Maxi Jazz, Frontman for British Band Faithless, Dead at 65

NEW YORK (AP) — Maxi Jazz, a DJ and singer who fronted the eclectic British dance band Faithless known for such hits as “Insomnia” and “We Come 1,” has died. He was 65.

Faithless announced his death on social media Saturday, saying he “died peacefully in his sleep last night.”

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“He was a man who changed our lives in so many ways. He gave proper meaning and a message to our music. He was a lovely human being with time for everyone and wisdom that was both profound and accessible,” the band’s statement reads.

Additional details about his death were not immediately available.

Born Maxwell Fraser in London, Maxi Jazz emerged in the British club scene in the 1980s as a DJ on pirate radio and founder of the Soul Food Cafe System. He later formed Faithless along with producer-instrumentalist-DJ Rollo Armstrong, keyboardist-DJ Sister Bliss and singer-songwriter Jamie Cotto. They drew upon such a wide range of influences that their record company described their debut album “Reverence,” released in 1996, as “folk-house-hip-hop-blues-ambience-jazz-rap for the dance floor and sofa.”

“Reverence” did not catch on initially, but eventually gained a wide following; the band went on to global popularity through its dynamic stage performances and albums including “Outrospective” and the greatest hits collection “Forever Faithless.”

Faithless broke up in 2011, but reunited recently, without Jazz, who had since formed Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys.

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Francesca Battistelli Goes ‘Carolin’’ to No. 1 on Christian Airplay Chart

Francesca Battistelli scores her sixth No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart as her holiday single “Carolin’” jingles to the top of the Dec. 31-dated tally.

The song increased by 4% to 1.7 million audience impressions Dec. 16-22, according to Luminate. (As previously reported, this week marks a switch to a Friday-through-Thursday tracking schedule for Billboard’s individual-format airplay charts.)

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Battistelli, who is based in Columbia, Tenn., co-penned “Carolin’” with Mia Fields and Seth Mosley.

“What a fun Christmas present to hear that ‘Carolin’’ is connecting with people like this,” Battistelli told Billboard after hearing the news of her latest coronation. “It’s a special song for me for several reasons. I wrote it with two of my favorite writer friends; singing carols is one of my favorite things about Christmas; and, last but certainly not least, my sweet daughter Audrey sang background vocals with me on it! I am humbled and honored that this song is being enjoyed by so many people.”

Battistelli tops Christian Airplay for the first time since “Messiah” led for a week in January 2018. In between that leader and “Carolin’” (her 13th top 10 as well as her sixth No. 1), her “The Breakup Song” hit No. 9 in November 2018, followed by “Defender” (No. 12, November 2019), “This Could Change Everything” (No. 25, August 2020), “Behold Him” (No. 12, December 2020), “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (No. 36, last holiday season) and “God Is Good” (No. 25, this March).

Battistelli first reached Christian Airplay with “I’m Letting Go,” which rose to No. 3 in July 2008. She first led the list with “Free to Be Me” for four weeks in April-May 2009.

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Tory Lanez Found Guilty on All Counts in Megan Thee Stallion Shooting Trial

Rapper Tory Lanez has been found guilty on all three counts in the closely-watched trial over whether he shot Megan Thee Stallion in the foot, ending a nearly two-week trial over the July 2020 incident and setting the stage for a potentially lengthy prison sentence.

The verdict was handed down by a jury in Los Angeles court on Friday (Dec. 23). Lanez was convicted on all counts: assault with a semiautomatic firearm; carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle; and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He faces up to 22 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 27.

Upon the reading of the verdict, Lanez’s father, who was present in the gallery, began screaming. “This wicked system. Shame on all of you!” he cried out.

In the course of the trial, Lanez’s defense team made their best effort to sow doubt over pulled the trigger, painting a scenario in which Megan’s ex-friend and assistant Harris was the shooter. To make their case, they leaned on inconsistent statements made by Megan in the more than two years since the incident as well as an account from alleged eyewitness Sean Kelly. However, Kelly undercut the defense team’s theory by offering confusing and contradictory testimony from the stand on Tuesday — stating he saw a muzzle flash near where Megan and Harris were scuffling in the street near his home but also that he saw a man matching Lanez’s description holding a gun and, at another point, that he never saw a gun at all.

On the other side, prosecutors have continuously highlighted Megan’s emotional testimony last week, when the Grammy winner held back sobs as she recounted the ordeal and said that she’s received severe public blowback in the wake of the incident, at one point stating, “I wish he had just shot and killed me if I would have known I was going to go through this torture.” In addition to Megan’s direct claims that Lanez was the one who pulled the trigger, prosecutors also poked holes in the defense team’s theory that Harris was the one responsible. In closing arguments, Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott strongly suggested that Harris — who in a prior interview with prosecutors said that Lanez shot Megan and also assaulted her when she tried to intervene — contradicted her prior statements only after being threatened or paid off.

The blockbuster trial arrived nearly two and a half years after Megan was shot at least once in the foot in the early morning hours of July 12, 2020, while on the way home from a small party thrown by Kylie Jenner. According to Megan, after a fight erupted between Lanez, Harris and herself in an SUV driven by Lanez’s security guard Jaquan Smith, she exited the car only to be shot at multiple times by Lanez, who she claimed at one point shouted, “Dance, b—-” while firing out the window. That is clearly the version of the story that jurors, who took less than two days to reach their unanimous verdict, chose to believe.

The trial could well have dragged on beyond Christmas had either Lanez or Smith taken the stand, but on Wednesday, the rapper said he would not be testifying and defense lawyers opted against placing Smith on the stand, citing procedural wrangling and the possibility of a delay that could have forced jurors to return after the holiday.

Megan was not present for the reading of the verdict on Thursday.

UPDATE: This article was updated Dec. 23 at 9:35 p.m. EST to include the date of Lanez’s sentencing.

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Attention, Last-Minute Shoppers! These Retailers Offer Curbside & In-Store Pickup

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.

Waited until the last minute to finish your holiday shopping? With just two days before Christmas, last-minute shoppers plan to hit the streets in droves but procrastination isn’t the only thing driving this seasonal shopping ritual, ” target=”_blank”>inflation has a lot do with why many people waited until the last minute.

If you’re a last-minute shopper, we rounded up a list of more than a dozen retailers that offer in-store and curbside pickup, plus their store hours on Christmas Eve. However, some stores close early on Christmas Eve, so you might need to reach out directly for more information.

What’s open on Christmas Day? CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Kroger and most grocery stores will be open along with movie theaters and certain restaurants.

See below for a roster of retailers that offer in-store and curbside pickup.

13 Retailers That Offer BOPIN (Buy Online Pickup in Stores):

Best Buy – From earbuds to appliances, Best Buy has huge selection of gift-worthy items that you can order online and pick up in stores. To do so, place and order and click “store pickup” at checkout, select the store of your choice and you’ll be contacted when the order is ready. Best Buy’s last-minute holiday sale ends on Christmas Eve (the store will be open from 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.).

Bloomingdale’s – Spend while you save at Bloomingdale’s. Shoppers will get $25 off for every $100 spent during the Great Gift Mas Sale (ends Dec. 24). The store offers same-day delivery (on orders placed an by noon) and in-store and curbside pickup within about two hours of placing your order. Bloomingdale’s will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Christmas Eve at select locations.

Target – Place your order online and pick up in store, curbside pickup (via the Target app), or have your items delivered through the Shipt app. Target’s Christmas Eve hours are from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Walmart – Get last-minute gifts and holiday savings at Walmart (Christmas Eve store hours: 6 a.m-6 p.m.). To BOPIS, place your order online, choose a time slot and an associate will grab your items and beg them up. Walmart will send a “ready for pickup” email when the order is ready.

Kohl’s – Order last-minute gifts by 1 p.m. and pick them up by 6 p.m. at Kohl’s. Save an extra 20% off (in-store and online) with code: ENJOY20. Kohl’s will be open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Macy’s – Save up to 60% off select items during Macy’s Last-Minute Gift Sale and in-store pickup within two hours of placing your order. Christmas Eve store hours: 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Nordstrom – From stocking stuffers to gift options, Nordstrom has enough variety for anyone on your list. To order online and pick up in store, click the product details and select “free pickup,” followed by same-day or next-day pickup. Once your order is ready, you’ll receive an email with further directions to pick it up. Nordstrom’s Christmas Eve store hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Finish Line – Place an order at Finish Line.com or on the app, click the “shop by store” feature, chose your location and checkout like normal. After the order is placed, you’ll receive an email confirming the purchase and another letting you know when to pick it up. Be sure to bring your confirmation email and an ID to pick up your purchase. Finish Lines usually closes at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. depending on the location. Customer Care hours are 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Nike – Shop Nike.com or use the Nike app to place your holiday order and save up to 50% off select items for a limited time. Tap “delivery” and “pickup” to see if your item is available for pickup at a local store. If so, your order will be ready within two hours (you’ll receive an email code when it’s time to pick up). Visit the pickup desk to retrieve your item in store or choose the option for curbside pickup. Nike’s Christmas Eve hours are from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at select locations.

Dick’s Sporting Goods – DSG offers one-hour curbside, or in-store pickup (you can also add another person to your pickup order at checkout). Right now, shoppers can save 50%-60% off thousands of items, including Nike, Adidas and more. DSG stores close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Urban Outfitters – To order online and pick up in stores, simply click the “pickup” option at checkout, choose the most convenient location and the store will let you know when the order will be available. And if you purchase a $50 gift card, Urban Outfitters will give you $10 off your next purchase of $50+.

Clothing retailers such as Gap, Old Navy, H&M, JCPenny, Carter’s, Free People, Sephora, Ulta Beauty and Express also offer in-store and curbside pickup.

Costco – Costco has a huge warehouse of perfectly giftable products that you can order online and pickup in store. Click here for more details. Costco will be open from 8 a.m-5 p.m. on Christmas Even (6 p.m. in select locations).

The Home Depot – Save up to 45% off select tools, plus free two-day delivery at Home Depot. Most in-store pickup orders are ready within a few hours (click here for more details). Home Depot closes at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

 

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‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’ for BTS Member V: Listen to His Cover of the Holiday Classic

It’s the season of giving, and BTS‘ V is gifting ARMY with his cover of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”

His take on the seasonal classic arrived on Friday (Dec. 23). In the accompanying video shared on YouTube, the singer croons deeply into a microphone while casually dressed in an oversized hoodie.

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Midway through the song, he pulls up the hood to cover his head and enthusiastically sings, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” emphasizing his words with small pumps of his fists. “Soon the bells will start/ And the thing that’ll make ’em ring is the carol that you sing/ Right within your heart.” When he finishes that verse, he picks up his adorable pup and snuggles him close before the pooch gives V a few sweet licks on his nose.

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” has been covered by numerous artists. The 1951 version by Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters with Mitchell Ayers and His Orchestra became a hit, peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020. Another beloved take is Bing Crosby’s take from the same year is another popular cover.

Last Christmas, V also offered up a holiday tune — solo single “Christmas Tree.” The cover earned him his first solo No. 1 on a Billboard chart, landing him atop the Emerging Artists chart dated Jan. 8. The song also debuted at No. 79 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his first solo entry on the all-genre tally. As for the Holiday 100 chart, it launched at No. 55.

Watch V’s cover of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” above.

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Sia Gives Her Favorite ‘Survivor’ Season 43 Players Major Cash Prizes

Turns out Survivor contestants don’t necessarily have to outwit, outplay or outlast in order to win a big cash prize. That’s because Sia has once again given away huge spoils of her own to her favorite season 43 contestants.

In a video shared by Entertainment Weekly on Friday (Dec. 23), the pop star doled out $200,000 to three players who fell short of the CBS competition’s $1 million grand prize when the Sole Survivor was announced on Dec. 14.

“Hi, Jesse! It’s your biggest fan, Sia!” she begins during a video chat with Jesse Lopez, who finished in fourth place. “I really think that you deserved to win, and I think you just played the most epic, sneaky, wonderful game in the whole world. … So I wanted to give you $100,000.”

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“Oh my god!” a shocked Lopez exclaimed.

The pop star then went on to share how much she was impressed by the love he has for his family, and how he has changed his life despite his difficult childhood. Sia added that she hoped Survivor would ask him back for another season. “I’ll try and boss Jeff into it,” she said of potentially pulling some strings with the show’s longtime host, Jeff Probst.

Owen Knight, who finished in third place, was another player who earned the Sia Award. “I just wanted to tell you that I really see you, and I really loved your personality and how beautiful and kind and, like, I’m used to being a bit of the underdog and a little bit of the outsider,” she told him. “I knew that I wanted to make sure that I gave you something just to lift your spirits, even, so I decided that I want to give you $50,000 just to say ‘I love you and keep going.’”

Sia then shared why his gameplay touched her so deeply. “You spoke for all the underdogs, and that meant a lot to me because I don’t say much publicly,” she explained to Knight. “So when other people say what I feel or mean, that makes me feel proud and that makes me feel seen as well.”

The third lucky contestant was Ryan Medrano, who also received $50,000. “You’re a totally beautiful, beautiful person,” she told Medrano, who was the 10th person voted out and the third member of the jury. “I love you! I was so bummed you were let go so soon! … You’re a beautiful person. Your vibe is awesome.”

Probst told EW that there are two reasons why Sia is so generous when it comes to the contestants. “She gets a lot of joy from watching Survivor players take on such a personal and often vulnerable life adventure,” he shared. “And she has been incredibly fortunate in her own career and wants to share some of that fortune with others.”

Earlier this year, the Survivor superfan also gave another of her favorite contestants a big cash prize. Drea Wheeler, who finished in seventh place on season 42, received $100,000 from the star. The nine-time Grammy nominee has also given three players from 2019’s Survivor: Island of the Idols a total of $215,000.

Watch the video of Sia surprising her favorite Survivor players of the season with big cash prizes:

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