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31 May 2024

Eminem, Normani & GloRilla Drop New Singles, Ayra Starr’s New Album & More | Billboard News

Eminem drops new single “Houdini,” while Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B join GloRilla on “Wanna Be.” Ayra Starr and Shaboozey drop their new albums, and more!

Tetris Kelly:
Did Eminem just take a shot at Megan Thee Stallion, as Cardi B joins Meg and Glo on a new track. And fresh drops from Normani, Shaboozey and Noah Cyrus, and Ayra Starr. This is Billboard‘s Friday Music Guide for May 31.

GloRilla has enlisted the ultimate girls squad for a remix of “Wanna Be.” As if Thee Stallion wasn’t epic enough, now Cardi B slides on the track. And speaking of Megan Thee Stallion, Slim Shady is back? And she catches a stray from Eminem on his new track, “Houdini.”

Fans asked and Normani delivered new Dopamine track “Candy Paint.” And another lady killing it is our friend Ayra Starr, who just released a brand new album, The Year I Turned 21. More with her on Monday.

And Shaboozey has had everyone getting tipsy. Now we have his full album, Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going.

For more fresh bops, hit Billboard.com.

31 May 2024

NLE Choppa Talks Success of ‘Slut Me Out 2,’ the Impact of Diss Culture & More | Billboard News

After NLE Choppa’s success with “SLUT ME OUT 2” and “Stickin and Movin,” he shares how his artistry plays a significant role in everything he creates. He shares his perspective on the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake feud, the importance of mental health and philanthropy in his life, balancing fatherhood and more!

NLE Choppa:
Yo, what’s up? It’s NLE Choppa and this is Billboard News. Tune in for the interview right now. Let’s do it.

Tetris Kelly:
It’s slut season, you declared it man.

NLE Choppa:
Yes, sir, the one in the flesh. 

Tetris Kelly: 
So listen, “Slut Me Out 2”: 20 million streams, 4 million views on YouTube, man. You having fun with it?

NLE Choppa:
Man, having a lot of fun. I feel like that’s the most important part of it. If we ain’t doing that, we ain’t doing something right so yeah.

Tetris Kelly:
Then, “Slut Me Out” came out two years ago, so tell me why now was the time that you was like, “I want to do a part two, I want to follow that up.”

NLE Choppa:
Man what’s funny is “Slut Me Out 2” came out two years ago. I released it around, like, March and it didn’t pick up traction until December, so like, it kind of was like a little bit under the rug and then in December, out of nowhere, it just started to gain traction. It goes crazy. I feel I could never really commit to it, so I was like, “No, I want to do a No. 2,” but really commit to it and see how far I can take it because the first one went like d–n near top 10 on Billboard, so I’m trying to push this one to one.

Keep watching to learn more!

31 May 2024

Twenty One Pilots Fly to No. 1 In Australia With ‘Clancy’

Twenty One Pilots land a second No. 1 in Australia with Clancy (via Atlantic/Warner), the U.S. act’s seventh and latest studio album.

Hailing from Columbus, OH, Twenty One Pilots now boast four top 10s on the ARIA Chart, including 2018 leader Trench, plus 2015’s Blurryface (No. 7 peak) and Scaled and Icy (No. 3) in 2021.

Clancy is also on track for the U.K. crown, having led the midweek tally ahead of Paul Weller’s 66 and Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department.

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After bowing at No. 1 on the ARIA Chart, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard And Soft (Interscope/Universal) dips 1-2, while Swift’s Tortured Poets (Universal) slips 2-3.

U.K. heavy rock band Bring Me The Horizon enjoy a top 10 start in Australia with Post Human: Nex Gen (RCA/Sony), their ninth studio album. It’s new at No. 4 on the ARIA Chart, published Friday, May 31. The fresh release is the second in the four-album Post Human series. The first, Post Human: Survival Horror, peaked at No. 3 in 2020. The Sheffield, England act has led the national chart on four occasions: There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is A Heaven Let’s Keep It A Secret (in 2010), Sempiternal (2013), That’s The Spirit (2015) and Amo (2019).

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Homegrown hip-hop favorites Hilltop Hoods return to the top 10 with Walking Under Stars (Island/Universal), thanks to a 10th anniversary edition. The LP logged two weeks at No. 1 in 2014 for two weeks and is one of the Adelaide trio’s five consecutive No. 1 studio albums. Walking Under Stars won best urban album at the ARIA Awards, one of the group’s 10 career ARIAs.

Over on the singles chart, Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” (Concrete Boat Boy) enters a second week at No. 1, while country tracks Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” (Empire) and Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” (Universal) respectively complete the top 3.

The top new entry on the current frame belongs to U.S. country star Zach Bryan, whose “Pink Skies” (Warner) open up at No. 15. It’s Bryan’s third top 20 hit in Australia, following “Something In The Orange” and “I Remember Everything” with Kacey Musgraves, which both peaked at No. 6.

30 May 2024

Crowded House Drops ‘Gravity Stairs’: Stream It Now

When a New Zealander rises to the very top, and does it with style, Australians have a tendency to claim them. It’s a sign of warmth, affection and respect, or a damn nuisance, depending on which side of the ditch you live.

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Neil Finn and Crowded House is one towering example.

Finn, a proud Kiwi, formed Crowded House out of the ashes of Spilt Enz, the great early-‘80s Kiwi act that signed with the late Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Records and might have been global superstars were it not for the tyranny of distance.

Today, Crowded House drops Gravity Stairs, their eighth studio album and first through a new deal with BMG.

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Gravity Stairs is produced with Steven Schram (Paul Kelly, San Cisco) and the band, currently featuring Finn and his sons Elroy and Liam; founding, Australia-born bass player Nick Seymour; and U.S.-born keyboardist Mitchell Froom, and is inspired by a heavy stone staircase near where the band leader vacations.

“The Gravity Stairs are symbolic of the struggle to ascend,” says Auckland-based Finn, “acknowledging the opposing forces of weight on the mechanics of living. It’s an act of will every day.”

Since emerging fully-formed in 1986 as a trio of Finn (singer, songwriter, guitar), Seymour and the late, Australian drummer Paul Hester, the group has sold over 15 million records worldwide, and achieved induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame, 13 ARIA Awards, an MTV VMA, a BRIT Award and a U.K. No. 1 album (with 1996’s Recurring Dream – The Very Best Of). Finn was on hand at the 2024 Rolling Stone Australia Awards in Sydney this April to collect the second-ever “icon” honor.

That first self-titled album housed the hits “’Something So Strong” and “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” made a mighty comeback last year. Thanks to a sync to an episode of the rebooted detective classic Magnum P.I., the song powered to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top TV Songs chart.

Featuring the previously released tracks “Teenage Summer” (which was changed from “Life’s Imitation”) and “The Howl,” Gravity Stairs is the followup to Dreamers Are Waiting, which peaked at No. 2 in Australia, No. 6 on the Official U.K. Chart, and won best adult contemporary album at the 2021 ARIA Awards.

Crowded House will support the new LP with a trans-Tasman tour, kicking off Nov. 9 at TSB Arena in the NZ capital, Wellington, with Australia dates starting Nov. 29 at Perth’s Kings Park & Botanical Gardens. Live Nation is producing the swing Down Under.

Stream Gravity Stairs in full below.

30 May 2024

Keke Palmer, Kesha, Janelle Monáe & More to Perform at OUTLOUD WeHo Pride 2024 | Billboard News

Keke Palmer, Janelle Monáe, Adam Lambert and many more artists are getting ready to perform at WeHo Pride this weekend!

Tetris Kelly: 

Kesha, Janelle Monae, Kylie Minogue and so many more are heading to West Hollywood this weekend for the OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride.

Jeff Consoletti:

We are so excited to be back for our third year, arguably our biggest year, to date. 

Tetris Kelly: 

For the next few days West Hollywood Park will be the place to be for top tier music and pride celebration.

Jeff Consoletti:

And we saw an opportunity to really connect, particularly rising queer artists, with big name artists that also are doing their part for the queer communities.

Tetris Kelly: 

In addition to Janelle Monae, other queer artists performing over the three days include Adam Lambert, Doechii and Vincint, but it doesn’t stop there. Keke Palmer, Noah Cyrus and Diplo will take the stage this weekend, too.

30 May 2024

Kendrick Lamar Trolled Online, Lil Wayne’s New ‘A Milli’ Remix, Usher to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award | Billboard News

Kendrick Lamar is trolled online by TDE’s Punch Henderson, Lil Wayne remixes his track “A Milli” for Domino’s, and Usher is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 BET Awards.

Tetris Kelly:
Kendrick is being called out for being a “Certified Lover Boy,” Weezy is giving out 10 milli, and Usher gets a huge BET honor. Here’s three things going down in hip-hop and R&B. Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss topped our Billboard Hot 100, but he’s more like Drake than we think? After this Chanel photo dropped, Kendrick’s longtime partner Top Dawg’s Punch Henderson commented “Certified Loverboy lol” and even posted their text convo where K-Dot says “I think I’m cute on there man. Couldn’t resist.” Ayo Kendrick, everybody deserves to feel cute, not just the “Certified Lover Boy.”

Lil Wayne is partnering with Uber Eats in honor of its new union with Domino’s Pizza, which has never been on the app. They’re giving away $10 million in free pizza and remixed Weezy’s iconic track “A Milli” to promote it. Meanwhile can we get delivery today? I’m hungry. Is Lil Wayne here?

And congrats are in order for Usher. The R&B King is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award of the 2024 BET Awards. The show will air live on the East Coast on Sunday June 30 at 8pm. The 30-year industry vet is also nominated for four awards at this year’s ceremony, including Album of the Year.

Watch the full video above!

30 May 2024

Billie Eilish Lands in Top 3, Tinashe in Top 10 of TikTok Billboard Top 50 | Billboard News

Will Billie Eilish dethrone Tommy Richman for the No. 1 spot this week on the TikTok Billboard Top 50? Plus, Tinashe’s “Nasty” climbs to No. 7 and more! 

Tetris Kelly:
“Million Dollar Baby” continues its reign, but the top 10 sees some major mix ups. Tommy Richman tops the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for the chart posting May 30. It matches Lay Bankz’s run with “Tell Ur Girlfriend.”

Debuting at No. 3 is “Birds of a Feather” by Billy Eilish. It’s just one of five tracks from Eilish’s new album that made the chart.

Tinashe’s “Nasty” climbs to seven. It seems like everyone’s trying to find someone to match their freak. “Close,” another R&B track by Cayo jumps from 28 to nine, while Luis R Conriquez  and Neton Vega round up the top 10 with “Si No Quieres No,” which has a ton of users lip-synching to the hit.

Every Thursday, Billboard will bring you the verified list of the hottest songs on TikTok by monitoring music discovery and engagement on the platform in the United States. To find the TikTok Billboard Top 50 each week, users can simply go to any sound detail page and tap the top right button to access the charts page.

30 May 2024

Usher & Victoria Monét to Be Honored at ASCAP 2024 Rhythm & Soul Music Event

ASCAP will honor Usher and Victoria Monét at a party in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 27 where they celebrate their top rhythm and soul music songwriters and publishers. Usher will receive the ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award; Monét, the ASCAP Vanguard Award.

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The Voice of the Culture Award is presented to ASCAP members who have had a major influence on music and culture. The honor recognizes their success both as creators and changemakers. Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and D-Nice were the latest artists to receive the award in 2021.

The Vanguard Award is presented in recognition of ASCAP members whose innovative work is helping to shape the future of music. Migos, Janelle Monáe and Beastie Boys are past recipients of the award.

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“Usher has owned the R&B crown for decades, captivating listeners with his incomparable vocal chops and songs that span the R&B and pop genres,” Paul Williams, ASCAP chairman of the board and president, said in a statement. “His charisma and performances are unmatched in the R&B world and his humanitarian impact is just as undeniable.”

“Victoria Monét has proven herself not only as an illuminating songwriter, but also as a flourishing artist and ASCAP member who continues to break barriers,” continued Williams. “Her resilience, talent, and exemplary work ethic have helped her become a multi-award-winning singer and songwriter.”

Usher, who is celebrating 30 years as an entertainer, is an eight-time Grammy winner, including two wins for best contemporary R&B album. He has amassed nine No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. On Feb. 11, he headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, which became the most-watched in history. Two days before that high-profile gig, Usher released his ninth studio album, Coming Home, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2. “Good Good,” his hit collab with Summer Walker and 21 Savage, made the top 25 on the Hot 100 and was a fixture on the chart for more than six months.

Monét received seven 2024 Grammy nominations, a total topped only by SZA, with nine. She won three Grammys on Feb. 4 – best new artist, best R&B album for Jaguar II and best engineered album, non-classical, for that same album. “On My Mama,” a Grammy nominee for record of the year, made the top 40 on the Hot 100. On March 6, Monét received the Rising Star Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards.

Both artists were major winners at the NAACP Image Awards on March 16. Monét won outstanding album and outstanding new artist. Usher took outstanding male artist. Both artists are also top nominees at the upcoming BET Awards, will air live from Los Angeles on June 30. Monét has five nods; Usher has four. In addition, Usher will receive a lifetime achievement award on the BET Awards, it was announced on Thursday (May 30).

30 May 2024

Kelis Is Heading to Australia For a Keynote at Bigsound 2024

Kelis, the “Milkshake” master, Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef and author is heading to the land Down Under, where she will deliver a keynote presentation for Bigsound conference.

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On Thursday, Sept. 5, the Harlem-born artist will deliver “an honest conversation on the importance of being authentic and her fearless approach to transformation,” subjects that strongly align with the Bigsound 2024 themes, organizers say. And later, on Saturday, Sept. 7, she’ll perform live and exclusively at QLD Music Trails’ Sweet Relief! Music Festival.

Twenty-five years on from the release of her 1999 debut studio album, Kaleidoscope, and 21 years on from her commercial breakout LP Tasty, Kelis has expanded her repertoire into cooking, helming several specials on Netflix and elsewhere and penning her own cookbook, “My Life on a Plate.”

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Set for Sept. 3 – 6 in Brisbane, the 2032 Olympic city, Bigsound’s conference and showcase extravaganza “lights up the heart of the Fortitude Valley each year with a flurry of music lovers, brilliant minds and world class performers,” comments Kris Stewart, CEO of QMusic and Bigsound, which is teaming up with QLD Music Trails to bring Kelis to Australia.

“It’s a pleasure to get to partner with QLD Music Trails,” adds Stewart,” to bring to the city someone who encompasses all these things and more, Kelis, for what will undoubtedly be an incredible Keynote speech and festival performance.”

Kelis has landed seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100, led by Tasty cut “Milkshake,” one of many early recordings she created with The Neptunes’ Pharrell and Chad Hugo. “Milkshake” peaked at No. 3.

Also, five Kelis albums have impacted the Billboard 200 chart, including a top 10 for 2006’s Kelis Was Here, which peaked at No. 10.

At the 2024 edition of Bigsound, Kelis joins previously announced keynote speaker Amy Taylor, singer with ARIA Award-winning punk rock act Amyl & The Sniffers, plus a lineup of international speakers including Korda Marshall (Mushroom Group), Bradly Palmer (Concord Music Publishing), Elliott Lefko (AEG / Goldenvoice).

The event is supported by the Queensland government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and is presented by Oztix and Brick Lane.

30 May 2024

Heart Cancels Europe Tour as Ann Wilson Undergoes Medical Procedure

Heart’s upcoming dates in Europe have been scrapped, to enable singer Ann Wilson time to recover from a medical procedure.

The Rock Hall-inducted band has wiped the European leg of their Royal Flush tour, which was scheduled to kick off June 20 and run through July 12 and include several festival spots.

“We regret to inform you that all upcoming Heart performances in Europe are canceled,” reads a statement from the band.

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In late May, the statement reads, Wilson “will undergo a time-sensitive but routine procedure for which the minimum recovery time is six weeks.”

Heart “deeply regrets this unfortunate circumstance and hopes to return to Europe soon.”

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As it stands, Heart will return to the road July 30, for a concert at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH with Def Leppard and Journey, the first in a lengthy run of stadium and arena shows in the U.S. and Canada.

Refunds for the Europe dates will be available at point of purchase as applicable.

Started by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson in 1974, Heart’s Royal Flush tour marks the band’s return to the road for the first time in five years. The North America leg kicked off April 20 in Greenville, South Carolina, with Cheap Trick as support on most dates, while Squeeze was set to open on a handful of those now-nixed summer European dates.

Recognized as the first female-fronted hard rock band, Heart took their place among the greats when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.