John Legend dropped the music video for “Honey” Thursday, the Muni Long-assisted track and second single from his forthcoming album.
Picking up where the house party-themed video for “Dope” left off, the new visual sees Legend passed out on the floor, dreaming about the dance party that took place the night prior. Surrounded by bees and honeycomb walls, the 12-time Grammy winner throws it to Long, who’s sitting in a honey-filled bathtub and delivers a sultry performance of her singing verse.
“ACTING!” Legend said on Instagram last week, sharing a preview of the video and teasing its Facebook release.
Though Legend and Long have previously worked together as songwriters, the new song and video mark their first collaboration as recording artists.
Both “Honey” and “Dope” will appear on Legend’s eighth studio album, which will follow the 2020 LP, Bigger Love. Featuring hit singles “Conversations in the Dark,” “Bigger” and “Actions,” Bigger Love earned Legend the Grammy for Best R&B Album at the 63rd annual show.
“I’m so thrilled to be releasing new music,” Legend said in a previous press release. “The past year or so has been so exciting for me creatively. I have been writing and collaborating with some of the most talented people in music, and we have some great new material to share with the world.”
The U.K. outfit has premiered a new song called “Part of the Band.” It’s the first preview of the group’s upcoming album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, due out October 14.
You can listen to “Part of the Band” now via digital outlets. Its accompanying video will premiere on YouTube at 2 p.m. ET.
The news comes after The 1975 deactivated all of their social media platforms — a stunt they’ve pulled numerous times leading up to album announcements. They then returned to social media in June by simply teasing, “Your new album. Your new era. Your old friends.”
Being Funny in a Foreign Language is the fifth 1975 album and the follow-up to 2020’s Notes on a Conditional Form. Here’s the track list:
“The 1975”
“Happiness”
“Looking for Somebody (To Love)”
“Part of the band”
“Oh Caroline”
“I’m in Love with You”
“All I Need to Hear”
“Wintering”
“Human too”
“About You”
“When We Are Together”
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Three Days Grace and Shinedown are tied for the most #1 singles in the history of Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
The Canadian rockers have earned their 17th lead on Mainstream Rock Airplay with their latest single, “Lifetime,” once again matching the total set by Brent Smith and company.
For those who haven’t been following along, TDG and Shinedown’s battle for Mainstream Rock Airplay chart supremacy has been one for the ages. TDG first set the record for most #1s in 2018 with 14, surpassing a mark long held by Van Halen. Shinedown eventually caught up in 2020, when both them and TDG each had 15 #1s, and then took sole possession of the record later that year with their 16th lead.
TDG then ended up tying Shinedown in February of this year with “So Called Life,” but Shinedown soon retook the record just a month later with “Planet Zero,” extending their total to 17. Now, with “Lifetime,” TDG is tied with Shinedown for the third time in two years.
“Lifetime” is the current single off Three Days Grace’s new album, Explosions, which was released in May.
Former Pink Floyd singer/bassist Roger Waters kicked off his long-delayed This Is Not a Drill Tour of North America last night at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
As seen in fan-posted videos and photos, Waters and his band performed in the round on a rectangular stage that featured massive video walls.
In pre-tour announcements, Waters hinted that the shows would feature plenty of the pointed social and political commentary he’s known for, and that was the case. As the concert began, a message ran across the screen notifying the crowd, “If you’re one of those ‘I love Pink Floyd but I can’t stand Roger’s politics’ people, you might do well to f*** off to the bar right now.”
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazettealso reports the video screens bombarded the audience with provocative messages, film clips and images that focused on issues, including the evils of war, racial injustice, corporate greed, political corruption, gun violence and reproductive, trans and Palestinian rights. At one point, Waters fired a fake automatic rifle at the crowd.
Waters’ two-set show featured over 20 songs and included multiple-song segments from Pink Floyd’s classic 1970s albums The Wall, Wish You Were Here and The Dark Side of the Moon. In the middle of his first set, Roger introduced a brand-new tune called “The Bar,” which he reprised later in the concert.
Waters also played two songs from his most recent solo album, 2017’s Is This the Life We Really Want?: the title track and “Déjà Vu.”
Roger’s backing band features guitarists Jonathan Wilson and Dave Kilminster, keyboardist/guitarist Jon Carin, bassist Gus Seyffert, keyboardist Robert Walter, drummer Joey Waronker, sax player Seamus Blake, and backing vocalists Shanay Johnson and Amanda Belair.
Here’s the show’s full set list:
Set 1
“Comfortably Numb” (Acoustic)
“The Happiest Days of Our Lives”
“Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”
“Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3”
“The Powers That Be”
“The Bravery of Being Out of Range”
“The Bar” (New song)
“Have a Cigar”
“Wish You Were Here”
“Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX)”
“Sheep”
Set 2
“In the Flesh”
“Run Like Hell”
“Déjà Vu”
“Is This the Life We Really Want?”
“Money”
“Us and Them”
“Any Colour You Like”
“Brain Damage”
“Eclipse”
“Two Suns in the Sunset”
“The Bar” (Reprise)
“Outside the Wall”
(WASHINGTON)– The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Texas’ “Operation Lone Star” border security initiative for potential civil rights violations, according to a letter obtained by ABC News.
The operation, a Texas Department of Public Safety program, targets migrants coming across the U.S.-Mexico border. It was rolled out by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in March 2021 to curb migrant traffic into the state.
The DOJ is seeking information to determine whether Texas DPS is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“The Department is seeking this information after receiving information indicating that DPS may be discriminating on the basis of race and/or national origin in its activities related to Operation Lone Star by targeting certain individuals for arrests for misdemeanor trespass violations and traffic stops based on their perceived or actual race or national origin,” reads the letter dated May 16 and sent by the Justice Department’s Federal Coordination and Compliance Section Chief Christine Stoneman.
A Texas DPS spokesperson said the department is complying with all federal civil rights inquiries. Texas DPS is a recipient of both DOJ and Department of Homeland Security funding, per the letter.
The news of the DOJ probe comes a week after 53 migrants, who were being smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border, were found dead in a sweltering tractor-trailer in San Antonio.
Through Operation Lone Star, Abbott has deployed around 10,000 DPS officers and soldiers from the Texas National Guard to the border to assist with the arrest of migrants.
Immigration lawyers and rights groups have sounded the alarm over the program, which they say has ramped up arrests of migrants on allegedly spurious trespassing charges. Many arrestees have been detained for weeks at a time. Some have not been given adequate resources to obtain legal representation.
In interviews with ABC News, current and former national guardsmen also spoke out about low morale and even several suicides among the troops deployed at the border, citing issues with payment, unstable housing conditions and a lack of proper training. One national guardsman assigned to the operation died while trying to save drowning migrants.
In response to the DOJ probe, Abbott’s press secretary, Renae Eze, slammed President Biden’s “open border policies” and accused the administration of “attacking the only state taking unprecedented actions to do the federal government’s job.”
“It’s time for President Biden to fulfill his oath of office and secure our southern border,” she said in a statement.
Texas has allocated more than $4 billion of Texas taxpayer money for border security, including building the state’s own border wall and erecting other “strategic barriers,” according to Eze.
She added that the program has resulted in more than 274,000 migrant apprehensions, more than 16,900 criminal arrests, including smugglers and human traffickers, more than 22,000 turn backs and the seizure of millions of lethal fentanyl doses.
A Justice Department spokesperson did not return ABC News’ request for comment.
The Texas Tribune and ProPublica were the first to report news about the investigation based on emails the outlets obtained. ABC News has not obtained those emails.
(WASHINGTON) — In a new statement following the resignation of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, President Joe Biden on Thursday stressed “the special relationship” between the U.S. and U.K. “remains strong and enduring.”
Biden did not mention Johnson by name or his resignation explicitly, but underscored that the U.S. will continue to work with the U.K. government on critical issues, including the war in Ukraine — an issue Biden and Johnson have worked closely on together.
“The United Kingdom and the United States are the closest of friends and Allies, and the special relationship between our people remains strong and enduring,” Biden said in the statement. “I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the government of the United Kingdom, as well as our Allies and partners around the world, on a range of important priorities. That includes maintaining a strong and united approach to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Putin’s brutal war on their democracy, and holding Russia accountable for its actions
Nevertheless, Johnson’s resignation could complicate Biden’s goal to strengthen the Western alliance in the face of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
The two spoke on the issue during a call in April, and “affirmed their commitment to continue providing security and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the face of ongoing atrocities by Russia,” according to a White House readout of the conversation.
The two leaders then met in June at a summit of G-7 countries, where they both urged nations to remain united against Russia amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The conflict, entering its fifth month, has roiled global energy markets.
In his remarks Thursday announcing his resignation, Johnson cited Britain’s support of Ukraine as a top achievement.
“I’m immensely proud of the achievements of this government, from getting Brexit done to settling our relations with the continent for over half a century … and, in the last few months, leading the West in standing up to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s aggression in Ukraine,” he said.
“And let me say now, to the people of Ukraine, that I know that we in the U.K. will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes,” he added.
The White House on Wednesday declined to comment on the political drama surrounding Johnson, but press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the United States’ “partnership with the United Kingdom continued to be strong.”
ABC News’ Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.
On Thursday, AMC dropped the trailer for the six-episode swan song of Better Call Saul.
The moody, black-and-white snippet, set to Fred Neil‘s “Little Bit of Rain,” is more of a celebration of the Emmy-winning Breaking Bad prequel series. It gives fans a long, last look at shooting locations from the show, including a courtroom, exteriors and interiors of characters’ homes, Saul’s office and, of course, Gus Fring’s chicken joint, Los Pollos Hermanos.
The sequence ends on the series’ already-struck set, and the lights are turned off.
The teaser ends with a color shot of Bob Odenkirk in his character Jimmy McGill’s walk-in closet, holding to his bare chest a yellow shirt, as seen on his eventual alter-ego, Saul Goodman. “Let justice be done, ’til the heavens fall,” he’s heard saying in the voiceover.
The sixth and final season returns on Monday, July 11 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC and AMC+.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Earlier this week, Guns N’ Rosespostponed a scheduled show in Glasgow, Scotland due to an unspecified “illness” and “medical advice.” Now, frontman Axl Rose has revealed he’s been battling vocal issues.
In a statement posted to Twitter Thursday, the “Welcome to the Jungle” rocker says, “I’d like to thank everyone [for] their well wishes! It’s greatly appreciated!”
Rose — who, in keeping with his band’s branding, replaces the word “and” every time with “n'” and “are” or “our” with “r” — adds that he’s “been following [doctor’s] orders, getting rest, working [with] a vocal coach n’ sorting out r sound issues.”
“Seems good so far,” he adds. “Thanks again [for] everyone’s concern! At the end of the day it’s about giving u the fans the best of rselves n’ the best time we can give u n’ that’s all I, the band n’ crew r focused on.”
GN’R plans to return to the stage Friday, July 8 in Munich, Germany.
Gospel singer, songwriter and producer Fred Hammond has landed his fourth number one spot on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart, this time with his 2021 single, “Hallelujah.”
Billboard reports that, according to Luminate data, the song ascended to the top spot with an increase of 11% in plays for the week ending July 3.
“After many years and many, many songs that have made the charts and even No. 1s, It’s still a tremendous blessing to make it here once again,” Hammond tells Billboard. “It never gets old.”
Co-written by Hammond and Asaph Ward, “Hallelujah” serves as his first number-one single since August 2020 when “Alright” led for two weeks. “I Feel Good” also led for two weeks in April and May of 2012 and was preceded by “They That Wait” featuring John P. Kee in 2009.
Taking to Instagram to celebrate the achievement, Hammond thanked his fans and those who contributed to the hit song.
“This #Blessing never gets old. Thank you Lord always love and appreciate you and your grace,” he said in the caption. “Thank you to my family #Rayhammond @asaphawardand the entire Face To Face warehouse worship family. Also my main man #KortezHarris #lewiskortezgroup and especially gospel radio, all program directors , thank you we’ve been rocking a long time. All satellite radio especially #kirkfranklinpraisexm and to all of you that strained and downloaded this praise offering.”
(WASHINGTON) — In his first network interview, the director of the United States Marshals Service told ABC News the U.S. Marshals Service is focusing on “trigger pullers” — repeat offenders who shoot and kill.
Director Ronald Davis told ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas that he is using his nearly 30 years in law enforcement to help push the effort.
The U.S. Marshals’ most recent operation, which spanned the entire month of June, dubbed “Operation North Star,” made more than 1,500 arrests in cities such as Washington, D.C., Memphis, New York and Philadelphia among others, and took hundreds of guns as well as narcotics off the street.
“I believe that if you are focusing on those who create the most violence that are responsible for the most violence, two things end up happening. One, you do remove trigger pullers off the street, those who are shooters, and it impacts crime and violence. You also bring justice to the families that have been terrorized by them,” he said in the interview, set to air Thursday evening on ABC News Live “Prime.”
Last year, the Marshals Service arrested nearly 6,000 murder suspects, Davis said.
Speaking in the wake of the July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, he said violent crime is an “us problem,” meaning that it touches everyone, regardless of race, creed or background.
“It’s such a ‘we’ problem that you don’t have to be the victim of a violent crime to be impacted by violent crime,” Davis said. “If it is causing you not to go shopping, you’re a victim of violent crime. If it’s caused, you know, not to go to a parade, you’ve been influenced by violent crime.”
It spans political ideology, he continued.
“It’s not left or right,” he said. “There’s no leaning to this. We’re just trying to save lives. And I think that’s the key for the Marshals Service, we look at it as when we’re arresting a fugitives, that we’re bringing justice. But ultimately, we’re hoping that we’re saving lives.”
When there is not a crisis, Davis said that is when community engagement is best.
“It’s when there’s not a surge in violence that you have to engage the community so that when there is a crisis that you come together, you already have a relationship to respond,” he explained.
Davis said that it is now more important than ever for the police to have a relationship with the community, and that for him, policing and community relations is personal.
“It goes with trust and building trust one interaction at a time, one city at a time,” Davis said. “But it is really making sure that our strategies to reduce crime and violence don’t call the kind of collateral damage that we talked about that we are enforcing and protecting the Constitution of the United States, but being very effective and bringing justice to communities.
“As an African-American male, it’s not just communicating to my community, but quite frankly, communicating to my deputies. And with inside the agency, the experience of growing up as a black man in America is unique. And I would hope that that experience that I bring to the job helps me, helps guide me in the decisions that need to make in understanding and having empathy, why people may be hesitant, why there may be apprehension, why there could be a lack of trust,” he said.
Davis said he hopes his experience in law enforcement and as an African American man can help build trust amongst law enforcement, but that even in his own personal life, and as a high-ranking law enforcement official, he still has to sit his son down and have a conversation about how to interact with the police as an African American male.
“The fact that I have to have that conversation, the fact that it’s a mandatory course for families of color means we have a lot of work to do,” he said. “And so there’s this I’ve struggled with over the years, but I’ve come to a reconciliation that both of these truths can coexist. I can accept that the vast majority of men and women in law enforcement are outstanding, but also can accept that we have historical context and practices that still have disparate impacts. And so we need to address both use the outstanding men and women to do so.”
Davis said he is seeing an increase in law enforcement assaults, but does not know the root cause of the increase in violence.
“We’re definitely seeing an increase in assaults against law enforcement, against our deputies, within the Marshal Service, our task force officers that the agencies we’re working with,” he said.
