DENVER — A Denver Public Schools parent has sued the district over its policy allowing teachers to display Progress Pride flags in their classrooms, saying LGBTQ+ flags “discriminate” against his … Click to Continue »
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.
Beyoncé is feeling the cozy vibes. The Grammy winner donned a wintry white, oversize teddy coat while in London on Wednesday (Nov. 29).
Queen Bey stepped out for dinner with husband Jay-Z in the celeb-loved Max Mara Teddy Bear Icon Coat ($4,190) paired with a white blazer, track pants and a hooded top. She shared photos of her OOTD via Instagram on Thursday, and the post received more than 2.3 million likes in less than 24 hours.
The “Cozy” singer hosted a premiere of Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé in Los Angeles over the weekend before jetsetting across the pond for the star-studded London premiere on Thursday, where Taylor Swift hit the red carpet.
According to Fashion Bomb Daily and the Instagram account Style Beyoncé, the 42-year-old superstar sported an Aalia hooded crop tank top with an oversized blazer and track pants from Wardrobe NYC.
As for the coat, Max Mara’s Teddy Bear Icon Coat is inspired by an “archival design from the 80s,” per the product description. The faux fur, double-breasted coat boasts a “cocoon fit” accentuated by the dropped shoulder design. The notched lapel coat also features side pockets and a button-front closure.
Beyoncé isn’t the only celebrity snuggling up in a Max Mara teddy coat. Several stars have been spotted in Max Mara’s stylish coats, including Hailey Bieber, Kim Kardashian and Celine Dion.
If you’re interested in a Max Mara teddy coat dupe, we’ve rounded up some alternative teddy coats and faux fur coats such as the Ugg Gertrude Long Coat ($268), BGBG Notch Collar Teddy Coat ($100.79) and J. Crew’s limited-edition faux fur coat ($500).
Shop below.
While NewJeans‘ brand of easy-listening K-pop minimalism has earned the girl group both a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as well as a Billboard Music Award, the quintet shook up their formula when it came to recording League of Legends‘ annual world-championship anthem “Gods.”
For the musical collaboration alongside Riot Games set to one of the world’s most popular video games (League of Legends reports 80 million average monthly players), NewJeans bring a booming, maximalist electronic-pop epic fully in English where an ominous full choir accompanies members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein.
According to NewJeans, bringing “Gods” to life meant delivering their most elaborate live performance to date when the quintet took the stage at LoL‘s World Championship Finals on Nov. 19. Along with dancers and actors joining NewJeans, the performance included virtual-reality, computer-generated imagery and guest appearances from the top competing teams in eventual 2023 champs T1 from South Korea as well as Weibo Gaming from China.
Talking to Billboard exclusively after a big weekend where they not only performed and won at the 2023 BBMAs but helped open League‘s 2023 Worlds, NewJeans discuss recording and preparing “Gods” for the big stage, meeting T1 and Weibo Gaming, favorite Riot Games’ musical collaborations and more.
Congratulations on a huge weekend. Not only did you perform and win at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, but you also performed “Gods” for the first time live at Worlds. How are you all feeling?
DANIELLE: The whole experience felt surreal to me! Performing for the Worlds Finals as well as the Billboard Music Awards alongside artists we deeply respect and admire was incredibly surreal! Even looking back now the scale was unbelievable and we are so grateful and honored for the experience.
The Worlds performance looked and felt very massive. How do you prepare for such a big performance with different elements like dancers, actors, VR and more?
MINJI: It felt like the stage with the most diverse range of creative elements we had so far. It was truly enjoyable going through the process of coordinating with the dancers and actors through numerous rehearsals, aligning the timing and virtual reality aspects! [Laughs]
Those VR and CGI elements are very cool to watch on YouTube. As performers, do you need to imagine the effects while you’re singing?
MINJI: I was aware that there were numerous stage setups, but when we actually rehearsed on stage, everyone was quite mesmerized. In particular, seeing the part where the video effects seamlessly transitioned into reality left everyone in awe. It was truly an honor to be able to participate in a performance of the scale!
How was making the live premiere of “Gods,” your first song in English, at Worlds? Take us through how this song was conceptualized and eventually came to life on stage.
MINJI: “GODS” was a new challenge for us as NewJeans. It has a different vocal and choreographic style from what we usually do, so we invested a lot of time and effort into it! I recall rehearsing it over and over again for a flawless and dynamic live performance on the grand stage.
HAERIN: Since it’s the anthem for a game and a tournament that is so widely loved on a global level, we thought the lyrics in English would help fans around the world immerse themselves better in the surge of emotions associated with the song.
Are any of you League of Legends fans or players yourselves? Was anyone excited to see parts of the game like Leona and Mordekaiser’s character represented during the performance?
HANNI: I enjoy playing League of Legends every now and then, and because there are so many champions, I’ve become curious about all their different abilities. It was amazing to see the performance we practiced being brought to life on stage alongside such amazing dancers, actors, and all the special effects and CGI. I remember being in awe while we watched the playback of our performance backstage. Also, our outfits and styling were inspired by the champion Leona! Looking back, having Leona appear on stage with us was definitely cool to watch.
So, even your fashion had connections to LoL too?
DANIELLE: Yes!! In fact, our whole outfits were based around Leona, who is a holy warrior in League. Our accessories were specifically designed to resemble her armors of gold and shimmer!
HAERIN: Our wardrobe had a chic feel to it and was put together based on a palette of neutral tones. We wanted an attire suitable for portraying the song effectively!
Finalist teams T1 and Weibo Gaming (WBG) also joined on stage. T1 members have shared that they’re NewJeans fans. Are any of you fans of the teams or players? Did you meet at the event?
HANNI: We had the pleasure of meeting both T1 and WBG backstage on the media conference day! It was a few days before the Finals, and I can’t imagine how nervous they would’ve been, but they greeted us all very warmly. It was nice to have time to meet them! Up until then, we had seen all the small references they made about us and our music, so I really wanted to mention it to them and thank them. But, out of the excitement of meeting them, I forgot to mention it!
HYEIN: We had a lot of rehearsals to perfect our performance for the Finals. During one of the rehearsals, I turned around briefly and was surprised but also fascinated to see the players there! Also, before the stage, we had a moment to greet the players, and it was so gratifying to be able to tell the players from both teams that we’ll be cheering for them.
One of my favorite parts was the montage with people from the LoL community’s photos, like players, casters, announcers, owners and more. How does it feel to be part of this diverse community?
HANNI: The fact that we were able to take part in such a globally loved occasion and engage with such a big community still feels surreal. We were so honored to be a part of it, and we were also grateful to everyone who made it possible. Being there in person and witnessing how such a wide community shares the same love and passion, including all the staff and fans there alike, was an amazing experience. It really was the icing on the cake for this whole process.
You’re now joining LoL and Riot Games’ history of musical collaborations. Imagine Dragons, Becky G, Marshmello, Kim Petras and more have participated, while Riot Games has created virtual bands like K/DA, HEARTSTEEL and True Damage. Have you listened to these collabs?
HANNI: I’ve listened to nearly all of the musical collaborations with Riot Games Music and watched all the amazing accompanying performances. I think K/DA’s “POP/STARS” was just so iconic and massive. I remember it blew up in popularity back when I still lived in Australia! Personally, “Warriors” by Imagine Dragons, the first-ever Worlds Anthem, possesses a very deep emotional sound that is captivating, and I loved immersing myself in the emotion it conveys and the expression of it itself. While we were rehearsing and preparing for the opening ceremony performance, we got to watch the other performances, and HEARTSTEEL was such a blast to watch! The song is not only fun to listen to, but the artists’ individual characteristics and personality were showcased really well on stage, while effortlessly complimenting each other!
As artists, in what ways do you see music and gaming connecting?
DANIELLE: From my perspective, I think music can enhance the storytelling aspect, enriching the whole experience of the game. I think it helps to heighten the overall immersive quality of the experience, which leads to a stronger connection between the player and the visual elements within League!
NewJeans had a massive 2023. Is anything significant still planned for the end of this year? Or any spoilers about what to expect for 2024?
HYEIN: Certainly there were many exciting events in 2023, including our music releases. I want to deliver many fulfilling and amazing performances for the remainder of 2023! I hope our fans, Bunnies, will enjoy our upcoming performances too!
In case you still don’t know how to pronounce Noah Kahan‘s last name, the new Saturday Night Live promos are here to help you out — in the punniest way possible.
Kahan will make his SNL debut this weekend as musical guest alongside fifth-time host Emma Stone. In the promos released Thursday (Nov. 30), Kahan and Stone star alongside castmember Sarah Sherman, who has a little fun with the Vermont-born singer/songwriter’s name.
“Hi, I’m Emma Stone, and I’m hosting SNL this week with musical guest Noah Kahan,” Stone says in her intro.
“And I Kahan’t wait for the show!” Sherman chimes in, to confused looks from Kahan and Stone.
“What?” Stone responds. “Noah Kahan’t wait? Get it?” Sherman asks. “No,” Kahan simply responds.
In case Sherman’s quip isn’t helping, Kahan’s surname is pronounced with just one syllable — like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan or late Godfather actor James Caan. The Stick Season musician is nominated for best new artist at the 2024 Grammy Awards, so it might be time to remember his name.
In the other promos, Sherman — wearing a multicolor-striped oversize sweater with a comically large patchwork collar and a loud patterned tie over the top — notes that Stone is her “style inspiration,” as she stands next to the actress dressed in all black. In another, Sherman points out that it will be Stone’s fifth time hosting the show, meaning she’ll join the vaunted Five Timers Club this weekend alongside repeat MCs such as Justin Timberlake, Drew Barrymore, Paul Simon and all-time leader Alec Baldwin (17-time host).
Following Saturday’s show, there will be two more Saturday Night Live episodes this year: Dec. 9 with host Adam Driver and musical guest Olivia Rodrigo and Dec. 16 with host (and SNL alum) Kate McKinnon and musical guest Billie Eilish.
Watch the new promos below, and tune in to NBC on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT and streaming on Peacock for the new episode.
The Black Opry has revealed the initial slate of shows for its 2024 The Black Opry Revue tour, with tickets on sale now at blackopryrevue.com. The shows run from January through April.
Each show of mostly acoustic performances features a unique lineup of Black artists in the country, Americana, folk and roots music scenes. Newly announced shows for 2024 will feature performers including Sug Daniels, King Jester, Nick Tabron, Crystal Rose, Denitia, Layna, Autumn Nicholas, Justin Reid, Lori Rayne, Deidre Hall, Naomi Wachira, Grace Givertz, LW Watterson, Mehuman, Tylar Bryant, Mia Borders, Jared Michael Cline, Gary Blackchild, Nicky Diamonds, Julie Williams, Rachel Maxann, Ally Free, Roberta Lea, Jett Holden, Whitney Mongé, Nathan Graham, Christine Melody, Isaiah Cunningham, Carmen Dianne, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Leon Timbo, and Ping Rose & the Anti-Heroes.
The Black Opry was formed with a mission to create equity and opportunities for Black artists within the country, Americana, folk and roots music industries and form a space that is safe and helpful to Black artists and creating an inclusive version of these genres for Black artists, fans and executives.
The Black Opry Revue first held three stand-alone shows in 2021, before launching in earnest in January 2022. The Black Opry Revue has been featured in more than 100 venues and festivals across the United States, including CMA Fest, Newport Folk Fest, Americanafest and more.
See the list of 2024 tour dates below:
Black Opry Revue 2024 Tour Dates
Jan. 6, 2024 – Lancaster, PA @ Zoetropolis Cinema featuring Sug Daniels | King Jester
Jan. 11-14, 2024 – South Walton, FL @ 30A Songwriters Fest featuring Nick Tabron | Crystal Rose | Denitia | Layna | Autumn Nicholas | Justin Reid
Feb. 9, 2024 – Berkeley, CA @ Freight & Salvage featuring Layna | Lori Rayne | Deidre Hall | Naomi Wachira
Feb. 9, 2024 – Barre, VT @ Barre Opera House featuring Sug Daniels | Grace Givertz | LW Watterson | Mehuman | Tylar Bryant
Feb. 10, 2024 – Keene, NH @ Showroom featuring Sug Daniels | Grace Givertz
Feb. 15, 2024 – Jacksonville, FL @ JAX Music Experience featuring Layne | Lori Rayne | Mia Borders | Jared Michael Cline
Feb. 16, 2024 – Fort Collins, CO @ Lincoln Center featuring Garry Blackchild | Nicky Diamonds | Rachel Maxann | Ally Free | Nick Tabron
Feb. 16, 2024 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Sandler Center featuring Roberta Lea | Julie Williams | Jett Holden | Whitney Mongé | Tylar Bryant
Feb. 23, 2024 – Detroit, MI @ Detroit Institute of Arts featuring Nathan Graham | Christine Melody | Jett Holden | Isaiah Cunningham
Feb. 29, 2024 – Aspen, CO @ Wheeler Opera House featuring Tylar Bryant | Carmen Dianne | Nick Tabron | Jett Holden | Julie Williams
March 1-8, 2024 – Cayamo Journey Through Song Leon Timbo | The Kentucky Gentlemen | Accompanied by Ping Rose & The Anti-Heroes
March 29, 2024 – Wolf Trap, VA @ The Barns at Wolf Trap featuring Sug Daniels | Grace Givertz | Tylar Bryant | Rachel Maxann | Roberta Lea
April 6, 20024 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Tortuga Music Fest featuring Tylar Bryant | The Kentucky Gentlemen | Julie Williams | Roberta Lea
BBR Music Group senior vp of promotion Carson James and senior director of A&R Chris Poole have exited the company as part of a global restructuring at BMG, which eliminated their positions, Billboard has confirmed. Country Aircheck first reported the news of their exits.
Earlier on Thursday (Nov. 30), BMG revealed a new structure for its global staff, which BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld stated is part of “a strategy for future growth” and “local where necessary, global where possible.” The restructure moves BMG’s catalog, sales and marketing teams in its recorded division into global roles, joining the already global purview of its investments, technology, rights and royalties functions. In local markets, artist relations and marketing campaign managers will have access to these global teams for analytics, content creation and media planning/buying, the company’s announcement noted.
James joined BBR in 2009, having previously spent nine years with Curb Records in a similar role. Prior to his work at Curb, James programmed country station WLWI in Montgomery, Ala.
Poole joined BBR in 2018 and previously worked at CTM/Writer’s Ink, where he served in artist development. Poole initially launched his career working in artist management at Paravel Management, which he co-founded in 2013.
James noted to Billboard in a statement, “I’m honored to have had such an amazing run.”
BMG’s restructuring announcement also outlined a new, Los Angeles-based global catalog team, as well as a “recalibration” of its presence in continental Europe as part of its local-global emphasis, which will focus on “functional centers of excellence within Europe.” This is in addition to the aggregation of budgets and expertise, the further acceleration of its investments in tech and the myBMG system for artists and the clarification of roles/structures, which the company says will make it “more accountable to its artist and songwriter clients.”
“Fifteen years after the emergence of streaming, music is going through another tectonic change,” Coesfeld said in a statement. “It is vital we now reengineer our business to make the most of that opportunity. BMG has challenged the conventions of the music industry ever since we began, bringing music publishing and recordings under one roof with a distinctive service-orientated and transparent approach. Now new ways of creating and consuming music and looming changes in streaming economics are challenging us to do even better for our clients.”
BBR Music Group’s artist clients include reigning CMA Awards entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson and new artist of the year winner Jelly Roll, as well as “Try That in a Small Town” hitmaker Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, Elvie Shane, Parmalee, Blanco Brown and Brooke Eden.
A gunfight between Miami-Dade police and a man they were trying to question ended fatally Wednesday in the Redland, the farmlands of the county. Around 3 p.m., police say officers … Click to Continue »
The Hyatt Regency Miami has agreed to pay a $5,000 fine to settle a legal dispute with the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis over a minor’s presence at a Christmas-themed … Click to Continue »
A former registrar of a Palm Beach County nursing school served as the “right-hand” woman to the school’s owner as both schemed to lure in thousands of students and charge … Click to Continue »
Henry A. Kissinger, the architect of U.S. foreign policy at the apex of the Cold War and a towering intellectual force in world affairs for more than half a century, … Click to Continue »
