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‘Tis officially the season, and Jason and Travis Kelce are getting into the holiday spirit with their new Boyz II Men-assisted Christmas song, “It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights),” which arrived on Friday (Nov. 1).
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The track, which details the NFL duo returning to their hometown after some time away, gets an R&B spin thanks to Boyz II Men’s harmonies as they sing, “It feels so good to be back home again with all my family and friends/ Sharing gifts and memories/ We make under the Christmas tree.”
“I always have a blast when I get to join the guys on the Christmas album, but it was wild to be on a song with a group as iconic and timeless as Boyz II Men,” Travis said in a press statement. “My friends and I grew up on their music, and it’s still in the rotation today, so it was just an unreal experience.”
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“It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights)” marks the first single off A Philly Special Christmas Party, the third charitable album from The Philly Specials, a.k.a Jason Kelce, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. Last year’s A Philly Special Christmas Special raised over $3 million and featured singles “This Christmas,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Fairytale of Philadelphia” and “Pretty Paper.”
Additionally, to celebrate the single, Jason and Travis’ mother, Donna Kelce, will bring exclusive The Philly Specials-inspired holiday ornaments to QVC on Nov. 1 starting at 8 p.m. ET. They will be sold as a set of four and will come with ornaments of Jason, Jordan, Lane and a Christmas tree. Proceeds from the vinyl sales will go to support Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s Holiday Toy Drive, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Snowflake Station and 87 and Running Foundation, plus a number of other Philadelphia based organizations.
A Philly Special Christmas Party is set for release on Nov. 22. Listen to “It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights)” below.
Do you love basketball as much as Kurtis Blow? Probably not. The rap legend bridged generations as he collaborated with Brooklyn rapper Lola Brooke and West Coast producer Hit-Boy for a modern take on his classic record “Basketball,” which reached No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1985.
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DoorDash partnered with the NBA, WNBA and Kurtis Blow to celebrate the start of the 2024-2025 NBA season. The music video — shot by Dave Meyers and his daughter Cassidy on the streets of New York — features WNBA legend Sue Bird and Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of the New York Knicks.
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DoorDash announced a multiyear partnership renewal on Monday (Oct. 28) that extends the company’s role as the official on-demand delivery platform partner of both the NBA and WNBA. The partnership first tipped off in 2020, with DoorDash becoming the first-ever partner in the on-demand category.
DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program, will serve as the official partner of NBA and WNBA Experiences, which offer a wide range of customized and immersive fan experiences at marquee events throughout the NBA and WNBA calendar year. These premium experiential packages include access to NBA and WNBA events alongside unique off-the-court programming such as player and legend meet-and-greets, behind-the-scenes tours, concerts and hospitality hubs designed to reach global fans of the game.
“Since joining forces with the NBA and WNBA in 2020, we’ve brought meaningful experiences to basketball fans, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what we build together this season and beyond as we deliver even more value to fans with DashPass,” said Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, CMO at DoorDash, via a press release. “With the season officially underway, we wanted to celebrate basketball’s impact on culture, and what better way to do that than reviving a hit classic that’s synonymous with the game? Working with Kurtis to bring this to life was an unmatched experience, and we hope fans enjoy the reimagined hit – and its nod to the past, current, and future of basketball – as much as we do.”
“Our partnership with DoorDash is rooted in a shared commitment to deliver unique and elevated experiences that celebrate NBA and WNBA fandom year-round,” said Kerry Tatlock, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships and Media, NBA. “We look forward to expanding our collaboration, leveraging our partnership to unlock even more opportunities to bring our fans closer to the game.”
Watch the new take on a hip-hop classic above.
Amazon Music Live is continuing throughout the NFL season, and revealed on Wednesday (Oct. 30) that TWICE and Gunna have joined the lineup. The show takes place after Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, and will continue on November 14 with a performance from Gunna, fresh off the road from his One Of Dem Nights tour. In May, the rapper released […]
Like Ice Cube was for the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two, New York Yankees fans were hoping that Fat Joe would serve as a good luck charm for the team heading into game three of the 2024 World Series on Monday (Oct. 28).
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Joey Crack took the field in a pair of signature brown Timberland boots to warm up the 40,000-plus fans at Yankee Stadium. Rocking a Yankees letterman jacket and a matching NYY x Terror Squad fitted cap, the Bronx native tweaked some of the lyrics to his hits to go with the baseball theme and rep for his hometown squad. Joe kicked off the set with his “Lean Back” anthem before moving into Ja Rule’s “New York” and closing out with “All the Way Up.”
As he performed, Fat Joe headed to the pitcher’s mound — which had to give the grounds crew members a collective heart attack — where he named some Yankee legends after Derek Jeter threw out the honorary first pitch to have the fans ready to roar for game three.
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“Even when Fat Joe came out, the body language from the fans was like, ‘Damn!’ I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’ Are we in a funeral already?” MLB Fox Sports analyst and former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz said.
Many fans seemed to be perplexed by the performance, as many remained seated. Others roasted Joe and the Yankees on social media. “Fat Joe opening up for the Yankees might be one of the worst things I’ve ever witnessed,” one person tweeted.
Another chimed in: “I’m not a hater, BUT Fat Joe opening up for the Yankees might be one of the worst things I’ve ever seen. I think they got him on SALE 50% OFF.”
Even diehard Yankees fan Desus Nice was displeased, tweeting, “good morning to everyone except fat Joe and his trump sneakers!”
Some wondered why they couldn’t get fellow New York rappers such as Jay-Z or 50 Cent to pull up. Hov previously performed “Empire State of Mind” at Yankee Stadium ahead of game two of the 2009 World Series, which is the last time NYY appeared in the Fall Classic.
But it wasn’t all bad news for the rapper. Some fans chimed in to show their support on social media. “We won no matter the outcome as far as I’m concerned @fatjoe,” one fan wrote on Instagram over a photo of the performer on the field.
“BIG Bronx showed up!” another added over a snap of Big Joe performing, adding a “100” and fist-bump emojis.
Unfortunately, Joe’s performance wasn’t able to help power the Yankees to a win, as the team now faces a 0-3 deficit to the Dodgers. The Yankees’ bats largely went quiet into the night with Monday night bringing on a 4-2 defeat.
Fat Joe and the NYY will look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers on Tuesday evening (Oct. 29) in game four. No performances are scheduled for pre-game.
Watch Fat Joe’s performance below.
Brad Paisley stepped into the baseball diamond on Friday night (Oct. 25), where he performed the national anthem at the first game of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Accompanied by a green electric […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Watching NFL games may be the main way to show support for your football team, but collecting merch will put your […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Megan Thee Stallion has become an honorary member of a major girl group — but it’s not within the music industry. […]
After winning the WNBA Championship, no one has more of a right to say, “Watashi wa star” than the ladies of New York Liberty — and Megan Thee Stallion gives her full support. Backstage at The Tonight Show Wednesday night (Oct. 23), the rapper and basketball team — both of whom made appearances on that […]
Otis Williams had a confession.
Asked whether he was a baseball fan, the 82-year-old founder of The Temptations coughed and said in a low, sing-song voice: “Dodgers.”
Sixty years after its debut, The Temptations’ “My Girl” has become a hit at Citi Field since New York Mets star Francisco Lindor began using it as his walk-up song in late May. Fans continue singing the lyrics even after Lindor’s plate appearance is underway.
The Temptations detoured to New York on an off day from their tour to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “My Girl” before the Mets beat Los Angeles 12-6 on Friday night (Oct. 18) and closed to 3-2 in the NL Championship Series.
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“It’s the highest compliment you can get,” Williams said in a green room behind home plate.
Wearing blue tuxedos with orange pocket squares, the five singers stood on the warning track behind home plate and sang an a cappella version of the national anthem that highlighted their harmonic excellence as Lindor watched from the foul line behind first base and sang along.
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They then donned Mets jerseys and sang “My Girl” with music backing them on the sound system as Lindor warmed up with sprints on the outfield grass, smiling widely and bobbing his head. He reached the dugout by the end and exchanged his special pregame handshake with with teammate Pete Alonso.
“Most players, they pick a walk-up song just because that’s how they feel in the moment but they also want the fans to vibe to to the song,” Lindor said. “Whenever you see the whole crowd getting into it, I think it’s pretty cool.”
Released on Dec. 21, 1964, “My Girl” became the group’s first No. 1 hit the following March and has been streamed 1 billion times on Spotify. The song’s impact became clear to Williams during a 1965 concert at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.
“We went out on the stage and we did the show without ‘My Girl.’ They damned near called us every name except the child of God,” he said, “so we know we can never, ever take that the song out.”
Lindor picked the song because of his wife Katia and daughters Kalina and Amapola. He didn’t anticipate the reaction.
“Last year I changed the song every single day,” he said. “I changed it because it was the song I was vibing to at the moment and it took off. I don’t know if it’s because I started hitting or because we started winning or because the song is good.”
“My Girl” was written and produced by Smokey Robinson and Ronnie White.
“Smokey saw us perform in Detroit at a place called the 20 Grand and he said then, ‘I got a song for you guys’ and he pointed to Davey Ruffin,” Williams recalled, referring to a lead singer for the group in the 1960s.
“So we went in the studio and we put the vocals down and I said: ‘Smokey did another great song for us.’ But when Paul Riser edited the strings and horns, I said, ‘Oh, oh, this is a different kind of song.’ So I went in the control room. I said, ‘Smokey, I don’t know how big a record this is going to become, but this is going to be something big.’”
A few months after the release, Williams said he received congratulatory telegrams from the Supremes and the Beatles, proudly proclaiming: “I have that at the house.”
The Temptations were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 for a catalogue including “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” They’ve had 14 No. 1 hits and 42 in the top 10.
Sujata Murthy, Universal Music Enterprises’ executive vice president of media and artist relations, took notice of Lindor’s use of the song and contacted the Mets. The group was in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, for a concert last weekend and diverted to New York ahead of performances this weekend at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Durham, North Carolina.
Williams, who turns 83 on Oct. 30, is the last original member of the group. He has no intention of retiring.
“I tell people I’m going to ride the hell out of the horse,” he said. “When I get off the horse, it’s going to be bald. That’s a lot of rides when you ride the horse bald.”
Williams grew up in Detroit, but the Motown baseball team did not get his allegiance.
“Tigers is flimflam,” he said. “But the Lions now, they got promise. They got hope. I love the Lions. I’m still a Detroiter at heart, even though I’m in LA.”
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Plans for the weekend? If you’re a sports fan, make room for a Texas’ packed weekend of mega-sporting events. Besides, the Formula 1 U.S.Grand Prix race in Austin, Texas, the Lonestar State will host a highly anticipated, sold-out SEC matchup between the No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns and No. 5-ranked Georgia Bulldogs airing live on ABC on Saturday (Oct. 19).
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The game will be held at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Looking for last-minute tickets? Resale tickets will cost you around $400 and up at StubHub and Game Time.
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Read on for way to stream the Bulldogs at Longhorns game live from anywhere.
Where to Stream the Georgia vs. Texas Game
ABC will air live coverage of Georgia vs. Texas starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. Football fans can stream the game live on DirecTV, Sling TV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV.
The weekend’s coverage will include Alabama’s No. 7 Crimson Tide versus the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers airing on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT on ABC.
Head over to ESPN to catch pregame festivities. ESPN’s “College GameDay” coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT.
How to Watch for Free
To stream the Georgia vs. Texas game for free, join DirecTV Stream or Fubo. Both offer free trials (five days with DirecTV Stream and a week with Fubo), DVR recording and streaming plans with live and local channels for under $100 (use ExpressVPN to stream internationally).
Hulu + Live TV offers over 90 channels, and streaming plans are currently on sale for $59.99 per month for three months.
How to Watch on ESPN+
Need more ways to stream? The Georgia vs. Texas game will also be available on ESPN+. No free trial, but you’ll get access to tons of live sports including college football, NFL football, UFC, soccer, golf and baseball for $11.99 per month ($119 for the annual plan).
Additionally, ESPN+ features exclusive documentaries, shows and specials such as The Captain, Shohei Ohtani: Beyond the Dream, The Last Dance and Man in the Arena: Tom Brady.
ESPN+ is available as a standalone platform, but you can also bundle it with Hulu and Disney+ ($16.99). Or, subscribe to Hulu + Live TV for access to ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+ and live channels.