Pop
Romy on Going from Heartbreak Songs to Positive Jams
Kyle Meredith With… Romy Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | Radio Public | RSS Romy, one-third of The xx, joins Kyle Meredith to discuss her debut solo single, “Lifetime”, and preview her upcoming solo album. The English artist tells us how working with pop songwriters set a direction for the music she’s making now, going from the heartbreak songs of The xx to the dance-driven positivity that we hear on this lead single. Later, Romy discusses how the pandemic has lead her to write about seeking connection, co-writing Dua Lipa’s “Electricity”, working with Kalela, and taking advice from Sia. Kyle Meredith With… is an interview series in which WFPK’s Kyle Meredith speaks to a wide breadth of musicia...
Sinéad O’Connor to Enter One-Year Rehab Program for “Trauma and Addiction”
Sinéad O’Connor has announced she’s entering a one-year rehab program to address “trauma and addiction.” Over the last few years, O’Connor has been open about her struggles with mental health. In a 2017 interview with Dr. Phil, she spoke about being abused as a child and her subsequent suicide attempts. But 2020 has been an especially hard year for reasons both obvious and personal, and O’Connor has made the decision to seek help. She revealed her thinking in a Twitter thread on Tuesday, November 10th, writing, “Message for folks who have tickets for next year’s shows: those shows are being postponed until 2022 so that I may go into a one year trauma and addiction treatment program because I had a very traumatic six years and this year was the end of it but now recovery starts.” Without de...
Britney Spears ‘Will Not Perform Again’ If Father Controls Career
The pop star has been on an indefinite work hiatus since early 2019. James Spears’ attorney, Vivian Lee Thoreen, defended what she said was his perfect record in his run as her conservator, which has seen her net worth go from in debt to well over $60 million. Thoreen argued that the disruption caused by his removal would do her the very harm the suspension is meant to prevent. “I don’t believe there is a shred of evidence to support my client’s suspension,” she said. Thoreen also objected to Ingham’s statements about the father-daughter relationship as inadmissible hearsay. The judge did approve that a corporate fiduciary, the Bessemer Trust, will now serve as co-conservator over her estate along with her father, which Britney Spears had requested. Most of the attorneys involved, along wi...
Miley Cyrus & Stevie Nicks Mash-Up Has Us Dreaming Up More Cross-Generational Diva Duos
So this pairing really worked — but what other cross-generational divas would we like to see team up? On the latest Billboard Pop Shop Podcast (listen below), Katie & Keith riff on some possibilities, including Beyoncé and Tina Turner, Demi Lovato and Pat Benatar, and a redo of the almost-collaboration between Lady Gaga and Cher (please try again, ladies!). Listen to the full show above to hear more of our diva-duo ideas. Also on the show, we’ve got chart news about why Ariana Grande’s debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with “Positions” is such an amazing feat, how Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” completes a record-breaking climb to the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, and how Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez’s “Dakiti” debuts straight into the top 10 on the Hot 100. The&n...
Shawn Mendes Throws it Back With a Mellow Frankie Valli Cover For Radio 1’s Live Lounge: Watch
Shawn Mendes recently rolled into the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge to lay down a mellow cover of Frank Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and his own “Wonder.” The cover of Valli and the Four Seasons’ Grammy-nominated 1967 hit found Mendes turning the bouncy pop tune into a thoughtful, jazzy solo piano piece. The camera swirled around the singer while he played the gentle melody on an upright piano. About halfway through, Mendes’ band kicked in, providing shimmering guitar, crashing cymbals and warm keys. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chattin...
Racism on the Road: The Oral History of Black Artists Touring in the Segregated South
“We were happy, we were singing, we were joyful, we were away from home for the first time, youngsters on a magical show,” recalls Martha Reeves, lead singer of the girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, who toured through the South as part of Motown’s pioneering tours in the early ’60s. “But being met with the hatred, it was alarming — especially when the bus was shot at.” Below, Billboard presents an oral history of Black touring artists in the ’50s and ’60s, including interviews with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and one-hit wonders, stars from the Motown and Stax soul labels, and veterans of the Motown Revue and Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars. All remain shocked and angry at the racism they experienced, mostly in the South, but a...
Kylie Minogue’s ‘Disco’ Dances to Lead on Midweek U.K. Chart
Coming in at No. 2 on the midweek chart is Confetti, just 2,200 combined sales behind Disco. It’s the most streamed album so far, and the biggest-selling title on CD, the OCC reports. Little Mix, winners of ITV’s The X Factor back in 2011, have hit the Top 5 with all their first five albums, with Glory Days from 2016 going to No. 1. Completing an all-new top three is Shirley Bassey’s farewell set I Owe It All To You (Decca) at No. 3. It’s shaping up to be the veteran Welsh singer’s highest-charting album in more than 40 years. Another Welsh artist is aiming for a Top 10 debut, Aled Jones. The classical singer’s Blessings (BMG) is new at No. 8, while Birmingham rapper Dutchavelli (real name Stephan Allen) is one place behind with his debut mixtape Dutch From The 5th (Parlophone). Over...
Jennifer Lopez Says She’s ‘Trying to Be a Better Version of Myself’ While Accepting a Prestigious New Honor
“I’m grateful for all the hard work and sacrifice she’s made over the years and for paving the way for so many other Latin artists,” Maluma said of his “Pa’ Ti” and “Lonely” collaborator. “Her creativity, her passion, the perfection she brings to the studio, and onset is the reason she’s a superstar and the reason I’m proud to present this award.” “Until the world is 100 percent perfect and completely fixed I will never be done,” Lopez says in her acceptance video, before adding, “Every day I’m trying to be a better version of myself.” Watch a snippet via People here. BTS, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Patti Smith and more are also slated as honorees and presenters. The v...
Finneas Celebrates Donald Trump’s Defeat With Dark New Song ‘Where the Poison Is’
“When all my friends get sick it’s on the president/ When all my friends get sick it’s on his government,” he sings. “Take me to the place where the poison is/ To put a face to what’s poisonous/ To give him a little taste of his medicine/ There’s a snake that thinks it’s the president.” An accompanying YouTube visual for the song shows an illustration of the White House with black ooze seeping from its windows. Eilish joined her brother in celebrating Trump’s defeat on Saturday by sharing a video of herself excitedly screaming and thanking everyone who voted for Biden. “This is unbelievable, I am so happy,” she said on Instagram. Listen to Finneas’ “Where the Poison Is” below. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined wha...
‘PARTY IN THE USA’: Miley Cyrus Had the Best Reaction to Joe Biden Defeating Donald Trump
Miley Cyrus took to Twitter on Saturday (Nov. 7) to share her excitement over Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 United States presidential election. “Now THIS is a PARTY IN THE USA! @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris,” the singer wrote — referencing her iconic 2009 party jam — alongside an epic video cut that included President-elect Joe Biden making a speech, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris dancing, and Donald Trump being escorted away from a podium. Cyrus also retweeted a fan who shared a video of people on the streets singing “Party in the U.S.A.” seemingly after the big news broke. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat an...
Jennifer Lopez Couldn’t Hold Back Her Tears Over Biden-Harris Victory: ‘It’s a New Day’
First she was dancing, and then she was crying. Jennifer Lopez experienced a range of emotions upon hearing the news that Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. “So happy this morning,” a teary-eyed J. Lo, who previously showed her support for Biden while encouraging the Latino community to vote, said on Instagram Saturday (Nov. 7). “Echoing the words of everyone saying that we are headed toward a better day, a more united country. I’m just crying tears of joy. I hope that we can all come together and love each other and appreciate each other. It’s a new day.” She continued, “They’re saying it’s time to heal deep wounds and come together. We are the United States of America, the greatest country on this planet.” You Deserve to Make ...
Jesy Nelson Misses ‘Little Mix: The Search’ Final & MTV EMAs Due to Illness
Little Mix‘s The Search final and their scheduled appearance at the MTV Europe Music Awards will go on without Jesy Nelson, who is ill. “We’re so sad Jesy won’t be able to join us tonight, but we have such an amazing show in store for you all,” the group tweeted before the BBC One program aired on Saturday (Nov. 7). (Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock still performed “Secret Love Song,” which can be seen below.) A statement on social media from publicist Simon Jones had stated the same, and said that Nelson would also not be able to take part in Sunday night’s awards show. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to mee...
