R&B Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Rihanna fans were left confused after the singer didn’t show up at this year’s edition of the Met Gala.The singer and business mogul was set to attend the iconic fashion event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City last night (May 6), however, was nowhere in sight for the red carpet event.According to People magazine, Rihanna was planning to appear on the night, but dropped out at the last minute due to illness.

Jamaica Observer. Per his family, James died on Tuesday (May 14) at the Northwick Park Hospital in London after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and a heart condition in 2021.The Jamaican-born singer founded The Vagabonds in 1960 before the group relocated to the UK in 1964.

Kehlani has announced a new album, ‘Crash’.Yesterday (May 16), Kehlani took to social media to reveal the cover art, title and release date for their fourth album. ‘Crash’ is due for release on June 21 via Atlantic Records.The cover art sees Kehlani sitting on top of a wrecked car, with glass shattered all around them.

Zayn Malik has insisted that he “didn’t jump on the bandwagon” with his new country album ‘Room Under The Stairs’.The former One Direction member recently spoke to Nylon about his fourth studio album. He shared that while creating his LP, he was not following in the footsteps of his fellow colleagues such as Beyonce, Post Malone and other pop acts who have dived into the Country genre.“I was pretty much on my farm having a glass of whiskey and listening to a bit of [Chris] Stapleton by the fire with my dog, playing guitar,” Zayn told the publication. He went on to add that though he’s “proud” of ‘Room Under The Stairs’, he worries about those comparisons.

Tems has confirmed details of her debut album ‘Born In The Wild’ and announced a world tour to take place later in the year.The Nigerian singer will release her long-awaited debut album on June 7 via RCA Records/Since ‘93 (pre-order it here), while her huge tour will kick off in London’s Eventim Apollo on June 12.Tems will take in a range of European cities in June and July, before heading to North America in August and September, finally rounding the tour off in Australia in November.

SZA hit out at fans during a live show in Australia this week after some crowd members allegedly threw items at the singer.The ‘SOS’ star was playing the first of three headline gigs at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Monday (April 29) when she addressed the unacceptable behaviour.“If you throw something else, I will leave,” she said. “Do not throw up any cell phones.

Charlotte Day Wilson can make her words hit like a ton of feathers, soft in their presentation yet undeniable in their cumulative impact. “I went to a funeral today just so I could feel something,” the Toronto artist sang on “Funeral,” a morbid highlight from her 2018 EP Stone Woman. Across that breakout project and its follow-up, her 2021 debut album Alpha, Day Wilson toiled over break-ups and the accompanying anxiety, self-doubt, and pain.

Beyoncé‘s first name will be included in the new edition of the French encyclopaedic dictionary Le Petit Larousse.As Sky News reports, more than 150 new words have been added to the 120th version of the book this year.The ‘Cowboy Carter’ star will appear as an entry alongside celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, French actor Omar Sy, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, and French rugby captain Antoine Dupont.Many additions “reflect concerns, developments or strong movements” in 2024, Carine Girac-Marinier, director of the dictionaries and encyclopaedias department, told French news magazine Le Point.As Marie Claire notes, “Beyoncé” will be accompanied by the definition “American singer of R&B and pop”.Many fans have responded to the nod on social media, with one writing: “That’s when you know you’ve succeeded.” Another person said: “Beyoncé’s influence knows no bounds!” A third user commented: “Star power.”“Creole French queen,” wrote someone else, referring to Beyoncé’s Louisiana Creole ancestry (via Nola).In 2004, the term “bootylicious” – featured in Destiny’s Child 2001 hit single of the same name – was added to the Oxford English Dictionary with the definition “(of a woman) sexually attractive”.Other new additions to the Le Petit Larousse include the English phrases “fast fashion” and “skate park”, as well as “platisme” (the French term for the Flat Earth theory).In February, Beyoncé made history by becoming the first Black woman to reach Number One on the US country chart with ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’.

Teddy Swims will be on land quite a bit this year.The rising R&B star recently announced he’s embarking on his nationwide ‘I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour’ with backing band Freak Freely this fall.That includes shows at Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Albany’s Palace Theatre on Thursday, Sept.

Zayn Malik has announced his first-ever solo live show in London in celebration of his upcoming album.The ‘Pillowtalk’ singer will be making his debut live appearance at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on May 17 in celebration of the release of his fourth album ‘Room Under The Stairs‘.He will be performing a selection of tracks from his new LP, and the gig follow the world premiere of his documentary Road Back To The Mic.A post shared by Zayn Malik (@zayn)Tickets for the gig will only be available via a pre-sale. In order to access the chance to purchase a ticket, you must pre-order ‘Room Under The Stairs’ via Zayn’s official website by 3pm BST next Wednesday (May 8).

PARTYNEXTDOOR has officially toured.Thankfully, the popular R&B star will rectify that slight when he takes off on his nationwide ‘Sorry I’m Outside Tour’ this summer.From June through August, the “Break From Toronto” singer is slated to headline at concerts and festivals all over the U.S. and Canada in support of his recently released “PARTYNEXTDOOR4” album.That includes a pair of back-to-back gigs at Brooklyn’s brand new Paramount Theatre on Thursday, Aug.

Craig David has announced details of a new ‘Commitment’ tour set to take place across the UK next year. Find ticket details below.Announced today (April 29), the new run of tour dates will take place across February 2024, and see the UK R&B icon perform in 11 cities across the country.

Tems has released the heartfelt new single ‘Love Me Jeje’ – inspired by Nigerian legend Seyi Sodimu.‘Love Me JeJe’ is Tems’ first single of the year and will appear on her highly anticipated debut studio album, ‘Born In The Wild’. The song was solely written by Tems and was produced by GuiltyBeatz (WizKid, Burna Boy) and Spax (Oxlade, Show Dem Camp). The track interpolates the 1997 Nigerian classic of the same name by Seyi Sodimu.The song features the 28-year-old singing “Love me JeJe, love me tender” – a lyric from Sodimu’s original version.

All Points East has confirmed more opening acts for Loyle Carner‘s show at the 2024 festival – find all the details below.Carner is due to top the bill at London’s Victoria Park on Saturday August 17. A host of special guests had already been announced, including Nas, Ezra Collective, Sainté and Joe James.Today (April 26) organisers have added another wave of artists, with soloist and former OutKast member André 3000 leading the list.

Usher has revealed that his 15-year-old son recently stole his phone to send a DM to PinkPantheress – who then invited the pair to one of her shows.Writing on Instagram Stories today (April 25), the ‘Coming Home’ singer said: “So… a week or so ago my son, Naviyd, stole my phone so he could dm his favorite artist @pinkpantheress.”Usher then shared a screenshot of Naviyd’s DM to the ‘Heaven Knows’ artist, which read: “Hello this is Usher’s son Naviyd I’m you[r] true biggest fan please follow me.” The teen also shared the handle to his Instagram profile.“hahahahahaa,” PinkPantheress replied, adding: “this is wild!”Picking up the story, Usher wrote: “Now I just so happened to check my DMs earlier this past week and saw a message exchange from someone with a Powerpuff girl as their profile pic. so I’m like [what] the hell is this[?]“I open it and I’m like oh this boy done DMd this girl from my damn phone…”The R&B star then posted Naviyd’s response to PinkPantheress.

Mary J. Blige is surely feeling more than “Just Fine” — after the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul was announced as one of the 2024 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Sunday night.But for the Yonkers, New York native, the enshrinement into musical immortality may be coming at the end of an illustrious career that began with her groundbreaking debut album, 1992’s “What’s the 411?”“I’m actually in the studio right now recording more music, and I’m having fun,” Blige, 53, told People.“This is another album,” she added, “and it’s probably my last studio album.”Say what now?“Everybody says that,” she added with a laugh.

Rihanna has provided an update on her long-awaited new album, saying she’s “already got stuff she could make hits out of”.Yesterday (April 17), the Bajan singer attended a launch party for her FENTY x PUMA Creeper Phatty Earth Tone shoe line in London. At the event, she spoke to Entertainment Tonight about her new collection, her fashion sense and motherhood.After sharing that her sons RZA and Riot‘s favourite song is ‘Wheels On The Bus’, Rihanna revealed if her children would appear on any of her new music.“I mean, it’s up to them,” the ‘Needed Me’ singer said. “I already got stuff I feel like I could make hits out of.

SZA will be honoured with the Hal David Starlight Award at the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards gala.According to a press release, the Hal David Starlight Award is presented to “gifted young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry with their original songs.” The chart-topping singer will also become the second black woman to receive the honour – the last being Alicia Keys in 2005.“This is such an exciting time for songwriters and music,” said Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers. “Phenomenal artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are pushing the envelope of what success looks like, but who could argue that the last two years belong to SZA.

Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil has shared his thoughts on the new biopic Back To Black, explaining that he found it “therapeutic”.The film – directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson – arrives in cinemas earlier today (April 12), and follows the life of the late singer. It stars Marisa Abela (Industry) as Winehouse and charts the iconic singer’s vibrant years living in London, as well as her intense rise to fame.In the movie, Winehouse’s former husband Blake Fielder-Civil is portrayed by Jack O’Connell (Skins, Godless, Lady Chatterley’s Lover). He stars opposite Eddie Marsan, who was cast as the singer’s father, Mitch.Now, appearing on today’s episode of Good Morning Britain, Fielder-Civil shared his thoughts on the biopic, and admitted that he found the film “almost therapeutic” due to how he was depicted.In the interview with host Kate Garraway, he said that some parts of the movie made him feel seen “in a more accurate representation” to what he is used to.“Not in a sense of being let off the hook or whitewashed, as [has] been alluded to… just in a sense of it wasn’t all about addiction,” he said.

Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition is back for 2024, and the eight shortlisted artists have been announced. Check them out below.Taking place each year, the free-to-enter contest gives up-and-coming musicians the chance to play at one of the festival’s main stages, as well as a £5,000 Talent Development prize from PRS Foundation to help develop their songwriting and performing.The two runners-up will each be awarded a £2,500 PRS Foundation Talent Development prize.This year’s edition of the competition launched back in January, and last month the 90 artists who had made the longlist was shared.Now, the 90 artists have been whittled down to the final eight – with one set to be announced as the winner of this year’s instalment later this month.“We’re very pleased to announce the finalists for our EMERGING TALENT COMPETITION 2024, which is supported by PRS for Music and PRS Foundation,” Glastonbury shared on their X/Twitter page earlier this morning (April 11).

Bruno Mars will play the first two concerts at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome, the future home of the Los Angeles Clippers that is still under construction at the time of publication.This pair of gigs will be his first in L.A.

Amy Winehouse‘s ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’ features previously unseen footage of the late singer. Watch below.The 2007 single appears on Winehouse’s classic second studio album, 2006’s ‘Back To Black’.

Beyoncé‘s daughter, Rumi, has become the youngest female artist to make it on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, thanks to her feature on ‘Cowboy Carter’.She made her appearance on the album when she featured on the track ‘Protector’ – contributing to the introduction of the soulful ballad. “Mom, can I hear the lullaby please?” she is heard asking at the start of the track, before Beyoncé comes in with the opening lyrics.The track debuted at Number 42 on the Hot 100 charts, following the release of the album last month.With the accomplishment, Rumi has surpassed the record set by her older sister Blue Ivy – who held the title after joining her mother on the track ‘Brown Skin Girl’, made for the Lion King: The Gift soundtrack.

Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black arriving in cinemas, the search is on to find out which of her songs is the UK’s favourite.The film – which is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson – is set to arrive on April 12, and will follow the life of the late singer. It stars Marisa Abela (Industry) as Winehouse and charts the iconic singer’s vibrant years living in London, as well as her intense rise to fame.Now, just days before it makes its way into cinemas, a nationwide search has been launched to uncover which of the singer’s tracks is the most-loved in the UK.Commencing last Friday (April 5) and running until tomorrow (April 10), a giant Back To Black touring installation has been making its way across Manchester, Glasgow and London.

Damon Albarn recently joined Thundercat on stage and performed a handful of solo tracks and a Gorillaz song.The Gorillaz frontman appeared at the third night of Thundercat’s four-night residency at London’s KOKO venue on Friday April 5 as part of his UK tour.Albarn joined the bassist towards the end of his set. Together they performed ‘Oh Sheit It’s X’, ‘Funny Thing’, ‘Them Changes’ and Gorillaz ‘Cracker Island’, the lead track from the animated band’s album of the same name in which Thundercat was originally featured on.Has this crowd been euthanised like do they know thundercat and damon albarn are in front of them playing cracker island pic.twitter.com/bJMLD0aVwX— tara (@drknesstolight) April 5, 2024Damon and Thundercat playing Funny Thing tonight in London.

Rihanna has shared an update on her long-awaited new album, revealing that she has “a lot of visual ideas” for the material.The singer spoke about the anticipated album in a newly shared discussion with Interview Magazine, which took place at the rehearsals for her first show in eight years.On the night, Rihanna took to the stage at a pre-wedding ceremony in India to play her first full live show since 2016 – and was reportedly paid $6million (£4.7million) for the private concert.During the discussion before the set, she was asked about what it was like to be back in a rehearsal space, and if she had “the vibe to do music again”.“I have a lot of visual ideas. It’s weird.

Glastonbury has announced details of the ticket re-sales for this year’s festival – you can find all the information below.The 2024 edition of the Worthy Farm event is due to take place between Wednesday, June 26 and Sunday, June 30. Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA will all headline the iconic Pyramid Stage this summer, as confirmed last month.Today (April 9) organisers have revealed that “a very limited number of tickets” will go on sale next week.

Beyoncé fans are speculating that her next album could see her venture down a rock route.The rumours about potential new directions for Bey arrive less than a week after ‘Cowboy Carter’ dropped – the second part of her ‘Renaissance’ trilogy, which saw her experiment with country music.The album has made countless headlines already, including for Beyoncé becoming the first Black woman to reach Number One on the US country chart with ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’, the first Black woman to score a Number One country album in the US charts, and gathering support from huge names including Michelle Obama and Paul McCartney.However, eager fans are already getting their eyes set on what part three will hold, and many are convinced it will see Beyoncé turn her focus to rock music.Rumours have run rampant for a while, although got a huge boost back in February after the singer donned an impressive mullet for a CR Fashion Book photo shoot. Since the release of ‘Cowboy Carter’, they have continued to expand – particularly after the ‘Lemonade’ singer sent flowers to Jack White, and personally thanked him for how much he influenced her on the new record.As highlighted by Complex, her nods towards the rock genre have also been seen throughout her career, including her close relationship with rock and roll legend Tina Turner, time working alongside Prince, and a surprise appearance at the Coldplay Super Bowl Halftime Show.Now, fans have begun sharing their thoughts on who Bey could collaborate with to make the album into a reality, and shared their suggestions for who could work with her sound.“Now if Beyonce’s does do a Rock album imma need to see Paramore on it,” one fan wrote on X, urging the singer to lock in a duet with Hayley Williams.

Missy Elliott has announced details of her first ever headline tour for North America later this summer.Today (April 8), the history-making musical polymath unveiled the dates for the ‘Out Of This World’ tour, which will start in Canada this July. She also revealed that she will joined by longtime friends and frequent collaborators Ciara, Timbaland and Busta Rhymes.“This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing so many milestone ‘firsts,’” Elliott said in a statement.

Beyoncé has become the first Black woman to score a Number One country album with ‘Cowboy Carter’ in the US charts.The music icon’s new country-inspired album has topped Billboard’s Top Country Albums, making history in the process as the first Black woman ever to do so, as revealed yesterday (April 7).The new record also debuted at Number One, her eighth album to top the Billboard 200 charts.Billboard revealed that, at 407,000 units, ‘Cowboy Carter’ claimed the biggest week of 2024 so far and the largest since Taylor Swift’s ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ reached 1.653 million units on the November 11, 2023 list back in October.‘Cowboy Carter’ also scored other achievements including Beyoncé’s biggest week by units since ‘Lemonade’ debuted at Number One with 653,000 units in 2016.The achievement follows a similar feat back in February when Beyoncé became the first Black woman to reach Number One on the US country chart with her new single ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’.She also became the second solo female act – with no accompanying featured artists – to debut at Number One, with Swift achieving this in 2021 with her re-recorded versions of ‘Love Story’ and ‘All Too Well’.Additionally, Beyoncé was announced as the first woman to top both the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hip Songs charts since these run-downs began in 1958.

Maxwell will embark on his ‘Serenade Tour’ with special guests Jazmine Sullivan and October London at arenas all over North America.That includes sensual stops at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and Newark’s Prudential Center on Sunday, Oct.

Jennifer Lopez has quietly rebranded her tour as a greatest hits show following low ticket sales and some dates being cancelled.Originally, the tour was branded as her ‘This Is Me… Now’ tour, and announced back in February to coincide with the release of her album of the same name.Now, seemingly because of low ticket sales, the tour has been rebranded by the singer as ‘This Is Me… Live | The Greatest Hits’ – distancing itself from the new LP.As highlighted by outlets including Variety and The A.V. Club, the album struggled to find an audience upon its release, selling 14,000 copies in its first week and arriving at Number 38 on the Billboard 200 – the second of her nine studio albums to place outside the Top 10.The studio release was one part of a self-financed $20million multimedia project, including the tour and two films: This Is Me…Now: A Love Story, and a documentary titled The Greatest Love Story Never Told.The A.V. Club has claimed that the rebranding of the tour may come in a bid to boost ticket sales and stop fans from thinking that the live show will see Lopez predominantly sing tracks from the new LP.Lopez’s reps and Live Nation, which is producing the tour, have not publicly responded to Variety’s request for comment, and Live Nation’s site hasn’t been updated to reflect the tour’s name change.

Leigh-Anne has announced details of her first solo headline show, taking place in an intimate venue in London. Find ticket details below.News of the new show comes as the former Little Mix singer is set to share a collection of songs – some of her first since launching her career as a solo artist last year.For her first live show, she will headline the Lafayette venue in the UK capital on June 11.

Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who previously formed the songwriting duo The Neptunes, are currently in a legal dispute over the group’s name.The lawsuit comes as Hugo accused Williams of “fraudulently” seeking sole control over the trademarks without consulting him.The Neptunes rose to prominence in the early 2000s, after both Williams and Hugo were friends in their childhood. They produced a run of hit tracks at the turn of the century including Gwen Stefani’s ‘Hollaback Girl’, Snoop Dogg’s ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’, Justin Timberlake’s ‘Rock Your Body’ and Nelly’s ‘Hot in Herre’.They reached the peak of their success before Williams went on to become a solo musician, and they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2022.However, the two have run into legal action following Hugo filing a lawsuit against his songwriting partner last week at a federal tribunal – accusing Williams of attempting to unilaterally register trademarks for the Neptunes name.

Beyoncé has given Dolly Parton full songwriting credits on her reimagined version of ‘Jolene’.The artist dropped her new country album ‘Cowboy Carter’ last week, which features a reinterpretation of Parton’s 1973 classic.While Parton’s version sees her plead with Jolene (“I’m begging of you please don’t take my man“) Beyoncé’s takes on a more empowered edge as she sings: “I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man.”The re-written lyrics seem to address Jay-Z cheating on her, as she refers to someone trying to “come between a family and a happy man”.While Beyoncé included several re-worked lyrics in her version of the song, the writing credits on streaming credit solely Parton, while Beyoncé is credited as the performer and producer.Parton has since given her verdict on Beyoncé’s cover, writing on Instagram: “Wow, I just heard Jolene. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it! Love, Dolly P.”It came after she previously gave Beyoncé’s country pivot her blessing, saying: “I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album.” Ahead of Beyoncé’s version, Parton asked fans to stream her original track.Nancy Sinatra also expressed her admiration for Beyoncé after she sampled ‘These Boots Are Made For Walking’ on ‘Cowboy Carter’.Beyoncé unveiled the news of her new album a month ago, dropping two songs ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ and ’16 Carriages’ in February and announcing the record in an ad at the Super Bowl.

Dolly Parton has asked her fans to stream her original track ‘Jolene’ before Beyoncé drops her cover of the track.The ‘Love On Top’ singer is set to share her version of the iconic 1973 country track tomorrow (March 29), as part of her highly-anticipated new album ‘Cowboy Carter’.Now, one day before the track goes live, the original ‘Jolene’ singer Dolly Parton has requested that fans stream her version of the song before the cover drops.Sharing the tracklist on her Instagram Story, Parton wrote: “Play the original while you wait for @beyonce’s ‘Jolene’,” using the newfound hype around the track to draw attention back to the classic version.The update from the country music veteran comes after she accidentally let slip that the pop icon had put her own spin on the track for her forthcoming album.Speaking to Knox News earlier this month, she said: “I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about that.“I love her! She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer.”She also gave her blessing to Bey covering the track, adding: “We’ve kind of sent messages back and forth through the years. And she and her mother were like fans, and I was always touched that they were fans, and I always thought she was great.”Arriving tomorrow, ‘Cowboy Carter’ is the second instalment of a believed trilogy project that began with 2022’s ‘Renaissance’.There has been hype around the album for months now, and yesterday (March 27) the singer shared the full tracklist with fans.