Music News
John Legend Explains How He & Kanye West ‘Elevated’ Each Other’s Debut Albums With the ‘Merging of Our Sounds’
John Legend opens up about his early friendship and collaboration with Kanye West in his new Audible Original project Living Legend. “While other MCs may have been wearing throwback jerseys and rapping about dealing coke over his beats, Kanye, he stood out,” the EGOT winner recalls in a clip premiering exclusively on Billboard below. “He was more preppy, he wore his polos and his collegiate wear, and he was lyrically exploring different topics like his own insecurities and his relationship with God.” Even beyond how West differed from his hip-hop contemporaries of the time, Legend credited the budding superstar with helping put a modern spin on his 2004 debut Get Lifted, which would establish Legend as a rising R&B star after its top five peak on the Billboard 200. “It was so important...
Kesha’s Mom Explains That Jeffrey Dahmer ‘Cannibal’ Lyric
Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s name has been woven into the lyrics of a number of songs over the years, from tracks recorded by Katy Perry and Eminem to Kesha‘s 2010 track “Cannibal.” In response to recent controversy discussed on social media regarding pop culture references to Dahmer, Kesha’s mother, Pebe Sebert — a songwriter and non-profit founder who has a co-writing credit on “Cannibal” — says she’s the one who wrote the lyric “I’ll pull a Jeffrey Dahmer.” “The whole Jeffrey Dahmer lyric in ‘Cannibal’ is a big controversy right now, and I thought I’d just say a few things about it because that was my line that I wrote in ‘Cannibal.’” Sebert said in a TikTok video uploaded on Sunday (Oct. 2). She filmed herself in Panama, where she was on her way to an event put on by her non-pr...
BMG to Hit 1 Billion Euros in Revenues by 2024
BMG says it will start generating one billion euros in revenue starting in 2024, achieving a financial target the company set for itself a full two years ahead of schedule, according to a corporate presentation made last week. The record label and publisher improved its growth forecast thanks to strategic investments from parent company Bertelsmann and a strong performance from several recently acquired song catalogs, BMG chief executive Hartwig Masuch told a gathering of senior Bertelsmann executives. Meeting its billion-euro goal will make BMG one of the fastest-growing new music companies in the industry, executives said. Founded in 2008, BMG generated 663 million euros ($784.13 million) in revenues in 2021, a 10.1% increase from 2020. In the first half of 2022, the company reported rev...
Fans Choose Ciara & Summer Walker’s ‘Better Thangs’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
Ciara‘s new song featuring Summer Walker has topped this week’s new music poll. Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Sept. 30) on Billboard, choosing “Better Thangs” as their favorite new music release of the past week. Ciara and Walker’s R&B jam brought in more than 62% of the vote, beating out new music by Ed Sheeran, Kid Cudi, Paramore and more. Ciara and Walker’s delightful meeting for “Better Thangs” brings on the positive vibes: Ciara described it to Billboard as “a feel-good record” that she hopes “people hear and feel inspired by.” “For me, joy is the ultimate feeling that I was feeling [when creating ‘Better Thangs’], and I wanted for people to feel that with this record,” she said. “She laid her vocals on the song, and as soon as I heard it, I was like, ‘This is speci...
Fire Damages Donnie and Mark Wahlberg’s Childhood Home in Boston
A home where entertainers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg’s family once lived was damaged by fire Sunday (Oct. 2) in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, the fire department said. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The blaze began in a nearby home at around 10 a.m., but spread to another three buildings because of strong winds, Fire Commissioner Paul Burke said. Two firefighters suffered injuries and one resident was taken to the hospital. There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire. One of the homes involved was 25 Peverell Street, where the Wahlberg family used to live. Mark Wahlberg visited the home during the production of his Netflix movie Wonderland in 2018 and 2019. In one video posted on social media, the actor stands...
Cardi B Compares Bad Bunny’s L.A. Stadium Concert to 2022 Super Bowl: ‘There’s More People Here’
Cardi B is very impressed with Bad Bunny‘s concert attendance numbers. On Saturday (Oct. 1), the reggaeton superstar performed at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles as part of his World’s Hottest Tour, which topped the Billboard Boxscore chart in August, grossing $91.1 million. During the show, Bad Bunny brought out Cardi for surprise performances of her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” and the pair’s chart-topping collaboration “I Like It.” The tracks peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news After the concert, Cardi took to social media to share her enthusiasm about Bad Bunny’s success in the touring space. “I was just at this stadium for the super bowl not long ago,” she twee...
HARDY Treated for ‘Significant Injuries’ Following Tour Bus Accident
HARDY is recovering from “significant injuries” following a tour bus accident. The country music artist, whose real name is Michael Wilson Hardy, took to social media on Sunday (Oct. 2) to share a statement about his medical condition, and the health of his road crew, after being involved in a crash early Sunday morning following his appearance at Country Thunder Bristol in Tennessee. “Following last night’s show, our tour bus was in an accident on our way home from Bristol,” HARDY wrote in his statement, which was shared on Twitter. “There were just four of us, including myself, on the bus, however we were all treated for significant injuries. Our friend, and bus driver needs your prayers as he is still in the hospital. His family is with him while he is being treated and we’re all pullin...
Beyonce Celebrates Solange’s Score for the New York City Ballet
Solange made her debut as a composer for the New York City Ballet, and Beyoncé is a proud big sister. Solange wrote an original score for Play Time, choreographed by Gianna Reisen. It premiered this week at Lincoln Center as part of NYCB’s Fall Fashion Gala, and a number of performances are slated for October and May. Beyoncé showed support on Instagram on Saturday (Oct. 1), posting slideshows featuring photos and videos from her sister’s evening at the ballet. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “My beloved sister, there are no words to express the pride and admiration I have for you,” she wrote to Solange. “You are a visionary and one of one. Congratulations on being the first African American woman to compose for the New York City Ballet...
A Worried Taylor Swift Gets Violently Shoved in New ‘Amsterdam’ Teaser: Watch
Taylor Swift is featured yet again in the latest trailer for David O. Russell’s murder mystery movie Amsterdam. The new 30-second teaser, released on Saturday (Oct. 1), begins with a worried looking Swift running up to stars Christian Bale and John David Washington in the bustling streets of the 1930s. “Is somebody watching me?” Swift, dressed in a jade green tweed coat and skirt ensemble, fearfully asks the concerned looking men. “I don’t know if I can talk about this.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news As she dramatically delivers her last line, Swift’s character gets violently pushed into the street by a mysterious looking man. She’s then heard screaming as a car horn is heard blaring in the background. Few details are known about Swif...
Megan Thee Stallion Gets Ready for Halloween With All-New Spooky Pumpkin Head Photos
She’s baaack! Megan Thee Stallion is getting into the Halloween spirit with some spooky new jack-o’-lantern photos. The Grammy-winning rapper took to social media on Saturday (Oct. 1) to continue her tradition of posing with a carved pumpkin on her head ahead of Halloween on Oct. 31. In this year’s new set of sinister pics, Megan is seen relaxing around the house in pink silk pajamas while sipping on a fruity cocktail, all while wearing a bright orange pumpkin with hallowed out pointy eyes, an upside triangle nose, and a mouth with jagged teeth. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news This isn’t the first time the “Plan B” artist has celebrated Halloween early. Last year, she kicked off the first day of October with a similar set of pictures. F...
Doja Cat Paints Face, Arms for Paris Fashion Week
Doja Cat debuted a striking look at Paris Fashion Week. Doja — who has been keeping fans on their toes lately when it comes to teasing what her next album will sound like — played around with her style this weekend in Paris. She attended Mônot’s spring/summer show on Saturday (Oct. 1) wearing an all-black ensemble accessorized with arm makeup resembling sleek gloves, white and blue face makeup, and bright red lips. The makeup look was created by artist Laurel Charleston. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Hand, arm and face makeup on @DojaCat for Mônot by me,” Charleston, who’s worked with Doja previously, tweeted on Saturday. When a follower commented, “I had to zoom in to even notice they weren’t actual gloves. Killed it,” Charleston wr...
Post Malone Opens Up About Fatherhood, Says His Baby Girl Is ‘A Legend’
Post Malone, who’s “ready to keep rocking and rolling” after a recent stage fall and some hospital time, opened up a bit about his family life in a new interview. The artist casually announced the birth of his daughter in June, noting that he intends to keep most details about his child private. “I want to let her make her own decisions,” he explained at the time. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In an interview with GQ published on Friday (Sept. 30), Malone brought up his 4-month-old while talking about his collaboration with Moose Knuckles for a collection that includes children’s sizes. “It’s really tough not being able to see her, but she’s coming out more often now,” he said of being on tour. “She’s huge, she’s super tall, and she’s...
