During the recent ACM Honors, held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, ACM Poet’s Award recipient Shania Twain was feted by multiple artists, including Kelsea Ballerini and Avril Lavigne.
Twain, who has seen three of her albums certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America, is a co-writer on the bulk of her own hits, including “Any Man of Mine,” “From This Moment On,” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Twain was one of two recipients of the ACM Poet’s Award, as well as Sonny Throckmorton (known for penning songs including Merle Haggard’s “The Way I Am” and George Strait’s “The Cowboy Rides Away”).
“Girlfriend” and “Complicated” hitmaker Lavigne — who, like Twain, is from Canada — honored Twain with a performance of Twain’s 1996 song “No One Needs to Know,” a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.
“You should have gone into country music,” Twain told Lavigne following the performance. Lavigne also paid homage to Twain’s signature leopard outfit from her “That Don’t Impress Me Much” video by donning her own hooded leopard-print ensemble for the performance.
Twain’s previous ACM Awards honors include top new female vocalist and album of the year (for The Woman in Me) wins, as well as taking home the coveted ACM entertainer of the year honor in 2000.
Others celebrated during this year’s ACM Honors included Miranda Lambert (honored with the ACM Triple Crown honor), Morgan Wallen (the Milestone Award winner), HARDY (ACM songwriter of the year) and Chris Stapleton (the ACM spirit award winner).
The ACM Honors will air Tuesday (Sept. 13) on Fox. Watch Lavigne’s tribute to Twain in the video above.
Though Aretha Franklin is remembered as the Queen of Soul, the singer — who died at age 76 in 2018 — was also an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement and used her musical influence to advocate for racial equality in America.
As a result, the FBI tracked her several times throughout her career, primarily in the late ’60s and early ’70s, for her connection to the movement, newly unsealed documents reveal.
The FBI documents — which total 270 pages and also feature information regarding death threats to the singer and copyright infringement cases — highlight Franklin’s many performances at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, of which Dr. Martin Luther King was president.
The shows for the SCLC took place in Atlanta and Memphis between 1967 and 1968 and were labeled as “communist infiltration” events and “a summary of the racial situation in Atlanta, GA” by the FBI. The bureau was concerned that Franklin’s performances at the events “would provide emotional spark which could ignite racial disturbance [in] this area,” due to members of the group that “have supported the militant black power concept.”
Other events Franklin was investigated for included a scheduled Black Panther Party performance, which the singer ultimately skipped due to timing issues but was nonetheless included in the documents. “Bobby Seale, Chairman of the Black Panther Party, has directed the Los Angeles Black Panther Party to initiate plans for a major rally culminating in free food distribution to the poor black people in Los Angeles,” it reads. “Source also advised that Gwen Goodloe wanted to contact Negro singing stars Aretha Franklin and Roberta Flack to possibly assist in the event.”
Elsewhere in the documents, the FBI saw a link between Franklin and the Black Liberation Army after reportedly finding her address in BLA’s organization documents. According to the bureau, the BLA was a “quasi-military group composed of small guerrilla units employing the tactics of urban guerrilla warfare against the established order with a view toward achieving revolutionary change in America.” Due to insufficient evidence, the FBI concluded that Franklin’s association with the BLA could not be determined.
Joe Jonas announced Friday (Sept. 9) that he and Khalid have collaborated on “Not Alone,” their new single in the upcoming feature film Devotion.
In his Instagram caption, the Jonas Brothers singer reveals the track, which was co-written by Ryan Tedder and Harv, will be used in the end credits of the Korean War epic, but the video itself gives fans a sneak peek of what they can expect from the ballad. “You’re callin’ out my name/ You are not alone/ I’ll watch over you/ Won’t let you go/ You’ve gotta know/ You’re not alone,” the two stars sing as clips from the action-packed drama flash across the screen.
Scheduled to hit theaters Nov. 23, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, Devotion will also serve as Jonas’ big-screen debut as fighter pilot Marty Goode alongside Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell, Christina Jackson, Thomas Sadowski, Serinda Swan and more.
While “Not Alone” continues Jonas’ string of soundtrack offerings that also includes “It’s Party Time” from 2018’s Hotel Transylvania 3 and “Go It Alone” from 2021’s Rumble, the New Jersey native remains plenty busy juggling projects with the JoBros and DNCE as well.
Later this month, he and his siblings will help headline the 10th annual Global Citizen festival in New York City before heading to Las Vegas in November for another round of dates of their residency at Park MGM. Meanwhile, DNCE recently dropped the singles “Got Me Good,” “Move” and “Dancing Feet” with Kygo and coveredHilary Duff‘s millennial classic “Come Clean” on TikTok.
Watch the teaser for Jonas and Khalid’s “Not Alone” below.
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Upon its start, it ties the Hot 100 peak of Ed Sheeran’s 2017 hit “Castle on the Hill,” which makes “Tiny Dancer,” interpolated in “Hold Me Closer,” central to its lyrics. (More recently, Ed and Elton worked even more closely, toppingboth the Official UK Singles chart and Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary chart with “Merry Christmas,” and the former as featured on LadBaby’s holiday treat “Sausage Rolls.”)
Plus, Rihanna’s first Hot 100 chart-topper, 2006’s “SOS,” can be traced to “Tiny Dancer,” as she sings, “Just hold me close, boy, ’cause I’m your tiny dancer …”
As for John’s 51-year, seven-month and three-week span of Hot 100 top 10s, Taupin, John’s legendary longtime writing partner, shares that achievement as a writer, from “Your Song” in 1971 through “Hold Me Closer.”
How prophetic Bernie was when he penned, “I think it’s gonna be a long, long time …”
Pablo Nelson
Oakland, Calif.
Hi Pablo,
Even John himself is enjoying his latest Hot 100 hit.
Hold Me Closer is #6 on the Hot 100 (MY HIGHEST HOT 100 CHART POSITION IN 25 YEARS ) and #1 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart!!⁰⁰I’m so grateful to all the fans who are loving & supporting this track – congratulations @britneyspears, you are a superstar!#HoldMeCloserpic.twitter.com/qjtpqF8O6X
Also a fan of “Hold Me Closer,” it seems? Tony Danza retweeted John’s announcement of its release, with it being a safe bet as to which part of the mash-up the venerable actor/entertainer prefers best.
As for the other song key to “Hold Me Closer,” John’s “The One” topped the AC chart for six weeks in 1992 – to that point his longest-reigning No. 1 at the format. Impressively, he’s since led even longer with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” for eight weeks in 1994; “Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” for 10 weeks in 1997-98; and “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix),” with Dua Lipa, for 14 weeks through the Sept. 3-dated survey.
While John expands his Hot 100 top 10 streak, so does Spears, to 23 years and nine months (dating to her first week in the region, Dec. 12, 1998), as she becomes just the 12th artist to have ranked in the top 10 in four or more decades.
As for John, in his first week in the Hot 100’s top 10, on the Jan. 23, 1971, chart, fellow artists in the tier included the Bee Gees, Perry Como, George Harrison, Santana and Barbra Streisand.
That John and Spears – and Taupin – this week rank in the Hot 100’s top 10 alongside such fellow cornerstone acts as Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and Harry Styles, as well as newcomers to the bracket in Steve Lacy, Nicky Youre and dazy, further reflects their exceptional longevity and uncommonly faithful followings.
One of the many great songs, and hits, on Gin Blossoms’ major-label debut, New Miserable Experience.
Meanwhile, Aug. 29 marked the 30th anniversary of Gin Blossoms’ Billboard chart debut, as the set by the band from Tempe, Ariz., roared in at No. 1 on the “Heatseekers – Mountain” chart on that date in 1992. The LP has spent 102 weeks on the Billboard 200 and has earned 2.9 million equivalent album units to date, according to Luminate.
The album’s “Hey Jealousy” became the band’s first Hot 100 hit, followed by “Found Out About You.” Both tracks rose to No. 25 on the chart, while the latter topped Alternative Airplay. On Pop Airplay, the songs hit Nos. 20 and 6, respectively, and subsequent singles “Until I Fall Away” and “Allison Road” reached the tally’s top 15.
“It just has a real sweet quality,” Gin Blossoms singer/guitarist Jesse Valenzuela told Billboard of lead singer Robin Wilson’s voice for an in-depth celebration of the group earlier this year. “At that time [of the band’s breakthrough], I think a lot of voices were more yellers, shouters and stuff like that. And it wasn’t that sort of voice. I think that was a real distinction.”
The consistently touring band has, since 1992, comprised a core of Wilson, Valenzuela, guitarist Scotty Johnson and bassist Bill Leen. “A lot of our buddies, they’ve all quit, or [are] just not doing much anymore,” Johnson mused. “The fact that we’ve been doing it for 30 years, it means something.”
Said Wilson, “All you could really hope for is, like, a legacy. To retain your credibility, and your ability to sell tickets. It’s just cool to be a part of the big rock story.”
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.
Maria Becerra, “Automático” (Maria Becerra/300 Entertainment)
A conceptual track that focuses on getting freaky inside a car, and a state-of-the-art music video filmed in a mechanical shop, Maria Becerra pays homage to old-school reggaetón in her new single “Automático.” Penned by Becerra and produced by Nico Cotton, the Argentine singer told Billboard she got inspired by the pioneers of reggaetón to bring this melody to life. When asked which special guest she thinks would make for the dream remix, Becerra simply said Daddy Yankee. “Hopefully it happens before he retires,” she expressed during this week’s Live With Billboard Latin. “Automático” comes four months after Becerra’s single “Ojalá” and forms part of her sophomore album La Nena de Argentina, out in 2022. — JESSICA ROIZ
Las Villa, “Amor Y Sal” (Warner Music Latina)
Colombian twins Las Villa aren’t sitting around waiting for no man when it comes to relationships. They’re women of action in new single “Amor y Sal.” “This was never going to work and we didn’t realize it, always half way,” they sing in the rhythmic pop song. “I’m tired of waiting thinking of things that were, are and will never happen.” The empowering song is a new anthem I think many of us can get behind. — GRISELDA FLORES
Nanpa Básico, Hecho M13RD4 (Nanpa Básico)
Hecho M13RD4 is Nanpa Básico’s most ambitious work to date. Home to 14 tracks featuring collaborations with Adriel Favela, Ryan Castro, Santa Fe Klan, Gera MX, and more, the set is a collection of experimental and innovative music with personal feelings weaved into each song. The album acknowledges that state of feeling broken inside after a heartbreak. It takes you to the highest and darkest paths of love, powered by strings, keyboards and horns. His street-conscious lyrics are delivered in each song with nods to hip-hop, reggae, and regional. Nanpa is able to dive into vulnerability, social criticism, romance and even hardcore rap all in one album. — INGRID FAJARDO
Chris Jedi, Young Miko & Lunay, “Condado” (Universal Music Latino)
Leave it to Chris Jedi to recruit two of Puerto Rico’s hottest artists right now for a collaboration. In “Condado,” where he is featured as an artist-producer and actually kicks off the song singing, Jedi teams up with Lunay and Young Miko to pay tribute to one of the island’s most touristic spots: Condado. A high-end strip with restaurants, clubs, and hotels next to the ocean, “Condado” tells the story of an independent girl who likes the finer things in life and needs no man. Rising rapper Miko really shines on this track with her flirtatious rap verses and captivating chanteos. — J.R.
Known for her hard-hitting, fast-paced rap anthems, Mexican-American rapper Snow Tha Product slows things down in her new track. Titled “Piña (Pineapple),” the more rhythmic-leaning and bouncy track is her first collaboration with Lauren Jauregui. “I’ve proven that I’m a really good rapper, now I wanna push myself to do other things and excel and challenge myself,” Snow previously told Billboard. “That song is fire. It’s sexy, it’s awesome and it’s exactly what two Latinas needed to do.” — G.F.
India x Goyo, “Nubes Negras” (River Ocean Discos)
In July, Goyo exclusively revealed to Billboard that a song with salsa powerhouse La India was in the works. Two months later, the official single and music video is out, lacing La India’s potent vocals with Goyo’s fierce lyricism. Dubbed “Nubes Negras,” the salsa-infused urban track is an anthem for women who were once victims of domestic abuse but have found their liberty and self-worth, hence “no more dark clouds since you left” in the chorus. “It was very exciting for me because she’s — after Celia Cruz, she’s a reference for me. I see her as a woman who can sit on the salsa throne. She’s like a legend,” Goyo previously said to Billboard. The music video was filmed in Puerto Rico. — J.R.
First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos & albums that dropped this week.
Kelly Clarkson & Dolly Parton, “9 to 5”
In 1980, music legend Dolly Parton released the titular song to the soundtrack of the anthemic, working woman’s film 9 to 5 (which she starred in alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin). With it, Parton unleashed a musical warning shot that called to account the injustices women face in the workplace. Here, the song’s original peppy vibe gets a slowed down, soulful remake, thanks to Parton’s collaboration with Kelly Clarkson — as well as the production work of Shane McAnally, Sasha Sloan and King Henry. The subdued production places a strong spotlight on Parton’s timeless lyrics about workplace equality, which are just as powerful (and sadly, still painfully relevant) 40 years after the original’s release. The new song is included in the upcoming documentary Still Working 9 to 5.
Julie Roberts & Jamey Johnson, “Music City’s Killing Me”
Back in 2004, Roberts earned a top 20 Billboard country hit with “Break Down Here,” and was heralded for her soulful voice. She followed with a string of releases including “Men and Mascara,” and albums including 2013’s Good Wine & Bad Decisions. In her latest release, she teams with one of Grand Ole Opry’s newest members, Jamey Johnson, to take on the heartache, creative restraints and deception that oftentimes comes with chasing down a dream on the streets of Nashville. Fiddle-drenched, crammed with emotional truths, and featuring two artists whose voices command attention, this song will be included on Roberts’ upcoming album, out Oct. 28.
Tyler Childers, “Angel Band” (Jubilee Version)
Childers, the singer/songwriter behind 2020’s Grammy-nominated Long Violent History, as well as 2017’s Purgatory and 2019’s Country Squire, is back — along with backing band the Food Stamps — with the upcoming release of the three-part gospel album, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?, on Sept. 30. On the project, eight songs are recorded in different ways: live (Hallelujah version), with added instruments (Jubilee), as well as a not-yet-described Joyful Noise version. On “Angel Band” (Jubilee Version), Childers offers a meditation on a unified heavenly choir, as he sings, “There’s Hindus, Jews and Muslims, and Baptists of all kinds/ Catholic girls and Amish plowboys…singing side by side, wondering why exactly/ They’ve been fussing the whole time.”
Pillbox Patti, “Eat, Pray, Drugs”
A cool, hazy ode to a trio of popular solutions for abating the boredom that comes with abiding in a small town, “Eat Pray Drugs” was written by Pillbox Patti (a.k.a. singer-songwriter Nicolette Hayford), with Aaron Raitiere, Park Chisolm, Benjy Davis and Connie Harrington. Rock-tinged, moody, with lyrics that cut to the bone, Pillbox Patti proves she has plenty more unflinching honesty beyond the work she’s done as a co-writer on songs for Ashley McBryde. With “Eat Pray Drugs,” she offers her own artistic expression on her upcoming album, Florida, out in October.
Zach Bryan, “Burn, Burn, Burn”
Bryan has been burning up the country charts with songs like “Something in the Orange,” which is also a top 40 crossover hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Here, he offers another largely acoustic track, filled with wistful longings to see loved ones who have passed on, take a drive on a back road, write some songs on an old guitar and take in all life has to offer. As the song winds toward its closing strains, his voice turns ragged and desperate to experience the full range of life, from pain to love and joy, in what is surely a live show favorite for Bryan.
Avery Anna, “What Made You Think?”
A smooth, lilting melody, and Anna’s emollient vocal lead the way on this feisty ballad. She boldly shrugs off any responsibility for her ex’s repeated attempts at rekindling their relationship, as she sings knowingly, “I played your game one too many times.” Anna wrote “What Made You Think?” with Andy Sheridan and Seth Ennis, and the track is featured on her upcoming EP, Mood Swings, out Oct. 7.
Larry Fleet and Morgan Wallen, “Where I Find God (Live)”
Larry Fleet broke through in 2021 with this introspective track, which he wrote with Connie Harrington. Fleet has been opening shows on Wallen’s “The Dangerous Tour,” and just released a live performance video of the song, featuring Wallen. This acoustic rendition highlights the similar timbre the two vocalists share, and judging by the crowd reaction, it was a sweet moment for fans in the audience.
Dustin Lynch, “Wood on the Fire”
This off-and-on again couple described in this Dustin Lynch song can’t quite let each other go — or as Lynch puts it, they “keep throwing wood on the fire.” Lynch’s urgent vocal captures both the song’s longing and frustration, while the churning-yet-intimate production offers plenty of spark.
We’ve reached the end of another week, music lovers, and with it comes a new slate of fall music releases. This week’s batch of new music spans all types of genres, from country to R&B to rock, and we here at Billboard want to know which release you’re loving most.
Kane Brown dropped his third album, Different Man, and while the studio set is rooted in Southern country, the singer branches out into the sounds of folk-pop (“Thank God” with his wife Katelyn Brown) and R&B (third single “Grand”) in between more traditional offerings such as lead single “One Mississippi,” “Like I Love Country Music” and the Blake Shelton-assisted title track.
Ari Lennox also dropped her sophomore album, age/sex/location, just 10 days after the arrival of its five-track precursor Away Message. The only track to make the leap from that EP to the full-length is Summer Walker collab “Queen Space,” but with additional guest verses by the likes of Lucky Daye (“Boy Bye”) and Chlöe (“Leak It”), the Washington, D.C., native continues to make good on her potential as one of R&B’s most promising new voices.
Or maybe you’re focused on just one new song, like Lewis Capaldi‘s “Forget Me,” the twisted bubblegum pop of Brooke Candy’s “Flip Phone,” Nicki Minaj‘s Super Freaky Girl (Queen Remix)” or the wistful duet version of “9 to 5” by Kelly Clarkson and Dolly Parton.
Plus, new albums by NAV, Yeat and Ozzy Osbourne cover multiple bases, with the latter in particular enlisting rock elite from Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton to Zakk Wydle and Black Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi for 13 tracks of collaborative, propulsive rock — and the late Taylor Hawkins even makes a posthumous appearance on three songs throughout the LP.
Vote for your favorite in Billboard‘s latest new music poll below.
On Friday (Sept. 9), the morning of the first official day of New York Fashion Week, which runs through Sept. 14, the Fairchild Fashion Museum launched its first New York City exhibition, curated by Women’s Wear Daily, Footwear News and Beauty Inc. (Billboard shares a parent company, Penske Media Corporation, with those brands.)
Entitled “A Matter of Style,” the exhibition is a two-day pop-up event taking place Sept. 9-10 at AG Studios on 52 Walker Street. Among the dozens of photographs from the Fairchild archives on display are pictures spotlighting several musical luminaries who helped shape and define New York fashion over the decades.
There’s a fantastic candid shot of Liza Minnelli speaking with Bianca Jagger during an event at the legendary Studio 54 hosted by fashion trend-setter Halston in 1977, as well as an iconic photo of Madonna and Michael Jackson arriving at the Academy Awards red carpet together back in 1991. There are also delightful pics of everyone from Diana Ross to Jennifer Lopez to Debbie Harry of Blondie, all of whom have left distinctive, indelible marks on the world of fashion.
With Fairchild going back to 1892 and WWD extending back to 1910, there’s a lot of history to draw on. There’s also plenty of shots featuring various runways, street style moments, celebrities and fashion designers. Plus, there’s a look at the so-called Ladies Who Lunch and the distinct looks from those various snacking socialites who inspired Stephen Sondheim’s classic Broadway song “The Ladies Who Lunch,” made popular by Elaine Stritch in Company.
YDE‘s debut EP, Send Help, finally arrived on Friday (Sept. 9), three years after it was written. Ahead of its release, the former Nickelodeon star spoke Billboard News‘ Tetris Kelly about the EP’s touching single “People Can Change,” how the collection came to be, and working with pop powerhouse Justin Tranter.
“This one was really meaningful for me because when I wrote it, it was the moment where I realized that I’m human ad you’re human, and we’re all human and that is the thing that’s going to bring us to light,” the 19-year-old said of “People Can Change,” noting that it was inspired by 2019 Amazon rainforest fires. “I remember coming into the studio and there was this feeling of hopelessness, but at the same time, we were feeling extremely hopeful about the state of the world and that we know that there is potential. We have potential, and that potential comes from our humanity.”
YDE revealed that she “wrote the whole thing [Send Help] literally three years ago,” and has spent the time in between “honing in on the production and making sure that musically it’s all aligned with what I’m saying lyrically. So this whole EP is really just about stripping back.”
Part of bringing the collection of tracks together included mentor Tranter — a songwriter who has worked with Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Selena Gomez and more — who helped her craft the EP.
“The reason why the whole project is called Send Help originally is because the very first session Justin and I did, we wrote a song called ‘Send Help.’ And at that moment, it all clicked as to what I was doing as an artist and what I wanted to talk about,” the actress-singer explained. “Justin has really been — especially as a songwriter — Justin has given me the confidence to speak about topics most people wouldn’t talk about.”
The Queen Bee is clapping back. On Thursday (Sept. 8), Lil’ Kim addressed allegations started by 50 Cent that she had taken aim at Nicki Minaj‘s young son on her new “Plan B” remix with Megan Thee Stallion.
“I never said a word about anyone’s child…” the rapper wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Please feel free to listen to the song where we were clearly talking about an EX. To try and twist my words to have an excuse to take digs at my child is disgusting. I’m one of the most disrespected legends in the game but what you will not do is come for MY CHILD.”
A couple slides later, Lil’ Kim went on the offensive against the Super Bowl LVI halftime show performer, whom she blamed for fueling the gossip to begin with. “I still can’t believe y’all can’t see through 50’s lame a–, disgraceful, ugly, and narcissistic tactics…y’all still falling for that s–t,” she continued. “He created this whole false narrative to cause drama and confusion because the girl he wanted is getting too much attention…Anyone who knows me knows even if you are my enemy I would never say anything about anyone’s child. Kids are off limits!!!”
50 Cent first stirred the pot earlier on Thursday with a since-deleted Instagram post in which he tagged Minaj directly, writing, “QGTM @nickiminaj you better light her a– up i’m watching. she said something about the baby, her baby eye f—-d up…LOL.”
And while the new version of Megan’s Traumazine single had initially been released on YouTube on Friday (Sept. 9), at press time, the video appears to have been taken down “due to a copyright claim by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.”
Check out Lil’ Kim’s Instagram Stories before they expire here.
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