Music

06 Jan 2023

North West Transforms Into Dad Kanye West in a TikTok With Kim Kardashian

It’s been a while since Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have been publicly spotted together, and considering the rapper’s recent, repeated antisemitic hate speech and his criticizing the reality star on her parenting, that probably won’t change anytime soon. But in a new TikTok shared by the Skims founder with their 9-year-old daughter North, fans got the next best thing.

In a Friday (Jan. 6) video posted on the mom-and-daughter duo’s shared account, Kim looks glamorous as ever standing behind her eldest child, draping an arm lovingly around her firstborn. North, however, looks less like the little girl and more like — no, almost exactly like — her father, thanks to an oversized hoodie, knit beanie and special effects makeup.

Channeling Ye’s intimidating signature death stare, North faces the camera with eyebrows thickened by makeup, a faux goatee and an artificial hairline drawn on her forehead to match her dad’s. She and her mom vibe to West’s 2013 track “Bound 2,” the words “Bound Baby” written in black text on the video.

Fans have long pointed out how similar North looks to the “Donda” rapper, but the little girl’s latest TikTok takes things to a whole new level. The comments under the video are disabled, but many fans have taken to Twitter to share their disbelief over the uncanny resemblance.

“This is kinda freaking me out a lil..,” wrote one person who shared Kim and North’s video.

“I’m deceased,” tweeted another. “North is really Kanye’s twin.”

The new clip comes shortly after Kardashian and North posted a separate TikTok that shocked fans for an entirely different reason. The duo filmed themselves having a dance party to “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift, with whom Ye has long been feuding.

Check out Kim Kardashian’s TikTok with Kanye North West below:

06 Jan 2023

‘Not Dissimilar to Hysterical Fans at a Boy Band Concert’: Inside the Skrillex, Four Tet & Fred again.. Set Last Night in London

Entering London’s evocative Electric Ballroom last night (Jan. 5), we surpassed a queue snaking down two blocks of Camden High Street. The space, which opened in 1978 and typically hosts live acts, suited the surprise event surprisingly well. Perched on the balcony above, we had a clear view to overlook the interaction between the three rather unexpected friends on the bill: Skrillex, Four Tet and Fred again...

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We arrived at 9 p.m. and the crowd was already oozing peak-time enthusiasm. The excitement was obvious, and rightly so — the show had sold out within 10 minutes of being announced via the artists’ Instagram stories hours before the show. (Rather adorably, Fred also posted a story of himself slipping into Skrillex’s hotel yesterday and waking up the sleeping producer, who’d just arrived from L.A., so he could get up and post the event to his own IG.)

There was no support act last night, just a four hour back-to-back between the three artists. Together, the trio have a web of collaborations between them — with U.K. master Four Tet working on Fred again..’s June 2022 track “Jungle” and the 2021 Skrillex and Starrah collab “Butterflies,” and the dance scene’s premier ascendent star Fred collaborating with Skrillex on “Rumble,” released the day before the show (Jan. 5) as the Skrillex hype machine fires to life ahead of his forthcoming album.

Last night, the collision of the three artists’ styles was apparent from the jump; throughout the night you could confidently guess who was behind the selection of each track.

The hosts regularly interacted with the eager, Thursday night crowd, checking in by throwing a singular cordless mic between each other. At one point, Fred jumped on to the mic to ask, “Do you all have enough room to dance?” His rhetorical question was answered by squeals and screams — not dissimilar to hysterical fans at a boy band concert. The sea of people rippled as one, as people stayed put on the dancefloor for the entire set.

At around 9.30pm, a vocal from Disney’s Frozen‘s famous “Let It Go” was laid over the familiar growls and thrums of Skrillex’s signature sound. This was a foreshadowing of the rest of the evening; after all, this clash of styles was bound to present the dancers with some curveballs — we came knowing to expect the unexpected. With the crowd putty in their hands from early on, the three DJs made the most of their playful selections.

Skrillex, a.k.a. Sonny Moore, was bounding around the stage during the performance, hyping up the crowd from the table that also hosted the decks. Below him, Fred and Four Tet (Kieran Hebden) slinked between each other, achieving almost seamless transition between their staple sounds.

The crowd fizzed when any Fred again.. tune was about to be brought in. It perfectly demonstrated his fans’ loyal and impressive knowledge of his back catalogue; tracks such as “Hannah (the sun)” and “Strong” were warmly received. Phone screens peaked up through the sea of heads, as everyone wanted to capture their favorite Fred track.

Four Tet’s recognizable, ethereal vocals blended with grinding bass excited the older, headsier side of the crowd — as the Skrillex sound brought the millennials in the audience right back to our teenage years. This was certainly a whirlpool of old and new, a melting pot of sounds and cultures, a combination of flamboyant American excitement and quiet British confidence. Skrillex even informed the crowd that he had put some money behind the bar, making it very apparent they were hosting what felt like a huge house party.

Bringing us back to the present day, PinkPantheress’ TikTok hit “Just for Me” caused a wave of joy, teased ahead of the release of Skrillex’s own collaboration with the U.K. star and Trippie Redd, “Way Back,” which landed last night as the show was happening. Although many may recognize Skrillex as an artist who was an early influence for many current dance fans, this new release further demonstrates his ability to evolve successfully and authentically, collaborating with fresh and exciting talent here across the pond.

Whether this unlikely trio continue their seemingly unstoppable ascent, or if yesterday’s event was just one of those crazy nights of legend, the collective fanbase of these three huge acts is indisputable. In an age where artists can interact with their fans more closely than ever before, there was a knowing intimacy between the audience and the three conductors that felt like a new wave of dance music fandom.

Tracks featured:

Fred again…, “Hannah (the Sun)“
Eskuche, “Passion” (Extended Mix)
Hamdi , “Never Let You Go Edit” (Original by Sammy Virji)
Romy & Fred again.., “Strong“
KH, “Looking at Your Pager”
Hackney Parrot, “Tessela” (Remix)
PinkPantheress, “Just for Me“
Skrillex, “Cinema“
Adam F, “Circles” (Pola & Bryson Bootleg)
Fred again.., Four Tet & Skrillex, “Baby Again..“
Fred again.., “Jungle”
Skrillex, Fred again.. & Flowdan, “Rumble”

06 Jan 2023

The Ultimate Three Kings Day Latin Playlist: ‘Regalo de Reyes,’ ‘Noche de Paz’ & More

Twelve days after Christmas comes Dia de los Reyes — or Three Kings Day (also known as Epiphany) — during which many Latino communities around the world gather with family to celebrate the arrival of the three kings, or magi (Wise Men).

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Los Tres Reyes is believed to have brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Bethlehem to honor the baby Jesus. Some families in Mexico and South America eat Rosca — candied bread fit for a king. Other families in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean nations build on the parranda, an Afro-Indigenous tradition that calls for the house-to-house “caroling” of friends and families.

In honor of Three Kings Day 2023, Billboard has compiled a playlist of some traditional classics you and yours can use to set the festive mood.

The playlist includes the timeless holiday track “Cantares de Navidad” by the Puerto Rican group Trio Vegabajeño, which was originally composed in the early 1950s and forms part of Bad Bunny’s album El Último Tour del Mundo. There’s also the heartfelt bolero “Regalo de Reyes” by the late Mexican singer and actor Javier Solís; Luis Miguel’s rendition of “Noche de Paz,” part of his Navidades Luis Miguel album; “Caspar, Melchor, y Baltasar” by Mexican trio Pandora; and Thalía’s gitty “Los Reyes Magos,” part of her children’s album Viva Kids – Volumen 2, to name a few.

Many Villancicos (similar to a Christmas carol) are also on the playlist, such as “Vamos, Vamos Pastorcito” and the all-time favorite “Mi Burrito Sabanero.” The latter has both a merengue version by Elvis Crespo and a catchy banda tune by Banda El Recodo.

Listen to the full playlist below, and enjoy!

06 Jan 2023

Here Are the Top-Gaining Songs of the 2022 Holiday Season

The presents have been opened and wallets closed, as the 2022 holidays have concluded. But which holiday songs made the biggest gains over the latest holiday season?

Here’s a look at the seasonal songs that logged the 10 top increases in on-demand audio and video streaming over the 2022 holidays as compared to 2021, according to Luminate, among the 50 most-streamed songs, on-demand, this holiday season.

Overall, streaming of holiday songs surged 12.1% over the latest holidays (Nov. 18-Dec. 29, 2022, correlating to the tracking period of Billboard‘s Holiday 100 songs chart dated from Dec. 3 through Jan. 7), as compared to the corresponding period the year before (Nov. 19-Dec. 30, 2021), per the top 500 holiday titles in each of the last two holiday seasons. (For this research, UGC [user-generated content] was included, although it does not contribute to Billboard‘s charts.)

Below is a recap of the 10 top-gaining seasonal songs year-over-year during the latest holidays — and their newest chart highlights.

The Top-Gaining Songs of the 2022 Holiday Season

“Here Comes Santa Claus,” Gene Autry

  • 70.5 million on-demand audio and video U.S. streams Nov. 18-Dec. 29, 2022, up 53.5% from Nov. 19-Dec. 30, 2021

The song galloped to a No. 25 high on the Billboard Hot 100 dated Dec. 31, besting its prior No. 28 peak reached three years earlier. Originally released in 1947, it hit the top 10 on Billboard pop and country charts annually through the end of the ’40s.

“Blue Christmas,” Elvis Presley

  • 77.2 million, up 48.8%

The King’s festive favorite logs a new No. 24 best on the Jan. 7 Hot 100. Up from No. 27, it marks his first appearance in the top 25 in exactly 44 years, since “My Way” held at its No. 22 peak on the Jan. 7, 1978, survey.

“Deck the Halls,” Nat King Cole

  • 86.4 million, up 41.1%

The track made a jolly jaunt to a new No. 16 high on the Dec. 31 Hot 100. As previously reported, Cole achieves his first top 10 since 1963 with “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You),” which gained by 5% to 95.4 million on-demand streams this holiday season vs. the same period the year before.

“This Christmas,” Donny Hathaway

  • 53.4 million, up 39.1%

The song rises to a new No. 37 highpoint on the Jan. 7 Hot 100. It’s his top-ranking entry since “The Closer I Get to You” – one of his six charted duets with Roberta Flack – a No. 2 hit in 1978.

“Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” Trans-Siberian Orchestra

  • 36 million, up 37.8%

The instrumental rock reimagination of “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells” reached No. 35 on the Holiday 100 in December, its best rank on the chart in over two years.

“Merry Christmas,” Ed Sheeran & Elton John

  • 41.4 million, up 37.4%

The cheery song by the British superstars fared far better in its second year. On the Hot 100, it climbed to No. 42, after it hit No. 55 in its first year of release. If its momentum continues, it could swell John’s total of top 40 hits beyond his current sum of 59, while Sheeran boasts 23 top 40 entries.

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” Dean Martin

  • 60.5 million, up 31.7%

After first making notable inroads in streaming in the mid-2010s, the classic has hit the top 20 on the Streaming Songs chart each holiday season since 2018, reaching a No. 5 best in December 2020.

“Jingle Bells,” Frank Sinatra

  • 81.3 million, up 31.3%

The recording ascends to No. 20 on the Jan. 7-dated Hot 100, marking a milestone for the late legend: he ranks in the top 20 for the first time since June 3, 1967, when “Somethin’ Stupid,” with daughter Nancy, placed at No. 16 following four weeks at No. 1.

“Do They Know It’s Christmas,” Band Aid

  • 40.1 million, up 29.7%

The all-star anthem hit No. 34 on the Dec. 3 Holiday 100, its best rank since 2018. Helping its profile, LadBaby’s update, “Food Aid” (also a charity single) topped the Dec. 31 Official UK Singles chart. With the coronation, the husband-and-wife duo of Mark and Roxanne Hoyle became the first act with five Christmas UK No. 1s, surpassing The Beatles’ four in 1963-65 and 1967.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Mariah Carey

  • 262.3 million, up 29.6%

Rounding out the top 10-gaining holiday hits over the most recent Yuletide season, Carey’s 1994 modern classic made more Hot 100 history, upping its total to 12 weeks at No. 1, including four in a row, its most time on top in any holiday period. Its 262.3 million on-demand streams over the 2022 holidays led all songs, followed by runner-up Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (202.8 million).

In highlights just outside the seasonal songs with the 10 biggest increases over the latest holidays, Wham!’s “Last Christmas” gained by 29.1% to 150.7 million on-demand streams, as it hits a new No. 4 best on the Jan. 7 Hot 100; Sia’s “Snowman,” from 2017, surged by 26% to 39.7 million streams; and Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me,” from 2014, jumped by 18.9% to 115.3 million streams.

Meanwhile, three songs released this holiday season made the top 50 in 2022 holiday on-demand streams, with all three Amazon Original exclusives and covers of classics: Lizzo’s “Someday at Christmas” (44.4 million), Lauren Spencer-Smith’s “Last Christmas” (37.6 million) and Kane Brown’s “Blue Christmas” (36.8 million).

06 Jan 2023

Gloria Trevi Responds to Sexual Assault Lawsuit: ‘I Am Unfairly Accused of Crimes I Did Not Commit’

Gloria Trevi is denying allegations in a newly filed sexual lawsuit that claim she and her former producer Sergio Andrade “groomed” and “exploited” two underage girls in the 1990s.

“My words are directed to everyone who may have seen recent allegations about me but do not know the background and my story,” the Mexican pop star began in a statement published on her social media accounts Jan. 6. “Being a victim of physical and sexual abuse is one of the worst things that can happen to a human being. I say it, and I know it, because I am a survivor. And, my thoughts go out to anyone who, like me, has ever been the victim of any kind of abuse.

“But I will not remain silent while I am unfairly accused of crimes I did not commit. These false accusations, which were first made against me 25 years ago, have been tried in various courts and, in all instances, I have been completely and totally acquitted,” she continued. “For these old, disproven claims to resurface now is tremendously painful for me and for all my family. The accusations were false when they were made and remain false today.”

The new civil complaint was filed Dec. 30 in Los Angeles County. In the suit, which was obtained by Billboard, two Jane Does allege that the Mexican pop star along with Andrade “groomed” and “exploited” them when they were 13 and 15 years old. The 30-page lawsuit — which does not specifically name Trevi or Andrade, though the timeline and album details mentioned make clear they are the defendants — also includes allegations of childhood sexual abuse and harassment and/or assault.

In the ’90s, Trevi was one of the biggest Latin pop stars in the world, but her successful career came to a halt in 1999 when criminal complaints were filed against her and Andrade. The complaints accused them of corrupting minors, kidnapping and rape. Trevi fled to Brazil, where she was captured and arrested, and the singer was held behind bars for nearly five years. In 2004, a Mexican court acquitted the pop star and found her not guilty on the charges of rape, kidnapping and corruption of minors.

She has maintained her innocence since, which she addressed in her Jan. 6 statement. “A trial court carefully examined all the evidence during a judicial process which lasted almost 5 years, and they ruled in my favor,” Trevi wrote. “The verdict was upheld on appeal. That is why I filed a lawsuit in the United States to expose and hold all those who are trying to defame me accountable.”

The singer concluded: “I will continue to move forward and work to get justice in this case — and I will do so knowing that the truth is on my side.”

Trevi previously discussed the impact the 1999 allegations had on her livelihood in a September 2022 interview with Billboard. “I felt that I lost my career,”she said at the time. “But I kept a positive attitude and believed in myself. You can lose a battle but not the war, and that mindset was very constant in me.”

The same year she released from prison, Trevi put out Cómo Nace el Universo, which was written while she was incarcerated, and addressed her time behind bars. The album peaked No. 2 on the Latin Pop Albums chart and No. 4 on Top Latin Albums.

Read Trevi’s full statement — which she shared in both Spanish and English — below.

06 Jan 2023

First Stream: New Music From YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Popcaan & Drake, Shania Twain and More

Billboard’s First Stream serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond. 

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This week, YoungBoy keeps his prolific streak alive, Popcaan and Drake re-team with a new mission, and Shania Twain keeps us dancing into the new year. Check out all of this week’s First Stream picks below:

YoungBoy Never Broke Again, I Rest My Case 

YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s output is not only mind-boggling — four mixtapes, one album and a compilation album in 2022, the majority of which reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart — but also serves as a simple way to track the Baton Rouge native’s gradual rise as a musician and lyricist: YoungBoy generally gets more discerning and ferocious with every new project, and I Rest My Case is one of his strongest full-lengths to date. The album’s momentum snowballs from the opening bodyslam of “Black,” “Louie V” and “Swag On Point,” and ends with an affecting open letter, “Hey Pops”; in between, YoungBoy suggests that, if last year had nonstop highs, 2023 could be even bigger.

Popcaan feat. Drake, “We Caa Done” 

From “Controlla” on Drake’s Views to “All I Need” on Popcaan’s Fixtape project, the hip-hop superstar and dancehall king have proven reliable collaborators for more than a half-decade — and now, ahead of Popcaan’s album Great Is He, they’ve re-teamed for a triumphant start to the new year. “We Caa Done” functions as a raised glass after overcoming tribulations, with Drake crooning in patois, Popcaan demonstrating a flow that’s long been hypnotic, and the percolating beat helping both along the way, setting up what’s sure to be a club staple across borders in 2023.

Shania Twain, “Giddy Up!” 

The story of modern country-pop could not be told without Shania Twain, and as she embarks on a big year that will include a new album and sprawling tour, the legendary singer-songwriter is still serving up crossover singles designed to get hands clapping and butts out of seats. “Giddy Up!” will lead forthcoming album Queen of Me and is indeed a party-starter, all call-and-response problem-shedding and frothy lines written for Friday night gatherings; by the time the acoustic strumming has segued to electric riffing, you’ll find that you, too, would like to shout “Giddy up.”

Yahritza Y Su Esencia, “Cambiaste” 

Anyone paying close-enough attention to the rapid rise of Yahritza Y Su Esencia last year understood that the Regional Mexican trio’s TikTok success would probably not be ephemeral — the talents of Yahritza Martinez, and her older brothers Armando and Jairo, were too distinct to ignite and then dissipate. New single “Cambiaste” relies heavily upon Yahritza’s pleading voice and Mando’s 12-string guitar, but that formula remains effective — if not even more emotionally harrowing, especially as the song circles around and then hammers down during the finale.

Skrillex feat. PinkPantheress & Trippie Redd, “Way Back” 

After returning earlier this week with “Rumble,” a teeth-smashing dance-rap track featuring Fred again.. and Flowdan, Skrillex has kicked off 2023 with another intriguing three-artist summit: “Way Back,” with PinkPantheress and Trippie Redd, sizzles in the places that “Rumble” shimmers, with Trippie handed hook duties and PinkPantheress weaving a compelling story within a single verse. Both songs are relatively short — “Way Back” clocks in at under two minutes — but are satisfying enough to raise hopes that the year will bring more tunes from a rejuvenated Skrillex.

Ice Spice, “In Ha Mood” 

“I’m proud that I’m still gettin’ bigger / Goin’ viral is gettin’ ’em sicker,” Ice Spice raps on the victory-lap single “In Ha Mood.” The Bronx rapper, fresh off of gaining well-deserved fame for her Internet sensation “Munch (Feelin’ U),” serves up another drill track with a refrain that’s primed for TikTok users to feast upon — but “In Ha Mood” is also snappier and more lyrically dense than Ice Spice’s past offerings, allowing her to swoop down upon her naysayers with a sharpened sword.

06 Jan 2023

10 People Shot in Miami During French Montana Video Shoot

Ten people were injured when gunfire erupted outside a restaurant in Miami Gardens, Florida on Thursday night (Jan. 5) during what witnesses said was a video shoot for French Montana. According to WSVN 7, Miami Gardens Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to reports of shots fired at The Licking Gardens during an incident that reportedly involved three different crime scenes; the other two scenes were not identified at press time.

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7News reported that MGPD detective Diana Gorgue said Thursday night that police were still working the scene, which involved “multiple shots… multiple cases,” with four victims reportedly airlifted to a local trauma center and four others transporting themselves to a hospital. Witnesses told police that the gunfire erupted while Montana was shooting a music video outside The Licking.

One witness said they came to watch Montana’s video production, during which a fellow bystander was allegedly robbed of his watch, keys and wallet. “[He asked to] call his mother and see if we can get spare car keys and make sure, you know, he’s OK, and then the gunshots went off,” said witness Ced Mogul, a local rapper. “At least 13, 14, 15 gunshots. It was very rapid, it sounded like an assault rifle.”

It was unclear at press time whether someone shot into the crowd or if there was an exchange of gunfire, according to 7News. “I took off running, and I was looking back, but I was like, ‘You know what? Let me just duck first, and then people started asking me, you know, ‘Can you help me?’” Mogul said. “When I realized people were asking for help, there was nothing you could do about it when you got shot.”

NBC6 reported that police said an altercation that started at a different location eventually ended at the restaurant, where New Orleans rapper Rob49 was reportedly among the victims.

At press time it was unclear where Montana was during the shooting, though it appears that he was not injured in the incident; a spokesperson for Montana could not be reached for comment at press time and a public information officer for the Miami-Dade PD had not returned a request for an update on the investigation at press time. TMZ reported that a witness said Montana’s security team hustled the MC out of the area safely and without incident after the gunfire erupted.

Mogul also shared a video with a local NBC affiliate that he said showed Montana, wearing a red shirt, sitting in the back seat of a car and looking at some wardrobe options reportedly filmed just prior to the shooting.

Montana dropped the latest edition of his long-running Coke Boys series, Coke Boys 6, on Friday morning (Jan. 6), featuring guest spots from A$AP Rocky, Benny the Butcher, Kodak Black, Max B, King Combs, Est Gee, Jeremih and more. The rapper promoted the mixtape on Thursday morning in Instagram and Twitter posts, but did not appear to have commented on the shooting incident on his socials at press time.

06 Jan 2023

Terri Lyne Carrington & Judith Sherman to Be Honored at Producers & Engineers Wing Grammy Week Event

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing will kick off Grammy Week by honoring jazz drummer and producer Terri Lyne Carrington and classical producer Judith Sherman at its annual Grammy Week celebration at The Village Studios in Los Angeles.

“We’re thrilled to return live to The Village Studios for the first time in three years to celebrate two groundbreaking music creators who are dedicated to innovating both creatively and technically in the recording field,” Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “Both Terri Lyne and Judith have made indelible contributions to music, and we look forward to bringing together producers, engineers and artistic professionals to honor these incredible artists and kick off our Grammy Week celebrations.”

Carrington and Sherman are both multi-Grammy winners. Both are nominated again this year. Carrington, a three-time Grammy winner, has two of the five albums nominated for best jazz instrumental album – New Standards Vol. 1 (a collab with Kris Davis, Linda May, Han Oh, Nicholas Payton and Matthew Stevens) and Live at the Detroit Jazz Festival (a collab with Wayne Shorter, Leo Genovese and Esperanza Spalding). Carrington won in that category nine years ago. Impressively, she has also won twice for best jazz vocal album.

Sherman, a 13-time Grammy winner, is nominated for producer of the year, classical. Sherman has won in that category six times. If she wins again this year, she’ll tie David Frost, Steven Epstein and Robert Woods for the most wins in the history of the category, which was first presented in 1980.

“The Producers & Engineers Wing is privileged to pay tribute to two women who have pushed boundaries both in and outside of the studio,” Maureen Droney, vice president of the Producers & Engineers Wing added. “Terri Lyne and Judith are awe-inspiring honorees who represent the best of the recording industry and whose contributions to their respective genres continue to resonate with our music community.”

Along with saluting Carrington and Sherman, the event will also celebrate the year-round work of the Producers & Engineers Wing and its members, who advocate for excellence and best practices in sound recording, audio technologies and education in the recording arts, along with proper crediting, recognition and rights for music creators.

Grammy Week culminates with the 65th annual Grammy Awards at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sun, Feb. 5, 2023. The show will broadcast live on CBS and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT.

06 Jan 2023

Mark Capps, Grammy-Winning Recording Engineer Shot and Killed By Nashville SWAT Team

Editor’s note: the following story contains descriptions of gun violence.

Grammy-winning Nashville recording engineer Mark Capps was shot and killed by police on Thursday (Jan. 5) at his home just hours after his wife and stepdaughter fled the residence and told police that Capps had been holding them hostage at gunpoint.

In a critical incident briefing from the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Don Aaron, officials said that a SWAT team had been called in to assist in an incident involving Capps, 54, who was wanted on two counts of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated assault for allegedly holding his 60-year-old wife and 23-year-old stepdaughter at gunpoint in the home the previous night.

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Police said Capps allegedly awakened the women around 3 a.m. and gathered them at gunpoint in the home’s living room and would not let them go, repeatedly pointing his pistol at them and threatening that if they tried to call for help he would kill them, as well as any police that showed up at the house.

After Capps fell asleep, the women fled the home with their pets and drove to a local police precinct, where they told authorities what Capps had done and said they were afraid of him. Aaron said arrest warrants were issued around 2 p.m. on Thursday, after which SWAT officers were alerted. As three SWAT team members were attempting to set up positions outside the home, Aaron said Capps opened the front door “with pistol in hand.”

A veteran officer then asked Capps to show his hands, and, in a bodycam video, can be seen opening fire and shattering the glass storm door with three shots as he repeatedly shouted for Capps to show his hands, believing that the engineer’s movements posed an immediate threat; Capps noted that a mandatory use of force investigation has been initiated following Capps’ killing.

At press time no additional information was available about the incident.

Capps — who worked with artists including The Chicks, Big & Rich, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow and Olivia Newton-John, among others — was the son of late Grand Old Opry lead house band guitarist Jimmy Capps. Mark Capps shared Grammy Awards for best polka album with Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and 2009.

06 Jan 2023

Flo Wins BBC’s Sound of 2023 Poll

Flo are crowned winners of the BBC’s Sound of 2023, an annual poll that identifies the next big thing in music.

The British R&B trio — Renée Downer, Stella Quaresma and Jorja Douglas — was formed in 2019 and signed the following year to Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group.

Their debut single, “Cardboard Box,” dropped last March and was followed in July by EP The Lead.

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Subsequent appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the BBC’s Later… With Jools Holland confirmed their talent with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

Flo’s message is “to be strong in yourself, to be confident,” the group tells the BBC.

“There is female empowerment – but everyone who listens should feel supported, inspired, independent,” says Quaresma. “We want them to feel the way music used to make us feel.”

The Sound Of 2023 was voted on by a 130-strong music industry panel, which included former nominees Dua Lipa, Stormzy, Sam Smith and Foals.

With the Corporation’s seal of approval, Flo joins an elite circle of winners which includes Adele, Sam Smith, Haim, Ellie Goulding, Sigrid and last year’s winner, PinkPantheress.

Producer Fred Again (real name Fred Gibson) is runner-up in the 2023 list, which was open to new artists yet to achieve a top five album or more than two top 10 singles by Oct. 31 2022. Those artists who had appeared on reality TV shows within the past three years were ineligible for the competition.

The competition was open to new artists who had yet to achieve a top five album or more than two top 10 singles by Oct. 31, 2022. Artists who had appeared on TV talent shows within the last three years were ineligible.

The BBC Music Sound of 2023 top five:

  1. Flo
  2. Fred Again
  3. Nia Archives
  4. Cat Burns
  5. Gabriels