djfrosty

22 Mar 2023

Quavo Puts Aside Difficult Spell For ‘Nonsense’ Rap on ‘That’s My Jam’: Watch

The last six months have been nothing short of tragic for Quavo, whose Migos bandmate and nephew Takeoff was murdered in late 2022.

On Tuesday night (March 21), the rapper put aside grief and let the lyrics flow.

Quavo stepped up to the mic for the latest round of That’s My Jam, Jimmy Fallon’s hour-long music and comedy variety games show, to test his powers for rhyming gobbledygook.

The mission — to hit a “nonsense karaoke” version of Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz’s “Get Low,” replacing its words with drivel.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

For a taster, Quavo smashed out: “Remember Chunk? The Best Goonie/ Got a duck tat, saw it on a magazine.” He had the crowd waving their hands in the air, and they really didn’t care.

The “nonsense karaoke” bit is a world away from the release last month of Quavo’s “Greatness” video, his second tribute to Takeoff following his killing outside a bowling alley in Houston, Texas. He also released the emotional ballad “Without You,” earlier in the year.

Quavo made his first TV appearance since Takeoff’s death with a gripping rendition of “Without You” at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, on Feb. 5.

“I wish I had a time machine/ Just so you take a ride with me/ I miss just how you smile at me/ Unc & Phew until infinity,” sang Quavo, with Maverick City Music matching his somber tone.

The “nonsense karaoke” performance had anything but a somber tone. Watch below.

22 Mar 2023

Live Nation Acquires Majority Interest In Hong Kong’s Clockenflap

Live Nation has acquired a majority interest in Clockenflap, the Hong Kong-based event organizer behind the flagship Clockenflap festival.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed in the arrangement, announced just days after Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival made a triumphant return to the city, following a four-year hiatus.

Held from March 3-5 at Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space, the 2023 fest featured performances from Arctic Monkeys, Balming Tiger, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Cardigans, Wu-Tang Clan and more.

Organizers posted the “sold out” sign prior to the most recent edition, which boasted a 30,000 per-day capacity, before announcing a second 2023 fest would be held Dec. 1-3.  

Founded in 2008, Clockenflap is one of Asia’s highest-profile festival brands, and certainly HK’s premier contemporary music event.

According to a statement issued Wednesday (March 22), the Clockenflap team will continue to curate, manage and produce its festivals and events, though now with access to LN’s festival portfolio and resources.

“The Live Nation team share our vision for Clockenflap being one of the best city festivals in the world,” says Justin Sweeting, co-founder and music director of Clockenflap, “and with Live Nation’s support and resources, I’m excited for the future of the festival.”

By teaming up with LN, adds Mike Hill, co-founder and managing director of Clockenflap, “we can continue to grow the festival and expand our event activities in Hong Kong and regionally.”

Clockenflap also produces concerts in HK under the brand Clockenflap Presents, including recent sold-out shows for Cigarettes After Sex and Honne.

“Partnering with Clockenflap further demonstrates that Live Nation is committed to bringing world-class festivals and live entertainment experiences to Hong Kong fans,” explains Roger Field, Melbourne-based president of Live Nation Asia Pacific.

Through LN’s global network, Field continues, “we will enhance and grow the Clockenflap brand and deliver new and exciting live opportunities to the region.”

HK’s live music scene is said to be blooming, in part due to the scrapping of hotel quarantine restrictions for international visitors and a cooling in tensions between pro-Democracy protestors and the Chinese police forces, which led to the cancelation of the 2019 event.

22 Mar 2023

NariYella Scores Four-Chair Turn With ‘Shocking’ Performance on ‘The Voice’

NariYella put the “dream” into Dreamgirls when she performed “One Night Only” for her Blind Audition on NBC’s The Voice.

The 20-year-old native of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania saved the best to the end, when she strolled up Tuesday night (March 21) for the final episode of this early stage. She made sure the judges and everyone watching on wouldn’t forget her, with a sparkling performance from the Oscar-winning 2006 musical drama, Dreamgirls.

The performance was loaded with vocal gymnastics, soul and power. The baying studio audience felt the vibe, as did the four judges, all of whom turned to face the talent.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Incredible,” Chance the Rapper blurted out.

NariYella explained that she’s been singing since she could talk. No one would argue. And none of the judges would complain about the gifts she shared with each, blue kyanite tumble stones. “I’m very big on energy,” she explained.

Of the performance, Niall Horan commented: “That was insane. You were, like, so comfortable up there.”

Blake Shelton chimed in, “your voice…it was actually shocking to me, how powerful you are. Anybody who can be that open and connected to the moment, those are the artists that make it all the way.”

Kelly Clarkson then took the mic. “You have a personality that is just so incredibly captivating…you were so comfortable, and confident, so excited. And that kind of passion is what it takes to win a show like this.”

Chance rounded it out, remarking that he was “blown away” and that, technically, her skill level is “way, way, way beyond your years, way, way, way beyond your experience.”

The talking shop closed, and NariYella had to make a tough decision. She took a Chance.

Watch below.

22 Mar 2023

Vanessa Hudgens to Explore Her Filipino Heritage in Travel Documentary

Actress Vanessa Hudgens is heading to the Philippines to explore her family history as the star of a new travel documentary. The film will capture Hudgens’ first trip to the country of her mother’s birth, showcasing her close relationship with her family and her personal trajectory as an American-born, half-Filipino woman who has become one of the world’s most recognizable stars. 

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The project is set to begin shooting in the Philippine cities of Palawan and Manila later this month. Hudgens will be accompanied on the journey and in the film by her mother, Gina Guangco, and her sister, Stella Hudgens. The actress has often spoken with pride about the biography of her mom, who left the Philippines for the U.S. at age 25.

“I feel like ours is such a relatable story to so many women all over the world,” Hudgens says. “The more that we can share, the more we can lift each other up.”

The still untitled film will be produced and directed by Paul Soriano, director of Mañanita (a competition entry at the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival) and the Manny Pacquiao biopic, Kid Kulafu. Soriano also produced Lav Diaz’s A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (2016), which won a special film award at the Berlin International Film Festival and Transit (2013), which was the Philippines’ entry in the Best International Film Category for the 86th Academy Awards. Philippine boutique studio TEN17P is producing the new Hudgens doc. 

“We are honored to work with Vanessa for this film project,” says Soriano. “It’s inspiring to note that with everything she has achieved in life, she wants to discover her Filipino roots and pay homage to her mother’s country. Hopefully, this opens doors for many more collaborations to come.” 

Hudgens most recently starred in Lin Manuel Miranda’s Oscar-nominated Tick, Tick…Boom! She began her career in the world of musical theatre at age eight, eventually finding global fame in the Disney Channel’s High School Musical. As a young adult, some of her other credits have included Spring Breakers, Gimme Shelter and Bad Boys for Life. She also executive produced and starred in the films The Knight Before Christmas, and all three installments of The Princess Switch for Netflix. She’ll next star in the indie comedy French Girl and Michael Bay’s Bad Boys 4.

Hudgens is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, The Lede Company and Ziffren Brittenham.

The forthcoming travel documentary will be executive produced by Paul D. Soriano and Mark A. Victor of TEN17P.

This article originally appeared in THR.com.

22 Mar 2023

An Australian Senator Wore a Tame Impala Shirt In Parliament House

Tame Impala got an unexpected shout-out when senator David Pocock wore a branded band tee for an impromptu interview in Parliament House.

Pocock, a former captain of the Wallabies, Australia’s national men’s rugby union team, spoke to media in Canberra’s halls of power, fronting the scrum in a black, Tame Impala number.

Politics is no ordinary contact sport. When footage went wide of the independent senator rocking the Western Australian psychedelic-pop act, criticism rained down from the right-wing Sky News, the domestic affiliate of Fox News, which blasted Pocock for not wearing a “collared shirt.”

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“I’d come straight from an early morning game of tennis to celebrate 100 years of Tennis ACT and agreed to do a door stop (not a prearranged interview) in the hallway on the way out of the Press Gallery after a morning radio interview,” was Pocock’s response. “Great to see the big issues being reported,” he fired back.

Pocock is something of a renaissance man. Born in Zimbabwe, he represented Australia at the highest level of rugby, with 83 Tests to his name, and is a three-time nominee for world player of the year. He holds a Master of Sustainable Agriculture from Charles Sturt University, and campaigned for conservationism and social justice when he chose to retire from professional sports. He went on to run a successful campaign in 2022 for one of the Australian Capital Territory’s two Senate seats, and is now considered one of the most powerful people of Australia’s federal parliament.

Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker got a feel for life as an elite rugby player when, in recent weeks, he fractured his hip. To correct the injury, the production whizz underwent surgery to have screws and rods inserted into his femur, the strongest bone in the body.

In better news for Parker, his band Tame Impala released “Wings of Time,” on March 10, a soundtrack to Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and he collaborated with Gorillaz on “New Gold,” which appears on Cracker Island, a recent No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.

21 Mar 2023

GALE Scores First Top 10 on a Billboard Chart: ‘Such A Special Moment For Me’

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter GALE secures her first top 10 on any Billboard chart as “Nuestra Canción” lifts 16-10 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart (dated March 25).

“This is such a special moment for me, my team and my career,” GALE tells Billboard. “I am so grateful to everyone listening and supporting ‘Nuestra Canción.’ I will be dancing and singing it with my friends at the top of our lungs.”

“Nuestra Canción” was released Feb. 16 via Sony Music Latin. It reaches the upper tier in its third week after it debuted at No. 21 on the March 11-dated ranking. The song logged 1.1 million in audience impressions, up 46% — the biggest percentage increase of the week among the 25-deep tally — earned in the U.S. in the week ending March 16, according to Luminate.

The pop dancefloor female anthem was produced by DJ and producer DallasK and co-written by GALE, DallasK alongside Dani Blau. It bests GALE’s antecessor “Problemas” which reached a No. 15 high last September. “We all have that song that reminds us of our ex, that takes you back to the happy moments you shared together,” the singer-actress continues. “’Nuestra Canción’ is about letting go, about finally accepting that the relationship is over, and that instead of crying alone at home, you decide to go out dancing to that song and embrace the heartache to be happy again.”

Notably, GALE becomes just the 11th Latin female act to achieve a top 10 as a soloist, unaccompanied by another act, on Latin Pop Airplay in the last decade. Let’s look at the winners:

Artist, Title, Peak Date, Peak Position

Leslie Grace, “Be My Baby,” Aug. 3, 2013, No. 6

Alejandra Guzmán, “Mi Peor Error (Primera Fila),” Dec. 7, 2013, No. 8

Shakira, “Dare (La La La),” July 26, 2014, No. 2

Natalia Jiménez, “Creo En Mí,” Aug. 2, 2014, No. 2

Natalia Jiménez, “Quédate Con Ella,” Jan. 3, 2015, No. 4

Shakira, “Me Enamoré,” July 8, 2017, No. 1

Jennifer López, “El Anillo,” July 14, 2018, No. 6

Natti Natasha, “Me Gusta,” April 20, 2019, No. 3

Karol G, “Ay, ¡Dios Mio!,” Oct. 10, 2020, No. 1

Kali Uchis, “Telepatía,” July 3, 2021, No. 1

Natti Natasha, “Noches En Miami,” Oct. 16, 2021, No. 1

Anitta, “Envolver,” May 7, 2022, No. 3

Karol G, “Provenza,” July 9, 2022, No. 1

Becky G, “Bailé Con Mi Ex,” Sept. 10, 2022, No. 1

GALE, “Nuestra Canción,” March 25, 2023, No. 10

About the production of the song, GALE adds: “I wanted to create a contrast between a pop track, urban melodies and (my favorite part) a dance/EDM-style surprise at the end to dance your heart out!!!”

21 Mar 2023

Celeb Stylist Law Roach Details “Retiring” And Zendaya’s Reaction

HipHopWired Featured Video

Versace Fall-Winter 2023 Fashion Show - Red Carpet

Source: Michael Buckner / Getty

One of fashion’s most sought after talents is hanging up his hat. Law Roach has announced his retirement and reveals his reasoning.

As spotted on Buzz Feed News the creative recently revealed he will be stepping down from creating some of your most beloved and respected red carpet looks. Over the last few years Chicago, Illinois native has styled the likes of Ariana Grande, Lewis Hamilton, Bella Hadid, and Celine Dion but is most synonymous for his stellar work with Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman.

Related Stories

On Sunday, March 14 he took to social media to call it quits in a now since deleted post. “My Cup is empty….. thank you to everyone who’ve supported me and my career over the years,” his caption read which accompanied a visual of a “RETIRED” sign. “If this business was just about the clothes I would do it for the rest of my life but unfortunately it’s not! The politics , the lies and false narratives finally got me! You win … I’m out.”

In a statement to Vogue he explained the moment he knew he would be bowing out. “I was riding in the car and I made a decision. I said: ‘You know what, I’ve done everything I wanted to do in this career. I’ve received all the awards, the accolades, I’ve changed people’s lives…And I just feel like, I’ve had enough,’” he explained. “So that Instagram post wasn’t a PR stunt. It was really me giving myself the grace to say: It’s okay. You can do something else.”

Naturally the news quickly viral throughout the fashion industry, and he confirmed Zendaya found out the same way. She immediately called him on the phone. “She said, ‘Girl, I thought we make big decisions together?’” he said. “Of course, she supported me. She said, ‘Do you need me to send you on a vacation? Like, tell me what you’re going through?’” He went on to say she made it clear she was here for him and offered to help him out in anyway possible.

It is not clear Law Roach’s next steps professionally but rest assured the duo is still in tact.

Photo:

21 Mar 2023

“We Don’t Want Spring Break!”: Miami Beach Officials Impose Curfew Due To Shootings, “Unruly Crowds”

HipHopWired Featured Video

US-LIFESTYLE-SPRING BREAK

Source: EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI / Getty

Over the past weekend, Miami Beach reportedly saw two shootings within two days that left two people dead, and because of that, along with instances of “excessively large and unruly crowds,” city officials have declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew to be enacted during spring break.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said in a recorded message to citizens of Miami Beach that guns and rowdy crowds have “created a peril that cannot go unchecked.”

“We don’t ask for spring break in our city. We don’t want spring break in our city. It’s too rowdy, it’s too much disorder and it’s too difficult to police,” Gelber said.



Obviously, demanding no spring break activities in Miami Beach is like telling people to lay off the slot machines when they visit Las Vegas, but officials insist it’s necessary given recent events.

From CBS News:

The city said in a news release the curfew would be from 11:59 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday, with an additional curfew likely to be put in place Thursday through next Monday, March 27. The curfew mainly affects South Beach, the most popular party location for spring breakers.

The release said the two separate shootings Friday night and early Sunday that left two people dead and “excessively large and unruly crowds” led to the decision. The city commission plans a meeting Monday to discuss potential further restrictions next week.

Gelber noted that the meeting about next weekend’s potential curfew would have to wait until next week because the “manager’s emergency powers are limited to only 72 hours.”

For a few details on the most recent shooting that prompted the curfew, here’s more from CBS:

Police said the suspect, “without any provocation,” shot the victim multiple times. The victim died after being rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. A second person was hurt, but treated at the scene and released, police said on Twitter.

The suspect, identified as Dontavious Polk, fled on foot and dropped a gun while being chased by a police officer, according to the arrest report. Police recovered that gun, which they claim had been stolen, and arrested the suspect after officers tackled him a few blocks away, the report said.

After he was arrested, the suspect was taken to Ryder Trauma Center for what police described as a “pre-existing gunshot wound.” He was later discharged and taken to Turner Gilford Knight Correctional Center, police records showed.

Polk is facing a first degree murder charge, according to police records, although no charges had been officially filed as of Sunday night.

Enjoy your spring break, but be careful out there, good people. In Miami Beach, or wherever you are, stay safe. It’s wild out here.

21 Mar 2023

NCT DREAM Talk U.S. Tour, New Music & Why ‘Everything Comes With Timing’ for ‘7DREAM’

When NCT DREAM made their live Stateside return last August as one of KCON’s most anticipated performers, a quiet moment when youngest member Jisung sang just two words from the boy band’s debut single “Chewing Gum” saw the Crypto.com Arena audience erupting into shrieks. It was a quick-but-telling indication of the local interest in the young boy band that made its Billboard 200 debut last year without a proper label deal.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

While last summer’s festival appearance only included five of the seven NCT DREAM members, the entire DREAM crew is now gearing up for a proper visit to America.

On Tuesday (March 21), NCT DREAM dropped the English version of their nostalgic hip-hop single “Beatbox” before heading out on another string of dates in The Dream Show2: In a Dream world tour that includes seven arena shows in April. While many K-pop acts quickly make their way to the U.S. for concerts and opportunities — including NCT counterparts NCT 127, who began promoting in the States heavily after one year together — NCT DREAM is playing across the U.S. more than six and a half years after their debut. While it may have felt like a long wait, the band says the timing for the next step of their “journey” was important and they’re considering all aspects to make the next legs of the world tour special.

NCT DREAM’s Mark, Haechan, Renjun, Jeno, Chenle, Jaemin and Jisung tell Billboard that their newest English song not only was a present for the overseas fans they’re visiting, but also delivered a fresh musical experience for the band too. As the septet hint that more English tracks are on the way, and add they are “actively participating” in their forthcoming studio album due later this year, the focus right now is showcasing the onstage synergy of these seven — or “7DREAM,” as they call themselves.

Read more from the 7DREAM guys, including thoughts on their latest music, touring aspirations, messages for NCTzen fans, and what’s next for NCT DREAM.

Congratulations on the recent news of your growing world tour and English single “Beatbox.” You debuted in 2016; why is now the right time to focus some of your time on the west? 

MARK: Everything comes with timing. This year, we are touring on a scale like never before and felt it’d be good to release an English single since we’re meeting fans around the world. We can’t wait to further continue our journey with all of our fans. 

How was the experience of recording this new version of “Beatbox”? Is this indicating more English music from NCT DREAM? 

RENJUN: It felt like we were recording a new song when working on the English version of “Beatbox” so it was quite fun. I tried to record in a way that’d suit the vibe of the track, and I believe this version shows NCT DREAM’s own colors well so I hope everyone enjoys!  

HAECHAN: It’s been a year since we worked on this track again so I feel like we did better with recording this round. The demo track was actually in English; the vibe we first got when listening to it combined really well with NCT DREAM’s to give this version its own sense of uniqueness. And I hope people will look forward to hearing more of NCT DREAM’s English tracks!  

What should fans expect from the U.S. leg of the The Dream Show2? Will you prepare special stages, or do you want to keep the current show intact? 

JENO: This U.S. tour will be a chance for fans to learn more about NCT DREAM. We are also working hard to make sure that our shows are a place of interaction with our fans. We’ve only performed in the U.S. twice before, so it’ll be exciting to get to see different locations, stay longer and meet more of our international fans. 

JAEMIN: I hope fans are excited for not only the “Beatbox” English version but all the stages we’ve prepared! Lots of work went into preparing to finally meet our U.S. NCTzens—we hope they are equally as excited to see NCT DREAM. 

This is your first time performing your own concerts in America and you’re playing arenas. Is anyone surprised by the demand for NCT DREAM in the States?

CHENLE: It’s mind-blowing to see so many people show their love and support, and I cannot express enough how thankful we are.  

JISUNG: This is the first time after the pandemic that we’re going to the U.S. as “7DREAM,” so it hasn’t quite hit us yet but I’m sure the moment we see our fans up close, it’ll sink in. 

MARK and HAECHAN, you’ve had some experience with NCT 127 promoting across the U.S. Did you share any advice with the other members?

MARK: The only advice I told them was how hard we’re going to work. [Laughs] Despite my experience with NCT 127, promoting for NCT DREAM is a new beginning and experience for all the seven of us. The only thing I had to discuss with our members was to be ready to work extra hard, and to try our best to interact with our fans as much as we can. 

HAECHAN: I just hope everyone enjoys the moment. It’s our first time in the U.S. as 7DREAM and I’m sure people are excited as well, but it’s important that we enjoy it ourselves so that we can create those memories for our fans.  

Anything you’re particularly excited about seeing during the tour?

JENO: I’m most excited to hear the cheers of our NCTzens in all the countries and cities we’ll be going to.  

CHENLE: I am looking forward to showing the amazing stages we’ve prepared to all the NCTzens that’ll be coming to see us! I’m also excited to be going to California because I’m a big Stephen Curry fan! We haven’t had much time to explore the U.S. so even the thought of simply being in California is exciting.  

NCT DREAM has been so busy! You released Candy for the holidays, your first Japanese single “Best Friend Ever” at the top of 2023, there are Asia, Europe and now U.S. tour dates; when are you finding the time to relax and rest? 

RENJUN: Even when we’re busy with several activities, it’s always a good time because it’s spent with my members so even working feels like fun — that in itself sounds like healing to me!  

JISUNG: When we have a lot of schedules, there are times when we aren’t able to rest as much but I’m the kind of person who gains more energy from staying active. I do make sure to relax and take care of myself though on days that are less busy. 

What else can we look forward to in 2023? We’ve seen a studio album on the schedule for you. Are there any spoilers you can share? 

JAEMIN: We are actively participating in our upcoming full-length album and working very hard to bring out the best. I hope people will be able to see just how much we’ve put into it when the album comes out.

Anything else to add for Billboard readers or U.S. fans? 

MARK: NCT DREAM is here to see you guys!!! Thank you to all the fans that waited so patiently for us to come—can’t wait to show you NCT DREAM and how we really care about our time here in the west. See you, guys! 

21 Mar 2023

TikTok CEO Shares Video Ahead of Congressional Hearing Claiming Half of U.S. Is on App

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew posted an urgent video on the app on Tuesday (March 21) that aimed to demonstrate how ingrained TikTok is in the lives of more than 150 million Americans at a time when the app is under threat of being banned (again). 

Chew is set to testify before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday. His appearance comes as politicians and regulators repeatedly express concern that TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, will turn user data over to the Chinese government. (TikTok has repeatedly denied these allegations.) Earlier this month, TikTok said the U.S. government had asked Bytedance to sell the app or face a ban, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

Chew’s video started out celebratory and seemed couched in terms straight out of U.S. political debates, emphasizing the app’s reach and its potential economic impact. “I’m super excited to announce that more than 150 million Americans are on TikTok,” Chew said. The app had previously touted 100 million U.S. users in 2020. (It has over 1 billion active users globally.)

“That’s almost half the U.S. coming to TikTok to connect, to create, to share, to learn, or just to have some fun,” Chew continued. “This includes 5 million businesses that use TikTok to reach their customers. And the majority of these are small and medium businesses.” 

@tiktok

Our CEO, Shou Chew, shares a special message on behalf of the entire TikTok team to thank our community of 150 million Americans ahead of his congressional hearing later this week.

♬ original sound – TikTok

But this triumphant tone quickly gave way to a warning. “Some politicians have started talking about banning TikTok,” Chew added. “This could take TikTok away from all 150 million of you.” He called this a “pivotal moment” for the app and asked users to leave comments noting “what they love about TikTok” so he could pass those on during his meetings in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. government’s scrutiny of TikTok is not new; President Trump threatened to ban the app back in 2020. (India did ban the app that year.) TikTok has been in lengthy talks with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to try to come up with a solution that allays fears about the way it handles users’ data, but these negotiations appear to have made little headway. The U.S. government recently banned TikTok from all federal devices.

TikTok spokespeople have described the threat of a larger ban as “little more than political theater.”

“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem,” a spokeswoman for TikTok told The Associated Press earlier this month. “A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access.”