music
Roger Waters Pens Open Letter to Putin As His Concerts in Poland Are Canceled
Aspirational expert in foreign affairs Roger Waters has written an open letter to Vladimir Putin in light of Russia’s war on Ukraine. But rather than asking the Russian president to withdraw, the former Pink Floyd member has instead asked Putin to promise that he won’t “overrun the whole of Europe.” “Firstly, would you like to see an end to this war?,” Waters wrote to Putin on Facebook. “If you were to reply and say, ‘Yes please.’ That would immediately make things a lot easier. If you were to come out and say, ‘Also the Russian Federation has no further territorial interest beyond the security of the Russian speaking populations of The Crimea, Donetsk and Lubansk.’ That would help too. I say this because, I know some people who think you want to overrun the whole of Europe, starting with ...
Kanye West Understands How the UK Is Feeling: “I Lost My Queen, Too”
Watching Kanye West try to empathize can feel like watching a giraffe limbo, but Ye gave it a shot following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. “London, I know how you feel,” he posted on his Instagram Stories. “I lost my queen, too.” West seems to be referencing his messy 2021 divorce from Kim Kardashian, who went on to have a royal rebound with Pete Davidson. Though since he offered no clarification, it’s also possible he’s mourning the loss 15 years ago of his mother Donda West. Either way, the situations aren’t exactly comparable. Elizabeth II reigned in England for over 70 years and forged the monarchy’s post-colonial path with her emphasis on the Commonwealth of Nations. Whatever he meant, the Queen’s death has had a profound effect on West, at least according to West. H...
The Stone Roses’ Ian Brown Performs Bizarre Sold-Out Show Without a Band: Watch
As if Ian Brown hasn’t already tarnished his reputation by spewing COVID-19 conspiracy theories and putting out an anti-lockdown anthem, the former Stone Roses singer prompted a slew of complaints about his sold-out gig in Leeds last night (September 25th), which he performed without a band. The show marked the beginning of Brown’s first UK headlining tour in a decade, and evidently, he’s having a rough time getting back into the swing of things on the road. As fans reported on social media, the frontman was the only person onstage the entire night, singing his songs over a backing track. “Gutted to see Ian Brown turn up to his £40 a ticket, sold out gig at Leeds tonight WITH NO BAND,” one Twitter user wrote. “I’m a life long fan but it was bad. #ianbrown does karaoke and butchers his...
Harry Styles Sets Hot 100 Record for Longest-Reigning No. 1 by a British Artist
Harry Styles has set a Hot 100 record with “As It Was.” Per Billboard, the Harry’s House cut’s 15th week atop the chart has earned him the longest-reigning No. 1 by a British artist. In setting the record, “As It Was” passes by Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk!” featuring Bruno Mars and Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997″/”Something About the Way You Look Tonight.” Our previous Song of the Week also broke out of a tie for the longest reign at No. 1 on the Hot 100 by an unaccompanied artist, surpassing songs by artists like Mariah Carey (“We Belong Together”), Boyz II Men (“I’ll Make Love to You”), Whitney Houston (“I Will Always Love You”), and more. It’s the fourth-longest run on the Hot 100 behind Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, Luis Fonsi & Daddy Y...
The Dream Setlist for Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: Critic’s Picks
It’s hard to believe that nearly two decades after her debut album and many hit singles, pop superstar Rihanna has yet to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. But in 2023, she’s finally getting her chance. The NFL confirmed Sunday (Sept. 25) that the “We Found Love” singer will be taking to the stage for the Halftime Show of Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, 2023. Rihanna herself even appeared to confirm the news, posting a shot of her hand palming a football as the rumors swirled around social media. The announcement immediately got fans talking: Which guest stars will join her during the show? Does this mean that her long-awaited ninth studio album is coming? How will she integrate her Fenty beauty and fashion lines into the show? But one looming question stands out among the rest: What wi...
A$AP Rocky Apologizes for Shortened Rolling Loud Set: ‘I Am So Hurt Right Now’
A$AP Rocky took to social media on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 25) to apologize to fans for his short set at Rolling Loud New York the night before. “I am so hurt right now!” the rapper wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. “Last night was supposed to be a turning point in my live show from the old to new! I take full responsibility for the circumstances of what led to last nights show being everything it was and everything it wasn’t.” He continued, “I also want to acknowledge that even tho I prepared the best show for my fans, detail for detail, over the course of MONTHS… I was unfortunately not able to bring my vision to fruition and Im hurt about that and I want to apologize to all of my fans and continued supporters, and thank y’all for showing up for me regardless!! A$AP4EVA.” While A$A...
Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was’ Tops Hot 100 for 15th Week – Longest Reign Ever for a British Act
Harry Styles‘ “As It Was” logs a 15th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Only three songs have led longer over the survey’s 64-year history, while “As It Was” claims outright the longest reign for a song by a British artist, as well as by an act with no accompanying artists. Styles also sports the rare achievement of holding the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 while starring in the top movie at the box office, as Don’t Worry Darling premiered as the weekend’s top film domestically. Meanwhile, Luke Combs adds his second Hot 100 top 10, as the country star’s “The Kind of Love We Make” jumps from No. 14 to No. 8. The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data. All charts (dated Oct. 1, 2022) will update on Billboard.com...
Best Quotes From BMI’s ‘How I Wrote That Song’ Panel at Latin Music Week 2022
The first day of the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Week kicked off with a bang. One of the first panels that took place Monday (Sept. 26) at Miami’s Faena Forum was the “How I Wrote That Song” — presented by BMI — which featured producers Dímelo Flow, Kuinvi, Sky Rompiendo, Cris Chill and Foreign Teck. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Moderated by BMI’s vp of creative, Latin Jesús González, the 30-minute conversation ranged from the hitmakers’ humble beginnings to producing for today’s biggest stars in Latin music — such as Rosalía, Feid, Sech and Becky G — and closed with advice from all five panelists for the new generation of producers and songwriters. For 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week has been the longest-running and biggest Latin music ...
Bid On Jimi Hendrix’s Guitar, Kurt Cobain’s Flannel Shirt, Elvis’ Motorcycle, Amy Winehouse’s Grammy Outfit and More in the “Legends of Rock and Roll” Auction
If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of rock and roll history, GWS Auctions‘ “Legends of Rock and Roll” auction is about as good of a chance as you’ll get. The 190-lot auction is loaded with ultra-rare goods that belonged to Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Elvis, Amy Winehouse and more — from guitars to shirts, stage outfits and jewelry. Narrowing down the lots is more than a little challenging, but there are a few items that stand out from the pack. The most notable guitar included is Jimi Hendrix’s Japanese Sunburst, a gift from his father that’s expected to fetch north of $250K USD after last selling for $216K USD in August 2020. One of Kurt Cobain’s acoustic guitars is heading to the auction block as well, and it even comes with a receipt from his estate. Like Hendrix’s guitar, Cobain’s ins...
My15: Adam Melchor Shares the Playlist of Songs He’s Had on Repeat Since 2007
It’s Consequence‘s 15th anniversary, and all September long we’ll be sharing artist-curated playlists that reflect the evolution of their music taste throughout the last 15 years. For today’s My15 playlist, Adam Melchor shares his selections. What do Father John Misty and Rosalía have in common? In addition to being two talented and beloved entertainers, they also both appear on this reflective playlist from indie-pop singer-songwriter Adam Melchor. Over the last fifteen years, to say there’s been an array of music worth digging into feels like a severe understatement. What Melchor’s list reflects is an affinity for introspection, with artists like Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and Phoebe Bridgers all making appearances on the playlist. For someone with a sound that often skews into tender, re...
Meg Mac, K-pop Cleans Up on Australia’s Albums Chart
For Meg Mac, it really was only a matter of time before she was crowned on Australia’s charts. The Sydney-raised singer and songwriter bows at No. 1 with Matter of Time, her third album and first leader. That’s one better than the No. 2 best for her 2017 debut full length album Low Blow, which peaked at No. 2. Mac enjoyed a breakthrough with her platinum-certified debut EP from 2014 MegMac, which earned ARIA Award nominations for best female artist and breakthrough artist of the year. Matter of Time had a turbulent path to the top. Mac’s third album was in the can and ready for release at the beginning of 2020, when the artist had what she now describes as “a bit of a meltdown,” according to her label, EMI. A “creative” meltdown. Just one recording survive the cull — the title track, writt...
David Guetta and Bebe Rexha’s ‘I’m Good (Blue)’ Climbs to U.K. Chart Summit
Some five years after its demo first dropped, David Guetta and Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue)” (via Parlophone) is the U.K.’s No. 1 single. The bouncing electronic music tune, which samples Eiffel 65’s 1999 hit “Blue (Da Ba Dee),” accumulates 5.4 million streams during the latest chart week, the OCC reports, to lift 2-1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart. “I’m Good (Blue)” knocks Lewis Capaldi’s “Forget Me” (Vertigo) from top spot, for Guetta’s seventh U.K. leader and first since “Lovers On The Sun” featuring Sam Martin ruled some eight years ago. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Guetta has racked up the hits across his career, with no less than 45 top 40 appearances on the national singles survey, including 28 top 10s. Rexha now has eight top 40...
