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20 Oct 2023

Jelly Roll Launches Holiday Toy Drive

It’s only October, but Jelly Roll is already doing his best to make the holidays a little happier for kids in Nashville.

The country star, a native of nearby Antioch, Tenn., announced a toy drive in Nashville to help kids, in partnership with Coca-Cola, toy company Hasbro, iHeart and metro Nashville.

In a video on Instagram, the “Need a Favor” hitmaker told viewers that he will be hosting the toy drive on Friday (Oct. 20) beginning at 3 p.m. CT at the Walmart located at 3600 Mallory Lane in Franklin, Tenn. He noted that the first 500 people to donate to the cause will receive VIP access to his acoustic performance during the event.

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Jelly Roll also noted that the Walmart event is just the beginning. “This is just day one of what will be the biggest partnered toy drive in Nashville history,” Jelly Roll said in a video on Instagram. “I’m confident that we’re going to do it bigger than it’s ever been done.”

This is just the latest initiative Jelly Roll has done to help youth. His recently concluded, headlining 50-plus city Backroad Baptism tour not only offered fans night after night of the singer-songwriter’s mesh of country, rap and rock, but also raised $590,000 to aid at-risk youth. Additionally, Jelly Roll and his team visited nearly a dozen jails and/or juvenile detention centers, as well as rehab centers and homeless shelters during the tour to encourage those in need.

“I never even dreamed this would be possible,” Jelly Roll said in a recent Instagram post. “My gratitude is at an all-time high. I got emotional every night on stage — seeing the impact of these songs. Seeing people laughing, dancing, crying together was something I’ll never forget …When I started writing songs when I was a kid, I did it as a means of therapy and a way of connection. I never in my wildest imagination would’ve thought that it could’ve ended up in arenas.”

See his announcement of the toy drive below:

20 Oct 2023

The Revivalists Notch Second Straight Adult Alternative Airplay No. 1 With ‘Good Old Days’

The Revivalists score their second consecutive No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart with “Good Old Days,” which lifts to the top of the Oct. 28-dated survey.

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The track becomes the band’s fourth Adult Alternative Airplay No. 1. It follows two-week leader “Wish I Knew You” in October 2016; “All My Friends,” a three-frame No. 1 starting in September 2018; and “Kid,” which crowned the list for four weeks beginning this April. “Kid” and “Good Old Days” give the band two No. 1s in a single year for the first time.

Two other acts have multiple Adult Alternative Airplay No. 1s this year: Hozier (“Eat Your Young” and “Francesca”) and Phoenix (“Tonight,” which initially reached the top in December 2022 but still led in 2023, and “Odyssey,” a collaboration with Beck).

Concurrently, “Good Old Days” rises 32-31 on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 1.3 million audience impressions Oct. 13-19, according to Luminate. It reached No. 27 two weeks earlier; its predecessor single, “Kid,” reached No. 3 in May, buoyed by additional support at alternative radio, through which it rose to No. 2 on Alternative Airplay.

“Good Old Days” is the second single from Pour One Out Into the Night, The Revivalists’ fifth studio album and first with Concord. Released June 2, the LP reached No. 39 on the Top Current Album Sales chart has earned 22,000 equivalent album units to date.

All Billboard charts dated Oct. 28 will update on Billboard.com on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

20 Oct 2023

The 45 King, Producer for Jay-Z & Eminem, Dies at 62

The 45 King, a hip-hop producer well known for his work on hits such as Eminem’s “Stan,” Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” and producing Queen Latifah’s breakout album, All Hail the Queen, has died at 62, his rep confirmed to Variety and Rolling Stone on Thursday (Oct. 19).

Born Mark Howard James, the producer’s career kicked off from his Bronx, N.Y., hometown in the mid-1980s with the arrival of the hip-hop scene. He started off as a DJ, and his stage name came from his unique ability to cut samples and spin tracks out of obscure 45 RPM records. His began to take off in 1987 with the arrival of his signature track, “The 900 Number” — the song featured a sax solo from the 1968 tune “Unwind Yourself” by Marva Whitney. The track prompted his signing to Tuff City Records.  

The 45 King’s profile within the hip-hop scene rose after producing Latifah’s 1989 debut album, All Hail the Queen, which peaked at No. 6 on Billboard‘s Top Hip Hop/R&B Albums chart and topped out at No. 124 on the Billboard 200.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved Mentor DJ Mark the 45 King!” the rapper said in a statement to Variety. “He believed in me before anyone else. He touched every life he encountered. I’ve never met someone like him; he wanted everyone around him to win. His spirit was magic and will certainly live forever.”

By the ’90s, The 45 King continued his production credits by working with Jay-Z on 1998’s “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” — which sampled the original cast album for Broadway musical Annie — and Eminem’s 2000 hit, “Stan.” The tracks peaked at Nos. 15 and 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. The producer also worked with Madonna, Rakim, MC Lyte, Gang Starr, Craig Mack, Salt-N-Pepa and more

Both Jay-Z and Em paid tribute to the producer after news of his death broke. Eminem took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared, “Legends are never over. #RIP Mark Howard James aka The 45 King … I’m 4ever grateful!!!”

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Jay-Z said, “Thank you, Mark. Your instrumentals, namely ‘The 900 Number,’ were more memorable than our whole albums. You gave me a canvas to have a conversation with the world!! You changed my life. Even when the life is short, the art is long!!”

20 Oct 2023

Michigan vs. Michigan State: How to Watch the College Football Game for Free

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The heat is on.

No. 2 Michigan and their in-state rival Michigan State are gearing up for a Big Ten matchup at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday (Oct. 21). The game will air at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and stream live on Peacock.

Read on for more details on ways to watch the college football game for free.

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How to Watch Michigan vs. Michigan State

Michigan vs. Michigan State is one of the most anticipated rivalries of the season. Fans will be packing the stands (click here to get tickets starting at $52) and watching from home.

If you want to watch from home, you can catch the game live on NBC or stream it on Peacock.

Peacock’s Premium Plus subscription ($11.99/month) includes live access to your local NBC channel in addition to hours of entertainment available in the Peacock library. Peacock also features more Big Ten games, as well as Sunday Night Football, Premier League, NASCAR, WWE and other sports.

To stream the game live for free, sign up for DirecTV or Fubo. Both offer up to a week free and streaming packages that are priced below $75/month for 75+ channels and DVR.

You can also watch Peacock on DirecTV (at a discount). To stream internationally, use ExpressVPN.

Other ways to watch the game include SlingTV and Hulu + Live TV. Stream live television including your favorite football teams and more on Sling, with plans starting at just $20/month for a limited time. Hulu + Live TV comes with 90+ channels for $76/month.

If you’re not interested in joining a streaming service, you can watch NBC, CBS, ABC and other channels with a $25 digital antenna.

Ahead of the big game, the Wolverine brand launched a University of Michigan boot collection that benefits student athletes. The collection will be available for pre-order in early 2024, but a limited number of boots are available now at The M Den, the school’s official athletics store.

You can shop Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans gear online at Fanatics.com.

20 Oct 2023

New Music Latin: Listen to Releases From Fuerza Regida, Kali Uchis & More

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

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Fuerza Regida, Pa Las Baby’s y Belikeada (Rancho Humilde/Street Mob Records)

It opens with a dark and seductive tone, as a sultry female voice confidently professes her affection for corridos. Her footsteps in high heels echo in the background as she appears to pick up a machine gun, effortlessly blending sensuality with outlaw imagery, creating an intriguing juxtaposition. Welcome to Pa’ las Baby’s y Belikeada, Fuerza Regida’s eighth studio album. Across an expansive 30-track journey, the San Bernardino troupe embarks on a daring and audacious expedition, fearlessly delving into the realm of corridos bélicos with a distinctive drill influence. The album serves as a testament to the group’s evolution as they immerse themselves in la belikeada movement, embracing the realm of excess in all forms: women, power, wealth.

They deliver the expected corridos alterados, this time complete with menacing accordion arrangements; and the inclusion of tracks like “Zona de Comfort” adds a touch of cumbia sabrosura to the mix. Known for their chart-topping prowess, the group also features their previous hits like “TQM” and “Sabor Fresa.” The album’s lyrical themes stay true to their rags-to-riches narrative (“FVDP”), reminding us of the hard-fought journey to success. However, Pa’ las Baby’s also ventures into unexpected territories. “Harley Quinn” sees them collaborating with Marshmello, infusing EDM elements into música mexicana, while “Freaky Freaky” (featuring Calle 24 and Armenta) brings reggaetón rhythms. JOP even switches to English for the sinister drill number “Dafuk,” showcasing the group’s versatility.

Also featuring El Fantasma, Maria Becerra, Juanpa Salazar, Gabito Ballesteros, Manuel Turizo, Chino Pacas and more, Fuerza maintains its signature blinged-out corridos style, solidifying its place in the genre. Still, they also boldly experiment with new sounds and genres, expanding their sonic horizons. Belikeada is a testament to their ability to push boundaries while staying true to their roots, ensuring that that the group remains a reckoning force in the world of Mexican and Mexican-American music. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Anitta, “Mil Veces” (Republic Records/Universal Music Latino)

Anitta has never shied away from showcasing her sensuality in her art, and “Mil Veces” is no exception. In her latest single, the Brazilian superstar sings about the ups and downs of a relationship while reminiscing on the “thousand times” she and her lover have been together and how much her desire is still alive. “If we get to do it again, we won’t be leaving my room,” she sings in this melodic Brazilian funk single, part of her forthcoming album Funk Generation. “I love the attractive pop notes of its lyrics, which talk about a relationship that wasn’t meant to last but continues on and on experiencing ups and downs,” Anitta says in a press release. “It’s a relationship dynamic that many people have already experienced.” The uber-steamy music video, directed by Jackson Tisi, stars Måneskin singer Damiano David as her lover. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Adriana Rios & Ana Bárbara, “A Mi Me Respetas” (Afinarte Music)

Adriana Ríos and Ana Bárbara, two powerful female voices in música Mexicana, have collaborated on “A Mi Me Respetas,” sending a valuable message about empowerment. A full-force effort to convey the importance of treating women with respect and dignity, this duet is strengthened by acoustic guitar, heavy tuba interplay, and the artists’ passionate, robust vocal delivery. The impeccable duo exhibits great strength in its lyrics and melodies in the verses to complete the song with, “And you don’t rule over me, you’re a nobody, and I’m a cabrona.” — INGRID FAJARDO

Kali Uchis, “Te Mata” (Geffen Records)

Serving as another prelude to her highly-anticipated album, Orquídeas, Kali Uchis’ “Te Mata” is a gorgeous and profound bolero powered by the artist’s deep yet delicate and spellbinding vocals. Written by Uchis and produced by Josh Crocker and Manuel Lara, the song’s lyrics are striking. “Me, I am the devil of your story. The one that knew that in order to fly, I would have to find my own wings … I allowed your actions, they hurt me like bullets, the one that cried to sleep and would wake up to continue the nightmare,” she sings evocatively. “Te Mata” is Kali Uchis’ second Spanish-language track released this year, following the sultry “Muñekita” with El Alfa and JT (of City Girls), ahead of her upcoming new set, set to drop January 12. It features collabs with Peso Pluma, Karol G and Rauw Alejandro. — GRISELDA FLORES

R3ymon, Mawell & Baby Lores, “Hazme El Amor Con Odio” (R3ymon Music)

Similar to how Puerto Rican and Colombian artists join forces to propel their local music movements, these three Cuban acts are doing the same. In their first collaborative effort, “Hazme el Amor Con Odio” (“Make Love To Me with Hate”), R3ymon, Mawell, and Baby Lores bring to the forefront a refreshing generation of Cuban acts, including Mawell who’s going viral on social media with “La Triple M.” Produced by La Companioni and Nando Pro, the track is a captivating reparto (an urban-tropical fusion that derives from the barrios in Cuba) about a man who’s trying to save his relationship. “I dare you to look at me in the eyes and tell me you don’t love me/confess to me that I’m still the man of your bed,” says part of the song, as each artist flaunts their potent, distinct vocals. — JESSICA ROIZ

Listen to more new Latin music recommendations in the playlists below:

20 Oct 2023

Britney Spears Says She ‘Still’ Loves Justin Timberlake in Upcoming Memoir

As the release of Britney Spears‘ upcoming tell-all memoir, The Woman in Me, gets closer, more details from the long-awaited book are getting revealed.

Earlier this week, People revealed a shocking excerpt of the book in which the pop superstar had an abortion after an unexpected pregnancy with then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake. In an extended excerpt published by The Associated Press, Spears went into further detail. “I’m sure people will hate me for this, but I agreed not to have the baby. Abortion was something I never could have imagined choosing for myself, but given the circumstances, that is what we did,” she writes. “It was important that no one find out about the pregnancy or the abortion, which meant doing everything at home.”

She adds of the pain from the medication abortion was “excruciating.” “I kept crying and sobbing until it was all over,” she writes. “It took hours, and I don’t remember how it ended, but I do, twenty years later, remember the pain of it, and the fear.”

In a copy of the memoir obtained by Billboard, after describing her abortion experience, Spears added that she still has love for her ex-boyfriend, who she began dating in 1999 until their split in 2002. “After that, I was messed up for a while, especially because I still love Justin so much,” she writes. “It was insane how much I loved him, and for me, it was unfortunate.”

In the earlier excerpt published by People, Spears said that the pregnancy was a “surprise,” even thought she always “expected” to start a family with Timberlake. “But Justin definitely wasn’t happy about the pregnancy. He said we weren’t ready to have a baby in our lives, that we were way too young,” she wrote, adding, “To this day, it’s one of the most agonizing things I have ever experienced in my life.”

The Woman in Me arrives Oct. 24.

20 Oct 2023

Britney Spears Says Her Memoir’s ‘Purpose Was Not to Offend Anyone’

From the bottom of her heart, Britney Spears insists her upcoming memoir, The Woman in Me, isn’t meant to upset anyone.

“My book’s purpose was not to offend anyone by any means,” the pop star wrote in an all text Instagram post on Friday (Oct. 20) of her upcoming tome, which is set for release on Tuesday (Oct. 24). “My book’s purpose was not to offend anyone by any means !!! That was me then … that is in the past !!!”

She went on to note that most of the tales within its pages are from 20 years ago, and that she has since moved on.

“This is actually a book I didn’t know needed to be written … although some might be offended, it has given me closure on all things for a better future !!!” she added. “Hopefully I can enlighten people who feel particularly alone in most cases or hurt or misunderstood !!! Again, my motive for this book was not to harp on my past experiences … I have moved on since then !!!”

Excerpts from the book have revealed that the Grammy winner has written about some sensitive topics. Among them are the abortion she went through while dating Justin Timberlake (“If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it … Justin was so sure that he didn’t want to be a father,” she wrote); what it was like to live under her restrictive conservatorship for 13 years; reflections on her “passionate” fling with Oscar-nominated actor Colin Farrell, and more.

See her full message below:

20 Oct 2023

You Care: Jeezy Breaks His Silence Following Divorce From Jeannie Mai

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Source: Derek White / Getty / Jeezy

The Snowman finally talks after filing for divorce from television host Jeannie Mai.

Spotted on XXL, Jeezy broke his silence on his pending divorce from the former The Real co-host, Jeannie Mai,  in a statement sent to the Hip-Hop website.

“The decision to end this chapter in my life was not made impulsively and comes with a heavy heart,” Jeezy told XXL. “Despite this, my love and respect for Jeannie remains and the time we spent together holds a cherished place in my heart.”

In the statement, the “Put On” rapper touched on the couple’s 1-year-old daughter and his commitment to co-parenting.

“Our beautiful daughter is the best gift from our relationship and I am committed to assuring she feels the love and stability she deserves. During this period, I kindly request that you respect our family’s privacy as we focus on healing,” he continued.

The rapper’s statement comes after Jeanie Mai announced she was taking a break from social media and spoke on the divorce in a recent interview on Sherri Shepherd’s talk show Sherri.

“I’m not going to lie,” Jeannie Mai said. “It takes every day to just to really sit and just be quiet with your thoughts, take care of me. But one thing I know is, you give God your pain, he will give you his power, period. So, every day, I’m like, ‘Here you go. You got room for more? Here’s some more.’ Just taking it day by day,” Mai told Shepherd.

Mai and Jeezy began dating in 2019, tying the knot in 2021 and eventually welcoming their 1-year-old daughter, Monaco Mai Jenkins, into the world.

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Photo: Derek White / Getty

20 Oct 2023

Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Sam Smith, Kali Uchis, Dove Cameron & More

Another week means another chance to find some new tunes from your favorite queer artists. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

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From Charli XCX & Sam Smith’s new team-up, to Kali Uchis’ hypnotic new single, check out just a few of our favorite release from this week below:

Charli XCX & Sam Smith, “In the City”

As you prepare for a night out on the town this weekend, allow Charli XCX and Sam Smith to offer you a guide on your festivities. On “In the City,” the pair’s new duet, Charli and Smith celebrate the contagious, communal energy of an evening spent on the dancefloor. Over a shimmering synth-pop beat and euphoirc melodies played on house-style pianos, the duo encourage you to go find what you’re looking for “In the City.”

Kali Uchis, “Te Mata”

Sure, Kali Uchis might be the devil in her ex’s story — but she doesn’t really have a problem with that. “Te Mata,” the rising Latin superstar’s latest single, sees Uchis taking back the narrative from a toxic situationship, all while lounging over a lush, cha-cha melody. With her velvety voice, Uchis lets her ex know in perfect Spanish that her “days are no longer gray,” and that “I finally realized that I deserve much more/ And that kills you.”

Dove Cameron, “Lethal Woman”

Where Uchis is ready to move on from a toxic ex, Dove Cameron is looking to get just a little bit hurt. “Lethal Woman,” the lead single off of the singer’s forthcoming debut album Alchemical Volume 1, is Cameron’s ode to the kind of lover that will make her feel everything from pain to euphoria. Over a glitching industrial beat, Dove describes her ideal mate in detail, while declaring that she’s “not a masochist,” but just wants someone who’s “sharp like a knife under the table.”

Slayyyter, “Monster” (Lady Gaga cover)

When it came time for Slayyyter to pick a pop diva to emulate on her new Spotify Single, she chose 100% correctly. Covering Lady Gaga’s classic “Monster,” Slayyyter perfectly takes all of the elements of Gaga’s theatrical performance that made the original so good, while imbuing the song with her own brand of slinky, dark-pop sensibility. It helps that her voice has maybe never sounded quite as powerful as it does on this ridiculously good cover.

Kevin Abstract, “What Should I Do?”

Leave it to hip-hop virtuoso Kevin Abstract to write an all-time great indie song. While “What Should I Do?” might not be exactly what fans of his expect to hear, the track practically bursts with the sense of longing and complex emotion that Abstract has proven himself to be a master at portraying. As the strums of an acoustic guitar accompany his intentionally pitch-shifted vocal, Abstract desperately tries to move past the intrusive thought of an ex he’s still hung up on, constantly begging them to please “don’t touch me, it turns me on,” while trying to find anything to get his mind elsewhere.

Maddie Zahm, Now That I’ve Been Honest

After making a name for herself writing gorgeous, diaristic songs and sharing them with her massive TikTok audience, singer-songwriter Maddie Zahm is ready to show you all that she’s capable of. Throughout her debut album Now That I’ve Been Honest, Zahm flirts with every genre of pop music she can get her hands on, including angsty pop-punk (on the f–k-you anthem “Bedroom”), delirious funk-pop (on Sapphic Anthem “Lady Killer”), and straight up stadium-level pop (on the euphoric “Eightball Girl”). But fear not — her confessional songwriting is still the star of her debut, making Honest a cathartic, must-listen experience.

MICHELLE, “Glow”/”Agnostic”

Supergroup MICHELLE is back, and they’re better than ever. With their new double single release, the NYC-based collective tries their hands at some new sounds to raving success. On “Glow,” the sextet dive headfirst into blissful bedroom pop as they let a potential lover know that “we’re never gonna happen.” Meanwhile, on “Agnostic,” the group basks in a chilled-out indie rock sound as they take stock of a love they’ve left behind. If this pair of tracks are any indication of what direction MICHELLE is headed in, then we highly recommend you join them for the ride.

King Mala, “Bug”

Misogynists, beware — King Mala is on an extermination spree, and she’s got you in her sights. “Bug,” the latest release of the pop singer-songwriter’s forthcoming EP Split Milk, follows Mala as she begs toxic, self-important men to please, for the love of God, stop talking. Deliciously punchy bass lines punctuate her incisive lyrics, as she declares that these “insufferable” and “unbearable” men are little more to her than insects — and she’s more than happy to start squishing them.

Check out all of our picks in Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:

20 Oct 2023

Latin Grammy Week Events Set to Go Forward, Despite MTV EMAs Cancellation

The 2023 Latin Grammy Awards are set to go forward on Nov. 16 in Seville, Spain.

“At this time, no modification of the Latin GRAMMY Week calendar is planned,” a representative of the Latin Recording Academy told Billboard Español on Friday (Oct. 20) when asked about any possible changes after the cancellation of MTV EMAs, which were set for Nov. 5 in Paris, “given the volatility of world events.”

In its Thursday announcement, Paramount, the parent company of MTV, said: “As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning. We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November of 2024.”

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On Thursday, Danna Paola, Sebastián Yatra, Paz Vega and Roselyn Sánchez were announced as hosts of the 24th annual Latin Grammys, which for the first time are scheduled to take place outside the United States. Maria Becerra, Bizarrap, Feid, Kany García, Carin León, Christian Nodal, Rauw Alejandro and Alejandro Sanz have also been confirmed as performers.

The Latin GRAMMY Week includes several events leading up to the big awards show, where Ana Torroja, Mijares, Carmen Linares, Arturo Sandoval, Simone and Soda Stereo will receive this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and Alex Acuña, Gustavo Santaolalla and Wisón Torres the Trustees Award. The star- studded Person of the Year benefit gala will honor Italian pop legend Laura Pausini.

This year, Mexican songwriter and producer Edgar Barrera leads the list of nominees with 13 nods, followed by Colombian stars Camilo, Karol G, Shakira and songwriter Kevyn Mauricio Cruz (also known as Keityn), each with seven nods. Argentine producer and DJ Bizarrap has six. For a full list of nominees, click here.