Music News

21 Jun 2023

Lil Durk Says He Waited Two Years for J. Cole Collaboration to Happen: ‘In My Eyes He’s a Legend’

As Lil Durk’s “All My Life” enjoys its fifth week in the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, the Chicago rapper recently sat with Apple Music 1’s Nedeska Alexis to reflect on the success of his J. Cole-assisted hit. 

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“I think that the J. Cole feature was definitely unexpected for my fans,” he shared. “He went super crazy. And it’s so crazy, because we’ve been talking for two years. He always be like, ‘Send me a record,’ and I’m like, ‘I got to find the right record.’”

Durk said he waited two years to land the coveted Cole feature, and expressed gratitude for the collaboration. “And I’m glad I waited two years, because in my eyes he’s a legend. So if you have a chance to do a song with legend, do you send him something just to send it, just to say you got one, or you’re going to make it stick? So that’s why I never just sent him a record, because I want something that’s going to stick.”

“All My Life” sits at No. 5 on the Hot 100 and resides on this latest album, Almost Healed. The project debuted at No. 2 earlier in June, earning 125,000 equivalent album units in its opening week. Almost Healed was the third time Durk charted at least 15 records in a week on the Hot 100. He previously accomplished the feat in 2022 with 17 songs on the Hot 100, mainly in part to the success of his Billboard 200 No. 1 album The Voice. 

The Lil Durk episode with Nedeska Alexis drops on Apple Music 1 on Wednesday (June 21).

21 Jun 2023

Billboard & SRMG Launch Billboard Arabia to Create a Global Platform for Arab Artists

SRMG, the largest integrated media group from the Middle East/North Africa region, has partnered with Billboard to launch Billboard Arabia. The newly launched platform is dedicated to celebrating artists with Arab roots by spotlighting their music and promoting personal stories on a global stage.

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Billboard Arabia aims to be the premier global destination for artists with Arab roots – bringing the latest releases, reviews and interviews from the biggest names, exclusive coverage of regional and global events, original photography and special video content together in one centralized location. Billboard Arabia will launch several charts over the next year, utilizing data from the top digital streaming platforms such as Spotify, Anghami, YouTube and others, to highlight the artists and songs driving the global and regional music industry.

Billboard Arabia will celebrate and amplify the work of Arab artists for a global audience by republishing content across Billboard’s digital products. It will also host the Billboard Arabia Music Awards, as well as live concerts, activations, and regional and international events to celebrate all music genres and the artists that are inspiring innovation in the industry.

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, MENA (Middle East/North Africa) is the fastest-growing music region in the world. In 2022 alone, a handful of rising Arab artists garnered more than 1 billion streams, demonstrating the significant potential of the music market in the MENA region.

“The music scene in the MENA region is rapidly transforming,” said Jomana R. Al-Rashid, CEO of SRMG. “However, there is currently no dedicated platform to spotlight and tell the stories of the Arab artists leading innovation in the global music industry. Our partnership with Billboard will help fill that void in the market. Billboard Arabia is more than just a digital platform. It will be the premier destination to celebrate the Arab music community and empower the business of music through data-driven charts, live concerts and awards. Our vision at SRMG is to ensure that creators and audiences have increased access to high-quality, original content and impactful experiences.”

“We are excited to join forces with SRMG to launch Billboard Arabia,” said Mike Van, president of Billboard. “Billboard has a strong legacy of recognizing and amplifying artists across genres, languages, and cultures with a mission to share the power of music with new fans everywhere. SRMG’s reach and access in the region coupled with our experience will ensure artists with Arab roots are heard around the world.”

Billboard Arabia was announced Wednesday (June 21) from the SRMG Beach at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. As part of the announcement of Billboard Arabia, several artists from MENA are joining SRMG in Cannes to celebrate the diversity of sounds from the region, including performances from Elyanna, Felukah, Kouz1, DJ Outlaw, Jeed, Moayad Al Nefaie, Flipperachi, Meshaal and DJ Rodge.

Billboard Arabia is now live across Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, all at the @billboardarabia handle.

21 Jun 2023

Machine Gun Kelly Joins Motley Crue For ‘The Dirt’ At Hellfest

Machine Gun Kelly swung back into rock mode last week when he hopped on stage with Mötley Crüe for a live rendition of “The Dirt (Est. 1981),” their 2019 collaboration for the soundtrack to the film adaptation of the band’s biography of the same name. The rapper joined the metal legends during their set at Hellfest in Clisson, France.

In fan video of the moment, singer Vince Neil sings the first verse of the song as a dancer writhes on stripper pole behind him, with MGK — dressed in a black studded vest and matching pants — stomping out midway through to add his verse. He also bobbed his head during a solo from ex-Rob Zombie guitarist John 5, who is currently the band’s touring guitarist following the tour retirement of founding guitarist Mick Mars.

“The Dirt” was one of four fresh tracks the Crüe recorded for the soundtrack of the 2019 Netflix movie in which MGK portrayed Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. “More sex, more tats, more blood, more pain… Late night ride down the Sunset Strip/ New bike with the plate reading ‘666’,” MGK raps in the lyrics that tick off the full Crüe checklist of necessary topics, including cocaine, fast bikes and well-endowed strippers. 

As he continues to flip-flop between rap and rock, Kelly’s Crüe collab follows on the heels of the career retrospective hip-hop track “Pressure,” which he dropped in late May. “The diamonds are symbolic of all the pressure they put on me until I shined/ My life is symbiotic with the culture, I could never, ever lose the vibe,” MGK rhymes on the song accompanied by a video in which he returns to his hometown of Cleveland with his pal Bupkis star Pete Davidson in tow.

Check out fan video of “The Dirt” featuring MGK below.

21 Jun 2023

Greta Van Fleet Singer Josh Kiszka Comes Out as Member of LGBTQ Community: ‘It’s Imperative That I Speak My Truth’

Greta Van Fleet singer Josh Kiszka came out as a member of the LGBTQ community in a poignant Instagram post on Tuesday (June 20) in which the frontman described his decision in light of recent laws in his home state of Tennessee targeting the state’s LGBTQ citizens.

“Where I’ve settled a home in Tennessee, legislators are proposing bills that threaten the freedom of love. It’s imperative that I speak my truth for not only myself, but in hopes to change hearts, minds, and laws in Tennessee and beyond,” wrote Michigan-bred Kiszka in a post accompanied by a live photo of the singer on stage surrounded by rainbow-colored lights.

“These issues are especially close to my heart as I’ve been in a loving, same-sex relationship with my partner for the past 8 years. Those close to me are well aware, but it’s important to me to share publicly,” he continued. “Over the years, the outpouring of love for the LGBTQ+ community has been resounding, but there is still work to be done for LGBTQ+ rights in TN, the nation, and the world.”

Kiszka’s post comes in the wake of conservative Tennessee legislators passing a recent bill attempting to ban drag shows on public property where minors could be present, as well as another bill signed in March that bans gender-affirming healthcare for children. One June 2, a federal judge ruled that Tennessee’s first-in-the-nation law restricting drag shows violated the First Amendment and was an “unconstitutional restriction of freedom of speech,” which sent the closely-watched legal battle to a federal appeals court.

While Kiszka did not specifically mention those two pieces of legislation, he said he wanted to share links to organizations doing good work to combat such policies, including: Human Rights Campaign Nashville, Inclusion Tennessee, Oasis Center Nashville, ACLU Tennessee, Nashville Pride, HRC, the Trevor Project and the ACLU.

“The LGBTQ+ community is a cultural pillar, constantly championing positivity and acceptance through art, music, literature, film, and most importantly, legislation,” Kiszka said. “The greatest mortal gift of all is our capacity to love and as we travel through time, may our greater understanding of the matter around and within us teach us to love ever deeper.”

See Kiszka’s post below.

21 Jun 2023

Alleged Beyond Wonderland Shooter Was Stationed at Nearby U.S. Army Base

The alleged gunman who fired into a crowd killing two people at a Washington state music festival Saturday was stationed at a U.S. Army base in Western Washington, law enforcement officials said Tuesday (June 20).

James M. Kelly, 26, of Joint Base Lewis-McChord was booked into the Grant County Jail Tuesday on investigation of two counts of murder, two counts of assault and one count of domestic violence assault, Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete said in a Facebook post. Law enforcement officers shot him Saturday and he was being treated at a hospital until Tuesday, the sheriff said.

The shooting killed two people and wounded two others in an area where people were camping for the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre.

The two people killed were Seattle residents Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26, Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison said Tuesday. Escamilla died of a gunshot wound to the head, and Ruiz died from a gunshot wound to her torso, Morrison said. The two were engaged to be married, according to a fundraising campaign by family members.

Lily Luksich, 20, of Mill Creek, Washington, and 31-year-old Andrew Cuadra of Eugene, Oregon, were shot and wounded, according to the sheriff.

A private security officer responding to the report of shots fired was struck by a bullet that deflected off her eyeglasses, causing bruising and lacerations, the sheriff said.

The sheriff’s office said it received a report of a shooting around 8:20 p.m. Saturday at the camping area at the amphitheater near the small city of George, 149 miles (240 kilometers) east of Seattle. The shooting happened several hundred yards from the music festival.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lt. Col. Mike Burns told KXLY-TV in a statement Tuesday that the command is aware of the allegations against Kelly. “We take all allegations seriously and are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities,” his statement said.

Burns said Kelly is a joint fire support specialist assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment at the military base that is three hours away from the venue. It wasn’t immediately known if Kelly has a lawyer to comment on his behalf.

The North Central Washington Special Investigation Unit is investigating the shooting of Kelly by law enforcement officers. The names of the officer or officers who fired at Kelly haven’t been released.

20 Jun 2023

Dua Lipa Declares Polka-Dot Bikini Her ‘Summer Outfit Until Further Notice’

Dua Lipa has discovered her go-to 2023 “summer outfit until further notice”: the black-and-white polka-dot bikini with butterfly and ladybug print from her La Vacanza collection with Versace.

“My summer outfit until further notice,” Lipa captioned two photos of herself wearing the string bikini on Instagram, along with a butterfly emoji. “The cutest @versace polka dots bikini from my #VersaceLaVacanza collection with @donatella_versace.”

Donatella Versace responded to the post, commenting, “An absolute BEAUTY!! This summer is ALL about La Vacanza.”

The duo announced the collection on May 4 along with the Butterfly Medusa Ring (covered in butterflies and ladybugs, just like the swimsuit) before debuting the full line during a May 23 runway show in Cannes, France. “Feeling overwhelmed with happiness and still taking in last night!” Lipa wrote after La Vacanza’s debut show. “Creating this collection with my dear dear friend @donatella_versace has been the most incredible insightful and inspiring process that I feel so lucky I got to experience. I want to thank the whole @versace team for holding my hand through this!! … I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

In addition to La Vacanza, Lipa has also been busy promoting “Dance the Night,” the lead single from the soundtrack to Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie movie. She released the song — which she co-wrote alongside soundtrack executive producer Mark Ronson, as well as Andrew Wyatt and Caroline Ailin — and a Barbie-pink music video to match on May 25. The song has so far peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.

See Lipa’s La Vacanza bikini pictures below:

20 Jun 2023

Quando Rondo Jailed on Drug, Gang Charges in Georgia

The rapper Quando Rondo has been jailed after being indicted on drug and gang charges in his hometown of Savannah.

The 24-year-old rapper, whose given name is Tyquian Terrel Bowman, was behind bars in the Chatham County jail Tuesday. According to court records, he has a bond hearing scheduled Friday.

Bowman and 18 others were indicted by a grand jury Wednesday. The indictment charged Bowman with four counts, including being a manager of an illegal street gang known as “Rollin’ 60′s.” Other charges say Bowman conspired with others to distribute marijuana and to buy pills of the opioid hydrocodone.

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Bowman’s attorney, Joshua Pine, declined to make an immediate comment when reached by phone Tuesday.

As Quando Rondo, the rapper’s singles “I Remember” and “ABG” led to a deal with Atlantic Records, which released his debut album, “QPac,” in 2020. His follow-up album, “Recovery,” came out in March.

20 Jun 2023

YNW Melly Double Murder Trial Continues After Judge Denies Mistrial

The second week of the double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly began Tuesday with the judge denying a motion from the defense for a mistrial.

Defense attorneys had asked Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy for a mistrial last week, arguing the jury had been tainted following testimony that could not be verified from the mother of YNW Melly’s ex-girlfriend, the Sun Sentinel reported. The judge told defense attorneys jurors could be instructed to ignore statements that were ruled inadmissible.

YNW Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, is facing a possible death sentence for the October 2018 fatal shooting of his childhood friends, Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr.

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Williams and Thomas were both part of the YNW collective, known respectively as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy.

Demons, Williams and Thomas were riding in a Jeep driven by Cortland Henry, known as YNW Bortlen, after a recording session in Fort Lauderdale when Demons, 24, fatally shot Williams and Thomas, prosecutors said. Henry is charged as an accomplice in the case but will be tried separately.

After killing Williams and Thomas, prosecutors said Demons and Henry drove the bodies to an area near the Everglades, where they shot at the back and passenger sides of Henry’s Jeep from the outside to make it look like Williams and Thomas were the victims of a drive-by shooting.

Prosecutors say the shooting was part of a gang action, while defense attorneys say the motive lacks credibility because Demons and the victims were close friends.

The gun used in the shooting has not been recovered. The first week of trial focused mostly on the physical evidence, with prosecutors establishing that the bullet casings found inside Demons and Henry’s vehicle likely came from the same weapon as the casings found at the scene of the staged drive-by shooting.

Demons gained attention with his breakout song “Murder on My Mind” in 2017. He later worked with Kanye West on “Mixed Personalities,” which was released in January 2019, a month before Demons was arrested on the murder charges.

20 Jun 2023

Eminem’s ‘8 Mile’ Costume, Mike Myers’ ‘Austin Powers’ Suit & More Donated to Film Academy Collection

A costume worn by Eminem in his role as Jimmy, who went by the stage name “B-Rabbit,” in 8 Mile (2002) has been donated to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ expansive collection, which is housed at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive in Los Angeles.

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In March 2003, “Lose Yourself” from that film became the first hip-hop song to win an Oscar for best original song. Eminem shared the award with Jeff Bass and Luis Resto. The smash topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks in 2002-03.

The blue velvet suit worn by Mike Myers as Austin Powers in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), the first of three films in that franchise, was also donated to the collection.

Other newly-acquired items include:

  • Costumes worn by Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis and Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). The film won seven Oscars, including best picture, in March 2023.
  • Coat, hat, blouse, and pants worn by Regina King in her Oscar-winning role as Sharon Rivers in If Beale Street Could Talk (2018).
  • Costumes worn by Christian Bale and Amy Adams in their Oscar-nominated roles as Dick and Lynne Cheney in Vice (2018)
  • Pinstripe suit worn by Raul Julia as Gomez Addams in Addams Family Values (1993), the sequel to The Addams Family.
  • Two dozen costume design drawings illustrated by Julio Martinez for Diana Ross to wear in Mahogany (1975), her first film after her Oscar-nominated debut in Lady Sings the Blues. Ross sang the Oscar-nominated ballad “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To),” which was a No. 1 hit on the Hot 100.
  • Clapboards from The Omen (1976), Thelma & Louise (1991), and Sleepy Hollow (1999).
  • Typewriter used by Frank Pierson to write his Oscar-nominated screenplays to Cat Ballou (1965) and Cool Hand Luke (1967).
  • Oscar statuette presented to blacklisted screenwriter Nedrick Young under the pseudonym Nathan E. Douglas for best original screenplay for The Defiant Ones (1958).
  • Conceptual drawing for E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), illustrated by Academy Award-winning special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi.
  • Large model pirate ship, three-dimensional prop skull of One-Eyed Willy, and treasure map from The Goonies (1985).
  • Harold Ramis papers: Materials documenting Ramis’ career as a writer, director and actor, including handwritten and annotated scripts for National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978), Ghostbusters (1984), Groundhog Day (1993), and Analyze This (1999).
  • Steven Spielberg Animation Collection: 157 pieces of original animation art, dated from 1932-52, including cels and setups from films including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Pinocchio (1940), and animation setups and cels for characters including Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny and Woody Woodpecker. This was donated by Spielberg and his wife, actress Kate Capshaw. The Academy noted: “Their generous donation will be commemorated by the renaming of the Margaret Herrick Library’s Graphic Arts Department as the Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw Graphic Arts Department.”

“We are thrilled and honored to expand the Academy’s collection with these exceptional pieces,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement. “To be housed at our archive, library and museum, these vital components of the filmmaking process highlight the collaborative disciplines that develop and produce the movies we love. They also demonstrate the Academy’s unique capacity to preserve the full range of film history formats. We are incredibly grateful to our donors for their remarkable gifts to the Academy and for their commitment to illuminating our film history.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been collecting and preserving film and film-related material since 1927. Its permanent collection contains more than 13 million photographs, 8.3 million clippings, 95,000 screenplays, 73,500 posters, 145,000 production and costume design drawings, 45,000 sound recordings, 39,000 books, 1,900 special collections, 242,000 film and video assets, and 8,000 props, process, and production items.

20 Jun 2023

Beyonce & Jay-Z Are the Ultimate Couple Goals at Louis Vuitton Runway Show

Louis Vuitton unveiled its menswear spring/summer 2024 collection during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday (June 20), marking Pharrell Williams‘ first runway show as creative director of menswear. The star-studded event was attended by Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Zendaya, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky and more.

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In a sweet moment captured by fans and shared to Twitter, Zendaya is seen greeting Bey and Jay, with the powerhouse couple smiling from ear to ear as they take turns hugging the Euphoria actress.

For the event, Queen Bey rocked a silky yellow pajama set, paired with a matching floor-length robe and massive reflective sunglasses. Jay also opted for sunglasses — albeit a smaller pair — which he wore with a pixelated, brown three-piece suit. The two were photographed entering the event while holding hands.

Zendaya, meanwhile, wore a plunging patterned top and matching tailored pants, with her hair in long loose waves.

Later on in the evening, Jay-Z turned it up a notch by hopping onstage with Pharrell for a high-energy performance of “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me).” Watch a clip of it via Vogue here.

Pharrell was named creative director of Louis Vuitton back in February, taking over the position previously held by Virgil Abloh who passed away in 2021 following a battle with cancer. “Louis Vuitton is delighted to welcome Pharrell as its new men’s creative director. His first collection for Louis Vuitton will be revealed next June during men’s fashion week in Paris,” LMVH, Louis Vuitton’s parent company shared in a statement at the time posted to the brand’s Twitter and Instagram accounts.