Music

Like many celebrities and entertainers who have spoken out about Brittney Griner‘s detainment in Russia, Chris Brown chimed in to share his thoughts on the case. 

“It’s not my business. But…..it’s F****d up what they doing to Brittney Griner,” Brown wrote on his Instagram Story, later saved and shared by The Shade Room. 

“IF THIS WAS A MALE STAR ATHLETE YALL WOULD BE WAY MORE VOCAL AND HELPFUL.” He added, “THAT S**T LAME AS F**K.  I WISH I COULD REALLY HELP HER OUT.”

Brown seemingly agrees with Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard, who recently spoke to the media about Griner’s continued detainment.  

“If it was LeBron [James], he’d be home, right?” Nygaard asked, according to USA Today. “It’s a statement about the value of women. It’s a statement about the value of a Black person. It’s a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those things. We know it, and so that’s what hurts a little more.”

The WNBA star has been held in Russia since Feb. 17, when she was arrested while visiting the country to play basketball in the off-season. She was detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport for having vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in the country. In a Thursday court appearance, Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges, saying that the vape cartridges were in her luggage unintentionally. 

“I did not have any intention on breaking Russian law,” she said.

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Travis Denning has a new EP on the way called Might As Well Be Me. The six-song collection is due out August 5, but you can listen to one new track, “Buy a Girl a Drink,” right now.

Zac Brown Band have announced the next duet to come off the deluxe version of their The Comeback album. The track is a version of “Wild Palomino” that features Cody Johnson. It’ll be out next Friday, July 15.

Jelly Roll joined Craig Morgan on the Grand Ole Opry stage on Thursday night, and the pair gave an emotional performance of Craig’s “Almost Home.” It was a full-circle moment for the rising star, who cites Craig as one of his musical heroes.

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Dua Lipa has new rules for the summer and they all involve her new line of spiked seltzers.

Last May the Grammy winner added a new job to her expansive resume: CFO, or “chief flavor officer,” of Truly Hard Seltzer. The two have finally released her first batch of drinks. Dubbed the Truly Poolside Variety Pack, it is packed with flavors inspired by her Future Nostalgia album, reports People.

She invites fans to open a can and sip on flavors such as piña colada style, strawberry melon fizz, kiwi mojito style and orange peach fizz. Each can will come with its own tagline, such as “Floaties Not Included” or “How Chill.”

She also fashioned the cans to hearken back to the ’90s with bold, retro colors and accents.

“I love exploring new ways to express my creativity,” Dua said of her new venture. “Playing CFO, Chief Flavor Officer, for Truly’s new Poolside Variety Pack is the latest trick up my sleeve and it being ready just in time for summer is no coincidence! See you by the pool!”

You can get your hands on a pack through the end of July.

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If you’ve watched Tyler Hubbard’s new music video for his song “35’s,” you may be wondering if the time capsule he dug up in the video was a real artifact from the singer’s past — and sure enough, it is.

On social media, Tyler offers fans a “show-and-tell” of the capsule, which he made and buried when he was “8 or 9 years old,” he says.

The first thing in the box is a Bible, which is fitting: Tyler says the Bible is still as important to him today as it was during his childhood. Also in the box are toys, including a miniature car. “This is a fun little reminder of who I was as a kid,” the singer says, unboxing the car. “I love cars, anything with motors. I love speed.”

Then there are a couple of childhood photos, including one of 6-year-old Tyler at a motocross racing event, and another of him and his father. “This is a special photo of me and my dad when I was super young,” he explains. “I lost my dad when I was 20, so we had a lot more years together, but this photo takes me back to just good times, having fun with him.”

Other artifacts include a Blackhawk CD and a note that he wrote as a kid to his 35-year-old self — which just so happens to be the age that Tyler is now.

“It was just a reminder to stay young and remember where you came from and make sure you stay rooted in your values, and who you know you are,” the singer reflects.

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Mark Ronson is a super-producer, having worked with incredible talents such as Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson and Dua Lipa. And he’s ready to name the artists he thinks are the most naturally gifted.

Speaking with Variety, the Silk City artist revealed Lady Gaga, his “Uptown Funk” collaborator Bruno Mars, Adele, the late Amy Winehouse and Yebba stand out to him most.

“I’m not just listing them because they’re the famous ones. They all have this gift, whether it’s intentional or not, this precipice in their voice where it’s just breaking and they know how much it brings you in,” Ronson described. 

He said of Bruno, “He knows how to write a song on this part of his voice where it’s gonna break, where there’s that urgency.” 

Ronson also assessed Adele’s gift, saying when he worked with her, “She was so happy to do 16, 17, 18 takes — not because she didn’t sing it perfectly the first time, but she knew there’s a part where her voice starts to get worn in a little bit, and then there’s that pain in it that makes us all just melt, you know?”

He worked with the Grammy winner on her songs “Cold Shoulder” and “Why Do You Love Me,” from the respective albums 19 and 25.

However, he is unable to say which artist of the group is the most talented. “They’re all fantastic,” he declared.

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After Simone Biles accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, the celebrated gymnast took to social media to express her gratitude. 

“I’m so honored & thankful to be recognized as a recipient by President Biden for this prestigious award,” she wrote on Instagram after becoming the youngest person ever to receive the award. 

Biles, 25, shared a special image of herself smiling from ear to ear as Biden placed the distinguished medal around her neck. Reflecting on the special moment, she added, “I still have no words. I’m shocked!”

Following Thursday’s celebratory post, Biles shared another sweet image on Friday, this time of her and fiancé, NFL player Jonathan Owens, who posed for a photo from the White House lawn. 

The Houston Texans safety penned a heartfelt letter to his wife-to-be, expressing his love and appreciation for the young star. 

“Words can’t explain how proud i am of you, this has been such a surreal experience to watch you receive your Presidential Medal of Freedom, and be the youngest to ever receive one at that!,” he wrote. “You’re one of the strongest people i know and are so deserving, I’m so blessed to be able to experience this with you.”

Owens concluded by adding, “You motivate me more everyday to be the best version of myself. Such a inspiration, i love you so much babe.”

Biles, in addition to 16 other honorees, including acclaimed actor Denzel Washington, were invited to the White House to attend the medal ceremony. Washington was unable to attend due to testing positive for COVID.

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From compilation albums to projects by gospel legends and emerging R&B artists, check out this week’s New Music Friday for the culture’s latest & greatest in music.

—Brent Fiayaz, Wasteland — Already considered an R&B favorite, the Maryland native dropped off his second studio collection. He recently told Vogue he “didn’t really realize” it was an album until halfway through.

—Tye Tribbett, All Things New — Born out of the pandemic is the gospel legend’s latest project, the first in five years. It features music heavy hitters PJ Morton, Jekalyn Carr, Kierra Sheard and more.

—Kid Cudi, The Boy Who Flew To The Moon Vol. 1  — The new collection features all things old, as Cudi released the 18-track compilation of past hit singles, including “Day ‘N’ Nite” and “Pursuit Of Happiness.”

—K Camp, “Holy Spirit” — Following the release of his latest 2021 album, Float, the Atlanta rapper provided fans with a new catchy single that seems to be part of a forthcoming album. 

—Murda Beatz ft. Quavo, J Balvin, Anitta & Pharrell, “No Más” — The Canadian super producer tapped hip-hop and Latin favorites for the new track, which came with an accompanying music video.  

Hits in Heavy Rotation

—Babyface & Ella Mai, “Keeps On Fallin‘”

—John Legend ft. Muni Long, “Honey“

—Ne-Yo, “Don’t Love Me“

—Beyonce, “Break My Soul“

—Cardi B ft. Ye & Lil Durk, “Hot S**t“

—Lekeyah ft. Latto, “Mind Yo Business“

—Drake, “Sticky“

—Chance the Rapper ft. Joey Bada$$, “The Highs & the Lows“

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We’re officially one step closer to seeing Rob Zombie‘s The Munsters film.

In an Instagram post Thursday, the “Dragula” rocker revealed that he’d wrapped filming on the project, which had been shooting in Budapest, Hungary.

“Well, that’s a wrap on everyone involved with The Munsters!” Zombie wrote. “Thanks Budapest you’ve been great. Enjoy your new Mockingbird Lane.”

Zombie’s The Munsters is, of course, a film adaptation of the beloved ’60s sitcom of the same name. It’s expected to premiere in the fall.

The movie’s cast includes Jeff Daniel Phillips, Sheri Moon Zombie and Daniel Roebuck as Herman, Lily and Grandpa Munster, respectively, as well as original Munsters actors Butch Patrick and Pat Priest.

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It’s Friday! Let’s see who’s out with new tunes…

DNCE released “Got Me Good,” a summer breakup anthem about someone getting played by their own handbook. “I can’t be that mad/ Got what I was giving/ Took a page from my book/ Damn baby you got me good,” frontman Joe Jonas croons over a bass beat that may just make your head nod.

blackbear is out with “the idea,” a song he credits for inspiring the forthcoming album in loving memory. The song stokes those nostalgic emo vibes from the early aughts. The track’s produced by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who features in the song’s music video. 

Marshmello teamed with Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram for the hypnotic new track “Sah Sah.” Marshmello said of working with the renowned “Queen of Arab Pop,” “I feel super grateful to be able to work on this song and step into her culture. I love that she trusted me and let me blend my style into her style.”

The Weeknd re-released the title track of his DAWN FM album and teamed with Uncut Gems composer OPN for a remix. The Weeknd played himself in the 2019 movie. “Dawn FM (OPN Remix)” blends in 80s retrowave synths and a Stranger Things-like beat while also amping up the singer’s haunting vocals.  

After the opening verse of her song went viral on TikTok, Devon Cole released the full version of “W.I.T.C.H.” — the acronym for “woman in total control of herself.” Devon said in a statement her song “reclaims the witch as a symbol of women’s resistance.” The feminist anthem features a ’70s funk beat and rebellious fairytale symbolism.

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