Drake & 21 Savage "Rich Flex" Revenue

One of the best things to come out of last weekend is Ben Affleck’s commitment to social misery. Hit the reply and let us know how your day’s going on a scale of good to Ben Affleck at the Grammys. Here’s what we have for you today:

• Drake & 21 Savage's “Rich Flex” revenue 💰️ 

• Offset, Quavo, and Cardi B drama explained

• 4 of the worst Pitchfork rap reviews

• Latto’s new tattoo fuels more 21 Savage dating rumors

• Rap Trivia: King Kendrick 👑 

• Industry Insights

Song Streams & Revenue

“Rich Flex” lives up to its name, over 3 months after the release of Her Loss album, it continues to be a profitable single. 21 doing his thing, at Drake’s request, made over $140,000 during a 2-week period, Hits Double Daily estimates. Their year-to-date chart reports 248,344,000 Audio on Demand streams of the album, which translates to over $1 million in estimated royalties. If you want to know more about how streaming revenue is paid out, here’s a breakdown.

Offset, Quavo & Cardi B Grammys Drama Explained

New: A video has emerged of Cardi B yelling backstage at the Grammys, further fueling speculation that Offset and Quavo got into a physical altercation on Sunday. Offset seemingly denied these claims yesterday, tweeting “What tf look like fighting my brother yal [expletive] is crazy”. However, in the video of Cardi B, she can be heard saying, “Both of y’all wrong! Both of y’all! This is not right!” which would align with the narrative that a fight broke out.

Context: According to TMZ, the Grammys invited Offset to be a part of the Takeoff tribute during the ceremony’s “In Memoriam” segment but Quavo refused to let him join and the two squared off shortly after the tribute was over.

There’s also footage of Offset and Pierre “P” Thomas walking together backstage at the Grammys without much context. Offset says something along the lines of “Hold me down…on the red carpet” while he walks behind P.

What’s going on with J. Prince? Offset defended his relationship with the late Takeoff after the Rap-A-Lot Records founder questioned his loyalty during a recent episode of the Million Dollaz Worth of Game show. Prince alluded to Offset without naming him directly and ominously said, “Don’t ever put me in no position where I have to defend myself. That wouldn’t be healthy for you.”

Offset responded in an IG video, saying “How dare one of y’all [expletive] speak on me and Take’s relationship” and calling Prince out for the numerous interviews he’s done on the subject while Takeoff’s family has remained quiet.

Latto’s New Tattoo Fuels 21 Savage Romance Speculation

For months, Latto has dropped tidbits about her relationship except for the identity of her boyfriend. Fans spotted a new tattoo on her ahead of the Grammys, she got the word “sheyaa” inked in red behind her ear. If you don’t know 21’s government name, it’s Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph. Coincidence?

Latto recently went on Atlanta’s Hot 107.9 and said her relationship is “real” and not a PR stunt which makes her even more serious about protecting it. She confirmed her mystery man has big Birkin energy by saying, “I got the ‘Vette, I got the Lambs, I got the Birkins. I don’t pay no bills. If he comin’ like that, then yeah.”

Considering they’re both from Atlanta and have collaborated numerous times on tracks like “Pull Up” and “Wheelie” it’s not the craziest conspiracy the rumor mill has churned out.

4 of Pitchfork’s Worst Rap Reviews

Last week, Lil Yachty tweeted a commonly shared thought amongst people who have ears to listen and eyes to read, “Lol pitchfork is so washed up”. His 6-word sentence encapsulates years of negative and overly complicated reviews that are trying so hard to go against the grain, you almost have to laugh.

In all fairness, they don’t discriminate, it’s free smoke for any of your favorite rappers, and Yachty’s album is not the only one to receive a lower score than Peppa Pig’s Peppa’s Adventures: The Album.

Constructive criticism is part of the game and every album will have its fans and haters, but an opinion from the self-proclaimed “most-trusted voice in music” doesn’t need to belittle the artist in question. If I didn’t have trust issues before, I most definitely do after reading the following reviews.

1. Travis Scott Rodeo

“Rodeo is the culmination of Travis Scott’s amassed networking efforts. The credits are a Who’s Who of the big names in rap and its neighboring genres.” -Pitchfork

I learned more about the literary ways to shame an artist for accumulating co-signs and mentorship than I did about the actual album. Rodeo was one of Travis’ earliest footprints in world creation, the process work that led to bonafide hits like Astroworld. His dynamic ability to retrofit his voice to every hazy, distorted beat and guest feature is what makes Travis—Travis.

2. Metro Boomin Heroes & Villains

“Enjoy car chases and sinister 21 Savage verses? Spectacular explosions and generic Travis Scott hooks? Metro Boomin has an album for you.” -Pitchfork

First of all, there’s no shame in enjoying a sinister 21 verse, but don’t diminish the talents of every artist assembled and curated by Metro to such a linear and narrow-minded POV. Enjoy jargon-filled hit pieces disguised as authoritative opinions? Pitchfork has a review for you.

3. Roddy Ricch Please Excuse Me For Being Anti-Social 

“[Roddy] can’t decide if he wants to make moody and raw piano-driven street tales like his breakout single “Die Young,” motivational high school basketball warm-up anthems like “Every Season,” or polished and sunny Young Thug-inspired pop songs like his Mustard-produced “Ballin’.”’ -Pitchfork

Who knew being a versatile melodic rapper could evoke such pointed criticism, for not sticking to one formula and running with it? Roddy’s debut studio album showcases his formidable talent to wield melodies. He harmonizes with Gunna and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s refrains as easily as he does with a Gospel choir on “War Baby”.

4. Drake & 21 Savage Her Loss

“What drags down Her Loss is not so much a moral failing as a creative one, the sense that Drake is turning a big dial labeled MISOGYNY while looking to an imagined audience for approval.” -Pitchfork

For an album titled Her Loss, anchored by a co-collaborator known for his horrorcore verses about AKs and ARs, I’m unsure which dial should be turned instead. Guess the reviewer didn’t appreciate the creativity of a parody album rollout or Drake’s skillful pettiness at matching slaughter gang lyrics with a magazine’s worth of click-bait shots thrown at exes, artists, politicians, and Pusha T.

How Well Do You Know King Kendrick 👑 ?

The Compton rapper nearly swept the Rap categories on Sunday, taking home 3 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance. Quiz yourself on K. Dot knowledge below and scroll to the bottom for the correct answers.

1. How many times has Kendrick won the Grammy for Best Rap Album?

2. Kendrick’s childhood nickname, referred to in his lyrics, is what?

3. What hip-hop group did he form, with other TDE artists, in 2008? Bonus pts if you can name the other 3 members.

4. Which album did Kendrick win a Pulitzer Prize for?

Kendrick’s daughter, Uzi, and son, Enoch, can be seen supporting his Grammy win from home, in an adorable home video posted by his fiancée, Whitney Alford.

• Questlove explains why some rappers were missing from the Grammys hip-hop tribute. Citing booking issues, declined offers, and politics.

• Lil Yachty’s Let’s Start Here. debuts at #1 on three different Billboard charts including Top Rock Albums, Top Alt Albums, and Top Rock & Alt Albums.

• Goldman Sachs leads new $110 million investment in Fever, a live entertainment tech company with a global audience of over 125 million people.

Rap Trivia answers

1. 3 times. In 2016, for To Pimp a Butterfly, in 2018 for DAMN., and 2022 for Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.

2. Man Man, in a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone he said, “From what my family tells me, I carried myself as a man—that’s why they called me Man Man.”

3. The Black Hippy along with Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and ScHoolboy Q.

4. DAMN.