All Time Low, AJR & Surf Mesa Toast Billboard Music Awards Nods on Twitter Spaces Chat

All Time Low, Surf Mesa and AJR jumped on Billboard’s Twitter Spaces on Friday (May 7) to discuss being 2021 Billboard Music Awards finalists.

All Time Low and AJR are both up for top rock song, with “Monsters,” featuring blackbear, and “Bang!,” respectively. AJR is also a finalist for top rock artist and top duo/group alongside rock heavyweights AC/DC, K-pop boy band BTS, country duo Dan + Shay and pop mainstays Maroon 5. Meanwhile, Surf Mesa has two nods in the dance/electronic fields: top dance/electronic artist and top dance/electronic song with “ily (i love you baby),” featuring Emilee.

All Time Low lead vocalist Alex Gaskarth and lead guitarist Jack Barakat chatted with Billboard News host Tetris Kelly first about what it was like connecting with blackbear on “Monsters,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.

“It’s absolutely mind-blowing,” Gaskarth said. “We’re humbled to be nominated with a bunch of amazing songs, a bunch of amazing artists. It’s very, very cool. After such a trying and strange year, to be recognized for something like this is really special. Working with Bear was very cool. We’ve sort of floated in the same universe, I guess, for a while, but we never really got the chance to work on anything together. … Bear heard the song and wanted to do a verse, and the product that we got back was that much better than a song that we already felt great about. And the experiment kind of paid off. I think we’ve been celebrating it ever since.”

Surf Mesa (real name Powell Aguirre) later entered the Twitter Spaces chat to talk about the story behind his hit “ily (i love you),” which reached No. 1 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, and how it made his dance music career take off.

“It’s for sure been a blessing, and what a year it’s been in the dance scene and music industry, really,” he told Kelly. “Everything that’s happened with this song, I don’t even know what to make of it. A year ago, I was a college student, I was living with five producers all making dance music, and I came across a sample of a talented singer named Emilee. And she was covering the chorus of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,’ and I just downloaded the audio, I remixed it and just put it up on SoundCloud. It just kind of went from there.”

Last but not least, Adam, Jack and Ryan Met, the three brothers of AJR, hopped on to talk about being a finalist in three different categories: top rock artist, top duo/group and top rock song with “Bang!,” which broke into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and was a No. 1 hit on the Rock Digital Song Sales and Alternative Digital Song Sales tallies. Despite mimicking the bombastic horns in the song, the guys behind AJR said they’re not ones to toot their own horns.

“We are shocked and extremely happy,” Ryan said. “Growing up, we’re really not the kind of guys to get put up for any sort of award or trophy or win anything nonetheless. So we got the one, I remember our manager told us, and we were like, ‘Oh my God! We got one!’ And then he kind of kept going and we were like, ‘Wait, OK, who’s playing a prank on us?’ It was an incredible moment when we found that out.”

The 2021 Billboard Music Awards will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on May 23 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC.

The Billboard Music Awards are produced by dick clark productions, which is owned by MRC. MRC and Penske Media are co-parent companies of Billboard.

/by

Everything We Know About Natti Natasha’s Pregnancy: A Timeline

Natti Natasha will soon give birth to her first child, and to celebrate her first-ever Mother’s Day, the Dominican artist will present a special virtual concert for all her fans, especially those who are moms.

Natti, who’s engaged to her longtime manager and business mogul Raphy Pina of Pina Records, will perform 15 of her biggest hits, including “La Mejor Versión de Mi,” “Sin Pijama,” “Las Nenas” and her recent single “Ram Pam Pam.”

The spectacle will be conceptual, based on the four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter, including different themes, outfits and songs that best fit the mood.

In addition, fans will be able to enjoy live behind-the-scenes footage from the filming.

Shot live from Miami’s Temple House, Natti’s Mother’s Day concert will air at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday via her official Facebook page.

To celebrate the soon-to-be mommy and her upcoming livestream, here’s a timeline with everything we know about Natti’s pregnancy (so far).

January 29, 2021: Officially Dating

Natti Natasha and Raphy Pina hinted that they were dating at the end of Pina Records’ new artist Fran Rozzano’s music video “Inedito.” Later that day, they officially announced their relationship via an Instagram Live video.

February 1, 2021: She said, yes!

The Dominican artist announced she was engaged to Raphy. Shouting it from the rooftops and flaunting her dazzling engagement ring, Natti expressed: “También quería gritarlo a los 4 vientos. I SAID YES!” Part of her latest single, “Antes Que Salga El Sol,” accompanies the photo/video.

February 18, 2021: Baby Announcement

Natti Natasha and Prince Royce took the stage to perform their new song “Antes Que Salga El Sol” at the 33rd annual Premio Lo Nuestro. Dressed in all white with flowers that crowned her long, black hair, Natti showed off her baby bump, announcing for the very first time that she was pregnant. That same night, she retweeted a People En Español cover story where she shared all the deets of her pregnancy.

April 2: Belly Love

At 32 weeks pregnant, Natti shared photos of her baby bump. “Thank you, God, I never lost faith,” she tweeted. In a previous interview with Billboard, the singer admitted that the thing she’s most going to miss about her pregnancy is her pregnant belly.

April 3, 2021: It’s a Girl!

The soon-to-be parents documented their gender reveal/baby shower during an Instagram Live. The couple celebrated with loved ones and close colleagues, including Daddy Yankee. After fun and games, a helicopter flew over the party, unleashing pink smoke and revealing that Natti Natasha’s first baby will be a girl.

April 6, 2021: Cover Baby

Natti and her belly are on the cover of Phoenix magazine, where she talked about her new music and bringing female empowerment to a male-dominated genre.

April 20, 2021: ‘Ram Pam Pam’

Celebrating her new single “Ram Pam Pam,” in collaboration with Becky G, Natti Natasha hit up her favorite place ever: The boat. There, she danced and sang her latest tune under the Miami skyline.

April 28, 2021: Making Memories

Natti gets a pregnancy casting mold of her belly to “have a beautiful memory of my biggest blessing.”

<script>

May 4, 2021: Dad’s Ready!

Daddy Raphy Pina is ready for showtime! Flaunting his GoPro 8 gear, Pina is ready to document his baby’s birth. “Can you imagine, ‘hi my love, it’s dad, say hi to the crew?’” he wrote in the caption. “You guys know I’m going like this, ready for the baby.”

<script>

May 6, 2021: Baby Names

On Instagram stories, the couple hinted that their baby’s potential name could be Lana Isabelle; however, they are between two other options: Vida Isabelle and Dominique Isabelle. Word on the street is that Natti will reveal the baby’s name during her Mother’s Day concert special on Sunday.

<script>

/by

Miami business chamber’s economic summit forecasts post-pandemic changes

Local business and government leaders must continue to work toward enhancing skills training for local talent to realize Miami’s economic potential beyond the pandemic, participants in the Greater Miami Chamber … Click to Continue »
/by

Dania Beach bicyclist killed in hit-and-run, Broward deputies say. Driver still on the loose

An unknown driver is still on the run after striking and killing a bicyclist — before speeding away, deputies say. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the suspect, … Click to Continue »
/by

Dock your boat at a Miami city marina? Fee hikes and other changes could be coming

Miami commissioners have for years pondered how to squeeze bigger profits out of city-owned marinas, an exercise that has included failed redevelopment bids and questions of whether the city or … Click to Continue »
/by

Texas House gives initial OK to penalize cities that cut police spending

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House gave initial approval Thursday to a bill that would penalize cities that cut police spending, inspired by the Austin City Council’s move last year … Click to Continue »
/by

FOX News says it didn’t know Florida governor would bar other press from bill signing

When Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new bill Thursday morning to change mail-in voting in Florida, the only television cameras allowed to capture the moment belonged to FOX News. Outside, … Click to Continue »
/by

Hilltop Hoods, Z2 Comics Team up For Alien Adventure Comic

Hilltop Hoods have smashed records in their homeland, Australia. Now the hip-hop veterans are set to take-down aliens, through a groundbreaking alliance with Z2 Comics.

The Adelaide trio will make the leap into graphic novels for Hilltop Hoods Present: Noctis, and become the first Aussie act to work with the U.S. comic publisher.

Hoods founding members Pressure, Suffa and DJ Debris are characters in the sci-fi adventure and they’ll have their work cut out, as they tackle “demonic aliens from another dimension,” a joint-statement reads.

It’s a “childhood dream” realized, comments Suffa, who wrote the book with his bandmates in partnership with Scott Dooley (The New Yorker) and Andrew Archer (The Tokyo 5), with art by Jeff Nice (The Tokyo 5).

As a lifelong fan of Deathlok, X-Force, Spawn and others franchises, “I never thought I’d be able to play a part in putting a comic together, and Z2 have been so generous with their knowledge, resources and time,” Suffa notes.

“As for the writing and illustrations – I’ve been a fan of Tokyo 5 since its inception,” he adds, “Nice’s artwork is stunning, and Andrew Archer writes like someone who really understands how comic book universes should be constructed. Teaming them up with comedian Scott Dooley, who injected his sense of humor throughout, has resulted in a really exciting comic that everyone’s really proud of.”

Hilltop Hoods Present: Noctis will hit racks this October, with multiple versions available for preorder through Z2, including a deluxe and super deluxe edition, featuring limited edition art prints, vintage trading cards and sticker sheet.

In the past, Z2 Comics has worked on graphic novels with the likes of Gorillaz, Yungblud, Babymetal and Jimmy Eat World. “Ever since I saw the Parade of the Dead concert I knew the Hilltop Hoods would be down for anything,” enthuses Archer. “In the comic we throw monsters at them, we drown them in interdimensional ectoplasm and we blast them across a planet in a rocket car. They read our story idea, nodded their heads and said ‘We love it’. It’s been an absolute dream.”

It’s the latest outside-the-box project for The Hoods, who founded Golden Era Records, launched a sneaker range, and in 2016 teamed up with Google Play Music on a world-first immersive 3D video, for “Through The Dark”.

Hilltop Hoods have won multiple ARIA, APRA and AIR Awards and in 2019 set the record for most leaders by an Aussie band or group (six), when The Great Expanse debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Pre-order Hilltop Hoods Present: Noctis here.

/by

Chris Cornell’s Family Settles Malpractice Lawsuit With Beverly Hills Doctor

The family of Chris Cornell has settled a malpractice lawsuit with the doctor they allege overprescribed medication to the late Soundgarden frontman prior to his suicide in May 2017, according to court documents obtained by Billboard.

Filed on April 2, 2021, in Los Angeles Superior Court, the motion reveals that the plaintiffs — Cornell’s widow Vicky Cornell and their two children, Toni and Christopher — reached a confidential settlement agreement with defendants Robert Koblin, M.D. and his Beverly Hills practice, Robertson Cardiovascular Center.

Filed by the Cornells’ lawyer, Melissa Lerner, the motion requested that all documents pertaining to the settlement remain sealed or redacted, citing privacy concerns. Lerner writes that “troubled individuals” have “harassed” the Cornell family in the wake of Chris Cornell’s death, including by threatening the lives of Toni and Christopher.

A lawyer for the Cornells tells Billboard the settlement agreement is still subject to court approval. An attorney for Koblin did not immediately return a request for comment.

Filed in Nov. 2018, the Cornells’ lawsuit claimed that Koblin and his Beverly Hills practice “negligently and repeatedly” prescribed medication to Cornell that clouded his judgment and cognition, leading him to engage in reckless behaviors that ultimately resulted in his suicide by hanging. The suit particularly focused on allegedly excessive amounts of the anti-anxiety medication lorazepam (sold under the brand name Ativan) prescribed to Cornell by Dr. Koblin’s office beginning in Sept. 2015, 20 months prior to his death. It also claimed that Koblin had prescribed the painkiller Oxycodone to the singer.

Key to the Cornells’ lawsuit was their claim that Koblin failed to adequately warn Cornell, who had a history of substance misuse, of the potential risks and side effects of taking the prescribed medications. Vicky Cornell has long upheld that the drugs prescribed by Koblin were the overriding factor in Cornell’s suicide.

Post-mortem toxicology results showed the presence of lorazepam, barbiturates, the sedative butalbital, caffeine and  decongestants in Cornell’s system, along with the anti-opioid medication naloxone, which was reportedly administered by medics upon arrival at the Detroit hotel room where his body was found. A corresponding autopsy report determined that drugs were not a cause of death, however.

The Cornell family’s suit against Koblin isn’t the only one stemming from the singer’s untimely death. Vicky Cornell has been locked in a pitched legal battle with the surviving members of Soundgarden over control of Chris Cornell’s recordings, royalties and more after suing the band in Dec. 2019.

/by

Aaron Neville Announces He’s Retiring From Touring

Fans of the sweet, melodic sounds of New Orleans’ legendary vocalist Aaron Neville won’t have many opportunities to hear him live from now on.

In posts Thursday (May 6) on his official website and via social media, Neville announced his official retirement from touring.

Now 80, Neville said embarking on multi-date tours is no longer appealing.

“The time has come for me to stop ripping and running on the road,” Neville wrote. “I waited for someone to invent a way to beam me from show to show but no such luck. … Unfortunately, the grueling nature of travel and the schedule needed to make a tour work has become less than desirable. The current climate of our world brought me many realizations. Life is short and I’d like to spend my remaining time on this earth being less hurried.”

Still, Neville said his love for singing has not waned.

“It provides so much joy for me, at least as much as for those listening, if not more,” he said.

“Don’t see this as a permanent goodbye, by the grace of God, I will keep making more music and may show up at a special event or concert down the road,” he promises.

Neville hasn’t performed live since March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic caused concerts to come to an abrupt halt in the U.S. Instead, he has livestreamed solo performances from Freville Farm, the 12-acre home in upstate New York where he and his wife, photographer Sarah A. Friedman, have lived since 2013.

The virus is of great concern to Neville, whose old age and asthma makes him especially at risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19.

“I don’t want to get sick,” Neville said in an article last year written for AARP. “So, I canceled my tour dates and we’ve been home and isolated on our farm in New York.”

Neville’s solo career flourished after the 1966 release of “Tell It Like It Is,” followed by collaborations with Linda Ronstadt on “Don’t Know Much,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989, and “All My Life” (No. 11 in 1990).

He garnered much of his fame from his work with the Neville Brothers, an R&B, funk and soul group that was based in his hometown of New Orleans and also consisted of his brothers Art, Charles and Cyril.

The group, which formally disbanded in 2012, was known for closing out the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival’s two-weekend run each spring.

/by