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21 Mar 2023

NCT DREAM Talk U.S. Tour, New Music & Why ‘Everything Comes With Timing’ for ‘7DREAM’

When NCT DREAM made their live Stateside return last August as one of KCON’s most anticipated performers, a quiet moment when youngest member Jisung sang just two words from the boy band’s debut single “Chewing Gum” saw the Crypto.com Arena audience erupting into shrieks. It was a quick-but-telling indication of the local interest in the young boy band that made its Billboard 200 debut last year without a proper label deal.

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While last summer’s festival appearance only included five of the seven NCT DREAM members, the entire DREAM crew is now gearing up for a proper visit to America.

On Tuesday (March 21), NCT DREAM dropped the English version of their nostalgic hip-hop single “Beatbox” before heading out on another string of dates in The Dream Show2: In a Dream world tour that includes seven arena shows in April. While many K-pop acts quickly make their way to the U.S. for concerts and opportunities — including NCT counterparts NCT 127, who began promoting in the States heavily after one year together — NCT DREAM is playing across the U.S. more than six and a half years after their debut. While it may have felt like a long wait, the band says the timing for the next step of their “journey” was important and they’re considering all aspects to make the next legs of the world tour special.

NCT DREAM’s Mark, Haechan, Renjun, Jeno, Chenle, Jaemin and Jisung tell Billboard that their newest English song not only was a present for the overseas fans they’re visiting, but also delivered a fresh musical experience for the band too. As the septet hint that more English tracks are on the way, and add they are “actively participating” in their forthcoming studio album due later this year, the focus right now is showcasing the onstage synergy of these seven — or “7DREAM,” as they call themselves.

Read more from the 7DREAM guys, including thoughts on their latest music, touring aspirations, messages for NCTzen fans, and what’s next for NCT DREAM.

Congratulations on the recent news of your growing world tour and English single “Beatbox.” You debuted in 2016; why is now the right time to focus some of your time on the west? 

MARK: Everything comes with timing. This year, we are touring on a scale like never before and felt it’d be good to release an English single since we’re meeting fans around the world. We can’t wait to further continue our journey with all of our fans. 

How was the experience of recording this new version of “Beatbox”? Is this indicating more English music from NCT DREAM? 

RENJUN: It felt like we were recording a new song when working on the English version of “Beatbox” so it was quite fun. I tried to record in a way that’d suit the vibe of the track, and I believe this version shows NCT DREAM’s own colors well so I hope everyone enjoys!  

HAECHAN: It’s been a year since we worked on this track again so I feel like we did better with recording this round. The demo track was actually in English; the vibe we first got when listening to it combined really well with NCT DREAM’s to give this version its own sense of uniqueness. And I hope people will look forward to hearing more of NCT DREAM’s English tracks!  

What should fans expect from the U.S. leg of the The Dream Show2? Will you prepare special stages, or do you want to keep the current show intact? 

JENO: This U.S. tour will be a chance for fans to learn more about NCT DREAM. We are also working hard to make sure that our shows are a place of interaction with our fans. We’ve only performed in the U.S. twice before, so it’ll be exciting to get to see different locations, stay longer and meet more of our international fans. 

JAEMIN: I hope fans are excited for not only the “Beatbox” English version but all the stages we’ve prepared! Lots of work went into preparing to finally meet our U.S. NCTzens—we hope they are equally as excited to see NCT DREAM. 

This is your first time performing your own concerts in America and you’re playing arenas. Is anyone surprised by the demand for NCT DREAM in the States?

CHENLE: It’s mind-blowing to see so many people show their love and support, and I cannot express enough how thankful we are.  

JISUNG: This is the first time after the pandemic that we’re going to the U.S. as “7DREAM,” so it hasn’t quite hit us yet but I’m sure the moment we see our fans up close, it’ll sink in. 

MARK and HAECHAN, you’ve had some experience with NCT 127 promoting across the U.S. Did you share any advice with the other members?

MARK: The only advice I told them was how hard we’re going to work. [Laughs] Despite my experience with NCT 127, promoting for NCT DREAM is a new beginning and experience for all the seven of us. The only thing I had to discuss with our members was to be ready to work extra hard, and to try our best to interact with our fans as much as we can. 

HAECHAN: I just hope everyone enjoys the moment. It’s our first time in the U.S. as 7DREAM and I’m sure people are excited as well, but it’s important that we enjoy it ourselves so that we can create those memories for our fans.  

Anything you’re particularly excited about seeing during the tour?

JENO: I’m most excited to hear the cheers of our NCTzens in all the countries and cities we’ll be going to.  

CHENLE: I am looking forward to showing the amazing stages we’ve prepared to all the NCTzens that’ll be coming to see us! I’m also excited to be going to California because I’m a big Stephen Curry fan! We haven’t had much time to explore the U.S. so even the thought of simply being in California is exciting.  

NCT DREAM has been so busy! You released Candy for the holidays, your first Japanese single “Best Friend Ever” at the top of 2023, there are Asia, Europe and now U.S. tour dates; when are you finding the time to relax and rest? 

RENJUN: Even when we’re busy with several activities, it’s always a good time because it’s spent with my members so even working feels like fun — that in itself sounds like healing to me!  

JISUNG: When we have a lot of schedules, there are times when we aren’t able to rest as much but I’m the kind of person who gains more energy from staying active. I do make sure to relax and take care of myself though on days that are less busy. 

What else can we look forward to in 2023? We’ve seen a studio album on the schedule for you. Are there any spoilers you can share? 

JAEMIN: We are actively participating in our upcoming full-length album and working very hard to bring out the best. I hope people will be able to see just how much we’ve put into it when the album comes out.

Anything else to add for Billboard readers or U.S. fans? 

MARK: NCT DREAM is here to see you guys!!! Thank you to all the fans that waited so patiently for us to come—can’t wait to show you NCT DREAM and how we really care about our time here in the west. See you, guys! 

21 Mar 2023

TikTok CEO Shares Video Ahead of Congressional Hearing Claiming Half of U.S. Is on App

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew posted an urgent video on the app on Tuesday (March 21) that aimed to demonstrate how ingrained TikTok is in the lives of more than 150 million Americans at a time when the app is under threat of being banned (again). 

Chew is set to testify before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday. His appearance comes as politicians and regulators repeatedly express concern that TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, will turn user data over to the Chinese government. (TikTok has repeatedly denied these allegations.) Earlier this month, TikTok said the U.S. government had asked Bytedance to sell the app or face a ban, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

Chew’s video started out celebratory and seemed couched in terms straight out of U.S. political debates, emphasizing the app’s reach and its potential economic impact. “I’m super excited to announce that more than 150 million Americans are on TikTok,” Chew said. The app had previously touted 100 million U.S. users in 2020. (It has over 1 billion active users globally.)

“That’s almost half the U.S. coming to TikTok to connect, to create, to share, to learn, or just to have some fun,” Chew continued. “This includes 5 million businesses that use TikTok to reach their customers. And the majority of these are small and medium businesses.” 

@tiktok

Our CEO, Shou Chew, shares a special message on behalf of the entire TikTok team to thank our community of 150 million Americans ahead of his congressional hearing later this week.

♬ original sound – TikTok

But this triumphant tone quickly gave way to a warning. “Some politicians have started talking about banning TikTok,” Chew added. “This could take TikTok away from all 150 million of you.” He called this a “pivotal moment” for the app and asked users to leave comments noting “what they love about TikTok” so he could pass those on during his meetings in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. government’s scrutiny of TikTok is not new; President Trump threatened to ban the app back in 2020. (India did ban the app that year.) TikTok has been in lengthy talks with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to try to come up with a solution that allays fears about the way it handles users’ data, but these negotiations appear to have made little headway. The U.S. government recently banned TikTok from all federal devices.

TikTok spokespeople have described the threat of a larger ban as “little more than political theater.”

“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem,” a spokeswoman for TikTok told The Associated Press earlier this month. “A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access.”

21 Mar 2023

Megan Thee Stallion Rocks Rainbow Leggings While Snapping Pics With Fans at Super Nintendo World

Super Nintendo World has officially arrived at Universal Studios in Hollywood, and Megan Thee Stallion was spotted enjoying the video game-themed fantasy world this week.

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In photos shared by fans on Twitter, the “Savage” rapper is gorgeous in rainbow leggings and a black crop top, with her thick, natural hair framing her face. She’s seen smiling and greeting fans before snapping photos with them.

Super Nintendo World opened at Universal Studios’ Hollywood location in February and is inspired by the world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, Mushroom Kingdom. The interactive land features rides like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and fun activities like dining at Toadstool Cafe and shopping at the 1-UP Factory.

Earlier this month, Meg teased a new album at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. When asked by Entertainment Tonight about the prospect of new music, the rapper cheekily replied, “Oh I am, new album, f–k y’all hoes, bye!” before sauntering off with a laugh.

While she did not offer any more details, a new full-length would serve as a follow-up to her 2022 sophomore effort Traumazine, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and contained hit singles “Sweetest Pie” with Dua Lipa, “Plan B,” “Pressurelicious” featuring Future, “Her” and the Key Glock-assisted “Ungrateful.”

21 Mar 2023

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Starts With Supersize Setlist, Stunning Stage & Surprise Songs

Ever since Taylor Swift announced The Eras Tour back in November, fans have had a lot of questions. The biggest one: With six albums released since her Reputation Tour back in 2018, how could she possibly do each project justice in a limited setlist?

Well, after she kicked off the first two tour dates on Friday and Saturday in Glendale, Ariz. — or Swift City, ERAzona, as it was ceremonially renamed — we discovered that the setlist wasn’t so limited after all. Over the course of the three-hour-plus concert, Swift performs all or portions of 44 songs.

Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of

The 13 Best Moments From Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Kickoff

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast (listen below), Katie & Keith are talking all about the much-anticipated tour launch, thanks to on-site reporting from founding Pop Shop host Jason Lipshutz. Plus, we’re looking ahead to our own Pop Shop field trip for this weekend’s Las Vegas dates.

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Rema and Selena Gomez hit the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 together with “Calm Down,” how Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” is back at No. 1, how both Miley and TWICE make splashy debuts in the top three on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and how women dominate the top of the Billboard 200 in a way we haven’t seen in over a decade.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard’s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard’s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s senior director of charts Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

21 Mar 2023

2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards: How to Watch the Show Online

Ready for the big show? The 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards, hosted by Lenny Kravitz, will air live from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Monday (March 27) at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.

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The awards show will feature appearances from Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, Latto, Coldplay, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and more.

Harry Styles, Lizzo and Swift lead this year’s nominations race with eight nods each. Other nominees include SZA, Drake, Bad Bunny, Bebe Rexha, Doja Cat, Jack Harlow, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rihanna, Luke Bryan, The Weeknd, Anitta, Dua Lipa, Tiësto, Elle King, Elton John, Lil Nas X, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney, Kim Petras, Kodak Black, Bailey Zimmerman, Shania Twain, Swedish Mafia House, Post Malone and Morgan Wallen.

Performers include Clarkson, Kravitz, Keith Urban, Latto, Benatar and Giraldo, Muni Long, Cody Johnson, Coldplay and P!nk, who will receive the 2023 iHeartRadio Icon Award.

Swift will be on hand to receive the 2023 iHeart Innovate Award. The special honor is given out “only on occasion” and celebrates an artist that has “proven themselves to have impacted global pop culture throughout their career.” 

“This is the one awards show that shares the hard-earned journeys to the top of the biggest artists and songs of the year with fans,” John Sykes, iHeartMedia’s president of entertainment enterprises, said in a statement. “It’s not a competition, rather a celebration of ‘best in class’ and viewers across America can watch it live on Fox.”

Keep reading for ways to watch and stream the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

How to Watch & Stream the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards

The 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards will premiere live at 8 p.m. ET on Fox while a taped-delayed edition will air for the West Coast at 8 p.m. PT.

Viewers who have access to Fox through cable, satellite, streaming or a good-old fashioned TV antenna, shouldn’t have much trouble watching the show on TV or streaming it online at Fox.com.

Those who don’t have live television can stream the 2023 iHeart Music Awards on platforms such as Sling, DirectTV Stream, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo, and Vidgo (use ExpressVPN to stream internationally).

Sling is cheapest among the bunch at $20 (regular $40) for the first month while Direct TV Stream, Fubo and Vidgo offer free trials and affordable streaming plans starting at around $65-$75.

Hulu+ Live TV ($74.99) lets you stream over 75 live channels including Fox, NBC, ABC, MTV, CMT, BET, OWN, TLC, Food Network, ID, Vice, TNT and TruTV in addition to everything on Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+.

Want to watch the show on the go? All of the aforementioned streamers are accessible from your smartphone, computer and other streaming devices.

The 2023 iHeartRadio Awards will also broadcast across iHeart Media radio stations and on the iHeart Radio app.

21 Mar 2023

Method Man ft. RJ Payne “Butterfly Effect,” Freeway “Old Roc” & More | Daily Visuals 3.21.23

HipHopWired Featured Video

As of late it feels like Method Man seems to have gotten his second Hip-Hop wind as the Ticallion Stallion’s been dropping off new work on a more consistent basis than he has been in previous years.

Looking to keep his grind in first gear, Johnny Blaze comes through with some new visuals for the RJ Payne assisted “Butterfly Effect” in which Meth gets his throwback on and busts out the 40oz of beer, Kangol bucket hat, and old school boombox that’s rarely seen in the hood anymore. Gotta appreciate a good boombox on the block. Just sayin.’

From Staten Island to Philadelphia, Freeway showing he still got that work for the streets and in his clip to “Old Roc,” Free heads back to his old stomping grounds to lay it down before linking up with his team at a parking garage to blaze some chronic and spit some bars. Great to see Freeway back on his feet after his health scare a few years ago.

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Young Dolph, EST Gee, and more.

METHOD MAN FT. RJ PAYNE – “BUTTERFLY EFFECT”



FREEWAY – “OLD ROC”



YOUNG DOLPH – “LOVE FOR THE STREETS”



EST GEE – “THE ONE & ONLY”



JOE E. FT. DJ RBI – “BLESSED”



LIL KEED – “HITMAN”



BLUEFLAG 1900 – “CULLIAN MUSIC”



MO PRAPA – “WORLD GO ROUND/MO PRAPA”



21 Mar 2023

Naomi Osaka Shows Off Adorable Baby Bump on the Streets of Japan

Naomi Osaka took to social media on Tuesday (March 21) to show off the her baby bump, just months after it was revealed she’s expecting her first child with Cordae.

The tennis pro shared a series of snaps from a street in Japan, wearing a cropped green jersey with her last name and the number 97 emblazoned on the back, her baby bump adorably peeking out in front. She paired the top with a pair of voluminous oversized jeans, beige and gray sneakers, large gold hoops and a baseball cap by On.

Osaka’s more than 2.7 million Instagram followers couldn’t get enough of the sporty on-the-street shoot. “Mama in Japan…better not delete this!!!!!!!” fellow tennis champ Sloane Stephens commented using the Japanese flag and a heart eyes emoji, while a fan wrote, “it’s giving mommy.”

Others were quick to compare the four-time Grand Slam champ to the also-pregnant Rihanna, with one follower writing, “Cordae really saw Asap and said hold my racket” in reference to RiRi’s relationship with A$AP Rocky and another commenting, “okayyy!! it’s giving Rihanna.”

While her latest carousel is the first time she’s posted her pregnancy on her feed, Osaka first revealed she was expecting at the start of the year by sharing a snap of her ultrasound. At the time, she didn’t mention the identity of the baby’s father, but her spokesperson confirmed to Billboard that she was, indeed, welcoming the bundle of joy with Cordae.

Last month, the “Two Tens” rapper sat down with Billboard to discuss his new PUMA x HI-LEVEL collection as well as his friendship with regular collaborator Anderson .Paak.

Check out Osaka’s chic pregnant street style below.

21 Mar 2023

Watch Virginia Tech Students Sing Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ After NCAA Ban

Nothing can stop Virginia Tech students from supporting their team.

This year, the NCAA is hoping to keep on-campus host sites as neutral as possible by fining a host for playing traditional hype songs, such as Virginia Tech playing “Enter Sandman” as it usually does during women’s basketball games at Cassell Coliseum. Virginia Tech started playing the Metallica hit back in 2000 during the season opener for football at Lane Stadium.

While the NCAA is preventing actual venues from playing hype songs through their speakers, there’s nothing they can do about fans taking matters into their own hands. During VT’s Friday night (March 17) game against Chattanooga, Hokies supporters in the coliseum began belting the chorus to the heavy metal 1991 classic a capella, making for a special, uniting moment.

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It all paid off too, as Virginia Tech won 58-33 against Chattanooga.

Metallica shot to No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums and Hard Rock Albums tallies following the 2021 30th-anniversary reissue of its self-titled 1991 album, also known as “The Black Album.” The 30th anniversary reissue remasters the original 12 tracks and also includes a multi-disc box set including live versions, alternate takes and more.

Meanwhile, The Metallica Blacklist, the 53-song companion album featuring covers of Metallica’s tracklist from a variety of artists, also gained a No. 1 hit on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart thanks to Miley Cyrus’ cover of “Nothing Else Matters,” featuring WATT, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo and Chad Smith.

21 Mar 2023

Se7en & Actress Lee Da-hae Announce They Are Getting Married

Congratulations are in order for Se7en and Lee Da-hae, who revealed on Monday (March 20) that they are getting married this spring.

The K-pop superstar revealed the “happy news” in an update to his more than 550,000 followers, writing, “I have vowed to marry my girlfriend Lee Da-hae, who always embraced me with love, and shared joy and sorrow together for the past eight years.” He added that the ceremony will take place on May 6, concluding, “From now on, I will live with more responsibility as a head of a family and a husband.”

Over on her Instagram account, the actress shared a series of wedding photos of the gorgeous couple. “We have vowed to become a husband and wife from a long-term couple this coming May. Although I’m still used to calling him a ‘boyfriend,’ I will become more considerate and a bigger supporter of ‘him,’ who gave me big happiness by staying by my side and now will be my forever companion,” she wrote in her caption. “It will be a huge happiness for us if we can get married in your love and blessings.”

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Se7en, who released his debut album Just Listen back in 2003, dropped his most recent EP, Ride, in November 2022. Lee, meanwhile, has been a regular on TV dramas throughout her career, and has had roles in Good Witch, IRIS 2 and more.

See their announcements below.

21 Mar 2023

Lotus Drummer Chuck Morris & His Son Feared Dead After Arkansas Kayaking Trip

A recovery effort for Lotus percussionist Chuck Morris and his son Charley is currently underway in Fayatteville, Ark.

As first reported by Arkansas’s local 4029 News, Morris — percussionist for longstanding live electronic band Lotus — and his 20-year-old son were reported missing last Thursday after embarking on a kayaking trip on Beaver Lake, a manmade reservoir in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas.

In an update posted Tuesday (March 21), the band announced that the search for the pair has now shifted to a recovery effort.

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“We were all hoping for a miracle, but at this point, the search for Chuck and Charley has moved to a recovery,” the post states. “With help from the K9 team, there is a probable location on the lake, but logistical challenges including temperature, weather, and depth have prevented a recovery thus far. It is unknown how long these efforts may take. While we are deeply grieving, we plan to celebrate Chuck and Charley’s lives, our memories with them, and what they meant to so many people.”

After forming in the late ’90s, Lotus became a favorite on the North American jam and electronic circuits, playing clubs shows and festivals including Camp Bisco, Gem & Jam and Okeechobee, along with major venues including Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Terminal 5 in New York City.

The band has already toured extensively in 2023, with additional club and festival dates on the calendar through September. It’s currently unclear whether Lotus will play these shows.

A GoFundMe set up to benefit Morris’ family has currently raised more than $86,000.

“Please know how grateful our family is for all the outpouring of support,” Morris’ wife, Jenny Thompson, wrote in an update posted Monday. “Chuck absolutely loves the Lotus family and fans and was so inspired after coming home from this last tour. You make his life so meaningful and we are thankful for that. Please continue to hold my lovely husband and son in your hearts and prayers.”