Music News

21 Jun 2023

GloRilla, Central Cee, Lola Brooke & More Make XXL Freshman Class 2023

XXL unveiled its annual list of up-and-coming rappers on Wednesday (June 21), and the 2023 Freshman Class includes GloRilla, Finesse2Tymes, Lola Brooke, Rob49, Fridayy, 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and DC the Don.

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“Narrowing down over 80 artists this year to 12, these talents have not only been the cream that has risen to the top, but serve as a representation of the current pulse of this year’s sound: inimitable, eclectic, vibe-y, nostalgic and damn good,” the publication wrote upon announcing this year’s list of rising superstars.

GloRilla, who was Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month last November, burst onto the scene with “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and skyrocketed into stardom with her Cardi B collaboration, “Tomorrow 2.” She told Billboard, however, that she’s not done yet. “I never felt like I was a one hit wonder, but I know a lot of people was saying that,” she said. “But everything I’ve been dropping, people be messing with. They’re like, ‘Oh, okay,’ so I feel like I have done it, but I still feel like I got way more. I want like 100 plaques, 100 No. 1s.

She also said she’s proud of her success so far. “Put other people on. Put my folks on, take care of my family. I really feel like I helped break a door down for my people,” she says of what she’s gotten to do.

See XXL’s full 2023 Freshman Class here.

21 Jun 2023

Oscars Set New Theatrical Standards for Best Picture Eligibility

The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has approved new requirements for Oscar eligibility in the best picture category.

The new requirements, announced Wednesday (June 21), are designed to to broaden the public theatrical exhibition criteria. They take effect with the 97th Academy Awards, which will be presented in early 2025 to honor films released in 2024.

Upon completion of an initial qualifying run, currently defined as a one-week theatrical release in one of the six U.S. qualifying cities, a film must meet the following additional theatrical standards for best picture eligibility:

  • Expanded theatrical run of seven days (consecutive or non-consecutive) in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets, no later than 45 days after the initial release in 2024.
  • For late-in-the-year films with expansions after Jan. 10, 2025, distributors must submit release plans to the Academy for verification.
  • Release plans for late-in-the-year films must include a planned expanded theatrical run, as described above, to be completed no later than Jan. 24, 2025.
  • Non-U.S. territory releases can count towards two of the 10 markets.
  • Qualifying non-U.S. markets include the top 15 international theatrical markets plus the home territory for the film.

“As we do every year, we have been reviewing and assessing our theatrical eligibility requirements for the Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “In support of our mission to celebrate and honor the arts and sciences of movie-making, it is our hope that this expanded theatrical footprint will increase the visibility of films worldwide and encourage audiences to experience our art form in a theatrical setting.  Based on many conversations with industry partners, we feel that this evolution benefits film artists and movie lovers alike.”

Eligibility for achievements in the various discipline categories will not be impacted by this requirement.

For information on awards rules, visit oscars.org/rules. 

21 Jun 2023

Orville Peck Cancels Upcoming Shows to Focus on Mental & Physical Health

Orville Peck took to Instagram on Wednesday (June 21) to announce that he postponing all of his upcoming shows, including his planned Bronco tour dates, “effective immediately.”

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In his statement, the “Dead of Night” singer wrote that he was “heartbroken” about the news. “This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I’ve come to realize that my current mental and physical health won’t allow me to bring you my best,” he continued. “My fans mean the absolute world to me and I am so incredibly thankful to every single person who has bought a ticket to come and see us play, I do not take it for granted. Being on stage is my favourite thing in the world.”

Peck concluded by writing, “I have to take this time to replenish my mind and body so that I can come back stronger and healthier than before, in order to do what I love for many years to come. I truly hope you can understand.”

The masked star kicked off his summer Bronco tour dates on Tuesday (June 20) with a sold-out show at New York City’s Theater at Madison Square Garden, and was scheduled to make stops in Columbus, Cleveland, Asbury Park, Indianapolis, Omaha, Kansas City and more before concluding the 11-date run at the Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Company in New Mexico on August 10.

See Peck’s full statement below.

21 Jun 2023

Vote for the Best Summer Latin Song of 2023 (So Far): ‘TQG,’ ‘Ella Baila Sola’ & More

The first day of summer officially kicked off Wednesday (June 21), and to set the tone for a sunny and beachy season, Billboard is asking readers to vote for their favorite Latin song of summer 2023 (so far). 

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The fan-related poll includes 14 songs that were released this year and have already hit No. 1 across the Billboard Latin charts, including Hot Latin Songs, Tropical Airplay, Regional Mexican Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay, to name a few.

Bizarrap and Shakira’s unapologetic and empowered EDM track “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” released in January, forms part of the poll after spending five consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart and topping the Latin Pop Airplay chart for 12 consecutive weeks. Also in the poll is the ultimate girl power anthem “TQG” by Karol G and Shak, which hit No. 1 across the Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, Latin Pop Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay charts. 

Over on the Música Mexicana side are chart-toppers Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma, whose “Ella Baila Sola” is currently No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, where it’s remained for more than 10 weeks. The viral track is also leading the Regional Mexican Airplay chart in its third week. Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny’s emo Cumbia-Norteño “Un X100to,” currently No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart (dated June 24), is also in the poll. 

Meanwhile, in the Tropical charts, Manuel Turizo replaced himself at No. 1 with the Marshmello-assisted “El Merengue.” The track is currently at the top in its 12th week after “La Bachata reigned four weeks prior. 

Other No. 1 bangers include Feid and Yandel’s “Yandel 150,” Daddy Yankee & Myke Towers’ “Ulala,” and Christian Nodal’s “Un Cumbion Dolido,” to name a few. Vote for your favorite summer Latin jam (so far in 2023) below: 

21 Jun 2023

Sylvester Stallone Says Removing ‘Rocky’ Statue Was a Dealbreaker for Adele Buying His House

Is Adele a massive Rocky fan?

In a new interview with The Wall Street Journal, Sylvester Stallone shared that there was one specific piece of decor at his former home that Adele was interested in keeping so much, she was willing to walk away from closing the deal altogether.

“I read that Adele is renovating the house she bought from you, but that she kept the Rocky statue that overlooks the pool. You didn’t want to take it with you?” WSJ journalist Lauren Florsheim asked the iconic actor.

“I did. But she said, ‘That’s a no deal. That’s gonna blow the whole deal,’” Stallone explained. “She wanted the statue. I like what she’s doing; she’s making it gorgeous.”

The “Hello” singer purchased Stallone’s Beverly Hills property in early 2022 for a reported $58 million — a fraction of the price of the 3.47-acre property’s previous $80 million-$100 million asking price. If untouched (Adele is doing extensive renovations to the property, as reported by TMZ earlier this month), the statue of Rocky stands tall in the home’s pool area — however, it was not the only statue to ever exist on the lavish property.

Across from the Rocky statue, there once was another smaller statue of a stout man riding a small pony that overlooked the pool. TMZ reports that Adele removed the smaller statue from the property in favor of keeping the Rocky statue.

Stallone created the Rocky franchise, which began with a 1976 film co-written by and starring the actor. He most recently played the role of boxer Rocky Balboa in 2018’s Creed II, which he also co-wrote.

Adele will continue her Las Vegas residency through November of this year.

21 Jun 2023

Boosie BadAzz to Be Released on Bond After Arrest on Federal Gun Charge

Rapper Boosie Badazz is set to be released on bond on his federal gun charge after a judge rejected a request by prosecutors to keep him behind bars even longer.

Boosie (real name Torrence Hatch) was arrested last week over a May 6 traffic stop in which federal prosecutors say the New Orleans rapper was found with a handgun — an alleged violation of a federal law prohibiting former felons from possessing firearms.

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Though Boosie was granted pre-trial release on a $50,000 bond at a hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors quickly asked for that order to be put on hold while they appeal the ruling. But in an order issued Wednesday (June 21), the same magistrate judge denied that request.

As of Wednesday afternoon, it was unclear when Boosie would be released or if he already had been released. Neither his attorneys nor the government immediately returned requests for comment.

Boosie was suddenly arrested on June 14 at a California courthouse, just minutes after a court appearance in which charges filed by state prosecutors had been dropped — charges that had been based on that same May traffic stop.

In a criminal complaint unsealed by a judge on June 16, federal prosecutors offered key new details about the May 6 stop. It was was sparked by local police spotting Boosie in an Instagram video of a “known gang member,” sporting a “black handgun tucked into his back waistband of his pants.” Police then used an “Airborne Law Enforcement Unit” to locate the rapper in a neighborhood of San Diego they claim is gang-associated, where he was allegedly found in the car with the gun.

Though the state law charges were dropped last week, Boosie is now accused by federal prosecutors of so-called “felon in possession of a firearm,” since the rapper was previously convicted on drug charges in Louisiana in 2011. The charge carries as much as a 10-year prison sentence, but sentences can vary widely based on cooperation and other factors.

It’s unclear why federal investigators chose to charge Boosie after the state-level case was dismissed. Under U.S. Department of Justice internal policies, prosecutors sometimes choose to avoid filing federal cases after earlier state law charges. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Diego declined to comment on that issue last week.

In the Tuesday order releasing him from jail ahead of trial, Boosie was ordered to pay the $50,000 bond and surrender his passport. But crucially, the judge said he would be allowed to travel “to perform and travel to/from performances with advanced not to pre-trial services.” That came after his lawyers told Billboard that procedural delays after his arrest had left him “forced to cancel a number of shows over this historic Juneteenth weekend.”

21 Jun 2023

Halsey Praises Suga for ‘Badass’ Collaboration on ‘Lilith’ Revamp for ‘Diablo IV’

They didn’t just f–k things up, if you noticed, for the “Lilith (Diablo IV Anthem).” In fact, Halsey sounds pretty satisfied about her collaboration with BTS‘ Suga to promote the latest installment of the Blizzard Entertainment game.

“Collaborating with Suga on a project that revolves around our mutual admiration for dark mythology has been a longstanding dream of mine. ‘SUGA’s Interlude,’ our previous collaboration, while introspective, is pretty whimsical in tone,” the Grammy nominee tells Billboard of their new take on the song — which dropped June 5 — off her critically acclaimed 2021 album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. “Together, we were able to infuse the anthem with intricate narratives that encompass a wider range of emotions I wouldn’t have been able to tell without him. He added a whole new perspective to the song. Plus, it was just honestly really cool to do something so badass with my friend.”

The reworking of “Lilith” — which Halsey calls “an exciting challenge” to capture the “essence” of the game’s character of the same name — includes not only “actual sounds from gameplay throughout,” but a new verse by the BTS rapper. Midway through the song, Suga rhymes, “Step out of the moment that’s been trapping you in/ All this negativity of hatred and insanity/ Don’t dwell on the past/ It’s time to make a change/ Look around believe in what you see/ I have returned to hell.”

Halsey, who says they were “beyond excited” when Blizzard reached out to her to collaborate on the Diablo IV anthem and music video — which arrived alongside the revamped track — tells Billboard she “wanted to capture the game’s dark and immersive” tone. The visual for “Lilith (Diablo IV Anthem)” — which also features Suga — was filmed at the Chapelle des Jésuites in Cambrai, France, a setting that beautifully captures the gothic feel of the game. The musician added to that tone by using their line of about-face makeup to create the look for Blessed Mother Lilith, whom she portrays in the music video.

“Every visual aspect of this collaboration — including my outfit and makeup — was carefully crafted to be in tune with the character Lilith,” explains Halsey, who looks every bit the fierce warrior in her leather outfit and sword. “The web around my eyes simulates a placenta, which is part of the Lilith lore in its origin, but also the web of viscera that descends from in her character intro for the game.”

And while it was Suga whom Halsey collaborated with this time, the star is down for working with any and all members of BTS. “I would never say no to working with any of them, ever,” says the artist, who previously collaborated with the group on 2019’s “Boy With Luv,” which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. “They are always so dedicated and committed, and they bring singular talent to everything they do. We’re all so busy working all the time, it’s always one of my favorite parts of the year when we have something collaborative going on, because then we actually get to hang out!”

Revisit Halsey’s revamp of “Lilith” featuring Suga below:

21 Jun 2023

Angel Reese, Patrick Mahomes & More Up for 2023 ESPY Awards Nominations

From an NCAA women’s national championship, to a Cardi B lyrical shout-out and Latto music video cameo, and now a 2023 ESPY Award nomination — LSU’s Angel Reese is having an unstoppable year.

Reese is among the newly announced 2023 nominees for ESPN’s ESPY Awards, nabbing a best breakthrough athlete nod for her starmaking turn leading the Louisiana State University women’s basketball team to the college title this past spring. And the championship was just the beginning: Reese recently made a cameo in Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor Again” music video, in which featured act Cardi B raps, “I been ballin’ so damn hard could’ve went to LSU.”

Reese will once again face off against Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark, her NCAA finals foe, in the best breakthrough athlete category, as well as the San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy and the Seattle Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez. (In addition to the individual nom, Reese’s Louisiana State Tigers are also up for best team at the awards show.)

In the top two fields, Nikola Jokić of reigning NBA champs the Denver Nuggets will compete against New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Argentinean soccer superstar Lionel Messi for the best athlete, men’s sports prize; while the best athlete, women’s sports category is between Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin, Portland Thorns soccer star Sophia Smith, Polish tennis champ Iga Świątek, and Las Vegas Aces WNBA player A’ja Wilson.

The 2023 ESPYs will broadcast live on Wednesday, July 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC from Los Angeles. Recipients of the ESPYs’ three pillar awards — the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service — will be announced next week.

BEST ATHLETE, MEN’S SPORTS
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Lionel Messi, Argentina

BEST ATHLETE, WOMEN’S SPORTS
Mikaela Shiffrin, Ski
Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns
Iga Świątek, Tennis
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

BEST BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE
Caitlin Clark, Iowa Women’s Basketball
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Angel Reese, LSU Women’s Basketball
Julio Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners

BEST RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE
–Novak Djokovic wins his 23rd Grand Slam title, defeating Casper Ruud in the French Open final. Breaking a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the most major singles trophies in the history of men’s tennis, which dates to the 1800s
–LeBron James surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for NBA career scoring record
–Mikaela Shiffrin breaks the record for the most World Cup victories with her 87th win
–Max Verstappen wins the Mexican Grand Prix, breaking the record for most wins in a season

BEST CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE
–Leon Edwards, UFC – defeats Kamaru Usman by 5th-round KO to win UFC welterweight title, handing Usman his first UFC loss
–Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets – 2023 NBA Finals MVP
–Lionel Messi, Argentina – 2022 World Cup Final – scored 2 goals and scored in the penalty shootout to win Man of the Match and he won the Golden Ball as FIFA’s best player of the tournament
–Rose Zhang, LPGA – defeated Jennifer Kupcho in a two-hole sudden death playoff, making history by winning by becoming the first woman in 72 years to win her first professional start.

BEST COMEBACK ATHLETE
–Jon Jones, UFC – Jones’ first fight in the UFC since 2020. He was last seen in action against Dominick Reyes, where he defended his light-heavyweight championship at UFC 247. While Jon Jones was plotting a move to the heavyweight division, he and the UFC president did not see eye-to-eye over fighter pay. Jones felt that he needed to be paid more for a move up to the heavyweight division, which resulted in him delaying his return.
–Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets – Murray missed the entirety of last season due to a torn ACL in his left knee. He suffered the injury in a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, 2021, and didn’t play in the 18 months since then.
–Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun – 2022 WNBA Comeback Player of the Year. Thomas missed all but six games last season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. The eight-year veteran has started all 36 of Connecticut’s games in 2022, and was an All- Star earlier this season. She leads the team in assists (6.1), steals (1.7) and minutes played (32.1).
–Justin Verlander, Current New York Mets / Houston Astros – 2022 NL Comeback Player of the Year, after being limited to only six innings in 2020 and missing the entire ’21 season due to Tommy John surgery, the Astros’ ace returned this season to go 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA — the lowest by any AL pitcher since Pedro Martinez posted a 1.74 ERA in 2000.

BEST PLAY
Michael Block Hole-in-One! GOLF
Justin Jefferson with the Catch of the Century NFL
Ally Lemos with the perfect corner to tie the National Championship game NCAA
Trinity Thomas Perfect 10 Tying the All-Time NCAA Record NCAA

BEST TEAM
Denver Nuggets, NBA
Georgia Bulldogs, NCAA Football
Kansas City Chiefs, NFL
Las Vegas Aces, WNBA
Louisiana State Tigers, NCAA Women’s Basketball
Oklahoma Sooners, NCAA Softball
Vegas Golden Knights, NHL

BEST COLLEGE ATHLETE, MEN’S SPORTS
Zach Edey, Purdue Men’s Basketball
Duncan McGuire, Creighton Soccer
Brennan O’Neill, Duke Lacrosse
Caleb Williams, USC Football

BEST COLLEGE ATHLETE, WOMEN’S SPORTS
Jordy Bahl, Oklahoma Softball
Caitlin Clark, Iowa Women’s Basketball
Izzy Scane, Northwestern Lacrosse
Trinity Thomas, Florida Gators Gymnastics

BEST ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY
Erica McKee, Sled Hockey Team
Zach Miller, Snowboarding
Aaron Pike, Wheelchair Racing & Cross-Country Skiing
Susannah Scaroni, Wheelchair Racing

BEST NFL PLAYER
Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

BEST MLB PLAYER
Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
Justin Verlander, Houston Astros

BEST NHL PLAYER
Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas Golden Knights
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
David Pastrňák, Boston Bruins
Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins

BEST NBA PLAYER
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

BEST WNBA PLAYER
Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury
Candace Parker, Chicago Sky (Current Las Vegas Aces)
Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm (Current New York Liberty)
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

BEST DRIVER
Brittany Force, NHRA
Kyle Larson, NASCAR
Josef Newgarden, IndyCar
Max Verstappen, F1

BEST UFC FIGHTER
Leon Edwards
Jon Jones
Islam Makhachev
Amanda Nunes

BEST BOXER
Gervonta Davis
Devin Haney
Claressa Shields
Shakur Stevenson

BEST SOCCER PLAYER
Aitana Bonmatí, Spain/Barcelona
Erling Haaland, Norway/Manchester City
Lionel Messi, Argentina/PSG
Sophia Smith, USWNT/Portland Thorns

BEST GOLFER
Wyndham Clark
Nelly Korda
Jon Rahm
Scottie Scheffler

BEST TENNIS PLAYER
Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic
Aryna Sabalenka
Iga Świątek

21 Jun 2023

‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Announces Premiere Date for Final Season

Time to say goodbye to East High. Disney Branded Television and Disney+ revealed the teaser trailer on Wednesday (June 21) for the fourth and final season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

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The fourth season will see a bunch of OG Wildcats returning to East High, where they’ll shoot a long-awaited High School Musical 4: The Reunion movie on location at their beloved high school. Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Lucas Grabeel, Bart Johnson, Alyson Reed and Kaycee Stroh will play themselves in the upcoming season, resurrecting their HSM roles as Chad Danforth, Taylor McKessie, Ryan Evans, Coach Bolton, Ms. Darbus and Martha Cox, respectively.

The upcoming final season also stars HSMTMTS favorites Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Dara Reneé, Julia Lester, Frankie Rodriguez, Kate Reinders and Liamani Segura. 

“After four years at East High, it’s time to graduate. This will be our final, endgame season.” series creator and executive producer Tim Federle shared on social media. “This show brought the most extraordinary cast – and crew, and collaborators – to my life. To the fans, who embraced our super-meta series: we “don’t not love you.” We can’t wait to share this epic 4th act with you all.”

Season four hits Disney+ on August 9. See the new teaser trailer below.

21 Jun 2023

Cardi B Has Thoughts About Missing Titan Sub Billionaire’s Stepson Attending Blink-182 Concert

Amid the ongoing search to locate and rescue five people aboard the Titanic submersible that went missing earlier this week, one of the crewmember’s stepson came under fire for attending a Blink-182 concert in San Diego.

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Cardi B was among those who took to social media to share her thoughts on British billionaire Hamish Harding’s stepson Brian Szasz, posting a video to her Instagram Story on Tuesday (June 20) and telling the camera, “People is like, ‘Well what is he supposed to do? Be sad at the house? Is he supposed to go look for himself?’ Yes.”

She continued, “You supposed to be at the house sad. You supposed to be crying for me. You supposed to be right next to the phone waiting to hear any updates about me. You’re supposed to be consoling your mom and s—.”

The “WAP” rapper concluded by noting, “Isn’t it sad that you a whole f–king billionaire and nobody gives a f— about you? […] That’s crazy. I’d rather be broke. I’d rather be broke and poor, but knowing that I’m loved.”

See her Story before it disappears here.

Szasz himself saw Cardi’s post and went on social media to fire back. “Try to show class for once in your life,” the 37-year-old captioned an Instagram screenshot of a TMZ article reporting on Cardi’s Story.

He continued over on Twitter, tagging the rapper and writing, “What a pos trashy celeb. Cardi B trying to get clout off me and my families suffering. I went to a Blink 182 concert for coping rather than sitting at home and watching the news. Shame on you Cardi get some class!”

Szasz continued, “Cardi B We know all your latest releases are trash but is your career this desperate for attention now??”

Cardi has yet to reply to Szasz’s responses, which you can check out below.