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14 Mar 2023

TWICE Reveal Their Favorite Snacks to Eat in America

TWICE dropped by The Kelly Clarkson Show on Tuesday (March 14), where they chatted with the American Idol alum about visiting the U.S. and the things they like to do in the country.

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Sana revealed that, of course, she loves meeting TWICE’s passionate fanbase, affectionately called ONCE, face-to-face. Hilariously, she added that she love Takis chips.

Momo noted that she enjoys visiting the grocery stores in the United States, while Dahyun revealed that she loves eating hamburgers, pizza, chocolate, pasta and potatoes. “I found my sister in the group,” Clarkson playfully replied.

The group also performed their sparkling new single, “Moonlight Sunrise,” which is featured on the idols’ new mini-album, Ready to Be. The recently released project also contains fan favorite tracks such as “Set Me Free,” “Got the Thrills” and “Blame It on Me.” The full-length’s release marks the first time TWICE has been in the U.S. for a comeback and on March 2, TWICE was also honored with the Breakthrough Artist Award at Billboard’s Women in Music event. After receiving the award from Sabrina Carpenter and giving a sweet acceptance speech, the girl group performed “Moonlight Sunrise” onstage.

Watch their Kelly Clarkson Show performance below.

14 Mar 2023

Nigerian Afropop Singer Adekunle Gold Signs With Def Jam: Exclusive

Nigerian Afropop singer Adekunle Gold has officially signed with Def Jam Recordings, the company tells Billboard.

“I’ve been following Adekunle Gold since I first heard his record ‘Sade’ in 2016. Over the years, everything in AG’s world has elevated — his songwriting has refined, the scope of his artistry has widened, his vocals have strengthened, his approach to fashion is more distinct, and his showmanship and performance ability have grown exponentially,” says Def Jam CEO/chairman Tunji Balogun in a statement to Billboard. “He’s stepped into stardom on his own terms and is completely comfortable being his true self.”

Balogun added, “When I started at Def Jam, I knew I wanted to bring the label into the Afrobeats space tastefully, with the right artists and partnership. Adekunle felt like the perfect fit – he’d already done so much work on his own to build a base, but I knew that we could scale his audience to an even bigger level if we combined our energies and worked together.”

Gold (real name Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko) describes his signing as a “full circle moment” after Balogun tried signing him years ago, prior to the executive’s 2022 arrival at Def Jam. The “5 Star” singer said that because he and Balogun share Nigerian roots, “he understands it, so signing to Tunji makes sense. He’s like my studio buddy that just comes everywhere I go. The day he doesn’t have time to be there, I know he must’ve been like stupidly busy. He’s great.”

When it comes to signing with Def Jam, Gold continued, “The track record is there. The history is there. They break artists, and they have niche, unique artists like me, so I think it’s the right move for me. All of the things that I’ve done for myself already, they know already and that’s why they’re on board.”

Balogun was in Lagos, Nigeria, says Gold, when he and fellow Nigerian singer Zinoleesky were writing and recording “Party Dey no Stop,” Gold’s new single featuring Zinoleesky that marks his Def Jam debut. “When we started to make the music, it was so easy for me to go in and just attack the song. I wrote my verse, I wrote the chorus, and it was a rap. I knew from then that this song was a jam,” Gold says of the track.

“Party Dey no Stop” arrives ahead of Gold’s fifth studio album due in June. In support of the project, he’ll embark on a four-month world tour that’s set to kick off in North America in September and run through the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the Caribbean through next year.

Gold first rose to fame in 2015 with the single “Sade,” a highlife love song that samples instrumentals from One Direction‘s 2013 hit “Story of My Life.” “Sade” went on to win best alternative song at the 2015 edition of The Headies, a Nigerian music awards show. Gold eventually signed his first record label deal with Olamide‘s YBNL Nation and released his debut studio album, Gold, in 2017. It peaked at No. 7 on Billboard‘s World Albums chart.

After Gold’s YBNL Nation contract expired, “I didn’t quite know what to do,” he says. “I was signed for two years, fresh off the industry. I was just thinking, ‘What am I going to do from here?’ [And] I’m like, ‘You know what? I got this. Let me just start my own thing.’”

The Afrobeats star then started his own label, Afro Urban Records — “one of the best decisions I’ve made,” he says — and put out two albums: 2018’s About 30 and 2022’s Catch Me If You Can. He released his 2020 album, Afro Pop, Vol. 1, under EMI.

In a previous Billboard interview, Gold explained why he switched labels and the benefits of working with distributor Platoon, which helped with the rollout for his last album, Catch Me If You Can, featuring Davido, Lucky Daye, Fatoumata Diawara, Fousheé, Ty Dolla $ign and Stefflon Don. “When I was fully Afro Urban Records and no distribution label, me and my manager [Elizabeth Sobowale] had to do a lot of work. Platoon has the best hands in everything from PR to marketing,” he said at the time. “All I had to do was work on the music and they’re ready to take the rest upon themselves.”

After his groundbreaking success with Wizkid and Tems during his tenure as executive vp of A&R at RCA, Balogun has been playing a monumental role in bolstering Def Jam’s roster with more talent from the African diaspora. In September 2022, the label signed an exclusive worldwide joint venture with Native Records to develop African artists.

“I think AG is a truly global artist, and a rightful ambassador for Nigerian music and the emerging Afrobeats scene,” Balogun says. “He has the talent, virtuosity, focus, work ethic and temperament required to be a worldwide superstar. I’m excited to work with him and the Def Jam team to bring more fans into his world.”

“Hear it from me,” Gold says. “Afrobeats is taking over the world.”

14 Mar 2023

Every Latin Music Showcase at 2023 SXSW Festival: Complete Schedule

Billboard officially returns to South by Southwest with three nights of star-studded concerts as part of the “Billboard Presents THE STAGE at SXSW,” which will be headlined by rapper and singer Lil Yachty (March 16), Latin superstars Feid and Eladio Carrión (March 17), and electronic music titans Kx5 (Kaskade and deadmau5) (March 18).

All taking place at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park in Austin, Texas, those who have SXSW Music and Platinum badges and SXSW Music Festival wristbands will have access to these performances on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets are also available for the public to purchase here. Billboard will donate a portion of ticket proceeds to Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that aims to create an urban park system in partnership with the city of Austin.

In addition to Feid and Carrión, many more Latin acts will be present at this year’s festivals and conferences including Andrekza, Divino Niño and Ivonne Gonzalez, to name a few. See the full Latin guide from Thursday, March 16 to Sunday, March 19, below (the schedule is based on the official SXSW website):

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

Caramelo Haze 
Presented by: SXSW DAY PARTY – Qobuz Sessions
Time: Noon – 12:30 p.m. CT 
Location: KMFA Radio

Divino Niño
Presented by: SXSW Day Party – Dr. Martens
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. CT
Location: Clive Bar

The New Wave of Puerto Rican Music
Artists: unÁnima, Neysa Blay, Piquete, El Laberinto del Coco
Presented by: PRIMA
Time: 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. CT
Location: Revival Coffee

Desta French
Presented by: Selector Radio (Jamz Supernova)
Time: 8 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. CT
Location: Sellers Underground

ZZK Records
Artists: Dat Garcia, Jackie Mendoza, Jhoniván y su Cumbia Loop, Karen y Los Remedios, Son Rompe Pera, Trucha Soul
Presented by: ZZK Records 
Time: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CT
Location: Speakeasy

RUMBA Presented by Cinq Music + Mitu 
Artists: Ivonne Galáz, Janine, Los Aptos, Poe Leos, Porte Diferente, Tania Domínguez
Presented by: Cinq Music + Mitu 
Time: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CT
Location: The Venue ATX

Nemegata 
Presented by: EQ Austin 
Time: 9 p.m. – 9:40 p.m. CT
Location: Sheraton BackYARD

Andrekza 
Presented by: Downtown Music Services
Time: 9:35 p.m. – 10:25 p.m. CT
Location: Vaquero Taquero

Sara Curruchich
Time: 10 p.m. – 10:40 p.m. CT
Location: Flamingo Cantina

OKAN 
Time: 11 p.m. – 11:40 p.m. CT
Location: Flamingo Cantina

Perreo Millennial Showcase
Artists: CRYMES, Foudeqush, riela, Letón Pé, JUANPORDIOS!, Isabella Lovestory
Presented by: Perreo Club
Time: 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. CT
Location: Cuatro Gato

Perreo Club Showcase
Artists: RUUEx, soularreal, EL NICK, Vacio Sur, Dinabn, ella ella, Nurrydog, Poniboy, Girl Ultra, Suxxy Puxxy
Presented by: Perreo Club
Time: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CT
Location: Coconut Club Rooftop

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

Billboard’s THE STAGE at SXSW
Artists: Gabby Got It, Eladio Carrión, Feid
Presented by Samsung Galaxy 
Time: 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. CT
Location: Moody Amphitheater @ Waterloo Park

Feid photographed on January 12, 2023 at Proper Studio in Miami.

Feid photographed on January 12, 2023 at Proper Studio in Miami.

Devin Christopher

Daniel Villarreal 
Presented by: Iceland Airwaves 
Time: 1 a.m. – 1:50 a.m. CT
Location: Victorian Room at The Driskill

Divino Niño 
Presented by: Cosmica Artists 
Time: 1 a.m. – 1:40 a.m. CT
Location: Cooper’s BBQ

La Cuneta Son Machin 
Time: 4 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. CT 
Location: International Day Stage

GlobalFEST Showcase 
Artists: La Cuneta Son Machin, King Stingray, Tuyo, Ramon Chicharron, Monophonics, Balaklava Blues
Presented by: globalFEST
Time: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CT
Location: Speakeasy

FAMA Collective Showcase
Artists: La Marimba, Ramona, El Gran Poder de Diosa, Paraísos, Tangowhiskyman, RUBIO mediopicky
Presented by: FAMA Collective
Time: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CT
Location: Augustine

Latinapalooza 
Artists: Mariachi Las Coronelas, Patricia Vonne, The Tiarras, Liah Alonso, Cecilia and The Broken Hearts
Presented by: Latinapalooza 
Time: 8:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. CT
Location: Cooper’s BBQ

El Combo Oscuro 
Presented by: Austin Music Foundation: ATX Gen N
Time: 11 p.m. – 11:50 p.m. CT
Location: Sheraton BackYARD

OKAN 
Time: 9 p.m. – 9:40 p.m. CT
Location: 

Sara Curruchich
Time: 11 p.m. – 11:40 p.m. CT
Location: Victorian Room at The Driskill

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

Latin Showcase
Artists: Michi Sanz, Destiny Navaira, Como Las Movies, Shiela, Shrt_Lyf
Presented by: Latin Music Coalition Austin & EQ Austin: LatinATX 2023
Time: 7 p.m. – midnight CT
Location: Sheraton BackYARD

Hermanos Quimica 
Time: 7:55 p.m. – 8:35 p.m. CT
Location: Shangri-La

Poe Leos 
Presented by: The Color Agent 
Time: 9:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. CT
Location: Swan Dive

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

Estereomance 
Presented by: Anniversary Group + No Gold 
Time: Midnight – 12:40 a.m. CT
Location: Hotel Vegas

Billboard’s parent company PMC is the largest shareholder of SXSW and its brands are official media partners of SXSW.

14 Mar 2023

Diplo Gets Candid About His Sexuality & Intimate Experiences With Men

Diplo is Emily Ratajkowski’s most recent guest on her High Low podcast, and the duo delved into an open discussion about sexuality and the DJ’s hesitation to put a label on himself.

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“I’m sure I’ve gotten a blowjob from a guy before. For sure,” the producer told the model. “I don’t know if it’s gay unless you like may eye contact while there’s the blowjob happening.”

He added, “Getting a blowjob’s not that gay, I think.”

Ratajkowski went on to mention an off-air conversation they had, before Diplo officially set the record straight on his sexuality. “I think the best answer I have is I’m not not gay,” the 44-year-old musician explained, adding that he is attracted to “vibe” more than a specific gender. “There are a couple guys… I could date, life partner-wise.”

Listen to the full podcast conversation here.

Throughout his career, Diplo has been romantically linked primarily to women, including Katy Perry, whom he dated briefly in 2014. In 2020, the DJ also went on a PDA-filled vacation with model and fellow producer Chantel Jeffries, though the two never made any public claims about their relationship.

Diplo also has three children. He shares sons — 13-year-old Lockett and nine-year-old Lazer — with his ex Kathryn Lockhart and also announced that he welcomed a baby boy named Pace in 2020 with former Miss Universe pageant contestant Jevon King.

14 Mar 2023

Paris Hilton Says Demi Lovato Documentary Inspired Her to Share Past Abuse: ‘I Envied That Acceptance’

Paris: The Memoir, released Tuesday (March 14), sees heiress Paris Hilton opening up about several of the misconceptions around her life and career in the public eye.

Of the many topics covered, Hilton revealed that Demi Lovato gave her inspiration to come forward about her own story of abuse, shared her thoughts about being parodied in the music video for P!nk‘s 2006 hit “Stupid Girls,” and shed some additional light on what led to the now-infamous photograph of her, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.

Released in 2017, Lovato’s Simply Complicated documentary covered the singer’s personal struggles with abuse and coping in the public eye. “I was as stunned as the rest of the world by how real, vulnerable, and courageous she was in the Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated documentary in 2017,” Hilton recalled in the memoir. “In the doc, Demi shared a painful reckoning with a difficult past; in person, I saw her in the midst of an intense journey of self-acceptance and discovery. I envied that acceptance. I wanted that discovery for myself.”

As for P!nk’s “Stupid Girls,” Hilton said the pop star made the explicit decision to sing “about ‘outcasts and girls with ambition’” and chose “not to see it in me.”

“When everyone was buzzing about a sex tape of a certain teenage girl from a soon-to-be-hit TV show — a girl who said emphatically over and over that she did not want the tape out there — the takeaway was ‘Stupid Girl,’” Hilton said of P!nk in the book. “The whole video is a not-at-all-subtle send-up of ‘porno paparazzi girls’ in general and, specifically, me, in a parody of my infamous sex tape.”

She continued, “[The tape was] made when I was not legally old enough to be served a rum and coke in a bar, was released and monetized against my will, but when that thing hit the internet, the full weight of public outrage, scorn, and disgust came down on me instead of on the massive crowd of people who bought and sold it.”

The same year that “Stupid Girls” was released, Hilton was under media scrutiny again for what the media dubbed the “bimbo summit” — a photograph of her alongside Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan squeezed into a two-seat Mercedes-Benz. According to Hilton, she and Spears escaped a party through a bathroom window to not be rude to the hosts; Lohan was also leaving the same party days after she allegedly bit Hilton on the arm.

“[Lohan’s publicist] Elliot [Miltz] brought her over to the car and opened the door. To get her out of the rain, maybe? Or maybe to clear up any crazy rumors that might be flying around?” Hilton wrote. “And then Lindsay got in the car, which was kind of awkward because I was driving a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren that had only two seats.”

Following the memoir’s release, Hilton took to Instagram to share her excitement about its arrival. “Today is the day. My book, “Paris: The Memoir” is available NOW!” she captioned a series of photos of her posing with the book. “Writing this book has been one of the most terrifying yet rewarding things I’ve ever done. I can’t wait for you to get to know the real me.”

Paris: The Memoir is available for purchase now.

14 Mar 2023

Amazon Music Debuts New Hip-Hop & Latino-Focused Shows

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Amazon La Semana Live

Source: Amazon / Amazon Music

Two new shows set to premiere later this month on Amazon Music will focus on Hip-Hop and Latin music along with pop culture from the Latin perspective.

According to reports, the streaming music platform will be launching two new flagship music series. The first, “Rotation Roundtable,” will be presented in a hybrid format utilizing a podcast-style experience and a Twitch live stream inspired by the platform’s “Rap Rotation” and “R&B Rotation” playlists. The hour-long show will be hosted by Power 105.1 host/ producer Nyla Symone, journalist and executive producer Speedy Morman, “On the Radar” creator Gabe P and veteran journalist Rob Markman. 

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In a press release about “Roundtable,” Symone expressed her delight about being a part of it. “I’m super excited to finally have a safe space to speak candidly amongst people who actually know the culture. My point of view is that culture isn’t about the clout or politics, it’s just about the music.” The show will debut March 15 at 9 p.m. and air each Wednesday on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel. Episodes will be available as audio podcasts on Amazon Music and all major services.

“La Semanal Live” will cover the biggest releases in Latin music and the most-discussed topics in Latin pop culture. Puerto Rican journalist and podcast host Gio Rosado will host the show from Miami, Florida. “The show will have a lot of energy, humor and debate. My goal is to create a show so captivating and engaging that you’ll regret not having tuned in,” he said. 

“La Semanal Live” will debut March 24 on the Amazon Music on Vivo Channel on Twitch. Clips from the show will be available in the Amazon Music app. It will then air every Friday at 9 p.m. Platino DJ Mode radio host Grecia Lopez will also be a recurring guest on the show, which will feature artist interviews and spotlight segments. A special slate of programming for Women’s History Month is in the works for the show, with an in-depth spotlight on Karol G to be included.

Amazon Rotation Roundtable

Source: Amazon / Amazon Music

14 Mar 2023

Tom Sachs Accused Of Creating Toxic Work Environment By Ex Employees

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Metrograph 1st Year Anniversary Party, Arrivals, New York, USA - 08 Mar 2017

Source: WWD / Getty

Don’t expect New York mag’s Curbed vertical to get seeded Nikecraft GPS sneakers anytime soon, if ever. In a detailed feature, the publication details how over a dozens former employees of renowned contemporary artist Tom Sachs say that he fostered a hostile and toxic work environment in his New York City studio.

Tom Sachs Nikecraft GPS Brown

Source: @yankeekicks / Instagram

Sneakersheads are familiar with Sachs thanks to his collaborating with Nike for a decade, beginning with his highly coveted NikeCraft Mars Yard 1.0 kicks and most recently the GPS (General Purpose Sneaker) model. Although intended to be readily available, each of the initial three colorways sold out shortly after release and remain immensely popular, However, Sachs isn’t too popular with his former employees, who have accused him of various workplace shenanigans including sexual harassment, bullying and violence.

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According to Curbed’s reporting, the employees likened working for Sachs to being in a cult, and he himself described it as such. Also, he allegedly discussed porn openly with his staff.

Per Curbed:

There was vintage porn on the walls of the studio, and Sachs talked at group lunches about the types of porn he was into, including VR. The studio says pornography was mentioned only in the context of projects. “It was always supposed to be ‘for a project,’” says the third former studio assistant. “But what project, I never saw.” Sachs brought up sex and bodies a lot. “He talked to me about women all the time,” says the former studio manager. When he found out about one administrative employee’s living situation, he asked if she was “fucking all of [her] roommates”; another time, he told her she was “lucky to live in a day and age when curves and butts are in fashion.”

Also, the alleged misogyny was in the red in Sachs’ world.

Sachs had a “type,” which he spoke openly about in the office. The administrative employee remembers Sachs bringing his toddler to the studio: “He pointed to me and was like, ‘See, this is what we call a “shiksa goddess.” This is what we call Daddy’s type.’ He said that kind of shit all the time.” (Sachs’s studio says this was a joke.) Another young female studio member says she was afraid to be alone in the studio at night with him. He called a storage room in the basement the “rape room”; in 2016, he changed it to the “consent room.” (Sachs’s studio says this was also a joke.) And while Sachs sometimes required his employees to wear uniforms, he himself was often in formfitting underwear in the studio, according to seven former members. He once even showed up to a Zoom call with female Nike employees in his underwear, according to the administrative employee, who was on the call. 

Sachs and his reps are vehemently denying all the accusations in Curbed’s story—and maintain that some of the eyebrow-raising accusations were mere “jokes.” Other accusations include the hurling of objects, uncouth comments and generally abusive behavior by Sachs.

Most of those interviewed did so anonymously due to fear of retaliation in the small fraternity of the art world.

Nike has yet to comment on the story.

14 Mar 2023

Jimin Drops Bombastic Teaser for Solo Single ‘Set Me Free Pt.2’

Jimin unveiled the first teaser for his “Set Me Free Pt.2” music video on Tuesday (March 14) via HYBE LABELS.

In the 30-second clip, the BTS member eyes the camera before wandering slowly through a troupe of backup dancers. The squad bursts into explosive choreography in a circular room ringed in giant squares of flashing light as the song’s chords come booming through the speakers. As the screen cuts to black, it reveals the song’s title and Friday release date at midnight ET/1 p.m. KST as Jimin can be heard crowing, “Set me free.”

“Set Me Free” will mark the first song from Jimin’s forthcoming debut solo album FACE, which is slated for release March 24. The same day the full-length drops, the K-pop idol will also share the music video for second single “Like Crazy,” which was co-written by Jimin’s BTS bandmate RM. Last week, Jimin also shared the first set of concept photos for the studio effort, showing off his titular face with sleek silver studs running down each side of his neck.

Most recently, Jimin scored his first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 by joining Taeyang for the BIGBANG member’s new single “Vibe.” Earlier this month, the singer also gave ARMY an early gift by uploading his solo tracks “Promise” and “Christmas Love” to streaming services for the very first time. (The pair of songs had previously only been available to listen to on the official BTS Soundcloud or YouTube accounts.)

Watch Jimin’s “Set Me Free Pt.2” music video teaser below.

14 Mar 2023

Shenseea Says Second Album Will Showcase Dancehall That American Fans ‘Can Love & Understand’

Shenseea is gearing up to drop some heat in the coming months. Billboard News caught up with the dancehall star at Rolling Loud LA — which took place March 3 to 5 — to discuss what’s to come from her forthcoming music and her reaction when she found out about the joke that Prince Harry listened to her music in difficult times.

Speaking with Billboard News host Tetris Kelly, the “Blessed” singer talked about her plans to follow up her debut studio album, Alpha. “I’m about to shoot my very first single from my second studio album real soon and I’m really excited about that. I think it’s going to be amazing,” she said, adding that people can expect “dancehall that Americans can definitely love and understand” on the project.

Shenseea revealed that she had the privilege to meet Kanye West and said that if she ever had the chance to, “It would be amazing to work with him again. I absolutely loved Kanye from even before I met him.” Kelly asked Shenseea and Ye have hopped on a project together, which she remained tight lipped about.

Following the release of Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, rumors circulated that an excerpt from the novel read, “In the times I felt alone and separated from my family, I always took time to myself to sit back and listen to Shenseea. Her lyrics resonated with me and got me through a lot.”

While the rumor was never confirmed, Shenseea briefly touched on it in the interview, saying, “That was very much unexpected to be honest, but big up to Prince Harry for tuning in.”

Up next for the dancehall star is a performance at Coachella next month, in which she’ll perform several of her hits for festival attendees. Watch Shenseea’s interview with Billboard in the video above.

14 Mar 2023

Avril Avoids Stage Crasher, Selena Shout Outs Miley, Shenseea Says This About Kanye & More | Billboard News

Avril Lavigne was introducing a performance by AP Dhillon when a topless woman appeared on the stage behind her at the 2023 Juno Awards. Miley Cyrus just dropped her eighth studio album and Selena Gomez is showing her some love on IG. NF’s ‘Motto’ makes its debut on top of the Hot Trending Songs chart dated March 18th. SWV sat down with Billboard’s Gail Mitchell to talk their new show on Bravo and more!