Music News

28 Mar 2024

Beyoncé Sends Nicki Minaj a Heartfelt Card Thanking Her for Pink Friday Nail Set: See It

While Beyoncé is busy gearing up to deliver her Act II: Cowboy Carter album this week, Bey made some time to show Nicki Minaj appreciation for her thoughtful gift.

Queen Bey sent her “Flawless (Remix)” collaborator a heartfelt handwritten card thanking Minaj for gifting her some Pink Friday Nails.

“Onika, I just received your nail collection and I love them. Thank you so much for thinking of me and congratulations on your launch and the tour. Love, Beyoncé,” the card read.

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Nicki reposted Beyoncé’s card and flowers to her Instagram Story and X on Wednesday night (March 27). “Barbz, #PinkFridayNails are Queen approved,” Minaj gushed. “Thank you Beyoncé . Love you.”

The Queens icon used her “Feeling Myself” collaboration with Beyoncé to soundtrack the Story post. The Pinkprint anthem co-written by SZA is multi-platinum and cracked the Billboard Hot 100’s top 40 with a peak of No. 39.

The Beyhive and Barbz also lent their stamps of approval to the sisterhood on X. “I’m here for this friendship Two queens i Stan,” one fan wrote.

Bey’s Cowboy Carter finds the Destiny’s Child alum tapping into country roots, with the tracklist — which arrived Wednesday — hinting at potential appearances by country icons Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

As for Nicki, she’s still on the road as part of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, which is set to invade the northeast with stops in Philadelphia, Newark, N.J., and Minaj’s hometown of New York City on tap for the rest of the week.

Her Pink Friday Nails arrived earlier in March, and the press-on nail sets are inspired by Nicki’s real-life manicure routine. The nail sets come in four shapes: stiletto, coffin, square and almond with a range of sizes from short to XXL.

“I couldn’t spend as much time getting my nails done as when I only had to worry about me, so it became a necessity to create fly, quaility press-on nails,” said Minaj in a press statement. “Pink Friday Nails are the actual nails I wear designed by my actual nail tech. And I have very small nail beds, so normally, press-ons are way too big and don’t hit the same. Our nails come from short to the longest length I wear, in all shapes, all sizes and polishes.”

See the flowers and card sent to Nicki Minaj from Beyoncé below.

28 Mar 2024

Here’s How Nicole Kidman Reacted to Olivia Rodrigo’s Parody of Her AMC Theaters Ad

Olivia Rodrigo just got the ultimate seal of approval for her hilarious re-creation of Nicole Kidman’s beloved AMC Theaters commercial. 

Shortly after the 21-year-old pop star posted a TikTok acting out the Oscar-winning actress’ viral ad — which has been playing before every showing at the movie chain’s locations since 2021 — the Moulin Rouge star herself tipped her cap to Rodrigo on Instagram Stories Wednesday (March 27).  

“You just won me some major points with my girls!” Kidman wrote “Adore you @oliviarodrigo xx.” 

The actress and Keith Urban, who wed in 2006, are parents to two teenage girls: 15-year-old Sunday and 13-year-old Faith. Kidman also shares 31-year-old Bella and 29-year-old Connor with ex-husband Tom Cruise. 

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In the pop star’s video, Rodrigo mouthed along to Kidman dramatically describing the power of cinema in her AMC campaign, a clip that has garnered many memes and re-enactments over the past two years. “We come to this place … for magic,” lip-synched the “Drivers License” musician as she showed viewers around Centre Bell Arena in Quebec ahead of her Montreal Guts Tour stop. 

“We come to AMC Theaters to laugh, to cry, to care,” she continued, testing out different seats in the venue and snacking on an enormous bag of popcorn. “That indescribable feeling we get when the lights begin to dim. We go somewhere we’ve never been before — not just entertained, but somehow reborn. Together.” 

Rodrigo will next take her trek to Toronto before circling through Boston and New York City, after which she’ll kick off the European leg of the Guts Tour. Last week, she dropped the new deluxe edition of her sophomore album, Guts, featuring five previously unreleased tracks: “Obsessed,” “Girl I’ve Always Been,” “Scared of My Guitar,” “Stranger” and “So American.” 

Watch Rodrigo’s tribute to Kidman below. 

28 Mar 2024

John Legend to Perform at City Year Los Angeles’ Spring Break Fundraiser at SoFi Stadium

City Year Los Angeles is bringing back its annual Spring Break event for the 13th year, and John Legend is set to headline this year’s event, Billboard can exclusively announce on Thursday (March 28).

The nonprofit organization’s event — which will take over the Gallagher Garden at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on May 4 — will give its Service to a Cause Greater Than Self honor to City Year Los Angeles co-founders Andrew Hauptman and Ellen Bronfman Hauptman, who launched the charity back in 2007. City Year Los Angeles is an education-focused nonprofit organization that works for educational equity and commits to providing students across Los Angeles public schools with resources and mentors.

“The support of people like John Legend, Andrew and Ellen, and so many others is testament to the impact City Year has in the community,” said Erik Feig, founder and CEO of Picturestart, and Dwight Caines, president of domestic marketing for Universal Pictures, in a press statement. “We and everyone that supports City Year at this event want to see the young people of our city succeed, and this event raises more than $2M every year to help make that possible.”

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In addition to Legend’s performance, honorary committee members for the event include Viola Davis, Rosario Dawson, America Ferrera, Phil Keoghan, Collins Key, Chris Meledandri, Yvonne Orji, Octavia Spencer, Julius Tennon, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade.

For more information on the City Year Los Angeles Spring Break event and how to get tickets to see Legend perform at the event, visit CityYearSpringBreak.org.

28 Mar 2024

Alek Olsen’s ‘Someday I’ll Get It’ Rules TikTok Billboard Top 50

Alek Olsen’s “Someday I’ll Get It” becomes the latest song to top the TikTok Billboard Top 50, vaulting 19-1 on the March 30-dated survey.

The TikTok Billboard Top 50 is a weekly ranking of the most popular songs on TikTok in the United States based on creations, video views and user engagement. The latest chart reflects activity March 18-24. Activity on TikTok is not included in Billboard charts except for the TikTok Billboard Top 50. As previously noted, titles that are part of Universal Music Group’s catalog are currently unavailable on TikTok.

The ascent of “Someday I’ll Get It” comes in just its second week on the TikTok Billboard Top 50, as it debuted at No. 19 on the March 23 list. The lo-fi acoustic track has exploded on TikTok due to a trend using the song with creators either reminiscing about deceased pets or showing some of said pets’ final days.

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As a result, much of the sound’s usage also shows people reacting to having seen the pet trend all over their For You Page, often taking photos or videos of themselves in tears.

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Concurrently, “Someday I’ll Get It” bows at No. 24 on Billboard’s multimetric Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, Olsen’s first appearance on a tally that isn’t populated by TikTok data. It starts via 2.6 million official U.S. streams March 15-21, up 126% from 1.2 million the previous frame, according to Luminate.

“Someday I’ll Get It” takes No. 1 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 from Djo’s “End of Beginning,” which falls to No. 2 – though it continues to rise on other Billboard charts, nearing the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 by jumping 21-11. Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” and Dasha’s “Austin,” a pair of country songs previously discussed due to their trends featuring line dances as the main driver for their activity, follow at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” rounds out the top five.

The week’s top debut is G-Eazy’s “Lady Killers II (Christoph Andersson Remix),” which bows at No. 7.
“Lady Killers” was initially released in 2012 as part of G-Eazy’s album Must Be Nice, while the new version premiered March 17.

The remix’s move onto streaming services was no coincidence; it was released after the Andersson remix went viral on TikTok in the past month. G-Eazy himself got in on the fun with a lip-synching clip announcing the song’s wide release while also adhering to the “Lady Killers II” general trend, which aligns with the “Make her disappear just like poof/ Then she’s gone” line, with the creator turning off the light illuminating them previously after the verse is said.

“Lady Killers II” snagged 758,000 official U.S. streams in its first week of release and will continue to rise during the April 6-dated Billboard tracking week (March 22-28). The original “Lady Killers” also sported a sizable bump: 1.5 million streams March 15-21, up 125%.

Madison Beer’s “Make You Mine” also reaches the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for the first time, launching 18-10 in its second week on the survey. The sound, which largely highlights the song’s opening “I wanna feel, feel, feel/ Wanna taste, taste, taste/ Wanna get you goin’” refrain, has been used a variety of ways, from lip synchs to hair tutorials to fancam edits.

“Make You Mine” is currently bubbling under the Hot 100. It earned 3.4 million official U.S. streams March 15-21, up 1%. It’s also Beer’s first Pop Airplay appearance since 2021 (“Reckless”), having reached No. 34 so far.

See the full TikTok Billboard Top 50 here. You can also tune in each Friday to SiriusXM’s TikTok Radio (channel 4) to hear the premiere of the chart’s top 10 countdown at 3 p.m. ET, with reruns heard throughout the week.

28 Mar 2024

A Complete Guide to Every 2024 Coachella Party & Event (Updating)

The desert heat is turning up with 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival just around the corner. Tyler, the Creator, Doja Cat and Lana Del Rey are leading the pack as this year’s headliners.

Del Rey will take the stage on Friday (April 12 and 19), with Peso Pluma, Lil Uzi Vert, Justice, Bizarrap, Deftones, ATEEZ, Everything Always, Peggy Gou, Young Miko, Sabrina Carpenter and more also set to perform. Tyler, the Creator will then headline on Saturday (April 13 and 20), with Blur, Ice Spice, Gesaffelstein, Sublime, Jungle, Dom Dolla, Bleachers, Grimes, Jon Batiste, LE SSERAFIM and more also on the bill. Doja will round out the weekend on Sunday (April 14 and 21), alongside J Balvin, Jhené Aiko, Khruangbin, Carin León, John Summit, Lil Yachty, DJ Snake, LUDMILLA, the Rose and more.

No Doubt is also on this year’s lineup, marking the Gwen Stefani-led group’s reunion for the first time in nine years.

In addition to the star-studded lineup during the festival itself, there are countless parties and events in between sets and after hours where fans can enjoy even more action — from Neon Carnival and Revolve Festival to Heineken House and beyond.

See below for where festivalgoers and artists will be hanging out during the weekend. (Updating ahead of Coachella weekend 1 with new events. Most events are invitation-only.)

28 Mar 2024

Lorde Unveils ‘Take Me to the River’ Cover for Talking Heads Tribute Album: Stream It Now

There may still be a couple days left until Easter, but the Lorde has been resurrected. The 27-year-old singer-songwriter finally returned Thursday (March 28), nearly three years after she dropped her last studio record, Solar Power, to release her version of Talking Heads‘ “Take Me to the River,” becoming the third artist to cover the rock band ahead of A24’s Stop Making Sense tribute album. 

The new track finds Lorde channeling the effortless coolness of David Byrne as she croons over a sauntering bass line and plucky percussion. “I don’t know why I love you like I do/ After all the things that you put me through,” she sings. “The 16 candles burning on my wall/ Turning me into the biggest fool of them all.” 

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The “Green Light” artist also penned a nostalgic note to fans recalling the moment she first discovered Talking Heads in 2008, describing herself as “twelve years old, eyes painted black, jaw blasted with acne” watching an old video of Byrne and bassist Tina Weymouth performing “Take Me to the River” on TV. The group — which also consisted of Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison — reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979 with their version of the track, which was originally performed by Al Green. 

“I feel a portal open between me and the screen,” Lorde wrote, setting the scene. “Humour, lust, rhythm and ritual course through me. I don’t understand what I’m feeling, but I do understand that the band in the grainy video live with the same strangeness that I do. My palms tingle. My insides are replaced.” 

The Grammy winner also explained that she wanted her cover to invoke the same untamed youthfulness she felt in the moment she first watched Byrne perform. “We did it fast, I didn’t let myself tidy it up too much,” she wrote of the track. “It had to feel young and imperfect.” 

Lorde’s cover follows Paramore’s take on “Burning Down the House” and Teezo Touchdown’s rendition of “Making Flippy Floppy.” All three songs will be featured on A24’s upcoming Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense music compilation, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the group’s iconic 1984 Stop Making Sense concert film.  

Listen to Lorde’s version of “Take Me to the River” below. 

28 Mar 2024

Dolly Parton Has a Message to Share After Seeing ‘Jolene’ on Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Tracklist

Dolly Parton had to have this talk. The country icon spoke out after Beyoncé unveiled the tracklist to her upcoming country album Cowboy Carter on Wednesday (March 27), which revealed that she has a song titled “Jolene” on the set.

The country superstar shared Bey’s announcement to her Instagram Stories later on Wednesday with a simple message: “Play the original while you wait for @beyonce’s ‘Jolene,’” the 10-time Grammy winner wrote, along with a link to listen to her 1974 hit on streaming services.

Queen Bey did not indicate whether the “Jolene” on her upcoming album — which arrives Friday (March 29) — is a cover or collaboration with Parton. The superstar’s tracklist also included mentions of country artists Willie Nelson and Linda Martell, though again, it’s unclear whether the two have collabs with Bey.

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Parton previously addressed speculation that Bey may be taking on her classic track. ““Well, I think she has!” she told Knox News. “I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about that.” 

“I love her!” Parton added of the 32-time Grammy winner. “She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer.” 

“Jolene” peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1974, and No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in February that year. The song also earned Parton a 1975 Grammy nod for best female country vocal performance for the recording, while the live version earned her a nod in the same category the following year.

28 Mar 2024

Calvin Harris Responds to Critics Of His Ultra Music Festival 2024 Set: ‘And You Wonder Why I Never Play EDM Festivals’

After headlining the Main Stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami on the final night of the festival this past Sunday (March 24), Calvin Harris defended the performance to a gaggle of internet haters.

In the comments section of a post about the set on the Instagram account for dance music publication Dancing Astronaut, two commenters called the performance “underwhelming.”

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In response, Harris joined the conversation yesterday (March 27) to defend the massive success of his catalog, writing “You expect me to play none of my songs? … how deep is your love – billion streams, this is what u came for – billion streams, my way – billion streams, slide – billion streams, feels – billion streams, one kiss – billion streams, and the other 5 half a bil, and before 2014 another 20, and not cheesy s—, proper f—ing songs with real artists, and you’d rather I play “Fein” trap edits today,” referring to the 2023 Travis Scott and Playboi Carti song.

Harris’ set featured many of his aforementioned classics, including the 2016 Rihanna collab “This Is What You Came For,” his 2012 Ellie Goulding collab “I Need Your Love” and his era-defining 2011 anthem “Feel So Close.” Harris continued by noting that he “spent months making new versions of everything for this,” pointing to the new and unreleased edits of his music featured in the Ultra set.

“And you wonder why I never play edm festivals,” he wrote. “At least people I saw irl had a great time and I can be happy with that, but f— at this point whatever I do is gonna piss you off.”

Harris’ comment garnered a furry of support, with one commenter responding that “no need to cater to these trolls sir, you will always be one of the greatest producers of all time for many of us.”

This Ultra performance marked Harris’ first appearance at the Miami festival in 11 years. The Scottish producer’s summer tour schedule includes a handful of European festivals, dates at LIV Nightclub in Las Vegas and his residency at Ushuaïa in Ibiza.

28 Mar 2024

Here Are All the Performers & Presenters for the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards

The 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards are just around the corner, and the star-studded event is set to take over Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on April 1.

Ludacris will be hosting the event and performing at the show. He joins previously announced performers Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Tate McRae and more plus a special musical tribute to this year’s Icon Award recipient Cher. “I’m looking forward to hosting the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards and sharing the stage with some of the best in music,” said Ludacris in a press statement. “It will be an amazing night celebrating fan-favorite artists with special performances that fans won’t want to miss.”

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Beyoncé will be honored with the Innovator Award at the ceremony, while Cher will receive the Icon Award. Green Day and TLC will also receive the iHeartRadio Landmark Awards.

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The 11th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards will celebrate the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout the past yer. The event will air live on Monday, April 1 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET live / PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The show also will be heard on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.

See below for the full list of performers and presenters for the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Performers

Ludacris
Justin Timberlake
Green Day
TLC
Jelly Roll
Lainey Wilson
Tate McRae
Musical tribute to Cher

Presenters

Avril Lavigne
GloRilla
Jared Leto
Jennifer Hudson
JoJo Siwa
Katy Perry
Latto
Meghan Trainor
Meryl Streep
Niecy Nash-Betts
Peso Pluma
Ravi Patel
Stevie Wonder
T-Pain
Vella Lovell

28 Mar 2024

Anitta & More Announced as Co-Chairs for Global Citizen NOW Summit

Anitta, Danai Gurira, Hugh Jackman, Dakota Johnson and Michelle Yeoh are the co-chairs set for this year’s Global Citizen NOW, a two-day leadership summit planned for May 1-2 at Spring Studios in New York City.

The Brazilian star, who will speak at the summit, is set to join political, corporate and philanthropic leaders for the program that is focused on driving action for a world where “everyone’s basic needs are fulfilled” the advocacy organization announced on Thursday (March 28).

Furthermore, the 2024 edition of the Global Citizen NOW summit will zoom in on ideas for “urgent action” to achieve access for all people to food, energy, healthcare and education; advocate for the flourishing of the planet by pushing for increased climate financing and the phase out of fossil fuels; and drive toward a future where every person and country can prosper through economic development, access to finance, innovation and job creation, according to a press release.

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Also announced as participants at the event are Mokgweetsi Masisi, president of Botswana; Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Bahamas; and Janja Lula da Silva, First Lady of Brazil.

“The world is standing at a crossroads and we have a choice: we can watch the impoverished go hungry, suffer through natural disasters, and die from preventable diseases, or we can take bold action to defeat poverty, defend the planet and course correct toward a more equitable future,” Hugh Evans, co-founder & CEO, Global Citizen, said in a statement. “We have the power to create monumental impact this year, but only if we have the courage to stand up and take action now.” 

Additional details about the Global Citizen NOW summit will become available in the coming weeks.