OHMYGOSSIP — YUNGBLUD and WILLOW have released their hotly-anticipated collaboration, ‘Memories’.
After teasing fans on social media about the duet, the pair have shared the “cathartic” pop-rock anthem.
Speaking of the track, YUNGBLUD – whose real name is Dom Harrison – said: “This song is about letting go of past traumas you may have experienced and voicing them to the world.
“There’s something freeing about turning painful memories from your past into lessons for your future – I want people to scream this song out and it be cathartic. It’s about coming together and shedding pain, turning it into positive energy and sharing the burden with each other.”
The musicians previously teased fans by sharing a picture of them in the studio together back in December.
What’s more, YUNGBLUD had recently admitted he would love to collaborate with Will Smith’s daughter – who dropped her famous surname for her music career – as he teased some “cool” features on his next album.
He said: “There’s a lot of cool artists I’m working with on this next record. I’ve made a lot of friends. I made a lot of mates on this journey.
“I love what Willow Smith’s doing right now. I’m obsessed with girl in red.
“There’s a new wave of artists who are talking from their soul and their reality.
“You know what I’m saying? I ain’t confirming anything but I would certainly love to work with them.”
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old rocker recently insisted his “mission” in music is to win over his critics, and offered a word of warning to anyone doubting his “authenticity”.
He told the latest issue of Spin magazine: “Don’t you f****** dare question my authenticity. ‘Cause I got to fucking put cream on. You know what I mean?
“My mission is to make those people slagging me off wearing a Yungblud t-shirt next year, because it’s not about telling them to f*** off. It’s about going, ‘Stop hating, get on the dance floor.’ ”
The ’11 Minutes’ star pointed to the way he feels misunderstood by various scenes and fanbases, despite Sir Mick Jagger previously hailing him as proof that “there is still a bit of life in rock and roll”.
YUNGBLUD explained: “To Exploited fans, I’m a f****** poser,” he says. “To fucking Ariana Grande fans, I’m scary.
“Ask any great, true, rock and roll artist. They’ve been ridiculed. But this is real. You saw it last night [at the show].
“Everyone’s dressed like each other, but there’s a thousand cultures in a room. It’s f****** liberating.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Dolly Parton was “so shocked” to hear her close friend and country music peer Naomi Judd had passed away.
The ‘Jolene’ hitmaker has paid a touching tribute to the late singer, who was the same age as Dolly, 76, when she passed away following a battle with her mental health last week.
Dolly says she and Naomi were “very similar” and loved the same things, while the late star and her daughters, Ashley and Wynonna, have been like sisters to her.
In a statement on her Instagram page, the music legend began: “I am so shocked to hear about Naomi’s passing. Naomi and I were close.
“We were very similar. We were the same age and both Capricorns.
“We loved big hair, makeup and music.
“I have always loved Ashley, Wynonna and Naomi.
“They’ve always been like sisters to me.”
The ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker went on to send her “congratulations” to Wynonna and her parent after The Judds – the Grammy-winning mother-daughter duo they formed in the 80s – were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday (01.05.22), just one day after Naomi’s death.
Dolly added: “Congratulations Wynonna for you and your mom being inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday.
“I am so sorry I couldn’t be there but I can hear Naomi saying “Oh well, a day late and a Dolly short.”
Congratulations and condolences are both in order.”
She concluded: “Just know that I will always love you.”
Struggling to hold back the tears while accepting the honour on behalf of their mom in Nashville, Tennessee, Ashley said: “I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today.”
Wynonna vowed: “Though my heart is broken I will continue to sing.”
The ‘Have Mercy’ singer’s passing was confirmed by the siblings in a statement, which read: “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered.”
The sisters did not elaborate on the exact cause of their mother’s death but said they are “navigating profound grief”.
They continued: “We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Madonna reunited with Maluma for a pair of steamy duets in Colombia at the weekend.
The 63-year-old Queen of Pop – who is newly single having split from 28-year-old dancer Ahlamalik Williams after three years of dating – joined the 28-year-old Latin megastar on stage when he brought his ‘Papi Juancho World Tour’ to the Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín on Saturday night (30.04.22).
The pair of megastars performed their 2019 duet ‘Medellín’ and Madonna’s 2000 classic ‘Music’.
While performing the former duet, Madonna grinded on Maluma in a chair, while the pink-haired singer playfully poked the pop icon – who donned a matching see-through pink dress and braids – on the butt with a leather cane as she got up from his lap.
As the song ended, the ‘Like a Virgin’ hitmaker told the crowd: “Thank you, Medellin. So good to be back.”
Madonna previously performed at the venue back in 2012.
The duo had previously performed together at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
Meanwhile, Madonna has been working on a remix project and it was recently reported that she has recruited pal Katy Perry for one song.
The ‘I Kissed A Girl’ hitmaker previously made a cameo in the ‘Vogue’ hitmaker’s star-studded ‘B**** I’m Madonna’ music video in 2015, and she’s now believed to have added her vocals to a remix of one of her biggest hits for the upcoming album.
A source said recently: “Madonna has been going flat out over the past few weeks.
“Not only is she working on her biopic but she’s also been in the studio at all hours.
“She’s been a massive fan of Katy for years and always talked about doing a song with her.
“With the remix project things have fallen into place. As plans are still being sorted out, no release date is set yet. Hopefully fans won’t have to wait too long.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — The Sex Pistols are re-releasing ‘God Save The Queen’ in time for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The anti-establishment purveyors’ 1977 hit was released amid the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, and now it’s set to make a comeback in the same month Queen Elizabeth marks 70 years on the British throne.
The punk rock classic was infamously banned by the BBC, and narrowly missed out on the number one spot in the Official UK Chart.
For the first time in chart history, due to its notoriety, chart bosses refused to list its title, while many record shops refused to stock the record.
What’s more their label A+M destroyed 25,000 copies of the record, with a handful left.
Released on May 27, fans of John Lydon’s band can get their hands on one of just 1,977 copies of the re-released A+M version.
The ‘Pretty Vacant’ rockers were later signed by Virgin, and 4,000 copies of the Virgin re-release will also be on sale to fans.
Both versions boast the original artwork, with the A+M edition featuring its generic company sleeve and pressed on silver/platinum vinyl. The Virgin single’s artwork is designed by Jamie Reid.
The B sides also reflect the original releases with ‘No Feeling’ for A+M,’ and ‘Did You No Wrong’ for Virgin.
A new 20-track Sex Pistols compilation is also being released as a companion to the Disney+ series ‘Pistol’.
In celebration of Danny Boyle’s six-episode limited series on the streaming service, the notorious punk rockers are releasing 20 of their recordings from 1976 to 1978 on ‘The Sex Pistols: The Original Recordings’ for the first time in more than two decades.
decades.
The release includes the hits from 1977’s highly influential ‘Never Mind The B*******’ LP; ‘God Save The Queen’, Anarchy in the UK’, ‘Pretty Vacant’, and ‘Holidays In the Sun’.
The collection also features covers from ‘The Great Rock and Roll Swindle’ album, the soundtrack to the Pistols’ 1980 post-split documentary of the same name.
Plus, a host of B-sides in ‘I Wanna Be Me’ (the flipside of ‘Anarchy…’), ‘Satellite’ (the b-side of ‘Holidays In The Sun’) and ‘Did You No Wrong’ (from ‘God Save The Queen’).
The compilation will be available as a double vinyl, digital and CD and limited edition double transparent green vinyl and also limited edition yellow vinyl, and collectors’ cassettes.
‘Pistol’ is based on guitarist Steve Jones’ 2017 memoir ‘Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol’.
Toby Wallace plays Steve Jones, Jacob Slater is drummer Paul Cook, Anson Boon is frontman John Lydon, Christian Lees is bassist Glen Matlock, and Louis Partridge is the late bass player Sid Vicious.
The compilation is released on May 27, while ‘Pistol’ premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on May 31.

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Harry Styles will celebrate the release of his upcoming LP, ‘Harry’s House’, with the ‘One Night Only In London’ release show.
On May 24, the former One Direction star will give those lucky enough to bag tickets to the intimate concert at London’s O2 Academy Brixton the chance to witness him perform the songs from the eagerly-awaited follow-up to 2019’s ‘Fine Line’ for the first time.
Tickets go on general sale on May 11 at 10am via HStyles.co.uk/Tour.
On the album’s global release date of May 20, the 28-year-old pop star will perform ‘Harry’s House’ in its entirety at the New York edition of ‘One Night Only’ at the UBS Arena.
The release show announcements come after the ‘Watermelon Sugar’ hitmaker shared the track-listing for ‘Harry’s House’.
Harry unveiled the 13 songs featured on his hotly-awaited third solo album.
The ‘Golden’ hitmaker recently debuted the tracks ‘Boyfriends’ and ‘Late Night Talking’ at Coachella.
Before performing ‘Boyfriends’, he said: “Who in the audience has ever had a boyfriend? Who in the audience has never had a boyfriend? To boyfriends everywhere, f*** you.”
So far, the lead single, ‘As It Was’, has been released.
Harry – who released his self-titled debut solo album in 2017 – took to social media to announce ‘Harry’s House’ in March.
Alongside a photo of the artwork, Harry simply tweeted: “Harry’s House. May 20th.”
Meanwhile, the ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ star recently admitted he has achieved everything he’s ever wanted to achieve with ‘Harry’s House’, and anything he does after that will be a “bonus”.
He said: “I feel very much like I’ve kind of achieved everything I want to achieve with this album already.
“So anything from this point on just feels very exciting and like a bonus.”
American Express Card Members have the power to unlock access to Harry Styles tickets for his UBS Arena show by registering for American Express Early Access powered by Ticketmaster Verified Fan*. Registration begins Monday, May 2nd at 5pm ET through Tuesday, May 3rd at 7pm ET. Verified Card Members who are selected for the presale, can purchase tickets on Thursday, May 5th from 9 – 11am ET.

‘Harry’s House’ track-listing:
1. ‘Music for a Sushi Restaurant’
2. ‘Late Night Talking’
3. ‘Grapejuice’
4. ‘As It Was’
5. ‘Daylight’
6. ‘Little Freak’
7. ‘Matilda’
8. ‘Cinema’
9. ‘Daydreaming’
10. ‘Keep Driving’
11. ‘Satellite’
12. ‘Boyfriends’
13. ‘Love of My Life’

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Kacey Musgraves has recorded a rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ for the ‘ELVIS’ biopic soundtrack.
After Doja Cat revealed she has incorporated the late King of Rock and Roll’s mega-hit ‘Hound Dog’ into the new track, ‘Vegas’, from the upcoming ‘ELVIS Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’ to Baz Luhrmann’s forthcoming film, the 33-year-old country-pop star let slip that she has put her own spin on the iconic ballad from 1961’s ‘Blue Hawaii’LP.
Luhrmann, 59, and Doja, 26, were interviewed at the Met Gala in New York on Sunday night (02.05.22), where the director told Variety: “She [Kacey] has a song in the movie — something to do with love.”
Over the years, the mega-hit has been covered by the likes of Bob Dylan, Perry Como, Doris Day, Andy Williams, U2 and Bruce Springsteen.
‘Vegas’ is set to be released on May 6, ahead of the film hitting cinemas on June 24.
Doja gave the song its live debut at Coachella recently and brought out Nashville musician Yola, who portrays Sister Rosetta Tharpe in ‘ELVIS’.
Austin Butler plays the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ hitmaker, while Tom Hanks stars as his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
A press release about the soundtrack states: “The soundtrack features Elvis’s extraordinary body of work spanning the 1950s, 60s and 70s, while also celebrating his diverse musical influences and enduring impact on popular artists today.”
It added: “‘ELVIS’ is an epic, big-screen spectacle from visionary filmmaker Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.”
It’s hoped the soundtrack will boost streaming figures for Elvis’ back catalogue, just like the 2018 Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ did for the ‘We Are The Champions’ hitmakers.
Meanwhile, Universal Music Publishing Group just acquired the rights to the icon’s discography.
The music publishing giant teamed up with Authentic Brands Group in a deal to represent Elvis’ catalogue.
The pop culture icon – who died of a heart attack, aged 42, in 1977, after struggling with addiction – sold more than 500 million records during his career.
Pre-save ‘Vegas’ here: dojacatvegas.elvisthemusic.com.

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Billie Eilish has announced a “multi-day climate-focused event”, Overheated, at London’s The O2.
When the 20-year-old Grammy winner brings her ‘Happier Than Ever, The World Tour’ to the British capital this June, the ‘No Time To Die’ singer will also be hosting a six-day event with the help of her mom Maggie Baird and her non-profit Support + Feed, which hands out nourishing plant-based food to “combat food insecurity and the climate crisis”, and environmental non-profit REVERB.
The pair will be joined by climate activists, musicians and designers to discuss the threat of global warming on the planet.
Special guests include Billie’s brother and collaborator, FINNEAS, rocker Yungblud, Norwegian singer-songwriter girl in red, and fashion icon Dame Vivienne Westwood.
Taking place between June 10 and 26, Overheated will see discussions on “greening practices in the music industry to the benefits of a plant-based diet, and sustainable fashion.”
A press release read: “Each day will feature unique programming including panel discussions, live performances, a documentary viewing, and opportunities for the public to take climate action. ”
Event-goers will be encouraged to make climate pledges.
Maggie said: “We are thrilled to be in London and to have this opportunity to connect and discuss different ways we can take action to mitigate the climate crisis.”
Adam Gardner, co-founder REVERB, added: “Building upon our sustainability work on Billie’s world tour, and engaging fans at her shows to take climate action, we’re excited to empower even more people to take significant climate action and engage the music industry to do more through Overheated.”
The event kicks off on June 10 with the panel event ‘Overheated Live’ inside indigo at The O2, with introductions from the ‘Bad Guy’ hitmaker and FINNEAS.
Presale tickets are available for The O2, Priority and Live Nation customers, as well as fans who opted in when purchasing ‘Happier Than Ever, The World Tour’ tickets for UK dates. Presale opens Wednesday, 4th May at 9am GMT, with general sale opening on Friday, 6th May 2022 at 9am GMT. Tickets will be priced at £40 for the first ‘Overheated Live’ panel session or £65 for both sessions. All profits will be donated to Support + Feed REVERB.

The Overheated schedule is as follows:

10th June
Overheated Live at indigo at The O2 – Presented by Support + Feed Red Carpet Green Dress

Session 1 – 11am – 1pm
Hosted by Abbie McCarthy
Featuring Tori Tsui, Maggie Baird, Earthrise, Jack Harries and more to be announced.
And very special guest Vanessa Nakate

Session 2 – 3pm to 5pm
Hosted by Abbie McCarthy
Introductions by Billie Eilish and Finneas
Featuring Samata Pattinson Isaias Hernandez and more to be announced.
Keynote by speaker to be announced

10th – 12th June
Overheated Citizen-T Playground at All Bar One Space at The O2
Hosted by Citizen-T
Featuring a free slow-fashion clothes swap and talks

10th – 12th, 16th, 25 – 26th June
Overheated Documentary commissioned by WePresent, the digital arts platform of WeTransfer
Screening at Cineworld at The O2 and on WePresent from 10th June
Featuring Billie Eilish, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Maggie Baird, Finneas, Girl in Red, Samata Pattinson, Tori Tsui, Yungblud and more

16th and 26th June
Youth Activist daily programming at the All Bar One Space at The O2
Featuring some of the UK’s biggest climate activist groups, full details to follow
Talks and workshops

16th June
Overheated Music Climate Session in the O2 Blueroom – Presented by The Big Climate Thing REVERB
Industry panels for a more sustainable business and music community
Hosted by Abbie McCarthy
Featuring Sigrid, Love Ssega, Kurt Langer, Lara Seaver, Maggie Baird, and more.
In association with Live Nation, Ticketmaster, SJM, AEG and AXS.

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell and Astro have released the new single, ‘We’ll Never Find Another Love’, in tribute to late bandmate Astro.
The multi-instrumentalist – who played percussion, trumpet, and sang in the legendary reggae-pop band – sadly passed away after a “very short illness”, aged 64, in November, just two weeks after the band’s upcoming album, ‘Unprecedented’ was mixed.
And Ali, 63, says releasing the song featuring Astro is a way of “keeping his memory alive”.
He said “Astro’s death came as such a shock, and I’m still reeling from it.
“This album is now more poignant and special than either of us could have imagined when we were recording it. Astro heartbreakingly passed just two weeks after we’d finished the final mixes, so this is a way of keeping his memory alive.”
Released on June 17, ‘Unprecedented’ is the follow-up to 2018’s ‘A Real Labour Of Love’ – which gave the band their highest-charting album by any incarnation of UB40 since 1993’s ‘Promises And Lies’, peaking at Number 2 in the UK’s Official Albums Chart.
Alongside several new songs, the collection sees the group cover popular hits and reggae classics.
Ali and Astro put their own spin on East 17’s festive ballad ‘Stay Another Day’, while there’s also covers of Kris Kristofferson’s ‘Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down’ and Stevie Wonder’s funky protest song ‘Do Yourself A Favour’.
UB40 formed in Birmingham in 1978.
Duncan Campbell, 64, replaced brother Ali in 2008 after he left over a disagreement about management.
Ali and Astro went on to tour as UB40 Featuring Ali, Astro Mickey, along with Mickey Virtue.
Astro left the group in November 2013.
Duncan was replaced by KIOKO’s Matt Doyle in 2021, after he was forced to end his tenure in the ‘Red Red Wine’ group to focus on his recovery from a stroke in August 2020.
The news of Astro’s passing was confirmed on the official UB40 Twitter account.
A statement read: “RIP ASTRO
“We have heard tonight, the sad news that ex-member of UB40, Terence Wilson, better know as Astro, has passed away after a short illness.
“Our sincere condolences to his family
“UB40 (sic)”

The track-listing for ‘Unprecedented’ is:
1. ‘What Have I Done’
2. ‘We’ll Never Find Another Love’
3. ‘Unprecedented’
4. ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’
5. ‘Emperors Wore No Clothes’
6. ‘Sufferer’
7. ‘Heaven In Her Eyes’
8. ‘Do Yourself A Favour’
9. ‘Happy Includes Everyone’
10. ‘Stay Another Day’
11. ‘Lean On Me’
12. ‘Mellow’
13. ‘Caught You In A Lie’

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Kendrick Lamar appears to have teased his comeback album comes as a double-disc.
A new image was uploaded to the rapper’s Oklahoma website (oklama.com) and suggested ‘Mr Morale and the Big Steppers’ is split into two halves, as one CD is marked up ‘MORALE’ and the other ‘STEPPERS’.
As well as the two discs, a book with the same name as the album and Kendrick’s name as the author is being held, hinting the hip-hop superstar may have penned a tome to accompany the LP.
The ‘Money Trees’ star recently used the website to announce that the follow-up to 2017’s ‘Damn’ will drop on May 13.
Kendrick shared the news for the hotly anticipated album after teasing it in August 2021, labelling it his “final TDE album”.
At the time, the page read: “May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life’s calling. There’s beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown. Oklama.”
In September, the megastar – who is set to headline Glastonbury in June – registered 32 new songs with ASCAP.
Kendrick filed for the copyright of a huge batch of tracks with The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
According to reports, some of the song titles registered included: ‘Feel For You’, ‘End of the Line’, ‘Erika Kane’, ‘Driving Down The Darkness’ and ‘Lesson Learned’.
Kendrick’s engineer, Derek ‘MixedByAli’ Ali, previously teased that he has enough new material for “six albums”.
He said: “I would say every album that he has dropped since [2012’s] ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ has come with a different feeling, so just look forward to Kendrick obviously expressing himself in the most creative way – the most highest of the creative way.
“How he works, I’ve never seen it before. The recording process, the thought process of piecing an album together and sequencing it. Things like that is what keeps guys like me great. Watching his work ethic … You would expect someone like [Kendrick] to be at home and sitting back: nah, he still comes in on time and is punctual.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Linkin Park will start communicating with fans “a little more regularly”.
The ‘In The End’ rockers have been on hiatus since frontman Chester Bennington’s tragic death aged 41 in 2017, but the group took to social media this week to offer an update to their supporters.
In a statement shared to Instagram, they said: “Two decades in and our LP community continues to inspire us.
“Your passion and dedication is the lifeblood of what we’ve built together with you. And it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“We thought it was about time to begin sharing a little more regularly with you.
“Starting this month, we’ll be putting (digital) pen to (digital) paper to share NOTES FROM THE BAND-tiny snapshots into our daily misadventures, from us each month.
“There’s no concrete plan, but that’s what we like about it. Until then…
“All our best, Rob, Brad, Dave, Joe Mike.”
The post comes after Mike Shinoda updated fans on the status of the band last month, insisted while they talk “every few weeks”, there are no plans “in the pipeline” for new music or a tour.
He explained: “The only Linkin Park news I have for you is that… Yeah, we talk every few weeks – I talk to the guys, or some of the guys.
“And there’s no tours, there’s no music, there’s no albums in the pipeline. Okay, so let me just tell you that. So just keep in your minds that that is not happening.
“I’m just gonna say that much for now. I say that because anytime the band says anything or does anything, everyone tries to start up the hype train, and we’re, like, ‘No, no, no, no. Don’t start up the hype train.’
“You’re gonna disappoint yourself. Don’t do that.”
Back in Ocotber 2021, Mike was asked about the idea of Linkin Park playing live shows again, but he played down the possibility.
He said: “Now is not the time [for the band’s return]. We don’t have the focus on it. We don’t have the math worked out.
“And I don’t mean that by financially math, I mean that like emotional and creative math.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Sum 41’s Dave ‘Brownsound’ Baksh is “100 per cent cancer-free” after having a tumour removed.
The ‘In Too Deep’ group’s guitarist gave the positive update after finding out he had a cancerous mass in March.
He wrote on Instagram: “Within two weeks I went through surgery in order to get rid of a tumour that ended up being #cancer.
“Don’t be concerned, my brush with this serious disease was very short lived thanks to the help of great doctors, a friend that helped me get a bone scan within weeks of my surgery, my family (extended included), the amazing people at #LDK (up the Kzinti!) and last but not least the emotion, physical and celery juice support that @krennykren and my wonderfully amazing gifted, did I mention wonderful, kids gave me.”
Thanking loved ones and fans for their support, he added: “Something incredible that this disease taught me is how many amazing and supportive people I have in my life. I’m beyond thankful for you and I’m forever in your debt. So as of now I’m cancer free and ready to enjoy tour life again with a fresh perspective on everything.”
The 41-year-old rocker’s mother is currently battling the disease and he’s set to take part in The Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life to raise vital funds to help provide Canadian cancer patients with the care they need.
Sharing a link to his fundraising page, Dave added: “If you have the time please pledge your support or join @krennykren and I at this year’s @relayforlife on Saturday #June11 We are attending in support of my mother who is beating cancer at this very moment and anyone else who’s life cancer has touched. The @cancersociety link for donations is: https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/RelayForLife/?pg=teamlist fr_id=28191 Photographers, please reach out and let me know your socials so I can tag you!! (sic)”
Sum 41 are currently on the co-headlining ‘Blame Canada Tour’ of North America with Simple Plan.

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Drake re-signed with Universal Music Group in a deal said to be worth a whopping $400 million.
UMG’s chairman Sir Lucian Grainge has confirmed the ‘God’s Plan’ rapper inked an “expansive, multi-faceted deal” covering “recordings, publishing, merchandise and visual media projects” during the firm’s latest earnings call.
Variety reports that the deal was signed off in 2021, and a source told the publication it’s “Lebron-sized”.
The 35-year-old hip-hop star – who has sold more than 37 million albums worldwide – had previously hinted at his riches from his deal in his lyrics.
On ‘Lemon Pepper Freestyle’ from 2021’s ‘Scary Hours 2’ EP, he raps: “Three-sixty upfront, it all comes full circle,” suggesting he landed a $360 million paycheque.
And on Migos’ ‘Having Our Way’, he spits: “Billionaires talk to me different when they see my pay stub from Lucian Grainge.”
Confirmation of Drake’s mega-money deal comes after The Weeknd – whose real name is Abel Tesfaye – agreed a similar deal.
Grainge said of the contract with the ‘Save Your Tears’ hitmaker: “Over the past decade, we have been honoured to work so closely with Abel who has quickly become one of music’s most creative and important artists, a once-in-a-generation talent.
“We’ve developed a deep trust and respect that has enabled us to successfully execute Abel’s brilliant vision.”
Monte Lipman, chairman of Republic Records, added: “Abel is the consummate 21st century artist and global superstar who continues to break down creative barriers with his genre-bending repertoire.
“His success and career-defining accomplishments have made a historic impact around the world.”
Drake’s most recent album, 2021’s ‘Certified Lover Boy’, was released via his own imprint OVO Sound under license to Republic Records (owned by UMG).

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Suggs Paul Weller have launched a new single based on their schooldays.
The newly-formed duo – which is made up of Madness frontman Suggs, 61, and The Jam rocker Paul Weller, 63, – were inspired to pen ‘Ooh Do U Fink U R’ based on a phrase they heard in the classroom back in the 1970s but Suggs admitted that while he “loves teachers”, he never had a “great one.”
He said: “I think teachers are the best people in the world, I love them with all my heart. But you know all those great teachers you read about who dragged their pupils up, and encouraged them and made them into the best possible version of themselves they could be? Well, unfortunately I didn’t have one of those!
The ‘House of Fun’ hitmaker – whose real name is Graham McPherson – went on to explain that the song’s title “sums up his school years” and that chatting to his fellow music star inspired him to write a song about “never giving up.”
In a statement,:”‘‘Ooh Do U Fink U R’ was a phrase I heard more often than I wished and sums up my school years- constantly being told to know my place and keep in my box, being given no encouragement but still never giving in, and never giving up. Chatting to Paul reminded me of those experiences. We both found enthusiasm and a purpose in music, and that pulled us through!”
Meanwhile, Paul went on to pay tribute to his fellow musician, noting that the collaboration has been on the cards for years and “really loves” the track they have come up with together.
He said: “Me Suggs have been talking about doing something together for the last few years so to see it finally happen is amazing! I love the tune and working with him. He’s truly a man of many talents. We wanted to do something special and I really think this track is!”
The track – which has been described as a “gloriously sunny, optimistic and defiant Motown influenced stomper” – is available to stream digitally now and will also be released as a limited edition numbered 7” vinyl on 17th June in time for Father’s Day.
Listen to ‘Ooh Do You Fink U Are’, watch the music video and pre order the vinyl at https://bit.ly/3kCpEuj.

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Fans were “temporarily evacuated” from Blossoms’ homecoming gig in Stockport after a fire alarm was set off.
The ‘Honey Sweet’ rockers were streaming their album film for their latest LP ‘Ribbon Around The Bomb’ at Stockport Plaza on Tuesday night (03.05.22), and hadn’t got on stage yet, when the audience had to leave the building for what turned out to be a false alarm.
Taking to Twitter to apologise for the interruption, the Tom Ogden-fronted band wrote: “Sorry about the fire alarm that went off at @StockportPlaza1. All sorted now. False alarm. The venue’s letting everyone back in now so we’ll see you on stage very shortly x (sic)”
A gig-goer told Manchester Evening News: “Blossoms weren’t on yet. There’s a film on promoting their new album and they cut that short, and someone came on and said, ‘Due to circumstances out of our control our alarms have gone off and we will have to evacuate the building.'”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service told the local news outlet it was a “false alarm”.
Blossoms went on to perform an 18-song setlist, including their entire fourth studio album in order, plus fan-favourites ‘Honey Sweet’, ‘There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)’ and ‘Charlemagne’.
Meanwhile, Tom recently admitted he “wasn’t very happy” in Blossoms before lockdown.
The 29-year-old singer – who shot to fame back in 2014 as the lead singer of the indie-pop band along with Charlie Salt, Josh Dewhurst, Joe Donovan and Myles Kellock – admitted that despite playing to a packed stadium in their hometown of Stockport in summer 2019, he “lost sight” of enjoying things.
He said: “There was a period before lockdown where I wasn’t very happy with what we were doing. We played at Edgeley Park in the summer of 2019 and, frankly, I didn’t enjoy it. “I had a bit of imposter syndrome. I was comparing myself to everyone and I just wanted everything to be perfect. I really lost sight of living in the moment and enjoying it.”
However, Tom went on to claim that the band has such an “affinity” with the Greater Manchester town and noted that the band want to play in a “huge f****** field” there as they now see “no limit” to possibilities.
He said: “We’ve got such an affinity with Stockport. The next step would be a show in a huge f****** field somewhere there. We don’t see a limit to what we can achieve.”

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Calum Scott is to perform at the Royal Albert Hall to mark 50 Years of Pride.
The 33-year-old singer – who shot to fame as a contestant on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ back in 2015 before releasing his chart-storming album ‘Only Human’ in 2018 – will take to the stage at the prestigious London venue in June for ‘Proud and Loud: Celebrating 50 Years Of Pride’ to mark half a century since the first London Pride march for gay men back in 1972.
Pride in London’s Executive Director Christopher Joell-Deshields said in a statement: “The LGBT+ community in the UK has come so far in the past 50 years, and this concert will be a great moment to celebrate our journey and where we are today! However, it is also a time to acknowledge the work still to be done and what the next 50 years will look like. We are so grateful to all of the artists, LGBT+ icons and allies who will help make a night to remember.”
The ‘Dancing On My Own’ hitmaker – who himself is openly gay – will be joined in the lineup by ‘Girls Like Girls’ songstress Hayley Kiyoko, who has often been vocal about her support for the gay community.
Pride in London has teamed up with with IHG Hotels Resorts’® Out Open Employee Network for the historic event and IHG bosses explained that they are “proud” to be working with the foundation on the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march.
Stephen Quick and Peter Brennan said: “This year, on the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march in London, we are proud to be sponsoring Pride in London for the first time. Our sponsorship builds on our long running celebration of Pride Month around the world, which our LGBT+ employee network Out Open sits at the heart of.”
‘Proud and Loud: Celebrating 50 Years Of Pride’ will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Saturday 4 June.
Further acts are yet to be announced and tickets are on sale at https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2022/proud-and-loud/

Source: IconInsider.com

OHMYGOSSIP — Madonna is launching a new remix album featuring 50 tracks.
The 63-year-old superstar made history when she topped the Billboard Dance Club chart for the 50th time with the release of ‘Girl Gone Wild’ back in 2020 and will now celebrate the milestone with the release of career-spanning compilation ‘Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones.’
The 50-track anthology will be released on streaming services and as a 3-CD and a 6-LP edition on August 19 but an abridged 16-track version of the collection simply titled ‘Finally Enough Love’ will be available from June 16 and the ‘Like a Virgin’ songstress has teased fans with the release of ‘Into the Groove’ (You Can Dance Remix Edit’), which was never available digitally until Wednesday (04.05.22).
A limited edition version on red and black vinyl will also be available, exclusively at Madonna’s official store and is available for pre-order now.
The ‘Vogue’ hitmaker has included her favourite remixes of classic tracks such as ‘Like a Prayer’ and ‘Express Yourself’ but will also feature rare and unreleased versions of hits such as ‘Ray of Light’ and ‘Everybody.’
All tracks have been remastered and the album will revisit classic anthems such as ‘Material Girl’, ‘Beautiful Stranger’ and ‘Hollywood’ but will also feature a newly digitised version of her Britney Spears collaboration ‘Me Against the Music’ and will also include an exclusive version of her 2012 hit ‘Bitch I’m Madonna’, on which she teamed up with rap Nicki Minaj.
The release of the 220-minute album marks the first in what has been described as a multi-year-reissue initiative with music giants Warner, so fans can expect more to come from the Queen of Pop.
Pre-order and pre-save ‘Finally Enough Love’ at https://m.lnk.to/FEL
Pre-order and pre-save ‘Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones’ at https://m.lnk.to/FEL50NO
Listen to ‘Into The Groove (You Can Dance Remix Edit) 2022 Remaster’ at https://m.lnk.to/ITGRemix

Source: IconInsider.com