Music

24 Jul 2023

Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ Hits One Billion Streams on Spotify

Britney Spears is officially the member of the Spotify Billions club. The singer scored her first billion-streaming song on the service on Sunday (July 23) when her beloved 2003 banger “Toxic” reached a billie.

This would normally be the spot where we refer to Spears’ latest post on her Instagram account, but Brit deleted her Insta again over the weekend, shortly after the release of her new single with will.i.am, “Mind Your Business.”

The page went dark on Saturday and remained offline on Monday (July 24) in the latest example of Spears, 41, shutting down her social media accounts with no warning; in the past they have typically come back on-line within days, or weeks. The stealth mode came just as Spears released her first new music since last year’s hit collab with Elton John on “Hold Me Closer”; before that Spears’ most recent release was her 2016 album Glory.

The third collaboration between Brit and the Black Eyed Peas rapper/producer is a bouncy club track with a minimal beat that seems to be a broadside against those that can’t stop sticking their noses into Spears’ private life with the no-reading-between-the-lines refrain, “Mind your business b—h.”

The song dropped with just one day’s notice, more than a decade after the pair first worked together on the 2012 single “Scream & Shout.” The song also reprises the iconic phrase from “Scream & Shout” in which Will says the tagline, “You are now rockin’ with Will.i.am and Britney, b—h.”

While Spears has not announced a new album to go with the seemingly one-off single, she did recently confirm the upcoming release of her memoir, The Woman in Me, which is due out on Oct. 24.

Listen to “Mind Your Business” below.

24 Jul 2023

Rosalía Ends Motomami Global Tour With Emotional Speech at Lollapalooza Paris

“Today Motomami ends,” Rosalía tweeted just hours before the last show of her ambitious Motomami World Tour. The Spanish singer-songwriter wrapped the nearly 70-date global trek with a last performance at Lollapalooza Paris on Saturday (July 22), where she gave an emotional speech reflecting on not only the tour, but also her Grammy-winning Motomami album.

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“The blessings that Motomami has given me are endless and Motomami ends in Paris,” she told a euphoric crowd. “Many of you discovered me thanks to this project, thanks to this album. I’m so thankful to all of you. I don’t know what the next chapter will look like, there are some ideas but I don’t know. Only God knows. To all my fans around the world, I want you to know that I love you and you’re the best thing that could ever happen to me.”

Rosalía’s first-ever global tour included 66 performances in 21 countries across three continents. According to a press statement, the “Saoko” singer performed to nearly two million people around the world.

“The way I approach that stage, how sacred that stage is for me, never changes, no matter where I am, big or small,” Rosalía previously told Billboard about touring in different markets. “[Audience-wise], there are cultures who demonstrate their appreciation in different ways; some are louder, some are more internal, but that doesn’t mean it’s worse or better. It’s simply different, and I try to always be generous onstage.”

Rosalía’s Motomami festival run across Latin America, United States and Europe kicked off in March at Lollapalooza Argentina. It was preceded by her Motomami arena and theater dates, which grossed $33.7 million and sold 443,000 tickets worldwide, landing her at No. 65 on Billboard’s 2022 year-end Top Ticket Sales chart and No. 7 on the year-end Top Latin Tours list, according to Billboard Boxscore.

See her speech below:

24 Jul 2023

Selena Gomez Celebrates 31st Birthday With Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera, Saweetie & Private ‘Barbie’ Screening

Selena Gomez celebrated her 31st birthday over the weekend by doing what a lot of us did: seeing Barbie. Of course, The Only Murders in the Building star had a private screening of the record-setting Greta Gerwig smash that brought in more than $155 million and celebrated with some of her famous friends, including Paris Hilton, Diplo, Saweetie and many more.

She, of course, hosted all of them at a major party — pink-themed, naturally — with the gang of famous attendees including Hilton, Christina Aguilera, Diplo, Sabrina Claudio, Benny Blanco, Karol G, Tyga and many more, according to snaps from the soiree posted by attendees.

In the party pics, Gomez posed on a set of stairs in a frilly red dress and danced the night away with her A-list guests, blowing out the candles on a giant flower-bedecked cake. According to People magazine, Gomez also posted some images from the private screening of Barbie with her little sister Gracie on her Instagram Story, with the whole girl gang rocking pink outfits for the movie that easily topped the weekend box office.

Earlier in the day, Gomez shared a thankful message alongside a pic of her blowing out the candles on an elaborate cake covered with edible flowers. “I am thankful for so much in my life and one of the things I am most thankful for is the work we’ve been able to do with the Rare Impact Fund through @Rarebeauty,” she said of her beauty line that helps to support the fund that focuses on mental health and self-acceptance.

“Because of YOU we’ve been able to raise awareness and increase access to mental health services for young people,” she added. “This is my true passion in life. People keep asking me what I want for my birthday, and I tell everyone the same thing please do not get me anything but if you want to do something for my birthday, please donate to the Rare Impact Fund. If you have the means, consider donating to help us make a difference.”

Check out Gomez’s posts below.

24 Jul 2023

Tony Bennett’s Widow Susan Fondly Recalls Singer’s ‘Wonderful Soul,’ Shares Favorite Picture

Tony Bennett‘s widow, Susan Benedetto, share some of her favorite memories of the “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” singer with People magazine just days after the beloved pop singer died at age 96 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Susan, who married Bennett in 2007 after 20 years with the singer, shared one of her treasured photos with the magazine in which Bennett stared out of a window in Italy during their 2007 honeymoon.

“This is one of my favorite personal photos of Tony taken during our honeymoon in 2007 in Villa San Michele, in Florence,” Benedetto wrote alongside the snap in which the always dapper crooner and 20-time Grammy winner wore a dark blue suit with matching sky blue tie. “Tony, naturally, loved visiting his ancestral homeland, and we spent many summers in Italy over the years, and it was always a special time for us to be together, just the two of us.”

Susan opened up about some of her late husband’s favorite things, telling People, “Tony would paint all day, and then we would eat pasta, which was his favorite meal. I love how this photo captured his thoughtful demeanor….everyone knows Tony had heart, but he also was a wonderful soul.” She also shared that Bennett’s birth name, Benedetto, translates into “the blessed one,” adding that “I was most certainly blessed to have Tony in my life.”

Many of Bennett’s musical peers also paid tribute to the incomparable singer following his passing. “Rest in peace, Tony. You were the epitome of a gentleman with a God given one-of-a-kind voice. It was truly a great honor of my career and of my life to get to share the stage with you,” wrote Carrie Underwood on Instagram. The country star appeared on Bennett’s 2011 Billboard 200-topping Duets II album.

Oscar and Grammy winner Elton John also weighed in on Instagram, writing, “Without doubt the classiest singer, man, and performer you will ever see. He’s irreplaceable. I loved and adored him.”

24 Jul 2023

Paramore Reschedule Three More Dates Due to Illness in Band’s Touring Party

Paramore postponed another trio of dates due to what the band has described as an “illness within the touring party.” The move came after the Hayley Williams-fronted band canceled a show in San Francisco on Saturday night at the Chase Center due to illness just hours before the show was slated to take place.

That show was quickly rescheduled at the same venue for August 7.

In a statement to fans on Sunday, the band wrote, “after much deliberation, in the interest of our health and the ability to put on a show you all deserve, we have decided to reschedule our shows this week in Seattle, Portland and Salt Lake City.”

Those shows, at, respectively, Climate Pledge Arena, Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Vivint Arena, with openers Foals and the Linda Lindas, will now take place (again respectively) on August 9, August 10 and August 13.

As with the San Francisco show, previously purchased tickets to all the shows will be valid for the rescheduled dates; if fans are unable to attend the new dates and prefer a refund, instructions will be sent to them and refunds will be offered over the next week. The next scheduled date on the band’s current tour in support of their This Is Why album is slated to take place on July 29 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, OK.

At press time a spokesperson for the band had not returned a request for additional information on the cause of the postponements.

After their current North American tour wraps on August 13 in Salt Lake, the group will move on to a tour of Australia and New Zealand in October before teaming up with Taylor Swift again next spring for the European leg of her Eras Tour, which kicks off on May 9 with the first of four dates at the Paris La Défense Arena in Paris; Paramore will appear on all 48 dates of the European leg.

Check out the band’s announcement below.

24 Jul 2023

Tones And I, BIA and Diarra Sylla Kick Off FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 With ‘Bring It On’

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is underway, with 32 teams competing for the biggest prize in the sport. Tones And I helped get the ball rolling.

The Australian singer and songwriter teams-up with American rapper Bia and French-Senegalese singer-songwriter Diarra Sylla on the competition’s official walkout anthem, “Bring It On,” which dropped in full Friday (July 21).

Produced by multi-Grammy Award-winner RedOne, the tune will play before all 64 games across the tournament and will enjoy sync opportunities on free-to-air commercial TV in Australia.

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The triumvirate of artists represents “different continents and a variety of musical influences,” explains FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura, pointing out the tune will be used for future tournaments.

“By bringing together voices from Africa, Australia, Europe and North America, this song symbolises how music – and football – can unite the world,” comments Samoura.

“Bring It On” premiered ahead of the opening match last Thursday, July 20 between New Zealand and former World Cup champion Norway at Eden Park, Auckland.

“Being able to bring different people and cultures together through music is just the best thing for me,” comments Bia, whose homeland is the reigning World Cup champion.

Though Senegal missed out this time, “there will be four African teams taking part and I will be proud to represent my country through music,” adds Sylla.

Stream “Bring It On” below.

Tones cut her teeth busking on Australia’s east coast before landing a global smash with “Dance Monkey,” which swung to the top of sales charts in at least 30 markets. Along the way, the track clocked a record 24 weeks at No. 1 on Australia’s ARIA Singles Chart, and, in the U.K., logged 11 weeks at the summit, an all-time mark for a solo female artist.

The hitmaker (real name: Toni Watson) led Billboard’s Hot 100 Songwriters Chart in January 2020, as the song cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Global combined streams top 10 billion across her catalog, which includes “Fly Away,” which peaked at No. 11 in the U.K. in 2021.

Tones is currently in the studio recording her sophomore album, due out in 2024. It’s the followup to 2021’s Welcome to the Madhouse, which led the ARIA Albums Chart.

But first, a new song, “The Greatest,” is slated to arrive Aug. 4.

The World Cup is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand for the first time. For the record, both home teams got their campaigns off to winning starts.

The hosts are represented in music by Kiwi pop artist BENEE and Aussie singer and songwriter Mallrat, whose collaboration “Do It Again” is the “official song” of the tournament.

Stream “Do It Again” below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=lhGgq20oACQ&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&start=2&wmode=transparent

24 Jul 2023

J Hus Crowned on U.K. Albums Chart With ‘Beautiful and Brutal Yard’

 J Hus bags the U.K. chart crown with Beautiful and Brutal Yard, new at No. 1.

The leader at the halfway mark, Beautiful and Brutal Yard (via Black Butter) becomes the Stratford, England-born rapper and singer’s second leader, following 2020’s Big Conspiracy, and his third career top 10 placing (his 2017 debut Common Sense peaked at No. 6).

Three tracks from Beautiful and Brutal Yard appear in the current U.K. singles chart top 40: “Who Told You” with Drake (down 4-5), “Militerian” featuring Naira Marley (new at No. 23), and “Masculine” with Burna Boy (new at No. 24).

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Taylor Swift continues to swamp the U.K. albums chart, led by Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), down 1-2. It’s one of six Swift titles on the climb in the top 20 (all via EMI), no doubt fueled by the excitement surrounding the ticket onsale for the 2024 U.K. leg of The Eras Tour. Further down the Official U.K. Albums Chart, 2022’s Midnights is up 9-5, 2014’s 1989 gains 10-8, 2019’s Lover improves 12-9, 2017’s Reputation lifts 21-15 and 2019’s folklore spikes 25-16.

Rita Ora’s return with You & I (BMG) nets her a second top 10 entry. The British artist’s new album bows at No. 6, for her highest-charting LP in over a decade. Her 2012 debut ORA peaked at No. 1, and its 2018 followup Phoenix hit No. 11.

Further down the list, British-born Canadian singer and songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith just misses out on a top 10 debut with Mirror (Island), new at No. 11; while Glasgow, Scotland singer and songwriter Gerry Cinnamon nabs his third top 40, with Live at Hampden Park (Little Runaway) appearing at No. 12. The live collection is the week’s best-seller on wax.

Also impacting the albums survey for the first time are titles from DJ and producer Joel Corry (Another Friday Night at No. 24 via Atlantic); U.S. pop band Pvris (EVERGREEN at No. 25 via Hopeless); New York rapper and singer Lil Tjay (222 at No. 26 via Columbia) and British singer-songwriter Mahalia (IRL at No. 31 via Atlantic).

23 Jul 2023

BTS’ Jung Kook Enjoys History-Making U.K. Chart Debut With ‘Seven’

It’s a great week for BTS‘s Jung Kook, who establishes a chart record in the U.K. with “Seven.”

The K-pop star’s hit lands at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published July 21, for the highest-charting debut by a solo Korean act.

The singer’s hot start with “Seven” (via BigHit Entertainment) surpasses the first-week bows by BTS bandmates j-hope and Jimin, the Official Charts Company reports.

All seven members of the K-pop phenomenon – Jin, Jimin, Suga, Jung Kook, RM, V and J-Hope – have shared solo material, with Jimin setting the bar with a top 10 for “Like Crazy” (peaking at No. 8) in March; he separately secured a top 40 appearance with “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” hitting No. 30.

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J-hope was the first member of BTS to bag a U.K. top 40 single, thanks to his J. Cole collaboration “On The Street” peaking at No. 37.

With his podium finish, Jung Kook matches BTS’ best U.K. chart positions so far — 2020’s “Dynamite,” plus “Butter” and “My Universe” with Coldplay (both from 2021) all debuted and peaked at No. 3.

The highest-charting U.K. solo single by a Korean act belongs to Psy, whose “Gangnam Style” dropped in September 2012 at No. 61, then climbed to No. 1 in its fourth week on the tally. The viral hit clocked 55 weeks on the chart, last appearing in 2014.

“Seven,” which features vocals from U.S. rapper Latto, and blasts to No. 2 on Australia’s ARIA Chart, is pipped in the U.K. by Dave and Central Cee’s hip-hop hit “Sprinter” (Live Yours/Neighbourhood), which races to a seventh consecutive chart title. Following a tight three-way race at the top, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen) flies in at No. 2, unchanged from the previous week.

Finally, U.S. pop star Billie Eilish lands her ninth U.K. top 10 single with “What Was I Made For?” (Interscope). The new release, lifted from the Barbie movie soundtrack, is new at No. 10.

23 Jul 2023

Harry Styles Ends Love on Tour With New Instrumental Song, Heartfelt Speech in Italy

It’s a wrap for Harry Styles‘ Love on Tour. The Harry’s House hitmaker ended his massive tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy, at RCF Arena on Saturday night (July 22), and he topped the last concert off with an extra encore.

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Styles closed the show with an as-yet-untitled song that was new to fans: It went on for about 10 minutes and it was an instrumental ballad, with Styles on piano.

His name and the phrase “new song” trended on Twitter on Saturday as fans reacted to hearing new music from Styles at his final Love on Tour date. It was an emotional end to a tour that went on for nearly two years.

“I don’t get to do this if you guys don’t come,” Styles told the audience during a speech that had fans in tears. “I know that more than anyone else. You guys being here tonight, I know you wanted to make it special for me. You make it special for me every single night.”

“The atmosphere that you have created, the family that you have created, this safe space that you have created,” he said during his speech. “I want to thank you for everything.”

Styles continued, “I know feeling so incredibly small in this world it can be really, really difficult to feel like anything you can do can make a difference. I promise you, I see it all the time in the little things that you do and the way that you treat each other. How it has affected all the people around me, how it has affected people out there, it is so much bigger. It does not end when this tour ends. I want you to continue it. Put love out into the world. It needs it a bit right now. I love you all so much, and I’m gonna miss you. I will be loving you so, so much — if you’ve been supporting me for one year, five years, 13 years, whatever it is. Not only have you changed my life over and over again, but you’ve made me the happiest. I’m so thrilled and happy to be here tonight. I’m so, so happy.”

The trek, which launched on Sept. 4, 2021 in Las Vegas, brought Styles to five continents and has become one of the 10 highest-grossing tours of all time, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. The former One Direction singer had earned almost $600 million from the tour as of a week ago.

Watch him perform his new song and see a clip from his thank you speech below.

23 Jul 2023

Miranda Lambert Reacts to Fan’s ‘Shoot Tequila, Not Selfies’ Shirt at Vegas Show

Miranda Lambert took a moment to address a fan in the crowd again Saturday night (July 22), but this time it was to give a compliment.

The country star, performing at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino at Zappos Theater during her Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo The Las Vegas Residency, spotted something that amused her in the audience.

“Her shirt says, ‘Shoot tequila, not selfies,’” Lambert announced on stage.

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“She did it. I didn’t,” she said with a laugh.

Last weekend, Lambert paused her Vegas concert during “Tin Man” to call out a group of fans she believed were “worried about their selfie and not listening to the song.” “It’s pissing me off a bit,” Lambert said at the time. “Sorry, I don’t like it. At all.” One of the audience members whose mid-show selfie-taking irked Lambert later told NBC News she was “appalled” by the singer’s reaction and said, “It felt like I was back at school with the teacher scolding me for doing something wrong and telling me to sit down back in my place.”

But this weekend, what Lambert saw in the crowd seemed to leave her in good spirits: “That’s bad—,” she commented on the “shoot tequila, not selfies” shirt. She then leaned forward and accepted a mini bottle of what was probably tequila, said cheers and took a swig from the bottle.

See a fan-captured clip of the lighthearted bit below.