NEWS
Andre Harrell, Uptown Records Founder, Dies at 59
Andre Harrell, the music executive who founded Uptown Records and gave a young Sean Combs his first job, has died. He was 59. According to the New York Times, Harrell died on May 7 at his home in West Hollywood. His ex-wife, Wendy Credle, told the Times that the cause was heart failure. DJ D-Nice revealed the news of Harrell’s death on Instagram Live last night (May 8) during the latest round of his Club Quarantine series. Harrell’s career started in 1983 when he worked for Russell Simmons’ burgeoning Def Jam Records. In 1986, Harrell left to form Uptown Records. The label became influential for its discovery and ushering in of the New Jack Swing sound. The label broke artists like Guy (featuring Teddy Riley), Al B. Sure, Jodeci, Heavy D and the Boyz and Father MC. Mary J. B...
Little Richard, Legendary Rock’n’Roll Pioneer, Dies at 87
Little Richard, one of the first and greatest rock’n’roll icons and innovators, has died at age 87, as reported by Rolling Stone. The cause of death has not yet been reported. Born Richard Wayne Penniman, he revolutionized popular music in the 1950s with such culturally irreplaceable hits as “Tutti Frutti,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” and “Long Tall Sally.” He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, the very first year it began, and performed at Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration in 1992. The Library of Congress added “Tutti Frutti” to the National Recording Registry in 2010 for its cultural significance, particularly its unforgettable a cappella intro: “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-wop-bam-boom!“ Born in Macon, Georgia, the second of 12 children, Penniman was kicked out o...
Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Savage’ & Doja Cat’s ‘Say So’ Battling for No. 1 on Hot 100 Next Week
Both songs should surge driven in part by high-profile remixes. Will a stallion gallop to No. 1 on next week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart? Or, will a cat pounce to the highest perch? According to projections based on building Nielsen Music/MRC Data figures, Megan Thee Stallion‘s “Savage” and Doja Cat‘s “Say So” should both challenge for the summit of the May 16-dated Hot 100, thanks to notable gains. On the most recently published chart, dated May 9, the former ranks at No. 4, a new high, and the latter places at No. 6, after reaching No. 5. The tracks are aiming to dethrone “The Scotts,” by The Scotts, Travis Scott and Kid Cudi, as the collaboration is likely to depart the top spot after it launched at No. 1 on the May 9-dated chart. The ...
Noah Cyrus, Hanson & More Set For Billboard Live At-Home Concerts: See the Schedule
Billboard’s Live At-Home series is continuing into May. The performances for the week of May 11 will feature at-home sets from Hanson, Noah Cyrus and more via Billboard‘s Facebook page. Loud Luxury will kick things off on Monday (May 11) with a set at 1 p.m. EST. Other acts slated to perform during the week include: Natanael Cano & Junior H and Camilo. The Billboard Live series launched on March 19 with the help of JoJo, Josh Groban and Russell Dickerson, who selected nonprofits to support during their livestream to benfit those most affected by COVID-19. Billboard Live At-Home series thus far has helped charities such as Meals on Wheels America, Downtown Women’s Center, My Friend’s Place and more. Tune...
El Fantasma Talks New Music, Love For Classic Cars & More in Billboard Live Q&A
In a new Billboard Live Q&A that took place on Cinco de Mayo, special guest El Fantasma talked all about his new music, quarantine life, and other passions. The Regional Mexican artist, who was also celebrating his wedding anniversary on May 5th, told Billboard that his quarantine routine consisted of waking up, cooking breakfast, helping his kids with their school work, playing outside, watching a movie, and then taking a late-night walk with his wife. He then talked about his current single “Palabra de Hombre,” which is at No. 2 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart dated May 9, 2020, stating that it’s been a hit amongst his fans because many people can relate to it. “This song is romantic, it’s not my style, I like corridos but we tried it out and people are really connecting with i...
A Timeline of Grimes & Elon Musk’s Relationship
Art pop singer Grimes and Tesla/SpaceX CEO Elon Musk welcomed their first baby boy named X Æ A-12 (pronounced “X Ash A-12” according to dad and “X A.I. A-12” according to mom) earlier this week. But before they brought life into this world, the two had an on-and-off relationship that felt as eccentric as them from the moment they stepped foot together at the 2018 Met Gala to the moment X Æ A-12 came to Earth. Billboard compiled a timeline of Grimes and Elon Musk’s roller-coaster romance below. May 2018: Musk and Grimes share their first spotlight as a couple at the 2018 Met Gala. The most unpredictable couple has arrived: Elon Musk and Grimes (real name Claire Boucher). The two wore complementary black-and-white get-ups for the “Heavenly B...
Justin & Hailey Bieber Discuss Channeling ‘Unique Strengths’ While in Quarantine
Justin Bieber and wife Hailey’s third installment of their Biebers on Watch Facebook series was a bit different. On Friday (May 8), instead of a pre-recorded clip, the couple went live on Facebook and answered questions from fans about how they are coping during quarantine, their overall thoughts on Justin’s Lyme disease diagnosis and more. “Some tips on how to stay busy – I’d say, all of us have our unique strengths and our unique things we’re good at and using our gifts in this time and also being creative is a good way to keep busy and also feel like you are getting something done,” the singer said about his time in quarantine. Hailey mirrored the sentiment by adding, “I just think that quarantine is a good time if you feel like there’s stuff you want to jump...
Marshmello and Halsey Join Forces with Postmates to Donate Up to $100K to Local Drivers
Following the release of their collaborative single “Be Kind” last week, Marshmello and Halsey today announced a new partnership with Postmates. Both artists took to Twitter to share the exciting news, which will go a long way to supporting delivery drivers and local restaurants during the pandemic. In order to further propagate the altruistic message behind the track, Mello and Halsey have teamed up with one of the gig economy’s most popular platforms to donate up to $100,000 in tips to the army of drivers known as the Postmates Fleet, whose essential work delivering food amidst the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be understated. From May 8th to May 15th, Postmates patrons can use the code “BEKIND” to receive a $5 credit on their order, and the Postma...
Bassnectar Hosts #EmpathyArt Fundraiser Gallery for COVID-19 Relief
Bassnectar‘s nonprofit charity initiative, Be Interactive, has been known to stand behind some important causes in recent years, including bringing clean water to Flint, Michigan, promoting good mental health, and much more. Now, the charity is hosting a unique art gallery to benefit those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Be Interactive has partnered with Colorado-based nonprofit Conscious Alliance in order to benefit visual artists, as well as COVID-19 relief efforts. Visual artists will be selling their work and displaying it online with the hashtag #EmpathyArt. Profits generated will go to both the artists themselves as well as Be Interactive’s COVID-19 micro-grants, or Conscious Alliance’s hunger relief efforts, which have distributed over 500,000 meals to ...
Beloved Barcelona Music Festival Sónar Officially Postponed
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the music community and entertainment industry at large, it just claimed another victim in Sónar Festival. The 2020 edition of Sónar Festival was set to feature a number of major artists from the world electronic music, like Eric Prydz, The Chemical Brothers, Charlotte de Witte, and Carl Cox, among others. The beloved Barcelona-based music and arts festival took to Twitter today to announce the heartbreaking news that it was forced to postpone its 2020 iteration due to COVID-19 cocerns. In addition to the announcement of the new festival dates, June 17th to 19th, the official statement from Sónar’s organizers also informed fans that they will be receiving an email on May 19th, 2020 with information on tickets and benefits. Sónar&...
Real Recognize Rio ft. 21 Savage “Pressure,” G Herbo “Drip” & More | Daily Visuals 5.8.20
Ever since the Trump administration tried to deport him back to the UK, 21 Savage’s been keeping a low profile for the most part, but the ATLien has come out the shadows to hand an assist to another up and coming artist. Linking up with Real Recognize Rio for his visuals to “Pressure,” 21 Savage politics with Rio in a secluded room where bagged up bodies hang from the ceiling and a red hue covers the room. Redrum, style. From the South to the Midwest, G Herbo keeps Chiraq on the map and with his latest clip to “Drip,” Herbo puffs on some herb while handling a flaming basketball to demonstrate, well, we’re not sure, but it looked cool. Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Apollo Hill, Melvoni, and more. REAL RECOGNIZE RIO FT. 21 SAVAGE – “PRESSURE” [embedded content] G HE...
Diplo Jumped Into a River In His Boxers On a Dare from Megan Thee Stallion
A fan trying to keep up with Diplo‘s antics is like a dog trying to keep up with a stallion in The Kentucky Derby. No matter how fast and how often you scroll, it seems as if every time you look up, there’s a new farfetched story about him. Whether he’s campaigning to portray Joe Exotic, trolling Terry Crews as a DJ at a virtual prom, or being propositioned for “no-strings sex” by Sia, you can always count on dance music’s most infamous Renaissance man to keep you entertained. Speaking of stallions, here’s a video of Diplo plunging into a filthy river on a dare from chart-topping “Savage” rapper Megan Thee Stallion. You have to respect the hustle of Diplo, who declares, “You gotta do a verse for me now,” at the end...
