Author: Rap Hooks

Shakira is opening up about her experience as an immigrant living in the United States under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

In a new interview with the BBC, the 48-year-old Colombian-born superstar reflected on how the country has changed since she first moved to Miami as a teenager in the mid-1990s to pursue a music career.

“I was only 19 when I moved to the U.S., like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future,” Shakira said, noting that she read works by Leonard Cohen, Walt Whitman and Bob Dylan to learn English and understand the craft of songwriting.

A longtime advocate for social justice, the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer also addressed the challenges facing the Latin community following Trump’s return to the White House. Since stepping back into office earlier this year, the president has intensified efforts to combat alleged immigration violations, prompting protests in Los Angeles and across the country in response to raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“It means living in constant fear,” Shakira told the BBC when asked what it’s like to be an immigrant in the U.S. today. “And it’s painful to see.”

She added, “Now, more than ever, we have to remain united. Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane.”

In early February, while accepting the Grammy Award for best Latin pop album for 2024’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Shakira dedicated the honor to “all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” adding, “You’re loved, worth it and I will always fight with you.”

Shakira is among a growing number of musicians speaking out against federal immigration raids in Southern California. Following President Trump’s early June deployment of National Guard troops to L.A., artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Finneas, The Game, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Kehlani, Tom Morello, Reneé Rapp and Rebecca Black have publicly condemned the administration’s actions.

“I’ve lived in LA my whole life and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration,” Rodrigo wrote on her Instagram Story on Saturday (June 14). “LA simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants. Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy, and due process is awful. I stand with the beautiful, diverse community of Los Angeles and with immigrants all across America. I stand for our right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest.”

The 22-year-old pop star and actress also shared a photo from what appeared to be a protest featuring a poster with a crossed-out crown and the words “in our USA,” a likely a reference to the “No Kings Day” demonstrations held on June 14 in response to Trump’s 79th birthday military parade in Washington, D.C.

Olivia Rodrigo is adding her voice to the growing outcry over federal immigration raids in Southern California.

The 22-year-old pop star and actress, who grew up in Temecula, Calif., before moving to Los Angeles in middle school to star in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark, took to social media on Saturday (June 14) amid widespread protests. The demonstrations erupted in response to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting multiple workplaces across L.A., citing alleged immigration violations.

“I’ve lived in LA my whole life and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration,” Rodrigo wrote on her Instagram Story. “LA simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants. Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy, and due process is awful. I stand with the beautiful, diverse community of Los Angeles and with immigrants all across America. I stand for our right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest.”

Rodrigo also shared a link to a “Know Your Rights” resource page on the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website. In a follow-up post on her IG Story, the “Vampire” singer shared a photo from what appeared to be a protest, featuring a handmade sign with a crossed-out crown and the words “in our USA” — a likely nod to the “No Kings Day” demonstrations held on June 14 in response to President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday military parade in Washington, D.C.

Rodrigo isn’t the only music star raising her voice in response to the recent ICE raids and National Guard presence in Los Angeles. Following President Trump’s early June deployment of National Guard troops to the city, a wave of artists — including Tyler, The Creator, Finneas, The Game, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Kehlani, Tom Morello, Reneé Rapp and Rebecca Black — have publicly condemned the administration’s actions. Many California officials have denounced the deployment as unconstitutional and inflammatory.

“F—K ICE,” Tyler wrote on his Instagram Story, sharing a clip from the 2002 film Paid in Full in which the phrase is chanted repeatedly. Finneas also spoke out after claiming he was tear-gassed while attending what he described as a “very peaceful” protest in downtown L.A. “Tear-gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown. They’re inciting this,” the Grammy-winning artist and producer posted June 8 on his Instagram Story.

Let the games begin with Mariah Carey — if you don’t mind a little danger. Mimi can make a man disappear with an on-brand quip and a simple shrug, a talent she casually demonstrates in her new “Type Dangerous” music video, featuring a surprise cameo from MrBeast.

Carey sings all about how she’s “never been afraid of love/ That’s why I like ’em dangerous” in her new single. But she also doesn’t need anyone wasting her time. “I don’t have time for the rigamarole,” she warns on the track’s first verse, during which she makes her grand arrival in a sparkling evening gown in the Joseph Kahn-directed visual.

The video captures the pop icon’s glamorous vibe and her humor. Across seven acts, Ms. Danger herself turns the heads — and, with some fun special effects, deals with — Mr. Player, Mr. Danger, Mr. Traitor, Mr. Racer, Mr. Dealer and finally, the YouTuber MrBeast, who enters in Act 7.

The “Type Dangerous” video is here just a week after the single dropped.

Carey’s last full-length album was 2018’s Caution, which was a top 5 album on the Billboard 200. She recently hinted that MC16 — her long-awaited 16th album — might soon follow. This year was a milestone year for one of Carey’s most iconic albums. She celebrated the 20th anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi in April with the May release of a deluxe, multi-disc anniversary edition of the LP, featuring remixes, bonus tracks, radio mixes and a cappella cuts.

See what happens to MrBeast in Mariah’s “Type Dangerous” video below.

NEEDTOBREATHE‘s Bear Rinehart is speaking out following allegations of childhood abuse made by his brother Bo Rinehart.

On Thursday (June 12), 43-year-old Bo, the former guitarist for NEEDTOBREATHE, shared a statement on social media alleging that he was sexually abused by multiple people during his childhood, including his older brother Bear, 44, the rock band’s lead singer.

“This is Bo. I am an alcoholic. I am a sinner, but I am a believer. I believe in God’s grace, and I believe that his mercy has shown that he is consistent, even though we don’t deserve it,” Bo wrote on Instagram. “I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I’ve been sexually abused by a Camp counselor. I’ve been sexually, physically and emotionally abused by my brother. And I’ve been abused by my youth pastor.”

He continued, “I believe that God has bigger plans for me and part of those plans are telling my story because it’s so hard for anyone to tell stories like these. Even when my faith has been crushed, I know that God still has provisions for me. If you’re out there and you’re thinking, nothing can be done, no one can help, there’s no way out… I’m with you… but I believe in a God who always finds a way. Don’t give up and don’t lose hope.”

Bo, who left NEEDTOBREATHE in 2020, later shared a photo of Bear with the caption “Sexual Abuser” in a since-deleted Instagram Story, according to Relevant Magazine.

On Saturday (June 14), Bear responded to his brother’s allegations with a lengthy post on the Instagram account for Wilder Woods, his solo musical project outside of NEEDTOBREATHE.

“I feel the need to comment on the deeply hurtful and misleading accusations that my brother Bo made the other night on social media,” Bear wrote. “I love Bo deeply and I always will. Since his departure from the band over five years ago, we have done everything in our power to treat him with respect and privacy. I would never choose to disparage him, especially at a time where he is clearly in pain. But as a father and husband, I must protect my family from claims that misrepresent the truth.”

He continued, “Until now, I had chosen to not share this publicly — not because I’m ashamed, but because I’ve wanted to protect my family. I have three young boys, and I wanted them to hear about my story from me directly, when the time is right and not through social media or online speculation. Bo’s post has now made it impossible for me to remain private about this period of our childhood any longer. I can only hope that God has a plan for this down the road. I have always respected Bo’s right to speak about his own story, but I cannot allow him to misrepresent mine.”

Bear went on to claim that “my brother and I were both sexually abused at the age of 8 and 6 by a teenage counselor” at a Christian camp where they grew up in South Carolina. “Neither of us received support for these events until well into adulthood and were both left to navigate the rest of childhood and adolescence with deep pain and confusion,” the musician wrote, adding that he later “found freedom” after counseling and support from loved ones.

“Bo’s recent accusation of me conflates our shared experience of abuse with a childhood incident he misrepresents,” Bear continued. “While going through a two day intensive counseling session with Bo five years ago, I learned that he was hurt by things that happened in our early teen years as well. At that counseling session I took full responsibility for any part I played in that pain. We processed those moments of shared trauma in detail and left with an understanding that we were two young boys trying to cope with the unimaginable. To now label me an abuser in such a heartless way is not only deeply painful, but is also wildly misleading and feels intentionally harmful.”

Bear concluded his message by expressing hope that he and Bo can reconcile someday. “I truly do pray for this healing,” he wrote. “I believe that all of us are broke and in need of a savior. My brother and I are no different.”

Billboard has reached out to NEEDTOBREATHE’s representatives for further comment.

In a 2023 interview with People, Bo opened up about coming to terms with his experience of sexual abuse as an adult, revealing that it was perpetrated by three different individuals. He did not provide further details.

“It takes time,” Bo said at the time. “At some point in our lives, we get to this stage — and it’s generally with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, it’s in their late 30s or early 40s — where it starts to surface whether you want it to or not. You’ll start to see how your life’s kind of breaking down.”

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Roger Daltrey was among the notable figures recognized in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours list.

The Who frontman, 81, was celebrated for his outstanding contributions to music and his long-standing charitable work — particularly with the Teenage Cancer Trust, where he has served as a patron since 2000.

“It is a wonderful honour for me and especially for Teenage Cancer Trust,” Daltrey said in a statement shared in Instagram. “I accept this award not only for myself but on behalf of all the unsung heroes who have given their energy towards making the Teenage Cancer Trust the success it has become.”

Over the past two decades, the iconic rocker has played a key role in organizing the charity’s annual concert series at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which has raised more than £36 million (approximately $48 million).

He went on to acknowledge individuals who have supported the Teenage Cancer Trust over the years. “The likes of The Who and their fans, Angie Jenkison, Lindsay Hughes, Des Murphy, Rob Ballantine and the late Chris York are some of many who have done so much to elevate the charity, to the point where it now has 28 specialist units in NHS hospitals across the U.K.,” he said.

In recognition of his work, Daltrey was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). “It’s kind of weird… It’s a dream come true for me, but it’s especially a dream because the charity means so much,” the musician told the Press Association.

The Who shared their own tribute to Daltrey. “Sir Roger is a true inspiration and we salute him and all the other honourees from the worlds of music and the creative arts for enriching our lives with their brilliant human artistry and achievements,” the band wrote.

Other prominent recipients of knighthood in this year’s list include actor Gary Oldman and retired soccer star David Beckham. Additional honorees included Steve Winwood, 10cc’s Graham Gouldman, actress Elaine Paige and Love Island star Georgia Harrison, according to the BBC.

Winwood — known for his work with the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, as well as a successful solo career — was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

“I am immensely grateful that I am considered for recognition of my services to music,” Winwood said in a statement on Instagram. “I am a proud upholder of British culture and values, and am extremely honoured to be rewarded in this way, and wish to thank all those who made the recommendation, and those who’ve supported my music over the years.”