Categoría: Billboard

Doja Cat is doing her part to give back to her home city as wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles. On Monday (Jan. 13), the rapper — who was born and raised in the L.A. area — shared on Instagram that she has partnered with the American Red Cross to specially design a line of merchandise benefitting the charity organization’s relief efforts in California, where tens of thousands of people have had to evacuate since the outbreak of unrelenting wind-fueled fires last week. At least 24 people have been reported dead so far, according to CNN, while countless structures have fallen as the blazes have torn through a collective 38,549 combined acres. “Please help me and @americanredcross support my beautiful state of California,” Doja wrote, captioning photos of some of the pieces. “100% of proceeds go to American Red Cross to support the people of California affected by the wildfires.” Designed in partnership with artist Pini, the merch line features T-shirts and hoodies in different shades of blue and gray. One graphic features a sketch of Doja hugging the outline of California while modeling a dress made out of ocean waves; another shows a similar sketch riding the Golden State like a surfboard. The “Paint the Town Red” musician first shared one of the designs two days prior, writing, “Holding my state with love.” Pini also posted about the collaboration on Instagram Saturday (Jan. 11) and wrote, “LA has been my home for the last ten years, to see the destruction of these fires over the last couple of days has been devastating.” The clothing pieces are available for purchase now online. Billboard is also collecting resources and ways to support L.A. residents in crisis. Doja is just one of many Californians left reeling amid the wildfire crisis, which began Jan. 7 when a rapidly spreading fire first broke out in Pacific Palisades. More blazes soon emerged in areas affecting the Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, Altadena, Sylmar and Calabasas, with numerous residents — including stars such as Mandy Moore, Jhené Aiko and Tina Knowles — reporting losing their homes in the destruction. One loss that may hit close to home for the “Woman” artist is the burning of Malibu’s Harbor Studios, where Doja worked on her 2023 album Scarlet. Owner Zach Brandon announced on Instagram that the legendary recording space had been lost to the fires Jan. 8, writing, “Harbor was taken from so many artists who cared so deeply about Harbor. It was a place of musical freedom… a sanctuary in the most literal sense of the word.” See Doja’s post and designs below. Source link

On her fan-favorite Ctrl song “Drew Barrymore,” SZA sings about feeling insecure and lonely — but the track’s real-life namesake makes her feel the exact opposite. While serving as a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday (Jan. 13), the R&B hitmaker got the chance to tell her muse face to face exactly why she used the actress’ famous name as the title for her song. “It was inspired by you, it wasn’t just the title,” SZA begins in a clip from the interview as the talk show host listens intently. “The energy you carry.” “The carefree, the understanding,” continues the “Kill Bill” singer, joining hands with Barrymore. “I wrote you this letter that I never sent you, but it talked about how, when you’re younger, and you’re a black woman, there’s not a lot of examples all the time. One of the few lovely white women that I looked up to so much on television was you, because you were so yourself.” “You were quirky,” SZA adds. “Your smile wasn’t perfect. I had a slight speech impediment … I love the way you talk and the you-ness of you. It just reminds me of all the things about myself that make me nervous, but on you, shine so brightly. It gave me permission to be myself.” The four-time Grammy winner dropped debut album Ctrl in 2017, bowing at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. That June, she shared a music video for “Drew Barrymore” in which the Charlie’s Angels actress made a brief cameo, walking past SZA during a quiet moment of introspection and smiling at her reassuringly. “We did the music video and I was just so excited to show up for you,” Barrymore recalled Monday, to which SZA remarked, “I couldn’t believe you did that.” Eight years later, SZA is now fresh off of extending her reign at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with SOS, the deluxe version of which she dropped in December. The album has now spent a collective 12 weeks in the top spot, with the project first debuting at the chart’s summit upon its initial release in December 2022. But the One of Them Days star has long been open about her love for Barrymore. In a 2017 interview with Billboard leading up to the release of Ctrl, SZA gushed, “She’s so casual. There’s nothing more beautiful than people who are comfortable and casual in their selves but also filled with energy and good vibes and bubbliness, and that’s her vibe. She’s chill, but she’s confident, but she’s shy. So when I wrote this song, I imagined different moments of seeing her.” Watch SZA talk about “Drew Barrymore” on The Drew Barrymore Show above. Source link

Cam’ron has issued a scathing response to Jim Jones as he fired back at his Diplomats running mate during an explosive episode of It Is What It Is on Monday (Jan. 13). Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Killa Cam’s comments came after Jones’ appearance on Justin Laboy’s podcast earlier this month, where Cam pushed back against Capo’s claim that Ma$e continuously disrespected Cam’ron after signing to Bad Boy and questioned Jones’ Harlem roots. “You’re a guardian angel in designer, n—a,” Cam began. “You are from The Bronx, bro. You are not from Harlem. I did not grow up with you, my n—a.” Cam set the record straight. According to his account, Jim Jones wanted to be cool with him after hearing his freestyles and mixtapes buzzing around the city. “Basically, you heard our freestyles and you came up to me one day and you said, ‘Yo man, I heard the freestyles. Y’all killing s–t. My grandmother died if y’all wanna come by and just hang out, y’all more than welcome,’” he claimed. “You were fanned out and you begged n—s to come to your house after you heard all these mixtapes.” Cam’ron continued to allege that Ma$e taught Jimmy how to rap and went on to play several interview clips of Jones saying the same. “We taught you how to rap, n—a,” Cam added. “How you ran the whole organization? How you made Diplomats? N—a, you ain’t made none of this! You were a fan. I put you down ’cause you had a free crib and you were a nice guy.” Jones took issue with Cam having 50 Cent on his Talk With Flee YouTube show recently due to their past friction, as they reflected on his Dipset teammates Juelz Santana and Jones joining 50 at a G-Unit show in 2007. “I didn’t think it would be a big deal because you make up with every n—a that put hands on you,” Cam clapped back. “I see you with C-Gutta from Junior M.A.F.I.A. I see you taking pictures with Tru Life. Mendeecees, y’all having sit-downs. Gunshots were let off with that! Y’all having sit-downs to work it out.” 50 never minces words, and didn’t waste an opportunity to insert himself into the feud. “Individual 1, I mean joMo, jimmy you better holla at Cam privately and chill out,” he wrote in his Monday repost of Cam’s rant to Instagram, while urging them to hash it out privately. Don’t expect Cam’ron to speak on Jones publicly again, as he claimed this is the final time he will discuss their relationship. “This is going to be the last time I address this,” he stated. “I’m not doing this every seven, eight, nine, 10 years. Whatever you got to say after this, I wish you luck. I got other s–t to do.” Watch the full video below. Source link

ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” leads the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for an 11th week each. In November, the song debuted as the stars’ second leader on each list. Plus, Lola Young’s first top 10 on the charts, “Messy,” becomes her first top five hit, climbing 8-5 on each ranking, and Bad Bunny debuts three top 10s from his new album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. The set launches at No. 2 on the U.S.-based Billboard 200. The Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States. Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations. “APT.” leads the Global 200 with 138 million streams (down 5% week-over-week) and 17,000 sold (down 9%) worldwide Jan. 3-9. The track ties The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” (11 weeks at No. 1 in 2021) for the chart’s fourth-longest command, after Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (19 weeks, since December 2020), Harry Styles’ “As It Was” (15 weeks, 2022) and Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” (13 weeks, 2023). Lady Gaga and Mars’ “Die With a Smile” holds at No. 2 on the Global 200, following eight weeks at No. 1 beginning in September. The ballad drew 131.7 million streams (up 1%) worldwide in the latest tracking frame and has tallied over 100 million streams globally in each of the last 19 weeks, the longest such streak since the chart began. Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” is steady at No. 4 on the Global 200, after three weeks at No. 1 beginning in August, and Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” repeats at its No. 4 high. Lola Young’s “Messy” jumps 8-5 on the Global 200 with 43.5 million streams (up 20%) and 7,000 sold (up 18%) worldwide. Bad Bunny’s “NUEVAYoL” and “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” debut at Nos. 9 and 10 on the Global 200, led by 40.2 million and 39.1 million streams worldwide, respectively. (Parent album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS was released on an off-cycle Sunday, Jan. 5, and, thus, its songs arrive on Billboard charts with five days of activity, as the chart tracking week runs Friday through Thursday.) Bad Bunny ups his count to 21 Global 200 top 10s. Only Drake (35) and Taylor Swift (33) have more. “APT.” concurrently tops Global Excl. U.S. with 119.1 million streams (down 5%) and 11,000 sold (down 13%) outside the U.S. Jan. 3-9. The only songs that have led longer are Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (14 weeks) and Cyrus’ “Flowers” and Styles’ “As It Was” (13 each). “Die With a Smile” keeps at No. 2 on Global Excl. U.S., following eight weeks at No. 1 starting in September. Thanks to the song and “APT.,” Mars has claimed the top two spots on the chart for a record 11 weeks. He has notched the same double domination on the Global 200 for an unprecedented eight weeks. Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” holds at No. 3 on Global Excl. U.S., after three weeks at No. 1 beginning in August; Abrams’ “That’s So True” is stationary at its No. 4 best; and Young’s “Messy” bounds 8-5. As on the Global 200, Bad Bunny debuts two songs in the Global Excl. U.S. top 10 from his new LP: “DtMF” (No. 9; 27.8 million streams outside the U.S.) and “NUEVAYoL” (No. 10; 27.4 million). With the arrivals, he now boasts 20 top 10s – tying Swift for the most since the chart began. The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Jan. 18, 2025) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow, Jan. 14. For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram. Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published. Source link

Legendary hip-hop producer Madlib has become one of the thousands of people to lose their homes in the devastating fires that continue to rage across Los Angeles. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In a post shared to X on Monday (Jan. 13), DJ Premier shared a Donor Box link to help Madlib and his family rebuild after the tragedy. “Another great legend @madlib has completely lost his entire home and belongings to the California fires,” he wrote. “A donation box has been set up.” The donation link via nonprofit LOVElikeWWATER description reads, “We are reaching out with heavy hearts to ask for your support in helping legendary producer Madlib and his family after losing their home, decades of music, and equipment in the devastating LA fires. Your donation, no matter the amount, will provide assistance to help Madlib with immediate personal needs, essentials like clothing, temporary housing, transportation costs and the tools Madlib needs to continue creating the music that has touched so many lives.” Another great Legend @madlib has completely lost his entire home and belongings to the California fires. A donation box has been set up. This is the only legit link. Thanks Stacy Epps for helping get this organized.https://t.co/ChBfi1omdE — DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) January 13, 2025 The catastrophic fires started last week in the Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles, and quickly spread to other areas over the next few days, including Altadena, Studio City and Runyon Canyon. At the time of publication, the Palisades fire has burned more than 23,000 acres and is only 14% contained, while the east-side Eaton fires are 33% contained at 14,000 acres. A number of resources are available for those who have lost their homes or need assistance in other ways. MusiCares and the Recording Academy have launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to support music professionals impacted by the crisis, making a combined pledge of $1 million to kick off the efforts. People who have worked in the music industry for more than five years may qualify for immediate assistance, including up to $1,500 in financial aid and $500 in food vouchers Source link

Carrie Underwood is set to perform during Donald Trump’s upcoming presidential inauguration ceremony on Monday, Jan. 20, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Billboard has confirmed. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The eight-time Grammy winner will perform “America the Beautiful,” accompanied by The Armed Forces Chorus and the The United States Naval Academy Glee Club. Earlier on Monday (Jan. 13), political reporter Matthew Foldi shared a photo on X of what appeared to be the program for the inauguration; the program appeared to name Underwood as a performer for the upcoming ceremony. It also showed Underwood’s performance as slated to take place directly prior to Trump taking the presidential oath of office to become the 47th president of the United States, and just after JD Vance takes his oath of office as vice president. Trump’s first presidential inauguration ceremony, held in 2017, featured performances from America’s Got Talent contestant Jackie Evancho and the Radio City Rockettes. Jennifer Lopez performed “America the Beautiful” as well as “This Land Is Your Land” at President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration ceremony. Other country artists have previously performed at recent presidential inauguration ceremonies. Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard performed during President Biden’s inauguration in 2021, as did Garth Brooks. Underwood recently revealed the trailer for her upcoming concert special Carrie Underwood: Reflection, which highlights her three-year Las Vegas residency Reflection. Carrie Underwood: Reflection will arrive Friday, Jan. 24, on Disney+ and Hulu. Underwood is set to conclude her Las Vegas run on April 12. Her most recent country album, Denim & Rhinestones, released in 2022. Source link

This week finds a full slate of artists releasing new music for the new year. Music icon Ringo Starr teams with bluegrass luminary Molly Tuttle on a song from his newly released country album Look Up, while Lily Rose, Kip Moore, Kat Luna, Kameron Marlowe and Chancey Williams also start off 2025 with new songs. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below. Ringo Starr feat. Molly Tuttle, “I Live for Your Love” Starr previously issued a country-leaning, Nashville-recorded album in 1970 with his project Beaucoups of Blues. Now, he mines the rich, stylistically vast realms of country, bluegrass and pop again on his new album Looking Up, which finds Starr teaming with T Bone Burnett and a slate of top-flight musicians including Krauss, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Larkin Poe and Lucius. Among the gems on the album is this Starr/Tuttle collaboration, a lush country construction that centers on lasting love. “I live in the moment, I live in the now/ I live for your love,” they sing, with Tuttle’s airy soprano an understated, uplifting foil for Starr’s unmistakable voice. Chancey Williams, “The Ballad of Uncle Don” Thick slabs of fiddle and a jaunty, full-throttle rhythm bolster this vividly-detailed tribute to Williams’ uncle, “an Oklahoma roughneck” known for breaking in horses that would throw most other cowboys. A compelling meld of authentic storytelling that infuses his family’s experiences, alongside a heady mix of country tinged with rock influences, and Williams’ undeniably country voice. Williams, a Wyoming native who is one of only two artists (the other being the late Chris LeDoux) to compete in the rodeo as well as perform on the main stage at Cheyenne Frontier Days, keeps issuing one stellar track after another. Kameron Marlowe, “Hello Whiskey” Marlowe, possessor of a sonorous, grainy vocal style both commanding and soulful, puts that formidable instrument to great effect, as he continues his upward trajectory with this song of a broken-hearted figure intent on numbing his anguish with copious amounts of liquor. Written by Marlowe, Kendell Marvel and Phil O’Donnell, this somber track is one of several that are laser-focused on exploring the nuances of emotional crisis on Marlowe’s upcoming EP, Sad Songs for the Soul, out Feb. 21. Kat Luna, “Happiest I’ve Ever Been” Luna follows up previous releases such as “That Girl” with this post-breakup ballad. Lyrically, Luna’s English-Spanish hybrid details her emotional arc from heartbreak to healing. Tender guitar and Nathan Chapman’s understated production keep Luna’s voice as the song’s fulcrum, highlighting her vocal dexterity. Luna wrote this ballad with Erika Ender, Josh Kerr and Peytan Porter. Track after track, Luna keeps steadily building her resume as a compelling country vocalist and emotionally transparent writer. Peter Rowan and Wyatt Ellis, “Winds of Rowan County” Bluegrass music icon Rowan, whose own career was ushered into national prominence when he was a young instrumentalist in the 1960s performing with Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, now teams with 15-year-old mandolin prodigy Ellis for the title track to Ellis’ new double-sided single. Ellis wrote the song as an instrumental at age 13, after performing at Rowan’s Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Rowan worked with Ellis to add lyrics to the resonant, lilting instrumentation, meshing strikingly well with Rowan’s haunting voice. Together, they’ve crafted a powerful, intergenerational recording that highlights bluegrass music’s legacy and future. Kip Moore, “Bad Spot” Moore previews his upcoming album Solitary Tracks (out Feb. 28 via Virgin Music Group) with this swaggering reflection on losing a lover during a less mature moment in life. “That old me in my mirror, he ain’t the guy you need,” Moore sings on this song, written by Casey Beathard (“The Outsiders,” “Homeboy”). This piano-led, mid-tempo groove is spearheaded by Moore’s rugged, heart-on-his-sleeve vocal. He sings of being in a more wisened stage of life, having put some of his youthful weaknesses behind him, and in a position to give love another shot. MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge (Thelma & James), “Happy Ever After You” Porter and Etheridge first teased this haunting ballad in December on TikTok, to much acclaim. Now, this married couple, who blend their musical talents as Thelma and James, offer up this pared-back ballad of a love undimmed by the time and miles between them. The urge to cover old tattoos and keep retelling oneself a false narrative war with truth-telling memories bound in old photographs and names carved in a tree. The two vocalists translate the emotional push and pull of longing versus denial on lyrics such as “I got half a mind to give you a call/ But I ain’t chasin’ after you,” with the song’s gentle instrumentation empowering their graceful voices. Lily Rose, “Let You Know When I Get There” Rose is quite the songwriter in her own right, but on “Let You Know When I Get There,” she leans on the writing talents of Ben Stennis, Michael Tyler and Hunter Phelps. This heart-tugger of a ballad tunes into a lifetime of deep-seated lessons and moments drawn from lasting familial relationships, whether it a mother asking her teen to check in after meeting with friends, or a grandfather doling out advice. Rose turns in a slightly more traditional-leaning country ballad than she is often known for, but one that still rings with her distinct, dusky, conversational vocal style and polished, understated instrumentation. Source link

Speaking about anything related to album releases and awards season feels frivolous as a series of destructive fires continue hounding Los Angeles. As people begin to assess the damage and find their bearings, the City of Angels has exemplified the kind of community that shined at Kendrick Lamar‘s Pop Out concert last summer, with the city’s beautifully diverse collection of people banding together to share support and resources amid such a paralyzing crisis. On Monday (Jan. 11), music stars like DJ Premier and Flying Lotus amplified a fundraiser for Madlib, a Cali native and acclaimed hip-hop producer who lost his home, decades of music and studio equipment in the fires. Tragedy extended beyond the fires last week, with the music world losing Sam Moore, one half of the Grammy-winning, Billboard chart-topping R&B duo Sam & Dave. Known for classics such as “Hold On, I’m Coming” and “Soul Man,” the seminal ’60s act was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. In more contemporary news, Lil Baby debuted atop the Billboard 200 this week with Wham (No. 1), marking his fourth consecutive No. 1 album, and Ye (formerly Kanye West) began teasing an AI-assisted Vultures film. With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Otis Kane’s lovestruck new single to BabyDrill’s shot-firing banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below. Otis Kane, “Breathe” Last Friday (Jan. 10), Los Angeles-based R&B singer-songwriter Otis Kane colored the world Violet with the release of his sophomore studio album. The album diligently explores the different stages of falling in love, and “Breathe” is a decadent, soulful ode to loving someone so much that you can’t live without them. “I would give up/ Everything babe/ Just to call you my home,” he raspily yearns in the song’s opening, immediately settling into a seductive, funky pocket of D Mills’ bass-heavy production. If the self-proclaimed “real lovers” are looking for some new additions to their playlists, Otis Kane is ready to serve. — KYLE DENIS Qing Madi, “Akanchawa” Nigerian singer Qing Madi is starting the year strong with “Akanchawa.” The track is one of three singles from Qing Madi’s upcoming debut album, I Am the Blueprint — which she describes as “a statement of fact for all the struggles, pain, and rejection [she] went through as far back as 8 years” — set to release on Jan. 31. “Akanchawa” is a love-filled expression, blending heartfelt emotions with playful language. The song is a love letter filled with passion and humor, celebrating the joy of finding someone who captures your heart so completely that you’re willing to embrace vulnerability and offer unwavering commitment. Themes of devotion and vulnerability shine through lines like “for you I ready drop my ego” and the repeated “giving you all my love,” emphasizing the track’s message of unconditional love. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON BabyDrill, “Scared of the P—y” The abundance of feuds and competitive energy displayed last year has carried over into rap’s 2025. BabyDrill sets the tone by embarrassing an opp – who he calls “Mr. Vaseline man” and their alleged sex toy boutique shopping preferences with a fake newscast. There’s even alleged social media posts and fighting videos to further drive his humiliating “Scared of the P*ssy” diss track home. “F–k I look like beefing with a booty bandit,” the Atlanta native raps over the hard-hitting trap production. — MICHAEL SAPONARA Jordan Adetunji feat. KWN, “Too Many Women” After scoring a global breakthrough hit in “Kehlani” — and getting the actual Kehlani on the remix and scoring a Grammy nod for it — Jordan Adetunji has now set his sights on rolling out his forthcoming A Jaguar’s Dream mixtape. To officially announce the set, the U.K. artist dropped “Too Many Women,” an Afrobeats-inflected R&B-melodic rap hybrid that features experiment U.K. artist KWN. “Don’t mean to get in your way/ Took another shot, girl I’m waved/ Shawty I know that you think we’re the same,” Jordan opens the track, setting the scene at a club where he’s the ultimate bachelor. Built around a slick flip of Too $hort’s “Broke B—h,” “Too Many Women” is a catchy track that helps prove “Kehlani” was no fluke. — K.D. Rod Wave, “Westside Connection” A deeply heartfelt track, “Westside Connection” delves into the emotional complexities of love, loss, and longing. With lyrics like, “I needed someone desperately, and you was right there for me” and “Give you the moon, the stars, the clouds, whatever to make you smile,” Rod captures both the intensity of devotion and the yearning to heal a fractured bond. He juxtaposes raw confessions of pain — “I was in a dark place when you had found me, my pain, and my problems had me surrounded” — with a desire for reconciliation, reflected in the refrain, “I left my heart on the West End, can’t wait to get home to you.” Through introspective verses and melodic hooks, Rod continues to deliver bluesy, soul-baring hip-hop ballads. — C.C. WolfaceeJoey, “3STAR” 2025 should be WolfaceeJoey’s breakout as the next star from the burgeoning sexy drill scene. The Staten Island native kicks off the new year playing “love doctor” with his 13-track Cupid album. He’s not a one-trick pony either, with a versatile repertoire of flows so there’s something for everyone. “3STAR” is an early standout and like a Michelin restaurant, this is rap’s culinary excellence. — M.S. Ransom, “Tears From a Third Eye” Ransom originally dropped his Carini Green LP last fall (Oct. 30, 2024), but the seven-song set finally arrived on DSPs last week (Jan. 8). Even if the project is a few months old, the Jersey City emcee has already delivered some of the best rapping if 2025 so far. Album opener “Tears From a Third Eye” — a heart-pounding, single stream-of-consciousness verse — is something of a breakthrough; Ransom uses CinemaTaGraffiti’s ethereal, electric guitar-anchored soundscape to ground his ruminations on

Usher is celebrating his decades-long career with a new audio journey, Billboard can exclusively announce. The superstar is joining Audible‘s popular Words + Music series, with The Last Showman, in which Usher looks back at his 30 years in music, as well as the inspiration, heartache and growth that led to his beloved fourth studio album, 2004’s Confessions. He’ll also delve into some of the set’s iconic tracks including “Confessions,” “Confessions Part II,” “Bad Girl,” “Burn” and more. Usher Audible “With the recent 20th anniversary of Confessions, creating The Last Showman has been an incredible opportunity to reflect on the most pivotal moments of my career with fresh eyes and deep appreciation,” Usher said in a press statement. “This project isn’t just about telling my story; it’s about sharing the raw, unfiltered truth behind the music that’s connected with generations of listeners, as well as the power of vulnerability in art.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The set will debut exclusively via Audible on Feb. 6. For a limited time, eligible Amazon customers can join Audible for only 99 cents per month for the first three months. The membership includes one free bestseller or new release each month and access to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and Audible. The membership will renew at $14.95/month after the promo ends. Usher joins a string of other stars who have contributed to the Words + Music series, including John Legend, Beck, Pete Townshend, Snoop Dogg, James Taylor, St. Vincent, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tom Morello, Sheryl Crow, Carlos Santana, Mariah Carey, Sting and many more. Source link

Jackie Farry, a music industry veteran who served as tour manager for Elliot Smith and the Lemonheads in the 1990s and who was Frances Bean Cobain’s first nanny, died on Sunday (Jan. 12) of complications from lung disease. Farry’s death was confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter by longtime friend manager/producer Janet Billig Rich. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Farry’s career began in the 1980s when she served as a receptionist at Homestead Records, a beloved New York indie label whose roster included such beloved acts as Antietam, Babe the Blue Ox, The Meatmen, Tsunami, Volcano Suns and others. She moved on to gigs at Atlantic Records (1988-1989), Epic Records (1991-1992), where she worked in radio promotion, often with hard rock and metal bands. She pivoted to working with Nirvana during the band’s heyday, serving as nanny to singer Kurt Cobain and wife Courtney Love’s daughter, Frances Bean, until Cobain’s death in 1994. After working with a number of metal bands early in her career, she also hosted the short-lived MTV series Superock, which launched in 1995 as a replacement for the former video music channel’s beloved Headbangers Ball series. Later in the decade, Farry was a tour manager for a number of indie rock acts, including Stereolab, the Lemonheads, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Quasi and others. According to THR, Farry was born Jacquelyn Beth Farry in New York and raised in the controversial Synanon community, which was initially established as drug rehab program before growing into a cult in which leaders allegedly controlled members using confrontational “attack therapy.” “Jackie carried with her an incredible trove of memories and songs from those formative years,” Billig told THR. “Jackie’s love for music was matched only by her sharp wit, humor, and magnetic personality. She was a beacon for friends and strangers alike, drawing people in with her infectious energy. Jackie Farry’s legacy is one of love, laughter and an indomitable spirit. She will be deeply missed — her unforgettable stories, her humor and her impact on those who knew her will live on forever.” Farry was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, with her many friends standing by her and organizing a series of “f–k cancer” benefit shows featuring bands including the Breeders, TV on the Radio and Guided By Voices. In honor of her longtime support of pit bull rescue, donations in Farry’s honor can be made to her charity of choice, LovePaws. Source link