Music News

15 Jun 2023

HBO Clarifies Rumors About ‘The Idol’ Not Returning for Second Season

Despite reports that The Weeknd‘s new HBO show The Idol wouldn’t be returning for a second season, HBO’s communications team took to Twitter on Thursday (June 15) to set the record straight.

“It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined,” the @HBOPR account tweeted. “It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.”

Reports of The Idol‘s lack of renewal started swirling earlier Thursday after Page Six published a story stating that the fate of the program was unclear, with a source telling the outlet that the program “was never meant to be a long-running show, it was always … a limited series.”

At a May 23 press conference at Cannes, The Weeknd — who co-created the series and stars as Tedros — said that he and co-creator Sam Levinson had a goal of stirring the pot and creating “something special, something fun, to make people laugh, piss some people off.”

Lily-Rose Depp, who stars as the show’s protagonist Jocelyn, added that working on the show — despite its backlash and rumors of tense set conditions — has largely been a positive experience. “It’s always a little sad and disheartening to see mean, false things said about someone you care about. It wasn’t reflective of my experience,” she said at Cannes.

See HBO’s tweet about The Idol‘s future below.

15 Jun 2023

Gavin Rossdale Says He & Gwen Stefani Have ‘Opposing Views’ When It Comes to Parenting Their Kids

Gavin Rossdale is opening up about how he and Gwen Stefani choose to parent their kids in their own ways.

The Bush frontman sat down with Adrianna Costa on the Not So Hollywood podcast, where he revealed that he and his ex-wife take different approaches to raising their three sons: 17-year-old Kingston, 14-year-old Zuma and nine-year-old Apollo.

“I think you can go one of two ways,” he said. “You can either do everything together and really co-parent and see how that goes, or you can just parent. And I think we just parent.”

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Rossdale continued, “We’re really different people. I don’t think there’s much similarity in the way we bring them up but I think that gives them an incredible perspective to then choose which pieces of those two lives they’d like to inherit and move on with and which part of themselves come out of the whole process.”

The former couple were married for 13 years — and dated for nearly six years before that — but parted ways in 2015. Stefani has since married country superstar Blake Shelton in 2021. “What’s important is to give them a wide view of things and we definitely have some particularly opposing views, so I think it’d be really helpful for them to make their own minds as individuals,” Rossdale concluded of their three children.

Watch the full podcast interview below.

15 Jun 2023

Vico C Breaks Down 6 Essential Songs From ‘Pánico’ Album

Vico C is not simply la vieja escuela (old school); he’s one of the pioneers of Spanish hip-hop and the urban genre.

“God chose 2023 because if it had been up to me since 2010, I would have already released another album,” Vico C tells Billboard of his new album Pánico during an interview in Miami. “There were legal issues that forced me, took years to resolve, and did not allow me to release something new. … I was able to continue working, doing concerts, I didn’t retire, but there was simply an album break.”

The Puerto Rican artist, born Luis Armando Lozada Cruz, became one of the most recognized and respected Latin rap artists of the ’90s, with songs such as “Me Acuerdo,” “Bomba Para Afincar,” “La Recta Final” and “Viernes 13.” On the charts, Vico C has eight entries on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums, three of which hit the top 10, and three entries on both Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay.

Through thought-provoking questions from the mind of a master lyricist who went through dark times during his musical and personal career, Vico C says he is very grateful to be able to come back genuinely with what he wants to say and do with his music. Pánico is out today, alongside the focus track “Sola Se Va,” a continuance of “Ella Va,” and he will kick off his Pánico Tour on Saturday in Cali, Colombia, and Medellin on Sunday.

“I want the foundation of my career to be that I don’t sell myself, and I’m not going to sell my message,” Vico C says. “I have no price if I say something or not. I have no conditions that, if what I have to say will bother this or this station. I don’t put those limits on myself because otherwise, I wouldn’t truly believe in God. I want my faith to flow realistically, with weight and results. I think that whoever wants God’s blessing has to trust him.”

“Pregúntale a Tu Papá Por Mi,” Vico C’s first single from the new album, sends a powerful message in a straightforward way — which for him means more than just a diss track aimed at the music genre — with his unique style that not only seeks to reconnect with his fans who have followed him through the years, but also with the new generations stressing the importance of protecting the music industry through the content of their lyrics.

Below, Vico C shares the significance of five essential tracks on Pánico in his own words.

“Ahora”

A song that I dedicate to my grandson and to those parental concerns that resurface. It reminds me that he is growing up, and I see him as my son.

“Solo le Pido a Dios”

Dedicated to my wife, inspired by life in general, romance and everything; maybe is also inspired by my daughters, who were starting relationships after ending others that didn’t turn out well, and in their new relationships, they inspired me to create a song that says “I just ask God that you stay with me.I only ask God that I die with you because loneliness is not good after a bitter love.”

“Sábado 14”

This song will help me blur the people of Friday the 13th, who already has me tired, so they focus more on Saturday the 14th. (he laughs)

“Ella Va”

It is an essential song because it is dedicated to the young woman of today, which makes it too important.

“Si No Nos Sentamos“

This song is meant for couples who are experiencing a stage of indifference, where one partner may feel empty, unaccompanied, and neglected. It highlights the potential dangers that can arise outside of the home if these issues are not addressed.

“Pregúntale a Tu Papá Por Mí”

It is an essential song because of what’s happening now with women in society and music.

15 Jun 2023

John Mellencamp Says He Was a ‘S–tty Boyfriend’ to Meg Ryan: ‘She Doesn’t Love Me So Much’

John Mellencamp opened up about his nearly 10-year relationship with Meg Ryan in a newly published “What I’ve Learned” article for Esquire, admitting that he made some mistakes.

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“I love Meg Ryan,” he wrote. “I went with her for ten years. She doesn’t love me so much. She’s a great girl. I’m just a s–tty boyfriend.”

The “Hurts So Good” singer and the When Harry Met Sally actress began dating in 2011, after Mellencamp divorced from Elaine Irwin and 10 years after Ryan ended her marriage with Dennis Quaid in 2001. The couple broke up in 2014, before reconnecting at the end of 2017. By 2018, the “Jack & Diane” singer and the You’ve Got Mail star were engaged, though they split for good a year later.

“Meg Ryan had just come out of her shell; I had just come out of my shell,” Mellencamp recalled of their relationship’s start. “We started dating. And we decided to do things on our own instead of having people do stuff for us. We were so f—ing lost. We didn’t know how to do anything.”

He continued, “I’ve never checked out of a hotel by myself. Her and I went to a grocery store, and they wanted our credit card, and we looked at each other and said, ‘Here it is,’ and they said, ‘No, you’ve got to put it in this thing,’ and we went, ‘Then what happens?’ We laughed at how stupid we are, so hard we cried. I think she’s learned how to do everything, and I’ve learned how to do nothing.”

Read Mellencamp’s full “What I’ve Learned” essay here.

15 Jun 2023

No, Ally Brooke Was Not the Girl Singing for Celine Dion in Viral Video

Ally Brooke would like a word about that viral Céline Dion video. On Thursday (June 15), the former Fifth Harmony member cleared up a rumor regarding a video that dates back to 2020.

The viral video in question took place in New York City as Dion was preparing to head to a different location. A girl waiting on the sidelines for Dion launches into singing the icon’s “I Surrender” — but after hearing a few seconds of singing, Dion slowly rolls up the window of the car she’s in and drives away.

In the time since, Brooke has been mistaken for the singer in the video and is now clearing up the rumors. In a stitch video, she played a portion of the original clip and then popped in to tells fans, “Guys, I hate to break it to you, but that was not me. Here is me,” she says, leading into a clip of the singer’s younger self belting Dion’s 1996 hit “All by Myself.”

The X Factor alum also made a follow-up video further clearing up the rumor, lip-syncing to audio that says: “I don’t know where you got your information from. I don’t know who your source is, but I will be the first one to tell you — that is incorrect.” The caption: “When people believe a meme that isn’t true.”

The girl in question is actually musician and life coach Freida Solomon. The original version of the video (which was edited for the meme) shows that Dion did not roll up the window on Solomon and instead gave her a fist bump and told her “You’re amazing!” before driving away.

Watch Brooke’s responses to the rumor below.

@allybrooke

“Are you the girl who sang to Celine Dion in the Black SUV?” ? I know most of y’all are in on the joke, but so many people think it was really me!!! ??

♬ original sound – HOOP ZIG

15 Jun 2023

Eminem Walked Daughter Alaina Down the Aisle at Her Wedding

Eminem’s eldest daughter Alaina Scott walked down the aisle over the weekend, with her proud father by her side.

The “Lose Yourself” rapper celebrated with the 30-year-old travel blogger as married Matt Moeller in a “Great Gatsby glam” themed ceremony on June 9, according to People. “I had an 80-ft long black and white checkered aisle and my dad walked me down the aisle,” Scott told the publication, adding that her sister and Em’s second daughter Hailie Jade was the maid of honor. “He wasn’t going to miss that.”

“These are once-in-a-lifetime moments and I’m just so grateful to be loved the way I am by everyone,” she continued. “None of this would have been possible without my Dad. I’m beyond blessed.”

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Alaina is biologically Eminem’s niece, as she’s the daughter of his ex-wife Kim Scott’s sister, Dawn Scott. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer legally adopted her in the early 2000s as her mother struggled with drug use and later died in 2016. “I have full custody of my niece,” he told Rolling Stone back in 2004. “My niece has been a part of my life ever since she was born. Me and Kim pretty much had her, she’d live with us wherever we was at.”

He even mentioned Alaina, whom he affectionally called Lainey, in the lyrics of his track, “Mockingbird.” “Lainey, uncle’s crazy ain’t he? / Yeah, but he loves you, girl and you better know it / We’re all we got in this world,” he raps in the 2004 track.

15 Jun 2023

Beyoncé Helps Fan With Gender Reveal, Gushes Over Blue Ivy Tribute at Cologne Renaissance Tour Stop

Between flying disco horses and futuristic fan-waving robot arms, Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour is filled with unforgettable moments. For the fans who attended her performance in Cologne, Germany, on Thursday (June 15), Beyoncé made the concert even more special when she helped out a lucky fan with their gender reveal.

A little over an hour into her performance, the “Break My Soul” singer noticed someone in the crowd trying to get her attention and said, “I wanna do this right because since the beginning of the show, I’ve seen this sign that says ‘Do my gender reveal.’ I just want to do it right — do I have to open the envelope?”

It took a minute for the envelope to make it to the stage, causing the Grammy-winning superstar to urge, “Can somebody hand me the envelope, please?” Inside the envelope, which was handed to Queen Bey by one of her backup dancers, was a card with a handwritten note in it. After leaving the packed stadium in suspense for a few seconds, Beyoncé finally revealed the sex of the baby with a cheeky smile as she squealed, “Girl!”

Naturally, RheinEnergieStadion erupted into applause and cheers with Beyoncé leading the charge. “Congratulations! Congratulations, beautiful!” she gushed. “God bless you!” The singer then led a countdown so everyone in the stadium could give the happy couple one resounding set of congratulations before she launched into a rendition of her Billboard Hot 100-topping Megan Thee Stallion duet “Savage.”

Motherhood has been a prevalent theme in Beyoncé’s art for years. A mother of three herself, she has always sourced inspiration from her relationship with her children. Recently, her eldest daughter, 11-year-old Blue Ivy — one of the youngest Grammy Award winners of all time — has started to join her mom onstage as a dancer. At Thursday’s Cologne concert, fans organized a surprise blue-balloon tribute in support of Blue Ivy, who has been joining her mother onstage as a backup dancer for “My Power” and “Black Parade.” “Thank you guys for the blue balloons!” the “Cuff It” singer exclaimed.

Check out videos of the gender reveal and Blue Ivy balloon tribute here:

15 Jun 2023

Musicians With 6-Plus Kids: Nick Cannon, Madonna, Rod Stewart & More

To their children, these stars are mom or dad first, world-famous musicians second.

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon attends McDonald’s At Made In America Festival on September 1, 2018 in Philadelphia.

Kris Connor/Getty Images for McDonald’s

Having just one child is hard enough, but being a parent to a half dozen or more? On top of a globally successful music career? Very few people in the world know what that’s really like, but among some of the world’s music stars walk a handful of parents who are mom or dad to more children than can fit in a minivan.

And just like any other person, musicians have all different types of parenting journeys and styles. There are artists who end up raising a full troupe of youngsters who end up following in their musical footsteps — looking at you, Cyrus family — and there are some big names whose kids go on to lead completely private lives. Some musicians show off their families from the jump, while others keep the identities of their kids and their kids’ parents private.

What unites everyone on this list, though, from Madonna and her six children to Nick Cannon‘s 12, is that they’re Mom or Dad first, world-famous music stars second in the eyes of their kids. Like Taylor Hanson once told People, “The job of being a dad is to sacrifice everything you want for that kid. I may be in the middle of meeting some famous musician, but, sorry, I’ve got to call my daughter and talk to her about her day.”

Excluding those whose families are more on the private side, keep reading to see which artists are parents to six, seven, eight or even more kids below:

15 Jun 2023

Tom Holland Admits He Has ‘No Rizz,’ Is ‘Happy & In Love’ With Zendaya

Tom Holland took part in a Buzzfeed series in which he answered 30 questions as quickly as possible, and The Crowded Room actor spent much of the video sweetly talking about his girlfriend, Zendaya.

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When asked what the “secret” is to his “rizz” — a.k.a. flirting techniques — Holland admitted, “I have no rizz whatsoever. I have limited rizz,” before revealing that someone needs to “fall in love with me for it to work.”

He then revealed how he got Zendaya to date him, joking, “Long game, probably making a movie with each other, definitely helps when the characters you’re playing are falling in love with one another.” Holland, who has been dating the Euphoria actress for at least two years, stars alongside Zendaya in the Spider-Man films.

“I’m locked up. I’m happy and in love, so I’ve got no need for rizz,” he adorably added.

Holland brought up Zendaya again later in the interview, admitting that she was his childhood celebrity crush and that she’s also the last person he sent a meme to. “It’s nonstop,” he said. “She sends me too much. I can’t keep up because I delete my Instagram for days at a time. I download it to post, then I have to check my messages and I’ll have hundreds and hundreds of things from her.”

Watch the full video below.

15 Jun 2023

Charlie Puth Makes ‘Fast & Furious’ Return on ‘Angel Pt. 2’ With Jimin, Jvke & Muni Long: Listen

Charlie Puth has made his official return to the Fast & Furious franchise. The “Light Switch” singer is the latest musician to feature on the Fast X single “Angel Pt. 2,” which was released on Thursday (June 15).

Following Jvke, Jimin and Muni Long’s verses on the track — which were also features on the previously released “Angels Pt. 1” with Kodak Black and NLE Choppa — Puth hops on the later half of the piano-led song, telling the listener to be safe on their journey, wherever it may lead.

“So be careful when you’re on your way, on your way out/ That you won’t find your way back in the dark, dark/ And now I’ll pray for signs you’re doin’ OK out there/ And that you’re happy wherever you are, you are/ We weren’t meant to last forever/ Someone else will love you better/ Baby, now it’s time to let me go,” he sings.

Puth previously featured on the Furious 7 soundtrack with his feature on “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa. The track served as Puth’s first and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released in 2015, and charted on the all-genre tally for a total of 52 weeks.

“I owe so much to this franchise and have always been so proud to be a part of the Fast Family,” Puth said in a statement of being featured on the Fast X track. “I’m thrilled to come back and collaborate with all of these fantastic artists on ‘Angel Pt. 2.’”