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31 May 2023

LE SSERAFIM, Tina Turner Pace Hot Trending Songs Chart

LE SSERAFIM’s “Eve, Psyche and the Bluebeard’s Wife” heads to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, powered by Twitter, dated June 3 following the release of the song’s music video.

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Billboard’s Hot Trending charts, powered by Twitter, track global music-related trends and conversations in real-time across Twitter, viewable over either the last 24 hours or past seven days. A weekly, 20-position version of the chart, covering activity from Friday through Thursday of each week, posts alongside Billboard’s other weekly charts on Billboard.com each Tuesday, with the latest tracking period running May 19-25.

“Eve, Psyche and the Bluebeard’s Wife” was originally released May 1 as part of LE SSERAFIM’s album Unforgiven, which became the K-pop group’s first top 10 on the Billboard 200 when it debuted at No. 6 (May 20).

The song’s music video was released May 23, driving LE SSERAFIM to its highest rank on Hot Trending Songs, surpassing the No. 15 peak of “Flash Forward” on the May 13 survey.

LE SSERAFIM reigns over a trio of songs by Tina Turner after the music icon’s May 24 death at age 83. “The Best” launches at No. 2, followed by “What’s Love Got to Do With It” at No. 4 and “Private Dancer” at No. 13.

Turner makes multiple appearances on the June 3 Billboard charts, including the premieres of “The Best” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It” at Nos. 7 and 8, respectively, on Digital Song Sales, thanks to 8,000 and 7,000 downloads, respectively, according to Luminate. Further gains for Turner’s catalog are likely on the June 10-dated rankings following a full week of sales, radio and streaming data.

Other songs in Hot Trending Songs’ top five include new music from Diddy, City Girls and Fabolous (“Act Bad,” No. 3) and Yeat, with Young Thug (“My Wrist,” No. 5).

Keep visiting Billboard.com for the constantly evolving Hot Trending Songs rankings, and check in each Tuesday for the latest weekly chart.

31 May 2023

Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin & Pitbull Announce the Trilogy Tour: Here Are the Dates

Global superstars Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin and Pitbull are going on tour … together.

The three hitmakers announced dates for their North America Trilogy Tour, which is set to kick off Oct. 14 in Washington, D.C. The 19-date arena trek — produced by Live Nation — will make stops in major cities such as New York, Miami, Houston and Las Vegas before wrapping up Dec. 16 in Vancouver, B.C.

“It’s a true honor to tour with Enrique and Ricky, 2 music icons who broke global music barriers for our culture and open doors for someone like myself,” Pitbull (born Armando Christian Perez) said in a statement. “We’re excited to take The Trilogy tour around the world and give our fans the time of their Trilogy lives, Dale!”

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“I am incredibly excited to be going on tour with my friends Pitbull and Ricky,” added Iglesias. “The Trilogy Tour will be an amazing experience for ALL of our fans. It’s going to be a once in a lifetime tour.”

Ricky Martin echoed his tour mates excitement: “Going back on the road with not only Enrique, but now with Pitbull, it’s very exciting. This tour will be a wild party from beginning to end so get ready, it’s going to be epic!”

According to the press release, the artists will be delivering “three unique headlining sets.”

It’s not the first time the three musicians will go on tour with each other. In 2017, Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull went on tour with CNCO as the opening act. The trek grossed $38 million and sold 415,000 tickets, according to Billboard Boxscore numbers. Four years later in 2021, Iglesias teamed up with Ricky Martin — and Sebastián Yatra as the tour’s opener — on a tour that grossed $35.2 million and sold 312,000 tickets.

For the Trilogy Tour, fans can register now through June 4 for the Verified Fan presale. According to Live Nation, selected fans will then receive an access code will be able to participate in presale starting June 7. The general on sale will begin June 9 at 10 a.m. local time on Ticketmaster.com.

See the tour dates below:

  • Oct. 14 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
  • Oct. 17 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
  • Oct. 20 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
  • Oct. 21– Boston, MA – TD Garden
  • Oct. 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
  • Oct. 28 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
  • Nov. 1 – Chicago, IL – United Center
  • Nov. 3 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
  • Nov. 9 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
  • Nov. 10 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
  • Nov. 17 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
  • Nov. 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
  • Nov. 19 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
  • Nov. 24 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
  • Nov. 25 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
  • Nov. 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
  • Dec. 6 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
  • Dec. 8 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
  • Dec. 10 – Vancouver, B.C. – Rogers Arena

31 May 2023

‘Some Like It Hot’ Tops 2023 Drama Desk Awards With 8 Wins

A musical based on the classic 1959 Billy Wilder film Some Like It Hot was the top winner at the 67th Annual Drama Desk Awards, which were announced on Wednesday (May 31). The show — for which Mariah Carey is one of the producers — won eight awards, including outstanding musical and outstanding lyrics for Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.

Two other musicals, a revival of Stephen Sondheim‘s Sweeney Todd and the new Shucked, also won multiple awards. Sweeney Todd won three awards – though, curiously, it lost outstanding revival of a musical to Parade, which won no other awards.

Shucked won two awards – outstanding music for country hit-makers Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally and outstanding featured performance in a musical for Alex Newell.

Musicals winning one award each — apart from Parade — were New York, New York and a revival of Into the Woods.

The 2023 Drama Desk Awards will take place at Sardi’s Restaurant in New York on Tuesday, June 6, from 3 to 6 p.m. ET. Tony and Emmy winner Mandy Patinkin and two-time Obie Award winner Kathryn Grody will co-host the ceremony.

The Drama Desk Awards will be presented five days before the Tony Awards are broadcast on CBS. The Drama Desk Awards differ from the Tonys in several respects.

  • All four performance categories are “gender-free” – their term for “gender-neutral.” Each of these categories had twice as many nominees as the former gendered categories; each have two winners.
  • The Drama Desk Awards are the only major New York City theater awards for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway compete against each other in the same categories.
  • The Drama Desk Awards are bestowed by critics, journalists, editors and publishers covering theater.

Shows with 21 or more unique live performances were eligible.

The Drama Desk was founded in 1949 to bring together critics and writers in an organization to support the ongoing development of theater in New York. The organization began presenting awards in 1955.

Here are all the nominees in musical categories – as well as the nominees in one category dedicated to plays – outstanding music in a play. Winners are marked.

Outstanding musical

  • & Juliet
  • Between the Lines
  • F*ck7thGrade, The Wild Project
  • Shucked
  • WINNER: Some Like it Hot
  • White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater

Outstanding revival of a musical

  • A Man of No Importance, Classic Stage Company
  • Into the Woods
  • Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop
  • WINNER: Parade
  • Sweeney Todd

Outstanding lead performance in a musical

  • WINNER: Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd
  • Nicholas Barasch, The Butcher Boy, Irish Repertory Theatre
  • Sara Bareilles, Into the Woods
  • Andrew Burnap, Camelot
  • Micaela Diamond, Parade
  • Andrew Durand, Shucked
  • Callum Francis, Kinky Boots, Stage 42
  • WINNER: J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like it Hot
  • Jonathan Groff, Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop
  • Somi Kakoma, Dreaming Zenzile, New York Theatre Workshop
  • Lindsay Mendez, Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop
  • Anna Uzele, New York, New York

Outstanding featured performance in a musical

  • Kevin Cahoon, Shucked
  • WINNER: Kevin Del Aguila, Some Like it Hot
  • Robyn Hurder, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical
  • Mark Jacoby, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical
  • Tarra Conner Jones, White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
  • Julia Lester, Into the Woods
  • WINNER: Alex Newell, Shucked
  • Daniel Radcliffe, Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop
  • Phillipa Soo, Into the Woods
  • Mare Winningham, A Man of No Importance, Classic Stage Company

Outstanding direction of a musical

  • Jeff Calhoun, Between the Lines
  • John Doyle, A Man of No Importance, Classic Stage Company
  • Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop
  • WINNER: Thomas Kail, Sweeney Todd
  • Jack O’Brien, Shucked

Outstanding choreography

  • Andy Blankenbuehler, Only Gold, MCC Theater
  • Tislarm Bouie, the bandaged place
  • Edgar Godineaux, The Harder They Come, The Public Theater
  • WINNER: Casey Nicholaw, Some Like it Hot
  • Susan Stroman, New York, New York
  • Jennifer Weber, KPOP

Outstanding music

  • WINNER: Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, Shucked
  • Michael R. Jackson, White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
  • Tom Kitt and AnnMarie Milazzo (vocal designer), Almost Famous
  • Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, Between the Lines
  • The Kilbanes, Weightless, WP Theater

Outstanding lyrics

  • Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, Shucked
  • Jonathan Hogue, Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical
  • Michael R. Jackson, White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
  • Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman, The Bedwetter, Atlantic Theater Company
  • WINNER: Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, Some Like it Hot

Outstanding book of a musical

  • Jonathan Hogue, Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical
  • Robert Horn, Shucked
  • WINNER: Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, Some Like it Hot
  • Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue, Titanique
  • David West Read, & Juliet

Outstanding orchestrations

  • Bruce Coughlin, A Man of No Importance, Classic Stage Company
  • Jason Howland, Shucked
  • WINNER: Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter, Some Like it Hot
  • Kenny Seymour, The Harder They Come, The Public Theater
  • Daryl Waters and Sam Davis, New York, New York

Outstanding scenic design of a musical

  • WINNER: Beowulf Boritt, New York, New York
  • David Korins, Only Gold, MCC Theater
  • Scott Pask, Shucked
  • Walt Spangler and Brendan McCann (production props), Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical
  • Michael Yeargan, Camelot

Outstanding costume design of a musical

  • WINNER: Gregg Barnes, Some Like it Hot
  • Tilly Grimes, Shucked
  • Jennifer Moeller, Camelot
  • Clint Ramos and Sophia Choi, KPOP
  • Anita Yavich, Only Gold, MCC Theater
  • Donna Zakowska, New York, New York

Outstanding lighting design of a musical

  • Ken Billington, New York, New York
  • Jeff Croiter, Only Gold, MCC Theater
  • Heather Gilbert, Parade
  • David Grill, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’
  • WINNER: Natasha Katz, Sweeney Todd

Outstanding sound design of a musical

  • Peter Hylenski, Almost Famous
  • WINNER: Scott Lehrer and Alex Neumann, Into the Woods
  • John Shivers, Shucked
  • Joanna Lynne Staub, Weightless, WP Theater
  • Jon Weston, Parade

Outstanding music in a play

  • Ben Edelman, Zane Pais, and Sinan Refik Zafar, Letters from Max, a ritual, Signature Theatre
  • Mauricio Escamilla, the bandaged place, Roundabout Theatre Company
  • WINNER: Suzan-Lori Parks, Plays for the Plague Year, The Public Theater
  • Ian Ross, Wuthering Heights, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, National Theatre
  • Daniel Schlosberg, Montag, Soho Rep

31 May 2023

Diddy Sues Diageo Over DeLeón Tequila Brand, Claims Racial Discrimination

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The After Hosted By Diddy & Doja Cat

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A bitter taste over failed promises over a tequila brand has led Diddy to file a lawsuit against his partner in the brand, Diageo.

According to reports, the entertainment mogul filed a lawsuit on Wednesday (May 31st) against the multinational spirits company, citing their neglect of the DeLeón tequila brand he co-owns with them. The lawsuit was filed by Combs Wines and Spirits in New York State Supreme Court against Diageo’s North American entity, with the expressed aim of compelling Diageo to comply with the joint-venture agreement both signed in 2013 and other written agreements crafted to resolve complaints.

Diddy, also known as Sean Combs, has also alleged that Diageo engaged in a pattern of racial discrimination when it came to the DeLeón brand, describing it as a “Black brand” and “urban”. He also accused Diageo of neglecting his brand while investing heavily into two other tequila brands including Casamigos, the brand backed by actor George Clooney which Diageo purchased for $1 billion in 2017. Don Julio is the other brand.

Other examples Combs presented in the documents of the lawsuit include confusion on the pricing of DeLeón bottles and his dismay at the decision by Diageo to not provide available agave to DeLeón during a shortage of the key tequila ingredient in 2020 and 2021. Another example cited was a bottle redesign that “was prone to bubbling, which made the product look cheap,” according to the filing.

According to retail data from last year, DeLeón’s availability on shelves in retail outlets is outpaced by a vast margin. It was estimated to have been found in 3.3% of retail outlets nationwide, while Casamigos and Don Julio were available at 34.4% and 36% of retail outlets nationwide, respectively.

“This is a business dispute, and we are saddened that Mr. Combs has chosen to recast this matter as anything other than that,” a spokeswoman for Diageo said to initial press inquiries. “Our steadfast commitment to diversity within our company and the communities we serve is something we take very seriously. We are disappointed our efforts to resolve this business dispute amicably have been ignored, and that Mr. Combs has chosen to damage a productive and valued partnership.”

Diddy recently launched his Diddy Direct platform, a portal whose aim is to help consumers and retailers locate his spirit brands.

31 May 2023

10 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: Ella Langley, Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle & 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 acts who appear on surveys for the first time on the June 3-dated charts.

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Ella Langley

The Alabama native and Nashville-based singer-songwriter, 24, reaches Billboard’s charts for the first time with her debut collection, Excuse the Mess. The eight-track set, released May 19 via SAWGOD Records/Columbia Records, debuts at No. 20 on the Heatseekers Albums chart with 2,000 copies sold through May 25, according to Luminate. The album includes a collaboration with Koe Wetzel, “That’s Why We Fight.” Langley has a slate of shows lined up through the end of the year, including dates opening for Jon Pardi’s Mr. Saturday Night World Tour. She’s previously supported Luke Combs, Randy Houser, Cody Johnson, Elle King and Scotty McCreery, among others.

Iam Tongi

The Hawaii-born Polynesian singer-songwriter (full name William Tongi), 18, and latest winner of ABC’s American Idol, scores his first Billboard chart appearances, thanks to two songs: “I’ll Be Seeing You” and, fittingly, a cover of ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All.” The former, released May 19 via 19/BMG, debuts at No. 1 on Rock Digital Song Sales, and No. 3 on Digital Song Sales, with 11,000 downloads sold. It also starts at No. 19 on Hot Rock Songs and No. 23 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, bolstered by 996,000 U.S. streams. “Winner” debuts at No. 19 on Rock Digital Song Sales (2,000 sold). Tongi, who also arrives at No. 3 on the Emerging Artists chart, was crowned champion of Idol May 21. Also on the season finale, he teamed with James Blunt to perform a duet of the latter’s 2019 track “Monsters.” The performance sparked the original’s 925% vault to 10,000 sold and a No. 4 re-entry on Digital Song Sales.

Megan Danielle

Danielle, 20, from Douglasville, Ga., and runner-up on the latest season of American Idol, achieves her first chart entry with “Dream Girl.” The song, released May 19 via 19/BMG, opens at No. 11 on Country Digital Song Sales and No. 48 on Digital Song Sales with 2,000 downloads sold. Danielle performed it on the season finale of Idol May 21. She also performed covers of Keith Urban’s “God Whispered Your Name” and Journey’s “Faithfully” during the finale, along with a duet version with Lauren Daigle of her current hit “Thank God I Do.” Prior to Idol, Danielle, also new at No. 42 on the Emerging Artists chart, competed on the 18th season of NBC’s The Voice.

Colin Stough

Stough, 18, from Amory, Miss., and who placed third on the latest season of American Idol, hits Billboard’s charts with “I Still Talk to Jesus.” The track, released May 19 on 19/BMG, starts at No. 5 on Country Digital Song Sales and No. 18 on Digital Song Sales with 4,000 downloads sold. He also places at No. 24 on Country Digital Song Sales with his self-released original song “Bad Day” (1,000 sold). Stough performed covers of Keith Urban’s “Stupid Boy,” Chris Stapleton’s “Either Way” and, with Idol judge Luke Bryan, the Pointer Sisters’ “Slow Hand” on the competition’s season finale May 21. Stough also opens at No. 12 on the Emerging Artists chart.

Aron Luix

The 18-year-old Dominican-American urbano artist from New Jersey arrives with his new collaboration with CNCO, “Tu Me Elevas.” The song, released May 19 on Joch Entertainment/Serving Sound/WK Records, debuts at No. 22 on Latin Pop Airplay (176,000 audience impressions). In 2020, Luix released his first song on WK Records, “Inocente,” which was co-written by Maluma. Luix is slated to support CNCO on the group’s Última Cita Tour, which begins June 1.

Mathame

The Italian techno duo — comprised of brothers Amedeo and Matteo Giovanelli — makes its first Billboard chart appearance thanks to its new collaboration with Tiësto, “Feel Your Ghost.” The track, released May 19 through Astralwerks/Capitol Records, debuts at No. 22 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs with 853,000 official U.S. streams in its opening week. The pair has also collaborated with CamelPhat, Diplo, Lost Frequencies, Moby and ZHU, among others.

The Murlocs

The Australian psychedelic-rock group from Melbourne tallies its first U.S. chart appearance, thanks to Its seventh LP, Calm Ya Farm. The set, released May 19 via ATO Records, arrives at No. 62 on Top Current Album Sales, with 1,000 copies sold in its first week. The band also debuts at No. 32 on the Emerging Artists chart. The act’s fifth LP, Bittersweet Demons, reached No. 6 on the Australia Albums chart in 2021. The Murlocs comprise Ambrose Kenny-Smith (vocals, harmonica, percussion, keys, guitar), Cal Shortal (guitar, vocals), Matt Blach (drums, vocals), Cook Craig (bass, guitar) and Tim Karmouche (keys, guitar, vocals). Craig is also a member of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.

Mandy, Indiana

The Manchester, U.K.-based group arrives with its debut full-length LP, I’ve Seen a Way. Released May 19 on Fire Talk Records, the set opens at No. 92 on the Top Current Album Sales chart with 1,000 copies sold in its opening week. The band previously broke through with its 2021 five-song set titled simply … Mandy, Indiana (whose name was inspired by Gary, Ind.) comprised of Valentine Caulfield (vocals), Simon Catling (synths) and Alex MacDougall (drums).

CJ SO COOL

CJ SO COOL (real name Cordero James Brady), 34, notches his first ­Billboard chart hit as “Tired” debuts at No. 13 on Rap Digital Song Sales. The song, which he self-released in 2018, debuts with 1,000 downloads sold, having been used in over 25,000 clips on TikTok (tied to a meme spotlighting former NFL star Shannon Sharpe in which users tout a long-awaited accomplishment following a series of gaffes). CJ is also a popular YouTuber outside of music, known for recording viral prank videos. His most recent release on streaming services, “Royalty Baby Daddy Diss,” arrived in May 2021.

Bankroll

The Afrobeats/dancehall artist scores his first Billboard chart placement, as “No Love” with Zoey Dollaz debuts at No. 15 on World Digital Song Sales. The track, released in November via ZLE Records, is Bankroll’s first release on streaming services.

31 May 2023

Amazon Workers Stage Walkout Over Company’s Climate Impact, Return-to-Office Mandate

A group of corporate Amazon workers upset about the company’s environmental impact, recent layoffs and a return-to-office mandate is planning a walkout at the company’s Seattle headquarters Wednesday.

The lunchtime protest comes a week after Amazon’s annual shareholder meeting and a month after a policy took effect requiring workers to return to the office three days per week.

“We respect our employees’ rights to express their opinions,” the company said in a statement.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 1,900 employees had pledged to walk out around the world, with about 900 in Seattle, according to Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, a climate change advocacy group founded by Amazon workers. While some plan to gather at the Amazon Spheres — a four-story structure in downtown Seattle that from the outside looks like three connected glass orbs — others will participate remotely.

Some employees have complained that Amazon has been slow to address its impact on climate change. Amazon, which relies on fossil fuels to power the planes, trucks and vans that ship packages all over the world, has an enormous carbon footprint. Amazon workers have been vocal in criticizing some of the company’s practices.

In an annual statement to investors, Amazon said it aims to deploy 100,000 electric delivery vehicles by 2030 and reach net-zero carbon by 2040. But walkout organizers contend the company must do more and commit to zero emissions by 2030.

“While we all would like to get there tomorrow, for companies like ours who consume a lot of power, and have very substantial transportation, packaging, and physical building assets, it’ll take time to accomplish,” Brad Glasser, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement.

Glasser said there has also been a good energy on the company’s South Lake Union campus and at its other urban centers since more employees returned to the office. More than 20,000 workers, however, signed a petition urging Amazon to reconsider the return-to-office mandate.

“As it pertains to the specific topics this group of employees is raising,” Glasser said, “we’ve explained our thinking in different forums over the past few months and will continue to do so.”

In a February memo, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the company made its decision to return corporate employees to the office at least three days a week after observing what worked during the pandemic. Among other things, he said senior leadership watched how staff performed and talked to leaders at other companies. He said they concluded employees tended to be more engaged in person and collaborate more easily.

In a note asking Amazon employees to pledge their participation in the walkout, organizers said Amazon “must return autonomy to its teams, who know their employees and customers best, to make the best decision on remote, in-person, or hybrid work, and to its employees to choose a team which enables them to work the way they work best.”

The walkout follows widespread cost-cutting at Amazon, where layoffs have affected workers in advertising, human resources, gaming, stores, devices and Amazon Web Services, the company’s cloud computing division. The company has cut 27,000 jobs since November.

Like other tech companies, including Facebook parent Meta and Google parent Alphabet, Amazon ramped up hiring during the pandemic to meet the demand from homebound Americans who were increasingly shopping online to keep themselves safe from the virus.

Amazon’s workforce, in warehouses and offices, doubled to more than 1.6 million people in about two years. But demand slowed as the worst of the pandemic eased. The company began pausing or canceling its warehouse expansion plans last year.

Amid growing anxiety over the potential for a recession, Amazon in the past few months shut down a subsidiary that’s been selling fabrics for nearly 30 years, shuttered Amazon Care, its hybrid virtual, in-home care service, and closed Amazon Smile, a philanthropic program.

31 May 2023

Weather Park, Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Son, Credits RZA For Mentorship

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Weather Park

 

Weather Park was raised in literal Hip-Hop royalty as the son of beloved Wu-Tang Clan rapper, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Now a rapper himself, Weather Park shared in a new interview that RZA, the Abbott himself, offered mentorship and guidance as he grew into his own.

Weather Park sat down with AllHipHop to discuss his burgeoning career as a Drill rapper, how his sound differs from that of his brother, Young Dirty Bastard, working with the 36 Chambers record label, and more.

From AllHipHop:

AllHipHop: Nice. So you started working with RZA, obviously, and this opportunity with 36 Chambers came about. Can you tell me a little bit about what it’s been like linking with 36 Chambers and what that allowed you to do as an artist?

Weather Park: Well, what I could say is it put me in a very focused state just as far as the direction of my sound. I know I’m good, but I’m constantly challenging myself to be better, just to be exposed to the greatness. It allows me to see myself in a higher light than I’ve ever perceived. You know what I mean? So as I create my music, I still have fun, but I’m creating it in a base of, “What can I?” not even like what, “How can I tell my story in a way that it can resonate with everyone just the same way as Wu-Tang Clan did back in the days?” You know what I mean? So that’s the most impactful part for me. I definitely appreciate the opportunity, and I definitely appreciate the time that we’ve had together because it’s definitely helped me grow as an artist. But the most important thing to me is my impact because I understand how impactful what I come from was.

The entire interview is full of gems and showcases that Weather Park definitely benefited from working with RZA both in music and in life. Read the whole piece here.

—

Photo: @winter_park/Instagram

31 May 2023

Diddy Sues Booze Giant for Allegedly Snubbing His Tequila Brand: ‘Tainted by Racial Prejudices’

Sean “Diddy” Combs is suing alcohol giant Diageo for allegedly breaching their partnership deal for a brand of tequila, leveling accusations of racism at the company and claiming it has treated his product line “worse than others because he is Black.”

In a complaint filed Wednesday (May 31) in New York court, attorneys for the star’s Combs Wines and Spirits claimed that Diageo had “typecast” his DeLeon Tequila as a “Black brand” that could only be sold to “urban” consumers, harming its sales and potential for growth.

“Cloaking itself in the language of diversity and equality is good for Diageo’s business, but it is a lie,” Combs’ lawyers wrote. “While Diageo may conspicuously include images of its Black partners in advertising materials and press releases, its words only provide the illusion of inclusion.”

Combs claims the “unequal treatment” DeLeon has received from Diageo has left his brand lagging behind competing Diageo brands like Casamigos and Don Julio — and that the company then used those lower sales figures to offer even less support for the brand.

“Combs Wines seeks to finally put an end to Diageo’s longstanding misconduct,” the star’s lawyers wrote. “Diageo must be ordered by a court to give Combs Wines the same treatment it gives its other, successful tequila brands. It is time that Diageo’s actions match its words.”

In a statement to Billboard, a Diageo spokesperson said the company was “disappointed our efforts to resolve this business dispute amicably have been ignored, and that Mr. Combs has chosen to damage a productive and valued partnership.”

“This is a business dispute, and we are saddened that Mr. Combs has chosen to recast this matter as anything other than that,” the company said. “Our steadfast commitment to diversity within our company and the communities we serve is something we take very seriously. We categorically deny the allegations that have been made and will vigorously defend ourselves in the appropriate forum.“

In technical legal terms, the lawsuit claims that Diageo has violated a specific provision of the operating agreement that governs the Combs-Diageo joint venture that owns DeLeon. It’s not entirely clear what that provision requires — much of the legal complaint is heavily redacted — but the lawsuit claims it was included in the deal to ensure equal treatment.

“Because he knows that contracts matter more than press releases, Mr. Combs insisted that Diageo agree to certain terms to ensure his brands were not ignored or relegated to second-class status,” Combs’ lawyers wrote.

Among other alleged breaches, Combs claims Diageo violated that provision by placing DeLeon in “far fewer outlets than its other tequila brands” and failing to produce enough of it to keep store shelves stocked.

But Combs’ lawyers repeatedly stressed that their case was not simply a run-of-the-mill breach of contract lawsuit: “Similar to the realities experienced by many people of color in the United States, Diageo’s treatment of its business relationship with Mr. Combs was tainted by racial prejudices.”

At one point, Combs claims he was directly told that “things would be different if he were a white, not Black, celebrity.”

“Diageo, in other words, openly admitted that it viewed Mr. Combs merely as a Black man that
might prove useful in marketing to Black consumers,” Combs said. “Nothing more.”

Read the entire complaint against Diageo here:

31 May 2023

3rd Man Charged For The Murder Of Jam Master Jay

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Run-DMC Performs In New York City

Source: Al Pereira / Getty

Over two decades after the murder of Run-D.M.C.’s Jam Master Jay, a third man has been charged for his role in the crime that shook up the Hip-Hop world.

On Tuesday (May 30), federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced charges against Jay Bryant of Queens, New York for the 2002 murder. Bryant is currently being detained on an unrelated separate indictment related to drugs. According to the court documents in the unsealed indictment, the charges include murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking.

When contacted for comment, Bryant’s lawyer César de Castro said that his client would plead not guilty to the new charges. “Securing an indictment in a secret grand jury, applying an extremely low burden of proof, is one thing,” Castro stated. “Proving it at trial is another matter.” Bryant’s arraignment for the new indictment has not been scheduled.

Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. are the two other men who’ve been charged with the death of Jam Master Jay, also known as Jason Mizell. Both had murder charges brought against them by prosecutors in August 2020, with authorities blaming the October 2002 shooting in the Hip-Hop icon’s studio on his apparent exclusion of the two from “a multi-kilogram, multistate narcotics transaction” after a dispute in July of that year. Both men are now expected to go to trial in January 2024.

Bryant was spotted entering the building after the shooting according to the indictment, and his DNA was also found at the scene of the crime. The documents go on to detail how the 49-year-old confessed to being there later on and claimed that he was the one who shot Jam Master Jay, a claim that prosecutors feel is false as they believe Jordan is the one who fired the two fatal shots.

31 May 2023

‘Black Mirror’ Returns For A Reality Bending Season 6

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Black Mirror production still

Source: Nick Wall / Netflix

After a few years on hiatus, Black Mirror will finally be making its return to Netflix. And judging from its first full official trailer, the revered sci-fi anthology series will be coming back with a bang.

Black Mirror production still

Source: Nick Wall / Netflix

Clocking in at five episodes, the new season of Black Mirror will be featuring the likes of Hollywood heavyweights such as Salma Hayek, Aaron Paul, Zazie Beetz and even former heartthrob Josh Hartnett, who unceremoniously took a sabbatical from the acting game at the height of his career in the mid-2000’s.

Speaking to Netflix Tudum, Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker hopes fans appreciate how the series has been evolving in its previous years and how it continues to expand in its latest installment.

“I’ve always felt that Black Mirror should feature stories that are entirely distinct from one another, and keep surprising people — and myself — or else what’s the point? It should be a series that can’t be easily defined, and can keep reinventing itself,” Brooker said.

As for what we can expect from each episode, the official synopsis of each episode describes some out of this world situations that would intrigue the most curious of minds.

From Netflix Tudum:

JOAN IS AWFUL
An average woman is stunned to discover a global streaming platform has launched a prestige TV drama adaptation of her life — in which she is portrayed by Hollywood A-lister Salma Hayek.
LOCH HENRY
A young couple travel to a sleepy Scottish town to start work on a genteel nature documentary – but find themselves drawn to a juicy local story involving shocking events of the past.
BEYOND THE SEA
In an alternative 1969, two men on a perilous high-tech mission wrestle with the consequences of an unimaginable tragedy.
A troubled starlet is dogged by invasive paparazzi while dealing with the consequences of a hit-and-run incident.
Northern England, 1979. A meek sales assistant is told she must commit terrible acts to prevent disaster.
Check out the trailer for a better idea of what these episodes will be packing. Let us know if you’ll be tuning into Netflix when Black Mirror premiers June 15 in the comments section below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=5jY1ecibLYo&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent