Music

24 May 2024

Morgan Wallen’s Nashville Bar Grand Opening Has Been Postponed at the Last Minute

Morgan Wallen was slated to open his downtown Nashville bar during Memorial Day weekend, but those plans have been postponed.

Wallen’s This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen, located at 107 4th Ave. N., won’t open this weekend as planned, according to representatives for TC Restaurant Group, the organization that teamed with Wallen to open the establishment, and which is also behind other Nashville celebrity bars from Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean. No new opening date has been given.

A statement from Wallen’s This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen issued to Billboard read, “We’re proud of our team who has worked tirelessly to prepare Morgan Wallen’s This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen for opening. The ground-up construction of a six-story venue launching with hundreds of team members is a tremendous amount of work and a complex process.”

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The statement continues, “When we open, we want This Bar to be an exceptional experience for guests. Unfortunately, the process requires more time, and we are not able to open and provide that experience this Memorial Day weekend. Rest assured it will be well worth the wait. We look forward to welcoming guests soon.”

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A source tells Billboard that the restaurant/bar is awaiting final inspections, but declined to address whether TC Restaurant Group had been denied a catering license (which allows an establishment to sell liquor, wine and beer), as had been reported by online site, Scoop Nashville, or had even applied yet. The source did confirm that the postponement of the grand opening is not related to the Nashville Metro Council’s decision earlier this week to deny approval for an external sign for the bar.

On Tuesday (May 21), the council rejected plans for Wallen’s 20-foot external sign–labeled an “aerial encroachment” that would have encroached on the sidewalk, which is city property– for the six-story building. Thirty members of the council voted against the sign, with only three members voting in favor of it and four abstaining. Some members of the council cited Wallen’s past controversial incidents, including his use of a racial slur in January 2021 and his arrest on felony charges last month for throwing a chair off the six-story roof off of Eric Church’s Chief’s bar, as reasons for rejecting the sign.

Wallen announced the bar’s opening on May 4 at one of his three sold-out Nissan Stadium shows in Nashville, though never specified the exact date. “It’s over off 4th Ave. just beside the Ryman [Auditorium], and it’s going to be opening Memorial Day weekend, so I hope I see y’all there,” Wallen said from the stage. The bar’s official instagram picked up the video of Wallen making the announcement, but has since taken it down, and now has only a post with a video of downtown Nashville with the name of Wallen’s bar and the words “Coming Summer 2024.”

Wallen’s representative referred inquiries to TC Restaurant Group.

24 May 2024

T.I. Says Kendrick Lamar & Drake Should Go on Tour

T.I. appeared on DJ Whoo Kid’s SiriusXM Whoo’s House Podcast and naturally pulled out the thesaurus.

The Atlanta rap legend called the beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake “probably one of the more exacerbated beefs” he’s seen before suggesting the pair should do a tour together. “I got respect for both of them,” he said. “I think they’re both phenomenal hitmakers and I’m just waiting on the tour. That’s the only thing. Listen, after the disagreement, the only thing that’s gon’ sell is the reunion.”

While he isn’t wrong, a tour featuring the two is probably not in the cards right now. If you recall, Drake famously brought Kendrick along during his Club Paradise Tour in 2012, something the OVO captain mentioned in his “Buried Alive Interlude” parody he posted on his Instagram.

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Last week, T.I. stopped by Real 92.3 in L.A. to talk to Big Boy when he was asked about the beef. He admitted that it’s good for the game in general, however, Tip felt the battle could be holding back other artists from dropping. “They done kinda f—ed it up for some other people who were planning to drop in this period. I think some people were like, ‘Damn, I was gon’ drop, let me see this through.’”

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T.I. isn’t wrong. Taylor Swift found herself in the middle of the beef when Drake mentioned Lamar needed permission from Swift to drop a diss record on “Taylor Made Freestyle” and in turn K. Dot tapped Taylor’s producer Jack Antonoff to help out on the diss track “6:16 in LA.” Whoo Kid is slightly involved in this feud on Drake’s side as he lent his legendary DJ drop to the Toronto rapper for his diss track “Push Ups.” There were also rumors swirling about a Whoo Kid hosted disstape that never surfaced.

If you’re wondering why outlets want to know T.I.’s thoughts on this particular rap battle, it’s because the Grand Hustle boss has seen his fair share of rap ways, most notably when he pulled up to the late Shawty Lo’s house back in 2008 for the “What Up, What’s Haapnin‘” video.

We won’t hold our breath when it comes to the tour he suggested, though.

24 May 2024

RM Gets ‘Lost’ in Experimental Music Video

RM is fresh off the release of his brand new album, and the BTS superstar continued the celebration by dropping a new music video for the project’s track, “LOST!”

In the Aube Perrie-directed clip, the musician tries to navigate himself as he’s trapped in maze-like building with various floors and rooms. Eventually, he finds an airduct that puts him on set of a bizarre talk show, where he’s unexpectedly the musical guest. “I never felt so free before/ You’re goddamn ghost/ I never felt so fine before/ I hit the cloud,” he sings in the chorus. The track, “conveys a hopeful message that even if one is lost, perhaps it may all be fine if lost with friends by one’s side,” per a press release.

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RM dropped his second solo effort, Right Place, Wrong Time, on Friday (May 24). Led by the single “Come Back to Me,” the album also features the alternative-based songs “Nuts,” “Groin,” “Heaven” and more. Overall, the LP reflects a “raw and honest presentation of RM’s distinctive sensibility, aesthetics, and beliefs,” per a BigHit release, and follows the South Korean artist’s 2022 debut album Indigo, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

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Watch RM’s “LOST!” music video below.

24 May 2024

Millie Bobby Brown Marries Jake Bongiovi, Son of Jon Bon Jovi

Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi definitely aren’t giving love a bad name. According to People, the 20-year-old Stranger Things star and 22-year-old model — who is the son of Jon Bon Jovi — have gotten married after about three years together, tying the knot in a private wedding ceremony last weekend.

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The young couple reportedly wed in an intimate ceremony in the United States with their parents in attendance ahead of a larger ceremony planned for later this year. The “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer shares Jake — as well as daughter Stephanie and sons Jesse and Romeo — with his wife, Dorothea Hurley.

Billboard has reached out to Brown’s reps for comment.

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The news comes just over a year after the Damsel actress unofficially confirmed her engagement to Bongiovi last April, posting a photo of her ring and quoting Taylor Swift’s “Lover”: “I’ve loved you for three summers now, honey, I want ’em all.” The couple first sparked dating rumors in June 2021, and have appeared to be inseparable ever since.

In August, Brown revealed that she and the aspiring actor first connected over Instagram. “I was interested in him and wanted to know more,” she told the Sunday Times. “As soon as we spoke I knew he was going to be a huge part of my life. After we met we knew we never wanted to leave each other’s side.”

And for the record, Bongiovi’s rockstar dad has been onboard with the wedding from the beginning. “I don’t know if age matters,” Bon Jovi told Andy Cohen on his SiriusXM show last year, noting that Dorothea was his high school sweetheart. “You know, if you find the right partner and you grow together — I think that would be my advice really, is growing together is wise. So I think that all of my kids have found the people that they think they can grow together with and we like them all.”

24 May 2024

Gayle King Shoots Her Shot at Lenny Kravitz in Viral Interview Moment

Lenny Kravitz swept Gayle King off her feet in a new CBS Morning interview, and the journalist turned up the heat when she got flirty at one point during their conversation.

“Asking for a friend, is there love in your life right now? Do you have a significant other in your life? And can I beat her a— if she is?,” King said to Kravitz, to which the rockstar laughed and said, “Wow.”

Gayle continued, “Oops, did I say that out loud? I’m non-violent Lenny Kravitz!”

To answer her question, Kravitz admitted, “I’m just open. […] It’s hard not to look. When you desire something, you’re looking for it. I find that when you don’t look, you find it. I’m at a place where — I’ve said this for several years — I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready. I wasn’t ready, right? I can say that I’ve never felt how I feel now.”

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On his confidence, the rockstar shared, “It’s a constant journey, but I feel great.”

Kravitz is fresh off the release of his new album, Blue Electric Light, which arrived on Friday (May 24) via Roxie Records/BMG. The project was written and recorded by Kravitz in his studio in the Bahamas, and features the previously-released cuts “Paralyzed,” “TK421” and “Human.” The collection, he told Jimmy Fallon for a late-night interview that aired in March, is about “celebration, life, humanity, sexuality, sensuality, spirituality.” Blue Electric Light is “just that vibration of love, of god, of spirit.”

Watch the viral moment between King and Kravitz at the 7:30 mark below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=aKgAOhXwJhg&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&start=452&wmode=transparent

24 May 2024

Tank & Fabolous Hit No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay With ‘Before We Get Started’

Tank hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart for a ninth time, as “Before We Get Started,” featuring Fabolous, rises to the top of the June 1-dated survey.

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“Before We Get Started” is Tank’s third straight ruler, following “Slow,” featuring J Valentine, in 2022 and “See Through Love,” featuring Chris Brown, last year. It’s the first time that the singer has strung together three No. 1s in a row, following two prior streaks of two.

Tank first led Adult R&B Airplay in 2007 with “Please Don’t Go.” His nine No. 1s tie him with Usher for the fourth-most in the ranking’s nearly 31-year history.

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Most No. 1s, Adult R&B Airplay:

  • 14, Alicia Keys
  • 11, Toni Braxton
  • 10, Charlie Wilson
  • 9, Tank
  • 9, Usher
  • 8, Mary J. Blige
  • 8, Bruno Mars
  • 8, H.E.R.
  • 8, Kem
  • 8, Maxwell

As for Fabolous, “Before We Get Started” marks the rapper’s first No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay, in his second appearance; he peaked at No. 35 as a featured act (alongside Jamie Foxx) on Ne-Yo’s “She Got Her Own” in 2009.

Concurrently, “Before We Get Started” lifts 18-16 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, which mixes mainstream R&B/hip-hop and adult R&B audience data. While Tank has appeared on the list a dozen times over the past decade, Fabolous claims his highest-charting song on the ranking since 2013, when his “Ready,” featuring Chris Brown, peaked at No. 14.

“Before We Get Started” is from Tank’s R&B Money: The Vault, a 2024 re-release of his 2022 album R&B Money.

All Billboard charts dated June 1 will update on Billboard.com Wednesday, May 29, a day later than usual due to the Memorial Day holiday May 27.

24 May 2024

Watch Central Cee & Lil Baby Go ‘BAND4BAND’ In Fiery New Video

Random link ups are everywhere in rap these days — and the latest one sees Lil Baby flying across the pond to connect with London’s Central Cee for the song “BAND4BAND.” The UK drill beat — produced by Ghana Beats and Geenaro — is a certified trunk rattler with both Cench and Baby, as the title suggests, going band for band.

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Directed by Wowa, the video shows their respective teams riding through London in back-to-back Lamborghini Urus’ in different colors looking very presidential. Central Cee sets things off and quickly loses his mind spitting, “I’m not in the mood ’cause my flight delayed/ So I jumped on a private jet and I’m askin’ the pilot the ETA/ Lambo’ parked on the landin’ strip, everyone in my gang and my DJ paid/ Why’s my man talkin’ ’bout Insha’Allah? These times, he don’t even pray.”

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Then, Lil Baby comes through to calm things down in his signature style of rapping like he’s never lied about anything a day in his life. “Bro’ll do it for some shoes and some clothes, you’ll see what he’ll do for a necklace/ ‘Rari truck, it look like a spider, it’s crawlin’ a dollar on just accessories (Damn)/She made me wanna go harder, I like her whole aura, I think I’m obsessed with her,” he spits like a character of an Iceberg Slim novel.

It’s always dope when unexpected collabs turn out to be bangers. Play this in the whip this Memorial Day weekend and make the trunk rattle on that reasonably priced sedan while going back and forth like Cench and the Hero.

While Baby has been relatively quiet this year, Central Cee has been active. He dropped the R&B-leaning “I Will” back in February and recently dissed old foe Digga D on “CC Freestyle.”


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

Maybe all this activity means he’s gearing up to drop the rumored Can’t Rush Greatness album this year. We sure hope so.

24 May 2024

Emilio Estefan Teams Up with Congress to Create ‘Latin Music Month’ & More Uplifting Moments

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

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Latin Music Appreciation Month

May 2024 has been designated as “Latin Music Appreciation Month” in The United States, after a bipartisan resolution was introduced by U.S. senators  Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla) this week. The effort was led by award-winning producer Emilio Estefan, People en Español, and political strategist and organizer Nathaly Arriola Maurice, after the group traveled to Washington, D.C. last year in December to meet with Senator Lújan. 

“As one of the only Hispanics in the United States Senate, I’m honored to introduce this resolution recognizing Hispanic and Latino achievements in music and culture,”  Luján said, according to People en Español. “The impact of Hispanic and Latino artists in the U.S. and around the world is immeasurable – from driving cultural trends to achieving commercial success – and it’s worth celebrating.” 

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Since kicking off his career in the ‘70s, Estefan has always focused on elevating Latin music and culture. “The recognition of Latin Music Month marks a crucial moment to highlight the true story of our music, which carries a diversity of styles from all corners of the world,” he expressed. “These sounds have influenced many generations and continue to be the inspiration for the new ones.”

Feid Launches his Foundation

Earlier this week, Feid shared a new Instagram profile called “Fundación GOOD KIDZ” on his stories, which all hints that its the start of his own foundation. The foundation—that has garnered over 25K followers in its first week and only follows the Colombian artist—shared its first post, showing one of its first efforts. “This young forest that we planted last weekend in collaboration with @CasaMadreRaiz is the beginning of many projects to come. Join us to promote culture, nature and well-being,” read the caption.

Camilo Presents His Creative Space

Camilo welcomed Billboard to his creative space that he calls his “Taller Creativo.” Located in Miami, Camilo’s new home-away-from-home is where he created his latest studio album Cuatro — the set where he experimented with salsa music, bossanova, and other genres. The industrial building that he decorated with instruments and a Bohemian aesthetic is also where he filmed the 12 music videos — including the Carin León-assisted “Una Viva Pasada” — directed by his wife Evaluna Montaner. During the event, Camilo also crooned us with acoustic versions of his new songs.

Carlos Vives Is Named POTY

Carlos Vives — winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee — has been named The Latin Recording Academy’s 2024 Person of the Year. “It’s still surprising to me,” the Colombian artist told Billboard Español in an exclusive interview. “It’s like a message that the Academy gives at the end, because 32 years ago I chose a path [that was unconventional]. To be successful, to be commercial, there was one way. This other path that’s cultural or has to do with your identity, that doesn’t work, [they would say].” Vives will be honored as part of the Latin Grammys 25th anniversary celebrations held November in Miami. Watch the emotive reactions of his family members below:

24 May 2024

Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Like That’ Tops Two More Airplay Charts

Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” adds two more Billboard airplay No. 1s to its collection, rising to the top of the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay tallies dated June 1.

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The coronation of “Like That” on both lists accompanies its continued reign on Rap Airplay for a fifth week and Rhythmic Airplay for a third frame.

“Like That” becomes the first song to rule all four charts since Drake and 21 Savage’s “Rich Flex” in 2023. “Rich Flex,” as with “Like That,” also reigned on all four simultaneously (Feb. 4, 2023).

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On Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, “Like That” is the sixth No. 1 for Future and first since “Wait for U,” featuring Drake and Tems, led for 16 weeks in 2022. He first led in 2014 as featured, with Chris Brown, August Alsina and Jeremih, on DJ Khaled’s “Hold You Down.” “Like That” is Lamar’s fifth No. 1 and first since 2017’s “Love.”; he first reigned with “Swimming Pools [Drank]” in 2012. Metro Boomin leads for the first time as a billed recording artist.

On R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (which blends audience data on mainstream R&B/hip-hop and adult R&B stations), “Like That” leads with 17.5 million in reach, up 9%, May 17-23, according to Luminate. It becomes Future’s fourth No. 1 and first since “Wait for U.” It’s Lamar’s third (and first since “Love.”) and Metro Boomin’s first.

Concurrently, “Like That” debuts on Pop Airplay. While Future charted four titles at the format previously this decade and Metro Boomin reached the list twice in 2023, Lamar makes his first appearance on the ranking since 2018.

“Like That,” from Future and Metro Boomin’s collaborative album We Don’t Trust You (the pair’s first of two LPs in 2024), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated April 6 and led for three frames. It ranked at No. 7 on the most recently published survey (dated May 25, reflecting data May 10-16).

We Don’t Trust You debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated April 6 and has earned 809,000 equivalent album units to date.

All Billboard charts dated June 1 will update on Billboard.com Wednesday, May 29, a day later than usual due to the Memorial Day holiday May 27.

24 May 2024

RM, Twenty One Pilots, Zach Bryan & More: What’s Your Favorite New Music Release of the Week? Vote!

Summer is just around the corner, and some of today’s biggest artists are heating things up with their newest music releases.

To kick things off, Zach Bryan dropped the somber “Pink Skies,” where he addresses a deceased loved one as their grown children get ready to wish them farewell. Bryan was named Billboard’s Top New Artist of 2023, landing No. 1s on both the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart and Hot 100 songs survey.

Meanwhile, RM dropped his second solo record, Right Place, Wrong Person, on Friday (May 24), bringing with it 11 new tracks for fans to enjoy amid the band’s military obligations. Led by the single “Come Back to Me,” Right Place, Wrong Person also features the alternative-based songs “Nuts,” “Groin,” “Heaven,” “LOST!” and more. Overall, the LP reflects a “raw and honest presentation of RM’s distinctive sensibility, aesthetics, and beliefs,” per a BigHit release, and follows the South Korean artist’s 2022 debut album Indigo, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

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Also in the album realm, Twenty One Pilots returned with Clancy, which follows 2021’s Scaled and Icy –which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — and concludes the duo’s long-running album saga that started with 2015’s Blurryface and 2018’s Trench.

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Sexyy Red also surprised fans with her new mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust, which includes a Drake guest spot on “U My Everything,” which name-checks and flips Metro Boomin’s “BBL Drizzy.”

We want to know which music release is your favorite. Check out our Friday Music Guide here, and let us know by voting below.