Month: May 2023

Nicki Minaj couldn’t help but celebrate when Lady Gaga gave her track “Princess Diana” a royal shout-out on TikTok this week.

It all started Wednesday, when Gaga took to the social media platform to show off the new Le Monster lip crayon shades and held four of the products up to the camera. Nicki’s “Princess Diana” verse played in the background of the video.

“I-I-I be eatin’ my spinach/ They tried to clone my image/ They burned they London Bridges/ None of them bi—es British,” Minaj is heard rapping in the TikTok video. “These NEUTRALS are HOT LIKE THIS RECORD,” the 13-time Grammy winner captioned the video, adding that she was wearing the shade “maple matte” on her lips.

Minaj responded to the video Thursday, reposting the TikTok to her Instagram Story and writing “GAGGGG!!!!!!” in all caps.

The “Princess Diana” remix is making waves on the Billboard charts too. The song — which also features Billboard‘s latest cover star Ice Spice — debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 last month and was the first No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart by two co-billed women.

While Ice hasn’t responded to Gaga using “Princess Diana” on TikTok yet, the rookie rapper is still over the moon that the song came to be in the first place. “So proud of princess diana with nicki like my dream collab rlly came true i can d!e happy now,” she tweeted April 24.

See Minaj’s response to Gaga below.

Ciara made headlines back in March when she attended the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty wearing a stunning, completely see-through Dundas gown embellished in crystals and layered over a matching thong. Trolls online started criticizing the “Like a Boy” singer for wearing a revealing outfit, and in a new interview with LVR magazine, Ciara has responded to the comments and showed appreciation for the fashion designer.

“I was fitted for the dress in Paris as I attended the Dundas show. Peter has been a close friend since we attended the Met Gala in 2021. He knows me well, and he gets and knows the woman’s body,” she explained. “I love the concept with the black crystal versus white crystals; I loved the black sheer and combination of it all and seeing it on the runway. It’s a process of getting ready for the red carpet. I pay attention to every detail. I have an appreciation for the art of fashion and the vision of the artist who created the garment.” 

After the fashion-filled evening came to a close, Ciara shared a series of snaps in a video posted to her Instagram on Monday (March 13). Megan Thee Stallion, who also attended the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, makes a brief cameo in the set of photos, as well as the singer’s husband, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, who matched alongside her in a black velvet suit jacket. M.I.A.’s 2012 hit “Bad Girls” soundtracks the video.

As three talented American Idol finalists — Georgia native Megan Danielle, Mississippi native Colin Stough and Hawaii’s Iam Tongi — gear up for the three-hour season 21 finale Sunday on ABC, they will be mentored by one of country music’s leading artists: two-time CMA entertainer of the year Keith Urban.

Nearly seven years after serving as an American Idol judge from 2012-16 (seasons 12-15 on Fox, before the show moved to ABC), Urban will return to the Idol franchise as a guest mentor and will also perform his 2022 top five Country Airplay hit “Wild Hearts.”

“I had a great time as a judge and being on the show. Every season was a blast for me, so to come back and get to mentor and perform as well feels fantastic,” Urban tells Billboard.

Urban spoke with Billboard about the keys to mentoring rising artists, some unique upcoming collaborations he’s been working on, and when fans might expect a new album.

What stands out to you about each of the contestants?

I was telling [Idol host] Ryan Seacrest the other day that I think these top three are such great choices because they’re so individual and that’s what you hope for: that there’s strong individual artistry. For me to get to work with them one-on-one is going to be fun for me.

I think song choice has been key. Certainly, Iam has been making great song choices along the way. I am looking forward to working with him, particularly. I think what I am gonna try and do is find things that really play to their strengths. It’s such an interesting balancing act, with songs that you love but maybe they don’t play to your strengths, so trying to find something that’s going to really have them shine will be key for me.

During the finale, each of the three finalists will be performing one of your songs. How does that impact how you will approach mentoring them on these performances?

I love somebody doing their own interpretation of a song. I would be making sure that they don’t do a straight cover unless [that] version brings out the best in them. You just don’t want to be a cover singer. You want to show that you’re an artist with your own artistry. I’m gonna be interested to see what songs they choose. I think they’ve each chosen two or three songs of mine and we’ll narrow that down to the one that they’ll do.

Are there moments from early in your career that you look back on as you are mentoring artists?

I think a big part of growing as an artist is knowing what advice to take but also knowing what advice to completely discard, no matter who is saying it to you. Your path and creative expression may be something so incredibly unique that it just breaks every rule. So I’m a big believer in looking for the strength of an artist — the passion, hunger, curiosity and dedication to it. And at the end of the day, you have to believe in yourself and the journey that you are on. It’s the only thing that will navigate you through all of the shine blockers and the naysayers out there.

You have been in the studio quite a bit lately. Can you give an update?

I was in there a chunk of last year, recording tons of songs, and then I sort of narrowed it down to just a handful, which meant I had to get back to the drawing board and build a whole bunch of new ones — that’s what this year has been more about. I thought I would put an album out at the beginning of the year, but I wrote a few songs and they pointed toward a different balance of an album. I kept writing and recording and I think I’m probably doing the other half of the album. … I’ve got crazy ideas for certain things, and finding people to help me with that in the studio has been a lot of fun. And most of it’s been done here in Nashville and it’s just been great.

Is there anyone new that you’ve been collaborating with that you are excited about?

I’ve got one person that’s committed to singing on a track with me, an artist that I love here in town. I’m so looking forward to getting into the studio with her. And I’ve got another song with a wild idea to feature somebody who’s not a singer, so we’ll see what happens. They are an actor; it’s not my wife. It’s just a long-shot idea I’ve got, but if it happens, it will be crazy fun.

Could we see a new album release later this year?

I so wish it could be out this year, but I think more likely it’s gonna be early next year, but I’ll definitely have at least another new single out in the next few months and hopefully another song or two before the end of the year.

Nick Cannon‘s child support came into question on Selling Sunset when the mother of one of his 12 kids joined the series, which dropped season six on Friday (May 19).

Bre Tiesi, who welcomed son Legendary Love Cannon with the actor-singer back in July 2022, became the latest real estate agent to star on the hit Netflix series, and naturally, the rest of the women at The Oppenheim Group were eager to get the tea about her relationship with the media personality.

During the seventh episode of the newly released season, Amanza Smith asks whether the rumor is true that a parent isn’t required to pay child support under California law after having 10 children.

“That’s true,” Tiesi maintained. “The way it works is, like, after 10, the court can basically say he can’t afford to pay child support. Or because he is who he is, they could say, ‘We know you can afford X amount for each household.’”

Following the conversation airing on Netflix, Tiesi’s lawyer Naema Rahmani stepped in to clarify that the reality TV personality’s statement was actually false. “Bre, you should know better!” Rahmani told Us Weekly. “That is absolutely not true. There’s no cap on child support based on the number of children. So, to the extent that Nick Cannon can have babies, he owes child support for those babies under California law.”

In a separate statement to Entertainment Tonight, the legal expert went on to explain that she was merely “clarifying that Nick has a legal obligation to pay child support under California law” and “didn’t address whether the mothers of his children have requested child support or whether Nick has paid it to Bre or others.”

(Under section 4055 of the California Family Code, the amount of child support required to be paid by the higher earner can be multiplied for up to 10 kids, which is where Tiesi might be getting the double-digit number.)

The real estate agent’s son happens to be baby number eight in Cannon’s extensive brood. Since Legendary was born last summer, he’s been joined by half-siblings Onyx Ice Cole, Rise Messiah and Beautiful Zeppelin and Halo Marie — all in the space of just five months.

Cody Johnson earns his second top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated May 27) as “Human” rises 11-9 in its 50th week on the list.

In the May 12-18 tracking week, the single increased by 4% to 18.2 million audience impressions, according to Luminate.

“Human,” which Tony Lane and Travis Meadows co-wrote, is the second single from Johnson’s Human: The Double Album, which arrived at its No. 3 high on Top Country Albums, becoming his fourth top 10. Lead track “‘Til You Can’t” led Country Airplay for two frames beginning in March 2022, marking his first No. 1.

‘Next’ Up

Jordan Davis nets his seventh consecutive career-opening Country Airplay top 10 as “Next Thing You Know” lifts 12-10 (17.9 million, up 14%). The song, which Davis co-authored, hits the top 10 in its 14th week on the chart, completing his quickest trip to the tier.

Davis had most recently reigned with “What My World Spins Around” (two weeks in January). The Shreveport, La., native hit No. 1 with his initial entry, “Singles You Up,” for a week in April 2018. Sophomore hit “Take It From Me” reached No. 2 (March 2019), followed by his second No. 1, “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot” (one week, January 2020), “Almost Maybes” (No. 5, July 2021) and his third leader, “Buy Dirt,” featuring Luke Bryan (two weeks, January-February 2022).

‘Last’-ing Hit

Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” dominates Country Airplay for a third week (33 million, up 4%).The song – which has crowned the all-genre, multimetric Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks – marks the fifth of his nine Country Airplay No. 1s to have reigned for at least three weeks.

Aaliyah, New Edition and Daryl Hall & John Oates will be enshrined in the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in September, along with 20 other R&B stars

Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash in 2001 at age 22, was the top vote-getter in the singers category. New Edition and Hall & Oates were the top vote-getters in the singing group category.

Aaliyah had five No. 1 hits on what is now called Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. She first led the chart with “Back & Forth” in May 1994, when she was just 15. She returned to the top spot with “If Your Girl Only Knew,” “One in a Million,” “Are You That Somebody?” and “Miss You.” The latter song topped the chart in January/February 1993, more than a year after Aaliyah’s death.

New Edition also amassed five No. 1 hits on that chart. The group first headed the chart with “Candy Girl” in May 1983, followed by “Cool It Now,” “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Can You Stand the Rain” and “Hit Me Off.”

Daryl Hall & John Oates topped the chart, then called Hot Soul Singles, in January 1982 with “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do).”

Hall & Oates aren’t the only “blue-eyed-soul” act to be inducted this year. The late Dusty Springfield, whose classic hits included “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” and “Son of a Preacher Man,” will also be honored.

Hall & Oates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Two of this year’s other inductees into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame — Clyde McPhatter and Sam Moore (as half of Sam & Dave) — are also in the Rock Hall.

Other inductees in the 2023 class are Jermaine Dupri, Peabo Bryson, Thelma Houston, Gerald Alston, Dee Dee Sharp, Dee Dee Warwick, Brook Benton, The Stubbs Girls, Sweet Boogie Productions, King Arthur, Ronnie Nelson, Gwen Foxx, Linda Jones, Ruby Andrews, The Debonaires, G.C. Cameron and Priscilla Price.

The induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Bridge Center in Detroit. Doors open at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame’s website.

Everybody say “archival museum-quality”! Miley Cyrus sat down with Vogue to reflect on her style evolution and some of her most famous looks in the fashion bible’s series “Life in Looks.”

In the video published May 18, the pop star gave insight on everything from her time as Hannah Montana and punk-inspired appearance at the 2013 Met Gala to the “extremely controversial” teddy-bear bodysuit she wore to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards that same year.

Later, even Miley herself was blown away when revisiting the stunning cover of her latest album, Endless Summer Vacation. B—h. It’s f–king archival museum-quality Alaia, b—h, it’s better than I ever remembered,” she raved before getting the entire room to applaud. “This look is just a little bit too good. This is one of those looks where, you know, I didn’t have to go this hard. But I did.”

She then revealed that she shot the cover art on the grounds of the Frank Sinatra estate in Palm Springs, Calif., though she was quick to deadpan, “We’re not gonna talk about the shoe” before turning the page.

Cyrus also broke down the vintage gold lamé Yves Saint Laurent dress that took the world by storm when she released the music video for “Flowers” (again, “1991 museum-quality archival — hoo!”).

“Listen, b—h, we shot the video before the runway with all the hoods,” she dished, “and currently they are in Paris at the Yves Saint Laurent museum; it is the ‘Gold Exhibition,’ which we had no idea that was gonna happen. I did it first. I mean, Yves Saint Laurent did it first and then I did it second and then they copied us. It wasn’t saying too much. It spoke for itself, but it also allowed me to speak. It completely captured what the song is about.”

Watch Miley run through her “Life in Looks” for Vogue above.

Fast X — the 10th installment of the of the Fast & Furious movie franchise — arrived in theaters on Friday (May 19) alongside its soundtrack and the music video for “Angel Pt. 1” by Kodak Black and NLE Choppa, which features Jimin of BTS, Muni Long and JVKE.

JVKE, who plays piano in the visual, opens the song. Jimin follows shortly after, singing the resounding chorus from a rooftop in New York City during sunset. “Angel, don’t fly so close to me/ I’m what you want, not what you need/ You don’t want to lose those wings/ People like me break beautiful things,” the BTS vocalist passionately sings before Kodak swoops in for a verse about the importance of family ties.

Following a verse from NLE Choppa, which details how a pair of friends escape adversity, the “Like Crazy” singer then teams up with Muni Long for the second chorus. She takes over for the first half, while Jimin and her duet in the latter half of the chorus, as scenes from Fast X are spliced in between.

Choppa spoke with PopSugar about working with Jimin on the song, and revealed that it was a major goal of his. “I’ve actually been for a while manifesting wanting to work with BTS and to be able to work with just one of the guys from BTS I feel like it’s a beautiful thing, and it’s one of those things I prayed for,” he told the outlet. “So, every time you hear BTS in my mouth or Jimin in my mouth, there’s gonna be a thank you behind it, because I’m just grateful knowing how big that scene is and grateful to know how big the impact they have on K-pop is in general.”

Check out “Angel Pt. 1” by Kodak Black and NLE Choppa featuring Jimin, Muni Long and JVKE above.