Pop/R&B singer NIA Nadurata turns heartbreak into an infectious anthem with her new single, “Irish Goodbye.” The confessional track explores the emotional weight of realizing a relationship is over long before the other person does, blending quiet honesty with relatable songwriting. Inspired by a real-life romance that had run its course, NIA captures the feeling of walking away without forcing a final conversation, giving the song its playful title while delivering an upbeat take on love, loss, and moving on.

British R&B Soul Singer Daley keeps the momentum going with "Slide," the second single from his upcoming third album. Following his comeback track "Lavender," the new release embraces the carefree spirit of summer, blending infectious, future-throwback R&B with lush orchestral strings and his signature soaring vocals. Designed as a feel-good anthem for sunny days, barbecues, dancing, and making memories with loved ones, "Slide" arrives as Daley also prepares to launch his U.S. tour this September.

Jill Scott proudly celebrates her North Philadelphia roots in the official video for “Norf Side,” featuring fellow Philly native Tierra Whack. Lifted from To Whom This May Concern—Scott’s first album since 2015—the DJ Premier-produced track blends classic boom-bap with Scott’s signature mix of soulful vocals and effortless lyricism. Tierra Whack matches the energy with sharp, electrifying bars, making “Norf Side” a heartfelt tribute to the neighborhood that helped shape both artists.

Hil St Soul transports viewers to her native Zambia in the official video for “With You,” a standout track from her latest album, Nasalifya (Thank You ). The London-based singer-songwriter delivers a heartfelt celebration of true love, inspired by the enduring marriage of her younger sister and brother-in-law. Blending warmth, gratitude, and soulful melodies, “With You” captures the beauty of deep emotional and spiritual connection while showcasing the stunning landscapes and rich spirit of Zambia.

Future has released his highly anticipated 10th solo studio album, The Real Me, a deeply personal project that offers one of his most introspective bodies of work to date. Spanning 22 tracks, the album makes the surprising choice to feature no guest appearances, allowing Future to carry the entire project on his own. The release follows the cinematic single “Radio” and was celebrated with a hometown takeover in Atlanta, highlighted by a 12-mile purple laser beaming from the iconic Magic City into the skyline. The Real Me arrives after the chart-topping, Platinum-certified success of MIXTAPE PLUTO, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

MC Sparky D, one of hip-hop's first female battle rappers and a pivotal figure in the legendary Roxanne Wars, has died at the age of 61. According to a statement shared by Okayplayer and confirmed by Complex, the Brooklyn native, born Doreen C. Broadnax, passed away on July 4, 2026. No cause of death has been announced. Raised in Brownsville, Sparky D became one of rap's earliest female stars, helping shape the competitive spirit of hip-hop during its formative years. Sparky D launched her career in 1985 with "Sparky's Turn (Roxanne You're Through)," a response to Roxanne Shanté's hit "Roxanne's Revenge," fueling the iconic Roxanne Wars that followed UTFO's "Roxanne Roxanne." The rivalry became one of hip-hop's first major lyrical feuds, with Sparky D and Shanté eventually performing together on stage, often wearing boxing gloves to dramatize their battles. She later released fan favorites including "He's My DJ" with Kool DJ Red Alert and her 1988 debut album, This Is Sparky D's World. Tributes from across the hip-hop community poured in following news of her passing. DJ Premier remembered Sparky D as "one of the 1st Female Battle MC's" whose commanding voice made her "an instant force to be reckoned with," while MC Sha-Rock called her death "a tremendous loss" for hip-hop. Beyond music, Broadnax transformed her life after overcoming drug addiction, relocating to Atlanta in 2004 and dedicating herself to ministry. She founded Treasure Ministries and earned a Gospel Choice Award in 2007 for her inspirational song, "This Is for the Church," leaving behind a legacy that extended far beyond the microphone.

When Cheryl Lynn released “Encore” in 1983, few could have predicted the lasting impact it would have on R&B music. Written and produced by the legendary duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the single became the pair's first No. 1 hit on the Billboard R&B chart as songwriters and producers, while giving Lynn her second chart-topping R&B single. Featured on her fifth studio album, Preppie, “Encore” also reached No. 6 on the U.S. Dance chart and remains one of the defining collaborations between Lynn and the hitmaking production team. Driven by its irresistible groove, polished Minneapolis funk influences, and Cheryl Lynn's soaring vocals, “Encore” has stood the test of time as an R&B classic. While it reached only No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song's influence far exceeded its pop chart performance, becoming a favorite among soul and dance music fans for decades. Its smooth production and infectious hook helped cement Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as two of the most influential producers of the era. Forty years after its release, “Encore” found an entirely new audience when it exploded on TikTok in 2023 after a viral dance video introduced the song to Gen Z listeners. The renewed interest sparked more than 30,000 additional Spotify streams in a single day and boosted the song's overall sales and streaming numbers. Cheryl Lynn celebrated the unexpected resurgence on social media, while also reassuring fans that she continues to benefit from the song's success because she owns her masters and royalties. A reminder that timeless music and smart business decisions can create a lasting legacy.

Atlanta music executive Jermaine Dupri and his So So Def companies have filed a lawsuit against Sony Music Entertainment, alleging the label improperly handled royalty payments tied to a decades-long business relationship. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on July 6 and amended the following day, the complaint claims Sony underpaid, failed to report, and improperly withheld millions of dollars in royalties connected to artists including Kris Kross, Xscape, Da Brat, and Jagged Edge. Dupri and his companies are seeking at least $18 million in damages, plus interest, attorneys' fees, and a jury trial. Sony has not yet responded to the lawsuit. According to the complaint, the alleged discrepancies came to light following a 2025 audit conducted by accounting firm Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. The lawsuit claims Sony engaged in a pattern of inaccurate royalty reporting by underreporting earnings, changing royalty statements years after they were issued, using incorrect royalty rates, and withholding payments through unrecouped balances. One of the largest claims centers on Kris Kross, with So So Def alleging it is owed more than $2.2 million in producer and override royalties from the duo's albums Totally Krossed Out and Da Bomb. The complaint also alleges Sony failed to disclose more than $33 million in foreign sales tied to Kris Kross royalties that were maintained in a separate accounting system. The lawsuit outlines additional claims involving Xscape, Da Brat, and Jagged Edge, alleging underreported producer royalties totaling millions of dollars across several projects. Dupri also contends Sony improperly continued withholding royalties using unrecouped balances that should have been forgiven under the label's 2021 Artists Forward Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program. Beyond the artists specifically named, the complaint identifies potential royalty issues involving projects connected to Mariah Carey, Usher, Bow Wow, Bone Crusher, Anthony Hamilton, and others. Dupri and So So Def are asking the court to award compensatory damages, interest, attorneys' fees, and other relief if the claims are upheld.

Jay-Z fans looking to attend his highly anticipated Yankee Stadium concerts are finally seeing ticket prices fall. The rap icon's three-night hometown run, scheduled for July 10-12, celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint and the 30th anniversary of his landmark debut album, Reasonable Doubt. After tickets initially carried premium prices when the concerts were announced in March, resale costs have dropped significantly just days before the shows. When ticket prices were last checked on April 30, the least expensive seats available cost around $310, including fees. Now, fans can purchase tickets starting at approximately $183, including fees, for the July 10 Reasonable Doubt anniversary performance, a savings of roughly $127. The concerts mark Jay-Z's first New York performances since his intimate 2019 appearance at Webster Hall, which celebrated the venue's reopening following renovations, and his first major hometown shows since concluding the 4:44 Tour in 2017. The Brooklyn legend heads into the anniversary concerts following a standout headlining performance at Philadelphia's Roots Picnic, where he delivered a sprawling 32-song set. The performance featured classics including "Run This Town," "Empire State of Mind," "Excuse Me Miss," "The Story of O.J.," and "Public Service Announcement." Jay-Z also grabbed headlines with an a cappella freestyle that included lyrical jabs aimed at Ye, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Dame Dash, Tory Lanez, and several other high-profile figures.