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13 Nov 2023

Trippie Redd Revealed to Fans That He Canceled His Tour For the Absolute Best Possible Reason

Back in June, Trippie Redd announced the dates for his 2023 Take Me Away tour, a North American fall outing that was slated to kick off on August 31 and keep him on the road through Oct. 9. And then, recently, the “Danny Phantom” MC canceled the dates with no explanation.

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Over the weekend, however, the 24-year-old born Michael Lamar White IV, explained that he had a very good reason for bailing on the dates. “You want an explanation, so boom,” he said in a video message. “I’m dropping a project named Saint Michael, right? What if I was to tell you that’s my son’s name and I canceled tour because I had to deliver my son?”

The surprise news does, in fact, line up with the new Saint Michael EP the rapper dropped on Friday, his 10th EP overall and his third project this year, following on the heels of the August A Love Letter to You 5 mixtape. The project contains seven songs (“Pray 4 Us,” “Van Cleef Island,” “1716 Osage,” “Ok, Cool,” “7am in Ohio,” “Yo Pi’erre Slime” and “Saint Michael Myers”) and features a cover image of Trippie breaking free from a tangle of heavy chains.

As for the blessed event, Trippie explained, “Life be lifin’. Y’all sittin’ there bashing me, saying all this crazy stuff. And here I’m just brining my child into the world.” Trippie also reportedly posted a photo of the infant on his Instagram Story, showing off his full name — Saint Michael White — and an image of the baby in a cute green onesie and matching hat.

Check out Trippie Redd revealing the name of his child below and listen to the Saint Michael EP.

13 Nov 2023

Wham and Mariah Carey Christmas Classics Make Earliest Entry to U.K. Chart

Christmas comes early to the U.K. singles chart as perennial hits by Wham and Mariah Carey begin their annual march back up the tally.

While the Beatles’ plunder the record books with “Now And Then” (Apple Corps), which blasts to No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, 60 years after their last leader, two holiday classics quietly make their move.

Wham’s “Last Christmas”(via Epic) reenters the Official U.K. Singles Chart at No. 37, while Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas For You” (Columbia) returns at No. 40.

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According to the Official Charts Company, this sets a record for the earliest appearance of a Christmas song on the tally, busting the mark established just last year by Carey, when “All I Want For Christmas Is You” reentered the national chart in the third week of November.

Both “Christmas” numbers are former leaders which completed a decades long journey to the top.

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” finally climbed the chart mountain for the first time December 2020, some 26 years after its release, breaking a chart record in the process. Mimi’s holiday hit had spent 70 weeks in the top 40 before claiming the prize; no other song had spent more weeks in the top tier before cracking No. 1.

Wham’s “Last Christmas” saw-in 2021 from the penthouse of the singles chart, completing a 36-year trek – a record for a single to reach No. 1.

The Christmas spirit can be felt on the Official U.K. Albums Chart as Gregory Porter’s Christmas Wish (Decca) debuts at No. 14.

With the floodgates now open, expect the U.K. charts to be awash with Christmas cuts in the weeks ahead.

13 Nov 2023

Taylor Swift Extends Reign on U.K. Chart With ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’

Despite a challenge from Oasis and BTS’ Jung Kook, Taylor Swift holds onto her U.K. chart crown for a second week with 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (via EMI).

The fourth in Swift’s re-recording projects, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) squeezes past Oasis’ The Masterplan (Big Brother), which enjoys a new chart life thanks to a 25th anniversary.

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Originally released in 1998, The Masterplan gathers b-sides from the Britpop era giants’ first three albums, 1994’s Definitely Maybe, 1995’s (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? and 1997’s Be Here Now, and is led-off by “Acquiesce,” a quintessential fan favorite.

The leader at the midweek point, The Masterplan re-enters the chart at No. 2, its original peak position following its release in 1998. It’s the U.K.’s best-seller on wax during the latest chart cycle.

The top new release on the fresh chart, published Friday, Nov. 10 is Jung Kook’s Golden (BigHit Entertainment), which completes the podium at No. 3. Golden becomes the highest-peaking album from a member of BTS, and the best chart position for a solo Korean artist, the Official Charts Company confirms. Album track “Standing Next to You” bows at No. 6 on the national singles chart, his fourth U.K. top 10 this year.

Meanwhile, legendary English pop artist Cliff Richard snags his 48th U.K. top 10 album with Cliff With Strings – My Kinda Life (EastWest/Rhino), new at No. 5, ahead of Johnny Marr’s Spirit Power: The Best Of Johnny Marr (BMG), debuting at No. 7, marking the ex-Smiths guitarist’s fifth solo U.K. top 10 appearance.

It’s Beatlemania once again on the U.K. Singles Chart as “Now And Then” (Apple Corps) powers to No. 1. As fans of the Fab Four feel the rush of nostalgia, the 2000 career retrospective 1 returns to the top 40 at No. 21. The album has logged 444 weeks on the tally, including one week at No. 1 back in 2000.

Finally, titles from Gregory Porter (Christmas Wish at No. 14 via Decca), Caroline Polachek (Desire I Want To Turn Into You at No. 23 via Perpetual Novice) and Van Morrison (Accentuate The Positive at No. 39 via Exile) enter the top 40 for the first time.

13 Nov 2023

The Beatles Blast to No. 1 In U.K. With ‘Now And Then’

The Beatles make history, many times over, with “Now And Then” (Apple Corps) which powers to No. 1 in the U.K.

The Fab Four’s “last” release powers to the summit of the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Friday, Nov. 10, having opened at No. 42 based on just 10 hours of sales and streams.

The outright leader at the midweek point, when it outpointed the rest of the top 5 combined, “Now And Then” is the Beatles’ 18th U.K. No. 1, extending their record as the British act with the most leaders. The King, Elvis Presley, reigns over that particular list, with 21 No. 1s.

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Also, “Now And Then” tops the weekly tally a full 60 years and six months after the Beatles’ first No. 1, “From Me To You,” marking the longest gap between an act’s first and last chart-topping hit, the Official Charts Company reports.

For the record, the Beatles’ first single “Love Me Do,” the b-side to “Now And Then,” peaked at No. 17 back in 1962.

The impressive numbers behind the latest No. 1 are worth a closer a look.

“Now And Then” chalks up 78,200 combined chart units in the U.K., including 48,600 sales (physical and download) – making it the fastest selling single of 2023.

It’s 38,000 physical sales are the most by a single in almost a decade. The last record to top it was “Something I Need,” by The X Factor 2014 champion Ben Haenow, which raked in 47,000 physical sales. It’s the fastest-selling vinyl single of the century so far with 19,400 copies sold on wax in the U.K., and it’s easily the group’s most-streamed single (5.03 million plays) and video (2.15 million plays) in a seven-day cycle.

Also, the Beatles are the act with the longest gap ever between No. 1 singles (54 years), and the oldest band to top the national singles chart. Surviving members Ringo Starr (83) and Paul McCartney (81) are the second and third oldest chart-topping artists, respectively, after Sir Captain Tom Moore, who was 99 when the charity fundraiser “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Decca/Universal) with entertainer Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir led the tally in April 2020.

“If there were ever any doubts that the Beatles are the greatest band of all time,” comments Martin Talbot, CEO of the Official Charts Company, “they have surely consigned them to history this week.”

Read more here.

12 Nov 2023

Taylor Swift Dominates, BTS’ Jung Kook Enjoys ‘Golden’ Debut on Australia’s Chart

It’s Taylor Swift‘s week, again, on Australia‘s charts as Jung Kook arrives at No. 2 with Golden (via ING/Universal), the BTS star’s debut solo album.

That result matches the record for the highest solo debut LP from a Korean artist in Australia, equaling the effort from his BTS bandmate Suga (aka Agust D), who started at No. 2 on the ARIA Chart with his D-2 mixtape in 2020.

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Golden carries previously-released collaborations with 3D and Seven and the new single “Standing Next To You,” new at No. 33 on the latest ARIA Chart.

As a member of BTS, Jung Kook has led the ARIA Albums Chart on three occasions: with Map Of The Soul: Persona (from 2019), Map Of The Soul: 7 (2020) and Proof (2022).

At the top of the ARIA Albums Chart, published Friday, Nov. 10 is Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (via Universal), now entering its second consecutive week at No. 1.

Completing the top 3 on the national albums tally is another Swift hit, Midnights, up lifts 4-3 in its 55th week. There’s no denying her domination of the charts, as Swift logs five of the top 10 albums and nine of the top 40. Over on the singles survey, Swift’s “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” is unmoved from No. 1. According to ARIA, the U.S. pop superstar has accumulated 24 total weeks at No. 1, across 10 songs, starting with 2008’s “Love Story”.

Swift will perform seven dates across two Australian cities early next year on the Australian leg of her The Eras Tour, produced by Frontier Touring.

Finally, the “last” Beatles song “Now And Then” (Capitol/Universal) debuts at No. 6 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

The track began life as a demo written and sung by John Lennon, was later developed and worked on by Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and now completed by Paul and Ringo (and some help from artificial intelligence), more than 40 years after the group began work on it.

A rough mix for “Now And Then” was recorded with producer Jeff Lynne back in 1994, but was ultimately shelved because Lennon’s vocals and piano couldn’t be uncoupled from the recording. Two unearthed demos were completed at the time and released as part of the Beatles’ Anthology project, “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love.” The second of those, “Real Love,” hit No. 6 back in 1996, and was the Beatles’ last top 50 single in Australia until now, ARIA reports.

The Beatles have 26 No. 1s in Australia, from 1962 to 1970 when the Fab Four officially split (that run includes a stretch of 14 consecutive leaders from 1966-1970). Elvis Presley is second on the all-time list of leaders with 14.

The Beatles also own the record for most weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA Singles Chart, at 130 weeks.

12 Nov 2023

Taylor Swift Performs “Slut!” Live for the First Time at Buenos Aires Show

Taylor Swift fans in Buenos Aires got more than one treat from 1989 (Taylor’s Version) this weekend. Swift debuted vault track “Slut!” live on Sunday (Nov. 12), after performing “Is It Over Now?” for the first time the night before.

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During the acoustic set of Sunday night’s show at Estadio River Plate, Swift first played Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) song “Better Than Revenge” on guitar. (The crowd had started a loud chant of “Reputation!” but didn’t get a Reputation surprise on this particular night.)

Swift performs two unannounced songs during this portion of the Eras concert.

After “Better Than Revenge,” the pop star walked over to her piano and began playing “Slut!” — no introduction needed in front of the zealous crowd of Swifties, even though the track has only been out for fans to hear for two weeks.

“But if I’m all dressed up/ They might as well be lookin’ at us/ And if they call me a slut/ You know it might be worth it for once,” Swift sings in the chorus. The Buenos Aires crowd chimed in beautifully.

Nov. 12 was the third of a trio of shows in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the previous two concerts getting acoustic versions of “The Very First Night” and “Labyrinth” for the first time on Nov. 9, and an “Is It Over Now?”/”Out of the Woods” mashup and “End Game” on Nov. 11. Keep up with Swift’s full list of Eras Tour surprise songs here.

1989 (Taylor’s Version) is currently atop the Billboard 200 albums chart for the second week in a row.

Watch Swift premiere “Slut!” live in a fan-captured clip below.

12 Nov 2023

Taylor Swift Scolds Concertgoers for Throwing Things on Stage in Buenos Aires: ‘It Really Freaks Me Out’

Taylor Swift is reminding fans to not throw things onto the stage at her shows.

At least one object made its way toward Swift in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday night (Nov. 12) while she was performing at Estadio River Plate for the Eras Tour concert that had been postponed due to “chaotic” weather on Friday.

Sitting at her piano during the Evermore set, the pop star — whose 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is spending a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — calmly, but sternly, addressed the crowd after a “present” landed beside her. People throwing things at performers on stage has became a dangerous trend.

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“Just because communication means having gentle, healthy boundaries,” said Swift, “it really freaks me out when stuff gets thrown on the stage. Because if it’s on the stage then a dancer can trip on it.”

“I love that you bought presents and that is so nice, but just, can you please not throw them on the stage,” she stated (rather than asked). “I love you so much.”

Swift’s Nov. 12 show was the third of a trio of concerts in Buenos Aires.

Saturday night’s show was particularly memorable, as her beau Travis Kelce was there. She paid special attention to him from the stage, sneaking in a clever shout-out in “Karma”: “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me,” she sang with a giggle. When the concert wrapped, she ran straight to Kelce for a kiss before the couple headed backstage.

See what happened when a fan threw something at Swift at Sunday night’s concert in the clips below.

12 Nov 2023

Tony! Toni! Toné! Gets Down at Sold-Out YouTube Theater Show

“They look so good together!” That was just one of the many enthusiastic fan pronouncements overheard during the Los Angeles stop for one of the year’s most anticipated reunion tours: Raphael Saadiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Toné!: Just Me and You Tour 2023.

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The Oakland, California-bred R&B trio — brothers Raphael Saadiq and D’Wayne Wiggins, plus cousin Timothy Christian Riley — also sounded just as damn good as they did in their ‘90s heyday. From the time the group jumpstarted Saturday night’s (Nov. 11) proceedings with “House Party (I Don’t Know What You Come to Do)” from 1991’s House Party 2 soundtrack until exiting arm-in-arm after rocking Inglewood (L.A.), California’s YouTube Theater with the fitting finale “Feels Good,” Tony! Toni! Toné! kept the audience on its feet for nearly two hours. Also getting their groove on during the sold-out, no-phones show: actor/comedian Eddie Murphy, Common and Jennifer Hudson, producer No I.D., NBA legend John Salley and actor Anthony Anderson.

“Where are my Day Ones at … Are you all ready to go on this journey?” queried Saadiq during the first half of the show, which included such hits as “If I Had No Loot,” “Let’s Get Down” and “Whatever You Want,” plus fan faves like “Til Last Summer.” Throughout the evening, the individual talents of each of the titular TTT members was spotlighted.

Wiggins was vocal lead on “Whatever You Want” and “Til Last Summer,” which were sing-along crowd-pleasers, as was his dexterous guitar playing. Riley’s commanding presence on keyboards also drew raves — at one point while playing, he went down on his knees, which prompted Saadiq to note, “That’s new!” Bassist Saadiq’s own tenor-to-falsetto vocals rounded out the trio’s still sublime harmonies as on the classic “(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow.” Also getting their chance to shine were members of TTT’s skilled band and estimable background singers.

From there, after a 10-minute intermission, the Tonys pulled out all the stops. Among the highlights: Saadiq revisiting his work as a solo artist (“Be Here”), as a member of Lucy Pearl (“Dance Tonight”) and as a songwriter/producer behind hits for other artists. That oh-wow trip down memory lane included D’Angelo’s “Lady” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” Erykah Badu/Common’s “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” and Solange’s “Cranes in the Sky.” After that, a massive singalong ensued as the group shifted into fourth gear with “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” “Anniversary” and the aforementioned “Feels Good.”

Declared Wiggins of the evening, “It’s been 25 years since we’ve been onstage together. We are family forever!”

Kicking off Sept. 21 in Birmingham, the 25-date Raphael Saadiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Toné!: Just Me and You Tour 2023 itinerary included stops in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and Las Vegas. The trek will wrap later this week when the group returns to its Bay Area stomping grounds: Oakland (Nov. 14-15) and San Francisco (Nov. 17).

12 Nov 2023

Here’s How Travis Kelce Reacted to Taylor Swift’s ‘Karma’ Lyric Update About ‘The Guy on the Chiefs Coming Straight Home to Me’

In case you missed it, Taylor Swift went very public about her connection with Travis Kelce by giving him a shout-out during “Karma” (and later kissing him) at her concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday night (Nov. 11).

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Kelce, who flew to Buenos Aires for Swift this weekend, certainly didn’t miss it. His real-time reaction to her surprise lyric change was caught on camera.

Swift replaced original “Karma” lyric “Karma is the guy on the screen coming straight home to me” with the line “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me” in front of a live audience at Estadio River Plate, stunning fans and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, who was enjoying the concert with Swift’s dad in the VIP tent.

Kelce was simply watching Swift on stage during the Midnights set of her Eras show when he heard Swift’s new lyric. Scott Swift, Taylor’s dad, hit the football star’s shoulder and cheered when it happened, while Kelce covered his face with his hands.

Taylor’s love interest then grinned widely and did a happy little dance.

When the show wrapped, Swift ran straight into Kelce’s arms and kissed him. The lovey-dovey moment was also captured and shared by Swifties at the stadium.

Kelce had taken Swift out to dinner Friday, and then was spotted at Swift’s show early on Saturday, hanging out with Mr. Swift.

In the clip below, see Kelce’s adorable reaction to being “the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to” Swift.

12 Nov 2023

Former Slipknot Drummer Jay Weinberg Breaks His Silence After Split From Band

Slipknot‘s ex-drummer Jay Weinberg is speaking out after being fired from the masked metal band.

Weinberg, the son of longtime Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, took to social media on Saturday (Nov. 11) to express that he had not anticipated the group’s decision to part ways with him after 10 years.

“I was heartbroken and blindsided to receive the phone call that I did on the morning of November 5th; the news of which, most of you learned shortly after,” Weinberg, 33, wrote on his Instagram Story. “However, I’ve been overwhelmed by — and truly grateful for — the outpouring of love and support I’ve received from this incredible community I consider to be my creative and artistic home.”

A week earlier on Nov. 5, Slipknot announced that the band had “parted ways” with Weinberg, who joined the rock act in 2013 following the departure of Joey Jordison.

“No one can ever replace Joey Jordison’s original sound, style or energy, but Jay honored Joey’s parts and contributed to the last three albums and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it,” Slipknot wrote in a statement. “But as ever, Slipknot is intent on evolving. The band has decided to make a creative decision, and to part ways with Jay. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds.”

During his time with Slipknot, Weinberg drummed on the Grammy-winning group’s albums .5: The Gray Chapter (2014), We Are Not Your Kind (2019) and The End, So Far (2022). .5: The Gray Chapter and We Are Not Your Kind both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Weinberg added in his lengthy statement on Saturday, “Despite the confusion and sadness, there is something that’s provided an equal amount of comfort. For many of you reading this: 10 years ago, we weren’t yet acquainted. And now, we are. For that, I’m thankful in ways I’ll never be able to fully express.”

The drummer continued, “I don’t know how, and I don’t know when, but I look forward to creating loud, passionate, and heartfelt music that we enjoy together again. Until then, please know it’s been the joy of a lifetime to spend the last 10 years with you, sharing in our love for this special corner of the music and art world.”

Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2013 following the departure of founding drummer Jordison, who formed the group in 1995 along with percussionist Shawn Crahan and the band’s late bass player Paul Gray, who died in 2010.

Slipknot hasn’t yet announced who will replace Weinberg on drums. The band is currently scheduled to play the Sick New World Festival in Las Vegas on April 27, 2024, and Welcome to Rockville on May 12, 2024.

Read Weinberg’s post on his Instagram Story here.