Tems has set a new Billboard record with her 2020 single “Free Mind.” According to Luminate, the song placed at #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart dated May 20, making it the most-heard song on adult R&B and mainstream R&B/hip-hop radio stations in the week ending May 11.

With 17 weeks on top, the track now has the longest run for any song by a lead female artist in the chart’s history. It surpasses previous record holder Ella Mai‘s “Boo’d Up,” which spent 16 weeks at #1 in 2018, and joins a class of artists that also includes Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Cardi B.

“Free Mind” was released in 2020 as part of Tems’ For Broken Ears EP, but saw an increase in streams after Tems’ features on Wizkid‘s “Essence,” Drake’s “Fountains” and Future’s “Wait for U.” It first topped the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay in November 2022, before going on to dominate the Adult R&B Airplay chart for nine weeks.

Tems also holds the record for the song with the most weeks at #1 as a featured female artist. Tied with Chris Brown’s “No Guidance” featuring Drake at 27 weeks, “Essence” is the second-longest-leading #1 in R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay history. The first is Chris and Young Thug‘s “Go Crazy,” which spent 29 weeks on top of the chart in 2020 and 2021.

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Lauren Daigle says some of her Christian fans thought she had “gone to the dark side” after appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The singer tells People she faced backlash after performing on the show in 2018 because host Ellen is openly gay. She further faced criticism from conservative Christians when she refused to call homosexuality a sin in a subsequent radio interview.

“I flew home, got in my parents’ bed and just cried for three days,” she says. “I do feel like certain Christians were like, ‘Is she real anymore? Has she gone to the dark side?'”

She says she was eventually able to find peace with the situation, after a father at one of her shows tearfully recounted to her that his church told him to choose between them or his gay son.

“He whispered to me, ‘I’ll never reject my child,'” Lauren recalls. “You see the ache that so many have felt in having to stand up for who they are against the powers that be. I just want people to feel accepted and safe.”

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Parker McCollum‘s got a star-studded list of country artists he’d love to collaborate with.

A fan tweeted Parker recently, asking, “Do you think you will ever do a duet with any other artist say for instance Lainey Wilson, I think would be great. #AskParkerMcCollum”

The Texas native responded with a list of country superstars. “Would love to. Miranda [Lambert], George [Strait], [Tim] McGraw… that’s a long wish list,” said Parker. 

Parker recently notched his third consecutive career number-one single with “Handle On You.” The track is featured on his new album, Never Enough, which is out now.

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A recent English political ceremony took an unexpectedly metal turn thanks to the music of Metallica.

Tom Coles, the new lord mayor of the city of Portsmouth, attended his inauguration — which is referred to as a “mayor making ceremony” across the pond — to the …And Justice for All cut “Eye of the Beholder.”

Speaking with the BBC, which also shared footage of the event, Coles shares that he’s a “big heavy metal fan.”

“It’s a good song to walk in to,” Coles says. “It’s got a little build-up and then it’s got a good beat, it’s a great song.”

In addition to being a metalhead, Coles is also apparently a big Trekkie and even spoke in Klingon during the ceremony.

Metallica released a new album, 72 Seasons, in April. They’re currently supporting the record on their world M72 tour, which will stop in Coles’ home country in June for the Download Festival.

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A new documentary about Avicii, the late Swedish DJ, is now in the works.

Variety announced that the film will be co-directed by Dutch talent manager Orlando John and Jonas Trukanas.

The film will feature previously unreleased footage, and include interviews with close family and friends. It will also chronicle how Avicii — born Tim Bergling — rose to fame in 2008 when he was discovered by Ash Pournouri.

“Avicii changed the music industry,” John said. “People think they know the story, but they have really no clue as to what actually happened. I feel a profound responsibility to ensure that it’s told accurately and objectively.”

Bergling died by suicide in April 2018 at the age of 28. A documentary about his life, called Avicii: True Stories, was released in 2017. It chronicled his decision to quit touring in 2016 for mental health reasons.

This documentary is now the second one known to be in production about the life of Avicii. His estate announced that one was in the works back in 2021, with an expected release date of 2023, though no further details have been announced.

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Wet Leg and Florence Welch were among the winners at the 2023 Ivors, the prestigious award ceremony that honors the best of British and Irish songwriting.

The “Chaise Longue” duo — made up of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers — was named Songwriter of the Year, while the Florence + the Machine tune “King,” which Welch co-wrote with Jack Antonoff, earned the Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

Additionally, Blondie‘s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein were recognized with the Special International Award, while Sting received the Academy Fellowship honor.

For the full list of winners, visit IvorsAcademy.com.

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Jimmy Buffett will no longer be playing Charleston, South Carolina, this weekend. Buffet and his Coral Reefer Band were supposed to play Credit One Stadium on Saturday, May 20, but the show has been postponed after Buffett was admitted to the hospital. 

“Two days ago, I was just back from a trip to the Bahamas, thawing out from the California ‘winter tour’ and chomping at the bit to get to Charleston,” Buffett shares on Facebook. “I had to stop in Boston for a check-up but wound up back in the hospital to address some issues that needed immediate attention.” 

Buffett jokes, “Growing old is not for sissies, I promise you.”

Buffett promises fans he will perform again once he is well enough, and the show will be rescheduled.

“You all make my life more meaningful and fulfilled than I would have ever imagined as a toe headed [sic] little boy sitting on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico,” Buffett writes. “Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, your amazing years of loyalty and just remember NOT YET!”

So far there is no date for the rescheduled show. Buffett doesn’t have any other concert dates listed on his website.

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What’s better than one animated children’s show? Two. And thanks to a new partnership, Snoop Dogg fans will get just that.

Variety reports Snoop’s Doggyland and popular animated sing-along series Gracie’s Corner are coming together for some empowering videos that will star Gracie, voiced by Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth, as well as the Snoop-voiced Bow Wizzle character from the Doggyland show.

Like the series, the videos aim to teach children through song, rap and dance while instilling in them confidence, self-worth and more critical thinking skills. The visual for “Girl Power,” a girl power song, is now available in 2D on the Gracie’s Corner YouTube channel and in 3D on the Doggyland channel.

“I’m excited to partner with the amazing Graceyn, who has paved the way in fun and educational programming,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement. “There was a natural synergy with Doggyland and Gracie’s Corner because we both want the world to learn in a new, fresh way and ultimately our programming aims to empower future generations. We can’t wait for the world to check this special collab out. This is just the beginning … shine bright young stars.”

“It was such a fun project,” added 10-year-old Graceyn. “How cool is it that I worked on a project with a musical icon? Wow!”

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Harry Styles and RAYE were winners at The Ivors, the U.K.’s most prestigious songwriting awards ceremony.

RAYE’s “Escapism” was named Best Contemporary Song, while Harry’s “As It Was” was named Most Performed Work, meaning it was the song heard the most on the radio, TV and other outlets.

According to the BBC, RAYE used her acceptance speech to call for songwriters to be paid more for their work.  “It would be an insult to suggest that you go to work for free,” she told the audience. “And it’s an insult that you think songwriters should do the same.”

Noting that unlike producers, songwriters don’t earn a percentage of an artist’s royalties when they write a hit song for that artist, RAYE said backstage, “The record industry is making more money than it has in the last 30 years, funded by songs that they aren’t paying for.”

“So I’m going to be a broken record about this until something changes,” she added.

Charli XCX received the Visionary Award because of the “massive impact” her music has had on the industry. The BBC reports that she told reporters backstage, “It’s funny, in past interviews I’ve been like, ‘I’m a visionary, I’m the best,’ and played the part of this braggy character. But actually, to get this statue is something I never thought I would happen.” 

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