Music News

12 Dec 2022

Shaquille O’Neal Unveils ‘Shaq-tacular Spectacular’ New Year’s Eve VR Experience

Shaq is throwing an appropriately large New Year’s Eve event in the VR world.  

Retired NBA great Shaquille O’Neal will host “The Shaq-tacular Spectacular,” an immersive VR countdown special featuring guest spots from Cardi B, Killer Mike, Ludacris, Lil Yachty, Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek.

“This year we’re ringing in 2023 with new experiences and connections. I’m excited to celebrate with some of my favorite artists and athletes in a way that you can enjoy with friends and family in VR across the world,” the basketball superstar, broacaster and DJ says in a statement.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“From music, laughs and much more, we’re celebrating New Year’s Eve and welcoming 2023 with a spectacular party you won’t want to miss.”

The 19-year pro, who won four titles in the NBA and is regarded as one of the most dominant big men of all time, will spin tunes for a virtual DJ Diesel set, filling it up on a main stage that’s said to be “filled with a marching band, cheerleaders, pro roller skaters, basketball players” and more.

As the clock counts down to 2023, the one-hour special will premiere in VR in Meta Horizon Worlds and on Meta Quest TV, as well as on O’Neal’s Facebook and Instagram pages and Messenger’s Watch Together.

It is being produced by Westbrook Media, Media.Monks and Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends Productions, with the action tipping off from 6:30pm ET on Saturday, Dec. 31. Shaq has thrown his considerable frame behind several music ventures, including Shaq’s Fun House festival — a part festival, part carnival brand.

As DJ Diesel, he’s partial to massive, heavy-hitting bass music, a genre he says saved him and gave him purpose after retiring from the NBA in 2011. “The whole genre is energy,” O’Neal told Billboard earlier this year. “I missed that once retiring. Bass music was the vice I was missing and desperately needed.”

Since launching the DJ Diesel project, O’Neal hasn’t sat on the bench. He’s played many prestige clubs and festivals including Electric Zoo, Lollapalooza and Tomorrowland.

12 Dec 2022

Priscilla Block, Jelly Roll & Jackson Dean Among CRS New Faces of Country Music Show Performers

Every year, country radio personnel vote on the artists who are most likely to become future country radio mainstays. The top five vote-getters perform during the New Faces of Country Music Show, which serves as the culmination of the annual Country Radio Seminar, putting the newcomers in front of numerous influential country radio industry members.

This year’s includes UMG Nashville singer-songwriter Priscilla Block, who broke through with “Just About Over You,” as well as Big Machine Label Group artist Jackson Dean, who earned a hit with “Don’t Come Lookin’,” and Sony Music Nashville newcomer Nate Smith, who is surging with “Whiskey on You.”

They join BBR Music Group artist and “Country’d Look Good on You” singer Frank Ray, as well as BMG’s Jelly Roll, who has a Billboard top 10 Country Airplay chart hit with “Son of a Sinner” and played a triumphant sold-out hometown arena show in Nashville on Dec. 9.

The 2023 New Faces of Country Music Show will take place March 15, concluding the 2023 Country Radio Seminar slated for March 13-15 at Omni Nashville Hotel.

CRB New Faces Committee Chairman Chuck Aly said via a statement, “The radio and streaming partner constituencies of CRS have spoken and, word is, the future of country music is bright. This year’s New Faces class comprises artists with admirable creative depth and burgeoning commercial impact. Translation: Don’t miss it!”

The first New Faces of Country Music show was held in 1970 and featured Jack Barlow, Jamie Kaye, Karen Kelly, Wayne Kemp, Lynda K. Lance, LaWanda Lindsey, Dee Mullins and Norro Wilson. Since then, a who’s who of country artists have performed on the show early in their careers, including Lefty Frizzell, Eddie Rabbitt, Vern Gosdin and Gene Watson. Reba McEntire, Alabama and Sylvia were among those on the 1980 lineup, while George Strait, Rodney Crowell and Ricky Skaggs performed at the event in 1982. Randy Travis and Marty Stuart were among the 1986 lineup, while Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, Holly Dunn and Lyle Lovett were on the bill a year later.

Tim McGraw met his wife, fellow country singer Faith Hill, during the 1994 New Faces of Country Music Show; that year’s lineup also included Toby Keith, Lari White, Clay Walker and John Berry. Keith Urban and Brad Paisley shared the 2000 lineup, while Miranda Lambert and Eric Church were on the 2007 bill, and Taylor Swift and Luke Bryan were on the same bill in 2008.

12 Dec 2022

Selena Gomez Subtly Responds to a TikTok About Her Weight When She Dated Justin Bieber

Selena Gomez‘s 2019 breakup ballad “Lose You to Love Me” may now have a new layer of meaning for some fans. The 30-year-old pop star on Sunday (Dec. 11) responded to a TikToker’s claim that she was “always skinny” when she dated on-again, off-again ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber, who fans already believe her hit song is about.

The TikTok, posted Nov. 29, features a reel of throwback photographs of Gomez, several of them showing her in athletic wear, appearing to have just hit the gym. It ends with a screenshot of what is allegedly an old Instagram comment left by the Only Murders in the Building actress in response to a fan who’d said “Jelena forever” and “love you both.”

“No love,” the comment allegedly left by Gomez reads. “He’s rather models. I’m just too normal.”

In addition to thousands of fans, Gomez chimed in on the TikTok, leaving a simple downcast, sad face emoji.

The “Rare” singer and Bieber dated on and off for most of the 2010s, beginning in 2011 and ending their romance for good in 2018. Just a couple months after that final breakup, Bieber got engaged to Hailey Bieber. By the end of September that year, he and the model were married.

Showing that there is no bad blood, Selena and Hailey were recently photographed embracing each other at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala in October. And in the Wizards of Waverly Place star’s November documentary My Mind & Me, she said that her split from the “Peaches” singer was “the best thing that ever happened to me.”

The sad face emoji may just be Gomez’s way of expressing general disapproval for the TikTok and its discussion of her figure. She’s been open in the past about how her weight fluctuates as a result of her Lupus, as well as how body-shaming comments aimed at her have affected her mental health over the years.

12 Dec 2022

Taylor Swift to Release Additional Eras Tour Tickets for Verified Fans

Taylor Swift gave some Swifties an early Christmas present on Monday morning (Dec. 12) when some fans who signed up for the Verified Fan presale for her Eras Tour last month who were unable to land tickets were notified that they were getting a second chance. An unknown number of fans who signed up for the Ticketmaster Verified Fan pre-sale who were locked out when shows went on sale last month due to a crush of demand were notified that they will have an opportunity to participate in an upcoming sale.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift Fans Sue Ticketmaster Over Tour Presale Debacle: ‘Massive Disaster’

“Congratulations, you have been selected to participate in a limited-time opportunity to request to purchase 2 tickets to Taylor Swift The Eras Tour,’ read the note. “You were selected for this opportunity because you have been identified as a fan who received a boost during the Verified Fan presale but did not purchase tickets,” the note continued. “We apologized for the difficulties you may have experienced, and have been asked by Taylor’s team to create this additional opportunity for you to purchase tickets.”

The note says that the ticket purchasing window will begin sometime before Dec. 23, with invitations issued on a staggered basis by tour date in each city. Fans will get additional information and instructions on how to submit their request at an as-yet-unannounced future date.

Last month, Ticketmaster issued a formal apology to Swifties after the chaotic sales process for her 2023 Eras Tour left many on the outside looking in. “We want to apologize to Taylor and all of her fans — especially those who had a terrible experience trying to purchase tickets,” Ticketmaster tweeted on Nov. 18. “We feel we owe it to everyone to share some information to help explain what happened.”

The debacle stemmed from the crush of fans trying to enter Swift’s presale for her 52-date Eras Tour, which initially caused the system to crash shortly after launch as 14 million fans and billions of bots flooded the site, causing service disruptions. Ticketmaster noted that more than 3.5 million fans pre-registered for Swift’s Verified Fan program, with 90% of the ticket inventory vanishing in the first two days of the pre-sale. The botched sale has since sparked interest from a number of lawmakers in Washington and across the country interested in probing whether Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation have abused their huge market share in the live music industry.

A spokesperson for Ticketmaster had not returned Billboard‘s request for additional information on the Verified Fan ticket release at press time; a spokesperson for Swift had not official comment.

12 Dec 2022

Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift & More Vie for Best Song at 2023 Golden Globes: Here’s Who Earned Nominations for Song and Score

Three of music’s hottest female stars – Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift – are among the nominees for best song at the 2023 Golden Globes. Meanwhile, four of the five nominees for best score are past winners in the category, including the venerable John Williams, who has won a record-tying four times.

The nominations for the 80th Golden Globes were announced on Monday (Dec. 12).

Best Song

Rihanna is nominated for “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Rihanna co-wrote the ballad, which entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 2., with Ryan Coogler, who directed and co-wrote the film; Ludwig Göransson, who scored the film; and Tems. “All the Stars,” from the original Black Panther, was nominated in this category four years ago.

Gaga, who won in the category four years ago for co-writing “Shallow” from A Star Is Born, is nominated for co-writing “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick. Bloodpop was her co-writer on the song, which peaked at a lower-than-expected No. 49 on the Hot 100.

Swift was nominated for “Carolina” from Where the Crawdads Sing. This is Swift’s fourth nomination in the category, following Safe & Sound from The Hunger Games (2012), “Sweeter Than Fiction” from One Chance (2013) and “Beautiful Ghosts” from Cats (2019). Swift worked with different collaborators on each of those songs (The Civil Wars, Jack Antonoff and Andrew Lloyd Webber, respectively). She wrote the new song by herself.

Here’s a full list of the nominees for best song:

  • “Carolina,” Taylor Swift (Where the Crawdads Sing)
  • “Ciao Papa,” Guillermo del Toro & Roeban Katz (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio)
  • “Hold My Hand,” Lady Gaga and Bloodpop (Top Gun: Maverick)
  • “Lift Me Up,” Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Ryan Coogler (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
  • “Naatu Naatu,” Kala Bhairava, M. M. Keeravani, Rahul Sipligunj (RRR)

Among the songs that were passed over for nominations: “Til You’re Home” from A Man Called Otto, Rita Wilson; “Applause” from Tell It Like a Woman,  Diane Warren; “This Is a Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once, David Byrne, Ryan Lott; Mitski; “Nobody Like U” from Turning Red, Billie Eilish and Finneas; “Do a Little Good” from Spirited, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul.

Best Score

Four of the five nominees for best score are past winners in the category.

John Williams, nominated for The Fabelmans, has won four times for Jaws (1975), Star Wars (1977), E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). He is tied with Dimitri Tiomkin and Maurice Jarre for the most wins in the history of the category; this could be the tie-breaker. This is his record-extending 25th nomination in the category.

Alexandre Desplat nominated for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, has won twice, for The Painted Veil (2006) and The Shape of Water (2017).

Justin Hurwitz, nominated for Babylon, has won twice, for La La Land (2016) and First Man (2018).

Hildur Guðnadóttir, nominated for Women Talking, won three years ago for Joker. If she wins again, she’ll become the first woman to win multiple Globes for scores.

This year’s only nominee who has yet to win in the category is Carter Burwell, nominated for The Banshees of Inisherin.

Here’s a full list of the nominees for best score:.

  • Alexandre Desplat, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
  • Hildur Guðnadóttir, Women Talking
  • Justin Hurwitz, Babylon
  • John Williams, The Fabelmans
  • Carter Burwell, The Banshees of Inisherin

Among the scores that were passed over for nominations: Terence Blanchard, The Woman King; Chanda Dancy, Devotion; Michael Giacchino, The Batman; Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Empire of Light; LudwigGöransson, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Marcelo Zarvos, Emancipation

12 Dec 2022

Janet Jackson Announces 2023 ‘Together Again’ Tour With Ludacris, Promises ‘New Music’ Soon

Janet Jackson took to Instagram on Monday morning (Dec. 12) to make a live announcement about her 2023 North American arena/amphitheater tour. “I’m going back on tour and, yes, we will be together again,” said the singer with a smile, noting that the name of the outing is Together Again. “I miss you guys so much and I cannot wait to see you,” she added.

The other big news was that rapper Ludacris will serve as the opening act on the 33-date Live Nation-produced tour. And, and in even bigger news, Jackson confirmed that she’s been back in the studio. “There will be new music,” the singer promised, without revealing any details about when it will drop or any titles.

The tour is slated to kick off on April 14 in Hollywood, Florida at Hard Rock Live Arena and feature stops in Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, New York, Atlantic City, Milwaukee, Dallas, Los Angeles and Portland before winding down on June 21 in Seattle, WA at Climate Pledge Arena.

A promotional video promised a night of hits, plus new music. The fan pre-sale begins on Tuesday (Dec. 13) at 11 a.m. local time, with the general on-sale kicking off on Friday (Dec. 16) at 11 a.m. local time; click here for more information on tickets. Jackson’s last major tour was in 2019, on which she celebrated the 30th anniversary of her landmark Rhythm Nation 1814 album.

In October, Jackson surprised friends and fans by showing up at a London party celebrating the 25th anniversary reissue of her 1997 Velvet Rope album. The set was re-released on Oct. 7 via digital retailers and streamers with additional bonus tracks, including 10 cuts that made their official streaming debut.

After Jackson greeted partygoers – while the DJ spun classic Jackson tracks alongside tunes such as Beyoncé’s “Heated” and Missy Elliott’s “She’s a Bitch” – Jackson took the mic to share memories of making The Velvet Rope. “This album is so, so close to me,” Jackson told the crowd via Instagram Live. “It was, I would say, out of all the albums that I’ve created, and especially with Jimmy [Jam] and Terry [Lewis], it was the most difficult … the most difficult album for me to create.”

“I was going through so much in my life,” Jackson said at the event, “and it was so deep, in trying to find and figure out who I am, where I stand. And at the end of the day, like I did with the other albums, just putting it down, never keeping a journal. I’m sure a lot of you already know this. And I didn’t know if my fans would like it.”

See Jackson’s announcement and the 2023 dates below.

Janet Jackson 2023 Together Again tour dates:

April 14 — Hollywood, FL

April 19 — Orlando, FL

April 21 — Savannah, GA

April 22 — Birmingham, AL

April 25 — Columbia, SC

April 27 — Atlanta, GA

April 29 — Memphis, TN

April 30 — St. Louis, MO

May 2 — Kansas City, MO

May 4 — Nashville, TN

May 6 — Bristow, VA

May 9 — New York, NY

May 12 — Charlotte, NC

May 13 — Baltimore, MD

May 14 — Virginia Beach, VA

May 19 — Mansfield, MA

May 20 — Atlantic City, NJ

May 23 — Toronto, ON

May 24 — Detroit, MI

May 26 — Noblesville, IN

May 27 — Tinley Park, IL

May 28 — Milwaukee, WI

May 30 — St. Paul, MN

June 2 — Dallas, TX

June 3 — Houston, TX

June 4 — Austin, TX

June 7 — Phoenix, AZ

June 9 — Irvine, CA

June 10 — Los Angeles, CA

June 11 — San Diego, CA

June 16 — Mountain View, CA

June 20 — Portland, ME

June 21 — Seattle, WA

12 Dec 2022

Missy Elliott Gives Commencement Speech, Donates $20K to Norfolk State University: ‘You Already Won’

You really can go home again. And, sometimes when you do they give you an honorary degree for your impressive accomplishments. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott was celebrated in her hometown of Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday (Dec. 10) during the fall 2022 commencement ceremony at Norfolk State University. The Virginia Pilot reported that Elliott encouraged the class of 400 students to keep chasing their dreams and be proud that they’ve come this far.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“I am proud of y’all, and y’all should be proud of your self,” Elliott sold the students. “I want you to look at each other and say, ‘You already won.’ Let ’em know! Ain’t no winning, you already the one. ‘Cause y’all coulda been doing anything else the last few years, y’all coulda been wildin’ out, but y’all decided to finish the course. And that’s major.”

“I’m looking around and I see innovators, visionaries, leaders created in here,” the hip-hop icon said while rocking the school’s green and gold colors during the institution’s 109th graduation ceremony, during which she received the Presidential Commencement Medallion, the institution’s most prestigious award; Elliott also received an honorary doctorate in humane letters as a recognition of her “outstanding professional achievements and extraordinary contributions to public service.”

“I want to see these same faces years from now saying … ’I became famous, I became president, I became a lawyer.’ All of those things,” the rapper added, according to the Pilot.

As part of her support for the local community, Elliott also presented the university with a check for $20,000 to address its “area of greatest needs.”

“Two time Doctorate ‘Dr. Elliott’ I am so Humbly Grateful??Thank you @norfolkstateuniversity for having me today & showing so much love ?? To the Class Of 2022,” Elliott wrote on Instagram along with images of the ceremony and snaps of her with university officials, as well as a shot of a pair of special green and gold commemorative sneakers with her picture on the side. “May your Journey be Successful/ Fearless/ Determined to be the BEST! Behold The Green & Gold!!!!”

Elliott got her first honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 2019.

Check out images from the graduation ceremony below.

12 Dec 2022

Walker Hayes Sets Headlining Duck Buck Tour for 2023

Walker Hayes recently concluded his first headlining arena tour in November, and he’s already preparing to head back on the road in 2023, beginning April 13 when his new Duck Buck Tour launches in Rosemont, Illinois.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Ingrid Andress will provide direct support on the 22-show tour, with Breland, Ray Fulcher, Nicolle Galyon and Chris Lane opening select shows. “More Hearts Than Mine” hitmaker Andress recently released the album Good Person, while Breland (known for his collaboration with Dierks Bentley and HARDY on “Beers on Me”) recently released the project Cross Country. Fulcher has penned numerous hits for Luke Combs and released the project Larkin Hill Mixes in 2021.

On May 5, Galyon and Lane will make a special appearance at the coveted Denver-area venue Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Galyon is known for penning songs including Dan + Shay’s “Tequila,” Lee Brice’s “Boy” and Morgan Wallen’s “Thought You Should Know.” Earlier this year, she released her debut album, firstborn. Lane has notched Country Airplay hits including “Fix,” “Big, Big Plans” and “I Don’t Know About You.”

The Duck Buck Tour takes its name from a lyric on the title track of his recent album Country Stuff: “I like shooting ducks and bucks.” Since then, the Duck Buck logo has popped up on Hayes’ merch, in music videos and on his social media.

“I can’t wait to get back out on tour,” Hayes said via a statement. “Headlining an arena tour for the first time this past year was a dream come true. The whole family was able to come out and the road has become our new home away from home. All the fans that have come out or will come out are making this dream a reality. I owe it all to them, and this next tour will be the biggest and best. I don’t take for granted that they spent their hard-earned money on my shows, and I plan to make it well worth It!”

A presale for Walker Hayes Fan Club members will launch Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. local time and will run through Dec. 15 at 10 p.m. General tickets will go on sale Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. local time.

Last year, Hayes earned his first No. 1 Country Airplay hit with “Fancy Like,” which also reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has also earned a Grammy nomination at the upcoming ceremony, for best country song. His current single, “Y’all Life,” is at No. 32 on the Country Airplay chart.

See the dates for the Duck Buck Tour below:

April 13 Rosemont, IL Rosemont Theatre*
April 14 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center*
April 20 Evansville, IN Ford Center*
April 21 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP*
April 22 Oklahoma City, OK Paycom Center*
April 27 University Park, PA Bryce Jordan Center#
April 29 Wilmington, NC Live Oak Bank Pavilion#
May 4 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena+
May 5 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre+
June 2 Gilford, NH Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion#
June 3 Boston, MA Leader Bank Pavilion#
June 9 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place Amphitheater#
June 10 Boca Raton, FL Mizner Park Amphitheater*
June 17 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory*
June 22 Camdenton, MO Ozarks Amphitheatre#
June 23 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheater#
June 24 Orange Beach, AL The Wharf Amphitheater#
July 28 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater*
July 29 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre*
Aug 3 St. Louis, MO Saint Louis Music Park*
Aug 4 Indianapolis, IN TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park*
Aug 5 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre*

+Chris Lane and Nicolle Galyon

# Ingrid Andress and Ray Fulcher

*Ingrid Andress and BRELAND

11 Dec 2022

Fans Choose Lana Del Rey’s ‘Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music

Lana Del Rey‘s latest song release, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” has topped this week’s new music poll.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Dec. 9) on Billboard, choosing the track as their favorite new music release of the past week.

Lana Del Rey’s new song brought in more than 80% of the vote, beating out new music by Paramore, SZA and more.

The singer-songwriter surprised fans earlier this week with the announcement of her upcoming ninth album, which shares its name with the title of her new song that was also unveiled. The album, with featured artists including Jon Batiste, Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers, Father John Misty, Judah Smith, Tommy Genesis and SYML, will arrive on March 10.

Trailing behind Lana Del Rey’s “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” on the fan-voted poll is Paramore’s “The News,” with 13% of the vote, and SZA’s SOS album, with 5% of the vote.

See the final results of this week’s new music release poll below.

11 Dec 2022

Miley Cyrus Reveals Some of Her ‘New Year’s Eve Party’ Lineup on ‘The Tonight Show’

Miley Cyrus has announced some of the guests who will ring in 2023 with her and Dolly Parton for NBC’s annual New Year’s Eve special.

Cyrus stopped by The Tonight Show this weekend to have a chat with Jimmy Fallon about the upcoming holiday show, revealing that Sia, Latto and Rae Sremmurd are among the other musical artists who will be joining the festivities.

“Sia is coming. She’s one of my favorite artists,” Cyrus told Fallon.

She continued, “We have Latto.”

And Cyrus rounded out the reveal to announce the news that “Rae Sremmurd, who are friends of mine,” will be appearing. Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party is set to air on NBC Dec. 31, live from Miami.

“As we get closer to the show, I want to start revealing who else we have. But the lineup is very me. It is curated in a way that makes no sense, but makes total sense,” Cyrus explained.

Speaking of the theme of change around the new year, Fallon then asked Cyrus to give him a hand with shaving off his beard — which she agreed to do, but warned, “I don’t know what you’re gonna look like.”

Watch her Tonight Show clips below.