Music News
Jussie Smollett’s Criminal Trial on Charges of Faking Racist Attack Set to Begin After Years of Delay
A popular actor steps out onto the street and is brutally reminded that, despite his fame and wealth, places still exist where the color of his skin and sexual orientation put him in danger. That was the story that ricocheted around the world after Jussie Smollett, a Black and openly gay actor, reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Nearly three years later, Smollett is about to stand trial on charges that he staged the whole thing. He was charged with felony disorderly conduct after law enforcement and prosecutors said he lied to police about what happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2019, in downtown Chicago. He has pleaded not guilty. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday (Nov. 29). Disorderly conduc...
Billboard Buys: Sony’s Wireless Headphones Are Just $38
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Few brands consistently hit the mark like Sony when it comes to making top-rated headphones. Their WH-1000XM4 headphones are the best noise-cancelling headphones in the business, while their WHCH710N model (on sale for $78) are great for taking calls at home or the office. The best Sony headphones deal online right now though is with the Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones, which are marked down to just $38 on Amazon. An Amazon exclusive (meaning you won’t find this deal anywhere else), the headphones have been priced as high as $99 in the past, making this a ...
Madonna Criticizes Instagram for Removing Photos Showing a ‘Small Portion’ of Her Nipple
Madonna is calling out Instagram for removing her photos. On Thursday (Nov. 25), the 63-year-old Queen of Pop took to the social media platform to republish a series of snapshots showing her in various poses and wearing black lingerie, noting in the caption that Instagram had removed the same post from the prior night because it violated guidelines by exposing her nipple. In her new post, Madonna used a red heart emoji to conceal her left breast. “I’m reposting photographs Instagram took down without warning or notification….. The reason they gave my management that does not handle my account was that a small portion of my nipple was exposed,” Madonna wrote alongside the gallery. Explore Explore Madonna See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news She added, “It is...
Billboard Buys: Get This Polk Soundbar and Subwoofer Combo for $149
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Your TV speakers probably deliver decent sound, but if you really want to experience the content you’re listening to, you’ll want to upgrade to a soundbar. The best soundbars help to amplify sound across your room, in a way that regular TV speakers just can’t do. A good soundbar will also create more finely-detailed sound, whether you’re listening to music, want to feel the effects from a big action movie, or want to pick out hard-to-hear dialogue from a TV show or newscast. One of the best soundbar deals online is this soundbar and subwoofer combo from Polk...
Fire Destroys Up to 60 Guitars, 100 Paintings at House of Avett Brothers’ Father
A fire has destroyed 60 guitars and up to 100 paintings at the North Carolina home of Jim Avett. He is the father of Scott and Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers band. The Charlotte Observer reports that the fire occurred Friday (Nov. 26) in the city of Concord. Explore See latest videos, charts and news “The fire started from a golf cart,” Jim Avett posted on Facebook. “Half the house is totally beyond repair.” Officials said that arriving firefighters saw “heavy fire from the garage” and entered the house to keep the flames from spreading. No one was hurt, although Jim Avett said a cat was missing. The Avett Brothers, three-time Grammy Award nominees, are based in North Carolina and have a national following. Jim Avett said on Facebook that the blaze is “not a knockout punch.” “We have the...
Australian TV Host Apologizes to Adele for Not Listening to ’30’ Before Interview
Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran has issued a very public, on-air apology to Adele after he seemingly showed up unprepared for an interview with her about new album 30. Last weekend, it was reported that the Australian Channel 7 news reporter admitted to Adele that he hadn’t listened to 30 — which has captured the biggest week of 2021 for any album in the U.S. — prior to their chat, and as a result Sony withheld their interview footage. Explore Explore Adele See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “This is a story that has sparked a torrent of abuse and mockery from around the world and, if I’m being honest with you, the bulk of this savaging, I deserve and I totally own,” Doran said on the show this weekend, speaking to Adele and Weekend Sunrise‘s viewer...
Dr. Barz Reveals Release Date And Tracklist For Upcoming EP “Something Else EP Vol.2”
Victor Akpomon popularly known as Dr. Barz is set to release a sophomore project titled, “Something Else EP Vol.2”, on December 17th, 2021. He released a couple of records at the beginning of the year which includes “The Creative God” and “Man Must Wack”, that was offered earlier in 2021. However, His “Man Must Wack” was drawn from the legendary highlife creator Parley Brown’s single from his 2008 track titled, Man Must Wak. Dr. Barz’s input has a strong relationship with West Africans which could make cultural enthusiasts reminiscent of their fascinating past in highlife, as well as Parley Brown’s creation. TOP PICKS FOR YOU: Something Else EP Volume 2 promises grooves and cuts across his rap skills and vocal allure on pop music and a variety of sonic cadences.Fingers crossed; anticipate....
Bob Dylan Artwork Show Opens in Miami, New Cinema Paintings
Bob Dylan has been telling stories through songs for 60 years. But recently America’s master lyricist has also captured moments in a new series of paintings that, just like his songs, are intimate and a bit of a mystery. The most comprehensive exhibition of the Nobel laureate’s visual art to be held in the U.S. goes on display on Tuesday (Nov. 30) in Miami at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum. Forty new pieces by the 80-year-old songwriter will be showcased for the first time. Explore Explore Bob Dylan See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The exhibition with more than 180 acrylics, watercolors, drawings and ironwork sculptures will kick off the same week as Art Basel Miami Beach and will run through April 17 with no future stops announced yet. Tic...
Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus Reflects on Cancer Battle in Uplifting Thanksgiving Message
Mark Hoppus has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. The Blink-182 singer and bassist, who announced in late September that he was “cancer free” after publicly disclosing his diagnosis in June, took to Instagram on Thursday (Nov. 25) to share an uplifting Thanksgiving message about the current state of his health. “I have so much to be thankful for today. This photo is from June, halfway through chemo, no idea if it was working or not, relegated to the bathroom floor, retching,” the 49-year-old musician wrote alongside a photo of himself crouching by a toilet. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news He continued, “If I ever complain about something trivial or unimportant, please show me this photo to remind me of how bad things can be, and how...
Stephen Sondheim, Master of Musical Theater, Dies at 91
Stephen Sondheim, the sublime and sophisticated composer and lyricist who revolutionized American musical theater with such achievements as Company, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park With George and Into the Woods, has died, according to The New York Times. He was 91. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Sondheim, who was mentored by Oscar Hammerstein II and Leonard Bernstein en route to collecting nine Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, an Oscar and eight Grammys during his incomparable career, died early Friday (Nov. 26) at his home in Roxbury, Conn, according to his lawyer and friend, F. Richard Pappas, as cited by the Times. A rep for Sondheim could not be immediately reached for more information. In the late 1950s, Sondheim put words to Bernstein’s music for the original production o...
Billboard Buys: Sony is Blowing Out These Top-Rated Headphones for $10
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Sony headphones used to cost a pretty penny, but the electronics company has come out with a line of budget headphones that pack a decent punch. Case in point: these Sony ZX Series Wired On-Ear Headphones, which are on sale right now for just $10 on Amazon (regularly $24.99+). For just 10 bucks, you get a pair of brand new, genuine Sony headphones for music, work, recording and more. This is not just one of the best Sony headphone deals online, but one of the best headphone deals – period. Shop: Sony ZX Series Wired Headphones $9.99 The Sony ZX Series Headph...
Stephen Sondheim Remembered by Uzo Aduba, Hugh Jackman, Josh Gad and More: ‘The Best There Ever Was’
Following the death of Stephen Sondheim, Hollywood stars took to social media to share tributes and memories of the award-winning composer and lyricist who was known for revolutionizing American musical theater. Sondheim, whose achievements included Company, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park With George and Into the Woods, died at 91. Explore See latest videos, charts and news The composer often collaborated with producer-director Hal Prince, pairing with him on musicals such as West Side Story and Merrily We Roll Along. Sondheim collected nine Tony Awards during his tenure, as well as an Oscar, a Pulitzer Prize and eight Grammy awards. On Twitter, Uzo Aduba referred to Sondheim as “the best there ever was.” She wrote, “I don’t know when we will ever have another of his caliber, of his brea...
