Music News

19 Mar 2024

Sufjan Stevens Musical ‘Illinoise’ Sets Broadway Debut

Sufjan Stevens is bringing the noise to Broadway. The acclaimed singer/songwriter’s new musical, Illinoise, is slated to graduate to the Great White Way after sold-out productions at New York’s Park Avenue Armory and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater when it opens at New York’s St. James Theatre on April 24.

The show is set to the songs from Stevens’ fifth studio LP, 2005’s concept album Illinoise (also known as Sufjan Stevens Invites You to: Come on Feel the Illinoise) which features songs and characters based on the Prairie state as the follow-up to his previous “state” album, 2003’s Michigan.

The show will be directed and choreographed by Tony-winner Justin Peck (Carousel, West Side Story), with an original story by Peck and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibbles Drury (Fairview, Marys Seacole).

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The cast of Illinoise includes: Yesenia Ayala (West Side Story film), Kara Chan (Twyla Tharp Dance), Ben Cook (West Side Story film), Gaby Diaz (So You Think You Can Dance? winner, Maestro), Jeanete Delgado (Miami City Ballet), Carlos Falu (West Side Story film), Christine Flores (Dance Heginbotham), Jada German (Twyla Tharp Dance) and Zachary Gonder (Carmen at Lyric Opera), among others. The vocalists and band for the show will be announced soon.

According to an announcement, the show “brings the original story to life, set to the entirety of Stevens’ album with new arrangements by composer, pianist, and frequent Stevens collaborator Timo Andres, ranging in style from DIY folk and indie rock to marching band and ambient electronics, performed live by an 11-member band and three vocalists.”

“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring Illinoise to the St. James Theatre on Broadway. This project has been ruminating in my mind for nearly 20 years, which makes this moment even more sublime,” said Peck in a statement. “The audience response throughout our engagement at Fisher Center at Bard, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Park Avenue Armory has been extraordinary, and we feel lucky that we get to continue sharing this unique show with future audiences on Broadway.”

Peck described the show as a coming-of-age story that “takes the audience on a journey through the American heartland — from campfire storytelling to the edges of the cosmos — all told in through a unique blend of music, dance, and theater. On behalf of my team, we welcome this rare opportunity with full hearts.”

Playwright Sibblies Drury added, “Supporting the craft of each of the artists involved in making up this show has been a joy and an inspiration. For me, the thing that makes Illinoise so special is how it allows incredible performers to come together with an audience and welcome emotion and connection with open arms. It is rare to have an experience, in a public space, that is moving on an elemental level, so we are all incredibly gratified to bring Illinoise to the St. James on Broadway.”

The musical’s limited engagement will run through August 10, with tickets on sale now here. The show is produced for Broadway by Orin Wolf, John Styles and David Binder in association with Seaview and executive produced by Nate Koch and co-produced by Thomas O. Kriegsmann and the Fisher Center at Bard.

19 Mar 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Had Cheeky Reaction to Her Bikini Tour Announcement Being Flagged By Instagram

Megan Thee Stallion definitely made some waves with the poster announcing the dates for her upcoming 2024 Hot Girl Summer tour. The poster for the outing featured a magazine cover-like image of the rapper laying on her stomach in a shallow pool while wearing a silver thong bikini.

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According to HipHopDX, the provocative image got flagged by Instagram, which reportedly suggested the pic was a bit too sexy for public consumption. “HOTTIESSS GET READY TO COME HAVE SOME FUN WITH ME AT THEE HOT GIRL SUMMER TOUR,” read the caption on the original post, which urged hotties to get their “outfits ready nowww!”

In a subsequent Insta Story, Meg posted a screenshot of a warning she reportedly got from Instagram informing her that the cheeky shot may have run afoul of the social media company’s guidelines, which could lead to limits on her account.

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“Nooooo it’s just a lil cheek lol,” Megan reportedly commented. At press time a spokesperson for Instagram could not be reached for comment.

At the time, Meg only announced the cities on the tour, with the venues and final dates slated for reveal on Wednesday (March 20). What we do know for now is that the tour is slated to kick off in Minneapolis and hit Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Memphis, Atlanta, Raleigh, Hollywood and Tampa, FL, New Orleans, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas before hopping overseas for a run of European shows.

Meg’s tour will come on the heels of her scoring her first solo No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Hiss” in February. “Hiss” is still hanging around the chart, where it sits at No. 94 this week. Though at press time there was no announcement, fans have been hoping that the MC could drop a new album before hitting the road, which would mark her first LP since 2022’s Traumazine.

Check out the tour announcement below.

19 Mar 2024

TOMORROW X TOGETHER Announce 2024 U.S. Tour

K-pop boy band TOMORROW X TOGETHER announced the dates for their upcoming 2024 U.S. tour, which will hit eight cities across 11 shows. The outing is slated to kick off in Tacoma, WA at the Tacoma Dome on May 15, followed by gigs in Oakland, two nights at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and shows in Atlanta, two gigs at Madison Square Garden in New York and a double-down at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL before a final gig at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. on June 8

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The tour will be in support of the band’s upcoming mini-album, minsode 3: TOMORROW, which is due out on April 1.

The band — Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Choi Soo-bin, Huening Kai and Taehyun — has been priming fans for their next era this week with a series of concept photos to tease the upcoming sixth mini album. The soft-lit series of “Light” photos feature each member in glowing orange light in a field of wheat, as well as a short video of Soo-bin sitting contemplatively in the field, lounging and staring longingly over a soothing bed of sound; the other members also get their own solo video teases featuring a series of random props. The photo carousel also features a fun behind-the-scenes clip in which the men pop up out of the wheat and wave to the camera.

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Tickets for the tour will go on sale to the general public beginning Thursday (March 21) via Ticketmaster.

Check out the full list of dates on the tour poster below.

19 Mar 2024

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez Divorce Finalized

A year after their separation, Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez are officially divorced. According to the Associated Press, a Los Angeles Superior Court judgement dissolving their three-year marriage became official on Tuesday (March 19), six months after the 30-year-old “yes, and?” singer filed for divorce from 28-year-old real estate broker Gomez.

The couple, who had a pre-nuptial agreement, separated more than a year ago and have no children or significant legal issues. The terms of the divorce were agreed upon in October, but the couple had to wait six months before the judge’s order could take effect. According to the AP, Grande will make a onetime payment of $1.25 million to Gomez and no future alimony and give half of the proceeds from the sale of their Los Angeles home to Gomez and pay up to $25,000 of his attorneys’ fees; the divorce petition cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the break-up.

The couple reportedly started dating in early 2020, but didn’t make their romance public until May of that pandemic year, sharing the news of their engagement on Dec. 20 with a series of pictures, including one of her engagement ring; they got married five months later, in May 2021. Since the split, Grande has reportedly been dating her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

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Grande’s new album, Eternal Sunshine, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, marking her sixth career chart leader, with all 12 chart-eligible songs from the album landing on the Hot 100, led by “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love), which debuted at No. 1.

18 Mar 2024

MGM Grand Says Bruno Mars Does Not Have $50 Million Gambling Debt

MGM Resorts International has denied reports that Bruno Mars is in debt with the entertainment company.

A previous report by NewsNation indicated that the “24K Magic” singer racked up a debt of more than $50 million at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas since signing a long-term residency contract with the company in 2016.

In a statement sent to Billboard, MGM said: “We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers. From his shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge at Bellagio, Bruno’s brand of entertainment attracts visitors from around the globe. MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect.”

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The message continued, “Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM. Together, we are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

Mars’ last solo project was 2016’s 24K Magic, which included hits like the title track, “That’s What I Like” and “Versace on the Floor.” “That’s What I Like” topped the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, while the album as a whole peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in December 2016.

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Since them, Mars teamed up with Anderson .Paak for their successful group endeavor, Silk Sonic, and the duo released their album An Evening With Silk Sonic in 2021. The album’s standout track, “Leave the Door Open,” won four Grammy awards: song of the year, record of the year, best R&B song and best R&B performance.

18 Mar 2024

Ariana Grande Charts 12 Songs on Hot 100 From New Album ‘Eternal Sunshine’

Ariana Grande is back with another big week on Billboard’s charts (dated March 23), thanks to her new album, Eternal Sunshine.

The set soars in at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking her sixth career leader, with 227,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in its opening week (March 8-14), according to Luminate – the biggest one-week sum of 2024.

All 12 chart-eligible songs from the album also land on the Billboard Hot 100, led by “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” which launches at No. 1, marking her ninth career leader.

Here’s a recap of Grande’s Hot 100 entries on the latest chart (all songs are debuts except for lead single “Yes, And?,” released before Eternal Sunshine).

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Rank, Title:
No. 1, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”
No. 10, “Yes, And?” (up from No. 31; debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated Jan. 27)
No. 16, “The Boy Is Mine”
No. 17, “Supernatural”
No. 23, “Eternal Sunshine”
No. 25, “Bye”
No. 28, “Don’t Wanna Break Up Again”
No. 30, “True Story”
No. 37, “Imperfect for You”
No. 38, “Intro (End of the World)”
No. 39, “I Wish I Hated You”
No. 55, “Ordinary Things,” feat. Nonna

“We Can’t Be Friends” earns Grande her ninth Hot 100 No. 1, and second from Eternal Sunshine, following “Yes, And?”

With 11 debuts, Grande ups her total to 85 career Hot 100 entries. She ties Beyoncé for the third-most among solo women in the chart’s history, after only Taylor Swift (232) and Nicki Minaj (148). Grande first hit the Hot 100 with her debut hit, and first of 22 top 10s, “The Way,” featuring Mac Miller, in April 2013.

Notably, Grande’s grandmother, Marjorie Grande, scores her first career Hot 100 entry thanks to her featured billing – as Nonna – on “Ordinary Things.” At 98 years old, she makes history as the oldest living person to have appeared on the chart.

One other member of the Grande family has also reached Billboard’s charts: Frankie Grande, Ariana’s brother (and, thus, Nonna’s grandson), spent a week at No. 35 on the since-shuttered Billboard Twitter Top Tracks survey in July 2017 with “Queen.”

18 Mar 2024

Cola Boyy, ‘Penny Girl’ Singer & Disability Rights Activist, Dead at 34

Musician Matthew Urango, best known as his artist name Cola Boyy, has died. He was 34 years old.

The Oxnard, Calif., native’s manager, Jack Sills, announced the news on Instagram on Monday (March 18). “Rest in peace to my brother @colaboyy . Anyone who knew Matthew knows he had a larger than life personality,” he wrote alongside a photo of Urango holding up peace signs. “He was always the life of the party and could chop it up with anyone. He was also one of the most talented and down to earth people I’ve ever met. His humor and natural charisma endeared him to whoever he met. Matthew cared enormously for his family, friends and community which he often expressed through his music. He had just finished his next album and was excited to start releasing new music this summer. I will continue to work with his family and @recordmakers to make sure this happens. Love you homie. Cola Boyy Forever!”

See the post here.

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His label, Record Makers, added in a statement: “He was quite a soul, a man with no age, a childlike spirit with the musicality of an old legend. His lyrics, his melodies, the sound of his voice: every side of his music was unique and timeless… We loved him at Record Makers. We are sending all possible love to Matthew’s family and to his numerous friends. His music and power will remain.”

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Urango, a disability rights activist, was born with spina bifida, scoliosis and kyphosis. He played bass for the Sea Lions before he began releasing his own music in 2018. His debut EP, Black Boogie Neon, featured the singles “Penny Girl” and “Buggy Tip.” Cola Boyy’s debut album Prosthetic Boombox came out in 2021, including features from the Avalanches, MGMT’s Andrew VanWyngarden, Godin, John Carroll Kirby, and more.

18 Mar 2024

Nicki Minaj Postpones Pink Friday Tour Stop in New Orleans Due to Illness

Nicki Minaj reportedly won’t be taking the stage in New Orleans for her Pink Friday 2 World Tour stop in the Big Easy on Monday night (March 18).

Hours before showtime, the Smoothie King Center released a statement claiming that due to an illness, Minaj had been forced to postpone the show to a later date on doctor’s orders.

“Due to doctor’s orders, Nicki Minaj must reschedule her NOLA show tonight. As Nicki is still sick, our team does not want to run the risk of getting others sick, and Nicki would not be able to give NOLA the show they deserve,” the venue wrote to Instagram.

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A new date has yet to be announced but the Smoothie King Center’s staff is “working diligently to find a new date” with Minaj’s team. “Please hold onto your tickets, and we will inform you all soon,” they added.

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Billboard has reached out to Live Nation for comment.

Nicki will have an additional off day on Tuesday (March 19) to recuperate before she’s slated for three consecutive shows later this week. The “Anaconda” rapper is scheduled to perform a pair of Atlanta concerts back-to-back before heading to Orlando on Friday night (March 22).

Doors to the Smoothie King Center were supposed to open at 7 p.m. ET before Minaj took the stage after Monica around 9 p.m. ET.

The Queens rap legend headlined Friday night (March 15) at Rolling Loud California but informed fans in the hours after the show that she was not feeling well. Minaj revealed on X that she “woke up feeling like” she had COVID-19, but fortunately tested negative.

“Barbz pls send me healing energy. woke up feeling like I had Covid. Thank God I don’t,” Nicki wrote early March 16. “You guys are just everything. I appreciate you. I love you so much.”

Nicki Minaj is currently on the North American leg of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour in support of her Pink Friday 2 album, which arrived in December. The sequel topped the Billboard 200 with 228,000 album-equivalent units sold in the first week to close out 2023.

Find the post from the Smoothie King Center regarding the postponement below.

18 Mar 2024

Elon Musk & Rupert Murdoch No Longer Receiving Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award After Criticism From Barbra Streisand

Mere hours after a damning Instagram statement from Barbra Streisand amid piling criticism from a number of figures, including the Ginsburg family, the ceremony that would have honored Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch in the late justice’s name has been canceled.

“The last thing we intended was to offend the family and friends of RBG,” said Julie Opperman, chair of the Opperman Foundation, in a statement on Monday (March 18).

Announced via a press release last week (March 13), this year’s honorees for the foundation’s 2024 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award included Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Martha Stewart, Sylvester Stallone and Michael Milken.

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Swift backlash ensued, with members of the Ginsburg family — including the late justice’s Grammy-winning son James Ginsburg — and former RBG clerk Trevor Morrison calling on the Opperman Foundation to remove her name from the award. “When you think of trying to create a more just society, which of course was Mom’s ultimate goal, those are probably about the last names that would come to mind,” Ginsburg told CNN.

Late Monday afternoon, EGOT winner Barbra Streisand took to her official Instagram page to share a message condemning the choice of this year’s honorees. In a statement reflecting on receiving the honor from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor last year, the Grammy winner wrote, “Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor stand as two of the most respected women role models, and their commitment to democratic values, especially women’s rights, is unequaled.”

She continued, “That’s why I join the Ginsburg family in condemning the choice of honorees this year. I had the privilege of meeting Justice Ginsburg on several occasions, and I strongly doubt she would approve of these awardees.”

Formerly called the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award, the honor — which has previously been bestowed upon Queen Elizabeth II and Diane von Furstenberg — expanded to include men as recipients this year. Musk and Murdoch’s names courted the most controversy due to their values starkly contrasting with RBG’s legacy. As the first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court and an ardent protector of women’s rights, Justice Ginsburg symbolizes values that don’t often align with Murdoch’s conservative media empire or Musk’s frequent brushes with anti-Semitism. Ginsburg passed in 2020 at age 87.

In their statement, the foundation said, “Our purpose was only to remember her and to honor her leadership. And, while we believe each of the honorees is worthy of our respect for their leadership and their notable contributions, the Foundation has decided that the planned ceremony in April 2024 will be canceled.”

The ceremony was originally slated to take place at the Library of Congress — which stressed that they were simply a “venue” and otherwise unaffiliated with the award — on April 13.

The RBG Award rollercoaster is just the latest stop on a busy awards season for Streisand. Last month (Feb. 24), she received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award from the organization’s 30th annual awards ceremony. Streisand, of course, is also one of the most successful musicians of all time, earning 11 No. 1 albums across six decades on the Billboard 200.

James Ginsburg won the 2021 Grammy Award for best chamber music/small ensemble performance for Contemporary Voices. He boasts three career nominations.

Read Barbra Streisand’s statement below:

18 Mar 2024

Dua Lipa Tells Trixie Mattel About the Time She Got Rejected From Her School Choir

Dua Lipa and Trixie Mattel are both excellent music artists — but visual art isn’t quite their thing.

The duo teamed up for a collaboration on the RuPaul’s Drag Race alum’s YouTube channel on Monday (March 18), where they challenged each other to paint the album art for Lipa’s upcoming album, Radical Optimism. “I can’t draw. I can do my eyeliner because I mastered it on my own face,” the pop star admitted. “I don’t really like doing things I’m not good at, and this is something I’m not good at.”

However, Mattel and Lipa were soon painting, doing their best at recreating the beachy album cover that features the 28-year-old singer floating in an ocean facing a shark fin. At one point in their wide-ranging conversation, Mattel asked Lipa if it’s true that she had once gotten rejected from her school choir. “I was in primary school and the teacher was like, ‘Alright, who wants to sing and try out for the choir?’ So I decided to stand up for the whole school and he started playing on the piano, and it was in this crazy high note and nothing came out just air and the whole schools started laughing. And he was like, you know what? Better luck next time. That was it. Later on, I was part of the choir but I was in the lower range,” Lipa recalled.

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She then added that she “went to singing lessons in a theater school every Saturday in London and it was the teacher there that helped me build up my confidence.”

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Elsewhere in the interview, Lipa explained the inspiration behind her Radical Optimism album title. “It was actually a term that was introduced to me through a friend of mine,” she said. I was doing an interview with him and he was like, I heard this term radical optimism, and I think that’s something you really need. It stuck with me. He put that term in my psyche and everything in my life started connecting to that about remaining calm in the chaos and being OK when things don’t go the way you intended them to.”

When the time came to reveal their paintings to each other, both Mattel and Lipa were unsatisfied with their work. “Check out Radical Optimism, people, you’re gonna need it,” Mattel joked.

The 11-track project — Lipa’s first proper LP since 2020’s Future Nostalgia — arrives May 3. Watch the full interview below.