Pop

28 Feb 2023

TOMORROW X TOGETHER Perform ‘Sugar Rush Ride’ For a Screaming ‘Late Late Show’ Studio

TOMORROW X TOGETHER aren’t so much the next big thing in K-pop. They’ve already arrived.

The five members wrote their names in the record books with The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, which blasted to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart earlier this month, their first leader.

Spanning five tracks, the EP is the South Korean vocal group’s third top 10-charting effort, following Minisode 2: Thursday’s Child (No. 4 in 2022) and The Chaos Chapter: Freeze (No. 5 in 2021).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Everything would appear to be headed in the right direction, and with their first chart crown, TXT was anointed the top musical act in the U.S. by leading the Billboard Artist 100 chart for the first time. With that feat, TXT joins some heady company. The other K-pop acts to top the Artist 100 are BTS, BLACKPINK, SuperM, TWICE and Stray Kids.

Late night TV viewers just caught the rush. On Monday night (Feb. 27), the lads stopped by The Late Late Show With James Corden for a performance of “Sugar Rush Ride,” lifted from TEMPTATION.  

If proof was needed that TXT is hot, James Corden’s intro was drowned out by the wall of sound created by the studio audience. The screams didn’t stop there.  

Watch TXT’s debut U.S. TV performance below.

27 Feb 2023

Shawn Mendes & Sabrina Carpenter Photos Start a Twitter Frenzy: ‘If They Are Dating, The Internet Will Be Broken’

New photos of Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter walking together in Los Angeles had fans of both pop stars buzzing Monday (Feb. 27) on Twitter.

The pics are completely casual — with the pair walking down the street side-by-side, Mendes’ hands tucked into the pockets of his jean jacket and Carpenter wearing an oversize black sweatsuit — but they follow rumors from gossip Instagram account deuxmoi that they’ve been quietly dating.

As some tweets have pointed out, Mendes and Carpenter have known each other and crossed paths in the industry for years, but the timing of the photos following the deuxmoi rumors and with both stars reportedly single after high-profile relationships, fans are having a field day.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“If they are dating the Internet will be broken,” one fan tweeted alongside a series of mind-blown emojis. “WAKE UP ITS CONFIRMED,” another account tweeted in all-caps, referencing the rumors.

Mendes previously dated Camila Cabello for two-plus years before they announced their breakup in late 2021. “Hey guys, we’ve decided to end our romantic relationship but our love for one another as humans is stronger than ever,” read a joint statement on their Instagram Stories signed “Camila and Shawn.” “We started our relationship as best friends and will continue to be best friends. We so appreciate your support from the beginning and moving forward.”

Carpenter was previously linked to High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star Joshua Bassett. Dating speculation reached a fever pitch due to Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout hit “Drivers License” in early 2021 allegedly addressing Carpenter and Bassett’s relationship.

See all the fan reaction to the photos below:

27 Feb 2023

Lizzo Playfully Covers Rammstein’s ‘Du Hast’ at German Tour Stop

Lizzo showed off her knack for German by covering Rammstein on a tour stop in Hamburg, Germany, last week.

“Du, du hast/ Du hast mich!/ Oma!/ Du, du hast/ Du hast mich!” the star playfully chanted onstage at the European city’s Barclays Arena, in a reference to Rammstein’s 1997 single “Du Hast” from their sophomore album Sehnsucht. “Nein! Oh, Hamburg, I’m having fun, bi–h!” she then declared in her sparkling, rainbow sequined dress.

“Germany = Rammstein,” a TikTok user captioned the fan-captured video, adding, “She had just learned how to say ‘Oma’, that’s why she incorporated it.”

Lizzo’s ardent fandom certainly appreciated her knowledge of the German metal rockers, flooding the comments section with elated reactions. “Lizzo knowing Rammstein is everything I ever needed,” one wrote, while another ecstatically typed, “Just imagine her and Till on stage together I bet it would be hilarious.” Of course, several others called for a Lizzo/Rammstein collaboration.

At another concert during the week, Lizzo also re-created Ariana DeBose’s viral opening number from the 2023 BAFTA Awards, complete with the West Side Story breakout star’s shimmy of the shoulders and impassioned delivery of “Angela Bassett did the thing!”

Currently, the European leg of The Special Tour is slated to continue through the middle of March, with stops in Berlin, Milan, Paris, Dublin and London before Lizzo heads back to the U.S. for a second North American leg beginning April 21 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn.

Watch Lizzo nail her German pronunciation with a bit of Rammstein’s “Du Hast” below.

27 Feb 2023

Haley Lu Richardson Says Jonas Brothers’ ‘Wings’ Video Is ‘The Biggest Role of My Career’

The White Lotus who? According to Haley Lu Richardson, nothing in her career will ever top starring in the Jonas Brothers‘ music video for their new single “Wings.”

“Oh man, I don’t know where to start. It’s the biggest thing of my life,” she told The Hollywood Reporter at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night. “It’s the biggest role of my career: past, present and future. It was amazing and I cried for three days straight.”

The JoBros superfan also dished from the red carpet about how she got the news that Nick, Kevin and Joe Jonas wanted her to take part in the video. “I was driving down the PCH [Pacific Coast Highway], and I was checking my voicemails, and one was from a number I didn’t have saved,” Richardson explained. “And I played it, and it was like, ‘Hey, Haley, this is Joe Jonas. And me and my brothers just had this idea about this video. So, uh, give me a call back.’”

Admitting she then replayed Joe’s message “like 12 more times” before pulling the car over, playing it “another 20 times” and bursting into tears, The White Lotus star eventually mustered up the wherewithal to call back. “And I just told him I would do anything for him,” she went on. “Literally anything. And then I met them and was in this video.”

Richardson first went public with her love for the Jonases in a December appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden, during which Nick surprised her via FaceTime and she fell into near-catatonic shock.

Watch Richardson excitedly recount how she ended up in the “Wings” clip above, and watch the music video below.

27 Feb 2023

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: Halsey, Meet Me @ the Altar, CHVRCHES & More

Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week – particularly as we get within striking distance of the end of the year? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

These 10 tracks from artists like Blake Rose, Meet Me @ the Altar, Halsey, CHVRCHES 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.

mazie, “are you feeling it now” 

Psych-pop artist mazie’s debut album, blotter baby, is a colorful world of her mind’s own making. The bubbling mid-tempo track “are you feeling it now” can be considered the halfway check-in point for the vibey journey she takes fans on, offering a quick moment to take stock before diving in deeper. — Lyndsey Havens

Blake Rose, “Don’t Stop the Car” 

Australian pop artist Blake Rose has been building an impressive presence and resume since relocating to L.A. His latest EP, You’ll Get It When You’re Older, is a testament to that growth — and “Don’t Stop the Car” sums up his path quite well. “Let’s take it fast, let’s take it far…” he sings, amplifying the voice inside his head that’s been cheering him on. — L.H. 

Meet Me @ the Altar, “Kool”

Meet Me @ the Altar’s smashing new single opens with a guitar chug that recalls Green Day’s “Brain Stew,” but Edith Victoria’s chuckle in the opening seconds nods less toward a slacker anthem than a playful mash note for a crush. After some promising moments in the past, Meet Me @ The Altar make “Kool” come across as brash and confident — the sound of a pop-rock trio growing into the stature of its fat riffs and cymbal rides. – Jason Lipshutz 

Body Type, “Miss the World”

Australian garage rockers Body Type are quickly following last year’s debut album Everything Is Dangerous But Nothing’s Surprising with sophomore LP Expired Candy, due out in June, and “Miss the World” makes for a riveting opening shot, with social commentary delivered so quickly that you have to run it back to catch every line. Fans of Sleater-Kinney and Television’s more pop-leaning moments should absolutely devour “Miss the World.” – J. Lipshutz 

Loreen, “Tattoo”

Swedish pop star and former Eurovision winner Loreen is back with a dramatic, nitro-fueled anthem that hopefully previews her first proper project since 2017’s Ride. “Tattoo” represents the cinematic, string-supported dance-pop sound that has historically struggled to connect with American audiences but tops charts overseas; hopefully, U.S. listeners will make an exception, and embrace a song as epic as “Tattoo.” – J. Lipshutz 

Maryjo, “Love Fools”

Nope, not a Cardigans rework, but a showcase for Cleveland singer-songwriter Maryjo, whose words tumble out with searing emotion and who untangles some knotty melodies on this beautifully rendered piano ballad. “It’s funny how four letters can dismiss all of your rationale,” Maryjo spits on “Love Fools,” her voice rising higher even as she realizes her relationship is doomed; heartbreak is in the cards, but it makes for a great introduction. – J. Lipshutz 

Nicky Youre, “Shut Me Up” 

Opening with a bright, bouncy beat that brings to mind Wham! at their cheeriest, “Shut Me Up” is a sweet, self-effacing romantic overture (“Kiss my lips and shut me up”) from “Sunroof” hitmaker Nicky Youre, who seems poised to deliver a song of the summer juggernaut one of these days. – Joe Lynch  

Halsey, “Die 4 Me” 

If you dug Post Malone’s Halsey/Future collab “Die 4 Me” from his 2019 blockbuster Hollywood’s Bleeding but longed for a solo Halsey version of the track, well, your four-year-old prayers have been answered. The brooding pop singer-songwriter owns the parts of the Posty track that came from their own pen, explaining on Instagram, “All my verses I wrote myself. Spit them right out like a bad taste in my mouth.” – J. Lynch  

CHVRCHES, “Over” 

Scottish electropop trio CHVRCHES is barreling into 2023 with brand new single, “Over.” Lauren Mayberry’s vocals float over anthemic synthesizers and larger than life percussion as she sings of feeling detached from her surroundings. In the trio’s own words, the track “explores themes of trying to exist in an escapist dreamscape when life is difficult,” adding the release “felt timely” in light of recent global events. – Starr Bowenbank

Broods, “F—ck My Money”

Satire and modern capitalist criticism are at the core of Broods’ new release, “F—k My Money.” Vocalist Georgia Nott turns her back on humanity as she realizes that in the grand scheme, no one really cares – but hey, at least money will always be there to soften the blow. All that’s left to do, per her instructions: “Eat my money/ Wear my money/ Smoke my money/ F–k my money” until the void has been properly filled. – S.B.

27 Feb 2023

20 Taylor Swift Songs That Probably Won’t Make The Eras Tour Setlist (But Really Should)

All bets are off as Taylor Swift’s feverishly anticipated The Eras Tour — her first roadshow unbeholden to a particular album release — prepares to embark March 17 in Glendale, Arizona. 

It stands to reason that Swift would heavily showcase the heap of music she’s produced since her record-setting Reputation Stadium Tour wrapped in 2018 — those projects being Lover (2019), Folklore and Evermore (2020), Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021), and Midnights (2022). 

But as the Eras Tour has been promoted by Swift as a “journey through all of my musical eras,” it’s understood that each of her 10 studio albums will be highlighted in some manner. Couple that with the fact that Swift has not publicly performed more than 70 new or previously unreleased songs since her last tour a whopping half-decade earlier, and Swifties’ imaginations have rightfully run wild. What on Earth will the setlist look like?

We’ve already put forth what her dream Eras setlist could resemble. But what about all that’s left on the cutting room floor? There are dozens upon dozens of songs that likely won’t be performed (at least with any regularity) on this tour, even if many would make for wondrously intimate moments or booming show-stoppers.  

So that’s what we have here: all the songs Swift probably won’t play this spring and summer, but should sincerely consider — at least for a night or two. We’ve chosen two cuts per album; let’s break it down as we all count the minutes to opening night.

27 Feb 2023

Taylor Swift Ties the Record for Most Adult Pop Airplay Chart Top 10s With ‘Lavender Haze’

Taylor Swift matches the mark for the most top 10 hits in the history of Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart, as “Lavender Haze” lifts from No. 11 to No. 9 on the tally dated March 4.

The song, released on Republic Records, becomes Swift’s 27th Adult Pop Airplay top 10, equaling Maroon 5 for the record (dating to the chart’s start in Billboard’s pages in March 1996).

Swift first reached the region with her initial entry on the adult top 40 radio-based chart, “Teardrops on My Guitar,” which hit No. 6 in March 2008. Notably, she has now notched at least one new top 10 on the ranking each year starting in 2012. That 12-year streak is the longest active run on the list and ties for the longest in the chart’s archives; Maroon 5 posted at least one new top 10 annually from 2010 through 2021.

“Lavender Haze” is the second Adult Pop Airplay top 10 from Swift’s album Midnights, after “Anti-Hero” became her ninth No. 1, reigning for a personal-best nine weeks in December-January.

Here’s a recap of the acts with the most Adult Pop Airplay top 10s:

  • 27, Maroon 5
  • 27, Taylor Swift
  • 19, P!nk
  • 16, Kelly Clarkson
  • 16, Katy Perry
  • 15, Ed Sheeran
  • 14, Justin Bieber
  • 14, Goo Goo Dolls
  • 14, Train
  • 13, Matchbox Twenty
  • 12, Bruno Mars
  • 12, John Mayer
  • 12, OneRepublic

“Lavender Haze” concurrently lifts 10-9 on mainstream top 40-based Pop Airplay chart, where it became Swift’s 20th top 10, a milestone that only Rihanna (30), Maroon 5 (22) and Justin Bieber (20) have also reached.

Meanwhile, as previously reported, Miley Cyrus scores her first Adult Pop Airplay No. 1 with “Flowers.”

All charts dated March 4 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Feb. 28.

27 Feb 2023

Selena Gomez Calls ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ the ‘Happiest Times’ of Her Life

Selena Gomez took a sentimental walk down memory lane on Monday (Feb. 27) as a guest on the Wizards of Waverly Place rewatch podcast.

Invited by her former co-stars Jennifer Stone and David DeLuise, the star called in to Wizards of Waverly Pod from New York City to reminisce about her time on the hit Disney Channel series that propelled her to stardom. “I can’t begin to tell you guys without making it such a little cry session, I felt like I was the happiest I’d been in my whole life,” she said of her years as Alex Russo. “And I don’t want that to be a sad thought because I’m really grateful and happy. But it was definitely the happiest times for me, and I recognize that obviously I have this different attention on me that I just didn’t have then and that was a really pure time.”

And speaking of her stratospheric, post-Disney fame, just last week Gomez earned the distinction of becoming the most-followed woman on Instagram with 382 million followers. But even overtaking Kylie Jenner, who previously held the title, came with its own whirlwind of drama after fans thought the Kylie Cosmetics mogul was subtly shading the “Rare” singer in a post. (For the record, she wasn’t, and both parties promise they’re all good.)

However, between that headache and an online dust-up caused by defending her bestie Taylor Swift over a resurfaced clip of Hailey Bieber, Gomez decided late last week to take a much-needed break from social media altogether. “This is a little silly. And I’m 30, I’m too old for this,” she declared before promising her hundreds of millions of followers she’d be back online “sooner than later.”

Watch Gomez reminisce with her Wizards of Waverly Place pals below.

27 Feb 2023

Sabrina Carpenter Made a NSFW Ad Lib in ‘Nonsense’ for Her BBC Radio 1 Set — But You Won’t Hear It

The BBC isn’t putting up with Sabrina Carpenter‘s “Nonsense,” if you will. The 23-year-old singer appeared on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge music series to sing her hit Emails I Can’t Send track “Nonsense” as well as a cover of Harry Styles’ hit “Late Night Talking” on Feb. 23, and added an ad-libbed line joking the acronym “BBC” standing for, well, something very different from “British Broadcasting Corporation” that was scrapped from the official video of the performance.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Shortly after a video of Carpenter’s Live Lounge visit was uploaded to BBC Radio 1’s YouTube channel, it was removed and an edited version was re-uploaded. As it stands, the video cuts off the Work It actress right before she finishes her No. 56 Billboard Hot 100 hit with an ad lib captured by fans: “I’m American I am not British/ So BBC it stands for something different/ This live lounge just so lit because I’m in it.”

“An unedited version of the video was briefly posted in error, and the correct version is now available for viewers to enjoy,” a BBC Radio 1 spokesperson tells Billboard, though they did not specify why and how the video was edited.

The natural conclusion, though, is that the double entendre (consult Urban Dictionary if you’re lost) may have been a little too raunchy by the BBC Radio 1. But for fans who are familiar with Carpenter’s tradition of improvising occasionally NSFW lyrics every time she performs “Nonsense” — past ones include references to her rumored Joshua Bassett romance and having “no t–s” — the situation is pretty hilarious.

Even English pop star Charli XCX chimed in on the matter, tweeting, “sabrina carpenter explaining bbc on the bbc is so funny i can’t.”

Billboard has reached out to Carpenter’s team for comment. Watch her edited performance of “Nonsense” and “Late Night Talking” on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge below:

27 Feb 2023

Miley Cyrus Reveals ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ Tracklist Featuring Two Surprise Collabs

On Monday (Feb. 27) Miley Cyrus finally revealed the track listing for her upcoming eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation. The 13-track collection opens with the singer’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash “Flowers,” and also features the songs “Jaded,” “”Rose Colored Lenses,” “You,” “Handstand,” “Violet Chemistry,” “Wildcard” and “Wonder Woman,” as well collaborations with Sia (on “Muddy Feet”) and Brandi Carlile (on “Thousand Miles.”)

At press time Cyrus had not release any additional production or songwriting credits for the follow-up to 2020’s Plastic Hearts, which is due out on March 10 on Columbia Records.

“Flowers” is blossoming into one of Cyrus’ biggest hits to date, with six consecutive weeks atop the British singles chart. It is also in the midst of its fifth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, the empowering anthem recently notched Cyrus her third leader on the Pop Airplay chart (dated Feb. 25), becoming the fastest song to reach No. 1 on the chart since 2016 when Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” made the same leap to the top.

And, in case you were wondering, “Flowers” has already surpassed the three-week No. 1 run of Miley’s “Wrecking Ball,” making it her biggest charting single so far thanks to its hefty streaming and radio airplay numbers. “Flowers” will, however, have some way to go to match the singer’s most-streamed song ever, which is “Party in the U.S.A.,” with more than 970 million on-demand streams to date; “Flowers” has 182 million streams so far.

Check out the full Endless Summer Vacation track list and a video promo from Cyrus below.

Endless Summer Vacation:

“Flowers”

“Jaded”

“Rose Colored Lenses”

“Thousand Miles” (feat. Brandi Carlile)

“You”

“Handstand”

“River”

“Violet Chemistry”

“Muddy Feet” (feat. Sia)

“Wildcard”

“Island”

“Wonder Woman”

“Flowers (Demo)”