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23 Feb 2023

Jennifer Lopez Celebrates Twins Max & Emme’s 15th Birthday With the Perfect Taylor Swift Song

Jennifer Lopez‘s twins are all grown up. On Wednesday (Feb. 22), the “Let’s Get Loud” singer celebrated her children Max and Emme’s 15th birthday on Instagram with a sweet video montage of their moments together, along with a very fitting Taylor Swift song to soundtrack the video.

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“Happy birthday to my beautiful, brilliant coconuts,” the singer captioned the video, which had Swift’s Fearless track “Fifteen (Taylor’s Version)” playing in the background. “I am so proud of you both in every single way. You bring so much joy and happiness to my heart and soul. I love you beyond forever … HAPPY BIRTHDAY #Twins.”

Lopez welcomed her twins with then-husband Marc Anthony in 2008, four years after they tied the knot. Following the singer-actress’ marriage to Ben Affleck, Max and Emme have three more siblings — Violet, Seraphina and Samuel, whom the Oscar winner shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner. Anthony is also expanding his brood, as he announced wife Nadia Ferreira is pregnant with his seventh child.

Coincidentally, Swift’s “Fifteen” will also be turning 15 later this year. The track was released as the fourth single from Fearless after its predecessors “Love Story,” “White Horse” and smash “You Belong With Me.” The original version of “Fifteen” spent a total of 21 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 23. Meanwhile, “Fifteen (Taylor’s Version)” — which appeared on Swift’s 2021 re-recording of Fearless — peaked on the all-genre tally at No. 88.

See Lopez’s birthday tribute to Max and Emme below.

23 Feb 2023

Iggy Azalea Says She’s Still in Touch With Britney Spears and Would Totally Collaborate Again

Though Iggy Azalea remains bummed that her 2015 collaboration on “Pretty Girls” with Britney Spears was not all she dreamed it could have been, the Australian rapper said she is still down for whatever when it comes to Brit.

“I have spoken about this before. I just feel like there was so much we wanted to do with it that we never got to… We never got to do all we wanted to do,” Azalea told Andy Cohen on Wednesday night’s (Feb. 22) Watch What Happens Live in response to a caller’s question about whether she has kept in touch with Spears since the singer’s conservatorship ended in Nov. 2021 and if she’d be up for another collaboration.

Whether it was more performances or remixes, Azalea said she thought the song never reached its full potential because Spears was “so limited” at the time. “Now that she has the ability to do it her way 100%… I love Britney and she’s so much more creative than what people give he credit for… I would love to be a part of more of anything that she had to do, especially when they’re 100% her own ideas,” Azalea said.

Azalea also noted that the two have been in touch since the dissolving of Spears’ restrictive conservatorship and that they DM each other on Instagram. “My collaboration with her is always one of my favorite collaborations,” she said of the song that peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100; at the time, Azalea angered some Britney fans when she expressed her frustration with the lack of promotion for the song, tweeting, “its difficult to send a song up the charts without additional promo and tv performances etc. unfortunately im just featured.”

In a supportive tweet in summer 2021, Iggy said she backed then efforts to remove Spears from her 13-year conservatorship, noting that such arrangements should be “illegal” and that during a performance of “Pretty Girls” in 2015 she witnessed the tight control on Spears’ life at the time.

“She is not exaggerating or lying,” Azalea wrote at the time. “I saw her restricted from even the most bizarre & trivial things: like how many sodas she was allowed to drink. Why is that even necessary.” Azalea also claimed that moments before the pair’s Billboard Music Awards performance she was told that if she did not sign a non-disclosure agreement she would not be allowed on stage.

During the “Truth or Touch Up!” segment of the WWHL chat, Iggy daintily sidestepped the question of who the better rapper is between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B while slathering makeup on Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy. But when asked what the weirdest request has been on her OnlyFans account, Azalea laughed and said, “I actually love it. Men pay me to tell them that they’re a piece of s–t!”

The rapper also broke down the sexist quality she looks for in men (“witty banter”), the wildest part of opening for Beyoncé on tour (the excellent catering), the pet peeve that drives her nuts (when her assistant doesn’t strap her clothes down in a suitcase) and the sexiest music video of all time.

Watch Azalea on Watch What Happens Live below.

23 Feb 2023

Jon Halperin Joins From the Roots as Talent Buyer for Poconos Park

Veteran talent buyer Jon Halperin has joined the expanding team at From The Roots as talent buyer for its boutique festival site and amphitheater, Poconos Park in Pennsylvania.

From The Roots is a new music real estate development, venue management and independent promoter company founded by veteran entertainment entrepreneur, executive and marketer John M. Oakes. 

In early 2022, From the Roots acquired more than 200 acres of land, including the nearly $40 million- development formerly known as Mt. Laurel Performing Arts Center and the Tom Ridge Pavilion.

“From The Roots recognized the venue’s immediate potential, took action, renovated, upgraded and reopened as Poconos Park,” according to a press release.

Halperin has been buying music talent for nearly 25 years for venues like the Chain Reaction in Anaheim, Calif. (where he booked the Mars Volta’s first show) as well as The Glass House in Pomona, Calif.

“It’s great to be working with Jon again,” says Oakes. “Jon has decades of history and knowledge from booking a wide range of talent across genres. We are excited to work with him to curate headliners and continue to foster developing artists on shows as he has throughout his career.”

Halperin will work remotely from Southern California and continues to book the Isle of Light festival in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as well as the Gridlife and Celebrez en Rose festival brand. Halperin also worked for the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, First City Festival in Monterey Calif., All Tomorrow’s Parties Warped Tour and Hootenanny.

“This opportunity allows me to continue to expand my talent buying reach,” says Halperin, “While at the same time it is very exciting to be a part of a growing a larger capacity independent venue and company!”

23 Feb 2023

BTS’ Jimin Unveils Cover Art & Tracklist for Debut Solo Album ‘FACE’

BigHit Music unfurled the artwork and complete tracklist for Jimin‘s upcoming debut album, FACE, on Thursday (Feb. 23).

The post on the label’s official Twitter account reveals the project will contain six tracks, including main track “Like Crazy” and pre-release single “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” which will drop March 17. A release promises that the song will find the BTS member exploring “his resolution to free himself from various emotions hidden deep inside him.”

Meanwhile, the studio effort’s metallic cover art features the title depicted beneath ripples on the surface of a body of water. The stark graphic may come across as cryptic upon first glance, but a message on the tracklist poster provides more clues about the reflective themes of Jimin’s solo set: “Circle of Resonance. Reflection of vulnerable minds and unexposed wounds. Face, the reflection of myself in an unfamiliar appearance … Face of facing the deepest part of inner-self.”

The six-song tracklist also shows off the inner circle of producers and songwriters Jimin enlisted for FACE — from Pdogg, GHSTLOOP and BLVSH to Chris James, EVAN and Supreme Boi. His BTS bandmate RM also helped co-write three tracks on the album, including album opener “Face-off,” “Like Crazy” and its English version.

To go along with the tracklist and cover art, Jimin also released a short video giving ARMY a brief, behind-the-scenes look at the making of FACE. Check out the short clip, complete tracklist and chrome cover art below.

23 Feb 2023

FBI Paid Informant To Disrupt 2020 BLM Denver Protests: Report

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Source: Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Getty

An investigative podcast revealed facts that the Federal Bureau of Investigation hired a violent felon to sow discord at Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020.

A newly released podcast, Alphabet Boys, unveiled information that showed that the FBI paid Michael Adam Windecker II to infiltrate protests organized by the social justice group in Denver, Colorado in 2020. The journalist behind the podcast, Trevor Aaronson, revealed how the agency paid Windecker $20,000 to ingratiate himself with activists on the ground who were protesting police brutality after the deaths of George Floyd and Elijah McClain.

Aaronson utilized documents obtained from the FBI through Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) requests to detail how the former felon agreed to be an informant because he wanted to “fight terrorists” and viewed those protesting as “people who participate in violent civil unrest are terrorists.” Windecker, who is white, would stand out at those protests driving a silver hearse full of weapons.

The podcast goes on to show how Windecker tried to recruit other activists as he got more involved with them over that summer, including Zebbodios “Zebb” Hall. “How extreme do you want it to go? Do you want to learn to shoot a gun and throw someone around, or do you want to go all the way uptown? If that’s what you want to do, I can make it happen,” he was overheard saying on undercover recordings. Windecker would go on to organize demonstrations in August that would lead to assaults against police stations in the city.

The plot became sinister as he coerced Hall to purchase a firearm for him after Hall refused to go along with a plot to assassinate Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. “I had to get this guy this gun because if I don’t get this guy this gun, he’s got my information. He’s got my family’s information,” Hall said in an interview. Aaronson would relate that Windecker used intimidation on everyone: “Windecker spoke of having killed people. He had a criminal history that was violent.”

The podcast has caused reactions of outrage and demand for accountability, including a statement from Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). “If the allegations are true, the FBI’s use of an informant to spy on first amendment-protected activity and stoke violence at peaceful protests is an outrageous abuse of law-enforcement resources and authority,”  he said. “I think you’re allowing these tactics to win if ultimately you’re choosing not to exercise your First Amendment rights for fear of government infiltration,” Aaronson said of the podcast.

23 Feb 2023

Damon Wayans Jr. & King Bach Are Working On New Graphic Novel, ‘Shogun Run’

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CBS 'Happy Together' TV show panel, TCA Summer Press Tour, Los Angeles, USA - 05 Aug 2018

Source: Variety / Getty

For a minute there it seemed like Damon Wayans Jr. was going to be following in his family’s footsteps and become a mainstay in the comedy scene after appearing in films like The Other Guys and Dance Flick, and TV shows like New Girl and Happy Together.

But instead of continuing to just build his acting resume, the Wayans family legacy will be taking a crack at the comic book industry and is teaming up with popular Internet personality, Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor, to create a new graphic novel that’s bound to get the culture’s attention. Variety is reporting that the Let’s Be Cops actor and former Vine superstar will be working on a new comic book dubbed Shogun Run which is set in South Central LA in the 90’s and described as described as Big Trouble in Little China meets Attack the Block. Both of which are classic films though Attack The Block is mainly known on the UK scene as it was set in London and released exclusively in the United Kingdom before making it’s way to the States.

Naturally, Wayans and Bachelor are excited about the project.

Wayans Jr. said: “Creating a graphic novel has been a goal of mine since childhood, and to be able to do it with such an awesome team is definitely a dream come true.”

Bachelor added: “I am thrilled to be partnering with Damon, David and Gary along with the amazing team at First Second to create an action-packed world and story that will entertain people around the world.”

The novel is set to release in 2025 via First Second, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers. Helping Wayans and Bachelor with Shogun Run will be producers David Uslan and Gary Glushon who will be serving as creative consultants on the project. As for who will be tapped to illustrate the graphic novel, that’s still to be determined. Still, we’re sure said artist will have some good stuff to work with, at least that’s what Senior VP and Publishing Director at Macmillan, Allison Verost is promising.

Verost said: “‘Shogun Run’ is going to be a game-changer. It’s an immersive, cinematic adventure brought to life by a brilliant creative team. We could not be more delighted to have this book on our list.”

With the deal that Wayans and Bachelor inked with First Second, a series or film adaptation os Shogun Run is said to be down the line and if it really lives up to the Big Trouble In Little China meets Attack The Block in South Central LA during the 1990’s, it’s going to be quite the spectacle and we can’t wait.

Are you looking forward to Shogun Run? Let us know in the comments section below.

23 Feb 2023

Doechii, TDE’s First Female Rapper, Is Ready For Her ‘Pop Era’

Doechii recently watched ­Avatar: The Way of Water, and it got her thinking about a key Na’vi tenet: “All energy is borrowed, and someday you have to give it back.” “That’s exactly how I feel,” she says. “From the women before me, I’m borrowing their energy so that one day I can give it back to the girl after me. That’s what I’m here to do.”

In just the past year, the 24-year-old rapper from Tampa, Fla. — who started releasing music in the 2010s before self-funding her debut EP in 2020 — has used that energy to impressive ends. In March, she became the first female rapper to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment, subsequently scoring a record deal with Capitol as well. Late-night TV and awards show performances followed, as did a string of standout singles, most notably “Persuasive,” which has 30 million official U.S. on-demand streams, according to Luminate. She also released her major-label debut EP, the five-track she / her / black b–ch, which peaked at No. 23 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and featured Rico Nasty and labelmate slash “big sister” SZA.

“Everything aligned,” says Doechii. And yet, despite her stellar 2022, this year’s Rising Star is planning an even bigger 2023 — which will include the first male feature on one of her songs, a Coachella performance and the release of her first full-length. “I’m in year three of my five-year plan,” she continues. “I’m constantly rising and I definitely haven’t arrived yet — at all. But I’m coming.”

What kind of pressure have you felt as the first female rapper signed to Top Dawg Entertainment?

A good pressure, because I know with me being the first, the next female rapper on TDE is going to look to me, look at the things I did and didn’t accomplish, and hopefully be better than me. That’s the point. I’m a leader of a new era of TDE, which feels really good. A lot of my fans reach out all the time about the impact that I’m making for them just being an alternative Black girl. Doing it on TDE like this is cool.

You mentioned borrowing energy and passing it on. Who did that for you?

They don’t even know they did it for me. It was artists like Trina, Nicki Minaj, Lauryn Hill, SZA — just powerful women being powerful women. Even watching Beyoncé be Beyoncé, she shows me that I have permission to be a boss. I can be a woman, and I can be a boss. Then Rihanna, she’ll be like, “I can be a savage.” Sometimes I’m sassy, sometimes I’m not. Watching all of them gives me permission to be more of myself.

Doechii

Doechii photographed on May 17, 2022 at Seret Studios in Brooklyn.

Hao Zeng

Is there a favorite recent memory you shared with your labelmate SZA?

She’s like a big sister to me. When we were on tour [in 2021] she gave me a lot of advice on what to expect from the industry and how to carry myself. She has just always been supportive of who I am.

You mentioned your five-year plan — what will year five look like?

By year five I want to be at my peak. I want to be in my Sasha Fierce era, the top of my game with still a long way to go — but I want to reach my prime and never leave it.

You show so many sides of yourself in your music. What haven’t we seen yet?

Y’all are going to get it this year. It’s my pop era. Usually I’m alone [in the studio], but these days I’ve been inviting people in. Usually I like people to send me beats and I’ll just listen through, but recently I’ve been working with producers like J White in person, which is cool. So my vibe is kind of changing; it’s a lot of energy. It feels like a party.

Doechii

Doechii photographed on May 17, 2022 at Seret Studios in Brooklyn.

Hao Zeng

Is this the year you’ll release a full project?

I will. I said that last year, though, and I didn’t. Like, for real for real, I have to this year. It’s not even funny, I have to. It’s time for me to debut this year. My fans will kill me if I don’t.

This story will appear in the Feb. 25, 2023, issue of Billboard.

23 Feb 2023

Talks of Cher & Alexander “AE” Edwards Possibly Eloping Has Sons Extra Upset, Allegedly

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Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - November 02, 2022

Source: joce zerojack/Bauer-Griffin / Getty / Cher

76-year-old Cher is drunk in love with her young boo, 37-year-old Alexander “AE” Edwards. Rumor has it Cher is thinking about eloping with him, and her sons are unhappy about the news.

Talk of engagement between the unlikely love birds began floating when Cher posted a photo of a massive diamond ring “given” to her by AE, but according to sources, that was not the case.

Spotted on Dlisted on sources are now saying there is a chance Cher and AE are considering eloping, and her sons, Chaz Bono and Elijah Blue Allman, are S A L T Y.

Per Dlisted:

They allegedly want Mama Cher to stop seeing the younger man who they believe is after her for her money and industry access, and she’s reportedly thinking about cutting them out of her will because of it. This rumor should be taken with an entire salt lick because fighting with Cher about dating a younger dude is like fighting with a fish for swimming!

Her sons also seem to think the relationship is ridiculous, but for opposite reasons than their love-struck mother.

RadarOnline reports the family beef is over Cher’s $360 million fortune and the possibility she and AE are heading to Vegas for a shotgun wedding.

Is AE Only Dating Cher For Her Money?

“Cher is mad at them she’s ready to cut them out of her life completely,” according to a source. “She’s been hell-bent on marrying this guy and is speaking to her lawyers about adjusting her will to make AE her sole beneficiary.”

Another source paints AE as a bum just dating the iconic singer for her money. “He’s barely paid for anything since he and Cher met in Paris last September,” the source says.

Regardless of what the sources are saying, Cher is telling AE I got you babe and does not care what anyone thinks.

Well, if your thing is hobosexuals, Cher, you go on and be great, and don’t let anyone tell you who you should spend your money and time with.

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Photo: joce zerojack/Bauer-Griffin / Getty

23 Feb 2023

The Contenders: Will P!nk’s ‘Trustfall’ Land Her at No. 1? 

Welcome to The Contenders, a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week (for the upcoming charts dated March 4), as SZA’s SOS goes for its 10th week atop the Billboard 200 albums chart, she’ll have to fend off pop’s most acrobatic veteran star, as well as hitmakers from the country and dance worlds.  

P!nk, Trustfall (RCA): While P!nk used to be one of top 40’s most ubiquitous figures, she hasn’t reached the Billboard Hot 100’s top 40 since 2017 and her most recent lead single, “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” has so far toppedout at No. 99. Still, two decades of being a household name — and more recently, a stadium-level touring draw – ensure that P!nk remains a major threat on the Billboard 200. She’s topped the chart with each of her last three albums, most recently 2019’s Hurts 2B Human.  

Trustfall will, however, be P!nk’s first album release since the 2020 elimination of ticket bundles from Billboard 200 calculations – sure to affect the first-week numbers for such a top-flight live draw. Helping to make up the sales difference will be the multiple options for physical purchase via P!nk’s webstore, including a limited -edition T-shirt box set, and a “zine-pak” including a CD.  

Jordan Davis, Bluebird Days (MCA Nashville): Since Jordan Davis’ 2018 debut album, Home State, he has become one of country’s preeminent hitmakers on both radio and streaming, with four Country Airplay No. 1s and two entries on the all-genre Streaming Songs chart. Both of those latter hits are found on Davis’ sophomore album, Bluebird Days, as well as the currently rising Billboard Hot 100 single “Next Thing You Know.” Bluebird is available for sale in a variety of physical packages on Davis’ webstore. 

Skrillex, Quest for Fire / Don’t Get Too Close (Owsla/Atlantic): Skrillex has been one of the most visible dance artists of the last 15 years, just about everywhere except the Billboard 200. Until last week, he’d only released one full-length album, 2014’s No. 4-peaking Recess. But after dropping Quest for Fire and then, as a surprise, Don’t Get Too Close on Saturday, that number of LPs has tripled for the no-longer-bespectacled superproducer.  

Both releases came in the midst of a live Skrillex performance blitz in New York – alongside big-name collaborators Four Tet and Fred Again.. — with three surprise gigs at smaller venues (including one “pop-up rave” out of a converted school bus) leading up to the trio’s much-anticipated Saturday night performance at Madison Square Garden, where Close was first announced. The albums are currently streaming, but only available for physical purchase through preorder on the Atlantic webstore, with CDs set to arrive in March, cassettes in April and vinyl in July.  

IN THE MIX 

Taylor Swift, Lover – Live (Republic): Taylor Swift never got to properly tour behind her 2019 album Lover before the pandemic hit, but before heading out on her Eras Tour, she’s giving fans a taste of what might have been with this live set, taken from her one-off “City of Lover” Paris concert that September. Don’t bother searching for it on Spotify or Apple Music, though – Lover – Live was only made available for limited purchase (on heart-shaped double vinyl) via Swift’s webstore, and already looks to be sold out.  

Big Scarr, The Secret Weapon (1017/Atlantic): Signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 label, Memphis rapper Big Scarr looked to be one of the decade’s rising stars before his death from a prescription drug overdose at age 22 in December. This month, his too-brief legacy is continued with the release of posthumous album The Secret Weapon, a 17-track effort featuring appearances from Gucci, Pooh Shiesty and Key Glock. 

23 Feb 2023

Kylie Jenner Denies Mocking Selena Gomez’s Eyebrows: ‘No Shade Towards Selena Ever’

Kylie Jenner is clearing the air after her recent posts raised a few eyebrows. When fans started accusing the makeup mogul of shading Selena Gomez‘s brow shape on Wednesday (Feb. 22), Jenner almost immediately shut it down by commenting on a TikTok about the alleged insult.

“This is reaching,” the Kylie Cosmetics founder wrote. “No shade towards selena ever and I didn’t see her eyebrow posts! u guys are making something out of nothing. this is silly.”

According to Cosmopolitan, Gomez also chimed in. “Agreed @kyliejenner It’s all unnecessary,” the pop star replied to Jenner’s comment. “I’m a fan of Kylie!”

The overblown brow beef all started when the Only Murders in the Building actress shared that she’d “accidentally laminated my brows too much” in a TikTok story, showing followers how her eyebrow hairs were sticking up a little more than usual. Soon after, Jenner posted a photo of herself with the words “this was an accident???” written unmistakably over her own eyebrows.

Followers thought the text placement was a little suspicious, especially after Jenner followed it up by posting a screenshot of her FaceTiming Hailey Bieber, both models holding their phone cameras up close to their own perfectly plucked eyebrows. Ever since Hailey married Justin Bieber, whom Gomez famously dated on and off for several years, onlookers have generally always been quick to speculate that the two women dislike each other, though they seemingly squashed the gossip by posing for cute photos together at an event in November.

However, hours after commenting on the TikTok that she’s a fan of Jenner’s, the Rare Beauty founder commented “I love you” on another TikTok in which a user candidly slams “nepo babies” Jenner (who is mentioned by name) and Hailey (whose name is hashtagged) for being “mean girls.” So, who knows where everyone really stands?

You can find screenshots of the eyebrow posts and more explanation about the alleged drama in the TikTok Kylie and Selena commented on below: