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15 May 2023

Jimmie Allen’s Estranged Wife Alexis Gale Reveals Sex of Baby No. 3 

Alexis Gale is celebrating Mother’s Day, despite the allegations made against her estranged husband, Jimmie Allen.

Gale took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday (May 14) to share an ultrasound photo of the former couple’s upcoming third child, revealing the sex of the baby with the caption, “My baby boy [heart emoji].” See her post before it disappears here. Gale and Allen are also parents to two daughters: three-year-old Naomi and one-year-old Zara.

Last month, the former couple revealed that they are expecting their third baby together, but also that they are parting ways. “After much thought and reflection in recent months, Lex & I have made the decision to separate,” the country star wrote, with Gale posting a similar statement to her page. “Our number one priority is and always will be ensuring that our children are healthy, happy and loved, and we remain committed to co-parenting with love and respect for one another. In light of our growing family, we respectfully request privacy during this time.”

Shortly after, a woman on his management team filed a civil lawsuit in Tennessee federal court, in which the anonymous “Jane Doe” accused Allen of sexual assault. The accuser claimed that Allen “manipulated and used his power” over her job as a day-to-day manager in order to “sexually harass and abuse her” over a period of 18 months from 2020 to 2022.

“Plaintiff expressed in words and actions that Jimmie Allen’s conduct was unwelcome, including pushing him away, sitting where he could not reach her, telling him she was uncomfortable and no, and crying uncontrollably,” the woman’s lawyers wrote in the complaint. “However, Allen made clear that plaintiff’s job was dependent on her staying silent about his conduct.”

In a statement to Billboard, Allen admitted to a sexual relationship with his accuser but denied all allegations of assault. “It is deeply troubling and hurtful that someone I counted as one of my closest friends, colleagues and confidants would make allegations that have no truth to them whatsoever,” he said. “I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship — one that lasted for nearly two years. During that time she never once accused me of any wrongdoing, and she spoke of our relationship and friendship as being something she wanted to continue indefinitely.”

Allen has since been suspended by his label BBR Music Group, management company The Familie and booking agency UTA following the allegations.

15 May 2023

Jimmie Allen Accused of Abuse: A Timeline of the Fallout

A civil lawsuit filed in Tennessee federal court — first reported by Variety and independently obtained by Billboard — on May 11, 2023, accused Jimmie Allen of sexual assault. A Jane Doe, who was a day-to-day manager at Allen’s former management company Wide Open Music, alleged that the country singer had “harassed” and “sexually abused her” over 18 months from 2020 to 2022, and that she was fired after she complained.

“Plaintiff expressed in words and actions that Jimmie Allen’s conduct was unwelcome, including pushing him away, sitting where he could not reach her, telling him she was uncomfortable and no, and crying uncontrollably,” her attorneys stated in the complaint. “However, Allen made clear that plaintiff’s job was dependent on her staying silent about his conduct.”

Allen responded to the allegations in a statement shared with Billboard, admitting to a sexual relationship with his accuser, but denied all allegations of wrongdoing. “I’ve worked incredibly hard to build my career, and I intend to mount a vigorous defense to her claims and take all other legal action necessary to protect my reputation,” he said.

The complaint also names management firm Wide Open Music and founder Ash Bowers as defendants, claiming they did not do enough to protect their employee from Allen’s alleged abusive behavior. The lawsuit alleges that after she revealed she had been “raped and sexually abused” by Allen, Wide Open Music and Bowers fired her in retaliation.

In his own statement sent to Billboard, Bowers strongly denied Jane Doe’s assertion that her position was terminated in retaliation. He said that Wide Open Music learned of Allen’s abuse on Oct. 4, 2022, and “immediately ended our professional relationship” at that point, and that “any assertion she ever raised the existence of a sexual or physical relationship” with the country singer before then “is patently and objectively false.”

Since the allegations against Allen surfaced in the lawsuit, he has been suspended by his label, dropped from a performance slot at CMA Fest and more. See the timeline of the fallout since the lawsuit was filed against him.

15 May 2023

10 Latin Songs Raising Mental Health Awareness

Latin artists have long addressed mental health issues through their music. In 2017, Juanes joined Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid for a bilingual version of “1-800-273-8255,” the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The original song, off Logic’s album Everybody, helped him score his highest charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3. As Juanes told Billboard at the time of his rendition’s release, “I think these days when everything’s about dancing and having a good time, it’s fresh to find a hit song like this one that’s talking about serious issues.”

The following year, Bad Bunny’s “Estamos Bien” quickly became a go-to uplifting anthem, with the superstar posting on social media with its release: “Many times, we’re sad and we don’t know why and it’s simply because we forget about the simple things in life.”

And three years ago, Residente released his poignant autobiographical “René,” on which he talks frankly about depression and dark moments in his life. Writing the personal track was “therapeutic,” he previously told Billboard.

The artists above are just a few of the many who have helped destigmatize the topic of mental health. Marking Mental Health Awareness Month (observed in May), Billboard’s Latin editors have compiled a list of songs on which artists speak of their personal struggles and in doing so, help raise mental health awareness.

From Bad Bunny’s “Estamos Bien” to Residente’s “René” and more, here are 10 Latin songs that touch upon the topic.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or substance abuse disorders, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration‘s national helpline 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential treatment referrals and information. For those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or distress, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. You can also call or text 988 to get connected to trained counselors.

15 May 2023

A$AP Rocky Shares Family Photo To Celebrate Son’s First Birthday

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Rihanna and A$AP Rocky continue to ride the wave of parenthood their way. The rapper shared some family photos in honor of his son’s first birthday.

As spotted on Huffington Post the Harlem, New York native is showing all is teeth and it is not to stunt his gold grill. Last week his son turned twelve months and he celebrated the moment by posting several candid photos of the Mayers family. The carousel post featured eight photos of Pretty Flacko, Bad Gal Riri and their newborn prince.

All of the visuals seemed to be candid as everyone was just caught enjoying all the love in the air. As expected the outfits, which varied from dressy to hobo chic to matching pajama sets, all hit. Additionally one of the slides was a video that showed Rocky rocking the baby back and forth to the kid’s delight. “Big head man,” he said right before he kissed him on the forehead. On the caption he also seemingly confirmed that they did name their son after the founder of Wu-Tang Clan. “WU TANG IZ 4 DA CHUREN ?” HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO MY 1st BORN . RZA❤️” he wrote.

You can check out the family fun below.

15 May 2023

Madonna Reflects on Motherhood & ‘Radical’ Female Role Models for Mother’s Day

Call her mother. Madonna shared her thoughts on motherhood and family in a touching social media post on Sunday, perfectly timed for Mother’s Day.

“I miss my mother every day And have fantasized for decades of what it must be like to have a mother to: call on for help, guidance, care And wisdom and yet I rejected the idea of being a mother well into my 30s because I associated motherhood with sacrifice suffering and ultimately death and I wanted none of that,” the superstar wrote of her own mother, also named Madonna, who died from breast cancer when the future Queen of Pop was just 5 years old.

“I decided to rip the a–hole out of life and take the road less traveled by with no preconceived notion of what was expected of me as a woman,” Her Madgesty’s caption continued. “All of my role models were radical women like Frida Kahlo, Martha Graham and Georgia O’Keeffe…Great Artists with no Children!!”

Alongside a slideshow of sweet family photos set to her track “Little Star,” Madonna then wrote about how “grounded” becoming a mother to her six children made her while also leaving her “dazed and confused as to how I would figure out the balancing act between being a good mother and an uncompromising artist.”

“I walked through many years half blind and made many mistakes along the way,” she added. “Because Every mother knows there are no manuals or rule books to follow. You just have to dive in and figure it out. I have Experienced my highest highs and my lowest lows as a Mother. No one could have prepared me.”

By the end of the post, Madonna connected the generations by wondering what it would have been like had her mother lived long enough to meet her grandchildren, writing, “And dear Mother…wherever you are. I hope you are happy with your grandchildren!! I often imagine you singing and dancing with us in the kitchen!”

This summer, Madonna is reissuing her Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones remix collection on rainbow-colored vinyl before heading out on her triumphant Celebration Tour to commemorate her 40 groundbreaking years in the music industry.

Read Madonna’s thoughts on motherhood below.

 

15 May 2023

Bruce Kalmick’s WHY&HOW Merges With Red Light Management

Artist management company WHY&HOW has merged with Red Light Management, effective immediately.

WHY&HOW CEO/founder Bruce Kalmick launched the company in 2020 after more than a decade in the music industry. The firm, which will keep its own branding following the merger, is now a full-service management operation, allowing it to collaborate across all areas of the industry and offer enhanced resources to its roster of clients. Under the deal, all 20 WHY&HOW staff members in marketing, creative and brand endorsements will join Red Light Management’s operations.

WHY&HOW’s artist roster includes Breland, Kaleo, Whiskey Myers, Danielle Bradbery, Drake White, Read Southall Band, William Clark Green and Chase Rice.

“With our new partnership, WHY&HOW is gaining the opportunity to learn from one of the most influential executives in the music business, [Red Light Management founder] Coran Capshaw,” said Kalmick in a statement. “We can’t wait to get started on this exciting new chapter.”

“We’re excited about our new partnership with WHY&HOW,” Capshaw added. “Bruce has put together a great group of artists as well as a very talented management team. We look forward to working alongside them to help enhance all aspects of their business.”

Capshaw founded Red Light Management in 1991 in Charlottesville, Virginia, while helping spearhead Dave Matthews Band‘s career from local club favorite to renowned touring group. In addition to Dave Matthews Band, Red Light Management’s roster includes Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Enrique Iglesias, Brandi Carlile, Dierks Bentley, ODESZA, Chris Stapleton and more. The company’s work also extends into the fields of touring, commerce, festivals, licensing, branded entertainment and artist-driven philanthropy.

15 May 2023

Village People Threaten To Sue Donald Trump Over Look-alike Band Allegedly Playing At Mar-A-Lago

Disco legends Village People sent a cease-and-desist letter to Donald Trump on Monday threatening legal action over a costume-clad tribute band at his Mar-a-Lago resort that’s allegedly been performing “Macho Man” and other hit songs without permission.

In the letter, Karen Willis (wife of Village People lead singer Victor Willis) warned Trump’s lawyers that such performances potentially violate federal trademark law by confusing consumers into thinking the real band was playing at the former president’s resort.

Since a video of the Mar-a-Lago performance was posted on Twitter last week, Willis said the band had been “inundated” with social media posts from people who thought it was the real Village People.

“The performance has and continues to cause public confusion as to why Village People would even engage in such a performance. We did not,” Willis wrote in the letter, obtained by Billboard. “Though my husband has tolerated your client’s use of his Village People music, we cannot allow such use by him to cause public confusion as to endorsement.”

In a statement to Billboard on Monday, Trump attorney Joseph Tacopina said: “I will only deal with the attorney of the Village People, if they have one, not the wife of one of the members. But they should be thankful that President Trump allowed them to get their name back in the press. I haven’t heard their name in decades. Glad to hear they are still around.”

Top artists have long chafed at the use of their music by politicians, particularly conservatives. Foo Fighters and John Mellencamp blasted John McCain for using their music during the 2008 presidential election, and Neil Young, Guns N’ Roses, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna and the estate of Tom Petty have all spoken out about their music being used at campaign events for Trump.

Willis has even already complained about it once. In June 2020, angered by Trump’s use of police force to clear protesters from Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., Willis took to social media to request that the president stop playing his music at events.

Owing to the complex thicket of blanket licenses that govern the public performance of music, it’s actually more complicated than you might expect for artists to prevent politicians from playing their music at rallies. Many times, artists lack a clear route to take formal legal action, and instead are left to complain in the court of public opinion.

But in the letter this week, Willis says that a live performance by a tribute band dressed to look like Village People — a construction worker, a cowboy, a policeman and so on — crossed the line into a clearer violation of the law by suggesting that the band had endorsed him.

“Your client is hereby on notice that U.S. trademark law protects against the unauthorized use of the Village People image and trade dress,” Willis wrote. “To be certain, the use of the group’s image and likeness at Mar-A-Lago was unauthorized.”

If such performances don’t stop, Willis made a clear threat of legal action: “We shall be forced to bring suit preventing further use, not only of the Village People trademarked image and trade dress, but of the music as well (and we’d hate to have to do that) but such combined use causes public confusion and is suggestive of endorsement.”

The letter gave Trump 10 days to respond.

15 May 2023

Marilyn Manson Teases First New Music Since Sexual Abuse Allegations

After a year away from social media amid some serious sexual assault and abuse allegations, Marilyn Manson returned to Instagram on Monday (May 15) seemingly teasing some new music.

“I’ve got something for you to hear,” the singer captioned two black-and-white photos of himself singing into a microphone. He also tagged his wife, Lindsay Usich, as the photographer. See his post here.

While Manson did not give any further information as to what exactly he’ll be releasing and when, the potential new music marks his first release since multiple women accused the star of sexual assault, including Evan Rachel Wood, Esmé Bianco, Ashley Waters, Illma Gore and more.

Earlier this week, a Los Angeles judge dismissed most of Manson’s defamation lawsuit against Wood, ruling that many of his claims were barred under a California law that protects free speech. In his lawsuit, Manson claimed Wood’s 2021 accusations against him had been false and that she had “secretly recruited, coordinated, and pressured” other women to make similar allegations against him.

In February 2021, Wood named Manson as her abuser. “I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent,” she shared via Instagram on Feb 1. Wood and Manson had a relationship when the actress was 18 and Manson was 36, and the pair were briefly engaged in 2010. Though Manson denied the claims, a number of other women later went public with their own claims against him. See our full timeline of his abuse allegations here.

15 May 2023

‘The Biggest Currency You Can Be Gifted Is Belief’: Dance Music’s Favorite Deadhead LP Giobbi On Her Debut Album

LP Giobbi is busy as hell. After opening for her musical besties Sofi Tukker in Mexico City, playing a Coachella pool party and then the festival itself in the span of three days, it’s reasonable she’d be tired.

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And another big week is looming. Before her Coachella weekend two set she’ll open for Yaeji in L.A. and play two shows in Denver. After Coachella, she’ll trek to rave mecca Ibiza to open for Bedouin and speak at the IMS conference, immediately after which she’ll circle back across the globe to Guatemala for Empire Music Festival.

Despite this insanely busy life on the road — she hasn’t been back to her home in Austin, Texas since January — LP is bright-eyed and enthusiastic. Her presence is both energizing and grounding, reflective of who she is as an artist: joyful, optimistic, supportive, inclusive, self-assured and driven. Despite having just over an hour before she’s due onstage at L.A.’s Novo theater, she takes her time while sitting down with Billboard to discuss her new album.

Over the past few years, as she picked up steam with a string of euphoric singles (including “Sinner” with Bklava, “Somebody To Love” with Ben Kim, “Say A Little Prayer” with Amazonian Rockstar, “Carry Us” with Kaleena Zanders), she had over 13 labels reach out to her, eventually finding a home with Ninja Tune’s Counter Records. All the while — on trains and planes and in stolen moments in airports, hotels and rented studio space — she was writing her debut album Light Places, out this past Friday, May 12.

The album is a kaleidoscopic sonic tapestry of synths, percussion, LP’s signature piano riffs and a chorus of uplifting female vocalists including Sofi Tukker, Caroline Byrne, Little Jet and Monogem. There’s a strong undercurrent of joy throughout, yet many of the tracks showcase a different side of LP’s sound, particularly the stripped-down beauty of opener “If Love Is A Skill” with her longtime champion Sofi Tukker, along with the psychedelic sun-soaked vibe of “All In A Dream” with DJ Tennis and Joseph Ashworth and the sweet melancholy of “All I Need.”

The recently announced All In An Airstream Tour will see LP and DJ Tennis travel in an Airstream to locations across the U.S. including Joshua Tree, Berkeley, Big Sur, Asheville and New Orleans for pop-up performances. LP’s 2023 tour schedule also includes big festival sets at Lighting in a Bottle, Tomorrowland, Defected Croatia and Ibiza, along with a stage takeover of her Femme House brand at Elements Music & Arts Festival.

Beyond additional dates in Ibiza and Brazil, a residency at Superstition in Austin and multiple treks across North America, she’ll also be serving up her Grateful Dead-inspired Dead House shows for official Dead & Company afterparties — which, as the daughter of Deadheads, is something she’s still freaking out about. Jerry Garcia’s estate also recently tapped her to remix his 1972 debut solo album via Garcia (Remixed), a trippy marriage of LP’s love of jam bands, psych rock and dance music.

It’s all wonderful — and a lot to unpack. Below, the producer breaks it down.

Did having the format of the album and the pressure of it being your first help you hone in on your sound or the way that you worked on the songs?

Up until now, I’ve been a singles artist. The best thing about this process for me was that it allowed me to write B-sides [lets out sigh of relief], tracks that didn’t need to be hugely successful on Spotify or have a vocal hook in the first 10 seconds. 

I wrote most of the album on planes, trains and in hotels. Then I flew to Paris and got in the studio with [DJ] Tennis and [Joseph] Ashworth and [Michael] Cheever. We took all the MIDI parts and rerouted them through vintage synths; we were in this amazing studio that had every vintage synth possible. We put everything into the same world sonically. We also recorded live drummers and layered that with electronic drums.

This album isn’t necessarily for the club, it’s more of a musical journey. I actually ended up making club edits for pretty much all of the tracks, which are the versions I play out, but the album itself got to stand alone and fueled me in a different musical way.

You talked about being in motion with a lot of the album, but where did you start and how did you know when you were done?

Well, you never know. You know you’re done when the label’s like, “We need the f—ing album.” When I signed this deal, I really took my time. I had 13 label offers. I picked the label thinking, “How do I want this music to identify? Who do I want this music to identify with? How do I want it to be seen or shaped?” So, when I landed on Ninja Tune, I had an idea of how deep I wanted to go with the album versus a more mainstream dance label.

I had hundreds of bits of songs and maybe 50 tracks. And I started road testing some of them to see what’s working for the dance floor, and maybe what’s not; I wanted to balance both. Along the listening process, the album told me what it needed. I just had to listen.

The album sounds like you sat down and spent time with it.

Oh, my God, I wish. I’m always writing and always touring. I’m hearing more artists all over the world and I’m deeply influenced by what I’ve heard and where I am. The music I’m writing now is very much for the club, I don’t want any vocals on it. It’s sort of the opposite direction [of the album]. It’s been fun to see where this body of music takes me.

I wanted to talk about “All I Need” and its interlude with the sweet voicemail — is that your grandma?

It’s actually [my tour manager] Xander’s grandma. We had just played this amazing gay music festival, Utopia, in Isla Mujeres. The day after, the promoter took us out on a boat, and Sophie was there and we were having drinks. It was one of those “life is good” moments. Xander’s grandma Shirley called him the next day and [left a voicemail saying], “I hope you got a good tour, I saw you sitting on a boat with a drink in your hand, looking like a millionaire.” 

Light Places is named after your dad’s favorite Grateful Dead lyrics.

It’s from the song “Scarlet Begonias”: “Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” I was in Australia and was feeling extremely ungrounded and untethered. When I’m home, my dad and I pass a notebook back and forth to write a poem together. I called him and asked if we could do that when I’m on the road. Now, we write a poem before every show I play. It brings me back home. On his 70th birthday, I made it into a book for him, and it’s now a merch item. It’s my favorite thing that I do. 

That’s so great.

I was like, “Dad, I need a name for my album. What are some of your favorite Grateful Dead lyrics?” He sent me this huge email where he broke down all of his favorite lyrics to different songs. I had just finished a gig in Ibiza, it was four in the morning, and I’m reading his email. I was deliriously tired and read that line and “light places” danced in front of me. I realized, “that’s LP.” It’s so funny how language can give meaning to us. I realized that’s what I want to do, create emotionally light places for people.

When I first started pursuing music, I didn’t know if it was a worthy enough endeavor. I was in school and did a lot of women’s empowerment studies and wanted to be an activist. My mom said, “The Grateful Dead shows that me and your father went to would hold me through and are what gave me so much joy in my life. If that’s what you do, that’s enough.” That is what I want people to feel when they leave my show.

How have your parents inspired you?

I dedicated the album to them. “Sometimes you get shown the light in the strangest of places when you look at it right” is kind of an ethos of how they raised us. We’d come home from school like, “This thing happened and it sucked,” and my dad would always tell us [the tale of] a guy and he breaks his leg in the summertime, but then there’s a war and everybody but him gets drafted. 

They also really instilled the importance of live music in me at a very young age. There was always music playing in the house and we were always going to shows. That was kind of our church, standing in a community of people, being part of something greater than yourself. Also, they’re front row for everything. Every iteration of everything that I’ve done, they’ve been there cheering me on.

I played with Dead & Company and there’s a great video that somebody took where my mom is wearing my merch, riding the rail and as the song drops, she just starts head banging and smacks the person next to her.

What was it like playing with Dead & Company?

It was crazy. It’s Dead & Company’s last tour, and I’m doing their after parties in some key markets. I got to introduce my parents to Bob Weir, their hero. My mom said to him, “Thank you so much for all the joy you’ve given my family over so many years.” And he put his hand to his heart and said “The pleasure is all mine” with the most sincerity in the world. Deadheads are f—ing crazy; that fan base is so intense. To have toured and done this for 60 years and to have heard that and still “hand-to-heart” feel that way was mind-blowing. It was such an inspirational moment to me.

And you remixed one of Jerry’s albums. How did you get connected with them?

I became a female producer and in order to be taken seriously, I started wearing baggy clothes. It’s really f—ed up. My parents gave me their vintage Grateful Dead shirts, so I started wearing those, and children of Deadheads started connecting with me. In fact, DJ Tennis and I became friends because I went to one of his shows and he was wearing a Grateful Dead shirt. 

A friend was working in a studio and saw that I was wearing these shirts and sent me some of their stems. When I was livestreaming and wanted to make it interesting for myself, I took their guitars and reworked and re-pitched them and started sampling them in my sequencer and layering them over different things. I would take Jerry’s voice and warp it and start playing around with that over other tracks.

I did a livestream that Bob Weir was also on, and his manager saw my set and called him. The Garcia estate — his daughter, Trixie Garcia — reached out to me and asked if I wanted to do an official remix for the 50th anniversary of his first solo album, which was crazy.

Jerry’s voice is like my uncle. It’s the voice that I heard the most in my house growing up. It was overwhelming, and an honor. Then they asked me to play at their festival and do these after parties for the last tour.

When you got asked to do the remix album, were you worried about messing with it?

For sure, the pressure was so intense and so real. There are some old school Deadheads that f—ing hate what I did, and they were not afraid to let me know. At first, that made me really sad [because] I’m just trying to bring this music to my community. But I had a few amazing moments that made that not matter to me.

I played my first Dead House show in Eugene, where I’m from, and this father and son flew in from L.A. and New York to come to the show. Afterwards, the dad pulled me aside and was like, “We’re a dysfunctional family. My son and I do not get along, and we hate each other’s music. I’m a Deadhead and he’s a raver. This was the first two hours that we’ve been in a room and shared happiness, affection and joy together. Thank you so much for providing that.”

You occupy this psychedelic space in dance music that is very fresh and inviting. Is that intentional or just a product of who you are, and the music that you were raised on?

It’s intentional in the way that I had to work hard to find myself and be okay with myself. Once I let go of needing to be cool, or following other people’s [ideas of] what’s cool in dance music right now, it [became] so natural to me. I grew up a jam band kid. Once I finally was like “this is who I am,” it started flowing more naturally and was way more fun.

Can you speak to your creative relationship and friendship with Sofi Tukker?

I owe a lot to them. The biggest currency you can be gifted is belief. And they did that from the very beginning. They saw me play a horrible DJ set, I didn’t even know how to DJ yet, and I was opening up for them at an afterparty at a festival. I was in a band at the time. They were like, “We loved your energy, we want you to go on tour with us.” They were doing their first tour and had just released “Drinkee.” 

I literally learned how to DJ in front of their loving audience. I was so f—ing bad, and they gave me so much love and support. I’d get offstage and Tucker would give me some tips and talk me through the set. They literally built stages for me and started a label [Animal Talk] for me to release music. They have supported me every single step of the way. Their friendship and support have meant the world to me. Seeing the power that artists can have on another artist’s career was a huge influence for me to start Femme House and pay that forward.

What’s the next era of Femme House? Where are you taking it? It’s grown so much.

That’s a really good question and also overwhelming. My co-founder Lauren Spaulding and I have tried to do dream sessions, but I couldn’t even dream that this was possible. I’m hoping it naturally reveals itself. I’ve sort of spent my whole life driving and grinding, and now I’m really hoping that I’m in a phase where I can lean into the more knowing feminine energy and wait for it to come to me.

One day, I’d love to have a [Femme House] festival and all that stuff. Education is an important part of why there are so few female producers, as is visual representation. So, we’ve done a lot of stage takeovers and live activations, that’s been a big focus for us the last few years. We want to meet more cool people who believe in this mission and work with them.

What has helped you the most in getting to this point? Did getting the right team impact where you’re at?

I always say I won the lottery twice. Once when I was born to my parents, and then again when I got my piano teacher. That has continued to happen, via the people I met in my life who have supported and encouraged me and shown up and given me opportunities. That’s mostly why I’m here. I do work my ass off, but it takes so much more than that.

I have a really, really good team now. My day-to-day Julie is a beast. I’m gonna give a ton of credit to Xander. I would not be here without him, on an emotional and physical level. He does what I do, except his job is way worse. He has to be the first one up and the last one to bed and always shows up with a smile. 

Do you dream of a Billboard hit?

No, I really don’t. Fame is a funny thing. The tiny bit that I’ve experienced of it, I’m like, “no.” At the end of the day, I want to be on my deathbed really proud of my art.

15 May 2023

Ludacris Says Fans Can Expect New Music Soon: ‘I Would Say an Album Probably Next Year’

With Fast X looming, one of the franchise’s heralded stars, Ludacris, sat down with Tamron Hall to discuss his upcoming 10th studio album and what fans can expect, and Billboard has an exclusive first look. 

“We’re definitely gonna get some music before the end of this year,” revealed the “Southern Hospitality” star on the Tuesday (May 16) episode of the Tamron Hall Show. “I would say an album, probably next year.”

Luda’s last studio album came in 2015, titled Ludaversal. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and included features from Usher, Miguel, Monica and Big K.R.I.T. 

Luda quipped with Hall about the project’s delay, blaming the Fast & Furious franchise’s hectic shooting schedule on the wait. “They keep shooting more movies. What am I supposed to do?” he joked. 

Despite his busy schedule, Luda has found time to crank out freestyles on social media. Last year, he caught the attention of his 15 million Instagram followers when he delivered a blistering verse over Armani White’s viral Billboard Hot 100 hit “Billie Eilish.” The post not only sits at a whopping 858,000 views on Instagram, but earned him an invitation to the burgeoning rapper’s “Legends Mix” of the song featuring Busta Rhymes and N.O.R.E. Months later, on April 20, Luda dropped another freestyle, accrued staggering numbers, and neared the 800,000 mark. 

“When I was young, I feel like some of my favorite rappers, once they get to a certain point, it’s almost like you wish that they were still kind of hungry and you feel like they don’t have it necessarily like they used to. I never wanted to be that,” he shared. “So it’s extremely important for me to prove to people that even though I’m doing all this other stuff, make no mistake, I still got it, and I’m still as hungry.”

Watch Luda’s interview clip with Tamron Hall above. Check your local listings for airtime.