Dionne Warwick Joined TikTok — But No, She Will Not Be Doing the ‘Buss It’ Challenge

Dionne Warwick’s reign on Twitter might spill over to TikTok, once she’s got enough of a following on the new-to-her social media platform.

“Ok… Auntie created a TikTok. If I get enough followers I’ll start using that platform. Who knows what I’ll create,” she tweeted on Saturday (Jan. 16) with a laughing emoji.

“I am told that the possibilities are endless,” Warwick added in another tweet.

The legendary singer, whose wit has become a treasure to the Twitter crowd, promised she’ll start becoming active on TikTok “when I gain enough followers.”

Just don’t expect her to follow all the trends. “I just asked my team what the ‘buss it’ challenge was,” wrote Warwick, after followers apparently suggested she try it out. “Why are you asking me to do that? Don’t make me delete TikTok before I even start.”

In another message, she scolded, “Use the good sense God gave you.”

See her tweets below (and don’t worry: she has no plans to stop tweeting), and follow her on TikTok at @dionnethesinger.

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Morgan Wallen’s ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Breaks Country Streaming Record

Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in record-setting fashion, as it garners the largest streaming week ever for a country album. The 30-song album — Wallen’s first leader — further logs the largest overall week, by units earned, for a country set in over two years.

Dangerous, released on Jan. 8 via Big Loud/Republic Records, starts with 265,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Jan. 14, according to MRC Data.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new Jan. 23, 2021-dated chart (where Dangerous debuts at No. 1) will be posted in full on Billboard’s website on Jan. 20. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

Of Dangerous’ 265,000 equivalent album units earned in the tracking week ending Jan. 14, SEA units comprise 184,000 (equaling 240.18 million on-demand streams of the album’s songs), album sales comprise 74,000 and TEA units comprise 7,000. (Of Dangerous’ 74,000 in album sales, digital download album sales comprise 50,000.)

Dangerous is Wallen’s second full-length album, following 2018’s If I Know Me, which peaked at No. 13 on the Aug. 29, 2020-dated chart. It has spent over 110 weeks on the tally and earned 1.7 million equivalent album units, while its songs have accrued 2.4 billion on-demand streams.

Prior to Dangerous’ release, the singer-songwriter had snared 13 charting hits on the Hot Country Songs chart, including eight top 10s (two of which reached No. 1). On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, he’s placed 10 tunes, including the new album’s “7 Summers.” The latter debuted at No. 6, marking at the time only the second top 10 Hot 100 debut for a song by a solo male and no accompanying acts that has also appeared on Hot Country Songs.

Let’s take a look at some of the notable feats that Wallen achieves with Dangerous’ debut.

Largest Streaming Week for a Country Album: As Dangerous collected 184,000 SEA units, equaling 240.18 million on-demand streams of the set’s 30 songs, it lands the largest streaming week ever for a country album. It beats, more than doubling, the 102.26 million streams achieved by Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get in the week ending Oct. 29, 2020. That week, Combs’ then-year-old album was reissued with bonus tracks, bringing its total track count to 23. Upon its deluxe reissue, the album shot back to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for its second week in the lead. It tallied its first week at No. 1 when it debuted in the top slot (chart dated Nov. 23, 2019).

Certainly, the fact that Dangerous has a whopping 30 songs greatly enhances its ability to accrue a large streaming total – as the stream count is based on the total streams across all of the album’s songs.

However, even if the album were trimmed down to the 18 least-streamed tracks (in the week ending Jan. 14), their sum of 105.08 million would still beat Combs’ former record.

Third-Largest Streaming Week for a Non-R&B/Hip-Hop Album: Dangerous clocks the third-biggest streaming week ever for a non-R&B/hip-hop album, trailing only Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next (307.07 million in its debut week) and Taylor Swift’s Folklore (289.85 million, debut week). Overall, Dangerous has the 22nd-largest streaming week for an album.

Biggest Week for a Country Album in Over Two Years: The last country album to have a bigger week, by equivalent album units, was Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty, which launched with 266,000 units on the Sept. 19, 2018-dated chart. Unlike Dangerous, Cry Pretty’s first week was bolstered by sales generated from a concert ticket/album sale redemption offer. (Such offers no longer contribute sales to Billboard’s charts.)

Dangerous also has the ninth-biggest week for any album, of any genre, by units, in the last 12 months.

Only the 12th Country Album to Reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 In the Last Five Years: Wallen brings a rare sight to the top of the Billboard 200, as Dangerous is only the 12th country set to reach No. 1 since January of 2016.

Strikingly, out of the 178 No. 1 albums since the Jan. 23, 2016-dated chart, only 12 were country titles (just 6.7%). Those 12 country No. 1s: Jason Aldean’s They Don’t Know (2016); Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes, Shania Twain’s Now, Kenny Chesney’s Live in No Shoes Nation, Luke Bryan’s What Makes You Country (2017); Aldean’s Rearview Town, Underwood’s Cry Pretty (2018), Rhett’s Center Point Road, Kane Brown’s Experiment, Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get (2018; the latter had one week at No. 1 in both 2018 and 2019); Chesney’s Here and Now (2020); and now Wallen’s Dangerous (2021).

At No. 2 on the new Billboard 200, Taylor Swift’s Evermore slips one spot after three nonconsecutive weeks in the lead, with 55,000 equivalent album units earned (down 1%). Pop Smoke’s former No. 1 Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon is steady at No. 3 with 47,000 units (up 5%). Both titles were released by Republic Records, like Dangerous. In turn, Republic holds the top three for the third time in less than three months, and remains the only label to monopolize the top three since 2003, when Interscope pulled off the feat.

Jazmine Sullivan hits a career-high on the Billboard 200 as Heaux Tales bows at No. 4 with 43,000 equivalent album units earned. It beats her previous chart high of No. 6, achieved in the opening week of her debut set, and only other top 10, Fearless (Oct. 11, 2008 chart). Heaux Tales is the singer’s fourth charting effort, and first since 2015’s Reality Show debuted and peaked at No. 12 (Jan. 31, 2015).

Lil Durk’s The Voice falls from its No. 2 high to No. 5 with 42,000 equivalent album units earned (down 12%).

The Weeknd’s former No. 1 After Hours charges 14-6 with 35,000 units (up 34%). The latter benefits from the popularity of its latest single, and its new official video (released Jan. 5), for “Save Your Tears,” as well as The Weeknd’s widely-seen commercial touting his halftime performance at the upcoming Super Bowl (Feb. 7). Ariana Grande’s former No. 1 Positions falls 4-7 with 34,000 units (down 4%). Both After Hours and Positions were released via Republic Records, giving the label a stunning five of the top 10 albums – the first time a label group has claimed half of the top 10 in nearly a year (since the Feb. 1, 2020-dated chart when Interscope Geffen A&M achieved the distinction). Republic last had half of the top 10 on the Nov. 9, 2013-dated chart.

Closing out the top 10 on the new Billboard 200 are Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get (7-8 with a little over 31,000 units; down 3%), Juice WRLD’s Legends Never Die (holding at No. 9 with 31,000 units; up 4%) and Megan Thee Stallion’s Good News (6-10 with just under 31,000 units; down 5%).

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Jay Sean Sings a Verse From the Point-of-View of Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Drivers License’ Love Interest: Watch

Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” has inspired Jay Sean to give the breakout hit a little re-write — from the point-of-view of the song’s love interest (whoever that might be).

“I love the song Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo – I decided to write and record the ‘guys response’ version,” Sean tweeted Sunday night (Jan. 17).

“I was in my feels on this one … beautiful song I had to hop on this trend,” he explained on TikTok, where he posted a short clip of his creative take on Rodrigo’s debut single, which looks to be 2021’s first runaway hit.

“I wish I could meet you on the corner/ Pull up to the sidewalk/ I’d meet you by the stop sign where we first kissed/ Now you wonder where I’ve gone/ ‘Cause everywhere I turn/ You’re in everything that I see/ You never saw me/ ‘Cause I can’t stay here on this street,” Sean sings on his version of “Drivers License,” trying to match the emotion of Rodrigo’s heartbreak.

Listen to his “Drivers License”-inspired lyrics below.

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Livestreams & Virtual Concerts to Watch: Week of January 18

Inauguration festivities means that in the days leading up to the swearing in of Joe Biden as president of the United States and Kamala Harris as vice president on Jan. 20, there will be various musical performances to watch on television, which will of course also be streamed online. But perhaps most notable will be Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem on the big day itself, with additional sets by Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, and many more.

If you’re looking for something to take your mind of politics, there are plenty of other options as well. Those include the long-awaited and twice-postponed Verzuz battle featuring Ashanti and Keyshia Cole on Jan. 21, and a big virtual concert by K-pop superstars Seventeen on the 23rd.

Below are some of the virtual music events to check out the week of Jan. 18-24. Stay tuned for other livestreams as more online shows are announced.

Jan. 18: The Chicks, Ruthie Foster and more are participating in the Move Forward Virtual Music Festival to raise money to relocate two historic Confederate monuments from the Bastrop, Texas County courthouse lawn. The event will also promote racial equality, and can be streamed on Move Forward’s YouTube and Facebook pages. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. ET.

A$AP Mob is hosting his annual Yams Day, this year virtually, and will feature an awards ceremony. Visit YamsDay.com for more information.

Jan. 21: After two postponements, the Ashanti and Keyshia Cole Verzuz battle is finally happening. The event begins at 8 p.m. ET on Verzuz’s Instagram Live or on Apple Music to watch in HD.

Phoebe Bridgers is livestreaming a set on BandsInTown.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET. A subscription is required to watch the event.

Jan. 21-30: The Hives are playing the World’s First World Wide Web Tour on Jan. 21 via livestream. The live shows will feature phone calls from fans, voting for the setlist, and more. The only U.S. show is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET on the 23rd; tickets start at $15 plus a service fee. For the full list of dates and tickets, visit The Hives’ website.

Jan. 23: K-pop stars Seventeen are kicking off 2021 with a virtual concert, during which they will perform more than 20 songs. The show begins at 4 a.m. ET. Check venewlife.com for more information.

Juliana Hatfield is performing the entirety of her 1998 album, Bed, with just an acoustic guitar. The show is pay-what-you-want, and begins at 4 p.m. ET on YouTube.

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Here Are the Major Awards Phil Spector Won During His Career

Phil Spector, who died on Saturday (Jan. 16) at age 81, may be best known today as a convicted killer, but he was one of the most successful and celebrated producers of the rock era.

Spector and George Harrison co-produced The Concert for Bangladesh, which won a 1972 Grammy for album of the year. The triple-disk album, recorded live at Madison Square Garden on Aug. 1, 1971, featured many of the biggest rock stars of the era, including Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Leon Russell.

Spector and Harrison had been Grammy-nominated in that category the previous year for producing Harrison’s smash solo album, All Things Must Pass, which was also a triple-disk opus. The album yielded the smash single “My Sweet Lord,” for which they were nominated for record of the year.

Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 in the non-performers category. (The award was renamed in honor of Ahmet Ertegun in 2008.) Spector was inducted by Tina Turner, who, with her then-husband Ike Turner, recorded the 1966 single “River Deep, Mountain High,” which Spector produced. (The single flopped at the time — it stalled at No. 88 on the Hot 100 — but is now regarded as a classic.)

Spector was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2005, he shared the SHOF’s Towering Song Award with legendary songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil for co-writing “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” Only 20 other songs have won that award.

Spector received a Trustees Award — the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award for people whose primary contributions is behind-the-scenes — from the Recording Academy in 2000. He was one of two recipients of the award that year, the other being legendary record executive Clive Davis.

None of these awards have been rescinded. By contrast, the Kennedy Center Honors rescinded Bill Cosby’s 1998 award, and the Television Academy Hall of Fame rescinded his 1991 award. Both awards were revoked in 2018 following Cosby’s rape conviction. The Kennedy Center Honors site still lists his name, followed by the explanation, “*rescinded in 2018.” The Television Academy Hall of Fame site simply doesn’t list his name anymore.

Spector probably would have won more Grammys, but many Grammy voters were cool to rock in the 1960s, when he was at his creative and commercial peak. The Grammys didn’t have categories devoted exclusively to rock until 1979. Also, they didn’t introduce their producer of the year, non-classical award until 1974.

But many songs and albums that Spector wrote and/or produced have been voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, including The Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (inducted in 1998), Phil Spector & Various Artists’ A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector (1999), The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” (1999), Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High” (1999), John Lennon Plastic Ono Band’s “Imagine” (1999), Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem” (2002), The Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel” (2004) and Harrison’s All Things Must Pass (2014).

The Grammy Hall of Fame is open to all recordings that are at least 25 years old.

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Latino leaders call out Trump disinformation campaign in Miami Spanish-language media

Latino leaders from more than 20 local advocacy groups have denounced the spread of misinformation in South Florida Spanish-language media, warning in an open letter that “hateful rhetoric can have … Click to Continue »
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Dr. Dre Returns Home After Hospitalization for Brain Aneurysm

Dr. Dre is back home after being hospitalized for a reported brain aneurysm.

Dre’s attorney, Peter Paterno, confirmed his return home on Saturday (Jan. 16), according to the Associated Press. Paterno did not provide any further details.

The 55-year-old music mogul received treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering a brain aneurysm on Jan. 4. TMZ first reported the news.

“Thanks to my family, friends and fans for their interest and well wishes,” Dre had said in a statement released on Jan. 5. “I’m doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team. I will be out of the hospital and back home soon. Shout out to all the great medical professionals at Cedars. One Love!!”

“He’s resting comfortably,” Dre’s rep had told Billboard at the time.

Prayers and positive energy poured in for Dre amid his hospitalization, with Ice Cube, Missy Elliott, G-Eazy, LL Cool J and more wishing him a quick recovery.

And on Friday (Jan. 15), Ice T posted an update: “Just FaceTimed with @drdre,” he wrote on Twitter. “He just made it home. Safe and looking good.”

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‘Victory’ of Kamala Harris Celebrated in ‘America United: An Inauguration Welcome’

Ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the 59th Presidential Inaugural Committee hosted a virtual welcome event on Saturday to honor America’s history and the incoming administration.

Hollywood personalities including Whoopi Goldberg and Darren Criss appeared in the livestream, which opened with a musical number from the resistance revival chorus. Girl Scouts followed by doing the Pledge of Allegiance.

First generation Mexican American Cristela Alonzo introduced the event, noting that she is a daughter of immigrants, with Spanish as her first language. “This is the beginning of the next chapter in our country,” she said. “Remember, change is possible. We proved that this past November.”

Among the guests, many of them from Latino advocacy and civil rights organizations, was Deb Haaland, former chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico; and Claudette White, who shared a traditional tribal song. The overarching theme was the celebration of Joe Biden and the “victory” that is Kamala Harris a the first woman vice president-elect, as well as the first Black woman and first woman of South Asian descent.

Janet Murguia talked about how multi-ethnic democracy requires leadership, and that the best days of this country are ahead of us. “Women of color are leading the way and saying, ‘it’s our time,’ she said, referencing the tireless work of Stacey Abrams. She also cited the background of Harris, who is the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, noting that it was similar to her own story.

Actor Nik Dodani declared, “It’s finally a new year, which means it’s finally time for a new president.” Later in the event, a number of people in the American workforce were interviewed about their allegiance to Biden and Harris, among them an industrial mechanic and laundres. “He cares about people, and that’s the person we need in office,” said one individual.

Whoopi Goldberg appeared in the livestream and shared how excited she is to usher in a “new era” for our country. “We should feel optimistic for a very important reason,” the actor said, adding that reason being her trust in Biden and Harris to lead us through “whatever we’re going to be facing.” Glee and Hollywood star Darren Criss spoke of how he was a junior in high school when Harris was elected as a district attorney. “It is an absolutely privilege and honor to be performing for these two incredible people as they make history.”

Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms noted that this inauguration is happening amid a national crisis, making it a moment for “reflection” and “vast promise” toward a brighter future. “Joe and Kamala are the right leaders for this moment,” she said, adding that this new administration will ensure that all Americans have a seat at the table and have their voices heard.

“Let’s all resolve to join in that journey of renewal,” said Bottoms. “I’m so happy and so relieved that this day has come.”

The last guest of the event was Harris herself, who emphasized the fact that while she may be the first woman to serve as vice president, she will not be the last. Harris said that she “stands on the shoulders” of the generations of Americans who struggled in the years before her to open up opportunities in this country, and encouraged children to see themselves as “future leaders.”

“It is the honor of my life to be your next vice president,” Harris concluded.

America United: An Inauguration Welcome was streamed live via the Presidential Inaugural Committee social media pages.

Looking ahead to Jan. 20, Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem at the Biden-Harris inauguration in Washington, D.C., while Jennifer Lopez is also set to perform.

Concluding the day’s events, Tom Hanks will host a 90-minute primetime special Celebrating America, with remarks from Biden and Harris and performances from Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato and more.

The special airs from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and MSNBC, while also streaming on PIC’s YouTube and social media channels.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

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Tina Knowles-Lawson Compares Blue Ivy to a Young Solange in Adorable Dance Class Video

Blue Ivy Carter may take after her Aunt Solange when it comes to dancing.

Tina Knowles-Lawson recently took to social media to share an adorable video of her 9-year-old granddaughter’s impressive moves during a dance class.

“[This] is Blue but I swear it looks like Solange dancing at this age,” Knowles-Lawson captioned the clip on Instagram.

In the cute clip, Beyonce and Jay-Z’s oldest child, who celebrated her birthday on Jan. 7, is seen busting a move alongside fellow pint-sized dancers to a version of Ciara’s 2010 song “Gimmie Dat.”

In 2019, at age 7, Blue Ivy officially earned her first Billboard Hot 100-charting hit after being featured on Beyonce, Saint Jhn and Wizkid’s “Brown Skin Girl.” The track, which appears on Beyonce’s The Lion King: The Gift album, debuted at No. 76 on the Hot 100.

Blue Ivy also became one of the youngest Grammy nominees in history after recently being added to the nominees for best music video for her mother’s “Brown Skin Girl.”

Check out Knowles-Lawson’s video of Blue Ivy here.

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