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02 Oct 2024

Kaytranada & Childish Gambino Show Off Their Supernatural Dance Moves in ‘Witchy’ Music Video: Watch

Kaytranada and Childish Gambino suit up for a supernatural experience in their new “Witchy” music video, which dropped on Wednesday (Oct. 2).

The collaborators and RCA labelmates post up in an intimate studio while an assortment of mesmerizing characters (and a white cat) — like four ballerinas who magically transform into an incredibly flexible male dancer — leave them in a trance from the other side of the glass. Kaytranada and Gambino (also known as Donald Glover) catch a vibe with their synchronized moves and custom Gucci suits, courtesy of stylist Von Ford.

“Witchy” is from Kaytranada’s third solo studio album Timeless that he released on June 7, 2024. The 21-track album reached No. 28 on the Billboard 200, No. 6 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 2 on Top Dance/Electronic Albums. He’s currently on the Timeless Tour, which wraps on Nov. 9 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.

Glover announced he was postponing the remaining North American dates of his final tour as Childish Gambino “to focus on my physical health for a few weeks,” he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). The trek was in support of Gambino’s fifth and final studio album Bando Stone and the New World, which was released on July 19, 2024. The 17-song set peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

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Watch the Bethany Vargas-directed “Witchy” music video below.

02 Oct 2024

Queens of the Stone Age Announce New 2025 Tour Dates Following Cancellation Over Josh Homme’s Health

Queens of the Stone Age will be back on the road next summer after cancelling a run of 2024 shows due to unspecified health issues affecting singer/guitarist Josh Homme.

The band called off eight festivals shows on their End Is Nero tour so Homme could fly back to the U.S. for what was described at the time as “emergency surgery“; another seven European festival gigs slated for August were then pulled due to the health issue.

Now, per the band’s official tour site, Queens will be back on the road with the End Is Nero Tour next summer. Starting with a two-night stand at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston on June 10 and 11, the five date tour will see the band playing gigs at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati on June 18, a stop at Madison Breese Stevens Field in Madison, WI on June 20 and a June 21 show at the Chicago Huntington Bank Pavilion.

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At the time they cancelled all their 2024 gigs, the band issued a statement on X that read: “QOTSA regret to announce the cancellation and/or postponement of all remaining 2024 shows. Josh has been given no choice but to prioritize his health and to receive essential medical care through the remainder of the year.”

Homme has bene open about his health struggles in the past, revealing in 2023 that he’d undergone surgery for cancer after being diagnosed in 2022. Queens had been on tour for much of 2024 (as well as late 2023) supporting their eighth studio album, In Times New Roman…

Check out the official list of tour dates for Queens of the Stone Age’s the End Is Nero tour below:

  • June 10 — Boston, Mass. @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
  • June 11 — Boston, Mass. @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
  • June 18 — Cincinatti, Ohio @ Andrew J Brady Music Center
  • June 20 — Madison, Wis @ Breese Stevens Field
  • June 21 — Chicago, Ill. @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

02 Oct 2024

Fleetwood Mac Producer Sues Over ‘Stereophonic,’ Says Broadway Hit Copied His ‘Rumours’ Memoir

A producer who worked on Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours is suing the creators of the hit Broadway play Stereophonic, claiming they stole material from his memoir about working on the legendary album.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday (Oct. 2) in Manhattan federal court, Ken Caillat and co-author Steven Stiefel call the Tony Award-winning show an “unauthorized adaptation” of their 2012 book Making Rumours — and accuse playwright David Adjmi of “flagrant and willful infringement.”

“Stereophonic copies the heart and soul of Making Rumours,” attorneys for Caillat and Stiefel write in their complaint. “The striking similarity is readily apparent right from the beginning of the show.”

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Featuring the music of Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Stereophonic debuted on Broadway last fall, eventually winning five Tony Awards including best play, best direction of a play and best featured actor in a play.

Critics quickly noted the similarities to the infamous story of the recording session for Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, which featured high tensions and heavy drug usage. A reviewer for the Wall Street Journal said the play was “fictionalizing Fleetwood Mac”; another critic said the play “isn’t literally about Fleetwood Mac, but c’mon.”

In their lawsuit, Caillat and Stiefel say the hit play “presents a nearly identical story arc as Making Rumours,” told from the same perspective of a sound engineer in a recording studio, about five characters who are “undeniably analogous to the members of Fleetwood Mac.”

“Stereophonic is undoubtedly a play based on plaintiffs’ memoir Making Rumours because substantial similarities exist between the two works, a reality that has been independently confirmed by those familiar with plaintiffs’ book who have also had the opportunity to review the play,” the duo’s lawyers write.

The new case presents tricky legal questions. Under U.S. law, historical events cannot be monopolized under copyrights, and nobody can claim exclusive ownership over the real story behind the making of Rumours. But specific creative elements of how such a story is told can be protected by copyrights, and film, TV and stage producers often license non-fiction books as the basis for their works.

In their case, Caillat and Stiefel claim that Adjmi copied those exact kinds of creative choices when he created his play: “Stereophonic’s audience not only sits in the same place that Mr. Caillat sat, but the show also depicts Mr. Caillat’s wild ride as it is described in Making Rumours.”

Adjmi is no stranger to copyright litigation. Back in 2014, he filed a preemptive lawsuit over his off-Broadway show called 3C, which riffed on the sitcom Three’s Company. In that case, filed after the sitcom’s owners threatened litigation, Adjmi argued the play was clearly a legal parody of the earlier show. And he eventually won, securing a ruling that his play was a legal “fair use” of the famous show.

In their complaint, Caillat and Stiefel noted that earlier case, but pointedly argued that such a defense would not work this time around: “Stereophonic is not a parody, and it is not in any way a fair use of Making Rumours.”

Reps for Adjmi did not immediately return requests for comment.

02 Oct 2024

Indicted NYC Mayor Eric Adams Clowned For Welcoming Support From Indicted Disgraced Former President Donald Trump

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Mayor Adams Makes First Court Appearance In Corruption Case

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They say birds of a feather flock together. Mayor Mixxy, aka Eric Adams, needs all the allies he can get as the walls continue to close in on him, so it shouldn’t be shocking that he is now accepting support from Donald Trump.

Spotted on Raw Story, the embattled indicted Mayor, Eric Adams, welcomed the support from the disgraced orange menace, Donald Trump, after becoming the first NYC Mayor to be indicted while in office for allegedly taking bribes from foreign governments.

Speaking out of the side of his racist mouth, Trump, for whatever reason, blamed Adams’ charges on his critical comments Mayor Mixxy said about undocumented immigrants coming to the city.

“We have people that use the Justice Department and the FBI at levels that have never been seen before,” Trump said last week. “I wish him luck.”

On Tuesday, October 1, reporters asked Adams if he had embraced Trump’s support.

“Listen, I welcome support from every American, no matter where they are and who they are,” Adams told reporters. “I welcome support from every American, those who know me and know how I am, and those who are just reading up on this.”

“So, every American in this great country, I welcome support from.”

Critics Are Calling Eric Adams’ Rhetoric Very Trump-Like

It’s no surprise that Adams is being dragged for appreciating the support for the twice-impeached former president, with many pointing out how Trumpish he sounded.

“Several of Adams’ fellow Democrats compared the mayor’s rhetoric to that of former President Donald Trump, a Republican who was also indicted — and ultimately convicted — in New York,” Gothamist writer Brigid Bergin said. 

Bergin continued, “Several of Adams’ fellow Democrats compared the mayor’s rhetoric to that of former President Donald Trump, a Republican who was also indicted — and ultimately convicted — in New York.”

Welp.

The news isn’t getting any better for Adams. Federal prosecutors are considering bringing more charges against the defiant NYC Mayor.

You can see more reactions to Eric Adams’ downfall, which is currently in progress.

1. Hate to see it

3. Howling

9.

02 Oct 2024

Fonseca’s Children Discover How They Inspired His Career | Billboard Family Forum

Join Colombian artist Fonseca and his family as they dive into a heartwarming conversation about how their presence has shaped his career. In this interview, they explore special moments in his musical journey that were inspired by them and how his goals transformed after the kids were born.

Fonseca:
When you’re in a Lincoln, you can truly be yourself. The Power of Sanctuary in a Lincoln is all about finding the core of emotional balance, spiritual comfort. Whether through family, friends or inspiration. But your Lincoln is what creates that perfect space for you to feel comfortable.

Son:
Daddy, did you want to be a singer when you were little?

Fonseca:
You know, I actually started singing when I was your age … when I was 5 years old. I joined a kids’ musical, and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be a singer.

Daughter:
What do you think changed when I was born?

Fonseca:
When kids come into the world, they bring so much color, motivation, they give more meaning to life.

Juliana Posada:
Juanfer, tell me, what’s something you’ve learned from us that has helped you in your career?

Fonseca:
Every time I get your feedback on a song I’m working on, your first impressions really help me out. They guide me a lot during the creative process.

Alright, let’s head inside for a bit and see what we can do, OK?

02 Oct 2024

Amazon Pulls Kim Porter Book That Claims Abuse by Diddy

Amazon has pulled from it’s website the bestselling 60-page Kim’s Lost Words: A Journey for Justice From the Other Side…, a memoir allegedly written by the late Kim Porter, a model and longtime partner of Sean “Diddy” Combs, according to Associated Press.

The book reveals an alleged abusive relationship between the couple, who share 26-year-old son Christian, as well as 17-year-old twins Jessie and D’Lila. They also share Quincy Brown, Porter’s son with Al B Sure!, whom Combs adopted. “We were made aware of a dispute regarding this title and have notified the publisher,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. “The book is not currently available for sale in our store.”

Combs’ attorney Erica Wolf called the memoir “fake” and “offensive – a shameless attempt to profit from tragedy” in a statement to Billboard last month.

“Claims that our mom wrote a book are simply untrue,” Combs and Porter’s children said in the statement. “She did not, and anyone claiming to have a manuscript is misrepresenting themselves. Additionally, please understand that any so-called ‘friend’ speaking on behalf of our mom or her family is not a friend, nor do they have her best interests at heart.”

The statement went on: “Our lives were shattered when we lost our mother. She was our world, and nothing has been the same since she passed. While it has been incredibly difficult to reconcile how she could be taken from us too soon, the cause of her death has long been established. There was no foul play. Grief is a lifelong process, and we ask that everyone respect our request for peace as we continue to cope with her loss every day.”

Porter passed away on Nov. 15, 2018, and her cause of death was determined to be lobar pneumonia. She was 47.

Diddy was arrested on Sept. 17 in New York City on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. He has since been denied bond twice and will remain in prison until facing trial.

02 Oct 2024

Billboard Arabia Uses AI to Create Performance Honoring Late Saudi Arabian Music Icon Etab

Billboard Arabia‘s special edition “Jalsat” (session) stands out in form and purpose. The exclusive video series “Jalsat Billboard Arabia” was launched in February 2024 and featured some of the region’s most groundbreaking artists, from Ahmed Saad to Siilawy and Saint Levant. This time, in celebration of Saudi National Day, Billboard Arabia traveled back to the 1980s to revive the voice of an icon—a trailblazer who made music history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Etab. Released on the 94th Saudi National Day (Sept. 23), Billboard Arabia deployed AI technology to bring Etab’s iconic voice and performance back, with a fresh take on her tribute to Saudi in the song, “Ya Saudi” (Hey Saudi).

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Etab’s legacy as Saudi Arabia’s first female singer and a trailblazer in Khaleeji music continues to shape Arabic music and culture. She broke down barriers in a male-dominated industry and paved the way for generations of Arab women. Her songs are deeply rooted in Bedouin cultural heritage, which still resonates today. To celebrate Etab’s milestones, Billboard Arabia has reintroduced her iconic song with a contemporary remastering of the track. With the help of AI technology, the track was reimagined to showcase how Etab might have performed on the Jalsat Billboard Arabia stage. The new version preserves the timeless essence of Etab’s classic Arabic artistry while appealing to today’s listeners.

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While many know Etab’s famous hits, “Ya Saudi” has not received the same level of recognition. Billboard Arabia aims to change that by using advanced AI and smart technology to remaster her performance and give new life to the track. The song, updated with modern elements, is designed to resonate with longtime fans and new listeners, acting as a bridge between generations. Etab’s story and music are a reminder that cultural authenticity has the power to connect across borders, and this initiative brings her artistry into the digital age for a new generation to discover.

Etab’s career began in the 1950s and continued until her passing in 2007, spanning hundreds of songs and dozens of albums. She collaborated with prominent figures from the Gulf and Egypt while remaining true to the musical styles connected to her culture and homeland. Perhaps there is no better song than her ’80s hit “Ya Saudi” to celebrate her enduring legacy and the national festivities across the Kingdom. The song stands out against other National Day songs for its jubilant lyrics, set to a vibrant, upbeat rhythm, expressing the joy of the people coming together and celebrating their homeland.

In interviews, Etab spoke about her pride in the song and its popularity. She first heard the melody in 1984; created by Talal Maddah, who is considered one of the most impactful Arabic music composers, Talal Maddah, who shared it because of how distinct it was from his usual style. Ibrahim Ghazi penned its lyrics, and Mohammad Shafiq wrote the melody. The song was released on her album Al Qarar Se’eb (Deciding is Difficult), and it also appeared as a duet performed by Etab and Talal Maddah on the album Talal Madah and Etab No. 4. Later, various versions with new arrangements were released, covered by different artists.

“At Billboard Arabia, our goal is to spotlight Arab voices and MENA’s growing music industry, providing a platform and infrastructure to help both established and new artists reach wider audiences,” says Rami Zeidan, Managing Director of Billboard Arabia. “It was only befitting to celebrate Saudi sensation Etab. She was more than just a singer; she was a cultural icon. Her music reflects the rich culture of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, and her fearlessness as a female artist in a male-dominated industry continues to inspire generations of Arab women in music. By using AI to revive ‘Ya Saudi,’ we are not only celebrating her legacy but also highlighting modern Saudi Arabia – where tradition and innovation come together in harmony.”

Etab and her direct family members have all passed; a surviving relative was informed of this project, however. The song rights for this performance have been secured through the appropriate label.

02 Oct 2024

JD Vance Naming Trump “America’s Hitler” Called Out On Xitter

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New York City Marks 23rd Anniversary Of September 11, 2001 Attacks

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JD Vance was confronted with his past labeling of Donald Trump as “America’s Hitler” in the vice presidential debate and on social media.

On Tuesday (October 1), the vice presidential debate between GOP Ohio Senator JD Vance and Democratic Governor Tim Walz occurred with some notable moments – including when the moderators confronted Vance with his past remarks about Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Those remarks included a private message he wrote to a friend in 2016: “I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical a—hole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler,” the message said, continuing: “How’s that for discouraging?” Vance addressed the comment, saying: “I’ve been open about the fact that I was wrong about Donald Trump,” Vance said. “I was wrong, first of all, because I believed some of the media stories that turned out to be dishonest fabrications of his record.”

The remarks were made when Vance was enjoying his success as the author of Hillbilly Elegy, his memoir about his impoverished beginnings in the Appalachia region. Vance, a Yale University graduate, had more liberal perspectives which influenced his views of the former president. Since getting into politics, he has become decidedly more conservative as a supporter of Trump, leading to his being selected ahead of other candidates such as Florida congressman Byron Donalds.
Donald Trump Jr. was reminded of that during an interview with CNN’s Kaitlin Collins as he was blasting the media for creating an atmosphere that led to the failed assassination attempts on his father. “The media has radicalized the people that are trying to kill my father. When someone allows people to have a platform to call someone literally Hitler, it creates it,” Trump Jr. began, with Collins interjecting: “JD Vance once likened your father to Hitler.”

The remark, and Vance’s brushing it aside, was not lost on those who watched the debate on social media. Many called out the moderators for trying to equate Walz’s missteps in the debate with Vance making that remark. Political strategist Rachel Bitcofer summed up the frustration some had in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Not sure how you avoid asking a man if he still thinks his running mate is America’s Hitler.”

Check out the responses concerning “America’s Hitler” below.

02 Oct 2024

Female MS-13 Gang Member Gets 50-Year Sentence For Setting Up 4 Murders

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Leniz

Source: United States Attorney’s Office / DOJ

A few years ago, four men were brutally butchered to death in a park in Long Island, New York. Now, a female participant in the murder has been sentenced to five decades in prison for her role in the grisly killings.

The New York Post is reporting that MS-13 member Leniz “Diablita” Escobar has just been slapped with a 50-year prison stint for luring the unsuspecting men to the park where other MS-13 members waited to murder the men for disrespecting their gang in April of 2017. U.S. Judge Joseph Bianco said that Escobar aka “Diablita” (Little Devil) “enthusiastically” set the men up to be murdered by her cohorts after they posted social media content mocking the hand signs that MS-13 uses to represent their gang.

Only 17 years old at the time of the murders, the now 24-year-old Escobar expresses regret for her actions as she faces a lengthy prison sentence for the four deaths she helped spur on.

The New York Post reports:

“All I can do is hurt,” she said tearfully. “Every breath reminds me that they are not here and their families are in pain. If I could trade places with them and take away that pain, I would.”

Escobar was only 17 when she convinced other members of the MS-13 gang to kill Miguel Lopez, 20, Justin Llivicura, 16, and Jefferson Villalobos and Jose Tigre, both 18, by showing them social media pictures of the victims supposedly mocking the group with gang signs.

She felt “personally offended” that one of the victims had worn items typically associated with the gang even though he was not a member,” Assistant US Attorney Megan Farrell said.

She then lured the young men to the park under the pretense of smoking marijuana with them, according to Farrell.

After her fellow gang members hacked the men to death with machetes (MS-13’s preferred weapon of choice), Escobar not only bragged about her role in the murderous plot but even told them to rid themselves of the evidence and do what they could to evade authorities. It gets worse.

During the trial two years ago, one witness testified that Escobar smiled while the victims were killed and even licked their blood off her lips when it got on her shirt.

“She was one of the most culpable people,” Farrell said Tuesday. “Without her, these murders would not have occurred.”

Though relatives of the victims felt she deserved the death penalty, prosecutors argued for a 65-year sentence before the judge settled on a 50-year bid.

Interestingly enough, Escobar has used her time in prison to better herself as she’s not only earned her high school degree but also leads a Bible study group behind bars. Bible Study with la “Diablita.” Go figure.

Don’t be surprised if Donald Trump references this particular case going forward on the campaign trail as the man revels in hate, division and fear mongering. Just sayin’.

02 Oct 2024

Auction of Avicii’s Personal Items Raises $750,000 for Charity

An auction of items that belonged to the late producer Avicii has raised roughly $750,000 for charity.

Taking place in the producer’s native Stockholm on Tuesday (Oct. 1), the auction happened at Auktionsverk in front of a crowded audience. The sale was made up of 267 items, including shoes, instruments, clothing and other personal effects related to Avicii’s career in music.

A representative for the auction house said that bids came in from more than 40 countries, with a 2015 Fender Telecaster being among the highest grossing items, selling for 240,000 SEK, or approximately $23,000. Other items drawing high bids included a Martin Custom X Series acoustic guitar, a pair of Sennheiser headphones, a Miami Marlins cap and an original contact sheet of portraits of Avicii by photographer Mark Seliger.

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All items involved in the sale in the auction were donated by the late producer’s family. The entirety of the money raised will go to the Tim Bergling Foundation, which was created after the artist’s 2018 suicide and which works to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention among young people.

“It feels fantastic to convey this significant amount to The Tim Bergling Foundation,” Cecilia Gave, CEO of Stockholms Auktionsverk, says in a statement. “We are very pleased to see how The Avicii Collection has also appealed to a younger audience. Many here in the hall have placed their very first auction bids today, and it feels very honorable for us to be a part of that.”

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Indeed, on the Avicii Reddit page, many fans shared comments about their purchases, with the person who purchased the leather jacket Avicii wore on the Stories album cover and at the American Music Awards writing that the item is “right now with me on its way to Paris. It will be professionally protected and framed and displayed in my music studio room at home.”