Music News

11 Jul 2024

Dave Loggins, ‘Please Come to Boston’ Singer and Masters Theme Composer, Dies at 76

Dave Loggins, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter best known for his 1974 hit “Please Come to Boston,” died Wednesday (July 10) at Alive Hospice in Nashville. He was 76 years old.

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No cause of death was disclosed.

Loggins, born in Shady Valley, Tenn., and raised in Bristol, Tenn., moved to Nashville where he became one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation.

He crafted five decades’ worth of hit songs for a long list of artists, including Three Dog Night, Joan Baez, Toby Keith, Johnny Cash, Wynonna Judd, Smokey Robinson, Ray Charles, Reba McEntire, Tanya Tucker, Kenny Rogers, and Willie Nelson.

Loggins, a cousin of pop star Kenny Loggins, achieved fame with “Please Come to Boston,” which topped the Easy Listening chart and reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. The song earned him a Grammy nomination for best pop male vocal performance, marking the first of his four Grammy nods.

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In 1986, Loggins made history by winning a CMA Award for vocal duo of the year with Anne Murray for their duet “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do,” making him the only artist to receive the award without being signed to a major label.

One of Loggins’ most enduring contributions to music is “Augusta”, the theme song for the Augusta Masters Golf Tournament. Since 1982, the Tennessean hailed it as “the longest-running sports theme in history.”

Reflecting on the inspiration for “Augusta” in a 2019 interview with the Associated Press, Loggins said, “That course was just a piece of art. I looked over at some dogwoods and, man, I just started writing the song in my head which is what I do when I get inspired. I had the first verse before I even got off the course.”

Loggins discussed his career on the All Things Vocal podcast in 2021, with Judy Rodman calling him “a reclusive genius.”

He shared how he was influenced by the finger-picking style of artists like Donovan and recounted how he landed his first publishing deal at age 22 with Jerry Crutchfield at Capitol Records. In recognition of his contributions, Loggins was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995.

Loggins is survived by his three sons, Quinn, Kyle, and Dylan, and his grandson, Braxton. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral.

Donations in his memory can be made to Alive Hospice in Nashville.

11 Jul 2024

ENHYPEN Unveils Sophomore Album ‘ROMANCE : UNTOLD’: Stream It Now

ENGENEs, it’s finally here. ENHYPEN unveiled their long-awaited sophomore album, ROMANCE : UNTOLD, on Friday (July 12).

The album is a follow-up to the seven-member boy band’s 2021 debut, DIMENSION : DILEMMA, which debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart. “Since our debut, we have been expressing our experiences as artists and honest emotions through our music. ENHYPEN’s authentic story of growth is the biggest inspiration for our music,” member Jungwon previously told Billboard.

ROMANCE : UNTOLD “marks the beginning of a new chapter for ENHYPEN. The pioneering storytellers have previously captivated audiences with their series of narratives BORDER, DIMENSION, MANIFESTO, and BLOOD where they ventured across boundaries, confronted themselves in a complex world, took the first step forward to connect with their peers, and made sacrifices for the blood-bound ‘you,’” per a press release that announced details of the project last month.

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It’s been an exciting year for ENHYPEN. In May, the group — featuring members Sunghoon, Heeseung, Sunoo, Jay, Jake, Jungwon and Ni-ki — announced that a feature documentary film focused on its dedicated fan group, ENGENE, is in the works from Hello Sunshine, the multimedia company founded by actress Reese Witherspoon. FANMADE : ENHYPEN will reportedly focus on the relationship between the group and the fan community by celebrating “ENHYPEN’s fans (ENGENEs) and putting them at the heart of the concert creation process.”

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Stream ENHYPEN’s ROMANCE : UNTOLD in full below.

11 Jul 2024

JoJo Siwa Indulges in Her ‘Guilty Pleasure’ on New EP: Stream It Now

If you were looking for more “gay pop” songs, then JoJo Siwa has you covered.

On Friday (July 12), the former Dance Moms star dropped her debut EP, Guilty Pleasure. Out via Columbia Records, the new project features five tracks including the previously released viral single “Karma,” and the EP’s new title track and focus single, “Guilty Pleasure.”

Siwa also previously teased one of the songs on her new project, “Choose Ur Fighter,” in a since-deleted Instagram video. Speaking about the promotion cycle for her EP, Siwa admitted that she hadn’t expected the amount of backlash she received. “For the last few weeks the world has been f–king brutal,” she said.” “They’ve been talking so much s–t … but I don’t give a f–k.”

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In a viral interview with Billboard back in April, Siwa spoke about how she approached her music career, claiming that she had “created” a new genre “called gay pop.” The singer faced immediate criticism, as music fans claimed that Siwa was far from the first queer person to make music expressly for queer people. In a later clarification, the singer agreed that she did not create the genre of “gay pop,” but added that she was invested in its success.

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“I am not the inventor of gay pop, for sure not. But I do want to be a piece of making it bigger than it already is. I want to bring more attention to it,” she said. “I’m not the president [of gay pop], but I might be the CEO, or the CMO. I can be the CMO, the chief marketing officer, and use my marketing tactics whether people like it or not”

Stream Siwa’s debut EP Guilty Pleasure below:

11 Jul 2024

Eminem Executes ‘The Death of Slim Shady’: Stream the Album Now

Shady’s back, back again. Eminem returned to unleash his 12th studio album on Friday (July 12) with The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce).

The LP boasts 19 tracks and includes previously released singles “Houdini” and “Tobey” featuring Big Sean and BabyTron, along with a sequel to 1999’s “Guilty Conscience” with Dr. Dre.

Eminem took a moment on Thursday (July 11) to explain to fans that TDOSS is actually a “conceptual album,” and he implored listeners to press play and follow the sequencing of the project as listed from one through 19.

“Public service announcement: the ‘death of slim shady’ is a conceptual album, therefore, if you listen to songs out of order they might not make sense,” he tweeted. “Enjoy.”

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Eminem is seeking his 10th consecutive solo album to land at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The two singles he delivered leading into the project both crashed the Billboard Hot 100 party. “Houdini” debuted at No. 2 for Em’s highest charting hit of the decade, while “Tobey” cracked the chart at No. 95.

The Death of Slim Shady is Em’s first project since 2020’s Music to Be Murdered By. Fittingly, his frequent collaborator and close friend Dr. Dre was the one to spill the beans about Eminem’s new album back in March during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

“Let me tell you something, let me explain something to you right now: Eminem is working on his own album which is coming out this year,” Dre said. “And I actually talked to him and he said it was OK for me to make that announcement right here on this show. So he has an album coming out, I’ve got songs on it and it’s fire. I’m actually gonna hear the entire album for the first time for tomorrow.”

Stream The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) below.

11 Jul 2024

Serena Williams Makes Fun of Drake and Dances to Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ During 2024 ESPYS

Serena Williams may have gotten the last laugh against Drake. On Thursday night (July 11), Williams hosted the 2024 ESPY Awards and, during her monologue, made a joke referencing the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, where she poked fun at the OVO MC.

“If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us, not a single one of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar,” quipped Williams before breaking out and dancing to Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” “He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they’re going to Forrest Gump him. Seats taken.”

In 2022, Drake fired shots at Williams’ husband and co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian, rapping on “Middle of the Ocean”: “Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie. “He claim we don’t got a problem but no, boo, it’s like you comin’ for sushi/ We might pop up on ’em at will like Suzuki.”

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Ohanian responded to the Her Loss track on social media: “The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the best at whatever I do – including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter.” Williams and Drake do have history, as it was reportedly rumored that the two dated in 2015.

Lamar also came to Serena’s defense on “Not Like Us” when he stood up for his fellow West Coast native. “I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither / From Alondra down to Central, nigga better not speak on Serena,” he rapped.

Earlier this week, Williams spoke on “Not Like Us” and dubbed it the song of the summer. “I love that song. It’s like the hit of the summer,” she said. “When they play that jam, I’m jamming. That jam is jamming.”

Watch the video of Williams clowning on Drake at the 2024 ESPYs below.

11 Jul 2024

Ice Spice Links Up With Central Cee for ‘Did It First’ Single: Stream It Now

Ice Spice and Central Cee join forces on their first collab “Did It First,” which dropped on Thursday (July 11).

“If he’s cheatin’, I’m doin’ him worse (Like)/ No Uno, I hit the reverse (Grrah)/ I ain’t trippin’, the grip in my purse (Grrah)/ I don’t care, ’cause he did it first (Like)/ If he’s cheatin’, I’m doin’ him worse (Yeah)/ I ain’t trippin’—/ I ain’t trippin’, the grip in my purse (Like)/ I don’t care, ’cause he did it first,” she raps on the chorus.



The song will be featured on Ice’s highly anticipated debut album Y2K!, which will be released on July 26 via 10K Projects and Capitol Records. “Did It First” is the fourth single after her Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit “Think U The Shit (Fart),” the Sean Paul-sampling “Gimme a Light” and her latest offering “Phat Butt.”

Y2K! comes a year and a half after her debut EP Like..?, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and featured her hit singles “Munch (Feelin’ U)” and “Princess Diana” (which later got a Hot 100 No. 4 remix with Nicki Minaj).

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Meanwhile, Cench has hit the Hot 100 two more times this year, with J. Cole‘s “H.Y.B.” (also featuring Bas) (No. 35) and his and Lil Baby‘s “BAND4BAND” (No. 18). He also recently collaborated with Afropop star Asake on “Wave.”

Listen to “Did It First” below.

11 Jul 2024

Katy Perry Taps Into the Girl Power for Empowering ‘Woman’s World’ Music Video

Katy Perry is back!

The pop superstar made her comeback to the music scene on Thursday (July 11) with the premiere of her music video for her new single, “Woman’s World.” In the clip, Perry is the ultimate pin-up girl, taking on a construction site before she’s hit by an anvil. She then appears in a female-led apocalyptic world and causes fun mayhem with her fellow women. Influencer Trisha Paytas also makes a cameo in the clip.

“You better celebrate/’Cause, baby, we ain’t going away/ It’s a woman’s world and you’re lucky to be living in it,” she sings in the anthemic chorus.

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The track was produced by Dr. Luke, Vaughn Oliver, Aaron Joseph and Rocco Did It Again!. and marks her first proper release since 2020’s Smile, which reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200. “Woman’s World” serves as the lead track to Perry’s upcoming, long-awaited dance-pop album, 143, which is code for “I love you.” The usage dates back to the early 1900s, per Dictionary.com. The project arrives on September 20.

“I set out to create a bold, exuberant, celebratory dance-pop album with the symbolic 143 numerical expression of love as a throughline message,” Perry confirmed in a statement. According to a release, “Woman’s World” will match much of the songs on 143 — a “sexy, fearless return to form for the multifaceted musician.”

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Watch the “Woman’s World” music video below.

11 Jul 2024

Simple Plan’s Take on Elton John’s ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ to Lead ‘A Whole New Sound’ Disney Album

Simple Plan‘s pop punk take on Sir Elton John‘s The Lion King classic “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is the first single from the upcoming Disney album A Whole New Sound. The group’s take on the soaring ballad — which drops at midnight Friday (July 12) — is the first taste of the Mouse House’s 30th anniversary celebration of the iconic animated classic.

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“When Disney reached out to us to be a part of this project, it was a bit overwhelming because there are so many amazing Disney songs. But it became obvious pretty quickly that The Lion King song book, and especially ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight,’ stood out from the rest,” Simple Plan tells Billboard. “The song just has such a classic feel, and the melodies are so memorable and timeless. We also felt like it would lend itself really well to our style and would sound awesome as a pop-punk version.

“It’s also one of those songs and movies that has been such an important part of people’s lives. Lots of our fans grew up watching it and listening to the soundtrack and we also played them for our own kids,” the band continues. “So, it holds a special place in our hearts and felt like the rare song that could connect to a very wide range of listeners across many generations. Finally, the fact that the movie celebrates its 30th anniversary this year was just the icing on the cake! It’s such an honor to offer our own version of this song and to cover such an iconic artist like Sir Elton John. We’re not sure if he heard the song or not, but we hope he will enjoy this new version and feel like we did it justice.”

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The band is set to perform the song on Aug. 9 at the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

According to a release, the collection will feature a number of alternative, rock and pop punk bands reworking popular Disney songs, as well as a fresh streetwise look for Mickey and his friends, with Goofy and Donald Duck slipping into sneakers, skinny jeans and backwards baseball caps for the celebration.

Guitarist Jeff Stinco teased out the collaboration earlier this week when the band posted a video of him taking a Disney-centric quiz in which someone asked him to choose his favorite Mouse House animated film, with the shredder repeatedly choosing The Lion King over such classics as Toy Story, Ratatouille, Lilo & Stitch and Tarzan.

“Why are you always choosing Lion King?” an off-camera voice asked Stinco as he stood in the shadow of Cinderella’s castle. Stinco silently shrugged and smiled, though the caption on the post made sense once the news was unveiled. “Jeff’s really been feeling the love for The Lion King lately,” it read. “There must be a reason [chin stroke and shifty eyes emoji].”

Then, on Wednesday (July 10), Disney Music unveiled a brief preview of the Simple Plan song, with Goofy and Donald rocking out to it along with Mickey under a banner that read “A Whole New Sound.”

11 Jul 2024

Travis Scott & Ken Griffey Jr. Tease Nike Diamond Baseball Collaboration

Houston rapper Travis Scott and baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. are in a new spot teasing a collaboration for Nike Diamond — the sneaker company’s baseball division.

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The commercial features Scott at the plate taking batting practice while hitting baseballs with his Cactus Jack logo on them as “The Kid” stands on the side and gives him batting advice. This seems to be the start of a new campaign because the caption reads:

“Lesson 1: Mindset x Mechanics”

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“Swing for the fences. Park somewhere else.”

And earlier this week, Nike Diamond posted a spot of the rapper walking up to the plate in his signature Jordan Shark-A-Don sneakers as his rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is played with the caption reading:

“You’ve seen Cactus Jack rock a stadium. But can he dominate the diamond?”

This is all leading up to this upcoming MLB All-Star Weekend in Arlington, Texas. The HBCU Classic will kick off the festivities tomorrow, Friday (Jul 12), at 8 p.m ET on the MLB Network, followed by the Futures Game, the Futures Skills Showcase, the All-Star Futures Game, and the Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday starting at 4:00 p.m. ET.

The Home Run Derby airs on Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and the 2024 MLB All-Star Game is on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m ET on FOX.

Back in February, during Travis’ own HBCU Classic, he gifted each player custom Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low baseball cleats.

Hopefully this means we’ll be getting a Cactus Jack version of the iconic Nike Air Griffey Max.

11 Jul 2024

Travis Scott Previews Collaboration With Ice Spice at London Concert

Travis Scott and Ice Spice have a collaboration on the way. La Flame brought out the “Deli” rapper during his London concert on Thursday night (July 11) for the live debut of the unreleased and still-untitled track.

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Footage emerged of Ice Spice making a guest appearance twerking on Scott’s rocky stage, while he brags about pouring “Cacti down her throat” in his verse, which he seemed to have memorized.

The Bronx native appears to be handling chorus duties on the thumping tune, but it’s unclear where the track will live. Ice Spice’s Y2K! debut album is slated to arrive on July 26 and the song could very well land on the anticipated LP.

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The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium clip caused a buzz on social media as fans debated the hip-hop titans colliding talents for their first collaboration this summer. “We already know Travis carried the s–t out of that song,” one Scott fan declared.

While another promised: “This album about to go #1 with Travis on it!”

It’s been a busy week out in the U.K. for Ice Spice, who was spotted hanging with Central Cee and she has another collaboration from her album dropping on Friday (July 12) featuring the British rapper titled “Did It First.”

“If he cheated I’m doing him worse/ I ain’t tripping, grabbing my purse/ I don’t care cus he did it first,” she raps about infidelity over the bouncy production.

Y2K! hits streaming services on July 26 and boasts 10 tracks in total. Ice Spice has already released three solo singles including the Sean Paul-sampling “Gimmie A Light,” “Think U The Shit (Fart)” and “Phat Butt.”

As for Travis Scott, he’s continuing the European leg of his Circus Maximus Tour with upcoming shows in Manchester, Germany, Italy, Spain and more.