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The In Memoriam spot at the Primetime Emmys is always one of the can’t-miss moments of the broadcast. That was certainly the case at the 75th edition, when Charlie Puth and acclaimed duo The War and Treaty performed Puth’s 2015 Wiz Khalifa collab “See You Again” over the In Memoriam segment. The soulful session segued into a stripped-back […]
Eminem is keen to play ball with his beloved Detroit Lions.
As the NFL franchise breaks its painful, three-decade-long playoff drought, Marshall Mathers puts his hand up for selection with an amusing play to coach Dan Campbell.
Em gets into the spirit of the Lions’ rare post-season progress with a social post.
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“Yo, Dan, I’m reporting. I’m going to report. Third quarter,” the Rap God says. “I’m reporting, offensive line, eligible receiver. I’ll be the quarterback, the entire line, (the) offensive line. And the receiver, I will throw it to myself and score a touchdown. In the third quarter. Just give me a uniform. Or at least just a helmet.”
He already has one, but it’s not regulation. “It’s just a helmet,” he insists.
The 51-year-old artist might not be able to do it on all a football field, but he’s without question a superstar in the field of hip-hop. In 2020, with the release of Music to Be Murdered By, Eminem notched his historic 10th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. Ten of those were in succession, a record; and each of them debuted at the summit, again, something never done before.
He’s just the sixth act with at least 10 No. 1 LPs in the United States.
Two years later, Eminem was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, an accolade that sits beside his 15 Grammy Awards.
The Lions, however, haven’t been winning much of late. The club left it late for its 24-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night (Jan. 14), for their first play-off game victory in 32 years.
The NFC’s No. 3 seeded Lions can now boast two home play-off games for the first time in franchise history, kicking on again Sunday for a second-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Eminem has been spotted at Lions game this season, and in years past, has taken his spot in the commentary booth, and offered his services – despite his advancing years.
In 2022, then aged 49, Slim Shady appeared in an episode of HBO’s NFL series Hard Knocks, asserting that he was down to suit up any time they need him. “I said I’m here for whatever position. I’m here. Any of ‘em. All of ’em,” Em said while hanging on the sidelines at a Detroit Lions practice.
The Black Keys are heading to South by Southwest 2024.
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, founding members of the chart-topping blues-rock outfit, will take their positions on stage as keynote speakers, organizers announce today (Jan. 16).
Auerbach, the band’s singer and guitarist, and Carney, the Black Keys’ drummer, will lend their support to the new documentary, This is a Film About The Black Keys, which enjoys its world premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival. Directed by Jeff Dupre, the feature-length film is said to trace the band’s journey, which began nearly a quarter century ago as kids jamming in a basement in Akron, OH, and has seen the rockers complete the journey to the biggest stages on the planet.
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Along the way, they’ve soaked up commercial and critical success, including six top 10 titles landed on the Billboard 200 chart, with a No. 1 for 2014’s Turn Blue, and six Grammy Awards.
“The impact of artists has made music the foundation of SXSW,” comments Hugh Forrest, chief programming officer and co-president. “For this reason, we’re especially excited to welcome Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, one of the most compelling rock bands around, to the Keynote Speaker lineup for a discussion on their prolific career.”
The rockers are among the big names in the fourth round of featured speakers, a list that includes legendary actress and activist Jane Fonda; three-time NBA champion and Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade; Twitch CEO Dan Clancy; and Lord of the Rings actor and co-founder of indie production company SpectreVision, Elijah Wood.
Conference sessions include the panel, “The Transformation of Music Sync: When the Songwriter Becomes the Screenwriter,” and “Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web.”
Additional keynote speakers and featured sessions will be unveiled in the coming weeks, reps say.
Founded in 1987 in Austin, TX, SXSW has grown to encompass tech, film and TV, music, education and culture. The entirety of the 2024 conference and festival will run from March 8-16.
In April 2021, it was announced that SXSW signed a “lifeline” deal with P-MRC, a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and MRC, making P-MRC a stakeholder and long-term partner with the Austin festival. P-MRC is the parent company of Billboard.
Visit SXSW.com for more.
D-Block Europe is heading for a first U.K. No. 1 with Rolling Stone (via D-Block Europe), the British hip-hop collective’s third studio album.
Rolling Stone leads an all-new top three on the midweek chart, and will extend the act’s tally of U.K. top 10 albums, which currently stands at seven – the most of any British rap act in Official Charts history.
The result isn’t a foregone conclusion. The Vaccines are close behind with Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations (Super Easy), on track for a No. 2 debut. Pick-Up should give the English indie-pop outfit a sixth consecutive U.K. top 10 album, and highest chart appearance since 2015’s English Graffiti, which also peaked at No. 2.
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The Vaccines bagged a U.K. No. 1 with 2012’s Come of Age.
Meanwhile, 21 Savage is on target for his first solo top 10 appearance in the country of his birth. The British-American rap star is predicted to debut at No. 3 with American Dream (Epic/Slaughter Gang), his third LP. Also, three cuts from it are expected to impact the top 40 of the U.K. singles chart.
Savage, who was born in London, now based in Atlanta, has two top 10 appearances with collaborative projects. His 2022 recording with Drake, Her Loss, reached No. 1, and 2020’s Savage Mode II with Metro Boomin peaked at No. 10.
Further down the chart blast, British singer and songwriter Bill Ryder-Jones should snag his first solo top 40 album with Iechyd Da (Domino Recordings), his fifth LP. It’s new at No. 7 on the Official Chart Update. As a member of The Coral, Ryder-Jones landed a U.K. No. 1 in 2003 with Magic and Medicine.
Finally, Teddy Swims’ continues to paddle up the chart with his debut album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) (via Atlantic). It’s forecast to lift 24-11 on the survey, as the hit single from it, “Lose Control,” rises to No. 5 on the singles chart blast.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Charts are published Friday, Jan. 19.
Tony Orlando’s forthcoming tour will be his last, though the veteran entertainer’s journey in music will carry on through a raft of creative ventures.
Speaking with Billboard via email, Orlando says the end of the road would enable the artist to “satisfy my creative juices” by creating new products from films, to Broadway shows, to streaming new product.
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It’s “time for a new journey,” he continues. Part of that trip involves the launch of Tony Orlando Productions and Explosive Film and Entertainment companies. “I also plan to pay more attention to writing a Broadway show,” he adds, and “pitching my ideas for films and writing my next book. And maybe even managing the careers of some new and young talent.”
Father time, as we all know, remains undefeated.
Travel today is “grueling,” he notes. “And then when you add the overhead the cost to travel with eight band members on the road and then you add five and six hours of delays or cancellations at airports. And not many non-stops, and then your connections end up being canceled.”
All of that, approaching the age of 80, “well this is not a smart or good match. So, it’s time.”
As previously reported, Orlando’s Farewell Concerts kick off with dates across three consecutive nights at South Point Casino in Las Vegas, Jan. 19-21; followed by shows at Niagara Falls, ON; Des Plaines and St. Charles, IL; Atlantic City, NJ; and Uncasville, CT. His final performance in Vegas should be an emotional one, wrapping 51 years as a headliner on the Strip.
Performing live shows for 63 years has been a “glorious dream-come-true run,” he recounts. “And man oh man I will miss the audiences, friends, and fans who have stuck by me for these last sixty-three incredible years OMG I will miss them for sure! But now it’s time to grow and turn a new page in my life. How exciting.”
Orlando has won a stack of honors across his career. His group, Tony Orlando & Dawn, landed three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1971-75 — “Knock Three Times,” “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” and “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You).” Also, the act received a Grammy nod for best pop vocal performance by a duo, group or chorus for “Tie a Yellow Ribbon,” which was also nominated for song of the year.
Orlando will continue his broadcasting career with New York City’s 77 WABC, but he’s done with the rigors of the road.
“I can still hit the ball,” he quips. “I just can’t run the bases.”
Ariana Grande’s “Yes, And?” has the U.K. chart crown in its sights.
The U.S. pop star’s latest release (via Republic Records) starts at No. 2 on the midweek chart, and will become Grande’s 32nd top 40 appearance, and 21st top 10 – a tally that includes eight No. 1s. The last time she summited was in 2020 with the title track from her Positions album, and her collaboration with Lady Gaga, “Rain On Me.”
Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” (Republic Records) is the only barrier blocking Grande’s path. The Vermont singer and songwriter’s hit made a strong chart comeback after the festive season, and is on track for a third consecutive week at No. 1.
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Less than 2,000 chart units separated the top two tracks in the early phases of the chart cycle, the OCC reports.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2001 disco number “Murder on the Dancefloor” (Polydor) is forecast to complete the podium, dipping 2-3. “Murder” has been dancing up sales and consumption charts around the world, following its inclusion in Emerald Fennell’s dark drama Saltburn.
Meanwhile, Teddy Swims is charging to a new peak position – and career best – with “Lose Control” (Atlantic), up 7-5 on the Official Chart Update. The American singer and songwriter’s debut LP I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy – Pt 1 debuted at No. 24 on the national chart last week.
British hip-hop collective D-Block Europe should snag a 30th U.K. top 40 single with “Eagle” (D-Block Europe), soaring in at No. 18 on the chart blast. “Eagle” appears on D-Block Europe’s third studio LP Rolling Stone, which leads the midweek U.K. albums chart.
And finally, British-American rapper 21 Savage has a trio of American Dream (via Epic/Slaughter Gang) tracks in position for U.K. top 40 berths: “Redrum” (No. 19), “Nee-Nah” featuring Travis Scott and Metro Boomin (No. 21), and “N.H.I.E” with Doja Cat (No. 25). If Savage lands all three, it would lift his tally of top tier U.K. hits to 14.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published this Friday, Jan. 19.
Tony Orlando is hanging up his mic – but not before a final lap of North American shows.
Announced today (Jan. 15), Orlando’s Farewell Concerts kick off with dates across three consecutive nights at South Point Casino in Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 19-21; followed by shows at Niagara Falls, ON; Des Plaines and St. Charles, IL; Atlantic City, NJ; and Uncasville, CT.
His final performance in Vegas should be an emotional one, wrapping 51 years as a headliner on the Strip.
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As it stands, Orlando will call time on his 62-year concerts career on March 22 at Mohegan Sun’s 10,000-seat arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
“We are honored that after such a historic entertainment and humanitarian career, Tony Orlando has chosen Mohegan Sun to host his final live performance,” comments Tom Cantone, president of sports & entertainment for Mohegan. “It’s now time for us to give him a standing ovation for entertaining over 100,000 fans at Mohegan Sun over the years, something that only Billy Joel has done, as he will be forever part of Mohegan’s entertainment family.”
According to reps, this will mark his 65th appearance at the venue over a 23-year period. During that impressive run, Orlando was also inducted into Mohegan Sun’s Walk Of Fame in 2010.
“I am so honored that my last concert will be at my favorite venue on Earth, Mohegan Sun Arena,” comments Orlando, paying tribute to the “flawless” work by Cantone, the stage crews, and the staff. “I also want to thank all my friends within the Mohegan Tribe for making me feel like family and for the opportunity to say goodbye,” he adds. “Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
Orlando is a two-time American Music Award winner and a recipient of the People’s Choice Award for best male entertainer. In 2016 he collected the Casino entertainer of the year award and the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment from the Congressional Medal Of Honor Society, honoring his tireless efforts on behalf of veterans.
In 1990, the entertainer was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, a permanent reminder of his outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry.
Tony Orlando – The Farewell ConcertsJan. 19, 20, 21 — Las Vegas, Nevada – South Point CasinoFeb. 27, 28 — Niagara Falls, Ontario – Fallsview CasinoMarch 2 — Des Plaines, Ill. – Des Plaines TheaterMarch 3 — St. Charles, Ill. – The Arcada TheaterMarch 16 — Atlantic City, N.J. – Resorts Casino HotelMarch 22 — Uncasville, Conn. – Mohegan Sun Arena
Empire of the Sun’s “Walking on a Dream” jogs into APRA AMCOS’ The 1,000,000,000 List, an accolade that recognizes one billion streams clocked up across all platforms.
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Released as the project’s debut single in 2008, the track cracked the top 10 (peaking at No. 10) on the ARIA Singles Chart and won single of the year at the 2009 ARIA Music Awards, one of their four victories on the night.
The following year, at the 2010 APRA Music Awards, the song — written by Nick Littlemore, Luke Steele and Jono Sloan — was awarded dance work of the year and the trio jointly won the breakthrough songwriter award.
Littlemore and Sloan were on hand for a presentation at APRA AMCOS’ Sydney headquarters. The song’s publishers are Universal Music Publishing for Littlemore, Sony Music Publishing for Steele, and Kobalt Music Publishing for Sloan, who BMG previously published.
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“It’s an evergreen record,” says Littlemore. “It’s new for every generation. It’s the hope as a songwriter or creator in any sense that you can continually reach the kids and give them something to play back.”
In the U.S., the song had a second life when it was synced to a Honda Civic commercial in 2016, driving it to No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and powering it to No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs, their second leader on the tally after 2013’s “Alive”.
Later, in 2022, the song soundbedded a five-year global campaign for Western Australia Tourism, and was nominated last year in the new ARIA Awards category of best use of an Australian recording in an advertisement.
Currently, according to APRA AMCOS, “Walking on a Dream” is 10-times platinum certified in Australia, and platinum in the U.S. and U.K.
“It is an honor to acknowledge ‘Walking on a Dream’, a song that retains its freshness and otherworldly sound no matter what year it is or where you are in the world,” comments Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS.
The 1,000,000,000 List acknowledges APRA AMCOS songwriter members and their publishers, and takes into account streaming numbers from major services Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
It’s said to be the first award of its kind to celebrate a songwriter’s streaming achievement, and is the inspiration for the BPI’s BRIT Billion Award, which the U.K. trade association introduced in 2023.
Previous recipients of the APRA AMCOS Billions Award include Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker (for “The Less I Know The Better”), Flume (“Never Be Like You”), Troye Sivan and Alex Hope (“Youth”), Tones And I (“Dance Monkey”), 5 Seconds of Summer (“Youngblood”), and SHOUSE (“Love Tonight”).
See the full list here.
Mike Taylor, the U.S.-born music man who forged an outstanding major label career in his adopted homeland, Australia, where he A&R’d Delta Goodrem’s mega-hit album Innocent Eyes, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 54.
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“After enduring a long illness, Michael Taylor passed away peacefully on Jan. 11, 2024, in Brewster, New York, surrounded by family and loved ones,” reads a message circulated by family members.
Taylor moved to Sydney, Australia in 2001 when he joined Sony Music as head of A&R for Sony Music. There, Taylor worked on Goodrem’s Innocent Eyes, an album that created history, and cleaned up on the charts – and later, awards ceremonies.
Innocent Eyes logged an unprecedented 29 weeks at No.1 on the ARIA Albums Chart following its release in March 2003, and was declared the highest-selling album award at the ARIA Awards two years running. Delta snagged seven ARIA Awards in 2003, and was the first artist to have five No. 1 singles on the Australian chart from a debut album.
Taylor was rewarded by Sony Music with a stint in the U.S., where he served as senior director with the major’s Epic Records division. Less than two years later, he was back in Sydney, starting what would be a 15-year tenure with Universal Music Australia, which included stints as executive VP, A&R and founding general manager and head of UMA imprint, Island Records Australia.
At UMA, he was instrumental in growing the company’s domestic roster, signing a lineup of stars including Hilltop Hoods, Havana Brown, Baker Boy, Briggs, Clare Bowditch, Shane Nicholson, The McClymonts and Dean Lewis.
In September 2022, Taylor announced plans to leave his post as managing director of UMA, citing personal reasons and to dedicate more time to ongoing treatments.
Earlier in his career, Taylor had A&R stints in the U.S. with Columbia Records and at Madonna’s Maverick Recording Company.
For much of his time Down Under, Taylor’s was the only American accent to be heard at showcases and awards parties.
“I loved it then, and love it now. Living in Sydney is such an enjoyable life style,” he told this reporter in 2013, on his move to Australia. “I grew up in New York and lived in the city for years, so I wanted a change. In terms of the music scene and industry in Australia, I think it’s really vibrant, and punches way above its weight class for its population size.”
Outside of his day-to-day duties, Taylor and Peter Coquillard, now senior manager and head of international, Milk and Honey, established the Bali Songwriting Invitational, a camp where music creators could collaborate in paradise.
“Great songs are the key to success for an artist,” Taylor explained. “Writing in an environment that takes you out of your normal day to day can act be a catalyst to special songs.”
As news of his passing spread through the Australian industry, friends and colleagues remembered Taylor as one of the good guys, passionate about music, loyal to his people.
“Professionally respected and personally admired by everyone in the business,” is how Darren Aboud, COO at Select Music Agency, remembers his friend and former colleague. “He was a joy to work with; he gave so much back and his knowledge about cocktails was only surpassed by his knowledge of music.” Taylor and Aboud were appointed joint managing directors for Universal Music Labels Australia, as part of a restructuring unveiled in 2014. “His five-year fight with cancer was extraordinary,” recounts Aboud. “He was determined to live the best life no matter what he was up against.”
Adrian Wauchope, senior VP commercial at Warner Music Australasia, salutes Taylor as “a legend and a true music man,” while Don Elford, director of global partnerships at ASM Global, remembers Taylor as “the real deal.”
Taylor is survived by his wife Jenny and son Charlie.
His life and career will be celebrated this Saturday, Jan. 20 during a service at St Lawrence O’Toole Church, in Brewster, New York. A party will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Charlie Taylor’s college fund.
Shed Seven etches its name in the history books as A Matter of Time (via Cooking Vinyl) bows at No. 1 on the U.K. Albums Chart.
With its fast start, the aptly-named A Matter of Time becomes the Britpop era band’s first chart leader. According to the Official Charts Company, the York, England-formed outfit now claims honors as the rock band with the longest-ever gap between a debut album and first leader – now set at 29 years and 3 months.
The indie act this year celebrates the 30th anniversary since the release of that debut LP, Change Giver, which peaked at No. 16 back in 1994.
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Since then, Shed Seven (Rick Witter, Paul Banks, Tom Gladwin, Tim Wills and Rob Maxfield) has landed five titles in the top 10, including A Matter of Time, their sixth studio LP.
British 2 tone legends The Specials own the all-time record for the longest gap between their debut (The Specials from 1979) and first U.K. 1 (2019’s Encore), clocking in at 39 years, 3 months.
The leader at the halfway stage, A Matter of Time knocks over Lewis Capaldi’s Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent (EMI), which returned to No. 1 the previous week on the release of an expanded edition. Capaldi’s sophomore set dips 1-2, while The Weeknd’s The Collection (Republic Records/XO) holds at No. 3.
Meanwhile, British pop-punk band Busted returns to the top 20 with former leader Greatest Hits 2.0 Busted Live). The hits collection bounces to No. 19 on the release of an extended Another Present for Everyone edition, which includes new single “One of These Days .
Finally, Dublin, Ireland garage-punk outfit SPRINTS lands at No. 20 with their debut release Letter to Self (City Slang), while U.S. singer-songwriter Teddy Swims paddles to a first ever U.K. top 40 album with I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) (via Warner Records). Featuring the top 10 hit “Lose Control” (up 14-6 on the Official Chart), Therapy lands at No. 24.