billboard news

18 Jul 2023

Greta Van Fleet on Making Their Third Album ‘Starcatcher,’ Touring With Metallica & More | Billboard News

Greta Van Fleet talk about their thought process making their third album ‘Starcatcher,’ how they feel about doing tour dates with Metallica and more.

Josh Kiszka:
Jake, do you want to do the Greta Van Fleet? I’ll do the Billboard News.

Jake Kiszka:
Hello, we’re Greta Van Fleet!

Josh Kiszka:
Oh, I wasn’t ready.

Jake Kiszka:
All right, well, you tell me when you’re ready. Hello, we’re Greta Van Fleet…

Josh Kiszka:
…And you’re watching Billboard News!

Lyndsey Havens:
Hey, I’m Lyndsey Havens for Billboard News and we are here with Greta Van Fleet. What is up, guys?

Lyndsey Havens:
We’re here to talk about your stellar third album ‘Starcatcher’ out in July. Yes, stellar.

Josh Kiszka:
That’s a really appropriate term for an album called ‘Starcatcher.’

Lyndsey Havens:
When did you start talking about even making a third album? Like how do you know when it’s time?

Daniel Wagner:
The funny thing is, is we’re always moving on to the next Yeah, we’re actually about to start the next album as we speak.

Lyndsey Havens:
That’s why we brought you here today?

Josh Kiszka:
There are songs that go in and out of time for us. Some get shelved, and then you pick them up again, because they make sense for that thing that you’re looking for. And a lot of this stuff just comes about and spontaneously ends up on the record that we’re working on. The ‘Starcatcher’ record was something that we were working on about the time of the Strange Horizons tour.

Watch the full interview above!

18 Jul 2023

Greta Van Fleet Talk New Album ‘Starcatcher’ & What They’ve Learned From Metallica

On Friday, Greta Van Fleet will release the band’s out-of-this-world third album, Starcatcher. Ahead of the album’s arrival, the rock band — made up of brothers Jake, Josh and Sam Kiszka along with Danny Wagner — stopped by Billboard News to chat about writing and recording the epic project, the band’s upcoming world tour and so much more.

Coming off its cinematic sophomore effort The Battle at Garden’s Gate, Jake says, “Now it’s time to revert back to rock ‘n’ roll, and what does this [genre] truly mean for our generation.”

Starcatcher was introduced in April with the rattling lead single “Meeting the Master,” which Josh calls “the obvious curveball” to keep fans guessing as to what the album as a whole will sound like. The members all say it’s “pretty difficult” to choose a favorite song, with Wagner explaining it’s “because of how vast their sounds and meanings are … I have favorites to play, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it was my favorite to write or listen to in any sense.”

The band also spoke of its upcoming world tour and its set of September dates with Metallica. Speaking of the band, Sam says, “You have to have a lot of passion to be able to do something for so long and be so good at it … I’ve talked to [Metallica’s] Lars [Ulrich] about getting older and he says, ‘I have to work five times as hard just to get to the level I was at decades ago.’”

Fortunately for Greta Van Fleet, the work ethic and dedication are clear.

“The funny thing is, we’re always moving onto the next,” says Danny. “We’re actually about to start the next album, as we speak.”

Watch the full interview above.

18 Jul 2023

JC Chasez Talks Partnering With Meow Mix & Joining a Cat Boy Band | Billboard News

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 learn more about this story: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jc-chasez-meow-mix-interview-nsync-musical-theater-1235373359/

JC Chasez:
I’ve never in a million years thought I would be in this situation, but when this whole thing came about, they’re doing this whole new campaign and it’s based around the ’90s. And they’re putting together their own cat boy band. So when they were kind of looking for references, that’s when I got involved. And as you can see, I like cats a bit. The song is iconic, and they do a little remix on it because they’re remixing the food as well. It’s been fun to kind of be a part of something like that.

Tetris Kelly:
Wait, wait, wait, wait… so you’re singing with a cat boy band?

JC Chasez:
Well, I don’t know how they’re gonna cut it together. I will say I’ve definitely sung along. I’ve done my share of singing along to this thing.

Watch the full clip above!

17 Jul 2023

Ariana Grande & Dalton Gomez Divorce, Taylor Swift Makes Chart History & More | Billboard News

According to TMZ, Ariana Grande and her husband Dalton Gomez have been separated since January and are heading toward divorce. They tied the knot in May 2021. With ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ reaching No. 1, Taylor Swift achieves her 12th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and surpasses Barbra Streisand for the most chart-toppers among women. Drake goes on “The Really Good Podcast” and leaves the internet confused. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Ariana Grande has reportedly separated from her husband Dalton Gomez. Taylor Swift is back on top of the charts. Drake gets interviewed in bed. Selena Gomez gets roasted on TikTok. We learn five things about Kevin Gates. And Carly Pearce goes Fishing for Answers.

Welcome back to a brand-new week of Billboard News. I’m Tetris Kelly, it’s Monday, July 17th. We do have to start today’s show off with a sad one.

Well, it’s time to say “Thank You, Next” for Ariana Grande as reports are saying the pop star is getting divorced. Hopefully, she will be still grateful for this ex. According to TMZ, Ari and her husband Dalton Gomez have been separated since January and are headed towards divorce. They tied the knot in May 2021. She did show up to Wimbledon over the weekend without her wedding ring, sparking the rumors. According to TMZ’s source, Ariana and Dalton have been thousands of miles apart since she started filming ‘Wicked’ in December but they were having problems even before that, adding that a few months back the two tried a reconciliation but it failed.

Watch the full video above!

13 Jul 2023

Billie’s ‘Barbie’ Song, Jimmie Allen’s Countersuit, Peso Pluma’s Cover & More | Billboard News

Peso Pluma opens up about reaching No. 1 with his tracks ‘Ella Baila Sola’ with Eslabon Armado and ‘BZRP: Music Sessions Vol. 55’ with Bizarrap, how his life has changed since his recent success, achieving his dream, and more! Billie Eilish has released her ‘Barbie’ movie soundtrack ballad “What Was I Made For?” Jimmie Allen countersues two women who have accused him of sexual assault. He filed documents in Nashville federal court “to protect my reputation and refute these claims.”

Evan Burke:
Peso Pluma is taking over the charts and the cover of Billboard. Billie Eilish releases her emotional self-directed music video for the ‘Barbie’ movie. Jimmie Allen has countersued in the sexual harassment and abuse case against him and we’re running down 2015’s biggest songs of the summer.

Evan Burke:
Welcome to Billboard News. It’s Thursday, July 13th, and we’ve got a brand-new cover story with Mexican superstar Peso Pluma.

Evan Burke:
Billie Eilish’s contribution to the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack is here and it’s full of hidden gems. Let us break it down for you.

Evan Burke:
After much teasing, Billie Eilish dropped a hypnotic track off the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack and she even directed the music video herself. In it she’s rocking Barbie’s signature hair, opens up the 1962 solo in the spotlight Barbie trunk and pulls out miniature Barbie versions of some of her most iconic looks. The yellow outfit from “Bellyache,” her Chanel look from the Oscars, the black number with chains from the “Lovely” music video, her camo getup from TRL, her other yellow outfit from the “Bad Guy” music video and of course her black-and-green look from the Grammys.

Evan Burke:
Billie posted a snippet of the one-shot music video to IG explaining how it all came together and ended the post with,”This video makes me cry. It means so much to me and I hope it will mean just as much to you. I don’t have much to say other than that. I think it will speak for itself.”

Watch the full video above!

13 Jul 2023

Billboard’s Top 5 Songs of the Summer 2015 | Billboard News

Billboard looks back and counts down the top five songs that ruled the summer of 2015.

Rania Aniftos:
Heading into 2015 with some chill vibes, Jamaican reggae and a revenge song, Taylor Swift style. Plus, one of the first viral social media dances comes to life in 2015.

Silento bring us in at No. 5 with “Watch Me.” Canadian R&B pop star The Weeknd comes in at No. 4 with his massively popular hit “Can’t Feel My Face.”

Taylor Swift was out for blood in 2015 with rumors speculating the song was about a then feud with Katy Perry, which has since been resolved. Coming in at No. 3 is “Bad Blood” featuring Kendrick Lamar.

From the soundtrack of Furious 7, our No. 2 song’s a tribute to the movie franchise’s star Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in late 2013. No. 2 song of the summer: Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth in “See You Again.”

The No. 1 song of 2015 is arguably the catchiest: from Jamaican reggae singer Omi with his song “Cheerleader.” Try getting that one out of your head for the rest of the day.

More fun in the sun when we dive into 2016 next.

12 Jul 2023

Zayn Reveals Why He Left One Direction, TXT Talks New Song, Britney’s Memoir & More | Billboard News

Zayn Malik reveals why he decided to be the first member to leave One Direction in a new interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Liam Payne opens up about going to a sobriety treatment center after receiving backlash from the interview he did with Logan Paul, Tomorrow x Together talks about their new collab with the Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears announces her new memoir ‘The Woman In Me’ is coming out soon. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Zayn and Liam get honest about their relationship with One Direction. Tomorrow x Together gushes over working with the Jonas Brothers. It’s Britney’s book — and I’ve already pre-ordered. Kaytranada breaks down his style and his sound. And we learned five things about Bailey Zimmerman

Welcome to Billboard News. It’s Wednesday, July 12th, and here’s your top story. Nothing was off-limits for Zayn on the Call Her Daddy podcast, and Liam shares his side of the story too. Zayn didn’t shy away from talking about leaving One Direction. In his first interview in six years, he said the reason he decided to do the sit-down interview was to show his daughter with Gigi Hadid that you can overcome your fears and anxieties.

But Zayn isn’t the only One Direction member speaking out. Liam Payne posted a video to his YouTube explaining comments on the Logan Paul podcast where he trashed his former bandmates and admitted to being sober after going to a rehab facility in Louisiana.

Fans got the ultimate boy band crossover when TXT teamed up with the JoBros and the K-pop group couldn’t be more excited. TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Yeonjun told Billboard that he’d been a fan of the Jonas Brothers growing up and even practiced their music as a trainee in Korea. So collaborating with Nick, Joe and Kevin on ‘Do It Like That’ was so surreal.

Watch the full video above!

12 Jul 2023

Kevin Gates Explains Why He Re-Released ‘The Luca Brasi Story’ Mixtape 10 Years Later: ‘It Was Before Its Time’

Kevin Gates made waves throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, the latter of which saw the release of 12 mixtapes and the birth of The Luca Brasi Story series. The rapper released the first installment in 2013, and gave it a 10th anniversary re-release in February to celebrate the work, he explains to Billboard News in a new interview.

Speaking with Tetris Kelly, Gates says that The Luca Brasi Story was a transcendent body of work that the industry wasn’t prepared for when it was originally released. “I’m immortal. For the people that don’t know what that means … when I put it out, it was before its time,” he asserts. “It was received well, but once I put it out again, it was re-received ’cause people like to discover Kevin Gates, and I’m still discovering Kevin Gates.”

The Luca Brasi Story continued with two other mixtapes — Luca Brasi 2 debuted at No. 38 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2014, while its follow up, Luca Brasi 3, peaked at No. 4 on the all-genre tally in 2018.

As for the state of mixtapes in rap, “I don’t feel like it’s making a comeback,” Gates says. “It’s me staying true to my roots, because when you say ‘mixtape,’ it takes the pressure of an album. When you say ‘album,’ that’s when the anxiety hits, like, ‘Oh my god, I have a fear of failure. Is it going to be received well?’ But when you say ‘mixtape,’ it’s like I’m going to give you the current events in between the album.”

In recent months, the Baton Rouge native has kept busy by releasing a string of singles including “Do It Again,” “Prada Me” and “Breakfast,” which charted at No. 45 the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs survey. “I love this version of myself,” Gates says of himself and what’s to come. “I’ve never been more in love with version of myself right now because I come from being so hard on myself.”

Watch Gates’ full interview with Billboard News above.

11 Jul 2023

Kevin Gates Reacts to His Viral Moments, Explains Re-Releasing His 10-Year-Old Mixtape & More | Billboard News

Kevin Gates reacts to some of his most viral moments on social media, explains why he decided to re-release his mixtape ‘Luca Brasi’ after being released 10 years ago, talks about his new music, and more!

Kevin Gates
Y’all did all of this for me. Y’all shouldn’t have. My name is Kevin Gates. And this is Billboard News. I never thought I’d be on Billboard News. This is so cool.

Tetris Kelly
Welcome to Billboard News. I’m Tetris and I’m hanging out with my man, what’s going on Kevin Gates?

Kevin Gates
I’m excited.

Tetris Kelly
I’m excited to have you here. The funny part is as soon as you walked in today, I was like, I’ve wanted to ask you about this. So I’m happy to hear the feather’s the vibe. I’ve seen it in your music videos and on stage. Tell me the inspiration behind this look.

Kevin Gates
It’s not a look, and I’m gonna be honest with you. I wish I would have never walked this path.

Tetris Kelly
Why do you say that? Because I feel like it’s a whole vibe.

Kevin Gates
The responsibility that come with it. Wearing the feathers, like it’s me vibrating at the highest frequency possible and my feathers are very strong, but at the same time, they’re very delicate, just like life. So I gotta be conscious at all times. At some time. I want to turn up you know?

Tetris Kelly
You got a reminder.

Kevin Gates
I gotta always remember to be present and be in the moment. Be conscious.

Watch the full interview above!

11 Jul 2023

EXO Take Over Hot Trending Songs Chart, Best Amazon Prime Day Deals & More | Billboard News

With the drop of their new album ‘EXIST,’ EXO take over the first five spots on the Hot Trending Songs chart. Kevin Gates reacts to some of his most viral moments on social moments, explains why he decided to re-release his mixtape, and more. The Bellwether is opening its doors in LA today with a performance by Phantogram. We’re breaking down the best Amazon Prime Day deals. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
EXO and Cardi B battle it out on our Hot Trending Songs chart, Kevin Gates drops by to talk about being immortal and his viral moment. We take you inside the hottest new music venue in Los Angeles. Prime Day is here and we’ve got some deals you’re gonna want to see. And Priscilla Block gives us five things to know about her. It’s Tuesday, July 11th.

And here’s your top story: The fellas of EXO dropped new music and it’s taking over Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart powered by Twitter, with “Cream Soda” in the top spot. The group just released their new album ‘EXIST: The Seventh Album’ and holds down spots 2 through 4 on Hot Trending Songs including ‘Love Fool’ at No. 2, ‘No Makeup’ at No. 3 and “Private Party” at No. 4. The top non-EXO song on the chart goes to Fendi Da Rappa’s “Point Me 2” featuring Cardi B, which debuts at No. 5.

Tetris Kelly:
Next, let’s talk to Kevin Gates about his new music.

So recently, you re-released a mixtape that you put out 10 years ago. Talk to me about why you decided to put out the ‘Luca Brasi’ project.

Kevin Gates:
You want me to be honest?

Tetris Kelly:
Yeah.

Kevin Gates:
I’m immortal. For the people that don’t know what that means. Like, I mean, I’m immortal. Like I’m one of them types of people so when I put it out, it was before its time and it was received well, but once I put it out again, it was re-received because people like to discover Kevin Gates and I’m still discovering Kevin Gates.

Watch the full video above!