Author: Rap Hooks

Ashnikko has made her Like A Version debut on triple j, taking on Gwen Stefani’s 2004 solo hit “What You Waiting For?”

Performing in the triple j studio while on her Australian tour, Ashnikko brought a full backing band — including a harpist — for a theatrical, electropop-leaning take that stayed largely faithful to Stefani’s original while adding her own flair. For her own song, she performed “Sticky Fingers.”

The cover was a personal choice. Ashnikko described “What You Waiting For?” as “the song of my childhood” and the track that inspired her to pursue music, crediting Stefani’s debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. as a formative influence on her own artistry. In the accompanying interview with hosts Abby Butler and Tyrone Pynor, she also chatted about bird watching and the importance of choreography to her performances.

“What You Waiting For?” was the lead single from Stefani’s 2004 debut solo album and reached No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100, while Love. Angel. Music. Baby. peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, spawning the hits “Hollaback Girl” — Stefani’s first Hot 100 No. 1 — and “Rich Girl.” Stefani is also a four-time Grammy winner and the longtime frontwoman of No Doubt.

American artist Ashnikko broke through in 2019 with “Stupid,” a viral TikTok hit that reached No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified platinum. Her 2023 debut album Weedkiller reached the Billboard 200, and she has built a devoted following with her genre-blurring blend of hyperpop, rap and alternative. The Like A Version appearance adds to a long line of memorable covers from the triple j segment, which has become an Australian institution.

Lance Bass has detailed just how little he says he earned during *NSYNC’s rise, claiming he was paid a per diem of $35 a day while the group was one of the biggest acts in the world.

Speaking on The Zach Sang Show, the 47-year-old singer said the money didn’t match the band’s success. “We had a per diem: $35 a day,” Bass said. “Our first check was a $10,000 check after years of No. 1 albums, sellout tours. I don’t know how many millions I made off of merchandise, because merchandise was insane.” He recalled being told to be grateful for the $10,000: “You should be grateful for that. You’ve been working for free for two, three years now.”

Bass — who rose to fame alongside Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone — pushed back on the perception that the group made him wealthy. “People think I’m so filthy rich from *NSYNC, but no,” he said. “Not at all. I didn’t make money with *NSYNC, like, hardly at all.” He said he still receives residuals, but “it’s not much,” and that he earned far more after the band went on hiatus in 2002.

He alleged that the bulk of the money went elsewhere, claiming “the label” and the group’s late manager, Lou Pearlman, “made a f–k ton.” Pearlman, the impresario behind *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, was convicted in 2008 of money laundering, conspiracy and bankruptcy fraud in connection with a long-running Ponzi scheme; he died in prison in 2016.

Asked whether he still carried resentment, Bass said “not anymore,” though he maintained he had been shortchanged. “No one set us up for life after that,” he said.

The claims stand in stark contrast to *NSYNC’s commercial record. The group remains one of the best-selling acts in Billboard history: their 2000 album No Strings Attached sold a then-record 2.4 million copies in its first week — a mark that stood for 15 years — and spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Its lead single “Bye Bye Bye” became a signature hit, and the follow-up “It’s Gonna Be Me” gave the group its only Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 that summer. Their 2001 album Celebrity also debuted at No. 1, while the No Strings Attached tour grossed more than $70 million. *NSYNC reunited briefly for a new single, “Better Place,” in 2023.

It isn’t the first time Bass has spoken about the band’s finances. “We were famous, but we were not rich,” he said during a 2023 appearance on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show.

On Friday night (Oct. 9), the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards aired on TBN and TBN+, as those in the Christian and Gospel music community gathered to honor some of the year’s top artists, songs, albums and more. Hosted for the fourth consecutive year by singer-songwriter Tauren Wells, the event was held on Oct. 6 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. 

Among the top winners were Phil Wickham, Josiah Queen and Brandon Lake, with three wins each, while Tasha Cobbs Leonard took home two honors.

Wickham was named artist of the year, while his album Song of the Saints was named worship album of the year and he won children’s recorded song of the year for his work on “Follow The Light.”

“God has given us reason after reason to worship him,” Wickham said in accepting the worship album of the year honor, adding, “To be able to write songs with amazing people and to think that people sing them to Jesus blows my mind. That I get to write a song to Jesus and I have the honor of filling the mouths of believers with these songs…I don’t take one moment for granted. He is so worthy.”

Queen earned accolades in categories including song of the year and pop/contemporary recorded song of the year (both for “Dusty Bibles”) and recorded music packaging of the year (for his album Mt. Zion).

Taking the stage to accept the song of the year honor for “Dusty Bibles,” Queen thanked his co-writers on the song, John Michael Howell, Zac Lawson, and Dylan Thomas.

“We wrote this song two Dove Awards ago, so it’s an honor to be here,” Queen said. “I grew up following the Dove Awards because I looked up to so many of you writers and musicians. In saying that and getting this, it’s a huge honor. The greatest honor I can have as a human is to serve Jesus.” He added that faith helped him through hard times, saying, “It was opening up my Bible and spending time with Him that he completely changed my life.”

Lake earned accolades including songwriter of the year (artist), pop/contemporary album of the year (King of Hearts), and country/roots recorded song of the year, for “The Jesus I Know Now,” with Lainey Wilson.

Taking the stage to accept the win for “The Jesus I Know Now,” Wilson said, “There’s a line in the song that says, ‘He says who I am and it ain’t what I do.’ I want to remind all the creators, we are not just singers. We’re not just songwriters, we are connectors.” Lake added, “I’m so thankful for you Lainey, and [co-writers] Emily [Weisband] and Luke [Laird] that we wrote the song with….I’m thankful that we get to share this together.” Earlier in the evening, Wilson and Lake had performed “The Jesus I Know Now.”

Cobbs Leonard won the contemporary Gospel album of the year for her project Tasha, as well as traditional Gospel recorded song of the year for “Church” (which she also performed during the show). “God took me on a journey over the past year and a half…I’ve seen sides of Him that I’ve never seen before,” Cobbs Leonard said of working on the project, which was produced by Kenneth Leonard Jr. “The goodness of God and who He is is absolutely amazing,” Cobbs Leonard said.

Jamie MacDonald, known for hits including “Left It In The River,” won new artist of the year. 

“I spent two decades waiting tables and trying to write songs,” MacDonald said. “I was trying to heal after years of addiction and shame. I got ahold of a CeCe Winans record and it changed everything and I began singing the truth over myself….thank you for helping me to find my life’s purpose…thank you Jesus.”

Several artists offered powerful performances during the evening. Amy Grant and Natalie Grant joined forces to honor the late singer-songwriter Dolly Parton.

“What a rare artist…she felt like she belonged to all of us,” Amy Grant said from the stage. “Her music crossed generations and genres and boundaries of all kinds, and faith was woven into who she was, how she lived, and the music she made.” A video clip showed an older performance of Parton singing “How Great Thou Art,” as Natalie Grant and Amy Grant then joined in singing the song together from the Bridgestone stage, which was awash in pink lighting. They ended by joining to sing Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” as videos of Parton’s past performances filled the screens.

Grant also told Billboard in a statement, “I have thought about Dolly and the impact she had on all of us so much since her passing. Being asked to speak about her and then joining Natalie for a performance was an honor in and of itself. From the beginning, Dolly’s one request of [country singer] Porter [Wagoner] was that she be allowed to include a hymn or a Gospel song in each of their shows. Her roots in faith shaped who she was and how she lived. I appreciated getting to sing with Natalie Grant. Her voice captures the colors of the stratosphere, mine of the earth. Singing together, following Dolly, on the arrangement Natalie and Bernie [Herms] put together was magical. I was so happy to be a part of it.”

Also during the evening, Anne Wilson performed “Who I Am,” while Gospel roots ensemble Chosen Road offered up “A God Thing.” Hope Darst performed “Mighty Name of Jesus,” while rapper Hulvey brought choreography-filled performance of “Rich Like This” and “Dave.” Wells also took the stage for “This Is What a Miracle Feels Like” with Naomi Raine. Later in the evening, Tye Tribbett further elevated the evening’s energy with “I Want It All Back.”

Sarai Rivera’s “Tu Voz” was named Spanish Language Recorded song of the year. Rivera said she wrote the song at a time when “I needed His voice to be louder than the fears, than the lies…today I’m a living testimony that His voice keeps echoing louder and louder.”

The show spilled over into the nearby Ryman Auditorium, where Elevation Worship performed “So Be It.” 

Influential Gospel music songwriter, artist and musician Richard Smallwood was honored with a performance from Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Maurette Brown Clark & Ted Winn, who sang songs including “The Center of My Joy, and “I Love The Lord.”

The inaugural GMA community impact award for peace and purpose to God Behind Bars, an organization that focuses on bringing a faith-based message to those in prison.

Having been newly crowned with the new artist of the year honor, MacDonald closed out the evening with the joyous and soulful “Left It In The River.”

See a list of winners in key categories at the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards below:

Artist of the year: Phil Wickham

Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year: “Dusty Bibles,” Josiah Queen

Pop/contemporary album of the year: King of Hearts, Brandon Lake

Bluegrass recorded song of the year: “Broken Angels,” The Grascals and Dolly Parton

Gospel worship recorded song of the year: “More Than This” Cece Winans feat. Todd Dulaney

Worship recorded song of the year: “God I’m Just Grateful,” Elevation Worship and Chandler Moore

Worship album of the year: Song of the Saints, Phil Wickham

Contemporary Gospel recorded song of the year: “Still (Live)” Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts

Contemporary Gospel album of the year: Tasha, Tasha Cobbs Leonard

New artist of the year: Jamie MacDonald

Song of the year: “Dusty Bibles,” Josiah Queen

Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year: “Tu Voz,” Sarai Rivera

Rock/contemporary recorded song of the year: “No Survivors,” Jeremy Camp feat. Skillet

Rap/Hip-Hop album of the year: Could Be Tonight, Hulvey

Feature film of the year: David

Television series of the year: The Chosen

Ignacio “Nacho” Meyer, the charismatic president of Univision Networks Group in TelevisaUnivision, will step down from his post this month, Billboard has learned. Meyer will continue to work closely with the media giant designing and implementing strategic projects, including the upcoming  Latin Grammys, scheduled to air Nov. 12, according to sources inside the company.

Although no information was yet available, Meyer is expected to announce new plans soon. However, he will to continue working closely with TelevisaUnivision long term, according to an official company source.

Meyer, who’s been in Univision for nearly 15 years, was named president in 2022 and his purview was expanded to include radio and streaming networks just last year. His most recent title was president of U.S. networks and local media, and in that capacity, he did pioneering work in integrating all of TelevisaUnivision’s multiple media platforms across a vast ecosystem that comprises digital, radio, streaming, the powerful Univision network in the U.S. and the fledgling VIX streaming platform.

But Meyer’s first roles at Univision were in the network’s music and special events team, and his ties to the music industry were exceptionally strong, so much so that he was known for personally booking artists to shows and sending personalized thank you notes to artist teams after every event.

In recent years, Meyer focused on making music one of the pillars of the TelevisaUnivision brand, in addition to drama and sports.

While Univision sent staff an internal memo announcing Meyer’s move and congratulating him on his future endeavors, no announcements have yet been made on new leadership structures inside the company.  

In the immediate future, beyond the Latin Grammys, Meyer will also helm the launch of Don Francisco’s new interview series, slated to debut this fall.

Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill announced his retirement from the British heavy metal group on Friday morning (Oct. 9), effective immediately. In a message to fans on Instagram, the band lamented the loss of its longest-serving member, writing, “It is with heavy hearts that we are sending out this personal message from our Ian….he has been the backbone of Judas Priest for so long and will be greatly missed by us all.”

The post also contained a lengthy personal message from Hill, 75, who opened by describing his answer to the frequent question of how long he could continue with the band he joined with his childhood friend, guitarist K.K. Downing, in 1970, a year after original vocalist Al Atkins founded the “Breaking the Law” group in Birmingham, England.

“I’ve always answered, ‘until my performances suffer,’” Hill wrote. “I hate to say it, but that time has come. For some years now, I’ve been struggling with the onset of the evil arthritis, which is now in an advanced state in my left shoulder and right hand, established in my right shoulder, and present in both knees. I’ve been fighting this with painkilling pills, gels, and recently with cortisone injections in my shoulder and hand.”

He added that even though he was able to play his basslines on the songs for Priest’s upcoming album, it was unclear if he’d be able to finish out the band’s most recent European tour without incident. That’s why the group asked Uriah Heep bassist Davey Rimmer to step up and learn the band’s set list for their Faithkeepers tour, in case Hill had to step aside for a show, which he had to do on Sept. 21 during Priest’s show at London’s Eventim Apollo.

Hill said he had to skip that show after “snapping a tendon” in his left shoulder just before the encores at a gig in Brussels on Sept. 18.

“This led to me not being able to lift my arm enough to reach the neck of my bass,” Hill wrote. “So we had to call Davey to stand in for me, who put in an incredible performance at such short notice!” Hill said he’s seen specialists, who’ve suggested he might be able to forge ahead without surgery, but even if he doesn’t “there’s no guarantee either way that I’ll have enough strength in my shoulder/arm to complete a whole stage show.”

In light of the various health issues, and the fact that he’s “neglected my family life for fifty-seven years,” Hill said he’s made the hard decision to retire and spend his remaining years “making up for it, and doing things with them before it involves one of ’em pushing me around in a wheelchair.”

He heaped praise on “great” bassist and “genuinely nice bloke” Rimmer, wishing him the best in his new gig in the band that was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. “There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t give thanks for the incredible journey I’ve lived through, and it just remains for me to say that I love you all, and thank you for the life you’ve let me live,” said Hill.

Fellow long-tenured British hard rock veterans Uriah Heep sent their blessing for the lineup shuffle, writing on Facebook, “We would all like to wish Davey our very best in this very coveted position in one of the giants of heavy metal and hard rock. Davey will continue to play with Uriah Heep in 2026 and on all shows in 2027 where schedules permit. For the shows that don’t, we will be announcing a replacement in due course.”

Hill is the only Priest member to appear on all 19 of the band’s albums, from their 1974 debut, Rocka Rolla, through the upcoming, as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2024’s Invincible Shield. After spending all summer on the road in Europe on the Faithkeepers tour, the band has a long layoff before its next gig in June 2027 at a pair of festivals in Norway and Denmark.