Music News
Bizarrap & Shakira’s ‘Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53’ Soars Onto Billboard Charts After Less Than 2 Days of Release
Bizarrap forges ahead with a new music session in 2023. The latest release is a collaboration with Shakira, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” which debuts at No. 8 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart (dated Jan. 21). It’s the Argentinian producer’s first entry there. Shakira, meanwhile, extends her top 10 record among women, with 39 top 10s. “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” released Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. ET via Dale Play Records, debuts across multiple Billboard charts with one full day, and 5 hours from the day before, of activity in all metrics. The track also arrives at No. 16 on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs chart (which blends streams, sales, and airplay) from less than two days of activity. It’s Bizarrap’s highest debut on the list. On the radio front, “Vol. 53” debuts in the top 10 on...
Material Girl: Madonna Might Own Missing Painting, French Mayor Says
The mayor of the northern French town of Amiens is appealing to pop star Madonna to loan them what they believe is a missing 200-year-old Neoclassical painting that disappeared from their museum during World War I. But is Madonna’s version the genuine article, or a copy? Brigitte Fouré, the mayor, says in a video that the oil painting the singer reportedly owns, called Diana and Endymion, was “probably a work that was lent to the Amiens museum by the Louvre before the first world war after which we lost trace of it,” according to a report in The Guardian. Now Fouré wants the “Material Girl” singer to provide the artwork as a loaner to help Amiens’ bid to become the European capital of culture in 2028. The painting, which depicts the Roman goddess Diana falling in love with ...
Bruce Gowers, Director on Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Music Video and ‘American Idol,’ Dies at 82
Bruce Gowers, the Emmy and Grammy winner who directed nine-plus seasons of American Idol and hundreds of music videos, including the seminal “Bohemian Rhapsody” from Queen, has died. He was 82. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Gowers died Sunday in Santa Monica of complications from an acute respiratory infection, his family announced. Gowers also directed and co-created the long-running series of Kidsongs sing-along videos for Warner Bros. Records with his wife, Carol Rosenstein. A specialist in live events and TV specials, Gowers directed and/or produced the Emmys, the Billboard Music Awards, MTV’s Music Video and Movie awards, the ESPYs, the People’s Choice Awards and many other award shows. He called the shots for 23...
Skrillex Reflects on ‘Toughest Year of My Life’ as He Rings in 35th Birthday
Skrillex marked his 35th birthday on Monday by posting a vulnerable series of tweets about the difficulties he’s faced in the past few years. “Had the toughest year of my life in ’22, as did so many others. I literally found myself with no drive and purpose for the first time in my life,” he began. “My mother passed away a few years back, 2nd day of Lollapalooza tour in [South America]. I never ever coped with it … I drank the pain away and kept going.” The electronic star continued: “People ask why ‘I’ve been gone’ or ‘fell off,’ rightfully so. Like I said, ’22 was sort of my tipping point, I had to put everything on ice especially my projects/ career. The truth is I didn’t cancel sunset and movement festival because of my albums. It was because I was working on myself.” However, the arti...
Did Frank Ocean Hint at a New Album on His Merch Posters?
Frank Ocean fans have been waiting for a new album since 2016’s Blonde, and the star seems to be giving fans the smallest glimmer of hope that their longtime wishes may be coming true. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news On the back of posters mailed out in a new Blonded merch sale, as shared by fans on Twitter, there’s a cryptic message written on them explaining what happened in 2019, when Ocean released a series of singles without an album at the end of the road. “The Recording Artist has since changed his mind about the singles model, and is again more interested in durational bodies of work,” he wrote, which is not a confirmation of an album by any means, but enough to get fans buzzing. Ocean is also set to take the stage at Coach...
9 Biggest Revelations From ‘The Price of Glee’
To love Glee is to know that the hit Fox TV series is haunted by several startling tragedies. Most notably, the high-profile deaths of stars Cory Monteith, who passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 2013, Mark Salling, who died by suicide in 2018 after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, and Naya Rivera, who suffered a drowning accident in 2020. This phenomenon is the basis for Investigation Discovery’s new docuseries, The Price Of Glee. Airing roughly eight years after Glee wrapped in 2015, the project chronicles the untimely deaths of both cast and crew members and details behind-the-scenes moments of alleged tension and drama, beginning with a fitting quote about the show from creator Ryan Murphy: “What started off as being such a great celebration of love and a...
Taylor Swift Celebrates ‘Anti-Hero’s Hot 100 Success & Praises SZA
Taylor Swift is no anti-hero when it comes to lifting up other female artists during her own career wins. On Tuesday (Jan. 17), the 33-year-old pop star celebrated her newest accolade — “Anti-Hero” becoming her longest-leading Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 — and took a moment to gush over SZA, whose album SOS has been a fierce competitor with Swift’s Midnights on the charts. “What on Earth,” Swift wrote on Instagram Stories, sharing a post from Billboard‘s official account about “Anti-Hero”‘s eight weeks at No. 1. “I love you guys.” With its eighth non-consecutive week in the Hot 100 top spot, the Midnights lead single has now officially surpassed the seven-week reign of Swift’s 2014 smash “Blank Space,” previously her longest-running No. 1. At No. 2 this week is SZA’s “Kill Bill,” a new career-...
Jared Leto, Fall Out Boy & More: 7 Things You Didn’t See Backstage at iHeart ALTer EGO 2023
The iHeart ALTer EGO 2023 show descended upon L.A.’s Kia Forum over the weekend, and Billboard was backstage to bring you every exclusive moment. In-between sets by Fall Out Boy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phoenix and Jack White, Billboard social media coordinator Lucy Blonstein chatted up the likes of Jared Leto, CHVRCHES and more on Saturday night. Below, we’ve rounded up seven moments you have to see from backstage. Leto revealed backstage that out of all the bands on the lineup, he’d want to collaborate with Muse if his band, 30 Second to Mars, ever got the chance. “Because we’ve toured together before, we love them. Great guys, and I think we’d be an interesting, interesting pairing,” he said, standing in front of a giant portrait of Katy Perry. “Yeah, Muse.” Billboard was also on the gro...
C.J. Harris, ‘American Idol’ Alum, Dies at 31
C.J. Harris, a singer who competed on the 2014 season of American Idol, died Sunday at age 31. The Jasper, Alabama, native was reportedly rushed to a local hospital after suffering a medical emergency, according to Variety, and the Walker County Coroner’s Office later confirmed his death. However, no other details, including cause of death, were given as of press time. Harris competed on season 13 of the singing competition, initially auditioning for judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. in Salt Lake City with a rendition of The Allman Brothers Band’s “Soulshine.” After making it through the Hollywood round, the hopeful was voted a Wild Card by the public in the semifinals and earned his way into the live shows with a soulful performance of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home ...
Rihanna Ushers In ‘Heartbreaker Szn’ for Savage X Fenty Valentine’s Day Drop With Steamy New Pics
Rihanna gave fans a red-hot preview of Savage X Fenty’s upcoming Valentine’s Day collection on Sunday. “Heartbreaker szn,” the superstar captioned one round of photos, which feature her posing in a lacy black bodysuit in a neon-lit room of pinks, blues, purples and reds. In another series of photos, she wears an orange and purple, psychedelic print set while perched on top of a glass table, her long black hair trailing down to her backside accented by a stream of tiny braids. “#savageXfentySPORT V-DAY drop,” she teased, hinting that the latest line will be available by mid-February. The new Valentine’s-themed pieces aren’t the only looks RiRi has been readying as of late, either. Earlier this month, the “Needed Me” singer modeled her limited-edition Savage X Game Day collection in anticipa...
Dua Lipa Spends ‘24hrs in Madrid,’ Including a Meet-Up With Director Pedro Almodóvar
Dua Lipa took to social media on Sunday to share the day she spent traveling in the city of Madrid, Spain. The superstar’s whirlwind trip to the Spanish capital included a visit with none other than director Pedro Almodóvar. “24hrs in Madrid,” she captioned a carousel of snapshots on Instagram that included a selfie taken with the filmmaker, in which both she and Almodóvar are grinning from ear to ear. “Pedroooooo,” one fan gushed in the comments section while another wrote, “Puma for Pedro…too cute” using two orange hearts and two raised-hands emojis. The slideshow also featured shots of the “Cold Heart” singer posing theatrically on an outdoor deck wearing a head-to-toe leather ensemble, chunky gold jewelry and platform heels as well as a second, menswear-inspired outfit made up of a lon...
Amy Grant Slams Homophobic Backlash Over LGBTQ+ Niece’s Wedding: ‘I Love Those Brides’
An aunt and an ally. Amy Grant shut down trolls criticizing her decision to host her LGBTQ+ niece’s wedding on Monday (Jan. 16). “I never chase any of those rabbits down the rabbit hole,” the Christian pop singer said to People of outcry from homophobic critics on social media. “I love my family, I love those brides. They’re wonderful, our family is better, and you should be able to be who you are with your family, and be loved by them.” Grant also revealed that her niece’s nuptials took place at the very same place she and Vince Gill were married back in 2000. “I own a farm that I bought back in the ’90s and they were just looking for a beautiful place to get married,” she said. “So, she and Sam got married on the same hillside where Vince and I got married.” “Honestly, from a faith persp...
