djfrosty

28 May 2024

Signed: The Script Inks Global Deal With BMG; ‘Young Royals’ Star Omar Rudberg Goes With Elektra

Irish rock band The Script signed a global deal with BMG. Managed by Simon Moran and Martin Hall at Hall or Nothing, the group now consists of Danny O’Donoghue and Glen Power following the death of their bandmate Mark Sheehan last year. According to a press release, the band’s global streaming tally stands at 10 billion.

Stockholm, Sweden-based, Venezuelan-born singer-songwriter Omar Rudberg signed to Elektra Records and released his major label debut single, “Red Light,” on May 17. Rudberg was previously in the Scandinavian boy band FO&O before going solo. He’s also known for starring in the Netflix series Young Royals.

TMWRK signed three artists to its management roster: ††† (Crosses), Wavves and Noeline Hofman. The company’s founder, Andrew McInnes, manages ††† (Crosses) alongside Ben Matusow, who also manages Wavves. Hofman, an Americana artist, is managed by senior vp of management Paddy Scace and executive vp/partner Nick Palmacci.

Trending on Billboard

Singer-songwriter Cameron Whitcomb (“The Devil I’ve Seen”) signed with Atlantic Records, which released his latest single, “Rocking Chair,” on May 17. Whitcomb is managed by Todd Dunsmore and John Caton at Fifthline and booked by Matt Runner and Jonathan Insogna at Wasserman.

MNRK Heavy signed Colorado-based hardcore group Fox Lake to its roster for the release of the band’s upcoming album. The group is managed and booked by Travis Porter at Forthright Booking.

“Hard house” producer and DJ Ben Keen, a.k.a. BK, signed to Hannah Laing‘s doof, which released his latest single, “No Fool,” on May 17. BK is managed by Lee Haslam at LGRP and booked by Josh Haygarth at Active Talent Agency.

North Carolina-based country singer Wesko signed to Warner Records/Underscore Works Recordings, which released his debut EP, Lost Boys, on Friday (May 24). He’s managed by Charly Salvatore and Becca Campbell at underscore works.

Mahogany, the music brand and record label behind the Mahogany Sessions video channel, launched digital distribution and artist service platform Mahogany Songs, with Dom Wallace aboard as label & marketing manager. The first signing for the new entity is singer-songwriter Áine Deane. Mahogany Songs will release Deane’s new EP, tales of a twenty something, later this year.

Boston-based indie rock-funk band Bermuda Search Party signed to Nettwerk, which released the group’s new song, “Asking 4 A Friend,” on May 17. The band is managed by Zoe Salvucci at Seven Hills Management and booked by Kameron Salek at Bandit Booking.

BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville signed duo Ryan and Rory. The band, which includes Nashville native Ryan Follesé and North Carolina native Rory John Zak, released its single “Pour Decisions” on Friday (May 24). Ryan and Rory’s self-titled debut EP will release July 26. – Jessica Nicholson

28 May 2024

Reference Track Of Drake’s “Mob Ties” Featuring Vory Vocals Leaks, X Collectively Raises Eyebrows

HipHopWired Featured Video

CLOSE

Rolling Loud Southern California

Vory, an artist who was once signed to Meek Mill‘s Dream Chasers record label, is now the topic of discussion after the leak of a reported reference track went wide. Vory is heard rapping lyrics from Drake‘s “Mob Ties” track from the Canadian superstar’s Scorpion album and X has a lot of thoughts.

Vory, 26, is listed as a songwriter on “Mob Ties,” which was considered one of the standout tracks on Scorpion by Drake fans. A leak posted by X user @PushaThanos__ features a track of Vory rapping a verse from the track that sounds quite similar to the finished product and sparked a deluge of comments from fans and detractors. The timing is especially noticeable considering the war of words the OVO Sound honcho finds himself embroiled in with Kendrick Lamar.

As you can hear in the track, the cadence, flow, and the lyrics as a whole are connected but it hasn’t been confirmed if this is an official reference track nor how it was obtained. It isn’t a secret that Drake has employed writers in his sessions as many others have before him and he’s been criticized for it in droves. That same criticism is especially robust now considering the battle with K-Dot taking hold of the culture of late.

Vory caught the ire of Meek Mill back in February of this year after video footage leaked of the Louisville rapper threatening to kill his girlfriend, which of course adds to all of the drama that has ensued over the past two months.

On X, formerly Twitter, the reactions to the Vory “Mob Ties” leak are all over the place. We’ve got the best of the crop below.

—

Photo: Getty

28 May 2024

Jason Kelce Teases Brother Travis Kelce About His Outfit With Taylor Swift Joke: ‘Now That’s Funny!’

Taylor Swift‘s cats likely didn’t have a hand — sorry, a paw — in designing Travis Kelce‘s recent attire, but it sure does look like it. At least, that’s what Jason Kelce thinks.

The retired Philadelphia Eagles center reposted a tweet Monday (May 27) poking fun at his baby brother’s recent basketball game outfit, which included a pair of jeans sliced all over with harsh cutouts. “What the f–k did taylor cats do with his jeans,” one Swiftie wrote on the platform, sharing a photo of Travis’ ‘fit.

Retweeting the joke, Jason wrote, “Now that’s funny!”

Trending on Billboard

Travis had worn the unorthodox pants a day prior at the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks playoff game, which he attended alongside Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Marquise Brown, as well as Brittany Mahomes, who is married to the quarterback. He paired the shredded denim with sunglasses and a simple white T-shirt, which boasted the image of a red apple on the front.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs look on during the fourth quarter of Game Three of the Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Center on May 26, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Swift is the proud owner of three cats — Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button. Olivia was recently ranked as the world’s third-richest pet with an estimated net worth of $97 million, and Benjamin appeared with his superstar human on the cover of TIME in December.

Jason’s recent teasing of Travis comes shortly after the two brothers addressed a more serious topic on their joint podcast New Heights. On Friday’s (May 24) episode, the duo finally shared their reactions to Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College earlier this month, in which he quoted Swift’s “Bejeweled” while condemning President Joe Biden, abortion, birth control, LGBTQ Pride, the “cultural emasculation of men” and more.

“I’ve known him for seven-plus years,” Travis said on the show of Butker. “I cherish him as a teammate … He is every bit of a great person and great teammate. He’s treated friends and family that I’ve introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness, and that’s how he treats everyone.”

“When it comes down to his views and what he said … those are his,” the tight end continued at the time, meanwhile Jason nodded in agreement. “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it, or just about any of it outside of him loving his family and his kids. I don’t think I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life. That’s just not who I am.”

28 May 2024

Snoop Calls Drake & Kendrick Lamar His ‘Nephews’ & Thanks Them for ‘Raising the Bar’ in Rap Feud

Snoop Dogg has given his thoughts on the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef. While promoting his role in The Garfield Movie during a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Doggfather shouted out both rappers for setting a good precedent.

“Well, the only thing I want to say about that whole scenario is that I want to give both of them a shout-out for raising the bar as far as lyrics, as far as song making and writing because the writing has been upped since the confrontation,” he said. “Those are my nephews. I’m not in the middle of it. I support both of them and that’s personal business, not my business.”

Trending on Billboard

Finally, Snoop added, “As far as what they did for the industry and the rap game, they made you rap again. You can’t mumble your way and gimmick your way to a song no more, buddy. So thank y’all.”

If you remember, the West Coast legend was taken aback by Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” in a video he posted on Instagram April 20, saying, “They did what? When? How? Are you sure? [Sighs] Y’all have a good night and too all … [Laughs]… Why everybody calling my phone, blowing me up? What the f—k? What happened? What’s going on? I’m going back to bed. Good night.” He then reposted a fan-made clip of the song on his IG Story.

Snoop saying he’s not in the middle of the beef is interesting, though, since his voice was used by Drake in a troll job gone awry as he tried to rush Kendrick into responding to “Push Ups.” The Toronto rapper was eventually forced to take down “Taylor Made Freestyle” by the Tupac estate after being threatened with litigation.

Shout out to Snoop for taking the high road. Watch his interview with Entertainment Tonight below:

28 May 2024

Ed Sheeran’s Childhood Dream Comes True With Offspring Collab on ‘Million Miles Away’ at BottleRock Fest: ‘Music Is a Wild Ride’

Ed Sheeran has basically been waiting his whole life for a moment like this. During the Offspring‘s set at this weekend’s BottleRock Festival in Napa Valley, Calif. on Sunday night Sheeran came out on stage to join the veteran Cali punks for blitz through “Million Miles Away” from their 2000 Conspiracy of One album.

In a video posted afterwards, Sheeran shared the moment he met his heroes, which began with Ed asking, “Have you seen the tattoo?” The singer promptly lifted his shirt to show off the Offspring flaming skull logo ink located just under his right armpit — in close proximity to a Rolling Stones lips and tongue logo — as singer Dexter Holland, guitarist Noodles and the gang yelled and clapped in glee.

“It was the first-ever album that I owned,” Sheeran told the group about their turn-of-the-millennium LP that debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 album chart at the time. And then, as if he’d rehearsed it his whole life in his head, Sheeran told Holland how the planned collaboration would go, saying, “So you always go first and third and I’ll always go second and fourth.”

Trending on Billboard

“You’ve thought about this?” said surprised rhythm guitarist Jonah Nimoy. Sheeran laughed and the the whole crew rushed through an unplugged rehearsal in their dressing room, with the two men trading off lines, just like Ed had imagined.

The singer’s video of the special moment then cut to the Offspring’s set, with Sheeran rocking a black Offspring t-shirt as he strummed an electric guitar and “whoo ooh ooh”‘d along like he was born in Orange County.

In an accompanying Instagram post Sheeran offered some more context for his dream collab. “The first album I ever bought was the @offspring – Conspiracy of One. I used to pretend to be in their band in the mirror and sing along to the album when I was 9, mostly to their song ‘Million Miles Away’ as it was the first song of theirs I heard,” Sheeran wrote. “I mentioned it in an interview and Noodles / Dexter got in touch with me when we found out we were all playing the same festival, to see if I wanted to get on stage and sing it. It was an instant yes obvz. Really felt like living out a childhood dream thank you for having me up there guys. Music is a wild ride, every day I’m so grateful to be living my dream in reality.”

Watch Sheeran collab with the Offspring below.

28 May 2024

Watch Cardi B Troll Body-Shamers by Devouring a Plate of Pancakes: ‘Everybody’s Saying I Look Fat …’

Cardi B is totally bothered by what haters have to say about her figure … not. In a newly shared video, the rapper trolls body-shamers by eating a plateful of syrupy pancakes, seemingly making fun of the negative comments she’s been receiving about a recent performance between bites. 

In the clip, Cardi wears a bathrobe while cutting up a stack of flapjacks, sarcastically pretending to cry. “I’m getting body-shamed, I’m so sad,” she says through a mouthful of pancake.  

“Everybody’s saying I look fat, that my a– is so fat,” she continues, piling on some whipped cream. “Everybody hates me.”  

Trending on Billboard

The “Up” musician’s comments appear to relate to her Memorial Day weekend performance at Drai’s Nightclub in Las Vegas (aka the site of her viral microphone-throwing incident last summer). Saturday night, Cardi fired up the crowd in a skin-tight leopard-print bodysuit. 

The concert came just a few days after the Bronx native stopped by Megan Thee Stallion’s show at Madison Square Garden, where the two women performed their 2021 Billboard Hot 100-topping smash “WAP” together. Later that night, GloRilla joined the pair onstage for “Tomorrow 2.” 

The triumphant reunion followed Cardi’s May 16 Rolling Stone cover story, in which she asserted her role in helping other women in hip-hop find success. “These labels was not believing in repping new rap artists,” she told the publication. “People from every single label have f–king told me this s–t in my face. They started signing new female rappers after I got signed.” 

Watch Cardi troll the haters below. 

28 May 2024

Peter Frampton to Become Inaugural Recipient of Les Paul Spirit Award

Peter Frampton will become the inaugural recipient of the Les Paul Spirit Award on Sunday, June 9, at a private event at the Gibson Garage Nashville. The event will take place on what would have been Paul’s 109th birthday.

The annual award, in partnership with Gibson Gives, the philanthropic division of Gibson, is presented to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the late Les Paul through innovation, engineering, technology and/or music. In addition to the award, a grant from the Les Paul Foundation will be made in the honoree’s name to the charity of his choice.

Frampton will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year. His 1976 album Frampton Comes Alive! is one of the bestselling live albums in history. The double-disk album topped the Billboard 200 for 10 nonconsecutive weeks and spawned three major hits on the Billboard Hot 100 – “Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way” and “Do You Feel (Like We Do).” Frampton’s use of the talk box to create a human and guitar hybrid sound on the latter hit was considered groundbreaking.

Trending on Billboard

Frampton Comes Alive! received a Grammy nod for album of the year. Thirty years later, Frampton’s Fingerprints won a Grammy for best pop instrumental album.

“I cannot think of anyone more fitting to be honored with this year’s Les Paul Spirit Award than Peter Frampton,” Michael Braunstein, executive director of The Les Paul Foundation, said in a statement. “Not only is he an extraordinary talent who has given us an amazing array of extraordinary music, but he is an innovator who understands music, technologies and the spirit of Les Paul. If Les were still alive today, I have absolutely no doubt that he and Peter would be experimenting together at Les’ house.” 

Paul, who died in 2009 at age 94, won Grammys for best instrumental performance in pop, rock and country categories, a sign of his broad influence. He received a trustees award from the Recording Academy in 1983 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early/musical influence in 1988. In addition to his innovations with the guitar, Paul was half of one of the top vocal duos of the 1950s. Les Paul and Mary Ford’s biggest hits were “How High the Moon” and “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You).”

The Les Paul Spirit Award is made from hand-carved acoustic boards built by Paul that he used in his home studio. Given the unique nature of the studio pieces which are being used to create them, no two Les Paul Spirit Awards will be exactly the same.

Frampton, 74, was diagnosed with a degenerative muscle condition called inclusion body myositis in 2019. (According to Johns Hopkins, IBM “causes muscle weakness that may worsen over time and damage the muscles.”) He continues to write and perform.

28 May 2024

Spotify ‘Car Thing’ Given Six Months to Live

Car Thing, likened by at least one admirer as the Zune of the 2020s, will cease to exist later this year following an announcement by Spotify late last week that the little device that couldn’t will stop working on Dec. 9. It’s not a suspension of technical support or software updates, but rather the simply designed in-car audio player will be remotely deactivated and that users should be prepared to discard it.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“The goal of our Car Thing exploration in the U.S. was to learn more about how people listen in the car,” said a Spotify spokesperson when asked about Car Thing’s death sentence. “In July 2022, we announced we’d stop further production and now it’s time to say goodbye to the devices entirely. Users will have until December 9, 2024 until all Car Thing devices will be deactivated.”

Trending on Billboard

Spotify broke the news to Car Thingheads in an email on May 23, writing that the company was “switching gears” and that “while this chapter is closing, we’re working new, innovative ways to enhance your drives in the future.” A day later, the company sent a followup email explaining that “this was not a decision we made lightly and we want to ensure that you have the right place to reach out if you have any questions.”

Slowcore in a slowcar.

The soon-to-be-obsolete devices have a 4-inch touch screen, a large rubbery spin dial and several buttons. In terms of size, Car Thing is 5-inches wide, 3-inches high and less than an inch thin. It is light (three ounces) and mounts to a dashboard, air vent or a CD player, and stays put in said mounts using magnets. Adding to the confusion surrounding its very existence, the Thing still needs to be connected to your car stereo using bluetooth or wires, and requires a dedicated power source and your smartphone (via WiFi) in order to access Spotify’s millions of tracks and podcasts. Users of the gadget control what’s playing via the touch screen, the dial or Spotify’s increasingly smart “Hey Spotify” voice control mode, which has become particularly popular among buckled-up kids wanting to take over the playlist.

The audio streaming giant began tinkering with a voice-controlled hardware device in 2019 as a way to test in-car listening habits and also to fill a need for Spotify devotees with older cars — or slightly less-smart or attractive interfaces — to enjoy their favorite music and podcasts while driving. Car Things began rolling out to select U.S. premium subscribers in April 2021 before going wide in February 2022 at a price point of $89.99. But a few months later, Spotify slammed the breaks on Car Thing production, saying in an earnings call that they “frankly haven’t seen the volume at the higher prices that would make the current product financially viable.”

Unsurprisingly, the company has not disclosed sales figures.

On its support website, Spotify said its decision to discontinue Car Thing was “part of our ongoing efforts to streamline our product offerings” and that “we understand it may be disappointing, but this decision allows us to focus on developing new features and enhancements that will ultimately provide a better experience to all Spotify users.” The company suggests resetting your Car Thing to factory settings before disposing of it at your nearest electronic waste recycling center. Spotify added that it has no plans to develop a new car device and won’t be offering a trade-in benefit.

28 May 2024

Manuel Medrano Shares Name of Third Album ‘Perfecto’ & Previews New Song ‘Mojado’ | Billboard News

After three years, Manuel Medrano announces the release of his third album, ‘Perfecto.’ He gives us a sneak peek of new single “Mojado,” his upcoming tour, explains why it took him so long to release his third album and more!

Manuel Medrano:

Hi everyone, I am Manuel Medrano and you are watching Billboard News.

Leila Cobo:

Manuel Medrano, welcome to Billboard. 

Manuel Medrano:

Leila, what a pleasure.

Leila Cobo:

First of all, tell me about your look. I love all your looks, and you look very ’50s. Tell me, what are you wearing?

Manuel Medrano:

Thank you very much. It is a classic suit, bone color, a beige color with a shirt I recently discovered that comes with this knot here. 

Leila Cobo:

Yes it seems like… You look from Pamplona as if you’re going to run with the bulls. 

Manuel Medrano:

I like this classic style, a little elegant. I am taking my style towards that.

Leila Cobo:

This style contrasts with the tattoos because here we have an entire sleeve, tattoos down there, there too. The fire. So this is…

Manuel Medrano:

This is for kitesurf. 

Leila Cobo:

Really?

Manuel Medrano:

Yes, make the board look cool. 

Leila Cobo:

Is there a new tattoo for the new music?

Manuel Medrano:

There is a new tattoo for the new music. I have a broken heart here. I have a little angel here in honor of my second album. And a new tattoo is coming for my new album. You are the first person to know this. 

Leila Cobo:

I can’t believe it. But you haven’t done it yet?

Manuel Medrano:

Not yet. But very possibly I will do it this week.

Keep watching to learn more!

28 May 2024

21 Savage Brings Drake Out for Surprise Hometown Performance in Toronto: Watch

21 Savage invaded Canada for his first headlining show north of the border when he took over Toronto’s Budweiser Stage as part of his American Dream Tour on Monday night (May 27).

The Slaughter Gang honcho made it a night to remember as he brought out the king of the 6 and his Her Loss partner, with Drake making a surprise guest appearance, which sent to the crowd into a frenzy.

Drizzy set things off as they performed the menacing Project Pat-assisted “Knife Talk” from his 2021 Certified Lover Boy album.

Trending on Billboard

“One last time please, everybody in this city that we love so much, please make some noise for my motherf—-n’ brother 21 coming out here killing this s–t,” Drake said before letting Savage know Toronto was also his city. “You know I love y’all. I’ll see you soon. Give ’em one more. You home, right? It’s your city.”

The 6 God continued to hype up the crowd while he and 21 ran into Her Loss smash “Rich Flex,” which had the fans singing bar for bar. The Tay Keith-produced banger reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2022.

Drake and 21’s chemistry is still apparent after Savage joined Drizzy on the It’s All a Blur Tour last year throughout North America, including a show in Toronto.

It’s been a busy year for 21 Savage, who unleashed his Billboard 200-topping American Dream album in January, and the “Bank Account” rapper was also named to Time‘s TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people.

The 31-year-old is continuing to trek across North America for his American Dream Tour, which will make stops in Michigan, Ohio, NYC, Atlanta, Florida and more.

Watch Drake’s guest appearance at the show below.