Pop

01 Aug 2023

Taylor Swift Joins Fans in Celebrating the Start of August: ‘Get in the Car’

The month of August is upon us. And for Swifties, that means it’s officially Follklore season.

That’s because one of the most beloved tracks on Taylor Swift‘s 2020 album shares a name with the month we’ve just entered: “August,” told through the perspective of a character dubbed by the fandom as Augustine, who fills the role of “the other woman” in the teenage love triangle chronicled by Folklore.

Even Swift herself has taken to Twitter to ring in the start of the month, in spite of the fact that she’s released two more albums (Evermore and Midnights) since dropping Folklore at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (The album is just that iconic, and so is “August.”)

“get in the car it’s august,” the pop star wrote at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday (Aug. 1), referencing one of the song’s lyrics: “Remember when I pulled up and said ‘Get in the car’/ And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?”

Her tweet received more than one million likes in just a few hours, with thousands of fans sharing their excitement in the comments. Many of them quoted more lyrics in Swift’s replies: “SALT AIR AND THE RUST ON YOUR DOOR!!!!” wrote one, while another added, “i never needed anything more (than this tweet).”

“august heads unite,” chimed in Jack Antonoff — who produced “August” — in a tweet of his own.

Other Swifties have also shared homemade memes and reverent tweets honoring the track, with several people declaring, “It’s officially august by taylor swift month.”

There’s plenty of evidence beyond Tuesday’s swirl of Swiftie tweets that proves “August” isn’t just any old fan-favorite song, but has the evergreen power of a seasonal classic, something diehard Swifties and casual fans alike will dust off every year. For instance, the track made a resurgence on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart just a few weeks ago, and returned to the top 10 of the Hot Alternative Songs chart — mirroring the chart boost “August” saw one year ago.

And, assisted by a heavy feature in Prime Video’s Summer I Turned Pretty season two trailer, “August” has also experienced a major streaming boost recently. The week the trailer came out, its streams went up by 24%, according to Luminate.

See Taylor’s tweet and posts from Swifties celebrating “August” below:

01 Aug 2023

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Beg BTS’ Jung Kook Not to Watch Them Sing ‘Butter’ in ‘Mutant Mayhem’ Teaser

It’s right there in the name: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. So, given that said bony-shelled reptiles are right in the demo, it’s fitting that in a new promo for the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem movie that is out on Wednesday (Aug. 2), Leo, Raph, Don and Mikey are unabashed members of the ARMY.

“This is it, guys,” Raphael laments in the 20-second clip in which the foursome are lashed to a giant bomb-like device that seems to spell their demise. “Oh, so many regrets,” he groans. “I just wish I could see BTS IRL,” says Donatello.

Leonardo, of course, has a creative idea, offering, “We could do some of the songs for you,” he says, with Michelangelo adding that he’d be down for a few bars. Leo then gets the gang started, singing the first lines of BTS’ global No. 1 smash “Butter,” while encouraging the others to join in. But, given their predicament — they are lashed to a wall by their wrists and ankles — the song comes out as more of a cry than a croon.

It’s all a bit sad, honestly and Don complains that they don’t even really know the words. To be fair, the tweet of the clip had a very stark warning message: “Jung Kook please don’t watch this.”

In addition to the four turtles (voiced by Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon), the film also features the voices of Rogen, Hannibal Buress, Rose Byrne, John Cena, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Ayo Edebiri, Giancarlo Esposito, Post Malone, Paul Rudd and Maya Rudolph; Rogen and producing partner Evan Goldberg co-wrote and co-produced the film directed by Jeff Rowe.

Watch the trailer below.

01 Aug 2023

Taylor Swift Owns ‘August,’ But What Other Month-Themed Songs Have Hit the Hot 100?

It’s the first day of August, which has us thinking about Taylor Swift’s timely song “August” from her 2020 album Folklore.

Folklore was surprise-released on July 24, 2020 — so just ahead of August that year — and in the Augusts since, we’ve seen the song re-emerge on various Billboard charts timed to the month. Last year, “August” returned to the Alternative Streaming Songs chart, re-entering at No. 21 in the July 29-Aug. 4 tracking week. It also made its first appearance on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts in August 2022. Also last year, it hit No. 1 on the LyricFind U.S. and LyricFind Global charts, for its first week atop both lists, as everyone searched for August-appropriate lyrics.

All of this got the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast wondering: What other big month-themed songs are there out there? And does every month have its own Hot 100 hit? Plus, Swift’s “August” has so far peaked at No. 23 on the Hot 100 — the week of Folklore’s release — but what is the highest-charting month hit ever?

Listen to Katie & Keith’s full discussion on this week’s Billboard Pop Shop Podcast below to find out all the answers to those questions and more:

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

01 Aug 2023

Beyoncé Shouts Out ‘Queen’ Madonna During New Jersey Renaissance World Tour Show

Though Madonna‘s 40th anniversary Celebration dates in the U.S. have been postponed due to the serious bacterial infection that landed her in a New York ICU last month, the singer made it out to Beyoncé‘s show in New Jersey on Sunday in one of her first public appearances since the hospitalization.

Video posted by fans showed the 64-year-old legend enjoying Bey’s show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday night. In fact, Queen Bey noticed her special guest as well and during a run through “Break My Soul” she even gave her fellow royal some love from the stage.

“Big shout out to the queen,” Beyoncé said while working the stage during the song that got a “Queens Remix” last year featuring vocals from both powerhouses in their first official collaboration. “Queen Mother, Madonna, we love you,” Bey said in a performance that also slid in a nod to Madonna’s iconic 1990 club track “Vogue.”

Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary, announced last month that the singer had spent several days in intensive care due to a “serious bacterial infection.” On Sunday, Madonna wrote a note to fans thanking them for their support during this difficult period. “Love from family and friends is the best Medicine. One month out of the hospital and I can reflect,” Madonna said.

“As a Mother you can really get caught up In the needs Of your children and the seemingly endless giving,” she added. “But when the chips were down my children really showed up for me. I saw a side to them I had never seen before. It made all the difference.”

Check out some of the images of Madonna at the show below.

31 Jul 2023

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: Tori Kelly, Cafuné, Yeek & More

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 Tori Kelly, Cafuné, LE SSERAFIM, Yeek 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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See latest videos, charts and news

Yeek, “$$$$” 

With sparse 808s and a “cash flow” vocal loop at the top of the song (not to mention the title), “$$$$” seems like it’s gonna be a midtempo hip-hop song — until Yeek’s moody, velvety voice transports it to Weeknd-adjacent territory, fit for late-night cruising down empty streets. Befitting the genre-liberated musician, “$$$$” closes out with a dynamic drum break, which nicely sets up the bedroom alt-rock vibes of the single’s B-side “ETA2” feat. Paris Texas. – JOE LYNCH

Ethan Tasch, “Shell”

Ethan Tasch began his career as an indie-folk artist in 2020, most notably releasing breakout single “Room.” Now, as he prepares for the release of his debut album this month, the artist’s latest offers a sneak peek into the project. On the midtempo “Shell,” Tasch sings of being a shell of himself over a twangy guitar and steadying beat — capturing what it feels like to chug along the best one can, even on the not-so-great-days. – LYNDSEY HAVENS

Tori Kelly, “cut”

Tori Kelly has returned after four years with a captivating EP that makes clear she’s at her most self-assured. “Cut” is a prime example, as the singer’s powerful vocals glide over a beat that fuses ’90s R&B production with a sped-up and shimmering dance-inspired chorus. Not convinced? Take her word for it: “I’m the only one you know who take control,” she asserts. – L.H.

Madeline Kenney, “Reality Mind”

Some of the most effervescent pop moments of 2023 are tucked in the crevices of Madeline Kenney’s just-released album A New Reality Mind, and on “Reality Mind,” the synths are something to behold: as Kenney processes her personal evolution, her voice is surrounded by laser-beam riffs and a lovely pile-up of keys, giving the impression that the singer-songwriter is floating in space as she repeats the titular phrase. – JASON LIPSHUTZ

Nicotine Dolls, “How Do You Love Me”

Looking for a track to scratch the epic alt-rock itch that bands like Snow Patrol used to regularly reach? Look no further than “How Do You Love Me,” a winning new belt-along from NYC group Nicotine Dolls, whose lead singer Sam Cieri wowed on America’s Got Talent last summer and now injects this song with palpable drama and soulful personality. – J. Lipshutz

Cafuné, “Demise”

Cafuné wrote new single “Demise” “about feeling mentally stuck in that internal dialogue of being unkind to yourself; trapped in decision paralysis, silencing yourself for fear of being misunderstood,” according to a press release. Ironic, considering how effortless every aspect of “Demise” sounds: as a preview of the New York duo’s upcoming EP Love Songs for the End, the single radiates strummy pop confidence, particularly in the way the vocal hooks careen off each other. – J. Lipshutz

Moss Kena, “Open Water”

When it comes to buoyant indie-pop, Moss Kena simply doesn’t miss: new single “Open Water” elevates the formula that the singer-songwriter showcased on past tracks “Primadonna” and “Light It Up,” pushing forward with natural metaphors, vocal somersaults and subtle, synth-led production. With a new EP due in September, Kena is continuing to demonstrate his gifts as a pop savant. – J. Lipshutz

Snakehips feat. Muni Long, “My Body // Your Body”

Sweaty and sumptuous, “My Body // Your Body” — released as a new single on the deluxe edition of British production duo Snakehips’ latest album, Never Worry — not only finds the dance veterans in top form, but allows recent R&B breakout star Muni Long depart her “Hrs and Hrs” tempo for a vocally captivating night at the club. It’s still technically July — plenty of time still left in the summer to add this to your favorite warm-weather playlist. – J. Lipshutz

Meernaa, “So Far So Good”

Fans of idiosyncratic, relatively chilled-out indie-pop a la Aldous Harding, Westerman and Nilüfer Yanya should embrace “So Far So Good,” the quietly effective new track from Oakland native Carly Bond, better known as Meernaa. The elegant instrumentation supplements the delectable hooks without overwhelming the song’s catchiest moments, resulting in a handful of blissful refrains that beg to have their details pored over. – J. Lipshutz

LE SSERAFIM, “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife (Rina Sawayama Remix)”

LE SSERAFIM’s latest K-pop banger, “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife,” trades its synth driven instrumentation for something grittier, darker and more becoming of Rina Sawayama’s eclectic style. The “STFU” singer hops on the remix of the track — a perfect complement to the voices of members Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, and Hong Eun-chae — and delivers her verse in a calm and collected manner, coolly boasting about women in history who have been movers and shakers, and suggesting women in the present have just as much fun. “We’re flawless and we’re fearless, deserve to have some fun/ Take the back seat, you know I like that,” she sings. – STARR BOWENBANK

31 Jul 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Teases ‘Guts’ Tracklist With Mysterious Video: Can You Decode the Clues?

Get out your magnifying glasses. Olivia Rodrigo has shared a video that teases the song titles on her upcoming album Guts, littered with clues for fans to decode.

In the clip, the 20-year-old pop star can be seen from a bird’s eye view lounging in a bedroom, unpacking boxes and tinkering with everything from an electric keyboard to a vintage typewriter. Toward the end, a snippet of an unreleased song plays — but that’s not even the main element that caught the attention of fans.

Eagle-eyed followers very quickly realized that words and phrases were hidden all over the room, which they deduced to be song titles based on the words Liv writes on her typewriter: “GUTS tracklist.” “WE ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE TRACKLIST [IN] OUR FACES IN THIS,” commented one excited fan.

Here’s what Billboard has found in the video so far:

  • “Bad idea right” is written in red lipstick on Rodrigo’s vanity mirror
  • “Now I hold it like a grudge” is printed on a piece of paper she sets down on her vanity chair
  • The words “Stranger” and “Obsessed can be found atop her piano and a stray piece of white clothing on the floor, respectively.
  • A birthday cake boasts candles reading either “18” or “19”
  • A faux high-school yearbook shows the “Drivers License” singer as the sole member of “Book club.”

There are also definitely words written in red lettering on a skateboard toward the bottom of the frame, a sticker on the guitar case toward the top and something sprawled above Rodrigo’s knee — but they’re just slightly too out of focus to read.

The teaser comes about a month after the Grammy winner announced that her sophomore album, Guts, the followup to her blockbuster debut LP Sour, would be arriving Sept. 8. So far, fans have gotten to hear only one track from the project: lead single “Vampire,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

See her tracklist teaser below:

31 Jul 2023

Kelly Clarkson Warns Fans Not to Throw Things At Her Onstage … Unless It’s Diamonds, Of Course

Kelly Clarkson would like to avoid being added to the steadily increasing pool of musicians who are victims of fans throwing objects at them onstage … but she’ll make an exception for one item. (Hint: They’re a girl’s best friend.)

“If you’re gonna throw s–t, throw diamonds,” she told her concert crowd over the July 28-29 weekend, during one of the first of many shows in her newly minted Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino’s Bakkt Theater.

The 41-year-old pop star was seemingly referencing a growing — and dangerous — recent trend in which audience members have been throwing phones, bracelets and other personal belongings at artists as they perform. In July, for instance, Bebe Rexha had to go to the hospital and suffered injuries to her eye after getting hit in the face by a chucked cell phone during a show at New York’s The Rooftop at Pier 17. Why? Because the perpetrator thought “it would be funny.”

And again, over the weekend, Cardi B — while performing at Las Vegas’ Drai’s Beachclub, just down the road from Clarkson — fought fire with fire by throwing her microphone at a fan who’d splashed her with water. Drake, Steve Lacy, Harry Styles and Kelsea Ballerini have also all suffered blows to their faces and bodies in the past few months, due to people pelting things at them mid-concert. And then there’s Pink, who looked horrified upon being gifted with the ashes of a fan’s dead mother while she was trying to perform at the BST Hyde Park festival.

The diamond-throwing quip wasn’t Clarkson’s only noteworthy joke during her kickoff shows in Vegas over the weekend. In response to a female fan’s declaration that her girlfriend had given her her blessing to hook up with the “Stronger” singer — a couple’s agreement also known as a “hall pass” — Clarkson replied that “unfortunately, I like d–ks.”

See clips of Kelly Clarkson sharing her preferences below:

31 Jul 2023

Harry Styles’ Love On Tour Raises More Than $6.5 Million for Charity

Harry Styles spread the love to more than just fans who attended his Love On Tour shows. Following the conclusion of the pop star’s impressive two-year run on the road, his team announced that the international trek raised more than $6.5 million for dozens of charities across the globe, benefiting reproductive health, environmentalism, gun safety and many more causes.

The donated proceeds were raised over the course of 173 shows in Europe, North America, Australia, Asia and Latin America starting in September 2021, several of which were grouped as mini-residencies in iconic venues such as New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ The Forum — both of which have permanent banners hanging from the rafters commemorating 15 consecutive Love On Tour concerts. As of a couple weeks ago, the tour had earned more than $590 million total, becoming the fourth highest-grossing tour of all time, according to the Billboard Boxscore.

Among the charities benefited by Love On Tour: Planned Parenthood, Choose Love, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Rebuild Foundation, REVERB, Black Voters Matter Fund – Capacity Building Institute, The Afiya Center, International Rescue Committee, Intermission Youth, Save the Children, CARE, Every Town for Gun Safety, and several more.

Styles officially closed out the run of shows with a jam-packed finale performance in Reggio Emilia, Italy, on July 22, during which he thanked fans in an emotional speech. “You guys being here tonight, I know you wanted to make it special for me. You make it special for me every single night,” he said during his last moments on a Love On Tour stage. “The atmosphere that you have created, the family that you have created, this safe space that you have created … I want to thank you for everything.”

After his final performance, the three-time Grammy winner shared a sweet video capturing some of the best fan moments from his shows, promising on his Instagram Story that he’ll “see you again when the time is right.”

“Treat People With Kindness,” he added. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”

31 Jul 2023

Lady Gaga Bringing ‘Jazz & Piano’ Show Back to Las Vegas For Summer/Fall 2023 Residency Run

Lady Gaga is rebooting her Jazz & Piano residency show at the Dolby Live at Park MGM. The singer announced on Monday morning (July 31) that the show will be back for 12 dates between August 31 and Oct. 5.

Gaga launched Jazz & Piano in Jan. 2019, playing shows interchangeably with her more elaborate pop-oriented Enigma show. The stripped-down show — whose set list veered between such Great American songbook selections such as “Luck Be a Lady,” “Mambo Italiano,” “La Vie En Rose” and “Fly Me to the Moon” with jazzy versions of “Bad Romance,” “Paparazzi” and “Born This Way” — continued into May 2022.

Little Monsters can sign up now for a pre-sale here for the upcoming gigs that kicks off on Tuesday (August 1). The general on-sale will begin on Friday (August 4) at 1 p.m. ET.

The step back into the jazz spotlight will come less than a month after the passing of Gaga’s friend and musical mentor, Tony Bennett. Over the weekend, Gaga paid loving tribute to Bennett, who died on July 21 at age 96 of undisclosed causes.

“I will miss my friend forever. I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage together,” Gaga wrote alongside an Instagram photo of Bennett giving her a warm hug. “With Tony, I got to live my life in a time warp. Tony & I had this magical power. We transported ourselves to another era, modernized the music together, & gave it all new life as a singing duo. But it wasnt an act. Our relationship was very real.”

Gaga performed with Bennett at New York’s Radio City Music Hall in August 2021 during two “One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga” shows that marked the legendary crooner’s last live performances. The singer first teamed up with her musical hero on “The Lady Is a Tramp” from Bennett’s Duets II album. Gaga and Bennett also recorded two full-length jazz standards albums together, 2014’s Cheek to Cheek and 2021’s Love for Sale.

Watch the Jazz & Piano teaser video below.

31 Jul 2023

Ed Sheeran Got Roasted While Serving Dogs At Chicago’s Legendary Weiner Circle: ‘Way Too Proper and Friendly’

There are way worse things you could be called than “too polite.” In fact, if you’ve been to Chicago’s legendary Weiner Circle hot dog stand anytime, but especially on a bleary late night/early morning for a double dog with all the fixins, you have likely been called way, way worse.

After all, the 40-year-old stand’s unofficial motto is “What the f–k do you want?”

So it made sense that when Ed Sheeran popped in on Saturday (July 29) to sling a few dogs before taking a ride downtown to play his sold-out gig at Soldier Field, the notoriously spicy staff had something to say about his weirdly well-mannered approach. “Our newest trainee @edsheeran has a lot to learn, he’s way too proper and friendly,” the stand tweeted on Saturday along with a pic of a beaming Sheeran behind the counter mobbed by Sheerios snapping pics.

Not surprisingly, the place was mobbed after posting a teaser earlier in the day when its sign read, “Do you want edchup with that?” Dropping in to Weiner Circle has become a right of passage for some stars visiting Chicago, but only if they’re willing to put up with the staff’s patented trash talk. And Sheeran definitely got it, posting a video of his kitchen crash with the caption, “This place is legendary is [sic] Chicago for serving hot dogs and insulting their customers. I loved it.”

Sheeran seemed to relish the chance, smiling sheepishly as a manager walked him through the kitchen, grabbed his arm and told patrons, “hey look motherf—ers, look!” while Sheerios screamed in delight in a video shared by the singer. “He’s nervous, because you won’t shut the f–k up!” the staffer later joked while giving Ed a ceremonial sprinkling with Weiner Circle holy water (aka pickle juice) and warning the mob to, “grab one dog, one picture and keep that s–t moving!”

Sheeran’s next show is on Saturday (August 5) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

Check out some tweets about Sheeran’s dog party below.