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14 Nov 2023

Lady A on ‘Love You Back,’ Request Line Tour, Career Longevity & More | Billboard News

Country band Lady A talks about their single “Love You Back,” unique request line tour, 15-year career longevity, the recent surge in country music popularity, Charles opens up about being one year sober, and more.

Speaker
Can I have your attention please?

Stephen Daw
Of course they do it on a Monday. It works, gang, you did it. Good job.

Charles Kelley
How’s it going, everybody? This is Lady A.

Hillary Scott
And you’re watching Billboard News.

Stephen Daw
I’m very, very stoked about the new single. It’s so, so cool. Tell me a little bit about what went into writing this.

Hillary Scott
Well, this one, it’s actually a really cool story. So, you know, we write 80% of our own music. And then we learned early on in our career that you never say no to a great song, whether we write it or not. And so this was one that a really good friend of ours and co-writer, her name is Emily Weisband, sent this song to Charles.

Charles Kelly
So I called her up and I said, Hey, let’s find an hour, I want to come over. You play Hillary, I’ll play me. And let’s see if this fits before I even send to them. For sure. Just sometimes I just like to save some time and just see if something is even in the realm of our world. And it just felt so much like us. And the minute I sent it to the gang, they were like, “Oh, wow”. I mean, we’ve had a handful of songs like — most of the music from us, we’ve written like “Need You Now,” “Run to You” — but “American Honey” was one that we didn’t write. Sometimes you get songs that you feel. You’re like, y’all wrote this for us?

Hillary Scott
And that’s what it felt like, yeah.

Watch the full interview above!

14 Nov 2023

Lady A Breaks Down How the ‘Playlist Era’ Helped Country Music Explode in 2023

After a blockbuster year for country music, the members of Lady A — Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood — are ready to break down why they think the genre is having such a moment.

In a new interview with Billboard News, the country trio explains that the mixing of genres through streaming consumption has allowed country music to shine like never before. “I think it’s just the blend of all the different influences,” Kelley says. “We grew up in the playlist era, where you’d make a mixtape, and so I grew up loving everything. I feel like when we started our band, it was like a little bit of the Eagles meets Fleetwood Mac meets The Chicks meets Rascal Flatts. It was everything coming together into this sound.”

Scott adds that, with fans more eager than ever to find artists that they can connect to emotionally, country music provides a place for them to learn all about a new artist. “Like Carly Pearce’s 29 — she was bearing it all with her story and what was going on with her life, and that really resonates with people,” she says. “When you are brave enough to be vulnerable in plain sight … that is where a real connection happens.”

The band also talks about their recently completed Request Line Tour, where they asked their fans to submit song requests via phone and built the setlist around the tracks audiences wanted to hear. “When we do the song, we find them in the audience and try to connect with them and have a moment,” Haywood says. “It’s so neat to connect with people when you actually get to see them in the moment.”

Watch our full interview with Lady A above.

14 Nov 2023

You Can Get Ugg Slipper Dupes at Amazon for Under $50

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.

From boots to booties and slippers, Uggs are insanely cute (and comfortable), but they might be a little too expensive for some shoppers. If you’re on a budget, you can find Ugg dupes for less than $50 at Amazon.

For example, this best-selling women’s slipper is a knockoff of the Ugg Tazz Slipper ($130). It looks nearly identical to the Tazz — at a fraction of the price.

The “comfy clog” as one shopper called it, is available in brown, beige and black, and you can wear it inside or outside. Similar to the Tazz, the slipper features a braided rib design, a tumbled leather upper- and a 1.5-inch platform sole.

Best Ugg Slipper Dupes Under $50

INPAKSA Women’s Platform Slippers

$49.98

$69.98

29% off

The faux-fur slipper is lined with cozy material to keep your feet warm, dry, and comfortable in the cold weather. It’s available in sizes 5-10 but some of the customer reviews suggest sizing up for the better fit.

“Very comfortable for both indoor and outdoor,” reads one customer review. “They have similar quality but less expensive than famous brands. It will be perfect if they can arrive earlier.”

Another shopper wrote, “This platform slipper exceeded my expectations! Super soft and warm inside and definitely cute enough to wear out of the house!”

Amazon has a decent selection of Ugg slipper dupes, such as these $50 booties, which are similar to the Ugg Tasman Clipper ($109.95). The dupe is available in chestnut, beige and black.

Best Ugg Slipper Dupes Under $50

Metricfalcon Women’s Slippers Short Ankle Boot

Looking for a fuzzy alternative to the Ugg Scuffette II ($95)? Dearform’s Fireside Slipper is $49.95 at Amazon but if you’re looking for a cheaper option, the fuzzy slippers below are on sale for $19.99 (reg. $35.99). And you can get them in 10 different colors, including the chestnut, apricot, black, coffee, wine, grey, leopard, and two shades of pink.

Best Ugg Slipper Dupes Under $50

Litfun Women’s Fuzzy Memory Foam Slippers Fluffy Winter House Shoes Indoor and Outdoor,

$19.99

$35.99

44% off

14 Nov 2023

Lil Durk “Smurk Carter,” Kodak Black “Lemme See” & More | Daily Visuals 11.14.23

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Kodak Black IN Concert

Source: (Photo by Johnny Louis/FilmMagic) / (Photo by Johnny Louis/FilmMagic)

It’s been a few months since Lil Durk released his last album, Almost Healed, and while fans are still bumping tracks off of his eight studio album, the Chicago representative drops off some new work for heads to bop to.

Coming through with a new visual to “Smurk Carter,” Lil Durk lets Illinois OG, Robert Shipp drop some street gems before he takes to the block and politics with his peoples in front of the trap house like he never left.

From the Midwest to the Dirty South, Kodak Black takes to the streets himself and in his black-and-white clip to “Lemme See,” the controversial rapper turns up in a park with a gang of people while some thick bodied women make their bottoms bounce to the beat.

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Spence Lee, Campaign Benny, and more.

LIL DURK – “SMURK CARTER”



KODAK BLACK – “LEMME SEE”



SPENCE LEE – “WHITE TEE”



CAMPAIGN BENNY – “RIGHT HERE REMIX”



LOLA BROOKE FT. COI LERAY, NIJA – “DON’T GET ME STARTED”



HUMBLE SOLES, DJ CLUE, RJAE & HUEY V – “DEREK JETER”



MOZZY – “FREE JUJU”



RELLY MANE – “DEATH B4 DISHONOR”


https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZwfzKSnk5lQ&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

14 Nov 2023

Dua Lipa Has the Magic Touch (Again) On Her New Song ‘Houdini’

Dua Lipa reached new heights with her sophomore album Future Nostalgia back in 2020, scoring her first two top five Billboard Hot 100 hits (the No. 2-peaking “Levitating” and “Don’t Start Now”) and spending 188 weeks (and counting!) on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

She returned late last week to kick off her mysterious new era, unveiling the nu-disco lead single “Houdini” along with a mesmerizing music video. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking all about Dua’s latest song and what we’re expecting next.

Listen to the podcast below:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Taylor Swift continues to lead both the Billboard 200 and Hot 100, how Jung Kook and the late Jimmy Buffett debut in the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and how The Beatles score their 35th top 10 on the Hot 100 (and first in nearly 30 years) with their much-talked about new single “Now and Then.” Plus, we’re talking all about the Big Four categories of the 2024 Grammy nominations, which were announced late last week. And the Billboard Music Awards are this weekend! Listen to the podcast for a preview of Sunday’s big show.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

14 Nov 2023

Lil Uzi Vert Says He ‘Never’ Agreed to Headline Rolling Loud California

Lil Uzi Vert was announced as one of the headliners of Rolling Loud California 2024 early in the day on Tuesday (Nov. 14), but the rapper expressed confusion over the announcement.

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The “Just Wanna Rock” star took to his Instagram Stories to share a photo of the festival‘s lineup, in which he’s labeled as the Sunday headliner. “I never said I was doing Rolling Loud,” he wrote over the photo. “Don’t understand why my name is on here @rollingloud.”

Billboard has reached out both to Rolling Loud and Uzi’s reps for more information.

Rolling Loud California 2024 will take over Hollywood Park Grounds in Inglewood, Calif., from March 15 to 17, 2024, and features Nicki Minaj and Post Malone as the other headliners.

Bryson Tiller, Don Toliver, Ski Mask the Slump God, Chief Keef, NLE Choppa, That Mexican OT, 310babii, Chase Shakur, Sukihana, Ryan Trey, Cash Cobain, Wolfacejoeyy and Rich Amiri are all also set for Sunday (March 17), when Uzi was scheduled to hit the stage. See the full lineup here.

Presale for Rolling Loud California 2024 begins Thursday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. PT, and general onsale begins the following day on Friday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m. PT. Fans can click here to RSVP for first access to tickets — and a chance to win free tickets before they go on sale — right now.

14 Nov 2023

Jay-Z Recalls 6th-Grade Teacher & How Excited She Was That He Could Read at a 12th-Grade Level

As fans gear up for Jay-Z‘sCBS interview with Gayle King on Tuesday night (Nov. 14), the network delivered a new teaser ahead of their much-anticipated conversation.

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In the new clip, Jay speaks on his teachers’ influence and how one specifically played an integral role in his development. “Miss Loudon was my sixth-grade teacher. In the sixth grade, I was readin’ on a 12th-grade level,” recalled Hov. “That excited me. ‘Cause everyone was excited. And Miss Loudon, she was excited. It felt like me riding my bike at 4, the way people reacted to that.”

Jay’s interview with King will highlight his three-decade career at his Book of HOV exhibit at the Brooklyn Library. The Black Album MC’s music triumphs, business wins and philanthropic deeds are all spotlighted at the library, which will be available for fans to visit until next month.

“I think what matters most, today, is being a beacon and helping out … my culture,” Jay-Z revealed in a trailer last week for his upcoming interview. “People of color. I think I pull the most satisfaction from that. Like making music earlier was, like – my first love. I could sit there for hours. It consumed me. Just finding words and figuring out words and how to say this and different ways to say that and different pockets and melodies and how to write this song… That consumed me. That’s why my pace was so fast. I had so much material … And I think now, you know, the idea of, of taking that platform and, you know, reproducing it for others or doing something like Reform [Alliance, Jay’s nonprofit] … I think I derive the most joy from that.”

The “Jay-Z and Gayle King: Brooklyn’s Own” conversation airs Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET. Watch the latest clip for Jay’s interview below.

14 Nov 2023

Billie Eilish Opens Up About Sexuality, Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Can’t Catch Me Now’ Video & More | Billboard News

Olivia Rodrigo dropped the music video for her new track “Can’t Catch Me Now” for ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.’ In a recent interview, PinkPantheress gave her unfiltered thoughts on her biggest hit to date. Billie Eilish opened up to ‘Variety’ about being physically attracted to women, not feeling like a woman and more. Lady A stopped by Billboard News and talked about going back to their roots, their upcoming tour, finding longevity in the industry and more. K-pop group Stray Kids will be the sixth performer at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, November 19th.

Tetris Kelly:
Olivia Rodrigo opens up about her new tracks. Billie Eilish is candid about her sexuality. The Stray Kids are playing the BBMAs. PinkPantherss is not happy with her hit. And we have Lady A in the studio.

Hey, ya’ll! Welcome to Billboard News for Tuesday, November 14th. We’ve got a lot of News including updates on the BBMAs so let’s get into it.

First, with a girl who likes to spill her ‘GUTS.’ You can’t catch Olivia Rodrigo but we caught her at ‘The Hunger Games’ premiere as she dropped the video for her song from the soundtrack.

Where my ‘The Hunger Game’ fans at? Olivia Rodrigo just dropped the video for “Can’t Catch Me Now” from ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ soundtrack. Just last night Olivia hit the carpet at the premiere and chatted with ‘The Hollywood Reporter’s Tiffany Taylor about creating the song with the character Lucy Gray in mind.

Watch the full video above!

14 Nov 2023

Denzel Washington To Play Ancient Warrior Hannibal In New Antoine Fuqua Epic

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Backstage at the 2017 Academy Awards

Source: Variety / Getty

Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua are once again teaming up to give movie lovers something to remember. But this time, the legendary actor will be handing out fades in ancient times as the revered director is looking to the past for his latest epic, which will premier on Netflix.

According to Variety, Washington and Fuqua are set to tackle the legend of the ancient Carthaginian general known as Hannibal, who took on the Roman Republic during the second Punic War in 218 B.C. Known as one of the greatest generals in military history, Hannibal was as much a warrior as he was a strategic mastermind and went on to conquer many Italian cities during his historic battle with the Roman Republic. Sounds like a winner already.

Variety Reports:

Hannibal invaded Italy while riding a Northern African war elephant. Under his lead, the Carthaginians won key victories against the Romans, allowing Hannibal to occupy the majority of southern Italy for 15 years. Eventually, Hannibal was defeated by the Romans at the Battle of Zama after they counter-invaded North Africa.

Washington produces the film alongside Erik Olsen, Adam Goldworm and Fuqua via his Hill District Media’s first-look deal with Netflix.

Though the film is still untitled, it will be written by the three-time Academy Award winner John Logan, who penned classics such as Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. In short, Denzel and Antoine are going for the Oscar gold with this latest project, and we can’t wait to see what they cook up when it’s all said and done.

No word on when production is set to start or when the film is expected to release, but best believe we’ll be patiently waiting with the popcorn for this to hit Netflix sometime in the future.

Will you be looking forward to Denzel Washington conquering his foes during the B.C. era? Let us know in the comments section below.

14 Nov 2023

Jason & Travis Kelce Are Teaming Up for a Christmas Song

It’s a very Kelce Christmas!

Jason Kelce has recruited his brother, Travis Kelce, to take part in the Philadelphia Eagles‘ upcoming holiday album, A Philly Special Christmas Special, and the brotherly duet is set to arrive on Wednesday (Nov. 15).

The album’s official Instagram page posted a teaser clip of the song, “Fairytale of Philadelphia,” to Instagram on Tuesday (Nov. 14), along with the caption, “Philly, are we going to let a Chief steal the show? No way… But we are going to enjoy the newly reimagined single, Fairytale of Philadelphia by Jason & Travis Kelce.”

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See the post, which features the duo singing as claymation-style puppets, here. “You are handsome,” Travis sings to his brother in the video, to which Jason replies, “You are pretty,” before Travis says, “You’re the king of South Philly.”

In a recent episode of the Kelce brothers’ New Heights podcast, Travis revealed that he lent his voice to the duet with Jason for the album, but he hasn’t listened to the final version yet. “Dude I do not want to hear myself sing like that. I’ve got more of the rock voice,” the Kansas City Chiefs tight end admitted.

The full album by Jason and his Eagles teammates Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson is out December 1, and also features a collaboration with Patti LaBelle. The trio previously released their rendition of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” earlier this month.