Features

Australia just drew a line in the sand when it comes to artificial intelligence and music.

The Australian Recording Industry Association, better known as ARIA, has announced that wholly AI-generated music will no longer be eligible for its official music charts.

Music that uses AI as a tool can still qualify.

But if AI generates the primary creative elements of the recording?

You're out.

And that raises a much bigger question for independent artists:

Chance the Rapper is officially a Hall of Famer.

SoundExchange announced Wednesday that the Chicago rapper has received its Hall of Fame Award, recognizing him as one of the most-streamed artists in the organization's more than 20-year history of administering digital performance royalties.

At first glance, that might raise a question:

Chance the Rapper? Already?

Not because Chance hasn't had an important career.

But consider the company.

Another high-profile entertainment relationship has come to an end.

Actress and singer Serayah announced Monday that she has ended her engagement and relationship with rapper and actor Joey Bada$$, with whom she shares a young son.

In her public statement, Serayah alleged that there had been repeated infidelity throughout their relationship, including during some of what she described as the most vulnerable and meaningful moments of her life.

Joey Bada$$ has not publicly responded to the allegations.

The murder case surrounding Dallas rappers Yella Beezy and MO3 is putting an old debate back in the spotlight: When does a rap lyric become evidence?

Jury selection began Monday in the capital murder trial of Kewon White, who prosecutors allege was the gunman in the November 2020 killing of MO3, whose real name was Melvin Noble.

Prosecutors allege Dallas rapper Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, hired White to kill MO3 following a long-running rivalry between the two artists.

Hip-hop legend Nas is adding another major honor to a career that has helped shape the sound and storytelling of the genre for more than three decades.

The GRAMMY Award-winning rapper will receive the BMI Icon Award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on Wednesday, August 26, in Los Angeles. BMI is recognizing Nas for his prolific songwriting and lasting influence on hip-hop and culture.

When an artist as successful as Cardi B starts discussing the cost of producing her own visuals, independent artists should pay attention.

In remarks circulating from a recent X Spaces conversation, Cardi suggested that record labels have become increasingly reluctant to finance expensive music videos. She characterized the pullback as an industry-wide issue—not merely a disagreement between her and Atlantic Records—and said she has continued releasing visuals by contributing her own money.

If you needed a reminder that Atlanta's music scene is still one of the strongest in the country, PBrown's ATL Record Pool delivered.

More than 1,200 artists, DJs, producers, managers, media members, and music professionals RSVP'd and packed out Club Atmosphere for another night of networking, education, and discovering new talent. Whether you came to shake hands, get your music heard, or just reconnect with people you haven't seen in a while, there was plenty happening from the moment the doors opened.

For years, 4NRhythm had the talent — but like a lot of independent artists, he was watching from the sidelines.

He sat on the Makin’ It email list for nearly six years before finally deciding to invest in himself and become a Professional Mimber. Less than a year later, the results speak for themselves.

Once he plugged into the platform and started moving with intention, things began to line up. His music started reaching the right ears, and that led to real opportunities: