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02 Aug 2023

Post Malone Opens Up About Childhood Bullies & Which Tattoos He’d Remove on ‘Call Her Daddy’

Before he was a chart-topping rapper-turned-rockstar, Post Malone was just a kid who got his alias from a rap name generator and was bullied throughout school for his “weirdo” personality.

On the latest episode of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, the “Circles” singer opened up about his humble beginnings growing up in upstate New York, sharing he used to picked on quite a bit by his classmates. “I’ve always been kind of an introverted kid,” he explained. “I loved to express, I love making music forever, I love playing games. Weird, a little weirdo.”

“I moved when I was nine, and then I used to get bullied a whole bunch in school,” he continued. “I guess for dressing the way I did. We wore skinny jeans and all that stuff, and that was just kind of like a new deal. I don’t know. And people’d throw gum in my hair… Kids are mean.”

On another note, when asked which of his famous tattoos he’d remove, Post replied, “For my mommy, something on my face.”

The 28-year-old artist is fresh off the Friday (July 28) release of his new album Austin, named after his own real first name (Post is actually his legal last time, and as he shared with Cooper, “Malone” was suggested by an online generator). He’s currently in the middle of a global trek dubbed the If Y’all Weren’t Here, I’d Be Crying Tour. Just after recording his Call Her Daddy episode, he performed in Boston and brought out his “Dial Drunk” collaborator, Noah Kahan, for a surprise performance.

The “Sunflower” musician also touched on his relationship to alcohol and misconceptions that he’s on drugs, both of which he spoke about previously in a recent interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe. “Everybody thinks I’m on drugs,” he told Cooper. “I am not on drugs. People can see me on stage and they might take my dance moves, people are like, this is what meth looks like… like I’m not on meth.”

Listen to Post Malone’s full Call Her Daddy interview here.

02 Aug 2023

New Beauty Buys: Tula Just Dropped a ‘Radiant’ Concealer — Here’s Everything You Need to Know

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.

Tula has swooped in with a new release you won’t want to skip out on: a brightening concealer. Available in 20 shades, you can kiss everything from dark under-eye circles, blemishes and more goodbye as this new beauty product will aim to leave your skin looking even and brighter after one application.

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The concealer made its official debut on Monday (July 31) through an Instagram video by the brand that showcased its shade range and “brightening” results. You’ll be able to snag a tube (or two) anywhere Tula is sold including Ulta and Tula.com.

“Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer has officially launched! Shop it now at TULA.com, and kiss dark under-eye circles goodbye!” the caption read.

The brand decided to release its own version of a concealer after noticing a demand for one from their customer base, according to a press release.

Keep reading to shop the new Tula release below.

tube of Tula concelaer

Ulta Beauty

Tula Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer

$32

If you’re running low on your dark circle concealer stick, then consider upgrading to Tula’s latest launch, which is infused with ingredients like Tula’s Rainbow Seabright Elixir that looks to quickly conceal dark circles and discoloration without leaving behind creases and cracks. Within the formula is Tula’s S6Pro Complex that is infused with prebiotic and probiotic ingredients that’ll assist in brightening your under eyes over time while helping soothe skin, improve skin smoothness and maintain skin balance. There are also eye peptides and tea leaf caffeine to help improve skin texture and eye bags.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best beauty deals, TikTok beauty dupes and powder foundation.

02 Aug 2023

Reservoir Media Revenue Up 31% on Streaming Gains

Continued growth in music subscriptions and new Copyright Royalty Board mechanical royalty rates helped Reservoir Media improve revenue 31% to $31.8 million in the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, the company announced Wednesday. About two-thirds of the improvement came from organic revenue growth while the remainder stemmed from the acquisitions of music catalogs of The Spinners and Greg Kihn, among others.

Digital revenue improved 34% to $17.5 million due to “increasing demand trends for streaming music globally, something we saw evidence of in Spotify’s higher-than-expected subscriber numbers reported last week,” said CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi during the earnings call. Spotify’s premium subscribers rose 17% to 220 million in the second quarter, beating company expectations of 217 million subscribers. Monthly active users, which includes subscribers and listeners to the ad-supported service, climbed 27% to 551 million, easily topping the company’s 530-million target.

Those gains helped Reservoir’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to climb 36% to $10.1 million and outpaced the 20% increase in administration costs in the quarter. CFO Jim Heindlmeyer expects operating leverage — the ability to increase earnings by increasing revenue — to improve in the coming quarters. “Looking ahead, we expect revenue to outpace operating costs as this has generally been the case during our time as a public traded company,” he said.

Reservoir sounded upbeat about Spotify’s decision last week to raise the monthly price of its individual plan in the U.S. and other markets. Spotify’s increase, like the similar increases by Apple Music in 2022 and Amazon Music earlier this year, “will impact our revenues on a pretty linear basis,” said Heindlmeyer. “In other words, a 10% price increase at a streaming service will flow through to us at around a 10% increase to our pool of money.”

Last quarter’s music publishing revenue of $20.8 million was up 26% from the prior-year period and accounted for 65% of total revenue, down from 67% in the prior-year period. New mechanical royalty rates from streaming services established by the CRB for 2023 to 2027 represented “a meaningful increase” and allowed Reservoir “to recognize higher revenue associated with mechanical royalties from digital sources,” said Khosrowshahi. Publishing’s digital revenue grew 41% to $11.9 million and performance revenue improved 28% to $4.5 million. Synch revenue declined 8%, from $3.3 million to $3 million.

Recorded music revenue grew 37% to $10.4 million and accounted for 33% of total revenue, up from 31% in the prior-year period. The segment’s physical revenue grew 176% to $3.6 million. Digital and neighboring rights revenues, which combined to account for about 12% of recorded music revenues, improved 23% and 25%, respectively.

The decline in synchronization revenues — down 8% in publishing and down 68% in recorded music from the prior-year period — were the results of a timing issue, not the strike by actor’s and writer’s unions that has stopped productions of many television shows and motion pictures. Khosrowshahi said the advertising placement and movie trailer businesses are both “strong” but could have varied impacts based on when the strike ends.

Reservoir maintained its earlier fiscal 2024 guidance for both revenue ($127 million to $132 million) and adjusted EBITDA ($49 million to $52 million). “We remain confident about the growth trajectory of the global music industry and how Reservoir is positioned to capitalize on it,” said Khosrowshahi.

Earnings highlights:

  • Total revenue increased 31% to $31.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 36% to $10.1 million. 
  • Publishing revenue increased 26% to $20.8 million. Publishing’s digital revenue rose 41% to $11.9 million. Performance revenue jumped 28% to $4.5 million.
  • Recorded music revenue grew 23% to $5.6 million. Physical revenue jumped 176% to $3.6 million. Digital revenue improved 23% to $5.6 million. 
  • Guidance for fiscal 2024 (the year ending March 31, 2024) remained at $127 million to $132 million, representing 6% growth at the midpoint. Adjusted EBITDA guidance remained at $49 million to $52 million, representing 9% growth at the midpoint. 

02 Aug 2023

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Among Stars Who Donated $1 Million or More to SAG-AFTRA

As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue, some of the most influential names in the entertainment business are reaching into their pockets and gifting hefty donations to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program. On Wednesday (Aug. 2), SAG-AFTRA Foundation President Courtney B. Vance announced that the Emergency Financial Assistance Program has raised more than $15 million in the past three weeks. The SAG-AFTRA foundation has served as an independent charity since 1985, and provides relief aid to eligible SAG-AFTRA performers in unexpected financial crises.

Among the top donors who have given $1 million or more are Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively and Luciana and Matt Damon.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — whose Moana hit “You’re Welcome” debuted at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016 — was the first to donate a seven-figure sum, Vance previously announced in late July.

According to Vance, “The entertainment industry is in crisis and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation is currently processing more than 30 times our usual number of applications for emergency aid. We received 400 applications in the last week alone.”

While top-earning actors such as Lopez — who has had a successful career in music and film — and husband Affleck have ample economic security, this is not the case for the majority of working actors, hence their decision to strike. Vance continued, “Our Emergency Financial Assistance Program is here to ensure that performers in need don’t lose their homes, have the ability to pay for utilities, buy food for their families, purchase life-saving prescriptions, cover medical bills and more … For more than 38 years, the Foundation has been a safety net for our community during its most challenging times, and much like the COVID pandemic, this work stoppage magnifies the precarious living conditions and financial distress of many actors living paycheck to paycheck.”

Members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are demanding a larger share of streaming residuals, increased job security for writers, larger writers’ rooms and a limit on the use of AI in screenwriting and background acting among other negotiating points.

02 Aug 2023

Jason Aldean’s Wife Brittany Celebrates ‘Small Town’ Reaching No. 1: ‘That Sure Did Backfire, Didn’t It?’

As Jason Aldean‘s “Try That in a Small Town” tops the Billboard Hot 100, giving the country singer his very first No. 1 on the all-genre tally of his career, his wife Brittany Aldean took to social media to celebrate — and to clap back at critics on social media as the song and its video have been embroiled in controversy.

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Brittany shared the news of her husband’s chart-topping status on Tuessday (Aug. 1) with her 2.5 million Instagram followers, saying, “Well, yesterday was a monumental day for Jason Aldean. #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart!!…a career first. That sure did backfire, didn’t it?? The best fans EVERRRR,” followed with four heart emojis.

The post also included photos of the couple hugging, as well as a photo of Jason with the couple’s son Memphis and daughter Navy.

Aldean previously earned a Hot 100 top 10 song in 2011, with “Dirt Road Anthem.”

The country singer’s chart-topping moment is part of a history-making week on the Hot 100. With Aldean at No. 1, Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” at No. 2 and Luke Combs’ “Fast Car” at No. 3, country hits take the Hot 100’s top three spots in a single week for the first time, dating to the Hot 100’s inception in August 1958.

“Try That in a Small Town” was released back in May, but garnered attention after the video — which featured footage of looting, carjackings, rioting and flags burning — was released. CMT soon pulled the clip from its video rotation, sparking both praise and backlash from music fans. Many social media commentators criticized the music video as racist, pro-gun, anti-Black Lives Matter and anti-protests.

Aldean later issued a statement regarding the controversy. “In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to a comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests,” his message on Instagram Stories and Facebook said. “These references are not only meritless, but dangerous. There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage- and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far.”

The video was later edited to remove imagery of a Black Lives Matter protest and additional footage later in the video, shortening the clip by six seconds. Aldean’s label, BBR Music Group, noted the removal was due to clearance issues, according to ABC News.

See Brittany Aldean’s post below:

02 Aug 2023

Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj’s ‘Princess Diana’ Rules Rhythmic Airplay Chart

Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj’s “Princess Diana” reigns atop Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart, as the single advances from No. 3 to rule the list dated Aug. 5. The track ascends to the summit after an 11% jump in plays that made it the most played song on U.S. monitored rhythmic radio stations in the week ending July 27, according to Luminate.

With “Princess Diana,” Ice Spice claims her second Rhythmic Airplay No. 1. Her first was also through a collaboration, as she joined PinkPantheress for “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2,” which led the chart for one week in May.

Minaj, meanwhile, secures her 10th visit to the Rhythmic Airplay penthouse. Thanks to her newest champ, she becomes only the third woman to crack the double-digit barrier. Rihanna was the first to the club, achieving her 10th champ with “Diamonds” in 2012, while Beyoncé followed in 2020 as her featured role on “Savage” became her 10th leader. Since then, both artists have increased their counts: Rihanna now sits at 17 No. 1s; Beyonce owns 12.

On the overall leaderboard, Minaj ties Post Malone for the ninth-most Rhythmic Airplay No. 1s among all artists since the chart began in 1992. Drake tops the count with 38 chart-toppers.

As Nicki Minaj reaches a milestone, here’s a recap of her 10 Rhythmic Airplay No. 1s:

Song Title, Artist (if other than Nicki Minaj), Weeks at No. 1, Date Reached No. 1

  • “Bottoms Up,” Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj, one, Nov. 30, 2010
  • “Super Bass,” one, Aug. 6, 2011
  • “Touchin, Lovin” Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj, four, Nov. 22, 2014
  • “Truffle Butter,” featuring Drake & Lil Wayne, one, March 28, 2015
  • “Hey Mama,” David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack, one, July 25, 2015
  • “Rake It Up,” Yo Gotti featuring Nicki Minaj, one, Nov. 4, 2017
  • “Big Bank,” YG featuring 2 Chainz, Big Sean & Nicki Minaj, one, Oct. 20, 2018
  • “Hot Girl Summer,” with Megan Thee Stallion & Ty Dolla $ign, one, Oct. 26, 2019
  • “Super Freaky Girl,” four, Oct. 1, 2022
  • “Princess Diana,” with Ice Spice, Aug. 5, 2023

“Princess Diana” was originally released as part of Ice’s Spice Like…? EP in January, before Minaj joined for a remix that dropped on April 14. (All versions of the song are combined for tracking and chart purposes.) In addition to its Rhythmic Airplay coronation, the song jumps into the top 10 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, where it steps 11-9 following an 8% gain in plays in the latest tracking weeks.

Despite the rap prodigy and legend linking up for just the first time this year, the Ice Spice-Nicki Minaj partnership has already produced another Rhythmic Airplay hit with “Barbie World,” featuring Aqua. The song, from the soundtrack to the box-office blockbuster Barbie, pushes 19-14 on the newest chart after a 23% surge in weekly plays.

02 Aug 2023

The Microphone Cardi B Threw Is Up for Auction to Benefit Charities

The microphone Cardi B chucked into the crowd during a recent performance at Las Vegas’ Drai’s Beachclub — in retaliation against a fan who splashed water in her face — is now up for auction on eBay, and the highest bid is closing in on $90,000.

Posted on eBay as “Shure Axient digital Mic Cardi B threw at a person,” the piece of equipment is currently in the possession of Scott Fisher, owner of The Wave, the audio production company used by Drai’s. According to Fisher’s listing, proceeds from the sale — which had a starting bid of $500 — will be given to charity.

At the time of publication, the highest of 61 bids so far was an even $85,000, with the auction scheduled to close at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 8).

Fisher told TMZ that the mic — which still works — originally cost $1,000, and was pretty easy to locate after Cardi tossed it because it still had tape across it that read “MAIN.” Fisher added that the money from the sale will go to Wounded Warrior Project and local non-profit Friendship Circle Las Vegas, which helps kids, teens and young adults with special needs.

The auction capitalizes on a viral incident that went down over the weekend, during which Cardi was performing for a gathering at Drai’s when a fan threw the contents of their cup at the rapper mid song. In response, Cardi hurled the mic she was using at the concertgoer.

Footage shared by TMZ shows that Cardi appeared to have asked the crowd to splash her with water to help cool her down in the summer heat. “Throw me some water here, b–ch, ’cause I’m hot,” she said cheerfully. “Woo! That s–t feel good.”

She took issue, though, when a fan later aimed and fired a cup of liquid, rather than just a little spritz, dousing Cardi’s face while she was in the middle of a song. A fan has since filed a police report alleging battery, claiming she was “struck by an item that was thrown from the stage.”

Las Vegas police did not mention Cardi by name when confirming a report had been filed, but the location of the alleged incident in the report matched the address of the venue at which the rapper was performing. In a Monday (July 31) statement, the police said that no arrest or citations had been issued, and that “no further details will be provided at this time.”

02 Aug 2023

Jimmie Allen Accuser: You Can’t Sue Me for Handing Over Your Phone to the Cops

One of Jimmie Allen‘s sexual assault accusers has a message for the embattled country star: You can’t sue me for handing over your cell phone – which she calls “evidence of a crime” – to the police.

The new court filing came from a woman who claims that Allen assaulted her in a Las Vegas hotel room and secretly recorded it. In her June lawsuit, she said she took the phone as evidence and handed it over to police. But in a countersuit last month, Allen claimed she essentially stole his property by doing so.

On Tuesday, Allen’s accuser (known as Jane Doe 2) asked a federal judge to dismiss that accusation – calling his claims about theft “nothing more than harassment of a victim and abuse of the judicial process.”

“Now, in addition to being a victim of sexual abuse and illegal video voyeurism, Plaintiff is faced with Defendant’s attempt to harass and intimidate her,” Doe 2’s lawyers wrote. “Allowing a defendant to sue a crime victim for reporting a crime and turning over evidence of that crime to the police is directly contrary to public policy.”

A representative for Allen did not immediately return a request for comment.

Allen, a once-rising country music star, has faced a swift industry backlash after being hit with two separate sexual assault lawsuits. The first case, filed on May 11, claims he “manipulated and used his power” to repeatedly harass and assault an unnamed “Jane Doe” on his management team.

The second case, filed on June 9 by Doe 2, claims that while she “willingly joined Allen in the bedroom” of a Las Vegas hotel, he later ejaculated inside her against her explicit wishes – and filmed the entire sexual encounter without her knowledge. Doe 2 says she took the phone with her when she left and, after Allen refused to share the password so she could delete the recordings, that she passed it along to the Las Vegas Police Department.

Last month, Allen responded to both lawsuits by denying all the allegations against him. In the case of Doe 2, he admitted to having “unprotected sex” with her, but said he “did not ejaculate during the encounter.” He also admitted to recording the incident but, crucially, said he had secured her explicit permission to do so.

He also countersued with allegations of his own, accusing Doe 2 of “conversion” — a civil tort similar to theft that involves someone taking property that doesn’t belong to them: “By taking his camera phone without permission, Jane Doe 2 wrongfully exerted a distinct act of dominion over Allen’s personal property,” his lawyers wrote at the time. 

In her response on Tuesday, Doe 2’s lawyer say that taking the phone was not a form of civil wrongdoing, but merely “her exercise of rights as a victim of crime.” She cited previous cases that excused such seizures, like one in which a babysitter was sued for taking photos of child abuse.

“Plaintiff turned evidence of alleged illegal conduct, i.e., the recording of Plaintiff in a state of undress and of sexual acts without her consent, over to the police to investigate,” Doe 2’s lawyers wrote. “The law does not condemn victims for doing so.”

02 Aug 2023

Kylie Minogue Beats Path to No. 1 on Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart With ‘Padam Padam’

Kylie Minogue rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Aug. 5-dated Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart with “Padam Padam.”

The song gained 16% in plays July 21-27, according to Luminate. In all but one of its six chart weeks dating back to its July 1 debut, it has made double-digit percentage gains.

By climbing to the top, Minogue replaces Rita Ora’s “Praising You,” which features Fatboy Slim via a sample of his 1999 classic “Praise You.” That track had been No. 1 since before “Padam” entered the chart, beginning its six-week reign on the June 24-dated tally.

The two No. 1s before Ora’s were also collaborations, with David Guetta, Anne-Marie and Coi Leray teaming up on “Baby Don’t Hurt Me” (three weeks) and Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding on “Miracles” (two). On average, collaborations have ruled for three of every four weeks in the last three years (73% of the last 157 frames), with Minogue one of just nine solo women to get to No. 1 since summer 2020.

But Minogue is no stranger to the top spot, though it has been a while. She last led with “Red Blooded Woman,” for two weeks in May 2004. That track was sandwiched between her other top 10s: “Slow” reached No. 7 in 2003 and “I Believe In You” hit No. 4 in 2005 (marking her last top 10 until “Padam”).

“Padam Padam” is Minogue’s second Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart-topper and 10th chart entry, although her career pre-dates the list’s 2003 launch; she first reached rankings in 1988. She boasts five top 10s on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart, with Disco having become her first No. 1 in November 2020.

Meanwhile, being promoted to pop and adult radio, “Padam Padam” — the lead single from Minogue’s album Tension, due Sept. 22 — debuts at No. 40 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart. It’s her first entry on the chart since “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” which reached No. 23 in April 2002. That song became her second of two top 10s, reaching No. 7, on the all-genre, multimetric Billboard Hot 100, after “The Loco-Motion” hit No. 3 in November 1988.

02 Aug 2023

Beyoncé Appears to Omit Lizzo Shoutout During ‘Break My Soul’ Performance

Beyoncé’s captivating Renaissance World Tour features a setlist that spans the entirety of her 25-year career, including her most recent Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, “Break My Soul.” During the show, Beyoncé combines the original solo version of “Break My Soul” with the Madonna-assisted “Queens Remix,” in which she shouts out several influential Black women in music across genres and generations. Lizzo and Erykah Badu are among the names that appear in the remix, but Beyoncé delivered those lines a bit differently at her show in Boston Tuesday night (Aug. 1).

The studio version of “The Queens Remix” boasts the lyric “Betty Davis, Solange Knowles/ Badu, Lizzo, Kelly Rowl’.” At Tuesday’s show, Beyoncé did not say Lizzo’s name, and instead chanted “Badu” four times. Both Badu and Lizzo’s names appeared on the screen behind Beyoncé. It should be noted that Beyoncé does not always sing every name in the verse during each rendition of the song.

Beyoncé’s reps have not yet responded to Billboard’s request for comment.

The apparent omission of the “Special” singer’s name did not go unnoticed by fans who shared video from the concert. Just earlier in the day, news broke that Lizzo is being sued by three of her former tour dancers, who claim that they were subjected to sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.

As for Badu, the Grammy-winning neo-soul icon seemingly shaded Beyoncé on Monday (July 31) over perceived similarities between the hats the two artists wear onstage. “I guess I’m everybody stylist,” she wrote in a since-expired Instagram Story.

Watch some clips of Beyoncé’s Boston “Break My Soul” performance below:

@skyealiciaa

her career ended in that moment and my jaw DROPPED! she deserves the shame from the queen and everything else too! beyonce beyhive renaissance renaissanceworldtour renaissancetour boston lizzo ballroom

♬ original sound – skye✿