Pop
How to Watch Elton John’s Archival Concert Footage With ‘Classic Concert Series’
With the coronavirus pandemic still largely keeping people in their homes around the world, many are wondering when they’ll get to see their favorite acts live again. For fans of Elton John, a creative new solution is on the horizon. On Wednesday (July 1), John announced his brand new “Elton John: Classic Concert Series.” Premiering on John’s YouTube channel every Saturday for the next six weeks, the new series will see the singer releasing full footage from some of his most iconic performances throughout his career for the first time ever. All proceeds from the new series will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and their continued efforts in battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The first edition of the series, set to premiere on Friday, July 3, will be footage of Joh...
“I’m a Fucking Grandma!” Sia’s Youngest Son Becomes a Father
Sia’s family is growing at an exponential rate. In May the pop star revealed that she had previously adopted two Black 18-year-old sons. Now both are 19, and one of them recently became a father to two babies of his own. Via Billboard, Sia made the announcement in an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, telling him, “I’m a fucking grandma!” The Australian singer revealed that her grandchildren “call me ‘Nana,’” though she’s not content with the nickname. “I’m trying to get them to call me ‘Lovey,’” she said. Sia also went into detail about the adoption process last year, and the profound effect it had on her worldview. “I’m a little bit jaded now after investigating the foster system as much as I have done in the last year, because it’s completely corrupt; it’s failing ...
Ellie Goulding & Lauv Tease ‘Slow Grenade’ Collab, Blow Up Twitter With Cute Exchange
Ellie Goulding wants to release “Slow Grenade” with Lauv ahead of her forthcoming fourth album Brighest Blue, which comes out July 17. And he’s all for it. “So I’ve been thinking about releasing one more song before #BrightestBlue comes out. maybe with @lauvsongs?” she asked her 6.6 million Twitter followers today (June 29). According to her tracklist, the English singer-songwriter split her album into two parts titled Brightest Blue and EG.0, and the Lauv joint falls in the latter with a few other star-studded songs featuring blackbear (“Worry About Me”), Diplo and Swae Lee (“Close To Me”), and the late Juice WRLD (“Hate Me”). “yayayayayayayay :)” the “I Like M...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Announces MTV VMAs Date & Location
It’s happening! The MTV Video Music Awards are a go. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York made the announcement during his Monday (June 29) press briefing, telling viewers that the annual ceremony would be held in Brooklyn. As the governor announced that New York City would be entering Phase III of reopening on July 6, he shared the unexpected news. “The Video Music Awards are going to be held Sunday, August 30, at Barclays Center,” he said. The slide displayed at the time also noted that “the event will follow all safety guidance, including limited or no audience.” Billboard has reached out to MTV for comment. In May, MTV told Billboard in a statement that they were looking into the possibility of safely holding the event live. “We’re exploring with gove...
Orville Peck and Rina Sawayama Cover Pop Hits for Pride Month: Stream
Queer artists Orville Peck and Rina Sawayama have contributed two new cover songs to a Pride-themed installment of the Spotify Singles series. The releases come as the end of Pride month draws near, and just one day after the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. For his entry, alternative country artist Peck chose to take on “Smalltown Boy”, the 1984 chart-topper from British synthpop trio Bronski Beat. All three members of the group were openly gay and their music was known for taking a stance on LGBTQ+ issues. As for Sawayama, our former Artist of the Month, she reworked Lady Gaga’s “Dance in the Dark”. The original 2010 Fame Monster single talked about body image issues and the importance of being comfortable with one’s own sexuality. Editors’ Picks Musicians usually record th...
Kesha Delivers Emotional Performance of ‘Rainbow’ at Global Pride 2020: Watch
Kesha gave an emotional performance of her 2017 song “Rainbow” during the Global Pride 2020 virtual event. “I really do believe that you are the future,” Kesha said in a pre-recorded message from her home prior to the performance on Saturday (June 27). “You inspire me with your energy, your heart, your voices and the way you take action.” The 33-year-old singer — who released her fourth album, High Road, earlier this year — went on to urge viewers to vote in the upcoming election. “If you’re 18, you better be voting in November. We need you,” she said. “If you’re not 18 yet, make sure people know you matter. You’re going to change the world.” Global Pride, a 24-hour live stream hosted by Todrick Hall ...
Usher Debuts ‘I Cry’ With Emotional Performance For ‘Global Goal’: Watch
During Global Citizen’s “Global Goal: Unite For Our Future” live stream on Saturday (June 27), Usher performed his heartfelt new single “I Cry.” With powerful lyrics such as “I cry for the sons without fathers and the pain the mothers hold deep inside,” Usher’s new record sends a deep message of empathy and compassion. “If you chose to put yourself on the front lines of protests, if you chose to put yourself on the front lines by way of posting something or reposting something, know that you’re not alone and we can change this,” he previously said to Billboard. “Just know that you’re not alone and that we’re together in this fight.” He added: “I hope that the entire world, Black Americans and those who are Black in other countries, those who receive prej...
Adam Lambert Performs ‘Mad World’ for Global Pride 2020
Adam Lambert delivered a smooth, socially distanced cover of “Mad World” and a heartfelt speech during the Global Pride 2020 virtual event. “I wanted to wish everybody a Happy World Pride,” he said to the camera before his performance during Saturday’s (June 27) live stream. “It’s amazing to be a part of the LGTBQ+ community. I’m very proud of my brothers and sisters. We are amazing. The progress we’ve made over the past 10 years since I’ve been in the public eye has been incredibly inspiring.” “That’s not to say there’s not a lot of work to be done,” he continued. “We all know this. History never is a straight line of progress. There are setbacks, there’s side to side.” Lambert...
Kelly Clarkson Wins Best Entertainment Talk Show Host at Daytime Emmys
NEWS 6/27/2020 by Associated Press The Young and the Restless won best drama at the first virtual Daytime Emmys along with three acting trophies on Friday night (June 26), with some winners speaking out about racial injustice. Ellen DeGeneres accepted the trophy for best entertainment talk show for her self-titled program. “I intend to use the next two years of my show as a platform for change, to amplify voices of Black people and people of color and to educate my audience,” she said from home. “More than ever, I feel like this is a responsibility to effect change.” CBS’ The Young and the Restless, whose co-creator Lee Philip Bell died in February at age 91, earned four other trophies in technical categories. Jason Thompson, who plays Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless, won his fi...
Elton John’s Ex-Wife Renate Blauel Seeks High Court Injunction
Elton John’s ex-wife Renate Blauel has launched legal action against the “Rocketman” in London’s High Court. The German-born sound engineer filed paperwork last week to seek an injunction against the legendary British singer, according to various reports. The reasons behind the legal action remain unclear, though such cases are typically grounded in privacy matters or to prevent the publication of personal materials. Blauel’s lawyer confirmed to The Guardian that his client hoped the matter would be resolved “amicably,” but declined to elaborate on the case. John and Blauel became close during the recording sessions for his 1983 album Too Low for Zero album and the pair tied the knot the following year at a ceremony on Valentine’s Day in Sydney, footage of which aired live on Austral...
Justin Bieber Sues Sexual Assault Accusers for $20 Million
Earlier this week, two social media users accused Justin Bieber of sexual assault. Bieber defended himself, claiming that the stories were “factually impossible.” Now, according to TMZ, he’s suing for $20 million in damages — $10 million for each story — claiming defamation. The two alleged victims go by “Danielle” and “Kadi” online. Danielle claims that Bieber raped her on March 9th, 2014, in his room at the Four Seasons Hotel. In response, Bieber has produced a receipt for an Airbnb on that night, where he claims to have stayed with his then-girlfriend Selena Gomez. The pop star says that Danielle invented this story based on public reports that he ate at the Four Seasons restaurant the next day, March 10th. Bieber collected evidence supporting his side of the story in a series of tweets...
YouTube Announces Demi Lovato Docuseries
At the ninth digital newfront and first-ever digital personalized event, Brandcast Delivered, on Thursday (June 25), YouTube announced its list of new and returning projects. Among them is a four-part docuseries in partnership with Demi Lovato. The Michael D. Ratner-directed series is a follow up to her 2017 YouTube Originals documentary, Simply Complicated. The currently untitled show will give fans a glimpse into the ups and downs of the star’s personal and musical journey over the past three years. Some of the other projects YouTube announced were season two of Instant Influencer With James Charles, a gaming tournament called The Creator Games Presented by MrBeats, an interactive special with YouTube creator Markiplier, season two of Retro Tech, a kids and...
