Music

Grammy-winning vocalist Monica was 14 years old when she released her 1995 debut album, Miss Thang. She says she never predicted it would be as successful as it was, earning the #7 spot on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

“The greatest part of my first album is that I wasn’t expecting anything,” Monica admits during a recent interview with Billboard. “When you’re that young, it allows you to focus on what’s most important. I made sure that when I sang, I sang with my soul.”

Monica continues, “You can hear it in Miss Thang, [2006’s] The Makings of Me and [2003’s] ‘So Gone.’ I wanted it to touch people’s souls. I think when something is authentic, people can feel it.”

Monica parted ways with her former label, RCA Records, in 2016. Now, the 40-year-old singer is preparing to release her ninth studio album, Trenches, under her independent label, MonDeenise Music. 

“This happened on its own,” says Monica. “My deal came to an end, but throughout the process of being on a label, you learn a lot about them, and it becomes a lot easier for you to step into that type of arena and feel comfortable. It’s a very expensive thing to do, but it’s extremely rewarding because I know what’s happening in every area.”

When asked who she’d like to collaborate with in the future, Monica replies, “Mary J. Blige is the first person that comes to mind.”

“Simply because our friendship is next level,” says Monica. “She tells the truth in her music. She’s OK with who she is. She is definitely one of the people that paved the way for me to be able to speak and live in my truth.”

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Sara Bareilles is extending her stay at Joe’s Diner.

Three new dates have been added to the “Brave” singer’s run as she reprises her role as Jenna Hunterson in Waitress on Broadway. Evening performances have been added on September 15 and 29 and on October 13 at 7 p.m. ET.

The new shows are part of the limited engagement of Waitress at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City, opening September 2 and closing on January 9. As previously announced, Sara will perform September 2 through October 17. 

The Grammy winner also composed the music and lyrics fir Waitress, earning two nominations for Best Original Score at the Tony Awards in 2017 and 2018. 

Tickets are on sale now.

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Britney Spears’ personal conservator Jodi Montgomery is hitting back at claims made by the singer’s father, Jamie Spears.
 
In court documents filed by Jamie opposing Britney’s request for his role as co-conservator to be “immediately” suspended, Jamie claimed Montgomery told him during a phone call that Britney is “mentally sick” and suggested she be put on a 5150 psychiatric hold.
 
Montgomery denied these claims in a statement obtained by Variety.
 
“Ms. Montgomery implores Mr. Spears to stop the attacks,” her statement says. “It does no good; it only does harm. We all need to focus on one thing, and one thing only — the health, well-being and best interests of Britney Spears.”
 
The statement says Montgomery never expressed that Britney would qualify for a 5150 hold, and instead expressed concern that Jamie’s role in the conservatorship is what’s “having a serious impact on Ms. Spears’ mental health.”
 
“It is in Ms. Spears’ best interests that her father step down as her Conservator, so he can go back to just being Ms. Spears’ father, and working on a healthy, supportive father-daughter relationship,” the statement reads.

Jamie Spears is currently the conservator of Britney’s estate, meaning he controls all financial decisions. Montgomery is the conservator of the person, meaning she manages Britney’s personal and medical decisions.

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The doubled-up song fun continues for Cody Johnson, who is making good on his promise to fans to put out two new songs each month leading up to the October release of his double album. 

In August, the two songs on deck are “Let’s Build a Fire” and “Driveway,” a pair of tracks full of vivid, nostalgic imagery. 

Perfectly timed for the beginning of the fall season, “Let’s Build a Fire” is a literal homage to autumn, celebrating chillier temperatures, football season and — of course — Friday night bonfires. Uptempo and bluesy, the song was written by fellow country singer Chris Janson, along with songwriter Mitch Oglesby. 

Meanwhile, “Driveway” celebrates a different kind of nostalgia, as Cody reminisces about the warmth and comfort of being at his grandparents’ house. 

“‘Let’s Build a Fire’ and ‘Driveway’ are the perfect two songs to get geared up for the fall season,” the singer says. “I’m very fortunate to have been able to cut both of these tracks. I was even able to play my grandfather’s old J45 [acoustic guitar] on ‘Driveway,’ which is a special memory I’ll never forget.” 

While the full double album isn’t due out quite yet, fans can get their Cody fix beginning next week with the release of Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story, a documentary about his life and career in the rodeo and country music. 

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Taylor Swift has confirmed the track list and featured artists on her re-recorded version of 2012’s Red, after fans decoded the info from a puzzle she shared just a day earlier.
 
“I know some of you thought that would be like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there’s no right answer BUT…you played it good & right,” Taylor wrote on social media. “Congrats pals, you guessed the correct titles and feature artists on Red (my version).”
 
As previously guessed, the album’s vault tracks will feature Chris Stapleton, Phoebe Bridgers, Mark Foster and Ed Sheeran.
 
“I can’t express my gratitude enough to these artists for helping me bring these songs to life,” Taylor wrote. “I can’t wait til we can dust off our highest hopes and relive these memories together.”
 
She added, “We’ll also be making a bunch of new ones too, since Red (Taylor’s Version) includes so many songs you haven’t heard yet. Til then, I’ll be counting down and picturing it all in my head. In burning red.”
 
Red (Taylor’s Version) drops November 19.

 

 

 

 

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Sia is gives her latest hit, “1+1,” a Latin twist with a remix featuring Sofia Reyes and Yandel. The “1+1 (Banx and Ranx Remix)” finds the bilingual singers translating the lyrics into Spanish while honoring the song’s upbeat nature. The original version is included on Sia’s latest album, Music. 

Black Eyed Peas are ready to “Hit It” with Saweetie and Lele Pons. The Latin-infused track boasts a futuristic beat and sultry lyrics. “Hit It” follows the Black Eyed Peas’ 2020 collaboration with Shakira on “Girl Like Me.” 

Bryce Vine is poised to “Miss You a Little” in his new single, featuring lovelytheband. The RIAA multi-Platinum singer confesses in the song’s defining line “I miss you a little all of the time,” with the indie pop band offering supporting vocals. “Miss You a Little” drops days before Bryce sets out on his Miss You a Little Tour, beginning August 11.

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The senior class at Winchester University are leaving on a high note. Netflix has revealed in a teaserthat the fourth and final season of Dear White People will premiere on Wednesday, September 22, as a “’90s-inspired musical event.”

The new season is said to pick up in a “not-so-distant, post-pandemic future” where the cast will be looking back at “the most formative (and theatrical) year of their lives.” Created by Justin Simien, Dear White People stars Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, Antoinette Robertson, DeRon Horton, John Patrick Amedori, Ashley Blaine Featherson and Marque Richardson.

In related news, Deadline has learned that Simien has inked a three-year overall deal with Paramount Television Studios. As part of the agreement, Simien will develop premium television series aimed at various platforms via his Culture Machine production company. As previously reported, Simien’s next big venture will be Disney’s fantasy horror comedy Haunted Mansion. 

Finally, Entertainment Weekly has learned that Netflix has set a November 24 release date for Halle Berry‘s directorial debut, Bruised. Written by Michelle Rosenfarb, the film stars Berry as disgraced MMA fighter Jackie Justice, who’s attempting to redeem herself. After her six-year-old son comes back into her life, Jackie decides to return to the ring to fight one of the “fiercest rising stars of the MMA world,” and “become the mother” her son deserves. 

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CHVRCHES is gearing up to release a new album called Screen Violence, and now the trio has teamed up with something of an expert on the subject: famed horror director John Carpenter.

Carpenter, who is also a composer, has released a remix of the Screen Violence song “Good Girls.” To return the favor, CHVRCHES remixed Carpenter’s piece “Turning the Bones,” a track off his 2021 album, Lost Themes III: Alive After Death.

Both remixes are available now via digital outlets.

Screen Violence is due out August 27. It also includes the lead single “He Said She Said,” and the Robert Smith collaboration “How Not to Drown.”

(“Good Girls” remix video contains uncensored profanity.)

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Luke Bryan recounts the early musical experiences he shared with his older brother, Chris, in his newly released tune “Songs You Never Heard.”

In the lyrics of the track, Luke tips his hat to country greats like Keith Whitley, Clint Black and George Strait. But there’s a tragic twist to the story he tells in the song: Chris died in a car accident when Luke was just 19 years old. 

In the years that have elapsed since his brother’s death, a huge amount of great country music has come out — including Luke’s own massive catalog of hits. Now, he sings in the song, he can’t help but think of tunes like Strait’s 2001 hit “Run,” which his brother would have loved, if he’d been alive to hear it when it was released. 

“Time marches on, there’s a lot of new/ Music and memories we’d be drinking to/ I think about it and I laugh until it hurts,” Luke sings. “‘Cause I can hear you singing along/ To songs you never heard.”

Luke also opens up about his brother’s death in the five-part docuseries Luke Bryan: My Dirt Road Diary, which is available to watch now via Amazon’s free streaming service IMDb TV.

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The expanded 50th anniversary reissue of George Harrison‘s classic 1970 solo album All Things Must Pass was released today in multiple formats and configurations.

Among the various versions available is a Super Deluxe box set featuring either eight vinyl LPs or five CDs and Blu-ray-audio disc.

The Super Deluxe reissue features a new mix of the original 23-track album, demos that Harrison recorded during the first two days of the All Things Must Pass sessions, and a variety of outtakes and studio jams. Forty-two of the tracks are previously unreleased.

The collection comes packaged with a 60-page scrapbook curated by Harrison’s widow, Olivia, that features rare images, handwritten lyrics, studio notes and more. A replica of the original album poster also is included.

Originally released in November 1970, All Things Must Pass spent the seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200. It features George’s enduring spiritual anthem “My Sweet Lord,” which spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Other standout tunes on the album include “Isn’t It a Pity” — released as a two-sided single with “My Sweet Lord” — the top-10 hit “What Is Life,” “Wah-Wah,” and George’s memorable cover of Bob Dylan‘s “If Not for You.”

The All Things Must Pass reissue was executive-produced by Harrison’s son, Dhani.

In celebration of the reissue’s release, a living-art installation depicting the album’s cover opened today at London’s Duke of York Square and will remain on display until August 20. The installation includes two giant garden gnomes made out of flowers and foliage.

Visit GeorgeHarrison.com for a full track list and more details about the various versions of the All Things Must Pass reissue.

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