As Britney Spears finally sees the termination of her conservatorship after nearly 14 years, she’s being celebrated by her peers in pop music and beyond on social media.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny ruled Friday (Nov. 12) to end the conservatorship that has controlled Spears’ personal and professional life for the last decade-plus. Commenting on a celebratory video from outside the courtroom posted on Spears’ Twitter account, Missy Elliott wrote, “May Blessings continue to flow for you! And nothing but Happiness Love & Peace of mind from here on out.”
Cyndi Lauper offered “congrats,” Cher declared “She’s Free,” and Dionne Warwick said it’s “a day to celebrate the liberation of Britney Spears.”
Spears herself celebrated the ruling on her social media, calling it the “best day ever” and saying she’s “gonna cry the rest of the day!!!!”
Below, find more reaction to the ruling from Andy Cohen, Questlove, 98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons and more.
Amen and sending you love and light for a new chapter of creativity on your terms.
—
rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) November 12, 2021
Timbaland has announced a new metaverse-based entertainment company, dubbed Ape-In Productions (AIP), that will use Bored Ape Yacht Club characters to perform music and sell products as NFTs.
Bored Ape Yacht Club — founded by Yuga Labs in April 2021 and comprised of unique cartoon ape drawings minted on the blockchain — is one of the most successful NFT projects to date, having already amassed over $1 billion in trading since its inception just seven months ago. For buyers, the quirky cartoons function as both an investment and a status symbol, with many owners setting their social media avatars to the Ape they purchased. Owners of Apes are able to exploit the NFTs’ likenesses for profit and can also “flip” the Apes to reap even higher gains on NFT marketplaces whenever they’re ready to sell. Just like a rare baseball card, Bored Apes are viewed as collectibles, often functioning as the crown jewels in a buyer’s crypto collection.
AIP’s Bored Apes will function similar to digital idols like Miquela, who acts as a front-facing digital performer for songs. Those who opt to purchase these AIP NFTs will gain access to exclusive perks, including merchandise, events, studio sessions, custom art and concerts, all contained within the metaverse. To bring these static NFT characters to life, AIP has enlisted the help of BRON Digital, which uses Epic Games’ Unreal Engine technology.
This is actually the second bit of Bored Ape Yacht Club-related music news to arrive in just the past two days. On Thursday, UMG’s 10:22PM label announced it had formed the NFT “supergroup” KINGSHIP, which is also comprised of Bored Ape Yacht Club characters. Both projects arrive as interest in Web3 and the metaverse continues to grow apace, with the most high-profile acceleration coming in the form of Mark Zuckerberg’s recent rebranding of Facebook to Meta — a reference to the metaverse. The formation of AIP, particularly with a famous name like Timbaland attached, could provide a further boost to the adoption and monetization of NFTs within the music industry.
Alongside the news of AIP’s founding, the company is releasing the name of its first signee: TheZoo. A hip-hop act comprised of six Bored Apes — Lincoln Aperaham, Safari Ferrari, Oro Blanco, MoMoney, Wurdz Smith and Congo — the new crew will release their debut, Timbaland-produced single “ApeSh!t,” along with the first AIP label NFT, next Wednesday.
The other co-founders of Ape-In Productions include Gary Marella, Clement Kwan, Andrew Rosener and Jonathan “JT” Tenenbaum of MediaOptions, the number one domain broker in the world. According to a press release, all of the founders bring years of digital asset management experience to the new project.
Likening AIP to Timbaland’s music production marketplace Beatclub — which allows creators to keep 100% of their rights and revenue — the press release adds that AIP “will empower creators to reclaim control of their intellectual property, and encourage them to explore new creative avenues and revenue streams.”
“We’ve built a new entertainment platform in the metaverse that puts creative control and long-term ownership back in the hands of artists, a concept that is incredibly important to us,” said Timbaland in a statement announcing the project.
Swifties everywhere are rejoicing after Taylor Swift released Red (Taylor’s Version) on Friday (Nov. 12). The re-recorded version of her 2012 album features 30 tracks, including the 21 previously released songs from the original and deluxe versions of the album, as well as nine previously unreleased gems “From the Vault” that feature some of Swift’s musician friends either as writers or featured singers.
Fans anxiously awaited the arrival of “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” which Swift expanded to allow ample time for a good cry while listening. The 31-year-old singer revealed plans for a self-written and -directed short film starring Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink to accompany the track, which premieres Friday on YouTube.
The 10-minute version of “All Too Well” appears to be the fan favorite from the re-release, if social media’s overwhelmingly positive response is any indicator, but is there another “From the Vault” track that’s currently stealing your heart? The Phoebe Bridgers-assisted “Nothing New” sees the women lamenting the unfair social expectations of young women, while upbeat cuts “Babe” and “Message in a Bottle” see Swift lifting up her listeners before preparing them for a gut-wrenching avalanche of emotions at the end of the record.
(And if you need a second opinion, be sure to check out Jason Lipshutz’s ranking of all the “From the Vault” tracks here.)
So which “From the Vault” track is your favorite? Vote!
As if Taylor Swift hasn’t gifted her fans with enough new material this week, the singer/songwriter released her All Too Well short film on Friday evening (Nov. 12).
The short film, starring Dylan O’Brien (Maze Runner) and Sadie Sink (Stranger Things), is soundtracked by “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” from Swift’s just released Red (Taylor’s Version), a re-recording of her 2012 album. Swift wrote and directed the film.
Sink and O’Brien portray a couple whose idyllic romance unexpectedly sours, just like the tortured relationship at the center of the fan-favorite song. The 10-minute song soundtracks the short film then drops away for an extended interlude focused on a post-dinner argument. At the New York screening of the film on Friday, fans gasped at insensitive remarks made by O’Brien’s character.
At the screening, Swift encouraged fans to “feel your feelings” as they watched. “You do not need to be stoic, serious, or anything that you are not if that is not how you want to feel during this. Be yourselves. I love you. I’m going to watch this with you.”
And you should “feel your feelings” at home too. Watch All Too Well below:
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Francisca Valenzuela, “Último Baile” (Sony Music Chile)
It’s the end of the world and Francisca Valenzuela isn’t holding back. “Tonight, we dance as if it were our last day on earth,” she sings. “Último Baile,” which translates to “the last dance,” is the second part of a trilogy of music videos that kicked off with the release of “Castillo de Cristal.” Both tracks will be part of her forthcoming album, Vida Tan Bonita, due in spring 2022. Directed by the Chilean singer-songwriter, the alt-pop track’s video kicks off with a sad group of people who are moping around in a small diner. Enter the ever-so lively Valenzuela, who creates the ultimate final dance party before the world ends.
Don Omar & Nio García, “Se Menea” (Unisono/Saban Music Group)
A fusion of urban and tropical rhythms, where old-school meets contemporary, Don Omar brings back those fast, clipped merengue sounds he’s known for. In a recent exclusive behind-the-scenes interview with Billboard, Nio García tells Don Omar how he’s studied him all his life and that it was a dream to work with him. “Se Menea” finds the pair doing anything possible to conquer the woman whose moves turn heads.
Pedro Capó, “Gracias” (Sony Music Latin)
A grateful Pedro Capó is jumping on beds, eating cake frosting and dancing in the music video for his newly released single “Gracias.” The uplifting track — which fuses rap with rock and finds the Puerto Rican artist singing in Spanish, English and French — is his first single in six months. Sending only positive vibes with “Gracias,” the singer-songwriter reminds us of what really matters in life. “We keep making songs even if we don’t win Grammys but I wake up, open my eyes and by my side, a great mother … I never lose faith and I always learn from failure when it’s my turn to lose.”
Marc Anthony, “Mala” (Sony Music Latin)
Salsa icon Marc Anthony has created a new anthem for “bad women” — the type of women who are not ashamed of using their manipulation skills. “Mala” was penned by Marc Anthony and Lenier, produced by Sergio George and co-produced by Motiff. This single features powerful visuals that convey the feeling of the lyrics, where la mala will do anything to satisfy her craving for money and power.
Los Angeles Azules & Nicki Nicole, “Otra Noche” (Seitrack/UMG)
Innovating the sound of cumbia once again, Los Ángeles Azules recruit Argentine trap star Nicki Nicole for their new cumbia anthem “Otra Noche.” Adding Nicki to an eclectic group of collaborators, which includes artists such as Vicentico, Ximena Sariñana and Belinda, the cumbia veterans release the new track to kick off the band’s 40th-anniversary celebration. “Otra Noche” will be part of a new album that will include “previously unreleased songs performed by artists of other genres,” according to a statement. As we wait for the new album to drop, we’ll have Nicki’s “Otra Noche” on loop.
Pablo Alborán, “Soy Capaz” (Warner Music Spain)
“Soy Capaz” is Pablo Alborán in his purest state, back to his essence. Beginning with an acoustic guitar, followed by his melodic voice and Spanish accent, the song is a beautiful interpretation full of meaning, lyrics for the soul. “I am capable of disguising you with a heart that nobody knows, what it is, that they love you badly and so little,” Alborán sings.
KURT & Carin Leon, “No te Olvido” (Universal Music México)
Mexican artists KURT and Carin Leon join forces for a guitar-driven, country-tinged pop track that finds the pair reflecting on a past relationship. “I haven’t forgotten you. It still hurts to remember you on Sundays. It still hurts to continue without you,” they sing in the chorus. “No Te Olvido” marks the first collab between regional Mexican star Leon and newcomer KURT.
Anitta, “Envolver” (Warner Music Latin)
The Spanish slang translation for falling in love gives life to this sultry new single, in which Brazilian pop singer Anitta sings to female desires and passions while making it clear that love is not part of the game. The provocative and flirty lyrics are based on a belief that women should not apologize for their seductive nature and are intertwined with reggaeton and urban beats.
Humbe, “Quitame Las Alas” (Humbe/Sony Music México)
Up for best new artist at the Latin Grammys, Humbe released his new album, AURORA, with “Quítame Las Alas” as its focus track. The stripped-down pop/R&B track puts Humbe’s commanding vocals at the forefront as he sings about self-love. “The song is about having confidence in yourself,” the Mexican singer-songwriter said in a statement. “I wanted the song to come out with the album because it’s the message I want to reach my fans with. Share with them that although there are people that will criticize you and want to take your wings away, the best thing to do is keep fighting, because it’s what makes you, you.”
Anuel AA, “Leyenda” (Real Hasta La Muerte)
Fresh off his “Dictadura” release, Anuel AA is keeping the momentum going with “Leyenda,” the second single from his album, Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren (Legends Never Die). In this new track, the Puerto Rican picks up where he left off in “Dictadura” after he was drafted into the NBA in 1984. Now, he’s on his way to become a legend playing with the Chicago Bulls while recreating the iconic Michael Jordan’s career via his concept videos that tell the story of a legend. Check out the head-bobbing trap song.



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rosanna arquette (@RoArquette)