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Countdown to the Oscars! The 2023 Academy Awards will return to ABC on Sunday (March 12).
Rihanna and Lenny Kravitz are set to perform at the event hosted by Jimmy Kimmel live from Hollywood’s Dolby Theater.
Nominees include Michelle Yeoh, Austin Butler, Angela Bassett, Colin Farrell, Cate Blanchett, Ana de Armas, Brendan Fraser, Michelle Williams and Steven Spielberg.
Elvis, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Whale, Top Gun: Maverick, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, The Fabelmans, Tára are among this year’s Oscar-nominated films.
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Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” is nominated for best original song alongside “Applause” by Dianne Warren, “Hold My Hands” by Lady Gaga and BloodPop, “Naatu Naatu” by M.M. Keeravaani and Chandrabose, and “This Is a Life” by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski.
Michael B. Jordan, Ariana DeBose, Janelle Monáe, Questlove, Dwayne Johnson, Jonathan Majors, Zoe Saldaña, Melissa McCarthy and Deepika Padukone are among the presenters.
Model Ashley Graham, actor Vanessa Hudgens and multi-hyphenate Lilly Singh will host Countdown to the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. EDT/3:30 p.m. PDT on ABC. Media personality Rocsi Diaz and content creator Reece Feldman will be the correspondents for the Academy’s member viewing party in NYC.
Ahead of the pre-show, ABC News will air On The Red Carpet Live: Countdown to Oscars 95, Sunday, March 12, at 1-4 p.m. ET/10 a.m.-1 p.m PT. The pre-show coverage will also stream on ABC News Live starting at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT.
ABC News Live Prime anchor and World News Tonight weekend anchor, Linsey Davis, and Good Morning America weekend co-anchor and World News Tonight weekend anchor, Whit Johnson, will host the red-carpet special. Joining Davis and Johnson will be ABC News correspondent Chris Connelly, ESPN’s Andscape senior entertainment reporter and ABC News contributor, Kelley Carter, and Hollywood insiders, including Variety’s Elizabeth Wagmeister and Clayton Davis, and celebrity stylist Joe Zee.
Read on for ways for watch and stream.
How to Watch the 2023 Oscars Online for Free
The 95th annual Oscars will air at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. If you don’t already have cable, there are lots of ways to watch and stream the Oscars from your TV or laptop such as Hulu and other streamers and ABC.com (an antenna might also do the trick).
How to Watch the 2023 Oscars on Hulu
If you already have Hulu, the Oscars will be available to stream on Monday (March 13). For those who haven’t joined yet, plans start at just $6.99 a month for Hulu’s ad-supported package and $12.99 a month to watch without commercials.
Hulu (with ads)
$6.99/month
Hulu + Live TV is $69.99 to stream over 75 live channels including ABC and NBC, in addition to access to the entire Hulu streaming library, Disney+ and ESPN+.
More Ways to Watch & Stream the 2023 Oscars from Anywhere
Viewers can stream the 2023 Oscars live or on-demand on DirectTV Stream. Plans start at $69.99/month and customers can save up to $120 with the purchase of a DirectTV streaming device. Other streaming options include Verizon Fios, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Vidgo and Express VPN for those who want to stream the show internationally.
Another budget-friendly option is Fubo TV, which offers hundreds of cable, network and sports channels starting at $69.99 for the Pro package (after a free trial) for over 111 channels including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, FX, TLC, ESPN, FS1, AMC, MSNBC and Nickelodeon; plus more than 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR and unlimited streaming on up to 10 devices.
Watch the official trailer for the 2023 Oscars below.
With queer representation on the rise in the music industry, GLAAD is ready to celebrate just how far we’ve come, with some help from Sony Music Group.
On Monday (March 6), GLAAD and Sony Music Group announced their partnership on “ICONS,” a new, three-part interview series that will explore the impact of the queer community on music. Each installment will focus on a different, modern LGBTQ performer, profiling Isaac Dunbar (March 10), Iniko (April 14) and MK xyz (May 12).
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According to a statement, each interview will hone in on the “deeply personal connection that exists between queerness and craft,” while also examining the ways in which the LGBTQ community has shaped pop culture at large, and how each artist broke through in the industry. The greater goal of the new series, both organizations say, is to “advance LGBTQ representation in music and within the industry at large.”
Tony Morrison, GLAAD’s senior director of communications, said in a statement that queer artists’ impact on the music industry is “undeniable,” which is what the series aims to explore. “It’s as important to honor the trailblazing legacies of LGBTQ icons in music, as it is equally imperative that we elevate new voices in music who have unique backgrounds and stories to tell,” he said. “‘ICONS’ establishes this path forward to increase the visibility of queer artists.”
Sony evp and chief diversity & inclusion officer Tiffany R. Warren agreed, highlighting the importance of using their “powerful platform” to uplift queer voices. “We believe that by exploring the impact that LGBTQ artists and songwriters have had on music, we can foster a deeper understanding of what it takes to break through as an LGBTQ artist,” she said. “This series is a testament to our commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion while breaking barriers in the music industry.”
The first episode of “ICONS,” featuring Isaac Dunbar, will premiere on GLAAD’s YouTube page Friday, March 10.
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Get your popcorn ready. SWV and Xscape: The Queens of R&B premieres Sunday (March 5) on Bravo.
The six-episode series follows the ’90s R&B girl groups as they prepare for a joint concert and navigate personal drama that could derail their stage plans. The reality series explores “the inner working of putting on a live concert performance” while exposing “the discord and complex dynamics of sisterhood within singing groups.”
Read on for ways to watch and stream the show online.
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SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B: Ways to Stream Online
SWV and Xscape: The Queens of R&B premieres Sunday at 9:30 p.m. on Bravo. New episodes will debut on Sundays and you don’t need cable to watch live and on-demand (but if you do have cable, feel free to check your local listings for more information).
There are plenty of ways for R&B fans to watch and stream SWV and Xscape: The Queens of R&B from anywhere. For starters, the series will stream on Peacock – NBC Universal’s exclusive home for all things Bravo — a day after it airs.
Peacock Premium $4.99/month
Peacock is $4.99/month for the basic plan and $9.99 for commercial-free streaming. Subscribe to the annual plan ($49.99 for Peacock Premium and $99.99 for Premium Plus) to save 17% on your bill.
Subscribers can stream online at Peacock.tv or download the Peacock app to stream on a TV, smart phone, computer and other devices (use ExpressVPN for international streaming).
In addition to Bravo programs, TV lovers will find a slew of movies, beloved shows like The Office and Yellowstone, sporting events and more including Peacock Originals such as Poker Face, Bel-Air, The Traitors, Mrs. Davis, The Best Man: The Final Chapters and Queens Court.
Want more ways to watch Bravo without cable? You can stream SWV and Xscape: The Queens of R&B and other Bravo shows on Sling TV, Fubo, DirectTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV.
Check out a sneak peek of SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B below.
Vanderpump Rules has focused largely on the drama-filled lives of Lisa Vanderpump’s employees since its debut on Bravo in 2013. But while these glamorous SUR-vice workers might be slinging drinks and bringing you fried goat cheese balls in between screaming matches and drunken rage texts, they’ve also been dishing up some mind-boggling but always entertaining musical moments.
It makes sense, if you think about it. Several members of the cast — including Scheana Shay and James Kennedy, for example — are in Los Angeles not just for modeling and acting jobs, but also to try to make it in the music industry. She’s “Good as Gold” as a singer (as far as she’s concerned), and he’s a relatively successful DJ with his “See You Next Tuesday” gigs at Sur.
And who can forget Tom Sandoval’s band Charles McMansion and its unforgettable (and somewhat naughty and 100 percent catchy “T.I.P” – that’s “Touch in Public”)? There’s also his newer project, Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras (the members of whom he pays just to attend band practice, as he revealed in season 10), which the reality star and TomTom partner has taken on the road while trying to launch his and best bud Tom Schwartz’s lounge, Schwartz and Sandy’s.
Yes, many of the cast’s musical endeavors – some fun, some great just to give viewers laughs — have fortunately been captured on camera over the seasons for posterity. From their music videos to live performances, here are the moments on the reality TV hit that we’re always happy to revisit.
Scheana Takes the Stage
Season one, episode five
Scheana’s first live performance at The Roxy in L.A. was … awkward. From the moment she came out on stage to sing “What I Like,” the aspiring singer was a bit stiff, then tried too hard to be sexy with her gyrations. Frenemy Stassi Schroeder even joked as she watched the performance, “I knew I should’ve been a hooker!”
Bonus: Eagle eyes may have spotted a familiar blonde providing backup vocals and dance moves on stage. It was none other than Ariana Madix, who was a recurring player in season two before becoming a main castmember — and Tom Sandoval’s girlfriend — in season three.
Watch the moment here.
Then Scheana Takes the Bar
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
Season two, episode 14
At Scheana and now ex-husband Mike Shay’s engagement party, the SURver decided to put the spotlight on herself. She (very unsanitarily) hopped up on the bar in beyond skin-tight gold shorts and a white tank top to sing her song “Good As Gold.”
“She’s not going to waste an opportunity with an audience to debut her single,” pal Katie Maloney astutely pointed out. (Note: This would not be the only time that Scheana would perform the song on VPR.)
Meet Charles McMansion
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
Season four, episode 19
Sandoval, ever the overachiever, filmed a music video for his band Charles McMansion’s first single, the infectiously catchy “T.I.P” (that’s “Touch in Public”). The bartender-model-actor turned business owner revealed during the episode that he — as usual — went over the top with his project, spending probably more than $10,000 on the well-produced video that also features girlfriend Ariana and their costar Lala Kent, who was not yet a regular in season four.
This Kinda Blows
Image Credit: Courtesy photo
Season six, episode five
Lala and James were back in the studio recording a new tune, and they invited Sandoval to add a little something extra with his trumpet. Unfortunately, it was not exactly the sexy vibe the duo had hoped for. As he was in the recording booth, Lala grimaced, while James just looked stunned.
Later, Lala described the … uhh … less than dulcet tones best in her confessional: “Sandoval’s trumpet playing reminds me of being in a pack of baby dolphins just learning to communicate for the first time.”
Cut!
Season six, episode 13
Lala was feeling a bit shady while telling James how her recording session went. It turns out that Lala had Scheana record some vocals for her since the two use the same studio, and to say the former SUR hostess was less than impressed would be putting it mildly. As Lala first told James, “Obviously, I’m going to cut her part.” She then said in her confessional, “I love Scheana with all my heart, but the girl is tone deaf!” (Scheana later fired back on Watch What Happens Live, calling Lala a crappy lyricist.)
Watch the moment here.
All Eyes on Lala
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
Season six, episode 20
Lala showed the gang how it’s done when she performed “Boy” during her music showcase. She was confident, had a good groove, and thoroughly entertained the crowd — even Scheana. “I love watching Lala on stage. Don’t wanna say jealous, but it makes me want to get back in the recording studio,” the waitress confessed.
Oh, He Went There
Season seven, episode one
Never one to have much of a filter — especially when drunk — DJ James Kennedy aired some very dirty laundry while spinning for his SUR night, See You Next Tuesday. During his set, the self-proclaimed White Kanye decided to show off his freestylin’ skills and rapped, “I just got rich/ I may cop a black Wraith/ Everybody remember when Jax f–ked Faith?”
Cue the screeching turntable, because that little line — which was dropped while the now sober James was standing next to Brittany Cartwright — reminded the world of Jax Taylor’s infidelity while he was dating the Southern belle who is now his wife, and kicked off a whole new season of drama.
In the Closet
Season seven, episode nine
While most people were furious with him, James still had the support of the Toms — Sandoval and Schwartz — who invited him to DJ the Daily Mail party at the almost-but-not-quite-ready TomTom. The day of the event, there was no AC and the DJ booth was still not ready, so James had to spin his tunes from a windowless closet while sitting on packages of toilet paper.
An Unexpected Instrument
Season seven, episode 18
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhIkXRgFdA3
After waking up on the final day of their Mexican getaway, Schwartz recalled some of the shenanigans the gang indulged in the night before. Not surprisingly, their habit of doing a few too many tequila shots led to some eyebrow-raising antics, including Sandoval playing a penis flute and Schwartz being accosted with said instrument.
The clip was so hilarious that even Rihanna couldn’t help but laugh, captioning the video on her Instagram, “easily the best clip on tv.” (In the following week’s episode, Sandoval was once again playing a penis flute when James came by for a visit.)
“One More Time”? Maybe Not …
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
Season eight, episode 18
Scheana enlisted new SURver Brett Caprioni to play the hunk in the music video for her new tune “One More Time,” about … well … doing it one more time. It turns out that the super steamy scenes which had him smacking the aspiring singer’s behind and her sticking her tongue in his ear — among other intimate acts — made him feel “violated,” as he put it. Scheana’s response? “It’s called acting, Brett.”
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Attention, Barbz! Nicki Minaj will be celebrating the release of her new single “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” with an all-new episode of Queen Radio on Friday (March 3).
Last summer, the rap queen dropped a limited merch collection coinciding with the long-awaited return of Queen Radio, which debuted on Amazon’s audio platform, AMP, last year. Minaj topped the Billboard Hot 100 and the Rhythmic Airplay charts last year with her hit single “Super Freaky Girl.”
Nicki Minaj Is a Vision in Violet at Trinidad Carnival 2023
03/03/2023
Minaj’s radio merch collection, available exclusively at Amazon’s Queen Radio storefront, consists of a black T-shirt ($30) and black hoodie ($65) designed with the Queen Radio logo.
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Amazon
Queen Radio Nicki Minaj Unisex Tee, Black, Small
$30.00
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Amazon
Queen Radio Nicki Minaj Unisex Hoodie, Black, Small
$65.00
The shirt and hoodie feature a colorful illustration of Minaj on the front sporting her signature pink hair with a pop of turquoise. Both pieces are available in sizes ranging from S to XXL, while supplies last.
How to Stream Queen Radio on Amp
Queen Radio is scheduled to return Friday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the Amp app, Minaj tweeted on Friday.
“Changing the structure of [the] show a bit for 2023 so we gotta’ make sure to have it perfect for my babies,” Minaj tweeted to fans. “Love You. Missed you so much. Talk soon.”
This month marks one year since Minaj first announced her partnership with Amazon and the return of Queen Radio, which was previously available on Apple Music.
“I am very excited to be partners with Amazon on bringing back Queen Radio,” Minaj said at the time. “Queen Radio is something that is so dear to my heart. Of course, there have been times where I’ve thought about not wanting to do Queen Radio, or any radio for that matter, but why not?”
Click here to stream Queen Radio.
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.
Daisy Jones & The Six is now streaming on Prime Video. The drama series, about a 1970s rock band that implodes at the height of their fame, premiered Friday (March 3).
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Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, Camila Morrone, Will Harrison, Suki Waterhouse, Josh Whitehouse, Sebastian Chacon, Nabiyah Be, Tom Wright and Timothy Olyphant star in the show, which is based on the 2019 best-selling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Daisy Jones & The Six chronicles the rocky road to stardom for a ‘70s band caught between two “feuding lead singers,” Daisy Jones (Keough) and Billy Dunne (Claflin). Told through a series of flashbacks, the documentary-style story picks up two decades after the band’s 1977 breakup.
Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, Brad Mendelsohn, Scott Neustadter, Will Graham and James Ponsoldt are executive producers on the series directed by Nzingha Stewart and adapted by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber.
Read on for details on how to stream Daisy Jones & The Six for free, plus shop exclusive looks from the show.
How to Watch ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ for Free
The first three episodes in Daisy Jones & The Six dropped Friday (March 3). New episodes will be released Fridays. The Prime Video Original series is streaming free to Prime members.
If you’re not a member, join today to enjoy a free 30-day trial and stream Daisy Jones & The Six, plus tons of other Prime Video Originals shows and movies such as Sayen, Harlem, The Boys, Carnival Row, Somebody That I Used to Know, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, My Policeman, Shotgun Wedding and Argentina, 1985.
Lacey Terrell/Prime Video
‘Daisy Jones & The Six’
$Stream free on Prime Video
Prime is $14.99 per month (or $139.99 for the annual plan) after the free trial. The membership is packed with great benefits like fast and free shipping on millions of items including same-day delivery and member-only discounts on select items. Prime Video is included in your Prime membership along with access to Amazon Music and more.
Daisy Jones & The Six features original music co-written and produced by Grammy-winning producer Blake Mills who collaborated with Phoebe Bridgers, Marcus Mumford and other artists to create music for the series soundtrack. Fans can hear the songs from the show on the Aurora album out now.
‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ Merch: Shop Looks from the Show
Wardrobe plays a huge role in telling any story, but the ’70s are an especially epic fashion decade to travel back to. From bellbottoms and polyester shirts to miniskirts, boho dresses, halter tops, shaggy coats, suede vests, chokers, hoop earrings, platforms, Ray-bans and a healthy helping of fringe, Daisy Jones & The Six is packed with quintessential ’70s fashions.
Daisy Jones & the Six
PAMELA LITTKY
To celebrate the series, Amazon launched a Daisy Jones & The Six storefront featuring music, books, beauty, band merch and curated looks inspired by the show’s key characters — Daisy, Billy, Camila (Morrone) and Karen (Waterhouse) — along with unique product partnerships with LEVI’S, Clairol and Essie.
Shop looks inspired by characters from Daisy Jones and The Six below.
Amazon
RomanticDesign Women’s Long Lapel Faux fur Jacket Shaggy Coat Warm Outerwear Cardigan Brown US 4
$86.69 $117.99 27% OFF
Channel Daisy’s “main character energy” in this faux fur coat ($75.49) or a stylish bree coat ($280.25) or take inspiration from Camila’s boho style in this faux leather trench with faux fur collar ($75.99).
Fans can also shop performance looks like this sequin frindged evening shawl ($19.99) or this sheer duster ($19.99) alongside casual options such as jeans, boots and shirts featured below.
Amazon
Levi’s Men’s Classic Western Shirt, (New) Franklin Stone Wash, Medium
$40.92 $69.50 41% OFF
Want to tap into Billy’s fashion vibe? Do it in a leather coat, shades and bootcut jeans pictured below or a denim shirt with jeans and Chelsea boots.
Amazon
Levi’s Men’s 527 Slim Bootcut Fit Jeans
$59.99 $69.50 14% OFF
Camila wears a bunch of long, flowing dresses on the show. For something similar, try this short v-neck sleeve dress which captures one of her many boho looks.
Amazon
ZESICA Women’s 2023 Bohemian Floral Printed Wrap V Neck Short Sleeve Maxi Dress
$41.99 $53.99 22% OFF
If you love a Camila’s style, you might also like this floral printed wrap dress ($41.99) pictured above, this denim mini skirt ($28.56) with suede boots ($129) or this flared sleeve top ($525).
Amazon
FRAME Women’s Slim Exaggerated Knit Flare Pants, Noir, Black, XS
$194.60 $278.00 30% OFF
These exaggerated knit flare pants seem tailor made for Karen’s character. Other pieces that will help fans pull off the retro look include this Rag & Bone leather vest ($595), Alexandre Birman platform heels ($695), this metallic velvet top ($27.88) and palazoo pants ($245); sequin shorts ($36.99), cowboy boots ($67.99), jewelry, sunglasses and other cool accessories.
Watch the trailer for Daisy Jones & The Six below.
Tennessee lawmakers may have passed their ban on drag performances in public, but Bonnaroo is ready to stand firm with its LGBTQ fans.
In a statement released on Friday (March 3), Bonnaroo indirectly responded to Tennessee’s new law, stating that it will not let the new legislation impact the annual festival, which takes place in Manchester, Tenn. “Bonnaroo has and always will be a place for inclusivity, a safe haven for people of all walks of life and a champion of self-expression,” the statement reads. “Rest assured The Farm will remain a sanctuary for those freedoms and Bonnaroovians will see no changes in programming or celebration of self-expression at the festival.”
The news comes after Gov. Bill Lee signed Senate Bill No. 3
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into law on Thursday (March 2). It bans “adult cabaret performances” from taking place on public property or in locations where they could be viewed by minors. The bill defines such displays as any performance “that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators, or similar entertainers.”
The music festival is far from the only one in the industry to react to Tennessee’s drag ban. In an interview with GLAAD last week, Shania Twain said that she thought “drag shows are so fun,” adding, “I think we need this inspiration; we need drag queens to share their talent with us.”
Bonnaroo, which takes place each year at Great Stage Park (lovingly known by attendees as “The Farm”), is set to feature headliners Kendrick Lamar, Odezsa and Foo Fighters, along with a number of LGBTQ performers, including Lil Nas X, 070 Shake, Rina Sawayama and Girl in Red. Tickets for the this year’s festival, taking place from June 15 to 18, are available here.
Check out Bonnaroo’s full statement below:
Jennifer Hudson welcomed Paula Abdul to her eponymous talk show on Friday (March 3) to look back on their time together on season three of American Idol.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking back to that early season was the shocking moment Hudson was eliminated in seventh place after finding herself in the bottom three with fellow frontrunners LaToya London and eventual winner Fantasia Barrino.
“Oh my goodness, that was a moment,” the OG Idol judge said. “When you were eliminated, it was like the whole world was pissed. That’s true! I’m sure they come up to you, I mean, people still talk to me about, ‘God, that night Jennifer Hudson was eliminated.’ I go, ‘I know!’”
However, the “Straight Up” singer also revealed some words of encouragement she shared with the Idol hopeful immediately after her controversial ousting. “It was on Entertainment Tonight, and I said you, ‘You know, I have a feeling some amazing things are gonna happen to you.’ ‘Member, I said, ‘People that need to win, win. And the people that don’t need to win end up winning big time.’ And you did.”
Abdul may or may not have psychic powers, considering Hudson has gone on to become the first and so far only Idol alum to reach EGOT status following her 2021 Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding interactive media for a daytime program, and 2022 Tony Award as a producer of A Strange Loop. (She previously won an Academy Award for portraying Effie White in 2006’s Dreamgirls, and has taken home two different Grammys over the years.)
Watch Hudson’s trip down memory lane with Abdul below.
March has finally arrived, meaning it’s time to break out those springtime playlists and add some new tunes from your favorite queer artists. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.
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From Demi Lovato’s spine-chilling Scream song to Kali Uchis’ thrilling new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.
Demi Lovato, “Still Alive”
There are a handful of modern artists uniquely suited to give us horror and thrilling pop music at the same time — Demi Lovato is one of them. “Still Alive,” the singer’s new track from the new film Scream VI, is a masterclass is balancing the scary vibes of the iconic franchise with a roaring rock sensibility, as they blast through the verses and chorus declaring that she “went to hell but I’m back and I’m breathing,” while asking you to “make me bleed while my heart is still beating.” It’s an excellent addition to Lovato’s renewed rock era, and still flexes the boundless vocal prowess that made them a star in the first place.
Kali Uchis, Red Moon in Venus
Are you ready to feel the love? If so, Kali Uchis has just the record for you. With Red Moon in Venus, the rising genre-bending star’s fourth studio album, Uchis dives head first into love’s many aspects, whether it’s letting someone you love go (“I Wish You Roses”), being treated right in a relationship (“Fantasy”), or the pain of heartbreak (“Deserve Me”). Featuring a supporting cast of stars like Summer Walker, Don Toliver and Omar Apollo, Red Moon drips with pleasure, pain and everything in between, showing just what a force of nature Uchis is.
Boygenius, “Not Strong Enough”
Indie rock supergroup Boygenius — a.k.a. Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus — has always thrived when it comes to emotionally devastating songs with a healthy mix of different rock ideas. “Not Strong Enough,” then, is a prototypical track for the trio; with Bridgers and Baker taking the majority of the lead vocals, the new song follows the group as they confess to their respective partners that, no, they cannot be the shoulder to lean on in the relationship. The track perfectly fuses all three artists’ distinctive sounds, making for a catchy, thrilling indie-rock anthem.
Arlo Parks, “Impurities”
Get yourself the kind of friends who love you for all of your insecurities — in this particular case, the kind of friends Arlo Parks has. The UK indie up-and-comer’s new song “Impurities” tracks Parks’ relationship with her friends, as she celebrates their acceptance of her in her entirety. The plinking guitars add a sense of drama to an otherwise tender song of platonic love, where Parks declares “You’re the rainbow in my soap/ You noticе beauty in more forms than most.”
Shygirl feat. Tinashe, “Heaven”
Welcome to the Pearly Gates, where Shygirl and Tinashe are ready to give you a guided tour of “Heaven.” This ethereal new track from the delightful pairing of LGBTQ R&B superstars is everything it’s title promises. With vocals that naturally complement one another and hypnotic production that will send you into pure bliss, “Heaven” is a slice of paradise that you’ll want to listen to again and again.
Peach PRC, “F U Goodbye”
If you listen only to the melody of Australian pop singer Peach PRC’s new song, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is another saccharine love song. But “F U Goodbye” instead creates a delicious juxtaposition through its lyrics — while the maximalist, 2000s-pop production suggests something sugary and sweet, the lyrics bite back, with the star insulting just about everything she can about her ex. Even with a sing-song performance, lines like “I hope you choke, go broke/ Lose your money” land perfectly on this excellent kiss-off.
Carlie Hanson, “LSE to LAX”
In the unforgettable words of Ms. Taylor Alison Swift: “It’s me … hi. I’m the problem, it’s me.” That’s, in a nutshell, the realization Carlie Hanson has on “LSE to LAX,” a mournful pop song about lost love and missed connections. Putting all of her emotions into her pen, Hanson nails the loneliness expressed through lyrics like “I promise everything then take it back the same night,” or “Got this weight on my chest/ Way too heavy to catch you.” It’s yet another stunningly vulnerable single from an artist continuing to show fans why she’s worth listening to on repeat.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
It remains to be seen if Super Bowl champ Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has what the comedic chops to play ball as host of Saturday Night Live this weekend. But in the promos for tomorrow night’s (March 4) show, he’s definitely game, yukking it up with musical guest Kelsea Ballerini about a possible merger of their famous names.
“Kelsea you should change your name to Travis, so you can have Travis Kelce and Kelsea Travis,” cast member Heidi Gardner helpfully suggests. “Or, maybe he should change his first name to Ballerini, I don’t know,” the country star counters.
Kelce doesn’t hate the idea, putting his hands above his head in a delicate manner and admitting, “Oh, I’ve always wanted to be a ballerina,” he says with a spin as the women give him props for his good form.
In a second promo, Gardner asks the New Heights podcast host and smash-mouth player if he’s ready for prime time and he notes that, “football isn’t that different from SNL, we’re working under a lot of pressure.” Gardner kind of gets it, but when Kelce notes that football also features a musical guest and cue card reading she’s confused. “And it airs at 11:30 and I’m in a bunch of wigs and Chloe Fineman is always there,” he assures her.
“Travis, I don’t know if that’s right,” the SNL master of impressions shoots back. “Okay, I get hit the head for a living so I’ll take that as fair game,” Kelce explains in a bit that skirts the edge of funny given the serious brain injuries suffered by a number of NFL players.
Gardner blows the whistle repeatedly on Kelce in a third bit in which she tells him he can “do better” while introducing this week’s lineup, working him like a relentless comedic position coach.
First-time host Kelce definitely got his reps in this week, also appearing in an earlier promo in which he dresses as Indiana Jones and channels the legendary bit in the original film. In his version, Kelce-as-Indy tries to swipe a statue of the SNL logo by replacing it with the championship Lombardi trophy the Chiefs earned by beating the Philadelphia Eagles in last month’s Super Bowl LVII.
Check out the promos below and watch SNL on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET.