djfrosty

05 Jun 2023

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: The Aces, Madison Beer, Boys World & More

Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

These 10 tracks from artists including The Aces, Madison Beer, Blonde Redhead and Boys World will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all 10.

Ilsey with Bon Iver, “Heart of Gold” 

Singer-songwriter Ilsey Juber has worked with everyone from Miley Cyrus to Kacey Musgraves and dozens more across the last decade. On “Heart of Gold,” her warm tone takes on the affecting Neil Young classic with an assist from Bon Iver: there’s a fullness to Ilsey’s rendition — and with the slightly faster pacing, the ongoing search for that illusive heart of gold sounds more urgent than before. — Lyndsey Havens

Gabriels, “Glory” 

Rising three-piece band Gabriels, a British-American act formed in 2016, have uncovered a kind of magic when they combine, and “Glory” is a stellar example. Though the song clocks in at under three minutes, with its heart-racing cymbal taps, full-bodied harmonies and soul-stirring fusion of jazz and gospel, the moments that Gabriels manage to pull off within that frame have a lasting impact. — L.H.

The Aces, “Attention”

Indie-pop quartet The Aces kicked off Pride month with the release of its uplifting third album I’ve Loved You For So Long. Standout track “Attention” focuses on the recognition of your own limits, and what you can give: “I’ve become your enemy / You’ve started resenting me,” sings lead vocalist Cristal Ramirez with a touch of remorse, before admitting, “I’m tired of tearing you apart / Know your heart has had enough.” — L.H.

Alicia Creti, “Strange”

Montreal singer-songwriter Alicia Creti only debuted last year with the piano-led “Congratulations,” and on “Strange,” she’s sticking with what she does best, delivering impressive range over soulful R&B-pop production — and, of course, led by keys. “Strange” sounds less pristine than her debut track but in the best way possible, allowing her unfiltered vocals to hit full force. — L.H.

Madison Beer, “Home to Another One”

“Home to Another One” may sound like a stylistic exercise by Madison Beer on first listen — the respective sounds of Tame Impala and Lana Del Rey, springy psych-rock and lilting pop, smushed into three minutes — but Beer’s performance stands out within the mash-up, synthesizing those influences into a sturdy groove and reflection on betrayal. The long-simmering pop artist’s sophomore album, Silence Between Songs, is due in September, but “Home to Another One” was wisely released in time for summer spins. – Jason Lipshutz

Becca Mancari, “Over and Over”

“I wanted to write a queer pop song that has meat on its bones,” Becca Mancari explains in a press release for new single “Over and Over”; to accomplish this, the singer-songwriter combines a novelistic lyrical approach (“Line cook, janitor / That year I was invisible / Back in the closet, celibate / But we don’t have to talk about it”), a killer refrain centered on its titular phrase, and backing vocals from their pal Julien Baker. The product is both airy and substantial, one of the more satisfying pop tracks of the year — in other words, mission accomplished. – J. Lipshutz

Blonde Redhead, “Snowman”

Back with their first album since 2014, Blonde Redhead have previewed the forthcoming Sit Down for Dinner with a breathtaking five-minute comeback statement: “Snowman” draws upon experimental Brazilian music, but exists in the warm comforts of 2000s indie rock, Amedeo Pace’s voice swirling across the layered production like a long-lost siren from the blog era. The length and depth of “Snowman” suggests that Blonde Redhead’s return will carry lofty artistic ambitions — as listeners, we’re all the better for them. – J. Lipshutz

Porsh Bet$, “Moving On”

Over a gentle yet prickly guitar, Porsh Bet$ tells a soon-to-be-ex, “We’re holdin’ on to what’s left of nothing / what’s the point of a long discussion if we’re moving on?” With a chorus like that, you might expect a sneering delivery, but the Harlem-raised indie singer-songwriter asks the question with a wistful warmth, making this a rare breakup song that isn’t pained or pissed off – just grateful, but ready to call it a day. – Joe Lynch  

Los Aptos & Cuco, “Miel”

Los Aptos and Cuco are a match made in heaven on collaborative track “Miel.” The group – which consists of trio Juan Ortega, Jony and Alex Rivera – effortlessly croon about the beauty their lover possesses (“Y esos ojos hermosos color a miel” — “Your beautiful eyes are the color of honey”), and dare to consider what life would be like without the object of their affections, a perfect complement to Cuco’s romantic musings. – Starr Bowenbank

Boys World, “me, my girls & i”

Heartbreak doesn’t stand a chance against the girls of Boys World – Elana, Makhyli, Queenie Mae, Lillian Kay and Olivia Ruby – and their new track, “me, my girls & i.” The track sees the quintet uplifting the unofficial sixth member of the group (the listener) out of her “sad b—h” state of mind, and employs all the trappings of mending a broken heart: going out, dancing, spending time with  your closest pals. With nearly three minutes of girl power themes, high-energy beats and bouncy instrumentation, the track acts as an antidote to emotional slumps of any kind. – S.B.

05 Jun 2023

Sonic Boom In D.C. Area Due To Military Interception of Cessna

HipHopWired Featured Video

COLOMBIA-US-MILITARY-EXCERCISE

Residents in the region around Washington D.C. got startled by a sonic boom, which officials state was caused by fighter jets intercepting a private plane.

On Sunday afternoon (June 4th), a loud noise that resonated across most of the area around Washington D.C. caught the attention of many residents. Officials with North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, confirmed to the press later on that night that the noise was a sonic boom, attributing it to two F-16 fighter jets that were scrambled from Joint Base Andrews in an authorized response to a Cessna Citation plane that entered restricted airspace over Virginia.

NORAD went on to state that when hailed by the F-16s, the Cessna was unresponsive, even as the jets used flares to get the pilot’s attention. The plane would later crash close to the George Washington National Forest near Montebello, Virginia close to 3:30 P.M., and they said it was not shot down.

The Federal Aviation Association issued its own statement, and stated that air traffic control attempts to reach the plane had been unsuccessful. According to tracking data, the Cessna Citation apparently left Elizabethton, Tennessee at 1:13 P.M., then reached Long Island before turning back around towards Virginia.

The sonic boom caused many to react across the region from Bowie, Maryland to Annandale Virginia, and speculate on the cause. President Joe Biden was out golfing with his brother, Jimmy close to Joint Base Andrews and reportedly heard “a faint boom”. The president was fully briefed on the situation, a spokesperson for the White House said. Police at the U.S. Capitol were briefly placed on alert, according to authorities.

The FAA said that investigators for the National Transportation and Safety Board were making their way to the crash scene, hoping to arrive there on Monday (June 5th). The private business jet was confirmed to be owned by Encore Motors of Melbourne, a Florida-based company.

John Rumpel, a 75-year-old pilot who runs Encore Motors, confirmed to the New York Times that his daughter, granddaughter, and a nanny were on the plane with the pilot returning home to East Hampton, N.Y. after visiting him in North Carolina.

In tears, Rumpel theorized that the plane might’ve lost pressurization, saying that “they all just would have gone to sleep and never woke up.” Virginia State Police would later confirm that first responders reached the site at 8 P.M. that evening, and found no survivors.

—

Photo: Getty

HipHopWired Radio

Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…

05 Jun 2023

Taylor Swift & Matty Healy Break Up: Reports

The whirlwind — and still unconfirmed — romance between Taylor Swift and Matty Healy has come to an end, according to multiple reports.

Matty Healy; Taylor Swift

According to TMZ, who first reported the news, Swift is single again, though there wasn’t any information as to why the two have broken up. Billboard has reached out to Swift and Healy’s reps for confirmation.

Rumors of a relationship between the “Midnight Rain” superstar and The 1975 frontman began in early May, shortly after it was confirmed that Swift had split from her longtime boyfriend Joe Alwyn. Healy was spotted at multiple shows of Swift’s The Eras tour, and photos of the musicians enjoying a dinner with Jack Antonoff — who reportedly helped them reconnect — hit the Internet on May 11. Fans were sent into a frenzy when Healy and Swift appeared to hold hands.

Just a few days later, on May 16, Healy and Swift were spotted leaving Electric Lady Studios in New York City together, after he was reportedly spotted near her apartment. 

During The 1975’s set at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival, Healy seemed to have referenced the Swift dating rumors. “Is it all a bit? Is it sincere? Will he ever address it? All of these questions and more will be ignored in the next hour,” Healy quipped, seemingly about his speculated relationship with the pop star.

Swift and Healy have been longtime friends, with the 12-time Grammy winner surprising fans during the band’s concert at the O2 Arena in London in January by covering The 1975’s “The City” and performing “Anti-Hero” for the first time.

05 Jun 2023

Jon Batiste Wants to Collaborate With Taylor Swift: ‘It Would Be Fun’

Jon Batiste doesn’t plan to stop collaborating with fellow musicians any time soon, and he has a very special pop star at the top of his list of people to work with. In a Friday (June 2) interview with People, the “Freedom” singer revealed that he would like to work with none other than Taylor Swift.

“I just went to the Taylor Swift concert and it would be fun to do something with Taylor,” he told the outlet. “She was nice enough to invite us and give us tickets to one of her MetLife Stadium shows over Memorial Day weekend, and I’d love to work with any of the living legends, you know, any folks that I can learn something from — even if we don’t put it out.”

The five-time Grammy Award winner has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey and more. “I just like to sit and talk with folks about the process,” he told People of his process of finding others to work with. “It doesn’t necessarily have to result in a hit single; it can be on the fly or it can be a conversation.”

The former Late Show With Stephen Colbert bandleader’s most recent collaboration is “Be Who You Are (Real Magic)” for Coca-Cola’s Coke Studio. The track, written by Batiste, features NewJeans, Camilo, Cat Burns and J.I.D. Meanwhile, Swift most recently collaborated with Ice Spice on the “Karma” remix — now No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 — and has announced team-ups with Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Fall Out Boy for Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).

05 Jun 2023

Run-DMC, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg & More to Headline Hip-Hop 50 Live Concert at Yankee Stadium

Hip-hop will enjoy its 50th birthday in the biggest way possible this summer when it returns to the genre’s old stomping grounds in The Bronx on Aug. 11. Dubbed Hip-Hop 50 Live, a slew of the genre’s most decorated stars, including Run-D.M.C., Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube, will take center stage inside the legendary Yankee Stadium to celebrate hip-hop’s origin. 

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Along with the names mentioned above, there will be several special sets in commemoration of the event, including Queens of Hip-Hop, headlined by Eve, Trina, Remy Ma, and Lil Kim, along with a Pillars of Hip-Hop set paying homage to the early architects of the genre such as Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Roxanne Shante and more. Other performers include T.I., Fat Joe, Common, A$AP Ferg, EPMD, Ghostface Killah, Lupe Fiasco, and Slick Rick, while the DJ set will feature Clark Kent, Marley Marl, Mannie Fresh, and Battlecat. 

“I am honored to hit the stage in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop and celebrate all of my heroes,” said RUN in a press release. “Aug 11th is Hip Hop’s 50th birthday! So…’Up in the Bronx’ where it all started we will be celebrating this historic moment in history! I am honored to pay tribute to the culture that allowed this little shy kid from Queens to grow up and become The Mighty King of Rock! Thank you Hip Hop!!!” said DMC.

Pre-sales begin this Thursday (June 8), from 10 a.m. EST until 10 p.m., with prices starting at $50. General onsale will begin on June 9 at 10 a.m. EST here. Hip-Hop 50 Live will be co-produced by Mass Appeal, Live Nation and the New York Yankees. Emmy Award-winner, BASSic Black Entertainment CEO Adam Blackstone and producer and keyboardist Omar Edwards will be the concert’s creative music directors. 

Check out the full lineup below.

05 Jun 2023

Josh Groban, Linda Ronstadt & More Billboard 200-Topping Artists Who Received Tony Nods for Musicals

Josh Groban is nominated in a marquee category at the 2023 Tony Awards on Sunday June 11. The singer/actor is nominated for best leading actor in a musical for his performance in a revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This is his second nod in that category.

Groban has also notched three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. Groban is just the sixth person to accomplish both of these feats — to top the Billboard 200 with an album of their own and land a Tony nomination for performing in a musical.

Before we look at the full list, here’s a little fine print: Tony winner Jackie Gleason (Take Me Along, 1960) and Tony nominee Sammy Davis. Jr. (Golden Boy, 1965) both topped a Billboard albums chart prior to the March 1956 inception of the Billboard 200 (which was the first regular, weekly album chart).

Several more Tony-nominated (or Tony-winning) performers have had top five albums on the Billboard 200, though they have yet to reach No. 1. These include Bette Midler (a winner for Hello, Dolly!, 2017), Harry Connick Jr. (a nominee for The Pajama Game, 2006), Heather Headley (a winner for Aida, 2000), Al Green (a nominee for Your Arms Too Short to Box With God, 1983) and Robert Goulet (a winner for The Happy Time, 1968).

While Groban is a strong contender in his category, he faces stiff competition from Ben Platt for Parade and J. Harrison Ghee for Some Like It Hot. The category is rounded out by Christian Borle, also for Some Like It Hot; Brian d’Arcy James for Into the Woods and Colton Ryan for New York, New York.

Here’s a complete list of the six performers who have both topped the Billboard 200 and landed a Tony nomination for performing in a musical. They are listed in reverse chronological order.

05 Jun 2023

Taylor Swift Unveils ‘Speak Now’ Track List, Collaborations With Hayley Williams & Fall Out Boy

Drop everything now, Swifties — Taylor Swift just unveiled the Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) track list, including the names of vault songs and collaborations with Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Fall Out Boy.

“I’m VERY excited to show you the back cover of Speak Now (my version),” the pop star wrote on social media Monday (June 5), sharing the album’s back artwork. “Since Speak Now was all about my songwriting, I decided to go to the artists who I feel influenced me most powerfully as a lyricist at that time and ask them to sing on the album.”

According to the artwork — on which Swift poses in a flowing purple dress and ballet slippers — Williams will guest on a vault track called “Castles Crumbling,” meanwhile Fall Out Boy will appear on a vault track titled “Electric Touch.” “They’re so cool and generous for agreeing to support my version of Speak Now,” she added of her collaborators.

As Swift has previously explained in regards to Red (Taylor’s Version) and Fearless (Taylor’s Version), her 2021 re-recorded projects, vault songs are previously-unreleased tracks that were ultimately cut from their respective original albums. As revealed in Swift’s post, the other (solo) vault songs on the updated Speak Now are called “When Emma Falls In Love,” “I Can See You,” “Foolish One” and “Timeless.”

Re-recorded versions of all 14 songs from the original Speak Now will also appear on the new version, which arrives July 7 — as will 2010 bonus tracks “Superman” and “Ours.”

“I recorded this album when I was 32 (and still growing up, now) and can’t wait to unveil it all to you on July 7th,” Swift concluded her post, referencing a lyric to Track 11, “Innocent.”

Swifties have been waiting for this since early May, when the “Anti-Hero” singer first announced that Speak Now would be the next of her albums to get the “Taylor’s Version” treatment during an Eras Tour concert in Nashville. “I first made Speak Now, completely self-written, between the ages of 18 and 20,” she wrote on Instagram after the show, also revealing the album’s front cover art.

“The songs that came from this time in my life were marked by their brutal honesty, unfiltered diaristic confessions and wild wistfulness,” she added at the time. “I love this album because it tells a tale of growing up, flailing, flying and crashing … and living to speak about it.”

And while Fall Out Boy’s involvement likely comes as a major surprise to many, a lot of Swifties had already detected that Williams would be featured on Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) prior to Swift confirming it in her Monday announcement. That’s because the “Still Into You” singer did some major teasing at a meet and greet last week, winkingly telling a fan who’d given her a Speak Now friendship bracelet that the gift was “coming at a very interesting time.”

See Swift’s announcement below:

05 Jun 2023

Morgan Wallen’s ‘Last Night’ No. 1 on Hot 100 for Ninth Week, Taylor Swift & Ice Spice’s ‘Karma’ Blasts to No. 2

Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” leads the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart for a ninth week.

Plus, Taylor Swift’s “Karma” vaults from No. 27 to No. 2 on the Hot 100. After it originally spent a week in the top 10, at No. 9, upon its debut last November (concurrent with the chart start of parent album Midnights), the song hits a new high following the May 26 release of its remix with Ice Spice, and the wide premiere of its official video May 27.

Swift achieves her milestone 25th top five Hot 100 hit. Ice Spice, now credited on “Karma” on the chart (as the remix accounts for over half the song’s consumption in the May 26-June 1 tracking week), adds both her third top 10 and top five track – and earns her highest career rank.

As previously reported, Midnights surges back to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data. All charts (dated June 10, 2023) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (June 6). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

Wallen’s “Last Night,” released on Big Loud/Mercury/Republic Records, drew 66.3 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 1%) and 32.8 million streams (essentially even week-over-week) and sold 8,000 downloads (down 4%) in the May 26-June 1 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The song, which initially led the Hot 100 in March, becoming Wallen’s first leader on the list, notches an 11th week at No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart; rises 5-4 for a new best on Radio Songs; and dips 5-6 on Digital Song Sales, following a week on top.

“Last Night” commands the Country Airplay chart for a fifth week, having become the first song to top the Hot 100 and Country Airplay simultaneously, and becomes Wallen’s first top 10 on the Pop Airplay chart. It leads the Hot Country Songs chart, which uses the same methodology as the Hot 100, for a 17th week.

Swift’s “Karma” soars 27-2 on the Hot 100. After it first logged a week in the top 10, at No. 9, in its debut frame last November (concurrent with the No. 1 Billboard 200 debut of parent album Midnights), the song hits a new Hot 100 best following the May 26 release of its remix with Ice Spice, and the wide premiere of its official video May 27 (at midnight each day). Attendees at Swift’s May 26 concert — as part of her The Eras Tour at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. — saw the clip even earlier at the show, while Ice Spice joined Swift on-stage for a live debut of the remix.

The song drew 38.4 million in airplay audience (up 15%) and 22.5 million streams (up 175%) and sold 17,000 (up 744%) May 26-June 1, as it wins top Streaming and Sales Gainer honors on the Hot 100. It bounds 50-4 on Streaming Songs; returns to Digital Song Sales at No. 2; and jumps 18-12 on Radio Songs, hitting new highs on each survey.

Swift achieves her 25th top five Hot 100 entry, solely claiming the fifth-most such hits since the chart began in August 1958.

Most Top Five Hot 100 Hits:

  • 35, Drake
  • 29, The Beatles
  • 28, Madonna
  • 27, Mariah Carey
  • 25, Taylor Swift
  • 24, Janet Jackson
  • 24, Rihanna
  • 21, Elvis Presley (whose career began before the chart originated)
  • 20, Justin Bieber
  • 20, Michael Jackson
  • 20, Stevie Wonder

Meanwhile, Swift boasts the sixth-most top two Hot 100 hits: 17, with nine having hit No. 1 and eight having reached No. 2. She follows The Beatles (23; 20 No. 1s, three No. 2 hits); Mariah Carey (23; 19 No. 1s, four No. 2 hits); Drake (20; 11 No. 1s, nine No. 2 hits); Rihanna (18; 14 No. 1s, four No. 2 hits); and Madonna (18; 12 No. 1s, six No. 2 hits).

Plus, Midnights has now generated three top two Hot 100 songs: “Anti-Hero” became Swift’s longest-leading No. 1, for eight weeks in November-January, and “Lavender Haze” debuted at its No. 2 peak in November, as 10 tracks from the album blanketed the top 10 in the set’s starting frame and Swift made history as the first artist to rank at each spot in the top 10 in a single week.

The album is Swift’s second to produce a trio of top two Hot 100 hits, after 1989 yielded three No. 1s in 2014-15: “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space” and “Bad Blood” (featuring Kendrick Lamar).

Midnights is the first album by any act with three top two Hot 100 hits since The Weeknd’s After Hours spun off three No. 1s in 2019-21: “Heartless,” “Blinding Lights” and “Save Your Tears,” the lattermost remixed with Ariana Grande – who, prior to that LP, posted three top two hits, including two No. 1s, from Thank U Next in 2018-19. Earlier in 2018, Drake rung up four, including three No. 1s, from his album Scorpion.

Ice Spice is now credited on “Karma” on the Hot 100, as the remix accounts for over half the song’s consumption in the tracking week. She notches her third top 10 – and highest-charting hit – following “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2,” with PinkPantheress (No. 3, March), and “Princess Diana,” with Nicki Minaj (No. 4, April).

Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” descends 2-3 on the Hot 100, after eight weeks at No. 1, beginning upon its debut in January. It posts a 15th week atop Radio Songs (86.8 million in audience, down 3%).

Notably, “Flowers” ties for the third-longest reign since Radio Songs began in December 1990 – and passes Adele’s “Easy On Me” for the longest rule for a Columbia Records single.

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Radio Songs:

  • 26, “Blinding Lights,” The Weeknd, 2020
  • 18, “Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls, 1998
  • 16, “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus, 2023
  • 16, “Girls Like You,” Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B, 2018
  • 16, “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey, 2005
  • 16, “Don’t Speak,” No Doubt, 1996-97
  • 15, “Easy On Me,” Adele, 2021-22

Lil Durk’s “All My Life,” featuring J. Cole, rebounds 7-4 on the Hot 100, two weeks after it launched at No. 2. It also returns to No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs, leading each multi-metric list for a second week, as parent album Almost Healed debuts at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” retreats to No. 5 on the Hot 100, from its No. 4 high. It tops the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for a 40th week, extending the longest reign since the ranking began over a year ago (in partnership with music festival and global brand Afro Nation).

(‘00s and aahs: despite Swift, Cyrus and Gomez having all first hit the Hot 100 in the second half of the 2000s – Cyrus in August 2006 [via her former Hannah Montana alter ego]; Swift that September; and Gomez in January 2009 – the three artists appear in the top five together for the first time this week.)

SZA’s “Kill Bill” drops 3-6 on the Hot 100, after it became her first No. 1, for a week in April. It rules the multi-metric Hot R&B Songs chart for a 24th week.

Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” slides 6-7 on the Hot 100, after hitting No. 4 – the best rank ever for a regional Mexican song. It adds a ninth week at No. 1 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart.

Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” revs to a new No. 8 Hot 100 best, from No. 10, as it claims the chart’s top Airplay Gainer award for a second consecutive week (26.3 million, up 33%). (Chapman’s original version hit No. 6 in 1988.)

Rounding out the Hot 100’s top 10, Toosii’s “Favorite Song” falls to No. 9 from its No. 5 high and Metro Boomin, The Weeknd and 21 Savage’s “Creepin’ ” backtracks 9-10, after hitting No. 3.

Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated June 10), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (June 6).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

05 Jun 2023

The Fugees Reunite At The Roots Picnic Music Festival

HipHopWired Featured Video

2023 The Roots Picnic

Over the weekend, The Roots Picnic out in Philadelphia was making noise for some of its surprise sets such as the reunion of State Property, but fans in attendance were really taken aback when Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras reunited to become The Fugees one more time.

According to TMZ, the multiplatinum rap group put the band together for what could be the last time this past Saturday (June 3) during The Roots Picnic Music Festival and while on stage performed “Ready or Not” much to the delight of the surprised crowd.

Though it’s not clear if they went into their illustrious catalog of hits, their mere presence was enough reason to celebrate as the group hasn’t been on the same stage for quite some time and may not get a chance to do so for again as Pras is facing up to two decades in prison of conspiracy for defrauding the United States.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of her classic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, L-Boogie was doing her thing on stage before Wyclef and Pras eventually joined her and got the crowd rowdy and rocking.

TMZ reports:

Sounds like the show went off without a hitch, and the festival’s key organizer — Questlove — was certainly grateful. He took to IG with a throwback post of one of The Fugees’ first gigs, noting this may well be one of the final times they join forces like this in this setting.
He wrote, “@MsLaurynHill did us a solid by letting us not only letting us celebrate with her the classic #MiseducationOfLaurynHill but she also made a moment by bringing together her bredren @WyclefJean & @PrasMichel … I’m giving all the gratitude for making this miracle of a night happen.”With OG artists from the golden era like Nas and Wu-Tang Clan going on tour, hopefully, The Fugees can put something together for their day-ones before Pras is eventually sentenced and taken out of the picture.Check out another video of their time on stage below and let us know in the comments if you’d like to see a Fugees tour come to your city.https://twitter.com/Philly_PR_Girl/status/1665209280184700928

—

Photo: Getty

HipHopWired Radio

Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…

05 Jun 2023

These Justin Bieber-Approved New Balance Sneakers Are on Sale for 40% Off

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.

Justin Bieber loves a good sneaker moment and for fans looking to add his picks to their wardrobe, one of his favorite New Balance styles is currently on sale. The shoe, like his Crocs collaboration, is currently sold-out on the New Balance site, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t grab a pair — and for a fraction of the price.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

If you’re looking for some trendy festival gear and are willing to purchase the shoes off of resale sites, the New Balance 990V2 Pink/Purple Sneakers are available on Farfetch for 40% off. You can also find them on StockX, but most sizes are already gone, which means you’ll want to pick up a pair quickly to avoid the dreaded “sold out” message under your size.

Farfetch

New Balance 990V2 Pink/Purple Sneakers

$159 $265 40% off% OFF

The sneakers will add a pop of color to your outfit as seen above in Bieber’s styling of the shoes. Whether you incorporate shades of yellow, purple or pink into your outfit like with a fashionable bucket hat, or keep it neutral with a black T-shirt and brown shorts like the “Peaches” singer, you’ll definitely be making a statement.

Bieber was originally spotted wearing the style on a trip to France with his wife, Hailey Bieber, and their friends including “Collide” singer, Justine Sky, and “Always” crooner Daniel Caesar. Instagram fan account @keepbiebsfresh that spotted the style first and posted how the singer styled the shoes, which you can check out here.

The pink and purple sneakers are made with a suede outer and rubber sole that’ll provide your feet with comfort, support and most importantly — they’re fashionable.

To add more Bieber-approved styles to your sneaker collection, shop below.

StockX

New Balance RC 1300 Kith 10th Anniversary Elephant Skin Grey

$216

These casual New Balance sneakers are one of Bieber’s go-tos and can be seen in a fan’s Instagram post paired with baggy denim jeans and a navy blue hoodie. Since they are made from a neutral gray suede material, it allows them to be paired with basically any shade of top or bottom.

StockX

Nike Air Force 1 Low ’07 LV8

$82

Bring some subtle color to your look with a classic pair of Nike Air Force 1 sneakers. The crisp white base is paired with a deep green shade that will add a light pop of color to your feet. The singer chose to pair these with yellow, red and green tie dye pants and a white and green tie dye top as seen in an Instagram post here.

Amazon

Nike Men’s Air Force 1 Shoes in Silver/Coconut

$115 $98.85

Mix your neutrals in with another version of the Nike Air Force 1‘s Bieber enjoys sporting like in this fan’s Instagram post. While he normally pairs them with denim jeans and a pullover, you can also wear them with trousers and a simple white or brown tee.

Nike

Nike Air Max 90

$130

It’s almost no surprise Bieber is also a fan of the Nike Air Max 90 as it’s the brand’s latest best seller. Thanks to the lifted sole, it’ll really elevate your look and take you (and your outfit) to new heights. See exactly how the star styles them in an Instagram post here.