Justin Bieber becomes youngest solo artist to score 100 entries on ‘Billboard’ Hot 100

Rory Kramer

Justin Bieber has become the youngest solo artist to hit 100 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Stay,” his song with The Kid LAROI, debuted at number three this week, officially bringing his career-spanning total to 100 at 27 years, four months and three weeks of age.

Justin surpasses Drake, who previously held the title for scoring 100 career entries on the chart when he was 28 years, 11 months and two weeks old in 2015. Drake currently has the most Hot 100 hits of any artist, with 235.

Lil Wayne is the third youngest soloist to have scored 100 Hot 100 hits, doing so when he was 29 years, five months and three weeks old in 2012.

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Viola Davis to release memoir, ‘Finding Me’, in April 2022

AB+DM

Viola Davis is ready to tell her story, in her own words.

On Tuesday, HarperOne announced that Davis’ forthcoming memoir, Finding Me, will be released on April 19, 2022 in partnership with Ebony Magazine Publishing. Described as a story of “overcoming,” Davis’ book will share details of her “incredible, inspiring life from her coming-of-age in Rhode Island to her present-day career.”

“I’m an artist because there’s no separation from me and every human being that has passed through the world. I have a great deal of compassion for other people, but mostly for myself,” Davis says in a statement.

Davis’ recent Best Actress Oscar nomination for her work in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom made her the most-nominated Black actress in the history of the Academy Awards.  Already an Oscar winner for her starring role in the 2016 film adaptation of August Wilson‘s stage drama, Fences, Davis also won an Emmy for ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder, and Tony Awards for her Broadway performances of Fences and King Hedley II

This year it was announced she’ll executive-produce and star in the Showtime anthology series First Ladies, where she will portray former first lady Michelle Obama.  She’ll next be seen in The Suicide Squad, debuting in theaters August 5.

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Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard says band is heading for an “‘OK Computer’/’Kid A’ moment”

Jim Bennett /Getty Images Contributor

Next year, Pearl Jam will finally be able to tour behind their most recent album, 2020’s Gigaton, but guitarist Stone Gossard is already looking ahead to the band’s next record, which he says may be a distinct left turn for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

Referring to some of the more unexpected moments from Gigaton, like “Dance of the Clairvoyants,” Gossard tells Kerrang!, “There’s some new territory there, and I think it bodes well for whatever comes next. I think we’re still scratching the surface in terms of what really could be significantly different sounding songs.”

“I guess I would probably compare [what I’m thinking of] to an OK Computer/Kid A moment, thinking about Radiohead’s transformation and the journey that they went on,” he adds.

Of course, OK Computer marked a huge change, stylistically, sonically and lyrically, for Radiohead, and the 1997 album is now hailed as one of the greatest of all time. But Gossard won’t go as far as to say the next Pearl Jam album will be that disruptive.

It’s not going to be OK Computer, obviously, but a moment where we stumble onto something that is significantly different…that prospect always intrigues me,” he explains to Kerrang!. “I’d like to make another record that really shocks people – that makes them go, Wow, that’s unexpected!’”

Pearl Jam’s 2021 concert schedule consists of several appearances at front man Eddie Vedder‘s Ohana Festival, which is running over two weekends: September 24-26, and October 1-2.  Pearl Jam will headline the festival’s September 26 date, as well as both October dates.

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Bruno Mars postpones Las Vegas shows due to “unforeseen circumstances”

Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Two Bruno Mars concerts at MGM Park Theater in Las Vegas — part of Bruno’s ongoing residency in Sin City — have been called off for this Friday and Saturday due to “unforeseen circumstances,” reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

No reason was given for the scrapped shows; when the Review-Journal asked if the reason was COVID-related, a hotel spokesperson declined to give the paper any additional information.

Those dates have been rescheduled to August 27-28. Previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates, or fans can receive refunds through August 13.  However, fans who purchased the Luxury VIP Experience “A Trip to Mars” must call to make other arrangements.  Those packages, which include premium seats, hotel accommodations, special merchandise, food and beverage credits and other amenities, ranged in price from $2500 to $6529 — and they were all sold out.

Bruno has two shows scheduled for July 30-31 as well, but a source tells the paper that they’re now “up in the air.”

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Fans react to preview of Summer Walker’s new music

Ashley Aarons

Summer Walker took to Instagram Monday to share a preview of new music from her forthcoming album.

“Comment [with a broken-heart emoji] if you ready to smoke, cry & sing lol,” Walker captioned a video of herself playing a track in the studio.

Fans in the comments shared dozens of broken-heart emojis and commentary about the song, in which Walker sings about being hurt from a relationship that didn’t work.

“I’m freaking ready,” wrote one fan, while another said, “I’m ready, girl, even though I’m still rocking hard with the last album. I’m ready. Please keep the energy.”

Meanwhile, others are hoping the singer plans to follow up her 2019 debut album, Over Itand her 2020 EP, Life On Earth, with her sophomore album.  

“So basically, we getting an album? Is that what you, saying,” asked one fan, while another said, “Release the album. We want the damn album.”

Many believe the song touches on Walker’s relationship with her daughter’s father, London On Da Track. Despite welcoming their daughter in late March, the two recently called it quits on their relationship.  

“That music gone hit with or without a [man]. I love it,” one fan wrote, while another said, “Let me go ahead and pre-order my tears!”

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Journey, Hall & Oates, John Mellencamp featured on upcoming ‘NOW’ hits compilation focusing on the ’80s

Sony Music Entertainment

A new compilation from the NOW That’s What I Call Music! folks focusing specifically on classic songs from the 1980s will be released on August 6.

NOW That’s What I Call a Decade 1980s is an 18-track collection that will be available everywhere on CD and digital formats, and as a vinyl LP sold exclusively via Walmart.com and at Walmart stores.

The album features classic rock hits including Journey‘s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” Daryl Hall & John Oates‘ “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” John Mellencamp‘s “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60’s Rock),” Foreigner‘s “I Want to Know What Love Is,” Billy Idol‘s “Rebel Yell” and Toto‘s “Africa.”

The compilation also features hits from Tears for Fears, George Michael, Eurythmics, Simple Minds, Duran Duran, Survivor, Rick Springfield, Wang Chung, A-ha, INXS, The Clash and The Bangles.

NOW That’s What I Call a Decade 1980s can be pre-ordered now.

Here’s the complete track list:

George Michael — “Monkey” (7″ Edit Remastered)
Eurythmics — “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” (Remastered)
Simple Minds — “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (12″ Version)
John Mellencamp — “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60’s Rock)”
The Clash — “Rock the Casbah” (Bob Clearmountain Mix)
Duran Duran — “Rio”
Tears for Fears — “Shout”
Survivor — “Eye of the Tiger”
Rick Springfield — “Jessie’s Girl”
Wang Chung — “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”
A-ha — “Take On Me”
Billy Idol — “Rebel Yell”
INXS — “Need You Tonight”
The Bangles — “Walk Like an Egyptian”
Daryl Hall & John Oates — “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)”
Toto — “Africa”
Foreigner — “I Want to Know What Love Is”
Journey — “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Foreigner, Journey, John Mellencamp featured on upcoming ‘NOW’ hits compilation focusing on the ’80s

Sony Music Entertainment

A new compilation from the NOW That’s What I Call Music! folks focusing specifically on classic songs from the 1980s will be released on August 6.

NOW That’s What I Call a Decade 1980s is an 18-track collection that will be available everywhere on CD and digital formats, and as a vinyl LP sold exclusively via Walmart.com and at Walmart stores.

The album features classic rock hits including Foreigner‘s “I Want to Know What Love Is,” Journey‘s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” John Mellencamp‘s “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60’s Rock),” The Clash‘s “Rock the Casbah,” and Billy Idol‘s “Rebel Yell.”

The compilation also features hits from George Michael, Eurythmics, Simple Minds, Duran Duran, Survivor, Rick Springfield, Wang Chung, A-ha, INXS, The Bangles, Hall & Oates and Toto.

NOW That’s What I Call a Decade 1980s can be pre-ordered now.

Here’s the complete track list:

George Michael — “Monkey” (7″ Edit Remastered)
Eurythmics — “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” (Remastered)
Simple Minds — “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (12″ Version)
John Mellencamp — “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60’s Rock)”
The Clash — “Rock the Casbah” (Bob Clearmountain Mix)
Duran Duran — “Rio”
Tears for Fears — “Shout”
Survivor — “Eye of the Tiger”
Rick Springfield — “Jessie’s Girl”
Wang Chung — “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”
A-ha — “Take On Me”
Billy Idol — “Rebel Yell”
INXS — “Need You Tonight”
The Bangles — “Walk Like an Egyptian”
Daryl Hall & John Oates — “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)”
Toto — “Africa”
Foreigner — “I Want to Know What Love Is”
Journey — “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”

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Childish Gambino covers Brittany Howard’s rock hit “Stay High”

Danny Clinch

Childish Gambino lent his soulful vocals to a cover of Brittany Howard‘s Grammy-winning rock hit, “Stay High.”

The singer and actor, born Donald Glover, renounced his familiar falsetto on the synth-driven track over guitar strings and electronic drums. The original “Stay High” sat atop Billboard’s Adult Alternative Songs chart for three weeks and secured Alabama Shakes’ frontwoman a Grammy for Best Rock Song in March. 

Gambino’s version will appear on Brittany Howard’s forthcoming project, Jaime Reimagined, which includes fresh covers and remixes of the original songs from her 2019 solo album JaimeIt was named after Howard’s older sister, who taught her how to play the piano and write poetry and died of cancer as a teenager.

Fans who pre-order the digital edition of Jaime Reimagined will receive Childish Gambino’s version of “Stay High,” along with reimagined tracks from Dreamville duo EARTHGANG, Common, 9th Wonder, Syd, and more.

Jaime Reimagined drops on July 23, followed by a vinyl edition arriving later this fall. 

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Don’t say he didn’t warn you: Lil Nas X confirms next video is not for kids

Rich Fury/Getty Images

Lil Nas X is giving everyone fair warning this time: his next video is not for kids.

The singer, who’s gearing up to release his new single, “Industry Baby,” warned parents on Twitter Tuesday: “Saying this in advance so y’all won’t blame me. THE INDUSTRY BABY VIDEO IS NOT FOR YOUR KIDS!”

Lil Nas’ debut song, “Old Town Road,” was a hit with kids and adults alike, so some parents were shocked when the singer later released his decidedly more adult video for the sexually charged song “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).”

He previously hit back at critics on Twitter, writing, “i made the decision to create the music video. i am an adult. i am not gonna spend my entire career trying to cater to your children. that is your job.”

“Industry Baby” is set to drop Friday. Lil Nas teased the Kanye West-produced track Monday with a video spoofing the Nike lawsuit over his Satan Shoes.

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Thrice announce new album, ‘Horizons/East’; listen now to first single, “Scavengers”

Matty Vogel

California rockers Thrice will release a new album called Horizons/East on September 17. The first single from the project, “Scavengers,” is out now.

Singer Dustin Kensrue says the song is about “toxic worldviews I once inhabited,” and he admits, “a lot of people that I love are still in that place.”   In the track, Kensrue appears to be trying to rescue those people, singing, “I will find you in the black light/Of that cold dry land/never mind who held you last night/Come and take my hand.”

As for the album, Horizons/East is described as “a soundtrack for deeper dreaming,” with a theme of “interrelatedness.” The songs, meanwhile, speak to “the fragile and awkward arrangements that pass for civilization, while inviting us to dwell more knowingly within our own lives.”

Horizons/East is a followup to Thrice’s 2018 album, Palms.

Thrice will launch a tour September 24 in Houston, TX which is currently scheduled to wrap October 30 in Anaheim, CA.  Visit Thrice.net for the full itinerary.

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