Category: News

Shawn Mendes will release his new album, Wonder, on Friday, December 4th, in collaboration with Island Records.

As of now, the singer has already shared two songs and accompanying music videos from his next album. His first release, “Intro”, portrays Mendes in the video playing the piano and acts as a teaser trailer for Wonder.

Following Intro, the Canadian singer-songwriter also released his second single from the album, Wonder, also accompanied by a music video.

Shawn Mendes, born in Canada, has released three albums as of now since he first gained a following through social media application Vine in 2013. Mendes released his self-titled debut EP (2014) and his debut studio album Handwritten (2015), whose single “Stitches” reached number one in the United Kingdom and the Top 10 in the United States and Canada.

He then released his second studio album Illuminate (2016), whose singles “Treat You Better” and “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” reached the top 10 in several countries. His self-titled third studio album (2018) was supported by the lead single “In My Blood”. All three albums debuted atop the US Billboard 200.

In a statement, Mendes said of Wonder:

“It really feels like a piece of me has been written down on paper and recorded into song. I tried to be as real and as honest as I’ve ever been. It’s a world and a journey and a dream and an album I’ve been wanting to make for a really long time. I absolutely love it. Thank you for being by my side for so many years. I love you all so much.”

A couple weeks earlier, on November 13th, Mendes shared the track-list for Wonder.

#WONDER the album tracklist 🖤 Out dec 4. pre-order & pre-save now https://t.co/0D6eCKKnnu pic.twitter.com/BmEUo7S4Xx

— Shawn Mendes (@ShawnMendes) November 13, 2020

Wonder will be Mendes’ fourth studio album and will follow his latest 2018 album, Shawn Mendes, which saw number nine on Rolling Stone’s Top 20 Pop Albums of the year, the year it was released.

Tuesday, December 1st, Finneas released his first holiday and Christmas themed song called “Another Year.” The piano ballad is beautifully tender, a bit humorous, and talks about people getting together during the holidays to enjoy each other’s company and comfort. 

He opens the song with the words “It never snows in LA/ You’d never know it was a holiday/ I don’t believe that Jesus Christ was born to save me/ That’s an awful lot of pressure for a baby.”

Finneas said he wrote the track last year, before quarantine. In a statement about the song, he said “I wrote this song last Christmas, with a year of uncertainty ahead of us, had I known anything I know now about how 2020 would go, I don’t think I would have changed a word. I hope wherever this song finds you, it brings you some small dose of comfort. The horizon is bright, I think.”

He sings in the Christmas song, “Just want your company/ Beside a Christmas tree, if the dog allows it.” The chorus continues, “Hurry home please, I don’t belong without you/ Your ice-cold feet, write all my songs about you/ I love you more and more each day/ Can’t find poetic ways to say ‘I hope it lasts another year.’”

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This year’s Thanksgiving was like no other, but that doesn’t stop mindful artists and athletes giving back to their communities and helping people out.

Atlanta’s very own, T.I., working in partnership with Harris Community Works, hosted their 15th Annual Turkey Giveaway this Thanksgiving week, distributing more than 1,000 turkeys and various produce to families in the Westside community of Atlanta.

Council member @AndreaBooneNow is partnering with Grammy Award-winning artist and actor @Tip and the Harris Community Works Foundation, @Humana and @kroger to host their 15th annual turkey distribution with a drive-thru event today 🦃

Link to advisory: https://t.co/DNl6hiRIuE pic.twitter.com/IIJ4dwE8Tm

— Atlanta City Council (@atlcouncil) November 24, 2020

The event was Covid-modified for this year’s apparent circumstances, adding on changes such as an outdoor setting and a drive-thru option, making the event accessible for everyone.

In New Orleans, Louisiana, native Lil Wayne was ready for this year’s Tunechi’s Turkey Give-A-Way, on November 24th Tuesday. Alongside the Young Money team, Wayne helped 500 families get free turkeys using a sign-up page for distribution. A rep for Young Money expressed the team’s feelings earlier this week, saying,

“The ideal goal and mission is to deliver to people that can’t make it out to purchase the essentials needed to have a blessed Thanksgiving,”

On Monday, November 23rd, Snoop was seen at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, helping families in need get free turkeys and trimmings. According to a local CBS outlet, the event, which was set-up as a drive-thru, saw almost 2,500 people line up to receive a turkey.

"It's not just me writing a check…I'm putting my foot on the pavement." @SnoopDogg joined the @RamsNFL and @Chargers at Inglewood's SoFi Stadium to distribute #Thanksgiving turkeys and all the trimmings to 2,500 families https://t.co/XbTFvJLmeQ

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) November 23, 2020

Slim Jxmmi was busy in his hometown, Tupelo, Mississippi.

Jxmmi, one half of Rae Sremmurd with his brother Swae Lee, helped provide meals for more than 200 families in the Mississippi town, and was also awarded by the local government of Tupelo for his efforts and giving.

Speaking to Daily Journal about his Thanksgiving turkey drive, Jxmmi explained the personal significance this drive and effort has for him, and the importance of him helping out those from his own hometown.

“I love giving back to where I come from because I feel like it inspires others to chase their dreams or to reach their highest height and give back to their community,” he said. “It makes everybody better.”

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In a newsletter to fans via email on Tuesday, November 24th, Lorde announced she would be releasing a photo book with pictures from her 2019 trip to Antarctica.

The 100-page book is called GOING SOUTH and in addition to the photos, it will also include a piece of writing by the artist. All photos in the book were shot by Lorde’s friend, Harriet Were. A release date has not yet been decided. 

In the newsletter, Lorde said about the book and her trip, “When I went to Antarctica, I hadn’t yet started writing again after finishing Melodrama. I realized after the trip that what my brain had been craving was a visit to an alternate realm. Albums live in their own realms in a way, and Antarctica really acted as this great white palette cleanser, a sort of celestial foyer I had to move through in order to start making the next thing. In the plane coming down to land, I had this very intense bolt-of-lightning thought, which in all its eloquence was literally ‘DON’T MAKE SHIT RECORDS,’ lol. I’ll always hold this trip up as a life highlight for many reasons, but I’m particularly grateful for it as one that showed me the beginnings of the new world which I continue to build, and am very excited to start showing you soon.”

While there were more updates in the newsletter sent to fans, there was no news on new music from Lorde. The first 500 copies of the photo book will include a picture postcard signed by Lorde. All proceeds from GOING SOUTH will be donated to Antarctica New Zealand in support of postgraduate scholars studying climate change science. GOING SOUTH can be preordered here. 

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The 63rd annual Grammy nominations were announced this Tuesday, November 24th. 

The awards ceremony, which recognizes the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, will take place in Staples Center on January 31st, 2021. 

Just a couple hours before the nominees of this year’s Grammy’s were announced, it was reported that Trevor Noah would be the host of this year’s show. 

We’re thrilled to welcome @TheDailyShow host, Emmy-winner, and GRAMMY-nominee @TrevorNoah as the host of the 63rd #GRAMMYs!

We can’t think of a better person to serve as Master of Ceremonies for Music’s Biggest Night. 🎶 pic.twitter.com/vbFqPbXfgl

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) November 24, 2020

Almost immediately after the nominees were announced, music fans took to social media to address their concerns about the nominations. The most popular of these concerns were about The Weeknd not getting any nominations this year, even though his hit single Blinding Lights spent more than 40 weeks in the top 10 of Billboard Hot 100. 

Abel was robbed man this shits weak

— The Chosen One (@KidCudi) November 24, 2020

Nominees include Megan Thee Stallion (“Savage” Remix), Jhene Aiko (Chilumbo), Beyoncé (“Black Parade”), Anderson .Paak. (“Lockdown”) & much more.

While the Weeknd was snubbed of any nominations, the Grammys nominated Pop Smoke for his single “Dior” & Nipsey Hussle got nominated with Big Sean on “Deep Reverence”.

Another artist to speak on being snubbed was Lil Baby who went on to claim “#MyTurnAlbumOfTheYear” & that “Whoever making the decisions at the Grammys ‘You all disconnected like a mf’”

See a full list of 2021 Grammy nominee’s here.

Congratulations 63rd #GRAMMYs Album Of The Year nominees: @JheneAiko, @BlackPumasMusic, @coldplay, @jacobcollier, @HAIMtheband, @DUALIPA, @PostMalone, and @taylorswift13: https://t.co/teAbOeBzZ9 pic.twitter.com/6QSaEq78wM

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) November 24, 2020

Congratulations 63rd #GRAMMYs Song Of The Year nominees (a songwriter(s) award): @Beyonce, @RoddyRicch, @taylorswift13, @PostMalone, @DUALIPA, @billieeilish, @HERMusicx, @jpsaxe, and @juliamichaels: https://t.co/teAbOeBzZ9 pic.twitter.com/TZxXiNOEUu

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) November 24, 2020

Congratulations 63rd #GRAMMYs Record Of The Year nominees: @Beyonce, @BlackPumasMusic, @DaBabyDaBaby, @RoddyRicch, @DojaCat, @billieeilish, @DUALIPA, @PostMalone, and Megan @theestallion: https://t.co/teAbOeBzZ9 pic.twitter.com/D1YBO5zRgk

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) November 24, 2020

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On Tuesday, November 24th Taylor Swift announced that she will be releasing a new concert film from her latest album Folklore. The film’s full title Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions will begin streaming on November 25th on Disney+.

Swift announced the film on Twitter, including a trailer for the film, and captioned it, “Well it’s 11/24 and 24-11=13 so I’ve got an announcement. You haven’t seen this film before. folklore: the long pond studio sessions will be out tonight at midnight PST on @DisneyPlus! #folkloreOnDisneyPlus.”

Well it’s 11/24 and 24-11=13 so I’ve got an announcement 🤓 You haven’t seen this film before ✨ folklore: the long pond studio sessions will be out tonight at midnight PST on @DisneyPlus! #folkloreOnDisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/BTWSRM0yaI

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) November 24, 2020

The film was directed by Taylor Swift and was filmed at Long Pond Studios in Hudson Valley, NY which is home to the National and Aaron Dessner. Dessner was a key collaborator with Swift on her most recent album, Folklore.

The film itself features Swift, Dessner, and Jack Antonoff, who co-produced the album. The three artists perform each track off of Folklore and tell stories and meanings behind the songs throughout the film. There is also a special appearance by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, who performs a duet with Swift on “Exile.”

In the Folklore trailer, Swift says, “It’s an album that allows you to feel your feelings, and it’s a product of isolation.” She continues in a conversation with Dessner saying, “This could’ve been a time where I absolutely lost my mind, and instead, I think this album was a real flotation device for both of us.”

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Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots and Matt McGuire of Chainsmokers posted a video of the two drummers joining forces in an amazing 19-minute MegaMix drum cover.

The two epically covered songs by Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, A$AP Rocky, Paramore, and more. Dun and McGuire appear in the video shirtless behind their drum kits which are set up facing each other while maintaining social distancing. 

In an interview after the performance, Josh Dun talked about how they decided to collaborate on the drum mash-up, saying, “We thought it would be cool to do some older songs that were inspirational to us in some way or another – songs that we’ve played in the past, whether it’s in our parents’ basement or in a loft in a warehouse that we rented out somewhere.” 

McGuire added to the conversation, “When we were texting back and forth about what we wanted to do, we just said we will choose three songs each and pick the three songs that are a little bit iconic of what we kind of played back in the day. I remember that when you [Dun] sent through Underoath I was like, ‘let’s go’ because I absolutely love that band. One for me is Paramore, of course, but it was really cool to see the influences.” The two drummers revealed that they had met while on tour in 2014 and quickly became friends. 

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Tory Lanez pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges related to the shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced in a statement via Twitter.

According to statements made to XXL Magazine, Tory Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, entered the ‘not guilty’ plea, through his attorney Shawn Holley, as he was not present on Wednesday during the arraignment.

Rap artist charged with assault of woman in Hollywood Hills pleaded not guilty today. He is due back in court on 1/20. https://t.co/J62gxvztm5 #LADAOffice

— Jackie Lacey (@LADAOffice) November 18, 2020

He is scheduled to return to court however, on January 20, for a preliminary hearing.

Megan Thee Stallion, having had a widely successful 2020, denied identifying Tory Lanez as the assailant for a while after the shooting became public. Megan only posted a photo of her feet on her social media, with the explanation

“.. I got hit at the back of my feet because when I got shot I was WALKING AWAY FACING THE BACK. Why would I lie abt getting shot?..”

Following the backlash on social media and Tory Lanez’s confrontational statements, however, Megan decided to address the incident on her IG Live and identified Tory Lanez as the one who shot her, bringing in more heat to the whole drama.

Earlier in October, Tory Lanez made a statement about the issue, denying Megan’s and her legal teams’ accusations that he was the one who assaulted her group and shot her.

⏰ will 🗣 … and the truth will come to the light … I have all faith in God to show that … love to all my fans and people that have stayed true to me & know my heart … a charge is not a conviction . If you have supported me or meg thru this , I genuinely appreciate u .

— Tory Lanez (@torylanez) October 9, 2020

In an interview with GQ magazine earlier this week, Megan also claimed that rapper Tory Lanez tried to buy her off with hush money, just 2 days before Lanez entered the ‘not guilty’ plea.

Megan Thee Stallion is also releasing her first studio album, Good News, this Friday, just two days after Tory Lanez’s court hearing.

On Wednesday, November 18, Eddie Vedder, of Pearl Jam, released two new songs “Matter of Time,” and “Say Hi,” after performing them at the charity event, Ventures Into Cures. The event benefited EB Research Partnership, a non-profit started by Vedder and his wife, Jill in support of finding a cure for epidermolysis bullosa (EB). 

In a statement, Jill Vedder said “Ed and I are incredibly grateful to everyone joining us for Venture Into Cures. Every day kids with EB and their families face astonishing challenges — this event will give people a glimpse into their world. EBRP’s mission is to find a cure for EB, and this event will help bring us one step closer to making that mission a reality by adding momentum to the work being done.”

“Matter of Time,” is a beautiful piano ballad that Vedder dedicates to those with EB. The video for the song is animated and takes us along the lives and experiences of those with EB, and what a cure would mean for them. In the song, Vedder sings, “I’ll take the joy, I’ll take the pain. We’re just like you, we’re all the same.”

“Say Hi” is dedicated to Eli Meyer, a 6-year-old with EB. Vedder sings “with all our imperfections / your light shines through in all directions/ cutting through.”

The two songs will be released on a special 7” vinyl, which can be preordered here. A Ventures Into Cures poster is also available and can be preordered here.  

This Tuesday, November 17th, Kid Cudi announced the launch of his production and music management company Mad Solar, with Karina Manashil, Dennis Cummings, and alongside media and entertainment company Bron Studios, according to a Deadline report.

“Beyond excited to be launching my production company Mad Solar and partnering with Bron, whose creative vision and storytelling has transformed the industry,” Cudi said about the launch of his company. “I am so very proud of the slate that we are developing and can’t WAIT for you all to see what we got cookin’.”

They aint ready. Hold on to ya butts! https://t.co/R6cN6C537H

— The Chosen One (@KidCudi) November 18, 2020

Mad Solar will start off its existence already busy too. The company is set to produce the upcoming Netflix animated series Entergalactic, which is co-created by Cudi and Kenya Barris.

Cudi will also be starring in the show and credited as a writer and executive producer as well. Kid Cudi will also be responsible for the music of the show, which already carries the name of one of his most-loved tracks, Enter Galactic from his album Man On The Moon: The End of the Day.

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