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09 Jan 2023

New Year, New Gear: This $9 Cleaning Kit Is Perfect for AirPods & Other Wireless Earbuds

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

AirPods still rank among the list of top-selling wireless earbuds, and if you own a pair, they could probably use a little refresh.

Like iPhones, Androids and other electronics, your earbuds can get dusty and dirty. To clean AirPods or AirPods Pro headphones manually, all you’ll need is a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe them down (don’t run them under water).

If your Airpods are stained or damaged from dried soap, lotion, perfume, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen and other liquids, Apple recommends slightly dampening the cloth with water before wiping the earbuds clean — and don’t use them until they’re completely dry.

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To clean the charging case, use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Make sure that you don’t get liquid in the charging ports and use a soft-bristled brush to remove any leftover dust or debris.

Want an easier option? Get a cleaning kit, like the one featured below, which is on sale for $8.99 at Amazon. The Hagibis 2-in-1 cleaning pen is a best-seller at Amazon with a 4.5-star rating and lots of positive customer reviews.

Amazon

Hagibis Cleaning Pen for Airpods Pro 1 2 Multi-Function Cleaner Kit

$8.99 $11.99 25% OFF

The multi-functional kit includes a flocking sponge to clean out dust in the earphones and charging case, a high-density brush to clean dirt off the sound outlet hole and other parts of the earphone, and a metal pen tip to dig out stubborn dust and thoroughly clean hard to reach spots.

The cleaning tool can be used for AirPods and other wireless earbuds, but also keyboards, laptops, tablets, etc.

Click here to see a wider selection of cleaning kits that are available at Amazon for less than $10, like the Akiki Cleaner Kit, currently on sale for $8.99. And of course, cleaning kits for AirPods and more are available at other major retailers, including Best Buy and Walmart.

Stocking up on more new gear for the new year? Be sure to read our picks for the best Bluetooth earphones under $250, best wired earphones and this affordable cleaning solution to help keep your vinyl records intact.

09 Jan 2023

Dr. Dre Threatens Marjorie Taylor Greene With Legal Action After She Uses ‘Still D.R.E’ in Video

Lawyers for Dr. Dre sent a scathing cease-and-desist letter to Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday (Jan. 9), threatening her with legal action after she used the rapper’s 1999 smash hit “Still D.R.E.” without permission in a social media post.

Hours after the superstar publicly slammed the Republican congresswoman over the post — he said he’d never license his song to someone so “divisive and hateful” — his lawyers formally told Taylor Greene that her post constituted copyright infringement and that she had until Wednesday to remove it.

“You are wrongfully exploiting his work through the various social media outlets to promote your divisive and hateful political agenda,” wrote attorney Howard King in a copy of the letter obtained by Billboard.

The video in question — posted Monday morning on Greene’s social media accounts — features the Republican representative strutting through the halls of Congress in slow motion, grinning at the camera as Dre’s infamous piano riff from “Still D.R.E.” repeats on a loop. By Monday evening, the video had already been disabled by Twitter.

If actually unlicensed, the use of a copyrighted song in a political advertisement would almost certainly constitute infringement. In Monday’s letter, Dre’s lawyers told Greene as much — and then some.

“The United States Copyright Act says a lot of things, one of the things it says is that you can’t use someone else’s song for your political campaign promotions unless you get permission from the owner of the copyright in the song, a step you failed to take,” King wrote.

Top artists have long chafed at the use of their music by politicians, particularly conservatives. Foo Fighters and John Mellencamp blasted John McCain for using their music during the 2008 presidential election, and Neil Young, Guns N’ Roses, Pharrell, Rihanna and the estate of Tom Petty have all spoken out about their music being used at campaign events for Donald Trump.

Owing to the complex thicket of blanket licenses that govern the public performance of music, it’s actually more complicated than you might expect for artists to prevent their music from being played at political rallies. But the use of music in a video advertisement is far more straightforward; if a politician doesn’t secure a license, a musician has a great case for copyright infringement.

In Monday’s letter, Dre’s lawyers said that a federal lawmaker ought to know that.

“One might expect that, as a member of Congress, you would have a passing familiarity with the laws of our country,” King wrote. “It’s possible, though, that laws governing intellectual property are a little too arcane and insufficiently populist for you to really have spent much time on. We’re writing because we think an actual lawmaker should be making laws not breaking laws, especially those embodied in the constitution by the founding fathers.”

Greene’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Billboard, but she reportedly told TMZ: “While I appreciate the creative chord progression, I would never play your words of violence against women and police officers, and your glorification of the thug life and drugs.”

09 Jan 2023

What Should Win Best Original Song at the 2023 Golden Globes? Vote!

The 2023 Golden Globes are upon us, with the awards show set to take over the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, Calif., on Tuesday (Jan. 10).

Three of music’s hottest female stars – Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift – are among the nominees for best original song at the 2023 Golden Globes, with RiRi up for “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which she co-wrote with Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson and Tems. Gaga is nominated for co-writing “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick. Bloodpop was her co-writer on the song. Swift, meanwhile, was nominated for “Carolina” from Where the Crawdads Sing.

Additionally, Guillermo del Toro and Roeban Katz’s “Ciao Papa” from Pinocchio and  Kala Bhairava, M. M. Keeravani and Rahul Sipligunj’s “Naatu Naatu” from RRR are also nominated in the category.

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Let us know which song should take home the trophy for best original song at the 2023 Golden Globes by voting in our poll below.

09 Jan 2023

Miley Cyrus Teases New Single ‘Flowers’ From the Shower

Miley Cyrus took to social media on Monday (Jan. 9) to tease the chorus of her upcoming single “Flowers,” fully in the buff.

“I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand/ Talk to myself for hours, yeah, some things you don’t understand/ But I can take myself dancing, yeah/ I can hold my own hand/ Yeah, I can love me better than you can,” the superstar belted a cappella from privacy of her shower, her back turned to the camera as she ran her hands through her wet hair.

The sultry video isn’t the first time the Hannah Montana star has given fans a taste of the track, which she announced in the final days of 2022 and is due out Friday via new label home Columbia Records. (The release date also just so happens to be her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth’s 33rd birthday.) When “Flowers” does arrive, the independent-minded ballad will serve as the lead single from Cyrus’ eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation, dropping March 10.

On the last day of the year, Cyrus celebrated her second stint co-hosting her eponymous New Year’s Eve special live from Miami on NBC — this time with godmother Dolly Parton. Over the course of the evening, the two performed everything from “Jolene” and “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” to a medley of “Wrecking Ball” and “I Will Always Love You.” Cyrus also trotted out special guest stars like Paris Hilton and Sia, David Byrne and Fletcher to join her, respectively, on the former’s “Stars Are Blind,” David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and her own “Midnight Sky.”

Watch Cyrus sing “Flowers” in her shower below.

09 Jan 2023

Matty Healy Sucks on a Fan’s Thumb During The 1975 Concert

Another day, another concert in which The 1975‘s Matty Healy makes headlines for his performance antics.

While playing “Robbers,” one of The 1975’s fan-favorite tracks, Healy made waves after sucking a girl’s thumb toward the end of song. Footage from the moment shows the rock star getting a caress to the face from a fan at the barricade; then Healy leans into her hand to suck her thumb by the time the song is over.

The owner of the thumb — a fan named Kayleigh — took to Twitter to share her excitement at sharing such an intimate moment with The 1975 singer, and wrote on Sunday “EVERYONE IS CALLING ME THUMB GIRL BYE.” She followed up the tweet Monday (Jan. 9) and shared, “I’d like to publicly apologise to denise welch and tim healy for making them watch their son suck my thumb last night.”

It is now common knowledge that The 1975’s fans expect memorable moments from Healy onstage. In November, the vocalist kissed a fan during “Robbers,” later extending his affections and kissing fellow bandmate Ross MacDonald. The following month, Healy got a tattoo that read “I’m a Man” during a break in the band’s set. In previous stops during the North American trek, Healy made waves for eating raw meat onstage.

The 1975 returned to touring for the new year on Jan. 8 and will make several stops across the United Kingdom before heading to South America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia later in the year.

Watch Healy’s intimate moment with the fan below.

09 Jan 2023

Kevin Hart Says Fame Is ‘Biggest Drug’ Over Cocaine or Heroin: ‘That’s a Monster You’re Feeding’

Kevin Hart is getting real about the dangers of fame.

The A-list comedian sat opposite mindfulness and lifestyle guru Jay Shetty for the newest episode of his podcast, On Purpose With Jay Shetty, and the two talked about an array of subjects including Hart’s relationship with his late father, building generational wealth and how Dave Chappelle’s example often inspired him and Chris Rock to step up their stand-up game.

Hart also spent a chunk of time sharing his perspective on the cult of celebrity. “The biggest drug. It’s not cocaine, it’s not heroin, it’s fame. Anything you want, everything you want, it’s a thing,” explained Hart. “And if you can’t handle this thing, the consequences attached are severe. Do you know you? And are you OK with you? If you are not, it’ll break you.”

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It’s like a monster, he continued.

“My monsters have been masked in disguise in various different ways but I’ve been able to pinpoint them throughout the years because some of those monsters got stronger … developed. You’re talking about the world of an ego. The idea of who you think you are versus what you are or the idea of expectations and needs as to what you feel you need and what you have to have,” Hart told Shetty, who will soon release his new book, 8 Rules of Love — How to Find it, Keep it, and Let it Go, from Simon & Schuster on Jan. 31. “That’s a monster that’s feeding that engine of, well, now that I’m making money, this is what I should have, this is how I should look, this is how I’m supposed to be. That’s a monster that you’re feeding because ultimately you’re buying in.”

The conversation also saw Hart open up about his relationship to Chappelle and Rock, specifically how the former would set a standard on the stand-up stage that would force the others to rethink their sets.

“Dave Chappelle has made me and Chris Rock feel stupid at times when it comes to our choice and material. We have watched Dave in our earlier stages of just working on our set. We would spend time at The Cellar and one would come and we would all go and Dave would go up and me and Chris had just went up and we were happy about our material,” he explained. “There’s been times where we have looked at each other and we balled our papers up and said, ‘We gotta start over, we gotta start over.’ Not because of jealousy or envy. Because we challenge each other. We want the best for not only each other, but for ourselves.”

All three have achieved massive success and Hart said he’s now focused on leaving a piece of the pie for his children. “We just got a shot at something different. We got a shot at generational wealth. We got a shot at changing the ‘trajectory’ within our culture of opportunity. We got a shot to make this normal. Once again, I’m looking past me. I’m looking at the bigger piece to the plan.”

To hear Hart’s full comments on complacency, the best memory from his childhood and why being a multi-hyphenate is the way to go, see the full episode below.

This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.

09 Jan 2023

Beyhive Celebrates Beyoncé as ‘Cuff It’ Hits Hot 100 Top 10

Beyoncé’s fan-favorite track from her recent Renaissance album, “Cuff It,” has jumped from No. 38 to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated Jan. 14, 2023, giving the superstar her 21st Hot 100 top 10 hit as a soloist.

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The achievement is her second top 10 from Renaissance, after “Break My Soul” spent two weeks at No. 1 beginning in August. The set is her first to spin off multiple top 10s since I Am…Sasha Fierce yielded four in 2008-09: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (No. 1, four weeks), “If I Were a Boy” (No. 3), “Halo” (No. 5) and “Sweet Dreams” (No. 10).

What’s even more impressive, is that “Cuff It” climbed the chart without a music video or a pushed promotional strategy. The song gained traction on its own from Beyoncé fans and TikTok users, the latter of which taking part in a fun dance trend started by users Maycee (@maycsteele) and Kaitlyn (@ogpartyhardy26).

Following the exciting news of “Cuff It” making the Hot 100 top 10, Beyoncé’s fanbase — affectionately known as the Beyhive — took to Twitter to praise Queen Bey. See some fan reactions below.

09 Jan 2023

UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan Retiring After 43 Years

Mike Dungan, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN), is stepping down from his position in March after more than four decades in the music business and in his current capacity since 2012. 

The well-respected and liked executive will continue to serve as an advisor to UMG Chairman and  CEO Lucian Grainge, with whom he has closely worked over the past decade. 

Dungan goes out on top with UMGN Billboard’s Top Country Label on the 2022 year-end charts. Additionally, UMGN’s Capitol imprint was the No. 1 on Billboard’s year-end Country Airplay Labels chart.  UMGN is home to such artists as Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Mickey Guyton, Little Big Town, Alan Jackson and Brothers Osborne.

Cindy Mabe remains president of UMGN and is expected to take the helm, according to sources. She was not included in the announcement and UMG reps has no official comment. 

“For 43 years the music business has been my home – smiling, dialing, selling, hustling, laughing, doing my part to help the art and magic realize its potential.  And loving every minute of it,” Dungan said in a statement. “I’ve lived a charmed life, and there are no words to describe how grateful I am, and how blessed I feel, for everyone that I have encountered along the way.  I’m also proud to boast that through it all, with little exception, I have been “all-in” as a competitor and as a friend.

“The solemn truth is that over time, that intensity takes its toll, and a lot of the dog has been knocked out of me.  By the time I leave here I will be 69 years old.  It is time to slow down – I look forward to devoting more time to my family and to my garden,” he continued. “I have an incredible wife who has put up with my nonsense for 45 years.  We have two great kids who have two great wives of their own.  And we have five wonderful grandkids who I intend to spoil to the fullest.   I am forever grateful to Sir Lucian Grainge, who eleven years ago handed me the keys to the best job in the world.   To him and to everyone at UMG, to all of those who have been my family-in-arms now and in the past, to all those creators whose art it has been my pleasure to represent… I am at a loss to express my love and gratitude.  I am the luckiest man alive.”

Grainge added, “Mike is a unique force. He has had an incredible impact on the careers and well-being of so many in Nashville through the years – from artists to employees. After a brilliant four decades in Nashville, and with our team they are well-positioned for continued strength, Mike is making an admirable and well-deserved life change.  And while he won’t be serving in his CEO capacity, I’ve asked him to continue to contribute to areas that we’re both passionate about—breaking genre barriers and delivering critical support to artists past and present.  I am deeply grateful to Mike for all he has done for our company and our artists and congratulate him on his unprecedented career success.  I’m so pleased we will continue to have the benefit of his experience, deep relationships and wisdom.”

Sources say Dungan has been planning the move for awhile –rumors had been circulating throughout Nashville for months about his departure– and had stopped actively signing acts since he would not be around to work them, but otherwise remained actively engaged. 

Dungan began his career in the music business at 16 working at Cincinnati record store. He then worked with RCA/BMG starting in 1979 as a pop music promotion rep, working his way to senior vp of sales and marketing.

He then relocated to Nashville working at Arista Nashville, alongside Tim DuBois, rising to senior vp/general manager. Among the acts he worked with at Arista included Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson (who is now on UMGN).

In 2000, Dungan was named President of EMI Music’s Capitol Nashville, where for 12 years he led the label. Capitol was named Billboard magazine’s “Country Label of the Year” for seven consecutive years from 2005 to 2012. He assumed his current title in 2012 following UMG’s purchase of EMI. 

09 Jan 2023

Lizzo Hits the Beach for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Cosplay: Watch

Lizzo is feeling “the way of the water” — so much so, that she whipped out her very best Avatar cosplay for a new TikTok video.

The “About Damn Time” singer — who is currently away on vacation — shared a video to TikTok on Monday (Jan. 9) of her wading through picturesque blue water in an all-black bikini mimicking one of Avatar: The Way of Water‘s new characters, Tsireya of the Metkayina clan. The pop star did a duet video with herself, mimicking Tsireya’s movements side by side, flicking her hair in unison with the character.

“Yes I saved this video.. uploaded it private…then duetted myself,” the Grammy winner hilariously captioned the post, along with a smiling emoji. Fans in the comments section loved her cosplay moment and wrote in her comments section, “QUEEEN LIZZO THEY SHOULDVE CASTED YOU.” Another excited fan wrote that Lizzo “SERVED AND GOBBLED IT UP.”

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Lizzo’s new beachy video comes on the heels of her calling out people who insist on making comments on other people’s bodies. In a Jan. 6 TikTok, the singer vented, “I’ve seen comments go from, ‘Oh my gosh, I liked you when you were thick. Why did you lose weight?’ ‘Oh my gosh, why did you get a BBL? I liked your body before.’ ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so big. You need to lose weight but for your health’ to ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so little. You need to get a– or titties or something.’ ‘Oh my gosh, why did she get all that work done? It’s too much work.’”

She continued, “Are we OK? Do you see the delusion? Do you realize that artists are not here to fit into your beauty standards? Artists are here to make art. And this body is art. I’mma do whatever I want with this body. I wish that comments costed y’all money so we could see how much time we are f—ing wasting on the wrong thing. Can we leave that sh– back there please?”

Watch Lizzo’s new TikTok video below.