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20 Mar 2024

E. Ness Says Diddy Is A Victim Of A Smear Campaign

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Sean Diddy Combs

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A Bad Boy Entertainment alumni is openly supporting Diddy. E. Ness insists that his former CEO is a victim of a smear campaign.

HipHopDX is reporting that the former front man of Da Band doesn’t believe that the mogul is guilty of any of the horrendous allegations made against him. Recently the Philadelphia, PA native made an appearance on the Directed by CEO Nafees podcast and expressed that there is a predetermined effort to ruin Diddy’s reputation. “It’s a smear campaign,” he said. “That’s what’s happening with Puff. It’s a smear campaign. And what they usually do is they go to your personal habits. They start attacking your personal habits, your girlfriends, your exes. Then they try to find something to attack you through those vessels.”

Sean Combs’ name was synonymous with scandal by the end of 2023. In November of that year his former artist and love interest Casandra “Cassie” Ventura accused him of rape and years of abuse. Diddy quickly settled the case for an undisclosed amount. “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably,” Combs said in a statement. “I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.” Following the settlement Liza Gardner and Joi Dickerson-Neal filed separate legal claims alleging he drugged them. Last month producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones filed a federal lawsuit alleging Diddy sexually harassed and drugged him. Combs has denied all the allegations against him.

You can see E. Ness discuss Diddy at the 3:50 minute mark below.



20 Mar 2024

Young Thug Trial Witness Admits Being High On The Stand

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The RICO trial of Young Thug gained another wild moment as a witness admitted to being high while testifying.

On Tuesday (March 19), the racketeering trial of rap star Young Thug and the YSL (Young Slime Life) crew was underway in a Fulton County courtroom. The defense attorneys for Young Thug called Adrian Bean, a witness for the prosecution to the stand. As cross-examination began, Bean leaned forward with his eyes semi-closed. “Man, umm,” he began, “Can I get a water or something? I’m so high right now, y’all, I’m about to go to sleep on y’all now. I am. I ain’t gon’ tell a lie.”

The revelation prompted lead prosecutor and District Attorney Adriane Love to ask Fulton County Supreme Court Judge Ural Glanville for permission to approach the bench. Love brought Bean a bottle of water while Brian Steel, Young Thug’s attorney, asked if Bean was okay enough to continue. Despite expressing how his condition was, Bean replied, “Let’s keep the ball rolling.” The entire moment was captured in the Livestream of the trial.

Bean was called to the trial by the prosecution due to him being one of the witnesses they’re relying on to establish that Young Thug, aka Jeffrey Williams, was at the scene where Donovan Thomas Jr. was killed in a drive-by shooting Sept. 11, 2013. But further cross-examination by the defense of Bean seemed to support their argument that police were pressuring Bean to say Young Thug was at the scene. Bean also expressed that he couldn’t recall key facts during testimony he gave in February, citing his history of drug use.

The trial has seen multiple instances of outlandish behavior from one attorney joking that they would open an OnlyFans account to supplement their income to DA Love and a defense attorney getting into an argument so heated that Judge Glanville had to step in and ask them to “take it down a notch.” He also found himself admonishing the courtroom audience as a defense lawyer quipped about the exchange later that day. “I didn’t ask anyone to laugh in the gallery. This is a courtroom. Not some entertainment forum for you,” Judge Glanville stated.

20 Mar 2024

Benny The Butcher Blesses Freddie Gibbs’ Baby Mama With Iced Out BSF Chain

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20 Mar 2024

‘Love Is Blind’ Star Asks Taylor Swift Not to Watch the Show After Getting Roasted by Travis Kelce

As Taylor Swift may put it, Chelsea Blackwell has a “big reputation” after appearing on the sixth season of Netflix’s Love Is Blind — so big, in fact, even Travis Kelce was inspired to do an impression of her on a recent episode of New Heights. Luckily, the reality star is taking it in stride, although she does now have a message for the “Anti-Hero” singer.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end revealed his passion for the series on Wednesday (March 20), telling his older brother and co-host, retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, “You gotta watch Love Is Blind, man. It is the worst trash ever — it’s worse than Catching Kelce — but it’s so f—ing good,” he added, referencing his own 2016 E! dating show, on which 50 women competed for his heart.

“Honestly, I just want you to watch the one girl and to just hear her,” Travis continued over Jason’s objections, before mimicking something Blackwell told then-fiancé Jimmy Presnell during an argument on the show: “You think I’m clingy? I’m clingy? Really?”

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For those out of the loop, Love Is Blind finds a group of men and women dating each other from opposite sides of a wall, unable to see their partners until they get engaged. Blackwell and Presnell emerged from the blind pods with plans to get married; however, Presnell broke things off before they got to the altar.

Travis isn’t the first person to poke fun at Blackwell since season 6 kicked off earlier this year: She went viral early in the season for telling Presnell that people tell her she looks like Megan Fox, stirring up a debate about whether she actually resembles the actress. But the flight attendant has been able to laugh at herself in spite of comments about her demeanor on the show. In a TikTok posted after the football star’s impression went live, she tells the camera while smiling, “I just got the most mortifying news.”

“I really feel like I need to crawl under a rock at this point, because Travis Kelce did an impersonation of me, and the only outlet that this man knows my name — or not even knows my name — is from whining like a baby back bi—,” she continued, rolling her eyes at herself.

The possibility that one of the world’s biggest pop stars may have been watching the show alongside Travis, whom Swift has been dating since last summer, was also not lost on Blackwell. “Taylor Swift, if you’re watching it with him…,” she said, laughing. “Please stop.”

Check out Travis’ impression of Blackwell, as well as the reality star’s response, below.

20 Mar 2024

What You Missed at Encuentro de la Música en Español: Nicki Nicole, Raphael & More | Billboard News

Billboard and the city of Madrid teamed up for the first-ever Encuentro de la Música en Español. The event highlighted Spanish and Latin American music and was held to celebrate its global reach. Nicki Nicole and Raphael participated in special Q&As, while panels were packed with stars, music executives and managers.

Tetris Kelly:
Billboard Español cover star Nicki Nicole opened up about breakups, heartache and a new song with her longtime idol Alejandro Sanz. She appeared at Billboard’s first-ever Encuentro de la Música en Español in partnership with the city of Madrid. The event showcased Spanish and Latin American music and talent to celebrate the global rise of Spanish-language music.

Showcasing artists from both sides of the Atlantic, the conference featured Spanish icon Raphael, who sat down for an exclusive Q&A. Nicki Nicole gave an amazing performance backed by a three-piece band playing a totally new version of her greatest hits. The Argentinian singer and rapper will play her first sold-out arena show in Spain on March 21, after nine sold-out shows in Buenos Aires. The event also featured conversations with artists like Luis Cobos, Mala Rodriguez and Paula Cendejas, as well as music executives and managers.

Watch the full video above!

20 Mar 2024

Bebe Rexha Shares 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Her Music | Billboard Women In Music 2024

Bebe Rexha shares five things you didn’t know about her music backstage at Billboard Women In Music 2024.

Bebe Rexha:
Hi, I’m Bebe Rexha, and this is five things you don’t know about my music.

My favorite music video I’ve ever shot was “Sacrifice,” and it was inspired by the movie Blade. And it’s me and my vampire girlfriends and we seek revenge on a very bad guy.

Every time I record a song, it’s always different. Sometimes I’ll start with chords, sometimes I’ll start with a concept, or title. Sometimes something happens to me that day, and I want to write about it. But the recording process for me changes every time. But a lot of my a lot of the songs that have been the most successful, you know, on the charts have been stuff that have started just with me on the piano.

I love performing an Amsterdam but also I loved when, I loved it when I was in Japan as well. That was really fun. I don’t love just one place. I personally just love meeting fans from everywhere around the world. I always want to see what the city looks like. And not just go to the touristy parts. I like finding like the grungy places. That’s fun for me.

We have my first album ever, it was called Expectations, and it was based off of a quote that an old manager told me, because I was at the point I was very … I was going through the music industry as a songwriter kept getting, you know, in really not great situations. And he told me he’s like, “Honestly, the best thing in life is having no expectations.” So whether you’re going on a date, or walking into … I said walking — I’m from New York — walking into a studio session or meeting somebody. Don’t think, “Oh, I hope this date goes well” or build a fantasy in your head — just walk in very neutral. And I feel like that’s the reason why I call my album Expectations. That was my first album.

My favorite accomplishment ever is I was studying to be an act classically — a classically trained opera singer. And I got into … I got into this program. It was like a New York City program in New York State program. It is very hard to get into it. That was a really exciting moment for me. But the crazy thing is, what happened is when you get picked, you will [go to] upstate New York, and you sing with a whole choir, it’s like a choir situation. And I end up getting the flu that day. But you know, that’s life, but here I am at the Billboard Women In Music.

20 Mar 2024

Ariana Grande Rules Hot 100 Songwriters & Producers Charts for First Time

Ariana Grande is having a massive week on Billboard’s charts. Along with claiming the No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 and reigning as the No. 1 act on the Billboard Artist 100, she also rules the Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers charts for the first time.

As such, Grande becomes just the fourth artist to top all five of those surveys simultaneously, a feat achieved just 10 times since Billboard launched the songwriter and producer charts in 2019. Here’s a look at every such week.

Chart Date, Artist, Billboard 200 No. 1 album, Hot 100 No. 1 song
March 23, 2024: Ariana Grande, Eternal Sunshine, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”
Nov. 18, 2023: Taylor Swift, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), “Cruel Summer”
Nov. 11, 2023: Taylor Swift, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault]”
Sept. 9, 2023: Zach Bryan, Zach Bryan, “I Remember Everything” ft. Kacey Musgraves
Dec. 3, 2022: Taylor Swift, Midnights, “Anti-Hero”
Nov. 26, 2022: Taylor Swift, Midnights, “Anti-Hero”
Nov. 12, 2022: Taylor Swift, Midnights, “Anti-Hero”
Nov. 5, 2022: Taylor Swift, Midnights, “Anti-Hero”
Nov. 27, 2021: Taylor Swift, Red (Taylor’s Version), “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)”
April 4, 2020: The Weeknd, After Hours, “Blinding Lights”

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Taylor Swift has led all five charts simultaneously a record seven times, and via three albums: Red (Taylor’s Version), Midnights and 1989 (Taylor’s Version). The Weeknd and Zach Bryan have both achieved the feat once, thanks to their LPs After Hours and Zach Bryan, respectively.

Grande tops the latest Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers charts thanks to her credits on all 12 of her charting songs on the Hot 100, all from Eternal Sunshine. Notably, she’s the only co-songwriter and co-producer on all 12 songs. Here’s a recap.

Rank, Title
No. 1, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”
No. 10, “Yes, And?” (up from No. 31; debuted at No. 1 on Jan. 27)
No. 16, “The Boy Is Mine”
No. 17, “Supernatural”
No. 23, “Eternal Sunshine”
No. 25, “Bye”
No. 28, “Don’t Wanna Break Up Again”
No. 30, “True Story”
No. 37, “Imperfect for You”
No. 38, “Intro (End of the World)”
No. 39, “I Wish I Hated You”
No. 55, “Ordinary Things,” feat. Nonna

Eternal Sunshine is Grande’s first album cycle in which she’s credited as a co-producer. She logged her first career Hot 100 entry as a credited producer on “Yes, And?,” with Max Martin and ILYA. Of the 12 charting songs from the set, Martin is a co-producer on all but “Intro (End of the World)” and “I Wish I Hated You.” ILYA co-produced all except “Intro,” “Supernatural” and “Ordinary Things.” Martin and ILYA rank at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, on Hot 100 Producers.

Martin has an unprecedented history on Billboard’s charts, having produced a record 25 No. 1 songs on the Hot 100. He tallied his record-breaking 24th leader in January with “Yes, And?” (passing late Beatles mastermind George Martin). He tallies his 25th with “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).”

As for ILYA, 26 of Grande’s Hot 100-charting entries have been produced or co-produced by the hitmaker, including her two most recent No. 1s, as well as her first top five hit, “Problem,” featuring Iggy Azalea, in 2014. He also co-produced Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ 2022 No. 1 “Unholy,” along with songs by Justin Bieber, Jonas Brothers, Lizzo and Normani.

Billboard’s weekly Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers charts are based on total points accrued by a songwriter and producer, respectively, for each attributed song that appears on the Hot 100. As with Billboard’s yearly recaps, multiple writers or producers split points for each song equally (and the dividing of points will lead to occasional ties on rankings). Billboard launched its Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers charts, as well as genre-specific rankings for country, rock & alternative, R&B/hip-hop, R&B, rap, Latin, Christian, gospel and dance/electronic in June 2019. Alternative and hard rock joined in 2020, along with seasonal holiday rankings in 2022.

20 Mar 2024

There’s a New Beatles Monopoly Game on the Market: Here’s Where Fans Can Buy It

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The Beatles Monopoly game is being updated to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the band’s U.S. debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.

On Monday (March 19), The Op Games unveiled a revamped edition of The Beatles Monopoly, complete with customized artwork highlighting various Beatles albums, and legendary career moments such as the band’s sold-out show at the Hollywood Bowl in 1964.

The Beatles Monopoly Edition: Where to Buy

Monopoly: The Beatles | Officially Licensed Collectible Game Based on The Beatles Rock Band for 2-6 Players

Players can buy, sell, and trade classic albums such as A Hard Day’s Night and Revolver, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road, Yellow Submarine and more, using custom Beatles money. The game comes with six collectible tokens, each representing classic Beatles hits like “Here Comes the Sun,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” and “Rocky Raccoon.”

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“The Beatles are a household name, well-known by fans of all ages, even six decades later,” said Dane Chapin, CEO of The Op Games. “Being able to merge the most influential band of all time with one of the world’s favorite family games in the new edition of Monopoly: The Beatles is such a privilege and aligns perfectly with our goal at The Op Games to create games that can span generations and bring fun for the whole family.”

“We’re excited to be able to partner with The Op Games to bring The Beatles Monopoly game to the marketplace and into the hands of both new and old fans,” added Joe Marziotto, VP of licensing at Bravado, a music and fashion brand management firm whose clients include The Beatles, David Bowie, Bob Marley, Justin Timberlake, Anitta, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Ariana Grande, Janet Jackson and more.

The Beatlefied board game includes special pieces inspired by the Fab Four. For example, Community Chest and Chance cards are renamed “Beatlemania” and “The Fab Four,” while the traditional Monopoly houses and hotels have been replaced by “Listening Parties” and “Concerts.”

Besides custom tokens and a special game board, the Monopoly game includes 32 houses, 28 title dead cards, 16 Fab Four and Beatlemania cards and 12 hotels.

Monopoly: The Beatles edition is designed for 2-6 players ages 8 to 60+. The board game retails for $44.99 at The Op Games, Amazon and The Beatles shop.

20 Mar 2024

Quavo Launches Program to Award $100,000 for Gun Violence Prevention in Atlanta

Quavo is looking to give back to his local Atlanta community through The Rocket Foundation. Huncho announced the launch of the Spark Grants initiative on Wednesday (March 20), which will award 10 different organizations with $10,000 to help minimize gun violence and spread awareness around the ATL.

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The grants will be handed out to recipients on June 18, which is also the birthday of Quavo’s late nephew and Migos bandmate Takeoff and lands in National Gun Violence Awareness Month.

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Takeoff (born Kirshnik Khari Ball), 28, was shot and killed early in the morning of Nov. 1, 2022 while attending a private party with Quavo at 810 Billiards & Bowling in downtown Houston.

Last year, Quavo headed to Washington, D.C., to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss gun violence and what could be done to help reduce the amount of weapons on the streets. Twenty-four hours later, the White House revealed plans for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

“I am honored to launch this grant program to honor Take and the countless families that have been affected by gun violence,” said Quavo in a statement. “The Rocket Foundation will be giving out $100,000 in Spark grants to local organizations dedicated to reducing community violence in Atlanta.”

He continued: “There is a lot of important work going on in ATL right now, and part of our mission is to uplift these organizations and support them to help save more lives.”

Applications from nonprofit organizations are due by April 21 and then the $100,000 in total will be awarded on June 18. The 10th winner will be selected by the public with voting taking place on The Rocket Foundation’s website.

Investigators said shots rang out during the an afterparty attended by several dozen people, with TakeOff pronounced dead at the scene of what the Harris County coroner’s office said was “penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into arm.”

Less than a month before TakeOff’s murder, Quavo and Take teamed up to form the Unc & Phew duo (TakeOff is Quavo’s nephew) and unleash their Only Built For Infinity Links album. The LP debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.

20 Mar 2024

Ally Brooke Says She Was the ‘Glue’ of Fifth Harmony

Ally Brooke is opening up about her time in Fifth Harmony, which was formed on The X Factor in 2012.

In a wide ranging interview with Keke Palmer for the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast this week, the 30-year-old star revealed a compliment that the show’s judge Simon Cowell told her while she was on the singing competition. “After we were formed, Simon pulled me to the side and he said, ‘You are the glue who holds the group together,” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘Oh my God, what?’… It was like a crown that he was giving me.”

The interview comes years after Fifth Harmony — which was reduced to Ally Brooke, Normani, Lauren Jauregui and Dinah Jane after Camila Cabello left — disbanded in 2018. Since then, Ally has released a number of singles as a solo artist, starting with “Low Key” in 2019.

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As for a 5H reunion, Ally told Billboard last year that it’s entirely possible. “We’re women now and we have grown so much and we have done our own thing, gone our own ways and gone our own path. And now we’re together in a different light,” she explained, while hinting at more reunions with the other members in the future. “I’m trying to reunite with them, so I think some sort of reunion may happen.”

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She also promised that an album is on the horizon for 2024: “There is 100 percent an album, but that will be for next year,” she said. “Fingers crossed, but it’s really true. We’re just beginning to work on it and we have a lot that’s in store.”

Watch the full episode of Baby, This Is Keke Palmer with Ally Brooke below.