Music notes: Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and more

Music notes: Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and more
Music notes: Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and more
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Amazon

Billie Eilish wasn’t bummed that Happier Than Ever missed out on the Album of the Year Grammy, says winner Jon Batiste.  He told Stephen Colbert that, prior to his album We Are being announced as the category’s winner on Sunday, Billie and her brother FINNEAS turned around in their seats and told him, “We really hope you win this one.” 

Lady Gaga isn’t one to clap back at fans, but she felt this comment warranted a correction. When reminiscing about winning her first Grammy for “Poker Face,” a fan commented, “I miss the person in the picture so much” — a reference to Gaga’s pop era. The House of Gucci star wrote back, along with an upside down smiling emoji, “I’m still here. See you at the Chromatica ball.”

Gwen Stefani says she is “so into” her marriage with Blake Shelton, telling Ellen DeGeneres on her show, “He’s my best friend. He’s so much fun.” She explained Blake wasn’t at the taping because he’s “literally on the tractor right now turning dirt for me.” The “Sweet Escape” singer revealed she’s “planting seeds” in her garden soon, which includes daffodils, tulips, zinnias, wildflowers and more.

Taylor Swift‘s fans are so desperate to see her speak and earn her doctorate from New York University, they’re practically bribing NYU students for their graduation tickets. The student-run blog, The Click, claims some fans are saying they’ll pay $500 a pop. NYU has now barred the sale of graduation tickets, saying students caught breaking the rules will face disciplinary measures, including “delayed issuance of a degree or diploma.”

Speaking of Taylor, pal Camila Cabello called her an “emo queen.” Camila revealed to U.K.’s Hits Radio the artists that took over her playlist, saying she loves “getting in my feels.” The “Bam Bam” singer added she would “love to collab” with Taylor. 

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Music notes: The Weeknd, Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift and more

Music notes: The Weeknd, Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift and more
Music notes: The Weeknd, Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift and more
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Amazon

The Weeknd is heading to Coachella with his “Moth to a Flame” collaborators Swedish House Mafia, taking over for Kanye West, who bowed out on Monday.  The music festival unveiled its new lineup Wednesday.  The Weeknd will take over the Sunday night performances on April 17 and 24.  Harry Styles is also a headliner.

Gwen Stefani says she is “so into” her marriage with Blake Shelton, telling Ellen DeGeneres on her show, “He’s my best friend. He’s so much fun.”  She explained Blake wasn’t at the taping because he’s “literally on the tractor right now turning dirt for me.”  The “Sweet Escape” singer revealed she’s “planting seeds” in her garden soon, which includes daffodils, tulips, zinnias, wildflowers and more.

Taylor Swift‘s fans want so badly to see her speak and earn her doctorate from New York University, they’re bribing NYU students for their graduation tickets.  The student-run blog, The Click, claims some fans are saying they’ll pay $500 a pop.  NYU has now barred the sale of graduation tickets, saying students caught breaking the rules will face disciplinary measures, including “delayed issuance of a degree or diploma.”

Speaking of Taylor, pal Camila Cabello called her an “emo queen.”  Camila revealed to U.K.’s Hits Radio the artists that took over her playlist, saying she loves “getting in my feels.” The “Bam Bam” singer added she would “love to collab” with Taylor.

Lady Gaga isn’t one to clap back at fans, but she felt this comment warranted a correction.  When reminiscing about winning her first Grammy for “Poker Face,” a fan commented, “I miss the person in the picture so much” — a reference to Gaga’s pop era.  The House of Gucci star wrote back, along with an upside down smiling emoji, “I’m still here.  See you at the Chromatica ball.”

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Tory Lanez posts bail, Russell Wilson shares pick-up line used on Ciara, and more

Tory Lanez posts bail, Russell Wilson shares pick-up line used on Ciara, and more
Tory Lanez posts bail, Russell Wilson shares pick-up line used on Ciara, and more
John Shearer/Getty Images

—Tory Lanez posted $350,000 bail on Tuesday, after he was taken into custody for violating a protective order against Megan Thee Stallion, per a Los Angeles judge.

Lanez, 29, appeared in court regarding the felony assault case in which the rapper is accused of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in her foot during a 2020 altercation. Lanez is said to have violated the order by allegedly sharing discovery in the case and addressing Megan on social media. 

Only a few went hours went by, after it was reported that Lanez was arrested, before the rapper was seen getting into a Lamborghini and telling a court reporter he feels “amazing.”

—Russell Wilson revealed the details about his first date with now-wife Ciara. 

The football star recently appeared on Kevin Hart‘s Laugh Out Loud Radio show, where he let the hosts in on the conversation that changed his relationship status from single to taken. 

Recalling the unforgettable moment he said, “First day we met – and we had been talking for two-and-a-half hours, hanging out – she saw [my old] wallet, sitting on the table. She said, ‘What the hell is that? You’re losing with that.'”

His response, putting his finger up and saying, “First of all, with me, you’re never losing,” turned out to be one she clearly appreciated. The two tied the knot in 2016 and are raising three children together. 

—Kanye West‘s name can’t seem to stay off the internet blogs — this time there’s something to celebrate! 

The 24-time Grammy-winner landed spot number 1513 on Forbes World’s Billionaire List, as his net worth increased to $2 billion according to the business magazine. 

His Yeezy sneaker brand, Gap & Balenciaga partnerships and stake in Kim Kardashian‘s shape wear brand Skims, all contribute to the rapper’s income. 

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Camila Cabello on sex toys, nip slips and getting drunk with Taylor

Camila Cabello on sex toys, nip slips and getting drunk with Taylor
Camila Cabello on sex toys, nip slips and getting drunk with Taylor
John Phillips/Disasters Emergency Committee/Getty Images for Livewire Pictures Ltd

Camila Cabello has never been one to hold back, and she definitely doesn’t in a new interview with U.K.’s Hits Radio.

In a round of “Answering the Internet,” Camila responds to random questions or comments that people have asked about her or made about her on Twitter.  Asked to name the most surreal place she’s been recognized, Camila admits, “I think there was a picture of me at a sex toy shop once, and I was just, like, getting a vibrator.”

She laughs, “There was a picture, and I was like, ‘That’s a weird place for people to be like, ‘Is that the singer?'”

When another fan asks her about her notorious “nip slip” on BBC’s The One Show — in which she briefly exposed her breast while showing off her favorite dance move — Camila replied, “I really don’t care about my nip slip…I’ve purposely nip-slipped before. Publicly!  Have you ever been topless, ladies, in the ocean? It feels amazing and I hate that they deprive us of that!”

Asked to name the first thing she does in the morning, Camila says bluntly, “On a day when I’m not working and I can sleep late…I’ll just get up and pee.”

Finally, asked what she and her pals Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift talk about when they’re hanging out, Camila laughed, “We’ve hung out together, like, two times and we were all very drunk. I don’t remember what we talked about!”

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D.C. nightclub apologizes after rapper’s dead body was on display

D.C. nightclub apologizes after rapper’s dead body was on display
D.C. nightclub apologizes after rapper’s dead body was on display
Flashpop/Getty Images

(NOTE LANGUAGE) Washington, D.C. venue Bliss nightclub issued an apology earlier this week, after receiving backlash for hosting a home-going event for a dead rapper — with his corpse on full display. 

Public outcry broke out after photos and videos of 24-year-old Maryland rapper Goonew, born Markelle Marrow, circulated online, with the rapper reportedly propped upright on stage, fully clothed and wearing a crown on his head, according to ABC affiliate WJLA.

In a statement posted on Twitter, club management claimed to have been aware of the home-going celebration but not of “what would transpire.”

The Twitter apology reads in full: “Our deepest condolences to Goonew’s family, friends and fans. Bliss was contacted by a local funeral home to rent out our venue for Goonew’s home-going celebration. Bliss was never made aware of what would transpire. We sincerely apologize to all those who may be upset or offended. Please keep Goonew’s family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time.”

Rapper 50 cent was among many who was stunned by the footage. “oh s*** ! i just realized what this is,” he said. Another Twitter user wrote, “the way my heart DROPPED when i realized that he’s actually NOT alive, & NOT holding his body up on his own…” 

What may come as a surprise to some is the alleged response by the family, as reported by TMZ, who say the decision to bring the rapper’s dead body to the club is “what he would have wanted.”

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The Eagles announce departure of Deacon Frey: “It is time for him to forge his own path”

The Eagles announce departure of Deacon Frey: “It is time for him to forge his own path”
The Eagles announce departure of Deacon Frey: “It is time for him to forge his own path”
Harry Herd/Redferns

Following the tragic 2016 death of Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey, his son Deacon stepped into his father’s footsteps, playing guitar and singing with them during live performances.  But after several years of being the “New Kid in Town,” Deacon is “Already Gone.”

In a Facebook post, Eagles co-founder Don Henley writes, “Deacon Frey has devoted the past 4½ years to carrying on his father’s legacy and, after some weeks of reflection, he now feels that it is time for him to forge his own path. We understand, completely, and we support him in whatever he wishes to pursue in the years ahead.”

Henley continues, “In the wake of his dad’s demise, Deacon, at age 24, did an extraordinary thing by stepping from relative anonymity into the very public world of his father’s long illustrious career. We are grateful to Deacon for his admirable efforts and we wish him well as he charts his future.”

“Deacon’s Eagles Family will always be here to surround him with love, support and goodwill, and he is always welcome to join us onstage at any future concerts, if he so desires,” Henley concludes. “We hope our fans will join us in wishing Deacon the very best as he moves into the next phase of his career.”

No word yet on whether Deacon will be replaced.  The Eagles will kick off the next leg of their tour April 19. 

In 2017, Henley said of the younger Frey, “It’s extraordinary what that young man has done…his first gig with us was at Dodger Stadium. He had done some gigs with his father — private parties, clubs, in front of maybe 200 people. To go from that to 55,000 people is extraordinary. I don’t know many people who could have done that without freaking out.”

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Watch the Backstreet Boys compete to see who knows the most boy-band lyrics

Watch the Backstreet Boys compete to see who knows the most boy-band lyrics
Watch the Backstreet Boys compete to see who knows the most boy-band lyrics
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal

The Backstreet Boys are launching their DNA tour Friday in Las Vegas, so they appeared on Wednesday’s Kelly Clarkson Show to talk about it — and to sing, of course.

The five members of the group split up to participate in a game of “Throw Me a Line,” in which the object was to identify the boy band song by the lyric.  AJ, Kevin and Brian played against Howie, Nick and Kelly, and at first, AJ, Kevin and Brian were ahead, correctly identifying Boyz II Men‘s “I’ll Make Love to You,” and singing it, as well.

Then Nick, Howie and Kelly identified *NSYNC‘s “Bye Bye Bye.” But then AJ, Kevin and Brian broke the tie by buzzing in as soon as they heard the host read the lyric, “All you people.” 

Of course, it was Backstreet’s own “Larger Than Life,” which they then proceeded to sing.  “It’s a shame we’re going back on tour — y’all don’t know the words?” AJ teased.

Kelly was surprised they were able to identify the song that quickly, to which Brian replied, “I WROTE that one!”

Discussing the tour, AJ joked, “Our kids were so happy that we were home for the past two years, but our wives were like, ‘You HAVE to go back to work. PLEASE go back to work!'”

Kelly also treated the audience to a “Kellyoke” performance of Backstreet’s “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely.”

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Jason Aldean isn’t counting out another Carrie Underwood duet: “I feel like the songs dictate where you go”

Jason Aldean isn’t counting out another Carrie Underwood duet: “I feel like the songs dictate where you go”
Jason Aldean isn’t counting out another Carrie Underwood duet: “I feel like the songs dictate where you go”
ABC

Jason Aldean’s still flying high from the success of “I Didn’t Love You,” his duet with Carrie Underwood, which raced to the top of the country charts and earned a slew of awards show nominations in the wake of its release.

But when asked if he’s hoping to repeat the experiment, Jason says that any future collaborations with Carrie all hinge on finding the right material.

“I really feel like the songs dictate where you go with duet partners and things like that,” Jason explains to ET Online, in a conversation on the rooftop of his Nashville hot spot, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar.

Regardless of what the future holds, Jason and Carrie’s journey with “If I Didn’t Love You” isn’t done yet: The song’s music video is nominated twice at the upcoming CMT Music Awards show, which will air next Monday.

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PJ Morton reveals Stevie Wonder, Nas, Jill Scott are among special guests on his upcoming album

PJ Morton reveals Stevie Wonder, Nas, Jill Scott are among special guests on his upcoming album
PJ Morton reveals Stevie Wonder, Nas, Jill Scott are among special guests on his upcoming album
Laiken Joy

Coming off his recent Grammy win as a contributor on Jon Batiste‘s We Are album, PJ Morton announced today the high profile lineup of stars that make appearances on his upcoming album, Watch the Sun.

The collection of original songs will feature top music artists of generations past like Stevie Wonder, Nas, Jill Scott, Alex Isley, Mr. Talkbox and El DeBarge, as well as influential musicians of today such as JoJo, Chronixx and Wale.

Though established as the uber-talented and beloved keyboardist of pop group Maroon 5, Morton says he’s “more open than I’ve been in the past” on the forthcoming 11-track album.

“As much as people know about me, I’m pretty private about specifics, but these were some real things going on in my life,” he said in the announcement. “So it manifested with lyrics that pushed myself — not just going with the first thing or the thing that felt good, but making sure that I challenged myself to go deeper.”

In advance of the new project, Morton has released the self-care anthem “My Peace,” and “Please Don’t Walk Away,” which he recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Watch the Sun will be released on Friday, April 29.

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Report: Britney Spears objects to paying $660K to cover mother’s attorney fees

Report: Britney Spears objects to paying 0K to cover mother’s attorney fees
Report: Britney Spears objects to paying 0K to cover mother’s attorney fees
LA/Disney Channel via Getty Images) BRITNEY SPEARS

Britney Spears asserted in new legal documents that she’s no longer the “family’s sole breadwinner.”

Page Six reports that Britney objected Tuesday to the request that her mother, Lynne Spears, submitted in November, asking Britney to pay her attorney fees, apparently in relation to Britney’s former conservatorship, which total over $660,000.

Britney’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, argued, “[T]here is no legal authority supporting the petition,” because Lynne Spears was a “third party” in the conservatorship.   

“Britney Spears has for decades been her family’s sole breadwinner, supporting her entire family,” the docs reportedly further state, noting the property and amenities Britney “continuously — and generously — paid” for Lynne during the course of the conservatorship, “totaling approximately $1.7 million.”

As Britney awaits a possible judgment, she revealed more about the toll the 13-year conservatorship took on her, and why she’s glad to finally start “living.”

“I have been so guarded the way my life has been the last 3 years…it’s been hard because when I start to really understand my real value…it just gets harder because I’ve been kept from that,” Britney explained in an Instagram post.

She also shared a recent story about accompanying her young nieces to the bathroom without security noticing.

“I felt a freeness that I hadn’t felt in a very long time,” she revealed, adding that the epiphany that she had nothing to be afraid of made her “angry.”

Britney also asked fans to have some grace, saying in a separate post, “It honestly is weird that in social media the expectations to be perfect is pretty crazy.”

She added, “I’m sharing this because we all seem to alienate behind our phones and computers,” adding she can’t take herself seriously because she cares “too much” about what others think.

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