Music

12 Sep 2023

Lil Wayne Kicks Off 2023 MTV VMAs With Fiery Medley

Lil Wayne kicked off the MTV VMAs at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Tuesday (Sept. 12) with an explosive medley to set the energy right.

The rapper welcomed fans to the awards show with a hood on his head before launching into “Uproar,” off Tha Carter V, followed by the title track off his 2023 album Kat Food, complete with pyrotechnics and high energy.

The performance comes just months after his Billboard cover story to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, where he defended his musical abilities against the rising trend of artificial intelligence. “They were trying to tell me that A.I. could make a voice that sounds just like me,” he said. “But it’s not me, because I’m amazing. I’m like, is this A.I. thing going to be amazing too? Because I am naturally, organically amazing. I’m one of a kind. So actually, I would love to see that thing try to duplicate this motherf–ker.”

Among this year’s other performers are Anitta, Cardi B, Demi Lovato, Diddy, Doja Cat, Fall Out Boy, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Maneskin, Megan Thee Stallion, Metro Boomin (featuring Future, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Swae Lee and NAV), Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Shakira, Stray Kids and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.

Taylor Swift leads the 2023 VMA nominations with 11 nods, and is followed by SZA (eight nominations); BLACKPINK, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo (six each); Kim Petras and Sam Smith (five each); and Beyoncé, Diddy, Drake, Ice Spice, Karol G, Metro Boomin, Shakira and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (four each).

12 Sep 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Breaks the 2023 MTV VMAs With ‘Vampire’ & ‘Get Him Back’ Medley

When it came time for Olivia Rodrigo to storm the stage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday (Sept. 12), the pop star made sure to give fans a performance to remember.

Taking to the stage in a red halter top and skirt, Rodrigo kicked off her performance on a soft note, imitating the music video of her hit song “Vampire.” Laid out on the moss-covered stage, Rodrigo served pure melodrama as she crooned out the opening of her chart-topping hit.

But then, things began to break down — literally. Much like in her music video, Rodrigo watched in horror as the light rigging on the stage began to drop, as sparks began to shoot up from the stage around her, while even the camera appeared to drop to the ground. Being pulled off stage by what looked like a crew member, a glitching version of “Good 4 U” played behind her as the stage suddenly reset.

Once the chaos reached its peak, Rodrigo suddenly appeared back on the stage, surrounded by a series of backup dancers dressed in identical pink outfits to perform her Guts standout “Get Him Back!” Strutting up and down the stage, she belted out the catchy chorus to her latest single. “Oh, I want sweet revenge, and I want him again,” she sang. “I want to get him back, back, back.”

Rodrigo was nominated for six awards at the annual ceremony, including the evening’s much-anticipated video of the year award for “Vampire.” She was just one of a series of performers during the ceremony, including fellow stars Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Demi Lovato and plenty more.

12 Sep 2023

Atlantic Records Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Special Vinyl and Remix Campaigns

In September 1947, Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson founded Atlantic Records with a $10,000 loan from Ertegun’s dentist. In 1948, Atlantic began putting out its first releases. Seventy-five years later, Atlantic remains one of the most storied labels in American history as home through the decades to such artists as Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Stevie Nicks, Matchbox Twenty and Crosby, Stills & Nash; and, more recently, Twenty One Pilots, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Lizzo. 

This year, Atlantic is paying homage to its rich heritage with a multi-pronged, year-long campaign that celebrates some of its most iconic titles. Already started is the release of 90 classic titles, many on crystal clear, colored or recycled vinyl, curated by Atlantic Records chairman/CEO and noted audiophile Craig Kallman. 

Among the releases in the 75th-anniversary commemoration are John Coltrane’s Olé Coltrane, Yes’ Fragile, Dusty Springfield’s Dusty in Memphis, Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required, Hootie & the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View and Crosby, Stills & Nash’s self-titled album. More recent titles in the collection include Mars’ 24K Magic, Gucci Mane’s Mr. Davis, Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You, Sheeran’s Divide and Gayle’s A Study in the Human Experience. All titles are for purchase through Atlantic Records’ site and a number are available through various brick-and-mortar retailers.

Kallman began working on the project, which is running in conjunction with Rhino Entertainment, a number of years ago, printing out spreadsheets highlighting every significant title of the past 75 years. “It was stacks of paper making sure we didn’t miss anybody. It was painstakingly done. There was a lot of internal debating,” he says. 

His mission was to cover the “breadth and scope of Atlantic’s history by genre,” he says. “We tried to include records that were culturally significant, that were groundbreaking for the company, that were blowout sales successes. It was about records that defined the label and the culture of the company.” 

Though painstaking and extremely time-consuming, Kallman says the process “was a lot of fun and brings back a lot of memories because I was here for 32 years of it.” Kallman joined Atlantic in 1991 when the company purchased his dance label, Big Beat Records, and, in many ways, he had unintentionally been preparing for this moment. When he started at Atlantic, “I thought part of my responsibility was to really know and understand the history and legacy of the company so I can’t think of any [release] I didn’t already know about, but we wrestled with making sure that the depths of the early catalog were there,” he says. “My DJ’ing background also came in handy in making the selections.” Kallman’s personal collection numbers more than 2 million LPs.

While titles started rolling out a few months ago, forthcoming releases include Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams (including The Chainsmokers and Coldplay’s 2017 hit, “Something Just Like This,” as a bonus track) on Oct. 20 and Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin IV on Oct. 27. The collection includes a number of titles that have been out of print, like Lil Uzi Vert’s Luv is Rage 2, as well as releases that have never come out on vinyl. All releases are tagged with a 75th-anniversary logo.

Kallman tried to keep the releases to 75, but ultimately, he could only whittle it down to 90. “We’re like, ‘Oh my God, this is too tough to narrow down,’ and we figured we could err on the side of going beyond 75 titles,” he says.

Atlantic Records' 75th Anniversary

Courtesy Photo

The anniversary has several other components. Atlantic has partnered with high-end audiophile label Acoustic Sounds to release 75 classic titles in 180-gram, 45RPM black vinyl and SACD versions. That offering includes such Genesis albums as Selling England by the Pound and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Coltrane’s Giant Steps and My Favorite Things, Otis Redding’s The Dock of the Bay and Buffalo Springfield’s self-titled set. 

Another tie-in is with vinyl subscription service Vinyl Me Please (VMP), through which Atlantic will offer several titles through VMP’s record of the month program. Five titles will be available to VMP members as November selections, including Charles’ Ray Charles in Person, Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor and Stone Temple Pilots‘ No. 4. Kallman says the deal could extend beyond the initial five titles depending upon the response.

Another component is a collection of remixes, available exclusively for streaming via DSPs. Among the selections are DJ Nora En Pure’s fresh take on Donna Lewis’ “I Love You Always Forever,” DJ Spinna’s remake of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly” and Italian DJ Luca Olivotto’s version of Yes’ “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” 

The anniversary also includes a coffee table book from luxury art book publisher Taschen, which is expected to come out in 2024. “That’s been a labor of love,” Kallman says. “We’re excited to have a fitting chronicle of the history of the company with extraordinary photos and great essays.”

12 Sep 2023

Here Are the Stars Who Graced the 2023 MTV VMAs Red Carpet

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards took over New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday (Sept. 12), where today’s biggest stars gathered to celebrate a year of music and creativity.

Taylor Swift leads the 2023 VMA nominations with 11 nods, and is followed by SZA (eight nominations); BLACKPINK, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo (six each); Kim Petras and Sam Smith (five each); and Beyoncé, Diddy, Drake, Ice Spice, Karol G, Metro Boomin, Shakira and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (five each).

Shakira and Sean “Diddy” Combs are als slated to receive the top honorary awards: the Video Vanguard Award and the Global Icon Award, respectively. Both artists are also set to take the stage to perform on the show for the first time in more than 15 years. Diddy is third recipient of the Global Icon Award, following Foo Fighters (2021) and Red Hot Chili Peppers (2022).

Among this year’s performers are Anitta, Cardi B, Demi Lovato, Diddy, Doja Cat, Fall Out Boy, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Lil Wayne, Maneskin, Megan Thee Stallion, Metro Boomin (featuring Future, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee & NAV), Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Shakira, Stray Kids and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.

See below for photos from this year’s MTV VMAs red carpet.

12 Sep 2023

Here Are the 2023 MTV VMAs Winners (Updating Live)

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards have arrived! But who will emerge as Tuesday night’s (Sept. 12) big winner?

Taylor Swift leads in total nominations with 11, followed by SZA with eight; BLACKPINK, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Olivia Rodrigo with six; Kim Petras and Sam Smith with five; and Beyoncé, Diddy, Drake, Ice Spice, Karol G, Metro Boomin, Shakira and TOMORROW X TOGETHER with four apiece.

Follow along with Billboard as the Moon Persons are handed out below:

Video of the year

Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records

Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records

Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records

SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

Artist of the year

Beyoncé – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records

Doja Cat – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

Karol G – Interscope Records

Nicki Minaj – Republic Records

Shakira – Sony Music US Latin

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

Song of the year

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records

Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records

Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records

Steve Lacy – “Bad Habit” – L-M Records / RCA Records

SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records Records

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

Best new artist

GloRilla – CMG / Interscope Records

Ice Spice – 10K Projects / Capitol Records

Kaliii – Atlantic Records

Peso Pluma – Double P Records

PinkPantheress – 300 Entertainment

Reneé Rapp – Interscope Records

Best collaboration

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – “I’m Good (Blue)” – Warner Records

Post Malone, Doja Cat – “I Like You (aHappier Song)” – Mercury Records / Republic Records

Diddy ft. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, Yung Miami – “Gotta Move On” – Motown Records

Karol G, Shakira – “TQG” – Universal Music Latino

Metro Boomin with The Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Diddy – “Creepin’ (Remix)” – Boominati / Republic Records

Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records

Best pop

Demi Lovato – “Swine” – Island Records

Dua Lipa – “Dance the Night (From Barbie the Album)” – Atlantic Records

Ed Sheeran – “Eyes Closed” – Atlantic Records

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records

P!nk – “Trustfall” – RCA Records

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records

Best hip-hop

Diddy ft. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, Yung Miami – “Gotta Move On” – Motown Records

DJ Khaled ft. Drake & Lil Baby – “Staying Alive” – We the Best / Epic Records

GloRilla & Cardi B – “Tomorrow 2” – CMG / Interscope Records

Lil Uzi Vert – “Just Wanna Rock” – Atlantic Records / Generation Now

Lil Wayne ft. Swizz Beatz & DMX – “Kant Nobody” – Young Money Records

Metro Boomin ft Future – “Superhero (Heroes and Villains)” – Boominati / Republic Records

Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records

Best R&B

Alicia Keys ft. Lucky Daye – “Stay” – RCA Records

Chlöe ft. Chris Brown – “How Does It Feel” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia

Metro Boomin with The Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Diddy – “Creepin’ (Remix)” – Boominati / Republic Records

SZA – “Shirt” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

Toosii – “Favorite Song” – South Coast Music Group / Capitol Records

Yung Bleu & Nicki Minaj – “Love in the Way” – Empire Distribution

Best alternative

blink-182 – “Edging” – Columbia Records

boygenius – “the film” – Interscope Records

Fall Out Boy – “Hold Me Like a Grudge” – Fueled By Ramen                                                                        

Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace” – Interscope Records

Paramore – “This Is Why” – Atlantic Records

Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Stuck” – Concord Records

Best rock

Foo Fighters – “The Teacher” – RCA Records

Linkin Park – “Lost (Original Version)” – Warner Records

Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Tippa My Tongue” – Warner Records

Måneskin – “The Loneliest” – Arista Records

Metallica – “Lux Æterna” – Blackened Recordings

Muse – “You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween” – Warner Records

Best Latin

Anitta – “Funk Rave” – Republic Records

Bad Bunny – “Where She Goes” – Rimas Entertainment

Eslabon Armado, Peso Pluma – “Ella Baila Sola” – DEL Records, Inc. / Prajin Parlay, Inc. Grupo Frontera Bad Bunny – “un x100to” – Rimas Entertainment

Karol G, Shakira – “TQG” – Universal Music Latino

Rosalia – “Despecha,” – Columbia Records

Shakira – “Acróstico” – Sony Music US Latin

Best K-pop

aespa – “Girls” – SM ENTERTAINMENT Co., Ltd.

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

Fifty Fifty – “Cupid” – ATTRAKT / Warner Records

Seventeen – “Super” – HYBE / Geffen Records

Stray Kids – “S-Class” – JYP / Republic

TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Sugar Rush Ride” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Republic Records

Best Afrobeats

Ayra Starr – “Rush” – Mavin Global Holdings

Burna Boy – “It’s Plenty” – Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment Ltd

Davido ft. Musa Keys – “Unavailable” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records

Fireboy DML & Asake – ”Bandana” – Empire Distribution

Libianca – “People” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records

Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records

Wizkid ft Ayra Starr– “2 Sugar” – Starboy / RCA Records

Video for good

Alicia Keys – “If I Ain’t Got You (Orchestral)” – Netflix

Bad Bunny – “El Apagón – Aquí Vive Gente” – Rimas Entertainment

Demi Lovato – “Swine” – Island Records

Dove Cameron – “Breakfast” – Columbia Records

Imagine Dragons – “Crushed” – KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records

Maluma – “La Reina” – Sony Music US Latin

Push performance of the year

August 2022: Saucy Santana – “Booty” – Arena Records / RCA Records

September 2022: Stephen Sanchez – “Until I Found You” – Mercury Records / Republic Records

October 2022: JVKE – “golden hour” – AWAL

November 2022: Flo Milli – “Conceited” – ’94 Sounds / RCA Records

December 2022: Reneé Rapp – “Colorado” – Interscope Records

January 2023: Sam Ryder – “All the Way Over” – Elektra Entertainment

February 2023: Armani White – “Goated” – Def Jam

March 2023: Fletcher – “Becky’s So Hot” – Capitol Records

WINNER — April 23: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Sugar Rush Ride” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Republic Records

May 2023: Ice Spice – “Princess Diana” – Heavy on It / 10K Projects / Capitol Records

June 2023: FLO – “Losing You” – Uptown/Republic Records

July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith – “That Part” – Island Records

Best direction

Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records – Directed by Tanu Muiño

Drake – “Falling Back” – OVO/Republic Records – Director X (Julien Christian Lutz)

Kendrick Lamar – “Count Me Out” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Directed by Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Megan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment – Directed by Colin Tilley

Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records – Directed by Floria Sigismondi

SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records – Directed by Christian Breslauer

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Directed by Taylor Swift

Best cinematography

Adele – “I Drink Wine” – Columbia Records – Cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra

Ed Sheeran – “Eyes Closed” – Atlantic Records – Cinematography by Natasha Baier

Janelle Monae – “Lipstick Lover” – Atlantic Records – Cinematography by Allison Anderson

Kendrick Lamar – “Count Me Out” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records 0 Cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” – Columbia Records – Cinematography by Marcell Rev

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records – Cinematography by Russ Fraser

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Rina Yang

Best visual effects

Fall Out Boy – “Love From the Other Side” – Fueled By Ramen – Visual Effects by Thomas Bailey and Josh Shaffner

Harry Styles – “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” – Columbia Records – Visual Effects by Chelsea Delfino and Black Kite Studios

Melanie Martinez – “VOID” – Atlantic Records – Visual Effects by Carbon

Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Max Colt and Sergio Mashevskyi

Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records – Visual Effects by Max Colt / FRENDER

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Parliament

Best choreography

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – Choreography by Kiel Tutin, Sienna Lalau, Lee Jung (YGX), Taryn Cheng (YGX)

Dua Lipa – “Dance the Night (From Barbie the Album)” – Atlantic Records – Choreography by Charm LaDonna

Jonas Brothers – “Waffle House” – Republic Records – Choreography by Jerry Reece

Megan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment – Choreography by Sean Bankhead

Panic! At The Disco – “Middle of a Breakup” – Fueled By Ramen – Choreography by Monika Felice Smith

Sam Smith, Kim Petras – “Unholy” – Capitol Records – Choreography by (LA)HORDE – Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, Arthur Harel

Best art direction

boygenius – “the film” – Interscope Records – Art Direction by Jen Dunlap

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – Art Direction by Seo Hyun Seung (GIGANT)

Doja Cat – “Attention” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records – Art Direction by Spencer Graves

Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace” – Interscope Records – Art Direction by Brandon Mendez

Megan Thee Stallion – “Her” – 300 Entertainment – Art Direction by Niko Philipides

SZA – “Shirt” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records – Art Direction by Kate Bunch

Best editing

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records – Editing by Seo Hyun Seung (GIGANT)

Kendrick Lamar – “Rich Spirit” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Edited by Grason Caldwell

Miley Cyrus – “River” – Columbia Records – Edited by Brandan Walter

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records – Edited by Sofia Kerpan and David Checel

SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records – Edited by Luis Caraza Peimbert

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Republic Records – Edited by Chancler Haynes

Beyoncé – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records

BLACKPINK – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

Show of the Summer

Drake – OVO / Republic Records

Ed Sheeran – Atlantic Records

Karol G – Interscope Records

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

Group of the Year

BLACKPINK – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

FIFTY FIFTY – ATTRAKT / Warner Records

FLO – Uptown Records/Republic Records

Jonas Brothers – Republic Records

Måneskin – Arista Records

NewJeans – ADOR/Geffen Records

SEVENTEEN – HYBE / Geffen Records

TOMORROW x TOGETHER – BIGHIT MUSIC / Republic Records

Song of the Summer

Beyoncé – “Cuff It” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records

Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For? (From The Motion Picture ‘Barbie’)” – Darkroom / Interscope Records

Doja Cat – “Paint the Town Red” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

Doechii ft. Kodak Black – “What It Is (Block Boy)” – Top Dawg Entertainment / Capitol Records

Dua Lipa – “Dance the Night (From the Barbie Album)” – Atlantic Records / Warner Records

FIFTY FIFTY – “Cupid” – ATTRAKT / Warner Records

Gunna – “fukumean” – Young Stoner Life Records / 300 Entertainment

Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Geffen Records

Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice– “Barbie World (with Aqua) [From Barbie The Album]” – 10k Projects / Capitol Records / Dolo Entertainment / Atlantic Records

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Geffen Records

SZA – “Kill Bill” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

Taylor Swift ft. Ice Spice – “Karma” – Republic Records

TOMORROW X TOGETHER and Jonas Brothers – “Do It Like That” – BIGHIT MUSIC / IMPERIAL / Republic Records

Luke Combs – “Fast Car” – Columbia Nashville

Troye Sivan – “Rush” – Capitol Records

Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma – “La Bebe (Remix)” – Warner Music Latina

Album of the Year

Beyoncé – Renaissance – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records

Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss – OVO / Republic Records

Metro Boomin – Heroes & Villains – Boominati / Republic Records

Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation – Columbia Records

SZA – SOS – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

Taylor Swift – Midnights – Republic Records

12 Sep 2023

Luke Bryan to Host, Executive Produce Upcoming Hulu Docuseries ‘It’s All Country’

Luke Bryan is set to host and executive-produce an upcoming, six-episode Hulu docuseries titled It’s All Country, which will examine “the iconic songs and artists that changed the face of country music forever,” according to a release. A release date for the docuseries has not yet been revealed.

Executive-producing the series alongside Bryan will be NFL legend Peyton Manning, who will also return with Bryan this year to co-host the CMA Awards for a second year. It’s All Country will be produced by Manning’s Omaha Productions as well as NFL Films and Walt Disney Television Alternative.

The release goes on to say that the series “highlights the cultural impact and memorable performers and performances that make country music an American and growing global sensation.”

Bryan is a two-time CMA entertainer of the year winner who has notched 26 No. 1 hits on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart and has seen four of his albums top the Billboard 200. He’s also known for his ongoing role as a judge on American Idol, a position he has held since 2018. Meanwhile, Manning was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and has won two Super Bowls. After retiring from the NFL, Manning formed Omaha Productions, which has created projects for film and television, among other platforms.

It’s All Country is the latest documentary from Hulu, which has also recently issued Brooke Shields’ Emmy Award-nominated Pretty Baby, as well as God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty, Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence and Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons.

12 Sep 2023

John Mayer Announces Solo L.A. Show to Benefit Veterans

Before kicking off the fall leg of his solo acoustic tour, John Mayer announced Tuesday (Sept. 12) that he’ll play a one-off show at The Wiltern in Los Angeles next week with 100% of the proceeds going to his Heart and Armor Foundation for veterans.

Tickets — which start at $99 — will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. PT on Ticketmaster ahead of the concert on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Fans have to register through the Verified Fan program to receive a code before buying tickets, and all tickets will be mobile-only and non-transferable. Fans who buy tickets and can’t attend can list their tickets on Ticketmaster’s Face Value Ticket Exchange.

Charity Auctions Today is currently auctioning off two pairs of pit tickets that will come with an autographed poster of the concert’s lineup and early access to the venue.

Mayer’s solo acoustic tour kicked off earlier this year, and he announced in March that he would be extending the run starting Oct. 3 in New York and wrapping Nov. 10 back in Los Angeles — but he’ll be playing the much larger Kia Forum for that date (17,000-plus capacity) versus the intimate Wiltern venue next Tuesday (around 2,000 capacity).

When he played the Kia Forum in April on the original run of dates, Mayer announced to the crowd: “This tour changed everything.”

“I thought this was a neat little thing,” Mayer said of the tour. “I was like, ‘Let’s go on tour and play acoustic, that’ll be fun!’ And then everything clicked. And because of you, you reminded me what these songs are to me, what they are to you and focused me right up.”

Mayer established the Heart and Armor Foundation in 2019 to support the health of veterans of war.

12 Sep 2023

Gunna’s ‘Fukumean’ Tops Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop & Rap Airplay Charts

Gunna scores his first non-collaborative No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart as “Fukumean” crowns the list dated Sept. 16. The new champ jumps from No. 3 after a 11% surge in plays that made it the most-played song on U.S. monitored mainstream R&B/hip-hop radio stations in the week ending Sept. 7, according to Luminate. Thanks to the swell in weekly plays, “Fukumean” grabs the Greatest Gainer tag, awarded each week to the title with the largest play increase.

While “Fukumean” is Gunna’s first time atop Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay without any other acts, it’s the rapper’s second No. 1 in total – “Drip Too Hard,” with Lil Baby, reigned for four weeks in 2019. Prior to “Fukumean,” Gunna’s best solo showing was the No. 17 high for “Banking on Me” in July 2022.

In addition to the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay victory, “Fukumean” also tops the Rap Airplay chart. The single climbs from No. 2 through an 12% boost in weekly audience and likewise captures the Greatest Gainer prize. Gunna nabs his second career champ there, following the two-week rule of “Drip Too Hard.”

Elsewhere, “Fukumean” steps 6-4 on Rhythmic Airplay with a 6% gain in plays and pushes 3-2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, which combines audience totals from adult R&B and mainstream R&B/hip-hop stations. There, the track rallies to 17.3 million in audience, up 19% from the previous frame, and again, enough to seize the chart’s Greatest Gainer prize. Fueled by those formats, “Fukumean” rises 21-18 on the all-genre Radio Songs chart with 28.6 million in total audience, a 13% week-over-week improvement.

“Fukumean” appears on Gunna’s latest studio album, A Gift & a Curse, which was released June 16. The track was the album’s highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100, and as streams increased in the following weeks, the single became Gunna’s first No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and reached a No. 4 best on the Hot 100.

12 Sep 2023

Oliver Anthony’s Knoxville Show Canceled After Disagreement Over Ticket Prices

Oliver Anthony is standing firm on affordable ticket prices.

The singer had a disagreement with a Knoxville, Tenn., music bar called Cotton Eyed Joe, where he was scheduled to perform later this month, leading to the show getting canceled and the the venue expressing some choice words on social media.

Ticket prices were listed at $99, and a meet and greet costed $199, which upset Anthony, who recorded a video posted to Instagram to deter fans from paying that price. “I had to pull off on the side of the road and make this video. My adrenaline’s pumping, man,” he says in the clip. He continued in the caption, “Don’t buy $90 Cotton Eyed Joe tickets or $200 for a meet and greet. That’s not acceptable. Just saw the Facebook post and lost my s—. Miscommunication with my friend booking shows and I. My shows should never cost more than $40, ideally no more than $25. Hell, out of the 4 shows we have currently done, 2 of them have been completely free. This will get straightened out tonight. Hold off on buying tickets for now.”

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However, Cotton Eyed Joe took to Facebook to explain that Anthony had agreed to play a 60-minute set at the Knoxville bar for $120,000, which would allow the bar to “break even and bring our customers a show we thought would be fun.” The bar then added a bit of shade by referencing Anthony’s Hot 100 chart topper, concluding their message: “To our talent agency and promotor friends that follow us… be careful booking the North Man of Richmond.”

See the post here.

“I am not pointing fingers at Cotton Eyed Joe, I don’t know where the miscommunication took place. I’m just upset seeing those prices,” Anthony responded on Facebook, adding that he’ll be more involved in upcoming bookings.

The 31-year-old’s breakout viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” unexpectedly debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Among other chart achievements for the singer-songwriter, he’s the first artist ever to launch atop the list with no prior chart history in any form. His success story began when a now-viral video of Anthony, posted by radiowv, began circulating around the Internet, showing the singer offering an acoustic performance of “Rich Men North of Richmond,” vocalizing the pain and angst of the working class at the hands of greedy rich men. The song takes on high taxes, abuse of welfare and selfish politicians.

12 Sep 2023

Hank Williams Jr. Gets Married in Alabama

Congratulations are in order for Grammy-winning country star Hank Williams Jr. On Monday, via his official Facebook page, the singer-songwriter announced that he tied the knot.

“Please congratulate Mr. And Mrs. Hank Williams Jr!” the post reads. “Hank and Brandi were married on Sept 9, 2023 at Enon Baptist Church in Banks, Alabama in front of a small group of family and friends. A reception followed at Kendall Hall in Troy, Alabama. They had gotten engaged earlier this year on Mothers Day. The bride and groom have known each other and been friends since 2003.”

This is the fourth marriage for Williams. He was married to Gwen Yeargain from 1971-1977 and to Becky White from 1977-1983. In March 2022, Mary Jane Thomas, Williams’ third wife, unexpectedly died. According to People, the autopsy listed Thomas’ cause of death as “pneumothorax due to perforated parietal pleura during liposuction with autologous fat reinjection procedure.”

“38 wonderful years she gave me. Her kind spirit and beautiful and endearing love carries on in the hearts of our son, Sam, grandsons Beau and Tennyson, and granddaughter Audrey Jane,” Williams wrote on Instagram weeks after her death. “Of course, she will be missed and loved by so many forever.”

On Tuesday (Sept. 12), Williams posted a wedding picture of Brandi and himself with the caption “Mr. and Mrs. Hank Williams Jr.” He limited the comments on both his Instagram and Facebook posts.

Last year, Williams Jr. released Rich White Honky Blues, a Dan Auerbach-produced album of blues covers and original tracks.

Hank Williams Jr. has earned three entries on the Billboard Hot 100: 1964’s “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” (No. 67) and “Endless Sleep” (No. 90), as well as 2000’s “A Country Boy Can Survive” (No. 75, with Chad Brock & George Jones). On the Billboard 200, he has notched 39 career entries, reaching as high as No. 12 with 2012’s Old School New Rules. He’s the son of Hank Williams, one of the most celebrated country singer-songwriters in American history.

Click here to see Hank Williams Jr.’s wedding pictures and check out his big announcement here: