Author: djfrosty
Page: 12
As springtime settles into its groove, Chicago-bred R&B darling Ravyn Lenae is on the precipice of a moment thousands of fans have dreamed of for nearly ten years. At press time, “Love Me Not,” the jaunty lead single from 2024’s acclaimed Bird’s Eye LP, sits at No. 5 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 — just a heartbeat away from becoming her first Billboard Hot 100 entry.
For most Lenae fans, 2017 was when she first captivated their attention. After signing to Atlantic Records the year prior, Lenae churned out a beloved feature on Smino‘s “Glass Flows,” opened for SZA‘s Ctrl Tour, and released “Sticky” — a single from her 2018 Crush EP, which helped streamline the aesthetics of her first two EPs into a swirling mixture of funky, Steve Lacy-blessed guitar, Dilla-esque beats, and a devastatingly vast vocal range whose uppermost parts echo Solange‘s fluttery falsetto. Eight years later, Lenae gave “Sticky” its crowning moment midway through her fourth and final sold-out show at New York’s legendary Blue Note Jazz Club on Wednesday night (April 2).
Built around her majestic sophomore album, Bird’s Eye, which Billboard‘s editorial staff named the No. 3 best R&B album of 2024, Lenae’s Blue Note set focused on her most recent album, weaving in selected older tracks to underscore her message of maturation and coming home to yourself while navigating your twenty-somethings.
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Beginning with “Sattelites” — a cut from Hypnos, her 2022 debut album — Lenae quickly constructed the live world of Bird’s Eye with “1 of 1” and vinyl-exclusive bonus track “Goodbye 2 You.” Backed by just a drummer and a six-string bassist (who deftly transferred his skills to acoustic guitar when necessary), Lenae slinked around the stage like a forest nymph; her fiery deep-red tresses flowed behind her like a carefully contained flame, adding a striking flourish to the pose she hit at the end of each song.
Although she didn’t hit high-octane combinations — after all, the Blue Note is a dinner club! — she refused to remain stationed behind the microphone stand. Whether she was accentuating each snare hit with a funky shoulder pop, recalling early Motown-era Diana Ross with her animated facial expressions and neck movements, or ethereally painting the space with her oft-outstretched arms — Lenae left no doubt that not only does she know how to work a stage, but she also is more comfortable than ever both in the booth and onstage.
Lenae got so comfortable that she choked herself up — and moved several audience members to silent tears — with her heartbreaking true-to-life anecdotes. In one particularly beautiful moment in which time seemed to stop, Lenae recounted the incredibly painful memory that inspired her Childish Gambino-assisted “One Wish.” Before she dove into a breathtaking rendition of the Bird’s Eye single — her vocals were virtually flawless the entire night, and she frequently hit new (and even more impressive) riffs and harmonies — Lenae explained, as she has in previous shows, that “One Wish” was born out of her father ghosting her after promising to show up to her 10th birthday party. She sucked all the air of the club with that story, and breathed it right back into the space with her stunning performance.
A similar moment happened before she launched into “Pilot,” the reflective, penultimate track on Bird’s Eye. Through recounting her own 20s journey, Lenae, 26, urged the audience to “talk to their moms and grandmas” to help remember “what made [them] excited to wake up in the morning when they were 15.” Near the end of the song, she switched the “I just know I’m twenty-four/ Small to the world I’m in” to different ages, underscoring the song’s universality.
By the time the show came to a close, Lenae played every song on the standard version of Bird’s Eye (barring “Bad Idea”), as well as fan-favorites like “Xtasy,” “Venom” and “The Night Song.” To send her final Blue Note crowd back to the streets of Greenwich Village, Lenae blazed through “Love Me Not,” leading the crowd a sing-along that truly underscored the weight of the moment. Surrounded by a crop of listeners clearly comprised of mostly longtime fans, Lenae got to bask in the chords of her current breakthrough hit just before midnight struck in one of NYC’s most iconic venues.
Ahead of her stint as an opener for the final leg of Sabrina Carpenter‘s sprawling Short n’ Sweet tour later this year, Ravyn Lenae delivered an outstanding show that somehow improved on an already-terrific sophomore LP.
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Fans have been dragging her online, blaming her for the rapper’s death, but Demi hit Instagram Live on Tuesday, claiming she’s being unfairly attacked and that people don’t know the real story. She says she called 911 to “protect herself,” but that’s not what she originally told police. On March 28, Demi called Atlanta Emergency Services, telling them a naked woman was getting beat outside a house and that cops needed to pull up.
That call sent police straight to the location where Scooter (real name Kenneth Edward Bailey) was staying. When they got there, things went left fast, leading to a chase that ended with Scooter losing his life. Since then, Scooter’s fans have been demanding answers for what actually happened the night of his untimely passing. Now that she’s switching up her story, people are questioning her even more. Why say one thing to 911 and something completely different now?
Scooter was a respected rapper, heavily connected to Future’s Freebandz camp, and his death has left a lot of people heated. Demi’s involvement is still a big question mark, and no matter what her intentions were, her call started something that can’t be undone. The ATL rapper was known for working with Future and being part of Freebandz. His untimely death has shocked everyone, leaving the streets are mourning his loss. More news to come as the story develops.
Long Live Young Scooter
Billboard Women in Music 2025 was packed with unforgettable moments, but one highlight that stood out was JENNIE, Ángela Aguilar, aespa and other stars adorably signing the camera lens during the special night. Keep watching to see your favorites leave their mark and share inspiring advice. Rania Aniftos & Jazzy: Welcome to Women in Music, […]
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UFC goes back home to “Sin City” for their latest fight. Two top-tier featherweights are set to match in the octagon as the main event for UFC Fight Night. Josh Emmett (19-4-0) faces off against Lerone Murphy (15-0-1) in a match on Saturday (April 5).
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UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy takes place at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a start time of 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. The main card is expected to begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
If you want to watch UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy (also known as UFC on ESPN 65) online, the MMA event livestreams on ESPN+ for subscribers only.
Not a subscriber? A monthly subscription to ESPN+ goes for $11.99 per month. However, you can go with an ESPN+ annual subscription for $119.99. This saves you 15% compared to the month-to-month subscription price.
While subscribers to ESPN+ can livestream the entire UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy for free, the main and prelims cards air on ESPN, so it’s streamable on Fubo. The cable network is also available with Hulu + Live TV, which comes with Hulu, ESPN+ and Disney+.
Check out the complete UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy fight card below:
Main Card, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT — ESPN+
Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy (Featherweight) — Main Event
Pat Sabatini vs. Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
Cortavious Romious vs. Lee Chang-ho (Bantamweight)
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Martin Buday (Heavyweight)
Brad Tavares vs. Gerald Meerschaert (Middleweight)
Torrez Finney vs. Robert Valentin (Middleweight)
Prelims Card, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT — ESPN+
Ode’ Osbourne vs. Luis Gurule (Flyweight)
Davey Grant vs. Daniel Santos (Bantamweight)
Diana Belbiţă vs. Dione Barbosa (Women’s Flyweight)
Rhys McKee vs. Daniel Frunza (Welterweight)
Loma Lookboonmee vs. Istela Nunes (Women’s Strawweight)
Victor Henry vs. Pedro Falcão (Bantamweight)
Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Talita Alencar (Women’s Strawweight)
In addition, you can get the Disney Trio — which comes with ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ — starting at just $16.99 per month for both services in one package.
What Is Emmett vs. Murphy Walkout Music for UFC Fight Night?
While UFC has yet to announce each fighter’s walkout music for the main event of UFC Fight Night, the fighters usually go out to the octagon to the same songs during their matches. Josh Emmett typically walks out to “Sky’s the Limit” by Rebelution, while Lerone Murphy prefers to walk out to “Ambitionz Az a Ridah” by 2Pac. So these songs will likely make an appearance during the MMA event.
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy is streaming on ESPN+ on Saturday (April 5), starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. The main card begins around at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on ESPN+.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
Drake‘s highly anticipated video for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U standout “Nokia” finally dropped earlier this week and it’s been getting some mixed reviews. One notable person who was underwhelmed by the Toronto rapper’s visuals was popular streamer Kai Cenat, who reviewed the video on his stream recently. Trending on Billboard “Music video? Not a […]
Save this storySaveSave this storySaveModest Mouse are hosting an all-new music festival…on a boat. The Modest Mouse Presents Ice Cream Floats cruise will take place February 5-9 of 2026, and feature sets from Modest Mouse themselves, as well as Kurt Vile and the Violators, Mannequin Pussy, Built to Spill, Fidlar, David Cross, and more. Performances will take place aboard the Norwegian Pearl, which will sail from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Check out the full lineup on the poster below.Modest Mouse teamed up with festival and music cruise company Sixthman to create the new nautical experience. The Ice Cream Floats cruise will also include a live Q&A with members of Modest Mouse, an Isaac Brock-led story time, live DJ sets by Modest Mouse and friends, movie screenings, and more.In addition to hosting live music, the cruise includes access to the Norwegian Pearl’s other amenities, such as fully stocked bars, multiple dining options, a pool deck with several hot tubs, a casino, spa, fitness center, and more. The cruise also includes a day on land in San Felipe de Puerto Plata, the ninth largest city in the Dominican Republic and the capital of the province of Puerto Plata.Revisit “Modest Mouse’s This Is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About: 20 Drives for 20 Years.”
“You will still be there at the end of the ball.”
This opening line from Liu Lian’s 2021 birthday song, “Be Present,” beautifully captures her journey. At 27, Liu Lian began writing birthday songs as a way to affirm her existence and address her anxieties about self-worth and presence.
At that time, she wished for a ‘you’ who would still be around when the party was over. As time went on, Liu Lian, who once longed for forever because of ‘you,’ grew and developed her own perspective, eventually becoming an observer at the party.
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When asked which soundbite she would choose to represent herself, Liu Lian responded immediately: “I have a lyric that says, ‘you will still be there at the end of the ball.’ But now, I’d like to change ‘you’ to ‘I.’”
Billboard China’s exclusive series, HER VOICE, invites female musicians to share their views on the world and how they express their inner thoughts through music.
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Have there been moments in your life when you thought, “It’s really wonderful to be a woman”? If so, which moment stands out?
I feel that way most of the time. It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific moment because it feels like a continuous feeling.
If you could talk to any female musician from history, who would you choose? What would you want to discuss with her?
Shiina Ringo. Honestly, though, I’m not sure what I’d say—meeting someone you deeply admire can leave you speechless. When I interviewed Linkin Park, I felt the same way; without prepared questions, I might have struggled to find the right words.
I’m really interested in her creative process, even though I understand that some aspects can’t be fully conveyed through conversation. I’d also love to learn about the challenges she’s encountered, how she’s tackled creative blocks, and how she’s kept her artistic energy alive over the years.
Additionally, I’d love to get a glimpse into her everyday life—what she does in her free time, what topics she enjoys discussing with friends—so I can see her as an ordinary person.
Recommend a song or short film from your new album to your fans. Why do you like that one the most?
There are so many choices, but if I had to pick one, I’d recommend the song and short film Split. It tells a touching story about a blind woman who, years later, confronts the man who trafficked her—her own father. The narrative is complete and deeply moving. This song is rooted in personal experience, illustrating how someone familiar with self-doubt and failure can rise again, blooming even in adversity. It’s perfect for those moments when you need a dose of motivation and strength.
Liu Lian
Courtesy of Liu Lian/Billboard China
Godsmack announced the departure of longtime guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin. The news was shared on Wednesday (April 2) in a lengthy statement revealing that both men had decided to retire from the band after nearly three decades of service.
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“We send this message to all of you to share some bittersweet news with you regarding a significant change in our journey together,” read the letter signed by founding singer Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill and their two former bandmates. “After almost 3 incredible decades, two of our most cherished members, Tony Rombola and Shannon Larkin have decided to retire from the band permanently, on good terms, but for no other reason than to fulfill their desire to live a more simple and quiet life away from touring.”
Rombola joined the hard rock group a year after it was founded, replacing original guitarist Lee Richards in 1996 and Larkin signed on in 2002, replacing founding drummer Tommy Stewart.
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“This decision was not made lightly. Tony and Shannon have been such a big part of our history, bringing their unique talents, creativity, and passion that have shaped our music and our message,” the statement continued. “Together, we have experienced countless, unforgettable moments and heartfelt interactions with fans like you around the world. We are immensely grateful for every memory we’ve created together.”
According to Blabbermouth, in a since-deleted Facebook video, Larkin, 58, and Rombola, 60, confirmed they are doing okay, but that after many discussions with Erna and Merrill “we did quit the band last year… they understood that we didn’t want to tour anymore — that’s the reason — and we understood that they wanted to tour. And so we understood each other. And in the end, Godsmack’s out there touring and we are happily here living our lives.”
Erna said he and Merrill are excited to “explore new directions,” though they said they’ve not yet made any permanent decisions about the mens’ replacements. “We will be continuing this journey together, and we look forward to sharing the decisions we make with all of you as they happen,” the remaining duo said. In the meantime, Evanescence drummer Will Hunt and Dorothy guitarist Sam Doltun have been filling in on Godsmack’s ongoing 2025 world tour with P.O.D. and Drowning Pool, which will is slated to hit Berlin on Friday (April 4).
Check out Godsmack’s announcement below.
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Source: @speedymorman / x
Sorry fellas but it looks like GloRilla is officially off the market.
Months after GloRilla and Speedy Morman had the internet buzzing with rumors that they might be an item after a flirtatious interview, the two apparently went Instagram official (kinda) earlier this week, and we’re low-key loving it.
On April 1 (April Fools Day), Speedy curiously posted a tweet on X stating “I am single now” to which GloRilla retweeted and replied “You show out too much Ian with dat internet sh*t.” Again, playing with their followers and having them wonder if there was a little something-something between them, Speedy blew up the spot later that day when he posted a selfie of the two together at a college basketball game with a caption that read “April Fool’s [couple emoji] Us never them!!”
We actually like these two as a couple… if that’s what they are. These days people will hook up, spend months together, share an apartment and still say things like “We’re not putting a label on our relationship.” What the hell, man?!
As we said, the pic comes after months of speculation that GloRilla and Speedy might’ve been a thing after the two showed some interest in each other during their interview last October. Since then, GloRilla had no problem stating her single status and even tweeted that she would remain celibate until “God send me my husband.” Gotta love a woman who stands on moral business.
Still, that might’ve been a ploy to throw everyone off Speedy’s scent as rumors of the two dating had been running rampant on social media.
Now that it seems like they’ve made things “official” (but not really), we just wonder if GloRilla’s vow to remain celibate until she’s married is still in effect or if having a “husband” was meant to be taken a bit more lightly. Either way, we’re happy to see these two enjoying each other’s company.
What do y’all think about GloRilla and Speedy Morman apparently being in a relationship? Let us know in the comments section below.
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For years now people have been wondering “How does she put up with that?” whenever referencing Bianca Censori’s marriage to the polarizing and seemingly off-kilter Kanye West. Now it looks like that will be a question of the past as Kanye says his wife of almost three years has walked out on him, allegedly.
According to Page Six, Kanye West spilled the tea about his marital status on a new song off his latest album WW3, and truth be told, we just wonder what took Censori this long to make that move (no shots). In the bars that Kanye spit on the track dubbed “BIANCA” (of course), Kanye stated that his tweets were the catalyst for Censori’s departure as his now infamous X meltdowns became too much for his wife to handle and ultimately led her to run for the hills.
Per Page Six:
The disgraced rapper details that the Australian architect had a “panic attack” as a result of the vile hate he has continuously spewed on X in his new song titled “BIANCA.”
“My baby she ran away / But first she tried to get me committed / Not going to the hospital ’cause I am not sick I just do not get it,” West raps on the track from his new album “WW3” out Thursday.
“She’s having a panic attack and she is not liking the way that I tweeted / Until Bianca’s back I stay up all night I’m not going to sleep / I really don’t know where she’s at.”
The “Jesus Walks” rapper, 47, further confesses to tracking her location through his Maybach app.
“I’m tracking my b–h through an app / I’m tracking my b–h through the city,” he sings. “She hop in the car and she ran / My b–h just don’t understand / Sometimes it just feel like it’s planned.”
Just from the lyrics alone you’d understand why Bianca tried to have Kanye “committed” as the man seems to be a bit off his rocker. Not to mention the artwork for the song is a swastika as the self-proclaimed Nazi has a new affinity for the classic symbol of hate these days.
The song comes after months of speculation that Kanye and Bianca were headed to divorce court, which prompted a statement from Kanye’s rep denying the rumors that the two had split.
But now that Kanye is basically confirming that his second wife has made a break for it, we can only wonder which woman will be brave enough to take on a relationship with the embattled and enigmatic music icon. But until we find out who that brave (or crazy) woman is, Kanye is still leaving the door open for a reunion with his 30-year-old wife.
Ye concluded his track with, “Bianca, I just want you to come back / Come back to me / I know what I did to make you mad.”
Good luck with that, b.
What do y’all think about Kanye saying Bianca Censori left him? Do you think she’s coming back? Could he be cappin’ to generate some music buzz? Let us know in the comments section below.