Kentucky’s Bourbon & Beyond festival will bring a plethora of musical talent spanning country, rock, Americana and more, when the multiday festival launches its eighth year on Sept. 24-27 in Louisville, Ky., at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
This year’s leading performers include Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Matthews Band and many others. Over 100 artists will perform across five stages.
Also on the massive lineup are Goose, Mumford & Sons, Foster The People, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Hootie and the Blowfish, Of Monsters and Men, The Flaming Lips, Counting Crows, Jesse Welles, Jessie Murph, The War on Drugs, Charley Crockett, Max McNown, Cheap Trick, Marcus King Band, Avery Anna, Gabriella Rose, Sierra Hull and The Creekers.
“Bourbon & Beyond is built to be the best weekend of your year. Plain and simple. From the second you arrive, everything is designed so you can fully experience what a music festival should be,” Danny Wimmer of Danny Wimmer Presents said in a statement. “It’s an escape with soul — a place where you can unplug from real life, let loose, be a kid again, and really live in the moment. You can ride roller coasters at Kentucky Kingdom, discover new artists and see your favorites, sip great spirits, and eat incredible food — and it all just works. At its core, it’s about creating memories. It’s a vacation inside a vacation. This lineup reflects everything Bourbon & Beyond stands for. And I say this with humility and confidence — there is nothing else quite like it in this space. It truly is the best weekend you can have at a festival of this scale.”
David S. Beck, president & CEO of Kentucky Venues, added, “Bourbon & Beyond captures the spirit of Kentucky like no other music festival. Last year’s move to the heart of the Kentucky Exposition Center set a new standard, and together with Danny Wimmer Presents, we’re proving the Commonwealth is the premier destination for world-class events.”
Other offerings during the fest include Fork & Flask curated by Kroger, which will highlight local restaurants, speakeasies and bars. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar will house the Bluegrass Situation Stage to highlight top bluegrass bands. Attendees can also get free access to amusement rides inside Kentucky Kingdom, which became part of the fest’s footprint last year.
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.
Reneé Rapp shared her three-product lip combo with Allure last year and one item in particular stood out to viewers, as the BITE ME singer and Mean Girls actress touted the wonders of a $10 Amazon lip stain.
“My most asked beauty question is ‘what is your lip combo?’” Rapp bashfully said in the video. “I’ve been holding out on you b—hes … I’m not gonna lie because I don’t want to not be able to get this s–t.”
Fortunately, Rapp’s go-to lip stain is widely available on Amazon right now. The singer revealed that she starts her lip routine with Palladio’s Lip Stain in the shade “Mocha Cream.”
The hydrating lip stain currently retails for $9.59 on Amazon and comes in a mini marker-style package. “This is literally the best thing ever,” Rapp praised. “Hell yeah, I saw it on TikTok and hell yeah I bought, like, 20, and I’m never letting it go,” she said.
The Palladio Lip Stain currently boasts more than 10,000 reviews online on Amazon. And hundreds of TikTok videos have been created about the lip stain, with users praising its highly-pigmented color and stay-proof, water-resistant finish. The lip stain comes in six shades which you can see here. It’s formulated with panthenol, a humectant that retains moisture to help keep the lips hydrated.
At just $10, it’s a no-brainer to pick up on Amazon. As for Rapp? The star uses the stain to line her lips, blending out the harsh edges with a brush with residual concealer on it.
Rapp follows up her lip stain with this rosy brown lip liner from Makeup for Ever.
Rapp uses the Waterproof Artist Color Pencil in the shade Wherever Walnut. The lip pencil can be found at Sephora for $26. Rapp applied the warm, rosy nude shade over the lip line she just made with the stain, further defining it. The singer also warned not to take the liner into the middle of your lips. “‘Cause when it looks lighter, I feel like it looks better,” Rapp added.
What we like: the waxy waterproof formula offers maximum color payoff without budging.
Finally, Rapp topped her lip look off with the L’Oreal Paris Plump Ambition Lip Oil in the shade Wine O’clock, a deep red wine color (hence the name).
The oil is currently on sale for under $10 on Amazon. The Broadway star patted the oil in the center of her bottom lip, then smacked her lips together, dispersing the dab of product she’d applied. The oil, like her lip stain, is formulated with hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the lips. You’ve also got tripeptides that stimulate collagen production, creating that plumping effect.
Rapp new album Bite Me was released Aug. 1 and debuted at number-one on the UK charts.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 20:15:362026-02-18 20:15:36Reneé Rapp Found This $10 Lip Stain on TikTok and Added It to Her Makeup Routine
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.
It’s that time again, when Crunchyroll is aiming to liquidate excess inventory while giving anime fans the best deals possible on everything from manga to merch.
The brand’s 2026 warehouse sale is on right now and will run until March 1. New sale items will be added each week until the sale ends. The deals are noteworthy — we’re talking up to 70% on iconic Blu-ray anime flicks, collectors manga on trending series, collectible figurines of some of our favorite anime characters and so much more. This sale is perfect for anime fans looking to add to their collection without spending a fortune on exclusive items that usually cost a pretty penny.
Any fans of My Hero Academia? Or how about Jujutsu Kaisen, like Megan Thee Stallion? Maybe you’re a manga fan who loves reading up on the creepy world of Junji Ito or Hirohiko Araki’s inventive Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure? This warehouse sale features a ton of high-quality merch items from a ton of top anime, manga and video-game franchises for as low as $9.
Some of our favorite deals we’ve seen thus far include an Akira 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + DVD for just $13.99, down 60%. The film based on the cyberpunk manga is a classic that fans of anime must see if they haven’t yet. You’ve also got a hardcover version of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run for just $13.75. The seventh part of the manga is currently being adapted by Netflix, so this is the perfect time to read up on all the lore.
The manga/anime is yet another series beloved by Megan Thee Stallion. If you’re looking to display some figures of your favorite characters, we’ve seen high-quality models of our favorite characters from Izuku Midoriya to Anya Forger for up to 60% off. Each figure is extremely detailed and calls back to a specific moment in each anime. Below, shop our favorite deals from Crunchyroll’s warehouse sale online. You can also shop the full sale here.
Shop Our Favorites From Crunchyroll’s 2026 Warehouse Sale
Akira – Movie – Blu-ray + DVD – 25th Anniversary Edition
My Hero Academia’s fan-fave Izuku Midoriya is back in action as a high-quality 1/4 scale figure seen mid-fight. The figure captures an impressive action shot and is currently 40% off the regular price.
Junji Ito – Slug Girl Tombstone Town T-shirt – Crunchyroll Exclusive
Junji Ito’s artwork is both horrifying and beautiful, and loved worldwide. Fans of the author and illustrator can wear his haunting work on an eye-catching tee that is currently 70% off.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part Seven: Steel Ball Run is currently being adapted into an anime via Netflix. You can read the manga ahead of the adaptation for just $13.75.
SPY x FAMILY swept the nation back in 2022 and became a sensation, specifically thanks to cutie character Anya Forger. The lovable character is available as a chibi figure for just $6.80 right now.
Berserk – The Complete 1997 TV Series – Blu-ray – Steelbook – Crunchyroll Exclusive
Berserk is an iconic manga/anime with a notoriously gritty and dark storyline. The 1997 TV series Blu-ray is available exclusively at Crunchyroll and is 40% off right now.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 19:40:352026-02-18 19:40:35Crunchyroll Is Offering Up to 70% Off on Figures, Manga & Exclusive Merch During Warehouse Sale
Residente (born René Pérez Joglar) will make his feature film directorial debut with Porto Rico, a historical drama starring Bad Bunny in his first leading role, it was announced on Wednesday (Feb. 18).
Described in a press release as an “epic Caribbean western,” the film will also feature performances by Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) and Academy Award nominees Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises) and Edward Norton (American History X, A Complete Unknown), with more cast members to be announced.
“I’ve dreamed of making a film about my country since I was a child. The true story of Puerto Rico has always been surrounded by controversy,” Residente said in a statement. “This film is a reaffirmation of who we are, told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.”
Cowritten by Residente and Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), Porto Rico “combines a large-scale historical narrative with a visceral and lyrical approach, in a powerful story inspired by true events,” according to the press release.
Residente and Erick Douât are producing through 1868 Studios. Norton and Bill Migliore, along with Michael Bederman, are producing for Class 5 Films. The film is backed by Live Nation Studios, Class 5 Films and strategic partners, including the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, Mike and Sukey Novogratz, and Noah Assad. Mexican Oscar-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu serves as executive producer along with Scott Budnick and his label 1Community, Mike Novogratz, Sukey Novogratz, José E. Feliciano, Kwanza Jones, Henry R. Muñoz III, and Noah Assad. UTA Independent Film Group is representing international sales.
Regarding his decision to produce the project, Norton said in a statement: “This film falls within a tradition of movies we deeply love, from The Godfather to Gangs of New York, that impact us with visceral drama and iconic characters and eras, but also force us to confront the shadow history underlying the American narrative of idealism. Everyone knows René as a poet of language and rhythm. Now they will also see the visual visionary he is. And bringing him together with Bad Bunny to tell the true story of Puerto Rico’s roots will be like a flame meeting the dynamite cartridge that’s been waiting for it.”
Throughout his career, Residente — winner of 29 Latin Grammys and four Grammys as part of the duo Calle 13 and as a solo artist — has directed most of his music videos, including the award-winning “Atrévete-te-te,” “La Perla,” “Calma Pueblo,” “This Is Not America” and “313,” as well as short films such as Quiero Ser Baladista and Bajo y Batería, and his self-titled documentary Residente. Porto Ricowill be his first fiction feature film.
In 2024, the artist made his acting debut in the independent film In the Summers, by Alessandra Lacorazza, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won the grand jury prize.
Bad Bunny, meanwhile, has appeared in Hollywood productions such as Bullet Train (2022), Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) and Caught Stealing (2025), as well as Cassandro (2023). He has also made multiple guest appearances on Saturday Night Live.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 19:20:332026-02-18 19:20:33Residente to Make His Directorial Debut With Historical Epic ‘Porto Rico’ Starring Bad Bunny
2026’s BRIT Awards is poised to be the most anticipated ceremony since 2022, where Adele juked it out with Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and Sam Fender in a bombastic contest that was sorely needed after a COVID-impacted ceremony the proceeding year. While recent years have provided crowning moments for nascent superstars (RAYE, 2024; Charli XCX, 2025) a shake-up has felt necessary, and we’re certainly due one next Saturday (Feb. 28).
For the first time in its history, the ceremony will take place outside of London and head to Manchester, the English city with a musical heritage and pedigree that few on earth can match. The event will take place at the Co-op Live Arena which was first opened in 2024, and is pitching itself as the U.K.’s premier events space.
Related
Snubs & Surprises in the 2026 BRITs Nominations
And then comes the talent. Following a strong showing at the Grammys earlier this month, there’s a pep in the step of the U.K. music industry, which has weathered change and trusted the process of investing in emerging talent. New stars like Olivia Dean, Lola Young and Central Cee have all taken on the world, and proved that this island still has the talent to go toe-to-toe with major global stars.
Harry Styles will be in the house to give his first comeback performance ahead of his new album. Local hero Noel Gallagher will also collect songwriter of the year, and Mark Ronson will be honored with the outstanding contribution to music prize.
There are 13 trophies up for grabs at the 2026 ceremony, with general fields for U.K. acts, international names and a number of genre-specific contests to keep an eye on. Young and Dean lead all nominees with five each, followed by Sam Fender (four), Dave, Wolf Alice, Lily Allen, Jim Legxacy and Fred again.. (three each). One winner has already been announced: Jacob Alon scooped the Critics’ Choice prize, seeing off competition from Rose Gray and Sienna Spiro.
Ahead of the big night, these are how we see the races unfolding and our predicted winners in each category.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 19:10:352026-02-18 19:10:352026 BRIT Awards: Here Are Our Predictions in Every Category
Professor Kehlani is here to serve up an R&B history lesson. The musician stars in the Wednesday (Feb. 18) episode of Celebrity Substitute, as the Grammy-winning singer pulled up to P.S. 33 in New York City to teach the elementary school kids a thing or two about rhythm and blues.
Related
A$AP Rocky Returns to Harlem & Teaches 4th Grade Kids How to Rap: ‘Rap Is My Life’
Ed Sheeran Shares Songwriting Secrets, Writes Killer Tooth Brushing Jam With 3rd Graders in Sweet Episode of ‘Celebrity Substitute’
LISA Becomes Substitute Teacher for a Day, Makes a ‘Rockstar’ Video With Her Students
Kehlani is a strong believer that more children need to be listening to R&B growing up because “it helps you express big feelings.” They added, “It taught me that I can be vulnerable and in a lot of cases, it teaches certain people that aren’t always offered the space to be vulnerable to be vulnerable.”
The two-time Grammy winner met the students, who peppered her with questions about fame, life as a celebrity and whether they knew Michael Jackson. One student even tried to pry the name of the former lover that Kehlani wrote “Out the Window” about, but she wouldn’t spill the tea.
The singer harped on the importance of three areas of R&B: groove and sound, soul and motion, as well as the difference between riffs and runs.
The kids also got suited up in neon threads — giving off the vibes of a ’90s R&B video — and brought their rambunctious energy to film an alternate edition of the “Out the Window” visual alongside Kehlani. As a mother, the star expressed plenty of patience working with the children.
After picking up their first two Grammy wins thanks to “Folded,” Kehlani looks to parlay her momentum into the Oakland native’s highly anticipated album, which is set to be released in late March.
Watch the full episode of Celebrity Substitute below.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 19:10:342026-02-18 19:10:34Kehlani Serves Up an R&B History Lesson & Films ‘Out the Window’ Music Video With Elementary Students
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.
Robyn is back with a new album and an accompanying tour.
The Swedish singer-songwriter is returning with her 2026 Sexistential Tour in support of her ninth studio album of the same name, set to release on March 27. Robyn’s last full-length album, Honey, dropped in 2018, marking eight years since the singer released anything.
The “Dancing on My Own” singer previewed the project with singles “Talk To Me” and “Sexistential,” following the earlier track “Dopamine.” Robyn previously described the project as “a spaceship coming through the atmosphere at a really high speed and crash landing” in a statement. “That’s how I felt — like I’d been searching too far out into space, and now I’m crashing back into myself.”
The accompanying tour will make plenty of stops in North America, starting in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 8 and concluding her stint in Los Angeles for two nights on Sept. 23-24. Robyn will also make stops in Paris, London, Dublin, Oslo, Sydney and Copenhagen, among others.
While the tour will mainly focus on her new music, it’s not unlikely that Robyn will throw in a few iconic dance-pop and electro-pop hits, from “Dancing on My Own” and “Missing U” to “Love Is Free.”
If the singer wasn’t busy enough in 2026, she’ll also be a special guest for Harry Styles’ 2026 Together, Together tour, specifically for his six-night residency at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam from May 16 to June 5.
If you’re looking to snag tickets to the Swede’s tour, we’ve compiled a list of ticketing sites to check out to get the best bang for your buck. We’ve also included a few promo codes that should make pricing more affordable. Keep reading to shop Robyn’s 2026 Sexistential tour tickets.
Where to Buy Tickets to Robyn’s 2026 Sexistential Tour
StubHub has a slew of affordable options for those looking to see Robyn live without breaking the bank. After a quick search, we’ve seen some in-demand venues with prices as low as $85. While searching for tickets on third-party sites can be a bit scary, StubHub makes buying tickets easy and painless with its FanProtect Guarantee. This initiative protects fan’s purchases by ensuring valid tickets or your money back. Plus, if your event is canceled and not rescheduled, you will receive a credit worth 120% of the amount you paid for the impacted event, or the option of a cash refund.
Vivid Seats also has a ton of affordable options with prime pricing on some venues starting at just $69. Right now, you can use promo code BB30 to snag $30 off of your purchase. The ticketing service offers a 100% Buyer Guarantee that vows your transaction will be secure, that your tickets will be delivered before your event and that those tickets will be valid and authentic.
SeatGeek is another great option, especially for those looking to save some cash on concert tickets. Right now, you can use promo code BILLBOARD10 at checkout to receive $10 off. We’ve seen tickets at some venues for as low as $47, the lowest pricing we’ve seen thus far. The ticketing service features a Buyer Guarantee that ensures smooth ticket purchases every time. The site also offers you venue options based on your location, giving you the closest venue to you.
More savings on us, this time with TicketNetwork. You can use code BILLBOARD300 at checkout to save $300 off orders of $1,000, and BILLBOARD150 to save $150 off orders of $500. If you don’t have the money to buy your tickets just yet, you can also buy the tickets on the website now and pay later with help from Affirm, giving you flexible spending options on top of our code. Plus, the website includes all-in pricing that lets you see exactly what you’ll be paying upfront (fees included).
Gametime is yet another great option, but for people looking for great seating no matter the price. Yes, pricing is great on the site; however, the seating options are more attractive than the pricing this time around. Given how in demand the tour is for some venues, seating can be sparse. Gametime has a ton of seating options for in-demand venues from New York to Washington, D.C. Gametime guarantees the lowest prices, event cancellation protection, job loss assurance and on-time ticket delivery for a smooth ticket-buying experience every time, no matter the occasion.
Ticketmaster often has a ton of tickets, but pricing can be a bit expensive. It is worth keeping your eyes peeled for deals or even added dates. Thus far, we’ve seen some inexpensive ticketing for $70 and up for some venues. The ticketing service offers a Fan Guarantee, which allows for cancellations, refunds or exchanges within 24 hours of booking, subject to certain exclusions.
Robyn’s 2026 Sexistential Tour Dates
June 24 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena June 26 – Glasgow, United Kingdom @ OVO Hydro June 27 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ Co-op Live June 30 – Brussels, Belgium @ ING Arena July 1 – Paris, France @ Adidas Arena July 3 – London, United Kingdom @ The O2 July 8 – Berlin, Germany @ Uber Arena July 11 – Oslo, Norway @ Unity Arena July 14 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Royal Arena July 16 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Avicii Arena July 17 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Avicii Arena July 18 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Avicii Arena Sept. 8 – Washington, D.C. @ The Anthem Sept. 10 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Barclays Center Sept. 12 – Chicago @ United Center Sept. 15 – Toronto, Ontario @ Scotiabank Arena Sept. 19 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Palacio de los Deportes Sept. 23 – Los Angeles @ Kia Forum Sept. 24 – Los Angeles @ Kia Forum Oct. 30 – Torino, Italy @ C2C Festival Nov. 21 – Sydney @ Qudos Bank Arena Nov. 24 – Melbourne, Australia @ Rod Laver Arena
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 19:05:342026-02-18 19:05:34Here’s Where to Buy Tickets to Robyn’s Sexistential Tour
Raye says she was just as blindsided as 65 of her fans after they were turned away from her concert in Paris despite having tickets to the event.
Related
RAYE Announces New ‘This Music May Contain Hope’ Album — Here’s When It Arrives
RAYE Hits New Career Hot 100 High With ‘Where Is My Husband!’
How to Get Affordable Tickets to RAYE’s ‘This Tour May Contain New Music’ Online
In a post on her Instagram Story on Tuesday (Feb. 17), the British singer-songwriter explained that she was “completely devastated” for the more than five dozen concertgoers who were apparently barred from entering her Accor Arena show two days prior. “This is completely unacceptable and wrong,” she wrote.
“I have been told this was a system error at Ticketmaster, meaning 65 tickets were not fully validated when they were purchased,” she continued. “This was outside of anything I could control and I feel saddened and let down.”
Raye went on to announce how she’d personally be making it up to the fans who were turned away, despite Ticketmaster already doling out refunds and vouchers to those affected.
“I’d like to offer all of these 65 people who didn’t get in to the show complimentary tickets to any Raye future show of their choice and a signed vinyl, you will be contacted shortly about this,” she wrote. “I know this doesn’t even remotely make up for this mess, but it’s all I can think of in this moment to soften the blow.”
It’s unclear what exactly happened on the ticketing site that led to the snafu, but Ticketmaster told Peoplein a statement, “A small number of fans experienced a technical issue when entering the show. While we know it doesn’t replace the show, we have fully refunded those affected and provided a gift card.”
Billboard has also reached out to Ticketmaster for comment.
The musician has been on her This Tour May Contain New Music trek since late January, playing a series of dates across Europe. In March, she’ll head overseas for a North American run lasting through mid-May.
The tour comes ahead of Raye’s new album, This Music May Contain Hope, which is set to drop March 27. It’ll feature her hit single “Where Is My Husband!,” which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January — her highest peak on the chart to date.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 18:40:402026-02-18 18:40:40Raye Feels ‘Let Down’ by Ticketmaster After Site Error Causes Fans to Miss Show: ‘Unacceptable’
Jaden Smith is a Grammy-nominated singer/rapper, actor and model, but for his next act the 27-year-old son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith has his eyes set on making a difference. In a TikTok video posted over the weekend, the first-ever men’s creative director for fashion house Christian Louboutin said he wants to leverage his I LOVE YOU brand to help feed Los Angeles’ unhoused population.
“Honestly, my dream in life is to have a building on Skid Row where I can give out free meals every single day: breakfast, lunch, dinner,” he said in the post. “I can do things inside of it — I can create jobs and, like, a good vibe. That’s my real dream, that’s my long-term goal.”
He invited his fans to come on his journey with him, stressing that at the moment he doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar store for his brand now or a permanent spot for his charitable work, but that he hopes to have one in the future.
Smith launched his vegan “I Love You Restaurant” food truck in 2019, offering healthy options for the nearly 4,000 unhoused Angelenos living on the city’s Skid Row. According to the non-profit’s website, the goal is to some day have an HQ where they can serve three free meals every day and then eventually spread the love to other cities in the U.S. and around the world. The site is currently selling a black graphic T-shirt and hoodie with the company name on the front and the message “Not a volunteer just a person trying to be the change I want to see in the world” on the back, with all profits earmarked for reinvestment into providing meals through the mobile restaurant.
In an interview with Hypebeast earlier this week, Smith said I LOVE YOU gets donations from unspecified “big corporations that actually want to be involved,” positioning the merch drop as a way to allow people who haven’t had a chance to volunteer on the ground to feel part of the community he’s trying to build. “It’s more of a spiritual purpose. And that’s what I think fashion is about, an indication, from afar, of the kind of person you are,” he said.
Smith added that the idea of giving back to people who live on Skid Row dates to his time filming his first movie, his dad’s 2006 drama The Pursuit of Happyness, which featured real unhoused people as extras. “That also just really engraved the realities of Skid Row in my brain,” he explained.
His bigger goal, he said, was to have an annual I LOVE YOU gala somewhere different around the world as well as a “matrix” of non-profits. “I just want to create a world where everyone can go outside, celebrate and change the world together,” he said.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 18:35:352026-02-18 18:35:35Jaden Smith Wants to Feed the Unhoused on L.A.’s Skid Row and Spread Positivity Through His ‘I LOVE YOU’ Brand
In an era of texting shorthand, most people can probably agree with that statement, featuring a now-familiar acronym and another that a songwriter made up. God was the starting point for “I’ll Take You,” a song that Stone Country artist Ben Gallaher reimagined, turning the original ballad into a pulsing, good-natured take on commitment.
“A great song can be transformed at different tempos or feels and still be a great song,” Gallaher says. “That’s what makes it great, if you can take it and do it in different forms, and it still conveys that emotion.”
“I’ll Take You,” started out with a title, “G.O.D.,” that felt much heavier than the final, gravel-voiced version. Songwriter Wendell Mobley (“Fast Cars and Freedom,” “Tattoos on This Town”) supplied that “G.O.D.” idea as an acronym for “God over the Devil,” and when co-writers Neil Thrasher (“Fly Over States,” “There Goes My Life”) and Tony Martin (“Just to See You Smile,” “You Look Good in My Shirt”) got a hold of it in 2022, “I’ll take God over the Devil” became the opening line and established the device at the center of the song. At its heart, it’s a series of choices – I’ll take one thing over another – that sets up the chorus’ promise: “I’ll take you over anybody any day.”
“It’s a foxhole song: I’ll be in a foxhole with you,” Martin says. “If the elevator is going to get stuck, I would want it to be with you.”
The opening items establish the tone. The guy prefers “whiskey over wine” and takes “Hotel California over The Long Run every time.” That latter pairing is a classic-rock reference that isn’t necessarily a knock on The Long Run.
“There’s not really a bad Eagles album, I don’t think,” says Mobley, “but we all have our favorites.”
After using the this-over-that lyrical device throughout the first verse, they continued it into the chorus with the opening line, “I’ll take you over anybody.” But even though it’s the same basic approach, it changes the focus of the song. “It’s just got to make it all about her,” Thrasher says. “You ultimately got to what the song was really about. The chorus is all about her.”
Writing on guitars, the song took on a slower pace initially after the opening “God” phrase put them in a contemplative mood. “I used to joke all the time,” Martin deadpans. “Why does it sound like a ballad? Because I can’t write that fast.”
Verse two infused more “over”-tures – “home grown over store-bought,” “down home over downtown” – but the singer got a little wobbly with the next pairing, “huntin’ over fishin’,” confessing that he might flip his preference on some days. So when he maintains he’s “set in his ways,” the singer actually seems more flexible than he recognizes.
“It’s hard to dog huntin’ and fishin’ in a country song,” Mobley says. “You got to give them both their space.”
As they finished writing, they dropped in a two-line bridge, breaking the this-over-that device in the first “ride-or-die” line, while underscoring the core sentiment. Mobley produced the demo with Thrasher singing lead, and turned it in that November. Nothing really happened with it, and the writers – truth be told – didn’t fully feel as if it was finished. They couldn’t even settle on a title – was it “You Over Anybody” or “I’ll Take You”? But Gallaher kept coming back to the demo.
“There’s just something about that song,” he says, adding that he’d “listened to it 100 times” in its original ballad form. As he collected songs for his forthcoming album, Gallaher and Thrasher, his producer, wanted more uptempo titles, but instead of trying to write them, Thrasher leafed through some of his ballads, looking for lyrics that might adapt well to a faster cadence. When he suggested speeding up “I’ll Take You,” it resonated with Gallaher immediately.
“I started playing this guitar riff – that intro riff – and it happened so fast and organic,” Gallaher says. “It’s like that riff was made to be melded into that song.” “It was,” Thrasher adds, “totally a God thing.”
The writers re-shaped it a bit, dropping a few lines from the original first verse so they could get to the chorus quicker, and – along with Gallaher – they collectively rejiggered the melody a bit, too. Gallaher, at the start of the chorus, inserted a pause that added some subtle drama: “I’ll take… you over anybody any day.”
It wasn’t a complete overhaul. The song felt more joyful, less weighty, but the bridge still sounded like the original. “We were turning an old classic car into a hot rod,” Martin says “We weren’t taking it and trying to turn it into a space shuttle.”
Thrasher produced the final version with his cousin, producer-engineer Patrick Thrasher (Cole Swindell, Metallica), recording the instrumental tracks on June 23, 2025, at Nashville’s Sound Stage. They played the ballad-paced demo for the musicians, then Gallaher and Neil performed it at the new tempo.
The players picked it up right away. “The first pass going down,” Gallaher recalls, “I looked at Neil and Pat, and I was like, ‘That’s it. That’s it right there.’ We just knew.”
Gallaher sang his final vocals at Patrick’s Thrashville Studio with ease under Neil’s direction, and he also layered in the opening guitar riff, a solo and all the fills. With an acoustic guitar and two other electrics already in place from the original tracking session, Gallaher purposely developed a consistent tone for those parts so that listeners could better identify his place in the instrumental mix.
“I spend a lot of time trying to dial in those tones, and I try to keep them pretty consistent, but not so consistent that it’s like, ‘Well, you know, that’s the same exact thing,’” he says. “They’re all in that same world. I definitely used the same guitar for the intro and the solo.”
He also used Neil as a harmony singer as they put the final touches on the song, with Gallaher and his team ultimately settling on “I’ll Take You” as the title. Stone Country released it to country radio via PlayMPE on Jan. 26 with an official add date of March 9. And while Gallaher didn’t write it, he’s deeply involved in its development and feels personally connected to the “I’ll Take You” message.
“For me, it’s my wife and my family, but, you know, ‘I’ll take you over anybody any day’ – that could be a newlywed couple, or they could be married 50 years with grandkids,” Gallaher says. “Maybe it’s a bachelor with his dog. It could even be a career. That’s the coolest part, I feel. The song really can relate to all of that, depending on how the listener correlates it to their life.”
That feels like how an energetic G.O.D. thing ought to work.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2026-02-18 18:00:422026-02-18 18:00:42Ben Gallaher’s ‘Take’ on Hunting, Fishing, God and Old Eagles Albums: ‘It’s a Foxhole Song’
