Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
Charli xcx’s 2024 album Brat marked a turning point in her career, but it also brought an intense level of attention that followed her everywhere.
That shift became a key source of inspiration for The Moment, the British dance pop artist’s mockumentary which premiered on Jan. 30. Directed by Aidan Zamiri, the high energy film offers an exaggerated reflection of Charli’s Brat era rise. Speaking to Billboard in a video interview shared on Monday Feb. 2, the singer and songwriter said the project was shaped by the real life “transition” she experienced during that period.
“I’d been this relatively niche artist, and then had suddenly been opened up to this huge new audience, some of whom really connected with me, some of whom only connected with aspects of me, some of whom liked me, but didn’t really get me,” Charli said during a Zoom conversation with Zamiri. “How much you’re under scrutiny, in the spotlight, being listened to, watched, is a really interesting thing. It made me so acutely aware of how hard that transition can be.”
Brat was released in June 2024 and climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200, marking the highest chart position of Charli’s career so far. The album also earned her three Grammy Awards. She sustained that momentum later in the year with a Brat remix project featuring a roster of well known collaborators, followed by the Brat Tour which wrapped up in August 2025.
In the time since, Charli has made it clear that the Brat chapter is behind her, noting that her attention has shifted toward acting roles and soundtrack work. In the coming weeks, she is set to release her Wuthering Heights companion album tied to Emerald Fennell’s upcoming film adaptation of the classic Charlotte Bronte novel.
“Nothing lasts forever — and no one lasts forever,” Charli told Billboard when explaining why she chose to close out the Brat era on her own terms. “I think I’ve alway’s known that. It’s cooler to just leave it all behind.”
That said, she still found joy in recreating the relentless club energy that defines The Moment, which she and Zamiri shot across 29 days. “Every single weekend, we would just go out and party,” Charli said of keeping the atmosphere alive on set. “Sometimes Aidan would just blast The Prodigy whilst they were setting up a shot.”
Watch Charli and Zamiri’s full interview with Billboard above.
Share
Advertisement
It is difficult to believe that five years have passed since DMX died, yet his impact continues to be felt through his family, close friends, and devoted fans. Recently, supporters and relatives came together in Yonkers, New York, to pay tribute to the late rapper. On Friday, June 12, he was officially honored with a street co naming, Earl "DMX" Simmons Way, though the ceremony briefly turned tense due to visible family disagreements.
A video that has been spreading online shows DMX's loved ones gathered on stage sharing remarks in his memory. During the moment when his eldest son, Xavier Simmons, stepped up to speak, he expressed that his mother, DMX's former wife of 15 years, Tashera Simmons, should have been present alongside them. Reports suggest that Tashera, along with some of Xavier's siblings, were not included on stage with the rest of the family. Xavier also directed criticism toward DMX's former partner and mother of his son Exodus, Desiree Lindstrom, accusing her of distancing Tashera from the rest of the family.
In footage shared by AllHipHop, Xavier can be heard saying, “There is absolutely no way that you will close this ceremony, and we will not hear from his original entire family.” He then called for Tashera and his siblings to join him on stage, emphasizing that his mother played a major role in pushing for the street renaming in honor of DMX. The atmosphere changed when he brought up Desiree, accusing her of intentionally keeping certain relatives away and telling her she "behaved dishonorably." The microphone was reportedly cut shortly after his remarks.
Following the event, Tashera addressed the situation on social media and supported her son's comments. “Did my son expose these devils? They’ve been exposed. Y’all know DMX. Y’all know Tashera," she said. "We built the DMX legacy together. There is no X without Tashera. The fact that they came to my hometown and did not want us to be recognized. I’mma let y’all sit with that one.”
Check out AllHipHop's video of the tense moment below, along with Tashera's follow-up message.
Share
Advertisement
