Lil Nas X stays trolling his fans — even when they gush over how nice he is.
It all started when a fan shared on Reddit a sweet anecdote of meeting the “Industry Baby” star backstage at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night (Aug. 28). The user revealed that they were on their way out of the Prudential Center midway through the awards show, when the elevator attendant accidentally let them off on the wrong floor, which led to them spotting LNX.
“I’m a shy person so it took a lot for me to approach him and I didn’t want to be annoying but it’s my birthday and this opportunity seemed once in a lifetime, so I did,” the fan wrote. “I said (awkwardly) ‘Montero?’ He said ‘yeesss?’ I said ‘I’m not supposed to be here I’m sorry but can I get a picture with you?’ He said laughingly ‘yes but tell me I look classy’ (he was in his VMA outfit). I did obviously and he was so nice and posed and then suggested we change lighting so the pics would be better.”
The fan concluded, “It was really nice. We took a bunch of cute pics. I’m an unpaid intern and meet a lot of a–holes in this industry. It was really nice to meet someone I admire and find out they’re a genuinely nice person.”
Upon seeing the reshared post on Pop Crave’s Twitter account, Lil Nas X replied, jokingly replying, “this is not true. i am very mean in person. i once slapped a fan for singing the lyrics to industry baby wrong.”
See below. LNX went home on Sunday with three VMAs for best collaboration, best art direction and best visual effects — all for “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow.
this is not true. i am very mean in person. i once slapped a fan for singing the lyrics to industry baby wrong https://t.co/nPX3sIWvKy
BLACKPINK‘s “Pink Venom” tallies a second week at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Trending Songs chart (dated Sept. 3), powered by Twitter, following its first full week of release.
RM unveiled another look at the creative process behind his upcoming book of photography, Me, Myself, and RM ‘Entirety’ on Tuesday (Aug. 30).
Posted on the official BANGTANTV YouTube account, the new teaser shows the BTS leader deploying an editorial eye to select photos of himself for the upcoming project. “I have a certain image of myself and I wanted to visualize that through photos,” he explains in the brief, black-and-white clip. “I tried hard to show the natural, true side of me. Simple and candid.”
Though RM admits he has “pretty high standards” in the video, he’s ultimately able to whittle the photo shoot’s results down to a number of portraits he’s pleased with, including a few blurry snaps he concludes “aren’t bad either.”
RM announced the special folio earlier this month as his first solo project since he and his bandmates decided to take time to pursue their individual careers earlier this summer. Since then, he’s given ARMY a sneak peek at the varied aesthetic of the photos in the book and also dropped a video teaser of the project, where he wanders through an art exhibition, soaks up the sun in a meadow and reads from a cryptic book titled rkive.
The rapper, who’s also about to release “SEXY NUKIM,” his collaboration with alternative K-pop act Balming Tiger, on Thursday — isn’t the only member of BTS with a photobook in the works. Jung Kook is also releasing an 80-page folio titled Me, Myself, and Jung Kook: Time Difference soon, complete with a vampiric theme featuring the vocalist baring blood-red lips and Victorian garb.
Check out RM’s photo selection process for Me, Myself, and RM ‘Entirety’ below.
Japanese pop-rock band back number was tapped to write the theme song for the next NHK morning drama series entitled Maiagare! premiering Oct. 3.
The 107th title in the long line of drama series broadcast in 15-minute episodes on the network, Maiagare! stars Haruka Fukuhara as the heroine who aspires to become an airline pilot as she grows up amongst various people in Higashiosaka — a city known for its craftsmanship — and experiences life on a nature-rich remote island off the coast of Nagasaki.
The new theme, titled “I Love You,” will be back number’s first song to be featured on the established morning drama series. On the release sharing the news, frontman and songwriter Iyori Shimizu shares: “The TV drama broadcast every morning. The macaroni salad sold at a bento shop in town. The plastic bottle of cider from a vending machine. Cellophane tape bought at a convenience store. We tend to forget because we take them for granted, but all of these things were created by people who took the time, persisted and agonized over it. Someone might have gotten a stomachache from overthinking it,” he notes. “Things like thoughts and love are intrinsically formless, but we probably actually always see and sense them. I’m happy to be a part of this wonderful mass of commitment and love called Maiagare!”
Feist opened for Arcade Fire‘s WE tour kickoff in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday night (Aug. 30), and the singer-songwriter is donating her merch proceeds to a good cause.
In a photo circulating Twitter, a sign is seen next to a t-shirt at the merch booth that reads, “All proceeds from Feist merchandise will be donated to Women’s Aid Dublin.” Billboard later confirmed that Feist is donating to the organization, which works to make women and children safe from domestic violence, offers support and help to women affected by abuse, and aims for for justice and social change.
Feist is donating proceeds from the merch at the Arcade Fire show tonight to Women’s Aid Dublin pic.twitter.com/36Q3lyYXSL
The news comes just days after four people came forward, accusing Arcade Fire’s Win Butler of sexual misconduct. In a report published by Pitchfork on Saturday (Aug. 27), three female Arcade Fire fans and a fourth person who is gender-fluid and uses they/them pronouns claimed that they’d had sexual interactions with Butler when they were between the ages of 18 and 23 that they deemed inappropriate; one claimed that they’d been sexually assaulted by the musician. The alleged incidents took place between the years of 2015 and 2020.
In a statement given to the publication, Butler said that the extramarital relationships were consensual. “I love Régine with all of my heart. We have been together for twenty years, she is my partner in music and in life, my soulmate and I am lucky and grateful to have her by my side. But at times, it has been difficult to balance being the father, husband, and bandmate that I want to be. Today I want to clear the air about my life, poor judgment, and mistakes I have made,” he said in the statement. “I have had consensual relationships outside of my marriage. There is no easy way to say this, and the hardest thing I have ever done is having to share this with my son. The majority of these relationships were short lived, and my wife is aware – our marriage has, in the past, been more unconventional than some.”
He added, “I have never touched a woman against her will, and any implication that I have is simply false. I vehemently deny any suggestion that I forced myself on a woman or demanded sexual favors. That simply, and unequivocally, never happened.”
Kelly Clarkson can sing absolutely anything on her own as one of the most impressive vocalists in today’s music landscape — but she’s never shied away from teaming up with other artists to take a song to the next level.
Her flawless vocals and credibility as an artist have allowed her to team up with fellow singers on a slew of jaw-dropping duets. Everyone from Reba McEntire to Jason Aldean to P!nk to Ariana Grande has paired up with Clarkson to perform beloved songs from her catalog, original material and classics by other artists.
We’ve compiled our top 25 duets Clarkson has done here, but we want to know your top pick. Let us know by voting below.
While most pop vocal groups of any nationality are finding it hard to amake a consistent Billboard Hot 100 impact this decade, BLACKPINK is one of the lone exceptions to the rule. The all-female Korean quartet scores their eighth hit on the chart this week (dated Sept. 3) with the No. 22 debut of “Pink Venom.”
The bow is BLACKPINK’s highest on the chart for an unaccompanied single — bested only by the No. 13 debut of their Selena Gomez collab “Ice Cream” in 2020. It’s also their first single to land atop the Global 200 chart, and their second No. 1 on the Global 200 Excl. US listing, following “Lovesick Girls” in 2020.
How resounding is the debut for the group’s first official single release in nearly two years? And will this hit be a lasting one on the chart? Billboard writers discuss these questions and more below.
1. Blackpink‘s new single was among the year’s most anticipated international pop releases, and debuts at No. 22 on the Hot 100 while topping both of Billboard’s Global charts. If you were a Blink — and maybe you are! — how excited would you be about this debut showing, on a scale from 1-10?
Anna Chan: BLACKPINK goes hard and slays! I’d put this at a 7, but only because I was expecting (hoping?) for a top 10 Hot 100 debut. However, a No. 22 launch on the chart is nothing to sneeze at, and proves that they’re on the way to global domination. After all, the only other effort they’ve had that debuted higher on the storied Hot 100 thus far is the feature on Selena Gomez’s “Ice Cream” (No. 13), so to achieve No. 22 – their highest debut as a group yet – is impressive.
Lyndsey Havens: An 8.5. Considering Blackpink‘s international acclaim, topping both of Billboard‘s Global charts is an impressive and deserved achievement. The only thing that would push this to a 9 is if the song had debuted within the Hot 100’s top 20; and the only thing that would break this scale is if “Pink Venom” debuted within the chart’s top 10. That said, if and when it does climb its way into the chart’s upper echelon, that will only make for a more celebratory moment.
Jason Lipshutz: A 7. “Pink Venom” launching atop both Global charts is a testament to Blackpink’s international superstardom, while a No. 22 Hot 100 debut represents the quartet’s highest-charting non-collaboration to date. Considering the high-profile launch of “Pink Venom,” would Team Blackpink have loved a top 10, or even top 20, Hot 100 debut even more? Of course. But “Pink Venom” made enough noise to earn Blackpink a new high-water mark in the U.S. while dominating overseas, which is a more-than-satisfying outcome.
Glenn Rowley: I’d say a solid 9.5. As a certified Blink, I’m always thrilled for the girls’ successes. The only thing that would’ve pushed my excitement over the top is if the Hot 100 debut had bested “Ice Cream” and given the group their first top 10 hit on the chart. Either way, though, the foursome are performing at the top of their game. The special stage they premiered earlier this week might have been one of the tightest, most ferocious performances I’ve ever seen them give. The energy around “Pink Venom” is just taking them to another level.
Andrew Unterberger: 7.5 feels about right. The Global domination is definitely huge for the group — and posting the second-biggest worldwide weekly streaming total since the charts’ debut in Sept. 2020 (only behind the debut week of “Butter” from fellow Korean superstars BTS) is an even bigger deal. But the group is huge enough at this point stateside that a top 10 debut definitely feels in reach for a big comeback single, and they didn’t quite get there this time. Still, No. 22 is very respectable, and the group’s new era is just getting underway, so they should get other shots at the chart’s top tier soon enough.
2. “Pink Venom” is the first official new music we’ve gotten from the quartet since their The Album era in 2020. Does “Venom” sound like the beginning of a new chapter for the group to you, or more a consolidation of past strengths?
Anna Chan: It’s a consolidation for me. The best parts – the energetic hip-hop feel seamlessly melded with softer pop to create edgy ass-kickery – are still there and shining bright. (Fists up, girls, for the lines “Black paint and ammo, got bodies like Rambo/ Rest in peace, please light up a candle” and “I bring the pain”!)
Lyndsey Havens: The echoing “Blackpink” chant that opens the song immediately signals this is the start of a new chapter. To me, “Pink Venom” fittingly reintroduces the foursome with more vigor and bite than ever before. I suppose becoming a global sensation can have that effect. While I do think it builds upon the groundwork laid down during The Album era, “Pink Venom” doubles down on the idea that Blackpink is not an isolated phenomenon but an act still unveiling all it’s capable of — and one whose impact is and will only grow stronger.
Jason Lipshutz: A little bit of both — “Pink Venom” sounds less like a stylistic switch than an evolution of what Blackpink was previously accomplishing, with extra pizzazz to prevent their return from sounding stale. I’m particularly impressed by Lisa and Jennie’s rapping in the second verse; their flows are tighter and harder-hitting than they were on past efforts, as if they’ve gained new confidence without betraying their identities.
Glenn Rowley: To me, “Pink Venom” is the culmination of everything BLACKPINK does best while still managing to push their boundaries a bit. The very concept of “Pink Venom” perfectly encapsulates the dichotomy at the root of the group’s name and identity, and it’s a theme they’ve leaned on in the past on tracks like “Ddu-Ddu Ddu-Ddu,” “Kill This Love” and “Pretty Savage.” Of course, they’re still working with YG’s go-to class of collaborators like Teddy, R.Tee, 24 and Danny Chung, all of whom have helped craft the girls’ sound since at least Square Up in 2018, though Teddy’s contributions date back all the way to “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” That being said, I also thought incorporating the use of the geomungo over the opening chant was a clever way of adding a new element to the mix.
Andrew Unterberger: A consolidation — a reintroduction, almost, for those who needed reminding about the group’s M.O. (or maybe weren’t yet familiar in the first place). It’s effective as such, though I’m more looking forward to what else they might have in store now that the formalities are out of the way.
3. We’ve talked a lot about interpolations and samples in this column in the past month or two, but while “Pink Venom” contains a pair of high-profile lifts — of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Kick in the Door” and Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay” — both are more blink-and-you’ll-miss-it (no pun intended) references than foundational borrowings. Is this approach effective to you, or is it excessive or unnecessary?
Anna Chan: I like that the interpolations are subtle and not something that hits you over the head – it feels more natural and original this way, and a nice way to pay homage to those who came before, as well as a treat to draw in fans of these other artists who may not yet be BLINKs. Side note: I’d also like to point out another potential interpolation, which one Miss Taylor Swift also hinted at when she shared a 2022 VMAs quick-change video soundtracked by “Pink Venom” that starts right after this little line in the pre-chorus: “Look what you made us do.”
Lyndsey Havens: If I had to choose, this approach to interpolations would be much preferred. It offers a peek into an artist or group’s inspirations with a more subtle nod, while also still prioritizing that artist or group’s own sound and creativity. I also do find this less obvious approach to be effective, if not more effective in some ways, because it offers listeners a whiff of familiarity while still serving up something fresh.
Jason Lipshutz: Effective! Call me a sucker for a good interpolation, but hearing that “Pon de Replay” lift in the opening verse was like being gifted a familiar treat in the middle of a big meal. Samples and interpolations are effective on a case-by-case basis, depending on the usage and circumstance, but I like how “Pink Venom” offers a couple of knowing winks as Blackpink charts their own new course.
Glenn Rowley: I think both are far too slight for me, and perhaps the maximalism of the track doesn’t help, either. The most effective interpolations tend to pack a surprise punch for the listener in the middle of the song — Ariana Grande’s use of *NSYNC’s “It Makes Me Ill” in “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” comes to mind as a modern example that thrilled the first time I heard it. Instead, both the Biggie and Rihanna references flew by, prompting me to rewind and wonder if I had missed something that sounded familiar.
Andrew Unterberger: Definitely effective. Anyone can sample or interpolate liberally, but it’s a real flex to just drop a quick if you know, you know reference or two without actually using them as a crutch. Plus, by casually quoting from Rihanna and Biggie, BLACKPINK makes it feel like they’re at home in the company of those artists — which is pretty damn solid company to be in, obviously.
4. While BLACKPINK is unquestionably the most successful female Korean pop group on the Billboard Hot 100, they’ve yet to land a single that really sticks around the chart — with their Selena Gomez collab “Ice Cream” being their longest-enduring Hot 100 hit at eight weeks. Do you think “Pink Venom” will be the first to take them to double-digit weeks on the chart?
Anna Chan: Never underestimate the power of Taylor Swift! While the song is wildly catchy and fun, and already has a #PinkVenomDanceChallenge going on YouTube Shorts, the tune got a big boost from Swift not only in the aforementioned quick-change TikTok video, but the superstar also danced and sang along to “Pink Venom” during the group’s VMAs performance, which will no doubt have some Swifties – and viewers new to BLACKPINK — pay closer attention to the new hit.
Lyndsey Havens: I would love that to be the case. This song packs such a punch and oozes with a contagious confidence that I can see it scaling up the Hot 100 and staying put for quite a while. Plus, the timing is spot on — it’s uptempo enough to soundtrack the final few days of summer while moody and menacing enough to welcome in spooky season.
Jason Lipshutz: No… although I’d guess that their upcoming album, Born Pink, includes that kind of durable hit. “Pink Venom” doesn’t contain the type of traditional hook that appeals to streaming services and pop radio, but Blackpink is clearly being positioned for a type of global success that includes those crossover achievements. I predict that the next track that we receive from Born Pink will be a little more immediately catchy and enjoy a long Hot 100 run.
Glenn Rowley: The promotional push around the single certainly feels different than it has in the past. Will lighting up the Brooklyn Bridge keep the song’s streaming numbers high for the next three months? It’s impossible to say, but the girls do have the benefit of their performance at the VMAs boosting their exposure. As their U.S. awards show debut, the performance gave them one of the biggest platforms they’ve had thus far in the U.S. to keep the momentum going.
Andrew Unterberger: It’s possible, though I might bet against it. Blackpink’s strong sales debut invariably will drop off in its second week, and the song doesn’t yet have a strong-enough streaming foothold to clearly be able to maintain its chart momentum on its own — though a high-profile performance at Sunday’s Video Music Awards will certainly help there, at least a little. It might ultimately be up to radio to keep the song from dropping off the Hot 100, and unfortunately, the history of top 40 embracing bilingual Korean pop songs is still not terribly encouraging.
5. Doubtful we’ll get a pinker hit this year than this one, so what’s your favorite “Pink” song from pop history?
Anna Chan: Can I say every song on Nine Inch Nails’ Pretty Hate Machine thanks to the pink rib cage on the cover art? Oh, you said pop. Phooey. Well, this is technically post punk but has always felt poppy to me: Psychedelic Furs’ “Pretty in Pink.” This is about as classic pink as it gets – “pink” is mentioned seven times in the lyrics! – though it’s significantly less empowering than what BLACKPINK has offered to date.
LyndseyHavens: I’m going to choose my own adventure with this answer and select a song by the artist P!nk… in which case the obvious answer is “Glitter In the Air.”
Jason Lipshutz: Lots of artists with “Pink” names — Pink Floyd, PinkPantheress, Pinkfong and of course, P!nk — and not too many great “Pink” songs! Let’s go with “Pink Matter,” a late track list gem from Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange with a superb Andre 3000.
Glenn Rowley: I’ve gotta go with “Pink Champagne” by Ariana Grande. Though technically it didn’t make the cut for her 2013 debut album Yours Truly, Ari gifted fans a rough cut of the song back in the day when she reached the now-paltry milestone of 10 million followers on Twitter. The last time she performed it live was on The Honeymoon Tour in 2015, but Day One Arianators still remember.
Andrew Unterberger: Don’t sleep on James Bay’s alt-pop gem “Pink Lemonade” from 2018! It didn’t have anywhere near the commercial impact of his “Let It Go” ballad a few years earlier, but for my money it was by far the stronger single. Bet you Harry Styles has taken a sip or two of it, certainly.
Taylor Swift revealed that she’ll be releasing her 10th studio album, Midnights, on Oct. 21 at the 2022 VMAs on Sunday night (Aug. 28), and now, conservative commentator Nick Adams has turned the announcement into a political conversation.
The pro-Trump author took to Twitter on Monday (Aug. 29) to suggest that Kid Rock — who is also an avid supporter of Donald Trump — should release a new album on the same day as Midnights. “People are craving real music with thought-provoking and emotional lyrics. Who better to give it to them than Kid Rock?” he wrote. “I GUARANTEE his album would outsell and outclass hers!”
In 2021, one in every 50 albums sold was Swift’s, according to MRC Data, and she was the country’s second most-streamed artist following Drake. Swift sold 2.4 million albums last year, 2.17%, up from her leading 1.89% in 2020.
Kid Rock should release a new album the same day as Taylor Swift.
People are craving real music with thought-provoking and emotional lyrics. Who better to give it to them than Kid Rock?
I GUARANTEE his album would outsell and outclass hers!
That’s not all. After hearing that he was trending on Twitter, Adams doubled down on his thoughts with a video. “Kid Rock is an American bad ass alpha male and Taylor Swift is an American embarrassment and the world’s largest polluter. I stand by every word!” he captioned the clip, before adding, “Raise your children to be like Kid Rock and Kyle Rittenhouse, NOT Taylor Swift and Harry Styles!”
19-year-old Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two, with an AR-15 style rifle during the civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020 following the serious injury of a Black man, Jacob Blake, at the hands of a police officer. In November 2021, he was acquitted of all charges, which included first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree attempted intentional homicide and two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment.
Kid Rock, Swift and Styles have yet to respond to Adams’ social media tirade. See below.
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT:
Kid Rock is an American bad ass alpha male and Taylor Swift is an American embarrassment and the world’s largest polluter. I stand by every word! pic.twitter.com/s3tAoHDuCa
After over two years in office, Waynesville city council members feel that a change in the town’s political structure is in order.
During a special meeting Monday night, members voted to impeach current Waynesville Mayor Jerry Brown, citing his failure to meet the responsibilities of his position.
The city council censured Brown last year in hopes of putting him on the right path within the city government.
Following the vote, a report was released accusing the mayor of violating the community’s code of ethics. Multiple examples of what the council see’s as going against the code were released.
The document alleges Brown attempted to fire the public works director and hiring a PI (private investigator) to spy on the city administrator. The council also alleges he conducted threatening behavior towards employees of the city.
A legal counsel will be appointed to judge the case, hearing arguments from both sides at the end of September of this year.
Armenian singer-songwriter and 2022 Eurovision Song Contest contestant Rosa Linn scores her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated Sept. 3) with her single “Snap.”
The song — Linn’s first appearance on any Billboard chart — was released on Nvak/Columbia Records, and debuts at No. 97 with 4.9 million U.S. streams (up 13%), 2 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 52%) and 1,000 downloads sold (up 63%) in the Aug. 19-25 tracking week, according to Luminate. It also pushes 16-15 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, 22-20 on the Billboard Global 200 and 33-29 on Adult Alternative Airplay and debuts at No. 35 on Pop Airplay.
The song’s latest boost can be attributed to its exposure on TikTok, where it has been featured in over more than 860,000 videos, incorporating its “snapping one, two, where are you?” lyrical hook.
Rosa Linn (real name Roza Kostandyan) released “Snap” on March 19 as her entry for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Armenia. She ultimately finished 20th; Kalush Orchestra, of Ukraine, won with “Stefania.”
Rosa Linn is the latest Eurovision contestant to chart on the Hot 100. After a 24-year gap, she joins a growing list that also includes the Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence (“Arcade”) and Italy’s Måneskin (“Beggin’”).
Here’s a recap of all the Eurovision Song Contest entries that have hit the Hot 100 (performed by the acts that competed with them, as opposed to cover versions), ranked chronologically:
“Say Wonderful Things,” Ronnie Carroll, No. 91, 1963
“Congratulations,” Cliff Richard, No. 99, 1968
“Beg, Steal or Borrow,” New Seekers, No. 81, 1972
“Knock, Knock (Who’s There),” Mary Hopkin, No. 92, 1972
“Eres Tu (Touch the Wind),” Mocedades, No. 9, 1974
“Waterloo,” ABBA, No. 6, 1974
“Save Your Kisses for Me,” Brotherhood of Man, No. 27, 1976
“Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit,” Gina G, No. 12, 1997
“Arcade,” Duncan Laurence, No. 30, 2021
“Beggin’,” Måneskin, No. 13, 2021
“Snap,” Rosa Linn, No. 97 (to-date), 2022
Rosa Linn signed with the U.S.-based Nvak Collective in 2021 and Columbia Records earlier in August. She has also released the song “King,” with Kiiara, who herself has notched two Hot 100 entries: “Gold” reached No. 13 in 2016 and Linkin Park’s “Heavy,” on which she’s featured, hit No. 45 in 2017.
Are you still listening?
51400633
Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
