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29 Jun 2023

Shakira & Manuel Turizo Sing About Unrequited Love in Mermaid-Inspired ‘Copa Vacia’ Video

Shakira and Manuel Turizo have joined forces for the first time for “Copa Vacía” (empty glass), an infectious pop-reggaeton song that will have you perreando on the dance floor while reflecting on unrequited love with its heartfelt lyrics.

In “Copa Vacía,” the two Colombian artists have a back-and-forth discussion about not giving enough love and affection to the other person.

“You’re always busy with so many businesses/ […] Drop your phone, use your hands with me/I know you’re hot but I’m hotter,” Shak sings in her verse. “As if you don’t feel anything/ Now you see me differently/ I’m swimming against the current/ I’m looking in the streets who can fill this emptiness I feel,” Turizo chants back.

In the chorus, they unite to sing: “I’ve been thirsty for you for a while, I don’t know why/I’m left wanting more, wanting to drink from an empty cup.”

Just 10 days ahead of the release (on June 19), Shak and Turizo assured fans, “We made a movie,” sharing a poster of Shakira taking the role of a mermaid and Turizo as the prince. Evidently, they did. 

The music video, co-directed by Shakira and Jaume de Laiguana, features Shak as a pink-haired mermaid who’s abandoned and forgotten on the rocks as Turizo comes to the rescue.

“Copa Vacía” follows Shakira’s sweet song “Acróstico,” which is a love letter to her children. The “Acróstico” music video, which dropped in May, features her two sons — Milan and Sasha — who sing and play the piano alongside her.

In May, Shakira was also honored at the inaugural Billboard Latin Women in Music gala as Woman of the Year, during which she gave an emotional speech in which she acknowledged the hard times she’s been through, and thanked her mother, her friends, and women in general.

Watch the music video for “Copa Vacía”  below:

29 Jun 2023

Wiz Khalifa “Swole Life,” Tyga, YG & Blxst “West Coast Weekend” & More | Daily Visuals 6.29.23

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Wiz Khalifa

Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz

Wiz Khalifa’s been doing his thing in the rap game for a hot minute now and if we’ve learned anything from the Pittsburgh representative it’s that he likes weed, women and working out.

In his latest visuals to “Swole Life,” Khalifa showcases two of his three interests as he takes to the club with his entourage where he indulges in some of that famous Khalifa Kush while surrounded by a gang of thick young women who don’t mind bouncing their assets for the rap superstar. Wiz living his best life these days.

Meanwhile out on the Left Coast, Tyga, YG and Blxst do some living of their own and in their clip to “West Coast Weekend,” the three men throw a pool party where, you guessed it, a bunch of bikini-clad women turn up from the pool to the driveway where the fancy whips are parked like it’s a car show.

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Eli Fross, M24, and more.

WIZ KHALIFA – “SWOLE LIFE”



TYGA, YG & BLXST – “WEST COAST WEEKEND”



ELI FROSS – “ALONE”



M24 – “NEIGHBOURHOOD HERO”



TEKNO – “PEACE OF MIND”



TOMMY LEE SPARTA – “ACTION PACK”



KRAFF – “RUFF C”



PRINCE SWANNY – “NIGHTMARE”



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29 Jun 2023

50 Cent Clowns Ja Rule After He Arrived To Perform On A Stretcher

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Ja Rule has gone viral yet again. He attempted to bring some drama to a live performance and as expected 50 Cent had jokes.

As spotted on HipHopDX the Murder Inc. talent recently performed Nelly’s Hot in Herre Festival in Toronto and his entrance was not your standard rapper entrance. Ja was wheeled in on a stretcher by two men dressed up as a paramedics. Soon after his grand entrance sounds of a heart beating could be heard throughout the speaker system. Ja rule proceeded to yell “Ayo, let these n***as know who I am. I’m one of the three, n****!”. He then jumped up and started performing “Livin’ It Up.”

According to XXL Magazine fans in attendance were not impressed. “Because his career’s on life support?? is that it?” one user commented. “It’s the paramedics leaning over him like they picking out toppings for a subway sandwich and got 5min to get back from break.” another account wrote. Naturally the stunt quickly landed on 50 Cent’s radar and he took to social media to poke fun at his rival for life. “Lol ???WTF ?I ain’t gotta say sh*t stupid ??’s SMH” he wrote on Instagram.

You can see Ja Rule’s stretcher entrance below.

Photo:

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29 Jun 2023

Supreme Court Rejects Affirmative Action, Twitter Slams Uncle Thomas

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Supreme Court Rules Affirmative Action Is Unconstitutional In Landmark Decision

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The Supreme Court struck down affirmative action programs in two cases presented before it, leading to a torrent of outrage over the unprecedented actions.
On Thursday (June 29th), the Supreme Court handed down a 6-3 decision ruling that the affirmative action policies at the University of North Carolina and Harvard University were unconstitutional. The verdicts dealt a blow to five decades’ worth of efforts to boost more diversity through programs taking applicants’ race into account when applying to colleges and universities nationwide for decades. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion that the programs “unavoidably employ race in a negative manner, involve racial stereotyping, and lack meaningful endpoints.”

Justice Clarence Thomas, the Black conservative who sided with the majority including Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Comey Barrett, and Samuel Alito, wrote in his concurring opinion that the policies “fly in the face of our colorblind Constitution. He continued: “Despite the extensive evidence favoring the colorblind view, as detailed above, it appears increasingly in vogue to embrace an ‘antisubordination’ view of the 14th Amendment: that the Amendment forbids only laws that hurt, but not help, Blacks,” Justice Thomas wrote. “Such a theory lacks any basis in the original meaning of the 14th Amendment.”

The decision caused immediate backlash and concern from those opposed to the decision. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who had recused herself from the Harvard case as she served on their Board of Overseers prior to her SCOTUS appointment, wrote a blistering and incisive dissenting opinion aimed at Thomas and Roberts’ opinions. “With let-them-eat-cake obliviousness, today, the majority pulls the ripcord and announces ‘colorblindness for all’ by legal fiat,” she wrote, “But deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.”

As the news sunk in, more reactions including that of President Joe Biden came forth condemning the ruling and expressing the effects it will have in the future. Here’s a selection of the more prominent.

1. Michael Eric Dyson

The esteemed professor and author took the conservative Thomas to task, noting his own rise to the court through affirmative action and calling his role in the verdict “a withering betrayal of justice & democracy.”

2. uché blackstock, md

Well-known for her efforts to boost diversity in medical schools and her work to get more attention paid to Black communities by the medical industry, Dr. Blackstock pointed out how the decision will affect applicants from the community going forward.

3. Michael Harriot

Writer and contributor to The Grio, Harriot reminds readers who will truly benefit from the decisions handed down.

4. Deepa Iyer

The author and activist highlights the dissenting opinion by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

5. Olivia Truffaut-Wong

The journalist observes with dismay how Asian students who took part in the lawsuit leading to these cases brought before the Supreme Court unwittingly played into white supremacy.

6. Nikole Hannah-Jones

The creator behind The 1619 Project mused about how this decision falls in line with the worst of American history.

7. Joyce Vance

The former federal prosecutor under the Obama presidential administration called attention to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissenting opinion, particularly the opening.

8. Melissa Murray

The New York University law professor highlights another part of Justice Sotomayor’s dissent, and explains how she pointed to the court’s conservative majority being so eager to overturn precedent.

9. Barack Obama

Former President Barack Obama weighs in and amplifies former First Lady Michelle Obama’s statement.

10. President Joe Biden

29 Jun 2023

Lizzo’s Yitty Brand Wants You to Get All Dolled Up in Barbiecore-Inspired Shapewear: Shop the Collection

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.

If Barbie has proved anything, it’s that everything looks better in pink — and Lizzo’s brand Yitty is making the case. The athleisure brand just dropped a Summer Doll Collection that boasts barbiecore vibes so stylish even the Barbie movie dolls will be giving you the side eye.

Lizzo has been sporting her own Barbie-inspired looks this summer and even debuted hot-pink hair on Instagram on June 21.

BARBIE

‘Barbie: The Movie’ Dolls: Where to Buy the Film-Inspired Collectables

“Y’all not ready for pink hair Lizzo,” she captioned the post.

If you don’t have enough Barbie merch, Yitty’s new shop is ready for you to stock up on all the doll-inspired shapewear. From shades of neon pink, yellow, blue and more, you’ll be set to doll yourself up for a quick gym session or casual hang in the park this summer.

Whether you’re looking to replace some old leggings with fresh, fun shades or want to stock up on trendy bodysuits and bike shorts, this new collection has got you covered — literally.

For additional savings on the new drop, Yitty offers discounted prices on products for those who sign up to be a VIP member.

Keep reading to shop some of our picks from the new Barbie-inspired line.

pink sports bra with yitty on band line

Yitty

Spotlight Shaping Bralette

$64.96

Get support without sacrificing trendiness in the Spotlight Shaping Bralette. The new hot pink shade features a glittery material that will shimmer in the light while the padded interior helps ensure your chest is lifted and comfortable.

hot pink biker shorts

Yitty

Spotlight Shaping High Waist Short

$74.96

Complete the set with a matching pair of high waist shorts that, once paired with neon skates, will have you channeling your inner Barbie. As an added bonus, the material is made from a breathable mesh and features compression.

model wearing blue mesh leggings with matching sports bra and white sneakers

Yitty

Mesh Me Smoothing High Waist Legging

$69.95

These mesh high waist leggings redefine what it means to be feeling blue as it come with a stylish mesh sheer material for added comfort and ventilation, and that’ll pair nicely with the matching sports bra.

cropped butterfly pattern top

Yitty

Mesh Me Smoothing Midi Top

$64.95

Add some texture to your look with this butterfly patterned midi top that sports style and support. The fabric is made with a silicone gripper to help keep everything in place and has partially lined coverage. For a complete set you can add the matching high waist brief to your cart.

neon yellow sleeveless bodysuit

Yitty

Spotlight Shaping Demi Cup Thong Bodysuit

$89.95

If you’re looking for something more versatile, this shaping bodysuit’s simple design can easily be paired with jeans or leggings for the ultimate multipurpose piece. It comes in a glittery material that will have you sparkling as you hit the dance floor or yoga class. Plus, the Antimicrobial SilverSeam Technology will help keep it (and you) fresh and odor-free.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of artist-owned beauty brands, Barbie and Bloomingdale’s dreamycollaboration and the best sticky bras.

29 Jun 2023

The Weeknd, Debi Mazar, Julia Garner & More Send ‘Prayers’ & Well Wishes to Madonna After Hospitalization

Madonna sent the entertainment world into a worry when her manager Guy Oseary took to Instagram on Wednesday (June 28) to reveal that the Queen of Pop spent a few days in the ICU after she developed a “serious bacterial infection.”

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As of Thursday (June 29), Billboard confirmed that the icon is at home and feeling better, and Oseary noted in his original post that “a full recovery is expected.” However, the hospitalization forced Madge to put her massive, highly anticipated Celebration tour on pause for the time being.

Following the news of her hospitalization, celebrities flooded social media with love, support and well-wishes. “Sending our prayers,” The Weeknd wrote on his Instagram Stories, in which he reposted Oseary’s statement.

Madonna’s longtime friend, Debi Mazar, shared a throwback photo of the duo, writing an assuring message in the caption: “Get well Sis! Rest, Restore, Reboot! Strongest gal I know… To all of her fans- Madonna is on the mend & home resting!”

The superstar’s backup singers Niki and Donna shared a similarly loving message alongside their own throwback photo. “Seeing, Believing and KNOWING ONLY the BEST for M’s Speedy Healing….. SHE is a Warrior and Her Body will listen to the Strength that resides within …. WE have SEEN THIS.. WE Believe THIS… WE KNOW THIS …. HEALTH and WHOLENESS are the Orders of the Day!!! And so it is. Sending our prayers of love and healing light always,” they captioned their post.

Under Oseary’s Instagram statement, a number of stars shared their well wishes, including RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, who wrote, “TAKE GOOD CARE OF OUR QUEEN.”

Rita Wilson echoed the sentiment, writing, “Sending Madonna my prayers for a speedy recovery.”

Julia Garner, who was reportedly cast to portray Madge in the paused biopic on her life, commented with a series of heart and prayer emojis. Jon Batiste shared a similar sentiment with a string of prayer emojis. Isla Fisher continued the love in her comment, sharing, “Sending her so much love from us.”

See Oseary’s post with all the loving comments below.

29 Jun 2023

Dylan Mulvaney Slams Anheuser-Busch for Turning ‘A Blind Eye’ to Her After Bud Light Backlash

After months of online hate over a single can of beer, trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney is calling out Anheuser-Busch for a lack of support.

In a video posted to her Instagram on Thursday (June 29), Mulvaney detailed her experience with the transphobic backlash she received after posting a promotional video for Bud Light back in April. “What transpired from that video was more bullying and transphobia than I could have ever imagined,” Mulvaney said. “I should have made this video months ago, but I didn’t.”

Part of the reason Mulvaney waited to talk about her experience publicly was because she was waiting for Anheuser-Busch to get in touch with her and offer support — but according to Mulvaney, the brand never reached out.

“For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse than not hiring a trans person at all,” a teary-eyed Mulvaney said into the camera. “It gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want. And the hate doesn’t end with me. It has serious and grave consequences for the rest of our community. And we’re customers too. I know a lot of trans and queer people who love beer.”

After Mulvaney posted her promotional video for Bud Light, in which the company sent her a commemorative can bearing her likeness, conservative commentators and celebrities lashed out at the company for working with a trans person. Artists like Kid Rock, John Rich, Ted Nugent and many more called for a boycott of the brand. As a result, Bud Light fell from its position as the top-selling beer in America earlier this month.

Mulvaney’s video comes one day after Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth appeared on CBS This Morning to address the Bud Light boycott that occurred following the influencer’s original collaboration. While Whitworth claimed that the company would “continue to support” the LGBTQ community, he dodged questions about whether or not the promotion with Mulvaney was a mistake, and signaled that the brand would shift back toward “what we do best, which is brewing great beer.”

For Mulvaney, Whitworth’s statement wasn’t enough, especially after she spent months feeling “scared” to leave her home, being followed in public, and feeling “a loneliness that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.” Her existence, she pointed out, is not a matter of opinion or belief.

“To turn a blind eye and pretend everything is OK — it just isn’t an option right now,” she said. “And you might say, ‘But Dylan, I don’t want to get political.’ Babe, supporting trans people, it shouldn’t be political. There should be nothing controversial or divisive about working with us.”

Check out Mulvaney’s full video below:

29 Jun 2023

SZA Reveals at O2 Arena Show That Ex-Boyfriend Cheated on Her in London

SZA had a pretty devastating past experience in London, England, and she took some time to vent during her show at the city’s O2 Arena this week.

“I never told anybody, but like, my boyfriend cheated on me in this city before,” the “Kill Bill” singer is seen telling the crowd in a video posted to Capital Xtra‘s Instagram. “It was terrible. That’s why I was really sad to come here, but you guys made it so much better. Thank you!”

“This song is about my other trash ex-boyfriend,” she noted, before diving into her S.O.S. hit “Nobody Gets Me.” See the full video here.

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As Beyoncé once said, the “best revenge is your paper,” and SZA’s been embodying that over her wildly successful past year. Her long-awaited sophomore album, S.O.S., immediately debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — her first chart-topper — and enjoyed a non-consecutive 10-week run atop the tally. With more than 400 million streams in the U.S. during release week, S.O.S. became the second-largest streaming week for a female artist and third-largest of 2022 among all albums.

In the middle of that stretch, she kicked off the aptly titled, international SOS Tour. According to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore, the North American SOS Tour grossed $34.5 million and sold 238,000 tickets.

29 Jun 2023

Kylie Minogue, Peggy Gou & More Bring Dance Music to Billboard Global Charts

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts have been home to wide a variety of international hits, across many genres, cultures and languages. Dance music has been able to seamlessly float across cultural and geographic lines, including on the latest, July 1-dated rankings, as three artists, each from a different continent, debut with their own high-energy boosts.

Kylie Minogue, one of Australia’s most enduring stars, debuts on the Global 200 with “Padam Padam” at No. 190 while climbing to No. 169 on the Global Excl. U.S. list. Since its May 18 release, the thumping track has increased its weekly streams each week, culminating in a 17% bump to 9.6 million worldwide in the frame ending June 22, according to Luminate.

The song is Minogue’s first non-holiday entry on either global chart and continues to build months before the expected September release of parent album Tension; no tracks from her 2020 set Disco appeared on the surveys.

Elsewhere, South Korea-born, Germany-based singer, DJ and producer Peggy Gou makes her global chart debut, at No. 137 on Global Excl. U.S. with “(It Goes Like) Nanana.” The house single drew 9.6 million streams worldwide June 16-22, its first full week of release.

Plus, Germany’s Purple Disco Machine teamed with France’s Kungs on “Substitution,” new on Global Excl. U.S. at No. 199, up by 3% to 7.9 million streams around the world. Neither act has made the Global 200, but “Substitution” is the second entry for both on Global Excl. U.S., following the former’s “Hypnotized,” which hit No. 121 over a 23-week stay in 2020-21, and the latter’s “Never Going Home,” which reached No. 107 amid a 15-week run in 2021.

The burst of dance music on this week’s global charts is diverse, both geographically and stylistically. These tracks join others by chart mainstays including David Guetta and Calvin Harris, as well as such pop artists drawing from the dance world as Dua Lipa, whose “Dance the Night” holds in the Global 200’s top 40, and Jain, who jumps from 68-41 with 2016’s resurgent “Makeba” (which is now being promoted to pop radio).

29 Jun 2023

New Suspect Wanted In Connection To Live Stream Jux of Aggressively Tack Brooklyn Pastor Bishop Lamor Whitehead

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Source: Prince Williams / Getty / Bishop Lamor Whitehead

Another suspect is wanted in the live stream robbery of the N*ggler, aka Bishop Lamor Whitehead.

Spotted on the Daily News, Ex-con Shamar Leggette, 41, is one of three men wanted in connection with relieving Whitehead and his wife of $1,000,000 worth of jewelry during Brooklyn Sunday sermon, the NYPD said on Wednesday.

Per the Daily News:

Ex-con Shamar Leggette, 41, is one of three men who pulled a gun on Whitehead, his wife, and their child during the daring July 24 heist inside a rented-out Canarsie workspace the bishop uses for his Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministry, according to cops.

Leggette has done two stints in prison for robbery, attempted murder, and weapons possession and was released from the Fishkill Correctional Facility in upstate New York in January 2022 — just six months before the high-stakes robbery.

He’s currently on parole until February 2024.

According to authorities, Leggette’s other accomplices, Juwan Anderson, and Say-Quan Pollack, got cuffs put on them weeks after the robbery and are looking at federal robbery charges for taking the Rolls Royce driving pastors jewels while speaking the lord’s word.

It was once speculated that the robbery was an inside job, but a source with knowledge of the situation told the Daily News that Whitehead was not involved in setting himself up.

The NYPD believes the sketchy pastor and his wife were targets because he loves to flaunt his jewelry during his sermons.

Local law enforcement is looking for the public’s help, releasing a mugshot of  Leggette Wednesday in hopes someone will identify him.

Bishop Lamor Whitehead Has His Own Legal Issues He Has To Worry About

Even though Whitehead is not a suspect in his own robbery, he still faces serious legal issues. He was arrested earlier this year on criminal fraud charges after filing fake bank records so he could take out a $250K loan plus a $1.3 million mortgage to fund his purchase of his six-bedroom Paramus, N.J. mansion, according to the feds.

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Photo: Prince Williams / Getty

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