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24 Apr 2024

Machine Gun Kelly Is Not About to Say ‘3 Mean Things About Taylor Swift’: ‘Travis Is My Boy’

As Machine Gun Kelly says in a new episode of Hot Ones Versus: “You have got to be out of your motherf—ing mind” if you think he wants any smoke from the Swifties.

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MGK goes head-to-head with his friend and fellow musician Trippie Redd in the new episode, which turns the traditional Hot Ones interview show into a competition by making celebs eat increasingly hot wings every time they refuse to answer their rival’s spicy questions.

In one question, Redd brings up MGK’s offer to pay Travis Kelce $1 million if he’ll leave the Kansas City Chiefs to come play for his hometown Cleveland Browns football team. “Burn that bridge by saying three mean things about Taylor Swift,” the rapper dares Kelly, invoking the name of Kelce’s pop-superstar girlfriend.

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“Ladies and gentlemen, you have got to be out of your motherf—ing mind if you think I want any smoke with that fanbase,” MGK says with a knowing smile. “Also, Taylor is a saint and very nice to me, and Travis is my bro.”

“Kiss her feet while you’re at it,” Redd teases his buddy, who responds: “She’s very, very nice!”

Kelly (real name: Colson Baker) has known Kelce since their high school days as crosstown sports rivals growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to dodging the Swift question, MGK also answered his critics who thought the $1 million offer to Kelce was low. “I said I would give him $1 million spending money on top of whatever the NFL [gives him]. I’m not the f—ing NFL, so I obviously don’t have to pay him $30 million or $40 million, whatever. I said I’ll give you a bonus.”

As Kelly eats his hot wings as punishment for skipping the question, he shows off his Swift knowledge, singing to himself, “Trouble, trouble, trouble,” from her 2012 Red single “I Knew You Were Trouble,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In addition to their Ohio connection, Kelly also performed at Travis’ inaugural Kelce Jam festival in Bonner Springs, Kansas, last April. Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz and Diplo will headline the 2024 event on May 18. And in February, after Kelce won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs, he and Swift took a photo with Kelly and his partner Megan Fox at a post-game party.

Watch the full Hot Ones Versus episode below:

24 Apr 2024

‘Broadway Bares’ Announces 2024 Vegas-Themed ‘Hit the Strip’ Burlesque Benefit

Broadway Bares is back, and this time, the annual charity burlesque spectacular hits the jackpot with a sinful Las Vegas theme: Hit the Strip.

Each year, the razzle-dazzle show brings together Broadway’s finest dancers in a music-filled evening, produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). More than 150 of New York’s dancers will take the stage for two performances only on June 23 at Hammerstein Ballroom at 9:30 p.m. and midnight. Special guests are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Previous installments of Broadway Bares have boasted appearances by such stage and music stars as Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana DeBose, JoJo, Adam Lambert, Cyndi Lauper, Pentatonix’s Kirstin Maldonado, Alex Newell, Billy Porter and Vanessa Williams.

Broadway Bares: Hit the Strip will be directed by Kellen Stancil. Also on the creative team: Paula DeLuise (associate director), Jerry Mitchell (the show’s creator and executive producer), Nick Kenkel (executive producer), and choreographers John Alix, Mike Baerga, Phil Colgan, Karla Puno Garcia, Billy Griffin, Amber Jackson, Jonathan Lee, Leo Moctezuma, Rachelle Rak, Michael Lee Scott and Maleek Washington.

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Since the show’s launch in 1992, Broadway Bares has generated more than $26 million for BC/EFA. Last year’s edition brought in $1.9 million.

Broadway Bares is one of the many charity events produced by BC/EFA yearly. Among its other fundraisers: Broadway Backwards, Broadway Barks, Broadway Bets, the Fire Island Dance Festival, Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, Easter Bonnet Competition, Hudson Valley Dance Festival, Red Bucket Follies and Broadway Run.

According to BC/EFA, the organization “has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people living with HIV/AIDS, struggling with COVID-19 and facing other critical illnesses in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.”

24 Apr 2024

Sierra Ferrell & Steep Canyon Rangers to Lead 2024 IBMA Bluegrass Live Festival

Sierra Ferrell and Steep Canyon Rangers will spearhead the annual International Bluegrass Music Association’s IBMA Bluegrass Live! festiavl powered by PNC when it returns to downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sept. 27-28.

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Also on the main stage are special guests Chatham County Line, Sierra Hull, Sam Bush, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Danny Paisley, Amythyst Kiah and Crying Uncle.

Ferrell just released her new album Trail of Flowers, while Steep Canyon Rangers’ 2023 album Morning Shift is at No. 9 on Billboard‘s Bluegrass Albums chart.

IBMA, teaming with local host PineCone (Piedmont Council of Traditional Music), will return to the Raleigh Convention Center, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, the Red Hat Amphitheater and other venues. The festival will be held at Red Hat Amphitheater, as well as on six additional stages throughout downtown Raleigh.

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The performance lineup for the two-day festival also highlights the talents of Balsam Range; Barefoot Movement; Broken Compass; Compton & Newberry; Chris Jones & the Night Drivers; Country Current (US Navy Band); Dewey & Leslie Brown; Earl White String Band; Evans, Smith & May, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen; From China to Appalachia (Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian); Golden Shoals, The Gospel Jubilators; The Gravy Boys; Hank, Pattie & the Current; Henhouse Prowlers; Jacob Jolliff Band; Jake Blount; Jake Leg; Jim Lauderdale; Junior Appalachian Musicians; Kaia Kater; Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands; Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road; New Dangerfield; Nixon; Blevins & Gage; Raised in Raleigh All Star Jam; Sister Sadie; Songs From the Road Band; The Tan & Sober Gentlemen; Tray Wellington Band; Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention 100th Anniversary; Unspoken Tradition; The Williamson Brothers; Wyatt Ellis; and more.

“This is our favorite time of year. I just love seeing everyone coming down to Raleigh with guitars and banjos slung over their shoulders,” David Brower, festival producer and executive director of PineCone, said in a statement. “In addition to all the bands playing the big stages, there’s also something special for the everyday pickers. We’re dedicating a stage to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers Convention. We’ll have contests for fiddlers, banjo, mandolin and guitar players, plus a great big square dance to cap off the afternoon each day. Lifting up North Carolina’s musical traditions is something we’ve been proud to do with the festival over the last decade.”

IBMA Bluegrass Live! is part of the annual five-day IBMA World of Bluegrass, which also includes the IBMA Business Conference, the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble showcase series and the 35th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, with the run of events slated for Sept. 24-28 in Raleigh.

Last year, Billy Strings led the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winners, picking up the entertainer of the year honor, while Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway won album of the year for Crooked Tree and song of the year for the album’s title track, while Tuttle was named female vocalist of the year.

Tickets and hotel reservations for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass will open to IBMA members starting May 8, and will open to the general public on May 15.

24 Apr 2024

Madison Beer Is a Killer Cheerleader in Sultry ‘Make You Mine’ Music Video

Madison Beer has gone full Jennifer Check.

The 25-year-old singer shared the official music video for her viral hit, “Make You Mine,” on Wednesday (April 24), and in the Jennifer’s Body inspired clip, Beer acts as a cheerleader who teams up with her best friend to lure and kill and unsuspecting male classmate. It’s hardly the first time Beer has paid tribute to Megan Fox’s beloved film character, as she’s dressed up as Jennifer for Halloween in the past.

“Make You Mine” is currently sitting at its peak position of No. 8 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart after a clip from the dance-driven chorus went viral on the platform. The song follows the release of Beer’s sophomore album, The Silence Between Songs, which arrived in September 2023, and features lead single “Home to Another One,” as well as fan-favorite tracks “Sweet Relief,” “Spinnin” and “I Wonder.”

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“It’s just so fun, such a feel-good song. It’s sexy, it’s infectious. I haven’t played it for anyone that hasn’t just like [started] dancing and felt immediately hotter after listening to it, and that’s always how I want to make people feel,” Beer previously told Billboard of “Make You Mine,” before embarking on her world tour in support of Silence Between Songs.

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Watch Madison Beer’s “Make You Mine” music video below.

24 Apr 2024

Recording Academy, BMI, NMPA & More Music Orgs Sign Pledge Committing to Workplace Safety

The 100 Percenters, a musicians’ advocacy group, announced Wednesday (April 24) that several music organizations have signed a pledge designed to hold companies accountable for ensuring workplace safety.

Signees to the pledge, which was devised by The 100 Percenters, include the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), BMI, the Recording Academy, the Mechanical Licensing Collective (the MLC), EVEN, Artistry Group, Eat Predators, HRDRV, Industry Blackout, LVRN, Love Pulse Music.

Called the Safe Music Business pledge, the agreement asks signatories to abide by the following rules:

  • Committing to keeping artists, songwriters, producers and staff safe in their workplace and studio sessions
  • Committing to reporting sexual harassment, intimidation or violence to the appropriate parties in our workplace or studio sessions and taking action
  • Not tolerating inappropriate behavior in their workplace or studio sessions
  • Having or creating a safe space to support their artists, songwriters, producers and staff who don’t feel safe
  • Having or hiring safe space leadership to support their artists, songwriters, producers and staff who don’t feel safe

The organization hopes the pledge will help protect artists, songwriters, producers and staff members who work for or with these organizations. Safety is a particularly pressing concern for women and non-binary creatives working in male-dominated spaces in the industry. The 100 Percenters, founded by songwriter Tiffany Red, is primarily focused on initiatives that protect music’s most marginalized creatives and professionals.

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If a signatory breaks the pledge, a representative from The 100 Percenters says it will have a private conversation with the executives at the company, asking them to take accountability and take meaningful steps to ensure the workplace will be safer in the future. Such instances would be handled on a case-by-case basis, and the organization that breaks its vow could be removed from the pledge — with that removal potentially announced publicly.

The organization announced the signatories of the pledge with a corresponding open letter from Red that pointed to recent allegations of alleged abuse perpetuated by music professionals like Sean “Diddy” Combs and Russell Simmons. “The truth remains to be determined in a court of law,” the letter clarifies. “However, can we not acknowledge the troubling pattern of alleged abuse of power in music?”

The letter continues: “Despite finding allies within these companies who acknowledged the necessity of initiatives like the Safe Music Business pledge, the response has been dishearteningly silent. We encountered a significant reluctance throughout the outreach process to secure pledges. It’s a disappointing reality. It shouldn’t be such a challenging task for companies to adopt a more transparent, proactive stance in addressing sexual misconduct and violence within the music industry.”

“We are immensely grateful for the companies and organizations that have taken the SMB pledge,” the letter adds. “Their commitment to creating safer work environments within the music industry is commendable and represents a significant step towards positive change. By pledging to prioritize workplace safety, these companies demonstrate leadership and a genuine dedication to the well-being of music creatives and professionals. Their actions serve as an inspiring example for others to follow, and we sincerely appreciate their efforts to foster a culture of respect, safety, and inclusivity in our industry.”

To read the full letter, visit the 100 Percenters website here.

24 Apr 2024

Dave East & Harry Fraud “Bacc 2 Harlem,” BlueBucksClan, Hit-Boy & 2 Chainz “Scroll” & More | Daily Visuals 4.24.24

HipHopWired Featured Video

Since coming into the game Dave East has been repping Harlem as hard as you’d expect from a rapper who hails from “The World,” and while he’s been traveling the globe and enjoying his success, the man knows that at the end of day there’s no place like home.

Linking up with Harry Fraud for his latest visuals to “Bacc 2 Harlem,” DE returns to the Black Mecca where he gets poured up with his crew and is joined by some of his Hip-Hop peers such as Maino and Millyz. That man was having the grandest of times.

Elsewhere another soiree went down as the BlueBucksClan, Hit-Boy and 2 Chainz got things turnt up and in their clip to “Scroll,” the rappers threw a private house party where they were the guests of honor and a gang of women treated them like the royalty they are.

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Drizzy Juliano, G Perico and Steelz, and more.

DAVE EAST & HARRY FRAUD – “BACC 2 HARLEM”



BLUEBUCKSCLAN, HIT-BOY & 2 CHAINZ – “SCROLL”



DRIZZY JULIANO – “MAKAVELI”



G PERICO & STEELZ – “HOW WILL”



ICEWEAR VEZZO – “CHEESECAKE”



PAYROLL GIOVANNI – “ROSE ANNIVERSARY”



KUR – “UP TO PAR”



PREME DIBIASI – “IN THAT ORDER”



24 Apr 2024

Walmart’s Popular Lap Desk That Offers ‘Plenty of Space’ for Work Is Now Just $22

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.

Space is a luxury and for some of us that means we have to sacrifice adding a desk to our work from home area. Walmart wants to make it easier for to work from anywhere with a new deal, that gets you 63% off its popular lap desk.

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Instead of resting your laptop on your legs (potentially burning yourself if the computer gets to hot) or balancing it on the nearest throw pillow (potentially tipping the laptop over), the PHANCIR lap desk will provide a flat surface to work from your bed or couch on. Walmart is no stranger to offering home and tech deals, and this lap desk is no exception dropping down to $22 (reg. $60). Everything about the mini desk was made to be compact and portable, which is especially helpful for apartment dwellers.

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The surface comes with a built-in cup holder and slot for tablets to be propped up without needing a tablet stand. Its also garnered a 4.3 star rating with more than 2,000 shoppers rating the tool.

Keep reading to shop the deal.

light brown wooden foldable lap desk

PHANCIR Foldable Lap Desk

Work from wherever you want using this lap desk that comes with a foldable design to make it easy to carry from place-to-place and store away when not in use.

Unlike some lap desks, which sit directly on your lap and thighs, this desk folds out to sit over your lap. The side of the tray comes with a small drawer where you can store pens, pencils and other office accessories. Each leg also comes with aluminum alloy tubes for sturdier construction.

Plus, the surface uses an anti-slip material to prevent your laptop, mouse or book from falling off. You don’t just have to use it for work either, for those dreaming of a mess-free breakfast-in-bed experience, this tray can double as a mini table to eat food on.

Reviewers are also raving over how there’s “plenty of space” thanks to its wide design. Once shopper even went as far as to praise how it’s even “easy to set up with just one hand.” At 63% off it’s a total steal.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best sustainable tech, webcam covers and wifi extenders.

24 Apr 2024

Becky G Reflects on 10 Years of ‘Shower’ & Her Co-Hosting Era at 2024 Latin AMAs

Becky G has a double celebration this week: co-hosting the 2024 Latin American Music Awards and reaching 10 years since the release of “Shower.” 

Joining Thalia, Alejandra Espinoza and Carlos Ponce, Becky (real name: Rebbeca Marie Gomez) will co-host the award ceremony that will be presented in a combination of English and Spanish, marking the first time any major U.S. award show will feature a bilingual broadcast, according to a press statement. 

“It’s my first time coming to one of these awards shows and not feeling ashamed of being a Pocha, speaking in Spanglish,” the Mexican-American singer exclusively tells Billboard of her co-hosting era. “The fact that this is a historical moment that I get to be a part of, for me, brings me so much pride.” 

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As a 100 percent Latina and 100 percent American, she elaborates on the importance of forming part of the bilingual celebration. “I know there are many generations that also identify with their Latin roots and want to participate in celebrating our culture but maybe don’t always feel welcomed to do so, so our hope is to extend a big hug to all the multi-generational families that are going to be watching this show,” she notes. 

In honor of this year’s theme, “We Speak Música,” Becky also reflected on the impact “Shower” has had on her fans—a song she released 10 years ago and ultimately put her on a wider scale. “It’s crazy. Yesterday, I saw a picture of Little Becky performing ‘Shower’ for the first time at an awards show, and it was a Spanglish version,” she expressed. “To fast forward and be here still doing what I love to do so much […] I feel very, very blessed.” 

The 2024 Latin American Music Awards will air live at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión and ViX.

24 Apr 2024

Elliott Wilson Named Editorial Director of UPROXX, HipHopDX & Dime Magazine as Brands Come Under New Ownership

Elliott “YN” Wilson is re-entering the journalistic landscape after being named editorial director of hip-hop journalism overseeing UPROXX, HipHopDX and Dime Magazine. The news follows the announcement on Wednesday (April 24) that all three brands were acquired by media veteran Jarret Myer to form UPROXX Studios alongside Complex alum Rich Antoniello and will.i.am.

“I’m thrilled for this new chapter of my illustrious career and to work with proven winners like Jarret, Rich and will,” Wilson tells Billboard. “My focus is on elevating the three rising brands — UPROXX, HipHopDX and Dime — to greater heights and to help shape the future of media and culture. The fun begins.”

Wilson will continue holding down his role as co-host of the Rap Radar podcast with Brian “B. Dot” Miller. In the past, Wilson worked at TIDAL and also served as editor-in-chief of XXL from 1999 to 2008.

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UPROXX Studios will operate as an independent company, with Antoniello serving as partner/executive chairman and will.i.am aboard as partner/investor. The move to acquire the trio of brands along with other Warner Music Group assets comes about two months after WMG CEO Robert Kyncl announced in an internal memo obtained by Billboard that Warner was looking to find a suitor to offload HipHopDX and UPROXX after nearly six years in business together.

“We’re in an exclusive process for the potential sale of the news and entertainment websites UPROXX and HipHopDX, with more to say on that soon,” Kyncl said in February.

Will.i.am’s FYI AI technology and FYI radio will also be an integral part of UPROXX Studios’ operating systems in the ever-evolving media industry.

“Innovation is in our DNA,” will.i.am said in a statement. “Our continuous pursuit of developing new mediums and platforms will reshape the future of creative expression. We are crafting products and experiences so groundbreaking that they compel the world of media to evolve alongside us. This is our mandate as pioneers of culture.”

UPROXX Studios CEO Myer expects the company to be a pioneer in the media space with its investments in technology and forward thinking.

“We’re doubling down on growth. Expect significant investments in our brands, team, and the experiences we offer — both creators and audiences alike,” he added. “Through its partnership with FYI, UPROXX Studios embraces pioneering technology and also signals its commitment to fostering creativity and pushing the limits of digital expression.”

24 Apr 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Is Being Sued, TikTok Banned in U.S., Billie Eilish On Her Sexuality, Selena Gomez’s Date Night & More | Billboard News

It’s Wednesday, April 24th, and we have legal issues and confessions to share with you. Unfortunately for over 170 million users, TikTok is officially banned in the US unless the owners of the app can find a new owner in the next 9 months. Is Megan Thee Stallion going back to court? The singer finds herself facing a lawsuit from her cameraman claiming to be subjected to a hostile work environment. Halle Bailey opens up about the downside of motherhood, Billie Eilish shares more behind her sexuality and the influences behind her upcoming album, ‘Hit Me Hard And Soft’ and Selena Gomez heads out to date night with Benny Blanco. Dwayne Johnson confesses how at one point he wanted to be a country star, Jess Glynne dives into her creative process for her hit “Hold My Hand” and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Billie gets graphically sexual, as Selena goes on date night and Hallie opens up about postpartum. TikTokk is banned. Megan Thee Stallion is Megan Thee Sued. We find out Dwayne Johnson’s dream job and find out how a huge it was made. This is Wednesday’s Billboard News let’s jump in. Megan Thee Stallion may be heading back to court. Let’s break it down. In a complaint filed on April 23, cameraman Emilio Garcia accuses Megan Thee Stallion of subjecting him to a hostile work environment. In the lawsuit filed against Megan in rock nation. Garcia alleges that after a night out in Ibiza back in June 2022 he was in an SUV with Megan and three other women. Garicia’s lawyer, who also represents three backup dancers suing Lizzo, writes in the lawsuit obtained by Billboard: “Suddenly, Stallion and one of the other women started having sex right beside plaintiff. Plaintiff could not get out of the car as it was both moving and he was in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country.” Gracia claims this left him feeling embarrassed, mortified and offended. And he alleges the next day she “berated him,” told him “Don’t ever discuss what you saw” and made “fat shaming comments” toward him. Where does Roc Nation come into all of this? Garcia alleges Roc Nation switched him from a monthly rate to a per assignment arrangement, decrease the number of bookings with Megan and by June of 2023…

Keep watching to learn more!