Music News

20 Nov 2024

Keke Palmer Was Convinced Nicki Minaj Was Going Cuss Her Out on 2024 Met Gala Red Carpet: ‘I Was Not Expecting This’

Keke Palmer had a moment on the red carpet at this year’s Met Gala. And while she looked fabulous and enjoyed the evening, it wasn’t without its stressors. Chief among them was being called out by none other than Nicki Minaj on the red carpet. The Nope star stopped by The Tonight Show on Tuesday night (Nov. 19) to describe the scary moment to host Jimmy Fallon, complete with a pretty dead-on Nicki impersonation.

Palmer described Minaj spotting her on the red carpet and, mid-conversation with another group of luminaries, stopping what she was doing and turning to Keke. “Uh-uh, you, I need to talk to you, hold on,” Palmer said pointing her finger and imitating Minaj’s signature New-York-via-Trinidad accent. Opening her eyes wide, Palmer recalled thinking, “I done did something! Nicki about to cuss me out at the Met Gala.” She noted that the two knew each other casually after Minaj hooked Palmer up with famed photographer/music video director David LaChapelle for a baby shower photo shoot.

Unsure what was actually coming her way, Palmer said she sat back and waited for what she expected to be a lambasting from the MC known for lacerating her enemies. “Look, I don’t read the press. I don’t know everything that’s goin’ on,” Palmer said in her Nicki voice. “But I just wanna tell you, nobody knows what it’s like when we turn off the lights and we gotta be with ourselves. So you do whatever you need to do to be good witchu.”

Trending on Billboard

Blown away by the sage advice, Palmer said she was like, “YEAH! I was like, ‘thank you for this speech! I was not expecting this.”

The Password buddies also talked about Emmy winner Palmer’s new empowering memoir, Master of Me, her tribute to Usher at this year’s BET Awards and her upcoming big screen comedy with SZA, One of Them Days. The multi-hyphenate also gushed about her adorable toddler son Leo, for whom she’s written a Broadway-style theme song. “Leo/ That’s my name/ Leo, that’s my name/ Leo, I’m the guy you know,” Palmer crooned before showing off a home video of Leo singing along to his own show tune.

Check out the Nicki/Keke moment and the full Tonight Show interview below.

20 Nov 2024

Elton John and Jake Shears ‘Tammy Faye’ Broadway Musical to Close Weeks After Opening

The Tammy Faye Broadway musical is closing just weeks after making its debut. According to the New York Times, the show about the scandal-plagued 1970s-80s televangelist/singer who became a camp icon thanks to her outrageous makeup and sartorial style will dim the lights after a surprisingly short run.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The Times reported that the $22 million show featuring music by Elton John and lyrics by Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears — with a book by James Graham (Ink, Finding Neverland) — scored decent reviews in its premiere run in London in 2022, but was plagued by poor reviews in New York, where it failed to find an audience.

And so, the show that opened on Nov. 14 will go dark on Dec. 8, after just 24 preview and 29 regular performances due to what the paper described as a “disastrous” box office performance that included being the lowest-grossing show on Broadway last week, where it played to 37% empty houses at the Palace Theater, one of the largest theaters on the Great White Way.

Trending on Billboard

In its review last week, the Times called the show a “bland, tonal mishmash” and a “disjointed, strangely bland musical.” Former R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe begged to differ, however. Writing on Instagram over the weekend, Stipe said he was moved by the show’s opening night, calling it a “tour de force” and “beautifully moving and soulful telling of the Tammy Faye Bakker story” in a post that that featured a snap of the singer with John and Roseanne Cash.

On Tuesday (Nov. 19), Shears posted a tribute to the cast and crew of the show on Instagram. “What a ride these last 12 years (and 12 weeks) have been. Getting Tammy Faye up on Broadway has been one of the most thrilling experiences of my life,” he wrote. “What a joy working with this entire cast, their stamina and talent staggering… and beautiful to watch. Thank you to all the collaborators, cast and crew.. I’m immensely proud of our work. I believe that musical theatre is one of the most archaic forms of art: complicated and managerially elaborate.”

Sir John also wrote about being chuffed for the Broadway bow, congratulating the cast and crew for their “extraordinary hard work and talent… it’s been a true honour to collaborate with you all.”

John wrote the music for one of Broadway’s most enduring modern hits, The Lion King, as well as for the Tony- and Grammy-winning Aida, Billy Elliot: the Musical, The Devil Wears Prada and Lestat, with the latter also having a brief run on Broadway, closing after 33 preview and 39 performances in 2006.

19 Nov 2024

Al Green Releases Moving Cover of R.E.M.’s ‘Everybody Hurts’

Soul legend Al Green has turned his attention to college rock favorites R.E.M., sharing a cover of the Georgia outfit’s 1993 single, “Everybody Hurts”.

Released on Tuesday (Nov. 19), Green’s cover of the song sees the veteran singer reimagining the original in his trademark soul style, backing his delivery of the hopeful lyrics with a full band, including strings and backing vocalists.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Recording ‘Everybody Hurts,’ I could really feel the heaviness of the song and I wanted to inject a little touch of hope and light into it,” Green wrote on social media. “There’s always a presence of light that can break through those times of darkness.”

Trending on Billboard

Originally released on the 1992 album Automatic for the People, “Everybody Hurts” was issued as the record’s second single, becoming its most successful. While the album itself peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, “Everybody Hurts” reached No. 29 on the Hot 100, and peaked at No. 13 on the Pop Airplay charts.

It’s since been utilized by a number of charitable organizations, including the Samaritans in the U.K., and the Helping Haiti fund and the Disasters Emergency Committee, who organized a cover version to aid in support of the devastation from the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The cover featured contributions from the likes of Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Rod Stewart, Jon Bon Jovi, Kylie Minogue, and many others, eventually peaking at No. 21 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

In February 2019, the song became embroiled in slight controversy when President Donald Trump shared clips from his State of the Union address cued to the track over a montage of congressional democrats looking dejected. R.E.M. later protested his usage of the song, evoking the title of their 1988 track “World Leader Pretend” in their response, and ultimately convincing Twitter to take down Trump’s original clip.

The cover of “Everybody Hurts” is Green’s first single to be released since last year’s cover of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day”, which in turn followed his first new music in a decade with 2018’s cover of Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls”. Green’s last studio album, Lay It Down, was released in 2008 and peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.

19 Nov 2024

Morrissey Claims War on ‘Free Speech’ Is Preventing Him from Releasing Music

Morrissey has asserted that his lack of recorded output in recent years isn’t due to a lack of inspiration or ideas, but rather due to a war on “free speech”.

The comments were made by the former Smiths frontman at a concert in Newark, New Jersey last Wednesday (Nov. 13), with the Asbury Park Press reporting that the musician vented his frustrations in the midst of his 20-song set.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“As you know, nobody will release my music anymore,” Morrissey told the crowd. “As you know because I’m a chief exponent of free speech. In England at least, it’s now criminalized.

Trending on Billboard

“You cannot speak freely in England. If you don’t believe me, go there. Express an opinion, you’ll be sent to prison. It’s very, very difficult.”

Morrissey’s comments are likely in reference to both the backlash he faced following his apparent support of far-right political party For Britain, and the fact he has not issued a new album since 2020’s I Am Not a Dog on a Chain.

In February 2023, however, the singer was scheduled to release his 14th record, Bonfire of Teenagers, which was reportedly completed in mid-2021. Alongside appearances from Miley Cyrus and Iggy Pop, the album reportedly featured production by Andrew Watt and musical assists from the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, bassist Flea and former RHCP guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

Three months before its planned release, Morrissey issued a statement noting the record was “no longer scheduled for a February release”, claiming its “fate is exclusively in the hands of Capitol Records (Los Angeles.).” These claims were soon followed by news that Cyrus had requested her vocals be removed from the record.

He later issued another statement claiming he was “too diverse” for for Universal Music Group, noting that “although he does not believe that Capitol Records in Los Angeles signed Bonfire of Teenagers in order to sabotage it, he is quickly coming around to that belief”.

While Bonfire of Teenagers remains unreleased, Morrissey has since reportedly completed an additional album titled Without Music the World Dies. Despite offering the album to “any record label or private investor [that] has interest in releasing this project” due to his split with Capitol, that album too remains unreleased.

19 Nov 2024

Inside Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet LA Tour Stop: From Domingo to Xtina

When Sabrina Carpenter set up shop in Los Angeles for three dates of her Short n’ Sweet Tour, she brought out the big guns. There was Christina Aguilera. There was Jack Antonoff. And then there was Domingo.

On the new Pop Shop Podcast, we welcome Billboard deputy editor Lyndsey Havens so she and Katie can tell Keith all about their night out at the Forum for night 2 in LA, where Carpenter’s pop-star vision finally became a reality with a huge stage production and an even bigger fanbase.

Trending on Billboard

Plus, Lyndsey sat down last week with Billboard cover star Olivia Rodrigo for a Superstar Q&A at the Billboard Live Music Summit, and she tells us all about her panel discussion with the Guts-y singer.

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Shaboozey scores an 18th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” leaving the song just a week away from tying the all-time record for the most weeks at No. 1 set by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Plus, Gracie Abrams gets her first Hot 100 top 10 with “That’s So True,” Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” hits No. 1 on the Pop Airplay chart, and Dean Martin scores his first new hit on the Adult Contemporary chart since 2006 with an unearthed live recording from 1952 of a certain Christmas classic.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard’s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard’s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

19 Nov 2024

Dame Dash Claims Drake ‘Disappeared’ After Offering $6 Million for His Roc-A-Fella Shares

Dame Dash claims Drake offered $6 million for his Roc-A-Fella shares, but “disappeared.”

In a recent video uploaded to Dash’s America Nu Network YouTube page, the Harlem businessman talked about the controversial auction. “So, the auction happened yesterday and basically no one showed up,” he began. “Only Jay‘s lawyers, the state [of New York], and the crew that was initially suing me.” He then mentioned that he wasn’t there because it was his son’s birthday and that he “just wanted this thing to be done.”

According to the New York Post, the state of New York made a $1 million bid and won as they continue to try and collect the $8 million in back taxes Dash owes the state. “No one showed up,” Dame reiterated. “And the state made a bid for it and that’s really what it was worth.” He then continued by throwing some shade towards his former business partner Jay-Z, “What this really taught me was that, in the world, homie isn’t as big as he portrayed. I thought more people would be interested in buying it because of the art value of it. And that’s the only thing I was selling, because of how everyone portrays they love this dude… I thought people would at least show up. No one even showed up.”

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Dash then revealed Drake made a hefty offer over DM, but went ghost. “At the end of the day, I don’t really understand it,” he said of the situation. “My child support, I guess, will get paid. And in my mind, I wasn’t getting any of that bread anyway. If I could sell it, I thought people really loved homeboy, pause, way more than they did. People did not show up. Drake did put a bid in for $6 million but then he disappeared. It’s in my DM… I don’t know what happened. But other than that, no serious people. No one wanted that sh—t. Period.”

Trending on Billboard

Back in August, Dame offered an original Roc-A-Fella chain to anyone who bids over $10 million, but obviously that scenario never came to fruition. Also, there have been rumors swirling about whether or not Roc-A-Fella Inc.’s main asset Reasonable Doubt would eventually land in the hands of Jay-Z, ultimately scaring potential buyers off. However, a judge refused to give a ruling in that regard. “The asset that is the subject of the auction is Dash’s one-third interest in RAF [Roc-A-Fella] itself, not the work owned by RAF,” the judge wrote. “The Court does not presently have jurisdiction over the validity of Carter’s copyright termination notice.”

You can watch the full video below.

19 Nov 2024

Here Are All the Celebrities Who Have Been ‘Arrested’ on Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour

These celebrities have the right to remain silent!

Sabrina Carpenter wrapped up the U.S. leg of her popular Short n’ Sweet tour in support of her recent her Billboard 200-topping sixth studio album in Los Angeles on Monday night (Nov. 18), and amid the hilarious bits she sprinkles throughout the show is a viral one that occurs right before she performs her frisky hit, “Juno.”

During the gimmick, she and her dancers scan the crowd before “arresting” a guest for being “too hot,” before handing them a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs. While many of the arrested guests are lucky fans at the show, there have been a handful of times that Carpenter has arrested a celebrity — including an Saturday Night Live fan-favorite character.

Carpenter will next hit the road in March for a European leg of Short n’ Sweet dates. The tour kicked off in March following the “Feather” artist’s stint on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Before she continues her tour, the 25-year-old pop star will be headed to the Grammy Awards, where she’s nominated for best new artist. Additionally, Short n’ Sweet is up for album of the year and best pop vocal album, while the album’s lead single “Espresso” is nominated for record of the year and best pop solo performance, while “Please Please Please” is up for song of the year.

To celebrate Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour and all the hot people who attended, we’ve compiled a list of the celebrities put under “arrest” at the show. Check it out below.

19 Nov 2024

JoJo Siwa Confirms Dakayla Wilson Split, Says She ‘Had to Learn Some Hard Lessons’

JoJo Siwa and Dakayla Wilson have broken up, three months after confirming their relationship in August.

“We have gone our separate ways, but she is an amazing girl,” Siwa told People. “And I got my own fun holiday plans, and I know she’s got her family that she’s spent the holidays with.” Siwa and Wilson met while Siwa was a judge on Wilson’s season of So You Think You Can Dance, where she placed second.

“You f–k up and you put things in public that you shouldn’t be,” she added to E! News at the 11th Annual American Reality Television Awards this week. “Unfortunately, that’s the only way that you learn sometimes. And I’ve had to learn some hard lessons, but they’ve paid off in the end.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Last month, Siwa opened up about her dynamic with Wilson on Hailey Welch’s Talk Tuah podcast. “I have big d— energy. It’s not a good thing, it’s not a bad thing, it’s just a thing. When it comes time to –just me at home, I have a switch. My d— gets soft,” she said. “My girlfriend’s always like, ‘I never thought that would happen. I thought you would just be, like, a hard-a– all the time.’ I’m definitely baby spoon vibe, but I will be big spoon. When we fall asleep, we fall asleep as a big spoon. But if we’re watching a movie, put your arm around me. I am nuzzling you.”

Trending on Billboard

She added of their intimate moments that she had been a “bottom” for most of her relationships, but that has changed with Wilson. “I have dabbled into top land. I prefer being bottom. […] I don’t like being a top, but I’m a really good top because I know what I like as a bottom.”

19 Nov 2024

Lil Nas X Doubles Down With Another New Single ‘Need Dat Boy’ Coming Soon

It’s been less than a week since Lil Nas X came back with his latest track “Light Again,” and he’s already teasing yet another new song out this week.

In a post to his Instagram on Tuesday (Nov. 19), Lil Nas shared the artwork and release date for his newest single. Titled “Need Dat Boy,” the rapper revealed that his latest track will officially debut this Friday (Nov. 22). The artwork for the new single shows Lil Nas shirtless and getting steamy in the backseat of a sedan with rising R&B singer Destin Conrad, who shared a cheeky comment on the post writing, “u need dat?”

The new single comes as a part of Lil Nas’ new Dreamboy era. In a teaser trailer shared across his social media, the “Montero” singer gave fans a glimpse of the titular character, dressed in a tracksuit and motorcycle helmet, offering to help Lil Nas “remember who you are.”

Trending on Billboard

Eagle-eyed fans were able to spot “Need Dat Boy” among a collection of other potential song titles in a teaser the singer unveiled last week. In the clip, a ’90s-style chatroom opens up and shows four titles and emojis off to one side: “Need Dat Boy” with an emoji of a man; “Kimbo” with a boxing glove emoji; “Hotbox” with a mouth emoji; and “Black Horse” with, you guessed it, a black horse emoji.

The series of new singles comes after Lil Nas X took a short break from releasing music in 2024 — after the rollout of his controversial single and video “J Christ” and his subsequent HBO documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, the “Old Town Road” rapper took some time off from sharing official releases, opting instead to share song demos on his SoundCloud account.

Check out Lil Nas X’s “Need Dat Boy” announcement below:

19 Nov 2024

Stevie Wonder Bringing ‘Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart’ Show to Los Angeles

Following his recent 11-date, sold-out run of shows across the country, Stevie Wonder will bring his Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart concert to Los Angeles on Dec. 14. His upcoming performance at the city’s Crypto.com Arena will also be part of the celebration marking the legendary artist’s 25th House Full of Toys holiday benefit.

Wonder’s most recent House Full of Toys in 2022 featured Gregory Porter, Trombone Shorty and Jody Watley. Presented through Wonder’s nonprofit We Are You Foundation, the benefit concert supports children, people with disabilities and families in need with concertgoers also asked to donate an unwrapped toy.

Trending on Billboard

Borrowing its name in part from Wonder’s current single, “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart,” the initial 11-date tour launched Oct. 8 in Pittsburgh and wrapped on Nov. 2 in Chicago. Its nine other stops included New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Greensboro, N.C. and Grand Rapids, Mich. Prior to the junket’s kickoff, Wonder emailed Billboard, commenting, I’ve always felt that singing and expressing love throughout our world can make a major difference — it always has and always will. Truthfully, I miss you; I miss performing. So I will be singing my songs, your songs; we will be celebrating songs and music as together we fix our nation’s broken heart.”

The upcoming L.A. performance of Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart is produced by Wonder Productions and promoted by AEG Presents in partnership with Free Lunch. And as Wonder noted at the onset of the tour’s initial run, he “will be offering a designated number of complimentary tickets to those in our communities who are already working tirelessly to fix our nation’s broken heart.” Tickets go on sale November 22 at noon PT; visit the Crypto.com Arena website for more information.