Music

27 Sep 2023

Becky G Spills On Her Go-To Hometown Eatery, Dream Duet & More On Speed Dating | Billboard News

Becky G shares her go-to spot to eat while visiting home, her dream collaboration and more on this episode of Billboard’s Speed Dating. 

Transcript: 

Tetris Kelly  

It’s Tetris with Billboard News and, Becky G, I want to ask you a question. 

Becky G  

All right. 

Tetris Kelly  

Have you ever been on a speed date? 

Becky G  

No, I’ve never actually been speed dating. It sounds fun though. 

Tetris Kelly  

Where you from? 

Becky G  

I’m from Inglewood. 

Tetris Kelly  

What’s your sign? 

Becky G  

I’m a Pisces. 

Tetris Kelly  

Do you like being a Pisces? 

Becky G  

I love being a Pisces. What kind of question is that? 

Tetris Kelly  

What was your dream job as a child? 

Becky G  

Oh, I get to live my dream job today. This was it.

Tetris Kelly  

What’s your pet peeve? 

Becky G  

Sometimes when people are taller than me, they do this thing. I’m going to demonstrate for you. When they do this thing.

Tetris Kelly  

They lean on you? 

Becky G  

Yeah, then I’m like doing this thing. 

Tetris Kelly  

You’re like, “Get off me.”  

Becky G  

Yeah, that’s kind of like … I don’t know if it’s a pet peeve. It just makes me feel even smaller. 

Tetris Kelly  

Oh, my goodness. 

Becky G  

And I feel really big sometimes. 

Tetris Kelly  

What’s your favorite destination to vacation? 

Becky G  

I mean, it’s not really a vacation destination. I love just being home. 

Tetris Kelly  

That’s like the best chill time for you. 

Becky G  

Best chill time, eating my mom’s home cooked food. 

Tetris Kelly  

Do you go anywhere in Inglewood that you like when you’re home, like, “I gotta hit this destination.”

Becky G  

There’s this burger joint, a char burger spot that they kind of make a little bit of everything to be honest, but it’s called Bravo’s.

Tetris Kelly  

I got to check Bravo’s out. 

Becky G  

Yeah, it’s really good. 

Tetris Kelly  

What is the best gift you’ve ever received? 

Becky G  

Shoutout to my mom [for] the gift of life. Duh. 

And what is your dream collab? I mean, my ultimate dream as a little girl was to collaborate with someone like Selena Quintanilla.

Tetris Kelly  

Oh, my goodness.

Becky G  

Heart, heart, heart heart. 

Tetris Kelly  

Well, that was Speed Dating with Becky G. Thanks boo.

Becky G  

Thank you.

Watch the full video above.

27 Sep 2023

J. Cole Posts Letter Colin Kaepernick Sent to NY Jets After Aaron Rodgers Injury: ‘I Hope There’s a Spot Out There For My Boy Kap’

J. Cole would like NY Jets fans to change their famous chant from J-E-T-S! to “Kap-Kap-Kap!”

On Tuesday (Sept. 26), Cole posted a letter he said he obtained from exiled NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, in which the player who famously got sidelined after taking a knee during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality and racial inequality in 2016 offered up his services to the Jets in the wake of the week-one injury to Aaron Rodgers. Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers in 2017 after his protest made international headlines and offered himself up as a free agent, but the six-year veteran has not had any offers from another NFL team since.

“I asked Colin @kaepernick7 if I could share this letter with the world. He was reluctant,” Cole said of the note dated Sept. 21. “My argument was that I believe the people and all organizations should know the truth about how hard he works and how much he still wants to play. And always has. In the end, he agreed to let me.”

In his note, the former San Francisco 49ers QB told the Jets’ GM Joe Douglas that he would be “honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad.” At press time it did not appear that Kaepernick had posted the letter on his socials, or commented on Cole posting it.

“I’m writing, of course, in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers. I know the aspirations this season were, and still are, to win a championship, and so that Hall of Fame sized hole will need to be filled as best as possible to keep the team on a Super Bowl track,” Kaepernick wrote in his note about the loss of the legendary Rodgers, who went down with a torn Achilles tendon just four plays into his first season with the Jets.

“As of right now, Zach Wilson is charged with that task, and I wish him and the rest of the team the best moving forward,” Kaepernick continued. “However, I know that there are currently depth issues at the position, and I’ve heard that the back-up spot is likely to be filled by a veteran Quarterback. As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me.”

Kaep said he would be happy to lead the practice squad in an effort to help the team’s defense be ready each week by giving them the advantage of getting a “truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks it will face in weeks 4, 5, and 6 (Mahomes, Wilson, and Hurts.”

It would also, of course, allow the team to get a look at where Kaepernick is at this point, football-wise, after more than six years on the shelf. Kaepernick assured the Jets that he has not stopped training since his exile, working out every weekday, while attaching a list of references that included Michigan head coach (and former 49ers coach) Jim Harbaugh, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and UCLA head coach (and former 49ers coach) Chip Kelly.

Rumors about Kaepernick’s availability and interest have been swirling for several weeks, following the Rodgers loss that instantly deflated title chances for the Jets, who are currently mired in the longest active playoff drought in the league at 12 seasons.

“I wish the @nyjets organization luck. My boy @bas is a big ass fan so I saw the heartbreak of every Jets fan when Arod went down,” added Cole, who shouted out CKaep on the 2018 Miguel track “Come Through and Chill,” where he rhymed, “In case my lack of reply had you catchin’ them feelings/ Know you’ve been on my mind like Kaepernick kneelin’/ Or police killings, or Trump sayin’ slick s–t.”

“@richeisen Everyone from players, to coaches, to execs are feeling the pressure I’m sure. I hope y’all can turn it around, and I hope there’s a spot out there for my boy Kap.”

See Cole’s post below.

27 Sep 2023

Ozzy Osbourne Wants to Release Another Album and Hit the Road One Last Time: ‘I Want to Take My Time With This One’

Ozzy Osbourne will not go gentle into that good night. Why start now? The metal legend who has been sidelined for much of this year due to ongoing issued tied to a neck injury told Metal Hammer in a new interview that he is working on another album. And, despite canceling his oft-delayed No More Tours 2 tour and announcing his retirement from touring, he is also hoping to be back on the road next year.

“I’ve done two albums fairly recently [2020’s Ordinary Man and 2022’s Patient Number 9, both produced by Andrew Watt], but I want to do one more album and then go back on the road,” Osbourne, 74, said. Osbourne said he’s set up a home studio at his house in the U.K. and would like to work with Watt (Rolling Stones, Justin Bieber) again. “I’m just starting to work on it now, and we’ll be recording in the early part of next year,” he said. “I want to take my time with this one!”

Though Ozzy has had several surgeries to deal with a nagging neck/spinal injury, Osbourne said he had his “final” one earlier this month and is feeling much better. “I’ve had all the surgery now, thank God. I’m feeling okay – it was just dragging on,” Osbourne explained of the procedure to help relieve pain from an injury he suffered after a late night fall in 2019. “I thought I’d be back on my feet months ago, I just couldn’t get used to this mode of living, constantly having something wrong. I can’t walk properly yet, but I’m not in any pain any more and the surgery on my spine went great.”

He’s feeling better, but Osbourne said he still can’t travel, so fans should not expect him to pop in for a guest appearance at the all-metal Power Trip festival in California’s Coachella Valley on Oct. 6-8; Judas Priest have stepped in to perform in Ozzy’s place. “It’s brilliant. [Priest singer] Rob [Halford]’s a great singer and they’re a very good band,” he said of the fellow Birmingham hard rock icon. “He’s been a very dear friend of mine and he’s one of the greatest rock singers of all-time.”

Despite his enthusiasm, Osbourne assured the magazine that he will not be there to see sets by AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Metallica or Tool. “If I can’t do the gig, I don’t really want to be there,” he said. “Plus I know they’ll just be like ‘go on, get Ozzy up’!”  

27 Sep 2023

Travis Kelce Jokes About ‘My Personal Life That Is Not So Personal’ After Taylor Swift Suite Visit

Travis Kelce knows exactly how this works. After 100% more people cared about football this weekend thanks to Taylor Swift showing up to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs (and, of course, Kelce) on Sunday, the KC star teased that he might spill the beans on whether, as rumored, he’s the man in Tay’s life the on this week’s episode of his New Heights podcast with brother and fellow NFL player Jason Kelce.

Or not. Because as of Wednesday morning (Sept. 27) there were only 21 seconds of the pod to pore over like the Zapruder film until the full episode drops later in the day. “We’ve been avoiding this subject out of respect for your personal life – now we’ve got to talk about it,” older brother Jason teased.

“My personal life that is not so personal,” Travis joked about the intense scrutiny he’s been under since Swift donned the red and white and whooped it up in a skybox next to the Kelce’s mom, Donna. “I did this to myself Jason, I know this,” he added.

And though two-time Super Bowl winner and eight-time Pro Bowler Travis has plenty to brag about on the field, Jason knew exactly how to ding his little bro where it hurts. “Well Trav, how does it feel that Taylor Swift has finally put you on the map?” he asked.

Though neither Kelce nor Swift have publicly commented on rumors that they are dating, the singer’s presence at Sunday’s game has revved up a titanic hype machine, with breathless coverage from the sports press, mainstream media and even typically taciturn New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to crack a joke about the reported romance.

“Travis Kelce has had a lot of big catches in his career — this would be the biggest,” he joked on The Greg Hill Show when asked about the new NFL “power couple.” In addition to getting her LFG on at the game, Swift was later seen leaving Arrowhead Stadium with Kelce, driving off in his convertible.

Kelce revealed in July that he went to Swift’s Eras Tour date at Arrowhead earlier this summer and tried unsuccessfully to slip her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it. Not long afterwards, rumors emerged that the two were seeing each other, with brother Philadelphia Eagles center Jason jokingly last week in an interview that the dating rumors were “one hundred percent true.”

Watch the New Heights teaser below; the full episode is slated to drop at 9:30 a.m. ET

 

27 Sep 2023

‘The Sound of Music’ Soundtrack Due for Deluxe Expanded Reissue: Exclusive 

The chart-topping film soundtrack to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music will be reissued on Dec. 1 in an array of new expanded, remixed and remastered formats. Among them: a lavish Super Deluxe Edition boasting over 40 previously-unreleased tracks – 11 of which are never-before-heard alternate takes from the 1965 blockbuster movie.

One of those alternate takes is an unreleased rendition of the film’s opening number “Prelude / The Sound of Music,” by the film’s star Julie Andrews, and cast. The song is now available to stream and download (Sept. 27) — listen below.

And, for the first time, all of the Academy Award-winning film’s music – including every musical element from the movie – will be included on the Super Deluxe Edition of the album. Among those classic songs: “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”

The Sound of Music soundtrack spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1965 and was a near-constant presence in the top 10 from the spring of 1965 through the spring of 1967. It spent a staggering 109 weeks in the top 10 – the most of any soundtrack in the chart’s history. In 2015, Billboard ranked The Sound of Music as the most successful soundtrack of all time on the chart.

The Super Deluxe Edition of The Sound of Music will be available as either as a four-CD/one-Blu-ray audio boxed set or as a digital download album. The Blu-Ray audio disc contains the film’s full score in hi-resolution audio, as well as a new Dolby Atmos mix of the original 16-track soundtrack released in 1965.

The boxed set features new liner notes written by film historian and preservationist Mike Matessino, who remixed and remastered the album from the original multi-track tapes.

The Super Deluxe Edition is one of multiple new iterations of The Sound of Music that Craft Recordings will release on Dec. 1. (Craft is the catalog label for Concord.) The Sound of Music will also be reintroduced in a Deluxe Edition (on two-CDs) and a three-LP vinyl collection (including a “Picnic Meadow Green”-colored vinyl pressing limited to 500 copies worldwide). A standard edition of the album will also be refreshed, where the original 16-track 1965 soundtrack will be reissued digitally in standard digital, HD digital and in a Dolby Atmos mix. (The standard digital album will also be available in multiple non-English-language editions, including Spanish, German, French and Italian).

“It’s been wonderful to collaborate across all of Concord’s divisions to help bring this historic and culturally significant reissue to light,” says Sig Sigworth, president, Craft Recordings and chief catalog officer, Concord, in a statement. “This deluxe edition has been years in the making, with Craft Recordings working in concert with Concord Publishing and Concord Theatricals (home of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization). We’re delighted that The Sound of Music fans around the world, old and new, will be able to enjoy the iconic soundtrack in a brand new listening experience, more than a half century after its original release.”

Imogen Lloyd Webber, SVP at Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization adds: “This reissue of The Sound of Music, lovingly—and painstakingly—curated by the team at Craft with collaboration from so many at Concord, alongside Mike Matessino, is a landmark moment in the history of the title. It is a truly fitting tribute to the last of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals and one we hope fans across the world will treasure for years to come.”

For a full recap of the tracklists for each variant of the album, visit the Craft Recordings website. A summary of the new iterations is below:

The Sound of Music Soundtrack 2023 Reissues:

Super Deluxe Edition (4-CD/1 Blu-Ray boxed set)
100 tracks on the CDs, 62 tracks on the Blu-Ray audio disc.

Super Deluxe Edition (Digital Download Album)
84 tracks

Deluxe Edition (2-CD)
46 tracks

Deluxe Edition (3 vinyl LPs, plus a “Picnic Meadow Green” color variant triple LP limited to 500 copies worldwide)
46 tracks

Original 1965 Release (Standard Digital [inclusive of multiple international language versions such as Spanish, German, French and Italian] & HD Digital)
16 tracks

Original 1965 Release (Dolby Atmos)
16 tracks (all in 2023 Stereo Mixes)

26 Sep 2023

‘Rap Sh!t’ Announces Season 2 Soundtrack, Led by Sexyy Red Single ‘No Panties’

Issa Rae‘s Max series Rap Sh!t announced Wednesday (Sept. 27) that it’s releasing the season 2 soundtrack on Nov. 3 via Rae’s label Raedio and Def Jam.

Rap Sh!t S2: The Mixtape is meant to showcase the women currently taking over the rap game, including Sexyy Redd, whose single “No Panties” arrived Wednesday. “I’m happy that I got to work on ‘No Panties’ for Rap Sh!t,” she said in a statement. “It’s just me having fun on the beat and talking my sh–. It’s just like the show: The rap girls running this sh–.”

Sexyy Red

Courtesy Photo

The soundtrack is a mix of original music created for the series and performed by lead characters Shawna (played by Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) and new songs by Rico Nasty, Kali, Maiya the Don, Enchanting, Cam & China and more. Guapdad 4000, NCognita and Suni MF have writing credits, while Hitkidd, Danja and Bankroll Got It contributed to the production.

Rap Sh!t S2: The Mixtape also marks the first project Raedio is releasing alongside Def Jam, after Rae initially launched her label with Atlantic Records in 2019.

The first two episodes of Rap Sh!t‘s second season will premiere Nov. 9 on Max. Originally slated for an Aug. 10 premiere, the new season was postponed due to the strikes. The Writers Guild of America and the labor group representing studios and streamers announced Sunday that they have reached a tentative deal on a new three-year contract that could potentially end the historic, 146-day writers strike.

26 Sep 2023

Darius Rucker Discusses New Album ‘Carolyn’s Boy’ & Ed Sheeran Collab: ‘I Hope I Get to Write With Ed Again’

Darius Rucker is opening up about his career and his latest album, Carolyn’s Boy, which releases Oct. 6.

In an interview with Tetris Kelly for Billboard News, the nine-time Country Airplay chart-topping artist discussed how he decided on the title of the new project, which honors Rucker’s late mother.

“It was during the pandemic and we were writing the record, and I was having a bad day,” Rucker recalls. “I just said to myself, ‘At the end of the day, I’m just my mama’s boy,’ so I decided I was going to name it Carolyn’s Boy after that. She was such a big influence on me and she was so important in my life. It was time for me to do something special like that.”

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Rucker also recalled some of the career moments he wishes his late mother had been there to see, including when Hootie & The Blowfish won their first Grammys in 1995, for best new artist, as well as best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal for “Let Her Cry.”

“I wish to God she could have seen me win my first Grammy,” Rucker said, adding, “We used to watch the Grammys as a family when I was a kid, and that was a moment that really hit me. … Just thinking, ‘God, I wish my mom was here to see this.’”

On Carolyn’s Boy, which marks Rucker’s first solo project in six years, Rucker co-wrote the song “Sara” with pop singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran.

“That kid is such an amazing songwriter and such a good guy,” Rucker said of Sheeran, adding, “You’ll sing a line and he’ll sing it back, and he’s singing it differently and singing different words … but it’s just better so you just go with that. I hope I get to write with Ed again; he’s awesome.”

Rucker also spoke about country music’s moment of holding the top three spots on the Billboard Hot 100 just weeks ago, saying, “Country music is taking over. For me, I think it’s great to see. To have the top three spots in the Hot 100 and all the touring everyone is doing and doing well out there, it’s great to see. Country is not rock’s little sister anymore; country’s standing up for itself and on its own. I love being a part of it. You see a lot of great things happening in country music, from those guys doing that, and then you see all these African-American artists getting record deals and stuff like that, country seems to be moving on up.”

The Grammy winner also reflected on his own experiences as a Black artist launching a career in country music.

“It’s been awesome and crazy. When I first came to Nashville, I didn’t even think I’d get a record deal,” Rucker said. “Then we did and we go on a radio tour. There were people saying they didn’t think their audience would ever accept a Black country singer. We proved them all wrong and my success turned into Kane [Brown] and all those other guys getting a shot and blowing it up. I love it, I love watching it. Chapel Hart and all these great groups that are coming out right now.”

Rucker also spoke of transitioning from creating rock music to country music, saying, “It was different because the genres are so different, but country music, especially the artists, are just so welcoming. Rock ‘n’ roll and pop, a lot of times … a lot of people, they make it a competition. It seems like, for me, in country music, everybody thinks there’s room for all of us, if you’re good.”

Next year, Rucker will take his music overseas, with a slate of tour dates in the U.K. and Ireland.

Watch his full interview above.

26 Sep 2023

Michael Bibi ‘Tired But Happy’ as He Leaves Hospital: ‘My Fight Against Cancer Is Not Over’

Michael Bibi is temporarily out of the hospital amid his ongoing cancer treatment, the British producer announced Tuesday (Sept. 26) on social media.

“When I first came into hospital I was barely able to walk,” Bibi wrote on Instagram along with a photo of himself standing outside the hospital smiling. “Today I walk out with a smile having completed my main treatment. Tired but happy…My fight against cancer is not over…but for now a break & some extra time to enjoy life.”

In June, Bibi’s management agency announced that the producer was undergoing treatment for CNS Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer, and that he wouldn’t be playing any shows for the “foreseeable future.” At the time, he’d been in the midst of his Solid Grooves residency at Ibiza’s DC10, with a flurry of other European festival dates on his schedule.

In the months since announcing his cancer diagnosis, Bibi has given intermittent updates on his treatment progress. In June, he posted that his first round of treatment was complete and his tumor size was reduced by 40%. On July 18, he wrote that “after 10 weeks in a hospital bed, I’ve been released for a short break as my treatment is continuing to go well. Thank you for all of your love, it really has given me strength. I have good days & I have bad days…Today is a good day.” A post from Aug. 30 states “Fk you cancer, you picked the wrong one.”

Bibi’s latest update has received a wave of support in the comments section from fellow DJs/producers including Felix Da Housecat, Fatboy Slim, Amelie Lens, The Martinez Brothers, Mochakk, Fisher, Black Coffee, Carlita, Gordo and many more. The profile section of Bibi’s Instagram page provides an email, cancersupport@michaelbibi.com, for those that might “have info that can help Michael’s situation.” 

According to Cancer.gov, primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma is “a disease in which malignant [cancer] cells form in the lymph tissue of the brain and/or spinal cord.” The lymph system is part of the immune system, which is made up of lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, the spleen, thymus, tonsils and bone marrow.”

26 Sep 2023

Here’s the Date of the 2024 Brit Awards

The 2024 Brit Awards – officially known as the BRIT Awards 2024 with Mastercard – will be held at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, March 2. That’s three weeks later than the 2023 show, which was held on Feb. 11.

This will be the second year in a row that the show has been held on a Saturday. The 2023 show moved to the weekend for the first time in Brits history. The show will air in primetime on ITV1 and ITVX.

The 2023 ceremony, hosted by comedian Mo Gilligan for the second year in a row, saw Harry Styles sweep the board, winning in all four categories in which he was nominated: British album of the year, British artist of the year, song of the year (“As It Was”) and best pop/R&B act. Harry’s House won British album of the year six days after it won the Grammy for album of the year. It was the first album to win the top album award at both shows since Adele’s 25 in 2016; the first by a male artist since Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required in 1986.

Wet Leg and Beyoncé were double winners on the night. The show featured performances from the likes of Styles, Wet Leg, Sam Smith & Kim Petras, Stormzy and Cat Burns.

Viewing figures for the ITV1 broadcast peaked at just under 4 million on the night — the highest figure in three years — with a 54% share of 16- to 34-year-olds, the highest in a decade. The individual audience share, at 25.7%, was the highest in more than five years.

Damian Christian, managing director and president of promotions at Atlantic Records (part of Warner Music UK), will continue as chair of the Brit Committee for 2024.

“The move to a Saturday night for the first time proved to be a huge success, so I’m delighted we’ll be back in a primetime slot again in March,” Christian said in a statement. “A Saturday night show helped us lock in our most engaged audience ever, and we’ll be looking to build on that base as we connect with even more fans in 2024.”

Sally Wood will stay on as executive producer of the show for Brits TV. Maggie Crowe, BPI’s director of events & charities, will oversee the overall running of the event. Misty Buckley will return to design the set.

Mastercard returns as headline partner of The Brit Awards for the 26th year. The Brits signed three-year renewal deals with Mastercard, ITV (official broadcaster which celebrated 30 years of broadcasting The Brits in 2023), and The O2 arena.

26 Sep 2023

Black Pumas’ ‘More Than a Love Song’ Hits No. 1 on Adult Alternative Airplay Chart

More than three years after their first No. 1, Black Pumas return to the top of Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart with “More Than a Love Song,” which tops the list dated Sept. 30. The track crowns the chart following a 15% swell in plays that made the song the most-played title on U.S. monitored adult alternative airplay (triple A) stations in the week ending Sept. 21, according to Luminate.

With “More Than a Love Song,” Black Pumas achieve a second No. 1 on Adult Alternative Airplay, after “Colors” ruled for one week in 2020. Unlike the first champ, which needed 18 weeks to arrive at the top slot, “More than a Love Song” sprints to the summit in just four frames. The tear is the fastest run to No. 1 by any song on the list in more than a year, since Death Cab for Cutie’s “Here to Forever” wrapped its four-week journey in August 2022.

Elsewhere, “More than a Love Song” holds at its No. 29 high on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart for a third straight week. Despite no movement in rank, the track picked up a 1% gain to 1.4 million in audience in the latest tracking week.

“More than a Love Song” is the lead single from Black Pumas’ forthcoming studio album, Chronicles of a Diamond. The set, expected Oct. 27 through ATO Records, is the follow-up to the act’s 2019 self-titled effort; that project’s deluxe edition was nominated for a Grammy Award for album of the year.