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26 Jul 2023

Witness Claims NYPD Role In Malcolm X Assassination

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Attorney Ben Crump Holds Press Conference Announcing New Evidence In Malcolm X Assassination

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty

A man has come forward claiming proof of the New York Police Department’s involvement in the assassination of Malcolm X in 1965.

On Tuesday (July 25th), Mustafa Hassan appeared alongside attorney Benjamin Crump at a press conference where he detailed overhearing a comment made as NYPD officers were restraining Talmadge X Hayer, one of the assassins of Malcolm X outside of the Audubon Ballroom that confirmed to him that the department, as well as the FBI, knew that there would be an attempt on his life beforehand.

Hassan, 84, recounted the events of what took place at the Audubon, now The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. He was a member of the Organization of African American Unity, formed by Malcolm X in 1964, and a member of his security detail. He recalled that after the shooting, he managed to knock down Hayer. After checking on Malcolm X, he went outside to find Hagan being beaten up by crowd members and NYPD officers trying to step in. Hassan then said he heard one officer ask, “Is he one of us?”, referencing Hagan.

For Hassan, that confirmed the NYPD’s involvement. “No doubt in my mind,” he said. He also related from his sworn court affidavit that Eugene Roberts, a police undercover agent and informant had detailed seeing a “dry run” on Malcolm’s life just a week prior to the assassination. “The government was involved in the conspiracy to kill Malcolm X,” Crump said, going on to say that the comment may give Malcolm X’s family the basis behind their legal claim against the NYPD and federal government for damages. “It tells us they knew something was going down. They were saying is this guy with us because they knew they had planted Black people in there who were informants.

Two of the activist’s daughters, Ilyasah Shabazz and Quibilah Shabazz were also present at the press conference. Both were present at the time of the assassination. While Quibilah declined to comment, Ilyasah Shabazz said “We want the truth to be known. And justice to be served.” Crump stated that he hoped Hassan’s statement would compel the Biden administration to re-open the investigation into Malcolm X’s murder and how much of a role the federal government had in the incident. He also referenced the city’s $36 million settlement last October with Muhammad Aziz, and Khalil Islam, two men wrongfully convicted of the murder and exonerated.

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26 Jul 2023

Egyptian Authorities Shut Down Travis Scott’s Planned Concert At The Pyramids of Giza

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2023 Rolling Loud Miami

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Travis Scott might be one of the biggest artists in the music game today, but unfortunately his fame isn’t enough to help him book a concert venue on sacred ground in Egypt.

After Roc Nation seemingly confirmed that Travis Scott would be heading down to Egypt to perform at the Pyramids of Giza for his upcoming Utopia album event, Egyptian authorities put the kibosh on the festivities and informed Scott and his peoples that their planned concert was a no-go. According to the Egypt Independent, the concert was canceled due to “strange rituals” performed by the “Highest In The Room” rapper’s at his other concerts which they felt was “inconsistent” with their own Egyptian values.

Looks like those demonic conspiracy theories that were levied against Travis Scott a few years back for the Astroworld tragedy is still a thing. Let the conspiracy theories once again roll.

Egypt Independent reports:

The company authorized to organize US rapper Travis Scott’s concert, Ticketsmarche, said that the size of the initial losses of canceling the concert amounts to approximately LE 300 million directly.

The company’s managing director and CEO Mohamed Serag added that he isn’t sure Scott’s concert could still be held while there is only five days before its scheduled date, as the equipment and the foreign team accompanying Scott – who are already in Egypt – were not allowed to enter the pyramids area.

He said that the preparations were supposed to start on July 20, and at the time, no one had informed him of the cancellation.

Serag added that until now it is still not possible to obtain a permit to enter the pyramids area.cThough they’re not letting Scott rock for now, they do remain “hopeful” that the Houston artist will eventually be able to perform at the Pyramids and broadcast the show live to 200 million people, which would obviously help promote tourism for Egypt and it’s pyramids area.

When that might happen is anyone’s guess, but as long as those pesky conspiracy theories continue to float around, it might be hard for Travis Scott to book any venues with historical and cultural meaning to them. Just sayin.’

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26 Jul 2023

Jisoo Shares Her Thoughts on Whether BLACKPINK Is a K-Pop Trailblazer: ‘There Are Parts That We Pioneered’

It’s undeniable that BLACKPINK is one of the biggest bands in the world, past and present. And in a new interview, Jisoo — one fourth of the K-pop girl group — was candid about the impact she and fellow members Lisa, Rosé and Jennie have had on their genre.

Sitting down with Elle Korea for a cover story published Wednesday (July 26), the 28-year-old South Korean singer reflected on whether BLACKPINK are “trailblazers,” as billed by BST Hyde Park Festival, which the group headlined on July 2.

“Maybe half and half?” Jisoo said diplomatically, as translated from Korean to English by Google Translates. “We also walked the path that others have made, but I think there are parts that we pioneered, as we debuted at a time when the platform was expanding and accessibility to K-pop was increasing.”

“Just as there was a part where we walked on a polished road, I hope we can help make the path of those who will come after us smoother,” the star continued. “It would be nice if they could pioneer their own thing and connect with each other. Anyway, that’s a nice expression.”

Among BLACKPINK’s major accomplishments in the past year alone: becoming the first Asian act to headline Coachella, becoming the first K-pop girl group to top the Billboard 200, and scoring the first ever single to debut atop the Hot Trending Songs chart. The four ladies are also nearing the end of their Born Pink World Tour, which kicked off in October following the release of their sophomore album.

Jisoo also spoke to Elle about the joys of playing different venues and major festivals on tour, the highlight of which was “meeting fans from various cultures.” “It is impossible not to be moved when the pink light stick is turned on in the dark,” she gushed. “I can see the affection of many people with my eyes, so I have many thoughts.”

“When I see Rosé or Lisa more overwhelmed in Australia or Thailand, where they spent their childhood, I am also moved,” she added. “It is clear that the tour brings many emotions.”

 

26 Jul 2023

‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 3 Trailer Previews Paul Rudd’s Murder, Cast Additions Ashley Park, Matthew Broderick

The Great White Way is awash in red in the first trailer for season three of Only Murders in the Building. The nearly three-minute preview that dropped on Wednesday (July 26) opens with season two guest star Paul Rudd’s Ben Glenroy dropping dead on stage during a Broadway show, leading star and co-executive producer Martin Short’s Oliver Putnam to have one of his patented freak-outs.

“Who are we without a homicide,” co-star Selena Gomez‘s Mabel Mora shrugs at the news as she, Putnam and third co-star/co-creator Steve Martin’s Charles-Haden Savage agreeing to, of course, make a podcast about it.

The third season of the hit Hulu series starring Gomez, Martin and Short continues to follow the three amateur detectives obsessed with true crime as they investigate yet another murder. After previously seasons have featured such guest stars as Tina Fey, Sting, Roy Wood Jr., Jimmy Fallon, Jane Lynch, Amy Schumer and Cara Delevingne, the upcoming run of the Emmy-winning dramedy has added former guest star Rudd and Oscar-winner Meryl Streep to its cast.

A synopsis of the upcoming season reveals that Charles,Oliver and Mabel will investigate a murder behind the scenes of a Broadway show focused on Rudd’s Glenroy, “a Hollywood action star whose Broadway debut is cut short by his untimely death. Aided by co-star Loretta Durkin (Streep), our trio embarks on their toughest case yet, all while director Oliver desperately attempts to put his show back together.”

In the preview, the fumbling detectives dive into Agatha Christie mode, putting together a list of suspects in Glenroy’s murder that includes not-very-good actress Durkin, as well as another new addition, Emily in Paris star Ashley Park’s “TikTok-addicted starlet” Kimber, who Savage fears may have committed murder most foul as par of an “internet mem.”

“Why are you saying it like that,” Mora asks her elder sleuth about his latest malapropism. Gomez’s Mora is joined this time by another new face, documentarian Tobert (Jesse Williams of Grey’s Anatomy ) in the preview, in which Savage laments that Putnam’s Broadway set is a “death trap.” Among the other faces that pop up in the trailer are previous guest Lynch, as well as Lane’s frequent Broadway partner and new addition Matthew Broderick in an unspecified role.

Season 3 of Only Murders in the Building will debut on Hulu on August 8. Watch the trailer below.

26 Jul 2023

How to Watch the Mastercard Artist Accelerator Showcase

After being announced at the top of the year, the Mastercard Artist Accelerator program, a Web3 spotlight program that offered musicians and fans with educational tools, ends on a high note with brand-new music.

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Billboard will present the musical output of a batch of emerging acts around the globe, including Emily Vu, Manu Manzo, Cocoa Sarai, Young Athena, and LeriQ. The group leaned on the program’s Web3 capabilities to create their songs using the AI Music Studio and incorporating the Mastercard sonic branding. In addition to the performances hosted by Billboard’s Tetris Kelly, the program features an interview with Billboard News Director Colin Stutz, as well as a special message from the President of Billboard, Mike Van. Fans can claim each song as an NFT on the OneOf Marketplace, beginning during the live showcase.

Viewers can tune in via Billboard’s Youtube channel, which boasts more than 3.7 million subscribers, on Thursday, July 27, at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. ET to catch the Mastercard Artist Accelerator Showcase presented by Billboard.

“Music is a universal passion, inspiring us, moving us, and bringing us together,” said Mastercard chief marketing and communications officer Raja Rajamannar in a statement. “With the Mastercard Artist Accelerator, we are expanding access and driving connections further with cutting-edge Web3 technology. Our vision is to bridge passion and purpose, spotlighting amazing emerging artists and creating an interactive community that allows participants to learn, experiment and grow together.”

To learn more about the program and its featured artists, head over to Mastercard’s Artist Accelerator website.

26 Jul 2023

On the Radar Latin: Andreina Bravo, Loyal Lobos, Jasiel Nuñez & More Emerging Artists to Discover

Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors feature a small group of new, or relatively unknown, artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.

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Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes nearly a dozen emerging artists, who we might’ve found anywhere from a Spotify playlist to a music showcase. See our recommendations below.

Artist: Andreina Bravo

Country: Ecuador

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Bravo is a force to be reckoned with in her native Ecuador but what makes her shine is her humility and go-getter attitude. I first met the rising pop artist at the 2023 Heat Latin Music Awards — where she nabbed the award for trending artist the year prior — when she personally approached me to introduce herself. Looking like a real-life Barbie doll, decked in a glittery dress and playful blonde locks, Bravo told me about her future projects and desire to learn more about the music industry.

Meanwhile, in Latin America, she’s already a growing name, boasting over two million followers on TikTok and more than one million on Instagram. She’s characterized by her relatable personality on social media and infectious sugary pop tracks, mainly celebrating girl power and self-love. Bravo is also a model and businesswoman, the owner of her own bathing suit brand, called Bravu. — JESSICA ROIZ

Song for Your Playlist: “Arte”

Artist: Christian Alicea

Country: Puerto Rico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I met Christian Alicea during the Premios Juventud 2023 red carpet. I was captivated by his talent and charisma during our brief conversation on the carpet. Christian, originally from Lares, Puerto Rico, has a distinct tropical music influence in his voice. His family’s musical background and his unique fusion of classic and urban sounds contribute to his originality within the genre. In his latest single “Bendición Mame y Pape,” he not only displays his great talent, but also mesmerizes his fans with his sweet and raspy vocals, while also fearlessly embracing the power of rap melodies. — INGRID FAJARDO

Song for Your Playlist: “Bendición Mame y Pape”

Artist: DAAZ

Country: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: While working out one day in the park, I came across a song called “Motel California”—it instantly caught my attention. The collaboration between newcomers DAAZ and Sabino kicks off with jazzy piano melodies that then transitions to a feel-good and smooth funk-rap fusion, narrating a conversation between two friends: one who went on a date with a girl and later to the motel, the other giving him advice. Much like this vibey track, DAAZ portrays Hip-Hop and reggae music by “incorporating Mexican ‘culturalismos’ and real-life topics of Millennial woes,” according to a press statement. The Cancun-based newcomer calls himself “the king of the jungle” on social media and is signed to WK Records. — J.R.

Song for Your Playlist: “Motel California” feat. Sabino

Artist: Darho

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Hailed from Barranquilla, Darho captured my attention with his first two singles under Warner Music Latina: “Ojitos Secos,” a beautiful heartbreak ballad that debuted in April; and the more joyful “Ven Ven,” released last week, whose fusion of dembow and afrobeat is perfect for the summer. “I made the decision to select this new song in order to infuse something refreshing for me, departing from my melancholic ballads and paving the way for something vibrant, something Caribbean,” the Colombian singer-songwriter says in a statement. It’s a welcome change that showcases Darho’s versatility and increases our curiosity to see what he’ll do next. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Song for Your Playlist: “Ven Ven”

Artist: Dayanara

Country: Ecuador

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: During the 2023 Heat Latin Music Awards in Punta Cana, I also came across Dayanara, a giddy brunette who turned heads with her pearly white smile and chocolaty eyes. But beyond being just a beautiful and viral girl (she has nearly three million followers on Instagram), Dayanara is a rising pop artist who’s already all the rage in her country, Ecuador. She navigates from reggaetón to cumbia to romantic ballads and more with her dulcet vocals, and has recently been making the rounds with her Kunno-assisted track “El Ganado.” A well-rounded star, Dayanara formed part of a reality show called Pequeños Brillantes when she was 10 years old, won Miss Teen Universe at 17 years old in 2015 and represented Ecuador at the 2019 Viña del Mar Festival. — J.R.

Song for Your Playlist: “Ni Borracha”

Artist: Drea Dury

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, Dury’s music is a lush combination of pop, Afrobeats and R&B, built over a cohesive sonic base no doubt informed by a childhood surrounded by classical music (her father is an orchestra conductor). Like Nathy Peluso, Dury’s output is truly audio-visual, her sexy beats accompanied by exuberant, tropical visuals in a combo that she calls “Criollan Elegance.” While Dury stops short of going over the top, she certainly commands attention. Last week, she opened for Ozuna in Paris, and recently released a new EP, Palmera Nights. — LEILA COBO

Song for Your Playlist: “Bandida”



Artist: Jasiel Nuñez

Artist: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Jasiel Nuñez was the first artist to take the stage at Peso Pluma’s 24th birthday bash last month in Guadalajara. I was quickly captivated by his velvety vocals, which contrast the sometimes harsh sound of a corrido. Typically, corrido singers’ vocals are raw and unpolished, but not Nuñez’s. The singer-songwriter is not only one of Peso Pluma’s best friends, he’s also signed to the Mexican superstar’s label Double P Records. Nuñez has co-written a number of tracks with Peso, including “Lagunas,” one of their collaborations featured on the history-making album Génesis, which Peso unleashed last month and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — the highest ranking on the tally for a música mexicana album. Moreover, “Lagunas” earned Nuñez his first entry on the Hot 100, after the piano-led ballad peaked at No. 85. — GRISELDA FLORES

Song for Your Playlist: “Lagunas”



Artist: K-efe

Country: Chile

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: One of the first things about K-efe that draws you in is her laidback bohemian swagger — then it’s her piercing vibrato, delivered with a soulful rap flair. That’s exactly what captivated me about the artist, also known as Karin Hoffmann, at this year’s Acoustic Showcase of the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) at New York’s S.O.B.s. — which we featured on our 11 Standout Performances list. Taking cues from Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, the Mexico City-based singer/producer makes music of a neo-soul persuasion, with an occasional ability to spit punchy one-liners. Her latest release, “SUELTA (Respira)” with Paz Quintana, showcases her conscious hip-hop lyricism, which is anchored in roots and folklore. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song for Your Playlist: “SUELTA (Respira)”

Artist: Loyal Lobos

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: This Bogotá-born, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter boasts a high, ethereal voice that sings knock-out lyrics over atmospheric vibes with just tinges of dance. Newly signed to Saban, Loyal Lobos began her career singing mostly in English on her debut indie album, 2020’s Everlasting. With Saban, she’s switched seamlessly to Spanish, marrying an alt-pop sound with the punch of Spanish-language story-telling, and leaving us better for it. Loyal Lobos’ relatable lyrics and very unique sound stand out in the Latin music realm through songs like “Funeral,” which details how her big send-off should be a big party; and her recent “Si volviera a conocerte,” a wistful look at the one who got away. A new EP, Loba Vol. 1, is due out this Fall. — L. Cobo

Song for Your Playlist: “Si Volviera A Concerte”



Artist: Milo J.

Country: Argentina

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: At the young age of 16, Camilo Joaquín Villarruel, better known as Milo J, already sounds like a veteran — thanks to his tone of voice and lyrics that talk about his personal experiences. With an indisputable talent, the rap artist is quickly making a name for himself as the promising new sound of the urban genre in Argentina. Active in music since 2021, songs like “Milagrosa” have put him on the radar of many, and he continues to build his reputation with each new release. His talent has already been recognized by other Argentine colleagues who have invited him to collaborate on their recent albums, such as Nicki Nicole, with whom he sings “Dispara,” and Khea, with whom he collaborated on the song “Nunca Voy Solo”. — LUISA CALLE

Song For Your Playlist: “Rincón”

Artist: Sebastian Esquivel

Country: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I met Sebastian Esquivel on a red carpet in Las Vegas in April of this year. The following month, while visiting Chihuahua, Mexico, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand how his music has gained widespread popularity — not only through social media but also locally in the northern region of Mexico. Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Esquivel also represents the new era for corridos, where they innovate by combining corridos and trap.

One of the perfect examples of this genre is his last hit, “Bélico y Cholo,” released earlier this year with Yerai R. Following the success of the single, Esquivel brought Virlan Garcia onboard for a live version of the single “Bélico y Cholo – En Vivo – Con Virlan Garcia.” He is currently promoting his most recent EP Los Esquivel en vivo desde Cadereyta, in collaboration with his brother Eugenio Esquivel — together they have gained recognition as part of the TikTok-famous duo in Mexico, Los Alucines. — I.F.

Song for Your Playlist: “Bélico y Cholo (En Vivo)”



26 Jul 2023

BMI Is Engaging In ‘Discussions With Outside Parties’ Over Potential Sale

BMI is exploring potential sale possibilities, a year after its transition into a for-profit entity, according to an internal memo from CEO Mike O’Neill that was obtained by Billboard. In the note to staff, O’Neill said, “Delivering for our affiliates is always our top priority, and we have a responsibility to engage in discussions with outside parties if they can help further that mission. That is exactly what we are doing right now, and no final decisions have been made.”

The discussions come a year after BMI had engaged Goldman Sachs to explore strategic opportunities in 2022, with one of the options at the time being a potential sale; that process ultimately did not lead to a deal. Reuters first reported that talks had reopened over a potential sale now. A spokesperson for BMI declined to comment.

In the memo, O’Neill wrote that after ending the strategic opportunities process last year, BMI chose to invest in the company “to grow the value of our affiliates’ music,” and that the change to the for-profit model, in addition to that investment, “has only intensified that outside interest.”

“It’s an exciting time for BMI and we’re in a strong position,” O’Neill wrote. “And the most important thing for us to do is keep focus and continue the great work that makes BMI the best PRO in the business. The future is filled with potential and there is no better team to tackle the numerous opportunities that lie ahead for our company and our affiliates.”

BMI, founded in 1939, represents more than 20 million works by more than 1 million songwriters, composers and publishers, including artists like Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar. In its most recent annual report, for the year ended June 30, 2022, the performance rights organization tallied revenues of $1.573 billion and distributed $1.471 billion to songwriters, its highest mark ever.

Read O’Neill’s full note below.

Hi Team,

A few press articles have come out today speculating that BMI is considering a sale. I am reaching out now because I want you to hear the background directly from me.

Not surprisingly, interest in BMI has continued since we announced a year ago that we were no longer considering a sale of our company. You may recall this was one of the options on the table when we were evaluating strategic opportunities to best position BMI for the future. Since then, the success of our business model change and our commitment to investing in BMI to grow the value of our affiliates’ music has only intensified that outside interest.

Delivering for our affiliates is always our top priority, and we have a responsibility to engage in discussions with outside parties if they can help further that mission. That is exactly what we are doing right now, and no final decisions have been made. By its very nature, speculation can often contain mischaracterizations and inaccurate information. Please don’t be distracted by this and know that I will update you directly on any new developments.

It’s an exciting time for BMI and we’re in a strong position. And the most important thing for us to do is keep focus and continue the great work that makes BMI the best PRO in the business. The future is filled with potential and there is no better team to tackle the numerous opportunities that lie ahead for our company and our affiliates.

Thank you, as always, for all you do.

MON

26 Jul 2023

10 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: ZEROBASEONE, Duane Betts, Ole Lonesome & More

Billboard has more than 200 different weekly charts in its menu, encompassing numerous genres and formats.

While established artists often compete for a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and Billboard 200 albums ranking, which track the most popular songs and albums of the week, respectively, up-and-coming talents typically start off on genre-specific lists.

Here’s a look at 10 titles by acts who appear on surveys for the first time on the July 29-dated charts.

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ZEROBASEONE

The South Korean band lands on Billboard’s charts for the first time with its debut single, “In Bloom.” The track, released July 10 on the group’s debut EP Youth in the Shade, starts at No. 103 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and No. 182 on the Billboard Global 200 with 11.9 million official streams worldwide in the July 14-20 tracking week, according to Luminate. ZEROBASEONE (which often abbreviates its name to ZB1) formed earlier this year through the South Korean reality show Boys Planet. The nine-member group, which is managed by WAKEONE Entertainment, is comprised of Park Gun-wook, Kim Gyu-vin, Sung Han-bin, Zhang Hao, Kim Ji-woong, Seok Matthew, Ricky, Kim Tae-rae and Han Yu-jin.

Duane Betts

The guitarist and singer-songwriter scores his first solo appearance on Billboard’s charts, thanks to his debut solo LP, Wild and Precious Life. The set, released July 14 via Royal Potato Family, debuts at No. 68 on Top Current Album Sales with 1,000 copies sold in its opening week. As a founding member of the Allman Betts Band, Betts has charted two titles on Americana/Folk Albums: the group’s debut set Down to the River (No. 24, 2019) and sophomore release Bless Your Heart (No. 15, 2020). Betts, the son of the legendary guitarist Dickey Betts, founded the Allman Betts Band with Devon Allman, the son of the late Gregg Allman. Dickey and Gregg founded the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. Previously, Duane collaborated with Backbone69, Brethren of the Coast, Dawes, Jamtown and Whitestarr and fronted Duane Betts & The Pistoleers. Duane Betts is currently on the road through September, touring as Duane Betts & Palmetto Hotel, in support of his new LP.

Snooper

The Nashville-based punk/garage rock band reaches Billboard’s charts for the first time with its debut studio album, Super Snooper. Released July 14 on Third Man Records, the project debuts at No. 70 on Top Current Album Sales with 1,000 copies sold in its first week. The LP also sparks a No. 37 debut for the group on the Emerging Artists chart. Snooper comprises Blair Trammel (lead vocals), Connor Cummins (guitar) and Cam Sarrett (drums). The group has opened on tour for Amyl and the Sniffers, Dehd, Sheer Mag and Guerrilla Toss.

Ole Lonesome

The rock/blues band, from Beaumont, Texas, arrives on Billboard’s charts with its new sophomore studio album, Tejas Motel. The set, released July 14 on Gulf Coast Records, debuts at No. 5 on the Blues Albums chart. The group self-released its debut LP, Turn It On, in 2019. Ole Lonesome comprises Greg Achord, Jimmy Devers, Zachary Feemster, J. Wesley Hardin and Gregory Mosley.

Tim Dugger

The singer-songwriter and Alabama native hoists his first Billboard chart hit with “Buy a Bar.” The song, released Feb. 3 via Curb Records, debuts at No. 55 on Country Airplay (up 29% in airplay audience). Dugger released his debut EP, Signs of a Good Time, in 2020. He is currently on the road in the U.S. performing a string of shows at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. The NASCAR fan also has performances scheduled at various speedways in September-October.

Ryan Human

The Lincoln, Neb., native makes his debut on Billboard’s charts with his breakthrough single “Be Awesome.” The song, originally introduced in 2018 but recently made available on streaming services, begins at No. 26 on Adult Contemporary.

Mark Steven Doss & Ken Smith

Both artists land on Billboard’s charts for the first time with their new collaborative album, Welcome to My World. The set, released July 14 on Cedille Records, debuts at No. 2 on Traditional Classical Albums. Doss, from Cleveland, has already forged a successful career in music. The bass-baritone opera singer has performed with numerous opera companies in more than 100 operatic roles around the world. In 1994, he won a Grammy Award for best opera recording for his participation in Handel’s Semele. Smith, who plays piano on the new album, has been a professional pianist for more than 50 years. The Louisiana native has worked with a variety of singers in his career and has been affiliated with the Bel Canto Foundation. He also served on the faculty of the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University in 1992-2014.

Kadu Martins

The singer-songwriter/producer, from Brazil, makes his first mark on Billboard’s charts with his song “Halls Na Lingua.” The track, released in March on TS Music Oficial, debuts at No. 151 on Global Excl. U.S. with 13.6 million streams outside the U.S. July 14-20. Martins has released two four-track EPs: Start, in 2019, and Swing do KM, in 2022.

Austin Moody

The country artist, from East Tennessee, reaches Billboard’s charts with “I’m Just Sayin’.” Released May 19 on Dang Right Records, the track debuts at No. 7 on Country Digital Song Sales and No. 11 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales survey with 4,000 downloads sold. The sum also spurs Moody to a No. 33 entrance on the Emerging Artists chart.

The King Will Come

The Christian music collective hits Billboard’s charts with its debut single “Yet.” The cut, which the act self-released in April, debuts at No. 46 on the Hot Christian Songs chart with 281,000 official streams.

26 Jul 2023

Ice Cube Tells Tucker Carlson He Refused ‘Rush Job’ COVID Vaccine: ‘I Didn’t Feel Safe’

Ice Cube took a drive around South Central Los Angeles with fired Fox commentator Tucker Carlson on the latest episode of the controversial host’s new Twitter (né “X”) show on Tuesday and held forth on his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccines. “I never wanted to be controlled,” said the rapper born O’Shea Jackson, 54, during the chat.

“It wasn’t ready. It was six months, kind of a rush job. And I didn’t feel safe,” added Cube about the more than 670 million doses of vaccine administered to U.S citizens between Dec. 2020 and March 2023, which the CDC deemed “safe and effective,” with “rare” side effects; in fact, the CDC to date has confirmed just 9 deaths directly attributable to the COVID-19 vaccines as a result of a rare blood clot caused by the Johnson & Johnson shot. In addition, a December report from the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy claiming that through Nov. 2022 the vaccines prevented more than 18.5 million U.S. hospitalizations and 3.2 million deaths, while saving the country $1.15 trillion.

The segment opened with Cube giving a smiling Carlson a driving tour through his childhood South Central neighborhood, during which the host was asked if he’d gotten vaccinated during the pandemic. “Of course not,” Carlson chuckled, noting that “they told you you were safe” in reference to the shots that were swiftly developed by the Trump administration to combat the global pandemic that killed nearly seven million people and resulted in 768 million cases of the disease.

A piece of tape rolled out in the 12-minute interview reported that Cube lost out on a $9 million payday for the film Oh Hell No because of his refusal to get the jab. “I know what they said. I heard what they said, I heard them loud and clear,” Cube said of his decision to not get vaxxed. “It’s not their decision. There is no repercussions if they are wrong. I get all the repercussions if they are wrong.” Cube said he wanted to be an example for his children and to ensure that they also declined to get vaccinated.

“Show them that I was wiling to stand on my convictions and that I was willing to lose $9 million and more,” he said in reference to the comedy he was slated to star in with Jack Black. Carlson then posited that America typically holds up people who stand by their convictions as heroes, noting that Cube was not treated that way for his stance on vaccines while rolling an SNL bit mocking the rapper for his vaxx veto.

“I never told anyone not to get vaccinated publicly,” Cube said of the shots that the New York Times reported went into the arms of more than 5.55 billion people around the world, representing nearly 72.3 percent of the global population. Actually, he added, he didn’t want anyone to know whether he’d been vaccinated or not, saying he was “pretty upset” when the information leaked. “I was going to quietly not take it and deal with the consequences as they came,” he said.

And, despite the low reported adverse reactions to the shots, Cube claimed he knows people who “suffer every day” from vaccine injuries. “It’s hard to watch,” he said without offering any details about the alleged injuries.

Cube also noted that he doesn’t give money to politicians because he doesn’t “believe” in them due to what he deemed their “hidden agendas.” He did, however, say he was “proud” that America elected Pres. Obama, before lamenting that “not much changed for people I know,” as Carlson loaded up a montage of news footage of Black Lives Matter protests and street violence.

The next episode of the conversation is slated to have the pair sitting down in Cube’s studio. Carlson was fired from his top-rated Fox News channel show in April after the network settled a massive lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million over the conservative outlet’s admission that it aired false claims about the company’s ballot-counting machines. Carlson launched his Twitter show in June with strong ratings, but Business Insider reported recently that his viewership tanked by 86% within a month.

Check out the Cube chat here.

26 Jul 2023

20 Years Ago Toolroom Records Began Championing Tech House — Now Dance Music’s Most Popular Genre — From an Actual Tool Shed

“Toolroom” isn’t some metaphor.

In 2003, the electronic record label was launched by producer Mark Knight and his brother Stuart. The imprint was named for their office space — an actual tool shed in the yard of a house in their native Maidstone, 90 minutes southeast of London. From this humble setting, the pair began releasing house records largely by Mark, who was then also fusing house and techno into a new sound.

20 years later, the genre that Toolroom helped create its name on — tech house — is the most popular sound in commercial dance music. But while Toolroom laid the foundations for this phenomenon, Toolroom isn’t necessarily the genre’s biggest commercial star. The Knight brothers are okay with that.

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“We were always just a little bit too early,” Mark says over Zoom. “We would always do the groundwork for everyone to just come and go, ‘Thanks for getting that off the ground.’ I remember 15 years ago, talking about why I love tech house, and people were just looking at me like, ‘What the f— are you playing me?’”

But that hasn’t stopped Toolroom from becoming not just a respected label outputting relevant records, but a company that’s evolved its offerings, and revenue streams, in each era of its existence

With Mark as creative lead and Stuart heading the business, Toolroom launched in a precarious moment, two years after the advent of the iPod and at a time when physical sales were dwindling. “We could see on the horizon how digital would take over and how it would affect us,” says Stuart.

The early years found Mark traveling to New York and other U.S. dance hubs to play shows, staying on friends’ couches to save money while trying to break his name in the States. The label gained real traction during its initial treks to Miami Music Week, which provided, says Stuart, “the first opportunity we had to be around both industry and customers.”

This customer access expanded significantly in 2004 with the launch of Beatport, the digital download store for DJs. Toolroom was one of the first labels to put its music up for sale on the platform, which was then based in Denver. For the following few years, 70% of Toolroom music bought via Beatport was by customers in the U.S. By 2014, Mark would become Beatport’s best selling artist, behind deadmau5. He now ranks at the platform’s No. 7 all time house artist, with Toolroom ranking as the No. 2 all time house label.

Mark Knight and Toolroom staff

Mark Knight and members of the Toolroom staff

Courtesy of Toolroom Records

“We were a small label in a tool room in a small town outside of London selling our music in the U.S., which has always been the hardest territory for a U.K. label to break in,” says Stuart. “It was an eye-opener that we didn’t have to jump on a tour bus and tour the whole of the U.S. [to gain success.]”

In this same era, circa 2007, Mark was also touring the States, capitalizing on the label’s U.S. growth and proselytizing for his still-then-underground house/techno fusion. Hits in this era included Knight and Funkagenda’s “Man With the Red Face” and Knight’s remix of Florence + The Machine’s “You’ve Got the Love.” Meanwhile, Toolroom was also releasing tracks by greats including Fatboy Slim, Underworld, Armand van Helden and a flurry of rising stars.

Then, a few years later, EDM happened. Like many labels at the time, Toolroom was swept into the phenomenon, despite the fact that they didn’t necessarily care for it. (“It was so big and also unrelatable,” says Mark, “when you see people jumping out of private jets spraying champagne on each other and we’re working nine to five trying to make those records big.”) Still, they shifted releases to fit more into the big room sound that was pulling millions of new fans to the genre while generating billions of dollars for the global dance industry.

“In the midst of that, we were putting out music from Hardwell and people like that,” says Mark, “which wasn’t really what we were about.”

In time, feeling a course correction was necessary, the label launched a 2014 #RESET campaign during which it slimmed down its artist roster, launched a new album series and reconfigured its live events in an effort get back in line with the Knight brothers’ original vision.

“I don’t mean to sound condescending, but it’s really basic music,” Mark says of EDM. “And it’s great because it appeals to a broad audience, but we always knew that if we just stay true to ourselves, when those people have kind of refined their tastes and the drugs have worn off a bit, they’ll realize, ‘I don’t actually like this, because it’s actually crap — but I really like this, because it’s the more sophisticated end of that world.’”

Mark Knight with fans

Mark Knight with fans

Courtesy of Toolroom Records

In fact that’s actually happened, with house, techno and tech house becoming the prevailing commercial sounds of U.S. dance music, with the U.S. scene catching up to the sleek, sexy, adult vibe Toolroom has been promoted since its inception.

“I stuck with it, and I guess if we hadn’t made those move,s we wouldn’t have the Fishers and Chris Lakes of this world enjoying the success of the groundwork we put in, and look — good luck to them. They’ve embraced what it’s about, and they’ve commercialized and done very well from it.”

Meanwhile Toolroom and its 15-artist roster have stayed largely in the realm of club records and clubs sets, which include upcoming shows in New York, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago and London throughout August. Toolroom has also evolved the business, with its Toolroom Academy launching in 2016 to offer DJ courses, sample packs, software and plug-ins. Prices range from $50 for an online course to $10,000 for a three-month intensive, with the label using the school as a talent pool and often signing particularly good productions. The Academy now has roughly 7,000 students. Mark says Toolroom also now earns more revenue via Peloton than it does from Beatport sales.

“We have evolved from a record label to a record company,” says Stuart. “A record label puts out music; a record company puts out music, but finds everything they can around putting out music to monetize. That’s really exciting, because one week it can be putting out music, the next week it’s, ‘How does that fit into someone doing a spin class, or educating someone how to produce?’”

Two decades in, Toolroom now has a staff of 22 and an actual office space for them to work from. Mark’s weekly Toolroom Radio program draws 16 million weekly listener. In 2018 the label launched its We Are Listening Initiative to identify releases from female producers. 2023 releases from KC Lights, Leftwing & Kody and ESSEL have been streamed millions of times. It’s a lot of accomplishments for a label Mark says has always just been “a little bit ahead of the game.”

“That’s cool in our own way, because we’re pioneering,” he continues. “We can always look back and say we were the first to make these moves. Did we make as much money as some of the other guys? Maybe not. But you know, we’re very happy with where we are in life.”