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07 Apr 2023

Jim Jones Says Drake Is The GOAT, Has Surpassed Jay-Z

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Jim Jones

Source: Bernard Beanz Smalls / Bernard Beanz Smalls,

Jim Jones is never short on opinions. In a new interview he claims that Drake should be considered the GOAT.

As spotted on Complex the Harlem, New York native recent chat with Rap Caviar podcast he discussed his new album with Hit Make Back In My Prime. While promoting his newest effort he also discussed a bevy of other topics including who he thinks is the greatest of all time. When Kev assumed his GOAT pick was Jay-Z CAPO was quick to correct him. “I can’t agree on that. … [Jay is] at the top of the barrel when it comes to what he’s done” he explained. “He’s a billionaire, he has done some sh*t for dope boys that people never even thought could be. He’s put himself in rooms that you couldn’t imagine.”

The Diplomats member when on to justify why he feels Drake is more impactful. “I haven’t heard too much Jay-Z music in the last six to seven years that was really hitting out here in these streets on the lit side of things,” he stated. “In the past 12 years everything that Drake has put out has hit like 2Pac was hitting. No matter if you like it. No matter if n****s don’t like it cause he’s light-skinned, no matter if n****s don’t like it cause he’s singing… No matter what n****s like, he always seems to be in these n****s’ playlists.”

You can see Jim Jones discuss Drake, Jay-Z and more below.

Photo: Bernard Beanz Smalls

07 Apr 2023

Beabadoobee Says Taylor Swift Dedicating a Song to Her During Eras Tour Felt ‘Like I Was on Shrooms’

Beabadoobee is currently living out her “Wildest Dreams” while supporting Taylor Swift during the superstar’s Eras Tour across the United States. For Beabadoobee’s first day supporting on the tour — March 25 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium — Swift dedicated “Our Song” to her, which the 22-year-old opened up about in an interview with People published Friday (April 7).

During the show, Swift told her crowd before launching into the third single from her self-titled debut that she had read an interview with her opening act. Said the star, “I figured for her first show with us, I’d play that specific song that she said she wanted to hear.”

Beabadoobee excitedly recalled that the experience “didn’t feel real” to her. “Imagine someone that you’ve listened to growing up and almost shaped your childhood being like, ‘This is for young Bea.’ And I’m like, well, f–k my life. I’m going to die,” she said. “It’s like all the problems have just been solved in that [moment].”

“She’s just so awesome. And the fact that she took the time to say that and to watch an interview, and to sing it and even just introducing me,” the “Talk” singer, whose real name is Beatrice Kristi Laus, continued. “It’s just mental that someone I’m a massive fan of appreciates my music as much. It was a trip. It was a massive trip. It was like I was on shrooms or something.”

As for how Bea is handling the pressure of opening stadium shows, she revealed that keeping her nerves under control is a tough task — especially considering that Swift is counting on her. “It’s actually pretty terrifying out there. Hope I get used to it. But I think it’s just when I’m on that stage, I not only think about like, ‘Oh, I’m going to play to all these people and that’s so terrifying as it is,’” she shard. “It’s more like, ‘Oh my God, I’m doing this for Taylor Swift because Taylor Swift wants me up here and she loves me and I love her.’ So it’s just a lot to take in when you’re up there.”

In addition to performing with Swift, Beabadoobee is doing a series of solo concerts and festival dates throughout the spring and summer after wrapping up The Eras Tour run on April 29.

07 Apr 2023

Demi Lovato Was Left Out of Disney Channel’s ‘Wand ID Compilation’ & Fans Have Thoughts

Disney Channel celebrated 40 years of broadcasting this month, kicking off April with a “Wand ID Compilation,” featuring a montage of some of today’s biggest stars back in their Disney days, taking part in the iconic outlining of Mickey Mouse ears with a wand.

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While celebrities like Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Raven-Symoné, Jenna Ortega, Jonas Brothers, Zendaya and many, many more appeared in the clip, fans noticed someone in particular who was missing. Demi Lovato, who was a staple on the Disney Channel in the late 2000s through TV shows like Sonny With a Chance and the Camp Rock films, was absent from the wand ID compilation.

While Disney Channel hasn’t revealed why Lovato was left out of the 40-year anniversary celebration clip, the “29” singer has been outspoken about some of their difficult experiences growing up in the DC bubble, which they called “Disney High.”

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Lovato began directing their very first feature film, which will stream on Hulu sometime in 2024. Along with Nicola Marsh, the pop star will co-direct Child Star, a Hulu Original documentary film that promises to “deconstruct the highs and lows of growing up in the spotlight through the lens of some of the world’s most famous former child stars,” according to a release.

“There is no better film or topic for my directorial debut than this story, which is close to home,” the Disney Channel alum said in a statement. “Our project sheds light on important messages about growing up in the public eye, learning to protect our boundaries, and becoming active advocates of our own destinies. I’m humbled to be able to learn from the individuals who have lived the unique experience of child stardom and share their stories in our film.”

Billboard has reached out Disney Channel for comment on the wand ID compilation. See below for some fan reactions to the alleged snub.

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07 Apr 2023

Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Ashnikko, Yaeji, Cub Sport & More

Another week, another opportunity to catch up on the latest tracks from you favorite queer artists. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

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From Ashnikko’s fierce new track to Yaeji’s truth-telling LP, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Ashnikko, “Weedkiller”

You can run all you want, but you cannot hide from Ashnikko’s wrath. On “Weedkiller,” the titular single off the rising star’s forthcoming album, Ashnikko dives headfirst into a fearsome, violent persona, intent on hunting down those who have wronged her. The chaotic drum beats and glitching strings further add to the frenzied energy of this electric single, as Ashnikko declares that she “will be the one to eliminate you.”

Yaeji, With a Hammer

Most fans know Yaeji as the dance artist behind “Raingurl” — but the Korean-American star is ready to smash that perception apart With a Hammer. On her remarkable new album, Yaeji is done dealing with image and perception — Hammer is the DJ’s unflinching look at her interior life, parsing through the deep sadness (“Passed Me By”), simmering anger (“Fever”) and generational aches (“Done (Let’s Get It)”) of her life, all while maintaining her signature sound.

Cub Sport, Jesus at the Gay Bar

With Easter Weekend officially upon us, Cub Sport wants to propose a toast to all of the queer folks brought up in Christian homes who never had a chance to explore their sexuality or gender expression until later in life. Jesus at the Gay Bar, the Australian indie trio’s fifth full-length, sees Cub Sport bursting with unbridled queer joy — tracks like “High for the Summer,” “Always Got The Love” and “Magic in U” are practically bursting with sparkling house music, while even the more pared-down tracks like “Hold” and “Zoom” still manage to bring feel-good energy back into the mix. Put simply, this exuberant LP is the ode to queerness that so many need to hear right now.

Corook, “CGI”

Get ready to groove along to Corook’s thrumming new single. The latest from the singer-songwriter is “CGI,” a deliciously funky love song where she revels in the utter perfection of her lover. As she declares that “your face is so perfect like CGI,” a bouncing bass line pumps along with the stacked synth chords, marking a clear departure from the budding star’s softer sound into something slicker.

KiNG MALA, “Dirty Dishes”

With April upon us, plenty of people are looking to get their spring cleaning done as soon as possible. But KiNG MALA is in no rush, as she proves on her new single “Dirty Dishes.” Imbued with a funk-fueled guitar-and-bass section, the new track sees the pop upstart reveling in the grime surrounding her, as she lets a prospective lover know that she’ll only be motivated to tidy up if they come over and help her out. While the delectable production is certainly worth noting, the star of the track is KiNG MALA’s gorgeous vocal, as she promises that if you “come on over, I’ll get it figured out for you.”

Dorian Electra, “Freak Mode”

It’s been a few years since electro-pop artist Dorian Electra graced our ears with new solo music. But don’t worry; they’re here to let you know that they’re still ready to give you weird new tunes. “Freak Mode” is Electra at their best — the shock-rock-meets-hyperpop aesthetic provided by producer Clarence Clarity is a perfect fit as the experimental star revels in everything that makes them “different.”

Arthur Moon, “7 O’Clock Clap”

Brooklyn avant-pop singer Arthur Moon wants to get out of the hole they dug for themselves. “7 O’Clock Clap,” the latest track off their aptly named forthcoming album Chaos! Chaos! Chaos! Side B, blends together two distinct, often intentionally separated melodies, as Lora-Faye Åshuvud (the artist behind Arthur Moon) waxes poetic on the performance of personality. As the track picks up speed, Åshuvud proves to be in complete control, bringing the haywire production in for a smooth landing.

LEADR, “Aeiou Nothin”

Rising indie-pop artist LEADR promises that they have approximately no time for your relationship nonsense with this fiery breakup anthem. “Aeiou Nothin” doesn’t give into the schmaltzier, “I’m gonna love me for me” side of things — LEADR even turns their nose up at the idea early in the song’s lyrics. Instead, this brutal kiss-off sees the emerging artist letting their ex know that they’re not pressed. After all, “the fine print says karma’s a bitch.”

Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:

07 Apr 2023

Flo Milli Gets Festival-Goers Ready for Coachella With Depop Shop

Are you ready for Coachella? Flo Milli might be able to help — in the fashion department.

American Express has established a new global, multi-festival partnership with Depop, the trending, community-powered fashion resale marketplace, to create special collections of pre-loved clothing-turned-festival wear that are curated by a roster of talent. “Part of the fun of festival season happens when fans are planning and picking their ‘fits and expressing their creativity and individuality through fashion,” said Shiz Suzuki, vice president, global brand sponsorships and experiential marketing at American Express, in a press statement.

Peter Semple, Depop’s CMO, added that the Festival Edit collections are “inspired by iconic musical artists who embody the bold, creative spirit of the Depop community. With an ever-growing number of festival attendees seeking to shop sustainably, Depop is constantly meeting our community where they are and providing our customers with compelling new ways to commit to circular fashion.”

On Friday (April 7), Flo Milli unveiled the first Festival Edit collection, where Depop users around the world can shop the “Conceited” MC’s favorite Y2K-inspired finds on the app and online. “American Express and Depop are bringing my personal style to life this festival season and I’m so excited to be part of the first collection,” she said. “Through both my music and fashion, I always aim to express myself with authenticity and creativity. I can’t wait for Depop users to shop my festival-ready looks, featuring bold, glam pieces with Y2K and grunge influence.” 

Flo Milli will make her Coachella debut on Saturday, April 15 and April 22. Shop her Festival Edit collection here.

07 Apr 2023

Drake, Suga, YoungBoy Never Broke Again & More: Which New Music Release Is Your Favorite? Vote!

Rap fans are in luck for the first new music Friday of April, as genre heavyweights Drake and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, as well as BTS rapper Suga, have all released new tracks this week.

While Drizzy’s new track, “Search & Rescue,” may cause fans to wonder if he’s taking a shot Kanye West — the song features a sample of Kim Kardashian talking about her relationship with the Yeezy founder, who now goes by Ye — the initial hype hides a deeper meaning. The vulnerable track, produced by Sad Pony and BYNX, sees Drake wanting an assist from his closest friends to take him out of his usual haunts (the club, the trap) so he can finally find an uncomplicated love to make him feel complete.

Suga — who is now releasing music under his other stage name, Agust D — is the latest BTS member to release solo material, providing a follow-up to one of the strongest tracks in his catalogue with “People Pt. 2.” Complete with hip-hop, R&B and hooks worthy of a top 40, Suga shares his reflections on connection and loss with stunning clarity and support from fellow K-pop star IU.

YoungBoy Never Broke Again continues to deliver puns and rhymes in his signature vocal style, as heard on his album I Rest My Case from earlier this year, in new track “WTF” featuring Nicki Minaj. While YoungBoy dominates the top half of the song, Minaj goes in for the guttural on the latter half, warning listeners if they “Cross YoungBoy, then you cross the Queen,” before finishing off her verse with a vocal run.

Jonas Brothers, NF and Labrinth also return this week with new music. Which release is your favorite? Vote in our poll below.

07 Apr 2023

Lewis Capaldi Surprises Audience With Jonas Brothers Encore at Radio City Music Hall

Lewis Capaldi had quite the surprise up his sleeve at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday night (April 6): the Jonas Brothers!

The Scottish crooner let the JoBros to take the stage during his encore, shocking the ecstatic crowd as Joe Jonas joked, “We are Lewis Capaldi, thank you for being here with us tonight.”

“We actually won a contest as Lewis Capaldi’s biggest fans to come up here and play a song for you,” Nick Jonas said, continuing his brother’s bit before launching into the band’s much-loved 2008 single “Lovebug.” After running through the first verse alone, Capaldi finally ran on stage to join the siblings for the rest of the song, singing, “I can’t get your smile out of my mind/ I think about your eyes all of the time/ You’re beautiful but you don’t even try/ Modesty is just so hard to find.”

After the show, the “How I’m Feeling Now” singer posted his own clip of the number taken from the wings of the stage, writing, “I can’t believe I’m now a Jonas brother” and captioning the video, “The bonus bonus jonas.”

The Jonas Brothers crashing Capaldi’s encore came just hours before they released “Waffle House,” the second single off their forthcoming ’70s-inspired studio set The Album. The boys are currently back in New York following their sold-out five-night Broadway residency to serve as musical guests in Studio 8H for this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Molly Shannon.

Watch Capaldi jam out to “Lovebug” with Joe, Kevin and Nick below.

07 Apr 2023

Diddy Pays Sting $5K A Day For 26-Year-Old Sting Sample, Allegedly

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The cost of a sample from one of British singer Sting’s most popular hits is costing Diddy $5,000 a day, the mogul recently revealed online in response to a viral video.

A clip from the singer-songwriter’s appearance on The Breakfast Club in 2018 resurfaced and went viral, in which Charlemagne Tha God asked Sting if Diddy shells out $2,000 a day to him for sampling “Every Breath You Take” from The Police without permission. “Yeah,” Sting replied. “For the rest of his life.” The Bad Boy Records founder saw the clip on Wednesday (April 5th) and corrected the record by quote-tweeting it and saying: “Nope. 5K a day. Love to my brother @OfficialSting!”

Diddy’s declaration surprised many online, but much of the background behind it is well-established. The sample was heavily used in “I’ll Be Missing You,” a tribute song for his friend and Bad Boy Records artist The Notorious B.I.G. who was shot and killed in Los Angeles in 1997. The song, which featured Biggie’s widow Faith Evans and 112, would go on to win a Grammy Award and be number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. Sting would even join Diddy, Fatih and 112

Diddy would be sued by Sting for not seeking clearance in 2002, and the singer would go on to win 100% of the royalties. In the interview with The Breakfast Club, Sting would say that Diddy eventually asked for permission “after the fact” and stated: “We’re very good friends now.” By some estimates, the daily amount would total a payment of $1,825,000 a year and $47,325,000 to date since the publication date of May 7th, 1997. Sting has since sold his songwriting catalog to the Universal Music Group in a deal estimated at $300 million which took place last February, which does include “Every Breath You Take,” meaning that the group would potentially receive most of the royalty payment going forward.

Sting had previously spoken about the situation in a Rolling Stone interview in 2003. “Those guys just take your s–t, put it on a record, and deal with the legality later,” he said. “Elton John told me, “You gotta hear [“I’ll Be Missing You”], you’re gonna be a millionaire!” I said, “I am a millionaire!” He said, “You’re gonna be a millionaire twice over!”

07 Apr 2023

Tennessee House Expels Two Black Democrats For Gun Protest, White Lady Stays

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Three Tennessee Lawmakers Face Expulsion After Joining Gun Protest

Source: Seth Herald / Getty

In a shocking display, the Republican-led House in Tennessee’s state legislature voted to expel two Black Democrat lawmakers over their support of gun control reform.

On Thursday (April 6th), the House chamber led by members of the Republican Party voted 72-25 to expel Rep. Justin Jones, who represents a district in Nashville. They went on to vote 69-26 to oust Rep. Justin Pearson of Memphis. Their effort to expel Rep. Gloria Johnson failed by a single vote with the count being 65 – 30. When questioned by the press about the differences in the voting outcomes between her and Pearson and Jones, she replied: “I’ll answer your question; it might have to do with the color of our skin.”

Pearson told reporters before taking the floor for the vote: “This is a first in American history. And we are losing our democracy to white supremacy. We are losing our democracy to patriarchy.” He and Jones would lambast the GOP membership in their remarks before the vote. “The world is watching Tennessee,” Jones said. “What is happening here today is a farce of democracy.” He would go on to call the Republican members a “lynch mob” and point out their hypocrisy. ‘For years, one of your colleagues, an admitted child molester, sat in this chamber – no expulsion’, he said in his speech that has gone viral.

The three lawmakers were singled out for their participation in a protest led by students and parents at the state capitol a week earlier, days after a horrific school shooting in Nashville that claimed the lives of six people including three 9-year-olds. Jones, Pearson, and Johnson used megaphones to lead the chants of protesters that called out GOP lawmakers for obstructing efforts to reform gun control laws.

The resolutions to expel “The Tennessee Three” were practically identical, and claimed their protests “reflects adversely upon the integrity and dignity” of the House. Biographical information for Jones and Pearson was wiped from the legislative body’s website and both seats were listed as vacant. The expulsion votes have only occurred three times in Tennessee House history according to a report – for contempt, bribery, and sexual misconduct. Despite the alarming situation, there is hope – the empty roles would normally be filled by special election, and Pearson and Jones can run again in their districts and be appointed to fill the slots. If both regain their seats, state law prevents them from being expelled for the same offense. 

07 Apr 2023

Kelly Clarkson Is Way Better Than Good on Powerhouse Preview of ‘Chemistry’ Track ‘Me’

Kelly Clarkson‘s upcoming Chemistry album is shaping up to be a divorce LP for the ages. After previously dropping a preview of the upcoming collection’s first single, “Mine,” Clarkson offered up another tantalizing breadcrumb on Friday (April 7) with a 30-second clip of the emotional ballad “Me.”

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The a cappella sneak peek is classic Kelly, her powerhouse voice unadorned as she opens up about taking care of business on her own, thank you very much. “I don’t need somebody to hold me/ Don’t need somebody to love me/ Don’t need somebody to pick these pieces up,” she wails.

“I put together my broken/ Let go of the pain I’ve been holdin’/ Don’t need to need somebody,” she declares forcefully, dragging out the second syllable of the final word before adding the ice-cold self-reliance coda, “When I got me.”

“Mine” is due out on April 14, while the release date for Chemistry has not yet been revealed. The upcoming collection will be Clarkson’s first original studio album of non-holiday music since 2017’s Meaning of Life; during that time she also released her second holiday song collection, 2021’s When Christmas Comes Again… and a 2022 Kellyoke EP.

“I’ve been working on this project for close to three years now. I wasn’t sure I was going to release it, but I am,” she said announcing the new album on her socials in late March. “This album is definitely the arc of an entire relationship. That whole relationship shouldn’t be brought down to one thing. There’s the good, the bad and the ugly kind of thing going on. Chemistry can be a really amazing, sexy, cool, fun thing, but it can also be very bad for you. So that’s why I named it Chemistry.”

Check out Clarkson’s tweet below.