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Books, as we know, shouldn’t be judged by their cover. Ronnie Wilson reminds us not to judge someone by their day job.
On Monday night (March 11), Wilson stepped into the bright lights of NBC’s The Voice’s blind auditions and shone right back with his rendition of Zayn’s “Pillowtalk”.
Wilson’s soulful cover was a showcase of control, range, emotion. The full package.
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John Legend turned first, then Reba McEntire. Though Dan + Shay and Chance The Rapper were clearly enjoying the art, their chairs didn’t budge.
The 28-year-old singer is proud and out, originally hailing from South Carolina, and now calls Atlanta, GA home.
“That was unbelievable,” Shay Mooney remarked after the performance.
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There was more “unbelievable” to come. Wilson pointed to his influences from gospel and “a lot of country music.” And when he’s not he’s blowing minds, he’s counting beans.
Wilson is a full-time accountant, a vocation that no-one saw coming.
In a previous life, Legend too was “crunching numbers, making Powerpoint presentations” as a management consultant, a fun fact he hoped would find a connection with the hopeful. “I know what that’s like,” he articulated.
“You created moments by being creative with the melody, you made the song your own and made it a competition song by the way you did it,” Legend explained. “I just feel like you’ve got fresh taste, great ideas musically and stylistically,” he continued. “I feel like you’re going to do so well on the show.”
Not to be left out, McEntire leaned on her 50 years in the country game. “You have a quality in your voice that just makes a person feel good,” she remarked. “You’re absolutely wonderful.”
In the end, there could be only one coach. Wilson went with Team Legend.
Watch Wilson’s performance below.
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Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” is proving tough to shift in the U.K.
Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Bey’s country-influenced hit is on track for a fourth-successive week at the top.
If it holds on, as expected, “Texas Hold ‘Em” (Columbia/Parkwood Ent) will be the Houston superstar singer’s longest-reigning single in the U.K., passing the three-week run at No. 1 for 2003’s “Crazy In Love.”
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Ariana Grande appears set for a fifth U.K. No. 1 album with Eternal Sunshine (vis Republic Records), which leads the Official Albums Chart Update. Three tracks from the new LP are set to crack the U.K. top 20, led by “yes, and?” at No. 4; “we can’t be friends (wait for your love),” new at No. 6 on the chart blast; and “bye,” new at No. 13.
Those new entries should lift Grande’s career U.K. top 40 tally to 34.
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Grande’s seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine enjoys a bump from her performance on Saturday Night Live and the release of a “Slightly Deluxe” version featuring four additional tracks, including her previously heard duet with idol Mariah Carey on “yes, and?”
Grande was also on hand at the Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10 to present Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell with the best original song Oscar for “What Was I Made For?” (Intercope) from the Barbie soundtrack. “What Was I Made For,” which the siblings performed at the Oscars, is set to a U.K. top 40 return. The melancholy single flies 98-26 on the Official Chart Update, as U.K. fans snap up copies of a limited 7” single.
Finally, Drake‘s rework of 4batz‘s breakout hit “act ii: date @ 8 (remix)” (4batz OVO sound) should make a top 40 splash. “Act ii” starts at No. 20 on the midweek chart, and could add to Drake’s ridiculous tally of U.K. top 40 appearances, which currently stands at 91.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, March 15.
Ariana Grande is fast out the blocks in the U.K., where Eternal Sunshine leads the chart race.
Based on midweek sales and streaming data captured by the Official Charts Company, Grande should snag her fifth U.K. chart title with Eternal Sunshine (via Republic Records).
The U.S. pop star previously led the weekly survey with 2016’s Dangerous Woman, 2018’s Sweetener, 2019’s thank u, next and 2020’s Positions.
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Grande’s seventh studio LP, Eternal Sunshine is also set to place three songs inside the top 20 of the Official Singles Chart, including lead single “yes, and?”, “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” and “bye” (according to U.K. chart criteria, no more than three songs from one artist album can impact the national singles chart).
Meanwhile, British heavy metal veterans Judas Priest could bag a career best with their 19th and latest studio album, Invincible Shield (Columbia). Led by Rob Halford, Judas Priest’s career best is a No. 4 peak with 1980’s British Steel.
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Completing an all-new top three on the chart blast is Bleachers’ eponymously-titled fourth studio LP (via Dirty Hit). It’s new at No. 3 on the chart blast, and likely to set a new career peak position for Jack Antonoff’s U.S. pop-rock outfit.
‘80s girl group Bananarama could snag a first top 10 appearance in 36 years with hits retrospective Glorious – The Ultimate Collection (London Music Stream). It’s new at No. 6 on the Official Chart Update. Previously, the “Cruel Summer” singers enjoyed top tier spots with 1983 debut Deep Sea Skiving (at No. 8) and 1988’s The Greatest Hits Collection (No. 3).
Another all-female British pop outfit is eyeing a top 10 return — Girls Aloud. Following the release of a 20th anniversary reissue, including three previously-unheard tracks featuring vocals from late band member Sarah Harding, Girls Aloud’s sophomore album from 2004 record What Will The Neighbours Say? (Polydor/UMR) is tracking for No. 10.
Finally, new releases from Grace Petrie (Build Something Better at No. 17 via Robots Need Home), Norah Jones (Visions at No. 35 via EMI) and former Sonic Youth star Kim Gordon (The Collective at No. 37 via Matador) are on target for top 40 berths.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, March 15.
Eric Carmen, the hitmaker behind ’70s and ’80s smashes like “All By Myself” and “Hungry Eyes,” has died at age 74, his wife Amy confirms.
“It is with tremendous sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Eric Carmen,” a message posted to his website, Facebook and X account reads. “It brought him great joy to know, that for decades, his music touched so many and will be his lasting legacy. ‘Love Is All That Matters…Faithful and Forever,’” the message concludes, signed by Amy Carmen, his wife of eight years.
Over his decades-long career — starting in earnest during his college years at John Carroll University in his home state of Ohio, when he joined a band called Cyrus Erie — Carmen scored three top five hits on the Billboard Hot 100: the No. 2-peaking “All By Myself” in 1976, followed by the Dirty Dancing soundtrack standout “Hungry Eyes,” which peaked at No. 4 in 1988, and “Make Me Lose Control,” a No. 3 hit, also in 1988. His highest-charting album was his self-titled solo debut, which peaked at No. 21 in 1976.
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In addition to scoring a hit on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, Carmen also co-wrote “Almost Paradise… Love Theme from Footloose” (performed by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson) for the Footloose soundtrack, earning him his lone Grammy nomination for best album of original score written for a motion picture or a television special.
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Before his blockbuster solo career, he recorded four albums with The Raspberries from 1972 to 1974. They scored a No. 5 hit from their debut album called “Go All the Way” in 1972 and a top 20 hit with the ironically titled “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record),” which peaked at No. 18 in 1974.
Many of Carmen’s songs have endured thanks to new placements in pop culture, including Celine Dion’s Hot 100 No. 4-peaking cover of “All By Myself” in 1997; “Go All the Way” being featured on the Guardians of Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 soundtrack in 2014; and his co-written “Almost Paradise” serving as the theme song to The Bachelor spin-off Bachelor in Paradise in 2014.
Billie Eilish and Finneas set a new record with their Oscar win and Ryan Gosling stole the show with his performance of “I’m Just Ken.” Billboard cover star PARTYNEXTDOOR reveals how he’s created some of his biggest hits with the likes of Rihanna and Drake. We reveal our new No. 1 on the Hot 100. […]
From the amazing performances, touching speeches, VIP fan experiences and more, Billboard Women in Music 2024 was electric.
Charli XCX:Being a woman is so nuanced and complex.
Kylie Minogue:It’s ridiculous to say, but I have never been in a room like this — a pure and vital celebration of women in music, and I’ve been one for 37 years.
Rania Aniftos:Kylie Minogue and many more were honored at Billboard Women in Music presented by Marriott Bonvoy, and we have all the details.
On Wednesday night, some of the biggest women in the music industry took to the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles for Billboard’s annual affair. The celebration saw a number of powerhouse women gracing the stage, starting with the evening’s host Tracee Ellis Ross.
Tracee Ellis Ross:I am not here tonight for me. I’m here for my hair. No, I am here tonight to celebrate women, women in music, women in music.
Rania Aniftos:The biggest award of the night, the coveted Woman of the Year award went to Karol G.
Karol G:It might be the most significant and important recognition of all my career. This is super special.
Rania Aniftos:Andra Day presented Maren Morris with the Visionary award.
Maren Morris:I don’t really consider myself a visionary. I just have visions, I have delusions, so I appreciate getting a trophy for them.
Rania Aniftos:And NewJeans brought down the house with a performance of “Super Shy.”
And the artists weren’t the only ones experiencing VIP treatment: A group of lucky fans earned their way into the show by bidding on an exclusive experience using Marriott Bonvoy points through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform. These fans got a front-row view of stars walking the red carpet and enjoyed club-level seats to take in the show. Attendees also got their sweet fix at this special Marriott Bonvoy candy tunnel before entering the show. The tunnel featured a variety of Marriott Bonvoy’s more than 30 hotel brands with a candy to match the vibe of each brand. The 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards were presented by Marriott Bonvoy, over 30 hotel brands and 10,000 global destinations.
For more from the star-studded show head over to Billboard.com.
Tetris Kelly:With Beyoncé, Ye and Taylor in the top 10 and Teddy Swims continuing his climb, who will be No. 1? This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated March 16. Staying in last week’s spot is Taylor Swift. “Agora Hills” is back in the top 10. “Snooze” is up a […]
A suspected drug overdose and the forces of nature soured the 2024 Pitch Music & Arts festival, a long-weekend camping festival in Victoria, Australia which wrapped its seventh edition.
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Pill-testing is back in the national headlines after a 23-year-old man, who is understood to have consumed black-market drugs, died after being airlifted to The Alfred hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“Our thoughts are with their family and friends. We have our Crowd Care team on site to support patrons and staff, and are committed to providing support services to those who need them,” reads a statement from organizers.
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The identity of the man, from Niddrie in Melbourne’s northwest, has not been disclosed. “We cannot comment further at this time given the necessity to protect the privacy of those affected,” the statement continues.
As party-goers and their families absorbed the news of a suspected drug fatality, Greens spokesperson Aiv Puglielli called on the state government to “shift gears and finally set up pill-testing” at music events.
“While this Labor government continues to stall,” Puglielli adds in a statement “young Victorian lives are being put at risk.” Even with “pure MDMA we’ve seen how extreme heat can deal a deadly blow. So with untested drugs circulating, this was truly a disaster waiting to happen.”
According to the Guardian, two other men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were taken to East Grampians Health Service suffering suspected overdoses, and are said to be in a stable condition.
Pill testing was trialed at Canberra’s Spilt Milk festival in 2018, paving the way for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government launching the country’s first fixed-site health and drug checking service as a six-month pilot in July 2022. That service has now been extended to December 2024.
Victoria’s leadership, however, has no current plans to trial pill testing in the state, though a spokesperson told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation earlier in the year that $21 million of taxpayers’ money is spent each year on harm reduction activities, which include engaging with attendees at festivals and nightclubs.
Pitch is produced by Untitled Group, the largest independent music and events company in Australia, whose festival brands include Beyond The Valley, Sun Cycle NYD, Grapevine Gathering, Wildlands, Ability Fest and more.
Earlier, Untitled scrubbed the final day of Pitch, set for Monday, March 11, as “extreme” heat swept through the state. “Through consultation with authorities,” reads a statement issued by organizers Sunday afternoon, “we have been directed to cancel the remainder of Pitch Music & Arts 2024 in light of an updated extreme fire danger warning issued this afternoon for tomorrow.”
The message continues, “we have consistently followed the guidance of relevant authorities throughout the entire process.”
Though guests weren’t in “immediate danger,” the statement continues, “everyone on site” was encouraged to “calmly pack-up” and move along.
The climate crisis is real, it’s here, and it’s ruined many festivals in this part of the world. According to Green Music Australia, the lobby body for music and the environment in Australia, over 45 music festivals in Australia have been partially or fully cancelled due to weather impacts since 2015. On top of that, notes CEO Berish Bilander, other cultural events have cited rising insurance premiums due to weather as a cause for cancelation.
Add Moomba Festival to that list; organizers scrapped Monday’s parade, due to hazardous conditions.
Following two consecutive sold-out events in 2023 and 2022, Pitch, a celebration of music, arts, and community, brought back a ballot system for 2024.
The event was slated for March 8-12 in Moyston, about 140 miles west of Melbourne, coinciding with Victoria’s Labour Day long weekend.
Girls Aloud unlock the vault, and unleash three-previously unreleased songs featuring vocals from the late founding member, Sarah Harding.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of What Will The Neighbours Say?, the British and Irish pop favorites drop three freshly-unearthed cuts, “Disco Bunny, “Baby When You Go” and their cover of Chris Isaak’s 1989 hit “Wicked Game,” which was slated for release as a Girls Aloud single in 2005, but was replaced with “Long Hot Summer.”
The group’s second LP peaked at No. 6 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart following its release in 2004, one of their six top 10 albums, a tally that includes two leaders. Brian Higgins, founder of the British songwriting and production team Xenomania, which produced the original collection, returns for the 20th anniversary reissue, which gathers B-sides “History” and “Androgynous Girls,” TV performances, rarities and several covers.
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Girls Aloud was a record-setting, pop juggernaut through the 2000s, collecting four Official Chart U.K. No. 1s singles and 21 top 10s. Twenty of those top 10s were consecutive — a feat no female group has come close to matching. The singers etched their place in the record books, the Guinness World Records, which in 2011 declared Girls Aloud as the “Most Successful Reality TV Group”.
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The BRIT Award-winning group was assembled for the U.K. TV talent show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, and released five studio albums (each is platinum certified with 300,000-plus units), before announcing a split in 2013.
Tragedy truck in 2021 when Harding succumbed to breast cancer, at age 39. The surviving members, Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle, and Nicola Roberts, rallied behind their bandmate and friend and kept her memory alive with several campaigns and fundraisers.
The group will play the hits when they embark on an arena tour throughout the U.K. and Ireland this May and June.
Stream What Will The Neighbours Say? (20th Anniversary Edition) below.
Beyoncé ropes in another U.K. chart crown with “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
The U.K. isn’t regarded as a country music playground. With “Texas Hold ‘Em” (via Columbia/Parkwood Ent), Beyonce is setting about changing that.
The country-flavored hit completes a third week at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Friday, March 8, for Bey’s longest-running leader in 17 years, equaling the streak of her 2007 duet with Shakira, ”Beautiful Liar.”
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Meanwhile, Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” (Warner Records) and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” (Atlantic) respectively complete the podium.
Joe Keery continues his march up the U.K. chart with “End of Beginning,” released through the Stranger Things star’s music project, Djo. “End of Beginning” (AWAL/DJO) lifts 5-4, a new high, powered by a viral turn on TikTok.
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Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign enjoy a new peak position with “Carnival” (YZY), lifted from Vulture 1. “Carnival” cruises 9-5.
Ella Henderson has cause for celebration, as the British singer and songwriter’s collaboration with Rudimental, “Albi” (Atlantic), enters the top 10 for the first time, up 11-10. It’s Henderson’s 10th U.K. top 10 single.
After clubbing the Brit Awards for a record-setting six trophies, RAYE’s recordings spike on both main U.K. charts. The singer and songwriter’s former No. 1 “Escapism” featuring 070 Shake reenters the U.K. chart at No. 13, her club smash “Prada” with cassö and D-Block Europe rebounds 27-18 and “Worth It” bows at No. 38, for RAYE’s 14th top 40 single. Over on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, RAYE’s British album of the year winner My 21st Century Blues (via Human Re Sources) roars 98 places to No. 5.
Another beneficiary of the 2024 BRITs is Tate McRae. The Canadian newcomer was a special guest at the annual ceremony, held March 2 at London’s O2 Arena, where she performed “greedy” (Atlantic), up 32-10 on the current Official Chart.
The top new debut on the latest tally belongs to Charli XCX as “Von dutch” (Atlantic) arrives at No. 26, for the British singer, songwriter and producer’s 15th U.K. top 40 single.
Finally, Twenty One Pilots land a third top 40 with “Overcompensate” (Atlantic), new at No. 34.