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Megan Thee Stallion (Megan Pete) and her legal team have been granted permission to depose Tory Lanez (Daystar Peterson) behind bars following a ruling by a federal judge on Monday (Feb. 24). “Plaintiff may take the oral deposition of Daystar Peterson, either remotely via videoconference technology or as otherwise arranged upon agreement with the California […]
The BRIT Awards has announced that A.G. Cook is the recipient of this year’s producer of the year award.
The British musician was an executive producer for Charli XCX’s Brat LP, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart.
Cook has had co-writing and co-producer credits on a number of albums, including Beyoncé’s Renaissance in 2020, but he is best known for his working relationship with Charli XCX. Cook has played executive producer on several of Charli’s projects: 2017 mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2; 2019 LP Charli; and 2020’s How I’m Feeling Now.
Speaking on the news, Cook said, “As someone who’s always felt like a bit of an outsider, I’m very flattered to be recognized by The BRITs. From the early PC Music days to the Charli mixtapes and beyond, I’ve been lucky to work on so much music that I truly believe in. In particular, I’d like to dedicate this moment to Sophie, whose vision and artistry is still a driving force for producers everywhere.”
The honorary producer of the year prize was first awarded in 1977 to The Beatles producer George Martin, and in recent years has been won by Fred Again.. (2020), Inflo (2022), David Guetta (2023) and Chase & Status (2024). Cook was selected for the prize by a panel of expert judges.
Cook has been a key player in the British and international pop scene for the past decade. In 2013, he established the influential PC Music record label, which is credited with spearheading the hyperpop sound. In 2024, he released his third studio album, Britpop, which appeared on Billboard U.K.’s albums of the year list, with Sophie Williams writing that the LP “felt like a safe, uplifting, candy-striped wonderland where one could hide from growing global anxiety.”
The BRIT Awards ceremony will take place Saturday (March 1) at London’s O2 Arena, and will be hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall. Performances on the night will come from Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Teddy Swims, Shaboozey and more, and the ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV and on streaming service ITV X from 8:15 p.m. GMT.
Kate Bush, Damon Albarn, Annie Lennox and Hans Zimmer are among the artists who have contributed to a new “silent” album to protest the U.K. government’s stance on artificial intelligence (AI).
The record, titled Is This What We Want?, is “co-written” by more than 1,000 musicians and features recordings of empty studios and performance spaces. In an accompanying statement, the use of silence is said to represent “the impact on artists’ and music professionals’ livelihoods that is expected if the government does not change course.”
The record was organized by Ed Newton-Rex, the founder of Fairly Trained, a non-profit that certifies generative AI companies that respect creators’ rights. The tracklisting to the 12-track LP reads: “The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.”
Is This What We Want? is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Also credited as co-writers are performers and songwriters from across the industry, including Billy Ocean, Ed O’Brien, Dan Smith (Bastille), The Clash, Mystery Jets, Jamiroquai, Imogen Heap, Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Riz Ahmed, Tori Amos, James MacMillan and Max Richter. The full list of musicians involved with the record can be viewed at the LP’s official website. All proceeds from the album will be donated to the charity Help Musicians.
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The release comes at the close of the British government’s 10-week consultation on how copyrighted content, including music, can lawfully be used by developers to train generative AI models. Initially, the government proposed a data mining exception to copyright law, meaning that AI developers could use copyrighted songs for AI training in instances where artists have not “opted out” of their work being included.
The government report said the “opt out” approach gives rightsholders a greater ability to control and license the use of their content, but it has proved controversial with creators and copyright holders. In March 2024, the 27-nation European Union passed the Artificial Intelligence Act, which requires transparency and accountability from AI developers about training methods and is viewed as more creator-friendly.
Speaking at the beginning of the consultation, Lisa Nandy, the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said in a statement: “This government firmly believes that our musicians, writers, artists and other creatives should have the ability to know and control how their content is used by AI firms and be able to seek licensing deals and fair payment. Achieving this, and ensuring legal certainty, will help our creative and AI sectors grow and innovate together in partnership.”
Industry body UK Music said in its most recent report that the music U.K. scene contributed £7.6 billion ($9.6 billion) to the country’s economy, while exports reached £4.6 billion ($5.8 billion).
“The government’s proposal would hand the life’s work of the country’s musicians to AI companies, for free, letting those companies exploit musicians’ work to outcompete them,” said Newton-Rex in a statement on the album release. “It is a plan that would not only be disastrous for musicians, but that is totally unnecessary: the UK can be leaders in AI without throwing our world-leading creative industries under the bus. This album shows that, however the government tries to justify it, musicians themselves are united in their thorough condemnation of this ill-thought-through plan.”
Jo Twist, CEO of the British Phonographic Institution (BPI), added, “The UK’s gold-standard copyright framework is central to the global success of our creative industries. We understand AI’s potential to drive change including greater productivity or improvements to public services, but it is entirely possible to realise this without destroying our status as a creative superpower.”
Speaking to Billboard U.K. in January, alt-pop star Imogen Heap — a co-writer on Is This What We Want? — expanded on her approach to AI. “The thing which makes me nervous is the provenance; there’s all this amazing video, art and poetry being generated by AI as well as music, but you know, creators need to be credited and they need to tell us where they’re training [the data] from.”
Hank Azaria‘s Bruce Springsteen tribute band has gotten The Boss’ stamp of approval.
The Friends actor joined Live With Kelly and Mark on Monday (Feb. 24), where he discussed his Springsteen tribute band, the EZ Street Band, and what inspired its formation. “I’m from Queens. Queens is just like Asbury Park but less water,” he joked of his and Springsteen’s different hometowns, before explaining while imitating the rocker, “I’ve been imitating Bruce since I was a teenager. A lot of my early impressions are based on hero worship, Bruce being at the top.”
When asked if Springsteen knows about the band, Azaria revealed that he does — thanks to his friend, who is an oral surgeon in New York City. “He texted me one day, ‘Text me your favorite video of the band.’ So, I text him ‘Thunder Road’ — he’s a big Springsteen fan,” he recalled. “Later that night, he texted me that Patti Scialfa, Bruce’s wife, was in his chair. I said, ‘Oh, dear, if I had known that, I really wouldn’t have sent the video.’ Then he sent me a text that Patti showed it to Bruce, and they had watched it twice, actually. What he got is that it’s a loving tribute, which is what it is. I was like, ‘Please make sure they know it’s all for charity.’”
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While Springsteen hasn’t made it to a show yet, Azaria said that “is a goal of ours.”
Azaria and the EZ Street Band went on to perform Springsteen’s 1985 hit “Glory Days” on the show, with Azaria looking and sounding exactly like the superstar. Watch the performance here.
The EZ Street Band are touring throughout the spring, with a full list of tour dates and ticket information available on the group’s website here.
Watch Azaria’s full Live With Kelly and Mark interview below.
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Source: Unique Nicole / Getty / Kamala Harris
In her first TV appearance since leaving office, our MVP, Kamala Harris, delivered a moving speech at the NAACP Image Awards that left social media reflecting on the kind of energy we could have had in the White House instead of what we are currently dealing with.
Saturday Night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, everyone was on their feet as Kamala Harris accepted the organization’s Chairman’s Award.
“This organization came into being at a moment when our country struggled with greed, bitterness and hatred. And those who forged the NAACP, those who carried its legacy forward, had no illusions about the forces they were up against — no illusions about how stony the road would be,” said to the audience members.
She continued, “We use our power; we organize, mobilize, we educate and we advocate. Because, you see, our power has never come from having an easy path. Our strength flows from our faith — faith in God, faith in each other, and our refusal to surrender to cynicism and destruction. Not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. Not because victory is guaranteed, but because the fight is worth it.”
The applause didn’t stop as Harris continued her speech.
Harris ended her speech by saying, “While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter of our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office — nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by you, written by us — by we the people. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States.”
Social Media Had Plenty To Say
Social media was in their feelings during the speech, mainly reflecting on what could have been had she won the 2024 Presidential Election and not forgiving those who didn’t vote for Harris.
“I will never forgive any of you who voted against her or sat on the sideline. You get zero grace from me,” one user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
Another X user said, “Ugh I can feel the pain and frustration of many people in this room. Every time VP Harris speaks, there’s hope, yes, but also a reminder that America messed up.”
A missed opportunity. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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From now on, the Yankees will celebrate being the kings of the hill only if they’ve earned it. As announced this week, the Major League Baseball team has decided to end its tradition of playing Frank Sinatra‘s “New York, New York” over stadium speakers at the end of each game, win or lose, now opting […]
Kevin Durant wants rap fans to stop arguing and enjoy the music. Over the weekend, the Phoenix Suns star took to X to share his opinion on J. Cole‘s latest song “Clouds” in a since-deleted tweet. “I don’t care about none of that fake tough guy sh–,” he quote-tweeted over a post sharing the song. […]
Chilean icon Myriam Hernández headlines Day 2 of the 2025 Viña del Mar International Song Festival, performing Monday night (Feb. 24) at the Quinta Vergara amphitheater in the coastal city of Viña del Mar in Chile.
The Chilean singer has charted 13 singles on Hot Latin Songs and six times on Latin Pop Albums. In 2024, she was recognized as a Fundamental figure of Chilean music by the Sociedad Chilena de Autores e Intérpretes Musicales.
The singer, known for a roster of love standards that spans over three decades, will perform in her first full-length show at the celebrated festival in over a decade. In 2023, headliner Karol G invited Hernández to sing “El Hombre Que Yo Amo,” a Hernández hit Karol G had long professed to love. Hernández also hosted the festival for five consecutive years, from 2001 to 2006, but hadn’t performed a full set since 2001.
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Hernández is slated to perform at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Ha*Ash, the duo made up of sisters Hanna Nicole and Ashley Grace, born in Louisiana but raised in Mexico. The duo, known for their dramatic pop fare with a dollop of country, are slated to perform at at approximately 11:15 p.m. ET, closing out the show.
Both performances are part of the six-day lineup of the 64th annual Viña del Mar broadcast, which year after year is Chile’s highest-rated television show. Each night features a headliner, a supporting artist, a comedian and an international song festival in folk and pop categories, where contestants compete every night for a winner in each.
Viña will continue Tuesday (Feb. 25) with Colombian’s Morat headlining and Sebastian Yatra closing; Wednesday (Feb. 26) with Carlos Vives headlining and Carín León closing; Thursday (Feb. 27) with Incubus, Juan Carlos López and The Cult; and Friday (Feb. 28), urban night, with headliner Duki, Eladio Carrión and Kid Voodoo.
All nights will be livestreamed in the United States on Billboard.com and Billboard Español. Performances can be viewed on the player in this story beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET, or throughout billboard.com and billboardespañol.com.