Media

24 Aug 2023

Tim McGraw on His New Album ‘Standing Room Only,’ Upcoming Tour & More | Billboard News

Country superstar Tim McGraw tells us all about his brand-new album ‘Standing Room Only,’ his upcoming tour, the current rise of country music, and more!

Tim McGraw
As far as throwing stuff, I don’t think I could tolerate that. Hopefully I’m quick enough to dodge. Yeah. Anything now, but you know soft goods I’m used to having thrown, but nothing solid.

Tim McGraw
Hi, I’m Tim McGraw and this is Billboard News.

Tetris Kelly
It’s Tetris with Billboard News and I’m chilling with country music legend Tim McGraw. Thanks for coming!

Tim McGraw
Thank you, man. Thanks for having me

Tetris Kelly
We got to talk about the 17th studio album you put together. How do you even keep yourself motivated to make music at this point? I haven’t done anything 17 times!

Tim McGraw
Anything 17 times? Nothing?

Tetris Kelly
Nothing.

Tim McGraw
Actually, it seems like there’s been more because I’ve been doing it for 30 years, I guess a little over 30 years. It seems like there’s more albums out there. If you count all the greatest hits.

Tim McGraw
What usually happens is when I get ready to do a project, I sort of had these ideas of the kinds of music and kind of messages I want to sing about, kind of sonically what I want the record to sound like. So I’ll start writing songs with the themes that I want. And I’ll finish a song and I think ‘This is pretty good. This is kind of what I wanted to say.’ So I might cut this one. And then sure enough, like Tom Douglas, or Lori McKenna, or the Warren Brothers will send me a song. And it’s saying what I was trying to say, but way better, so then my song goes into the bin. And so I made one song on the album that I wrote, which song was that “Nashville, CA/L.A. Tennessee.”

Watch the full video above!

24 Aug 2023

Blueface Reportedly Stabbed in LA, Cardi B Threatens to Sue X User, Selena Reacts to AI & More | Billboard News

Cardi B threatens to sue an X user over Offset AI video and Selena Gomez reacts to an AI version of herself singing The Weeknd’s “Starboy.” Tim McGraw stopped by Billboard News to talk about his new album ‘Standing Room Only,’ country music dominating the charts and more. Blueface was reportedly stabbed during a boxing gym altercation in LA. Dua Lipa is on the cover of ‘Vogue France’ and opens up about her thoughts on motherhood and how she feels about listening to her own music. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Cardi B and Selena Gomez are cracking down on AI. Did Blueface get stabbed? Dua Lipa is getting candid with ‘Vogue.’ We have country music legend Tim McGraw in studio and the songs of the summer for 2021.

The amount of news we have today is stressing me out! Plus, I’m so excited about Tim McGraw. So let’s just get right into this AI mess. Cardi B and Selena Gomez speak out on AI, and it may end up in court.

Cardi B:
You’re gonna be getting sued and we’re gonna make an example out of you.

Tetris Kelly:
Cardi B is threatening to sue one X user after they allegedly posted fake photos and AI-generated voice messages showing evidence Offset cheated on Cardi.

Cardi B:
That was a terrible AI voice by the way so yeah.

Tetris Kelly:
Cardi went on to dox the X user and their father, so it’s turning into a whole mess. Selena Gomez is also putting her two cents in on AI. After someone posted an AI-generated Selena cover of The Weeknd’s ‘Starboy,’ she hopped in the comments section to post “Scary.” They joined the long list of musicians against AI, like Ed Sheeran, Drake and Billboard cover star Lil Wayne.

Watch the full video above!

24 Aug 2023

Billboard’s Top 5 Songs of the Summer 2021 | Billboard News

Billboard looks back and counts down the top five songs that ruled the summer of 2021.

Rania Aniftos:
We’re getting to the last few years before our big reveal. 2021, full-on pandemic, big songs as we tried our best to stay safe that summer. Let’s jump right into No. 5, The Weeknd’s massive hit alongside Ariana Grande. “Save Your Tears” is first on our list.

Our next song features two female R&B superstars teaming up for a massive summer hit. Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA comes in at No. 4.

Dua Lipa had us all feeling like we were defying gravity with her No. 3 hit on the Hot 100 songs of the summer. “Levitating” comes in next.

Our No. 2 hit is a revenge song set against an upbeat pop sound. Olivia Rodrigo flawlessly makes us feel powerful with “Good 4 U.”

K-pop wins big in 2021 with the No. 1 song of the summer, and the genre’s reigning superstars — the boys of BTS — helped us feel good all summer long with their hit “Butter.”

We are so close to our winning summer song. Next week, we’ll look at 2022 before we reveal the biggest song of the summer.

Watch the full video above!

23 Aug 2023

Oliver Anthony Music’s Rapid Rise, Drake’s Son Adonis Draws New Album Cover & More | Billboard News

Oliver Anthony Music topped the Hot 100 this week and we’re taking a look at his rapid rise and his controversial start. Drake’s son Adonis created the cover art for his new album ‘For All The Dogs.’ Flo Rida held a little fan while performing his hit song ‘Low.’ Echosmith siblings Sydney and Noah Sierota play Never Have I Ever. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Oliver Anthony Music has listeners divided. Drake gets some help from his son on his new album. A baby at a Flo Rida concert is the talk of the internet. We learned five things about Erika Jayne and play Never Have I Ever with Echosmith.

Hey y’all, I’m Tetris Kelly for Billboard News. It’s Wednesday, August 23rd. And let’s talk about our current leader on the Hot 100.

Oliver Anthony seemingly came out of nowhere to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, but is he already becoming the rich man he sings about? And did he lose support from his right-wing fans already? We have his new music and everything that’s been going on with the soulful singer.

As “Rich Men North of Richmond” had its historic ride to the top of our charts, a lot of conversation happened online questioning if the song has a divisive meaning or is it just an anthem for the right. Well, Oliver has spoken on the topic.

Oliver Anthony Music:
“I mean, we are the melting pot of the world. And that’s what makes us strong, it’s our diversity and we need to learn to harness that and appreciate it and not use it as a political tool.”

Tetris Kelly:
Some conservatives have already turned on him, calling him a “scam” and accusing him of faking his accent. While others pointed out he never said he was conservative. I’m just confused about what’s even controversial about diversity.

And is he becoming a rich man? In his Hot 100-topping week, Billboard estimates he earned over $350,000 in royalties. On the heels of his history-making No. 1 viral hit, Oliver has dropped a video for his new single “I Want to Go Home.”

Watch the full video above!

23 Aug 2023

Echosmith Plays Never Have I Ever | Billboard

Echosmith siblings Sydney and Noah Sierota play Never Have I Ever with Billboard.

Sydney Sierota:
Hey, we’re Echosmith, and we are going to play Never Have I Ever.

Producer:
Never have I ever made a fake social media account…

Noah Sierota:
Definitely have.

Sydney Sierota:
I have.

Noah Sierota:
You have too?

Sydney Sierota:
Yeah. What do they call it? Like a Finsta? Where you make, like, a private Instagram for your friends and stuff. I don’t know if you’re invited to it, though.

Producer:
Never have I ever lied to get out of a speeding ticket…

Sydney Sierota:
Well, I have sort of a funny joke or story. It’s not a joke. I just got my license and I just wasn’t the best driver, so I think the officer thought that I was, like, drinking and driving because I was just swerving because I just wasn’t a great driver. I legit had never even tried alcohol at this point for real, anyway. And he was like, “Ma’am, have you been drinking?” And I was like, “No, I’m only 17.” He’s like, “That’s not what I asked you.” I did get a ticket. I thought they would send it to you in the mail. Apparently, you needed to, like, you know initiate it to pay it yourself, and it became a very expensive ticket because I didn’t pay it for too long.

Producer:
Never have I ever fallen on stage…

Sydney Sierota:
Oh, I have.

Noah Sierota:
Oh yeah. I fell on Warped Tour.

Sydney Sierota:
Never I have!

Noah Sierota:
I rolled on the stage.

Watch the full video above!

23 Aug 2023

Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Erika Jayne | Billboard

Singer and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne reveals five things you didn’t know about her to Billboard.

Erika Jayne:
I’m Erika Jayne, and these are five things that you probably don’t know about me.

I am afraid of the dark and I always have been since I was a child, so I sleep with a night-light unless I’m sleeping with a man.

If you open a bottle of water, you have to complete it. And in my house, I give everybody bottled water, but I take note as to who doesn’t finish them and leaves them behind. I keep score like that. I’m just saying.

I’m addicted to Target. I have to go there either first thing in the morning when it opens up, or at the very end of the night when it’s closing. I like to buy cleaning products, and I’m talking bleach, Downy, Tide. I like to wash clothes, specifically white towels, and I can get anything just, like, sparkling white.

I cannot wash with anything other than a white-colored loofah. I can’t have any color. I got one that was white and purple, the peach ones, the green ones weren’t working. I can’t do it. I don’t know what it is. I got something going on with the cleaning thing.

My friends have pointed out that it’s very strange that I sleep with socks on. I don’t think it’s strange at all, and I sleep with socks year round, and I don’t care what anybody says.

Watch the full video above!

22 Aug 2023

Erika Jayne Talks Vegas Residency, Teases New ‘RHOBH’ Season, Friendship With Lisa Rinna | Billboard News

Singer and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne opens up about her upcoming Las Vegas residency, working on new music, what fans can expect from the new season of RHOBH, her friendship with Lisa Rinna and more!

Erika Jayne:
I don’t know if these b—hes have bought tickets yet or not, you know? And I’m not giving them for free!

Hey, guys! I’m Erika Jayne, and this is Billboard News.

Catrise J:
Hey, everyone! It’s Catrise J here with Billboard News. I’m sitting with Erika Jayne, Miss Pretty Mess. Welcome!

Erika Jayne:
Thank you. Hi!

Catrise J:
We’re here to talk about Bet It All on Blonde.

Erika Jayne:
Yes.

Catrise J:
Coming to Vegas, Aug. 25. So what was your reaction when you found out that you are getting this residency in Vegas?

Erika Jayne:
OK, well, honestly, to be really truthful, I was kind of like, “Really?” I mean, it almost felt like this can’t possibly be happening. I have gone through such a rough patch and all I was getting was bad news. So that when actually good news came through the door, I seriously for a hot second was like, “Is this real?”

Catrise J:
So what can you tell us about the show?

Erika Jayne:
So the show is based around my six-word mantra, which is how I created Erika Jayne, which was “fantasy, love, escape,” and then I added “glitz, glamour and fun” some years later. So that’s really what the Vegas show is about. We’ll have my old stuff, new stuff and we’ll do a clever cover or two just for nostalgia purposes, and it’s gonna be great. I’m super excited to get back out and perform. I had not performed for three years.

Watch the full interview above to watch Erika Jayne talk Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, her friendship with Lisa Rinna and more!

22 Aug 2023

Ariana & Demi Split From Scooter Braun, Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Baby No. 2 & More | Billboard News

Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato have split from manager Scooter Braun. Rihanna & A$AP Rocky have reportedly welcomed their second child together. Justin Timberlake is showing off his acting chops in the trailer for Netflix’s ‘Reptile,’ as *NSYNC is rumored to reunite in ‘Trolls Band Back Together.’ And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Scooter Braun loses some of his top clients, Rihanna welcomes baby number two, Justin Timberlake flexes his acting skills, Erika Jayne talks her new Vegas residency, and we learned five things about Killer Mike.

It’s Tuesday, August 22nd, and welcome to Billboard News. Today is full of updates so let’s jump right into our first story.

We learned Scooter Braun has lost both Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande as clients on the same day. Demi Lovato has been managed by Scooter Braun since 2019 and Ariana, who’s been with Braun since 2013, have decided to cut ties with Scooter. It’s unclear what led to the pop stars’ departures, but reps for Demi, Ariana and Scooter all declined to comment. They aren’t the first to drop Scooter as a manager. J Balvin, who was also signed with Braun in 2019, left SB Projects back in May. This all comes just days after rumors circulated online that Justin Bieber, Scooter’s most famous client, was also seeking new management. Last Friday, reps for both Justin and Scooter said the rumors were not true. With Demi and Ariana’s departure, Scooter is still left with a stacked list of clients including acts like Tori Kelly and Dan + Shay.

And if you thought that was interesting, you won’t believe what we have next! Congratulations are in order for Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, as the couple just welcomed their second child together.

Watch the full video above!

22 Aug 2023

If Taylor Swift & Ed Sheeran Won’t Play 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Who Will?

The 2024 Super Bowl isn’t until Feb. 11, and while we don’t know who will perform at the halftime show yet, we know at least one person who won’t: Ed Sheeran.

The singer/songwriter did an interview with Andy Cohen last week and when he was asked about headlining the Super Bowl, he suggested he’d be better as a halftime guest than the main attraction. “There was a conversation a while ago — I think it was when Coldplay did it — of me going up to play ‘Thinking Out Loud,’” he recalled of the 2016 halftime show. “I think that would be the only way I’d do it, is if I was joining someone else.”

Someone else he might join would include friend and frequent collaborator Taylor Swift — but reports last week said she’s turned down the 2024 halftime show. And anyway, it would be pretty challenging for Swift to pull off that date with her international Eras Tour dates taking her to Tokyo from Feb. 7-10 and then straight to Australia for a Feb. 16 concert.

So who will follow up Rihanna’s headlining set and play Super Bowl next year? On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are checking in to see who Billboard readers are picking in our Super Bowl fan poll and to make some suggestions of our own — including a possible Trolls-fueled *NSYNC reunion.

Listen to the full show below:

Also on the podcast, we’ve got chart news on how the viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony Music storms onto the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart at No. 1. The previously unknown artist — who had never been on any Billboard chart until this week — now has the most popular song in America, following wide media coverage and strong sales and streaming numbers. Plus, friend of the podcast Kylie Minogue returns to the Pop Airplay chart for the first time in nearly two decades, as “Padam Padam” debuts on the chart. What was her last single to chart on Pop Airplay, and when did it happen?

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.)

22 Aug 2023

Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Killer Mike | Billboard

Killer Mike reveals five things you didn’t know about him to Billboard.

Killer Mike:
What’s up? This is Michael Santiago Render. You didn’t know my name was Santiago, but here are five other things you didn’t know about me.

I’m a big guy, so people think I’m short, but I’m actually six foot three. So I’m tall — that’s something people don’t know about me.

I’m an avid reader. I absolutely love reading books. So if you ever want to gift me something, you can gift me a book. Doesn’t even matter what it’s about. I love reading, so I’m always into that.

I support unionizing. I support sex workers unionizing their service. Even though I said that on a rap, I was very happy to see a bunch of dancers got the ability to form a union and a club out here somewhere, as I supported the girls at Pin Up for a number of years when they were trying to get unionized. So I’m a union supporter through and through.

Well, I have two dads. My mom gave me an amazing bio and non-bio father, so Michael and Anthony are my dads. I’ll let you guess which one is the bio, but Mike has the advantage of having two fathers — not just one — so my fatherly advice comes in doubles, usually.

I’m not the business half of my marriage. My wife is much smarter at business than me, so whenever people come up to me talking about real-estate deals, restaurants and stuff like that, I always just got to defer them to her because I’m just a capital investor. She does the day-to-day s–t.

Watch the full video above!