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17 Apr 2023

Metallica Will Release American Sign Language Videos For Every ’72 Seasons’ Song

Metallica celebrated National American Sign Language Day on Saturday (April 15) by announcing that they will become the first-ever major rock band to release American Sign Language (ASL) videos for every song from their new album. The roll-out began with the official ASL visual for the 72 Seasons title track, which features ASL interpretation from flame-haired Amber Galloway, a fan favorite festival sign language interpreter.

The clip features Galloway taking up one-third of the screen and signing the song’s two-minute guitar intro and galloping drums before tackling singer James Hetfield’s urgent vocals. The project is a collaboration between Metallica and the nonprofit Deaf Professional Arts Network (DPAN) and Galloway’s Amber G Productions.

In a video announcement, self-described hardcore deaf Metallica fan Tom Osbourne explained the project, signing, “It is my honor to announce that on April 25th Metallica will release ALL music videos from 72 Seasons in ASL. Metallica is the first major rock band to do this!”

In a band statement about the title track ASL video — and the upcoming 11 other 72 Seasons ASL clips — the group praised Galloway, who has gone viral several times for her high-energy signing at festivals including Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza. “It’s been an honor to work with Amber and DPAN teams, and we hope that our fans in the deaf and hard of hearing community enjoy experiencing the album through these videos!” the band wrote.

In addition to their ASL video initiative, Metallica released three other videos over the weekend from the album that dropped on Friday. The animated Tristan Zammit-directed clip for “Shadows Fall” has heroic, anime-style versions of the quartet rocking out on a galactic sundial. Another Zammit-helmed animated clip for “Room of Mirrors” takes place in a haunted house filled with toothy flying eyeball monsters. A Tim Saccenti-directed live action performance clip for “Sleepwalk My Life Away” drops the Bay Area RRHOF members in a murky mountain landscape for a moodily lit performance under ominously swirling clouds.

In addition to 8 lyric videos, Metallica was slated to drop a new visual for “TooFar Gone?” at 10 a.m. ET on Monday (April 17).

Check out the ASL “72 Seasons,” ASL announcement and new videos below.

17 Apr 2023

Sacramento Kings Probe ‘Racial Bias’ Claims After E-40 Ejected From Game

The Sacramento Kings are investigating allegations from a Bay Area hip-hop star that “racial bias” led to him being kicked out of his seat during a playoff game against the Golden State Warriors.

The rapper E-40 said in a statement that he was heckled throughout the game Saturday night and addressed one heckler “in an assertive but polite manner” before security guards came and ordered him to leave the arena.

“Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that — despite my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias remains prevalent,” he said in a statement. “Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault.”

The Kings said they are investigating the circumstances behind the ejection.

“The Sacramento Kings take these claims seriously and are investigating the facts and circumstances regarding the situation, as we do anytime an accusation like this is made,” the team said in a statement.

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that E-40, whose real name is Earl Stevens, was standing and blocking the view of fans behind him and was given a warning after several complaints. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because details of the situation weren’t released publicly.

The person said E-40 refused to comply and that security officials for the Warriors and Kings escorted him from his seat.

A second person familiar situation, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said E-40 was never given a warning by security about “excessive standing.” E-40 is a prominent Warriors fan and was even part of the delegation that visited the White House earlier this season.

“It’s unfortunate,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. “I love 40. He’s been our biggest supporter for years. I hope they right that ship because he deserves to be there by our bench. In my time knowing him, he’s always been respectful. He’s always been considerate of those around him. Very weird to see, and I hope it’s resolved.”

E-40 is known for his collaborations with other artists, including on songs such as “I Don’t (Expletive) With You” with Big Sean, “Snap Yo Fingers” with Lil Jon and Sean Paul of YoungBloodZ, and “U And Dat” with T-Pain and Kandi Girl.

17 Apr 2023

Frank Ocean, Kali Uchis, Latto & More: Coachella 2023’s Best Moments From Day Three

Day three of Coachella is a wrap.

Festival-goers trekked to the desert for the final day of weekend one, which was headlined by Frank Ocean. But before the artist, who gave his first live performance in six years on Sunday (April 16), took the main stage, artists such as Kali Uchis, Björk, Willow and Latto performed noteworthy sets of their own. For those at home, YouTube streamed live from all stages of the festival — and will continue to do so during the fest’s round two April 21-23.

Kali Uchis’ show-stopping performance featured a parade of surprise guests, including her pals Tyler, the Creator and Omar Apollo. She was also joined by her significant other, rapper Don Toliver, to perform “Fantasy” together. The night’s biggest moment was, of course, Frank Ocean, who was originally set to headline the fest in 2020. A huge crowd gathered at the main stage to welcome the acclaimed artist back to the desert after 11 years (he first performed in 2012) — and only those in attendance were able to experience Franks’s nearly 90-minute set, which wasn’t live-streamed.

After fans patiently waited for Frank to take the stage, he finally appeared (almost an hour late) and wasted little time before telling the crowd what they all wanted to know: “I want to talk about why we’re here — because it’s not about the new album, not that there’s not a new album,” he said. There’s hope.

Check out Billboard‘s six best moments from day three of Coachella 2023 below.

17 Apr 2023

Frank Ocean Finally Headlined Coachella 2023 and There’s A Lot To Unpack

It’s been seven years since the ever-elusive Frank Ocean stepped onto a stage. But despite his booking as the third and final headliner for Coachella 2023, fans still felt unsure if he would actually show. Signs that read “NO FRANK OCEAN MERCHANDISE” were plastered across the merch tent, and the official Coachella livestream on YouTube excluded his performance. And yet, at 10:55 p.m., almost an hour after he was scheduled to perform, the main stage lights finally dimmed and the show no one expected officially began. 

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The fact that it happened wasn’t the only surprise, though, as Frank had the stage transformed into one giant screen. As a result, only a small square of space was hardly visible, but that’s where all of the action took place for the following hour and a half — until Frank abruptly announced from backstage, “Guys, I’m being told it’s curfew, so that’s the end of the show.”

The highly anticipated show came three years after Frank, Travis Scott and Rage Against the Machine were slated to take over the 2020 edition of the festival, which was postponed due to COVID. As the only performer who remained at the top of the bill since (as promised by Goldenvoice CEO and Coachella’s co-founder Paul Tollet in a 2021 interview) Frank delivered an unbelievable (for more reasons than one) if not unorthodox set, that had fans grasping on to every moment. Because after Sunday night, who knew when we might see him again.

The “Met her at Coachella” line from set opener “Novacane” hit different in the desert, which served as Frank’s backdrop whenever the camera showed his POV from the center of it all — until he chose not to be.

Check out the five major takeaways from Frank Ocean’s Coachella 2023 headlining set below. 

The Set-Up Was Deceptively Intimate

Despite performing in front of tens of thousands of people, Frank and his team meticulously designed his headlining stage to resemble a recording studio, with Frank hunched around a mic in the center while a live band tinkered around behind him and studio hands respected his every request. Yet despite the intimate setup, he would still occasionally pull up the hood of his blue puffer coat and cover his black durag and the majority of his face, his full beard solely poking out. The reclusive star was giving an incredibly rare glimpse into his creative process, even giving fans a taste of new music. And while fans couldn’t really see what was happening or where Frank even was, the high-definition video feed helped to fill in some gaps, supplemented with gritty and at times incredibly shaky footage that played out like a one-night-only, live documentary that could only be consumed in the moment.

He Reimagined His Most-Beloved Songs

Between Frank’s 2011 debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra and his 2016 magnum opus Blonde, the artist faced every performer’s two-fold issue: 1) What songs should I play? and 2) How do I make them special for this audience? He solved the dilemma by performing his classic hits in ways fans had never heard them before, including a stripped-down, acoustic version of “Pink + White,” a turnt up remix of “Solo,” a drill edit of “Chanel,” a punk rock remix of “Wiseman” and many more. Yet none of those favorites closed out the set; instead, Frank dug deep into his discography to pull out his cover of Aaliyah‘s 1994 track “At Your Best (You Are Love)” that was featured on his 2016 visual album Endless.

There Was a Rave Intermission… And It Worked

Toward the end of his set, Frank shined his spotlight on DJ Crystalmess. “You can’t even see Frank Ocean but you get a little rave mix in the middle of the show,” Frank said, describing her set within a set. She strung together her own reimagining of Frank’s songs, like a Jersey Club remix of “Slide,” which Calvin Harris performed the night before on the same stage, as well as a bounce edit of “Pyramids” that left one scene-stealing security guard twerking like there’s no tomorrow — all of which was captured and shown as part of Frank’s live feed. The rave also brought out the only guest of the night: The lime green robotic baby doll Frank brought as his little date to the 2021 Met Gala.

“Back in 2020, I was just starting to throw parties in little clubs in New York that were just getting started before sh– started shutting down,” Frank recalled. “And I was having such a good time playlisting music and listening to so much new music and encountering DJs who were up and coming and who were really on their sh–. It’s become such a part of my practice now with my new weekly thing, with [Apple Music 1’s] Homer Radio that we’ve been working on…. It’s good that it’s not always about me.”

He Sort of Debuted a New Song

The phrase “Inner Child” started circling around a screen within the stage as a young boy named Josiah — meant to represent Frank’s own inner child — began playing piano and lip-syncing along to Frank singing a new song. Josiah’s little braids were poking out from underneath a black durag similar to the one worn by Frank, who introduced Josiah to the Coachella crowd as swiftly as he was dismissed in the short, but sweet moment.

He Honored His Late Brother Ryan

“It’s been so long…. But I have missed you,” Frank admitted to the audience, before vaguely addressing the elephant in the desert. “I want to talk about why I’m here because it’s not because of a new album… Not that there’s not a new album,” he teased. He then hushed over zealous fans so he could explain what did make him return to the festival he first performed at over a decade ago. “You know, these last couple years, my life changed so much…. My brother and I, we came to this festival a lot,” he said, speaking of his late brother Ryan Breaux who died in 2020 from a car accident at only 18 years old. 

“I feel like I was dragged out here half the time because I hated the dust out here, I always left with a respiratory infection, or what have you. So I would avoid coming, but I would always end up here. One of my fondest memories was watching Rae Sremmurd on I don’t know what that stage is called with my brother. And Travis [Bennett], I don’t know if Travis/Taco is here, but we was just dancing in that tent to their music, and I know he would’ve been so excited to be here with all of us. I want to say thank you for the support and the ears and the love over all this time.”

Even during two of his beloved tracks, “Nikes” and “Nights,” Frank opted out of performing them live, rather prancing around the stage and playing in front of the camera, flashing a sincere smile that showed off a grill on one of his front teeth.

Maybe he needed this just as much as we did. 

17 Apr 2023

Lil Wayne Reaffirms Living Legend Status With Apollo Theater NYC Show

Sunday night (April 16) wasn’t the first time Lil Wayne touched the famed Apollo Theater stage, but Weezy’s Welcome to Tha Carter Tour rumbled through Harlem to close out the seasonably warm weekend in the Big Apple in style.

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The curtain dropped around 9:15 p.m. ET at the intimate venue and the thick smoke clouds began to form as the New Orleans rap deity emerged with a Jesus piece chain dangling around his neck. Weezy opened with the JAY-Z-assisted “Mr. Carter,” which took fans back to when Wayne and Hov were jockeying for the best rapper alive title in the late 2000s.

Wayne went through his humbling concert routine letting the people know “I ain’t s–t without you” before reflecting on the first time he hit the Apollo stage.

“I don’t know if it was the last time, but I know the first time I stepped on this actual stage, [Showtime at] The Apollo was still an actual show that came on television and I was on that motherf—er,” he recalled. “I think Shemar Moore was hosting it, but I was there though.”

Flanked by DJ T. Lewis and a drummer, Weezy breezed through an array of tracks from his decorated Tha Carter series while jogging the memory of the 1,500-person capacity crowd with songs including “Fireman,” “Blunt Blowin,’” “Hustler Musik,” and the Kanye West-produced “Let the Beat Build” booming through the venue speakers.

The 40-year-old found a groove inside his colossal Tha Carter III album with a medley of the triumphant “3 Peat,” “Comfortable,” “Lollipop,” and “Mrs. Officer” as attendees were hit with a laser beam light show and a heavy dose of 2008 nostalgia, at time when Weezy sat atop the rap food chain at the peak of his powers.

Wayne pressed pause 45 minutes into his set and teased a few special guests, but instead of reuniting with Drake or Nicki Minaj, fans were greeted by Young Money rappers Drizzy P, Euro, Lil Twist, and Mellow Rackz.

The jubilant energy seemed to be drained during the 15-minute intermission, but in fairness to the YM artist cameos, it’s nearly impossible to be thrown into the fire in the midst of a set from one of the greatest catalogs in rap and keep the party rolling. But when Wayne returned around 10:15 the crowd perked up like they’d just collectively downed a Red Bull to get amped for the stretch run.

Mixtape Weezy took centerstage as Dedication 2‘s lyrical masterclass “Cannon,” DJ Capcom’s “I’m Going In” featuring a then-neophyte Drake, The Leak EP’s “I’m Me,” and No Ceilings cut “Shoes” were added as setlist surprises. All that was missing were the fan-favorites “Something You Forgot” and “The Sky is the Limit.”

With all of the Verzuz chatter surrounding the Young Money honcho battling 50 Cent, Weezy’s tour set served as a stark reminder that he can go 40-deep into different bags and eras of his hall-of-fame career to compete with anyone, whether it’s commercial hits, syrupy mixtape anthems that went diamond in the streets, or prolific features.

Wayne is one of the only artists that can have a competitive Verzuz battle with himself, having “Mixtape Weezy” and other memorable loosies that exist on the internet face-off against his own albums and primary streaming service catalog.

Cam’ron surprised his hometown Harlem crowd when the Dipset rapper made an unexpected cameo in a silver tracksuit to team up with Weezy to perform their 2006 “Touch It Or Not” collaboration for the first time ever. Even more impressive, Wayne remembered his verse from the raunchy tune like he’d rehearsed it for weeks.

“Weezy, I love you! It’s the first time we ever performed this, n—a,” Killa Cam stated to Wayne before exiting.

The finish line was in sight for Wayne heading into the final turn jumping from Young Money’s “Every Girl” to his feature on French Montana’s “Pop That” as well as “HYFR” and “The Motto,” sans Drake.

Weezy fittingly capped off the marathon 40-track set with the 8x-platinum “A Milli” and even took off his long-sleeve shirt to match the fervor of his wall-to-wall Tha Carter III anthem’s rhymes.

“F–king thank you, man! Every single one of y’all, man,” he said to the crowd before recognizing the droves of fans sporting his mug on their bodies. “I see people with my face on they shirts and s–t. I appreciate you!”

Wayne wrapped up around 10:45 p.m. ET with Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” serving as the outro music, but he couldn’t leave before going over his three rules one last time.

“I must let you know three important things about myself. No. 1 is I know that we all ain’t s–t without the love from above. No. 2 is I ain’t s–t without you. Ladies and gentlemen, what’s No. 3,” Wayne asked the audience who wasted no time shouting rule No. 2 right back at him in the midst of a standing ovation.

The Welcome to Tha Carter Tour continues Monday night (April 17) with a show in Philadelphia followed by stops in Silver Spring, Maryland and Charlotte.

17 Apr 2023

Iam Tongi Gets Hometown Hero Treatment as ‘Idol’ Visits Hawaii: Watch

There are hometown heroes, and there’s Iam Tongi.

The American Idol contestant was on home soil for Sunday night’s episode (April 16), when the top 26 delivered their goods from Hawaii.

Tongi had the audience (and judges) swaying along with his cover of Spawnbreezie’s 2011 number “Don’t Let Go”. Of course, the youngster’s family and friends made their presence felt.

Appearing relaxed and happy, the high schooler kicked back for a performance that was rootsier than a planation of coconut palms, mellower than Mr Stay Puft. And to be certain, it’s going viral on YouTube.

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Tongi is the first Hawaiian to make it to his point in Idol, and he’s had to put tragedy to one side.

The teenager has overcome the recent loss of his dad, and some major technical issues, to glide into Idol’s Hollywood Week, and now Hawaii. If there’s a fan favorite in this 21st season, you’re looking at him.

Originally from Kahuka, Tongi impressed with a cover of James Blunt’s “Monsters” during the auditions round, and made his Hollywood Week one to remember with a performance of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and then a duet with Oliver Steele on The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears.”

Last week, he powered through Hollywood with a performance of “The Sound Of Silence” that was nothing short of “showstopping,” Katy Perry later remarked.

Watch his performance from Hawaii’s Disney Aulan below.

17 Apr 2023

Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding Set to Extend ‘Miracle’ U.K. Chart Run

Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding aren’t ready wrap their “Miracle” run on the U.K. singles chart.

The banging retro number leads the race for what would be a third consecutive week at No. 1, though the competition is heating up.

“Miracle” leads two newcomers on the OCC’s First Look chart, which ranks singles based on sales and streaming activity from the first 48 hours in the chart cycle. As previously reported, Goulding bagged her first U.K. chart double last week, with “Miracle” extending its reign and her solo LP Higher Than Heaven starting atop the national albums survey.

Meanwhile, U.S. TikTok star David Kushner is ready and set for his first U.K. top 10 chart appearance, as “Daylight” starts at No. 2 on the chart blast. It’s a “surprising highest new entry,” notes the Official Charts Company, compilers of the U.K.’s charts. Regardless of where it lands, the track should eclipse the No. 39 best for 2022’s “Miserable Man,” Kushner’s only top 40 appearance to date.

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Lewis Capaldi has felt the love following the release of his Netflix documentary How I’m Feeling Now, with three singles and his debut album all climbing the U.K. charts last Friday (April 14). There’s quick early movement for “Wish You The Best,” the lead single from the Scottish artist’s forthcoming third album. The track is set to arrive at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart.

Former One Direction star Niall Horan is eyeing a third solo top 10 appearance, as “Heaven” vaults 21-9 on the chart blast. “Heaven” is the lead single from Horan’s forthcoming album The Show, set for release June 9.

Finally, Post Malone’s foray into pop with “Chemical” should net the U.S. singer and rapper a 20th top 40. It’s new at No. 12 on the chart blast.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday (April 21).

17 Apr 2023

Ellie Goulding Nabs First U.K. Chart Double

Ellie Goulding is in chart heaven as she scores her first U.K. double.

The English singer and songwriter starts a second week at No. 1 on the national singles survey with “Miracle” (via Columbia), her club hit with Calvin Harris, and her latest LP Higher Than Heaven (Polydor) floats to the summit on the national albums tally, published April 14.

Higher Than Heaven is Goulding’s fifth studio album, and fourth U.K. leader. That latter feat places her in fine company. She draws level with Adele for the most No. 1 albums by a British female solo artist in the U.K.

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Previously, Goulding led the chart with her debut Lights (from 2010), Halcyon (2012) and Brightest Blue (2020), with 2015’s Delirium the only title to miss out, peaking at No. 3.

Coming in hot at No. 2 on the fresh tally is NF’s Hope (NF Real Music). That’s a career best for the Michigan product, a rapper, singer, songwriter and producer with six LPs to his name. NF (real name: Nathan John Feuerstein) previously bagged top 40s with 2019 collection The Search (No. 7) and 2021 mixtape Clouds (No. 12).

As Lewis Capaldi opens his heart in the new Netflix documentary How I’m Feeling Now, fans of the Scottish artist repay the faith by tuning into his music. Three of his singles climb the singles chart, and his debut LP from 2019, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (EMI), blasts 17-4 on the albums tally. Divinely led the chart following its initial release and it has now logged 204th cycles.

Another artist enjoying a bounce is Taylor Swift, whose albums Midnights (6-5), 1989 (20-17), Lover (29-20) and folklore (34-25), all via EMI, are all on the up. Swifties in the U.K. are eagerly awaiting the domestic leg of her The Eras Tour, which is currently winding its way across America.

Finally, Linkin Park’s sophomore album Meteora (Warner Bros) bolts back into the top 10, thanks to a 20th reissue featuring previously unreleased works with unheard vocals from the late frontman Chester Bennington, who died in 2017. Meteora led the chart first time around, and returns at No. 7.

16 Apr 2023

Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding Extend ‘Miracle’ U.K. Chart Reign

Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s U.K. chart miracle continues to play out as their hit single locks-up a second week at No. 1.

The throwback rave tune “Miracle” (via Columbia) holds off Libianca’s rising Afrobeats track “People” (5K) for its second cycle atop the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published April 14. “People” lifts 4-2 for its peak position, ahead of Ed Sheeran’s former leader “Eyes Closed” (Atlantic), which holds at No. 3.

The highest new entry on the latest survey belongs to Drake, as “Search & Rescue” (OVO/Republic Records) bows at No. 5. Drizzy’s latest track, which includes the voices of Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner, is the Canadian singer and rapper’s 38th top 10 entry in the U.K.

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As expected, Lewis Capaldi enjoys a sales spark following the release of his new Netflix documentary How I’m Feeling Now. The Scottish singer and songwriter sees three tracks climb the U.K. top 40 — “Forget Me” (up 45-8), “Pointless” (reenters at No. 17), and “How I’m Feeling Now” (up 37-24), all via EMI, while his debut 2019 LP Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent gains 17-4 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.

David Guetta scores a 46th top 10 appearance with “Baby Don’t Hurt Me” (Parlophone), the EDM star’s collaboration with Anne-Marie and Coi Leray. It’s new at No. 26 on the OCC’s singles tally. The bouncing tune, which samples Haddaway’s 1993 house hit “What Is Love,” becomes Anne-Marie’s 17th top 40 appearance and Leray’s second.

There’s a new K-pop girl group in the U.K. top flight. South Korean girl group Fifty Fifty make their first top 40 appearance with “Cupid” (WM Korea), new at No. 34. The four-piece comprises Aran, Keena, Saena and Sio, and was formed last year by South Korean entertainment agency ATTRAKT.

Finally, U.S. country star Morgan Wallen now has his first U.K. top 40 single, as “Last Night” (Republic Records) improves 59-35 in its sixth week on the survey. It’s lifted from his Billboard 200 leader One Thing At A Time, which scraped into the U.K. top 40 last month at No. 40.

16 Apr 2023

Pete Davidson Returning to ‘SNL’ as Host With Musical Guest Lil Uzi Vert

Up next on SNL will be Pete Davidson as host and Lil Uzi Vert as musical guest.

The lineup for the May 6 episode of Saturday Night Live was confirmed over the weekend. Former SNL cast member Davidson’s return to the sketch comedy show follows April 15’s Ana de Armas-hosted episode, on which Karol G performed.

Davidson left SNL in May 2022, after eight seasons with the cast. He’s readying the release of his upcoming Peacock series Bupkis.

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In February, Lil Uzi Vert claimed their first No. 1 as a lead artist on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart with the single “Just Wanna Rock,” which also peaked in the top 10 on the Hot 100. Their most recent solo full-length album, Eternal Atake, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release in 2020.

See the SNL announcement for May 6 below.