Month: July 2024

Categories
Pop Daypop

Enimen dethrones Taylor Swift after 12 weeks at No. 1 spot on Billboard 200

Close up of Eminem Spotify page

Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) is officially the No. 1 album in the country, dethroning Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department after 12-weeks on top of the charts. The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) marks Eminem’s 12th studio album (and his first in four years), comprised of the hit singles “Houdini,” “Tobey,” and “Somebody Save Me.”

Per Billboard, “Eminem achieves his 11th No. 1 on the #Billboard200 with ‘The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).’ 📈 ⁠ His latest studio album debuts with the largest week for any rap album in 2024.⁠”

During the week ending July 18, The Death of Slim Shady debuted with 281,000 units in the U.S., along with 220 million streams and another 114,000 digital downloads, making its way to the top of the Billboard 200, and earning the biggest sales week for a Rap album in 2024. This latest achievement now sees Eminem tied with Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, and Ye (formerly Kanye West) for the fifth-most number one’s on the Billboard 200. Ahead of them are The Beatles, with a record 19 number one’s, JAY-Z and Taylor Swift, with 14 each, and Drake with 13.

Swift’s TTPD has now dropped to the No. 4 spot, its first time below number one since its debut — K-Pop group Enhypen’s album Romance: Untold debuted at No. 2, while Zach Bryan’s Great American Bar Scene fell to the No. 3 spot. Swift thanked fans on social media for her 12-week run, writing on social media: “I also wanted to say to everyone who’s supported The Tortured Poets Department, I am completely blown away by what you’ve done – it stayed at #1 for the first 12 weeks of its release and that’s never happened to an album of mine before, not even close!! You’re just the greatest.”

Swift’s 12 weeks at No. 1 with The Tortured Poets Department broke multiple chart records, among them surpassing Whitney Houston’s 1987 album Whitney to become the only album by a woman to spend so many weeks in the top position.

Editorial credit: Matthew Nichols1 / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Listen to Kesha’s latest single “Joy Ride”

Kesha at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas^ USA on May 20^ 2018.

Kesha recently released her her new single “Joyride,” her first track since being being released from her contract with Kemosabe Records back in December.  2017’s Rainbow was Kesha’s first full-length project without a Dr. Luke production credit, while each of her five previous albums have been released under a Dr. Luke-associated label. Dr. Luke originally signed Kesha in 2005, when she was just 18, and subsequently helped produce and release her first two records, 2010’s Animal and 2012’s Warrior, which boasted her hit songs “TiK ToK,” “Your Love Is My Drug,” “We R Who We R,” and “Die Young.”

The 37-year-old singer-songwriter hasn’t dropped music since 2023’s Gag Order, which was her last contractual release with Kemosabe. It’s also her first project since settling her nearly decade-long defamation lawsuit with the label’s founder, Dr. Luke whom she accused of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in 2014.

Shortly after Kesha’s lawsuit was filed, Dr. Luke quickly filed a countersuit, claiming defamation. Both Kesha’s request for a temporary injunction to release her from her recording contract with Dr. Luke and her sexual assault suit were dismissed by a New York judge in 2016. The defamation suit, however, continued on, only getting resolved in June of 2023, when Kesha and Dr. Luke settled out of court.

Kesha wrote in a December TikTok post shortly after it was first reported that her contract had been fulfilled: I haven’t felt this free since I was 18 .. First day I’ve owned my voice in 19 years.”  Also in a newsletter sent out to fans, the popstar shared: “I’ve waited for this day for more than half of my life. All of my adult life. There is so much more that I have to say, and experiences we have to share. This is the time for our joy ride. We made it… and I wasn’t alone thanks to each of you. Thank you. So much is on the horizon… But for now… Freedom. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Listen to ‘Joyride’ – here.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for Democratic Party’s presidential nominee

Vice President Kamala Harris g a press conference after meeting with Guatemala's President and community leaders to discuss migration and corruption control. Guatemala - Guatemala City 07-06-2021. USA

On Monday, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave her official endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, coming about 24 hours after President Joe Biden’s announcement he was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race.

Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement: “America has been truly blessed by the wisdom and leadership of President Joe Biden. With love and gratitude, I salute President Biden for always believing in the possibilities of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. As one of our country’s most consequential presidents, President Biden has been not only on the right side of history, but on the right side of the future. Today, it is with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future that I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for President is official, personal and political.”

Pelosi, 84, continued: “Officially, I have seen Kamala Harris’s strength and courage as a champion for working families, notably fighting for a woman’s right to choose. Personally, I have known Kamala Harris for decades as rooted in strong values, faith and a commitment to public service. Politically, make no mistake: Kamala Harris as a woman in politics is brilliantly astute – and I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November. In the Democratic Party, our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power. Now, we must unify and charge forward to resoundingly defeat Donald Trump and enthusiastically elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States. Onward to victory!””

Despite calls from many of her fellow-Democratic lawmakers for Biden to withdraw over the past weeks, Pelosi never publicly asked Biden to to drop out. However, Pelosi is said to have met privately with Biden to express concerns about his staying in the race, and how that could have an impact on Democratic candidates down-ballot.

Pelosi turned over the reins of the Democratic caucus to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries in 2023.

Editorial credit: Daniel Hernandez-Salazar / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Secret Service says assassination attempt on Donald Trump was ‘most significant operational failure’ in decades

FBI Flag together with American Flag^ USA^ Close-up Frontal on a Pole with blue cloudy sky^ 3D Render

On Monday, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced questions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, after some have called for her resignation in the wake of the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13th.  Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers were in attendance at the hearing, some repeatedly demanding that she resign over security failures that allowed a gunman to scale a roof and open fire at a campaign rally.

Cheatle wrote in remarks obtained by ABC News prior to Monday’s hearing: “As an agency, we are fully cooperating with the FBI’s investigation, the oversight you have initiated here, and conducting our own internal mission assurance review at my direction. Likewise, we will cooperate with the pending external review and the DHS Office of the Inspector General.”

Speaking to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Cheatle said she took “full responsibility for any security lapses in our agency” and admitted that the Secret Service failed in its mission to protect former President Donald Trump.  While Cheatle evaded many questions about the investigation into the shooting, she admitted: “The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13th, we failed.”

Cheatle characterized the assassination attempt as “the most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades,” acknowledging that there were “significant” problems at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, where the former president was shot in the ear.

The director said that before Trump took the stage at the rally, Secret Service had been notified “between two and five times” that there was a suspicious person in the area. Members of the House Oversight Committee questioned Cheatle for new information about the security breakdown and what is being done to ensure it never happens again, however, she repeatedly stonewalled lawmakers’ efforts to get answers and pointed to the ongoing FBI investigation.

Cheatle said that security for Trump “has been steadily increasing as threats evolve” but claimed it already had been increasing even before the shooting. The federal agency protects at least 36 individuals on a daily basis as well as visiting world leaders, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who arrived Monday in Washington).

Editorial credit: Mirza Kadic / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie agrees to 1-year deal with Dallas Mavericks

dallas mavericks dallas american airlines center logo

Veteran point guard Spencer Dinwiddie has agreed to a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The 31-year-old Dinwiddie was previously a Maverick from 2022-23 for one year, where he played a key role on the Mavs’ 2022 Western Conference finals team.

Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to report the news, posting on social media: “Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie has agreed on a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Dinwiddie reunites with Mavs as an ideal backcourt fit. He averaged 17.4 points in parts of two Dallas seasons and was key on 2022 West Finals team.”

Dinwiddie was traded from Washington to Dallas at the trade deadline in February 2022 as part of the return for Kristaps Porzingis, then was sent to Brooklyn at the 2023 deadline as part of the package for Kyrie Irving. The point guard considered signing with the Mavs after receiving a buyout in February, instead opting to go to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dinwiddie averaged 17.1 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game across 76 outings (60 starts) in his previous stint with the Mavs, and posted a shooting line of .466/.404/.788 during that time.  In 2023/24 across 76 appearances (52 starts) for the Nets and Lakers, Dinwiddie posted averages of 10.5 PPG, 4.7 APG, and 2.7 RPG in 28.3 MPG while shooting .392/.337/.805.

Editorial credit: Shutterstock AI Generator / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love not participating in training camp amid contract dispute

Utah State Aggies quarterback Jordan Love (5) takes the snap during the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. MOBILE^ ALABAMA / USA - JANUARY 25^ 2020

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will not participate in training camp practices until he finalizes a contract extension with the team.  Players were required to report to training camp Sunday at Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wis.  Love’s ‘hold-in’ strategy is used by players who report to practice, but don’t participate amid contract disputes — will not result in fines. Players who hold out — or don’t report to camp amid such disputes — are fined for their absences from the mandatory practice sessions.

Packers’ general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters Monday shortly before the team’s first practice of training camp that Love’s representatives informed him Saturday night of their plans before a deal gets done. Love did report for training camp on time and take part in meetings and other training camp activities except for practice. Previously, Love took part in the entire offseason program and the team’s mandatory minicamp in June to fulfill requirements for a $500,000 workout bonus. (per ESPN.)

Gutekunst shared with reporters during a press conference: “Saturday night, they [Love’s representatives] informed us that until we get something done, he would not practice. This is something we’re all working on. We certainly understand where he’s coming from. We’d like him to be out there. It’s important for him to be out there.” Gutekunst added that he believes the Packers and Love are close to another agreement: “We are working really hard to get that done. I think it’s really important for us. At the same time, the thing I have confidence in is that we both want the same thing. We want Jordan here for a long time, give him that stability for him and gives some stability for our group, as well.”

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said second-year pro Sean Clifford will handle the first snaps with the starters, but the reps will be split 50-50 between Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt. LaFleur said former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion, who was hired as an assistant coach this offseason, will help with throws during drill work. When asked how long they can sustain that without adding a third quarterback, LaFleur said: “That’s a great question. Obviously we’re hopeful we’ll get something done here in the next … sooner than later. But that’s something that we’re going to have to just adjust on the fly.” LaFleur added that he was not concerned about Love and the offense losing the momentum they had built last season and into the offseason program, sharing:“I know how he prepares, so, I’m not overly concerned about that.”

Love, 25, was the No. 26 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft but was inactive during the 2020 campaign, and spent the next two seasons backing up former Packers starter Aaron Rodgers. In 2023-24, his first season as a full-time starter, Love started all 17 games and completed 64.2% of his throws for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Packers signed Love to a one-year, $22.5 million extension for 2024 last off-season.

Editorial credit: Brad McPherson / Shutterstock.comom

Categories
Country Daypop

Midland drops ‘Lucky Sometimes’ from upcoming EP; announces fall ‘The Get Lucky Tour’

(L-R) Jess Carson^ Mark Wystrach and Cameron Duddy of Midland attend the 53rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 15^ 2018 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas^ Nevada.

Midland will drop their latest music Barely Blue, an eight-song LP recorded with nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb at Georgia Mae Studios in Savannah, GA.  Midland – comprised of lead singer/guitarist Mark Wystrach, bassist/vocalist Cameron Duddy and guitarist/vocalist Jess Carson – also shared the album’s opening track “Lucky Sometimes,” along with an official video directed by Harper Smith.  The song follows the release of the band’s most recently track, “Old Fashioned Feeling.”

Cameron Duddy said of the upcoming EP, ‘Barely Blue’: “We knew we wanted to go somewhere else  We are all big believers in a certain time and place, a sense of classic country that comes from roadhouses and bad coffee, miles and miles and miles on the road – and the idea that, even though we’re all happy, love and life falls apart, but that doesn’t mean you have to, too. When we were writing these songs, it was a trip into all the things in country music we love. You don’t hear much of this kind of unfiltered, hard stuff that comes with the great guitar sounds, the deep harmonies and shuffles you can tuck into. But that’s the essence of what Midland is – and Dave Cobb brought a new altitude to our sound.”

Wystrach added:  “Dave Cobb had been a producer we wanted to work with since we first heard Sturgill Simpson’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music. Dave’s eclectic musical background and the way he approaches recording as an experience and not a task made him the perfect match for us. On Barely Blue, we feel like Dave helped us find the sound we’ve been searching for for a long time.”. Wystrach also shared of the new song: “‘Lucky Sometimes’ is a get-up and go, hot streak, feel-good anthem for when it feels like you just can’t lose. The arrangement is sparse with a high and lonesome groove that crests with soaring harmonies on the hook. It’s the first song on the album and an introduction to the new sonic landscape that we found with Dave Cobb at the helm.”

The trio also revealed they will embark on The Get Lucky Tour, featuring supporting acts including Tanya Tucker, Solin Stough, Colby Acuff, Elvie Shane, Jackson Dean, and the Wilder Blue. The tour kicks-off on September 19th in Cincinnati and will hit iconic locations like Red Rocks Amphitheater on October 12th (with Jackson Dean) before culminating in a grand finale at the ACL Live in their hometown of Austin, TX on December 20th. For information on the The Get Lucky Tour, head here.

Check out the video for ‘Lucky Sometimes’ – here.
Barely Blue will drop on September 20th; to preorder, head HERE.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Take a look at the video for Zac Brown Band’s ‘Tie Up’

Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band performs at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival. Las Vegas^ NV^ USA - September 21^ 2019

The Zac Brown Band shares the video for his latest song ‘Tie Up’, a lively summer jam that encourages listeners to kick back and relax with friends. “Tie Up” is inspired by Brown’s favorite place to tie up – scenic Lake Lanier in North Georgia.

Brown says about the track: “There’s a little spot on Lake Lanier called ‘Cocktail Cove’ that we actually mention in the song. Growing up fishing and being on that lake was a big part of my childhood. We wanted to give our fans the ultimate summer jam and are looking forward to playing it on the road.”

Zac Brown Band is also out on the road with a run of headlining shows and festivals, and is serving as support on Kenny Chesney Sun Goes Down Tour.

Take a look at the video for ‘Tie Up’ – here.

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Matt Damon, Ben Affleck film ‘RIP’ lands at Netflix

Ben Affleck^ Matt Damon arrive at the 2013 SBIFF Modern Masters Award presented to Ben Affleck at Arlington Theater on January 25^ 2013 in Santa Barbara^ CA

The latest collaboration between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is heading to Netflix, with the streaming service confirming it acquired the rights to the upcoming thriller, RIP.  

Deadline was first outlet to report the news that Netflix acquired the rights to RIP, with Joe Carnahan directing. Carnahan previously collaborated with Affleck on Smokin’ Aces. Damon and Affleck’s production company, Artists Equity (founded with the goal of offering profit participation to more members of the cast and crew), is behind the project, with Damon and Affleck set to co-star in the movie and also serve as producers. Plot details have not yet been shared.

Damon and Affleck most recently co-starred together in Amazon’s Air Jordan-themed film, Air, which Affleck also directed. Of course, the duo famously earned Oscars for their work on the screenplay for Good Will Hunting back in 1998.

Damon next stars opposite Affleck’s brother Casey Affleck in the Doug Liman-directed Apple TV+ film The Instigators, which also hails from Artists Equity. The action comedy opens in select theaters Aug. 2 and premieres Aug. 9 on Apple TV+.

Other projects from Artists Equity include Affleck’s forthcoming sequel to The Accountant, and the film Unstoppable, starring Affleck’s wife, Jennifer Lopez, both of which landed at Amazon MGM Studios.  Artists Equity is also behind the Cillian Murphy drama Small Things Like These from Lionsgate.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Seether announces ninth studio album, ‘The Surface Seems So Far’

Vocalist/Guitarist Shaun Morgan of the Heavy Metal band Seether performs in concert October 5^ 2011 at the Comfort Dental Amphitheater in Denver^ CO.

Seether have dropped “Judas Mind”, the first single off their upcoming 11-track album The Surface Seems So Far, due out September 20th.

Frontman and songwriter Shaun Morgan shares: “‘Judas Mind’ is a song about reaching an understanding that there are bad actors in our lives that are trying to force an outcome for us that we don’t see as our destiny. It’s about rising up against people who have a vision for you that you don’t share.”

The Surface Seems So Far is available now to pre-order on vinyl and CD and pre-save on DSPs – HERE.

Seether is also set to hit the road on their co-headlining tour with Skillet. The 18-date outing launches September 17th in Asheville and will travel across the U.S. stopping in such cities as Baltimore, Boston, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas, Albuquerque, Denver, Omaha, and more before wrapping October 20th in Minneapolis. Seether is also set to perform at Louder Than Life and Aftershock Festival during the fall tour.

Listen to “Judas Mind” – HERE;
See the official lyric video for “Judas Mind” – HERE.

Editorial credit: TDC Photography / Shutterstock.com