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04 Dec 2024

Hunter Biden’s Pardon Leads To Calls For Marilyn Mosby Pardon

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The move by President Joe Biden to pardon his son Hunter Biden has led advocates to make their case for former prosecutor Marilyn Mosby to receive a pardon as well.

The decision by President Joe Biden to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, earlier this week after previously stating he wouldn’t, has prompted advocates representing the former Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby to request one for her. “It is time for Joe Biden to pardon Marilyn Mosby,” said civil rights attorney and media figure Angela Rye, who is working on Mosby’s legal team. Mosby, who rose to prominence in 2015 for charging six Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, Jr., was convicted of mortgage fraud and perjury earlier in the year. Critics of the decision have maintained that the prosecution was politically motivated due to her racial justice policies.

“There are thousands of people who have been wrongfully convicted and sit in federal prisons today. While Hunter Biden was selectively prosecuted, he’s not the only one,” Rye said in a joint statement with attorney Ben Crump, who is also working with Mosby’s legal team. They point out that the application for Mosby’s pardon is still with the Department of Justice with proof of “receipt of the application on May 28.”  That request is accompanied by 91,000 signatures petitioning the government for Mosby to be pardoned. The former attorney was on home detention after being sentenced and has appealed the decision. The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland called for her law license to be suspended, but the Maryland Supreme Court dismissed that request.

“Marilyn Mosby is on house arrest right now with her law license hanging in the balance over purchasing property with her own money. Kim Gardner (the former East St. Louis prosecutor) was forced into taking a plea deal for a $5000 expense that was approved in an ethics opinion,” Crump and Rye wrote. They cited similarities in the two situations – the lead prosecutor in Mosby’s case, Leo Wise, also successfully brought charges against Hunter Biden for the purchase and possession of a firearm in 2018 and on federal tax charges. They also pointed out that the basis for Hunter’s pardon can be applied – selective prosecution. “They need to find a rule and equally apply it,” Rye stated.

04 Dec 2024

Luke Bryan, Shenandoah & Jason Aldean Team Up for ‘Sunday in the South’ Music Video

Shenandoah, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean recorded a new, collaborative version of Shenandoah’s 1989 song “Sunday in the South” earlier this year. Now, they’ve teamed up for the corresponding music video.

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The video clip was directed by Edde Brothers, with segments of the video filmed at Country Boy Restaurant in Leipers Fork, Tennessee. The video shows Shenandoah, Bryan and Aldean hanging out and sipping coffee in a local diner, as they sing the verses of “Sunday in the South.” The clip also recaptures the Muscle Shoals landmarks that were included in the song’s original music video, which released over three decades ago.

“Having Jason and Luke on this song has certainly been a highlight for us,” Shenandoah frontman Marty Raybon said in a statement. “This song has always ministered to us in such a special way.”

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“My earliest memories of ‘Sunday in the South’ is that it was a song that was speaking exactly my life,” Bryan added. “This song shaped the way I thought about music and how I wanted to make music one day.“

“It’s just always an honor for us to get to work with these guys we grew up listening to,” Aldean added.

Shenandoah originally released “Sunday in the South” released in 1989 and was included on the band’s album The Road Not Taken. That album also included “Two Dozen Roses,” “See If I Care” and “The Church on Cumberland Road.”

Earlier this year, Shenandoah teamed up with Luke Combs for a new version of Shenandoah’s “Two Dozen Roses.”

Watch the video below:

04 Dec 2024

Quevedo Scores Highest-Charting Album With ‘Buenas Noches’ Debut

Spaniard Quevedo claims his highest-charting album on any Billboard tally, as his second studio album, Buenas Noches, launches at No. 2 on Latin Pop Albums (dated Dec. 7), for his first entry and top 10 there. The 18-track set concurrently opens at Nos. 29 and 11 on Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums, respectively.

Buenas Noches, released Nov. 22 via DQE/Rimas, is Quevedo’s most pop-inclined project to date, and first album with Rimas. Exploring Latin pop sounds with Spanish singer-songwriter Aitana and Pitbull, the 22-year-old also paired with Latin rhythmic greats De La Ghetto, Sech and Rels B.

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“It’s an eclectic album,” Quevedo told Billboard. “Since I had not released music for a long time, what I most wanted was to flow in the studio and do things that I felt like doing. Make a fun album above all, not so introspective.”

Buenas Noches debuts at No. 2 on Latin Pop Albums with 4,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. during the Nov. 22-28 tracking week, according to Luminate. Streaming contributes most of the debut week activity, which equates to 5.3 million on-demand official streams of the set’s songs.

One unit equals to one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams for a song on the album.

While Quevedo secures his first entry and top 10 on Latin Pop Albums with Buenas Noches, the 22-year-old Canarian artist previously scored a top 10 on Latin Rhythm Albums through their debut set Donde Quiero Estar, which also peaked at No. 12 on Top Latin Albums in February 2023.

Notably, with the new album launching in the top 10 on Latin Pop Albums, Quevedo becomes the first artist who primarily records Latin rhythmic songs to secure a No. 2 start on Latin Pop Albums in 2024. Here are all the artists who debuted in the list’s top 10 this year:

Debut Pos., Title, Artist, Debut Date
No. 1, Orquídeas, Kali Uchis, Jan. 27
No. 1, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Shakira, April 6
No. 6, Final, Vol. 2, Enrique Iglesias, April 13
No. 4, Música Buena Para Días Malos, Jay Wheeler, May 11
No. 8, García, Kany Garcia, May 11
No. 2, Buenas Noches, Quevedo, Dec. 7

Though none of the songs from Buenas Noches preceded the album across the songs charts, Quevedo took the stand-alone single “Columbia” to the stage at the recent Latin Grammy awards. The song earned him his last top 10 the Billboard Excl. U.S. chart, reaching No. 7 high in August 2023.

04 Dec 2024

will.i.am Was Skeptical of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour At First: ‘How Dope Can It Actually Be?’

Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour is set to end this weekend after nearly two years on the road — but a new show will soon set up shop after being directly inspired by the trek.

During an interview with SiriusXM’s Hits 1 Miami With Mack & Jen, will.i.am revealed that The Black Eyed Peas‘ upcoming Las Vegas residency wouldn’t be happening had he not checked out the pop superstar’s blockbuster concert tour earlier this year — even though he was an Eras skeptic at first. “I’m like, ‘Everybody’s talking about that Taylor Swift show,’” he told listeners. “And they’re really hyping it. Like, ‘How dope can it actually be? It’s just a show.’ When people praise stuff that much, there’s no way that it’s that dope. It’s impossible.”

At this point in time, the “I Gotta Feeling” group had already been offered a residency slot in Las Vegas, but he and his bandmates apl.de.ap and Taboo were reluctant to take it. When they happened to be in town for Swift’s duo of July performances in Italy, will.i.am decided to tag along to one of the concerts — after which his mind was quickly changed on more than one front.

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“I went to Taylor Swift, like, with super heavy skeptics goggles on,” the rapper said before giving his honest review of the “Anti-Hero” singer’s three-hour-plus performance. “That was hardcore, bro. The best sh– in the world.

“I left like, ‘Yo, we definitely doing Vegas. Let’s do it,’” will.i.am continued. “That’s how transfixed I was [with] that Taylor Swift show. And then from there I called our management like, ‘Yo, that Vegas offer still there? Say yes to it … I just came from Taylor Swift’s show, and we’re gonna do it.’

“I’ve been freaking energized and inspired,” he added. “So thank you Swift.”

Following the pop star’s lead, The Black Eyed Peas are now set to kick off their residency at Planet Hollywood starting in February. As of now, the trio has dates scheduled through the end of May next year.

As for Swift, the 14-time Grammy winner’s incredible global run is just three shows away from its close. After performing a trio of concerts in Vancouver Dec. 6-8, Swift will finally tie a bow on a historic global sweep that found her performing songs from almost all her 11 studio albums each night. By its end, some reports estimate that the trek will gross well over $2 billion.

Watch will.i.am. explain how The Eras Tour inspired The Black Eyed Peas to do a residency above.

04 Dec 2024

Thinking Huts Hosts Virtual Auction in Support of Global Education Initiatives

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https://www.thinkinghuts.org/family

Thinking Huts, an international nonprofit organization committed to providing sustainable education solutions for underserved communities, is hosting a special charity benefit auction that features exclusive items donated by some of the biggest names in entertainment and fashion, including Jennifer Lopez, Billboard, Reformation, and many more.

Every bid placed directly supports Thinking Huts’ mission to leverage innovative, humanitarian-driven technology to increase access to education and opportunity for children around the world. By funding the construction of cutting-edge 3D printed schools, the organization is creating affordable, sustainable learning environments that can help transform the futures of countless children. With each school built, Thinking Huts is working toward ensuring that no child is left behind when it comes to access to education and the chance to thrive.

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“Education has the power to change lives, and together, we can create pathways for millions of children who currently lack access to quality learning environments,” said Maggie Grout, Founder and CEO of Thinking Huts. “This auction is a chance for people to make a real difference, not just by supporting an important cause, but by doing so in a way that brings the global community together.”

Tyler Henry, Board Member of Thinking Huts, echoed the sentiment, adding, “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with the entertainment industry in this mission. By harnessing creativity and collective action, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of children in need, helping to create opportunities for brighter futures.”

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The Thinking Huts Charity Auction offers a unique chance to bid on exclusive items from Jennifer Lopez, Billboard, Reformation, and more, while directly contributing to a transformative cause. Join us in supporting a future where every child, regardless of where they live, has access to the education they deserve.

Visit the Thinking Huts Auction here for a chance to place your bid and be part of this incredible movement.

04 Dec 2024

Selena Gomez Wins Equity Award at THR Women in Entertainment Gala, Calls for More Representation & ‘True Inclusion’

Selena Gomez gave a thoughtful speech about what representation and inclusion mean to her while accepting the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter‘s Women in Entertainment Gala on Wednesday morning (Dec. 4).

After an introduction from her Only Murders in the Building co-star Molly Shannon, the 32-year-old singer/actress took the event stage at the The Beverly Hills Hotel to formally receive the honors — which recognized her advocacy for underrepresented communities in the entertainment industry — and deliver remarks on the subject of equity. To begin her speech, Gomez defined equity and representation as “ensuring that women, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to share their stories and showcase their talents.”

“It’s about moving from tokenism to true inclusion, creating spaces where women of all races, sexual orientations and abilities are [welcome],” she continued. “Together, we can break down barriers, amplify women’s voices and create a future where everyone’s stories are told.”

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The Rare Beauty founder also shared the moment she first realized the full scope of her position as a role model: when the mother of a young girl went up to her at a live taping of Wizards of Waverly Place and said she was grateful her daughter had a Latina actress to look up to on TV.

“I really wasn’t thinking about the importance of representation or the gravity of what those words meant,” Gomez recalled. “But I knew that I was very grateful, and I wanted to do my best to live up to that, whatever form it looked like.”

While at the event — which comes just a couple of weeks after Emilia Perez starring Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña arrived on Netflix — the “Lose You to Love Me” singer also stopped to talk with Billboard on the red carpet about how the film serves to advance equity in the entertainment industry. “I think it’s just crucial that we shed light, and we show people exactly every color we are,” she said.

“With Emilia Pérez, we were able to do that with the music and the subject matter of our movie,” she continued. “It’s us wanting to open doors, it’s for Latinas … we’re celebrating women.”

See parts of Gomez’s speech and her red-carpet conversation with Billboard below.

04 Dec 2024

BTS’ ‘Butter’ Music Video Hits 1 Billion YouTube Views

BTS’ latest accomplishment is smooth like butter! The group notched their seventh entry into YouTube‘s Billion Views club with their 2021 music video for “Butter.”

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Their previous videos to hit one billion views on the platform include “Dynamite,” “Boy With Luv” featuring Halsey and “DNA,” among others. In the “Butter” music video, the septet — including V, Suga, Jung Kook, Jin, RM, Jimin and J-Hope — pose in the camera and for mugshots, weaved with slick choreography throughout. They also dance at press conferences, in a gymnasium, on a massive stage and more. “Smooth like butter, like a criminal undercover/ Gon’ pop like trouble breaking into your heart like that,” they sing on the upbeat hit.

“Butter” was released in May 2021 via Big Hit and Sony Music Entertainment, marking BTS’ second English-language single after “Dynamite.” The group performed the track at the 2022 Grammy Awards, where “Butter” was nominated in the best pop duo/group performance category. It also won best K-pop at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. Over on the Billboard charts, the song spent a total of 10 weeks in the No. 1 spot on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. “Butter” was also crowned the top title on the 2021 Songs of the Summer chart.

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“Firstly, we never actually expected that we were going to release another single, but the virus is getting longer and longer so we thought we need another summer song,” RM previously told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe about the track, which was released amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We thought we needed another summer number, and ‘Butter’ was perfectly fit for that. And now we’re here.”

To celebrate the group’s newest Billion Views Club member, rewatch BTS’ “Butter” music video below.

04 Dec 2024

‘Die With a Smile’ Lands Lady Gaga Her First Adult Pop Airplay No. 1 & Bruno Mars His Fourth

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” ascends three spots to No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart (dated Dec. 7).

The ballad, on Streamline/Atlantic/Interscope/ICLG, becomes Gaga’s first leader on the radio ranking, and Mars’ fourth. He previously reigned as featured on Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk!,” for a week in 2015, and with his own “When I Was Your Man” (two weeks, 2013) and “Just the Way You Are” (five, 2010).

Among her 12 Adult Pop Airplay top 10s, Gaga had reached a prior No. 2 best with two hits: “Shallow,” with Bradley Cooper, in 2019, and “The Edge of Glory,” in 2011.

Gaga tops Adult Pop Airplay 15 years, 11 months and two weeks after she first appeared on the chart dated Dec. 20, 2008, when “Just Dance,” featuring Colby O’Donis, debuted (on its way to a No. 7 peak). She ends the longest wait for a first No. 1 dating to an initial visit to the chart since Elton John and Britney Spears’ “Hold Me Closer” led for a week in March 2022. John ranked (with “Blessed”) on the chart dated March 16, 1996, when the list first published in Billboard’s print edition. Spears arrived on the survey in March 1999 with her breakthrough classic, “…Baby One More Time.”

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The Adult Pop Airplay chart ranks songs by weekly plays on 80 adult top 40 radio stations monitored by Mediabase, with data provided to Billboard by Luminate.

Gaga burnishes her overall radio chart résumé, as she also boasts eight No. 1s Pop Airplay, four on Dance/Mix Show Airplay and two on the all-format Radio Songs ranking.

“Die With a Smile” crowned the Billboard Global 200 chart for eight weeks in September-October, the most for any song this year. It has tallied over 100 million streams globally in each of the last 13 weeks (through the Dec. 7-dated chart), the longest such streak since the survey began in September 2020.

On the Billboard Hot 100, “Die With a Smile” has hit a No. 2 high. It has ranked in the top 10 for all 15 of its weeks on the chart so far, dating to its late-August entrance – the most frames in the region consecutively from a debut week for any of Gaga’s 18 top 10s, one-upping “Applause,” which spent its first 14 weeks on the chart in the top 10 in 2013.

04 Dec 2024

From ‘Last Christmas’ to ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’ Some of the Biggest Holiday Hits Have Outlived Their Performers

Holiday music is one area of pop music where being dead isn’t a hindrance. A slight majority of the songs on Billboard’s Holiday 100, which relaunches this week, are by artists who have passed on. (The exact tally is 52 out of 100 – and six of the top 10.)

Several of the artists who provide the soundtrack to holiday specials, parties and trips to the mall have been dead longer than most of the current pop audience has been alive. Bing Crosby, who sang the Oscar-winning “White Christmas” in the 1942 film Holiday Inn, died in 1977. Elvis Presley, who gave us “Blue Christmas” in 1957, also died that year.

Vince Guaraldi, whose music for A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a part of every holiday season since that Peabody-winning TV special first aired in 1965, died in 1976. Judy Garland, whose “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has made us misty she introduced it in her 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis, died in 1969. Nat “King” Cole, who introduced “The Christmas Song” in 1946 when he was fronting The King Cole Trio, died in 1965.

Crosby has seven songs on the current Holiday 100, more than any other departed artist. Cole is tied for second place with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams, with four songs each.

Holiday music has greatly extended these and many other artists’ era of relevance. Williams’ last non-holiday song to crack the Hot 100 was in 1976. Martin last charted with a non-holiday song in 1969; Crosby in 1957, the year before the inception of the Hot 100.

When it comes to holiday music, whether an artist is alive or dead doesn’t matter very much. In a way, that’s fitting. Family members who are no longer with us are still frequently part of our holiday traditions. You may serve your holiday dinner on your Grandma’s treasured china, or always make your aunt’s special cranberry sauce, or make a point of playing your mom’s favorite Johnny Mathis Christmas album. You may remember these departed family members when you say grace before dinner – or even bother to say grace at all because they would have wanted it that way.

More than any other time of the year, it’s a time for tradition. And music is very much part of those traditions.

Here are all the artists on the current Holiday 100 (dated Dec. 7, 2024) who are no longer with us. They are ranked in order of the current chart position of their highest-charting song, with other charted songs by the same artist grouped with them. Songs by duos and groups are included if the lead singer on that song has died. We also include the departed leaders of two mostly instrumental acts – Guaraldi, the leader of the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and Paul O’Neill, the founder, instrumentalist and composer of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The year shown in parentheses is the year the song was first released by that artist. (Some were re-recorded by the same artist multiple times.)

04 Dec 2024

BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ Covers ‘Last Christmas’ | Billboard News

ROSÉ from BLACKPINK covered Wham!’s iconic Christmas song “Last Christmas.”  Keep watching to see her rendition of the classic!

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ROSÉ from BLACKPINK channeled the icon George Michael for a cover of Wham!’s classic hit “Last Christmas.” The pop star performed at BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge, reading the lyrics and swaying softly as she interpreted the Christmas classic. Wham! debuted “Last Christmas” back in December of 1984 and the song made it to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. What’s next for ROSÉ? She’s gearing up for her debut solo album, ‘Rosie,’ which is set to drop this Friday, Dec. 6, featuring 12 tracks, including hit single “APT.” For more pop news, stay locked here at Billboard.