djfrosty

15 May 2023

Artists Who Show Out for Their NBA Teams: Drake, Beyoncé, Selena Gomez & More | Billboard News

Here are the artists who go the hardest for their hometown NBA teams.

Rania Aniftos 0:00
I’m outside the Crypto.Com Arena where the Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of the NBA Playoffs.

Rania Aniftos 0:05
You can always find a celebrity or two sitting front row at NBA games, from K-pop idols to the biggest pop stars and all your favorite rappers, but which artists go the hardest for their NBA teams?

Rania Aniftos 0:21
Starting with one of the biggest Lakers fans, a rapper you can always find courtside at Crypto.com is LA born and bred Snoop Dogg. He even has a Funko Pop with him in a Lakers jersey.

Rania Aniftos 0:32
Drake is also a huge NBA fan and he’s even referenced some players in his lyrics. You can always find him on the sidelines cheering on his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors. In 2013, Drake was even named a global ambassador of the team.

Rania Aniftos 0:53
Music’s favorite couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been seen sitting on the sidelines of many NBA games together, but they’re actually super fans of separate NBA teams. Beyoncé has shown support for her hometown team the Houston Rockets. Jay-Z is a proud born and bred New Yorker. He bought the New Jersey Nets and moved the team to Brooklyn.

Rania Aniftos 1:25
Another Texas native who is no stranger to the NBA sidelines is Selena Gomez. Selena is a fan of the San Antonio Spurs, and images of her sitting front row have even turned into popular GIFs for Spurs fans.

Rania Aniftos 1:38
Now heading down to South Beach where DJ Khaled is a massive fan of the Miami Heat, even claiming he wanted to buy the team back in 2016.

Rania Aniftos 1:47
As the playoffs continue, may the best team win. I’m Rania Aniftos for Billboard News

15 May 2023

SZA’s ‘Kill Bill’ Ties ‘Old Town Road’ for No. 1 Record on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart

Nearly five months after it staked out a first week at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, SZA’s “Kill Bill” captures the ultimate prize: With a 20th week at the summit, it matches Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, for the longest run at No. 1 in the list’s history.

The singer achieves the history-equaling feat on the chart dated May 20. “Kill Bill” once again vanquishes its competition, despite drops in all three metrics – streaming, radio airplay and sales – that contribute to the list’s calculations. “Bill” posted 20.3 million official streams in the United States in the latest tracking week (May 5 – 11), according to Luminate, a 5% drop from the week prior, but enough to win a 19th week at No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart. Radio airplay audience, too, sheds 5%, down to 78 million in total audience impressions, as “Bill” reverses 3-4 on the all-genre Radio Songs chart. Sales, meanwhile, backtrack to 1,000 copies sold in the most recent tracking period, a 12% slide that prompts a 6-7 dip on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales.

As “Kill Bill” ascends to share the gold medal, here’s an updated look at the champs with the most weeks at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs since the list became an all-encompassing genre survey in 1958:

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs:
20, “Kill Bill,” SZA, 2022-23
20, “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, 2019
18, “Industry Baby,” Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow, 2021-22
18, “One Dance,” Drake feat. WizKid & Kyla, 2016
16, “Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke feat. T.I. + Pharrell, 2013
15, “Be Without You,” Mary J. Blige, 2006

f

“Kill Bill” began its reign on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs on the chart dated Dec. 24, 2022, and, through its first 22 weeks on the list, has only been evicted from the top spot twice – one week each by The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Die for You” and Drake’s “Search and Rescue.” The juggernaut has aligned with the similar domination for its parent album, SOS, which has spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, the most ever by any album by a woman.

Looking ahead, initial signs point to “Kill Bill” having a strong chance to achieve an unprecedented 21st leading week on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The single has a healthy lead above the current runner-up, Metro Boomin, The Weeknd and 21 Savage’s “Creepin,” which, like “Bill” is receding from its peak. The new No. 3, though, Toosii’s “Favorite Song,” is making rapid gains, potentially setting up the new Hot 100 top 10 hit as the likeliest challenger to SZA’s reign.

15 May 2023

This Taylor Swift Fan Went Viral for Bringing Printed-Out Lyrics to Philadelphia Concert

After Taylor Swift finished out her trio of Philadelphia Eras Tour shows on Sunday night, one fan went viral for her dedication to the pop star’s lyricism.

At the Friday show, 62-year-old Maureen Gregory helped light up Philly’s Lincoln Financial Field with her trusty reading light as she followed along with Swift’s setlist by reading 81 pages of typed-out song lyrics.

A fan-captured moment of Gregory singing along as Swift performed 2020’s “Willow” took TikTok by storm as the original poster wrote, “And she didn’t mess up one word.” The Chester County native’s nephew confirmed her identity with his own tweet, writing, “Lol my Aunt Maureen is going viral on TikTok rn because she printed out the lyrics to every song in the set list for the Taylor Swift concert. 81 pages! With a reading light! Iconic. #TSTheErasTour #Philly.”

After becoming the most well-known Swiftie at the Philly shows, Gregory agreed to an interview with her local CBS News affiliate. “I just love the lyrics,” she said, revealing that she assembled the packet of lyrics at Staples and informing the interviewer that Swift “kinda did them in order by the albums” at the show.

Next, Swift is scheduled to head to the outskirts of Boston for three shows at Gillette Stadium this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 19, 20 and 21) before heading to MetLife Stadium for three more shows outside New York City over Memorial Day weekend.

Check out Gregory’s nephew tweeting about his aunt’s epic 81 pages of Swift lyrics, as well as the original TikTok video of the moment, below.

15 May 2023

Katy Perry Shows Off Her ‘Incredible’ Look for ‘American Idol’ Disney Night

Katy Perry was more than prepared for American Idol‘s Disney Night on Sunday — and her costume was also a perfect fit for the Mother’s Day episode.

“My secret identity is…. Mom. Katy Perry. Popstar. #Idol judge. But tonight I’m ELASTIGIRL,” she shared via Twitter, along with several photos in which she’s dressed as Helen Parr from Disney’s The Incredibles. The reveal came after the Idol judge took a look back at her elaborate costumes for the show’s previous Disney Nights, including Snow White, Tinkerbell and the Little Mermaid.

Elsewhere during Disney Night — when the singing competition whittled contestants down from the top five to the top three — the new live-action Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey delivered a stunning performance of “Part of Your World” live from Disneyland, stationed in front of Cinderella’s castle.

After her moving version of the track, Bailey tweeted to share that she hadn’t sang the song in a while. “First time singing part of your world live since filming,” she told followers. “thank you @AmericanIdol for giving me the chance to do so on stage at Disneyland ..singing vocals in freezing cold weather at 3am while park is closed is no joke but we did it! only 11 more days until you all can watch the film !”

Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough were crowned the show’s final three contestants on Sunday’s episode. The season 21 finale is this coming Sunday, May 21, when Idol judge Keith Urban will return to perform his 2022 hit “Wild Hearts” and mentor the top three.

See Perry’s Disney Night costume below.

15 May 2023

‘It’s Not ‘All Good”: Black Music Action Coalition Offers Lukewarm Assessment of Industry Diversity

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) unveiled a tepid assessment of the music industry’s progress toward addressing historical racism and inequity on Monday (May 15). The organization expressed particular concern about Universal Music Group’s commitment to the cause and the live music sector’s lack of “attent[ion] to Black professionals.”

The BMAC established its “Music Industry Action Report Card” in 2020 “to keep tabs on the promises music companies made in the wake of The Show Must Be Paused” — noting that real progress is unlikely without some type of accountability mechanism. The latest edition of the report, authored by Naima Cochrane, concludes that the music business outlook was “not negative.” 

“Why that phrasing?” the report asks. “Because it’s not ‘all good,’ either.” 

The report notes that “for the most part, companies that outlined measurable goals and plans in 2020 and 2021 have either continued in forward progression or at least held the line.” But BMAC points out that “there is a history of music companies… being called out for unfair, unjust, or otherwise imbalanced practices.” In the past, when “public pressure rescinds… things revert to how they were before, if not worse.” The report wonders: Is history set to repeat itself?

The BMAC report assesses each music company’s commitment to a more diverse industry according to four criteria: Corporate commitments, partnerships and giving; company representation on a senior level; internal culture and business practices; and transparency and public accountability.

The BMAC praises Sony Music (which earned grades of A, B, B and B+ in the four categories, respectively) and Warner Music Group (A, B, B, B) for “sharing more info about the makeup of their staff by gender, age, and race/ethnicity.” But the report expressed “concern” about Universal Music Group (B-, B+, C+, C), the biggest of the major-label groups. 

While the report notes that UMG’s “Taskforce for Meaningful Change was a strong presence in the conversation around justice and change” in 2020 and 2021, the BMAC states that “the group’s presence and visibility felt significantly diminished in 2022.” Why the sudden change? Firstly, the report questions the sudden departure of Ethiopia Habtemariam, “a significant leader,” who unexpectedly left Motown in November. 

The BMAC also calls out Capitol Music Group’s “massive cultural blunder” and “especially egregious misstep” with the virtual rapper FN Meka, who was widely viewed as perpetuating racist stereotypes and subsequently dropped from the label’s roster. (“We offer our deepest apologies to the Black community for our insensitivity in signing this project without asking enough questions about equity and the creative process behind it,” Capitol said in a statement at the time.) “The project was a perfect illustration of how music companies have historically commodified a distilled or skewed version of Black culture without including Black decision-makers and/or voices in the process,” the BMAC writes.  

In addition to evaluating the major label groups, the BMAC scrutinized the Recording Academy (B, B+, B, B) — which it praises for working “to increase diversity in the voting membership and remove the more opaque aspects of Grammy voting” — and streaming services: “Amazon Music stood out this year for its visible representation among senior staff and its partnerships.” The BMAC also notes approvingly that Spotify has been “diligent in the execution of [its] BLK 5-Star Strategy for diversity, inclusion, and combating inequity.”

In the live music business, where “Black people were systematically shut out for decades,” the BMAC observed that “the impact of that exclusion still reverberates both in offices and on tours.” Promoting diversity “needs to be as much of a concentrated focus at [live music] companies as it is on the record music side,” the BMAC argued. The talent agencies UTA, CAA and WME/Endeavor were all given grades of “needs improvement,” as was AEG Presents. Wasserman and Live Nation were deemed “satisfactory.” 

Finally, the BMAC turned its attention to radio, which continues to adhere to “genre lines” that limit the “visibility and opportunity for both our Black artists and Black executives,” according to the report. “The media conglomerates that control the majority of the pop and urban airwaves still have an enormous impact on artist success but also still operate on often arbitrary and outdated music standards,” it continues. BMAC added that “radio is on watch.”

The latest Music Industry Action Report Card acknowledged that “racism, a 400+ year-old disease, will not be cured in 24 months.” “However,” it continues, BMAC hopes that “through music’s reach, power, and influence, the industry can set a new standard of inclusion, diversity, and equity.”

15 May 2023

‘Tears of the Kingdom’: A Guide to the Best ‘Legend of Zelda’ Merch to Buy Online

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.

Hogwarts Legacy has some competition. Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is soaring its way into the record books, and it hasn’t even been out for a full week.

The heavily anticipated video game, which debuted on May 12 and is expected to become one of the year’s biggest releases (if not the biggest), has been making waves overseas outpacing Hogwarts Legacy opening numbers in the U.K.

Nintendo Switch 'The Legend of Zelda'

In France, Tears of a Kingdom reportedly sold more than 500,000 physical copies so far. The game also topped the UK charts becoming the region’s fastest-selling video game debut in history, and while U.S. sales figures have yet to be released, the video game and Nintendo Switch OLD console are bestsellers at Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers.

For the gamers who wants to dive even deeper into Tears of the Kingdom, this collectible guide was designed to help Zelda fans “discover and enjoy every moment” in the game.

Amazon

The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom – The Complete Official Guide: Collector’s Edition

$27.98 $44.99 38% OFF

According to the description, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — The Complete Official Collector’s Guide is an “all-encompassing” book exploring “all features and facets” of the game by offering a “vast world full of varied quests, challenging puzzles, ferocious monsters, and unique sights to behold.”

The collector’s edition guide doesn’t drop until June 16, but it’s already No. 1 on Amazon’s new book releases, and No. 8 on the Amazon charts behind The 48 Laws of Power, Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry, Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights, Prince Harry’s Spare and a Taylor Swift kid’s book, which has topped the charts for the last two weeks.

Also heating up the Amazon charts this week, this Nintendo Link amiibo figurine along withThe Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Creating a Champion and The Legend of Zelda: Unofficial Zelda Cookbook.

As most Zelda fans already know, the Nintendo Shop and Zelda Shop carry a nice selection of merch including shirts, hoodies, journals, jewelry, cups and tumblers, but you can also find a good amount of items at Amazon, Target, Etsy, Gamestop and Walmart.

Want more gaming deals? Amazon Game Week will be held from May 23-28. Gamers can score deals on consoles, gaming laptops, headphones and other cool gear.  

See below four a roundup of Legend of Zelda merch to shop.

Amazon

Nintendo Link: Ocarina of Time amiibo – Nintendo Wii U

$39.79

Amiibo character figurines are “designed to connect and interact with compatible games.” The bestselling amiibo pictured above features Link playing the ocarina. Click here to shop Zelda amiibo figurines and other characters.

Amazon

The Legend of Zelda Cookbook

$22.99 $34.95 34% OFF

Released in 2022, this unofficial cookbook features over 50 recipes inspired from games like Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Wind Waker, and more. The Unofficial Legend of Zelda Cookbook offers “in-depth” recipes, techniques and cooking tips.  

Best Buy

The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears Nintendo Switch Carrying Case

$24.99

Keep your Nintendo Switch protected on the go with this Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears-edition carrying case, which includes a screen protector.

ebay

Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Ichiban Kuji A Price Master Sword Light

$165

The Zelda Tears of a Kingdom Ichiban Kuji A Prize Master Sword Light mimics a decayed form of the “Master Sword.” The sword is almost sold out at eBay, click here for more options, and here to check out a buildable 3D sword ($29.99).

Amazon

Dark Horse Comics 14 Inch Tall Painted The Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask Video Game Collectible 3D Figurine Statue Toy with Detailed Base

$88.93 $109.99 19% OFF

This awesome figurine is sold out at Gamestop, but you can find it at Amazon. The 3D statue takes its design from The Legend of Zelda: Majora Masks video game and measures 14-inches x 14-inches.

Amazon

UNO the Legend of Zelda Card Game for Family Night with Graphics From the Legend of Zelda & Special Rule

$10.15 $11.30 10% OFF

The classic Uno cardgamewith a Legend of Zelda twist! Skip, reverse four, draw one and more with this epic card set.

Amazon

Shopping for costume jewelry? This Zelda skyward Heart Crystal Necklace – available in red or blue —  is designed to look like heart pieces found in the game.

Toynk

Zelda Pint Glass Set of 4

$38.99

These 16 ounce collectible pint glasses are a cute way for Legend of Zelda fans to show their love for the franchise.

Legend of Zelda Rupee Paper Weight Set 3-Pack (Pre-Order)

$129.99

This wooden chest features three, red, green and blue removable Rupees (paperweights). The set will be released in July but you can pre-order it now.

15 May 2023

5 Ways Britney Spears Fans Are Consuming Her Music Since the Conservatorship Ended

Check out which Britney songs are ruling her streaming numbers, which album performed best over the past 12 months and more.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears attends Sony Pictures’ “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood” Los Angeles Premiere on July 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California.

Matt Winkelmeyer/GI

In November 2021, Britney Spears’ controversial conservatorship came to an end following a worldwide fan movement to change the way in which the pop superstar’s life and career were managed. Over the past year-and-a-half, Spears, who had been under the conservatorship for 13 years, settled into a new reality. The pop icon — whose debut single “…Baby One More Time” became the first of her five No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 and catapulted the teenager into international stardom — has been active on social media, posting videos and messages that have stoked fan and media speculation over the last 18 months. Since the end of her conservatorship, she also scored her biggest hit in years, crashed an unexpected Billboard chart for the first time and watched fans interact with and champion a catalog of music that stretches back a quarter century.

Details about the future of Spears’ recording career, including any new full-length to follow 2016’s Glory, are scarce. Yet millions of listeners remain engaged with her brand of pop on streaming platforms, radio stations and on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok. Looking at data on Luminate, we can observe how certain songs and albums have evolved on these platforms over time — Spears’ biggest catalog hit on streaming platforms today, for instance, was not her biggest hit at the time of its release.

Here are five fascinating facts about the current state of Britney Spear’s music consumption — which may give some clues into what’s next for Britney.

15 May 2023

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Lauren Daigle, Daft Punk, Charlotte Cardin & 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 Lauren Daigle, Daft Punk, Charlotte Cardin and more 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 our favorite 2023 cool pop songs.

Charlotte Cardin, “Looping”

Montreal singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin makes the most of a sample of Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were,” and her own vocal loops, on a track that turns the phrases that haunt us through mental repetition into a literal refrain. Created with Mr. Hudson, Felix Joseph and Jason Brando, “Looping” fits into the soulful pop tradition that made a mark on top 40 radio near the beginning of the 2010s, but the songwriting makes Cardin’s obsessions sound thoroughly modern. – Jason Lipshutz

Victoria Anthony, “New Disaster”

The title track of Victoria Anthony’s just-released sophomore album captures a delightfully familiar teen-hang scenario: after breaking her best friend’s phone and realizing it’s time to head back to her house, the Vancouver native lingers a little too long with the wrong partner, knowing it’s a mistake but being okay with making it. “New Disaster” speeds ahead with a light pop-punk touch, as Anthony commits to her course of action with youthful energy and plenty of hooks. – J. Lipshutz

Becky Hill & Lewis Thompson, “Side Effects”

A wondrous dance song like “Side Effects” isn’t the least bit surprising when considering Becky Hill’s track record: the UK house mainstay has been scoring hits for nearly a decade, and her voice is pristinely attuned to this type of kinetic energy. Working with British producer Lewis Thompson, Hill wields her power comfortably on “Side Effects”: belting with restraint on the pre-chorus, racing alongside the beat on the hook, and injecting every stray thought about an ex with roof-rattling emotion. – J. Lipshutz

Kamille feat. Nile Rodgers, “Muscle Memory”

Part of the fun of first listening to “Muscle Memory,” the new disco strut from British multi-hyphenate Kamille, is waiting for Nile Rodgers’ main guitar riff to arrive, as if the song waits a bit before reaching another gear of groovy euphoria. Once the legend steps in, “Muscle Memory” really takes off: with Kamille guiding the action and Rodgers supporting her direction, the track invites repeat listens so that you can experience that arrival all over again. – J. Lipshutz

Local Natives, “NYE”

Indie-rock staple Local Natives have returned with “NYE,” the lead single off Time Will Wait For No One and a new balancing act for the band, as its members deliver a characteristically breezy melody with more edge and urgency. Member Ryan Hahn recalled in a statement how the song was inspired by his own wedding, during which the band continued its tradition of performing at one another’s nuptials. Once Hahn’s bandmates started to play a song by The Strokes, “I thought we had to do a fast and wild song — and ‘NYE’ was born.” — Lyndsey Havens

Lauren Daigle, “Ego”

2023 is a major year for Lauren Daigle: fresh off a label deal with Atlantic Records, the Contemporary Christian Music star has now released the first half of her two-volume self-titled album, filled with songs that highlight her brand of personal pop and soulful roots. “Ego” is situated in the sweet spot of Daigle’s register, as she sings in a low and cautionary tone: “Have we lost who we are to the pressure / Trading souls for the sake of the pleasure / I’m done wrestling with my ego / Lord knows it all feels so hollow.” — L.H.

Beverlee, “I Am a Window” 

“Don’t have to open all up baby, go slow,” sings Beverlee on new single “I Am a Window.” With its playful rhythms, plinky synths and a recurrent siren, this ode to finding balance in a relationship (which comes with a “lesbian reimagining of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” music video) is an irresistible slice of quirky queer pop, reminiscent of Tune-Yards, from the L.A.-based singer-songwriter. – Joe Lynch 

Tucker Nichol, “Long Story Short” 

Juxtaposing sensual R&B vibes with blunt lyrical kiss-offs (“to make a long story short, I can’t stand you”), “Long Story Short” finds up-and-comer Tucker Nichol expertly demonstrating that you can move on from a toxic relationship while still feeling yourself. – J. Lynch  

Daft Punk feat. Julian Casablancas and The Voidz, “Infinity Repeating”

Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories turns 10 this month, and to celebrate, the defunct French duo released a deluxe edition of the album featuring several demos from the vault — including the Julian Casablancas and The Voidz collaboration, “Infinity Repeating.” While the original version of the album will cause fans to draw comparisons to “Instant Crush,” “Repeating” serves as its jazzier B-side: Casablancas languidly sings over hi-hat drum beats and trinkling synth keys as he reflects on the fickle nature of humans. – Starr Bowenbank

Albert Hammond Jr. feat. Matt Helders and Steve Stevens, “Thoughtful Distress”

Albert Hammond Jr. rolled out the first half of his fifth studio album, Melodies on Hiatus, last week, and of its nine tracks, “Thoughtful Distress,” serves as a delightful surprise. Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders and Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens teamed up with The Strokes member on the song, helping to flesh out its simmering yet groovy instrumental as Hammond Jr. plays tug of war with the object of his affection. – S.B.

15 May 2023

Jimmie Allen’s Estranged Wife Alexis Gale Reveals Sex of Baby No. 3 

Alexis Gale is celebrating Mother’s Day, despite the allegations made against her estranged husband, Jimmie Allen.

Gale took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday (May 14) to share an ultrasound photo of the former couple’s upcoming third child, revealing the sex of the baby with the caption, “My baby boy [heart emoji].” See her post before it disappears here. Gale and Allen are also parents to two daughters: three-year-old Naomi and one-year-old Zara.

Last month, the former couple revealed that they are expecting their third baby together, but also that they are parting ways. “After much thought and reflection in recent months, Lex & I have made the decision to separate,” the country star wrote, with Gale posting a similar statement to her page. “Our number one priority is and always will be ensuring that our children are healthy, happy and loved, and we remain committed to co-parenting with love and respect for one another. In light of our growing family, we respectfully request privacy during this time.”

Shortly after, a woman on his management team filed a civil lawsuit in Tennessee federal court, in which the anonymous “Jane Doe” accused Allen of sexual assault. The accuser claimed that Allen “manipulated and used his power” over her job as a day-to-day manager in order to “sexually harass and abuse her” over a period of 18 months from 2020 to 2022.

“Plaintiff expressed in words and actions that Jimmie Allen’s conduct was unwelcome, including pushing him away, sitting where he could not reach her, telling him she was uncomfortable and no, and crying uncontrollably,” the woman’s lawyers wrote in the complaint. “However, Allen made clear that plaintiff’s job was dependent on her staying silent about his conduct.”

In a statement to Billboard, Allen admitted to a sexual relationship with his accuser but denied all allegations of assault. “It is deeply troubling and hurtful that someone I counted as one of my closest friends, colleagues and confidants would make allegations that have no truth to them whatsoever,” he said. “I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship — one that lasted for nearly two years. During that time she never once accused me of any wrongdoing, and she spoke of our relationship and friendship as being something she wanted to continue indefinitely.”

Allen has since been suspended by his label BBR Music Group, management company The Familie and booking agency UTA following the allegations.

15 May 2023

Jimmie Allen Accused of Abuse: A Timeline of the Fallout

A civil lawsuit filed in Tennessee federal court — first reported by Variety and independently obtained by Billboard — on May 11, 2023, accused Jimmie Allen of sexual assault. A Jane Doe, who was a day-to-day manager at Allen’s former management company Wide Open Music, alleged that the country singer had “harassed” and “sexually abused her” over 18 months from 2020 to 2022, and that she was fired after she complained.

“Plaintiff expressed in words and actions that Jimmie Allen’s conduct was unwelcome, including pushing him away, sitting where he could not reach her, telling him she was uncomfortable and no, and crying uncontrollably,” her attorneys stated in the complaint. “However, Allen made clear that plaintiff’s job was dependent on her staying silent about his conduct.”

Allen responded to the allegations in a statement shared with Billboard, admitting to a sexual relationship with his accuser, but denied all allegations of wrongdoing. “I’ve worked incredibly hard to build my career, and I intend to mount a vigorous defense to her claims and take all other legal action necessary to protect my reputation,” he said.

The complaint also names management firm Wide Open Music and founder Ash Bowers as defendants, claiming they did not do enough to protect their employee from Allen’s alleged abusive behavior. The lawsuit alleges that after she revealed she had been “raped and sexually abused” by Allen, Wide Open Music and Bowers fired her in retaliation.

In his own statement sent to Billboard, Bowers strongly denied Jane Doe’s assertion that her position was terminated in retaliation. He said that Wide Open Music learned of Allen’s abuse on Oct. 4, 2022, and “immediately ended our professional relationship” at that point, and that “any assertion she ever raised the existence of a sexual or physical relationship” with the country singer before then “is patently and objectively false.”

Since the allegations against Allen surfaced in the lawsuit, he has been suspended by his label, dropped from a performance slot at CMA Fest and more. See the timeline of the fallout since the lawsuit was filed against him.