Music

Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll & Rauw Alejandro to Headline 2024 Global Citizen Festival

Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll and Rauw Alejandro have been tapped to headline this fall’s 2024 Global Citizen Festival. On Tuesday morning (June 18), the world’s leading organization seeking to end extreme poverty announced the initial details for this year’s event, which will take place on the Great Lawn in New York’s Central Park on Sept. 28, with additional performers to be announced in the upcoming weeks.

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The concert will be hosted by Global Citizen Ambassador actor Hugh Jackman, with planned appearances from UN Messenger of Peace, Jane Goodall Institute founder and legendary primatologist Jane Goodall, as well as Global Citizen festival curator Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

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In a statement announcing the initial lineup for this year’s event, the organization noted, “the hunger crisis continues to grow, infectious diseases are still spreading, debt is on the rise, and last year was the hottest on record. Meanwhile, governments everywhere are reducing their contributions to foreign aid, with more than half of G7 countries having proposed cuts this year. Despite the emerging gap between what the world needs and what seems politically possible, the plight of the world’s most vulnerable communities is more urgent than ever. This is a critical year for the global community to support frontline organizations, invest in lifesaving solutions, and act today, to save tomorrow.”

“It’s been a few years since I was last on the Global Citizen Festival stage in Paris, and I’m excited to join forces with Global Citizen once again in Central Park this September to drive as much action as we can to make the world a better place,” said Doja Cat in a statement. “We all have a part we can play to help end extreme poverty and stand up for equity. I’m looking forward to being part of this major evening of positive change.”

As usual, tickets for the event are free and can be earned by taking action on the Global Citizen app or website, where fans can demand change from governments and private sector leaders. Among the calls to action this year are ones asking the G7 countries — Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S. — to increase their support for anti-poverty programs worldwide, as well as one calling for businesses, governments and philanthropic organizations to protect and restore the Amazon rainforest by investing $1 billion to help support indigenous communities while pledging to set timelines for phasing out coal, oil and gas to ensure a transition to green energy. The third action point is Global Citizen’s plea for world governments to commit at least $5 billion to equitable access to nutritious food, stronger health systems and quality education around the world.

Jackman added, “As a longtime supporter of Global Citizen and its mission, I am thrilled to be returning as host of the Global Citizen Festival this fall. For over a decade, Global Citizen has driven life-saving impact for nearly 1.3 billion people around the world, and we’ll gather once again on Sept. 28 to help end extreme poverty, defend the planet, and demand equity. I can’t wait to see you all on Central Park’s Great Lawn to collectively call for change on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable communities.”

Last year’s festival featured performances from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Conan Gray, Stray Kids and BTS’ Jung Kook, as well as Ms. Lauryn Hill, who staged a surprise Fugees reunion with former bandmates Wyclef Jean and Pras.

Post Malone Gave Steve-O Exactly What He Wanted For His 50th Birthday: The Most NSFW Forehead Tattoo

You get what you wish for. And, in the case of Jackass star Steve-O, what he apparently wished for on his 50th birthday was to have Post Malone tattoo an unmentionable on his face. It all went down at Bonnaroo over the weekend and, let’s just get it out of the way right now: it was a penis tattoo.

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On his face.

Yup, the classically trained clown and frequently naked stuntman announced earlier this month that he would celebrate his golden jubilee by having Posty ink some naughty bits on his dome. “If you can believe it, I’m getting my first face tattoo… but that will be the day after my birthday. Post Malone’s gonna tattoo a d–k on my forehead. That’s the plan,” Steve said at the time of the image he designed himself.

In video captured by TMZ, Malone — no stranger to inking all manner of strange symbols on his mug — gets to work backstage with his trusty needle.

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Gloved up and wearing a Dallas Mavericks jersey, Malone tries to calm Steve’s nerves by asking, “are you nervous? First time?,” with the already well-inked Jackass alum admitting, “A little bit, yeah dude.” After the men exchange warm “I love you”‘s Malone gets to work, telling Steve, “I’m gonna start with the part closest to your eye,” as his tattoo rig hovers just above Steve’s right eyebrow.

“I would say start with the balls,” Steve counsels as Posty laughs out loud at the direction. A little shaky, Malone apologizes for his unsteady hand, but soon promises Steve, “now you’re stylin’!” as he reveals his very prominent handiwork across his client’s forehead. “You’re stylin’ boy, looks good!” Malone assures him.

The inking came during a weekend when Malone headlined a set at Bonnaroo, where he was joined by bluegrass ripper Billy Strings.

Check out TMZ’s video below.

Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Darren Criss & More Set for PBS’ A Capitol Fourth Concert

The 44th edition of the annual A Capitol Fourth event is returning to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol this Fourth of July, and the star-studded performance lineup was revealed on Tuesday (June 18).

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Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Darren Criss, Sheila E., Fitz and The Tantrums, Chloe Flower, Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary, Loren Allred and Britt Stewart will performing at the event, while Maestro Jack Everly will be conducting the National Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Alfonso Ribeiro will be hosting the broadcast.

“I can’t wait to celebrate America’s Birthday on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol,” said Ribeiro in a press statement. “I’m incredibly excited and honored to be your host of A Capitol Fourth once again. It is going to be a great 4th of July party, and we’re going to get everyone in our nation’s capital and all those watching at home on their feet dancing!”

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The event will also host a Tribute to Team USA, hosted by former Olympian Shawn Johnson East, delivering a send-off to the athletes competing in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, France. The National Symphony Orchestra will perform John Williams’ “Olympic Fanfare,” a song that was composed for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The broadcast will wrap with the annual fireworks display, presented by the National Park Service, over the National Mall and Memorial Parks, as well as the Washington, D.C., skyline.

A Capitol Fourth airs on Thursday (July 4) at 8 p.m. ET on PBS, as well as to our troops around the world via American Forces Network. The program will also be streaming on YouTube and PBS’ website.

Celine Dion Foundation Pledges $2 Million For Fight Against Autoimmune Neurology

Celine Dion’s charity has pledged $2 million in the ongoing fight against Autoimmune Neurology.

With that funding, the Celine Dion Foundation will establish the Celine Dion Foundation Endowed Chair in Autoimmune Neurology, with Amanda Piquet, MD, FAAN, director of the Autoimmune Neurology Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, named as the inaugural chair holder.

This “significant gift,” reads a statement, will provide financial support for students, research expenditures, participation in conferences, curriculum development and other initiatives prioritized by Piquet, and will bolster the specialist’s focus on translational studies. 

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Dion, who was diagnosed with the rare autoimmune and neurological disorder Stiff-Person Syndrome in 2022, announced the financial support Monday during the premiere of her forthcoming documentary, I Am: Celine Dion.

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While the symptoms of the chronic disorder began appearing in the mid-2000s, they got progressively worse, until Dion made the announcement in Dec. 2022 that she’d been diagnosed with the incurable ailment that caused her to cancel a planned tour that year.

In an emotional NBC special which aired last week, Dion described being gripped by fear when the disorder’s symptoms began to affect her in 2008, affecting her mobility and causing spasms so intense they caused broken ribs and sometimes made it feel like “somebody is strangling you.”

The powerhouse Canadian vocalist has not performed on stage since March 2020, but the door is not closed on a return to the stage.

In a separate interview for Quebec’s TVA, Dion discussed why she went public with her ordeal. “My fans deserve to know what’s going on,” she says. “They have given me and my family an exceptional life since the age of 12, [and now I’m 56]. I am not going to let them down.”

I Am: Céline Dion is directed by Irene Taylor, and available worldwide from June 25 on Prime Video.

Sabrina Carpenter Eyes U.K. No. 1 With ‘Please Please Please’

The summer of Sabrina Carpenter continues to heat up.

Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Carpenter is within touching distance of a second U.K. No. 1 this year with “Please Please Please” (Island).

The U.S. singer and actor is expected to climb the summit with her latest single, and snag a rare 1-2. Sabrina’s breakthrough hit Espresso,” which led the national tally for five weeks, is expected to hold at No. 2.

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Eminem’s “Houdini” (Interscope) last week became the Detroit Rap God’s longest-reigning single, with a two-week stand. “Houdini” should complete the chart podium, dipping 1-3.

Meanwhile, Myles Smith’s U.K. breakthrough “Stargazing” (RCA) is tracking for its highest peak yet, and is anticipated to climb one spot to No. 6.

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As Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour winds its way around the U.K., the pop superstar’s music climbs the U.K. charts. “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone is on the brink of a return to the top tier, at No. 10, while “Cruel Summer” is close behind at No. 13.

Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department (EMI), is chasing a seventh U.K. chart crown. It’s the leader on the Official Albums Chart Update, a touch over 1,100 chart units ahead of Billie Eilish’s former No. 1 Hit Me Hard And Soft (Interscope).

The highest new entry on the forthcoming albums survey is expected to be Paul McCartney & Wings’ One Hand Clapping (Capitol), a collection of previously-unreleased works recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1973. It’s new at No. 3 on the chart blast and should become the band’s ninth U.K. top 10 appearance.

Also hunting a top 10 spot is English indie-rock act Sea Girls with Midnight Butterflies (No. 4 via Alt), Fred again..’s USB (up 171 places to No. 6 via Atlantic), the late David Bowie with the posthumous boxed set Rock ‘n’ Roll Star! (No. 7 via Parlophone) and U.S. country star Luke Combs’ with Fathers & Sons (No. 8 via Sony Music CG).

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Charts are published Friday, June 21.

Bon Jovi’s ‘Forever’ Enters at No. 1 on Top Album Sales Chart

Bon Jovi’s new studio album Forever enters at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart (dated June 22), with 50,000 copies sold in the U.S. in the week ending June 13, according to Luminate. Of that sum, vinyl sales accounted for 9,000 copies – the band’s biggest week on vinyl since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991.

Also in the top 10 of the new Top Album Sales chart, the latest albums from Charli XCX, Meghan Trainor and NxWorries debut.

Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units. The new June 22, 2024-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on June 18. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

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Since the Top Album Sales chart launched in 1991, Bon Jovi has placed 20 titles on the ranking, with five of them hitting No. 1. The band’s overall Billboard chart history pre-dates 1991, having first reached a Billboard chart in 1984.

Forever’s first-week sales were supported by its availability across 11 vinyl variants (mostly color variants; three had collectible paper ephemera contained inside, one of which was a signed edition), four CD editions (a standard set, two with alternative cover art, and one that was signed), a cassette tape, a standard digital download album, and a deluxe digital download edition with two bonus tracks that was sold via the band’s official webstore starting June 8.

At No. 2 on Top Album Sales, Charli XCX’s new Brat bows with 45,000 copies sold – the singer-songwriter’s largest sales week yet.

The album’s first-week sales were supported by its availability across 14 vinyl variants (mostly color variants, two were issued in deluxe editions containing collectible paper ephemera, one of which also housed a bonus 7-inch vinyl), which added up to 34,000 copies sold on vinyl – Charli XCX’s biggest week on vinyl. The set was also issued as a standard CD, a signed CD and as a deluxe boxed set containing a branded T-shirt and a CD. On June 10, the album was reissued as a deluxe digital download and streaming album with three bonus tracks.

ATEEZ’s chart-topping Golden Hour: Part.1 falls 1-3 in its second week on Top Album Sales (43,000; down 66%), Taylor Swift’s former No. 1 The Tortured Poets Department dips 2-4 (23,000; down 13%) and Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft slips 3-5 (20,000; down 18%).

Meghan Trainor collects her largest sales week since 2016, as Timeless starts at No. 6 with 15,000 sold. Of that sum, 4,000 were on vinyl – Trainor’s best week on vinyl ever. The album’s overall sales were supported by 11 vinyl variants (including a signed edition), five CD variants (including two signed editions, and a Target-exclusive with a bonus track), a standard digital download album, a deluxe edition with a bonus track, and two further deluxe versions (one containing bonus “sped up” mixes, and one containing bonus “slowed down” mixes).

Superduo NxWorries (comprising Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) sees its new album Why Lawd? debut at No. 7 with 11,000 sold (its best sales week ever) – exclusively from sales of its physical configurations. It was released on June 7 on CD, vinyl and cassette, and then reached digital retail and streaming services a week later on June 14. The album was initially available across five vinyl variants, one CD and one cassette tape. Vinyl sales accounted for 9,000 of Why Lawd?’s first-week – the act’s best week on vinyl.

Rounding out the top 10 on the new Top Album Sales chart: Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess rallies 17-8 with 8,000 sold (the album’s best week, up 87% — the rise follows her buzzy performance at the Governor’s Ball), Twenty One Pilots’ former leader Clancy falls 5-9 (nearly 8,000; down 32%) and The Marias’ Submarine slips 4-10 (7,000; down 58%).

TOMORROW X TOGETHER Announce ‘HYPERFOCUS’ Virtual Reality Concert

TOMORROW X TOGETHER are always innovative, and the group is entering the technological future once again by announcing their first-ever virtual reality concert.

HYPERFOCUS : TOMORROW X TOGETHER VR CONCERT will take place throughout five different cities over the next few months (dates below) and will feature members Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun and HueningKai delivering an unforgettable performance that allows fans to get up close and personal to their favorite stars.

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“We have been thinking about how to get closer to our fans, and this VR concert is an opportunity for us to do so. We hope this experience will be a cherished memory for our fans, just like it was for us to make it,” the group shared in a press statement. The corresponding teaser clip features a preview of the  “Deja Vu” performance.



minisode 3: TOMORROW, the group’s sixth mini album, was released on April 1. The previous two minisode projects hit the Billboard 200 albums chart, with minisode 1: Blue Hour peaking at No. 25 in 2020 and minisode 2: Thursday’s Child hitting No. 4 in 2022. The group boasts one Billboard 200 chart-topper, with their The Name Chapter: Temptation EP hitting No. 1 early last year.

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Tickets for TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s HYPERFOCUS : TOMORROW X TOGETHER VR CONCERT go on sale here starting on July 17. See the full list of cities and dates below.

VR CONCERT THEATER TOUR DATES
Los Angeles, CA – August 8 – 21
Buena Park, CA – August 23 – September 1
Houston, TX – September 5 – September 22
Chicago, IL – September 26 – October 13
New York, NY – October 17 – November 10

Stevie Nicks Postpones Another Concert ‘Due to Illness’

Stevie Nicks will no longer play at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday night “due to illness,” according to a statement on the venue’s social media.

“Due to illness, the Stevie Nicks concerts on Tuesday, June 18 in Grand Rapids has been postponed to September 24,” the statement reads. “Customers should hold on to their tickets, previously purchased tickets will be honored.”

The statement ended with optimism that Nicks and her band will be well enough to play at Chicago’s Soldier Field later this week. “Stevie looks forward to seeing fans on Friday night in Chicago.”

The announcement comes days after Nicks postponed her concert scheduled for Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania, “due to illness in the band.” That news was posted on the stadium’s socials at 5:30 p.m., hours before show time.

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The Hershey, Grand Rapids and Chicago concerts are the final three U.S. dates on Nicks’ current tour. She has six shows scheduled in Europe for July, including in Dublin, London and Amsterdam, and then will return Stateside to make up the Grand Rapids concert in September; no new date has been announced for Hersheypark as of press time.

On June 9, Billboard‘s Ashley Iasimone covered Nicks’ concert the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. During the set, Nicks poked fun at herself for telling rambling (and fascinating) stories about her decades as a rock star, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m so old,” Nicks said with a grin onstage. “… What’s everybody gonna say to me? ‘Stop! You can’t do this anymore!’ I’ll say, ‘OK. Fine. I’ll just go home and be alone in a rocking chair with my dog Lily.’”

See Van Andel Arena’s statement about Tuesday night’s show below.

Alicia Keys & Jay-Z’s Tony Awards Performance Was Pre-Taped

One of the most exciting moments of the 2024 Tony Awards on Sunday night (June 16) was when the cast of Hell’s Kitchen took the stage to perform a medley of songs from the musical, with Alicia Keys on the piano for a crowd-riling performance of her 2009 hit, “Empire State of Mind.”

Halfway through the performance, Keys steps off the stage and walks out of the theater to join Jay-Z in front of the marble staircase outside of the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center to finish up the track together. “We’re in New York City tonight,” Keys told the crowd as she exited the stage. “Had to do something crazy. It’s my home town!”

While the performance was masterfully edited to make it seem as though Jay-Z’s portion of the performance was live, according to the New York Times, it was actually pre-taped. Billboard has reached out to CBS, which aired the awards show, for more information.

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Regardless of Jay-Z’s pre-taped verse, the performance was met with a standing ovation. Hell’s Kitchen, the musical based on Keys’ life and music, was one of the most-nominated productions of this year’s Tony Awards with 13 nods. Of those nominations, the show won two awards, with star Maleah Joi Moon — who plays Ali in the musical — taking home best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical. Additionally, Kecia Lewis, who play’s Ali’s mentor and piano teacher Miss Liza Jane, won best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical.

If you haven’t seen it already, check out Jay-Z and Alicia Key’s “Empire State of Mind” performance at the 2024 Tony Awards below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=gn9ZrguSHXU&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

Ice Spice Teases New Song, Tells Competition to Stop ‘Biting’

Ice Spice is in the middle of rolling out her debut album Y2K!.

Earlier today, the Bronx rapper posted a video of her rapping an unreleased song with the caption reading, “phattt buttttttttt,” and she has a clear message for her competition: Stop bitin’.

“Got these b—s copying my pose/ Got these b—s biting all my flows/ Like ballerinas, keep ’em on their toes/ And I really write, like f—k a ghost,” she rapped in the preview.

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Ice Spice — who’s one of the hottest female rappers, according to usrecently announced her debut album, artwork and a world tour.

She received some backlash from the David LaChapelle album cover to which she responded to a fan who “fixed” the cover in a since-deleted tweet as “delulu.”

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So far, she has released two singles “U Think U the Shit? (Fart)” and “Gimmie a Light” with the former peaking at No. 37 on the Hot 100 chart. She also made a guest appearance on Cash Cobain and Bay Swag’s “Fisherrr (Remix)” as the continue to push New York City’s “Sexy Drill” scene forward.

This album will be her first project since 2023’s Like..? EP which peaked at No. 15 and turned her into a superstar.

Still no word on the actual name of the song or when its being released, but it should be soon as her album is supposed to come out next month. Y2K! is set to drop July 26 and her world tour kicks off in Denmark on July 4.