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With the 2024 presidential election just a month away, one person who will not be hitting the polls is Alabama Barker.
The 18-year-old daughter of Travis Barker went live on social media recently, where she revealed that while she is now old enough to vote, she doesn’t want to. “Not voting isn’t crazy in my opinion at all, because if I don’t feel like I have the exact education for what I’m voting for, how is it right to vote something I’m not completely educated on?” she explained in the livestream, seen by Billboard. “I could educate myself, but why would I do that if I genuinely don’t care? I’m just honest.”
She continued, “I don’t care to vote if I don’t know exactly what’s going on. I don’t think that’s wrong, and I completely stand on that and stand by it because, first of all, I just turned 18 and I never voted before. I’ve never voted. If I don’t want to vote, I don’t have to vote. If I don’t want to be in politics, I don’t have to be in politics.”
Alabama did note, however, that she does “have an opinion on what I feel is right because of what I’ve been seeing,” before adding that “one of the [candidates] is just a mess.” She did not reveal whether she was talking about Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump or Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
While Alabama is not voting, a number of other public figures are. Most recently, Bruce Springsteen voiced his support for Harris, joining a list of other celebrities including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Stevie Nicks, Cardi B, Jason Isbell, John Legend, Katy Perry and many more.
Meanwhile, Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Kanye West and Sexyy Red are among the artists who are backing Trump in this year’s election.
Billboard has been around since 1894 and is still going strong. In the last couple years, Billboard has been featured as a category in Jeopardy! (more than once), popped up in the HBO show The Last of Us and gotten a shout out from Kendrick Lamar on the remix to Beyoncé’s “America Has a Problem.” […]
If you or someone you know has been impacted by this severe hurricane season, MusiCares may be able to help. MusiCares’ comprehensive support for music professionals includes emergency financial assistance, mental health and emotional support, medical and housing resources and support around basic living expenses. Whether it’s a natural disaster, personal emergency, or unexpected hardship, […]
Current CMA entertainer of the year nominee Jelly Roll has teamed with American Greetings, as the company rolls out four new Creatacard digital greeting cards just ahead of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The virtual cards will be free […]
With roots all over the east coast, Gimel ‘Young Guru’ Keaton was born and bred within the fabric that made Hip-Hop what it is today. Before he became a GRAMMY Award-winning engineer and one of the most influential figures in hip-hop production, he was a high school basketball star in Wilmington, Delaware with options to play at the collegiate level upon graduation. Keaton had an older cousin who attended Howard while he was in high school and after a trip to homecoming, he knew it was time to hang up his jersey and immerse himself in HBCU culture.
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“I caught the bug. The feeling I got on their campus, seeing that many dynamic young black people all about their business was surreal.”
He often reflects on how his time at Howard University shaped his trajectory. As a member of the illustrious HBCU community, Young Guru embodies the transformative power that these institutions provide to young Black people. At Howard, he didn’t just hone his technical skills; he also cultivated a fierce sense of resilience and creativity that has propelled him through every challenge in his career.
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“It’s the Howard mentality. No matter what problem you come across, you figure it out. I always say it like this: If you run up on a brick wall, Howard was the place where you learned how to break through the wall. Not getting through the wall is never an option. You called on your friends, had a support system, and just got shit done.”
Howard University, like many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), is more than an academic institution; it’s a cultural sanctuary that equips Black students with the tools and resources they need to excel. Young Guru’s experience is a testament to how HBCUs empower students to break boundaries and “run through the brick wall” of societal expectations.
After leaving Howard, Guru went on to become one of Hip-Hop’s most revered sound engineers and DJs. Known for his work with Hip-Hop icon JAY-Z, Guru was dubbed “The Sound of New York,” and has also worked with legendary artists like Eminem, Mariah Carey, and Rihanna.
Keaton still works with JAY-Z today, but is excited about his current role as the Director of Roc Nation’s School of Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production at Long Island University Brooklyn. The school serves as a globally renowned destination for world-class education and exceptional career development, equipping its students with the tools needed to thrive in entertainment. As a pioneer in the Hip-Hop space, Keaton’s students are exposed to invaluable information and have access to state of the art facilities & technology.
“If a student tells me, ‘Hey Gu! I prefer working in FruityLoops, and then there’s a major job where I could work on a movie… But they team hiring works in pro tools.’ I don’t want my students to not be able to take that job. I want to expose them to Pro Tools, Logic, and Ableton, so they can feel comfortable stepping into any role.”
This school year, Keaton’s students are the first experience the all new, state of the art Dolby Atmos recording studios. Keaton curated a collection of high-end equipment to afford students the best opportunity to gain hands-on experience with analog tools that are utilized for many modern plugins.
“This new Dolby Atmos studio further solidifies our school’s place at the forefront of music education,” Guru said. “Every detail in the facility was methodically curated for our students and I’m excited for them to maximize their learning experience on campus and prepare to enter the workforce with an unprecedented advantage.”
In a world where barriers still exist for Black creatives, Young Guru’s story shines as a beacon of hope and possibility. His success is a reminder of the untapped potential that lies within HBCUs, where young Black minds are equipped to dream big and achieve greatness. These institutions serve as launchpads, providing the resources, support, and community that enable Black students to not only envision their futures but also to shape them boldly.
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For over 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm also actively supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through initiatives that enhance opportunities and promote community development. By sponsoring events like Billboard’s Hip Hop LIVE where they hosted HBCU owned businesses at the Good Neighbor Marketplace and other outreach efforts, State Farm not only helps increase access to opportunities, but also champions the cultural and social contributions of HBCUs in the world.
“I’m really happy for you. I’ma let you finish, but Joe Budden had the greatest mixtape run of all time” — or at least the rapper-turned-podcaster seems to think so. On a recent episode of the always-entertaining Joe Budden Podcast, co-host Ice posed the question: “Who has the greatest mixtape discography?” Budden, to his credit, […]
As severe hurricanes continue to tear through parts of the American South, Taylor Swift is doing her part to help. On Wednesday (Oct. 9), Feeding America announced that the pop star has donated $5 million to relief efforts serving Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina amid Hurricanes Helene and Milton. “This contribution will help […]
Tina Knowles may be one of Glamour‘s women of the year in 2024, but she’s been Beyoncé‘s woman of the year since 1981.
The superstar was in the house Tuesday night (Oct. 8) to watch as the publication honored her mom at its Woman of the Year event in New York City, a ceremony also attended by Billie Eilish, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland, Demi Lovato and more stars. At one point, Knowles stood up in front of the gathering and made an emotional speech about motherhood, getting choked up as Bey wiped away tears in the audience.
“My daughters have brought me such incredible joy in my life, far more than anything else,” the businesswoman said, getting choked up. “They’ve been right there by my side at the lowest points of my life and have cheered me on at the highest points of my life, making me feel like I could conquer anything.”
As the “Break My Soul” singer smiled encouragingly and blinked back tears, Knowles continued: “I am asked most often, ‘What is the proudest moment you’ve had with your daughters?’ My answer is always the same. What I’m most proud of is the human beings they are.”
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The celebration came a few days after Knowles graced the cover of Glamour alongside Maggie Baird, Mandy Teefey and Donna Kelce, who are the moms of Eilish, Selena Gomez and Travis Kelce, respectively. The former hairstylist echoed her pride for Bey, Solange and honorary daughter Kelly Rowland in the cover story, as well as reflected on how she taught the 32-time Grammy winner to stay humble despite finding fame as a teenager.
“We had some moments where I was like, ‘Listen, they can pick up their own suitcases,’” Knowles recalled of raising Bey. “’You look people in the eye, say hello, don’t turn into a diva. That’s not going to work here.’ You have to teach your kids that … because everybody’s trying to handle everything for them and kissing their butts sometimes. And I am like, ‘No, no, no, you’re not helpless.’”
While at the Women of the Year event, Bey also posed for photos with her mom and Rowland as well as chatted with 2024 Olympian Suni Lee. In one clip, the musician wrapped the gymnast in a hug as a stunned Lee said, “Oh my gosh, thank you!”
See clips of Bey tearing up at Knowles’ speech and hugging Lee below.
New Lil Nas X music is around the corner! The 25-year-old superstar took to social media to tease a release he has in store. “GUESS WHOS FINALLY DROPPING NEW MUSIC NEXT MONTH ?!!” he captioned the self-taped video, in which he’s seen dancing around his bedroom to a bouncy unreleased song. “Hit me with your […]
Taylor Swift is back to her game-day routine with the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs now five games into the 2024-25 season, and she and Brittany Mahomes have the pictures to prove it.
On Wednesday (Oct. 9) — two days after the reigning Super Bowl champions won against the New Orleans Saints — Mahomes shared a game-day snap showing the friends re-creating one of their favorite poses from last season. In the photo, the pop star sips her drink while resting a hand on the former college soccer player’s baby bump, as Mahomes smiles into the camera with Lyndsay Bell standing on her other side.
“Same girls, new bump,” wrote the Kansas City Current co-owner, who is married to Patrick Mahomes and expecting her third baby with the quarterback.
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The picture is a callback to one the three ladies snapped in early January, which found them standing in the same position but with Lyndsay — who is married to tight end Blake Bell and was pregnant at the time — standing in the middle instead of Brittany. When the Chiefs won the AFC Championship later that month, the trio took another picture in the same position.
In all three photos, Swift sips on a drink — but in the latest iteration, her cup is decorated with a bedazzled “87” patch in honor of Travis Kelce’s jersey number. It wasn’t the only sparkly thing about the “Anti-Hero” singer Monday, though; looking chic in a plaid dress and knee-high platform boots, Swift arrived at Arrowhead Stadium with glittery faux freckles on her cheeks.
Brittany first revealed that she was pregnant with her third baby in July, sharing an adorable video with her husband and their two kids — 3-year-old daughter Sterling and almost-2-year-old Bronze — showing off No. 3’s sonogram. “Round three, here we come,” the onetime Sports Illustrated model captioned the post, which Swift and Kelce both “liked.”
This football season, Swift also recreated another one of her iconic photos from last year with Chariah Gordon, who is engaged to wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. In October 2023, Gordon shared a photo of herself cuddling up to Hardman while the 14-time Grammy winner planted a kiss on Kelce’s cheek. Almost a year later, Gordon posted a new picture of the foursome striking the same poses, this time on the first Chiefs game of fall 2024.