Music

There hasn’t been much to laugh about in the Foo Fighters world over the last month or so, but perhaps the home release of Studio 666 might be able to help.

The horror-comedy movie, which stars the members of the Foos as fictionalized versions of themselves trying to record a new album in a haunted mansion, will be available to buy digitally on May 10, and on Blu-ray and DVD May 24.

Studio 666 first premiered in theaters this past February, and has been available as an on-demand rental since March. Frontman Dave Grohl also recorded a metal EP under the moniker Dream Widow, the name of a fictional band from the movie.

It was the same day that the Dream Widow EP dropped, March 25, that drummer Taylor Hawkins unexpectedly died at age 50. Foo Fighters have remained quiet since, breaking their silence only to announce the cancellation of their tour dates.

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Demi Lovato‘s seventh studio album, Dancing with the Devil… the Art of Starting Over, has surpassed over a billion Spotify streams.  This is Demi’s fourth album to accomplish this feat. The singer reacted on their Instagram Story, “Y’all are the best.”

Even PSY is jumping on the ’80s trend.  He dropped his newest music video, which features Korean singer Hwa Sa and is soundtracked to a funky, ’80s dance beat.  Nostalgic sounds have made a major comeback in recent years, as seen in The Weeknd‘s After Hours album or practically everything Silk Sonic does.

GAYLE shared a stripped-down version of her song “kiddie pool,” where she is accompanied by a cello and violin.  Fans are fawning over her raw vocals and are begging her to release more acoustic versions of her songs.

Drew Barrymore is leaving the door open for Britney Spears to join her daytime talk show.  This happened after Britney called the Charlie’s Angels actress one of the most beautiful people she met.  Drew told Variety she hopes to host an “openhearted” conversation with the “Toxic” singer one day, adding, “There’s not a ton of us out there who have publicly lost our freedom, had breakdowns in front of everyone, become punchlines and fought our way back.”  

If you’re in New York City, you can check out Camila Cabello‘s new pop up store. Camila is repping Victoria’s Secret first bilingual campaign for their Bombshell fragrance and a celebratory pop up store is up and running “on The High Line” through May 9, she announced on Instagram.

DNCE is heading to Washington, D.C. to celebrate Pride. The “Dancing Feet” singers will headline the Capital Pride Concert on June 12, reports Metro Weekly. This marks the first time since the start of the pandemic the nation’s capitol has hosted the event.

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DNCE is heading to Washington, D.C. to celebrate Pride.  The “Dancing Feet” singers will headline the Capital Pride Concert on June 12, reports Metro Weekly. This marks the first time the nation’s capitol has hosted the event since the start of the pandemic.

ABBA unveiled the digital avatars they’ll use in their Voyage shows on May 17, which take place at the specially built ABBA Arena at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. NME obtained photos of the digital versions of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.  The lifelike avatars are de-aged versions of the singers wearing glittering outfits.

Michael Bublé roped in his crew to help hype his upcoming Higher tour.  Upon finishing their hilarious announcement, everyone jumps around excitedly.  “Believe it or not, they were even more excited when I started my PowerPoint presentation,” he joked.  Tickets go on sale Friday.

Spice Girls singers Emma Bunton and Mel B are heading to Netflix’s The Circle.  They revealed in a teaser that they’re “massive” fans of the show.  The girls will don disguises and catfish the other contestants in an effort to score a cash jackpot.  Lance Bass played a role in the previous season.  Episodes are streaming now.

It’s May!  And you are probably glad those Justin Timberlake memes are on ice for another year. Meanwhile, YouTube announced views for NSYNC‘s “It’s Gonna Be Me” surged by 380 percent compared to its prior average daily views for 2022 thanks to those memes!

If you’re in New York City, you can check out Camila Cabello‘s new pop up store.  Camila is repping Victoria’s Secret first bilingual campaign for their Bombshell fragrance and a celebratory pop up store is up and running “on The High Line” through May 9, she announced on Instagram. 

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–It’s shaping up to be a great year in music for Tyler, the Creator. 

After taking home the Best Rap Album Grammy award for Call Me If You Get Lost earlier this year, the rap superstar recently earned some more commendable accolades: 14 new RIAA certifications.

Among the list of top songs to receive Platinum and Gold certifications is his 2017 hit single “I Ain’t Got Time,” which was certified gold for selling at least 500,000 units since it’s release on July 19. “Boredom,” “See You Again” and “911/Mr. Lonely,” meanwhile, all reached the mark of 1 million units sold, earning them Platinum status. 

“THANK YOU TO EVERY EAR,” Tyler wrote on Twitter. 

—Blac Chyna is looking to square up in the ring soon, as the reality TV star recently announced that she signed on for a celebrity boxing match. 

In a Instagram video shared by The Shade Room on Wednesday, Blac Chyna revealed she’s searching for an opponent who will go toe to toe with her on June 11 at the Charles Dodge Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida. 

Official Celebrity Boxing producer Damon Feldman told Radar Online, “We have been holding on to this news for a long time and feel that today is the perfect time to share the news and know her match will be talked about for years.”

Since the announcement, fellow reality-TV star Jhonni Blaze has raised her hand to meet Chyna in the ring. 

–Super producer DJ Mustard has filed for divorce from his wife of almost two years, Chanel Thierry.

According to court documents obtained by People, Mustard cites “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split. 

The couple married in October 2020 but have been together since they were 19 years old. Together they share three children — Kiylan, Kauner and Kody.

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Before hitting it big, Lil Nas X used to work at Taco Bell.  Now, he’s teaming up with his old employer to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Following last year’s announcement that he was named Taco Bell’s Chief Impact Officer, in charge of designing new brand experiences, Nas is ready to unleash his new project: the Ambition Accelerator.  

According to a press release, the initiative is “specifically designed to help young people seeking to make change in their communities and around the world.”  Those between the ages of 16 and 26 are encouraged to submit their ideas about how to tackle critical issues impacting people and the planet — such as climate change or social justice — to Taco Bell.  The goal is to encourage a wave of positive change.

“This is a program for the dreamers and disruptors,” the Grammy winner declared. “Be delusional and chase your dreams, and find the right support you need along the way, which just might be from Taco Bell.”

Applications are open now through July 21 on the Ambition Accelerator website.  Winners will be awarded up to $25,000 and be connected with a mentor to help shape and grow their vision.  They will also present at the Ambition Accelerator Summit, taking place November 3 through November 6 at Taco Bell Headquarters.

The initiative also includes help from the global network Ashoka, which aims to inspire young entrepreneurs.

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In case you missed it, Walker Hayes was on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna Wednesday morning, talking about his new book, Glad You’re Here, which he co-wrote with Craig Allen Cooper.

Chris Janson is planning a night-long takeover of the Circle Network this Saturday. The programming includes the premiere of Chris’ first-ever documentary, My Journey: Chris Janson, which airs on the network at 8 p.m. ET.

Craig Morgan, The War and Treaty and Trace Adkins are all on the bill for the Grand Ole Opry’s upcoming Salute the Troops show honoring the U.S. military and veterans. The event is set for May 24; tickets are available now.

Josh Turner is headlining the annual July 4 Patriot Festival Concert in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Beginning at 8 p.m., it’s a free concert, with a fireworks show to follow.

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Pearl Jam paid tribute to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins during their concert in San Diego Tuesday.

As noted by SPIN and captured in fan-shot footage posted to YouTube, frontman Eddie Vedder took a moment to honor Hawkins before performing the song “Quick Escape,” specifically mentioning Hawkins’ friendship with PJ drummer Matt Cameron.

“[Hawkins] emitted something very incredible and very special,” Vedder said. “We’re all missing him.”

Turning back toward Cameron, Vedder continued, “Matt, I’m sorry again for your loss. But it just gives us another chance to say how much we appreciate you, as well.”

Hawkins died unexpectedly on March 25 at age 50, after which Foo Fighters canceled all of their tour dates. Members of the Foos were reportedly in attendance when Red Hot Chili Peppers performed in their place last weekend at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Pearl Jam’s San Diego show marked their first show since Hawkins’ passing, and the band’s first stop on their long-delayed U.S. tour, which was originally scheduled for 2020 before getting postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The outing will continue Friday in Los Angeles.

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Dolly Parton says she’s “honored and humbled” by her inclusion into this year’s class of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, which were announced on Wednesday.

“Of course I will accept it gracefully,” Dolly continues in a statement on social media. “Thanks to everyone that voted for me and to everyone at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I will continue to work hard and try to live up to the honor.”

The crossover country legend will join the Hall in its Performers category, alongside Pat Benatar, Duran Duran, Carly Simon, Eminem, Eurythmics and Lionel Richie.

Dolly hasn’t always been sold on the idea that she deserves to be part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When nominees were first announced for this year, she asked to be removed from the ballot, explaining that, as an artist primarily working in country music, she didn’t feel as if she’d earned that recognition in the rock world.

“I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out,” she said at the time.

But the Hall countered that Dolly would stay on the ballot, regardless of her wishes, pointing out that rock “is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture,” according to a statement.

Subsequently, in an installment of NPR’s Morning Edition, Dolly said she’d “accept gracefully” if inducted, elaborating, “I just felt like I would be taking away from someone that maybe deserved it, certainly more than me, because I never considered myself a rock artist. But obviously, there’s more to it than that.”

The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place November 5 in Los Angeles.

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In a series of videos posted on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s official YouTube channel, some of this year’s newly-minted inductees into the Hall share their reactions to the honor.

“The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is the Holy Grail as far as I’m concerned, in terms of your peers, who you’re in there with, the history, what they all had to go through to get here,” raved Lionel Richie. He added, “To be able to join this group is ‘Check!’ That was a bucket list check, right there!”

Pat Benatar, who’s being inducted with her husband and musical partner Neil Giraldo, emphasized that being in the Hall won’t change their lives. However, she added, “It’s just really nice for your children, for the legacy, for the fans, that’s what I think.” 

Giraldo added that the biggest honor he and Pat will ever receive is the fact that fans tell them their music changed their lives.

Meanwhile, Carly Simon was enthusiastic about the fact that she’ll now be in the Hall with some of her favorite artists, like Bob Dylan, Todd Rundgren, The Doobie Brothers and Robert Johnson.

“It’s like you join the list of your favorite singers,” she said. “…[Y]ou’re up there, it’s a collection of names — but it’s an honor. And it’s like any other honor: you got something to show for it in your dreams for the rest of your life…and you’re gonna feel maybe silently proud, you pat yourself on the back.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Gala will take place November 5 at LA’s Microsoft Theater and air on HBO and HBO MAX at a later date.

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Lil Durk is taking his moniker “The Voice” to an entirely new level. 

Before wrapping up his 7220 Tour in a sold-out show at Chicago’s United Center on Monday, Durk, aka Durkio, aka Smurk, gave back to the community that raised him in an impactful way. 

By way of his Neighborhood Heroes Foundation, the 29-year-old “Backdoor” rapper announced the launching of an HBCU program, designed as a resource to expose young Black students to different career paths. 

A statement posted to the Foundation’s Instagram reads, “Yesterday, we launched our foundation’s Career Readiness program as we’re investing time, money, and resources into young Black Neighborhood Heroes from the South Side of Chicago to help bring their passion to life.”

In celebration of the trailblazing program, Durk invited 20 students from the South Side to the White Sox- Angels baseball match-up on Monday, where the teens watched him throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch and enjoy all the perks of a luxury stadium suite. 

In response to the reason behind his give-back effort, Durk said, “We ain’t eva had it growing up…I’m just tryna be different.”

Fresh off a high that is 7220‘s number one placement on the Billboard 200 chart — twice — and his engagement to long-time girlfriend India Royale, Durk is constantly showing that he’s just warming up. 

“I feel the energy of going #1 I appreciate the world for locking in wit me – THE voice,” he said. 

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