Music News

18 Jan 2023

Fall Out Boy Guitarist Joe Trohman Announces Break From the Band Ahead of New Album Release

The same day Fall Out Boy announced their upcoming eighth album, founding guitarist Joe Trohman posted a note to social media saying he’s taking a break from the band.

“Without divulging all the details, I must disclose that my mental health has rapidly deteriorated over the past several years,” Trohman wrote in a message posted to Fall Out Boy’s Instagram page. “So, to avoid fading away and never returning, I will be taking a break from work which regrettably includes stepping away from Fall Out Boy for a spell.”

Trohman has been with the band since its early 2000s formation in the suburbs of Chicago, alongside singer Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz and drummer Andy Hurley.

Earlier Wednesday, Fall Out Boy announced their eighth studio album, So Much (For) Stardust, out March 24, and released the LP’s first single, “Love From the Other Side.” Trohman plays on the new album but appears to be stepping away ahead of promotion around the project, including a performance scheduled for Wednesday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

“It pains me to make this decision, especially when we are releasing a new album that fills me with great pride (the sin I’m most proud of),” Trohman’s note continued. “So, the question remains: Will I return to the fold? Absolutely, one-hundred percent. In the meantime, I must recover which means putting myself and my mental health first.”

Trohman thanked his bandmates and family for “understanding and respecting this difficult, but necessary, decision.”

Read Troman’s full note below:

Neil Young once howled that it’s better to burn out than to fade away. But I can tell you unequivocally that burning out is dreadful. Without divulging all the details, I must disclose that my mental health has rapidly deteriorated over the past several years. So, to avoid fading away and never returning, I will be taking a break from work which regrettably includes stepping away from Fall Out Boy for a spell.

It pains me to make this decision, especially when we are releasing a new album that fills me with great pride (the sin I’m most proud of). So, the question remains: Will I return to the fold? Absolutely, one-hundred percent. In the meantime, I must recover which means putting myself and my mental health first. Thank you to everyone, including my bandmates and family, for understanding and respecting this difficult, but necessary, decision.

Smell you sooner than later,

Joe Trohman

18 Jan 2023

J. Cole Surprise Drops New Song ‘Procrastination (Broke)’

J. Cole is helping fans get through the week with a surprise drop.

Producer Bvtman unveiled the rapper’s new track “Procrastination (Broke)” on Wednesday night (Jan. 18), along with a text message from Cole, in which he notes that the song wasn’t meant to be released. However, he decided to drop it as a “thank you” to Bvtman and “every producer out there cooking up and sharing their work with the world.”

“It’s a million artists out there right now just like me, hungry and searching every day for something to spark a word, a melody, a hook, a verse, a punchline, a way to vent, or a way to cut through,” the text reads. “On a day when I couldn’t find much motivation, I was looking for anything to inspire me. Out of curiosity, I typed in ‘J. Cole type beat’ into YouTube. Yours was the first I saw. I pressed play, focused, and wrote this.”

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Cole concluded by writing, “This is some s— that would normally stay in the vault, but I don’t want to hold onto the music like that no more. This is for you and whoever else need to hear it. God bless bro and keep doing what you do!”

The new song comes more than a year after J. Cole dropped his six studio album, The Off-Season, in 2021 via Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart dated May 29, 2021. A number of his other albums, including KOD (2018), 4 Your Eyez Only (2016), 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014), Born Sinner (2013) and Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011), also topped the Billboard 200.

Listen to “Procrastination (Broke)” below.

18 Jan 2023

From Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg to Beyoncé, What’s Your Favorite Super Bowl Halftime Show? Vote!

We’re weeks away from Rihanna taking over the Super Bowl LVII halftime show on Feb. 12. But before the superstar makes her sure-to-be-triumphant return to the stage, let’s look back on the halftime spectacles that have come before her.

The 2023 game marks 30 years since Michael Jackson‘s Super Bowl performance of 1993, which marked the beginning of a new kind of halftime show — one where fans began expecting to see the superstars they love enlisted to put on a career-defining set filled with lights, music and often a special surprise or two.

Throughout the last three decades, everyone from Katy Perry and Madonna to Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones have graced center stage between the goalposts, and we want to know which halftime performance is your all-time favorite.

In Billboard‘s official ranking, staffers put Prince‘s 2007 set at the very top thanks to The Purple One’s mix of his own hits with covers of Queen (“We Will Rock You”), Bob Dylan (“All Along the Watchtower”) and Creedence Clearwater Revival by way of Tina Turner (“Proud Mary”), though the defining act of his halftime show was the extended coda of “Purple Rain” as actual rain poured down in the stadium.

Then there’s U2‘s set just months after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, which brought the still-mourning nation together for a special tribute that included “Beautiful Day,” “MLK” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.”

Of course, the most memorable Super Bowl moment of all time occurred in 2004 when Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake headlined and an accidental tear-away (or expertly planned shock to the system, depending on who you ask) in the closing strains of “Rock Your Body” rocketed the phrase “wardrobe malfunction” into the cultural vernacular.

Other modern triumphs at the Super Bowl halftime show have come in recent years courtesy of Beyoncé, whose incredible 2013 set shut down the power in the third quarter of the game; Lady Gaga, who kicked off her 2017 performance by singing “God Bless America” and jumping from the roof of the stadium; and Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, whose combined dance moves and costumes sparked a flood of controversy just weeks before the coronavirus pandemic took over the world.

And last year, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg headlined an epic hip-hop show with help from Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak that electrified the hometown crowd at L.A.’s SoFi Stadium with hits like “California Love,” “No More Drama” and “Still D.R.E.”

Vote for your favorite Super Bowl halftime show below!

18 Jan 2023

Selena Gomez Is Rumored to Be Dating The Chainsmokers’ Drew Taggart & Fans Have Mixed Feelings

Selena Gomez and Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers are sparking dating rumors after they were spotted bowling together over the weekend at New York City’s The Gutter.

While neither Gomez nor Taggart have confirmed the relationship, the “Closer” DJ was previously linked to Steve Jobs’ 24-year-old daughter Eve Jobs and 30-year-old Chantel Jeffries.

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Meanwhile, Gomez opened up about her dating life in her recently released documentary, My Mind & Me, where she seemingly opened up about her past relationship with Justin Bieber, though she didn’t mention him by name. “I felt haunted by a past relationship that no one wanted to let go of,” she said. “But then I just moved past it. I wasn’t afraid anymore.”

The “Same Old Love” singer continued, “I feel like I had to go through the worst possible heartbreak ever. I just think that needed to happen, and ultimately, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Amid news of a potential romance between Gomez and Taggart, fans took to Twitter to share their mixed opinions, including hopes for a collaboration as well as some raised eyebrows about the Chainsmokers member’s recent discussion about having threesomes.

See fan reactions below.

18 Jan 2023

Aubrey Plaza Shares a ‘Crazy’ Kiss With Chloe Fineman in New ‘SNL’ Promo

It’s Aubrey Plaza is finally making her debut on Saturday Night Live, and she wants to make sure she’s perfect.

In a new promo for this weekend’s episode of the long-running comedy sketch show, the White Lotus star appeared alongside SNL cast member Chloe Fineman to reveal that she’s more than ready to grace the stage at studio 8H.

“I’m excited,” Plaza tells Fineman in the promo. “And oh my God, I love your impressions. Drew Barrymore is my favorite.”

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Plaza then launches into a dramatic impression of Marcia Gay Harden in the 2000 film Pollock, which did not impress the SNL star. Trying to be polite, Fineman asked Plaza if she could do an impression that’s “a little more fun.”

At the suggestion, the 38-year-old begins crying on cue and slapping herself in the face in an impersonation of Annette Bening in American Beauty, which startles Fineman. “Why are you like this?” she asks Plaza, who replies, “Because I’m insane, and I’ve been waiting to do this show since I was 12 years old,” before leaning in for a kiss. A janitor at the studio spots the two women making out, but ignores it and continues to do his job.

Saturday will mark Plaza’s hosting debut on SNL, but not for a lack of trying — she previously was an intern on the show and revealed during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that she did a “preliminary first-round showcase,” but didn’t make it to an audition with creator-producer Lorne Michaels.

Sam Smith will be Saturday’s musical guest. Watch the new promo in the video above.

18 Jan 2023

On the Radar Latin: J Noa, Un Leon Marinero & More Emerging Artists to Discover

Every month, Billboard Latin editors feature a small group of new, or relatively unknown, artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.

Our first 2023 edition of “On the Radar Latin” includes emerging artists who we found either in a Spotify playlist or at a music showcase, for example. See our recommendations below:

BRATTY

Country: Mexico

Why they should be on your radar: There’s an alluring, whimsical quality about Culiacán, Sinaloa artist BRATTY — whether it’s her breathy dolce vocals coupled with bedroom lo-fi productions or her unapologetic pop punk side. On the lyrical front, the artist displays a knack for kitschy songwriting, singing about birthday parties or trips to Japan with charm. She’s already collaborated with the likes of Cuco, Mon Laferte, and Girl Ultra, and remixed Metronomy’s “Things Will Be Fine.” On her latest surfy song “Continental,” BRATTY pairs up with fellow norteño artists Nsqk and Méne where they conjure up an indie jangle pop dream. “The song talks about the love that grows when a relationship is young, and you like that person enough to ask them to move in with you,” she said about the song in a press release. “In the lyrics, I tell them that I would even prepare breakfast for them.” — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song for your playlist: “Continental,” also starring Nsqk & Méne

Chris Palace

Country: United States (of Colombian and Salvadoran descent)

Why they should be on your radar: A Maryland native, Chris Palace, at 21 years old, has paved his own path in the music industry with passion and strive. From the Northeast to Miami to ultimately landing at a song camp in Puerto Rico, Palace debuted as an artist in 2022 with his single “Que Sería.” After knocking on the correct doors, sliding into DMs, and making his way at industry events, Palace got on Rauw Alejandro’s radar, who that same year, signed him to his label Los Sensai Records. An edgy personality, suave vocals, and progressive tracks spotlight Palace’s promising and versatile project, which as of now, can be heard on the Rauw-assisted “GATAS” (part of Saturno album) and his six-track EP Insomnia. “Insomnia is the first stage of the artist, where he works a lot without being able to sleep fighting for his dreams,” he expressed on Instagram. — JESSICA ROIZ

Song for your playlist: “ADELANTAH”

J Noa

Country: The Dominican Republic

Why they should be on your radar: “I am a beast of massive destruction,” declares J Noa in Spanish. The outspoken rapper doesn’t hold back. With her heady, rapid-fire flow, she commands attention and we are listening. At just 17 years old, the artist displays an awareness of her environment that is as chilling as it is eye-opening. Hailing from the province of San Cristóbal in the Dominican Republic, J Noa narrates the struggle, hustle, and bustle of life in the hood, while slaying some socio-political critiques of the D.R. governmental powers that be. For instance, her Sony Music-debut track “Qué Fue?” is an explosive call-out that lyrically tackles issues of poverty, addictions, and murders in her country, while adding “I only intend to open conscience.” With an impressive arsenal of rap bars and freestyle abilities, it’s no wonder why she proclaimed herself as the daughter of rap. The genre is in promising hands. — I.R.

Song for your playlist: “Qué Fue?”

Los Reales del Rio

Country: Mexico

Why they should be on your radar: Hailing from Zacatecas, Mexico is this young, six-ensemble group that I randomly discovered through a Spotify playlist over the holiday break. Los Reales del Rio (The most real of the river)—honoring their town’s name, Río Grande—launched in 2021 with a very colorful addition to traditional Norteño music. Specifically, their up-tempo “Tres Seis Cinco (365),”—released independently in the fall of 2022—gained social media virality and has become their best-known track as of now. Its lyrics bring to the forefront the group’s relatable lyricism—a song about loving someone the three hundred and sixty-five days in the year and doing it all over again. The track pushed Los Reales’ on Spotify’s Mexico and Guatemala charts, opening their horizons for a more fruitful 2023. — J.R.

Song for your playlist: “Tres Seis Cinco (365)”

Un León Marinero

Country: Mexico

Why they should be on your radar: Joining the blossoming wave of Latin folk music—think Silvana Estrada, Ed Maverick, Kevin Kaarl—is Un León Marinero (real name: Leo Meléndez). On the Internet, he keeps a minimal bio: “I like to write songs” (Spotify) and “your humble servant and always a friend” (YouTube) but he’s far from a simplistic singer-songwriter. Hailing from San Luis Potosi, León is a modern-day trovador (troubadour) that sings about giving love and being loved, all backed by his pure and warm-toned melodies and emotive vocals. In 2015, he unleashed his debut single “Nieve de Limón” and in 2022 released his debut album A Orillas del Río Santiago. In between, he’s collaborated with newcomer Kaarl and performed at important venues across Mexico. — J.R.

Song for your playlist: “Estar Solo”

18 Jan 2023

Official HIGE DANdism’s ‘Subtitle’ Ties Gen Hoshino’s ‘Koi’ for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Japan Hot 100

Official HIGE DANdism’s “Subtitle” has tied the all-time record for most weeks at No. 1 on the latest Billboard Japan Hot 100, dated Jan. 18, logging its 11th week atop the chart.

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The track has now caught up with superstar Gen Hoshino‘s “Koi” that set the 11-week record in early 2017. The tracks are also tied for most consecutive weeks at No, 1 with seven each.

Hoshino’s ubiquitous hit continues to be widely popular today, and “Subtitle” is also well on its way to becoming one of HIGE DAN’s biggest hits as well. But, as predicted last week, the track is slowing down considerably — the overall points for “Subtitle” decreased by about 10 percent this week— so we’ll see if the next tally will become a history-changing moment on the Japan charts.

The four-man band currently has three songs charting in the top 10 — “Subtitle,” “White Noise,” and the former No. 1 song “Mixed Nuts” — with “White Noise” debuting at No. 5. The track is the opener for the latest story arc of the TV anime series Tokyo Revengers and is the band’s second tie-in with the series following the long-running hit “Cry Baby” from the summer of 2021.

LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE’s debut single “Hunter” launched with 88,660 copies (No. 2 for sales) and bowed at No. 2 on the Japan Hot 100 this week. The new group, formed through the iCON Z 2022 Dreams For Children audition that was the biggest of its kind in LDH’s history, also came in at No. 1 for radio this week.

Meanwhile, “Kamisama datte kimerarenai,” the tenth single by 22/7 (Nanabunnonijyuuni), a virtual idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto of AKB48 fame, hit No. 1 for sales with 89,460 copies sold, but couldn’t follow up in other metrics (No. 25 for radio, for example) and debuts at No. 7 on the Japan Hot 100.

The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, YouTube and GYAO! video views and karaoke data.

For the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, tallying the week from Jan. 9 to 15, see here. For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English Twitter account. 

18 Jan 2023

Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to Rihanna for Beyoncé Comparison: ‘You’re a Superstar’

Stephen A. Smith walked back the comments he made comparing Rihanna to Beyoncé on Wednesday (Jan. 18).

The moment occurred when the firebrand sports commentator stopped by Sherri Shepherd’s eponymous talk show to discuss the “Needed Me” singer’s upcoming Super Bowl LVII halftime show. “Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things; she’s spectacular, actually,” he said. “There’s one thing she’s not: She ain’t Beyoncé.”

Obviously, the ill-suited comparison sparked a vocal outcry from the studio audience — as well as backlash among Rihanna’s fans on social media — and hours after the interview aired, Smith hopped on Instagram ready to eat crow. “I’m gonna own it,” he said. “I know what y’all tryin’ to do. But I’m gon’ own it because I get paid to speak for a living, so I need to be more careful.

“I want Rihanna to know: You’re a superstar, you’re sensational, you’re spectacular,” the ESPN personality continued. “You’re no joke. And you are a worthy person to be doing the Super Bowl halftime show.”

However, Smith then attempted to justify his comment by blaming Shepherd for asking a question in front of her largely female studio audience. “Now I’m a Beyoncé fan,” he stated. “I think that Beyoncé is not only a phenomenal performer, but the phenomenal performer. And the only reason any kind of comparison came into play is because Beyoncé performed at halftime at the Super Bowl not just by herself, but one separate Super Bowl performance with Bruno Mars and Coldplay. And I thought that those were two of the greatest shows that I’ve ever seen.

“So what I’m saying is anybody has to measure up to that,” he concluded. “Last year with Snoop and Dre and Mary J. and Eminem, I was like, ‘Bruno Mars! Beyoncé! Coldplay! Big time! They’ve got to measure up to that.’ Anybody who does a Super Bowl halftime show, forever I’m gonna say, ‘Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, and Beyoncé by themselves.’ Michael Jackson could still be alive and I would say, ‘It’s gotta measure up to that.’”

Watch Smith’s gasp-inducing Sherri interview and subsequent mea culpa to Rihanna below.

18 Jan 2023

Here’s Why Adam Lambert Doesn’t Think Theo James Should Play George Michael in a Biopic

The White Lotus star Theo James joined Watch What Happens Live last week, where he expressed interest in playing George Michael if a biopic were ever in the works.

“Oh yeah, I would love that, he’s an icon,” he said. “He’s a lot of Greek, and I’m a lot of Greek. Put that Greek together, and you get falafel.”

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However, when The Advocate shared the news to Instagram, Adam Lambert criticized the thought. “Yay another straight man playing a gay icon,” the singer commented, along with an eye roll emoji. The comment was seemingly in reference to other biopics about gay stars played by straight men, such as Rami Malek playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody and Taron Egerton playing Elton John in Rocketman.

However, despite reports of a biopic surrounding the late Wham! frontman, the George Michael estate put to rumors to rest in a statement. “To all of George’s Lovelies, fans and lovers of his music, a story has been published stating that George Michael’s family has endorsed a so called ‘biopic’ about his life,” read the note from George Michael Entertainment. “On behalf of George’s family and GME we want to make it clear that there is no truth whatsoever in this story, we know nothing about this project and will not be endorsing it in any way.”

18 Jan 2023

Pamela Anderson Says She’s ‘Forever Grateful’ for Tommy Lee Relationship

Pamela Anderson is just weeks away from opening up about her life in an upcoming memoir, Love, Pamela, and Netflix documentary, Pamela, A Love Story, both out on Jan. 31. Leading up to the release, the actress shared an excerpt from the memoir detailing her relationship with rockstar Tommy Lee.

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“My relationship with Tommy may have been the only time I was ever truly in love,” she wrote in the passage, shared on Wednesday (Jan. 18) by People. The couple was married in 1995 in Cancun, and during their time together, Anderson said the duo “had fun and our rule was no rules.”

However, when their personal tapes were stolen from their garage and then made into a “sex tape” for sale, things began to go south. “It ruined lives, starting with our relationship — and it’s unforgivable that people, still to this day, think they can profit from such a terrible experience, let alone a crime,” Anderson wrote.

The couple share two sons, 26-year-old Brandon and 25-year-old Dylan, and the pressure started to infiltrate the relationship. In 1998, Anderson said she was holding then-seven-month-old Dylan one night, when Lee twisted her arm.  “Tommy ripped Brandon off me and threw me and Dylan into a wall,” she wrote, noting that she went on to call 911. Lee was then arrested and served six months in jail. Anderson soon filed for divorce.

“The divorce from Tommy was the hardest, lowest, most difficult point of my life,” she wrote. “I was crushed. I still couldn’t believe that the person I loved the most was capable of what had happened that night. We were both devastated, but I had to protect my babies.”

However, she and Lee still “check in, every once in a while.” She added, “Tommy is the father of my kids and I’m forever grateful.”