Music

08 Mar 2024

Viral R&B Singer 4batz Says He’s Just a ‘Regular N—a From the Hood’ – But He’s Charmed Millions of Fans With His Music’s Opposing Aesthetic

Looks can be deceiving, and 4batz has had just about everyone on the internet fooled.

Regularly disguised in a black Pooh Shiesty mask, a black Nike hoodie and matching sweats, with a full set of gold grillz and a double cup (or stacks of hundreds) in his hand, 4batz looks like he’s about to spit the hardest bars of 2024 about trapping in the hood. But once he opens his mouth, he leaves others’ jaws on the floor with his incredibly delicate delivery, characterized by pitched-up melodies over lo-fi beats and sentimental lyricism about doing whatever he can to keep his girl.  

The seeds to creating this fascinating juxtaposition were planted early, with the artist (real name Neko Bennett) growing up listening to Jodeci, Sade, Anita Baker, Mint Condition, Intro and other old-school R&B and soul acts his mother and grandmother would play around the house. “I’d be listening to it like, ‘Damn, this s–t hard!’” he tells Billboard. “You can learn so much from what they used to do and how they used to sing, and how they used to do their little melodies.”

But when he was in third grade, Bennett grew fascinated by rappers’ overall swag factor – he names DMX as an influence – and would spit freestyles whenever the other school kids made beats by banging their fists on the tables. “I was really supposed to be Trap Boi Batz or some s–t like that,” he chuckles about his would’ve-been rap alter ego. But his original rap music never saw the light of day. “I always felt like it’s not different enough. Everybody from Texas raps. It felt like I was forcing it.”

Trending on Billboard

Now, the 20-year-old artist feels grateful he waited to release his own music. Last June, 4batz released his debut single “act i: stickerz ’99,’” which unmasked just how deep his feelings were after experiencing real-life heartbreak. “It was me honestly being delusional and wanting to fly to her,” he admits. The song’s ingredients felt like it was destined for TikTok virality: pitched-up vocals that are typically the result of songs’ sped-up versions and fit into the nightcore genre (think Lil Uzi Vert’s “Watch This – ARIZONATEARS Pluggnb Remix”), a slowed-down outro with reverb, and a runtime of less than two minutes.

Six months later, 4batz experienced that virality when he dropped “act ii: date @ 8.” He performed it on 4 Shooters Only’s From the Block series, and everyone from the average rap fan to Kai Cenat couldn’t believe their eyes or ears. With his homies hyping him up in the background, as they pull down their Shiesty masks to smoke joints and act out the lyrics, 4batz croons about the romantic night he has planned for his girl and just how much he’s willing to spend on her getting ready for it. In the pursuit of one girl’s heart, 4batz has managed to capture millions more.  

“Act ii: date @ 8” debuted at No. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 (dated Jan. 20), and it has since risen to No. 59 (for the week ending Feb. 10). It has also peaked at No. 6 on Hot R&B Songs and No. 20 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and is currently climbing on radio, rising to No. 21 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and No. 31 on Rhythmic Airplay this week (ending March 9).

The song is bound to make even bigger moves in the weeks to come, with Drake officially hopping on the “act ii: date @ 8” remix this Friday (March 8) — which Timbaland predicted would be “outta here” back in January when he posted his reaction video to 4batz’s viral From the Block performance.

“It’s crazy, because before this, I was sleeping in cars and I didn’t have a place to stay. And now people talk about “Rookie of the Month” on Billboard,” he exclaims with a chuckle. “I’m just so grateful, and I’m so excited that this is my life now.”

Billboard spoke with March’s R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month about astonishing people with his “yin-yang factor,” attending his first-ever concert during Drake’s It’s All a Blur Tour, receiving a co-sign and advice from Ye (the artist formerly known as Kanye West) and preparing his debut EP.

What’s the inspiration behind the name 4batz?

[Laughs.] Batz, that’s just my name in the hood. People just called me that. I never knew why, they just like, “Yo, Batz! Batz, come here! Ah ah ah!” I’m from The Four. Inside Dallas, it’s a little hood called The Four. And the “z” was really for the swag, the “za” as we call it. We say “za” after everything because everything we do is exotic. So it’s “4” because we from the South and “bat” with a “z” because n—as don’t do what we do. We do everything exotic.

Why did you decide to pitch up your vocals?

I mean, me being from Texas and listening to DJ Screw, that’s just what we do. We’re just bringing something new to the world that they ain’t heard before.

There’s so much mystique to you. How do you continue to protect your peace and privacy when it feels like everyone’s trying to get a piece?

I’ve always been that nonchalant, mysterious one. S–t ain’t like a plan that we do. What I do is I give people a little bit of something. For Instagram, let’s say I post somebody fighting or I post my friends in the hood slapboxing. Me posting that is showing people a little bit about what I do and how my culture is.

How did you decide to format your song titles as different “acts” with all lowercase letters and different numbers and characters?

I look at it like it’s my story. I look at it like it’s an old testament, like it’s one of those old-ass books, because I feel like my story is some s–t people gonna be talking about for years and years and years and years down the line.

What inspired “act ii: date @ 8”?

It was more for the females. Nowadays, R&B is quote-unquote toxic. It’s a lot of fake toxicity going on. I don’t know about that toxicity. My momma raised me in a way like, “You love a girl, you do this. You open the door for her.” I’m big on that, so that one was specifically for the females.

I love the line “Five hunnid for your f–kin’ hair/ Two hunnid for your f–kin’ nails.”

I had to make sure it was the exact price. I mean, obviously, sometimes it be a little bit more, but yeah, I had to make sure I said that.

How does your latest single, “act iii: on god? (she like),” add to the narratives from your previous two acts?

Once this EP come out, I can be able to really break it down to you and show you exactly how each act connects.

Bet. What’s the name of your EP?

It’s called u made me a st4r.

And are all the songs on the EP going to be different “acts”?

Absolutely! It has to be.

How many songs will be on it?  

I’m still debating that. Probably around six, seven. I don’t know yet.

Your “From the Block” performance of “act ii: date @ 8” in your Dallas hometown stunned everyone because they didn’t expect you to sound the way you did when they saw what you looked like. Did you purposefully anticipate that being a “wow” factor coming into that performance?

You know what’s crazy? I did. Because I remember listening to Aaliyah. [Sings] “Rock the boat, rock the boat.” And I’m throwing up gang signs. And I’m like, “Why am I doing that? Why does this yin-yang factor feel so good to me?” And it goes for other people. A person will be a rapper, face tats and all this stuff, but he’ll be rapping about girls, but you think he supposed to be rapping about killing. And the fact that he’s rapping about girls, playing with that yin-yang factor, is more interesting. I was always [interested in] doing something that don’t supposed to be looking like you’re supposed to be doing it. I had a feeling it was going to do something. I didn’t know it was gonna do this!

What are some other reactions you’ve gotten from that video?

People said I sounded like a sample. I didn’t think that, but s–t, I’ll take it. I think honestly that’s one of the biggest compliments. Everybody knows samples are beautiful. And people was like, “Yeah, when you gon’ start rapping?” It was a lot of that.

And what’s the significance of the Tioga Street and Strawberry Terrace block you performed at?

It’s a block I kind of grew up on. We could have done it in any area, because that whole hood is my hood, but we had to do it exactly on that block — because I’m like, “Yo, Strawberry Street. People gon’ think this is sweet, right? And we doing this! OK, cool. We gotta do it right here.” Plus, it’s even better, because this is the same street where we used to just walk on and not have money and not be able to do this, and now we’re doing the opposite and just embracing what Texas is and what Dallas is and how this s–t go.  

I remember telling you and your team back in January that you had made it onto the Billboard charts for the first time, and everyone was so excited. “act ii: date @ 8” eventually became your first Hot 100 hit. How did you react when you found that out?

I damn near did a backflip, and I don’t even know how to do backflips! That’s one of the biggest flexes. The second song I ever released went on Billboard. I was so shocked, I ain’t even know what to say. I thought people was playing, so I’m going on Billboard searching it up. That is something that I ain’t even dreamed that this was gonna happen. I just thought, “Aight, I’m gonna drop the song and then hopefully in three to five years, you’re gonna start hearing me.” And then after that, I was gonna be where I’m at right now. But God works in mysterious ways.

Speaking of your team, how did you build up yours? How did you meet your manager Amber Ajeé, and when did your distributor Vydia come into the fold? 

I needed to shoot a video for “stickerz.” So I was just going about trying to shoot a video, and a lady had hit me, which is Amber. She was like, “Oh, I can help you.” And she helped me find a video pretty fast. And she was also like, “Yo, I manage!” So really finding her helped me find everybody with Vydia. ‘Cause I didn’t know nothing about it. She just put me onto everything. And after that, slowly but surely, I got the team that I have. It’s probably like four or five people.

Even though you’re our Rookie of the Month, you’ve already been chopping it up with the big leagues. Ye recently co-signed you, and you posted on Instagram that the two of you had FaceTimed. When did you first get in touch with Ye? And what’s the best piece of advice he’s given you?

One day, I woke up and everybody from his side was just texting my phone, “Yo, Ye wants to talk to you.” After that, that’s when we had a phone call. And I was like, “Yo, Ye? We talkin’ ‘bout Ye, Kanye? Or we talkin’ ‘bout Ye from South Dallas?” Nah, it was the real Ye. And when we hopped on FaceTime, it sealed the deal for me. That’s my guy for sure.  

The best piece of advice that Ye ever gave me is: If people don’t want it and you want it, that means you should do it. I remember my first time actually having a conversation with him, because I was just trying to be a sponge and just ask him stuff. It’s crazy, because I didn’t even ask him this question, I was just like, “Yo, what’s up?” He’s like, “Um, I got something to tell you.” I was like, “OK, what’s up?” He was like, “If you were to tell people, ‘Yo, should I drop this song?’ And they’re like, ‘Eh, I don’t really like it.’ But you really feel it in your gut that like, ‘This it. This it, period…’ A lot of people go off of trends, a lot of people go off of what they’ve seen. And if you do something outside of that box, you could be creating a whole box that people ain’t never been in.

When he told me that, I was like, “Bet, bet.” That means we’re doing something right.

You were recently spotted hanging out with Drake at one of his shows. How was that night?

That was the first show I ever been to.

Wait, your first concert?

Ever.

And you went to Drake’s concert and were right next to Drake.

Yeah. [Laughs.] Yeah, I was! Bro, I swear to God, this whole s–t is so funny, because I don’t think people know — and I don’t think even myself know — how crazy this s–t is. I never was on a plane. We ain’t even talking about shows yet. I never did none of this. We pulling up and I’m seeing all these people, what’s it, like 20,000 people? I don’t know, but I’m seeing all these people [and] how they react to the music. I’m like, “Yo, this what I’ve been missing all my life?”

It inspired me a lot, just seeing how he controls the crowd. And I was just like, “Yo, I need to work. I need to make more music.” Because every song he had was a hit! Yeah, Drake’s a good guy.

Have you been to another concert since then?

No, I think my next concert I go to is mine.

Considering you only have three singles out right now (with obviously more to come), how would you envision your first live performance? And where would you want it to be?

It gotta be in my city. I haven’t really envisioned it exactly how I want it yet, but I just know it has to be in Dallas. Who knows? It might be intimate and crazy.

Word on the street is that you’ve been in talks with major labels because they’re so eager to sign you. Is that something you’re interested in pursuing now or later in your career?

I keep going back to this, ‘cause I’m really in love with this EP. This EP’s gon’ break the f–kin’ internet, world, all this s–t. Currently, I’m not really worried about signing right now, because we’re so focused on these songs. I’m in the studio every day. So I’m not really worried about that, but maybe when the time is right.

What’s next for 4batz?

Honestly, I’m with the fans. Me and the fans, we experience this s–t together. So as they’re learning, and as they’re seeing, “Oh s–t, we on Billboard! Oh s–t, we’re doing this. Oh s–t, we’re over here!” I’m experiencing it, too. It’s just God. And whatever God wants, and however that flows, it’s gonna happen that way.

Is there anything else?

I want to tell my supporters some s–t, if I could. First, I’mma say thank you, Jada. And the EP, u made me a st4r, when they hear that s–t, they’re gonna go crazy! It’s gonna be stupid!

08 Mar 2024

Jimmy Kimmel Reveals Whether Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Jokes Are ‘Off Limits’ at the 2024 Oscars

Jimmy Kimmel undoubtedly has a list of names he plans on mentioning during his hosting duties at the 2024 Oscars, but are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s in red, underlined? The late-night juggernaut says it isn’t likely.

In an interview with CNN two days ahead of the Sunday (March 10) ceremony, Kimmel said that jokes about the high-profile romance are “not off limits, but probably played out.”

The admission will come as a relief to those who groaned through Jo Koy’s quip about the pop star and Kansas City Chiefs tight end at the Golden Globes in January, which elicited awkward silence and a cold reaction from Swift, who was in the audience that night.

Trending on Billboard

“The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? At the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift,” Koy had riffed during his monologue, after which cameras cut to a stone-faced Swift as she took a sip from her champagne flute.

Later, Koy clarified that he’d had “no ill intent” in name-checking the 14-time Grammy winner, telling the Los Angeles Times that “the whole intention of that joke was to make fun of the NFL.”

Helmed by Kimmel, the 2024 Oscars will air live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, and will feature performances from Barbie‘s Ryan Gosling, Billie Eilish and Finneas, as well as presentations from Bad Bunny and Wicked costars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Speaking about the trickiness of making jokes without offending their subjects, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host admitted, “It’s not that easy.”

“It depends on the person because some people are more sensitive than others,” he continued. “God help you, if I know you. Like, if you’ve been to my house, you’re in trouble on Oscar night.”

08 Mar 2024

All the Films That Have Won 8 or More Oscars: Complete List

In the 96-year history of the Academy Awards, just 15 films have won eight or more Oscars. Oppenheimer has a good chance of joining them when the 2024 Oscars are presented at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday (March 10). The three-hour drama is expected to win eight awards, including best picture, best director and best original score, and could win as many as 10 (from its 13 nominations) if everything goes its way.

The list of films that have won eight or more Oscars is quite diverse, including epics, biopics and musicals.  All but one of these films won best picture. The exception was Cabaret, which swept eight 1972 Oscars but lost the big one to The Godfather, which won just two other awards besides best picture.

Three of these films – The Last Emperor, Gigi and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – achieved clean sweeps, winning in every category in which they were nominated. The latter film, the third in that trilogy, made the biggest Oscar night sweep of all, winning in all 11 categories in which it was nominated.

Here are all films that have won eight or more Oscars, listed in ascending order. We show the year the film was released, the total number of nominations it received (flagging the three that achieved clean sweeps), the names of the producer(s), director(s) and people most responsible for the music – indicating if they won or were nominated for Oscars in those capacities, and finally, the studio that released the film.

08 Mar 2024

Halle Bailey Says She ‘Had No Obligation to Share’ Her Pregnancy: Watch the Emotional Speech

Halle Bailey and her boyfriend, rapper DDG, are enjoying being new parents after they welcomed their baby boy, Halo, late last year. And while speaking at the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony on Thursday (March 7), the 23-year-old emotionally detailed why she hid her pregnancy and didn’t go public with her baby bump.

Ahead of Friday’s (March 8) International Women’s Day, Bailey explained that the decision to hide her pregnancy came from a “place of protection,” and the “state of the world” also played a role.

Trending on Billboard

“There was no way in hell I was going to share the biggest joy of my world with anyone. Halo was my gift. He is the greatest blessing, and I had no obligation to expose him, me, or my family to that,” Bailey declared. “With the state of the world and the place it is in with men trying to force their will on our bodies, no one on social media, and for d–n sure, no one on the planet was going to tell me what to do with my body or what to share with the world.”

The Little Mermaid star was on the verge of tears while thanking the women who came before her and set what she believed to be the right example.

“Do y’all remember when Prince Z David Marley, who came from a queen named Lauryn Hill, entered the world? Do you remember how private Beyoncé was about her pregnancy? We have that right. Every woman in the world has that right to choose what to do with their bodies and what to share with anyone or everyone,” she continued. “So thank you. Thank you to some of the strong women in my life, like my beautiful sisters standing here on the stage with me, for setting examples in resilience, confidence, and independence.”

Bailey and DDG revealed the birth of their son in January with a post on social media about bringing Halo into the world and becoming new parents.

While tending to mom duties, Bailey is also back in the studio working on new music, and she’s readying a single titled “In Your Hands” for next Friday (March 15).

“Whenever you’re down and sufferin’, I promise that I’ll be your only friend/ ‘Cause I know that the demons comin’ again, and we will never, ever let ’em in,” Bailey croons before bellowing the hook. “In your hands, in your hands, the world is yours!”

“You guys have asked for it, so i’ll gladly give it to you,” she added on X.

Watch the clip of Bailey explaining her decision to hide her pregnancy below:

08 Mar 2024

A Roundup of Country & Americana Festivals in 2024 (Updating)

In The Pines – June 1, 2024, Bristol, TN/VA – This year’s festival features Dwight Yoakam, Wyatt Flores, Elle King, Paul Cauthen and more.

Railbird Music Festival – June 1-2, 2024, Lexington, KY – Noah Kahan, Turnpike Troubadours, Chris Stapleton, Hozier, Wynonna Judd, Counting Crows, Marcus King, Dwight Yoakam, Elle King and more are included on this year’s lineup.

CMA Fest – June 6-9, 2024, Nashville, TN – Though the lineup for this year’s CMA Fest has not yet been revealed, the yearly festival features not only many of country music’s hottest artists performing during the nightly shows at Nissan Stadium, but also on various stages across Nashville’s Lower Broadway and the downtown riverfront, as well as artist events and autograph signings held at Music City Center.

Tailgate N’ Tallboys Clinton – June 6-8, Clinton, Iowa – Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman and Shinedown lead this year’s festival in Clinton, with the lineup also including Alexandra Kay, Josh Ross, Austin Snell and Nate Smith.

Carolina Country Music Festival – June 6-9, 2024, Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, Parker McCollum, Old Dominion, Oliver Anthony Music, Megan Moroney, Lee Brice, Parmalee, Kameron Marlowe and Diamond Rio are all on this year’s bill.

Rock the Country – June 7-8, 2024, Ocala, FL – Kid Rock, Jason Aldean and Lynyrd Skynyrd lead the Florida iteration of this festival series, with the bill also including Travis Tritt and Warren Zeiders.

The Country Fest – June 12-15, 2024, North Lawrence, Ohio – Chris Janson, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson and Thomas Rhett lead this four-day festival.

Tailgate N’ Tallboys Bloomington – June 13-16, 2024, Bloomington, IL – Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman and Riley Green lead this year’s lineup.

Black Deer Festival – June 14-16, 2024, Eridge Park, Kent – Sheryl Crow, The Shires, Dylan Gossett, Lizzie No, Twinnie and more are on this year’s bill.

Hwy 30 Music Fest – June 19-22, 2024, Filer, ID – This year’s lineup includes Shane Smith and the Saints, Muscadine Bloodline, Treaty Oak Revival, Charles Wesley Godwin and more.

Barefoot Country Music Festival – June 20-23, 2024, Wildwood, NJ – Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Old Dominion and Bailey Zimmerman are on this year’s lineup.

Telluride Bluegrass Festival – June 20-23, 2024, Telluride, CO – Charley Crockett, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush Band and Sierra Ferrell highlight this year’s lineup.

Country Jam Colorado – June 20-22, 2024, Grand Junction, CO – Thomas Rhett, Parker McCollum and Jelly Roll will headline this year’s festival, with Koe Wetzel, Sawyer Brown, Craig Morgan and Lee Brice also on the lineup.

Rock the Country, June 21-22, 2024, Mobile, AL – Kid Rock and Jason Aldean lead the Alabama iteration of this festival, with the bill also including Brantley Gilbert and Randy Houser.

Buckeye Country Superfest – June 22-23, 2024, Columbus, OH – Zach Bryan, Billy Strings, Turnpike Troubadours, Charley Crockett, Charles Wesley Godwin and 49 Winchester are all featured on the lineup for this two-day festival.

Cotton Fest – June 27-29, 2024, Lubbock, TX – This Texas fest will feature performances from Pat Green, Treaty Oak Revival, Red Clay Strays, Carter Faith, The Panhandlers and more.

Country Thunder Bristol – June 28-29, Bristol, TN – Cody Johnson, HARDY, Trace Adkins and Bailey Zimmerman lead this two-day festival.

Dauphin’s Country Fest – June 28-30, 2024, Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada – A string of ’80s and ’90s country artists, including Alabama, Clint Black, Jo Dee Messina, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Mark Chesnutt lead this year’s lineup.

Country Stampede – June 27-29, 2024, Bonner Springs, KS – Chris Janson, Riley Green and Jon Pardi led this year’s lineup, which also features Jackson Dean and Neon Union, among others.

Rock the Country – June 28-29, 2024, Poplar Bluff, MO – Kid Rock, Jason Aldean and Hank Williams, Jr. lead this Missouri iteration of this festival series.

Coca-Cola’s Sips and Sounds Summer Festival – June 29-30, 2024, Austin, TX – This year’s lineup features Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi, Maren Morris, Drayton Farley, Sammy Arriaga and more.

08 Mar 2024

Bananarama Hasn’t Heard Taylor Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’ – But They Want Her to Cover Their Hit of the Same Name

“I remember having a conversation when we were teenagers,” Bananarama’s Keren Woodward tells Billboard, “thinking that I probably wouldn’t be doing (Bananarama) when I was 25. It seemed so far away. I couldn’t imagine.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Fast forward four decades to now. Not only is the British group (which debuted as a trio but has continued as a duo since 1991) still active, but they are releasing Glorious: The Ultimate Collection on Friday (March 8). The collection spans era-defining chart hits, fan favorites and two new songs, “Feel the Love” and “Supernova,” both of which deftly capture the runaway-train ebullience of the band’s ‘80s hits. “I don’t really see that because you get to a certain age or a certain point you should stop,” Woodward says, “(As long as) you like what you’re doing and other people are enjoying it too.”

Speaking to the duo over Zoom, it’s clear that the comfortable chemistry between Woodward and Dallin is a huge part of why they’ve been together for more than 40 years. “It’s so monumental to have been around for decades, making music and writing our own songs,” Dallin says with a touch of pride and incredulousness. “Keren and I realized how much we’d achieved, particularly as women in this industry, when we wrote our book a couple of years ago, Really Saying Something. When you sit down and retrace everything from the age of 18… when we pieced it all together, we felt a certain satisfaction that we had achieved quite a lot.”

Trending on Billboard

Comparing the industry now to what it was like in the ‘80s, Dallin believes that “women are getting a little bit more of a bite… but still not enough. It’s shifting slowly, the sands, but there’s still a long way to go.”

The industry’s overdue crawl toward gender parity has been reflected in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s recent induction classes, which were once quite testosterone-heavy (fully shutting out women as recently as 2016) but have begun to welcome more women into the Hall’s ranks each year. When asked about the idea of Bananarama in the Rock Hall, Woodward perks up: “I wouldn’t turn it down!” “I think it needs more females,” Dallin adds. “I had just heard that Cher is only just being [nominated]. It’s like, really?”

As pop hitmakers who helped carve out space for female artists to sustain lifelong careers in the music business, both are delighted to see how many women are dominating the scene these days. Even so, the duo hasn’t heard the most recent Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 from probably the biggest artist on the planet – which is perhaps surprising given that the song, “Cruel Summer,” shares a title with one of their own beloved hits.

“I haven’t heard it, I’m afraid,” Dallin says of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer,” to which Woodward drily intones, “I would have preferred her recording mine because then I could have made some of her money.” Of their own “Cruel Summer,” Woodward recalls the “massive, welcome shock” of learning it reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1984. “Knowing that we’d cracked the top 10 in the Billboard charts was definitely a moment,” she remembers.

For up-and-coming women in the music industry, the duo has some specific, sage advice. “It’s such a hard business and even the most talented people just don’t get through,” Dallin says. “I would say for females, always be chaperoned. Always have somebody with you, never go to the studios on your own. Never go and meet people who say they’re going to do things for you – just always take someone with you.”

“We were very lucky because we always had each other. We’ve always got each other’s backs,” Woodward says.

While they believe social media has helped some artists circumvent the traditional industry gatekeepers, they’re also quick to note that it’s a double-edged sword. “I don’t know how it would have been for me if somebody could comment on literally everything I wore and everything I said,” Dallin muses. For her part, Woodward knows how it would have been if there had been social media when she was an 18-year-old pop star: bad. “I think appearance-wise, when it gets really personal, I think it might have destroyed me, reading the amount of bitchy, negative comments.”

But Bananarama has spun gold out of staying strong in the face of adversity. A perfect example is the band’s 1986 Hot 100 No. 1, a pounding dance cover of Shocking Blue’s “Venus.” “We’d heard a song with a Hi-NRG beat and we’d just found Stock Aitken and Waterman, the producers, and we asked them to do a Hi-NRG version of ‘Venus,’” Dallin recalls of the recording’s genesis. “Nobody wanted to do (it), not the record company or Stock Aitken and Waterman. So we when did it, on our insistence, and it became No. 1, it was fantastic.”

Even though the group’s biggest Hot 100 hit was a cover, Bananarama has by and large written most of its own material over its 40-year career – which is part of what keeps them going. “It’s the joy of scribbling something down in your kitchen, and then the next minute, you’re singing it at Glastonbury or Kew Gardens – you’re suddenly singing it to thousands of people,” says Dallin ahead of the group’s anniversary shows at the London Palladium.

“We’re not doing it just because it’s the only thing we’ve done,” Woodward declares. “We’re genuinely doing because we love it. I mean, when we when we do shows, it’s extraordinary how much fun we have with a live audience.”

“To still be able to do that, I feel very lucky,” Dallin says. “I think there’s an authenticity to us we’ve never lost,” Woodward opines. “A lot of it has to do with us being friends for so long and keeping each other grounded. It all goes towards making us a complete band and having that joy. I wouldn’t necessarily want to do it for this long if it was just me on my own. That’s part of the joy.”

08 Mar 2024

Shawn Mendes Reveals He’s ‘Working on a New Album’ & Announces Rock In Rio Performance

A Shawn Mendes comeback is imminent. In a stripped-back Instagram post Thursday (March 7), the 25-year-old singer-songwriter revealed that he’s returning to the stage with new music in tow, confirming plans to release a new album in the near future.  

Sharing a black-and-white photo of him playing the guitar outdoors — sans shirt — Mendes wrote, “It’s been a really long time since i last played live.”  

“I’m so excited to share that I’ll be headlining Rock In Rio on Sept 22nd,” he continued. “I’ve missed being on stage and seeing you all in person so much!” 

Trending on Billboard

According to a poster Mendes included in his post, the “Stitches” singer will perform Sept. 22 at the two-weekend Rio de Janeiro festival, which kicks off Sept. 13. Also on the lineup are Travis Scott, Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry and more. 

The star, who hasn’t released an album since 2020’s Billboard 200-topping Wonder, went on to reveal that a new LP is underway. “I’ve also been working on a new album and i can’t wait to play these new songs live for you,” he added in his post. “See you there. eu te amo!!!!” 

The news comes almost two years after Mendes canceled his 2022world tour, citing struggles with his mental health. “After speaking more with my team and working with an incredible group of health professionals, it has become more clear that I need to take the time I’ve never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger,” he said in a statement at the time.  

Since then, the “Treat You Better” musician has released a couple singles, including June’s “What the Hell Are We Dying For?” and “Witness Me” with Jacob Collier, Stormzy and Kirk Franklin. 

See Mendes’ announcement below. 

08 Mar 2024

Watch Miley Cyrus Sing Banjo-Fied Cover of Talking Heads’ ‘Psycho Killer’ With Fresh Lyrics

Miley Cyrus gives the Talking Heads‘ jittery 1977 new wave classic “Psycho Killer” a fresh spin in a fan-posted video of the singer’s cover of the track from her November performance at Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont. In the minute-long clip, Cyrus trades the original’s spare, bass-thrumming, quick-strummed guitar for finger-picked acoustic guitar and banjo, giving the track a country makeover.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

In keeping with the folky feel, Cyrus twangs up the vocals as well, crooning, “Cuz my bed’s on fiiiiiire/ No, don’t touch me baby/ I told you I’m a real live wire,” while messing with the lyrical timing to draw out and emphasize different syllables, transforming it into more of a bluegrass hoedown.

She then tells the crowd, “if you know this song, this is the regular part,” before breaking into the French-tinged chorus, which she also Miley-fies to make it uniquely her own. Speaking of which, Cyrus also completely rewrites the tune and adds her own fresh verse, on which she sings, “I love you psycho killer/ I’mma love you forever/ You know I’ll never run away,” cheekily asking the intimate audience if her take is “better than the original.”

Trending on Billboard

The video appeared to be from the same intimate November Chateau show that spawned the first live performance of Miley’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash “Flowers.” At press time a spokesperson for Cyrus had not returned Billboard‘s request for further comment on whether the singer’s rendition of the Talking Heads song will be included on the upcoming 16-track Stop Making Sense covers albums; Paramore’s rendition of “Burning Down the House” has already been released.

The tracklist for the Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to the Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense tribute album has not yet been released, so it’s unknown if that is the song Cyrus will cover on the LP, though her name was among those announced as contributing to the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Heads’ landmark Stop Making Sense concert film. In addition to Cyrus and Paramore, the soundtrack is slated to include covers by: Lorde, The National, Teezo Touchdown, Kevin Abstract, Jean Dawson, girl in red, BADBADNOTGOOD, Blondshell, The Cavemen., Chicano Batman, Money Mark, DJ Tunez, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, The Linda Lindas and Toro y Moi.

It’s no surprise Cyrus gave the song so much personal attention, since she clearly has an affection for the band. During her 2023 New Year’s Eve special, the singer teamed up with Talking Heads singer David Byrne for covers of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and Byrne’s “Everybody’s Coming to My House.”

Watch the Cyrus “Psycho Killer” video here.

08 Mar 2024

Bunnie XO Reveals Why She Shut Down Her OnlyFans 1 Year Ago: ‘Don’t Mind Letting Y’All Know’

In Bunnie XO’s own words, she’s an open book. The Dumb Blonde podcast host is explaining to fans why she just retired from sex work by shutting down her OnlyFans last year, after her celebration of the one-year anniversary of her retirement apparently left some followers scratching their heads.

“A lot of ppl seem to be confused as to how I just retired from SW last year because I’ve been married for 7 years lol.. so here’s the answer,” Bunnie, who is married to country star Jelly Roll, began a Wednesday (March 6) Facebook post.

“When I married J I refused to give up my independence & rely solely on him,” she shared, noting that she has always worked and made her own money. “He knew how important it was to me to make my own money. But he did always say, ‘One day baby you won’t have to do this anymore.’”

Trending on Billboard

Bunnie noted that she started the Bunnie XO brand in 2018 — two years after she and the “Son of a Sinner” singer wed — with the money she made on her own, and not a dime of the country star’s coffers. Two years after that, she not only “stopped seeing clients” and having sugar daddies, but also launched her OnlyFans account, which Bunnie said made her millions of dollars. “It was crazy the amount of money that site made me in such a short time.”

Fast forward another two years to 2022, and her brand — which features merch such as sweatshirts, T-shirts, caps and more — started making just as much if not more than her sex work, Bunnie revealed. “So I couldn’t justify still having that part of my life when the new brand I created was thriving so much.”

But there was another reason she gave up sex work, the entertainer shared. “I also didn’t want to be the only wife in the country music scene whose butthole was on the internet,” she wrote, adding a laughing-crying emoji. “But my husband never once asked me to give up anything in my life.”

“So I decided to retire & 100% immerse myself into the Bunnie Xo brand in 2023,” she concluded her post. “Best decision I ever made. The rest is history baby!”

The Facebook post that kicked off the fan confusion had been made earlier that same day. In it, Bunnie celebrated the anniversary of her shutting down what she called her “spicy site,” telling followers: “I was SO scared to let go of that part of my life & leave behind the money I was making – wasn’t sure how I’d make up that part of my business. But I had faith & let God have it & he made sure I made it back 10 fold.”

While she may have given up sex work, Bunnie XO hasn’t been shy about getting sexy in her new projects. In December, she dropped a racy rap video for Christmas titled “12 Days of Rizzmas.” In it, she rhymes about female empowerment while also getting a bit NSFW in the lyrics.

“He was like, ‘Baby, this is so good,’” Bunnie shared with Music Mayhem of Jelly’s reaction to her video. “I don’t let him in my creative process or even tell him what I’m doing until it’s done. I never ask for his help in any of these songs because it challenges me more to try to make it so dope that he’s wowed.”

08 Mar 2024

Watch Travis Kelce Kiss Taylor Swift & Rock Out to ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ at Eras Tour Show

Travis Kelce is proving that Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour never gets old. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end was in attendance at the “Anti-Hero” singer’s concert in Singapore Friday night (March 8), and between jamming to “Look What You Made Me Do” and kissing his superstar girlfriend after the show, it looks like he had a great time. 

Fan videos captured Kelce passionately dancing to the pop star’s Reputation lead single with his friends and tens of thousands of other Swifties at National Stadium, rocking from side to side while singing along to the lyrics. And yes, he did snag one of Swift’s signature light-up bracelets, matching the rest of the crowd. 

In another clip taken just moments after the show wrapped, the athlete waits patiently backstage for the 14-time Grammy winner to make her way toward him — after which she wraps her arms around him and kisses him as fans roar with delighted screams. The couple then walks through a large black curtain, but not before sneaking in another quick hug. 

Trending on Billboard

The night marks Kelce’s third Eras show since he and Swift began dating last summer, beginning with his trip to Buenos Aires in November. Most recently, he caught one of the musician’s February performances in Australia, where the pair also went on a date at the Sydney Zoo.  

“Australians are pretty rowdy,” Kelce recalled on a recent episode of his New Heights podcast. “They like to have a good time, I like to have a good time … Taylor’s very fond of performing in Australia because of the crowds over there and how into it they get.” 

Watch clips of Kelce enjoying the Eras Tour in Singapore below.