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On a Friday night in late February, Tems was having dinner with the owners of San Diego FC, celebrating her new position as a partner in the MLS club. The next day, a video went viral of the 29-year-old Nigerian musician, known for her enviable levels of cool, briefly losing it while watching the club’s […]
Ironheart, the highly anticipated miniseries starring Dominique Thorne as genius MIT student Riri Williams, is slated to launch this summer. Marvel dropped the official trailer for Ironheart on Wednesday (May 14), which details Riri Williams’ journey into superheroism after studying abroad in a famed African nation.
Dominique Thorn stars as Riri Williams, an MIT student from Chicago who is encountered by a mysterious figure known as The Hood, played by Anthony Ramos, who helps fund her mission to build an all-powerful armored suit similar to the suits created by the late Tony Stark, better known to the world as Iron Man.
The trailer shows The Hood testing Williams’ brilliance inside her makeshift laboratory, and later promising riches to make her dreams of building a super-suit come true. As it would happen, The Hood doesn’t seem to have the purest intentions for Williams, setting up a clash with Ironheart in the future.
The six-part series follows the action shortly after Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, where we first encounter Williams after being recruited by the Dora Milaje’s top general, Okoye. Coogler also serves as an executive producer for the series, which also stars Lyric Ross as Williams’ friend Natalie Washington, and Alden Ehrenreich as Joe McGillicuddy, among others.
Get the full cast and other details for Ironheart here. Check out the trailer below. The show’s first three episodes will be released on June 24.
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Photo: Marvel/Getty/Disney+
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Billboard cover star Tems is diving into the trajectory of her career, balancing her personal life and breaking records. Plus, she teases new music, lists her favorite songs she’s put out, talks her involvement with San Diego FC, how representation has evolved in the music industry, the challenges of fame, her future goals and more.
What’s your favorite Tems song? Let us know in the comments!
Heran Mamo:
Well, I’m so excited to be here with you.
Tems:
Me too.
I mean, this is the fourth time we chatted. But you know, much bigger occasion. Super happy. In person, in London, where you live.
In London, yeah.
So how long have you lived in London?
I’ve lived in London for about three years now.
And your family moved here when you were a baby, correct?
Yes. My dad still lives here. Actually, I was raised in Lagos. Still. I didn’t stay here too long when I was a baby.
Obviously Lagos is still considered home.
Oh yeah, for sure.
I remember, I think I was watching your Vogue France video when you’re getting ready for the Jacquemus show, and you’re talking about, like, your Pilates class and how, like, you have to keep changing them, because of people recognizing you and you’re like, not even booking under your real name. How do you maintain a sort of normal-ish routine?
The way I am naturally is, I wouldn’t say it’s routine-based, but I find joy in, you know, quiet and having my own time, and I just keep my life private, like my private life private and my public life public.
How has your relationship with your fame evolved over the years and making sure you’re still maintaining that peace?
At least when I first started, there’s a lot of things I wasn’t comfortable with. I’m hypersensitive to a lot of things, so everything was uncomfortable. I just love music. You know, I was always focused on my art and just putting on music.
Keep watching for more!
Mexican music powerhouse Fonovisa-Disa is rebranding as Fono, it was announced on Wednesday (May 14).
The new name for the regional Mexican label, which is part of Universal Music Group, comes more than 40 years after its launch. It went on to become a pioneering company at a time when música mexicana didn’t have the global spotlight it has today.
“This isn’t the end of an era, at least we don’t feel like it is,” Antonio Silva, Fono’s U.S.-Mexico MD and a towering figure at the company, tells Billboard. “This is an evolution of Fonovisa, of our team, our artists, and it is an evolution designed to expand our genre and culture. This rebranding does not make Fonovisa’s legacy disappear, we intend to make [the genre] more relevant and take it beyond where our artists have already taken it.”
Fono is home to genre giants Alejandro Fernández, Los Tigres del Norte and Banda El Recodo, to name a few of the veterans on its roster, as well as emerging acts such as Camila Fernández, Danny Felix and Majo Aguilar — a reflection of the genre’s multigenerational audience. The label’s rebranding comes at a time when regional Mexican music has grown significantly in popularity and exposure over the past few years. Still, there’s much more opportunity for growth, says Alfredo Delgadillo, president/CEO of Universal Music México.
“Mexican music is in a good place right now, but we want to see it go further,” says Delgadillo, who notes the rebranding has been in the works for over a year. “It’s important to note that while corridos are getting all the attention at this moment, the rest of the subgenres like banda, norteño, mariachi, cumbia, continue to have enormous relevance, and we don’t want that to get lost. We see a very strong opportunity. The focus on the corrido, which is very important and, coming from what Fonovisa is and what it has built, we don’t want it to end or stay there. For us, the cultural richness of the entire genre goes beyond a special moment for just one of the subgenres.”
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Fono will continue building on the legacy that Fonovisa-Disa built. Previously an indie label, Fonovisa was acquired by Universal in 2008 and became an institution in the regional Mexican music space. “We saw this as [an opportunity] to grow, to take Mexican music and all its genres to other regions and territories,” says Ana Martínez, who was appointed Fono’s U.S. GM last year. “Our vision is focused on the opportunity to take our culture to other audiences, above all in a sustainable way, helping develop something that lasts more than the isolated impact that sometimes happens.”
Adds Silva, “After so many years of working in the music industry and practically all dedicated to regional Mexican, I’ve experienced the phenomenon of Bronco, Rigo Tovar and so many more that have been a part of our history. Now, to reach this moment where the company has this vision of expanding our culture and all that we are, I’m thankful to Fono and Universal for giving us a new road to navigate the world.”
Jin is heading back to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Billboard can exclusively reveal. Just over half a year after he made his solo debut on the late-night show, the BTS singer will make his way back to 30 Rock a week from today — on Wednesday, May 21 — to perform on the […]
Source: John Nacion / Getty
Jake Tapper is facing loads of criticism after promoting a book that details the alleged physical and mental decline of President Joe Biden. Despite the CNN anchor’s past defenses of President Joe Biden, many have viewed Jake Tapper’s book as an underhanded play to boost sales and play both sides.
Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson of Axios co-wrote Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, which looks at the prior presidential election cycle and the decision for President Biden to attempt to run for a second term.
What seemed to turn most heads was that Tapper was seen as a strong advocate for Biden, often defending the president’s performance and praising his efforts to lead to country. Now, it appears that Tapper and Thompson’s book is looking to blast holes in Biden’s legacy, moving away from the praise Tapper once heaped upon the longtime public servant.
Naturally, opponents of CNN, mainstream media at large, and Biden himself are delighting in what they’re framing as a contradictory position by Tapper. Others are accusing the anchor of looking to make a quick cash grab at the expense of a man he once defended with fervor and passion on the airwaves.
Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again is slated to be released on May 20, 2025.
On X, reactions to Jake Tapper’s upcoming book have been cropping up. We’ve got reactions from all sides below.
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Photo: Getty
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Industry executives Daniel Oakley, Darren Potuck and Cage the Elephant co-founder/guitarist Brad Shultz have partnered to form the new label Parallel Vision, it was revealed to Billboard on Wednesday (May 14). Additionally, the Nashville and Los Angeles-based label announced it has formed a joint venture with Big Loud Rock (the alternative/rock imprint of Big Loud Records) to sign its flagship artist, rock duo Girl Tones.
Composed of sisters Kenzie and Laila, Girl Tones has opened shows for Cage the Elephant in Europe and later joined The Velveteers and hey, nothing on those acts’ stateside shows. In July, the duo will join Silversun Pickups on a run of North American shows and is also slated to play festivals including Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees and Austin City Limits.
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To mark the signing, Girl Tones released its new single and video, “Blame,” on Wednesday. Described as “vintage-tinged,” the Casey Pierce-directed video was filmed at Nashville’s Dive Motel and plays up the trope of sibling rivalry.
“We’ve been friends for nearly two decades, each carving out different corners of the industry — artist, executive, creative, while also working and creating together throughout those years,” said Oakley in a statement. “Brad had spent the last several years developing and producing artists while Darren and I worked with major music and entertainment companies.”
Added Shlutz, “We were presented with a chance to have our own outlet to further develop and release the music. Parallel Vision is that avenue. It’s honestly a blessing the way it all came together. Girl Tones is the perfect first chapter. They’ve gone from local stages to global releases and touring internationally in under a year — and we’re just getting started.”
On the label’s partnership with Big Loud Rock, Potuck added, “At Parallel Vision, we’re driven by a desire to support artists who push boundaries. Partnering with Big Loud Rock gives us the infrastructure and momentum to take that vision to a much bigger audience — without compromising the art. We’re excited to build something that respects creativity while delivering at the highest level.”
Joey Moi, a Big Loud partner and president at Big Loud Rock, added, “Big Loud Rock is honored to be in partnership with the renowned team at Parallel Vision and their first signing Girl Tones. As part of our label’s mission to develop the next generation of alternative-rock artists, these strategic partnerships will be part of our core mission as we continue to build and take this company to new heights.”
Big Loud Rock is also home to artists including Blame My Youth, Bizzy and Sikarus.
The Foo Fighters have booked their first gig of 2025. The veteran rockers announced on Tuesday night (May 13) that they will headline day two (October 4) of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix concerts as part of a three-day roster of all-star shows supporting the race. “Singapore. See you soon!!!” the band wrote in the […]
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Halle Bailey has levied explosive claims against the father of her son, DDG, alleging that the popular streamer and music artist abused and attacked her several times during their union. On Tuesday (May 13), Halle Bailey filed to obtain a court-ordered restraining order against DDG.
In a report from TMZ, it was shared that Halle Bailey, 25, detailed the abuse she suffered at the hands of DDG, 27, adding that the issues dated back to the top of this year. The pair have not been an item since October of last year, but were still in contact as co-parents for their young son.
During a January visit to his son, DDG reportedly became angry with Bailey as she tried to get their son in a car seat, allegedly calling the singer the b-word and demanding she leave his vehicle. From there, Bailey says that the two began to scuffle, with the streamer allegedly slamming Bailey’s head against a steering wheel.
Adding to this, Bailey claimed that back in March, DDG showed up at her house and let himself in without asking, then went to her bedroom to take a photo of her empty bed. He then allegedly sent an image of the text with the caption, “now I know what u been on lol,” which Bailey presumed was charging her with having sex with other people.
Days later, the menacing allegedly continued with DDG appearing at Bailey’s home asking to see their son, but she didn’t want the boy to leave as she told the father that Mom and baby were feeling ill. DDG was allegedly angered by this and smashed Bailey’s Ring camera and took her phone.On X, the reactions to the news have fans of Halle Bailey angry and ready to ride against DDG, who feigned shock at the news during a stream with Adin Ross. We’ve got those reactions below.–Photo: Getty
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LONDON — Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena has teamed up with Adidas and Abbey Road Studios for the launch of a new recording studio inside its premises.
The Adidas Originals Recording Studio is situated inside the U.K.’s largest music arena and has been designed as “a vibrant hub for emerging musical talent and young creative communities.” The studio has been engineered by Abbey Road’s technicians and sound engineers.
The studio in Manchester, England will be available to local musicians from August onwards. The initiative is launched in conjunction with a number of existing schemes, including Abbey Road’s Amplify and Equalise programmes, which hosts a number of panels, workshops and recording opportunities at the iconic London studios each year.
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Factory’s International’s Factory Sounds initiative, which provides financial support and mentorship to underrepresented groups in the Greater Manchester area, is also involved with the project. Courteeners frontman Liam Fray, who was born and raised in Middleton, Manchester, opened the studio with an acoustic live performance and praised the space and the opportunities it may provide: “To have something of this level up here that is a focal point in Manchester opens up the industry and takes it to a wider audience.”
Despite a rocky, delayed opening, the Co-op Live Arena has become a key venue on the U.K.’s touring circuit, with a number of huge acts set to perform there this summer, including Bruce Springsteen, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, the Creator, Massive Attack and more.
Sally Davies, managing director of Abbey Road Studios, said in a statement: “The launch of the adidas Originals Recording Studio is a world-first collaboration creating a new, Abbey Road-engineered recording space beyond the walls of our home in London.”
“We are enormously proud to partner with Adidas, Co-op Live and Factory International to create a new platform for talent in Manchester and the North-West, expanding our mission to enable and empower the global community of music makers and creators, and shape the future of music making.”