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Diplo Shares Florida-Centric Teaser of ‘Wasted’ Collab With Kodak Black & Koe Wetzel: ‘Almost Time’
New year, new Diplo — or a new version of a past version of Diplo…or something.
On Friday (Jan. 6), the producer further teased his already announced collaboration with Kodak Black and Koe Wetzel, “Wasted.” An extension of Diplo’s country project, Thomas Wesley (his given name), the teaser features an urgently strummed guitar over images from the forthcoming music video.
The clip shows Diplo driving a speedboat at breakneck speeds with Black riding shotgun and Wetzel in the back. “Met up with some friends in Florida,” the producer captioned the video, a shout out to his home state.
Other decidedly Floridian imagery in the clip includes bottles of beer, jorts, watersports, bonfires and Diplo in a lawn chair strumming an acoustic guitar stamped with image of the American flag. Diplo previously shared behind the scenes footage from the boat that included another preview of “Wasted” at the tail end of 2022.
The track marks Diplo’s first collaboration with Black and the Texas-born outlaw country artist Wetzel. “Wasted” also marks a return to country for Diplo, who released his debut album in the genre, Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil, in 2020.
The lead single from the album, the Morgan Wallen-assisted collaboration “Heartless,” spent 39 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 29. The album, which also included collaborations with Leon Bridges, Noah Cyrus, Cam, Zac Brown, Julia Michaels and more, spent 25 weeks on the Billboard 200, and peaked at No. 50.
Watch the clip from “Wasted” below.
Delta Partners With T-Mobile To Provide Free In-Flight Wi-Fi To SkyMiles Members
Source: NurPhoto / Getty / Delta
Flying the friendly skies got a bit better for Delta Skymiles Members thanks to Delta’s longstanding partnership with T-Mobile.
Hinting at this big move coming in 2023, Delta has finally confirmed that SkyMiles Members will get free inflight Wi-Fi as part of its partnership with T-Mobile.
T-Mobile customers already enjoyed the perk of having free Wi-Fi during flights but beginning Feb.1, the program will expand to Skymile Members even if they don’t use T-Mobile as a wireless carrier.
With any “free service,” users should expect to experience some ads before they are given access to the Wi-Fi.
Not all of Delta’s flights will have free Wi-Fi; per the company’s announcement, the free service will roll out on “most” mainline domestic flights at launch, and by the end of 2023 will be available on more than 700 planes in its fleet. Delta says International and regional routes will have free Wi-Fi in 2024.
To utilize the perk, passengers need to provide their SkyMiles number, which they can get by just signing up for one. Also, according to T-Mobile SVP Kevin McLaughlin, there will be “no session limits,” and it will run on Viasat’s network, McLaughlin confirmed to The Verge.
Delta uses two Wi-Fi providers but favors Viasat as the better option due to “streaming capable speeds from pushback to park.”
Now, we need the FAA to finally admit that newer phones don’t affect flight safety, which airlines, the US regulatory agency, and airline companies are currently looking into.
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Photo: NurPhoto / Getty
Universal Music Sues Triller For Failing To Pay Music Licensing Fees Amid ‘Lavish’ Spending Elsewhere
Universal Music Group is suing Triller over allegations that the video-sharing app has failed to make payments for months under its music licensing agreements, echoing accusations made by Sony Music Entertainment in a similar lawsuit last year.
In a complaint filed Thursday (Jan. 6) in Los Angeles court, the music giant’s publishing arm claimed that Triller stopped making payments in April 2022 under two different licensing deals and had missed several required payments since.
Universal says it filed a notice of default in November and terminated the deal earlier this week, but that Triller has still not paid the money it owes — despite allegedly spending plenty of cash elsewhere.
“During the same period that Triller was defaulting on its payment and reporting obligations, it was reported that Triller was spending substantial amounts of money acquiring companies … and throwing lavish events catering to members of the media and entertainment industry,” the company wrote.
Universal says Triller has also breached provisions that require the company to report how the music has been used on the platform. Combined with the lack of payment, Universal cited the breaches as cause to terminate the licensing contract, effective Jan. 3.
In a statement to Billboard, Triller downplayed the seriousness of the case, saying it dealt with only “a very small percentage of the catalogue, and is the ordinary course of business for the music industry and over a small amount of money.”
“This will be decided upon in a proper venue in a few years, and we clearly believe we are in the right and that a court will find in our favor,” Triller wrote in the statement. “It’s a plain vanilla case that virtually every social network has faced in one form or another. It’s not the first and won’t be the last but similar to the past disputes of these nature they tend to settle quietly and end up being a lot to do about nothing .”
The lawsuit is the latest recent legal trouble for Triller. Sony filed a similar case in August, saying it had terminated its licensing deal with the company after months of non-payment. That case, filed in federal court, claimed that Triller had continued to use Sony music without a license — meaning it had also infringed Sony’s copyrights. The case remains pending.
Before that, Triller got into a messy fight with Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, who sued in August over allegations that they were still owed $28 million from the sale of their Verzuz livestream series to Triller. The company was sued again later that month by a smartphone app consulting firm, which claimed the company had failed to pay more than $100,000 in fees. Both cases were quickly settled on confidential terms.
It’s also not the first sign of problems between Triller and Universal. In early 2021, the music giant abruptly pulled its catalog from the platform, claiming Triller had “shamefully withheld” artist payments. Three months later, the two companies announced a new worldwide licensing agreement, spanning recorded music and publishing and restoring the UMG catalog to the app. But in December, UMG was one of several major music companies to again be pulled down from the platform.
Charli XCX Shares Photo From Hospital Bed After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Ouch! Charli XCX shared a snap from a hospital bed on Thursday (Jan. 5) after having her wisdom teeth removed.
In the selfie, the “Hot In It” singer lays in the post-op bed with with giant packs of gauze on her jaw, a monitor jokingly stuck to her forehead and one shoulder falling out of her hospital gown. But never fear, she made it clear in the cheeky caption that she’s already on the chaotic mend, writing, “all my wisdom has gone. dumb and inexplicable decisions only from now on.”
If Charli is committed to only dumb decisions post-surgery, one of her smartest decisions of 2022 was releasing her fifth studio album Crash last March. Not only did the studio set — which contained pop-driven singles like “Good Ones,” “Beg For You” with Rina Sawayama and “Baby” — notch the star her very first top 10 album of her career, it also landed at No. 17 on Billboard‘s best albums of 2022 list.
Throughout the rest of the year, Charli hit the stage at the “Live From the Upside Down” concert to celebrate the Season 4 premiere of Netflix’s Stranger Things, celebrated the 10th anniversary of “I Love It” with Icona Pop by dropping a brand new remix and took over day one of Life Is Beautiful 2022 in Las Vegas along with female powerhouses like Alison Wonderland and Blu DeTiger. There was also the moment where she and Lorde almost dressed up as one another for Halloween, too.
See Charli’s post-surgery selfie below.
Netflix Confirms ‘Wednesday’ Returning For Season 2 in Trailer Featuring Lady Gaga’s ‘Bloody Mary’
Your nightmares have been answered. Netflix confirmed on Friday (Jan. 6) that its massive hit series Wednesday will return for a second season on the streamer. Though a date has not yet been announced for season 2, in an interview with Tudum, creators/executive producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar talked about bringing back Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) for another go.
“We can’t wait to dive headfirst into another season and explore the kooky, spooky world of Nevermore,” showrunners Millar and Gough exclusively told the Netflix news site. “We just need to make sure Wednesday hasn’t emptied the pool first.”
The news came along with a video trailer teasing the return cued to the viral TikTok hit launched by Wednesday’s dance to The Cramps’ 1981 single “Goo Goo Muck,” which inspired users to swap in Lady Gaga‘s 2011 Born This Way deep cut “Bloody Mary.” In the 45-second clip, perennially dyspeptic teen detective Wednesday recaps being hunted by monsters, haunted by ghosts and mocked on the internet.
“It’s been pure torture,” she says grinning as the sped-up version of Gaga’s “Mary” swells in the background and the screen reads, “More misery is coming.”
“[Wednesday] sticks to her guns, and she’s not out to please anybody,” Ortega told Tudum of the series that smashed records for Netflix, with 411.29 million hours viewed in its second week, 22 billion views on TikTok and 1.237 billion hours viewed, making it the second most-popular English-language hit in the streamer’s history. “Which, as someone who used to be an immense people pleaser, I really respect.”
The viral “Bloody Mary” phenomenon helped push the Gaga track into the top 40 of the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart las month despite it not being featured in the series proper; the revamped dance sequence also helped propel “Bloody” onto the Billboard Global 200. The trend blew up so big, in fact, that even Mother Monster got in on the action, posting a black and white response video in early December in which she slips into the signature Wednesday Addams look and dancing with her hands, hands, hands.
“It’s been incredible to create a show that’s connected with people across the world,” Millar and Gough said while (spoiler alert) hinting that the stalker running around Nevermore in the season one finale remains a threat to Addams. “We’re thrilled to continue Wednesday’s torturous journey into Season 2.” Millar and Gough said that casting and plot news will be revealed at a later date.
Check out the video below.
First Stream Latin: New Music From Alejandro Fernandez, Yahritza y Su Esencia, & More
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Alejandro Fernández, “Inexperto En Olvidarte” (Universal Music Latino)
For his first song of the year, Alejandro Fernández goes the traditional route, releasing the heart-wrenching ranchera “Inexperto En Olvidarte.” It’s a quintessential song for Fernández, who’s long mastered the mariachi ballad — and this one is no exception. Penned by Amanda Coronel and Fernanda Díaz, the track thrives thanks to its delicate mariachi arrangement, accompanied by an accordion for the ultimate norteño touch. “Inexperto” is the Mexican artist’s first single from his upcoming album, due later this year. — GRISELDA FLORES
Yahritza y Su Esencia, “Cambiaste” (Lumbre Music/Columbia Records)
Weeping requintos and a soulful, yearning voice bring to life Yahritza y Su Esencia’s first single of the year, “Cambiaste.” Penned by the 16-year-old vocalist, the heartfelt sierreño narrates the story of a person who’s juggling their emotions in a relationship and has the other person confused. “Out of nowhere, you changed/ One day you say you love me and the next, you throw me to the trash as if I were no one/ What happened to those days that you told me/ ‘I love you, I’ll always be by your side’?” she chants. The music video finds the three siblings navigating Lake Xochimilco in Mexico. — JESSICA ROIZ
Abraham Mateo, “La Idea” (Sony Music España)
Abraham Mateo kicks off the year with “La Idea,” setting the tone for what his loyal “Abrahamers” can expect this 2023 — a more experimental Abraham. Co-produced by the Spanish pop star and David Cuello, “La Idea” is an upbeat punk rock song with heart-rending lyrics about a guy who can’t fathom the fact that he’s no longer dating the girl of his dreams. “Because the idea was not never separate/ The idea was that you’d be the mother of my kids/ Because the idea was for you and me to be a team/ And now this love is done, and even though that was not the idea/ I know it’s better this way,” he passionately belts. — J.R.
Ozuna & Ovy on the Drums, “CHAO BEBE” (Warner Music Latina/King Ovy)
For their first track together, Ovy on the Drums and Ozuna place all bets on an infectious reggaetón beat fused with electronic elements. Showcasing both their strengths, Ozuna on vocals and Ovy in the producer seat, this new track marks the new phase of Ovy on the Drums as Dr. Drums, “a genius who has mastered the science of producing and has his own formula for creating the biggest urban hits in his lab,” according to a press statement. “‘CHAO BEBE’ has all the makings of a global hit,” Ovy says about the song. “When I was in the studio working on the track, I immediately had the idea of calling Ozuna to jump on this song.” — G.F.
Mike Bahía, “De Qué Manera” (Warner Music México)
Bahía is a hopeless romantic on his new track “De Qué Manera” — but beyond its honest and devoted lyricism, he’s stepping into a new musical genre: salsa. Written and produced by the Colombian artist alongside Keityn and La Créme team, the track pays tribute to the tropical style that Bahía grew up listening to in his hometown, Cali, Colombia. “Many people think that I’m from some other city in Colombia, but I come from Cali — the salsa capital of the world, where salsa is lived and breathed everywhere you go,” he expresses in a statement. Fusing his sugary vocals with a touch of rap and the participation of renowned pianist OILO, “De Qué Manera” also samples the 2000s classic “Ya no es igual” by the Colombian group Two Flow. — J.R.
No, SZA Isn’t Beefing With Taylor Swift: ‘I Genuinely Loved Her Album’
SZA is gunning for a fourth week atop the Billboard 200 with her triumphant new album, SOS, which would mean beating out Taylor Swift‘s blockbuster Midnights — currently at No. 2 — once again for the top spot. Some fans have taken the chart race as an indication that there might be a rivalry between the two artists behind the scenes, but the R&B star quickly put the rumor to rest.
“Uhh I feel silly that I even have to say this but i see supporters arguing and I hate that,” she tweeted early Friday (Jan. 6). “I don’t have beef w ANYONE especially not Taylor lmao I genuinely loved her album and the writing!”
“Everyone’s jus tryna do their BEST as we all should,” added the “Kill Bill” musician. “LOVE TO EVERYONE.”
SZA’s message was written in response to one of her own tweets, in which she’d thanked her fans for streaming and buying SOS during the tracking period for next week’s charts. “Thank you CAMP for always DOING YOUR BIG ONE,” she’d written.
SOS was released Dec. 9, 2022, more than five years after SZA’s debut record, Ctrl, making it one of the most anticipated releases of the year. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has spent three weeks since reigning the chart, a winning streak that’s predicted to continue once the chart updates on Tuesday (Jan. 10).
Midnights also topped the Billboard 200 after it dropped in October, and has spent five weeks so far at No. 1. It’s been dethroned a few times during its run, first by Drake and 21 Savage’s Her Loss on the Nov. 17, 2022, chart, and then again by Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains on the Dec. 17 chart. One week later, SOS made its chart debut at No. 1, keeping Midnights in the same No. 2 slot from the week before.
See SZA’s tweet clearing up rumors about beef with Taylor Swift:
Gwen Stefani, Black Keys, Black Crowes to Headline 2023 BeachLife Festival
The lineup for the 2023 BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach, CA dropped on Friday (Jan. 6) and it features headlining slots from The Black Keys, Gwen Stefani and The Black Crowes. The event that launched in 2019 will take place from May 5-7 on the city’s waterfront and feature sets from a wide variety of rock, pop, reggae, hip-hop and classic rock acts.
Also slated to perform over the course of the three-day fest celebrating all things Southern California are: Pixies, Modest Mouse, Tegan & Sara, Kurt Vile and the Violators, LP, The Airborne Toxic Event, Travie McCoy (Gym Class Heroes) and Shaed on day one, Sublime with Rome (performing the group’s beloved 40 Oz. to Freedom album), Band of Horses, Iration, Dispatch, Sugar Ray and Aly & Aj on day two and John Fogerty (performing the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival), Caamp, The Head and the Heart, Noah Cyrus, Mavis Staples and Trampled by Turtles on the final day.
“It’s surreal to our family that BeachLife continues to grow in the music and surf community, and we are so excited to release this lineup — what we believe is a perfect curation to a weekend at the beach,” co-founder Allen Sanford said in a statement about the event that features four beachside performance stages and the Daou SideStage Experience, in which foodies can set onstage as they enjoy a four-course meal from celebrity chefs. “These artists, along with our beautiful Pacific Ocean as the backdrop, and the sand and salt in our face, will make for another unforgettable weekend at BeachLife. Throw your boardshorts or sundresses on and join us!”
One of the stages, the SpeakEasy, is curated by Pennywise singer Jim Lindberg and will feature intimate, stripped-down acoustic performances from a variety of acts. Other acts slated to perform include: The Beaches, Poncho Sanchez, BabyJake, XYZPDQ, Jonny Two Bags (Social Distortion), Zander Schloss (Circle Jerks), Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Tropidelic, Eli Smart, Rainbow Girls, Special C, The Wailers, Lindberg, Donavon Frankenreiter, Winnetka Bowling League and many more.
Three-day and single day GA, GA-plus, VIP and Captain/Admiral tickets are on sale now here.
First Out: New Music From Sigala & MNEK, RuPaul, Joesef & More
Happy New Year! Celebrate everything 2023 with some new releases from some of your favorite queer artists this week. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of First Out, our weekly roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.
From Sigala & MNEK’s thumping new single, to a whole new album from the Queen of Queens RuPaul, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Sigala & MNEK, “Radio”
It may be the dead of winter, but British DJ Sigala and singer-songwriter extraordinaire MNEK are ready to give you pure summer vibes on their new track. “Radio,” the latest single to come off of Sigala’s upcoming album, bounces with a French disco flair and a deep house beat, while MNEK’s signature silky vocals glide over the beats, singing about wanting to be with someone based the the song they’re jamming out to. Sure, it’s cold outside, but that’s no reason to not dance like it’s the summertime to this absolute banger.
RuPaul, Black Butta
Whenever RuPaul debuts a new album, she tends to lean into one flavor of her ever-changing style. On Black Butta, the flavor-of-the-year is pure R&B ecstasy — Ru largely doesn’t aim for the burn-the-club-down highs of past hits like “Sissy That Walk” or “Supermodel (You Better Work),” but instead goes for a more tender, sensual vibe. That manifests itself well, as Ru lets her voice croon on standouts like “A.S.M.R. Lover,” while occasionally going for bigger moments, like with the titular rap track.
Joesef, Borderline
Simply put, singer-songwriter Joesef is at his career-best with his latest EP. Borderline serves largely as a quiet collection of separate heartbreaks, as Joesef’s incredibly fine-tuned vocal gives you a first-person tour of his broken heart. That’s particularly true on the project’s title track, in which the crisp clear vocal contrasts perfectly with a blurrier guitar line, Joesef is at peak performance, as he sings, “Baby hold me close cause I don’t want to fight/ Cause I want you all the time.”
Kamaiyah, “Thru the Week”
Looking for a thesis statement for your 2023? Rapper Kamaiyah is here to offer you some assistance on “Thru the Week,” a bouncing rap track dedicated to chasing dollar bills and putting toxic people behind you. The rapper’s vocals and flow remain as sharp as ever, while the grooving production keeps you bouncing in your seat as you bob along to this declaration of unfiltered confidence.
Hyphen Hyphen, “Own God”
French electro-pop trio Hyphen Hyphen are ready to lean into their pop-rock roots on their newest single. With a shimmering guitar hook and delicious bassline, “Own God” is the perfect spark for those in need of a mood boost as we face down the New Year — why wait around for good things, the song asks, when you can make the change you want to see yourself? Of course, the trio phrases it in a much catchier turn of phrase: “I’ll be my own god/ I’m a believer.”
