bbnews

29 Aug 2024

Kelis Is Loving Life, and Creating New Music: ‘The Record Is Almost Done’

Ten long years have passed since Kelis last released an album of new material. That drought is nearing its conclusion.

“I’ve been recording my new record for a while now,” the “Milkshake” singer explains on a call from Nairobi, Kenya, a place she has admittedly fallen in love with.

“The issue is when I start, if I don’t continue momentum, then it’s like I’m a new person by the time I start up again and then I’m not interested in what I had already done,” she tells Rolling Stone AU/NZ. Feeling new, improved, “I start again. That happened a few times over the past years.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

That won’t happen again. The R&B star admits she kept momentum going and she’s now “in a space where I’m the closest to being done that I’ve been, which is very good.”

How close? “The record is almost done. I would say I’m like a good 75-80% there.”

Trending on Billboard



The followup to 2014’s Food, recorded with Dave Sitek from TV On The Radio, her latest dish was mostly recorded on her farm, a 26-acre spot in Temecula, CA where she lives with her family.

That experience was “just so comfortable and it really made me feel like myself,” she explains. “I didn’t feel like I was having to step out of myself to create, which was really good.”

As a creative, “I’m an extremist,” she says with a laugh. “Either I’m traveling as far away as humanly possible or I don’t want to go absolutely anywhere and I want everything to be on the farm.”

In the days ahead, she’ll tick the first box. Kelis will deliver a keynote presentation at BIGSOUND 2024, the annual music industry conference and showcase extravaganza, presented in Brisbane, Australia.

“It’s a very Kelis record. I don’t know how, but it sounds like me. It’s right in line with who I am, and where I’ve been. I love this record because it feels like the honest progression of who I’ve been this whole time.” She continues, “that’s also sometimes why it takes me so long. I have to step away and live my life. Then I come back and I have something to say.”

Kelis had something to say in 2022 with the release of “Midnight Snacks,” continuing a foodie theme that has woven through her recording career and flourished when the Harlem-born artist completed training as a Le Corden Blue chef.



Those talents took Kelis into the celebrity chef world, with multiple television cooking specials across Netflix, Cooking Channel, and Food Network, and the cookbook My Life on a Plate, inspired by her travels.

Kelis has landed seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100, with a career-best No. 3 for 2003’s “Milkshake”. Also, five of her albums have landed on the Billboard 200, including a top 10 appearance for 2006’s Kelis Was Here, won Brit, Q, and NME Awards, and been nominated for two Grammys.

A mother to three kids, Kelis, 45, feels “really content,” she tells this reporter. “Even in the midst of all the things that have happened. I’m really grateful. I’ve had a really great career and I’ve enjoyed every second of it and I’m in that next phase of my life right now and it’s fantastic. I feel really good.”

Don’t expect “a bunch of singles” from her next collection. “You’ve gotta put the thing on and let it play. It’s like kind of that vibe.” If it had to be pigeonholed, imagine “if Wu-Tang and Sade had a baby, that’s kind of where we’re at,” she reveals. “It’s not like how things are right now either, right?”

28 Aug 2024

NCT’s Taeil Has Left the Group After a Sex Crime Accusation | Billboard News

Taeil from NCT has left the group after an accusation of an unspecified sex crime, label SM Entertainment said. Keep watching for the full story.

Tetris Kelly:
Taeil is leaving K-pop group NCT after being accused of an unspecified sexual crime. His exit has been confirmed by his label, SM, and we’re breaking down the shocking news.

NCT 127:
As you know, for obvious reasons, we’re not all together with nine members.

Tetris Kelly:
NCT 127 was just in our studio without Taeil, speaking on operating with fewer members and we learned today of a massive shakeup in the group’s lineup. SM Entertainment issued a statement saying that the NCT member will depart from the boy band after learning he has been “accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime.” Adding, “We recognized the seriousness of the issue, and we have decided that Taeil could no longer continue team activities. We have discussed this matter with Tael and it has been decided he will leave the group.” The label added that he is fully cooperating with the police investigation.

Our interview came almost exactly a year after 30-year-old Taeil sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident that required him to have surgery and take a hiatus. Last October, SM Entertainment released an update saying that the performer still needed “sufficient treatment and stability” after the procedure. Taeil debuted as a member of NCT, having been active with the group since their pre-debut training team in 2015. We will keep you posted on any developments in the story. 

28 Aug 2024

Drake Releases Old Video of Potential Kendrick Feature on ‘100 Gigs’ | Billboard News

Drake uploaded a new video to ‘100 Gigs’ featuring him, OVO 40 and OVO Hush discussing a potential Kendrick Lamar collaboration from over 10 years ago. Stay tuned for more details.

Tetris Kelly:

Drake added another video to his 100 Gigs website, showing himself, OVO 40 and OVO Hush vibing to a beat, talking about a potential feature. 

Drake:

For him, where he’s at, I know he’s going to murder that sh–.

Tetris Kelly:

Turns out that beat was meant for Drake and his now biggest rival. 

OVO 40:

When he told me Kendrick, it made so much sense. Ugh, brilliant. So good.

Tetris Kelly:

The beat was made around the time Drake was recording his third solo album, ‘Nothing Was the Same.’ The album dropped in September 2013, without the Kendrick feature. Just one month after, Big Sean and Kendrick released “Control.” At the time, when Billboard asked Drake about the diss, he said, “I know good and well that he‘s not murdering me, at all, in any platform.” Fast-forward a decade and Kendrick and Drake’s feud got so heated, Lamar dropped not one, but two Hot 100 No. 1 diss tracks aimed at the Toronto rapper. Maybe once the dust settles we’ll get a new collab, since that beat from 2012 ended up with another rapper. 

28 Aug 2024

Travis Kelce Makes Major Taylor-Themed Purchase & Adam Sandler Gushes Over Couple | Billboard News

Travis Kelce makes a major Taylor Swift-themed purchase and he breaks a sweat as Adam Sandler gushes over the couple. Keep watching to catch up on the latest Tayvis tea!

Adam Schefter:

How do you know that Travis Kelce didn’t buy an engagement ring? 

Laura Rutledge:

I don’t know. Do you know? Are you going to break some big news here?

Tetris Kelly:

Engagement rumors are in the air thanks to ESPN as Travis Kelce makes a major investment and calls Taylor the…

Travis Kelce:

Best performer out here. 

Tetris Kelly:

Jason and Travis had Adam Sandler on their New Heights Podcast and his family may just be the biggest Tayvis supporters. 

Adam Sandler:

When you first started dating, my family was like “yes! Look how good they are together! He’s a gentleman and she’s having so much fun with him.”

Tetris Kelly:

And he couldn’t stop gushing about the couple. 

Adam Sandler:

Any time Taylor’s laughing with you my whole family is high fiving. 

Travis Kelce:

So good. You got me sweating over here.

Tetris Kelly:

But it’s not just Adam that’s turning up the heat on Taylor and Travis.

Booger McFarland:

What about this engagement ring Schefty? Talk to me about this engagement ring. 

Laura Rutledge:

Come on. Bring news for the Swifties.

Tetris Kelly:

DUring ESPN’s NFL Live, Ada, Shefter pressed Laura Rutledge after she said Travis hadn’t bought Taylor an engagement ring. 

Host:

You’re about to make us go viral Schefty

Adam Schefter:

All I did was ask a question about how Laura knew he didn’t buy an engagement ring. That’s all I was doing.

Tetris Kelly:

What Laura was actually talking about is Travis making an investment in a racing horse named “Swift Delivery.”

Keep watching for more!

28 Aug 2024

Xavi Takes ‘“#OOTD’ to No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay

It’s a third win for breakout singer-songwriter Xavi, as he achieves his third No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart with latest single “#OOTD,” as the song speeds 6-1 to lead the Aug. 31-dated ranking.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

For those not familiar with the term, ‘#OOTD’ stands for ‘outfit of the day,’ often used by Instagram and TikTok influencers sharing fashion content on those social apps –the subject matter of the song released June 29 on Interscope/ICLG.

The sierreño guitar-powered “#OOTD” leads Regional Mexican Airplay after a 43% vault to 6.7 million audience impressions, earned in the U.S. during the Aug. 16-22 tracking week according to Luminate.

Trending on Billboard

Thanks to that 43% surge, “#OOTD” wins the Greatest Gainer honors of the week, awarded weekly to the song with the largest gain in audience among the 40-deep title tally. That audience swell arrives from Univision stations WOJO-FM (Chicago), KSCA-FM (Los Angeles) and KLNO-FM (Dallas) during the tracking period.

“#OOTD” awards Mexican-American Xavi his third No. 1 on Regional Mexican Airplay among four career visits, all just within six months. The 19-year-old, who quickly became a force in the genre, set foot on the survey with “La Diabla,” for one week in charge in February. The latter also claims the longest-leading honors on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs in 2024, along with FloyyMenor and Cris Mj’s “Gata Only,” both of which dominated for 14 weeks this year. “Corazón de Piedra” followed as Xavi’s second Regional Mexican Airplay chart-topper, ruling for two weeks between May and June. The No. 20-peaking “La Víctima” (March) rounds up his four total entries on the tally.

Elsewhere, the gain in audience propels “#OOTD” to a 14-3 surge on the overall Latin Airplay chart, for an equal peak as his last top 10 through “Corazón De Piedra’ (No. 3 high in June).

Thanks to its radio haul, “#OOTD” joins “Corazón” on Hot Latin Songs, where it also pushes 39-30.

28 Aug 2024

‘Live Forever’: Oasis’s Career By the Numbers

Oasis are reuniting in 2025 for a tour that promises to make dreams come true for hordes of fans around the globe.

If you lived in the U.K. in the 1990s, a time when rave culture collided with indie and Britpop, Oasis was a force to be reckoned with. Record and ticket sales, newspaper column inches, Oasis hogged all of it.

When Noel and Liam Gallagher, the combative Manchester siblings, called time on their band in 2009, they walked away with an impeccable chart record.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

All seven of Oasis’ studio albums went to No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, from their 1994 debut Definitely Maybe through to 2005’s Don’t Believe The Truth. A year after the split, in 2010, the compilation Time Flies – 1994-2009 hit the summit, giving Oasis eight leaders.

Trending on Billboard

The manner in which the group dominated the national tally is worth exploring.

Definitely Maybe became the fastest-selling debut album in British history – and has passed 5 million sales in the U.K., where it’s 17-times platinum certified, according to the Official Charts Company.

Their sophomore effort from 1995, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, is the fifth best-selling album of all time in the U.K.

And their third record, 1997’s Be Here Now, was a weapon. To this day, it’s the fastest-selling album of all time, shifting 696,000 copies in just three days of its first chart week.

It’s a similar tale on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, on which Oasis landed eight No. 1s.

“Wonderwall,” their signature song, is not one of them. The most-streamed song in Oasis’ catalog in the U.K., with 397,100,000 plays, according to the OCC, “Wonderwall” peaked at No. 2 on the weekly chart back in 1995.

That domination extended to awards ceremonies, as Oasis snagged six BRIT Awards, including the Outstanding Contribution to British Music, two Ivor Novellos, and 17 NME Awards.

The group enjoyed success around the globe, including Australia, where “Wonderwall” came in at No. 1 on triple j’s Hottest 100 songs of the past 20 years, which counted down in 2013, and was voted No. 1 on the “Hottest 100” for 1995.

“Wonderwall” spent 11 consecutive weeks in the ARIA Top 10, and is certified 12-times platinum in these parts, ARIA reports.

(What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is certified eight-times platinum in Australia, having clocked up four consecutive weeks at No. 1 and 24 consecutive weeks in the top 10.

Be Here Now is platinum certified, and one of the band’s six top 10 efforts on the ARIA Chart.

Oasis’s blockbuster success didn’t translate in the United States. Just three Oasis songs impacted the Billboard Hot 100, including a single top 10 for “Wonderwall” (peaking at No. 8 in 1996).

On the Billboard 200 albums chart, 11 Oasis titles have made their mark, including three top 10s, with a No. 2 best for Be Here Now in 1997.

Oasis will make their long-overdue comeback in 2025, when the band performs a run of concerts in the U.K. and Ireland, their first dates there in 16 years.

The OASIS LIVE ’25 world tour will stretch out. “Plans are underway for OASIS LIVE ’25 to go to other continents outside of Europe later next year,” reads a statement, issued Tuesday morning.

The news has lit the fuse with Oasis’ long-suffering fans in the U.K., proof of which can be seen on the midweek albums chart.

Oasis will “no doubt see a huge surge in sales this week,” according to the charts compiler, as three records get set to blast into the top 40: Time Flies… (1994-2009) (at No. 14), (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (at No. 26) and Definitely Maybe (No. 31), which celebrates its 30th anniversary this week.

28 Aug 2024

Golden Buzzer Sends Dee Dee Simon to ‘AGT’ Finals After ‘Lose Control’ Performance

Dee Dee Simon made a lasting impression during the Quarterfinals of America’s Got Talent 2024 with her high-energy performance of “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims.

The Oakland nurse, who has been balancing her day job with her passion for music, delivered a standout performance on Aug. 27 that not only had the judges on their feet but also earned her a direct ticket to the finals thanks to Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

From the start, Dee Dee brought an exciting energy to the stage as she wowed the crowd with her vocal brilliance. Halfway through the song, she kicked off her shoes, letting the moment take over as she poured her heart into the performance. The judges couldn’t help but take notice.

Trending on Billboard

“You knocked your shoes off. You knocked my shoes off,” Howie Mandel said, nodding to Dee Dee’s spontaneous decision to perform barefoot. “You made the song your own, and you were amazing.”

Simon Cowell, never one to hold back his opinion, was hugely impressed by the powerhouse performance, saying, “This is what it’s all about—someone who isn’t a full-time singer seizes the moment and shows the world who they are. Dee Dee, I think you’ve got a real shot at winning this competition.”

Sofia Vergara, clearly impressed, added, “This was your lane, and you took control of it. This performance topped your audition—you’re a star tonight.”

But it was Heidi Klum who sealed the deal. “Dee Dee, your voice has such a rich tone, and you look stunning tonight. But I felt like something was missing—like a sparkly belt, a sparkly ring, something gold,” Klum said, just before she hit the Golden Buzzer, sending the singer straight to the finals amid a shower of golden confetti.

“My stomach was talking to me, and you were the best tonight—you’re amazing!”

As the confetti fell, Dee Dee stood in disbelief, thanking the crowd and the judges. “Oh my God, thank you so much, America. I love you.”

“Lose Control,” the song Dee Dee performed, has been a major hit for Teddy Swims. The track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023 and climbed to No. 1 in March this year. It would go on to stay on the chart for a whopping 54 weeks.

The competition may be tough, but with this performance and the Golden Buzzer, Dee Dee Simon has positioned herself as a serious contender for the AGT 2024 title.

Watch Dee Dee Simon’s Golden Buzzer performance in the America’s Got Talent Quarterfinals below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=Xv-TLKKveRw&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

27 Aug 2024

Lil Baby Arrested in Las Vegas for Carrying a Concealed Weapon | Billboard News

Lil Baby has been arrested for carrying a concealed weapon in Las Vegas. Keep watching for the details.

Tetris Kelly: 

Lil Baby was arrested on Monday in Las Vegas and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police told Billboard. We’re letting you know what’s going on. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Lil Baby was seen at a Las Vegas club called Encore. There is reportedly a video in which he is seen being passed a gun. When officers arrived and investigated, he was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm. Lil Baby’s attorneys have stated to Billboard, “To be clear, Dominique Jones has a valid Georgia Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permit. On his behalf we are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding his arrest in Las Vegas.” Nevada does not recognize “Carry Concealed Weapon” permits issued in Georgia. Billboard has reached out to Lil Baby’s rep for comment. Please check for updates on billboard.com.

27 Aug 2024

Lizzo Defends Chappell Roan & Explains Her Gap Year In Music | Billboard News

Lizzo defends Chappell Roan after the pop star shared her thoughts on her rapid rise to fame. The “Truth Hurts” artist also shares why she hasn’t been making music recently. Keep watching for the details!  

Lizzo:
We all need a refresh on empathy. It’s very mindful. Very demure.

Tetris Kelly:
Lizzo’s giving fans an update and Chappell Roan support. 

Lizzo:
I’m gonna ride for Chappell because I see myself in her.

Tetris Kelly:
Lizzo hopped on TikTok to share a story about an aggressive fan after Chappell Roan got real about her feelings on fan interactions. 

Lizzo:
She has the right to speak up for herself. She has the right to feel what she’s feeling. Also, not what you signed up for.

Tetris Kelly:
As for Lizzo’s fans, many have been asking where she’s been since her last album released a little over two years ago. 

Lizzo:
Let’s jump rope in Bali.

Tetris Kelly: 
Well, she’s been working on her fitness and enjoying what she calls her “gap year” while protecting her peace and living it up while in Bali.

Lizzo:
Have a beautiful day!

27 Aug 2024

Omah Lay’s ‘Moving’ Story Behind His New Single, Working With Tyla & Justin Bieber & More | Billboard News

Omah Lay is making waves and an impact in the Afrobeats genre. The singer shares his “Moving” story behind his latest single, working with Tyla and Justin Bieber and how his move to London from Lagos further contributed to the vision. He also talks about his new album, ‘Clarity of Mind,’ what he hopes his fans can take away from the album and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Hey, it’s Tetris with Billboard News, and I’m hanging out with Omah Lay. How’s it going my man? 

Omah Lay:

I’m good. It’s going well, how are you doing?

I’m good. Man, I gotta tell you, congrats on the new single, “Moving.” Tell me about this song and what was the inspiration behind it.

“Moving” is the second single off of my next project. It was all inspired by by moving to a new place. I actually have not been spending a lot of time in Lagos recently. I’ve been spending a lot of time in London, especially making the album. It’s just a new environment being able to move from one place to another, to be your police then.

And tell me about the music video for the song. How involved are you in the visuals and what kind of story did you want to tell? 

I mean, recently, I’ve been emphasizing on telling the story of my music through the music videos. For “Moving” I am telling the story of how illegal immigrants travel to Europe through the desert, through Sahara, because the thing about Nigerians from Edo traveling, trying to get to Europe illegally, and going through the desert, and a lot of them don’t make it through and stuff. So yeah, that was just the story. That was what inspired the video for “Moving.”

Oh, man, that’s incredible now. I like that, you’re able to take kind of your life experience and apply it with something else that’s from your region, that kind of, give you that story.

I mean, I think it is, if it is something, it is the story of the whole world, like me, also having a Nigerian passport is very difficult. Traveling where it’s like, I’m just looking for peace. I’m looking for a place to call, of course, I have my home, but like, you know, I’m just looking for that place to like, feel accepted and stuff, because home is really bad where we can’t stay at home and like, enjoy the common things that is being provided by even God, by nature, which is like, what being able to live freely. It’s difficult in Lagos, so I feel like I’m telling the story of the whole world, where everybody’s looking for some place to find peace of mind, some place to just call home and feel relaxed.

Keep watching for more!