Music News

04 Apr 2023

Mod Sun Says Fans ‘Saved My Goddamn Life’ Following Avril Lavigne Split

Mod Sun got vulnerable about his breakup with Avril Lavigne at his Los Angeles tour stop on Sunday night.

“Ya’ll f—ing saved my goddamn life for the last six weeks,” he told his fans from the stage of the Fonda Theater in a video captured by TMZ.

“If any of y’all are going through some sh– right now, whether it be heartbreak, depression, addiction, anxiety, maybe you just have a negative voice in your head right now, I want you to know the one thing I have learned in the last almost four years: Do not be afraid to ask for help,” the pop-punk rocker continued. “So, thank you for helping me. It’s time for a new chapter.”

Mod Sun and the Love Sux songstress officially called off their engagement back in February after nearly two years together.

Since then, Lavigne has been spotted out and about with Tyga on multiple occasions, and while neither has publicly commented on their relationship, the rapper did seemingly make things Instagram official by posting a photo from their trip to Paris for Paris Fashion Week. For her part, the pop-punk princess left a cryptic comment on the post in the form of three black heart emojis.

Watch Mod Sun thank his fans for their post-breakup support here.

04 Apr 2023

Kelly Clarkson Gets Patriotic for Rocking ‘American Woman’ Cover: Watch

Kelly Clarkson is the epitome of an “American Woman.” To prove it, the American Idol alum ripped through a cover of The Guess Who‘s 1970 track for Tuesday’s (April 4) episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show for the show-opening Kellyoke segment.

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Backed by her band Y’all — who dressed in all black and leather jackets for the rocking occasion — Clarkson hit several soaring high notes with her usual ease.

“American woman/ Stay away from me/ American woman/ Mama, let me be/ Don’t come hangin’ ’round my door/ I don’t wanna see your face no more/ I got more important things to do/ Than spend my time growin’ old with you/ Now woman, stay away/ American woman, listen what I say” Clarkson sang, backed by rollicking guitars and a help of backup vocalist, before launching into the track’s chorus.

“American Woman,” released in 1970 by Canadian band The Guess Who, was covered by Lenny Kravitz for the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me movie soundtrack in 1998. The track was released as a single for the movie in 1999 and later received placement on the rock star’s reissue of his album 5. Kravitz’s version of “American Woman” peaked at No. 49 and spent a total of 21 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

“American Woman” marks the fourth Kravitz song Clarkson has performed for Kellyoke, following “Fly Away,” “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”

Watch Kelly Clarkson perform “American Woman” in the video above.

04 Apr 2023

Thomas Rhett, Chris Tomlin, Lady A & More Set for Nashville Concert Honoring Victims of Covenant School Shooting

Many in Nashville’s music community are coming together for a night of music and to stand with The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville where six people, including three children and three staffers, were killed just over a week ago in a school shooting on March 27.

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On April 12, Belmont University’s The Fisher Center will host “A Night of Joy Celebrating the Covenant School” to honor the victims and their families as well as the church, staff and first responders, and bring an evening of music, hope and healing. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. CT.

Author/speaker Annie F. Downs will lead the evening, which will also feature performances from Chris Tomlin, Colony House, Dave Barnes, Drew Holcomb, Ellie Holcomb, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, Lady A, Matt Kearney, Matt Maher, Natalie Hemby, Sixpence None the Richer, Stephanie and Nathan Chapman, The Warren Brothers, Thomas Rhett, Trent Dabbs and Tyler Hubbard. Also on the bill are Brett Taylor, Luke Laird, Sandra McCracken, Dwan Hill, Jasmine Mullen and Sarah Kroger, with more special guests expected.

The six victims fatally shot by the shooter at Covenant School were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all age 9; Cynthia Peak, age 61; Katherine Koonce, age 60; and Mike Hill, age 61. A 28-year-old suspect was killed during an altercation with police.

Tickets for the event go on sale Wednesday, April 10, at 10 a.m. CT at thefishercenter.com, with all ticket proceeds benefiting The Covenant School.

Previously, artists including Sheryl Crow and Margo Price performed at a vigil for the victims that was held March 29 in downtown Nashville, while Lauren Daigle postponed an album preview party that had been set for March 27 and instead hosted a prayer vigil for the victims of the mass shooting. In addition to the vigils, protests have been held at the Tennessee Capitol building in downtown Nashville, as students and adults pleaded with legislators to enact gun reform in the wake of the shooting.

04 Apr 2023

Diplo’s New Country Album ‘Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant’ Is On the Way

Diplo‘s country era continues! On Tuesday (April 4), the musician revealed the release date of his forthcoming album, Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant, along with a story of how the record came to be via Instagram.

“To prepare for this new Thomas Wesley project I went back to my father’s house in Florida. It all started in the swamps I was raised in and I spent six months learnin guitar, gettin in touch with nature, working his boat when the shrimp were running on full moons at the trailer park,” he said.

After calling in favors to rappers, attending Stagecoach for research, and befrending several Nashville-based A&R’s, the DJ confidently added that the new LP is “the greatest single piece of work I’ve ever done, I can promise you that. Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant… out April 28.”

While fans will have to wait until then to hear the project in full, the LP’s first single “Wasted,” featuring Kodak Black and Koe Wetzel, arrived in late January. And according to an official press release, there is “more music imminent.”

Swamp Savant serves as the official follow-up to 2020’s Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley Chapter 1: Snake Oil. The set featured the singles “Heartless” with Morgan Wallen, “Dance With Me” with Thomas Rhett and Young Thug, and “Lonely” with Jonas Brothers. The album peaked at No. 50 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.

See Diplo’s album release date announcement below:

04 Apr 2023

Trey Anastasio Band, Goose, Pretty Lights, Channel Tres & John Summit Lead Hulaween 2023 Lineup

Hulaween will once again unite the heady forces of dance music and jam bands with its annual soiree, happening in Live Oak, FL this October 26-29.

Leading the lineup are jam favorites The String Cheese Incident, Trey Anastasio Band, Goose, Dispatch and Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. From the dance side, headliners include Channel Tres (who indeed recently told Billboard he’s ready for “that big stage type of energy”), along with John Summit, Elderbrook, BLOND:ISH, Manic Focus, Eprom and a headlining set from Pretty Lights, who on Tuesday (April 4) announced this show as part of his 2023 comeback tour. See the complete lineup, featuring more than 90 acts, below.

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Hulaween, which is independently operated by Collectiv Events, the same company behind Chicago’s North Coast Music Festival and the Sacred Rose fest, which debuted last year in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview.

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“The festival and concert industry landscape continues to be bought up and homogenized by the majors, so staying the course as true independents and surviving through all of the highs and lows we’ve endured to this milestone 10 year anniversary, is incredible,” says Hulaween co-founder, brand manager and talent buyer Michael Berg.

“We think back fondly of all the people who have been part of the Hula journey with us, and how the team continues to learn and grow to elevate the experience and lineup every year,” Berg continues. “We’ve proudly stayed true to this community and culture we are servicing and hope to keep doing that for at least another 10!”

Hulaween

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04 Apr 2023

Ben Affleck Calls Jennifer Lopez ‘The Greatest Performer in the History of the World’

Ben Affleck dished in a new interview on Tuesday (April 4) about his relationship with Jennifer Lopez and the songs she’s written about him over the years.

Appearing on an episode of the SmartLess podcast with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes, the Air star raved about all the facets of his wife’s talent, saying, “Here’s this incredible actress and this incredible performer. And then we’re sitting in the car, you know, and I’m humming along, like I will, you know, to the radio. And then a professional singer goes ahead and sings along and you kind of feel like, ‘Well that’s embarrassing.’

“I do love her music, it’s brilliant and I know all of it,” he added. The Oscar winner also reflected on the tracks in her discography that bear his name, including “Dear Ben” from 2002’s This Is Me… Then and its 2023 follow-up “Dear Ben Pt. II” on the soon-to-be-released This Is Me… Now.

“The songs that have been written about me have been written by the greatest performer in the history of the world, Jennifer Lopez,” he said. “I don’t know if they are exactly about me, as maybe inspired by me because there are some negative things in there. She’s amazing.”

Just a week ago, the couple graced the red carpet for the premiere of Air, which Affleck also directed. At the time, he heaped praise on J.Lo for being by his side during the process, saying, “I love you. You mean the world to me. You’re fabulous, you’re amazing, you’re wonderful, good, kind, magnificent and I love you.”

Listen to Affleck talk about J.Lo’s music on the SmartLess podcast below.

04 Apr 2023

What Is Your Favorite Latin Collaboration of March 2023? Vote!

March has officially wrapped, and as we welcome April, Billboard is asking our readers to vote for their favorite Latin collaboration released the past month. 

In true fashion, the fan-based poll features Latin collaborations that were either featured on our weekly New Music Latin playlist or as a new music release story. The list includes Feid and Younk Miko’s sultry reggaeton “Classy 101,” Becky G and Peso Pluma’s breakup corrido “Chanel,” Nicky Jam’s first Regional Mexican effort in “Como El Viento” alongside Luis R. Conriquez, and many more. 

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Also in the poll is “BESO,” Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro’s ultra-romantic collaboration, where in its sweet, homemade music video, the couple announced they were engaged. 

Additionally, you’ll find Los Ángeles Azules catchy cumbia sonidera “Tú y Tú” with Santa Fe Klan & Cazzu, Eladio Carrión and Bad Bunny’s “Coco Chanel,” as well as the latest “BZRP Music Session, Vol. 54” helmed by Bizarrap and Árcangel.

In February, Steve Aoki and CNCO won the poll with “Diferente” nabbing over 77 percent of the votes. What’s your favorite Latin collaboration of March? Vote below!

The 2022 winning collabs were Christina Aguilera and Ozuna’s “Santo” (January); Becky G and Karol G’s “MAMIII” (February); Sebastian Yatra and John Legend’s “Tacones Rojos (Remix)” (March); Bizarrap and Paulo Londra’s “BZRP Music Session” (April); Morar and Duki’s “Paris” (May); Blessd and Rels B’s “Energia” (June); Pablo Alboran and Sebastian Yatra’s “Contigo” (July); Anonimus and R3ymon’s “Santa Diabla” (August); Kany García and Christian Nodal’s “La Siguiente” (September); Juan Gabriel and Anahí’s “Déjame Vivir” (October); Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares’ “Tukoh Taka” (November); and Alejo and CNCO’s “Estrella” (December). 

04 Apr 2023

Kelly Clarkson Teases ‘Chemistry’ Lead Single ‘Mine’: Hear a Tiny Vocal Snippet

Kelly Clarkson‘s new music is coming sooner than you think! On Tuesday (April 4), the singer revealed the title and release date for the first single off her long-awaited divorce album, Chemistry.

“‘Mine’ out 4/14 pre-save now,” the original American Idol winner captioned a video of herself from the studio, using a trio of wineglass, broken heart and sunshine emojis. The black-and-white clip also offers fans their first tiny snippet of the song’s lyrics as she sings, “Someone’s gonna show you/ How a heart can be used/ Like you did mine” into the mic a cappella.

Clarkson has yet to share a release date for Chemistry, which will serve as her first original studio set of non-holiday music since 2017’s Meaning of Life. Of course, in the intervening years, she’s also released her second Christmas record, 2021’s When Christmas Comes Again…, and Kellyoke, the 2022 EP of covers named after her popular segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

“I’ve been working on this project for close to three years now. I wasn’t sure I was going to release it, but I am,” she said when announcing the pending album on social media. “This album is definitely the arc of an entire relationship. That whole relationship shouldn’t be brought down to one thing. There’s the good, the bad and the ugly kind of thing going on. Chemistry can be a really amazing, sexy, cool, fun thing, but it can also be very bad for you. So that’s why I named it Chemistry.”

Watch Clarkson create “Mine” in the studio below.

04 Apr 2023

Labrinth Drops Trailer for ‘Euphoria’ Track ‘Never Felt So Alone’ … But Wait, Is That Billie Eilish?

Billie, or no Billie? That is the question. Fans have been convinced for days that Labrinth‘s highly anticipated track “Never Felt So Alone” will feature a guest spot from Billie Eilish, but there’s still no official confirmation in sight.

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There is, however, a brand new trailer for the song featuring someone who definitely looks a lot like the “Bad Guy” singer — even though you can’t actually see her face. Her likeness is crawling on the floor with wet hair covering her eyes and cheeks at the 15-second mark in the video teaser shared Tuesday (April 4) on Labrinth’s YouTube channel.

Clearer shots of Lab himself are also featured throughout the trailer, but a warped camera lens makes it difficult to tell what’s happening in the video. At one point, he seems to be rolled into a mysterious room on a stretcher; in another scene, he and a group of men are chained to a weird metal structure.

“Never Felt So Alone” was featured in Euphoria‘s second season, but has remained unreleased since the show’s latest installment dropped on HBO Max last year, unlike the lion’s share of Labrinth’s original songs and collaborations with leading lady Zendaya and a handful of guest artists for the official soundtrack. That all changes on Friday (April 7), when the ethereal electro-pop mix finally arrives on streaming services.

Fans have suspected that Eilish would be jumping on the track for its official release since Lab first announced on Instagram last week that he’d be dropping the song. All it took to send fans spiraling was the “Happier Than Ever” singer’s comment on his post: a simple winky face — ;).

It’s also worth noting that Labrinth was one of Eilish’s special guests during one of her hometown shows at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles in December. The two teamed up that night for a live performance of, you guessed it — “Never Felt So Alone.”

See Labrinth’s (and Billie Eilish’s?) trailer for “Never Felt So Alone” above.

04 Apr 2023

Watch ‘Barbie’ Have ‘Fun, Fun, Fun’ in New Movie Trailer

Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film Barbie offered a look at Barbie Land in its second teaser trailer — released on Tuesday (April 4) — which features an abundance of technicolor sets, a star-studded cast and a 1964 hit by The Beach Boys.

Starring as the main Barbie in the film, Margot Robbie kicks off the trailer by saying hello to her fellow Barbie counterparts (Issa Rae, Alexandra Shipp and Ana Cruz Kayne) as they lounge on a bright beach. The Kens — Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu — also say hello to Barbie in a not-so-subtle competition for her attention. (Dua Lipa also stars in the movie as a Barbie mermaid, though she did not make an appearance in the trailer.)

As Barbie drives through the picture-perfect Barbie Land in her pink convertible, The Beach Boys’ hit “Fun, Fun, Fun” fitting blasts through the trailer. “And with the radio blasting/ Goes cruising just as fast as she can now/ And she’ll have fun fun fun,” lead singer Brian Wilson sings.

“Fun, Fun, Fun” was released as a single from the group’s 1964 album Shut Down Volume 2. The track, written by Wilson and his fellow group member Mike Love, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent a total of 11 weeks on the chart in 1964.

Barbie — which, per the film’s official synopsis, follows the tale of the titular doll on a quest to find happiness “after being expelled from Barbie Land for being a less than perfect-looking” — arrives in theaters on July 21.

Watch the latest trailer above.