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With just a few weeks left to go, Taylor Swift has officially joined in on Brat summer. While speaking to Vulture for a profile on Charli XCX, the 34-year-old pop superstar sang her former Reputation tourmate’s praises, complimenting everything from her songwriting to the success she’s seen this year with her sixth studio album.
“I’ve been blown away by Charli’s melodic sensibilities since I first heard ‘Stay Away’ in 2011,” Swift told the publication. “Her writing is surreal and inventive, always. She just takes a song to places you wouldn’t expect it to go, and she’s been doing it consistently for over a decade.”
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The 14-time Grammy winner added, “I love to see hard work like that pay off.”
Swift’s remarks come amid rumors of tension between her and the “Boom Clap” singer, fueled by the latter’s Brat song “Sympathy Is a Knife,” which some fans believe is about the former. “This one girl taps my insecurities,” Charli sings on the track before seemingly referencing Swift’s romance last year with The 1975’s Matty Healy: “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show.”
Charli — who is engaged to the 1975’s George Daniel — touched on the song’s alleged pot stirring in her Vulture interview. “People are gonna think what they want to think,” she said. “That song is about me and my feelings and my anxiety and the way my brain creates narratives and stories in my head when I feel insecure and how I don’t want to be in those situations physically when I feel self-doubt.”
When asked whether she considered omitting the line about being backstage at Daniel’s show to make the song’s subject less “obvious,” she simply said “No.” “You do the silence game,” she then told the reporter. “But I know that well — where you go silent and want me to talk more. But I don’t care about it being awkward. We’ll sit in silence.”
Aside from “Sympathy Is a Knife,” Charli XCX and Swift’s efforts to dominate the Billboard 200 with their respective albums — Brat and The Tortured Poets Department, which has spent a total of 15 weeks at No. 1 so far — has also caused fans to speculate that there might be beef between the two singers. In June, the “Von Dutch” artist called out concertgoers who began chanting “Taylor is dead” at Charli’s shows, writing on Instagram Stories, “can the people who do this please stop … it is the opposite of what i want and it disturbs me that anyone would think there is room for this in this community.”
Before that, though, Swift championed Charli by inviting her to perform as a special guest on the 1989 Tour in 2015. Three years later, the “Anti-Hero” musician asked the 32-year-old Brit to open for her on the Reputation Stadium Tour alongside Camila Cabello.
In a 2019 interview, Charli was quoted as saying the Rep trek felt like “getting up on stage and waving to 5-year-olds,” shortly after which she clarified that she meant no shade. “I am extremely grateful to Taylor for inviting me to open for her,” she wrote at the time. “She’s one of the biggest artists of my generation and the reputation tour was one of the biggest tours in history.”
NCT‘s Jaehyun dropped the video for the first single from his just-released solo debut album, J – The First Album, which is available now digitally and on all streaming platforms. The singer also issued the focus track “Smoke” in English and Korean, a slinky R&B jam whose video finds the K-pop star battling an unseen […]
Police are investigating the cause of death of a woman who was found unresponsive during the opening weekend of this year’s Burning Man gathering in the Arizona desert. According to the Reno Gazette Journal, the unnamed woman — whose age has also not yet been revealed — was found unresponsive at 11:29 a.m. on Sunday […]
BTS‘ Suga issued another apology to ARMY over his recent drunk scootering incident in a handwritten note posted to Weverse on Sunday (August 25). According to a translation of the post, Suga, 31, said, “I would like to apologize again to you with shame. I deeply apologize for the disappointment and hurt of my misbehavior to my fans and everyone who loves me.I’ve made a big mistake, forgetting the responsibility to repay you with actions worthy of the love I’ve received.”
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He continued by describing the night in question (August 6), saying he made the mistake of driving on an electric scooter after drinking and apologizing for the “confusion” caused by his first, “hastily posted” apology on the day after the incident. “I should have thought more deeply and been careful, but I couldn’t,” he wrote.
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“It’s all my fault. My carelessness is giving everyone who cares about me a hard time. I will try not to do anything wrong again and live with repentance,” he added. “Due to this incident, I have greatly damaged the precious memories I made with the members and fans and put a lot of pressure on the name of the BTS. I feel so sorry and painful that it’s hard to express because it’s causing damage to the members and the team. I’m sorry that the members who always trusted me have a hard time because of me. And I know the disappointment that the fans who supported and supported me must have felt.”
The rapper had his license suspended after police said he operated the seated electric scooter while impaired in the Yongsan District in central Seoul, with a blood alcohol content above the 0.08 level that triggers license revocation. At the time, Suga said he didn’t realize he couldn’t drive the scooter while intoxicated, explaining that he felt comfortable making the trip because he was close to his apartment. According to Suga’s original account, he fell over while trying to ride the electric kickboard, which police observed, leading to a breathalyzer test.
BTS’ label BigHit also shared a pair of statements on Weverse at the time, noting that Suga was wearing a helmet and had only traveled about 500 meters before falling down while parking the scooter.
In the new statement, Suga also asked ARMY for forgiveness for letting them down. “I just feel sorry for the fans who have always given me too much love… I know that it is difficult to heal the wounds and disappointments that my fans have received with any words, so I regret it deeply and reflect on it with a heavy heart every day,” he said. “Once again, I sincerely apologize to the fans who were hurt by me. We will receive criticism and reprimand as well as future dispositions. Finally, once again, I sincerely apologize for causing a social stir and disappointing many people.”
At press time it did not appear that South Korean police had issued an official sanction yet to the BTS member over the incident, though Korean media reported that he “admitted” to the alleged DUI during three hours of police questioning last week.
Suga has less than a year left on his alternative mandatory South Korean military service; he was deemed unfit for regular combat duty due to a 2020 shoulder injury.
What was meant to be a triumphant weekend for Reneé Rapp at two of England’s most legendary festivals instead turned into a waterlogged nightmare for the “Not My Fault” singer when torrential downpours and technical difficulties washed out her anticipated Reading and Leeds debuts. As often happens during the English summer festival season, the skies […]
A few of the songs on Eminem‘s The Death of Slim Shady: (Coup de Grâce) album hit a bit too close to home for the rapper’s daughter, Hailie Jade Scott. On this week’s episode of her Just a Little Shady podcast, Hailie tackled her emotional reaction to a pair of songs on Em’s Billboard 200 chart-topping twelfth LP that have a very personal message.
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“Speaking of things I watched this past week, which I guess I’ll say watched, but I refused to watch again — the ‘Somebody Save Me’ music video is out and I did watch the thing,” Hailie, 28, said of the emotional clip featuring footage of her as a child underneath lyrics from her dad lamenting the countless hours and days he missed due to his struggle with drugs and alcohol; Em celebrated 16 years of sobriety in April.
“I watched it in its entirety. I don’t think I can do it again. I definitely cry every time I hear it at all,” Hailie said of the song featuring Em lashing himself for his shortcomings as a father. “Another pill as I start to spiral/ Message to my daughters/ I don’t even deserve the father title/ Hailie, I’m so sorry/ I know I wasn’t there for your first guitar recital,” Eminem raps on the tune featuring a mournful chorus from Jelly Roll about seeking salvation. “Didn’t walk you down the aisle/ Missed the birth of your first child/ Your first podcast, lookin’ down, sweetie.”
The clip features home video footage of Hailie playing the guitar at a recital, walking across the stage for graduation and celebrating her birthday as well as video of Em’s other children, Alaina Marie Scott, 31, Stevie Laine Scott, 22 and his younger brother Nate in scenes that bring Em to his knees as he seeks forgiveness.
Hailie said in addition to getting emotional over the heartbreaking lyrics and video for “Somebody Save Me,” she also can’t quite bring herself to listen to another one of her dad’s new songs, the Skylar Grey collab “Temporary.” That song features audio of Hailie as a baby and Marshall rapping, “A lot of people ask me, am I afraid of death?/ The truth is, I think what scares me the most/ Is not being able to say all the things I wanna say to you/ When I’m no longer here/ So this song is for Hailie for when that day comes/ Where’s Hailie? Where’s she at?”
Co-host and BFF Brittany Ednie said she wasn’t sure when she’d be able to watch “Save Me” either. “I’m gonna have to brace myself for that one.” Ednie had listened to “Temporary,” however, and she said the song “broke me.”
For now it’s to too much for Hailie. “I audibly sobbed… I think for both songs, but especially ‘Temporary.’” However, after watching the video and listening to the songs, Hailie praised her parents for “doing such a good job” when she was growing up to shield her from the reality of “how bad things were. But now as an adult in hindsight it’s so scary to think about and I think that’s why I get emotional… I will say if you’ve ever lost an addict or loved one, I feel for you,” she added on the verge of tears.
Eminem shares Hailie with ex-wife Kim Scott and as any Slim Shady fan knows, the rapper and his ex have had a tumultuous history over the years. Hailie said she really enjoyed the video and watching clips of her and her siblings when thy were younger, though she noted that another very personal Eminem track, “Mockingbird,” is yet another one she can’t listen to anymore without getting very emotional. “The older I get the less I can listen to any of the songs,” she said.
Watch Hailie discuss her reaction to “Somebody Save Me” below.
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Queens of the Stone Age have made the difficult decision to cancel all remaining 2024 tour dates as frontman Josh Homme continues to focus on his health.
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), the band wrote: “QOTSA regret to announce the cancellation and/or postponement of all remaining 2024 shows. Josh has been given no choice but to prioritize his health and to receive essential medical care through the remainder of the year.”
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The announcement comes just weeks after the band had to cancel several European dates to allow Homme to undergo emergency surgery.
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Festival ticket holders are advised to visit specific event sites for updated information. Ticket holders for QOTSA shows will be contacted by point of purchase with further information about the new dates. pic.twitter.com/jcUHtfPv5q— QOTSA (@qotsa) August 23, 2024
Homme, who has been open about his health struggles in the past, revealed last year that he had undergone surgery for cancer after being diagnosed in 2022. The nature of his recent surgery has not been disclosed, but it has become clear that his recovery will require additional time and care.
The cancelled performances include several U.S. shows scheduled from September through November, with standalone shows in Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Madison postponed. Additionally, festival appearances in Memphis, Bridgeport, and Mexico City have been called off.
In July, the band explained the urgency of Homme’s situation, stating that he had to “return to the United States immediately for emergency surgery.” Despite their best efforts to continue the tour, Homme’s condition ultimately made it impossible to go on.
“Homme must return to the United States immediately for emergency surgery,” they said at the time. “Every effort was made to push through and play for you, but it is no longer an option to continue.”
Queens of the Stone Age had been touring in support of their eighth studio album, In Times New Roman…, which was released in July. The record marked the band’s first release in six years, following extensive tours across North America, Australia, and Asia earlier in the year.
The band has not yet announced any plans to reschedule the cancelled dates but has expressed gratitude for the understanding and support from their fans during this challenging time.
Bruce Springsteen has no plans to hang up his guitar anytime soon.
The legendary rocker, who has been a cornerstone of rock music for over five decades, made it clear during his Aug. 23 performance at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia that rumors of his impending retirement are far from the truth.
In front of a passionate crowd, Springsteen dismissed any talk of a farewell tour with his signature sass. “We’ve been around for 50 f***ing years, and we ain’t quitting!” he declared. “We ain’t doing no farewell tour bullsh*t! Jesus Christ! No farewell tour for the E Street Band!”
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He added, “Farewell to what? A thousand people screaming your name? Get the hell out. I ain’t going anywhere!”
The statement came in response to ongoing speculation about the longevity of Springsteen and the E Street Band’s current tour.
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The show was part of the North American leg of their ongoing tour, which has seen them play across the U.S. and Europe despite setbacks, including Springsteen’s battle with peptic ulcer disease last year.
While rumors of a possible farewell tour have swirled of late, guitarist Steven Van Zandt also dispelled any notion of an imminent end, saying recently, “I don’t see the end anywhere in sight, to be honest, especially in Europe, where we’re bigger than we’ve ever been. I think we can play every summer for evermore, man.”
In a review of Springsteen’s Pittsburgh show earlier this month, Billboard noted Springsteen’s “earth-quaking exuberance” and the band’s ability to deliver “magic moments” night after night. The same energy was palpable in Philadelphia, where the band delivered a set that spanned decades of hits.
However, the tour has not been without its challenges. Last September, Springsteen was forced to postpone several dates due to health issues, rescheduling them for 2024.
The current leg of the tour will continue with performances in Toronto and Vancouver before wrapping up on Nov. 22.
Fans can also look forward to the upcoming documentary, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band, set to be released on Disney+ and Hulu this October.
TLC has been forced to cancel two highly anticipated concerts due to a medical emergency involving Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins.
The news came just hours before the group was set to perform at the New York State Fair on Aug. 23.
In a statement shared on Instagram Stories, TLC’s Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas revealed the details of T-Boz’s sudden health crisis following a performance in Toledo, Ohio, on Aug. 22.
“Shortly after arriving in Syracuse, Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins experienced sudden and severe nausea, vomiting, and intense abdominal cramps,” the statement explained.
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“She was immediately seen by a doctor and subsequently taken to the hospital for further evaluation. The doctor verified that this was not food poisoning, but an abdominal blockage. Tionne deeply regrets having to cancel these shows and extends her sincere apologies to all her fans and the event promoters.”
It continued, “The decision to cancel was made under the advisement of her physician, who required her to stay in the hospital overnight to undergo a CT scan to assess the severity of her condition.”
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As a result of the diagnosis, TLC was forced to cancel both their Aug. 23 performance at the New York State Fair in Syracuse and their Aug. 24 show at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, where they were scheduled to perform alongside Shaggy.
The statement also mentioned that T-Boz is expected to be released from the hospital on Sunday, Aug. 25.
The latest cancellation marks another challenging moment for TLC, who have had to navigate several health-related setbacks this year.
Just three months ago, the group postponed four Canadian tour dates after T-Boz and several crew members contracted the flu.
Despite this, T-Boz assured fans in a message posted to Instagram that she’s “on the mend” and expressed deep regret over the cancellations. “This was just one of those unexpected things that I had no control over,” she shared. “I look forward to making it up to you all.”
The group has promised to reschedule the cancelled shows, stating: “TLC is committed to rescheduling the cancelled shows and apologizes to all the fans, particularly those who traveled long distances to attend. The group appreciates the understanding and support.”
TLC’s legacy in the music industry remains unmatched. With four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits—”Creep,” “Waterfalls,” “No Scrubs,” and “Unpretty”—the group has solidified their place as one of the most influential girl groups of all time. Their 1994 album CrazySexyCool is also certified Diamond by the RIAA. Earlier this year, TLC celebrated the 25th anniversary of their album Fanmail, which featured the chart-topping hit “No Scrubs.”
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the group’s official channels for updates on when the cancelled shows will be rescheduled.
Chase & Status and Stormzy continue their reign atop the U.K. Official Singles Chart for a second consecutive week with their collaboration “BACKBONE.”
The track, which pairs Chase & Status’s high-energy drum and bass production with Stormzy’s commanding lyrical delivery, remains the most-streamed song in the U.K. this week, boasting an impressive 5.5 million streams.
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Following the single’s debut at No. 1 in the U.K. last week, Chase & Status, comprised of Saul Milton and Will Kennard, said of the collaboration with Stormzy, “We knew that connecting with Stormzy was going to create something special, but we didn’t expect a KO reaction like this.”
“To see him running out at our show at The Milton Keynes Bowl in his best man’s suit, straight from a wedding and in front of 45,000 people, was insane!” they added. “One of the greatest British MCs to ever do it, spitting over DnB. And for it to go straight in at Number 1? It couldn’t get any better for us.”
This week’s highest new entry belongs to the powerhouse duo of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Their track “Die with a Smile” debuts at No. 7, marking Gaga’s 15th and Mars’s 11th Top 10 singles in the U.K. The track fuses Gaga’s distinctive flair for dramatic pop with Mars’s smooth, R&B-infused vocals, creating a unique blend that has quickly propelled the track into the Top 10.
Meanwhile, BL3SS, CamrinWatsin, and bbyclose celebrate their first-ever Top 5 single as their summer dance hit “Kisses” climbs to a new peak at No. 5.
Belfast’s rising star Jordan Adetunji also continues his ascent, with his catchy track “KEHLANI” moving up to No. 8, marking another career milestone.
Elsewhere on the chart, Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” breaks into the Top 10, reaching No. 10 after 14 weeks on the chart, thanks in part to a surprise performance with Olivia Rodrigo in Los Angeles. Indian rapper Hanumankind and producer Kalmi make their mark on the U.K. charts as well, with their track “Big Dawgs” jumping six spots to land at No. 15.
In other notable movements, Sonny Fodera, Jazzy, and D.O.D’s “Somedays” continues to climb, now at No. 16, while Taylor Swift’s “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” rises to No. 21 following the release of its Eras Tour-filmed music video.
Finally, Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Song” makes its first appearance in the Top 40, climbing to No. 35, and Gracie Abrams’ “I Love You, I’m Sorry” gains a new peak at No. 37.
Listen to “BACKBONE” by Chase & Status and Stormzy below.
