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« Voilà l’été », des Négresses vertes, mêle joies des terrasses et galères des citadins
JO 2024 : et Céline Dion chanta « Hymne à l’amour », hommage à Edith Piaf et revanche sur le destin
JO 2024 : Gojira, la surprise metal de la cérémonie d’ouverture
‘The Outsiders’ Hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Cast Albums Chart
A month after The Outsiders: A New Musical took home four Tony Awards, including best musical, the original Broadway cast recording of the show hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Cast Albums chart. The set jumps 10-1 on the July 27-dated list, following the album’s CD release. The album had previously been available to purchase only as a digital download, initially peaking at No. 4 on the June 1 chart.
Billboard’s Cast Albums chart ranks the top-selling cast recordings of the week in the U.S., based on traditional album sales, according to data tracking firm Luminate.
The album, released via Masterworks Broadway/Sony Masterworks, could see an additional sales boost in the coming weeks, as it is slated for release on vinyl on Aug. 9.
The Outsiders, with music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Justin Levine, opened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York on April 11 and has scheduled performances through January 2025. The show is based on the S.E. Hinton novel and the 1983 film of the same name.
At the June 16 Tony Awards, of its dozen nominations, The Outsiders brought home the awards for best musical, best direction of a musical (Danya Taymor), best lighting design of a musical (Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim) and best sound design of a musical (Cody Spencer). Among the show’s nominations were a trio of nods for actors Brody Grant (best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical), Joshua Boone and Sky Lakota-Lynch (best performance by an actor in a featured role in a musical).
How HYBE’s IPX Business Unit Brought a Unique Aspect of K-Pop Fandom to the Paris 2024 Olympics Games
If you’ve ever attended a K-pop concert, holding an artist’s official “light stick” is a crucial aspect of the viewing experience. At the Paris 2024 Olympics Games, Team Korea will embrace this special aspect of K-pop super fandom with its own light sticks, an official cheer song, and more in partnership with industry leader HYBE.
Usually a handheld device with a plastic tubing and a glowing top, light sticks aren’t one-time-use glowsticks but are personalized for each act with specific colors, markers, and designs that become a way for fans and artists to enjoy the live experience together. BTS has an “ARMY BOMB” light stick with a black stand and clear globe atop that can represent said “bomb” and glow a spectrum of colors in rhythm to the group’s music thanks to Bluetooth technology. An artist revealing an official light stick is considered an important career step and signals upcoming concerts.
While HYBE just unveiled the light stick for one of its newest boy bands, BOYNEXTDOOR, less than six months ago, the company’s business unit, HYBE IPX, has been simultaneously in conversation with the Olympic Games to bring its technology to inspire similar fandom to Paris. The company will provide specially designed “Team Korea Light Sticks” to support South Korea’s national team competing in the games. Designed with inspiration from the Olympic torch and stadium, the light sticks utilize the same tech and expertise at HYBE artists’ concerts to change colors and glow in sync with chants.
“Centralized control is the most outstanding technology that differentiates us from others,” explains Seung Suk Rhee, President of HYBE IPX, in an exclusive interview with Billboard. “Simply put, we can easily control light sticks dispersed in a large space from a centralized console box. We can make variations according to the occasion, starting from K-pop concerts to theme park rides.”
The newly unveiled light stick for Team Korea coordinates with this year’s official cheer anthem, “Fighting,” by SEVENTEEN’s BSS and Lee Young-Ji, which comes with its own accompanying challenge.
“It’s going to be incredibly moving to see the large crowd coming together with one spirit, singing our song in unison to cheer for the athletes,” BSS tells Billboard in a statement. “We’re very proud and honored that ‘Fighting,” featuring Lee Young-Ji, could contribute to the excitement for Team Korea athletes at such a historic sports festival.This is all thanks to [our fans] CARATs, who have shown so much love for the song since last year, and we’re once again filled with gratitude for our fans. Through the song’s energetic beat and fun lyrics boosting the passion and enthusiasm for cheering, we hope to pass on BSS’ positivity and energy to Team Korea athletes. We’re rooting for them all the way to enjoy their moment and achieve their goals with all our hearts.”
Speaking more about how the K-pop light stick made its way to the Olympics and where it can go next, read on for more with HYBE IPX President Seung Suk Rhee.
When did the opportunity to create light sticks for Team Korea come about?
Starting early summer last year, with the Olympic Games Paris 2024 generating significant global momentum, we explored ways to integrate this event into HYBE. We decided that introducing light sticks would be ideal, as they represent the concept of “cheer” and “support” which is equally crucial for both music fans and sports enthusiasts. We approached the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee with this idea and found a mutual understanding to lead the cheering culture, setting sail on the light stick project.
The most crucial factor was the design. We couldn’t just create any light stick but had to come up with a design that symbolizes our country as the national flag, Taegeukgi, does. To maintain the unique shape of a light stick while making it instantly recognizable as a national flag, we incorporated motifs of a torch and a stadium into the final design.
The design is centered on a simple white aesthetic with a shape that echoes a torch or a flame. The light rays, which change colors or flash with each button press, are inspired by the Olympic symbols — including the five circles of blue, red, yellow, green, and black. Since black cannot be produced with light, we replaced it with white, the background color of the Olympic flag, and added a touch of gold, inspired by the logo of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Considering a design that reflects the identity of the Olympics, we also ensured that it blends in with Team Korea’s official uniforms.
What should fans and viewers look out for when the light sticks are televised Opening Ceremony?
Personally, what makes it even more exciting, is that it will be the first time that HYBE’s light stick will be showcased in front of a worldwide audience of each and every nationality. Since Team Korea athletes will make an entrance to the Opening Ceremony holding Team Korea Official Digital Flag, we hope to contribute to spreading out the Olympic spirit, even if it is in the slightest way possible.
The light stick carried by Team Korea athletes features the Korean flag attached to the Team Korea Official Light Stick, standard version provided to the Korean audience. Firstly, we wanted to strengthen the connection between the athletes and their fans. Secondly, we aimed for it to represent the Taegeukgi in a new form rather than just being a light stick. That’s why we also named it the Team Korea Official Digital Flag.
What was the most challenging part of creating this opportunity?
All members part of my team have been working on this project with great gravity. Of course we’ve experienced pressure coming from the magnitude of the event, even with concerts hosted by HYBE artists in arenas. However, this is the first time that we will be putting out our light sticks in front of the world to see. Even more so, this will be the first time that Team Korea athletes will be holding a light stick instead of an ordinary national flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. We hope that our light sticks can contribute to igniting the Olympic spirit amongst Team Korea.
How did discussions to bring SEVENTEEN’s BSS and their song “Fighting” as the official cheer song for Team Korea come together?
BSS’ “Fighting,” featuring Lee Young-Ji, emits the most fitting message and the mood for a festive event, especially when the athletes need all the support that they can get. We wanted to keep the excitement going throughout the Olympic Games Paris 2024 for Team Korea, and make it a song that the fans will remember for years to come. We will be playing “Fighting” as one of the cheering anthems at Korea House in Paris, where the cheering event for Team Korea will take place.
What does an opportunity like this say about K-pop and K-pop fandom?
At HYBE, we don’t see K-pop fans and sports fans as different. We believe that fandoms, whether they’re for sports, games, movies, anime, or theme parks, share a common core “passion.” While they may look different on the outside, they are all driven by the same heartfelt desire to cheer for and support something or someone they love. Whether sports fans wear jerseys and chant slogans, or K-pop fans wave light sticks, they are sending the same message: “I support you.” From this perspective, we realized that we could create a new form of cheering culture by introducing HYBE’s light stick to the sports world. We believe that fans are constantly evolving by actively participating and sending their energy to artists and athletes in various ways.
HYBE IPX first extended this tech beyond music with the Korean esports team T1 for the League of Legends Champions tournament this summer. How did this idea come to be?
It’s been long since we have been preparing for an outbound project that could showcase our light stick technology to a wider audience, even beyond the music industry. With this in mind, we’ve been discussing new opportunities with partners in various fields. We’re currently discussing various collaborations for a long-term partnership, the first of which is the T1 OFFICIAL LIGHT BAND that was first showcased at T1’s “Home Ground” event in late June. HYBE’s production team helped direct the light bands throughout the event.
Can you share more about HYBE IPX and your role in the company?
HYBE IPX is a business unit that focuses on creating boundless opportunities based on artist IP and delivering fresh experiences to fans. We develop official merchandise for events like tours and birthdays, offer licensed products that bring artist characters and IP into everyday use, and host global pop-up stores that provide fans with unique and immersive experiences. HYBE’s light sticks, now expanding into sports and esports beyond music, are designed, produced, and supplied by HYBE IPX, the mastermind behind the light stick technology.
In addition, HYBE IPX spearheads the planning and execution of collaborative IP projects with multiple labels and other business units within HYBE, including BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA in 2023 and “THE CITY” projects…SEVENTEEN ‘FOLLOW’ THE CITY BANGKOK in 2023, with another exciting edition coming soon in August at ENHYPEN World Tour “FATE PLUS” THE CITY JAKARTA. Brand ambassadorships, commercials, and various partnerships involving HYBE artists are also part of our business.
As the leader of the organization responsible for these various initiatives and projects, I’m fully committed to ensuring that fans have an exceptional experience with the artists they love, as well as creating opportunities for them to connect and enjoy memorable experiences together.
HYBE said, “With this original light stick system, HYBE aims to extend the K-pop-originated innovations to festivals and arenas worldwide.” Can you explain this more?
I’m sure you’ve been to concerts hosted by K-pop artists or labels. The moment you step foot in the arena, you’ll see fans waving light sticks to support their favorite artists. It is a special culture and technology nurtured within the K-pop industry. “Superfans,” which may be the most trending keyword in the music industry these days, are not limited to the music industry, but they also exist in other industries such as sports, esports, and animation. We’ve witnessed K-pop fans crying, laughing, cheering in happiness [while] raising their light sticks up high. We wish to extend this stirring moment to worldwide fans, no matter who their favorites are.
From the executives interested in this technology to the fans who buy and use light sticks, what else do you want readers to know at this time?
At HYBE, we believe that light sticks are more than just a tool for cheering. It is a way that fans use to show their support for their favorite artists, and athletes, and a medium to create a sense of fellowship with other fans and a “fan culture” that has ripened over time. It’s also a way for fans to take part in stage performances or events and interact with other fans as well as the artists who are on stage. Cherishing the value, we will continue to make efforts to further expand the K-pop originated light stick culture to various areas.
Sony Music Receives $700M from Apollo Global for Music Investments
Investment giant Apollo Global Management is backing Sony Music Group to the tune of $700 million to help the company fund music acquisitions, it was announced Friday (July 26).
The deal could provide the financial assistance needed for Sony’s planned acquisition of Queen‘s recording and music publishing catalogs. Sources have told Billboard the band is seeking $1.2 billion for its catalogs and ancillary income streams, and Bloomberg reported in May that Sony Music was working with another investor on the deal.
“We are pleased to provide a bespoke capital solution to an affiliate of one of the world’s leading companies,” said Apollo partner Jamshid Ehsani in a statement. “This investment allows our clients to invest in high grade securities while helping Sony to execute its business plans.”
Apollo, which has $671 billion of assets under management, isn’t a newcomer to music intellectual property. The firm is the financial backer of HarborView Equity Partners, an investment firm launched in 2021 by Sherrese Clarke Soares, co-founder and former CEO of Tempo Music. In 2011, Apollo acquired CKx, Inc., the owner of American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance producer 19 Entertainment.
Music companies occasionally partner with financial companies to acquire catalogs. In fact, Sony has taken this route before: In 2021, the company joined with Eldridge to pay $500 million for Bruce Springsteen‘s recorded music and publishing catalogs. (Eldridge is an investor in Billboard‘s owner, Penske Media Corporation.) In 2023, Shamrock Holdings joined Universal Music Group’s $200 million acquisition of some income streams and music assets of hip-hop producer and artist Dr. Dre.
Team USA Merch You Need for the 2024 Summer Olympics: Shop Now
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The 2024 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony is here! After much speculation on who would perform, we finally got answers. Lady Gaga was the first performer to hit the stage at the opening ceremony belting out French song, “Mon Truc en Plumes” in Paris on Friday (July 26). Celine Dion also delivered a show-stopping performance of Édith Piaf’s “Hymne A L’Amour.” As the festivities and games kick off, gear up to show your support and celebrate Team USA in style. Check out top apparel picks from QVC, Pacsun, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Amazon, Walmart, Skims, Old Navy, and Target.
Whether you’re gearing up to cheer for your favorite athletes or simply soaking in the excitement of one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, you’ll be able to show your Team USA pride with a range of options including tanks tops, lightweight jackets, hats, and more.
If you’re shopping on Amazon, consider taking advantage of all Amazon Prime has to offer and sign up for a 30-day free trial, which also comes with access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Music. And to help make sure you get your beauty essentials, being a Prime member means you get fast, free shipping in two days or less with Prime Delivery. Want free shipping? Join Walmart+ for free for the first 30 days. The membership includes free shipping and free delivery from your local store, free Paramount+ and so much more!
How to Stream Summer Olympics 2024
Subscribe to Peacock to catch all the action from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Once subscribed and logged in, visit PeacockTV.com/Olympics via the web browser or install the Peacock app on your phone, tablet, or TV device.
Although there is no free trial available for new users, Peacock provides budget-friendly options with plans starting at $5.99/month.
For more product recommendations, check out these maxi dresses for the summer, alternative tank tops, and this Outdoor Propane Griddle to celebrate the upcoming game days.
Halsey’s “Lucky” Interpolates Britney Spears & Monica | Billboard News
Halsey released “Lucky” and she interpolated the track with Britney Spears’ “Lucky” and Monica’s “Angel Of Mine.” Keep watching to see what she said about the track.
Tetris Kelly:
Halsey interpolated Britney Spears and Monica on their new track “Lucky” and Britney’s reacted let’s take a listen. Halsey has said of the original Britney classic, “I remember the first time I heard her sing ‘Lucky’ and it hit me at such a young age that I had no idea what her life was really like. And that feeling resonates with me so much still. I found myself singing it when I started treatment. And then I knew I had to do it.” And now that the song is out, Halsey said in the fan q&a, “I wrote her the longest , sappiest letter of all time, and she was so nice.” We’re sure she was. Britney is a queen. The song also interpolates Monica’s “Angel Of Mine.”
Babyface Ray Has Too Much Paper to Count in ‘Rubberband Man’ Video
Detroit’s Babyface Ray is one of the smoothest rappers doing it and luckily for us, he set to drop a new project. Yesterday, he posted the trailer for this video on his Instagram account and ended the caption with “album coming soon.”
Directed by Gerard Victor, “Rubberband Man” — a nod to T.I.‘s 2003 hit record of the same name —opens with a Blow reference as Ray is in an apartment with so many boxes of cash, he doesn’t know where to store a box that’s in his hand. He also counts bread with fellow Detroit rappers, Samuel Shabazz, Peezy, and Boldy James in a kitchen and burns a stack of $100s after what looks like a successful score.
Speaking of scores, Big Treeze’s production gives this a sleek ’80s action TV series feel (think Knight Rider) as Babyface nonchalantly tells the listener and his foes to get their money up. “I got conversation pieces, so I let my wrist show,” he raps. He then refers to himself as “Mr. Put-That-Sh—t-On” and “Mr. Go-And-Get-That-Bag-And-Show-These-N—s-How-To-Do-It,” and brags about his vintage whip, “Candy on the Old School, look just like a Prada shoe.”
Babyface Ray has been active this year. He’s dropped a bunch of loosies and has been on a handful of features, most notably with Lil Yachty on YG‘s single “Stupid” in an unlikely pairing that was so crazy, it worked.
There’s still no word on an album title, tracklist, or release date for this upcoming project, so we’ll keep you posted.
The Detroit rapper’s last album, Summer’s Mine, dropped in July of 2023.
Britney Spears Deletes Post Saying She’s ‘Upset’ About Halsey’s ‘Lucky’ Video: ‘Fake News’
Update: Britney Spears took down her post, adding that it was “fake news” and she wasn’t the one who posted it.
Britney Spears took to social media on Friday (July 26) to share her disappointment over Halsey’s music video for her new single “Lucky,” which interpolates Spears’ 2000 song of the same name, as well as Monica’s “Angel of Mine.”
”For obvious reasons, I’m very upset about the Halsey video,” Spears wrote in a statement posted to X. “I feel harassed, violated and bullied. I didn’t know an artist like her and someone I looked up to and admired would illustrate me in such an ignorant way by tailoring me as a superficial pop star with no heart or concern at all.”
Spears added that she will be reaching out to her lawyers, before concluding, “It feels illegal and down right cruel.”
In the music video, Halsey juxtaposes the lonely and sometimes superficial aspects of fame with the musical dreams of her inner child, as well as the health problems they actively face.
“I shaved my head four times because I wanted to/ And then I did it one more time ’cause I got sick,” she sings on the track. “I left the doctor’s office full of tears/ Became a single mom at my premiere/ And I told everybody I was fine for a whole damn year/ And that’s the biggest lie of my career.”
The video also finds Halsey modeling a crystal bodysuit to parallel Spears’ “Toxic” visual and smiling for paparazzi on a red carpet. She later removes the bright pink wig she’d been wearing throughout the visual to reveal a shaved head before sitting down to receive treatment through an IV. At the end, she symbolically sits next to the little girl who worships her, unaware of the full story, on a swing set.
Of her decision to pay tribute to Spears — who personally approvedthe “Lucky” sample, Halsey previously revealed — the “Closer” artist tweeted, “I remember the first time I heard her sing lucky and it hitting me at such a young age that I had no idea what her life was really like.”
Chris York, Beloved U.K. Promoter, Dies at 55; Tributes Pour in from Liam Gallagher, Shed Seven & More
Tributes from across the live music industry have been paid to Chris York, one of the United Kingdom’s leading promoters and a director of SJM Concerts, following his death at age 55 following a long illness.
In a statement on Thursday (July 25), SJM Concerts said the company was “deeply saddened” to announce the passing of a man who “helped define the U.K.’s live music scene” over the past three decades.
York’s career in the live music industry began in the late 1980s when he started booking gigs at Warwick University, where he was a student.
After finishing his studies, York worked as a booker at London’s The Venue — putting on early shows by Pulp, Suede and PJ Harvey — before deepening his knowledge of the live business with roles at U.K. live promoters Straight Music and MCP Concerts.
In 1993, York joined SJM Concerts, where he “formed a solid and unshakeable partnership and friendship” with the company’s founder, Simon Moran, that “would last the rest of his career,” the Manchester-based firm said in a statement.
Artists that York promoted during his three decades at SJM included Oasis, Foo Fighters, Green Day, The Chemical Brothers, Lily Allen, Massive Attack, Smashing Pumpkins, Underworld, Robert Plant, Underworld, Lorde, Morrissey, Lorde, Placebo, Kraftwerk, Swedish House Mafia, Suede and Stereophonics, among many others.
Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, The Doves, The Pogues, Stereophonics and Suede are among the many acts who posted tributes on social media.
“Chris York was a true unsung hero of the music world,” wrote The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess on X, adding that the British group “are proud” to have called York a friend.
“You might not recognise the name but if you’re a London gig-goer then you’ll have been at one of the thousands of gigs [York] put on through SJM,” stated Suede’s bassist Mat Osman, who called York “a huge friend and supporter” of the group. “He put on Suede shows from the lowliest to the biggest and was a constant presence in our career,” he added.
Posting on X, U.K. indie rock group Shed Seven said it was “heartbroken” to hear of York’s death. The promoter “played a pivotal role in shaping our career from the very beginning, standing by us every step of the way,” said the band, who topped the U.K. albums charts earlier this year. Shed Seven went on to call York “a kind and inspirational man, a true gent, one of the good guys.”
Those sentiments were echoed by U.K. venue operator Academy Music Group, which called York “a force of nature, exceptional promoter, industry pioneer and above all, a genuine music fan and all-round lovely man.”
During his career, York also worked closely with The Who’s Roger Daltrey, live producer Des Murphy and fellow SJM director Rob Ballantine on establishing the annual Teenage Cancer Trust spring concert series at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Since its launch in 2006, the event has raised more than £30 million ($38 million) for charity with everyone from Ed Sheeran to New Order to Paul McCartney taking part.
In 2021, York was awarded the Jo Walker Meador International Award by the Country Music Association for his work on the Country to Country (C2C) Music festival, which SJM launched in 2013 in partnership with AEG Europe. The event has since become Europe’s biggest country music festival, taking place annually at London’s The O2 arena, Glasgow’s OVO Hydro and Belfast’s The SSE Arena.
“When he got involved at the start of C2C Chris really knew f— all about country. But to his credit he knew what he had to do and immersed himself in every aspect of it and soon became a go-to oracle on country, which he always maintained,” Steve Homer, CEO of AEG Presents U.K., tells Billboard. “He has left a big hole in the live music industry and I’m not sure it will ever be filled.”
“Chris was so loved by the business as you can see from the tributes that are flooding in for him from far and wide,” Emma Banks, co-head of global touring at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and a close friend of York, tells Billboard.
“I am going to miss working with him. I am going to miss his wisdom. I am going to miss chatting with him about pretty much everything and having a laugh with him,” Banks adds. “My thoughts are with Alice, his family, friends and the team at SJM.”
Also paying tribute was Live Nation U.K. and Ireland chairman Denis Desmond, who said York was “a fighter to the end. His legacy will live on.”
Zach Bryan Plays It Cool as Fan Rushes Stage During New Orleans Concert
Zach Bryan had an unexpected visitor during his Thursday (July 25) The Quittin’ Time tour concert in New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome.
During Bryan’s set, one fan rushed the stage while Bryan was performing.
Though notably surprised, Bryan seemed to played it cool, removing his in-ear monitors, and then shaking hands with the fan. As other members of Bryan’s band then stepped between Bryan and the fan, the fan held his hands up in triumph, leading the crowd to cheer and some audiencemembers to raise their hands and hats into the air as well. The bandmembers then nudged the fan back toward the stage exit.
Bryan then walked to the microphone and said, “I got no f–kin’ idea who that was.”
The “I Remember Everything” hitmaker also said, “Don’t sneak on this stage man,” but quickly added, “That kid is a legend,” before continuing on with his set.
Bryan’s The Quittin’ Time Tour launched in March with shows at Chicago’s United Center, and will wrap in December with shows at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s BOK Center. Among the artists opening for Bryan throughout the tour on various dates are Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Sheryl Crow, Turnpike Troubadours and Sierra Ferrell.
Bryan isn’t the only artist who had a fan rush the stage last night. Jason Aldean was performing in Savannah, Georgia at the Enmarket Arena on his headlining Highway Desperado Tour, when a fan rushed the stage while Aldean was performing. The fan was quickly carried offstage by security guards, while Aldean remained center stage at his microphone.
Aldean’s Highway Desperado Tour launched in May in Oklahoma, and will run through October. The tour features guests Hailey Whitters and Lauren Alaina in select cities as well as Chase Matthew, Austin Snell, and Dee Jay Silver across all dates.
Spotify Shares Climb, UMG Shares Sink Following Q2 Earnings Reports
By raising prices and cutting costs, Spotify has transformed into the kind of profitable company investors always hoped it could become, and the streamer’s upbeat second-quarter earnings on Tuesday (July 23) led its share price to jump 9.1% to $321.87 this week.
After Spotify announced it grew revenues by 20%, improved its gross margin and beat guidance on new subscriber additions, a slew of analysts raised their price targets, including Goldman Sachs (from $320 to $425), JP Morgan (from $375 to $425), Rosenblatt (from $396 to $399), Pivotal Research (from $400 to $460), Barclays (from $350 to $360), Cowen (from $273 to $356) and B of A Securities (from $380 to $430).
Universal Music Group (UMG), the other music company that released earnings this week, had the opposite reaction from investors when its second-quarter subscription revenue fell far short of analysts’ expectations, leading its share price to drop 24.1% to 21.34 euros ($23.17). But it wasn’t all bad news: Overall revenue at the music giant grew 8.7% to 2.93 billion euros ($3.16 billion) and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 17.4% to 580 million euros ($624 million).
But investors focused on UMG’s streaming numbers above all else. The recorded music division’s subscription revenue grew 6.9%, down from 12.5% in the prior-year quarter, while overall streaming revenue grew 4.1% compared to 11% a year earlier. A number of analysts lowered their UMG price targets following Wednesday’s earnings announcement, albeit by smaller margins than the decline in the share price.
UMG went public in Sept. 2021, giving investors an opportunity to capitalize on the largest music company during a time of streaming growth and industry expansion. Even optimistic investors will have to bear through short-term ups and downs, however. “If you think the longer term analysis holds then [UMG’s current price] represents a significant buying opportunity,” J.P. Morgan analyst Daniel Kerven wrote in an email to investors on Friday (July 26). “Ultimately we believe you will still get to the same destination…just the pace of getting there was never likely to be linear, particularly on a quarter by quarter basis.”
The Billboard Global Music Index (BGMI) fell 1.2% to 1,757.70 this week, marking the third consecutive weekly decline. The index has risen 14.6% year to date but fell 3.2% in July and is 4.9% off its all-time high of 1,847.64 set on May 17. Nine of the index’s 20 stocks were winners, 10 lost ground and one was unchanged.
UMG’s earnings appeared to have an impact on similar companies that have yet to release their own. Warner Music Group shares fell 6.6% the day UMG released earnings and ended the week down 6.8% to $29.83. Believe shares dropped 9.1% to 13.76 euros ($14.96). However, because UMG’s publishing business fared well — revenues grew 10.1% to 511 million euros ($550 million) — it’s not a coincidence that shares of Reservoir Media, which gets most of its revenue from music publishing, jumped 11.4% to $8.61.
Many major indexes lost ground this week despite gains on Friday following encouraging U.S. inflation data. In the United States, the Nasdaq composite fell 2.1% to 17,357.88 and the S&P 500 declined 0.8% to 5,459.10. South Korea’s KOSPI composite index dipped 2.3% to 2,731.90. China’s Shanghai Composite Index was down 3.1% to 2,890.90. An outlier was the United Kingdom’s FTSE 100, which gained 1.6% to 8,285.71.
UFC 304 Livestream: How to Watch Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 Live Online
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Two top-teir welterweight fighters face off against each other as the main event during UFC 304. British fighter Leon Edwards (22-3-0) defends his UFC Welterweight Championship against Palestinian Belal Muhammad (23-3-0) in a title fight re-match on Saturday, July 27.
UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 happens at Co-op Live, Manchester, England, with a start time of 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. The main card is expected to begin at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Want to watch UFC 304 online? This event is streaming on ESPN+ with pay-per-view access, which goes for $79.99 for subscribers only.
If you’re not a subscriber, you can get PPV access and an ESPN+ monthly subscription — which is $10.99 per month — for $90.98 in total, or pick up an ESPN+ annual subscription for $134.98. The annual subscription bundle is the best deal because it saves you nearly 30% overall instead of going month-to-month.
Check out the full UFC 304 fight card below, and PPV livestream here.
Main Card, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
- Leon Edwards (c) vs. Belal Muhammad (Welterweight) — Main Event
- Tom Aspinall (c) vs. Curtis Blaydes (Heavyweight) — Co-Main Event
- King Green vs. Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight)
- Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues (Middleweight)
- Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze (Featherweight)
Prelims Card, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
- Nathaniel Wood vs. Daniel Pineda (Featherweight)
- Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil (Women’s Strawweight)
- Jake Hadley vs. Caolán Loughran (Bantamweight)
- Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio (Light Heavyweight)
Early Prelims Card, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
- Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson (Welterweight)
- Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons (Welterweight)
- Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape (Flyweight)
- Sam Patterson vs. Kiefer Crosbie (Welterweight)
- Mick Parkin vs. Lukasz Brzeski (Heavyweight)
- Shauna Bannon vs. Alice Ardelean (Women’s Strawweight)
Subscribers to ESPN+ can livestream the early prelim and prelim portions of UFC 304 for free. In fact, the prelims card air on the cable network ESPN2, so it’s available to stream on DirecTV Stream and Fubo. Both streaming services offer free trials — for five days and seven days, respectively — for new subscribers.
Moreover, Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV — which offers a three-day free trial — come with ESPN as well.
You can also get the Disney Trio — which comes with ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ — starting as low as $14.99 per month.
UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 is streamable on ESPN+ on Saturday, July 27, starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, with the main card beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
10 Best Moments of the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony
After years of waiting, training and preparing, the world’s most skilled athletes are off to the races with the 2024 Olympic Games after a spectacular Opening Ceremony on the Seine in Paris Friday (July 26).
The festivities began with each participating country’s athletes sailing in on boats in a parade down France’s famous river, and waving excitedly at fans gathered to watch, marking the first time in history that the Summer Games’ opening ceremony hasn’t taken place in a stadium. As they each filed in, hundreds of singers, dancers and instrumentalists simultaneously converged for a string of big-budget performances, undeterred by the pouring rain that fell on Paris throughout the four-hour showcase.
The opening event took place across multiple Parisian landmarks, divided into different symbolic chapters named after French terms such as “Synchronicité,” “Liberté” and “Egalité.” Through each display of music, lights and special effects, a mysterious hooded figure carried the Olympic torch on its way to the cauldron, the lighting of which at the end of the ceremony — following a monthslong relay that included Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, BTS’ Jin and thousands more as torchbearers — signified the beginning of the two-week competition.
From show-stopping performances led by international superstars such as Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Aya Nakamura to immersive artistic tributes to French culture and values, the 2024 Olympics were launched into motion with unprecedented levels of pizazz.
Keep reading to see Billboard‘s top moments from the Opening Ceremony, in order of appearance, below.
Rasheed Chappell Announces New Album, Introduces Us to ‘Haysoos’ in Video
One of the more memorable lines from Die Hard with a Vengeance was when Bruce Willis’ character and Samuel L. Jackson’s character were in a car making a getaway. Willis’ John McClane kept calling Jackson’s character Jesús because he heard a group of kids greet him earlier by saying, “Hey, Zeus.” Growing increasingly annoyed, Zeus asks McClane, “Why you keep callin’ me Jesús? I look Puerto Rican to you?”
In a related matter, Rasheed Chappell’s new single and video takes us to the Passaic, NJ projects where he grew up and mentions a Jesús he happens to be familiar with. “Haysoos, not in the sky, he on the fifth floor,” he raps about a Latin dude that’s always fighting with his shorty. And one can surmise that this particular Jesús is indeed a Puerto Rican.
Produced by Atlanta Hawks in-house DJ beatsbyjblack and The Arcitype with SoundsLikeDen on the hook, “Haysoos” is a gritty look into the reality marginalized communities across the country are faced with, and Edwin Decena’s direction along with Sheed’s descriptive bars, captures their essence as if we were watching that stark reality through a looking glass.
Rasheed Chappell is set to drop his ninth project Nonstop: JFK > ATL on August 30 and will be fully produced by beatsbyjblack.
Check out the tracklist and features below.
- “Atlanta Bound” feat. Aidan
- “Atlegance” feat. Aidan
- “Stage Name” feat. Benngiie
- “Momma’s House” feat. Miranda Rae
- “Haysoos” feat. SoundsLikeDen
- “Made”
- “Ice Burg (Good Run)” feat. Lamar Tyree
- “No Play Play” feat. Benngiie
- “Shows Over” feat. Aidan
You can presave Nonstop here.
Celine Dion Delivers Show-Stopping Performance From the Eiffel Tower at the 2024 Paris Olympics
After rumors that Celine Dion would be returning to the stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the iconic chanteuse delivered a jaw-dropping performance at the games’ opening ceremony on Friday (July 26).
The superstar performed an emotional rendition of Édith Piaf’s “Hymne A L’Amour” from the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling and lit with the Olympic rings. Accompanied by a piano and rocking a stunning white gown, the singer delivered her effortlessly flawless vocals as she belted the lyrics to the 1950 track, which translates to “The Hymn of Love.”
The performance marks Dion’s first since she cancelled the dates on her North American Courage world tour before revealing she is fighting Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes severe muscle spasms.
Dion previously seeded hope for her return to the stage in her recent Prime Video doc I Am: Celine Dion, in which she said of her determination to perform again: “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl… I won’t stop.” She was also spotted earlier this week greeting fans in Paris outside Royal Monceau hotel near the Champs-Élysées.
It’s hardly her first time on the Olympic stage. She previously performed “The Power of the Dream” at the opening ceremony for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Elsewhere in the ceremony, the Olympic cauldron was lit following a months-long torch relay, in which Snoop Dogg, BTS’ Jin and Pharrell Williams participated. Earlier in the day, Lady Gaga took the stage to perform a cabaret-style rendition of the French-language “Mon Truc en Plume” (“My Thing With Feathers”) in a minutes-long, highly choreographed routine.
Lady Gaga Says She’s ‘Completely Grateful’ to Have Performed at the 2024 Paris Olympics: ‘It’s a Gift I’ll Never Forget’
Lady Gaga was the first performer to take the stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday (July 26), which took place along the River Seine in the City of Lights.
For her performance, Gaga belted the French-language “Mon Truc en Plume” (“My Thing With Feathers”) along a gold staircase with a slew of dancers holding fluffy pink pom poms. Gaga and her dancers were all clad in custom Dior in cabaret-inspired outfits.
To celebrate the moment, the Grammy-winning superstar took to Instagram to share photos of her black-and-pink look, and express her gratitude for the opportunity. “I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris @Olympics 2024 this year. I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organizing committee to sing such a special French song—a song to honor the French people and their tremendous history of art, music, and theatre,” Gaga wrote in her lengthy, heartfelt caption. “This song was sung by Zizi Jeanmaire, born in Paris a French ballerina, she famously sang ‘Mon Truc en Plumes’ in 1961. The title means ‘My Thing with Feathers.’”
Gaga opened up about her personal connection and admiration for the late Zizi Jeanmaire. “Zizi starred in Cole Porter’s musical ‘Anything Goes’ which was my first jazz release. Although I am not a French artist, I have always felt a very special connection with French people and singing French music—I wanted nothing more than to create a performance that would warm the heart of France, celebrate French art and music, and on such a momentous occasion remind everyone of one of the most magical cities on earth—Paris,” she wrote. “We rented pom poms from Le Lido archive—a real French cabaret theater. We collaborated with Dior to create custom costumes, using naturally molted feathers. I studied French choreography that put a modern twist on a French classic. I rehearsed tirelessly to study a joyful French dance, brushing up on some old skills—I bet you didn’t know I used to dance at a 60’s French party on the lower east side when I was first starting out!”
She concluded her message, “I hope you love this performance as much as I do. And to everyone in France, thank you so much for welcoming me to your country to sing in honor of you—it’s a gift I’ll never forget! Congratulations to all the athletes who are competing in this year’s Olympic Games! It is my supreme honor to sing for you and cheer you on!! Watching the Olympic Games always makes me cry! Your talent is unimaginable. Let the games begin!”
See her post here.
Lady Gaga’s Radiant 2024 Olympic Opening Performance | Billboard News
Lady Gaga stuns with a rendition of “Mon truc en plumes” at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. Keep watching to see!
Tetris Kelly:
Lady Gaga opened the Paris Olympics and reminded us of the superstar she is. Let’s take a look. The rumors were true after Lady Gaga arrived in Paris that she was part of opening the big games. The singer expertly belted out “Mon truc en plumes.” Sorry if I butchered that, but she did not. There were golden stairs, dancing, and of course, she rocked the piano. It’s got us wondering: can there be an Olympic sport for mothering? She’s the gold medalist.
How to Watch the USA Network Without Cable to Livestream the 2024 Paris Olympics
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.
Close to 3,000 athletes will compete at a shot shot for a gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The opening ceremony aired on Friday (July 26) with American athletes decked out in official Team USA merch. Want to watch the Olympics on TV? NBC is the official network to watch the Olympics on TV at home, but you can also watch and livestream swimming, track and field events and more summer sports from their NBCUniversal partners, including the USA Network.
Having a cable package is the easiest way to watch the USA Network at home, but if you’ve recently cut the cord, there are still options for streaming the channel without cable including live TV streamers.
To help you save money and watch the USA Network without cable, ShopBillboard listed all the streaming options available below.
How to Watch USA Network Online Without Cable At Home
Peacock is the official streaming platform for NBC and all of the channels owned by the media company — including USA Network. You can watch the 2024 Paris Olympics right on the streaming platform in addition to the USA Network’s original TV series and movies. If you already have a Peacock subscription, you can watch the channel instantly for no additional cost when you log into the platform.
Don’t have Peacock? There is no free trial for new subscribers, but the streaming platform does come with various plans starting at $7.99 a month to choose from based on your budget.
There are two Peacock plans you can choose from: the Premium Plan that’s ad-supported and the cheapest option at $7.99 a month or the Premium Plus plan for $13.99 a month that comes with everything in the Premium Plan in addition to you local NBC channel and the ability to download and watch content offline. Save additional cash when you choose an annual plan, which will give you an entire year of access for the cost of 10 months.
Outside of the 2024 summer Olympics and USA Network content, Peacock comes with its own collection of original TV shows and movies as well as programs from NBC and Bravo. Content you can look forward to watching includes Poker Face, The Traitors, Couple to Throuple, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Bel-Air, Love Island, Love Island Games, One of Us Is Lying, Dr. Death, Yellowstone, Suits, The Office, Modern Family and Parks & Recreation. Bravo fans can also tune into content like Vanderpump Rules, Below Deck, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard.
How to Watch USA Network Online Without Cable for Free
Live TV streamers are hosting a variety of promos and free trials that’ll give you access to the USA Network online to stream for free or at a discounted cost. Keep reading to learn more.
DirecTV Stream
You can watch USA Network on DirecTV Stream, which also comes with your local NBC station for even more 2024 summer Olympics coverage. New users are eligible for a five-day free trial through DirecTV Stream when you sign up for one of its four packages. Every streaming package includes USA Network as well as CNBC, MSNBC and dozens of other channels. Bonus offer: you can save $30 when you combine a streaming package with a “Sports Pack.” Right now, the Entertainment + Sports Pack is $85 (reg. $95) for the first three months.
Sling TV
Sling TV lets you watch the USA Network and 2024 Paris Olympics in 4K definition when you prepay for two months of Sling’s Blue package. There are a total of three plans you can choose from, but only the Blue Package and the Orange + Blue Package will get you the USA Network. Within the Blue Package, you’ll receive the USA Network in addition to NBC and more sports, news and entertainment channels, plus 50 hours of DVR storage. Save 22% off when you prepay for two months of the Blue Package for $70 (reg. $90).
FuboTV
Another affordable option that lets you stream USA Network without cable is FuboTV. New users can score a free seven-day trial when you sign up for one of the three packages offered. In addition to letting you watch the USA Network online, Fubo offers access to NBC and hundreds of other channels available in your lineup.
Once you free trial is over, you’ll be charged the normal subscription price starting at $80 a month. For almost double the channels, 4K definition and access to Paramount+ with Showtime for free, you can upgrade to the Premier plan for just $100 a month.
Hulu + Live TV
You can also watch USA Network on Hulu + Live TV, which is offering a rare three-day free trial for new users that sign up. It’s also the one option that offers the most for less. Not only will you get access to the USA Network, you’ll also get more than 94 channels (including NBC) in addition to access to the entire Hulu library — and only for $77 a month once the free trial is over.
What we like: your Hulu + Live TV plan includes Disney+ and ESPN+ for exclusive sports coverage and programming from ESPN, and all the Disney+ originals.
Does USA Network Have a Streaming App?
Yes, you can stream USA Network on its official streaming network Peacock. In addition to USA Network content, you’ll also have access to programs from NBC, Bravo and Peacock-exclusive TV series and movies.
Can I Get the USA Network on Antenna?
The USA Network is considered a paid channel, which means you’ll need either a live TV streamer or Peacock in order to watch USA Network without cable. Digital antennas (like this one from Amazon) will pick up local channels like NBC, which means you can still watch the 2024 Paris Olympics, but you won’t be able to watch the USA Network airing.
In addition to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the USA Network has a lineup of comedies, dramas and sports coverage that you can tune into. Some of the most popular programs include White Collar, Temptation Island, Chicago P.D., Psych, The Courtship, Miz & Mrs, Chrisley Knows Best, NCIS: Los Angeles and 9-1-1. Sports fans can also catch everything from summer Olympics games to NASCAR, WWE NXT, WWE Raw and Premier League.
Shop Coach Payton Hobo Bags Starting at Just $98.40—Available in All Colors
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.
Are you looking to elevate your summer wardrobe with a stylish new purse? Hurry and grab the Coach Payton Hobo Bag, now 64 percent off! Originally priced at $328, you can now own this high-quality purse for just $119. You can also buy two or more purse styles and get up to 20% off. Don’t miss out on these incredible deals.
If you don’t already own a Coach purse, this is a great time to get on it and add a touch of elegance to your outfit. You can get this leather shoulder bag in eight different colors from white to a trendy faded blue. For those who decide to snag this purse in the color purple or in novelty print, you’ll be able to snag it for just $98.40.
With its modern designs, this Coach handbag is not only a practical accessory for carrying your essentials, but also a stylish statement that elevates your summer wardrobe with the simple over the shoulder design. Scroll down to learn more about this mini hobo bag.
This handbag features a zip-top closure and a multifunction pocket, ideal for storing everything from your favorite beauty items to credit cards and car keys.
For those who are still on the fence about adding this bag to your cart, take a look at the reviews. One Coach customer said, “My favorite go to! It’s small but holds a bunch! Sits comfortably on my shoulder and doesn’t slide off. I use it casually or for a night out. She’s a keeper!”
Another customer said, “I love how easy it is to wear. Does not slip. It also compliments the outfit.”
What are you waiting for? Hurry, go add this one of a kind non-slip and comfortable over the shoulder Hobo bag to your purse collection.
For more product recommendations, check out Coach’s Summer Must-have Collection, Lululemon Tote Bag, and Coach’s $22 Wristlet to add to your shopping list.
Free People Drops Additional 25% Off Sale Section, Including a Cozy Top & Skirt Set for Just $30
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.
Chic boho vibes are what you can expect when you’re perusing through Free People’s catalogue of clothing. The luxe apparel brand has become notable on TikTok with styles like the hot shot onesie gaining notability for its athleisure qualities while the top-rated barrel jeans have divided the Internet over its trendiness.
There’s one thing that’s remained true about Free People though, and it’s that fashion lovers — including artists like Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez — can’t seem to stop wearing the trendy brand. Rather than settle for full price though, Free People is offering a rare extra 25% off its sale section, which is slashing prices by as much as 78% off. No promo code is required either — just add what you want to your cart and the additional savings will automatically be applied at checkout.
One of the best Free People deals you can score right now is on a top-rated matching set that’s only $30 (reg. $78). The design features a cropped long sleeve top with a mini ruffle skirt and it’s available in two shades: gray-purple and black. Sizes are already selling out though, which means if you plan on adding the easy outfit to your cart (in addition to other steals), you’ll want to act fast.
Soleil Set
The Soleil Set has reviewers gushing about how it makes a “quick and cute vacation outfit” while the “seasonless” knit fabric makes it a year-round set you can wear, transitioning from summer to fall. You’ll also notice the top and skirt comes with a textured material and hem to give it a more elevated feel.
Free People’s popular skirt set isn’t the only deal you can score during the limited-time sale, keep reading to learn more.
What Are the Best Free People Deals Online?
ShopBillboard put together our list of the most sought out pieces from Free People’s sale section that you can shop below.
Top It Off Tunic
Bring some shimmer to your outfits with this long tunic that’ll complete your festival wear and going-out looks. The design comes with a fishnet pattern topped with crystals to give it a sparkling effect.
Weekend Friend Micro Shorts
Free People is redefining the definition of short shorts with these micro styles. The bottoms are currently 50% off with the extra savings. The adjustable drawstring waistband will let you tighten or loosen the pants to your liking.
We The Free Way Back Overalls
Lighten up your overalls with a white version from Free People featuring a utility-inspired construction that includes a lot of pockets and adjustable straps. The leg fit is also loose and baggy for a more casual look.
Montego Sweater Skirt Set
This matching set is anything but subtle with a bold asymmetrical striped maxi skirt paired with a cropped short sleeve. The shades are a vivid orange and blue that’ll help draw all eyes to your incredible fashion taste.
Piece Out Pants
Embrace the balloon pants trend, but with a twist. Free People has created the Piece Out Pants, which come with a lightweight and airy material decorated with a quilt-like pattern for a more textured look.
Poppy Tube Top
Get basically two tops for under $15 with this major Free People deal. The Poppy Tube Top has a mesh material in a variety of patterns to choose from, but if you need some extra support, the top also comes with a halter strap.
For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best crop tops, slip dresses and denim jumpsuits.
Lady Gaga, Gojira, and More Perform at Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony: Watch
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Friday Music Guide: New Music From Ice Spice, Post Malone & Luke Combs, Halsey and More
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
This week, Ice Spice makes their full-length bow, Post Malone brings in another country superstar, and Halsey nods to Britney and Monica. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Ice Spice, Y2K!
Ice Spice’s boisterous personality and no-holds-barred approach to New York drill made her a star in 2023, and this year brings Y2K!, the summation of months of single releases that still congeals into a singular full-length. Travis Scott and Gunna swing by new tracks, but Ice’s solo power on songs like “Papa,” “Plenty Sun” and “TTYL” make Y2K! worth turning up in the back half of the summer.
Post Malone feat. Luke Combs, “Guy For That”
Post Malone’s chart-topping country music exploration continues with “Guy For That,” a hearty team-up with Luke Combs that leans on both artists’ vocal strength to achieve anthem status; both Posty and Combs are currently promoting bigger hits, and seem to use “Guy For That” to tinker with their respective images and have a down-home blast.
Halsey, “Lucky”
Interpolating both Britney Spears’ “Lucky” and Monica’s “Angel of Mine,” Halsey utilizes past hits to tell her own tale of complicated fame and effectively tugging on heartstrings with bare emotion: “And I told everybody I was fine for a whole damn year / And that’s the biggest lie of my career,” she laments.
MGK with Jelly Roll, “Lonely Road”
The artist formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly has reinvented himself a time or three since launching his career, and a track like “Lonely Road,” which corrals Jelly Roll and puts a modern spin on a John Denver classic with plenty of soaring harmonies and acoustic strums, demonstrates his range while forging yet another new path.
Fuerza Regida, Pero No Te Enamores
Although “Harley Quinn,” Fuerza Regida’s hit team-up with Marshmello, is not included on the track list to Pero No Te Enamores, the full-length fusion of regional Mexican music and thumping EDM is indebted to that earlier single, with artists like Major Lazer, Afrojack and Gordo swinging by to contribute to the party.
Calvin Harris with Ellie Goulding, “Free”
Fans of “I Need Your Love,” “Outside” and “Miracle” are going to wrap their arms around “Free,” the latest collaboration between Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding that builds upon their long-standing chemistry and pushes the tempo with a straightforward but powerful catchphrase: “When I’m with you, I’m free,” Goulding declares.
Mustard, Faith of a Mustard Seed
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was momentous enough to both land a knockout blow in a rap feud and revitalize producer Mustard’s mainstream career, and the star-studded Faith of a Mustard Seed, featuring everyone from Travis Scott to Kirk Franklin to Ella Mai (who teams with Roddy Ricch on the “911” rework “One Bad Decision”), functions as an extended, well-earned victory lap.
XG, “Something Ain’t Right”
The retro bounce of XG’s “Something Ain’t Right” goes beyond feel-good and achieves downright giddiness, as the Japanese girl group preview their forthcoming second mini-album (due out Nov. 8) with a killer hook and ‘90s-indebted production that could feasibly reach a whole new listenership in the U.S.
Central Cee, “gen z luv”
On the same day that his “Did It First” collaborator Ice Spice unveils her new album, Central Cee has a New Music Friday banger himself: “gen z luv” is a sparse, surprisingly vulnerable tale of social-media-age romance, but the pummeling percussion also makes the song work in a club setting.
Editor’s Pick: Wand, Vertigo
Over the course of Los Angeles rock group Wand’s decade of activity, frontman Cory Hanson’s vocal affectation has drawn endless comparisons to that of Thom Yorke; with its ambitious, psych-adjacent sprawl, new album Vertigo is great enough to evoke peak Radiohead, and enough of a sonic leap forward to serve as a breakthrough.
Pepe Aguilar Signs Worldwide Deal With SESAC Latina
Fabled Mexican music singer and producer Pepe Aguilar has signed a worldwide deal with SESAC Latina, Billboard has learned. Previously with BMI, he now joins his children, Ángela and Leonardo Aguilar, who are also part of the SESAC Latina roster.
“We are pleased to announce that superstar Pepe Aguilar has affiliated with SESAC Latina,” Celeste Zendejas, SVP, SESAC Latina, said in a statement. “His career success is truly unparalleled, and he is one of the most iconic figures in Latin music. We pride ourselves on being a family at SESAC, and we are thrilled to work with one of the most famous families in the Mexican artistic world, and we can’t wait to celebrate their continued success in the years to come.”
The son of regional Mexican music royalty — his father was the legendary Antonio Aguilar and his mother the iconic Flor Silvestre — Aguilar, who has been performing since he was a toddler, branched out of regional early in his career to sing in rock bands. Eventually, he would become a renowned ranchera and mariachi music artist placing, so far, nine top 10 titles on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart. Throughout his career he’s also won four Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammy Awards.
Most recently, he released Que Llueva Tequila, which thrives on the regal mariachi sound that has characterized Aguilar’s style. Earlier this month, the regional Mexican hitmaker also wrapped Jaripeo Hasta Los Huesos Tour with his children and brother Antonio Aguilar Jr.
Pepe Aguilar joins SESAC Latina’s roster that includes Nicky Jam, Edén Muñoz, Christian Nodal and Manuel Turizo, among others.
Linda Perry’s ‘Let It Die Here’ Documentary, Being Queer In Music Industry & More | Billboard News
Linda Perry is an iconic singer- songwriter who has worked with some of the most iconic voices in music. She sits down and shares the raw making of her ‘Let It Die Here’ documentary, what it means to be queer in the music industry, some of the younger talent in music she looks forward to seeing grow and more!
Linda Perry:
I’m not a liar. I am as honest as you will find on this planet. I know that about myself. Hi, I’m Linda Perry. And this is Billboard News.
Tetris Kelly:
Now sitting across from an icon like yourself, I feel like this is a question you might not ever get asked. So I want to start with this. Who is Linda Perry?
Linda Perry:
Linda Perry has been trying to figure it out. People think you know, just because someone is, you know, pretty tough. I’m aggressive. I’m a powerful person, I get that. And I see that about me. I’m very talented. I’m smart. I’m a great mom. I’m a great friend. I’m all these things. I’m a great songwriter. But sometimes, you lose your way. That’s what this film is about. And in real time, I kind of figured things out. I’m still putting the pieces together. I don’t think honestly, anybody truly knows who they are until they can be at one with everything. I guess I’m trying to get to that point where I don’t have a reaction. Because reactions are emotional.
Tetris Kelly:
You even have said, you know, kind of a female Bruce Springsteen. So where did that analogy come from?
Linda Perry:
I love Bruce Springsteen, I was making a joke about it. Because sometimes I like to think I’m Bruce Springsteen and sing like Bruce Springsteen, and then a song will come and you know, I should be collaborating with Bruce Springsteen.
Keep watching for more!
Limp Bizkit Fans Boo Drake After Fred Durst Shouts Out Rapper at Band’s Toronto Show: Watch
Drake apparently decided to pop out as a fan to the Limp Bizkit concert in Toronto on Thursday night (July 25), but when frontman Fred Durst shouted him out, the crowd reaction was less than enthusiastic.
“Did you know Drake’s here tonight?” Durst said as concertgoers booed, though the rapper was not visible. “I thought Drake was your homie? What? No? Drake’s my homie.”
The Budweiser Stage audience’s boos continued to get louder as Durst went on, before the rocker dedicated the next track in the band’s set to the 6 God. “F–k you,” one fan can be heard saying in a viral clip on TikTok.
“Since Drake’s here — he’s over here on the side — we’re gonna do this one for him. It’s dedicated to you,” Durst added as the opening strains of the band’s 2000 hit “Take a Look Around” started playing.
Billboard has reached out to Drake’s reps for comment.
Some watching the Loserville Tour clip on X were shocked to see the rapper getting booed in his hometown, while others weren’t as surprised based on there being not much overlap between Limp Bizkit fans and Drizzy’s core fan base.
“I doubt many Drake fans and Limp Bizkit fans are synonymous with one another,” one person replied.
Another quipped: “Welp guess drake gonna take a selfie with oversized pants a korn tshirt and a box of biscuits.”
While Drake may have received a cold reception at the Limp Bizkit tour, he’s still out to deliver for his own fans when it comes to music. Drizzy recently served up a pair of features via Gordo’s Diamante project, making appearances on “Sideways” and album closer “Healing.”
The OVO boss and Gordo have a rich collaborative history, as he produced a handful of tracks on 2022’s Honestly, Nevermind. Even amid the fallout from the Kendrick Lamar battle, Gordo says Drake is at peace and in a great state of mind.
“Ever since all this has happened … I’ve seen him happier. It’s really weird. He’s pretty jolly,” Gordo told People. “The internet makes it seem like, ‘Oh, that photo, he’s all sad and s–t.’ That’s just a bad photo from a bad camera. But because it’s him, it’s put under a magnifying glass like, ‘Oh, look at his eyes. He’s looking a little droopy. He hasn’t slept.’ But the guy’s been happy as s–t, to be honest. He’s chilling.”
Watch when Limp Bizkit fans booed Drake at the band’s Toronto show: