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Reba McEntire Surprises Lainey Wilson With Grand Ole Opry Invitation on ‘The Voice’ Finale

Asher HaVon didn’t have the only big surprise during Tuesday night’s (May 21) finale of The Voice season 25.

Lainey Wilson‘s lifelong dream came true when The Voice mentor Reba McEntire invited her to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

“Lainey, I’m so proud of you,” McEntire remarked, after Wilson, Billboard’s recent cover star, performed her new single “Hang Tight Honey”. “You did a wonderful job. And I have heard that I have inspired you and what you’ve done so far. I’m thrilled that I have had anything to do you with your career because you are blowing it up.”

And with that, McEntire made it official. Wilson will be inducted into the Opry.

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Hailing from Baskin, LA, Wilson kicked off the recent 2024 ACM Awards with a mini-medley performance (including a sweet taste of “Hang Tight Honey”) and won for female artist of the year, one of her five nominations on the evening.

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“I was so proud of you at the ACMs the other night,” McEntire continued, “and I couldn’t be more proud to be the one that helps you continue to bridge the gap between our generations, and keep them all going.” Wilson will be elevated into the Opry during a ceremony in Nashville on June 7.

The 32-year old recounted visiting the Opry with her family at age 9. “I knew that I wanted to play there. I wanted to do it. It’s so crazy that you’re asking me to be a member because I look up to you so much.”

Watch the moment below on NBC’s The Voice.



Wilson, a Record Breaker Award at Billboard‘s Country Power Players, has been carving out her own path in country music in recent years.

“Save Me,” her duet with Jelly Roll, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in December, soon after her coming-of-age song “Watermelon Moonshine” had summited the list — for the shortest stint between No. 1s for a female artist in the chart’s 34-year history.

“Watermelon Moonshine” nabbed both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Country Music Association Awards for album of the year, as well as the Grammy for best country album — only the ninth record ever to complete that trifecta. And at November’s CMA Awards, Wilson became the first woman to win entertainer of the year since Taylor Swift in 2011 and the first artist since Garth Brooks in 1991 to win best new artist one year and entertainer of the year the next.

The good times keep on rolling when Wilson opens her Bell Bottoms Up Bar, located at 120 South 3rd Ave., on May 31. The same day, the rising star launches her Country’s Cool Again Tour with two headlining shows at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater.

Café Tacvba Return With ‘La Bas(e),’ A Bold Anthem for Immigrants: Stream It Now

Café Tacvba officially dropped “La Bas(e)” on Wednesday (May 22), marking their first release in seven years following their eighth studio album, Jei Beibi. The new track was co-produced by the Mexican band and their longtime Grammy-winning collaborator Gustavo Santaolalla.

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The single showcases invigorating Latin rock rhythms paired with a Fender electric and a resonator guitar, creating a unique electric-twangy sound that clashes brilliantly with dynamic drumming. Its socially conscious lyrics voice solidarity with immigrants. “Rolling and rolling/ Looking for some place to work/ Night and day, day and night/ No one is illegal, the world is our home,” frontman Rubén Albarrán sings.

According to a press release, “La Bas(e)” champions themes of “unity, liberty, brotherhood, and a safe way of life for immigrants, eliminating borders,” while it “dreams of a world where all humans are watching out for each other.” The chorus (“1, 2, 3 por ti, 1, 2, 3, por mí”) is inspired by a popular Mexican children’s game.

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Serving as a preview to their forthcoming U.S. tour with Caifanes, the song will lead the band to iconic venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and Central Park SummerStage. For complete U.S. tour dates, click here.

Bassist Quique Rangel shared with Billboard Español the impacting message of the song. “Over the years during our U.S. tours, we have connected with people from our homeland and other Latin countries who sought opportunities to thrive by relocating with their families,” Rangel explains. “Our concerts become a celebration with our music, accompanying them in lands that are no longer so foreign.”

As longstanding advocates for cultural diversity and social justice, band members Albarrán, Emmanuel del Real, Enrique and Joselo Rangel use their music and public presence to fight against inequality and stand up for the marginalized.

This year, they celebrate their 35th anniversary. Stream the song below:



Andra Day Pays Tribute to Lauryn Hill and Other Highlights of Inaugural Grammy Hall of Fame Induction Gala

The first five inductions into the Grammy Hall of Fame were announced on the Grammy telecast in March 1974, but it has taken the Recording Academy 50 years to produce a stand-alone event to honor the year’s inductees. Better late than never.

The inaugural Grammy Hall of Fame Gala was held at the Novo Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 21.

To produce the event, the Academy and the Grammy Museum, which co-presented the event, turned to Ken Ehrlich, who guided the Grammy telecast for 40 years. To host, they enlisted CBS broadcast journalist Anthony Mason.

Six of the inductees were honored with performances. Four were handled with video tributes.

Some of the artists whose recordings were being honored were present, including William Bell, who performed his own song, “You Don’t Miss the Water;” Lauryn Hill, who was on hand to watch Andra Day perform a song from her inducted album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill; and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of the Doobie Brothers, whose “What a Fool Believes” was honored.

In other cases, producers of the inducted recordings were on hand, including Mike Clink (Guns N’ RosesAppetite for Destruction) and Prince Paul (De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising). In still other cases, family members were in the audience.

In some cases, the program spelled out exactly why recordings were chosen. Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” was obviously hugely influential in paving the way for the mainstream acceptance of EDM. Kid Ory’s Creole Orchestra’s “Ory’s Creole Trombone” from 1922, we were told, was the first recording of Black Creole New Orleans jazz.

But in other cases, we were left to wonder. They should always spell out in one sentence exactly why the record was important and/or influential and why it was chosen over the roughly 200 other records that were vying for one of the 10 spots.

In addition to the 10 recordings being inducted, there was a tribute to Atlantic Records on what we were told was its 75th anniversary. (The label was founded in November 1947, so the 75th anniversary has passed.) Three classic Atlantic recordings were performed on the show. A video presentation included many of the label’s greatest artists, though Genesis and Yes seemed to be missing. Atlantic chairperson/CEO Julie Greenwald and chairman/CEO Craig Kallman accepted the honor.

Here are the best moments from the inaugural Grammy Hall of Fame Induction Gala.

Billie Eilish Challenges Sabrina Carpenter For U.K. No. 1 Single

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” (Island) continues to perk in the U.K., where the U.S. singer and actor’s pop hit leads the midweek chart. There’s a contender in the wings, however, in the form of Billie Eilish’s “Lunch.”

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Based on sales and streaming data captured by the Official Charts Company at the halfway stage, “Espresso” is pouring it on for what could be a fourth consecutive stint at No. 1.

The top new release will belong to Billie Eilish with “Lunch,” arriving at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update. “Lunch” is fewer than 1,500 chart units away from “Espresso” in second place.

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“Lunch” is lifted from Eilish’s third studio album Hit Me Hard And Soft (Interscope), which, as previously reported, is currently outselling the rest of the top 5 combined and should give her a third-consecutive No. 1. If “Lunch” has a feeding frenzy in the second half of the U.K. chart week, Eilish could snag a relatively rare double.

Two more cuts from Eilish’s Hit Me Hard And Soft could also crack the top 10 – “Chihiro” (at No. 7) and “Birds Of A Feather” (No. 10). If those tracks hold their course, the U.S. pop phenomenon’s tally of U.K. top 10 appearances would lift to 12, including No. 1s with 2020 release “No Time to Die,” which debuted at the top for the biggest-ever opening week for a Bond theme, and 2023’s Barbie Movie theme “What Was I Made For.”

Behind the tasty 1-2 is Shaboozey’s country number “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which is forecast to complete the podium, holding at No. 3. It’s one of three U.S. country songs in the midweek top 10, ahead of Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” (down 3-4 via American Dogwood/Empire) and Dasha’s “Austin” (holding at No. 9 via Warner Records).

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, May 24.

ASM Global Director Tim Worton Calls Time on Live Entertainment

Veteran venues executive Tim Worton is leaving the live entertainment industry for a new career path.

Worton will step away from ASM Global at year’s end, at which time he will enter 12 months’ full-time studies at Moore Theological College in Sydney. When completed, Worton is keen to work in a pastoral, chaplaincy or ministry role.

Sydney-based Worton has logged 33 years in the entertainment business, including 25 years with ASM Global (previously AEG Ogden). For the past 19 years, he has served as the venues and event management specialist’s group director of arenas for APAC.

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“Tim has been a great ambassador for our organization. He has made an admirable and life changing decision to follow his faith and we applaud his decision and wish him well,” comments ASM Global (APAC) chairman and CEO Harvey Lister.

“Tim’s leadership and executive management of the arena portfolio is demonstrated by the continued growth of the Group’s arenas through innovation and ongoing development of entertainment content for audiences.”

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The announcement of Worton’s career pivot was made during the 31st Asia Pacific Venue Industry Congress held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC). According to organizers, this year’s edition welcomes 554 registered attendees, a new record, for a program running across 23 sessions and featuring 79 speakers.

During the VMA Awards on Tuesday night (May 21), celebrating the final evening of the confab, Worton was presented with the trade body’s 12th honorary lifetime membership.

Worton joined the VMA as a member in 1994, a year after the establishment of the association, and served on its board from 1997-2003, and was the association’s president during the period from January 2001 to May 2003. In 2022, the VMA’s council created an category in his honor, the Tim Worton Award for excellence in the area of education, becoming its first recipient.

Reflecting on his career, Worton says, “helping to ensure there is plenty of live content and the company’s arena network is operationally and financially successful is a key part of my role. What I have loved most about my career is supporting and mentoring colleagues, helping to create opportunities for future development.”

The 2024 Congress marked Worton’s 30th consecutive, and final, in attendance.

‘The Voice’ Crowns Season 25 Champion

Asher HaVon is the champion of The Voice 2024.

The Selma, Alabama native emerges at the very top of his class in this 25th season of NBC’s singing contest, winning Tuesday night’s (May 21) all-star finale.

Team Reba’s singer impressed through the season with his powerful, honey-laced vocals, flair and big-game instincts.

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Along the way, he delivered a commanding performance of Sia and David Guetta’s “Titanium” during the Playoffs, which had Shay Mooney of Dan+ Shay enthuse, “this felt like a Grammy moment for you, man.”

John Legend likened that effort to a religious experience. “There are certain things about you that remind me of Whitney Houston. She would take these songs that weren’t written for a soul singer and have that restraint and regal presence on the sound but also throw in a dope run that you would hear in church,” Legend said. “In church, we save a descriptor for certain vessels, we say they’re anointed. I just felt that anointing on you. That was divine.” Legend will be smarting right now; he’s the only coach who didn’t turn during HaVon’s Blind Audition.

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HaVon’s resume includes a spot singing for Barack Obama during one of the former POTUS’ hometown’s Civil Rights commemorations, and now the spoils for The Voice 2024.

Muni Long Adds Mariah Carey on ‘Made For Me’ Remix: Stream It Now

Muni Long finally joins forces with Mariah Carey on the remix of Long’s viral hit “Made For Me,” which dropped Tuesday night (May 21) via Supergiant Records/Def Jam Recordings.

“When I got the call from JD [Jermaine Dupri, one of the song’s producers] to work on the ‘Made For Me’ remix, I said yes immediately. Muni is an amazing writer and performer, and this collaboration is a match made in heaven,” Carey said in a press release.

After teasing it earlier this month, the “Made For Me” remix arrives eight months after Long released the original song, earning the artist her second Billboard Hot 100 top 20 appearance following her 2022 breakthrough platinum smash “Hrs and Hrs,” which peaked at No. 16. “Hrs and Hrs” went on to win best R&B performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards, where she was also up for best R&B song (“Hrs and Hrs”) and best new artist. Long performed “Made For Me” tonight during the season 25 finale of NBC’s The Voice.

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“Made For Me” has hit No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (seven weeks) and Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (four weeks). Prior to the Muni x Mimi linkup, Long has released other remixes of “Made For Me” featuring Lil Jon & Kronic, BNYX and more. Additionally, the R&B singer-songwriter performed the song at the 2023 BET Soul Train Awards and released her recorded performance on DSPs.

Long (real name Priscilla Renea) is currently nominated for best female R&B/pop artist and the viewer’s choice award (“Made For Me”) at the 2024 BET Awards, where she is also slated to perform.

Listen to the “Made for Me” remix below.



You Can Find the Cutest Crochet Taylor Swift Dolls on Etsy

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Taylor Swift crochet dolls have hit the web, and they’re selling out on Etsy. The site is know for having a nice selection of handmade, sometimes unconventional items, such as hand-crocheted dolls, mimicking Swift’s Eras Tour wardrobe and other eras in her career. And they just might be some of the cutest, handmade fan merch that Swifties can find online.

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Etsy is a treasure trove of fan-inspired gear for Swifties and other music fandoms that want to find unique collectibles.

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See more below.

Etsy

Taylor Swift Purple Gown Crochet Doll

This cute little doll takes its wardrobe from Swift’s beautiful ballgown worn during The Eras Tour. Not interested in a gown? The Etsy seller can customize the doll in different outfits.

Etsy

Taylor Swift Eras Tour Inspired Purple Sequined Bodysuit

$93.01

$132.87

30% off

This crochet doll features a purple and rose gold glitter onesie and ombre boot combo inspired by Swift’s Lover set on The Eras Tour.

Etsy

Taylor Swift Eras Tour Crochet Doll

Tay-Tay’s one-leg jumpsuit gets revamped into an adorably tiny outfit on this crochet doll.

Etsy

Taylor Swift Crochet Doll Red (Taylor’s Version)

Let’s not forget about nostalgic designs, like this little cutie, inspired by Red: Taylor Version album cover.

How to Make Your Own Crochet Doll

Want to crochet your own doll? No prior experience needed, The Unofficial Crochet Kit has everything you need to make your own Swift doll. The kit teaches you how to crochet an amigurumi doll of Swift wearing the blue dress from the tour, plus her guitar.

The kit includes four colors of yarn, a crochet hook, embroidery needle, embroidery floss, safety eyes and Fiberfil to stuff the doll. It’s available at Amazon, Sam’s Club and Urban Outfitters (it’s currently unavailable at Walmart).

Amazon

Unofficial Taylor Swift Crochet Kit: Includes Everything to Make a Taylor Swift Amigurumi Doll!

$21.12

$22.99

8% off

Swift kicked off the European leg of The Eras Tour in Paris on May 9 and wraps up the month in Lisbon, Portugal and Madrid, Spain. The trek returns to the U.S. this fall. Get ticket here.

Diddy Accused of Sexual Assault in New Lawsuit Filed by Former Model

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been accused of sexual assault in a new lawsuit filed by a woman who claims the hip-hop mogul sexually assaulted her in a recording studio bathroom in 2003.

According to the complaint, which was filed in U.S. District Court in New York by attorneys Michelle Caiola and Jonathan Goldhirsch, Crystal McKinney claims she met Combs at a Men’s Fashion Week dinner in Manhattan on the invite of a fashion designer she knew. While attending the dinner, during which she alleges that Combs came onto her “in a sexually suggestive manner,” she says he invited her to hang out at his recording studio.

After arriving at the studio, where McKinney says several other men were present, she claims she was given alcohol and a marijuana joint that she later came to believe was laced “with a narcotic or other intoxicating substance.” She says Combs then led her to a bathroom, where he began kissing her without her consent before shoving her head in his crotch and forcing her to perform oral sex over her protests.

McKinney, who was then working as a professional model, claims that she later “awakened in shock” to find herself in a taxi heading back to the apartment of the designer who had invited her to the dinner. At this point, she “realized that she had been sexually assaulted by Combs,” the complaint reads. The lawsuit adds that following the alleged assault, McKinney’s “modeling opportunities quickly began to dwindle and then evaporated entirely” after Combs allegedly “blackballed” her in the industry. After falling into “a tailspin of anxiety and depression,” she claims she attempted suicide in 2004 and later fell into drug and alcohol addiction to cope with the trauma of the alleged assault.

The new lawsuit was filed under the NYC Gender Motivated Violence Act, which created a two-year lookback window beginning in March 2023 that allows survivors of gender-motivated violence to sue their abusers for alleged incidents that occurred outside the statute of limitations.

Also named as defendants in the lawsuit are Combs’ label Bad Boy Records, its parent company Universal Music Group and Combs’ clothing company Sean John Clothing, all of which McKinney claims “enabled” the alleged assault by “actively maintaining and employing Combs in a position of power” despite the fact that they allegedly “knew or should have known that Combs posed a risk of sexual assault.”

McKinney is asking for damages for mental and emotional injury, distress, pain and suffering and injury to her reputation as well as punitive damages, among other relief.

Representatives for Combs, Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John Clothing and Universal Music Group did not immediately respond to Billboard‘s requests for comment.

Tuesday’s complaint marks the sixth sexual misconduct lawsuit to have been filed against Combs over the past several months. The torrent of lawsuits was kicked off by a November 2023 complaint filed by his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who alleged repeated abuse by the mogul over the course of more than a decade.

Though Ventura’s lawsuit was settled just one day later, a 2016 security video published by CNN on Friday (May 17) showed Combs physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway. Though Combs denied all of Ventura’s initial allegations, in the wake of the video’s release he issued an apology calling his behavior in the clip “inexcusable.” L.A. District Attorney George Gascón later released a statement saying that Combs could not be prosecuted over the assault due to the statute of limitations.

Combs has strongly denied all allegations of sexual assault made against him. On Dec. 6, he released a statement that read: “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

In November, Combs stepped down as chairman of his digital media company Revolt before reportedly selling his stake in the company in March. Also in March, federal agents conducted raids of Combs’ L.A. and Miami homes “in connection” with a federal sex trafficking investigation, according to CNN.

Post Malone, Beyoncé & More Are Charting a Reverse Course With Pop-to-Country Moves

There’s a long history of country-to-pop crossovers, from Dolly Parton to Shania Twain to Taylor Swift. But 2024 is proving to be the year of the pop-to-country crossover, from Beyoncé‘s Cowboy Carter album to Post Malone‘s twangy “I Had Some Help” to Dua Lipa‘s surprise ACM Awards duet with Chris Stapleton.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking about the chart-topping trend, and who might be the next pop star to take his or her talents to Nashville. Listen below:

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Also on the show, speaking of Malone, we’ve got chart news on how “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen, blasts straight in at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts with a massive streaming debut. Plus, Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department holds tight at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart for a fourth consecutive week. How long could she hold on to the No. 1 spot?

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)