Music News

15 Dec 2023

Keyshia Cole to Headline ‘Love Hard’ National Tour

Keyshia Cole, whose slate of hits includes “Love,” “Let It Go,” “Heaven Sent” and “I Remember,” will headline the forthcoming “Love Hard” tour. Joining the singer/songwriter on the 24-market trek is fellow Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Trey Songz with featured guests Jaheim and K. Michelle.

Presented in partnership with the Black Promoters Collective (BPC), the Love Hard tour will kick off Feb. 22 in Macon, Georgia. Stops along the way include Atlanta, Chicago, Brooklyn,  Houston, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, before the tour wraps in Southaven, Mississippi on April 14.
In a press release, Cole said, “I am beyond excited to announce the Love Hard tour and to be collaborating with the Black Promoters Collective. This tour is a true labor of love and I’m looking forward to connecting with my fans, sharing new memories and healing through music.”

Noted BPC president Shelby Joyner, “Keyshia Cole ignited the music scene with a passion in R&B reminiscent of the soul singers of the past. Her captivating tone and lyrical prowess instantly drew me in. I am thrilled to join forces with her on the Love Hard tour, where the legacy of soulful storytelling continues to unfold.”

Earlier this year, Cole’s life and career were spotlighted in the Lifetime-produced scripted biopic Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story. Presently working on her eighth studio album, the Grammy-nominated artist is also featured on the soundtrack for the upcoming theatrical musical The Color Purple and on an anticipated collaboration with Nicki Minaj and Monica for the deluxe version of Minaj’s The Pink Print 2 album.

Songz notched his first Hot 100 top 10 with “Say (Aah)” featuring Fabolous in 2010. The Grammy-nominated singer’s other hits include “Bottoms Up” featuring Nicki Minaj, “Can’t Be Friends,” “I Invented Sex” featuring Drake and “Neighbors Know My Name.”  Fellow Grammy-nominated artist Jaheim is known for fan faves such as “Put That Woman First,”  “Fabulous” and “Ain’t Leavin’ Without You.”  And K. Michelle, the singer-songwriter behind songs such as “Love ‘Em All,” “V.S.O.P.” and “Can’t Raise a Man,” scored a No. 1 Adult R&B Airplay hit last year with “Scooch.” The latter song is from Michelle’s self-proclaimed final R&B album, I’m the Problem.

Tickets for the Love Hard tour will be available to the general public today (Dec. 15) at 10 a.m. local time here.

14 Dec 2023

Megan Thee Stallion & Reneé Rapp Are Cold, Shiny, Hard Plastic on ‘Not My Fault’: Stream It Now

So you agree? You think Reneé Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion are really pretty?

On Friday (Dec. 15), the pop singer and rap icon joined forces to release “Not My Fault,” their hotly anticipated new collaboration off the soundtrack of the forthcoming Mean Girls remake. Sampling an audio clip from the original 2004 film — in which Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) yells at her best friend Janis (Lizzy Caplan) that “it’s not my fault that you’re, like, in love with me or something” — Reneé and Megan flex their “hot girl” status throughout this slick dance track.

Rapp kicks things off with a “steal your girl” approach to the song, insisting, “It’s not my fault/ You came with her but she might leave with me.” As the singer ratchets up the sexual tension (she casually asks “can a gay girl get an amen?” in the song’s second verse), Megan jumps in to boast her accolades. “B—h so bad, dudes thought I was A.I., ballin’ like eight/ Stick to the motherf—in’ money like a stapler, stack like Jenga,” she spits in her verse. “It’s funny how the mean girl open all the doors/ I been told y’all, I’m the Black Regina George.”

“Not My Fault” was first announced by Megan earlier this week via a post on Rapp’s Instagram account. In a teaser clip, the “Cobra” rapper announced that she and the “Snow Angel” singer had “a new song coming out for Mean Girls.” Rapp then subsequently posted the cover art for the new single, showing the pair baring it all in a room filled with plastic mannequins. “meg told me to put my a– out so I put my a– out,” Rapp wrote about the art on X.

Rapp stars in the Mean Girls reboot as the queen bee of North Shore High School Regina George, reprising her role from the Broadway musical on which the film is partially based. The film arrives in theaters on Jan. 12.

Check out Reneé Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Not My Fault” below:

14 Dec 2023

Joshua Ray Walker Reveals Colon Cancer Battle, Sets Surgery Date

Texas singer-songwriter Joshua Ray Walker has revealed he is battling colon cancer and will be undergoing surgery in January. Walker, who released his album What Is It Even? earlier this year, took to social media on Thursday (Dec. 14) to update fans on his health battle.

“I have been dealing with some health issues this year that have made my quality of life on the road and off pretty brutal lately,” he wrote. “Even though my prognosis isn’t what I would have hoped for, it is a huge relief to have some answers and a course of action moving forward. Basically, my doctors have found a localized cancer in my colon, and I will be undergoing surgery to remove part of my colon on January, 3rd. Luckily, we found it early, and it’s likely I’ll make a full recovery without further treatment. This is great news, but I will need to take a few months off after the surgery to recover.”

In September, Walker opened two concerts for The Killers but soon was forced to cancel some of his shows in October after being diagnosed with appendicitis. Walker recorded those live performances opening for The Killers and released the humorously titled live project I Opened for The Killers and All I Got Was Appendicitis in October.

“This is deeply disappointing and frustrating, but I’ve consulted with my doctors and I have been advised that after some setbacks during the healing process I need more time to rest before getting back on the road,” Walker said in an Instagram post announcing those show cancellations earlier this year.

In his new post, Walker also revealed that he will release a new song, “Thank You for Listening,” at midnight and shared a performance video of the song.

“I’ve had the idea for ‘Thank You For Listening’ for a while now, but it has definitely been colored by what’s been happening in my life throughout the process of creating it,” he said in the social media post. “What started as a simple “thank you” to my fans, ended up having a much deeper meaning, including my mortality, but this is in no way a goodbye. I’m going to fight with everything I have, and my odds are great. All I ask is for your patience and healing thoughts during this time.”

He also thanked his fans for supporting his music and standing by him.

“I can’t believe what I’ve been able to accomplish because of your support,” Walker said. “That is what this song is about. I would have written songs and continued to play them to empty bar rooms forever, but because of you I’ve been able to accomplish more than I ever could have dreamed. I still can’t believe that people want to hear my songs. So “Thank You For Listening”, and we’ll get through this together. This song is for you. Love y’all!”

Walker released his debut full-length album, Wish You Were Here, in 2019. He followed with 2020’s Glad You Made It and 2021’s See You Next Time. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2022. His album What Is It Even? featured Walker covering hits made famous by several female pop artists, including “Cuz I Love You” (Lizzo), “Halo” (Beyonce), “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (Whitney Houston), and “Joshua” (Dolly Parton).

See Walker’s post below:

14 Dec 2023

Pennsylvania Reps Name 2023 the State’s Taylor Swift Era

Pennsylvania is in its Taylor Swift era — legally!

On the multi-Grammy winner’s birthday (Dec. 13), a resolution from the state’s House of Representatives voted 103-100 to name 2023 as the Taylor Swift era in the singer’s home state, according to Associated Press.

The resolution noted Swift as a person who “transcended the role of pop star,” adding that she “shines as a role model of courage, self acceptance and self-determination, persisting in the face of personal and professional obstacles and challenges.”

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Swift celebrated her own birthday by gifting fans with the digital release of her Eras Tour film on Wednesday, writing on Instagram: “I had the time of my life fighting dragons with youuuu. Celebrate 34 with me by watching The Eras Tour (Extended Version) including ‘Long Live,’ ‘The Archer’ and ‘Wildest Dreams’ at home!” To finish her message — which included emojis for each song title — Swift wrote, “PS troll me all you want about my excessive and literal millennial emoji use but A) no one’s prouder to be a millennial and B) it’s my bday and today I am exempt!”

She also threw a star-studded birthday party with her celebrity friends including Blake Lively, Zoë Kravitz, HAIM, Gigi Hadid, Antoni Porowski, Sabrina Carpenter, Jack Antonoff and more.

14 Dec 2023

Billie Eilish & Kate McKinnon Spread Christmas Cheer in New ‘SNL’ Promo

Kate McKinnon and Billie Eilish are feeling festive leading up to their Saturday Night Live episode this weekend (Dec. 16), and the duo chatted with Ego Nwodim about some of their favorite things about the holiday season.

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While Eilish and Nwodim gushed over holiday lights and decorations, McKinnon chimed in with her unusual festive favorite activity. “The hibernal solstice,” the comedian shared. “When the Earth strays furthest from the sun, shrouding us in darkness.”

With Nwodim offering the Rockefeller Tree instead of McKinnon’s dark thought, and Eilish suggesting that ice skating rinks make the season bright, the SNL alum shared how much she loves the “Yule alter, the root vegetables, the birthday of the unconquered Sun God Mithra — and, of course, candy canes.”

SNL alum and Barbie star McKinnon — who in the past has delivered hilarious impressions of everyone from Justin Bieber to the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg — returns to Studio 8H to host for the first time on Dec. 16. Eilish, whose song “What Was I Made For?” for the Barbie soundtrack has been nominated for five 2024 Grammy awards — will be the musical guest for the third time.

Saturday Night Live airs on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET, and streams live on Peacock. Watch the new promo video below.

14 Dec 2023

Drake & Camila Cabello Were Spotted Hanging Out in Turks & Caicos

Does Camila Cabello have a new Canadian love interest? Fans seem to think so after the “Havana” singer was spotted chatting with Drake while on vacation in Turks and Caicos.

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While there was no public PDA between the duo, photos and videos circulating the internet show the two music stars talking to each other on a boat and jet skiing together among other activities. Their relationship has not been confirmed, and neither artist has posted anything about their time together.

Cabello was previously in a relationship with Drizzy’s fellow Toronto native, Shawn Mendes. The couple broke up after a two-year relationship in 2021, though they ended up briefly rekindling at Coachella 2023. Drake, meanwhile, shares six-year-old son Adonis with Sophie Brussaux.

After the photos surfaced online, fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share excitement over the potential relationship, or even a potential musical collaboration between the two. See some of their reactions below.

14 Dec 2023

Doja Cat Debunks Claims She ‘Hates Her Fans’: ‘I Don’t Have to Explain My Sense of Humor’

Doja Cat would like to clarify a few assumptions about her relationship with her fans.

The “Agora Hills” rapper sat down with Ebro for an intimate Apple Music interview, released Thursday (Dec. 14), that delves into claims that she has disdain for her devoted supporters.

“One thing I do wanna set straight is: You’ll never see a direct quote of me saying I hate my fans. Not once. But it’s a really big misquoted thing. Everybody is saying she hates her fans. Never said that, but I do like to play with that as a meme,” she explained. “I know that people who get it, get it. And I’m fine with that. I don’t have to explain my sense of humor and explain comedy to anyone. If people don’t see the joke, then they just don’t see the joke, and it’s not my responsibility to have them understand.”

Doja hating her fans became a conversation topic back in July, when she slammed fans on Threads for using her government name as their screen name and using “Kittenz,” her fandom name, saying, “If you call yourself a ‘Kitten’ or f—ing ‘Kittenz’ that means you need to get off your phone and get a job and help your parents with the house.” Meta confirmed to Billboard that she lost 237,758 the weekend of her post.

During the interview, Doja also addressed claims of her videos containing satanic imagery, particularly in her video for “Paint the Town Red.” Referring to her dancing atop the video’s green goblin, the Grammy winner explained, “That was a painting I painted. My painting isn’t a f—ing weapon. It isn’t offensive. It’s just a green goblin-y monster guy. … That was a really big piece for me. It was one of my proudest moments ever, and people wrote that off as Satanism, and it’s literally just a little green guy with horns and I’m standing on his head! Where’s the harm?”

Ultimately, Doja knows that pleasing fans all the time is an impossible task, and she relishes in the feeling. “I’m not gonna make everyone happy, and that’s just that,” she said. “I’m just not, and I know that I’m not, so that’s freed me immensely.”

Watch Doja’s interview in full in the video above.

14 Dec 2023

Gospel Singer Pedro Henrique Dies at 30 After Collapsing Onstage in Brazil

Brazilian gospel singer Pedro Henrique died at age 30 after collapsing onstage during a performance Wednesday night. His record label, Todah Music, released a statement Thursday morning (Dec. 14) confirming the news.

The cause of death is not yet known.

“There are very difficult situations in life for which we have no explanation,” the label wrote in Portuguese on Instagram. “We just need to understand that God’s will prevails! Pedro was a happy young man, a friend to all. An only son. A present husband and a super dedicated father. The Christian music sector is in mourning. The Todah Music family is in mourning. Heaven in chorus welcomes an illustrious son: Pedro Henrique! So long, dear brother! So long! May the Holy Spirit comfort everyone.”

Billboard Brasil reached out to Henrique’s team, who said that the wake and burial will be held in Porto Seguro, Bahia, where the artist was born. The singer lived in Guarulhos, São Paulo.

Pedro was in the city of Feira de Santana, Bahia, to participate in a private event organized by influencer Lôise Abreu. The show was broadcast live on social media networks. The influencer posted an excerpt of his performance on her profile moments before Henrique felt unwell and then collapsed onstage.

The artist was scheduled to perform in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro later this month. On Thursday (Dec. 14), Henrique’s new single “Medley: Levanta / Não Fica Assim / Descendência (Ao Vivo)” was released.

Henrique is survived by his wife, Suilan Barreto, and his 2-month-old daughter, Zoe.

14 Dec 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Spotted Kissing Louis Partridge in New York & Fans Are Loving It

Good 4 U, Olivia Rodrigo! The star seemingly confirmed her rumored relationship with actor Louis Partridge on Thursday (Dec. 14), after the duo were spotted kissing at a New York gas station.

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Rodrigo and Partridge, both 20 years old, first sparked romance rumors back in October when they were seen spending time together in London, walking seemingly with their arms wrapped around each other’s waist. The Enola Holmes star was also seen supporting the “Get Him Back!” singer at iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball in New York City on Dec. 8, and again one day later when she served as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

Rodrigo was previously linked to her High School Musical: The Musical: The Series co-star, Joshua Bassett, who is rumored to be the subject of a number of songs on Rodrigo’s debut album, Sour, including her breakout hit, “Drivers License.” The pop star was later rumored to be dating Zack Bia and music producer Adam Faze, though none of her relationships were publicly confirmed.

After fans saw the photos of Rodrigo and Partridge kissing circulating on the Internet, they took to X (formerly known as Twitter), to share happiness for the singer and her new love interest. “Louis Partridge and Olivia Rodrigo just make naturally so much sense and I will never shut up about this,” one fan wrote, for example.

See some more of their reactions below.

14 Dec 2023

Lizzo Wishes Fans a Merry ‘Binchmas’ in Intricate Grinch Costume: See Her Green Makeover

Lizzo made her fans’ hearts double in size this week when the “About Damn Time” singer took to Instagram to share her annual holiday-themed photo shoot ahead of Christmas this year.

The pop star channeled the spirit of The Grinch, donning bright green body paint and a matching curly wig, furry hands and a white peppermint-printed dress with fur trimming, complete with a starlight-mint purse and shoes to match. “BINCHMAS,” the 35-year-old sassily captioned the set of festive photos.

Elsewhere on Lizzo’s Instagram feed, she shared a behind-the-scenes video of her Grinchy makeup routine in the style of a “get ready with me” video. The clip contained several creative new plot points from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, with Lizzo telling viewers how she once had a crush on a Who but was made fun of for the color of her skin and due to the “racist” remarks was inspired to terrorize the town and steal Christmas gifts from families. “This Grinch costume is the only thing saving me from depression rn,” she captioned a separate video that contained the finished product.

Lizzo’s Lady Grinch costume is the latest in a string of holiday dress-ups. Last Christmas, the four-time Grammy winner dressed as an NSFW candy cane and referenced the famous furry grouch in another Grinch-inspired costume. In 2021, she did a Christmas-tree homage that featured her in a red tinsel updo wig with Christmas ornaments, in which she referred to herself as Mrs. Grinch.

See Lizzo’s Lady Grinch look in the photos and videos below.