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16 Oct 2023

Beat Face: Shannon Sharpe Makeup Struggle Gets Him Fried On Internet

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Shannon Sharpe heavy makeup

Source: ESPN / ESPN

Shannon Sharpe was just minding his business and offering up his precise takes on sports. However, the NFL Hall of Famer and sports analyst’s makeup was the topic of conversation on Al Gore’s Internet, and not in the positive.

On Monday’s edition of ESPN’s First Take (Oct. 16), there was Shannon Sharpe in some heavy-duty makeup. It was enough that many took note, and started slinging all the jokes.

To his credit, Sharpe took the critique in stride, while hurling the new makeup artist under the bus. “Appreciate the concern over my makeup this morning on @FirstTake. This was her 1st time doing my makeup and it was a little heavy. My appearance is important not as important as my takes. Hopefully, the takes were gr8 as usual. #LipSparringChamp #BestDressed #Espn.“

Unc didn’t have to back up the Greyhound on her like that, though. No worries, she’s still employed.

Regardless, he’s getting these jokes as he’s getting compared to Prince (the Dave Chappelle version) and your rich auntie. The church fan slander is particularly egregious and hilarious.

See some of the best in the gallery.

16 Oct 2023

A2IM Libera Awards Adds Three New Categories for 2024

The American Association of Independent Music, Inc. is adding three new categories to the 2024 A2IM Libera Awards.

They are:

  • Publisher of the year, honoring the publishing company that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to songwriters, composers, and the broader independent industry.
  • Distributor of the year, celebrating the distributor that has made significant contributions to the distribution of independent music.
  • Best record from games and interactive media, recognizing the growing importance of video game music and honor outstanding original music composed for video games. The Grammys first presented best score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media at the awards ceremony in February. Stephanie Economou was the inaugural winner for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok.

Submissions are now open in all categories for the 2024 A2IM Libera Awards. The submission deadline is Dec. 4.

“The Libera Awards show is the biggest night of the year for independent music,” said Dr. Richard James Burgess, MBE president and CEO of A2IM, in a statement. “We are thrilled to add three new categories to the 2024 awards, to further shine a spotlight on the depth and breadth of the independent sector. We look forward to seeing and celebrating those nominated in the weeks ahead.”

The 2023 Libera Awards, presented by Merlin and hosted by Hannibal Buress, took place on June 15 at the Town Hall in midtown Manhattan. Notable winners included Wet Leg (who took home five awards, including record of the year), Sudan Archives, Run the Jewels, Big Thief, Low, The Linda Lindas, Captured Tracks, Partisan Records, Innovative Leisure and Bandcamp.

16 Oct 2023

‘Sonic Superstars’ Will Be Available on Nintendo Switch & More: Here’s How to Pre-Order a Copy

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If you gotta go fast, then Sega has good news for you — the video game company is releasing Sonic Superstars, their newest 2D platform Sonic game and the first since Sonic Mania in 2017, across consoles.

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Priced at $59.99 on Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target, Sonic Superstars is a new 2D side-scrolling adventure that features Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles “Tails” Prower, Knuckles the Echidna and Amy Rose — all as playable characters.

The game drops on Oct. 17 for Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PS4.

Sonic Superstars box art

Nintendo/Amazon

Set on the uncharted Northstar Islands, Sonic Superstars follows Sonic and team joining forces to defeat Dr. Eggman, the mercenary Fang the Hunter and the mysterious Trip the Sungazer from stealing the Chaos Emeralds and turning all the animals on the island into robotic Badniks.

The game also features new Chaos Emerald power-ups to help you clear levels and conquer enemies. Sonic can now multiply, swim up waterfalls, change form and much more.

After playing a few levels and bonus stages, Sonic Superstars — which also features co-op multiplayer — is a return to classic Sonic games from the ’90s, like the Sonic The Hedgehog trilogy, Sonic & Knuckles and others, while its blazing fast gameplay keeps gamers active when clearing levels. Sonic’s new power-up mechanics is a breath of fresh air, as it gives characters more usability.

In addition, choosing a character also comes down to a bit of strategy because each character has their own pros and cons. For example, Sonic is fast when running, while Knuckles is fast when climbing up walls. Gameplay varies from character to character and player to player. If you haven’t played a Sonic game since the ’90s, then Sonic Superstars is a good one to pick up — if you want to recapture the gaming experiences of your youth, but with modern animations and graphics.

Sonic Superstars for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Xbox One is available for $59.99.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best over-ear headphones, wifi extenders, laptop deals and more.

16 Oct 2023

BLACKPINK’s Jennie Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Chart With ‘You & Me’

Jennie’s “You & Me” jumps onto the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. songs chart (dated Oct. 21) at No. 1. The song marks the first solo leader for the BLACKPINK member and the second for a member of the group, following Rosé’s “On the Ground” in March 2021; as a group, BLACKPINK boasts three No. 1s on the survey.

The group makes history on Global Excl. U.S., as BLACKPINK becomes the first act with multiple members that have led the list, thanks to Jennie and Rosé (along with its own No. 1s as a group).

Also in the latest Global Excl. U.S. top 10, Bizarrap and Milo J debut at No. 10 with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 57,” marking the former’s fourth top 10 and the latter’s first.

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.

Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.

“You & Me” debuts atop Global Excl. U.S. led by 60 million streams outside the U.S. Oct. 6-12. The song is the first No. 1 (and second chart entry) for BLACKPINK’s Jennie, with the group having led with “Lovesick Girls” in 2020 and “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down” in 2022. She becomes the second member of the group to reign as a soloist, after Rosé’s “On the Ground” began on top in March 2021.

As BLACKPINK becomes the first act with multiple members having topped Global Excl. U.S., all four members of the South Korean group have now hit the top 10, totaling five top 10 hits (outpacing BLACKPINK’s four): Prior to Jennie’s new No. 1, Lisa logged two top 10s, “Lalisa” and “Money,” which hit Nos. 2 and 7, respectively, in 2021; Rosé has earned one top 10, the No. 1 “On the Ground”; and Jisoo has also tallied one top 10, “Flower,” which reached No. 2 this April.

Jung Kook and Jack Harlow’s “3D” descends to No. 2 after spending its first week on Global Excl. U.S. at No. 1; Jung Kook’s “Seven,” featuring Latto, dips 2-3, following nine weeks at No. 1 beginning in July; Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” descends 3-4, following two weeks on top starting in September; and Tate McRae’s “Greedy” backtracks to No. 5 from its No. 4 high.

Also in the Global Excl. U.S. top 10, Bizarrap and Milo J debut at No. 10 with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 57,” with 39.3 million streams outside the U.S. The track is Argentinian Bizarrap’s fourth top 10, following the series’ “Vol. 55,” with Peso Pluma (one week at No. 1, this June); “Vol. 53,” with Shakira (No. 2, January); and “Vol. 52,” with Quevedo (six weeks at No. 1, beginning in July 2022. (Amid that run, “Vol. 56,” with Rauw Alejandro, hit No. 17 this July after “Vol. 54,” with Arcangel, reached No. 22 in April.)

The new entry is the first top 10 on the chart for Milo j, also from Argentina.

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Oct. 21, 2023) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 17). For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

16 Oct 2023

Drake & Yeat’s ‘IDGAF’ Soars in Atop Billboard Global 200 Chart

Drake’s “IDGAF,” featuring Yeat, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 songs chart (dated Oct. 21). The collaboration, from Drake’s LP For All the Dogs, which concurrently opens at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, is Drake’s third Global 200 leader and Yeat’s first.

In all, Drake sends five songs into the latest Global 200’s top 10, all debuts from the new set.

Plus, Jennie’s “You & Me” starts at No. 7 on the Global 200, marking the first top 10 for the BLACKPINK member, with all four members of the group now having hit the tier as soloists.

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.

Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.

“IDGAF” begins with 65.5 million streams and 2,000 sold worldwide Oct. 6-12, following its Oct. 6 release. Canadian superstar Drake achieves his third Global 200 No. 1, following “Rich Flex,” with 21 Savage, in November 2022, and “What’s Next,” in March 2021, with all three songs have started at the summit. He ties Bad Bunny for the most Global 200 No. 1s among soloists; overall, only BTS boasts more, with seven.

Yeat tops the Global 200 for the first time, in his second visit to the list.

Drake claims five songs in the latest Global 200’s top 10. Here’s a rundown of the tracks (all of which are debuts):

  • No. 1, “IDGAF,” feat. Yeat
  • No. 2, “First Person Shooter,” feat. J. Cole
  • No. 4, “Virginia Beach,” Drake
  • No. 9, “Calling for You,” feat. 21 Savage
  • No. 10, “Gently,” feat. Bad Bunny

Drake has now logged a record 35 top 10s since the Global 200 began (more than twice as many as runner-up Taylor Swift, with 17). J. Cole adds his sixth top 10; 21 Savage, his 14th (and 11th with Drake); and Bad Bunny, his 16th.

Elsewhere in the Global 200’s top five, Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” drops 2-3, following four weeks at No. 1 beginning in September, and Jung Kook and Jack Harlow’s “3D” drops to No. 5 a week after it debuted at No. 1.

Meanwhile, Jennie’s “You & Me” debuts at No. 7 on the Global 200, with 65.1 million streams worldwide. The song is the first top 10 (and chart entry) for the member of South Korea’s BLACKPINK, which has notched four top 10s as a group, including the No. 1s “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down” in 2022. All four members of BLACKPINK’s have now hit the top 10, totaling five top 10 hits (thus, surpassing BLACKPINK’s total): Lisa has logged two solo top 10s, “Lalisa” and “Money,” which hit Nos. 2 and 10, respectively, in 2021; Rosé has earned one top 10, and the first solo leader among the four members, as “On the Ground” began at No. 1 in March 2021; and Jisoo has also tallied one top 10, “Flower,” which reached No. 2 this April.

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Oct. 21, 2023) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 17). For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

16 Oct 2023

Myke Towers Plays Fishing for Answers | Billboard

Myke Towers plays Fishing for Answers with Billboard backstage at Latin Music Week 2023.

Myke Towers:
Hey, this is Myke Towers, baby, and this is Fishing for Answers with Billboard.

Who’s your style icon, and why? An icon in terms of fashion … Well, I really like Jimmy Hendrix and Michael Jackson. They never looked ordinary. They always stood out, but if I had to choose between the two, well … Michael Jackson had a lot of flow, many eras and he has my name, so I’ll go with Michael.

Here comes the next one: Who was the first celebrity you fell in love with? I can’t say I fell in love, but there are a lot, maybe I won’t remember their names. Those soap operas, when I was little, I used to watch a lot of soap operas at my grandma’s house. I always liked them. Someday, an actress will be in love with me.

This video is going to be heavy.

What’s the craziest thing that has happened to you on stage? You have to be wide awake on stage now because they throw things, but also, sometimes, while performing, women lift their shirts and all that. You have to stay alert.

What’s your favorite dance move? Well, to be honest, I’m not much of a dancer. Singing is my thing, but when the time comes to dance, I’ll hold my own.

How many more to go? Let’s go to the last one. This is a good one …

Watch the full video above!

16 Oct 2023

All 23 Songs From Drake’s ‘For All the Dogs’ Hit Top Half of Hot 100

Drake has yet another massive week on Billboard’s charts (dated Oct. 21), as all 23 songs from his new studio album For All the Dogs land in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, led by “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole new at No. 1.

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The album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 402,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week, according to Luminate. That’s the fourth-biggest week of the year, after the first frames of Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (716,000 units), Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at at Time (501,000) and Travis Scott’s Utopia (496,000).

For All the Dogs tallied 514 million on-demand official streams for its tracks in its opening week, the fourth-highest single-week sum ever for an album. The biggest streaming weeks were achieved by the first weeks of Drake’s Scorpion (745.9 million, 2018) and Certified Lover Boy (743.7 million, 2021) and Swift’s Midnights (549.3 million, 2022).

All 23 songs from the new album land on the latest Hot 100. Of those, 22 debut, while “Slime You Out” featuring SZA ranks at No. 6 after debuting at No. 1 three weeks ago.

“First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole debuts as Drake’s 13th Hot 100 leader, and Cole’s first. Now with 13 No. 1s, Drake ties Michael Jackson for the most among solo males.

Here’s a recap of every Drake song on the latest Hot 100, all of which are debuts except where noted. He charts 24 songs overall, including one in a featured role.

Rank, Artist Billing, Title:

  • No. 1, Drake feat. J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”
  • No. 2, Drake feat. Yeat, “IDGAF”
  • No. 3, Drake, “Virginia Beach”
  • No. 5, Drake feat. 21 Savage, “Calling for You”
  • No. 6, Drake feat. SZA, “Slime You Out” (up from No. 18; peaked at No. 1)
  • No. 8, Drake, “Daylight”
  • No. 10, Drake, “Fear of Heights”
  • No. 11, Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
  • No. 12, Drake feat. Bad Bunny, “Gently”
  • No. 15, Drake feat. Teezo Touchdown, “Amen”
  • No. 16, Drake, “7969 Santa”
  • No. 17, Drake, “8am in Charlotte”
  • No. 18, Drake, “What Would Pluto Do”
  • No. 20, Drake, “Bahamas Promises”
  • No. 21, Drake, “Tried Our Best”
  • No. 24, Drake feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR, “Members Only”
  • No. 26, Drake feat. Chief Keef, “All the Parties”
  • No. 27, Drake, “Drew a Picasso”
  • No. 29, Drake feat. Lil Yachty, “Another Late Night”
  • No. 32, Drake, “Away From Home”
  • No. 36, Drake, “BBL Love Interlude”
  • No. 37, Drake “Polar Opposites”
  • No. 42, Drake, “Screw the World Interlude”
  • No. 59, Travis Scott feat. Drake, “Meltdown” (down from No. 40; peaked at No. 3 in August)

This week marks the sixth in which an artist has tallied at least seven songs in the Hot 100’s top 10 simultaneously. Here a look at every occurrence:

Total Songs in the Hot 100’s Top 10, Artist, Chart Date:

  • 10, Taylor Swift, Nov. 5, 2022
  • 9, Drake, Sept. 18, 2021
  • 8, Drake, Nov. 19, 2022
  • 7, Drake, July 14, 2018
  • 7, 21 Savage, Nov. 19, 2022
  • 7, Drake, Oct. 21, 2023

This is also the ninth week in Hot 100 history that an artist has charted at least 24 songs on the chart in a single week. Here’s a look at every such instance.

Total Songs on the Hot 100, Artist, Chart Date:

  • 36, Morgan Wallen, March 18, 2013
  • 28, Morgan Wallen, March 25, 2023
  • 27, Drake, July 14, 2018
  • 26, Taylor Swift, Nov. 27, 2021
  • 25, Lil Baby, Oct. 29, 2022
  • 25, Taylor Swift, July 22, 2023
  • 24, Drake, April 8, 2017
  • 24, Drake, July 21, 2018
  • 24, Drake, Oct. 21, 2023

Drake also extends many of his Hot 100 chart records, including the most top five hits (41), top 10s (76), top 20 entries (132), top 40 hits (199) and overall charted titles (320). He becomes the first artist to tally at least 300 total entries on the Hot 100. The only other acts with at least 200 are Taylor Swift (212) and the Glee Cast (207).

16 Oct 2023

Summer Walker Enlists Victoria Monet, Tyla & Tink for ‘Girls Need Love (Girls Mix)’ EP

It’s for the girls and by the girls on Summer Walker‘s forthcoming project. The singer announced on Monday (Oct. 16) that she has a new EP titled Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) releasing on Friday (Oct. 20).

The EP serves as an extension of her 2018 track titled “Girls Need Love.” The song — which received its first remix with Drake — peaked at No. 37 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, and spent a total of 20 weeks on the tally; on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the track hit No. 16. Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) will feature three remixes of the track featuring Victoria Monét, Tyla and Tink. The original solo version of “Girls Need Love,” as well as an acoustic version of the track released on Monday, will also be included on the EP.

“Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) 10/20,” Walker tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the project’s album cover — a March 4, 2019, tweet of her asking fans to “text ur man ‘I just need some d–k with no complications’ and tweet me his reply lol” with a parental advisory sign and the set of new collaborators.

“Girls Need Love” served as the breakout single from Walker mixtape Last Days of Summer. The set, released on Oct. 19, 2018, peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard 200 and spent 35 weeks on the chart. Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) comes amid the mixtape’s fifth anniversary.

See Walker’s announcement below.

16 Oct 2023

Sexyy Red Announces She’s Pregnant, Says She Was ‘Tired’ of Pretending She Wasn’t

Congratulations are in order for Sexyy Red, who surprised fans on Sunday (Oct. 15) when she revealed on Instagram that she’s pregnant.

In a series of photos, the “SkeeYee” rapper poses with SZA, who is seen kneeling next to her and showing Red’s baby bump, which is seen peeking out through a black, deep-V neck jumpsuit. “Team boy or team girl,” Sexyy Red captioned the post.

Over on her IG Stories, Sexxy Red showed off recent photos where she was pregnant, but sucked in her stomach to hide the bump. “I was pregnant asf on here trona suck my belly in,” she captioned a photo in which she was wearing red booty shorts and a white crop top. “I got tired of fakin.”

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The star has previously mentioned having a son in her interviews and songs.

It’s been a breakout year for Sexxy Red, whose hit “SkeeYee” topped the inaugural TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart, dated Sept. 16. The song follows the rapper’s breakthrough hit “Pound Town 2” (with Tay Keith and Nicki Minaj). Released in June, the song was initially aided by a trend in which users whipped their hair during the St. Louis rapper’s “skeeyee” ad lib, although many of the uploads to date have utilized the song in general videos, whether for comedy clips or otherwise.

“I am so excited that so many of my songs are charting on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart,” Sexyy Red told Billboard at the time. “I always knew I would be a No. 1 type of artist, so I want to thank all my fans on TikTok for running my music up! I’m just being me on TikTok and people love it.”

See her pregnancy announcement below.

16 Oct 2023

Tyler, The Creator’s le Fleur & Lacoste Reunite for a Tennis-Inspired Collab: Shop 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.

Tyler, the Creator‘s le Fleur and Lacoste have teamed up again for a new collaboration that combines preppy tennis-inspired styles with streetwear — and it’s already selling out. The latest collection features le Fleur’s vibrant and bold colors combined with the classic Lacoste styles you can dress up or down.

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You can still snag pieces from the collection on the Lacoste site or you may be able to find sold-out styles from resalers like StockX and Ebay.

After a popular 2019 debut, the two brands are back again, and this time, the rapper-turned-designer went behind the camera to direct the collaboration’s campaign video, which he debuted on X on Friday (Oct. 13).

“Lacoste by le FLEUR* Directed, Collection and Scored by: Tyler Okonma,” the caption says.

Whether you’re looking to infuse Tyler, the Creator’s style into your own or just need a refresh for your fall and winter wardrobe, this collaboration comes with everything from pleated skirts, trousers, T-shirts and more.

Keep reading to shop a few pieces from the collection or view the entire collaboration here.

white t-shirt that reads

Lacoste

Give your white T-shirt a le Fleur and Lacoste makeover with this branded style featuring the Lacoste logo in the center. It’s also made from a soft jersey material for added comfort that you can layer with a blazer or wear on its own.

yellow pleated pants

Lacoste

Level up your trouser game with these tapered pleat pants that come with a straight-leg fit and polyester and rayon material for added comfort. The waistband is adjustable to personalize to your liking, but the brand recommends sizing down one size as it tends to run large.

brown, white and pink crew socks

Lacoste

Refresh your socks collection with this basic pair featuring a le Fleur twist. It comes in a striped pattern featuring brown, white and pink shades as well as a combine le Fleur and Lacoste logo in the center.

blue sweater vest

Lacoste

Top off your outfits with a soft sleeveless sweater vest your can layer over turtlenecks, short sleeve tops and more. It’s made with an alpaca wool material decorated with a Lacoste and le Fleur combined logo.

green jacket with golden buttons

Lacoste

Top off your outfits with this cozy yet chic cardigan designed with gold floral buttons and a floral decal on one of the front pockets. Lacoste’s crocodile logo was added onto one of the sleeves to combine both of the brands’ styles.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best varsity jackets, men’s sneaker deals and shackets for women.