Author Archives: Jennifer White

Woodstock Revisited

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In the summer of 1969, an estimated crowd of 500,000 descended upon Max Yasgur's farm for "three days of peace and music." The Woodstock festival has been analyzed and mythologized ever since, so LiveXLive tasked Redbeard (of InTheStudio.net) to tell us the inside story. 

"Woodstock Diaries” is a radio experience that features the voices and recollections (and music, of course) of those that were there, including Crosby, Stills , Nash & Young, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker, the Jefferson Airplane and more. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the behind-the-scenes stories you will find:

--At the last minute, Jimi Hendrix asked his studio engineer, Eddie Kramer to fly in from Manhattan to record the event…leading to the seminal live album.

--The Band’s Robbie Roberston explains that the promoters choose the Woodstock location because they thought it would lure nearby resident Bob Dylan to perform. It didn’t work.

--Santana was not well-known out of San Francisco yet, so legendary promoter Bill Graham had to force them onto the bill. They were paid $500.

--Graham Nash’s chief memory was flying into Woodstock in a helicopter, where the crowd below looked liked “the encampment of the Macedonean army"

Jump in the LiveXLive time machine and join us!

Miley & Liam Split

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Is this the end for Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth? The two have had their ups and downs in the decade they’ve been together, but after marrying in December of last year, they announced their separation August 10th, with a rep for Miley releasing a statement saying: "Liam and Miley have agreed to separate at this time. Ever-evolving, changing as partners and individuals, they have decided this is what’s best while they both focus on themselves and careers. They still remain dedicated parents to all of the animals they share while lovingly taking this time apart. Please respect their process and privacy."

Miley seems to be referencing the split in a new instagram post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1B68GEJzjW/

Their announcement comes just one month after she opened up about her "modern" marriage in a cover story for Elle magazine's August issue, where she said: "I think it's very confusing to people that I'm married. But my relationship is unique. And I don't know that I would ever publicly allow people in there because it's so complex, and modern, and new that I don't think we're in a place where people would get it.”

Over the weekend Miley was also spotted getting up close and personal with Kaitlynn Carter, and while fans might be tempted to blame bisexuality for the break-up, other celebs are sticking up for her. Like Halsey, who came to her defense on Twitter.

Let me know what you think of all the drama – talk to @ParkerKnowsPop on Twitter, and if you’re suddenly in the mood to listen to "The Climb" (because I know I am) listen to Miley Cyrus’ biggest hits on her Count-Up on LiveXLive!

Lewis Capaldi: Free Hugs At Glastonbury

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If you’re familiar with Lewis Capaldi, you know he mostly writes sad songs about love.  But the Scottish singer balances out all that melancholy in his real life with wacky, self-deprecating behavior. The video he just posted is a perfect example. In the vertical clip for his song “Hold Me While You Wait”, he walks around the Glastonbury Festival grounds wearing a cardboard sign saying “Hold Me”. 

The video itself is touching, with Lewis hugging family, friends, and fans. One little boy sheds tears of happiness over meeting him. But thanks to captions at the bottom of the screen, we get some insight into Lewis’ thoughts on what’s happening – what his song is about, who some of the huggers are, and even a request for one fan to not sue him after he accidentally hits her in the face.

Fans of the Weekly Pop 40 know that Lewis’ song “Someone You Love” is flying up the chart – find out where it landed this week by listening to the countdown now and check back every Thursday for a brand new chart of the 40 pop songs you listen, heart and share the most every week! 

Chance. Finally.

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"The Big Day" Eventually Came

Chance the Rapper is a  scamp. His new album, “The Big Day,” was expected to drop last Friday morning. Normally, that means midnight. But midnight came and went.  He DID play an album release show in his hometown of Chicago the night before. On stage, he reiterated that the album would be bestowed upon us. “I’m not supposed to talk a lot because I got a short set tonight,” he said, “My name is Chance the Rapper, I’m very excited to be here. Tomorrow is the Big Day.”

The clock continued to tick, approaching lunchtime in Chicago. Still no album. And then, BOOM! "The Big Day" arrived, featuring appearances by everyone from Nicki Minaj and Gucci Mane (makes sense) to Bon Iver and Randy Newman (Wha?!?).

Your patience paid off because we made it our album of the week, and you could listen to on-demand as much ass you wanted. We've got a new one for you every Friday morning, give or take, so be sure to check out the LXL Album of The Week!

Our Picks: The Hottest Summer Songs

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I always love these kids react or generations react videos, but this one adds an extra element! Can you name which year these 10 songs of the summer came out? It’s tougher than you think!
But we all know that the billboard charts don’t dictate what our personal songs of the summer are, which is why some of your favorite LiveXLive hosts and curators have compiled summer mix tapes of their top warm weather jams.
I kept things fresh and pop-friendly on Parker’s Songs of The Summer, Jess Wright is a little bit country, a little bit everything else on Jess’ Summer Mixtape, Red throws back to her perfect summer with her 1987 Ocean City Makeout Mixtape and Raymond T pays respect to the rhythm of the summer on Raymond T’s Summer Vibes!
There are even more moods to explore, so check out all our summer Mixtapes and switch them up for the soundtrack to your fun in the sun activities!

This Week in Hip Hop

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What’s happening in the world of Hip Hop and R&B? That’s  a good question, and we have the answers.

Every week, we roll out a new Hip Hop and R&B Countdown, based on the tracks that YOU are bumping on LiveXLive. Not to freak you out, but we look at the songs you're listening to, as well as those that you're skipping and “hearting.” Then, we create our very own chart and Raymond T tells you the stories behind the numbers.

For example, this week A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (pictured) has climbed within a few spins of the top spot, with “Look Back At It.” French Montana’s “Slide” made a massive jump to land in the Top 10, and the biggest increases of the week were posted by Bryce Vine, who leapt to #11 with “La La Land.”

New songs from Cardi B, Travis Scott, Chris Brown and YG made their debut… but who’s #1? Well, you need to listen to find out. Check out the latest episode of LiveXLive’s Weekly Hip Hop and R&B Countdown.

The World’s Highest Paid Celebs?

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Sure, tons of musicians like to brag about their cashflow, but who’s actually got stacks on stacks on stacks? Thanks to Forbes Magazine, now we know – they just released this year’s list of the highest paid entertainers over the past year.
Taylor Swift tops the list for the very first time. That Reputation World Tour really paid off for her, to the tune of $185 million. Travis Scott’s baby mama, Kylie Jenner, jumps from #3 last year to #2 this year – she’s worth a cool $170 mill. Travis also makes the list, but not until #39 – he’s worth just $58 million. Kanye West rounds out the top 3 with $150 mill over the past 12 months, mostly from his Yeezy brand clothing and shoes.
Ariana Grande is the only woman to join the list for the first time in 2019, and only 2 country artists made it, compared to 3 last year and 7 back in 2017. We’ve also got to give props to Jay-Z… he & Beyonce land at #20 on the list with a joint income of $81 million, but he became Hip-Hop’s first BILLIONAIRE this spring.
DJ Khaled counts down the top earners in the video above, and we go even more in depth to look at the highest paid musicians who appear on the list on The Twenty: All About The Benjamins!

Stranger Things Is Back!

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Just like you, we’ve been anxiously awaiting the return of Stranger Things – and July 4th it arrived! Not only did we get a brand new monster, The Duffer Brothers once again expertly recreated life in small town Hawkins Indiana in the summer of 1985.
They’ve always been good at 80’s musical references, but this year they really leaned into the movie & TV tributes; season 3 contains nods to Star Wars, The Terminator, Rambo and Die Hard. But movies themselves play a bigger part this season, thanks to the arrival of a new multiplex at the Starcourt Mall. The crew slide into a special sneak peek of Day of The Dead, and hide out from Russian baddies during a screening of Back To The Future. Plus – no spoilers – there’s one more movie soundtrack that plays a BIG part in saving the world this time around.
Superfans can find a behind the scenes tour with the cast here and some funny interviews with the show’s stars by Mr. Clarke actor Randy Havens here. Plus we’ve collected the best music from this season in a brand new station – relieve the 80’s with The Twenty: Stranger Things 3 right now! Check it out here.

Want To Be BTS’ Manager?

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BTS continue to dominate globally with their K-pop sound, and now enlisted members of the BTS Army have a way to get even closer to RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook – a new app called BTS World.

The game invites you to travel back in time to “manage” the guys from their 2012 debut on – everything from seeking them out and getting them to sign contracts, to styling them and building a relationship with each individual member, which allows you to “chat” and “FaceTime” with different members of the crew.

If controlling the guys through an app is a little too weird for you, you can also sit back and enjoy BTS in concert in their upcoming film, Bring the Soul: The Movie coming in August! It's the third big screen release from BTS, and follows them on the European leg of their 2018 Love Yourself tour. This time around, the members are providing their own recap; the official synopsis reads, “On the day following the final concert of their Europe tour, on a rooftop in Paris, BTS tells their very own stories. From experiencing new cities to performing in front of thousands of ARMY across the globe. A glimpse into BTS’ world away from the stage, featuring intimate group discussions alongside spectacular concert performances from the tour. Shining brighter than any light on the stage, now the group invites us behind the spotlight.”

BTS fans can always enjoy their latest releases on LiveXLive! Check out new songs from the BTS World soundtrack featuring Zara Larsson, Charlie XCX and Juice WRLD on New Pop Now or listen to The Twenty: BTS for even more background on the Bangtan Boys!

BET Awards: The Recap

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“The Lord is Coming,” one of his angels wears blue and inspires us all. The Queen is also a servant that’s here to stay and that “one negro” who is a King, opened the doors to his people and shown them how to build their own Kingdoms."

The 2019 BET Awards took place at the Microsoft Theater at LA Live Los Angeles on June 23rd, and the baton was officially handed over to a new generation of stars. Two of entertainment’s most impactful legends, however, evoked ruminating thoughts, praise and dancing. Lots of dancing and crooning.

Mary J. Blige had the most talked about performance, hands down, and the 2019 BET Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was introduced by Rihanna. “Happy Mary. Sad Mary. Mad Mary. No more drama Mary. Dancing Mary. We’re here for all of it,” Rihanna proclaimed.

MJB then took the stage, giving a speech in which she talked about the love for her family, the “healed relationship” with her onetime estranged father (who she has sang about mistreating her through the years).  Meanwhile, Tyler Perry didn’t need any assistance from his box office beloved alter ego Madea to bring the house down accepting his “Ultimate Icon” award. He just needed his truth and insight. “Rather than being an icon,” he said, "I want to be an inspiration.”

Nipsey Hussle was named Humanitarian of the Year and his family, led by Lauren London, accepted the award on his behalf. As for the actual awards, Lil Baby won Best New Artist and Cardi B—who performed “Clout” with her husband Offset (he garnered heavy praise for his dancing and later Tweeted he would be incorporating more choreography in his stage shows)--won Album of the Year for "Invasion of Privacy."

QC were among the big winners at the 2019 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards as Coach and P, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, The Migos, City Girls’ Yung Miami and Cardi B were all in attendance. Cardi took home the 2019 Songwriter of the Year. The QC family also held it down on Saturday night at Staples Center, performing in the BET Experience concert. Cardi, who was recently indicted for allegedly masterminding and bank rolling an assault on two strippers, told the crowd she was not going to jail. Of course she brought out all the hits as well. On Friday, Meek Mill, YG and A Boogie were the marquee names for the BET Experience setting the stage for the activity filled weekend.