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18 Jan 2023

Aubrey Plaza Shares a ‘Crazy’ Kiss With Chloe Fineman in New ‘SNL’ Promo

It’s Aubrey Plaza is finally making her debut on Saturday Night Live, and she wants to make sure she’s perfect.

In a new promo for this weekend’s episode of the long-running comedy sketch show, the White Lotus star appeared alongside SNL cast member Chloe Fineman to reveal that she’s more than ready to grace the stage at studio 8H.

“I’m excited,” Plaza tells Fineman in the promo. “And oh my God, I love your impressions. Drew Barrymore is my favorite.”

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Plaza then launches into a dramatic impression of Marcia Gay Harden in the 2000 film Pollock, which did not impress the SNL star. Trying to be polite, Fineman asked Plaza if she could do an impression that’s “a little more fun.”

At the suggestion, the 38-year-old begins crying on cue and slapping herself in the face in an impersonation of Annette Bening in American Beauty, which startles Fineman. “Why are you like this?” she asks Plaza, who replies, “Because I’m insane, and I’ve been waiting to do this show since I was 12 years old,” before leaning in for a kiss. A janitor at the studio spots the two women making out, but ignores it and continues to do his job.

Saturday will mark Plaza’s hosting debut on SNL, but not for a lack of trying — she previously was an intern on the show and revealed during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that she did a “preliminary first-round showcase,” but didn’t make it to an audition with creator-producer Lorne Michaels.

Sam Smith will be Saturday’s musical guest. Watch the new promo in the video above.

18 Jan 2023

On the Radar Latin: J Noa, Un Leon Marinero & More Emerging Artists to Discover

Every month, Billboard Latin editors feature a small group of new, or relatively unknown, artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.

Our first 2023 edition of “On the Radar Latin” includes emerging artists who we found either in a Spotify playlist or at a music showcase, for example. See our recommendations below:

BRATTY

Country: Mexico

Why they should be on your radar: There’s an alluring, whimsical quality about Culiacán, Sinaloa artist BRATTY — whether it’s her breathy dolce vocals coupled with bedroom lo-fi productions or her unapologetic pop punk side. On the lyrical front, the artist displays a knack for kitschy songwriting, singing about birthday parties or trips to Japan with charm. She’s already collaborated with the likes of Cuco, Mon Laferte, and Girl Ultra, and remixed Metronomy’s “Things Will Be Fine.” On her latest surfy song “Continental,” BRATTY pairs up with fellow norteño artists Nsqk and Méne where they conjure up an indie jangle pop dream. “The song talks about the love that grows when a relationship is young, and you like that person enough to ask them to move in with you,” she said about the song in a press release. “In the lyrics, I tell them that I would even prepare breakfast for them.” — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song for your playlist: “Continental,” also starring Nsqk & Méne

Chris Palace

Country: United States (of Colombian and Salvadoran descent)

Why they should be on your radar: A Maryland native, Chris Palace, at 21 years old, has paved his own path in the music industry with passion and strive. From the Northeast to Miami to ultimately landing at a song camp in Puerto Rico, Palace debuted as an artist in 2022 with his single “Que Sería.” After knocking on the correct doors, sliding into DMs, and making his way at industry events, Palace got on Rauw Alejandro’s radar, who that same year, signed him to his label Los Sensai Records. An edgy personality, suave vocals, and progressive tracks spotlight Palace’s promising and versatile project, which as of now, can be heard on the Rauw-assisted “GATAS” (part of Saturno album) and his six-track EP Insomnia. “Insomnia is the first stage of the artist, where he works a lot without being able to sleep fighting for his dreams,” he expressed on Instagram. — JESSICA ROIZ

Song for your playlist: “ADELANTAH”

J Noa

Country: The Dominican Republic

Why they should be on your radar: “I am a beast of massive destruction,” declares J Noa in Spanish. The outspoken rapper doesn’t hold back. With her heady, rapid-fire flow, she commands attention and we are listening. At just 17 years old, the artist displays an awareness of her environment that is as chilling as it is eye-opening. Hailing from the province of San Cristóbal in the Dominican Republic, J Noa narrates the struggle, hustle, and bustle of life in the hood, while slaying some socio-political critiques of the D.R. governmental powers that be. For instance, her Sony Music-debut track “Qué Fue?” is an explosive call-out that lyrically tackles issues of poverty, addictions, and murders in her country, while adding “I only intend to open conscience.” With an impressive arsenal of rap bars and freestyle abilities, it’s no wonder why she proclaimed herself as the daughter of rap. The genre is in promising hands. — I.R.

Song for your playlist: “Qué Fue?”

Los Reales del Rio

Country: Mexico

Why they should be on your radar: Hailing from Zacatecas, Mexico is this young, six-ensemble group that I randomly discovered through a Spotify playlist over the holiday break. Los Reales del Rio (The most real of the river)—honoring their town’s name, Río Grande—launched in 2021 with a very colorful addition to traditional Norteño music. Specifically, their up-tempo “Tres Seis Cinco (365),”—released independently in the fall of 2022—gained social media virality and has become their best-known track as of now. Its lyrics bring to the forefront the group’s relatable lyricism—a song about loving someone the three hundred and sixty-five days in the year and doing it all over again. The track pushed Los Reales’ on Spotify’s Mexico and Guatemala charts, opening their horizons for a more fruitful 2023. — J.R.

Song for your playlist: “Tres Seis Cinco (365)”

Un León Marinero

Country: Mexico

Why they should be on your radar: Joining the blossoming wave of Latin folk music—think Silvana Estrada, Ed Maverick, Kevin Kaarl—is Un León Marinero (real name: Leo Meléndez). On the Internet, he keeps a minimal bio: “I like to write songs” (Spotify) and “your humble servant and always a friend” (YouTube) but he’s far from a simplistic singer-songwriter. Hailing from San Luis Potosi, León is a modern-day trovador (troubadour) that sings about giving love and being loved, all backed by his pure and warm-toned melodies and emotive vocals. In 2015, he unleashed his debut single “Nieve de Limón” and in 2022 released his debut album A Orillas del Río Santiago. In between, he’s collaborated with newcomer Kaarl and performed at important venues across Mexico. — J.R.

Song for your playlist: “Estar Solo”

18 Jan 2023

The Dream Setlist for Madonna’s 2023 Celebration Tour

In 1910’s The Vagabond, the French writer Colette claimed, “The only real things are the dance, the light, freedom, music.” If that’s the case, then there are few pop catalogs more in touch with reality than Madonna’s.

The Queen of Pop kicked 2023 off right by announcing the Celebration Tour, a global trek honoring her four decades of culture-changing hits.

Needless to say, she has a lot of material to choose from — with 12 No. 1s, 38 top 10 hits and 57 titles on the Billboard Hot 100, Madonna is an all-time pop GOAT. And considering her most recent tour (the excellent, intimate Madame X Tour from 2019-2020) was primarily focused on the album of the same name she was supporting, there’s quite a number of beloved classics that Madge hasn’t performed live in several years.

That seems set to change with the Celebration Tour, which promises to be a career-retrospective run of songs from the pop icon, whose self-titled debut introduced the world to a new game-changing superstar back in 1983. And since we’re looking at 40 years of Madonna, we decided to round up 40 songs we would love to hear the Material Goddess perform live.

Now, we’re not saying we want every one of these songs performed in full at every tour stop — a 40-song setlist is less a concert and more of a marathon. Some we’d like to hear in part, perhaps as a segue or in a medley; others we could imagine M performing as a surprise treat on select tour dates. But this is our wish list.

18 Jan 2023

Official HIGE DANdism’s ‘Subtitle’ Ties Gen Hoshino’s ‘Koi’ for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Japan Hot 100

Official HIGE DANdism’s “Subtitle” has tied the all-time record for most weeks at No. 1 on the latest Billboard Japan Hot 100, dated Jan. 18, logging its 11th week atop the chart.

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The track has now caught up with superstar Gen Hoshino‘s “Koi” that set the 11-week record in early 2017. The tracks are also tied for most consecutive weeks at No, 1 with seven each.

Hoshino’s ubiquitous hit continues to be widely popular today, and “Subtitle” is also well on its way to becoming one of HIGE DAN’s biggest hits as well. But, as predicted last week, the track is slowing down considerably — the overall points for “Subtitle” decreased by about 10 percent this week— so we’ll see if the next tally will become a history-changing moment on the Japan charts.

The four-man band currently has three songs charting in the top 10 — “Subtitle,” “White Noise,” and the former No. 1 song “Mixed Nuts” — with “White Noise” debuting at No. 5. The track is the opener for the latest story arc of the TV anime series Tokyo Revengers and is the band’s second tie-in with the series following the long-running hit “Cry Baby” from the summer of 2021.

LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE’s debut single “Hunter” launched with 88,660 copies (No. 2 for sales) and bowed at No. 2 on the Japan Hot 100 this week. The new group, formed through the iCON Z 2022 Dreams For Children audition that was the biggest of its kind in LDH’s history, also came in at No. 1 for radio this week.

Meanwhile, “Kamisama datte kimerarenai,” the tenth single by 22/7 (Nanabunnonijyuuni), a virtual idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto of AKB48 fame, hit No. 1 for sales with 89,460 copies sold, but couldn’t follow up in other metrics (No. 25 for radio, for example) and debuts at No. 7 on the Japan Hot 100.

The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, YouTube and GYAO! video views and karaoke data.

For the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, tallying the week from Jan. 9 to 15, see here. For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English Twitter account. 

18 Jan 2023

Apple Finally Drops New MacBook Pro M2 Pro & M2 Max Chips

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MacBook Pro With Apple's New M2 Pro & M2 Max Chips Launch

Source: Apple / MacBook Pro

After a slight delay, Apple’s new MacBook Pro and Mac Mini utilizing its in-house chipset, have arrived.

Apple’s long-awaited MacBook Pro utilizing the company’s new M2 Pro and M2 Max, promises to deliver improvements like longer battery life and faster performance, have finally arrived.

The arrival of the new MacBook Pro allows Apple to deliver on one of its biggest goals to utilize its chipsets in its devices, allowing Apple to ditch chips manufactured by Intel.

The new MacBook Pro was initially set to launch in 2022, but due to those pesky supply chain issues, Apple set its sights on early 2023, and now we are here.

The MacBook Pro Powered By M2 Pro & M2 Max Breakdown

According to Apple, the new MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro and M2 Max chipsets will come in 14- and 16-inch models and will be effects rendering due to being able to complete the process “6-times faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Pro.”

Color grading on Apple’s new MacBook Pro also is two times faster, making these devices very attractive to those who utilize the MacBook Pro for graphics work on programs like Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro.

Battery life is also getting a significant boost which could now give users 22 hours of usage.

As far as the breakdown of the chips, the M2 Pro features either a 10- or 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores and a GPU with up to 19 cores. Apple claims this will give users 20% more efficiency over devices currently using the M1 chipset.

M2 Max is a beast boasting up to 38 cores while promising a 30% improvement in graphics over the M1 Max, plus a 12-core CPU.

Both chipsets feature Wi-Fi 6E connectivity allowing for faster internet and support for advanced HDMI. Other features include three Thunderbolt 4 ports and an SDXC card slot, updated mics, and a sound system consisting of six speakers.

Pricing

You can scoop up the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro starting at $1,999. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro starts at $2,499.

The 14-inch model with M2 Max starts at $3,099, while the 16-inch model will begin at $3,499.

Other Notable Announcements From Apple

Mac mini

Source: Apple / Mac mini

Along with the new MacBook Pro, a new Mac mini model using the M2 and M2 Pro chipset was announced. The M2 model features 24GB of unified memory and 100GB/s of bandwidth.

The M2 Pro model boasts 32GB and a 200GB/s bandwidth and is comparatively quicker. The new Mac mini with the M2 chip starts at $599, while the M2 Pro model begins at $1,299.

You can now order all devices on Apple’s website, and each expects to launch on January 24 officially.

Photos: Apple

18 Jan 2023

GoldenSky Country Music Festival Returning to California With Eric Church, Maren Morris & More

GoldenSky Country Music Festival will return to Sacramento this year on Oct. 14 and 15 at Discovery Park, with a performer lineup led by Eric Church, Sacramento’s own Jon Pardi, as well as Maren Morris and Parker McCollum.

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Also performing are Jordan Davis and Country Music Hall of Famer Wynonna Judd, as well as Lainey Wilson, Elle King, Eli Young Band, Niko Moon, Ingrid Andress, Nate Smith, Adam Doleac, Frank Ray, Tenille Arts, Drake Milligan, Megan Moroney, Kidd G, Willie Jones, Lakeview and Avery Anna. GoldenSky Country Music Festival is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents in partnership with Visit Sacramento.

”We’re thrilled to partner with DWP to bring the West Coast’s premier country music experience back to Sacramento,” said Visit Sacramento President & CEO Mike Testa. “This year’s incredible lineup, coupled with unique local activations and Sacramento as the backdrop will make for an unforgettable weekend. We can’t wait to welcome music fans from across the country back to our city.” 

The event will also feature an array of activities for festivalgoers, including GoldenSky Beer Festival, a “festival within the festival” that will showcase the top local, regional and national tastes with over 150 different selections of beer, hard seltzer and ciders. The Farmhouse, presented by California Bountiful, will offer a local food experience featuring some of Sacramento’s top dining establishments. Other festival offerings include El Dorado Market, River City Saloon & Dance Hall, Loud Lounge, Wines of Sacramento and Sidelines Sports Bar. 

GoldenSky Country Music Festival debuted as a two-day event in 2022, with 50,000 people in attendance for a lineup that included Tim McGraw, Sam Hunt, Brothers Osborne, Midland, Carly Pearce and Parmalee.

18 Jan 2023

Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to Rihanna for Beyoncé Comparison: ‘You’re a Superstar’

Stephen A. Smith walked back the comments he made comparing Rihanna to Beyoncé on Wednesday (Jan. 18).

The moment occurred when the firebrand sports commentator stopped by Sherri Shepherd’s eponymous talk show to discuss the “Needed Me” singer’s upcoming Super Bowl LVII halftime show. “Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things; she’s spectacular, actually,” he said. “There’s one thing she’s not: She ain’t Beyoncé.”

Obviously, the ill-suited comparison sparked a vocal outcry from the studio audience — as well as backlash among Rihanna’s fans on social media — and hours after the interview aired, Smith hopped on Instagram ready to eat crow. “I’m gonna own it,” he said. “I know what y’all tryin’ to do. But I’m gon’ own it because I get paid to speak for a living, so I need to be more careful.

“I want Rihanna to know: You’re a superstar, you’re sensational, you’re spectacular,” the ESPN personality continued. “You’re no joke. And you are a worthy person to be doing the Super Bowl halftime show.”

However, Smith then attempted to justify his comment by blaming Shepherd for asking a question in front of her largely female studio audience. “Now I’m a Beyoncé fan,” he stated. “I think that Beyoncé is not only a phenomenal performer, but the phenomenal performer. And the only reason any kind of comparison came into play is because Beyoncé performed at halftime at the Super Bowl not just by herself, but one separate Super Bowl performance with Bruno Mars and Coldplay. And I thought that those were two of the greatest shows that I’ve ever seen.

“So what I’m saying is anybody has to measure up to that,” he concluded. “Last year with Snoop and Dre and Mary J. and Eminem, I was like, ‘Bruno Mars! Beyoncé! Coldplay! Big time! They’ve got to measure up to that.’ Anybody who does a Super Bowl halftime show, forever I’m gonna say, ‘Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, and Beyoncé by themselves.’ Michael Jackson could still be alive and I would say, ‘It’s gotta measure up to that.’”

Watch Smith’s gasp-inducing Sherri interview and subsequent mea culpa to Rihanna below.