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“We love y’all watching Pose and Legendary, but we also want y’all to come outside and support!” proclaimed Stephanie “Packrat” Whitfield, one of the executive producers of Sunday night’s powerful Equality Ball (Aug. 27).
The urgency of her words was the guiding principle of the night, as some of the most iconic names in ballroom convened for an unforgettable night — one that paid tribute to the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights and highlighted the many avenues through which people continue to push for queer liberation across American politics. Hosted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQIA+ civil rights organization, in association with Beeline Productions and the Shady Gang, with support from BeyGOOD Foundation, the Equality Ball brought authentic ballroom culture to KAOS Nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada.
With Carlos Irizarry of the House of Basquiat, one of the choreographers and dancers on Beyoncé’s record-breaking Renaissance World Tour, as one of the figures spearheading this event, which was seven years in the making, Queen Bey’s influence loomed large over the night. For the night’s final category, the aptly titled “OTA Performance — Bring It Like Beyoncé,” participants recreated some of the singer’s instantly iconic tour ensembles and crafted custom pieces inspired by Renaissance tracks. From the “Cozy” robot arms to several renditions of her sparkly gold Loewe bodysuit, Beyoncé was omnipresent. Not to mention, several key Renaissance Tour figures were in attendance, including Honey Balenciaga, Les Twins, and some of the tour’s film crew.
Nevertheless, the Equality Ball was never dominated by Queen Bey. In fact, the ball was arguably a pitch-perfect example of how allies can assist marginalized groups in achieving their visions, while still allowing them to take center stage. From Kevin Jz Prodigy and Shannon Balenciaga to Dashaun Wesley and Precious Basquiat, the Equality Ball was spearheaded by pillars of the culture, people who live and breathe the freedom, catharsis, and resistance of ballroom.
In the wake of the harrowing, unjust murder of O’Shae Sibley, the Equality Ball stood not only as a celebration of the vitality of LGBTQIA+ life and culture, but also as a staunch reminder that this community will not be silenced or erased. “Ballroom culture is synonymous with the Black queer community — it creates a safe space for LGBTQ+ people at a time when being your authentic self was dangerous. But, let’s not get confused, it’s still dangerous for us — Black and Brown trans women are facing an epidemic of fatal violence,” says Human Rights Campaign President, Kelley Robinson. “The Equality Ball serves as another space for those who feel overlooked to take center stage and let theworld know that — as Beyoncé sings — you won’t break our souls.”
The Human Rights Campaign offered countless educational resources at the Equality Ball, including HIV testing, voter registration, and direct access to information about local LGBTQ+ programs and initiatives.
Here are the five best moments from the Equality Ball on Sunday:
Maxine Jones Lights Up the Pre-Show
One good turn deserves another. That’s the take-away from Adele pausing her Weekends with Adele show on Saturday night in Las Vegas during “Water Under the Bridge” to find out why venue security were so focused on a young man who was standing up during the show. “What is going on with that young fan […]
TWICE carves out a slice of history with the announcement of a one-off stadium show in Australia later this year.
Produced by Live Nation, TWICE will bring their 5th World Tour ‘Ready To Be’ to Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4.
With that show, TWICE will become the first female group to headline a stadium in Australia, and the first K-pop stadium concert to be held in the land Down Under.
The one-off show follows four sold-out Australian arena dates in May.
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“Australian fans have fallen head over feels for their signature high energy performance and stellar setlist of chart-topping hits,” reads a statement from LN.
General tickets go on sale from Wednesday, Sept. 6, with the Live Nation presale starting earlier, from Monday, Sept. 4.
The nine-member South Korean pop act was formed by JYP Entertainment in 2015, when Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu were selected from from Sixteen, a one-season talent show.
Earlier this year, TWICE claimed their third No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart (dated March 25) as Ready to Be: 12th Mini Album debuted atop the list with the act’s best sales week ever.
The EP peaked at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200 and is one of the group’s four top 10 appearanced on that chart.
TWICE recently completed the North American swing of their 5th World Tour ‘Ready To Be,’ playing 13 sold-out performances at nine stadiums and arenas, according to LN. The second leg of the tour will run from September through December, with the group playing venues across Europe and Asia.
In March of this year, the performers were honored with the Breakthrough Award at Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music, which Sabrina Carpenter presented.
Also on the night, TWICE dazzled with a rendition of Ready to Be cut “Moonlight Sunrise,” the artists’ second English-language single, following “The Feels,” which dropped in October 2021.
Class is finally in session for The Debut: Dream Academy.
HYBE and Geffen Records revealed Monday evening (Aug. 28) the 20 talented contestants from around the world who will be competing for a spot in the first-ever HYBE x Geffen Records global girl group.
The diverse group of young women were selected from more than 120,000 submissions after HYBE and Geffen announced the joint venture — HYBE x Geffen Global Girl Group Audition — in November 2021. The lengthy process of creating the group will be documented in an upcoming Nadia Hallgren-directed Netflix series, which will delve into the journey to global stardom while including insight into the extensive training and development program from HYBE and Geffen Records. The currently untitled series is set to premiere in 2024.
In the meantime, the 20 contestants will participate in The Debut: Dream Academy audition program, which fans can follow along with on YouTube and Japan’s ABEMA beginning Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT. After 12 weeks, the final members of the group will be selected and the name of the group will be revealed at the live finale on Nov. 17. Fans will play a crucial role throughout the entire competition via fan voting on Weverse and TikTok.
“I have wanted to form an international group based on K-pop methodology for a while,” HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk shared at a press event in Los Angeles on Monday night. “To do this, I believed we needed a capable partner. When I met [Interscope Geffen A&M Records CEO] John [Janick], from the first moment, we both felt instantly that we had a connection, musically and creatively. I am very proud of the rich history we have made and the tremendous talent we have found. I am proud of the opportunities we have created within the K-pop universe.”
For his part, Janick added: “Since we began our partnership two years ago, Bang and I have often spoken about our shared beliefs in artist development, music and creativity. To develop a global group with Bang, with the best of K-pop methodology, and our Geffen team, is truly special and will bring to life a first-of-its kind experience in music. Each candidate is incredibly talented, dedicated, and driven, making this an exciting moment for music fans around the world.”
Geffen President Tom March added: “Watching these incredible candidates work so hard to fulfill their potential creatively has been hugely inspiring to me and everyone at Geffen. People are going to be blown away when they see what each of these candidates has been able to achieve so far.”
Below, in alphabetical order, find the names, ages and home countries of the 20 gifted contestants competing to be in the international girl group.
Adela
Image Credit: Courtesy of HYBE x Geffen Records
NCT’s new album is a family affair. On Monday (Aug. 28), the K-pop group — which consists of subdivisions NCT 127, NCT DREAM, NCT U, NCT DoJaeJung and WayV — released its fourth studio album, Golden Age, on streaming services.
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The album contains 10 tracks, all of which feature different combinations of the members across group subunits. For “Baggy Jeans,” members Taeyong, Ten, Doyoung, Jaehyun and Mark step up to the plate for a high-energy hip-hop song that sees each of them flexing their unique flow, and of course, their stylish clothing. (A music video for the track also arrived with the album’s release on Monday.)
The other songs on the album are “PADO” (Johnny, Taeyong, Jaehyun, Mark, Xiaojun, Hendery and Haechan), “Interlude: Oasis” (Yuta, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jaemin and Chenle), “The BAT” (Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Jungwoo, Hendery, Jeno and Jisung), “Alley Oop” (Yuta, Winwin, Jaemin, Jeno, Hendery, Yangyang and Jisung), “That’s Not Fair” (Johnny, Taeyong, Ten, Mark, Jeno and Yangyang), “Kangaroo (Taeil, Kun, Renjun, Yangyang, Chenle and Jisung), “Not Your Fault” (Taeil, Kun, Doyoung, Ten, Jungwoo, Xiaojun, Renjun), “Call D” (Ten and Taeyong) and the title track, which includes all 20 members.
Golden Age marks the first album NCT has released since 2021’s Universe – The 3rd Album. That set crowned Billboard‘s World Albums chart, and peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard 200.
Stream Golden Age below, and watch the visual for “Baggy Jeans” in the video above.
Taylor Swift seemingly threw some playful shade at Kanye West during her Eras Tour show in Mexico City on Sunday (Aug. 27), making a comment about the infamous 2009 VMAs scandal that ignited their longtime feud. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In a video circulating social media, […]
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 Victoria Monet, Boys Like Girls, Ashnikko & Ethel Cain and more 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 all 10.
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Sid Sriram, “Quiet Storm”
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Sid Sriram is a superstar in India for his Bollywood work, and with a new Def Jam deal and a U.S. debut album, Sidharth, the 33-year-old has his sights set on making a greater impact with American audiences. Songs like “Quiet Storm” showcase Sriram’s impeccable vocal range to a wider listenership as well as nod toward his musical idiosyncrasies, with a shapeshifting structure, thrilling production flourishes and soulful thickets of sound. – Jason Lipshutz
Ashnikko feat. Ethel Cain, “Dying Star”
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Metaphors blend just as Ashnikko and Ethel Cain’s voices intertwine on “Dying Star,” the breathtaking final track on Ashnikko’s new album Weedkiller. Instead of delineating between verses and choruses, the artists hold the mics together and harmonize in and out of different lines. Ashnikko and Cain approach pop songwriting from different perspectives, but they sing about the forgiving earth and complex identity issues with a pure understanding of each other’s strengths. – J. Lipshutz
Olivia Lunny, “Heartbreak on Repeat”
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“Is the devil in my eyes a dead giveaway / That I could hurt you like nobody?” Olivia Lunny asks at the top of “Heartbreak on Repeat,” the sinister, slightly funky synth-pop production shining a darker light on the Canadian singer-songwriter’s question. Lunny moves with precision throughout the new single, purposely sweeping into bridges and choruses as she declares her independence from romantic or social expectations. – J. Lipshutz
L’Rain, “Pet Rock”
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You can approach L’Rain’s fantasia of a new single on two levels: either as a psych-pop swirl, worth blissfully disappearing into for a few minutes, or as an elliptical, emotionally striking plea, with Taja Cheek’s lyrics forming refrains about feeling invisible or like “a dead girl with shades on propped up by captors.” Whether through a casual or deeper read, “Pet Rock” resonates, and L’Rain’s upcoming album I Killed Your Dog is quickly becoming one of the fall’s most anticipated releases. – J. Lipshutz
Shallow Pools, “Nightmare”
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With “Nightmare,” Boston-based indie quartet Shallow Pools have crafted a single that makes the listener want to gleefully headbang in a crowded room, while simultaneously respecting the boundaries of the world around them. After all, the band sneers at those who have thoughtlessly made them feel uncomfortable in their own skin, then offers up some well-tailored melodies to help get their points across effectively. – J. Lipshutz
Anjimile, “Animal”
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Whereas “The King,” the lead single from Anjimile’s upcoming album of the same name, foregrounded an elegant choir before veering toward a noisy abyss, “Animal” renders his voice with naked intensity: “If you treat me like an animal / I’ll be an animal,” they remind those trying to minimize their existence as a Black trans artist. On both songs, Anjimile shakes the listener awake, and conveys an urgency that compels us to dive deeper into his world. – J. Lipshutz
Victoria Monet, “Stop (Askin’ Me 4Shyt)”
Confident, silky voiced women telling off mooching men was a staple of late ‘90s R&B, but when Victoria Monet declares, “It ain’t even Christmas, and it ain’t your birthday / so why you callin’ me with a wish list” at the top of Jaguar II’s “Stop (Askin’ Me 4Shyt),” the vibes are all lush, immaculate ‘70s soul. You practically expect Verdine White to materialize out of nowhere, so it’s no surprise when Earth, Wind & Fire actually makes a featured appearance on the album’s next track, the reflective “Hollywood.” – Joe Lynch
The Beaches, “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid”
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On the Beaches’ “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid,” the pleasantly world-weary first verse is quickly subsumed into the head-nodding release of the chorus, where the Toronto quartet finds cathartic release over anxieties about everything from conspiracy theories to oversharing. At just under four minutes, it’s shorter than Nietzsche’s Twilight of the Idols, and certainly easier to dance to. – J. Lynch
Saint Etienne, “Spirit Guide”
Saint Etienne have released their first single in almost two years, “Spirit Guide,” which further explores the celebrated British indie trio’s approach to dance. The track uses repetition and ululation amidst stylish hi-hat instrumentation, often in place of discernible lyrics, to capture a laid-back vibe meant to move the body and titillate the senses. The downtempo beats feel like the moody closing track in a party playlist which signal that the night is just beginning to wane. – Starr Bowenbank
Boys Like Girls, “Cry”
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Boys Like Girls have never been afraid of trying their hand at a ballad – see earlier career hits “Two Is Better Than One” featuring Taylor Swift and “Thunder” – and new track “Cry” sees them dusting it off for another go-round. Vocalist Martin Johnson uses the middle of his range and offers fans a shoulder to cry on while simultaneously uplifting and reassuring them that better, less difficult times lie on the road ahead. – S. Bowenbank
It was a fairy tale come true for Taylor Swift when the pop superstar played four shows at the Foro Sol in Mexico City, Mexico, to kick off her Eras Tour’s international dates. After completing the concerts in Mexico’s capital — which kicked off Aug. 24 and wrapped Aug. 27 — Swift shared her thoughts […]
Miley Cyrus is continuing to get showered with love over her vulnerable new single, “Used to Be Young,” and gained yet another famous supporter over the weekend. At her Las Vegas residency show on Friday night (Aug. 25), Adele said she’s “obsessed” with Cyrus’ song. “I’ve always been a big Miley Cyrus fan, and I’ve […]
season is back, and ESPN is taking Monday Night Football up a notch with a star-studded musical collaboration. The network revealed on Monday (Aug. 28) that it’s teaming up with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake throughout the 2023-24 NFL season to curate music for select Monday Night Football games. The curated music from the superstar duo […]
