Music News
Hank Von Hell, Former Lead Singer for Norwegian ‘Deathpunk’ Band Turbonegro, Dies at 49
Hank von Hell, the former lead singer of self-described Norwegian “deathpunk” band Turbonegro, died on Friday (Nov. 19) at age 49, his former bandmates have confirmed. The cause of death is not known at this time. “It is with immense sadness we received the tragic news that Hans-Erik ‘Hertis’ Dyvik Husby has passed away,” read a message posted to Turbonegro’s Instagram account on Friday. “We are thankful for the times, the moments and the magic we shared with Hans-Erik in Turbonegro during the years 1993-2009.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The band continued by describing von Hell as “a charismatic frontman who equally channeled humor and vulnerability” and “a warm and big hearted human, a spiritually and intellectually seeking person who lo...
Miko Marks Offers Acoustic Performance of ‘Long Journey Home’: Video Premiere
In October, Miko Marks & The Resurrectors released the Redtone Records EP Race Records, a collection that finds the singer reinterpreting classics such as Willie Nelson’s “Whiskey River” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Long As I Can See The Light.” Explore Explore Miko Marks See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The set includes “Long Journey Home,” a take on a Monroe Brothers classic. Above, Billboard premieres Marks’ acoustic video for the track. “‘Long Journey Home’ is about finding peace and comfort in the midst of many life storms that come our way. For me, the two dollar bill represents grace and mercy,” Marks tells Billboard, referencing the song’s opening lyric: “Lost all my money but a two dollar bill.” “Hope shines through the st...
Fans Choose Adele’s ’30’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
Adele‘s latest album, 30, has topped this week’s new music poll. Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Nov. 19) on Billboard, choosing the 33-year-old British superstar’s fourth studio album as their favorite new music release of the past week. 30, which dropped on Friday through Melted Stone and Columbia Records, brought in 79% of the vote, beating out new music by Saweetie (“Icy Chain”), French Montana (They Got Amnesia), Walker Hayes (“AA”), Rico Nasty featuring Flo Milli (“Money”), and others. Explore Explore Adele See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news 30 is the long-awaited follow-up to 2015’s 25, which had a record-smashing first week after selling 3.38 million copies in its debut week in the U.S. That was the biggest sales week of an album sinc...
Young Dolph Honored at Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway He Helped Organize Before His Death
Friends and associates of slain rapper Young Dolph handed out Thanksgiving turkeys at a neighborhood church Friday (Nov. 19) in Memphis, Tennessee, two days after he was gunned down in broad daylight inside his favorite bakery. Known for acts of charity in his hometown, the hip-hop artist and label owner had helped organize the event at St. James Missionary Baptist Church and was going to participate before he was fatally shot Wednesday. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Undaunted, members of his music label, Paper Route Empire, along with church volunteers and community activists, distributed dozens of turkeys, stuffing mix and cranberry sauce — and said “happy Thanksgiving” — to people driving past the church. It was the type of event Young Dolph, who grew up in the Castalia nei...
5 Georgia Officers Indicted in Man’s Death Outside Imagine Music Festival in 2019
A grand jury in Georgia has indicted five law enforcement officers in the 2019 death of a naked man who was pressed on the ground outside of a music festival, a prosecutor says. The Henry County Grand Jury issued the indictment involving multiple charges, including malice murder, on Friday (Nov. 19) after hearing two days of testimony from witnesses, Henry County Assistant District Attorney Megan Matteucci said. Warrants for the officers’ arrests will be issued next week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. It was not known if the officers had lawyers who could speak on their behalf. The indictments stem from an incident in September 2019 outside of Atlanta Motor Speedway as it hosted the Imagine Music Festival, Matteucci said in a news release. Fernando Rodriguez, 24, died of asphy...
Jay Jacobs, Former Longtime William Morris Music Agent, Dies
Jay Jacobs, a retired music agent who worked with the William Morris Agency for three decades, has died. “Today we mourn the loss of Jay Jacobs, whose lengthy career as a talent agent was part of a rich and colorful life,” the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) wrote on Twitter on Friday (Nov. 19). “We were recently honored to talk to Jay here at MPTF and share his journey, and may he rest in peace,” said MPTF’s tweet, which linked to a profile about Jacobs, who over the years received assistance from the organization. Billboard has reached out to MPTF for further comment. Jacobs resided at Hersholt Place at the Motion Picture Home after being diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in early 2021. “He’s charming and generous, with a distinct self-deprecating sense of humor and stories t...
Kanye West and Drake Set for ‘Free Larry Hoover’ Benefit Concert in Los Angeles
Kanye West and Drake will soon be taking the stage together after ending their long-running beef. The 44-year-old rapper and fashion mogul, who recently changed his name to Ye, announced on Saturday (Nov. 20) that he and Drizzy will perform at the “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert at Los Angeles’ Coliseum on Dec. 9. “God’s Plan,” Ye captioned the announcement on Instagram, referencing Drake’s 2018 hit, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The poster lists Ye as the evening’s headliner and Drake as the special guest. Tickets will go on sale on Monday (Nov. 22) at 10 a.m. PST. After years of feuding, Ye and the OVO MC officially buried the hatchet on Tuesday (Nov. 16) after reuniting during a Dave Cha...
Billboard Buys: Sony’s Sweat-Proof Wireless Earbuds Are Marked Down to $78
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 is one of the most-trusted names when it comes to audio gear, but it’s not always easy to find deals or discounts on Sony products. That’s why you’ll want to take advantage of this surprise Amazon sale, which gets you a pair of Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless In-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds for just $78. Regularly $99.99+, this Sony earbuds deal brings the price of the WF-C500s down to just $78 — a $22 discount. This is the lowest price for Sony earbuds online and one of the best deals overall for wireless earbuds on Amazon. Amazon Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless Earb...
Megan Thee Stallion No Longer Performing With BTS at 2021 American Music Awards
Megan Thee Stallion has dropped out of her appearance at the 2021 American Music Awards, which included her highly anticipated performance with BTS, due to a personal matter. The rapper was scheduled to join BTS onstage to perform the Hot 100 hit “Butter” at Sunday’s (Nov. 21) event. The live collaboration was set to be the televised world premiere of their “Butter” remix. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Hotties I was so excited to go to the @AMAs and perform with @BTS_official, but due to an unexpected personal matter, I can no longer attend,” she wrote on Twitter on Saturday, the day before this year’s AMAs. “I’m so sad! I really can’t wait to hit the stage with my guys and perform #BTS_Butter real soon!” said Megan, who is nominated for thr...
Janet Jackson Doc ‘Malfunction’ Explores Blacklisting Claims, Les Moonves Involvement in Super Bowl Controversy
“I’m really grateful we’ve arrived at this moment of a cultural reckoning and a reevaluation of what happened,” says Jenna Wortham, a culture writer for The New York Times, at one point during Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson. “But we should never forget what they did to Janet. We should never forget that outrage. What was the cost for this woman? And was it worth it?” Explore See latest videos, charts and news The latest chapter in The New York Times Presents… FX on Hulu series attempts to answer this, framed within the context of the racism, sexism and eventual ageism the singer endured not just in the wake of the controversial moment during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show but throughout Janet Jackson’s professional career. “The pressure on her had to be significant,” no...
Adele, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Summer Walker & More of the Week’s Biggest Winners (Nov. 19)
The women in music dominated this week. Britney Spears finally gained her freedom from the conservatorship that had controlled her personal and financial affairs for the last 13 years. Adele found love again (with herself) in her highly anticipated album 30, which she released on Friday (Nov. 19). Taylor Swift gives her fans many ways to enjoy the 10-minute version of “All Too Well,” from her latest re-recorded LP Red (Taylor’s Version) — which is set to make a splashy debut on the Billboard 200 next week — with a star-studded short film, Saturday Night Live performance, live acoustic performance and “Sad Girl Autumn” remix. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news And R&B lovers are still not over Summer Walker‘s Billboard 200-topping album&nb...
Underoath’s Aaron Gillespie Unmasks His Struggle with Mental Health
Anyone who has struggled with mental health issues can point to a moment when someone told them that what they’re feeling isn’t real. Aaron Gillespie—drummer and vocalist for the Grammy-nominated metal band Underoath, as well as the touring drummer for Paramore and founder of the band The Almost— recalls a time when the people around him said that his generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) could be addressed with something as simple as forgetting about the affliction. “My whole life the coping I received from anyone was, ‘If you feel it, ignore it because it isn’t real it’s in you mind,’” he says the latest installment of Sound Mind Unmasked, a video series featuring artists sharing their mental health journey and opening up about the toll touring and recording can take. Unmasked is focu...
