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25 Sep 2023

Kenya Grace Challenges Doja Cat For U.K. Chart Crown

Doja Cat is still top cat on the U.K. singles chart, but she’s facing stiff competition.

The U.S. singer, rapper and producer’s hit “Paint the Town Red” (via Ministry of Sound) leads the midweek chart, and is on track for a fourth consecutive week at No. 1.

Victory is not guaranteed.

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Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Kenya Grace’s “Stranger” (FFRR) is close behind, lifting 3-2, ahead of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen), down 2-3.

Born in South Africa, based in Britain, Grace’s breakthrough drum ‘n’ bass leaning number is her first through a major label. And she’s posing a real challenge to the leadership, blasting 20-2 in less than a month.

Further down the chart blast, another track from Doja Cat’s fourth and latest album, Scarlet, is set to enter the top 40; “Agora Hills” is forecast to arrive at No. 35.

English singer and songwriter Tom Odell could have the week’s highest new entry with “Black Friday” (Urok). It’s new at No. 17 on the Official Chart Update, for what should be his fourth U.K. top 40 (Odell has a U.K. No. 1 album to his name, with his 2013 debut Long Way Down).

U.S. pop-punk heroes Blink-182 are back, and they’re heading for a highest-charting single in two decades. The title track from the trio’s forthcoming ninth studio album is set to start at No. 21 on the chart, based on midweek data. ONE MORE TIME (via Columbia) is due out on Oct. 20 via Columbia Records, and sees the classic lineup reunite with singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge for the first time since 2011.

“One More Time” should be the trio’s 12th U.K. top 40 single, and best performer since “I Miss You” hit No. 8 back in 2004.

Also, new singles from Nines (“Daily Duppy” featuring GRM Daily at No. 25 via Zino) and a hip-hop team-up of Headie One, K-Trap and Clavish (“Triple Threat” at No. 31 via One Thousand8) are eyeing top frame berths.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, Sept. 29.

25 Sep 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers Player Asks Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce for a Ride After Emergency Landing in Kansas City

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a scary incident on Monday morning (Sept. 25), but the team’s defensive end, Cam Heyward, kept the positivity by adding a bit of humor to the situation.

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The NFL team was heading back home after winning their game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday (Sept. 24), but according to KDKA News, the plane landed in Kansas City due to an issue with the oil pressure failing in one of the engines. Thankfully, everyone on board is safe and eventually a replacement plane arrived to take the team back to Pittsburgh.

“Yo @taylorswift13 & @tkelce we might need a ride to Pittsburgh,” Heyward joked on X (formerly known as Twitter) after the incident, referring to Taylor Swift‘s headline making appearance at Travis Kelce‘s game with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The tweet comes one day after Swift cheered on the tight end from his suite alongside his mom, Donna, as the team played the Chicago Bears. In a video clip sports reporter Jarrett Payton shared on X, Kelce and the 12-time Grammy winner are seen walking by him shoulder to shoulder. The NFL star nods in greeting to the anchor and asks, “How you doin’” as Tay flashes Payton a smile and says, “Hey!”

After walking out of the stadium, the twosome were spotted riding off together in his convertible, according to photos acquired by TMZ. Neither the singer-songwriter nor pro football player have confirmed whether or not they’re dating.

25 Sep 2023

Bad Bunny Drops New Reggaetón Banger ‘Un Preview’: Stream It Now

Bad Bunny‘s new song is officially here. In his new reggaetón banger “Un Preview” — which dropped on Monday (Sept. 25) — the Puerto Rican superstar is smitten, singing about a girl that has him head over heels. “Baby, I’m no longer scared of tasting you and falling in love again … we’re crazy at the club, I get closer to you dancing, and I kiss your neck, with you, I’ll deal with fire.”

At the beginning of the music video, which has a cowboy aesthetic, Bunny explains that this song, as its name would suggest, is just a preview of what’s to come. “Ven acá,” he begins. “I’ll give you a preview of what will come after.”

The hitmaker officially confirmed the release date of his new song on Sunday, when he posted a 17-second snippet and wrote in Spanish, “In case you like it and are interested to know, [the song] comes out tomorrow Monday at 8 p.m. Puerto Rico time.”

“Un Preview,” produced by Tainy and La Paciencia, comes on the heels of Bunny’s “Where She Goes,” which he released in May. The Jersey Club-inspired beat (a hybrid of house and hip-hop) reached No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and Latin Airplay charts.

Earlier this year, Bunny also teamed up with Grupo Frontera on “un x100to,” which marked his first time dipping his toes in the norteño-cumbia realm. The song earned Frontera its highest debut on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, entering at No. 3 on the April 29-dated ranking, and later hitting No. 1 on both the Latin Airplay chart and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

Bad Bunny is a 15-time finalist at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which are set to take place Thursday, Oct. 5. He is up for artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year and Global 200 Latin song of the year for “Titi Me Preguntó.”

Watch “Un Preview” above.

Purchase tickets today for the Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 here.

25 Sep 2023

Talib Kweli & Madlib ft. Roc Marciano & Westside Gunn “Richies Part Two,” Doja Cat “Agora Hills” & More | Daily Visuals 9.25.23

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Roc Marciano In Concert - New York City

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Though he’s not as active in the game as he was back in the day, Talib Kweli is still one of the best lyricists in rap today and whenever he does drop something new, Hip-Hop purists are all ears as they know they’re in for some real ish.

Teaming up with Madlib and linking up with Roc Marciano and Westside Gunn for the animated visuals to “Richies Part Two,” the artists take a backseat and let the art speak for itself as the bars are drawn out using black-and-white animation and gives viewers something to take in and appreciate as they listen to these emcees do their thing. Dope sh*t.

On the R&B tip, Doja Cat gets supernatural with it and for her clip to “Agora Hills,” the catty crooner hits the burbs that’s been hit by a natural disaster and floats through the streets with sparkling feet before showing off the claws on her toes. That’s just OD, but we’re sure men with foot fetishes might enjoy the look.

Check out the rest of today’s drops and some joints you might’ve missed over the weekend including work from Money Man, Don Trip, and more.

TALIB KWELI & MADLIB FT. ROC MARCIANO & WESTSIDE GUNN – “RICHIES PART TWO”



DOJA CAT – “AGORA HILLS”



MONEY MAN – “MY MOVE”



DON TRIP – “SAY LESS”



DOODIE LO – “SCARRED”



PRETTY BRAYAH – “GET OFF”



SKILLA BABY – “BLACK FORCE MUSIC”



J.I. – “TURN ME UP”



PEEZY, MONEY MAN & LARRY JUNE – “FASHION WEEK”



25 Sep 2023

Ushers Shares How Jay-Z Called Him After Super Bowl Halftime Performance Announcement

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Lovers & Friends Music Festival

Usher is on cloud 9 about performing at Super Bowl LVIII. He recently shared how he got a call from Jay-Z right after the announcement was made.

On Saturday, September 24 the National Football League made the reveal with a hilarious spoof of Usher’s “Confessions, Pt. II” video featuring Kim Kardashian. Huffington Post is reporting that the Grammy Award winner recently sat down with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. While the two discussed several things the hottest topic was that he will be headlining one of the biggest shows of 2024. He went on to say that Jay-Z was one of the first people to hit his phone to congratulate him. “But when I got this call… he said, ‘It’s time, it’s magic time. You know, it’s time for you to have that moment.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’” Usher recalled. “He’s like, ‘The Super Bowl.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, you ready? Absolutely.’”

The “I Don’t Mind” singer went on to explain that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was destiny.

“I think that everything that led up to that moment, going to Las Vegas for my residency for the last two years, the legacy, obviously that is the music, the celebration of entertainment in that place. It’s the City of Lights. You know, it’s always been a place where entertainers go and find love and passion, connection to their fans,” Usher said.

This is not the first time Usher has graced the Super Bowl stage. Back in 2011, he joined The Black Eye Peas during their headline show. You can see Usher and Zane discussing things below.



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Photo: Candice Ward / Getty

25 Sep 2023

HHW Gaming Review: ProPlay Technology & Kobe Bryant Can’t Deliver The W For ‘NBA 2K24’

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NBA 2K24

Source: Visual Concepts / NBA 2K24

Visual Concepts and 2K Sports set up NBA 2K24 with the perfect alley-oop pass with NBA 2K23, but sadly, they couldn’t throw it down for the spectacular finish.

Like the Madden NFL video game franchise, Visual Concepts’s NBA 2K video games are in a very unique position, being the only officially licensed basketball video game on the market.

The last time the NBA 2K franchise had to worry about some competition was in 2018, when EA dropped NBA Live 2018, the last time we would see an NBA Live video game on consoles.

The NBA 2K franchise has been a model of consistency and as dominant as the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, Kobe and Shaq Lakers, and the Golden State Warriors, but as of recently, fans have grown weary of the games.

The biggest complaints as of late are that the games don’t bring any significant improvements and are nothing but rehashes of the games from the previous year with a fresh coat of paint.

It’s the same complaints Madden NFL fans have expressed about those games.

While Madden has taken a knee with its latest games on next-gen consoles, the NBA 2K franchise gave us hope with their first three entries on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. We hoped that would continue with NBA 2K24, and on paper, it seemed we were getting an improvement from 2K23, but sadly that is not the case.

This is a letdown, especially for a game that features the late Kobe Bryant on the cover.

The Mamba Moments Mode Is Fun But Feels Empty At The Same Time

NBA 2K24

Source: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts / NBA 2K24

There are still many other memorable moments you get to relive in the game, BUT it’s glaring that you can’t relive Kobe’s 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors.

It made perfect sense to put Kobe Bryant on the cover of NBA 2K24, mainly because 24 was Bryant’s jersey number when he hung up his Nike Kobe Protro kicks.

Like 2K23’s Jordan Challenge, NBA 2K24 came with the Mamba Moments, one of the game’s most significant bright spots, allowing you to relive seven of Bryant’s career-defining moments.

In an odd decision, the mode bypasses Bryant’s early career and jumps five years later to 2001 during the NBA Playoffs. There are still many other memorable moments you get to relive in the game, BUT it’s glaring that you can’t relive Kobe’s 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors.

The only person probably happy about that is Jalen Rose, who, as of late, made light of Bryant’s near record-breaking performance against him.

Despite that one moment missing, it’s still fun controlling Bryant at his playing peak and torching the competition.

MyNBA ERAs Are Back

NBA 2K24

Source: Visual Concepts / NBA 2K24

MyNBA ERAs remain one of the game’s few bright spots…

First introduced in NBA 2K23, ERAs are a unique twist to the franchise mode, allowing players to dominate when certain players were dominant in the league.

If you want to play in today’s NBA and use today’s rules, you can head to The Modern Era. If you want to dominate the league as LeBron James at the height of his career or keep him from acquiring rings, you can play in the new LeBron Era.

Other eras include, of course, The Kobe Era, or The Jordan and Magic vs Bird era where the rules were a bit more lax, and the play on the court was intensely physical.

Presentation remains a top feature in 2K24, so you can play those games with a 90s-80s filter on the screen, and if that annoys you, the game does give you the option to turn it off to restore that glorious 4K look.

MyNBA ERAs remain one of the game’s few bright spots.

ProPlay Technology Adds A New Look & Feel

NBA 2K24

Source: Visual Concepts / NBA 2K24

ProPlay literally allows for a more accurate translation of NBA superstar’s signature moves on the court into the video game, allowing for more realistic layups, dunks, and jump shots.

The most significant addition to the game is ProPlay Technology, which makes NBA 2K24 the most realistic feeling iteration of the game ever.

ProPlay literally allows for a more accurate translation of NBA superstar’s signature moves on the court into the video game, allowing for more realistic layups, dunks, and jump shots.

So all those sick dribble moves and fadeaway three-pointers you watch Steph Curry do on a nightly basis are perfectly encapsulated in the game and look fantastic. He’s not the only NBA star who benefits from the technology.



Presentation and feel is never an area where we have to worry about Visual Concepts coming up short in an NBA 2K video game, and that continues to be the case here.

Where NBA 2K24 Is Throwing Up Bricks

NBA 2K24

Source: Visual Concepts / NBA 2K24

Unfortunately, new advancements like ProPlay Technology and the Mamba Moments mode are not enough to make this game great. MyTEAM is okay, but it still feels like you will need to swipe my credit card to get better enjoyment out of it.

MyCAREER is back and takes your MyPLAYER back to The City, which is as big as ever but is still a grind trying to make your created player an NBA champion and one of the league’s best players.

The City is also full of ridiculous quests like talking to Jake from State Farm (yes, this is still a thing) or finding Ronnie 2K chilling on the beach, the latest edition to The City.

NBA 2K24

Source: Visual Concepts / NBA 2K24

The City is beautiful and still a fantastic idea, but unless you are big into playing online, we don’t see how many people will enjoy their time running around it.

The W is also back, and we are happy to see the WNBA continue to get love in NBA 2K24, especially during a time when the W is getting its most buzz since its inception.

NBA 2K24

Source: Visual Concepts / NBA 2K24

While its inclusion is welcomed, it still feels like an afterthought, but with time, it will have a much more significant presence in future NBA 2K video games.

Final Verdict

NBA 2K24

Source: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts / NBA 2K24

Not even the great Kobe Bryant, Mamba Moments, or ProPlay Technology are enough to bring NBA 2K24 to the prominence it once held.

While the last game was promising, NBA 2K24 is stepping back in the wrong direction and only boasts some incremental improvements.

NBA 2K24 is far from great, but it’s still okay. But that should not be the case for what is the definitive basketball video game out, mainly because it’s the only one out.

With a $70 price tag on top of the money you. We will be spending on VC to level up your character and other items in the game; we understand if people feel like 2K is swiping their cash like De’Aaron Fox steals the basketball easily from his opponents on the court.

We can only hope the folks at Visual Concepts and 2K Sports are taking notes from the community and making 2K25 the fantastic game it should be.

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Photo: 2K Sports / Visual Concepts

*NBA 2K24 key provided for PS5 provided for use by Visual Concepts and 2K Sports*

25 Sep 2023

Chrisean Rock Puts Baby Daddy Blueface On Blast For Sharing Son’s Photo

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Hollywood Unlocked's 2nd Annual Impact Awards

Chrisean Rock and Blueface are back to their usual on-again, off-again relationship, and the new mother of one is already putting her baby daddy on blast. After Blueface posted a questionable image of their son, Chrisean Rock went on Instagram Live to discuss the matter.

Chrisean Rock saw her name trending after Blueface, or someone who allegedly hacked his Twitter account, and posted an image of their infant son’s genitalia. Again, this is alleged as we have not seen or are looking for that photo.

Rock went on IG Live and let off an emotional rant regarding the leaked image of her son. The stream was screen-recorded by The Neighborhood Talk, which we’ll share below.

From what we were able to gather from X, formerly known as Twitter, and from the comments on Instagram, Rock and Blueface’s son might be suffering from a hernia, which sometimes requires surgery. While the offending images are scrubbed from Blueface’s Twitter page, there are posts from last week that address Rock and their son.

“I know she going thru some an it’s not easy no hood harder then parent hood so I’m not gone be mean to her no more cuz her mental state determines how my son day goes let’s just encourage her to be more accountable an responsible this time around come on rock we got this I’m here,” Blueface tweeted last Friday (September 22).

In a series of tweets posted Monday morning (September 25), Rock looks as if she’s attempting, yet again, to sever ties with Blueface with fans urging her to do so for good.

“I tried making peace but he knew certain things I wasn’t for real about like actually doing milfmusic and back yo giving my income to him,” began the morning thread.

It continued with, “Crazy i didn’t even know u posted our sons D*ck on social media woah this man knows how to hurt me bro I got nothing else to say blue this ain’t ya kid no more blue I got nothing but love for this tragic situation.

We’ve got reactions to Chrisean Rock and Blueface’s latest fallout below.

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Photo: Prince Williams / Getty

25 Sep 2023

Lance Bass Says There Were ‘Tears of Joy’ When *NSYNC Reunited in the Studio: ‘Time Does So Much’

*NSYNC is back, and fans couldn’t be more excited for the boy band’s return. And according to Lance Bass, the members of the group were so excited to be back in the studio together, they all shed tears during their long-awaited reunion.

“It was pretty emotional, the first time we all got in the studio together,” Bass recalled of the recording session in a Sunday interview with Entertainment Tonight. “Back in March, we decided to, you know, get back together and have some fun and it was like no [time] had passed.

“But there was a lot of tears,” he added. “It was just tears of joy. And it was just a beautiful moment. Like, time does so much, and for us to finally be together, it just feels right.”

The boy band’s reunion comes amid the upcoming release of the third Trolls movie, Trolls Band Together. The group lent their collective talents for the soundtrack’s song “Better Place,” which will be the group’s first original song in over 20 years when it’s released on Friday. Justin Timberlake co-stars in the movie as the character Branch.

*NSYNC confirmed the reunion rumors with their appearance at the 2023 MTV VMAs on Sept. 12, where they presented Taylor Swift with the best pop award. In the time since, fans have been speculating if more new music or a tour is on the horizon, but Bass says they’ll need to sit tight for more news.

“I’ve been telling the fans, like, we don’t have solid plans right now. Because, you know, we’re waiting for the strike to end. We’ve got things to do,” Bass explained. “But [the fans are] definitely shaping our future.” (In the time since Bass’ interview, the Writers’ Guild and Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement to end the writers’ strike, but the actors’ strike is still ongoing.)

Read Bass’ interview in full here.

25 Sep 2023

Rolling Stones Reveal Release Date for ‘Sweet Sounds of Heaven’ With Lady Gaga & Stevie Wonder

The Rolling Stones are ready to deliver the “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” with some help from Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder. The A-list collaboration is set to arrive on Thursday (Sept. 28), according to an Instagram post from the legendary rock band on Monday (Sept. 25).

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The band shared the news along with a short snippet from the track, which features harmonizing vocals and a piano melody from Wonder. See the post here.

“Sweet Sounds of Heaven” will be featured on Rolling Stones’ 24th studio album, Hackney Diamonds, marking their first studio album of original material in 18 years — and the band’s first since the death of drummer Charlie Watts.

In addition to the Lady Gaga and Wonder collaboration, the album will also feature tracks like “Bite My Head Off,” with bass from Paul McCartney and “Get Close” and “Live By the Sword,” both of which have piano from Elton John.

Other previously revealed guest spots on the album include two tracks recorded with late Watts (“Mess It Up,” “Live By the Sword”); the latter also features an assist from former bassist Bill Wyman. The album — which ends with a Jagger/Richards cover of the Muddy Waters song that inspired the band’s name (“Rolling Stone Blues”) — was recorded all around the world, from Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles to Metropolis Studios in London, Sanctuary Studios in Nassau, Bahamas and Electric Lady Studios and The Hit Factory/Germano Studios in New York.

Hackney Diamonds is out on Oct. 20.

25 Sep 2023

Bruno Mars Talks JBL Authentics Speakers & His 5 Must-Haves for Touring

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Bruno Mars helped JBL celebrate the release of its Authentics speakers in Las Vegas last week. The “24K Magic” singer attended the JBL Authentics launch event with his longtime collaborator, producer D’Mile, who also performed a special set.

Mars is no stranger to JBL products, as he explained in an interview with Billboard.

“In the early days when I gigged in bars, we would play with two JBL’s on stands, and those were some of my most fun shows,” Mars said of what he likes about the brand. “That early gig money saved my life, and JBL is part of that story. So, when they hit me up about the Authentics launch, I said I’m game!”

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars Stars in New SelvaRey Coconut Rum Campaign

The Authentics Sound Lounge was held last Thursday, Sept. 21, as part of JBL Fest, a multi-day immersive event centered on JBL products and partnerships.

Bruno Mars x JBL

Bruno Mars x JBL

Atlantic Records

The all-new Authentics line of premium, home WiFi speakers features a first-of-its kind, dual integration of Google and Amazon assistants. And with its retro, funky design, the Authentics speaker doubles as a cool décor piece that offers up to eight hours of playtime, Dolby Atmos, seamless pairing via Bluetooth and intuitive control options with the JBL app.

JBL’s Authentics speakers are available in 90-watt, 100-watt and 270-watt digital amplifiers. JBL Authentics 200, the smallest among the trio, retails for $350. The Authentics 300 is $449.99 and the Authentics 500 retails for $699.99.

JBL’s Authentics 200 and 300 feature dual, 1-inch silk dome tweeters and a 5-inch full-range mid-woofer. Meanwhile, the Authentics 300 packs a powerful punch with DSP triple horn-loaded 1-inch aluminum tweeters, a 6.5-inch subwoofer, triple 2.7-inch mid-woofers, a 6.5-inch down firing subwoofer and dual JBL slipstream ports.   

You can pair JBL Authentics with any compatible device via WiFi, and when streaming through AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, Spotify Connect or Chromecast, you can leave the room to take a call without interrupting the music.

Speaking of music, Mars is back in the States after taking the stage in Brazil earlier in the month (fans have been begging for him to preform in the country for “six long years,” according to his social media).

“It was amazing being in Brazil,” the Grammy-winning singer shared with Billboard. “It’s one of those countries that you love to sing and perform in. I can’t wait to go back.”

It’s not always easy being on the road, but Mars makes sure to have some of his favorite things on deck. What’s in his tour bag? His five tour essentials include coffee, “gym clothes to eat pizza in,” NBA Jam on PlayStation, rum from his Selvarey liquor brand and a “crossbow/harpoon.”

Next up, Mars will take the stage in Georgia and Israel on Oct. 1 and Oct. 4 (get tickets here) followed by several other overseas tour dates before making it back to Las Vegas for a handful of performances at Park MGM from Dec. 22-31.

Shop the JBL Authentics speaker below.

JBL Authentics 200

$349.99