Music News

Eminem Is ‘Calling All Grandmas’ in Mysterious ‘Fortnite’ Collaboration Teaser

Is Eminem gearing up to enter the Fornite universe? Signs point to yes, if the rapper’s most recent Instagram post is to be believed.

The “Lose Yourself” rapper shared a video to his Instagram page on Tuesday (Nov. 21) that starts with a wide shot of America from space before rapidly zooming into a living room, where two people watch a vintage TV set. Upon changing the channel, the Fornite logo flashes, with Eminem’s signature backward E logo appearing at the end.

The 15-time Grammy winner’s third verse from “Tone Deaf” — a cut from 2020’s Music to Be Murdered By – Side B — additionally soundtracks the visual, in which he spits, “They won’t stop until they cancel me (Yeah, yeah, yeah)/ Bi–h, I can make ‘orange’ rhyme with ‘banana’ (Yeah)/ Ornana/ Eating pork rinds, sword fightin’ in pajamas/ At the crib, playin’ Fortnite with your grandma.” “Calling all grandmas 12.2,” he captioned the post.

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Fans in the comments section of the teaser were excited at the possibility of Eminem having a collaboration with the popular game. One user remarked that “All the grandma’s are crying tears of joy as we speak” at an Eminem and Fornite crossover, while another user asked fellow fans, “Who else gonna cop the Slim Shady skin if it comes out??” Another poster took the teaser literally, adding, “Imagine walking in your Grandma’s house and she’s just sitting there playing Fortnite with Eminem.”

Fans of Fornite and Eminem and will have to wait until Dec. 2 to see what the collaboration will look like, but in the meantime, check out the teaser video below.

Dolly Parton Says She Sent ‘Love Note’ to Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr to Ask Them for ‘Rockstar’ Collaboration

Dolly Parton had a sweet technique in getting Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to collaborate with her on her recently released rock album, Rockstar.

“So I just sent them a love note through their managers, and I just said what I was doing,” the icon told NPR. “And I said, ‘I didn’t want to put you on the spot, but I’d love to have you sing with me on my rock album. And if you’re interested, call me at this number. And all the people I reached out to said, ‘Yes, we’d love to,’ and I was very honored and very proud and very humbled by that.”

Ultimately, the Beatles duo teamed up with Parton for a cover of the rock band’s iconic 1970 hit, “Let It Be,” along with Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood. “Well, does it get any better than singing ‘Let It Be’ with Paul McCartney who wrote the song? Not only that, he played piano,” Parton added. “Well, it did get even better when Ringo Starr joined in on drums, Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood playing percussion. I mean, seriously, how much better does it get? Thanks guys!” 

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On Rockstar, which arrived on Nov. 17, Parton partnered up on the 21 other songs with a number of their original performers, including Sting (“Every Breath You Take”), Heart’s Ann Wilson (“Magic Man”), John Fogerty (“Long As I Can See the Light”), Peter Frampton (“Baby, I Love Your Way”), Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (“I Hate Myself For Loving You”) and goddaughter Miley Cyrus (“Wrecking Ball”).

Upon the album’s release, Parton wrote a thank you note to her fans for following her down her latest creative path. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of the Rockstar album and I can’t tell you how happy I am that it’s finally here to be released!” she said on Instagram. “I really had a wonderful time working with all these iconic artists on the record and all these iconic musicians. Not to mention all these great iconic songs that I think everybody will love hearing again. I just hope you enjoy my version of them!”

Mars Williams, Saxophonist of The Psychedelic Furs & The Waitresses, Dead at 68

Mars Williams, illustrious saxophone player who played a significant role in bands like The Psychedelic Furs and The Waitresses, died on Monday (Nov. 20). He was 68 years old.

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The Chicago Tribune revealed the news, noting that the Chicago area native died after a year-long battle with ampullary cancer. According to a GoFundMe his family set up to help cover treatment costs, Williams was diagnosed with the rare cancer in 2022. The family has since updated the platform with news of his death. “It’s with great sadness that we send this message to let the many people who loved and supported Mars Williams know that he passed away earlier today after his year-long struggle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends, both in person and around the world, who held him close, and loved him dearly,” the statement reads.

The note continued, “Until the end, Mars’ inexhaustible humor and energy, and his love for music, pushed him forward. As it became clear in late summer that his treatment options were coming to an end, he chose to spend six weeks of the time he had left living as he had since he was a teenager — out on the road performing night after night. Those last performances with the Psychedelic Furs will live on with all of the other incredible contributions that Mars has made as a person, and as a musician, and that boundless energy will continue to inspire.”

Williams studied jazz at DePaul University before he moved to New York City, where he began playing with the Psychedelic Furs and The Waitresses. As part of The Waitresses, he played on songs like his first Hot 100 hit, “I Know What Boys Like.”

Over the course of his career, he performed and recorded with additional acts like Billy Idol, The Killers and more.

Lana Del Rey Says She’s Actually ‘All Over’ the First Version of Taylor Swift’s ‘Snow on the Beach’

When Taylor Swift first released her Midnights track, “Snow on the Beach,” fans were confused. The song featured Lana Del Rey, but the singer was barely heard throughout the track.

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Swift listened to her fans and soon released an updated version in May titled, “Snow on the Beach (Feat. More Lana Del Rey).” The track highlights Del Rey more, as she sings the entire second verse. In a new interview with Harper’s Bazaar shared on Tuesday (Nov. 21), Del Rey explains that she actually had a huge role in the first iteration of the song.

“That was actually the song Taylor wanted me to sing on. If I think someone’s song is perfect, I will act as a producer in it,” she explained. “I can mimic almost anyone, so I am all over the first version of ‘Snow on the Beach.’ I layer and match her vocals perfectly, so you would never even know that I was completely all over that first song. She wanted me to sing the whole thing, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

The original version of “Snow on the Beach” became Del Rey’s highest charting song on the all genre Billboard Hot 100 to date — following the release of Midnights in November, the track debuted and peaked at No. 4 on the chart, where it spent a total of six weeks on the all genre tally. In a previous interview with Billboard, Del Rey that she wasn’t aware she should have added more to “Snow on the Beach.”

“I had no idea I was the only feature [on that song]. Had I known, I would have sung the entire second verse like she wanted. My job as a feature on a big artist’s album is to make sure I help add to the production of the song, so I was more focused on the production,” she said. “She was very adamant that she wanted me to be on the album, and I really liked that song. I thought it was nice to be able to bridge that world, since Jack [Antonoff] and I work together and so do Jack and Taylor.”

Elsewhere in the Harper’s Bazaar interview, Del Rey gushed over having the same tattoo as Adele — the word “paradise” written on the side of their hands. “I think we must have been on the same wavelength,” Del Rey said. “That’s actually a cool little connection. I like that. That’s amazing.”

Adele

Adele performs on stage as American Express present BST Hyde Park in Hyde Park on July 02, 2022 in London, England.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Watch the full interview below.



All 25 Times an Album Has Sold 1 Million Copies or More in a Week: Taylor Swift, Adele & More

In a world full of albums, only 23 have ever sold a million or more U.S. copies in a single week — and only one has ever done so more than once, much less three times total.

At least, that’s what can be gathered since Luminate began electronically counting music sales in 1991, back when the data tracking company was known under as SoundScan. Luminate’s sales, streaming and airplay measurements are what power Billboard‘s weekly charts to this day, including the foremost album ranking in the country, the Billboard 200.

But which artists are part of the elite few who’ve accomplished this elusive feat? Spoiler alert: Taylor Swift, the record-setting album sales queen herself, is featured quite heavily on this list, as are a handful of famous boy bands (and yes, that does include a certain British quartet whose record for most No. 1 albums of all time is still unbeaten more than 50 years after breaking up). Plus, look out for Whitney Houston’s contribution (hint: it’s the bestselling movie soundtrack of all time) as well the sole strictly country artist to ever push a mil in a week (another hint: he’s got friends in low places).

Only one person, however, has plowed past one million copies more than once with the same project — Adele, whose album of the year winner at the 2017 Grammys 25 will only ever be matched if another record someday sells more than a million weekly copies not just twice, but three separate times (you may not want to hold your breath on that).

With that in mind, keep reading to see all 25 times an artist has sold 1 million or more album copies in a week below.

Anthony Brown & Group Therapy Earn Fifth Gospel Airplay Leader With ‘Speak Your Name’

Anthony Brown & Group Therapy reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart (dated Nov. 25) with “Speak Your Name.” The single increased by 2% in plays during the Nov. 10-16 tracking week, according to Luminate.

Brown solely wrote the song and co-produced it with Justin Savage.

“Every artist creates music with the hope that their song will make impact, that it will reach the ears and hearts of those who support us,” Brown tells Billboard. “Having a No. 1 single at Billboard is such a big deal. It never gets old. Thank you to every radio partner across the country that helped us to reach this milestone again. I am grateful beyond words.”

Brown & Group Therapy add their fifth Gospel Airplay No. 1 (among nine top 10s), as well as the act’s fourth in a row. It follows “Help!,” which led for a week in August 2021; “This Week” (two weeks, July-August 2020); and “Blessings on Blessings” (three, September-October 2019).



Brown & Group Therapy first led with “Worth” for 24 frames starting in September 2015. It’s the seventh-longest-leading No. 1 in the history of the chart, which launched in March 2005. (Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It” ruled for a record 45 weeks starting in August 2007.)

With four straight Gospel Airplay No. 1s, Brown & Group Therapy tie Tamela Mann for the third-longest active streak of uninterrupted leaders. Todd Dulaney has logged six straight and counting, while Jonathan McReynolds is up to five.

Brown & Group Therapy are currently touring with Fred Hammond, Deitrick Haddon and Dulaney. They’ll stop next in Houston on Nov. 30.

J Balvin Is Finally Sharing What Happened at That Dinner With Britney Spears

It’s been a month since J Balvin and Maluma had the Internet buzzing when they posed for an Instagram photo with Britney Spears at a New York City restaurant.

“We told her how proud we are about her,” the Colombian singer revealed to E! News this week of his and Maluma’s time with the pop star. “You know, like she’s part of us, and we were in love with her. No matter what position you are in music you gotta give respect for what they have done.”

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He continued, “I saw her in really good spirit.” J Balvin also noted that he’d “absolutely” get in the studio with Spears to record a collaboration.

“Who else is like me in love?” Maluma captioned his October snap in Spanish. Balvin, who hugs Spears in the photo, responded in the comments: “Oh God hahahahahahahaha I can’t get over it.”

Spears, meanwhile, didn’t immediately recognize the duo. Included in a video of her trip to New York City, the 41-year-old pop star shared the photo of her seated at a table with two so-called strangers. “Quick trip to NY… I had no idea who these boys were at this restaurant,” she captioned the since-deleted post.

“HOLY S–_ it just hit me,” Britney later captioned a selfie of the trio together “I can’t believe I met these 2 !!! Holy smokes.”

Spears is also fresh off the release of her long-awaited memoir The Woman in Me. You can order the memoir at various retailers including Amazon (also available on Kindle), Barnes & NobleTargetWalmart and Bookshop.

Back to December: 12 Songs About the 12th Month of the Year

Featuring Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, George Michael and more.

Christmas music pretty much has a monopoly over the December song market, meaning songs that don’t necessarily scream “Fa la la la la” can be overlooked during the final month of the year.

But December is so much more than the holiday season, and there’s a treasure trove of music to prove it. There’s Sara Bareilles’ “December,” on which she sings about the all-too-familiar end-of-year loneliness many folks face as the new year approaches. On “Back to December,” Taylor Swift poetically wishes she could turn back time to the month she broke a certain someone’s heart, her own heart having defrosted too late from the winter cold. Side note: many of music’s biggest legends were born in December — including Bareilles and Swift as well as Jay-Z, all three of whom are featured on this list.

That’s not to say there’s any shame in the Christmas song game, though. The commercial holiday is rightfully a staple of the calendar year’s 12th month, which is why Xmas hits continue to dominate the December charts year after year. So in the good name of mistletoe, gingerbread and chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Christmastime odes to December from the likes of Ariana Grande and the late George Michael are also included.

Whether you need a break from “All I Want For Christmas” or “Jingle Bell Rock,” or you’re just looking for something more subdued to celebrate the final month of the year in all its cold, contemplative glory, keep reading to see Billboard‘s top December song picks below:

Sorry, Travis Kelce: Eagles Playfully Brag About Victory Over Chiefs With Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelet

The Kansas City Chiefs may soon have bad blood with the Philadelphia Eagles, who playfully bragged about their recent victory over Travis Kelce‘s team with a Taylor Swift-themed jab on Twitter.

Shortly after beating the Chiefs 21-17 at Arrowhead Stadium Monday night (Nov. 20), the Eagles’ official team Twitter account shared a photo of a green and silver handmade bracelet, complete with lettered beads that spelled out: “Eagles Win.”

“In our winning era,” boasted the team, which is home to Kelce’s older brother Jason Kelce, who plays center.

Fans were quick to jokingly call out the Eagles for invoking Swift in order to more personally tease Travis’ team of reigning Super Bowl champions. Not only are friendship bracelets a key hallmark of the “Karma” singer’s Eras Tour, but the younger Kelce himself notably tried unsuccessfully to give Swift his phone number via friendship bracelet at an Eras stop in Kansas City weeks before the pair started dating.

“OH THIS LEVEL OF SHADE IS ASTRONOMICAL,” commented one fan on the Eagles’ post, adding a slew of crying face emojis.

“First class Trolling!!” wrote another person.

Swift herself wasn’t in attendance at the Eagles-Chiefs showdown, instead spending Monday making up an Eras concert in Rio de Janeiro that had been postponed due to extreme temperatures. The pop star’s weekend dates in Brazil were also marked by the death of Ana Clara Benevides Machado, a 23-year-old fan who passed away after attending Friday’s show at Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos.

Still, one Kansas City fan made sure Swift was at the game in spirit by bringing a homemade sign referencing the 12-time Grammy winner’s “Karma” lyric change at an Argentina concert earlier this month: “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs.” In a TikTok posted by ESPN, Travis waves at the fan and seemingly smiles at her poster.

See the Eagles’ Swift-inspired friendship bracelet diss below:

Lana Del Rey Offers Up Current Heart Status After Recent Break-Up: ‘Absolutely Not in Love’

Love is wonderful and exciting and disappointing, often all at the same time. And, every once in a while just plain confusing. That’s the state Lana Del Rey says she’s been in recently after a break-up she just can’t understand.

In a cover story for Harper’s BAZAAR in which the singer looks back on the difficulty of the critical pile-on early in her career and how that scorn has magically turned into praise for the singer’s influence on a new generation of stars such as Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, LDR also tackles love. Or the lack of it.

Hanging in her modest home with the writer, Lana opened up about how despite creating what she thinks of as a welcoming, mellow environment, her latest unnamed beau just couldn’t hang in her sacred space. “I feel like even the most chill guy doesn’t really want to chill here,” she said. “Sadly, part of you knows … that ain’t it.… That one shocked me. I won’t name names and whatever, but that one really shocked me, that person. That was actually the end of a relationship.”

She said the recent love interest wanted more from her, but what exactly that was wasn’t clear. “That’s a tough nut to swallow,” she said of the man who seemed enamored with the “idea of her,” but maybe not actually her. “In that person’s case, there was something going on with them, like a little bubble ego. See, I don’t get to have one anymore. It’s been smashed to …  what do you call it? Smithereens. I’m sure it’s somewhere in my toe. That’s it. I’d love to grow one. I’m learning how. I’m learning. I know what I want.”

Del Rey also made one thing perfectly clear about her current dating status.

“I’m definitely not in love right now. No,” she “firmly” told her interviewer. “Absolutely not in love. Have been, but no.” Asked if she wishes to be in love at some point in the future, Del Ray shrugged and said the thought hadn’t actually crossed her mind over the last five months on the road in support of her most recent Grammy-nominated album, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. “But give it a week. My history, sure, it’s coming for me at some point. Yeah. It would be interesting if it didn’t. It would be interesting if it didn’t.”

Del Rey — who People magazine reported earlier this year was in a relationship with house musician Jack Donoghue of Salem that began in early 2022 — has been linked to a number of musicians and photographers over the years. After several years with Scottish singer/songwriter Barrie-James O’Neill of Kassidy, the magazine said Del Rey began dating Italian photographer Francesco Carrozzini in 2014, before a reported brief dalliance with rapper G-Eazy, followed by a year with cop Sean Larkin and an engagement to musician Clayton Johnson.

Billboard reported in March that Del Rey was engaged to Range Media Partners’ Evan Winiker; it was unclear at press time if the break-up referenced in the Harper’s story referred to Winiker.

After this latest break-up, Del Rey said some things would have to seriously shift for her to open her heart to someone else. “I think I would have to get my orientation toward where I want to be geographically stronger in my solar plexus, like a knowingness there, before I could tune into a stronger desire romantically,” she said. “Because if you don’t feel a connection necessarily to the pavement you’re walking on, the love thing stays over there.”

Check out the Harper’s cover below.

Lana Del Rey, Harper’s BAZAAR

Collier Schorr