Music

Is Harry Styles the new king of pop? Michael Jackson‘s nephew Taj Jackson doesn’t think so.

Rolling Stone crowned the “As It Was” singer in its recent cover story, which contained the line “How the new King of Pop set the music world aflame.”

Taj, the son of Tito Jackson, took issue with the label and aired his displeasure on Twitter. “There is no new King of Pop,” he declared while retweeting the cover of Rolling Stone UK, which contained the language in question.  

“You don’t own the title @RollingStone, and you didn’t earn it, my uncle did,” continued Taj. “Decades of dedication and sacrifice. The title has been retired.”

The 49-year-old directed his disagreement at the magazine and not at the British singer. “No disrespect to @Harry_Styles,” he continued, “he’s mega talented. Give him his own unique title.”

Taj’s comments were reflected by actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who also took issue with Rolling Stone.  “Then they need to find a name for who Harry is in the industry. Like I said, I love the dude but there is ONE #KingOfPop and that is MJ,” the Community actress tweeted. 

Other fans have argued Rolling Stone is being racist by choosing a white artist to take over a moniker originated by a Black man. Some noted the late Elvis Presley still maintains his status as the “King of Rock and Roll.”

Taj brought up the same argument and wrote in a new tweet, “This… Notice how they never crown someone ‘The new boss’ or ‘the new king.'”

Neither Rolling Stone nor Harry have responded.

Michael Jackson died of a drug overdose in 2009.

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Garth Brooks’ Stadium Tour ends with a bang this September, as he goes overseas for five sold-out dates at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.

During a recent episode of his Facebook Live show, Inside Studio G, Garth revealed that those shows will have an extra exciting component: they’re being filmed. “We’re filming this for either a network special or a streaming special,” the singer says.

“They’re doing a documentary on the whole thing, because anybody that’s been along this ride understands what 2014 meant to all of us,” Garth continues. That was the year when he first scheduled (and sold out) five dates at the famed Dublin Stadium as part of his Comeback Tour. However, he ended up having to cancel all five concerts when the Dublin City Council would not allow more than the three shows he’d been granted licenses for.

“Never thought I’d ever get to play Ireland again. Then came the opportunity,” Garth recounts. “Very sweet of them to call and go, ‘Hey, the opportunity has risen, would you do it again?’”

When he realized he’d be able to rebook those shows as part of his 2022 Stadium Tour, the country star jumped at the chance.

“They didn’t get to finish the sentence. I said, ‘Yes, thank you, God,’” Garth adds. “And I can’t believe that people showed back up.”

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Jinjer has announced a U.S. headlining tour with support from P.O.D.

The fall outing kicks off Halloween night in San Diego and will travel the country before returning back to California to wrap up December 22 in Los Angeles. The band Vended, which features the sons of Slipknot‘s Corey Taylor and M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan, is also on the bill for select dates.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 26, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Jinjer-Metal.com.

The news follows June’s announcement that Jinjer would be allowed to leave Ukraine, and tour in an effort to raise money and awareness for their home country’s continued fight against Russia’s invasion. The band members had been in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February, forcing Jinjer to cancel their spring North American tour dates, which included a spot opening for Slipknot‘s Knotfest Roadshow.

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Luke Combs has noticed a major shift in his worldview since the birth of his son in June. “Your whole perspective changes,” the singer told Kelleigh Bannen during an interview on Apple Music Country.

“There’s stuff that used to matter as far as the things that you worry about, you just don’t really worry about that stuff anymore,” the star continues. “… almost instantly. You’re just kind of like, ‘Don’t care about that. Don’t care about that.’ And I was fine before, but I did tend to have pretty tremendous anxiety at times in my life.”

Luke has previously opened up about his experience with obsessive compulsive disorder, which often centers around health anxiety. Now, he describes the symptoms he felt — particularly before his son was born — as “crippling.”

“I look at things now in ways that I never would’ve been able to before,” he reflects. “And even before the kid. After getting married and then spending a lot of time at home during COVID. Just a bunch of stuff happened. It was time to process all of this craziness that’s happened in my career, too. I mean, that’s important.”

After spending the bulk of his summer at home with his wife and infant son, Luke will embark on his Middle of Somewhere Tour this fall.

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Rihanna has finally handed over the keys to her Hollywood Hills home for a cushy $6.6 million payout, Architectural Digest reports.

The “Umbrella” singer bought the Mediterranean-style property in 2017. A year later, she listed it for little under $7.5 million. Since then, the property was taken off and put back on the market until she finally found a buyer.

During that period of flux, Rihanna tried renting out the abode for $35,000 a month. She then tried selling the home again in September 2021 and asked for $7.8 million.

Rihanna is taking a direct hit to the wallet after parting ways with her home for $6.6 million because she paid $250,000 more for it back in 2017.  

So, what does this property offer? The new owner gets to enjoy 7,130 square feet of space overlooking the Sunset Strip. The six-bedroom home also comes with a home theater, billiards room, a guest house, two-car garage and an infinity pool with accompanying spa.

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Another track off Panic! at the Disco‘s new album, Viva Las Vengeance, is getting the video treatment.

The latest clip accompanies the song “Sugar Soaker,” and stars frontman Brendon Urie attending a party where he’s stuck in a cycle of alcohol and drug use, ending with him crashing his car in front of the house. Eagle-eyed viewers will also spot Fall Out Boy‘s Pete Wentz among the partygoers.

You can watch the “Sugar Soaker” streaming now on YouTube.

“Sugar Soaker” is the fifth Viva Las Vengeance song to get a video, following “Sad Clown,” “Don’t Let the Light Go Out,” “Middle of a Breakup” and the title track.

Panic! will be touring in support of Viva Las Vengeance, which is out now, beginning September 8 in Austin, Texas.

(Video contains uncensored profanity) 

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Tyler Perry is giving fans a sneak peek of his upcoming Netflix film, A Jazzman’s Blues.

Set in the deep South during the 1940s, the movie follows “a sweeping tale of forbidden love” between young Black couple Bayou (Joshua Boone) and Leanne (Solea Pfeiffer), a wealthy Black woman whose mother would prefer she find a mate within her class.

Released Tuesday, the trailer — soundtracked to Ruth B‘s “Paper Airplanes” — captures the hardships the star-crossed lovers face as outside parties try to break them up and teases a promising end with the words “true love will guide you home.”

A Jazzman’s Blues has been in the making since 1995, when Perry met playwright August Wilson at a party after attending one of his shows. After 27 years, he is now “ready for the world to see it.”

“I feel like it’s all that I wanted it to be and more,” Perry told Variety earlier this month at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. “I’m excited about the world seeing a different side of me.”

The movie — set to premiere next month at the Toronto International Film Festival — features songs arranged and produced by Grammy-winner Terence Blanchard, music from Aaron Zigman and choreography by Debbie Allen. It also stars Amirah Vann, Austin Scott, Milauna Jemai Jackson, Brent Antonello, Brad Benedict, Kario Marcel, Lana Young and Ryan Eggold.

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Parkway Drive has premiered a new song called “Darker Still,” the title track off the band’s upcoming album.

The nearly seven-minute track begins as a soft ballad while building up to a giant guitar solo, after which frontman Winston McCall‘s singing changes from clean vocals to harsh screams.

“Love. Time. Death. The great defining elements that make up our existence,” McCall says. “This song begins with the simplest of human sounds and represents these elements as the musical journey grows to reach its souring crescendo before facing the inevitable conclusion of its journey.”

You can listen to “Darker Still” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.

Darker Still the album arrives September 9. It also includes the previously released songs “Glitch” and “The Greatest Fear.”

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Billie Eilish is very vocal about her concerns for the environment, and regularly speaks out about climate change and the benefits of switching to a vegan diet — but she didn’t develop these views out of the blue. 

Her mother, Maggie Baird, has been an outspoken climate activist for over 40 years and helped set Billie on her path. Now, her advocacy is going to be recognized by the Environmental Media Association.

Both Billie and her mom will be honored with the EMA Missions in Music Award during the EMA Gala on October 8. The two are being celebrated “for their incredible work as role models for sustainable behavior.”

Previous winners of this award include Alanis Morissette, Adam Levine, Dave Matthews and Willie Nelson.

Billie has used her platform to advocate for sustainably sourced clothing and food. She recently released a sustainably sourced and recyclable shoe with Nike, and the Gucci dress she wore at the Met Gala was made of upcycled materials. 

As for her mother, she’s behind the charity Support + Feed, which is aimed at tackling both hunger and climate change by utilizing plant-based food.

“I’m thrilled to accept the EMA Missions in Music Award this year alongside my daughter,” Baird said in a statement. “I’m so proud that Billie uses her voice to inspire a younger audience and advocate for change.”

“It’s a dream come true that Billie and I share the same passion in tackling the climate crisis. We are stronger together and I know that she’ll continue to make a tremendous impact on this Earth for the next generation,” she closed.

The 32nd annual EMA Awards gala takes place October 8.

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