Music

Just ahead of her Renaissance album release, Beyoncé shared a letter on her website detailing how special the project is to her.

“This three act project was recorded over three years during the pandemic. A time to be still, but also a time I found to be the most creative,” she wrote in Thursday’s post.

“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world,” she added. “It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”

Beyoncé went on to thank her children, Rumi, Sir and Blue, and her husband, Jay Z, as well as other family members, friends and collaborators.

“To all of my fans: I hope you find joy in this music,” she concluded. “I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are. Love y’all deep, B.”

Renaissance drops on Friday.

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Carly Pearce is known for her authenticity as a songwriter, and while her songs were written about her own emotions and experiences, they often cut just as deep for the fans who listen to her music.

That was the case for a fan Carly recently met, who’d gotten a tattoo of some of the lyrics from “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” a song off her 2020 self-titled sophomore project.

In the song, Carly reminds listeners — and herself — that, good or bad, nothing lasts forever. She remembers being desperate to get out of her hometown as a teenager, experiencing a breakup at 22 and making precious memories with a loved one. In every case, the feeling eventually fades, even if it feels permanent at the time.

For this particular fan, the song’s message helped him survive addiction and had such a huge effect on a difficult chapter of his life that he immortalized Carly’s words on his skin.

“That was crazy, and for him to be vulnerable enough to tell his story of addiction and that he overcame that, it’s powerful,” the singer reflected in an interview with her record label. “It was really amazing and just shows me the power of music, and we can change lives with lyrics.”

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Doja Cat jokingly flexed her vocals by tackling Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper‘s “Shallow.”

Taking to Instagram Live late Wednesday, the “Say So” singer decided to belt out a hammed-up version of the Oscar-winning song from A Star Is Born.

Doja barely enunciated the words as she amped the song up a few octaves and screeched out the chorus, which was all recorded by a fan. The Grammy winner also had fun mispronouncing words and putting a toddler-like spin on her enunciation.

Though she lightly took on the challenge, Doja’s fans applauded her vocal range and pitch.  

Turns out, Gaga, who caught wind of the Instagram live via a fan-recorded clip, was also very impressed. She responded, per Pop Crave, “LADY THATS A SERVE.”

Fans are hoping Doja releases a full version of her “Shallow” cover as they are hungry for new music. The “Kiss Me More” singer previously stated she is retiring from music after a particularly nasty fallout with her South American fans — so it appears her fanbase will take whatever they can get.

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The 1982 Motörhead album Iron Fist is being reissued in honor of its 40th anniversary.

The deluxe package will be released September 23 and includes various demos, alternate versions and instrumentals as well as a previously unreleased full live recording of Motörhead’s 1982 concert at Scotland’s Glasgow Apollo.

You can watch a new video for the demo version of the Iron Fist title track, featuring archival live footage, now on YouTube.

The original Iron Fist had the tough task of following Motörhead’s 1980 album, the iconic Ace of Spades, as well as the band’s beloved 1981 live album, No Sleep ’til Hammersmith. It would also end up being the last Motörhead album to feature the trio’s classic lineup of Lemmy, guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke and drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor.

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Louisiana rapper JayDaYoungan was shot and killed Wednesday in his hometown of Bogalusa, police confirmed in a Facebook post. He was 24.

“On Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 at 5:50 pm the Bogalusa Police Department received a call of a shooting in the 600 block of Superior Avenue,” authorities said. “Officers responded and found that one victim had been transported by POV to Our Lady of the Angels Emergency Room. Another victim, still on scene, was critically wounded and was treated on scene by EMS, then transported to OLA ER.”

In another post, officials identified the victims as JayDaYoungan, birth name Javorius Scott, and close family member Kenyatta Scott Sr., who is in stable condition.

“Detectives are currently conducting interviews and working leads,” the post added.

JayDaYoungan is best known for his songs “23 Island,” “Elimination” and “Opps.” His most recent EP, All Is Well, came out in March.

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Drama, what drama? Selena Gomez grilled bestie Francia Raisa about her red flags when it comes to prospective dates.

The duo played the viral “he’s a 10, but…” game on TikTok, where a player is asked if looks are enough for them to overlook a potential deal breaker.

“He’s a 10, but he only likes to roleplay Star Wars,” Selena challenged before following up with, “Is that weird? I don’t know if that’s weird.”

“Is it weird that I’ve never seen Star Wars,” Francia quipped, earning a knowing grimace from the Grammy nominee.  

The Grown-ish star also shot down a potential date with a good-looking man who “hates everything that you’ve ever been in.” Selena admitted that would also be a deal breaker no matter how handsome that person was. “Bye, boy,” she said. “Sorry but I need the love.”

The two similarly dismissed prospective boyfriends who hate dogs and would never let them drink wine again.

Selena seemed open to dating a 10 with stinky breath, while Francia joked she’d be okay dating a hunk who hated her best friend.

Following reports of an intense falling out in 2019, fans were thrilled to see the two leading ladies back together again — especially after Selena, who suffered from lupus complications, received a life-saving kidney from Francia in 2017.

As seen by this new TikTok, it appears the two’s friendship is stronger than ever.

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Madonna knows biopics are hot right now, and that’s precisely why she got the jump on making one about her life.  

Speaking with Variety, the Grammy winner said making a biopic was about self-preservation and integrity. 

“I’ve had an extraordinary life, I must make an extraordinary film. It was also a preemptive strike because a lot of people were trying to make movies about me,” said Madonna. “Mostly misogynistic men.”

The hitmaker continued, “So I put my foot in the door and said, ‘No one’s going to tell my story, but me.'”

That mentality of ensuring her life story stays firmly hers also extends to her music. While heavy-hitting musicians such as Justin Timberlake and Bruce Springsteen have sold their catalogs for hefty sums, Madonna vowed to never go that route. 

“They’re my songs. Ownership is everything isn’t it?” she quipped.

As for when fans will be able to see her forthcoming biopic, Madonna says she’s still tinkering on the script. “I have a very long script that is really hard for me to make shorter,” she confessed. “I’ve been whittling away at it, but it’s like hacking off my limbs.”

Madonna had co-written the biopic with Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody, who spoke with ABC Audio about the experience.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met anybody with a work ethic like that before. Madonna is just on another level,” the Juno writer said. “If you had told me when I was in the fifth grade that someday I would get to hang out with Madonna….and sit at her knee as she shared the stories of her life? I would never have believed you.”

Cody added, “I can’t really say that much about [the movie] but I can say that I’m profoundly grateful for the experience.”

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Stabbing Westward vocalist Christopher Hall has shared that he’s been diagnosed with throat cancer.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, he wrote, “I’d like to apologize to everyone who made travel plans to see us in August and September. We’ve had to put those shows on hold while I deal with a serious health issue.”

Hall added that his current “prognosis is really good,” but he’ll need to undergo surgery and “6-8 weeks of chemo and radiation.”

“Unfortunately, I won’t be singing anytime soon,” he wrote. “I’m hoping to be feeling more human by Halloween and have my voice back by Christmas.”

Stabbing Westward just released a new album called Chasing Ghosts in March, marking the group’s first full-length effort in over 20 years.

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Olivia Rodrigo caught up with her old High School Musical: The Musical: The Series‘ castmates on the red carpet premiere of season three.

The “good 4 u” hitmaker shared a photo of her posing with Sofia Wylie, Joshua Bassett and Matt Cornett, the rumored ex-boyfriend who supposedly inspired her SOUR album. 

She captioned the post, “love all these people so so so much. knowing and working with them has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” adding “wildcats forever” and a red heart emoji.

Another snap shows Olivia enjoying a cast photo with everyone who appeared in the third season, including guest stars Jason Earles, JoJo Siwa and Corbin Bleu. 

The “drivers license” singer continued the celebration, later sharing HSM’s Instagram post on her Stories alongside three red heart emojis. The post, which read, “We all remember THAT summer!” contained more photos of the cast, including a sweet snap of Olivia wrapping an arm around an excited JoJo Siwa.

Olivia has starred in the show since 2019 as the aspiring singer Nini. Creator Tim Federle previously told ABC Audio that she will have a “meaningful sendoff” in the new season so she can pursue her singing career full-time.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is streaming its third season on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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The Cure has announced a deluxe reissue of the band’s 1992 album, Wish, in honor of its 30th anniversary.

The three-disc set includes newly remastered audio of the original record, a collection of demos, outtakes and rarities, and perhaps most excitingly, the four tracks from the much sought-after 1993 cassette tape Lost Wishes, which has never before been released on CD or digital.

The Wish reissue will be released October 7. You can also pick up a cassette reissue of Lost Wishes that same day.

Wish is The Cure’s ninth album, which spawned the hit single “Friday I’m in Love.”

Meanwhile, The Cure has continued to chip away at a new album, which frontman Robert Smith has said will finally arrive later this year. It’s important to note he’s been saying the same thing since 2019.

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