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It’s right there in the name: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. So, given that said bony-shelled reptiles are right in the demo, it’s fitting that in a new promo for the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem movie that is out on Wednesday (Aug. 2), Leo, Raph, Don and Mikey are unabashed members of the ARMY.
“This is it, guys,” Raphael laments in the 20-second clip in which the foursome are lashed to a giant bomb-like device that seems to spell their demise. “Oh, so many regrets,” he groans. “I just wish I could see BTS IRL,” says Donatello.

Leonardo, of course, has a creative idea, offering, “We could do some of the songs for you,” he says, with Michelangelo adding that he’d be down for a few bars. Leo then gets the gang started, singing the first lines of BTS’ global No. 1 smash “Butter,” while encouraging the others to join in. But, given their predicament — they are lashed to a wall by their wrists and ankles — the song comes out as more of a cry than a croon.

It’s all a bit sad, honestly and Don complains that they don’t even really know the words. To be fair, the tweet of the clip had a very stark warning message: “Jung Kook please don’t watch this.”

In addition to the four turtles (voiced by Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon), the film also features the voices of Rogen, Hannibal Buress, Rose Byrne, John Cena, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Ayo Edebiri, Giancarlo Esposito, Post Malone, Paul Rudd and Maya Rudolph; Rogen and producing partner Evan Goldberg co-wrote and co-produced the film directed by Jeff Rowe.

Watch the trailer below.

Jung Kook please don’t watch this. Get tickets now for the best reviewed comedy of the year – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: #MutantMayhem is in theatres everywhere Wednesday. #TMNTMovie— TMNT (@TMNTMovie) July 28, 2023

Euphoria fans mourned the loss of Angus Cloud on Monday (July 31), as the rising actor’s family announced that he died at just 25 years old.
“It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend.  Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence,” read the statement.

“We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss.”

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Cloud was known as the kindhearted, fan-favorite drug dealer Fezco on Euphoria, HBO’s Emmy-winning drama from Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya. The series’ official Twitter page mourned the loss of the actor, writing, “We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”

Since the news of his death broke, celebrities and Cloud’s Euphoria co-stars have been posting tributes in honor of the actor gone too soon. Read on for heartfelt tributes from Kid Cudi, Kerry Washington and more.

“This hurts man. One of the realest dudes in this business. F—.” – Kid Cudi on Twitter.

“Not the news I wanted to hear this morning g Rest in Power Angus Cloud,” – Denzel Curry on Twitter.

“You will be deeply missed. Rest in Power @anguscloud.” – Kerry Washington on Twitter.

“rest easy brother,” Javon “Wanna” Walton (Who played Cloud’s brother Ashtray on Euphoria) on Instagram.

“It’s weird posting when my friends from oakland die..it happens so much i cant keep up. its weirder posting when my ‘famous’ friends die . So this one is double weird . It’s hard to find someone from the same place doing what you do and being where u at. Bay Area Icon . picking up random calls and hyping you up bout them paintings ahah f— 🙁 TOWN BUSINESS,” – Guapdad 4000 on Instagram.

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Barbieland has entered the real world as Barbiecore fashion and Barbie merch have taken over our wardrobes and shelves. Whether you’re sporting Barbie crocs or wearing the doll-inspired athleisure, the hot pink trend has become the it shade to wear and show off this summer.

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For those who have already seen Barbie: The Movie, you may have picked up on the stylish outfits all the dolls wore throughout the film, but there’s one accessory we can’t stop thinking about: Barbie’s gold heart-shaped necklace. It’s her signature accessory and the necklace is undeniably stylish.

Need a refresher on what necklace we’re talking about? Tiktoker @abbottlyon shows a picture of the gold heart necklace and an alternative she found in the video below.

Keep scrolling to shop Barbie-inspired gold heart shaped necklaces.

Sunburst Heart Necklace
$55

Bring a burst of style to your neck with this gold heart necklace inspired by the bright and gorgeous rays of a sunburst. It’s created from gold plated materials and features a diamond in the center for added style.

Oak and Luna

Heart Medallion Necklace
$150

Even Barbie herself would approve of this Heart Medallion Necklace as the gold material is topped off with a stylish hot pink gem. The dainty chain will also bring out the heart charm, making sure it’s the center of attention.

Amazon

Jewelry Atelier Gold Filled Heart Necklace
$72.99

If you prefer to keep things simple, this gold filled heart necklace comes designed with a paperclip adjustable chain and features a smooth gold heart charm so you can wear your heart on your chest (instead of your sleeve).

Gorjana

Gorjana Lou Heart Charm Necklace
$65

This Heart Charm Necklace is just begging to be layered with a choker it’s that versatile. Plus, you can dress it up or down in a pair of baggy jeans or a summery floral dress.

Madewell

Katie Dean Jewelry – Beaded Heart Necklace
$72 $85 15% off% OFF

This bestselling gold heart necklace features a more delicate take on the necklace from the movie featuring a tiny beaded design and slim chain that can be layered or worn alone.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Barbie movie Funko Pops!, Barbie movie collectable dolls and the Barbie and OPI collection.

Chuck D, legendary rapper and leader of Public Enemy, will headline the Guild of Music Supervisors’ ninth annual State of Music in Media conference. The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood, Calif.
Cheryl “Salt” James (Salt of Salt-N-Pepa) will keynote the event, which will celebrate 50 years of hip-hop.

Other speakers include Lorrie Boula, King Tee, Igmar Thomas, Dante Ross, Ananda Lewis, Gustavo Santaolalla, Joel C High, Frankie Pine, Julia Michels and Chris Lennertz, and the music team from Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. There will also be a surprise, pop-up hip hop performance. 

The conference is offering 15-minute, one-on-one sessions for aspiring music supervisors to meet successful people working in the field. This opportunity is open to aspiring music supervisors only. (Music pitching is not allowed.)

Members of the Guild of Music Supervisors and Friends of the Guild will receive a discount on their ticket purchases. Tickets are available to the public at full price and come with a complimentary one-year subscription as a Friend of the Guild. Students and military personnel will also receive a discount to attend.

To purchase tickets to attend the conference, visit the ticketing page here.

The event is presented in collaboration with The Los Angeles Film School.

The Guild of Music Supervisors is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2010. For more information, visit their website here.

Programming highlights include:

Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World

Summary: This is a narrative of struggle, triumph and resistance brought to life through the lens of an art form that has chronicled the emotions and experiences of Black and brown communities. In the aftermath of America’s racial and political reckoning in 2020, the perspectives and stories shared in hip-hop are key to understanding injustice in the U.S. over the last half-century.

Panelists: Chuck D & Lorrie Boula

The Origins of Hip-Hop

Summary: This will deep-dive into the inception of hip-hop in the early ’70s and how its unique sound was influenced by jazz and rhythm & blues.

Moderator: John Paul McGee, assistant chair of Piano Department – Berklee College of Music

Panelists: Amani “Burt Blackarach” Smith, music supervisor, Salamani Music; King Tee, West Coast rapper; Cheryl “SALT” James aka Salt of Salt-n-Pepa.

The Golden Age of Hip-Hop

Summary: Hip-hop’s influence on the ’80s & ’90s is undeniable with socially-conscious music in tandem with some of the most iconic photography and fashion of the 21st century. Hip-hop makes an indelible mark on the world with style, swag, and grace while concurrently illuminating often sinister elements of being Black in America.

Panelists: Dante Ross, A&R/producer/author, Stimulated; Ananda Lewis, mom, TV host, health activist, carpenter; Senyon Kelly, operations manager, archives, curatorial, Universal Hip Hop Museum.

The Global Impact of Hip-Hop: Passing the Torch for the Next 50 Years

Summary: Fifty years later, hip-hop is undeniably one of the most celebrated art forms in the music industry, having survived such hurdles as hate, ridicule and censorship. The result has been an augmented global community that has adopted this music as their own, bringing with it a herculean amount of history, context, struggle and joy.

Moderator: Chris Lakey, SVP, global creative synch, Kobalt Music Publishing

Panelist: Igmar Thomas, trumpeter, composer, arranger, bandleader

‘The Last of Us’ (Part II)

Summary: Journey of a soundtrack from video game to Max series.

Panelists: Scott Hanau, score director/music producer, Sony Interactive Entertainment; Phil Kovats, MPSE, senior director of sound, PlayStation Studios; Craig Mazin, showrunner, writer (streaming series); Gustavo Santaolalla – composer (game and streaming series)

‘Daisy Jones and the Six’: Music Supervisor Frankie Pine on Preparing for Successful On-Camera Performances

Summary: An in-depth overview of a music supervisor’s role in pre-production on an intensive on-camera project, and how to set up for success in production and post-production.

Moderator: Amanda Krieg Thomas, music supervisor, Yay Team Inc.

Panelist: Frankie Pine, music supervisor, Whirly Girl Music

Reinventing The Soundtrack of a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Summary: How do you create new music for the most iconic franchise in entertainment history?  For Jedi Survivor, you throw away the rule book and deliver two new soundtracks that stand proudly on their own within the classic Star Wars canon. This session will break down the entire process – from concept and development through recording and release – with the composers and key players behind the acclaimed new Jedi Survivor score and Sounds for the Galactic Skylanes, the first-ever album of original songs from a Star Wars title.

Panelists: Douglas Reilly, vice president, games, Lucasfilm, Ltd.; Steve Schnur, producer, Jedi Survivor & Sounds for the Galactic Skylanes; Gordy Haab, co-composer, Jedi Survivor; Stephen Barton, co-composer, Jedi Survivor; Nick Laviers – audio director, Respawn Entertainment

The Real Deal

Summary: How to score an unscripted series. A conversation with music supervisors and synch reps about how to craft memorable music moments for reality TV on a shoestring budget.

Moderator: Adam Brodsky, owner, Woolly Music

Panelists: Joe O’Riordan, freelance music supervisor; Deja Siegler, CEO/music supervisor, Alooma Inc; Rochelle Holguin Cappello, senior vice president, creative music strategy at Paramount.

Music for the Masses

Summary: Trends, tropes, and techniques for effective advertising music; a conversation about the power of music in advertising, exploring timeless techniques and creative approaches that make for effective campaigns.

Moderator: Jeff Kling, founder, CCO at Das Favorite

Panelists: Josh Marcy, director of music, Media Arts Lab; Ben Dorenfeld, director of music, Anomaly; Jarred Causly, senior music supervisor, Saatchi & Saatchi; Beliansh Assefa, music producer, Townhouse/Grey.

The Music, the Paperwork, and Everything in Between: A Dialogue with Supervisors and Composers on Best Practices and Allyship

Summary: This conversation will explore the relationship between music supervisors and composers. It will highlight each individual role as well as the collaborative effort that is telling stories through music, particularly in film.

Moderator: Sami Posner, music supervisor, Blue Lily and Creative Control

Panelists: Chris Lennertz, composer; Dara Taylor, composer; Julia Michels, music supervisor, Format Entertainment; Joel C. High, music supervisor, Creative Control

Music Clearance 101

Summary: The basics of music clearance and licensing are explained in an easy-to-understand and practical way.

Panelist: Linda Osher, president, LJO Music Consulting

Music Clearance 201

Summary: Advanced topics and strategies in music clearance.

Moderator: Lindsay Wolfington, music supervisor, Lone Wolf Music Supervision

Panelists: Matt Lilley, president, MCL Music Services, Inc.; Karen Falzone, owner, Mostly Music

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.
Podcasts continue to thrive in the streaming world with everything from album release breakdowns, murder mysteries and even daily news updates being listened to every day. The phenomena has even been explored through TV shows like the Only Murders in the Building (which has a new trailer and season coming up) and the Peacock Original show Based on a True Story. With all that said, it’s not hard to create your very own podcast, you just need the right podcast equipment.

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If you’re ready to channel the podcaster within you and do deep dives into topics that you’re passionate about, you can pursue it with the right podcast equipment and mics. Just like the characters from the shows above, you need to make sure you have the proper tools to put on a successful podcast show.

From microphone stands to podcast mics, we did the research for you so you can skip scrolling Internet for the best deal and quality, and skip to making your hit show. No matter what topic you plan on covering make sure to stock up on these eight essential tools to help your recording session go as smoothly as possible.

Keep reading to shop our picks for podcast microphones and other equipment needed.

Amazon

TONOR USB Microphone
$31.99 $46.99 32% OFF

To start out, you’ll want to invest in a proper podcast mic like this TONOR USB model, which will help capture recordings with as little background interference as possible. It comes with a foldable three-legged stand that has a detachable shock absorber, and just needs to be plugged in to get connected and recording ready.

Amazon

MAONO Plug & Play Podcast Condenser Mic Kit
$54.99 $61.99 11% OFF

If you’d prefer a more adjustable podcast microphone, this MAONO version features a bendable stand that can be customized to your liking. It also comes with a condenser mic that’ll help provide crystal clear recordings, while the attach magnet ring will assist in isolating sound and deflecting background noise. If you plan on having guests on your show, it’ll help to have an extra microphone.

Amazon

M-Audio HDH40 – Over-Ear Studio Headphones
$39.00

Whether you’re recording audio or listening to playback, you need to make sure you and your podcast guests have a the best over-ear headphones. Our suggestion? These M-Audio headphones as they’re not only an Amazon Choice for recording headphones, but have a 4.7 rating and over 19,000 five star reviews with shoppers praising its “excellent sound quality.”

Best Buy

Audio-Technica – ATH-M20x Monitor Headphones
$49.99

Another under $50 headphone pick are these Audio-Technica ones, which come with a side cable exit for minimal cable interference. The contoured ear padding add additional comfort while helping to isolate sound with less bleeding.

Amazon

BILIONE Adjustable Desk Mic Stand
$19.99 $25.99 23% OFF

Help your recordings pick up the clearest sound bites with a sturdy mic stand. If you’re short on space, try this BILIONE desk microphone stand, whit is adjustable and comes with a detachable shock absorber.

Cicano Microphone Stand
$45.99

Get that real in-studio feel with this adjustable boom mic stand, which includes a table mounting clamp, adjustable head and customizable angle setting, a pop filter and a podcast mic cover. Did we mention it’s also under $50?

Amazon

MAONO Audio Interface
$95.99 $159.99 40% OFF

This will be one of the more splurgey tools, but still essential as an audio interface will help with capturing the best audio possible. With it you can adjust microphone levels and comes with podcaster mixer technology to upload sound bites, clips and more with.

Walmart

Donner Podcast Bundle
$99.99 $119.99 17% off% OFF

One of the easiest ways to save on buying podcast equipment is by snagging a bundle like this Donner Podcast Bundle. The set comes with an audio interface for mixing your podcast and a podcast mic, which will capture your voice before you’re ready to take it to edits.

For product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best laptop deals, speakers for music lovers and celebrity headphones.

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.
Happy, Harry Potter Day! Wizards and muggles celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday every year on July 31.

Attention, Muggles! These Harry Potter Candles Are Perfect for Halloween

07/31/2023

And for those of you who haven’t had a chance to play one of the biggest video games of the year, it’s time to explore Hogwarts Legacy. The bestselling game lets players star in their own wizarding world adventure as a fifth-year student at Hogwarts.

Hogwarts Legacy was released in February and sold 12 million copies in two weeks. Marking the biggest global launch ever for Warner Bros. Games, the video game went on to sell 15 million copies in two months, and has raked in $1 billion thus far.

“We are so thrilled and proud to see the player response to Hogwarts Legacy from gamers, fans who are new to gaming and reviewers around the world,” said David Haddad, president of Warner Bros. Games, said in a news release in February. “Our development team at Avalanche delivered an amazing, high-quality Wizarding World experience that truly fulfills the fan fantasy of life at Hogwarts and our publishing teams have executed a globally impactful launch campaign.”

The game, which was developed by Avalanche Software and published by Warner Bros. Games under the Portkey Games label, is available on PlayStation, Xbox and PCs. Hogwarts Legacy was scheduled to drop on Nintendo Switch on July 25, but will now be released on Nov. 14.

Hogwarts Legacy Nintendo Switch Deluxe Edition (Pre-Order)
$69.99

While an apparent job listing posted by Avalanche Software has fans wondering if Hogwarts Legacy 2 could be on the way, Hogwarts Legacy standard and deluxe editions are on sale at select retailers. The standard edition retails for $69.99 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and $59.99 for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The deluxe edition is $69.99–$79.99 depending on the PlayStation or Xbox console, and $59.99 on Nintendo Switch. Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition includes the Dark Arts Pack, which unlocks access to an exclusive wardrobe, a flying Thestral Mount that players can ride, and access to the Dark Arts Battle Arena, where players can “test their mastery of the Dark Arts against waves of challenging enemies,” according to the game description.

Where can you find Hogwarts Legacy on sale? The game is discounted at Amazon and Game Stop. Purchase below.

Amazon

Hogwarts Legacy – Xbox Series X
$46.00 $69.99 34% OFF

Hogwarts Legacy for PS5
$69.99

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It just got a little easier to get your hands on Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PlayStation 5 console. The highly anticipated, limited-edition console bundle went up for pre-order at Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers on Friday (July 28).

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Is Officially Available for Digital Preorder

07/28/2023

The Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle ($599.99) includes a Spider-Man PS5 console, DualSense wireless controller, a base, HDMI cable, USB cable and the pre-installed game, Astro’s Playroom. The bundle also comes with a Marvel Spider-Man 2 voucher for a digital copy of the game, which will be redeemable on October 20, per Amazon.  

Sony’s custom PS5 console is available in black instead of the standard white color. The design features symbiote tentacles inching closer to the Spider-Man icon.

The Spider-Man logo is also featured on the back of the console and on the controller.

PlayStation 5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle
$599.99

“The design was inspired by the in-game symbiote that’s taking over the console and controller, but you can still see some of the underlying red under the tendrils. This represents the various ways players will experience the symbiote takeover in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,” Jacinda Chew, senior art director at Insomniac Games said in a statement on the Sony blog. “It’s a constant push and pull for dominance whether it’s internal or external and the outcome is not certain.”

Sony unveiled the Spider-Man PS5 console earlier in the month. You can pre-order the console at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop (in-store only) and direct.playstation.com.

Already have a PS5? Get a Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Console Cover ($64.99) and Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition DualSense Wireless Controller ($79.99) to channel the same look as the limited console and controller.

Sony launched its PS5 console during the pandemic in 2020. The company has sold over 40 million consoles since then. According to PlayStation fans, some of the top games include Astro’s Playroom, Bugsnax, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Cult of the Lamb and Deep Space.

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. Amazon Prime Day 2023 may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still score some deep discounts on furniture, air […]

Summertime may be in full swing, but it’s never too late to find your song of the summer. Billboard Pride is here to help with 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 Sam Smith’s new collaboration with Calvin Harris to Anne-Marie’s new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Calvin Harris feat. Sam Smith, “Desire”

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Each time Calvin Harris and Sam Smith have teamed up to make music, the results have been blissful — whether it was the cooled-down stylings of 2018’s “Promises,” or the disco euphoria of this year’s “I’m Not Here to Make Friends.” Their latest collaboration “Desire” follows in those same footsteps; a thundering trance beat and a set of stuttering synth lines perfectly match with Smith’s delicate vocal, as they declare that just “the thought of you is keeping me awake.”

Anne-Marie, Unhealthy

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Trying to encapsulate what Anne-Marie’s Unhealthy is all about is like trying to grab a fish with your bare hands — just when you think you have a good grasp, it manages to wriggle away. But that’s part and parcel of the accomplishment in the pop singer’s latest LP; Unhealthy is about embracing chaos and learning to accept what can’t be fully understood. The sonics match that theme — Anne-Marie oscillates between gorgeously-sung ballads (like “You & I” featuring Khalid), angsty pop-rock anthems (“Haunt You”), and pure pop anthems (“Trainwreck”), the British phenom refuses to just be one thing, when she can be everything.

CHIKA, Samson

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Much like the titular Bible character, Chika is ready to find strength in what makes her vulnerable. On her full-length debut Samson, the rapper goes beyond proving why she deserves recognition for her pen game, and acknowledges the emotional turmoil that has plagued her life for the last few years. Embracing blatant honesty to devastating effect, Chika burns bridges (“Mad”), flexes her skills (“Prodigy”), and weaves a compelling narrative web of an artist rejecting her position as an overlooked superstar. Chika didn’t mince her words, so we won’t either; Samson is a masterpiece.

Shamir, “The Beginning”

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Looking for a throwback to the late ’90s? Shamir has got you covered with “The Beginning,” a scrumptious pop-rock jam that’s ready to transport you straight back to the age of Savage Garden and Third Eye Blind. It’s fitting, then, that the lyrics to the delectable new song are all about looking back on the good old days of a relationship, and realizing that maybe they weren’t as “good” as you thought they were. “The Beginning” is just another reason why Shamir remains a vital voice in the indie pop-rock scene.

Kidd Kenn, “Coming”

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That’s Mr. Kenn, if you’re nasty — and “Coming” will certainly encourage you to access your nasty side. With his latest single, rising rap star Kidd Kenn is happy to go full “WAP,” but this time for the gays, flexing all of the various way that he can get his lover hot over an entrancing melody and booming beat. Yes, “Coming” is exactly what it sounds like — a hip-hop banger for you to press play on immediately.

MAY-A, “Something Familiar”

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When Hamlet said that we would all “rather bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of,” MAY-A felt that. On her latest single “Something Familiar,” MAY-A gives into comfort over consistency, basking in knowing the person she’s with well, even if she doesn’t really like them all that much. Add in her updated, rocked out sound to give the song a boost of adrenaline, and you’ve got yet another jam from the rising star.

Jaboukie, “not_me_tho”

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If you want to work yourself to the bone to get ahead, that’s just fine — just don’t expect Jaboukie Young-White to join you. On his latest single off of his upcoming new album, the comedian-turned-writer-turned-actor-turned-musician is skewering hustle culture with a carefree, shrugged-off anthem. Throwing up a middle finger to late-stage capitalism, “not_me_tho” is Jaboukie at his most effortless, laughing at the social climbers sweating their way to the top as he casually waves at them from his self-made pedestal.

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

Troye Sivan would like to set the record straight — well, not straight per se — about some rumors that have pervaded the internet for the last few years.
On a recent episode of Emily Ratajkowski’s High Low podcast, Sivan declared once and for all that he is not a bottom. “This is actually something I want to clear up,” he told the model-actress. “I wrote this one song called ‘Bloom,’ right? It’s about bottoming. And the lyric is ‘I bloom just for you.’ And people took that and ran.”

Continuing, the Australian pop star said that the queer community online thinks that he is “some crazy power bottom,” when that is simply not true. When asked by EmRata if it was “annoying to have to clarify that,” Sivan said it was not. “I think sometimes people are just surprised, maybe if they go on a date with me, and I’m like, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m not a bottom,’” he said.

Fans expressed their varying levels of shock in the comments section of a TikTok clip, with one saying “I did NOT have ‘Troye Sivan is a strict top’ on my 2023 bingo card.” Some fans, though, felt that Sivan had been pretty clear through his lyrics. “I’ve always understood that. Like he’s saying ‘I bloom JUST for YOU,’” one commenter wrote.

The new clip comes during a big week for Sivan — his latest single “Rush” recently debuted across 12 different Billboard charts, including a No. 77 debut on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his first entry on the chart since 2021’s “You” with Regard and Tate McRae, and his highest debut on the chart to date.

In an interview with Billboard shortly after the song was released, Sivan said that he was already thrown off by the extremely warm reception it received. “I know that I’m really super happy about it, and I also think I am a little bit intimidated,” he said. “It’s a good intimidation, because it just makes me think, ‘Damn, we’ve got to make a great video for the second single.’”

Check out the clip of Sivan on EmRata’s High Low below: