Music

24 Oct 2023

Katy Perry Gets Her Game on For Inaugural Fundraising Pickleball Tournament

Celebrities, tunes, outdoor sport, fundraising and grown dudes dressed as food: these are some of Katy Perry’s favorite things, and she brought them all together over the weekend for the first annual Light Up The Court Pickleball Tournament.

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Perry hosted the tourney Sunday (Oct. 22) at Montecito Club in her hometown of Santa Barbara, CA, with a slew of high-profile pickleball players including Meghan Trainor, Rob Lowe, Kate Hudson and her partner Orlando Bloom.

“My mom brought (maybe even forced) her love for pickleball upon our family,” she writes on Instagram, “and now we’ve decided to use those pickle powers for good.”

All proceeds benefited Firework Foundation, founded in 2019 by Perry and her sister Angela Lerche, with a mission to empower children from underserved communities by “igniting their inner light through the arts.”

For the record, Eric Geeb and Brett Williams took the championship title, while Perry got her game on for a mic’d exhibition in which she and Federico Staksrud took on Bloom and Maggie Brascia. Team Katy took them out 13-11.

Celsius sponsored the VIP Players Lawn, while Stanley, The Pick, Malk Milk, CRBN and Selkirk were among the sponsoring brands for the debut event, produced by Ngoc Nguyen (Nguyen Strategies).

Money raised will go towards “scholarships, more camps, and programming to bring the arts to kids from underserved communities,” Perry explains.

The pop superstar is currently in her sixth consecutive season as a judge on American Idol and, simultaneously, performing her Las Vegas residency, PLAY.

In 2011, she became the first woman, and second artist overall following Michael Jackson, to land five No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 from an album. That album, Teenage Dream, is one of her three leaders on the Billboard 200 chart. All told, she has scored nine leaders on the Billboard Hot 100 and she was the first artist in RIAA history to earn three RIAA Diamond Song Awards – for three of those No. 1s, “Firework,” “Dark Horse” and “Roar.”

24 Oct 2023

Kenya Grace’s ‘Strangers’ Holds Tight Lead on Midweek U.K. Chart

Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” (via FFRR) takes pole position in the race for the U.K. chart crown. But there’s not much in it.

The U.K.-raised, South Africa-born artist has reigned over the Official U.K. Singles Chart for the past two weeks with her breakthrough drum ‘n’ bass number. “Strangers” has a narrow lead heading into what could be a third consecutive win.

How narrow? According to the Official Charts Company, less than 300 chart units separate “Strangers” from its closest rival, Cassö, RAYE and D-Block Europe’s “Prada” (Ministry of Sound).

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Meanwhile, Tate McRae’s “Greedy” (at No. 3 via Ministry of Sound) and Tyla’s “Water” (No. 4 via RCA) are close behind and in striking distance, the OCC reports.

The highest new entry on the Official U.K. Singles Chart is predicted to be “Too Much” (Columbia), the collaborative release from The Kid LAROI, BTS singer Jung Kook and Central Cee. It’s new at No. 7 on the Official Chart Update, for what should be LAROI and Jung Kook’s third top 10, and Central Cee’s seventh, including his 10-week reign with “Sprinter,” the smash collab with fellow British rapper Dave.

Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” (EMI) is heating up. The resurgent Lover track looks set for a U.K. top 10 return at No. 8, following the release of a new live cut to coincide with the cinematic release of her box-office blockbuster The Eras Tour Film.

Just outside the top 10 is Billy Gillies and Hannah Boleyn’s “DNA (Loving You)” (via Atlantic) at No. 11, for what would be a new chart best, while Troye Sivan’s ”One of Your Girls” (Polydor) is forecast to rise 17-12. Lifted from his third and latest album, Something to Give Each Other, “Girls” is on track to land the Australian pop artist his highest-peaking U.K. single as a solo artist, the OCC reports.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday (Oct. 27).

23 Oct 2023

Rolling Stones’ ‘Hackney Diamonds’ Sparkles on Midweek U.K. Chart

The Rolling Stones are careering to another U.K. No. 1 with Hackney Diamonds (via Polydor), the legendary British rock band’s 26th studio album.

According to data published by the Official Charts Company, the Stones’ new album is outselling the rest of the top 10 combined, posting north of 55,000 chart sales over the weekend. Nothing will stop these Rolling Stones from gathering a 14th U.K. No. 1.

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Another leader would lift Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood up the all-time ladder, placing the Stones behind only the Beatles, with 15 U.K. No. 1 albums.

Featuring a starry lineup of collaborators that includes Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, former bass player Bill Wyman, and Beatle Paul McCartney, Hackney Diamonds is the Stones’ first new studio album or original material in 18 years.

Another reunited rock favorite, Blink-182, is forecast to open behind the Stones. The U.S. pop punk band’s ninth studio album One More Time… (Columbia) bows at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update, and should mark the trio’s sixth U.K. top 10. One More Time… reunites the classic lineup of guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge with bass player Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker for the first time in almost a decade.

Completing an all-new top three on the Official Chart Update is Bombay Bicycle Club with My Big Day (MMMRecords). It’s set to arrive at No. 3 for what would be the English indie band’s fifth U.K. top 10 album and highest charting LP since 2014’s So Long, See You Tomorrow led the weekly chart.

Also eyeing top ten berths are releases from Mercury Prize-nominated British singer-songwriter Richard Hawley (Now Then: The Very Best Of at No. 4 via BMG); Scottish electronic soloist Barry Can’t Swim (When Will We Land? at No. 5 via Ninja Tune); Mercury Prize-winning R&B act Sampha (Lahai at No. 7 via Young); electronic veterans Pet Shop Boys (Relentless at No. 9 via Rhino); and legendary U.S. entertainer Cher (Christmas at No. 10 via Warner Records).

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, Oct. 27.

23 Oct 2023

Ty Dolla $ign Announces ‘Multi Stadium Listening Event’ for Kanye West Joint Album

On Monday (Oct. 23), Ty Dolla $ign announced a “multi stadium listening event” for his reported joint album with Kanye West.

The simple IG announcement — the lone post on Ty’s otherwise-wiped-clean account — has a black background with white text that shows the yen “Y” symbol with a dollar-sign symbol and the words “multi stadium listening event November 3rd.”

Billboard reported on Oct. 13 that Ye and Ty were shopping a joint project to distributors and that West would “make a decision soon.” The album would mark the first release for Ye since a series of antisemitic comments late last year, which led to Def Jam parent company Universal Music Group distancing from the artist. “Def Jam’s relationship with Ye as a recording artist, Def Jam’s partnership with the GOOD Music label venture and Ye’s merchandise agreement with Bravado all ended in 2021,” a label rep told Billboard at the time.

On Oct. 15, Billboard reported that West’s team was working to produce a concert in Italy to promote the collaborative album. The rapper was spotted in Italy with wife Bianca Censori and a stage was even built at RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia, but the plan appeared to have fizzled as of late last week, with Billboard Italy conceding via sources that it was “very unlikely” to move forward.

According to Ty’s post, it appears that the promo plan has pivoted to a “multi stadium listening event” on Nov. 3, though that could still potentially include international locations.

Ye and Ty last collaborated on “Junya Pt 2” from West’s 2021 album, Donda. Before that, they worked together on Ty Dolla $ign’s “Ego Death” (2020) and on West’s “Everything We Need” (2019), “Real Friends” (2016) and “Only One” (2014).

West is no stranger to massive listening events for his new albums, hosting three sessions at stadiums for Donda back in 2021: two in Atlanta and one in his native Chicago.

See Ty’s post below:

23 Oct 2023

Garth Brooks’ The Garth Channel Relaunches on TuneIn

A little more than a year after Garth Brooks’ popular The Garth Channel ended its six-year run at SiriusXM, the station is resurfacing on streaming audio platform TuneIn.

The Garth Channel is the third TuneIn channel announced as part of Brooks’ Sevens Radio Network, a suite of stations Brooks launched in June with The Big 615. The country music channel bowed simultaneously on more than 200 connected devices and vehicle platforms, according to TuneIn CEO Rich Stern, and is available to TuneIn’s more than 75 million global monthly users.

In August, Sevens Radio Network bowed Tailgate Radio, hosted by sports commentator and producer Maria Taylor. While the station does not air the games — TuneIn provides access to live play-by-play from more than 100 Division 1 colleges and universities on other channels — Tailgate Radio plays pre- and post-game entertainment for sports fans.

Now, the Garth Channel, similar to its programming on SiriusXM, will feature Brooks’ favorite artists across different genres, as well as feature stories from Brooks. “The Garth Channel has always been my music, my heroes, my favorites. So, how do you make it better? You make it global for starters so the whole world can see how much I love music and where it comes from,” said Brooks in a statement. “More stories … from me and other artists. It seemed what people loved most on the Garth Channel were the stories. The new Garth Channel will now send out invitations for other artists to tell their stories behind the music and their careers.”

The Garth Channel will bow this fall — exact date still to be determined — and will broadcast from Brooks’ Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk  in Nashville. “You’re going to put Haggard right next to Beyoncé, Luke Combs right now to Ray Charles, Bruno Mars right next to the Statler Brothers. Great music works,” Brooks explained further on Monday’s (Oct. 23) Inside Studio G. Brooks’ songs will be interspersed with the other selections.

Though the official opening date for Friends in Low Places has not been announced, Brooks will host one of his dive bar concerts at the venue on Black Friday, Nov. 24. Fans could win free tickets to the intimate concert through The Big 615, with more than 1.7 million applications for tickets already registered, according to Brooks. Previous Dive Bar concert stops included Joe’s on Weed Street in Chicago, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California, and Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas. It’s named after Brooks’ 2019 duet of the same name, with Blake Shelton.

Though TuneIn did not provide specific numbers, Rich Stern said in a statement that Sevens Radio Network is already a success even with only two out of its seven stations on the air. “What we have seen already in terms of listener engagement and excitement on The BIG 615 and Tailgate is remarkable,” Stern said. “Simply put, people want as much Garth as they can have.”

Fans will get more Brooks this fall as the singer has announced plans to release a new limited series seven-CD box set, including a new album, exclusively through Bass Pro Shops starting Nov. 27. Brooks continues his Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Nov. 29.

23 Oct 2023

Nikki Glaser Says She Spent $25,000 on Taylor Swift Tickets Instead of Freezing Her Eggs

Nikki Glaser had her priorities set on Taylor Swift this summer.

The comedian joined The Kelly Clarkson show as a guest on Monday (Oct. 23), where Clarkson immediately asked her if it was true that she spent $25,000 on tickets to Swift’s Eras tour. “I just want to say that it was a conscious decision because I went to nine Eras tour shows this year,” Glaser explained with a laugh. “Like, when I’m not on tour, I go to her tour. It just fills my life up with so much joy. I’m in my late 30s. I just feel like, I don’t have kids, and I did the math and if I had kids, I’d be paying for dance camp and swim lessons.”

“Kids are expensive,” Clarkson adds, to which Glaser agreed. “I should just use all this money. I was going to freeze my eggs in January and that’s about how much it costs. Then, I just decided not to freeze them. I decided to burn them,” she joked. “I decided to take that chunk of money that I was going to use to do that and I’m just going to have a really fun summer. So, I went buck wild.”

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Watch the full interview clip below.

23 Oct 2023

Kelly Clarkson Proves She’s a ‘Fighter’ With Christina Aguilera Cover

The Kelly Clarkson show is back, which means the superstar’s popular Kellyoke segment has also returned. On Monday (Oct. 23), Clarkson kicked off the week with a powerful performance of Christina Aguilera’s 2002 hit, “Fighter.”

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Dressed in a full leather outfit, Clarkson flawlessly belted the lyrics — which is no easy feat, as Aguilera is known for her impressive vocal riffs and melodies. “Makes me that much stronger / Makes me work a little bit harder / Makes me that much wiser / So thanks for making me a fighter,” she sings in the chorus, highlighting how a failed relationship made her stronger. The track choice is fitting for Clarkson, who filed for divorce from Blackstock in 2020 after seven years of marriage, and she channeled the pain of the split into her recently released 10th studio album, Chemistry.

“Fighter” was released on 2002 as the third single from Aguilera’s fourth studio album, Stripped. The empowering track, which was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart upon its release.

Watch Kelly Clarkson perform Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter” below.


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

23 Oct 2023

Lil Wayne Had the Funniest Reaction to His Own Wax Figure at Tennessee’s Hollywood Wax Museum

Lil Wayne shared some thoughts on his wax figure at the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The figure — which showcases the iconic rapper’s tattoo-adorned chest, a white polka dot shirt slouched around his arms, and red and blue plaid pants — has been on display since last summer, but it’s currently going viral on social media for all the wrong reasons. “They did Lil Wayne FILTHYYYY,” one person wrote on X on Monday (Oct. 23). “This Lil Wayne wax figure looks less like him than the first time I did acid and I stupidly went on my phone and saw a picture of Birdman and Lil Wayne and for a second I thought their faces morphed together,” another wrote. Others said the figure resembled other artists, like Toosii or Jacquees.

Weezy himself finally stepped in and shared his own two cents on the matter. “Sorry wax museum but dat sh– ain’t me! You tried tho and I appreciate the effort,” the rapper wrote.

The news of Lil Wayne’s controversial figure arrives a day after Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a statement about his own wax figure at the Grévin Museum in Paris, France. Fans also flooded social media with their thoughts on the “white-washed” wax figure of the actor, who was born to a Black Nova Scotian father and Samoan mother.

“For the record, I’m going to have my team reach out to our friends at Grevin Museum, in Paris France so we can work at ‘updating’ my wax figure here with some important details and improvements- starting with my skin color,” Johnson wrote on Instagram.

See Weezy’s response and a picture of his wax figure below:

23 Oct 2023

What’s Your Favorite Taylor Swift Hot 100 No. 1? Vote!

Taylor Swift notched her 10th No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated Oct. 28, 2023 with “Cruel Summer,” a longtime fan favorite track from her 2019 album, Lover.

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With “Cruel Summer,” Swift joins an elite club of artists with 10 or more No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Helping surge streams for “Cruel Summer” were two new mixes that arrived on Oct. 18: a live version, recorded in Los Angeles during The Eras Tour, and an LP Giobbi remix. They followed the Oct. 13 premiere of Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour film.

Before her current Hot 100 No. 1 hit, Swift has had a series of chart toppers including “Blank Space,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Shake It Off,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” “Cardigan” and, more recently, “Anti-Hero” and “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version).”

Which of Swift’s Hot 100 leaders is your favorite? Let us know by voting in our poll below.

23 Oct 2023

Max Martin Salutes 25 Years of Britney Spears’ ‘…Baby One Time’: ‘It Changed the Landscape of Pop Music’

As Britney Spears gears up for the release of her debut memoir The Woman in Me, her breakthrough hit, “…Baby One More Time,” just hit a major milestone. The track turned 25 on Monday (Oct. 23) and was celebrated on Instagram by its producer, Max Martin, who shared how it changed the trajectory of both his and Spears’ career, as well as pop music as a whole.

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“On October 23, 1998, @britneyspears released her debut single ‘…Baby One More Time’ in the U.S.A, the pop classic that became No 1 in every country where it was released, and that launched Britney’s career as an international pop icon,” Martin wrote, captioning a series of images from Spears’ debut era.

He continued, “After exactly 25 years to the day, so much has been said about this masterpiece of a  song — the artists who could have recorded it, its controversial lyrics, its iconic music video, the record-breaking sales figures, how much it has changed the landscape of pop music and defined a new era, and so on. So this time, I wanted to celebrate ‘…Baby One More Time’ for what it is, that is a pure piece of art and 3:30 minutes of sonic bliss.”

As evidenced by the song’s two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Swedish record producer added that “‘Baby’ is one of these songs that you just can’t ignore, whether you are a pop music lover or not,” and proceeded to give an eight-part review of the song as if he listened to it for the first time. In his review, the hitmaker gushed over the song’s sad undertones and delighted over its little moments, like Spears’ vocal runs at 0:27 (“Go oh oh-oOoOh”), and said it was “a reminder so much fun is around the corner even if the lyrics seem sad at first listen.” Of the then-budding star’s “cooing,” Martin called Spears’ inflections “pure pop heaven.”

“…Baby One More Time,” as Martin noted, singlehandedly launched Spears’ career as a pop star. Propelled in part by the success of its single of the same name, the …Baby One More Time album enjoyed six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spent nearly two years (103 weeks) on the chart.

See Martin reflect on “…Baby One More Time” and give his review of the track below.