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12 Jan 2023

Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding Are Back in the Studio Together

Together, Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding delivered a pair of EDM classics with 2012’s “I Need Your Love” and 2014’s “Outside.” Now it looks like we may be getting more music from the pair.

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On Thursday (Jan. 12), Harris tweeted a casual photo of himself and Goulding in the studio, writing simply “back in the studio with Ellie Goulding!!” along with a CD emoji. In the photo Goulding, dressed all in black, smiles for the camera while standing in front of the mic clutching her headphones, while Harris, bearded, smiling and draped in green flannel, handles selfie duty.

Together, Harris and Goulding hit No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 2013 with “I Need Your Love.” Coming from Harris’ all time classic LP 18 Months, the song spent 25 weeks on the chart and served as a key track of the EDM era. 2014’s “Outside” — from Harris’ Motion — reached No. 29 on the Hot 100 and spent 20 weeks on the chart. Goulding was indeed one of the genre’s most crucial voices, appearing on tracks by Harris, Skrillex, Major Lazer, Seven Lions and a flurry of other genre stars.

In timing that perhaps means something but could also mean nothing at all, this news comes two days after it was announced that Harris is returning to Coachella this year, a show that will mark his first time playing the fest since 2014.

Either way, any new music from Harris would function as the followup to his 2022 album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. II, which itself featured a hefty list of collaborators including Halsey, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg and many more.

See Harris ad Goulding’s studio picture below.

12 Jan 2023

Ashley Tisdale Reveals Alopecia Diagnosis: ‘Nothing to Be Ashamed Of’

Ashley Tisdale detailed her struggle with alopecia in a new social media post on Wednesday (Jan. 11).

“In my young twenties, I noticed that there was, like, a little bit of a bald spot right at my hair line,” the High School Musical star said in the video. “And I asked my hair colorist, ‘What is that?’ And she was like, ‘Oh, that’s alopecia.’ I didn’t even know what that was.

After receiving an official diagnosis from her dermatologist, the actress learned the condition is “autoimmune, and a lot of it’s triggered by stress.”

“Any type of hair loss can affect your self-esteem, especially if you feel like you’re the only one going through it. That’s why I want to talk about it openly—because it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes it’s connected to hormones, other times to heredity, and for me, it’s connected to stress overload,” Tisdale added in the caption of the post.

The “Love Me & Let Me Go” singer went on to share a few of the solutions that have helped her deal with alopecia over the years, from stress management techniques like yoga, meditation and therapy to using platelet rich plasma and investing in the auto-immune paleo diet.

Back in August, the Disney Channel alum stepped back into the shoes of Sharpay Evans for a TikTok recreation of “I Want It All” from High School Musical 3, co-starring social media personality Chris Olsen in lieu of her co-star Lucas Grabeel.

Watch Tisdale open up about her alopecia journey below.

12 Jan 2023

Jeff Beck’s Billboard Chart History: The Yardbirds, ‘People Get Ready’ & More

Jeff Beck, the legendary guitarist who died Jan. 10 at age 78, had a Billboard charts history that stretched over a half century whether it was through his solo work or with the band that brought him his initial fame, The Yardbirds.

Beginning in 1965 and running all the way up to 2022’s Johnny Depp collaboration 18, Beck reached the charts dozens of times, rattling off top 40 albums on the Billboard 200 and scoring entries on the Billboard Hot 100.

In fact, beginning in the 1960s, there was never a decade that didn’t feature an album involving Jeff Beck on the Billboard 200, solo or otherwise. As a guitarist in The Yardbirds, he first appeared on the chart with For Your Love, which peaked at No. 96 on the Billboard 200 in August 1965, followed by Having a Rave Up With the Yardbirds (No. 53, February 1966) and Over Under Sideways Down (No. 52, October 1966). Yardbirds Greatest Hits peaked at No. 28 in June 1967 and The Yardbirds hit No. 155 in October 1970, both featuring Beck recordings, but by then he had left the group.

What followed was a multi-decade streak of Beck solo records that reached the chart, beginning with the No. 15-peaking Truth in November 1968. The ‘70s? More albums, paced by the No. 4 peak of Blow By Blow, to date Beck’s highest-charting album on the Billboard 200. The ‘80s brought the No. 21-peaking There and Back in August 1980 as his top-charter, and the ‘90s were accented by Who Else!, at No. 99, in April 1999.

Moving into the 2000s, Beck appeared twice, led by You Had It Coming (No. 110, February 2001), and the 2010s saw four appearances, with Emotion + Commotion leading the group at No. 11 in May 2010. The aforementioned 18 with Depp, Beck’s final release before his death, continued his streak into the ‘20s, hitting No. 183 in July 2022.

On the Hot 100, Beck was best represented by The Yardbirds recordings, accruing a top 10 in 1965 with “Heart Full of Soul” after he replaced Eric Clapton as the band’s lead guitarist (No. 9, September 1965). A cover of Bo Diddley’s “I’m a Man” reached No. 17 that December. “Shapes of Things” hit No. 11 in May 1966. “Over Under Sideways Down” followed at No. 13 that August, the band’s final top 20 with Beck or otherwise. One more appearance with Beck occurred later that year, with the No. 30-peaking “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago.”

Beck reached the Hot 100 three more times as a credited artist, first with Donovan’s “Goo Goo Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)” (credited to Donovan and the Jeff Beck Group) at No. 36 in September 1969. A decade-and-a-half later, he was back with the Rod Stewart collaboration “People Get Ready” at No. 48 (July 1985), and in 2007 he returned one final time to date as a featured artist on Kelly Clarkson’s cover of “Up to the Mountain” (No. 56, May 2007).

But that’s not where Beck’s chart story ends. He was an occasional presence on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart upon its 1981 inception, first with the aforementioned “Ready,” which peaked at No. 5. In all, he reached the chart five times as a lead artist, most recently with Seal collaboration “Manic Depression” (No. 10, February 1994).

A 28-year break from the chart followed before his return as a featured artist on Ozzy Osbourne’s “Patient Number 9” in 2022. A three-week No. 1, it allowed Beck to set a record for the longest amount of time between first chart appearance (“Ready”) and first No. 1, a 37-year, one-month, two-week wait. It’s a record that, as of January 2023, remains intact.

Beck died Jan. 10 in England after a brief battle with bacterial meningitis. He’s nominated at the 2023 Grammy Awards for both best rock performance and best rock song, on Osbourne’s “Patient.”

12 Jan 2023

The Lyrical Wizardry Behind Hikaru Utada’s Revival Hit ‘First Love’

In recent years, you’ve doubtlessly felt some major shifts in the Western pop music scene. Of course, there has been the rise of reggaeton, fresh takes on pop-punk, edgy new grooves from London, and hit trends that originated on TikTok. While these are all fascinating movements, there’s another in the air — the meteoric rise of Asian artists.

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Since the late 2010s, listeners around the world have been reappraising music from Asia, and the development of streaming platforms has provided Asian music with an even greater presence. Special note should be taken of the presence of musician Hikaru Utada, who uses they/them pronouns and has drawn a great deal of interest for their rich catalog of songs, including “Somewhere Near Marseilles,” a club-like tune that deftly evokes the precarious emotional states people have been thrust into by the pandemic. In 2022, they released their latest album, BAD MODE, to the acclaim of music lovers everywhere.

Hikaru Utada is now known for their intriguing style, drawing the listener into a maze of fine, spiraling rhythms, working with producers such as Floating Points, A. G. Cook and Nariaki Obukuro on their new album. It’s important to remember, however, that long before they released songs like “Face My Fears” and “Simple and Clean,” which became well-known in the West due to their use in the Kingdom Hearts games, they had already created universally loved hits.

One of those was “First Love,” the topic of this column. “First Love” has become a hit song in many countries throughout Asia, taking the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the Apple Music Daily Top 100 and Spotify Daily Rankings Hong Kong and Taiwan. It’s also rising rapidly through the charts in Korea and Indonesia, enjoying a passionate revival not only in Japan but across national borders. This rediscovery was sparked by the November release of the Netflix series First Love. The Netflix series was inspired by the interaction generated from the Hikaru Utada songs “First Love” and “Hatsukoi” and their maddening sense of heartache. The show has become a hit throughout Asia.

“First Love” was revealed to most of the world from the main stage at the Coachella Festival in 2022, but it first captivated Japanese listeners back in 1999. Even though Hikaru Utada was just 16 years old at the time, the song has been a continuing inspiration throughout the years. In that way, as well, the fate of the song resonates with the series First Love, whose story winds back and forth through the past and the present.

What has influenced the path of “First Love”? As is clear from the fact that the song has become a hit again throughout Asia, 23 years after its initial release, it’s clear that “First Love” possesses a certain kind of universality. 

Its structure is extremely simple — just piano, bass, drums, and acoustic guitar. This format brings out Utada’s vocals to their fullest. Their vocal performance, which demonstrated a highly refined expressive sensibility despite the song being one of their debut-era releases, can be enjoyed to its fullest on “First Love (A Cappella Mix),” included on the exclusive limited-edition 7-inch single. Their vocals, like a tightrope walker that sways with the music but never falls, are nothing less than breathtaking.

Special attention should be paid to their use of breath. Throughout the song, they use an unusual breath approach, but only for the verse. The floating opening of the song begins, “Saigo no kiss wa, tobacco no flavor ga shita, nigakute setsunai kaori” (“Our last kiss was the flavor of cigarettes, A bitter taste”). They take a breath between “sa” and “igo,” and then again before “kiss,” expressing the fluttering, flustered feelings of love. However, although they pause midway through the word “tobacco,” they don’t take a breath. There’s a momentary silence, one in which even their breathing is stopped, deftly expressing time coming to a halt during a kiss. In the second verse, “Tachidomaru jikan ga ugokidaso to shiteru, wasurerarenai koto bakari” (“Time, standing still, is about to start moving, So many things I don’t want to forget”), the lyrics are accompanied by surprising, bold breath usage. Time, which was stopped for a moment by a kiss, starts up again, along with their breath. Utada uses an “a-i-o” rhyme pattern in both verses (“saigo” and “tachido”), but there’s a crucial difference between them. This deliberate use of breath is also reflected in the newly released Dolby Atmos version, “First Love (2022 Mix).”

A lot has been said about how “First Love” demonstrates unique vocal timing, with pauses where they would not normally be found in Japanese, along with novel uses of breath as an instrument. However, what’s truly notable, more than the methods themselves, are the way that Utada interwove their use of breath with the lyrics to create a sensation of time coming to a standstill during a kiss tinged with a hint of the smell of a cigarette, or the sadness that comes with time starting again when you realize that love has ended. It is because these feelings are shared by people throughout time, we have — unforgettable experiences that are hard to put into words. “First Love” uses breath to breathe new life into emotions that have had an indelible impact on us but have dissipated with time. This is bound to become a universal, or perhaps invariable, artistic technique that will become part of the common language of music, transcending time and borders.

—This article by Tsuya-chan first appeared on Billboard Japan

12 Jan 2023

Harry Styles, Wet Leg Top 2023 Brit Award Nominations (Full List)

Harry Styles and Wet Leg tied as the most-nominated artists for the 2023 Brit Awards, with four nods each. Styles is nominated for artist of the year, Mastercard album of the year, song of the year and pop/R&B act.

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Wet Leg is nominated for Mastercard album of the year, group of the year, best new artist and alternative/rock act.  The duo will perform at the Feb. 11 Brit Awards ceremony, as will Sam Smith & Kim Petras, whose “Unholy” is up for song of the year.

In a statement, Wet Leg said, “Somebody hold our horses while we get to grips with this wild news, being nominated for a BRIT award is too hard to comprehend, we never could have expected for our wee band to achieve this.”

Styles will face off against Central Cee, Fred again…, George Ezra and Stormzy for artist of the year — which was won by Adele last year in its inaugural year.

The nominees for Mastercard album of the year are The 1975’s Being Funny in a Foreign Language, Wet Leg’s Wet Leg, Styles’ Harry’s House, Stormzy’s This Is What I Mean and Fred again…’s Actual Life 3 (January 1- September 9 2022). The 1975 won in that category four years ago for A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships. Stormzy won five years ago for Gang Signs & Prayer.

Styles’ “As It Was” and Lewis Capaldi’s “Forget Me” are among the 10 nominees for song of the year. Styles won in that category two years ago for “Watermelon Sugar” (and, with One Direction, 11 years ago for “What Makes You Beautiful”). Capaldi won three years ago for “Someone You Loved.” In a funny (and probably prophetic) statement, Capaldi said, “It’s an honour to be nominated for British Song Of The Year. I very much look forward to seeing Harry Styles accept the award for ‘As It Was’.”

Several of the Brit nominees are nominated for Grammys in equivalent categories. Styles, nominated here for Mastercard album of the year and song of the year, is up for album, record and song of the year at the Grammys. Wet Leg, nominated here for best new artist, is up in that same category at the Grammys. Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” and Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” nominated here for international song of the year, are nominated for record and song of the year at the Grammys. Gayle’s “abcdefu,” also nominated here for international song of the year, is up for song of the year at the Grammys.

2023 will see the return of the four public-voted genre awards for alternative/rock act, dance act, hip hop/grime/rap act and pop/R&B act, which were introduced last year. Three of last year’s winners in these four categories are back to defend their titles – Dua Lipa in pop/R&B, Becky Hill in dance and Dave in hip-hop, grime, rap. This year’s winners will be determined by a public vote via TikTok, which will open at midday on Thursday Jan. 19.

In a statement, Hill said, “I am astounded that I am nominated for Best Dance Act for a second year in a row. I am so honoured to be recognised again for my contribution in dance music which is held so closely to my heart…”

In December, The Brits announced FLO as the winner of this year’s Rising Star award. FLO is the first group to win this award. 

The nominations for British producer of the year (won last year by Inflo) and songwriter of the year (won last year by Ed Sheeran) will be announced later.

Sheeran is nominated for two different collaborations this year. “Merry Christmas,” his teaming with Elton John, is up for song of the year. “Peru,” his pairing with Fireboy DML, is up for international song of the year.

Winners will be revealed at The Brit Awards on Saturday Feb. 11 at The O2 arena, broadcast on ITV and ITVX, and hosted by Mo Gilligan. 

Here’s the complete list of 2023 Brit Awards nominations.

Mastercard album of the year

The 1975, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, Dirty Hit

Wet Leg, Wet Leg, Domino Recordings

Harry Styles, Harry’s House, Columbia, Sony Music

Stormzy, This Is What I Mean, 0207/Merky, Universal Music

Fred Again..,, Actual Life 3 (January 1-September 9 2022), Atlantic Warner Music

Song of the year

Aitch/Ashanti, “Baby,” Capitol, Universal Music

Cat Burns, “Go,” RCA/Since 93, Sony Music

Dave, “Starlight,” Dave/Neighbourhood, Universal Music

Ed Sheeran & Elton John, “Merry Christmas,” Atlantic/EMI, Warner Music, Universal Music

Eliza Rose/Interplanetary Criminal, “B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All),” Warner Records/One House/Warner Music

George Ezra, “Green Green Grass,” Columbia, Sony Music

Harry Styles, “As It Was,” Columbia, Sony Music

Lewis Capaldi, “Forget Me,” EMI, Universal Music

LF System, “Afraid to Feel,” Warner Records, Warner Music

Sam Smith & Kim Petras, “Unholy,” Capitol, Universal Music

Artist of the year

Central Cee, Central Cee

Fred Again…, Atlantic, Warner Music

George Ezra, Columbia/Sony Music

Harry Styles, Columbia/Sony Music

Stormzy, 0207/Merky, Universal Music

Group of the year

The 1975, Dirty Hit

Arctic Monkeys, Domino Recordings

Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Relentless, Sony Music

Nova Twins, Marshall Records, Blue Raincoat Music

Wet Leg, Domino Recordings

Best new artist

Kojey Radical, Asylum/Atlantic, Warner Music

Mimi Webb, Epic/RCA, Sony Music

Rina Sawayama, Dirty Hit

Sam Ryder, Parlophone, Warner Music

Wet Leg, Domino Recordings

Rising star

Cat Burns, RCA/Since;93, Sony Music

Winner: FLO, Island, Universal Music

Nia Archives, Island/Universal Music

Alternative/rock act

The 1975, Dirty Hit

Arctic Monkeys, Domino Recordings

Nova Twins, Marshall Records, Blue Raincoat Music

Tom Grennan, Insanity, Sony Music

Wet Leg, Domino Recordings

Hip Hop, grime, rap act

Aitch, Capitol, Universal Music

Central Cee, Central Cee

Dave, Dave/Neighbourhood, Universal Music

Loyle Carner, EMI, Universal Music

Stormzy, 0207/Merky, Universal Music

Dance act

Becky Hill, Polydor, Universal Music

Bonobo, Ninja Tune

Calvin Harris, Columbia, Sony Music

Eliza Rose, Warner Records/One House, Warner Music

Fred again…, Atlantic, Warner Music

Pop/R&B act

Cat Burns, RCA/Since’93, Sony Music

Charli XCX, Asylum/Atlantic, Warner Music

Dua Lipa, Warner Records, Warner Music

Harry Styles, Columbia, Sony Music

Sam Smith, Capitol, Universal Music

International artist of the year

Beyoncé, Columbia/Parkwood/RCA, Sony Music

Burna Boy, Atlantic, Warner Music

Kendrick Lamar, Polydor/Interscope, Universal Music

Lizzo, Atlantic, Warner Music

Taylor Swift, EMI/Republic, Universal Music

International group of the year

Blackpink, Polydor/Interscope, Universal Music

Drake & 21 Savage, Island/OVO/Republic, Epic/Columbia, Universal Music, Sony Music

First Aid Kit, Columbia/Sony Music

Fontaines D.C., Partisan Records

Gabriels, Parlophone, Warner Music

International song of the year

Beyoncé, “Break My Soul,” Columbia/Parkwood/RCA, Sony Music

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue),” Parlophone, Warner Music

Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran, “Peru,” Island/Atlantic, Universal/Warner

Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz and cast of Encanto, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” Universal Music Recordings, Walt Disney, Universal Music

Gayle, “abcdefu,” Atlantic, Warner Music

Jack Harlow, “First Class,” Atlantic, Warner Music

Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” Atlantic, Warner Music

Lost Frequencies/Calum Scott, “Where Are You Now,” Capitol/Insanity, Sony Music/Universal Music

One Republic, “I Ain’t Worried,” Polydor/Insanity, Sony Music/Universal Music

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” EMI/Republic, Universal Music

12 Jan 2023

SEVENTEEN Sub-Unit BSS Teases New Single ‘Second Wind’: Here’s When It Arrives

SEVENTEEN sub-unit BSS unveiled the teaser for “Second Wind,” their first single in five years, on Sunday (Jan. 8).

The visual, which features the words “Ladies and gentlemen they call us BSS” emblazoned over a red dirt running track, promises that the trio of Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi will release the track on Feb. 6. (The unit takes its acronym of a name from “BooSeokSoon,” the three letters from the idols’ Korean names.)

The phrase on the poster also served as the opening line of BSS’ debut single, “Just do it,” back in 2018. Since then, the trio have remained busy with their 10 other bandmates, releasing albums like 2019’s An Ode and 2022’s Face the Sun as well as the latter’s deluxe repackaging as Sector 17.

BSS aren’t the only SEVENTEEN members branching off in the wake of the boy band’s successful 2022, either. Vernon closed out the year by dropping his third solo project in the form of mixtape Black Eye as well as the pop-punk-infused title track’s brash music video.

SEVENTEEN also has a high-profile evangelist in Wednesday star Emma Myers, who spent the beginning of her debut late-night appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last week excitedly explaining the math behind the boy band’s name (“There’s thirteen of them…And there are three different groups…And then there’s one team. So thirteen plus three plus one is SEVENTEEN,”) to host Jimmy Fallon and the audience.

Meanwhile, Joshua, Dino and Mingyu hinted that “fresh music” will be coming from the whole of SEVENTEEN sometime in 2023 exclusively to Billboard‘s Tetris Kelly while attending LA3C in December.

Check out the teaser for BSS’ new single “Second Wind” below.

12 Jan 2023

Naya Rivera Honored by Ex-Husband Ryan Dorsey on Her Birthday: ‘I Still Don’t Have the Answers’

Naya Rivera would have turned 36 years old Thursday (Jan. 12). In a heartbreaking Instagram post, her ex-husband Ryan Dorsey marked the hollow occasion by paying tribute to the beloved Glee star, who died in a tragic drowning accident two years ago.

Dorsey, who was married to Rivera from 2014 to 2018, shared a trio of photos of the late actress smiling alongside their son, Josey, who turned 7 last year. “A little easier with each little bit of time that passes by to look at pictures…but I still don’t have the answers to the questions to the why’s our sweet boy asks from time to time,” he wrote. “I never will.”

“Doing the best we can,” he added. “Fly high.”

Josey was with Rivera on the day she died in July 2020, found sleeping alone on a boat the Sorry Not Sorry author had rented earlier that day in Lake Piru in Southern California. Rivera’s body was found five days later, and it is believed that she saved Josey’s life by pushing him safely onto the boat before she drowned.

“If you’re reading this no matter what you’re going through, take a moment of gratitude that you’re still here on this ride,” Dorsey concluded his post. “I know some days are harder than others to get up, but keep we just gotta keep pushing onward.”

This marks three years of birthdays Rivera has missed since she died at age 33. Last year, Dorsey honored her on what would have been her 35th birthday, telling People, “At least once a day I find myself shaking my head, like it’s still unbelievable, so surreal that she’s gone.”

“She’d be freaking out today, I could almost hear her: ‘OMG, I’m almost 40!’” he added. “It’s hard to write this, tears coming out my eyes. Unf—ing real.”

See Ryan Dorsey’s heartbreaking birthday tribute to Naya Rivera below.

12 Jan 2023

Dr. Dre Selling Catalog To Universal Music For $200 Million Dollars

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USC Hosts Dedication Ceremony For New Iovine And Young Hall

Source: Robin L Marshall / Getty

Dr. Dre is officially cashing out. He is reportedly selling his catalog to Universal Music to the tune of $200 million dollars.

As spotted on Variety Magazine the Rap legend has striking a deal where he will give up a portion of his musical assets to Universal Music Group and Shamrock Holdings. According to the report the compositions in question include his solo albums, the royalties from his work as a member of N.W.A. and royalties he earns from his acclaimed production discography. According to Billboard Magazine, who first broke the story, Shamrock Holdings will be acquiring an estimated 75% to 90% of the content while Universal Music Group will own the remaining assets.

In terms of the splits UMG is rumored to be getting the master recording of The Chronic, and his share of the Aftermath / Interscope Records joint venture with Top Dawg Records for Kendrick Lamar’s releases. At this time it is not clear where the assets for Eminen’s discography, which were originally release on Aftermath, will land. Shamrock Holdings and Universal Music Group have yet to formally comment on the matter.

Photo: Robin L Marshall

12 Jan 2023

Finally: 50 Cent Apologizes To Megan Thee Stallion For Online Troll

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Source: Gilbert Flores / Getty

Get the devil a North Face bubble coat because hell has officially frozen over.

Weeks after 50 Cent joked that he didn’t believe Megan Thee Stallion’s side of the story in the Tory Lanez trial (by posting a pic of Megan that magically morphed into Jussie Smollett), the Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ rapper took to the airwaves to actually apologize for his online antics. During an interview on Big Boy’s Neighborhood, Fiddy admits he did indeed think Megan was lying after she tole Gayle King that she didn’t have an intimate relationship with Tory only for it to be revealed during the trial that they actually did.

“I’ma apologize to Megan Thee Stallion,” Fif said. After revealing that the Gayle King interview played a role in him believing that Megan was making the whole thing up. 50 said he changed his mind after hearing the jail call conversation saying, “That made me feel like ‘Ooohh sh*t. Now I know what happened.’ I’m sure that was what swayed people in court too.”

Well, at least he said he’s sorry. That’s more than anyone’s gotten out of him over the past few years. From Madonna to Lil Kim, 50’s taken all kinds of shots at them and kept mum after fans called him out for being disrespectful. Who knows, maybe he’s apologizing because he may try to woo her at some point in the future. Just sayin.’

What do y’all think about 50 Cent finally apologizing to Megan Thee Stallion? Too little too late? Check out the full interview below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.



12 Jan 2023

Miguel’s ‘Sure Thing’ Returns to Hot R&B Songs’ Top 20 After TikTok Explosion

Just as Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary” arrives on the Billboard charts thanks to activity that originated on TikTok, the platform (which itself does not currently contribute to charts) revives another 2011 track: Miguel’s “Sure Thing,” which returns at No. 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

“Sure Thing” drew 8.4 million official U.S. streams in the week ending Jan. 5, according to Luminate, up 14% from the previous week. The sum prompts a No. 20 start on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart and at No. 46 on the corresponding, all-genre list.

The resurgence isn’t only having impact stateside, either. “Sure Thing” rockets 143-69 on the Billboard Global 200, sparked by 21.2 million global streams in the same period, a 14% bump from the prior frame. It debuts on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. at No. 134. Both appearances mark Miguel’s debuts on the global surveys, which launched in 2020.

“Sure Thing,” first released in 2011, became not only one of the singer-songwriter’s biggest hits, but one of the genre’s biggest smashes of the 2010s. As just his his second appearance on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, “Sure Thing” became Miguel’s first No. 1 on the list and spent 23 weeks in the top 10. It ultimately posted 59 weeks on the chart in it is initial run in 2011-12, and at the time of its departure, was one of only 17 songs to reach that mark since the list began in 1958. In 2019, the track finished at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs recap for the 2010s decade.

In addition to the placements above, “Sure Thing” returns at No. 14 on the Hot R&B Songs chart to secure a 47th total week on the list. Plus, the song’s activity helps “Sure Thing” parent album, All I Want is You, score a No. 20 entrance on the Top R&B Albums chart, with 8,000 equivalent album units earned in the latest tracking week, a 13% improvement over the previous week.