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After 15 years, singer Michael Tait is exiting his role as lead singer of contemporary Christian band Newsboys.
Tait made the announcement in an Instagram post on Jan. 16, calling his time leading Newsboys “some of the most fulfilling, faith-based and rewarding years of my life. I have been on an amazing journey all over the globe, performing and ministering to people of all ages, races and backgrounds.”
He added, “I have made for me what is a monumental and heartfelt decision that it is time to step down from Newsboys. This decision does not come lightly and has been a shock to even myself, but amidst prayer and fasting, I have clarity that this is the right decision.”
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Tait went on to thank his Newsboys bandmates for their time together, saying, “You are family, and always will be. I know Newsboys will carry on doing incredible things for God’s kingdom with strength and purpose and I can’t wait to cheer you on while you do.”
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The announcement comes just days before the group continues the 2025 leg of their Worldwide Revival Nights Tour on Jan. 18 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. A social media statement from Newsboys noted that Tait’s exit will not impact their upcoming tour, which is slated to run through August.
“We are grateful for the extended season Michael has had with Newsboys….as he said in his announcement, the memories we share are deeply cherished. As he walks into the next season of life, we are stepping into the next season of Newsboys,” the group’s Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis and Adam Agee said in the social media post.
“We are kicking off our Worldwide Revival Nights tour as planned this weekend, and we hope to see you at a show soon … as we navigate this season of change, we know that worshipping together is the way we want to move forward. We know there will be questions about what the future holds, and in due time we’ll have answers for those questions. For now, we want you to know that Newsboys isn’t going anywhere; we’re going everywhere!” the group’s statement continued.
Newsboys released their most recent album, Worldwide Revival (Part One), on July 19, 2024. Tait joined Newsboys in 2009, following the departure of former Newsboys member Peter Furler. Since forming in 1989, the band has earned two No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, including “You Are My King (Amazing Love),” and “We Believe.” The group has also earned 13 top 10 Christian Airplay hits, and has been nominated for four Grammy Awards.
Tait was previously part of the groundbreaking CCM rap-rock group, DC Talk, from 1988-2001, alongside TobyMac and Kevin Smith. The four-time Grammy-winning DC Talk was known for songs including “Jesus Freak” and “Between You and Me.” He also led his own band, Tait, prior to joining Newsboys.
Check out both statements from Tait and Newsboys below:
What is Drake doing?
Tuesday night, Rap Twitter was sent into a frenzy when news of Drake withdrawing his legal action accusing his label UMG and Spotify of using bots and payola to push Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” diss track to one of the biggest songs in the world. Social media lawyers simultaneously claimed victory and defeat, but little did they know he was clearing the way for something more serious and ridiculous (depending on who you ask).
Then on Wednesday, news broke that the Toronto superstar decided to file a straight-up defamation lawsuit against his current and longtime parent record company, Universal Music Group. Drake claims UMG benefited and helped promote a “false and malicious narrative” and chose “corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists.”
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Drake’s lawyers claim the drive-by shooting of one of his security guards outside of his Toronto mansion (a.k.a. “The Embassy”) may be connected to “Not Like Us,” because it happened just days after the song was released. “UMG’s greed yielded real world consequences,” his lawyers wrote. “With the palpable physical threat to Drake’s safety and the bombardment of online harassment, Drake fears for the safety and security of himself, his family, and his friends.”
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A few days after the shooting, an intruder was apprehended trying to break into Drake’s residence, and while The Embassy is featured prominently on the cover art for “Not Like Us,” the address is well-known and was the location used for the “Toosie Slide” music video released during the Covid lockdown of 2020, a video that has since racked up close to 400 million views on YouTube. And a week before both incidents at Drake’s crib took place, The Weeknd’s manager Cash’s security guard was also shot in front of his security gate. At the time, many fans speculated both shootings were connected based on the history between the Canadian record labels XO and OVO.
Elsewhere in the filing are less-serious claims if you’re familiar with rap battle etiquette (or lack thereof). Firstly, his lawyers mistakenly say Kendrick grew up in Oakland when they reference the “Not Like Us” line, “I think that Oakland show gon’ be your last stop.” Drake’s lawyers allege that Kendrick was suggesting that Drake “would not make it out alive” if he chooses to perform in the city where the late 2Pac once lived. Drake famously (and notoriously) used an A.I. version of ‘Pac’s voice and told Lamar that he should mention Drake “likin’ young girls.” Secondly, they claim “Not Like Us” actually “alludes to Drake’s Jewish heritage saying that Drake is ‘not a colleague’ but ‘a f—kin’ colonizer,” completely disregarding the bars that preceded those statements that mention his history of aligning himself with artists from Atlanta to allegedly bolster his street credibility.
Drake winning this lawsuit has the potential to change the way diss songs are handled moving forward. Mind you, Drake insinuated that Kendrick’s kids aren’t his and that he has abused the mother of the children — who, according to him, are really the children of his friend and business partner. Kendrick could sue as well if he truly wanted to, but the game isn’t played that way. There are many unwritten rules in hip-hop, and suing over a diss song is one of the 10 Rap Commandments of dos and don’ts.
Ironically, Drake suing over a diss further complicates his relationship with hip-hop culture, making him look like an outsider and *check notes* a colonizer. He can win this lawsuit, but he’s already lost in the court of public opinion. He’s currently doing more damage to his public perception amongst rap fans than “Not Like Us” ever could. Rap music has always been full of hyperbole. Most rap fans don’t take every single lyric literally and Drake, who has said publicly that he “studies rap battles for a living” on LeBron’s talk show The Shop should know that.
To quote one of the great philosophers of our time:
“The streets is the streets, this is industry. N—as wanna bring they lawyers to muthaf—kin’ battles, man. Don’t bring your lawyer, bring your gat or bring your clique, man. So, it’s a big difference… They not ghetto celebrities if they tellin’.”
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In celebration of Aaliyah‘s birthday, Barbie is paying homage to the “princess of R&B” with a stunning new doll. Part of Mattel‘s growing Music Collector series, the iconic doll brand honors the late singer’s unforgettable talent and timeless influence on music and fashion that has helped shape ’90s hip-hop culture.
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The Aaliyah Barbie doll is inspired by her iconic “One in a Million” music video. The figure is dressed in a black faux leather ensemble with several accessories that scream ’90s, including studded lace-up details, sleek black shades and her signature hairstyle, with hair swooping over one eye. The Barbie team worked closely with Aaliyah’s brother, Rashad Haughton, to develop the concept for the doll and ensure the result was true to Aaliyah’s legacy and persona. Shop below.
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Barbie Signature Aaliyah Collectible Doll
“I can vividly remember my sister playing with her favorite Barbie dolls for hours when we were kids. She would make them sing, dance, and perform little concerts,” said Haughton in a statement. “It’s clear to me now that she was imagining dreams that would eventually become reality when she embarked on a career in entertainment at just fifteen years old.”
Aaliyah broke out onto the R&B scene in 1994 with her incredible debut single “Back & Forth.” She would go on to earn numerous accolades, including three American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and five Grammy nominations during her career before tragically dying in a plane crash in 2001.
Celebrate Aaliyah’s iconic legacy with her well-deserved Music Collector series Barbie doll available now for pre-order through Target, with a general release on Jan. 26. Other celebrities featured in the Barbie Music Collector Series including David Bowie, Gloria Estefan, Elvis Presley, Elton John, and Stevie Nicks.
Barbie Signature David Bowie Collectible Doll
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Barbie Signature Elvis Presley Collectible Doll
Barbie Signature Gloria Estefan Collectible Doll
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Barbie Signature Elton John Collectible Doll
Barbie Signature Stevie Nicks Collectible Doll
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David Lynch, the beloved filmmaker and director known for his dark, surrealist vision in the television classic Twin Peaks, as well as films including Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet, has died. He was 78 years old.
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Lynch’s family announced the news of his passing via a Facebook post on Thursday (Jan. 16). “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” the statement reads alongside a photo of the artist playing a guitar. “We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”
See the post here. His cause of death was not revealed.
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Lynch’s death comes just five months after he announced that he was housebound over fears he’ll contract COVID-19 after being diagnosed with emphysema from many years of smoking. At the time, he added that he wasn’t planning to make another film. “I would try to do it remotely, if it comes to it,” Lynch said. “I wouldn’t like that so much.”
The Missoula, Montana, native, was a one-time painter who enrolled in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before he shifted his focus to making films. His breakthrough came via 1977’s Eraserhead, which became popular in the midnight movie underground circuit. Among his many notable films include 2001’s Mulholland Drive starring Justin Theroux, Naomi Watts and Laura Harring; and 1986’s Blue Velvet, starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper and Laura Dern.
In television, he was best known as the visionary behind the mystery drama series Twin Peaks, which ran for two seasons from 1990 to 1991 and returned for a third season in 2017. The series won three Golden Globes and two Emmys, as well as a 1991 Grammy for best pop instrumental performance for the Angelo Badalamenti-composed theme music.
Lynch’s projects also made appearances on the Billboard charts. Twin Peaks: Music From The Second Season And More claimed the No. 17 spot on the the April 27, 2019-dated Soundtracks chart. That same week, it peaked at No. 68 on the Top Album Sales tally. His third studio album, The Big Dream, peaked at No. 40 on Independent Albums and No. 167 on Top Current Album Sales in 2013.
He also directed a number of music videos, including Nine Inch Nails’ 2013 “Came Back Haunted” clip as well as Moby’s 2009 “Shot in the Back of the Head” video.
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Lil Kim meant well with her prayers in an attempt to offer support to those impacted by LA wildfires, but praying for another natural disaster to help deal with the current didn’t land well on social media.
The Brooklyn rapper came under fire after she posted a prayer of support on her Instagram Stories, asking for a miracle—a monsoon—to help douse the flames currently wreaking havoc across Los Angeles.
“I’ve Been sending strong prayers up for LA and everyone affected by the fires. “
“This is heartbreaking. I pray to Jesus that God make [sic] it monsoon in LA.”
A monsoon is “a periodic wind especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia,” per dictionary.com.
Monsoons are nothing to wish or pray for; they cause extensive damage, such as flooding and water damage, wash away crops, destroy water, and cause hygiene issues.
Hilariously the post is still up, but she damn sure turned the comments off.
That didn’t stop people from reacting to her praying for a monsoon.
“So they can add Landslides & Mudslides to the mix? Nah,” one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
Others sympathized with the “Crush On You” crafter but still wished she hadn’t hit the post button.
“God knows we means, but I just wish she didn’t post this shit. There are some things that just gotta be sacred,” another user on X wrote.
Lil Kim Responds To The Criticism
Lil Kim has since responded to criticism for her post and clarified she meant rain, but for whatever reason, is still pushing for a monsoon, which would be worse than a rainy day.
“What’s happening is devastating and what LA really needs right now is rain—so what’s the issue? Doesn’t everyone understand that a monsoon is heavy rain? I’m so happy to see that everyone is staying so positive during such a tragic situation. Let’s keep praying and supporting everyone that has been affected by this,” Kim wrote on X.
She didn’t help her because she added a screenshot of the definition of a monsoon thinking it would quiet the haters.
For anyone that’s confused. Any questions? pic.twitter.com/S7yXDeTQxV
— Lil’ Kim (@LilKim) January 16, 2025
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Spoiler alert: it only made things worse.
Doubling down is crazy https://t.co/cEit0s2u6q
— Meeka Meanz (@datassholemeeka) January 16, 2025
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We are sure she meant send rain, but lord, she should have someone proofread that joint before posting it.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Pretty much
4. It definitely is not the best answer
8. Y’all out of pocket
Spotify announced that it has canceled all of its Grammy Week events, including its annual Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year parties, in light of the devastating L.A. wildfires.
In a blog post on Thursday (Jan. 16), Joe Hadley, Spotify’s global head of music partnerships & audience, wrote that funds from the canceled events will be redirected “to support efforts to reach local fans and charitable organizations.”
“It’s also important to remember the effect this has on the production industry, so we are ensuring our vendors are compensated despite this shift,” Hadley wrote. “While this year will look and feel different, our commitment to emerging artists is unwavering.”
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Hadley notes that Spotify’s charitable efforts will include Spotify-funded donations to MusiCares and FIREAID, the benefit concert slated for Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome that will donate proceeds to rebuilding L.A. infrastructure, supporting displaced families and advancing fire prevention technologies and strategies. The company will also be joining with GoFundMe “to support and spotlight fundraisers dedicated to helping members of the artist and music community who’ve been affected by the fires.”
Additionally, Spotify will be “dedicating on-platform promotion and offering pro bono ad inventory to drive awareness of causes supporting the relief and artist and creator support via studio time” at the company’s L.A. headquarters located in the Arts District.
“The summation of these efforts means we are committing a combined total of $5 million,” Hadley wrote.
Thursday’s announcement follows previous Grammy Week cancellation announcements by all three major labels and various other companies and organizations following the horrific blazes, which displaced tens of thousands of Angelenos and killed at least 25. The remaining Grammy Week events, including Clive Davis’ annual gala, have been reframed as fundraisers for wildfire victims. The Grammys themselves are still slated to move ahead on Feb. 2.
You can read Hadley’s letter in full below.
The devastation of the past week is hard to put into words. I’ve lived in Southern California for 20 years, and my heart aches for our community. Los Angeles is home to hundreds of Spotify employees, millions of music fans, and countless individuals whose lives have been upended by this unprecedented crisis.
We’ve spent the last few days considering how to best show up for LA, the music industry, and the creative community. Ultimately, we’ve decided that the most impactful approach is canceling all our Grammy Week events, including our annual Best New Artist party, and redirecting funds to support efforts to reach local fans and charitable organizations. It’s also important to remember the effect this has on the production industry, so we are ensuring our vendors are compensated despite this shift. While this year will look and feel different, our commitment to emerging artists is unwavering.
These efforts include Spotify-funded donations to MusiCares, an organization that provides a safety net of critical assistance in times of need, and FireAid, a benefit concert on January 30 with proceeds centered on rebuilding infrastructure, supporting displaced families, and advancing fire prevention technologies. We’re also joining forces with GoFundMe to support and spotlight fundraisers dedicated to helping members of the artist and music community who’ve been affected by the fires. In addition to these donations, we’re dedicating on-platform promotion and offering pro bono ad inventory to drive awareness of causes supporting the relief and artist and creator support via studio time at our LA office in the Arts District. The summation of these efforts means we are committing a combined total of $5 million.
Thanks to all of our partners for your patience as we decided how best to support. We’ve got each other’s backs here in L.A. – let’s keep showing up for each other.
Joe
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Kash Doll rocked matching ski suits with her baby girl on the slopes. She snuggled with her daughter Klarity in the snow in bronze suits that picked up the warmth in their beautiful melanin. She chose to caption the Instagram post with the simple phrase “mommy duties.”
Slaying In Black Designer Nichole Lynel
Motherhood agrees with our girl. Kash Doll kept her beauty routine in tact on the powdery mountaintop. She slayed this ski look effortlessly with not a strand of her hair out of place, as usual. She highlighted her cheekbones with a slight dusting of shimmer.
Baby Klarity is clearly picking up properly accessorizing from her fashionable mother. The infant was rocking a matching bow in the center of her precious curls. The pair were sitting pretty together in the glittery snow.
Coordinating Cuteness
Klarity is one of the best-dressed babies on the internet. She owns a handbag collection that most grown women would envy. The collection includes pieces from many high-end designers. Kash Doll loves prioritizing her daughter’s budding style. She took her followers on the journey to get her daughter’s earlobes pierced at the mall recently. She gifted her daughter her very first Chanel bag following the family adventure.
These pictures of the stylish sets were in a carousel post featuring many of the ways that Kash Doll shows up and shows out for herself and her family. Fans flooded the comments of the post with love for the mother-daughter drip.
Kash Doll loves matching with her little ones and does it often. She posted pictures of herself celebrating the holidays with Klarity and her son Ashton in matching red Grinch pajamas. On January 7, Kash Doll posted a picture of her wearing matching Robin’s egg-blue Jordan sweats with Ashton in honor of his birthday.
Celebrating Black Brands
The fits the “Kash Kommandments” rapper and her mini-me wore were created by Nichole Lynel. Lynel went from an it girl to a fashion designer and author. These snowsuits have an adorable name. Lynel named the outfits Baby It’s Snowing Outside Snow Suit and the Baby It’s Snowing Outside Baby Snow Suit.
The baby version of the snowsuit is available for babies as young as 6 months old and they go up in size up to a 4T. The coppery bronze shade Kash Doll and Klarity were wearing is not the only option. The suits are also available in a bold metallic hot pink.
They are waterproof and completely cover the body to keep the wearer warm and snug. As a bonus? They have deep pockets and cute belts.
Lynel’s bold pieces are a favorite of fashionistas. She started out with just clothes and has expanded to accessories, shoes, swimwear, and outerwear. Her biography My Fashion Fairytale outlines the way that she was able to build her business by leveraging social media. Kash Doll, a true girls’ girl, tagged Lynel on social media showing her love in front of her 7.3 million followers.
The Baby It’s Snowing Outside Baby Snow Suit is still available on Nichole Lynel right now and it’s on sale! Snag it before it is gone!
DON’T MISS:
Kash Doll Appreciation Post: Why We Love The Stylish Detroit Femcee
Kash Doll Unveils The Name Of Her Baby Girl At A Pinktastic Tea Party
Kash Doll & Her Daughter Slayed The Slopes In Ski Suits By Black Designer Nichole Lynel
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Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “Lilac” holds at No. 1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, dated Jan. 15, extending its reign atop the chart to four weeks.
The Oblivion Battery opener saw an increase in streams, video views and karaoke plays this week. Streaming and video both gained by around 20% compared to last week, and the song dominated downloads, streaming, video and karaoke, while coming in at No. 19 for radio. 19 songs by the three-man band are charting on the Japan Hot 100 this week, including three more in the top 10 — “Que Sera Sera” at No. 3, “Bitter Vacances” at No. 5, and “Soranji” at No. 10.
Rosé & Bruno Mars’ “APT” also holds at No. 2. Streams for the long-running hit, which topped the Billboard Global 200 for the 11th week, increased 30% from the week before, and charts in the top 5 for the seventh week. The track comes in at No. 7 for downloads, No. 2 for streaming, No. 15 for radio airplay, No. 2 for video, and No. 27 for karaoke.
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Kis-My-Ft2’s “Curtain call’ debuts at No. 4. The boy band’s 32nd single launched with 121,351 copies to rule sales, while coming in at No. 45 for radio. Lienel’s fifth single “Go Around The World” also bows at No. 6, selling 73,952 copies to hit No.2 for sales and also coming in at No. 26 for radio.
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The song that ruled the radio metric this week was “Sakura, Hirari” by veteran band Southern All Stars, which held the top spot for a second week. The lead single off their upcoming new album THANK YOU SO MUCH, due in March, gained about 70% in radio airplay from the week before. Streams and video views also increased and the song rises 28-25 on the Japan Hot 100.
The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, video views and karaoke data.
See the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, tallying the week from Jan. 6 to 12, here. For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English X account.
Doja Cat has partnered with Red Cross and an artist to sell a collection of clothes to aid those affected by the wildfires, and Snoop Dogg is thinking of doing a concert to help victims. Keep watching to learn more about how artists are helping. Tetris Kelly:Doja Cat and Snoop are showing their support for […]
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Young Thug just confirmed he’s got a joint album coming with Lil Baby, and fans are hyped. Both of them are from Atlanta, so you know it’s about to be huge. The two have always been tight, and even when Thug was locked up, Lil Baby held him down, always saying “free Thug” and showing mad love. As soon as Thug got out, he tweeted, “whatever Wham says goes,” basically saying he’s 100% behind Lil Baby, no matter what.
This collab is a big deal because they’ve been rocking with each other for years, and their energy together is unmatched. ATL has been waiting for these two to drop something together, and now it’s finally happening. The chemistry they share is crazy, and fans can expect some real heat. If the album is anything like the vibes they’ve given on past tracks like ‘Dum, Dumb, & Dumber’, this could be one of the biggest rap projects of the year. Fans are ready to see what happens when two of Atlanta’s biggest stars link up and drop something crazy.
On the other hand, Young Thug’s friendship with Gunna has been strained ever since the court case that led to Gunna taking a plea deal. Fans and industry insiders have speculated that their bond may never be the same again, especially after Gunna’s decision to plead guilty in the YSL RICO case. It is unknown how Thug feels about Gunna now, but the situation has sparked debate, with many wondering if they will ever collaborate again. As of now, it’s unclear whether their relationship and music career will fully recover from the fallout.