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02 Aug 2024

Jimmy Carter’s 100th Birthday Celebration Concert to Feature Maren Morris, Eric Church, D-Nice & More

Beloved former President Jimmy Carter will be feted at a 100th birthday party next month in Atlanta by an all-star group of musicians and celebrities at a music gala entitled “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song.” The Sept. 17 event at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta will come ahead of the ailing former command-in-chief’s centenary on Oct. 1.

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Among the musical acts booked for the show are: Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, Drive-By Truckers, Eric Church, GROUPLOVE, Maren Morris, the War and Treaty and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus, along with expected appearances from former Atlanta Braves star Dale Murphy, rapper Killer Mike and Daddio star Sean Penn; organizers said other guests will be announced at a later date.

Carter, the nation’s 39th President (1977-1981), has been in his Plains, GA home since February 2023 receiving hospice care and was last seen publicly at his late wife former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s funeral in November. The Associated Press reported that Jason Carter said in a statement that his grandfather remains in good spirits and still enjoys watching his beloved Braves on TV and listening to music. “Whether it was on his record players, on the campaign trail, or on the White House lawn, music has been and continues to be a source of joy, comfort and inspiration for my grandfather,” Jason Carter said.

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The show at the Fox will also celebrate the Carters’ tireless work advocating for human rights, public health and democracy around the world through the Carter Center, with tickets ($100) going on sale through the Fox Theatre box office at 10 a.m. on August 5; proceeds will benefit the Carter Center.

See the show announcement below.

02 Aug 2024

Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport Among Winners at 2024 AIR Awards

Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport and Jem Cassar-Daley were in the winner’s circle at the 2024 AIR Awards, the annual celebration of Australia’s independent music sector.

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As he has done so often in recent years, Owusu collected silverware, this time nabbing best independent hip-hop album or EP for STRUGGLER, his sophomore LP which cracked the ARIA top 10 in 2023.

On this occasion, his support network shared in the glory. Ourness, The Annex and AWAL snagged the AIR Award for independent marketing team of the year, and Andrew Klippel’s Ourness won the coveted independent label of the year.

Last year, STRUGGLER scooped a hattrick at the 2023 ARIA Awards, continuing a brilliant run of form for the Canberra-raised artist whose expanding collection includes the J Award for Australian album of the year, the Australian Music Prize, an APRA Award, and first prize in the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.

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Also at the 2024 AIR Awards, held Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Queens Theatre Adelaide, Brisbane electronic pop outfit Cub Sport were double winners, scooping best independent dance or electronica album or EP for their ARIA No. 1 album Jesus At The Gay Bar, and independent music video of the year for “Keep Me Safe” (Adam Munnings).

Other key winners on the night included Royel Otis (breakthrough independent artist of the year), RVG (independent album of the year for Brain Worms) and Jem Cassar-Daley (independent song of the year for “King of Disappointment”).

Now in its 18th year, the AIR Awards are a celebration of the best and brightest from Australia’s independent music community, and are organized by the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR).

This year’s edition ushered in two new categories, recognizing best independent music video and best independent producer, and welcomed an international development. AIR used the platform of the ceremony to confirm a further two years’ funding to hold its Awards and Indie-Con Australia conference in Adelaide, and announced that the trade body will exclusively host A2IM’s Australian Edition of Indie-Week conference in conjunction with its events from 2025.

The South Australian Music Development Office is major sponsor for the annual AIR awards. 

02 Aug 2024

Lime Cordiale Scoops ‘Sweet’ No. 1 In Australia

It’s a sweet moment for Lime Cordiale, as the Australian indie-rock outfit debuts at No. 1 on the ARIA Chart with Enough Of The Sweet Talk (via Chugg Music/MGM).

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It’s the second leader for Lime Cordiale, following their second and most recent studio album, 14 Steps To A Better You from 2020. Earlier releases include debut Permanent Vacation and the Cordi Elba EP, their collaboration with British actor and DJ Idris Elba.

Signed to legendary concert promoter Michael Chugg’s label Chugg Music, Lime Cordiale nabs a slice of chart history — and breaks a long drought for homegrown artists.

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Enough Of The Sweet Talk is the first Australian No. 1 this year on the ARIA Albums Chart, and it’s the first ever recipient of the Australian #1 Album Award, which are handed out from this week to the best-selling homegrown singles and albums, an accolade that salutes “outstanding examples of local success week-in, week-out,” says ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd.

The last Australian album to lead the national chart was Troye Sivan’s Something to Give Each Other from October 2023.

Also new to the albums chart top 10 is Empire Of The Sun with Ask That God (EMI), debuting at No. 10. It’s the electronic-pop act’s fourth album and fourth appearance in the top 10 after Walking On A Dream (No. 6 in 2008), Ice On The Dune (No. 3 in 2013) and Two Vines (No. 7 in 2016). Comprised of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore, Empire of the Sun has collected eight ARIA Awards.

Meanwhile, Ghost scores a top 20 debut with Rite Here Rite Now (Concord/Universal), the companion to the Swedish rock band’s concert film of the same name. It’s new at No. 12.

Over on the ARIA Singles Chart, published Friday, Aug. 2, Shaboozey logs another week at No. 1 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy) (via Empire).

The highest new entry on the latest tally belongs to Post Malone and Luke Combs with their country tag-team “Guy For That” (Universal), new at No. 18. “Guy For That” is the third track lifted from Posty’s upcoming album F-1 Trillion, due out Aug. 16. The lead track from it, “I Had Some Help” with Morgan Wallen, logged one week at No. 1 in May, and currently lifts 4-3, one place behind Billie Eilish’s “Birds Of A Feather” (Interscope/Universal), holding at No. 2.

The inaugural Australian #1 Single Award goes to The Kid LAROI’s “Girls” (Columbia/Sony), which dips 18-25 on the all-genres ARIA Singles Chart.

02 Aug 2024

Kelly Clarkson Fans ‘Blown Away’ by Powerful Carrie Underwood Cover

Kelly Clarkson recently performed fellow American Idol champion (and newly announced judge) Carrie Underwood’s hit “Blown Away” during the Kellyoke segment of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

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The July 25 performance was praised by fans of both Clarkson and Underwood across social media, with one viewer commenting, “Kelly Clarkson nailed it! Her voice is incredible, and she did Carrie proud!”

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Another added, “We need a full-length album collab with Kelly and Carrie.”


https://youtube.com/watch?v=QORnr1B-XKY&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

The performance was timely, as it came just ahead of the Aug. 1 announcement that Carrie Underwood will join American Idol as a judge, replacing Katy Perry and making her the first American Idol alum to take on the major role.

“Carrie Underwood is the first American Idol alum ever to join the judging panel. Her global superstar status as the most successful Idol winner to date makes her a perfect fit for the show,” said Megan Wolflick, Idol showrunner and executive producer in a statement.

“She embodies the true spirit of Idol as she herself is the definition of the Cinderella story. Our future hopefuls will have the chance to receive advice from someone who has walked in their exact footsteps every step of the way Carrie has always been a strong supporter of Idol, and I’m thrilled for her to be reunited with our Idol Family.”

Underwood, who won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005, has since released nine studio albums and collected a slew of accolades, including eight Grammy Awards. She boasts an impressive 16 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, which includes the Clarkson-covered “Blown Away” that marked Underwood’s 13th No. 1 single on the chart.

Her involvement with the show has also remained strong over the years; she has returned as a mentor in past seasons, offering guidance to contestants as they navigate the competition.

Underwood is set to join fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan for American Idol’s 23rd overall season, which will air on ABC and Hulu in spring 2025. Auditions for the upcoming season are set to kick off on Aug. 12 with the return of Idol Across America, the talent search that will take place in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Katy Perry, who announced her departure from the show earlier this year, served as a judge alongside Richie and Bryan for seven seasons since the show moved to ABC in 2018.

In addition to her new role on American Idol, Underwood is extending her Las Vegas residency through 2025 and recently revealed a collaboration with Papa Roach on their song “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark).”

She also performed in Nashville earlier this week at a tribute concert honoring the late country singer-songwriter Toby Keith.

Billboard recently ranked Underwood as the No. 2 best American Idol alum of all time, just behind Kelly Clarkson, who holds the top spot.

02 Aug 2024

New ‘NBA 2K25’ Trailer Teases Big Changes Coming To The Gameplay Engine

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NBA 2K25

Source: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts / NBA 2K25

It’s a new season, and 2K Sports promises that NBA 2K25 will deliver the “biggest changes” to the game’s engine in years.

Visual Concepts, the studio behind the NBA 2K basketball video game franchise, is all-in on its ProPlay technology, which it introduced in NBA 2K24 and will use to introduce tons of new animations into the game.

The studio is promising “the biggest change to our gameplay engine in many years,” plus an all-new dribbling system that will give players even more control than before and the ability to take ankles.

Using ProPlay, 2K says that “stops are higher, launches are more explosive,” bringing more lifelike movement to every inch of the court.

Offense On The Court Levels Up

What you can do offense in NBA 2K25 is taken to another level, thanks to many new mechanics. New tools like shot canceling, signature go-to shots, shot-timing profiles, Pro Stick rhythm shooting, and more make putting the ball in the basket even more fun and exciting.

ProPlay gives players a new weapon: signature go-to shots. Per 2K, this new feature allows players to pull off new dribble-into-shot combos directly copied from actual NBA footage. The moves can be executed by simply holding up on the Pro Stick.

Shot canceling will allow players to quickly transition from one shooting animation to the next, giving players another tool to elevate their offensive game.

Last year’s shooting mechanics were not a hit with players, but 2K is hoping to rectify that with shot-timing profiles. The new profiles allow players to customize their shot-timing windows.

NBA 2K25

Source: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts / NBA 2K25

New options allow players to customize their ideal jump shot by using shot-taking visual cues in an expansion of the Shot Creator suite.

It will allow players to customize where they release the ball in their custom animation, allowing them to get comfortable and in tune with the timing window and hit more shots in the green.

Utilizing the Pro Stick allows players to take advantage of rhythm shooting by pointing the Pro Stick down to start the shot and then up when the animation reaches its set point.

According to Visual Concepts, many people on the team found the new mechanic to be difficult before later appreciating it after using it for some time. They now have a hard time going back to the previous Pro Stick shooting mechanic.

Defense  Is Also Improving

You can’t improve the offense in the game without ensuring the defense can keep up. NBA 2K25 introduces a new movement system that will give defenders movements similar to offensive players using the right stick.

Players can now make faster, tighter defensive cutoffs, allowing them to stay in front of Pro Stick all-star players.

To improve shot contention, a dynamic weighing system replaces the fixed one. Shot contests are now determined by defense coverage at the beginning of the shot.

Also, perimeter and interior defense and height play pivotal roles and determine the outcomes of the shots.

Visual Concepts is also trying to reduce your screaming at your AI teammates thanks to improvements that will provide better in-game mimicking of real-word spacing.

What that means is that your AI teammates should be where they are supposed to be while on the court based on what the offense is running.

New Tutorial System & Playbook Sharing

NBA 2K25

Source: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts / NBA 2K25

NBA 2K25 will also feature playbook sharing, which will allow players to create and share their custom playbooks with the community.

Learn 2K, a new tutorial mode, will help players acclimate to all the new features and older gameplay mechanics.

Ahead of NBA 2K25’s launch, 2K has laid out a roadmap that details the game’s features and modes.

  • Week of August 5: MyPlayer and MyCareer
  • Week of August 12: MyNBA and The W
  • Week of August 19: MyTeam
  • Week of August 26: The City
  • Week of September 2: Season 1 preview and 2KBeats soundtrack reveal
  • September 4: Early access period begins
  • September 6: Global launch of NBA 2K25

NBA 2K25 sounds like a refreshed experience, and we look forward to picking up the sticks when this game drops.

You can watch the official gameplay trailer below.

01 Aug 2024

Maren Morris Unveils ‘Intermission’ EP: Stream It Now

Before the show continues, it’s time for an Intermission. Maren Morris unveiled her new five-track EP on Friday (August 2).

The project features the previously released “I Hope I Never Fall in Love” and her Julia Michaels collaboration, “Cut!,” as well as new tracks “Push Me Over,” “Because, Of Course,” and “This is How a Woman Leaves.”

In a video posted to Instagram earlier this week, the 34-year-old artist opened up about the title of the project. “Calling this project Intermission was intentional,” she told followers. “It’s a break in the act, and for me, it’s definitely an act break and new chapter of my life, and I’m so ready to see what’s on the other page.

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“I just am so proud of this music,” she continued. “It wasn’t easy to write, because I’m going through a lot, and this is the diary of that. But it’s also the most fun music as well as the most heartbreaking because i’m allowing myself to go there — ’cause I don’t have to protect anyone anymore. It’s just about my feelings. So, I hope you love it.”

The new five-song set follows her 2022 album Humble Quest and her 2019 CMA album of the year-winning project GIRL.

Trending on Billboard

Stream Maren Morris’ Intermission in full below.

01 Aug 2024

Lainey Wilson’s ‘Good Horses’ feat. Miranda Lambert: Stream It Now

Two of country music’s most lauded artists–Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert–are teaming up on a new song that is featured on Wilson’s upcoming album Whirlwind, out Aug. 23 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.

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The song, called “Good Horses,” released Friday (Aug. 2), is Wilson’s first collaboration on her own project and the fourth song released from Whirlwind. Wilson and Lambert co-wrote “Good Horses” alongside songwriter Luke Dick.

Wilson, who is the reigning CMA and ACM entertainer of the year, is currently headlining her own Country’s Cool Again North American 2024 tour. Whirlwind will follow her previous Grammy-winning project Bell Bottom Country.

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Wilson, of course, has been a collaborations queen over the past few years. “Save Me,” her two-week Country Airplay chart-topping collab with Jelly Roll, earned a Grammy nomination, while she’s also had hit collaborations with Cole Swindell (“Never Say Never”) and HARDY (“Wait in the Truck”). Wilson has also collaborated with Dolly Parton, Terri Clark, Wynonna Judd, Anne Wilson, ERNEST and Charlie Worsham, among other artists.

Lambert, a 14-time CMA Award winner, is also set to release a new project this fall, with her project Postcards From Texas slated to release Sept. 13, and marking her first project after signing with Republic Records. She’s already previewed the upcoming project with songs including “Wranglers” and “Alimony,” while the project’s tracklist also reveals Lambert’s collaboration with Parker McCollum, on a song titled “Santa Fe.”

On Aug. 1, Wilson and Lambert shared a snippet of a performance of “Good Horses,” with the two artists seated on stools and accompanying themselves on acoustic guitars.

Stream “Good Horses” below:

01 Aug 2024

Garbage Cancel Tour as Shirley Manson Sustains Injury, Requires Surgery

Garbage have cancelled all remaining tour dates through 2024 due to an injury sustained by lead singer Shirley Manson, which will require surgery and subsequent rehabilitation.

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The band announced the news in an Instagram post on Aug. 1.

“It is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of all our remaining dates for the rest of the year due to an injury that [frontwoman] Shirley [Manson] sustained on our recent tour in Europe that will require surgery and rehabilitation to correct.”

They added, “This is not a decision that we have taken lightly, and we apologise to our amazing fans and supportive promoters,” they wrote. “We look forward to playing for you all again in 2025.”

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Manson also took to her personal social media account to share her disappointment in having to cancel shows.

“No one is more crushed about this than I am. You know I would push through if I could,” she wrote in the caption accompanying the band’s announcement.

The Scottish singer did not elaborate on the injury or how it was caused.

The band’s decision to cancel the tour was not made lightly, considering the number of major performances affected.

Among the impact dates were several high-profile festival appearances, including Ohana Fest in Dana Point, CA, and HFStival in Washington, DC. In light of the cancellation, Liz Phair will now step in for the band at HFStival, while DEVO will be added to the bill for Ohana Fest.

Garbage has enjoyed significant success on the Billboard charts throughout their decades-long career.

Their debut self-titled album, Garbage, released in 1995, achieved double-platinum status and peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard 200. The album’s hit singles “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains” became anthems of the ’90s alternative rock scene.

Their follow-up album, Version 2.0, released in 1998, reached No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and further cemented their reputation as one of the leading bands of the era.

They’ve remained busy with musical projects in recent years, including their seventh studio album, No Gods No Masters, released in 2021.

The album debuted at No. 95 on the Billboard 200 and included tracks like “The Men Who Rule the World.” They also collaborated with artists like Screaming Females and Brody Dalle on a special edition of the album, and toured with Alanis Morissette on her Jagged Little Pill anniversary tour in 2022.

01 Aug 2024

Freed Boss: Vybz Kartel Released From Prison After 2014 Murder Conviction Overturned

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On Da Reggae Tip Live

Vybz Kartel, one of the most influential Dancehall artists of his time, spent nearly 13 years behind bars and was sentenced to life in prison a decade ago. This week, Vybz Kartel exited prison as a free man and is already back in the business of releasing music.

As reported by the Jamaica Observer, Vybz Kartel, 48, was freed from the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre on Wednesday (July 31) to much fanfare. The popular deejay was sentenced to life behind bars in 2014 with eligibility for parole after 35 years. Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was sentenced alongside Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John for the 2011 slaying of Clive “Lizard” Williams.

Back in March of this year, the United Kingdom’s Privy Council overturned the convictions of the accused after jury misconduct was discovered, sending the matter to the Court of Appeal in Jamaica to decide if the men should be retried or released.

On Wednesday, judges overseeing the matter decided to not enact another trial and allowed Kartel, Campbell, and St. John to go free. Jones remained behind bars as he continues to serve an 18-year sentence in connection to an earlier wounding with intent charge after shooting a man in 2009.

The panel of judges cited 12 factors that allowed the men to go free, which included the absence of evidence, the absence of defense witnesses, the absence of prosecution witnesses, the physical, psychological, and emotional health of Palmer, and other related factors.

In delivering a statement to the Observer, Kartel described his time behind bars as “hell” and warned young people in Jamaica to steer far away from a life of crime.

The self-proclaimed “World Boss” is wasting little time and released a new project titled First Week Out, a 12-track effort that he is heavily promoting across his social media channels.

Salute to Vybz Kartel!

—

Photo: Hiroyuki Ito / Getty

01 Aug 2024

Camilo & Evaluna Welcome Second Daughter: ‘Girl of Golden Velvet’

The Echeverri-Reglero family is officially a family of four. Camilo and Evaluna announced on social media on Thursday (Aug. 1) the arrival of their second daughter, Amaranto, who joins her 2-year-old sister Índigo.

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“Amaranto. All the frogs came out to sing your welcome. Girl of golden velvet. Dad caught you and you painted his hands forever. Sovereign of midnight. Welcome,” reads a shared post on the couple’s Instagram accounts, along with a carousel of photos that starts with a tender image of the four resting on a bed, Amaranto on Evaluna, Índigo on Camilo.

There’s also a photo of a white sheet with a pair of hands imprinted on it in red, something that the poem in the caption refers to.

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It is not specified where and when Amaranto was born. Camilo’s publicist told Billboard Español that no further information will be provided at this time.

Camilo and Evaluna married in February 2020 after five years together, and became parents in April 2022. Índigo was born months after they announced the pregnancy in the music video of a song named after their daughter.

Earlier this year, in February, they announced that they were expecting baby No. 2 with a beautiful poem by Camilo dedicated to his wife, who wrote in the description: “Officially the Echeverri-Reglero are FOUR.”

“Evaluna, fertile, a mother never ready, a walker discovered in the journey, a new daughter of calmness and killer of haste,” narrated the Colombian singer-songwriter in a video. “Owner of all Sundays, a caller of downpours and heavy rains, a tester of bathtubs and a volcanic diver. A baker by accident, excellent for intentional lack of trade. A springtime crossed. Violator of calendars, anticipator of Christmases, and mother of Amaranto and Indigo.”

Check out Camilo and Evaluna’s new baby announcement here.