Entertainment
Ms. Cherry’s Sound Reignites: Megan Thee Stallion Samples “It’s Whatever” on New Track “Whenever”
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Megan Thee Stallion doesn’t just release singles—she makes statements. Her latest track, “Whenever,” is a thunderclap of confidence: fierce, stylish, and unapologetically loud. But woven into the booming beat and spitfire verses is something more intimate something familiar to those who know their Hip-Hop history. Underneath Megan’s fire verses is a hook that hits just as hard—Elisa “Ms. Cherry” Hood’s bars from back in the day, revived with purpose.
This time, it wasn’t an accidental discovery or a post-release surprise. Ms. Cherry knew exactly what was coming.
“Hi. I need to clear a sample from the song ‘It’s Whatever.’ Did the master rights revert back to you when the label went out of business?” That message, sent on March 20, landed in Ms. Cherry’s inbox like lightning. It wasn’t just a legal formality; it was a creative gesture of respect.
“She didn’t have to come directly to me, but she did,” Ms. Cherry says. It told me this wasn’t just some random beat flip – this was intentional. She heard something in that song. And that means everything.”
The sample, lifted from Ms. Cherry’s under the radar 2004 “It’s Whatever,” doesn’t hit with obvious nostalgia. Instead, it haunts..it hums. It lingers beneath Megan’s voice like memory under skin – quiet, powerful, and impossible to ignore.
For Ms. Cherry, who carved out a space with emotionally raw and genre-blurring music in the early 2000s, hearing her voice reimagined by one of hip-hop’s current titans was both validating and surreal.
“When you’ve been doing this as long as I have, and people forget..then someone like Megan hears it—and wants it. That’s something you can’t plan. That’s not just recognition—that’s collaboration over competition.
Sampling has always been a bridge—between past and present, genres and generations. From Missy Elliott channeling funk to Beyoncé reviving disco into power anthems, hip-hop and R&B have long honored their foremothers through reinvention. Megan’s use of Cherry’s vocals isn’t just a sonic decision—it’s cultural storytelling. A co sign that brings the past into the now, and the unsung into the spotlight. And fans are listening. Social media lit up with curiosity and praise:
@CarlKellyMusic said Megan had him “learn this song for the first time.”
@KvngTone shared, “Been rocking with Ms. Cherry way before the new song.”
@jasminemonique13 added, “Megan put me on to a BANGER!
@ebonywilliams3748 confessed “I’m here after the new Megan song.
And @javiust7394 summed it up: “Meg got me going back to my childhood.”
That reawakened attention is arriving at a poetic time for Ms. Cherry. Her 18-year-old son Kingston Hood-Najm, whom she shares with genre-shifting artist T-Pain is heading to Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida to pursue a Recording Arts degree. It’s a family built on rhythm, legacy, and reinvention.
“He’s got both of us in his DNA,” Cherry says proudly. “But he’s building his own lane”.
Now that the buzz around “Whenever” is building, Ms. Cherry isn’t just soaking it in—she’s inspired. With fans rediscovering her original track “It’s Whatever,” she’s been quietly back in the booth, penning new bars and reigniting a voice that never really left.
“If Megan’s open to it,” she says, “I’d love to jump on a remix—add something fresh, from my voice now, not just the one from back then.”
It’s not just a comeback—it’s a continuation. A full circle moment where homage becomes collaboration, and legacy evolves in real time. For Ms. Cherry, it’s not about reliving the past. It’s about showing she still has something to say—and a new generation ready to listen.
“Maybe this Megan moment isn’t just a reminder,” she says. “Maybe it’s the start of something.”
There’s been no word yet of a formal collaboration but Ms. Cherry says if the call comes, she won’t hesitate.
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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Let the theme park wars begin!
Orlando has officially cemented itself as the Theme Park Capital of the Universe following today’s grand opening of Universal Epic Universe, the first new major theme park to open in the city in 25 years. This ambitious new addition from Universal Orlando Resort transports guests to five imaginative worlds filled with cinematic adventure, wizarding magic, video game thrills, and monstrous legends.
“This is an incredibly exciting day as we officially unveil Universal Epic Universe to the world,” said Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Orlando Resort. “Our teams have poured a decade’s worth of passion, vision and creativity into this park, and there’s truly nothing else like it.”
The Battle of the Giants: Disney vs. Universal
The debut of Epic Universe marks a pivotal chapter in Orlando’s long-running theme park rivalry between Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
From Magic Kingdom’s iconic Cinderella Castle to Universal’s immersive cinematic worlds, these titans have consistently raised the bar in redefining imagination and guest experiences.
This new park brings Orlando’s theme park total to nine major parks within a 25-mile radius, with both Universal and Disney continuously expanding and innovating.
The new park was announced during a press conference attended by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Tom Williams, and Brian Roberts. Governor DeSantis, Mayor Demings, and County Commissioners joined Universal Orlando executives for the announcement of the company’s fourth theme park in Orlando, Florida, August 1, 2019. Photo by Florida National News / J Willie David, III.
“Disney and Universal theme park wars are for titans, and I’m proud Orlando is where the magic is created,” said J. Willie David, III, President of Florida National News. “From California’s Disneyland to Orlando’s Disney World and now Epic Universe, we’re watching giants compete to create the next multiverse destination — and it’s Orlando’s hospitality and tourism industry that wins.”
Source: Universal’s Epic Universe
Epic Universe: Orlando’s Newest Game-Changer
Epic Universe isn’t just another theme park — it’s a bold, immersive experience featuring five groundbreaking themed lands:
Celestial Park: A lushly landscaped world of waterways, starlight, and racing coasters.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: A 1920s wizarding Paris and the British Ministry of Magic experience.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Home to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, and the U.S. debut of Donkey Kong Country.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: A Viking-themed land complete with dragon rides and shows.
Dark Universe: A gothic horror-inspired land featuring Universal Monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster.
And towering beside it is the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room Mediterranean-style resort with a dedicated park entrance.
Who’s the Real Champion of Theme Parks?
While Disney holds the legacy title with icons like Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios, Universal has swiftly positioned itself as an innovative rival, bringing popular franchises and cinematic experiences to life.
Epic Universe’s opening is more than a milestone — it’s another bold step in the ongoing battle between these industry titans.
Who will create the next multiverse theme park experience in Florida?
With Universal Epic Universe now open and Disney constantly expanding its parks and experiences, the battle is far from over. But one thing is certain:
Source: Universal’s Epic Universe
Orlando is the undisputed Theme Park Capital of the Universe.
“This is where the world comes to play,” added David. “And the world is watching.”
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FLORIDA NATIONAL NEWS
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
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