Music News
Rudy Giuliani’s Story Reimagined as an Opera in ‘Rudy! A Documusical’ at Tribeca Festival
A new documentary about Rudy Giuliani premiering at the Tribeca Festival weaves in musical performances to give the ups and downs of the man once commonly referred to as “America’s Mayor” an operatic flavor. Rudy! A Documusical, directed by Jed Rothstein, is in large part a sober, conventional analysis of the unlikely trajectory of Giuliani’s political life, from New York prosecutor, mayor and Sept. 11 hero to the pusher of bogus legal challenges to the 2020 election for then-President Donald Trump. But to fully convey the exaggerated highs and lows of Giuliani, Rothstein felt he needed a Greek chorus. “His story is very operatic,” Rothstein said in an interview. “The music can bring out emotional truths that’s different than having someone talk about it. It’s certainly unconventional in a...
Melissa McCarthy Says She ‘Burst Out Crying’ When She Heard Halle Bailey’s Voice on ‘Little Mermaid’ Set
Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is set to release in 2023, boasting an all-star cast that includes Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Melissa McCarthy and Halle Bailey as Ariel. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Thursday (June 9), McCarthy, who plays Ursula in the upcoming film, responded to a question from a fan who asked, “How Halle Bailey’s version of Ariel in The Little Mermaid and are there any new songs in this live action version?” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “First, I’ll say I’ll be killed for anything I say,” McCarthy jokingly replied, before sharing a heartwarming story. “Secondly, we were on set and they just started playing Halle’s version of the song.” At this point, t...
Here’s What Britney Spears’ Wedding Has in Common With ‘Ever After,’ According to Drew Barrymore
In 1998, Drew Barrymore got to live out her very own Cinderella story as the star of Ever After, a whimsical romantic drama inspired by the famous fairy tale. Now, Barrymore says she got to witness Britney Spears living out her Cinderella story — but this time, in real life. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news On Friday (June 10), the actress-turned-daytime talk show host took to Instagram to share photos from Spears’ intimate wedding to Sam Asghari, where Barrymore was a guest. “What I learned from Ever After is that we must rescue ourselves and yet still want the fairy tale,” Barrymore captioned the photos. “And that’s exactly what Britney did! I couldn’t be happier for her intrepid journey !!!!!!!” The Instagram carousel includes Barrymore sandw...
Britney Spears Gets Restraining Order Against Ex-Husband Jason Alexander
Britney Spears has gotten an emergency restraining order against her first husband, Jason Allen Alexander, after he broke into her home on her wedding day on Thursday (June 9) and was subsequently arrested. The pop star’s attorney Mathew Rosengart confirmed the news to Billboard on Friday (June 10), noting that there is an “Emergency Protective Order” in place. An EPO expires after five to seven calendar days. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I thank the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for their good work,” he shared in a press statement. “This was an outrageous and disgraceful security breach and I hope law enforcement does everything possible to ensure Mr. Alexander is fully and vigorously prosecuted and convicted for his crimina...
Britney Spears Gushes Over ‘Spectacular’ Wedding Day, Thanks Her Famous Girlfriends for Attending
Britney Spears was basking in her bridal glow on Friday (June 10) as she took to Instagram to share a series of gorgeous photos from her wedding to longtime partner Sam Asghari. “Wow !!! Holy holy crap !!! WE DID IT !!! WE GOT MARRIED !!! Gggggeeeeezzzzz !!! It was the most spectacular day !!! I was so nervous all morning but then at 2:00 pm it really hit me … WE’RE GETTING MARRIED !!! I had a panic attack and then got it together … the crew who created our home into literally a dream castle were fantastic !!!” she wrote alongside a number of smiling photos. “The ceremony was a dream and the party was even better !!! So many incredible people came to our wedding and I’m still in shock !!!” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts ...
First Spin: The Week’s Best New Dance Tracks From Anna Lunoe, Marshmello & Khalid, The Chainsmokers & More
This week in dance music: We spoke with white hot U.K. producer HAAi on the occasion of her new album, the video for Daft Punk and The Weeknd‘s “I Feel It Coming” reached a casual billion views on YouTube, Acraze continued to do it to it by signing with Capitol Records in partnership with Thrive Music, in honor of Pride Month we ranked the top 60 LGBTQ anthems of all time, ODESZA dropped a new single ahead of their hotly anticipated album coming next month, Claude VonStroke’s venerable Dirtybird Campout West Coast dropped a mighty lineup for its October fest, the PNAU edit of Dua Lipa and Elton John‘s “Cold Heart” clocked its 34th week at No. 1 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and we spoke with L.A. producer Swardy upon the occasion of his immensely delightful (and Porter Robison-approved!) n...
Lizzo Honors Female Friendship With Bouncy New Song ‘Grrrls’: Listen
Calling all ladies: This one’s for you. Lizzo dropped her new single “Grrrls” on Friday (June 10) — the second off her upcoming album Special — and it’s all about showing the love for her inner circle of best girl friends. “Where my girls, where my girls at?” the 34-year-old pop star sings on the track, her voice leading the charge over a bouncing bass beat and a repeating “wooo” vocal sample. “This the type of fight I’m looking for.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Ahead of the song’s release, Lizzo took to Instagram to celebrate its arrival with a slow-motion dance party to the lyrics, “That’s my girl, we codependent/ If she with it then I’m with it/ Yeah we tussle, mind your business.” “GRRRLS GRRRLS GRRRLS,” she captioned the v...
Demi Lovato Drops ‘Holy Fvck’ Lead Single ‘Skin of My Teeth’: Stream It Now
Demi Lovato sure wasn’t kidding when they said their next era was going to be punk rock. The former pop star’s electric new single “Skin of My Teeth” arrived on streaming services at midnight Friday (June 10), along with a new music video, perfectly kicking off Lovato’s official entry into edgy rock n’ roll with upcoming album Holy Fvck. “I’m alive by the skin of my teeth/ I survived when it got harder to breathe/ God d–n it I just wanna be free.” Lovato continues over high-voltage guitar and gritty amp feedback, “I’m just trying to keep my head above water/ I’m your son and I’m your daughter/ I’m your mother I’m your father/ I’m just a product of the problem.” The “Cool for the Summer” singer’s subversion from pop has been a long time coming, as documented by a January Instagram post show...
Billboard Explains: Why Songs Now Have Fewer ‘Featuring’ Credits
So far in 2022, only two songs with a “feature” credit have entered the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 — the lowest number in more than two decades. Meanwhile, co-billings are skyrocketing, with 21 percent of all Hot 100 top 10s this year being co-billed. What’s behind the change, and what does this mean for the future of collaborations? The latest episode of Billboard Explains (above) dives in. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news A feature essentially means that a song includes a guest appearance from another artist. Featured billings first became popular in the late ’90s, as hip-hop collaborations across pop and R&B grew in popularity. Featured listings for Hot 100 top 10s peaked in 2003 and remained steady in around the 20 to 30 percent ran...
See John Mayer in Netflix’s ‘Dirty Daddy: The Bob Saget Tribute’ Trailer
It’s been five months since Bob Saget‘s untimely death, and on Friday (June 10), Netflix is honoring the beloved comedian by bringing his famous friends together for a tribute special. The streaming platform unveiled its teaser for Dirty Daddy: The Bob Saget tribute on Thursday (June 9), which features an appearance from the late star’s dear friend, John Mayer. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In one scene of the trailer, the “New Light” singer is seen sitting onstage with a guitar behind Saget’s Full House costar John Stamos. “I want to read my last text from Bob,” Stamos shares, pulling out his phone, “It said, ‘I love you so much. I will say God gave me the brother that I wanted.’ I said, ‘Well, you have a lot of God-given b...
Britney Spears’ First Husband Jason Alexander Arrested After Crashing Her Wedding
Britney Spears‘ first husband, Jason Alexander, reportedly showed up at her wedding to fiancé Sam Asghari on Thursday (June 9) and was arrested by police. Alexander, who was married to his childhood friend Spears for 55 hours in 2004, went live on Instagram prior to the event, in screenshots captured by TMZ and a video uploaded to Twitter by fans. According to the publication, he approached event security and told them the pop star had invited him, and that she was his first and only wife. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Spears’ residence to investigate a trespassing complaint, according to Variety. Alexander was then found to have an out of county warrant and was placed under arrest...
Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker Throw a Gothic ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Joint Bachelor Party
Kourtney Kardashian is giving fans more content surrounding her wedding festivities with Travis Barker, and in her latest Instagram post, she shared the dark aesthetic of the couple’s joint bachelor celebration. “Romeo and Juliet vibes for the Bach,” she captioned the series of photos, which show te couple kissing in a luxurious, gothic-style dining room, surrounded by candles, red roses and religious imagery. “Kravis 4EVER” is seen written on a red, heart-shaped cake. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The reality TV star and the blink-182 drummer’s over-the-top nuptials were equally glam with gothic touches, as they were married by a priest in Portofino, Italy on May 22 with a clifftop ceremony before a gilded, candlelit altar cover...
