Latest news with #AlbumsChart
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
7 Best Moments as Kenny Chesney Becomes First Country Artist to Play Las Vegas' Sphere
Las Vegas may be landlocked, but Kenny Chesney took fans to the beach Thursday night (May 22) in the opening night of his 15-date Sphere run. More from Billboard Morgan Wallen Reclaims ARIA Albums Chart With 'I'm the Problem' Alex Warren Teams Up With Jelly Roll for Stomping Country Single 'Bloodline' Dolly Parton Hasn't Ruled Out Joining Beyoncé on Her Cowboy Carter Tour: 'You Never Know' The four-time Country Music Association Awards entertainer of the year, the first country artist to play the immersive venue, is one of the most celebrated live performers in any genre and he showed once again why during the two-hour and 15-minute concert. During the fun and breezy 27-song set, many songs celebrated the island lifestyle that embodies the spirit of Chesney's No Shoes Nation. According to Billboard Boxscore, Chesney is the only country artist to reach $1 billion in concert grosses reported to Billboard. His passionate No Shoes Nation fanbase has followed him into stadiums, which he has filled for 20 years, so to see him in the 18,000-seat Sphere is a chance to view him relatively close up (despite the crazy steep pitch of the four levels). Throughout the show, Chesney exhibited a welcome spirit of gratitude for his fans, excitement over his first Las Vegas residency (no starting small for him), and elation at being back on stage, noting this was his first show of 2025. As anyone who's seen one of his stadium shows knows, Chesney thrives on contact with prosceniums that extend far out into audience. The Sphere doesn't allow that, so he had to make do with occasionally palm slapping with fans standing in the front section, dubbed The Sandbar, but he still managed to fully connect with the crowd. Chesney, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in March, has logged 33 No. 1 hits on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, which is more than any other artist since the chart launched in 1990. He landed his first No. 1 in 1997 with 'She's Got It All,' and most recently topped the chart last year with 'Take Her Home.' In between have been such hits as 'The Good Stuff,' 'Living in Fast Forward,' 'Don't Blink,' 'American Kids,' 'Better as a Memory' and 'No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem.' So, it's no surprise that the show relied heavily on hits (heck, he could have played nothing but his No. 1s and still had the show go longer than two hours), but he also trotted out deeper cuts and lesser performed tunes to create a one-of-a-kind show. Chesney's residency lasts through June 21 and tallies 15 dates. Billboard was at Sphere for opening night, and we've rounded up the best moments of the evening. It feels like each act who plays Sphere builds on the amazing special effects and visuals from the acts who came before them and betters them, but Chesney's opening sequence was truly spectacular and honestly felt like a theme-park dark ride attraction. The 270-degree wraparound screen (which covers 160,000 square feet) took us deep-sea diving through a shipwreck and further into the abyss, surrounded by sharks and schools of fish before coming to the surface where pirate ships with No Shoes Nation flags flying. At the same time the haptic seats are vibrating and moving as the sea turns into the Sphere and it literally feels like the venue does a 360-degree turn in a move that's breathtaking (and a little nauseating if you're prone to motion sickness) and utterly astounding. So, in other words, make sure you're in your seat when the show starts because you really don't want to miss this thrill ride. Without pandering, Chesney played tribute to Las Vegas in ways both big and small. During 'Living in Fast Forward,' one of Chesney's most enjoyable, upbeat songs 20 years after its release, he incorporated footage of a NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Then in a much more obvious way, for his last number before the encore, 'Out Last Night,' the scenery switched to the Las Vegas Strip with Sphere with his No Shoes Nation logo and the surrounded hotels including the Venetian and a neon Las Vegas sign (Chesney, embracing the 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' motto, figured the audience would continue the party after they left the venue, noting, 'It's really possible you're going to wake up tomorrow next to someone you know or someone you don't know.' Not to be outdone, Chesney's bass player, Harmoni Kelley rocked a white, sequined jumpsuit in an homage to Elvis's Vegas era. In a show full of dazzling visuals, 'Big Star,' his 2002 song about a woman who ends up a superstar despite all those who doubted her, was a standout. 'Big Star' became a pinball machine drawing the audience in as if part of the game as balls careened around the Sphere and lights flashed. Other than the opening sequence, it was the most immersive, impressive spectacle of the night. But the nicest part was he used the song to pay tribute to some of the women who came before and after him, showing photos of him with Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntire and then Kelsea Ballerini and Megan Moroney, both of whom he has mentored and taken on tour. A little more than half-way through, Chesney huddled with band and crew. They poured a few drinks (made with Blue Chair Rum, no doubt), some of which Chesney and band handed out to audience members. Chesney then said they were deciding what to do next (a nice (that's a nice twist to do every show and add in songs not on the setlist) before launching into 1999's 'She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy.' Shortly into the song, Kelsea Ballerini, in a sparkly silver dress, appeared on stage. Chesney seemed genuinely surprised and mightily delighted to be reunited with his fellow Knoxville native and former touring partner, grabbing her in a sweet bear hug, and expressed his surprise again after they finished the song. They then launched into 'Half of My Hometown,' their 2021 duet that went straight to No. 1, with Ballerini telling him, 'I love you,' at the end, and his answering, 'I love you, too.' They then finished with 'You & Tequila,' his bittersweet 2011 duet with Grace Potter (as the song's video played in the background). Their friendship and affection for each other was sweetly palpable. He noted that she wasn't the only friend in attendance, namechecking Van Halen's Michael Anthony and football great Peyton Manning. If there's one song that sums up Chesney's ethos, it's 2018's 'Get Along,' which Chesney introduced by adding, 'It's what we're about.' It's the only song of the night where the lyrics appeared on the screen, leading to a sing along. And in a world divided, words like 'Always give love the upper hand' and 'Make a friend, can't we all get along?' feel like so much more than just platitudes; they feel like Chesney's Commandments and necessary. Throughout the evening, Chesney's good vibes prevailed, turning Sphere into a big love-in. Fans don't usually look to Chesney for statement songs or tunes that address social issues, but 'Welcome to the Fishbowl,' the title track to his 2012 album, was downright prophetic, looking at the way social media and technology were going to change our world—in many ways for the worse. 'I wrote this song 15 years ago. Little did I know it wasn't a glimpse into the future,' Chesney said. The visuals were especially strong, with Chesney appearing from inside a mobile phone. Coincidentally, sitting inside Sphere definitely feels like sitting inside a fishbowl. Prior to starting his residency, Chesney said he would be digging deep into the catalog, as well as bringing the hits, and did he ever. Right after 'Fishbowl,' he launched into 'One Lonely Island,' from his most recent album, Born. It was the first time he'd done the ballad about two lost souls drifting toward each other for a little comfort or 'a night of healin',' as Chesney sings. He followed that a few songs later with 'Seven Days,' from 2010's Hemingway's Whiskey, another tune that he had never performed live before. 'Thanks for letting us do that,' Chesney said afterwards, but the pleasure was all ours. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reneé Rapp drops new single ‘Leave Me Alone'
star is gearing up for the release of her sophomore album by dropping the LP's lead single entitled 'Leave Me Alone'. The singer has also released a music video to support the track which sees the star accompanied by a slew of blonde doppelgängers as they progress from raunchy pillow-fight to all-out brawl. The lyrics of the song seem to nod at the star's exit from the HBO comedy The Sex Lives of College Girls, as she sings: 'Leave me alone, bitch, I wanna have fun. I took my sex life with me, now the show ain't fucking.' Later in the video Rapp can be seen spitting blood with her pantsless comrades. The album Bite Me is released on 1 August. It is the follow up to Rapp's debut album Snow Angel which landed at number seven on the UK Albums Chart. The artist's last single was last year's Lindsay Lohan-sampling collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion for the Mean Girls soundtrack, 'Not My Fault', which Attitude ranked We wrote then: 'Rapp, who has been at the forefront of the recent surge in 'sapphic pop', easily holds her own here with who joins for a killer verse in which she christens herself 'the black Regina George.' The end result is a bratty, glittering earworm that leaves the listener suffering from a big, LESBIAN crush on both artists.' Rapp teased details of the upcoming album in a recent episode of the podcast, saying: 'It's like every song is a snapshot of what I was going through at that particular time.' She went on to reveal: 'I think one of the last songs I wrote, I had such a terrible day. I just had such a bad day and just like bad experiences, and I was like I have nowhere else to go with my thoughts because obviously I can't put them outward in this moment, therefore I will be like mentally just writing.' The post Reneé Rapp drops new single 'Leave Me Alone' appeared first on Attitude.
Telegraph
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Billie Eilish: It's tough being a woman
Eilish shot to fame in 2019 with her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? which topped the UK Albums Chart. She has since released two further albums and become a household name. 'I had no idea [when I was younger] that I was doing anything fearlessly,' she told Vogue. 'When I would hear people comment that I was only 16 and not fitting in with the stereotype – that I was a rebel or whatever – I remember being really confused because I didn't see it that way. 'I just felt like I was doing what I thought was cool. I was not intentionally trying to break any mould or rules or change music. I kind of just stayed true to what I liked and what I wanted. 'But the older I get, there really have been many periods of doubt and fear and feeling so much pressure, and then when more people knew me, more people had something to say. 'It was hard to remember to trust myself or even believe in myself sometimes. It's still a process. I think I'm doing pretty good. I've also always been very strong-willed and very much myself, so I do think that plays a part.' The California-born singer is the daughter of American actress Maggie Baird and sang the theme song for the 2021 James Bond film No Time To Die.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Not Like Us' Lawsuit: Universal Asks Judge to Stop Drake's Attorneys From Uncovering Kendrick Lamar's Contracts, Interscope CEO's Compensation and More
In the latest pushback from Universal Music Group in Drake's defamation lawsuit against the company over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' diss track, UMG has asked a federal judge to stop all discovery in the case, which includes demands for 'all contracts' between Lamar and UMG, as well as compensation and incentives — i.e. salary and bonuses — for Interscope CEO John Janick and other executives. 'Drake's first set of discovery requests consist of 18 items that would require costly collection and review of large swaths of hard-copy and electronic data sets, contracts and agreements, and communications,' the document states, causing 'undue burden' on the company. More from Variety Drake's Label Files to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us,' Says Rapper 'Lost a Rap Battle He Provoked' Bill Ackman's Pershing Square to Raise $1.4 Billion From Sale of 2.7% of Universal Music Group Kendrick Lamar Beats Drake and PartyNextDoor on Albums Chart by 500 Units It states that Drake's lawyers have requested 'all contracts between UMG and Kendrick Lamar, documents showing 'the executive compensation structure and annual incentive plans for Interscope Chief Executive Officer John Janick for the past five years,'' it continues, quoting Drake's lawyers documents, 'and 'Interscope's 2024 executive incentive metrics, targets, projections, and performance used to determine annual incentive compensation for Interscope's executives and officers … for the past five years.'' In a response, Drake's attorney Michael Gottlieb of Willkie Farr & Gallagher characterized the requests as part of 'the normal process of discovery' and wrote, 'It is unsurprising that UMG is desperate to avoid discovery. This motion is a ploy to delay producing documents and communications that UMG hopes to keep hidden and buried. If UMG has nothing to hide, it should not have an issue with discovery.' The move follows UMG's scathing motion to dismiss Drake's New York lawsuit against them for promoting 'Not Like Us,' stating that he's only suing because he 'lost a rap battle' and took legal action to 'salve his wounds.' The motion, filed Monday and reviewed by Variety, took a cutting approach to making the case for dismissal, claiming that Drake 'lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated. Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds. Plaintiff's Complaint is utterly without merit and should be dismissed with prejudice.' The filing notes that Drake himself signed a public petition less than three years ago criticizing 'the trend of prosecutors using artists' creative expression against them' by interpreting rap lyrics as fact. 'Drake was right then and is wrong now,' reads the motion. 'Complaint's unjustified claims against UMG are no more than Drake's attempt to save face for his unsuccessful rap battle with Lamar.' In its motion to dismiss, Universal is arguing that Drake fails to make a claim for defamation in his suit, stating that it's a double standard to expect them to promote his diss tracks against Lamar and not vice versa. The motion adds that 'Not Like Us' 'conveys nonactionable opinion and rhetorical hyperbole, not fact,' meaning they can't be accused of acting with malice, and further claims that there's no basis for the suit since Drake failed to state a claim for 'harassment in the second degree' and under New York General Business Law. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Not Like Us' Lawsuit: Universal Asks Judge to Stop Drake's Attorneys From Uncovering Kendrick Lamar's Contracts, Interscope CEO's Compensation and More
In the latest pushback from Universal Music Group in Drake's defamation lawsuit against the company over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' diss track, UMG has asked a federal judge to stop all discovery in the case, which includes demands for 'all contracts' between Lamar and UMG, as well as compensation and incentives — i.e. salary and bonuses — for Interscope CEO John Janick and other executives. 'Drake's first set of discovery requests consist of 18 items that would require costly collection and review of large swaths of hard-copy and electronic data sets, contracts and agreements, and communications,' the document states, causing 'undue burden' on the company. More from Variety Drake's Label Files to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us,' Says Rapper 'Lost a Rap Battle He Provoked' Bill Ackman's Pershing Square to Raise $1.4 Billion From Sale of 2.7% of Universal Music Group Kendrick Lamar Beats Drake and PartyNextDoor on Albums Chart by 500 Units It states that Drake's lawyers have requested 'all contracts between UMG and Kendrick Lamar, documents showing 'the executive compensation structure and annual incentive plans for Interscope Chief Executive Officer John Janick for the past five years,'' it continues, quoting Drake's lawyers documents, 'and 'Interscope's 2024 executive incentive metrics, targets, projections, and performance used to determine annual incentive compensation for Interscope's executives and officers … for the past five years.'' In a response, Drake's attorney Michael Gottlieb of Willkie Farr & Gallagher characterized the requests as part of 'the normal process of discovery' and wrote, 'It is unsurprising that UMG is desperate to avoid discovery. This motion is a ploy to delay producing documents and communications that UMG hopes to keep hidden and buried. If UMG has nothing to hide, it should not have an issue with discovery.' The move follows UMG's scathing motion to dismiss Drake's New York lawsuit against them for promoting 'Not Like Us,' stating that he's only suing because he 'lost a rap battle' and took legal action to 'salve his wounds.' The motion, filed Monday and reviewed by Variety, took a cutting approach to making the case for dismissal, claiming that Drake 'lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated. Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds. Plaintiff's Complaint is utterly without merit and should be dismissed with prejudice.' The filing notes that Drake himself signed a public petition less than three years ago criticizing 'the trend of prosecutors using artists' creative expression against them' by interpreting rap lyrics as fact. 'Drake was right then and is wrong now,' reads the motion. 'Complaint's unjustified claims against UMG are no more than Drake's attempt to save face for his unsuccessful rap battle with Lamar.' In its motion to dismiss, Universal is arguing that Drake fails to make a claim for defamation in his suit, stating that it's a double standard to expect them to promote his diss tracks against Lamar and not vice versa. The motion adds that 'Not Like Us' 'conveys nonactionable opinion and rhetorical hyperbole, not fact,' meaning they can't be accused of acting with malice, and further claims that there's no basis for the suit since Drake failed to state a claim for 'harassment in the second degree' and under New York General Business Law. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
