billboard.com - 13 425 Showbiz News and Updates

Rick Ross and 2 Chainz -- two of the most prolific star rappers of their generation, and collaborators with nearly every other big name in the genre -- squared off on the latest installment of Verzuz, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz' live video battle series.With over 200,000 viewers tuning in over Instagram at the event's peak, and untold more watching over Apple Music, the two MCs traded hits, ad-libs and extremely genial barbs for two hours, as fans rapped along on Twitter and reminisced about a

Michael Rapino calls the stat “our strongest indicator of demand” — while other promoters, including AEG, have reported similar numbers for its tours. But what does the number 86% number really tell us? What data is included in the calculation, and what is being left out? Below, Billboard attempts to answer some of the questions posed to our touring desk about this oft-cited stat.How is the 86% number calculated?It’s a fairly straightforward equation.

on Sunday that it was in conversations with the company about acquiring TikTok's operations in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.TikTok, which has more than 100 million users in the U.S., has drawn scrutiny because of its Chinese owner. The Trump administration has worried that, through ByteDance, the personal data of U.S.

Rapper Tyga has been asked by the U.S.-based Human Rights Foundation to cancel his participation in a government-sponsored concert in Belarus. According to the non-profit organization, Tyga — real name Michael Ray Stevenson — is scheduled to perform Aug. 8 at Hip Hop Fireworks in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, the

As Kanye West's hectic presidential run continues to legitimize, appearing on ballots in a number of states, public questioning of his intentions are heating up.

Reese Witherspoon showed how her mood has changed every month of this tumultuous year with a trending twist on mood boards using stills from her film/TV projects, and Hollywood gave the meme the green light.

Prince Royce's "Carita de Inocente" holds strong atop Billboard's Tropical Airplay chart (dated Aug. 8) for a record 20th week at No. 1, extending its mark for the most weeks atop the survey, which began in 1994. The song broke free of a tie with Aventura's 

Leonel Garcia has joined forces with Cyrille Aimée for a new version of the classic “‘En El Último Trago,” exclusively premiering on Billboard today (Aug.6).

Include women in the sequel, and respect their right to vote.

People cover story, Katy Perry opened up about her previous one-year split with current fiancé Orlando Bloom and which Justin Timberlake track helped her make sense of it.The all-star couple has been through thick and thin over the last four years, even after splitting for a year in 2017. But spending time apart helped them grow stronger together later on, especially with a baby girl now on the way.

The Rolling Stones enlisted Emmy-nominated actor Paul Mescal from Hulu's Normal People for their latest music video "Scarlet" out today (Aug. 6).

As co-owner of Seattle’s popular independent venue Neumos in Capitol Hill, Steven Severin has been a staple in the Seattle music industry for more than 20 years.

Back in March, Ava Max unveiled her powerful anthem for the queens, "Kings & Queens" as the fifth single off her upcoming album, Heaven & Hell. But on Thursday (Aug. 6) the singer called on her fellow stars Lauv and Saweetie for a fiery remix.

Dance Club Songs chart on hiatus, we're asking reporting club DJs what they've been listening to lately, while at home, of course.This week, we spoke with New England-based DJ Danny Diggz; Chicago’s Timmy Loop; and Houston’s Joe Ross.Danny Diggz Danny Diggz (real name Daniel Wilcox) has been enjoying Ship Wrek’s “Energy.” “It’s just so good,” Diggz tells Billboard.

Prince Royce has had a strong presence on the Billboard charts. From “Stand By Me” to his latest song, “Carita de Inocente,” the Dominican crooner has dominated the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart multiple times.One of his first hits was “Corazon Sin Cara,” which hit No.

Blackpink plans on dropping the K-pop quartet's highly anticipated debut LP The Album on Oct. 2.SuperM returns with their own debut album Super One on Sept.

Dua Lipa is known for her sultry onstage moves, but she brought her dancing talents to TikTok on Wednesday night (Aug. 5), taking on the viral dance challenge for Doja Cat's "Say So."The pop star teamed up with TikTok user @kittysquad345 for the clip, in which the duo nail the body rolling choreography to the Hot 100 chart topper's chorus.

The future looks so bright, Warner Music Group might have to wear shades. That’s the takeaway from the 70-minute earnings call on Tuesday during which CEO Stephen Cooper and CFO Eric Levin said the word “opportunity” no fewer than 11 times. But how should one interpret the word during a discussion of 2020’

Rod Wave’s “Rags2Riches,” featuring ATR Son Son, becomes the second song to crown both Billboard’s Top Triller U.S. and Top Triller Global charts as once, ruling both lists dated Aug. 8. The Top Triller U.S. and Top Triller Global charts highlight

Big Freedia is taking over — literally.

Livestreaming continues to evolve throughout 2020 with artists bunkered down at home. Driift, a new livestream concert producer and promoter out of the U.K., is giving a lift to European indie acts looking to perform for their fans and participate in something close to a normal touring economy.

Taylor Swift's latest No. 1 album Folklore only featured one collaboration, Bon Iver on "Exile." But if she had another one the way, who should it be with?

Lizzo is joining forces with Amazon.The singer, songwriter and actress has signed a first-look deal with the tech giant's Amazon Studios. She Zoom-bombed into the beginning of Amazon's virtual Television Critics Association session Thursday to announce the deal, under which she'll develop television projects for the company's Prime Video streaming platform.I’m so excited to partner with the amazing team at Amazon,” said Lizzo.

Prince Estate partnered with Warner Records to drop the previously unreleased song "Cosmic Day" today (Aug. 6).It joins "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (1979 Version)" and "Witness 4 The Prosecution (Version 1)" on the expanded reissue of his iconic ninth album Sign o' the Times, which will be available this fall on Sept.

Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account.

Miley Cyrus told us She Is Coming with her fiery 2019 EP, and now, she's here.The star took to social media on Thursday (Aug. 6) to reveal that the first single off her long-awaited album, She Is Miley Cyrus, is arriving August 14."I know it feels like you’ve been waiting forever and ever ....

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande turned out to be a love fest between the two pop stars in a new behind-the-scenes clip from the "Rain On Me" music video.In the latest episode of "GAGAVISION" posted to Gaga's Instagram Thursday (Aug. 6), the "Rain On Me" singers argue about Grande's vision after Gaga accidentally scratched her eye.

In a new series amid the coronavirus pandemic, Billboard is asking individuals from all sectors of the music business to share stories of how they work now, with much of the world quarantined at home and unable to take in-person meetings, attend conferences or even go into the office. Submissions for the series can be sent to [email protected].

Encompassing menial tasks from fetching coffee to setting up equipment to cleaning up after talent, the job of a production assistant is sometimes thankless and often grueling.

Keke Palmer is set to host the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, which are slated for Aug. 30 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.Palmer will be the first woman of color to host the show since 1986-87, when then-MTV-VJ Downtown Julie Brown co-hosted.

While he's created music under many aliases and as part of myriad side projects -- Moonman, System F, Gouryella, Veracocha and New World Punx among them -- Ferry Corsten remains one of the most consistence presences in the global trance scene.

With rising COVID-19 cases across the United States, many Americans are spending more time indoors and leaning on entertainment more than ever for information, connection and comfort.

Kylie Minogue sets new career-high marks with her new single "Say Something" on both Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (No. 19) and Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (No. 3) charts (dated Aug. 8). The song, the first released from her forthcoming studio album Dis

John Legend wants you to have your eyes wide open this election season. The singer posted a pair of tweets on Thursday morning (Aug. 6) in which he sought to provide some clarity on what he said was a seeming attempt to pull one over on the American people.

Taylor Swift does so three times over with the No. 1-debuting "Cardigan," as well as "The 1" (No.

Audrey Fix Schaefer, who says more than 90 percent of the 2,400 clubs, theaters and venues represented by NIVA -- including the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. which I.M.P owns -- will have to close if the government doesn't help soon."There is some concern that Congress won't be able to address the needs of the Live Music business prior to the August recess so we are continuing to reach out and put pressure on Congressional leaders," explains agent Hank Sacks with Partisan Arts.