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12 Jun 2023

How BTS Took Over the World: A Timeline of the Group’s Biggest Career Moments

Just in time for BTS’ 10th anniversary, here’s a look back at the history-making K-pop group’s decade-long career.

BTS

V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS attends the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

BTS has come a long way since releasing their first album in 2013, and in the decade that has passed, the K-pop stars have managed to become the biggest group in the world.

While the 2020s have seen the group’s seven members — RM, Jin, Jungkook, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin and V — releasing solo projects, smashing records (both as a group and in personal endeavors), going on tour or fulfilling their civic duties, the past decade has been a ride for the K-pop group, who, after multiple album and single releases, have created a career that only few storied music acts can dream of.

BTS’ illustrious music career formally kicked off when they debuted with 2 Cool 4 Skool. Though a far stretch from the group’s newer, chart-topping hits like “Butter,” “Dynamite” and “Permission to Dance,” the poppy crossover singles that would later cement the group’s international superstar status, the mini album established the septet as a force to be reckoned with, one that would only continue to grow with the aid of the group’s devoted ARMY fanbase.

Following the release of the new single “Take Two,” the group will celebrate the milestone anniversary, which will consist of a series of fun activities across several landmarks in Seoul, South Korea (where it all started for the septet). And to gear up for the event, Billboard is taking a look back at the past 10 years of BTS.

Have a look back at some of the band’s biggest career milestones in the timeline below.

12 Jun 2023

Echoes of Passion, Heritage and Legacy: 70 Hours with Eladio Carrión and Tequila Don Julio

Eladio Carrión has defied expectations, following his career from comedic prowess to musical stardom; a testament to the power of chasing dreams and unyielding passion. 

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In 2017, Eladio Carrión transitioned from being a Vine comedian to a celebrated singer. He bursted into the music scene by collaborating with Ele A el Domino and Ñengo Flow on the hit track “Me Enamoré de una Yal.” Since then, Carrión has amassed an impressive catalog of successes and collaborations, including notable artists like Rauw Alejandro and remixes featuring Cazzu and Myke Towers, to name a few.

Carrión’s talent and hard work caught the attention of Rimas Entertainment – the label behind Bad Bunny and Karol G, arguably two of Latin Music’s biggest global superstars. He joined their roster, leading to the release of his debut album, Sauce Boyz, in 2020. The introductory compilation landed the young trap star in the top ten on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in its first ten weeks, and Carrión his first Latin Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Hip Hop song for “Kemba Walker,” with Bad Bunny. 

However, these accomplishments are just the tip of the iceberg for Eladio Carrión. 

In a recent collaboration, Billboard and Tequila Don Julio embarked on a 70-hour journey with the Puerto Rican singer to celebrate hispanic entrepreneurs, delving into the depths of his passion, heritage, and the legacy he aims to create, offering fans a unique glimpse into Carrión’s artistic world and the inspirations that drive his musical journey.

Eladio Carrión and Don Julio González, the late founder of the iconic tequila brand, share a familiar spirit. Carrión’s dedication to music and González’s commitment to tequila-making reflect their unwavering pursuit of excellence. Just as Carrión’s passion fuels his musical journey, González’s passion for tequila led him to create the world’s first Critstalino, Tequila Don Julio 70 Crystal Añejo, a testament to his dedication to pushing boundaries and leaving a lasting legacy.

Hour 24: Heritage & Foundation

Day one, we meet Eladio in his beloved hometown of Humacao, Puerto Rico. Born into a military family in Kansas City, Missouri, Carrión moved around a lot, briefly living in Alaska, Maryland, and Hawaii before eventually calling Puerto Rico his permanent home after his father’s retirement in 2005.

Humacao, located on the picturesque east coast of Puerto Rico, with its breathtaking Caribbean blue sea crashing against rocky cliffs, became the backdrop that shaped Carrión’s childhood and transition into adulthood. He describes his hometown as his sanctuary, his peaceful haven amidst the chaotic life of a superstar in the making. He says it is his “paz,” where he finds solace and inspiration.

Throughout his transient childhood, one constant remained: music. Carrión recalls how it has always had a profound impact on him from a young age. He fondly remembers his father, whom he endearingly calls “Papi,” introducing him to salsa music at home. Fascinated by the storytelling aspect of salsa songs, he wondered how the singers effortlessly conveyed their narratives. This early exposure planted the seeds of his passion for storytelling through music. “I think that today a lot of my music, you will find that I tell stories, and it started with salsa,” he states.

During this time, Carrión also discovered hip-hop. He absorbed whatever played on the radio and embraced the wordplay of artists like Eminem, thanks to his older sisters’ influence. So, when the young artist landed in Humacao amidst the hype of reggaeton, he had an ear for something his middle school classmates likely didn’t – hip-hop and R&B. 

Hour 48: Rehearsals

For the next part of our journey, we’ve left the sunny isles of the Caribbean and traded it in for the bustling lights of Las Vegas, where a laser-focused Carrión is preparing for his festival run. Here, we spoke to the singer about his artistic process. 

Carrión’s music is a captivating blend of trap, reggaeton, and hip-hop that keeps evolving as he hones his lyrical style. Reflecting on his creative approach, he finds himself in the zone when the right mood, people, and rhythm come together. He describes spending hours on end, fully committed to perfecting his songs and only re-emerging from the booth when he’s achieved his goal. He passionately admits that his worst nightmare would be releasing an album without giving it his all, a feeling he’s grateful to have never experienced. 

“I make a record, and I come out so mentally drained because usually, I give my 200%. And it’s not because I have to, because I want to,” he explains. “I say it in the song, ‘Mbappe,’ ‘Every record I come out is better than the last one,’ and it’s always going to be like that!”

Beyond his music, Carrión takes pride in being heavily involved in the production of his shows, working closely with his production team to shape the future experience for his fans. Proudly, the trap artist boasts that his success is shared, thanks to his team’s commitment, who tirelessly work alongside him towards the same goal. 

With an unwavering devotion, he crafts songs brimming with emotion, storytelling, and authenticity, capturing the attention and respect of both his audience and peers in the Latin music scene. He explains that with every record, he aims to leave behind a legacy track that fans can revisit for years. 

Hour 70: Showtime

After days of meticulous preparation, we caught up with Carrión 1,300 miles away from our last encounter, in  Austin, Texas, hours leading up to his highly anticipated performance on the Billboard Stage at SXSW.

“The Sauce Gang keeps growing,” he exclaims proudly. “A few years ago, I didn’t fill a place with 500 people, and now we are doing shows with 40,000, 35,000 people. It’s nice to connect with people through music or a record.”

Connecting with his fans is where the Puerto Rican singer sees all his efforts coming to fruition. Ahead of a sold-out show, Carrión takes a moment after soundcheck to say hello to a few fans eagerly waiting in hopes of an encounter with the star. The “Sauce Gang,” as he endearingly calls his fans, is an embodiment of living your truth and exploiting the unique parts of yourself that make you.

He reflects that being on stage is the most fulfilling part of his musical career. Albeit traveling and living out of suitcases, connecting and singing alongside his sauce gang makes it all worth it. Known for his electric shows, he delivers his enigmatic performance full of high energy, leaving a lasting impression and inspiring people of all ages to approach life with determination and a strong work ethic. 

In Carrión’s words, “I think I have a story that people might see and say, “Wow, if he could do it, I can do it. Nothing is impossible. I want to inspire youth and people who are older than me, everybody, to have that mentality of: ‘If you’re going to do something, do it right,’ ‘If you’re going to dream, dream big,” “If you’re going to attack, attack with all your might.’”

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12 Jun 2023

Man Involved In Young Dolph Murder Takes A Plea

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BET Experience concert, Los Angeles, USA - 24 Jun 2017

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It’s been a year and a half since the shocking murder of beloved Memphis, Tennessee rapper, Young Dolph. One of the men arrested in connection with his killing has taken a plea deal though he didn’t actually partake in the shooting.

According to the Huffpost, 26-year-old Jermarcus Johnson has pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact as part of a plea deal that was greenlit by Judge Lee Coffee. Authorities found that Johnson helped both of Dolph’s murderers, Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith communicate while they were on the lam following the shooting. Johnson even acknowledged that he helped one of the shooters touch base with his probation officer as part of the plea deal which will allow him to avoid a trial by jury.

The Huffpost reports:

During questioning by prosecutor Paul Hagerman, Johnson acknowledged taking possession of car a from shooting suspect Justin Johnson, his half brother. Jermarcus Johnson also identified a photo in which Justin Johnson was wearing the same clothing as one of the two shooters accused of gunning down Young Dolph the day the rapper was killed. Hagerman said Johnson had no role in the actual killing of Young Dolph.

Johnson was one of four men charged in a conspiracy indictment stemming from the November 2021 killing of Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr. Johnson is the first person to plead guilty or be convicted in the shooting, which rattled Memphis and shook the entertainment world.

After getting picked up by authorities, Jermarcus Johnson was initially charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for helping Justin Johnson hide out and allude authorities after Johnson and Smith gunned down Young Dolph at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies bakery in November of 2021.cThough authorities allege that Johnson, Smith, and Hernandez Govan were all involved in the shooting of Young Dolph, all three men have pleaded not guilty to the charges levied against them. With Jermarcus Johnson accepting a plea deal, things just got a little trickier for the aforementioned men to be able to prove their innocence in court as Johnson can now be called as a witness in future trials of Johnson, Smith and Govan.

With his plea deal, Johnson is facing six to 12 years in prison for his participation in the crime. Sentencing is scheduled for August 10.

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12 Jun 2023

Kelis Had the Perfect Non-Answer to Questions About Reported Boyfriend Bill Murray

Kelis is keeping her private life private. After it was reported last week that the 43-year-old “Milkshake” singer and chef is dating 72-year-old Ghostbuster star Bill Murray, the internet could not get enough of the alleged May-December romance. And while neither of them have officially confirmed the relationship, Murray was seen watching Kelis’ set at London’s Mighty Hoopla festival last weekend and they posed for a photo together.

Kelis had a chance to tamp down the rumors or confirm them over the weekend when she posted a series of bikini pics and a shot of her jumping into the ocean from a boat with the caption, “I’m a beach bum.” And while Murray was nowhere to be seen, Kelis kind of addressed the story of their alleged summer love when a user asked, “Ma’am would you care to address these Bill Murray allegations?!? Cuz damn! What he doing with all that??”

The singer did not take the bait, though, choosing instead to go the cheeky route by skirting around the issue and responding, “No babe, I wouldn’t bother at all,” even as fans keep trying to get her to comment on the reported relationship.

Kelis was previously married to rapper Nas from 2005-2009 and in 2018 she alleged that he was physically abusive toward her during their five-year marriage, which Nas has since denied. Kelis’ second husband, Mike Mora, died of stomach cancer in March 2022. Murray was married to Margaret Kelly from 1981 to 1996, and to Jennifer Butler from 1997 to 2008. Butler died suddenly at age 57 in 2021.

See Kelis’ post below.

12 Jun 2023

Songwriter Cynthia Weil Honored at California Memorial By Bill Medley, Dolly Parton, Tony Orlando & More

As guests filed into Sunday’s (June 11) music-filled memorial for Cynthia Weil, they smiled in recognition and sang along to a string of hit songs she co-wrote that were played on speakers in a lush courtyard of the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Weil, the Grammy-winning lyricist who enjoyed a decades-long partnership with husband Barry Mann and helped compose “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “On Broadway,” “Walking in the Rain” and dozens of other timeless tunes, died last week at age 82.

Singer Tony Orlando, who hosted the private event from a small stage with a grand piano, admonished attendees that despite the cloudy skies the day was not to be mournful, but a sunny celebration.

“I want the applause to be loud!” he said. Orlando performed “Bless You,” the 1961 ballad that gave Weil and Mann their first top 20 hit. They were married within months of the song’s release.

White-coated waiters distributed trays of bright green apple martinis, Weil’s favorite cocktail, to her friends, family members and show business contemporaries. Among those raising their glasses were Mann, record producer Lou Adler, singer Carol Bayer Sager and songwriters Carole King, Jeff Barry, Mike Stoller and Diane Warren.

Weil and Mann were one of popular music’s most successful teams, part of a crew of young songwriters based in Manhattan’s Brill Building neighborhood, near Times Square. With such hit-making duos as King and Gerry Goffin and Barry and Ellie Greenwich, the Brill Building hit factory turned out many of the biggest singles of the ’60s and beyond.

The couple was collaborators with producer Phil Spector on songs for the Ronettes (“Walking in the Rain”), the Crystals (“He’s Sure the Boy I Love”) and other singers, and also provided hits for everyone from Lionel Richie to Leo Sayer.

Their most famous collaboration, a song that would become historic, was “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” a soulful anthem produced by Spector with epic strings and sung with desperate intensity by the Righteous Brothers, Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” topped the charts in 1965 and was covered by numerous other artists.

Appearing at the memorial via a recorded video, Bill Medley said Weil and Mann didn’t just write the Righteous Brothers a hit, “They wrote us a career!” According to Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), no other song was played more on radio and television in the 20th century.

Dolly Parton, who also appeared on video, recalled her career being sent “out into space” when the country star scored a crossover pop hit in 1977 with “Here You Come Again,” written by Weil and Mann.

“She left a great body of work,” Parton said.

Weil and Mann were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. They were supporting characters in the hit Broadway musical about King, “Beautiful,” which opened in 2013 and documented the intense friendship and rivalry between the two married couples. Mann and Weil’s musical “They Wrote That?” had a brief run in 2004.

On Sunday, with Paul Shaffer on piano, King performed “Somewhere Out There,” a song Weil wrote with James Horner for the soundtrack of “An American Tail.” It won Grammys in 1987 for best song and best song for a movie or television, and was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe.

Weil’s daughter, Dr. Jenn Mann, said the songwriter died last Thursday at her home in Beverly Hills, California. She remembered her mother Sunday as a loving wife to Mann, a devoted grandmother to her two girls, a lover of animals, and a soft-hearted romantic who could surprise people with her no-nonsense business sense.

While many of Weil’s peers struggled once the Beatles caught on in the mid-1960s, she continued to make hits, sometimes with Mann, or with other partners. Weil helped write the Peabo Bryson ballad “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again”; James Ingram’s “Just Once”; and the Pointer Sisters’ “He’s So Shy.” In 1997, she was in the top 10 again with Hanson’s “I Will Come to You.”

And her talents extended beyond love ballads. She and Mann wrote one of rock’s first anti-drug songs, “Kicks,” a hit for Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1966. The Animals had a hit with her tale of working class frustration, “We’ve Got to Get Out of This Place.” The Crystals’ “Uptown” was a 1961 hit that touched upon race and class in ways not often heard in rock’s early years.

Appearing on video, rocker Paul Stanley of KISS recalled being a fledgling songwriter as a teenager in New York and scouring the credits on his favorite records.

“Invariably, songs that I loved, I would see her name on it,” Stanley said.

12 Jun 2023

Horas 70: Tiempo De La Funcíon | 70 Horas Con Eladio Carríon y Tequila Don Julio

En la última serie de tres partes, “70 Horas con Eladio Carrión x Tequila Don Julio”, Billboard y Don Julio se embarcaron en un viaje de 70 horas con el cantante puertorriqueño Eladio Carrión, adentrándose en las profundidades de su pasión, herencia y el legado que busca crear. Echa un vistazo a la Hora 70.

12 Jun 2023

‘Iconic Records’ Honors The Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Life After Death’ In New Web Series

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Notorious B.I.G. AKA Biggie Smalls Receives Billboard Music Award.

Source: L. Busacca / Getty

There’s a must-watch visual podcast uncovering new ground in the storytelling of The Notorious B.I.G.’s life as he recorded his final album 25 years ago. In Iconic Records: Life After Death, radio legend and executive producer Angie Martinez interviews 25 subjects to transport viewers in a moment of time as a legendary double-sided album was birthed in the midst of his rising fame while navigating a hostile rap beef with the West Coast in the mid-1990s.

While his life has undoubtedly been examined across various media vertices since his violent passing, this 8-episode effort deserves your undivided attention. There’s no overproduction or distractive acting. It involves two chairs, a coffee table, and a camera crew capturing vulnerable conversations between the rapper’s closest friends and colleagues and a radio Hall of Famer.  Notables gracing the opposing chair include Rick Ross, Fat Joe, DJ Clark Kent, Lil’ Cease, 112, Pusha T, and more.

The conversations examine the pillars that made Biggie, born Christopher Wallace, an icon as he broke ground in fashion, lyricism, rap politics, recording style, and demeanor. At the time, he was freshly crowned “King of New York” early in his career, becoming a trailblazer in these areas at a heightened level with his unconventional attractiveness during his ascension to fame. 

For starters, he was a visual anomaly with a towering stature, big waist, and dark skin, complimented by his smooth charm and lisping charisma– a unique recipe to make the Brooklyn rapper the perfect muse for fashion stylists and photographers who knew he was destined for greatness.  

Renowned photographer Barron Claiborne explained how he snapped the legendary red background photographs of Biggie in a crown. The images grew so popular it forced him to repetitively sue bossy Bad Boy Entertainment honcho Sean “Diddy” Combs (f/k/a Puff Daddy) for using the images without his approval.  Photographer Michael Levine also discusses the challenges faced to bring us the Life After Death album art taken at the Cypress Hill cemetery. 

In episode 4, Klepto, friend and member of the rap group Junior M.A.F.I.A., gives a first-hand account of how he first came across Tupac Shakur witnessing his brotherhood with Biggie during a wild night out on the town. He was also there the day of the Quad Recording Studios shooting, providing the gruesome details of what he saw when he reached the bloody lobby just as the cops intercepted them coming out of the elevator. This incident marked the beginning of the infamous coastal feud between the two rappers, eventually leading to Biggie’s fatal demise a few years later. By episode 5, DJ Clark Kent unapologetically declares Pac’s ominous account of the shooting a blatant lie promoted to avoid telling the truth about what really happened to him that night.

Some of the most famed tracks off Life After Death wouldn’t have happened without sheer networking and dash of humbled begging.“Ten Crack Commandments” producer DJ Premier tells of how the song almost didn’t make it on the album. In this story, Premo highlights that Biggie’s stardom transitioning from gritty New York rapper to Versace wearing superstar (or “ashy to classy” as many here have donned it) caused a bit of friction with his underground artist Jeru the Damja, the original owner of the track. Angie Martinez and her radio show is intertwined in the story, which aided a begging Puffy to eventually procure the instrumental. 

In a similar scenario told in episode 6, Fat Joe– a refreshing edition to the series details how intertwined he was in the New York rap scene–  recounts the time he brokered the relationship between Biggie and Realitivity Records label mates Bone Thugs-N-Harmony for the track “Notorious Thugs.” The Bronx rapper colorfully embellished a portion of the story of the group’s unwillingness to work with B.I.G. due to their allegience with Pac and the West Coast, which was challenged and denied by Layzie Bone and the group’s manager Steve Lobel. Eventually, Biggie and Bone Thugs united in a historic studio session filled with weed, Hennessy, and positive vibes. Layzie Bone reveals that Biggie didn’t end up recording his part that night, and heard the final version of the song for the first time after the double album was released weeks after his death.

In a later episode, Lil’ Cease continues the story of how seriously Biggie wanted to master the Bone Thugs’ flow and the lengths he took to perfect it before hitting the booth. It’s now one of the most famous songs to date.  In all three stories with Pac, Jeru, and Bone Thugs, a common theme about the “Juicy” rapper and his legacy remained consistent: he prioritized his love of music before rap politics. 

The series briefly transitions into a therapy session when Lil’ Cease tells of his relationship with his big brother Biggie. Through the trust of his long-standing relationship Martinez, the Junior M.A.F.I.A. member describes the death as a “trauma” he continues to struggle with today. At 44 years old, he introspectively harps on how young he (17) and Biggie (24) were as they both navigated the deep waters of fame and violence.

Nasheem Myrick, a former Bad Boy producer from the legendary Hitmen who worked on “Who Shot Ya,” “What’s Beef?,” and “Somebody’s Gotta Die,” reveals a heartbreaking story of his beef with Biggie over an unknown love interest they both shared at the time. In this untold story, he eventually achieves closure on the last day the rapper was last in New York before flying out to Los Angeles in 1997. 

Interestingly, both Lil’ Cease and Klepto separately came to terms with the potential of their own successes had Biggie never passed away. Junior M.A.F.I.A was set to be the next priority for the superstar rapper following the release of Life After Death, but the group never had their chance. Cease also describes how his solo career would have launched under the vision Biggie had for him to be introduced to the world. However, Puff certainly didn’t have an interest in the group after the assassination, especially since their lyrics were mainly penned by Biggie himself.  With all considered, the group disbanded leaving fans with classic hits “Players Anthem” and “Get Money” that are still enjoyed today. Meeting the same fate was The Commission comprising of JAY-Z, Lance “Un” Rivera, Diddy, Charli Baltimore, and Lil’ Cease. 

Rick Ross and Pusha T also make an appearance on the show. Both Ross, who respectfully mimicked Biggie’s image, and Pusha, a lyricist who faithfully flows about slinging crack, pay homage to how integral Biggie’s music made in their own approach to their discographies.

Noticeably absent from the interview panel were Life After Death featured artists Diddy, The LOX, Lil’ Kim, Ma$e, and Jay Z. It also would have been nice to see Stevie J, another Hitmen producer who had a heavy hand in the making of this album, join the series. It’s unclear if the reality star’s estranged marriage to Biggie’s widow, Faith Evans, had anything to do with that. 

Overall, Iconic Records’s first season is, by and large, a great watch thanks in part to the remarkable journalistic executions between host Angie Martinez and director-writer Bonsu Thompson. Without their contribution to this project, it would have been hard to achieve the same high-quality storytelling in someone elses’s hands.

New episodes air weekly across multiple platforms for viewers and listeners alike for free. Binge watch the first 6 episodes on WMX Hip-Hop channel (Ch. 1137) on The Roku Channel or YouTube. Listeners can also access them in a podcast format across all major audio podcast platforms. 



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12 Jun 2023

Femme It Forward and Google Pixel Establish Femme It Future Scholarship

Femme It Forward, a female-led music and entertainment company, has partnered with Google Pixel to establish the Femme It Future Scholarship. Five mentees from Femme It Forward’s mentorship program for young women of color — Next Gem Femme — will be selected as recipients. The scholarship is being announced in conjunction with Femme It Forward opening the application window for the third year of its mentorship program.

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“This scholarship is our commitment to nurturing the next generation of female leaders who will shatter barriers, break stereotypes and create a future filled with equality and empowerment,” said Femme It Forward president/CEO Heather Lowery in a statement.

“Google Pixel is at the forefront of incorporating diversity and inclusivity in its technology and products. We believe that empowering young women with education and opportunities is the key to unlocking their limitless potential. By offering transformative scholarships and coveted mentorship opportunities, our partnership can create change together that empowers the next generation.”

“We’re thrilled to be partnered with Heather and the team at Femme it Forward,” added Ava Donaldson, Google’s senior marketing manager, U.S. Social, Influencer + Inclusion. “Our mutual mission is centered around helpfulness and supporting the advancement of underrepresented communities, especially women.”

Select students will also receive special care packages comprised of Google and other products sourced exclusively from women-owned businesses.

When Next Gem Femme begins its third year in September, it will be pairing mentors with more than 100 females pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees or presently working in entry-level positions in the music and entertainment industries. As before, the program plans to award at least half of its mentee openings to students from historically Black colleges and universities.

Encompassing career pursuits such as marketing, publicity, live and touring, business development, talent management and artist relations, the program’s mentors come from various companies including Google, Amazon, Apple Music, CAA, Live Nation, NBC Universal, Netflix and YouTube. Among the female music industry executive mentors Republic Records executive vp Danielle Price, Warner Records senior VP of A&R Ericka Coulter, Virgin Music president Jacqueline Saturn and Roc Nation vp, marketing Bianca Edwards.

“Through powerful relationships and practical education, Next Gem Femme opens so many doors for young women of color, a group that has been overlooked for far too long,” noted Lowery. “We’re thrilled to launch our third year of the program and build on its amazing momentum as we continue leading necessary conversations about the need to improve workplace equity. This brilliant group of mentors will give remarkable young women the wisdom and tools to expand their talents, overcome setbacks and reach their potential.”

The application window for Next Gem Femme closes on Friday, June 16, 2023 (9 p.m. PT). For more information and to apply, visit femmeitforward.com.

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12 Jun 2023

BTS 10th Anniversary: Seoul Landmarks to be Lit Up to Celebrate K-Pop Band’s Birthday

Skyscrapers, bridges and other landmarks in South Korea’s capital will be lit up in purple on Monday (June 12) as the country begins celebrating the 10th anniversary of K-pop band BTS, whose global popularity is a source of national pride.

The lights will provide the backdrop for various social media-driven events marking the 2013 debut of the seven-member group, which is now taking a hiatus as its singers begin to serve their mandatory military duties.

From Monday evening, numerous Seoul structures, including City Hall, the 123-story Lotte World Tower, several Han River bridges, and the futuristic DDP – a Zaha Hadid-designed aluminum and concrete dome that’s often used for visual art – will be bathed in purple, a color associated with BTS, according to city officials and the group’s management company, Hybe.

Messages congratulating BTS were displayed on digital screens in buildings across Seoul, while postal authorities issued stamps marking the group’s anniversary, which will be available at post offices starting Tuesday.

Seoul officials hope that the celebrations, which will continue for around two weeks, will boost tourism. The city has designated more than a dozen sites associated with BTS, including places where the group held major performances or shot some of their famous videos.

Fireworks are planned at a park near the Han River on Saturday night, hours after one of the BTS singers, RM, holds a live talk with fans that will be broadcast online.

Quickly garnering huge followings in Asia following their debut, BTS’ popularity expanded across the globe with their 2020 megahit “Dynamite,” the band’s first all-English song that made it the first K-pop act to top Billboard’s Hot 100. BTS has since performed in sold-out arenas around the world and was invited to speak at United Nations meetings, supported by a legion of global followers who call themselves the “Army.”

BTS’ activities as a full group are currently on hold as the artists begin to serve in the military. Two BTS singers – Jin and J-Hope – have already started their compulsory 18-month service and other members are to follow in coming months, which likely means the group will reconvene around 2025.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in uniform 18-21 months under a system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.

12 Jun 2023

CMA Fest 2023: Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Alabama Wrap Sunday Night Finale

CMA Fest 2023 came to a close Sunday night (June 11) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary with a stacked lineup of some of country music’s brightest stars across multiple decades, demonstrating the enduring impact of the genre on generations of fans.

The lineup featured one of the best-selling groups in country music history, Alabama; since earning their first No. 1 with “Tennessee River” in 1980, the group continued lobbing hits at Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (then-called Hot Country Singles) chart, earning 17 No. 1s over the next five years, and earning 21 No. 1 hits on the chart by 1987.

After issuing his debut single, “Welcome to the Club” in 1992, McGraw earned nearly a dozen No. 1 hits on the chart by 2000, becoming one of country music’s most consistent hitmakers in the ’90s. He’s added to that genre-defining legacy each decade since, earning 11 CMA Awards wins, including an entertainer of the year trophy. Meanwhile, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley each issued their debut singles in the early- to mid-2000s, with each steadily adding to their arsenal of hits. Bryan has two CMA entertainer of the year wins to his credit and has served as a host on American Idol, while Bentley is a 14-time Grammy Awards nominee and a three-time CMA Awards winner.

Bentley also co-hosted the upcoming CMA Fest television special alongside Lainey Wilson and Elle King; the special will air July 19 on ABC.

The full Sunday night lineup also included sets from Josh Turner, Ashley McBryde and newcomers Megan Moroney and Nate Smith.

Here we look at some of the top moments dotting the Sunday evening show: