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05 Sep 2023

Tabi Shoes: What Is the Viral Celebrity Trend & How to Shop the Look

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Style trends come and go, but there are some pieces that will never go out of fashion. Much like a timeless pair of Converse Chuck Taylors, the Maison Margiela Tabi has garnered a cult following that TikTokers and celebrities can’t get enough of. Artists such as Dua Lipa and Nick Jonas have been spotted showing off the hoof-shaped shoe on the red carpet and off-duty, proving its versatility and trendiness.

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Unlike most fashion-forward items though, the Tabi shoe has divided the style community, with some considering the shoe an iconic statement piece, while others look at it with disgust or curiosity. While it may continue to split fashion lovers, once the shoe made its debut, it has forever stuck with onlookers both in and out of the fashion community.

What exactly is the controversial shoe? Below, we break it down and offer a few affordable options.

What is the Maison Margiela Tabi?

The popular shoe comes in a variety of styles from heels, Mary Janes, ballet flats and even sneakers. What sets it apart from any other type of shoe is the split to design that creates a hoof-like appearance.

Dua Lipa in tabi shoes

Dua Lipa seen on a night out at Chiltern Firehouse on July 21, 2023 in London.

Ricky Vigil M /Justin E Palmer/GC Images

Designer Martin Margiela created the shoe after being inspired during a trip to Japan. Margiela took the unique split-toe design of traditional Japanese work shoes and infused it with high heels to create a fashion-forward shoe. Once the design was complete and ready to hit the runway, it made its debut in the 1980s and caught viewers attention; eventually gathering a cult following that has remained strong, growing and kept the style relevant even today.

Gen Z has hopped on the trend, with TikTokers taking to the platform to show off their own collection. User @madeleinewould created a montage video that’s garnered over 118,000 likes and shows the variety of styles and colors available.

“A Tabi tour as requested,” the caption said.

If you’re looking to splurge, Nordstrom currently has a bootie style that’s perfect for a fall fashion refresh, but we’ve also put a couple wallet-friendly alternatives below.

Keep reading to shop the style below.

black tabi ankle boot

Nordstrom

Maison Margiela Tabi Boot

$1,090

For a luxe yet unique take on ankle boots, these Tabi shoes feature the iconic split toe center and a black leather material that’ll elevate practically every look from your denim and white T-shirt to your trousers and blouse.

black sock tabi boots with brown rubber sole

Amazon

Japanese Cushioned Tabi Shoes

$50.51 $79.93 37% OFF

Stay on trend with a pair of everyday Tabi shoes featuring a rubber sole that’ll help grip the pavement and a sock-like, pull-on design for added comfort that’ll move with you wherever your day takes you.

Marugo Tabi Action Shoes Split Toe Sneakers

$76.06 $85.95 12% OFF

Add some sportiness to your look with a pair of trendy Tabi sneakers that are available in three shades including red, white and black. The style has a lace-up design that you can personalize to your liking and a mesh and knit material that’s breathable for added comfort.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best band T-shirts, jelly shoes and platform boots.

05 Sep 2023

Joe Jonas Shows Off His Wedding Ring Amid Rumors of Divorce From Sophie Turner

While Jonas Brothers fans have been “Burnin’ Up” over rumors surrounding Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner‘s relationship, the JoBro is letting his actions speak louder than his words.

After a report from TMZ over the weekend claimed that Jonas was seeking a divorce from Turner, with People reporting that he has obtained a divorce lawyer, the star shared a photo on his Instagram on Monday (Sept. 4) that showed him wearing his wedding ring. The captionless black-and-white photo shows Jonas posing for the camera in a graphic T-shirt, but fans immediately spotted his prominently placed left hand sporting his wedding band. “Y’all really made this man post a singular picture of himself wearing his ring because of rumors going around the internet lmao,” one Instagram user wrote.

Eagle-eyed fans also spotted the “Cake By the Ocean” singer wearing his ring during the group’s tour stop in Austin on Sunday (Sept. 3).

Neither Jonas nor Turner have spoken publicly about the ongoing rumors of their divorce, and Billboard has reached out to both for comment.

The new photograph comes days after TMZ claimed in a report that representatives for Jonas had sought out and met with “two L.A.-area divorce lawyers,” and that the star was “on the cusp of filing” for a divorce from Turner.

The pair tied the knot in May 2019, when they were wed in Las Vegas shortly following the band’s performance at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. The following month, Jonas and Turner threw a secret second wedding in Sarrians, France.

All the speculation comes during the Jonas Brothers’ ongoing North American tour, which makes its next stop at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The tour is set to conclude on Dec. 9 in Brooklyn, N.Y. before heading to Australia and Europe in 2024.

See Jonas’ photo below:

05 Sep 2023

Mexican Rapper Lefty SM Killed in Guadalajara

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Lefty SM

Source: @leftysm_ / Instagram

Rising rapper Lefty SM, who had been creating a serious buzz in his home country of Mexico, was shot and killed. He was 31 years old.

The tragic demise of Lefty SM, also known as Juan Carlos Sauceda, was confirmed by his label and Billboard Español. “Dear Alzada friends and family, with profound sadness we’re informing you about the death of our brother, Lefty SM, Juan Carlos Sauceda,” Alzada Records confirmed, in Spanish, on its Instagram page on Sunday (September 3). “Our love and prayers are with his wife María Isabel and their two daughters.”

Carlos Félix, a PR rep for Alzada, confirmed that Lefty SM was shot twice near his home and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. He offered no further comment on a possible motive for the murder. The Mexican government in the Jalisco region was expected to release a formal report on the incident on Monday (September 4).

News of his death caused shock to his peers and fans. MC Davo, a friend and colleague, had just performed with Lefty SM last Friday (September 1) at a show held at the Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City. “How is this possible? I can’t believe it, really, I can’t believe it man,” he said tearfully in a now-deleted video sent through his Instagram Stories. He would later post a photo of them hanging out at the beach. “Just a few hours ago we were enjoying life. May God have you in his glory.”

Lefty SM had built a solid career in rap and Hip-Hop, starting off in 1992. It wasn’t until 2017 when the native of San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, started to amass a huge following thanks to his YouTube channel. He built upon that with collaborations, including hits with the Santa Fe Klan such as “Si me caigo”, “Con los ojos rojos” and “Por mi México”. The group expressed their grief over the news online. “This isn’t possible, brother,” they wrote in an Instagram post. “Tell me it’s a lie.”

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05 Sep 2023

Travis Barker Appears in Son Landon’s TikTok After Leaving Blink-182 Tour Due to ‘Urgent Family Matter’

Following an undisclosed “urgent family matter,” Blink-182‘s Travis Barker made an appearance on his son Landon’s TikTok live on Monday (Sept. 4).

The drummer’s appearance was brief: As Landon chatted and looked at fans’ comments as they rolled in, the Blink-182 drummer gave his 17-year-old son a hooded sweatshirt. Barker did not make any comments pertaining to his recent emergency.

The pop-punk trio announced the postponement of three concert dates in Scotland and Ireland on Sept. 1 via their social media accounts.

“Due to an urgent family matter, Travis has had to return home to the States. The Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin shows are being postponed,” the band — which also consists of Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus — wrote. “More information in regards to his return to Europe and rescheduled dates will be provided as soon as available.” (A spokesperson for the group had not returned Billboard‘s request for additional information.)

Barker has not yet addressed why he rushed home.

The drummer is currently expecting a child — a baby boy — with wife Kourtney Kardashian, who announced her pregnancy with a “Travis I’m Pregnant” sign during Blink’s Los Angeles tour stop at BMO Stadium. Barker is also father to Landon and Alabama Barker, as well as stepdad to Atiana de la Hoya, all of whom he shared with ex-wife Shanna Moakler.

05 Sep 2023

9 Times Artists Defended Their Fans Against Concert Security: Adele, Taylor Swift & More

These stars have their fans’ backs.

Adele in Las Vegas

Adele performs onstage during the “Weekends with Adele” Residency Opening at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on November 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AD

Famous musicians would be nothing without their fans. And because of that, many artists feel extremely protective over their listeners, particularly when it comes to concert settings where large crowds and limited space can make some people feel extra vulnerable.

Sometimes, that defensive parental instinct even applies to scuffles between fans and concert security. In these scenarios, it doesn’t matter whether the guardsmen or women were hired for the artists’ benefit — these singers, rappers and instrumentalists will still choose their fans’ side over their crew’s in a heartbeat. Just ask Adele, who fully put one of her Las Vegas shows on pause just to tell off a couple of venue workers who were harassing one dancing concertgoer. Or, take it up with Taylor Swift, who sacrificed singing the lyrics to one of her biggest hits while performing at her Eras Tour to angrily shout at a security guard.

Everyone from Ariana Grande to Beyoncé, Billie Eilish to Elton John and more have also stuck their necks out for people in attendance at their shows, interactions that make for instantly viral moments on social media and prove just how much these stars love their fans.

There’s no doubt that most security personnel have the best intentions at heart, simply wanting to keep both artists and fans safe. But when one of them appears to cross a line, these musicians are the first to step up and make sure that their supporters are all good. 

Keep reading to see nine artists who, at some point in their careers, have called out security for messing with their fans:

05 Sep 2023

Every Country Music Record Broken on the Hot 100 in 2023: From Morgan Wallen to Oliver Anthony Music & More

It’s a good time to be a country artist.

2023 has been an unusually exceptional year for country music. From Morgan Wallen to Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Oliver Anthony Music and more, country acts are reaching historic highs across Billboard’s charts – including, most notably, on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.

As of the latest list (dated Sept. 9), four country songs (defined as those that have also appeared on the Hot Country Songs chart) have hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 this year: Wallen’s 16-week juggernaut “Last Night,” Jason Aldean’s one-week leader “Try That in a Small Town,” Oliver Anthony Music’s two-week viral No. 1 “Rich Men North of Richmond,” and, as of this week, Zach Bryan’s “I Remember Everything,” featuring Kacey Musgraves. Dating to the Hot 100’s launch in 1958, only one other calendar year has brought four-or-more country No. 1s: 1975, when five reached the summit (listed below in chronological order of when they topped the Hot 100):

“(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” B.J. Thomas
“Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” Freddy Fender
“Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” John Denver
“Rhinestone Cowboy,” Glen Campbell
“I’m Sorry,” John Denver

“Last Night” has been particularly historic, as its 16 weeks atop the Hot 100 from March to August mark the most weeks ever at No. 1 for a non-collaboration, and tie it for the second-most overall. It also became the first chart-topper by an unaccompanied solo male country artist in over 42 years, since Eddie Rabbitt’s 1981 hit “I Love a Rainy Night.”

Meanwhile, Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” has spent eight weeks at its No. 2 high on the Hot 100, becoming his top-charting song. It has also crowned the all-format Radio Songs chart, Country Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay, and has reached the top 10 on Pop Airplay and Adult Contemporary.

Even further, 11 country songs have hit the Hot 100’s top 10 this year, almost quadruple the three that reached the region in all of 2022 (Combs’ “The Kind of Love We Make” and Wallen’s “You Proof” and “Don’t Think Jesus”). Three country hits also appeared in the top 10 in 2021 (Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope,” featuring Charlie Puth, Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” and Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like”), after four did in 2020 (“I Hope,” Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber’s “10,000 Hours,” Combs’ “Forever After All” and Wallen’s “7 Summers”). “10,000 Hours” was the only country song to reach the Hot 100’s top 10 in all of 2019.

Zach Bryan has also achieved historic heights. This week, he becomes just the second country artist to chart at least 18 songs on the Hot 100 in a single week, after Wallen. “I Remember Everything” also becomes the first song to ever to top the Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts. Before this week, his breakout song “Something in the Orange” climbed to No. 10 on the Hot 100 in January, later becoming the longest-charting country song by a male artist, spending 66 total weeks on the survey.

The genre’s 2023 success doesn’t end with Wallen, Combs and Bryan, though. Multiple other country artists have also scored their first Hot 100 entries this year, including Tyler Childers (“In Your Love”), Hailey Whitters (“Everything She Ain’t”) and Warren Zeiders (“Pretty Little Poison”).

As Billboard reported in July, country music consumption in the United States increased by 20.3% year-over-year in the first 26 weeks of 2023, according to Luminate. That’s a significant improvement from the 2.5% growth that it experienced over the same period in 2022. Only K-pop (up 46.2%) and Latin (up 20.6%) saw sharper growths. While that surge is driven mostly by Wallen, a whole new crop of country artists is also contributing, including Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, and Nate Smith.

As country music continues its chart domination into 2023’s fourth quarter, here’s a look at every country music milestone and record that’s been broken on the Hot 100 in 2023, recapped in chronological order.

05 Sep 2023

Halle Bailey Confirms Debut Solo EP Is ‘Definitely’ Coming ‘Before the End of the Year’

We just got one step closer to Halley Bailey’s debut solo project. In a new interview with Cosmopolitan, the younger half of Grammy-nominated R&B duo Chloe x Halle revealed that her debut solo EP will “definitely” be released “before the end of the year.”

Last month (Aug. 4), Bailey unleashed her debut solo single, a gospel and jazz-tinged empowerment anthem titled “Angel.” In her Cosmo interview, the multitalented artist touched on how her recent life experiences have influenced the creation of her upcoming project. “Ariel was my college experience. She was the one to say, ‘Look, look what you have in you. You can.’ Nettie was the same type of lesson, almost in a spiritual way. These characters are speaking to me and teaching me,” she said. “It’s cool to learn things about life through their eyes. And all musical inspiration really just comes from life experiences. Love has been a really big one for me too, because that’s something I’m experiencing for the first time.”

This winter Bailey will star as Young Nettie in the film adaptation of The Color Purple musical directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones. The Color Purple, which is currently slated for release on Christmas Day, will also star Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Ciara, H.E.R., Aunjanue Ellis, Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.

The film will mark the second cinematic event that Bailey has lent her talents to this year. A few months ago, she starred as Princess Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, which grossed more than $118 million during its opening weekend, which happened over Memorial Day. Bailey also blessed the Rob Marshall-helmed film’s hit soundtrack with her inimitable voice, treating audiences to stunning renditions of Little Mermaid classics such as “Part of Your World” and impressive new songs including “For the First Time.”

“This has been a really beautiful transformative time for me. I have all this new material to write about,” she gushed. “I was very creatively inspired, and then from there, I fell in love. And so I really just played with those themes in my music. Sound-wise, it’s a little modern R&B-ish, with all the jazz elements and hints of pop that I love.”

Once her EP arrives later this year, both members of Chloe x Halle will have officially released solo projects. Older sister Chloe Bailey, known mononymously as Chlöe, released In Pieces, her debut solo studio album, earlier this year. Featuring singles such as “Pray It Away” and the Chris Brown-assisted “How Does It Feel,” In Pieces peaked at No. 119 on the Billboard 200.

As a duo, Chloe x Halle have earned two entries on the Billboard 200: 2018’s The Kids Are Alright (No. 139) and 2020’s Ungodly Hour (No. 16). They have also earned one entry on the Billboard Hot 100: “Do It” (No. 63), the lead single from Ungodly Hour.

05 Sep 2023

Virgo’s Groove: Diana Ross & More Attend Beyoncé’s Star Studded Sold Out Birthday Show, X Users React

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Beyoncé RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR - Los Angeles

Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty / Beyoncé

The world holiday that is Beyoncé’s birthday went down during her Renaissance tour stop in Los Angeles, and as expected, it was a star-studded affair.

Instead of just having a private affair, the world’s most famous Virgo held a massive celebration during another packed Los Angeles show.

Everyone, including celebs, was in their most fabulous silver drip to celebrate Beyoncé’s birthday, which even featured a surprise appearance from the legendary Diana Ross.

TMZ reports Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, North West, and Penelope Disick were in the crowd to celebrate Beyoncé turning 42 years old.

Queen Bey also brought out Kendrick Lamar to perform the remix of “America Has A Problem,” which was one of the many surprises from the night.

The night’s biggest surprise came when Diana Ross graced the stage to lead the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to the Houston native.

The celebrity gossip site also reports celeb couples Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, Zenday and Tom Holland, Hailey and Justin Bieber, plus “self-made billionaire” Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, who were spotted in VIP locking lips.

Other big names in the crowd were Lizzo, Adele, Winnie Harlow, Vanessa Bryant, Rosario Dawson, Tom Sandoval, Keke Palmer, Chris Rock, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Kelly Rowland, JAY-Z and Megan Markle.

It was a celebration of the ages at the SoFi Stadium that those who could attend will never forget. You can see more reactions to the epic night in the gallery below.

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Photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty

1. Legendary stuff

2. Only for Beyoncé

05 Sep 2023

Ariana Grande & Miley Cyrus Look Back on Their Flirty ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ Duet: ‘Love You Always’

Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus are still good friends, eight years after their iconic duet of Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”

In a recent TikTok, Cyrus looked back on the performance as part of her ongoing “Used To Be Young” video series, which she launched last month in celebration of her new single of the same name. She and the “Positions” pop star recorded their cover of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” in 2015 to benefit Cyrus’ Happy Hippie Foundation, dressed in adorable animal onesies and singing with a live band.

“I was flirting with her, and she was a little scared,” Cyrus said, watching footage from the performance on an iPad. “We were having fun!”

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In the video, the “Flowers” musician — still sporting her trademark Bangerz era pixie cut — tells a slightly flustered Grande that she looks cute in her onesie, causing the two to miss one of their entrances. “Sorry, I was flirting!” Cyrus, then 22 years old, tells the band.

Two years later, Cyrus and Grande would perform the same duet at the latter pop star’s One Love Manchester event, which raised funds for victims and families affected by the terrorist bombing attacks at Grande’s 2017 Manchester Arena concert.

“Ariana’s a real friend,” Cyrus added in her “Used To Be Young” video. “There’s never been a time where I’ve asked her to do something that was important to me that she didn’t come through. And same thing for me with her.”

Afterward, Grande reposted the video onto her own Instagram Story and called Cyrus “my sweet.” “Love you always @mileycyrus,” continued the R.E.M. Beauty founder. “we #usedtobeyoung !!!!”

The pair’s 2015 duet is one of many career highlights Cyrus has reflected on for “Used To Be Young,” with the Black Mirror alum also touching on her brutal Hannah Montana era work schedule, her surprisingly successful debut single “See You Again,” and that one photo of her with Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato that she hilariously says should’ve been fans’ first sign that she’s bisexual.

Watch Miley’s TikTok below:

05 Sep 2023

Warner Music and Elliot Grainge’s 10K Projects Strike Joint Venture

Warner Music Group and Elliot Grainge’s 10K Projects announced a new joint venture today (Sept. 5). As part of the deal, 10K will become a standalone label under the WMG umbrella, joining the likes of Atlantic Records and Warner Records among WMG’s collection of record labels.

Grainge, the son of Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge, initially launched 10K Projects in 2016 under Universal’s Capitol Music Group umbrella, with many of its projects distributed through Virgin Music. The label found success with artists like XXXTentacion, Trippie Redd, iann dior, Internet Money, controversial artist 6ix9ine and, most recently, Ice Spice.

As part of the switch from UMG to WMG, Eliot Grainge will remain as 10K’s CEO, and co-presidents Zach Friedman and Tony Talamo will also remain in place atop the label’s leadership ranks. Additionally, Grainge will join WMG’s global leadership team, the company said.

“Joining Warner Music Group provides us with the backing, the collective expertise and vision to empower our artists and our employees on the next phase of our journey,” Grainge said in a statement, pointing to Warner Recorded Music CEO Max Lousada and Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl as reasons behind the switch. “Max and Robert have been making all the right moves to position WMG for the future in what I think is one of the most fertile and exciting growth periods for the global music business. They have also shown that they value the kind of independent spirit and commitment to artist development that has made 10K successful so far. I know I speak for Zach, Tony and the entire team when I say how excited we are to get started in our new home.”

10K will be bringing along its full roster of artists, which also includes Surfaces, Aitch, YTB Fatt, SXMPRA and COIN, among others, while through its Homemade Projects subsidiary it also manages influencers and has a merchandise operation that works with several artists as well. Ice Spice will continue to record for 10K Projects/Capitol Music Group.

“Elliot and 10K don’t just discover original talent, they understand how to ignite fandom and create fresh impact with each release,” Lousada said in a statement. “It’s a label full of next generation possibilities — with its artists, its leader, and its team. As 10K joins our thriving network of independent music brands, we’re committed to giving it the freedom and backing to reach new heights.”

“We welcome 10K’s extraordinary artists, its talented founder Elliot, and his entrepreneurial team to WMG,” Kyncl added. “Together, we’ll grow our investment in artistry and accelerate the pace of our innovation.”