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Pop Daypop

Travis Scott’s ‘Days Before Rodeo’ mixtape hits No. 1 on Billboard 200

Travis Scott is breaking records with his decade-old mixtape as “Days Before Rodeo” which officially reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. The project is now the highest-selling rap album of 2024 and marks Scott’s highest-selling vinyl release of his career. Days Before Rodeo also marks Scott’s fourth consecutive No. 1. following 2023’s Utopia, 2018’s Astroworld, and 2016’s Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight.

“Days Before Rodeo,” was initially released for free on Aug. 18, 2014; it was re-released on all digital streaming platforms for the first time this year on August 23rd to celebrate its 10th anniversary, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 on September 7th with 361,000 units. In its fourth week of release, the album jumped to No. 1 (after its vinyl editions shipped to customers who had pre-ordered the album before its release). The vinyl, which was sold exclusively in Scott’s webstore, accounts for 149,000 of its 150,000 traditional album sales, making it the top-selling album of the week and becoming the biggest week on vinyl for a rap album since Luminate began tracking in 1991.

“Days Before Rodeo” knocked Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short N’ Sweet” down to No. 2 after three weeks on top of the chart. Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” remained at No. 3 with 64,000 equivalent album units, followed by Post Malone’s “F-1 Trillion and Morgan Wallen’s “One Thing at a Time” in spots No. 4 and 5.

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Pop Daypop

Benson Boone, RAYE join lineup for 2024 Global Citizen Festival

Benson Boone and RAYE have been added to the already star-studded line-up for the 2024 Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park on September 28th.

Boone and RAYE join the previously announced lineup of artists including Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll and Rauw Alejandro. The festival, hosted by Global Citizen Ambassador Hugh Jackman, will also feature special appearances by primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall and Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

Boone in a statement: “Ending extreme poverty is a responsibility we all share. I’m grateful to be involved in Global Citizen’s mission by helping those who are living in extreme poverty. I hope we can all come together to take action and make a real difference in the world.”

As part of its portfolio of environmental sustainability efforts, this year’s event will also become one of the first major U.S. festivals to be powered entirely by hybrid energy. According to a release, the Central Park stage will be powered by the same kind of SmartGrid battery system used to power Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres world tour, including all audio, lighting, video and stage production. Working with Showpower Global B.V. and CES Power, Global Citizen Fest will become one of the first major U.S. festivals to move away from using diesel generators in order to reduce the event’s carbon emissions.

Global Citizen is once again offering fans the opportunity to earn free tickets the the festival by removing trash and marine debris from the shores of Jamaica Bay and documenting the year’s “Dirty Dozen” most commonly found trash items; click here to register and for more information.  Head to the Global Citizen app or on the organization’s site here in an effort to defeat poverty, defend the planet and demand equity.

Official Global Citizen 2024 merch is available now, with responsibly sourced items made in collaboration with Doja Cat, Alejandro, Aviator Nation and more; click here to see the items.

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News Daypop

Kamala Harris campaign office in Arizona damaged by gunfire

Police in Tempe, Arizona are investigating a gunfire incident in an office used by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign that was shot at, just days before Harris is scheduled to visit Arizona as she campaigns for president. Tempe police said in a statement to NBC News“We can confirm that on 9/23/24, what appears to be damage from gunfire at … a DNC Campaign Office, was discovered.”  

According to investigators, the office in Arizona used by the Harris campaign (which the local Democratic Party also uses) was shot at early Monday morning in the second apparent gun attack in a week. The same office was shot at just a week prior, on Sept. 16, in an incident the police said appeared to involve a BB or pellet gun. That shooting also happened just after midnight and caused “criminal damage,” according to the police.

Police in Tempe, Arizona, responded to the office after they received calls from staffers about the damage. At least five bullet holes were found in the windows and the door. Tempe Police spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Cook told ABC News: “No one was inside the office during the overnight hours, but this raises concerns about the safety of those who work in that building, as well as those nearby.”  Police said they were analyzing evidence and were taking “additional measures to ensure the safety of staff and others in the area.” A motive for the shooting has not yet been determined and the investigation continues, according to the police.

Arizona Democratic Party Chair Yolanda Bejarano condemned the vandalism in a statement to local Phoenix affiliate KNXV: “It’s extremely sad that the Arizona Democratic Party has become the target of violence — it’s not who we are as Arizonans or Americans. We are working with law enforcement to ensure this threat is taken seriously and that our staff members are safe while they’re at work.”

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News Daypop

Suspect detained after two are injured from explosion at California courthouse

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday morning that a suspect has been detained after two people suffered non-life threatening injuries from an explosion that was intentionally set off at a Santa Maria courthouse.

Raquel Zick, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, wrote in a post on social media that authorities received a call reporting the explosion at 8:48 a.m. and a person of interest was detained “immediately,” described as an adult male. Zick wrote in a post at 10:49 a.m. that the ‘explosion was from an intentionally set improvised explosive device,”

The City of Santa Maria posted on X: “CLOSURE: Due to a law enforcement investigation of a bomb explosion at the nearby #SantaMaria Superior Court this morning, Santa Maria City Hall, Finance Department, City Attorney’s Office, Santa Maria Public Library, and Recreation and Parks Department are closed for today.”

The courthouse ws closed for the day and city buildings within one block of the courthouse are temporarily closed, per Mark Van de Camp, spokesperson for the city of Santa Maria.

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Country Daypop

Chris Young scores 14th #1 single with ‘Young Love & Saturday Nights’

Chris Young marked a new career milestone with his 14th No. 1 single “Young Love & Saturday Nights,” the title track to his 2024 album.

Young co-produced Young Love & Saturday Nights alongside Corey Crowder and Chris DeStefano along with the song’s writers, Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Josh Thompson, and, posthumously, David Bowie (the song is an interpolation of Bowie’s 1974 hit, “Rebel Rebel.”)

Young shared: “Every number one is special, but this one – my 14th – really hits differently. To be part of Bowie finding success in country music eight years after his passing is truly an honor and it’s been wild to watch audiences at my live shows reacting to this song that has its roots in a rock staple from 50 years ago. Just wow.”

Young’s newest album, Young Love & Saturday Nights, features 18 songs, with Young serving as writer on 15 of the tracks.

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Country Daypop

Dolly Parton shares ‘I Will Know’ from upcoming ‘Smoky Mountain DNA’ LP

Dolly Parton has shared a new song off her 37-track family album, Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables set for release on November 15th.  You can pre-order the album HERE.

The latest track, titled “I Will Know,” features Parton and her youngest sibling Rachel Parton George.  Rachel co-wrote the song with Patricia Roberts in the mid-1980’s, when the track was originally recorded as an acoustic demo and had never been released.

‘I Will Know’ follows the previously release tracks from ‘Smoky Mountain DNA’ — the title track, a brand new song Dolly wrote herself; and “A Rose Won’t Fix It,” featuring Dolly’s niece Heidi Parton with Dolly on backing vocals. A Rose Won’t Fix It is a remake of a song Dolly originally wrote and recorded for her 1988 album, Hungry Again, but did not release.

Smoky Mountain DNA will be available on vinyl and CD and via digital download and streaming. The special Appalachian Autumn colored vinyl pressing will be a limited run of only 3,363, the coordinates of the family’s Tennessee Mountain Home in Locust Ridge, TN (36 degrees North and 83 degrees West).

In addition, a four-part ‘Smoky Mountain DNA’ docuseries is also in production for 2025 which will include concert performances filmed at Knoxville’s historic Bijou Theater, featuring Dolly and her family.

Take a listen to ‘I Will Know’ – HERE.

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Pop Daypop

Jean Smart, Michael Keaton, Ariana Grande, John Mulaney revealed as ‘SNL’ hosts for Season 50

NBC has set its initial round of guest hosts for the first five episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 50, posting on its socials: “first five shows!!! #SNL50”. The series airs on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET and streams on Peacock.

Jean Smart is set to host for the first time, kicking-off the season on Sept. 28 with musical guest Jelly Roll. Smart is fresh off her third Emmy win for the Max comedy “Hacks,” while Jelly Roll is to release his new album, “Beautifully Broken,” on Oct. 11.

The Oct. 5 episode will be hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, with Coldplay serving as musical guest. Bargatze returns to the “SNL” stage after hosting in 2023, while Coldplay will be making it’s eighth appearance as musical guest. Coldplay will release its 10th album, “Moon Music,” on Oct. 4.

Ariana Grande will host “SNL” for the second time on Oct. 12 with musical guest Stevie Nicks. Grande’s film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked” debuts in theaters Nov. 22, while Nicks returns to “SNL” after performing in 1983.

For the Oct. 19 episode, Michael Keaton will host along with musical guest Billie Eilish; Keaton stars in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” currently, with his next film, “Goodrich” coming to theaters Oct. 18.  Eilish marks her fourth stint as “SNL” musical guest.

Comedian John Mulaney (and former ‘SNL’ writer from 2008-2013) will host on Nov. 2, with first-time musical guest, Chappell Roan. Mulaney will host for the sixth time, and will star in the Broadway play “All In: Comedy About Love,” opening Dec. 11. Roan is currently rocking the pop music world with her hit songs “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Hot to Go!”

“Saturday Night Live” will also celebrate its 50th season with a live primetime special on Feb. 16.

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Pop Daypop

Halle Bailey drops video for ‘Because I Love You’

Halle Bailey returns with her second solo single of 2024 with “Because I Love You,” co-written by RAYE.

The music video, directed by Allie Avital, features Halle, 24, and co-star RJ Cyler. In the clip, Halle confronts her lover (Cyler), who steps outside of their relationship with a new woman (also played by Halle).

Bailey shares of the song: “‘Because I Love You’ is a song for anyone who has ever been deeply in love. It’s an anthem that tells the story of all of the beautiful passion and euphoria you can feel with that person. The video dives deeper into how vulnerable it makes you feel. I hope people enjoy listening and thinking of the person they love the most.”

Watch Halle Bailey’s music video for “Because I Love You” – HERE.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Dua Lipa launching North American leg of ‘Radical Optimism World Tour’ in 2025

Dua Lipa has announced the North American leg of her “Radical Optimism World Tour,” marking Dua’s third concert tour and serving as support of her third studio album, Radical Optimism, which was released in May 2024.

The Radical Optimism World Tour officially kicked off in June 2024 with a run of shows in Europe, as well as a headlining appearance at the Glastonbury Music Festival in June.  The 20-date arena North American leg launches in September 2025, with dates at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto; United Center in Chicago; TD Garden in Boston; Madison Square Garden in New York; Kaseya Center in Miami; Kia Form in Los Angeles; and Chase Center in San Francisco, and more.

Dua Lipa will also be headlining the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas on October 5th and October 12th, 2024.

Tickets to Dua Lipa’s 2025 North American tour are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

President Biden delivers farewell address to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly

President Joe Biden called on nations to band together amid the conflict in the Middle East, the Russia/Ukraine war, and growing global concerns about China during his last speech as president before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. Biden delivered his farewell address to world leaders at the UN, beginning his speech: “This is the fourth time I’ve had the great honor speaking to this assembly as president of the United States. It will be my last. I’ve seen a remarkable sweep of history.”

Biden used the gathering to condemn the militant group Hamas for its initial attack on Israel on Oct. 7, and said that the Palestinian people deserved their own state without the influence of Hamas.  He reiterated his call for a cease-fire in Gaza, calling on both Israel and Hamas to accept a deal hammered out by the United States, Egypt and Qatar and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Said Biden: “Now is the time for the parties to finalize its terms, bring the hostages home and ensure security for Israel and Gaza free of Hamas’ grip, ease the suffering in Gaza and end this war.”

The President also emphasized the United States’ continued support of Ukraine in front of the annual gathering of world leaders in New York, and urged those to continue supporting Kyiv in its mission to defend itself against Russia, with Biden stating that Kyiv’s backers “cannot grow weary.” Biden said Russia and President Vladimir Putin failed at their core goal to destroy Ukraine: “He sat out to weaken NATO, but NATO is bigger, stronger and more united than ever with two new members in Finland and Sweden. We cannot let up. The world has another choice to make. Will we sustain our support and help Ukraine win this war preserve its freedom, or walk away … and let it be destroyed? I know my answer.”

Biden also reflected on his decision to end his campaign for reelection, finishing up his remarks: “There’s so much more I want to get done. As much as I love the job, I love my country more. I decided after 50 years of public service, it’s time for a new generation of leadership to take my nation forward. I truly believe we’re at another inflection point in world history. The choices we make today will determine our future. My fellow leaders, let us never forget, some things are more important than staying in power. It’s your people. It’s your people that matter the most. Never forget, we are here to serve the people, not the other way around.”

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