Music News
From Brittany Aldean to Lauren Akins, Here Are Some of the Most-Followed Country Music Spouses
They might not be topping the Billboard charts like their country-superstar partners, but a handful of Nashville wives and husbands have become celebrities in their own right as social media influencers — sometimes even drawing millions of followers. Interspersed with adoring photos alongside their mates are often posts about product endorsements, beauty hints, cooking tips, business recommendations, childcare suggestions and — this is where it sometimes gets tricky — politics. On Thursday, Billboard reported that Jason Aldean’s longtime publicity firm, The GreenRoom PR, parted ways with their client of 17 years. Though the GreenRoom’s statement to Billboard did not give a reason — other than to say the company’s focus is on the music — the move came shortly after Aldean’s wife, Brittany, ...
Rina Sawayama Says She Got ABBA’s ‘Blessing’ for ‘This Hell’ Guitar Riff
Rina Sawayama is gearing up to release her sophomore album Hold the Girl on September 16, and single “This Hell” features a recognizable guitar riff from ABBA‘s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).” In a new interview with BBC, the singer revealed that she got ABBA’s stamp of approval for the track. When she realized the guitar riffs were similar, she said she “freaked out” and called her publishers. “They were like, ‘ABBA are absolutely going to say no to this, and you have to change it,’” she recalled. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In a panic, Sawayama re-recorded the song with a different guitar hook. “But then I was like, ‘You know what? This is crazy. I’m sure I can figure this out,” she said. “So I called up ...
Beyoncé & Jay-Z Sent Nicki Minaj Flowers to Congratulate Her on ‘Beautiful’ VMAs Vanguard Award
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are giving Nicki Minaj her flowers — literally. To congratulate the “Super Freaky Girl” rapper on her recent VMA Video Vanguard Award win, the power couple sent over a gorgeous bouquet and a sweet note. Minaj shared a video of her gift from the Carters on her Instagram story Thursday (Sept. 1), revealing they’d sent her a big vase of cream-colored roses and white lilies. “Congrats on your beautiful award,” the couple had written in a note tucked into the flowers. “Sending you all of our love.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The message was signed “Hov and B Holla.” “Thank you so much,” Minaj captioned the video. “The both of you. For everything.” Minaj thanked both Beyoncé and Jay-Z during her Vanguard acceptance speech at th...
Britney Spears Responds to Son Jayden’s Comments About Her Parenting: ‘I Hope My Kids One Day Understand My Reasoning’
After wiping her Instagram account last week, Britney Spears returned on Thursday (Sept. 1) with a pointed response to comments made by her youngest son regarding her parenting. “I’ve tried my best at being the best person I can be,” Spears wrote in the note. “To be basically held hostage in homes under nurses and bulls–t I hope my kids one day understand my reasoning of my play in water revealing myself as any woman would being held under blankets and supervision under the conservatorship!!!” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The message from the “Hold Me Closer” singer appears to be in response to a Daily Mail piece featuring a preview of a new ITV News documentary slated to air on Friday (Sept. 2) in which her sons Preston, 16, and Jay...
Taylor Swift to Speak at Toronto Film Fest & Show ‘All Too Well’ Short Film on 35mm for First Time
Swifties heading to this year’s Toronto International Film Festival are in for a very special treat. Announced Friday (Sept. 2), Taylor Swift is slated to appear as a guest speaker at the second day of TIFF’s 2022 celebrations, where she’ll talk about her longest directorial project to date — “All Too Well: The Short Film” — and present the video in its original 35 mm form for the first time ever. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The event, titled “In Conversation With…Taylor Swift,” will take place Sept. 9 at 7 p.m., and is expected to last an hour and 15 minutes, according to TIFF’s website. “In addition to music, Swift has long been a visual storyteller,” reads a description on the site. “From influencing the edits of her music videos...
Which ‘America’s Got Talent’ Finalist Do You Hope Will Win? Vote!
Eight talented contestants have officially been selected to participate in America’s Got Talent‘s season 17 grand final. Among the eight are four impressive musicians, including saxophonist Avery Dixon, singing trio Chapel Hart, singer and musician Drake Milligan and singer Sara James. The winner will snag $1 million and a chance to headline America’s Got Talent Las Vegas LIVE at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. NBC’s long-running talent TV show airs next Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET. Until then, we at Billboard want to know who your top pick for AGT‘s season 17’s winner is. Let us know by voting below. Take Our Poll [flexi-common-toolbar] [flexi-form class=”flexi_form_style” title=”Submit to Flexi” name=”my_form” ajax=”tr...
Romeo Santos Unveils New ‘Formula Vol. 3′ Album: All the Collaborations Ranked (Critics’ Picks)
Romeo Santos has released his highly anticipated studio album Formula, Vol. 3 (Sony Music Latin), coinciding with his eldest son’s birthday on Sept. 1. Home to 21 tracks — including the only previously released single “Sus Huellas,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart — the new set flaunts the ever-experimental Santos tapping into hip-hop, trap, tango, merengue and regional Mexican without losing touch of his bachata essence. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news His collaborators include renowned pop star Justin Timberlake, Mexican artist Christian Nodal and Spanish songstress Rosalía, to name a few. He also teams up with a wave of Dominican talent, from the big dogs Toño Rosario and Luis Miguel del Amargue to newcomers like Ch...
Ali Gatie Talks New Album, Collaborating With Kehlani & More
Ali Gatie is fresh off the release of his new album, Who Hurt You?, and ahead of embarking on tour to support his new music, he sat down with Billboard‘s Tetris Kelly to talk creativity, his collaboration with Kehlani and more. “There’s always that pressure of trying to beat yourself,” he said of making music after having two hits — “It’s You” and “What If I Told You That I Love You” on the Billboard Hot 100. “Sometimes, it’s numbers-wise but also creative-wise. ‘It’s You’ is one of my favorite songs, and there’s times in the studio where you’re trying to beat that song, but that’s always the wrong mentality. It clouds your judgement. I try to write songs without worrying about how it’s going to do numbers-wise. I write it from my heart. The fans choose the hits, and the universe...
Avril Lavigne Honored With Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: ‘What an Amazing 20 Years’
Avril Lavigne received her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of her debut album Let Go. During the ceremony, the pop-punk pioneer reflected on her very first trip to Los Angeles at 16, and the first time she ever saw the famous star-lined path. She even unveiled a picture of her teenage self from that trip, wearing a navy hoodie emblazoned with the words “Skateboarding is a Crime” and made a surprise quick change into that very same sweatshirt mid-speech. “Today, I love making music more than ever,” the singer said from the podium, according to Variety. “I feel so inspired. And I hope that the next 16-year-old from their small town who comes to Hollywood one day, full of hopes and dreams, sees this star and thinks to themself, ‘O...
R. Kelly Says He Won’t Testify in Chicago Trial as Defense Calls First Witnesses
R. Kelly’s lawyers began mounting a defense Thursday in Chicago against federal charges of child pornography, enticement of minors for sex and fixing his 2008 state trial, with an initial witness contending the singer was himself a victim of blackmail. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The presentation to jurors won’t include Kelly taking the witness stand. Judge Harry Leinenweber asked Kelly directly on Thursday morning if he would testify, and the Grammy Award winner responded that he would not. The judge raised the issue minutes before attorneys for Kelly and two co-defendants began calling their first witnesses, endeavoring to counter two weeks of government testimony — including from four women who accused Kelly of sexual abuse. Co-d...
J. Cole Shoots, Scores the Cover of ‘NBA 2K23’ Dreamer Edition
J. Cole is in the clouds on the cover of the “Dreamer Edition” of the NBA 2K23 video game. The Dreamville boss who signed up to play for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League earlier this year will also executive produce the soundtrack for this year’s edition of the game — due out in November — and be a playable character in the MyCareer storyline. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “NBA 2K has long been a place to discover new musical talent through their game and continues to be a gold standard for showcasing all things basketball culture,” Cole said in a statement. “It’s been an amazing journey to not only appear on a cover of this year’s game, but to be part of the MyCAREER storyline, soundtrack and bri...
Here’s How That Megan Thee Stallion ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ Cameo Came to Be
Megan Thee Stallion recently made a hilarious and unexpected appearance in the new Disney+ show She Hulk: Attorney at Law. But how exactly did she become Megan Thee Marvel Star? In a Thursday (Sept. 1) interview with Entertainment Weekly, the show’s creators explained from start to finish how they snagged Hot Girl Meg herself for the celebrity cameo they were dreaming up since the scriptwriting stages, saying that the rap star was “perfect” for the gig. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The “Plan B” rapper made her Marvel debut in the third episode of She-Hulk, which stars Tatiana Maslany, Jamila Jameel and Mark Ruffalo (who returns to his role as Bruce Banner from the Avengers films). Megan appears for real after Maslany’s character...
