Music News

22 Aug 2023

Flo Rida Dances Onstage With Crowd-Surfing Baby in Viral Video

Babies get wild at concerts too!

Flo Rida was performing CelebrateErie festival in Pennsylvania over the weekend, where he’s seen in a viral video posted by TMZ motioning a parent to send their baby over to the stage. Within seconds, the infant is crowd-surfing to the front, with fans gently moving the baby up over the crowd over to the rapper. Flo Rida then holds the baby as he performs “Low,” dancing around and even putting the mic up to the baby’s mouth in case he wanted to get a few bars in.

The child somehow eventually made his way onto the main stage, where Flo Rida’s crew held him up Lion King style while the rapper performed “GDFR.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

It’s been a lucrative year for Flo Rida, who was awards $82 million back in January following a legal battle with energy drink maker Celcius, claiming the company violated an endorsement deal with the rapper. Flo Rida’s lawsuit, filed in 2021, claimed he was owed millions in additional stock and ongoing royalties under the terms of the deals. Broward County jury found that Celsius breached two contracts it had signed with the rapper.

“They understood all these complicated legal issues and, in our view, came to the right conclusion,” the rapper’s attorney John J. Uustal told Billboard at the time. “After our client finished testifying, there was no doubt that this was not a greedy individual.”

22 Aug 2023

Here Are the Major Artists Still Managed by Scooter Braun

Scooter Braun’s name has been making headlines over the past week, as a number of his superstar clients have parted ways with his management company, SB Projects.

Sources close to the situation told Billboard on Tuesday (Aug. 22) that Idina Menzel parted with the manager amicably earlier this year. Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande also left their deals with SB Projects this year. It is unclear whether Grande is severing all business ties with Braun outside of management. Lovato, meanwhile, does not yet have new management, though conversations are reportedly taking place. J Balvin, who signed with Braun back in 2019, exited his deal in May and is now managed by Roc Nation.

The manager poked fun at the situation Tuesday by sending out a tweet that read, “Breaking news… I’m no longer managing myself.”

In 2021, Braun sold SB Projects’ parent company Ithaca Holdings to South Korean entertainment company HYBE, which continues to operate SB Projects. Braun has now taken on the role of HYBE America CEO.

So with some of his major clients off the roster, who is still managed by Scooter Braun? We’ve compiled a list of the manager’s clients below, including when they signed with him.

22 Aug 2023

Gwen Stefani Shares Rare Photos of Son Zuma for 15th Birthday Tribute: ‘We Love U’

Gwen Stefani‘s son Zuma is officially 15! To celebrate the momentous occasion, the “Hollaback Girl” singer took to Instagram on Monday to wish her middle child a happy birthday with a special video tribute that contained several unseen, precious photos from his youth.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Happy 15th birthday Zuma !!! We love u more than anything,” Stefani captioned the video — set to Zach Bryan’s 2022 track “Something in the Orange” — which featured sweet snaps of Zuma in his earlier stages of life, from missing teeth as a platinum-haired young boy to outgrowing the hair color and growing taller than his rock-star mother in his teen years. In one of the photos in the video, Zuma sweetly shows off a drawing that he made of an animal while posing for the camera alongside Stefani’s husband, Blake Shelton.

Stefani shares Zuma — and her two other children, Kingston and Apollo — with ex-husband, Gavin Rossdale. The No Doubt singer was married to the Bush frontman for 13 years — and dated for nearly six years before tying the knot — before ultimately separating in 2015.

Stefani’s Instagram post serves as yet another look into the life of her three children. Earlier this month, 17-year-old Kingston made the rounds on TikTok after giving a live performance at his stepdad’s Oklahoma bar, Ole Red, to sing a song for those in attendance. Following his song, Shelton appeared on stage and gave Kingston a hug.

See Stefani’s birthday tribute for Zuma in the Instagram post below.

22 Aug 2023

Hot 100 First-Timers: Warren Zeiders Scores First Entry With ‘Pretty Little Poison’

Singer-songwriter Warren Zeiders notches his first Billboard Hot 100 chart hit, as “Pretty Little Poison” debuts at No. 86.

The song, released in March through 717/Warner/WEA, arrives with 5.8 million U.S. streams (up 17%), 3.3 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 10%) and 1,000 downloads sold (up 1%) in the Aug. 11-17 tracking week, according to Luminate. It also rises 38-37 on Country Airplay, having become Zeider’s first entry on the survey.

The song’s recent gains can partly be attributed to hype leading up to the release of Zeiders’ debut studio album, Pretty Little Poison, which includes “Poison,” on Aug. 18.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

TikTok has been a factor in the song’s growing profile, as a portion of the track has been used in over 65,000 clips to date. (TikTok does not presently contribute directly to Billboard‘s charts.)

“Poison” concurrently pushes 24-22 on Hot Country Songs, marking Zeider’s highest-charting entry. He previously charted five songs on the list: “Ride the Lightning (717 Tapes)” (No. 30 peak in 2021); “Outskirts of Heaven,” featuring Craig Campbell (No. 49, 2021); “Dark Night (717 Tapes)” (No. 40, 2022); “Wild Horse (717 Tapes)” (No. 35, 2022); and “Up to No Good” (No. 50, 2022).

Zeiders (real name: Brady Zeiders), from Hershey, Pennsylvania, scored his first Billboard chart appearance with “Ride the Lightning (717 Tapes)” in July 2021. The song went viral on TikTok, ahead of its Hot Country Songs debut, and led to a record deal with Warner.

“Warren is a gifted songwriter and storyteller, has the confidence and drive to work harder than anyone, understands all the modern tools at an artist’s fingertips to market and promote themselves, and is just a great human being,” Aaron Bay-Schuck, co-chairman and CEO of Warner Records, said upon Zeiders’ signing. “We just had the best time getting to know one another and both [co-chairman/COO] Tom [Corson] and I felt that Warner Records was a natural fit for Warren.”

22 Aug 2023

NewJeans Take It Back to Debut Days, Dancing to ‘Hype Boy’ With BTS’ V: Watch

Another day, another dance video from the girls of NewJeans! On Monday (Aug. 21), the K-pop group — Danielle, Haerin, Hanni, Hyein and Minji — hit the dance studio to film a TikTok of them dancing to their viral song “Hype Boy,” this time with a special guest in tow.

Instead of the girls leading the video, BTS‘ V first appears onscreen in a blue-and-pink plaid shirt, matching pink wide-leg pants and white sneakers throwing a peace sign before the track’s infectious chorus hits. The quintet then pops up around V to join him in the choreography, with the BTS members adding his own swag to the dance moves as he leads in the center.

“‘Cause I know what you like, boy/ You’re my chemical hype boy/ Open my eyes to see old days gone like a dream/ Hype boy, all I wanna/ Hype boy, gonna tell ya,” Haerin and Hanni’s voices boom from studio speakers, as they all strike a pose by the end of the post-chorus of the track.

Fans in the comments section were delighted to see the BTS member alongside the NewJeans, with one writing, “I can’t V-lieve this is happening,” and another adding, “tae dance’s so smooth and chill yet so captivating that you can’t get your eyes off him while dancing.”

V joining BTS comes less than a week after Jimin — who rarely posts to social media — joined Hanni and Danielle to perform the energetic choreo of NewJeans’ “ETA,” also on TikTok. NewJeans’ connection to the boys of BTS is through HYBE; the quintet’s independent label ADOR rests under the HYBE umbrella.

Watch V dance with NewJeans to “Hype Boy” in the video below.

22 Aug 2023

Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Bad Idea Right?’ Debuts Atop Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart

Olivia Rodrigo launches at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart for a second time, as “Bad Idea Right?” debuts atop the Aug. 26-dated survey.

The singer-songwriter first led with “Brutal,” which reigned in its debut week in June 2021.

“Bad Idea Right?” concurrently bows as Rodrigo’s second No. 1, again after “Brutal,” on Hot Alternative Songs. Both charts reflect streaming, sales and all-format radio audience impressions, sharing the same methodology as the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.

In the tracking week ending Aug. 17, “Bad Idea Right?,” released Aug. 11, earned 19.7 million official U.S. streams and 5.3 million radio audience impressions and sold 4,000 downloads, according to Luminate.

The streaming count is also good for the track’s No. 1 debut, Rodrigo’s second, on Alternative Streaming Songs. “Brutal” likewise led that list, for two weeks. On Alternative Digital Song Sales, “Bad Idea Right?” enters at No. 2.

Concurrently, “Bad Idea Right?” starts at No. 10 on the Hot 100, marking Rodrigo’s sixth top 10. Three have reached No. 1: “Drivers License” (for eight weeks) and “Good 4 U” (one week) in 2021 and “Vampire” (one) this July.

On the all-genre Streaming Songs tally, “Bad Idea Right?” opens at No. 3 as the top premiere of the week. On Digital Song Sales, it starts at No. 18. The song also debuts at No. 36 on Pop Airplay.

“Bad Idea Right?” is the second song released from Guts, Rodrigo’s sophomore LP, following “Vampire.” It’s due Sept. 8.

22 Aug 2023

Scooter Braun Jokes That He’s ‘No Longer Managing’ Himself

Scooter Braun is poking fun at himself amid news that a number of celebrities have parted ways with his management company, SB Projects.

“Breaking news… I’m no longer managing myself,” he tweeted on Tuesday (Aug. 22).

In 2021, Braun sold SB Projects’ parent company Ithaca Holdings to South Korean entertainment conglomerate HYBE, under which SB Projects has continued to operate. Braun is now HYBE America’s CEO.

Braun’s tweet comes just hours after sources close to the situation told Billboard that Idina Menzel parted with the manager amicably last year. Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande also exited their deals with SB Projects this year. J Balvin, who also signed with Braun back in 2019, also left in May and is now managed by Roc Nation.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

SB Projects currently includes longtime client Justin Bieber on its roster, despite a report on Friday (Aug. 18) noting that Bieber was looking to leave the company. Reps for both parties told Billboard that the “rumors” were “not true.”

SB Projects’ roster still includes Tori Kelly, Ava Max, The Kid LAROI and Watt, among many others, according to their website.

22 Aug 2023

Alabama Barker Claps Back at Body Shamers, Reveals She Struggles With Thyroid Issues & Autoimmune Disease

Alabama Barker does not have time for body shamers.

The 17-year-old daughter of drummer Travis Barker took to TikTok on Monday (Aug. 1) to clap back at critics who made comments on her weight in a recent, unspecified paparazzi photo. She opened the clip looking disgusted at the camera, before saying, “That’s my face when I see all the fake pages comment about my weight and paparazzi pictures and saying I’m a catfish are saying that I’m fat.”

She continued, “First of all, let me eat you up because I’m so fat. Paparazzi will purposely take pictures of you with your mouth open, middle of sentence and any ugly picture they can get of you just for views. I would love to see you guys getting random pictures taken of you when you’re leaving the grocery store and in the middle of a sentence with your mouth wide open. Let’s see how beautiful you are.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Alabama went on to note that she has a “thyroid problem and an autoimmune disease,” which has led to her fluctuating weight. “Once my thyroid is balanced and my autoimmune disease is balanced, I will go back to my normal weight. […] You guys also act like I’ve gained 1000 pounds. It’s like five to 10 pounds, which is so normal for a lot of girls. Weight fluctuates, and I don’t want any girls that are young watching this who are gaining weight to ever think there’s something wrong with it. There is a certain point where if your health is getting affected by that, you need to change it, but no, it’s not the case for me. I would appreciate if you guys put yourself in my shoes.”

In happier Alabama news, the star has been teasing new music, taking to TikTok back in May to share a snippet of a song she’s working on. While the track doesn’t currently have an official title or release plans, the track marks Alabama’s foray into the music world, following in the footsteps of her father.

See her full post below.

22 Aug 2023

Jung Kook Reveals the ‘Beautiful & Painful’ Meaning Behind His Favorite Tattoo

Out of all seven BTS members, Jung Kook is the one who sports the most tattoos (with Jimin following closely behind). Despite having multiple designs on his body, Jung Kook didn’t hesitate to pick out which one of his tattoos was his favorite in a recent interview with SiriusXM.

When host Michael Tam asked the global superstar if he had a favorite among his many tattoos, Jung Kook immediately referred to one on his right forearm of a tiger flower. “I like my birth flower tattoos because of its flower language. It means ‘Please give me love,’” Jung Kook said. “It’s beautiful and painful at the same time, so I like it.”

Jung Kook has over 14 tattoos, all with their own unique meanings — the “Seven” singer notably has the word “ARMY” tattooed over his knuckles, the number seven behind his ear, “0613” for BTS’ debut date and more.

Elsewhere during Jung Kook’s chat, he revealed that while he is still preparing more solo material, it likely won’t be coming out soon. “I don’t know what exactly will be next, but I am working on my music, so please look forward to them,” he said. “I don’t have specific set plans yet, but I’m trying to focus on doing music for now.”

In the meantime, Jung Kook will continue to promote his chart-topping single, “Seven,” featuring Latto. The track made him the second member of BTS to score a No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 following the song’s arrival on July 14.

Watch Jung Kook talk about his special tattoo in the video above.

22 Aug 2023

Hot 100 First-Timers: Teddy Swims Makes a Splash With ‘Lose Control’

Teddy Swims is officially a Billboard Hot 100-charting artist, as the singer-songwriter debuts with his single “Lose Control.”

The song, released June 23 via SWIMS Int./Warner Records, arrives at No. 99 with 7.1 million U.S. streams (up 17%) and 3,000 downloads sold (up 17%) in the Aug. 11-17 tracking week, according to Luminate. It also ranks at No. 27 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart, after reaching No. 25 a week earlier.

Radio-wise, the song rises 39-37 in its second week on the Adult Pop Airplay chart. It became his second entry at the format, and first in a lead role, following his featured turn on Meghan Trainor’s “Bad for Me” (No. 15 peak, September 2022).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Teddy Swims (real name Jaden Dimsdale) from Conyers, Ga., first appeared on a Billboard chart in 2021 when his debut EP, Unlearning, debuted and peaked at No. 98 on Top Current Album Sales. Three months later, he appeared on a songs chart for the first time with his track “Simple Things.” It reached No. 14 on Digital Song Sales in September 2021, after he performed it on CBS’ The Late Late Show With James Corden.

His third EP, Tough Love, debuted and peaked at No. 200 on the Billboard 200 in February 2022, marking his first appearance on the chart. He’s released one EP since: Sleep Is Exhausting, in November 2022. His debut studio album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy, is due Sept. 15.

Among his other chart appearances, he’s tallied three entries on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs: “Loveless,” with TELYKast (No. 44 peak in April 2022), “All That Really Matters” (No. 13, August 2022) and “Easy to Love” (by Armin van Buuren and Matoma featuring Teddy Swims; No. 34, this January).

Teddy Swims is currently performing on a string of shows in Australia. Next month, he’ll hit the road on his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour, which is set to run through November in the U.S. and Canada.