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27 Mar 2024

Diddy’s Home Raid Updates, Cardi B Clears Up LAPD Claim & More | Billboard News

It’s Wednesday, March 27th and we are breaking down all the biggest news stories of the day! Diddy’s attorney speaks out on Diddy’s Los Angeles and Miami homes being raided by Homeland Security. As Diddy’s legal troubles continue, 50 Cent is looking to capitalize on it with a documentary about the allegations. Cardi B threatened to sue LAPD saying the police falsely accused her of drug trafficking. Rap fans are divided after discovering that Drake and Lil Wayne were using a teleprompter at their recent ‘It’s All A Blur – Big As The What?” tour stop. SZA is releasing leaked tracks and outtakes from her chart-topping album ‘S.O.S.’ and announced that her upcoming album ‘LANA’ will be completely new music. We talked to up-and-coming rapper That Mexican OT at Rolling Loud LA 2024. Brazilian pop star Luísa Sonza reveals how she got Demi Lovato on her song “Penhasco2” and more!

Tetris Kelly
Diddy speaks out out after Homeland Security rates his home, 50 cent mocks Diddy, Drake uses a teleprompter and SZA addresses leaked tracks. Cardi B calls out the LAPD, we hang out with that Mexican OT and learn more about Luísa Sonza.

Tetris Kelly
We’re halfway there, I’m Tetris Kelly, this is Billboard News and this hump day is March 27th. So much has already gone down this week. We’ve got to kick things off with a Diddy update.

Tetris Kelly
Breaking news Diddy’s LA and Miami homes have been raided by Homeland Security and both his sons have been placed in handcuffs. I have the updates for you now. TMZ broke that Diddy’s homes were rated in a sex trafficking investigation. Now Homeland Security has released a statement here’s what it say, “earlier today Homeland Security Investigations New York executed law enforcement actions as a part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available.” Now recently, Diddy has been no stranger to sexual assault and misconduct allegations which he has firmly denied on all accounts.FOX 11 does have video of the rate in which both of people handcuffed seem to be his sons. Justin and King Combs, Billboard will be following the story as it develops and you can catch all the updates at Billboard.com.

Watch the full video above!

27 Mar 2024

That Mexican OT on Performing With Bun B, His ‘Bad Luck Shorts,’ Representing Texas & More | Billboard News

We caught up with That Mexican OT at Rolling Loud LA. The rapper spoke about performing with Bun B at the Houston Rodeo, representing Texas, and his “bad luck shorts.”

Tetris Kelly:
Hanging out at Rolling Loud with That Mexican OT. Man, I was just at the Houston Rodeo. You were with Bun B, killing it. How was it?

That Mexican OT:
Yeah, it was cool, man. Shout-out to Bun for having me, bro. It’s definitely a blessing.

Tetris Kelly:
And I talked to some people, some fans in the streets there, and they were saying that you represent Houston’s music really well, man. What do you feel about you and the culture that clicks so well?

That Mexican OT:
It feels good, man. You know what I’m saying? Me being from Bay City, Texas, we’re just a tree branch from the tree, with Houston being the tree. So it’s a beautiful thing for me to be able to bring my home and bring it out to everywhere I go and them accept it. It’s cool.

Tetris Kelly:
I’ve been enjoying watching the glow-up, you know. The New York Times called you one of the seven artists influencing music in 2024. What do you feel about your sound is really resonating with the fans out there?

That Mexican OT:
Oh, I don’t know, man. I don’t really pay attention to that sh–. So I’m gonna say, who gives a f—, you know? But as long as y’all like it, you know, who gives a f—.

Tetris Kelly:
First of all, I’m sorry that my brain went here, but as soon as you say I don’t give a sh–, I just thought about you sh–ting yourself.

That Mexican OTL
I had “bad luck shorts.” I probably sh– on myself about four times as an adult wearing these shorts.

Tetris Kelly:
Where the shorts at? Did you get rid of the shorts?

That Mexican OT:
After the fourth time, we had to get rid of them.

Watch the full video above!

27 Mar 2024

Australia’s Splendour in the Grass 2024 Festival Is Canceled

The 2024 edition of Splendour in the Grass won’t go ahead.

“With a heavy heart,” reads a statement from organizers, issued late Wednesday (March 27), “we’re announcing the cancellation of Splendour in the Grass 2024, originally scheduled from Friday 19 July to Sunday 21 July in Ngarindjin / North Byron Parklands.”

The surprise announcement comes less than a week after tickets to the three-day camping fest went on sale to the general public.

As previously reported, Splendour had booked a healthy lineup featuring Kylie Minogue, Future and Arcade Fire as headliners. Also on the bill for the now-scrapped 2024 edition was Girl In Red, Yeat, Turnstile, G Flip, The Last Dinner Party, Tash Sultana, Fontaines D.C. and many more.

“We know there were many fans excited for this year’s line-up and all the great artists planning to join us, but due to unexpected events we’ll be taking the year off,” the statement continues.

Established in 2001 and held each year in Byron Bay, a picturesque beach town on the most easterly tip of Australia, Splendour is a destination event, and the most popular mid-winter camping fest in these parts.

Splendour, once the hottest ticket on the festivals calendar, has endured a particularly tough run, first with the pandemic, which saw the announced, then shelved several times during the pandemic. Then, in 2022, extreme weather conditions wrecked the first day of Splendour 2022, contributing to softer-than-usual ticket sales for the 2023 edition.

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“We’re heartbroken to be missing a year especially after more than two decades in operation,” reads a joint statement from Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco, co-CEOs of Secret Sounds and founders of Splendour. “This festival has always been a huge community effort, and we’d like to thank everyone for their support and overall faith. We hope to be back in the future.”

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Tickets for Splendour 2024 went on sale from Thursday, March 21 via moshtix.com.au, with the SITG members pre-sale opening March 14. Single day tickets are priced at A$179 (plus fees), three-day tickets are $399 (plus fees), camping tickets cost $159 (plus fees) and the premium “VIP Village VIP” three-day ticket is A$599 (plus fees). 

Ticket holders will be refunded automatically.

Despite the setback, Splendour will return, according to Secret Sounds, an affiliate of Live Nation, which produces the annual event. “We thank you for your understanding,” reads the statement, “and will be working hard to be back in future years.”

26 Mar 2024

Tones And I, Crowded House Among Winners at 2024 Rolling Stone Australia Awards

Tones And I, Dom Dolla, Peach PRC and the Teskey Brothers were among the winners Tuesday night (March 26) at the 2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards, while Crowded House snagged the second-ever “icon” honor.

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Formed out of the embers of New Zealand alternative-rock favorites Split Enz, Crowded House are members of the ARIA Hall of Fame, inducted back in 2016 in recognition of a career which has yielded more than 15 million album sales, 13 ARIA Awards, a BRIT Award, and an MTV VMA.

Frontman Neil Finn was on hand to collect the RS award and perform an acoustic mini set. “Thank you Rolling Stone for making us into an icon,” he told the 800 guests gathered at The Ivy in central Sydney. “I’m not sure what that truly means, but I think it means you need to go to Mecca and buy some makeup, so I’ve done that. I’d like to thank all the band members of Crowded House, so I’m representing for them, they send their love. For everybody, thank you so much for honoring us in this fashion.”

The Kiwi bandleader gave the industry audience a taste of things to come when he slung the guitar for a preview of Gravity Stairs, the eighth and latest Crowded House album, due out May 31 through BMG.

Tones And I can’t stop winning. The one-time busker recently notched three billion streams on Spotify for “Dance Monkey,” becoming the first solo female artist to hit that milestone, and she opened for Pink on the record-smashing 20-stadium Summer Carnival tour of Australia, a jaunt that shifted more than 900,000 tickets, according to Live Nation.

On Tuesday, Tones beat out the likes of Tame Impala, Kylie Minogue and Troye Sivan to score the global award, a category voted on by Rolling Stone’s international editorial teams.

“Wow,” enthused Tones (real name Toni Watson), “this is an incredible award to win, up against such an icon in Kylie Minogue who helped pave the way for women in pop music on a global scale.”

Adelaide singer-songwriter Peach PRC won best single with “Perfect For You,” Rolling Stone Australia cover stars the Teskey Brothers took home best record with their ARIA Chart No. 1 The Winding Way, and EDM star Dom Dolla snagged best new artist.

Performers on the night included Angus & Julia Stone, who are readying the release of their sixth studio album Cape Forestier on May 10, through BMG.

Rolling Stone AU/NZ is published by The Brag Media, part of The Vinyl Group. “We are continually inspired by Australian artists, their stories, and their music, and we are so proud to support them with such a special night dedicated to celebrating their art,” comments editor-in-chief Poppy Reid.

The fourth annual awards welcomed multiple new and returning sponsors this year, with headline partner Shure back for 2024, alongside American Apparel, JMC Academy and Largo Brewing.

2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Winners:

Rolling Stone Icon Award

Crowded House (WINNER)

Best Single

Peach PRC – “Perfect For You” (WINNER)
Dom Dolla ft. MK – “Rhyme Dust”
Budjerah – “Therapy”
Amy Shark – “Can I Shower At Yours”
Fisher ft Kita Alexander – “Atmosphere”
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – “I Used to be Fun”
Lime Cordiale – “Colin”
Tkay Maidza ft. Flume – “Silent Assassin”

Best New Artist

Dom Dolla – (WINNER)
Royel Otis
Oliver Cronin
The Rions
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
Grentperez
Blusher
Old Mervs

Best Record

The Teskey Brothers – The Winding Way (WINNER)
Teenage Dads – Midnight Driving
G Flip – DRUMMER
The Amity Affliction – Not Without My Ghosts
Troye Sivan – Something to Give Each Other
Brad Cox – Acres
Dope Lemon – Kimosabè
Peach PRC – Manic Dream Pixie

Rolling Stone Global Award

Tones And I – (WINNER)
Kylie Minogue
Troye Sivan
The Teskey Brothers
Dom Dolla
DMA’S
Fisher
Vacations
Tame Impala

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26 Mar 2024

Tyla Puts Kai Cenat in The Friend Zone, Jisoo & Jackson Wang’s New AD & More | Billboard News

YouTuber and Twitch streamer Kai Cenat tries to shoot his shot at rising Afrobeats artist Tyla, by asking her on a date. Jisoo and Jackson Wang are starring in a new ad for Cartier. Lisa is spotted at the Thailand vs. Korea 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier game. Tomorrow x Together release the track list for their upcoming album ‘Minisode 3: TOMORROW.’ We catch up with Silvestre Dangond and talk about his return to music. And more!

Tetris Kelly
The girls of BlackPink are in all your areas and TOMORROW X TOGETHER is releasing new music. Gaga is dropping new album details as Kai Cent gets curved. We go backstage with Kylie Minogue and talk to Silvestre Dangond. It’s Tuesday March 26th, welcome to Billboard News there was so much happening yesterday. It feels impossible that is just Tuesday, but the news doesn’t stop and this first one is a big one.

Kai Cent
Tyla, would you like to go on a date with me?

Tyla
Are you asking me for real?

Kai Cenat
Yeah.

Tetris Kelly
Tyla hopped on Kai Cenat’s live stream and it was hilariously cringe.

Tyla
Don’t do that.

Tetris Kelly
Let’s break it down.

Tetris Kelly
We all know Tyla is a work of “Art.”

Tetris Kelly
And when she appeared on Kai Cenat’s live stream, Kai tried to shoot his shot.

Kai Cent
Whenever you get some free time would you like to go on a date with me?

Tyla
You can’t do that on a whole live thing

Tetris Kelly
Is anybody else uncomfortable? Friend zone in coming

Tyla
But we friends, lol.

Kai Cent
you right?

Tyla
Yeah, we friends.

Kai Cent
You right.

Tetris Kelly
Oh that you right, that gotta hurt

Tetris Kelly
but the live stream wasn’t all cringe. She teaches Kai how to dance.

Tyla
Yeah.

Tetris Kelly
And Tyla plays what’s in the box? Did you get second an embarrassment for Kai? Let us know in the comments. And for Tyler head to Billboard.com.

Watch the full video above!

26 Mar 2024

Billboard & Smirnoff Take SXSW: Cardo Got Wings Performs, Pickleball & More | Billboard News

Billboard teamed up with Smirnoff Smash Vodka Soda to bring some fun to Austin, Texas, at SXSW.

Tetris Kelly:
From pickleball to custom cocktails, the merging of the unexpected took place when Smirnoff Smash Vodka Soda took over Billboard’s South by Southwest festivities. Fans of music, tech and more came together in Austin, Texas, for the annual music festival, and our visit down south saw an unexpected pickleball court appear on the ever-popular Rainey Street.

To highlight the vibrant new Smirnoff Smash Vodka Soda line, 21+ festivalgoers had the opportunity to work up a sweat at a custom pickleball experience. Decked out in colors to match the new line, the court was a show-stopping affair with players going head to head in a showdown to remember. After flexing their skills, attendees grabbed free swag, local bites from food trucks and tried the new line, among a variety of flavors including watermelon lime, pineapple orange, strawberry dragon fruit and red berry peach, just 100 calories each.

While a referee led the game, super producer Cardo Got Wings was on site to offer the tunes and show some love to the event.

Cardo Got Wings:
With your drinks in the air, one time for Smirnoff again! Make some noise for them making this beautiful event take place, please!

Tetris Kelly:
He was joined by the DJ collective The Chopstars, who brought the vibes for the rest of the evening. Some of the attendees even won tickets to Billboard Presents The Stage concert series at the Moody Amphitheater. Smirnoff Smash Vodka soda brought the flavor to the venue with a specialty bar and samples while star-studded acts hit the stage. Fans were also treated to custom cocktails, including Smirnoff Mule and Smirnoff Texas Lemonade.

For more from our Austin, Texas, takeover head over to Billboard.com

Watch the full video above!

26 Mar 2024

Elbow ‘Audio Vertigo’ Makes Noise on Midweek U.K. Chart

Elbow turns up the volume with Audio Vertigo, the leader on the midweek U.K. chart.

Audio Vertigo is the Bury, England band’s 10th studio album. And if it holds its position, the collection will give Guy Garvey and Co. their fourth U.K. leader after 2014’s The Take Off And Landing Of Everything, 2017’s Little Fictions and 2019’s Giants Of All Sizes.

Based on sales and streaming data captured at the midweek point, the British alternative rock outfit holds off Future and Metro Boomin’s collaborative collection, We Don’t Trust You. It’s at No. 2 on the midweek chart, and should become Future’s fourth and Metro Boomin’s third U.K. top 10 album. Three tracks from it are aiming for top 20 debuts on the national singles survey.

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Veteran Scottish alt-rock act the Jesus and Mary Chain could snag a career-best with Glasgow Eyes. It’s forecast to complete an all-new top 3, at No. 3, for the group’s third top 10 title.

Following the release of a deluxe edition, Olivia Rodrigo’s former leader GUTS should spill into the top 10 once again. It’s up 15-4 on the chart blast. The LP, which originally logged a single week at No. 1 in 2023, should yield the week’s highest new Official Singles Chart entry, with “Obsessed” predicted to bow at No. 6. The “Spilled” version of GUTS includes five more songs, including a new cut, “So American”; the other four songs were the “secret” tracks that appeared on a variety of GUTS vinyl releases: “Obsessed,” “Scared of My Guitar,” “Stranger” and “Girl I’ve Always Been”.

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Finally, new titles from Starsailor (Where The Wild Things Grow), Fletcher (In Search Of The Antidote) and The Staves (All Now) are cruising for top 10 berths, while LPs from Waxahatchee (Tigers Blood at No. 12), a project led by Alabama-born singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, and Gossip (Real Power at No. 18) could bag top 20 debuts.

All will be revealed when the Official Charts are published late Friday, March 29.

26 Mar 2024

Benson Boone Eyes Second Week at No. In U.K. With ‘Beautiful Things’

Another beautiful week is unfolding for Benson Boone in the U.K., where his global hit “Beautiful Things” (via Warner Records) is on track for a second week at No. 1.

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The Washington-born singer-songwriter’s breakthrough song has led both of Billboard’s Global singles tallies and, for the first time, lifted to No. 1 in the U.K. last week.

Based on early sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, “Beautiful Things” should nail another cycle at the top in the U.K.

Thanks to the release of the deluxe GUTS (spilled) edition, Olivia Rodrigo should bag the highest new entry with “Obsessed.” It’s new at No. 6 on the chart blast, and should give the U.S. pop phenomenon her 12th U.K. top 10 single.

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Rodrigo has set several U.K. chart records in her young career. When her debut album SOUR hit No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Chart in May 2021 in the same week her single “Good 4 U” led the national singles survey, she became, at 18 years and 3 months, the youngest solo artist to snag the U.K. chart double.

Along the way, SOUR set the U.K. mark record for the most first-week streams for a debut album, and, in June 2021, Rodrigo became the first female solo artist to land three simultaneous U.K. top 5 singles: “Good 4 U,” “Déjà vu” and “Traitor.” SOUR logged five total weeks at No. 1, and GUTS completed one week at the top.

Meanwhile, Future and Metro Boomin’s collaborative LP We Don’t Trust You should drop the maximum three tracks into the U.K. singles chart, all impacting the top 20. Based on early predictions, “Like That” is poised to enter at No. 7, “Type Shit” could start at No. 11 and the title track could bow at No. 14.

Finally, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier is targeting a No. 16 with his new song, “Too Sweet.” It’s on target for a No. 16 start.

All will be revealed when the Official Charts are published late Friday, March 29.

25 Mar 2024

Australia’s Recorded Music Industry Posts 10.9% Growth For 2023

For the fifth consecutive year, Australia’s recorded music industry posted growth in 2023 – all thanks to streaming and Aussies’ love of wax.

According to wholesale data published by ARIA, the nation’s record market lifted by 10.9% to A$676 million ($442 million), powered by subscriptions to music streaming brands.

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That rate of growth for Australia, a top 10 market, the IFPI confirms in its newly-published Global Music Report, is in line with international trends.

Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, and the full slate of subscription platforms now generate 69% of the industry’s total value, or $467.6 million ($305 million), up by 13.9% year-on-year, reports ARIA, the labels trade association.

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Also reporting gains for 2023 is the space for ad-supported streaming models, up 15.3% jump to $68.3 million ($44 million).

All digital products combined, including downloads and video streams, account for a sum upwards of A$616.1 million ($403 million), a 12% year-on-year lift. In other words, more than 90 cents in the record industry’s dollar is generated by digital.

Vinyl albums are an ongoing sweet spot, posting gains of 14.1% to A$42.1 million ($27 million), a sum more than twice that of the dwindling market for CD albums (A$17 million or $11 million, down 16%), for decades the record industry’s diesel engine. The rate of growth for vinyl, however, appears to be slowing.

An overall strong market report is masking a problem that Australia’s music community is trying desperately to crack — how to break more homegrown in Australia and abroad?

Where the IFPI’s GMR is flush with case studies on the success of Afrobeats, Latin music, K-pop, and blockbuster acts from North America and the U.K., acts from the land Down Under aren’t stealing the limelight.

“While Australia remains the 10th largest music market in the world – and Aussies clearly love music,” comments ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd, “it remains harder than ever for our local artists to reach these audiences.”

ARIA’s end-of-year charts “paint a clear picture of this,” notes Herd, with only four Australian albums impacting the top 100 for 2023, led by INXS‘ hits collection The Very Best (at No. 58), and three singles, none of which were released during the reporting period. The best-placed Australian artist on the year-end singles tally was The Kid Laroi with his 2021 Justin Bieber collaboration, “Stay.”

“Achieving cut-through becomes increasingly difficult for artists as the growth rate of subscription and ad supported streaming models continues to increase year on year,” notes Herd, “while nearly all other growth rates have eased compared to 2022.”

The Albanese federal government listened to the industry’s dilemmas, and, in 2023, activated Creative Australia, the centerpiece of the federal National Cultural Policy, Revive, which its architects hope will turn Australia into a music powerhouse.

Among the government’s promises is the launch of Music Australia, a reimagined national music development agency that would support and invest in the development of Australian contemporary music, and now led by founding director Millie Millgate. The Music Australia Council, effectively the Music Australia board, includes legendary concert promoter Michael Chugg and Future Classics founder and CEO Nathan McLay.

The government’s National Cultural Policy is an ambitious year-long action plan, structured around five interconnected pillars and underpinned by a commitment for new, additional investment totaling A$286 million (US$202 million) — record levels of arts funding. Music Australia alone is funded to the tune of A$69 million ($44 million) over four years.

“We are fortunate that compared to other major global markets, our growth rates paint a favorable picture for the future of music in Australia,” adds Herd. “Music is valuable, it is popular and it is growing. We look forward to working with the industry and government to ensure that message is heard and that value is increasingly used to support our incredible local talent.”

Read more here.

25 Mar 2024

Shakira Wants to Work With Taylor Swift, Drake Addresses Kendrick Lamar Feud & More | Billboard News

It’s Monday, March 25th and we run down all the Taylor Swift news! Shakira reveals she wants to collaborate with the “Cruel Summer” singer, while The Eras Tour opener, Sabrina Carpenter, reflects on her tour experience with her. Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce is in talks to host ‘Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?’ Kendrick Lamar sparked a lot of conversation online after taking some pointed shots at Drake with his surprise feature on Future and Metro Boomin’s track “Like What” off their new album ‘We Don’t Trust You.’ The Canadian rapper has seemingly responded to being called out at his concert in Florida. Billboard reveals a new No. 1 on the Hot 100. Brazilian pop star Luísa Sonza talks about the importance of therapy. Tems reveals 5 things you didn’t know about her music and more!

Tetris Kelly
Drake turns the drama with him J.Cole and Kendrick Lamar up a notch. Well, Taylor Swift after learn Spanish for a new collab, as Sabrina carpenter thanks her and her boyfriend, maybe getting a new job. We got a friend on top of the Billboard Hot 100 and he pops in to talk to us. And we rewind back to women and music to hang backstage with Luísa Sonza and Tems.

Tetris Kelly
Welcome back to Billboard News. I’m Tetris Kelly is Monday, March 25th. And it’s a whole new week of news, but this first story is the latest in a long lasting feud.

Drake
I got my fckin head up high, my back straight, I’m ten fcking toes down.

Tetris Kelly
Drake seems to address Kendrick Lamar continuing the long standing feud.

Drake
There’s not a ngga on this earth that could fck with me in my life.

Tetris Kelly
Drake had this to say it is recent concert and the internet is assuming he’s talking about Kendrick Lamar in the viral video.

Tetris Kelly
On Friday Kendrick called out Drake and J. Cole on Future and Metro Boomin ‘s new track “Like That.”

Tetris Kelly
That’s Kendrick Lamar addressing Drake and J. Cole song “First Person Shooter.” Where J. Cole tried to claim the three rappers are the best in the game, but this beef is over a decade old back in 2013 Kendrick had this to say on Big Sean’s “Control.”

Tetris Kelly
Back then Drake told Billboard, “It just sounded like an ambitious thought to me. That’s all it was. I know good and well that Kendrick is not murdering me at all in any platform. So when that day presents itself, I guess we can revisit the topic.”

Tetris Kelly
Well, it looks like we’ve come full circle, Drake.

Watch the full video above!