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11 Dec 2023

Country Hitmaker Lee Thomas Miller Signs With SMACKSongs

Lee Thomas Miller, a writer on hit country songs including “In Color” (Jamey Johnson) and “You’re Gonna Miss This,” (Trace Adkins) has signed a publishing deal with SMACKSongs.

Over three decades, Miller has become one of country music’s most prolific songwriters, as well as one of the songwriting industry’s biggest champions. He has earned 13 BMI radio performance awards and earned such Billboard Hot Country Songs hits including “The World,” which was co-written and recorded by Brad Paisley. Miller has also earned three Grammy nominations, as well as four NSAI “Songs I Wish I Had Written” honors. “In Color” was named song of the year by both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association, while “You’re Gonna Miss This” earned song of the year titles at the ASCAP and NSAI Awards and single record of the year at the ACM Awards. Miller has also had songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Thomas Rhett, Brothers Osborne and more.

Miller was previously signed to a publishing deal with UMPG Nashville.

“One of the first songwriters to welcome me in the publishing business 15 year ago was Lee Thomas Miller,” Lee Krabel, senior vp of publishing at SMACK, said in a statement. “I’m incredibly excited to get the opportunity to work with Lee again at SMACK. He is simply one of the best songwriters to ever come to Nashville. Looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together!”

“It is an honor to begin the next chapter of my career writing songs at SMACK. Not only have I been a fan of Shane McAnally’s songwriting his entire career, I also love what he and Robin Palmer have built in this publishing company,” Miller said in a statement. “I could not be more impressed with their team and the close ties I have to them already. I worked with Lee Krabel for many years early in his career and Robert Carlton’s late father Jeff Carlton gave me my big break when he signed me to my first publishing deal in the 90’s. Lee and Robert are impressive publishers now who have surrounded themselves with quality professionals as well as humans. I have to think Jeff is smiling today and would tell me I’m in good hands. Everything about this feels right.”

“This one is really special. Lee is one of the truly great songwriters in this town,” added Robert Carlton, president at SMACK. “He could go anywhere but the fact that he entrusted SMACK with this next chapter of his career is a big win for all of us. Personally, it hits a sentimental note for me because my dad gave Lee his first deal. I grew up listening to Lee’s catalog and demos as a kid. His songs are as relevant and as timely now as they were back then. I know my dad has got to be looking down proud to have a hand in this signing.”

11 Dec 2023

Snubs & Surprises in the 2024 Golden Globes Nominations

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour quickly became the top-grossing concert film of all time, so why does its nomination for the Globes’ new cinematic and box-office achievement award come as a surprise? One of their rules seemingly disallowed it – though another rule overrode that first rule. We’ll explain.

The rules state: “a. Documentaries are not eligible for any of the motion picture award categories, including the Best Motion Picture categories, and the acting, directing, screenplay, song, and score categories. b. Productions of stage plays, operas, concerts, and other live events recorded on a theatrical stage or other similar venue (i.e., not adapted for production as a motion picture or television program) are considered documentaries of the play, opera, concert, or other live event and are not eligible.”

So how was it deemed eligible?

A Globes spokesperson correctly notes that “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement is separate from the overall motion picture category guidelines as described in the award rules.”

Those rules further state: “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement contenders can also be considered for Best Motion Picture in their respective categories, i.e., Drama, Comedy or Musical, Animated or Non-English Language, if they meet the eligibility requirements for each of those awards.”

The Globes spokesman acknowledges that Swift’s film does not meet the eligibility requirements for other awards, such as best motion picture – musical or comedy. “Those rules specifically prohibit concert films and documentaries as per rule 3a and 3b, Hence, Taylor Swift’s Eras film does qualify for CBOA [cinematic and box office achievement] under our rules but does not qualify for the other best motion picture categories.

Half of this year’s inaugural nominees for cinematic and box-office achievement are nominated in other categories; half are not. Barbie, Oppenheimer, Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse 3 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie are. Swift’s film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, John Wick: Chapter 4 and Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Pt. 1 are not.

We now know that that Swift’s film wasn’t eligible in other categories. These other three simply didn’t garner enough voter support.

The Globes have long been in Swift’s corner. She has received three Globe nominations for best original song – for “Safe & Sound” from The Hunger Games, “Beautiful Ghosts” from Cats and “Carolina” from Where the Crawdads Sing. The fact that they nominated a song from Cats, which was a boxoffice flop, shows that Globe voters are long-time Swifties.

11 Dec 2023

Kid Rock Is Supporting Bud Light Again After Boycott

Kid Rock has decided to support Bud Light again, eight months after his transphobic response to trans activist Dylan Mulvaney teaming up with Anheuser-Busch to promote the brand’s Easy Carry Contest.

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“At the end of the day, when you step back and look at it, like, yeah, they deserved a black eye and they got one. They made a mistake,” the singer shared in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson. “So, do I want to hold their head under water and drown them because they made a mistake? No, I think they got the message.”

He added, “Hopefully, other companies get it too but, at the end of the day, I don’t think the punishment that they’ve been getting at this point fits the crime. I would like to see us back on board and become bigger because that’s the America that I want to live in.”

Rock concluded by noting, “There’s nothing wrong with giving a spanking. You don’t spank them for the rest of their life.”

In April, Rock posted a video to his social media accounts wearing a white MAGA hat. “Grandpa’s feeling a bit frisky today,” he shared, adding that he wants to make his message as “clear and concise as possible.” He then shot a semi-automatic rifle at three cases of Bud Light, telling the camera, “F— Bud Light, and f— Anheuser-Busch.”

At the time, in a statement received by Billboard, an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said, “Anheuser-Busch works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics. From time to time we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Dylan Mulvaney. This commemorative can was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not for sale to the general public.”

In July, CNN reported that Kid Rock was still selling Bud Light at his Nashville restaurant. In August, he was pictured enjoying aBud Light at Colt Ford show in Nashville, according to TMZ.

11 Dec 2023

Cardi B Confirms Split From Offset, 2024 Golden Globe Nominations & More | Billboard News

Cardi B confirms her split from Offset and says she’s “been single for a while.” Olivia Rodrigo performs hit songs from her album ‘Guts’ on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘Tiny Desk.’ Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Ryan Gosling and more get nominated for the 2024 Golden Globes. Brenda Lee continues to top the Hot 100 chart and more!

Tetris Kelly:
Cardi B says she’s single, while Offset shuts down wild rumors. Some of your favorite artists get nominated for the Golden Globes. Olivia Rodrigo gives epic performances over the weekend. And we revealed this week’s top 10 for the Billboard Hot 100. I am Tetris Kelly, welcome to another week of Billboard News. It’s Monday, December 11, and we’re kicking today off by setting some rumors to rest coming straight from Cardi B and Offset themselves.

Cardi B:
I have been single for a minute now but I have been afraid to like, not afraid, I just don’t know how like to tell the world.

Tetris Kelly:
Okay, girl, you better let them know. Cardi B says her and Offset are done, as Offset is coming at Blueface for saying he slept with Chrisean Rock. I was not expecting all this on my Monday morning, but let me break it down for you.

Cardi B:
I want to start 2024 like fresh, open. I don’t know, I’m curious for new life, for a new beginning.

Tetris Kelly:
You heard it from Cardi. She’s been single for a while and didn’t know how to tell us but she’s also referencing the drama surrounding Offset. Blueface fired off several tweets about his baby mama Chrisean, with one saying, “So you ain’t Cardi husband November 10th at 4am at their house in LA? I’m making this up.?” Offset responding to one of the tweets saying, “I never talked or touched that lady. Real talk man, you need some help.” Does Cardi believe all this?

Cardi B:
When it comes for today’s events and stuff, I don’t know if it’s — I don’t think it’s true. I don’t care to find out.

Tetris Kelly:
Wishing all of them the best in figuring this out. Onto some Olivia Rodrigo. She had a busy weekend and I was obsessed with every moment.

Watch the full video above!

11 Dec 2023

Ciara Gives Birth to Baby No. 4, Third With Russell Wilson: ‘We Love You So Much!’

Ciara has leveled up again in the baby department! The singer-songwriter has given birth to her fourth child — her third with husband Russell Wilson.

The couple made their happy announcement in an Instagram post on Monday (Dec. 11), with a photo of their adorable baby girl, who is dressed in a black onesie with a matching black beanie that features her name: Amora. The couple also revealed the little girl’s full name in the caption, writing, “Amora Princess Wilson … We Love You so much!” The newborn’s weight, the parents revealed, was a healthy 9 lbs 1 oz. The date “12/11/23” is stamped on the little one’s photo.

The pair’s famous friends were quick to congratulate them on the newborn’s arrival.

“Gorgeous baby! Gorgeous mama! Congratulations,” Oprah Winfrey commented on the football player’s post.

“Soooooooooo cute !!” Jennifer Hudson wrote, while Janelle Monae added, “The cheeks?a doll. congratulations!”

The Grammy-winning artist and the NFL star are also parents to 6-year-old daughter Sienna — whose middle name is also “Princess” — and 3-year-old son Win. Ciara also shares son Future Zahir, 9, with ex-fiance Future.

A day before Amora’s arrival, Ciara shared a series of family photos on her Instagram account, showing herself and the kids supporting the Denver Broncos quarterback at a recent game. “3 + 1 [heart-hands emoji],” she captioned the Dec. 10 post.

The 38-year-old singer announced her pregnancy in August. In a video posted to Instagram at the time, Ciara is facing a pool, and as she slowly turns around, her baby bump comes into view. “‘You look at me like that again, we make another kid…,” she captioned the post, quoting lyrics from “How We Roll,” her collaboration with Chris Brown.

Since then, she’s documented her pregnancy by sharing photos of her baby bump on social media, and also proudly put it on display while out. Just days before welcoming Amora, Ciara attended the premiere of The Color Purple in Los Angeles, where she walked the red carpet with her baby bump bare and decorated with gold foil.

See Ciara and Russell Wilson’s announcement and Amora’s photo below:

11 Dec 2023

Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘SNL’ Skirt Will Complete All Your Winter Party Looks & More: Shop the Look Here

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.

Olivia Rodrigo made her second musical guest appearance on Saturday Night Live over the weekend, and along with performing a few of her hit singles from her most recent album Guts, the “Drivers License” singer made sure to show off her ’90s-inspired style.

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During a promo for the episode, Rodrigo was seen standing with Adam Driver and comedian Heidi Gardner wearing a vintage Blondie T-shirt paired with a stylish plaid skirt by Helsa — and the skirt is shockingly still in stock!

If you still need to get tickets the Guts world tour or already have them in hand, this mini-skirt is perfect for anyone looking for the best outfits to wear to her concert or even just out with friends. It’s versatile enough to wear with Doc Martens (like the “Lacy” singer chose) or throw on some platform heels and a blazer for a more sophisticated, work-inspired outfit that’s still fashionable.

While she’s no stranger to the Billboard Hot 100, the artist also has made it known that she is quite the fashion influencer. From sporting knee-high platform boots to gingham mini-dresses, it’s clear she loves to dabble in more grunge looks compared to other pop stars who tend to go the more preppy fashion route.

No matter what your style is, though, this plaid skirt is adaptable to fit into most aesthetics and you can shop the exact style worn by Rodrigo below.

brown mini plaid skirt

Revolve

Helsa Plaid Trouser Mini Skirt

Step out in this elevated take on the classic mini-skirt with this trouser version from Helsa. Featuring a five-pocket design and a material made from a mix of recycled polyester, elastane and rayon. The style is unlined and also comes with a zip fly and button closure for a smoother look.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best pleated skirts, oversized leather jackets and denim dresses.

11 Dec 2023

Kim Kardashian Thanks Designer For Gifting Her Old Kanye Merchandise

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Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 09 Feb 2020

Source: WWD / Getty

Just because Kim Kardashian wants nothing to do with Kanye West anymore doesn’t mean that his friends are off limits too.

Get your mind out of the gutter, we didn’t mean it like that. According to the Huff Post, Kim Kardashian took to Instagram to thank Kanye’s former designer Bobby Naugle for gifting her and her daughter, North, some exclusive merchandise that he had designed for the embattled artist formerly known as Kanye West which included attire from Kanye’s Roc-A-Fella days.

Known for designing the iconic bear that Yeezy used to constantly use in his album’s covers and artwork, Naugle gifted Kim and North some throwback gear that any Hip-Hop collector would’ve loved to get their hands on.

The Huff Post reports:

“He asked for nothing in return,” Kardashian wrote.

Kardashian, who added that the two stayed in touch, said Naugle “felt it be most appropriate” to give a number of vintage Ye items to her children after he was approached by collectors and auction houses.

She wrote that the merchandise, which was created between 2003 and 2005, includes “first-hand sketches” along with the rapper’s “original personal pink” Ralph Lauren polo.

“I would like to publicly thank Bobby for his kindness and generosity (it’s very rare in this industry), when he could have easily made a lot of money from selling off these items instead,” Kardashian wrote alongside a picture of the two.

Remnants of a music artist once universally loved, but now, well, y’all know.

What Kim and North will do with this is anyone’s guess, but we wouldn’t be surprised if North rocks some of this stuff in the future as she seems to really love her dad.

What do y’all think of Bobby Naugle’s gifts to Kim and North? Let us know in the comments section below.

11 Dec 2023

Jack Black Joins Jonas Brothers Onstage for ‘Peaches’ Performance

The Jonas Brothers ended their run on The Tour with a very special guest: Jack Black.

The actor surprised the audience during the tour’s final night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday night (Dec. 9). While the brothers were on intermission, Black rose from beneath the stage dressed as his The Super Mario Bros. Movie character Bowser, in a green track suit and red mohawk. The pianist, dressed as Toad, began to play as Black sang “Peaches,: his viral song from the film.

“This song goes out to my one and only true love, Princess Peach,” he told the crowd. “And to my good friends, the Jonas Brothers.”

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“The one… The only… @jackblack ? #THETOUR,” the Jonas Brothers wrote on Instagram alongside the clip of the performance. See it here. Billboard was also on hand and filmed the surprise below.

The School of Rock star notched his first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Peaches,” which peaked at No. 56 on the chart dated April 29, 2023. Black previously appeared on the Hot 100 as half of Tenacious D. Along with Kyle Gass, the comedy-rock duo’s seminal hit “The Pick of Destiny” debuted and peaked at No. 78 in November 2006.

Additionally, Black’s “Peaches” is nominated for a Golden Globe at the 2024 ceremony for best original song – motion picture. Three songs from the Barbie movie — Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night,” Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” and Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” — are also up for the award, as are Bruce Springsteen’s “Addicted to Romance” from She Came to Me, Lenny Kravitz’s “Road to Freedom” from Rustin.

11 Dec 2023

Phony Stark, aka Elon Musk Says Alex Jones Will Be Reinstated On X/Twitter

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Alex Jones Speaks To The Media Outside The Sandy Hook Trial In Waterbury, Connecticut

Source: Joe Buglewicz / Getty / Alex Jones

Elon Musk continues to make X, formerly Twitter, one of the world’s worst places, all in the name of “free speech.”

For his next dumb move, Elon Musk announced he is reinstating far-right Hulk Hogan, aka Alex Jones, account on the struggling social media platform.

How did Musk come to this decision?

It only took one of his infamous polls shared with his 165 million followers, with 70% of them in favor of giving the conspiracy theorist his account back.

Alex Jones and his Infowars program were banned by Twitter in 2018. He was also ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook victims after claiming the 2012 shooting that left 20 kids and six adults dead was a hoax.

Musk notes that policing Jones will be X users’ jobs through the community notes feature.

“The people have spoken and so it shall be,” Musk said in a post he shared Saturday evening. He continued, “It is a safe bet that Community Notes will respond rapidly to any AJ post that needs correction.”

He then tried his best to make sense of his decision, adding, “I vehemently disagree with what [Jones] said about Sandy Hook, but are we a platform that believes in freedom of speech or are we not? That is what it comes down to in the end. If the people vote him back on, this will be bad for X financially, but principles matter more than money.”

Elon Musk Is Singing A Different Tune

Musk reinstating Jones’ X account is a big about-face from his stance in 2022, where he rejected users’ calls to bring him back.

“My firstborn child died in my arms,” Musk said in a post. “I felt his last heartbeat. I have no mercy for anyone who would use the deaths of children for gain, politics, or fame.”

Yeah, okay.

After trashing companies for no longer advertising on X, we don’t think reinstating Alex Jones will help lure them back.

—

Photo: Joe Buglewicz / Getty

11 Dec 2023

Will Smith, Queen Latifah Head Up Grammys HipHop50 Tribute

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A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty

The Grammy Awards aired a special tribute to Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary with a star-studded lineup that included Will Smith and Queen Latifah.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=rtLZMgPhcHU&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

On Sunday night (December 10), the Recording Academy and CBS aired A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop, a two-hour special dedicated to honoring the music and the culture that started in the Bronx in the early 1970s. The special was broadcast on CBS and showcased many of the legendary artists that made the culture what it is in medley performances, with Will Smith making a special appearance to reunite with DJ Jazzy Jeff for a performance as the Fresh Prince.

The pair were introduced by Questlove of The Roots. “In a year and a night full of hip-hop moments, this is a big one,” says Questlove who delved into their history. “I grew up idolizing these two from my hometown of Illadelpho. They were the first artist to ever receive a Grammy award for hip-hop. Back then, they weren’t invited to perform or accept their award on camera, which led to the hip-hop community sitting things out that year. But thankfully, a year later, their hip-hop invitation did show up and they did become the first hip-hop group to ever perform at the Grammy Awards.” The duo then captivated the crowd with a medley of their hits including “Brand New Funk” from their 1988 debut album and the theme song from Smith’s classic TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Other guests holding court on the mic at the event at Inglewood’s YouTube theater included Queen Latifah leading a medley of women in Hip-Hop, Public Enemy, Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri, YG, Too Short, E-40, De La Soul, Akon, Black Thought, Nelly, Gunna and Chance the Rapper. Celebrities such as Regina King, Seth Rogen, and Lin-Manuel Miranda participated in introducing some of the medley performances during the special.

LL Cool J, who was an executive producer of the special along with Questlove and Shawn Gee of Two One Five Entertainment, Jesse Collins Entertainment, Dionne Harmon, Claudine Joseph, Fatima Robinson, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay expressed his gratitude for being part of making it happen. “We’re celebrating 50 years of hip-hop. The goal was always to elevate and really celebrate the culture,” he said.

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop is currently available on demand at Paramount+.