Kanye West reportedly crashes Kim Kardashian’s party for Chicago, then throws his own

Kanye West reportedly crashes Kim Kardashian’s party for Chicago, then throws his own
Kanye West reportedly crashes Kim Kardashian’s party for Chicago, then throws his own
PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP via Getty Images, Greg Doherty/Getty Images

After Kanye West made claims that estranged wife Kim Kardashian would not let him into their daughter Chicago‘s birthday party, the rapper reportedly crashed it and then threw a party of his own for the four-year-old.

“Yo, I’m so happy right now,” the Yeezy designer, 44, said in an Instagram video on Saturday, per Hollywood Unlocked. “I just came from Chi’s party and I just gotta shout out to Travis Scott for sending me the address and the time and making sure that I was able to spend that birthday memory with my daughter to be there with the rest of the family.” He also thanked Kylie Jenner.  

While Ye expressed his happiness for spending time with his youngest daughter on her special day, an insider who was close to the former couple told Page Six, “He was always having his own party for Chicago. He had it at 4 p.m. at his office downtown [in Los Angeles] that he planned, so it’s so frustrating he crashed Kim’s party and created this narrative that he wasn’t invited.” 

The birthday debacle wasn’t the only drama for the Donda rapper this weekend. The day before, on Friday, he and fellow rapper Game‘s new collaboration leaked and in it Ye makes reference to his divorce from Kim and her new beau Pete Davidson

“We havin’ the best divorce ever / If we go to court, we’ll go to court together / Matter of fact, pick up your sis, we’ll go to Kourt’s together” he raps on the track. Elsewhere he adds, “God saved me from the crash, just so I can beat Pete Davidson’s a**.” 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

John Mellencamp reveals how collaborations with “big brother” Bruce Springsteen came about for his new album

John Mellencamp reveals how collaborations with “big brother” Bruce Springsteen came about for his new album
John Mellencamp reveals how collaborations with “big brother” Bruce Springsteen came about for his new album
Kevin Kane/Getty Images for The Rainforest Fund

John Mellencamp‘s latest studio album, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack, gets its release this Friday, January 21, and the lauded singer/songwriter shares some details about the project in a new interview with Forbes, including how he wound up collaborating with Bruce Springsteen on three songs.

Mellencamp says the collaboration came about “quite by accident,” after he and Springsteen played together at the 2019 benefit concert for Sting‘s Rainforest Fund.

“Bruce and I…met each other years ago, but we just knew each other enough to say hi. But we did a rainforest thing for Sting and…all of a sudden he was like my big brother, and he treated me like I was his sibling, and I treated him with respect,” John explains. “And then we became really good friends, and it just kind of happened. He came to Indiana, he stayed at the house. It was great.”

Springsteen appears on the songs “Wasted Days,” “Did You Say Such a Thing” and “A Life Full of Rain.”

Mellencamp tells Forbes that rather than a collection of disconnected individual songs, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack features 12 tunes he wrote from the perspective of a specific character.

“[A]ll the songs are really one guy speaking,” John notes. “It’s just one guy talking about his life, his future, his self.”

Mellencamp also addressed how his singing voice has changed as he’s gotten older, admitting he’s pleased with its weathered quality.

“I was happy when I heard me sing [the new song] ‘Gone So Soon,’ that I sounded like Louis Armstrong,” the 70-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer maintains. “It wasn’t anything I tried to do, it’s just that cigarettes take their f***ing toll on your vocal cords…But I’m happy that I sound that way.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“I Am Woman”: Emmy Meli turns her “little mantras” into a TikTok trend, a movement and a radio hit

“I Am Woman”: Emmy Meli turns her “little mantras” into a TikTok trend, a movement and a radio hit
“I Am Woman”: Emmy Meli turns her “little mantras” into a TikTok trend, a movement and a radio hit
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Last year, singer/songwriter Emmy Meli wrote some “little mantras” for herself, put them to music and posted it on TikTok. Now she’s got a hit on her hands…and she’s started a whole movement.

Emmy wrote the affirmations that she turned into her empowerment anthem “I Am Woman” — not a cover of Helen Reddy‘s 1972 hit “I Am Woman” — by picking “qualities about me that I thought were unique, that I wanted to pay some more attention to,” she tells ABC Audio. After adding a melody and a beat, she decided to share it online.

“I thought, ‘Hey, this is a really cool message, and I think there are probably women out there who need to hear this too,'” she explains. “And I posted it on a Tuesday night and then got up on Wednesday…and…my friends were texting me, ‘Emily! Emily! Open Tik Tok, look at what’s happening!'”

People started using the song in TikToks to illustrate the lyrics’ messages, like “I’m unbeatable” and “I’m creative.” Soon, Emmy realized what an impact it was having.

“It wasn’t just, ‘Oh, here are some photos of me that I feel beautiful in,'” she notes. “It was people sharing their art…It was female athletes. It was mothers sharing their stories. It was sexual assault survivors sharing their stories. And it was way more than just a random TikTok trend.”

Even celebrities got involved: Ashley Graham, Jada Pinkett Smith and Gabrielle Union are just some of the stars who used “I Am Woman” in TikToks. So which one was she most excited about?

“At first, Ashley Graham,” says Emmy. “I was like, ‘O.K. no way!’ because I’ve looked up to her for a long time.”

She laughs, “And then Jada Pinkett Smith — like, that’s just surreal…So, honestly, all of them!”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Celine Dion cancels her North American Courage tour dates due to her ongoing “recovery from recent health issues”

Celine Dion cancels her North American Courage tour dates due to her ongoing “recovery from recent health issues”
Celine Dion cancels her North American Courage tour dates due to her ongoing “recovery from recent health issues”
ALICE CHICHE/AFP via Getty Images

More bad news for Celine Dion fans: Her North American tour dates for her Courage World Tour have been canceled.

Last year, Celine postponed the launch of her new residency show at Resorts World Las Vegas due to “severe and persistent muscle spasms.” That same issue is the reason why the tour dates — which were set to start March 9 in Denver and run through April 22 in Washington, D.C. — have now been scrapped.

“I was really hoping that I’d be good to go by now, but I suppose I just have to be more patient and follow the regimen that my doctors are prescribing,” the Canadian superstar said in a statement. “There’s a lot of organizing and preparation that goes into our shows, and so we have to make decisions today which will affect the plans two months down the road.”

She added, “I’ll be so glad to get back to full health, as well as all of us getting past this pandemic, and I can’t wait to be back on stage again. Meanwhile, I’ve been very touched by all the words of encouragement that everyone’s been sending to me on social media. I feel your love and support and it means the world to me.”

Fans who bought tickets with a credit card will get automatic refunds.

Celine still plans to complete the European leg of her tour, which is is set to start May 35 in Birmingham, England.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The Scorpions’ release title track from upcoming studio album, ‘Rock Believer’

The Scorpions’ release title track from upcoming studio album, ‘Rock Believer’
The Scorpions’ release title track from upcoming studio album, ‘Rock Believer’
Klaus Voormann/Spinefarm Records

The Scorpions have just released the title track of their forthcoming studio album Rock Believer, which is due out on February 25.

The tune, which is available now via digital formats, combines a catchy melody sung by frontman Klaus Meine with soaring rock accompaniment highlighted by harmonized guitar solos.

Meine, who wrote the song’s lyrics, notes, “Over the years, we’ve heard people say lots of times that rock is dead. But there are still millions of rock believers out there all over the world that prove them wrong. Our fans are the best in the world. We’ll see you someday somewhere out there, because we’re Rock Believers, just like you.”

As previously reported, the “Rock Believer” single’s cover art was designed by Klaus Voormann, who famously created the cover of The Beatles‘ classic 1966 album Revolver. A music video for the song will premiere on The Scorpions’ YouTube channel this Tuesday, January 18, at 12 p.m. ET.

Following the video’s premiere, The Scorpions will be hosting a special after-party and Q&A event that will be accessible to subscribers of the YouTube Premium service. You can submit questions for the band members now in the comments section of this Facebook post.

Rock Believer‘s title track is the second advance song issued from the album, following “Peacemaker.” You can pre-order the album now.

The Scorpions will kick off their 2022 tour itinerary in support of Rock Believer with a nine-date Las Vegas residency at the Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood, running from March 26 to April 16. Visit The-Scorpions.com for more info.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Red Hot Chili Peppers among ‘Rolling Stone’s’ 10-highest paid musicians of 2021

Red Hot Chili Peppers among ‘Rolling Stone’s’ 10-highest paid musicians of 2021
Red Hot Chili Peppers among ‘Rolling Stone’s’ 10-highest paid musicians of 2021
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Red Hot Chili Peppers were among the 10 highest paid musical acts of 2021, Rolling Stone reports.

The “Under the Bridge” outfit ranks at number six on the list with a total of $145 million earned last year, the vast majority of which came from the reported $140 million sale of the band’s publishing catalog to the company Hipgnosis.

Number one on the list is Bruce Springsteen, who took in $590 million, also in large part to the sale of his publishing copyrights and master recordings. Mötley Crüe, another act that unloaded their master recordings in 2021, sits at number nine on the ranking with $95 million.

Red Hot Chili Peppers will look to add to their 2021 earnings with a massive global tour this year, which kicks off with a European trek in June before hitting the U.S. in July. The outing marks RHCP’s first full live run since guitarist John Frusciante rejoined the group in late 2019.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Check out Loverboy’s brand-new song, “Release,” along with accompanying music video

Check out Loverboy’s brand-new song, “Release,” along with accompanying music video
Check out Loverboy’s brand-new song, “Release,” along with accompanying music video
Gary Miller/Getty Images

As Loverboy prepares to return to the stage for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, the veteran Canadian rockers have released a brand-new single, “Release,” that they recorded remotely during lockdown.

The hard-rocking, ’80s-influenced song is available now via streaming services, while a video for the tune has premiered at Loverboy’s YouTube channel. The clip features the band performing the song together, mixed with archival footage of the group playing at various concerts.

Loverboy guitarist Paul Dean began writing “Release” for a heavy-metal band that wanted him to collaborate with them, but when the project fell through, he decided that the song could work as a tune for his own group.

“It started out as a frustrated call to action, after months of lock down, and morphed into a metal anthem about the loyalty and commitment of that audience,” explains Dean, who says the lyrics were inspired by the 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey.

Paul adds, “The communal aspect of heavy rock is almost like a religion. I’ve always been a big metal fan; my son and I have seen many of those bands in concert.”

Dean enlisted his Loverboy band mates to help finish the song, including frontman Mike Reno, who contributed some lyrics as well as lead vocals.

Paul also praises Loverboy drummer Matt Frenette, who sent him seven different drum takes to choose from for the track.

“That was amazing,” Dean enthuses. “It totally blew me away.”

Loverboy will play their first concert in nearly two years on January 23 in Ridgefield, Washington. The band has a variety of other headlining shows scheduled leading up to their upcoming spring/summer tour with Styx and REO Speedwagon, which kicks off May 31 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Diamond, yes please! Maroon 5 celebrates “Sugar” becoming their third RIAA Diamond-certified single

Diamond, yes please! Maroon 5 celebrates “Sugar” becoming their third RIAA Diamond-certified single
Diamond, yes please! Maroon 5 celebrates “Sugar” becoming their third RIAA Diamond-certified single
Don Arnold/WireImage

Maroon 5 has three Grammy Awards and, now, it has three RIAA Diamond-certified singles after their 2015 hit “Sugar” sold over 10 million copies.  Coincidentally, the single turned seven on Thursday so its new recognition from the RIAA seems like one heck of a birthday present.

Maroon 5 took to Instagram to celebrate the tremendous news, using a well-chosen emoji to indicate that their minds are blown by their latest accomplishment.  

The Adam Levine-fronted band said they are “Forever indebted to the world’s greatest fans.”  Sharing an edited picture of the single’s cover art, where the girl is biting down on the new RIAA certification, the hitmakers continued, “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us achieve our 3rd @riaa_awards [diamond emoji] certified single.  #Sugar has gone 11x platinum.” 

Just last month, Maroon 5 notched their second RIAA Diamond-certified hit thanks to their “Girls Like You” collab with Cardi B.  They first snagged the honor with their 2011 hit “Moves Like Jagger.”

The “What Lovers Do” hitmakers are now tied with Imagine Dragons for the band boasting the most Diamond-certified singles. 

In August 2021, ID celebrated two of their songs surpassing 10 million sales — “Believer” and “Demons” — and became the first band to notch three Diamond-certified tracks, according to Chart Data.  Their other song “Radioactive” previously snagged the honor in July 2015.

 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

New Jimi Hendrix-inspired footwear collection arriving later this month from John Fluevog

New Jimi Hendrix-inspired footwear collection arriving later this month from John Fluevog
New Jimi Hendrix-inspired footwear collection arriving later this month from John Fluevog
Walter Iooss Jr./Getty Images

A new collection of Jimi Hendrix-inspired footwear and accessories created by shoe designer John Fluevog in partnership with the Experience Hendrix company, which oversees the late guitar legend’s legacy, will be available starting later this month.

The John Fluevog + Jimi Hendrix collection includes The Stand Up Electric Lady and The Tudor Jimi boots, as well as a uniquely designed bag, belts and bracelets.

The designs were inspired by Hendrix’s life, music, lyrics, art and fashion sense, and Fluevog and his team worked closely with Jimi’s family to create items that pay proper tribute to the rock icon.

The Stand Up Electric Lady is a tall platform boot featuring silk scarf lacing, while The Tudor Jimi is an ankle boot that boasts braided appliqué. Both boots will be available in variations featuring either gold embroidery or purple velvet. The velvet used in the boots features examples of Hendrix’s handwriting.

“I feel such a sense of privilege to be connected to a cultural icon at the level of Jimi Hendrix,” Fluevog says in a statement. “We went deep into Jimi’s clothes, style and overall journey; one can envision him swinging down the streets of London in this collection looking perfect. We’re so proud of it and we’d like to think Jimi would be delighted with our collective efforts.”

Adds Janie Hendrix, Jimi’s sister and Experience Hendrix’s CEO, “If ever a product line has drawn from the very essence of the Hendrix experience, this one has. Fluevog has truly grasped the signature style and energy of Jimi and created pieces that could very well have come out of his closet. The ‘wow effect’ that Jimi unveiled every time he appeared is definitely there!”

The Hendrix collection will be available at John Fluevog stores and website starting January 27.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Both Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato tease new music is on the way

Both Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato tease new music is on the way
Both Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato tease new music is on the way
Athima tongloom/Getty Images

Both Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato delighted their fans by announcing new music is on the horizon. 

For Christina, she shared an image of her and Latin singer Ozuna posing in tight red outfits on Twitter and revealed that the two have a song coming out next week called “Santo.”  Fans can listen to the collab on Thursday, January 20, and are able to pre-save it now.

The single is part of Christina’s upcoming La Fuerza EP, which is meant to promote her larger all-Spanish album release set for later this year.  The Grammy winner has yet to reveal the title of her new project, which will be her first Spanish-language studio effort in over 20 years, following the 2000 release of Mi Reflejo.

As for Demi, the “Confident” singer recently scrubbed their Instagram and appears ready to usher in a brand new era of music.  On Friday, they also announced an upcoming collab with Matthew Koma‘s indie rock band Winnetka Bowling League called “fiimy,” which is a condensed way to say “F*** it, I miss you.”  

In the promo, Demi is heard leaving a voicemail to someone who apparently used to be a close relationship.  “Hey, I’ve been trying to reach you.  Funny, time moves on, maybe I should to… F*** it.  I miss you,” they say before disconnecting the phone.  The single is due out February 4 and is available to pre-save now.

 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.