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Universal Music Group Nashville Elevates Lori Christian and Rob Femia to EVP Roles

Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN) has promoted Lori Christian and Rob Femia to executive vp of marketing and executive vp of business & legal affairs, respectively. The label group includes Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville and MCA Nashville.

In her new role, Christian will oversee UMGN’s artist development, brands and sponsorship, as well as creative services, international marketing and media marketing departments for the label group’s artist roster. Christian was elevated from senior vp of marketing, a role she was tapped for in 2020 after leading the publicity department at UMGN following the 2012 merger of EMI and UMG.

Femia has more than 15 years of experience practicing entertainment law and joined UMGN in 2013 as head of business and legal affairs; he was promoted to senior vp in 2018. He will now lead the company’s business affairs department.

“Lori’s understanding of storytelling and weaving our artists’ narratives into framing their stories has been a critical element of UMGN’s success,” said UMGN chair/CEO Cindy Mabe in a statement. “Artist development is such a defining feature that separates our artists, especially in a world where everyone is looking for immediate gratification. Having Lori in this leadership role to help drive the key tenants of artist development across all of UMGN is going to change our artist growth strategy. I am so excited to see how Lori leads and guides a new era in artist marketing across UMGN.”

Mabe added of Femia, “It’s an honor to expand Rob’s leadership abilities beyond his vast business and legal knowledge. Rob has had a front seat in dealmaking for a while but as we expand the new goals of UMGN, Rob is helping to write and build the next era of the country music business. With the industry changing so rapidly, Rob is an essential partner to our future as Universal Music Group Nashville and his alignment and guidance of our staff and artists is critical to our success.  It’s an honor to watch Rob shine and lead our company and I am thrilled to have him join our executive team.”

The promotions are part of an ongoing restructuring at the company following Mabe’s official ascent to the UMGN chairman/CEO role on April 1 following former chairman/CEO Mike Dungan‘s retirement. Earlier this month, senior A&R executives Stephanie Wright and Brian Wright, along with senior promotion executive Royce Risser, exited the company. Meanwhile, UMGN recently added to its artist roster, welcoming Brad Paisley into the fold.

Additionally, former UMGN executives Katie Dean and Rachel Fontenot recently teamed up to form a new label, Leo33.

Madison Square Garden Entertainment To Sell Tao Group Stake for $300 Million

Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSGE) has reached an agreement to sell its stake in the Tao Group chain of restaurants and nightclubs to global luxury lifestyle company Mohari Hospitality, according to a filing Monday (April 17).

MSGE will sell its 66.9% majority interest in Tao Group Hospitality for about $300 million, according to the filing. The deal, which values Tao Group at $550 million, is expected to close in May.

News of the planned sale comes just days before MSGE is expected to finalize the spin-off of its live entertainment business, a move that will separate the pure-play live music business from the company’s state-of-the-art Sphere venue in Las Vegas, sports television network and hospitality businesses.

The spin-off would have moved Tao Group Hospitality into the parent company, renamed Sphere Entertainment Co., along with the Sphere, the new Las Vegas venue currently under construction, and MSG Networks. The company said Monday that upon the deal’s close, it will “enter into multi-year agreements with Tao Group Hospitality for ongoing consulting, marketing, and support services at Madison Square Garden and Sphere in Las Vegas.”

MSGE bought a majority stake in Tao Group in 2017 and has since expanded it to include Hakkasan, Beauty & Essex and other restaurants for a total of more than 80 locations spread across 24 cities on four continents.

Founded in 2017, Mohari Hospitality is an investment company that owns stakes in the Waldorf Astoria in Miami, the 1 Hotel in Toronto, a luxury sustainability-focused resort in Costa Rica called the Peninsula Papagayo and the Ritz Carlton’s cruise line of custom yachts.

Equity holders in Tao Group Hospitality were advised by Goldman Sachs & Co. and Hughes Hubbard & Reed. Advising Mohari Hospitality were Moelis & Company and Kirkland & Ellis.

Hot 100 First-Timers: Jack Black Scores First Solo Hit With ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Ballad ‘Peaches’

Jack Black, actor, comedian and musician, notches his first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 as his song “Peaches,” from the new Super Mario Bros. Movie, debuts at No. 83 on the chart dated April 22.

Black voices Bowser in the video-game film adaption, and the song serves as the character’s loving ode to Princess Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy).

“Peaches,” released April 7 via Illumination/Nintendo/Back Lot Music (a subsidiary of Universal Pictures), tallied 5.8 million U.S. streams and 6,000 downloads in its first week, through April 13, according to Luminate. The track also debuts at No. 6 on Digital Song Sales.

The song’s profile has been boosted by an accompanying music video directed by Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett, in which Black, decked out in a Bowser-green suit, delivers a performance of the song alone in a tower. A framed photo of Peach sits on a piano, along with a bowl of peaches.

The film claimed a historic premiere at the box office, scoring the top opening ever for an animated film with $375.6 million in worldwide ticket sales, according to final numbers. The five-day domestic haul was $204.6 million, including $146.4 million for the three-day weekend, while the overseas tally stands at $171 million from 70 markets, according to final numbers released Monday.

Black previously appeared on the Hot 100 as half of Tenacious D. Along with Kyle Gass, the comedy-rock duo’s seminal hit “The Pick of Destiny” debuted and peaked at No. 78 in November 2006.

Tenacious D has also charted four albums on the Billboard 200: Tenacious D (No. 33 in 2001), The Pick of Destiny soundtrack (No. 8, 2006), Rize of the Fenix (No. 4, 2012) and Post-Apocalypto (No. 93, 2018). The Pick of Destiny and Rize of the Fenix also both hit No. 1 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart.

Black and Gass formed Tenacious D in 1994 when they were both members of The Actors’ Gang theater company in Culver City, Calif. Their Spicy Meatball world tour resumes May 6 at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta and runs through June 18.

Tenacious D won a Grammy Award in 2015 for best metal performance for “The Last in Line,” from the tribute album Ronnie James Dio, This Is Your Life. Black had previously been Grammy-nominated for best compilation soundtrack album for a motion picture, television or other visual media for School of Rock and best comedy album for Tenacious D’s Rize of the Fenix.

Before this week, Black had tallied one solo entry on Billboard’s charts: “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy,” with Jason Segel, reached No. 45 on the Holiday Digital Song Sales chart in 2010.

Black has starred in numerous blockbuster films, including The Holiday (2006), King Kong (2005), School of Rock (2003), High Fidelity (2000) and the Kung Fu Panda and Jumanji franchises.

Madonna Adds Mexico City Show to Celebration Tour

Madonna is taking her massive Celebration Tour to Mexico. The icon revealed that she will be stopping to perform in Mexico City on January 25, 2024, marking her first non-U.S. or Europe dates of the tour.

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Tickets for the new date at Palacio De Los Deportes will go on sale on Friday (April 21) at 11 a.m. local time here. Legacy members of Madonna’s official fan club will have access to a pre-sale beginning on Monday (April 17) at 1 p.m. local time. CitiBanamex cardmembers’ presale begins on Thursday (April 20) at 11 a.m. local time.

The Celebration Tour — which will honor her four decades of hits — is set to span from July 15 all the way through Dec. 1. The first North American leg of the tour will kick off Saturday, July 15, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver and will make additional stops in Phoenix, Detroit, Atlanta, Toronto, Montreal and more before concluding at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Oct. 8. The tour’s European leg will pick up with a pair of dates at The O2 arena on Oct. 14-15 and will make stops in Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Berlin and more before concluding in Amsterdam on Dec. 1 at the Ziggo Dome. The tour then picks back up in Brooklyn on Dec. 13, and stretches through Jan. 20 in Phoenix, Ariz. As previously announced, Bob the Drag Queen will be a special guest on the tour.

“This is a good time for me — I’m gathering ideas, getting inspired, hanging out with creative people, watching films, seeing art, listening to music,” Madonna shared of getting back onstage in a recent feature with Vanity Fair.

This $21 Fenty Beauty Lip Gloss Makes a Cameo in Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj’s New Music Video

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.

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty lip gloss makes a cameo in Ice Spice‘s “Prince Diana (Remix)” music video featuring Nicki Minaj.

If you love a juicy lip, Fenty’s Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer delivers intense shine with a lasting, smooth finish. This “go-to lip gloss” retails for $21 and is available seven shades including soft pink, shimmering rich brown, rose nude, bright red orange, dusty pink, soft pink and clear.

Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb line has expanded to include Gloss Bomb Ice Cooling Lip Luminizer ($26) and Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper ($26), which will be available in the fan-favorite shade, glass slipper (clear), on Tuesday (April 18) at Fenty Beauty and Ulta Beauty.

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Ulta Beaty

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

$21

With Coachella heading into weekend two, festival season has officially started, and lip oils and lip glosses are among the musthave beauty products for spring and summer.

Fenty Beauty can usually be found on best lip gloss lists along with other fan-favorites such as Dior Lip Glow Oil ($40) and Rare Beauty’s new Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil ($20).

Looking for something more affordable? Try NYX Professional Fat Lip Oil Drip. The moisturizing lip oil retails for just $9; its available in six shades including pink, clear and brown, and while you might have to reapply it sooner than you would with Dior or Fenty Beauty, it’s a perfectly good alternative to more expensive lip oils and lip glosses.

Aside from Fenty Beauty, the “Princess Diana (Remix)” music video features a bunch of other product placements including a Bose Soundlink speaker (currently on sale for $129.99), Camille Rose hair care products and Patron El Cielo tequilla ($129).

In the wardrobe department, Minaj can be seen sporting multiple pieces from Dolce Gabbana, including rhinestone-embellished platform sandals ($3,150). The Queens rapper also wears a hot pink Marina Serre Moon Daimanat jacquard jumpsuit ($670) in the music video.

Keeping up with the Barbicore theme, Ice Spice’s wardrobe includes a pair of Brandon Blackwood platforms and an Area Crystal Trim Heart Top ($670) over a pink robe and mini skirt.

Meanwhile, Ice Spice and Minaj have a viral hit on their hands. The “Princess Diana (Remix)” music video is currently trending at No. 1 on YouTube and has wracked up 11 million views since debuting last Friday (April 15).

Harry Styles Will Be One of the Final Guests on James Corden’s ‘Late Late Show’

On Monday (April 17), The Late Late Show With James Corden unveiled the lineup for its final show including Harry Styles and Will Ferrell.

“Just announced: @Harry_Styles and Will Ferrell will be the guests for our #LateLateShow finale on April 27!” the late-night talk show tweeted along with a graphic of the singer and actor flanking the Late Late Show logo.

The former One Direction star has been a longtime friend of the show. Not only has he done multiple Carpool Karaoke segments and his own Crosswalk Concert over the years, he’s also served as guest host more than once in James Corden‘s absence and had his own weeklong residency behind the desk. Styles even let the host create a music video for his Harry’s House cut “Daylight” on a budget of just $300. (Memorably, the pals took over the Brooklyn apartment of some serious Harries for the DIY shoot’s hilariously cramped location.)

Styles being confirmed for the finale also follows Corden’s social team shooting down rumors that the show was actually staging a One Direction reunion featuring all five members for its grand goodbye, considering the host was such a vocal advocate for the group in their 2010s heyday. “FALSE ALARM,” the show’s official Twitter account wrote last week over a screenshot of a British tabloid that ran with the rumor, adding, “Nobody loves the boys more than us … but this story just isn’t true.”

Meanwhile, Styles has sparked some online gossip of his own in recent days following footage of him locking lips with Emily Ratajkowski on a street in Tokyo going viral.

Check out The Late Late Show‘s announcement about Styles and Ferrell below.

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Jorja Smith, Jessie Ware, Dawn Richard & More

Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

These 10 tracks from artists including Jorja Smith, Passion Pit, Jessie Ware, Dawn Richard, Lauren Spencer-Smith, GAYLE & Em Beihold and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all 10.

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Shy Martin, “Glued to the Floor”

Shy Martin’s “Glued to the Floor” is a song about antidepressants that hails from an album (late night thoughts, May 19) written entirely in a bedroom. Naturally, it’s gonna feel introspective, but there’s a guileless warmth to the Swedish musician’s delivery here that makes the interiority of her world feel every bit as immediate as the one beneath your feet. – Joe Lynch

Khamari, “Right My Wrongs”

The gentle, sweet ache in Khamari’s voice is earning him understandable comparisons to Frank Ocean, but the Boston-born, L.A.-based singer-songwriter’s discography, while limited, demonstrates a musical range and creative perspective all his own. New single “Right My Wrongs” is a velvety, laid-back slice of R&B with retro soul and bedroom indie-pop vibes. Don’t be surprised if Khamari is the next big thing. – J. Lynch

Jessie Ware, “Begin Again”

Ware’s upcoming album is called That! Feels Good! (April 28), and latest single “Begin Again” is certainly as excitable as the exclamation point-happy title. Inspired by dreams of a Brazilian escape during the doldrums of lockdown, “Begin Again” melds Ware’s soulful disco with shades of samba-like syncopation, adding up to five-minutes of celebratory bliss. – J. Lynch

King Krule, “Seaforth”

Three years and a whole pandemic have passed since King Krule geared up to release an album, and new track “Seaforth” shows that Archy Marshall has changed for the better. Where some of his previous work explored his more melancholic side (“Dum Surfer”), “Seaforth” — the first look at Krule’s next album, Space Heavy — sees him sweetly embracing the little joys that fatherhood has to offer, from recognizing himself in his daughter’s eyes to taking walks together in a mall (“Now walk through shop centers together/ Our love dissolves this universe”). — Starr Bowenbank

Passion Pit, “American Blood”

What’s old is officially new again for Passion Pit, as singer Michael Angelakos has formally released “American Blood,” a deep cut from their 2012 critically acclaimed album, Gossamer, that only ever appeared on its iTunes deluxe version. Cloaked behind its upbeat synth instrumental is a darker reality, as Angelakos grapples with his past, and wonders if he can turn back the hands of time. — S.B.

Jorja Smith, “Try Me”

Jorja Smith released an EP in 2021 titled Be Right Back, and now that the R&B star (and former best new artist nominee) is indeed back, early returns on her sophomore LP sound extremely promising. “Try Me” drips elegance in its spaces of incredulity — “Nothin’ is ever enough / I don’t have to tell you what I’ve changed,” Smith sings with exasperation on the chorus — and reads as both complex in its rhythmic palette and straightforward in its pop presence, a line that Smith walks well. – Jason Lipshutz

Dawn Richard, “Bubblegum”

After Dawn Richard teamed up with composer-producer Spencer Zahn for last year’s experimental, gorgeous LP Pigments, she’s back with a rhythmic pop single that will delight fans of her avant-R&B solo work and her radio-friendly Danity Kane fare. “Bubblegum” pops with sexual innuendo and tempo increases, as Richard, continuing a period of circling through several stylistic approaches with ease, sounds as confident as ever. – J. Lipshutz

Lauren Spencer Smith with GAYLE & Em Beihold, “Fantasy”

Between “Fingers Crossed,” “ABCDEFU” and “Numb Little Bug,” Lauren Spencer Smith, GAYLE and Em Beihold have watched songs go unexpectedly viral over the past year and change, rack up millions of streams and unlock previously unfathomable professional opportunities. “Fantasy,” a strength-in-numbers kiss-off in which the three rising artists decimate the lamest type of ex, makes room for all of their respective styles, finding cohesion around a lovely piano line and the type of clouds-high chorus that the three artists have previously mastered on their own. – J. Lipshutz

Girl Ray, “Hold Tight”

The new single from London trio Girl Ray contains the power to make mundane activities feel thrilling — witness how the group traipses around a farm in the “Hold Tight” music video, high-kicking while pushing identical wheelbarrows, and you’ll get an idea. An endearing pop-rock love song, “Hold Tight” offers carbonated goodness without overselling its appeal, and as they prepare new album Prestige, Girl Ray have delivered a single that will be a blast to hear, and perform, live. – J. Lipshutz

Speedy Ortiz, “Scabs”

Wry vocal hooks, liner-notes-ready wordplay and guitar riffs twisting around time changes are all hallmarks of Speedy Ortiz, who return with a song decrying hollow activism as their first new single in five years. Yet “Scabs” possesses a tenacity that sounds fresh and hard-earned: credit goes to the solidified band lineup (longtime touring bassist Audrey Zee Whitesides and drummer Joey Doubek have joined singer-songwriter-guitarist Sadie Dupuis and guitarist Andy Molholt) as well as Sarah Tudzin, the Illuminati Hotties mastermind who co-produced “Scabs” and helps provide space for the band to roam. – J. Lipshutz

Zach Bryan Says He & Travis Tritt Met ‘Eye to Eye’ to Settle Online Feud

Country stars Zach Bryan and Travis Tritt had a public Twitter spat last week over Bud Light teaming with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney for its latest campaign, and now the duo seem to be on good terms.

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It all started when the “Something in Orange” singer tweeted on April 8, “I mean no disrespect towards anyone specifically, I don’t even mind @travistritt. I just think insulting transgender people is completely wrong because we live in a country where we can all just be who we want to be It’s a great day to be alive I thought.”

The thoughts were seemingly in response to Tritt announcing he would no longer be working with Anheuser-Busch and removing all of the company’s products from his tour hospitality rider. “I know many other artists who are doing the same,” the singer claimed.

While Tritt didn’t respond publicly to Bryan’s thoughts, he took to Twitter to try to get the young country star to meet with him in person. “Zach, Been trying to reach out to you through your manager,” he wrote on April 13. “Since we are both playing the Two Step Inn Festival in Georgetown, TX this Saturday, I was hoping we could chat in person. I will be there all day on Saturday. Please let me know if we can chat. Thanks.”

It appears that the duo did in fact meet in person at the festival, as Bryan revealed to fans that they talked “eye to eye” for “an hour and a half,” and noted while they do disagree on certain things, “the world did not end.”

Tritt then replied to Bryan’s tweet in support, writing, “So glad we had a chance to chat, Zach. Even better to discover that we have so much common ground. All the best to you on your first European tour!”

Erica Mena Straaaaiiiiggghhtttt Up Calls Safaree A “Deadbeat” After He Gifts Amara La Negra’s Twins Rolex Watches

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Safaree Samuels from VH1's Love & Hip Hop New York

Source: Bernard Smalls / @BeanzGotGamez / Safaree

The vein in Erica Mena’s forehead was more prominent than usual while watching her ex-husband splurge on Amara La Negra’s twins.

Erica Mena straaaaaiiigggghhhhtttt up had time for Safaree after a video showed her ex-husband gifting his rumored girlfriend and fellow Love & Hip Hop alum Amara La Negra’s twins, Sumajestad and Sualteza, with Rolex watches.

In the video that lives on The Shade Room and features loud and very unnecessary commentary from Bobby Lytes, Safaree lets those in attendance know how much he appreciates her since his move to Miami.

“I’m doing this because I’m new to Miami, and ever since I have been here, Amara has been a great everything – friend, tour guide, help me with my Spanish. You know.” The Latin musician interjected during Safaree’s speech adding “Business to partner” in there.

“Yes, great business partner, great with the future endeavors. She’ll send me things in the morning just like, ‘Hey, there’s this motivational app it sends you inspirational things throughout the day.’ As a Black man, we need that,” he continued.

Erica Mena Accuses Safaree of Being Cheap With Their Kids

Erica Mena didn’t waste any time stepping into the cesspool that is The Shade Room comment section to call out her baby daddy for not showing the same love to his kids.

“Awe so cute. It’s just very interesting how my kids have NEVER received gifts like this by this waste man. My daughter just turned 3. All she got was a birthday cake and a few balloons in his living room. And please don’t get me started one how he didn’t do anything for my sons 1st birthday until two weeks after the fact. And again, that was just balloons in his living room. But happy every enjoyed this circus theme birthday party with a deadbeat clown as the special guest.”

Lol, well damn.

Fueling the dating rumors, a video recorded by Shay “Bucky” Johnson shows them sharing a kiss.

Social media is not buying it and believes this is just setting up a possible LHHMIA storyline.

Lol, that makes sense.

You can see more reactions in the gallery below.

Photo: Bernard Smalls / @BeanzGotGamez

2. Excellent point

3. Another good point

4. You know its bad when people are siding with Erica Mena

J-Hope Debuts Buzzcut, Shares Farewell Message to ARMY Ahead of Military Enlistment

J-Hope jumped on social media on Monday (April 17) to share an optimistic message with ARMY ahead of his enlistment in the South Korean military.

“I’ll have a good trip!!” the BTS member wrote on Instagram in his native Korean against a yellowed paper backdrop. Fans also got a surprise when they swiped to the next slide, with the “Arson” rapper giving a first look at his newly shorn, military-approved buzzcut. He also posted a separate message on Weverse, saying, “I love you ARMY…I’ll go and come back well,” while flashing an adorable salute to the camera.

While comments were turned off on J-Hope’s Instagram post, ARMY flooded Twitter with well-wishes and heartbroken goodbyes. “We are so proud of u, our HOPE,” one fan wrote with a trio of heart emojis while another tweeted, “My life is leaving in a second” followed by three sobbing faces.

With the start of his mandatory military service looming, J-Hope becomes the second member of the K-pop boy band to serve after Jin, who began basic training in mid-December at a military base near the tense border with North Korea. At the time, he got a sweet send-off from all six of his bandmates, and J-Hope and Jimin even got to visit him at a different military camp at the beginning of last month.

J-Hope certainly made the most of the time before he joined the military — releasing his debut solo album Jack in the Box, which debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and included hit singles “MORE” and “Arson.” He also made history by headlining Lollapalooza (as documented in his Disney+ documentary J-Hope IN THE BOX), became a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton and later collaborated with J. Cole on one-off single “On the Street.”

Check out J-Hope’s message to ARMY below.