‘Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical’ Serves Crowdsourced Culinary Content to Aid the Actors Fund

To help kick off the new year, Tituss Burgess, Andrew Barth Feldman, Ashley Park and more stars of the screen and stage sang of Parisian cooking and one rat’s dream to be a culinary icon in the virtual benefit performance Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical.

The pre-filmed musical, put on by Seaview Productions to raise money for the Actors Fund, will be available to stream for three days and features content created by members of TikTok’s #RatatouilleMusical Community (whose collective work has garnered over 200 million followers around the globe).

The musical generally follows the plot of Disney’s Ratatouille: Remy (Titus Burgess) the rat, who has a refined palate and dream to cook, teaches kitchen worker Alfredo Linguini (Feldman) how to cook by hiding under his chef’s hat. Linguini rises to the top of famed Paris restaurant Gusteau’s, raising suspicion from fellow chef Skinner (Mary Testa) and the curiosity from hard-to-please critic Anton Ego (André De Shields).

A recurring theme throughout the musical, which is told through the point of view of Remy, was his and Linguini’s admiration for renowned and talented chef Auguste Gusteau, and their hopes that his motto “anyone can cook” was true. From Burgess and Feldman singing of their desires to be successful chefs as Remy and Linguini to Adam Lambert’s poppy tune about a rat’s way of life as Emile, the virtual musical showcased an eclectic range of performances that were fairly on par with what one would expect for a musical version of the 2007 animated film.

The pivotal moment for the film — Ego’s critique of Remy’s ratatouille creation and him subsequently learning a rat was behind the dish — offered a touching monologue from Owen Tabaka.

“The bitter truth we critics must face is that the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. The world can often be unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends. Last night I experienced something new and extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. I now know not anyone can but cook but a great cook can come from anywhere,” Tabaka said, paraphrasing the critic’s speech originally performed by Peter O’Toole in the film.

The one-time performance was cast with Broadway stars including Tony Award winner De Shields (Ego), Tony winner Priscilla Lopez (Mabel), Tony nominee Park (Colette), Tabaka (Young Ego), and three-time Tony nominee Testa (Skinner) and the 20-piece Broadway Sinfonietta orchestra.

Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical also starred Wayne Brady (Django), Burgess (Remy), Kevin Chamberlin (Gusteau), Feldman (Linguini), Grammy Award nominee Lambert (Emile), with Cori Jaskier, Talia Suskauer, Nikisha Williams, JJ Niemann, John Michael Lyles, Raymond J. Lee, and Joy Woods as the ensemble.

The musical was adapted for this virtual benefit event by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley, choreographed by Ellenore Scott, directed by Lucy Moss, and features music from Danny Bernstein (@dannykbernstein), Gabbi Bolt (@fettuccinefettuqueen), Chamberlin (@chamberlin_kevin), RJ Christian (@rjthecomposer), Nathan Fosbinder (@fozzyforman108), Emily Jacobsen (@e_jaccs), Sophia James (@sophiajamesmusic), Katie Johantgen (@katiejoyofosho), Daniel Mertzlufft (@danieljmertzlufft), Alec Powell (@phisherpryce), and Blake Rouse (@blakeyrouse).

Jeremy O. Harris, Michael Breslin, and Patrick Foley served as executive producers.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

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Demi Lovato Leads Meditation Session to Reset After 2020

Demi Lovato kicked off the new year by figuring out a way to “be present with ourselves, together.”

As part of YouTube’s Hello 2021: Americas series, the singer filmed a meditation session and spread the word about how to practice mindfulness after a tough 2020.

Lovato led a meditation “to start turning the page from this totally unprecedented chapter and to help us all move forward into 2021 with a clear heart.”

“I feel like I’ve been shallow breathing for this entire year, but it’s time to finally take that deep breath,” she said. “And I want you to feel it all the way in your toes. We are in a moment of transformation. A shift of the weight of this year is in motion.”

Lovato welcomed 2021 as “a year of great new beginnings” and “a beautiful opportunity for anything, including picking ourselves back up again.”

“I’m choosing to find the good — the good in my flaws, the good in my failures, the good in myself, in my breath, in all of it, and all of you,” she said in the calming clip.

Sit back and take a deep breath on New Year’s Day with Lovato below.

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Eslabon Armado’s ‘Corta Venas’ Debuts at No. 1 on Regional Mexican Albums Chart

Eslabon Armado claims its third No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart as Corta Venas starts atop the ranking dated Jan. 2, 2021.

The latest chart reflects sales and streaming data compiled in the week ending Dec. 24, 2020. The trio’s third studio album concurrently arrives at No. 2 on the Top Latin Albums chart, becoming just the fourth regional Mexican effort to open in the top two on the all-Latin genre chart.

“Corta Venas is my favorite album because I feel all songs are good and reflective,” says Pedro Tovar, lead singer of the group. “This album is different because it has a variety of flows I would say that it is a combination of my two previous albums.” Tovar . composed 22 of the 24 tracks of the set.

Corta Venas was released Dec. 18 via Del Records. It earns 2020’s second-biggest week for a regional Mexican album in terms of overall units. It comes close to Eslabon Armado’s own Vibras de Noche which started with 2020’s largest week for a regional Mexican set: 23,000 equivalent album units.

Regional Mexican Albums ranks the most popular regional Mexican albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units comprise traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). In terms of streaming data, Corta Venas also takes the second-biggest streaming week for a regional Mexican album in 2020.

The set bows with 20,000 SEA, which equates to 31.6 million on-demand streams generated by the songs on the album. The group’s own Vibras de Noche spawned 32 million on-demand streams (chart dated Aug. 1).

As Corta Venas arrives, all three of Eslabon’s albums grab a spot on Regional Mexican Album’s top five: the new album at No. 1, Tu Veneno Mortal at No. 3 and Vibras de Noche at No. 4. It’s the only group to place three simultaneous titles in the same chart week in 2020.

“We feel more than happy to be back at No. 1. Thank you to the fans, God, my family and the Del Records company that supports and trusts my ideas,” Tovar says.

Four cuts off the set arrive on Hot Latin Songs, including one top 10. Here’s a rundown of Eslabon’s new arrivals to the list:

No. 10, “Ando Más Que Mal

No. 26, “La Mejor De Todas”

No. 28, “Mi Historia Entre Tus Dedos”

No. 47, “El Tiempo Nos Cambió”

Beyond its No. 1 start on Regional Mexican Albums and its No. 2 arrival on Top Latin Albums, Corta Venas also secures the trio their second entry on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, with a No. 56 debut.

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Masked Rapper MF Doom Dies at 49

MF Doom, the British-born artist who performed in a supervillain mask and started his rapping career more than 30 years ago, died on Oct. 31 of unknown causes, his wife announced Thursday (Dec. 31) — exactly two months after his death. He was 49 years old.

“Begin all things by giving thanks to THE ALL!” Jasmine wrote in the post about her late husband (born Daniel Dumile) on the MF Doom Instagram account. “To Dumile, The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family. Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off. Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be. My world will never be the same without you.”

Jasmine ended her note by also sending love to her late son, Malachi Ezekiel Dumile, who died in 2017 at age 14. “Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me, I love both and adore you always,” the message concluded. “May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family and the planet. All my Love, Jasmine.”

Doom’s former label Rhymesayers shared a link to Jasmine’s post, along with this message: “With heavy hearts, we share these words from MF DOOM’s family.”

Dumile was born in London and moved with his family to New York as a child. Under the stage name Zev Love X, he co-founded the trio K.M.D. with his brother Dingilizwe, who went by DJ Subroc. Dumile first made Billboard’s charts as a member of K.M.D., which notched a pair of top 20 hits on Hot Rap Songs in 1991: “Peachfuzz” and “Who Me?” His brother’s April 1993 death in a car crash at age 19 caused Dumile to take a break from the industry before returning to rap in 1997 and adopting the MF Doom persona, modeled after Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom. From then on, he always performed wearing his signature mask.

Doom may be best known for the 2004 album Madvillainy, which was recorded under the duo name Madvillain alongside producer Madlib and marked Doom’s first appearance on the Billboard 200 albums chart.  The release also hit No. 9 on the Heatseekers Albums chart upon its 2004 debut. Madvillainy was chosen as one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and the album’s 10th-anniversary 2014 re-release returned to the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 3 on Vinyl Albums.

Another of his high-profile collaborations was Danger Doom alongside DJ Danger Mouse (ahead of his Gnarls Barkley days) on The Mouse and the Mask, which was made in conjunction with Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block. Doom was also featured on Gorillaz sophomore album Demon Days on the song “November Has Come.”

The enigmatic artist released his last full-length solo album, Born Like This, in 2009. Most recently, Doom hit No. 1 on Heatseekers Albums in April 2018 with Czarface Meets Metal Face, alongside Czarface. The acts collaborated for a second top 10 on the chart, the EP Man’s Worst Enemy, the following month.

There’s no word yet on Doom’s cause of death.

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MF Doom’s Death Mourned by Tyler, the Creator, Q-Tip, Jay Electronica & More

On Thursday (Dec. 31), the wife of British-born MC MF  DOOM issued a statement on Instagram revealing that he had died on Halloween. DOOM’s former record label Rhymesayers Entertainment also confirmed his death with a tweet of their own. DOOM’s cause of death remains unknown. He was 49.

DOOM’s lyrical dexterity, penchant for comic book references, and collaborative efforts made him a beloved figure in hip-hop. Though his identity remained hidden for most of his 30-plus-year career, the mask-wearing MC shook the genre in 2004 when he released Madvillainy with Madlib — the act’s first entry on the Billboard 200. That same year, he dropped his celebrated album Mm. Food, which peaked at No. 9 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.

A bevy of hip-hop stars, including Jay Electronica, Tyler, The Creator, Q-Tip, Playboi Carti and more paid homage to the revered lyricist in a series of tweets. Check out some of the messages below. 

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10 Latin Music Stories That Changed the Game in 2020

The past year was tough, agonizing and unprecedented. But in terms of music, 2020 was our Latin year.

Despite the shutdown of touring, Latin music — defined as music performed predominantly in Spanish — recorded unprecedented consumption growth. It ended the year as the fastest growing genre in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.

Globally, Latin over-indexed in YouTube charts and Spotify’s fastest-growing user base in the world was Latin America. According to the IFPI’s annual 2020 Global Music Report in April, for the fifth consecutive year, Latin America was the fastest-growing region in the world.

Beyond the stats, however, this was the year in which the world finally seemed to not only hear but also see Latin music, recognizing both beats and artists in unprecedented fashion. Of course, movements don’t happen in a vacuum. Here are the 10 news stories that shifted the lens for Latin music in 2020.

1. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira co-headline the first all-Latin Super Bowl Halftime Show (with Bad Bunny and J Balvin as supporting stars)

For the first time in history, every act on the stage was Latin, a momentous statement that underscored a unique moment in this nation’s history: One filled with divisiveness that this show sought to mend, but also, one full of diversity like never before. Performances were in English and Spanish, full of symbolism, messages and multicultural significance (among other things, the country was officially introduced to Colombian champeta). At the end of the day, Super Bowl ratings increased 1.7% over the previous year, according to Nielsen data, thanks in part, to the Spanish-language simulcast of the game, Fox said.

2. The Black Eyed Peas Go Bilingual (and top the charts)

It took a decade and a bilingual song in English and Spanish for what was once the biggest pop group in the world to get back on the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Black Eyed Peas’ Spanish-titled “Ritmo,” featuring J Balvin, topped Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and was the lynchpin for the bilingual Translation, the group’s first outing since Fergie’s 2011 departure.

3. Bad Bunny Scores, and Scores Again

Bad Bunny’s surprise album YHLQMDLG, released in February, came in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the highest debut ever for an all Spanish album. Not to worry. Nine months later, he upped the ante, debuting at No. 1 on the chart with El ultimo tour del mundo. It marked a first for Spanish-language music that few people thought could ever come.

4. And on the subject of Bad Bunny…

The Puerto Rican rap/trap star ended the year as the most-streamed artist globally on Spotify, also a first for an act who only performs in Spanish.

5. Maluma tops the Global chart

Billboard’s Global charts debuted in September with Maluma at the helm of the ex U.S. list with his all-Spanish “Hawái.” It was uncontested confirmation that Latin had become global. Two months later, The Weeknd jumped on the song, singing in English and Spanish, also a first.

6. Maluma Goes to Hollywood

And on the subject of Maluma, the Colombian music star announced his stardom in a totally different realm, co-starring next to Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in the upcoming feature film Marry Me. It is the most prominent role in Hollywood in at least 25 years for a Latin music star. Along the way, Maluma and Lopez graced the cover of Billboard.

7. J Balvin Gets a namesake McDonald’s Meal

The fast-food giant chose Balvin as the second celebrity (following Travis Scott) to get a namesake meal since basketball icon Michael Jordan. Balvin also released a signature Nike Air Jordan 1 shoe. Both accomplishments underscore the commercial and marketing appeal of Latin acts.

8. “Dákiti” by Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez Is the Most Listened-to Song in the Planet

Shortly after Maluma made his Global ex U.S. No. 1 debut, “Dákiti” — an all-Spanish reggaetón jam — came in at No. 1 in the overall global chart. It was another show of global power for music in Spanish.

9. Latin Billionaire Club

In the last week of September, Latin music, defined as music performed predominantly in Spanish, surpassed 1 billion streams in the U.S. in a single week for the first time. The appetite for Spanish-language music was finally in evidence in the U.S. as well.

10. Rosalía Lands Nike Deal and Snags ‘Vogue’ Cover

The rising Spanish star consolidated her global presence with a major Nike deal and commercial campaign as well as landing the cover of Vogue in America, becoming the first music artist who performs only in Spanish to do grace the cover of the fashion magazine.

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Mustard Tests Positive for Coronavirus: ‘Send a Prayer Up for Ya Boy’

Mustard revealed via social media on Wednesday (Dec. 30) that he has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

Sharing the news with his 2.5 million followers, the DJ took to his Instagram Stories, writing, “Tested positive for covid send a prayer up for ya boy …” against a black backdrop.

The news comes about two months after the music producer married his longtime girlfriend, model Chanel Thierry, on Oct. 10 in a small backyard ceremony attended by Ella Mai, as well as the couple’s three children together.

Over the course of the year, Mustard added multiple tracks to his lengthy production catalog, including Pop Smoke’s “West Coast” featuring Tyga and Quavo; Ty Dolla $ign’s “By Yourself” with Jhené Aiko; and Megan Thee Stallion’s Popcaan-assisted “Intercourse,” from her long-awaited debut album, Good News. (In addition to being credited as a producer, Mustard is also listed as a featured artist on the latter two tracks.)

The record producer and DJ, born Dijon McFarlane, released his last solo studio album, Perfect Ten, in 2019. Featuring Migos collaboration “Pure Water,” “100 Bands” with Quavo, YG and Meek Mill, and the Roddy Ricch-assisted “Ballin’,” the LP earned Mustard his first top 10 hit on the Billboard 200, bowing at No. 8.

Meanwhile, Mustard coming down with coronavirus follows similar news from stars like Jeremih and Ashanti, with the former spending a week in the ICU in late November and the latter revealing her diagnosis on Dec. 12, just hours before her now-postponed Verzuz battle with Keyshia Cole.

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‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ Hosts Ryan Seacrest & Lucy Hale Talk 2020 Farewell… and Trying to Sneak a BTS NYE Kiss

New Year’s Eve might be different this year, but one thing remains the same: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest will still broadcast live from New York’s Times Square as always — albeit without the typical shoulder-to-shoulder crowd.

On Wednesday (Dec. 30), Billboard caught up with Seacrest and his Rockin’ Eve co-host Lucy Hale to talk all about this year’s modified celebration — where Jennifer Lopez will headline from Times Square, alongside Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Machine Gun Kelly and more artists performing across parties in NYC, Hollywood and New Orleans.

“In thinking about the balance of what we wanted to do, we obviously want to acknowledge what a challenging year this has been for so many people who haven’t been able to work or have had to work from home or haven’t had the chance to see friends and family,” Seacrest tells Billboard News’ Tetris Kelly. “But at the same time, we want to create some normalcy, we want to create some fun, we want to create the New Year’s Eve that we love with the ball dropping and look forward to the new year. So there will be that respect for what we’ve been through and we’ll celebrate those people who are working on the front lines, but we’re also going to have a show you can turn up the volume to and enjoy and have a cocktail or glass of champagne to as well.”

The co-hosts — who will be joined by Billy Porter in NYC, Ciara in LA and Big Freedia in New Orleans — also reminisced about past New Year’s Eve smooches, with Seacrest saying with a laugh, “I’ve kissed fans, I’ve kissed Jonas Brothers, I’ve kissed different artists that have been up on that stage over the years — because it’s midnight, and you turn to your left or right on the stage, and those who are couples are kissing, and those who are just left standing, we end up kissing each other on the cheek.” Hale, meanwhile, tried to score a kiss from Seoul’s finest: “BTS was there last year, and I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ like trying to sneak up on one of them. Didn’t happen.”

Watch the full interview above — in which Hale discusses whether she would make a cameo in the upcoming HBO Max reboot of Pretty Little Liars — and tune in to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2021 is produced by dick clark productions, which is owned by MRC Entertainment, the parent company of Billboard.

–Reporting by Tetris Kelly

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Kem & Toni Braxton’s ‘Live out Your Love’ Hits No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart

The partnership of R&B hitmakers Kem and Toni Braxton pays dividends as their collaboration “Live out Your Love” rises 2-1 to lead Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs airplay chart dated Jan. 2, 2021. The track, billed to Kem featuring Braxton, ascends despite suffering a 7% drop in plays in the week ending Dec. 27, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.

The new champ dethrones Chris Brown and Young Thug’s “Go Crazy,” which slips to No. 2 after one week in charge.

“Live” secures Kem’s seventh No. 1 on the Adult R&B Songs chart and gives the singer-songwriter his second consecutive leader, after “Lie to Me” reigned for seven weeks in June – August. The combo No. 1s makes for Kem’s second time posting back-to-back chart champs, following his double play of “It’s You” (four weeks in 2014) and “Nobody” (nine weeks, 2015).

Here’s a look at Kem’s full No. 1 collection on the chart:

Song Title, Weeks at No. 1, Date Reached No. 1
“Love Calls,” two, Sept. 13, 2003
“I Can’t Stop Loving You,” seven, May 21, 2005
“Why Would You Stay?,” two, Sept. 25, 2010
“It’s You,” four, Sept. 6, 2014
“Nobody,” nine, Feb. 21, 2015
“Lie to Me,” seven, June 27, 2020
“Live out Your Love,” featuring Toni Braxton, one (to date), Jan. 2, 2021

Plus, with seven No. 1s, Kem matches the totals of R. Kelly and Maxwell for the second-most among male artists since the chart began in 1992. The trio trail only Charlie Wilson in that count, who owns eight.

Alicia Keys leads the pack for all artists, with 11 No. 1s on the radio ranking.

But she also has competition. With “Love,” featured artist Toni Braxton banks her 10th leader on Adult R&B Songs, moving within one of Keys’ record.

Here’s a look at the full leaderboard:

11, Alicia Keys
10, Toni Braxton
8, Charlie Wilson
7, R. Kelly
7, Kem
7, Maxwell
6, Mary J. Blige
6, Whitney Houston
6, Brian McKnight
6, Usher
6, Luther Vandross

It’s possible, though the odds are slimming, that the contest between Braxton and Keys could renew soon. Both singers currently have singles in the Adult R&B Songs top 10 – Keys’ “Show Me Love,” featuring Khalid, and Braxton’s “Gotta Move On,” featuring H.E.R. – though the tracks are retreating from the pole position. On the current list, Keys slides 7-9, while Braxton similarly backtracks two spots, 8-10, with both enduring 16% tumbles in airplay.

Part of the slide, however, comes from the adult R&B radio format’s general shift toward holiday music in the past weeks. As that play will likely vanish in the next tracking week (Dec. 28 – Jan. 3), one or both songs may rebound and restart their ascents.

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How to Watch BTS, Halsey, Lauv & More on Big Hit Labels’ 2021 New Year’s Eve Live

Get ready to light 2021 up like dynamite with BTS, TXT, Lee Hyun, GFRIEND, NU’EST, BUMZU and ENHYPEN as part of Big Hit Labels’ 2021 New Year’s Eve Live show.

Halsey, Lauv and Steve Aoki will also join the concert lineup from the Special Stage. All three performers have previously collaborated with BTS in recent years: Halsey joined the K-pop boy band on “Boy With Luv,” Lauv joined them for “Make It Right” and “Who,” and Aoki remixed “MIC Drop” and “Waste It on Me.”

The show plans to honor late experimental rock singer-songwriter Shin Hae-chul, who died in October 2014, on the Connect Stage by using AI and hologram technology, as reported by Soompi. Artists will sing his hits “To You” and “What Do You Really Want?” during the tribute performance.

“We prepared a tribute stage to remember the late Shin Hae-chul, who rejected stereotyped thinking and didn’t hesitate to take challenges, in order to console everyone who was having a difficult and lethargic 2020,” Big Hit said in a statement. “We have been preparing this for a long time in order to complete an unforgettable performance that connects time, space, and generation with music.”

The 2021 New Year’s Eve Live concert will air on Thursday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT on Big Hit Labels’ fan community platform Weverse. Watch the trailer in the meantime below. Tickets are currently on sale at Weverse Shop until 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT on New Year’s Eve.

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