Music

02 Jul 2024

Bette Midler Gives a ‘Thumbs Down’ to the Supreme Court With ‘Wizard of Oz’ Parody Song

Bette Midler is going down the yellow brick road to justice.

The Grammy and Tony Award winner took to social media on Tuesday (July 2) to share a Wizard of Oz parody song that calls out several Supreme Court Justices, including Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

“Neil and Brett, you spiteful judges/ We gals are holding grudges/ Keep church and state apart/ You could be less disruptive, in all matters reproductive/ If you only had a heart,” she sings in the track, written by Eric Kornfeld and directed by Marc Shaiman.

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“Thumbs down to autocracy!! #VoteBlue2024ProtectDemocracy,” she captioned the post.

Midler has long been an outspoken liberal and critic of Trump, but even she found herself in hot water in 2022 over making what some perceived as anti-trans comments on Twitter in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

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At the time, the controversy ignited a discussion around the importance of using inclusive language, and the Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner insisted there was “no intention of anything exclusionary or transphobic” in her sentiments.

“The truth is, Democracy is slipping through our fingers! I’m all in on trying to save Democracy for ALL PEOPLE. We must unite, because, in case you haven’t been paying attention, divided we will definitely fall,” she noted at the time.

02 Jul 2024

Lainey Wilson Performs ‘Dead Flowers’ With The Rolling Stones

Lainey Wilson has been making country cool again on her headlining tour this summer, but in between tour stops and gearing up for the release of her album Whirlwind on Aug. 23, she’s also had the prestige of opening for rock band The Rolling Stones on the group’s The Hackney Diamonds Tour.

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During a show on June 30 at Chicago’s Soldier Field, Wilson not only opened the show, but joined the band for a rendition of “Dead Flowers,” a song from The Stones’ 1971 album Sticky Fingers.

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“I got to hang out with rockstars of all rockstars last night,” Wilson wrote on Instagram. Addressing The Rolling Stones, she added, “You are legendary to say the least. What a treat, what an honor, what a night!! Wow. ???”

The collab is also appropriate, given Wilson’s work on the recent Stoned Cold Country project, which features country artists performing various Stones’ classics, with Wilson taking on a rendition of one of the band’s most iconic songs, 1969’s “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

Wilson previously told Billboard when Stoned Cold Country released, “The Rolling Stones are global music icons, from the musicianship to the swagger to the relatable perspective with songs like ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want.’ Man, if I haven’t had to learn that lesson time and time again. I know that feeling of resisting your fate, that struggle, but I also know that sense of pride and peace when you understand the tough times made way for something better. I try not to take myself too seriously — I’ve heard you can’t be great if you do — so I love the way the production builds into a light-hearted cathartic jam at the end. This song leaves me shaking my head, smiling at myself, and feeling grateful. And that’s what The Stones always did. They made you feel something, and they made you feel good.”

Wilson isn’t the only artist with country roots opening for The Rolling Stones on this tour; The War and Treaty, Tyler Childers and The Red Clay Strays also earned opening slots on the trek.

02 Jul 2024

Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Girl Meets World’ Co-Stars Celebrate ‘Espresso’ Success: ‘Been Fans Since 2013’

Isn’t the Girls Meet World cast sweet? I guess so!

Sabrina Carpenter is fresh off two top 5 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Espresso” hitting No. 3 on the all-genre songs tally and “Please Please Please” marking the pop star’s first chart-topper.

To celebrate her recent success, her two former Girls Meet World co-stars, August Maturo and Ava Kolker, took to TikTok to share a sweet video. “How you guys know Sabrina vs. how we know Sabrina,” Maturo wrote over a clip of himself and Kolker lip syncing along to “Espresso” before a series of photo of the duo posing with Carpenter on the Disney Channel series set flashed on the screen.

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“We’ve been fans since 2013 y’all are just catching up,” Maturo captioned the post.

Carpenter celebrated the news of her first Hot 100 No. 1 on Instagram, posting a three-item carousel to her feed last week. The first photo is the graphic of the Hot 100, followed by a video of Carpenter performing the signature claps in “Please Please Please” with co-writer/producer Jack Antonoff and co-writer Amy Allen, plus engineer Laura Sisk off camera.

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“MY FIRST #1 on the @billboard HOT 100!!!!!!!” reads Carpenter’s caption on Instagram. “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.”

02 Jul 2024

Country Musician-Songwriter Rusty Golden, Son of Oak Ridge Boys’ William Lee Golden, Dies at 65

William “Rusty” Golden, a musician, songwriter and son of The Oak Ridge Boys member William Lee Golden, died July 1, 2024 at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 65.

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Golden was born Jan. 3, 1959 in Brewton, Alabama and was the eldest son of William and Frogene Golden. By age 13, he was playing drums for the band The Rambos, featuring songwriter Dottie Rambo. He wrote his first song by setting one of his grandmother’s poems to music. After being inspired by an Elton John concert in 1972, Golden began learning to play piano and by 17, he was touring with Larry Gatlin as a keyboard player, before playing on studio recordings including Gatlin’s 1977 album Love Is Just a Game, Marty Stuart’s 1999 concept project Pilgrim and more.

A few years later, he moved further into the spotlight, forming The Boys Band, with the group recording their debut album which included the 1982 song “Runner” (the song’s video was the first produced in Nashville for MTV) and “Don’t Stop Me Baby (I’m on Fire),” which entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The group disbanded in 1984.

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That same year, Golden earned an RIAA Gold record as a songwriter for The Oak Ridge Boys’ Bobbie Sue album, which encouraged Golden to start writing songs with Marc Speer. In 1985, Golden and Speer launched Golden Speer, which included Golden’s brother Chris Golden on lead vocals. By the following year, the label had shifted directions, with Rusty and Chris recording as the duo The Goldens and releasing the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart entries “Put Us Together Again” and “Sorry Girls.”

They moved to Capitol/SBK Records and issued the 1990 album Rush For Gold, which included the songs “Take Me Back (To the Country),” “Keep the Faith” and “Long Gone.” Rusty then returned to his gospel music roots, writing songs including the 2008 songs “What Salvation’s Done For Me” from The Booth Brothers, and Karen Peck & New River’s “I Want to Thank You.” He also released the solo albums Sober and Angels.

In 2020, Rusty and Chris teamed with William Lee Golden for the family band William Lee Golden and the Goldens. They were joined by brother Craig, nieces Elizabeth and Rebekah and nephew Elijah to create a three-generation family band. The group released a trio of projects—Country Roads: Vintage Country Classics, Old Country Church Gospel and Southern Accents: Pop & Country Rock. Last year, Rusty was honored for his musicianship when he was named keyboard player of the year at the Josie Music Awards.

William Lee Golden said in a statement, “This is the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face. I love family more than anything. Rusty was a great musician, a talented songwriter and a wonderful son. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. I love you, son.”

Rusty Golden is preceded in death by his mother Frogene Normand, grandparents Luke & Rutha Mae Golden, and Elliot & Estelle Normand. He is survived by his father William Lee Golden (Simone), and brothers Craig Golden, Chris Golden (Marie), and Solomon Golden, as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended family members.

02 Jul 2024

BTS’ Jin to Serve as South Korea’s Torchbearer at 2024 Paris Olympics

Jin is representing his home country at the 2024 Olympics!

The BTS superstar will participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay as a torchbearer from South Korea, it was announced on Tuesday (July 2). While specifics have yet to be revealed, Jin’s relay aims to spread the message of “harmony” and “peace,” per a press release.

The ceremonial Olympic Torch Relay happens before each set of games, and features the Olympic flame traveling from Olympia, Greece, through various countries and ending up at the site of that year’s Olympic games. It was first performed at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics.

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Jin recently completed his mandatory military service, and celebrated the special moment by reuniting with his BTS bandmates, who were all given leave to mark the milestone.

The Paris Summer Olympics begin on July 26, and earlier this year, it was announced that Snoop Dogg will be joining NBC’s team to report on the games this summer, and will be onsite to deliver “regular reports” on the Olympic Primetime Show.

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“I grew up watching the Olympics and am thrilled to see the incredible athletes bring their A-game to Paris. It’s a celebration of skill, dedication, and the pursuit of greatness,” Snoop said in a statement at the time of the announcement. “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 keep it locked. Let’s elevate, celebrate, and make these games unforgettable, smoke the competition, and may the best shine like gold. Peace and Olympic LOVE, ya dig?”

The Paris Games are set to take place July 26 through Aug. 11. NBC and its streaming service, Peacock, will be providing coverage of the Olympics.

02 Jul 2024

Dua Lipa Goes Shares Romantic Photos With Boyfriend Callum Turner at Glastonbury

Glastonbury was both a romantic and professional outing for Dua Lipa, who both headlined the festival and enjoyed the event with boyfriend Callum Turner by her side.

And now that the weekend is over, the 28-year-old pop star shared a carousel of photos from her time on the grounds — featuring a couple sweet snaps with the Fantastic Beasts actor that mark the couple’s Instagram debut.

In one of the pictures, Turner appears to kiss Lipa’s head, one arm around her shoulder. In another, the pair lays together on the grass, engrossed in conversation with big smiles on their faces.

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“dancing until you see the sunrise at stone circle is the glasto ritual,” she captioned the post, which also featured photos of the singer with friends as well as a video snippet of her headlining set.

In addition to Lipa, Coldplay and SZA also led the 2024 festival June 26-30. Plus, Camila Cabello, Avril Lavigne, Cyndi Lauper and dozens of other artists took the Glastonbury stage.

The “Levitating” singer and Turner have been rumored to be dating for months. In February, they attended a British Vogue party in London together followed by a BRIT Awards afterparty in March. By the time several fan cameras captured them holding hands at Glastonbury over the weekend, it had been pretty well established that the two stars are a couple.

Lipa’s headlining set at the festival comes about a month after her latest album Radical Optimism debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, her highest peak to date. The musician has several tour dates slated across Europe throughout the summer, as well as a string of performances in Asia for November and December.

The “Houdini” artist also recently opened up about her political opinions, especially concerning her recent support for Palestine amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. “It’s always going to be met with a backlash and other people’s opinions, so it’s a big decision,” she told Radio Times last month. “I balance it out, because ultimately I feel it’s for the greater good, so I’m willing to [take that hit].”

02 Jul 2024

Juice WRLD Honored by LeBron James’ Son Bronny With Lakers Jersey Number Choice

LeBron James’ son Bronny James was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers last week and he’s paying tribute to Juice WRLD with his No. 9 jersey.

James was officially introduced as a Los Angeles Laker in a press conference on Tuesday (July 2) where he explained how the late rapper served as the inspiration behind his jersey number selection.

“Juice has been a big part of me keeping calm in some situations that I’ve been through. Just paying homage to him, especially cause he passed. It’s a really important thing for me.”

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The Chicago native was a mental health advocate and vulnerably opened up about his battles with substance abuse, which helped Bronny navigate certain times in life with the spotlight on him as the teenage son of one of the best to ever pick up a basketball.

Back in 2022, Bronny got Juice WRLD’s “9 9 9” affirmations tattooed on his neck behind his ear. Juice explained to MTV News in 2018 that “9 9 9” stood for turning negatives in life into positives, which Bronny struck a chord with James.

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“9 9 9 represents taking whatever ill, whatever bad situation, whatever struggle you’re going through and turning it into something positive to push yourself forward,” Juice told host Sway Calloway at the time.



Unfortunatley, Juice WRLD’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 21 when he passed away from an accidental overdose due to oxycodone and codeine toxicity after suffering a seizure at Chicago’s Midway Airport in December 2019.

Juice burst onto the hip-hop scene in early 2018 with massive anthems such as “All Girls Are the Same” and the Sting-interpolating “Lucid Dreams.” The latter reached No. 2 on the Hot 100.

LeBron reposted a photo of his son in the No. 9 Lakers jersey to his Instagram Story last week with an homage to the “Robbery” rapper: “999 @Bronny,” he wrote with several fire emojis.

If carrying the James name wasn’t enough pressure, Bronny will look to keep Juice’s message and legacy going while rocking the No. 9 this season for the Lakers.

Los Angeles drafted Bronny with the 55th pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft last week to make good on LeBron’s desire to suit up with his son as Laker teammates this season.

Watch Bronny give Juice WRLD his flowers below.

02 Jul 2024

Zac Efron Reveals the ‘Get’cha Head in the Game’ Scene in ‘High School Musical’ Was Filmed in Just 5 Takes With ‘No CGI’

Zac Efron really had his head in the game and his heart in the song while filming High School Musical.

The beloved actor recently sat down with Vanity Fair to revisit some of his most famous films, including the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie that skyrocketed him into superstardom. In HSM, Efron plays Troy Bolton, a star basketball player at East High School who must make a decision between continuing his life as an athlete or persuing his passion as a performer.

Upon watching the scene for the song, “Get’cha Head in the Game,” in which Efron and his cast mates sing and dance, while also performing basketball stunts, the actor revealed that the stunts were all real. “I really drilled all those shots. No CGI in there, I don’t think we had the budget for that. That makes me feel good,” he shared.

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Efron continued, ”That just takes me back to where all of us were at, all the young men on that team. We were so young and so incredibly motivated. Not a lot of people know this, but High School Musical was just a made-for-TV movie and it was a very small, condensed shooting schedule. There was very limited rehearsal time.

“Kenny Ortega had pretty big ambitions for this movie, but I think he was pleasantly surprised when all the boys were excited to not only fulfill what he wanted, but also to take it one step further. This scene with the basketballs and the dribbling, we started practicing with the basketballs and I think we might have practiced for two days prior to doing that scene. After like five takes, we nailed it. We got it all in one. We didn’t cut from start to finish.”

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Efron concluded by noting, “I think that was the first time all of us went, ‘Is this going to be cool?’”

Watch Zac Efron react to High School Musical, as well as films like Neighbors, A Family Affair, The Greatest Showman and The Iron Claw, below.

02 Jul 2024

Lily Allen Joins OnlyFans to Sell Feet Pictures

You could say that Lily Allen is a multimedia artist. Following years of making music, acting and hosting a podcast, the 39-year-old star has unveiled a new business venture: selling pictures and videos of her feet on OnlyFans.

Allen recently launched her page on the subscription-based performance and so far has seven posts available for interested connoisseurs to unlock for $10 monthly. Via Instagram Stories on Tuesday (July 2), the “Smile” singer posted a sneak peek at her latest upload: a video of her bare feet resting beside a fountain in Italy.

“La dolce feeta,” she quipped, adding a link to her OnlyFans profile.

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Billboard has reached out to Allen’s reps for further comment on the account.

The news comes about two weeks after Allen revealed on an episode of her podcast Miss Me? that she was considering selling foot content. “I have a lady that comes and does my nails,” she told co-host Miquita Oliver. “They informed me that I have five stars on WikiFeet, which is quite rare. My feet are rated quite highly on the internet.

“She said that I could make a lot of money from selling foot content on OnlyFans,” Allen added. “And I’m like, ‘Not no.’”

Based on her other recent posts on Stories, the “F— You” artist is currently on vacation with her husband, Stranger Things star David Harbour. In one photo, she tries on a wicker hat as the actor makes a silly face behind her.

Allen and her Miss Me? pod also recently made headlines for the star’s admission that she used to harbor “much resentment” toward her former manager, Sir Elton John. Why? She once poured her heart out to him in a heartfelt letter following their professional split in 2014, but was left with “a big Elton-shaped hole in my life” when the EGOT winner never responded.

His lack of acknowledgment suddenly made sense, however, when she moved to the U.S. years later. “When I moved here to America, I was unpacking and I found the letter,” she told Oliver on the show. “I never sent it! Elton, if you’re listening — which you’re probably not — I love you.”

02 Jul 2024

$uicideboy$ Score First No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums With ‘New World Depression’

$uicideboy$ achieve their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart as the duo’s New World Depression rises from No. 2 to rule the list dated July 6. The set, released on G59 Records, launched in the runner-up spot last week with 66,000 equivalent album units, second to Don Toliver’s Hardstone Psycho, which premiered with 76,500 units. In the second-week race, Depression takes the title with 36,000 units (down 46%) while Psycho fell to 34,500 (down 55%).

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Of New World Depression’s 36,000 units for its coronation week, 28,000 of the sum came from streaming activity, representing 38.6 million official on-demand U.S. streams of the album’s songs. Traditional album sales contributed 8,000 units, while a negligible amount of activity stemmed from track-equivalent sales activity. (One unit equals the following levels of consumption: one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams for a song on the album.)

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With its second-week advance to No. 1, New World Depression is the first album to climb into the top spot (as opposed to debuting there) since Metro Boomin’s Metro Boomin Presents: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack also lifted 2-1 in its second chart week, in June 2023.

Elsewhere, New World Depression ascends to No. 1 on the Top Rap Albums chart, where it becomes the duo’s second champ, and slides 5-13 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

Thanks to New World Depression, $uicideboy$, comprised of cousins Scrim (Scott Arceneaux Jr.) and Ruby da Cherry (Aristos Petrou), capture their first Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums leader with their eighth appearance. The pair first visited the chart with their Radical $uicide EP, which reached No. 17 in 2016. Before Depression, their best showing came through Sing Me a Lullaby, My Sweet Temptation, which debuted and peaked at No. 2 in 2022.

Nine cuts from New World Depression have landed on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, led by “The Thin Grey Line, which reached a No. 20 high last week. Here’s a look at the album tracks’ peak performance on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs:

No. 20, “The Thin Grey Line”
No. 25, “Burgundy”
No. 26, “Us vs. Them”
No. 27, “Thorns”
No. 31, “Lone Wolf Hysteria”
No. 32, “Misery in Waking Hours”
No. 33, “Are You Going to See the Rose in the Vase, or the Dust on the Table”
No. 36, “Mental Clarity Is a Luxury I Can’t Afford”
No. 46, “The Light at the End of the Tunnel is $9.99 a Month”

Adding to the album era’s breakthroughs $uicideboys$ earned their first career Billboard Hot 100 hit when “Us vs. Them” reached the chart in May at No. 96. Since then, they’ve collected three more: “The Thin Grey Line” (No. 71), “Burgundy” (No. 86) and “Thorns” (No. 91).