News

20 Nov 2023

Watch Taylor Swift’s Emotional Performance of ‘Bigger Than the Whole Sky’ Following Death of Fan in Brazil

Taylor Swift gave her mournful Midnights bonus track “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” its live debut Sunday (Nov. 19), seemingly paying tribute to a fan who died after attending an Eras Tour show two nights prior in Brazil.

The 33-year-old pop star started her acoustic set by playing Reputation‘s “Dancing With Our Hands Tied” on guitar before transitioning over to her piano, looking visibly emotional. As she sang the first few grief-stricken lines of the track, fans in the crowd at Rio de Janeiro’s Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos erupted with knowing cheers.

“Did some bird flap its wings over in Asia?/ Did some force take you because I didn’t pray?” Swift sang, remaining stoic throughout the song. “Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye/ You were bigger than the whole sky.”

Sunday night marks the first time the 12-time Grammy winner has performed “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” as a surprise song or otherwise. It came two nights after 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides Machado passed away after attending Swift’s Friday concert in Rio, where many fans reported feeling ill due to extreme heat in the stadium. According to organizer Time4Fun’s Instagram post, paramedics took Machado to a first-aid center, then to a hospital, where she died an hour later. Saturday’s show was postponed to Monday.

Swift didn’t address the incident during Sunday’s show, although she’d previously warned fans that she would be unable to speak about Machado’s death onstage as she felt “overwhelmed by grief when I even try to talk about it.” “I can’t even tell you how devastated I am by this,” she also wrote in a statement on Instagram Stories at the time. “There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young.”

“I want to say now I feel this loss deeply and my broken heart goes out to her family and friends,” she’d added. “This is the last thing I ever thought would happen when we decided to bring this tour to Brazil.”

Watch Swift’s emotional performance below:

20 Nov 2023

Microsoft Hires Sam Altman and OpenAI’s New CEO Vows to Investigate His Firing

Microsoft snapped up Sam Altman and another architect of OpenAI for a new venture after their sudden departures shocked the artificial intelligence world, leaving the newly installed CEO of the ChatGPT maker to paper over tensions by vowing to investigate Altman’s firing.

The developments Monday come after a weekend of drama and speculation about how the power dynamics would shake out at OpenAI, whose chatbot kicked off the generative AI era by producing human-like text, images, video and music.

It ended with former Twitch leader Emmett Shear taking over as OpenAI’s interim chief executive and Microsoft announcing it was hiring Altman and OpenAI co-founder and former President Greg Brockman to lead Microsoft’s new advanced AI research team.

Despite the rift between the key players behind ChatGPT and the company they helped build, both Shear and Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said they are committed to their partnership.

Microsoft invested billions of dollars in the startup and helped provide the computing power to run its AI systems. Nadella wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was “extremely excited” to bring on the former executives of OpenAI and looked “forward to getting to know” Shear and the rest of the management team.

In a reply on X, Altman said “the mission continues,” while Brockman posted, “We are going to build something new & it will be incredible.”

OpenAI said Friday that Altman was pushed out after a review found he was “not consistently candid in his communications” with the board of directors, which had lost confidence in his ability to lead the company.

In an X post Monday, Shear said he would hire an independent investigator to look into what led up to Altman’s ouster and write a report within 30 days.

“It’s clear that the process and communications around Sam’s removal has been handled very badly, which has seriously damaged our trust,” wrote Shear, who co-founded Twitch, an Amazon-owned livestreaming service popular with video gamers.

He said he also plans in the next month to “reform the management and leadership team in light of recent departures into an effective force” and speak with employees, investors and customers.

After that, Shear said he would “drive changes in the organization,” including “significant governance changes if necessary.” He noted that the reason behind the board removing Altman was not a “specific disagreement on safety.”

OpenAI last week declined to answer questions on what Altman’s alleged lack of candor was about. Its statement said his behavior was hindering the board’s ability to exercise its responsibilities.

An OpenAI spokeswoman didn’t immediately reply to an email Monday seeking comment. A Microsoft representative said the company would not be commenting beyond its CEO’s statement.

After Altman was pushed out Friday, he stirred speculation that he might be coming back into the fold in a series of tweets. He posted a photo of himself with an OpenAI guest pass on Sunday, saying this is “first and last time i ever wear one of these.”

Hours earlier, he tweeted, “i love the openai team so much,” which drew heart replies from Brockman, who quit after Altman was fired, and Mira Murati, OpenAI’s chief technology officer who was initially named as interim CEO.

It’s not clear what transpired between the announcement of Murati’s interim role Friday and Shear’s hiring, though she was among several employees on Monday who tweeted, “OpenAI is nothing without its people.” Altman replied to many with heart emojis.

Shear said he stepped down as Twitch CEO because of the birth of his now-9-month-old son but “took this job because I believe that OpenAI is one of the most important companies currently in existence.”

His beliefs on the future of AI came up on a podcast in June. Shear said he’s generally an optimist about technology but has serious concerns about the path of artificial intelligence toward building something “a lot smarter than us” that sets itself on a goal that endangers humans.

It’s an issue that Altman consistently faced since he helped catapult ChatGPT to global fame. In the past year, he has become Silicon Valley’s most sought-after voice on the promise and potential dangers of artificial intelligence.

He went on a world tour to meet with government officials earlier this year, drawing big crowds at public events as he discussed both the risks of AI and attempts to regulate the emerging technology.

Altman posted Friday on X that “i loved my time at openai” and later called his ouster a “weird experience.”

“If Microsoft lost Altman he could have gone to Amazon, Google, Apple, or a host of other tech companies craving to get the face of AI globally in their doors,” Daniel Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, said in a research note.

Microsoft is now in an even stronger position on AI, Ives said. Its shares rose nearly 2% before the opening bell and were nearing an all-time high Monday.

The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.

20 Nov 2023

Dolly Parton Can’t Stop Rocking, Drops Deluxe ‘Rockstar’ Edition With Maneskin-Fueled ‘Jolene’ Cover

If you thought Dolly Parton was done rocking, you were sorely mistaken. Just days after the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer dropped her first rock album, Rockstar, the country icon dropped an expanded exclusive download version with two bonus tracks.

In addition to her take on Eddie Money’s 1977 burner “Two Tickets to Paradise,” the expanded Rockstar adds an urgent run through Dolly’s iconic “Jolene” aided by Italian rockers Måneskin. “Surprise! Did you all think I was done? I’m giving you not one but TWO more ‘Rockstar’ bonus tracks,” Parton, 77, wrote on Instagram of the tracks that are available exclusively on her official site.

The fresh tracks join the impressive roster of rock luminaries who joined Parton on her first foray into rock after more than six decades ruling the country charts. In addition to nine originals, Parton partners up on the 21 other songs with a number of their original performers, including Sting (“Every Breath You Take”), Heart’s Ann Wilson (“Magic Man”), John Fogerty (“Long As I Can See the Light”), Peter Frampton (“Baby, I Love Your Way”), Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (“I Hate Myself For Loving You”), goddaughter Miley Cyrus (“Wrecking Ball”) and Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (“Let It Be”).

Upon the album’s release, Parton wrote a thank you note to her fans for following her down her latest creative path. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of the Rockstar album and I can’t tell you how happy I am that it’s finally here to be released!” she said on Instagram. “I really had a wonderful time working with all these iconic artists on the record and all these iconic musicians. Not to mention all these great iconic songs that I think everybody will love hearing again. I just hope you enjoy my version of them!”

Listen to Parton’s new version of “Jolene” below.

20 Nov 2023

Drake Got New Face Ink Featuring a Common Hometown Arabic Slang Phrase

Drake added some more ink to his face recently, as seen in pictures over the weekend in which some Arabic script was spotted above the rapper’s right eyebrow. As spotted by HipHopDX, on Saturday (Nov. 18), photographer Brent Kore posted an image of Drizzy’s new face art on his Instagram Stories, capturing the phrase “miskeen” in an arch over Drake’s eye.

The phrase is commonly used in the large Somali community in Drake’s Toronto home town and comes from the Arabic word “miskin,” which is commonly defined as “misfortunate” or “poor”; the University of Toronto magazine gave the translation as “a pathetic person or situation.” Check out an image of the tattoo here. At press time it did not appear that Drake had posted an image of his latest ink or explained its significance.

It joins another homage on his face that the 6 God got last summer, his mother’s initials, SG (for Sandra Gale), under his left eye.

Drake’s all-time Billboard Music Awards record of 12 trophies in one night (2019) was almost broken on Sunday (Nov. 19) when Morgan Wallen pulled in 11 awards at the 2023 show. With 10 wins on Sunday, Taylor swift pulled into a tie with Drake for all-time BBMA wins at 39 each. Drake took home top rap artist for a record-extending fifth time, top rap tour for the second time, and top rap album (Her Loss) and top rap song (“Rich Flex”) for his successful collaboration with 21 Savage.

On Friday, Drake released the Scary Hours 3 EP, a six-song collection of freshly-recorded tracks tacked on to the new edition of his recent For All the Dogs album.

20 Nov 2023

Rakim & Scarface To Be Honored At First Ever Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awards

HipHopWired Featured Video

Questlove & Scarface Pandora Podcast 3

Source: Pandora / Pandora

Two of the culture’s greatest talents will receive a newly created honor. Rakim and Scarface are set to be honored at the first Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awards.

Vibe Magazine is reporting that the two legends will each be given a high profile distinction for their contribution to the Rap genre. On Friday (Nov. 17) the Paid In Full Foundation rewarded both MC’s from a $500,000 fund as a thank you at the inaugural Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awards in Las Vegas. According to the foundation’s website the organization’s aim is to ensure some of the architects of the culture are support some of the Hip-Hop’s greatest performers.

“Unfortunately, many of the most impactful original artists never received recognition proportional with their exceptional contributions to arts and culture” their mission statement reads. “The Paid in Full Foundation aims to rectify that through its grantmaking program, by both honoring the people who built Hip Hop and enabling them to pursue their creative and intellectual pursuits for the benefit of society.” Music executive and co-founder of the Paid In Full Foundation detailed why this initiative is so important. “What I want to do is all of the artists who had come early [in Hip-Hop] who had to sign bad deals or got taken advantage of that the least we could do is give to them [and] pay that forward,” Stoute states. “No one’s ever done this before.”

100% of the net proceeds raised from the event will benefit The Paid in Full Foundation’s mission to support Hip-Hop greats and other creatives. You can read about their program here. 

20 Nov 2023

Shakira Settles $15 Million Spanish Tax Fraud Case on Eve of Barcelona Trial: ‘I Need to Move Past the Stress’

Shakira agreed to a deal with Spanish authorities on Monday (Nov. 20) on the first day of a $15 million tax fraud trial in Barcelona that could have resulted in a significant prison sentence for the singer. According to the Associated Press, after maintaining her innocence for five years, the star agreed to a last-minute agreement, telling the presiding magistrate, José Manuel del Amo, that she accepted the agreement reached with prosecutors.

Shakira answered “yes” to confirm her acknowledgement of six counts of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros (about $15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014. Under the agreement, Shakira will receive a suspended three-year sentence and pay a $7.6 million fine.

In a statement shared with Billboard, Shakira said that throughout her career she has always strived “to do what’s right and set a positive example for others. That often means taking the extra step in business and personal financial decisions to procure the absolute best counsel, including seeking the advice of the world’s preeminent tax authorities such as PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, who advised me from the start, and subsequently Ernst & Young Global Limited.”

Unfortunately, she added, despite those efforts she said Spanish tax authorities pursued a case against her, “as they have against many professional athletes and other high-profile individuals, draining those people’s energy, time, and tranquility for years at a time.”

Shakira said she was determined to defend her innocence at trial where her lawyers were confident she’d prevail, but decided to finally resolve the matter with the “best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight.”

According to the AP, the trial that would have included more than 100 witnesses over the next few weeks adjourned after just eight minutes. In July, prosecutors said they would seek an eight year prison sentence and a fine of $26 million for the 46-year-old singer, with the case hinging on where Shakira lived during the period in question. Prosecutors alleged that the star spent more than half of that time in Spain and should have therefore paid takes on her worldwide income in the country despite listing the Bahamas as her official residence; tax rates are much lower in the Bahamas than in Spain.

“I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love – my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album, both of which I am extremely excited about,” Shakira wrote in the statement. “I admire tremendously those who have fought these injustices to the end, but for me, today, winning is getting my time back for my kids and my career.”

In July 2022, Shakira turned down a deal offered by prosecutors to settle the case, saying at the time that she “believes in her innocence and chooses to leave the issue in the hands of the law.” The singer’s spokespeople had previously said she already paid all that she owed plus an additional $3.2 million in interest.

Shakira’s defense team said in November 2022 that she had not spent more than 60 days a year inside Spain during the period in question; they said she would have needed to have spent half the year in Spain to be considered a fiscal resident. Her defense argued that she was away from Barcelona for long stretches due to a 2011 world tour and spent time in the U.S. when she was on The Voice.

Prosecutors disagreed, with the judge writing in 2021 that he found there was “sufficient evidence of criminality” for the case to go to trial. In a separate investigation, Spanish state prosecutors charged Shakira in September with alleged evasion of 6.7 million euros in tax on her 2018 income. Spain has cracked down on soccer stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the past decade for not paying their full taxes; both were found guilty of evasion but avoided prison time after their sentences were suspended.

Shakira (born Shakira Esabel Mebarak Ripoll) has two children with Barcelona soccer star ex Gerard Piqué; the couple lived together in Barcelona before ending their 11-year relationship last year.

At Thursday’s 2023 Latin Grammy awards, Shakira performed “Acróstico,” an emotional, open letter to her children and gave a shout-out to her fans all over the world at the awards show in Seville, Spain. “I want to share this Grammy with my colleagues with whom I have had the pleasure of working and learning,” the Colombian singer said in acceptance speech for best pop song (“Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vo. 53”).

“With my Latin audience in Spain, in Colombia, in the United States, in Latin America. The Latin public that has taken me to the highest heights, those places I dreamed of since I was a child and to whom I owe everything,” she added. “I also want to share this with my Spanish public who has been with me through thick and thin … who have never stopped giving me love and support for a single day. I will never forget that. This is for you.”

20 Nov 2023

Jack Harlow Eyes Second Week at No. 1 In U.K. With ‘Lovin On Me’

Brits are still lovin on Jack Harlow.

The Louisville rapper landed his first U.K. No. 1 and fourth top 10 last Friday, Nov. 17, when “Lovin On Me” (via Atlantic) debuted at the top spot.

Based on sales and streaming data captured by the Official Charts Company from the first 48 hours of the chart cycle, “Lovin On Me” should stay put when the next chart is published.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The track, which samples Cadillac Dale’s 1995 R&B track “Whatever,” leads the First Look survey ahead of The Beatles’ “Now And Then,” which is set to rebound to No. 2. The Beatles’ final song, “Now And Then” recently became the Fab Four’s 18th U.K. No. 1 and dipped 1-6 on the most recent, weekly chart.

Casso, Raye and D-Block Europe’s club cut “Prada” (Ministry of Sound) completes the top three at this early stage in the chart week.

Meanwhile, Tate McRae has her sights set on a fourth U.K. top 10 with “Exes” (RCA), which looks set to enter at No. 10, for the week’s highest new entry. The Canadian artist’s latest hit “Greedy” is still flying high on the U.K. chart, and sits at No. 4 on the latest update – just one spot below its highest chart position.

There’s Christmas cheer in the top tier of the chart blast, as Wham’s “Last Christmas” (Epic) is poised to lift 26-13, and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia) could rise 28-15. Both holiday classics are former No. 1s, and, earlier this month, set a new record for the earliest seasonal appearance of a Christmas song on the tally.

Finally, the Official Charts Company notes, Zara Larsson and David Guetta’s latest collaboration “On My Love” (Black Butter/Parlophone) is on the cusp of its first appearance in the top 20, lifting to 21-18 on the chart blast.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, Nov. 24.

20 Nov 2023

Taylor Swift Routs The Beatles In U.K. Albums Chart Race

Swifties saw off Beatlemania in a close race for the U.K. albums chart crown.

Taylor Swift enters a third straight week at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart with 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (via EMI), the fourth in her six rerecorded LP projects.

In doing so, Swift denies the Beatles a record-extending 16th No. 1 with 1967-1970 (also known as the Blue album) (both via Apple Corps), which reenters the chart at No. 2, and 1962-1966 (the Red album), close behind at No. 3.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The Beatles had led both the U.K.’s midweek singles and albums charts with 1967-1970 and “Now And Then,” respectively, and were on track for a rare chart double. Neither title finished in first place when the Official Charts were published last Friday, Nov. 17.

Coincidently, 1967-1970 and 1962-1966 return to their respective original peaks, locked in on release back in 1973. A composite boxed set of the two LPs, released to celebrate the release of “Now and Then,” the Beatles’ recent U.K. No. 1 single, arrives at No. 33 on the national albums survey.

Further down the albums tally, Chase & Status make a splash with 2 RUFF, Vol. 1 (EMI), new at No. 4, for the drum ‘n’ bass duo’s fifth U.K. top 10 appearance.

Closing out the top five is Quarter Life Crisis (Polydor), the debut studio album from South Africa-born, London-based artist Baby Queen. It’s new at No. 5.

As Noah Kahan embarks on his U.K. tour, the Vermont singer-songwriter’s third studio LP Stick Season (Island) powers 22-6, a new peak position. The title track, meanwhile, lifts 8-5, a new peak on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, while another album track, “Northern Attitude,” sits at No. 16.

Reissues of sets by Passenger (All the Little Lights at No. 7 via Cooking Vinyl) and New Order (Substance at No. 10 via Rhino) return to the top 10, as new releases from Chris Brown (11:11 at — you guessed it — No. 11 via Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA), James Marriott (Are We There Yet? at No. 17 via James Marriott), Chris Stapleton (Higher at No. 22 via EMI), PinkPantheress (Heaven Knows at No. 28 via Warner Records), and The Kid LAROI (The First Time at No. 29 via Columbia) impact the top 40 on debut.

19 Nov 2023

2023 BBMAs Recap: Best Performances, Biggest Winners & More | Billboard News

Here are the biggest winners, the best performances and all the highlights from the 2023 Billboard Music Awards Presented by Marriott Bonvoy.

Tetris Kelly:
From Karol G’s theatrical performance in water, to Peso Pluma bringing us into the ring with a very special guest, the reimagined Billboard Music Awards took over the world Sunday night with performances and acceptance speeches from all corners of the globe. Morgan Wallen rocked out the Braves Stadium in Atlanta with his latest “98 Braves.” It was the big winner of the night, taking home 11 awards, including top Hot 100 artist. And in a monumental move, Taylor Swift received 10 awards, while Drake took home five, making them tie with 39 each, making them both the most awarded artists in BBMA history.

Other memorable moments include Mariah Carey showing us why she is the queen of the season with “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Both Stray Kids and NewJeans showed us why K-pop is so massive.

On the awards side, Karol G took home two awards for top Latin female artist and top Latin touring artist, and Peso Pluma won for top Latin song. It was a big night for our new K-pop categories as well, with Latto and Jung Kook grabbing top global K-pop song for their team up on “Seven.” Stray Kids walked away with top K-pop album, and NewJeans nabbed the award for top global K-pop artists.

For a full list of the night’s winners and to catch all the performances head to Billboard.com

19 Nov 2023

T.I. Talks Jay-Z Sample on ‘Bring Em Out,’ Working With Rihanna & More | 2023 Billboard Music Awards

T.I. opens up about creating some of his greatest hits, leaving his DNA on tracks, working with Rihanna and Justin Timberlake and more for Hip-Hop Through the Charts at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards Presented by Marriott Bonvoy.

T.I.:
This journey has taught me so much about how to respect your art and remain true to the essence of who you are, you know what I mean?

Dawton Thomas:
My man, Tip, back in the building!

T.I.:
What’s happening, king?

Dawton Thomas:
Good to see you, family.

T.I.:
Always a pleasure!

Dawton Thomas:
So before we start into the tracks and everything and the accolades, how does it feel to have over 20 years of dope hip-hop success?

T.I.:
Man, it feels like a lot of work. You know, what I’m saying? A lot of hard work that paid off. You know what I mean? I’m the proudest of the music that we made then, you know? It inspired so much to happen that has evolved to still be relevant now.

Dawton Thomas:
That’s real, man. Three No. 1 albums, nine top 10s, four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits. We’re gonna get into some of these joints now.

T.I.:
OK!

Dawton Thomas:
“Bring Em Out” peaked at No. 9.

T.I.:
Wow. I met Swizz in the room and remember it was me, him, Craig Kallman, and at first I heard it had Jay [Jay-Z] on there, and when I first heard it the first thing I said, “Hey, do Jay-Z know you’re playing this for me, man? Did he say … did he approve this, bro? I don’t just want to put his voice on my record and not have him OK it.”

Watch the full video above!