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Preme Fires Back in Kendrick vs. Drake Debate, Citing “NOKIA” Chart Success

Honk Magazine

In the ongoing war of words between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, it seems that Team OVO has taken another shot, and this one has statistics to back it up. Preme, a longtime Drake associate and fixture of the OVO sound camp, posted on social media to comment on what many perceived as a “checkmate” moment for Kendrick in the ongoing war of words. But Jamal Preme said the scoreboard says otherwise. “NOKIA” is the center of the counterattack, and it’s a song that’s at least tough enough to endure all that lyrical crossfire. It managed to top the Apple Music Top 100 Global chart, outpacing several recent Kendrick releases.

“They said we was dead,” Preme wrote in a less than subtle shot at critics who proclaimed Kendrick the winner after his Super Bowl appearance and some recent drops. “They said it was over, they said Super Bowl was checkmate, and they said he should take a few years off and disappear.” Instead, here we are in April, and “NOKIA” is cozying up with the equally menacing “SICKO MODE” at the top, while Drake, label drama and all, is still racking up records. It’s easy to get lost in the lyrical gymnastics and fan-driven bar arguments but Preme’s point is clear that numbers matter.

Check out this article: SZA Dodges Drake Drama on Jimmy Kimmel Ahead of Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar

In an industry where individual verses and tweets can alter the public’s view of a star in seconds, the commercial performance of “NOKIA” is an industrial signal sized reminder that Drake isn’t going anywhere. “The best revenge is success,” Preme continued the next day, reiterating a feeling that’s been part of Drizzy’s brand for a long time. What’s most striking is how this moment seems less a diss than a declaration. No subliminals are necessary when the charts do all the talking. And as Kendrick continues to ascend toward his own legacy, Preme wants the world to know that Drake remains very much in charge of his narrative and his numbers.

Artist Spotlight

Marsha Bartenetti reinvents in her own style “New York Minute”

Marsha Bartenetti

Marsha Bartenetti’s latest release, “New York Minute,” written by Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, and Jai Winding, offers emotional depth, turning a timeless look at life’s fragility into a reflective, cinematic journey. Stephan Oberhoff’s arrangement perfectly frames Bartenetti’s voice, and Kevin Bate’s expressive cello adds a warm resonance that makes the track feel like a movie.

The way each instrument sounds makes it feel planned, which lets the listener stay in the fleeting moments the song so beautifully describes. Bartenetti’s singing is the best part of the song. She shows an openness that feels real, as if she has lost something and still fully embraces love and presence with complete honesty. Her choice of words and small changes in tone make the lyrics feel even closer.

“New York Minute,” is a new version that pays tribute to the original while showcasing Bartenetti’s own style. The movie-like instruments and heartfelt vocals make the song feel both personal and universal. It makes us think about how hard it is to let go and hold on.

Connect with Marsha Bartenetti on Spotify || Facebook

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Artist Spotlight

“Yonkers” – Song by Tyler, the Creator

Tyler, the Creator

15 years ago, Tyler, the Creator released “Yonkers.” The song would go on to shape a generation of hip-hop fans and make him one of the most talked-about artists in modern music. Tyler’s work on “Yonkers,” which came out of the Los Angeles group Odd Future, was a brave mix of raw lyrics, dark humor, and simple production that made him stand out from other artists right away.

“Yonkers,” which is just over three minutes long, seems simple but has a big effect. The song’s production is based on a spooky bassline, simple piano chords, and simple drums. This puts Tyler’s voice and story front and center. His flow is slow and threatening, and it sends out a stream of verses that balance shock value with deep thoughts on themes like being alone, rebelling, and thinking about oneself. This song has a modern twist on the gritty, confrontational style of hip-hop that was popular in the early 2010s.

The music video for “Yonkers” became a cultural phenomenon all by itself. In the black-and-white video, Tyler looks straight into the camera while doing something that surprised both fans and critics. Tyler became known as an artist who isn’t afraid to push boundaries when the song’s raw lyrics and stark images quickly went viral. The video’s viral success brought Odd Future national attention and helped Tyler get more work, including his albums Goblin (2011) and Wolf (2013), which were both well-received by critics.

People who didn’t like “Yonkers” thought it was a new take on hip-hop. People in the genre often liked flashy production and collaborations, but Tyler’s solo song showed that minimalism can be just as interesting, if not more so, when it has strong lyrics. Young people who wanted realness and change connected with the song’s unapologetic tone, and its influence can still be heard in music today. Many contemporary artists assert that Tyler’s early compositions, particularly “Yonkers,” significantly influenced their lyrical writing and visual storytelling techniques.

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“Yonkers” was a big moment in Tyler, the Creator’s career. It was a bold statement from a single artist who wanted to change the rules of hip-hop, and it captured the spirit of early Odd Future, a group that thrived on chaos, creativity, and free expression. More than ten years later, the song is still a touchstone for fans and a turning point in the growth of alternative rap. Its creepy beat, controversial lyrics, and viral music video are still seen as examples of a time when hip-hop was pushing its limits and welcoming a new generation of voices that were willing to question the way things were.

“Yonkers” is a cultural artifact, a snapshot of the time that shaped Tyler, the Creator’s unique artistic style, and a reminder of how powerful bold, unapologetic music can be.

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