Music News

14 Oct 2022

Adam Levine Is Releasing on a Spanish-Language Song With Maluma & The Rudeboyz

Adam Levine is getting ready to tap into the Spanish market. On Thursday (Oct. 13), the Maroon 5 frontman shared a snippet of a forthcoming track — in which he sings in full Spanish for the first time — titled “Ojalà,” a collaboration with Maluma and The Rudeboyz.

The 43-year-old singer teased a 20-second clip of the upbeat track on his TikTok page, captioning the post, “#Ojala @RUDEBOYZ @Juan Luis.” Maluma shared the snippet to his Instagram Stories and as a post, writing on one Story, “What do you think about this?” 

The Rudeboyz — a duo consisting of Chan El Genio (real name Bryan Snaider Lezcano Chaverra) and Kevin ADG (real name Kevin Mauricio Jiménez Londoño) — shared their excitement, and revealed the single’s release date on Instagram. “#OJALA OCTOBER 20,” the duo captioned a post that included the single’s official cover art, which features all four artists posing in front of a yellow car. ️”A very important release for us with people we admire a lot!!  Keep your eyes on this !! @maluma @adamlevine.”

The collaboration comes after allegations that the Maroon 5 frontman had been unfaithful to wife Behati Prinsloo, who is currently pregnant with the couple’s third child. In September, influencer Sumner Stroh claimed Levine had affair with her, and alleged that the rocker told her he was thinking of naming his upcoming baby Sumner.

Levine later issued a statement, denying that he had an affair. “A lot is being said about me right now and I want to clear the air. I used poor judgment in speaking with anyone other than my wife in ANY kind of flirtatious manner,” he wrote on Instagram Stories. “I did not have an affair, nevertheless, I crossed the line during a regrettable period in my life. In certain instances it became inappropriate; I have addressed that and taken proactive steps to remedy this with my family.”

“Ojalà” will be released on Oct. 20. Check out Adam Levine and Maluma’s snippets below:

14 Oct 2022

‘The Voice’ Standouts Bodie & Jaeden Luke Are in Perfect Harmony for Their Justin Bieber Battle

The best battles on The Voice are more like well-orchestrated duets than knock-down, drag-out fights, and in the face-off between bodie and Jaeden Luke — premiering exclusively on Billboard below before airing in full Monday night — the duo are in perfect harmony.

The battle reimagines Justin Bieber‘s decade-old song “As Long as You Love Me,” featuring Big Sean, as an acoustic, lovelorn duet, leaving the 2012 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit’s synth and hip-hop elements behind.

Both bodie and Luke are on Team Blake, and this battle will determine who moves forward in the competition. But there is a world where both men could advance, if one of the other three coaches (Camila Cabello, Gwen Stefani or John Legend) decide to steal a singer for their team.

It looks like the guys’ best chance will be Cabello, who admitted to getting pretty “hot and flustered” by the track’s “sexy arrangement.”

“Well, it is my team,” Blake Shelton quipped in response.

Cabello had kind things to say about both singers — especially Jaeden, whom she jokingly called “my boyfriend” after they had a flirtatious meeting during his blind audition. “Jaeden, your tone is so beautiful. I want to hear it in my ear,” she said, quickly adding: “I’m just kidding. I’m joking. That was a joke. I want to hear it on a record. I think you as an artist, as the whole package, is special.”

For Bodie, Cabello said, “You were even better than I remember in your blind. Your runs were crazy, then your belts were masterful. You were flawless.”

She also let it be known that she would “steal both of you,” regardless of who Shelton chooses.

So who will he choose? You’ll have to tune in to NBC at 8 p.m. ET on Monday night to find out, but you can watch the full performance and coaches’ comments below:

14 Oct 2022

EMPIRE Announces ‘Where We Come From (Vol. 1)’ African Compilation Album Featuring Fireboy DML, Olamide, Wande Coal & More

EMPIRE announced its first-ever African compilation album, Where We Come From (Vol. 1), on Friday (Oct. 14). It will feature Fireboy DML, BNXN fka Buju, Olamide, Wande Coal, L.A.X. and more.

Kizz Daniel dropped the first single “Cough (Odo)” from the LP, which aims to celebrate and amplify Africa’s rising stars and their music. “For this song, I wanted to highlight the feeling of new love,” he said in a statement. “The song itself is energetic, celebratory and really captures what it’s like to impress someone new.”

Artists from the continent have grown more prominent in the global music scene over the last few years and gained more notoriety in the West with crossover hits such as Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence,” Fireboy’s “Peru” and Burna Boy’s “Last Last,” the latter of which recently earned the Nigerian Afro-fusion superstar his first No. 1 hit on Billboard‘s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.

“I feel blessed to have been around so much talent, drive, and creativity all in the same room. This album is about showcasing the best that Africa has to offer, and we’ve done that,” added BNXN.

Leading independent label, publisher and distributor EMPIRE added a new division, EMPIRE Africa, in February 2022 and, just one month later, took part of its blossoming roster of Afrobeats acts — including BNXN, Fireboy DML, L.A.X., Cheque and Wande Coal — from Nigeria to Austin, Texas to perform during “The New Africa” showcase at SXSW, which EMPIRE hosted with Pandora. Shortly after, those artists banded together during a writing camp at EMPIRE’s San Francisco headquarters, where EMPIRE CEO/founder Ghazi says they were “fortunate enough” to record Where We Come From (Vol. 1).

“The artists from Africa really transcend where music is today. This is a legendary moment for EMPIRE to be able to share incredible African music with the world,” he continued.

Added Ezegozie Eze, vp, strategy and market development for EMPIRE Africa: “This album is a collective of multi-talented, independent artists, who we’ve partnered with to help create a legacy. Building this brick by brick has allowed us to develop a chemistry between this diverse catalog of African artists and we’re extremely appreciative of the time and dedication it took to put this together.”

14 Oct 2022

Taylor Swift Unveils 3 Curated Playlists: ‘Quill,’ ‘Fountain’ & ‘Glitter Gel’ Pen Songs

Taylor Swift revealed a detail about her writing process in September: She categorizes each of her songs as having “Fountain Pen,” “Quill Pen” or “Glitter Gel Pen” lyrics. And now, one week ahead of the release of her new album Midnights, the pop star has teamed up with Apple Music to unveil three playlists that reveal which of those uniquely specific groupings are home to a handful of her tracks — from songs on Fearless (Taylor’s Version) to Evermore.

Announced Friday (Oct. 14), Apple’s playlists are titled after Swift’s three “Pen” groupings, something she opened up about while accepting the Songwriter-Artist of the Decade honor at the Nashville Songwriter Awards. “I came up with these categories based on what writing tool I imagine having in my hand when I scribbled it down, figuratively,” she’d said in her speech. “I don’t actually have a quill. Anymore. I broke it once when I was mad.”

Each of the playlists begin with a personal audio message recorded by the 11-time Grammy winner herself, followed by anywhere from 11 to 18 songs spanning her past three albums — Lover, Folklore and Evermore — and her two rerecorded albums, Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version). The longest of the playlists is Swift’s “Fountain Pen Songs,” which include modern lyrics full of familiar references and vivid imagery, according to Apple’s description (think “All Too Well,” “Lover,” “Champagne Problems,” etc.).

“Most of my lyrics are ‘Fountain Pen’ lyrics,” Swift said in a statement with Apple. “They’re modern personal stories, written like poetry, about those moments you remember all too well where you can see, hear, and feel everything in screaming detail.”

Songs such as “Willow,” “Red” and “Carolina” — which she composed for the July film Where the Crawdads Sing — make up the “Quill Pen” playlist, while the “Glitter Gel Pen” lineup features bouncier tracks including “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “You Need to Calm Down” and “You Belong With Me.”

“Glitter Gel Pen songs have lyrics that make you want to dance, sing and toss glitter around the room,” Swift continued. “They remind you not to take yourself too seriously, which is something we all need to hear these days. Quill Pen songs are songs with lyrics that make you feel all old fashioned, like you’re a 19th century poet crafting your next sonnet by candlelight.”

Listen to her three playlists below:

14 Oct 2022

Beto O’Rourke Is ‘So Grateful’ for Harry Styles’ Endorsement: ‘He’s Well Aware of’ the Issues

Beto O’Rourke is feeling golden after earning Harry Styles‘ endorsement. The Democrat, who is running against incumbent Greg Abbot in Texas’ gubernatorial race in the Nov. 8 general election, is sharing how he feels about the pop superstar showing his support during his Oct. 2 concert in Austin.

“To have his support and to get that push from him, it was really just wonderful,” O’Rourke told Hysteria podcast hosts Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco on the episode that dropped Thursday (Oct. 13).

During that sold-out show in Austin — which the politician attended — the “As It Was” singer stood quietly in front of a microphone with his brown and black guitar. As shown on the massive screens in the Moody Center, Styles then started to gently rock the instrument back and forth. As the camera zooms in on the guitar, it focuses on a black-and-white sticker that read “Beto for Texas,” which Styles highlighted by repeatedly pointing to and drawing circles with his fingers around.

“So many young people who weren’t really plugged into this campaign — or really this race — or maybe didn’t know there was an election taking place in Texas or the issues … they’re taking notice,” O’Rourke continued during his chat on the podcast. “They’re curious and they’re coming out and they’re getting registered to vote. So that was a huge boost, and I am so grateful to him.”

The gubernatorial hopeful added that he also had the chance to chat about O’Rourke’s run for governor with the star after meeting him backstage. “He had watched the debate that we had a few days before,” the former presidential hopeful shared. “He said, ‘Brilliant job in the debate.’”

“How cool that he’s watching and paying attention,” O’Rourke added. “But I think he is for the same reason that we’re talking right now, that there’s probably no state that has a greater bearing on this country’s future on the issues that matter most: voting rights, reproductive healthcare freedom, gun violence. I mean, you name it, it is right here in Texas, and he’s well aware of that.”

Styles has been vocal on the issues of gun violence and reproductive rights. After the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killed 19 young children and two teachers in May, the singer-songwriter announced that he had partnered with Everytown, a non-profit organization that works to end gun violence, and would be donating profits from his Love on Tour trek.

Then, during one of his six shows at the Moody Center in Austin, Styles spoke out on his stance regarding women’s reproductive rights. “No one can tell you what to do with your own body, it’s yours,” the star said, according to Fox 7 in Austin.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, Texas has triggered a near-total abortion ban with the Human Life Protection Act. Under this law, any physician who performs an abortion in the state could not only lose their medical license, but also face a potential life prison sentence and massive fine. Texas also has a law — Senate Bill 8 — that prohibits an abortion to be performed after a heartbeat is detected, which could be as early as six weeks.

Watch Beto O’Rourke talk about Harry Styles’ support below:

14 Oct 2022

Ringo Starr Tests Positive for COVID-19 Again, Cancels Tour

Ringo Starr has tested positive for COVID-19 again. The musician revealed his diagnosis late on Thursday (Oct. 13), and announced that he’s canceling the remainder of his tour.

“I’m sure you’ll be as surprised as I was I tested positive again for Covid the rest of the tour is off I send you peace and love Ringo,” he wrote in an Instagram post alongside a selfie.

The 82-year-old and his All Starr Band’s remaining shows were Oct. 14 in San Jose, Calif.; Oct. 15 in Paso Robles, Calif.; Oct. 16 in Los Angeles; and Oct. 19-20 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Starr initially tested positive earlier in the month, and announced Oct. 3 that he was canceling five shows in Canada. That announcement came after he had canceled a pair of concerts “due to illness.” A week later, on Oct. 10, he shared on Instagram that had tested negative for the coronavirus and was ready to get back to work. “On the road again I will see you in Seattle on Tuesday the 11th Portland Wednesday I am negative peace and love everybody thanks for waiting,” he wrote at the time.

The second leg of the nine-time Grammy winner’s All Starr Band tour kicked off September in Bridgeport, Conn. The tour dates were initially planned for 2020, but when the global coronavirus pandemic hit, the former Beatle’s tour — like many musicians’ around the world — was postponed.

Since touring has resumed, various musicians have had to cancel or postpone shows as they and/or their touring crew contracted COVID-19 while on the road. Drake, The Rolling Stones, Alan Jackson, and Justin Bieber are among those who have delayed shows after testing positive for COVID-19.

See Ringo Starr’s latest announcement below:

14 Oct 2022

Louis Tomlinson Unveils ‘Out of My System’: Listen

Louis Tomlinson is continuing the rollout for his highly anticipated new album, Faith in the Future, with a brand new single, “Out of My System,” which arrived on Friday (Oct. 14).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Out of My System” is the second track from the former One Direction member’s forthcoming LP. The album’s lead track, “Bigger Than Me,” arrived Sept. 1 and peaked at No. 35 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. The track also found success on Billboard‘s Hot Trending Songs chart, where it debuted at No. 14 on the chart dated Sept. 17.

In an interview with SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up last month, Tomlinson described infusing the album with both an emphasis on live sound and multidimensional production, contrasting the guitar-driven elements of his first studio album Walls. “It’s really important to me in the live show, but also in how the tracks are produced as well,” said Tomlinson. “Me and the producers were a little braver on this record. It was marginally one-dimensional on the first record where I was just thinking about guitar sounds and guitar-driven songs.”

Tomlinson added that reflecting during the pandemic led him to realize what style of music he truly wanted to make. “Lockdown was good for these kinds of thoughts,” said Tomlinson, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I realized I want to chase something else. I wanted to find something else that was more fulfilling for me at this time.” 

Listen to “Out of My System” below.

14 Oct 2022

Taylor Swift Set for ‘Tonight Show’ Appearance Following ‘Midnights’ Release

Taylor Swift‘s highly anticipated Midnights album is just around the corner, and the 11-time Grammy winner is set for her first late-night interview since last year when she joins The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday (Oct. 24).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The appearance comes just a few days after Swift’s tenth studio album arrives on Oct. 21. Meghan Trainor will appear on the late night show that same night, closing out the episode with a special performance.

The rest of the week on The Tonight Show is equally as star-studded, with Sigourney Weaver appearing as a guest and musical duo Zedd and Maren Morris performing on Tuesday (Oct. 25). One Wednesday (Oct. 26), Selena Gomez will take the late-night stage as a guest along with actress Rose Byrne. To close out the week, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown will appear on Thursday (Oct. 27).

Swift’s upcoming 13-track Midnights, which features a collaboration with Lana Del Rey, is her first non-rerecorded album since 2020’s Evermore. If Midnights reaches No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — and she’s already had 10 releases reach the peak position — she would tie Barbra Streisand for the most No. 1 albums by a female artist.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon airs Mondays through Fridays from 11:35 p.m. to 12:35 a.m. ET/PT on NBC, and is available on demand on Peacock, which you can sign up for here. While Peacock offers a free tier with no subscription required, the free tier will only get you a limited amount of content. Watch The Voice via Peacock Premium, which starts at $4.99 a month or $49.99 for an annual subscription.   

14 Oct 2022

One of These 62 Songwriters Will Win the First Grammy for Songwriter of the Year

The list of 62 songwriters or songwriting teams that are vying for the newly created Grammy Award for songwriter of the year, non-classical includes such major names as Desmond Child, James Fauntleroy, Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter.

It also includes some surprises. The-Dream, who had a pair of top five albums on the Billboard 200 in 2009-10, and Michael Wilson Hardy, who records as HARDY, are both eligible. This award was specifically designed to celebrate songwriters who primarily write for other artists, rather than songwriters who are also artists or producers.

So how did they make the list? The-Dream’s entered work this year focused on his work as a songwriter for Beyoncé, Brent Fayiaz and Pusha T. Hardy’s entries include songs for such artists as Blake Shelton and Brantley Gilbert featuring Jason Aldean. HARDY is featured as an artist on only one of his entries (Cole Swindell’s “Down to the Bar”).

One songwriting team is entered – Denisia “Blue June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi” Coney, who comprise the record production and songwriting duo Nova Wav. They submitted songs that they wrote for Mary J. Blige and Beyoncé.

The eligibility list includes nine Grammy winners – The-Dream (five awards), Fauntleroy (four), Jason Ingram (three), Lindsey (three), McAnally (three), Hemby (two), David Leonard (two), Jonathan Smith (two), and Edgar Barrera (one).

Most of the eligible songwriters submitted credits reflecting work with multiple artists, to show their range. But three of the writers show credits with just one artist — Steve Cooper (The Group Fire), Ed Miranti (Vischious Fishious), and Adam Garzilli (Adam King).

Four of Ryan Hurd’s submitted credits are for songs he wrote for his wife, Maren Morris, but he also has a credit for Jordan Davis. Most of Jozzy’s credits are for work with Latto, though the writer also has a credit for Beyoncé.

Lauren Christy is entered with songs she wrote for such artists as Korn and Jenn Bostic. Christy was nominated for producer of the year (non-classical) in 2003 as part of The Matrix (along with Graham Edwards and Scott Spock).

This new category is analogous to producer of the year, non-classical, which was introduced in 1974. Thom Bell, one of the architects of the Philadelphia soul sound, was the first winner in that category. The Recording Academy should be so lucky to have as esteemed a first winner in this category.

First-round voting in this and all Grammy categories began on Thursday (Oct. 13) and continues through Oct. 23. Nominees will be announced on Nov. 15. Final-round voting runs from Dec. 14 to Jan. 4, 2023. The winners will be revealed at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, 2023.

Here are the 62 songwriters who are in the running for songwriter of the year. They are listed in alphabetical order.

Sarah Aarons

Andy Albert

Amy Allen

Denisia “Blu June” Andrews and Brittany “Chi” Coney (of Nova Wav)

Edgar Barrera

Evan Kidd Bogart

Nija Charles

Desmond Child

Lauren Christy

Steve Cooper

Kat Dahlia

Sean Douglas

Tom Douglas

Ed Miranti

James Fauntleroy

Omer Fedi

Douglas Ford

James Aaron Foster

Edgar Galeano

Adam Garzilli

Natalie Nicole Gilbert

Andrew Goldstein

Ashley Gorley

Michael Wilson Hardy

Joyce V Harrison

Scott Harris

Natalie Hemby

Cory Henry

Jacob “Jkash” Hindlin

Sarah Hudson

Ethan Hulse

Ryan Hurd

Jason Ingram

Ink

Tobias Jesso Jr.

Steph Jones

Jozzy

David Leonard

Hillary Lindsey

Natalie Litza

Marcus Lomax

Madison Love

Shane McAnally

Chase McGill

Julia Michaels

Kayla Morrison

Michael Pollack

Elena Rose

Tia Scola

Shekinah Grace Moyes

Jonathan Smith

Skyler Stonestreet

Ali Tamposi

The-Dream

Theron Thomas

Jake Torrey

Justin Tranter

Laura Veltz

Billy Walsh

Besy Walter

Emily Warren

Victoria “Ryann” Zaro

14 Oct 2022

Watch Madonna Party Like a Rockstar With Post Malone at Madison Square Garden

Madonna partied with Post Malone during his concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. While Malone was the star onstage, the “Material Girl” definitely stole the show backstage.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Get f—ed up motherf—ers!” she shouts in a video posted to her Instagram before rocking out to Malone’s eight-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 song “Rockstar” with her crew.

The 64-year-old pop icon was appropriately dressed for the occasion in an all-black outfit with suspenders, a heap of silver jewelry, and bedazzled silver sunglasses. The superstar also sported bubblegum-pink hair, a departure from her usual blond tresses.

Madonna spent time with Malone backstage after his concert, posting a photo of herself with the “White Iverson” rapper backstage, a bottle of French wine between them. She embraced Malone before showing off her flexibility, swinging her legs in the air.

The pair also jokingly showed off their French skills, complete with an over-the-top French accent.

“Drinking this wine from Provence, and then later on we’re gonna have a croissant,” said Madonna, later adding, “Excusez moi?”

It seems Madonna and Malone now have a little French inside joke — she even captioned her post “Croissant” with a croissant emoji.

The concert is part of Post’s Twelve Carat Tour, and it comes just weeks after he was hospitalized for difficulty breathing following his fall through a hole onstage during his concert in St. Louis.