Music News

24 May 2023

DaBaby Drops ‘Sellin Crack’ Collaboration With Offset: Watch the Music Video

DaBaby is making music like he’s “Sellin Crack,” according to his new single with Offset that was released on Wednesday (May 24) via Interscope Records.

Produced by Charlie Heat and Zion Brown, “Sellin Crack” finds DaBaby hyping himself up for a comeback and assuring he’ll win over the people with the good stuff. The single comes as part of DaBaby’s new CALL DA FIREMAN three-single bundle, which also contains “Shake Sumn” and “Ghetto Girls>>>>.” “Shake Sumn” has brought DaBaby back to the Billboard charts, becoming his 54th entry on the Billboard Hot 100 after the single debuted at No. 92 last week and jumped to No. 74 in the week ending May 27.

“‘Shake Sumn’ climbing the Charts, the streets tapped in, the dancers dancing! the ladies ain’t playing! the kids goin crazy! The parents loving it too! So for that I got a gift for y’all!” he tweeted on Tuesday before revealing that he would drop the “Sellin Crack” music video.

In the visual, DaBaby and Offset take turns cosplaying as Nino Brown, Wesley Snipes’ role in the 1991 New York City-based crime drama film New Jack City.

The two have worked on numerous tracks together, including the “Baby Sitter” single from DaBaby’s debut album Baby on Baby — which reached No. 11 on Billboard‘s Rhythmic Airplay chart in 2019 — and “Pink Toes” also featuring Gunna from Quality Control’s compilation album, Quality Control: Control the Streets Volume 2.

Watch the “Sellin Crack” music video below.

24 May 2023

George Strait Pays Tribute to Blake Shelton During ‘The Voice’ Season Finale

Blake Shelton‘s 23-season run as a coach on The Voice came to a close Tuesday (May 23) with the singing competition’s season finale on NBC.

Shelton, a coach on the show since its first season, was celebrated by several celebs, including his wife, singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani. But he also earned a special shout-out from none other than Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait, who sent in a video congratulating Shelton.

“Hey, Blake, I just want to say congratulations on the successful run you had on The Voice,” Strait said. “You really stole the show, man, you really did. So, congratulations on that and I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do next. I’m sure it’ll be great, whatever it is, and I’ll see you out there on the road sometime.”

Shelton responded after watching the video, saying, “That’s the true king of country right there.”

The “Minimum Wage” singer has earned the most wins of any coach on The Voice, with nine of his team members taking home victories over the years, including Danielle Bradbery, Cassadee Pope, Jermaine Paul and Sundance Head. However, in Shelton’s final season, Team Blake wasn’t victorious; that honor went to Team Niall Horan member Gina Miles.

Reba McEntire has been named as Shelton’s replacement in the coach’s chair next season. The Voice season 24 coaches are McEntire, Stefani, Niall Horan and John Legend.

Shelton recently told Entertainment Tonight that he plans to spend more time focusing on his personal life after leaving The Voice.

“I want to finally have the opportunity to say yes to more stuff in my personal life and not say, ‘Let me check,’ or just flat-out no,” the singer said.

Check out George Strait’s message to Blake Shelton below:

24 May 2023

Mick Jagger, Erykah Badu, Flea & More Mourn ‘Cultural Icon’ Tina Turner

The entertainment world is in mourning on Wednesday (May 24) following the death of icon Tina Turner at age 83.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow,” a statement posted to her Instagram account reads. “Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”

The devastating loss of the beloved superstar prompted countless messages of condolences and mourning on social media, as celebrities shared how much Turner had inspired them and influenced them.

“All of us at Warner Music are deeply saddened by the passing of the one and only Tina Turner,” Warner Music shared in a statement. “A global icon and trailblazer, instantly recognizable by her incredible voice and inimitable style, she was one of the greatest stars of all time. Even after the countless awards, the 180 million album sales, the record-breaking tours, and unforgettable acting roles, Tina will be remembered most through the sheer joy of her music. So powerful is her extraordinary, universal appeal that there is no doubt she will continue to influence generations to come. She stands as the epitome of artistic self-empowerment. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her husband Erwin Bach, family, friends, and countless fans around the world.”

BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch echoed the sentiment in his own statement, writing, “There will only ever be one Tina Turner. Her music and her life’s journey touched so many people. We send our condolences to her dear manager and husband Erwin and all those who loved her.”

Additionally celebrities like Mick Jagger, Erykah Badu, Questlove, Ciara, Flea and more shared heartbreaking, emotion-filled messages on social media. See their reactions to Turner’s death below.

24 May 2023

Fiona Sit Reflects on 20 Years of Music: ‘I’m Determined to Find My Own Voice’

At the end of last year, singer/actress Fiona Sit was in the midst of filming the TV show Memories Beyond Horizon when tragedy struck. Her father became ill and was admitted to the ICU. Despite the difficulties, Fiona was determined to express her longing for her family and hometown through music.

On the day of the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21), she released a new song called “Hong Kong’s Night.” This heartfelt work was a simple, honest story of her own. “We all have beautiful and gentle nights in our hometowns, and if you’re missing home, this song can become ‘Beijing’s Night’ or ‘Chengdu’s Night,’ with the same melody and expression,” Fiona tells Billboard China for a new cover story. “Music is a blessing to us all.”

For two decades, music has been a constant companion to Fiona, providing her with a platform to express emotions, from love to healing. After all these years, her heartfelt love for music still shines.

‘I’m also surprised that I’ve been singing for 20 years’

Fiona was starting from scratch when she first stepped into the recording studio. She had no experience or knowledge of the music industry and was intimidated by the producer and backup singers. With no idea how to express her ideas, she was left feeling overwhelmed and helpless. She often asked questions like, “What color should this sentence be? How shy should the boy in the song be? Are there other people in the room when we’re together? How many?”

Fiona’s journey to becoming a musician was an extraordinary one. She began as an installation artist, where she could express her feelings through her brush and materials. But when it came to music, she realized she needed to collaborate with lyricists, composers and other behind-the-scenes creatives to make something special. She chose to communicate through art, honing her skills in a professional way, until she could use her own voice to express her emotions. Fiona’s voice is like a unique blend of lemon, honey and mint — a perfect harmony to accurately portray the vibrant emotions of a girl’s heart.

Fiona’s art is a vivid expression of her emotions. From the golden trophies she has earned since her debut, to the self-doubt and confusion she experiences in difficult times, to the pink romantic mood of love and the thoughts of her hometown at night, Fiona’s art captures it all. When she’s stuck for inspiration, Fiona turns to painting. As she puts it, “Drawing a song is like listening to it over and over again and painting a picture. The picture is the song.”

Becoming a star without much thought

Fiona had big dreams of becoming an artist when she was in school. She studied Creative Media and Installation Art in college, but people around her often asked her if she wanted to be a model because of her natural beauty. Despite being only 5-foot-6, she decided to give it a go and soon found out that modeling isn’t just about strutting down a catwalk — it also involves photo shoots and videos. And that’s how Fiona’s modeling career began. She’s since starred in TV commercials for big brands like HSBC and Coca-Cola.

“At age 20, I shot commercials for 6-8 hours and earned HKD 3,000-4,000 [around $350-$500 USD] per session. I’d keep 800 [$100 USD] for myself and gave the rest to my parents, and I haven’t asked them for money since. Little did I know back then that modeling would become my future career. I just felt I was a precocious child who was already supporting my family.”

Fiona had always been passionate about singing, but it wasn’t until people started asking her if she wanted to pursue it professionally that she began to seriously consider it. She knew her uncle worked at a record company and had been responsible for the work of many singers, so she decided to seek his advice. When Fiona told her uncle about her singing aspirations, he was surprised. “You like singing? Do you have perfect pitch?” he asked. Her uncle then arranged for her to meet with a Warner Music agent and have an informal audition at a KTV (a karaoke business). Fiona remembers the whole process as being quite magical. She can’t remember much about that day, but she was sure that she sang a lot of Leslie Cheung’s songs. Fiona loves to cover songs by male singers, as it gives her the opportunity to tell a story from a different perspective.

Fiona’s star-studded career began in the same year she released her debut album and starred in her first movie. Director Derek Yee was looking for the perfect female lead for his upcoming movie 2 Young, and Fiona was the one he chose for the 2005 project. Years later, when they became close friends, Derek joked about Fiona’s audition, “Out of all the girls who auditioned, you put in the least effort. You showed up wearing flip-flops and a baggy T-shirt!” Despite her laid-back approach, Fiona’s ease and authenticity won over the producers and directors.

Roaring through the music world for a decade

Fiona’s 2004 debut album F Debut was a huge success. The song “A Letter From Keanu Reeves” topped the music charts in Hong Kong and won the “Top 10 Gold Songs” award at the Radio Television Hong Kong’s Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award, along with Jay Chou’s “Common Jasmine Orange,” Leo Ku’s “Love and Fidelity” and Miriam Yeung’s “Storm in a Teacup.”

When Fiona went onstage to accept the award, she smiled happily and simply said “thank you.” After she stepped off the stage, the staff was amazed by her composure. They asked her how she could remain so calm in the face of such an accomplishment. “My calmness is also happiness, pure joy. I just didn’t think too much at that time,” she replied.

Fiona’s life was a whirlwind of activities after achieving fame. She was constantly on the move, juggling interviews and photo shoots, and pushing herself to the brink of exhaustion. But amid her hectic lifestyle, Fiona still found time to reflect on her journey and the future ahead. In her 2013 song “Dear Me in Ten Years,” she expresses the fears of a young girl growing up in a world full of uncertainty: Have I done things that make me proud without regret? Have my beliefs stayed strong? Will I keep my sense of style as I mature? Should I be smart instead of impulsive? Am I happy?

Every time Fiona mentioned “Dear Me in Ten Years” when promoting her songs, she would cry because she was really facing the “question marks” in the song, confronted with the unknown, feeling scared and uncertain about the future. However, after enough crying and thinking, she began to discuss with her company that, in addition to singing and acting, she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and explore new possibilities.

To commemorate her decadelong journey in the music industry since her debut, Fiona released the conceptual album Tenacious in 2013. She took on many roles for the first time, from producer to costume designer, cover designer and art director for the music video sets and lighting. Fiona chose the album title for a reason: It reflects her relentless pursuit of music and unwavering commitment to her craft.

For this album, Fiona took a brave step forward by writing her own lyrics and composing her own music for the first time. The song “Recovery” is a touching reminder of the bond between Fiona and her cat. Fiona’s story is one of pain and regret. After her cat was diagnosed with a painful heart condition, Fiona had to make the difficult decision to let it go. The next day, she found solace in her music, and the song “Recovery” was born.

Fiona hopes to comfort those who have experienced sadness from parting with this song and learn to face the impermanence of life, becoming wise in adversity. “We should not forget all the hardships we have experienced. If you forget them, you will not be able to learn and gain from them. Don’t forget, don’t resent, don’t get angry. Slowly it will turn from a bad thing into a good thing.”

Ten years ago, Fiona was a confused girl, unsure of what the future held. But 10 years later, she had a different outlook. She had learned that growing up doesn’t have to be something to be feared, but something to be embraced. Fiona expressed this newfound understanding in her song “Me After Ten Years.” Through her music, she was able to convey the message that the price of growing up is not something to be dreaded, but a journey that can bring joy and appreciation for life.

Redefining herself & showcasing her true self on multiple stages

Fiona was filled with uncertainty before joining season 3 of the TV series Sisters Who Make Waves last year. Would people be let down after seeing her on the show? She recalled her dance teacher’s initial impression of her as being cold, only to discover her humorous side after getting to know her. After much contemplation, Fiona accepted that while she may have a cold side, she is much more than that. The songs she performs on the show will be her true self, and through them, everyone can get to know the real Fiona.

Fiona used to be content with singing the same familiar pieces. But when she joined Sisters Who Make Waves 3, she had to embrace a new approach. She was now in a “you choose, I learn” state of mind. Through this experience, Fiona discovered that her voice can express a much wider range of emotions. She is now open to learning and collaborating with different styles and genres, as long as it sounds good.

Fiona is taking a break from releasing new music to focus on discovering her true artistic identity. She wants to use her singing to tell stories that are honest and meaningful, instead of pretending to be someone she isn’t. “I want to tell stories that are real and true to who I am,” Fiona says. “I’m determined to find my own voice and express it through my music and its accompanying arrangements. By the end of the year, I’m hoping to have achieved this goal and be able to share my stories with the world.”

If one day Fiona’s career in the arts comes to an end, she plans to become a director. Years ago, two dreams had come to her in the night, connected in a way she couldn’t explain. From these dreams, she had crafted an outline for a script, a story she wanted to bring to life on the big screen. Someday, she hoped, her dreams would become a great movie.

Fiona has had a lifelong curiosity and a passion for the unknown. For the past 20 years, she has been on a journey of exploration, driven by her youthful spirit and accompanied by music and art. Despite the passing of time, her love and dedication remain unwavering. Even after two decades in entertainment, Fiona remains true to herself.

Fiona Sit Billboard China.

Fiona Sit on the cover of Billboard China.

Courtesy of Billboard China

24 May 2023

Rock n’ Roll Trailblazer Tina Turner Dies at 83

Tina Turner, whose gritty vocals and fierce, sizzling performances powered two iconic music careers —as one-half of husband-and-wife duo Ike & Tina Turner and later internationally revered solo star — has died, her rep confirmed to Billboard on Wednesday (May 24). The eight-time Grammy Award winner was 83.

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A statement announcing her death was also posted to her Instagram account. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow,” read the caption. “Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”

By the time her last compilation album, Love Songs, was released in 2014, Turner had retired from music. But not before triumphing over a hard-fought journey that spanned more than 50 years, culminating in a legacy that’s influenced a diverse range of singers from Janis Joplin to Beyoncé and beyond. Her transformation from soul singer to survivor to pop superstar yielded three Grammy Hall of Fame entries: “River Deep — Mountain High,” “Proud Mary” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Kennedy Center honoree, Turner also played memorable roles as the Acid Queen in the rock musical Tommy and as Aunty Entity in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome with Mel Gibson.

She became a best-selling author with 1986’s I, Tina. Written with Kurt Loder, the autobiography detailed Turner’s childhood, early success with musician husband Ike, his domestic abuse and her adoption of Buddhism. Its highlight is Turner’s 1984 resurrection as a star in her own right with the album Private Dancer and its runaway Hot 100 No. 1 ,“What’s Love Got to Do With It.” Capping one of music’s most dramatic comebacks, the song rewarded Turner with three of her eight Grammys including record and song of the year. Eight years later, the track doubled as the title of the Turner biopic starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.

Turner’s journey began in Nutbush, Tenn. Born Anna Mae Bullock on Nov. 26, 1939, the youngest of the family’s two daughters, she picked cotton on the farm where her father was caretaker and sang in the local Baptist church. Relocating to St. Louis as a teenager to live with her divorced mother, Bullock met future husband Ike when the guitarist and his band the Kings of Rhythm were playing the city’s Club Manhattan. Taking advantage of an impromptu moment to sing one night with the band, Bullock sparked her metamorphosis into Tina Turner.

Ike and Tina Turner

Ike and Tina Turner pose for a portrait in 1972. 

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

With backing vocalists the Ikettes in tow, the Ike & Tina Turner Revue began drawing raves for its dynamic stage performances — as well as the first of several top 10 R&B chart hits beginning in 1960 with “A Fool in Love.” An appearance in the 1966 rock film The Big T.N.T. Show captured the attention of the film’s musical director Phil Spector. The famed “Wall of Sound” producer tapped Tina to sing the lead that same year for what has since gained status as a sonic classic, “River Deep, Mountain High.” By this time, the revue had been headlining shows in Las Vegas that brought out such music celebrities as David Bowie (whom she called “a passionate supporter of my career” in a tweet upon his death), Cher, James Brown and Elvis Presley.

Following a succession of signings with various labels plus high-profile gigs opening for the Rolling Stones, the Turners covered Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.” Tina’s sultry vocals start the song off slowly. Then the track’s pace revs up (“we never do nothing nice and into an energetic funk-rock romp.  Not only did the song net the pair its biggest pop hit in 1971 (No. 4), it also won a Grammy for best R&B vocal performance by a group. The pair’s last major hit together was the Tina-penned “Nutbush City Limits” in 1973. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, Ike & Turner notched 20 hits from 1960 through 1975.

A fight en route to a show in Dallas the following year prompted Turner to leave Ike and file for divorce — setting the stage for Turner’s second act as a solo artist. Maintaining the rigorous touring schedule she began with Ike, Turner performed in a series of cabaret shows around the country in the late ‘70s before signing with veteran manager Roger Davies in 1980.

Aligning her gritty vocals with a harder rock style, Turner notched the first step in her comeback with a cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” Reaching No. 3 R&B and No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song gave the new Capitol Records signee her first solo U.S. hit.. Soon thereafter, the label released the singer’s career-defining album, Private Dancer. The 1984 set spun off the subsequent Grammy-winning singles “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and “Better Be Good to Me” plus the title track before peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

In the Billboard Book of Number One Hits, Turner recounted that she hated British songwriter Terry Britten’s demo of “What’s Love Got to Do With It” when she first heard it. “He said for me that he needed to make it a bit rougher, a bit more sharp around the edges,” she recalled. “All of a sudden, just siting there with him in the studio, the song became mine.”

With her famous mini-skirted legs sashaying energetically across the stage, black high heels flashing and wild mane of hair whipping back and forth, Turner crisscrossed the world in a series of top-grossing tours. Her last road trip, the 90-show Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, was the No. 9 top-grossing tour in 2009, according to Billboard Boxscore.

Tina Turner and Ike Turner

Tina Turner and Ike Turner playing acoustic guitar in the 1970s.  

RB/Redferns

Between recording and touring, Turner pursued acting. Cast as the Acid Queen in the Who’s  rock musical Tommy, Turner waited 10 years before her next acting role as Aunty Entity with co-star Mel Gibson in 1985’s Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. That was followed by a cameo in the 1993 film Last Action Hero. She sang the U2-penned “GoldenEye” for the same-tilted 1995 James Bond Film.

Turner charted a total of 17 solo hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome),” “One of the Living,” “Typical Male” and “I Don’t Wanna Fight.” Among her other top-selling solo albums: Break Every Rule and Foreign Affair as well as the compilation album All the Best. Her last studio album was 1999’s Twenty Four Seven.

Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Melissa Etheridge and Al Green saluted her in 2005 at the Kennedy Center Honors. Beyoncé reprised her then-performance of “Proud Mary” once more in 2008 — this time singing and dancing with the indefatigable Turner at the Grammy Awards. And proving that age is nothing but a number, Turner graced the cover of the German issue of Vogue in 2013. At 73, she was the oldest person to do so.

Turner married longtime beau Erwin Bach in July 2013, the same year she became a Swiss citizen. She had two sons, Raymond Craig from an earlier relationship and Ronald, her only child with Ike.

24 May 2023

10 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: Overmono, Käärijä, Noa Kirel & More

Billboard has more than 200 different weekly charts in its menu, encompassing numerous genres and formats.

While established artists often compete for a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and Billboard 200 albums ranking, which track the most popular songs and albums of the week, respectively, up-and-coming talents typically start off on genre-specific lists.

Here’s a look at 10 acts who appear on surveys for the first time on the May 27-dated charts.

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Overmono

The Welsh electronic duo arrives on Billboard’s charts with its first full-length album, Good Lies. The set, released May 12 on XL Recordings, debuts at No. 53 on Top Current Album Sales with 1,000 copies sold in the May 12-18 tracking week, according to Luminate. Overmono, which comprises brothers Ed and Tom Russell, released seven EPs between 2016-22 before dropping the new LP. The most recent two EPs, Cash Romantic (2022) and Everything U Need (2020), were also released through XL. The Russell brothers have collaborated with dance/electronic mainstays Four Tet, Joy Orbison and Thom Yorke. In March, they released a remix of Ed Sheeran’s current single “Eyes Closed.” They’re set to embark on their Good Lies World Tour across North America and Europe in September.

Käärijä

The Finnish rapper (real name Jere Pöyhönen) arrives with “Cha Cha Cha.” The song, released Jan. 17 via Warner Music Finland, debuts at No. 13 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and No. 27 on the Billboard Global 200. Käärijä represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest (May 9-13) and performed “Cha Cha Cha” during the competition. The song by the Helsinki native, who was raised in Vantaa, Finland, has been steadily rising since January, having already hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Finland Songs chart for four weeks beginning in March. It leads Iceland Songs for a second week and debuts atop the latest Poland Songs and Sweden Songs surveys. It also reaches the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Norway and Switzerland.

Noa Kirel

The Israeli singer-songwriter scores her first chart hit with “Unicorn.” The song, released March 8, debuts at No. 153 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart following her performances of the track during the Eurovision Song Contest. Kirel, from Ra’anana, Israel, represented the country in the competition, and the single opens in the top 10 on Iceland Songs (No. 5) and Finland Songs (No. 10).

The California Jet Club

The collective enters Billboard’s charts with its collaboration with Macy Gray and Maino, “Every Night.” The song, released in March 2022 via Moonslice Records, debuts at No. 30 on Adult R&B Airplay. The group comprises Alex Kyhn (bass), Tamir Barzilay (drums) and Billy Wes (keys). Gray, who first appeared on Billboard’s charts in 1999 and reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 with “I Try” in 2000, and the California Jet Club released their first joint album, The Reset (which includes “Every Night”) on Feb. 14. They also released a sped-up version of the set March 21. While the song marks California Jet Club’s first chart appearance, it earns Gray her eighth entry on Adult R&B Airplay, and first since “Sugar Daddy” in 2018.

LA Vision & BIM

Both acts make their first entries on Billboard’s charts with their team-up with Shane Codd, “Same Mistakes” (billed as by Shane Codd & LA Vision featuring BIM). The song, released Jan. 27 on Polydor/Astralwerks/Capitol Records, debuts at No. 34 on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart. LA Vision (real name: Marco Sissa) is a Brazilian/Italian dance singer-songwriter/producer, now based in Italy. His breakthrough track, “Hollywood,” featuring Gigi D’Agostino, has garnered 255 million official global streams, according to Luminate. BIM (full name Bim Amoako-Gyampah) is a British singer-songwriter whose music combines pop and gospel sounds. She released her debut solo LP Beauty in Chaos in January 2022 through Trumpets & Timbrels Records.

MC Caverinha & KayBlack

Both Brazilian rappers score their first chart hits with their collaboration “Cartão Black.” The song, released May 11 via Warner Music Brasilia, debuts at No. 168 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart with 12.7 million streams outside the U.S.

Benjamin Alard

The French classical organist, harpsichordist and clavichordist notches his first chart appearance with his LP Johann Sebastian Bach: The Complete Works for Keyboard, Vol. 8: Köthen, 1717-1723 – For Maria Barbara. The collection, released May 12 through Harmonia Mundi, debuts at No. 12 on the Traditional Classical Albums chart. Alard has long been an enthusiast of Bach and has recorded several albums of his works. The new set, notably, is dedicated to Maria Barbara Bach, the composer’s first wife.

Rakesh Chaurasia

The accomplished flautist, from Uttar Pradesh, India, makes his first visit to Billboard’s charts thanks to his collaborative album with Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer, As We Speak. The set, released May 12 on Béla Fleck Productions/Thirty Tigers, debuts at No. 1 on Bluegrass Albums, No. 1 on Classical Crossover Albums, No. 2 on Classical Albums, No. 2 on Contemporary Jazz Albums, No. 5 on Jazz Albums, No. 43 on Top Current Album Sales and No. 72 on Top Album Sales with 2,000 copies sold. The set contains the four artists’ takes on Indian and Western classical music, plus bluegrass and jazz.

24 May 2023

Sam Smith Teases Mystery Collab With Madonna

Sam Smith surprised fans on Tuesday (May 24) by dropping brief teaser for their upcoming collaboration with none other than Madonna.

The electrifying clip posted to the pop star’s social media accounts starts out with a blank screen before Smith’s voice cuts through the black to pronounce “Sam and…” — at which point, Madonna cuts in to tantalizingly whisper her name. The duo then repeat the declaration twice more before the teaser abruptly ends.

Smith chose not to include a caption or any other information about the forthcoming track, but even without a release date or title, fans and famous friends flocked to the singer’s replies to react to the sure-to-be-iconic team-up with Her Madgesty.

“LETS F-KIN GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,” wrote Ryan Tedder in all caps on Instagram while music video director Jake Wilson exclaimed, “UM WHATTTTTTT.” Over on Twitter, Smith’s followers declared, “This is about to be a banger,” “THIS DUO OMFG!!!!!” and “Oh bawww laawwwwd the scream i just scrumt.”

Smith released their most recent album Gloria in late January. The studio set was preceded by singles “Love Me More,” “Unholy” featuring Kim Petras and “Gimme,” while on the day of its unveiling, the pop star dropped the defiant music video for fourth single, “I’m Not Here to Make Friends.”

Meanwhile, Madonna is currently prepping her upcoming The Celebration Tour on the heels of releasing Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones last year. The hits-only trek marking the icon’s fortieth anniversary in the music industry will commence July 15 in Vancouver.

Watch the teaser for Smith’s mystery track with Madonna below.

24 May 2023

Offset Calls Wife Cardi B His ‘Bestie,’ Says She ‘Always Got My Back, Right or Wrong’

Offset doesn’t mince words when it comes to his bond with wife Cardi B. “My bestie!” he exclaimed in a new cover story in Variety about his eagerly anticipated upcoming solo album, the couple’s tight bond and his ongoing sadness over the death last year of Migos bandmate TakeOff.

“She always got my back, right or wrong,” he added about the “Up” rapper with whom he shares children Kulture and Wave. “We both are on the same mission to make each other better. Social is her strong point, so I listen to her social advice. And me, it’s the music, but I play behind the scenes; it’s my wife so I want to make sure she win.”

Despite their ups and downs — which have included two rescinded divorce filings by Cardi amid reports of his alleged infidelity — Offset said he and his wife make a “great team.” Scratch that, he believes they are a “powerhouse at this point — icon status. We believe in family. We’re always going to keep winning.”

He’s needed to lean on her a bit more since TakeOff’s killing in Houston in November, a loss he’s still struggling mightily to overcome. “It’s hard for me to talk about s–t right now,” he told the magazine. “That s–t hurts.”

Cardi agreed that their bond is super-tight now, telling Variety about the things she appreciates the most about her husband. “No matter what issue I am having personally or professionally, I know he will take care of me and our family,” she said. “It’s handled. I know that I have a man who has my back for real. I fully support him in this next chapter of his music career.”

But as he works on the follow-up to his 2019 solo debut, Father of Four — slated to feature Travis Scott, Future, Chloe Bailey, Latto and a banked song with TakeOff — the rapper teased another collab with his wife, who has joined him in the past on 2019’s “Clout” and the Migos’ “Motorsport” and “Type S–t.”

Though he was cagey about what tracks will be on the album expected out this summer, a Capitol Records spokesperson assured Variety that Offset has made a “phenomenal” album. “We can’t wait until the world hears his masterpiece,” the label rep said. “We’re deep into release planning now and will soon have big news to share!”

24 May 2023

Stevie Nicks Remembers ‘Angel’ Victims of Uvalde School Shooting One Year Later

Stevie Nicks is paying tribute to the young victims whose lives were taken in the Robb Elementary School shooting, which took place exactly one year ago in her home state of Texas.

On Wednesday (May 24), the Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter marked the Uvalde massacre’s one-year anniversary with a heartfelt letter titled “THE LOST FUTURES OF UVALDE,” posted on her Twitter. Reminiscing on growing up and discovering her passions for music and dance as a child in El Paso, she mourned the fact that 19 fourth-graders from a city just a few hours away from her hometown will never get the chance to do the same following last spring’s tragedy, which remains one of the deadliest school shootings on record.

“As we ponder the one-year anniversary of Uvalde, and the myriad of shootings that have happened since that fateful day, I can’t help but ask myself, what if I had been shot and killed by a man with a gun while in my ballet class in third grade?” she wrote. “And I can’t help but think of all those little lost futures.”

Since Uvalde, which resulted in a total of 21 deaths and 18 injuries, BBC News reports that at least 600 more mass shootings have taken place across the country. Texas, meanwhile, has moved to widen access to firearms in the last year.

“My arms go around each one of those little hearts like a ring of angels that will always be missing,” Nicks concluded her message. “I will never be able to let this go. If anything, I will do all I can to keep this story alive.”

The “Edge of Seventeen” singer also spoke out last year shortly after the shooting transpired, with a similar letter posted to her Twitter. “No one is trying to take away guns from people who get them for a good reason,” she wrote at the time. “Guns are not toys. Background checks are not that hard.”

Read Nicks’ post in full below.

24 May 2023

Quavo Announces New Album ‘Rocket Power,’ Cites TakeOff As Inspiration: ‘This Is My Therapy’

While his Migos teammate Offset is currently prepping his upcoming solo album, Quavo is on the same path after announcing his new effort, Rocket Power, on Instagram Tuesday afternoon (May 23). 

Quavo penned a gripping message when announcing his sophomore effort and how he’s dedicating the album to his fallen nephew and former partner-in-rhyme, TakeOff. “This album is for the Rocket, our true fans, and also this is my therapy. This album is a true reflection of how I feel right now,” he wrote on Instagram. 

As Offset recently revealed in his cover story with Variety, Quavo is too battling his inner struggles while grieving TakeOff’s passing, writing: “Sometimes I’m good, sometimes I’m down, sometimes I’m disappointed, sometimes I fall apart, but then I always find my strength again. I know everything might not be alright right now, but the Rocket showed me a way to make it right! Rocket Power keeps me going. Rocket Power gives me fuel. Rocket Power will help us all overcome whatever we’re going through.”

So far this year, Quavo has released a fistful of singles, including “Honey Bun,” “Greatness,” and the TakeOff-dedicated record “Without You.” At the 2023 Grammy Awards, Quavo performed the heartfelt tribute alongside Maverick City Music. 

Rocket Power will be Quavo’s first album since 2018’s Quavo Huncho. The debut effort included features from Drake, 21 Savage, Cardi B, Lil Baby, Madonna, and more. Quavo Huncho debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, earning 99,000 album-equivalent units. The following year, the album earned gold status from the RIAA. 

Check out Quavo’s announcement below.