Music Archives - Page 30 of 57

Monica Lewinsky Suggests Beyoncé to Scrub Lyric About Her in ‘Partition’

Music Observer Staff on September 5, 2022

With Beyoncé editing lyrics, Monica Lewinsky asks a favor.

Former White House intern Lewinsky, who was tangled in a sex scandal with then-President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, took to Twitter to announce that Beyoncé pulled out an ableist comment from the track “Heated” on her latest album Renaissance with a request.

“uhmm, while we’re at it… #Partition,” wrote Lewinsky.

“Partition” is a song from the superstar’s 2013 self-titled album – her fifth studio album. In the track, Beyoncé sings that a man “Monica Lewinsky’d all on my gown.”

Clinton and then-22-year-old Lewinsky’s affair eventually resulted in Clinton’s impeachment in 1998 and a fiery argument about consent and abuse of power.

In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper in 2021, Lewinsky said, “what’s really important to remember in today’s world is that we never should have even gotten to a place where consent was a question.”

“So, it was wholly inappropriate as the most powerful man, my boss, 49 years old,” she stated.

“I was 22, literally just out of college. And I think that the power differentials there are something that couldn’t ever fathom consequences at 22 that I understand obviously so differently at 48.”

Beyoncé has approved an erasure from her song “Heated” this week – a reference that is thought to be shaming people with spastic cerebral palsy after a public uproar.

Media outlets have tapped Beyoncé for comment on Lewinsky’s suggestion.

Monica Lewinsky: A Presidential Scandal Story

Monica Lewinsky was 22 years old when it happened. Former President Bill Clinton confessed to their affair during her time at the White House in 1995 and 1996.

The affair, as well as its reverberation, became commonly known as the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.

After it was publicly revealed, Lewinsky earned international celebrity status. She then launched into a series of ventures, including a line of handbags under her name, acting as an advertising spokesperson for a diet plan, and serving as a television personality.

Sometime later, Lewinsky stepped away from the spotlight to strive for a master’s degree in psychology in a school in London.

She came back in 2014 as a social activist to raise awareness and fight against cyberbullying.

Arcade Fire Tours Despite Win Butler Allegations

Music Observer Staff on September 5, 2022

Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

Arcade Fire kicked off their world tour in Dublin on Tuesday, just days after the band’s frontman Win Butler received allegations of sexual misconduct.

According to Pitchfork, over the weekend they discovered four people, aged 18 to 23, who claimed the musician was misbehaving. The allegations ranged from sexual assaults to embarrassing sexual text messages and forced touching.

Butler denied such allegations, saying all contacts were mutually agreed.

“I have never touched a woman against her will,” he told Pitchfork. “It is deeply revisionist, and frankly just wrong, for anyone to suggest otherwise.”

The award-winning artist, who is married to bandmate Régine Chassagne, cited previous struggles with alcohol and depression. He said he was “very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behavior.”

Pitchfork’s survey ran from 2015 to 2020, when Butler was 34 to 39 years old. Anyone who claimed that the wrongdoing had been committed was about ten years younger.

One, who was interviewed by the outlet under the name of Lily using pronouns they/them, said they met the artist at a concert in 2015.

After the show, Butler allegedly touched and kissed them in a vehicle without their consent. At another time, Lily said, right after opening her front door to Butler, “he pinned me up against the wall and was aggressively grabbing my body and sticking his tongue down my throat.”

According to Butler, he touched Lily’s thigh in the vehicle and the second date was “definitely mutual.”

Butler Has Abused Many

A woman who identified herself as Stella stated that she began conversing with Butler in 2016 when she was 18 and he was 36 and that she met up with him for a drink.

She claimed that the Grammy winner then started “repeatedly sending her explicit texts without her consent or reciprocation,” although she expressed her rejection.

The singer admitted to the sexting but stated that he did not know the messages were not welcome. He claimed to have not recognized the significance of the age gap at the time but could currently see “how it could be overwhelming.”

In an interview with Pitchfork, Butler’s wife said her husband “has never, and would never, touch a woman without her consent, and I am certain he never did.”

These allegations have made numerous radio stations in Canada, the band’s native land, halt playing their music.

Nicki Minaj Bags First Solo Top Spot in Hot 100 Single with ‘Super Freaky Girl’

Music Observer Staff on August 29, 2022

Nicki Minaj has reached the first-ever solo No. 1 single of her career on the Billboard Hot 100, credits to her newest song, “Super Freaky Girl,” Billboard reported on Monday.

While she has landed the top spot alongside other musicians and rappers such as Doja Cat (“Say So”) and rapper 6ix9ine (“Trollz”), this most recent feat is actually the first time in Minaj’s career – 13 years of it – that she has reached the chart’s peak on her own.

Additionally, Billboard announced that “Super Freaky Girl” is the first-ever hip-hop track by a solo female with no collaborating artist to debut at the top spot on the Hot 100 after “Doo Wop (That Thing)” by Lauryn Hill in 1998.

“You did it,” Minaj wrote on Twitter on Monday, not long after it was announced that the single also marked the largest pure sales week for any song dropped in 2022, with 89,000 units sold.

The song has been dubbed a pseudo follow-up to Minaj’s 2014 smash hit “Anaconda” and contains a great sample of Rick James’ 1981 single “Super Freak.”

“Super Freaky Girl” Performed Well for Minaj

Following the premiere of “Super Freaky Girl,” Minaj dropped a partially altered “Roman Remix” version of the track that houses the comeback of her beloved alter-ego Roman Zolanski.

Besides her chart success, Minaj is scheduled to host the MTV VMAs 2022 alongside LL Cool J and Jack Harlow.

The superstar is also a recipient of this year’s Vanguard Award and will play a medley of hits from throughout her career. Moreover, “Super Freaky Girl” has snagged a nomination for Song of the Summer at the awards show.

While the song charted at the summit during its release, Minaj has also received backlash online for collaborating with writer-producer Dr. Luke, a popular songwriter Kesha took to court for alleged sexual assault and abuse – the lawsuit was later dropped.

Amy Winehouse Biopic will Finally be Produced

Music Observer Staff on August 22, 2022

Amy Winehouse’s life story may finally be told in a new biopic, according to reports from Deadline and Variety.

The biopic, titled Back to Black, will have Sam Taylor-Johnson, who is famous for her work on Nowhere Boy and Fifty Shades of Grey, as director and Matt Greenhalgh as the writer. Studiocanal, Alison Owen, Debra Hayward, and Tracey Seaward as producers.

It was reported that Back to Black has the backing of the singer’s father, Mitchell Winehouse, and the Amy Winehouse Estate.

Amy Winehouse’s death in 2011 was a huge loss for the music world. It also created a documentary by Asif Kapadia that detailed her life and career, called Amy. This film did well as it received an Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature Film. However, it snagged an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film.

After the success of Amy, rumors circulated that Irish director Kristen Sheridan would write and helm a Winehouse biopic featuring Noomi Rapace in 2015. But the Sheridan project did not make it through.

Reports say that in 2018, producer/writers Alison Owen and Debra Hayward will be working on a biopic about Amy Winehouse. They have Geoff Deane lined up to write the script for them which is expected to go through full Hollywood production protocol with supervision from her family members as well.

The latest biopic should not be demented with the documentary Amy Winehouse – Back to Black, a film about the production of the Back to Black album.

Bruce Willis Plays Harmonica Amid Health Issues

Music Observer Staff on August 22, 2022

Bruce Willis spends his time going along with his love of music after being diagnosed with aphasia.

The star showcased his harmonica skills during a “jam session” with dear friend Derek Richard Thomas, who sang a song while playing guitar.

The actor’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, posted a clip of the passionate collaboration on Instagram, which was heartening news for Willis.

“Their talent is speaking for itself. I’ll just leave this here @derekrichardthomas #jamsession,” Heming Willis wrote on the post showing the black and white footage of the two.

Willis has always been inclined to music. He dropped his debut record, titled The Return of Bruno, in 1987 under the name Bruno Randolini – his alter ego. And then, he delivered If It Don’t Kill You, Just Makes You Stronger and Classic Bruce Willis.

The actor’s 1991 Hudson Hawk was a complete flop but became a musical masterpiece for him.

The video was made after Willis was forced to retire from acting in March after discovering he had aphasia, a cognitive impairment that affects a person’s ability to communicate.

“This is a really challenging time for our family, and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion, and support,” his family – not including his ex-wife Demi Moore and their daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah – said in a joint statement.

The statement further said, “We are moving through this as a strong family unit and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.”

A month ago, Heming uploaded funny footage of Willis returning to the iconic Fox Plaza building, featured on Die Hard for the film’s 34th anniversary. A video on her Instagram shows her husband interspersing the film’s video as a “Ode of Joy” – Tabernacle Choir’s version of Beethoven – played in the background.

Bruce Willis Shows and Films

Bruce Willis’ career started in the 1970s on the off-Broadway stage. He gained traction after portraying a lead role in the drama series Moonlighting and appeared in countless films. He began catching the public’s attention when he played John McClane in the Die Hard franchise.

Other films associated with Willis are 1991’s The Last Boy Scout, 1992’s Death Becomes Her, 1994’s Pulp Fiction, 1995’s 12 Monkeys, 1997’s The Fifth Element, 1998’s Armageddon, 1999’s The Sixth Sense, 2000’s Unbreakable, 2005’s Sin City, 2012’s Moonrise Kingdom, and 2012’s Looper.

The Weeknd Appears in HBO Max’s The Idol Alongside Many Huge Personalities

Music Observer Staff on August 22, 2022

The Weeknd has revealed a new teaser for The Idol, his own forthcoming HBO Max series.

The show – with “gutters of Hollywood” as the setting, according to the clip – follows the story of a pop singer (Lily-Rose Depp) where she becomes romantically tied to a club owner in Los Angeles, who turns out to be a cult leader.

The series features Abel Tesfaye – who also serves as producer and co-writer of the series.

A release date has not been confirmed by the trailer. However, it does share a whole new list of cast members, such as Moses Sumney, Jennie of Blackpink – a K-pop girl group, Mike Dean, Dan Levy, Rachel Sennott, Hank Azaria, Hari Nef, among others.

On Saturday, the new clip was released at the Las Vegas concert of The Weeknd, as per reports from Stereogum.

The Idol was first teased last summer. Tesfaye serves as the series’ co-creator with producing partner Reza Fahim, while producer Joseph Epstein serves as co-writer of the script alongside the musician. Euphoria filmmaker Sam Levinson co-executive produced the show with Ashley Levinson, Kevin Turen, and Aaron L. Gilbert.

HBO revealed last fall that Troye Sivan, Anne Heche, Suzanna Son, Steve Zissis, Melanie Liburd, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Nico Hiraga, and TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe would be featured in the series alongside Depp and Tesfaye.

Other cast members were shown in the first trailer.

The Weeknd is on Tour

The Weeknd is now hitting the road for his tour in North America this year, backing his newest album Dawn FM.

Here is The Weeknd’s tour schedule below.

The Weeknd:

07-09 Toronto, Ontario – Rogers Centre

07-14 Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field

07-16 New York, NY – Metlife Stadium

07-21 Boston, MA – Gillette Stadium

07-24 Chicago, IL – Soldier Field

07-30 Washington, D.C. – FedExField

08-04 Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium

08-06 Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium

08-11 Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium

08-14 Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium

08-18 Denver, CO – Empower Field at Mile High

08-20 Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium

08-23 Vancouver, British Columbia – BC Place

08-25 Seattle, WA – Lumen Field

08-27 San Francisco, CA – Levi’s Stadium

08-30 Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium

09-02 Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium

Fast-Rising Artist Walid Shares His Passion for Connecting People Through Music

Music Observer Staff on August 15, 2022

The music industry is filled with talented individuals, powerful vocals and catchy lyrics powering the trends and swaying the beat of nations. Amid this sea of talents and accomplished entertainers, some individuals, such as Walid, still manage to stand out as dominant voices. His powerful and authentic vocals are distinct on tracks captivating listeners worldwide.

Walid is a Moroccan-American singer and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his remarkable versatility and overflowing creativity. As an artist, Walid has established his name in the industry through his strings of covers, and a demo of The Way You Talk, which got him into the We Can Survive 2022 Opening Act contest. The contest grants the winner a chance to open the Audacy’s (formerly Radio.com) annual concert at the Hollywood Bowl this year.

Growing up in the eclectic music scene of his home country, Morocco, Walid always dreamed of becoming an artist. From a young age, he performed on a few local stages as a singer and guitarist in a pop/rock band, displaying his innate musical talent. He later emigrated to San Diego, California, to pursue his dream of becoming an artist and establishing his musical brand. His biggest influences are artists like Shawn Mendes, South Korean music producer Gray, John Mayer, Billie Eilish, Jessie J, Anees, Chris Brown and Giveon. “Listening to music and to some artists I love has helped me through some of the hardest parts of my life, so I would hope that I could bring that kind of help and support to others who may need it,” he shared.

On a mission to steadily rise to stardom status and carve a name for himself in the industry as an artist with a distinctive flair and unique voice, Walid submitted a Youtube demo, The Way You Talk. His brilliant discography captured the attention of many big names in the field, and he was selected to compete for a chance to open for some of the biggest artists at the We Can Survive 2022 music concert by Audacy radio at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. He recently advanced into the top 5, and only one artist gets to win.

When asked about his motivation, Walid shared his passion for connecting with people through music. “I’m just a guy with a guitar and a few other instruments trying to navigate the music industry the best I can and hoping that I could connect with as many people as possible either in person or from a stage. At the end of the day, life is about people. We live once, and that ‘once’ can either go by quickly or slowly depending on how and who we decide to live it with,” he said.

With a heart full of music and unparalleled determination, Walid is currently vying for an opportunity to perform at the ‘We Can Survive 2022’ and open for some of the biggest names in the industry. He hopes that people will vote and support him throughout his journey.

In the coming years, Walid wants to continue making music and fulfilling his long-time passion as a musical artist. He hopes to become an internationally acclaimed artist, perform his songs on stages worldwide, and go on tours.

To learn more about Walid and his recent music project, you may visit his Instagram.

Weezer Announces Broadway Show Cancelation

Music Observer Staff on August 15, 2022

Weezer is currently experiencing only one sensation: disappointment.

The band would have a residency at the Broadway Theater in September, where they would deliver old Weezer classics along with songs from their seasonal EPs from SZNZ for five nights. However, the Weezer Hive did not hit the quota for the continuation of the show.

Rivers Cuomo revealed via the band’s Discord that it was the end of their supposed Broadway journey before it even started.

“I just learned that our Broadway shows have been canceled (due to low ticket sales and unbelievably high expenses.) I’m very sorry to be telling you this now after we’ve already invested so much time, thought, and emotion,” Cuomo said.

“Extra apologies to those of you who cleared schedules and made travel plans to be with us. Thanks to @Broadway Producer for all your hard work and great ideas. I loved where we were going, and I hope we can find a way to resurrect our vision.”

While the Broadway show may seem in line with the band’s current affinity for stunts and performances, Weezer continue to make good music nearly 30 years after their 1994 debut.

Their most recent release in 2021, Van Weezer, “a double-shot espresso of sped-up joy,” reached the ranks of EW’s mid-year roundup of best albums.

So it could have been Broadway’s loss.

The Start of Weezer

Weezer is a rock band born in 1992. It consists of members Rivers Cuomo – lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards; Patrick Wilson – drums; Scott Shriner – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals; and Brian Bell – rhythm guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals.

In 1993, they signed to Geffen Records and dropped their self-titled debut album, Blue Album, in May 1994. The Blue Album paved the way to multiplatinum success with music videos for songs “Buddy Holly,” “Undone – The Sweater Song,” and “Say Ain’t So” backing the album.

Their second album, titled Pinkerton, was released in 1996, containing a darker, more brusque sound. But it failed to secure commercial success and earned mixed reviews from listeners and critics alike. But years later, it gained cult status and was critically acclaimed.

Since then, Weezer has proved to be good musicians as their music received recognition and applause.

Megan Thee Stallion Releases Traumazine

Music Observer Staff on August 15, 2022

Megan Thee Stallion dropped her latest album, Traumazine.

The superstar had divulged the cover art and the track list of the album earlier this week because, according to her, details had started to leak.

“From my cover art, pieces of my track list and me even hearing a part of a song I haven’t dropped yet leaking (and we ALL know who the only ppl who had access to all these PRIVATE links are..) I might as well….lol,” she tweeted, revealing the tracklist and masterpiece.

Traumazine contains 18 tracks, and guests team up with Dua Lipa (“Sweetest Pie”) and Future (“Pressurelicious”). It also features Latto, Pooh Shiesty, Rico Nasty, Jhene Aiko, Lucky Daye, and more.

Thee Stallion said in an interview with Rolling Stone that the album overflows with different vibes.

“I want to take you through so many different emotions,” she told Rolling Stone. “At first, you was twerking, now you might be crying.”

Ahead of her dropping the news about the album last Thursday, Thee Stallion took to Twitter to express her gratitude to her “hotties” for the love and support she’s been given during what she called lingering label issues before her release.

Megan Thee Stallion Before Traumazine

Additionally, she sent a message to her fans saying, “We almost out,” and referred to the album as the “last one” – relating to her contract with 1501 Certified Entertainment.

“Y’all know I always have problems with dropping my music under this label,” she said. “[A]ll these games and having to go to court just to put out my art has been so stressful.”

Thee Stallion is still committed to 1501 Certified Entertainment, with whom she clashed in court earlier this year.

In the legal proceeding, 1501 accused Thee Stallion’s mixtape release on October 2021, Something for Thee Hotties, did not satisfy the definition of an album, and this did not meet the requirement of her contract.

But the release for Traumazine indicates the album’s subject material will take a more serious tone compared to her celebratory debut album, Good News.

When asked about the writing process of the album, Thee Stallion stated that it was “very hard” to “[say] certain things you’ve never said out loud before.”

Thee Stallion then revealed a trailer for Traumazine, which runs for 20 seconds, where she is in a rainy funeral and puts a rose on top of a casket.

Beyoncé Bags Another No. 1 Spot with Renaissance

Music Observer Staff on August 8, 2022

Renaissance, the newest album released by Beyoncé, has climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, according to Billboard.

The album, in its first week, has gained 332,000 equivalent album units and sold 190,000 physical copies.

Renaissance is the seventh album from Beyoncé that landed the No.1 spot on the Billboard 200 albums charts (Note: seven out of seven solo albums), lately after Lemonade, Beyoncé, and 4. She is the first-ever female artist to have her first seven solo albums at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 on its debut.

In 2022 thus far, the only album with a more extensive debut week on the Billboard 200 charts than the LP by Beyoncé was Harry’s House by Harry Styles, which earned 521,200 units and broke the record for the first-week vinyl sales after previous record-holder Taylor Swift.

Beyoncé’s chart triumph isn’t bound to the 200 albums chart. Instead, the Houston local set a new record when all the songs from Lemonade, her sixth studio album, snagged a spot on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the title for the first female artist to have over 12 on the chart at the same time.

Queen B is also a Queen of No. 1 Albums Chart

Years of her solo career have not been a flop as she has had seven songs to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well and had 20 singles snag top 10 spots.

Renaissance dropped on July 29, 2022. The album was dubbed “Act I” – the first of the “three-act project” she recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the release, Queen B wrote on her website: “My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking.”

“Break My Soul,” the album’s lead single, was dropped in June.