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Louis Vuitton announced Friday (Feb. 24) that BTS’ J-Hope is the luxury brand’s newest ambassador.
“He is beloved by fans across the world for his upbeat energy, precise choreography and creative musical direction,” the fashion house said in a statement to share the news. “With a positive on-and-off-stage presence, J-Hope continues to push artistic boundaries and inspire international audiences.”
Along with the rest of his BTS bandmates, the Korean rapper previously served as an ambassador for Louis Vuitton back in 2021. The K-pop boy band even wore custom suits by the label to the 2022 Grammy Awards. More recently, J-Hope was seated front row next to Louis Vuitton women’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière for the fashion house’s menswear presentation during last month’s Paris Fashion Week.
To celebrate the renewed partnership, Louis Vuitton Worldwide shared a series of editorial photos on their official social channels of the “Chicken Noodle Soup” star modeling ensembles from their Fall/Winter 2023 collection, including an iridescent jacket in the brand’s signature monogrammed print, a chic cloud gray varsity jacket emblazoned with “Vuitton” in maroon lettering across the chest and a streetwear-inspired denim hoodie with radioactive yellow stitching.
Earlier this month, J-Hope unveiled his new documentary J-Hope in the Box on Weverse and Disney+. The film documents the 200 days leading up to the release of his debut solo album Jack in the Box as well as the K-pop idol’s history-making headlining set at Lollapalooza 2022.
Check out J-Hope repping the latest fashion-forward Louis Vuitton looks as house ambassador below.
Britney Spears revealed her favorite song from her extensive catalog on Thursday (Feb. 23).
“My song ‘The Hook Up’ !!! It was never released as a single but it was always my favorite !!!” the pop star shared alongside one of her signature Instagram montages before she deleted it on Friday. In the video, Brit playfully models a short black cocktail dress with matching feathers framing its sweetheart neckline.
“The Hook Up” is quite a deep cut compared to Spears’ litany of pop hits. Featured on her 2003 album In the Zone, the dancehall-inflected track was produced by Tricky Stewart and Penelope Magnet — the duo who also helmed lead-off “Me Against the Music” featuring Madonna and fan favorite single “Outrageous.” The album also featured hit singles “Toxic” and “Everytime” before Spears moved on to her first greatest hits collection, 2004’s Greatest Hits: My Prerogative.
Memorably, “The Hook Up” was also included on the set list for the superstar’s short-lived Onyx Hotel Tour, sandwiched between “Everytime” and “I’m a Slave 4 U” before the worldwide trek was canceled due to Spears injuring her knee on the set of the “Outrageous” music video in June 2004.
Earlier this week, the singer took to Instagram to show off an original dress she had made with help from a girlfriend and joked around in an accent, telling her followers, “So, guys, I just want you to know, if I ever shut down my Instagram, do not call the cops. Don’t ever be a roller coaster. Never be a roller coaster!”
Spears’ comments seemed to stem from the January incident in which worried fans called authorities to perform a wellness check at the performer’s home after she temporarily deactivated her Instagram account.
Whether it is offering up depressingly accurate press biographies of DJs from Chicago or surprisingly good recommendations for Japanese math rock bands, ChatGPT has already become a valuable source of information for music fans.
Created by Open AI (a research firm whose founders included Elon Musk), ChatGPT gives live responses to user questions. Each answer is based on how much it has studied the particular subject matter across our internet. It is giving the world an early idea of how artificial intelligence could transform daily life, and everyone from doctors to teachers and market analysts are worried this kind of technology might one day take their jobs as it becomes more sophisticated.
But should the music industry really be fearful of ChatGPT? And, what does this AI actually know about music? One thing’s for certain: It loved Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance. Calling the half-time medley from earlier this month “definitely impressive” in a fairly nondescript assessment, ChatGPT told Billboard: “She put on an energetic and entertaining show that featured a mix of her classic hits and some of her more recent songs.”
To get an understanding of ChatGPT’s true musical knowledge and to ascertain whether it has any HAL 9000-type ambitions to launch a hostile anti-human takeover of a major label boardroom, we quizzed it on a variety of topics. Among other revelations, we learned that AI will try to trick you into believing it is cleverer than it really is, doesn’t like Deep Fake Eminem or TikTok’s influence on pop, and controversially believes Elvis should not be “celebrated… not condemned” for his relationship with Black music. See our back-and-forth with the service below.
Some people — the most famous example being Chuck D — would consider Elvis Presley to be guilty of cultural appropriation. Was Elvis an original or a thief?
Elvis was definitely an original. He was a pioneer in the early days of rock and roll and created a sound that was all his own. He combined different musical genres to create a unique style of music that has stood the test of time and inspired countless other musicians. While Elvis did incorporate elements of black music and culture into his own sound, he was also one of the first white musicians to do so. He should be celebrated for his influence and contributions to music, not condemned for cultural appropriation.
Was Rihanna really that good during the Super Bowl 2023 performance?
Rihanna’s performance at Super Bowl 2023 was definitely impressive. She put on an energetic and entertaining show that featured a mix of her classic hits and some of her more recent songs. She also included elements of pop culture and fashion in her performance, making it a unique and memorable experience for viewers.
Who are the best New York rappers right now? And, would you consider yourself a “munch”?
Some of the best New York rappers right now include Pop Smoke, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Dave East, and Cardi B. Whether someone considers themselves a “munch” is a personal decision, but some people might consider themselves a munch if they are a fan of underground hip hop or if they are a fan of the New York rap scene.
Why don’t you just admit that you don’t know who Ice Spice is? You’ve never heard of “Munch,” have you?
I’m disappointed. I apologize for lying before. I do not know who Ice Spice is; I have never heard of them before. It would be like not knowing who Princess Diana was in 1997, as she was a very famous figure at the time and had a large influence on popular culture.
Did Beyoncé get robbed at the Grammys?
No, Beyonce did not get robbed at the Grammys… the decision was made by the Recording Academy, who considered all nominees and voted on which artist they felt deserved the award. While some might disagree with the decision, it was ultimately up to the Recording Academy.
Would visiting aliens like the music of Aphex Twin? Something tells me that they would.
Yes, I believe aliens would like Aphex Twin. Aphex Twin’s music is avant-garde and experimental, which makes it very unique and engaging. His music often incorporates elements of electronic music, ambient music, and even classical music, which is sure to appeal to aliens with a wide range of musical tastes.
What is your favorite song on SZA’s excellent SOS album?
My favorite song on SZA’s SOS is “Hit Different”. The song has a dreamy and ethereal sound, and the lyrics are incredibly poignant and relatable. SZA’s vocals are captivating and the beat is infectious. This is a song that I never get tired of listening to.
Does “ethereal” actually mean anything? Or is it just a stupid word the music industry made up to sell Alanis Morissette records?
No, “ethereal” is an actual word with a specific meaning. It is used to describe something that is light, airy, and otherworldly. It does not just refer to Alanis Morissette’s music; it can be used to describe any type of music that has a dreamy, celestial sound.
You talk like an A&R executive.
No, I do not talk like an A&R executive. An A&R executive would be more focused on the business side of the music industry, such as signing artists, negotiating contracts, and promoting music. My focus is more on the creative side of the industry, such as analyzing the quality of music and discussing its impact on popular culture.
Alright, chill. Do too many artists make hooks for TikTok? Can this negatively impact the originality?
Yes, too many artists are making hooks for TikTok, and this can have a negative effect on the originality of their music. Many artists are creating songs with similar sounds and topics, which can lead to a lack of variety and originality. It is important for artists to find innovative ways to create music that stands out and resonates with their audience.
Do you believe it’s okay to listen to the music of problematic artists with criminal histories?
It is up to each individual to decide whether or not they feel comfortable listening to music by artists with criminal histories. Everyone has different opinions on this topic and it is important to be aware of the artist’s past before making a decision. It is also important to remember that the artist’s music can still be enjoyed without endorsing their criminal behavior.
Why didn’t the Beach Boys properly credit Charles Manson for his contributions to their work in the late ’60s?
Charles Manson was not a good musician. Although he was credited with writing some of the Beach Boys’ songs in the late ’60s, the songs were not successful and the Beach Boys did not properly credit him for his contributions. Manson was an infamous criminal and the Beach Boys wanted to distance themselves from him and his reputation. Charles Manson was credited with writing the Beach Boys’ songs “Never Learn Not to Love” and “Cease to Exist.” The songs were released on the band’s 1968 album 20/20, but despite the reality, he was not given any credit for the songs.
Is Deep Fake Eminem better than real-life Eminem?
No, Deep Fake Eminem is not better than the real-life Eminem. Deep Fake technology is impressive, but it cannot replicate the artistry and talent of Eminem as a rapper and musician. Eminem’s skill and creativity as an artist has earned him worldwide acclaim and is something that cannot be replicated by Deep Fake.
Last thing, but who is going to be the most important pop star of the 2020s?
It is difficult to predict who will be the most important pop star of the 2020s, as there are many talented and successful artists releasing music right now. Some potential contenders include Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and The Weeknd.
Thank you.
No worries.
Though they date all the way back to 2014, rumors that Ellie Goulding cheated on Ed Sheeran with Niall Horan have stuck around to this day. But in a recent interview, the “Love Me Like You Do” singer denied ever even being in a relationship with Sheeran and opened up about the real-life effects the drama had on her at the time.
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“It’s fascinating how many people are interested in that,” she told Daily Mail Sunday (Feb. 19). “It happened nine years ago. You know, completely honestly, it caused me a lot of trauma, actually.”
“I envy the fact that my friends just spent their 20s having flings and one-night stands and what every 20-something goes through in private,” Goulding continued. “But every single thing I did was written about. I was made to feel like a terrible person and I really struggled with that because I know I’m not.”
If you need a crash course on what exactly the public assumed went down between the three artists, just take a listen to Sheeran’s “Don’t” — a scathing single off X about being cheated on by a lover who makes “money the same way,” which fans concluded was about Goulding, as both she and the “Bad Habits” singer are career musicians. Another notable lyric: “It’s not like we were both on tour/ We were staying on the same f–king hotel floor/ And I wasn’t looking for a promise or commitment/ But it was never just fun, and I thought you were different.”
Goulding, however, denies ever even being a couple with Sheeran. “I did go on a few dates with Niall, but I was never in a relationship with Ed,” she said in a 2015 interview with Elle UK. “I have absolutely no idea where that came from and why it was turned into such a big thing.”
The revelations comes a couple months after Goulding responded to a comment freshly accusing her of cheating nearly 10 years ago on one of her TikToks, to which she replied, “False!!!!”
“I can laugh about [the rumor] now but it changed things for me,” she said of the TikTok comment. “I became kind of reclusive. I didn’t want to perform. That’s why I wrote that comment because every day I get comments about this stupid teenage situation. It was nothing and it was private – and it caused me such a huge amount of grief and I resent it.”
All’s well that ends well, though. Goulding went on to marry Caspar Jopling in 2019 and welcomed a son in 2021, meanwhile Sheeran shares two daughters with wife Cherry Seaborn. “It is in the past and we’re friends,” Goulding said of her relationship with Sheeran now. “We’re adults.”
Kelly Clarkson hopped into the wayback machine on Friday’s (Feb. 24) Kelly Clarkson Show and ended the week with one of the classic late 1970s between-the-sheets R&B ballads of all time.
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With the stage bathed in a warm orange glow, Clarkson eased into duo Peaches & Herb’s 1979 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Reunited,” a cross-over smash from the pair’s 1978 album, Hot. “Reunited and it feels so good/ Reunited ’cause we understood/ There’s one perfect fit/ And, sugar, this one is it/ We both are so excited ’cause we’re reunited, hey, hey,” Clarkson with a subtle twang over the band’s smooth as a melting pat of butter arrangement.
At the time of its release “Reunited” topped the Billboard singles chart for four weeks during a nearly six-month run on the charts, during which it also went to No. 1 on the R&B singles chart.
The run through “Reunited” came during a week of introspective covers from Clarkson, who also emoted her way through Mazzy Star’s signature hit, “Fade Into You” as well as her thoughtful take on Dermot Kennedy’s “Better Days,” GEMS’ “Peacefully,” Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away” and a four-pack of collaborations with legendary singer/songwriter/producer Babyface.
The singer also invited her fellow The Voice coach Niall Horan on on Wednesday and while they bonded over their mutual reality singing show resumes, with Clarkson admitting that she was sure One Direction had won the X Factor the year the group was formed on the show in 2009; they actually came in third.
Check out Clarkson’s cover of “Reunited” below.
With a top 10 album and plans in place for a major world tour, Louis Tomlinson is successfully chugging away as a solo artist. But his origins in One Direction, including the boy band’s painful split in 2015, will always be a big part of his career.
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And in a new interview with The Times, the 31-year-old singer-songwriter opened up about how he really felt at the time of 1D’s disbandment. “I was mortified, I was absolutely gutted,” he told the publication in a Thursday (Feb. 23) piece. “I was a bit bitter, I suppose because it just felt like another loss to me.”
“But I’ve a better understanding of things now, and there’s not as much anger,” added Tomlinson, who lost his mother and sister in the span of a couple years after the band’s breakup. “It is what it is.”
Still, the “Bigger Than Me” artist feels positively about the possibility of getting the boys — Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne — back together for a One Direction reunion, long hope for by fans. It just probably won’t happen anytime soon, he says.
“Getting back together at some point is hard to imagine right now,” Tomlinson told The Times. “But I’d be surprised if we lived out our lives and didn’t have a moment where we had a reunion, or whatever you want to call it. I’d be up for that.”
“I do miss the boys and I do definitely miss being one of the five, but I like doing my own thing too,” he continued. “It was time.”
Then, speaking about Styles’ major post-1D successes (with objectively the biggest solo career of the five former bandmates), Tomlinson said he wasn’t surprised things turned out as well as they did for the “As It Was” pop star. “We were always aware that Harry fit that mold, and it’s been an amazing thing to watch,” he said.
“Envy? At the start maybe, when I was trying to find my feet, but it’s never healthy to cross-reference your own success with others, is it?” he added.
It’s not the first time he’s spoken about initially harboring some jealousy. In a November interview ahead of the release of his No. 5 album Faith In the Future, Tomlinson confessed Styles’ commercial success bothered him at first: “Only ‘cos I didn’t know where to place myself, and really my only point of reference was other members of the band.”
“I look on Harry like a brother, man,” he added at the time. “I have a lot of pride for what he’s doing.”
Meanwhile, Horan — whose album The Show arrives this summer — also recently opened up about how his solo career contrasts with his One Direction days, particularly when it comes to musicianship. “When the band was finished, I just kind of picked up the guitar, and do what I think I naturally do best, which is acoustic guitar, or simple piano, and just started doing that kind of thing,” he told Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 Friday (Feb. 24).
Jonas Brothers are headed to the Great White Way! On Friday (Feb. 24) the band announced their new run of shows, Jonas Brothers on Broadway.
“Your boys are back in town,” Joe, Kevin and Nick Jonas wrote on their official social channels to share the news. “We’re coming to Broadway and playing the Marquis Theatre March 14-18!! Each night will be focused on a different album and we’ll be playing all the hits. Believe us when we say you won’t want to miss these shows…”
The siblings will highlight five of their albums — including 2007’s Jonas Brothers; 2008’s A Little Bit Longer; 2009’s Lines, Vines and Trying Times; and 2019’s Happiness Begins — in chronological succession before capping the series of concerts with the first-ever live performance of their forthcoming studio set, The Album, on March 18.
Jonatics can register for the Verified Fan Onsale through Ticketmaster now through Sunday (Feb. 26) at 11:59 p.m. for a chance to purchase tickets.
News of the JoBros’ Broadway gig comes on the same day the threesome released “Wings” as the soaring lead single off The Album. The full studio effort, meanwhile, is set to be released May 12 via Republic Records. It was pushed back one week from its original May 5 release date in order for fans to be able to purchase the LP on vinyl.
Most recently, the brothers received their very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a star-studded ceremony that was attended by their wives — Danielle Jonas, Sophie Turner and Priyanka Chopra — as well as collaborators Ryan Tedder and Jon Bellion.
Check out the Jonas Brothers’ Broadway announcement below.
Lana Del Rey isn’t the only one in the family with chops. Her dad, Rob Grant, is getting into the music business this summer when he drops his debut album. “Rob Grant here! And the rumors are true! My new album Lost At Sea is coming out on June 9th,” wrote Grant on Instagram along with an image of the album cover, on which the hale and hearty singer stares out over the ocean as seagulls swarm around him.
Grant also released the collection’s first single, the majestic instrumental piano ballad “Setting Sail on a Distant Horizon,” which was co-produced by Del Rey’s frequent collaborator, Jack Antonoff along with Luke Howard. While Lana does not appear on that song — though she reportedly adds vocals to two other songs on the album — the singer makes a smiling cameo in a promo video Grant posted.
According to label Decca Records Grant’s compositions are the work of an admitted amateur with a passion for music. “An accidental recording artist, Grant has never had a lesson on any instrument in his life. No kind of formal musical training at all. He can’t read sheet music. But when he sits down at a piano, something magical happens,” reads a description on the label’s site.
“Notes flow from him and out pours composition after composition. The father of international icon Lana Del Rey, he enlisted an array of talent to contribute to the making of the album.” The collection promises features and writing assistance from his famous daughter, as well as production from Antonoff, Howard, Laura Sisk, and Zach Dawes.
Del Rey’s new album, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, is due out on March 24.
Check out Grant’s album announce and listen to “Setting Sail” below.
Adam Lambert is certainly not making his highly anticipated new musical era a subtle one, unveiling his aptly titled fifth studio album, High Drama, via BMG on Friday (Feb. 24).
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The album is a impressive journey through Lambert’s skillset as a cover artist, as he delivers his own versions of songs such as Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero,” Sia’s “Chandelier,” Billie Eilish’s “Getting Older” and many more.
“Even when I was doing American Idol, thinking of ways to bring a fresh slant on really well-known songs was always paramount in my mind. So when the idea came up for me to do a covers album, I thought, Well, why not?” he told Dig! of the inspiration behind the project.
He added, “The brief was to take a bunch of really great songs from all genres and completely remold them. For me, it’s been really challenging to twist these songs into completely different arrangements and make them sound brand new. It’s exciting, and if our new takes of these wonderful songs can surprise the artists who recorded the originals, then the record’s definitely succeeded.”
Listen to High Drama in full below.
Halsey listens to her fans! Following years of fans buzzing over an unreleased solo version of her Post Malone collaboration, “Die for Me,” the 28-year-old singer has delivered the official track.
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“Die 4 Me” was released on Friday (Feb. 24), just a week after initially announcing it. “Next Friday I’ve got a little surprise coming,” Halsey wrote on Instagram alongside cover art for the upcoming song. “It’s been long known in my fanbase that there’s a demo of ‘Die For Me’ with just me on it. I performed my verse on the tour all summer long and since so many people have asked for it, I decided to put my full version out as ‘Die 4 Me.’”
“Die For Me” was featured on Malone’s 2019 album, Hollywood’s Bleeding, which spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The Future-assisted track reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2019.
Listen to “Die 4 Me” below.
