Music News

10 Aug 2024

Celine Dion’s Team Slams Donald Trump’s Use of ‘Titanic’ Classic at Montana Rally: ‘Really, THAT Song?’

Celine Dion‘s team is criticizing Donald Trump for his unauthorized use of her Titanic classic at a recent campaign rally.

On Saturday (Aug. 10), Dion’s management team and record label released a statement on social media slamming the former president for including her 1997 hit “My Heart Will Go On” in a playlist during his rally in Bozeman, Mont., on Friday. Attendee-captured videos from the event also show a video of Dion singing the famous track.

“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana,” the statement on X (formerly Twitter) began. “In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?”

“My Heart Will Go On,” which spend two week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1998, closed out the Oscar-winning film about the 1912 shipwreck. The ballad was co-written by Titanic composer James Horner with Will Jennings.

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Some social media users poked fun at Trump’s ironic use of the song during his rally. “Perfect – because when your campaign’s headed for an iceberg, you might as well set it to music,” one person wrote on X.

Another X user observed, “Is Trump’s campaign being trolled from within? Someone on his staff decided to play Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from Titanic at his Montana rally. Many consider Titanic a metaphor for Trump’s sinking campaign.”

Trump will face off against Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 presidential election after President Joe Biden bowed out of the race. The two candidates will face off in a debate schedule for Sept. 10 on ABC.

Dozens of top artists and songwriters have objected to Trump’s use of their songs at political rallies since he first ran for president in 2015, including The Rolling Stones, Adele, Rihanna, Sinead O’Connor’s estate and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. 

See Dion’s post on X below.

10 Aug 2024

‘Snow White’ Trailer Featuring Rachel Zegler & Gal Gadot Debuts at D23: Watch

The first trailer for the upcoming live-action Snow White movie has arrived.

Disney revealed the teaser for the remake of the classic 1937 animated film during D23 in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday (Aug. 9). Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler as the titular character and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 21, 2025.

The one minute, 17-second trailer opens with Zegler dancing and singing “Whistle While You Work” with the seven dwarfs and later gives a sneak-peek Gadot menacingly peering into her magic mirror.

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“It’s been the honor of a lifetime,” Zegler said of taking on the beloved Disney princess (per Variety). “I think any young person, any little girl if you get to put on a Disney princess dress and be her for a day let alone six months… it’s just been the most amazing experience and I cant wait to share it with you all.”

Gadot added, “It was a lot of fun to get to do something that is completely different than anything I’ve ever done before. She’s delicious, she’s evil, she’s magical. We got to sing all these different songs. It was incredible.”

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Snow White is directed by Marc Webb, who is known for his Amazing Spider-Man movies, and includes songs from The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen‘s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The film was originally set to open in March of this year, but was pushed back by Disney because of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Watch the Snow White trailer on YouTube below.

10 Aug 2024

Nine Inch Nails Set to Score Disney’s Upcoming ‘Tron: Ares’ Film

Nine Inch Nails is composing the score for the upcoming film Tron: Ares. The electronic band’s Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross made the announcement during a teaser of the sci-fi sequel at Disney’s D23 in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday (Aug. 9).

Reznor and Ross have collaborated on numerous film and television scores over the years, including Challengers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Soul and The Social Network. But Tron: Ares marks the first time the Oscar-winning duo’s film music will be credited as Nine Inch Nails.

Tron: Ares stars Jared Leto, Evan Peters, Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith. The Joachim Ronning-film is the sequel to 2010’s Tron: Legacy, which was scored by Daft Punk, whose soundtrack reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.

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Following some futuristic footage of Tron: Ares and an onstage appearance by cast members, a red laser revealed the iconic NIN logo indicating that the electronic band would be providing the score. Reznor and Ross then briefly made an onstage appearance for fans at D23. Watch the announcement here.

Tron: Ares, the third in the Tron franchise, is scheduled to hit theaters on Oct. 10, 2025. It builds on the original Tron movie, featuring Bridges, which was released in 1982.

“Technology and AI is omnipresent in our of our lives,” Bridges said of the forthcoming film. “What a perfect time to revisit this world. Or, have this world visit us, because that’s what happens in this movie.”

The Tron: Ares score will feature new songs by Nine Inch Nails as well as the score, according to Rolling Stone. NIN’s last album, Ghost VI: Locusts, arrived in 2020. In addition to Tron: Ares, Reznor and Ross are scoring Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Queer and the Scott Derrickson sci-fi thriller The Gorge, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller.

10 Aug 2024

Travis Scott Released From Police Custody After Arrest Over Paris Hotel Altercation

Travis Scott was released from French police custody without a charge after his arrest at a Paris hotel following an altercation with a security guard, French prosecutors said Saturday (Aug. 10).

In a statement, the Paris prosecutor’s office said, “the police custody order for Travis Scott has been lifted and all proceedings (against him) were terminated because the incident was minor.”

A rep for Scott confirmed to Billboard that the rapper had been released with no charges. Sources close to the “Sicko Mode” rapper say there are no plans to charge for him to be charged in the future and that there were no injuries to any party, including his security. Scott had been swarmed by paparazzi while in Paris and blamed his security for not adequately protecting him.

Scott was arrested early Friday after police were called to the Georges V hotel to detain a man “nicknamed Travis Scott for violence against a security guard,” according to a statement from the Paris prosecutor’s office.

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Officials said the hotel security guard had attempted to intervene in an altercation between Scott (born Jacques Bermon Webster II), 33, and his personal bodyguard in the early morning hours.

Scott was in Paris for the Olympics and was spotted at the U.S. men’s basketball game, where All-stars Steph Curry and LeBron James helped lead the veteran team to a thrilling come-from-behind win against Serbia to punch the team’s ticket to Saturday’s final against France.

Scott is one of the biggest stars in hip-hop. He has more than 100 songs that made the Billboard Hot 100 and released four singles that topped the chart: “Sicko Mode,” “Highest in the Room,” “The Scotts,” and “Franchise.”

He has two children with his former girlfriend, media personality and businesswoman Kylie Jenner.

In June, Scott was arrested in Miami Beach on misdemeanor charges of trespassing and public intoxication after officers said they had found him at the city’s marina shouting obscenities at people on a yacht and disobeyed their order to leave.

10 Aug 2024

Sebastián Yatra Awards Latin Grammy Scholarship & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Sebastián Yatra scholarship goes to …

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation awarded the Sebastián Yatra Scholarship, or Prodigy Scholarship, to Cuban double bass player Leo Luna Roblejo during a ceremony in Miami on Aug. 7.

“Music has the power to change lives and unite cultures, and I am excited to see how these young people, like Leo, will carry forward the legacy of Latin music with passion and dedication,” Yatra said in a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their education and artistic development.”

The scholarship holds a maximum value of $250,000, allowing Luna Roblejo to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston starting this fall.

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“Music has been my calling and my passion ever since I was a young child, and to have the opportunity to pursue my dream thanks to the support of Sebastián Yatra and the incredible Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation is beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Roblejo. “I am committed to making you all proud, and I will take full advantage of this opportunity, working hard every day to make the most of this gift.”

Los Ángeles Azules to receive special award

Los Ángeles Azules will receive the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Award for the Arts Award during the 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Opera House on Sept. 5, which will be featured on the PBS broadcast, online and PBS video app.

“Los Angeles Azules have literally moved audiences around the world through their music and messages for decades,” Antonio Tijerino, HHF president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to honor this remarkable group of musical giants with our Arts Award, and we look forward to sharing our collective cultural pride, achievement and vision, along with the other Honorees, at the Kennedy Center and on PBS with all of America and beyond during Hispanic Heritage Month.”

The iconic Mexican cumbia group added, “We are very grateful to the Hispanic Heritage Awards for this great recognition of our long artistic career. We also want to thank all our followers and those who have supported us throughout this time. It is thanks to them and to those who enjoy and dance to our songs that we will continue building this great career.”

Coldplay confirms collab with Tini

Mark your calendars: Coldplay is set to drop “We Pray” on Aug. 23, which features Argentine star Tini, along with other international artists such as Palestinean-Chilean artist Elyanna, Burna Boy from Nigeria and British rapper Little Simz. “This is so exciting,” Tini commented on the post shared by Coldplay on social media.

Listen to a preview of the song below:

Lele Pons’s IG Live with María Corina Machado

Lele Pons, the Venezuelan influencer and singer with the most followers on social media (53.3 million on Instagram alone), had Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado as a guest on an IG Live on Friday (August 9) to talk about the current situation in their country, where tensions and repression by the government have increased since the presidential elections of July 28.

Almost two weeks after the Venezuelan electoral authority declared Nicolás Maduro the winner and the opposition published records according to which its candidate Edmundo González won with close to 70% of the votes — something that has been widely recognized, even by the U.S. — Machado reiterated her message that they will continue to press through peaceful means and her faith that they will get “to the end.” She also answered questions from Pons’ followers and said that in the coming days they will be announcing a massive event in which the international community will be able to participate.

Announced just three hours in advance in a post shared by Pons and Machado, the Live attracted some 135,000 people and received mostly positive messages. Watch it below.

Celia Cruz gets her coin

The image of the legendary singer Celia Cruz is now depicted on a U.S. quarter. The late Cuban artist, known as the Queen of Salsa, was chosen along with four other women from history to be featured on the U.S. quarter as part of the American Women Quarters Program this year. She also makes history by becoming the first Afro-Latina to appear on the coin.

The four-year American Women Quarters Program “celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women of the United States,” states the U.S. Mint’s website, which also sells the coins individually and as a set. The other 2024 honorees are Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color to serve in Congress; Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a women’s rights advocate and Civil War era surgeon; poet, activist, and lawyer Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray; and Native American writer, composer, educator and political activist Zitkala-Ša.

—Additional reporting by Sigal Ratner-Arias.

09 Aug 2024

Music Fans Think G-Eazy’s Verse on ATEEZ’s ‘Work’ Remix Is a Callout to Halsey: ‘This Was Not on My Bingo List’

With the newly released version of ATEEZ’s No. 1 single “Work” poised to make crossover impact for the K-pop group via the all-English remix featuring G-Eazy, the rapper’s verses have also sparked speculation among fans online that he used the track to take a jab at his ex-girlfriend, Halsey.

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Released Friday, Aug. 9, the “Part 4” remix of “Work,” which topped World Digital Song Sales in June for ATEEZ’s first chart-topper on the ranking, features G-Eazy delivering a verse that has fans talking: “Actin’ innocent, no, it’s not your first time/We’re far away if Libra is her sign/ Oof, danger, danger (Danger, danger)/Don’t be a stranger (Don’t be a stranger)/ She said no one can save her.”

This particular line has drawn attention due to Halsey’s Sept. 29 birthday, making her a Libra and leading to widespread speculation that the lyrics could be a thinly veiled reference to his experiences and their past relationship. The stars were in a highly publicized relationship from 2017 to 2018 before an abrupt breakup in July 2018. While neither has spoken up directly about what ended their time together, both artists have released music that fans believe alludes to their breakup. Halsey has also previously mentioned being in an “abusive relationship,” though she has never explicitly confirmed if G-Eazy was involved.

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After the collaboration’s release, one user on X (formerly known as Twitter) wrote that they “got weirded out when he sings that [because] I immediately remember Halsey…this is ATEEZ’s song why tf did u make it about u.” One X user added, “A collab of all things to make a little diss at your ex,” with another saying, “G-Eazy shading Halsey in a K-pop collab…this was not on my bingo list AT ALL.”

As some fans have noted, the particular lyrics in G-Eazy’s verse stand out against the backdrop of ATEEZ’s original message in “Work,” which is about focusing in on pushing toward your goals and achieving success. One fan on X wrote, “We’re talking about clocking in and he’s over here harassing his ex.”

Indeed, the K-pop group sings about the hustle in lines like, “I like to party when it’s a party/That’s payin’ me to pull up” and the addictive chorus of “Gotta work, gotta work / Gotta make that money, make purse.” G-Eazy later adds, “Work, flex, work, flex, always in the lab/ How I earn checks/ Hundred thousand dollars for a verse, yes/Wouldn’t lift a finger if it were less.”

The collaboration comes after ATEEZ’s established admiration for Halsey. The K-pop group’s fans, known as ANTINY, know the members frequently share music recommendations: Both Wooyoung and Jongho have shared their fondness for “Boy With Luv,” her hit collaboration with BTS, Yeosang has recommended Halsey’s chart-topping Billboard Hot 100 hit “Closer” with The Chainsmokers to fans. Mingi has also praised G-Eazy’s work, notably his Hot 100 hit “Me, Myself & I” featuring Bebe Rexha, and previously recommended Calvin Harris’ Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 album, where Halsey features on two tracks.

Representatives for G-Eazy nor ATEEZ did not return Billboard‘s request for comment at press time.

Even if the potential diss has dominated most of the conversation, it’s important to recognize the latest steps in ATEEZ’s barrier-breaking 2024 that includes multiple “Work” remixes, being named an “Up Next” star in Variety’s Young Hollywood Impact Report, and the ongoing [Towards the Light : Will to Power] in North America arena and stadium tour that just took over New York’s CitiField on Saturday, Aug. 2. This year has also been momentous for G-Eazy with the June 21 release of his seventh studio album, Freak Show, marking his first full-length project in nearly three years, which precedes a world tour hitting North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand through this and next year.

Listen to Part 4 of ATEEZ’s “Work” with G-Eazy below:

09 Aug 2024

Mike Dean Inquires About Items in Auctioned Storage Unit Belonging to Ye

TikTok user @lockerblocker20 recently came across a treasure trove of Ye merch during a livestream. They found boxes of everything ranging from performance costumes to Yeezy design notes to recording equipment. The latter of which caught the attention to former Ye collaborator Mike Dean.

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In the comments of one of the videos, Dean asked, “Any Mike Dean cases in there?” to which the creator replied, “No.”

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There was an Ensoniq ASR 10 keyboard with the name “Tarik” on it, though, plus earpieces and microphones. There were also boxes of garments and masks from the 2019 opera “Nebuchadnezzar” and “Sunday Service” costumes, along with YZY season catalogues and patent cards.

Back in December of 2022, Mike Dean reposted a message from Swedish House Mafia member Steve Angello reacting to Ye’s appearance on Alex Jones’ Info Wars where he praised Hitler causing some to speculate that the two have had a falling out. “When media attention becomes more important than like itself, you’re on a slippery slope,” wrote Angello. “Saying provocative things to trigger social media for clicks and action is pathetic.”

Then a year later, a fan asked Dean if he wasn’t working with rapper “because of the Hitler thing.” The Houston musician replied, “Because I’m busy with much cooler people.” At the time, Dean was on tour with The Weeknd. Something he had to remind another fan who claimed he “wasn’t invited” to work on Ye’s latest, saying, “I passed thanks. On a little tour” in the now-deleted tweets.

There’s no word as to whether the storage locker belongs to Ye or someone from his team.

09 Aug 2024

Drake Helps Raise $40 Million for Italian Soccer Club to Avoid Bankruptcy

When an Italian soccer club was staring down bankruptcy, an unlikely hero showed up at Venezia FC’s doorstep ready to lace up his shinguards.

According to GQ Italia, Drake played an integral role in helping raise $40 million for the Venice soccer club to stay afloat in Serie A. The franchise was looking at filing for bankruptcy heading into the 2023-2024 season and possibly being demoted to the lowest Serie D with a poor performance.

“I got a call from Brad Katsuyama, co-owner of Venezia and a good friend of mine,” said Drake’s CBO Matte Babel, who also works in management. “He laid out the problem to me in a simple way: Venezia has to raise €10 million in a couple of weeks, and then at least €30 million in a few months, or the club will go bankrupt.”

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Babel gave Drake a call and the ball was immediately rolling to help Venezia FC get back on its feet. It only took two weeks to raise the money needed to hang up the phone on bankruptcy thanks to Drake and his team mobilizing efforts. Billboard has reached out to Drake’s reps for comment.

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“Venice is an incredible city and Venezia has always been a special club. I spoke to Drake, then Brad and I discussed the details of how we could help. Within two weeks we had a deal, raised the money needed to pay the salaries and avoid bankruptcy.”

GQ Italia continues to report that the $40 million came from a group of North American investors and heavily credited the 6 God’s involvement. The new ownership crew formed an Operating Committee to “oversee the strategic direction of the club.”

“Matte was my first call when I knew the club needed help,” Katsuyama said. “Drake’s value to any football club is undeniable, given his scale as a global superstar and the reach of his brand. This intersection of culture and sport is exactly where we want to be, and the chance to collaborate with a brand like NOCTA, who is moving along the same lines, is incredibly valuable.”

Venezia FC also struck an apparel partnership deal with Drake’s Nocta line, who help design their new uniforms. The club has made a €315 investment into building a new stadium, indoor arena with state-of-the-art facilities, which the team hopes to open in Venice for the start of the 2027 season.

09 Aug 2024

Watch MGK & Jelly Roll Perform ‘Lonely Road’ in Las Vegas

Jelly Roll joined Morgan Wallen as a special guest for his concert at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, and he had a surprise for fans up his sleeve.

The “Need a Favor” star welcomed MGK onstage to perform their latest collaboration, “Lonely Road.” “Lonely road, take me home/ To the place that we went wrong/ Where’d you go now?/ It’s been a ghost town/ And I’m still here all alone,” they sing together in the chorus.

Watch a clip of their performance via social media here.

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“Lonely Road” hit streaming services on Friday (July 26), which features an homage to John Denver’s 1971 tune “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Referring to themselves as KellyRoll, MGK revealed they worked on “Lonely Road” for “2 years, 8 different studios, 4 different countries, [and] changed the key 4 times.”

In the corresponding music video, the duo are joined by MGK’s girlfriend, actress Megan Fox, and Jelly’s wife, Bunnie Xo, who both have prominent roles in the emotional clip.

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The collaboration marks MGK’s first release since revisiting his Hotel Diablo album with a deluxe edition earlier this month. For Jelly Roll, it follows his recent appearance on Eminem’s new album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), where he featured on the emotionally charged track “Somebody Save Me.”

09 Aug 2024

Here’s Why Fans Think Latto Is Dissing Ice Spice on ‘S/O to Me’ From ‘Sugar Honey Iced Tea’

Latto made her return on Friday (Aug. 9) to serve up her anticipated Sugar Honey Iced Tea album. The 25-year-old’s fiery LP closer “S/O to Me” generated chatter among fans online as she sniped at potential targets with her lyrical barbs.

Apple Music’s Ebro Darden saw Latto trying to get into her “Jay-Z bag” while others thought “S/O to Me” was inspired by something in the vein of Drake’s famed timestamp series.

As far as Latto’s rhymes go, over smooth Saint Mino production, fans believe she took more shots at Ice Spice ,as it doesn’t look like this feud is stopping anytime soon.

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“Bye sis, funny thing about it, you can’t look me in my eye, sis,” she raps in an apparent jab at Ice using her government name, while later spewing: “Ice is just water when it melts/ Wipe you down, I got plenty towels on the shelf, it’s easy.”

Another bar that could be a stretch when related to Ice ties in the name of her 2022 “Karma” collaboration with Taylor Swift. “Karma will deal with you, though, I promise, your judgment awaits,” Latto ominously spews.

In another lyric, Latto raps, “You fighting for radio play, he fighting a government case,” which some took as a Nicki Minaj diss. Minaj has voiced her frustration with a lack of radio support and her husband, Kenneth Petty, is still dealing with the ramifications of a 1994 sexual assault case.

A fan wrote to X after hearing the menacing track: “Latto is at it again coming for the rap girls. Wordplay on Ice Spice name and another sub for her and Nicki. Latto takes me out she don’t care!”

However, Latto told Ebro Darden on Apple Music that she’s “exhausted” by the rap feuds she’s been entrenched in. “I’m exhausted. For real, I’m so over the beef. I’m gonna put this out there, Latto don’t got no problems with nobody,” she said.

When Ebro named some of the aforementioned lyrics that could be taken as shots at Ice Spice, Latto said she doesn’t look at the jabs as real “beef.” “That’s not beef though, that’s art to me. I think art is up for interpretation and that’s the beauty of it,” Latto added.

Ice Spice addressed the rumored feud in her Rolling Stone cover story, but she didn’t think there was any real static between Latto and herself. “I feel like if we ever spoke and I asked her, ‘What’s the issue?’ it’d be like a blank stare,” she stated. “It’d really be no issue whatsoever. Especially from me. I can understand a friendly competition, but I just feel like at this point it’s a joke that she’s just dragged out, and it’s just not even funny.”

Latto said she didn’t think Ice Spice was the kind of rapper who would want to engage in a rap battle that involved them exchanging full diss tracks. “If I was to do [a battle], it would have to be with somebody I feel like Imma go tit for tat with,” Latto told Billboard in her July cover story. “I really don’t mean it as shade. Would she even want to do that?”

Listen to “S/O to Me” below.