Music News

11 Apr 2023

Ted Nugent Calls Anheuser-Busch’s Dylan Mulvaney Partnership ‘the Epitome of Cultural Deprivation’

As conservative uproar over Bud Light teaming up with a trans person continues, Ted Nugent threw his hat in the ring to criticize the beer brand.

The “Stranglehold” singer appeared on a recent episode of Newsmax’s “Eric Bolling the Balance” to share his response to Anheuser-Busch working with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. “The beauty of my life is that I’ve never spent one red cent on alcohol,” the guitarist said. “But I made sure that my entire crew and my family will never allow any Anheuser-Busch products anywhere near my world.”

After referencing a Pride-related campaign coming from Jack Daniel’s as well, Nugent called out these campaigns for being “disrespectful” to the brands’ “core consumer demographic,” appearing to refer to conservatives. “How can they possibly have a meeting around the table and come to the conclusion that they’re going to piss in the face of the people who pay their salaries?” he said. “This is the epitome of cultural deprivation in an ongoing tsunami of cultural deprivation.”

Nugent is just one in a series of artists to share their displeasure with Anheuser-Busch’s recent work with Mulvaney. Country singer Travis Tritt declared that he would no longer include any of the company’s products on his tour rider, while John Rich of duo Big & Rich “congratulated” anyone who was joining him in boycotting Bud Light.

Perhaps the most fiery response came from Kid Rock, who declared “f–k Anheuser-Busch” in a video last week after shooting three cases of Bud Light with an assault rifle. Nugent applauded the “Devil Without a Cause” singer in his interview, saying, “I think I might’ve trained Kid Rock appropriately, because nothing says ‘I love you’ like a fully automatic MP5 and nine-millimeter blasting about 600 rounds per minute.”

The partnership in question came when Mulvaney posted a video to her social media accounts promoting a March Madness-themed campaign for Bud Light, wherein she received a commemorative can of the drink with her face emblazoned on the side. Anheuser-Busch stood by its campaign in a statement to Billboard last week, saying it was one of “hundreds” meant to help the brand “authentically connect with audiences across various demographics.” The spokesperson also added that Bud Light cans with Mulvaney’s face were not for sale, since the piece was “a gift to celebrate a personal milestone.”

Jack Daniel’s also offered a statement to Billboard last week, standing by their values of “individuality and living life boldly on your own terms,” and adding that their products are made “with everyone in mind, including the LGBTQ+ community.”

11 Apr 2023

Britney Spears Slams Trainer Who Told Her She Needed to Get Her ‘Younger Body Back’

Britney Spears is doing fitness her way, and without the input of any personal trainers. In a triumphant Monday (April 10) Instagram post, the pop star showed off her fitness progress while calling out one exercise coach who said she needed to focus on getting her “younger body back.”

Alongside a video of the pop star confidently dancing in a crop top that shows off her toned midriff, the “Toxic” singer wrote about feeling “protective of myself” following a slew of paparazzi photos she thinks portrayed her body in an unflattering light. “It didn’t look like my body [in the pictures],” she captioned the video, specifically referencing unflattering photos snapped of her as she dealt with her car breaking down in L.A.

“By no means am I saying my body is perfect but I took the time 2 months ago to find a trainer and the first thing she did to me was literally … and I’m not even lying … pinch the skin on my stomach and legs and told me I need to get my younger body back,” Spears continued. “Why the hell did she do that ??? It made me cry.”

Two months later, though, Spears is getting her revenge by calling out the toxic behavior and taking pride in the body she has today. “I obviously didn’t hire [that trainer] so I did it myself !!!” the Grammy winner boasted of her fitness progress. “God knows my body ain’t perfect but I did want to share what my body looks like at the moment … I worked my a– off and for some people like that trainer who might see those nasty pap pics and secretly smile … Yup, y’all got it … I have 4 hours of footage from me shooting this yesterday and b—h, I’m just getting started.”

See Spears’ full post below:

11 Apr 2023

Morgan Wallen Triples Up at No. 1 on Artist 100, Hot 100 & Billboard 200 Charts for a Second Time

Morgan Wallen simultaneously tops the Billboard Artist 100, Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts (dated April 15), ruling as the top musical act with both the No. 1 song and album in the United States for the second time in his career.

Wallen is now the eighth artist to spend multiple weeks leading the Artist 100, Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts at the same time.

Wallen first tripled up atop the three tallies dated March 18, as his LP One Thing at a Time launched atop the Billboard 200 and its single “Last Night” hit No. 1 on the Hot 100. The set scores a fifth week at No. 1 on the latest Billboard 200 with 173,000 equivalent album units earned (March 31-April 6), according to Luminate, while “Last Night” rebounds for a second week atop the Hot 100.

Most Weeks Simultaneously Leading the Artist 100, Hot 100 & Billboard 200 Charts

  • 16, Drake
  • 15, Taylor Swift
  • 9, Adele
  • 5, The Weeknd
  • 2, Ariana Grande
  • 2, Ed Sheeran
  • 2, Harry Styles
  • 2, Morgan Wallen
  • 1, Beyoncé
  • 1, Justin Bieber
  • 1, BTS
  • 1, Camila Cabello
  • 1, Future
  • 1, Kendrick Lamar

As Wallen’s “Last Night” returns to No. 1 on the Hot 100 for a second total week on top, it becomes the first song by a male artist and no accompanying acts to have notched multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs chart, where it claims a ninth week on top, since Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” in 1975. Wallen places 12 songs on the latest Hot 100, after simultaneously charting a new one-week record 36 songs on the survey dated March 18, all from One Thing at a Time.

Wallen has now spent 11 total weeks at No. 1 on the Artist 100, extending his record for the most among core country acts.

The Artist 100 measures artist activity across key metrics of music consumption, blending album and track sales, radio airplay and streaming to provide a weekly multidimensional ranking of artist popularity.

11 Apr 2023

Metallica Kick off Kimmel Residency Talking Newbie ‘Stranger Things’ Fans, Ripping Through ‘Lux Aeterna’

Metallica kicked off their week-long Jimmy Kimmel Live! residency in style on Monday night (April 10), joking that they were the world’s oldest boy band before tearing through their news ingle about eternal light. When Kimmel noted that some of the fans hanging around outside his studio were the same age that the late 50s/early 60s members were when they started, drummer Lars Ulrich asked the audience to keep their real ages a secret.

Part of the youth wave, Kimmel suggested, was the by-now-iconic placement of “Master of Puppets” in a pivotal scene in the most recent season of Netflix’s Stranger Things. “We wrote that song for Stranger Things in, what, 1980-something?,” singer/guitarist James Hetfield joked during their couch time. “We knew it was gonna happen!”

Hetfield said it was a no-brainer to allow the use of the song in the hit show, saying he’s still “blown away” that people are attracted to the relentless speed metal anthem. “It’s like a nine-minute heavy metal song from 1986 that probably predates most of these people by 25 30 years,” Ulrich said. “It’s just insane. Who would have thought?”

Considering bassist Robert Trujillo’s son played the solo on the show — with tutoring from lead guitarist Kirk Hammett — the guitarist suggested that it might not be too soon to consider tutoring some understudies to take their places at some point. And, because all their children are involved in music in some fashion, Kimmel wondered if they were happy that their offspring are in the family business.

“No, my son’s a drummer,” Hetfield said in a bid to poke Ulrich, who put his hand on James’ arm as he smiled at his pal’s gentle ribbing. “I’m not happy about that at all!” Hetfield doubled down. When Kimmel asked if they’d like it if their kids were in a band together, Ulrich said that might be “pushing it a little bit.” The band also discussed their “For Whom the Band Tolls” marching band competition, their new vinyl pressing plant and Ulrich’s obsession with coming up with different set lists for the two-night stands the band is doing on their upcoming tour.

“The challenge is to figure out how to structure the two sets, no songs can be played twice,” Lars explained. “So there’s a completely blank canvas so that’s always fun.” Tweaking his lifelong pal again, Hetfield said that “somebody sitting here is somewhat obsessed with setlists and putting things together… it’s gonna be okay buddy!”

The band then tore through the blazing first single from 72 Seasons, “Lux Æterna,” to cap off the first night of four-night stand. Metallica will be on Kimmel! through Thursday night (April 13) and will perform “Master of Puppets” on Wednesday, which Kimmel noted is the longest song ever performed on the show. Check out Metallica’s performance and couch chat below.

11 Apr 2023

SZA Extends S.O.S. Tour in North America & Europe: See the Dates

SZA‘s 2023 just got busier. The “Kill Bill” singer revealed on Tuesday (April 11) that she’s extending of her S.O.S. tour, which will see her traveling across Europe and more cities in North America starting this summer.

The tour extension will kick off on June 1 with a stop at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. Throughout the month, SZA will play shows in Paris, Zurich, Berlin, London and more before concluding the European leg on June 21 in Dublin with a show at the 3Arena. “Escapism” singer RAYE will support SZA on the European leg, with the exception of the June 11 date in Cologne, Germany.

The 33-year-old will head stateside in September, starting with a show at Miami’s Kaseya Center on Sept. 20. The second North American trek will include stops in Nashville, Brooklyn, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and more before concluding in Phoenix on Oct. 29. The St. Louis-born artist plays her hometown on Oct. 11. The Philadelphia show on Sept. 26 serves as rescheduled date from SZA’s postponed S.O.S. tour stop in the city on March 2.

Fans looking to get presale access to tickets for Europe can do so staring on on Wednesday, April 12, at 10 a.m. local time.  Remaining tickets will be sold in a general onsale that will take place on Friday, April 14, at 12 p.m. local time on szasos.com. North America dates go on presale via Live Nation on Thursday, April 13, at 10 a.m. local time. General on sale will begin on Friday, April 14, at 12 p.m. local time on szasos.com. 

See the full list of tour dates below.

THE S.O.S. EUROPE TOUR DATES

  • June 1 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome*
  • June 5 – Paris, France – Accor Arena*
  • June 7 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion*
  • June 9 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena*
  • June 11 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
  • June 13 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena*
  • June 15 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro*
  • June 17 – London, UK – The O2*
  • June 18 – London, UK – The O2*
  • June 21 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena*

*With Support from RAYE

THE S.O.S. NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

  • Sept. 20 – Miami, Fla. – Kaseya Center
  • Sept. 22 – Tampa, Fla. – Amalie Arena
  • Sept. 24 – Nashville, Tenn. – Bridgestone Arena
  • Sept. 26 – Philadelphia, Penn. – Wells Fargo Center^
  • Sept. 28 – Baltimore, Md. – CFG Bank Arena
  • Sept. 30 – Boston, Mass. – TD Garden
  • Oct. 1 – Newark, N.J. – Prudential Center
  • Oct. 4 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
  • Oct. 6 – Brooklyn, N.Y. – Barclays Center
  • Oct. 7 – Brooklyn, N.Y. – Barclays Center
  • Oct. 10 – Chicago, Ill. – United Center
  • Oct. 11 – St. Louis, Mo. – Enterprise Center
  • Oct. 14 – Houston, Texas – Toyota Center
  • Oct. 15 – San Antonio, Texas – AT&T Center
  • Oct. 18 – Denver, Colo. – Ball Arena
  • Oct. 19 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Vivint Arena
  • Oct. 22 – Los Angeles, Calif. – Crypto.com Arena
  • Oct. 23 – Los Angeles, Calif. – Crypto.com Arena
  • Oct. 26 – San Francisco, Calif. – Chase Center
  • Oct. 28 – Las Vegas, Nev. – T-Mobile Arena
  • Oct. 29 – Phoenix, Ariz. – Footprint Center

^ Rescheduled date from Leg 1 without Omar Apollo

11 Apr 2023

Nick Cannon Jokes He’d Be Down With Taylor Swift Being the Mom of His 13th Baby: ‘She’s Kind of Like Me’

Nick Cannon already has kids with one global pop superstar, but he’s not ruling out procreating with another. While speaking with Howard Stern on Monday (April 10), the Masked Singer host joked about who he’d most want to become the mother of his next baby — who would become his 13th child total — coming to the conclusion that Taylor Swift would be a perfect fit.

It was Stern who got the conversation going, asking his guest, “Who would be the woman that’d make you have a baby again?”

At first, Cannon was reluctant to answer. “I’m not doing this. I can [already] see the headlines …,” he laughed.

But when the shock jock suggested Swift? Cannon was emphatic. “Absolutely, I’m in,” he said, excitedly slamming his hand on the arm of his chair. “I’m all in. First of all, she’s an amazing songwriter. What I do love about Taylor Swift is the fact that she has been so vulnerable and open with all of her music since she was a young girl.”

The “Anti-Hero” singer and actor Joe Alwyn recently broke off their six-year romance, as reported by several news outlets Saturday (April 8). When Stern noted that Swift is newly single, Cannon joked, “You know I know that, Howard. My Spidey senses was tingling.”

Cannon is already a father to 12 kids, first becoming a father in 2011 when he welcomed twins Moroccan and Monroe with Mariah Carey. Since then, he’s had children with five other women: Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, Alyssa Scott, Bre Tiesi and LaNisha Cole.

The Drumline star went on to suggest that he and Swift have common ground when it comes to their past high-profile relationships. “She’s kind of like me,” he told Stern. “Me and Taylor’s numbers are very similar when we talk about being in these streets, so I think she would relate to me very well based off of like, ‘Yo, you dated a lot of people in the public eye, so have I.’ We’d probably really understand each other.”

Watch Nick Cannon talk about his family dreams for Taylor Swift above.

11 Apr 2023

Foo Fighters, Eddie Vedder & The Killers to Headline 2023 Ohana Festival

Eddie Vedder is bringing his seventh annual Ohana Festival to Doheny State Beach this fall, and the rocker revealed the star-studded lineup on Tuesday (April 11), with himself, Foo Fighters and The Killers leading the pack as headliners.

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The Chicks, HAIM, The War On Drugs, Father John Misty, Japanese Breakfast, Suki Waterhouse and many more are also set to take the stage at the festival, which will take place on September 29 to October 1.

Ohana will also bring back The Cove, an area within the festival that combines music with activism, featuring a number of panel discussions form leading conservationists, environmentalists, researchers and professional surfers. The Cove also features a Charles R. Adler-curated art gallery that showcases a collection of pieces themed around music, surf, skate and activism.

Tickets for the all-ages 2023 Ohana Festival will go on sale starting with the Ten Club Presale on Tuesday (April 11) at 8 a.m. PT, followed by the SMS Presale on Thursday (April 13) at 10 a.m. PT, which you can sign up for here. All remaining tickets will go on sale later that day at noon PT. Ticket options include three-day or one-day GA tickets, plus VIP, VIP+ and layaway options.

See the full Ohana Festival lineup, as well as more information, here.

11 Apr 2023

Grand Ole Opry Reveals Opry NextStage Class of 2023

The Grand Ole Opry has revealed eight artists chosen to take part in this year’s Opry NextStage program, marking the largest class in the program’s history.

The 2023 class members are Ashley Cooke, ERNEST, Jackson Dean, Chapel Hart, Corey Kent, Kameron Marlowe, Megan Moroney and Ian Munsick.

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ERNEST released the deluxe version of his Flower Shops album earlier this year, and earned a top 20 Billboard Country Airplay hit with the Morgan Wallen-featured title track. Jackson Dean’s debut single, “Don’t Come Lookin’,” reached the top five on the Country Airplay chart, while Moroney‘s “Tennessee Orange” currently sits at No. 17 on the same chart. Kent’s single “Wild as Her” resides at No. 8 on the Country Airplay chart.

Familial trio Chapel Hart, known for its performances on America’s Got Talent, will release its debut album Glory Days on May 19. Meanwhile, Munsick just released his new album, White Buffalo, which includes collaborations with Cody Johnson, Vince Gill and Marty Stuart.

The Grand Ole Opry will officially introduce the new NextStage class with an Opry NextStage Live concert at Lava Cantina in Colony, Texas, on May 10 at 2:30 p.m., leading up to the 58th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on May 11. The Opry NextStage Live concert will air live on Circle Network. Following the show, the artists in the Opry NextStage program will be featured throughout the year, with original Opry content, performances on the Grand Ole Opry and support across the Opry Entertainment platforms, including WSM Radio and Circle Network.

“Opry NextStage is a testament to the Grand Ole Opry’s longstanding reputation as a trusted curator in Country music and its commitment to nurturing and showcasing exceptional new talent, as it has done for almost a century” said Jordan Pettit, director of artist relations and programming strategy of Opry Entertainment Group. “This year’s new artist class, much like previous classes, showcases exceptional creativity across various musical styles, and we are excited to carry on the Opry tradition by introducing this exciting group of rising artists to fans.”

Tickets will be available through an exclusive pre-sale beginning Thursday, April 13, at 10 a.m. CT. General public on-sale will begin Friday, April 14, at 10 a.m. CT via Eventbrite.

The Opry NextStage program launched in 2019 and has featured artists including Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wade, Elvie Shane, Yola, Breland, Parker McCollum and Riley Green.

The Grand Ole Opry has made strides in offering its platform to highlight a range of new artists, from welcoming more than 100 artists to make their Grand Ole Opry debut performances in 2022, to making a minority investment with country music website Whiskey Riff and playing a role in the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards, slated to air Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT across NBC and Peacock, live from the Grand Ole Opry stage.  

11 Apr 2023

Millie Bobby Brown Quotes Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ Lyrics in Apparent Engagement Announcement

Here’s to beginnings and endings. As Taylor Swift’s six-year relationship with Joe Alwyn has reportedly slowed down, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown has ramped things up with boyfriend Jake Bongiovi.

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The two seemingly unrelated headlines merged on Tuesday (April 11) when the 19-year-old actress and her 20-year-old beau of several years appeared to make it official with a black and white post on Brown’s Instagram that featured a very Taylor twist.

“I’ve loved you for three summers now, honey, I want ’em all,” Millie wrote alongside the image of Jake — the youngest of Bon Jovi singer Jon Bon Jovi‘s four children — hugging her from behind on a beach with the actress rocking what appears to be a diamond ring on her ring finger.

The caption, of course, is a reference to Taylor’s song “Lover,” in which the Swift sings that exact line before busting into the chorus, “Can I go where you go?/ Can we always be this close forever and ever?/ And ah, take me out, and take me home (forever and ever)/ You’re my, my, my, my lover.”

Bongiovi shared a snap from a different angle, showing the couple from behind with the surf crashing in front of them, his arm draped around Brown’s shoulder and a second snap in which he’s gazing lovingly into Millie’s eyes while they take a boat ride. Jake’s caption featured the word “Forever” followed by a translucent heart emoji. At press time reps for the couple had not confirmed the news.

Brown and Bongiovi were first linked after they posted a selfie together in June 2021, making things official that fall with a November post in which they were snapped kissing on the London Eye. In January of this year, Brown gushed about her love, writing, “Endlessly in love with the year I’ve had! Grateful for my friends, family, donkey (bernard), my doggies, my puppies teeth, and my partner for life. Here’s to another year with you and the wonderful people and animals around us. Let’s do it again but better!”

Jake returned the honor in February, when he celebrated Bobby’s 19th birthday with a sweet post in which he wrote, “Another year around the sun together happy 19th to the girl of my dreams. I love you more than words can describe. Everything about you is golden down to the core.”

The happy news for BrownGiovi came just days after reports that Swift and actor Joe Alwyn had broken up after six years together.

Check out the happy couple’s snaps here and here.

11 Apr 2023

Welcome to… Tampa: Taylor Swift Named Honorary Mayor, Gets Key to City in Honor of ‘Eras’ Dates

Some people roll out the red carpet when Taylor Swift comes to town, while others give the singer the truly royal treatment. That explains why Tampa, FL mayor Jane Castor upped her game in advance of Taylor’s upcoming three-night stand at Raymond James Stadium.

The singer will kick off the run on Thursday (April 13) and in advance Castor lavished a pair of honors on the singer according to a video the Mayor posted on Twitter on Monday along with a very Swiftie message full of clasic Easter eggs: “#TAMPA are you ready for it? We’ve got a reputation to uphold!! Tag @taylorswift13 if you agree ‘Mayor Swift’ has a nice ring to it.”

In the one-minute video, Castor said, “Hey Taylor, this is Mayor Jane Castor. We are so excited to welcome you to Tampa.” Noting that the city’s weather “never goes out of style,” Castor said Swifties had spoken and were eager to find out what Tampa was going to do to welcome the singer to their city.

“We know Glendale changed its name, Arlington made a street sign, and Vegas illuminated their Gateway Arches, but here in Tampa, we’ve got a reputation to uphold,” Castor said of the stunts pulled by cities on earlier “Eras” dates to make the stops a little more special. “We want to go bigger. So I want to present you with a key to the city.”

Castor wasn’t done, though. She also invited Swift to be the city’s honorary mayor for a day. “Mayor Swift has a nice ring to it,” Castor said as she opened up a wooden box containing Taylor’s magic key. “We can’t wait to welcome you and your fans to Tampa (Taylor’s Version),” the actual Mayor added with a wink.

A follow-up tweet noted that in addition to the key and honorary mayorship, the city will light up its Old City Hall, the Tampa River Walk and downtown bridges in red in honor of the tour. Swift will be joined by beabadoobee and Gayle on the first night and beabadoobee and Gracie Abrams on Friday (April 14) and Saturday (April 15).

See the tweets below.