Music

Ed Sheeran‘s new album = (Equals) has blasted into the top of the U.K. albums chart with the biggest opening week for an album in the U.K. this year.

= (Equals), which gives Ed his fifth number-one album in the U.K., sold 139,000 copies in its first week.  That may not sound like a lot, but to put things in perspective, it outsold every other album in the Top 30 combined.  Not only is it the biggest sales week for an album this year in the U.K., but it’s also the biggest since Ed’s last album, ÷ (Divide), came out in 2017.

In a statement to Britain’s Official Charts Company, Ed said, “Thank you so much for making Equals the Number 1 album in the U.K. this week. I don’t know what else to say — you guys are great. Thank you so much for all listening to it, I hope you enjoy it and I hope to see you on tour next year. Nice one!”

Over on Britain’s Official Singles Chart, Ed missed the number-one spot, with Adele reigning for a third straight week with “Easy On Me.” However, Ed can’t be too upset: His song “Shivers” is number two, “Bad Habits” is number three and his new single “Overpass Graffiti” is number four.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Billy Porter is apologizing to Harry Styles after calling out the singer’s Vogue cover.

During his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Thursday night, the Pose actor clarified that it was never his intent to drag Harry specifically and he never expected his comments to get so much traction.

“Apparently, I’m famous now and it was a slow news day,” he told Colbert.

Porter added, “The first thing I wanna say is, Harry Styles, I apologize to you for having your name in my mouth. It’s not about you. The conversation is not about you.”

“It is about the systems of oppression and erasure of people of color who contribute to the culture,”  the Emmy winner explained.

Last year, Harry became the first solo male to grace Vogue’s cover and he did so while wearing a dress. In an interview with U.K.’s The Sunday Times last month, Porter said he was disappointed by Vogue’s choice to put Harry, “a straight white man,” on the cover and pointed out that he has been pushing gender boundaries with fashion way before Harry was.

“I’m sorry, Harry. I didn’t mean no harm,” Porter reiterated on The Late Show. “I’m a gay man. We like Harry. He’s cute.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Carrie Underwood is dropping a special surprise in fans’ stockings this year: The Special Edition of her My Gift Christmas album, including three bonus songs in addition to the original track list, is now available on vinyl.

Pressed on Crystal Clear Double Vinyl, a limited edition version of the product will also be available on White Vinyl at Walmart. Those picking up their copies at Target have exclusive access to a limited-edition Green Vinyl version, along with a collectible poster.

My Gift, originally released in 2020, is Carrie’s first-ever full-length Christmas album. It features a collaboration with John Legend, “Hallelujah,” as well as a version of “The Little Drummer Boy” featuring vocals from the singer’s six-year-old son, Isaiah.

Since releasing My Gift, Carrie followed up her holiday project with My Savior, a collection of gospel hymns. More recently, Carrie topped the country charts with her Jason Aldean duet, “If I Didn’t Love You.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Kanye West had harsh words for his former GOOD Music artist Big Sean when he appeared Thursday on Revolt’s Drink Champs podcast.

“The worst thing I’ve ever done is sign Big Sean,” Ye said about the Detroit MC. Sean recently left West’s label after releasing all five of his studio albums on GOOD. He complained that he needed a bigger cut of the royalties.

Kanye also attacked Sean, and another of his protégés, John Legend, for not supporting him during his brief 2020 presidential campaign.

“Both John Legend and Big Sean, when I ran for office, got used quick by the Democrats to come at their boy that actually changed their life and that’s some sellout s**t. And I don’t rock with neither of them and I need my apologies.”

Sean quickly responded on Twitter. “Was just [with] this man, he ain’t say none of that!!! And this was after the interview! I’m dying laughing at you @kanyewest.”

“I didn’t get used by anybody or endorse anyone publicly at all,” the “Bounce Back” rapper added. “Cause I’m not political. That’s what’s hilarious, none of it’s true [and] he doesn’t even know what he’s talking about. I’m rollin.”

Sean was asked to appear on the next show so he can further respond to his mentor’s diss. 

“I can’t wait to go on drink champs now!!!,” he declared.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME has released a new version of “New Invention.”

The updated recording features Tessa Violet, who you may know for her song “Games” with lovelytheband. You can listen to it now via digital outlets.

The original “New Invention” appears on iDKHOW’s 2020 debut album Razzmatazz, which also features the number-one Billboard Alternative single “Leave Me Alone.”

iDKHOW’s current tour in support of Razzmatazz continues Friday in Colorado Springs and will wrap up later this month. The duo will then launch another live outing in January 2022.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Our first taste of Post Malone‘s next album is his collaboration with The Weeknd, “One Right Now.”

The two superstars have teamed up on the new single, with a video debuting “soon,” according to their record label.  The song, which is closer to the ’80s-inspired sound that The Weeknd’s been doing lately than Post’s past work, is about finding out your partner’s been unfaithful and showing her that infidelity is a two-way street.

“Don’t call me ‘baby’ when you did me so wrong/But I got over what you did already/Body for a body, so petty,” sings Post. “I got one comin’ over and one right now.”

The Weeknd makes reference to his 2013 song “You Belong to the World,”  as he sings, “You’re a stain on my legacy/We can’t be friends, can’t be family…I can’t let you next to me/Oh, you belong to the world now/So just me leave me alone now.”

“new track for my brother @postmalone out everywhere !” The Weeknd announced on Instagram.

“One Right Now” is from Post’s fourth album, which we’re told is “coming soon.” It’ll be the follow-up to his 2019 triple-platinum release Hollywood’s Bleeding.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Stabbing Westward is set to release a new album for the first time in over 20 years.

Chasing Ghosts, the fifth studio effort from the industrial rock outfit and the follow-up to 2001’s self-titled release, will arrive March 18, 2022.

Our first preview of Chasing Ghosts is a song called “I Am Nothing,” which is available now for digital download, along with a trio of remixes.

Original Stabbing Westward members Christopher Hall and Walter Flakus reunited in 2016, 14 years after the band had broken up in 2002. Last year, they released a new EP called Dead and Gone. Newly recorded versions of Dead and Gone songs will appear on Chasing Ghosts.

Here’s the Chasing Ghosts track list:

“I Am Nothing”
“Damaged Goods”
“Cold”
“Push”
“Wasteland”
“Ctrl Z”
“Crawl”
“Dead & Gone”
“Ghost”
“The End”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

While some people choose to have an Elvis Presley impersonator to officiate their wedding, others — like Kal Penn — let their dreams tell them who should have the honor.  And, apparently, he had a vision that Cardi B would marry him and Josh, his partner of 11 years.

The Designated Survivor actor took to Twitter to share his wild dream, saying Cardi was on his flight and that, when he fell asleep, he “had a dream that she officiated our wedding on the plane and the three of us walked out of LAX holding hands.”

The “WAP” rapper pounced on Penn’s tweet, telling him he should have said hello and then nonchalantly slid in, “I’m licensed to do that sooo……..let me know.”

“You’re the best. Was gonna say hi but didn’t want to be disrespectful,” Kal, 44, gushed in response, adding that he saw her do not disturb light was on before jumping to the matter at hand, “Let’s do it! We’re down if you’re down!”

Cardi confirmed that she was indeed “down” to officiate their nuptials and remarked, “I’ll get my suit.”

Penn broke the news about his relationship and his upcoming wedding in his new book, You Can’t Be Serious, which he published on Tuesday.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.