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MSNBC host Michael Steele called out Attorney General Merrick Garland for his lack of holding Donald Trump accountable.
Outgoing Attorney General Merrick Garland has been attacked for his reluctance to fully hold Donald Trump accountable, and an MSNBC host raked him over the coals for it. Former Republican National Committee chairman and co-host of The Weekend Michael Steele began a segment blasting U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon on Sunday (Jan. 12), for her attempts to help the president-elect ward off investigations by former Special Counsel Jack Smith as he sat with former lawyer Kathy Greenberg. He would veer off to address Garland’s apparent delay in releasing the final report of Special Counsel Jack Smith after Greenberg characterized Cannon’s previous rulings as “lawless.”
“I’m of the view I don’t care how you release it, just get the damn thing released because we have nickel and dimed around this. Merrick Garland has been wholly useless in this process, completely useless,” Steele thundered. “The most timid person at justice, period, in the history of the organization. Even in this hour, in the face of everything else, knowing what happens on January 20th: ‘Well, I don’t know if we should put this out because something may come,’” he continued, referring to the date that Trump is set to be sworn in for his second presidential term.
“Nothing’s coming of this because it’s all gone at 12:01 next Tuesday, next Monday!” he exclaimed. “So what’s the point, Kristy? I mean, citizens look at this and they go, this has been a complete cluster for the American people relative to our judicial process. How do you restore that faith? Where do we begin to get back this idea that our judiciary, particularly since Donald Trump is going to stack it with more Judge Cannons, is impartial and a place where you can go and have those scales balanced in a way in which you can receive some justice, or that we can at least see it working.”
Steele’s comments echoed those of many observers and experts who agreed about Garland’s lack of urgency. In a surprise move, however, Judge Cannon denied a motion from Trump’s co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira to block the release of Smith’s report on the classified documents case on Monday (Jan. 13). Barring an appeal, the decision means that after the temporary injunction expires on Tuesday, the report will be released to the public.
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” leads the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for an 11th week each. In November, the song debuted as the stars’ second leader on each list.
Plus, Lola Young’s first top 10 on the charts, “Messy,” becomes her first top five hit, climbing 8-5 on each ranking, and Bad Bunny debuts three top 10s from his new album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. The set launches at No. 2 on the U.S.-based Billboard 200.
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The Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.
Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.
“APT.” leads the Global 200 with 138 million streams (down 5% week-over-week) and 17,000 sold (down 9%) worldwide Jan. 3-9. The track ties The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” (11 weeks at No. 1 in 2021) for the chart’s fourth-longest command, after Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (19 weeks, since December 2020), Harry Styles’ “As It Was” (15 weeks, 2022) and Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” (13 weeks, 2023).
Lady Gaga and Mars’ “Die With a Smile” holds at No. 2 on the Global 200, following eight weeks at No. 1 beginning in September. The ballad drew 131.7 million streams (up 1%) worldwide in the latest tracking frame and has tallied over 100 million streams globally in each of the last 19 weeks, the longest such streak since the chart began.
Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” is steady at No. 4 on the Global 200, after three weeks at No. 1 beginning in August, and Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” repeats at its No. 4 high.
Lola Young’s “Messy” jumps 8-5 on the Global 200 with 43.5 million streams (up 20%) and 7,000 sold (up 18%) worldwide.
Bad Bunny’s “NUEVAYoL” and “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” debut at Nos. 9 and 10 on the Global 200, led by 40.2 million and 39.1 million streams worldwide, respectively. (Parent album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS was released on an off-cycle Sunday, Jan. 5, and, thus, its songs arrive on Billboard charts with five days of activity, as the chart tracking week runs Friday through Thursday.) Bad Bunny ups his count to 21 Global 200 top 10s. Only Drake (35) and Taylor Swift (33) have more.
“APT.” concurrently tops Global Excl. U.S. with 119.1 million streams (down 5%) and 11,000 sold (down 13%) outside the U.S. Jan. 3-9. The only songs that have led longer are Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (14 weeks) and Cyrus’ “Flowers” and Styles’ “As It Was” (13 each).
“Die With a Smile” keeps at No. 2 on Global Excl. U.S., following eight weeks at No. 1 starting in September. Thanks to the song and “APT.,” Mars has claimed the top two spots on the chart for a record 11 weeks. He has notched the same double domination on the Global 200 for an unprecedented eight weeks.
Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” holds at No. 3 on Global Excl. U.S., after three weeks at No. 1 beginning in August; Abrams’ “That’s So True” is stationary at its No. 4 best; and Young’s “Messy” bounds 8-5.
As on the Global 200, Bad Bunny debuts two songs in the Global Excl. U.S. top 10 from his new LP: “DtMF” (No. 9; 27.8 million streams outside the U.S.) and “NUEVAYoL” (No. 10; 27.4 million). With the arrivals, he now boasts 20 top 10s – tying Swift for the most since the chart began.
The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Jan. 18, 2025) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow, Jan. 14. For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.
Bad Bunny tried out his subway busking skills on Monday (Jan. 13), just before taking the on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon stage as both a musical guest and co-host. In photos shared exclusively via Billboard ahead of the episode, the duo are seen in long curly wigs and matching beards, dressed in 1960s-inspired attire as Fallon […]
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Just hours after the Recording Academy announced that it plans to go ahead with the 67th annual Grammy Awards telecast on Feb. 2 as scheduled despite the wildfires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles in the past week, Universal Music Group (UMG) announced it is canceling all of the company’s Grammy-related events, including its artist showcase and after-Grammy party, and will instead “redirect the resources that would have been used for those events to assist those affected by the wildfires.”
“Our deepest gratitude goes to the first responders and emergency personnel, who continue to perform heroically,” said the company in a statement. “L.A. is home to so many of us. We are committed to helping and supporting the music community, our artists, our teams and the people of Los Angeles get through this horrific episode.”
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The Recording Academy made a similar statement of concern even as it came to a different conclusion.
“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles,” Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason jr. and Tammy Hurt, chair of the board of trustees, said in a statement released earlier today. “This city is our home, and we mourn the loss of life and destruction that have come to it in recent days.
“In close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources, the 67th Grammy Awards telecast on CBS on Feb. 2 will proceed as planned,” they continued. “This year’s show, however, will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”
Those local authorities reportedly include the office of Mayor Karen Bass, public safety agencies and fire marshals.
The Recording Academy’s plan is to go ahead with the telecast. It has made no decision about other Grammy Week events, such as the MusiCares Person of the Year event (which this year is set to honor the Grateful Dead) and the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards.
A major ancillary Grammy event, the Milk & Honey party, was canceled on Sunday (Jan. 12) with a pointed message on founder Lucas Keller‘s Instagram Story. “I regret that we will be canceling our annual award season pre-Grammy event in partnership with Reservoir and others. … It would be tone deaf to celebrate and I hope all other companies will follow suit,” he wrote. “Don’t come to town for the Grammy’s and take up hotels that people need desperately. Release your hotel blocks or donate them. In the meantime, if you can, please give money to MusiCares at this link to support wildlife relief. Everything counts.”The Recording Academy and MusiCares launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort last week with an initial $1 million donation to support music creatives and professionals. “Thanks to additional contributions, we have already distributed over $2 million in emergency aid to those most in need — and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing ongoing assistance,” Mason and Hurt said in their statement.
Cam’ron has issued a scathing response to Jim Jones as he fired back at his Diplomats running mate during an explosive episode of It Is What It Is on Monday (Jan. 13).
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Killa Cam’s comments came after Jones’ appearance on Justin Laboy’s podcast earlier this month, where Cam pushed back against Capo’s claim that Ma$e continuously disrespected Cam’ron after signing to Bad Boy and questioned Jones’ Harlem roots.
“You’re a guardian angel in designer, n—a,” Cam began. “You are from The Bronx, bro. You are not from Harlem. I did not grow up with you, my n—a.”
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Cam set the record straight. According to his account, Jim Jones wanted to be cool with him after hearing his freestyles and mixtapes buzzing around the city. “Basically, you heard our freestyles and you came up to me one day and you said, ‘Yo man, I heard the freestyles. Y’all killing s–t. My grandmother died if y’all wanna come by and just hang out, y’all more than welcome,’” he claimed. “You were fanned out and you begged n—s to come to your house after you heard all these mixtapes.”
Cam’ron continued to allege that Ma$e taught Jimmy how to rap and went on to play several interview clips of Jones saying the same.
“We taught you how to rap, n—a,” Cam added. “How you ran the whole organization? How you made Diplomats? N—a, you ain’t made none of this! You were a fan. I put you down ’cause you had a free crib and you were a nice guy.”
Jones took issue with Cam having 50 Cent on his Talk With Flee YouTube show recently due to their past friction, as they reflected on his Dipset teammates Juelz Santana and Jones joining 50 at a G-Unit show in 2007.
“I didn’t think it would be a big deal because you make up with every n—a that put hands on you,” Cam clapped back. “I see you with C-Gutta from Junior M.A.F.I.A. I see you taking pictures with Tru Life. Mendeecees, y’all having sit-downs. Gunshots were let off with that! Y’all having sit-downs to work it out.”
50 never minces words, and didn’t waste an opportunity to insert himself into the feud. “Individual 1, I mean joMo, jimmy you better holla at Cam privately and chill out,” he wrote in his Monday repost of Cam’s rant to Instagram, while urging them to hash it out privately.
Don’t expect Cam’ron to speak on Jones publicly again, as he claimed this is the final time he will discuss their relationship. “This is going to be the last time I address this,” he stated. “I’m not doing this every seven, eight, nine, 10 years. Whatever you got to say after this, I wish you luck. I got other s–t to do.”
Watch the full video below.
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Sam Moore, who found fame as part of the Sam & Dave duo that delivered the “Soul Man” hit, has died. According to Sam Moore’s publicist, the singer passed away last Friday after complications surrounding a recent surgery procedure.
Sam Moore was born Samuel David Hicks on October 12, 1935, in Miami, Fla. After his mother married his stepfather, Charlie Moore, he took the surname. Moore began singing in church choirs as a young man and joined doo-wop groups but gospel music was where he was a notable force. Moore would be discovered alongside his future Sam & Dave partner and fellow gospel singer, the late Dave Prather, in 1961 at Miami’s King Of Hearts Club and subsequently signing with Roulette Records, a label with reported New York mob ties and was home to acts such as Pearl Bailey and Frankie Lymon among others.
As was customary during this time, Sam & Dave signed with Atlantic Records in 1964 and were contracted out to Stax Records to construct and release records. The fruitful union spawned hits such as “Hold On! I’m Comin’,” “I Thank You,” and perhaps the duo’s best-known hit, “Soul Man” which was written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Booker T. & The M.G.’s, which provided backing instrumentation for several Sam & Dave tracks, was also on hand for the hit.
England’s The Times revealed in their obituary that Moore broke personal ties with his partner after Prather shot his wife in 1968. The pair would continue to perform together but officially split ways for good in 1981. The Times also notes that Moore fathered several children with multiple women and worked as a pimp and conman, some of which was mentioned in an autobiography, For the Record 3: Sam and Dave by Dave Marsh.
After kicking a heroin addiction, Moore would see a late-career resurgence, even re-recording “Soul Man” alongside Lou Reed for the 1986 film of the same name. He remained an active touring and recording musician up until 2022, joining Bruce Springsteen on the New Jersey rocker’s R&B and soul cover album, Only The Strong Survive.
As mentioned at the top of the article, Moore passed after complications from surgery in Coral Gables, Fla. but details are scant beyond that. It isn’t known the exact number of children and no obituaries that we’ve seen gave an accurate number.
Sam Moore was 89.
[h/t Associated Press]
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Photo: Getty
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Billboard Japan’s Women in Music initiative launched in 2022 to celebrate artists, producers and executives who have made significant contributions to music and inspired other women through their work, in the same spirit as Billboard’s annual Women in Music celebration that has continued since 2007. This interview series featuring female players in the Japanese entertainment industry is one of the highlights of Japan’s WIM project, with the first 30 sessions published as a “Billboard Japan Presents” collection by writer Rio Hirai.
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J-pop singer-songwriter miwa spoke with Hirai for the latest installment of the WIM interview series. The 34-year-old musician has taken the stage at Billboard Live every November for the past few years for her “miwa CLASSIC” concert series. The singer and actress celebrating the 15th anniversary of her career this year recently moved to Canada. She shares her views on the driving force behind her 15 years of changes and challenges.
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This interview, in Japanese, is also available in podcast form on the Billboard JAPAN Spotify and YouTube channels.
You made your debut while you were a university student, and performed at the historic Nippon Budokan for the first time in March of the year you graduated. You’ve established yourself as an artist in your twenties and thirties, which is a period when the stages of women’s lives change greatly in general.
When my friends were looking for jobs (before graduating), I was thinking, “I’m going to make a career out of music,” but still felt like a student in some ways. I became more and more professional as I focused on music as my sole career. As the years went by, I felt a stronger sense of responsibility towards my fans. What hasn’t changed is my desire to keep taking on challenges. I started going to graduate school a decade after getting my undergraduate degree, and moved to Canada last fall. I also try my hand at new genres of music. I don’t want to be fixated on just one thing, and want to keep moving forward.
Why are you able to keep taking on new challenges?
It occurred to me that ramen restaurants that always have queues are constantly updating their flavor and continually improving. When you think, “This taste’s great, as always,” it actually means the flavor has improved from last time. I realized this when I was talking to a hair and makeup artist, and began to think I wanted to be an artist like that. Someone who can always improve and shine more and more. I want to be an artist who can grow little by little in that way.
I’d like to talk a little about the Billboard Japan charts. On the 2023 year-end Japan Hot 100 song chart, there were 64 entries by male artists, 19 by female artists, 16 by mixed groups, and one by an artist whose gender wasn’t disclosed. This ratio hasn’t changed significantly for many years. This Women in Music interview series was inspired by the question of why this is the case, when there are so many wonderful female artists like yourself in the Japanese music industry. Were you aware of this gender imbalance on the charts?
I’ve never been aware of it. Regarding gender inequality, I’ve felt that opportunities are limited for female artists at rock festivals. There’s a big hurdle there. I’ve used adversity as an impetus, believing that if I have the ability, I’ll be able to overcome it.
How do you think being a woman has affected your life?
I think there are so many changes. My values are so different from when I was 19 and just getting started, and the things I want to I cherish now and the way I use my time are completely different. I’ve changed so much more than I could have imagined when I was 19 — even the country I live in isn’t the same now. That’s why it’s probably important not to be stubborn or be fixated on things. There will times when things don’t go the way you want them to, but if you can accept that, I think it will give you strength.
If you were to give advice to yourself when you were first starting out, what would you say?
Well, in my first year, I was so busy with so many things that I didn’t know what to do and just threw myself into the work in front of me. There were lots of things I couldn’t do well, and there were times when I was so frustrated that I’d cry as soon as I got off the stage. I just had to gain experience. I’m the kind of person who practices a lot, so I tried to be fully prepared at all times and kept practicing hard.
So 15 years of doing that has led to who you are today. What do you think is necessary for women to thrive in this country’s music and entertainment industry?
In the course of a woman’s career, there will inevitably be periods when she has to take some time off, and I think it’s going to be very important to think about how to support them during those periods of absence. Looking at women’s careers in the long term, support from the people around them is key to ensuring they can continue to work without interruption.
You studied at the graduate level at Keio University’s Neurosciences and Music Laboratory and graduated in March 2023. How did your experience at graduate school affect your current activities?
I had the opportunity to talk with younger classmates, and it was such a good experience to relearn things. I was very happy to learn that efforts are being made to seriously consider music from various perspectives and try to prove it scientifically. It’s been scientifically proven that music can be effective in helping people lead happy lives, and I was able to feel the potential of music all over again. I chose to research live performances, and studied why people are moved by them. I was able to realize once again that the things I’m trying to convey are reaching the audience, and that their feelings of support and being moved by the performance also reach the artists onstage.
What would you like to try next?
The challenge is whether I can make going back and forth between Canada and Japan work. Living abroad has always been a dream of mine. This year is the 15th anniversary of my career, so I want to meet my fans in person and share some time with them.
Lastly, please give a message to women everywhere.
There are so many changes and choices in the way women live their lives, and I think it’s up to each individual to choose the path they want to take, but there may be times when people say things to you based on your age or what’s considered the norm. But I believe that the moment you can truly feel happy about having come into this world is when you believe in your own choices and live your life as you are. So let’s live together, confident about what we choose, not comparing ourselves to others and not bound by age or what’s considered the norm, believing in our own choices.
That was a really lovely message. Have you always had faith in your own choices in life?
Well, I think that when you’re in doubt, you have to trust yourself. Even if you make a mistake, if you can go, “This is the path I chose, so I’ll just correct my course,” then you can try again from there. There are many different paths in life, so if the door you open happens to not be the one, you can just look for a completely different door and go down that path.
—This interview by Rio Hirai (SOW SWEET PUBLISHING) first appeared on Billboard Japan
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