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When Taylor Swift‘s Midnights dropped in 2022, one of the most-talked-about lyrics came on the second verse of lead single “Anti-Hero.” Two years later, actress Cristin Milioti is addressing whether she might’ve inspired the line in question.
On the track, the pop star sings, “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby, and I’m a monster on the hill.” And while there were many theories as to what she meant by the term “sexy baby,” one of the most common was that Swift was referencing Milioti’s 30 Rock character, Abby Flynn.
The speculation comes from a scene in which Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon slams Flynn for adopting a “sexy baby” persona to get attention from men. And in a recent interview with SiriusXM, Milioti touched on the possibility of her character — who ultimately has a much more complicated backstory than her air-headed personality suggests at first — giving the 14-time Grammy winner the idea for “Anti-Hero.”
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“I gotta say, when that album dropped, my phone really blew up with people asking about that,” Milioti said. “And I don’t know. I mean, in my wildest … that would be such a compliment. I would love that to be true.”
However, the Penguin star shared that she can’t actually say for sure whether 30 Rock served as Swift’s inspiration. “I have no confirmation if it is,” Milioti added.
Though the “sexy baby” impetus remains a mystery, “Anti-Hero” in general examines Swift’s personal fears and insecurities, something she spoke about in October 2022 in an Instagram video shortly before Midnights dropped. “Track three, ‘Anti-Hero,’ is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written,” she said at the time. “I struggle a lot with the idea that my life has become unmanageably sized.”
“Not to sound too dark, but I just struggle with the idea of not feeling like a person — don’t feel bad for me, you don’t need to,” she continued. “But this song really is a real guided tour through all the things I tend to hate about myself.”
“Anti-Hero” went on to become the longest-running No. 1 hit of Swift’s career, spending eight weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Its corresponding music video — which the star self-directed — later took home video of the year at the 2023 VMAs.
Watch Milioti discuss Swift’s “sexy baby” lyric and her original 30 Rock scene below.
Cardi B just welcomed her third child, but she knew way before she went to the doctor that she was pregnant, thanks to a very unusual symptom.
“It was around March 20 or March 16…it was around those days, right? I woke up one morning and my mouth tasted like copper. It literally tasted like copper. So I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. This only happened to me when I’m pregnant,” Cardi recalled during a recent Instagram Live stream. “So I was like, damn. I automatically knew that I was pregnant.”
According to the American Pregnancy Association, dysgeusia is a change in taste thought to be caused by pregnancy hormones. “Sometimes it can cause a sour or metallic taste in your mouth, even if you’re not eating anything,” the website notes.
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Cardi then broke down the timeline, originally thinking that she was six or seven weeks pregnant. However, when she went to the OBGYN, she was surprised to find out she was around 17 weeks pregnant. “When I found out it was a girl, I started crying even more because y’all know that I love raising girls,” she explained.
Watch the portion of the Instagram Live via a fan screen recording here.
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The “WAP” rapper confirmed the arrival of her baby girl with an Instagram post earlier this month, sharing photos from the hospital where she gave birth and confirming that their new addition had been born five days prior. “The prettiest lil thing … 9/7/24.”
Cardi announced that she was pregnant with baby No. 3 at the beginning of August, the same day Billboard confirmed that she’d filed for divorce from the “Stir Fry” artist for a second time. Sharing photos of her bump, the Grammy winner wrote, “With every ending comes a new beginning!”
In addition to their newborn daughter, Cardi B and Offset also share six-year-old daughter Kulture and three-year-old son Wave. The Migos rapper is also dad to 14-year-old Jordan, nine-year-old Kody and nine-year-old Kalea from past relationships.
Emmylou Harris will receive the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award at the 2024 Humane Awards, which will be held at a luncheon in New York City on Thursday, Oct. 10. The award, given to an individual or institution for their commitment to animal welfare, is named after the founder of the American Society for the Prevention […]
Nearly two decades after her death, iconic Spanish singer Rocío Dúrcal will be revived through a biopic that will recount her life and legacy as “the queen of rancheras,” announced last week via Sony Music México. Together with Sony Music Vision and Altit Media Group, the story of the singer of hits such as “La Gata Bajo la Lluvia” and “Como Tu Mujer” will be brought to the big screen.
“It is a true honor for us to be part of this well-deserved tribute to Rocío Dúrcal’s trajectory and celebration of her legacy, which reinforces the cultural impact she continues to have in the industry and society,” said Roberto López, president of Sony Music México, in a statement. “Additionally, it’s the perfect introduction for the new division of Sony Music Vision in Mexico.”
The production will be handled by Altit Media Group, known for The Misfits and The Good Neighbor. It will also feature the participation of Dúrcal’s daughters, Shaila and Carmen, who will play a fundamental role in chronicling this story of female empowerment within music.
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“It is an indescribable honor to see how the story of our mother, a woman who left an indelible mark on the world of music and film, will come to life on the big screen,” said Shaila and Carmen in the statement.
Born on Oct. 4, 1944, Rocío Dúrcal (real name María de los Ángeles de las Heras) began her career in her native Spain as a teenager, appearing in musical films like Canción de Juventud, Más Bonita Que Ninguna, and Amor en el Aire, which catapulted her to fame during the 1960s. By the late ’70s, she surprised many by singing rancheras under the guidance of Juan Gabriel as composer and producer. The duo marked a new era in Latin music, turning her into a mariachi queen following stars like Lola Beltrán, with the uniqueness of being a Spaniard singing Mexican music.
From Rocío Dúrcal Canta a Juan Gabriel, Vol. 1 (1977) to Rocío Dúrcal Canta a Juan Gabriel, Vol. 6 (1984), the partnership of Dúrcal and Juan Gabriel produced timeless songs like “Me Gustas Mucho,” “Fue Un Placer Conocerte,” “Tarde,” “La Gata Bajo la Lluvia” and “Amor Eterno.” After personal differences led to a professional breakup, a new stage in the singer’s career followed with other music geniuses like Marco Antonio Solís, who wrote and produced her albums Como Tu Mujer (1988) and Si Te Pudiera Mentir (1990), as well as Joan Sebastian, who co-wrote and produced Desaires (1993).
Dúrcal, who died on March 25, 2006, of uterine cancer at age 61, left an indelible mark on music and the arts, with more than a dozen film productions, over 20 albums, 11 billion streams on Spotify to date, and 13 billion hits on TikTok. Among other recognitions, in 1998 she won the Billboard Latin Music Award for regional Mexican album of the year with Juan Gabriel for Juntos Otra Vez; in 1999 she received the Billboard Hall of Fame Award; and in 2007, she posthumously received the Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin album of the year of greatest hits for Amor Eterno: Los Éxitos.
No title or release date for the biopic has been announced yet, or who will play the role of Rocío Dúrcal. Sony Music México will provide additional details at a later date.
New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams made somewhat of a cameo in The Notorious B.I.G.‘s video for the rapper’s debut single “Juicy.” According to a resurfaced tweet from New York Times reporter Jesse Drucker, his eagle-eyed son spotted the now-mayor as he was watching the video. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See […]
Ludacris is on a “water quest” after going viral for drinking still water from a glacier in Alaska. The rapper and actor was in town to perform at the Alaska State Fair, but he had to make sure to do some sightseeing while he was there. Luda posted a video of himself drinking water from […]
A man in Ellis County, Texas, is going viral after he bought an autographed guitar for $4000 at an auction only to destroy it. In the clip shared by TMZ, the white-haired man is seen grabbing the guitar and repeatedly hitting it with a hammer while the crowd cheers. He then looked as though he […]
It’s officially fall, and these African artists have plenty of new music to usher in the new season with.
Oxlade transcends the continent’s borders with a vibrant combination of old-school African music and modern-day Afrobeats — and an international array of guest artists, from Jamaican dancehall star Popcaan to U.K. rapper Dave to legendary Nigerian singer-songwriter Wande Coal and Congolese icon Fally Ipupa — on his long-awaited debut album OFA (Oxlade From Africa). And Fireboy DML puts his heart on his sleeve and stays true to the sounds he grew up listening to on his self-titled fourth studio album Adedamola.
We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and catch a vibe with our latest Spotify playlist below.
Mofe., “Good Day”
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Mofe. fuses Afrobeats and disco for his self-branded Afrodisco jam “Good Day.” The Nigerian American artist behind the viral track “Prince of Egypt” – which Destroy Lonely sampled on “Cadillac,” from his latest Love Lasts Forever album – adds a funkier groove, assisted by shimmering synths, to Afrobeats’ syncopated percussion and overall feel-good vibe. It’s kind of impossible to not have a good day while listening to this song.
Fireboy DML feat. Seun Kuti, “ecstasy”
Fireboy DML craves a woman’s body like “ecstasy” on this erotic number from his eponymous fourth album Adedamola. Producer Bassiqally’s ebullient percussion occasionally dotted with log drums and chanting ad-libs, paired with featured artist Seun Kuti’s sexy and soulful saxophone melodies, make “ecstasy” sound as addicting as the real deal. “It’s a song that sounds like sex – I always have a record like that on every album, because it’s somewhat a part of my personality,” he told Apple Music, adding that he “had an image of [Kuti] on the sax for the record…. He’s an amazing person with a very crazy and colorful personality that resonates with me.”
Odunsi (The Engine), “BACK IN OFFICE”
Odunsi (The Engine) makes being “BACK IN OFFICE” much more amusing in the opening track of his latest EP Nigerian Boyfriend. The alté artist assumes the position of a boss who entices women with his “tune and bounce,” this time with a swelling orchestral intro and outro that bookend the song’s polyrhythmic production (courtesy of OTE, who’s also the sole songwriter). And with its corporate-themed visualizer, “BACK IN OFFICE” would’ve been the perfect campaign song for I AM GIA’s new Gia Office.03 collection.
Minz, “mo de ma [by any minz]”
Minz becomes a soothing voice of reason on his “mo de ma [by any minz]” single that dropped ahead of his debut album By Any Minz, due Oct. 4. He reflects on his journey to the spotlight, including the “dark days when man never glow,” over Puffy Beatz’s relaxed production. Grammy-winning singer Angélique Kidjo is heard in the outro, calling out his album title within seconds of meeting Minz. “This felt like a revelation…. Sometimes, the signs show up exactly when you need them, and they make everything make sense,” he wrote on Instagram underneath a clip that captured the kismet moment.
Oxlade, “RMF”
Oxlade is “all about that life” on “RMF” from his debut studio album OFA (Oxlade From Africa). “RMF,” which stands for “Rich Motherf—er,” finds the Nigerian hitmaker relishing in his new luxe lifestyle while going back to his rapping roots. “When I was in secondary school, I stopped singing because of peer pressure. I had to learn how to rap to fit in. I’m grateful now cos [sic] it’s affected my pen!” he told Wonderland. And its Fela Kuti-inspired Afrobeat production, from the grandiose horn melody to the dizzying saxophone outro, pays homage to the vintage African sound.
Fireboy DML, “Change Your Life”
The YBNL crooner gets into the groove on “Change Your Life,” off his latest album adedamola. Propelled by an insistent backbeat, an adventurous bassline and a track-opening trumpet solo — that’s right — producer Bassiqally quickly sets a tone that makes “Change Your Life” stand out from the rest of the project musically, even if it remains firmly within the romantic love-life stories that populate the album. But “Change Your Life” continues to surprise throughout, with Fireboy bringing melody on top of melody and proving adept at riding the rhythm.
Oxlade feat. Sarkodie, “OLOLUFE”
There are plenty of standouts on the latest Oxlade album OFA, which essentially serves as a clearinghouse for his best singles of the past 18 months. Oxlade himself is adept at setting the vibe, with his vocals soaring over the production, a mix of doubled-melody and falsetto that reaches into the stratosphere. This track really shines, however, with the forehand punch that is Sarkodie’s verse, which punctuates the ambiance and brings a renewed energy and a swagger to the track that sets it apart.
Morravey, “Ifineme”
One of the breakout stars of Davido’s phenomenal Timeless album from 2023 on the track “The Garden,” Morravey — also signed to David’s Davido Music Worldwide label — is a dynamic singer with a gorgeous voice, and this new cut “Ifineme” is another from a similar mold. The song came hand in hand with another single, “Upstandin,” that also showcases her vocal prowess, but it’s “Ifineme” that truly feels transcendent: a track that builds organically with its feeling of the early days of love, until reaching a soaring hook complete with a full choir that fills to the rafters. It’s a great song, and her winking metaphors demand repeat listens.
LADIPOE & taves, “Compose”
A low key intro and a reverb-soaked background quickly give way to a tight groove on this latest collab, with LADIPOE flowing effortlessly over the beat, bouncing in time, as he raps about his latest romantic interest. Featured guest taves makes little more than a cameo, but it’s really the hook that makes the song such an earworm — “You wan make my head explode” — with a catchy melody that burrows into the brain. There’s a joy to this one that bubbles under the surface but comes through nevertheless, and which stamps itself on the listener.
Khaid feat. Olamide, “Way Back”
Few young singers have made as much of an impact in the past two years as Khaid, who despite his string of infectious singles is still just a teenager. But this track sees him linking up with one of Nigeria’s OGs, as Olamide comes through with a verse in his classic style — cocky, on and off the beat, always dripping with swagger and effortless cool — before ceding the floor back to Khaid and his penchant for crafting melodies that seem timeless, despite his years. It helps that the music video is pure fun, too, with the duo clearly enjoying themselves in the studios. Khaid hasn’t missed yet.
It’s always a busy week in the hip-hop and R&B worlds. Much of the chatter remains surrounding Diddy’s bombshell arrest on federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. As part of the fallout from Sean Combs’ crumbling empire, 50 Cent announced that his upcoming documentary surrounding the allegations against Diddy will be coming to Netflix.
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“This is a story with significant human impact. It is a complex narrative spanning decades, not just the headlines or clips seen so far,” 50 relayed in a joint statement to Variety last week. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to give a voice to the voiceless and to present authentic and nuanced perspectives.”
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On the music side, Future continued his historic run with his third consecutive No. 1 album thanks to Mixtape Pluto. It’s his eighth Billboard 200 leader in a row as the Atlanta star etches another chapter into a Hall of Fame career.
The Weeknd reunited with Playboi Carti for “Timeless,” which will land on the Canadian singer’s upcoming Hurry Up Tomorrow album. It’s the second single headed for Abel’s third and final installment of his After Hours/Dawn FM trilogy. “Dancing in the Flames” initially debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated Sept. 28.
Tommy Richmond capitalized on his breakout summer with the release of his debut album, Coyote. To the surprise of many around the industry, the Virginia native didn’t include hits like “Million Dollar Baby” and “Devil is a Lie” on the LP.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop – from BIA’s frustrations on wax to Doodie Lo and Mozzy linking up for a gritty street anthem. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Tia Wood, “Sky High”
The Indigenous R&B singer-songwriter makes a statement with her Pretty Red Bird EP, but Tia Wood’s coo is also more soothing than any chirping birds in the morning. A funky bassline and some pop-leaning soul provide the canvas for Woods on the project standout “Sky High.” The Amy Winehouse-inspired artist looks inward to heal rather than for outside support: “Who needs a savior? Got myself on retainer,” she sings. But if you’re gonna snap a picture to capture the Alberta native’s gaze, just don’t forget about her good side.
Ray Emmanuel, “#NEEDTHAT”
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. After exploring a couple of laps across the globe, Ray Emmanuel wants to come home. On “#NEEDTHAT,” the North Carolina wordsmith taps into his romantic side as he pens a love letter to a former flame he wants back. This go around, a decisive Ray knows the timing’s right. “And I know I’ma see you again/ Don’t give up on me because this the way it ain’t gotta end,” he pleads over the dreamy production. “I don’t really care that I ain’t your first, I’ll be your last.” Emmanuel is ready to do whatever it takes to win her over. The 19-year-old has shown plenty of dexterity with his artistry throughout the four singles he’s delivered in 2024.
Montell Fish, “It’s Gonna’ Cost You”
The second installment in the JCM Trilogy, Montell Fish brings the chaos with his “sonic evolution” of Charlotte. The Christian artist rumbles through the grunginess of “It’s Gonna’ Cost You.” Fish lets the rage fuel him as he’s beaming with confidence on the rock-tinged track. “Greatest that you’ve ever seen/ And I don’t want nothing/ These flows is all I need,” his falsetto vocals pierce the rowdy disarray. Fish explained that with the project his “goal was to make an art piece inspired by theological Ideas through the lens of a breakup with a slight to psychological concepts for answers.”
BIA & Lil Yachty, “Pissed Off”
Even while traveling the country opening for one of her rap heroes in Nicki Minaj on tour, somebody managed to piss BIA off. “Somebody gon’ die today, this sound like Jeff in the ride today,” she raps to open her verse with an homage to Young Thug’s “Die Today.” BIA runs through a questionnaire trying to find who’s real around her. Lil Yachty has proven time and time again to be a versatile collaborator and Boat’s malleability shines here. He compares his Chanel watch to a glass of milk and defends his CEO ability as Yachty made all his homies millionaires.
Doodie Lo & Mozzy, “Glock’D In”
A gritty street anthem connecting the Illinois upstart to Sacramento’s veteran soldier. Doodie Lo narrates his rags to riches story while flexing his AP but remembering the days of hoisting his G-Shock like a Rolex. “That n—a been a b—h, you could ask Siri,” he raps in a cheeky jab that cuts deeper than the surface. Mozzy invades the show with his raspy flow that doubles as a natural instrument. He’s been around the block once or twice and demands his respect for trailblazing a path for others to follow. “I bled the block and paved the way,” the CMG rhymer spews.
Monaleo & Sauce Walka, “Er-er”
The Houston rap princess meets one of the city’s well-respected sargeants. “Er-er” goes the sound of the bed as 2 Chainz collectively taught us on 2012’s “I’m Different.” Monaleo shows off her shrewd wordplay prowess while also paying homage to the talk show legend Jerry Springer, who passed away last year. The raunchy collab could be taken to the next level if another Houston native joins the party, with Megan Thee Stallion hopping on a potential remix. The thumping piano-driven production is where Meg makes her living, and her appearance would extend the track’s shelf life. Either way, the 23-year-old is undoubtedly going to be heard from in the years to come as she looks to shake up the rap hierarchy.
After starring in a Saturday Night Live sketch about your favorite hippo’s favorite hippo, Bowen Yang is over fans misinterpreting his jokes. In an expired Instagram Story posted on Sunday (Sept. 29), Yang responded to a headline from Variety saying that his appearance as Moo Deng on Weekend Update was meant to “mock” pop star […]
