Music

24 Jul 2024

Olivia Rodrigo Shows Her Support for Kamala Harris’ 2024 Presidential Run

Turns out your ex isn’t the only person Olivia Rodrigo is “Obsessed” with. The singer showed her support for Kamala Harris on Tuesday (July 23) in an Instagram Story, resharing a TikTok clip from the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee’s first campaign rally as a 2024 contender.

In the clip, the current VP talks about restoring reproductive rights should she win the Oval Office in November. “And we who believe in reproductive freedom will stop Donald Trump’s extreme abortion bans because we trust women to make decisions about their own body, and not have their government tell them what to do!” Harris said emphatically at the Tuesday (July 23) event in Wisconsin. “And when Congress passes a law to restore reproductive freedoms, as president of the United States, I will sign it into law.”

In addition to sharing the clip originally posted by The News Movement, the three-time Grammy winner added four raised-hands emojis to her Story.

Rodrigo, 21, has been an outspoken supporter of reproductive rights, launching her Fund 4 Good — her initiative that supports girls’ education and reproductive rights as well as preventing gender-based violence by helping to fund community-based non-profits — when she kicked off her Guts World Tour in February. A portion of the ticket sales also went to support the initiative, as well as the National Network of Abortion Funds. But she didn’t stop there. At several of her tour stops, local groups were on hand to hand out condoms, morning-after pills and information about how to find abortion care to those who were interested.

The “Drivers License” singer is far from the first musician to show support for the vice president, who is now campaigning to become the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and immediately endorsed his VP for the job on Sunday (July 21).

“Right person. Right time,” Carole King wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two women together, the same day Biden announced he was no longer running.

“I’m so ready to work to help unite the pro-democracy coalition to reject Trump’s authoritarian, oppressive Project 2025 and elect Kamala Harris as our President,” John Legend shared on Instagram after Biden endorsed his VP. “She’s ready for this fight and I’m excited to help her in any way I can.”

Others who have shown support for Harris’ 2024 presidential run include Charli XCX, Barbra Streisand, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Lil Nas X, Beyonce, Moby, Questlove and more.

Watch the clip from Harris’ first campaign rally below that Olivia Rodrigo shared on Instagram:

24 Jul 2024

Miranda Lambert to Release New Album, ‘Postcards From Texas’ This Fall

ACM Awards triple crown winner Miranda Lambert is set to once again turn her potent songwriting pen, and fierce yet relatable vocal power, toward a new set of keen-eyed songs when she releases her new album, Postcards From Texas, on Sept. 13. The 14-song album marks the Texas native’s first since announcing her signing to Republic Records earlier this year.

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The three-time Grammy winner decamped to Austin’s Arlyn Recording Studios to record the new project, which she produced with Jon Randall. Lambert previously previewed the album with the fiery track “Wranglers” and “Dammit, Randy,” but her latest early look at the album comes with the swaggering dancefloor-ready shuffle of “Alimony,” which she wrote with longtime collaborators Shane McAnally and Natalie Hemby.

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“We were out in my barn; I was showing Shane and Natalie the horses, and I asked if he had any other titles,” Lambert said in a statement. “He said he had one, and I was like, ‘What is it? Because your last one was ‘Looking Back on Luckenbach,’ which I didn’t think you could top. He said, ‘Well, ‘If you’re gonna leave me in San Antone, remember the Alamo-neeeee…’’ Natalie and I were like, ‘Alright, Shane! Stop showing off.’

Lambert continues, “We went back to the house and got the guitars and I specifically was like, ‘I want a shuffle, man.’ I love to shuffle so much, and this record needed a shuffle! I knew I wanted one in my set, because I haven’t done one in a while – and everybody loves a shuffle.”

For “Alimony,” Lambert and Randall also assembled a group of top-shelf musicians, including Jedd Hughes and Ethan Ballinger (electric guitar), Texas icon Bukka Allen (barrelhouse piano), Rachel Loy (bass) and Conrad Choucroun (drums).

From there, the album promises a blend of tender ballads, steel guitar-laden tracks and acoustic renderings, as well as amped-up rock-tinged tunes. The album also features a collaboration with fellow Texan Parker McCollum on the song “Santa Fe,” as well as a solo-penned song from Lambert (“Run”) and a take on David Allan Coe’s “Living on the Run,” which Coe included on his 1976 album Longhaired Redneck.

Though Postcards From Texas was recorded in its namesake state, this isn’t Lambert’s first album to be recorded in the Lone Star State. In 2020, she teamed with Randall and Jack Ingram to write and record the stripped-back, collaborative project The Marfa Tapes, recorded around a campfire in Marfa, Texas (the album released in 2021).

The new songs are just a taste of what is ahead on Lambert’s Postcards From Texas. See the full tracklist below:

  1. “Armadillo” (Aaron Raitiere, Jon Decious, Park Twomey)
  2. “Dammit Randy” (Miranda Lambert, Brendan McLoughlin, Jon Randall)
  3. “Looking Back on Luckenbach” (Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby)
  4. “Santa Fe” feat. Parker McCollum (Miranda Lambert, Jesse Frasure, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dean Dillon)
  5. “January Heart” (Brent Cobb, Neil Medley)
  6. “Wranglers” (Audra Mae, Evan McKeever, Ryan Carpenter)
  7. “Run” (Miranda Lambert)
  8. “Alimony” (Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally)
  9. “I Hate Love Songs” (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
  10. “No Man’s Land” (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick)
  11. “Bitch On The Sauce” (Miranda Lambert, Jaren Johnston)
  12. “Way Too Good At Breaking My Heart” (Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Jesse Frasure, Jenee Fleenor)
  13. “Wildfire” (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
  14. “Living On The Run” (David Allen Coe, Jimmy L. Howard)

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert

James Macari

24 Jul 2024

Olympics 2024 Theme Composer Victor le Masne Found the Melody in Three Seconds. Then the Real Work Began

The rousing sports-anthem melody that will underpin the opening and closing Olympics 2024 ceremonies came to Victor le Masne in roughly three seconds. “I don’t know how,” says the French pianist and composer, a longtime producer who was in the early-2010s electro-pop duo Housse de Racket. “But what’s important is the realization of this idea. It took me three seconds to find it, but maybe 18 months to finish it.”

The Paris 2024 organizers picked le Masne to compose the new theme, titled “Parade,” after he’d rearranged the French National Anthem, “La Marseillaise,” for the end of the Tokyo Games. An orchestra performed the new piece for the first time May 8, when the Olympic flame arrived in Paris on a yacht — with le Masne on piano and synthesizer. “I just decided a few days before: ‘I think I want to be in the orchestra playing my piece with the flame arriving in France,’” he recalls, by Zoom from Paris. “It was so much, but I said, ‘Let’s be even more too much.’”

In the interview, conducted about two weeks before the games begin on July 26, le Masne, 42, discussed the creative challenges and deadline pressure involved in composing a new piece for the Olympics ceremonies — as well as his work on “La Marseillaise” and his fondness for the American “Dream Team” that won basketball gold at the 1992 Olympics.

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What’s going through your head as you’re in the orchestra, playing your own composition, watching the flame come in on a yacht?

It was a hint of the amazing emotion and the tension that I had in my mind. When the woman in charge of the broadcast was saying, “3, 2, 1,” I was like, “Wow, this is really crazy.” But I loved it, obviously. 

How long did it take you to come up with the “Parade” melody?

I just sat on my piano like I always do. I was in a group of musicians, a committee with the artistic director of the Olympics, some historians, some athletes, and we were seeing each other every week and discussing, with friends, art, sport and obviously the Olympics. Maybe twice a week. Quite easily, this melody came. … For the first time in modern Olympics, it’s not in a stadium for the opening ceremony, but in the heart of the city. The idea is, we’ll be on boats, country by country, arriving on the Seine River. I was picturing this moment. I wanted my tune, my theme, to be powerful and joyful and speak for everybody. I hope.

Did you play sports? Are you a fan of a particular sport?

I was a big basketball fan, for Barcelona 1992 — I was 10 years old and I saw the Dream Team, with Michael Jordan and all the gang. Also, I’m from the generation of Andre Agassi, with tennis. Being a musician, my professor was really hard with me, like, “You have to play music, you have to practice and practice,” [so] I didn’t have time to do as much sport as I wanted.

You’ve been composing music for the Olympics as a full-time job for the last 18 months. How has it changed your life?

For me, there’s a before and after the Olympics. The task is so huge. I’m a composer of a huge score, almost 12 hours of music. You will have in the ceremony some songs — some French songs — but I had to produce it, arrange it, work with different artists. That’s very difficult, to make everybody happy. Every country will parade on this music, so you can’t do wrong. Everybody needs to be happy with what they’re listening to. But, also, you have to be bold and unusual.

How discerning have the Paris 2024 people been, in terms of accepting your music?

They trust me, and they chose me for my ability to translate what we want into music. I’m not only the composer, I’m like a storyteller. When I present the music to them, it’s not like, “Ah, I don’t like this bass line or drum feel.” It’s more like, “Do you like the story we are telling together?” And if not, okay, I can try something else. That was an ongoing discussion with the committee. But I enjoyed a lot of freedom.

How did you get this job in the first place? Did you have to apply? Do you have a sense of how much competition there was?

In 2021, in the springtime, I had a call and was asked to try to do a new version of “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem, for Tokyo 2021. It’s the moment when Tokyo stopped and they say, “Okay, next city is Paris.” I didn’t know then, but I know now, there was a competition. There were different composers. I sat on my piano, and I started to play the melody: da, da, da. I thought, “This is actually nice.” In France, we have this feeling with the anthem, a little bit with violence, it’s a military feeling. And thinking of the Olympics, it was also during Covid, so the world was going through a difficult time. I changed all the chord progressions and did a whole realization of the whole thing, like a jazz guy would do. I’m a huge fan of Stevie Wonder, and I was like, “What would Stevie do?” 

Two or three years later, I was working on a musical called Starmania, as musical director and arranger. The director of the musical had been asked to be the artistic director of the Olympics. He was like, “You already did that with the Olympics, do you want to continue with me?” If you are faced with your destiny, some crazy stuff can happen.

Will you participate in the performance of your work, during any of the ceremonies, as you did with the Olympic flame ceremony?

It’s in 15 days, but I still don’t know. I’ve got many options. I think I will not perform as a musician myself. If anything goes wrong, I have to be just checking everything. Also, me and the artistic director are not allowed in those rooms, because we created this show and they don’t want to have us if we are too emotional. I think I will be in a quiet room with a lot of screens and I will be, “Oh, my God!”

What will you do after it’s all over?

I think I will go to sleep for a little moment. I can’t commit to anything. Obviously, I will be back at work as soon as possible. I want to really experience it fully and not say, “In two weeks, I’ll be back at that.”

Do you have a prediction for who takes home the gold in basketball?

I would say … France. [Laughs] France!

24 Jul 2024

Salma Hayek Got Hyped For Her Olympic Torch Relay Run in Paris By Blasting ‘Lose Yourself,’ Naturally

There are plenty of songs you could pick to get pumped up for your one big moment. But if you only have one shot at an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime, there is only one that guarantees that you will own it and never let it go: Eminem‘s iconic Oscar-winning 2002 8 Mile soundtrack Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Lose Yourself.”

That explains why House of Gucci star Salma Hayek posted a video on Tuesday (July 23) in which she got hyped for her Olympic torch run by blasting the song in the back of her limo. “Getting ready to participate in the Olympic torch relay in Paris! Feeling the excitement and unity the Olympics brings. Stay tuned for more photos with the torch tomorrow,” Hayek wrote alongside a video in which she bounces and sings along to the song while rocking her official Summer Games white sweatsuit with orange piping and “Paris 2024” and the Olympic rings across the shoulders accessorized by oversized shades.

The series of videos also had Hayek doing an impressive round-off in the glittering Palace of Versailles, getting her official torch rally number alongside dancer Mathieu Forget and French soccer star Presnel Kimpembe and lacing up her white sneakers as she prepared to participate in the final run to bring the flame to Paris for Friday’s (July 26) opening ceremonies.

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Hayek married French billionaire businessman François-Henri Pinault in 2009 and the couple have a daughter.

The actress will have some good company after it was also revealed on Tuesday that Snoop Dogg has been tapped to be the final torchbearer before the kick-off to the opening ceremony. The 2024 Olympic Games will run from Friday through August 11.

Check out Hayek’s video below.

24 Jul 2024

Brandon Lake Leads Nominees for 2024 GMA Dove Awards

Brandon Lake leads this year’s slate of nominees for the Gospel Music Association’s upcoming 55th annual GMA Dove Awards, picking up 16 nominations, including artist of the year. The nominations were announced Wednesday morning (July 24).

Lake will compete in the artist of the year category against “Strong” hitmaker Anne Wilson, “That’s My King” hitmaker CeCe Winans, “Unsung Hero” singers for King & Country and “Thank God I Do” singer Lauren Daigle. Lake also earned four nods in the song of the year category, as well as nods in the worship recorded song of the year category, while his project Coat of Many Colors is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year.

Other top nominees this year include writer-producer Jeff Pardo (11 nominations), Chris Brown (10), Chandler Moore (10), writer-producer Jonathan Smith (10), CeCe Winans (five) and Naomi Raine (five).

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Among this year’s slate of nominations is a new category: Spanish language worship recorded song of the year. The inaugural nominees in the category are “Alaba” (Elevation Worship, Elevation Español, Unified Sound), “Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica)” (Kairo Worship), “Holy Forever (Español)” (Chris Tomlin, Miel San Marcos), “Tu Amor No Tiene Fin (Correr A Tus Brazos)” (Generación 12, Gateway Worship Español) and “Tu Presencia Es Mi Jardín” (Daniel Calveti, Melody Adorno).

Hosted by Tauren Wells, whose project Joy in the Morning (Horizon Edition) is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year, the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards will be held Oct. 1 at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and will air exclusively on TBN and TBN+, and simulcast on SiriusXM The Message, on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.

“I love this moment each year when we get to announce our nominees,” GMA president Jackie Patillo said in a statement. “The Dove Awards are about spreading the message in our music with the world and honoring the work of the amazing artists, songwriters, producers, and film & TV creators in our great community. I’m thrilled for this year’s nominees and can’t wait to celebrate in October.”

The theme for the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards is Unite the Song, with Wells saying via a statement, “Unite the song is a heart cry for God’s people to come together in unity. We get to come together out of our individual corners, from each different stream within the church, to unite around this one song, holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty.”

This year’s nominees were selected from more than 2,500 submitted entries and voted on by the GMA professional membership. Final-round voting for the GMA Dove Awards will run from Aug. 1 through Aug. 8. The 55th annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association, with Patillo and Justin Fratt serving as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtus Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.

See a list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in top categories below. For the full list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in all categories, visit gospelmusic.org.

Artist of the year

Anne Wilson

Brandon Lake

CeCe Winans

for KING + COUNTRY

Lauren Daigle

Song of the year

“All Things” (Writer) Kirk Franklin

“Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” (Writers) Cody Carnes, Austin Davis, Chandler Moore

“Holy Forever” (Writers) Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham 

“I Believe It (The Life Of Jesus)” (Writers) Daniel Carson, David Leonard, Jess Cates, Jon Reddick, Jonathan Smith

“More Than Able” (Writers) Chandler Moore, Ben Fielding, Steven Furtick, Naomi Raine

“Praise” (Writers) Chandler Moore, Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Pat Barrett

“Praise You Anywhere” (Writers) Brandon Lake, Ben Fielding, Jacob Sooter, Hank Bentley

“Thank God I Do” (Writers) Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram, P!nk, Jeffrey Bhasker, Nate Ruess

“This Is Our God” (Writers) Phil Wickham, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake, Pat Barrett

“Trust In God” (Writers) Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Mitch Wong

New artist of the year

Charity Gayle

Forrest Frank

Josiah Queen

Seph Schlueter

Terrian

Rap/hip hop recorded song of the year

“Hard Work God First” – Zauntee

“IGWT” – Jon Keith, KB

“In The Light” – Wande

“Love Like That” – Hulvey (ft. Torey D’Shaun, Alex Jean)

“Miracles” – KB, Lecrae

Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year

“Any More” – CAIN

“Counting My Blessings” – Seph Schlueter

“GOOD DAY” – Forrest Frank

“Strong” – Anne Wilson

“The Prodigal” – Josiah Queen

Bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year

“If I Got Jesus” – Ben Fuller

“Lookin’ For You” Zach Williams ft. Dolly Parton

“Man On The Middle Cross” – Rhett Walker

“Praying Woman” – Anne Wilson (ft. Lainey Wilson)

“tell the devil” – Joseph Habedank

Traditional gospel recorded song of the year

“Burdens Down (Live)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard

“God Is (Radio Edit)” – Melvin Crispell III

“I Believe God” – Jekalyn Carr

“In My Name” – Smokie Norful

“When I Think (Live)” – Ricky Dillard

Gospel worship recorded song of the year

“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard (ft. Anthony Brown)

“Fill The Room” – Michael Bethany

“Lead Us Again” – DOE

“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans

“The Story I’ll Tell (Live)” – Naomi Raine

Worship recorded song of the year

“Firm Foundation (He Won’t) (Live)” – Cody Carnes

“I Believe” – Phil Wickham

“Praise” – Elevation Worship (ft. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore)

“Praise You Anywhere” – Brandon Lake

“Trust In God” – Elevation Worship (ft. Chris Brown)

Pop/contemporary album of the year

COAT OF MANY COLORS – Brandon Lake

Jesus Music – CAIN

Joy In The Morning (Horizon Edition) – Tauren Wells

Lauren Daigle – Lauren Daigle

Unsung Hero: The Inspired By Soundtrack – for KING + COUNTRY

Gospel worship album of the year

Cover The Earth (Live in New York) – Naomi Raine

More Than This – CeCe Winans

Overflow – Michael Bethany

The Journey – Todd Dulaney

The Maverick Way Complete – Maverick City Music

Spanish language recorded song of the year

“Amén” – Nacho (ft. Gilberto Daza, Alex Zurdo)

“Babel” – Un Corazón

“Danza” – KB, Niko Eme & Cardec Drums

“Donante de Sangre” – Daddy Yankee

“Tantas Historias” – Christine D’Clario

Spanish language worship recorded song of the year (New Category)

“Alaba” – Elevation Worship, Elevation Español, Unified Sound

“Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica)” – Kairo Worship

“Holy Forever (Español)” – Chris Tomlin, Miel San Marcos

“Tu Amor No Tiene Fin (Correr A Tus Brazos)” – Generación 12, Gateway Worship Español

“Tu Presencia Es Mi Jardín” – Daniel Calveti, Melody Adorno

Southern gospel recorded song of the year

“Here Comes Jesus” – Jeff & Sheri Easter (ft. Mo Pitney)

“Make the Morning Worth the Midnight” – Gaither Vocal Band

“Sheaves (Dedicated to Isabel)” – Karen Peck & New River

“Unstoppable God” – Kingsmen

“Until We Fly Away” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Feature film of the year

Unsung Hero

Sound of Freedom

Journey To Bethlehem

Ordinary Angels

The Blind

Television series of the year

Chasing CAIN

When Calls The Heart

The Wingfeather Saga

Jonathan & Jesus

God. Family. Football.

24 Jul 2024

Paramore’s Hayley Williams Thinks It’s ‘So Lame’ That Music Fans Are Caught Up in ‘Stan-War’ Drama

If you’re on the couch with your popcorn just aching for some more drama between pop singers, do not invite Paramore singer Hayley Williams to your party, because she’s not interested. In an Instagram Story recorded after a show in Hamburg on Tuesday (July 23), Williams hopped on camera to give her no-holds-barred take on the attempts by some to pit female pop stars against each other.

Sliding off screen to change, Williams gave a two-minute treatise on why she hates the internet, but also on the irrational focus on competition between artists. “Something I’ve been thinking about a lot, and why I don’t really love it [the internet]… Especially in the music world, like when it comes, to like, music, whether it’s the pop girls or any scene, really. People only give a f–k about numbers now, and stats. And that is so lame. It’s very fun, don’t get me wrong. It’s sick. We’ve had a #1 album and top this and that albums, yes. That s–t is great…,” she said.

After a quick change into sweatshirt, Williams continued, “But I just remember a time when that was not so important, and that also wasn’t like a gotcha for a stan-war type of situation. Anyway, I just think it’s really f–king annoying… My side of the internet, which is basically not really the internet. Where I just get to support all the pop girls. Maybe that’s privilege. because I’m not a pop girl, but I just think everyone should cool it and let people make really great music and s–t… I’m over it.”

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With just the top of her head visible as she hung upside down in the frame to give a view up her nostrils, Williams concluded that she is, “over it.” (Watch the whole video here.) As noted by Stereogum, the Story has since disappeared, but a residual tile remains on which Williams added, “witnessing stan wars makes me so happy pmore is not really in the pop world. i just get to enjoy the good s–t thats come out this year and im sorry some of yall cant thats gotta be tough damn.”

Paramore’s great summer adventure opening for Taylor Swift rolls on tonight (July 24) with the final show in Hamburg, Germany, before the outing moves on to Munich’s Olympiastadion for gigs on Saturday(July 27) and Sunday (July 28). The group will stay touring with Swift through a fifth and final gig at Wembley Stadium in London on August 20.

24 Jul 2024

Rihanna Answers the Question On Everyone’s Mind: Do the Shoes Match the Underwear?

At this point, Rihanna‘s Navy will take whatever she wants to give them. While the eternal wait for R9 appears to be ongoing, on Tuesday (July 23), RihRih flashed something else that revved her fans’ engines: her underwear.

The singer took to the streets in a blue button down over a black Savage x Fenty bra, short plaid skirt and black sneakers with white socks for a little stroll around the block with very relatable goals. “Since I clearly won’t be achieving my six pack til next summer, I switched my summer goal to matching my shoes to my panties!” the singer wrote.

The 22-second clip opens with RihRih sashaying down the street without a care in the world as someone off camera comments, “this lighting is amazing, too… hilar… you better cross that street b–ch!,” as a series of Polaroids of Rihanna modeling her casually cool look stack up on the screen. Rihanna then does an impromptu fit check, announcing, “I wanted to tell you that my panties match my creepers,” as she spins, lifts up her skirt and shows off her black thong.

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In case you missed the sidewalk flash, an oversized white arrow pops up on screen pointing to her billion dollar bottom. “That’s a cute bra, by the way,” the off-screen voice says, as Rihanna grabs a strap and slyly responds, “Savage… have you heard of it?,” adding, “that’s just my sneakers” as she skips away down the boulevard.

While there is still no news about Rihanna’s follow-up to 2016’s Anti album, the singer has been having a very busy summer thanks to her other main gig as the Fenty boss. She launched her Fenty Hair line of products this summer and just announced that she’s struck a deal to be the new face of Dior J’adore perfume, as well as Fenty Beauty’s pact to be the official “premium partner” of the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, which kick off on Friday (July 26).

Watch Rihanna’s matchy-matchy video below.

24 Jul 2024

Sabrina Carpenter Praises Halle Bailey’s ‘Perfect’ Cover of ‘Please Please Please’

Sabrina Carpenter couldn’t contain her excitement over Halle Bailey’s recent cover of her mega-hit “Please Please Please.”

In the 45-second clip posted on July 24, Halle is seen effortlessly belting the chorus while playing the guitar, adding her own vocal runs to some of the lyrics. “woke up with this song in my headdd i love itt,” she captioned the post.

Sabrina was quick to repost the video on her Instagram Story, writing, “Heart eyes and heart ears !!!” On the post, Carpenter commented, “heavenly perfect angel.”

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Halle’s unique spin on the track, which is set to feature on Carpenter’s upcoming album Short n’ Sweet, also received praise from artists like Perrie Edwards, GloRilla, Kehlani, as well as her sister Chlöe.

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“Angelic!!!! My angel,” wrote her sister Chlöe. “Wow,” wrote singer Perrie Edwards. “My goodness,” commented Kehlani. “Yessss,” added GloRilla.

Sabrina Carpenter celebrated her first No. 1 on the Hot 100 with “Please Please Please,” which topped the chart on June 29.

The pop star took to Instagram to share the news, posting a three-item carousel featuring the Hot 100 graphic, and a video of her performing the song’s signature claps with co-writer and producer Jack Antonoff, co-writer Amy Allen, and engineer Laura Sisk.

“MY FIRST #1 on the @billboard HOT 100!!!!!!!” reads Carpenter’s caption. “And espresso at #4.. I’m very immensely grateful so i will surely always remember this day for the rest of my life! @jackantonoff @amyallen i deeply love this song and i love you both!!!!! I love our pitchy claps!!!!! I love @sharp_stick [Sisk] !!!! good things come in three’s. thank you everyone who’s listened and made it so much fun to have these songs out in the world. more to come soon.”

Currently, Sabrina Carpenter boasts the top song in the world, as “Espresso” rebounds for a third week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and brews up an eighth week atop the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. survey.

Notably, “Espresso” ties for the longest command on Global Excl. U.S. this year, matching the No. 1 run of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things.”

24 Jul 2024

Snoop Dogg to Light Up Paris 2024 as Olympic Torch Bearer

Snoop Dogg is set to carry the Olympic torch on its final leg through Paris, adding a touch of West Coast cool to the City of Light.

The legendary rapper, known for hits like “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” will join the ranks of torchbearers as the flame makes its way to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 52-year-old, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr, posted a photo to social media on Tuesday (July 23) of himself standing outside the city hall Hotel de Ville alongside the caption: “U Ready? Paris 2024 Olympics ya digggg”, with gold medal and boxing glove emojis.

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He added, “U gots to do it!! Will u be watchin?? #FollowTheDogg #ParisOlympics.”

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Snoop will carry the torch through the streets of Saint-Denis, the northern Paris suburb that houses the Stade de France Olympic Stadium, as confirmed by the town’s mayor, Mathieu Hanotin.

It comes following the BTS star Jin also served as an Olympic torch bearer as a representative for South Korea on Sunday (July 14), which also happened to be Bastille Day.

The Doggfather’s latest roles as Olympic torch bearer and guest correspondent add to his already impressive list of side quests that have seen him dabble in everything from cooking shows with Martha Stewart to commentary on his own wildlife series, Planet Snoop.

On being an NBC correspondent for the 2024 Olympics, Snoop said: “I grew up watching the Olympics and am thrilled to see the incredible athletes bring their A-game to Paris,” he said in a statement at the time. “It’s a celebration of skill, dedication, and the pursuit of greatness.”

“We’re going to have some amazing competitions and, of course, I will be bringing that Snoop style to the mix. It’s going to be the most epic Olympics ever, so stay tuned.”

And it seems he’s taking his prestigious Olympic guest correspondent role seriously. In June, he participated in the 200m trial run in Oregon over the weekend.

Rocking a Team USA shirt honoring the late Kobe Bryant to go with his American flag-themed pants, the Doggfather laced up his Nike kicks for the race against Ato Boldon and Wallace Spearmon. Unfortunately, Snoop’s competition ended up leaving him in the dust as he finished the race in a distant third place with a time of 34.44 seconds.

For comparison, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist clocked in at 19.62 seconds.

“34.44 for a 52-year-old? Ain’t bad,” he said, clapping in approval when he saw his time.

The 2024 Olympic Games will run from Friday, July 25 to Sunday, Aug. 11.

23 Jul 2024

9-Year-Old Journeyy Impresses ‘AGT’ with Haunting Original Song ‘Paradise’

In a season already brimming with talent, 9-year-old Journeyy stepped into the spotlight of America’s Got Talent on Tuesday night (July 23) and delivered a performance that left both judges and the audience deeply impressed.

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“I just didn’t expect that me recording videos at my house would lead to me being here right now. When I grow up, I want to be a pop singer,” Journeyy said in a backstage interview ahead of his performance according to NBC.

Performing his own original song “Paradise,” the New Jersey native wowed the crowd with not just exceptional songwriting skills but also an incredible stage presence and vocal ability that belied his young age.

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As he began to play the opening notes of “Paradise,” the room fell into a hushed anticipation. His voice, soulful and rich, had a haunting quality reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, drawing listeners into his imaginative world of “purple clouds” and “automatic lullabies”.

The judges’ reactions were unanimously positive. Heidi Klum was the first to speak, telling Journeyy, “I’m very impressed by you. Nine years old, your parents must be super proud of you. I’m proud of you. I hope you’re proud of yourself. Very well done, you have a beautiful voice.” Journeyy’s parents and sister stood in the wings, wiping tears away and nodding in agreement.

Sofia Vergara, clearly moved, stated, “I love you,” prompting a giant grin from the young talent.

“I think this season we have so many cool kids. Super cool kids, you’re one of them,” she enthused. Howie Mandel, always ready with a quip, joked, “A long time ago, I was nine years old for almost a year, and I think you’re amazing.”

Simon Cowell, often the toughest critic, was full of praise. “You’ve just got it, haven’t you? I love hearing people write their own material. It’s a glimpse into who you are, and I really like you. Great things are going to happen to you. I can feel it.” He added, “You are somebody who has a God-given talent. And it’s rare.”

The impressive performance not only earned him a standing ovation but also four enthusiastic “yes” votes from the judges, securing his place in the next round.

Journeyy’s path to “America’s Got Talent” was not just a lucky break. Simon Cowell revealed that one of his friends had discovered Journeyy’s talent online and recommended him to the show.

“A couple of days ago, ‘You’ve got to see this video.’ And it was you. Anyway, we sent the video to the production team and then we found out that they’d already found you,” Simon said.

Despite his young age, Journeyy has already garnered a significant social media following, where his viral cover of Hillsong United’s “Oceans” caught the attention of both fans and industry insiders, paving his way to the show.

Check out Journeyy’s America’s Got Talent performance below.