djfrosty

24 Apr 2024

4 Finalists of ‘Produce 101 Japan The Girls’ Audition Set to Debut in June as New Group IS:SUE

The four finalists of PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS, one of the largest audition programs ever held in Japan, are set to make their Japan debut from Universal Music on June 19 as the brand-new group IS:SUE.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The members are RIN (Rin Aita), NANO (Nano Kenmotsu), YUUKI (Yuuki Tanaka), and RINO (Rino Sakaguchi), all signed to LAPONE GIRLS Inc. The name of the group is a play on words, from the Japanese word “ishu” meaning “a different kind” and the English word “issue,” with the group aiming to become “a fascinating and different kind of existence that always captivates people through newsworthiness and topicality (issues).”

The title of the brand-new group’s debut single, “1st IS:SUE,” signifies it is the inaugural issue as a group, and the lead track “CONNECT” is a song with a message showing the girls’ strong will to connect with the world again with the strength they’ve gained and the connection between members born through trials and tribulations.

Trending on Billboard

“Our debut single ‘1st IS:SUE’ has become an important piece of work that incorporates our experiences up to now and our thoughts in the lyrics,” the group comments in a release. “We will never forget our gratitude to our fans who have been waiting for us, and will continue to strive to become a group that can succeed not only in Japan but also globally. We’d be happy if our music could reach many people”.

IS:SUE is set to perform for the first time on the KCON STAGE and SHOWCASE on the first day of KCON JAPAN 2024 taking place from May 10 to 12, and also on the M COUNTDOWN STAGE at ZOZO Marine Stadium on the last day.

When IS:SUE joined LAPONE GIRLS in March and the group launched its official social media accounts, they were quickly followed by over 500,000 fans. When news broke that the new group would take the stage at KCON JAPAN 2024, it fueled comments and speculations online about the identity of the members, with fans wondering, “Who is this mysterious group?” and “Who are the four members of IS:SUE?”

24 Apr 2024

Celine Dion Discusses Her Taylor Swift Moment at 2024 Grammys

Celine Dion is opening up about her surprise appearance at the Grammys earlier this year, which marked the singer’s first appearance since being diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder Stiff Persons Syndrome in late 2022.

In a video with Vogue France, in which Dion recounts memories she associates with some of her favorite fashion moments of her career (including singing “My Heart Will Go On” at the Academy Awards and performing at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards), she also recalls her experience at the Grammys in February.

Trending on Billboard

“It was very nerve-racking, but at the same time, a big honor,” Dion told the outlet. “That magic, that excitement. To see the fans, to see the crowd, to see show business again.” She added: “It took a lot, a lot out of me. But my son, René Charles, RC, came and gave me his support.”

Dion also addressed one of the most-talked-about moments from the evening, when Dion presented Taylor Swift the Grammy for album of the year for Midnights. Swift drew criticism for seemingly ignoring Dion while accepting her Grammy onstage.

“To present the award, the album of the year, to Taylor Swift, it was an honor because she’s having the time of her life and I’m the one who’s presenting it to her. But it’s always very, very touching when you have a standing ovation,” Dion said.

Though Swift garnered backlash in the moment, photos from backstage seemed to tell a different story, as one image depicted Swift and Dion posing together and smiling, with Swift hugging Dion.

In Dion’s Vogue France cover story, the five-time Grammy winner noted that she was honored to be in the spotlight for Vogue France at age 55.

“I’m very proud that, at 55, I’ve been asked to reveal my beauty,” Dion said. “But what is beauty? Beauty is you, it’s me, it’s what’s inside, it’s our dreams, it’s today. Today, I’m a woman who is feeling strong and positive about the future. One day at a time.”

Dion previously had to postpone her tour dates for 2023 due to her diagnosis, and says her plans for returning to performing are vague at the moment.

“I’ve been saying to myself that I’m not going back, that I’m ready, that I’m not ready,” Dion said. “As things stand, I can’t stand here and say to you: ‘Yes, in four months.’ I don’t know. … My body will tell me. On the other hand, I don’t just want to wait. It’s morally hard to live from day to day. It’s hard, I’m working very hard, and tomorrow will be even harder. Tomorrow is another day, but there’s one thing that will never stop, and that’s the will. It’s the passion. It’s the dream. It’s the determination.”

24 Apr 2024

M Is for Mexico: Madonna Justifies Her Love for Frida Kahlo, Brings Celeb Guests Onstage at Mexico City Concert

Madonna is performing a series of five concerts in Mexico City this week as part of her Celebration Tour, an occasion that the Queen of Pop has taken to reiterate her love for Mexican culture and one of its most iconic figures: the famous painter Frida Kahlo.

“As you know, I have a great history, a long history with Mexico,” the superstar said Saturday night at the Palacio de los Deportes during her performance of “Burning Up,” according to La Razón. “When I was a girl, I discovered Frida Kahlo. I went to the only museum that existed in Detroit, and there were Diego Rivera murals everywhere, but to be honest, I was more interested in a small picture in a corner, of a beautiful woman with her hair gathered in braids and intense eyes.”

Previously, Madonna met with the Kahlo family on Thursday at their home in the city neighborhood of El Pedregal, and wrote an emotional dedication in the guest book expressing she was inspired by the iconic painter, who she considers to be her “soul mate,” reported Mexican newspaper Reforma.

Trending on Billboard

Just as she’s been doing at different stops on her tour, the Material Girl has had special guests in Mexico during the performance of “Vogue” to judge a handful of dancers in a dance competition. On Saturday, at the first of her shows at the Palacio de los Deportes, she had Mexican comedian Guillermo Rodriguez, known as Jimmy Kimmel’s sidekick on ABC’s late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live!

“When you go to a Madonna concert and she CALLS YOU UP ON STAGE!!!,” says a shared post from Rodriguez and Kimmel on Instagram with a video of the moment in the show.

The second guest was Cuban actor Alberto Guerra, who lives in Mexico. He shared the moment on his social media, along with some snapshots to immortalize the moment. “Thank you Madonna, for giving me the memory of a night that will live forever in my heart,” the actor wrote in English on Instagram.

On Tuesday (April 23), the surprise guest was Mexican influencer Wendy Guevara, a trans actress who won Televisa’s reality show La Casa de los Famosos in 2023, and who was greeted with cheers from the audience when she got onstage. “And a dream come true,” Guevara captioned a photo of her with Madonna on Instagram.

Madonna’s final performances in Mexico City are on Wednesday and Friday. It’s unknown if she will have more guests at press time.

24 Apr 2024

‘Thank You Good Night, The Bon Jovi Story’: How to Watch the Docuseries Free

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.

Bon Jovi gets the documentary treatment in Thank You Good Night, The Bon Jovi Story, premiering Thursday (April 25) on Hulu.

The four-part documentary explores the “epic past and uncertain future” of the legendary rock band and it’s namesake, Jon Bon Jovi.

Featuring 40 years’ worth of private videos, unreleased early demos and never-before-seen photos from the Bon Jovi vault, the documentary takes fans through the band’s highs and lows. From its early rise to stardom to the “biggest disappointments and most public moments of friction,” per Hulu.

The documentary is helmed by Gotham Chopra, the Emmy-winning director of Kobe Bryant’s Muse, Man in the Arena and Tom vs. Time. Chopra, Giselle Parets, Ameeth Sankaran and Alex Trudaeu Viriato are executive producers.

Trending on Billboard

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Keep reading for ways to stream free.

How to Watch

Thank You Good Night, The Bon Jovi Story premiers Thursday on Hulu.

You can join Hulu under a free trial to watch Thank You Good Night, The Bon Jovi Story, and mounds of other exclusive documentaries and TV series such Shogun, Under the Bridge, Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, High Hopes, We Are the Lucky Ones, The Bear, Only Murders in the Building and Vanderpump Villa.

Hulu features network shows such as Abbott Elementary, American Idol, The Rookie, Grey’s Anatomy and The Simpsons.

Starz, Paramount+ with Showtime, Max and Cinemax are available to stream on Hulu.

Access Hulu from any compatible streaming device, smart TVs and smart phones, as well as gaming consoles such as PS5 and Xbox.

Hulu + Live TV is offering a free trial for three days. The plan includes access to Hulu, Disney+ ESPN+ and 95+ live television – cable channels and local channels including including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, The CW, ID, ESPN, FX, FXX, Food Network, TRVL, TV Land, Lifetime, QVC, ID Network, TLC, fyi, and TNT.

Hulu offers annual plans, student discount and bundles packages with Disney+ and ESPN+

In addition to the documentary, Bon Jovi will appear in a special interview Michael Strahan x Jon Bon Jovi: Halfway airing on Sunday at 10 p.m. on ABC and streaming on Hulu the following day.

Watch the trailer for Thank You Good Night, The Bon Jovi Story below.

24 Apr 2024

Eminem’s ‘Mockingbird’ Video Flies Past 1 Billion Views on YouTube

After reaching 1 billion streams on Spotify last year, Eminem’s “Mockingbird” video has entered another billion club with the introspective clip surpassing 1 billion views on YouTube.

The 2004 Encore single is Em’s fifth solo video to cross 1 billion views and his sixth overall including Akon’s “Smack That” (Eminem also produced “Smack That”).

The heartfelt John Quigley-directed “Mockingbird” visual finds Eminem speaking to his then-9-year-old daughter Hailie Mathers and adopted daughter Alaina while getting emotional watching childhood home videos.

The Detroit icon reflects on his trials and tribulations as a father and the relationship issues with Hailie’s mother, Kim, in a promise to be better amid their humble beginnings.

Trending on Billboard

“This isn’t a song, it’s a masterpiece,” one fan wrote in the YouTube comments, while another added: “Man I haven’t heard a rap song like this in f—ing years…. there’s really no rap song today compared to this!” The official “Mockingbird” video was uploaded to YouTube on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) of 2009.

“Mockingbird” reached No. 10 on Billboard‘s Rap Songs chart and is currently halfway to diamond status at five times platinum. The track had a revival in the streaming era thanks to a surge in TikTok plays before Em’s catalog was taken off the platform.

Amid leaks and a mid-week release date, Encore arrived in November 2004 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with 710,000 albums sold in its first week.

“It became a misstep and I struggled to get over the fact that I didn’t do my best. My best would’ve been good enough if the leaks hadn’t happened. But I released what I had at that point in time, and I feel that put a kind of a mark on my catalog,” Em told XXL when reflecting on the lukewarm reception to Encore.

“Encore did some decent numbers, but I was never that concerned with numbers,” he added. “I was more so worried about what people think about the album. Critics and fans were important to me, and they were always at me about that project.”

Watch the “Mockingbird” video below.

24 Apr 2024

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on His Dream to Be a Country Star | Billboard News

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confesses how at one point he wanted to be a country star, his upcoming dream performance with Chris Janson and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a true country fan, but did you know he’s a country singer too? Dwayne Johnson may have appeared in Chris Janson’s music video for “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” but he’s not just there for his good looks. He’s got singing chops too.

Dwayne Johnson:

I can tell you that he had surprised and blessed me with an open invitation from himself and the Opry for me to join them on the Opry stage, which I cannot wait to do. That’s a dream come true.

Tetris Kelly:

He told us how he almost became a country singer when he was evicted from Hawaii as a teenager and discovered the country scene in Nashville.

Dwayne Johnson:

I was in Piggly Wiggly singing, like not caring, and I was singing a Hank song. I’ll never forget, a woman came around and she kind of looked at me. And I thought I’d done something wrong. She goes, “Oh, I’ve just came around to see who was singing.” And she goes, “Do you sing? Do you?” And I’m 15 and I went, “No, I just love to sing. I love country.” She goes, “You should go down to [Broadway]. That’s where all the singers are.” And I went, “OK.” And that’s when I started hanging out on Broadway, trying to get a gig at these honky-tonks because I had this dream in my head that I was, or delusion, that I was a country music star.

Keep watching to learn more!

24 Apr 2024

Chance the Rapper Announces ‘Star Line’ Mixtape

Chance the Rapper is making his long-awaited comeback.

The Chicago MC has announced a new mixtape entitled Star Line inspired by his trip to Ghana and Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line — a short-lived shipping and transportation endeavor meant to transport goods, services and African-American tourists to and from Africa. Chance posted a trailer recently of him in Ghana and clips of him in various studios working on new music. The clip features fellow Save Money member Vic Mensa, as well as Lil Wayne, Lil Yachty, T-Pain, Jazze Pha, Jermaine Dupri and DJ Premier, all helping him put this new era together.

Late last year, Chance announced on Instagram Live that he would be dropping an album called Star Line Gallery in the spring of 2024. There’s no word on if the Star Line mixtape will be a precursor to Gallery, but Chano has thrown snippets up on his IG, the earliest of which he posted in January 2023.

Yesterday he posted an IG Reel of a song named “Buried Alive” asking if he should drop a video.

Trending on Billboard

Each clip he’s shared of his new direction has featured a darker tone with black backgrounds and white subtitles. In “Buried Alive,” he mentions his former manager, his recently divorced wife, his money and the hype that once surrounding him. He seems to be addressing all the drama he’s been involved in since dropping his debut studio album The Big Day in 2019. Everything he’s teased has sounded promising.

We’re looking forward to seeing where he plans to take his new sound.

24 Apr 2024

Forrest Frank’s ‘God Is Good’ Debuts in Top 5 on Top Christian Albums Chart

Singer-songwriter Forrest Frank hits the top five with his maiden entry on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart.

The Houston native and Baylor University graduate’s four-song EP God Is Good enters the April 27-dated chart at No. 5. Released April 12, it earned 4,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending April 18, according to Luminate.

The 28-year-old — who is also in the “Sunday Best” duo Surfaces — initially received traction by posting videos on social media. He boasts over 500,000 followers on TikTok and 2 million on Instagram.

The EP’s “Good Day,” Frank’s first single promoted to Christian radio, climbs 23-19 for a new high on the Christian Airplay chart, up 10% to 1.4 million audience impressions. On Christian AC Airplay, it lifts 29-24 (up 17% in plays).

On the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Christian Songs survey, “Good Day” ranks at No. 3, after hitting No. 2 in March. It drew 2.7 million streams (up 8%) and sold 1,000, as it tops Christian Digital Song Sales for an 11th week.

Also on Hot Christian Songs, Frank’s “Up!,” with Connor Price, ranks at No. 10, after reaching No. 8, marking Frank’s other top 10 to date. (The song is not on God Is Good.)

Concurrently, the three additional tracks on God Is Good chart on Hot Christian Songs: the title track, with Caleb Gordon, a debut at No. 19; “Always” (new No. 22 high); and “Low Key” (new No. 36 best).

Frank is currently working on an LP expected to be released this year.

Armstrong’s Third No. 1

Jor’Dan Armstrong earns his third total and consecutive Gospel Airplay chart-topper with “You.”

The Atlanta-based artist, originally from Baton Rouge, La., previously led with his duet with Erica Campbell, “You,” for three weeks in December 2022 and “My God” for two frames beginning December 2021.

Armstrong logged his first of five Gospel Airplay entries in 2014 as featured on Uncle Reece’s “I Can’t Help Myself,” which hit No. 21 that June. He followed with “So Much Luv,” which reached No. 19 in October 2017.

24 Apr 2024

Kate Hudson Says ‘Glee’ Was a ‘Very Dramatic Set’

Kate Hudson is reminiscing on her time on Glee.

The star sat down with Glee star Jenna Ushkowitz on the newest episode of her Sibling Revelry, which the Almost Famous actress hosts with her brother Oliver Hudson. “It was a very dramatic set,” Kate recalled of the hit Fox series. “Well, you know, when you’ve got all of those personalities and all that talent and all that youth, and a lot of hormones …it’s youthful, and young.” 

The actress appeared on five episodes during the fourth season of Glee, portraying Cassandra July, Rachel Berry’s [Lea Michele] dance instructor. 

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Ushkowitz says that the “dramatic” feel of the set was likely because of how much time the cast spent together. “We were all very close,” the star, who played Tina Cohen-Chang in the series, said. “And yes, we had our squabbles, but we really were a family and it was easier to get along than it wasn’t. And as dramatic as it was, there’s so many moving parts of our show and so many cast members and so many personalities.” 

Hudson agreed, adding, “I think it was because you all were so close and the show was so huge. So you’re all this young little family, and of course inside of it you’re gonna have all the stuff that comes with it.”

Trending on Billboard

Listen to the full episode of the podcast here.

24 Apr 2024

Congress Passes Bill That Could Lead To TikTok Ban If The Platform Is Not Sold In 9 Months

HipHopWired Featured Video

TikTok Faces Potential Ban In US, After Pres. Biden Signs Bill

Source: Anadolu / Getty / TikTok

Congress hasn’t agreed on much lately, but one they seem to be locked in on is TikTok’s threat to national security, so it’s no surprise the bill that could potentially lead to its banning passed.

Congress passed the bill on Tuesday, April 23. It calls for a national ban on TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, can’t find a buyer.

As promised, President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Wednesday, April 24. This gives the company nine months with a three-month grace period to secure a deal for the platform.

The U.S. government has been wary of the app since the Trump administration because of potential national security concerns related to its Chinese ties.

Security experts and lawmakers have been raising the red flag about the popular app kids use to partake in viral dance choreography and share hilarious videos because they feel the Chinese government can use ByteDance to access the 170 million U.S. users’ private information or spread propaganda.

It Will Be An Uphill Battle To “Ban” TikTok

While many are reacting to the news with the inclination that the ban will go into effect immediately, the new law could take months, possibly years, to get TikTok up outta here.

Per The New York Times:

The law would allow TikTok to continue to operate in the United States if ByteDance sold it within 270 days, or about nine months, a time frame that the president could extend to a year.

The measure is likely to face legal challenges, as well as possible resistance from Beijing, which could block the sale or export of the technology. It’s also unclear who has the resources to buy TikTok, since it will carry a hefty price tag.

The issue could take months or even years to settle, during which the app would probably continue to function for U.S. consumers.

TikTok Vows To Fight The Ban

Of course, TikTok vows to fight. Chief executive Shou Chew said in a video, “Rest assured, we aren’t going anywhere. We are confident, and we will keep fighting for your rights in the courts.”

We shall see.