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21 Apr 2023

Kim Petras Says Nicki Minaj’s Verse on ‘Alone’ ‘Changed My Life In So Many Ways’

Kim Petras opened up in a new interview on Friday (April 21) about what it was like collaborating with Nicki Minaj on her latest single, “Alone.”

“It doesn’t feel real still,” the rising star told Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1. “Her singing, ‘It’s Barbie and it’s Kim Petras,’ I cried, I was on the floor and then she calls me Kim Petty in it, which all my friends are like, ‘How do we not come up with that our entire lives?’ So she just changed my life in so many ways with that verse and that verse rips, I love her and I’m so inspired by her always, it’s crazy to me. I don’t know how she does it, but she’s just the greatest ever.”

The recent Billboard Women in Music honoree went on to gush over shooting the music video with Minaj for the dance-influenced track, which samples Alice Deejay’s classic 1990 club banger “Better Off Alone,” calling the experience “the best thing ever.”

“Alone” is set to be included on Petras’ long-awaited major label debut album via Republic Records — a project the German singer teased is finally on its way in the wake of her first-ever Grammy win for her Sam Smith collab “Unholy.”

“The Grammys were just a few months ago and really changed my life in a big way,” Petras said. “So it’s crazy that this year just started out with such a bang for me, and then Nicki jumping on the song was just one of the greatest life achievements for me ever in my life, and it’s just been really amazing. It really sped up my album and how people finish it and it’s done now. Yeah, it’s done. It was time to say it.”

21 Apr 2023

Kelly Clarkson Conjures Some ‘Magic’ With Simmering Coldplay Kellyoke Cover

The enduring trick of Kelly Clarkson‘s daily Kellyoke segment on her eponymous daytime talk show is that the singer always finds a way to make her carefully curated covers feel brand new in her hands.

Take Clarkson’s s simmering version of Coldplay‘s “Magic,” which she performed on Friday’s (April 21) Kelly Clarkson Show. The already pretty mellow original — which appeared on the band’s 2014 Ghost Stories album — bops along at a medium pace, fueled by singer Chris Martin’s keening “ooh-ooh-ooh” vocalizations, a spare, muffled snare beat and spacey guitars.

Clarkson’s version borrowed the same hypnotic bass strum and spare beat, but amped up the heartache with her signature yearning vocals and flawless runs. “And if you were to ask me/ After all we’ve been through/ ‘Still believe in magic?’ Oh yes, I do,” she sang in her higher register, repeating the last line for devastating emotional emphasis.

The three-time Grammy winner confirmed last week that her anticipated post-divorce record, the 14-track Chemistry, is due out on June 23 and will be split into two sides, “Mine” and “Me.” She also revealed that there are two very unique guests joining her on the collection, actor/comedian/banjo player Steve Martin (on “i hate love”) and legendary percussionist/singer Sheila E. (on “that’s right.”)

“Having chemistry with someone is an incredible, and overwhelming, feeling,” Clarkson said about the record in a statement. “It’s like you have no choice in the matter. You are just drawn to each other. This can be good and bad. This album takes you down every path that chemistry could lead you down. There are many stages of grief and loss on this album. Each song is a different stage and emotional state.”

Watch Clarkson’s Kellyoke cover of “Magic” below.

21 Apr 2023

Alanis Morissette’s ‘You Oughta Know’ Performance at the CMT Music Awards Is Now a Spotify Single

Can’t stop listening to Alanis Morissette‘s performance of “You Oughta Know” at the CMT Music Awards? Spotify has teamed up with the Canadian singer — as well as Lainey Wilson, Ingrid Andress, Morgan Wade and Madeline Edwards, who all performed the hit with Morissette at the awards show — for a new studio recording of the track.

Like the original treatment for the song, Wilson delivers the first few lines of the ’90s classic, followed by Wade, Edwards and Andress before Morissette pops in with the first verse’s cheeky questions “Is she perverted like me?/ Would she go down on you in a theater?” she sings.

The women all reconvened for the Jagged Little Pill single’s well-known chorus, supporting each other in perfect harmony: “And I’m here, to remind you/ Of the mess you left when you went away/ It’s not fair, to deny me/ Of the cross I bear that you gave to me/ You, you, you oughta know.”

The all-star team-up took the stage at the 2023 CMT Music Awards on April 2, and celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the “CMT Next Women of Country” franchise, which seeks to elevate and support female talents within country music. Wilson, Andress, Edwards and Wade have all been a part of the program.

“Performing on the CMT Awards with this exceptionally talented group of artists to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CMT’s Next Women of Country program was truly a career highlight,” Andress said in a statement. “I’ve always looked up to Alanis for the way she’s masterfully navigated a male-dominated industry by always speaking her mind and never sacrificing her own sound or vision. We all had so much fun performing this song together and are so excited to share it with the world all over again as a Spotify Single.”

Wade added, “Alanis is an iconic songwriter and bad–s inspiration to women everywhere. It’s such a special experience that I got to sing with her during this performance with Madeline, Ingrid and Lainey. I am thrilled this moment is now going to live a new life as a Spotify Single.”

Listen to the studio version of the Morissette’s performance of “You Oughta Know” at the CMT Music Awards below.

21 Apr 2023

Drake Bell’s Wife Files for Divorce a Week After Star Was Reported Missing & Found Safe

Janet Von Schmeling has filed for divorce from Drake Bell.

In documents obtained by Billboard, Von Schmeling filed her petition for a dissolution of marriage with the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday (April 21), citing “irreconcilable differences” after three and a half years as husband and wife. The 28-year-old also requested spousal support from Bell, as well as legal and physical custody of their 2-year-old son Wyatt, but noted that the former Drake & Josh star should be granted visitation rights.

After the news broke, the actor claimed on Twitter that he hadn’t been personally informed about the divorce filing, and proceeded to promote his new song and music video for “Going Away.” “I found out my wife filed for divorce from TMZ…check out my new song,” he wrote.

The filing comes a week after Bell was reported “missing and endangered” by the Daytona Beach Police Department in Florida. A few hours later, the 36-year-old singer-actor was found safe.

After resurfacing, Bell tweeted, “You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?” alongside a crying laughing emoji. 

The “I Found a Way” musician and Von Schmeling have kept their relationship largely private, and didn’t publicly confirm their marriage until nearly three years after their wedding. “In response to various rumors that are incorrect, I have been married for almost 3 years,” Bell tweeted in Spanish in 2021, also confirming for the first time that he and his then wife were “blessed to be the parents of a wonderful son.”

21 Apr 2023

Kanye West’s Instagram Has Been Deactivated; Appears At Fear Of God Fashion Show Though

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Burberry Spring/Summer 2023 Runway Show - VIP Arrivals

Kanye West aka Ye is not online but is back outside. His Instagram account has been deactivated but he pulled up to the Fear Of God fashion show this week.

As spotted on Digital Music News, Kanye West is officially off Instagram. His last post on April 18 alluded to him contemplating leaving the social media platform as the visual was a screenshot of the app’s settings page where you can manually deactivate the account immediately. Later that afternoon, his page was gone for good. While his departure from Instagram was abrupt it seems this was inevitable.

Within the last couple of months the rapper’s account had been suspended for violating the terms of use; specifically when he posted some content that was deemed “hate speech”.

Additionally, his energy toward his rival Pete Davidson was largely viewed as harassment and bullying. While he has fallen back from social media, High Snobiety reports he did take the time to attend the Fear Of God runway show on Thursday, April 19.

Held at Hollywood Bowl, the invite-only event was packed with high-profile tastemakers and celebrities but Kanye West and his new wife turned the most heads. Wearing his signature all-black roomy attire with a mask, Yeezy seemed to be in good spirits. His better half on the other hand wore a skin-tight latex body suit that left very little to the imagination.

You can see a video of the couple at the fashion show below.

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Photo: Getty

21 Apr 2023

John Legend and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Join Global Citizen NOW Lineup

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Global Citizen Ambassador John Legend have been added to the long list of world leaders and activists who will gather in New York next week for the Global Citizen Now summit.

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According to a release, the gathering will bring together “government leaders, private sector executives, grassroots activists, cultural innovators, philanthropic experts, and leading journalists across two dynamic days to make progress on the systemic challenges our world is facing.”

Actresses Katie Holmes and Busy Philipps will also be on hand, along with CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, who join a long list of expected attendees including: Dubai Cares CEO/Vice-Chairman H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, New York Times best-selling author Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, artist Alok Vaid-Menon, model and activist Maria Borges, Nightline co-anchor Juju Chang, restaurateur/author/philanthropist Pinky Cole, Girl Effect country lead – Etheopia Liya Haile, Bloomberg Markets: The Close co-host Caroline Hyde, actress Nomzamo Mbatha, Canadian ambassador for women, peace, and security Jacqueline O’Neill, Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough, Dot Dot Dot founder Laurie Segall, special envoy for the human rights of LGBTI persons, U.S. government Jessica Stern and WEConnect International CEO/co-founder Elizabeth Vazquez.

“Building a future that is fair, equal, and peaceful, with clean air and clean water for everyone, is at the heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reflects the vision of the Global Citizen NOW summit,” said Trudeau in a statement about the summit that will have attendees talking about next steps for immediate action on climate change, the global food crisis, gender inequality, protecting activists and more.

“In New York City, I look forward to advancing our shared progress and advocating for strong global commitments to support gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls everywhere,” he added.

Others slated to participate include: Hugh Jackman, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Bridget Moynahan and Tamron Hall.

Global Citizen NOW will take place on April 27-28 at the Glasshouse in New York City; it can be livestreamed globally on Reuters on Thursday, April 27 at 3 p.m. ET.

21 Apr 2023

Desiigner Checks Himself Into Mental Health Facility After Exposing Himself On International Flight

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BET Experience concert, Los Angeles, USA - 22 Jun 2017

For the past few years, mental health has become a big issue in society whether it’s everyday people trying to cope with their personal issues or your favorite celebrities suddenly melting down in the public eye.

Now, it seems like Brooklyn rapper, Desiigner is seeking professional mental help as he too is experiencing troubles with his personal life that caused him to act out much to the dismay of disturbed onlookers.

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According to Page Six, the “Panda” rapper checked himself into a mental health facility after exposing himself to a flight attendant on an international flight back to the States from Thailand and Tokyo. Blaming the incident on a bad chemical reaction to some medication he’d been taking, the former G.O.O.D Music artist took to Instagram to explain the incident while revealing he’d be seeking professional help for the distress he’s currently experiencing.

“For the past few months i have not been ok, and i have been struggling to come to terms with what is going on,” he wrote on his Instagram Story Thursday. “While overseas for a concert i performed at, i had to be admitted in to a hospital, i was not thinking clearly.”

He continued, “They gave me meds, and i had to hop on a plane home. I am ashamed of my actions that happened on that plane. I landed back to the states, and am admitting my self in a facility to help me.”

Props to Desiigner for acknowledging he needs help and actually going out and getting it instead of “self-medicating” or simply trying to avoid it. Not many people would man up and do so. Naturally, Desiigner has canceled all his upcoming shows and appearances as he deals with his problems and thankfully won’t be facing any criminal charges for his actions on the flight.

Pleading towards his fans that they take the issue seriously, Desiigner ended his post with, “Mental health is real guys, please pray for me,” he concluded. “If your [sic] not feeling like yourself please get help.”

Prayers up for Desiigner. Get well soon, b.

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Photo: Getty

21 Apr 2023

Audible Originals Announce New Programming Celebrating Snoop Dogg, Lil Kim, Yasiin Bey & More

Beginning this June, Audible Originals will spearhead its extensive rollout in honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with a slate of new programming, including big names such as Snoop Dogg, Lil Kim, Yasiin Bey, DJ Drama and more. 

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“Hip-hop has made an indelible mark on music and culture since its inception — running the gamut from the emergence of DJs to innovation and creative artistry in sampling, dance styles, fashion, audio technology and so much more,” Rachel Ghiazza, Audible evp and head of U.S. content, tells Billboard. “Audible is proud to celebrate such incredible cultural influence with this lineup of new originals that both elevate and commemorate the 50-year history of this iconic genre.”

Snoop’s Words + Music: From the Streets to the Suites will debut June 15 and honor the 30th anniversary of Doggystyle. According to a press release, From the Streets will find Snoop reflecting “on his coming-of-age journey from the streets of Long Beach to around the world and his decision to pursue love and life over death and destruction.” It also touches on his days “from singing in the church choir as a boy to meeting Dr. Dre and eventually buying Death Row Records.” 

Then, Yasiin Bey’s: A Dynamic Career in Communications will drop on July 7. Bey, formerly Mos Def, will take “listeners on a journey touching on his Brooklyn origins, faith and spirituality, as well as his creative inspirations and influences.”

The week after, DJ Drama Presents Gangsta Grillz will debut and highlight the mixtape’s “inception to its production to its lasting impact.” The podcast features Drama alongside a guest, most notably Lil Wayne and Tyler, The Creator, to discuss the series’ influence. That releases on July 13. 

Then, Lil Kim’s Audible Original — which is currently untitled — will arrive in August. It will break down the rapper’s long-lasting legacy, most notably the success of her 1996 album, Hardcore. 

Visit Audible’s website for more information on its slate of programming for the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. 

21 Apr 2023

M.O.P. Show Why They’re Hometown Heroes With ‘Ante Up’ Performance at Brooklyn Nets Playoff Game

The Brooklyn Nets continue to celebrate hip-hop “The Brooklyn Way” with gusto during last night’s playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers, bringing out revered rap duo M.O.P. to take centerstage during their halftime show. The Bushwick duo delivered a rim-rocker of a performance, dishing out their 2000 classic “Ante Up.”

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“It’s a major look. Just to touch down in the middle of the court live in Brooklyn [is special],” says Lil’ Fame, one-half of the rap duo. “We ran around these parts before this thing was even built. Just to come back on a positive note and do what we do naturally, it’s a good thing.”

The crowd reveled at the group’s frenetic energy as it yielded shockwaves throughout Barclays Center in hopes of helping the Nets secure a much-needed Game 3 win — which they failed to produce, as the Sixers pulled ahead in the game’s final stretch. Released in 2000, “Ante Up” peaked at No. 19 on Billboard‘s Hot Rap Songs chart and featured multiple cameos in its video, from the likes of Gang Starr, Method Man, and Buckshot of Black Moon.

“Ante Up’ is not just an anthem; it’s a world record,” says Fame. “We could perform that song everywhere we go, and they go crazy. We’ve been blessed to have ‘Ante Up.’ It’s a gift that keeps giving. The impact that it had on the hood and what it had on hip-hop overall was successful. It was a beautiful thing.”

“Ante Up” also received the remix treatment, with guest turns from Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma and Teflon. “It was a blessing, man. When you align yourself with these type of talents that M.O.P. bring to the table, it’s only natural that you come and bring your A-game,” relays Teflon. “So I appreciate them tipping their hats off to me. Of course, I tip my hat off to them.”

Since their entry in the early ’90s, M.O.P. has served as a staple in New York hip-hop after notable runs with Loud Records, Roc-A-Fella, and G-Unit. Though they lack the commercial accessibility of some of their contemporaries, their street rigor always echoed through the five boroughs. “We definitely in there, but there’s so many before us. Run D.M.C., Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A., Geto Boys, Cypress Hill and M.O.P. is right there with them,” says Fame of their own all-time status. “There’s not so many groups out in hip-hop right now that’s still locked in. We’ve been locked in since we were kids. This was before music.”

“Maybe this explains why when people talk about the greatest groups of all time, many don’t mention M.O.P.,” adds Billy Danze. “Maybe we should feel a way — but the fact that Fame just mentioned is that we’re not a group anyway, so we shouldn’t feel bothered. And we will make short work of whoever the f–k they put out there. We’re just being honest.”

With a dearth of groups in today’s landscapes, the duo offer insight into what’s needed to break through and succeed: “Just do something different. When I think about M.O.P. and how we make music, what comes to mind is our personality and how we know each other. The reason why we continue to keep going at this same level is because we did it differently. No one ever had a sound like M.O.P. So for the next group that wanna be something special, if you do it differently, you got a really good shot of doing that. You might even be a young M.O.P. or something, and we might train ya.”

21 Apr 2023

Red Bull Dance Your Style Hosts First Event In Baltimore, Local Stars Ready For The Stage

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Red Bull Dance Your Style 2023 Baltimore

Red Bull Dance Your Style, the premier global dance competition is currently in full swing in the United States and tonight (April 21), Baltimore will be blessed with a stacked lineup of talented dancers. Ahead of tonight’s showdown, we had the honor of speaking with some local stars who are relishing the opportunity to put on for Baltimore and the world of dance accordingly.

Red Bull Dance Your Style puts an emphasis on street dance and doesn’t follow any traditional forms. Instead, the focus is on the vibe, energy, execution, and ingenuity as many competitors are often untrained but battle-tested. Further, while it is a competition, many of the participants are familiar with one another’s work and there is even collaboration between dance crews.

As we are in Charm City for this event, Hip-Hop Wired spoke with local dancers McLovin, TSU_Flash, Prince Darryl, and Queen Stylz, and New York’s Beasty, all of whom were gracious with their time as they prepare for tonight’s competition.

McLovin, a veteran of the Baltimore Club scene, shared with us that his long journey from the homestyle dancing that lead him to be crowned King of Baltimore two years in a row in 2011 and 2012 to now has culminated in him discovering that Baltimore Club is inching ever closer to its mainstream moment.

“Being from here, it’s hard because Baltimore Club is so distinct from Jersey Club and other cities that land in this world so to represent my hometown and show our style of dancing, like the Spongebob for instance, and Red Bull giving us a world stage is an honor for me,” McLovin.

Born Brandon Dawson, McLovin now resides in Las Vegas where he’s found a nurturing community that welcomed his style of dance while embracing others.

“When I moved out to Vegas, I found folks to connect with and share my love of Baltimore Club and learn that our small corner is highly influential. And then, you’re so close to the West Coast out there and they do a completely different thing than we do in Baltimore, “McLovin shared.

“I love a lot of styles, like even in D.C. with the Go-Go, I love that and while I can’t always catch it, I admire it and incorporate what I can in my routines. Dance is a feeling and it’s something you want to share with the world and I have that in Vegas now but Baltimore will forever be home,” McLovin concluded.

Next, we spoke with TSU Flash, who, like McLovin, is a pioneering member of the TSU dance crew. Flash answered our questions in that no-nonsense way Baltimoreans often do but always with an endearing bit of charm.

“The thing about Baltimore is that while we might not the biggest city, we have a right to be here. This doesn’t happen for Baltimore a whole lot. I can’t thank Red Bull enough for hosting the competition here because you all will see how much our styles have traveled beyond the borders,” Flash began.

Flash, born Kenneth Worsley, says that he’s been dancing for pretty much all of his life and it’s given him opportunities to showcase not only Baltimore Club but the beauty of competitive dance as a whole.

“I came up battling in Baltimore and I found out that our style being so unique, we had to adapt but that’s Baltimore in a nutshell. People forget about my city a lot but this competition is here for a reason and I can’t wait to show the world what we’re about,” Flash ended.

Prince Darryl, a dancer, and actor who grew up in the city expressed that his love and dance are just as important as his desire to become an accomplished actor. In fact, we discovered that he was between shoots when he decided to join the Red Bull Dance Your Style lineup. In our brief chat, Prince Darryl expressed all of the emotions leading up to the event.

“Baltimore Club is so special to me because it’s given me an opportunity to do something like Red Bull Dance Your Style in my own city and to show that we should be mentioned up there with other cities with big dance scenes,” Prince Darryl said.

When asked about his emotions and state of mind, Prince Darryl was candid.

“I’m not gonna lie, I’m a bit nervous, I’m excited but I’m also just going to let the music take me over and I’m gonna do my thing. I know how to make the best of the moment because of acting but to put that into dance is second nature,” Prince Darryl added.

Queen Stylz was beyond gracious with her time and her journey into dance, sharing that it’s such a large part of her life that she’s moved towards teaching dance as a means to extend Baltimore Club’s legacy.

“Baltimore is my heart and I try to show that off in my dancing and I give so much of myself when I’m on the dance floor. I’ve been doing this for what feels like all my life and look behind us. I’m home doing this, not in New York or Miami. I’m home, so I’m excited to give the people a show,” Queen Stylz said.

In an honest moment, Queen Stylz, who won the Queen of Baltimore dance competition in 2013, says that the city has a long way to go in becoming unified before transforming into a power player in the global dance scene.

“Baltimore Club should be bigger because look at some of the other cities that take a little of what we made here and blew up. Because so many crews here are sectioned off, we don’t work together like we should and I want that to happen in my lifetime. This competition is just the start but I think we could do more to show that Baltimore can work together and make a lane for other creatives,” Queen Stylz said.

Last but not least, we spoke with the dynamic Beasty, a former Red Bull Dance Your Style competitor based out of New York and also representing Japan. Beasty, although not deeply familiar with the Baltimore Club scene, says she admires what she’s seen so far as she prepared for the competition.

“It’s crazy how every big city in the world has its own thing. Like here, it’s Club. On the West Coast, it’s popping, and so on. I try to do a little bit of everything and let whatever the music that gets played lead me the rest of the way,” Beasty shared.

Beasty is a recent winner of Red Bull Dance Your Style Boston and while she loves the street dance competition world, she is ready for more commercial work.

“Dance is a great stepping stone for ambitious people and I’m just 21 so I feel like I have a lot to give to dance before I step away and teach the next generation. I want to put on for not only my crew, but for New York, and Japan and all my mentors who guided me,” Beasty added.

Red Bull Dance Your Style kicks off Friday (April 21) at Baltimore Ram’s Head Live hosted by Neek B and Queen P. Doors open at 6 PM local time. For tickets and to learn more, click here.

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Photo: Red Bull Content Pool