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Rapper Tray Savage Dies at 26
Chief Keef’s record label signee, Tray Savage, died on Friday (June 19), Billboard can confirm. He was 26 years old. According to TMZ, who first reported the news, Tray (born Kentray Young) was shot and killed while driving around on the South Side of Chicago. He was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Canter, where he was later pronounced dead. “The entire Chief Glo Gang Family are extremely saddened about the loss of Kentray ‘Tray Savage’ Young who was taken too soon today,” a representative said in a statement. “His first love was always devoted to his fiancé, kids, family, and music. Regrettably, we can’t take back the actions done by others, but we stand firmly behind the fact that Kentray ‘Tray Savage’ Young shoul...
Beyonce Drops Surprise Song ‘Black Parade’ on Juneteenth
Beyonce has a new song in honor of Juneteenth. The singer released “Black Parade” Friday night (June 19), which she said will support Black-owned businesses. “Happy Juneteenth Weekend! I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle. Please continue to remember our beauty, strength and power,” she wrote in her Instagram post. “‘Black Parade’ celebrates you, your voice and your joy and will benefit Black-owned small businesses,” she added. A message on her website read “Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right,” and included a directory Black-owned businesses to support. Beyonce, her husband Jay-Z, Akil “Fresh” King, Br...
First Country: New Music From Rascal Flatts, Brett Young, Gabby Barrett & More
First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos and albums that dropped this week. A Father’s Day edition of First Country includes a memorable video from Brett Young, who’s celebrating his first Father’s Day as a dad, as well as a welcome return from Rascal Flatts as they prepare to say goodbye. Rascal Flatts, “How They Remember You”The title track from the trio’s presumptive last effort, an EP out July 31, is a great send-off. The upbeat song, written by Marc Beeson, Josh Osborne and Allen Shamblin, features strong harmonies and a catchy melody, but is really about the message on how you choose to live your life. “Did you stand or did you fall/build a bridge or build a wall?,” Gary LeVox asks. The set also includes the band’s tribute to Kenny Rogers, “Through the Yea...
Leon Bridges Delivers Poignant Rendition of ‘Sweeter’ on ‘Corden’
In light of the ongoing protests demanding racial justice across the nation, Leon Bridges stopped by The Late Late Show With James Corden on Thursday night (June 18) to perform his timely track “Sweeter” with Terrace Martin and Robert Glasper. “Hoping for a life more sweeter / Instead I’m just a story repeating / Why do I fear with skin dark as night? / Can’t feel peace with those judging eyes,” he sings in the emotional tune. “I’m just heartbroken,” Bridges told Corden of this tumultuous time. “I’m tired of seeing unarmed Black men dying at the hands of police, but at the same time I’m still optimistic. It’s really refreshing to see people all over the world wake up to the racism and injustice that’s embedded in America.” Of...
The Streets, Kaiser Chiefs & Dizzee Rascal Set for UK’s Drive-In Show Series
Kaiser Chiefs, The Streets and Dizzee Rascal are among a list of artists who are scheduled to perform at the UK’s first drive-in gigs throughout the summer. The Utilita Live From The Drive-In series will feature artists across 12 venues in the UK, and concertgoers will have a private viewing zone next to their cars, according to NME. Other acts set to take part are Ash, Beverley Knight, Bjorn Again, Brainiac Live, Brand New Heavies, Camp Bestival Live, Cream Classical Ibiza, Embrace, Gary Numan, Jack Savoretti, Lightning Seeds, Nathan Dawe, Reggae Roast Vs Gentleman’s Dub Club, Russell Watson, Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, Sigala, Skindred, The Snuts, The Zutons and Tony Hadley. See the teaser video below. Tickets go on sale here on June 22 at 10 a.m. [embedded con...
As Lawsuits Mount, LiveXLive Says It Will Ask for $2M PPP Loan to Be Forgiven
Company locked in costly legal battle with former investor who says CEO fired employees over after threats were made LiveXLive is not returning the nearly $2 million it received from the federal government through the Paycheck Protection Program. The company’s chief financial officer Mike Zemetra announced yesterday (June 18) that the concert streaming company planned to file for 100% forgiveness for the federal loan program meant for small businesses during the second quarter of 2021. LiveXLive was one of 400 publicly traded companies that accepted federal funds from the program administered by the Small Business Administration. While the company was able to avoid a Treasury Department investigation because the amount it accepted ($1,993,500) fell under the $2 million safe harbor amount, ...
Pharrell, Fantasia, Lionel Richie & More Celebrate Juneteenth
NEWS 6/19/2020 by Gil Kaufman In the midst of a national reckoning about systemic racism and the continued killing of Black and brown men and women at the hands of police, the country paused to celebrate Juneteenth on Friday (June 19). The holiday recalls the end of slavery in the U.S., marking the day (June 19, 1865) when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people were free; the news came two-and-a-half years after Pres. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Though the holiday is 155-years-old and has been celebrated for more than a century by African-Americans, the focus on racial injustice spurred by the protests in every state over the killing of George Floyd has put a spotlight on the celebra...
Black Pumas, Brittany Howard, Mavis Staples Highlight ATO Records Black Lives Matter Benefit Comp
“Silence is Not An Option (turn this up)” is out now on ATO Records. ATO Records released a surprise digital compilation on Friday (June 19) that will support Black Lives Matter, Color of Change and the Innocence Project. The 11-track album, titled Silence is Not An Option (turn this up), features songs from the label’s catalog by Brittany Howard, My Morning Jacket, Black Pumas, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Benjamin Booker (with Mavis Staples), Drive-By Truckers and a new songs from Emily King, “See Me.” “ATO Records, an independent record label out of New York City, has been reflecting deeply on the injustices and inequality in our world. We recognize that music is not just an agent for change, but a space of solace,” the label said in a statement. &...
First Out: New Music From Victoria Monét, Jozzy, Lauren Ruth Ward & More
As Pride Month continues around the world, LGBTQ people everywhere are looking for uplifting anthems to help them tap into this season’s spirit of activism. Billboard Pride is here to help with First Out, our weekly roundup of some of the best new weekly music releases from LGBTQ artists. From Jozzy’s repeat-worthy new track, to Victoria Monét’s disco-infused Khalid collaboration, here are some of our favorite new releases this week: Victoria Monét ft. Khalid, “Experience” When you hear the names Victoria Monét and Khalid, you’d be forgiven if “disco” isn’t the first genre you thought of. But on their brand new single “Experience,” that is exactly what the pair are serving — with a constantly-grooving bassline, combined...
New Version of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Never Gonna Break My Faith’ Drops on Juneteenth: Stream It Now
A never-before-heard solo version of the late Aretha Franklin’s riveting and powerful collaboration with Mary J. Blige about faith and race, 2006’s “Never Gonna Break My Faith,” has arrived on Juneteenth. Sony’s RCA Records, RCA Inspiration and Legacy Recordings released the song Friday, June 19, aligning with the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that all enslaved black people learned they had been freed from bondage. “Never Gonna Break My Faith” resonates today, featuring lyrics like: “You can lie to a child with a smiling face/Tell me that color ain’t about a race.” “The world is very different now. Change is everywhere and each of us, hopefully, is doing the best he or she can to move forward and make change as positive as possible,” Clive Davis, Sony Music’s chief creative officer a...
‘I Just Wanna Live’ Singer Keedron Bryant Signs with Warner Records, Releases Debut Single on Juneteenth: Stream It Now
Keedron Bryant recently drew national attention when his stirring acapella performance of “I Just Wanna Live” on Instagram went viral in the days following the May 25 murder of George Floyd. Now the 12-year-old is making news again, announcing both his signing to Warner Records and the Juneteenth release of the song as his official debut single. Warner Records is donating 100 percent of the net profits from “I Just Wanna Live” to the NAACP. In addition, Amazon Music will donate one dollar for each stream of the song to the NAACP through 9 p.m. PT tonight (June 19), up to $50,000. Of signing to Warner, Florida native Bryant told Billboard via email, “I really want to make an impact on this world, especially the young generation.” The young singer first gained notice on season four of t...
Shaq to Go 1-on-1 With Gronk For Virtual Live Party, Fundraiser
Shaq and Gronk are about to throw down with each other for a cause. The men with seven championship rings between them will compete against each other June 27 in Shaq’s Fun House Vs Gronk Beach, a virtual party combining fun and music as a benefit for social justice. “We’re all about bringing people together.,” O’Neal said. “We’re all about making people smile. As I look at Gronk, I see a version of myself. … I’m proud to say he’s a friend. I’m glad to say I probably couldn’t pull this off with anybody else besides Gronk.” The three-time Super Bowl champ had been retired when traded by New England to Tampa Bay in April. He currently has his own “Game On” show on ABC and recently appeared on The Masked Singer. Gronkowski noted he first competed against the Basketball Hall of Famer and...
