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11 Feb 2023

Quality Control Music Acquired By Scooter Braun’s Hybe America For $300K

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Quality Control Music Presents: BAQC To School Block Party

Source: Prince Williams / Getty

Quality Control Music, one of the most popular record labels in Hip-Hop, was acquired by Hybe America, the entertainment company helmed by Scooter Braun. According to reports, Quality Control Music was purchased at the price of $300,000.

The news was first announced on Wednesday (Feb 8.) by Hybe America and QC Media Holdings as reported by the New York Times. Hybe shared that the price of the acquisition includes both cash and stock holdings. Braun, one of the top music executives in the business, was named CEO of Hybe America in January. Hybe America’s parent company, Hybe, is based in South Korea and manages the K-pop group BTS.

“QC is one of the most significant independent labels in the world,” Braun said to The New York Times in a statement. “They not only distribute music, but they also distribute culture. Their artists are the voices of their communities.”

Quality Control Music was established in 2013 under the leadership of Pierre “P” Thomas and Kevin “Coach K” Lee. The label is the home of Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, and the Migos. According to P and Coach K, they are still the heads of the label but Braun will direct all business moves.

“We want to take our brand worldwide and need partners with mind-sets like ours — ground up, self-made and building companies from nothing,” P added in a statement regarding the new deal. “All of Hybe’s leaders are entrepreneurs with track records for finding, growing and amplifying their talent globally.”

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Photo: Getty

11 Feb 2023

Harry Styles, Wet Leg, Beyoncé and More Record-Setters at 2023 Brit Awards

Harry Styles achieved a clean sweep at the 2023 Brit Awards, which were held at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday (Feb. 11). Styles won all four awards for which he was nominated — artist of the year, Mastercard album of the year, song of the year and the fan-voted pop/R&B act. This is even better than Adele’s strong showing last year. She won three of those awards, but lost pop/R&B act to Dua Lipa.

Harry’s House is the fourth album to win the top album award at both the Brits and the Grammys since 1985, when the Brits began presenting an award in that category on a consistent basis. It follows Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required and a pair of Adele albums, 21 and 25.

This is Styles’ second win in three years for song of the year at the Brits. “Watermelon Sugar” took the award two years ago. Styles first won in the category 11 years ago as a member of One Direction for the fizzy “What Makes You Beautiful.”

Styles opened this year’s telecast with a terrific performance of his global smash “As It Was.” This made up for a performance of the song on the Grammys that was hindered by technical issues. “This night has been really special to me and I’ll never forget it,” he said on winning Mastercard album of the year. “I’m so proud to be a British artist out in the world.”

Wet Leg and Beyoncé each won two awards on the night. Wet Leg became the third female-fronted group in a row to take group of the year. Wolf Alice won last year. Two years ago, the award went to an all-female group, Little Mix, for the first time. Wet Leg also won best new artist. The five-member band is the first group to win in that category since Catfish and the Bottlemen seven years ago.

Beyoncé won international artist of the year, beating three other American acts (Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo and Taylor Swift) and Nigerian superstar Burna Boy. Beyoncé had previously won female international artist of the year twice, back when the Brits had gendered categories. Beyoncé also won international song of the year for “Break My Soul,” beating Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” and Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero,” among other songs.

Styles, Wet Leg and Beyoncé all won in multiple categories at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5. Styles took album of the year and best pop vocal album for Harry’s House. Wet Leg won best alternative music album for their eponymous debut album and best alternative music performance for “Chaise Longue.” Bey won four Grammys, enabling her to set a new record as the most awarded artist in the show’s history.

Fontaines D.C. became the third Irish group to win international group of the year. They follow U2, which won in that category a record five times between 1988 and 2001, and The Corrs (1999).

Kid Harpoon, who co-wrote all but one song on Harry’s House, won the 2023 songwriter of the year award.

David Guetta won as producer of the year. This marks the first time someone from continental Europe (Guetta is French) has won the award. Accepting the award, Guetta said, “I’ve been making records for 22 years. To have longevity is such a miracle in what we do.” Guetta has yet to receive a Grammy nomination for producer of the year, non-classical.

Becky Hill won the fan-voted award for dance act for the second year in a row. She was the only one of the 2022 winners in the four fan-voted genre award categories to win again this year.

The 1975 won the fan-voted award for alternative/rock act, beating Wet Leg, among others.

Aitch won the fan-voted award for hip hop, grime, rap act. He beat last year’s winner in the category, Dave, among others.

The awards were hosted by British comedian Mo Gilligan for the second year in a row. Styles, Wet Leg and Smith & Petras performed on the show, as did Cat Burns, Lewis Capaldi, Lizzo, Stormzy and the team of David Guetta & Becky Hill & Ella Henderson. The show also included an encore airing of an Adele performance clip, “I Drink Wine,” from last year’s show. Since Adele didn’t perform on this year’s Grammy telecast, it was good to see her in action again.

The show was not glitch-free. Gilligan introduced Lewis Capaldi as “Sam Capaldi.” The Scottish singer didn’t let it throw his performance of his hit “Forget Me.” Gilligan later apologized for his gaffe on-air, adding: “It just goes to show how strong the drinks are at the Brits.”

11 Feb 2023

2023 Brit Awards Host Apologizes for Introducing Lewis Capaldi as ‘Sam Capaldi’

Lewis Capaldi took the 2023 Brit Awards stage to perform “Forget Me,” and host Mo Gilligan apparently did just that.

The comedian mistakenly introduced Lewis — whose “Forget Me” was nominated for song of the year at this year’s ceremony — as “Sam Capaldi,” which viewers were quick to comment on Saturday night (Feb. 11) on Twitter.

“I do apologize. I just called him Sam,” Gilligan said post-performance, blaming his error on the drinks served at the show.

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“Guys you know LEWIS CAPALDI gonna make some viral tweet and tiktok out of that sam capaldi thing ahahahahahahahahahah,” one fan predicted on Twitter, while others made memes of Lewis Capaldi’s head on Sam Smith‘s body on the Brits red carpet — which Capaldi immediately shared.

“Sam capaldi x,” Lewis tweeted.

“Forget Me” is the first single from Capaldi’s upcoming sophomore album, Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent. It was first released in September and peaked at No. 58 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart, but blasted to No. 1 in the U.K.

Catch the moment in the quick clip below. See the full list of 2023 Brit Award winners here.

11 Feb 2023

Sam Smith Stuns With Inflatable Latex Outfit on 2023 Brit Awards Red Carpet

Sam Smith made a grand entrance on the red carpet at the 2023 Brit Awards in London on Saturday (Feb. 11).

The 30-year-old U.K. singer-songwriter, who is nominated for two awards at this year’s Brits, turned heads while stepping onto the red carpet in an inflated black latex outfit by designer Harri. The unique outfit features a high neck with balloon-like arms and legs, a zip-up chest area, and black high-heel boots.

Smith and Kim Petras‘ “Unholy” collaboration is up for song of the year. The pair is expected to perform the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper during the broadcast at London’s O2 Arena. Smith is also up for pop/R&B act during the ceremony.

Smith’s latest album, Gloria, earned the star their fourth consecutive top 10 debut on the Billboard 200. The set clocked in at No. 7 on the albums chart. Speaking in a statement about the album, Smith called Gloria “a celebration, of all the genres and all the female divas, vocalists and pop writers that I love. I harnessed all those memories and put them into one album. And I wanted to be defiant.”

A livestream of the Brit Awards will be hosted on the ceremony’s official YouTube channel. The event is being hosted by Mo Gilligan and will feature performances by Harry Styles, Lizzo, Wet Leg, Lewis Capaldi, and others.

11 Feb 2023

Here Are the 2023 Brit Award Winners (Updating Live)

The 2023 Brit Awards are here! The prestigious ceremony is taking over London’s O2 Arena on Saturday (Feb. 11).

Harry Styles and Wet Leg tied as the most-nominated artists for the awards this year, with four nods each. Styles is up for artist of the year, Mastercard album of the year, song of the year and pop/R&B act.

Meanwhile, Wet Leg is nominated for Mastercard album of the year, group of the year, best new artist and alternative/rock act. 

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See all of the night’s biggest winners below:

Mastercard Album of the Year

The 1975, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, Dirty Hit

Wet Leg, Wet Leg, Domino Recordings

Harry Styles, Harry’s House, Columbia, Sony Music

Stormzy, This Is What I Mean, 0207/Merky, Universal Music

Fred Again..,, Actual Life 3 (January 1-September 9 2022), Atlantic Warner Music

Song of the Year

Aitch/Ashanti, “Baby,” Capitol, Universal Music

Cat Burns, “Go,” RCA/Since 93, Sony Music

Dave, “Starlight,” Dave/Neighbourhood, Universal Music

Ed Sheeran & Elton John, “Merry Christmas,” Atlantic/EMI, Warner Music, Universal Music

Eliza Rose/Interplanetary Criminal, “B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All),” Warner Records/One House/Warner Music

George Ezra, “Green Green Grass,” Columbia, Sony Music

Harry Styles, “As It Was,” Columbia, Sony Music

Lewis Capaldi, “Forget Me,” EMI, Universal Music

LF System, “Afraid to Feel,” Warner Records, Warner Music

Sam Smith & Kim Petras, “Unholy,” Capitol, Universal Music

Artist of the Year

Central Cee, Central Cee

Fred Again…, Atlantic, Warner Music

George Ezra, Columbia/Sony Music

Harry Styles, Columbia/Sony Music

Stormzy, 0207/Merky, Universal Music

Group of the Year

The 1975, Dirty Hit

Arctic Monkeys, Domino Recordings

Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Relentless, Sony Music

Nova Twins, Marshall Records, Blue Raincoat Music

Wet Leg, Domino Recordings

Best New Artist

Kojey Radical, Asylum/Atlantic, Warner Music

Mimi Webb, Epic/RCA, Sony Music

Rina Sawayama, Dirty Hit

Sam Ryder, Parlophone, Warner Music

Wet Leg, Domino Recordings

Rising Star

Cat Burns, RCA/Since;93, Sony Music

WINNER: FLO, Island, Universal Music

Nia Archives, Island/Universal Music

Alternative/Rock Act

The 1975, Dirty Hit

Arctic Monkeys, Domino Recordings

Nova Twins, Marshall Records, Blue Raincoat Music

Tom Grennan, Insanity, Sony Music

Wet Leg, Domino Recordings

Hip-Hop, Grime, Rap Act

Aitch, Capitol, Universal Music — WINNER

Central Cee, Central Cee

Dave, Dave/Neighbourhood, Universal Music

Loyle Carner, EMI, Universal Music

Stormzy, 0207/Merky, Universal Music

Dance Act

Becky Hill, Polydor, Universal Music

Bonobo, Ninja Tune

Calvin Harris, Columbia, Sony Music

Eliza Rose, Warner Records/One House, Warner Music

Fred again…, Atlantic, Warner Music

Pop/R&B Act

Cat Burns, RCA/Since’93, Sony Music

Charli XCX, Asylum/Atlantic, Warner Music

Dua Lipa, Warner Records, Warner Music

Harry Styles, Columbia, Sony Music

Sam Smith, Capitol, Universal Music

International Artist of the Year

Beyoncé, Columbia/Parkwood/RCA, Sony Music — WINNER

Burna Boy, Atlantic, Warner Music

Kendrick Lamar, Polydor/Interscope, Universal Music

Lizzo, Atlantic, Warner Music

Taylor Swift, EMI/Republic, Universal Music

International Group of the Year

BLACKPINK, Polydor/Interscope, Universal Music

Drake & 21 Savage, Island/OVO/Republic, Epic/Columbia, Universal Music, Sony Music

First Aid Kit, Columbia/Sony Music

Fontaines D.C., Partisan Records

Gabriels, Parlophone, Warner Music

International Song of the Year

Beyoncé, “Break My Soul,” Columbia/Parkwood/RCA, Sony Music

David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue),” Parlophone, Warner Music

Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran, “Peru,” Island/Atlantic, Universal/Warner

Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz and cast of Encanto, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” Universal Music Recordings, Walt Disney, Universal Music

Gayle, “abcdefu,” Atlantic, Warner Music

Jack Harlow, “First Class,” Atlantic, Warner Music

Lizzo “About Damn Time,” Atlantic, Warner Music

Lost Frequencies/Calum Scott, “Where Are You Now,” Capitol/Insanity, Sony Music/Universal Music

OneRepublic, “I Ain’t Worried,” Polydor/Insanity, Sony Music/Universal Music

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” EMI/Republic, Universal Music

11 Feb 2023

Bizarrap & Shakira Lead Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Chart for a Third Week

Bizarrap and Shakira hold strong atop the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” leads for a third consecutive week on the Feb. 4-dated ranking.

While Luck Ra’s “Ya No Vuelvas,” featuring La K’Onga and Ke Personajes, remains at No. 2, “Muñecas,” the partnership by TINI, La Joaqui and Steve Aoki, lifts 5-3; the closest La Joaqui and Aoki have been to the top 10 the 100 title-deep chart.

Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” drops 3-4, while Cris Mj, Duki and Nicki Nicole’s “La Marisola,” featuring Standly, dips 4-5. Plus, Argentinian urban artist BM secures his first top 10 with “M. A. (Mejores amigos)” as the track ascends 13-7 in its ninth week.

The week’s Greatest Gainer honors goes to Lil Cake & Migrantes’ “Mercho,” featuring Nico Valdi, rallies up the chart 64 rankings: from No. 78 to No. 14; the most since Luar La L’s “Calle” also surged 64 positions (90-26) in Aug. 2022.

Elsewhere, Feid’s “Chorrito Pa Las Animas” scores the Hot Shot Debut of the week at No. 78, the Colombian’s 10th entry. Further, Rosalía’s latest single “LLYML” opens at No. 86. Plus,  Callejero Fino claims his 11th career entry as “Que Te Vaya Bien” starts at No. 95.

Finally, Ovy On The Drums and Ozuna’s “Chao Bebe” debuts at No. 98.

11 Feb 2023

Pregnant Jessie J Reveals Her Baby’s Gender While Teasing New Song in Sweet Video

Jessie J is having a baby boy!

The 34-year-old British pop star, who recently surprised fans by announcing that she’s pregnant, took to social media ahead of the 2023 Brit Awards on Saturday (Feb. 11) to sweetly reveal the gender of her unborn child.

“Since I wrote this song every time I play it or sing it he moves like crazy… so I think this song is the one,” she captioned the video on Instagram. “Oh yeah…I’m having a boy.”

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The “Price Tag” singer playfully added, “And I promise I am wearing underwear.”

In the brief clip, Jessie is draped in a silky white robe while rubbing her exposed baby bump and beautifully singing the lyrics to a new song. “Something’s changed that I’ve been waiting for, I feel its weight falling to the floor,” she sings.

The songstress announced in early January that she was expecting a child. “I am so happy and terrified to finally share this… Please be gentle with me,” Jessie wrote on Instagram, sharing clips of her positive pregnancy test and ultrasound. The exciting news arrived more than a year after she suffered a pregnancy loss in November 2021.

While walking the red carpet at the Brits on Saturday, Jessie joked that she could “really do with a snack” and commented on her gender reveal video just hours earlier. “I just literally teased a new song an hour ago,” she said, according to the Daily Mail. “It wasn’t even really a planned thing…You have got to do what you have got to do.’

See Jessie’s sweet video on Instagram below.

11 Feb 2023

Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes, South African Rapper, Shot and Killed at 35

South African rapper AKA was shot and killed outside of a restaurant in Durban on Friday night (Feb. 10). He was 35.

The parents of AKA, whose legal name Kiernan Forbes, confirmed the passing of their son on Saturday (Feb. 11) in an emotional statement on social media.

“It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son, and confirm his untimely and tragic passing on the evening or February 10, 2023. We are awaiting further details from Durban police,” Tony and Lynn Forbes wrote in the statement, which was shared on AKA’s Twitter official account.

“To us, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, most importantly father to his beloved daughter Kairo,” his parents added. “To many, he was AKA, Supa Mega, Bhova and the many other names of affection his legion of fans called him by. Our son was loved and gave love in return.”

Police say that AKA, who was scheduled to perform at a nightclub on Friday, had been walking to his car in a popular nightlife area of the coastal city shortly after 10 p.m. when two armed individuals fired several gunshots at close range before fleeing, The New York Times reports. A second man died at the scene, believed to be AKA’s friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, a chef and entrepreneur.

Authorities were still searching for the suspects at press time, according to the Times.

Hours before his death on Friday, AKA shared a post on Instagram promoting his upcoming album, Mass Country, which is scheduled for release in late February. Following news of his death, the post was flooded with comments from music stars like Diplo and Swizz Beatz. “Damn bro,” Diplo wrote. Swizz added numerous crying face emojis.

One of South Africa’s leading hip-hop artists, AKA had worked as a producer for numerous artists before releasing his 2010 debut album, Altar Ego, which featured the popular track “Victory Lap.” He later become known for songs like “All Eyes on Me,” “Fela in Versace” and “Lemons (Lemonade).”

Read the full statement from AKA’s parents on Twitter below.

11 Feb 2023

Drake Delivers Hits at ‘Homecoming’ Super Bowl Week Concert

Drake could have offered Super Bowl week concertgoers just a few songs, but the Toronto rapper instead delivered a healthy dose of his hits.

The multi-Grammy winner had many jostling for position to watch him perform at “h.wood Homecoming” at the Scottsdale Hangar One on Friday (Feb. 10) night. As some concertgoers crowded the stage, others like Alex Rodriguez and Jaleel White chilled in the VIP area while stars such as Michael Strahan watched Drake’s 45-minute performance from the second level of the luxury private jet complex.

Other star entertainers and athletes who attended Drake’s show included Serena Williams, Cher, H.E.R., Lil Baby, Christina Aguilera, Meek Mill, Machine Gun Kelly, Tyga, Davante Adams, Odell Beckham Jr., Kyler Murray, Sauce Gardner and George Kittle.

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Before Drake’s appearance, attendees mingled for a few hours at the invite-only event. Once he arrived, many flocked toward the stage and pulled out their phones to capture his set.

“Tonight, they asked me to do three songs in like 20 minutes right? I could either do the 20 minutes or just run through all the old stuff,” he told the audience, who urged him to play his older hits. “OK, you asked for it.”

Drake went on to perform several jams including “Best I Ever Had,” “Headlines,” “Controlla” and “HYGR.” He asked the crowd to recite the lyrics of 21 Savage’s verses on “Rich Flex,” a song from tandems collaborative album Her Loss.

The rap star kept asked attendees, “Do you want more?” The majority of the crowd urged him to do so.

“If you’re playing shy or rich as (expletive) or own some tech company or some football team, we don’t give a (expletive) right now,” he said. “We just need you to turn up if you know this song. I need your help.”

As confetti fell, Drake performed “Knife Talk” featuring 21 Savage and Project Pat.

At the end, Drake paid homage to Lil Wayne before closing out his set by playing “I Will Always Love You,” the Dolly Parton song that Whitney Houston made famous. He sang every word along with many in the crowd.

The “Homecoming” concert show was a part of a night filled with other concerts across the Phoenix area before the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Shaquille O’Neal held his carnival-style “Shaq’s Funhouse” with Snoop Dogg headlining the concert, and Travis Scott and Robin Thicke performed at the “Rolling Stone Live” Super Bowl party. Meek Mill hit the stage earlier Friday, performing a few songs including his popular “Dreams and Nightmares.”

10 Feb 2023

Lizzo Says She Got ‘So Drunk’ With Adele at the 2023 Grammys

Adele‘s “I Drink Wine” reached a new level at the 2023 Grammy Awards on Sunday night (Feb. 5), thanks to Lizzo.

The “Good as Hell” singer joined Elvis Duran and the Morning Show on Friday morning (Feb. 10), where she revealed that she and Adele had a bit too much to drink while reflecting on her record of the year win for “About Damn Time.”

“I was so drunk. Me and Adele were drinking so much that we didn’t even really know what the categories were at this point,” Lizzo said, before adding, “We were like, ‘Wait. Did they do best new artist?’ We didn’t even know when it was time and they would just call out names so we were like, ‘Smile, smile.’”

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“When they called my name I was in total shock because I didn’t expect to win at all,” she continued. Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” beat out ABBA’s “Don’t Shut Me Down,” Adele’s “Easy on Me,” Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” Mary J. Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous,” Brandi Carlile’s “You and Me on the Rock,” Doja Cat’s “Woman,” Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit,” Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5” and Harry Styles’ “As It Was” for the award.

“I had zero say in where I was sitting,” Lizzo revealed when asked about her seat at Adele’s table and next to Styles. “But Adele had 100% say in where she was sitting.”

She continued, “Adele FaceTimed me when I was at Grammy rehearsal a few days before and she was like ‘Oh my god, oh my god, we’re sitting next to each other.’” 

Then, the star shared that she she packed a flask of tequila for herself and one with white wine for the “Rolling in the Deep” singer. “I brought it for Adele and then I drank hers,” she said with a laugh.

Watch the full interview below.