Music News

15 Jan 2024

Taylor Swift Congratulates Ebon Moss-Bachrach for ‘The Bear’ Critics Choice Awards Win

Taylor Swift is raising a glass to Ebon Moss-Bachrach after The Bear actor named the pop star in his acceptance speech at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards.

Moss-Bachrach took home the award for best supporting actor in a comedy series for his work on The Bear, on which he portrays Richard ‘Richie’ Jerimovich, on Sunday night (Jan. 14).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Congratulations!!” Swift wrote to the actor, with a few friendly emojis. Her message on Monday afternoon was posted in reply to a headline about his acceptance speech.

Why did Swift single out The Bear star with a congratulatory message? Well, he gave her a shout-out while he was at the podium at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

During his speech, in which he thanked the The Bear‘s production team and his family, Moss-Bachrach mentioned, “I’ve got to thank my two special scene partners, Olivia Colman and Taylor Swift.”

The actor was referencing an episode in season two of the Hulu series that has his character, Richie, belting out “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” on his drive home.

“It’s a really beautiful experience to take this man kind of from a tough place into the light. It’s not often you get to do that, I think, to play joy,” the actor said of his experience on The Bear.

See Swift’s tweet below. Check out the full winners list from the 2024 Critics Choice Awards here.

15 Jan 2024

Broadway Musical ‘Shucked’ Is Being Adapted Into a Feature Film

Shucked is headed to the big screen.

After the Broadway musical’s closing night at New York City’s Nederlander Theater on Sunday (Jan. 14), producer Mike Bosner announced that the show is being adapted into a feature film.

“We’re all a little sad to say goodbye to this. But there’s some good news: We don’t have to say goodbye just yet,” Bosner said in a video shared by Shucked‘s official Instagram account. “Because I’m happy to announce that we will be making a feature film of Shucked.”

The clip included the caption, “Eternally grateful for the Broadway community and for you #MotherShuckers who embraced our little town.”

Billboard has confirmed the news.

The movie version’s screenplay will be handled by Tony-winning book writer Robert Horn, with music and lyrics from the musical’s songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, according to People. Jason Michael Berman and Jordan Moldo are reportedly producing the film for Mandalay Pictures. Alan Fox, Horn, Clark, McAnally and Jack O’Brien will serve as executive producers.

Casting for the upcoming feature film had not yet been revealed at press time.

Shucked opened at NYC’s Nederlander Theater in April 2023. The musical-comedy is a laugh-out-loud “farm-to-fable” about the denizens of a small, rural Midwest community, one of whom heads to Tampa to figure out why the village’s corn has quit growing.

The show, directed by three-time Tony winner Jack O’Brien, features lyrics and music by McAnally and Clark and a book by Horn, who won a Tony for best book of a musical for Tootsie, which he wrote during a break from what ultimately became Shucked. 

Shucked will launch a North American tour in Nashville, beginning in early November. The musical is also set to premiere in London next year.

15 Jan 2024

Here’s How Ariana DeBose Reacted to Critics Choice Awards Barb About Her Singing

Ariana DeBose wasn’t amused by a joke made at her expense during the 2024 Critics Choice Awards.

While presenting the best song award on Sunday (Jan. 14), Last of Us star Bella Ramsey and actor-singer Anthony Ramos introduced the nominees Billie Eilish, Lenny Kravitz and Dua Lipa as “some of the most famous voices in the music industry” before taking a dig at DeBose.

“Then there are the actors who think they’re singers: Jack Black, Ariana DeBose and Ken himself, Ryan Gosling,” Ramsey added.

The camera then cut to the Academy Award winner and Tony nominee, who appeared offended before moving on to a chucking Gosling, whose “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie took home the award.

DeBose — who was nominated for “This Wish” from Disney’s animated movie of the same title — later addressed the joke on social media.

“No, I didn’t find it funny,” the Broadway star wrote in her Instagram Stories on Monday (Jan. 15), adding “lol.”

DeBose received support from her outraged fans on X (formerly Twitter).

“Ariana DeBose, Oscar award winning, Tony nominated, OG cast member of Hamilton on BROADWAY…. “THINKS she’s a singer”?!? Who wrote this bit?! I want names #CriticsChoiceAwards, one fan wrote.

Another added, “The disrespect to Academy Award winner, Tony nominee, Broadway star, Ariana DeBose is WILD. The look on her face really said it all.”

Last year, DeBose received backlash on social media after performing an original rap in honor of the female nominees during the show-opening musical medley at the 2023 BAFTA Awards in London. During the rap number, the West Side Story star named-checked famous actresses like Bassett, Jamie Lee Curtis and Viola Davis.

See DeBose’s reaction to the Critics Choice Awards joke on her Instagram Stories here.

15 Jan 2024

Accusers in Johnny Kitagawa Sex Scandal Criticize Japanese Talent Agency’s Response

Members of a group of men who say they were sexually abused as boys by a Japanese entertainment mogul are accusing the company behind the scandal, previously known as Johnny’s, of not being sincere in dealing with the victims.

Shimon Ishimaru, who represents the victims’ group, said many have not yet received compensation. The group has asked to meet with company officials, but that has not happened, he said at a news conference with three other men who said they were victims.

Ishimaru is among hundreds of men who have come forward since last year, alleging they were sexually abused as teens by boy band producer Johnny Kitagawa. Kitagawa, who died in 2019, was never charged and remained powerful in the entertainment industry.

The company finally acknowledged Kitagawa’s long-rumored abuse last year. The company’s chief made a public apology in May. The Japanese government has also pushed for compensation.

The company, which has changed its name from Johnny & Associates to Smile-Up, said Monday (Jan. 15) it has received requests for compensation from 939 people. Of those, 125 have received compensation, it said in a statement. The company has set up a panel of three former judges to look into the claims.

“We are proceeding with those with whom we have reached an agreement on payments,” it said, while promising to continue with its efforts.

It did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday’s news conference.

The victims’ group said it has been approached by dozens of people who had been told by the company that there was not enough evidence to honor their claims. Details were not disclosed.

The company’s production business, known previously as Johnny’s, has continued under a different name, Starto Entertainment.

According to multiple accounts, Kitagawa abused the boys in his Tokyo luxury mansion, as well as other places, such as his car and overseas hotels, while they were performing as Johnny’s dancers and singers. The abuse continued for several decades.

The repercussions of the scandal have spread. In standup comedy, several women have alleged sexual abuse by a famous comic. He has denied the allegations.

The U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights, which is investigating the Johnny’s abuse cases, is to issue a report in June, including recommendations for change.

The Associated Press does not usually identify people who say they were sexually assaulted, but Kitagawa’s recent accusers have given their names. Critics say what happened and the silence of Japan’s mainstream media are indicative of how the world’s third largest economy lags in protecting human rights.

15 Jan 2024

Lil Nas X Explains Religious-Themed ‘J CHRIST’ Artwork & Video Amid Backlash: ‘I’m Not Some Evil Demon Guy’

Lil Nas X is offering an explanation and apology to those offended by his new song “J CHRIST.”

On Monday (Jan. 15), the 24-year-old rapper shared a sincere video of himself on social media addressing the backlash from the religious-themed artwork and music video for the controversial new single, which includes the pop provocateur portraying Jesus Christ on the crucifix.

“I know I messed up really bad this time. I can act unbothered all I want, but it’s definitely taken a mental toll on me,” Lil Nas X said in the candid Instagram clip. “I’m not some evil demon guy trying to destroy everybody’s values and stuff like that. That’s not me.”

Lil Nas X begins the four-minute video by addressing the artwork and viral marketing push leading up to the release of “J CHRIST.” In one string of TikToks, he joked that he was releasing new gospel music independently. Another Instagram post saw him sharing a fake acceptance letter to Christian college Liberty University (university reps later said that they did not admit him for the fall 2024 semester). The rapper also drew intense criticism for his use of religious iconography, with commentators claiming that he was “mocking” and “disrespecting” Christianity.

“When I did the artwork, I knew there would be some upset people simply because religion is a very sensitive topic for a lot of people,” Lil Nas X said in Monday’s explanation clip. “But I also didn’t mean to mock — this wasn’t a f— you to the Christians. It was literally me saying I’m back like Jesus.”

The singer also apologized for a TikTok video of himself simulating the act of taking communion, where he’s seen taking shots of purple juice while scarfing down crackers in what appears to be a religious setting.

“I know given my history with the [‘Montero (Call Me by Your Name)’] video, anything that I do related to religion can be seen as mockery,” he said. “That just was not the case with this. I will say, though, with the communion video, with me eating the crackers and juice, I thought that video was going to lighten the mood to take it down less serious. I thought that was something we all wanted to do as kids, but I didn’t understand the idea of the reality of what it is.”

He added, “I didn’t mean it as a cannibalism thing, or whatever the freak. But I do apologize for that. That was overboard. Though I don’t agree with all of Christianity’s rules, I know not everybody follows Christianity by the book 100% or the world would be a lot crazier.”

On Friday (Jan. 12), Lil Nas X shared his much-hyped music video for “J CHRIST,” taking the Biblical title to its furthest extent. The clip opens with a series of celebrity lookalikes — ranging from Taylor Swift to Kanye West — as they climb the stairway to heaven. The Lil Nas-directed video then proceeds to show a series of callbacks to his hellish video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” showing the oft-discussed pole to hell and a demonic Lil Nas X stirring a cauldron of arms and legs. Flying back up to heaven, he reunites with the Devil for a one-on-one basketball game where the rapper dunks the ball and celebrates with a cheerleading routine.

“With the video, there’s not disrespect there,” Lil Nas said in his explanation video. “I thought me clearly not being on the side of the devil in the video was the … I don’t know, there was an understanding there that I’m not trying to diss Christianity.”

He closed the heartfelt video with a positive message to his Christian fans. “I know this isn’t going to be an immediate swift, everybody moves forward. But I do want my Christian fans to know that I am not against you,” the singer said. “I was put on this earth to bring people closer together and promote love. That’s who I am.”

Watch Lil Nas X address the “J Christ” backlash on Instagram below.

15 Jan 2024

Eagles Say Goodbye to the Road & Fallen Friends With 4 LA Forum Shows on Long Goodbye Final Tour

The Eagles are saying a lot of farewells on their Long Goodbye Final Tour — not just to life on the road, but also to the countless friends they’ve lost along the way.

So when they hit the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., for four nights over the past two weekends (kicking off Jan. 5 and 6 and wrapping up this past Friday and Saturday), they might have been feeling especially nostalgic, considering their band formed right here in Los Angeles and they first played the venue 49 years ago, back in 1975. They also reopened the Forum as a concert space in 2014, playing the first six shows in the newly renovated arena.

“It’s good to be back here at the Forum,” Don Henley said. “We consider the Forum to be our home field. … They’ve improved the place a lot since then. Remember all those ugly yellow and orange seats?” he said with a laugh, recalling the slightly different color scheme when the Lakers played at the Forum before moving to Staples Center in 1999.

Throughout their 21-song set, the Eagles sprinkled in tributes to peers they’ve lost, including bandmates Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner. Of course, Frey died back in 2016, and his son Deacon Frey, now 31, has been filling in for his late dad (alongside Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill) in the band since their Classic West performance at Dodger Stadium in 2017. Founding member Meisner — who left the band after 1976’s Hotel California album — died this past summer, so this is the band’s first tour since.

“We’re going to dedicate this to the memory of Mr. Randy Meisner,” Henley said to introduce “Take It to the Limit,” which was the band’s only single to feature the bassist on lead vocals and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976 and spent 23 weeks on the chart — their longest-charting hit on the tally. “Sing it with him,” Henley implored, as Gill took over on Meisner’s sky-high vocals.

Frey tributes were sprinkled throughout the night — basically any time Deacon and Gill took the lead on his signature songs — and after the mellow “Peaceful Easy Feeling” wrapped up, Glenn’s picture appeared on the big screen.

One unexpected tribute came when Henley told the crowd, “I think we’re going to take a little trip up to the mid-’80s right now. And we’re going to dedicate this next song to the memory of our dear friend, Mr. Jimmy Buffett.” The intro led in to Henley’s 1984 solo smash “The Boys of Summer” — a perfect fit to remember the late “Margaritaville” singer, who died in September and was the eternal boy of summer.

Steely Dan served as the opening act, doing a robust 12-song set and remembering some friends of their own, with lead singer Donald Fagen making sure to shout out his band co-founder Walter Becker, who died in 2017.

The Long Goodbye Final Tour picks back up Tuesday at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, Calif., and wraps up March 16 at Charlotte, N.C.’s Spectrum Center.

Eagles’ Long Goodbye Final Tour setlist for Friday, Jan. 12:

Seven Bridges Road
Take It Easy
One of These Nights
Lyin’ Eyes
Best of My Love
New Kid in Town
Witchy Woman
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Tequila Sunrise
In the City
I Can’t Tell You Why
Take It to the Limit
Life’s Been Good
Already Gone
The Boys of Summer
Funk #49
Life in the Fast Lane
Hotel California

Encore:
Rocky Mountain Way
Desperado
Heartache Tonight

14 Jan 2024

Jo-El Sonnier, Grammy-Winning Cajun & Country Singer-Songwriter, Dies at 77

Jo-El Sonnier, the Grammy-winning artist from Louisiana who performed Cajun and country music, has died at age 77.

Sonnier passed away while on tour, Texas country music promoter Tracy Pitcox stated in a post on his Facebook account Sunday (Jan. 14).

He died after suffering cardiac arrest following a show at the Llano Country Opry in Llano, Texas, where he had played for over an hour and received a standing ovation as he ended his performance with his signature “Tear Stained Letter” and an encore of “Jambalaya.” Pitcox says the singer-songwriter “was air flighted to Austin where he was pronounced deceased.”

“It is never easy to lose a legend,” Pitcox said, “but he truly spent his final day doing what he loved — entertaining his fans with his loving wife, Bobbye, by his side.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Sonnier was born in 1946 to a French-speaking family in Rayne, Louisiana, where he showed an interest in music early on. At the age of three he began to play the accordion, and by age 11 was making his first music recordings. He recorded several singles and albums independently as a teen.

In the 1970s, he signed as a country artist with Mercury Nashville, but made the shift to independent label Rounder Records when he began recording Cajun music.

Sonnier returned to country in the 1980s, signing with RCA. He charted with singles including 1988’s “No More One More Time” and “Tear Stained Letter,” a track originally recorded by Richard Thompson. Actor Judge Reinhold (Beverly Hills Cop, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Santa Clause films) starred in the music video for “Tear Stained Letter.”

Sonnier moved to Capitol Records in the 1990s before making the return to Cajun music at Rounder Records.

Sonnier won a Grammy Award for best regional roots album, for The Legacy, in 2015. It was his first Grammy win, but fifth time being nominated.

In 2017, Sonnier and his sister-in-law Shirley Strange-Allen released a children’s book titled The Little Boy Under the Wagon, based the struggles Sonnier faced growing up autistic in the 1950s in South Louisiana. According to an interview with The Associated Press, he hoped that sharing his story would communicate an important message: “They need to know it’s OK to be different.”

“Once he figured it out and had a diagnosis, he saw ‘This is why the way I thought the way I did. This is why I didn’t fit in. This is why I focused on music 100 percent. This is why I don’t like crowds outside of music,’” said Sonnier’s wife, Bobbye.

“You want to leave something good behind and let somebody embrace that,” Sonnier said to the publication. “When you’re gone, that’s it. One day, we won’t be here. While we are here, let’s try to do the good.”

14 Jan 2024

Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes Are ‘Twinning & Winning’ in New Photos From Chiefs Game

Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes have seemingly become game-day besties. Together, the pair coordinated in custom Kansas City Chiefs puffer coats to brave the blistering cold and support their significant others at Saturday’s (Jan. 13) game against the Miami Dolphins.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The coats were made by designer Kristin Juszczyk, the wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Swift sported boyfriend Travis Kelce’s jersey number, 87, on hers, while Mahomes’ jacket displayed her husband Patrick’s number, 15.

“Twinning & Winning,” Mahomes captioned an Instagram photo collection from Saturday’s game, which ended in a 26-7 win for the Chiefs.

The Sunday Instagram post mostly consisted of several pictures of Mahomes with Swift, showing off their similar outfits. With a drink in hand, Swift was playful and silly in her poses next to Mahomes.

Juszczyk, who designed the ladies’ Chiefs outerwear, shared her reaction to them wearing her designs on Saturday with a behind-the-scenes video of herself making the coats. “An honor of a lifetime!!!!!” she wrote. “Thank you @taylorswift & @brittanylynne.”

Swift — who sat next to Kelce’s mom, Donna, at the game — wore her ’87’ coat with an all-black ensemble and Louboutin combat boots.

See the “twinning & winning” photos on Mahomes’ Instagram page here.

14 Jan 2024

Selena Gomez’s Linda Ronstadt Biopic to Be Directed By David O. Russell

The upcoming Linda Ronstadt biopic has found its director.

Filmmaker David O. Russell has been tapped to direct the upcoming film, which will star Selena Gomez as Ronstadt, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The “Single Soon” singer recently teased the role on social media. On Tuesday (Jan. 9), Gomez shared a photo of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir, Simple Dreams, in her Instagram Stories.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The upcoming film will be produced by James Keach (who also produced the Oscar-winning Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line and the Grammy-winning Ronstadt documentary The Sound of My Voice) along with Boylan, according to the website of Great Eastern Music, a music publisher founded by John Boylan, the “Blue Bayou” singer’s manager. A title for the biopic has not revealed.

It’s not hard to see why Gomez would be a good fit for the role. According to the Only Murders in the Building star herself, she bears a resemblance to the 11-time Grammy winner. “I always used to get told that I look like her,” Gomez previously shared during a 2015 appearance on On Air With Ryan Seacrest. “And I started listening to her music because of that.”

Russell is a five-time Academy Awards nominee for such films as Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and The Fighter. His latest movie in the theaters was 2022’s Amsterdam, which featured an all-star cast of Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington.

Ronstadt, meanwhile, announced her retirement in 2011, citing her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, but later sharing that she actually has a brain disorder called progressive supranuclear palsy, which resembles Parkinson’s. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 and received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2016. During her decades-long career, she earned 10 top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits, with “You’re No Good” reaching the summit in February 1975.

14 Jan 2024

Fans Choose Ariana Grande’s ‘Yes, And?’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music

Ariana Grande‘s “Yes, And?” has topped this week’s new music poll.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Jan. 12) on Billboard, choosing the pop superstar and actress’ highly anticipated single as their favorite new music release of the past week.

“Yes, And?” brought in 77% of the vote, beating out new music by Jennifer Lopez (“Can’t Get Enough”), Lil Nas X (“J Christ”), Kali Uchis (ORQUÍDEAS), 21 Savage (American Dream), and others.

Grande made her return on Friday with the late-’80s-inspired single “Yes, And?” Dripping with confidence, the upbeat song serves as the lead track for the singer’s anticipated seventh album, which she started teasing online in late December.

The single is built upon the cheeky title, as Grande sings of healing and being done with caring for other people’s projections. “Yes, and?” she asks repeatedly, begging listeners to question why they care so much to comment on her life — and, hopefully, reducing such actions in the future.

The “Yes, And?” music video finds Grande wearing a ballet-inspired outfit and character shoes, completing the look with a hat that pays homage to legends like Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. The Christian Breslauer-directed clip seems to take inspiration from Abdul’s visual for her own “Cold Hearted,” leaning deeper into the ’80s energy of the song itself.

Grande’s last proper release was 2020’s Positions, which debuted at No . 1 the Billboard 200 albums chart. The set spawned a Billboard Hot 100 chart No. 1 single with its title track.

Her return to music comes after a lengthy break during which she openly chose to focus on her R.E.M. Beauty makeup business and her role in the upcoming live action adaptations of the Broadway musical Wicked, in which she’ll play Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba.

Trailing behind “Yes, And?” on the poll is Lopez’s breezy “Can’t Get Enough,” which brought in 5% of the vote. The summery track was accompanied by a cinematic Dave Meyers-directed wedding-themed video that appears to make winking references to the singer’s love life.

See the final results of this week’s new music release poll below.