Pop

23 Oct 2023

Here’s How Travis Kelce Reacted to Being Called Taylor Swift’s ‘Boyfriend’

Is Travis Kelce officially Taylor Swift‘s boyfriend? Fans seem to think so after seeing a now-viral TikTok of the Kansas City Chiefs tight end reacting to the label.

In a video shared by user @jeffjulian, Kelce is buttoning his shirt after his football game on Sunday (Oct. 22), when a fan shouts, “Let’s go, Taylor’s boyfriend!” In response, the football star raises his hand in a fist above his head, as one does when they’ve won something. See the TikTok video here.

While Swift and Kelce have not publicly confirmed the status of their budding romance, the “Anti-Hero” singer and the athlete were seen interlocking fingers once again as they left Sunday’s Chiefs vs. Chargers game. Earlier in the day, Kelce assisted the Chiefs in defeating Los Angeles 31-17 at Arrowhead Stadium, which Swift watched from a private box suite with Brittany Mahomes, wife of KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes, all while wearing a No. 87 friendship bracelet. Sunday’s game marks the fourth Chiefs match attended by the 12-time Grammy winner this season.

Swift was also spotted giving Kelce a kiss on the cheek in an Instagram photo posted by wide receiver Mecole Hardman’s girlfriend Chiarah Gordon on Monday (Oct. 23), adding fuel to the fire of relationship rumors between the two superstars.

It’s been an exciting week for Swift, whose “Cruel Summer” hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 songs chart dated Oct. 28, 2023. The song, which previously peaked at No. 3, was originally released on Swift’s 2019 Republic Records album Lover.

23 Oct 2023

Ariana Grande Jokingly Teases ‘AG7’ Title as ‘Goat Mother’

Ariana Grande hasn’t forgotten about AG7. In a recent Instagram post, the 30-year-old pop star joked that her seventh album will be called “goat mother,” sharing photos and videos on Instagram with dozens of goats on an idyllic farm.

The “Positions” singer shared a carousel of photos with friends and family Monday (Oct. 23), several of which showed the vocalist and her mom interacting with animals. “ag7: goat mother,” she teased in her caption.

The R.E.M. Beauty founder also shared a snap with her longtime collaborator Max Martin, the Swedish producer who’s worked on Grande hits such as “Problem,” “Break Free” and “Bang Bang” with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj. Grande and Max attended Norbert Leo Butz’s show at 54 Below this month, marking the second time Grande has shared a photo of Martin amid rumors that she is working on her next LP with the pop-music mastermind in New York City. Earlier this month, she posted a selfie with the &Juliet composer.

“Thanks @arianagrande for coming to see me at @54below I met this incredible lady when she was (gulp) 11 years old backstage at @wicked_musical,” Butz wrote on Instagram Monday, sharing a selfie with Grande. “She is a dream. What an honor to have a moment to talk ? with the one and only #maxmartin.”

Grande also shared the snap of Martin and and Butz in her Instagram Stories, writing, “my two favorite worlds colliding,” and tagging the Broadway star.

Fans are eager for a new Grande album, especially as it’s been three years since her most recent album, Positions, came out in 2020. However, the singer has admittedly been more focused on filming the Wicked live adaptations and working on her beauty brand as of late.

In her post, Grande also included photos of her seated inside an open guitar case and posing with Cynthia Erivo, the Elphaba to her Glinda. She captioned the photo of herself with Erivo in a corresponding Instagram Stories, “@cynthiaerivo forever and ever my favorite image. i love you so much.”

23 Oct 2023

Taylor Swift Kisses Travis Kelce in New Photo

Taylor Swift’s got that red lip, classic thing that Travis Kelce likes — and that’s why she planted a kiss on the Kansas City Chiefs tight end’s cheek.

In a new Instagram photo posted by wide receiver Mecole Hardman’s girlfriend Chiarah Gordon on Monday (Oct. 23), the couple is seen smiling and posing with Swift and Kelce. However, in the second photo of the carousel, the “Lavender Haze” singer is seen planting a kiss on the tight end’s cheek. See the photos here.

While this is the first kiss we’ve seen between the rumored couple, the duo have been seen holding hands frequently over the past few weeks, most recently after the Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers game on Sunday night (Oct. 22). Swift and Kelce were interlocking fingers as they left Arrowhead Stadium, marking the fourth Chiefs match attended by the 12-time Grammy winner this season. For the occasion, she rocked a Chiefs sweater and represented Kelce with a a No. 87 friendship bracelet.

Last weekend, Swift and Kelce held hands in New York City on their way to the Oct. 14 Saturday Night Live after party, shortly after the two made surprise cameos on the show’s season 49 premiere. The next day, they grabbed dinner at a restaurant in the West Village, hand-in-hand again.

It’s been an exciting week for Swift, whose “Cruel Summer” hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 songs chart dated Oct. 28, 2023. The song, which previously peaked at No. 3, was originally released on Swift’s 2019 Republic Records album Lover.

23 Oct 2023

October Skies, Nights & Trees: 15 Songs About the 10th Month of the Year

Ah, October — beacon of pumpkin spice lattes, cinnamon-scented candles, Gilmore Girls reruns and Halloween decor. It’s the time of the year when autumn finally feels like it’s kicking into high gear. 

And it’s no wonder why the 10th month has been a muse to so many musicians over the decades, from tried-and-true 20th century songwriters to fresh-faced Gen Z artists. October love also knows no genre bounds; everyone from Eric Whitacre to Deadmau5, James Taylor and Alessia Cara have turned in tributes to the coziest, spookiest, most colorful 31 days of the year, spanning classical, electro house, folk rock, pop and beyond. Simply typing “October” into Spotify’s search field yields hundreds of results.

Even more vast is the canon of songs devoted to autumn itself, from Sinatra classics such as “Autumn Leaves” to Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” (“Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place”), or Ed Sheeran’s entire 2023 album, Autumn Variations. There’s also a lot to be said about the subgenre of music dedicated to Halloween alone, although you won’t see “Monster Mash” or “Spooky Scary Skeletons” on this list – this story is only for tracks with “October” in the name, odes to the month as a whole in all its versatility and warmth.

With the change of seasons, it’s time to give playlists a refresh, too. Queue up these 15 tracks centered around the month of October, from an indie-pop offering by Girl in Red to an alt-rock throwback from Yellowcard, and enjoy the season:

23 Oct 2023

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: Kevin Abstract, beabadoobee & Bananarama

Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

These 10 tracks from artists including Kevin Abstract, beabadoobee, Griff and Bananarama will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of our favorite cool pop songs of this year.

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Timbaland and Anna Margo, “My Way”

Following a buzzy Nelly Furtado/Justin Timberlake collab, Timbaland teams with an L.A. singer by the name of Anna Margo for “My Way,” a funky slow-burner that samples elements of his iconic Aaliyah production “Are You That Somebody.” Goes without saying that this baby-boosted reimagining isn’t gonna replace the original, but it’s still a delightful spin. – Joe Lynch

UPSAHL, “No Hands”

Taken from Side A of UPSAHL Presents: The PHX Tapes, “No Hands” shows UPSAHL weaving a seductive, spooky tapestry of dark-pop that suits the season. “I wanna be cold, I wanna be hard, I wanna be ruthless / I wanna be hot, I wanna be soft, I wanna be stupid,” the singer-songwriter moans on a bridge that’s almost as much fun as the anthemic chorus. – J. Lynch

Moyka, “Never Say Sorry”

Norwegian pop star Moyka’s new album Movies, Cars and Heartbreak features plenty of flourishes that demand a close listen — chief among them the moment on standout track “Never Say Sorry” in which the drums crash in to throttle the chorus, adding depth to an atmospheric track. “Never Say Sorry” finds Moyka comparing her relationship to a cinematic romance, but the hook here delivers plenty of real-life drama. – Jason Lipshutz

Griff, “Into the Walls”

“Today, I think I’ll disappear into the walls / Only for a day or two, at most,” Griff declares on “Into the Walls,” an ode to wanting to escape main-character status and watch the world without emotional response. With its relatively sparse production, “Into the Walls” could have been an icy affair, but Griff’s voice animates the environment, floating from withdrawn to impassioned with self-assured skill. – J. Lipshutz

Kevin Abstract, “What Should I Do?”

Throughout his time in Brockhampton, Kevin Abstract always demonstrated a confident handling of pop hooks, and the solo single “What Should I Do?” (which precedes new album Blanket, out next month) features a full commitment to that melodic craft: the guitar strums, chirping backing vocals, Auto-Tuned singing and sunny instrumental breaks swirl into a wholesome, almost twee product. “What Should I Do?” shimmers with light and affection, a powerful sign of what else might be coming. – J. Lipshutz

Bananarama, “Feel the Love”

Bananarama will always be known for ‘80s staples like “Cruel Summer,” “Venus” and “I Heard a Rumour,” but “Feel the Love” allows Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward an opportunity to bring their spirit into a new pop era with bright colors and sweeping synth movements. The single never flags in pace across its run time, as Bananarama’s shiny harmonies encourage longtime fans and new listeners to flood the dance floor. – J. Lipshutz

The Veronicas, “Perfect”

Australian sister duo The Veronicas have successfully hoisted their winning pop-rock formula from the mid-2000s and plopped it into the 2020s — first with their back-to-back 2021 albums Godzilla and Human, and now with “Perfect,” the proud middle-finger lead single from next year’s Gothic Summer album. Created with John Feldmann and featuring Travis Barker on drums, “Perfect” rejects social norms with guitar chugs and calls to “F–k designer / Start a riot!” – J. Lipshutz

beabadoobee ft. Laufey, “A Night To Remember”

Indie singer-songwriter beabadoobee and modern jazz breakout Laufey sound like long-lost sisters on the sultry “A Night To Remember.” The way in which they bring their distinct personalities to this song, yet manage to harmonize in gorgeous synchronicity, makes this team-up just as memorable as the night they sing of. – Lyndsey Havens

MK.gee & Two Star, “Are You Looking Up”

“Are You Looking Up” may sound familiar to some (speaking to you, indie-alt fans) thanks to the intentionally strained, lo-fi vocals, but make no mistake — the artist known as Mike Gordon is paving his own path. Gordon made waves in 2021 as a key member of Dijon’s band, working on the artist’s breakout debut album Absolutely. Now, Gordon — as Mk.gee — along with Two Star is building on that creative foundation and creating a world all his own. – L. Havens

Barry Can’t Swim, “Always Get Through to You”

Electronic artist Barry Can’t Swim delivers a dance-pop jam with “Always Get Through to You,” complete with a slinky bass line and repeated falsetto that elicits the question: “Can I always get through to you?” There’s a subtlety in the way the title drops any sense of question, arriving as a self-assured statement, only for the song itself to unpack that uncertainty — as if the artist is trying to win the “you” in question over with each twinkling beat. – L. Havens

23 Oct 2023

P!nk Details Difficult Childhood, 1995 Overdose in ’60 Minutes’ Interview: ‘I Was Off the Rails’

P!nk has always been an open book with her fans, sharing her triumphs and tragedies, celebrating her chart-topping hits and Summer Carnival tour and always sticking up for the underdog when bullies come calling.

But in a revealing interview with 60 Minutes that aired on Sunday night (Oct. 22), the 44-year-old singer born Alecia Beth Moore said that during a turbulent childhood she nearly derailed her chances at stardom before her career even started when she overdosed during a Thanksgiving rave in 1995.

“I was on ecstasy, angel dust, crystal, all kinds of things. And then I was out. Done. Too much,” she said, telling the news magazine that during a period in which she was also selling drugs she nearly died before getting offered a life-changing lifeline from a DJ at the event. “Come back tomorrow, I’ll give you a guest spotlight,” she said the DJ told her. “But you can never touch drugs again.” Just weeks later, she was auditioning for record labels and got her first gig as part of a short-lived R&B group on LaFace Records before launching her multiplatinum solo career.

The Grammy-winning mother of two also explained why she’s always been such an open book about her life, believing that it has helped fans feel more connected to her. “I guess I look at it in a very specific way,” she said. “If I’m a mystery to you, how can I expect you to connect with me? And if I’m a person that’s desperate for connection, then why would mystery be interesting to me? I want to know you. I want you to know me.”

The piece also dove into her legendarily physically demanding live performances, which find her soaring over the audience and doing acrobatic flips through the air, skills she learned as a child gymnast, as well as through training sessions with aerialist coach Dreya Weber.

It’s that combination of physical, mental and emotional strength that P!nk said has allowed her to survive in a business that has often relied on a very narrow, standard definition of beauty. “‘This is a woman you don’t want to mess with ‘is a true statement. I know what certain people think of when they look at me,” she said. “Down to the fact that I’m muscular, I’m outspoken and I have short hair. I’m possibly a dude, definitely a lesbian… people sort of put you in a box no matter what you look like.”

So, by being outspoken and not bending to societal norms, P!nk said she’s been labeled as “scary and dangerous.” The reality, though, is that she is the “goofiest, most fun-loving person that will possibly kick your a– if I have to,” she added with a smile. The scariest part of her backstage area these days, though, is the traveling lending library she and her crew maintain, where anyone can sign out a book whenever they want.

The piece also delved into her side gig as the owner of a vineyard and a behind-the-scenes look at how the asthmatic singer buildings the muscles needed to do all that live, upside down singing, including training sessions in which Weber stands on the P!nk’s belly as she belts out her songs to build her stamina.

“I never got a record deal because I was cute; I got a record deal because I was fiery, I had a lot to say, and I had a voice,” she said. “I’m relieved I don’t have to fall back on conventional beauty and that doesn’t have to be my thing and I don’t have to keep that up, either, as I age. I don’t have to be that. I can be all this.” 

After dropping the new bonus single “Dreaming” with DJ Marshmello and Sting from the expanded version of her Trustfall album on Friday, P!nk had to postpone two Vancouver shows over the weekend due to a respiratory infection. Her next scheduled date is a Wednesday (Oct. 25) show at Ball Arena in Denver.

Check out P!nk’s 60 Minutes interview below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=480OGItLZNo&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent


https://youtube.com/watch?v=199DxbwCXTY&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

23 Oct 2023

BTS’ V Drops Two Very Different Remixes of ‘Slow Dancing’ Solo Single

If you’ve already been “Slow Dancing” to the latest solo single from BTS‘ V, get ready to switch up your style. The K-pop superstar group singer dropped two new remixes of “Slow Dancing” on Monday (Oct. 23) that put a new spin on the single from his Layover solo EP.

The first, “Slow Dancing (FRNK Remix), cranks up the BPMs and turns the ballad into a slinky dance track with lively percussion and sped-up vocals. The remake is accompanied by a new music video, compiled from unreleased outtakes from the song’s official video, which finds the singer practicing his dance moves on set and chilling in a hotel room amid edits of classic cartoons.

“The animation inserted in between the footage highlights the uplifting, joyous mood of the remix, while the video captures a variety of V’s charms including scenes of him being serious and focused on set to being playful with his facial expressions,” reads a statement about the clip.

The second makeover, “Slow Dancing (Cautious Clay Remix),” strips V’s voice out entirely and really leans into the flute of it all. The woodwind-forward arrangement focuses on the song’s funky instrumental bad with a jazzy mix that retains the yearning chorus over a between-the-sheets vibe courtesy of Cleveland-bred singer/songwriter Joshua Karpeh (who records as Cautious Clay).

V’s six-track Layover album was released on Sept. 8, with the original “Slow Dancing” single debuting at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. The collection also features the songs “Rainy Days,” “Blue,” “Love Me Again,” “For Us” and a piano version of “Slow Dancing.”

BIGHIT has suggested playing tracks in order from Nos. 1-5 — saying that “Slow Dancing” should be the focus songs on the collection — describing it in a press release as a “1970s romantic soul style track [that] exudes a laid-back and free-spirited feeling.”

Watch the new “Slow Dancing (FRNK Remix) video and listen to the Cautious Clay remix below.

22 Oct 2023

Fans Choose The Kid LAROI’s ‘Too Much’ With Jung Kook & Central Cee as This Week’s Favorite New Music

The Kid LAROI, Jung Kook and Central Cee‘s “Too Much” tops this week’s new music poll.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Oct. 20) on Billboard, choosing the trio’s song as their favorite new music release of the past week.

“Too Much” brought in more than 48% of the vote, beating out new music from Anitta, Blink-182, The Rolling Stones and more.

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The team-up’s new tune was released this week ahead of LAROI’s debut full-length album, The First Time, which arrives next month.

The Kid LAROI, Jung Kook and Central Cee dropped a Ramez Silyan-directed music video alongside the new song. In the “Too Much” visual, the three stars appear on the covers of a fictional TOO MUCH magazine, and their mag covers come to life.

“If we had the chance and the time to spend, would you do it again? Would you do it again?” BTS member Jung Kook sings in the chorus. “Was it too much?”

Trailing behind “Too Much” on the poll is Anitta’s “Mil Veces,” with 25% of the vote, and Blink-182’s One More Time…, with 11% of the vote.

See the final results of this week’s new music release poll below.

22 Oct 2023

Madonna Reflects on Hospitalization for Bacterial Infection: ‘People Were Thinking, Predicting That I Might Not Make It’

Madonna got emotional on stage as she shared with the crowd that she wasn’t feeling well Saturday night (Oct. 21) in Belgium.

In June, Madonna — who recently kicked off her career-spanning Celebration Tour — returned home after spending several days in the hospital due to a bacterial infection. Manager Guy Oseary at the time revealed that Madonna spent a few days in the ICU. “Her health is improving, however she is still under medical care,” Oseary wrote on June 24. “A full recovery is expected.”

After the health scare forced Madonna to postpone the start of her tour by three months, the Queen of Pop finally kicked off her highly anticipated global trek on Oct. 14, at London’s O2 Arena. (See Billboard‘s recap of the show here.)

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In Belgium Saturday night, a week into her tour, Madonna reflected on that experience.

“Less than four months ago, I was in a hospital and I was unconscious, and people were thinking, predicting that I might not make it,” she said to the audience at Sportpaleis in Merksem. “It’s a f—ing miracle that I’m here right now. My mother, god bless her, she must be watching over me — she said, ‘Girl, it’s not your time to go.’”

Madonna added: “I had this strange thought. I suddenly had sympathy for my mother, not about the dying part, but how lonely she must have felt being in hospital, knowing that she wasn’t going to live.”

Madonna’s mother died from breast cancer when the future Queen of Pop was just five years old.

“I was given another chance,” said Madonna, 65, “so I’m very grateful for that.”

“I must tell you I don’t feel very well right now, but I can’t complain, because I’m alive. Thank god for my children and all of your love and support,” she told the crowd.

See clips of Madonna’s speech filmed by a fan at the concert below.

22 Oct 2023

Taylor Swift Cheers On Travis Kelce Again at Chiefs-Chargers Game

Taylor Swift once again showed up to support Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday (Oct. 22), this time accompanied by (and sharing a special handshake with) Brittany Mahomes.

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The Chiefs faced off against the Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.

Swift was all smiles and dressed in a Chiefs sweatshirt, clapping and dancing with Mahomes during the game. When they were caught on camera doing some kind of secret handshake early in the game, the NFL tweeted, “Not the handshake!!” with the crying-laughing emoji.

Swifties noticed that the pop star was wearing a very personalized friendship bracelet at the game — featuring Kelce’s number, 87.

Earlier in the day, Swift was pictured in selfies with former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar, who shared the snapshots on his Instagram account.

“Watching the Browns game with @taylorswift pre KC game,” Kosar captioned the pics.

Last weekend, Swift and Kelce presumably confirmed their budding relationship by arriving hand in hand for the Oct. 14 Saturday Night Live after-party, after making separate surprise cameos on that night’s Pete Davidson-hosted episode.

See the clips of Swift shared Sunday afternoon by the NFL’s X account, plus her selfies with Kosar, below.