State Champ Radio Pop
Page: 578
Jisoo wasn’t just a Coachella headliner this past weekend; she was also a fan. On Monday (April 17), the BLACKPINK idol shared her reactions to sets by Frank Ocean, Willow and more.
On her Instagram Stories, the K-pop star posted a clip of Ocean’s long-awaited headlining act on Day 3 of the Indio, Calif.-based festival, declaring simply, “Frank Ocean…legendary” above the R&B pioneer belting out Channel Orange fan favorite “Bad Religion.”
Jisoo also spread the love to the likes of Willow and Jaden Smith, Dominic Fike and others, declaring the Smith siblings’ onstage duet of “Summertime in Paris” the “best performance” and writing, “Can’t believe I got to listen to this in person!” of the latter’s performance of new song “Ant Pile” from his forthcoming sophomore studio album.
Earlier in the weekend, the Korean native posted a now-expired Story of herself enjoying Yungblud‘s set at the Outdoor Theatre as the Brit rocker played his 2022 track “Sweet Heroine.”
Of course, Jisoo was on hand at the festival to headline Saturday along with her BLACKPINK bandmates, marking the quartet’s historic return to Coachella just four years after they made their U.S. festival debut in 2019 with a triumphant set that included everything from “Boombayah” and “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” to “Pink Venom,” “Shut Down” and “Typa Girl.” Each member got her own individual moment in the spotlight as well, with Jisoo performing her newly released solo single “Flower.”
Check out Jisoo’s thrilled fan footage of Ocean, Fike, Willow and more at Coachella before it expires here.
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 Jorja Smith, Passion Pit, Jessie Ware, Dawn Richard, Lauren Spencer-Smith, GAYLE & Em Beihold 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.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Shy Martin, “Glued to the Floor”
Shy Martin’s “Glued to the Floor” is a song about antidepressants that hails from an album (late night thoughts, May 19) written entirely in a bedroom. Naturally, it’s gonna feel introspective, but there’s a guileless warmth to the Swedish musician’s delivery here that makes the interiority of her world feel every bit as immediate as the one beneath your feet. – Joe Lynch
Khamari, “Right My Wrongs”
The gentle, sweet ache in Khamari’s voice is earning him understandable comparisons to Frank Ocean, but the Boston-born, L.A.-based singer-songwriter’s discography, while limited, demonstrates a musical range and creative perspective all his own. New single “Right My Wrongs” is a velvety, laid-back slice of R&B with retro soul and bedroom indie-pop vibes. Don’t be surprised if Khamari is the next big thing. – J. Lynch
Jessie Ware, “Begin Again”
Ware’s upcoming album is called That! Feels Good! (April 28), and latest single “Begin Again” is certainly as excitable as the exclamation point-happy title. Inspired by dreams of a Brazilian escape during the doldrums of lockdown, “Begin Again” melds Ware’s soulful disco with shades of samba-like syncopation, adding up to five-minutes of celebratory bliss. – J. Lynch
King Krule, “Seaforth”
Three years and a whole pandemic have passed since King Krule geared up to release an album, and new track “Seaforth” shows that Archy Marshall has changed for the better. Where some of his previous work explored his more melancholic side (“Dum Surfer”), “Seaforth” — the first look at Krule’s next album, Space Heavy — sees him sweetly embracing the little joys that fatherhood has to offer, from recognizing himself in his daughter’s eyes to taking walks together in a mall (“Now walk through shop centers together/ Our love dissolves this universe”). — Starr Bowenbank
Passion Pit, “American Blood”
What’s old is officially new again for Passion Pit, as singer Michael Angelakos has formally released “American Blood,” a deep cut from their 2012 critically acclaimed album, Gossamer, that only ever appeared on its iTunes deluxe version. Cloaked behind its upbeat synth instrumental is a darker reality, as Angelakos grapples with his past, and wonders if he can turn back the hands of time. — S.B.
Jorja Smith, “Try Me”
Jorja Smith released an EP in 2021 titled Be Right Back, and now that the R&B star (and former best new artist nominee) is indeed back, early returns on her sophomore LP sound extremely promising. “Try Me” drips elegance in its spaces of incredulity — “Nothin’ is ever enough / I don’t have to tell you what I’ve changed,” Smith sings with exasperation on the chorus — and reads as both complex in its rhythmic palette and straightforward in its pop presence, a line that Smith walks well. – Jason Lipshutz
Dawn Richard, “Bubblegum”
After Dawn Richard teamed up with composer-producer Spencer Zahn for last year’s experimental, gorgeous LP Pigments, she’s back with a rhythmic pop single that will delight fans of her avant-R&B solo work and her radio-friendly Danity Kane fare. “Bubblegum” pops with sexual innuendo and tempo increases, as Richard, continuing a period of circling through several stylistic approaches with ease, sounds as confident as ever. – J. Lipshutz
Lauren Spencer Smith with GAYLE & Em Beihold, “Fantasy”
Between “Fingers Crossed,” “ABCDEFU” and “Numb Little Bug,” Lauren Spencer Smith, GAYLE and Em Beihold have watched songs go unexpectedly viral over the past year and change, rack up millions of streams and unlock previously unfathomable professional opportunities. “Fantasy,” a strength-in-numbers kiss-off in which the three rising artists decimate the lamest type of ex, makes room for all of their respective styles, finding cohesion around a lovely piano line and the type of clouds-high chorus that the three artists have previously mastered on their own. – J. Lipshutz
Girl Ray, “Hold Tight”
The new single from London trio Girl Ray contains the power to make mundane activities feel thrilling — witness how the group traipses around a farm in the “Hold Tight” music video, high-kicking while pushing identical wheelbarrows, and you’ll get an idea. An endearing pop-rock love song, “Hold Tight” offers carbonated goodness without overselling its appeal, and as they prepare new album Prestige, Girl Ray have delivered a single that will be a blast to hear, and perform, live. – J. Lipshutz
Speedy Ortiz, “Scabs”
Wry vocal hooks, liner-notes-ready wordplay and guitar riffs twisting around time changes are all hallmarks of Speedy Ortiz, who return with a song decrying hollow activism as their first new single in five years. Yet “Scabs” possesses a tenacity that sounds fresh and hard-earned: credit goes to the solidified band lineup (longtime touring bassist Audrey Zee Whitesides and drummer Joey Doubek have joined singer-songwriter-guitarist Sadie Dupuis and guitarist Andy Molholt) as well as Sarah Tudzin, the Illuminati Hotties mastermind who co-produced “Scabs” and helps provide space for the band to roam. – J. Lipshutz
J-Hope jumped on social media on Monday (April 17) to share an optimistic message with ARMY ahead of his enlistment in the South Korean military.
“I’ll have a good trip!!” the BTS member wrote on Instagram in his native Korean against a yellowed paper backdrop. Fans also got a surprise when they swiped to the next slide, with the “Arson” rapper giving a first look at his newly shorn, military-approved buzzcut. He also posted a separate message on Weverse, saying, “I love you ARMY…I’ll go and come back well,” while flashing an adorable salute to the camera.
While comments were turned off on J-Hope’s Instagram post, ARMY flooded Twitter with well-wishes and heartbroken goodbyes. “We are so proud of u, our HOPE,” one fan wrote with a trio of heart emojis while another tweeted, “My life is leaving in a second” followed by three sobbing faces.
With the start of his mandatory military service looming, J-Hope becomes the second member of the K-pop boy band to serve after Jin, who began basic training in mid-December at a military base near the tense border with North Korea. At the time, he got a sweet send-off from all six of his bandmates, and J-Hope and Jimin even got to visit him at a different military camp at the beginning of last month.
J-Hope certainly made the most of the time before he joined the military — releasing his debut solo album Jack in the Box, which debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and included hit singles “MORE” and “Arson.” He also made history by headlining Lollapalooza (as documented in his Disney+ documentary J-Hope IN THE BOX), became a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton and later collaborated with J. Cole on one-off single “On the Street.”
Check out J-Hope’s message to ARMY below.
Ed Sheeran unveiled a first look at his upcoming single “Boat” as well as its watery music video on Monday (April 17).
“‘Boat’ is the first song I wrote and finished for Subtract, it’s where it all began, and a good way to kick off the album,” the pop star wrote on Instagram. “I’m gonna release the full song and video this Friday, hope you love it as much as I do x.”
In the preview of the track’s seaside visual, Sheeran’s car careens off a cliff into the ocean below — only for the singer to emerge from the water soaked but still standing as he sings, “But the waves won’t break my boat,” over tender acoustic guitar.
While “Boat” was the first song the British pop troubadour created for – (Subtract), it will follow lead single “Eyes Closed” as the second offering from the upcoming album, which is set to arrive in full on May 5 as the final chapter of the mathematically themed albums he began with 2011’s + (Plus).
Announcing – (Subtract) back in February, Sheeran described the studio set as “opening the trapdoor into my soul,” adding, “For the first time, I’m not trying to craft an album people will like, I’m merely putting something out that’s honest and true to where I am in my adult life.”
To coincide with the album’s release, Sheeran will also release The Sum of It All, a four-part docuseries debuting exclusively on Disney+ on May 3.
Get a glimpse of Sheeran in the “Boat” music video below.
Adele is living her teenage dream…with the help of some adult beverages. The 34-year-old superstar was spotted having the time of her life this weekend at a gay bar in Miami Beach, enjoying drinks, lighting up the dance floor and happily singing along to pop hits like Katy Perry‘s 2010 smash.
Long hair tossed over her shoulders, Adele was captured in one video belting to a remixed “Teenage Dream,” sped-up with an appropriately danceable electronic beat added underneath Perry’s iconic lyrics. “I can’t sleep, let’s run away and don’t ever look back,” the musician sang along, making up corresponding dance moves as she went.
Fan photos and videos of the “Easy On Me” singer’s night out pinned her to Twist nightclub in South Beach, with one partygoer tweeting: “adele singing with us at twist???? i LOVE to see it.” That same fan also shared a video of the 16-time Grammy winner hitting all the high notes to Sia and David Guetta’s 2011 blockbuster hit “Titanium,” encouraging the crowd around her to sing along, too.
Though it seems the star is currently enjoying some time down south, she’ll soon be headed back out west to resume her acclaimed Las Vegas residency. A few weeks ago, while closing out her initial run of Weekends With Adele shows at Caesars Palace, Adele announced that an additional 34 shows starting June 16 would be added to the lineup.
“Playing to 4,000 people for 34 nights is not enough, and I know that, so I am coming back,” she told fans at a recent show. “I’ll be back for a few weeks in June, and I’m going to film it and I’m going to release it to make sure that anyone who wants to see this show can see it.”
See clips of Adele enjoying her night out in Miami below:
The new trailer for HBO’s long-awaited music drama series The Idol promises to dive into the muck of the music industry, and judging from the two-minute sneak peek that dropped on Monday morning (April 17), nobody emerges clean.
The series slated to debut on June 4 on HBO (and later stream on Max), was co-created by co-star The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye) along with Euphoria mastermind Sam Levinson — and Reza Fahim — and it takes little time establishing the gritty, sex and excess vibe.
“When was the last truly f–king nasty, nasty bad-pop was one of the show’s stars asks over footage of Depp’s Jocelyn posing for photos while smoking a cigarette in a daringly plunging red gown. It quickly introduces nightclub owner Tedros (Tesfaye), whose dark past seems like a bonus for the pop star whose career was derailed by a mental health crisis on her previous tour.
“You’ve got the best job in the world. You should be having way more fun,” Tedros whispers as he seduces the singer on the dancefloor. “I like you,” she responds while a pounding remix of Britney Spears’ “Gimme More” amps up the tension. The teaser then switches to showing cult leader Tedros as a svengali-like figure who unlocks something in Jocelyn by seemingly leaning all-in on her sex appeal.
“I want to be the biggest touring act ever,” she says as those around Jocelyn fear that Tedros is brainwashing his charge while things appear to be spiraling out of control. The filming of the series that was originally ordered by HBO in Nov. 2021 — which also co-stars Troye Sivan, Dan Levy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Eli Roth, Hari Nef, Moses Sumney, Hank Azaria and more — was reportedly plagued by delays, reshoots and rewrites on a production Rolling Stone claimed was described by a source as a “s–tshow.”
Last week, The Weeknd posed a 17-second preview of a song he’s been working on for with producer Mike Dean the show that he captioned “THE IDOL VOL. 1.” The Idol will air on HBO on Sunday nights at 9:30 p.m. beginning June 4 and will screen out of competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Watch the trailer for The Idol below.
North West just made her Las Vegas debut. Over the weekend, the nine-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West joined Katy Perry onstage during the pop star’s Saturday (April 15) PLAY residency, showing off her moves for a mom-approved dance party with friends.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“I’m a huge fan of your TikTok,” Perry was captured telling North in videos posted afterward to Instagram Stories by Kardashian, who was photographed filming the moment proudly from the audience. “I’ve seen a couple of them that you’ve made. You’re a really good dancer, and I thought what better way to be a great dancer [than] to show the world your awesome dance moves?”
North agreed, but on one condition: “Can my friends come out with me?” she asked the “Firework” singer, who deliberated for a moment before giving the OK.
Three more little girls then ran onstage, including Gracie Teefey — North’s pal and frequent TikTok collaborator, and Selena Gomez’s nine-year-old little sister. The besties then joined Perry in getting down to an instrumental of the singer’s 2017 single “Swish Swish,” taking turns doing their best cartwheels.
After the show, Perry met up with the Skims founder backstage and the two posed for pictures with fellow guests of the night, Sia and Paris Hilton. “Honestly, I’m the biggest Katy Perry fan,” Kardashian told the musician in a clip Perry posted to Instagram. “I’m not just saying that ’cause you’re here.”
“If you’re a big fan, can I finally be a sister?” the American Idol judge asked Kardashian, who immediately accepted her into the family empire: “Katy! We don’t even have to change the initial!”
See clips of North West dancing the night away with Katy Perry in Vegas below.
Just a couple days after teasing an “encore” of their Born Pink Tour in the U.S., BLACKPINK has revealed new tour dates.
On Sunday (April 16), Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé added four summer stadium shows to their list of upcoming tour dates: East Rutherford, New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium (Aug. 12), Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium (Aug. 18), San Francisco’s Oracle Park (Aug. 22) and Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium (Aug. 26).
The K-pop group had hinted at the tour news on Friday via an Instagram Story with a smoky pink visual of all four girls and a link to blackpinklive.com, where Blinks can now register for ticket presale access.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The Born Pink Tour previously made it to North America in the fall, with a string of concert dates that concluded with a pair of performances in Los Angeles.
BLACKPINK made history with their Coachella set this weekend, becoming the first Korean act to headline the festival. “I must say, this is a dream come true … the reason all four of us are here is because of you,” Rosé affectionately told the crowd. See Billboard‘s recap of their Coachella set here.
See details about the new show dates in BLACKPINK’s tour announcement below.
In 2016 BLACKPINK debuted. By 2019 the act — composed of Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé and Lisa — became the first K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella — a set that also marked the foursome’s first full U.S. concert. And tonight, in 2023, the global superstars became the first Korean act to headline the festival.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“So… let me start off with, four years ago we were invited to perform here for you at Coachella at the Sahara tent and that made a mark in all of our hearts,” Rosé affectionately tells the crowd. ”I must say, this is a dream come true … the reason all four of us are here is because of you.”
“We are so so happy to be back here,” adds Jennie. “It’s crazy within the four years we made it from Sahara to main stage … we love you, Coachella.”
Despite an early technical issue that pushed the start time back, by 9:24 fans’ light-up bracelets started to glow pink, alerting them the show would in fact soon begin. By 9:28, a single “BLACKPINK” echoed throughout the speakers. And by 9:30, the stage went dark. It was finally time.
“Taste that pink venom, get ‘em get ‘em get ‘em,” the girls demand as they opened with the biting “Pink Venom” as their loyal Blinks eat up every word. “Kill This Love” comes next, featuring heavy pyro and sparks followed by “How You Like That.” Each song feels like a grand finale in its own right — and that same energy carries throughout the entire historic set that snakes through BLACKPINK’s tight discography of an EP (Square Two – EP) and three full-lengths, BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREA, THE ALBUM and last year’s BORN PINK.
After a high-energy string of hits like “Pretty Savage” (for which the famous “prrr” was met with thunderous cheers) and “Kick It” during which the girls strutted down the runway, Rosé couldn’t help but make an observation: “It is getting… absolutely… hot. I think it’s because of the Blinks, it’s so hot because of you guys.”
The foursome then dives into “Whistle” — its debut song and a No. 2 hit — while making their way back to the stage. They each subtly disappear during the dance break that follows, signaling both the end of the set’s intro and beginning of its next phase: highlighting each member’s burgeoning solo careers.
Jennie performs first, rocking sky-high pigtails with a top draped in diamonds and pearls as she sings a remixed version of her single “You & Me” with a new rap verse. Next up: Jisoo, who’s wearing a red asymmetrical dress made of plastic flowers and matching elbow length red gloves — a fitting look to perform her debut single “Flower” in. As confetti finishes falling from the sky, the next performer’s name flashes across the screen: ROSÉ. Wearing a chain metal dress, she switches things up by performing from the middle stage, seated with her legs dangling down, swaying as she sings “Gone / On the Ground.” Her performance ends with an explosion of streamers, which touched ground as the fourth and final member gets ready to take the stage. For Lisa’s set (which is introduced using her birth name Lalisa) she sports a structured mirrored metal bodysuit with matching gloves to deliver an explicit version of “Money,” closing out this chapter of BLACKPINK’s set on an energetic high.
Another quick dance break allows the girls time to change back into relatively matching fits before stepping back out for “BOOMBAYAH,” their first No. 1, for which they request a sing-along — as if the crowd hadn’t already been doing just that all night long. And for “Lovesick Girls,” rainbow streamers color the night sky.
What follows is a rapid fire session of hits including “Playing With Fire,” a Burlesque-inspired “Type Girl,” “Shut Down” and “Tally.” The second to last song of the night is one of BLACKPINK’s earliest sensations, “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” while the true finale is the sentimental and uplifting “Forever Young,” which the girls perform first from the middle stage on a platform, engaging with as many Blinks as they can one last time, before ultimately ending at their rightful place front and center on the main stage as fireworks explode behind them.
Throughout the historic and celebratory set, Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé and Lisa tapped into what they do best together as BLACKPINK: making Blinks feel seen. And by allowing each member a moment of their own to shine, they allowed their individuality to be seen, too — and on one of music’s biggest stages, no less.
Halsey and Capitol Records have parted ways, a representative for the singer confirmed to Billboard.
“After eight great years the decision to leave Capitol is bittersweet, but we are excited about exploring a new partnership and sharing new music with fans,” Halsey’s managers, Anti-Pop’s Jason Aron and Anthony Li, said in a statement provided on Saturday (April 15).
Capitol had not yet responded to Billboard‘s request for comment at press time.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Variety published a statement from the label on the split, which was first reported by Hits: “Everyone at Capitol poured their hearts and souls into helping Halsey achieve their dreams and present their music to the world. We are incredibly proud of all we accomplished together and wish Halsey the very best in all their future endeavors.”
Halsey publicly spoke out against Capitol in May 2022, alleging that the label refused to release their next single, “So Good,” without a viral TikTok campaign attached to it. When her TikTok explaining the situation actually went viral, the artist grew more frustrated that the song wasn’t immediately given a firm release date.
The pop star had said, “My record company is saying that I can’t release it unless they can fake a viral moment on TikTok … Everything is marketing and they are doing this to basically every artist these days. I just wanna release music, man. And I deserve better tbh.”
A Capitol Music Group spokesperson responded to Halsey’s posts at the time in a statement sent to Billboard: “Our belief in Halsey as a singular and important artist is total and unwavering. We can’t wait for the world to hear their brilliant new music.”
After the rocky road to release, “So Good” officially debuted in June 2022.
Most recently, in February, Halsey released a solo version of the Post Malone collab “Die 4 Me.”
Halsey’s latest full-length studio album, 2021’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Her previous efforts all reached No. 1 or 2 on the chart: 2015’s Badlands (No. 2), 2017’s Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (No. 1) and 2020’s Manic (No. 2)
