Music News

30 Jan 2024

Mark Ronson on ‘Barbie’ Grammy Nods, His Next Project & Why He Would ‘Love to Make More Music’ With Ryan Gosling

Mark Ronson has five nominations heading into Sunday’s Grammy Awards, all stemming from his work on the soundtrack and score for the Barbie film, including a Big Four nod for song of the year for co-writing Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night.” The wildest Grammy category he’s competing in has to be best song written for visual media, where four of the five nominees are all from Barbie.

It speaks to just how Greta Gerwig’s film dominated pop culture this past year. And on the new Grammy preview episode of the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, we inform Ronson that it’s actually the first time a single project has landed four songs in that category since its inception in 1988.

“I think my mom Googled that the day nominations came out. She was very proud,” Ronson tells the Pop Shop with a laugh (listen to his full interview below). “I didn’t know that, and the other thing is that the Grammy category is for film and TV, you know? And there’s so many great songs from TV shows, like I think of all the Only Murders in the Building songs and everything else — there was some real moments for songs. So yeah, it’s crazy that Barbie took up so many.”

The lone non-Barbie song in the category is Rihanna’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ballad “Lift Me Up.” “Rihanna can do anything she wants, so we can’t take anything for granted,” Ronson notes of their formidable competition on Sunday night.

Below, find highlights from our chat with Ronson, who’s also up for best original song at the Oscars on March 10 for “I’m Just Ken” with co-writer Andrew Wyatt — a prize Ronson won alongside Lady Gaga in 2019 for “Shallow” from A Star Is Born — and is already a seven-time Grammy winner, starting with his 2008 wins for producing Amy Winehouse’s landmark album Back to Black.

On being recognized at the Oscars again:

“Obviously in our field of music, we’d have to say the Grammys is the highest honor. What’s so crazy is that there’s this award [the Oscar] that’s sort of the most prestigious award in the world that gives out one award for music, so it’s so crazy. I don’t believe that it means that your song is better than somebody else’s song or any of that stuff, but of course it is amazing. We worked so hard on this film and for a long time and also on the score and everything because we loved it, not because we were like, ‘OK, we better get an Oscar nomination!’ But it is nice to be recognized for the work, for sure.”

On the Oscar rules allowing just two songs from a single film in the song category, so “I’m Just Ken” and Billie Eilish and Finneas’ “What Was I Made For” made the cut, but Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” and others were left out:

“I don’t know how they even pick what the two are, but it is [bittersweet] because Dua’s song is still the biggest song from the soundtrack and Dua was really the first artist of anywhere near her stature that committed to the film. So it was almost like once we knew that we had a Dua song that was going to be in this big thing, it really set the bar for what the whole soundtrack could be. Dua … being like, ‘I’m down with this’ and writing this incredible song was what got us all excited, like, ‘Wow, this really could be something where this feels like this superstar level of musicians and singers and pop stars on it.’ So Dua definitely deserves all the credit for that, and you know it would have been lovely to have her as well. So it’s, you know, it is a shame.”

How Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s “Barbie World” accomplished the goal of including both Nicki and Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” on the soundtrack:

“We knew that with Nicki and her fans being called the Barbz and everything, as soon as I had been brought in for the soundtrack, I was like, ‘There’s no way in hell that we can have this soundtrack without a Nicki song on it.’ And then the fact that Ice [Spice] just became, like, her meteoric rise the entire time that we were even just working on the soundtrack from when we first got her involved, so yeah, it’s everywhere. … The two thoughts are like, ‘There’s no world in which we can’t have Nicki and that we can’t have some version of Aqua,’ you know? So we were always thinking, is it a cover? Is it an interesting flip? And then the Nicki and Ice [song] just came through with Riot[USA]’s beat and just handled the whole thing for us.”

On making the Christmas version of “I’m Just Ken” and whether he might make more music with Ryan Gosling:

“We definitely had a lot of fun, especially making the Christmas version that we did, because we had made that record and then I, the first one, I recorded a vocal with him. And then I probably hadn’t spoken to him for about a year till the movie was wrapping up. And I was like, ‘Hey, we finished the version actually, Slash is playing on it, I just want to make sure you’re happy with it before we mix it’. And he really loved it. And then we started to talk over the past couple of months, and we’re just talking about different kinds of music and things that he loved and [British singer/songwriter] Scott Walker and this stuff, and I was like, ‘Well, we should do a version of “Ken” that just does something a little different, like a different arrangement.’ Because, you know, there was a lot of talk like the ’80s power ballad and this, and I mean, it has all those things, but I think some of my pride as a songwriter, I wanted to prove that it wasn’t just that. So Ryan … he’s got amazing taste and great ideas, and he’s an extremely funny and talented musician and singer. So we made this version and then we started to hang, and definitely, I would love to make more music. You know, I think it would be great. And we’ve talked about it a little bit.”

On his first time at the Grammys:

“I was a seat filler [as a teenager] because I wanted to write about it. I wrote and reviewed concerts for my high school paper. My mom would only let me go to shows … if I could convince her it was something to do with school, so I got this job writing for the paper who definitely didn’t need a music reviewer. [Laughs] But I convinced them, and it was this paper called City News that was for high school kids, a bunch of different schools. So I got into the Grammys by being a seat filler. And I remember you’re sitting all over the place. At one point I was in front of Vanilla Ice. The other moment I was sitting next to that singer Alannah Myles who won that year for ‘Black Velvet.’ And then I went with my friend Rhymefest, a rapper who co-wrote [Kanye West’s] ‘Jesus Walks.’ I went with him as his plus-one in like 2003 or whenever that was, and then next time I went was for Amy.”

On his whirlwind first Grammys as a nominee in 2008 — and his Zoolander moment in the crowd:

“I remember it really well. I took my mom and I remember when they read my name for producer of the year, it was such a blur that it was like a movie. My friend Rich, my best friend, was nudging me and going, ‘They said your name! Go!’ I went up, and it was just so surreal. … Me and my mom were behind Tony Bennett at the main ceremony, and I think I was actually a little bit hungover because I was enjoying myself that weekend, my first time at the rodeo. And they came up to me before they announced record of the year, the cameras, they want to make sure, like, ‘Are you Mark Ronson?’ Just in case you win, they’ve got the camera on you. And so when they said, you know, ‘And the Grammy for record of the year goes to… “Rehab” for Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse!’ And so I got up to walk towards the stage, because I figured like, ‘So that’s why the guy’s filming me.’ And as I start to walk up the first few steps, this giant screen starts to get lowered and it’s Amy live from Camden to accept the award. And I suddenly realized like, ‘Oh my God, I’m gonna look like such an idiot just standing there next to this screen.’ So I try to like subtly as possible reverse-step down the stairs in front of everybody in the Staples Center, and I kind of fell backwards and I just sat like at the feet of Amber Rose and Kanye for like 10 minutes while Amy spoke, and I just said, ‘Sorry, guys, I’ll be out of your hair in a minute.’ But it was, like, a very Zoolander moment.”

On writing a book about DJing at hip-hop clubs in the ’90s and how it’s inspiring his follow-up album to 2019’s Late Night Feelings:

“I’ve been writing a book about DJing, specifically about DJing in hip-hop clubs in the ’90s in New York City. And it’s a little bit about that time. It’s a mini-memoir, but it’s also about the art of DJing. And maybe some of that art is a little bit bygone now, because you don’t walk into places and see turntables and mixers everywhere. So it’s a bit about all those things, and just about a really great time, because it was this moment where Jay-Z and Biggie and Puff started to come out in downtown New York. And that suddenly changed the whole thing of where people wanted to be and where people wanted to hang out. And because I was their DJ, I had a front-row seat to it all in some ways. So I’m writing that book, and then I’m sure that the book will influence this record a little bit. I’m sure it’ll a little bit remind me of that era. But yeah, that’s where I’m at with it.”

Also on the podcast, we’ve got chart news on how Green Day scores its 12th top 10 charting album on the Billboard 200 with Saviors, nearly 30 years to the week after the band made their Billboard chart debut in 1994. Plus, how Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” makes a beautiful start on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and how Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez and Sophie Ellis-Bextor all debut on the Pop Airplay chart with their latest hits. And since it’s our special Grammy Awards preview episode, we’re also reviewing the nominees in the six general field categories and highlighting who our very own awards editor, Paul Grein, along with his crack team of advisers on staff at Billboard, thinks will win in each of the categories.

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.)

30 Jan 2024

Hit-Boy Talks 2024 Grammy Nomination, How Nas Empowers Him to ‘Be the Best Producer’ & More

After producing for Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Travis Scott and more for over a decade, Hit-Boy has solidified his stance as one of the best rap producers in the game.

The three-time Grammy winner is up for producer of the year, non-classical this year, and it’s the second time he’s been nominated in the category. “I didn’t have no label budget. Everything is funded by me, music by me, engineered by me, studio time by me, like literally coming out of my pocket. I feel like I already won for real,” he told Billboard News‘ Tetris Kelly. “I don’t have no big powerful manager like the rest of the producers. I’m thuggin’ this sh– by myself with a couple of my homies.”

But Hit-Boy isn’t always solo in the studio. In the last three years, Hit-Boy has executive produced six albums for Nas, with three King’s Disease and three Magic albums. Nas won his first-ever Grammy in 2021 in the best rap album category with the first King’s Disease installation.

“Nas empowers me to be the best producer I can and allows me to grow through my production process. When he comes [to] lay two, three verses and a hook, and [he’s] like, ‘Yo, do what you do.’ I’m doing breakdowns, I’m adding additional keys, I’m doing things to just keep the production interesting. And when he comes back to the studio, he like, ‘Yo! I didn’t expect this. My mind is blown. What made you think to put this sound and it matches what I’m saying?’” he says. “We got mutual, super respect. He allows me to be me and grow through this, and I allow him to be him. He’s one of the greatest, period. I just try to keep my ear open, my eyes open. That’s how you got 80 songs in three years — you got to leave ego out the room.”

The 36-year-old producer hitmaker (real name Chauncey Alexander Hollis Jr.) recently worked with another superstar, Jennifer Lopez, on her first single of the year, “Can’t Get Enough.” The song, which Latto recently hopped on for the remix, arrives ahead of J.Lo’s ninth studio album This Is Me… Now, due Feb. 16 via Nuyorican Productions and BMG. And it’s not the first time Hit-Boy has ever worked with her: His first official beat placement was on Lopez’s “Forever” from her 2007 album Brave.

But the most special collaborator he’s ever worked with is his father Big Hit, who recently finished serving nine years of a 12 year-sentence after being found guilty and convicted of a hit-and-run in L.A. resulting in great bodily injury in 2014. After being released from prison, Big Hit went straight to the studio and started getting back to work. The father-son duo released Surf or Down, Vol. 2 just in time for Father’s Day last year. Then Hit-Boy executive produced his father’s highly anticipated debut album The Truth Is In My Eyes, which was released on December 16, 2023, exclusively on Big Hit’s Bandcamp. Two weeks later, at the top of this year, Hit-Boy, Big Hit and The Game joined forces on the 9-track project Paisley Dreams.

“It’s a dream come true…. Sitting and just laying in the bunker in the cell, surrounded by all the concrete and all the noise, all the bullsh–, trying to block it out, I just told myself, ‘One day, I’mma be in the mansion. I’ll focus on the vision.’ And I stayed focused,” said Big Hit. And that focus doesn’t go unnoticed by his own son. “[I’m] getting to know different parts of myself through him and seeing his work ethic. Since I was a teenager, people be like, ‘All you do is work. You locked in all the time.’ I got that hustle in my blood, you know what I mean? Seeing him record 300 songs in seven months, I’m trying to keep up with him now!” Hit-Boy added.

Watch Hit-Boy’s full Billboard News interview above.

30 Jan 2024

Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump Makes New Music for Mattel & Netflix ‘Hot Wheels’ Kids’ Series: Watch the Trailer

Following the success of Barbie, a new Mattel toy is coming to the screen.

Mattel Television Studios announced Tuesday (Jan. 30) that its new animated children’s series Hot Wheels Let’s Race, inspired by the popular toy cars, will arrive on Netflix in March.

The show will feature a theme song by Fall Out Boy‘s Patrick Stump, who composed, recorded and produced the track for Hot Wheels Let’s Race in addition to leading the composition of the score, underscore and music cues for all episodes. The show will follow racers Coop, Spark, Mac, Brights, Axle and Sidecar as they attend a high-energy racing camp.

“I spent a lot of my childhood in my grandpa’s garage handing him tools while he worked on cars and I daydreamed about music,” Stump said in a press statement. “But Hot Wheels was my way of connecting to his love of cars. That’s why I was so excited to get the opportunity to work on Hot Wheels Let’s Race with Mattel Television Studios. The word I’m always using to describe my music for this series is ‘pulse.’ There’s a tempo and a rhythm that permeates the series as soon as the tires hit that iconic orange track. It’s a real joy to get to be a part of that and I can’t wait for another generation of kids to see Hot Wheels Let’s Race on Netflix this year.” 

Patrick Stump

Patrick Stump

Elliott Ingham

Rob David, the show’s executive producer as well as vice president of content creative at Mattel Television Studios, added, “Between the show’s characters, propulsive cars, and pulse-pounding music, we want to make audiences feel like they’re literally gripping the wheel for an unforgettable ride with Hot Wheels Let’s Race. Patrick is a one-of-a-kind musical talent, and generous collaborator. We are so lucky to have him as part of the Let’s Race family.” 

Season 1 of Hot Wheels Let’s Race will be available March 4 on Netflix. Check out the trailer, which previews Stump’s theme song, below:

30 Jan 2024

Eladio Carrión’s ‘Sol María’ Is Top Debut on Top Latin & Latin Rhythm Albums Charts

Eladio Carrión shines bright with the highest debut of the week on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts, as Sol María, his sixth studio set, launches at No. 6 and No. 3, respectively, on the Feb. 3-dated rankings.

Sol María, a tribute to his mother, starts with 18,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Jan. 25, according to Luminate. The 17-track set blends trap, Afrobeats, reggae and ’90s pop, all genres that resonate with his mother. The set was originally set for a Dec. 23 release, but finally dropped Jan. 19, the first day of the chart’s tracking week.

Of Sol María’s 18,000-unit sum, 17,000 stem from streaming activity, which equals to 23.6 million official on-demand U.S. clicks of the album’s songs in its opening week. Album sales comprise 1,000 units, while a negligible amount of activity derived from track-equivalent units.

On Top Latin Albums, one unit equals to one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams for a song on the album.

With Sol María’s No. 6 entrance on Top Latin Albums, the new father of twins Carrión captures his fifth top 10, out of seven visits, on the Top Latin Albums tally and bests his album debut Sauce Boyz’s No. 8 debut and peak in 2020. Three other sets have peaked in the list’s upper region: Sauce Boyz 2 at No. 2 (2021), SEN2 KBRN, Vol. 2 at No. 4 (2022), and 3MEN2 KBRN at No. 3 (2023).

Beyond its top 10 debut on Top Latin Albums, Sol María gifts Carrión his fourth entry on the overall Billboard 200 chart, at No. 37. Plus, with Sol María, the Puerto Rican-American rapper notches his sixth top 10 on Latin Rhythm Albums, as it bows at No. 3 – matching the debut and peak of his last entry, 3MEN2 KBRN in April 2023.

As Sol María arrives, three of its tracks launch on the Hot Latin Songs chart –which blends streaming data, sales, and airplay– led by “Hey Lil Mama,” with Rauw Alejandro, at No. 36. The song is mostly powered by streaming activity, with 2.52 million clicks in its first week.

“TQMQA” follows at No. 39 1.7 million streams, and make progress in the radio realm. It rallies 41-31 on Latin Airplay with 4 million audience impressions (up 20%).

Meanwhile, the last of the album’s three debuting cuts on Hot Latin Songs, “Bendecido,” opens at No. 49, largely from its 2.1 million streams logged in the tracking week.

Carrión’s fresh chart achievements arrive on the heels of his first Latin Grammy win for “Coco Channel,” his Bad Bunny collab named best rap/hip-hop song at the awards in November.

30 Jan 2024

Brian Wilson Mourns Death of Wife Melinda: ‘She Was My Savior’

Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, wife of Beach Boys star Brian Wilson has died. She was 77 years old.

Wilson took to Instagram on Tuesday (Jan. 30) to announce the devastating news, alongside two photos of his wife. “My heart is broken. Melinda, my beloved wife of 28 years, passed away this morning,” he wrote, without indicating the cause of death. “Our five children and I are just in tears. We are lost. Melinda was more than my wife. She was my savior. She gave me the emotional security I needed to have a career. She encouraged me to make the music that was closest to my heart. She was my anchor. She was everything for us. Please say a prayer for her.”

The caption also featured a joint statement from the couple’s five children — Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash. “It is with a heavy heart that we let everyone know that our mom, Melinda Kay Ledbetter Wilson passed away peacefully this morning at home,” they wrote. “She was a force of nature and one of the strongest women you could come by. She was not only a model, our father’s savior, and a mother, she was a woman empowered by her spirit with a mission to better everyone she touched. We will miss her but cherish everything she has taught us. How to take care of the person next to you with out expecting anything in return, how to find beauty in the darkest of places, and how to live life as your truest self with honesty and pride.”

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Brian and Melinda first met in 1986, when she sold him a Cadillac. They dated for three years, but rekindled their relationship in 1992 and tied the knot in 1995.

30 Jan 2024

Kelly Clarkson Is Anything But ‘Jaded’ With Powerful Miley Cyrus Cover

Kelly Clarkson knows how to add even more emotion to an already emotional song, and she did just that on Tuesday (Jan. 30) when she delivered a heartstring-tugging rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “Jaded” during her talk show’s popular Kellyoke segment.

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“I’m sorry that you’re jaded / I could’ve taken you places / You’re lonely now and I hate it / I’m sorry that you’re jaded,” Clarkson belted the track’s chorus as her backing instrumentalists, affectionately called My Band Y’all,’ performed behind her. The 41-year-old superstar stunned in a warm-toned, color blocking turtleneck dress, paired with her hair relaxed and down with her bangs wisping across her forehead.

Clarkson is no stranger to a great Miley Cyrus cover, as she’s previously performed “The Climb,” “Wrecking Ball” and “Used to Be Young” to open The Kelly Clarkson Show.

“Jaded” was the third single off Cyrus’ March 2023-released eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation, following eight-week Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper and Spotify record-setter “Flowers,” and “River.” The track peaked at No. 56 on the Hot 100. In March, she also shared live “Backyard Sessions” performances of all three singles, the last of which was a roaring acoustic version of “Jaded.”

Watch Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Jaded” below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=WHagoHE8Vdo&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

30 Jan 2024

Yasiin Bey Clarifies His Critique of Drake, Says He Requires More Than ‘Just Talent or Charm or Charisma’

Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) made headlines when he jabbed Drake by comparing the 6 God’s discography to the music played while shopping at stores like Target.

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Mos felt the backlash and clarified his comments with a 25-minute clip that he posted to his Instagram on Monday (Jan. 29) in a halfway apology to Drizzy.

“First of all, I don’t hate anyone,” Bey began. “My opinion is mine. It’s legal in all states, as far as I’m aware. It was not an opportunity to try to slander him or to clown on him. I have reached out to him. I have no responses yet.

“I’m not keen to talk about people or to them through a screen, I prefer to talk to people directly. But I will say this: The young man is very talented. He’s been able to be very successful with that talent, and I have no issue with his success or anything that he’s been able to achieve as a result of his talent.”

Mos didn’t want to be grouped in with those who have unfairly critiqued Drake throughout his career and opened the door to having a direct conversation with the OVO boss, if that’s what he wanted.

“I do feel that some of the criticism that he’s received in the past has been mean-spirited or unfair. So I don’t want to participate in that,” he continued. “I’ve never had no issue with you personally — I don’t know you well enough to have any sort of issue with you in that regard. Nonetheless, it’s not sacrilegious to have a critique or opinion of a public figure, particularly one of that magnitude in current, modern culture.”

Bey contacted Dave Chappelle in hopes of having the legendary comic serve as a mediator in extending the olive branch.

“Drake, if you would like to speak to me directly, you can at any point,” he added. “I reached out to Chappelle, asked him to reach out to you. I DM’d you. You are a very talented MC. But for me, I require more of myself and others than just talent or charm or charisma — particularly in times of urgent crisis.”

Ultimately, the Black Star rapper wants more substance from artists of today in hopes of seeing them connect further with the audience than the club.

“What I would like to see, in terms of creators or creative people in the world as it relates to our culture, is for people to connect with us beyond the jukebox or the dance floor,” the 50-year-old opined. “A fair-weather friend can hardly be called a friend at all. The people that party with you, that’s cool, but will they show up if you at the triage, or you in a crisis situation?”

The Brooklyn rap dignitary made the controversial comments swiping at Drake during an appearance on The Cutting Room Floor podcast earlier this month.

“Drake is pop to me,” he said when asked if he looked at Drake as hip-hop. “In the sense like if I was in Target in Houston and I heard a Drake song… It feels like a lot of his music is compatible with shopping… You know, shopping with an edge in certain instances.”

The “Nice for What” rapper has yet to respond directly to Bey’s latest comments on social media but did post a video of Method Man describing his definition of what hip-hop is following Yasiin’s “shopping” remarks.

“What Umi say again? Lemme shine my light king, don’t change up now,” Drake captioned the repost to his IG Story earlier in January.

Drake has mentioned the backpack rapper on a couple of occasions within the last year. Bey caught a stray jab from Drizzy when describing the target audience of his Titles Ruin Everything poetry book.

“Can you do an article now where the baddest Instagram girls in the world review my poetry book, not the head of the Mos Def fan club… Thanks,” he wrote in a comment to Complex over the summer.

30 Jan 2024

‘Long Live’ Chiefs Nation! Taylor Swift & Keleigh Teller Celebrate Kansas City in New TikTok

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to the Super Bowl on Sunday (Feb. 11), and tight end Travis Kelce had his own team of supporters when the Chiefs beat the Baltimore Ravens before heading into the championship.

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In a clip shared to TikTok by Keleigh Teller — who is married to Top Gun star Miles Teller — she is seen celebrating in a suite at M&T Bank Stadium alongside Taylor Swift, Travis’ brother and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie Kelce.

“I said remember this moment T,” Teller wrote in the caption of the clip, which was soundtracked by Swift’s power anthem “Long Live (Taylor’s Version)” off Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). “Kylie and I bleed green but we’re out [eagle emoji] so Chiefs Nation.”

See the TikTok video here.

After the game, in a sweet viral moment, Swift and Kelce kissed on the field in celebration of the Chiefs’ triumph, and in a clip shared by the NFL, he says “I love you” to the pop star. In the Monday (Jan. 29) video, a tearful Kelce – wearing an AFC Champions shirt over his shoulder pads – makes his way through a loud crowd to get to Swift. “Tay, I’m going to enjoy with the guys,” he says before kissing the 12-time Grammy winner. “I love you. So much it’s not funny.” 

Kansas City’s latest win means that the reigning Super Bowl champions will once again head to the big game on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas. They will face off against 2024’s NFC Championship victors, the San Francisco 49ers.  

Swift has been there for much of the Chiefs’ outstanding season, becoming a mainstay at Arrowhead Stadium ever since going public with her and Kelce’s relationship in September.

30 Jan 2024

Nia Long to Portray Family Matriarch Katherine Jackson in Upcoming Michael Jackson Biopic

The upcoming, highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic has found its Katherine Jackson. Best Man star Nia Long has been cast as the mother of the King of Pop.

She will be joining the “Billie Jean” singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who was previously announced to portray his late uncle in the upcoming film, and Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, who is set to play the Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson. Nine-year-old actor Juliano Krue Valdi will portray Michael during his formative years in the Jackson 5.

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The film will take on the musician’s life and career and will be produced by Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody) and John Branca and John McClain, who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate. Titled Michael, the forthcoming biopic will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, the filmmaker behind 2001’s Oscar-winning Training Day and 2022’s Will Smith-starring Emancipation.

“Beyond Nia’s incredible talent, I was deeply moved by her connection to the material and her commitment to honoring Katherine and the love she had for her son,” said King in a press statement.

Michael died on June 25, 2009 at age 50. In a career that spanned almost his entire life, the King of Pop had 13 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. He first saw success as part of the family band the Jackson 5, and four of their songs topped the Hot 100.

The film is currently slated for release in April 2025. The film is now in production. 

30 Jan 2024

SZA Confirms Paramore Collaboration Is ‘In the Works’

Rumors have swirled about SZA potentially teaming up with Paramore in the past, and the SOS artist confirmed that a collaboration is indeed “in the works.”

SZA sat down for a fan Q&A with Apple Music on Tuesday (Jan. 30), and one of the rapid-fire questions asked about the status of the “Snooze” singer working with the rock band.

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“Yeah. Soon, soon,” she replied. “It’s in the works.”

Seconds later, SZA revealed that the pop-punk-leaning “F2F” became her favorite song to perform on the SOS Tour. There’s a Paramore connection to the track, as SZA sought out Hayley Williams’ approval on her switching lanes prior to the SOS deep cut’s arrival.

“I was like, ‘Does this suck?’” she recalled messaging the Paramore lead vocalist in an interview with the Los Angeles Times last year. “‘Because you actually do this for a living.’ [Williams] said, ‘This is great.’”

Paramore has long shown love to SZA, as they performed a mash-up of the band’s “Grow Up” with SZA’s “20 Something” at a 2018 concert in Paris. Years ago, Hayley Williams even posted a brief clip to social media singing along to SZA’s Ctrl standout “Garden.”

Don’t be surprised if Paramore is listed as a feature on SZA’s upcoming Lana project, which is said to double as the deluxe edition of the Grammy-winning singer’s chart-topping SOS effort.

Earlier in January, SZA voiced her frustration and lashed out at anonymous leakers for releasing her music without her permission.

“LEAKING MY MUSIC IS STEALING . THIS IS MY JOB . THIS IS MY LIFE AND MY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. YOU ARE A FUCKING THIEF AND I PROMISE TO PUT MAXIMUM ENERGY INTO HOLDING EVERYONE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW . I AM TIRED,” SZA wrote on Twitter.

SZA previously addressed song leaks in a November interview with Variety: “When people leak my songs, they ruin them,” she declared. “Then it’s not mine anymore; it’s actually yours. It’s something unfinished that you decided was ready to be shared.”

Watch SZA’s Q&A with Apple Music below.