Adele’s ’25’ Finally Headed to Streaming Services

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A full seven months since its retail release on Nov. 20, Adele’s 25 is finally headed to Spotify.

A full seven months since its retail release on Nov. 20, Adele’s 25 is finally headed to streaming services. Reps for Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Prime, Google Play and Tidal all confirmed that the singer’s record-breaking third album will be available for streaming at midnight tonight (June 23).

The move is the first time that the full album will be available for streaming across any platform; to date, just the singles «Hello,» «Send My Love (To Your New Lover)» and «When We Were Young» have been available on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Her previous two albums, 2011’s 21 and 2008’s 19, are available for streaming now, though21 was also withheld from streaming services upon its initial release.

The decision is an about-face for the famously streaming-shy Adele, who called streaming music «a bit disposable» in a December 2015 TIME cover story. “I know that streaming music is the future, but it’s not the only way to consume music,” she continued in the interview. “I can’t pledge allegiance to something that I don’t know how I feel about yet.”

Now, it seems, she may have come to a decision. Of course, barring her album from streaming hasn’t stopped her fans from hearing it; against all industry trends, 25 broke the single-week sales record upon its release, selling 3.38 million albums in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music. That shattered the previous record, set by *NSYNC’s No Strings Attached in 2000, which sold 2.42 million copies in its first week.

Whether this could fuel another rise up the charts for 25 remains to be seen. To date, the album has spent 10 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200.

Credits to Billboard.-

Fergie Reveals ‘M.I.L.F.$’ Single Artwork

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Just days after teasing fans with her sexy ‘Hungry’ clip, Fergie shared the artwork for another new song.

Just days after teasing fans with her sexy “Hungry” clip, Fergie shared the artwork for a new song titled “M.I.L.F.$.”

The Black Eyed Peas singer appears topless in the stunning black-and-white portrait promoting the yet-to-be-heard track.

“This just leaked….aaahhhh!!!” Fergie said on social media. “Oh well, here it is.”

Fergie’s “Hungry” preview earlier in the week ended with the words Double Duchess — presumably the title of her forthcoming album, her first since 2006’s The Dutchess. She is performing at NYC Pride’s Dance on the Pier Sunday night (June 26).

Credits to billboard.-

Jennifer Hudson Signs With Epic Records

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Just days after bringing down the house at the BET Awards with her Prince tribute,Jennifer Hudson has some big news to share. After three albums with Arista/J Records and RCA, the Oscar-winning singer has signed an exclusive contract with Epic Records, according to an announcement from Epic Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid.

«Jennifer Hudson is the defining voice of this generation,» Reid said. «Her award-winning presence on records, in film, and on stage establishes her as one of the premiere artists to emerge in this century. I’m enjoying collaborating with my friend and mentor Clive Davis on Jennifer’s first Epic album and excited for her fans to hear what we’re up to… all will be revealed soon!»

As noted by Reid, he is co-executive producing the album with Sony Music Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis, marking the first time the pair have worked together on a project in nearly 25 years. The last time they collaborated was on Whitney Houston’s record-smashing 1992 soundtrack to The Bodyguard.

«I signed Jennifer in 2007 believing her to be the strongest candidate as the next generation’s Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston,» Davis said. «She has become that, as LA and I excitingly reunite to capture Jennifer at her all time best.» Hudson, who wowed the crowd on Sunday night at the BET Awards with her soaring rendition ofPrince’s «Purple Rain,» said she was eager to get to work on the next phase of her career.

«I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this new chapter with two of the most prolific musical legends of this generation,» she said. «There is no doubt that this is just the beginning of a very special collaboration and I know that the result will be something unforgettable. I am looking forward to the creative process and sharing new music very soon!”

n the third season of American Idol in 2004, Hudson won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation of Dreamgirls and released her self-titled debut album in 2008. She followed up with 2011’s I Remember Me and 2014’s JHUD.

Credits to Billboard.-

 

Justin Timberlake Accused of Appropriating Black Culture: «I Feel Misunderstood»

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The «Can’t Stop the Feeling» singer was moved by actor Jesse Williams‘ Humanitarian Award acceptance speech at the 2016 BET Awards, so he took to Twitter to share his thoughts with fans. «@iJesseWilliams tho… #Inspired #BET2016,» the 35-year-old Grammy winner tweeted.

One of Timberlake’s 55.6 million followers, Ernest Owens, responded, «So does this mean you’re going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too. #BETAwards.» Owens was referring to Timberlake’s 2004 Super Bowl performance, in which the singer accidentally flashed Janet Jackson‘s breast on stage. Many have argued that Jackson’s career never recovered as a result of the scandal (dubbed «Nipplegate»), while Timberlake’s career continued to soar. In response to Owens’ tweet, the pop singer wrote, «Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation. Bye.»

Timberlake’s response only led to more outrage, so he apologized. «I feel misunderstood. I responded to a specific tweet that wasn’t meant to be a general response. I shouldn’t have responded anyway…I forget this forum sometimes… I was truly inspired by @iJesseWilliams speech because I really do feel that we are all one… A human race,» he tweeted. «I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US. – JT.»

Credits to E!

BET Awards: The Complete Winners List

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The BET Award were handed out Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The show, which honors artists, actors and athletes across 20 categories, also featured tributes to Prince by a slew of artists, including Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder, and a surprise performance by Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar.
In addition, Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams was given the Humanitarian Award, delivering a passionate Black Lives Matter speech, while Samuel L. Jackson received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A complete of winners is below.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist?
Beyonce (WINNER)

Adele
Andra Day
K. Michelle
Rihanna

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bryson Tiller (WINNER)

Chris Brown
Jeremih
The Weeknd
Tyrese

Best Group
Drake & Future (WINNER)

2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
Puff Daddy & the Family
Rae Sremmurd
The Internet

Best Collaboration
Rihanna ft. Drake – «Work» (WINNER)

Big Sean ft. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign – «Play No Games»
Big Sean ft. Kanye West & John Legend – «One Man Can Change the World»
Future ft. Drake – «Where Ya At»
Nicki Minaj ft. Beyonce – «Feeling Myself»

Best Male Hip Hop Artist?
Drake (WINNER)

Fetty Wap
Future
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist?
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)

Dej Loaf
Lil Kim
Missy Elliott
Remy Ma

Video of the Year
Beyonce – «Formation» (WINNER)

Bryson Tiller – «Don’t»
Drake – «Hotline Bling»
Kendrick Lamar – «Alright»
Rihanna ft. Drake – «Work»

Video Director of the Year?
Director X (WINNER)

Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilley and the Little Homies
Hype Williams

Best New Artist?
Bryson Tiller (WINNER)

Alessia Cara
Andra Day
Kehlani
Tory Lanez

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award?
Kirk Franklin (WINNER)

Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
Erica Campbell
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs

Best Actress?
Taraji P. Henson (WINNER)

Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis

Best Actor?
Michael B. Jordan (WINNER)

Anthony Anderson
Courtney B. Vance
Idris Elba
O’Shea Jackson Jr.

YoungStars Award?
Amandla Stenberg (WINNER)

Quvenzhane Wallis
Silento
Willow Smith
Yara Shahidi

Best Movie
Straight Outta Compton (WINNER)

Beasts of No Nation
Concussion
Creed
Dope

Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (WINNER)

Cheyenne Woods
Gabrielle Douglas
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year?
Stephen Curry (WINNER)

Cam Newton
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr.

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award?
Beyonce – «Formation» (WINNER)

Bryson Tiller – «Don’t»
Chris Brown – «Back to Sleep»
Drake – «Hotline Bling»
Future ft. Drake – «Where Ya At»
Rihanna ft. Drake – «Work»

Centric Award?
Beyonce – «Formation» (WINNER)

Andra Day – «Rise Up»
K. Michelle – «Not a Little Bit»
Rihanna – «BBHMM»
The Internet – «Under Control»

Best International Act Africa?
Wizkid (Nigeria)
AKA (South Africa)
Black Coffee (South Africa) (WINNER)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Mzvee (Ghana)
Serge Beynaud (Cote D’Ivoire)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best International Act UK?
Skepta (WINNER)

Kano
Krept & Konan
Lianne La Havas
Stormzy
Tinie Tempah

Credits to Billboard.-

Did Kylie Jenner Just Confirm Her Relationship With PartyNextDoor?

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Rumors have been circulating around Kylie Jenner and her alleged romance with OVO rapper PartyNextDoor over the last few months, and she just added some major fuel to the fire…

After starring in her ex-boyfriend Tyga’s «Stimulated» music video a year ago, the 18-year-old has become a video vixen yet again—this time for her new rumored beau.
Kylie plays the leading lady in the video—which premiered on the Snapchat Discover page on Thursday—for «Come and See Me,» surrounding the story about a guy who is constantly making his love interest visit him at all hours of the night. 
The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star is seen waiting by her phone to hear from PND, who is at a party with his «crew» which consists of Big Sean and even Khloe Kardashian.
But just as Kylie is getting ready to go meet her beau—even putting on her famous pout withKylie Cosmetics lipsticks—there’s a happy ending: he appears at her door, and they share a steamy makeout sesh…in the rain, of course!
While this doesn’t necessarily confirm they are a couple, it definitely got everyone talking even more about their newly sparked romance. 
Rumors originally started circulating after two were spotted hanging out last month, following Kylie’s split from Tyga. They’ve gone bowling together, got cozy at Drake‘s house party a few weeks ago and now this…So what’s going on?!
A source told E! News exclusively last week that there’s simply no title on it yet.  «Kylie and PND are still dating,» the insider explained. «They are super attracted to each other. Kylie is really into PND, and it’s taken her mind completely off Tyga. Kylie is happy right now, she feels very drama free without the constant arguing with Tyga. It was always so up and down and with PND it’s very laid back. She likes that a lot.»

Credits to E!.-

Harry Styles Signs Recording Contract With Columbia: Exclusive

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Finally, a long-awaited solo deal for the One Direction star has been signed, say sources.
Harry Styles has signed a recording contract with Columbia Records, the same label behind his group One Direction, Billboard has learned. Deal terms are not yet known and there is no timeline for a solo album, say sources.
The first hints of a Styles solo career came last year, when four songs performed and written by the star were registered with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
Styles is currently filming the Christopher Nolan World War II drama, Dunkirk.
Since the group was formed on The X Factor U.K. in 2010, One Direction racked up four No. 1 albums and one No. 2 album with 2015’s Made in the A.M., all released via Sony Music’s Columbia label in partnership with Simon Cowell’s Syco.
In March, Harry Styles joined the roster of Full Stop Management, the company headed by former CAA executive Jeffrey Azoff.
Reps for Styles were not immediately available for comment.

Credits to Billboard.-

 

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From the editors: Like the rest of the country and the world, Billboard editors were horrified by the mass killing at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub on June 12, and by the murder of singer Christina Grimmie the night before. Both tragedies occurred where musicians and music fans gathered. And so faced with another gun-related tragedy, the staff organized this special “Open Letter to Congress” cover of Billboard.

With the help of leading gun-violence prevention group Everytown for Gun Safety, editors reached out to those we cover in the music industry, and asked for their support and their signatures to help seek a sane and safe end to gun violence. Within minutes, Joan Jett was the first to sign on. Lady Gaga shortly followed. Within hours, and then in a matter of just a few days, nearly 200 top artists and executives—pop stars (including Grimmie’s friend Selena Gomez), rappers, rock gods, legends, Broadway heroes, even two Beatles and Yoko Ono—lent their voices to the chorus of Americans looking to our political leaders for change. Billboard, artists and music-industry executives join so many members of the House and Senate this week proudly advocating for common-sense gun safety.

AN OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESS: STOP GUN VIOLENCE NOW
As leading artists and executives in the music industry, we are adding our voices to the chorus of Americans demanding change.
Music always has been celebrated communally, on dancefloors and at concert halls. But this life-affirming ritual, like so many other daily experiences—going to school or church or work—now is threatened, because of gun violence in this country.
The one thing that connects the recent tragedies in Orlando is that it is far too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on guns.
We call on Congress to do more to prevent the gun violence that kills more than 90 Americans every day and injures hundreds more, including:
  • Require a background check for every gun sale
  • Block suspected terrorists from buying guns
Billboard and the undersigned implore you—the people who are elected to represent us—to close the deadly loopholes that put the lives of so many music fans, and all of us, at risk.
Sincerely,
Adam Lambert
Adam LeberPartner, Maverick
Adam LevinX Ambassadors
Akiva Schaeffer
Alan GilbertNY Philharmonic
Alanis Morissette
Alex PallThe Chainsmokers
Alicia Keys
Andrew Bird
Andy Samberg
Angel Coleman
Avery Lipman
Barbra Streisand
Beck
Bill KreutzmannDead & Company
Billy Joel
Bo KosterMy Morning Jacket
Bob WeirDead & Company
Bonnie Raitt
Boyd Muir
Brad DelsonLinkin Park
Bradford CobbPartner, Direct Management Group
Brandon CreedManager/The Creed Company
Brendon UriePanic at the Disco
Britney Spears
Butch Walker
Calvin Harris
Cam
Cameron StrangChairman/ CEO, Warner Bros. Records
Carl BroemelMy Morning Jacket
Carole King
Casey HarrisX Ambassadors
Charlie Puth
Charlie Walk
Cher
Chester BenningtonLinkin Park
Christina Aguilera
Christina Perri
Conan O’Brien
Courtney Love
Craig KallmanChairman/CEO, Atlantic Records Group
Cyndi Lauper
Dan McCarrollPresident, Warner Bros. Records
Daniel EkCo-Founder/CEO, Spotify
Daniel GlassFounder/President, Glassnote Entertainment Group/Insieme Music Publishing
Danny Bennett
Demi Lovato
Diplo
Doug Morris
Drew TaggartThe Chainsmokers
Eddie VedderPearl Jam
Elle King
Ellen DeGeneres
Elvis Costello
Emily RobisonDixie Chicks
Eric Hutchinson
Fher OlveraManá
Glenn KotcheWilco
Gregory Porter
Halsey
Iggy Pop
Irving AzoffChairman/CEO, Azoff Madison Square Entertainment
Jack Antonoff
Jackson Browne
James Corden
Jason KuppermanAgent, Paradigm Talent Agency
Jason Mraz
Jay MarcianoCOO, AEG; Chairman & CEO, AEG Live
Jean-Michel Jarre
Jeff AmentPearl Jam
Jeff ChimentiDead & Company
Jeff TweedyWilco
Jeffrey Harleston
Jennifer Lopez
Jeremy ZimmerCEO/Co-Founder, United Talent Agency
Jim JamesMy Morning Jacket
Joan Jett
Jody Gerson
Joe HahnLinkin Park
Joe Jonas
John EspositoPresIdent/CEO, Warner Music Nashville
John Janick
John Mellencamp
Jorge HernandezLos Tigres del Norte
Josh Groban
Julia Michaels
Julie GreenwaldChairman/COO, Atlantic Records Group
Justin Tranter
K.D. Lang
Kaskade
Katy Perry
Kelly Rowland
Kesha
Kevin LilesCo-Founder, 300 Entertainment
Kid Cudi
L.A. Reid
Lady Gaga
Lecrae
Lee DanielsDirector; CEO, Lee Daniels Entertainment
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Sir Lucian Grainge
Lyor CohenCEO/Founder, 300 Entertainment
Macklemore
Marc GeigerPartner/Head of Music, William Morris Endeavor
Mark PinkusPresident, Rhino Entertainment
Mark Ronson
Martie MaguireDixie Chicks
Martin Bandier
Martin ErlichmanManager, Barbra Streisand
Martin KirkupPartner, Direct Management Group
Matisyahu
Matt CameronPearl Jam
Meghan Trainor
Melissa Etheridge
Michael Bublé
Michael RapinoPresident/CEO, Live Nation
Michael Stipe
Michele Anthony
Michelle Jubelirer
Mickey HartDead & Company
Mikael JorgensenWilco
Mike CarenCEO, Artist Partners Group; Creative Officer, Warner Music Group
Mike D
Mike Dungan
Mike McCreadyPearl Jam
Mike ShinodaLinkin Park
Monte Lipman
Natalie MainesDixie Chicks
Nate Reuss
Nick Jonas
Nicky Jam
Pasquale RotellaCEO/Founder, Insomniac Events
Pat Monahan
Pat SansoneWilco
Patrick HallahanMy Morning Jacket
Paul McCartney
Pete Wentz
Peter Edge
Peter Tork
Phil McIntyreCEO/Founder, Philymack
Prince Royce
Pusha T
Questlove
Ricky Martin
Ringo Starr
Rivers Cuomo
Rob BourdonLinkin Park
Rob LightPartner/Managing Director/Head of Music, Creative Artists Agency
Rob Thomas
Roger GoldCo-Founder, 300 Entertainment
Rosanne Cash
Rufus Wainwright
Russell SimmonsHip Hop Mogul & Activist
Ryan LeslieProducer
Ryan Lewis
Sam GoresChairman/CEO, Paradigm Talent Agency
Sam HarrisX Ambassadors
Sara Bareilles
Scooter BraunFounder, SB Projects
Scott BorchettaPresident/CEO, Big Machine Label Group
Selena Gomez
Shakira
Sia
Stephen CooperCEO, Warner Music Group
Steve Barnett
Steve Bartels
Steve JensenPartner, Direct Management Group
Steve LevinePartner/Co-Head of Worldwide Concerts, ICM Partners
Stevie Nicks
Sting
Stone GossardPearl Jam
Stu BergenCEO, International and Global Commercial Services, Warner Music Group
Talib Kweli
Terence Blanchard
Thom Yorke
Todd MoscowitzCo-Founder, 300 Entertainment
Tom BlankenshipMy Morning Jacket
Tom Corson
Tom WindishPresident, The Windish Agency
Tony Bennett
Tori Amos
Trent Reznor
Troye Sivan
Vic Mensa
Wayne Coyne
Yoko Ono
Zayn Malik
Credits to Billboard.-

From the editors: Like the rest of the country and the world, Billboard editors were horrified by the mass killing at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub on June 12, and by the murder of singer Christina Grimmie the night before. Both tragedies occurred where musicians and music fans gathered. And so faced with another gun-related tragedy, the […]

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