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Usher serenades Quavo’s rumored girlfriend during his Las Vegas Residency show. YG & Saweetie announce tour as they continue to spark dating rumors. Doja Cat vows to stop making music that is “palatable, marketable and sellable.” Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” has caused quite a controversy. CMT has pulled the video after […]
If you were hanging around Times Square Tuesday afternoon (July 18) as a tourist, or passerby, chances are you didn’t have Post Malone performing in the middle of New York City on your 2023 bingo card. That’s what happened when the Grammy-nominated superstar became the first artist to ever perform at the TSX stage, nestled in the bustling streets of Midtown.
Times Square anxiously buzzed with anticipation as pedestrians swarmed the perimeter amid a high police presence and a mysterious countdown ticker plastered onto the side of a building. Some fans walked by unbothered, thinking it was just another hectic day in the city, while others were intrigued by what would happen next.
At roughly 5:30 p.m., Posty sauntered onto the TSX stage, which sat behind an 18,000-square-foot billboard. Walking through the LED doors, Malone, with his guitar in tow, beamed radiantly at the crowd below his feet before launching into his first song, his new single, “Overdrive.” Serenading the public, the sounds of his guitar crackled through the speaker, halting traffic and causing people to stop and see his rock-laden efforts.
“I’m so happy the rain cleared up so we can hang out, ladies and gentlemen,” Malone told the thousands of New York residents crowded around the stage. “I just wanted to say to everybody who came to hang out I’m so grateful and so very honored to be kicking this off. This is the coolest venue in the f–king universe. I’m super nervous and super happy you guys came out.”
The gracious Malone kept the party going as he segued into his Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Circles.” Donning a sleeveless white tee and black jeans, Malone had fans swooning over the love-drunk anthem as it rang through the city for blocks. Though Malone sang his chart-topping hit with unwavering conviction, he copped to his anxiety about being the first performer to grace the newly-built TSX Stage.
“I’m the first guy to do this, and I was super terrified because I know everyone has a busy day and a busy schedule,” admitted Malone with his newly-released signature 32-ounce Raising Cane’s cup in hand. “I have a new album coming out later this month and I’m super excited to play you something off the new record that hasn’t been released yet. Hopefully, I don’t f–k it up.”
As promised, Malone guided fans through his unreleased record “Enough Is Enough,” which will reside on his forthcoming album Austin, set to drop July 28. Abandoning his guitar, Malone clutched his mic and entered storytelling mode, singing: “Long nights in the city scene/ They said I, won’t pick fights that I won’t ever win/ I got a, bad b—h that would bring her friends/ But when I’m with you, it feels like I’m living again.” Malone’s pop-rock sensibilities shined as his drunken tales enticed the crowd, who yearned for more.
Malone didn’t shy away from the classics during his 18-minute set, as he also dialed up hits such as “Sunflower” and “Congratulations.” The ground shook as fans joyously got into it, partying with the self-proclaimed “Rockstar.” After each of his songs, Malone paused and formed a hand-shaped heart to show his admiration for the zealous fans.
“I love you, New York City,” said Malone before sending his final heart. “Thank you so much for hanging out with me tonight. I hope y’all have a great day. Stay safe, keep spreading love, keep being your beautiful selves, and keep kicking ass, ladies and gentlemen.”
Last month, Malone revealed the track list for his upcoming 17-track Austin album, which is due out on July 28.
MELBOURNE, Australia — Mushroom Group’s talent booking division welcomes MBA, a new agency operating across Australia and New Zealand for live bookings, strategy, touring and partnerships.
MBA is a partnership with Guven Yilmaz, founder and managing director of Vita Music Group.
With offices in Sydney and Melbourne, the new agency represents a slew of artists from the Vita roster, and boasts a lineup at launch that includes Peking Duk, Bliss n Eso, Conrad Sewell, Skin on Skin, Winston Surfshirt, BIG WETT, Kaylee Bell, Milan Ring and Tasman Keith.
“Mushroom has been esteemed as the independent leader in the Australian music and entertainment industry. Partnering with a company that not only emphasises but promotes an independent entrepreneurial culture was essential to me,” comments Guven in a statement.
Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski is said to be keen to grow his independent music company’s booking capacity. MBA, he says, boasts some of the best in the business.
“We’re delighted to have Guven join the Mushroom family,” Gudinski comments. “He’s a very well respected agent and operator, with an incredible track record to boot.”
Supported by a “first-class team” including Shelley Liu, Sam Rogers, and Matt Thomson, Gudinski continues, “I am excited about the offering we are going to create for the talent we represent.”
For those artists repped by MBA, Mushroom’s doors will remain open for talent to work with the group’s production specialists to help build and design their live-show, in addition to accessing the Mushroom Creative House and the brand’s sprawling network.
Mushroom Group this year celebrates its 50th anniversary with a “once-in-a-lifetime” all-star concert and the release of a documentary, Ego, a study of the indie powerhouse’s former chairman Michael Gudinski, who at 21 years of age, founded the company.
Today, the Melbourne-based group numbers more than two-dozen affiliates active in every conceivable area of the music and entertainment industries, from touring to publishing, merch and marketing services, venues, exhibition and events production, neighboring rights, branding, labels, talent management and more.
The late Gudinski formed Mushroom Records in 1972 but had had learned the ropes by booking artists in the region years earlier. In 1970, he established the Consolidated Rock agency, which evolved into the Premier Artists/Harbour Agency.
Mushroom Group cut ties with Harbour Agency in 2021, following an investigation into claims from former Harbour Agency staff on past management behavior and workplace culture.
MBA sits alongside Premier Artists, which reps Jimmy Barnes, Vika & Linda, Marcia Hines and others.
Looks, as we’re constantly reminded, can be deceiving. Cakra Khan is another solid reminder.
Wearing a beige jacket, Khan strolled onto the brightly-lit America’s Got Talent stage, where he might have been mistaken for a regular, everyday guy.
Wrong.
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Khan, relaxed and backing himself, nailed an audition that surprised everyone but himself.
A devotee of blues and soul music, Khan, an Indonesia native, reached deep for a rendition of “Make It Rain.” Khan’s vocals are dripping in soul, but it didn’t stop Simon Cowell from applying the handbrake.
“I think you have a great voice. I didn’t like the track though,” Cowell explained, cutting short the performance with the wave of a hand. “Did you bring another song with you?”
Yes, Khan did. And yes, he passed Cowell’s test. For his second attempt, Khan didn’t muck around. He went with a stone-cold classic, Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.”
The crowd loved it, the judges did too. Khan scored a standing ovation.
“You have a very unique, very sexy, very raspy voice,” Heidi Klum enthused. “Wow, you do have a voice that really stands out, that you will not forget. It’s very, very special.”
“It’s so rare to hear voices like that,” Cowell commented. “I absolutely love your voice. Love it.”
Sofia Vergara remarked, “You made it all yours. And that voice of yours is spectacular.”
Howie Mandel had the last word. “Very memorable, unique voice, everybody was on their feet. You could feel the emotion. You’re amazing.”
The positive feedback was backed up with four yeses. And if Khan wins Idol, what would he do with the $1 million prize money? Build an animal shelter, he said at the top of his spot.
Watch below.
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Sheryl Crow has weighed-in on Jason Aldean‘s controversial song and video for “Try That In a Small Town,” suggesting that the country singer ought to know better.
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The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame-inducted artist pulls no punches with a social post, in which she insinuates that Aldean is out of step with the public mood, that its lyrics are “promoting violence,” and she tags his own account to ensure the message gets through.
“I’m from a small town,” she writes, responding to a viral post from Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts. “Even people in small towns are sick of violence. There’s nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting. This is not American or small town-like. It’s just lame.”
The lyrical content and its official music video has triggered a firestorm on social media. Many commentators have called out the song for glorifying violent behavior, others have pointed out that the country singer was on stage at the Route 91 mass shooting in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017 – something Crow addresses in her own message.
The controversy around “Try That In a Small Town” ratcheted up several notches when CMT yanked the music video from rotation on Tuesday (July 18).
Aldean posted a lengthy message to his Instagram Stories to further explain the song and its video. “I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject too the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous,” he began, adding that the lyrics don’t reference race or point to it, and that all the news footage he used was real.
Aldean also referenced being on stage at Route 91, the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, where a gunman fired on concertgoers, killing 60 people and wounding at least 413. ”NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart. … ‘Try That In A Small Town,’ for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief.” His statement did not address CMT’s decision to pull the clip.
The music video, which has clocked 673,000 views on YouTube since it dropped last Friday (July 14), features Aldean performing in front of courthouse with an American flag hanging from the entrance. The performance is interspersed with footage of a flag burning, protesters screaming and attacking police in various scenarios, and robbing a convenience store.
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Written by Kelly Lovelace, Neil Thrasher, Tully Kennedy and Kurt Michael Allison, the single debuted on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart eight weeks ago and rises 26-25 for the chart dated July 22, and is set to appear on the artist’s forthcoming album.
Crow’s post is below in full.
.@Jason_Aldean I’m from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence.There’s nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting.This is not American or small town-like. It’s just lame https://t.co/cuOtUO9xjr— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) July 19, 2023
Stadium rockers Six60, indie band the Beths, and multi-instrumentalist Fazerdaze (real name: Amelia Murray) are multiple nominees for the second annual Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards, which celebrates New Zealand’s finest.
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Also, there are multiple chances for Princess Chelsea, COTERIE, TE KAAHU, and the L.A.B., the reggae band which is up for best single (“Take It Away”) and the Rolling Stone Global Award.
Four categories will be presented on the night, for best record, best single, best new artist, and the RS Global Award, which is judged by the music title’s global team to acknowledge the Kiwi artist “they just can’t get enough of,” reads a statement.
“Royals” star Lorde was crowned with the inaugural Global Award in 2022. This year’s shortlist includes the Beths, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO), Six60, Bic Runga, BENEE, Mitch James, MELODOWNZ. Kiwi stars Marlon Williams and Stan Walker are also in the running for RS honors.
“After the hugely successful launch of the Panhead Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards last year, we can’t wait to do it all again this year and join with the music industry to celebrate the diverse and unique music scene in New Zealand,” comments Rolling Stone New Zealand editor-in-chief, Poppy Reid. “Once again we’ve been treated to a year of New Zealand talent competing on the global stage.”
Brewery Panhead returns as headline sponsor for the awards, set for Sept. 20 at St Matthew-In-The-City in Auckland.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ is published by Sydney-based The Brag Media, whose portfolio of titles includes Tone Deaf, The Music Network, and Variety.
2023 Panhead Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards nominees:
BEST RECORDPrincess Chelsea – Everything Is Going To Be AlrightCOTERIE – CoterieSix60 – Castle StThe Beths – Expert In A Dying FieldTE KAAHU – Te Kaahu O RangiMarlon Williams – My BoyFazerdaze – Break!Stan Walker – All In
BEST SINGLEDaily J ft. Boo Seeka – ‘Lost In Time’lilbubblegum – ‘af1’Princess Chelsea – ‘Forever Is A Charm’SXMPRA feat. Ski Mask the Slump God – ‘COWBELL WARRIORS!’Tami Neilson – ‘Beyond The Stars’ ft Willie NelsonL.A.B. – ‘Take It Away’Kaylee Bell – ‘Boots N All’Fazerdaze – ‘Break!’
BEST NEW ARTISTGeorgia LinesHanbeeCOTERIETE KAAHULuca GeorgeTeo Glacier33 BelowNO CIGAR
ROLLING STONE GLOBAL AWARDThe BethsUMOSix60Bic RungaBENEEMitch JamesMELODOWNZL.A.B.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. JC Chasez opens up about working with Meow Mix and joining their Cat Boy Band! Shop Meow Mix here: https://amzn.to/475GZ6a To […]
Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Jermaine Dupri is being honored by the Otis Redding Foundation. Dupri will be presented with the Otis & Zelma Redding Award of Respect at the foundation’s upcoming King of Soul Music Festival (Sept. 8-9) in Macon, Georgia.
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The second annual festival, a fundraiser for the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, will also double as a celebration of late icon Redding’s 82nd birthday (Sept. 9).
“We are thrilled to honor Jermaine Dupri at this year’s King of Soul Music Festival,” said Karla Redding-Andrews, vp/executive director of the Otis Redding Foundation, in a statement announcing the news.
“Jermaine and his father Michael Mauldin have been connected to the Redding family since he was a young man visiting the Big ‘O’ Ranch with his dad. And we are so proud of his remarkable contributions to the music industry as a songwriter, producer, DJ, and entrepreneur. He was very close to my brother Otis III, who passed away in April, and credits him with teaching him to make beats. Jermaine aligns with Otis Redding’s spirit and the foundation’s mission to inspire and empower young artists.”
Dupri — who also founded pioneering label So So Def Records — said, “The Reddings and Otis III became my musical family before the world knew of Jermaine Dupri. While I understand the family is honoring me, in my mind I am also honoring them for all they have allowed me to do, see and be a part of at a time when they didn’t have to.”
Atlanta’s esteemed Orchestra Noir will get the festivities underway Sept. 8 with “An Evening of Respect” concert at the historic Macon City Auditorium. Founded in 2016, Orchestra Noir is known for paying tribute to the cultural legacies of African American music pioneers through vibrant performances encompassing classical, jazz, blues, R&B and hip-hop. The next evening will feature The Big “O” Homecoming Show & Dance at the Capitol Theatre. During both nights, renowned artists and musicians will salute Redding’s enduring musical legacy.
Proposed to open in late 2024, the Otis Redding Center for the Arts will house the Otis Redding Foundation’s various music and arts programs for students. That slate includes the annual Otis Music Camp for students between the ages of 12-18, Camp DREAM for those aged 5-11, music education workshops, private and group lessons and the chance to perform on legendary stages such as Nashville’s Ryman Theatre. The foundation itself was established in 2007.
For more information about the festival, tickets, the Otis Redding Center for the Arts and the Otis Redding Foundation, visit otisreddingfoundation.org.
It’s tight at the top of the midweek U.K. albums chart, as J Hus’s Beautiful and Brutal Yard (Black Butter) takes the lead.
Beautiful and Brutal Yard leads Official Chart Update and, if it holds its spot, would give the Stratford, England rapper his second leader following 2020’s Big Conspiracy. J Hus enjoyed a critical and commercial breakthrough with his 2017 debut Common Sense, which peaked at No. 6 on the national survey and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize.
Close behind is Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (via EMI), last week’s leader which dips to No. 2 on the chart blast.
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Coming in at No. 3 on the midweek survey is Rita Ora’s long-awaited third studio album You & I (BMG), which could give the British pop star a second top 10, after her debut Ora from 2012 which went all the way to No. 1. You & I is the followup to 2018’s Phoenix, which peaked at No. 11 on the weekly list.
According to the Official Charts Company, fewer than 2,000 chart units currently separate the top three albums.
Meanwhile, Glasgow, Scotland singer-songwriter Gerry Cinnamon is set to arrive at No. 4 with Live At Hampden Park (Little Runaway); American alt-pop artist Pvris who could bag a second top 10 with Evergreen (Hopeless), poised to debut at No. 5; Lauren Spencer Smith’s debut full-length album Mirror (Island) could bow at No. 6; and Mahalia’s second record IRL (Atlantic) is on course for No. 9, for what would be the British R&B artist’s first top 10 entry.
Finally, U.S. rapper Lil Tjay could snag a third top 40 with 222 (Columbia), new at No. 24 on the chart blast, while Joel Corry’s singles collection Another Friday Night (Atlantic) is at No. 28, and could give the British DJ and producer his first appearance on the Official Albums Chart.
All will be revealed when the national survey is published this Friday, July 22.
BTS‘s Jung Kook is enjoying a healthy start to his solo career in the U.K., where “Seven” (via BigHit Entertainment) is challenging for the chart title.
Featuring U.S. rapper Latto, “Seven” is just 2,000 chart sales behind the leader on the midweek chart, Dave and Central Cee’s “Sprinter” (Live Yours/Neighbourhood).
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“Seven” could go where no member of BTS has gone before – to the summit of the U.K. singles survey.
All seven members of the K-pop phenomenon – Jin, Jimin, Suga, Jung Kook, RM, V and J-Hope – have shared solo material, with Jimin setting the bar with a top 10 for “Like Crazy” (peaking at No. 8); he separately landed a top 40 hit with “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” hitting No. 30. Bandmate j-hope was the first member of BTS to secure a U.K. top 40 single, with his J. Cole collaboration “On The Street” peaking at No. 37.
All told, BTS has accumulated nine U.K. top 40 singles, including four top 10s (with a No. 3 best for 2020’s “Dynamite,” plus “Butter” and “My Universe” with Coldplay, both from 2021). Two BTS titles have led the national albums chart.
Dave and Central Cee’s hip-hop hit “Sprinter” has proven hard to beat. It’s reigned over the Official U.K. Singles Chart for six consecutive weeks.
Meanwhile, Billie Eilish is making a play for the top 10 with “What Was I Made For?” (Interscope), lifted from the Barbie movie soundtrack. If it holds its position, “What Was I Made For?” will give the U.S. pop star her ninth top tier appearance.
Finally, J Hus is poised to make a noise on the U.K. chart, thanks to the release of his third and latest album, Beautiful and Brutal Yard.
His current single “Who Told You” (Black Butter/OVO/Republic) with Drake is unmoved at No. 4, while album cuts “Militerian” with Naira Marley (No. 21) and “Masculine” with Burna Boy (No. 22), both via Black Butter, are set for top 40 debuts.
All will be revealed when the Official Chart is published late Friday, July 22.