According to HipHopDX, J. Cole has finally provided the long-awaited clarity on his upcoming project The Fall-Off, revealing that it will be a double album. The North Carolina rapper also released a surprise EP titled Birthday Blizzard ’26, hosted by the legendary DJ Clue, to celebrate his recent birthday and build momentum for the main release.
The announcement included a look at the official artwork and a partial tracklist that suggests a deep dive into the rapper’s legacy. Fans were particularly stunned by a track titled “Squashed,” where Cole reportedly uses his lyrical prowess to metaphorically bridge the historic rift between 2Pac and Biggie Smalls.
In addition to the album news, Cole addressed a brewing legal situation involving Cam’ron. The dispute reportedly stems from a $500,000 lawsuit regarding the “Ready ’24” collaboration, which Cole addressed directly in his new music, signaling his intent to resolve industry tensions through his art.
* HotNewHipHop confirms: “J. Cole explains The Fall-Off artwork, confirms it will be a double album.”
* DJ Clue shared on Instagram: “The Blizzard is here! J. Cole just changed the temperature of the game.”
Echotitbits take: J. Cole is leaning heavily into his “statesman” era by attempting to unify hip-hop history while maintaining his competitive edge. The decision to release a double album indicates a massive amount of vault material being cleared, likely signaling that his rumored retirement from solo albums is drawing closer.
Source: BillBoard — https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/j-cole-the-fall-off-tracklist-1236173166/ February 15, 2026
Photo Credit: BillBoard
Tag: Music News
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J. Cole Sets Hip-Hop Ablaze with Surprise ‘The Fall-Off’ Details
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Floetry Reunites for First National U.S. Tour in a Decade
According to PR Newswire, the iconic neo-soul duo Floetry—comprising Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie “The Floacist” Stewart—is officially returning to the stage together. The “Say Yes” Tour marks their first national run in the United States since 2016, a moment fans of early 2000s R&B have been waiting for for years.
The 16-city tour, produced by the Black Promoters Collective, is set to kick off in April 2026 in Newark and will feature supporting acts Raheem DeVaughn and Teedra Moses. The announcement has sent waves through the soul and hip-hop community, as the duo is credited with pioneering the blend of spoken word and melodic R&B.
For years, rumors of a rift between the two artists kept them apart, with both pursuing successful solo careers. However, this reunion signifies a “celebration and a revival,” aimed at bringing their platinum-selling sound back to an audience that has remained loyal through their decade-long hiatus.
Presale tickets went live on Thursday morning, with general sales scheduled for Friday. The tour is expected to be an intimate, “soul-forward” experience, focusing on the lyrical depth and vocal harmony that made them a staple of the neo-soul movement.
* 1070 WDIA (Entertainment News): “Iconic Duo Returns to the Stage for the First Time Since 2016… joined by Raheem DeVaughn and Teedra Moses.”
* Black Promoters Collective (Official): “Floetry’s work helped normalize poetry as a lead voice in R&B… we are proud to produce this revival.”
Echotitbits take:
The “reunion tour” trend is hitting its peak in 2026, but Floetry’s return feels particularly significant for the R&B community. Their influence on the “poetic soul” sub-genre is massive, and with the current resurgence of 90s and 2000s aesthetics, this tour is timed perfectly. It’s a chance for them to reclaim their throne before a new generation of soul artists who grew up on their “Floetic” album.Source: PR Newswire — https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/floetry-announces-2026-the-say-yes-tour–first-national-run-together-in-a-decade-302686599.html February 12, 2026
Photo Credit: PR Newswire
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Central Cee Reveals Conversion to Islam and New Name
In a post shared by @CentralCee, the British rap phenomenon has officially announced his conversion to Islam. The “Doja” hitmaker shared that he recently took his Shahada (the Islamic profession of faith), marking a significant spiritual turning point in his life. He also hinted at a new Muslim name, though he continues to use his professional moniker for his music career.
The rapper, who has strong ties to the UK rap scene and a massive global following, explained that his journey toward Islam has been a gradual process of self-reflection and seeking peace. The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from the Muslim community and fellow artists, many of whom welcomed him to the faith.
Central Cee’s conversion comes at the height of his fame, as he continues to dominate charts across Europe and North America. He noted that his new faith has already begun to influence his perspective on success and his responsibilities as a public figure.
Fans are curious to see if this spiritual shift will be reflected in his future lyrical content, which has traditionally focused on the gritty realities of London street life and his rapid rise to stardom.
* Legit NG covered the announcement: “The British rapper shared the news with his millions of followers, sparking a conversation about faith in the hip-hop community.”
* Daily Post Nigeria reported: “Central Cee has opened up about his spiritual journey, confirming he has taken his Shahada and embraced Islam.”
Echotitbits take: Central Cee is one of the most influential voices in global youth culture right now. His conversion follows a trend of high-profile UK artists seeking spiritual grounding amidst the chaos of the industry. This move will likely deepen his connection with his substantial Muslim fanbase in the UK, France, and West Africa, and could signal a shift toward more “conscious” themes in his upcoming projects.
Source: DailyPost — https://dailypost.ng/2026/02/06/british-rapper-central-cee-converts-to-islam/ February 6, 2026
Photo Credit: DailyPost
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Burna Boy, Davido, and Ayra Starr Lead Nigerian Charge at 68th Grammy Awards
In a post shared by BellaNaija, the Nigerian music industry is on high alert as the 68th Annual Grammy Awards kick off tonight at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Burna Boy leads the Nigerian contingent with two nominations, including Best African Music Performance for his hit “Love” and Best Global Music Album for No Sign of Weakness.
Davido also makes a significant return to the nomination list for his collaboration “With You” featuring Omah Lay. Meanwhile, “Sabi Girl” Ayra Starr has secured a nomination for “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, a track that dominated airwaves throughout the past year. The nominations represent a peak for the “Afrobeats to the World” movement.
The atmosphere in Los Angeles is described as electric but tense, as the ceremony takes place amidst broader social unrest in the United States. Recording Academy President Harvey Mason Jr. has expressed hope that the music—particularly the global sounds from Africa—will act as a “healing” force for the audience.
Fans across Nigeria are organizing viewing parties, hoping for a clean sweep that would solidify 2026 as the most successful year in the history of Nigerian music. With Fela Kuti already receiving a lifetime achievement honor, the stakes for the active nominees have never been higher.
* Punch Newspapers (Official Website): “Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Tyla battle for Grammy glory… Sunday, February 1, 2026.”
* ThisDay Live (Official Website): “Wizkid and Burna Boy finally brought home the Grammy glory… competition intensified.”
Echotitbits take:
The “African Music” category is the real battleground this year. If Burna Boy wins again, he moves into legendary “untouchable” status. If Ayra Starr or Davido wins, it signals a shift in power towards the newer commercial sounds. Regardless of the outcome, the sheer volume of Nigerian presence in LA confirms that Afrobeats is now a global landlord.
Source: ThisDay — https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/02/01/nigerias-eyes-on-the-grammys/ February 1, 2026
Photo Credit: ThisDay
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Rihanna Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of ‘Anti’ Album
Rihanna is marking a decade since the release of Anti, with the 2016 album reportedly hitting fresh RIAA milestones this week.
Fans have revived Anti-era favorites on TikTok and Instagram, while renewed anniversary attention has reignited speculation about her long-awaited next album.
The moment also highlights Rihanna’s evolution from pop star to cultural mogul, with Anti serving as the last full studio project before her major Fenty era expansion.
Echotitbits take: Anti aging this well is the definition of a classic. Rihanna has mastered scarcity as strategy: the music keeps streaming, the brand keeps growing, and fans keep begging—an ecosystem that still centers her even without new albums.
Source: People – https://people.com/rihanna-celebrates-10-year-anniversary-of-anti-11895086 2026-01-29
Photo Credit: People -
A$AP Rocky Shares Mother’s Prediction About Rihanna Love Story
Rapper A$AP Rocky has shared an anecdote about how his mother predicted his relationship with Rihanna long before they became a couple, describing an early sense of connection between the two superstars.
Rolling Stone noted that Rocky’s openness about family life has broadened his appeal, while HotNewHipHop reported that he continues to praise Rihanna as a defining partner, reinforcing their reputation as a modern pop-culture power couple.
Echotitbits take: Rocky and Rihanna have perfected the “relatable royals” playbook. By sharing mother-approved, family-oriented stories, Rocky deepens the father-and-partner narrative that has reshaped his brand, helping their relationship read as grounded rather than performative celebrity romance.
Source: Facebook/TheNet.ng – https://web.facebook.com/thenetng/posts/i-want-you-with-rihanna-aap-rocky-on-how-his-mum-predicted-his-love-story-with-h/1299857468842887/?_rdc=1&_rdr# 2026-01-25
Photo Credit: Facebook/TheNet.ng -
Davido’s Father Intervenes in Ongoing Paternity Controversy
Legit NG reports that businessman Adedeji Adeleke has addressed renewed paternity claims involving a 12‑year‑old girl identified as Anuoluwapo. The report says multiple DNA tests have been conducted to settle the dispute, though the situation remains tense amid responses attributed to the girl’s mother.
Daily Post Nigeria is cited as reporting a public pushback from Anu’s mother, including allegations of intimidation, while Vanguard notes Davido publicly thanked his father for stepping in.
**Echotitbits take:** This has shifted from celebrity gossip to a high‑stakes reputational and legal contest. The patriarch’s involvement signals a bid for finality, but the public nature of counter‑claims suggests the controversy may not quiet down quickly.
Source: Vanguard – https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/davido-thanks-father-for-publicly-defending-him-amid-paternity-drama/ (January 23, 2026)
Photo Credit: Vanguard 2026-01-23
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Wizkid Reported to Cross 10 Billion Total Spotify Streams, a First for Africa
Techloy reports that Wizkid has become the first African artist to surpass 10 billion total Spotify streams across all credits, powered by years of global hits and features such as Drake’s “One Dance.”
Pulse and The Beat 99 also highlighted the milestone, describing it as another sign of Afrobeats’ growing digital reach worldwide.
Online tracking accounts have celebrated the achievement as a continent-wide win, as fans mark the number as a new streaming-era benchmark.
Echotitbits Take: Beyond bragging rights, 10B streams is leverage—expect it to show up in tour pricing, brand deals, and every “greatest African pop run” debate for the rest of the decade.
Source: TVC – https://www.tvcnews.tv/wizkid-becomes-first-african-to-reach-10b-spotify-streams-seals-spot-as-afrobeats-giant/ 2026-01-08
Photo Credit: TVC -
Dove Cameron confirms engagement to Damiano David with a New Year ring reveal
In a post shared via People, Dove Cameron confirmed she’s engaged to Måneskin’s Damiano David, sharing photos and highlighting her ring.
Her caption kept it short and emotional, turning the confirmation into a direct-to-fans moment rather than a formal statement.
The news has sparked cross-fandom buzz across pop and rock audiences.
- E! News (coverage): ““My favourite part of being alive.””
- Just Jared (recap): ““My favourite part of being alive… happy new year.””
Echotitbits take: This is a high-visibility crossover couple, and the IG-first confirmation shows how celebrity news now breaks. Watch for official photo drops, wedding timeline hints, or ring/designer details that often follow early engagement announcements.
Source: People — Jan 3, 2026 — https://people.com/dove-cameron-is-engaged-to-maneskin-s-damiano-david-photos-11839675
People
Jan 3, 2026
Photo Credit: People
