🎵 Charli XCX’s Hat Trick

Plus, “The Boy Is Mine,” 25 years later. Ulcerate makes death metal accessible.

Kendrick Lamar marked his return to the stage after his feud with Drake with a Juneteenth blowout. The Inglewood, California concert, titled “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends,” celebrated West Coast hip-hop. Over three and a half hours, Lamar and 25 other West Coast artists, including Tyler, the Creator, YG, and Dr. Dre, performed a massive 60-song set. The night featured a reunion of Black Hippy, with Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and ScHoolboy Q joining Lamar on stage. He performed four of his five Drake diss tracks, closing out the show with six consecutive performances of “Not Like Us,” a moment sure to be etched in hip-hop history.

Click here for a Spotify playlist with the songs mentioned in this article.

The 50 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far) ✨

2024 is already halfway through, and it’s time to unveil our picks for the best songs of the first half of the year. We’ve narrowed it down to a top 50 list. Check out a few of our favorites below, and head to Spotify for the full list!

42. SZA, Saturn (Neo-Soul)

31. ScHoolboy Q, Blueslides (Drumless Rap)

20. Tommy Richman, MILLION DOLLARY BABY (Contemporary R&B)

12. Vampire Weekend, Capricorn (Indie Rock)