NEWS
Fans Choose Demi Lovato and Marshmello’s ‘OK Not to Be OK’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
Demi Lovato and Marshmello‘s “OK Not to Be OK” has topped this week’s new music poll. Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Sept. 11) on Billboard, choosing the inspiring ode to mental health as their favorite new music release from the past week. “OK Not to Be OK” brought in 52 percent of the vote this week, beating out new music by Usher (“Bad Habits”), Major Lazer and Mr. Eazi (“Oh My Gawd”), David Guetta and Sia (“Let’s Love”), and others. In an interview with Apple Music, Marshmello explained that the emotional subject matter in “OK Not to Be OK” took on a new meaning, given that it was released on World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10). “I think it’s just such an important su...
Here Are All the Livestreams & Virtual Concerts to Watch During the Coronavirus Crisis: Week of Sept. 14
Summer is going out with a major bang! The last full week of the warm-weather season features some seriously rockin’ livestream shows, including one by The Killers, and a weekend of music from the long-running industrial music festival Cold Waves. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, artists around the world have been canceling shows to help prevent spreading COVID-19, which has led to the deaths of more than 193,000 people just in the United States to date. Instead, they’ve been doing livestream concerts from home and empty venues, while music festivals have done the same, with some also featuring rare footage of past shows. Below is a list of the livestream music events happening the week of Sept. 14 that you can enjoy from the safety of your own home. We’ll add...
Mariah Carey Says Breonna Taylor’s ‘Killing Hurts Especially Bad Right Now’
Mariah Carey, wearing a T-shirt with the demand to “arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor,” is reminding her fans to stay vigilant in the fight against racial injustice. In a social media message posted on Sunday (Sept. 13), the back of the singer’s shirt shows Taylor’s face and the words “say her name.” The singer also shared a picture in remembrance of Taylor, who was fatally shot by police in Louisville, Ky., in March. “It’s been six months since #BreonnaTaylor, a frontline medical worker was killed by police in a ‘no-knock’ raid targeting the WRONG apartment,” Carey posted, sharing a message from the Instagram account @wearepushblack. “Medical workers like her save lives every day – but police violence claim...
Lil Nas X Seems to Be Teasing New Songs: See the List
Earlier this week, Lil Nas X said new music is imminent, and now it looks like he’s getting ready to deliver. “gonna start back releasing music soon the old town road money running out,” he’d tweeted on Thursday (Sept. 10). By Sunday, he’d casually posted a page of what could be song titles — since one of the items on the list is “Call Me By Your Name,” a clip fans first heard from him in July — on Instagram. He seemingly confirmed that guess when he retweeted a post indicating the list “reveals part of his track list” for his upcoming album. “Call Me By Your Name” is joined by potential song titles “Titanic,” “One of Me” and “Don’t Want It” on Lil Nas X’s list. Mos...
David Guetta on Turning Ballads Into Bangers: “At the Beginning, It Was Just About the Drums and the Bass Line”
When it comes to making EDM music, many producers typically take one of two paths: they either make a banging dance floor hit that will smash at the clubs or go for a chart-topping, pop-infused anthem. David Guetta is one of the few producers who can do both—and do both well. This year represents the perfect example of Guetta’s ability to work in both worlds. First, he released the four-track “New Rave” EP with MORTEN, a grouping of instrumentals designed to throw down both in the clubs and at outdoor festivals. Now, Guetta is back with his new song “Let’s Love” with Sia. But according to Guetta, producing the latter type of music hasn’t always come easily. Coming into the music world as a DJ, he learned later how to best work with songwriters...
Sid McCray, Original Bad Brains Singer, Dies
Sid McCray, the original Bad Brains singer, has died. The band confirmed the news in a Facebook post, which you can see below. No cause of death has been revealed. R.I.P to the Don, my brother – sail on Posted by Bad Brains on Saturday, September 12, 2020 McCray led the band from 1977 to 1978 and helped write some of their early songs, including “The Regulator,” which he performed with his former bandmates during a secret show in 2017. As New York Hardcore Chronicles wrote in a touching Facebook tribute, McCray “was also part of the Brains road crew. He was also the one responsible for introducing Punk rock & Metal to their fusion and helped create the template for what the Bad Brains became.” According to a GoFundMe set up to help cover burial costs, McCray “Passed on September 9...
Dinosaur Jr. Debut Two New Songs During Drive-In Concerts: Watch
Dinosaur Jr. spent the weekend playing live shows to actual crowds, traveling to South Farms in Morris, Connecticut Friday and Cheshire County Fairgrounds in Swanzey, New Hampshire last night for two drive-in concerts. While fans rocked out from their cars, the band treated them to two new songs — “Garden” and “Long Time” — at both gigs. J Mascis also revealed that the band “somehow” finished a new album while in lockdown. “We finished an album somehow during Covid times,” he said before diving into “Long Time” at the Swanzey show. “I guess it won’t come out for a little while, but we’re gonna play a couple songs.” “This seems weirdly normal to me somehow,” Lou Barlow confessed about the nature of socially distanced shows before playing “Garden.” “This seems like t...
Beck, Jeff Tweedy and More Cover Daniel Johnston For Honey I Sure Miss You Tribute
September 11 marked the year anniversary of Daniel Johnston’s death, and Electric Lady Studios curated a star-studded tribute to the quirky singer-songwriter to commemorate his life. Honey I Sure Miss You, A Tribute To The Life Of Daniel Johnston aired Friday night and featured intimate, home performances from Beck, Jeff Tweedy, Phoebe Bridgers, and more covering their favorite songs from the beloved artist, along with never-before-seen home video of Johnston, art, poetry, and more. “I’m just a huge fan of Daniel Johnston’s drawings and music and recognize how beloved he is, especially within the music community,” says Electric Lady managing partner Lee Foster in a statement. “If you’re a fan, you’re usually a fanatic, and when I started reaching out to musician and industry friends for vi...
OP’s Watching: T.I. Named In Fed Cryptocurrency Investigation, Settles For $75K
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty The Feds have their eye on a cryptocurrency scheme that T.I. got inadvertently wrapped up in, allegedly. The Atlanta rapper has been fined $75,000 for his involvement. Reuters reports that on Friday (Sept. 11), T.I., born Clifford Harris, agreed to pay $75,000 to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to settle charges that he broke securities laws by selling fraudulent crypto-currency investments. The “You Don’t Know Me” rapper and four associates who were involved in companies called FLiK and CoinSpark, which offered up cryptocurrency that Tip promoted. According to the SEC, back in 2017, T.I. was pushing “FLiK tokens” on his social media accounts while claiming he was FLiK co-owner—when he actually was not. Per the settlement, T.I. didn’t confirm nor d...
Billy Corgan Reopens Madame ZuZu’s Tea Shop in New Location
Two years ago, Billy Corgan closed down Madame ZuZu’s Tea Shop and Art Studio after being “forced to move,” with the plan to reopen in a different location of Chicago’s Highland Park suburb. Now, that day has come. Over Labor Day weekend, the Smashing Pumpkins leader and his partner Chloe Mendel opened the doors to their new Madame ZuZu’s, and as Eater points out the menu includes “a largely gluten-free vegan menu” to compliment its wealth of teas. This storefront is also much larger than its original incarnate, so the couple plans to host events once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Who knows, maybe Corgan will even play a song or two. By the time it’s safe for live music again, Corgan should have plenty of new material to choose from. A couple weeks ago, the Smashing Pumpkins offic...
Your Mercedes Mechanic Could Use Futuristic “Holodeck” for Repairs Soon
Next time some obscure component or one of the hundred-million lines of code that run your fancy new Mercedes-Benz goes glitchy, just pull into your dealer’s holodeck to get it sorted out. Okay, the car and service technician don’t get fully immersed in a Star Trek virtual reality den, but with Mercedes-Benz Virtual Remote Support, a set of HoloLens 2 virtual reality goggles running Dynamics 365 Remote Assist software (both by Microsoft) connects a technician at any of Mercedes’ 383 dealerships to an expert service rep who might otherwise have to physically travel to the dealerships to solve a thorny service problem—a hassle in normal times, and perhaps necessary in these socially distanced times. How does it work? The expert sees what the technician wearing the HoloLens ...
What’s The Best Latin Remix of Summer 2020? Vote!
Earlier this year, Billboard asked readers to pick their favorite Latin remix of 2020 (so far), ultimately crowning Rauw Alejandro’s “Fantasias” with Anuel AA, Natti Natasha, Farruko and Lunay, taking nearly 40 percent of the votes. Now, with summer still in full swing, and coming to an end in less than 10 days, Billboard wants to know, what’s the best remix of the summer? The candidates include some of the hottest joints this year including Ozuna, Karol G and Myke Towers’ “Caramelo (Remix),” Sech’s “Relacion” in collaboration with Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Rosalia, and Farruko, and the ultimate girl power remix “High” by Maria Becerra, TINI, and Lola Indigo, among others. Check out the full list and vote for your favorite below: “Caramelo (Remix),” Ozuna x Karol G x Myke Towers [embedded co...
