10 Standout Moments From J-Hope’s Historic Lollapalooza Set

When J-Hope joined the Lollapalooza lineup as a new headliner, the BTS member had already made history as the first Korean artist to headline a major U.S. music festival. But the star didn’t rest on those historic laurels when putting together his 70-minute set.

J-Hope’s headlining set for the famous Chicago festival — nicknamed #HOBIPALOOZA by Twitter fans since its announcement — was a more extensive representation of different aspects that make up the star. Viewers got to see J-Hope’s electrifying onstage persona, his respect for hip-hop, the social messages he believes in, his humility, and much more.

“I pour my heart and my soul into my music,” J-Hope told the crowd early into his set. “Even if we speak different languages, I hope you listen to my story.”

Get a sense of that larger story with 10 standout moments from J-Hope’s history-making set.

1. The literal Jack in the Box introduction

In J-Hope’s first major performance for Jack in the Box, the BTS star kicked off by bringing his solo album to life. After the lyrics of the album “Intro” played across the massive LED screens, fireworks shot into the Chicago night sky, and J-Hope jumped out of his own box to take centerstage of the gigantic Bud Light stage.

2. The live band opening with “More”

Already heavy on the percussion and guitar elements, the opening track “More” was uplifted with the live band backing J-Hope on his Lolla debut. With a bassist, drummer, guitarist and keyboardist behind him, #HOBIPALOOZA was that much more musically special.

3. The cursing!

J-Hope wasn’t just wiling out with his performance, but we got multiple moments where the K-pop star got playful and let his mouth run wild too. Something was so cool but cute, as the star told the crowd, “You guys are f—ing crazy” with a huge smile on his face. The affirming screams all pointed to the crowd loving it as well.

4. A BTS “Cypher” moment

Some of the best moments in a BTS concert are when the group performs one of their “Cypher” tracks, which they’ve recorded since their earliest releases in 2013. J-Hope took it back to the group’s O!RUL8,2? album by performing “BTS Cypher Pt.1” for, as J-Hope said, “the older A.R.M.Y. out there.” But the crowd’s electric reaction as he began showed that everyone enjoyed the inclusion.

5. Paying respect to hip-hop greats

Throughout their careers, BTS has done a great job at showing love to the hip-hop artists that have inspired them. One of the standout tracks on Jack in the Box, “What If…,” samples the classic Ol’ Dirty Bastard single “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” and J-Hope included a tribute to the late Wu-Tang Clan rapper by showing his picture on stage as the song began.

Later in the set, after performing his solo single “Chicken Noodle Soup,” the K-pop star also shouted out DJ Webstar and Young B, the artists who originally released the song this track samples. J-Hope didn’t just make the night about himself, but about the artists that helped allow him to be on that stage.

6. The social messages in “Equal Sign”

Another standout on Jack in the Box is the anthem “=(Equal Sign)” which includes lyrics like, “Hate’ll paralyze your mind/ Gotta see the other side/ It costs ya nothin’ to be kind.” J-Hope took a mic stand to sing the song centerstage as powerful statements were shown like “All Our Bodies Deserve Respect,” “Why’s It a Crime to Be Different?” and “Let’s Come Together.”

BTS has stood apart from their peers by never shying away from important social messages. It was powerful to see J-Hope sing this track with pertinent messages for the thousands (if not millions, including the live streams) watching him live.

7. His remixed “Dynamite” return

After a quick outfit change, J-Hope popped back on stage (through his onstage jack in the box, once again) with a troupe of dancers for a choreography-heavy performance of the tropical remix to BTS’ Hot 100 No. 1 “Dynamite.” With his backup dancers and during solo moments, J-Hope got to spotlight his dance skills and reset the mood.

8. Becky G‘s surprise appearance

Becky G made a surprise appearance for J-Hope to give the first-ever live performance of their collaboration “Chicken Noodle Soup.” Becky didn’t miss a beat of the trilingual track’s playful choreography and showed why this set was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

9. Becky’s sweet speech

After their “CNS” performance, Becky G took a moment to show her appreciation for her collaborator. “As an artist, this moment right here means so much to me,” she told the crowd. “So much to me because I’m not only so honored to be here, but also so proud. I’m so proud of you, [J-Hope]; I’m so thankful for our friendship and for this opportunity.”

The tender moment culminated with a big hug between the two, who undoubtedly recognized the importance of this major festival moment as artists who don’t operate in the traditional musical mainstream.

10. Shoutouts to the band, dancers and A.R.M.Y

No one would hold it against J-Hope if he was overwhelmed with emotions or excitement by the end of his set. Still, the star showed his professionalism and humility by making sure to introduce and thank all the members of his band and his dancers, giving them a moment in the spotlight on stage. And, of course, he couldn’t end without thanking his A.R.M.Y. fans, who lit up Chicago’s Grant Park with their lightstick bongs.

Bonus: J-Hope and Jimin’s live stream afterward

After #HOBIPALOOZA and the rest of Lollapalooza officially ended, J-Hope hopped on the group’s V Live account to hold a live stream with fans and BTS member Jimin, who was in attendance in Chicago. Jimin showered his band mate with praise — including pointing out how cool he was for swearing — and the two celebrated the milestone with their fans.

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Watch North West Transform Mom Kim Kardashian Into a Minion

North West brought out her creative and goofy side while hanging out with her mom, Kim Kardashian, on Monday (Aug. 1).

The nine-year-old daughter of the SKIMS founder and Kanye West took part in a TikTok trend in which participants use makeup to transform their subject into a Minion from the Despicable Me franchise.

In the clip shared to the duo’s “Kim and North” TikTok page, North uses colorful makeup palettes and covers her mom’s face in yellow makeup, going on to draw the popular animated characters’ iconic goggles and topping off the look with a shimmery blue lip. Kardashian poses in her glam at the end of the video, throwing up a peace sign and puckering her lips.

“MOMMY MINION,” the reality TV star’s daughter captioned the adorable mother-daughter moment.

@kimandnorth

💛 MOMMY MINION 💛

♬ Minion_lovers – Matthew 🎸

Last month, North made headlines when she improvised a straightforward way of telling off photographers at a Paris Fashion Week runway show while seated in the front row with her mom.

In a moment captured by a now viral video from the show, North stares into the camera of one person taking a video of her. Without smiling, she holds up a piece of paper with one word written on it in pencil: “Stop.”

“For anyone who knows North knows how funny she finds this video!” Kardashian wrote about the moment in a July 7 tweet. “North I guess had it with the people taking pictures of her.”

“She wrote on her invite STOP and held it up,” she continued. “And wanted them to just focus on the show.”

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Diane Warren Says She ‘Meant No Disrespect’ to Beyoncé After Questioning Number of Writers on Her Songs

Songwriter Diane Warren came under fire on Monday (August 1) after seemingly calling out Beyoncé for her latest album, Renaissance, of which each song has a number of writing credits due to her use of throwback samples and interpolations.

“How can there be 24 writers on a song? [eye roll emoji],” Warren — who has written songs for stars like Cher, Celine Dion and Bey herself — tweeted, before adding, “This isn’t meant as shade, I’m just curious.”

While Beyoncé wasn’t directly mentioned, fans widely believed that the jab was directed towards the 28-time Grammy winner, whose new track “Alien Superstar,” for example, is credited to more than 20 writers.

Singer-songwriter The-Dream chimed in on the heated discussion that ensued in the original tweet’s replies, writing, “You mean how’s does our (Black) culture have so many writers, well it started because we couldn’t afford certain things starting out, so we started sampling and it became an Artform, a major part of the Black Culture (hip hop) in America. Had that era not happen who knows. U good?”

In response, Warren wrote, “I didn’t mean that as an attack or as disrespect. I didn’t know this, thank U for making me aware of it. No need to be mean about it.”

Soon after the backlash, Warren had a change of heart, tweeting out, “Ok, it’s prob samples that add up the ammount of writerrs [sic],” before referring to Bey directly. “Ok, I meant no disrespect to @Beyonce, who I’ve worked with and admire. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”

See below.

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BLACKPINK Announces Their World Tour, Justin Bieber Is Back, Ne-Yo’s Wife Accuses Him of Cheating & More | Billboard News

BLACKPINK announces and teases their highly anticipated world tour, Justin Bieber is back on tour following his health scare, Travis Scott is coming to Las Vegas, Ne-Yo’s wife accuses him of cheating and more

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‘The X Factor’ Releases Extended Cut of Harry Styles’ Original Audition

A week after The X Factor showed exactly how the show put together One Direction, the music competition series is sharing the original, extended cut of Harry Styles‘ audition as a solo artist.

Although it was Styles’ soulful, a capella rendition of Stevie Wonder‘s “Isn’t She Lovely” that made it to air back in 2010, he actually first brought a Train song to the stage — and now, that moment has been unearthed and uploaded to YouTube.

The then-16-year-old Styles sang the group’s 2009 earworm “Hey, Soul Sister” for the judges, but Simon Cowell wanted to hear his voice without the distraction of the track.

“I don’t know whether it’s the track that’s throwing you, but can I hear something just you, without any music?” Cowell asked. Styles then launched into the Wonder classic, which ultimately moved him on to the next round.

The previously unseen footage from The X Factor also includes some banter about Styles’ former weekend bakery job — where, he said, Viennese fancies and millionaire’s shortbread were the top picks — and how his “mum’s always” told him he was a good singer.

“I think I could do it, but I think with your help I could be a lot better than I am,” Styles said.

Watch the full audition below.

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Kate Bush Extends Australian Chart Run, as Central Cee Cracks Top 10

Kate Bush is still running on Australia’s singles chart, and no one can catch her.

The veteran English singer’s mid-80s classic “Running Up That Hill” (via Warner) reigns supreme over the ARIA Singles Chart for a seventh week, thanks to its appearance in season four of Stranger Things.

Further down the chart, Steve Lacy impacts the Top 5 with “Bad Habit” (RCA/Sony), up 9-5 for a new peak in its third week.

Meanwhile, Central Cee makes his first appearance in the top tier as “Doja” (ADA/Warner) bows at No. 8, for the highest new entry on the current frame.

Also new to the chart this week is Billie Eilish’s “Guitar Songs” release “TV,” part of a two-pack which dropped July 21 and also includes “The 30th.” “TV” is new at No. 23.

Over on the ARIA Albums Chart for the week Aug. 1, 2022, Harry Styles’ Harry’s House (Columbia/Sony) locks-up another week at No. 1.

Australian country start Amber Lawrence starts at No. 5 on the albums survey with Living For The Highlights (ABC/Orchard), her seventh studio album. It’s the followup to 2019’s Spark, which peaked at No. 13.

A smattering of new releases drop further down the list, including titles by Odesza (The Last Goodbye at No. 22 via Ninja Tune/Inertia), Joey Bada$$ (2000 at No. 41 via Columbia/Sony), Jack White (Entering Heaven Alive at No. 43 via Third Man Records/Orchard), and Alex the Astronaut (How To Grow A Sunflower Underwater at No. 47 via Warner).

Finally, a muddy edition of Splendour in the Grass was just ticket for Tyler, the Creator, who enjoys sales spikes after his headline performance at the three-day fest.

Igor (Columbia/Sony) rises 50-26 and Call Me If You Get Lost (Columbia/Sony) lifts 86-31.

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Mark Vaughan to Lead Live Nation’s Promoter Team For Australia and NZ

Mark Vaughan lands at Live Nation, where he leads the promoter team for Australia and New Zealand as vice president – talent and artist development.

With effect from Monday (Aug. 1), Vaughan works alongside LN’s existing promoter team to continue to “best serve artists as they hit the road,” reads a statement welcoming the new recruit.

The Australian concerts veteran has spent much of his career in Europe, where he served as partner/promoter at Norway’s All Things Live, said to be the largest independent concert promoter in the Nordics.

At the Oslo-based live music specialist, he worked with such artists as Rammstein, Justin Bieber, Twenty-One Pilots, Kendrick Lamar, Green Day, Shawn Mendes, Lorde and others.

“For a long time I have been closely following the live market in Australia and New Zealand and admiring the work of Live Nation,” Vaughan comments. “The team are delivering a stellar roster and growing number of tours from entry-level club acts to stadium artists, and it’s super exciting to come back home and lead a talented, successful and dynamic promoter team.”

Live Nation Concerts’ Talent & Touring team produces hundreds of tours each year across Australia and New Zealand, and beyond, working the likes of Beyoncé, BTS, Crowded House, Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Drake, U2, Jay-Z, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Pink, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and more.

Bringing in a “world-class promoter” like Vaughan is a “great add to our Live Nation team as he brings in-depth knowledge of Australia, New Zealand and the global touring market,” notes Roger Field, president of Live Nation Asia Pacific, “especially as artists continue expanding their tours around the world. Mark has a proven track record of delivering hit tours for huge artists, and we look forward to him continuing that success at Live Nation and welcoming him home.”

Vaughan is the latest piece in the constantly-growing concerts machine that is LN’s Australasian affiliate.

In recent weeks, LN added Anita’s Theatre, in Thirroul, a northern seaside suburb of Wollongong, about 40 miles south of Sydney, to its venues portfolio, which already includes The Palais Theatre in Melbourne, the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, and the soon-to-open Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide. The historic theater becomes LN’s first regional venue in Australia.

Separately, LN announced the mid-July strategic acquisition of Bec Sutherland’s Jubilee Street, one of the region’s prominent comedy artist management companies. With that arrangement, Sutherlands steps down from her role as VP of comedy at Live Nation APAC, to focus as managing director of Jubilee Street, overseeing her 11-strong roster which includes Julia Morris, Urzila Carlson, Nazeem Hussain, Kate Langbroek and Melanie Bracewell.

Also, LN is partnering with Melbourne Royal on the 11-night live music program for 2022 Melbourne Royal Show – The Show After Dark. Running from Sept. 22 to Oct. 2, the program’s headliners include The Veronicas, Baker Boy, Bag Raiders and Sneaky Sound System.

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Ne-Yo Asks for Privacy Amid Cheating Accusations From Wife

Ne-Yo‘s wife, Crystal Renay, says she will not be staying with her husband after claiming he has been unfaithful to her for eight years.

Renay shared a personal update about her marriage with Ne-Yo on social media on Saturday (July 30), telling followers that saying she is “heartbroken and disgusted” over the situation would be an “understatement.”

“For the sake of our children, my family and I will work through our challenges behind closed doors,” Ne-Yo responded on Twitter Sunday afternoon (July 31), a day after Renay posted a lengthy note on Instagram. “Personal matters are not meant to be addressed and dissected in public forums. I simply ask that you please respect me and my family’s privacy at this time.”

On Saturday, Renay had written: “8 years of lies and deception. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and husband with numerous of women who sell their bodies to him unprotected … every last one of them! To say I’m heartbroken and disgusted is an understatement. To ask me to stay and accept it is absolutely insane. The mentality of a narcissist.”

“I will no longer lie to the public or pretend that this is something it isn’t,” she said of the allegations. “I choose me, I choose my happiness and health and my respect. I gained 3 beautiful children out of this but nothing else but wasted years and heartache. I ask that you all please stop sending me videos or information of him cheating because what he does is no longer my concern. I am not a victim. I’m choosing to stand tall with my head held high. If someone can’t love you the way you deserve then it’s up to you to love yourself. With no hate in my heart I wish him nothing but the best.”

Ne-Yo recently addressed prior marital problems he endured with Renay in an interview with Billboard. Earlier this month, while speaking about new album Self-Explanatory, he said, “It’s no secret that during the course of the pandemic” the pair were briefly considering divorce. But he said the couple, who wed in 2016 and renewed their vows in 2022, worked it out at the time.

“It took the pandemic for us to really sit and have those necessary, yet really uncomfortable conversations … Those situations for whatever reason always make for incredible song lyrics. A lot of those song lyrics are on this album,” the R&B singer had said of the experience with his wife.

The pair welcomed their third child together last year, in June 2021. Ne-Yo is also the father of two more children from a previous relationship.

See Crystal’s note and Ne-Yo’s response from this weekend below.

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Fans Choose Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music

Beyoncé‘s seventh studio album, Renaissance, has topped this week’s new music poll.

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (July 29) on Billboard, choosing the superstar singer’s first solo studio release since 2016’s Lemonade as their favorite new music release of the past week.

Renaissance brought in nearly 57% of the vote, beating out new music by BLACKPINK (“Ready For Love” music video), Rosalía (“Despechá”), Hayley Kiyoko (Panorama), Maggie Rogers (Surrender), and $uicideboy$ (Sing Me a Lullaby, My Sweet Temptation).

Recorded over three years during the pandemic, Renaissance is “Act 1” of three. The 16-song project is crammed with features from Grace Jones, BEAM and Tems, along with production assists from husband Jay-Z, Drake, Skrillex, Giorgio Moroder, Nile Rodgers and others.

The house-infused “Break My Soul,” released in late June, was the first single from Renaissance. The song hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated July 7, 2022, marking Beyoncé’s milestone 20th top 10 as a soloist.

Renaissance follows 2016’s Lemonade, Queen Bey’s landmark album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, earning Beyoncé her sixth-chart topper. The set included guest appearances by Jack White, James Blake, The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar.

Placing second on the past week’s tally with almost 15% of the vote was the music video for BLACKPINK’s newly released song “Ready For Love.” The K-pop quartet — Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa — first unveiled the track in their recent in-game concert for PUGB Mobile, titled “THE VIRTUAL,” which featured the members performing a medley of their hits through virtual versions of their human forms.

See the final results of this week’s new music release poll below.

 

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Must-Hear Indie Artist of the Month: Lava La Rue

The Project

Lava La Rue’s new EP, Hi-Fidelity, is out now via Marathon.

The Origin

Growing up, Lava La Rue was always playing in bands. “When I was 13, I wanted to be in an all-girl version of The Clash. Very West London, ska-punk inspired. The intersection of Caribbean culture and British punk.” But as they grew older, the costliness of rehearsal space drew the young creative to freestyling “because you just need a microphone.”

At college in London, La Rue met the group of artists who would soon change their life. “I think people assume we met at some really established music school but it wasn’t like that at all, it was a bit rundown. The music equipment was falling apart,” La Rue explains, but the lack of proper equipment didn’t stop the group of friends, who would soon call themselves NiNE8 Collective (including Biig Piig, Nayana Iz, Bone Slim, Mac Wetha, Nige and LorenzoRSV), from creating some of the most exciting music to come out of London.

But first, La Rue says, it was not that serious. The then-nameless NiNE8 was just a gang of newfound friends, hanging out in the smoking area in between classes, freestyling over borrowed beats blasted on a mini speaker. “We’d only have little pockets of time to do it at school so I’d be like, ‘F— it, after school we should go to mine and continue.’” From there, the at-home sessions attracted more friends, swelling until the troupe decided to rent proper venues.

Ever since, La Rue has been busy growing a grassroots career in music that allows them to flex their creative muscle as a rapper, singer, songwriter and even music video director. Recently, they were even tapped to direct Wet Leg’s vibrant, irreverent music video for “Ur Mom.” As evidenced by their wide-ranging projects, La Rue’s no-holds-barred career is a testament to what is possible for an indie artist who dares to dream big’s career today.

The Sound

When titling La Rue’s new EP, Hi-Fidelity, the idea was simple: describe the sound in words. With the title, La Rue makes their declaration that although they have been called “lo-fi rap” by critics and fans in the past, their new project is a polished, cleaner take on La Rue’s earliest roots, gigging with friends around West London. “I think I’m now circling back to the more live band feel for my music, like when I used to play guitar and stuff when I was younger,” they explain.

Today, with more resources for their creative projects than ever, La Rue says, “Now, if I make something sound lo-fi, it’s intentional.” They say their sound has evolved so thoroughly, in part because of access to instruments and recording equipment. “I always make do with whatever is there,” La Rue explains. “In the beginning that was just a really ghetto microphone and a sock to put on top of it.” Working around the limitations, though, is what pushed La Rue to freestyling and learning their own voice as a producer, a crucial part of developing the sonics now exemplified on Hi-Fidelity. “Now, when I’m working with other producers, I know what plug-in to ask for. What way to record something.”

On Hi-Fidelity, La Rue was inspired by early Beck songs, the Neptunes, Gorillaz, Turkish arabesque music and trying to emulate the strangest, most satisfying sounds through their own lens. “I was experimenting. There are some really minute little details that I put in that maybe people might not notice, but it’s really satisfying to me.”

Upon close listen, however, La Rue is correct: Hi-Fidelity’s brilliance is in its details.

The Breakthrough

For La Rue, deciding that they did not have to choose one specific path as a creative was key to building the varied career they wanted. “I feel like I’m never just one thing. I don’t know if it’s the Gemini in me or the non-binary in me, but I like the idea that I can do everything I want,” they explain. “Not to get too philosophical, but really all we are promised is this life. We should live as many experiences as we can. I don’t like the idea of saying, ‘I’m a musician, but maybe in an alternate universe, I would’ve tried directing.’ No, that’s bulls—. I can do both in this life. There is enough time.”

The Future

With a London headline show coming up in November, La Rue says, “Like my music, my live show is very different now.” They hope to build a world orbiting around Hi-Fidelity as “a center point to paint the picture of a more cohesive world, including live shows and merchandise. It all tells a story together that I want to make bigger and more polished and more fun than ever, but still very me.”

The Piece of Advice Every New Indie Artist Needs to Hear

“If you want to find the right collaborators and your musical soulmates, then you need to work on being very comfortable with being on your own s— first. Like knowing what you like specifically and knowing what your bag is. That’s when I feel like those people are drawn towards you. While it’s good for new artists to want to build a network, I think when you’re on your own wave and your sonics are clear, then the right people to work with will gravitate towards you. If you’re meant to work with someone, it will happen when you have the self-confidence of your own vibe first.”

The Most Surprising Thing You’ve Learned about the Music Industry So Far

“It’s pretty crazy how much musical genres and the concept of categorizing music can gatekeep a lot of artists from thriving. For example, in the U.K., we have the MOBO Awards which is the Black British music awards. There is no alternative or dance category for music, which sucks because it’s basically saying that they don’t recognize Black people who make music in that category. I think sometimes putting an artist into a category doesn’t allow them to thrive.”

The Artist You Believe Deserves More Attention

“There’s a band called English Teacher, a post-punk band from the U.K., that’s really f—ing cool. I’ve also been obsessed with this super young artist called Psykhi. He embodies this combination of alternative and punk worlds joining with the hip-hop and rap world. He almost flows like Playboi Carti, but he produces really grungy s—. He’s pretty underground, but he’s sick. I think he’s going to blow [up]. The U.K. right now has some incredible alternative artists and bands. Both of those artists are P.O.C. fronted and it’s nice to see more people of color taking up space in alternative music.”

The Thing That Needs to Change in the Music Industry

“Whenever it’s International Women’s Day or Pride Month or whatever, companies will show their support to artists for that time period, but they never look at the infrastructure of their company. Though they may highlight these minority groups visually, are they actually hiring those people? I don’t think there will be any change or progress if we just put people’s faces on social media instead of fixing this from the inside.”

 

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