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Records continue to tumble for Sabrina Carpenter as she lands another week at No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Charts. The singer is the first artist in 71 years to spend 20 weeks at No. 1 on the charts in a single calendar year. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, […]
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The Billboard Family Hits of the Week compiles what’s new and worth your family’s time in music, movies, TV, books, games and more. Forget the mind-numbing scrolling and searching “what to watch for family movie night” … again. The best in family entertainment each week is all in one place, in this handy guide. Isn’t it satisfying to cross something off your list?
Before moving forward with recommendations of how to keep your family entertained this week, I want to acknowledge it’s been a devastating few days for the pop music community with the untimely passing of One Direction‘s Liam Payne. Having formed in 2010 and gone on hiatus by 2016, One Direction mostly pre-dates the youth of today’s main experience with pop music, but their impact on the genre holds steady. Payne’s family is heartbroken. His peers in music are grieving the loss of a dear friend. Parents reading this, especially the younger set who were coming of age at 1D’s peak, are likely feeling the heaviness. Kids on the internet might have seen the news, or they might be picking up on your sadness, and they might ask questions. I suggest reading Billboard‘s tribute to Payne and his indispensable contributions to One Direction, as well as a great summary of his highlights on the charts to queue up a playlist, whether it’s for yourself or to share with your family.
And now, a swerve into lighter and brighter news: The Eras Tour returns. Taylor Swift will be on stage (and our small screens, assuming someone live streams) Friday, Oct. 17 in Miami for the first concert of the end of Eras. The summer leg of the show got a Tortured Poets Department refresh. Will there be more surprises from the stealthy Swift before she takes her final bow of 2024?
On TV this weekend, I recommend tuning in to see Billie Eilish as SNL‘s musical guest. No word on whether the “Birds of a Feather” singer will star in any sketches on the Michael Keaton-hosted episode, but I foresee funny things if she does. Eilish previously hosted SNL in 2021, when she became the first-ever celebrity host born in the 21st century — just another mind-boggling milestone this young talent hit before the age of 21.
I’m currently streaming Prime Video’s The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, a new half-hour family comedy series surrounding an Indian family that’s newly navigating life in America. Episode one, opening in an interrogation room with the entire Pradeep family of five, pulls you in right away. How did this family get here?
Family game collections should grow with this week’s release of Super Mario Party Jamboree from Nintendo. I think we’ll save this one for the holidays, when the kids can open it as a gift and have ample time to quarrel over which of the 110 mini-games to play first. The Mario Party series has a history of inspiring spirited competition in our home.
Here’s a rundown of our picks for the latest rendition of Billboard Family Hits of the Week:
Get Back in Eras Tour Mode
Toosii pulled up for an episode of Billboard Gaming ahead of his Jaded album’s arrival. The Syracuse, N.Y., native faced off against staff writer Michael Saponara in a game of Madden 25 while chopping it up, taking a creative risk with his album, wild meet-and-greet photos with fans and more.
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“Definitely a different project. It’s not gonna be nothing anybody used to from Toosii,” the 24-year-old said of the new set while playing with the Detroit Lions. “This is definitely outside what the day ones would ask for. We taking a risk with this project.”
He continued: “This project’s a lot bigger than anything I ever made. Great music is great music. If people appreciate great music, they’ll appreciate this project.”
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Toosii hopes fans feel “enthusiastic, happy and proud” when pressing play on what he believes is the best album he’s made in his career thus far.
Jaded arrived via South Coast Music Group/Capitol Records on Oct. 4 with features from Gunna, Muni Long and Kehlani. The 13-track LP debuted at No. 50 on the Billboard 200.
Toosii will be hitting the road this weekend alongside Moneybagg Yo as a supporting act on Rod Wave’s Final Lap Tour, which kicks off in Phoenix on Saturday (Oct. 19). After a trip to the desert, they’ll be making stops in Oakland, Sacramento, Houston, Dallas, Memphis, Lexington, Detroit, Chicago, Brooklyn, Boston, Baltimore, Philly, Nashville and Orlando, before finishing up in Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 18.
Toosii will be hosting meet-and-greets on the road once again. Some of the photos from previous treks went viral à la Chris Brown with fan’s overzealous requests.
“They be crazy,” he said. “They be trying to flash the camera. There’s some crazy stuff going on. We gotta tell them to [chill out] a little bit. Always gotta do the meet-and-greets.”
Unfortunately for Toosii, he didn’t fare too well on the sticks in Madden. Watch another clip from his chat with Billboard below.
Kendrick Lamar rarely lends his stamp of approval publicly, but K. Dot gave his co-sign to a rapper in his former Top Dawg Entertainment family. Lamar declared Doechii to be the “hardest out” with an Instagram Story post on Thursday (Oct. 17), which featured the Florida native’s cover art to her acclaimed Alligator Bites Never […]
Saturday Night Live‘s Chloe Fineman may have just figured out a way to conjure Billie Eilish at any time that fans are definitely going to want to try at home. In a promo video for this weekend’s Michael Keaton-hosted episode posted Thursday (Oct. 17), the comedian stands with the actor and says, “I loved Beetlejuice, […]
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Morgan Wallen shakes things up, ROSÉ links up with Bruno Mars and Gracie Abrams adds to a breakthrough project. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Morgan Wallen, “Love Somebody”
On the first taste of his follow-up to last year’s blockbuster album One Thing at a Time, Morgan Wallen rearranges his tried-and-true formula, mixing his country twang with Latin rhythms on “Love Somebody” — but still prioritizing a massive chorus for his stadium crowds.
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ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, “APT.”
As her BLACKPINK group mates forge ahead with solo careers of their own, ROSÉ, who shined on her 2021 two-pack R, has teamed up with Bruno Mars for “APT.,” a slick pop confection full of clap-along refrains that will inspire wide-ranging shimmying if it ever gets a proper live performance.
Gracie Abrams, The Secret of Us (Deluxe)
Gracie Abrams continues the most successful year of her career with this deluxe edition of sophomore album The Secret of Us, which boasts both her quick-rising hit “I Love You, I’m Sorry” as well as emotionally piercing new tracks like the delightfully pissed-off “That’s So True.”
Bon Iver, SABLE,
Five years after his most recent Bon Iver album, Justin Vernon returns with a triptych of songs that echo previous highs from his most well-known musical project: “Things Behind Things Behind Things” recalls the mighty indie-folk of his sophomore album, while “SPEYSIDE” is as hushed and gorgeous as the landmark debut For Emma, Forever Ago.
Yeat, Lyfestyle
Yeat started the year with his compelling full-length 2093, and new album Lyfestyle finds the futuristic rapper on a creative tear, raging over hazy synths and trap beats alongside guests like Kodak Black, Lil Durk and Don Toliver.
Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz, “Piece of My Heart”
To preview his upcoming sixth album Morayo, Wizkid has corralled Brent Faiyaz for a slinky love jam that doesn’t shy away from old-school R&B pleasures while also allowing the Nigerian superstar to showcase his nimble flow.
Farruko, CVRBON VRMOR
Fans of Farrago’s signature hits and remixes will find plenty to enjoy on new album CVRBON VRMOR, as the Puerto Rican singer often pushes the tempo with the same vigor as “Pepas” — but the sprawling, 26-track project also includes mid-tempo delights like “Vibe” and “Blessings.”
Kylie Minogue, Tension II
The viral success of “Padam Padam” helped draw attention to Kylie Minogue’s Tension, the pop veteran’s most complete project in years; with Tension II, Minogue offers another electro-tinged dance kaleidoscope, still delivering onomatopoeic hooks and sounding reinvigorated.
Riley Green, Don’t Mind If I Do
Alabama singer-songwriter Riley Green has been turning heads in Nashville for a bit, and new album Don’t Mind If I Do aims at the mainstream with polished balladry and concise country jams that abide by the history of the genre.
Editor’s Pick: Mk.gee, “Rockman”
Mk.gee’s debut album Two Star & The Dream Police has been fiercely beloved by tastemakers and indie fans since its February release, and the elastic bounce of new single “Rockman” plays out like a victory lap, with the harmonies reaching high and evoking celebration.
Amid the outpouring of grief and love in the wake of Liam Payne‘s shocking death at 31 on Wednesday following a fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina came a touching reminder from the former One Direction and solo star’s recent past to put things into perspective.
That prompt came from BBC Radio 2 host Scott Mills, who on Thursday (Oct. 17) played a letter Payne wrote to his 10-year-old self in 2020 and read on BBC Radio 1 as part of a pandemic series. Mills noted that during the COVID-19 shutdown, Payne came on his show to participate in the project asking artists to speak to their younger selves, and, looking emotional, added that the singer’s take now feels especially “poignant” in light of his tragic death.
“Dear 10 year old Liam. Get ready! It’s about to get a little bumpy,” Payne says in a fuzzy close-up video in which he’s wearing headphones. “Cherish every moment with your loved ones right now as there’s only a few more family holidays to enjoy, life is about to turn surreal. You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up and when you turn 14 something magical is going to happen and I’m not talking about puberty.”
The singer tells his 5th grade self that not only will he audition for “one of the biggest music shows in the world,” The X Factor, but that he will also meet the future mother of his now seven-year-old son Bear, Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole.
“I know it seems early but just trust me it’s all gonna work out however it’s supposed to. I suggest you watch Back to the Future, it might help,” Payne joked at the time. “You are now famous and it feels like you’ve peaked way too early you cocky little bugger, but you have barely even started yet. Take it down a notch and remember it’s a marathon not a sprint,” he said, noting that his first audition for X Factor in 2008 as a solo act — where judge Simon Cowell said he wasn’t quite ready yet — wasn’t even “base camp” in his wild ride to global stardom.
“For a while you’ll feel like giving up. But don’t, as you’re about to meet four other guys on the same track as you,” he said of his second try in 2010, when Cowell paired him up with his eventual 1D mates: Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
“When you first meet them it’s going to be chaos but just remember to enjoy yourself, stay young at heart as that’s what this point of your life is all about. Forgive more and learn to listen,” Payne counseled. “You will have the most amazing time of your life, travel the world and live a life you barely imagined. Then it will end for a while and you’ll be left with nothing but the steering wheel.”
Payne also told his young self that after 1D’s hiatus in 2016 things would feel “scary” for a bit, “like you’re alone, but you are not. You’re about to start a totally new journey with the most amazing person you’ve ever met, your son Bear.”
Bear, Payne’s only child, was born in 2017, a year before he and Cole split. “Don’t doubt yourself at this Dad thing, just look at all the things you’ve learnt along the way, surely that must mean you have a lot to give,” he said. “Be grateful and try to remember very day you’re doing something you love that took ten years to build. The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming but stop with the self doubt and you’ll be fine.”
The letter ends with Payne giving a “big hug” to his mom, dad and his entire family.
Payne’s death has prompted tributes from around the globe, including personal notes from all his former 1D mates and a are joint statement from the living members on Thursday, as well as tributes from Payne’s family and his former school.
Local authorities said that believe Payne was not sober at the time of his death, reporting that they found substances that appeared to be narcotics and alcoholic drinks in his room. A preliminary autopsy confirmed that Payne died from multiple traumas and internal and external hemorrhages sustained from the impact of a fall from the third-story of the Casa Sur hotel in the Palermo district in Argentina.
In the moments leading up to the star’s death, a hotel manager called 911 to report that a guest was “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol” and “destroying [their] entire room”; by the time police arrived on scene, Payne had already fallen from the balcony of his room and died due to his injuries.
Watch Payne reading his letter below.
Taylor Swift is feeling herself ahead of her first Eras Tour show back from a two-month break. In a clip posted to Instagram Friday (Oct. 18), the pop star is joined by her cat Olivia Benson as she struts around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where Swift will play three back-to-back shows this weekend. The […]
Meet RIWOO
Image Credit: JoongSan Yang
“When we learn the choreography for the first time, we usually learn choreography that is almost complete, but I feel like we have to include our own style,” RIWOO says of his creative specialty in the group. “If our members want to show something, I want to make sure we can express it and edit it a little so that it’s more BOYNEXTDOOR.”
Kamala Harris‘ campaign is making sure there are no blank spaces in its efforts to win over young voters, especially where Taylor Swift fans are concerned.
On the day of the pop star’s first Eras Tour show back in the United States Friday (Oct. 18), the Democratic National Committee unveiled a themed Snapchat filter available only to Swifties in battleground states that allows users to pose under a digital banner reading, “In My Voting Era.”
The filter will also let voters choose from a number of topics Harris supports to complete the phrase, “Be fearless for …” in reference to the 14-time Grammy winner’s hit 2008 album Fearless. To fill in the blank, users can select from a menu containing “Democracy,” “Reproductive rights,” “Climate action” and more.
“This election will determine the future for young voters, from student loan debt relief and economic opportunity to whether they have fewer rights than their grandmothers did,” reads a statement from Rosemary Boeglin, DNC communications director, on the new Swiftie initiative. “Democrats are reaching out to young voters where they are, from concert venues to social media platforms, to make sure they have the resources they need to cast their ballot.”
The Snapchat filter is just one of several ways Harris’ campaign has capitalized on Swift’s emphatic endorsement of the Democratic ticket in September. The VP has also been selling friendship bracelets in the style of Swifties’ favorite Eras Tour accessory on her online store, and her running mate, Tim Walz, shouted out the “Anti-Hero” musician during the vice presidential debate in early October.
“I’m as surprised as anybody of this coalition that Kamala Harris has built, from Bernie Sanders to Dick Cheney to Taylor Swift,” the Minnesota governor said at the time. “They believe in a positive future of this country, and one where our politics can be better than it is.”
In addition to the Snapchat filter, the DNC is also rolling out Swift-themed billboards this week reading, “A new way forward … ready for it?” and “We’re in our Kamala era!” — starting with a mobile ad on a boat that will be stationed near Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where the “Karma” musician is set to play three Eras Tour shows Oct. 18-20. Florida is right next door to Georgia, one of seven key swing states in the 2024 presidential election. The other battleground states are Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada.
The billboards also direct viewers to visit IWillVote.com to ensure they’re registered to vote by Oct. 26. Election Day is Nov. 5.
In her September endorsement of Harris, Swift emphasized the importance of voting. “Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make,” she wrote at the time. “I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early.”
