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Shawn Mendes connects with nature in his first campaign as global brand ambassador for David Yurman. The brand tapped Mendes and Scarlett Johansson to star in the David Yurman Spring 2023 campaign, released on Wednesday (Feb. 15).
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“We are honored to have singer and songwriter @shawnmendes as the global male brand ambassador of our 2023 campaign, celebrating nature and the creative inspiration it provides,” the brand wrote on Instagram.
One of the videos shot for the campaign shows Mendes walking around a plant-filled room strumming his guitar while wearing several pieces from David Yurman including a sterling silver curb chain necklace ($1,850), box chain bracelet ($350), chevron woven cuff bracelet ($595), streamline double wrap leather bracelet ($395), chevron band ring ($395), DY classic band ring ($350) and what appears to be a custom-made a black onyx, exotic stone signet ring($495) engraved with his initials.
“Nature has always inspired me. It’s where I go when I’m creating music,” says the 24-year-old singer on the brand’s website.
Another shot from the campaign shows the Canadian recording artist at a beach wearing a 18k rose gold curb chain necklace ($28,000) with the brand’s Roman Elongated Tag in 18k rose gold ($5,200), a matching curb chain bracelet ($11,00) and streamline three row band ring ($7,000).
Mendes is a fan of David Yurman’s minimalist aesthetic, he recently told PEOPLE. “I find that David Yurman jewelry has this super organic feel to it where you can feel dressed up and still feel authentic,” he explained. “That’s why I’ve always worn these pieces on my neck because it’s always been special but also subtle enough for me to feel comfortable in my own skin. It feels easy and effortless — you don’t have to put on a character to wear this jewelry. You’re elevating yourself in a comfortable way.”
Watch the new campaign in the video above.
ABC News Studios is releasing an hour-long documentary titled Rap Trap: Hip-Hop on Trial on the criminal case against Young Thug and Gunna, to air on Hulu Feb. 23. The doc will explore the debate around whether or not rap lyrics should be permitted in criminal prosecutions, and the subsequent effects on artists’ free speech rights.
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Rap Trap: Hip-Hop on Trial will feature interviews with 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles, Young Thug’s ex-girlfriend Jerrika Karlae and artists including will.i.am, Fat Joe and Killer Mike. “Rap music is judged unlike any other genre like Black people are judged unlike any other people,” says rapper and activist Killer Mike in the trailer.
The documentary will also dive into the case of activist and former No Limit rapper McKinley “Mac” Phipps Jr., who served 21 years in prison for a crime he says he did not commit. Phipps and his family are interviewed for the show, opening up about the lasting impact of the case. Additional interviews include scholar Michael Eric Dyson and Erik Nielson, co-author of Rap on Trial.
In May 2022, Young Thug and Gunna were among 28 people indicted in Georgia on conspiracy to violate the state’s RICO act and street gang charges, according to documents obtained by Billboard. The state was building the case since 2012, according to jail records. The indictment heavily cited Thug’s lyrics, something that became a heated point of debate in connection to racism and free speech.
The indictment directly quoted from Young Thug’s music, including a 2018 video in which he rapped, “I never killed anybody but got something to do with that body.” While prosecutors claim such statements were made “in furtherance” of the gang’s criminal enterprise, critics say that pulling on rap lyrics — a known form of creative expression — only furthers racial biases against young Black men that can have permanent consequences.
In the midst of the Georgia case, California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation statute into law that aims to restrict prosecutors’ usage of rap lyrics as criminal evidence against the artists who wrote them. Titled the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, the move had extensive music industry support, including Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., Mitch Glazier, the chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America, 300 Entertainment CEO Liles, among others.
In December 2022, Gunna pleaded guilty to the charges against him in order to secure his release from jail, but stressed that he was not cooperating with prosecutors.
Rap Trap: Hip-Hop on Trial begins streaming Thursday, Feb. 23, on Hulu.
Watch the trailer below:
It’s been nearly 10 years since Austin Butler‘s mom Lori died of cancer in 2014, when the Elvis actor was just 23 years old. In an exclusive clip shared with Billboard from Butler’s upcoming conversation with Willie Geist on Sunday TODAY, the Golden Globe-winning actor revealed how his beloved mother would feel about his success.
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“I think she’d be very proud,” Butler shared, choking up and visibly teary-eyed. “She sacrificed so much. She quit her job to drive me to auditions and drive me to acting classes. She’d wait outside and drive all the way back down to Orange County.”
He added that Lori wanted to be an actress herself back when she was in high school. “I think I’m sort of getting to live this life for both of us, in that way,” he added. “She was my best friend and I think she’d be happy.”
On the influence that his mother had on him as he continues his acting journey, Butler praised Lori’s benevolent personality. “She was also just the most kind person,” he said. “She lit up every room and she was so vibrant. She was just nice to everyone. There’s so many things that — I just want to make her proud. I want her to live through me and the lessons that she taught me and the way that she was.”
Watch the clip below, and catch the full interview on NBC News’ Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist on Feb. 19.
It’s been nearly two weeks since Sam Smith and Kim Petras danced with the devil at the 2023 Grammys. Now, thanks to a new performance, they’re back in the controversial spotlight.
On Wednesday (Feb. 15), U.K. broadcasting regulator Offcom revealed that Smith and Petras’ performance at the 2023 Brit Awards on Sunday (Feb. 12) had received more than 100 complaints, despite not engaging in the same devilish imagery as their Grammys set.
For the Brit Awards, Sam and Kim took a more literal approach to their “Body Shop” metaphor from the song’s lyrics, with an industrial set, flying sparks and mechanic’s outfits on both performers and their dancers. While it is unclear which parts of the performance received complaints, Offcom received 106 complaints for the 2023 Brit Awards, the majority of which were aimed at Smith and Petras.
The complaint comes after the pair’s highly publicized Grammy’s performance, which also drew plenty of criticism for its use “satanic” imagery from viewers and even a few right-wing politicians, including Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Church of Satan itself ended up weighing in, saying the pair’s performance felt pretty tame.
The ongoing controversy seems to have followed Smith into their daily life — in a viral video posted on Wednesday, Smith can be seen in New York’s Central Park Zoo ignoring a yelling woman, who refers to them as a “pedophile,” “demonic,” and “evil,” while also declaring “Sam Smith belongs in hell.”
Check out what all the fuss was about with Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ “Unholy” performance at the Brit Awards above.
The hardest working man in show business has one less gig. On Thursday morning (Feb. 16), Ryan Seacrest announced that he is stepping down from his co-hosting slot on Live with Kelly and Ryan after a six-year run.
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“Last year we spoke and I made the decision to make this my last season as co-host,” Seacrest said on air, describing the choice as “bittersweet” and a “tough, tough decision.” Luckily for Ripa, her co-star’s replacement is already lined up and she’s very familiar with her new TV spouse. In fact, it is her actual husband, Mark Consuelos, who has filled in for Seacrest in the past; Seacrest assured viewers he’ll pop in as a guest host from time-to-time in the future.
The show will now be called Live with Kelly and Mark and Consuelos will be on camera on Friday (Feb. 17) to begin settling into his new gig. In a statement, Seacrest — who will keep hosting American Idol, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest and his syndicate On Air with Ryan Seacrest daily radio show — said working the Ripa has been a “dream job” and one of the highlights of his career.
“She has been an amazing partner, friend, and confidant, and although we will always be a part of each other’s lives, I will miss our mornings together,” he said, also thanking the show’s executive producer Michael Gelman and the crew. “We’ve made memories to last a lifetime, met some of the most incredible people and had the warmest welcome into the homes of so many viewers across America. It’s been a memorable ride and now I’m excited to pass the baton to Kelly’s ‘real’ husband, Mark.”
Repeatedly placing her hand on his arm, Ripa said, “You are a gem. You are one of my best friends. The greatest part of this experience has been that you’ve gone from being a friend to a family member. You are family. We love you. We are so proud of you… I know how much of a sacrifice it’s been. I know how exhausting it’s been going back and forth [from New York to L.A.] I fully understand your decision making.”
Appearing choked up, Seacrest heaped praise on Ripa — who joined the show in 2001 alongside late co-host Regis Philbin — telling his co-host that he respects and looks up to her. He got sentimental about his opportunity to connect with viewers every morning as she gently rubbed his back and he marveled at how much they “winged” it every day.
At the end of the segment, Seacrest and Ripa hugged and he joked about promising her that he wouldn’t cry, so they cut to commercial to give him time to weep off camera.
Watch Seacret’s announcement below.
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.
Let’s get organized! Vinyl record sales spiked after the pandemic started and managed to top CD sales for the first time in decades. Three years later, and despite slowing sales, vinyl records are still popular among music fans (Taylor Swift’s Midnights was the best-selling vinyl of 2022). With that in mind, we curated a list of storage options that will keep your favorite vinyls, CDs and even cassette tapes in one place.
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Whether you’re a casual collector or have simply accumulated too many records and CDs over the years, we’re here to help! Below, find a list of media storage options that are perfectly designed for your music collection. For more shopping recommendations, be sure to read our roundups of the best vinyl record players and turntables, and tips on how to clean your vinyl records.
Amazon
Snap-N-Store Vinyl Record Storage Box – Pack of 1 – 13.2 x 12.625 x 12.5 Inch LP Holder with Lid for 12-inch Records
$29.71
Provided that you don’t have a huge collection, the Snap-N-Store Vinyl Record Storage Box is a simple but stylish way to store your vinyl records. This 12-inch box comes in multiple colors and holds up to 75 vinyls. You can also use it to store CDs and music memorabilia, but for something sturdier, try out a crate like this bamboo vinyl crate from Sound Stash($44.99), or Victrola’s Woden Record Crate ($59.99).
Victrola
Victrola Wooden Record Stand
$69.99
An eye-catching edition to any collector’s home, this vintage record stand offers a convenient and cool way to store over 40 of your favorite records.
Wayfair
Rolling Vinyl Multimedia Shelves
$79.99
Need something that moves around? The rolling vinyl record shelf is scratch-resistant and water resistant and can be used as a record table or a side table.
Walmart
Evelot LP Vinyl Records Storage Bag, 6-Pack
$29.99
Keep your records dust free with these vinyl records storage bags. This set of six carrying cases can hold up to 216 records at a time (each bag holds up to 36 records).
Amazon
STORi Stackable Clear Plastic CD Organizer
$16.99 $19.99 15% OFF
Got CDs? Try out this stackable plastic organizer. It holds up to 30 CDs and there’s rubber feet at the bottom to keep it sturdy. If you need something larger, this adjustable cabinet holds up to 261 CDs, 114 DVD and other media. Another space-saver: Odyssey’s KDC300 DIA Diamond KROM 300 CD Case ($119.95), or these mountable storage shelves ($109.14).
Best Buy
Victrola Bridge Record Stand
$39.99
If you’re looking for a tabletop option, Victrola’s bridge record stand is designed to hold up to 40 records at a time. Plus, it features a sleek, V-shaped design that’s available in espresso finish or white.
Urban Outfitters
Celestial Vinyl Record Storage Shelf
$109 $129 16% off% OFF
Feeling celestial? This metal storage shelf from Urban Outfitters is perfect for your turntable, records and other items. It features a sun and moon design motif and three shelves with metal separators at the base shelf. The metal shelf (20-inches x 11.5-inches x 26-inches) comes fully assembled and it weighs five pounds.
Wayfair
Asine Vinyl Record Stand
$217.99 $412 47% off% OFF
This shelf stand is a cool décor piece that conceals your vinyl records behind a hinged door with metal drivers to keep them upright. Available in charcoal and oak, the display stand is made from particleboard frame with walnut grain laminate and has four tapered wood legs and non-marking foam foot pads.
Since you’re already organizing your music collection, you might as well do the same for your headphones and get a stand, like the Yamazaki Round Headphone Stand ($19.95), the Suguder 4-in-1 Charging Station ($39.99), or this customizable headphone stand with charging dock ($59.95).
Wayfair
Crosley Liam Record Storage Stand
$329.99
A smaller version of a stand that you might find in a record store, this two-tier, Liam Record Storage Stand makes it easy to flip through your records while keeping the cover art center stage.
Amazon
LELELINKY Record Player Stand,Vinyl Record Storage Table with 4 Cabinet
$71.99 $86.99 17% OFF
Affordable and sturdy, the Lelelinky record player stand can hold up to 100 vinyl records and record player. It measures 13.38-inches wide x 25.98-inches tall (16.92-inches in depth) and is available in two shades of white as well as black and brown.
Home Depot
Oskar Adjustable Media Wall Unit
$84.01
This multimedia wall unit is designed to hold 756 CDs, 414 Blu-rays and 360 DVDs. The wall unit has adjustable shelves for optimal media storage capacity and an extended bases for stability. It measures 60.5-inches x 37.25-inches and it’s only 7.25-inches wide. If you have a tape collection, you might want to snag this 100 Capacity Tape Deck on Etsy.
Target
Modern Vinyl Record Player Storage TV Stand
$343.99 $429.99 20% off% OFF
Need to storage option for your TV? This storage cabinet/TV stand is made from MDF and durable laminate and features four shelves (one adjustable), a cupboard to hold all your electronics and three open storage cubbyholes (two of the cubbyholes are tall and thin making them perfect for keeping your records in place) and cord management ports to keep your cords from tangling up.
Growing up on shows like Fat Albert, musical multi-hyphenate Raphael Saadiq knows the value of representation in children’s television. “If I turned on my TV and found somebody Black,” he says, “those people were superheroes — even though they weren’t flying through the sky.”
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Today, the three-time Grammy winning producer, songwriter and instrumentalist is working as executive producer of Disney’s animated Marvel series, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. The series marks Marvel’s first Black teenage girl superhero (actress Diamond White is voicing Moon Girl) and will feature guest voices from Alison Brie, Andy Cohen, Daveed Diggs, Maya Hawke, Jennifer Hudson, Method Man, Cobie Smulders, Wesley Snipes and more.
“In the comic book world, this is huge,” Saadiq tells Billboard. “To be able to see a Black teenage genius girl doing amazing things, working out problems, explaining to people how not to get caught up in a box without being preachy.”
When it comes to the lyrical messaging of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Saadiq is hitting on topics like loving your hair, overcoming insecurities and being yourself, by way of a fusion of genres that the music legend grew up around. “I had everything from Motown to Neil Young and Steely Dan,” recalls the Oakland native of his own childhood. “Latin music in my neighborhood from Pete Escovedo, so many different layers and soundtracks blaring out of cars in my neighborhood. Music is the backdrop to [children’s] lives. For me, it’s a contribution that I want to give back to the community of kids and their parents.”
Based in New York City, the show is centered on Lunella Lafayette (a.k.a. Moon Girl), who accidentally brings her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur to the city. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur explores universal themes of family and community, while centering the experiences of a Black family living on the Lower East Side. The series arrives to Disney+ today (Feb. 15).
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have hit all the traditional relationship goals: they got married several times after breaking up two decades earlier, attended the 2023 Grammy Awards together and became a global meme and just co-starred in a Super Bowl commercial honoring his favorite coffee spot.
But now they’ve made their love official-official with matching ink.
Lopez celebrated Valentine’s Day on Tuesday (Feb. 14) by showing off the forever symbol she got tatted onto the left side of her ribcage, an infinity sign bisected by an arrow with the A-lister’s names running around the loop. “Commitment ♾️ Happy Valentine’s Day my love 🤍 (Look for more deets on VDay coming #OnTheJLo soon…),” the singer/actress captioned an image of her new body art, along with the tags #CommitmentIsSexy #ThisIsUsThen #ThisIsUsNow #ThisIsMeNow.
The post featured a carousel of pics from the couple’s love affair, including one of Affleck smiling with his eyes shut, another that appeared to show his version of the forever ink — with a pair of crossed arrows featuring their first initials — and then a series of the happy couple on vacation, kissing on a night out and recreating the yacht scene from her 2002 “Jenny From the Block” video in which Affleck grabs a handful of her bikini bottom.
Ben and Jen got married last July in Las Vegas after re-booting their romance in 2021 after getting engaged nearly 20 years earlier before splitting in 2004. They said “I do” again a month later in Georgia in a larger ceremony featuring their friends, family and children.
Check out Lopez’s post below.
It looks like Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is getting a love story in Joker: Folie à Deux, the upcoming sequel to the 2019 DC film.
Late Tuesday (Feb. 14), Todd Phillips — who directs and writes the Joker films — shared a close-up photo on his Instagram of Phoenix face-to-face with Lady Gaga‘s character, widely believed (but not yet confirmed) to be Harley Quinn. Gaga holds Phoenix’s face in her hands, her eyes open wildly, with evidence on both of their red-paint-smeared faces that they’ve just kissed.
“Happy Valentines Day.,” Phillips captioned the unorthodoxly romantic image.
The pop star/actress confirmed her starring role in the Joker sequel back in August by posting a teaser clip on her Instagram, featuring Phoenix and Gaga’s silhouettes dancing together to the song “Cheek to Cheek,” which Gaga famously covered alongside Tony Bennett.
Folie à Deux, which is currently in production, will also star Zazie Beetz, who returns as Sophie, as well as new castmembers Catherine Keener and Brendan Gleeson in yet-unknown roles.
Lady Gaga is nominated for her fourth Oscar at the upcoming ceremony on March 12, nabbing a best original song nod for co-writing the Top Gun: Maverick power ballad “Hold My Hand.” “Thank you so much to the Academy for nominating my song ‘Hold My Hand’ for an Oscar this year!” Gaga wrote on Instagram last month after nominations were revealed. “Writing this song for the film Top Gun: Maverick was a deep and powerful experience that I will never forget. So grateful for the magic of music and cinema. Love you my co-writer @bloodpop I’m on set filming now big love to little monsters!”
Joker: Folie à Deux is slated to open Oct. 4, 2024.
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.
Get ready for another round of big reveals! A new season of The Masked Singer premieres Wednesday (Feb. 15) at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
The singing competition series, hosted by Nick Cannon, will feature an all-new fleet of contestants cleverly disguised in extravagant costumes including a Polar Bear, Rock Lobster, Night Owl, Gnome, Mustang and Medusa.
Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong and Jenny McCarthy will be returning as judges for the new season, which audiences got a sneak peek of during the Super Bowl LVII last Sunday.
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Read on for ways to watch and stream season 9 of The Masked Singer.
How to Watch The Masked Singer Online
No cable necessary! The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays on Fox, which means that you don’t need a cable (or satellite) subscription to watch — but if you already have one, check your local listings for channel information or stream the show on Fox.com.
Viewers who don’t have access to live television can stream The Masked Singer on Sling TV, DirectTV Stream, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV (Vidgo carries Fox in some areas).
On a budget? Most streamers offer a free trial for up to a week, or a discounted rate when you join. And if you who want to stream The Masked Singer from outside of the U.S., use ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
Not interested in live television? The Masked Singer season premiere will be available on Hulu on Thursday (Feb. 16). New episodes drop on Hulu a day after they premiere on Fox. Previous seasons are available to stream as well.
Hulu starts at $7.99/month after a 30-day free trial and you’ll get access to tons of shows and movies including exclusive programs. Plus, Hulu has a bundle deal with Disney+ and ESPN+ and a student discount that drops the base price down to just $1.99 per month.
Watch a sneak peek for The Masked Singer season 9 below.