Music

Jason Aldean is mourning the loss of his security guard, Ryan Fleming, a longtime friend who stood by the singer during some of his most difficult moments.

On social media, Jason looked back at his long relationship with his guard, whom he fondly refers to as Rhino. The pair were friends who grew up together in Georgia, Jason details, and Ryan worked as a bouncer at the singer’s favorite bar when they were both young adults.

“When it came time for me to hire a security guy that I knew would always look out for me and my family, there was no question for me that person was Rhino,” Jason goes on to say. “He came out and traveled the world with us and for years if you saw me, Rhino wasn’t too far away.”

In fact, it was Fleming who stepped in during the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting, when a gunman opened fire on the crowd during Jason’s headlining set.

“He was the person who pulled me offstage during the Route 91 shooting and put his life in danger to take care of me and my crew,” Jason reflects. “He was a good man and an even better friend.”

Fleming’s date and cause of death were not immediately available.

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Doja Cat is hosting this year’s MTV VMAs.

The “Kiss Me More” singer, who’s up for five trophies this year, announced the news on her Instagram Wednesday.

“I’m hosting the 2021 #VMAs this year Wowowowowowow,” she captioned the post, along with the mind blown emoji.

The gig marks her hosting debut. She’ll also be performing during the ceremony, along with Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Lorde, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo and more.

The 2021 MTV VMAs will air live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on September 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

 

 

 

 

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Lil Nas X is calling out an apparent double standard.

After pro skateboarder Tony Hawk announced he was releasing a new skateboard infused with his own blood, Lil Nas X is wondering why the reaction has been different compared to when he released limited edition sneakers that included a drop of human blood.

“Now that tony hawk has released skateboards with his blood painted on them, and there was no public outrage, are y’all ready to admit y’all were never actually upset over the blood in the shoes? and maybe u were mad for some other reason?” Lil Nas X tweeted on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, Lil Nas collaborated with design company MSCHF to release exclusive Satan sneakers to tie in with his devil-themed “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” video. The video and the shoes angered some religious conservatives, and Nike ended up suing MSCHF for trademark infringement for altering their Air Max 97 design without permission. The suit was later settled.

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Megan Thee Stallion‘s legal request to drop her “Butter” remix with the South Korean pop group BTS was granted Tuesday.

A Texas judge ruled in Megan’s favor and extended a temporary restraining order allowing her to release new music, according to Billboard.

“LOVE YOU ALLL,” the “Hot Girl Summer” rapper wrote in response on Instagram, announcing the track will be drop Friday.

Megan has been in a long battle with her distributor, 300 Entertainment, and record label 1501 Certified Entertainment. She says 1501’s CEO, former Major League baseball star Carl Crawford, and his partner, J. Prince, have blocked her from releasing new music, and did not approve the “Butter” remix.

Billboard reports that the court ruled that Crawford, 1501 Certified Entertainment, J. Prince and 300 Entertainment “have recently engaged and will continue to engage in conduct preventing the release of [Megan’s] new music, which would irreparably damage her goodwill, reputation, and overall music career and infringes on her rights to self-expression through her music.”

The three-time Grammy winner previously filed a lawsuit and requested a restraining order against 1501 Certified Entertainment in 2020. A judge ruled in her favor and ordered 1501 Entertainment “to do nothing to prevent the release, distribution, and sale” of her music.

In her legal documents, Megan said her contract with 1501 was “unconscionable,” claiming she was only paid $15,000 after earning more than one billion streams and selling over 300,000 individual track downloads, said to be worth an estimated $7 million.

Megan is seeking a new contract.  A hearing on her restraining order is set for September 10.

Megan’s up for six MTV VMAs, and BTS has five nominations, so they might perform “Butter” together at the show September 12 at Barclays Center in New York City.

 

 

 

 

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Last month, Harry Styles announced his rescheduled U.S. tour dates. Now, he’s making sure fans can enjoy the shows safely.

At his upcoming Love On Tour shows, ticket holders will be required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test within 48 hours prior to entry. There will also be mandatory mask-wearing in effect.

As per the guidelines, children under the age of 12 can attend the concert if they provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the show.

Venue staff will be following the same protocols and will be wearing masks at all times.

“We are looking forward to seeing everyone as we return to the road!” reads a statement posted to Harry’s Instagram Story. “Please know our band and crew will be taking every possible precaution to protect each other so we can bring the show to everyone who wants to attend and we ask you to do the same.”

Harry’s Love On Tour shows kick off in Las Vegas on September 4 and run through November 20 in Los Angeles.

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Chase Rice just might be coming to a bar or other pint-sized venue near you this fall. This week, he announced his six-date Bud Light Seltzer Sessions tour, which will find him playing dates on a selection of small stages.

Things kick off in Columbus, Ohio on September 8, and the tour runs through October. In the meantime, Chase will make stops in Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Michigan.

“When I first started playing with just me and a guitar, it was sitting on barstools in venues like these,” he explains. “There’s something really special about stripping it back to how these songs were written, to how I got started. No show will be the same as we’re making it up as we go, but that’s what I love: hearing y’all yell songs from the crowd and us singing them together.”

For more opportunities to catch Chase on the road this year, check out his current tour calendar.

The singer is currently riding the momentum of his latest two-week number-one hit, a collaboration with Florida Georgia Line called “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.”

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Doja Cat‘s “Kiss Me More” collaboration with SZA is a certified summer smash, but in a new interview with Missy Elliott, the 25-year-old opened up about balancing her authentic self and her exploding popularity.

Speaking to the “Lose Control” rapper for Interview magazine, Doja reflected on her start in music and how her rising star status presented new challenges. Noting she used to spend her time on social media “making beats” and “yelling at and roasting people,” the artist admits that’s no longer a healthy way to spend her time.

“I love going in on people, but I stopped because with a big platform, you don’t want to hurt anybody,” Doja told Elliott. “You have power and you’re looked at a certain way, and if you go in on people and s***, it doesn’t help you or them, and they can tear you down more than you can tear them down.”

Missy noted that being an artist has changed in the era of social media, saying, “When I was coming up we didn’t have social media, so we could turn off the artistry when we finished our interviews and went home. Now you have to be in artist mode at all times.”

Concerning her craft, Doja said she wants to improve her rapping. “When it comes to rap I could be better. I think everybody feels that way with their own art, in all kinds of ways,” she mused. “I see all these incredibly talented rappers around me, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m doing pop, but I should focus on my pen now more than ever.'”

Doja also revealed she wants to “talk about my life more” in her music, which Missy supported.

“That’s growth,” Missy praised. 

Planet Her, Doja’s third album, is out now.

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BTS’ “Butter” remix featuring Megan Thee Stallion is dropping this Friday.

The good news comes after Megan was involved in a complicated legal battle in order to get the song released. Billboard reports a Texas judge ruled in Megan’s favor and extended a temporary restraining order against her record label, 1501 Certified Entertainment, allowing her to release new music.

“Y’all don’t even understand how excited I am,” Megan tweeted following the news. BTS shared their excitement over the announcement as well, writing, “Yes, ‘Butter’ is back!”

The “WAP” rapper has been in a long battle with her record label and distributor, 300 Entertainment, over releasing new music. The label and distributor were trying to block the release of the “Butter” remix.

Megan is seeking a new contract. The next hearing on her restraining order is set for September 10.

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