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19 Jul 2023

Yng Lvcas Inks Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music Mexico

Rising reggaetón star Yng Lvcas has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico, the company tells Billboard.

The signing comes on the heels of Yng Lvcas’ massive success with the “La Bebe” remix featuring Peso Pluma. The reggaetón song has so far spent 17 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 11 on the tally.

“I’m excited to sign with Warner Chappell and the future ahead with Carlos, Andrea [from Warner Chappell] and the entire team,” said Yng Lvcas, who was Billboard‘s Latin Artist on the Rise in April, in a statement.

“La Bebe” quickly went viral across TikTok and other social media platforms in 2022. But the new version with Peso, which dropped in March and gave the song a global push, really put the 23-year-old artist from Guadalajara, Mexico on the map. The remix peaked at No. 2 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts.

“It is impressive how Daniel’s amazing talent has led him to achieve a global hit at such a young age,” said Warner Chappell Music Mexico MD Carlos Ruíz in a statement. “We are very thankful to him and his team for trusting Warner Chappell to accompany him in his journey as a songwriter. His career will be full of hits that will be celebrated as great music born in Mexico for the whole world to hear.”

“Daniel is a rare talent, and we’re super excited to be walking alongside him from the beginning, in what I’m sure will be a long and successful career,” added Warner Chappell Music president of U.S. Latin & Latin America Gustavo Menéndez.

In May, Yng Lvcas (real name: Daniel Oswaldo Donlucas Martinez) unleashed his second all-reggaetón album Six Jewels 23, which captured the singer-songwriter his second top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart when it debuted at No. 5 on the June 10-dated ranking.

19 Jul 2023

Drake & Sexyy Red Spark Romance & Collaboration Rumors After Image Surfaces

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Drake X Sexyy Red

Drake is an artist that has just as many fans as he does folks who can’t stand him, and that was made clear after a new image surfaced on social media last night (July 18). The image in question featured Drake and rising rapper Sexyy Red with the Canadian superstar saying he just met his “rightful wife.”

Drake is currently in New York City on a seven-show run that kicked off on July 17 at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. During the run, Drizzy has already coaxed stars such as Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry alongside his wife, Ayesha Curry among other notables. Lil Yachty was also in tow and was introduced to the crowd by the OVO Sound honcho.

However, what has the attention of the people is a photo Drake shared on his Instagram story feed cozied up backstage with Sexyy Red, with the “Pound Town” rapper getting a loving smooch. The caption within the photo reads, “Just met my rightful wife” and that was all Twitter needed to get the discussion trending in all kinds of directions.

Drake is known for keeping his ear to the street and has collaborated in the past with a number of rising rappers who caught a wave while boosting their profile. Some online assume that the Toronto superstar is eyeing a collaboration with his St. Louis counterpart while others are assuming that love is on the horizon, which is just speculative at this point.

Check out the reactions from all sides below.

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Photo: @champagnepapi / Instagram

19 Jul 2023

Marilyn Manson to Plead No Contest to Blowing His Nose on Videographer

Marilyn Manson will plead no contest to blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert in New Hampshire, according to a filing by his attorney.

The rocker, whose legal name is Brian Warner, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault stemming from the encounter at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019.

A notice of intent filed Monday (July 17) says that Manson is expected to plead no contest to only one charge, and that prosecutors would dismiss the other in the fully negotiated plea. A no contest plea means Manson will not contest the charge and does not admit guilt.

Manson would face a sentence of a $1,200 fine with part of it suspended and 20 hours of community service within six months. Manson also would need to remain arrest-free and notify local police of any New Hampshire performances for two years.

A judge would have to accept the plea, which is expected to be entered Thursday (July 20) in Belknap County Superior Court. That’s in place of a final pretrial hearing that was scheduled in advance of his planned Aug. 7 trial.

It’s not clear whether Manson would be required to be in court or be allowed to participate via video. His lawyer, Kent Barker, said Tuesday it would be up to the judge.

According to a police affidavit, Manson approached videographer Susan Fountain in the venue’s stage pit area, put his face close to her camera and spit a “big lougee” at her. She was struck on both hands with saliva. He also is accused approaching her a second time, blowing his nose on her arm and hands.

Prosecutors planned to dismiss the charge stemming from the first encounter, according to the notice. Manson initially pleaded not guilty in 2021. His lawyer had said at the time that the type of filming Fountain was doing commonly exposes videographers to “incidental contact” with bodily fluids.

“The defendant’s performance for the past twenty years are well known to include shocking and evocative antics similar to those that occurred here,” Barker wrote. “The alleged victim consented to exposing herself to potential contact with sweat, saliva and phlegm in close quarters.”

Barker also had said Manson planned to argue that any contact related to spitting or sneezing was unintentional. If Manson had gone to trial on the charges, each could have resulted in a jail sentence of less than a year and a $2,000 fine if convicted. Manson also has faced abuse accusations unrelated to the New Hampshire allegation in recent years. He has denied wrongdoing.

In May, a California judge threw out key sections of Manson’s lawsuit against his former fiancee, Westworld actor Evan Rachel Wood, claiming she fabricated public allegations that he sexually and physically abused her during their relationship and encouraged other women to do the same.

Manson’s suit, filed last year, alleges that Wood and another woman named as a defendant, Illma Gore, defamed Manson, intentionally caused him emotional distress and derailed his career in music, TV and film. Several women have sued Manson in recent years with allegations of sexual and other abuse. Most have been dismissed or settled, including a suit filed by Game of Thrones actor Esme Bianco.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly.

19 Jul 2023

Mary J. Blige, Jazmine Sullivan, Miguel & More to Headline Honeyland Festival

Grammy winners Mary J. Blige, Jazmine Sullivan and Miguel lead the performer lineup for the 2023 Honeyland Festival. Presented by IMG and Live Nation Urban, the inaugural, two-day music and culinary event will take place at Crown Festival Park in Sugar Land, Texas, just outside Houston, on November 11-12.

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The lineup of performers will also include Chlöe, Coco Jones, DJ Mr. Rogers, Spinall, Dende, Inayah, Jae Murphy, Kiotti & Keisha Nicole, Lenora, Lucky Daye, Tay Powers, Tems and Tobe Nwigwe. In a nod to this year’s celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the Houston All-Stars — Scarface, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Z-Ro and Lil Keke — will also hit the stage. In addition, Nwigwe will serve as Honeyland Festival’s Houston Ambassador, exploring the immersive experience presented by the national and local restauranteurs and culinary talent that will be on hand at the event.

“We are excited to bring together icons of the music world with the leaders of Black cuisine and beverage, creating a culminating experience of Black expression for everyone at Honyland to enjoy,” said Live Nation Urban president Shawn Gee in a release announcing the festival. “From Afrobeats to hip-hop, neo-soul to R&B, the best in music will meet the best in food and beverage.”

Honeyland Festival’s schedule of performances and events will be announced at a later date, while the general on-sale begins on July 21. General admission tickets include passes to the multiple stages hosting the music performances and conversations with special guests as well as food and beverage demonstrations and cook-off competitions. For further updates and ticket information, visit honeylandfestival.com.

19 Jul 2023

Post Malone Stops Traffic in Times Square to Deliver Surprise Performance at Newly-Built TSX Stage

If you were hanging around Times Square Tuesday afternoon (July 18) as a tourist, or passerby, chances are you didn’t have Post Malone performing in the middle of New York City on your 2023 bingo card. That’s what happened when the Grammy-nominated superstar became the first artist to ever perform at the TSX stage, nestled in the bustling streets of Midtown. 

Times Square anxiously buzzed with anticipation as pedestrians swarmed the perimeter amid a high police presence and a mysterious countdown ticker plastered onto the side of a building. Some fans walked by unbothered, thinking it was just another hectic day in the city, while others were intrigued by what would happen next.

At roughly 5:30 p.m., Posty sauntered onto the TSX stage, which sat behind an 18,000-square-foot billboard. Walking through the LED doors, Malone, with his guitar in tow, beamed radiantly at the crowd below his feet before launching into his first song, his new single, “Overdrive.” Serenading the public, the sounds of his guitar crackled through the speaker, halting traffic and causing people to stop and see his rock-laden efforts. 

“I’m so happy the rain cleared up so we can hang out, ladies and gentlemen,” Malone told the thousands of New York residents crowded around the stage. “I just wanted to say to everybody who came to hang out I’m so grateful and so very honored to be kicking this off. This is the coolest venue in the f–king universe. I’m super nervous and super happy you guys came out.”

The gracious Malone kept the party going as he segued into his Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Circles.” Donning a sleeveless white tee and black jeans, Malone had fans swooning over the love-drunk anthem as it rang through the city for blocks. Though Malone sang his chart-topping hit with unwavering conviction, he copped to his anxiety about being the first performer to grace the newly-built TSX Stage. 

“I’m the first guy to do this, and I was super terrified because I know everyone has a busy day and a busy schedule,” admitted Malone with his newly-released signature 32-ounce Raising Cane’s cup in hand. “I have a new album coming out later this month and I’m super excited to play you something off the new record that hasn’t been released yet. Hopefully, I don’t f–k it up.” 

As promised, Malone guided fans through his unreleased record “Enough Is Enough,” which will reside on his forthcoming album Austin, set to drop July 28. Abandoning his guitar, Malone clutched his mic and entered storytelling mode, singing: “Long nights in the city scene/ They said I, won’t pick fights that I won’t ever win/ I got a, bad b—h that would bring her friends/ But when I’m with you, it feels like I’m living again.” Malone’s pop-rock sensibilities shined as his drunken tales enticed the crowd, who yearned for more.

Malone didn’t shy away from the classics during his 18-minute set, as he also dialed up hits such as “Sunflower” and “Congratulations.” The ground shook as fans joyously got into it, partying with the self-proclaimed “Rockstar.” After each of his songs, Malone paused and formed a hand-shaped heart to show his admiration for the zealous fans.

“I love you, New York City,” said Malone before sending his final heart. “Thank you so much for hanging out with me tonight. I hope y’all have a great day. Stay safe, keep spreading love, keep being your beautiful selves, and keep kicking ass, ladies and gentlemen.”

Last month, Malone revealed the track list for his upcoming 17-track Austin album, which is due out on July 28.

19 Jul 2023

Peso Pluma, Arcángel, Nicki Nicole, Fonseca, Sebastián Yatra, María Becerra, Natanael Cano & More Set for Latin Music Week 2023 in Miami

Billboard unveiled on Wednesday (July 19) the first round of talent set to participate at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami.

The five-day legacy event will be held Oct. 2-6 at the Faena Forum and will feature exclusive panels and conversations with Arcángel, Edgar Barrera, Maria Becerra, Eladio Carrión, Fonseca, GALE, Grupo Frontera, Natanael Cano, Nathy Peluso, Nicki Nicole, Peso Pluma, Santa Fe Klan, Sebastian Yatra, Vico C, Yng Lvcas and Young Miko.

“Billboard Latin Music Week prides itself on bringing the best, brightest and most relevant and exciting artists and executives together,” said Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/español. “This year’s very diverse group represents why Latin music is dominating global charts. This is a groundbreaking year for Latin Music Week with many more announcements to come.”

Maria Becerra, GALE, Nicki Nicole, Nathy Peluso and Young Miko will be part of the Boys Club No More! panel focused on the women making noise in the Latin Music landscape. Additional panels include The New Mexican Revolution with Natanael Cano, Peso Pluma, Santa Fe Klan, and Yng Lvcas, plus the Making the Hit LIVE panel starring Edgar Barrera and Grupo Frontera, who will create a hit onstage from scratch. Last year’s Making the Hit LIVE featured Ovy On The Drums and Blessd who conceived the song, “Billboard” now available for streaming. Programming will also feature Billboard’s En Vivo concert series, a series of concerts with performers to be announced soon.

“Billboard is committed to fostering and celebrating Latin music and culture,” added Mike Van, president of Billboard. “We’re returning to Miami in October, which coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, to continue championing Latin voices through unique curated programming.” 

With 30 years of events, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest-running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world. After a sold-out 2022 edition that featured star Q&As with Maluma, Ivy Queen, Chayanne, Romeo Santos and Christina Aguilera, to name a few, the event returns coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month.

Billboard Latin Music Week will also coincide with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Watsco Center in Miami, which will broadcast live on Telemundo. The awards show will also broadcast simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network, Universo, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Registration for the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week is now open at BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

19 Jul 2023

Taylor Swift Named Honorary Mayor of ‘Swiftie Clara’ In Advance of California Eras Tour Dates

Like a number of cities across the U.S. this summer, Santa Clara, CA is getting ready for Taylor Swift‘s massive Eras Tour by giving itself a Swiftover. In this case, the Mission City’s Mayor announced this week that her town is gearing up for Swift’s July 28 and 29 dates at Levi’s Stadium by officially changing its name to “Swiftie Clara.”

According to the Mercury-News, on Tuesday night (July 18), Mayor Lisa Gillmor said in addition to the name change, the 33-year-old singer has also been named the honorary mayor in a proclamation that said the honor was being bestowed to “celebrate the positive local impact to the Santa Clara community, as well as the impact regionally, of Taylor Swift’s music, tours and extraordinary fanbase.”

Like so many Swifties who are paying tribute to the various Taylor eras with home-brewed costumes and arms full of friendship bracelets, Mayor Gillmor got into it at her press conference by wearing a light purple blazer in honor of last week’s release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). She also sported a friendship bracelet she got from a member of the city’s parks and rec staff that read “Swiftie Clara.”

“We’re thrilled to host an artist whose devotion to music and empowerment sets such a positive example for so many people of all ages in the world and that’s why we’re doing this,” Gillmor said, cueing up a video in which the mayor referenced a number of the singer’s most beloved hits. “So get ready to see ‘sparks fly’ as ‘the crowds in the stands went wild’ and to ‘shake it off’ while being a part of an unforgettable experience at Levi’s Stadium,” Gillmor said, in reference to the Swift songs “Sparks Fly,” “Long Live” and “Shake It Off.”

The two gigs at Levi’s Stadium are the penultimate stops on the U.S. run of the Eras Tour, which will wind down on August 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

Gillmor is just the latest mayor to hand over the keys to Swift, following in the footsteps of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who last week said the city would temporarily switch up its name to Swiftieapolis, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz proclaiming June 23-24 “Taylor Swift Days.” Pittsburgh was renamed “Swiftsburgh” for a week in early June and a road near Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri already named Swift Street was flipped to “Swift Street (Taylor’s Version).”

19 Jul 2023

Mushroom Group Unveils New Booking Agency MBA

MELBOURNE, Australia — Mushroom Group’s talent booking division welcomes MBA, a new agency operating across Australia and New Zealand for live bookings, strategy, touring and partnerships.

MBA is a partnership with Guven Yilmaz, founder and managing director of Vita Music Group.

With offices in Sydney and Melbourne, the new agency represents a slew of artists from the Vita roster, and boasts a lineup at launch that includes Peking Duk, Bliss n Eso, Conrad Sewell, Skin on Skin, Winston Surfshirt, BIG WETT, Kaylee Bell, Milan Ring and Tasman Keith.

“Mushroom has been esteemed as the independent leader in the Australian music and entertainment industry. Partnering with a company that not only emphasises but promotes an independent entrepreneurial culture was essential to me,” comments Guven in a statement.

Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski is said to be keen to grow his independent music company’s booking capacity. MBA, he says, boasts some of the best in the business.

“We’re delighted to have Guven join the Mushroom family,” Gudinski comments. “He’s a very well respected agent and operator, with an incredible track record to boot.”

Supported by a “first-class team” including Shelley Liu, Sam Rogers, and Matt Thomson, Gudinski continues, “I am excited about the offering we are going to create for the talent we represent.”

For those artists repped by MBA, Mushroom’s doors will remain open for talent to work with the group’s production specialists to help build and design their live-show, in addition to accessing the Mushroom Creative House and the brand’s sprawling network.

Mushroom Group this year celebrates its 50th anniversary with a “once-in-a-lifetime” all-star concert and the release of a documentary, Ego, a study of the indie powerhouse’s former chairman Michael Gudinski, who at 21 years of age, founded the company.

Today, the Melbourne-based group numbers more than two-dozen affiliates active in every conceivable area of the music and entertainment industries, from touring to publishing, merch and marketing services, venues, exhibition and events production, neighboring rights, branding, labels, talent management and more.

The late Gudinski formed Mushroom Records in 1972 but had had learned the ropes by booking artists in the region years earlier. In 1970, he established the Consolidated Rock agency, which evolved into the Premier Artists/Harbour Agency.

Mushroom Group cut ties with Harbour Agency in 2021, following an investigation into claims from former Harbour Agency staff on past management behavior and workplace culture.

MBA sits alongside Premier Artists, which reps Jimmy Barnes, Vika & Linda, Marcia Hines and others.

19 Jul 2023

Indonesia’s Cakra Khan Earns Standing Ovation With ‘Spectacular’ Audition on ‘AGT’: Watch

Looks, as we’re constantly reminded, can be deceiving. Cakra Khan is another solid reminder.

Wearing a beige jacket, Khan strolled onto the brightly-lit America’s Got Talent stage, where he might have been mistaken for a regular, everyday guy.

Wrong.

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Khan, relaxed and backing himself, nailed an audition that surprised everyone but himself.

A devotee of blues and soul music, Khan, an Indonesia native, reached deep for a rendition of “Make It Rain.” Khan’s vocals are dripping in soul, but it didn’t stop Simon Cowell from applying the handbrake.

“I think you have a great voice. I didn’t like the track though,” Cowell explained, cutting short the performance with the wave of a hand. “Did you bring another song with you?”

Yes, Khan did. And yes, he passed Cowell’s test. For his second attempt, Khan didn’t muck around. He went with a stone-cold classic, Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.”

The crowd loved it, the judges did too. Khan scored a standing ovation.

“You have a very unique, very sexy, very raspy voice,” Heidi Klum enthused. “Wow, you do have a voice that really stands out, that you will not forget. It’s very, very special.”

“It’s so rare to hear voices like that,” Cowell commented. “I absolutely love your voice. Love it.”

Sofia Vergara remarked, “You made it all yours. And that voice of yours is spectacular.”

Howie Mandel had the last word. “Very memorable, unique voice, everybody was on their feet. You could feel the emotion. You’re amazing.”

The positive feedback was backed up with four yeses. And if Khan wins Idol, what would he do with the $1 million prize money? Build an animal shelter, he said at the top of his spot.

Watch below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=mz4cRJcJkpw&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

18 Jul 2023

Sheryl Crow Slams Jason Aldean Over Controversial Song ‘Try That In a Small Town’: ‘It’s Just Lame’

Sheryl Crow has weighed-in on Jason Aldean‘s controversial song and video for “Try That In a Small Town,” suggesting that the country singer ought to know better.

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The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame-inducted artist pulls no punches with a social post, in which she insinuates that Aldean is out of step with the public mood, that its lyrics are “promoting violence,” and she tags his own account to ensure the message gets through.

“I’m from a small town,” she writes, responding to a viral post from Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts. “Even people in small towns are sick of violence. There’s nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting. This is not American or small town-like. It’s just lame.”

The lyrical content and its official music video has triggered a firestorm on social media. Many commentators have called out the song for glorifying violent behavior, others have pointed out that the country singer was on stage at the Route 91 mass shooting in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017 – something Crow addresses in her own message.

The controversy around “Try That In a Small Town” ratcheted up several notches when CMT yanked the music video from rotation on Tuesday (July 18).

Aldean posted a lengthy message to his Instagram Stories to further explain the song and its video. “I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject too the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous,” he began, adding that the lyrics don’t reference race or point to it, and that all the news footage he used was real.

Aldean also referenced being on stage at Route 91, the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, where a gunman fired on concertgoers, killing 60 people and wounding at least 413. ”NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart. … ‘Try That In A Small Town,’ for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief.” His statement did not address CMT’s decision to pull the clip.

The music video, which has clocked 673,000 views on YouTube since it dropped last Friday (July 14), features Aldean performing in front of courthouse with an American flag hanging from the entrance. The performance is interspersed with footage of a flag burning, protesters screaming and attacking police in various scenarios, and robbing a convenience store.

Written by Kelly Lovelace, Neil Thrasher, Tully Kennedy and Kurt Michael Allison, the single debuted on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart eight weeks ago and rises 26-25 for the chart dated July 22, and is set to appear on the artist’s forthcoming album.

Crow’s post is below in full.