Jessie Murph’s That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil comes out this Friday, and the singer shares her Amy WInehouse inspo for her new music. She also talks about her collab with Jelly Roll on “Wild Ones,” her Sexyy Red pre-show ritual and more!
Jessie Murph: I just hope they’re … they can feel, like, the emotion behind it, because there’s a lot of emotion behind it. I’d say it’s like the first one … of the first times I’ve, like, fully come into my artistry.
Hey, y’all, it’s Jessie Murph, and you’re watching Billboard News.
I’d say it’s my most authentic music yet. It’s definitely, like, straight from the soul. Like, everything I’m saying is stuff that I, like, went through and just felt like I needed to get out ’cause there’s a lot of, like, anger, there’s a lot of sadness, there’s a lot of different emotions in there. But I don’t know, this album was such a process of, like, healing for me personally, but sonically, it’s a little different from all my other stuff. A lot of it was, like, more inspired by Amy Winehouse. I think I’ve always just like resonated with her, like, lyrically, and I think her voice has so much like soul in it. This project, not even, like, specifically by Amy Winehouse, I think, like, soul in general has been really inspiring to me lately. But yeah, and hers is, like soul, but it’s, like, darker. And I really love that.
Probably this one quote, “I Hope It Hurts.” The vocals are really big. It’s super soulful and just a very, like, painful song. And I love it.
So much fun. Best dude I’ve ever met, seriously, such a good guy.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 19:01:022024-09-04 19:01:02Jessie Murph Talks Jelly Roll Collab, Amy Winehouse Inspiration on New Album | Billboard News
Rod Wave is getting back on the road for another North American trek, as the singer announced his Last Lap Tour on Wednesday (Sept. 4).
Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior and Eelmatic will be joining as supporting acts on the tour, which is set to kick off in Phoenix on Oct. 19.
“The Most Anticipated Tour Of 2024 Is Almost Here,” Wave wrote on Instagram. “@Rodwave is Bringing A Show You Don’t Want To Miss To A City Near Your! ‘ LAST LAP TOUR’ is coming With Special Guests.”
Tickets for the Last Lap Tour go on sale starting on Friday (Sept. 6) at 10 a.m. local time over on Rod Wave’s official website.
Following a trip to the desert, Rod and company will make stops in Oakland, Sacramento, Houston, Dallas, Memphis, Lexington, Detroit, Chicago, Brooklyn, Boston, Baltimore, Philly, Nashville and Orlando, before wrapping up in Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 18.
Fans were excited and had plenty to say in his comments section, as some wondered if this tour meant a new album was on the way following 2023’s Nostalgia.
“Now announce the album date,” one person commented, while another wrote, “Now, where is the album?”
One fan even made a joke about Rod Wave falling through the stage during a 2020 concert. “Aye this year let’s try not to break the stage.” (After that mishap, the musician footage of the incident and joked on Instagram, “PIMP DOWN I REPEAT PIMP DOWN.”)
The 26-year-old has laid low in 2024 outside of the release of his pensive single “Numb” in April. Rod unleashed his Nostalgia album in September, with a guest appearance from 21 Savage. Wave’s fifth studio LP debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 137,000 total album-equivalent units sold in the first week. All 18 tracks from Nostalgia also made the Billboard Hot 100.
Find all of the Last Lap Tour dates and announcement below.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 18:50:312024-09-04 18:50:31Rod Wave Announces 2024 Last Lap Tour With Moneybagg Yo & Toosii
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.
Owala has quickly taken over in popularity due to its 40 oz tumblers‘ striking similarity to Stanley, in addition to a more affordable price point and features that beat out its competitor’s. Now, Amazon has dropped its own exclusive collection featuring colorways you can only find through the online retailer. There are six shades to choose from — Foggy Tide, Bunny Hop, Iced Tea, The Great Blue, Watermelon Breeze and Brave Adventures — that range from neutral to bold neon shades you can stock up on for just $38 (compared to Stanley’s $45).
You won’t just be showing off a stylish color contrasting exterior, either. The stainless steel tumblers also come with a triple-insulated interior that can help keep beverages cold for up to 40 hours. That’s more than triple the amount of time Stanley’s Quencher is advertised to maintain a cold temperature, which may be due to the fact it has a double-wall vacuum insulation.
Keep reading to shop the Amazon-exclusive Owala tumblers.
Reviewers can’t stop praising Owala’s 40 oz tumblers — especially over how well it “keeps ice like a gem.” With a triple layer insulation, the tumbler uses a stainless steel material and vacuum-sealed top to keep your drinks at optimal temperatures for longer periods of time.
This colorway doesn’t just give off a more delicate vibe with its pastel shade, the tumbler will also prevent any accidental spills by using a leakproof lid that’s also splash-resistant. You can also switch up how you drink your water, since the straw’s removable and the lid can flip open.
For a more simple look, the Iced Tea Owala tumbler comes with hues of gray and white with pops of brown on the straw and logo. The opening is also wide enough to add ice and clean easily. You can throw the lid in the dishwasher, but the cup should be washed by hand, according to the brand.
Bring a pop of color to your hydration with this insulated tumbler. It combines blue with a hint of lime green for a chic contrasting appearance. You can also use the built-in handle for a seamless drinking experience.
TikTok user @justadadvideos put Owala, Stanely and Yeti to the test in a video that has gained more than 158,000 views and showcases whether each tumbler is leakproof.
After tipping each one over, Owala was the only tumbler to keep water inside, and it wasn’t until the user opened the lid of the Owala tumbler that water began to rush out.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 18:31:282024-09-04 18:31:28Owala Launches Amazon-Exclusive Tumblers That ‘Keeps Ice’ Longer Than Stanley Cups — and for Under $40
Grotesquerie‘s arrival is less than a month away, and the official trailer for Ryan Murphy’s upcoming drama series dropped on Wednesday (Sept. 4).
In the nearly three-minute clip — which features an introduction from Travis Kelce — Niecy Nash-Betts’ character, Detective Lois Tryon, opens the clip by warning, “Something hellish is here.”
She tries to get to the bottom of a particularly gruesome murder along with a nun journalist, before scenes of devastating crimes flash on the screen. Kelce’s character makes an appearance, ominously stating, “There is no future after this.”
In the show, “a series of heinous crimes have unsettled a small community,” per the description. “Detective Lois Tryon feels these crimes are eerily personal, as if someone—or something—is taunting her. With no leads and unsure of where to turn, she accepts the help of Sister Megan. However, they find themselves ensnared in a sinister web that only seems to raise more questions than answers.”
In addition to Betts and Kelce, Grotesquerie also stars Courtney B. Vance, Lesley Manville and more.
Grotesquerie is the latest in Kelce’s growing list of entertainment gigs off the Kansas City Chiefs’ field. Prime Video confirmed earlier this year that Kelce is slated to host its upcoming game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, a spin-off of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? The series will feature contestants using celebrities to help with 11 elementary-school-level questions as they compete to win $100,000.
Watch the official Grotesquerie trailer in full below. The show hits FX and Hulu starting on September 25.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 18:31:272024-09-04 18:31:27Travis Kelce Warns of Impending Doom in Official ‘Grotesquerie’ Trailer
Kaytranada, Ravyn Lenae and Channel Tres brought serious swagger to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert while performing a two-track medley on Tuesday (Sept. 3).
The night’s musical performance started with Kaytra and a crew of dancers turning up the energy on stage before Lenae delivered her silky vocals on “Pressure,” the opening track from Kaytranada’s June album, Timeless. The dancers then drop it for the camera, before Tres bounds on stage to deliver his own Timeless collab, “Drip Sweat.”
In a highlight, Kaytra comes out from behind the decks to do a choreographed dance alongside Tres and the dancers, drawing a cheer from the crowd.
The late-night guest spot comes ahead of the 15-date Timeless tour Kaytranada and Tres are embarking on later this month. The run starts in Vancouver, B.C., on Sept. 15, then hits venues across the U.S. and Canada before closing with a Nov. 15 performance at the Desert Air festival in Palm Springs, Calif.
“When the Kaytranada tour offer came it was just like, ‘Wow, this is exactly what I need right now,’ Tres recently toldBillboard. “I was excited to go on tour by myself, but then I was like, ‘Nah, Kaytranada and I together on a tour is just going to be the biggest dance party of the year.’”
“[My team and I] are so locked in to capitalize on the things I’ve already done,” he continued. “My routine is better. Me and creative partner, we’ve gotten better. I’m open to learning, but I’m also coming with fire. I’ve been rehearsing, and I’m honing in on things I haven’t before. Even if it’s just a dance move I want to add to my repertoire. I’ve been watching a lot of Broadway shows like The Wiz. Now I’m walking around in the house, but I’m doing it in a Broadway fashion.”
In the span of three years, Tennessee native Chase Matthew has gone from wielding wrenches and pliers to commandeering guitars, microphones, and massive stages. His song “Love You Again” currently ranks at No. 11 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and has 154.9 million official on-demand U.S. streams, according to Luminate.
The former ATV mechanic wrote “Love You Again” with co-writers Casey Brown (“I Am Not Okay,” “Blue Tacoma”) and Taylor Phillips (“Thinkin’ ‘Bout Me,” “World on Fire”), at Brown’s home studio near Nashville.
“I call it the Magic Room,” Matthew tells Billboard. “There’s so many great songs that came out of there. Co-writing is not something I’ve done until recently, so to have an opportunity to do that with those two legends … the song came together really fast, in like 30 minutes.”
He further noted that much of the finalized version fans hear on the radio is what they recorded that day as a demo, including his vocals.
“Sometimes you can’t recreate those things and it’s cool to be able to say we just caught something in the moment, and it turned out to be more than good enough,” he says.
Matthew was born in Sevierville, Tennessee and his family moved to Ashland City, just outside of Nashville, when he was three months old. Matthew grew up in a musical family — his parents were both aspiring artists at one point, playing shows in downtown Nashville bars and in Printer’s Alley, while Matthew grew up playing drums in his church’s youth band. He started writing songs at 12 and putting out cover songs at age 15. He dropped out of high school and balanced work as a mechanic with crafting music.
Early on, other Nashville-area natives and members of the music community, including Jelly Roll, Ryan Upchurch and Struggle Jennings, took notice. Matthew, who is managed by Loyd Potts and Ken Madson of Ignition Management, was encouraged to post music on TikTok. His first video, for the searing post-breakup song “County Line,” which immediately gained traction on the platform, earning nearly a million views. Matthew followed with his six-song EP County Line, issued through Upchurch’s Holler Boy Records, in partnership with ONErpm. “County Line” presently has 242.1 million official on-demand U.S. streams through Aug. 29, according to Luminate.
“I wrote that song in my bedroom on a $200 laptop that I got off of Facebook marketplace — it was probably stolen, I don’t even know,” Matthew recalls. “It’s awesome that so many OGs like Ryan Upchurch and Jelly Roll have been part of it along the way. I’m grateful for it.”
Matthew released his full-length album Born for This in 2022 on Holler Boy Records. That same year, he took his momentum to the major labels, joining Warner Music Nashville’s artist roster through a joint venture. Last year, he released the whopping 25-song Come Get Your Memory (via Warner Music Nashville/Chase Matthew Music). This year, he’s steadily continued releasing music, including the five-track EP Always Be Mine (with four of the tracks co-written by Matthew). This year, the UTA-repped Matthew also opened shows for Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, and in 2025, will join Keith Urban’s High and Alive World Tour. He also earned his first major music award nomination, in the People’s Choice Country Awards’ new artist of 2024 category.
Billboard spoke with Matthew, our September Country Rookie of the Month, about his early musical experiences, collaborations, and his goals for what lies ahead.
What made Warner Music Nashville your label of choice?
I was doing as much as I felt like I could have been doing independently at the time and I wanted to level up. They jumped in with me and — I don’t even know if I’m allowed to say this — I kind of named my deal, and it was cool, because they believed in it and they showed me that they believed in me. I wanted to hear myself on the radio, not an independent-owned station, though that’s awesome. I wanted to turn on the radio in New York City and hear myself being played there. I met with a lot of labels … and they believed in me more than anybody else in town. They haven’t tried to change a thing about me. They’re definitely the artist label of Nashville, is what I would call it.
This year, you released the EPs We All Grow Up and Always Be Mine. Is another project in the works?
I’ve probably got 300 songs on my phone just begging to be released. I’ve got another album that will drop next year. It’s going to be some really good songs and I’m being very selective on what’s going to end up on that project.
Will there be any collaborations on that album?
Yes, there 100% will be. I’m trying to decide what I want to do and which friends I want to reach out to and say, “Hey, man, I want you to be a part of this.” But it’s coming along.
Speaking of collaborations, you have a collaboration with Flo Rida, “Floats Your Boat,” that was just released. How did that come about?
That dude was my childhood. That’s the dude we would listen to on MP3 players that barely worked with our Dollar General earbuds while we were riding our bikes. Someone on my team told me he was looking for maybe a country collab. I recorded a vocal on the song and they loved it. I was like, “Does that mean we get to put the song out together?” And here it is.
Later today, we’re going over to the lake to shoot some content for the song to promote it. We’re going to show him how we throw a boat party, redneck style. I’ve never met the man. We’ve been DMing on Instagram a bit here and there, but I’m just excited about the final product.
Your song “Darlin’” is gaining a lot of traction. What is the story behind that?
We wrote that song sitting in a casino, and we had a couple of days to kill out west because we didn’t want to drive back to Nashville. Me, my lighting guy and my guitar player started writing this song and brought it back to Nashville, finished it up with my producer, Alex Maxwell. It’s just become everybody’s heartbreak anthem. I’m grateful that we wrote it that day. I lost a lot of money [that day] but got a song out of it — and that might be better in the long run.
What is the first concert you remember seeing?
I grew up around live music so I was always seeing live performances, but probably my first concert was this thing in Nashville they have every year called WinterJam. They bring all these Christian music artists to Bridgestone Arena. I remember I saw BarlowGirl there. I was a big fan of them back in the day—and I mean, being a young boy who saw three pretty girls who loved Jesus, why wouldn’t you?
What was the first album you fell in love with?
Breaking Benjamin and Phobia. My brother left a CD in my dad’s Jeep and when I was younger I would go out there and tinker with the Jeep and the CD was still in it. It had “The Diary of Jane” on it and that album was great.
What podcast or book have you been into lately?
I don’t keep up with anybody really, but I love Theo Von. He’s setting the bar for that industry. One day, I hope I’ll end up running into that guy, meeting him and getting to tell him myself how much I like his stuff.
Outside of music, what are some of your goals?
I do plan on making my mark. I want to buy 100 acres and start building that family farm. Some people, some artists in town, they grew up on a farm. My family never had a farm, but I want to have that property that my grandkids and great-grandkids someday can come to. I want to establish a generational imprint. I think that’s something we should all focus a little more on, what we are going to leave behind for the next generation — and not just in our family, but in the world.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 18:22:392024-09-04 18:22:39‘Love You Again’ Hitmaker Chase Matthew on Nashville’s Music Scene, Collaborating With Flo Rida & More
This year’s MTV Video Music Awards will take place Sept. 11, a full four decades since the first VMAs helped the nascent cable network make a place for itself, as well as the music video format. Back then, some executives already had a crystal-clear picture of its possibilities, while others just saw static. Video eventually migrated from TV screen to mobile phone, cable to Internet. Billboard has been binge-watching the entire time.
Monkee Business
Groups from ABBA to Queen had made videos since the 1970s, but it took one of The Monkees to see the future. A full year before MTV went live, the March 1, 1980, issue of Billboard reported on Mike Nesmith’s Nickelodeon TV series, Popclips. “The concept is to feature video images with songs separated by a videodisk jockey,” an article explained. Nesmith predicted that “every professional musician” would soon have to adapt. Was this “MTV see, Monkee do”?
Full Speed Ahead
Then came the new wave flood. Elektra chairman Bob Krasnow told Billboard in an Aug. 25, 1984, article that “MTV exposure for the accompanying videos” fueled The Cars’ Heartbeat City album. Others hit the brakes. “I think those people who are out spending, trying to cash in on new technology, will get their fingers burned,” predicted another executive in the same issue. A Sept. 1, 1984, op-ed shared a fear that video would kill the radio star: “How many of the superstars of yesterday… would be denied contracts in 1984 because of a perceived ‘lack of viability’ as video artists?”
Ride the Wave
Fans wanted their MTV. “Our research shows that young record buyers are greatly affected by the channel’s airplay and promotional efforts,” reported the Sept. 8, 1984, Billboard, and “40.1% of those influenced by MTV” preferred new wave. That was reflected by the winners at the first VMAs, which took place Sept. 14, 1984, including The Cars, Cyndi Lauper and Eurythmics. But the big winner was the channel itself. “When MTV signed on in August 1981,” declared the Oct. 13, 1984, issue, “music videos changed the face of rock in the blink of an eye.”
Computer Love
With the new millennium came a new frontier. In the Sept. 4, 2004, issue, Billboard predicted that “two new mobile platforms hitting the market this year” — the Palm and Pocket PC — “represent what will become a powerful new way to distribute and consume music and music videos.” Handheld devices, it predicted, would “become a key part of the modern lifestyle.”
YouTube-ular
By the mid-2000s, industry executives longed for reruns of the days “when music videos, not longform reality and lifestyle programs, ruled the roost at MTV,” reported the Feb. 12, 2005, issue. “My biggest disappointment is that there’s no longer an ‘M’ for music in MTV,” said Clive Davis. And as the airwaves dried up, data streams began to flow. The Oct. 14, 2006, issue reported that “online sites such as MySpace, YouTube and Yahoo are pursuing [MTV’s] audience” for music videos. Seven years later, the Billboard Hot 100 began blending YouTube streams into its data pool.
This story appears in the Aug. 31, 2024, issue of Billboard.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 18:22:382024-09-04 18:22:38From Lightning Rod to Promotional Must: Hitting Rewind on Billboard’s Coverage of the Music Video
Daddy Yankee will publish his first book, titled ReaDY! The Power to Change Your Story.
HarperCollins Publishers announced on Wednesday (Sept. 4) that it has acquired all languages rights to the inspirational work by the artist (born Raymond Ayala). The rights were acquired by Cris Garrido, VP and Publisher of Spanish.
“Raymond has been inspiring and entertaining millions of people over the past three decades as Daddy Yankee,” said Garrido in a press statement. “We’re excited to partner with him in this new chapter of his life and career as an author. I’ve loved working with Raymond on the book — it reflects the same level of commitment and excellence that he brings to everything he does. The storytelling is rich and captivating, and he does a wonderful job of drawing from his own experiences and life lessons to show readers of all walks of life that we each have the power to change our stories.”
Related
Reggaetón con Religion: Farruko, Daddy Yankee & More Who’ve Embraced Faith
The book — “where music, resilience and faith converge in a story filled with trials, triumphs and transformative lessons” — is expected to publish in April 2025 in Spanish by HarperCollins Enfoque in the Americas, HarperCollins Iberica in Spain and in English by Dey Street Books with Carrie Thornton, VP and Publisher of Dey Street Books.
“Dey Street Books is proud to partner with our colleagues at Enfoque as the publisher of Daddy Yankee’s first book,” said Thornton. “Raymond Ayala Rodriguez is a pioneer in the music world and a cultural ambassador. As an author, he will have the opportunity to speak to his millions of fans, and a legion of readers, in a more intimate and in-depth way than he ever has before. As the publisher of the English-language edition of ‘ReaDY,’ Dey Street is excited to collaborate with Daddy Yankee and his team to reach new audiences and do what we do best, help launch cultural conversations.”
Yankee opened up about his new life chapter during his four back-to-back farewell concerts in Puerto Rico late last year.
“For many years I’ve tried filling a void in my life that no one could fill,” the global Latin urban star, known for spearheading the reggaetón movement with his 2004 breakthrough hit “Gasolina,” told fans at the time. “I tried finding a purpose — on many occasions it seemed as if I was happy, but something was missing for me to feel complete. I have to confess that those days are over, and someone was able to fill that void that I felt for a lot of time. I realized that for everyone I was someone, but I was no one without him.”
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 18:18:202024-09-04 18:18:20Daddy Yankee to Publish His First Book: Here’s What We Know
Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It” is a fan-favorite across the globe, but DJ Spinderella recalls how the “Let’s Talk About Sex” crew was nearly arrested for performing the top 20 Billboard Hot 100 hit in certain venues.
Spinderella recently joinedDrink Champsfor an episode, during which she claimed that venue executives threatened to arrest Salt-N-Pepa if they performed “Push It,” and it’s due to what they perceived were sexually explicit lyrics.
“It was not a sexual song,” she said. “We were literally talking about dancing on the dance floor. And people took that and took it the other way, and it actually worked for us.”
The former Salt-N-Pepa member continued: “Being on stage and being told that, ‘If you play that song here, you can get arrested.’ So, there were times where that was almost the case. And somehow, we got to a point where we just had to convince everybody that this is not about what you think it’s about. And that is the truth.”
Sandra “Pepa” Denton detailed similar sentiments when explaining the controversy surrounding “Push It” to Page Six in 2021. “We were saying ‘push it,’; they thought we were saying, ‘Pussy, real good.’ So the police were waiting for us,” she recalled to the publication.
It’s not the first time an artist has run into trouble with venues when it comes to performing certain records. N.W.A. experienced this with their brash “F–k Tha Police” protest anthem at their summer of 1989 concert in Detroit and saw the Compton crew arrested.
“Push It” was released as part of Salt-N-Pepa’s Hot, Cool & Vicious album in 1986. The track was made a single in 1987 and peaked at No. 19 on the Hot 100 in ’88. Hot, Cool & Vicious is the first female album to earn gold and platinum certifications from the RIAA.
Elsewhere in the interview, DJ Spinderella provided some context behind her split from the group in 2019, which was due to not feeling respected. “You just grow up. You just get to a point where things will not be tolerated. And respect should be mutual. And when respect is mutual, we can move and do whatever,” she added. “But when respect is not mutual, then what are you here for? The bag. That don’t last because I can get a bag without it.”
Watch DJ Spinderella’s Drink Champs episode below.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 18:03:392024-09-04 18:03:39DJ Spinderella Says Salt-N-Pepa Was Warned They’d Be Arrested for Performing This Hit Song
Two years after making his acting debut in the miniseries Once Upon a Time… But Not Anymore, Sebastián Yatra is taking a leap to Broadway, where he will close out 2024 starring in the musical Chicago. The Colombian star will spend four weeks playing the charmingly corrupt lawyer Billy Flynn, from Monday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 22.
“It’s news that I’ve been eager to share for a long time,” Yatra tells Billboard Español on Wednesday (Sep. 4) from Medellín. “This is not only big for me but for Colombia, big for Latinos to keep doing these kinds of things.”
Set in the 1920s, Chicago —the longest-running American musical on Broadway after almost three decades— is a scathing satire of how show business and the media make celebrities out of criminals. With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Ebb, it includes killer songs like “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango” and “Mr. Cellophane”.
The role of Billy Flynn — famously played by Richard Gere in the 2002 film adaptation — will receive the Latin treatment from Yatra, who hopes to bring some of his contemporary and tropical flair.
“Latinos have something special even when we are speaking English, there is a lot of love within us, a lot of passion,” says the singer-songwriter, known for No. 1 hits on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart like “Tacones Rojos,” “Un Año” with Reik and “Robarte un Beso” with Carlos Vives. “I think I can offer a perspective from someone who is living in 2024 at almost 30, how he sees that world, also knowing that I could have perfectly been a lawyer and could be that person standing there. Thank God Billy and I don’t share the same values, because that would be messed up!” he adds with a laugh.
Over the years, Chicago has invited various Latin stars to join the musical for brief seasons. The list includes Colombian actress Sofia Vergara, who in 2009 played Matron “Mama” Morton, and Mexican singer and actor Jaime Camil, who in 2016 portrayed Billy Flynn.
Yatra says that he received the invitation to join the cast about six months ago via email, and, although he was very surprised, he did not hesitate to accept this new challenge immediately.
“Many times you get a proposal like this and it’s easy to get scared and say, ‘Oh no, I’m not an actor, better leave it for another time, in a couple of years’. But opportunities come when they come in life and if you don’t dare to take them, you don’t know if they’ll come again,” he says, adding that now, “it’s the right moment” as he is just starting working on his fourth studio album, whose first single, “Los Domingos,” was released last week.
The artist, who said he was fascinated 12 years ago when he saw Ricky Martin performing as Che in the Broadway musical Evita, has already received the endorsement of his Puerto Rican friend and colleague, who commented on Wednesday on Yatra’s Instagram post about his foray into the theater Mecca of New York: “That’s it 🙌 We will be there, little brother. Absolutely. Congratulations.”
Currently preparing remotely, learning his lines and taking acting classes, Yatra is due to arrive in New York City to start in-person rehearsals a month prior to his debut. It’s an experience he is really looking forward to.
“Living in New York in December, with the snow, doing Broadway, is something I really want to live very much in the present, enjoy it, learn from it,” he said. “There are a million things to learn from all these people — the actors, the crew, the directors, the production. It’s impeccable. I was watching the play in New York City recently and it really runs like clockwork, so being able to adjust to become one more piece of that clock is going to be beautiful.”
Chicago is presented at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.) For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ChicagoTheMusical.com.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2024-09-04 18:03:372024-09-04 18:03:37Sebastián Yatra to Make Broadway Debut in ‘Chicago’: ‘It’s Time’