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BigXthaPlug Arrested on Marijuana, Drug Charges After Album Release
Music

BigXthaPlug Arrested on Marijuana, Drug Charges After Album Release

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Back in his hometown of Dallas, rapper BigXthaPlug was hosting a release party for his third studio album, I Hope You’re Happy, his take on country. But just hours later, though, at 2:20 a.m. on Friday, X, born Xavier Landum, was arrested and booked on charges of marijuana possession (less than two ounces) and unlawful possession of a firearm, per People, who reviewed Dallas County Jail records. BigX’s representatives did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment. 

I Hope You’re Happy follows massive successes for BigX. Though he broke through as a soul-sampling rapper with the now-platinum album Take Care, in April, he scored a Number One hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs with “All the Way” alongside Bailey Zimmerman. I Hope You’re Happy features Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, Shaboozey, Thomas Rhett, Ella Langley, and more. Just today, the rapper’s music video for the Jelly Roll collaboration “Box Me Up” premiered. 

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“This album’s my heart, my story — the love, the loss, the heartbreak, the grind,” BigXthaPlug said in a press release. “I wanted people to feel it all with me, the highs, the lows, the real life that shapes you. I Hope You’re Happy is me mixing my urban roots with that country soul, tellin’ my story straight up, just me.”

In October, the rapper told Rolling Stone his breakthrough Take Care was motivated by his drive to provide for his two children. “I got to make it to where when my kids my age, they don’t want for shit,” he said. “And the only way to do that is by being where I’m at right now, doing what we doing right now.

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AtHeart Is Billboard's K-Pop Rookie of the Month (August): Photos
Music

AtHeart Is Billboard’s K-Pop Rookie of the Month (August): Photos

by jummy84
written by jummy84

What would it look like if the “Avengers” of the K-pop industry came together to create a single team? And what if that team was not launched in Seoul, but by the first-ever K-pop label founded in the United States? The answer is AtHeart, who made their dazzling debut in August this year.

The group’s label, Titan Content, was founded by a powerhouse lineup: former SM Entertainment CEO Han Se-min, former SM casting director Kang Jung-ah, world-renowned choreographer Lia Kim, and Dazed Korea founder and current editor-in-chief Lee Guiom. With each of them standing at the top of their respective fields, Titan Content’s establishment in the U.S.—a first for K-pop—made global headlines even before AtHeart’s debut. Media outlets such as Variety and Teen Vogue spotlighted them early on, and Billboard named AtHeart one of the “‘Next-Generation’ K-Pop Group,” further fueling anticipation from fans and industry insiders alike.

The group name AtHeart is a fusion of “Heart” and “At,” symbolizing their aim to grow alongside fans around the world through connection and sincerity. All six members were born between 2007 and 2009, making them a full teenage lineup. Korean members Seohyeon, Arin, Bome, and Nahyun naturally nurtured their idol dreams in environments where K-pop was already part of daily life, from school band stages to music shows. Meanwhile, Katelyn from the Philippines and Michi, who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Japan, represent the new generation of global K-pop kids—those first inspired to pursue idol dreams after being captivated by performances from BTS and BLACKPINK.

Though they started from different places, the girls now stand together as one under the name AtHeart. Their multinational makeup is another defining strength. “It’s fun to learn and respect each other’s traditions,” Katelyn says. Bome adds, “Our different cultural and linguistic backgrounds actually make our teamwork stronger,” recalling the day she watched Michi and Katelyn see snow for the first time in Korea, laughing like children at the sight. “Little moments like that made us closer,” she says.

AtHeart officially signaled their arrival on May 29 with pre-debut single “Good Girl (AtHeart),” followed by their August 13 debut EP ‘Plot Twist’. Its title track was produced and written by Jonah Shai, known for working with Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, while Rob Kinelski, who has mixed for Billie Eilish, brought sonic depth to the record. The dreamy EDM track thrives on its layered reversals and is elevated further by powerful choreography from 1MILLION’s Lia Kim, Titan Content’s CPO. Together, the package showcases the kind of performance and musical polish that K-pop fans have come to expect—and AtHeart delivered from the start.

From the outset, their extraordinary path drew global attention—but their story is only just beginning. “Someday, I want us to perform on stages like Coachella or SoFi Stadium,” Katelyn shares, while Bome fondly remembers the purity of seeing the first snowfall with her teammates as trainees. It’s this mix of youthful honesty and global ambition that positions AtHeart as one of K-pop’s most exciting new possibilities. Billboard will be following their flight closely.

Before debut, what first inspired each of you to dream of becoming a K-pop idol?

Arin: always loved dancing, and at first, I dreamed of becoming a dancer. I started with belly dance at a community center, then learned ballet, broadcast dance, and street dance. Eventually I thought, “If I want to share the dances I love with more people, shouldn’t I become a singer?” and my path naturally shifted.

Bome: I was in the school band and often had chances to perform. Each time, I realized I received even more energy from the audience than I gave, and that’s when I thought, “This is truly meaningful to me.” That’s when I decided I wanted to be a singer.

Seohyeon: Singing and dancing were part of my daily life since I was young. Watching idols shine on music shows, I started to think, “I want to be like that someday,” and the dream just kept growing.

Nahyun: My parents love music, and naturally I grew to love it too. I even formed a little idol group with my classmates in elementary school and practiced together. That’s when the dream started to become clear.

Michi: I began training in dance at age three—ballet, tap, hula, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary—and naturally got exposed to a wide range of music. I discovered a passion for singing in middle school through musicals. Then I encountered K-pop and was fascinated by the creative direction of music videos. Seeing BLACKPINK in concert was a turning point in my life. The powerful energy of that performance shaped who I am today.

Katelyn: Being on stage was always a dream, but I never had the chance to attend academies or formal training. During the pandemic, I watched a BTS concert for the first time, and it gave me the courage to tell my mom, “I really want to become a singer, please support me!” From that moment, I began seriously preparing to become an idol.

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Billy Idol Rocks as Hard as Ever at Electrifying MSG Show
Music

Billy Idol Rocks as Hard as Ever at Electrifying MSG Show

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Not only is Billy Idol still dancing, he’s still rocking — and three months’ shy of his 70th birthday, the music icon hasn’t lost a step, as he proved with a rousing show on Wednesday night (August 20th) at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Along with a stellar support set by fellow rock legend Joan Jett, it was one helluva double bill.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts kicked off the evening with a 15-song set, including a couple tunes by her groundbreaking ’70s band The Runaways (“Cherry Bomb” and “You Drive Me Wild”). Other standouts included her covers of The Replacements’ “Androgynous,” Sly & the Family Stone’s “Everyday People,” and Tommy James’ “Crimson & Clover,” as well as a couple tunes that started out as covers but have since become signature songs for Jett: “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)” and “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

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Throughout the evening, Jett shared stories of her early days in New York City, where she started her solo career after The Runaways broke up. She ended the night with the classics “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “Bad Reputation,” receiving a very warm response from the nearly full Madison Square Garden crowd.

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It was then time for the main event, as Billy Idol’s backing band took the stage, led by longtime guitarist Steve Stevens. A moment later, the veteran punk rocker appeared to a huge ovation, launching the set with “Still Dancing,” the lead single from his new album, Dream Into It.

The early part of the show was highlighted by classics like “Cradle of Love,” “Flesh for Fantasy,” “Eyes Without a Face,” and “Mony Mony,” along with a blistering solo by Stevens, who’s an absolute virtuoso on the guitar. The biggest surprise was an incredible cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” featuring mind-blowing vocals by backup singer Jessica Childress.

At one point, Idol yielded the stage to his guitarist Billy Morrison to pay tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. Morrison was a close friend of the metal legend, having co-hosted a show on SiriusXM and collaborated on songwriting in recent years. The guitarist led an “Ozzy, Ozzy” chant at Madison Square Garden, as an image of the Prince of Darkness appeared on the big screen serving as the stage’s backdrop.

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Slay Raché Isn’t Here for Your Halfway Love — and “Good Thing” Makes That Crystal Clear
Music

Slay Raché Isn’t Here for Your Halfway Love — and “Good Thing” Makes That Crystal Clear

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Some songs feel like silk sheets slipping off your shoulders—Good Thing is not that song. Slay Raché’s latest release doesn’t whisper; it stares you down, wipes its tears, and walks out the door in slow motion. 

After sending late-night pulses with her last single “After Hours,” the genre-blurring artist returns with “Good Thing,” a track that shot straight to the top of Amazon Music and claimed the coveted #1 spot overall. But don’t mistake this rise for a fluke—this is Slay Raché’s world.

Inspired in part by the vibe of Normani and Cardi B’s “Wild Side,” the creative process for Good Thing began with a spark that quickly evolved into something entirely new. The result is a dusky, stripped-back anthem of self-worth, carried by vocals so raw you can hear the healing. Co-written and produced by L for 3redshoes Inc., the track delivers the tension between hurt and empowerment with unflinching clarity.

Raché has always been one to thread confidence through vulnerability, but Good Thing marks a personal evolution. “It’s freedom. Freedom in not being afraid to be vulnerable. Freedom in walking away.” There’s an emotional weight here that lingers—like mascara smudged on a love note you never sent.

Sonically, the track departs from the ambient hum of “After Hours,” giving Raché space to explore something more naked, more resolute. The production doesn’t hide behind gimmicks—it breathes. And in that breath, Raché stretches vocally, exploring new pockets of emotion with near-hypnotic restraint.

“I want people to feel like they’re reclaiming something,” she says. “It’s the kind of emotion you’re almost embarrassed to admit.” And maybe that’s the magic—how Good Thing makes the private feel cinematic. Think: rainy sidewalks, heartache in your headphones, a main character moment that’s all yours.

Us3's Geoff Wilkinson. (Credit: Asa Akabah-Wilkinson)

If After Hours was your post-party echo, Good Thing is your 3AM reckoning. Not quite a club track—unless you’re the one crying in the corner—it exists in that soft, introspective zone. The kind of song you loop on a walk just to feel something deeper.

Visually, the aesthetic world of Good Thing lives somewhere between bedroom daydreams and fashion-forward candor. Styled by her longtime creative partner and manager L, Slay wears a funky knit sweater layered over a Whitney tee—casual but considered, like everything she does. “It’s very me,” she says, “chill, but still fun.”

The song is also a taste of what’s coming. “I’m planning a larger project, and this is definitely a glimpse,” she teases. “It shows off my sonic variety, which I love.” We can’t help but wonder what corners of emotion she’ll explore next—but one thing’s for sure: she’s in full control of the ride.

As for what she’s manifesting? “My full creative potential—as a vocalist, artist, dancer, and performer. I just want to work hard, be my best, and not get in my own way.”

With Good Thing, Slay Raché isn’t just leveling up—she’s drawing the blueprint for what modern emotional pop should feel like: unfiltered, feminine, and utterly fearless.

SPIN Magazine newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.

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Tanner Adell Wraps Her Giddy Up, Gorgeous Tour In Nashville (Photos)
Music

Tanner Adell Wraps Her Giddy Up, Gorgeous Tour In Nashville (Photos)

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Tanner Adell wrapped a successful, seven-city trek Thursday (Aug. 21) as her Giddy Up, Gorgeous Tour came to a close in Nashville.

Best known for her 2023 breakout song “Buckle Bunny” and her news-making collaboration “BLACKBIIRD” alongside Beyoncé, Tiera Kennedy, Brittney Spencer, and Reyna Roberts, the young country-pop star held her own on her second headlining tour, following 2024’s The Buckle Bunny Tour.

“It’s not just about playing songs — it’s about sharing stories, energy and real moments with the people who’ve been riding with me since day one,” Adell said of the tour ahead of her first show in Milwaukee, reminding fans to “pack your boots, your glitter and your heartbreak” for a show she described as a “full-blown emotional rodeo.”

Presented by frequent partner Crown Royal, check out snaps from the Giddy Up, Gorgeous Tour below.

 

 

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Patti Smith to Reissue Horses for 50th Anniversary, Shares Previously Unreleased Song “Snowball”: Listen
Music

Patti Smith to Reissue Horses for 50th Anniversary, Shares Previously Unreleased Song “Snowball”: Listen

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Patti Smith is reissuing her seminal 1975 debut album Horses to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The newly remastered edition arrives October 10 in 2xLP and 2xCD formats via Legacy Recordings. It includes alternate takes of album tracks, Smith’s original 1975 audition tape for RCA, and four previously unreleased songs: “Distant Fingers,” “The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game,” “We Three,” and “Snowball,” the latter of which is out today. Listen to it below.

Smith published the memoir Bread of Angels last year. In the autumn, she’ll embark on a string of tour dates performing Horses in its entirety across Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As part of the Soundwalk Collective alongside Philip Glass and Mulatu Astatke, Smith put out two albums, The Peyote Dance and Mummer Love, in 2019.

Read about the Horses tracks “Land” and “Gloria: In Excelsis Deo” at No. 93 and No. 20, respectively, on “The 200 Best Songs of the 1970s.”

Horses (50th Anniversary):

01 Gloria: In Excelsis Deo
02 Redondo Beach
03 Birdland
04 Free Money
05 Kimberly
06 Break It Up
07 Land: Horses / Land of a Thousand Dances / La Mer (de)
08 Elegie

01 Gloria: In Excelsis Deo (RCA Demo)
02 Redondo Beach (RCA Demo)
03 Birdland (Alternate Take)
04 Snowball
05 Kimberly (Alternate Take)
06 Break It Up (Alternate Take)
07 Distant Fingers
08 The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game
09 We Three

All products featured on Pitchfork are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Horses (50th Anniversary)

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Prince's estate responds to Apollonia's "frivolous lawsuit"
Music

Prince’s estate responds to Apollonia’s “frivolous lawsuit”

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Prince‘s estate has responded to singer-songwriter Apollonia’s lawsuit, dismissing it as “frivolous” and “unwarranted”.

The US artist, actor and former model (real name Patricia Apollonia Kotero) starred in Prince’s classic 1984 film Purple Rain, portraying his love interest who has the name Apollonia.

She recently filed a 14-page complaint against the late icon’s estate, Paisley Park Enterprises, in a Los Angeles federal court, accusing them of “attempting to steal” her name.

Kotero claims in the suit that, after appearing in Purple Rain, Prince never asked her to stop going by the name Apollonia, and did not “contend that the name did not belong to her either personally or professionally” (via Rolling Stone).

She alleges it was on the contrary, and that “Prince himself consented to and encouraged Apollonia in her professional endeavors” under that name. Kotero has now used the name for over four decades and released numerous projects using the alias.

Her legal team claims that Prince’s estate was out of line when it tried to claim ownership of the Apollonia trademark in June. She alleges that the estate filed an “intent-to-use” application that would allow it to use the name in connection with clothing and entertainment services.

Kotero has also claimed that Paisley Park Enterprises has made moves to try and cancel her trademark applications and registrations, despite her being the “rightful owner”.

Now, the estate has responded via a written statement posted on Prince’s official social media channels. “Regrettably, Ms. Patty Kotero a/k/a ‘Apollonia’ filed a frivolous lawsuit,” it began.

“As she acknowledges, Apollonia is the name Prince gave to the character played by Ms. Kotero in Prince’s movie, Purple Rain, over forty years ago. We never instructed her to cease using her adopted professional name, nor did we object to her business activities.”

It continued: “In fact, we repeatedly offered her opportunities to perform at Paisley Park using this professional name.

“Ms. Kotero’s unwarranted lawsuit comes at the tail end of years-long disputes before the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board concerning trademark registrations, in which rulings are imminent and with respect to which we have sought a settlement numerous times despite her highly unreasonable demands.

“Unsurprisingly, her suit fails to acknowledge the cancellation of her APOLLONIA registration by the United States Patent & Trademark Office.”

The statement concluded: “We look forward to the rulings in the pending trademark proceedings and a dismissal of Ms. Kotero’s recent federal action. As is our duty, we will continue to protect and preserve Prince’s assets and legacy.” See the post above.

Kotero lawsuit states that “all of the goodwill associated with the name and trademark ‘Apollonia’ for the past four decades is attributable to plaintiff”. It added: “There is only one Apollonia, and Apollonia is the source of the goods and services provided under this name.”

The complaint also suggests that the estate claimed that Kotero waived her rights to the name in 1983 when she signed a contract for her role in Purple Rain. Contesting this, Kotero’s lawsuit claims that, even if that were true, it was “never enforced” and that the “alleged rights” would have expired by now.

Additionally, the filing states that she and Prince were “lifelong friends”, and she both co-wrote The Bangles’ hit ‘Manic Monday’ with him and provided vocals on his song ‘Take Me With U’ using the stage name.

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BigXThaPlug Is Where Country Is Now. That's a Good Thing
Music

BigXThaPlug Is Where Country Is Now. That’s a Good Thing

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Combining trap beats with the raspy, tear-in-your-beer tunes, the Texas artist offers a Nashville temperature check with I Hope You’re Happy

In 2022, the Dallas MC BigXthaPlug released “Texas,” a slide-guitar-­accented boast celebrating his home state’s largesse (“We still ride in ­swangas and put diamonds in our necklace”) and his own hardness (with a shout-out to former Dallas Mavericks player Luka Dončić). Its Southern-fried vibe and BigX’s ­booming, honey-dipped voice helped put him on the radar of multiple artists operating in the country sphere, including Jelly Roll, who invited BigX to the Stagecoach festival. 

I Hope You’re Happy is the result of that cross-pollination; it’s clearly intended to appeal to country listeners who don’t mind when Kane Brown or Morgan Wallen drop a hip-hop ­signifier or two into their songs. Trap snares flit around the project, but its heart is on Music Row, with stadium-­ready hooks sung by country chart-toppers like affable everyman Luke Combs and TikTok-born sensation Bailey Zimmerman.

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Much of Happy focuses on tear-in-the-beer heartbreak, although BigX’s lyrical nuance adds depth to those feelings — on the title track, he circles the self-pity of Darius Rucker’s drawled chorus with pulled-taffy vocals offering sincere well-wishing, while his hexing of an ex on the Ella Langley-assisted “Hell at Night” is ice cold. The project’s most intriguing offering is “24-7,” a lusty country-soul cut with blasts of brass, a frizzled guitar solo, and an incendiary chorus belted by the singer-songwriter INK, a newly minted artist who’s been writing hits (“Luther,” “Texas Hold ’Em”) for a minute.

In a way, I Hope You’re Happy is a temperature check for where country is in the back half of 2025. Raspy guys (Jelly Roll, Zimmerman, Thomas Rhett) are in, especially when they’re brooding; alt-rock-­inspired touches like the stomping and hollering ­chorus of “Home,” which pairs BigX with genre-bending phenom Shaboozey, and minor-key maelstroms like “Pray Hard,” where Combs and BigX team up for a gratitude-fueled victory lap, are also hot. BigXthaPlug offers a compelling invitation to other artists who have been thinking about giving genre flights of fancy a shot. 

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Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Do Vocal Warm-Ups in 'New Heights' Outtakes
Music

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Do Vocal Warm-Ups in ‘New Heights’ Outtakes

by jummy84
written by jummy84

The Kelce brothers always have a good time on their New Heights podcast. But don’t think it’s all fun and games. Jason and Travis Kelce are serious performers and broadcasters who are well aware of the need for proper modulation.

After Taylor Swift smashed records last week when she appeared on their Aug. 13 pod to reveal the details about her upcoming 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, the show shared a behind-the-scenes outtake on Wednesday (Aug. 20) to give Swifties a sense of the hard work that goes into sounding so good.

“Everyone knows you should always warm up before doing a podcast [laughing crying emoji],” read the caption on the post, which opens with Travis exaggeratedly saying, “Oh my gosh, Jason!,” followed by retired NFL great Jason Kelce carefully enunciating the old classic, “ow now brown cow.”

Then we see a split-screen of the brothers firing up another standard tongue-twisting exercise, “Unique, New York,” as Taylor purses her lips and the camera cuts to a close-up of her doing lip drills, trilling her lips as her voice goes up and down to Jason’s fascination. “See now that’s the…” he begins to say as Taylor continues trilling and Travis bellows, “I’M REALLY EXICTED!!!”

It’s a good thing they were warmed-up, because Swift needed her stamina to make it through the two-hour episode which featured a discussion of the new album, due out on Oct. 3, as well as the couple opening up about their personal life, first date and love story and Swift describing the emotional process of getting back her album masters.

Watch the vocal warm-up below.

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Consequence Crossword: "Pre-Fame Band Names"
Music

Consequence Crossword: “Pre-Fame Band Names”

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Test your knowledge of some of the biggest groups in music history with “Pre-Fame Band Names,” the new weekend Consequence Crossword.

A little knowledge goes a long way in the Consequence Crossword. New puzzles appear every Tuesday and in every weekend edition of the free Consequence Newsletter. Subscribe here to never miss an issue.

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