Adrian Lyles caught up with Billboard’s Rania Aniftos at the Billboard No. 1s Party 2024.
John Park caught up with Billboard’s Rania Aniftos at the Billboard No. 1s Party 2024.
Zedd caught up with Billboard’s Rania Aniftos at the Billboard No 1s Party 2024.
Soul legend Al Green has turned his attention to college rock favorites R.E.M., sharing a cover of the Georgia outfit’s 1993 single, “Everybody Hurts”.
Released on Tuesday (Nov. 19), Green’s cover of the song sees the veteran singer reimagining the original in his trademark soul style, backing his delivery of the hopeful lyrics with a full band, including strings and backing vocalists.
“Recording ‘Everybody Hurts,’ I could really feel the heaviness of the song and I wanted to inject a little touch of hope and light into it,” Green wrote on social media. “There’s always a presence of light that can break through those times of darkness.”
Originally released on the 1992 album Automatic for the People, “Everybody Hurts” was issued as the record’s second single, becoming its most successful. While the album itself peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, “Everybody Hurts” reached No. 29 on the Hot 100, and peaked at No. 13 on the Pop Airplay charts.
It’s since been utilized by a number of charitable organizations, including the Samaritans in the U.K., and the Helping Haiti fund and the Disasters Emergency Committee, who organized a cover version to aid in support of the devastation from the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The cover featured contributions from the likes of Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Rod Stewart, Jon Bon Jovi, Kylie Minogue, and many others, eventually peaking at No. 21 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
In February 2019, the song became embroiled in slight controversy when President Donald Trump shared clips from his State of the Union address cued to the track over a montage of congressional democrats looking dejected. R.E.M. later protested his usage of the song, evoking the title of their 1988 track “World Leader Pretend” in their response, and ultimately convincing Twitter to take down Trump’s original clip.
The cover of “Everybody Hurts” is Green’s first single to be released since last year’s cover of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day”, which in turn followed his first new music in a decade with 2018’s cover of Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls”. Green’s last studio album, Lay It Down, was released in 2008 and peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
Morrissey has asserted that his lack of recorded output in recent years isn’t due to a lack of inspiration or ideas, but rather due to a war on “free speech”.
The comments were made by the former Smiths frontman at a concert in Newark, New Jersey last Wednesday (Nov. 13), with the Asbury Park Press reporting that the musician vented his frustrations in the midst of his 20-song set.
“As you know, nobody will release my music anymore,” Morrissey told the crowd. “As you know because I’m a chief exponent of free speech. In England at least, it’s now criminalized.
“You cannot speak freely in England. If you don’t believe me, go there. Express an opinion, you’ll be sent to prison. It’s very, very difficult.”
Morrissey’s comments are likely in reference to both the backlash he faced following his apparent support of far-right political party For Britain, and the fact he has not issued a new album since 2020’s I Am Not a Dog on a Chain.
In February 2023, however, the singer was scheduled to release his 14th record, Bonfire of Teenagers, which was reportedly completed in mid-2021. Alongside appearances from Miley Cyrus and Iggy Pop, the album reportedly featured production by Andrew Watt and musical assists from the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, bassist Flea and former RHCP guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
Three months before its planned release, Morrissey issued a statement noting the record was “no longer scheduled for a February release”, claiming its “fate is exclusively in the hands of Capitol Records (Los Angeles.).” These claims were soon followed by news that Cyrus had requested her vocals be removed from the record.
He later issued another statement claiming he was “too diverse” for for Universal Music Group, noting that “although he does not believe that Capitol Records in Los Angeles signed Bonfire of Teenagers in order to sabotage it, he is quickly coming around to that belief”.
While Bonfire of Teenagers remains unreleased, Morrissey has since reportedly completed an additional album titled Without Music the World Dies. Despite offering the album to “any record label or private investor [that] has interest in releasing this project” due to his split with Capitol, that album too remains unreleased.
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Countdown to the holidays.
Not sure what to get the man in your life for Christmas? Billboard‘s got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of thoughtful and affordable holiday gifts for men that are available at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Nike and other retailers that offer fast delivery in time for the holidays.
And they’re not just for Dec. 25: This gift guide can be used for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day and other special occasions.
See below for a roundup of the 21 best gifts for men — going beyond the standard last-minute shopping approach and resulting in gifts which are appreciated, treasured, and enjoyed for years to come.
Air Jordan 1 Low
Kicking off the list with a classic gift for sneaker lovers: Nike’s Air Jordan 1 translates the iconic, Jordan silhouette into a low-top sneaker with the signature wings logo on the underfoot (midsole, outsole and insole).
1,000 Record Covers is a timeless and thoughtful gift option that music lovers will enjoy. The Amazon bestseller, originally released a decade ago, comes packed with legendary cover art from the 1960s up to the 1990s — including album covers from Simon & Garfunkel, Billy Joel and more.
Vroom, vroom! This Fender-inspired key holder is made with real amp fabric, guitar plugs and input jacks. The key holder features four, laser-etched Fender guitar plug keychains and a kit to mount it to the wall.
Lululemon’s Smooth Spacer Quarter-Zip jacket is tailor-made for casual wear. This pullover jacket is available in tan, black, navy and green (XS-XXL).
Perfect for a musician or music fan, this personalized LP clock is made from an upcycled vinyl LP, finished in a gold and platinum hue and suspended in a stylish, floating frame.
Timex Men’s Expedition Scout 40mm Watch – Black Case Cream Dial with Green Fabric Strap
If you’re interested in a watch deal, this Timex men’s watch is on sale for under $40. The budget-friendly watch features a dial and date combo with an adjustable, 20 millimeter nylon strap, plus it’s waterproof up to 165 feet and available in several colors. Click here for more men’s watch sales.
We love a practical gift option! Given the frigid temperatures in some places, rechargeable hand warmers are an alliterative to traditional gloves.
A perfect shot! These stackable, Yeti shot glasses come with a carrying case, and according to one customer review, the cups make a “great addition to the bar.”
Need something nostalgic? Push play on this retro, Mixtape doormat from graphic artist Jim Holodak. The personalized doormat measures 18 x 27 inches.
Travel is always a good idea. Save 30% off Samsonite’s Novaire set is 30% off for Black Friday. The set includes a 21-inch carry-on suitcase and a larger, 29.25-inch suitcase (available in black, green, blue, and rose gold).
Columbia’s Gunnison II Omni-Heat Boots are made to last. The waterproof, insulated boots feature Omni-Heat, the brand’s thermal-reflective breathable lining which uses silver dots to reflect body heat to keep your feet warm no matter how low the temperature drops.
If you’d rather find a comfy shoe, check out the Hamani Hulu Wool Mule Slipper from OluKai. Available in men’s sizes ranging from 7-17, the wool slipper features tweed Italian felt and suede with a durable outsole “inspired by coral reef fish” while the name Hamani Hulu means, “The smoothness of a water-worn pebble, worn into perfection,” according to the product description.
Nike’s Elite EasyOn BackPack is a gift option for travelers and commuters. The durable backpack has peel-top magnetic opening, dual shoulder straps and tons of pockets (internal and external).
PEPKICN Rock Guitar Style Heavy Duty Stainless Steel 2-Piece Barbecue Tool Set – Spatula & Tongs with Wooden Handle
With winter on the way, it might be a while before he’s manning the grill but this barbecue tool set will come in handy (it’s useful for cooking indoors in addition to outdoor grilling). The set features a pair of tongs and spatula shaped like a classic rock guitar.
Costway 54” Foosball Soccer Table Competition Sized Foosball Arcade Indoor Game Room
Every home arcade needs a foosball table! This 54-inch table includes a soccer field, player, goals and two foosballs.
A practical gift for the bearded man in your life. The beard apron catches access hair from shaving so your bathroom sink doesn’t look a mess.
Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian – Wireless Bluetooth Speaker and Portable Charger via USB-C
Portable Bluetooth speakers are great for any time of year — especially the holidays. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly device, the new Beats Pill is a great portable speaker under $150 — and the battery lasts for up to 24 hours.
Looking for a record player under $40? This Bluetooth, 3-speed capabilities of 33/45/78 RMP — and it’s a No. 1 bestseller at Amazon. See more record players and turntable here.
Beats Solo 4 headphones are extremely popular, well-reviewed — and currently on sale for under $150. Available in black, blue and pink, the over-ear headphones offer noise cancellation, up to 50 hours of battery life and quick charging capabilities.
JYX Karaoke Machine with Two Wireless Microphones, Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Bass/Treble Adjustment
Make it a couples karaoke night for the holidays! This portable karaoke machine has a built-in battery that works for up to 6-8 hours, Bluetooth and two microphones.
Fitvids LX750 Multifunctional Full Home Gym System Workout Station with 122.5 Lbs Weight Stack
Need a fitness gift? This multifunctional gym workout station includes weight plates and an adjustable seat for a full body workout.
For more gift options, see our picks for the best gifts for music lovers, best Lego gifts, tech gifts and viral gifts from Walmart.
When Sabrina Carpenter set up shop in Los Angeles for three dates of her Short n’ Sweet Tour, she brought out the big guns. There was Christina Aguilera. There was Jack Antonoff. And then there was Domingo.
On the new Pop Shop Podcast, we welcome Billboard deputy editor Lyndsey Havens so she and Katie can tell Keith all about their night out at the Forum for night 2 in LA, where Carpenter’s pop-star vision finally became a reality with a huge stage production and an even bigger fanbase.
Plus, Lyndsey sat down last week with Billboard cover star Olivia Rodrigo for a Superstar Q&A at the Billboard Live Music Summit, and she tells us all about her panel discussion with the Guts-y singer.
Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Shaboozey scores an 18th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” leaving the song just a week away from tying the all-time record for the most weeks at No. 1 set by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Plus, Gracie Abrams gets her first Hot 100 top 10 with “That’s So True,” Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” hits No. 1 on the Pop Airplay chart, and Dean Martin scores his first new hit on the Adult Contemporary chart since 2006 with an unearthed live recording from 1952 of a certain Christmas classic.
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard’s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard’s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)
Dame Dash claims Drake offered $6 million for his Roc-A-Fella shares, but “disappeared.”
In a recent video uploaded to Dash’s America Nu Network YouTube page, the Harlem businessman talked about the controversial auction. “So, the auction happened yesterday and basically no one showed up,” he began. “Only Jay‘s lawyers, the state [of New York], and the crew that was initially suing me.” He then mentioned that he wasn’t there because it was his son’s birthday and that he “just wanted this thing to be done.”
According to the New York Post, the state of New York made a $1 million bid and won as they continue to try and collect the $8 million in back taxes Dash owes the state. “No one showed up,” Dame reiterated. “And the state made a bid for it and that’s really what it was worth.” He then continued by throwing some shade towards his former business partner Jay-Z, “What this really taught me was that, in the world, homie isn’t as big as he portrayed. I thought more people would be interested in buying it because of the art value of it. And that’s the only thing I was selling, because of how everyone portrays they love this dude… I thought people would at least show up. No one even showed up.”
Dash then revealed Drake made a hefty offer over DM, but went ghost. “At the end of the day, I don’t really understand it,” he said of the situation. “My child support, I guess, will get paid. And in my mind, I wasn’t getting any of that bread anyway. If I could sell it, I thought people really loved homeboy, pause, way more than they did. People did not show up. Drake did put a bid in for $6 million but then he disappeared. It’s in my DM… I don’t know what happened. But other than that, no serious people. No one wanted that sh—t. Period.”
Back in August, Dame offered an original Roc-A-Fella chain to anyone who bids over $10 million, but obviously that scenario never came to fruition. Also, there have been rumors swirling about whether or not Roc-A-Fella Inc.’s main asset Reasonable Doubt would eventually land in the hands of Jay-Z, ultimately scaring potential buyers off. However, a judge refused to give a ruling in that regard. “The asset that is the subject of the auction is Dash’s one-third interest in RAF [Roc-A-Fella] itself, not the work owned by RAF,” the judge wrote. “The Court does not presently have jurisdiction over the validity of Carter’s copyright termination notice.”
You can watch the full video below.
The combined might of Eric Benét and Tamar Braxton helps both artists reclaim the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart after a considerable absence. Their duet, “Something We Can Make Love To,” climbs from the runner-up spot to lead the list dated Nov. 23 and was the most-played song on U.S. monitored adult R&B radio stations in the Nov. 8 – 14 tracking week, according to Luminate.
With its ascent, “Something,” released on Benét’s JBR label, bumps Tyrese’s “Wildflower” from the summit after the latter’s two-week command.
“Something” gives Benét his fourth No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay and first leader in 14 years. He first ruled in 1999 with “Spend My Life With You,” featuring Tamia, a five-week champ, and followed with “You’re The Only One” (five weeks, 2008) and “Sometimes I Cry” (five, 2010).
The decade-plus wait for a new No. 1 puts Benét among peers who recently completed spells between leaders: Wildflower” was Tyrese’s first Adult R&B Airplay No. 1 in nine years, while Kenny Lattimore’s “Take a Dose” topped the chart in February 2023, the performer’s first coronation since “For You” in April 1997 – just two months shy of 26 years.
Braxton, meanwhile, achieves her second No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay, after “Love and War” conquered the radio ranking for nine weeks in 2013.
Between their last leaders, both Benét and Braxton have been within one spot of adding a new No. 1 to their counts. Benét’s “Sunshine” reached a No. 2 peak in 2016, having been held back from the top spot by Ro James’ “Permission.”
In Braxton’s case, both of the singer’s two most recent entries on the chart, 2020’s “Crazy Kind of Love” and 2023’s “Changed,” both peaked at No. 2. The former parked in the runner-up rank for two weeks, unable to overcome Charlie Wilson’s “What I Got,” while the latter’s five-week stretch with the silver medal fell behind Janelle Monae’s “Lipstick Lover” for one frame and October London’s “Back to Your Place” for a month.
Elsewhere, “Something” drives 19-15 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, which ranks songs by combined audience totals from the panel-monitored adult R&B and mainstream R&B/hip-hop radio stations. There, the single jumps to 5.9 million in format audience, up 9% from the prior week.
Airplay gains, in turn, power the track’s No. 24 debut on the multi-metric Hot R&B Songs chart, which blends streaming, radio airplay and song sales for its calculations. The entrance marks Benét’s second visit to the 12-year-old list, after “News for You” in 2013, and Braxton’s ninth appearance.
A federal judge ordered prosecutors Tuesday not to use papers taken from the jail cell of Sean “Diddy” Combs until he rules on defense claims that they are trial preparation materials protected by attorney-client privilege.
Judge Arun Subramanian made his ruling at a Manhattan federal court hearing after lawyers fiercely disputed the circumstances and relevance of the seizure of 19 pages that were photographed by an investigator inside the cell of the music mogul.
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is accused of coercing and abusing women for years with the aid of a network of associates and employees.
The seizure came during what the government has described as a multi-day sweep of all cells at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, intended to remove any weapons or contraband as an anti-violence measure.
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said he may ask the judge to dismiss the indictment or force a recusal of prosecutors if the judge rules that the materials were obtained and used improperly.
Combs, who hugged his lawyers when he first entered the courtroom, carried a stack of papers as he was led away at the end of the hearing.
Agnifilo said he was unaware that the papers in Combs’ cell had been photographed by an investigator with the Bureau of Prisons and turned over to prosecutors until he saw them cited in written arguments opposing his $50 million bail proposal. A bail hearing is set for Friday.
He said two references to the papers were made as prosecutors argued that Combs has continued to commit crimes since his September arrest.
Prosecutors said Combs orchestrated social media campaigns aimed at tainting the jury pool, tried to publicly leak materials he thought would be helpful to his case and contacted potential witnesses through third parties.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Slavik said the seized materials were scrutinized by independent government lawyers who are walled off from the prosecution to determine if they were protected by attorney-client privilege.
They were not discussed with defense lawyers because some of them were deemed to pertain to a covert and continuing investigation of Combs, she said.
Slavik also said prosecutors had no contact with jail officials beforehand and gave no instructions regarding any search of Combs’ cell.
Some of the photographed pages contained a to-do list and inspirational quotes along with comments about birthdays, according to Slavik, while two excerpts pertained to Combs paying and finding damaging material about potential witnesses.
Agnifilo said, however, that even things that seem unrelated to the case are protected by attorney-client privilege. For instance, he said, attorneys have discussed with Combs prospective witnesses they might call.
“Every single thing” in the seized papers is subject to attorney-client privilege because Combs discussed them with lawyers, Agnifilo said.
“The government now knows potential defense witnesses for a May 5 trial,” he added. “This has been a complete government failure.”
The judge asked each side to submit written arguments in the coming weeks.
This story was originally published by The Associated Press.
