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Here’s Everything You Need to Know About LiAngelo Ball’s ‘Tweaker’

G3’s viral anthem has taken over sports teams’ locker rooms, racked up millions of views and notched him a slot at Rolling Loud California.

When your two brothers are NBA stars, it can be tough to live up to the family name. The middle child of the Ball brothers, LiAngelo has been trying to find his footing professionally in hoops since going undrafted by the NBA in 2018 after withdrawing from UCLA.

2025 had a different plan for LiAngelo as it was the recording studio and not the basketball court that helped his profile explode over the weekend.

Gelo — who also raps under the alias G3 — released his “Tweaker” track on Friday (Jan. 3) via Born to Ball Music Group, which set social media ablaze, infiltrated sports teams’ locker rooms and took the rap world by storm with co-signs from Lil Yachty to T-Pain.

Fans felt the track was oozing with mid-2000s vibes so “Tweaker” fittingly made a nostalgic debut on WorldStarHipHop where it boasts nearly four million views.

The 26-year-old’s momentum even earned him a slot to perform at Rolling Loud California 2025 in March. There appears to be more heat on the way as another snippet has hit social media.

LiAngelo isn’t the only one of LaVar’s sons to pick up a mic as brother Lonzo, who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls, has released a pair of albums in the past.

It’s a special time for the Ball family with youngest brother LaMelo, Charlotte Hornets point guard, currently leads the Eastern Conference in fan voting ahead of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game in February.

Learn more about LiAngelo Ball and his Kunica-produced “Tweaker” breakout hit below.

will.i.am Unveils New ‘xboom’ Speakers Enhanced With AI

LG kicked off CES 2025 with a slew of announcements, including new AI capabilities, smart fridges, and a new audio line developed in partnership with will.i.am. Labeled as “xboom by will.i.am,” the collection includes a mix of bluetooth speakers and wireless earbuds, personally fine-tuned by the producer and artist himself.

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The family of XBOOM speakers – the xboom Bounce, Grab, and Stage 301 – are fortified with seamless AI features for a next-level listening experience. Per LG, the devices can conduct AI analysis and calibration to recognize its surroundings and adjust the sound option to fit the environment. XBOOM speakers also now feature a dedicated button for users to instantly connect to will.i.am’s RAiDiO.FYI platform to enjoy a variety of content tailored for each listener by an AI Radio Host.

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The Black Eyed Peas frontman made a surprise appearance at CES, where LG also appointed him as the “experiential architect” of the XBOOM brand, with a goal of establishing it as a “culture-forward” brand through sound and design. Each product released through the line will be tested and designed in conjunction with Will.

The “xboom by will.i.am” line will roll out in global markets later this year, but in the meantime, there are plenty of other must-have XBOOM speakers already available to purchase, including the very affordable XBOOM XG2T portable speaker.

Shop XBOOM speakers below.

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LG XBOOM Go Portable Speaker

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LG XBOOM XL5S Tower Speaker

The musician will be back in Vegas soon: he kicks off a new Black Eyed Peas residency at Planet Hollywood in February.

Draya Michele Takes 22-Year-Old Son To See Her 22-Year-Old NBA Boyfriend Jalen Green Play

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It is clear Draya Michele lives a life. She was recently spotted taking her 22-year-old son to see her boyfriend Jalen Green play.

As spotted on Page Six the former Basketball Wives star caused a stir online last week. On Sunday, Jan. 5 Draya Michele attended the Houston Rockets NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. By her side was her eldest son Kniko Howard who is still in his early 20’s. The mother and son duo were there to see Draya’s boyfriend Jalen Green play who is also 22-years-old. While she is still revered as one of the most sexiest women on social media, Draya is almost twice Green’s age. So naturally the idea of her dating someone the age of her son was polarizing to say the least.

As a result the footage was met with a lot of criticism online with many calling her out for having a boyfriend the same age of her son. Others pointed to the obvious gender hypocrisy where men are typically celebrated for courting women half their age citing that former NFL Head Coach Bill Belichick is dating someone 48 years younger than him.

Draya is no stranger to going viral. Most recently she made headlines as her former boyfriend NY Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor called local police to formally evict her from one of his properties. Prior to that she announced she was pregnant by Jalen Green on International Women’s Day. She would give birth to a baby girl that following May.

You can see some of the best responses to Draya Michele and her son popping out at the Houston Rockets game below.

Ali Wong Follows Her Golden Globe Win With a DGA Awards Nomination

Less than 48 hours after winning a Golden Globe for best performance in stand-up comedy on television for her Netflix special Ali Wong: Single Lady, Ali Wong got more good news on Tuesday (Feb. 7) – she’s nominated for a Directors Guild of America Award for outstanding directorial achievement in variety/talk/news/sports – specials for directing that same special.

The other nominees in the category are Hamish Hamilton for The 96th Annual Academy Awards (ABC); Beth McCarthy-Miller for The Roast of Tom Brady (Netflix); David Paul Meyer for The Daily Show Presents A Live Election Night Special With Jon Stewart: Indecision 2024: Nothing We Can Do About It Now (Comedy Central); and Glenn Weiss for The 77th Annual Tony Awards (CBS).

At the Globes on Sunday Jan. 5, Wong, 42, came out on top in a stacked category which also included Nikki Glaser (who hosted the awards telecast), Jamie Foxx, Seth Meyers, Adam Sandler and Ramy Youssef. This was the second year in a row that Wong has won a Globe. She won last year for best performance by a female actor in a limited series, anthology series, or a motion picture made for television for the Netflix dark comedy, Beef.

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Liz Patrick is nominated at the DGA Awards for outstanding directorial achievement in variety/talk/news/sports – regularly scheduled programming, for directing an episode of Saturday Night Live (NBC) with host John Mulaney and red-hot musical guest Chappell Roan.

The other nominees in that category are Paul G. Casey for Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) (episode: “Jiminy Glick, Andrew Cuomo, Adam Kinzinger”); Jim Hoskinson for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) (episode: “Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez & Mavis Staples with Jeff Tweedy”); David Paul Meyer for The Daily Show (Comedy Central) (episode: “Indecision 2024: The Democratic National Convention – Plot Twist!”); and Paul Pennolino for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) (episode: “India Elections”).

Winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, Feb. 8 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Ice Cube Salutes Tyler, The Creator by Comparing Him to Fellow Major West Coast Acts

Ice Cube is a big fan of fellow Cali native Tyler, The Creator and how he’s able to be himself while also pushing the envelope creatively.

In a recent sitdown interview with HipHopDX, the rapper and filmmaker gave the Odd Future founder some high praise by comparing him to a couple influential West Coast groups.

“That’s L.A. That’s the L.A. people don’t know about — ultra creative individuals who won’t conform to the culture of gangbanging. They’re going to be themselves,” he said when asked about his thoughts on the Hawthorne, California rapper.

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Adding, “He reminds me of, like, The Pharycde. Here’s another: The Black Eyed Peas come from here. You’re going to always have those groups who are going to stay down with their own style and their own flavor, and going to win with it. Because they’re not conforming, they’re not being what you want them to be; they’re being who they are. And you gotta salute that.”

For what it’s worth, before 2024 ended, Tyler dropped off a freestyle to Kendrick‘s song “Hey Now” entitled “That Guy” in which he pays homage to Southern Cali street culture with various dances and the cadence he raps in.

Cube recently released his 11th solo album Man Down and is in the process of starring in and producing the fourth installment of his Friday film franchise. Maybe he can find a role for Tyler and the rest of the Loiter Squad, especially Earl Sweatshirt as Brad Pitt.

You can watch the full interview below.

NIVA Launches ‘State of Live’ Survey to Assess Economic Impact of Independent Live Music Sector

The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is set to collect data on the economic impact of the independent live sector with the launch of its State of Live survey, the organization announced Tuesday (Jan. 7). The initiative will seek to capture the economic contributions and operational challenges of independent venues, promoters, performing arts centers and festivals across the United States.

The survey opened Tuesday and will remain open through Feb. 18. NIVA is seeking participation from both for-profit and non-profit entities within the independent live entertainment community, regardless of their size, tax status or location.

“Independent stages are the heartbeats of our communities. They’re where culture is born, connections are made, and memories are created,” said NIVA executive director Stephen Parker in a statement. “The State of Live study will quantify the economic and cultural value of these spaces, ensuring they get the recognition and support they need and deserve.”

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NIVA is asking all live spaces or festivals to contribute to collecting data that will inform a national report and 50 state-by-state reports, all scheduled for release on June 23. The reports are expected to provide “invaluable insights to strengthen advocacy efforts and influence public opinion in support of this vital sector,” according to NIVA.

The State of Live will quantify the independent live sector’s contributions to local and national economies with indicators including the total value of the live sector, jobs created, number of show attendees, tax revenue generated and the ripple effect of live stages on communities. It will slo highlight operational challenges that threaten the sector’s sustainability and empower policymakers and stakeholders with concrete data to advocate for support.

For more information about the survey and how to participate, go here.

NIVA was instrumental in the passing of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant pandemic relief program, which provided $16.25 billion for independent venues hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Reba McEntire Set to Produce & Star in New Film ‘The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion’

Country Music Hall of Famer Reba McEntire is set to star in and co-produce the upcoming film The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion, an adaptation of the 2013 novel of the same name by Fannie Flagg, Deadline reports.

The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion follows an Alabama family whose legacy and bonds are tested when one of its members, Sookie Poole, begins receiving letters that suggest she was adopted.

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The film comes from the independent, faith-based film studio Wonder Project, launched by Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten and Jon Erwin. Oscar winner Callie Khouri, known for helming projects including the movie Thelma & Louise and the television series Nashville, will direct and co-produce the film from a script produced by playwright/screenwriter Bekah Brunstetter.

Producing alongside McEntire will be Jeremy Latcham for Wonder Project, in addition to Khouri. Ben Howard will exec produce for Third Coast Content, with VP of Film Michael Musgrave overseeing the film for Wonder Project. Flagg is known for books including 1987’s Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe and for co-writing its 1991 film adaptation.

McEntire said in a statement, “I’ve always been a fan of Fannie Flagg and her writing, and it’s been an honor to call her my friend for the past decade. I cannot wait to work with this incredible team to bring another one of her special stories to life on the big screen.”

In addition to her accomplishments as a multi-award-winning country music singer and performer, McEntire’s multi-faceted career arc has included work as an actress, author, Broadway performer, awards show host, businesswoman and coach on The Voice. Most recently, McEntire’s film and television roles have included Happy’s Place and The Hammer.

Kelly Clarkson’s Rock Vocals Are ‘Too Sweet’ on New Kellyoke Hozier Cover

Kelly Clarkson is back with another Kellyoke cover, and it’s a sweet one.

Taking the Kelly Clarkson Show stage on Tuesday (Jan. 7), the vocalist performed Hozier‘s smash “Too Sweet” for her live audience in New York City. Surrounded by members of her in-house band and dressed in all-black, Clarkson’s famous powerhouse vocals gave the soft-rock track an extra kick.

“I think I’ll take my whiskey neat/ My coffee black and my bed at 3,” she sang. “You’re too sweet for me.”

Released in March on the Irish singer/songwriter’s EP Unheard, “Too Sweet” became Hozier’s first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 when the track ascended to the top of the chart in April last year. His previous peak on the chart had been at No. 2 in 2014 with “Take Me to Church.”

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“It kind of just put wind in the sails of a ship that was already sort of moving,” he recently told Billboard of the 2024 track’s success. “It was just like this thing that happened, and it’s been like a cherry on the cake.”

Clarkson’s cover marks just her second Kellyoke performance of the new year on YouTube, with the star also nailing St. Lucia’s “Dancing on Glass” during the Jan. 6 episode of the American Idol champion’s talk show. The “Since U Been Gone” singer added yet another Daytime Emmy to her belt in 2024, with The Kelly Clarkson Show taking home outstanding daytime talk series for the fourth consecutive year at the June ceremony.

Watch Clarkson perform “Too Sweet” for Kellyoke above.

Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck Settle Their Divorce | Billboard News

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have settled their divorce five months after they filed. Keep watching to see what the terms of their divorce papers say.

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Five months after filing for the dissolution of their marriage, Bennifer are settling their divorce. Who is keeping what? We’re letting you know. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have settled their divorce. The singer/actress filed court papers Jan. 6, asking a judge to officially approve an agreement. In her initial documents, the singer/actress cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split. According to the settlement documents obtained by Billboard, the two stars agreed on terms to divide up their properties and assets. Both waived spousal support and agreed to equally split the legal fees of their negotiation, with J.Lo changing her legal name back from Jennifer Affleck to Jennifer Lopez. In October, Lopez opened up about her feelings toward being single again saying: “I think to myself, ‘F—, that is exactly what I needed. Thank you, God. I’m sorry it took me so long.’”

Avicii Catalog Sees 63.9% Streaming Increase After Documentary Release

The Avicii catalog experienced a significant streaming surge following the release of a new documentary about the late artist.

In the wake of the Dec. 31 release of I’m Tim on Netflix, global on-demand streams of the Swedish producer’s catalog increased by 63.9%, according to Luminate. The artist’s catalog had a total of 26.4 million global on-demand streams in the days preceding the film’s release, Dec. 27-30, with this number rising to 43.3 million global on-demand streams from Dec. 31-Jan. 3, Luminate reports.

The streaming surge has been especially pronounced for three of Avicii’s biggest songs: 2013’s “Wake Me Up” has experienced a 47.1% increase in global on-demand streams; 2015’s “The Nights” has seen a 27.6% increase in global on-demand streams; and 2011’s “Levels” has had a 68.2% increase in global on-demand streams, all according to Luminate.

Featuring interviews with the late artist’s collaborators, business associates and more, I’m Tim is narrated by the late artist himself via archival interviews made before his death by suicide in April 2018. “When I determined that he’d be the one who’d narrate this story, I thought that maybe it was how I could be close to him,” the film’s director Henrik Burman previously told Billboard. “Maybe that’s how I can meet him.”

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The film emphasizes the approach Avicii (born Tim Bergling) took to making music, featuring numerous scenes of him working in the studio with artists including Jon Bon Jovi, Nile Rodgers and many more.

In 2022, Pophouse Entertainment, a music investment company co-founded by ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus, acquired 75% of Avicii‘s recording and publishing rights. The deal was structured as a joint venture with the family of the late producer, which, as Billboard reported in 2022, “will work closely with Pophouse and retain the remaining 25% of the artist’s intellectual property.”