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We are a deeply divided country, as we keep hearing, but there’s one thing we can all agree on – Bob Newhart was a national treasure, and one of the most talented and original comedy stars who ever lived. Newhart who died on Thursday (July 18) at age 94, starred in two long-running sitcoms, The […]
Tiffany Haddish is leaning into her musical talents. The multi-talented entertainer recently dropped her Diane Warren-written track, “Woman Up,” and she sat down with Billboard‘s Rania Aniftos to discuss how the song came to be.
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“Diane Warren had slid in my DMs back in 2017,” Haddish recalled. “I had no idea because I decided to stay out of the DMs, ’cause there were too many d— pics coming through and that was just shocking. […] Then, I ran into her at a party and she was like, ‘I was in your DMs, you never responded!’ I was like, ‘I didn’t know you were in my DMs. Oh my gosh, we need to work together!’”
Her team eventually set her up with Warren, and the duo ultimately worked together on three songs that the songwriter wrote. Haddish also shared that she worked with Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, E-40 and more on tracks she’s hoping to release. “My whole mission was to create songs to put in my projects, my TV shows and movies,” she explains.
The song, which captures the spirit of female empowerment and overcoming obstacles, follows Haddish’s equally inspirational 2024 book I Curse You With Joy, which details her learned lessons of childhood trauma, being a Black woman in the entertainment business and reuniting with her estranged father.
Elsewhere in the interview, Haddish discussed dealing with negativity online. “If you don’t have no haters, nobody’s rejecting you, something’s not right,” she says. “You have to learn the difference between constructive criticism and just hate. You have to be so aware in yourself and knowing what you bring to the table, and knowing how you want to evolve and how you want to grow, you need to know you. If everything everybody is saying about you is hurting you that bad, you need to get your butt off the Internet, stop listening to everybody else and sit with yourself and fall in love with yourself. You have to really know you and know what your weaknesses are and know what your strengths are, so when the haters are talking that mess, it won’t matter because you already know.”
Watch Billboard’s full interview with Tiffany Haddish above.
Only Murders in the Building is returning for its highly anticipated season 4 on August 27, and stars Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin sat down with Good Morning America on Tuesday (June 4) to discuss while fans can expect. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news […]
When Amanda Rovitz met Megan Boni at a college study abroad program in Sydney, Australia in 2018, she says she “always had this feeling” that Boni had star power.
“She’s just always been the funniest person I know,” says Rovitz. “I thought she would definitely emerge in entertainment somehow, not as a musician or singer, but as someone in comedy.”
Fast forward five years, and Boni, who is self-admittedly not a musician, has a label deal with Capitol/Polydor/Virgin Germany, and Rovitz, who became a music manager at 1916 Enterprises post-grad, is the one who helped her put it all together.
It’s all thanks to Boni’s video, poking fun at cliched “song of the summer” TikToks, that made her 2024’s most unexpected viral signing. While Boni admits she was “just having fun” with making the video, known as “Man In Finance,” her signing is also indicative of how major labels are evolving to meet the current demands — and breakneck pace — of user-generated music creation.
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“Did I just write the song of the summer?,” she says to the camera in her viral video, which has been viewed 28.6M times since it was posted on April 30. “I’m looking for a man in finance, trust fund, 6’5”, blue eyes,” she says in a rhythmic vocal fry.
@girl_on_couch
Can someone make this into an actual song plz just for funzies
♬ original sound – Girl On Couch
Boni, who posts under the handle @Girl_On_Couch, says she made the clip in just a few minutes. “Since COVID, TikTok has been a hobby for me,” Boni says. “I just thought it would be funny to make a video making fun of those single girls who are always complaining about being single, but yet they want an impossible laundry list of things in a boyfriend, and by the way, that’s myself included.”
It’s the sound that launched a thousand remixes. Producers including David Guetta, Alesso, Loud Luxury and Billen Ted immediately jumped on the sound, making it the top line to a number of different TikTok tracks. Now, with the help of Capitol/Polydor/Virgin Germany, Boni is licensing her TikTok vocal to the producers for official releases, the first of which was released May 17 as “Man In Finance (G6 Trust Fund)” with Billen Ted. In it, the producer duo splices together Boni’s vocal, original drums and a sample of “Like a G6” by Far East Movement.
Rovitz says that even before producers started remixing Boni’s audio, she texted her friend saying the video could really turn into something. Soon, she was proven right: The remixes became inescapable on TikTok, furthering Boni’s initial virality to even greater heights. Almost immediately, several major labels came calling, and Boni asked Rovitz to help her navigate the conversations. “I didn’t really know where to begin,” Boni says.
“Within four days, Amanda and Todd [Rubeinstein, music attorney] had me on calls with labels,” says Boni. “Two days after that we were talking with UTA,” who now acts as her agent as a creator/comedian. Boni says she went from being a totally DIY creator on TikTok to having a full-fledged team in about a week.
Zach Elgort, vp of marketing at Capitol, says it was a “perfect storm” to sign Boni. “It’s kind of a marketing dream,” he says. Unlike most songs, which start as completed masters and are then posted online in the hopes of gaining organic interest with listeners, this was the inverse. “It was an organic trend [already], which you always hope for. Now, it’s about pushing the actual song we released to DSPs and pitching it to our partners.”
This success is seemingly more akin to a TikTok “teasing” strategy, where an artist posts an unreleased song to gauge interest from fans first before committing to the release. But the difference with the “Man In Finance” phenomenon is that Boni made the video without the intention of making it into a real, release-worthy song. Still, Elgort says the official Billen Ted version has already been met with “exciting playlisting support” from streamers — it’s been added to Spotify’s New Music Friday and Teen Beats, among others — given that they could already measure listeners’ appetite from the original social media videos.
“Man In Finance” might have been made as a joke, but it serves as a clear indication of how people are creating and consuming music today, where some of the most culturally relevant songs are first (or only) available on socials. “This project shows an evolution of how social media meets music,” says Elgort.
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud, which played out simultaneously with the “Man In Finance” trend, acts as another example of how much music creation and consumption on social media has changed. All of the songs were dropped first on social media, with only a few making it to Spotify and Apple Music.
As MIDiA Research’s Tatiana Cirisano argues in a recent analysis, it’s a sign of the “continued shift in cultural value from streaming to social, which is bifurcating the music industry into two parallel consumer words: LISTEN, where streaming plays the role [of passive consumption]… and PLAY, where social platforms have a grip on culture.”
Moving forward, Elgort and the team at Capitol, along with Polydor and Virgin, are planning to license out Boni’s vocal to more producers who have been making remixes, anointing a few as official, DSP-worthy versions of “Man In Finance.” The plan fits perfectly with the current label strategy of releasing multiple versions of the same song to DSPs. It also shows how quickly and flexibly the majors are now working to sign viral songs and artists.
“Now, it’s really about figuring out a way to get SEO and search to tie back to the official release of the song… and as more official versions eventually get released to streaming partners, they’ll all be packaged together and help the greater visibility,” says Elgort.
Boni, whose label deal is only a licensing agreement for this one vocal, says she has no intention of writing more songs but is going to have fun with it while she can. “I won’t make more music unless it’s a parody… but I am definitely behind this song,” she says. She adds that she’s interested in appearing at producers’ shows, brand collaborations and more — anything to push the song she says changed her life “overnight” by allowing her to kick start her career as a creator and comedian, build her team and provide enough stability to quit her 9-5.
“I put in my two weeks last Thursday,” she says. “I’m really excited for what’s next.”
It takes a lot to craft the perfect, heartfelt yearbook message and Jake Gyllenhaal goes through the stress in a new Saturday Night Live promo ahead of his hosting gig released on Wednesday (May 15). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In the one-minute clip, SNL cast […]
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One of the greatest comedic minds is set to make a return to the stage. Martin Lawrence has announced a new stand-up tour.
As reported by TMZ, the actor is going back into his one-man act bag. This week, he announced Y’all Know What It Is!, a tour that will reunite him with his fans in 36 different cities. The stops include Dallas, Atlantic City, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Additionally, he will be joined by the likes of DC Young Fly, Jess Hilarious, Adele Givens, Ricky Smiley, Deon Cole and more.
In an exclusive statement to the celebrity news site Martin Lawrence detailed his excitement regarding the new tour. “Comedy gives me that instant gratification. Seeing the fans up close and in person, making people laugh, doing what I love most; this is what it’s all about for me” he said. While Martin Lawrence has primarily focused on film, he started as a stand-up comedian. In the 1990’s he hosted Def Comedy Jam and would go on to release two influential comedy specials, You’re So Crazy and Runteldat.
His newest film Bad Boys: Ride Or Die is coming out June 7. Tickets to the Martin Lawrence Y’all Know What It Is! tour go on sale starting Friday, May 17. You can purchase tickets here.
Maya Rudolph loved her time on Saturday Night Live so much, she never left. The comedian is set to host this weekend’s (May 11) episode of the iconic sketch comedy series, and she revealed to cast members Andrew Dismukes and Chloe Troast that she’s been living in a closet at the studio in a new […]
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Netflix is back for an encore of its popular Netflix Is a Joke Fest. Bringing together some of the world’s funniest comics for two weekends of laughter and roasts, the 2024 edition has promised an even bigger lineup with legends like Kevin Hart, Seth Rogen, Ali Wong, Brett Goldstein, Chelsea Handler and more expected to make an appearance.
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The comedy festival kicked off May 1 and goes until May 12. You can still find last-minute tickets to Netflix Is a Joke Fest through cheap tickets sites including Ticketmaster (the official distributer for the event).
You can also see Snoop Dogg and Lil Dicky take the stage as musical guests when Seth Rogen Smokes The Bowl show takes place Tuesday (May 7) at the Hollywood Bowl at 7:30 p.m. PT.
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Keep reading to learn more about the annual event and where to buy Netflix Is a Joke Fest tickets online.
What Is Netflix Is a Joke Fest?
Netflix Is a Joke Fest has quickly become one of the largest comedy festivals in the world with more than 300 live comedy shows taking place throughout Los Angeles. Every day from now until May 12 you can see some of comedy’s biggest stars live and on stage. Click here to see the full schedule of events to plan out your week of laughs.
How to Get Tickets to Netflix Is a Joke Fest
You can get tickets to Netflix Is a Joke Fest through Ticketmaster with prices starting at $25. Shows and events are already selling out, but if you can’t find tickets to your desired show, you might be able to score them through resale ticket distributers listed below.
StubHub
StubHub is offering ticket options starting at $13 with the ability to customize options based on price or seating section in the venue. If you’re purchasing multiple tickets, the site will also make sure to give you only options where your seats are together. Orders are also backed by their FanGuarantee, which you can read more about here.
Expedia
Expedia doesn’t just offer travel deals, the site also provides discounted tickets including to Netflix Is a Joke Fest. You can find options for as low as $12 with each purchase backed by their 150% Money Back Guarantee that’ll refund if you don’t get your tickets on time or the ones you receive aren’t valid. You’ll also be protected if your event is cancelled.
Vivid Seats
Another affordable option is Vivid Seats, which has tickets starting at $19. Purchases of $200+ are eligible for $20 off when you use the code BB2024 at checkout. The ticket seller also protects every purchase with its 100% Buyer Guarantee that ensures you’ll get valid tickets in time for the event or your money back. Learn more about what’s included here.
Seat Geek
Seat Geek is offering Netflix Is a Joke Fest tickets for as low as $20 (as of this writing). Each offer is rated on a scale of 1-10 to represent how good a deal it is. Ticket offers with a one rating are considered the worst whereas any deal with a 10 is the best. Bonus offer: first purchases are eligible for $10 off orders of $250+ when you use the code BILLBOARD10 at checkout.
Gametime
Gametime has made a name for itself as the place to go for affordable last-minute tickets — including to Netflix Is a Joke Fest. Right now, you can find tickets for as low as $3 with all purchases covered by the Gametime Guarantee, which will aim to give you the lowest price available, provide event cancellation protection, 24-hour returns, one-time ticket delivery and even job loss assurance.
Netflix Is a Joke 2024 Lineup
This year’s lineup includes a lot of the most viral and well-known comics, which we listed below. Surprise guests are also expected to hit the stage throughout the week.
Ali Wong
Atsuko Okatsuka
Anthony Jeselnik
Bert Kreischer
Brett Goldstein
Cedric the Entertainer
Chelsea Handler
Craig Robinson
Dane Cook
David Letterman
Demetri Martin
Fortune Feimster
Hannah Berner
Hannah Gadsby
Jason Mantzoukas
Jeff Ross
Jessica Kirson
Jim Jefferies
Jimmy Carr
Justin Willman
Kevin Hart
Kountry Wayne
Luenell
Mae Martin
Matteo Lane
Matt Rife
Michelle Buteau
Mike Epps
Moshe Kasher
Nicole Byer
Nikki Glaser
Phil Rosenthal
Ronny Chieng
Ryan Hamilton
Sam Jay
Sarah Silverman
Seth Rogen
Shane Gillis
Sheng Wang
Taylor Tomlinson
Tim Dillon
Tim Robinson
Tom Papa
Tom Segura
Trevor Noah
Will Smith (the Dodger)
Dua Lipa is the ultimate pop star, and she helped Chloe Fineman work on her impression of her in a hilarious new Saturday Night Live promo. In the clip, shared on Wednesday (May 3), Fineman tells the singer that she was “literally just working on my new impression,” before performing a haphazard rendition of “Levitating,” […]
The title of stand-up comedian John Mulaney’s upcoming six-part Netflix series says it all: John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. The series that debuts on Friday (May 3) is part of the annual Netflix Is a Joke Festival, which will take place in Los Angeles from May 2-May 12 and the streamer describes the series as a “comically unconventional show” mixing special guests and field pieces in which Mulaney “explores the city of Los Angeles during a week when every funny person is in it.”
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While the festival will feature sets from some of the biggest and best stand-ups around, Mulaney has pulled together his own eclectic group of special guests for his live series that ranges from rock and hip-hip legends to scientists, journalists and movie directors. Among the musicians on tap for the series are: Beck, Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Ray J, Joyce Manor, Los Lobos, Warren G, and St. Vincent.
In addition, he’ll welcome fellow comedians David Letterman, Nate Bargatze, Jerry Seinfeld, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Mae Martin, Earthquake, Jon Stewart, Patton Oswalt, Stavros Halkias, Sarah Silverman, Ronny Chieng, Tom Segura, Bill Hader, Luenell, Hannah Gadsby and Cedric the Entertainer.
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Other guests include seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, Citizens for L.A. Wildlife representative Tony Tucci, hypnotherapist Kerry Gaynor, lawyer Marcia Clark, director John Carpenter, journalist Zoey Tur, actress Cassandra Peterson and Dr. Emily Lindsey, the assistant curator and excavation site director of the La Brea Tarpits and Museum, plus others. The series will air live beginning on May 3 at 10 p.m. ET and from May 6-May 10 at the same time.
Check out the poster and teaser video for the Everybody’s in L.A. below.