entertainment blog
Early 2022 Oscar Predictions: What Are the Most Likely Best Song & Score Nominees?
When the 2022 Oscar nominations are announced next week (on Feb. 8), there could be some A-list musicians in the mix, from Jay-Z and Beyoncé (separately!) to Billie Eilish and Finneas (together!). But who from the 15 shortlisted finalists for best original song and best original score will get the five coveted spots in each of those musical categories? On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith consulted with Billboard awards editor Paul Grein to get his picks for the sure things, the likely contenders, and the dark horses. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Listen to the full show below to hear who’s leading the Oscar hopeful pack: Also on the show, we’re talking all about “Bruno.” A week after chatting with Lin-Manuel Miranda on th...
Billie Eilish Debuts New Hairstyle: ‘I’m Back’
Billie Eilish is back to black. The “Bad Guy” singer has sported every hair color in the rainbow (and beyond), from blonde to blue and black again. With a new tour just around the corner, the California singer showed off her new all-black look with a social media post. “I’m back” she captioned her selfie, in which she’s wearing a black mask and hoodie combo on board a flight. As she enters her 20s, Eiliish has enjoyed a return to dark locks. Last December, she posted a pic with a brunette barnet and the comment, “miss me?” Explore See latest videos, charts and news The alternative pop star debuts her new look on the eve of her Happier Than Ever, The World Tour, starting Thursday (Feb. 3) in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center. Eilish is nominated for seven Grammy Awards, including reco...
Jon Zazula, Megaforce Records Co-Founder Who Discovered Metallica, Dies at 69
Jon Zazula, co-founder of the influential metal label Megaforce Records, has died. He was 69. Alongside his wife and Megaforce co-founder Marsha Zazula, who died last January, Zazula was instrumental in launching the burgeoning thrash-metal subgenre that exploded into the culture in the mid-to-early 1980s. Through Megaforce, the couple put out early records by pivotal bands including Anthrax, Testament, Overkill and future mainstream superstars Metallica, whose first two albums — triple-platinum Kill ‘Em All and six-times platinum Ride the Lightning — were released by the label in the first half of the decade. “The world of rock and metal would not be what it is today without Jon Zazula,” wrote Megaforce Records in a tweet on Tuesday announcing his death. “Jon’s love of music and musicians...
NBA YoungBoy Slams His Record Label, Claims He’s Being Blackballed
YoungBoy Never Broke Again publicly slammed Atlantic Records on social media, claiming that he is being “blackballed.” In a short note re-shared by DJ Akademiks, the rapper wrote, “I was going #1 two weeks straight with a mixtape so they took it down off the charts.” He continued, “I don’t give a f**k you still can’t stop me don’t sign to [Atlantic Records] if you a artist they not gone support you especially if you live a certain way.” In late 2021, YoungBoy stated during his Off the Record interview that he had no plans to sign another contract with Atlantic Records once his current deal — which will be completed upon the release of his Sincerely, Kentrell studio album followup — is finished. Colors, a mixtape released after Sincerely, Kentrell, debuted at No. 2 on this week’s Billboard ...
The Linda Lindas Announce New Album Growing Up, Share Video for New Song: Watch
The Linda Lindas have announced a new album—a full-length titled Growing Up. It’s out April 8 via Epitaph. Check out the title track with a video directed by Humberto Leon below (via Rolling Stone). The Los Angeles–based band caught national attention last spring for their performance of their original song “Racist Sexist Boy” at the Los Angeles Public Library. They made their late-night debut last June with “Racist Sexist Boy” and “Claudia Kishi” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Revisit Pitchfork’s interview “The Linda Lindas Are More Than Just a Viral Punk Band.” Content This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Lady A Band and Singer Settle Lawsuit Over Shared Name
Lady A (the band formerly known as Lady Antebellum) have settled their lawsuit with Anita “Lady A” White over use of their shared name. The parties filed a joint request for dismissal to a judge in a federal Tennessee court yesterday (January 31), Pitchfork can confirm. Terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Lady A and Anita “Lady A” White for comment and more information. The Nashville country band changed its name in June 2020 amid the racial-justice reckonings happening around the murder of George Floyd. The trio explained, “We did not take into account the associations that weigh down this word referring to the period of history before the Civil War, which includes slavery.” The Seattle-based blues artist Anita White is a Black...
Coachella to Auction Lifetime Festival Passes as NFTs
Coachella has announced a new partnership with cryptocurrency exchange FTX to auction off lifetime passes to the festival as NFTs. Dubbed the “Coachella Keys Collection,” it includes 10 one-of-one NFTs that grant lifetime festival access and VIP on-site experiences for the 2022 edition of Coachella, including front row access to the Coachella Stage, onstage access at the Sahara Tent, and dinner by a celebrity chef. Owners will receive passes to the festival every April and “access to Coachella-produced virtual experiences forever.” “We’ve all seen how NFTs enable true ownership of art and media on the internet. We wanted to take it one step further and use NFTs to enable ownership of experiences in the real world, too,” said Sam Schoonover, Innovation Lead for Coachella. “Only blockchain t...
The War on Drugs Add 2022 U.S. Tour Dates
The War on Drugs have added a number of dates to their 2021 tour itinerary. The new shows take place between June 4 and June 15. The band has also rescheduled shows in Atlanta and Nashville for May. Find the War on Drugs’ tour schedule below. The War on Drugs are touring in support of I Don’t Live Here Anymore. Read the interview “The War on Drugs Find Lightness on the Edge of Town.” All products featured on Pitchfork are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. The War on Drugs: 2022 North American and European Tour The War on Drugs: 02-01 Boston, MA – House of Blues02-02 Washington, D.C. – Anthem02-04 Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!02-05 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE02-06 Newport, ...
Coachella and FTX Are Offering Lifetime Festival Passes As NFTs
Coachella and FTX have partnered together to offer lifetime festival experiences as NFTs. US-regulated cryptocurrency exchange FTX US has entered into a long-term deal with the annual California music and arts festival to offer crypto-powered experiences minted on the Solana blockchain. Their first move is the unveiling of Coachella’s NFT marketplace, offering three different collections linked to different physical and digital items. The first collection, the “Coachella Keys Collection,” is offering up 10 one-of-a-kind NFT keys that grant lifetime access to Coachella and unique festival experiences for 2022. It also includes access to Coachella-produced virtual experiences in the future. The two other drops include the “Sights and Sound Collection,” made up of 10,000 NFTs of never-before-...
After Frequent Rinses On the Road, GRiZ and CloZee’s Collaboration Is Ready for Release
GRiZ is readying what he calls his “greatest collab yet.” The Rainbow Brain producer has absolutely no hesitations about his first song of 2022, a collaboration alongside CloZee titled “Color of Your Soul.” On her “Neon Jungle” tour last year, CloZee made a habit of surprising fans and leaving a lasting impression. At shows like her October Red Rocks appearance and on her December run through California, GRiZ arrived to close out the final minutes, stunning audiences with live saxophone solos. At the time, the track was only a work in progress, but after pressure testing it on the road it’s clear the two artists are ready for fans to hear the coveted track in full. Inspired by a breadth of unique cultural influences, CloZee’s incorporat...
Furcloud Teams Up With Fløa for “Stellar” EP
Promising dance music producers Furcloud and Fløa are here with Stellar, a euphonic new EP released under Enhanced Music’s Colorize banner. The two-track record kicks off with “The Illusion of Impression,” a stunning melodic house tune that fits perfectly within the Enhanced universe. The track features a mesmerizing break, where a spoken-word segment evokes “delusions” before sending listeners into a progressive rabbit hole with a hypnotic drop. This cut was previously featured on 2021’s Colorscapes Volume Three record from the label. The titular “Stellar” comes next, using driving basslines and pulsing synths to keep the progressive energy of its predecessor alive. With its soaring, peak-time sound design, “Stellar” strikes...
Claude VonStroke Talks Experimentation, Surrealism Art and More: “I Don’t Think There’s Enough Risk-Taking In Our Scene”
Claude VonStroke wants your weird music. The Dirtybird co-founder and esteemed house music producer is currently on the hunt for the weirdest and most innovative music out there. “I listen to every track that is submitted for consideration on Dirtybird,” VonStroke told EDM.com in a recent interview. “It’s a crucial part of my day. But I feel like everything that’s been submitted recently sounds the same. I want to hear some new, weird stuff. That’s what I’m currently looking for right now.” This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows and listens to VonStroke’s music. Throughout his last 17 years spearheading Dirtybird’s events, apparel sales, and musical endeavors, he’s also managed to release six albums. While the tech house genre is known to be somewhat ...
