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Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, Oscar-Winning ‘Finding Neverland’ Composer, Dies at 71

Polish composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, who won a 2005 Oscar for the musical score of Finding Neverland, died on Tuesday (May 21). He was 71.

Kaczmarek’s death was announced by Poland’s Music Foundation, which had been informed of his passing by the composer’s wife. Kaczmarek had suffered from MSA, a rare degenerative neurological disorder.

He composed music for movies made in Europe and Hollywood, like 1995’s Total Eclipse with Leonardo DiCaprio and 2002’s Unfaithful starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane.

Global fame came when he won the Oscar for best original score with the biographical fantasy Finding Neverland, inspired by the life of author J.M. Barrie, starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet.

Born in Poland in 1953, Kaczmarek wanted to be a diplomat and studied law, but a brief association with the avant-garde theater of Jerzy Grotowski set him on the musical career.

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In 1989, he settled in Los Angeles, but toward the end of his life lived in Krakow in southern Poland.

He is survived by his second wife, Aleksandra Twardowska-Kaczmarek, and five children.

Liverpool to Transform Into ‘Taylor Town’ Ahead of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Shows

So long, Liverpool. Ahead of Taylor Swift‘s upcoming Eras Tour shows, the English city is now known as “Taylor Town.”

The city is currently in the process of unveiling a temporary makeover to prepare for the pop star’s three performances slated for June 13-15 at Anfield Stadium, starting with the tailored — or should we say, Tay-lored — name change. Plus, local creatives are designing 11 individual art installations inspired by each of Swift’s studio albums to form a “Taylor Town Trail,” including a playable moss-covered grand piano representing Evermore, a “red room” encapsulating Red and a Fearless mural based on the singer’s lucky number, 13.

Banners spelling out “Taylor” have also already gone up across the front of St. George’s Hall in the center of town, as captured in photos from local Swifties.

“One of the biggest stars on the planet is coming to the birthplace of pop,” reads a notice on the Liverpool City Council website. “And to mark this musical moment for the ages, there are plans in place to give Swifties a proper scouse welcome.”

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The city is also planning a series of ticketed craft workshops — aka Liverpool Loves Taylor (Craft Version) — where fans can make origami pieces that will be added to one of the 11 main art installations. Participants will also be able to work on homemade Swif-tee shirts, collages and cupcakes inspired by the “Anti-Hero” singer.

The University of Liverpool is getting involved, too, by hosting a free “Tay Day” symposium for academics, students and fans to “unpack the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift,” according to the city council’s notice. “The event will include critical karaoke sessions, where researchers perform their findings to some of Taylor’s biggest hits and a series of interactive talks on subjects including her song lyrics, her award-winning albums and her place in feminism and the LGBTQ+ community.”

Liverpool is just the latest Eras Tour locale to go all out ahead of Swift’s arrival. For instance, Glendale, Ariz., temporarily changed its name to “Swift City” in lieu of the 14-time Grammy winner’s kickoff show there in spring 2023, while Rio de Janeiro projected the image of a Taylor-themed T-shirt onto its iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in November.

Take a peek at Liverpool’s Swiftie celebrations below.

Shakira Set for 2024 Besame Mucho Festival: See Full Lineup

The Bésame Mucho Festival unveiled its 2024 lineup on Tuesday (May 21), featuring Colombian global star Shakira as one of the headlining acts.

Returning Dec. 21 to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles for its third year, other confirmed headliners include Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, Los Tigres del Norte, Juanes, Banda MS, Carlos Vives, Gloria Trevi, Paulina Rubio and more.

Bésame Mucho has established itself as a popular multi-generational event thanks to the variety of artists who perform across different stages.

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For its 2024 edition, Latin rock lovers will be able to enjoy acts such as Elefante, Belanova and Enanitos Verdes. Música Mexicana fans can catch Ana Barbara, El Fantasma, Grupo Pesado and Alicia Villarreal. The tropical junkies can dance the night away to Elvis Crespo, Bacilo and Proyecto Uno.

This will mark Shak’s second appearance at the festival: Earlier this year, she made a surprise announcement via a video message during Grupo Frontera’s set at the first inaugural Bésame Mucho Festival in Austin, Texas, in March.

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The artist used the festival grounds to tease fans with a preview of her Frontera collaboration “(Entre Paréntesis)” ahead of the release of her seventh studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.

“Hola mi gente de Bésame Mucho, I leave you with my friends from Grupo Frontera and a preview of our next song ‘(Entre Paréntesis),’” Shakira said in Spanish. The group then went on to play around half a minute of the norteño track.

Early access to presale tickets begins at 10 a.m. PT on Friday, May 24 via BesameMuchoFestival.com.

See the complete 2024 Bésame Mucho Festival lineup below:

Besame Mucho Festival 2024 Lineup

Besame Mucho Festival 2024 Lineup

Diddy’s Ex Misa Hylton Says 2016 Cassie Ventura Video ‘Has Triggered My Own Trauma’

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex Misa Hylton has taken to Instagram to speak out following a devastating 2016 video resurfaced, in which the hip-hop star appears to be physically assaulting then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel.

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“I am heartbroken that Cassie must relive the horror of her abuse, and my heart goes out to her. I know exactly how she feels, and through my empathy, it has triggered my own trauma,” Hylton wrote on Instagram, alongside photos of Combs’ seven children. She shares 30-year-old Justin Combs with Diddy, and dated the “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper in the early 1990s.

“These young people were raised by women that want the best for them – we put God and education first and have always been united in our mutual effort to support their dreams. Two of the youngest do not have their mother here and it has been our duty to support them,” Hylton continued. “Their father needs help and I am praying that he truly does the personal work and receives it.”

See her post here.

In the video, obtained by CNN earlier this month and dated March 5, 2016, Combs appears to shove Ventura to the ground near an elevator bank, kick her several times while she lies on the ground and drag her down a hallway. The contents of the video mirror an assault allegation Ventura made in a now-settled lawsuit she filed against Diddy in November.

Shortly after, on May 19, Diddy took to social media to share a video of himself taking responsibility and apologizing for his actions in the disturbing clip. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” Diddy says in his Instagram video. “I was f—ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now.”

He continued, “I went out and sought professional help. Had to go into therapy, into rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” said Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, in a statement sent to Billboard. “Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”

Following the video’s release, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office issued a statement that Combs won’t be prosecuted over his actions in the 2016 video. “We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” the office of L.A. District Attorney George Gascón wrote in a statement on Instagram Friday (May 17). “If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”

Creepy Nuts Set to Globally Livestream Tokyo Concert: See the Schedule

Creepy Nuts is set to stream a show from its ongoing domestic tour, called Creepy Nuts ONE MAN TOUR 2024, for global audiences.

The “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” duo kicked off the tour in March and the nationwide trek is expected to draw approximately 70,000 fans total, including additional shows in June. The concert set for June 16 at Yoyogi 1st Gymnasium in Tokyo will be streamed around the world in its entirety on Beyond LIVE, a global concert streaming platform. The livestream will only be available to audiences outside of Japan.

Creepy Nuts, consisting of rapper R-shitei and DJ Matsunaga, have never streamed their shows globally before. The pair dropped its viral hit “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” in January and the song has been dominating the charts in Japan and abroad. The MASHLE season 2 opener topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for 13 consecutive weeks from the chart dated Jan. 31 to April 24 and recently logged its 15th week atop the tally on the chart dated March 15. Total streams for the rap banger sailed past 300 million at the second fastest pace in Japan chart history.

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“BBBB” was also the first song to hold the top spot on Billboard Japan’s Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan list for 17 consecutive weeks (as of May 16). This chart ranks Japanese songs being heard in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide. The long-running hit also reached No. 8 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, the second-highest position ever for a Japanese act on the tally after YOASOBI’s “Idol.” 

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Creepy Nuts Concert Livestream Schedule:

Beyond LIVE “Creepy Nuts ONE MAN TOUR 2024”

Livestream: Sun, June 16, 2024 5:00 p.m. JST

Archived stream: Sat, July 6, 2024 11:00 a.m. JST

ELA CEO Jason Miller to Exit

Live entertainment executive Jason Miller is leaving operational responsibilities at ELA, the joint venture he launched with global entertainment leader CTS Eventim in 2021. Miller continues to hold an ownership stake in the concert promotion company.

During his nearly three years as CEO, Miller, based in Los Angeles, led ELA to produce shows in all genres in the United States and abroad across 20 cities, 13 countries and four continents.

“We launched ELA during the height of the pandemic with the simple goal of expanding CTS Eventim’s global footprint. I am proud to say that we have accomplished our mission,” Miller says. “Over the past years, I have assembled a diverse, talented team in three countries, and together we have produced an incredible run of successful shows. The people are in place and the foundation has been laid for ELA to continue to gain market share and thrive. Live entertainment is booming, and I am excited to explore new opportunities to build and further develop great businesses within our industry.”

Miller previously worked at the talent agency powerhouse Creative Artists Agency (CAA) where he was an integral player in the careers of such high-profile clients as Beyoncé, Jimmy Fallon, Magic Johnson, Stevie Wonder and many more. Prior to ELA, Miller was senior vp at Live Nation Entertainment, where he co- produced some of the last decade’s highest-grossing tours including for Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Madonna, Maroon 5 and U2.

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Miller holds a B.S. degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from UCLA.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s “Bad Built” MAGA Marj Slander Inspires X User Remixes

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President Biden Delivers State Of The Union Address

Source: Win McNamee / Getty

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett’s “bad built” takedown of Marjorie Taylor Greene has given birth to some new remixes and a potential new clothing line.

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett’s searing takedown of Marjorie Taylor Greene has become a social media sensation. The Democratic representative from Texas was verbally insulted by the Republican representative from Georgia during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Thursday (May 16) when she referred to Crockett’s “fake eyelashes” in suggesting that she didn’t understand the proceedings. The insult prompted other Democrats including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to chastise Green. Undeterred, Crockett reclaimed her time and responded. “I’m just curious, just to better understand your ruling: If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody’s bleach blonde bad built butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct?”, she said. Crockett would later defend her stance in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing in part: “PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES!”

The 38-year-old lawyer was asked about her remarks in a CNN interview on Friday (May 17) and declared that she was unapologetic about what she said. “I have no regrets, and I’ll tell you why. If you give her an inch, she’ll take a mile.“ Crockett said, going on to state that she was not elected “to be somebody’s doormat.” In an appearance on CNN’s State of The Union on Sunday (May 19), the congresswoman called out Greene and her GOP colleagues for their racism: “MAGA has historically been on social media doing the things where they’re saying, ‘Oh, she’s Black with lashes and nails and hair, and so she’s ghetto. … It is buying into a racist trope.”

People on social media were euphoric over Crockett’s comeback, making #BleachBlondeBadBuiltButchBody a top trending hashtag with users even incorporating it into their usernames. It’s now the inspiration for remixes that mock the far-right Georgia congresswoman, who’s made a career of racist and demeaning remarks and behavior. Crockett began to make a thread on X of some of the best ones, and in a separate post announced that she was putting together “A Crockett Clapback Collection” with proceeds going towards Democratic candidates for office.

Check out some of the more entertaining and hilarious remixes below.

1. TN Brando

2. DJ BH Logic

3. DJ Suede The Remix God

4. King Willionius

6. Mela Yela

7. Chad Richardson

8. Black Knight 10L

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro To Get New “Champagne Gold” Colorway

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Nike Kobe 8 Protro Champagne

Source: @hypebeastkicks / Instagram

Just a few years ago NBA players were putting down top dollar to get their hands on pairs of Nike’s Kobe Bryant sneakers as it seemed like Kobe’s estate and Nike’s relationship had come to an end.

Luckily that wasn’t the case and the Kobe’s signature line at the Swoosh brand has flourished over the past few years with players all over the league and fans across the board rocking new colorways to a few Kobe Bryant silhouettes.

Now Hypebeast is reporting that we’re getting a new installment to the ever popular Kobe 8 Proto that commemorate’s the NBA legend’s reputation for hogging NBA championships as Nike will be dropping a new “Champagne Gold” colorway that’s sure to rival the popularity of the “Grinch” Kobe 6 Protro. With the Kobe 8’s getting multiple colorways over the past few months, the “Champagne Gold”‘s really stand out as the colorway is one of the slickest we’ve seen on the model to date.

Per Hypebeast:

Now a flagship basketball model, the Protro has been updated with modern technology, featuring a restructured tongue for added comfort. The shoe’s entire upper is constructed out of Engineered Mesh in the same champagne gold shade that hits the mudguard. Black accents the Black Mamba logo on the tongue as well as the Kobe signature on the heel and Swoosh on the lateral. It sits atop a white rubber midsole and outsole to round out the design.

Yeah, these are going to be a hard copp.

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Champagne Gold” is set to release some time in the Fall for a cool $190. Will you be trying to copp come release day? Check out pics of the kicks and let us know in the comments section below.

Diddy’s Ex-Bodyguard Alleges Seeing Him Violent With Women

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P. Diddy Hosts XS Lounge

Source: Prince Williams / Getty

A former bodyguard for Diddy is speaking out once more, claiming that he saw the mogul assault his exes repeatedly.

As reactions to Diddy’s purported apology video over beating former girlfriend Cassie Ventura continue to pour in, his former bodyguard Roger Bonds is now speaking out again about what he alleges were acts of abuse inflicted on Ventura and the late Kim Porter. Bonds appeared on the latest episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored on Monday (May 20) to talk about what he witnessed.

“It didn’t surprise me when I saw it because I’ve seen things of this nature before,” Bonds said about three minutes into the interview. “I’ve gotten in between things of this nature before. This was back in 2012.”



“He’s up to the same games,” Bonds continued. “He never mentioned Cassie’s name in that apology, so to me he didn’t Ahumble himself enough. I think he said what people wanted to hear, not what he felt.” When Morgan asked him how many times had he witnessed Diddy aka Sean Combs act in that manner towards women, Bonds answered, “Around four or five times. I’ve seen him get really physical, grab them up,” Bonds added. “I seen him get into wrestling and punching matches. Sometimes, I felt like what are you upset about? It’s a deeper anger when you are hitting and punching a woman in that type of manner.”

Bonds would remark on Diddy’s personality in the interview. “He’s a king manipulator,” he stated. “He can manipulate anything and anyone. Money and power is what he’s all about. he has a god syndrome.” Bonds would also talk about Kim Porter fighting back against the Bad Boy Records founder’s attacks, and how he wanted Bonds to ignore his actions. “There was this dark side of him that he was trying to hide and that he wanted me to say didn’t exist. And I can’t say that it didn’t exist if it did exist,” Bonds said.

Diddy has been under intense scrutiny as there are now two lawsuits filed against him for sexual assault, in addition to dealing with a federal raid on his homes in Miami and Los Angeles. But Bonds feels like this is just the beginning. “I feel like there’s going to be other people that come forward,” he said.

Bonds was named in the lawsuit that Cassie filed against Diddy, which was settled a day later, in late 2023.

Check out the full interview above.

Two Songs Top 70 Million Weekly U.S. Streams for the First Time

For the first time, two songs have at least 70 million official U.S. streams in a single chart week.

Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen, earned 76.4 million in the May 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate. The same frame, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” tallies its second week of 70 million-plus streams, with 72 million, a 2% jump from 70.9 million in the May 3-9 frame.

As a result, “I Had Some Help” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Streaming Songs chart dated May 25, pushing “Not Like Us” down to No. 2.

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That’s the first time two songs have had at least 70 million weekly official U.S. streams since Billboard incorporated streaming data into its charts, with the Streaming Songs tally beginning in 2013. The closest any week had previously come was on the Aug. 22, 2020, survey, when Cardi B’s “WAP,” featuring Megan Thee Stallion, reigned via 93 million streams, followed by Drake’s “Laugh Now Cry Later,” featuring Lil Durk, with 69.8 million.

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And that’s before one brings Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby,” the May 25 Streaming Songs chart’s No. 3 song, into the equation. It ranks with 66.3 million streams, up 14%. You can probably see where this is going: the May 25 rundown is the first time three songs have accrued 60 million streams or more in a single week.

“I Had Some Help” reigns in its first week, having been released May 10. It’s Post Malone’s fourth No. 1 on Streaming Songs and second in a row, following his rule as a featured artist on Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” earlier in May. His other No. 1s were “Rockstar,” featuring 21 Savage, in 2017 and “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse),” billed as a co-lead with Swae Lee, in 2019.

Wallen, meanwhile, boasts his second No. 1, following a long rule for “Last Night” last year. As “Last Night” rose to No. 1 rather than debuting there, “I Had Some Help” becomes his first entry to premiere atop Streaming Songs.

Lamar’s “Not Like Us” achieves an additional distinction of being the first song in the chart’s history to actually rise in streams after first accruing 70 million since chart calculations began including only official streaming content in September 2020. That said, Lamar’s first week (May 3-9) was with a partial week of data, as “Not Like Us” was released May 4.

Going back to that week in September 2020, the new May 25, 2024, chart contains three of the seven biggest streaming weeks since. “I Had Some Help” is the biggest, while “Not Like Us” achieves the fourth largest in its latest frame, while “Million Dollar Baby” boasts the seventh largest.

Biggest Streaming Weeks Since Sept. 19, 2020:

  • “I Had Some Help,’ Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen, 76.4 million (May 25, 2024)
  • “Fortnight,” Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone, 76.2 million (May 4, 2024)
  • “Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo, 76.1 million (Jan. 23, 2021)
  • “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar, 72 million (May 25, 2024)
  • “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar, 70.9 million (May 18, 2024)
  • “Way 2 Sexy,” Drake feat. Future & Young Thug, 67.3 million (Sept. 18, 2021)
  • “Million Dollar Baby,” Tommy Richman, 66.3 million (May 25, 2024)
  • “Good 4 U,” Olivia Rodrigo, 62.7 million (June 5, 2021)
  • “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus, 59.8 million (Feb. 4, 2023)
  • “Anti-Hero,” Taylor Swift, 59.7 million (Nov. 5, 2022)

Of the above, all were the No. 1 songs of the week on the Streaming Songs chart, aside from “Not Like Us” and “Million Dollar Baby” via the May 25 chart.

Concurrently, as previously reported, “I Had Some Help” reigns on the multimetric Billboard Hot 100, followed by “Not Like Us” and “Million Dollar Baby” at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.