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In today’s episode of ‘How It Went Down,’ Craig David reveals what inspired him to create “7 Days,” the core theme of the song, how he was able to collaborate with Mark Hill to create something magical and more! David Craig: Hi, I’m Craig David and this is How It Went Down with my song […]
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Are you looking for a fun activity to do with family or friends? Don’t underestimate the power of a karaoke night. Searching for an effective karaoke machine can be tough, but once you find everything you need in one, you can’t go back.
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With this JYX Portable Karaoke Machine, you’ll be able to unleash your inner superstar anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re hosting a karaoke night with family or simply singing some of your favorite songs, this karaoke machine delivers crisp sound with a seamless wireless system.
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JYX Mini Karaoke Machine
$48.99
$59.99
18% off
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This karaoke machine is so versatile, you can even host a dance party. Enjoy its LED lights and let the colorful dance party begin from the comfort of your own home to an outdoor birthday party.
Take this mini karaoke wherever you go, because you can use it in multiple forms. From its Bluetooth connectivity to iPad, you can’t go wrong. You can also connect it to your phone, computer, and more.
This karaoke set comes with two beige wireless microphones. These adjustable mics can be customized to your likings and preferences.
With the ability to adjust your mic levels, volume, and echo separately, you’ll get full control. According to the brand, you’ll also have access to magic voice effects and the ability to “remove and restore vocals freely.” The effects include: monster voice, female voice, baby voice, original voice and karaoke voice.
And of course, mini karaoke machines are a TikTok favorite. Videos of music fans belting out their favorite songs — either in their cars, or at home — have wracked up millions of views.
Based on Amazon reviews, customers enjoy that the JYX Mini Karaoke Machine is easy and fun to use. Another user expressed that this purchase was a “hit” for their kids.
Although it’s a mini karaoke machine don’t underestimate it, based on the brand, it has HIFI sound quality (aka high clarity) and 3D surround sound. All you need to do is select your favorite song and start singing. “The sound is incredible. I did not think an item this small would sound so good,” one Amazon shopper wrote.
For more product recommendations, check out our top 5 Bluetooth speakers under $100, best gaming headsets and Xbox console deals for all your family and friends to enjoy.
Ice Spice gave her beloved Munchkins a sneak peek of her upcoming single “Gimmie a Light” Wednesday (May 8) with a super smoky video clip. In the 15-second snippet, Spice is riding in the back of a hot pink Range Rover — which is sporting a “Y2K” license plate in honor of her upcoming debut […]
With music festivals around the world getting more focused on meaningful sustainability initiatives, Central California’s Mill Valley Music Festival is set to raise the bar by getting 100% of its power from renewable energy sources.
Happening this weekend (May 11-12), the Mill Valley, Calif., event says this initiative will make it the first festival in the United States to be entirely powered by renewable energy. The source of that energy will be Moxion MP-75 batteries — battery-powered generators that use no fuel, produce no emissions and are almost fully silent. (Last year, these Moxion batteries were listed among Time‘s Best Inventions of 2023.)
The festival, which is expecting 6,000-12,000 attendees per day, will use seven Moxion batteries to power its stages, VIP areas, vendors and all other power points. Another three batteries will be on-site as backups. A representative for Moxion tells Billboard that these batteries have been donated to the festival to serve as proof of concept that Moxion can share with other live events organizers to help transition festivals from traditionally used diesel-powered generators to clean power sources.
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Amazon and equipment rental company Sunbelt are among the investors in the Bay Area-based Moxion Power, whose batteries have previously been used to partially power festivals including Reverb’s Luck Reunion near Austin, BottleRock in Napa Valley and Southern California events PowerTrip, Camp FlogGnaw, Long Beach Tamale Fest, CaliVibes and Coachella. Upcoming deployments are planned for Los Angeles festivals Cruel World and Just Like Heaven.
While many festivals have experimented with the use of some clean power — including battery and solar — some event organizers have been reticent to fully rely on battery-powered generators due to concerns over dependability and cost. According to a company representative, Moxion does not publish retail prices given that battery cost varies based on incentives available at the time of purchase, but they say battery cost is comparable to the cost of the traditionally used diesel generators when considering rental and fuel prices.
Nic Adler, the vp of festivals at Goldenvoice — which produces events including PowerTrip, CaliVibes, Camp FlogGnaw, Cruel World, Just Like Heaven and more — told Billboard in March that the minute the costs of green initiatives “start affecting the bottom line [of festivals] in a positive way, there’s going to be a full push for all of this.”
Organized by the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and Noise Pop Industries, Mill Valley Music Festival is in its third year and this weekend will feature artists including Fleet Foxes, Margo Price and St. Paul & the Broken Bones.
The festival projects that by using Moxion batteries, it will avoid generating roughly9,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. (For comparison, 9,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions is roughly the equivalent of an average gas-powered passenger vehicle being driven for 10,000 miles.)
“We’re thrilled to be the exclusive energy source for Mill Valley Music Festival this year,” says Moxion CEO and co-founder Paul Huelskamp. “Moxion was born right here in Mill Valley, so it’s incredible to see the festival become a sustainability leader. We hope this inspires more eco-friendly practices across the board.”
Italy has been in the habit of sending male singers to the Eurovision Song Contest. Perhaps it is because one of the most successful Eurovision songs of all time is Domenico Modugno’s “Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu,” also known as “Volare,” a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958. (More recently, the co-ed, male-fronted rock band Måneskin won Eurovision for Italy in 2021, propelling them to the global stage and Billboard chart success.)
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Angelina Mango is the first female to compete for Italy since Francesca Michielin placed 16th in 2016 with “No Degree of Separation.” Mango has moved up in the bookmakers’ odds this week, with Italy now the third favorite to win the 2024 contest, behind Croatia and Switzerland. Billboard met up with her in Malmö, Sweden, host city to this year’s competition, to talk about her entry, her career and what’s next.
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What is your own personal history with Eurovision?
I always watched Eurovision with my mom when I was a child because she’s a fan. It was really [not my thing], I have to be honest. I’m not talking about taste or music. I’m talking about experience. It was a surprise when I won the Sanremo Festival and understood the possibilities to come here. [The winner of Italy’s annual Sanremo Festival has the option to represent the country at Eurovision.] I’m very young and I just started a music career, so everything is new. I’m trying to learn a lot from everything and everyone, because this is an experience that happens once in your life. I want to live it all and not forget anything.
As a child, do you remember seeing any particular Eurovision songs or artists that stood out for you?
I really loved MARO from Portugal [with “Saudade, Saudade” in 2022]. Obviously, Loreen with “Euphoria.” We would always watch the TV program and talk about music, because I lived in a house of musicians.
Your father Giuseppe, who went by Mango, had a very successful career, releasing over 20 albums in his lifetime.
My mom was also a professional musician and my brother. When I was two years old I learned how to communicate through music. Music is like a language. When I did pre-promotion for my Eurovision song “La Noia,” I heard other people sing it with different accents and it was spectacular for me, because it doesn’t matter which language you are speaking, it’s just energy. Music really unites people everywhere. Eurovision is an opportunity for people to share music. You can do it alone, but I want to share it and learn from others in different countries.
Along with Eurovision, the Sanremo Festival is one of the world’s best-known song competitions. Why did you decide to enter?
In Italy, Sanremo is like Christmas. Everyone waits for Santa. I wrote “La Noia” and then I thought this is a song that has no regrets. I can take it on the stage with everything in me. So it’s perfect for Sanremo, because Sanremo is a celebration of music and a mirror of what has happened with music in Italy. But I honestly didn’t think about winning, so that was a surprise.
The winner of Sanremo has the option to represent Italy in Eurovision. Was that a difficult choice to make?
I didn’t have to think about it a lot. For me, it was obviously a good choice.
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“La Noia” is a great pop song that sounds like a big hit. When did you write your first song?
I was five years old when I wrote my first song from the beginning to the end. The title was “I Fell in Love With Me” and I wrote it about myself, that I could be a woman without a man and without marriage. These were my thoughts at five.
Did you write the words and the music?
Yes, everything.
And you kept writing songs?
Yes. From that moment on, I couldn’t stop.
What inspired “La Noia”?
I wrote “La Noia” in the studio with Madame and Dardust [Dario Faini], a songwriter and a producer that I really love. I decided to talk about my life and my story. For me, it was very important to have a positive message. Dancing with a crown of thorns is something very important because everyone has a crown of thorns, something bad that has happened in your life, but we can always smile and we can always see positive things and this is something that I learned and I want to share with everyone, especially teenagers who listen to my music.
Is there an album on the way with “La Noia” on it?
I’m very proud of my album because I worked on it a lot. The title is Poké Melodrama. It is a reflection of my personality at this moment. It will be out May 31, and I can’t wait.
When you write songs, what comes first, the music or the lyrics?
It’s totally random. I can’t stop writing during the day. I always think about music. It’s difficult to explain. When I go to the studio, everything is ready in my mind. It’s strange, but it’s beautiful.
Aside from your parents, were there any musicians who inspired you when you growing up?
When I was six years old, I heard Woodstock for the first time and I learned about rock n’ roll. I went to see the Rolling Stones when I was 13. When I was in high school, I started listening to urban music, mostly from Italy..What have you learned about yourself from your Eurovision journey so far?
Today I’m more self-confident. I understand this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
What can you tell me about your upcoming tour?
It’s a long tour, beginning this summer. I’ll do some festivals with my band, both in and out of Italy. In October, we will do a club tour in Italy, and in November, a club tour in Europe. That’s a big thing for me because it’s the first time I have played music with my band since I was 13 years old. We grew up together and now we are in Malmö. It’s very strange, but it’s beautiful.
Mango will perform “La Noia” in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2024, although she will not be competing on Thursday (May 9). As one of the “Big Five” countries that contribute the most to the production budget, Italy is automatically qualified for the grand final. The second semi-final will be seen in the U.S. on Peacock at 3 p.m. ET on May 9. The grand final will air on May 11 at that same time.
Sabrina Carpenter‘s 2024 Met Gala look wasn’t quite complete before Barry Keoghan added the finishing touch: a kiss on the cheek. In an adorable moment from Vogue‘s newly shared video of the “Feather” singer getting ready for the red carpet Monday (May 5), the Saltburn star crashed the party to get a first-look at his […]
Kate Hudson is gearing up to dive into the music world with her debut album, Glorious, and the superstar joined The Howard Stern Show on Wednesday (May 8) to take the stage. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Almost Famous star performed “Gonna Find Out” from […]
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Source: LyfeShare / LyfeShare App
Planning after a loved one passes is never an easy situation to deal with, both mentally and especially physically. LyfeShare aims to give users peace of mind during the process.
LyfeShare is an “innovative platform with patent-pending technology, dedicated to preserving and sharing your legacy.”
It allows users to securely upload, store, and share important documents that will be useful later, such as when a loved one dies or when you need to refer to critical financial documents to close certain accounts.
That’s not all you can upload; you can also share other essential documents that may get lost over time, like family recipes, photos, birth certificates, and more, to ensure you never forget your family’s history.
The app is the brainchild of Michael Swift and its other founders, who wanted to make estate planning and dealing with the end-of-life process easier, especially for Black and Brown people.
Speaking with AriseTV, Swift talked about creating Lyfeshare, telling the website, “Witnessing the undue burden and added pain caused by disorganized and inaccessible documents during a time of loss ignited the idea for LyfeShare.”
He continued, “The necessity for a solution became clear to create a platform that simplifies document management, safeguards legacies, and ensures critical information is readily accessible when needed most. LyfeShare is not just about storage. It’s about providing support, guidance, and peace of mind to individuals and families navigating life’s most challenging moments.”
How Much Does The Service Cost?
By heading to the website or through the downloaded app, you can sign up for three different prescription tiers: Basic, which starts at $7.99 per month; Standard, which costs $9.99 per month; and Premium, which costs $16.99.
Once subscribed, users will have access to other features like the “Buddys,” giving friends and other family members access to the information.
LyfeShare Features A Unique “Time Release Function” Exclusive To The App
Source: LyfeShare / LyfeShare App
LyfeShare’s patented “Time Release Function” will also be available to subscribers. This function gives users more control over their documents and when they will be available following a loved one’s passing.
Swift spoke about the feature, telling the website it’s “exclusive to LyfeShare, is our intellectual property, setting us apart from other legacy management platforms. It allows users to schedule the release of their documents and information to specific individuals at predetermined times in the future. It offers a strategic approach to legacy management, enabling users to ensure that their important information is shared according to their wishes, even after they’re no longer able to manage it themselves.”
He continued, “Personally, the time release function has changed my life by providing peace of mind and reassurance that my legacy will be managed and shared in the way I intend. It allows me to plan for the future with confidence, knowing that my loved ones will have access to the information they need, when they need it most. Additionally, the ability to schedule the release of information on important dates or milestones allows me to continue to be present and make a meaningful impact in the lives of my family and friends, even after I’m gone.”
LyfeShare is available for download on iOS and the Google Play Store.
You can also sign up by visiting the website.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Bob Marley fans can embrace the summer weather with a new collaboration that features beach-ready accessories inspired by the late singer. […]
There have been many famous brother acts in the history of rock n’ roll, from the Everly Brothers to the Bee Gees to the Jacksons. Sweden is sending a brother act to the Eurovision Song Contest this year, but Marcus & Martinus aren’t simply brothers — they are identical twins. They will open the grand final on Saturday (May 11) with an energetic performance of their hit single, “Unforgettable.”
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Billboard sat down with the 22-year-old siblings from Norway at their hotel in Malmö, Sweden, host city to this year’s pan-European competition.
As young as you are, you are seasoned veterans, with a career that dates back a decade. How did you get started in the music business?
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Martinus: We wanted always to be football players. That was our dream, and then we started singing together when we were 10 years old. By the age of 12 we had to choose. Should we be serious about music? Should we go all in as football players? Our dad said to us, “Music is fun but football is also very fun.” But music has worked out very well.
Marcus: When we were six, we started in a children’s choir and had a music teacher who made us fall in love with the music. She did an amazing job and three years later, when we were done in the children’s choir, we wanted to do more but we didn’t know how. Then an opportunity came in 2012 when we joined the competition for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, and we won.
You’ve been in a lot of musical competitions. What are your thoughts about competing with other singers?
Marcus: When we did [Junior Eurovision] we didn’t have any pressure because we were kids and it was for fun and everyone loved everyone there. When we did The Masked Singer no one knew who was under the masks, so we didn’t have any pressure. But then Eurovision is something else. Here you are representing a country and people will have opinions, because they really want their country to win. We try not to read the comments but it’s difficult not to because they are everywhere.
Martinus: We are very competitive people. We play a lot of football, so it’s in our blood that we want to win all the time and we’re brothers as well, so we compete against each other in everything. So I think this year we are the most competitive people in the whole competition, but it’s nice because you’re very focused when you’re on the stage and are very ready. I think that’s just a good thing.
As devoted Eurovision fans know, many artists have represented countries that are not their homelands. Celine Dion from Canada sang for Switzerland; Gina G is from Australia but sang for the U.K.; and you are from Norway singing for Sweden.
Marcus: For us, it was a natural choice because we’ve been working a lot in Sweden the last few years and when the coronavirus came, we were thinking what our next step would be. We had been teen stars for awhile and we needed to get away from that. We’re 22 years old now. We don’t want to be locked in as teen stars forever, and that was very difficult for us in Norway, because they’ve known us since we were 10 years old. We felt like Norway never accepted that we wanted to go further than that. So we thought we should go to Sweden, where they found us later. We signed with Universal Music Sweden. They accepted that we wanted to go past [our teen years] and it feels very natural to represent Sweden because they have helped us through that journey.
When ABBA entered Eurovision, their goal was to break out beyond Sweden and become a global act. Is that one of your goals in the competition?
Martinus: That has been our goals for a very long time and when we joined Melodifestivalen [the Swedish heat to pick the artist and song that will go to Eurovision], that was also one of our goals. If we went to Eurovision, it would be a free ticket to Europe where you can visit a lot of countries. You get a lot of first impressions because people haven’t seen you before. It was a very nice opportunity for us when Eurovision came. We’ve been waiting for this moment and it’s very nice to get back out in Europe.
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What is the genesis of your Eurovision entry, “Unforgettable”?
Marcus: We wrote it from scratch, just like “Air” [the brothers’ entry in Melodifestivalen 2023]. We were inspired by “Air” because a lot of Eurovision fans really liked that song and said if it weren’t for Loreen [and her song “Tattoo”], it would have gone straight through [to Eurovision]. People said they really wanted us to try again. “Air” went well [placing second to Loreen] so we thought we should do something similar, but even more Eurovision. We wanted to make something rougher and tougher, but an upgrade from “Air.” As you know, we’ve been on a stage for 12 years. We want to show that experience on stage.
What is the dynamic of being a brother act?
Martinus: There’s a special bond between us. It’s something else when random people get together and start a band rather than being brothers, because we have this special connection and we know each other. I’m the person in the world that knows him best and the same with him with me, so we have that special connection when we are on the stage. We can feel each other’s energy and we can give each other energy and I think that’s the reason why we have gone so far in our career. We work very well together, even though we’re brothers and fight, but I think that is healthy. We’re brutally honest with each other, which also helps us to get better, because you can say, “You were awful today. What happened?” That helps us a lot and our very special connection helps us as artists as well.
Marcus and Martinus performed “Unforgettable” in semi-final 1 on Tuesday (May 7) but were not competing. As representatives of the host country, they are automatically qualified for the grand final, which will be live on Saturday (May 11). The four-hour show will be live on Peacock in the U.S., airing at 3 p.m. ET.
The brothers have toured Europe with Jason Derulo and will be back on the road starting May 30 with their We Are Not The Same Tour, with 26 dates extending until March 25, including a stop at London’s O2 Arena on March 5, 2025.
