Music
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One of the survivors of the Oct. 7, 2023 invasion and massacre of Israelis by Hamas forces will represent her county at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 24-year-old aspiring singer Yuval Raphael — who escaped the mass killing of hundreds at Israel’s Nova Music Festival — punched her card this week to sing for her nation at this year’s contest in Basel, Switzerland after she won the 11th season of Israel’s singing competition Rising Star. The victory resulted in her being tapped to represent Israel at the global sing-off.
Previous Eurovision representatives from Israel who went on to Eurovision after winning the show include Israeli singer Netta, who won Eurovision in 2018; pop stars Noa Kirel and Eden Golan finished in third and fifth place, respectively, over the last two years.
According to THR, Raphael won Rising Star on Wednesday (Jan. 22) after performing a stripped-down version of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” a nod to the Swedish pop supergroup that blew up after their 1974 Eurovision win; she also performed a cover of Sam Smith’s 2015 Oscar-winning song James Bond Spectre track “Writing’s on the Wall.”
In addition to praising her vocal abilities, the show’s judges said Raphael’s gripping personal story of surviving the massacre resonated with them. The singer described running away from the EDM festival and taking cover inside a public bomb shelter outside of Kibbutz Be’eri, where she hid in a cramped cement bunker, trapped under dead bodies as she herself played dead for more than eight hours to escape being murdered by Hamas invaders.
The singer who is fluent in English, French and her native Hebrew, was rescued by the father of another Nova attendee, who drove into the battle zone to save his daughter, and others’, lives. “Every time we [those who were still alive] raised our heads, we couldn’t understand why there were less and less people in the bomb shelter,” Raphael said in a March 2024 speech in front of the UN Human Rights Council on behalf of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice. “We thought the terrorists were taking the dead bodies. We didn’t realize it was because of the grenades, blowing up their bodies.”
Raphael has been an advocate for Israel over the past year and has said that she hopes, “the world will hear a first-person account of what I went through and have been dealing with every day, so no one could claim otherwise.” The Oct. 7 assault in which Hamas militants killed, sexually assaulted and abused more than 1,200 mostly civilian Israelis and took 251 hostages led to a nearly three-year war between Israel and Hamas that ended over the weekend thanks to a tenuous ceasefire.
The world’s biggest music event — which regularly draws 200 million viewers in more than 40 countries — is headed into its 69th year. Typically averse to any displays of political speech or nationalism, the European Broadcasting Union defended the inclusion of an Israeli contestant last year in the midst of the war that Palestinian authorities said resulted in the death of more than 46,000 residents of Gaza. As some called for Israeli contestant Eden Golan to be left off the stage in much the same way that Russia was uninvited in 2022 following its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the singer faced boos when she sang “Hurricane” on the show. Golan, who finished fifth, later said she faced death threats during her run in last year’s contest.
Tina Turner famously left it all on the stage when she performed. The late rock icon also left behind some unheard songs from her career-defining 1984 Private Dancer album and now we can hear one of those tracks thanks to the release on Thursday (Jan. 23) of the previously unheard album outtake “Hot For You Baby.”
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The uptempo rocker featuring Turner’s signature gritty, urgent vocals over a galloping beat and a chorus of male backing vocalists repeating the title phrase back to her will be included on the upcoming 40th anniversary edition of Turner’s fifth solo album, which was originally released in May 1984.
The collection helped push Turner back into the public consciousness thanks to a handful of now-iconic hit singles, including “Stay Together,” “What’ Love Got to Do With It,” “Better Be Good to Me” and the title track.
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Singing in her husky, growly voice, Turner belts, “The way that you’ve been moving to the music as you’re dancing/ Sweet sight to see/ But I can’t take it anymore, that’s why I’m out here on the floor/ So, won’t you dance with me?,” before the track rolls into the burning chorus: “I’m hot for you, baby/ I wanna love you/ I’m hot for you baby/ How hot can you get?”
The barreling chronicle of all the ways a lover’s dancing is getting her hot and bothered has a brief, classically early 1980s wailing guitar solo and plenty of cowbell. But despite fitting into the rock/soul groove Turner explored on the album, it was left off the final version. Australian singer John Paul Young (“Standing in the Rain”) originally released the song in 1979 to little notice. It was written by fellow Australian musicians George Young and Harry Vanda and produced by John Carter, who also produced the album’s title song.
Private Dancer ran up to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album chart and included the Hot 100 No. 1 smash “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” The previously unreleased song will be featured on the anniversary release due out on March 21, which will also come in a 5CD/Blu-Ray version that will rope in more never-before-released songs, live performances and music videos. Among the special extras is an upgraded 55-minute Private Dancer Tour show filmed in 1985 that featured guest spots from David Bowie and Bryan Adams.
Private Dancer marked an only-in-Hollywood-style revival for Turner, who had set the world on fire in the 1960s and early 70s when she and then-husband Ike Turner released a series of career-defining hits including “River Deep, Mountain High,” their signature cover of CCR’s “Proud Mary” and “Nutbush City Limits,” among others.
The couple split in 1976, after what Tina Turner later said were years of physical abuse from Ike, leading to nearly a decade in the pop wilderness for Turner, who struggled to gain attention with her solo career as she played Las Vegas showrooms and released a series of solo albums to little notice.
Her fortunes were turned around by Private Dancer, which leaned into Turner’s many strengths — vulnerability, power vocals, sensuality, grit — and earned her three Grammy Awards, including record of the year for the slow-burn ballad “What’s Love Got to Do With It”; the latter also served as the title of a lauded 1993 semi-autobiographical biopic that earned stars Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne Oscar nominations.
After her tumultuous years with Ike, Turner found love again with German music exec Erwin Bach, who she married in 2013 after nearly 30 years together. After years out of the public eye, Turner died in her home in Switzerland at age 83 in May 2023.
Listen to “Hot For You Baby” below.
Trace Cyrus has issued an emotional statement in response to his father Billy Ray Cyrus’ widely criticized performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration Liberty Ball on Jan. 20.
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Following accusations of lip-syncing and speculation about the singer’s state during the event, Trace, the elder brother of Miley Cyrus and Noah Cyrus, took to Instagram on Jan. 22 to share the family’s deep concerns for the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer.
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“Since my earliest memories, all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever. I wanted to be just like you,” the former Metro Station guitarist began. “The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life. Sadly, the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognize now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you.”
Viewers of the Liberty Ball performance had commented on technical issues that plagued Billy Ray’s set, leaving his guitar inaudible and forcing him to perform a cappella.
However, Trace’s statement moved beyond the performance itself, addressing years of strained family dynamics and expressing concern for Billy Ray’s well-being.
“You may be upset with me for posting this, but I really could care less at this point. Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you’ve pushed all of us away,” Trace wrote. “Noah desperately has wanted you to be a part of her life, and you haven’t even been there for her.”
He continued, “That’s your baby girl. She deserves better. Somehow just like me, she still idolizes you though.”
“We are all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew and hoping for the day he returns. You’re not healthy, Dad and everyone is noticing it. Just like I showed up for you at Mamaw’s funeral when you didn’t expect me to, I’m still here right now.”
Trace also reflected on his own struggles and progress, offering his father a path toward reconciliation. “As I write this with tears in my eyes, I hope you realize this message only comes from a place of love and also fear that the world may lose you far too soon.”
Trace shared that he was “over a year and a half clean from alcohol,” adding, “I don’t know what you’re struggling with exactly, but I think I have a pretty good idea, and I’d love to help you if you would open up and receive the help.”
He concluded with, “You know how to reach me. Till that day comes I will continue to pray for you.”
Billy Ray has yet to publicly respond to Trace’s statement, but his performance at the Liberty Ball has already drawn major attention. While technical difficulties marred the event, Billy Ray defended his appearance in a previous statement, saying, “I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar, and monitors worked or not. That’s called rock and roll!” he told People.
Pioneering British heavy metal icons Black Sabbath are on track to be given prestigious honors by their hometown of Birmingham, England.
On Tuesday (Jan. 28), Birmingham City Council will receive recommendations that the four founding members of the band – vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward – each be given the honorary title of City Freeman. The title recognizes the contributions that the recipient has made to the city.
“Birmingham has a fantastic musical culture and Black Sabbath are a major part of that history, a pioneering band that still influences today’s musicians,” said city council Deputy Leader Cllr Sharon Thompson. “They have become synonymous with the city and have been true ambassadors throughout their phenomenal careers.
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“Conferring these honors on these Birmingham legends would be the perfect way of saying thank you for all that they have done for the city.”
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Black Sabbath, who first formed in the inner-Birmingham area of Aston in 1968 are long considered to be pioneers of heavy metal, with their influence being felt by bands such as other iconic groups such as Metallica, who inducted Black Sabbath into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. “Black Sabbath is and always will be synonymous with heavy metal,” said drummer Lars Ulrich.
“I’m honored and, at the same time, shocked that I would have ever been considered for this very special commendation,” Osbourne said of the honor. “I’m a proud Brummie from Aston through and through. I’m still amazed to this day that no one outside of Birmingham can understand a word I say, but that’s always made me laugh.
“I started with nothing but a dream, which I shared with Tony, Geezer and Bill,” he added. “We never gave up on that dream. My only regret is that my Mom and Dad are not here to see what I became. Birmingham Forever!”
“I’m over the moon! What a great honor to be a City Freeman,” added Iommi. “I’m aware that very few are given out. It ties us to the rich history of our hometown Birmingham, and that’s fantastic. I’m deeply grateful for the recognition.”
This is far from the first time that Birmingham has recognized the continuing impact of Black Sabbath. In 2019, Birmingham named both a bench and a bridge after the band. In 2024, Osbourne stated his desire to visit the bench, claiming he would do so “if I have to crawl there”.
Alongside Black Sabbath’s upcoming honors, the Birmingham City Council will also discuss awarding late musician, poet and actor Benjamin Zephaniah a City of Birmingham Medal. Zephaniah passed away in 2023 at the age of 65, having risen to greater fame in his final decade for his role of Jeremiah Jesus on Peaky Blinders.
In 2003, Zephaniah had turned down an offer to be appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), stating, “I get angry when I hear that word ’empire’; it reminds me of slavery, it reminds of thousands of years of brutality, it reminds me of how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised.”
JPEGMAFIA has been forced to end his recent Berlin show earlier than planned after an unexpected incident involving pepper spray in the audience. The New York-born rapper (whose real name is Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks) was performing at Huxley’s Neue Welt in Berlin on Monday (Jan. 20) when the incident took place. Per the Associated Press, […]
Splendour in the Grass, one of Australia’s most prominent music festivals, will not be going ahead in 2025.
The decision to not return following the unceremonious cancelation of its 2024 event was confirmed by promoters Live Nation in a statement given to Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
“The festivals team has our full support to bring Splendour in the Grass back when they feel it’s right,” the statement reads. “In the meantime, we’re working on exciting new projects to support artists and the industry, while meeting the demands of music fans and look forward to sharing more in the coming months.”
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On the Splendour social channels, a separate, more casual message was simultaneously conveyed to its followers, apologizing for their silence and explaining they had “finally” taken the opportunity to have a “holiday”.
“The rest of the festival team have still been busy cooking up some awesome new things for music lovers in Australia, but Splendour needs a little more time to recharge and we won’t be back this year,” the statement read. “Think of it as a breather so we can come back even bigger and better when the time is right. Lots of other huge events on the horizon so keep an ear to the ground in the coming months – we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on!”
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Established in 2001 and held each year in Byron Bay, a picturesque beach town on the most easterly tip of Australia, Splendour is a destination event, the most popular mid-winter camping fest in the country. Names such as The Cure, Sonic Youth, Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and Tyler, the Creator have all headlined the festival across its lifetime.
In 2024, the festival was canceled just weeks after it announced Kylie Minogue, Future, and Arcade Fire as headliners. “We know there were many fans excited for this year’s line-up and all the great artists planning to join us, but due to unexpected events we’ll be taking the year off,” a statement from organizers read at the time.
Three months later, the festival’s co-founder Jessica Ducrou, announced that she was exiting her role as co-CEO of Australia’s Secret Sounds Group, the producer of Splendour and a slew of live music brands.
Earlier in 2023, Secret Sounds’ other long-running festival, Falls Festival, announced it too would be taking some time off, though no updates have been provided since.
A week after Bad Bunny placed the first No. 1 from new album Debí Tirar Más Fotos on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, the Puerto Rican notches a second champ, as “DtMF” climbs 5-1 to lead the list dated Jan. 25, for his 16th ruler to date. The album’s title track replaces “Nuevayol,” which drops 3-1 after one week in charge.
By knocking his own song from the podium, Benito becomes the only act to replace itself at No. 1 five different times on Hot Latin Songs, since the chart launched in 1994.
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The Puerto Rican’s self-replacement streak begun in 2019 when “La Canción,” with J Balvin, ceded the throne to his own “Vete” (Dec. 7, 2019-dated ranking). “Moscow Mule” followed, trading places, after one week atop, with “Me Porto Bonito,” with Chencho Corleone (list dated May 28, 2022). As the latter finished its 20-week coronation in October 2022, it was ejected from the penthouse when “Titi Me Preguntó” begun its 14-week domination on the Oct. 15, 2022-dated tally. A year later, Bad Bunny’s featured role in Drake’s “Gently,” a one-week leader, yielded a new replacement, trading places with the 10-week ruler “Mónaco” (Oct. 28, 2023).
In total, nine acts have replaced themselves at No. 1 in the chart’s 38-year history, which blends airplay, digital sales and streaming activity. Out of those, in addition to Bad Bunny’s five self-replacements, two artists have replaced themselves at the summit at least twice: Ozuna (2018, 2019) and Karol G (2022, 2023).
“DtMF” vaults at No. 1 with the Greatest Gainer/Streaming honors in its first full tracking week. It registered 34.9 million official streams, and 2,000 sales downloads in the week ending Jan. 16, according to Luminate. Those sums yield a No. 1 on the overall Streaming Songs and Latin Streaming Songs charts, plus a No. 16 start on the Digital Song Sales and a 2-1 jump on Latin Digital Song Sales.
Beyond its Hot Latin Songs coronation, “DtMF” rallies 38-2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, his highest rank since “I Like It,” with Cardi B and J Balvin, topped for one week in July 2018.
Further, as “DtMF” leads, Benito extends his Hot Latin Songs record among Latin rhythm artists, with 16th No. 1s, tying with Luis Miguel for the second-most, both behind Enrique Iglesias who still holds the most champs to date, 27.
Here’s a recap of the artists with the most leaders since Hot Latin Songs launched in 1994:
27, Enrique Iglesias16, Bad Bunny16, Luis Miguel15, Gloria Estefan13, Shakira11, Marco Antonio Solis11, Ricky Martin
The FireAid benefit concerts are just around the corner, supporting victims of the ongoing wildfire crisis that has devastated the Los Angeles area.
The Jan. 30 event will take place at two venues, with Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Tate McRae playing at Intuit Dome.
Meanwhile, Alanis Morissette, Anderson. Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks and The Black Crowes will be performing at the Kia Forum.
For fans who won’t be able to join the event in person, there are a number of ways to watch online. Amazon Music/Prime Video, Apple Music, the AppleTV app, Disney+/Hulu, Facebook/Instagram, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Max, Netflix/Tudum, Paramount+, Peacock/NBC News Now, SiriusXM’s exclusive Life With John Mayer channel, SoundCloud, Veeps and YouTube will all be streaming the concerts.
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Additionally, select AMC Theatre locations will host screenings of the event. Serving as the national audio partner, iHeartRadio will amplify the initiative and connect audiences nationwide via its hundreds of radio station and the iHeartRadio app.
Tickets to see the shows in person are on sale via Ticketmaster, starting at $99. All proceeds will go to benefit FireAid relief efforts, with all venue and ticketing service fees.
The FireAid benefit concert is being produced by Shelli, Irving and the Azoff family, in conjunction with Live Nation and AEG Presents. Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet is the executive producer and Rick Krim is the FireAid talent producer.
Congratulations are in order for Lauren Alaina, who is expecting her first child with husband Cam Arnold! The country star revealed the exciting news with People, and showed off her new baby bump in her music video for “Those Kind of Women,” released on Wednesday (Jan. 22). In the clip, the 30-year-old American Idol alum […]
On the heels of the Lady Gaga-assisted “Die With a Smile” remaining at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for another week, Bruno Mars has turned his focus to his next single. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Looking to craft a new strip club anthem, Bruno […]