Music Matters Daily: Kendrick Lamar Shares Beliefs About the Last Days

Plus, Elle Varner shows up on Real Husbands of Hollywood.

K Dot Covers Billboard Magazine - And just like that, K Dot moved from the cover off XXL to the cover of Billboard. For his latest front page, Kendrick discusses candidly his Biblical beliefs. "We're in the last days, man — I truly in my heart believe that," he said. "It's written. I could go on with Biblical situations and things my grandma told me, but it's about being at peace with myself and making good with the people around me." Check out rest of the interview here.— George Chapman, Jr. (Photo: Billboard Magazine, January 2015)

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K Dot Covers Billboard Magazine - And just like that, K Dot moved from the cover off XXL to the cover of Billboard. For his latest front page, Kendrick discusses candidly his Biblical beliefs. "We're in the last days, man — I truly in my heart believe that," he said. "It's written. I could go on with Biblical situations and things my grandma told me, but it's about being at peace with myself and making good with the people around me." Check out rest of the interview here.— George Chapman, Jr. (Photo: Billboard Magazine, January 2015)

B.o.B and Sevyn Streeter Do It for the 'Gram - B.o.B is seeing heart emojis as Sevyn Streeter took to IG to announce their new love. The "Won't Stop" singer couldn't hold back the news about her new #MCM while he reciprocated the adoration with a post about his new seductive #WCE. Maybe this union will bring about a dope collabo? We sure hope so. (Photo: Sevyn Streeter via Instagram)

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B.o.B and Sevyn Streeter Do It for the 'Gram - B.o.B is seeing heart emojis as Sevyn Streeter took to IG to announce their new love. The "Won't Stop" singer couldn't hold back the news about her new #MCM while he reciprocated the adoration with a post about his new seductive #WCE. Maybe this union will bring about a dope collabo? We sure hope so. (Photo: Sevyn Streeter via Instagram)

Elle Varner Makes Her Debut on Real Husbands - Soul singer Elle Varner is flexing her acting shops in a new way. The "Cold Case" singer made her cameo in BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood this week and she was a natural. Stealing a song from Nelly's girlfriend, recording in the studio, and throwing shade? We loved it. Check out the preview here. (Photo: Elle Varner via Instagram/BET)

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Elle Varner Makes Her Debut on Real Husbands - Soul singer Elle Varner is flexing her acting shops in a new way. The "Cold Case" singer made her cameo in BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood this week and she was a natural. Stealing a song from Nelly's girlfriend, recording in the studio, and throwing shade? We loved it. Check out the preview here. (Photo: Elle Varner via Instagram/BET)

Vic Mensa, Ab-Soul Join the Bill for Coachella - Acts for Coachella 2015 have been announced and next year's famed West Coast music and arts festival features Music Matters artists Vic Mensa and Ab-Soul. The two are slated to perform on April 10 and April 17. The popular weekend, which boasts past headliners like Kanye West and Rihanna, draws crowds from all over. This year, Drake will get his turn to headline among a slew of other artists on the bill, stretching across multiple genres. See the full list of performers here. (Photos from left: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Firefly Music Festival, Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

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Vic Mensa, Ab-Soul Join the Bill for Coachella - Acts for Coachella 2015 have been announced and next year's famed West Coast music and arts festival features Music Matters artists Vic Mensa and Ab-Soul. The two are slated to perform on April 10 and April 17. The popular weekend, which boasts past headliners like Kanye West and Rihanna, draws crowds from all over. This year, Drake will get his turn to headline among a slew of other artists on the bill, stretching across multiple genres. See the full list of performers here. (Photos from left: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Firefly Music Festival, Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Big K.R.I.T Sets Record Straight About Racism in His Hometown - Big K.R.I.T.'s adoration for his southern upbringing is as transparent as they come. So it was no surprise that, while stopping in at Ebro in the Morning, tensions got high when shade was thrown about racism in Mississippi. "It’s not what you see on television. Until you go down there, you really won’t understand the gravity of my music or who I am as a person," he asserted. Watch the words fly here.(Photo: Hot 97 via YouTube.com)

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Big K.R.I.T Sets Record Straight About Racism in His Hometown - Big K.R.I.T.'s adoration for his southern upbringing is as transparent as they come. So it was no surprise that, while stopping in at Ebro in the Morning, tensions got high when shade was thrown about racism in Mississippi. "It’s not what you see on television. Until you go down there, you really won’t understand the gravity of my music or who I am as a person," he asserted. Watch the words fly here.(Photo: Hot 97 via YouTube.com)

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Kendrick Lamar Talks Dark Side of Fame  - Kendrick Lamar covers the latest issue of XXL and is dishing about the darker side of fame and what it really means to be a "role model" in the music industry. He candidly talks fans who've admittedly considered killing themselves before his music saved their lives. "It's impossible to fight the title of role model. Especially when the type of music I make is so personal," he says. Read more of K-Dot's exclusive self-penned feature here. (Photo: XXL Magazine via Twitter)

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Kendrick Lamar Talks Dark Side of Fame  - Kendrick Lamar covers the latest issue of XXL and is dishing about the darker side of fame and what it really means to be a "role model" in the music industry. He candidly talks fans who've admittedly considered killing themselves before his music saved their lives. "It's impossible to fight the title of role model. Especially when the type of music I make is so personal," he says. Read more of K-Dot's exclusive self-penned feature here. (Photo: XXL Magazine via Twitter)

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Wale Teams Up With J. Cole on New Project - Wale stopped my HotNewHipHop to discuss all things music, including his new mixtape, Festivus, and some guest features he has planned on his upcoming new album, All About Nothing. Said to be his most musically creative project to date, Wale is solo on the album, with the exception of J. Cole on the hook of one of the songs. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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Joey Bada$ Teaches Us 'How to Dance' - If you thought Joey Bada$ couldn't two step, you're about to eat your words. The Brooklyn rapper sped things up on his new single featuring Kiesza called "Teach Me." The song's uptempo, mildy techno beat is way different from the rapper's previous hits, but who said rappers can't dance? Listen to it here. (Photo: Pro Era)

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Joey Bada$ Teaches Us 'How to Dance' - If you thought Joey Bada$ couldn't two step, you're about to eat your words. The Brooklyn rapper sped things up on his new single featuring Kiesza called "Teach Me." The song's uptempo, mildy techno beat is way different from the rapper's previous hits, but who said rappers can't dance? Listen to it here. (Photo: Pro Era)

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Big Sean to Headline Valentine's Crush Concert - L.A.’s infamous Power 106 announced the lineup for their annual Valentine’s Day Crush concert and Detroit native Big Sean is on the bill. The show, which always features R&B artists, will have Mila J, John Legend, Rico Love, Ne-Yo and Eric Bellinger also blazing the stage alongside Sean. Valentine's Crush is going down at the The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Feb. 13. Tickets are said to be going on sale Thursday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

Estelle Performs on Martina McBride's Digital Music Show - R&B singer Estelle has been recruited by country music star Martina McBride to kick off her new digital music show. Skyville Live will air from Nashville on Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. During the show, Estelle will perform her greatest hits and share some personal stories with fans exclusively on skyvillelive.com. The show will also feature music great Gladys Knight.(Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger)

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Estelle Performs on Martina McBride's Digital Music Show - R&B singer Estelle has been recruited by country music star Martina McBride to kick off her new digital music show. Skyville Live will air from Nashville on Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. During the show, Estelle will perform her greatest hits and share some personal stories with fans exclusively on skyvillelive.com. The show will also feature music great Gladys Knight.(Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger)

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Big K.R.I.T. Performs on The Tonight Show - Big K.R.I.T. appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform his thought-provoking single “Soul Food.” As is tradition, K.R.I.T. was backed by The Roots and special guest Raphael Saadiq joined. Watch the good vibes session here.(Photo: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

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Big K.R.I.T. Performs on The Tonight Show - Big K.R.I.T. appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform his thought-provoking single “Soul Food.” As is tradition, K.R.I.T. was backed by The Roots and special guest Raphael Saadiq joined. Watch the good vibes session here.(Photo: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

K. Michelle Announces My Twisted Mind Tour - K. Michelle is kicking off her 2015 with all of you. The My Life… reality star recently announced that she’s headlining her My Twisted Mind tour in support of her December released sophomore effort, Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart? The two-month trek will begin in February in San Francisco tackling 12 dates as of right now, with more to be announced very soon. K. will not be alone though, as she’ll be joined in a few cities by friend and West Coast native Keyshia Cole. Get your tickets to see K. in your city on Ticketmaster now.(Photo: Atlantic Records)

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K. Michelle Announces My Twisted Mind Tour - K. Michelle is kicking off her 2015 with all of you. The My Life… reality star recently announced that she’s headlining her My Twisted Mind tour in support of her December released sophomore effort, Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart? The two-month trek will begin in February in San Francisco tackling 12 dates as of right now, with more to be announced very soon. K. will not be alone though, as she’ll be joined in a few cities by friend and West Coast native Keyshia Cole. Get your tickets to see K. in your city on Ticketmaster now.(Photo: Atlantic Records)

B.o.B Introduces His New Label With a Mixtape - B.o.B is definitely grabbing 2015 by the horns gearing up for the release of the follow up to his 2010 album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, while also introducing us to his new label, No Genre, with the new mixtape, No Genre: The Label. The 18-track mixtape features Bobby Ray alongside some of his new artists including Lin-Z and Jake Lambo. Listen to it all here. (Photo: No Genre)

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B.o.B Introduces His New Label With a Mixtape - B.o.B is definitely grabbing 2015 by the horns gearing up for the release of the follow up to his 2010 album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, while also introducing us to his new label, No Genre, with the new mixtape, No Genre: The Label. The 18-track mixtape features Bobby Ray alongside some of his new artists including Lin-Z and Jake Lambo. Listen to it all here. (Photo: No Genre)

Lecrae Drops Video With a Big Message - Lecrae dropped the full visuals for his song “Messenger,” featuring the duo King & Country, off his latest album, Anomaly. The Christian rapper, who received nothing but critical acclaim for the groundbreaking album, is back to deliver the video with an underlying message about spreading the word of God. The video features a protagonist walking through the streets of a foreign land where he is seen speaking through a microphone to the people of the land, clearly trying to get his message heard. Unfortunately his message isn’t always well received. Watch Lecrae’s latest work here. (Photo: Reach Records)

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Lecrae Drops Video With a Big Message - Lecrae dropped the full visuals for his song “Messenger,” featuring the duo King & Country, off his latest album, Anomaly. The Christian rapper, who received nothing but critical acclaim for the groundbreaking album, is back to deliver the video with an underlying message about spreading the word of God. The video features a protagonist walking through the streets of a foreign land where he is seen speaking through a microphone to the people of the land, clearly trying to get his message heard. Unfortunately his message isn’t always well received. Watch Lecrae’s latest work here. (Photo: Reach Records)

Macklemore Announces He and Tricia Are Expecting - Macklemore has a lot to smile about these days. Aside from working on a new album said to drop this year, the “Same Love” singer and fiancée Tricia Davis are expecting their first child together. The Grammy-winning rapper took to Twitter to gush about the new addition while friend and musical partner Ryan Lewis shared in the excitement, posting a video of the couple’s ultra sound appointment with the tag "May 2015." Congrats!(Photo: Ryan Lewis via YouTube.com)

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Macklemore Announces He and Tricia Are Expecting - Macklemore has a lot to smile about these days. Aside from working on a new album said to drop this year, the “Same Love” singer and fiancée Tricia Davis are expecting their first child together. The Grammy-winning rapper took to Twitter to gush about the new addition while friend and musical partner Ryan Lewis shared in the excitement, posting a video of the couple’s ultra sound appointment with the tag "May 2015." Congrats!(Photo: Ryan Lewis via YouTube.com)