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Zayn Announces First Solo Tour Kicking Off In October | Billboard News

Zayn just announced that he’s going on his first ever solo tour after dropping the news on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show. Keep watching to see more details.

Tetris Kelly:
Zayn did one of his famous surprise pop-ins at The Tonight Show and revealed some big news to Jimmy Fallon. After showing up during Jimmy’s monologue, he switched out the host’s music and coffee mug and left him a note. Jimmy read it aloud to his audience. 

Jimmy Fallon:
Hey, Jimmy. Great to see you, mate. I’m going on my first ever solo tour this autumn, so maybe when you’re done picking apples with your buds, you can come check out my Stairway to the Sky tour across the U.S. and U.K.

Tetris Kelly:
And Zayn followed that up with an announcement this morning. The singer announced the dates for the intimate 11-show outing kicking off Oct. 23 in San Francisco, before hopping over to the U.K. for a run of six gigs. Zayn will have four albums of material to choose from, fom his 2016 debut, Mind of Mine, to this year’s Room Under the Stairs. General tickets for the tour will be available on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m.

Are you heading to see Zayn? We can’t wait!

On Katy Perry & Doechii’s ‘I’m His, He’s Mine,’ There’s Something in the (Crystal) Waters

Before Katy Perry‘s 143 album arrives on Friday, she’s released three singles — and she might have saved the best for last.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking about Perry’s “I’m His, He’s Mine,” featuring Top Dawg singer/rapper Doechii on a fiery duet that made its live debut on Wednesday’s MTV Video Music Awards. The song includes a prominent sample of Crystal Waters‘ 1991 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless),” which roots the song in a nostalgic feel while still feeling wholly modern.

Listen to our full conversation below:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet holds atop the Billboard 200 for a third week, becoming just the second album to spend its first three weeks at No. 1 this year, how Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour notches his third solo top 10 on the Billboard 200 with his latest studio release, and how Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” hits a 10th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, while Linkin Park makes a big return to the chart with its new single.

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The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard’s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard’s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

Rubi Rose Claims Druski Relationship Was PR Stunt | Billboard News

Rubi Rose is claiming that her relationship with Druski was a PR stunt. Here’s what she had to say about it.

Tetris Kelly:

Rubi Rose is alleging her relationship with Druski was fake fake fake. We’re breaking down the posts. On IG Rose revealed that she’s been celibate for the past two months and fans questioned if it had to do with a breakup from Druski. 

She posted to X, “And for the record i never slept with that man, n***a paid for PR. Not the p*ssy…” She also posted, “He is funny and nice tho!” But that, “I only give up if I’m in love, ion care how much money a n***a got. I’m rich asf lol.” Recently while on Audacy’s V-103 Druski did say he’s single.

Druski:

But I learned a lot from it, so I think coming at it you know, you better have them pockets ready.

Tetris Kelly:

During their relationship highs, Druski posted a photo on IG with him and Rose captioned, “Drubi,” She commented saying, “You love me huh baby.” What do you think of PR relationships? Was this one? Let us know in the comments.

Diddy Charged With Sex Trafficking & Racketeering in Unsealed Criminal Indictment | Billboard News

Diddy was arrested September 16th on unknown charges, but now his criminal indictment has been unsealed. Keep watching to see what he’s been charged with.

Tetris Kelly:

Diddy’s alleged “freak offs” have been detailed in an unsealed criminal indictment that led to his arrest this week as he was charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. We’re digging into some of the shocking details. A day after his arrest, federal prosecutors unveiled a sweeping indictment that claims the rapper “abused, threatened and coerced women” for decades. It accuses him of “running a racketeering conspiracy that included sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and bribery.” Many of the allegations center on so-called “freaks offs,” which prosecutors describe as “elaborate and produced sex performances” between victims and male sex workers during which Combs would masturbate. They allege Diddy (real name Sean Combs) and his associates “wielded the power and prestige” of his fame to “intimidate, threaten and lure female victims” into his orbit, then used “force, threats of force, and coercion” to get them to participate. During the “freak offs,” prosecutors claim Combs and others kept victims “obedient and compliant” by providing them with drugs, then subjected them to “physical, emotional and verbal abuse,” including hitting and kicking them, threatening career repercussions, and blackmailing them with footage. An attorney for Diddy stated, “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” Billboard will continue to cover this story as it develops.

Miley Cyrus Is Being Sued for Copyright Infringement Over ‘Flowers’ | Billboard News

Miley Cyrus is being sued for alleged copyright infringement over her song “Flowers,” which a lawsuit claims is based on Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man.” Keep watching for the details.

Tetris Kelly:
Miley Cyrus is being sued for allegedly copying Bruno Mars. Miley’s Hot 100 No. 1 and Grammy winning “Flowers” is the centerpiece of a new lawsuit. Tempo Music investments bought a share of Mars’ chart-topping song “When I Was Your Man” from one of its writers, and they’re accusing Miley of copyright infringement. According to the lawsuit, Tempo Music says “Flowers” “duplicates numerous melodic, harmonic and lyrical elements” of “When I Was Your Man.”

In the filings, Tempo Music alleges, “It is undeniable based on the combination and number of similarities between the two recordings that ‘Flowers’ would not exist without ‘When I Was Your Man.’” While Bruno’s song is at the center of the lawsuit, Bruno himself is not suing Miley and her team.

We’ve reached out to both Miley and Tempo Music for comment.

TikTok Billboard Top 50 Rewind: ‘Million Dollar Baby’ & More Took No. 1 | Billboard News

It’s been a year filled with fun dances, viral hits and more on the TikTok Billboard Top 50. To celebrate, we’re taking you through the top trending songs in the past year. Keep watching to see if your favorite is on the list!

Narrator:
The Tiktok Billboard Top 50 has hit the one-year mark, and we’re looking back at the top performers and trends on the chart in its first year. Tommy Richman ruled the chart with “Million Dollar Baby,” claiming the No. 1 spot for a total of 10 weeks. Of course, dance trends help drive songs up the chart like “Apple,” “Mamushi” and “Tell Ur Girlfriend,” which topped the chart for three weeks. Emotional tracks like “My Love Mine All Mine” and “Someday I’ll Get It” topped the chart for several weeks.

The Tiktok Billboard Top 50 showed how unsigned and relatively unknown artists can rise to the top. Famous Sally & YB held the top spot for two weeks, and the chart has shown how older tracks can find new life on the platform. 1959’s “Misty” and 1978’s “What You Won’t Do For Love” soared to No. 1 many decades after their release.

What’s been your favorite track or trend on the TikTok Billboard Top 50? Let us know in the comments and come back every Thursday for the latest chart.

Nelly Furtado’s Return With ‘7,’ Kamala Harris’ “Maneater” Use, TikTok Resurgence | Billboard News

It’s been seven years since Nelly Furtado released a new album, and she’s marking her comeback with ‘7.’ The renowned singer, known for delivering hit after hit, opens up about her experiences recording ‘7,’ including having her daughter watch the process. She also discusses the resurgence of her classic hits on TikTok, Kamala Harris using “Maneater,” seeing Taylor Swift at The Eras Tour, her upcoming tour, and more!

Lyndsey Havens:

Hey, what’s up? I’m Lindsey Havens for Billboard News, and we are here with the icon, the legend, Nelly Furtado. Thank you so much for coming in. 

Nelly Furtado:

Hi! Thanks for having me. 

We are such big fans of yours, and congratulations. You have an incredible new album, ‘7.’ It has been a minute since your last album. I believe it was 2017, so tell me about how you knew that this was the time to come back and why you wanted to release an album now. 

It just felt like the right time. I had taken some time to just live and go through a lot of personal things, and so I had a lot to write about A. And then B, I felt really called back to the industry. I started hearing a lot of my music on, you know, social media, especially TikTok, a lot of different DJs started remixing a lot of my old materials. I did really feel authentically that it was time to make some new music and some new vocals for everyone to remix. The music on this album is really informed by like me going out playing shows, reconnecting with audiences, brand new audiences as well, kind of really reflecting that in the sound of the album. Just kind of, I feel like I gained, like, a solid understanding of why people like my music and particular music that they love, and why, and I kind of really did keep that top of mind when I was recording this new album. 

Makes sense that you said you’re kind of going out and having fun and living life because I get that in the production and the beats of this music, but then the songwriting goes so deep into everything else that you were experiencing.

Keep watching for more!

Donald Trump & JD Vance React to Taylor Swift Endorsing Kamala Harris | Billboard News

Donald Trump and JD Vance have spoken out about Taylor Swift endorsing Kamala Harris in the presidential race. Keep watching to see what the two have to say about her.

JD Vance:
We admire Taylor Swift’s music, but I don’t think most Americans, whether they like her music or fans of hers or not, are going to be influenced by a billionaire celebrity who I think is fundamentally disconnected from the interests and problems the problems of most Americans.

Tetris Kelly:
Looks like the GOP ticket for president and Taylor Swift have bad blood. Donald Trump went as far as to say “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” on Truth Social. This is a far cry from when he was sharing an AI-generated image that falsely claimed Taylor has endorsed Trump on the platform, saying, “I accept.”

But that was before the real Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris after the debate, posting, “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.” She also addressed those fake endorsement pics, saying, “It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter.”

And while Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, thinks Americans won’t be swayed by Taylor’s opinion …

JD Vance:
When grocery prices go up 20%, it hurts most Americans. It doesn’t hurt Taylor Swift.

Tetris Kelly:
Her post did direct around 400,000 people to vote.gov, where eligible Americans can register to vote. 

KISS’ Paul Stanley Teases Band’s Digital Future Is ‘Beyond Anything’ Anyone Else Has Contemplated

KISS spent the majority of its five-decade career disguising their faces in makeup. Now, as the band plans the next phase for its music and iconic characters, KISS is still leaving its fans with mystery and intrigue.

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After the culmination of The End of the Road Tour in December, KISS began the year with the sale of its name and likeness and plans to live eternally in the digital world. Details are scarce, but the band has said the virtual performance should launch in Las Vegas in 2027. In a conversation with Billboard’s Behind the Setlist podcast, frontman Paul Stanley won’t say exactly how the group will carry its legacy into the future. But in typical KISS fashion, Stanley has ambitious goals.

“It’s a must-see, go-to experience,” Stanley boasts. “It’s beyond anything that anyone else has contemplated.” 

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Virtual artists are nothing new: a Tupac Shakur hologram appeared at Coachella in 2012, and avatars have resurrected deceased musicians such as Ronnie James Duo and Whitney Houston for live performances. Those earlier examples of digital likenesses pale in comparison to Abba Voyage, a high-budget, mixed virtual reality-live music concert in London that has won rave reviews.

In April, KISS sold its name and likeness rights to Pophouse, the Swedish company that helped build Abba Voyage around virtual versions of Abba’s four members made to look decades younger. Although those early generations of avatars wowed audiences, KISS isn’t content to replicate the previous models, says Stanley.

“We’re creating something that’s not a concert,” he explains. “The idea of a hologram — and it’s not a hologram, but that term seems to get thrown around a lot — but the idea a simulated concert is not what we want to do. Frankly, I would find that boring.”

Like Abba Voyage, which takes place in the purpose-built, 3,000-capacity ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, the KISS experience will require a dedicated venue built around the technology, says Stanley. Las Vegas is filled with venues, from Sphere to T-Mobile Arena to numerous theaters that host long-term residencies (Bruno Mars at Park MGM, for example). Stanley is mum on the venue but tells Billboard the final product will be more advanced than Abba Voyage.

“Now, mind you, the Abba show is an older technology, because technology moves ahead at an exponential rate,” says Stanley. “So, by the time that show started to be presented, there was new technology.” To that end, he adds, KISS will work with Industrial Light & Magic, the visual effects company founded by filmmaker George Lucas that produced special effects for the Star Wars, Terminator and Jurassic Park franchises. 

KISS fans got a preview of its plans in December when then band revealed digital depictions showed at the final End of the Road concert and released a two-minute sizzle reel, KISS: A New Era Begins, that shows the band donning motion-capture technology to create their digital likenesses. Stanley insists that the final product will be far more advanced. 

“That was just an early — I don’t want to say rendering — but an early version of what is to come and is still being worked on,” says Stanley. “But it bears little resemblance to what was there. What we were showing was just the inception of the idea that we can continue on outside of flesh and blood.”

As for Stanley, he expects to stay busy outside of prepping the Las Vegas show. Stanley leads a retro-soul band, Paul Stanley’s Soul Station, that plays original and classic soul songs and released an album, Now and Then, in 2021. He has forged a successful career as a painter. Asked if he’ll release another solo album—following his 1978 eponymous album and Live to Win from 2006 — Stanley keeps his fans guessing.

“We’ll see,” he says. “I’m not done with music, that’s for sure. I’ve become more judicious in what I do, picking and choosing, because as you get older, you see more and more that anything you do takes you away from something else. And at some point, it really comes down to picking and choosing what you do as it relates to what you don’t get to do. So yeah, I mean, I’ll certainly do more music. Music is a big part of who I am.”

Listen to the entire interview with Paul Stanley at the embedded Spotify player below, or go to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, iHeart or Everand

Peso Pluma Backstage at His Éxodo Tour | All Access | Billboard News

Peso Pluma takes Billboard backstage of his Éxodo Tour stop in Anaheim. He shares what gets him going, his future plans in music and more! 

Peso Pluma:
Hi there. I’m Peso Pluma, and you’re backstage at my Éxodo Tour.

Tetris Kelly:
Peso Pluma took over Anaheim, and from kicking it backstage with his boo, to meeting all his fans, we talked to the superstar and the team behind the show. We take you there in Billboard All Access. Backstage we got to see Peso interact with fans at a meet-and-greet, and he even got gifted a jersey that we absolutely need. Then it was time to head to the show. He told us what motivates him before taking stage.

Peso Pluma:
I just have the adrenaline with me right now 100%.

Tetris Kelly:
And what music pumps him up.

Peso Pluma:
Black Sabbath before going on stage. 

Tetris Kelly:
He delivered the high energy and the ballads, and fans ate up every hit. We got to kick it with the band. And also caught up with his dancers, who told us about their favorite tracks to perform. 

Dancer 1:
I really like doing “La Durango.” That was a fun one, I feel like. 

Dancer 2:
I like “Quema.” 

Dancer 3:
“Plebada.”

Tetris Kelly:
And Peso isn’t done performing all those songs. He told us about his future plans.

Peso Pluma:
I plan to do a whole new production. I plan to do stadiums the upcoming year, and a new album. 

Tetris Kelly:
We can’t wait. 

Keep watching for more!