Culture

08 Dec 2023

6 Heartfelt Gifts for Singers You Can Give Year-Round, According to Pop Singer LÉON

MasterClass

$10+/month

MasterClass offers a vast library of classes taught by professionals in a variety of fields including cooking, music, business, design and more. Members will have the opportunity to take classes from professionals in the industry including Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, John Legend and even Metallica. Right now, the platform is offering a free gift membership with each plan, which means you can get two memberships for the price of one.

The “Hope Is a Heartache” singer especially finds that supporting your loved one’s dreams is one of the best gifts you could give and MasterClass can help find them develop skills through online lessons they can take at their own pace.

“One of the things that really came to mind was having people around you that makes you feel happy and safe,” she says. “I think going on your gut feeling and having people around you, you’re like, okay, this person is giving me energy, making me feel good and happy and safe and seen.”

08 Dec 2023

Logitech G Unveils New Astro A5O X Wireless Gaming Headset: Here’s How to Pre-Order Online

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.

For serious gamers, a high-performance gaming headset is just as important as a pro-level controller, solid and speedy Internet and one powerful console (or maybe two).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Available for pre-order for $379.99, the Logitech G Astro A5O X is a wireless dual-band gaming headset, which means it can connect and switch audio from console-to-console with just a tap of a button with Logitech G’s “PlaySync.” It’s ideal for those times when you want to finish up a game on your PlayStation 5 and then start a new game on your Xbox Series X.

It delivers exceptional gaming audio that’s clear, robust and completely immersive with deep and heart-thumping bass — thanks to Logitech G’s 40mm “Pro-G Graphene” audio drivers and 24-bit “Lightning Wireless” technology for a low latency wireless audio with virtually no lag.

Logitech G Astro A5O X: Pricing, Availability, Specs, & Buy It Online

Logitech G Astro A5O X Gaming Headset

Logitech G Astro A5O X: Pricing, Availability, Specs, & Buy It Online

Logitech G Astro A5O X Gaming Headset

“Over the last decade, the A50 has become an icon in gaming headsets due to its focus on gamer-centric design, premium sound, and superior comfort and durability,” said Ujesh Desai, general manager of Logitech G, in a press release. “Our new A50 X elevates this beloved headset with an unmatched level of performance by combining the A50’s award-winning design with several new features and advanced technologies that truly revolutionize gameplay.”

Meanwhile, the wireless gaming headset — which has comfortable padded earcups and omnidirectional microphones — comes with a base station that works as a go-between the headset itself and your 4K TV via HDMI 2.1 for better performance and audio. It also works as a charging station for the wireless headset with up to 24 hours of battery life per charge.

Compatible with Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and most PC and Mac gaming sets, the Logitech G Astro A5O X Wireless Gaming Headset — which comes in black and white models — is set for release in early 2024. It’s available for pre-order for $379.99 at logitechg.com.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best over-ear headphones, wifi extenders, laptop deals and more.

08 Dec 2023

10 Best New Year’s Eve Dresses to Ring in 2024 in Style

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.

Before you officially wave goodbye to 2023, you get to celebrate the past year while simultaneously counting down to 2024. As you prepare for New Year’s Eve parties or chill gatherings at home with friends and family sitting in front of the TV with some wine, you can’t forget to pair your celebration with the best New Year’s dress.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

A stylish New Year’s dress will come down to your personal tastes and preferences — though this year’s trends will most likely boast a lot of sparkles, glitter and fringe. Whether you want to show off a trendy denim dress or make your platform heels the statement of the night, there is a style and ‘fit out there to suit whatever your needs are. Plus, depending on what you pick out, you don’t have to retire the style after the clock strikes midnight. Cocktail dresses are versatile enough to be worn for weddings, holiday parties and more — or, if you opt for a little black dress, then you can show it off for a range of dressy events.

No matter if you’re looking to go glam in a gold sequin style or try something a little more versatile like a crushed-velvet look, we did the work for you to find some of the most popular New Year’s dresses out there. That way you can focus more on your Instagram caption and less on what to wear.

Best New Year’s Dresses

model in one-shoulder silver mini dress

Amazon

ANRABESS One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress

Make “the whole place shimmer” in this silver dress that features one-shoulder and a ruched design you can pull up or down to your liking. It’s also made from polyester and spandex mix fabric that should be hand-washed only for the best results, according to the brand.

model wearing gold sequin midi dress

Rent the Runway

Dress the Population Gold Sequin Natalie Sheath

If you’d rather rock something for one night only, Rent the Runway offers a wide selection of styles for as low as $30 for a one-time wear. You can also subscribe to the service and keep apparel for longer — depending on what your needs are.

model wearing cobalt blue mini dress

Amazon

Grace Karin Cocktail Mini Dress Club

Keep things simple with a velvet cocktail dress you’ll be antsy to wear more than once. It’s designed with a sweetheart neckline and ruched material you can easily accessorize with statement jewelry or your favorite gold choker.

model wearing red plisse mini dress

Madewell

Plissé Mini Tee Dress

$41.99

$118

64% off

Madewell’s popular Plissé Mini Tee Dress boasts texture and trendiness that’ll be the talk of the party. Plus, it’s also on sale for 64% off, dropping it down to a wallet-friendly $42 (just make sure to use the code GETGIFTING at checkout).

silver sequin dress

Beginning Boutique

Marienne Silver Sequin Long Sleeve Mini Dress

For less than $100 you can shine in this mini long sleeve dress from Beginning Boutique. It comes with long sleeves to help keep you warm in the cold while the mini length can be layered with tights or your favorite knee-high boots.

model wearing maxi green velvet dress

Anthropologie

The Maya Ruched Cowl-Neck Dress: Stretch Velvet Edition

Don’t be surprised when other partygoers give your dress a double-take it’s that fashionable. It comes in a maxi length with a cowl neckline and slit at the bottom. The stretchy material will also help the design form to your body so it fits comfortably and you feel less restricted.

model in champagne sleeveless mini dress

Amazon

R.Vivimos Crushed Velvet Pleated Swing Dress

We dare you to try and not twirl in this crushed velvet swing dress. The skirt has a skater fit that’s perfect for twirling and dancing in. It also comes in a cute gold shade to match your champagne as you toast goodbye to 2023.

model wearing navy blue mesh dress

Amazon

WDIRARA Square Neck Mesh Bodycon Dress

We weren’t meshing around with this Amazon dress. It’s a budget-friendly under $50 price tag and comes in a variety of colors you can personalize to your own tastes and preferences. Don’t forget to pair it with a unique-shaped bag to really make a statement.

pink velvet mini dress

Reformation

Pia Velvet Dress

This velvet dress combines chic and elegance with its soft pink material decorated with a silver sparkly hem and straps. It’s available in two colors to personalize to your liking and can be worn alone or layered over a turtleneck or mesh shirt.

model wearing sparkling green sweater dress

Lily Pulitzer

Morgen Sequin Sweater Dress

Lily Pulitzer isn’t just a destination for vacation-ready looks, but also has a gorgeous selection of New Year’s-approved looks like this sequin sweater dress. It comes in a mini length and embellishments along the shoulders for added style and comfort.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Taylor Swift outfits, Doc Martens sale and the best teddy coats.

08 Dec 2023

NBA In-Season Tournament: How to Watch & Stream the Championship Live from Anywhere

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.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers are set to face off in the first annual NBA In-Season Tournament Championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday (Dec. 9). The championship will broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Click here and here to get tickets to the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Championship. Read on for details on the championship, plus ways to watch and stream the game live from anywhere.

What is the NBA In-Season Tournament?

The NBA’s In-Season Tournament is a new annual competition for all 30 teams that runs concurrent with the NBA season. The NBA debuted the in-league tournament this season, but according to ESPN, commissioner Adam Silver has wanted to make it happen for years.

Eight teams made it to the quarterfinals, which were held on Dec. 4 and 5. The remaining four teams – Lakers, Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Milwaukee Bucks — advanced to the semifinals on Dec. 7. The Pacers beat the Bucks 128-110 in the East semifinal and the Lakers won the West semifinal after beating the Pelicans 133-89.

This year’s In-Season Tournament winner will be presented with the NBA Cup directly after Saturday’s championship game.

How to Watch the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Championship

The inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament starts at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday. The championships will broadcast on ABC. Basketball fans who don’t have access to live television through cable, streaming or a digital antenna, can stream the In-Season Tournament live on DirecTV, Fubo, Sling TV Hulu + Live TV.

Can you watch NBA games live online for free? Yes! Streamers such as DirecTV and Fubo TV offer free trials for up to a week.

DirecTV Stream plans start at $69.99/month for 75+ channels including ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS along with ESPN, ESPN2, MTV, VH1, Bravo, TLC, WEtv, Food Network, BET, Big 10 Network, F1, F2 and other cable channels. NBA TV comes included with DirecTV Stream’s Choice, Ultimate and Premier plans.

Fubo Pro is $54.99/month (reg. $74.99/month) for 185 channels including ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, HGTV, FX, Telemundo, TLC and USA.

Join Sling TV and pay just $20 for the first month (reg. $40). The 50% off deals unlocks access to local and cable channels for one low price.

If you’re willing to pay more, Hulu + Live TV is one of the more expensive streamers but offers a wide selection of bingeable content in addition to 90+ live channels and access to Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ for $76.99 per month. Click here to join.

Want to watch the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship internationally? Use ExpressVPN to access various streaming platforms from outside the U.S.

How to Watch NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart will host a new sports show, NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart premiering on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Harts stars on the show with his longtime friends and fellow comedians, Joey Wells, Will Horton and Na’im Lynn, known as the Plastic Cup Boyz.

NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart will feature special guest appearances from top athletes and celebrities. Seven episodes will premiere throughout the season.

08 Dec 2023

Queer Jams of the Week: New Music from Fletcher, Tokischa, Channel Tres & More

In need of some new songs from your favorite queer artists? Billboard Pride has got you covered with the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

From the introduction of Fletcher’s new era to Tokischa’s steamy new single, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Fletcher, “Eras of Us”



After sending TikTok into a frenzy with a series of teasers over the last few weeks, pop darling Fletcher finally unveiled “Eras of Us,” her latest heartbreak anthem. Oscillating between dreamy synth-pop and driving rock, Fletcher conjures up that uncomfortable moment of running into your ex for the first time in a while, offering polite small talk like “how are you doing?” and “where have you been?” from the song’s outset. As the beat ratchets up, so do the star’s lyrics, as she lives vicariously through the memories of a relationship long passed and wonders what the future could look like. It’s Fletcher doing what she does best, which makes “Eras of Us” an instant winner.

Tokischa feat. Sexyy Red, “Daddy”



Calling all sugar babies; Tokischa is here and ready to pamper you. On “Daddy,” the rising rapper gets fully into her paternal vibe as she declares that yes, she’s more than happy to be your daddy. With a delicious dembow and trap-pop melody underscoring her sensual lyrics, Tokischa lets featured guest Sexyy Red know exactly what she’s willing to provide (in both English and Spanish), while giving the audience a deliriously fun new dance track to boogie to all weekend long.

Channel Tres, “Walked in the Room”



If you’re in need of an immediate vibe adjustment, Channel Tres is once again ready to give you just that. With his sleek new single “Walked in the Room,” Tres oozes nothing confidence and sexuality over a grooving disco house track that will properly wipe all your troubles away. Between killer lyrics like “Don’t doubt me, baby/ I kill the chaos with a smirk,” and a bass line that never lets up for the song’s 3 minute runtime, “Walked in the Room” demands your attention ASAP.

Zora, “Fastlane”



Up-and-coming rapper Zora is ready to burn some rubber and talk some trash. On “Fastlane,” the 23-year-old artist gasses herself up and takes off into a kiss-off to any and all of her haters. Flexing bars about leaving her detrators in the dust while being boosted even further by a thundering hip-house beat, Zora blazes ahead on this uproariously fun new track.

Laura Jane Grace, “Cuffing Season”



Stripping back her innate rock sensibility, Laura Jane Grace spends the majority of “Cuffing Season” focusing her energy inward. The melancholy new song sees the Against Me! leader ruminating on relationships, age, and the places where the two meet. Positing questions like “If what goes around is what comes around is what goes around again/ How you gonna move it,” Grace opens herself to the power of vulnerability — even if it just means getting hurt all over again.

Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:

08 Dec 2023

Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 Perfume Is Out Now: Get It Before It Sells Out

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.

Nicki Minaj is celebrating her birthday with a new album and a new perfume. The rapper’s latest scent, Pink Friday 2 Eau de Parfum, was released exclusively at JCPenny on Friday (Dec. 8).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The fragrance retails for $42 for a 1.7-ounce bottle and $22 for the 0.33-ounce travel bottle. Pink Friday 2 perfume combines top notes of nectarine, pineapple and solar blooms with orange flower petals, pink mimosa and damask rose at the heart of the fragrance. Amber, tonka bean and sexy musk make up the base notes.

The fragrance drop coincides with the release of Minaj’s highly anticipated fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2 on Friday. The perfume was initially released on Nov. 27, Minaj announced on Instagram. “It’s official. My brand new fragrance #PinkFriday2 is now @jcpenney,” she captioned photos of the fragrance which reportedly sold out within minutes. Minaj later explained to fans that she didn’t know the fragrance was being released. “I had no idea. Was informed of nothing. Didn’t get a link to post. Just woke up one day & boom! Saw y’all discussing it,” she shared on X.

Pink Friday 2, the sequel fragrance to her Pink Friday perfume, which debuted in 2012. Minaj has released other fragrances such as The Pinkprint, Minajesty and Onika.

This latest fragrance marks the “next chapter in Minaj’s beauty portfolio,” per the product description.

Shopping for Barbz this holiday season? Pink Friday 2 Eau de Parfum is a perfect holiday gift or stocking stuffer for Barbz. If you’re looking for more gift ideas, Urban Outfitters dropped an exclusive, Pink Friday 2 T-shirt and  electric blue Pink Friday 2 vinyls.  

Shop Pink Friday 2 Eau de Parfum below.

08 Dec 2023

Urban Outfitters Celebrates Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday 2’ With Exclusive T-Shirt: Shop Here

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.

Nicki Minaj isn’t just celebrating her birthday this Friday (Dec. 8), she also dropped her long-awaited sequel album Pink Friday 2. Urban Outfitters is commemorating the special day with an exclusive T-shirt that’ll have you saying “Let Me Calm Down” once you get a peek at it.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Consider this shirt the gift for music lovers (especially if they’re fans of Minaj) as it features a graphic of the rapper on the front inspired by the cover of her new album. The back is designed with the words “Pink Friday 2” in pink script that’ll have you channeling the vibes of her latest music.

To commemorate the highly anticipated LP, the clothing brand rolled out the pink carpet to launch their exclusive merch. In an Instagram video posted on Friday (Dec. 8) from Urban Outfitters, the storefront has been transformed with pink decor and smoke clouds marking the brand’s official drop of the graphic T-shirt and more.

“? Happy Pink Friday, Barbz! ?” the caption says.

Since this top is exclusive to Urban Outfitters that means you can shop it in stores or online. It’s not uncommon for fans of the “Moment 4 Life” singer to sell out her merchandise, so you won’t want to think too long over whether or not to snag one for you or the fellow Barbz in your life. Once it’s sold out there’s not guarantee that it’ll be restocked — and the last thing you want to see is “sold out” messaging under your desired size.

Keep reading to shop the top now.

white t-shirt with graphic of Nicki Minaj

Urban Outfitters

Nicki Minaj “Pink Friday 2” Tee

Channel your inner Minaj with a graphic T-shirt that shows off her latest album cover on a white background. It’s made from a cotton-jersey material with a ribbed crew neckline and regular fit that you can layer under your shackets, teddy coats, oversized leather jackets or just wear on its own tucked into your jeans or joggers.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best denim dresses, corset tops and platform boots.

08 Dec 2023

Donald Glover and Maya Erskine are Seductive Assassins in Blood-Spattered ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ Series Trailer

Donald Glover and Maya Erskine (PEN15) step into some major shoes in the first trailer for Amazon Prime’s upcoming reboot of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The first look at the upcoming series adaptation of the spy vs. spy 2005 original starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as married assassins after the same target — and eventually each other — finds heroes John and Jane posing as mild-mannered software engineers as they fly around the globe taking out targets.

Dramatically scored by Shirley Bassey’s version of the Love Story theme “Love Story (Where Do I Begin?),” the two-minute trailer introduces us to the couple in a blaze of gunfire as Glover and Erskine meet cute in a restaurant where she asks him, “so have you ever killed anyone?” Glover, unconvincingly, stammers, “no, not really.”

The pair then set off on a global trek, guns in hand, as they pretend to be a happily married couple while the bodies pile up and they take a helicopter ride over the ocean, their faces caked in dried blood. “What do you think happens if we fail,” Mrs. Smith asks near the end of the clip. “Our marriage?,” Mr. Smith responds. “Our mission,” she says ominously.

Not much about the plot of the eight-episode series slated to launch on Prime Video on Feb. 2 has been revealed, other than the log line, “Meet The Smiths: Two strangers, John and Jane, who have given up their lives and identities to be thrown together as partners – both in espionage and in marriage.”

In addition to starring, Glover is also a producer on the series that will boast an all-star supporting cast featuring Paul Dano, Parker Posey, Wagner Moura, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Michaela Coel, Eiza Gonzalez, Alexander Skarsgard, Sharon Horgan and Sarah Paulson.

Watch the Mr. & Mrs. Smith trailer below.

08 Dec 2023

Join Priscilla Block Tonight for a Live Q&A With ‘Hooche’ Host Demps Plus Signed Merch

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.

Priscilla Block is ready to share some signed merch and limited-edition bundles during Day 5 of Billboard Live Shopping Week with talkshoplive, going down tonight (Dec. 7) at 6 p.m. ET right here.

The country singer/songwriter will join Hooche podcast host Demps (Katie Dempsey) for a special conversation about her latest projects and will offer new bundles featuring her Hey Jack T-shirt, a Hooche trucker hat and more. For an extra-special gift for the country fans in your life, a limited quantity of hats will be signed by both Block and Demps.

Billboard Live Shopping Week with talkshoplive has been going down since Monday, with Garth Brooks’ merch drop kicking things off. On Tuesday, Walmart and Netflix teamed up to bring you gifts from fan-favorite Netflix shows and movies, including Stranger Things and Love Is Blind, and on Wednesday, we saw the double-header of Angela Simmons with her Angela’s Cakes mixes and Jordin Sparks with her perfect holiday gift ideas.

Thursday brought another twofer: Akon with some exclusive Superfan Tour merch and Sammy Wilk with exclusive meet-and-greet packages and an autographed hoodie. Finally, Billboard Live Shopping Week concludes on Wednesday (Dec. 13) with a special bonus livestream featuring Jared Leto of Thirty Seconds to Mars. In celebration of his band’s latest album, It’s the End of the World But It’s a Beautiful Day, Leto will offer up exclusive tour merch, a holiday collection, tour tickets and special VIP packages.

talkshoplive is the first live streaming platform for live streaming and home shopping shows with a built-in buying experience that anyone can use.

07 Dec 2023

Was Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Drivers License’ About Adam Driver All Along? ‘SNL’ Promos Say ‘100%’

If you thought you knew the backstory behind Olivia Rodrigo‘s breakout 2021 hit “drivers license,” the new Saturday Night Live promos are here to set you straight.

The new promos — starring host Adam Driver, musical guest Rodrigo and SNL castmember Heidi Gardner — start by debating the inspiration behind Rodrigo’s debut smash single.

“OK, this is awkward: Olivia Rodrigo and the guy she wrote a song about,” Gardner says.

“What song?” Driver asks incredulously.

“Um, ‘drivers license’? Adam Driver?” Gardner responds.

“That song’s not about me!” he shoots back — to which Rodrigo replies: “It’s 100% about you.” (You can rest easy now, Joshua Bassett.)

In the next promo, Gardner says after the intros, “Wow, two teen heartthrobs on SNL!”

“I’m actually 20…” Rodrigo clarifies.

“I was talking about me and Adam,” Gardner says, with Driving chiming in: “Oh, you thought she was talking about you? Cringe.”

On this weekend’s episode, Driver will host for a fourth time and Rodrigo will perform for a second time, following her May 2021 debut, during which she performed “drivers license” and “good 4 u,” her pair of No. 1 hits from sour. That same season, SNL aired a buzzy sketch starring host Rege-Jean Page (Bridgerton) in which a group of men listen to “drivers license” on a bar jukebox and end up passionately singing along to the heartbreak hit by the end.

Watch the promos below, and tune in to the new episode Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC.