Culture
Trek to Yomi Delivers a New Take on the Classic Samurai Tale
As often as the adjective of “Japanese” gets thrown around to describe a video game, there’s a big difference between a game that just happens to be made by a Japanese team, one that’s set in Japan, and one that actually channels the spirit of the historic nation. Trek to Yomi is most definitely the third of these options, with a setting, plot and style that are all distinctly channeling both classic samurai movies as well as real Japanese history. Ahead of its release next month, SPIN spoke with composer and music producer Cody Johnson (Lost Soul Aside, Resident Evil 2) as well as composer and music director Yoko Honda to get the inside scoop about Trek to Yomi’s authentically Japanese soundtrack. As an added bonus, the co-composers were kind enough to share a brand new track, “Uchū,” whi...
Jennifer Lopez Spills Details on Ben Affleck Bath Tub Proposal: ‘I Was Quite Literally Speechless’
The second time seems to be the charm for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. The Marry Me singer shared the details of the couple’s sequel engagement in her “On the JLo” newsletter on Tuesday (April 12), which included Affleck popping the question while Lopez was in her happy place. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Saturday night while at my favorite place on earth (in the bubble bath), my beautiful love got on one knee and proposed,” she wrote in the newsletter (which requires registration). “I was taken totally off guard and just looked in his eyes smiling and crying at the same time trying hard to get my head around the fact that after 20 years this was happening all over again. I was quite literally speechless and he said, ‘Is that a ‘yes?R...
Last-Minute Coachella Accessories to Buy Online: Hats, Scarves, Bags & More
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. Heading to Coachella? Before you set out on a trek to the desert, you’ll need the right festival accessories and travel gear. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in the desert heat without the proper sunglasses, a hat to keep your head cool, an external phone charger just in case you’re low on juice, hand sanitizer (yes, we’re still in a pandemic), face masks and bandanas, and a bag to carry everything from your identification to water bottles. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news To help you out, we rounde...
6 Biggest Moments From ‘The Kardashians’ Series Premiere
After 20 seasons on E! with the show that made them Hollywood’s royal family, the Kardashians wrapped Keeping Up With the Kardashians in June 2021. But it wasn’t long before the family announced that they’d be giving onscreen access to their lives again, this time in a new Hulu show called The Kardashians. The first episode, which premieres on Thursday (April 14), catches fans up on what the superstar group has been up to in the past couple months — from Kylie Jenner’s pregnancy and Kourtney Kardashian’s budding romance with Travis Barker to Kim Kardashian’s divorce process from Kanye West. See below for the six biggest things we learned from the first episode of The Kardashians on Hulu. 1. Kylie kept her baby’s gender a secret even from her family The youngest KarJenner mad...
‘American Idol’ Contestant Reworks a Blondie Classic: Watch
The tide was high, but Leah Marlene was more than holding on when American Idol witnessed its final round of Hawaii performances. The quirky Canada-born, Illinois-based singer performed a Blondie classic, a song with a deep connection to New York’s clubbing scene at the turn of the ’80s and hot, early Richard Gere films. On Monday night (April 11), Marlene made Blondie’s “Call Me” her very own, with an unrecognizable, chilled-out, acoustic rendition, retrofitted for the beach. The judges loved it. “You’re in a lane, all of your own, in this competition,” Lionel Richie enthused afterwards. “It’s endless where you can go.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Katy Perry remarked, “you’re definitely one of a kind, from your song choices to your on...
The Best Gifts to Spoil Your Cat or Dog for National Pet Day
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. Pets are more than just companions; they’re family. Whether you’re a cat person or a dog lover, there’s no denying that pets spend so much time showering humans with love that it’s only right that we dedicate an entire day to returning the favor. In honor of National Pet Day, which is Monday (April 11), we combed through the web to dig up 11 of the cutest and coolest gift ideas and pet supplies to spoil your four-legged friend. Most of the items listed are available at major retailers such as PetSmart, Chewy, Petco, Amazon and Walmart for in-store pickup and...
‘American Idol’ Judges Give Nicolina Bozzo a Standing Ovation for Her Emotional Take on Sia
American Idol contestant Nicolina Bozzo delivered yet another show-stopping performance Sunday (April 10), only solidifying her place in the Top 24. The Canadian vocalist, who received mentorship from country star Jimmie Allen, powered through Sia‘s “Elastic Heart.” After her performance, which took place at Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawai’i, Bozzo received a standing ovation from the judges who were once again mesmerized by her vocal prowess and star quality. “I’ve always thought that you were one of — if not the best — singer in the competition. You always deliver,” said Luke Bryan. “We’re outside, we’re not getting sound necessarily like we would in a big theater, but you really, really delivered all of the emotions. It was one of those I could really sit back and enjoy the quality...
Best parks in Buenos Aires
We explore the best parks in Buenos Aires to help you find a spot of calm in Argentina’s whirlwind capital Buenos Aires whizzes past. While its cafés, bars and restaurants spill out onto the sidewalks, honking throngs of traffic hurtle by just inches away. Porteños (residents of Buenos Aires) barely raise an eyebrow over their espressos, but for those of us uninitiated, Buenos Aires can be overwhelming. For all its tree-lined avenues, the ‘Paris of South America’ is among the world’s least green cities with only around 1.8m2 of green space per capita – well below the World Health Organisation’s minimum recommendation of 10m2. Fortunately, respite can be found. In the feverish metropolis nearly 13 million call home, there is a slew of leafy plazas and public areas where the city’s residents...
The 6 Best Travel Backpacks for Musicians, DJs & More
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. Hitting the road soon? Whether you’re a musician headed on tour or a music fan planning to travel to a concert or festival (Coachella is literally a week away), now is the perfect time to upgrade your travel gear. Below, find a handful of the best travel backpacks for musicians, DJs and music fans alike. Whether you’re heading off on a road trip, flying the friendly skies or taking a short commute to see your favorite band, our roundup features some of the most popular and best-reviewed bags with lots of room to carry headphones, laptops, cables, water bottl...
The 10 Best Adele Covers on ‘American Idol’
Last week, Cleveland teen Emyrson Flora went viral for her jaw-dropping Hollywood round performance on American Idol, taking on Adele‘s “Love In The Dark,” which appeared on Adele’s global hit album 25, from 2015. In her pre-recorded intro, the 16-year-old high school student recounted how the judges took a chance on her, and how she wanted to repay that faith. She delivered tone-perfect effort that had judge Katy Perry on her feet, and Flora was sent straight to the “Duets” round. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news [embedded content] Flora is hardly the first Idol contestant to perform an Adele cover. For years, the talented musicians who have appeared on the show have put their own twists on the Grammy winner’s beloved tracks, ...
2022 Kids’ Choice Awards: When & How to Watch Online
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. The wait is almost over! Nickelodeon’s 2022 Kids’ Choice Awards will air live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., on Saturday (April 9). Co-hosted by iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove and NFL star Rob Gronkowski, the 35th annual ceremony will feature performances from Kid Cudi and Jack Harlow, an appearance from first lady Dr. Jill Biden, and let’s not forget about the slime. For the first time ever, the show will feature more than 1,000 epic slimings and dozens of hilarious pranks celebrating fan-favorite stars in film, television, music, sports and mor...
‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ Season 3: How to Watch Online for Free
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. Need a laugh? The Emmy-nominated sketch comedy series, A Black Lady Sketch Show, returns for its third season on Friday (April 8). Robin Thede serves as creator, executive producer, showrunner, writer and star of the series, which will air on HBO and stream on HBO Max. The six-episode season kicks off at 11 p.m. ET. ”Making A Black Lady Sketch Show is a dream come true and I’m honored to continue our incredible series and wonderful partnership with HBO, Issa Rae, JAX Media and our entire producing team,” Thede said after the show was renewed for a third seas...
