BLACKPINK Perform ‘Stay,’ Deliver Speech for ‘Dear Earth’ Special

BLACKPINK brought their ballad “Stay” to the YouTube Originals special Dear Earth on Saturday (Oct. 23).

The K-pop group sang their 2016 single for the virtual event, where they also communicated “an important message” in a segment they filmed about climate change.

“We are the first generation to have grown up in the digital age, and that makes us unique. Since we have grown up connected with each other through technology, we have a lot in common regardless of where we live on Earth. Today, we’re united once again as we’re facing a common problem associated with the times that we live in. We are growing up on a planet that, every day since we were born, has gotten sicker and sicker,” they said, each noting that problems like the amount of waste on the planet, air pollution, melting of polar ice caps and more have made them aware of why we need to take care of the Earth.

“We don’t have to ask if climate change is happening,” the group said. “We don’t have to be persuaded that nature is disappearing. The planet is warming too fast, our wild nature is disappearing too fast, the oceans are dying, the waste is piling up. The way things are going, there may be no planet left to save.”

BLACKPINK said, “Our generation will be responsible for taking care of the Earth and we will work towards building a better, more equal, more sustainable world.”

The special, produced by Done + Dusted, Strong Brew and Silverback Films, was released to “inspire and motivate audiences to create a better, healthier, existence for the planet through contributions from a wide range of global leaders, creators, celebrities and musicians,” Susanne Daniels, YouTube’s global head of original content, said in a statement last month.

BLACKPINK’s Lisa recently released her solo project Lalisa, featuring the title track and “Money.” “It’s a good opportunity for me to finally let the world know, ‘This is who I am,’” she told Billboard ahead of Lalisa’s arrival.

Watch BLACKPINK’s latest performance and their speech about climate change below.

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Jay Black, Jay and the Americans Singer, Dies at 82

Jay and the Americans singer Jay Black has died of complications from pneumonia. He was 82.

Black’s family confirmed that he passed on Friday night (Oct. 22). In his final years, Black, who performed his last concert in 2017, also suffered from dementia.

“Today, we mourn the passing of David Blatt a/k/a Jay Black and we acknowledge the great successes we had with him both as a partner and as a lead singer,” read a statement published on Jay and the Americans’ Facebook page on Saturday. “We shared both wonderful and very contentious times, and much like an ex-wife, we are so proud of the beautiful children we created. We’ll always remember The Voice.”

In the 1960s, Black joined the rock band, taking over for original singer Jay Traynor.

Black recorded a series of hits with Jay and the Americans, including “Come a Little Bit Closer” (1964) “Cara Mia” (1965) and “This Magic Moment” (1968).

Jay and the Americans were the opening act for the Beatles at their very first U.S. concert in 1964, in Washington, D.C.

The band parted ways in 1973, with Black moving forward with his career as a solo artist. He also enjoyed a short stint as an actor, with a supporting role in Frank Sinatra’s Contract on Cherry Street in 1977; Black portrayed the character of Tommy Sindardos in the made-for-television film distributed by NBC.

Black often performed as a solo artist in the tri-state area and in Florida. He held an annual gig at New York’s Westbury Music Fair, a theater on Long Island.

He is survived by four children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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5 Uplifting Moments in Latin Music This Week (Oct. 23)

From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Maluma to star in Encanto

Colombian superstar Maluma joins the cast of Disney’s upcoming film Encanto where he’ll voice the character of town heartthrob Mariano. “Encanto is such a magical movie,” Maluma said in a statement. “I’m from Colombia and the story is about a Colombian family. I’m proud to be part of this beautiful story. It means so much to me as I’m very passionate about sharing my country’s cultural values and story globally.” Other cast members in Encanto include John Leguizamo, Wilmer Valderrama and Diane Guererro.

Greeicy & Mike Bahia are engaged

Colombian power couple Greeicy and Mike Bahia are getting married! After nearly 10 years as a couple, Bahia officially proposed to Greeicy during Alejandro Sanz’s concert in Miami on Oct. 16. While she was onstage singing her duet with the Spanish singer, Bahia pretended to be one of the guitar players but later revealed his identity as he knelt down on one knee behind Greeicy. The sealed the deal with a beautiful ring decorated with a red and blue stones.

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Natti Natasha’s is getting her own Amazon series

Natti Natasha is getting her very own original series on Amazon Prime. The six-episode series titled Everybody Loves Natti is set to premiere Nov. 19 on the streaming platform. The series will offer a glimpse into the Dominican star’s journey and life (personal and professional). Mona Scott-Young, producer of the Love & Hip Hop franchise, serves as series creator and executive producer, along with executive producers Natasha and Raphy Pina. Watch the trailer below.

El Alfa sells out MSG

El Alfa has become the first dembow artist to sell out New York’s Madison Square Garden. The Dominican artist celebrated the milestone after more than 13,000 fans showed up to his concert on Friday (Oct. 22). “This accomplishment is dedicated to all Latinos around the world,” he wrote on social media. “I love you God, this happened thanks to you.” El Alfa’s feat was applauded by his compatriot Romeo Santos who wrote on Instagram, “Understand that El Alfa isn’t doing just another concert, he’s creating a precedent in the most important arena of the world. If you are Dominican, you should feel proud of his achievement because is another point for the Dominican Republic.”

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2021 Billboard Latin Power Players Event

Billboard celebrated its 2021 Latin Power Players event in Miami on Monday night with more than 65 executives representing top music companies. Hosted by Billboard president Julian Holguin; editorial director Hannah Karp; and VP/Latin industry lead Leila Cobo at the Nobu Restaurant in the Nobu Hotel, the event also honored Latin executive of the year Noah Assad, the co-founder and CEO of Rimas Entertainment.

Assad, who also manages Karol G and Eladio Carrion, among others, had a stellar year with his clients, including Bad Bunny, who became the first artist in Billboard history to place an all-Spanish album at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. At 31, he’s also the youngest executive ever to be honored as a Billboard executive of the year.

See the event’s photos here.

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Boosie Badazz Hurls Vile Words at Lil Nas X in Homophobic Tweet

Lil Nas X addressed the idea of making a song with Boosie Badazz, who did not react kindly. [Editor’s note: The report below, which quotes Boosie Badazz’s remarks directed at Lil Nas X, contains potentially distressing language about suicide.]

Over the weekend a clip of Lil Nas X from Instagram Live popped up, one in which he said to those watching, “I been working on this song with Lil Boosie, bro. I have this song with Lil Boosie, gonna come out.”

Boosie Badazz responded to his name being brought up by Lil Nas X with a vile, homophobic attack that suggested the “Industry Baby” rapper should “commit suicide.”

“STOP TROLLING ME F—– LOL!! U A WHOLE B—- PLAYING WITH A GANGSTA SMH U CAN KEEP SUCKING D— N GETTIN F—ED N YOUR A– N PEACE N #uhateyourself I WOULD TOO IF I WAS YOU LOL NASx IF YOU #commitsuicide YOU WOULD DO THIS WORLD A HUGE FAVOR NOBODY WANTS U HERE,” Badazz tweeted Saturday afternoon (Oct. 23). The tweet remained published for a while on Saturday, but has since been deleted for violating Twitter rules.

At the time of publication, Lil Nas X — who was recently honored as The Trevor Project’s Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year — had not responded to Boosie Badazz. While his name trended on Twitter over the hateful remarks, Lil Nas X instead took a moment to write, “i am truly saddened. i have never been so mortified in my life. i can’t believe disney channel has yet to play halloween town this entire october.”

“Discrimination around sexuality and gender identity is still very real, and our community deserves to feel supported and totally free to be themselves,” Lil Nas X said in September, when he was honored by The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention resources for LGBTQ+ youth. “I often get messages from fans telling me about their struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, and it made me realize that this was something bigger than myself. If using my voice and expressing myself in my music can help even one kid out there who feels alone, then it was all worth it.”

Boosie Badazz has talked negatively about Lil Nas X a number of times over the past several months. In September, Lil Nas X implied the comments did not affect him.

“I was listening to Boosie in the club the other day. I don’t really care. Honestly, I wish they didn’t say it, I guess,” Lil Nas said of the “Nasty, Nasty” rapper during an appearance on The Breakfast Club. “But I like the music, I’m gonna listen to the music. If somebody got beef with me, that doesn’t mean I got beef with them.” Asked if he would consider replying to the hateful messages, Lil Nas X had noted, “Only if I have something really witty.”

In July, Badazz defended DaBaby’s homophobic comments at Rolling Loud Miami and called Lil Nas X “the most disrespectful motherf—er in the world.” And after Lil Nas joked that and he and Jack Harlow would perform their song “Industry Baby” in their birthday suits at the VMAs, Badazz said, “If I’m at the awards and he go up there naked, I’ma drag his a– offstage and beat his a–.”

Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” recently reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, marking Lil Nas X’s third leader on the list. His debut smash “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, spent 19 weeks at No. 1 in April-August 2019 and “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” led for a week upon its debut in April 2021.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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Pianist Li Yundi Named in Prostitution Case by Beijing Police

Police in China’s capital Beijing say famed international pianist Li Yundi is a suspect in a prostitution case.

A message on the force’s microblog said a suspect had been placed in administrative detention and an investigation opened on Thursday (Oct. 21) involving a woman identified by her surname Chen and a man named as “Li di,” with the first part of his personal name deleted as is standard in police cases.

The post was followed by another message depicting a piano keyboard and the words “one must definitely see clearly the difference between black and white.”

The official China Musicians Association also said it was expelling Li from the organization based on the Beijing Chaoyang District police notice that he had been arrested.

Li, 39, began playing piano as a small child and studied in China and Germany before becoming the youngest winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000 at age 18. He has since toured the world and recorded frequently, making him one of China’s best known international artists.

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Company owned by Florida lawmaker pushing to withdraw from OSHA was fined by the agency

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Feds step up prosecutions of Venezuelan corruption and money laundering cases in Miami

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Out of the public eye, two who recently passed helped make South Florida a better place

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With gentle pushback, businesses want Florida to let them choose their vaccine rules

As Gov. Ron DeSantis calls legislators into special session next month, the quiet pushback of the powerful business industry is already being felt. Although the governor may have declared war … Click to Continue »
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Police: Burglar gets new keys before she’s locked up

A woman pretended she owned a Southern California home so a locksmith would make her new keys. Then police locked her up. Officers arrested a 43-year-old woman on suspicion of … Click to Continue »
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