Music
Drake Drama Unveiled, DJ Backtracks on Kendrick Lamar Ban in Texas Clubs
Drake’s reach in the music world is undeniable, with a particularly strong influence in Texas thanks to his ties with J Prince. So when rumors emerged that Drake and J Prince had banned Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” from Texas clubs, it didn’t seem too far-fetched. The 6 God has a reputation for being petty behind the scenes, and J Prince has been linked to significant beefs, including the Pusha T feud in 2018. However, it turns out this latest rumor was a misunderstanding.
Ari the DJ, who initially sparked the Texas ban rumor, claimed on Twitter that she faced trouble multiple times for playing “Not Like Us.” This claim quickly spread, causing a stir. But Ari took to Instagram to clarify the situation. She posted a screenshot of her original tweet alongside a headline about the alleged ban, explaining that things were misconstrued. “Headlines can be misleading,” she wrote on her IG Story. “Drake nor J Prince never told me to not play the song.” Ari clarified that the orders came from individuals who respected Drake, not Drake or J Prince directly.
“Promoters and people that respect those guys told me not to and it was understood,” she explained. “That’s it, that’s all.” This isn’t the first time Drake has been accused of complicating matters for Kendrick Lamar and his TDE crew. ScHoolboy Q recently suggested Drake’s influence might have led to the cancelation of his concert in Toronto due to ongoing tensions.
While there’s no concrete evidence linking Drake to the concert cancellation, the venue did have connections to the 6 God and Live Nation. Drake has remained silent publicly about the Kendrick Lamar beef, but speculation about new music continues to swirl, fueled by Drake himself. On July 22, he posted a photo wearing a Tupac shirt that read, “Only God Can Judge Me,” suggesting the rivalry might still be alive.
Artist Spotlight
“Hell has frozen over” finds Sarina choosing peace over being understood
Sarina’s new track, “Hell has frozen over,” explores the less dramatic, more complicated moment of reaching the end of the road, being gaslit, ignored, rejected, and painfully lonely. It translates the emotional burnout into a rock-pop context that’s easy to understand.
“Hell has frozen over” focuses on the decision to step away, instead of explaining, defending, or seeking understanding from people who refuse to listen. The rock foundation gives it the right weight, the pop influence makes it accessible, and the focus stays on the emotional message.
Sarina’s art is the struggle of loss and being strong in yourself. It’s about understanding that protecting your peace is more important than being understood. And that’s the emotional balance that gives the release its character so that the subject matter has relevance beyond a particular circumstance.
“Hell has frozen over“ is a relief from the burden of carrying on a debate that will never be resolved. Sarina turns an experience of isolation into a statement about boundaries, resilience, and the choice not to get caught in the same cycle. The result is a record that’s at its best when it’s being true to what it feels like to finally be free from whatever has been holding you down.
Photo Credit: Andrea Hunter
Artist Spotlight
Girlhood finds summer warmth and quiet freedom on “Lemon Aid”
“Lemon Aid“ is a warm indie-pop ballad from Girlhood that finds comfort in the ordinary and weaves in a sense of release. This song is about surrendering to the moment, finding space to breathe, and letting a little lightness back in. This reflective core is surprising, given the warm summer-night feel of the track, hinting at a moment of emotional rebalancing.
Singer-songwriter Natalie Holmes has a tender personality and fronts the slow-burning “Lemon Aid.” The production supports that softness, keeping the song’s gentle mood and intimate direction front and center. Beneath the comfort is a thoughtful examination of pressure, transition, and the need to pause.
The song’s link to the streets of Stroud offers yet another layer of art to the work. Familiar places can mean something when life feels uncertain, and the emotional scene involves storefronts, parks, cafes, and leafy, winding streets. “Lemon Aid“ searches for beauty in everyday places and rituals, finding still moments that mean something without getting carried away.
The track is the first release of Girlhood’s forthcoming album, “This Will Make Sense In The End,” a more reflective chapter with hope at its heart. “Lemon Aid” is about softness, conjuring a space where dancing, wandering, and just existing can feel like a cure. It’s an unleashing of small observations and soft emotional movement and a clear indication of the thoughtful direction that Girlhood is heading next.
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