Features
LIL BABY, CITY GIRLS, PUSHA T & MORE SET TO PERFORM AT HOT 97 SUMMER JAM

HOT 97, the New York based global culture-setting hip-hop brand unveils the lineup and details for the 2022 HOT 97 Summer Jam. Going down June 12th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hip-hop’s most anticipated festival includes superstars such as Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Pusha T, City Girls, Burna Boy, Young Thug and Gunna, plus many more.
Tickets officially go on sale April 30th at 10:00 AM EST on Ticketmaster or hot97.com/summerjam and American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning April 29 at 10am EST through April 29 at 11:59 PM EST. Download the all-new HOT 97 App for more opportunities to win tickets, exclusive content and hip-hop updates.
The 2022 HOT 97 Summer Jam festival offers two stages featuring many of the hottest hip-hop talent. The main Stadium Stage performers include DreamDoll, Shenseea, Benny The Butcher, Burna Boy, Roddy Rich, Pusha T, City Girls, Young Thug and Gunna, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, and — closing the show—hometown, Brooklyn’s, Fivio Foreign. The night will also feature a special musical tribute in memory of the legendary DJ Kay Slay.
In addition, the Festival Stage will be a who’s who of emerging artists including, Girll Codee, Nardo Wick, BabyFace Ray, Drewski & Friends featuring B-Lovee, JNR Choi, Dougie B., 22GZ, Lady London, Saucy Santana, NLE Choppa, Yung Bleu, and Cordae. The lineup hits from top to bottom.
“HOT 97’s Summer Jam, the biggest hip-hop concert, is a day of music celebrating US… with two stages and an endless list of super-stars, this is a moment you won’t want to miss We understand the assignment and can’t wait to experience, with the fans, an extremely exciting line up of performances from artists who are defining our culture.” TT Torrez, on-air personality and VP of Artist and Label Relations.
The lineup announcement is highlighted alongside the new and improved HOT 97 app, which allows listeners to enjoy the hottest hip-hop station and all of its amazing content from anywhere in the world. The app keeps fans up-to-date on the culture with breaking news, exclusive articles, video content, and features from Ebro, Laura Stylez & Rosenberg, Funk Flex, TT Torrez, Megan Ryte and many more.
Furthermore, app users will have exclusive access to contests, merchandise and prizes—including tickets to Summer Jam 2022. Live chat with the station’s famous personalities and live video streaming are also in the works, along with access to on-the-go to HOT 97’s library of podcasts, including Ebro in the Morning and Tap in with TT, alongside mixes from the station’s world-famous DJs.
Also, for the first time, HOT 97 Summer Jam’s Artist Lounge will be sponsored by DCN studio, an entertainment and media company specializing in covering the latest news on web3 culture.
Features
Behind The Music: Omega The Poet

We’ve recently covered a few releases from Omega The Poet — a neo-soul adjacent lyricist who captivates us with his emotional rhymes and constantly unique subject matter.
We sat down with him for a new series: Behind The Music — covering what our favorite artists are interested in outside of their current releases. Grab a cold lemonade, sit on the couch, and discover more about one of the most exciting new faces in rap today.

How did you get your rap name?
Initially, when I first started making music I was just looking for a name that fit me. There were so many options that I was deciding between. But Omega The Poet seemed like it had the most flow without being either corny, or feeling like it didn’t have much longevity attached to it. In actuality, I want my stage name to be just “Omega” but I’ll be working to make that happen soon as far as legalities are concerned.
Are you into poetry? If so, who’s your favorite poet? Why?
Definitely, for a long time growing up I used to write poems often. Then when I went to college & started hanging around friends that were musicians I started converting my poems into songs. I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a favorite poet, but I will say that I inspire myself. Especially after I write something extremely profound & different.
Outside of other music or artists, what influences your creative process?
Outside of those, things like architecture, interior design, nature, & cuisine all influence my creative process.
Are you a spiritual person? If so, how does that factor into your creativity?
100%, I actually just got my Master’s in Spirituality, Culture & Health a few months ago. Spirituality influences my creative process in so many ways, from the way I look at people to be inspired, to the jewelry that I wear to write upper echelon raps.
Do you approach music by trying to fit into a genre or do you do your own thing and classify it later? Which do you prefer?
Interestingly enough, as I’ve stepped into more of a business executive role through my company For The Record. I do follow & observe trends closely to stay up to date on what’s happening in the creative world. However, I think naturally with this knowledge in mind I always tend to make things unique to me. It’s like a chef, they all could have the same recipe but in the end things might end up tasting & being presented differently.
What’s the scariest song you’ve ever released? What made it scary?
Probably my first ever song, mainly because when you’re not necessarily known for making music it will raise a lot of eyebrows, laughs, & more. Which it did. I also wouldn’t say I was “scared” either but I didn’t know what to expect. I definitely always had the confidence & energy to know I was going to excel no matter what.
Is there a person outside of music that inspires you? If so, who?
Maybe Neville Goddard, an author who wrote one of my favorite books “Feeling is The Secret”. Which covers the law of assumption & to create any reality you must first assume the feeling of what you wish to obtain.
If your artistry could be described in a pinterest board, what four images would you put on it?
There’s a lot of soul and neo soul influence in your music. How would you describe what your music sounds like to you?
Good, undeniable. I like to describe myself as someone that doesn’t miss.
What type of music haven’t you made yet, that you’re scared to make, that you want to make before your career is over?
I don’t think I’m scared to make any music, but I do want to make a house album. Similar to the sound of Kaytranada.
What type of art do you consume when you’re not making or listening to music?
Photography for sure, I love how photos are timeless. Which is why I’m a big fan of good album art.
Who’s one artist outside of your atmosphere that you’d want to collaborate with? How would that collab work?
I can’t think of anyone specific, but I do want to work with an architect to build a home. Somewhere on the side of a mountain or boulder. Somewhere warm, but not tropical. With a small underground studio.
Audio
Nylo Cash and Omega The Poet Explore Vulnerability In “Eyes Roll Back”

Nylo Cash and Omega The Poet have made a bedroom smash with “Eyes Roll Back.” The lustful tune is an exercise in melodic harmonies as they physical and emotional vulnerability. If you’re looking for another smooth song to add to your bedroom rotation, this is a track you’ll want to listen to. Special shoutout to Grammy-nominated producer Satyr Black on the background vocals.
Check out “Eyes Roll Back” below.
Editorials
Omega The Poet Speaks On Being a Music Executive, Producer, & His Record Label

Making music ain’t just something you do for a day and call it quits — you’ll never take off like that. It has to be a lifelong journey, filled with dedication that makes you love what you do. Omega The Poet’s obsession with the craft, which began as a child, has evolved into a career full of creativity that’s been driven by his years of experience. From his early beginnings to owning a record label and his lofty plans in the future, Omega’s had and has it all figured out.
Everyone has a unique way that they discover music. For some, it’s experiencing what their parents listened to. For others, it’s randomly vibing to a song on the radio. Omega’s origins had a bit of a holier beginning. “I got into music by attending church,” he shares. “My introduction to music was unique in the sense that most of my ‘music-making’ abilities came from reading and the development of that skill.”

From there, he participated in a children’s choir, learning about different vocal registers—soprano, alto, tenor—and understanding the foundations of music theory. These formative years gave him an understanding about song structure that would prove pivotal to his development as an artist in later years.
Soon, Omega became a lyricist that didn’t find inspiration in whatever was on the radio. He studied musical legends for their craft and their personalities to discover what kind of artist he’d want to be — specifically André 3000, Wale, Frank Ocean, and Kanye West (before he was a dickhead). “I enjoy how unapologetically unique these artists are, how they push boundaries sonically, and their undeniable influence on the culture,” he explains.
In recent years, his inspirations have expanded to include experimental artists like Solange, Steve Lacy, Childish Gambino, and Daniel Caesar because of their fearless approach to music-making. “These artists have this ability to merge genres and create something truly special,” he says. “I want to bring that same level of originality and fearlessness to my own work.”
After the release of his debut EP Eros in 2020, Omega took a step back from releasing music — but now, he’s back with a reinvigorated sense of purpose. “Recently, I’ve been releasing songs that I’ve had stashed in the vault since Eros,” Omega explains. “My goal is to release one song of mine every month for the whole year.”
This consistent rollout strategy isn’t just about holding on to the huge and organic momentum that he’s building — it’s also about evolving and wanting his fans to experience his growth and versatility in real time. As he’s doing this though, he’s also working with others to develop their talent in an exciting way. “I plan to introduce the music of artists under my publishing company and record label, For The Record.”
Working as an executive producer and record label founder, he’s bringing something special with For The Record. “I drew inspiration from Kanye West’s former label, G.O.O.D. Music,” he says. “I loved the grandeur and exclusivity that surrounded that label.”
However, as he matured, he realized that creative vision alone wasn’t enough. He wanted to combine artistic innovation with solid business practices founded in realness. “It was a true step-by-step journey toward creating and solidifying my record label,” he explains. “But the idea was developed incrementally, and it’s like God revealed each piece I needed at the perfect moment to allow the business to flourish.”

Today, For The Record is home to a growing roster of artists, including Nylo Cash, Tajé, 7Reazon, and JSavv, with more names coming soon. They’re set to takeover this year, so stay tuned for this exciting new chapter.
With so much on Omega’s plate, he (and his label) are destined to make a definitive impact in an industry that often is only focused on making a splash. “I want to create music that resonates, that stands the test of time,” he reveals. “And I want to help others do the same.”