Pop
Shawn Mendes Unleashes Explosive New Song & Video ‘Wonder’: Watch
His album of the same name is due Dec. 4. I wonder what it’s like for Shawn Mendes to have his explosive new song out in the world? The Canadian pop singer/songwriter unleashed the power ballad “Wonder” first thing Friday (Oct. 2), accompanied by an equally powerful Matty Peacock-directed video that sees Mendes standing atop a speeding train, interpretive-dancing in a forest and drenched by crashing waves. The brand-new song — which Mendes co-wrote and co-produced — is the title track from his upcoming fourth album, due Dec. 4. The chorus asks the yearning question “I wonder what it’s like to be loved by you?” and boasts a swooning, building production reminiscent of Kings of Leon or U2. When Mendes fans are able to pack shoulder-to-shoulder ...
Forever No. 1: Helen Reddy’s ‘Angie Baby’
Forever No. 1 is a Billboard series that pays special tribute to the recently deceased artists who achieved the highest honor our charts have to offer — a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single — by taking an extended look back at the chart-topping songs that made them part of this exclusive club. Here, we honor the late Helen Reddy by diving into the third of her three Hot 100-toppers, the surreal story song “Angie Baby.” The mid-’70s marked a golden age for the story song. Whether murder mysteries like Vicki Lawrence’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” first-person historical fiction like Paper Lace’s “The Night Chicago Died,” or role-playing tales like Cher’s “Half-Breed,” richly p...
Rihanna Seeks to Cheer Up Troubled World With Fenty Lingerie Fashion Show
With help from Lizzo, Travis Scott, Rosalia and some of the biggest names in modeling, Rihanna said she decided to forge ahead with a new digital-only Savage X Fenty lingerie show to bring something good into a troubled world.Insofar as well-priced intimates in a broad range of sizes can achieve that goal. “There’s a lot going on in the world right now and I relate to all of it,” the superstar and fashion icon told The Associated Press during a recent round of interviews. “People need a little bit of hope, they need a little bit of happiness, and if we can bring a smile to their face and a little bit of fun while they’re stuck at home, it’s a desire and an honor to be a part of that.” The Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2, with musical performances and dancers along with models, was filmed in Sep...
Lady Gaga Puts Up Inspiring ‘Chromatica’ Billboard in Los Angeles: See the Heartfelt Message
‘I am here to serve the world and inspire as many people as possible.’ Lady Gaga has shared a message of inspiration on a towering new Chromatica billboard in Los Angeles. The signed essay, which appears on the side of a building in the city, takes Little Monsters through the difficult journey the singer embarked on to arrive at her sixth studio album. “I wrote this album when I was sad. I wrote this album when I was mad. I wrote poems about fear, and I asked my poems to sing. I heard sines from above I’ve never heard before – to keep going, to keep breathing, to know each lyric was a step forward, each melody was a gift,” it begins. “Chromatica was a dream I had that became real. My art always teaches me something. Chromatica taught me to dan...
Justin & Hailey Bieber Celebrate One Year Wedding Anniversary: ‘Wish I Could Live This Day Over & Over’
It’s officially been one year since Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin became Mr. and Mrs. Bieber in a gorgeous wedding ceremony at sunset at Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina. The two took to Instagram on Wednesday (Sept. 30) to celebrate the anniversary by sharing stunning black-and-white photos from their big day. “1 year ago we had the best wedding. Wish I could live this day over and over,” Hailey captioned her series of photos. “Hailey Bieber. I am so lucky to be YOUR husband!” Justin mirrored in his post. “You teach me so much everyday and make me such a better man! I am committed for the rest of our lives to empower you to be the woman God has called you to be! My heart is to enable you to achieve all of your wildest drea...
Forever No. 1: Helen Reddy’s ‘Delta Dawn’
Forever No. 1 is a Billboard series that pays special tribute to the recently deceased artists who achieved the highest honor our charts have to offer — a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single — by taking an extended look back at the chart-topping songs that made them part of this exclusive club. Here, we honor the late Helen Reddy by diving into the second of her three Hot 100-toppers, the rousing character study “Delta Dawn.” In September 1973, nine months and one week after “I Am Woman” became Helen Reddy’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, “Delta Dawn” became her second. That was the shortest gap between No. 1 hits by a female solo artist in more than a decade — since Connie Francis and Brenda Lee each had multiple No. 1 hits less tha...
Camila Cabello Is ‘So Proud’ of Her ‘Love’ Shawn Mendes Following ‘Wonder’ Album Announcement
Camila Cabello is supporting her man Shawn Mendes‘ new musical era. Hours after her “Señorita” collaborator shared a teaser video for his upcoming album Wonder on Wednesday (Sept. 30), Cabello reposted the clip with a heart melting message. “the world could use some magic, beauty, and Wonder always, but especially right now,” she wrote. “@shawnmendes what a gorgeous gift to the world. He’s crafted this album with every last bit of his soul, his spirit, and his essence with the purest of intentions. My love, I’m so proud of the person you are and I’m so excited for people to see and hear your heart.” See her post here. The couple have been dating since summer 2019. In the clip, Mendes is seen playing his album’s “IntroR...
BTS Open Up About Politics, Grammy Goals in New Interview: ‘It’s a Dream’
BTS sat down with Variety magazine recently to talk about politics, how much they want to share with their ARMY and what their Grammy goals are. The interview found member Jin paying tribute to the fan gang that has elevated the seven-member K-pop superstars to the top of the pop heat, including helping to boost them to their first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles tally with “Dynamite.” “Our goal is to try to show ourselves, expose ourselves to ARMY as much as possible,” Jin said. “There are a lot of platforms now.” That includes The Tonight Show, where the group is in the midst of a weeklong residency, which has so far included three performances and a hearty shoutout from superfan actor/wrestler John Cena. And though they don’t consider...
Demi Lovato Unveils Somber Ballad ‘Still Have Me’ Following Max Ehrlich Breakup: Listen
Channeling her feelings. Demi Lovato dropped a surprise new song on Wednesday (Sept. 30) in the wake of ending her engagement to Max Ehrich. Titled “Still Have Me,” the pop star released the emotive piano ballad in full via Twitter, writing, “Music is always there for me…” alongside a video of the track. (As of press time, the new release does not yet appear to be available on streaming services.) “Everything around me shattered/ All the highs are now just lows/ But it doesn’t even matter/ ‘Cause I’d rather be alone/ All my love disappeared and I’m layin’ right here while the silence is piercing/ And it hurts to breath/ I don’t have much but at least I still have me,” she croons before belting out the gospel-infu...
What Does Justin Bieber’s ‘Holy’ Mean for His Next Move?
As Justin Bieber’s “Holy” arrives at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 – marking his 20th top 10 hit – what does the single mean for the pop star’s next move? Bieber himself has called “Holy” the beginning of a “new era,” and he’s currently at work on recording a new studio album. (It’s “some of the best music I’ve made,” Bieber said in a livestream recently.) So, what might “Holy” suggest for the sound of the new project? On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast (listen below), the team discusses if the enlightened sound of “Holy,” where Bieber sings “the way you hold me … feels so holy” points to a specific genre or sound on the upcoming project. Will it be a continuation of the journey Bieber began with his recent album, Changes, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 earlier in the year...
Mac Davis, Iconic Artist & Elvis Songwriter, Dies at 78
Mac Davis, renowned for writing such hits as “In the Ghetto” and “A Little Less Conversation” for Elvis Presley, as well as commanding his own five-decade career that spanned the stage and big and small screen, died Tuesday night (Sept. 29) following heart surgery. He was 78. “Mac Davis has been my client for over 40 years, and, more importantly, my best friend,” Davis’ longtime manager Jim Morey said, in announcing his death. “He was a music legend, but his most important work was that as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. I will miss laughing about our misadventures on the road and his insightful sense of humor. In addition to Presley, among the artists who recorded Davis’ compositions were Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell, Tom Jones and Johnny Cash. But the Gramm...
Madonna’s Son David Banda Grooves to ‘Like a Virgin’ at His 15th Birthday Party
Madonna threw a raging backyard 15th birthday party for her son David Banda recently. The 62-year-old pop icon adopted Banda when he was just 13 months old after meeting him in 2006 at an orphanage in Malawi that she had helped fund, and it’s clear their bond has only grown stronger over the years. In a clip from the party that Madonna posted to Instagram on Monday (Sept. 28), the singer and Banda share a tender moment, with David giving Mom a big smooch and the pair explaining the origin of the teen’s birth name, which he said means “speaks the truth.” “Do you think you’ll be able to live up to that?” Madonna asks him. “Definitely, I’m currently living up to it. I love you. That’s the truth right there,” he says, kissing hi...
