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13 Nov 2024

Sega Bodega Calls Out Lil Nas X for Imitating His Single Art: ‘Not Even Trying to Put a Spin on It’

While plenty of Lil Nas X fans are hyping themselves up over his upcoming new single, dance artist Sega Bodega has a few questions for the rapper about one of his promotional photos.

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In a series of posts to his X on Wednesday (Nov. 13), Bodega — who goes by Salvador Navarrete off stage — pointed out the similarities between a photo Lil Nas X shared in conjunction with his new project Dreamboy and the single artwork for Bodega’s 2021 song “Angel on My Shoulder.” “not even trying to put a spin on it is where I’m like yeesh,” Bodega wrote. “anyway stream ‘Angel on my shoulder.’”

Billboard has reached out to Lil Nas X’s representatives for comment.

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In both pictures, the subjects — Bodega and Lil Nas, respectively — sit at a vintage desktop computer in a dimly lit, wood-paneled rooms while a figure made out of light stands just behind them covered in white light. Lil Nas himself pointed out the similarities in a post to his Instagram Stories, sharing the artwork for “Angel on My Should” and calling it a “ref” for his new promotional photo.

When fans pointed out Lil Nas’ Stories post to Bodega, the “Cicada” artist responded that he was still unhappy with the lack of recognition. Responding to one fan who called him “ungrateful” and said that Lil Nas should “remove [his] credit to you,” Bodega said he couldn’t tell “if this is a very good joke or not cause that’s literally what he did ahahah there is no credit.” He added that offering credit “in a photo that will disappear in 24 hours forever and no name whatsoever of artist or photographer [Aidan Zamiri]” wasn’t sufficient.

The artist’s complaint comes just after Lil Nas X’s announced his new album era Dreamboy, and revealed that his next single, “Light Again,” will be debuting on Friday (Nov. 15). In the post where Lil Nas referenced Bodega’s single art, the rapper offered a heartfelt thank you to his fans. “it just dawned on me how lucky i am to have all of you that still f–k with me. bc i know it isn’t always easy,” he wrote.

Check out Sega Bodega’s posts below:

13 Nov 2024

UMG Says Mary J. Blige Hit ‘Real Love’ Didn’t Steal Famous Funk Sample: ‘Sound Nothing Alike’

Universal Music Group wants a federal judge to dismiss a copyright lawsuit claiming Mary J. Blige’s 1992 hit “Real Love” used a famed 1973 funk sample without a license, arguing the accusers have popped up “out of the blue” to sue over two tracks that “sound nothing alike.”

The case, filed in earlier this year by Tuff City Records, claims Blige’s track borrowed from “Impeach the President” by the Honey Drippers — a legendary piece of hip-hop source material with a drum track that’s been sampled or interpolated by Run-DMC, Dr. Dre, Doja Cat and many others over the years.

But in a response on Tuesday, UMG argues that Tuff City’s case is deeply flawed and must be tossed out of court at the outset.

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“Now, more than 30 years after ‘Real Love’ was released, plaintiff appears out of the blue alleging that ‘Real Love’ contains an uncleared sample from ‘Impeach the President,’ with no allegations concerning the works’ substantial similarity,” the music giant wrote. “The absence of that allegation is fatal.”

One key claim in Tuff City’s lawsuit is that UMG’s recorded music unit (UMG Recordings, Inc.) has already reached a settlement regarding the use of the “Impeach” sample on the “Real Love” sound recording, but that UMG’s publishing arm is unfairly refusing to do the same for the musical composition.

In Tuesday’s response, UMG confirmed the existence of that earlier settlement over the sound recording, but said it was entirely separate and complete “irrelevant” to a dispute over the composition. UMG’s attorneys said the settlement did not admit that “Real Love” infringed “Impeach” — but that even if it had, Tuff City was “confusing” a basic distinction that lies at the heart of music copyright law.

“Plaintiff … insinuates that defendant infringes simply because non-party UMG settled plaintiff’s claim of infringement [over] the sound recording,” the company wrote. “Because there exist two separate copyrights in music … a work can readily infringe one without infringing the other.”

Blige’s “Real Love” spent 31 weeks on the Hot 100 in 1992 and reached a peak of No. 7 on the chart. It has remained one of the star’s most enduring hits, with more than 105 million spins on Spotify and a movie adaptation released by Lifetime last year.

Tuff City sued UMG over the track in April, claiming it had “advised defendant repeatedly” about the allegedly uncleared sample, but that Universal had done nothing about it: “Defendant has repeatedly refused to engage plaintiff in substantive negotiations to rectify the foregoing, let alone agreed to compensate plaintiff for the past infringement or on an ongoing basis.”

The lawsuit did not name Blige herself as a defendant nor accuse her of any wrongdoing.

Tuff City, which owns a large catalog of old songs, is no stranger to copyright litigation – filing cases over tracks by Jay-Z, Beastie Boys, Christina Aguilera, Frank Ocean with claims that they featured unlicensed samples or interpolations. The company has even already sued over “Impeach the President,” claiming in a 1991 complaint that it had been illegally sampled on the LL Cool J tracks “Around the Way Girl” and “Six Minutes of Pleasure.”

The company has won plenty of rulings and settlements, but the litigation process has not always gone smoothly. In 2014, a judge dismissed one Tuff City case over Jay-Z’s “Run This Town” on the grounds that any alleged sample was “barely perceptible” after multiple listens. In that ruling, the judge chided Tuff City over its approach to the case, saying it “incorrectly … assumes that every copying of any part of another artist’s protected work is infringement.”

In Tuesday’s motion seeking to dismiss the “Real Love” case, UMG directly cited that 2014 ruling – arguing that the two songs “sound nothing alike” and that Tuff City had failed to argue otherwise.

“Unwilling to learn from the lessons of its past, plaintiff again seeks to assert copyright liability without plausibly pleading substantial similarity with respect to the musical compositions at issue here,” the company wrote. “The copyright claim must accordingly be dismissed.”

An attorney for Tuff City did not immediately return a request for comment.

13 Nov 2024

Sorry, Mariah Carey: Jason Kelce Jokes He’s the New ‘Queen of Christmas’ Thanks to Stevie Nicks Duet

Jason Kelce is after Mariah Carey‘s crown. After discovering that his new holiday duet with Stevie Nicks outperformed “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on the iTunes charts this week, the retired Eagles center joked with brother Travis Kelce on New Heights that he’s the new “Queen of Christmas.”

Toward the beginning of the podcast episode posted Wednesday (Nov. 13), the Kansas City Chiefs tight end congratulated his older sibling for having “dethroned” the Songbird Supreme with “Maybe This Christmas,” which debuts at No. 1 on the iTunes Top Christmas Songs 2024 chart and bests Carey’s bestselling holiday classic by one spot. The track — a Ron Sexsmith cover Jason recorded with the Fleetwood Mac frontwoman for The Philly Specials’ upcoming charity Christmas album — dropped Nov. 8.

“[Carey’s] song is as good as it gets when it comes to Christmas music,” Travis began. “Jason, how does it feel to officially be the Queen of Christmas?”

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“You know, I’ve fought my whole life to be the Queen of Christmas,” Jason jokingly replied. “The fact that we’re finally there is just really special.”

The Monday Night Countdown host went on to gush, “It was incredible to work with Stevie Nicks” — a process he recently shared with fans on Instagram via a behind-the-scenes video from the unlikely duo’s recording session. “I’m just still in awe that that actually happened,” he added. “This is really really cool. There is no percent chance any song that I’m in should be streaming No. 1 on any service in any genre.”

In response, Travis teasingly brought the elder Kelce back down to earth. “Well, don’t give yourself too much credit,” he said as Jason laughed. “It’s Stevie Nicks.”

Even so, “All I Want for Christmas” is indeed one of the most successful festive tunes of all time. It’s spent a collective 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and ranks at No. 1 atop Billboard‘s best Christmas songs list and the Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs listing.

Arriving Nov. 22, A Philly Special Christmas Party will mark the third benefit album from The Philly Specials, which is comprised of Jason and Eagles offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. Last year’s A Philly Special Christmas Special raised more than $3 million for charity.

This year, proceeds from the vinyl sales of A Philly Special Christmas Party will go toward the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s Holiday Toy Drive, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Snowflake Station and 87 and Running Foundation, as well as a few other organizations based in Philly.

Watch Jason and Travis talk about the former’s new title above.

13 Nov 2024

What’s Kept Gin Blossoms Going for Nearly Four Decades? Democracy

A few years ago, Gin Blossoms singer Robin Wilson had an idea for a band T-shirt with the song title of one of its most popular songs in the style of a satanic metal band. “It was all blood, and there were pentagrams, and it said ‘Follow You Down’ in old English script,” he tells Billboard’s Behind the Setlist podcast. “It was just blood and flames everywhere, and I loved it so much. I thought it was really funny and great.”

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The other four members of Gin Blossoms — a melodic rock band whose handful of lasting hits from the ‘90s alternative rock era have little in common with dark heavy metal — didn’t share Wilson’s enthusiasm, and the idea never got past the conception phase. Why the shirt didn’t get made helps explain how Wilson and his bandmates have kept Gin Blossoms going for 37 years: Wilson was outvoted.

“Part of what makes our band work is that everybody gets a vote,” says Wilson from his home in Arizona. “And despite the fact that I do more work than anybody else, my vote doesn’t count for any more. It wouldn’t work for us. If I made some power grab, that would be one of the things that could lead to the end of the band.”

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Formed in 1987 in Tempe, Ariz., Gin Blossoms first released an independent album, Dusted, before signing to MCA Records and releasing New Miserable Experience in 1992. The band’s catchy, melodic songs sounded drastically different than the heavier grunge sound that was capturing programmers’ attention at the time, but Gin Blossoms eventually found a welcome home at radio and MTV. Their breakout hit, “Hey Jealousy,” peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993 and was equalled by “Found Out About You” the following year. A double-A side single with “Follow You Down” and “Til I Hear It From You,” and the 1996 album Congratulations I’m Sorry, peaked at Nos. 9 and 10 on the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts, respectively.  

A four-year breakup and three studio albums later, Gin Blossoms’ democratic approach to running the band has proven effective. They spent much of 2024 criss-crossing the country playing playing music venues, fairs and festivals. In August, the band hit the road with ‘90s compatriots Toad the Wet Sprocket and Vertical Horizon. In January, the band will board The ‘90s Cruise in Tampa, Fla., that will also feature Blues Traveler, Everclear, Lit and Lisa Loeb. 

“I think there was a lot of sacrifices made by the everybody in the band to stay together,” says guitarist Jesse Valenzuela. “But at some after 20 years, you start to see it as maybe, I guess, this is my life’s work, and what are you supposed to do? You better make peace with your situation and try to be positive and be the best person you can be. Try to be helpful to others and be honest.”

“Punctuality,” Wilson adds. “Punctuality is important. You don’t make your bandmates wait for you. You want to keep a band together? Get to the airport on time.”

Listen to the entire interview with Robin Wilson and Jesse Valenzuela from Gin Blossoms in the embedded Spotify player below, or go to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Amazon Music, Audible, Podbean or Everand. 

13 Nov 2024

Rema and Selena Gomez’s ‘Calm Down’ Remix Video Hits 1 Billion Views on YouTube

Rema and Selena Gomez‘s remix video for the Afrobeats star’s 2022 single, “Calm Down” has crossed the one billion views mark on YouTube. The visual for the song that originally appeared on Nigerian singer Rema’s Feb. 2022 debut studio album, Rave & Roses, got a second life in August of that year when Gomez hopped into the visual for the sultry jam.

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In the video, both singers hang out in a living room with green walls and colorful tapestries, with Gomez dancing seductively behind a beaded curtain and shaking her hips alongside Rema as he sings, “I see this fine girl, for my party, she wear yellow/ Every other girl they dey do too much, but this girl mellow/ Naim, I dey find situation, I go use take tell am ‘Hello’/ Finally, I find way to talk to the girl, but she no wan’ follow.”

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Midway through, Gomez sidles up to Rema and adds, “Yeah, I know I look shy but for you i get down, woah/ And my hips make you cry when I’m moving around you/ Do it once, do it twice/ I push back you hold me tight.” The two then join forces on the chorus: “Baby, show me you can calm down, calm down/ Dance with me and take the lead now, lead now/ Got you so high that you can’t come down, come down” as the action turns to an all-white garage where the pair pose on a vintage roadster.

In addition to crossing the billion mark on YT, the song set all kinds or records during its chart run, including the longest run at the top of Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and first song in history to spend a year on that chart (currently at 138 weeks) and the record for the first African song to log a whole year (57 weeks total) on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also has the record for the most weeks ever spent on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart, logging an unprecedented 64 weeks as of Jan. 20 of this year; “Calm Down” bested the previous record-holder, Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” which had 63 week at the top in 2022-2023.

Watch the “Calm Down” remix video below.

13 Nov 2024

LISA of BLACKPINK Hints at New Project With Cyberpunk Teaser & Cryptic Countdown

Something LISA this way comes — but fans aren’t exactly sure what it is yet.

That will all change soon, however, according to a mysterious untitled countdown that has appeared on the BLACKPINK star’s solo website. By Billboard‘s math, the clock will finish ticking down on Nov. 19 — the possible release date of new music from LISA.

LISA also shared a cinematic teaser on X Tuesday morning (Nov. 12), featuring the Thai singer-rapper in an edgy black bodysuit striking poses and playing guitar in a desolate cyberpunk landscape. At one point, she looks up to the sky and summons a neon purple light from the heavens, after which she stares down the camera as magenta sparks fly behind her on a rocky sculpture.

The clip is paired with an instrumental of LISA’s June single “Rockstar,” which reached No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 and kicked off the performer’s new solo era. She’s since dropped “New Woman” with Rosalía and “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me).”

And though they can’t know for sure yet what LISA’s new teaser and countdown are building up to, fans are hopeful a solo album announcement is on its way. “LETS GOOOO ALBUM IS COMING!!!” one person commented on the video, while another fan replied, “im gonna faint we need the album.”

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Some BLINKs are also certain they’ve decoded the project’s title: “Alter Ego,” the phrase printed on a faux magazine starring LISA on the cover in her August music video for “New Woman.” “ALTER EGO????” an excited fan commented under the star’s new teaser Tuesday.

As fans prepare for a new project from LISA, the star is also gearing up to make her acting debut in White Lotus. The 2025 third season of the HBO show will feature the musician as Mook, a resort manager at a hotel in Thailand, as seen in a new trailer, in which LISA greets guests with, “Welcome to The White Lotus in Thailand, ka.”

See LISA’s teaser below.

13 Nov 2024

Real Boston Richey Talks ‘Help Me’ Success, Brushing Off the Haters & Future’s Advice

Zendaya’s Tashi Duncan character in Challengers defined tennis as a relationship. An unexpected tennis star in his own right while growing up in Florida, Real Boston Richey is adjusting to the give and take of his relationship with fame as his rapper profile continues to grow.

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Boston Richey served up a splash with “Help Me” earlier this year, which had fans comparing his motivational anthem to Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares.”

The MacFly-produced single picked up steam and powered its way to give Richey his first Billboard Hot 100 hit in July. “Help Me” would go on to peak at No. 50 and even cracked the top 10 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

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With burgeoning success on one side for the 27-year-old, he’s also had to tune out the haters on the other shoulder. Detractors have attempted to pepper him with accusations tied to snitching, which even peers have thrown in his direction trying to muddy his project’s rollout.

Through it all, Real Boston Richey is focused on what’s ahead while moving past the allegations and using the haters as fuel to his fire and bricks to “build a house.”

“At first, it made me feel a way. But I had to understand, it’s life,” he admits during a Zoom call with Billboard last week. “You gotta expect curveballs when you’re doing some kind of good. I had to embrace what I was going through. You can’t really say you the best if nobody ever seen you go through something and not make it through.”

After whittling down hundreds of songs to a package of 24, the Free Bandz Gang artist delivered his Richey Rich album on Friday (Nov. 8) featuring GloRilla, Lil Yachty and YTB Fatt. Check out our conversation with Boston Richey below as he goes long on his project, dealing with the haters and gems he’s taken from Future.

Richey Rich — what was the creative process for everything with this album?

Real Boston Richey: Richey Rich is really gonna be one of them ones. I put a lot of time in there. Like, over a year, for real. Most of the project I recorded in Miami. 80 percent there and the rest I did in my city. I put a lot of effort and feelings into this and I feel like this one’s gonna be one of them albums. 

I was gonna touch on what makes this stand out from your other projects. What do you hope people take from it? 

I put a lot of feelings into it. A lot of my thought process. These are the top picks from all of the music I recorded. I done recorded hundreds of songs. These were the best hand-picked songs. 

How tough is that process to whittle it down?

That’s probably the hardest thing in the world for me. That’s probably why I took so long with getting it ready, because I was always indecisive with what I wanted to do. I might have these songs I have this week, and I might go to the studio and be like, “Nah, I don’t wanna use these no more. I like these I just made.” That’s the deal of the situation.

Would you save some for a deluxe?

Yeah, we got bonus tracks for sure coming. 

How did you link with Lil Yachty?

He had hit me on Instagram. A month or two later I was in [Atlanta] so I had pulled up to the studio they was at. We was just in there vibing and listening to beats. We went to record and did probably seven songs that night. 

When did you link up with GloRilla? She’s had a good run this year. You guys went to Magic City to shoot the video too. 

I had dropped “The Type” with [YTB Fatt] and she had wrote me like, “You hard, man, I wanna work with you.” I’m like, “Hell yeah, we gotta do something.” We didn’t make it until two or three months later and we were in Miami and I went to her studio session. I think she was working on her album or mixtape if I’m not mistaken. She was bringing up music and I had jumped on one of her songs.

Then she was like, “Play me some of your s–t!” I was playing some of my music and she was really supposed to get on another song I had. She had walked out the room and her brother had heard “Get in There.” Her brother was like, “Oh nah, this the one right here.” Soon as she walked back in, I played it again and they all went crazy. She went in there and did her verse like, “Tell me if y’all don’t like it.” They played it and her verse and the whole studio went crazy. “You slid on that b—h, ya feel me?” 

That’s crazy she wasn’t that confident in it. 

Yeah, she was like, “Tell me if this hard.” Her whole studio went crazy like, “This is the one.”

We gotta talk about “Help Me,” your first Billboard Hot 100 hit. I think it’s reached No. 50. Talk about creating that record and seeing the heights it’s gone to.

When I heard that beat, the beat was telling me, saying, “Help me.” I had both my phone around and got a new phone. I told my engineer send me the new music I recorded. I literally had forgot about it. One day, we was on the road and my brother was in the car and played the car when everyone was asleep. Everyone woke up like, “What this is?!”

We went and shot the video that same night. Everyone was going crazy about it. I played a little snippet at one of my shows and it was going crazy on Instagram. We still had not dropped it until two months later. We were pushing the music and little snippets on the Gram so they were anticipating it for real. 

So then it drops and it makes the Hot 100. What was your reaction to that?

Really just motivated me to know that as long as I apply myself and do the right thing I’m supposed to do I could really be somebody. I could really have a hit song. It motivated me to stay in that mode and keep going and doing what I’m supposed to do.

I saw people saying “Help Me” was the new “Dreams and Nightmares.” What do you think about that?

Nah, for sure. It kinda made me feel good. Comparing my song to “Dreams and Nightmares” – that’s been a banger for years and years. I still go to the club to this day and they play, it and it still gets that reaction same to when I first heard “Dreams and Nightmares.” For them to compare my song to that, it made me feel great.

With the success comes the hate. Do you feel like the snitching allegations were thrown at you to derail you?

At first, it made me feel a way. But I had to understand, it’s life. You gotta expect curveballs when you’re doing some kind of good. I had to embrace what I was going through. You can’t really say you the best if nobody ever seen you go through something and not make it through. I used it as gas to my fire, and really learn how to overcome and get through to show people I’m really one of them ones. These days, I just learned to use the bricks people throw at me to build a house. 

Can you clear up anything around that situation?

Nah, it was just some bulls–t. It wasn’t on really nothing. I’m not really into it. I can’t explain no street s–t once I’m past it. I’m an artist now. If you ain’t from my city, you ain’t never gonna understand it. I’m here to prove no points to people. I’m still the biggest in my city, and I’m still active in my city… I don’t really be worrying about what a person got to say about me on the internet that don’t know me or don’t know where I’m coming, for real. 

Signing to Future, what’s the communication there? What are your last conversations?

My last conversation, he hit me about “Help Me” saying how the song was amazing and s–t like that. Just how I did and how I overcome the bulls–t. Basically saying, like, “Damn boy, you got a a hit on your hands. Keep going.”

They listened to my project first-hand. I know when they send a song like, “This the one.” I just know not to question it. They helped me pick my Public Housing one. So when they tell me, “This the one, tweak this or do this with it.” I just understand and listen. They got hits on hits. When they tell me to do something different with a song, I just be listening and go with it. 

I was looking into hobbies you had outside of rap and I saw you were into tennis. Did you play growing up?

I got championship trophies from tennis, man. I’m raw at tennis. I ain’t wanna be no tennis player or nothing. My mom didn’t want us hanging out after school, so she thought, “I’ma put y’all in sports.” I’m thinking she’s gonna put us in football or basketball or something like that. I remember one Sunday morning she woke us up like, “We going to practice.”

We drove an hour away – me and my brother looking like, “What is this?” She like, “Y’all finna play tennis. Y’all thought you were gonna play football and be around the same boys y’all had?” We did, and it grew to something me and my brother actually liked, and we won a championship too. 

Do you pick up the racket these days?

That was more growing up, but I know I could still be raw at it if I wanted to.  

What’s your dream collaboration?

Bad Bunny or something like that. 

What was the rap scene growing up in Tallahassee? Did you ever get to meet T-Pain?

Yeah, I met T-Pain before. Me and T-Pain from the same hood… The rap scene s–t, when I think about back in the day, I really wasn’t big on the rap scene. My influence on music was heavy through my cousin. He passed away, but that’s who had me rapping through the years after he passed. My influence on music was dictated through what he liked because he’d be the one like, “Ay cuz, you gotta go listen to this new Thug.” He was the type of person that kept me rooted and grounded on music. I wasn’t big on music. I ain’t never wanted to rap or nothing like that. 

What’s your album of the year so far outside of your own?

If I gotta say the album of the year, I probably gotta say I been bumping that We Still Don’t Trust You. I been bumping that the most. I ain’t gonna lie. A lot of times I be bumping my own s–t, but outside of that, that’s probably what I listen to the most.

Any goals for 2025 coming up?

One of my biggest goals is going on my own tour – just me in 2025. That’s what I’m working toward more than anything. That’s what I want to do and really spread my wings and show people I could do it myself. The greater me for real. 

13 Nov 2024

Anthem Entertainment Acquires Selection of Songs from Darell’s Catalog, Including Smash Hit ‘Te Boté’

Anthem Entertainment has acquired a “wide” selection of songs from Darell‘s catalog, the company tells Billboard. Included in the deal is the urbano superstar’s star-studded “Te Boté (Remix)” with Casper Mágico, Nio García, Nicky Jam, Ozuna & Bad Bunny, which peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018 and ruled the Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 weeks.

Additional Darell songs that are part of the acquisition include “Otro Trago” with Sech and “Asesina” with Brytiago, along with tracks featuring Jennifer Lopez, Rauw Alejandro, J Balvin and more.

The Darell catalog acquisition further boosts Anthem’s presence in the Latin music space. The indie music company’s publishing catalog also includes an array of hits by Latin acts such as Pitbull, Karol G, Farruko, Camilo and Ricky Martin.

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Also on Wednesday (Nov. 13), Anthem also announced that industry veteran Victor Mijares has been appointed as the company’s first vp of Latin music and will “work closely” with Anthem’s acquisitions team to “source and evaluate investment opportunities in the Latin market,” according to a press release.

“We are excited to welcome Victor as Anthem’s first-ever Vice President of Latin Music,” Anthem CEO Jason Klein said in a statement. “With his deep expertise in Latin music and culture, alongside his extensive industry experience, Victor will play a crucial role as we expand our presence in this vibrant and rapidly growing market. Under Victor’s leadership, Anthem’s acquisition of this extraordinary catalog of songs from Darell is a significant step in our strategy to invest in exceptional Latin music, further diversifying and enriching our already impressive catalog of songs.”

“I am honored and thrilled to have joined Jason Klein’s outstanding team and to contribute to Anthem’s Entertainment’s continuing success,” Mijares added. “I believe that the potential to grow our business in the Latin sector is open-ended. We have the passion, commitment, and resources to shape exciting opportunities for our partners. The acquisition of a large portion of Darell’s catalog is a very important step for us as a company as well as for the Canadian music industry. We are delighted to add Darell’s masterful works to our growing repertoire.”

Darell was represented in the deal by Angie Martinez, Esq., Denny Marte at MPA Advisors, LLC and Eddy Perdomo at EPM Entertainment.

13 Nov 2024

Flo Milli Addresses Pregnancy Rumors Following Viral Clip: ‘Damn I Can’t Be Bloated’

Congratulations may be in order for Flo Milli as she appeared to show off a baby bump, but she’s pumping the breaks on a pregnancy reveal.

The “Never Lose Me” rapper posted an Instagram clip previewing an upcoming song sampling T-Pain’s “I’m In Luv (Wit a Stripper)” bop on Tuesday night (Nov. 12). However, Flo’s comments section was filled with peers and fans commenting about her belly in the clip, which featured a man rubbing what appeared to be a baby bump.

“FLO WAIT WAIT THIS ALOT RN,” Sexyy Red wrote. “You look pretty asf bihhhhhh!”

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Megan Thee Stallion added, “My girllll!”

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Coi Leray, Lady London, Nelly Furtado, Anycia, Baby Tate, Saucy Santana and more chimed in, sending Flo their love and congratulatory messages.

Shortly after the comments poured in, Flo Milli threw fans a curveball when addressing the pregnancy rumors, claiming to be “bloated” on X.

“Damn I can’t be bloated????” she asked.

A fan fired back, “WE SAW YOU RUB IT!”

Billboard has reached out to reps for Flo Milli for comment.

It’s been a banner year for the 23-year-old. Her “Never Lose Me” anthem caught fire and broke through onto the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked inside the top 20 (No. 18).

Flo released her Find Ho, Stay sophomore album in March, which reached No. 54 on the Billboard 200 and hit the top 20 of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. More recently, Flo Milli connected with Skepta for their woozy “Why Lie?” collaboration in October.

Find both posts from Flo Milli below.

13 Nov 2024

Jin of BTS to Make His Solo Debut on Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Tonight Show’

Jin of BTS on The Tonight Show? He’ll be there. 

As announced by host Jimmy Fallon in a video posted to to the show’s social media accounts Tuesday (Nov. 12), the 31-year-old K-pop star is set to make his solo debut on the late-night talk program. In the clip, the Saturday Night Live alum opens an envelope labeled “Top Secret” and feeds a disc into an ancient-looking computer. 

Once the contents of the disc finally load, revealing a photo of Jin’s face and the date of his upcoming Tonight Show appearance — Nov. 20 — Fallon’s jaw drops with excitement.  

The news comes about six years after BTS made its full-band debut on Fallon’s show. In 2018, the group — which is also comprised of SUGA, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — performed Billboard Hot 100 No. 11 hit “Idol” and “I’m Fine,” as well as tried out that year’s “Fortnite” dance trend. 

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In 2020, the boys made a number of Tonight Show appearances — including a couple virtual musical numbers on the show to lighten ARMY’s moods during the COVID-19 pandemic — before returning again in 2021 for performances of their No. 1 hits “Butter” and “Permission to Dance.” Jin’s bandmates Jimin and SUGA have since made their own solo debuts on the show. 

News of the “Super Tuna” singer’s upcoming appearance comes on the heels of his new single “I’ll Be There,” which dropped Oct. 25 ahead of his debut solo album, Happy, which arrives Friday (Nov. 15). In a recent interview, Jin said of the project, “I have a very clear idea of what kind of emotions I want to share with our fans … I want our fans, our ARMY, to be happy.” 

Jin’s solo era is unfolding as most of the BTS boys are still finishing out their mandatory service in the South Korean military, which the “Abyss” artist became the first to complete in June. J-Hope is the only other member of the group to have completed his since then; full-band activities are on pause until next year. 

Watch Fallon’s announcement above.