Music

19 Oct 2023

Summer Walker Celebrates Five Years of ‘Last Day of Summer’ With ‘Girls Need Love (Girls Mix)’ EP: Stream It Now

Summer Walker is celebrating the fifth anniversary of her critically acclaimed debut mixtape Last Day of Summer by releasing the Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) EP on Friday (Oct. 20) via LVRN and Interscope Records.

The EP has five different versions of Walker’s breakout hit single “Girls Need Love,” which is five-times certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The Drake remix catapulted the track into the top 40 sector of the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 16 on Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Walker tapped Victoria Monét, Tyla and Tink to contribute guest verses to three of the tracks. She tagged them on the project’s cover artwork, which is a March 4, 2019, tweet of her asking to “text ur man ‘I just need some d–k with no complications’ and tweet me his reply lol.” The EP also includes an acoustic version of the song, which came out earlier this week, as well as the original version of “Girls Need Love.”

Walker is also releasing an exclusive cobalt blue vinyl of Last Day of Summer, as well as special limited-edition merch, on her website. Last Day of Summer — which became certified platinum by the RIAA earlier this week — was originally released on Oct. 19, 2018. It reached No. 25 on Billboard‘s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 44 on the Billboard 200.

The Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) arrives five months after her Clear 2: Soft Life EP, a nine-track project featuring an “audio hug” from J. Cole and a “New Type” collaboration with Childish Gambino. Clear 2: Soft Life reached No. 7 on Billboard‘s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 26 on the Billboard 200.

19 Oct 2023

City Girls Release New ‘RAW’ Album: Stream It Now

City Girls get real RAW in their new third studio album, which was released Friday (Oct. 20).

The 18-track project includes previously released singles “I Need a Thug,” “Piñata,” “No Bars,” “Face Down” and “Good Love,” featuring Usher. The other featured guests include Lil Durk (“Static”), Muni Long (“Emotions”), Juicy J (“Fancy Ass Bitch”) and Kim Petras (“Flashy”). They teamed up with Petras to tease the sugary sweet pop hook of “Flashy” (“Stylin’, shinin’ / I’m so flawless like my diamonds / I’m flashy / Big bags, price tags / You know all I wear is name brands / I’m flashy,” Petras coos) the day before the album dropped.

RAW is the follow-up to their 2020 sophomore album City on Lock, which reached No. 29 on the Billboard 200 and spawned Billboard Hot 100 singles “P—y Talk,” with Doja Cat, and “Jobs.” Since then, the dynamic rap duo has released a slew of singles, including “Twerkulator” and “Act Bad” (with Diddy and Fabolous). Yung Miami and JT have also released their own singles, with Yung Miami making her solo debut in 2021 with “Rap Freaks” and JT releasing her debut solo single “No Bars” this year.

City Girls performed “No Bars” and “Face Down” at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards, where they were nominated for best duo or group. Yung Miami’s “Caresha Please” won best hip hop platform.

She previously caught up with Billboard at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, where Yung Miami teased she had a “reality show” on the way.

Listen to RAW below.

19 Oct 2023

Rolling Stones Unveil ‘Hackney Diamonds,’ First Album of Original Music in 18 Years: Stream It Now

The Rolling Stones are back! The iconic rock n’ roll band unveiled their 26th studio album, Hackney Diamonds, on Friday (Oct. 20).

Hackney Diamonds marks the first new Rolling Stones album of original music since the release of 2005’s A Bigger Bang, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album also is the first since the death of band’s drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away at age 80 in 2021.

Hackney Diamonds features the previously released collaboration with Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” plus tracks like “Bite My Head Off,” with bass from Paul McCartney and “Get Close” and “Live By the Sword,” both of which have piano from Elton John.

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Other guest spots on the album include two tracks recorded with the late Watts (“Mess It Up,” “Live By the Sword”); the latter also features an assist from former bassist Bill Wyman. The album — which ends with a Jagger/Richards cover of the Muddy Waters song that inspired the band’s name (“Rolling Stone Blues”) — was recorded all around the world, from Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles to Metropolis Studios in London, Sanctuary Studios in Nassau, Bahamas and Electric Lady Studios and The Hit Factory/Germano Studios in New York.

Stream Hackney Diamonds in full below.

19 Oct 2023

The Kid LAROI Enlists Jung Kook & Central Cee for Vibey New Song ‘TOO MUCH’: Watch the Video

When it comes to the team-up of The Kid LAROI, Jung Kook and Central Cee, as far as fans are concerned, there’s likely never “TOO MUCH.” The international trio unleashed their new “TOO MUCH” song and music video on Thursday night (Oct. 19) ahead of the release of LAROI’s debut full-length album The First Time next month.

Australian hitmaker The Kid LAROI enlisted South Korea’s Jung Kook and the U.K.’s Central Cee for the vibey new song, and they dropped a Ramez Silyan-directed video to match. In the visual, the three stars appear on the covers of the fictional TOO MUCH magazine, and their mag covers come to life in colorful performance vignettes.

“If we had the chance and the time to spend, would you do it again? Would you do it again?” BTS member Jung Kook sings in the chorus. “Was it too much?”

LAROI and Central Cee are both co-writers on the track, along with Justin Bieber, Omer Fedi, Jasper Harris, Emile Haynie, Blake Slatkin and Billy Walsh. The song was produced by Fedi, Harris, Haynie and Slatkin.

The First Time, which is due in November, will follow LAROI’s debut mixtape, F*ck Love, which topped the Billboard 200 albums chart back in 2021. The mixtape’s Savage deluxe edition included LAROI’s breakout hit single “Without You,” whose Miley Cyrus-featuring remix hit the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, while the mixtape’s Over You deluxe edition included the Hot 100 No. 1 Bieber duet “Stay.”

Watch the “TOO MUCH” music video below:

19 Oct 2023

‘Trolls Band Together’ Soundtrack Is Here: Stream It Now

Trolls Band Together is hitting theaters in less than a month, but fans can get hyped in the meantime by listening to the film’s official soundtrack, which arrived on Friday (Oct. 20).

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The soundtrack features the previously released collaboration between Camila Cabello and Anna Kendrick, “It Takes Two,” as well as the long-awaited musical reunion for *NSYNC, “Better Place.” Fittingly, Justin Timberlake also returned as the film soundtrack’s executive music producer alongside producer and songwriter Mike Elizondo. 

“Better Place,” released Sept. 29 on DreamWorks/RCA Records, peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, tying *NSYNC’s highest Hot 100 start: the group’s debut hit, “I Want You Back,” began at No. 25 on the March 7, 1998-dated chart.

The film, out on Nov. 17, features the usual mix of pop classics sung by all your favorites, as well as new additions to the cast including Cabello, Zosia Mamet (Crimp) and RuPaul (Miss Maxine). The returning cast includes Zooey Deschanel (Bridget), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Gristle), Icona Pop (Satin and Chenille), Anderson .Paak (Prince D), Ron Funches (Cooper), Kunal Nayyar (Guy Diamond) and Kenan Thompson (Tiny Diamond).

Listen to the Trolls Band Together soundtrack below.

19 Oct 2023

Bad Bunny Thinks You Should Learn How to Say ‘Puerto Rico’ Before Visiting in New ‘SNL’ Promos

Before you visit Bad Bunny‘s native island, you better learn how to pronounce its name.

In brand-new promos for his upcoming appearance as host and musical guest on this weekend’s Saturday Night Live, Benito schools castmember Heidi Gardner on how to pronounce “Puerto Rico.”

“I’ve always wanted to go to Port-oh Reek-oh,” Gardner says, butchering the commonwealth’s name.

“Puerto Rico,” Bunny corrects.

“Sorry, Port-oh Reek-oh!” Gardner repeats.

After trying again, the superstar artist gives up: “You know what? Don’t go, please.”

Elsewhere in the promos, Gardner compliments “the message” of Bad Bunny’s music but says she “can’t say it.” “Because it’s in Spanish?” he asks. No, she responds, before saying her bleeped-out response. “OK, you can’t say that on TV,” Bunny admits with a laugh.

He also valiantly saves Gardner from a mosquito during their promo shoot. Watch the new promos below:

Bad Bunny made his first appearance on SNL in April 2020 with a cameo during a pandemic-era Saturday Night Live at Home episode. He made his debut as a musical guest in February 2021 (and acted in a couple of sketches) alongside Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page as the host. This weekend’s episode will mark Bad Bunny’s first time hosting.

The NBC late-night staple returned for its 49th season this past weekend, with Pete Davidson hosting and Ice Spice as the musical guest. Former SNL castmember Davidson was supposed to host the show back on May 6, alongside musical guest Lil Uzi Vert, before the writers’ strike canceled all upcoming episodes when it started on May 2. The season premiere marked Ice Spice’s debut on the show, with her collaborator Taylor Swift even making a cameo to introduce her second performance of the night.

Bad Bunny’s SNL episode will air Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming live on Peacock.

19 Oct 2023

Jussie Smollett in Outpatient Rehab Program

Jussie Smollett is currently in rehab and is receiving treatment from an outpatient program, a representative for the actor confirmed in a statement to TMZ on Wednesday.

“Jussie has had an extremely difficult past few years,” Smollett’s representative told the celebrity news outlet. “He has quietly been working very hard for some time now and we are proud of him for taking these necessary steps.”

Smollett’s time in rehab comes amid him awaiting an appeal from his Chicago criminal case that dates back to 2019, when he was found guilty of lying to police about being attacked by two masked Trump supporters, who he then alleged attacked him, put a noose around his neck and doused him in bleach.

Following the incident, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail but was released early due to an appeal. In the time since the controversy, Smollett has been getting back into his career and has started directing as the legal process continued. Per TMZ, he’s been spotted working on film sets, one of which includes a project with actress Vivica A. Fox.

In addition to recently being seen on a hike in Los Angeles with his former Empire co-star Taraji P. Henson, Smollett attended last year’s BET Awards, which drew backlash from viewers of the program online on social media. The year prior, Smollett attended the premiere of B-Boy Blues — which served as his directorial debut — at New York City’s AMC Magic Johnson Harlem theater in November 2021. 

19 Oct 2023

Seventeen, Jung Kook, Stray Kids & Jisoo Lead Nominations for 2023 MAMA Awards (Full List)

aespa – “Spicy”

Agust D (Suga) – “People Pt.2” (Feat. IU)

AKMU – “Love Lee”

Anne-Marie, Minnie – “Expectations”

ASH ISLAND – “Goodbye” (Feat. Paul Blanco)

BIG Naughty – “Hopeless Romantic” (Feat. Lee Suhyun)

BIG Naughty – “With me” (The Interest of Love OST)

BSS (SEVENTEEN) – “Fighting” (Feat. Lee Young Ji)

BTOB – “Wind and Wish”

BTS – “Take Two”

BTS – “The Planet” (BASTIONS OST)

DAWN – “Dear My Light”

(G)I-DLE – “Queencard”

Hwasa – “I Love My Body”

IVE – “I AM”

J-Hope – “on the street” (with J. Cole)

Jay Park – “Candy” (Feat. Zion.T)

Jeon Somi – “Fast Forward”

Jihyo – “Killin’ Me Good”

Jimin – “Like Crazy”

Jisoo – “FLOWER”

Jungkook – “Seven” (Feat. Latto)

Kai – “Rover”

LE SSERAFIM – “UNFORGIVEN” (Feat. Nile Rodgers)

Lee Chae Yeon – “KNOCK”

Lee Mujin – “Ordinary Confession”

Lim Jae Hyun – “Heaven (2023)” (It Was Spring OST)

Lim Young Woong – “London Boy”

M.C the MAX – “Eternity”

MeloMance – “A Shining Day”

NCT 127 – “Ay-Yo”

NCT DREAM – “Candy”

NewJeans – “Ditto”

Parc Jae Jung – “Let’s Say Goodbye”

Paul Kim – “You Remember” (The Glory OST)

SEVENTEEN – “Super”

STAYC – “Teddy Bear”

Stray Kids – “S-Class”

Taeyang – “VIBE” (Feat. Jimin)

Taeyong – “SHALALA”

TXT – “Goodbye Now” (Love Revolution OST)

TXT – “Sugar Rush Ride”

V – “Love Me Again”

ZEROBASEONE – “In Bloom”

Zior Park – “CHRISTIAN”

19 Oct 2023

Christopher Nolan Praises Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ Film Rollout: ‘It’s Going to Make an Enormous Amount of Money’

Taylor Swift has the seal of approval from yet another film director. This time, Christopher Nolan stepped up to praise Swift for how she’s chosen to distribute Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour directly through AMC and stated that it was a smart decision.

“Taylor Swift is about to show the studios, because her concert film is not being distributed by the studios, it’s being distributed by a theater owner, AMC, and it’s going to make an enormous amount of money,” the Oppenheimer filmmaker said during an event on Wednesday (Oct. 19). “And this is the thing: This is a format, this is a way of seeing things and sharing stories, or sharing experiences, that’s incredibly valuable. And if they don’t want it, somebody else will. So that’s just the truth of it.”

Nolan’s observation about Swift’s film gross appears to be spot-on. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour grossed $123.5 million globally over its opening weekend, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet additionally reported that the concert film is the “top-grossing concert pic of all time in North America, as well as ranking as the second-biggest October domestic debut, not adjusted for inflation.” (See the list of the top 10 music concert films of all time here.)

Nolan — whose credits include the Batman trilogy, Interstellar, Inception, Dunkirk and more — is far from the first filmmaker to sing Swift’s praises. Director Shawn Levy, who starred in the “All Too Well” music video, likened the “Anti-Hero” singer’s vision to that of Steven Spielberg.

“Taylor, the depth of her vision for how she wants a creative piece to be, whether it’s a lyric, a melody, a bridge, a concert tour, a video — it’s profound,” he told Entertainment Weekly on Oct. 12. “It’s profoundly vivid, and she has the strength of her convictions.”

19 Oct 2023

Gwen Stefani Tears Up as Blake Shelton Gives Heart Melting Speech at Her Walk of Fame Ceremony

Gwen Stefani was honored with a much-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday morning (Oct. 19), and she celebrated the honor alongside her three sons and husband Blake Shelton.

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The country superstar gave a swoon-worthy speech during the ceremony, gushing over her commitment to being a mother to 17-year-old Kingston, 15-year-old Zuma and nine-year-old Apollo. “Standing here almost 10 years later after I first met her, I can say without question that being a mother is still the most important thing in her life,” he told the crowd, “And I gotta tell you all, that’s rare in this business.”

As Stefani began to get misty-eyed, Shelton continued, “Today, it’s nice to see her honored for her side project, which is being one of the biggest stars in the world. In my opinion, Gwen is the perfect person to receive a star on the Walk of Fame. From music, television and movies to fashion and beauty, she has risen to the top over and over again, with her unique style that has made the world fall in love with her. Not as much as me, though.”

Stefani took to Instagram after the ceremony to share gratitude for her achievement, writing, “Who would have thought this girl from Anaheim would have her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ? thank u for walking this journey with me, singing with me all these years … i love u !!!”

See her post here.