Mariah Carey keeps Christmas atop the ’Billboard’ Hot 100 for record-breaking 8th week

Mariah Carey keeps Christmas atop the ’Billboard’ Hot 100 for record-breaking 8th week
Mariah Carey keeps Christmas atop the ’Billboard’ Hot 100 for record-breaking 8th week
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MC

The holidays may be over, but Christmas is still very much alive on the Billboard charts, thanks to Mariah Carey.

Her 1994 hit single, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” remains the number-one song in the country for a record-breaking eighth week.  No other holiday track has come close to that number.  The single sold nearly 5,000 copies and was streamed a jaw-dropping 35.4 million times between December 24 and December 30.  

This is now Mariah’s fifth song to spend eight weeks at number one, which officially ties her with Drake, who is the only other artist to achieve such a feat.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” now holds the record for enjoying the longest span atop the Hot 100, which is two years and 18 days, after first debuting atop the chart on December 21, 2019.

The single also gives Mariah a boost in becoming the artist with the longest time span on top of the prestigious chart, with “All I Want for Christmas Is You” granting her a streak that is 31 years, five months and one week long since “Vision of Love” first hit the Hot 100 on August 4, 1990.  As previously reported, Mariah’s also the only artist in Billboard history to send a song to number one in four different decades.

Lastly, Mariah secures her 87th week atop the Hot 100, further leaving Rihanna in the dust with her second-place finish of 60 weeks atop the chart.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” is Mariah’s 19th song to top the Billboard Hot 100, putting her right behind the Beatles, who saw 20 of their songs top the Hot 100 throughout their career. 

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Royal & the Serpent releasing new song this Friday

Royal & the Serpent releasing new song this Friday
Royal & the Serpent releasing new song this Friday
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

If 2022 already has you feeling “Overwhelmed,” maybe some fresh music will help.

Royal & the Serpent has announced a new single called “Phuckboi Rejects.” The tune is set to drop this Friday, January 7.

“Rejects” will follow Royal’s 2021 EP Searching for Nirvana, which includes her breakout single, “Overwhelmed.” Last year, Royal also released collaborations including “Sound the Alarm,” with The Knocks and Weezer‘s Rivers Cuomo, and a remix of GAYLE‘s “abcdefu.”

In addition to releasing new music, Royal’s 2022 plans include hitting the road opening for grandson‘s U.S. tour, which launches February 27 in Los Angeles.

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Snoop Dogg says Super Bowl halftime show will be “the greatest performance…in hip hop history”

Snoop Dogg says Super Bowl halftime show will be “the greatest performance…in hip hop history”
Snoop Dogg says Super Bowl halftime show will be “the greatest performance…in hip hop history”
Courtesy Pepsi and NFL

As Super Bowl 56 approaches on February 13, Snoop Dogg is promising a historic halftime show.

The Doggfather appeared on Monday Night Football with NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, and he told the brothers he’s grateful for the opportunity to perform with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige.

“We’re so thankful that NFL is accepting hip hop on stage and letting us do what we do. We plan on putting together a great show and giving the people something they’ve been waiting for,” the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper said. “They love to watch a great Super Bowl game and at halftime they love to see who’s gonna perform, so we’re gonna give you the greatest performance you’ve even seen in hip hop history.”

The five superstars, who have collectively earned 43 Grammys and have created 22 number-one Billboard albums, will be performing together for the first time. Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation is serving as the strategic entertainment advisor of the Super Bowl halftime show at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

Snoop, Dre and Lamar all grew up in the Los Angeles area, making the performance even more special for them.

“The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career,” Dre previously said in a statement. “I’m grateful to Jay-Z, Roc Nation, the NFL, and Pepsi as well as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar for joining me in what will be an unforgettable cultural moment.”

As Snoop prepares for the big show, he just dropped Algorithm: The Movie, an hour-long combination of music videos and artist interviews from his Algorithm album, featuring FabolousDave East and more.

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Lady A to share “What a Song Can Do” as new single

Lady A to share “What a Song Can Do” as new single
Lady A to share “What a Song Can Do” as new single
BMLG Records

Lady A is showing fans “What a Song Can Do” with their new single. 

The title track of their latest album serves as a tribute to their fans, and the years they’ve spent connecting with them touring across the globe. The lyrics detail the power of music and the various emotions it draws out of us, compelling us to laugh, cry, or even give one’s heart away. 

“We have been overfilled with gratitude after releasing this album and we don’t take it lightly that after eight albums our music still resonates with so many people. This song is the summation of where our hearts are right now and how much music can really pull us through in times of need,” the trio’s Charles Kelley, who co-write the song, says in a statement. “We love writing songs about lost love and things like that, but I feel like our favorite material comes with a strong positive message.”

What a Song Can Do was released in October 2021. The title track will officially be shipped to country radio on January 31.

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Never gonna Frito-Lay you down: Rick Astley launches fun New Year’s resolution campaign

Never gonna Frito-Lay you down: Rick Astley launches fun New Year’s resolution campaign
Never gonna Frito-Lay you down: Rick Astley launches fun New Year’s resolution campaign
Dave Simpson/WireImage

Rick Astley is the man who launched 1,000 memes, thanks to his 1987 hit, “Never Gonna Give you Up.”  Now he will be known for something else — a Frito-Lay spokesperson.

Announced Tuesday, the British pop singer is teaming up with the chip maker to launch a campaign centered around New Year’s resolutions, titled “New Year, New You.”  Taking inspiration from his meme-worthy hit single, the campaign looks at what people want to give up in 2022, before giving them permission to indulge in the things they love.

The message challenges people to think about the intent behind their New Years resolutions and why giving up the things you love isn’t always the solution.  Frito-Lay and Rick argue that resolutions about getting healthy shouldn’t mean going cold turkey on your favorite snack, but instead looking into smarter options.

“No one should start a new year with a list of things they’re giving up, so I’ve partnered again with Frito-Lay to continue encouraging people to do more of what they love,” the singer said in a press release. “The point of Frito-Lay’s ‘New Year, New You’ campaign is that we can still enjoy the things we love while also making choices we feel good about. That doesn’t just have to be about snacking, either. It’s an idea that can resonate across all areas of our lives.”

Rick wants you to tell Frito-Lay what YOU love on NeverGonnaGiveItUp.com for a chance to win $1,000.  The deadline to enter is February 27.

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David Lee Roth cancels remaining Las Vegas residency shows

David Lee Roth cancels remaining Las Vegas residency shows
David Lee Roth cancels remaining Las Vegas residency shows
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

After canceling the first two shows of his nine-date Las Vegas residency at the House of Blues scheduled for New Year’s Eve and in January, David Lee Roth‘s entire run of performances at the venue has now been nixed.

According to a statement shared by the House of Blues with ABC Las Vegas affiliate KTNV a few days ago, the founding Van Halen frontman’s concerts on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day were canceled “[d]ue to unforeseen circumstances related to COVID and out of an abundance of caution for those working and attending the shows.” However, no reason for the cancellation of the remaining shows — scheduled for January 5, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 — has been announced.

The House of Blues website lists all of Roth’s upcoming gigs as canceled, and reports that refunds will be available “at point of purchase.” For more information, visit LiveNationEntertainment.com/ticketrefund.

For Roth’s part, he posted the image of a new painting on his official website and social media pages that includes the caption, “A funny thing happened on the way to Las Vegas…” The painting appears to be of a dirt road stretching out into a barren desert landscape.

As previously reported, Roth announced in an October 2021 interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the House of Blues shows would be his farewell performances.

“I am throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring,” Roth said in the interview.

According to KTNV, Nevada governor Steve Sisolak announced on Monday that the state has had an “alarming” surge of COVID-19 cases following the holidays. Last Thursday, the Southern Nevada region recorded its highest number of daily COVID-19 infections since the start of the pandemic in early 2020.

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Old Abel: The Weeknd reveals ‘Dawn FM’ album cover

Old Abel: The Weeknd reveals ‘Dawn FM’ album cover
Old Abel: The Weeknd reveals ‘Dawn FM’ album cover
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

For his last album, After Hours, The Weeknd played a character with a beat-up and bruised face.  And for the cover of his new album Dawn FM, he’s sporting yet another dramatic look.

As revealed on his Instagram, the cover of the album shows the star as an old man with grey hair and a beard. He also appears as an old man in the album trailer, which was released on Monday.

Dawn FM will arrive on Friday, but you can pre-order it now.

The Weeknd has also responded to his friend Jim Carrey‘s tweet about how the album, on which he appears, is “deep and elegant.” 

Thank you for being a part of this. It’s kismet. Full circle,” the singer wrote to Carry on Twitter. As previously reported, the two Canadians have been friends for a couple of years, after they discovered they lived a few buildings away from each other and were both telescope enthusiasts.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by The Weeknd (@theweeknd)

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“Best decision I’ve ever made”: Kane Brown’s wife shares why they kept their pregnancy a secret

“Best decision I’ve ever made”: Kane Brown’s wife shares why they kept their pregnancy a secret
“Best decision I’ve ever made”: Kane Brown’s wife shares why they kept their pregnancy a secret
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Kane Brown and his wife Katelyn shocked fans when they revealed on December 30 that they’d had another child. Now Katelyn is opening up about why the couple kept her pregnancy a secret. 

Unlike her first pregnancy with eldest child Kingsley, the couple purposefully kept the news of the birth of new daughter Kodi Jane out of the public eye. Katelyn says this decision allowed her to form a special bond with the new baby and her husband. 

“These past 9 months have been so sacred and special to me. Choosing to keep my pregnancy quiet was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Katelyn expresses in an Instagram post alongside a black-and-white photo of herself holding her baby bump. “Soaking in special moments with my daughter and husband without the influence of social media and outside world made this time that much more intimate and unforgettable.”

She goes on to thank fans for their kindness and support while also praising her superstar husband.

“I am so grateful and blessed to be these little girls mama and can not wait to raise strong, confident, sweet little ladies with you @kanebrown_music … you are the man we all look up to,” she professes.

Katelyn also shared a video of never-before-seen footage captured throughout her pregnancy that includes a sweet clip of Kingsley gently rubbing her belly, along with photos from the hospital that shows the couple smiling from ear-to-ear as Katelyn holds baby Kodi.       

After Kodi’s birth, Kane shared a family photo of himself holding Kinsgley as his wife accentuated her baby bump in a pink tule dress. “Been holding on to these pics. I’ve always wanted a son until I had Kingsley and now I’m good with all my girls,” he reflected. 

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Bryan Adams reveals the unusual way he’d like to be remembered

Bryan Adams reveals the unusual way he’d like to be remembered
Bryan Adams reveals the unusual way he’d like to be remembered
Credit: Bryan Adams

2021 was tough for Bryan Adams: He got COVID-19 twice. Thankfully, he didn’t succumb to his illness. But the veteran star has considered how he’d like to be remembered — and it’s pretty unique.

The publication Ramp.space asked Bryan if he’d like to be remembered as a musician or as a photographer, which is his other passion. “I could [sic] care less if I’m remembered or not,” Adams responded. “In fact, if I woke up tomorrow and there was no trace of me on the internet, I’d be thrilled.”

But after that harsh response, the “Summer of ’69” rocker gave the question a bit more thought.

I once did an interview with a Brazilian journalist who asked me if I knew how many kisses my songs were responsible for. I had never thought about that before,” Bryan mused. “He calculated that it would be in the billions. I really liked that. Imagine being responsible for a billion kisses!”

He went on to say that if he were to be remembered in that way, “That would be okay with me, because without love we are nothing.”

“So to be able to bring a little love into this world — that means everything to me,” he added.

Bryan’s new album, So Happy It Hurts, is out March 11. He’s already released three songs from it: the title track,On the Road” and “Kick A**.”  While his New Year’s Eve show in Vancouver was canceled due to COVID-19, he hints that he might want to hit the road this year after doing a November 2021 mini-residency in Las Vegas.

On Instagram, Bryan wrote, “I wonder what 2022 will be like, because after the Vegas shows, the idea of touring got under my skin again. Looking forward to seeing you all.”

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Billie Eilish reveals that she was secretly a redhead for a week

Billie Eilish reveals that she was secretly a redhead for a week
Billie Eilish reveals that she was secretly a redhead for a week
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

When Billie Eilish went blonde earlier this year, it made headlines. But it turns out she managed to keep another change she made to her hair color a few months ago under wraps.

On her Instagram Story on Monday, Billie posted photos dated November 22 of herself at a salon, sporting red hair. She captioned it, “Took the blonde out and went red for a week hehe.”  Ultimately, though, she ended up with a dark brunette color, which she debuted in early December.

It was in March of 2021 that the Grammy winner unveiled her platinum blonde ‘do, which she later revealed she’d covered with a black-and-green wig for weeks because it took that long to get the color right.

Billie posted the redhead pics as part of a response to fans choosing random dates and asking her to post photos that were taken on that day.  The photos that are currently live show her behind-the-scenes of the Met Gala and Saturday Night Live, the day she took all the publicity photos for her album Happier than Ever, a first look at her Met Gala dress, random pics of her dog, and photos of her leg bandaged after she suffered what she called a “really nice second degree burn.”

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