News

01 Nov 2023

HYBE Revenue Climbs 21% on Seventeen, BTS Solo Projects

Led by strong sales and a world tour by the group Seventeen, K-pop giant HYBE’s third quarter revenues grew 20.7% year-over-year to 537.9 billion won ($410 million at the quarter’s average exchange rate), the South Korean company announced Thursday (Nov. 2).

When counted over the first nine months of 2023, Seventeen sold 11 million albums, including 5.1 million copies of Seventeenth Heaven, an eight-track EP, in the week after its Oct. 23 release. Seventeen also performed 18 times in nine cities across Asia, including shows at Japan’s five major domed stadiums that attracted 515,000 fans. In the third quarter alone, Seventeen performed two shows at the Tokyo Dome in Japan as well as a concert at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea.

HYBE also pointed to a string of successful solo releases by members of BTS for contributing in the quarter. V’s Layover sold 2.1 million albums in the week after its Sept. 8 release. J-Hope’s Jack in the Box, released July 15, reached No. 1 on the Tunes chart in 49 markets. D-Day by Agust D, also known as BTS member Suga, performed 28 times in 10 cities in North America and Asia.

HYBE’s music sales of 264.1 billion won ($201 million) was up 104.4% from the prior-year period and was 7.4% better than the 245.9 billion won ($187 million) in the second quarter. Concert revenue was up 83.9% year over year to 86.9 billion won ($66 million) but fell 44.8% from the prior quarter.

The company’s acquisition of Atlanta-based hip hop label Quality Control has quickly made a major impact. Home to such artists as Migos and Lil Baby, Quality Control accounted for 19% of HYBE’s streaming revenue in the quarter.

Big Machine Label Group, picked up in 2021 through the acquisition of Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings, contributed 27% of third-quarter streaming revenue while South Korean labels took a 54% share.

Weverse, HYBE’s social media platform, increased its monthly active users to 10.5 million in the third quarter from 9.5% in the previous quarter and 6.9 million in the third quarter of 2022.

Shares of HYBE gained 5.4% to 243,000 won ($180.89) in early trading on Thursday in South Korea.

Total revenues grew 20.7% to 537.9 billion won ($410 million).
Music revenues gained 104.4% to 264.1 billion won ($201 million).
Concert revenue jumped 83.9% to 86.9 billion won ($66 million).
Merchandising and licensing revenue fell 25.3% to 85.7 billion won ($65 million).
Fan club revenue grew 21.3% to 21 billion won ($16 million).
Adjusted EBITDA grew 13.1% to 90.8 billion won ($69 million).
Net profit improved 5.9% to 98.6 billion won ($75 million).

01 Nov 2023

Usher Says His Super Bowl Halftime Prep ‘Started 30 Years Ago’

While Usher‘s blockbuster Las Vegas residency is one reason he landed the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show, he makes it clear in a new interview that his preparation began long before his recent Vegas stint.

“When I got the call, I was like, ‘Man, I’ve been working really hard my entire career,’” he told Extra. “The preparation didn’t start within the last two years of performing in Las Vegas. It really started 30 years ago, and my commitment to it and the journey that I’ve taken musically is why I think I’m given that moment.”

He got that call from Jay-Z — the chairman and founder of Roc Nation, which has produced the Super Bowl halftime show since Jennifer Lopez and Shakira took the stage in Miami in 2020 — and Usher recalled Hov telling him: “It’s your magic moment. This is it. This is your Michael moment.”

“I was like, ‘That’s a lot of pressure, bro,’” Usher laughed. “But so many incredible artists that I respect played that stage, whether it was Beyoncé, Prince. … It’s like, ‘Wow, it’s the most compact 13 minutes of your life.’”

So what can fans expect from the halftime gig? “You’re going to get hit records,” he teased. “I do want to play the songs that people obviously recognize and the ones that I celebrate. I’ve been able to laugh, I have been able to cry, I have been vulnerable, I’ve been telling and honest. … I found really great ways to help us communicate better through my music and that celebration is inside this curation.”

He also hinted that some guests could possibly join him onstage at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. “I’ve also collaborated with a lot of people in the process, so… there’s a celebration there. … I just gave it all to you. You gotta decode it.”

We’ll have to wait until Feb. 11 to fully decode what Usher has planned. “It doesn’t get any bigger,” Usher said of the Super Bowl spot.

01 Nov 2023

The 15 Best Gifts From Oprah’s 2023 ‘Favorite Things’ List

We narrowed it down to our top 15 picks from Oprah’s holiday gift guide that will surely bring a smile to anyone this holiday season.

Oprah Winfrey attends the premiere of Disney’s “A Wrinkle In Time” at the El Capitan Theatre on Feb. 26, 2018 in Los Angeles.

Christopher Polk/Getty Images

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.

You get a gift! You get a gift! Everybody gets a gift!

Oprah Winfrey released her highly anticipated 2023 “Favorite Things” list on Wednesday (Nov. 1), which details her top choices in every category from food, home and beauty to tech and “cozy” — creating the ultimate gift guide for those who aren’t yet sure what to get their loved ones this holiday season.

Oprah‘s list is extensive, and the countless options could be overwhelming for someone who doesn’t know where to start. We at Billboard have your back by narrowing it down to our top 15 picks from Oprah’s holiday gift guide that will surely bring a smile to anyone this year.

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See more below.

Kindle Scribe

Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s first Kindle device that offers the best of both worlds because you can read and write with it.

“This summer, a friend I was traveling with raved about his Kindle, the first to include a notebook and a pen that never needs charging—especially how readable it was in the sun and how much he enjoyed writing notes with it,” Oprah wrote. “He was right!”

Beats Studio Pro Over-Ear Headphones

$199.95

$349.99

43% off

Fun fact: Oprah is a fan of “all things Beats” including the new Studio Pro headphones. The latest over-ear, noise cancelling headphones from the brand offer up to 40 hours of battery life.

“I love all things Beats,” Oprah wrote in her gift guide. “Some of us are over-the-head-headphone people, and if you know one of them, these are the best of the best.”

Meta Quest 3 Asgard’s Wrath Bundle

For the gamers and tech lovers, the Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset allows you to explore all kinds of games in the Quest content library without a PC or console. You can also watch live concerts, films, exclusive events and more.

“This headset gives both fully immersive and mixed-reality experiences for 500-plus apps,” Oprah said of the virtual reality set. “Great for gaming, or, if you’re Adam and Gayle, a quick game of virtual pickleball at the office.”

Take OFF Luggage 18 Inch Personal Item Removable Wheels Suitcase

$95.99

$119.99

20% off

A budget-friendly suitcase for holiday travel and more. This “brilliant under-the-seat-bag” from Take Off luggage features removable wheels, so you can pop them off and slide the bag under your seat.

32 Degrees Women’s Lightweight Recycled Poly-Fill Packable Jacket

Lightweight, affordable and keeps your warm in the cold weather. This 32 Degrees “packable little shacket” with pockets is available in black, forestwood and moonlit ocean.

The Original, The Remix, The Encore Collection Family Matching Holiday Sweatshirts

The holidays are the perfect time to whip out your matching family sweatshirts. As Oprah noted, “We finally solved the mystery of what to wear after the matching family pajamas —matching family sweatshirts, especially ones that encourage both smiles and group pictures.”

House No. 23 Alaia Sherpa Fleece Robe

House 23 is known for its super soft robes, throw blankets and more. Oprah chose the sherpa fleece rob e for the ultimate feeling of post-bath plushness and warmth.

“I picked their throw last year, and I can tell you the only thing better than diving under a faux-shearling blanket is to walk around almost wearing one—makes you feel like you’re at a spa,” wrote Oprah.

Therabody TheraFace Pro

You don’t have to leave home for a spa-like skin treatment. The TheraFace Pro features eight therapies in one tool. “It has percussive massage and cleansing options, and red, blue, and red-plus-infrared light therapies,” wrote Oprah. “It’s for anyone looking for lifting and tightening but afraid of needles.”

Sterling Forever The Perfect Occassion Earring Case

Take your jewelry on the go with this Sterling Forever travel case complete with earrings. As Oprah wrote, it’s a mini “treasure chest with five earring styles we curated to cover every travel need, from day-tripping to black-tie wedding. Plus room for your other essential pieces.”

SPGBK Unisex Stainless Steel, Water Resistant Watch

$63.99

$79.99

20% off

Always on time. This unisex wrist watch from SPGK has an adjustable, silicone band and it’s water resistant. The stylish timepiece is available in six colors including black, white, brown, navy and two shades of purple.

TELFAR Medium Shopping Bag

If you’re not already familiar with Telfar, consider this an introduction. The Medium Shopping Bag features a double strap (handles and cross-body straps), embossed logo and a main compartment with magnetic snap closure. It’s also the same bag that Beyoncé was spotted wearing in 2021.

WanderFull Crossbody HydroBag

$47.20

$59.00

20% off

Carry your water bottle in style with Wanderfall’s Crossbody HydroBag. It’s available in 24 colors including matte and metallic designs.

“Now, this is a design I haven’t seen before—cute and multifunctional,” Oprah raved. “It holds my water bottle when I’m hiking in Maui; for city walkabouts, the pocket holds a phone and a credit card.”

How to Be More Tree: Essential Life Lessons for Perennial Happiness

$11.86

$14.00

15% off

Ready to be more like a tree? “Trees are having a moment,” Oprah explained. “I’ve seen lots of books on the topic, but How to Be More Tree, with its gorgeous illustrations and wisdom of the ages, is the one I send to friends.”

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Bread Oven

OK, this one is just so fun. A way to make easy, homemade bread is perfect for a baker or food enthusiast in your life. It’s also great for someone who is gluten free but still wants to enjoy bread without the reaction that comes along with it.

“You know how I feel about bread, so I was very happy to see this enameled cast-iron piece that brings brick-oven baking to a home oven,” wrote Oprah. “In other words, it makes a crust to die for.”

Schmidt Brothers – BBQ Bonded Teak 4 Piece Grilling Accessory Set

$79.99

$99.99

20% off

It’s grill time! For the great grillers in your life: This four-piece stainless steel and hand-polished-teak set will be perfect,” per Oprah.

01 Nov 2023

YoungBoy Never Broke Again “Return Of Goldie,” Kodak Black “Eaze Your Mind” & More | Daily Visuals 11.1.23

HipHopWired Featured Video

Source: Prince Williams / Getty

YoungBoy Never Broke Again has a habit of dropping music videos shot exclusively from the comfort of his own home, but this time the young homie finally got out his lab for his latest visual… we think anyway.

In his new visuals to “Return of Goldie,” YB NBA takes to the woods in the dead of night on some Jeepers Creepers ish and hangs on a cross with his iced out neck before riding a black horse to the basketball court in his backyard. Yup, he was still on his own property the entire time. False alarm, people.

Kodak Black meanwhile stays outside and on the move and for his latest clip to “Eaze Your Mind” the controversial Florida rapper hits the road where he poses with fans, flosses some ice and looks for new ways to spend the cool million that Tekashi 6ix9ine paid him to get on a track with his snitching self. “That’s y’all rat!” Kodak hella funny, man.

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Leela James, Icewear Vezzo, and more.

YOUNGBOY NEVER BROKE AGAIN – “RETURN OF GOLDIE”

KODAK BLACK – “EAZE YOUR MIND”

LEELA JAMES – “WHATCHA DONE NOW”

ICEWEAR VEZZO – “I AIN’T MAD AT YA”

KAP G – “HARLEY QUINN”

CONNIE DIAMOND FT. JENN CARTER – “GHETTO & RATCHET”

BRUNO MALI – “STILL THUGGIN”

42 DUGG – “GO AGAIN”

01 Nov 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Announces ‘Can’t Catch Me Now’ Song Off Upcoming ‘Hunger Games’ Soundtrack

Olivia Rodrigo is musically joining the Hunger Games universe. The pop superstar announced on Wednesday (Nov. 1) that she wrote a song called “Can’t Catch Me Now” for the upcoming The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By) soundtrack.

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“Soooo beyond excited that I got the opportunity to write a song for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” Rodrigo wrote on Instagram alongside a trailer of the film, in which you can hear the singer’s soaring harmonies over the clip. See the post here.

“Can’t Catch Me Now” is available for pre-order here leading up to its release on Nov. 3, and will serve as the opening track to the 17-song album due out November 17 via Geffen Records, which is also the date the Hunger Games film hits theaters. The soundtrack includes songs performed in the film by The Hunger Games star Rachel Zegler, as well as tracks by young artists in the folk/Americana genre.

The upcoming movie stars Zegler alongside Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Jason Schwartzman and Viola Davis, and follows the story of Coriolanus (Blyth), who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol.

See the full The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By) soundtrack track list below.

1. Olivia Rodrigo – Can’t Catch Me Now
2. Rachel Zegler – The Hanging Tree
3. Flatland Cavalry – Wool
4. Rachel Zegler – Nothing You Can Take From Me
5. Sierra Ferrell – The Garden
6. Rachel Zegler – The Ballad of Lucy Gray Baird
7. Molly Tuttle – Bury Me Beneath the Willow
8. Rachel Zegler, James Newton Howard – The Old Therebefore / Singing at Snakes
9. Bella White – Burn Me Once
10. The Covey Band – District 12 Stomp
11. Rachel Zegler, The Covey Band – Nothing You Can Take From Me (Boot-Stompin’ Version)
12. Billy Strings – Cabin Song
13. Rachel Zegler – Lucy Gray (part 1)
14. Rachel Zegler, The Covey Band – Pure As The Driven Snow
15. Charles Wesley Godwin – Winter’s Come And Gone
16. Josie Hope Hall, The Covey Band – Keep On The Sunny Side
17. Rachel Zegler – Lucy Gray (part 2)

01 Nov 2023

Mariah Carey Sued Again Over ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ — By The Same Guy

A songwriter named Vince Vance is once again suing Mariah Carey over accusations that she stole her perennially-chart-topping “All I Want for Christmas is You” from his earlier song, a year after he dropped a previous lawsuit making the same allegations.

In a complaint filed Wednesday (Nov. 1) in Los Angeles federal court, Vance (real name Andy Stone) made the same basic accusations as he did in his last lawsuit: that Carey’s 1994 holiday blockbuster infringed the copyrights to his 1989 song of the exact same name. That’s no small claim: Carey’s “All I Want” has reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during each of the past four holiday seasons.

But the new case includes far more detailed — and far more personal — allegations against Carey, including that she made up the story of how she wrote the song, and that her own co-writer, Walter Afanasieff, has disputed that story.

“Carey has without licensing, palmed off these works with her incredulous origin story, as if those works were her own,” Vance’s new lawyers wrote in the re-filed complaint. “Her hubris knowing no bounds, even her co-credited songwriter doesn’t believe the story she has spun. This is simply a case of actionable infringement.”

Notably, Vance is now represented by Gerard P. Fox, the same attorney who represented two songwriters who accused Taylor Swift of stealing the lyrics to “Shake It Off.” That case went on for more than five years of litigation before it ended in December 2022 with a confidential settlement.

Just like his first lawsuit, Vance’s new complaint claims his own “All I Want for Christmas is You” was recorded by his Vince Vance and the Valiants in 1989 and had received “extensive airplay” during the 1993 holiday season — a year before Carey released her better-known song under the same name.

But his new lawsuit includes new details about the success of his earlier song, calling it a “a country music hit” that peaked at No. 31 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and later reached No. 23 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart (re-named the Radio Songs chart in 2014.) He’s also now joined as a plaintiff by Troy Powers, who claims to have co-written the earlier song.

The new version of the lawsuit also makes more detailed allegations about the similarities between the two songs, delving into the “unique linguistic structure” and musical elements that Carey allegedly copied in her song.

“The phrase ‘all I want for Christmas is you’ may seem like a common parlance today, in 1988 it was, in context, distinctive,” Vance’s new lawyers write. “Moreover, the combination of the specific chord progression in the melody paired with the verbatim hook was a greater than 50% clone of Vance’s original work, in both lyric choice and chord expressions.”

Notably, the new complaint lawsuit also mentions Love Actually, the 2003 Christmas movie that skyrocketed Carey’s song even further into the holiday canon. The lawsuit notes that Carey’s song appears in “a featured performance scene in the penultimate act in the mega hit film.”

A rep for Carey did not immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday evening.

01 Nov 2023

Mariah Carey Defrosts Christmas, The Hottest Halloween Parties of 2023 & More | Billboard News

Another Halloween has come and gone. We are rounding up some of the best costumes that celebrities donned this year. The Halloween streets were lit with stars stopping by Billboard’s bash in LA, and Heidi Klum’s party brought out all the stars in New York. We take you inside both! The queen of Xmas, Mariah Carey, defrosted the holiday at the stroke of midnight on November 1st. And more!

Tetris Kelly

We’re looking at music’s best Halloween costumes and taking you into LA and New York’s hottest Halloween parties. We play five things with Feid. Look back at the release of ‘Spice World,’ and Mariah ushers in her season officially.

Tetris Kelly

Happy Hump Day, friends. I’m Tetris Kelly from Billboard News and it’s Wednesday, November 1st. I’m still recovering from all the Halloween festivities. If you didn’t catch all the amazing outfits, we’ve got you covered. The stars do it every year, and 2023 was no different. Here are some of the best costumes from some of your favorite artists. Cher was a popular costume choice for both Victoria Justice and Christina Aguilera, complete with a ‘Burlesque’ re-enactment. You all saw my costume yesterday, but my girl doubled the fun: Mariah Carey served two looks before the change of the season as Regina George and Jessica Rabbit. When it comes to serving face, the king and queen were Gwen Stefani as the Corpse Bride and Zayn as Voldemort. And Anitta and Marina Sena finished us with their Mileena and Katana costumes. Fat Joe was looking more like skinny Joe thanks to his Ozempic costume. Camila Cabello gave us Anne Hathaway realness with her ‘Princess Diaries’ outfit. Reneé Rapp embodied Justin Bieber onstage during her concert in Brooklyn. And if you can spot her, Janelle Monáe had the most insane chameleon costume this year.

Watch the full video above!

01 Nov 2023

New Biography Examines The Beatles’ George Harrison & His ‘Feelings of Inferiority’: Where to Buy

“George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle” by Philip Norman

$28.68

$35.00

18% off

Though he himself felt like he played a minor role, the description for the biography goes on to spotlight some of his major successes like when “he composed such masterpieces as ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ and ‘Here Comes the Sun,’ and his solo debut album All Things Must Pass achieved enormous success, appearing on many lists of the 100 best rock albums ever.”

Already, the book has garnered the label of a No. 1 new Kindle release on Amazon for the best Rock music, and it’s also available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle and Audible editions for you to customize to your preferences.

01 Nov 2023

Celine Dion Makes First Appearance in More Than 3 Years Amid Battling Stiff-Person Syndrome

Amid an ongoing battle with Stiff-Person Syndrome, Celine Dion has made her first public appearance in more than three years by attending an NHL game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Monday night.

The “My Heart Will Go On” singer attended the game — a face-off between her hometown team, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Las Vegas Golden Knights — with her three sons, 22-year-old René-Charles and 13-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson. Following the game, the hitmaker spoke with the Canadiens team, giving them advice on how to persevere and maintain their health, in addition to shaking hands and posing for photos.

The team shared a video of them meeting with Dion to its Instagram page on Tuesday, along with the caption, “When Quebec emblems meet in Las Vegas…”

Fans in the comments section were delighted to see the 57-year-old looking lively and in good spirits. “God we missed her so so bad!! So glad to finally see you again Queen @celinedion!!” one fan wrote, while another user added, “Celine it’s a magic to see you again finally! Stay strong and healthy! We miss you so badly!!!”

The five-time Grammy winner’s appearance comes after she revealed in December 2022 her diagnosis of Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare condition marked by uncontrolled and severe muscle spasms that affects one in a million individuals.

“As you know, I’ve always been an open book. And I wasn’t ready to say anything before,” she said a Dec. 8 video. “But I’m ready now… ’I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.”

After explaining her symptoms and how her team came to the conclusion of her diagnosis, Dion added, “Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life. Sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to. I have to admit it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life.”

As a result, Dion’s 2023 tour dates were either canceled or pushed back to 2024.

See Dion chat with hockey players post-game in the video below.

01 Nov 2023

Little Mix’s Bewitching ‘Black Magic’ Music Video Reaches 1 Billion YouTube Views

Little Mix gave fans a sip of their secret potion with their spellbinding 2015 music video for “Black Magic,” and the magic still exists in 2023 — as the clip has officially hit one billion views on YouTube.

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In the video, the group — consisting of Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson — are school outcasts who dream of attracting a romantic partner. Late at night, the girls perform a love spell that makes them irresistible to the men on campus. “Take a sip of my secret potion / I’ll make you fall in love / For a spell that can’t be broken / One drop should be enough,” they harmonize in the chorus.

Little Mix, who came together in 2011 as part of The X Factor, released “Black Magic” in 2015 as the lead single off their third album, Get Weird. The song topped the U.K. Singles Chart for three weeks in August of that year.

The now-trio — Nelson left the band in 2020 — announced their hiatus in 2021. “We wanted to let you all know that after the Confetti tour in April/May next year we are going to be taking a break from Little Mix. It’s been 10 amazing years, a wonderful non-stop adventure, and we feel the time is right to take a break so we can recharge and work on some other projects,” they wrote at the time. However, they assured that they are not splitting up — “Little Mix are here to stay” — and that they have plans for the future. “We’ve made so many incredible memories with you all, and we can’t wait to make so many more.”

Watch the “Black Magic” music video below.

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Tour

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Amsterdam, NL

Heineken Music Hall

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Lisbon, Portugal

Atlantico Pavillion

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Asbury Park, NJ / USA

North Beach Asbury Park

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News

HYBE Revenue Climbs 21% on Seventeen, BTS Solo Projects

Usher Says His Super Bowl Halftime Prep ‘Started 30 Years Ago’