. “It clearly appears that one person had a problem with another person and used it as an opportunity to get some grievances off their chest and it derailed from there. I think it's a bad look for the industry.
Scott adds: “I think we need to be better at how we represent the industry and the forum and ourselves. That this is not offline. Go have a drink or a coffee and talk about it. Why do we act like rappers?'
Will Smith is gearing up for his first album since 2005. He returned last week with another single alongside his son Jaden and rapper Russ for the introspective “Work of Art.” The Unfiltered trio have forgiven Smith for his infamous Chris Rock slap at the Oscars and appear to be in favor of the rap superstar's return.
Damien Scott speculates that Smith returned to the hip-hop community for acceptance after his recent Hollywood projects were put on hold or put on hold following the 2022 Oscars slap that was heard 'round the world.
“My guess is that because we've seen this happen to black celebrities before is that he realized that some people weren't with him anymore and he said, 'You know who's going to fight me?' My people,” Scott speculates. “And he went and made that push Bad Boys 4 it was like podcasts and shows that you'd never think Will Smith would do.”
Watch the full episode below and look for another episode Advertising sign Unfiltered next week.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/billboard-unfiltered-ice-spice-y2k-charlamagne-tha-god-1235744959/
