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19 Jan 2023

Oprah Winfrey On Hand For Inauguration Of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore

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Wes Moore Sworn In As Governor Of Maryland

Wes Moore is now the 63rd governor of the state of Maryland, the first time in history that feat has been achieved. On hand for the well-attended and star-studded ceremony in the state’s capital city was Oprah Winfrey, who has ties to the region. 

Wes Moore, 44, was sworn in during a lavish ceremony in Annapolis, Md. with Winfrey introducing the military veteran and Maryland native where she reminded attendees that she found her footing as a television news reporter in nearby Baltimore at WJZ-TV, a CBS affiliate station.

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Oprah, along with President Biden and former President Obama, endorsed Moore during his campaign. Although he has never held public office, Moore is a seasoned businessman and philanthropist who served as CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, an organization focused on fighting poverty in New York City. While running for governor, Moore made that as well as protecting reproductive rights in Maryland two of his major issues.

“I know that, with Wes Moore as your governor, Maryland’s best days lie ahead,” Oprah said when introducing Moore at today’s inauguration. The state has a significant place in Oprah’s heart; she moved to Baltimore at just 22 years old to work as co-anchor of WJZ-TV’s 6 o’clock news. “When I moved to Maryland, I had no idea really who I was, or what an Oprah was,” she said during the inauguration speech. “But I will tell you something: Maryland is where I figured it out.”

Local outlet WBAL-TV published the full transcript of Gov. Moore’s speech and we’ll share a portion of the speech as prepared below.

Gov. Moore:

You’ve elected me to serve as your governor, but the work, will be done together. Now there will be skeptics, who will say that we cannot rise above the toxic partisanship we see all too often in today’s politics, where people care more about where the idea came from than is it a good idea. Those voices told me at the beginning of my campaign, “You don’t understand how politics works.” To them I said and I say, “We must govern on big principles instead of petty differences.”

To them I said and I say, we must form broad coalitions that bring people together rather than scare them. I said and I say, the urgency of the moment demands a different way of serving the people.

While I led paratroopers, do you know what question I never asked my soldiers, what’s your political party?

I will govern the same way: For all Marylanders. For those who did not vote for me, I will work to earn your support; for those who did, I will work to keep it.

Congratulations to Gov. Wes Moore.

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Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty

19 Jan 2023

TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s ‘The Name Chapter: Temptation’ EP Includes a Coi Leray Collab

With less than 10 days until the release of TOMORROW X TOGETHER‘s forthcoming mini album, The Name Chapter: Temptation, more goodies hinting at the project’s contents continue to arrive. Thursday (Jan. 19) saw the K-pop group unveil the project’s tracklist, which includes a feature from rapper Coi Leray.

The tracklist was revealed in a poster shared to the K-pop group’s social accounts, and revealed the songwriting credits. The new tracks on the studio set include “Sugar Rush Ride” — the project’s lead single — “Devil by the Window,” “Happy Fools (feat. Coi Leray),” “Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock)” and “Farewell, Neverland.”

While MOA will need to wait a little while longer for the release of “Sugar Rush Ride,” the idols shared a snippet of the track via their TikTok account in videos of each member

The Name Chapter: Temptation and its lead single “Sugar Rush Ride” will arrive on Jan. 27, with an album preview to be released on Jan. 22. Two additional teasers for the project’s lead single will be shared on Jan. 24 and 25. Following the EP’s release, the K-pop group will perform a special showcase on Jan. 28.

The Name Chapter: Temptation will be the group’s first music release since the arrival of its fourth mini EP, minisode 2: Thursday’s Child. That project was a hit for the K-pop stars. It spent a total of 14 weeks on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, where it peaked at No. 4. Thursday’s Child achieved even more success on the Top Current Album Sales chart, where it spent 20 weeks on the tally and hit No. 1.

See TXT’s tracklist for The Name Chapter: Temptation, and get an early taste of “Sugar Rush Ride”:

19 Jan 2023

BLACKPINK Drops Limited-Edition ‘Born Pink’ Vinyl

BLACKPINK used social media on Wednesday (Jan. 18) to unveil the limited-edition vinyl of their sophomore album Born Pink.

The girl group announced the release on both Weverse and Instagram, revealing the baby pink vinyl will come with a plethora of extras, including a 72-page photo book, a BLACKPINK-branded vinyl protector grip, cork mat, double-sided poster, a set of six large photo cards, a random selfie photo card featuring one of the members, a photo sticker set of four and a pop-up card — all in a pink package box of the album’s artwork.

According to the post, the special vinyl is being released on Thursday (Jan. 19) and BLINKs couldn’t order it fast enough. “ITS NOT A WANT, ITS A NEED,” one wrote on Instagram in all caps, while another added, “All my money’s go-o-o-o-o-oneee~.” A third joked, “Blackpink fr knows how to make my pockets hurt.”

At the start of the year, reports surfaced that Jisoo’s long-awaited solo debut may finally be in the works, which would make her the fourth and final member of the group to branch out with her own music, following Jennie’s “SOLO” in 2018 and both Rosé’s single album -R- and Lisa’s self-titled Lalisa in 2021.

This spring, the idols will continue to make history by becoming the first Asian act to ever headline Coachella, along with Bad Bunny and Frank Ocean. The announcement came just four years after the foursome made their debut at the Indio, Calif.-based festival back in 2019, and less than a week after the music video for their early hit single “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” surpassed an astonishing two billion views on YouTube.

Check out BLACKPINK’s Born Pink vinyl announcement below.

19 Jan 2023

Elevation Worship’s ‘Same God’ Tops Hot Christian Songs & Christian Airplay Charts

Elevation Worship earns its second No. 1 on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Christian Songs chart and its third leader on Christian Airplay as “Same God” ascends to the top of both lists dated Jan. 21.

The song increased by 10% to 8 million audience impressions among Christian Airplay reporters in the Jan. 6-12 tracking week, according to Luminate. It also drew 1.5 million U.S. streams and sold 1,000 downloads.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based collective previously ruled Christian Airplay with “Rattle!” for a week in September 2021 (as it also hit No. 4 on Hot Christian Songs), and “Graves Into Gardens,” featuring Brandon Lake. The latter also topped both charts at once, on the tallies dated Feb. 6, 2021. It dominated Hot Christian Songs for two frames, while pacing Christian Airplay for a week.

Elevation Worship now sports two of the three select instances in which a track has dominated both charts simultaneously. Prior to “Same God” and “Gardens,” Mandisa first achieved the feat in September 2013 when “Overcomer” spent its first of 10 weeks atop Hot Christian Songs and its first of 12 frames in the Christian Airplay penthouse.

Notably, the act has released a studio version and a live version of “Same God,” the latter of which credits Jonsal Barrientes, a member of the group, in a featured role. Chris Brown, Elevation Worship frontman, sings lead vocals on the studio mix. (Both renditions contribute to the song’s singular chart listing.)

Brown co-wrote the track with Pat Barrett, Steven Furtick and Brandon Lake.

19 Jan 2023

Here’s Why Sadie Sink Thought Working With Taylor Swift on ‘All Too Well: The Short Film’ Was ‘Bizarre’

Sadie Sink is used to acting alongside demogorgons and shadow monsters on Stranger Things, but it was working with Taylor Swift that she thought was “bizarre.” During her Wednesday (Jan. 18) appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, the 20-year-old star opened up about how she was scouted for the singer’s All Too Well short film, which Sink explained was one of the most unexpected roles she’s ever been offered.

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“I was a fan of hers before,” she recalled. “Her team reached out and I guess she had me in mind for this video. I said, ‘Yes, of course.’”

When asked by Meyers whether Swift’s invitation had been the “trippiest” offer she’s ever told friends and family about receiving, she immediately said it was. “You would never think that our paths would really cross, someone being in the music industry and then in the film industry,” she explained.

“It was like two different worlds,” she added. “It was kind of a bizarre mashup, but everyone was very excited.”

The Whale actress starred alongside Dylan O’Brien in Swift’s All Too Well: The Short Film, which was released on YouTube in November 2021, and marked the longest motion picture project the “Anti-Hero” singer had yet directed. The short went on to win video of the year at last year’s VMAs, and Swift has since signed a deal with Searchlight Pictures to write and direct her first feature-length film.

The 11-time Grammy winner explained how important it was to her to get Sink onboard the All Too Well project when she made her own appearance on Late Night in 2021. “The only two people I imagined playing the two characters, it was Sadie and Dylan,” she told Meyers.

“If Sadie had said no, I don’t think I would have made it, I don’t think I would have made the film,” she continued. “I think I would’ve just been like, this is a sign.”

Watch Sadie Sink talk about working with Taylor Swift on Late Night With Seth Meyers above.

19 Jan 2023

Dolly Parton’s 15 Best Songs: Critic’s Picks

Since releasing her debut solo album, 1967’s Hello, I’m Dolly, more than 50 years ago, Dolly Parton has changed the face of the entertainment industry. Kicking down doors for female performers in both country and pop music, she has soared in the worlds of books, television, philanthropy and movies — and pretty much whatever else she tackled.

On top of it all, her expansive roster of hits reads like a “best of” list of the 1970s and 1980s, and it remains one of the strongest song catalogs of any singer-songwriter in any genre. As a writer, she has penned everything from poignant, detailed ballads about life in the Smoky Mountains, where she grew up, to some of the most defining love songs of all time.

Her prowess as a songwriter and performer is so great, it earned her a historic induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 — an accomplishment she almost didn’t accept, telling Billboard at the time that she didn’t feel like she “measured up” to past inductees. A legacy like hers, however, deserves the title of “rock star” no matter what style of music she makes, and the world agreed. She went on to become the second female country artist to be inducted in both the Rock and Country Music Halls of Fame.

“People usually [say] ‘Dolly rocks’ or ‘you rock’ or ‘you’re a rock star,’” she said. “I thought they just meant that I was cool, and I took that as a great compliment. But now I’m going to have to take it literally!”

In choosing our favorite Dolly Parton songs, we chose fifteen. Many of them came from her own pen, and all of them will “Always” have staying power. To be fair, we could do a list of our favorite Dolly duets, too, but wanted to keep this one solo focused.

Keep reading to see Dolly Parton’s 15 best songs to date below.

19 Jan 2023

Lainey Wilson’s ‘Heart Like a Truck’ Rumbles Into Hot Country Songs Chart’s Top 10

Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck” ascends to the top 10 on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay and sales based Hot Country Songs chart, giving the singer-songwriter her fourth career-opening hit in the tier. On the chart dated Jan. 21, it climbs from No. 12 to No. 8.

Wilson co-penned “Truck” with Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson, and it was produced by Jay Joyce.

The song drew 8.8 million official streams (up 1%) and sold 4,000 downloads in the U.S. in Jan. 6-12, according to Luminate. On Country Airplay, it rolls 13-12 for a new high (16.4 million impressions, up 14%, in the same span).

Concurrently, Wilson’s featured turn on HARDY‘s “Wait in the Truck” ranks at No. 11 after hitting No. 7 in November. On Country Airplay, it pushes 14-13 (15.3 million, up 12%). Plus, it attracted 9.9 million clicks and sold 4,000 in the tracking week.

Wilson debuted with “Things a Man Oughta Know,” which reached No. 3 on Hot Country Songs and led Country Airplay for a week in September 2021. Sophomore single “Never Say Never,” with Cole Swindell, peaked at No. 2 last April, while dominating Country Airplay for two frames in April-May. As Wilson scored her second of two Country Airplay No. 1s, Swindell earned the 11th of his 12 to-date.

‘Gone’ Goes Top 10

On Country Digital Song Sales, Luke Combs banks his 27th top 10 as “Going, Going, Gone,” jumps 16-10, up 9% to 2,000 sold. His haul of top 10s includes eight No. 1s, most recently “The Kind of Love We Make” for three weeks after opening atop the ranking last July.

On Hot Country Songs, “Gone” ranks at No. 7, after reaching a No. 6 high, with 9.9 million streams. On Country Airplay, it holds at No. 11 (18.9 million, up 18%).

19 Jan 2023

The Kid Laroi Reflects on Past Wrongs in Introspective New Song ‘I Can’t Go Back to the Way It Was’: Listen

The Kid Laroi is gearing up to release his debut studio album, The First Time, and to drum up anticipation, the “Stay” singer gave fans a taste of the LP with new single “I Can’t Go Back to the Way It Was (Intro)” on Thursday (Jan. 19).

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The track sees Laroi sharing intimate details about his life, such as his relationship with his mother and father, and the difficulties that life often holds. The 19-year-old also struggles to keep up with the fast pace of his existence, and feels bad for the bridges he’s burned in the process.

“I did things I that knew were wrong/ But time just keeps movin’ on/ And no matter which way I run/ I can’t go back to the way it was/ I broke bones and I shed some blood/ I talked to a few friеnds I love/ No matter which way I run/ I can’t go back to the way it was, no,” the Australian rapper spits over atmospheric instrumentals.

At the end of the song’s accompanying video, The Kid Laroi reveals that the next track will be “Love Again,” which arrives Friday, Jan. 27.

“I Can’t Go Back to the Way It Was (Intro)” arrives after the artist shared a teaser trailer for the album on Jan. 12. In the 30-second visual, Laroi’s voice is heard over a series of vintage-looking clips of everyday life, saying, “You never forget the first time: the first time you fall in love, the first time you get caught, the first time you feel shame, the first real kiss.”

The new single marks the first track that Laroi has released since April’s “Thousand Miles,” which charted at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to “Thousand Miles,” Laroi’s Justin Bieber collaboration “Stay” was a massive hit, and crowned the Hot 100 in August 2021.

Listen to “I Can’t Go Back to the Way It Was (Intro)” in the video above.

19 Jan 2023

Bun B Discusses Jay-Z Using His Lyrics For “99 Problems”

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Veteran rapper Bun B took time to reflect on Jay-Z’s apparent usage of his lyrics for one of his hits and on their relationship in an interview.

The “Still Trill” rapper sat down as the guest on the most recent episode of the People’s Party with Talib Kweli podcast. At about the halfway mark the discussion soon turned to his feelings about the revelation that the first four lines of the third verse of Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” were taken from Bun B’s verse from the UGK song “Touched.” The track was on their iconic 1996 album Ridin’ Dirty. “99 Problems” would go on to be one of the standout hits from The Black Album.

“I feel like enough people know,” the Port Arthur, Texas native said. “But I don’t feel like it’s that big of a deal. I would call it mutual respect. We do this a lot in Hip-Hop, right? Where we have artists who have said, ‘Fuck that was dope, the way he said that.’ And sometimes you wanna pay homage to that wordplay. How many songs, Kweli, have you listened to and been like, ‘I woulda rhymed that last part like this.’”

He continued plainly: And I think that’s what happens. I think you feel like, ‘This is a dope rhyme, I don’t think enough people heard this shit. I’m finna drop this shit in here.’ Sometimes you take a dope rhyme and make it a hook, and then people gotta go back and figure it out. But nah, I don’t think a lot of people know that. I don’t think it’s a big deal that they don’t know. Or a big deal if they do.”

The Trill Burgers founder has often spoken about his connection with Jay-Z, dating back to Pimp C’s guest verse on “Big Pimpin” from Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter. In the years since Pimp C’s passing, Bun B has shared that his UGK partner had initial misgivings about appearing on the track out of respect for the late 2Pac.

“So, 2Pac was not a Jay-Z fan, this is very well-known,” Bun B said in another podcast interview. “Jay-Z had been introduced to UGK by a big DJ in New York named Clark Kent. And he’s like, ‘I like these guys, I wanna work with them.’ And Pimp C did not want to fuck with people that 2Pac did not fuck with, because he thought 2Pac was the best judge of character.”

Check out the entire podcast episode below.



19 Jan 2023

No-Brainer: Starz’s New Hit Drama ‘BMF’ Coming Back For A Third Season

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BMF Renewed For A Third Season on Starz

Source: Courtesy of Starz / BMF

Fans of BMF can enjoy the current second season, knowing there will be more stories to tell.

Spotted on Variety, Starz’s latest hit drama BMF, based on the actual story of Big Meech and his Detroit-based organized crime outfit, the Black Mafia Family, will get a third season.

The announcement came fresh into BMF’s second season, with the cable network noting the show was the most socially engaged drama across all networks during its premiere weekend with an astounding 4.1 million multiplatform viewers.

“BMF captures the essence of Detroit through elevated, gritty storytelling, and our fans have passionately responded to this show more than ever before,” said Kathryn Busby, president of original programming for Starz.

She continues, “Following such a strong debut with season two, we’re thrilled to continue to expand on the incredible story of the Flenory brothers as they change the game by writing their own rules. We can’t wait to see what our extraordinary producers and cast deliver next.”

50 Cent’s Weird Relationship With Starz Continues

With the announcement of the show’s third season, Starz’s often shaky relationship with 50 Cent and his G-Unit Film & Television will continue, despite his constant threats to pull his slate of shows from the network.

The Queen’s rapper is single-handedly bringing the heat to Starz with shows like Power Book II: Ghost (created by Courtney A. Kemp), Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Power Book IV: Force, and now BMF.

In 2022, 50 Cent took to his Instagram account to announce that his partnership with the cabler is a dub.

“Shout out to BET, I won Hustler of the Year. No one from music culture has had success in Television production. I have 25 shows now and I’ve made some big deals away from TV. I’m out of my deal at STARZ tomorrow,” he wrote in the post’s caption.

Congrats to the cast and crew of BMF.

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Photo: Courtesy of Starz / BMF