entertainment blog
How the BET Awards Are Responding to Lil Nas X, Celebrating Diddy & Leaning ‘Into the Music’
It’ll be “Culture’s Biggest Night.” That’s what BET Networks is promising when the 2022 BET Awards air live Sunday (June 26) at 8 p.m. EST. And with host Taraji P. Henson presiding over a performance lineup that boasts a newly added Lil Wayne joining Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Latto, Muni Long, Roddy Ricch and many others, the promise sounds more like a guarantee. And that’s not even counting the artists who will be paying tribute to this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Sean “Diddy” Combs: Mary J. Blige, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Faith Evans and Bryson Tiller, among others. “This year we said, ‘Let’s really lean into the music,’” says BET CEO Scott Mills. “And it’s going to be great.” The awards show is not without controversy, however. Earlier this month, Lil Nas X slammed the BET Awards aft...
Box Office Dance-Off: ‘Elvis’ Opens to $30.5M to Tie With ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ for Top Spot
In rare box office dance-off, Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis — starring Austin Butler as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll — and Top Gun: Maverick tied for the weekend crown with an estimated $30.5 million each. The race won’t be declared until Monday morning when final grosses are tallied. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Top Gun: Maverick is doing formidable business in its fifth weekend as it jumps the $1 billion mark globally. The movie fell a scant 32 percent domestically thanks to being rereleased in select Imax and other premium large-format screens. Elvis, from Warner Bros., has older moviegoers to thank for opening ahead of expectations: 56 percent of the audience so far is over the age of 35, i...
Box Office: ‘Elvis’ Rocking to $30M-Plus Opening in Dance-Off With ‘Top Gun 2’
Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis — starring Austin Butler as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll — is dancing to a better-than-expected $30 million to $32 million opening at the domestic box office after topping Friday’s (June 24) chart with $12.7 million, including $3.5 million in previews. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news That could be enough to win the weekend ahead of Top Gun: Maverick, which is doing formidable business in its fifth weekend, thanks to being rereleased in Imax and other premium screens. Elvis, from Warner Bros., has older moviegoers to thank: 65 percent of the audience so far is over the age of 35, including a whopping 30 percent over 55. Naturally, Luhrmann’s frenetic Elvis Presley biopic performed be...
Olivia Rodrigo Dedicates Lily Allen’s ‘F— You’ to the Supreme Court at Glastonbury
Olivia Rodrigo and Lily Allen joined forces to bring “F— You” to Glastonbury, with a performance dedicated to the U.S. Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that protected a woman’s choice to have an abortion. The “Drivers License” hitmaker introduced Allen to the stage with love on Saturday (June 25), just before hurling some scathing words at the Supreme Court in front of a crowd of thousands of festivalgoers. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Someone that I absolutely adore is here today,” Rodrigo announced to the audience. “I think she’s the most incredible songwriter, the most incredible artist, the most incredible person, and I’m so lucky that she’s here singing with me today. Would you guys plea...
ODESZA Share Statement Supporting Women’s Rights After Overturning of Roe v. Wade
In the immediate aftermath of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, ODESZA have shared a statement reflecting on the far-reaching impacts of the court’s decision. “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do if it weren’t for the women in our lives: our partners, our mothers, our grandmothers, and the women on our team & crew who have made us who are and who make the ODESZA project possible,” the duo’s opening remarks read. ODESZA go on to share their frustration over the ruling, explaining that nearly 50 years of judicial precedent has been uprooted in what feels like “a matter of minutes.” The statement continues with the duo reiterating their belief in a woman’s right to choose while warning the court’s decision is...
Skream Kicks Off EP Rollout With Frenzied Jackmaster Collab, “The Attention Deficit Track”
Skream and Jackmaster’s “The Attention Deficit Track” is a shot in the arm fit for powering dance music fans through the wee hours of the morning. Part of Skream’s forthcoming EP on CircoLoco Records, “The Attention Deficit Track” is an immediate attention-grabber by way of its frenetic, gated vocals. Bursting in rapid-fire succession, the producers’ chops paired with a tinge of reverb and delay create a swirling vocal concoction with a discernibly psychedelic aura. Underpinning the frenzied vocal action is a clean counterbalance of pumping kicks and crisp claps, a dependable arrangement more than capable of vitalizing the dancefloor. Take a listen to “The Attention Deficit Track” below. Scroll to Continue Recom...
Rage Against the Machine Donates $475K to Reproductive Rights Organizations Following Roe v. Wade Ruling
Rage Against the Machine will donate $475,000 to reproductive rights groups in Wisconsin and Illinois, the band announced late Friday night (June 24). The decision comes following the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had protected a woman’s choice to have an abortion. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “We are disgusted by the repeal of Roe v. Wade and the devastating impact it will have on tens of millions of people,” Rage Against the Machine noted on Instagram. “Over half of the country (26 states) is likely to ban or seriously restrict abortion very soon, if not immediately, which will have a disproportionate impact on poor, working class and undocumented BIPOC communities.” They continued: “To date, our fans have raised $4...
5 Things We Learned From Kevin Liles & Al Sharpton’s ‘It’s a New Day’ Conversation
American record label 300 Entertainment and financial services company Nasdaq joined forces on Friday morning (June 24) for a special intimate conversation between legendary music executive Kevin Liles and civil rights activist Al Sharpton. The event brought people from all over the media industry to the Nasdaq MarketSite in the heart of New York City to hear the gems and knowledge Liles and Sharpton have developed throughout their careers. 300 and Nasdaq treated guests to a complimentary breakfast before activist and former organizer of the Women’s March, Tameka Mallory, opened the event with a moving introduction that reflected on the efforts Kevin Liles and Al Sharpton have put forth in their respective fields. Despite the early start time, the audience was fully locked into Liles and S...
Pink Addresses Supporters of Overturning Roe v. Wade: ‘Never F—ing Listen to My Music Again’
P!nk has a very clear message for anyone who supports the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that protected one’s choice to have an abortion: Don’t listen to her music. The message, which she tweeted Saturday night (June 25), was also aimed at racist followers, and those threatening marriage equality. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Let’s be clear: if you believe the government belongs in a woman’s uterus, a gay persons business or marriage, or that racism is okay- THEN PLEASE IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD NEVER F—ING LISTEN TO MY MUSIC AGAIN. AND ALSO F— RIGHT OFF. We good?” the singer wrote. One Twitter follower caught P!nk’s attention when he replied that he’s “never had an abortion. Also have never ...
Miley Cyrus on Challenges of ‘Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party’ and Why Pete Davidson Was the Best Co-Host
Miley Cyrus may seem like a go-with-the-flow person, but when it comes to a TV special like NBC’s Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party, she’s all about structure. Because of COVID, which prevented rehearsals and special guest appearances and prompted multiple location changes, the Miami-set live show had its fair share of challenges. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Still, after two difficult pandemic years, Cyrus and co-host Pete Davidson wanted to provide a form of escapism for audiences through live performances by Cyrus, Brandi Carlile, Saweetie and Anitta, among others, and sketches featuring Cyrus and Davidson. “I think we represented what New Year’s is really about, which is connecting with each other, celebrating the ...
Kayzo Fosters the Next Evolution of Electronic-Rock Music With Third Album, “New Breed”
The release of NEW BREED marks the decisive beginning of a new chapter for Kayzo, one of the biggest electronic dance music producer success stories of the 2010s. With his latest album, Kayzo explores the intersection of rock and electronic music more thoroughly—more thoughtfully—than ever before. Longtime fans will fondly remember records such as his remix of “Last Resort” alongside Papa Roach as breakthrough moments in his meteoric career. But while such tracks combining dubstep production with rock sonics were fresh at the time, a new spark was needed to illuminate this creative pathway ahead. And with NEW BREED, Kayzo handily delivers. If there’s one central accomplishment Kayzo can claim on the album, it’s blending the many diverse roc...
Opiuo Drops First Single In Over a Year: Listen to the Stunning “Gravitate”
Opiuo’s new single will make you “Gravitate” to the dancefloor. The renowned Australian producer has released the first track from his highly anticipated upcoming album. Opiuo descends deep into the inner-workings of his psyche in “Gravitate,” out now by way of Slurp Music. With its haunting vocal swells, gritty bassline and hypnotic topline from Jordan Dennis, the new single is scintillating from start to finish. Directed by Wayne Schultheis, the official music video for “Gravitate” depicts a transcendent experience wherein two people navigate darkness shrouded in a trippy veil of pink, purple and blue hues. “‘Gravitate’ started as many Opiuo songs often do, me just messing around in my studio,” Opiuo explained i...
