music
Jay Jacobs, Former Longtime William Morris Music Agent, Dies
Jay Jacobs, a retired music agent who worked with the William Morris Agency for three decades, has died. “Today we mourn the loss of Jay Jacobs, whose lengthy career as a talent agent was part of a rich and colorful life,” the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) wrote on Twitter on Friday (Nov. 19). “We were recently honored to talk to Jay here at MPTF and share his journey, and may he rest in peace,” said MPTF’s tweet, which linked to a profile about Jacobs, who over the years received assistance from the organization. Billboard has reached out to MPTF for further comment. Jacobs resided at Hersholt Place at the Motion Picture Home after being diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in early 2021. “He’s charming and generous, with a distinct self-deprecating sense of humor and stories t...
Kanye West and Drake Set for ‘Free Larry Hoover’ Benefit Concert in Los Angeles
Kanye West and Drake will soon be taking the stage together after ending their long-running beef. The 44-year-old rapper and fashion mogul, who recently changed his name to Ye, announced on Saturday (Nov. 20) that he and Drizzy will perform at the “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert at Los Angeles’ Coliseum on Dec. 9. “God’s Plan,” Ye captioned the announcement on Instagram, referencing Drake’s 2018 hit, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The poster lists Ye as the evening’s headliner and Drake as the special guest. Tickets will go on sale on Monday (Nov. 22) at 10 a.m. PST. After years of feuding, Ye and the OVO MC officially buried the hatchet on Tuesday (Nov. 16) after reuniting during a Dave Cha...
Billboard Buys: Sony’s Sweat-Proof Wireless Earbuds Are Marked Down to $78
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Sony is one of the most-trusted names when it comes to audio gear, but it’s not always easy to find deals or discounts on Sony products. That’s why you’ll want to take advantage of this surprise Amazon sale, which gets you a pair of Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless In-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds for just $78. Regularly $99.99+, this Sony earbuds deal brings the price of the WF-C500s down to just $78 — a $22 discount. This is the lowest price for Sony earbuds online and one of the best deals overall for wireless earbuds on Amazon. Amazon Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless Earb...
Megan Thee Stallion No Longer Performing With BTS at 2021 American Music Awards
Megan Thee Stallion has dropped out of her appearance at the 2021 American Music Awards, which included her highly anticipated performance with BTS, due to a personal matter. The rapper was scheduled to join BTS onstage to perform the Hot 100 hit “Butter” at Sunday’s (Nov. 21) event. The live collaboration was set to be the televised world premiere of their “Butter” remix. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Hotties I was so excited to go to the @AMAs and perform with @BTS_official, but due to an unexpected personal matter, I can no longer attend,” she wrote on Twitter on Saturday, the day before this year’s AMAs. “I’m so sad! I really can’t wait to hit the stage with my guys and perform #BTS_Butter real soon!” said Megan, who is nominated for thr...
Kid Rock Self-Flagellates to Conservative Tropes on His New Song “Don’t Tell Me How to Live”
Credit where credit is due: Kid Rock packaged all of the tired conservative tropes into a single piece of recorded audio that masquerades as a new song called “Don’t Tell Me How to Live.” “My way or the highway, listen up/ Ain’t nothing changed here, I still don’t give a fuck,” Kid Rick whines in the opening verse. “So what the fuck’s up with all the backlash/ You snowflakes, here’s a newsflash. Ain’t nobody gonna tell me how to live.” He goes on the lament that, “A nation of pussies is our next generation/ And these minions and their agendas/ Every opinion has a millennial offended.” Advertisement Related Video “But this amendment one, it rings true,” he adds, before warning: “And if it don’t descend bitch, then see number two.” Calling progressives snowflakes? Check. Using a homophobic s...
Kanye West and Drake Announce Free Larry Hoover Concert
Now that they’ve buried the hatchet, Kanye West and Drake are set to share the stage next month. The two hip-hop stars will come together on December 9th for the Free Larry Hoover Concert, which advocates for the clemency of Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover. Hoover is currently serving six life sentences after being found guilty of murder, conspiracy, extortion, money laundering, and other criminal activities. He has since renounced his association with Ganger Disciples activity and has sought to reclaim the initials GD as standing for growth and development. Advertisement Related Video Kanye has been advocating for Hoover’s release from prison for the last several years, even meeting with former president Donald Trump to ask for his clemency. He also provided Hoover’s son, Larry...
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Perform “Trouble With My Lover” and “Can’t Let Go” on Colbert: Watch
On Friday (November 19th), Robert Plant and Alison Krauss released Raise the Roof, their long-awaited new collaborative album composed largely of covers made famous by blues, country, folk, and soul pioneers. To celebrate the occasion, the Led Zeppelin frontman and the bluegrass singer stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, playing “Trouble With My Lover” and “Can’t Let Go.” With their band set up remotely in a studio filled with rustic decor, Plant and Krauss’ performance only further testifies to their incredible musical chemistry. On “Trouble With My Lover” — a moody number originally sung by New Orleans blues icon Betty Harris in 1969 — Krauss takes the lead, showing off her powerhouse vocals. “Can’t Let Go,” which was written by Randy Weeks and later covered by Lucin...
Janet Jackson Doc ‘Malfunction’ Explores Blacklisting Claims, Les Moonves Involvement in Super Bowl Controversy
“I’m really grateful we’ve arrived at this moment of a cultural reckoning and a reevaluation of what happened,” says Jenna Wortham, a culture writer for The New York Times, at one point during Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson. “But we should never forget what they did to Janet. We should never forget that outrage. What was the cost for this woman? And was it worth it?” Explore See latest videos, charts and news The latest chapter in The New York Times Presents… FX on Hulu series attempts to answer this, framed within the context of the racism, sexism and eventual ageism the singer endured not just in the wake of the controversial moment during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show but throughout Janet Jackson’s professional career. “The pressure on her had to be significant,” no...
Chuck D Pens Open Letter Following Astroworld Tragedy: “Stop Letting One Young Black Man Take the Blame”
In the wake of the recent tragedy at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival, Chuck D has issued an open letter to Live Nation, demanding they take accountability for the incident and accusing them of redirecting the blame onto Scott. “I’m tired of these corporations shucking their most crucial responsibility,” Chuck D wrote. “I’m not buying the Young Black Man did it. He’s being blamed for a crime while the old white men running the corps that Travis and his fans trusted with their lives stay quiet in the shadows.” The excuse of Scott’s irresponsible actions don’t wash,” the Public Enemy founding member continued. “If his act had a history of that behavior why promote him to bigger venues, why partner with him in the first place and let him headline a bigger audience? Live Nation controll...
WILLOW Enlists Kid Cudi for “transparent soul” Remix: Stream
WILLOW has teamed up with Kid Cudi for a new remix of her single “transparent soul.” Stream the remix below. Over unmistakeable drums by Travis Barker, Kid Cudi takes the reins on the second verse, crooning, “Yeah you know me, lost boy the lonely/ Fire envy burn through the night/ I will show you soon you’ll be believing/ See through my soul, baby let me burn in ya/ Now you got your wings/ They don’t know my secrets/ You always know/ Put it all behind/ Know I cannot run and hide.” The original track served as the lead single for WILLOW’s fourth solo album lately I feel EVERYTHING, which found her transitioning to a more pop-punk-influenced sonic palette with guest assists from Avril Lavigne (“Grow”), Tierra Whack (“Xtra”), Cherry Glazerr (“Breakout”), and more. Stream the “transparent...
R.I.P. Hank Von Helvete, Former Turbonegro Singer Dies at 49
Hank Von Helvete, the best-known singer of long-running Norwegian death-punk act Turbonegro, has died at age 49. His passing was confirmed by his family via the Norwegian newspaper Tvedestrandsposten and through Turbonegro’s social media pages, but no cause of death was revealed. Von Helvete (real name Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby) joined Turbonegro as the band’s third lead singer in 1993, taking over for Harald Fossberg. He fronted Turbonegro until his departure in 2009, save for a hiatus that lasted from 1999 to 2002. That break was due in part to Von Helvete’s drug addiction at the time, as he was undergoing treatment for heroin dependency. During his time with Turbonegro, Von Helvete recorded several albums with the group, beginning with 1994’s Never Is Forever and ending with 2007’s Ret...
Summer Walker to Perform at 2021 Soul Train Awards
Summer Walker, whose sophomore album Still Over It enters the Billboard 200 at No. 1 this week, will perform at the 2021 Soul Train Awards, which tapes at the Apollo in Harlem on Saturday and airs on Nov. 28. Fred Hammond and BET Amplified artists Elhae and Marzz will also take the stage, along with Soul of Justice honorees Ciara and Russell Wilson and Marley Dias. Rap greats Fat Joe and Ja Rule and R&B veteran El Debarge will also make special appearances. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Previously announced performers include Maxwell, who will receive the legend award; Ashanti, the lady of soul honoree; Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak), Ari Lennox, Leon Bridges and Lucky Daye. Additionally, BET announced the second group of presenters — Jazmine Sullivan, Normani,...
