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After beating a copyright lawsuit over her holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas is You,” Mariah Carey and other defendants say the little-known songwriter who filed the case must now repay more than $180,000 they spent on lawyers defending his “frivolous” arguments.
When a federal judge dismissed Vince Vance’s lawsuit last month – ruling the two songs mostly just shared “Christmas song clichés” – she sharply criticized the songwriter and his lawyers for “egregious” conduct during the case and ordered him to repay some of Carey’s legal bill.
On Wednesday, that bill came due: Carey and the other defendants in the case told the judge they spent a combined $185,602.30 paying a team of high-priced lawyers to work a total of 295 hours to defeat the “frivolous” motions advanced by Vance’s attorneys.
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If that sounds like a lot, Carey’s lawyers say its because Vance was making radical demands.
“The court should consider that [Vance was] seeking, among other things, $20 million in damages, injunctive relief, and even the destruction of all copies of ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’” her attorneys say. “Considering such drastic requested relief, and the results obtained, defendants were perfectly justified in incurring the aforementioned attorney’s fees to successfully oppose plaintiffs’ motion.”
Vance (real name Andy Stone) first sued Carey in 2022, claiming “All I Want” infringed the copyrights to a 1989 song of the exact same name recorded by his Vince Vance and the Valiants. He claimed the earlier track received “extensive airplay” during the 1993 holiday season — a year before Carey released her now-better-known hit.
“Carey has … palmed off these works with her incredulous origin story, as if those works were her own,” Vance wrote in his latest complaint. “Her hubris knowing no bounds, even her co-credited songwriter doesn’t believe the story she has spun.”
Vance’s allegations were a big deal because Carey’s song is big business. The 1994 blockbuster, which became even more popular after it was featured in the 2003 holiday rom-com Love Actually, has re-taken the top spot on the Hot 100 for six straight years and earned a whopping $8.5 million in global revenue in 2022.
But in a ruling last month, Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani said Vance had failed to show that the songs were similar enough to violate copyright law. She cited analysis by a musicologist who said the two tracks were “very different songs” that shared only “commonplace Christmas song clichés” that had been used in many earlier tracks.
“Plaintiffs have not met their burden of showing that [the songs by] Carey and Vance are substantially similar under the extrinsic test,” Ramírez Almadani wrote at the time, using the legal term for how courts assess such allegations.
The judge not only tossed out Vance’s case, but also ruled that he and his lawyers should be punished for advancing meritless arguments that the judge said were aimed to “cause unnecessary delay and needlessly increase the costs of litigation.”
In Wednesday’s filing, the defendants told the judge how much Vance should pay under that order – saying they had been charged reasonable or even below-market rates from elite music litigators at top law firms.
Carey, repped by Peter Anderson and others from the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine, asked for about $141,000; Walter Afanasieff, a co-writer on Carey’s track repped by Kenneth D. Freundlich, asked for $7,000; Sony Music, represented by Benjamin Akley, Donald Zakarin, Ilene Farkas and others from Pryor Cashman, asked for $32,000; and Kobalt, repped by Bert Deixler and others from Kendall Brill & Kelly LLP, asked for $5,000.
The judge will rule on the request at some point in the weeks or months ahead. Vance’s attorneys will be allowed to file a response disputing the calculation; they can also appeal the ruling dismissing their case, though such a challenge will likely face long odds.
Weezy season has returned. Lil Wayne made his Tha Carter VI release date official with the release of a clip on Tuesday (April 1) featuring some throwback footage of the New Orleans rap legend. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Tha Carter VI will arrive on June […]
With the first days of spring finally gracing New York City, the summer is just a few breaths away — which means dancehall riddims and reggae grooves are about to be heard on every block from Flatbush to the Heights.
After picking up some hardware at February’s MOBO Awards, Vybz Kartel picked up two more trophies at last month’s International Reggae & World Music Awards (March 30), taking home the Peter Tosh Award for recording artist of the year and concert of the year honors for last Decemeber’s Freedom Street extravaganza. New York will experience their version of Freedom Street when Kartel graces Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on April 11 and 12. On Tuesday (April 1), Worl’ Boss dropped the official DJ Khaled-starring “God Is Greatest” music video to reflect on his whirlwind journey since his release from prison last summer. Spice, who many hope will join Kartel at his New York shows next month, picked up a major win of her own with her victory at Red Bull Culture Clash London 2025 (March 7-8).
On the reggae side, we lost a legend. Jamaican singer Cocoa Tea passed on March 11 after going into cardiac arrest shortly after a recent six-month battle with pneumonia and his 2019 lymphoma diagnosis. Known for classics like “Rikers Island” and “Young Lover,” Cocoa Tea often infused poignant sociopolitical messaging into his hits, bolstering his cross-generational impact.
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Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:
Freshest Find: Joé Dwèt Filé & Burna Boy, “4 Kampé II”
Late last year, the original version of Joé Dwèt Filé’s “4 Kampé” appeared in our weekly Trending Up column, which tracks the myriad songs and trends that are catching the industry’s attention. Just a few months later, the Haitian zouk-konpa singer has reinvigorated his global hit with an assist from Grammy-winning Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy. “Deja konnen mwen pral brile sa/ Excuse-moi, veux-tu danser konpa/ Mwen pat konn fanm ayisyen dous konsa/ Ou met mande, mwen se yon neg naija,” he croons in the intro, dipping into Haitian Creole to set the scene and introduce himself to a lady he’d like to dance konpa with. Burna Boy’s and Filé’s tones are an excellent match; their rich lower registers nicely contrast with the track’s seductive background guitars.
Ding Dong feat. Skeng & Kaka Highflames, “Street Jump”
Last month, “Badman Forward Badman Pull Up” singer Ding Dong announced his forthcoming debut album — 20 years after “Badman” became an intergenerational and international anthem. Keeping with the spirit of dance that’s grounded his entire career, Ding Dong calls on Kris Kross’ 1992 Hot 100 chart-topper “Jump.” Not only does he reimagine that song’s timeless hook into a more dancehall-flavored affair, but he also recruits dancehall superstar Skeng and rising Jamaican dance-turned-artist Kaka Highflames to bring their own delightfully manic energy to the track. When it comes to dance anthems that actually make you want to dance, few can stand shoulder to shoulder with Ding Dong.
Protoje, “Big 45”
Protoje isn’t one to inundate us with an incomprehensible amount of releases, but when he does drop music, it’s always worth the wait. He teased “Big 45” for several weeks before finally unveiling the official track, which boasts booming bass and sultry reggae groove courtesy of The Indiggnation and Winta James. Protoje’s rap-sung cadence pairs perfectly with their soundscape, effortlessly capturing the full-bodied sound of the peak sound system era.
Aidonia & Di Genius, “Agony”
“She waah agony oh she waah agony/ Early morning me a sleep and she a bother me/ She waah agony oh she waah agony/ Gyal waah wood, me give har the mahogany,” rhymes Aidonia at the onset of his new Di Genius-helmed single, “Agony.” Making the word “agony” shorthand for boning is certainly a choice, but if any deejay can make it work, it’s Aidonia with his sticky flow and devil-may-care delivery.
Yaksta, “Unconditional Love”
For his contribution to Crawba Production’s new Reggae Alive compilation, Jamaican singer Yaksta delivers a sweet, easy-rocking midtempo about the breadth of his unconditional love for his special someone. “I got this unconditional love/ And it’s only for you, baby/ No else but you,” he croons over steady classic reggae guitars and drums — a perfect soundtrack to a breezy summer evening. With an equally tender and earnest vocal performance, Yaksta infuses Crawba’s soundscape with the reverence that unconditional love often mirrors.
Mr. Vegas & Etana, “Trapped”
One of the best parts of trap dancehall is how the genre’s sparse, spooky snares allow artists the space to muse about society’s endless ills. “Trapped,” the new Rick Wizard-produced single from Mr. Vegas and Etana does just that. The two stars trade heady, heavy verses that zoom into the psyche of a child living in a fear and neglect-ridden household that only primes them for darker horrors. “Trapped, careless mumma wah mek you do your own pickney dat/ Yuh know sey di man a touch har and yuh nuh tell him fi stop/ Yuh turn yuh back pan har when di demon attack,” Mr. Vegas begins the song, immediately setting a chilling scene of child abuse and the nuanced conversations around it.
Pamputtae, “Rum Sexy”
To make a long story short, all Pamputtae needs is some rum to buss a wine. Though “Rum Sexy” has percolated on YouTube for a few years, the Jermaine Bailey-helmed track is finally on DSPs. A well-executed soca track that would sound right at home on any pre-game playlist for the road, Pamputtae’s animated delivery and bright tone are as effective as ever on this track.
Chronic Law, “Altar”
“If yuh pray, Jah will answer/ No weh yuh own anuh weh u can sponsor/ Have nuff things fi gave thanks for/ So me pray inna eh booth like altar,” Chronic Law sings at the end of the opening chorus of his new single, “Altar.” One of the hottest acts in dancehall, Chronic slows things down for a quieter, introspective moment in which he ruminates on the throughlines of prayer and his connection to God that have coursed through his life. Hungry Lion Records grants him the space to do so with an almost-morose mixture of trap snares and synths that invites listeners to focus on his soul-baring lyrics.
Najeeriii & Franc White, “Uptown”
Najeeriii doesn’t necessarily rewrite the trap-dancehall template — in fact, he explicitly leans on its most frequently used tropes here — but he does put his own stamp on it. Expected to appear on his forthcoming debut album, Book of Bob, “Uptown” finds Najeerii delivering a club anthem that sources its idiosyncracies from the way his youthful tone and nimble flows accentuate different pockets of Zini Record’s pristine beat.
Skeete, “Dem Dead”
Nottingham-hailing Afro-dancehall and R&B artist Skeete dropped his new 10-track mixtape Excuse My Language last month (March 20), and the saucy genre-melding set is every bit as global and unapologetic as its title suggests. Among the standouts is the tape’s penultimate track, “Dem Dead,” a fast-paced track that fuses the energy of ’90s dancehall with the melodic flourishes and warm electronic synths of ’10s R&B-informed hip-hop. He dexterously weaves in and out of different flows and dialects, never wavering in how comfortable he sounds playing the role of a dangerous uptown lothario.
Morgan Wallen says it’s been a while since he’s partaken in the bar scene.
The three-time Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper spoke with Theo Von during an appearance on comedian Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, where they talked about new music, Wallen’s family and the country star’s decision to stay away from drinking establishments since an April 2024 incident in which Wallen was charged with three counts of felony reckless endangerment and one count of disorderly conduct for hurling a chair from the roof of a Nashville building.
At one point, Wallen noted that while his career has brought him great successes, fame does come with elements that are harder to deal with, and it has forced him to make some lifestyle adjustments.
“It’s still weird and there’s parts of that that I don’t like,” Wallen said. “I mean, I think anyone who was to deal with that, it’s not ideal… you know, it’s not ideal to go everywhere, and even if you don’t get bothered, you were on edge the whole time because you thought you might. It’s like, there’s just things that you don’t do, you just don’t do them anymore. But that’s okay, that’s why I’ve taken up hunting so much, I think. Because I can go be with my buddies, I’m the middle of nowhere, I can be at ease, I can not stress out. You just find ways to supplement it.”
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When Theo Von commented that there would likely be “too much hassle” for Wallen to spend time in a bar given his fame and that staying out of bars might be the best thing for him, Wallen responded, “It’s definitely the best thing for me, you know. If you’re using the bar as a specific example, that’s definitely the best thing for me. I ain’t been in a bar since the last time I was in a bar that everybody knows about. The most public time I was in a bar, that’s the last time I was in a bar.”
That “public time” was when Wallen was arrested at Eric Church’s Nashville bar Chief’s in April of last year and charged with three counts of felony reckless endangerment, as well as one count of disorderly conduct for tossing a chair from the roof of the building. Police were standing in front of the establishment when the chair struck the ground three feet from them.
Wallen pleaded guilty and was ultimately sentenced to seven days in a DUI education center and two years supervised probation.
Currently, much of Wallen’s time is likely being spent gearing up for the release of his upcoming album I’m the Problem on May 16, as well as his I’m The Problem Tour, which will launch June 20 in Houston.
Wallen said during the podcast that his new album may not feature as many trap beats as fans are used to hearing on his previous releases such as “Sunrise” and “Ain’t That Some.”
“It’s just subtle changes,” Wallen said. “It don’t have to be huge things, you know? My last album, I had plenty of trap beats and stuff like that. This time I was like, ‘Hey man, let’s tone that back a little bit.’ I’m tired of it, I’m tired of hearing it. So if I’m tired of it they’re probably tired of hearing it. It’s just certain things that, you can still get that same swagger, you can accomplish certain things without doing the exact same thing.”
So far, he’s previewed the album with songs including “Love Somebody,” “Lies Lies Lies,” “I’m the Problem,” “Just in Case” and “Smile.” “Love Somebody” reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, while the other songs each reached into the top 10 on the chart.
Save this storySaveSave this storySaveTrust Records has announced a special reissue of 7 Seconds’ classic hardcore punk album New Wind that also includes Change in My Head, a new remix of the LP by Ian MacKaye—the album’s original producer—and Inner Ear Studios’ Don Zientara. New Wind and Change In My Head will be sold as one release, available across all digital retailers and in stores on May 23 via Trust. Listen to the previously unreleased song “Change in My Head” below.Change in My Head is billed as a unique snapshot of the essential Reno band that restores never-before-released tracks from their New Wind recording sessions in 1985 in addition reimagining the songs that originally made it onto the tracklist. Ahead of its release, 7 Seconds frontman Kevin Seconds and MacKaye will hold an in-person conversation about the making of New Wind and Change in My Head on April 15 at Los Angeles’ Brain Dead Studios.“The whole time period, between the winter of 1985 and all throughout 1986, was arguably the most important and life-changing period for 7 Seconds,” explains Kevin Seconds. “We all were starting to feel like the adults that we fought so rigorously to never become. Members were getting married, having kids, trying to hold down real jobs and face responsibilities while still maintaining our so-called “hardcore cred” and attempting to feel relevant. It was an incredibly emotional and complicated time for all of us but man, did it ever make us tough and more determined to do what we wanted to do as creative people and as a band.”Back in 2018, 7 Seconds called it quits after a 38-year-long run, citing drummer Troy Mowat’s injuries as well as bassist Steve Youth’s struggles with sobriety and his mental health. Their breakup didn’t last too long, though, because 7 Seconds got back together in 2022 for a North American tour with Circle Jerks and Negative Approach.Read about Fugazi’s Repeater in “The 150 Best Albums of the 1990s.”Change in My Head:01 New Wind02 Tied Up03 Opinion of Feelings04 Grown Apart05 Calendar06 Put These Words07 Man Enough to Care08 Compro (Unreleased)09 Somebody Help Me Scream10 Change in My Head (Unreleased)11 Expect to Change12 Just One Day13 The Inside14 Still Believe15 The Night Away
LISA of BLACKPINK is getting down with Blackstreet and Dr. Dre, jamming out to “No Diggity” with her White Lotus castmate Tayme Thapthimthong in a recent clip. Posted to Max’s Instagram, the video finds the pair sitting in press-junket chairs as Thapthimthong flexes his vocals while LISA giggles and dances along. “Shorty get down, good […]
Welcome to Publishing Briefs, our semimonthly bulletin of recent signings, deals and doings in the wide world of music publishing. Since the last time we rapped, NMPA chief David Israelite gave his annual State of Music Publishing address at a conference for indie publishers, Canada’s SOCAN reported a record-high number in total royalty distributions, and Billboard Español had a chat with Rimas Publishing president Carlos Souffront and managing director Emilio Morales about their vision for the company.
The Independent Music Publishers International Forum (IMPF) released its fourth Global Market View report, analyzing the indie music publishing industry’s performance and trends, including the impact of Generative AI. The report shows that the sector grew by 5.7% in 2023, the last full year of data, reaching a total value of 2.57 billion euros ($2.83B, as of the exchange rate on Dec. 30, 2023), up 105.6% since 2018. Despite a slight decline in market share from 26.7% to 26.3%, independent publishers collectively hold a larger market share than major companies like Sony Music Publishing, they said. Key priorities outlined in the report include addressing AI challenges and advocating for fair compensation from DSPs. The study warns that unchecked growth of AI-generated content could lead to a 24% revenue dip in music and a 21% drop in audiovisual by 2028, resulting in a cumulative loss of 22 billion euros, with 10 billion euros affecting music. The IMPF, which reps 230 indies, emphasizes the need for supportive tax policies and plans to monitor the U.S. Mechanical Licensing Collective for equitable practices. The report also raises concerns about consolidation/acquisitions of catalogs and indie publishers, which could negatively impact cultural diversity by reducing independent routes to the music market.
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Sony Music Publishing signed producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist MTech (Matthew Bernard) to a global publishing deal. This agreement covers his existing catalog and future songs, and is in collaboration with producer Sounwave’s new production division, new.ordinary. Mtech contributed on six tracks on Kendrick Lamar’s GNX album, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. His credits on GNX include “Luther” and “Squabble Up,” both Hot 100 No. 1s. He has also worked on Lamar’s Euphoria, Kali Uchis’ Orquídeas, and Blxst’s I’ll Always Come Find You. Born in Los Angeles, MTech began his career at 17, later moving to Atlanta where he secured his first major TV placement on FOX’s Star and worked on The Four: Battle for Stardom. Returning to LA in 2022, he was introduced to Sounwave, who calls him a “superstar.” Sony Music Publishing manager, creative A&R Lauren Munroe said, “MTech’s exceptional talent is truly inspiring to be around, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with him. We’re honored to welcome MTech to the Sony Music Publishing family alongside the visionary Sounwave and excited for the incredible music ahead.”
Kobalt signed rock band Pierce The Veil to a global publishing deal. The band is on a successful tour following their fifth studio album, The Jaws Of Life, with sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden and The Forum. Their I Can’t Hear You world tour will continue across Europe, Mexico and South America. With over a decade in the industry, PTV blends post-hardcore, emo and progressive rock, earning a devoted global fanbase, especially within the Latinx community due to their Mexican-American roots. Melissa Emert-Hutner, Kobalt’s senior vp of creative, praised the group’s unique sound and significant fanbase in both rock and Latin music communities. “We look forward to working closely with the band and their team to provide the support and resources they need as they continue to grow their fan base around the world,” she said.
Peermusic signed songwriter and producer Clint Lagerberg to a worldwide publishing deal, covering future works and select back catalog. Lagerberg’s career highlights include Rascal Flatts’ “Here Comes Goodbye” and co-writing and producing Josh Kelley’s “Georgia Clay.” He achieved massive success with Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” the singer’s top song on Spotify and his highest-charting hit on the Hot 100 (at No. 24, in 2016). His songs have been recorded by country stars like Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and Matt Stell. Recently, Lagerberg contributed to Brad Paisley’s upcoming album as both a writer and producer, with additional production credits include Matt Stell, LoCash, Leanna Crawford, Kevin Jonas and Backstreet Boys, among others. Knox praised Lagerberg’s talent and process. “He’s already proven his ability to land songs on the top of the charts, but it’s his process that is really impressive to me,” he said. “Clint has the technical knowledge and ability to see it through from conception to song production and delivery.”
Concord Music Publishing signed music producer Dom Martinez to a worldwide publishing deal, covering his full catalog and future works. Originally from Denver and now based in Nashville, Martinez is known for his versatility across genres like pop, rap, folk, singer-songwriter, and R&B. Martinez has collaborated with emerging talents such as Myles Smith, Caleb Hearn and Braden Bales. Lily Bunta, A&R Manager at Concord, praised Martinez’s passion and “truly infectious” enthusiasm for music.
Across the pond and then some, Concord Music Publishing ANZ signed up New Zealand power-pop band The Beths for worldwide representation. The deal covers their growing catalog, including albums Future Me Hates Me, Jump Rope Gazers, and Expert In A Dying Field. Formed in 2014 and led by vocalist Liz Stokes, The Beths have gained acclaim with their indie rock sound and performances at major festivals like Coachella. They were the first New Zealand act to win the Levi’s Music Prize in 2020. Jaime Gough, managing director at Concord Music Publishing ANZ, praised Stokes’ “deft lyricism and unique turn of phrase,” while Pennie Black, director at CMPNZ, called out their “infectious” indie pop sound as “a true reflection of their exceptional songwriting talent.”
Sony Music Publishing locked in multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jesse Fink to a global publishing deal. Based in Los Angeles, Fink has written major hits, including Myles Smith’s Stargazing, which spent 44 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped international charts, and Artemas’ i like the way you kiss me, which surpassed 1 billion Spotify streams and reached #1 on Billboard’s Global 200 Excl. US chart. His songwriting credits include work with John Legend, Dove Cameron, and Leyla Blue. A GRAMMY winner for Best R&B Album in 2021 with Legend’s Bigger Love, he recently earned two BRIT Award nominations for Song of the Year. Sony Music Publishing A&R manager Clark Adler lauded Fink’s passion and work ethic, saying these traits “elevate everyone around him.”
Over in The Volunteer State, SMP Nashville signed singer-songwriter Averie Bielski to a global publishing deal. Originally from Roswell, GA, Averie has quickly made a name for herself, first gaining attention in 2021 with her viral debut single I Do Too, which gained traction on TikTok. Since moving to Nashville, her songs have been recorded by artists like Callista Clark, Zach John King, Carson Wallace, Ashley Anne and Grace Tyler. Sony Music Publishing Nashville’s manager of creative A&R, Synnovea Halsel, praised her “fresh” lyricism and unique melodies — “From the moment I heard her first song, I was taken aback.”
Warner Chappell Music‘s Miami team signed Afro-Colombian artist Hamilton, also known as AfroRockStar. As a prominent figure in the Afrobeat movement, Hamilton has already amassed over 250 million career streams. He is gearing up to release his debut album, which includes “Mi Reina,” a new single with Nanpa Basico. Recognized as an artist to watch, Hamilton’s Afrobeats collaborations include Ryan Castro’s “A Poca Luz” and Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez’s “Atardecer.” He is signed to Cigol Music on the label side and Globalatino/Cigol Publishing.
PUB BRIEFS BRIEFS: Centricity Music signed the Texas-based duo Band Reeves to a recording and publishing contract. The duo features Reeves brothers Jeramy and Cody, who have crafted a sound that blends country and Christian music. Band Reeves is managed by Proper Management and will release a debut single soon … Electronic music producer Anyma signed a global publishing deal with Kobalt. The agreement covers Anyma’s entire catalog, including his work with the duo Tale of Us, as well as future releases.
Last Publishing Briefs: El DeBarge Signs With Reservoir
Billboard, Amazon Pharmacy and Amazon One Medical are partnering with comedian/musical improviser Reggie Watts to put on the sickest show in Palm Springs, literally, with “MuSick: Live from Reggie Watts’ Couch.”
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Watts has joined with Amazon Pharmacy and Amazon One Medical to let concertgoers know where to turn if their “festival fever” turns into an actual fever. Watts will perform atop an enormous couch — yes, a couch — poolside at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, as part of Amazon One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy’s message that “Healthcare just got less painful.” With Amazon One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy, you can get 24/7 telehealth care and your prescriptions without so much as getting off the couch — thank ah-choo very much!
Watts, who is known for his trippy beatboxing soundscapes, will wow the audience in his signature style, only this time he’s bound to incorporate some sick sounds — a sneeze or a cough or two — into his “sick” beats. Stay on the lookout before his performance to see Reggie cruising around Palm Springs on a motorized couch recruiting festival-goers to join him for the show. His live performance will be kicked off with a DJ set by special guest NEIL FRANCES. The event, which is open to the public, will take place from 12:00pm – 4:00pm at the venue and offer giveaways, cocktails, mocktails, and more. Click here to RSVP to the event!
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Watts shared, “When Amazon explained what they were doing to make healthcare less painful, and what they wanted to create, I was in. I was inspired by this idea and started to play with the sounds of being sick and turn them into music. I turned the usually unpleasant experiences of getting sick and dealing with healthcare into something relatable and entertaining. The results put a smile on all our faces.”
Dana Droppo, Chief Brand Officer, Billboard, echoed that sentiment, saying, “We are thrilled to join forces with Amazon and Reggie for this exciting activation. These festivals are a vibrant celebration of music and culture, and this partnership elevates that experience in a truly engaging way. We’re confident that fans will not only love what we’re creating but will walk away feeling connected and deeply immersed in the spirit of the music.”
Stay tuned for more updates on the “MuSick: Live from Reggie Watts’ Couch” event!
Mexican band Los Alegres del Barranco spoke out for the first time on Wednesday (April 2) about the controversial concert where they projected images of the leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, in an auditorium at the University of Guadalajara last weekend. The incident caused the United States to cancel the work and tourist visas of the group’s members.
In a statement and video posted on their social media, the Sinaloan group offered an apology for the events that occurred on Saturday (March 29) during their performance at the Telmex Auditorium, and stated that, as a group, “it was never our intention to create controversy, much less cause offense.”
The band — who has released some songs with clear references to narcoculture — reaffirms that their music is inspired by telling popular stories within Mexican music. “We will take more rigorous measures on the visual and narrative content of our shows,” he added.
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The statement from the corrido group — who perform in a genre that has occasionally made clear references to narco-culture and famous cartel leaders since its origins over a century ago — came a day after U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed on Tuesday (April 1) in a post on X that the government of that country had canceled the visas of the members of the Mexican group following the projection of images “that glorify drug traffickers.”
“In the Trump Administration, we take our responsibility regarding the access of foreigners to our country very seriously. We are not going to roll out the red carpet for those who glorify criminals and terrorists,” Landau stated in both English and Spanish.
The incident, which has caused great controversy and outrage in Mexico, was condemned on Monday (March 31) by Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, and prompted the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office to launch an investigation for “advocating crime.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on February 20 the designation of eight cartels — including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel — and transnational organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT).
On Tuesday, the governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, stated in a message on X that his government supports the measures taken by the University of Guadalajara to prevent concerts from glorifying criminal acts, such as what occurred over the weekend at the Telmex Auditorium.
Videos show the moment when attendees at the concert titled “Los Señores del Corrido” (The Lords of Corridos) erupted in jubilation as images of the drug lord were projected, further fueling controversy and outrage in Mexico.
In a statement, the Telmex Auditorium distanced itself from the events, explaining that the venue, “has no involvement in the selection of the repertoire, speeches, or audiovisual material that the artists choose to share with their audience.” However, it acknowledged that the images of the drug lord could be considered as “advocating crime.”
The controversy over the alleged homage to the drug trafficker comes after the debate over the way in which the cartel founded in that western Mexican state allegedly uses clandestine ranches to recruit people to the criminal group through deceitful job offers. As reported by federal authorities and the media, a raid by authorities at Rancho Izaguirre in the municipality of Teuchitlán revealed the spot where acts of torture and murders were allegedly committed, actions denounced in March by the Guerreros Buscadores collective, a civilian corps focused on finding missing and disappeared loved ones.
Kesha is gearing up for her biggest headlining tour to date. The “Yippee-Ki-Yay” singer announced the dates for The T-ts Out tour on Thursday (April 3), which will also feature disco pop act Scissor Sisters joining her on all the dates for the latter’s first North American live run in more than a decade; Slayyyter and U.K. singer Rose Gray will join on select dates.
The Live Nation-produced outing is slated to kick off on July 1 at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City City, UT and play arenas and amphitheaters in the U.S. and Canada through an August 10 gig at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa, FL on August 10. The run will include Kesha’s first-ever solo headlining gigs at a pair of iconic venues: L.A.’a Kia Forum (July 5) and New York City’s Madison Square Garden (July 23).
“The most political thing we can do right now is love. Love ourselves and love each other,” Kesha said in a statement about the tour that is partnering with the Feeld dating app for the open-minded. “Americans need to have more safe, consensual sex. Our administration is so disembodied and disconnected. I’m going T–S OUT this summer to bring as much safety, fun, acceptance, love, connection, and celebration to this country because we are just as much the fabric of this FREE nation as anyone else. We will not be quiet, and we will fight through joy! I think it’s time to make LOVE, not content. LOVE, not anger. LOVE, not hatred, and love, not war.”
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The singer who is gearing up to release her sixth album, . (Period), on Kesha Records on July 4 — her first independent release since her departure from Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records — added, “I’m committed to bringing my newfound freedom to a city near you. A celebration is in order. I have partnered with Feeld, a dating app for open-minded people, in order to bring our sexually liberated selves and give us a place to flirt, meet, connect, and dance. Color-coded options will be available soon, but this summer wear RED if you are single, horny, and down to flirt! Let’s fight chaos with love, so let’s see how much love we can bring to the summer of 2025.”
And, not for nothing, Kesha said she’s looking for a “sugar daddy,” telling fans that they will get “extra animal points” if they bring along a “tall, hot, single friend.”
Sign up now for access to a pre-sale beginning on April 8 at 10 a.m. local here or here, with additional pre-sales slated throughout the week. Remaining tickets will be available in a general on-sale on April 10 at 10 a.m. local. Kesha will celebrate the roll-out of the dates with a Boiler Room set in Miami on Thursday night.
“We are stoked to extend our reunion to the US and Canada this summer alongside Kesha,” said the Scissor Sisters, whose reunited lineup features members Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis. “There has always been a bit of anarchy and chaos to both of our live shows – and we can’t wait to bring that ‘anything can happen’ energy across North America again.”
To date, Kesha has released the singles “Joyride,” “Delusional” and the new country-leaning “Yippee-Ki-Yay,” featuring T-Pain from the upcoming album.
Check out the dates for Kesha’s 2025 North American T–s Out tour below:
July 1 – West Valley City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ^
July 3 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre ^
July 5 – Inglewood, CA @ Kia Forum ^
July 6 – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ^
July 8 – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion * ^
July 10 – The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ^
July 12 – Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre ^
July 13 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre ^
July 15 – Nashville, TN @ Riverfront Park – Ascend Amphitheater ^
July 16 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center ^
July 18 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center ^
July 19 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre #
July 21 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage #
July 23 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
July 24 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center #
July 26 – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake #
July 28 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center #
July 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavillion at The Mann #
July 31 – Buffalo, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater #
August 2 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater #
August 3 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek #
August 5 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion #
August 7 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre #
August 9 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre #
August 10 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre #
^ w/ Slayyyter
# w/ Rose Gray