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17 Feb 2023

Goldenvoice’s Palomino Festival Not Returning For 2023

Goldenvoice’s alt-country, roots and Americana-centric Palomino Festival, which had its inaugural year in 2022, will not be returning this year.

“Palomino Festival will not be taking place in 2023,” a spokesperson for the festival tells Billboard, but declined to give further reasons for the event not returning. The spokesperson also declined to offer attendance figures for Palomino Festival’s 2022 event.

The one-day festival was held on July 9, 2022, at the Rose Bowl’s Brookside grounds in Pasadena, Calif., with Kacey Musgraves headlining.

The festival’s inaugural performer lineup also included Willie Nelson & Family, as well as Zach Bryan, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Turnpike Troubadours, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charley Crockett, Orville Peck, Valerie June and Nikki Lane.

Goldenvoice also produces the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, as well as the largest country music festival, Stagecoach, both held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. While Stagecoach has increasingly incorporated a more inclusive lineup of performances from alt-country and/or Americana artists into its three-day lineup (Sierra Ferrell, Valerie June, Turnpike Troubadours and Tyler Childers will appear at this year’s iteration), the Palomino Festival was created to shine a brighter light on an eclectic style of music that incorporates everything from country, western, folk, indie rock, alternative and more.

“I’ve always wanted to do this type of festival, focused on music that lives on the edge of what is and isn’t country,” Goldenvoice talent buyer Stacy Vee previously told Billboard prior to the Palomino Festival’s inaugural event, noting that the name Palomino is in part a tribute to the former North Hollywood Palomino country music club. “It’s very important to me that these artists that I cultivated amazing relationships with get their own look and moment.”

This year’s Stagecoach festival is slated to return April 28-30, with both Kane Brown and Chris Stapleton making their first headlining runs, while fellow headliner Luke Bryan makes his fourth headlining appearance. The multi-week Coachella festival is set for April 14-16 and 21-23, with headliners including Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK and Frank Ocean.

17 Feb 2023

Linkin Park’s ‘Lost’ Is First Song to Debut at No. 1 on Rock & Alternative Airplay in Over a Decade

For the first time in over a decade, there’s a No. 1 debut on Billboard’s Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.

Linkin Park’s “Lost,” recorded during the sessions for the band’s 2003 album, Meteora, and released Feb. 11, bows at No. 1 on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay list dated Feb. 25.

In the Feb. 10-16 tracking week, “Lost” earned 10.1 million audience impressions, according to Luminate. That’s the best weekly impression count for any song since Lana Del Rey’s “Doin’ Time” earned 10.5 million in its sixth and final week at No. 1 (Oct. 12, 2019).

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The last song to debut with a higher audience total than “Lost”? “Jumpsuit” by Twenty One Pilots (10.2 million, July 21, 2018; it opened at No. 4 that week).

“Lost” is one of just four songs to bound in at No. 1 on Rock & Alternative Airplay dating to the chart’s June 2009 inception – and Linkin Park is the first act to achieve the feat twice. The band’s “The Catalyst” began atop the Aug. 21, 2010, survey, followed by Foo Fighters’ “Rope” (March 12, 2011) and Green Day’s “Oh Love” (Aug. 4, 2012).

Linkin Park lands its fourth Rock & Alternative Airplay No. 1, after “New Divide” ruled for 12 weeks in 2009, followed by “The Catalyst” (five weeks, 2010) and “Burn It Down” (11 weeks, 2012). In between “Burn” and “Lost,” the band appeared on the chart nine times, led by the No. 7-peaking “Lost in the Echo” in 2012, but had not made the list since 2017, following the death of frontman Chester Bennington that July. (“Lost” is the first song in the chart’s archives to hit No. 1 after the passing of its vocalist.)

Linkin Park ties Red Hot Chili Peppers for the seventh-most Rock & Alternative Airplay No. 1s. Foo Fighters lead all acts with nine.

Most No. 1s, Rock & Alternative Airplay:

  • 9, Foo Fighters
  • 6, Cage the Elephant
  • 6, Green Day
  • 6, twenty one pilots
  • 5, The Black Keys
  • 5, Imagine Dragons
  • 4, Linkin Park
  • 4, Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • 3, Weezer

Concurrently, “Lost” starts at No. 4 on Alternative Airplay, the best premiere for any song since Linkin Park’s own “The Catalyst” soared in at No. 3 in 2010. It’s the band’s 18th top 10 and first since its Steve Aoki co-bill “A Light That Never Comes,” which reached No. 7 in 2013.

The band’s 18 top 10s tie it for seventh-best in the chart’s 34-year history. Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers rule with 28 apiece.

Most Top 10s, Alternative Airplay:

  • 28, Foo Fighters
  • 28, Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • 24, Green Day
  • 23, U2
  • 21, Weezer
  • 19, Pearl Jam
  • 18, Linkin Park
  • 18, The Offspring
  • 17, Muse
  • 17, The Smashing Pumpkins

“Lost” also begins at No. 6 on Mainstream Rock Airplay, also Linkin Park’s 18th top 10 and, in this case, its first since “Until It’s Gone” ruled for a week in 2014.

While Linkin Park makes its first appearance on a Billboard airplay tally in more than five years, Bennington’s voice has been heard on charted entries following his passing via the release of music from Grey Daze, his pre-Linkin Park band. That act’s “Sickness” hit No. 2 on Mainstream Rock Airplay in May 2020, followed by a No. 29 peak for “B12” that September.

More chart appearances for “Lost” are set for other Billboard charts dated Feb. 25 (all to refresh on Billboard.com Wednesday, Feb. 22). “Lost” is a taste of the 20th-anniversary reissue of Meteora, due April 7. The album debuted as Linkin Park’s first of six No. 1s on the Billboard 200, ruling for two weeks in April 2003.

17 Feb 2023

Sanremo 2023: Four Important Takeaways From the Italian Song Contest

The 73rd edition of the Sanremo Festival ended just a few days ago but its aftermath will last for a long time. Not just for the quantity of funny memes, but also for the impact that the event had on streaming platforms and on the growth of the artists’ profiles on social media. And finally, for spurring a debate topic that concerns not just music but the society we live in: The absence of women among the five finalists. Was that just a matter of appreciation of the songs – like many artists themselves said – or is there something deeper?

Also: Did the six new artists coming from Sanremo Giovani really benefit from the participation in the main competition?

The impact on streaming platforms

The TV show ended, so the competition is now shifting to the digital world. Like after the last editions, streaming platforms are dominated by Sanremo songs, as clearly shown by Spotify’s Top 50 (Italy and Global) and Apple Music’s Top 100 Italy. The most streamed songs on both Spotify and Apple Music are Lazza’s “Cenere” (“Ashes”), Mr. Rain’s “Supereroi” (“Superheroes”), and winner Marco Mengoni’s “Due Vite” (“Two Lives”) – the top three contestants of Sanremo 2023.

The impact of Sanremo on streaming platforms can also be observed on a global scale. Six songs of the top 10 of Spotify’s Top Songs Debut Global are from Sanremo: Besides the three already mentioned, also Madame’s “Il Bene nel Male” (“The Good in the Bad”), Rosa Chemical’s “Made in Italy,” and Tananai’s “Tango.” Is streaming the festival’s true democracy?

Growth on social media

The Italian agency of influencer marketing FLU analyzed the contestants’ impact on social media. In the digital world, the most active audience was the one comprised between the age of 18 and 24. It is another confirmation of the generational turnover that characterized Sanremo in the last years, supported by the growing number of younger artists participating in the contest.

Overall, Sanremo generated more than a billion views for the hashtag #sanremo2023 and millions of views for the videos published by the festival’s official profile. The artists’ profiles also benefited from such a visibility and massively raised their number of followers. Rosa Chemical saw a growth of 158%, Mr. Rain of 98,84% and Colapesce & Dimartino of 55%. In absolute numbers, Marco Mengoni surpassed all the others once again, with 400,000 new followers.

The absence of women among the five finalists

Marco Mengoni immediately said that he wanted to dedicate his victory to “all the women who participated this year and brought wonderful songs on stage.” During a press conference the day after, he added that Italy still has a lot to do when it comes to gender equality. The female artists themselves did not want to accuse anybody and minimized the issue. Still, the last time a woman won Sanremo was with Arisa’s victory in 2014.

Before the beginning of Sanremo, Elodie said in an interview with Vogue Italy: “Male artists don’t get bothered as much. If you’re a male, you do your thing and that’s it. But I have the impression that someone is always there to judge me. That pisses me off. I get the feeling that I’m not good enough. Men get judged less.”

There are many factors to consider, starting from a deeper understanding of the demographics of those who vote from home. But the gender gap is still an issue in the Italian music industry.

Equaly, an Italian community of female professionals of the music industry, analyzed the problem closely. In the last year’s edition of Sanremo, women were 36% of the contestants. This year, that figure fell to 33.7% – 11 female artists out of 28 contestants. No wonder women had fewer chances to make it to the final stage of the contest.

“There are several reasons why the Italian music market is not very inclusive,” said Francesca Barone, co-founder of Equaly. “For sure, a few factors are the way Spotify’s algorithms work, the success of trap music, the pandemic giving women the burden of family care, and also Italy’s traditional mentality, still dominated by patriarchal schemes.”

The new artists at Sanremo

If you are 20 and have the possibility of showcasing your talent in Italy’s prime music event, the final result is maybe not too important. Still, it is worth noting that the six artists coming from the contest Sanremo Giovani occupy the lower positions of the final ranking: with a No. 20 ranking, Colla Zio were the most successful. It is difficult to compete with household names and their fan bases built over the course of decades.

Prior to the event, Billboard Italy asked artistic director and main host Amadeus about this issue. He said that he just wanted to give newer artists the right space: “This world needs to trust the young, both in music and entertainment. People my age often reject their ideas, but they’re wrong. It’s us who need to adapt and enter their world, also because they spontaneously fall in love with the past.”

Sethu, Shari, Colla Zio, gIANMARIA, Olly, and Will paid the price of not being known to the general public before the beginning of the festival. Sanremo’s younger audience has been getting bigger and bigger, but how many of them actually vote?

17 Feb 2023

Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Janelle Monáe, Omar Apollo, Beabadoobee & More

Need some new tunes to jam out to for your long weekend? Look no further — Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

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From Janelle Monáe’s return to music to Omar Apollo’s TK new single, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Janelle Monáe feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, “Float”

“No I’m not the same/ I think I done changed.” It’s quite the statement coming from Janelle Monáe, a pop cultural chameleon who has spent the last decade of their career effortlessly switching between sounds, professions and styles, but always remaining uniquely herself. “Float,” then, feels like an anthem to Monáe’s status of consistent fluctuation. The beat and melody ease into your eardrums offering near-instant serotonin boosts, as Monáe celebrates herself for a moment.

Omar Apollo, “3 Boys”

Omar Apollo just can’t let go, despite his best efforts. On his latest single “3 Boys,” the rising R&B superstar attempts to move on from a relationship, but realizes that there will always be more than one in the relationship. His silky vocals arc perfectly over an aching melody, arriving at a falsetto zenith with the song’s blissful chorus.

Beabadoobee, “Glue Song”

Being “stuck to someone like glue” may not be groundbreaking territory for song lyrics, but when Beabadoobee sings them on “Glue Song,” they can’t help but feel fresh. This soft, sweet love song sees the indie singer-songwriter falling head over heels, accompanied by an unchallenging, gorgeous melody. If you’re feeling that post-Valentine’s Day dip, don’t hesitate to let Beabadoobee boost you back up.

Cavetown, “Del Mar County Fair 2008” (Underscores cover)

Sometimes, a song is so good that you don’t need to change much for a cover. That’s certainly the case for Cavetown’s rendition of Underscores’ “Del Mar County Fair 2008,” wherein the indie sensation puts their own spin without needlessly altering this tender track. Playing with pitch switches and a sweet guitar melody, Cavetown simply nails his version with all of the emotive expression fans have come to expect.

Deb Never, “Momentary Sweetheart”

“Momentary Sweetheart” is designed to fool you. What starts out as a quiet, simple song about trying to hold yourself together quickly devolves into a Deb Never banger about finding comfort in someone else’s arms. The slow-build of the song perfectly suits Never’s angsty-yet-sincere performance here, as she confidently asks, “Don’t you hate when I go?”

Shea Couleé, “Material”

Ever since her first appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9, drag superstar Shea Couleé stood out with her musical chops. Now, she’s back and asking you to just look at the “Material.” This pounding club track sees Couleé once again asserting herself as The One™, effortlessly switching between ethereal vocals and rapid-fire raps. Placing it all over an excellently-crafted dance track, “Material” is sure to wind up in a club near you ASAP.

The Aces, “Always Get This Way”

Alt-pop purveyors The Aces are ready to give you the goods this weekend. “Always Get This Way,” the band’s new single off their forthcoming album, is a glittering ode to anxious insomnia, as lead singer Cristal Ramirez recounts the many sleepless nights she’s spent confronting her own insecurities. Don’t worry, though — while the subject matter may be dour, “Always Get This Way” is nothing but alternative bliss, and one of The Aces’ best yet.

Serpentwithfeet, “Gonna Go”

There is a difference between being in a relationship that’s “comfortable” and one that’s actually good. That’s a realization baroque pop singer Serpentwithfeet comes to in the middle of “Gonna Go,” his latest near-perfect queer love song. While the production and musical energy of the track deserve plenty of praise, it’s the star’s songwriting that shines bright here; lines like “all those crumbs don’t make it pie” and “I’ve been crunching numbers and it says you’re not the one” perfectly evoke the matter-of-fact point of this lush new track.

Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:

17 Feb 2023

Carin Leon Sings a Soulful Cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Man In Black’: Stream It Here

Carin León has released his own version of Johnny Cash’s “Man in Black,” available exclusively on Apple Music as part of the Nashville SC official playlist. 

In the tribute song — which celebrates the launch of MLS Season Pass and the Nashville Soccer Club kit honoring the life and legacy of Cash — León delivers a soulful rendition of the country folk song originally released in 1971. It starts with León’s crispy, raspy vocals backed by warm guitar riffs and later transforms into a country fusion with Regional Mexican elements. 

“Johnny Cash is an icon within country and American folk music, although his music continues to have a strong influence within music across all genres today,” the artist born Óscar Armando Díaz de León Huez said in a press statement. “It’s very important for me to be a part of this very meaningful project and we’re doing things with all of the respect that a figure as important as Mr. Johnny Cash deserves.”

Released over 50 years ago, “Man in Black” — which was a nickname given to Cash for the way he dressed — is a protest song he penned against how poor people were treated by wealthy politicians. “I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down/ Living in the hopeless, hungry side of town/ I wear it for the prisoner who is long paid for his crime/ But is there because he’s a victim of the times,” he chants in the lyrics. 

“This song is a very personal thing, but it’s the way I feel about a lot of things,” Cash expressed when he performed the song for the first time. 

Honoring his legacy, the “Man in Black” kit was inspired by The Backline Supporters Collective (the club’s fans) and created in collaboration with the Johnny Cash Estate, Sandbox Succession, and Wasserman Music. The kit will debut on February 25 on MLS Season Pass via the Apple TV app. 

Listen to Carin León’s cover of “Man in Black” here.

Carin Leon

Carin Leon

Courtesy of Apple Music

17 Feb 2023

Ops Exposed: Messages Between D.C. Cop & Proud Boys Leader Revealed

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Federal prosecutors revealed messages that a D.C. police officer exchanged with the leader of the Proud Boys before the January 6th insurrection during his trial.

On Wednesday (Feb.15th) in the trial of the far-right group’s leader, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, and four associates, prosecutors for the federal government presented a series of text messages between him and Metropolitan Police Lt. Shane Lamond. These messages included internal information that Lamond shared with Tarrio. Lamond was an intelligence officer with the Metropolitan Police tasked with investigating the group, and a 23-year veteran of the force.

One exchange on December 18th, 2020 featured Lamond asking Tarrio if he had called in an anonymous tip claiming his responsibility in burning a Black Lives Matter banner taken from a historically Black church in downtown Washington D.C. after a Trump rally. Tarrio responded that he had done “more than that”, confirming he shared the deed on social media. On the same day, Tarrio had expressed to other Proud Boys members that he “got the jump on the narrative” on the burning in an effort to make it difficult to charge him with a hate crime. He cited his “contact at DC Metro”, advising those members to keep the info to themselves. Tarrio would also get word that he was to be arrested on January 4th, 2021, changing the settings in his chat with Lamond to have messages “self-destruct”.

Another startling exchange took place a week later as Lamond informed Tarrio that he had ID’d Tarrio to the criminal investigation department in a photo the leader had posted to Parler. “They may be submitting an arrest warrant to the U.S. Attorney’s office,” he wrote. Justice Department prosecutor Conor Mulroe asked FBI Special Agent Peter Dubrowski if he had ever observed law enforcement disclosing sensitive information in that manner, to which Dubrowski replied, “I’ve never heard of it. I see no benefit [to law enforcement].” Sabino Jauregui, Tarrio’s attorney, stated to the judge when the jury was removed that further exploration of Lamond’s texts would show that Tarrio provided heavy information to federal and local authorities to help stem the damage from the riots on January 6th.

In a statement released that day, Lamond’s attorney Mark Schamel said that the officer (who was placed on administrative leave in February 2022) aided in Tarrio’s arrest for the banner burning and that his job “was appropriate and always focused on the protection of the citizens of Washington, DC.”

17 Feb 2023

From P!nk to Skrillex, Which New Music Release Is Your Favorite? Vote!

We’re halfway through February, and there’s a massive new batch of music to sift through by everyone from P!nk to Skrillex. With so many new options, we want to know which new release you’ll have on repeat going into Presidents’ Day Weekend.

The pop veteran unfurled her ninth studio album, Trustfall, complete with singles “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” the anthemic title track and “When I Get There” as well as guest features from The Lumineers, First Aid Kit and Chris Stapleton, while Skrillex dropped his long-awaited sophomore album Quest for Fire. The follow-up to 2014’s Recess features high-octane collabs with the likes of Missy Elliott, Fred Again, Pete Wentz, Porter Robinson and Joker.

Meanwhile, Janelle Monáe teamed up with Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 to deliver carefree new single “Float,” and Niall Horan kicked off a new era with “Heaven,” the swoon-worthy lead single off his upcoming third solo album, The Show.

Plus, Omar Apollo treated fans to the dreamy mathematical rebound conundrum that is “3 Boys” — his first single in the wake of his star-making 2022 debut Ivory. And Polo G tapped Future for the contemplative “No Time Wasted.”

Depending on how your Valentine’s Day went, you also have Kelsea Ballerini‘s post-divorce EP Rolling Up the Welcome Mat and Caroline Polachek‘s hot-and-heavy new studio set Desire, I Want to Turn Into You to keep on rotation as you work out the emotional rollercoaster that is love.

No matter what you’re listening to this weekend, vote for your favorite release in Billboard‘s weekly new music poll below.

17 Feb 2023

First Spin: The Week’s Best New Dance Tracks From Icona Pop & Galantis, LP Giobbi, Kx5 & More

This week in dance music: Diplo’s Mad Decent Publishing sold its catalog to Iconoclast, the masters Depeche Mode made an appearance on Hot Trending Songs, Skrillex, Fred again.. and Four Tet announced a set at Madison Square Garden happening tomorrow (Feb. 18) night, we unpacked the story of a Twitch channel recreating the sound of legendary New York club Danceteria each week, Alison Wonderland, Kaskade and GRiZ were announced as part of the lineup for Insomniac’s Moonrise fest this August, DJ Hanzel dropped by the Billboard News studio to talk major s–t about his nemesis Dillon Francis, Beyoncé’s dance output saw chart surges in the wake of her Grammy wins and Skrillex released his sophomore album, Quest For Fire.

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That’s a lot, but you know there’s more. Let’s dig in.

Icona Pop & Galantis, “I Want You”

Valentine’s Day may have come and gone for 2023, but it’s still not too late to shoot your shot. Don’t know how? Allow Icona Pop and Galantis to assist. The trio have teamed up on a catchy dance tune for Ultra Records: “I Want You,” which basically says for you all the things you wish you had the courage to say to your kinda, maybe, possibly-boo. “We don’t have to play these games,” sing Icona Pop. Their vocals smolder and swell alongside Galantis’ production, a series of windswept breakdowns, euphoric synth stabs and throbbing choruses to turn up the heat. “I Want You” is sweet and definitely not subtle. — KRYSTAL RODRIGUEZ

LP Giobbi feat. Little Jet, “Can’t Let You Go”

“Once in a while, you get shown the lights in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” That’s a lyric from the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias,” a song that means an awful lot to LP Giobbi’s dad, and therefore LP herself. She actually just got the line tattooed on her arm, and it also served as the inspiration for the title of her recently announced debut album, Light Places. 

“I am grateful and proud to be raised by two magnificent Dead Heads who have danced their way through life seeking joy, sharing love and cherishing moments,” LP says. Today, we can all dance our way toward the album’s full release on May 12 with the help of its fourth single. “Can’t Let You Go,” with Little Jet, is a psychedelic slice of prog-rock cool that melts into a sturdy foundation of bass-walking groove. A vintage veneer shimmers across its disco-tized surface, fitting nicely into the style of preceding singles “All In A Dream,” “Forever And A Day” and “Body Breathe.” The full album is due out on Ninja Tune’s Counter Records. Let the countdown begin. – KAT BEIN

Kx5 & Sofi Tukker, “Sacrifice”

“Will you sacrifice for me if I don’t sacrifice for you?” Kx5 (Kaskade x deadmau5) ask the uncomfortable questions on their latest single “Sacrifice,” a collaboration with Sofi Tukker. Somehow, Sofi Tukker member Sophie Hawley-Weld’s soft vocals come off as vulnerable and uneasy against the brooding production, whose atmospheric melodies erupt into rip-roaring techno. It’s a fraught battle between light and dark, where the darkness ultimately comes out with the edge.

“This song stings with the truth. It’s ultimately about ambition and about choosing yourself and your job over someone you love,” writes Sofi Tukker. “It’s one of our favorite songs we’ve ever written, in part because it comes from such an honest and real place.” — K.R.

Vindata feat. Ozer, “No Service”

You ever hear your phone vibrate and feel like throwing it at the wall? Sounds like you might need to head to a spot with “No Service” and just let the vibe ride. Luckily, Vindata’s first single of the year is here to inspire inner peace via some garage-style synth layers and lightly broken beats. It’s a real “disconnect to connect” moment, and it feels like the absolute right path for a funkdafied future.

“I’m really excited to kick-off 2023 with ‘No Service,’” Vindata’s Branden Ratcliff says. “I think this song sets the tone for much of the direction I’m heading in creatively.” “‘No Service’ is my first track into the EDM/house sound, and what better way than to do a silky and fly track with the one and only Vindata,” vocalist Ozer adds. “Vibe out to the track and put your phone on airplane mode to avoid life’s distractions. Sorry for not replying. All 2023, I don’t have ‘No Service.’” – K. Bein

HUGEL x Ryan Arnold x El Chuape, “Pa Lante”

French producer HUGEL may be an unlikely source of Latin house music, but as the internet makes the world and dance scene ever more connected and compact, today we get the dually steamy/hyphy “Pa Lante.” A collaboration with U.K. producer Ryan Arnold and the Dominican Republic’s El Chuape, the song is a white-hot peaktime anthem for those parties where the dancefloor is just the beach. The collab also marks a big moment for HUGEL, following his recent collaboration with BLOND:ISH, a remix of Madonna’s “Sorry.” — KATIE BAIN

Tiësto & Cristobal Tapia De Veer, “Renaissance” (The White Lotus Theme) [Remix]

The White Lotus‘ season two theme song has already been subject to a series of excellent bootleg remixes, and now Tiësto has gone ahead and made it official with his very own, very HBO-sanctioned edit of the track. A staple of Tiësto sets for the last few months, the edit turns up the BPM and the intensity on the yodel-ey heater, giving it the same ominous-but-sexy vibe as say, a luxury hotel perched on the edge of a cliff in Sicily. “As a huge fan of The White Lotus I couldn’t be more excited to be releasing the official remix” said Tiësto. “I was instantly hooked on the theme song so I had to put my spin on it for my live sets… every time I play it, the crowd goes crazy! I’m thrilled HBO wanted to partner and make it official.” — K. Bain

17 Feb 2023

George Gervin Sues Ralph Lauren For Using His Likeness Without Consent

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The team at Ralph Lauren has some explaining to do. George Gervin is suing the brand over unauthorized use of his likeness.

As spotted on Nice Kicks the basketball legend has filed a lawsuit against the apparel and home goods company. According to Bloomberg Law he is seeking compensation over what deems to be a clear and cut case of exploitation of his likeness. The Polo Ralph Lauren marque is selling a sneaker called the “Gervin Mid”. Not only does it use his name but the shoe bears a striking resemblance to the Nike’s Blazer Mid Vintage 77 sneaker which he was the first to debut in an NBA game.

According to the paperwork he was alerted about the Ralph Lauren release by a friend who saw the high-top and sent him a text congratulations. Gervin and his legal team then sent a cease and desist letter and followed up with a formal lawsuit. “I have worked hard throughout my career to build my name and reputation, and I will not allow any company to exploit it without my permission” Gervin said in a formal statement about the matter. “I am taking legal action to protect my rights and ensure that consumers are not misled”. Counsel for Ralph Lauren says that this is all a coincidence and they named their sneaker the “Gervin Mid” because it “sounded good”.

Nicknamed “the Iceman”, is an American former professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls. Gervin averaged at least 14 points per game in all 14 of his ABA and NBA seasons, and finished with an NBA career average of 26.2 points per game. In 1996, Gervin was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and in 2021, Gervin was named as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.

You can see a comparison of both models below.

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17 Feb 2023

Lizzo’s Cover of Sam Smith’s ‘Unholy’ Will Blow You Away

Lizzo celebrated Valentine’s Day in the most “Unholy” way. The “Special” singer/rapper hit the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge earlier this week for a run through the Sam Smith/Kim Petras Bilboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit and, of course, she had to put her signature flute filagree on the song.

In a spare, bass-thumping arrangement that leaned into the track’s sensual groove Lizzo totally sold the bump-and-grind attitude of the original before busting out her woodwind and adding a jazzy interlude. She brought it home with some ad libbed soul shouting, assisted by three back-up singers repeating the chorus and a wailing electric guitar solo.

Smith and Kim Petras performed their Grammy-winning song at this year’s show earlier this month and then again at the 2023 Brit Awards on Feb. 12. According to U.K. broadcasting regulator Offcom, the latter received more than 100 complaints, even though it didn’t feature the same Satan-themed touches as the Grammy set.

For the Brit Awards, Sam and Kim took a more literal approach to their “Body Shop” metaphor from the song’s lyrics, with an industrial set, flying sparks and mechanic’s outfits on both performers and their dancers. While it is unclear which parts of the performance received complaints, Offcom received 106 complaints for the 2023 Brit Awards, the majority of which were aimed at Smith and Petras.

The complaint comes after the pair’s highly publicized Grammy’s performance, which also drew plenty of criticism for its use “satanic” imagery from viewers and even a few right-wing politicians, including Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Church of Satan itself ended up weighing in, saying the pair’s performance felt pretty tame.

Check out Lizzo’s Live Lounge performance of “Unholy” below.