As the poets are being tortured in their department, we take a look at the historic Hotel Chelsea mentioned in Taylor Swift’s new album.

There’s a reason universities have dedicated courses on the literature of Taylor Swift’s songs, and the pop icon continues to prove why these are justified. With her new album — The Tortured Poets Department she once again puts her poetic brilliance on display with heartbreak anthems set to synth-pop beats. Interestingly, poets receive a nod not only in her album name but also in the title track itself as she name-drops Dylan Thomas and Patti Smith. Manhattan’s Hotel Chelsea which once housed famous poets and writers gets a special shoutout too. Here’s all you need to know about the true story behind Hotel Chelsea, the legendary landmark that Taylor Swift mentions in The Tortured Poets Department.

All through the album, Swift scatters breadcrumbs for her fans to decipher as she sings about her past lovers and relationships. The surprise double album has 31 tracks in total, including 15 tracks that are announced as a part of The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. The album is produced by her alongside Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner.

As a songwriter, she hits home with lyrics like, “I kept calm and carried the weight of the rift/Pulled him in tighter each time he was drifting away/ My spine split from carrying us up the hill” in So Long, London. In the title track, she mentions literary legends, Patti Smith and Dylan Thomas singing, “You’re not Dylan Thomas. I’m not Patti Smith. This ain’t the Chelsea Hotel. We’re modern idiots.”

Who are Patti Smith and Dylan Thomas from Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department song?

Swift cleverly mentions the two poets in her song The Tortured Poets Department, clarifying that neither she nor the guy she sings about should succumb to becoming the tortured artists that once made Hotel Chelsea their home. She seemingly rejects the idea of using self-destructive ways to become memorable artists, alluding to Welsh poet Thomas’ reputation of being a doomed poet.

Dylan Thomas, best known for writing Under Milk Wood and Fern Hill, was born in 1914 and passed away aged 39 in 1953. During his visit to the US, he stayed at Manhattan’s Hotel Chelsea on nearly four occasions. In fact, it was during his stay at the landmark hotel that he slipped into a coma and passed away four days later. He was housed in apartment 205 of the heritage hotel.

Thomas had arrived in New York for the performance of Under Milk Wood and had checked into Hotel Chelsea during the time in 1953. He was described by his critics as being drunk on language as well as whisky.

Taylor also mentions famous poet, author and singer-songwriter Patti Smith who contributed heavily to the punk rock movement in New York. She became a ’70s icon with her music which was hailed as an exciting blend of rock and poetry. Smith famously lived at Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan with photographer Robert Mapplethorne in 1969. At the time, the couple’s room 1017 was priced at just USD 55 per week.

Apart from Dylan Thomas and Patti Smith, Hotel Chelsea was home to several iconic writers and musicians — let’s take a look at the Manhattan hotel’s fascinating history, true story, and more.

The true story behind the Hotel Chelsea mentioned in Taylor Swift’s song

Trust Taylor Swift to drop interesting references in her songs that will have you dig up every detail. If hearing The Tortured Poets Department song has urged you to look up a Chelsea Hotel, we have got you covered. An establishment that has housed some of the most famous personalities across music, literature and films, the hotel continues to operate even today.

After undergoing a change of ownership and massive renovation in the past, it remains a landmark structure that was built between 1883 and 1885. Philip Hubert designed the heritage building that was originally a housing cooperative.

The Victorian Gothic building had a connection to pop culture icons since its inception and served as an inspiration to many. It also served as a filming location for movies and music videos. Andy Warhol famously directed his experimental underground film, Chelsea Girls at the iconic hotel in 1966.

The hotel name is also the title of Canadian singer Leonard Cohen’s popular 1968 track. It referenced his stay there during his brief relationship with musician Janis Joplin.

The 12-storied heritage structure stands out with its red brick look, but it’s the ghosts of its past that make it intriguing even today. Several eccentrics have walked past the halls of the renowned property and many of them suffered a tragic fate. This is possibly the reason why the property is used as a reference in Taylor Swift’s new song.

A particularly chilling true story in the Hotel Chelsea’s dark past includes the fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Nancy Spungeon, seemingly by her boyfriend, Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious.

On a lighter note, the property is also where artist Jackson Pollock drunkenly threw up on the carpet of its dining room.

Famous guests who stayed at Hotel Chelsea

The legendary hotel has housed famous artists across decades from the likes of Arthur Miller and Mark Twain to Madonna. Playwright Arthur Miller made Hotel Chelsea his home after his divorce from Marilyn Monroe and camped out in room 614 for several years in the 1960s. American singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan was also a resident of the landmark hotel and famously wrote the song Sara in room 211. With Timothée Chalamet starring in a biopic based on the singer’s life, we wonder if the iconic hotel will be featured in the film, given it’s where Dylan resided in the 1960s.

Before Taylor Swift name-dropped Hotel Chelsea in her song, it was also the inspiration for legendary singer Janis Joplin’s track Chelsea Morning. Guitarist Jimi Hendrix was also among Hotel Chelsea’s famous guests and was housed in a suite, reportedly room 430. The door of Hendrix’s suite was sold at an auction for USD 13,000.

Another pop icon to stay at this property includes Madonna, who made this midtown hotel her home in the 1980s. Later, she returned to shoot photos for her 1992 coffee table book at the same location.

The Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger was also a resident of the hotel at one point. While the list of groundbreaking artists who stayed at the hotel is endless, some stories shared by its residents are particularly memorable. The Sopranos star Michael Imperioli, who lived at the renowned hotel when he was 29, recalled experiencing a supernatural encounter during his stay. In the 2023 documentary Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel, he described the hotel as a “mythical place” and recounted seeing a ghost. He said, “Some people may think that I’m insane and it’s bullshit or whatever. But I’m not the only person who has seen this apparition of a woman, apparently from the late 19th century, whose soon-to-be husband died on the Titanic.”

Poet Patti Smith also famously spoke about the hotel’s “shabby elegance” and said, “I loved this place, its shabby elegance, and the history it held so possessively… So many had written, conversed, and convulsed in these Victorian dollhouse rooms.”

Is the iconic Hotel Chelsea available for reservations?

With Taylor Swift’s new song from The Tortured Poets Department shining a new spotlight on the iconic Hotel Chelsea, Swifties can explore the heritage structure as it continues accepting guest reservations even today. The hotel, which has been a sanctuary for creatives, has managed to retain its historic charm while also embracing modernities. The New York cultural landmark offers stay options ranging from USD 500 to two-bedroom suites that cost up to USD 2,250.

Location: The Hotel Chelsea, 222 West Twenty-Third Street, New York, N. Y. 10011
Bookings and Reservations: reservations@hotelchelsea.com
More details here.

(Main and featured images: Hotel Chelsea)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Why is Hotel Chelsea famous?

The Manhattan hotel has been famous for hosting renowned artists and writers. Its long-term residents included the likes of Dylan Thomas, Arthur Miller and more.

– Who wrote songs about the Chelsea Hotel?

One of the most famous songs referencing the hotel is perhaps Leonard Cohen’s Chelsea Hotel #2 track. Also, Joni Mitchell’s Chelsea Morning and Bob Dylan’s Sara mention the heritage structure. Most recently, Hotel Chelsea finds a nod in Taylor Swift’s song The Tortured Poets Department.

– Do people still live in the Hotel Chelsea?

The heritage building is a luxury hotel, although it was originally a housing cooperative. It still has nearly 40 residents while guests can book suites and lofts at the iconic hotel even today.

This article is originally published in Prestige Online Singapore.

The post What and where is the Chelsea Hotel mentioned in Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Leave the door open, baby, because Bruno Mars won’t be able to reach the door handle. From “Just the Way You Are” to “Uptown Funk,” explore his best songs.

Bruno Mars is a master of crafting infectious hits that seamlessly blend genres and eras. His music has an uncanny ability to make you smile, dance and maybe even shed a tear or two. From the retro-funk vibes of “Uptown Funk” to the soulful vulnerability of “Just the Way You Are,” his songs have captured the hearts of millions worldwide. With his concert in Singapore set to steal hearts this weekend on 3 – 6 April 2024, we dive into the most streamed Bruno Mars songs on the music streaming service Spotify.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mars’s musical journey began early. Surrounded by a musically inclined family, he was a natural performer, even impersonating Elvis Presley as a child. Before finding his own voice, he honed his skills as a songwriter, penning hits for other artists.

However, his true destiny lay in the spotlight and his solo career quickly skyrocketed. Bruno Mars is known for experimenting with music. His electrifying performances, including two Super Bowl Halftime Shows, and his collaborations with artists like Anderson .Paak (as Silk Sonic) has solidified his status as a legendary entertainer.

Mars has 15 Grammys to his name, winning his first in the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance category for “Just The Way You Are” in 2011. While his other titles, including “Grenade” and “Young, Wild & Free”, received Grammy nods, Unorthodox Jukebox and 25 won Mars in the Best Pop Vocal Album and Album Of The Year categories, respectively.

With an uncanny ability to evoke joy, incite dance and even stir the deepest of emotions, Mars’s music has captured the hearts of millions, etching his name into the annals of musical history.

Read about the net worth of Bruno Mars here

Explore Bruno Mars’ Spotify streams and most popular hits

1. It Will Rain (781 million streams)

Featured in the Twilight Saga (more precisely The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1), this haunting ballad showcases Mars’s emotive range. Its melancholic lyrics, echoing the longing and bittersweet pain central to the film’s love story, are underscored by a spare piano melody that builds to a dramatic, string-laden crescendo.

2. The Lazy Song (909 million streams)

This instantly catchy tune with its playfully simple melody is the embodiment of the ultimate laidback anthem. Its humour-laden lyrics, championing a gloriously idle lifestyle, are paired with a music video that perfectly captures the carefree spirit of the song, featuring Bruno Mars and his bandmates, goofing around in monkey costumes.

3. Marry You (943 million streams)

A joyous ode to spontaneous love and commitment, this romantic favourite has become the soundtrack to surprise proposals and countless wedding dance floors. Its upbeat tempo, playful lyrics about Vegas-style elopements and infectious chorus make it a timeless celebration of finding your soulmate.

4. Grenade (1.24 billion streams)

This dramatic power ballad explores the depths of heartbreak and unrequited love. Mars’s raw, passionate voice conveys unyielding devotion, painting a vivid picture of someone willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for love. The song’s intensity builds throughout, culminating in a belted chorus that showcases Bruno’s impressive range.

5. Leave the Door Open (1.26 billion streams)

A velvety duet with Anderson .Paak as Silk Sonic, this track oozes old-school R&B charm. Inspired by the sounds of classic soul groups, its seductive rhythm, lush harmonies and smooth-as-silk vocals make it perfect for a night of slow dancing and intimate moments. “Leave the Door Open” bagged the Record of the Year and Best R&B Performance at the 64th Grammy Awards.

6. Talking to the Moon (1.28 billion streams)

A wistful melody tinged with loneliness and longing, Mars’s voice aches with a yearning for lost love. The song’s simple yet evocative lyrics create a sense of profound isolation, making it deeply relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak. Its stripped-back arrangement puts the focus squarely on his emotional delivery.

7. 24K Magic (1.37 billion streams)

The title track of Mars’s third studio album, 24K Magic, is a celebration of luxury and excess. The Grammy-winning album includes the song of the same name. With its funky beat, slick production and Bruno Mars’s smooth voice, it transports listeners to a world of glamour and opulence. From the shimmering synths to the infectious chorus, it is a feel-good anthem that’s perfect for any occasion, whether you are hitting the club or cruising down the street in style.

8. Locked out of Heaven (1.87 billion streams)

Drawing inspiration from rock legends like The Police, this electrifying track bristles with raw energy. Its driving beat, playful lyrics with a hint of impishness and undeniable chorus make it a guaranteed dance floor filler. The music video further cemented its iconic status with its retro visuals and Bruno’s charismatic performance.

9. Uptown Funk (1.92 billion streams)

This funk-filled collaboration with Mark Ronson dominated the charts with its infectious groove and irresistible energy. With its funky bassline, catchy hooks and Bruno Mars’s dynamic voice, this track exudes pure joy and celebration, making it a timeless party anthem. The song won Mars a Record of the Year as well as Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammys in 2016.

10. Just the Way You Are (1.98 billion streams)

This tender, heartfelt love song from the Doo-Wops & Hooligans album became a global phenomenon for its sweet sentiment and simple-yet-powerful message of unconditional acceptance. Mars’s sincere vocals paired with a gentle piano-driven melody make this a modern classic, chosen as the soundtrack to countless romantic moments.

11. That’s What I Like (1.99 billion streams)

A bouncy pop anthem with elements of funk and R&B, this feel-good track oozes confidence and swagger. While its infectious rhythm and playful lyrics celebrating life’s finer things are a pure pop delight, the luxurious music video adds to its extravagant vibe.

12. When I Was Your Man (over 2 billion streams)

Bruno Mars’s most streamed song on Spotify – a soulful ballad radiating vulnerability and regret. Its introspective lyrics, expressing the pain of lost love and wishing to be a better partner, are delivered with raw emotion. The song’s heart-wrenching melody and soaring vocals ensure its status as a timeless ballad of heartbreak. It is from the Unorthodox Jukebox album.

(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of Bruno Mars/ YouTube)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-Which is the most streamed Bruno Mars song?

The most streamed Bruno Mars song on Spotify is “When I Was Your Man” with over 2 billion streams, as of 26 March 2024.

The post Most streamed Bruno Mars songs to add to your Spotify playlist appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

JYP’s new girl group VCHA sheds light on their journey, their debut, and what it means to be an inspiration for others. Here’s our interview.

Some may say that K-pop’s reach has gone global. But a new group in town is on a mission to bring the genre to an even more global level. Meet VCHA, the latest addition to JYP Entertainment’s stellar line-up of girl groups. We’re no stranger to the groups from the company—from Wonder Girls to ITZY and TWICE. But VCHA is not just any group, they’re a global girl group, perhaps the first of its kind. Camila, Lexi, Kendall, Savanna, KG, and Kaylee debuted through the competition series, A2K, a collaborative endeavour by J.Y. Park in partnership with Republic Records’ founder Monte Lipman. 

The six-piece from diverse backgrounds from across US participated in challenges to be part of the final line-up. Fresh off their debut, they’re still reliving the moment. While the stakes are high and the pressure is on, the members admit they’re also making the most of the experience that turned them from fans into superstars. It’s not a stretch to say that the standard for K-pop these days is to go global and VCHA is the embodiment of that. The group, though different, represents what it means to follow your dreams. While challenges lie ahead, especially for such a bold concept, they’re also ready for the world. 

VCHA, which takes inspiration from the Korean phrase, ‘Shine a Light’, debuted earlier this year. But before that, they put out a pre-debut single, ‘SeVit (New Light)’ which comes with three other tracks: ‘Y.O. Universe’, ‘Go Getter’, and ‘Know Me Like That’. This was quickly followed by a second pre-debut single, ‘Ready for the World’, the complete version of the A2K theme song. A few months into 2024, they’re taking to the stage as the opening act for their senior labelmate, TWICE in the group’s final ‘Ready to be Me’ Once More concerts. Just as we’re recovering from their debut two-track release, ‘Girls of the Year’ and ‘Xo Call Me’, their second single, ‘Only One’ is out on March 15.

Ahead of their performance and new song release, Lifestyle Asia caught up with VCHA to shed light on their journey so far. Read our interview to find out how their lives have changed since debuting, their love for K-pop, and what it means to be a global girl group.

VCHA reflects back on their A2K journey and how they got into K-pop

How has the journey been so far and how much things have changed for you?

Lexi: Before A2K, I was a normal teenager who attended school and after-school activities. But now, here I am, as an idol in VCHA. So much has happened in such a short amount of time and that could only happen because of hard work, determination, passion, and lots of support.  

Kendall: Honestly, this journey was unpredictable. I didn’t expect my life to change so drastically, nor did I expect such a reaction from viewers. Through this whole experience, I’ve learned so much about myself, from actual skills to being more introspective about my own thoughts. But the most important thing I’ve learned is that you know yourself best, so always trust yourself.

This group is such a refreshing concept in K-pop. Do you feel any pressure in that aspect or are you all just mostly enjoying it?

Camila: I believe that this group is in fact a new concept. We all come from different backgrounds and cultures and that makes it special. We’re just super excited to show the world our hard work and we hope to inspire anyone out there that has a dream like we do. We want to be a great example of how no matter where you come from, you can achieve anything. 

KG: I think it’s a mixture of both. The concept of a global girl group representing diversity is new. So, there is some pressure to do it well and represent others well. But I think it’s really cool and meaningful. The opportunity for A2K presented itself. Honestly, it felt like I manifested it. So, I am really enjoying it, and I hope others can be inspired and believe they can do anything they put their mind to.

How was the transition process from being a contestant to a trainee to now an official member of the group? And what would you say is the biggest lesson that you’ve all learned?

Savanna: The show taught me a lot of life lessons besides singing and dancing, so while transitioning to an official member of the group, I used those lessons during the process. We all grew so much during the show, and I have much appreciation for it. One of the biggest lessons that I personally learned was just being patient with myself, and giving some things time. I tend to want to get everything right away, but being patient with yourself is very important.

Kaylee: I learned so much throughout the show and I’m using everything I’ve learned to become a better person and member of VCHA. We’ve all grown up so much from the show, and I’m so grateful that I was able to take part in it.

You all dreamed of being K-pop idols and had this expectation or even image in your mind before you all started. Does those ideas and images live up to the expectation now that you’ve debuted?

Camila: Our perspective of being an idol has definitely changed. As a fan and regular listener, we only get to see the final product. But being behind the scenes of this whole experience made me realise that it’s not easy. There is so much work and effort put behind everything single video and performance. It’s such a long process, something I could’ve never imagined. It’s a lot of hard work and hours of training. But in the end, it pays off.

Kendall: Viewing idol life and living in it completely changed my perspective on many things. Any expectations I had were broken. There were so many unexpected aspects of life in this industry that caught me off guard. There were some things I expected, such as the effort that goes into every little detail. But it all made me realise that you really have to love what you do. As long as you have a passion for what you do, you can achieve anything. 

You guys mentioned a lot of times in the show that being an idol is your dream. Were there specific moments or people that inspired you to take that leap?

Kaylee: My family has really inspired me to follow my dreams. They have always told me to go for it and they show me support for everything I do! I’m so happy they are with me throughout my journey to VCHA and I use them as my motivation to keep working hard.

KG: For me, I first discovered K-pop when I was 12. I started making K-pop-inspired music before I even knew what it was. But I knew I wanted to become an idol after watching some documentaries on K-pop and going to KCON where I watched groups perform for the first time. I also have my mom, who is my biggest supporter, who inspired me to take that big leap. She is always there to push me to become anything I want to be.

VCHA talks about debuting and being the opening act for labelmate TWICE

What’s the significance of your pre-debut song, ‘SeVit (New Light)’ and how do you think it represents you as a group?

Camila: Our pre-debut ‘SeVit (New Light)’ represents the end of a chapter of the A2K series and the beginning of our career as VCHA. The songs from that album were made during the show for all the girls that participated in it. It later became our songs as VCHA, and we cherish them as a great memory and as a great changing point in our lives. They will always have a special place in our hearts. 

Lexi: Our pre-debut song holds so much significance because it truly represents us as a group. We are just a group of unique individuals that are there for each other when we need it. We lift each other in dark times and come together to shine.

For the song, ‘Y.O. Universe’, you guys celebrated your differences. What about being different feels special to you?

Kaylee: It’s so important to embrace each of our differences because VCHA is a group that symbolises diversity and each person’s uniqueness. We all have our similarities and differences, and it’s so important to embrace them so we each have our own personalities.

Kendall: When you think of someone, any person, you remember them because they are different from everyone else. That’s why it’s so important to be different because that’s what makes everyone special. We should all embrace being special and that’s why we want to create an environment where everyone can be proud to be themselves. 

In what ways does your debut single, ‘Girls of the Year’ highlight your charms as a group?

Camila: ‘Girls of the Year’ really highlights everyone’s charms. Every member was able to showcase something special throughout the song. It means a lot to us since it tells our story. That’s why we took each segment of the song very seriously. It shows the growth of our journey and the story of us achieving our dreams.

Before, you were just fans watching TWICE on TV. But now, you get to be the opening act for them. How does that feel?

Lexi: We feel so honoured to be able to open for such amazing artists. To be performing on such a big stage for a large crowd at such an early stage of our journey is truly a significant experience for us. We’ve learned so much through this experience, and we just want to say overall that we are so grateful for this opportunity.

JYP Entertainment’s VCHA on growth and embracing their differences

Lexi, you’re the first Hmong person to debut in a K-pop group. How do you feel about that?

Lexi: I’m so incredibly grateful for all of the support and love I have received from the Hmong community. I am so proud to be Hmong and I am also super proud to be able to represent my people. It makes me so happy knowing that people in the world watch me do what I love to do. I’m so glad that I can be someone that others look up to because when I was a kid, having that figure to look up to inspired me so much. Overall, I’m just super happy that I’ve received so much support and I can’t wait to hopefully inspire others in the future.

Camila, you’re such a big cheerleader for all the members. How do you strike a balance between keeping the group harmony and expressing your talents and charm?                  

Camila: I’ve always cherished the special moments with the people that I love. I’m super empathetic, so I always feel everyone’s emotions. Therefore, I make sure that we all feel good, comfortable, and excited. Although I also go through hard moments myself, I can always rely on my members, and they can always rely on me.

Kaylee, despite your young age, you’re also very mature in some ways. How is it like being the youngest and do you feel any gap having members older than you?

Kaylee: Even though I’m the youngest, it doesn’t feel so most of the time. The members are always sure to include me when we are together. I always forget they are older than me. That just goes to show how close we all are!

Kendall, you described yourself as the artistic person in the group. What does being artistic or being an artist mean to you?

Kendall: I don’t believe that being an artist or being artistic is limited to the physical arts or even the performing arts, those are just the most common forms of expression. In my opinion, it’s more important to find a way to express yourself, who you are, and your feelings in a way that is natural to you. If you find a place where you feel comfortable, I don’t think it’s necessary to put a label on it, you should just enjoy what you are doing without putting pressure on yourself. Being artistic or being an artist should have no boundaries, if you express yourself freely. Art can be whatever you make it into.

Savanna, throughout the show, we’ve seen you grow in your singing. How were you able to gain that confidence and become the artist that you are today?

Savanna: My experience on the show gave me many opportunities to grow my skills, including singing. During all the missions, I got to learn more about myself. Through this, I gained confidence in my own abilities and the training that I was receiving. I’ve found more of my identity in singing and as an artist, and through that it gives me the confidence to show my singing to the world.

KG, before A2K and VCHA, you’ve already been performing. Did you always know you wanted to perform? Was it difficult to change to K-pop from what you were used to?

KG: Since I was seven, I have always been passionate about music. I started in the industry by modelling, acting, and forming a sibling band with my brothers. That’s where I learned to play the guitar, piano, and percussion. When I was older, I transitioned to making more pop/K-pop vibe music, so it wasn’t really difficult to change genres because I really do enjoy all types.

More than being artists and musicians, idols are also role models. How do you see yourself as a role model for the young generation?

Lexi: I hope that we are seen as a group of teenagers with different cultures and backgrounds who come together to inspire others to also want to achieve their dreams. I want people all over the world to think that they can accomplish anything and everything as the unique individuals that they are. We as kids always had role models growing up and to potentially be a role model in this era is truly a significant moment to remember.  

Savanna: With our group being diverse, I want the younger generation to look at us and see themselves in someone. They can see us and know that if we do it, they can do it too. I hope to show a hard-working spirit that others can look up to as well when going through a tough time.

What does ‘being a global girl group’ mean to you?

Kendall: To us, being a global girl group is such an amazing opportunity. It means that we get to represent our own cultures to inspire those around the world like us. This is important to us because we were all once inspired by figures who represented us when we were younger, so to possibly become that person for someone else, who inspires and proves to them they can do anything they put their mind to, is the biggest honour.

Lastly, what should we look forward to from you and what is your message for your supporters and listeners?  

Camila: You should look forward to great music and great performances coming up soon. We’ll keep working super hard, I hope you enjoy what’s to come. Can’t wait to show it to the world.

Savanna: Thank you to everyone who supports us, it really means a lot. It makes a difference and really motivates us to keep going. I really cannot wait to show everyone what we have in store. Please continue loving us.

KG: Thank you so much for all your love and support. We wouldn’t be here without you. Please look forward to what’s upcoming as we are so excited to share this new journey with you. We’re ready for the world.

All images credit: JYP Entertainment

The post Q&A: VCHA, JYP Entertainment’s new girl group, on their journey to K-pop appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Ahead of the American singer-songwriter’s concert, we have a few suggestions as to what he can get up to while here in the City of Angels. Here’s our itinerary for Bruno Mars when he visits Bangkok.

Hello, Peter—or as you are widely known, Bruno. As a fellow Filipino, I’m no stranger to nicknames that are so far from your real name. I’m just glad your mom didn’t call you “Junjun” because “Junjun Mars” doesn’t have the same ring to it.

I know that you’re going to be back here in Bangkok soon. I was there back in 2018, and I know you’ll rock our socks off like you did before. We’re all looking forward to the show but we also don’t want you to miss what our city has to offer. Believe it or not, it’s not just the bad traffic and pollution. We want to make sure you get a true Bruno Mars Bangkok experience. 

So Peter/Bruno, here’s our cheeky little Bangkok itinerary for you. And remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Wait, wrong Peter. 

[Hero image: Bruno Mars FB]

A Bangkok itinerary for Bruno Mars

Get a massage at Harnn Heritage Spa because “That’s What [You’ll] Like”

A trip to Bangkok is never complete without a proper spa treatment and massage. Whether it’s to prep for the two nights of rocking at Rajamangala or a post-show treat, head to Harnn Heritage Spa for some well-deserved relaxation. You can opt for the Ploenchit Therapy for a nice aromatic Thai massage but if you really need someone to knead all the stress out, the Dusit Therapy which comprises a Thai deep tissue message might do the trick. 

Find out more here

Go to 984wolf for dinner and spend the night “Talking to the Moon”

With a subtle air of fine dining but still keeping it fun and casual, 984wolf is a great place to wind down and chill over a good meal. Their European dishes are stunningly and expertly crafted; the vibes are laid back; and the aesthetic of the whole restaurant is delightful. But the centrepiece of the restaurant’s decor? The brightly lit moon that hangs on the ceiling hence the pun. 

Find out more here

See a movie at the Bed Cinema by Omazz because “Today [you] don’t feel like doing anything”

There are days when you just want to lay in your bed but you also don’t want to be stuck in your room. The Bed Cinema by Omazz offers the solution: watching a movie in a theatre while lounging about in bed. It’s a radically different movie-going experience. I mean sure, you do it at home, but this is a proper cinema with sodas and drinks. Perhaps this can be a nice little post-show treat before heading to the next leg of the tour. 

Find out more here

Dine with a “24K Magic” aesthetic in Chop Chop Cook Shop

Bangkok’s Chinatown aka Yaowarat is well known for its gold shops with their neon signage and signature red interior. There’s a multitude of them spread out in the district. Chop Chop Cook Shop isn’t one of them, but it used to be. The refitted gold shop now serves dishes that mix Chinese, Western, and local influences giving you a truly international meal amidst busy Chinatown. It’s the perfect place for a true 24K lunch. 

Find out more here

Get “Chunky” at Chunky

In the eternal words spoken in Parks and Recreation, “Treat yo’ self”—and there’s no better place to do that than at Chunky. The tagline of this resto is “More than just a burger”, and it definitely delivers. Whether it’s the Sour Cream and Onion Burger, the Truffle Cream Burger, or the Double Stacked Burger, it’s a great resto for some comfort food not just for you but even for your entire crew. Because who doesn’t like burgers? 

Find out more here

Get yourself  “drippin’ in finesse” at Platinum Mall

Forget the luxury malls for a minute even if you want to look for new Versace “floor pieces”. Platinum Mall is where you can experience true Bangkok shopping, complete with haggling, and knock-off brands. Look, I know at your new cocktail lounge, The Pinky Ring, people are going to be decked out in designer-brand outfits. But hear me out: why not rock up in breezy Bangkok elephant pants and a silk Dolce & Gabbana shirt that only cost THB 199? You’re a trendsetter after all, Bruno, so set it.

Find out more here

Get your “Uptown Funk” on at Funky Town

Need a few drinks after your two-night gig or maybe you just need a few drinks and funky vibes to end the day? The aptly-named Funky Town serves up tremendous cocktails along with great vibes and a casually cool aesthetic making it the perfect hangout spot perhaps after playing in front of a crowd of approximately 65,000. Sit back and enjoy your drinks and the music—or maybe do a song or two for the lucky ones who are there. We know you can’t resist singing with a drink in your hand. 

Find out more here

The post An itinerary for Bruno Mars in Bangkok, based on his songs appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The iconic Glastonbury Festival has unveiled its star-studded 2024 lineup and it’s an absolute banger. From chart-topping icons to boundary-pushing newcomers, this legendary event promises a whirlwind of musical discovery and transformative experiences that define Glastonbury’s unique magic. A new poster for the festival was also released.

Nestled in the heart of rural England, the star-studded celebration of music takes place on Worthy Farm in the beautiful Somerset countryside. The rolling hills, mystical Glastonbury Tor and the blend of ancient and alternative culture contribute to the festival’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

All about Glastonbury Festival 2024

Glastonbury Festival 2024 dates

The music festival will take place from 26 June to 30 June.

Glastonbury Festival 2024: Your guide to the biggest names

Coldplay, no strangers to the Pyramid Stage, etch their name further into Glastonbury history with their record fifth headliner appearance. Their European-exclusive performance promises a breathtaking spectacle as they continue their phenomenal ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour.

Dua Lipa, with her powerhouse vocals and dancefloor anthems, is finally set to take centre stage after her star-making 2017 performance. Her new album, Radical Optimism, infuses her set with a blend of psychedelia, trip-hop and Britpop influences.

SZA, riding the wave of her critically acclaimed album SOS, will undoubtedly captivate the audience with her raw emotion and introspective R&B sound. The always-jubilant Sunday afternoon “legends” slot welcomes global superstar Shania Twain, ready to charm the crowd with her infectious country-pop hits and undeniable stage presence.

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Exploring Glastonbury Festival’s diverse landscape

Glastonbury’s magic extends far beyond the Pyramid Stage. Anticipate a breathtakingly diverse sonic adventure with acts like the lyrically potent Little Simz, dance-inducing electronic pioneers LCD Soundsystem and the vibrant Afrobeats of Burna Boy. Breakthrough stars are ready to shine, including K-pop sensation Seventeen, who will grace the Pyramid Stage for a historic debut. Throughout the festival grounds, established favourites and hidden gems from a wide array of genres await discovery.

Idles, fresh off their chart-topping album, will headline the iconic Other Stage alongside electronic duo Disclosure and beloved indie-rock band The National. UK rap will see strong representation with D-Block Europe, Headie One and the gritty social commentary of the Streets. Pop fans have a treasure trove to explore, from the infectious melodies of Camila Cabello to the relatable songwriting of Anne-Marie and the enduring energy of Avril Lavigne. The West Holts stage will throb with the eclectic sounds of headliners Jungle, Jessie Ware and Justice. Over at the Park stage, get ready for the haunting melodies of Fontaines DC, the hypnotic beats of Peggy Gou and the soulful sounds of London Grammar.

The quintessential Glastonbury Festival 2024 experience

More than just music, the Glastonbury Festival is a cultural pilgrimage. Pack your wellies and brace yourself for the unpredictable English weather. Embrace the vibrant crowds, the quirky art installations and the serendipitous moments that come with the territory. This is a place where you can dance until sunrise, engage in enlightening conversations with strangers and witness the unexpected at every corner.

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Are Glastonbury Festival 2024 tickets still available?

Securing Glastonbury tickets is an adventure in itself, so there is always high demand. Sadly, though, the tickets for this year’s edition are already sold out according to a Variety report. However, a raffle offering 20 pairs of tickets aims to generate emergency funds to aid individuals impacted by conflict.

A legacy of music and transformation

Glastonbury’s roots lie in the counterculture movement of the 1970s. Inspired by the ethos of peace and free expression, the festival transformed from a modest gathering into a global powerhouse. Its stages have hosted paradigm-shifting performances from giants like David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and countless other legendary artistes. Glastonbury is a place where musical icons are revered and new stars are launched into the stratosphere.

(Hero image: Courtesy of Dua Lipa/Instagram, Coldplay/Instagram and SZA/Instagram; Featured image: Courtesy of Dua Lipa/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

–Who is playing at Glastonbury Festival 2024?

Headliners this year at Glastonbury Festival 2024 include Coldplay, Dua Lipa, SZA, and Shania Twain. Other major acts include Little Simz, LCD Soundsystem, Burna Boy, Idles, Disclosure, The National, D-Block Europe, The Streets, Camila Cabello, Anne-Marie, Avril Lavigne, Jungle, Jessie Ware, Justice, Fontaines DC, Peggy Gou and London Grammar.

–Are Glastonbury Festival 2024 tickets sold out?

Yes, Glastonbury Festival 2024 tickets are already sold out.

–Is Coldplay playing at Glastonbury Festival 2024?

Yes, Coldplay is headlining the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2024, making history with their fifth appearance at the festival.

–Where is Glastonbury Festival 2024?

Glastonbury Festival 2024 will be held on Worthy Farm in Somerset, England.

The post Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA and more: Glastonbury Festival unveils epic lineup for 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Get ready, ARMY! BTS member V (aka Kim Taehyung) is gearing up to capture hearts with a brand-new song. BigHit Music has officially announced the release of “FRI(END)S”, a soulful love song set to drop at 1 pm KST (11 am ICT) on 15 March.

All about ‘FRI(END)S’, the new song by BTS’ V

Theme of the new title by BTS’ V

Described as a pop-soul R&B track, Kim Taehyung‘s “FRI(END)S” promises to be a heartfelt exploration of the intricate bonds of love.

A statement from BigHit Music to the press read, “The track, rooted in the pop soul R&B genre, delivers relatable and witty romance through lyrics written entirely in English. The single artwork accompanying the announcement reveals the song title and release date against a vivid pink background that hints at the song’s sweet mood.”

[공지] V 디지털 싱글 ‘FRI(END)S’ 발매 안내 (+ENG/JPN/CHN)https://t.co/K9FluyK2Xm#V #뷔 #V_FRIENDS #FRI_END_S pic.twitter.com/nhpR78WjuF

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) March 3, 2024

Other details about V’s projects

The song follows the successful 2023 solo debut album Layover by the singer. That project showcased his smooth, honeyed vocals and introspective songwriting.

V’s surprise announcement and commitment to continued releases underscore the remarkable work ethic of BTS members. They have consistently balanced flourishing solo careers with their profound bond as a group.

BigHit Music previously announced that all members of the group will fulfil their military service requirements, leading to a band hiatus expected to last until 2025.

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When and where to listen ‘FRI(END)S’

Mark your calendars for at 1 pm KST (11 am ICT) on 15 March 2024, as mentioned above. You’ll be able to find it on all major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. Keep an eye on BTS’s official social media accounts, as they’ll likely provide direct links to the song as well.

(Hero image: Courtesy of V/ Instagram and BigHit Music; Featured image: Courtesy of V/ Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-What is BTS V’s favourite?

V has lots of favourites. When it comes to music, he has cited Eric Benét and Ruben Studdard as his inspirations, according to The Korea Herald.

-Who does V have a crush on?

V has mentioned in the past he has had a crush on the British-American actress Lily Collins.

-Who does V have a crush on from BLACKPINK?

V hasn’t specifically mentioned having a crush on a BLACKPINK member. However, he has been romantically linked to Jennie.

-What is the name of the new song by BTS’ V and IU?

Sung by IU, the music video of Love Wins All features the BTS singer V along with her.

The post BTS’ V set to melt hearts with new love song ‘FRI(END)S’ appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

If you are a fan of IU songs, then these IU music collaborations are just what you need to spice up your K-pop playlist.

Leading the list is her 2024 hit single “Love Wins Again” featuring V, aka Kim Taehyung. The song received massive commercial and critical acclaim and broke multiple records within 24 hours of release. According to Soompi, it became the fastest song by a female artist to top the Melon’s Top 100 chart since its renewal in August 2021.

Other iconic IU music collaborations include hits like “Palette” featuring G-Dragon, “Love Letter For You” featuring SHINee and “eight” featuring SUGA.

Talking about her music collaborations over the years, IU shared with Marie Claire Korea, “While there have been many cases where opportunities to perform, to work in collaboration with other artists, to film video content have fallen through because of a lack of space, I look forward to more such projects in the future.”

These IU music collaborations scream iconic

“Friday” (feat. Jang Yi-jeong)

Released on 20 December 2013, “Friday” is the lead single for IU’s repackaged album Modern Times – Epilogue.

One of the best IU music collaborations featuring the former’s labelmate Jang Yi-jeong, “Friday” is a pop ballad with a bossa nova tune and a medium-tempo melody. It is about the initial feelings of a couple who had just developed a crush on each other.

The track achieved #1 on both Gaon Singles and Download Charts in South Korea. It also topped the K-pop Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks and won Song of the Year at the 3rd Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards in 2013.

In 2014, “Friday” became the sixth biggest-selling song in South Korea. Furthermore, it sold more than 5,000,000 digital downloads in the country in 2020, becoming one of the best-selling singles in South Korea that year.

“Palette” (feat. G-Dragon)

Released on 21 April 2017, “Palette” is a song recorded by IU and BIGBANG’s G-Dragon for the former’s fourth studio album of the same name.

One of the best K-pop songs of all time, this piece of music was composed by IU herself with the lyrics written in collaboration with G-Dragon.

An instant commercial and critical success, Billboard described that the melody “belies a topsy-turvy world of self-satire, idiosyncratic sound effects and throwbacks to older eras.” Meanwhile, Billboard also listed “Palette” at number six on its Best K-Pop Songs of 2017 list.

Additionally, the song hit #1 on all the major South Korean music sites. According to Gaon, the song sold 207,139 downloads in the week of its release. “Palette” also became IU’s 16th #1 song on the Gaon Digital Chart.

“Love Story” by Epik High (feat. IU)

Featuring IU and Epik High — the first major South Korean act to play at Coachella, “Love Story” is considered one of the most impressive music collaborations of all time.

Released in 2017, the single is a part of Epik High’s ninth studio album We’ve Done Something Wonderful. Talking about the collaboration with IU, the group shared in a StarNewsKorea interview, “We truthfully have always had tracks that we wanted to feature IU in… Afterwards, we composed a track that would fit IU, and completed “Love Story.”

The song achieved a perfect all-kill by topping all the prominent music charts in South Korea, according to Soompi. Some of these charts include Melon, Genie, Bugs, Mnet, Naver, Soribada and Olleh.

“Soulmate” by ZICO (feat. IU)

This R&B Soul track was released on 30 July 2018 and revolves around the idea of finding a soulmate.

One of the most special collaborations between former Block B member ZICO and IU since their 2009 hit “Marshmallow”, the track garnered instant commercial success.

According to K-media outlet allkpop, the song topped all major real-time and daily music charts, achieving a certified all-kill in South Korea.

Talking to Billboard about the collaboration, ZICO said, “The recording session took a very long time. “It’s not because I wasn’t satisfied. IU did not come out of the booth until she was satisfied. I was very impressed by her being so professional and passionate and it made me regret and think that I should also try much harder whenever I get to collaborate with other artists, and reminded me why I had so much respect for her as an artist.”

“eight” (Prod & feat. SUGA of BTS)

This digital single by IU featuring SUGA of BTS was released on 6 May 2020 by the former’s music label EDAM Entertainment.

A nostalgic pop-rock song with lyrics by IU, SUGA and Korean songwriter El Capitxn, “eight” makes for one of the most popular IU music collaborations.

Talking about the process of making the song, SUGA had shared in one of his V live streams that “There wasn’t a lot of back-and-forth. Shortly after I sent the (song’s) beats to her, she sent it back with the melody.” Meanwhile, IU said in an interview that she decided to work with Suga because she wanted to deliver music that felt different from the style she had previously presented to fans.

The track debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart (dated 16 May 2020). According to Forbes, the song’s entry on the US Digital Songs chart at #13, made it one of the highest-charting Korean songs in the chart’s history.

Agust D “People Pt.2” (feat. IU)

One of the best IU music collaborations, this song was released on 7 April 2023 as a pre-release single of Korean rapper Agust D’s debut solo album D-DAY.

Written by Agust D and songwriter El Capitxn, the hip-hop track talks about loneliness and effortlessly blends IU’s clean timbre with Agust D’s raw rap. The latter even revealed in one of his Billboard interviews that IU played a crucial role in making “People Pt.2” feel less intense and more pop-focused.

The song earned IU her 11th Top 10 entry and second number one on the World chart. She also debuted atop the Emerging Artists chart for the first time with “People Pt.2”.

Furthermore, it entered the Billboard Global 200 at #24 and #16 on the Global Excl. US. “People Pt. 2″ was also nominated for Song of the Year and won the Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance at the MAMA Awards in 2023.

“Love Wins All” (feat. V of BTS)

Released on 24 January 2024 as a pre-release single for her sixth mini album The Winning, “Love Wins All” is the 10th digital single by IU. According to the K-pop star, the song talks about her love for her “loved ones, especially fans,” and is full of themes of love, discrimination and freedom.

The track, featuring V of BTS, was an instant success, with the music video surpassing 13 million views after 24 hours of its release on YouTube. As of 31 January 2024, the music video has garnered over 35 million views and 3.8 million likes.

Considered one of the best IU songs, it debuted at #1 on Melon’s Top 100 only one hour after its release — a feat only achieved by BTS with their hit “Yet to Come.” It also reached #1 on the iTunes Top Songs charts in 30 regions, as of 25 January 2024.

On 2 February 2024, Instiz’s iChart officially announced that “Love Wins All” had scored its 100th all-kill certification, making it the first South Korean song released in 2024 to achieve the feat. Furthermore, it debuted at #4 on Billboard’s US World Digital Song Sales chart.

(Hero and featured image: Courtesy V/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– How many songs does IU have?

Since her debut in 2008, IU has been part of numerous hit songs. While stating an exact number is difficult, she has to her credit five studio albums, ten extended plays (EPs), multiple singles, five single albums, two remake albums and two compilation albums. Some of her hit songs are Love Wins All”, “Palette”, “Gloomy Clock”, “Love Letter” and “Ice Flower.”

– What is IU’s music style?

IU is mostly seen releasing music that belongs to the ballad and R&B soul genre.

– What made IU famous?

IU is primarily famous for her musical endeavours. However, she became a household name after her acting debut with Dream High in 2011. Since then, she has gained popularity in Korean movies and dramas like Hotel Del Luna (2019), Broker (2022) and Dream (2023).

The post The best IU music collaborations of all time: From <i>Love Wins All</i> to <i>Friday</i> appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Life is too short not to stream Bruno Mars’ songs. This is also a nod towards his height, or lack thereof. Anyways, here are Bruno Mars’ best songs.

Asia all is geared up for a sonic celebration, with a bumper crop of concerts and music events set to take place over the course of 2024. While we’re still reeling from the celestial sights and sounds at Coldplay’s sold-out six concerts that took place from January 23 to 31 in Singapore, we’re also eagerly awaiting Ed Sheeran’s and pop phenomenon Taylor Swift’s performances at the Singapore National Stadium and Thailand this and next month. Now, the charismatic Bruno Mars has also jumped on the gig bandwagon with multiple sold-out shows in Singapore and Bangkok. If you missed his Macau concert on January 6, this is your next chance to see him again. Ahead of his arrival, it’s essential to tune into Bruno Mars’ most-streamed songs and best hits.

Mars’ versatile discography ranges from pop and R&B to funk and soul. A talented and dynamic entertainer, his upcoming concerts are expected to be extraordinary nights of musical enchantment. Already a successful solo artist, Mars has further solidified his influence in the entertainment world with Silk Sonic, a band he formed with singer-rapper Anderson Paak. They officially began releasing music under the Silk Sonic name in 2021 and quickly bagged four Grammy awards a year later.

Evidently, everything Bruno Mars touches turns to gold. As we get ready to sing and dance the night away when he takes the Bangkok and Singapore stages in March and April, let’s discover the best songs Bruno Mars has in store for us.

Best and most-streamed Bruno Mars songs that are pure 24K Magic

    1. That’s What I Like

Streams: 1.9 B
Album: 24K Magic

“That’s What I Like” is a beautiful concoction of funk, hip-hop soul, new jack swing, and R&B, with an addictive beat that is bound to get you tapping your feet. Bruno Mars’ silky smooth vocals seamlessly transition between musical styles, giving the single a timeless and cheerful vibe. The song explores themes of wealth, love, and life’s comforts such as champagne, jewellery and world tours. The lyrics beautifully depict a rich existence, offering a musical escape into a world of indulgence.

The song reached the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking another milestone in Bruno Mars’ already brilliant career. It’s not just a chart-topper; it’s also Bruno Mars’ most-streamed song on Spotify. Furthermore, the song was instrumental in winning the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best R&B Album in 2018 for the album 24K Magic.

     2. When I Was Your Man

Streams: 1.9 B
Album: Unorthodox Jukebox

Bruno Mars’ soul-stirring ballad, “When I Was Your Man”, made its debut in 2012, a stark contrast to the cheerful energy of “That’s What I Like.” In this touching song, Mars reveals a more sensitive side of his musical talent, focusing on introspection and real emotion. The words of the song form a dramatic story that explores themes of regret, heartache, and personal discovery. Mars personifies remorse as he confronts the realisation of shortcomings made in a previous relationship. The song gently reveals the emotional journey of a man who wishes he had valued and understood his girlfriend more, recognising the tremendous implications of taking love for granted.

The honesty and emotional intensity of “When I Was Your Man” drew great praise, striking a common chord with listeners who have felt the pain of lost love and wished to turn back time. Beyond critical acclaim, the song achieved great success, reaching high ranks on global music charts. The album bagged the Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammy Awards. The song not only secured its place in Bruno Mars’ repertoire as an iconic part, but it also established itself as a timeless ballad that continues to captivate listeners worldwide. Fun fact: Miley Cyrus’ chart-topping 2023 song “Flowers” references this song.

      3. Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)

Streams: 1.88 B

“Uptown Funk”, an infectious collaboration between Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars in 2014, became a cultural phenomenon. The retro-inspired single, combining funk, pop, and hip-hop, dominated charts and dance floors worldwide. Ronson’s idea of timeless funk with a modern twist blended perfectly with Mars’ charismatic vocals and powerful performance. The song’s celebration of confidence and individuality, along with lighthearted bragging, inspires listeners to go on the dance floor and embrace their identity.

The song became a party staple, frequently played at events and sports arenas. Upon release, the track stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for multiple weeks and it also won the Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammy Awards.

      4. Just the Way You Are

Streams: 1.88 B
Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are,” the debut single off his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, is a loving serenade that has captured fans all around the world. The song, which combines traditional doo-wop and Motown with a current pop twist, showcases Mars’ soft vocals reminiscent of classic vocalists. It rapidly became a commercial hit, topping global charts such as the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Mars a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The words present a message of unconditional love, complimenting the perfection of the particular person exactly as they are. Universally romantic, the song has remained a timeless favourite in romantic settings and wedding ceremonies.

     5. Locked out of Heaven

Streams: 1.77 B
Album: Unorthodox Jukebox

“Locked Out of Heaven,” the lead single from Bruno Mars’ second studio album, Unorthodox Jukebox, is a genre-bending masterpiece that demonstrates Mars’ artistic diversity. The song, released in 2012, combines rock, pop, and funk while drawing inspiration from ’80s new wave and rock. This deviation from Mars’ prior work shows his growing artistic ability. With its peppy tempo, powerful production, and Mars’ soulful vocals, it was an instant hit. The lyrics explore themes of desire, passion, and the ecstasy of being in love.

The song’s catchy hooks and contagious energy earned critical acclaim, driving it to the top of global charts such as the Billboard Hot 100. This breakthrough cemented Bruno Mars’ status as a chart-topping musician. The song received several awards, including the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video. The song’s cross-genre appeal and Bruno Mars’ dynamic performance have contributed to its long-lasting popularity, making it a highlight of his musical career.

    6. Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars)

Streams: 1.35 B
Album: Mac & Devin Go to High School

“Young, Wild & Free” is a cheerful collaboration between Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Bruno Mars. The song, released in 2011 as part of the Mac & Devin Go to High School film soundtrack, conveys the carefree and rebellious spirit associated with youth and a laid-back lifestyle. The song flawlessly integrates hip-hop, pop, and reggae sounds while maintaining a comfortable and happy mood. Bruno Mars’s guest vocals add soulful characteristics to the West Coast hip-hop single, creating a harmonious and compelling layer in the arrangement. Beyond being a party anthem, it is a nostalgic reminder of the carefree days of youth and the importance of enjoying life’s basic pleasures.

The track’s commercial success as it climbed the charts and became a popular anthem, particularly among youngsters, demonstrates its broad appeal. “Young, Wild & Free” invites listeners to relax, have fun, and enjoy the present moment, emphasising the transient aspect of time. Also, pre-debut BTS members J-Hope, Jimin, and Jungkook paid tribute to the song with a Korean rendition named “Graduation Day/Song,” proving its appeal across borders.

     7. 24K Magic

Streams: 1.35 B
Album: 24K Magic

Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” is an applause to the nostalgia of old-school funk and disco, with a modern twist. The song, which serves as the title track to his third studio album, is a vibrant celebration of enjoying life to the fullest, complete with addictive beats and Mars’ trademark smooth vocals. The words transport listeners to a world of grandeur, extravagant parties, and high-end experiences, with “24K Magic” representing Mars’ opulent lifestyle. The tune has a groovy bassline, funky guitar riffs, and a danceable rhythm, drawing inspiration from the ’80s and ’90s funk and R&B. Bruno Mars expertly captures the aura of famous singers like Prince and Michael Jackson, infusing the song with a nostalgic charm that nevertheless feels modern.

Following its release, “24K Magic” the song and the whole album quickly rose to the top of the global music charts, garnering success and receiving several award nominations. At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, it won several important awards, including Record of the Year, and Best R&B Album.

     8. Talking to the Moon

Streams: 1.23 B
Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

“Talking to the Moon” is a passionate ballad from Bruno Mars’ debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. The song closely explores the universal subject of unrequited love and the emotional burden of distance. In this heartfelt song, the singer pours his heart out to the moon, a silent witness to his pain and longing.

The slow-tempo piano ballad provides an emotive atmosphere, allowing the emotional weight of the words to hit home with listeners. While “Talking to the Moon” did not enjoy the same commercial success as some of Mars’ more uplifting tracks, its emotional depth and relatable themes have garnered it a loyal following over time. Currently, it has become one of Bruno Mars’s best and most popular songs.

    9. Leave The Door Open

Streams: 1.23 B
Album: An Evening with Silk Sonic

“Leave The Door Open” by Silk Sonic, is a powerful collaboration between Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s serenade is elegant and inviting, beckoning listeners to an evening of romance and soulful sensations. The song is rooted in the classic R&B sound of the golden era of soul music. Ornamented with lush orchestration, including a groovy bassline, melodic guitar riffs perfectly complement Bruno Mars and Anderson’s soulful vocals. The duo’s perfect vocal blend creates a compelling throwback mood. Lyrically, the song sends a sweet invitation to a potential love interest, allowing for the possibility of an intimate connection. The lyrics have seductive wordplay and a relaxed tone, which adds to the overall charm of the composition.

The song has received great recognition for its nostalgic vibe. It quickly climbed different music charts, achieving monetary success and setting the stage for increased anticipation of the entire Silk Sonic album.

    10. Grenade

Streams: 1.20 B
Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

“Grenade” is a dramatic and expressive ballad that serves as Bruno Mars’ second single off his debut studio album. In this heartfelt song, Mars passionately portrays the depths of his feelings through metaphorical language, emphasising the immense sacrifices and anguish he would bear for the person he loves, symbolised by the act of catching a grenade. The song’s soulful ballad style, which incorporates pop and R&B influences, highlights Mars’ vocal range and emotional delivery, resulting in an emotional and memorable musical experience.

The track received critical acclaim due to its emotional intensity and Mars’ captivating vocal delivery. The song was commercially successful, topping global charts and earning Mars multiple award nominations. Its ongoing popularity has cemented “Grenade” as one of Bruno Mars’ signature songs and early hits, loved for its genuineness, compelling lyrics, and raw passion.

Some other Bruno Mars hits you should add to your playlist

11. Treasure

Streams: 935M

12. Wake Up in the Sky

Streams: 928M

13. Marry You

Streams: 906M

14. The Lazy Song

Streams: 878M

15. Finesse – Remix; feat. Cardi B

Streams: 765M

16. Versace on the Floor

Streams: 740M

17. It Will Rain

Streams: 738M

18. Billionaire (feat. Bruno Mars)

Streams: 613M

19. Count on Me

Streams: 609M

20. Nothin’ on You (feat. Bruno Mars)

Streams: 555M

(Main and featured image: brunomars/Instagram)

All numbers are accurate as of 1 February 2024

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was Bruno Mars’ biggest hit?

Bruno Mars has multiple huge hits to his name, including “That’s What I Like”, “Marry You”, and “Just The Way You Are”.

Which song made Bruno Mars famous?

Bruno Mars’ debut song “Just The Way You Are” became a huge hit and solidified his status as a prominent artist in the music industry.

What is Bruno Mars’ most-streamed song?

“That’s What I Like” is the most-streamed Bruno Mars song on Spotify.

This article originally appeared on Prestige Online Hong Kong.

The post The 20 best, most-streamed Bruno Mars songs to tune in to before his concert appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

We continue the tradition of suggesting spots celebs can go to on their visit to the City of Angels. Here’s our Bangkok itinerary for Ed Sheeran.

Hi there, Ed. Great to have you back after almost five years. A lot has happened since then. You became a dad. We had an election. You became a dad again. We weren’t sure who exactly was going to be our Prime Minister. Oh, and we all went through a pandemic. 

But we’re looking forward to your show tomorrow, and since we know it’s going to be a great time, we want you to have as much fun visiting our beloved city. So here’s a cheeky little Bangkok itinerary for you that we hope you’ll enjoy.

[Hero image: Ed Sheeran/Facebook]

Ed Sheeran in Bangkok: An itinerary based on his songs

Try the “Perfect” crab omelette at Jay Fai

Jay Fai’s legendary crab omelette is dang near perfect. The long lines and her Michelin stars can attest to that. So why not pay her restaurant perhaps before one of your shows for a truly satisfying lunch? The popular chef has become one of Bangkok’s icons so it would be a shame to miss trying out her omelette while you’re here in the city.

Find out more here

Head over to Open House at Central Embassy to do some “Thinking Out Loud”

I hope your legs are still working like they used to before because Open House is located on the top floor of Central Embassy. This library/bookshop/co-working space is the perfect place to just chill with a cup of coffee or maybe even a meal. In the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s a quiet place to just be with your thoughts. Maybe you’ll even end up with an idea for a song here.

Find out more here

Get kneaded into the “Shape of You” with a Thai massage at Divana

If you haven’t tried a Thai massage yet, just a little heads up: it can be pretty brutal. But at the end of it all, it’s a thoroughly satisfying experience. Then again, it’s not like you can’t ask the masseuse to go easy on you, and the staff at Divana will definitely accommodate whatever you feel comfortable with. There’s nothing like capping the two-night show or treating yourself in between shows with a Thai massage that will knead away all the kinks and knots and have you feeling like you can jump as high as you can while playing “Don’t”.

Find out more here

Keep this love in a “Photograph” at Find the Photobooth 

If you’re looking for a good place to wind down after each of your shows with drinks and music, Find the Photobooth offers all of that along with great vibes and aesthetics. It’s the perfect place for a post-concert wind down thanks to their top-notch drinks and the rotating talents performing every night. Great drinks and great music—it’s a great way to cap off a night rocking at Rajamangala or UOB Live.

Find out more here

Get a facial at Wild Clinic & Natural Treat for that “Afterglow”

Self-care is important, especially for a man like yourself who’s on the road. Aside from the basics of staying hydrated, it’s also nice to treat yourself and indulge in some pampering. Wild Clinic & Natural Treat have a number of treatments to choose from but perhaps you can go for the “Everglow” treatment, which they claim boosts dermal collagen with results that can last from six months to a year. It was that close to being named “Afterglow”, but hey, you’re buds with Coldplay anyway.

Find out more here

Get the “Shivers” at Dream World Snow Town

As hot as it gets in Bangkok, there is a place that gives us a bit of respite—and no, I don’t mean the malls. Dreamworld’s aptly named “Snow Town” gives us a taste of how those in the upper half of the equator live, making our winter dreams come true at any time of the year. I’m aware that you can probably just jet off to Switzerland whenever you want to experience actual snow, but step into the shoes of a true Bangkokian and experience, the wonder, joy, and artificialness of “Snow Town”. What better way to cap off “Ed Sheeran in Bangkok” than by sledding down fake snow.

Find out more here

The post An itinerary for Ed Sheeran in Bangkok, based on his songs appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Taylor Swift’s upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, features some notable guests.

It’s shaping up to be quite a week for fans of mega-pop star Taylor Swift, after more details concerning her next album, The Tortured Poets Department, were released in under 48 hours.

Her 11th studio album, which was announced by Swift as a surprise during her Grammys acceptance speech for her historical fourth Album of The Year win, is slated to drop on April 16th, 2024.

Taylor Swift reveals full tracklist for The Tortured Poets Department

While initial fan estimates had anticipated for the serial hitmaker to announce a re-recording of Reputation to cap off her Taylor’s Version retrospective lineup, it’s safe to say that nobody was disappointed by this development either.

This next record is already shaping up to be one coloured with wistful melancholia, if its title, coupled with a choice photograph of the singer-songwriter in despondent repose, wasn’t already well-evident of that fact.

And if you’re wondering what songs you can come to expect, rest assured that Taytay has her fan’s interests at heart. Taking to her social media accounts once again, she has taken the liberty of revealing the full tracklist for The Tortured Poets Department. Spanning a total of 17 songs that include one bonus track, the album also includes two songs recorded in collaboration with Post Malone and Florence + the Machine respectively.

The full tracklist is as follows:

1. Fortnight (featuring Post Malone)
2. The Tortured Poets Department
3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys
4. Down Bad
5. So Long, London
6. But Daddy I Love Him
7. Fresh Out The Slammer
8. Florida!!! (featuring Florence + the Machine)
9. Guilty As Sin?
10. Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?
11. I Can Fix Him (No I Really Can)
12. 10ml
13. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
14. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
15. The Alchemy
16. Clara Bow
17. The Manuscript (bonus track)

If her oeuvre is any indication, then The Tortured Poets Department is already shaping up to be yet another home run for Taylor Swift, who bagged a total of three awards from the six categories that she was nominated for during this year’s 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

The jury is still out on what (or more specifically, who) inspired the album, with Swift keeping mum. But that hasn’t stopped speculations from swirling among fans, some of whom think that songs chronicle the breakdown of her six-year relationship with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. Apparently, it was alleged that Alwyn maintained a WhatsApp group chat with fellow actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott named “The Tortured Man Club”, which the album’s title is said to allude to.

Alternatively, others suggest that Robin Williams’ coming-of-age vehicle, Dead Poets Society, could be credited to the Grammy-winner’s latest production. Either way, all will be revealed in around two months time.

Feature and hero image credits: Taylor Swift/Instagram

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Celebrate the 2024 Grammy winners with this Spotify playlist.

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards was held on 4 February 2024, and Spotify users got down to see if any of their playlists had the songs of the winners on the biggest night in music at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, US.

The mega night was headlined by a string of dazzling performances, pleasant surprises, quite a few ‘firsts,’ and at least one prominent record. Of course, the songs are everything and a Grammy winners’ playlist in 2024 is all that anyone would need now.

But before that, here is a quick look at the big names who went home with one or more of the gold-plated gramophones.

Grammy Awards 2024: Major winners

Miley Cyrus was the major winner at the 2024 Grammy Awards, winning the Record of the Year for “Flowers.” The song, from her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation (2023), also fetched her the award for Best Pop Solo Performance — the first award of the night. This is the first time that the 31-year-old Cyrus has won a Grammy Award.

 

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A post shared by Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@recordingacademy)

Taylor Swift, unarguably the world’s most talked-about music artist, was not far behind. She won the Grammy for the Album of the Year for Midnights (2023), her 10th studio album.

Her win for Midnights made Swift the artist with the most wins in the Album of the Year category at four. Fearless (2008), 1989 (2014) and Folklore (2020) are the other three. In total, Swift has now won 14 Grammys.

The award was presented to her by Celine Dion, whose appearance was a surprise to the gathering. Diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, which caused her to suspend performing in late 2022, Dion received a standing ovation.

Before handing her the record-breaking win, Midnights also earned Swift a win the Best Pop Vocal Album. Accepting her first award of the night, she announced that her new album, Tortured Poets Department, will be released on 19 April.

The third big winner in the major categories was Billie Eilish. The singer-songwriter won the Song of the Year for “What Was I Made For?” — the fifth single from the soundtrack of 2023’s biggest movie Barbie. Since the category is for songwriting, Eilish shared the honour with her brother Finneas O’Connell.

Besides the three major categories, the night was owned by Phoebe Bridgers — the indie folk superstar and the founding member of the group Boygenius. Bridgers won four Grammys, the most by anyone in the night, ahead of the main telecast.

The Grammy Winners 2024 playlist of songs

Over 25 Grammy-winning songs feature on the playlist with a streaming time of around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Prominent among them are, of course, “What Was I Made For?” and “Flowers.” Others include Kylie Minogue’s “Padam Padam,” SZA’s “Ghost in the Machine” featuring Bridgers, Coco Jones’ “ICU,” and Killer Mike’s “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS.”

Swift is not part of the playlist because Midnights is an album. But fans can stream Midnights below.

(Hero and Featured images: Recording Academy / GRAMMYs/@recordingacademy/Instagram)

The post Listen to all the 2024 Grammy-winning artists with this Spotify playlist appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

It’s a sky full of stars above the Big Mango this week, as Coldplay is in Bangkok as part of their ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour. As is custom at Lifestyle Asia, we prepped them an itinerary for their time here, inspired by some of their greatest hits.  

Following a whopping six nights in Singapore, Coldplay is headed to Bangkok for the final leg of their Asia tour. The ‘Music of the Spheres’ concert will take place at Rajamangala Stadium on 3 and 4 February this weekend, and following raving reviews — The Times called it “the greatest live music show ever” — excitement is running high. 

As fans prepare for the concert, we thought we’d go the extra mile and prepare Coldplay’s band members for Bangkok, too. Known for their incredible performances, we’ve crafted an itinerary for them to relax and unwind all over the city. We probably won’t be able to ‘fix you’, but we can guide you to the home of good food, great drinks, and ignites-your-bones Thai massages. 

[Hero and Featured Image: Anna Lee Media via Thai Ticket Major]

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An itinerary for Coldplay in Bangkok, based on their best songs

First things first, Coldplay needs to try Thai ‘Yellow’ curry at Khao Gaeng Jek Pui

Look at all those curries, Coldplay, look how they shine for you. To get a taste of Thai cuisine, we suggest the British band heads straight to Yaowarat Road to dine at Jek Pui, also known as the “musical chairs” Thai curry restaurant. The casual eatery gets its name from the red plastic stools that line the wall beside the street food cart, as diners pick their curry of choice and dine straight from the plate as they sit sans-table by the roadside. It was even featured on Netflix’s Street Food Asia.

Find out more at Khao Gaeng Jek Pui.

They could feel like ‘The Scientist’ as they craft their own vermouth cocktails at the new W Lounge

Vermouth was originally used for medicinal purposes, so as a nod to scientific discovery (and cocktails), we suggest that Coldplay heads to Bangkok’s recently revamped W Lounge. Now with a more elegant and sophisticated design, the W Lounge is the first bar in Bangkok to really, fully shine a spotlight on this once-trendy and now-increasingly-trendy-again spirit. We can imagine Chris Martin holding up his drink of choice and exclaiming, “you don’t know how lovely you are.” We don’t, Chris, but how we can dream. 

Find out more at W Bangkok.

Later, Coldplay should get a massage at Let’s Relax, so they can ‘Fix You’ and your sore muscles

Going on a world tour must be exhausting for the body and the brain. Coldplay may have tried their best to stretch out their muscles, and maybe they didn’t succeed, so why not leave it to the professionals? Luckily, Thailand is the land of wellness, and we take our massages very seriously. We recommend Let’s Relax for a pamper sesh, and a Thai massage for those who really feel “stuck in reverse.” Maybe tears come streaming down their faces, but if they never try, they’ll never know. After the treatment, Let’s Relax commonly serves you a mango sticky rice dessert, and if that won’t fix you, we don’t know what will.

Find out more at Let’s Relax.

It’s worth embarking on an ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’ at Bangkok Design Week

We’re not saying that Coldplay planned their Bangkok concert to coincide with Bangkok Design Week 2024, but the dates do match up really well. This year, the creative design event runs until 4 February, the final night of Coldplay’s Bangkok concerts. From a batik workshop to a craft chocolate market, multiple exhibitions, and even floral projection mapping, we think Coldplay would have a great time exploring the ‘Livable Space’ theme this year. Turn your magic on, everybody. 

Find out more at Bangkok Design Week.

Coldplay may find Chatuchak Weekend Market to be a ‘Paradise’ for souvenir shopping

We know that the members of Coldplay have children and families, and perhaps they want to bring back some souvenirs for them. They could find anything and everything at Chatuchak, from elephant pants to local crafts, and since they’re already in town on a weekend, the market will be buzzing in all its hot, sweaty glory. It’s easily accessible via the BTS or MRT, too, which we know Chris Martin may appreciate. Remember when he took the tube in London — together with Jay Z, no less — to get to his gig at the O2? 

And lastly, they could find a ‘Hymn for the Weekend’ at Tep Bar

To end their trip, Coldplay should definitely “pour on a symphony” and check out Tep Bar for a uniquely Thai musical experience. We believe the band members would be super interested in the traditional Thai instruments they could find here, as they sip on daring Thai spirits (ya dong, anybody?) and bob their heads to the molam music. A hymn for the Bangkok weekend? Look no further, Coldplay. 

Find out more at Tep Bar. 

At the time of writing, Coldplay concert tickets are still available on Thai Ticket Major for both 3 and 4 February 2024. 

The post An itinerary for Coldplay in Bangkok, based on their best songs appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

They used to rule the world, and now Coldplay is conquering the world once more. Let’s get to know more about Coldplay’s opening acts before the ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour arrives in your city.

Fans have been waiting in anticipation for the ‘Music of the Spheres‘ tour to arrive in their city. With the announcement of their Asia leg, the tickets are flying off the digital shelves, and the VIP experiences are now sold out. As we reminisce over the sound of the band to prep for the concert, let’s get to know a little more about the artists that will be the opening acts for the Coldplay tour.

[Hero and featured image credit: Valentina Ploy/Facebook]

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Get to know every member of Coldplay before the concert

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Coldplay Asia Tour 2024: How to prepare for the concert in Bangkok

Coldplay ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour Asia opening acts: Who are they?

Jikamarie (Manila)

Opening for the concert in Manila was Filipino pop sensation Jikamarie. The artist shot to fame during pandemic times, and put her sentiments about confusion and fatigue into her art. Her R&B debut track “lutang” earned the No. 1 spot in the Global Viral and Viral Philippines Spotify playlists for 20+ consecutive days, and she’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Jinan Laetita (Singapore)

Indonesian pop star Jinan Laetita will be performing all six nights of the Coldplay concerts in Singapore. A fine arts major, she writes and produces her own music, blending elements of many genres together into trance-like music. She started her musical journey at the age of 17, and has earned many fans across the globe for not only her music, but also her beautiful music video visuals.

Jasmine Sokko (Singapore)

While she’s not part of the catering team, Jasmine Sokko is always serving every time she hits the stage. The singer-songwriter is the most-streamed female Singaporean artist on Spotify, and known for wearing futuristic visors or masks on stage. Her debut single “1057” was released in 2016 and it rose to the top of Spotify Singapore’s viral charts. She has since been releasing bangers ever since.

RRILEY (Singapore)

An alumni of the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list, RRILEY is known for dance pop earworm hits that never fail to become club staples in Singapore. She made her debut in the industry as part of pop quartet group The Sam Willows, whose last two albums have been gold and platinum certified, and she released her first single solo “Burn” in 2019 with more than one million streams since release.

Valentina Ploy (Thailand)

The opening act for Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour in Thailand is Thai-Italian indie singer Valentina Ploy. She has appeared on Italy’s The X Factor and Amici, The Voice Thailand, and became the 2nd runner up for Miss Universe Thailand. She released her “Satellite” EP in 2020, and her first album “PLOY” in 2023, with fun bops and soulful tunes about love and relationships.

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Parachutes, A Head Full of Dreams, Music of the Spheres, and more — the success of Coldplay’s albums is undeniable, and yet not many know who the members of Coldplay really are. From frontman Chris Martin to the rest of the band, get to know Coldplay’s members a little closer ahead of their Bangkok concert this February.

Coldplay’s debut album contains hits that will forever stay with us, with the lyrics of Yellow are being referenced to again and again more than 20 years later. Viva la Vida will always be a song we can sing along to. Something Just Like This took over the radio waves for weeks.

Those creations have their creators. Let’s get to know the band members of Coldplay who made these memories possible.

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Who are the members of Coldplay?

Chris Martin

Chris Martin is the lead vocalist of Coldplay, and also a had hand (literally) in piano and rhythm guitar. He attended University College London where he graduated with an Ancient World Studies degree with first-class honours in Greek and Latin, and met with every other Coldplay member with the exception of Phil Harvey.

Apart from making music and touring with his band, he has also contributed to a number of artists’ discographies. He wrote Gravity for English rock band Embrace, See It in a Boy’s Eyes for Jamelia, and co-wrote Homesick for Dua Lipa. He also collaborated with Nelly Furtado, Jay-Z, and Avicii for their albums.

In his private life, Chris has been in relationships with Gwyneth Paltrow, Annabelle Wallis, and most recently, Dakota Johnson.

Jonny Buckland

Jonathan Buckland is the lead guitarist of Coldplay. He met Chris Martin during orientation week when he attended University College London, to which Chris said that he is “the bloke who turned out to be the best guitarist” and that meeting him felt like falling in love. His voice can be heard as backup vocals in various songs, most prominently in Don’t Panic in the album Parachutes.

He has also made many appearances outside of Coldplay, playing the guitar in the songs Sliding and Arthur by English musician Ian McCulloch, making a cameo in Shaun of the Dead along with Chris Martin, recording the song Beach Chair for Jay-Z, and becoming an investor for Noble Rot Wine Bar located in Lamb’s Conduit, London.

Guy Berryman

Guy Berryman is the bassist of Coldplay, crediting his musical influences to James Brown, Kool & The Gang, and the Funk Brothers. He’s the third member to join the band, as they recorded a number of demos even without a drummer. In 2008, Guy formed Apparatjik, a multi-national supergroup with Magne Furuholmen (a-ha), Jonas Bjerre (Mew), and Martin Terefe.

He then founded The Road Rat, a quarterly magazine that celebrates the people of the automobile industry, as well as Applied Art Forms, a fashion brand that draws inspiration from military clothing.

Will Champion

William Champion is the drummer of Coldplay, and normally produces backup vocals during live performances. He stated his inspirations include Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, and traditional Irish folk music. The last Coldplay member to join the band, the story goes that the rest of the members were at his house because he had a drummer roommate with a drum kit, but the friend was a no-show so he said “he would like to give it a go.” The rest is history.

Along with Guy Berryman, he guested on a-ha’s Magne Furuholmen’s debut album, and appeared on Jodie Whittaker’s cover of Yellow for the Children in Need album in 2019. He also made a cameo in Game of Thrones as one of the musicians in the Red Wedding.

Phil Harvey

Phil Harvey is Coldplay’s band manager, and has been listed as an official band member in each album’s liner notes since A Rush of Blood to the Head. But after the recording session for said album, he left the band for a brief period due to exhaustion, citing the 2001 Brit Awards as his lowest point. He then came back four years later to assume his duties as creative director. During his hiatus, he completed a psychology degree at the University of Melbourne.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– How many members are there in Coldplay?

Five in total, including Coldplay’s band manager Phil Harvey.

– Who is Coldplay’s lead singer?

Chris Martin is the lead vocalist, who formed the band along with Buckland, Berryman, and Champion during his time in University College London.

– Why is Coldplay so popular?

Coldplay is acclaimed for their energetic live performances, where you’ll feel the immersive concert experience, amazing visuals, and captivating stage presence.

– Who is the guitarist in Coldplay?

Jonny Buckland is the lead guitarist of Coldplay, and the first person to meet Chris Martin at his university orientation.

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Kicking off 2024, we’ve listed some of the best music festivals worldwide that assure you a great time.

Music is a movement like none other, one that can sway a thousand people through sheer melody or make them groove to just a single beat. Though the peace of getting lost in the world of music through a cosy pair of headphones sounds like an enticing offer, music festivals come with a whole different set of offerings. These experiential festivals are a magical show of lights and sounds, with sights you’ve never seen before and the company of friends and like-minded individuals to experience it with; evoking emotions that no one who likes music could even half-heartedly dislike.

As the world has once again found its bearings in the outdoors post the lockdown, music festivals are back in business. With the surge in popularity in the music world through 2023, it’s safe to say we can expect big things come 2024. This reimagined era of music festivals brings in droves of festival goers, ready to let loose and groove to their favourite artists. From the sun-kissed deserts of California to the vibrant cityscapes of Dubai, music enthusiasts worldwide flock to a varied range of venues, to experience a whole different world of music and redefine their concert experience. Without further ado, we list down some of the biggest music festivals in the world that are on our radar for 2024.

The most anticipated music festivals in the world in 2024

Coachella

Kicking off the list has to be the iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of the perennial favourites that attracts music aficionados and A-list celebrities alike from all over the world. With its eclectic lineup and bohemian atmosphere, the festival in the middle of the Colorado Dessert is a festival-goer’s dream come true. From vibrant fashion to exciting music; Coachella promises an unforgettable weekend of musical exploration under the Californian sun for all.

Destination: California, USA

Dates: 12 Apr – 21 Apr, 2024

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is exactly as its name sounds, a land of tomorrow. The futuristic world of Tomorrowland whisks visitors away into a fantasy realm of lights and EDM. Known for its mesmerizing stage designs and top-tier electronic acts, Tomorrowland transforms the picturesque town of Boom, Belgium, into a mecca for electronic dance music enthusiasts. The mind-bending audiovisual spectacle at Tomorrowland is truly a sight to witness at least once in your lifetime, and the reason why the world-famous festival is one of the most sought-after experiences.

Destination: Boom, Belgium

Dates: 19 Jul – 28 Jul, 2024

Lollapalooza

One of the longest-running in the United States as well as one of the largest music festivals in the world, Lollapalooza is a globetrotting extravaganza that is now making waves across various locations worldwide. From Chicago to Berlin, music lovers are in for a diverse lineup that transcends genres. The 30-year endeavour is sure to be a blast for all music fans with its wide variety of musical offerings and genres.

Destination: Chicago, USA

Dates: 01 Aug – 04 Aug, 2024

Untold Music Festival Dubai

Dubai emerges as a musical oasis to visit as it hosts one of the largest electronic music extravaganzas, the Untold Dubai Festival, at the renowned Expo City Dubai. Known for it’s Romanian edition the Untold Festival now promises an unparalleled fusion of global sounds in the heart of the Middle East with headliners like Bebe Rexa, G-easy, Major Lazer, Ellie Goulding and many more. This February, from the 15^th  to the 18^th watch the city’s skyline transform into a spectacle of sound and light as a breathtaking backdrop to the music festival.  Redefine the boundaries of music festivals with this destination-centric spectacle.

Destination: Dubai, UAE

Dates: 15 Feb -18 Feb, 2024

Magnetic Fields Festival

India’s contemporary music and art festival, the Magnetic Fields Festival beckons music and culture enthusiasts to the mystical landscapes of Rajasthan. With the backdrop of a 16th-century Rajasthani palace and a semi-arid dessert, the three-day festival is a 24/7 immersive spectacle of lights and sounds. With a focus on cutting-edge electronic music and immersive art installations, the festival offers a sensory adventure like no other, drawing in crowds from all over the world.

Destination: Rajasthan, India

Dates: TBA

Electric Forest

The Electric Forest Festival is a unique experience that calls out to all nature lovers. The festival combines the love for music and nature into an enchanting world of vibrant lights and mystical vibes located in the middle of a forest. A truly immersive experience Electric Forest, nestled in the heart of green Michigan, promises a unique blend of electronic and indie sounds in the creatively themed environment.

Destination: Michigan, USA

Dates: 20 Jun – 23 Jun, 2024

Rolling Loud

Known as the world’s largest hip-hop festival, Rolling Loud is a fan’s hip-hop haven. Synonymous with chart-topping acts and for bringing some of the hip-hop world’s biggest names to the stage. Its magnetic energy and star-studded lineup make it a must-attend for hip-hop enthusiasts all over the globe to come head bang at the ultimate space for the contemporary rap scene.

Destination: Miami, USA

Dates: 15 Mar – 17 Mar, 2024

Fuji Rock Festival

A concept that brings together Japan’s rich history and heritage with its love for music. Nestled against the backdrop of Japan’s scenic mountains, the Fuji Rock Festival is a harmonious blend of nature and music. The unique cultural experience of Fuji Rock features a lineup of more than 200 international and local artists held in Naeba Ski Resort in a 3-day affair that is also counted as Japan’s biggest outdoor music event, drawing in almost 100,000 festival goers.

Destination: Niigata , Japan

Dates: 26 Jul – 28 Jul, 2024

Ultra Music Festival

The annual electronic dance music festival held in Miami is known to boast of premium DJ lineups and top-notch production.  The Ultra Music Festival is an international sensation that spans EDM fans across the globe. From Miami to Ibiza, Ultra promises a euphoric experience with its world-renowned DJs and stunning production.

Destination: Miami , USA

Dates: 22 Mar – 24 Mar, 2024

Rockville

Metal Heads and Rock enthusiasts, brace yourselves for an event of ultimate mayhem. A rock head’s dream, Rockville is a music festival that breathes and bleeds rock. An unapologetically loud celebration of all things rock and metal with a lineup that goes to show for it. Featuring some of the biggest names in the world of rock and metal, from legendary bands to rising stars. Foo Fighters, Slipknot, Breaking Benjamin, Motley Crew, Judas Priest, Falling in Reverse and more headliners, you name it because all the big names are coming to rock at Rockville.  A guaranteed headbanger of a festival.

Destination: Florida, USA

Dates: 09 May – 12 May, 2024

Burning Man

Closing the list is the avant-garde Burning Man, an annual pilgrimage that the proclaimed burners take to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for a weeklong futuristic experience that goes beyond music.  The immersive world of Burning Man takes one into a Mad Max-esque dystopian utopia set in the desert, sparked with fire and metal. With an emphasis on community, art, and self-expression, the festival transcends the traditional music festival paradigm for a once-in-a-lifetime sensory journey.

Destination: Nevada, USA

Dates: 25 Aug – 02 September, 2024

Hero image: Courtesy Tomorrowland; Feature image: Courtesy Coachella

The post The biggest music festivals on our radar in 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

With the help of AI, Elvis Presley will be coming to London as a hologram, bringing the king of rock ‘n’ roll back to life through an immersive show.

[Hero and Featured Image: ALAN SPEARMAN / AFP©]

Elvis is coming to London as a hologram for a new immersive show

“Elvis Evolution”, featuring a life-size digital Elvis performing on stage, is designed to be the first of a series of shows in cities including Las Vegas, Tokyo and Berlin.

British company Layered Reality put together the spectacle using AI, holographic projections, augmented reality, live theatre and multi-sensory effects to celebrate the singer’s life and legacy.

It promises previously unseen performances created through access to thousands of personal photos and home-video archive after striking a deal with Authentic Brands Group, which owns his estate.

Layered Reality chief executive Andrew McGuinness called the show “a next-generation tribute to the musical legend that is Elvis Presley”.

“Elvis maintains superstar status globally and people around the world no longer want to sit there and passively receive entertainment –- they want to be a part of it,” he added.

The show, which is scheduled to open in November, will use music, technology and storytelling to chart Elvis’s rise to fame and his cultural significance to the 1950s and 1960s.

Marc Rosen, head of entertainment at Authentic Brands Group, said it would give fans “a new, immersive way of experiencing Elvis Presley’s life and legacy”.

Presley — one of the best-selling music artists of all time — died aged 42 at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee in 1977.

“Elvis Evolution” comes after the success of Swedish supergroup ABBA’s “ABBA Voyage” digital avatar show, which opened at a purpose-built venue in east London in May 2022.

Bloomberg reported in September last year that it has sold more than 1.5 million tickets, generating more than $150 million.

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews.

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Ariana Grande is back with a new look and ready to drop a new studio album in 2024, the announcement of which she made on Instagram. Here’s all about it.

The two-time Grammy winner has six albums to her name so far, including her debut album Yours Truly (2013) and the sixth, titled Positions (2020). The name of her upcoming seventh studio album has not been revealed.

More about the upcoming album of Ariana Grande

How did Ariana Grande announce her new album?

Ariana Grande shared a carousel of Instagram photos and videos on her official social media account to announce her seventh studio album.

“See you next year,” she captioned the post.

Parts of the post, which is an assortment of several in-studio memories, shows producer Ilya Salmanzadeh and Grande’s mother Joan, the latter of whom can be seen dancing in a muted video.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande)

The Stories Grande shared show pictures of a care package that some of her fans received from her. A postcard showing her red-tinted lips and red lipstick from her R.E.M. Beauty line could be seen accompanying the package with a handwritten note reading, “See you next year.”

Did Ariana Grande drop any hints to the album’s name?

The “God Is a Woman” hitmaker also shared a series of Instagram Stories about her upcoming album, but there seems to be no hint about the name of the album anywhere.

All that fans can see in the post and Stories are personal moments and Grande’s reflections on making the album.

“The two moods of the album,” she wrote in one Story, which shows a screenshot of a Facetime conversation.

The carousel also has a video where someone off screen is telling her that it is “almost the last day of this album.”

Grande responds, “I’m so tired. But so happy and grateful. I also feel like I weigh 3,000 tons.”

What is more to know about the album?

The announcement of her new album comes just five weeks after Ariana Grande ended ties with long-term manager Scooter Braun and signed up with Good World Management.

This means that it is her first with the new agency. The upcoming album will also be her first since her marriage and subsequent separation from real estate agent Dalton Gomez.

Outside of the music scene, Grande has been busy with her role in the upcoming film Wicked, which is set for release in November 2024.

(Hero and Featured images: Ariana Grande/@arianagrande/Instagram)

The post Everything to know about Ariana Grande’s new album coming in 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Lisa of BLACKPINK gave a wonderful Christmas gift to her fans by releasing a cover of Britney Spears’ song “My Only Wish (This Year).”

The music video of the song garnered 3.1 million views on YouTube within a day of its release. The cover is one of the many gifts that BLACKPINK members have been announcing as part of the 2023 holiday season.

More about Lisa’s cover of “My Only Wish (This Year)”

In the music video of her cover of the song, Lisa, who is the lead rapper of the world famous all-girl group, is seen exploring Paris wearing a banana yellow coat.

As the music progresses, she is seen picking up a pastry and admiring the Eiffel Tower — the defining symbol of the city’s iconic landmarks.

The video ends with her accepting a rose from a mystery admirer.

Lisa’s cover is her first first solo work since 2021’s song “Lalisa.”

“Christmas present for my Blinks… Have a wonderful holiday,” wrote Lisa on her Instagram account before dropping her cover onto her YouTube channel.

Only Christmas song by Britney Spears

According to Rolling Stone magazine, “My Only Wish (This Year)” is the only Christmas song by Britney Spears.

It is the leadoff track of the album Platinum Christmas (2000), which also features songs by artists such as the Backstreet Boys, TLC, R. Kelly, NSYNC, Santana, and Christina Aguilera.

What else is coming up for BLACKPINK fans?

Apart from the release of the cover, Lisa is set to appear in the virtual concert BLACKPINK: A VR Encore on 26 December at 5 pm PT (27 December, 9 am SGT). The encore features the final show from the group’s global 2023 tour held in Seoul in support of their album Born Pink (2022). A trailer of the encore was released on 20 December. The virtual concert will be available on Meta Horizon Worlds.

Meanwhile, among the other showcases that BLACKPINK members have for fans is the 24 December news of Jennie launching her own company and label.

 

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A post shared by J (@jennierubyjane)

In an Instagram post Jennie said that the company, Odd Atelier (OA), was founded in November as a “space that aims to create new things that attract attention in a different way from what is usual or expected.”

(Hero and Featured images: LISA/@lalalalisa_m/Instagram)

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Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour’ is about the arrive in Bangkok. If you’re looking for some sort of checklist as you prepare for the Coldplay Asia Tour 2024, it might be something just like this.

Concerts in Bangkok are a dime and dozen; when international stars announce an Asia tour, Bangkok is often on the list. But, that doesn’t mean these stars will return very soon if you miss them this time *cough* Taylor Swift *cough*. So, in order to make sure you have everything ready for the Coldplay concert in Bangkok, these are the things you need to prepare, and also things you may want to just leave at home. Coldplay Asia Tour 2024, we’re ready.

[Hero and featured image credit: Coldplay/Facebook]

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Coldplay Asia Tour 2024: How to prepare for the concert in Bangkok

Bring both your ticket and ID

If you want to snag a ticket to the Coldplay Bangkok concert now, they’re all sold out, unfortunately. For those who already have a ticket in hand, keep those tickets safe. In order to get into the venue, you must prove that the ticket is yours by letting them check your ID or passport to see if the names match. This procedure is to ensure there are no ticket scalpers, and there’s a high chance you will be denied entry if the names on the ticket and the ID do not match. Those with ‘Kubick Experience’ tickets and above can look out for a dedicated entrance and early entrance into the stadium.

It’s advised to arrive at least an hour before the Coldplay concert begins to make time for bag checks, and if you want to check out the merchandise shops. Those with ‘Ultimate Spheres Experience’ tickets have access to dedicated merchandise counters.

Don’t overpack

Those who have frequented concert venues will know that they limit what can get into the stadium more than you might think, so it’s best to keep what you pack to a minimum. Of course, official rules prohibit weapons, any kind of recording devices, and outside food and beverages, but also large bags, selfie sticks, tablets or laptops more than “7 in size, and laser pointers.

We recommend small bags you can carry in hand or cross-body, just so you can put your wallet and phone to keep safe when it gets crowded.

How to get to the stadium

The Rajamangala Stadium is located in Hua Mak subdistrict, and isn’t the most easy to reach, as it’s quite far from most public transportation methods. The popular method is to take the airport link to Hua Mak station, then take a taxi or bus. Buses route 40, 113, 71, 501, 60, 92, and 93 will take you to the stadium.

Some also choose to take the ferry to RU Pier, then a brief walk will get you to your destination. It’s not advisable to bring your own vehicle, as most public parking spots are more than a kilometre in distance from the stadium, and the traffic and parking fee don’t really help, either.

Places to stay

Hotels near Rajamangala Stadium are not very plenty, but there are a few places that will be just a quick taxi ride away. The only hotel within walking distance is Bangkok Interplace, which is located in the residential area just across the stadium, and also features a lot of street food options and cafes nearby.

Other options include Kantary House Bangkok Hotel around 2km away, or the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit if you wish to stay nearer to the BTS for convenience.

Prep your Coldplay Asia Tour playlist

Lastly, just so you get into the mood, hype yourself up before Coldplay arrives in Bangkok with a dedicated playlist.

The post Coldplay Asia Tour 2024: How to prepare for the concert in Bangkok appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Dance, love, and dance again: ‘This Is Me…Now,’ the upcoming album of Jennifer Lopez, has a song which appears to be dedicated to Ben Affleck.

Music icon Jennifer Lopez has announced the release date of her ninth studio album This Is Me…Now. The album, which is a sequel to her 2002 album This Is Me…Then, will be released on 16 February 2024. Like the predecessor, the upcoming album also has a song apparently dedicated to Lopez’s husband, actor Ben Affleck.

Lopez made the date announcement on social media on 27 November. The album will be released through Nuyorican/BMG.

The 54-year-old singer and actress, one of the world’s richest celebrities by net worth, will be releasing the album’s first single, “Can’t Get Enough,” on 10 January 2024. The song will be Lopez’s first release under her recording and publishing partnership with BMG.

More about This Is Me…Now

Album has a Ben Affleck connection

This Is Me…Now is one of the most highly anticipated albums of next year especially because of its predecessor’s connection to Ben Affleck. The 2002 album was dedicated to Affleck, with whom Lopez was in a relationship at the time.

Though they parted ways some time later, they rekindled their romance in 2021 and got married the following year.

The album’s track list, which was announced in November 2022, features songs such as “Dear Ben Pt. II.” Reports suggest that the title of the song drops the hint that it is a sequel to the earlier album’s hit song “Dear Ben.”

First full album since in 10 years

The buzz around the upcoming Jennifer Lopez album is also high since it is her first full-length solo release in almost a decade.

She released her eight studio album, A.K.A., in 2014. It reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and featured three Billboard Hot 100 singles: “Booty,” “First Love” and “I Luh Ya Papi.” Lopez’s 2002 album, All I Have, was the fourth and to date the last by the artist to top Billboard 200.

The album is written and executive produced by Lopez and Rogét Chayed, along with Angel Lopez, Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, HitBoy, Tay Keith and INK among others.

Companion short film written by Ben Affleck

The album will have a short film of the same name, directed by Dave Meyers. Ben Affleck, who earned critical praise earlier this year for Air, is credited as a writer on the film.

A press release about the film described it as “a narrative driven, intimate, reflective, sexy, funny, fantastical and highly entertaining musical and visual reimagining of her publicly scrutinized love life.”

Lopez shared a trailer for the musical film on social media, featuring her in scenarios such as throwing love letters into a fire and dancing in a wedding dress.

 

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A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo)

The film’s trailer opens with a snippet of a letter written by Affleck. “Life’s tough but you’re sweet,” the Oscar winner wrote in a note dated 24 December 2002, and signed with a simple “B.”

“When I was a little girl… when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always, ‘in love,” the singer says in the trailer.

The film will premiere on the day of the release of the album. Amazon Prime Video will stream the film globally in more than 240 countries and territories.

(Hero and Featured images: jlo/@JLo/Twitter)

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Eager to know how 2023 was in terms of what they listened to can turn to Apple Music Replay? We got you covered, so stream Carly Rae Jepsen.

Spotify Wrapped is set to release soon, likely on 30 November. But Apple users eager to know how 2023 was in terms of what they listened to can turn to Apple Music Replay, which is available now to give them a recap.

Apple Music Replay is a year-end summary of an Apple user’s most-listened-to songs, artists and albums. It is almost similar to Spotify’s personalised year-end data.

However, the Apple summary is not directly accessible on the app. It can be viewed on the Apple Music website, unlike Spotify’s chart, which makes the stats easily available on the app, too.

All about Apple Music Replay

Features of Apple Music Replay 2023

Apple users who access Apple Music Replay will see a highlight reel of their favourite songs and artists of the year. They will also see the time they spent listening to the songs and the artists.

There is also a feature that allows users to see if they have achieved specific goals while using the service, for instance, listening to a set number of songs.

Who topped Apple’s year-end global chart?

Apple Music has a section named ‘Top Songs of 2023: Global,’ which is a year-end chart based on plays between 1 November 2022 and 31 October 2023.

“Last Night” by Morgan Wallen from the album One Thing At A Time is at No.1. It is followed by Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” from her album Endless Summer Vacation at No.2 and SZA’s “Kill Bill” from SOS at No.3.

“Stay,” the collaboration of Justin Bieber and The Kid LAROI, was No.1 in the Top Songs chart of 2022.

How to access Apple Music Replay

The easiest way to access Replay is to head to the official site, where users are asked to log in using their Apple ID or email.

Once logged in, users will be able to see all of their listening stats for 2023.

How Apple’s Replay differs from Spotify Wrapped

Replay was launched in 2019, three years after Spotify came up with Wrapped. According to The Verge, Apple updated its Replay feature to resemble Wrapped in 2022.

“Unlike Wrapped, which offers a set of super shareable charts, the stats presented in Apple Music Replay just aren’t as attractive to post online, and they’re not directly available within the Apple Music app,” notes The Verge.

Technically, this means that Apple users may have to do a bit of hard work to locate their 2023 Replay playlist in the Apple Music app.

Since Spotify Wrapped also reveals details of the most streamed songs, artists and other significant worldwide music data, it has gained immense significance for music lovers from South Korea to the US.

Its popularity can be gauged from the numerous social media posts that flood timelines on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) each year the moment Spotify releases the data.

(Hero image: Courtesy of Daniel Cañibano/@danicanibano/Unsplash; Featured image: Courtesy of Brett Jordan/@brett_jordan/Unsplash)

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Catch her or she’ll go — Houdini by Dua Lipa is taking Bangkok by storm as a number of venues are offering special deals inspired by the track. Whether you want a drink or you want to get your nails done, you’ll find a little bit of Dua for yourself. Here’s how.

Dua Lipa is an icon for many things. After signing with Warner Bros. Records in 2014, she has been producing banger after banger. Her debut album featured New Rules that topped the UK charts, along with hits such as IDGAF and Be The One.

Her second album Future Nostalgia contains songs that can only be described as all peaks and no valleys, including Physical, Levitating, and Don’t Start Now. Both of her albums remain, to this day, the most streamed albums by female artists on Spotify. And who could forget her hit dance track on the Barbie movie?

Now, with her new single Houdini, the marketing queen is doing a collab with various places in Bangkok. Whether you’re a girl on the go or a gay on the way, there’s bound to be something that fits your lifestyle. Here are the places that are honouring Houdini by Dua Lipa with special deals in Bangkok.

[Hero and featured image credit: Dua Lipa/YouTube]

13 spots in Bangkok offering special deals in honour of Dua Lipa’s Houdini single release

Rapi-rabi

Get a THB 500 coupon for a red hair makeover at Rapi-rabi.

Nail It! Tokyo

Win a THB 250 coupon to get your nails painted red at Nail It! Tokyo.

Gelato Elementary

Gelato Elementary unveils a limited edition Red Lemonade flavoured gelato.

The Rolling Pinn

The Rolling Pinn offers “Ribbon Queen Cake” all in red adorned with black ribbons and white pearls.

FV

Find “Watermelon Crispy Jelly” with Thai-style watermelon-flavoured jelly — crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside — at FV.

Smoked by Chef Pam

Try “Spaghetti Red Sauce” served at the ever-popular meat joint, Smoked by Chef Pam.

Cha Bar

Cha Bar releases “Lemon Honni Cream Cheese” for a refreshing day ahead.

The Cassette Coffee Bar

Try the “Truly Ruby” at The Cassette Coffee Bar for an experience that is really, truly, ruby.

Brewginning

Sip on the “Red Cool Cold Brew” at Brewginning, because we all love strawberry with our morning coffee.

Siamaya Chocolate

The quintessential red velvet cake, along with the new “Coconut Daiquiri Mocktail” topped with a strawberry, is available at Siamaya Chocolate, in honour of Houdini.

Honest Mistake Bar

The red-coloured “Catch Me or I Go” cocktail, with exclusive Dua Lipa merch in limited supply, is also available at Honest Mistake Bar.

Ba Hao

Ba Hao is serving up a “Shangria-la,” a twist on the classic Sangria with a lot of aromas.

Midsummer Night’s Dream

Lastly, Midsummer Night’s Dream gives us “Melted Into Thin Air”, “Viva Magenta”, and “Arrows & Traps,” respectively, as part of Dua Lipa’s Houdini activations in Bangkok.

The post Dua Lipa’s ‘Houdini’ takes over Bangkok — here are all the participating venues appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

‘Tis time K-pop fans celebrate twice as much with Stray Kids and aespa releasing their new mini albums on the same date and time. On 10 November, the two Korean music outfits released their latest mini-albums 樂-STAR (ROCK-STAR) and Drama, respectively, at 2 pm KST.

Stray Kids, comprising eight members Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N, released the music video for the album’s title track “LALALALA” as well.

Meanwhile, the four-member girl group aespa, comprising Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, dropped a music video for the album’s title track.

More about Stray Kids and aespa’s latest mini-albums

Stray Kids’ ROCK-STAR

Marking the group’s eighth extended play (EP), ROCK-STAR arrives five months after they released their third studio album 5-STAR (2023). It consists of eight tracks and dwells on the themes of spreading joy and happiness.

“LALALALA”, too, delivers on these aspects, and the octet’s energetic choreography and hard-hitting lyrics make it a stunning opening. The song is penned and composed by Bang Chan, Changbin and Han, who are also collectively known as 3RACHA.

According to The Korean Times, ROCK-STAR includes tracks such as “MEGAVERSE”, “Leave”, “Blind Spot”, “COMFLEX” and “Cover Me”.

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aespa’s Drama

Drama comes on the heels of the quartet’s third mini-album My World (2023). “This album showcases aespa’s vocal growth with a variety of genres, including charismatic hip-hop, lovely bright dance music, and sweet acoustic pop,” states the band’s website.

The title track is a high-energy dance number featuring heavy drums and synth bass. According to Soompi, “The song features rough rapping and powerful high notes on top of an addictive top line and a restrained track.”

Besides “Drama”, the album features six tracks — “Trik or Trick”, “Don’t Blink”, “Hot Air Balloon”, “YOLO”, “You” and “Better Things.”

(Hero image credit: Stray Kids/ @realstraykids/ Instagram; aespa 에스파/ @aespa_official/ Instagram; Feature image credit: aespa 에스파/ @aespa_official/ Instagram)

The post It’s double the fun in K-pop-verse: aespa and Stray Kids drop new albums on the same date appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

You may have perfected the product list for your skincare routine, but what about your skincare playlist? A recent study found the best songs for your skin. Have a read and a listen.

Now more than ever, natural beauty — and especially radiant skin — is the order of the day. But you need to be relaxed to look your best. With this in mind, a new study suggests that music could offer a helping hand in the quest for perfect skin.

Combatting stress for better skin: The best songs for your skin

Stress can have harmful effects on the skin. The hormones it releases increase sebum production, contributing to the onset of blemishes and accelerating skin ageing. Stress also alters the skin’s complexion and barrier function, causing tightness, irritation and itching. Everything suggests that our skin suffers when we’re anxious, so it’s important to combat its effects if you want your skin to look its best.

And that’s where music might come in. A large number of studies have shown that music can have anxiety-busting effects. It may even reduce the subjective feeling of stress, by stimulating reward circuits. Certain slow-tempo melodies have a greater effect on the mind than others, making them potential allies in the quest for immaculate skin.

With this in mind, experts from the Beauty Pie brand set out to determine which songs might be most beneficial to our skin. To do so, they analyzed 1.4 million tracks hosted on Spotify, paying particular attention to those featuring on playlists containing, among other keywords, the terms “skincare”, “calm” and “wellness.” The result is a ranking of the 25 “most relaxing” tracks to listen to during your skincare routine.

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SZA, a relaxing artist for your skin

Top of the list comes Ariana Grande’s “Moonlight.” This ballad, which features on the singer’s third album, “Dangerous Woman,” has a very slow rhythm. Dr. Michael Bonshor, professor of music psychology at the University of Sheffield (UK), claims that its soothing effect results from its tempo. “Ariana’s ‘Moonlight’ has 102 beats per minute if we listen for the 4 beats in a bar. However, if we focus on the stronger first and third beats in the bar, we ‘feel’ the music pace as two slow beats in every bar, giving us a restful 51 bpm,” he said in a statement.

SZA’s “Good Days” and Frank Ocean’s “Pink + White” take second and third place, respectively. R’n’B star Frank Ocean also appears in eleventh place, thanks to his introspective track “Lost.” But the artist dominating the list of most relaxing songs is none other than SZA. The American rapper alone occupies three different spots: second, fourth (with “Kill Bill”) and nineteenth (with “Normal Girl”).

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Most of the musicians in this top 25 have made their name in recent years, with the exception of Norah Jones. The American singer launched her career in 2002 with the release of her debut album, “Come Away with Me.” But the song that earns her eighth place in this list of relaxing songs, “Sunrise,” comes from her second album, “Feels Like Home.” According to Dr Michael Bonshor, this track is particularly relaxing. “The repetitive melody evident in [Norah Jones’] ‘Sunrise,’ paired with soothing lyrics and steady rhythmic patterns, makes it a tune you can easily lean into,” the expert says.

The 10 best songs for your skin

1 – “Moonlight” by Ariana Grande
2 – “Good Days” by SZA
3 – “Pink + White” by Frank Ocean
4 – “Kill Bill” by SZA
5 – “Telepatía” by Kali Uchis
6 – “See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis)” by Tyler, the Creator
7 – “Die For You” by The Weeknd
8 – “Sunrise” by Norah Jones
9 – “Breathe” by DTO
10 – “Cardigan” by Taylor Swift

The top 10 most relaxing songs to listen to during your skincare routine. The full ranking can be found on the Beauty Pie website.

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews.

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Britney Spears? That’s nice, but we prefer fencing. Let’s take a look at her most popular songs and music videos.

In the late ’90s, the music industry gave birth to a pop sensation that would take the world by storm. Britney Spears, a young talent from Kentwood, Louisiana, burst onto the scene with her debut single “Baby One More Time,” igniting a pop revolution that still resonates today. From her early days as a fresh-faced teen in a schoolgirl uniform, Britney Spears became an overnight sensation, capturing the hearts and attention of music enthusiasts with her catchy songs and music videos.

Britney’s first single was an instant classic, selling over 10 million copies and propelling her to the top of the charts. But it wasn’t just her undeniable star power and infectious tunes that marked her ascent to superstardom. Britney’s journey was also defined by her artistic evolution, as she transitioned from the schoolgirl sweetheart to a fearless and provocative performer who embraced her sensuality.

In a jaw-dropping revelation from her upcoming memoir, “The Woman in Me”, Britney Spears opens up about a deeply personal chapter of her life. The book delves into her rollercoaster relationship with former flame Justin Timberlake, specifically the heart-wrenching revelation that she underwent an abortion while dating the “Cry Me a River” singer. This shocking confession sent fans on a journey down memory lane, revisiting her poignant 2003 music video for “Everytime.”

In “Everytime,” the hospital becomes the haunting backdrop as Spears walks through its corridors, flanked by two women — one who has just passed away, and the other who has just given birth. The video’s evocative imagery and haunting lyrics have long fueled speculation about its connection to her relationship with Timberlake. With lines like “And every time I try to fly, I fall / Without my wings, I feel so small / I guess I need you, baby,” the song takes on a deeper resonance with this shocking revelation.

A tell-all memoir set to captivate the world

Britney Spears is all set to give her fans an intimate glimpse into her life with her upcoming book, “The Woman in Me,” slated for release on October 24, 2023. This tell-all memoir promises to be a game-changer, revealing the highs and lows of her journey through fame, her personal struggles, and her remarkable comeback. But that’s just the beginning of what this literary sensation has in store for readers.

“The Woman in Me” dives into Britney’s inner world, offering readers personal insights, untold stories, and a deeper understanding of the woman behind the pop superstar. It’s a chance to experience Britney’s life through her own words, uncovering the truth behind the headlines, and gaining a newfound appreciation for her enduring strength. One of the most exciting aspects of this book is that Britney’s own voice will finally have a platform to be heard. The book will allow her to share her experiences, her perspective on the conservatorship that dominated her life, and her reflections on fame.

Ahead of the launch, the ’90s megastar is already making headlines with excerpts from her upcoming memoir. In one of the chapters, Britney opens up about her unexpected pregnancy, describing it as a “surprise” rather than a “tragedy.” She shares her emotional journey, expressing her deep love for former boyfriend Justin Timberlake, and her excitement about starting a family. However, she discloses that Timberlake, at 18, was not prepared for parenthood, leading to a challenging decision. Britney acknowledges the difficulty of the choice and admits that, had she been alone, her decision might have been different. This episode in her life sheds light on the intricacies of relationships and personal choices.

As is clear, fans can expect a raw, unfiltered, and inspiring narrative that sheds light on her life’s most challenging moments, all while offering a beacon of hope to those facing similar struggles.

Britney’s journey through the world of music has been nothing short of a visual spectacle. Her music videos have consistently pushed boundaries, setting new standards for the pop genre and captivating audiences across the globe. Join us on a tour through Britney Spears’ songs and her most iconic music videos – each a unique masterpiece that reflects her evolution as an artist and pop culture icon.

Britney Spears’ songs: All her music videos with the highest views

… Baby One More Time” (1998)

Britney’s debut single, “…Baby One More Time,” catapulted her into the limelight in a blaze of glory. Clad in the iconic schoolgirl uniform, Britney instantly became an icon, and her unforgettable dance routine within the hallowed halls of a high school set the stage for her meteoric rise to stardom. The song, featured on the eponymous album, shattered records by selling a staggering 10 million copies, etching its place indelibly in the annals of pop history. Meanwhile, its music video has clocked over 872 million views on YouTube, a testament to its timeless allure.

“Sometimes” (1999)

“Sometimes” offers a delightful glimpse into a more carefree and sun-soaked side of Britney as she enjoys her time at the beach. The song, part of the album “…Baby One More Time,” charmed audiences, with over half a million copies sold. The video has attracted more than 300 million views on YouTube, serving as a timeless reminder of Britney’s early days and her profound impact on the pop music landscape.

“Crazy” (You Drive Me) (1999)

“Crazy” catapults viewers into a world of youthful rebellion and spontaneity as Britney and her friends wreak havoc in a mall with their energetic choreography. The song, part of the album “…Baby One More Time,” resonated with fans, leading to over a million copies sold. The video has amassed more than 195 million views on YouTube, capturing the essence of spirited revolt and spontaneity that has endured with her audience for over two decades.

“Oops!… I Did It Again” (2000)

In “Oops!… I Did It Again,” Britney playfully channels her inner astronaut, paying a cheeky homage to Titanic. The song, found on the eponymous album, navigates the themes of heartbreak and youthful exuberance. Over three million copies flew off the shelves, cementing Britney’s status as a pop sensation. The music video, with more than 427 million YouTube views, continues to charm. One of Britney Spears’ most timeless songs, undoubtedly.

“Lucky” (2000)

Released in the year 2000, Britney Spears’ music video for “Lucky” quickly became one of her most-viewed videos, garnering over 121 million views. The video provides a glimpse into the life of a Hollywood starlet, portraying Britney as a glamorous and privileged celebrity. As she navigates fame and the complexities of her seemingly charmed life, “Lucky” captures both the allure and the vulnerability of stardom, making it a memorable and widely-watched moment in her career.

“Stronger” (2000)

Britney Spears’ music video for “Stronger,” released in 2000, stands out as one of her most-viewed and iconic creations, earning more than 119 million views. In this video, Britney exudes a newfound sense of strength and independence, symbolising her personal and artistic growth. Set in a dimly lit club, she confidently breaks free from the confines of a toxic relationship and embraces her own power. With its catchy tune and compelling storyline, “Stronger” not only became a hit but also served as a visual testament to Britney’s resilience and determination, resonating with audiences and solidifying her status as a pop sensation during that era.

“I’m a Slave 4 U” (2001)

“I’m a Slave 4 U” marked Britney’s departure from her innocent image as she boldly embraced her sensuality. The music video, famously featuring a live snake, left an indelible mark. The song, featured on the “Britney” album, was embraced by fans, with over 600,000 copies sold, proving that her evolution into a more mature image only endeared her further to her fan base. The video boasts an impressive 200 million views on YouTube, a testament to its lasting impact.

“Overprotected” (2001)

Britney Spears’ music video for “Overprotected,” released in 2001, remains a notable piece of her videography, accumulating over 37 million views. The video, directed by Chris Applebaum, portrays Britney’s desire for personal freedom and autonomy while facing overbearing protection from various authority figures. As she asserts her independence, the video showcases her resilient spirit and determination to break free from the confines of expectations and control.

“Toxic” (2003)

In “Toxic,” Britney flawlessly transforms into a seductive secret agent in a visually captivating music video. The song, which comes from the album “In the Zone,” delves into the irresistible allure of a reckless lover. Having sold over a million copies, it stands as a testament to her adeptness at crafting chart-toppers that resonate deeply with her audience. With 634 million YouTube views, Britney Spears’ song remains popular even 20 years later.

Me Against The Music (2003)

“Me Against The Music,” the debut single from the album “In The Zone,” marked a significant pop culture moment of the ’00s. The collaboration of legendary pop icon Madonna with Britney was a fresh and exciting one. It also came at the perfect time — just two months earlier in August 2003, during the MTV Video Music Awards, the two singers ignited a frenzy with an onstage kiss while performing Madonna’s song “Hollywood.” “Me Against The Music,” generated 57 million views and is surely one of Britney’s most memorable hits.

“Gimme More” (2007)

“Gimme More” tantalises viewers with Britney’s irresistible allure as she dazzles in an array of sultry outfits. The song, featured on the “Blackout” album, achieved over a million copies sold, solidifying Britney’s enduring popularity. The video, boasting more than 320 million views on YouTube, reaffirms her status as a style icon.

“Piece of Me” (2007)

Britney Spears’ music video for “Piece of Me,” released in 2007, stands out as a compelling portrayal of her life and experiences. With over 124 million views, this hit video provided viewers with a candid and inside look at the pop sensation’s life, both in the public eye and behind the scenes. Directed by Wayne Isham, the video takes a bold stance against the intense media scrutiny and tabloid frenzy surrounding Britney’s personal life.

“Womanizer” (2008)

In “Womanizer,” Britney skilfully takes on various roles, including that of a waitress and a secretary. The song, featured on the “Circus” album, delves into the theme of a deceitful lover. With over three million copies sold, the track marked a triumphant comeback for the star. The video with over 371 million views reaffirms Britney’s status as a true pop icon.

“Circus” (2008)

With more than 243 million views, “Circus” presents Britney Spears as the ringleader of her own dazzling show. Released in 2008, the song is not only the title track of Britney Spears’ 2008 album but also one of the standout songs of her career. The song, accompanied by a visually stunning and circus-themed music video, reflects Britney’s return to the spotlight after a tumultuous period in her personal life. The video showcases her in various circus-inspired roles, from the ringleader to an acrobat, and it’s a testament to her resilience and artistry.

“3” (2009)

Released in 2009, the music video for “3” has garnered over 166 million views. It’s a pulsating dance-pop track that explores themes of sexual freedom and desire. The song was a departure from her earlier work, offering a more explicit and provocative perspective. With a catchy chorus and energetic beats, “3” became a chart-topping hit and an anthem for those seeking uninhibited fun on the dance floor. The music video complements the song’s suggestive lyrics, featuring Britney in a confident light.

“Till the World Ends” (2011)

In “Till the World Ends,” Britney’s spirited dancing lights up a post-apocalyptic world, demonstrating her resilience and boundless energy. The song, featured on the “Femme Fatale” album, achieved over a million copies sold, affirming her ability to produce hits even years into her career. The video, with over 220 million YouTube views, underscores her enduring popularity and influence.

“Hold It Against Me” (2011)

With over 171 million views, the music video for “Hold It Against Me” from 2011 is a testament to Britney’s continued impact on the music industry. Directed by Jonas Åkerlund, the video features stunning visuals and choreography, perfectly complementing the high-energy track.

“I Wanna Go” (2011)

In 2011, Britney Spears released “I Wanna Go,” a pop-infused anthem that resonated with fans and showcased her playful and rebellious side. The song’s catchy melody and cheeky lyrics, combined with a lighthearted music video where Britney takes on paparazzi with a humorous twist, made it an instant hit. “I Wanna Go” captured the essence of Britney’s journey through the ups and downs of fame, offering a glimpse of her unapologetic spirit and resilience in the entertainment industry. With over 317 million views, the music video remains a fan favourite even today.

“Work Bi**h” (2013)

“Work B**ch” encapsulates the aspiration of working hard to attain a life of luxury and opulence. The video showcases stunning locales from around the world, while the song, part of the “Britney Jean” album, resulted in over half a million copies sold. The video, featuring an energetic and empowering dance anthem that encourages hard work and determination, garnered more than 383 million views on YouTube. It features Britney in a glamorous and fierce persona, showcasing her dedication to a disciplined and luxurious lifestyle with a strong message of self-empowerment.

“Scream & Shout” (2013)

Featuring will.i.am, this 2013 music video is a visual extravaganza with an astonishing 1 billion views. The electrifying collaboration showcases Britney Spears in a futuristic and dynamic setting, complementing the song’s infectious beats and catchy lyrics. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of both artists in the world of pop music.

“Pretty Girls” (2015)

Collaborating with Iggy Azalea in 2015, Britney Spears released “Pretty Girls,” a catchy pop hit that attracted over 190 million views on YouTube. The video showcases the duo as fashion-forward aliens in a 1980s-inspired setting, blending humour and nostalgia. The song’s infectious melody and the chemistry between Britney and Iggy made it a fun and memorable addition to Britney’s discography.

Which of these Britney Spears songs and music videos do you enjoy the most?

(Main and featured image credit: Instagram/BritneySpears)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most viewed Britney Spears music video?

“Baby One More Time” remains her most-viewed solo video to date, with 821 million views at the time this article was published.

What was Britney Spears’ top hit?

“Baby One More Time” (1998).

What is Britney’s favourite song?

Having previously expressed her fondness for “The Hook Up” from the 2003 album “In the Zone,” the pop star had revealed that her next top choice was “Get Naked (I Got a Plan)” from 2007.

How many #1 songs has Britney Spears had?

Billboard ranked Britney as the eighth top artist of the 2000s, with six number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and five chart-toppers on the US Billboard Hot 100, including hits like “…Baby One More Time,” “Womanizer,” and “3.”

This article originally appeared on Prestige Online Malaysia.

The post A run-down of Britney Spears’ most iconic music videos appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Because it’s a slow day, we gathered the albums that embarrassingly scored lower than Peppa’s Adventures: The Album on Pitchfork. Here are our findings.

Pitchfork is an online music publication that claims to be “the most trusted voice in music.” For decades, the publication has given out reviews of artists and their albums, many times having direct impact on their careers.

Seeing that Peppa’s Adventures: The Album by pop icon Peppa Pig has scored a 6.5 on their platform, we looked through the platform to see which other pop artists are left in the ditch ever since this album came out. Needless to say, “Peppa Pig ended your faves,” is certainly a phrase we never thought we’d say, but here we are.

[Hero and featured image credit: Peppa Pig/X]

Pop albums rated lower than ‘Peppa’s Adventures: The Album’ on Pitchfork

Sam Smith’s Gloria

Sam Smith‘s journey is filled with unapologetic self-love, something still hard to come by for many in the LGBTQ+ industry. Of course, that liberation is reflected in his newer discography, but let’s just say some songs got more love than others. “Unholy flips a critical cliché by sounding worse in an album-length context” is honestly gagging.

BLACKPINK’s Kill This Love EP

This mildly enjoyable EP arrived before BLACKPINK’s big Coachella performance, with the title track as the clear, clear centrepiece with four more surrounding it. “The girls rap and sing about their determination to end a toxic relationship as if it’s a life-or-death situation, although without a catchy Swiftian hook,” said reviewer Michelle Hyun Kim.

Maroon 5’s Jordi

It’s quite telling for an album to come by, stay for two years, and we still can’t name one song from it. Adam Levine posted on Instagram that he made one song from the album with “the whole world in mind,” and it seems that the feeling is not mutual. We also learned today that Meghan Thee Stallion is featured in this album, and even she cannot save it.

Katy Perry’s Witness

Although Chained to the Rhythm is a bop with not-so-subtle political messages, the same cannot be said for the rest of the tracks. If Witness taught us anything, it’s that Katy Perry could not write a diss track even if her life depended on it. “You’re ’bout as cute as an old coupon expired,” proves she has no close gay friends.

John Mayer’s The Search For Everything

For those not acquainted with John Mayer, you’ll find this album very whelming. It’s not underwhelming. It’s totally not overwhelming. It’s just is. In the words of reviewer Katherine St. Asaph, “John Mayer suffers simultaneously from an excess of taste and an oblivious lack of it.” Also, ouch.

Meghan Trainor’s Treat Myself

When Treat Myself was released, all of Meghan Trainor’s 13 fans across the globe collectively jumped for joy. This album was supposed to be scheduled for 2018, but was pushed back because Meghan doesn’t want it to be out “until I get everything out of my head and recorded in the studio.” We wish she didn’t. Her usual themes of empowerment also get extra muddled in this album, to which reviewer Dani Blum describes it as “self-flagellation.”

Doja Cat’s Scarlet

When Paint the Town Red was released, we realised that Doja Cat’s new grittier persona does have its moments in music. The song, along with Demons, shows that she can fit both elements of horror and fun into a song. The album, instead, shows that she really needs more of the “fun” bit or else it gets repetitive fast. Reviewer Anna Gaca describes this album perfectly as “an uneven album that is accomplished but gets bogged down in reactive and repetitive songs.”

Ed Sheeran’s – (Subtract)

With Ed’s prominent acoustic guitar and gloomy piano notes, it seems that this album shifts the sounds from the bangers from Divide, to the lively tunes that what can be described as the royalty-free music in a random cafe, but more sleep-inducing. As he sings about his life challenges and dark thoughts that plague his mind, it has become clear that while the message can be affectionate and sentimental, it doesn’t mean it will be a good song.

The post Pop albums rated lower than ‘Peppa’s Adventures: The Album’ on Pitchfork appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘The Grudge’ to songs by Harry Styles and more, here are 11 alleged tracks inspired by Taylor Swift. Check them out.

Taylor Swift, often hailed as the queen of songwriting herself, has inspired a plethora of artists to pen songs about her over the years. These tracks delve into various aspects of her life, from her relationships to her career ups and downs. One such song that recently garnered significant attention is Olivia Rodrigo’s “The Grudge,” but there are others too, each with its unique story and emotions. Today, come along on this fun ride, as we explore some of the artists who have written songs about Taylor Swift, and shed light on the alleged motivations behind these musical tributes and insinuations.

Taylor Swift is famous for two things: Her army of protective superfans and her knack for turning her dating life into chart-topping hits. Over the years, Taylor has romanced her fair share of high-profile celebs, from Jake Gyllenhaal to Taylor Lautner, Joe Jonas to Joe Alwyn. She’s now rumoured to be dating NFL athlete Travis Kelce, and their purported romance has sent social media into a tizzy.

It all makes perfect sense when you consider that the pop sensation has penned songs about a veritable who’s who of her past relationships – honestly, her willingness to bare it all might just be the secret sauce to her superstardom.

In a 2019 article for Elle UK, Taylor discussed her love of pouring her heart into her lyrics. “I adore crafting songs because it’s like preserving memories, like framing a snapshot of an emotion,” she said. “I want to remember every detail — the sweater’s colour, the air’s temperature, the creaky floorboards, and the exact moment on the clock when my heart soared, shattered, healed, or found its forever home. I revel in the challenge of weaving personal keepsakes and fragments of reality into a musical genre that’s often viewed as universally relatable.”

Taylor herself waxed lyrical on the power of connection and why her music resonates with so many, despite its intensely personal nature. She laid it out further, saying, “These days, folks are on the hunt for some soul-soothing, heartwarming tunes. We crave that feeling of someone whispering in our ear, ‘Hey, I’ve been there too,’ as evidence that we can navigate our own life storms.”

But in the world of music, what goes around comes around, and some artists have decided to give Taylor a taste of her own lyrical medicine. These songs range from adoring odes to blistering takedowns. Some are retaliatory strikes, while others seem to pop up out of the blue. Is Olivia Rodrigo’s song “The Grudge” really about Taylor Swift? Lets get exploring!

11 songs about Taylor Swift written by Olivia Rodrigo and other artists

‘The Grudge’ by Olivia Rodrigo (2023)

The freshest entry into this collection of Taylor Swift-inspired songs hails from Olivia Rodrigo’s highly-anticipated second album, “Guts,” which dropped in September 2023. While listeners have speculated about the subject of this track, many suspect it’s a musical response to the swirling rumours that surrounded Rodrigo’s debut album, “Sour.”

Back in July 2021, Rodrigo made headlines when she retrospectively credited Taylor Swift on her song “Deja Vu.” This move came after keen-eared fans pointed out similarities between the track and Swift’s “Cruel Summer.”

Prior to this twist, Rodrigo and Swift appeared to be on the best of terms, even sharing cosy photos and heartfelt notes. Rodrigo had proudly dubbed herself the “biggest Swiftie.” So, when the credit controversy cropped up, it likely caused some genuine hurt feelings, possibly setting the stage for “The Grudge” (if, of course, it’s about Swift).

The song kicks off with Olivia Rodrigo belting, “I have nightmares each week ’bout that Friday in May,” and it’s no coincidence that “Sour” was unleashed on a fateful Friday, the 21st of May. As the verses unfold, Rodrigo sings of “flowers filled with vitriol” and laments how someone “build me up to watch me fall,” a narrative that might reference Swift’s seemingly withdrawn support following the credit dispute. And in the song’s bridge, Rodrigo delivers the biting line, “You have everything, and you still want more,” a phrase that could easily be construed as a commentary on Swift herself.

Though neither Rodrigo nor Swift has publicly engaged in a feud, Rodrigo shared her surprise with The Guardian regarding her fans’ theories linking her song “Vampire” to Swift. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she downplayed any tension, stating, “I don’t have beef with anyone. I’m very chill. I keep to myself. I have my four friends and my mom, and that’s really the only people I talk to, ever. There’s nothing to say. There’s so many Twitter conspiracy theories. I only look at alien-conspiracy theories.”

At the recent VMAs, Swift was captured applauding Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” performance, indicating that any disagreements between them are likely far from the forefront of their minds. Nonetheless, Rodrigo did admit to Rolling Stone that the song credits controversy involving Swift had been a challenging chapter for her, even though she wasn’t deeply involved in the behind-the-scenes wrangling.

‘Enchanted’ by Taylor Swift, covered by Owl City (2011)

Shifting our focus away from Swift’s exes and music rivals, we delve into unrequited affection, where an artist yearned for a connection that never materialised. This addition to our list is often overlooked by fervent Swifties. The track in question, “Enchanted,” made its debut in 2010 as part of Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now” album.

Rumour has it; it was crafted with the enigmatic Adam Young of Owl City in mind. Their interaction was confined to a series of emails exchanged over a period before they eventually rendezvoused in New York. Regrettably, their encounter did not progress beyond this point.

In a whimsical response to Swift’s song, Owl City recorded a cover of “Enchanted,” featuring a few subtle lyric alterations. Most notably, the line, “It was enchanting to meet you, Taylor,” was lovingly woven into the cover. Curiously, their paths have not crossed since, leaving this enchanting chapter of unrequited admiration as a mere footnote in their stories.

‘Paper Doll’ by John Mayer (2013)

Taylor Swift is renowned for her intricate songwriting, often cloaking her lyrics in a veil of plausible deniability when it comes to revealing the true muses behind her tracks. However, it seems there are two notable exceptions to this pattern: “Style,” inspired by Harry Styles, and “Dear John,” a poignant reference to John Mayer. Swift’s brief romance with Mayer, which unfolded when she was just 19, became the focal point of “Dear John.” In this lyrical masterpiece, Taylor laments her youth, insinuating that Mayer, who was 32 at the time, should have exercised greater discretion given their age gap.

Mayer, in response to this emotional ballad, publicly decried it as “cheap songwriting” in a candid 2012 Rolling Stone interview, vehemently asserting that he did not deserve such treatment. However, mere months later, in 2013, Mayer released “Paper Doll,” a song that drew swift comparisons to Swift.

He evoked Swift’s iconic hit “22” by describing her as “22 girls in one” and sang of a mysterious figure painting another sky, mirroring Swift’s lyric, “You paint me a blue sky.” Mayor’s public acknowledgment of “Paper Doll” and its underlying emotions came only in early 2023 during a concert in Sacramento. He admitted that the song had originated from a place of hurt feelings.

‘Perfect’ by Harry Styles (2015)

What’s better than one boy band diving into the world of musical relationships? Well, it’s when Harry Styles, a prominent member of One Direction, added his own spin to the mix. Swift’s whirlwind romance with Styles, which briefly blossomed in 2012, stands as one of her most iconic love affairs and served as a well of inspiration for her album “1989.”

The track “Perfect” from that album captures the essence of their short-lived love story. It’s all about finding that special someone who can navigate the chaotic world of One Direction’s public lifestyle. “Perfect” weaves a tale of secret relationships, late-night car escapades, and cunningly dodging the ever-present paparazzi. Yet, it’s a particular line in this song that truly piqued the interest of “Haylor” enthusiasts: “And if you’re looking for someone to write your breakup songs about.”

Now, we all know Taylor Swift has a reputation for composing breakup anthems and tearjerking songs, often drawing inspiration from her past relationships, both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. So, it’s hard to imagine this lyric referring to anyone other than Swift herself.

However, the songstress has remained mum about this line, leaving fans to speculate. As of late, it appears that Swift and Styles have mended any potential rifts, and some even hold out hope that he might make a surprise appearance on “1989 (Taylor’s Version).”

‘Ole’ By John Newman And Calvin Harris (2016)

The breakup between Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris in 2016 sparked significant discussions in pop culture circles. It wasn’t just the split itself that caught everyone’s attention but also the singer’s swift transition to dating Marvel star Tom Hiddleston shortly after parting ways with Harris.

When Harris got wind of Swift’s new romance, he took to Twitter to vent his feelings publicly. While many eagerly anticipated Swift’s musical response to her breakup with Harris, rumours began swirling that Harris had preempted her with a song collaboration featuring John Newman.

The track, titled “Ole,” is believed by many to contain subtle references to Swift and Hiddleston. This includes a possible reference to Hiddleston’s famous Marvel character, Loki, in the song’s opening line:”Lowkey, you won’t tell none of your friends about me.”

‘History’ by One Direction (2016)

In contrast to “Perfect,” which openly nods to Taylor Swift, this One Direction song takes a more understated approach in its potential connection to the pop sensation. Unveiled in the aftermath of Harry Styles’s brief dalliance with Swift, the track reflects on a tumultuous relationship.

A particular passage alludes to the persistent rumours and conflicts that cast a shadow over their love: “All of the rumours, all of the fights/ But we always find a way to make it out alive/ Thought we were going strong/ Thought we were holding on…”

During their time together, Swift and Styles were no strangers to hurtful tabloid gossip, rendering this song another compelling contender as an ode influenced by Swift’s presence in Styles’s life.

‘A change of heart’ by the 1975 (2016)

Before Matty Healy and Swift’s controversial public relationship in 2023, rumours swirled about their brief fling in 2014. Their initial meeting occurred at The 1975 concert, where Swift and Healy reportedly exchanged numbers. Subsequently, photographic evidence emerged of Swift donning a 1975 t-shirt while Matty sported a “1989” t-shirt. All these intriguing pieces suggest a connection.

Released in 2016, “A Change of Heart” by The 1975 has been speculated by fans to be inspired by Swift and their short-lived romance. While Healy has danced around the subject when asked about the song’s muse, an insider close to him confided to Page Six that “A Change of Heart” indeed drew inspiration from Swift, among others. As their most recent romance abruptly ended in June 2023, fans eagerly await the possibility of new songs inspired by their tumultuous relationship.

‘Ever Since New York’ by Harry Styles (2017)

Just like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles didn’t limit his artistic exploration of their relationship to just one song. Following his departure from One Direction, Styles thrilled fans worldwide with the release of his highly-anticipated debut solo album in 2017.

Among the standout tracks, one song captured the hearts of many listeners. Titled “Ever Since New York,” this heartfelt song sees the British vocalist delving into the intricacies of a past relationship centred in the bustling metropolis: “Brooklyn saw me, empty avenues. There’s no water inside this swimming pool. Almost over, that’s enough from you.” Considering Swift’s well-documented affection for the Big Apple and their frequent appearances together in the city during their romance, it’s highly probable that Swift played a significant role in inspiring this poignant composition. After all, New York served as the backdrop for their brief romance.

‘Him’ by Harry Styles (2017)

Now, if we’re on the hunt for a Harry Styles song that blatantly nods to Swift, we need look no further than his unreleased track, “Him.” In this gem of a song, Styles hints at being someone’s “wildest dreams,” which, as Swift aficionados will recall, is the title of one of her own songs. Styles doesn’t stop there; he also croons, “I was with you when you wrote that line,” a lyrical reference to Swift’s songwriting prowess. Regrettably, “Him” remains in the vault, an untapped treasure trove of musical storytelling.

‘Swish Swish’ by Katy Perry (2017)

It’s not just the gentlemen crooning about Swift; Katy Perry joins the ranks. The Taylor Swift-Katy Perry feud ignited in 2014, triggered by Swift’s release of “Bad Blood,” an anthem that was unofficially confirmed to be directed at Perry. This feud’s genesis is attributed to Katy’s hiring of several members from Taylor’s tour staff, an act perceived by Swift as a form of ‘sabotage.’ While Taylor elaborated on this in an interview with Rolling Stone, she refrained from mentioning Perry by name.

For years, fans eagerly anticipated Perry’s response to “Bad Blood,” and the moment arrived in 2017 with the release of “Swish Swish.” Within the song, Perry opines about her adversary being outmoded and irrelevant. The accompanying music video further amplifies references to Swift, echoing elements from the “Bad Blood” video and teasing a “catastrophe” before its launch, a nod to Swift’s character in the aforementioned video. However, fret not, for these two pop icons have since reconciled, with Perry even making an appearance in the music video for “You Need to Calm Down.”

‘Famous’ by Kanye West (2016)

Wrapping up our list is a legendary showdown between two titans of the music industry. To uncover the origins of “Famous,” we must rewind to the very beginning. It all began in 2009, during the MTV Video Music Awards, as Taylor Swift took the stage to accept the award for Best Female Video for her hit “You Belong With Me.” In a moment that etched itself into pop culture history, Kanye West interrupted her acceptance speech.

Swift, a mere 19 years old at the time, found the experience demoralising, believing that the audience’s boos were directed at her. This incident would later take centre stage in her 2020 documentary, Miss Americana, shedding light on its profound impact on her mental well-being.

In the aftermath, Swift’s popularity and sales only soared. In 2016, Kanye West released “Famous,” a track in which he rapped, “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex” and infamously claimed, “I made that b*tch famous.” The latter line alluded to their 2009 VMAs encounter. Notably, the song’s music video featured nude models styled to resemble various celebrities, including Swift.

Just four days later, Swift seemed to allude to this controversy during her acceptance speech at the 58th Grammy Awards, where she clinched the Album of the Year award for “1989”. She voiced her sentiments, remarking, “There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success, or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame.”

In response to these developments, Kim Kardashian released footage seemingly portraying Swift’s approval of the controversial line, although Swift contended that the clip did not tell the entire story. Subsequently, the full video emerged, clarifying that Swift had not consented to the part insinuating that West had propelled her to stardom. Throughout her “Look What You Made Me Do” video and her “Reputation” album, Swift made various references to both West and Kardashian, ensuring this chapter remained an indelible part of her musical journey.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

– What did Taylor Swift give Olivia Rodrigo?

Taylor Swift sent Rodrigo a handwritten note and gifts in March 2021. “She gave me this ring because she said she wore one just like it when she wrote ‘Red’ and she wanted me to have one like it and all of this amazing stuff,” Rodrigo told Sirius XM’s “The Morning Mashup” at the time. ”She, like, hand-wrapped these gifts.”

– What’s the connection between Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo?

Taylor Swift was seemingly becoming a mentor for Olivia Rodrigo, but the duo’s relationship appeared to hit a snag after Rodrigo released her second single, “Deja Vu,” in April 2021. Some listeners pointed out similarities to Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” — a song Olivia Rodrigo admitted she used as inspiration while writing her album.

– Which of Olivia Rodrigo’s songs is about Taylor Swift?

“The Grudge” from Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album “Guts”, is rumoured to be about her feud with Taylor Swift. The lyrics of “The Grudge” start with the words “I have nightmares each week ’bout that Friday in May/ One phone call from you and my entire world was changed” — which have been speculated to be about Rodrigo being required to credit Swift on the song “Deja Vu” from Rodrigo’s debut album “Sour”. Other Olivia Rodrigo songs believed to reference Taylor Swift include “Vampire”.

– How old is Olivia Rodrigo?

Olivia is born on February 20, 2003. She’s 20 years old.

(Main and featured images: Instagram/@TaylorSwift and @OliviaRodrigo)

This article originally appeared on Prestige Online Singapore.

The post Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘The Grudge’ and other songs about Taylor Swift appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

As Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film soars to smash box office records and dominates theatres, another major Taylor Swift wave is upon the fans. On the evening of 18 October 2023, the singer and songwriter dropped two new versions of the hit track “Cruel Summer” — a remix by LP Giobbi and a live version of the song from the concert venue.

“Cruel Summer” is one of the three dozen songs featured in the concert film based on Swift’s mega The Eras Tour.

More about the new ‘Cruel Summer’ drops by Taylor Swift

About the two tracks

Belonging to 2019’s Lover, Swift described “Cruel Summer” as her “pride and joy” before a full-packed Pittsburgh concert in June 2023. It is also one of her most-streamed songs ever with some outstanding numbers.

The “Enchanted” singer took to Instagram to announce the release. She wrote, “What a truly mind blowing thing you’ve turned The Eras Tour Concert Film into. I’ve been watching videos of you guys in the theaters[sic] dancing and prancing and recreating choreography, creating inside jokes, casting spells, getting engaged, and just generally creating the exact type of joyful chaos we’re known for.”

“One of my favorite[sic] things you’ve done was when you supported Cruel Summer SO much, I ended up starting The Eras Tour show with it. For old times sake, I’m releasing the live audio from the tour so we can all shriek it in the comfort of our homes and cars PLUS a brand new remix by @lpgiobbi Thank you, so much, forever, wow, just thank you!!!” she added.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)

“Cruel Summer” is the second song on the album’s tracklist as well as on The Eras Tour setlist. According to Billboard, the song crossed 1 billion streams on Spotify in September, making it the fifth time that Swift achieved the feat.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and upcoming records

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film gives the audience a chance to immerse in the frenzied atmosphere of the global phenomenon that The Eras Tour has been. It was filmed across three Los Angeles shows at the SoFi Stadium and has become the highest-grossing concert film of all time in North America.

According to Variety, the film has collected over USD 92.8 million in North America and USD 123.5 million worldwide on its release weekend.

The “Cruel Summer” remix and live version come prior to the release of her next recorded album 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which drops on 27 October 2023.

Watch “Cruel Summer” live version here:

(Hero and feature Image credit: Taylor Swift/ Instagram)

The post Taylor Swift releases live version of ‘Cruel Summer’ from <i>Eras Tour</i> film and a remix appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

‘Lie,’ ‘Promise,’ ‘Christmas Love,’ ‘Serendipity,’ ‘Like Crazy’ and other best BTS Jimin solo songs you should add to your playlist.

Jimin’s journey as one of the most powerful musicians in South Korea began with BTS’ debut in 2013. From struggling with self-criticism to pursuing self-love through his songs and finally stepping into the solo spotlight with his 2023 debut album FACE, the singer has come a long way. Let’s listen our way through some of the best solo songs by Jimin of BTS.

Born on 13 October 1995 in Busan, South Korea, Park Jimin wanted to pursue dance as a middle schooler. After honing his skills at the Busan High School of Arts, Jimin participated in the Hit It audition in Busan in 2011 and was scouted as a potential trainee by Korean entertainment company Big Hit Entertainment.

As the main dancer and lead vocalist of the K-pop group BTS, Jimin plays an instrumental role in the band’s success. Besides lending his voice to multiple captivating BTS tracks, Jimin has to his credit chart-breaking solo songs like “Lie” (2016), “Serendipity” (2017), “Promise” (2018), “Christmas Love” (2020), “With You” (2022) and “Like Crazy” (2023).

Jimin scored his first solo entry on Billboard Hot 100 by collaborating with Taeyang for the BIGBANG member’s hit 2023 single “VIBE”. Meanwhile, his debut solo album FACE, sold more than 1.02 million copies on the first day of its release on 24 March 2023.

In May 2023, Jimin became the fastest K-pop solo artist to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify in just 393 days. The previous record was held by the singer’s BTS bandmate Jungkook, who reached the milestone in 409 days.

On 18 May 2023, Jimin collaborated with musicians Kodak Black, NLE Choppa, JVKE and Muni Long for “Angel Pt. 1” — the new single from this year’s Fast & Furious sequel Fast X.

The BTS member’s upcoming endeavour includes his new solo documentary Jimin’s Production Diary. The film is slated to release exclusively on South Korean entertainment company HYBE’s exclusive web platform Weverse, on 23 October 2023.

Eight best solo songs by BTS singer Jimin to add to your playlist

Set Me Free Pt.2 (2023)

Produced by Big Hit Music’s in-house producers Pdogg and GHSTLOOP, this Jimin solo song was released on 17 March 2023 as the pre-release lead single from his album FACE.

Loaded with assertive hip-hop beats and distorted vocal effects, “Set Me Free Pt.2” is one of the best Jimin songs to release in 2023. It describes the BTS singer’s refusal to be brought down by haters, while he overcomes his internal battles. Written by GHSTLOOP, Pdogg, Jimin and Supreme Boi, the song also incorporates band-style trumpets, heavy bass drums and synth brass along with featuring Jimin rap singing for the first time.

“Set Me Free Pt.2” debuted at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the highest-charting debut single by a Korean solo artist in the history of the chart. With this, Jimin surpassed the record previously held by BTS bandmate J-Hope, who debuted at number 37 with “On the Street” in February 2023.

Furthermore, Jimin earned his second official entry and the highest peak on US Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist with “Set Me Free Pt. 2”. The song debuted at number 30 on the chart with 6.4 million streams and 63,000 downloads sold (dated 1 April 2023).

Additionally, in multiple Weverse live streams, Jimin has shared that “Set Me Free Pt.2” is a nod to bandmate SUGA’s track “Set Me Free” from his second mixtape, D-2.

Listen to the song here: 

Like Crazy (2023)

Released as the second single from Face on 24 March 2023, this synth-pop track is written by producers Pdogg and GHSTLOOP Jimin, his BTS bandmate RM and songwriters Blvsh, Chris James and Evan.

While the Korean version of “Like Crazy” talks about losing a loved one and holding on to an illusion that they still exist, the English version addresses the burden and fear of losing oneself to the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world.

With the song, Jimin became the first South Korean solo artist to debut atop Billboard Hot 100 since the chart’s inception in 1958. “Like Crazy” also peaked at #9 on the Global K-Pop Chart category on South Korea’s Circle Chart with only two days of tracking.

One of the best BTS Jimin solo songs, “Like Crazy” sold 254,000 downloads and CD singles combined during its opening week, becoming Jimin’s third #1 song on the Digital Song Sales chart. Additionally, “Like Crazy” has now surpassed 560 million streams on Spotify as of 30 September 2023.

An accompanying music video for the song, directed by Oui Kim, was released on 24 March 2023 and opens with a whisper voiceover inspired by the 2011 American romantic drama film Like Crazy.

Listen to the song here:

With You (2022)

Released as a digital single on 24 April 2022 by YamYam Entertainment, “With You” is part of the official soundtrack of the tvN K-drama Our Blues, starring Kim Woo-bin. With vocals by Jimin and Korean boy band Wanna One’s Ha Sung-woon, it is a soft romantic ballad that talks about the protagonists’ desperate attempt to hold on to a broken relationship.

One of the best songs by BTS Jimin, the single debuted at number 15 on South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart (dated 24-30 April 2022) and was the second-most-downloaded song in the first week of its release.

“With You” also earned Jimin and Ha Sung-woon their first solo entries on the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts, at numbers 19 and 14, respectively, on 7 May 2022. 

Additionally, Billboard included “With You” on its list of the “25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022”. 

Listen to the song here:

VIBE (2023)

This peppy number by South Korean singer Taeyang featuring Jimin of BTS was released on 13 January 2023 as the pre-release single from the former’s second EP Down to Earth.

Written by Taeyang and Vince, the R&B-pop track marked Jimin’s first official solo release since BTS’ announcement of a hiatus to allow the group members to pursue individual projects. It was composed by musicians Teddy Park, Kush, Vince, Taeyang, Jimin and 24.

“VIBE” debuted at #76 on Billboard Hot 100, making Jimin the final BTS member to score a solo entry on the chart. It also debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot Trending Songs Daily chart with the highest mentions since the chart reform.

The song has surpassed 170 million streams on Spotify as of 4 October 2023 and is nominated in the Best Music (Spring) category at the 2023 Fact Music Awards.

Listen to the song here:

Filter (2020)

“Filter” by Jimin was introduced as a B-side track on BTS’ 2020 album Map of the Soul: 7.

Speaking about the song in a BTS’ Spotify feature interview, the singer said, “Filters can be the things within a camera application or social media, but it can also mean people’s perspective or prejudice. I took these various meanings and expressed it into the song of how I want to present myself to the world in many different ways”.

In April 2020, “Filter” became the fastest Korean solo song to surpass 40 million streams in Spotify’s history. It achieved this feat in just 65 days after its release.

Additionally, “Filter” has achieved 117 #1’s on iTunes Worldwide, as of 2 May 2022. With this, the Jimin song broke its own record as the highest-charting BTS overall B-Side track in the history of iTunes Worldwide. It has also surpassed 370 million streams on Spotify, as of 5 April 2023. With this, “Filter” by Jimin became the fastest Korean B-side and unpromoted Korean solo song ever to achieve this feat on the music streaming platform.

Listen to the song here:

Promise (2018)

First released on SoundCloud as a present to BTS ARMY, “Promise” was Jimin’s first solo release outside of the band. Composed by the singer himself, along with bandmate RM and the group’s longtime music collaborator Slow Rabbit, the song was made available on all major digital streaming platforms on 23 March 2023. 

“Promise” debuted at #167 on the Spotify Global chart with 1,132,715 streams and has surpassed 55 million streams on the music streaming app, as of 9 October 2023. 

Meanwhile, Jimin broke two Guinness World Records with the song — “Promise” became SoundCloud’s most popular track with over 327 million streams as of January 2023. It also became the most streamed track on SoundCloud in 24 hours. 

The BTS singer has revealed on numerous occasions that he finds loving himself to be harder than loving others. “Promise” describes Jimin’s struggle with self-love.

Listen to the song here:

Serendipity (2017)

One of the most popular Jimin songs, “Serendipity” was originally released on 8 September 2017 as an introductory track for the BTS EP Love Yourself: Her. The full-length edition of the song was released on 24 August 2018 in the K-pop group’s third compilation album Love Yourself: Answer.

While the intro version of the song sold 114,128 digital copies in South Korea, the full-length version peaked at number 29 for digital sales in the United States, selling more than 10,000 copies.

Furthermore, the full-length version of this Jimin song has surpassed 257 million streams on Spotify, as of 1 October 2023.

Written by composers Bang Si-hyuk, Ashton Foster, Ray Michael Djan Jr., RM and Slow Rabbit, “Serendipity” first started as a deep and meaningful paragraph. The delicate electronic-tinged R&B track has gender-neutral lyrics that talk of one’s dreams, love, identity and purpose in life.

The K-pop boyband’s member RM had further revealed in a Vlive broadcast that Jimin’s goal with “Serendipity” was to “push himself as a vocalist”.

Listen to the song here:

Lie (2016)

One of the best solo songs by Jimin, “Lie” revolves around the concept of Hermann Hesse’s 1919 novel Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair’s Youth, a coming-of-age story that follows the journey of a young boy to self-realization.

“Lie” was released on 10 October 2016 as the fourth track for their second studio album Wings and the repackaged album You Never Walk Alone. The song begins with sharp violins, a deep rumbling counter bass and minor key strings.

On 17 February 2023, the song surpassed 46 million combined streams on Melon and became one of the most streamed solo songs from Wings and You Never Walk Alone. “Lie” has surpassed 224 million streams on Spotify, as of 26 September 2023.

In the 2016 WINGS Behind story, RM explained that Jimin used to blame himself for all his failures and shortcomings. “Lie” was Jimin’s first step to self-contemplation.

Listen to the song here:

(Hero and Featured images: Courtesy Weverse) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Does Jimin have his own songs?

Yes. Jimin made his solo debut on 24 March 2023 with the album FACE.

– Is Jimin in a relationship?

No, Jimin is single, as of October 2023.

– What is Jimin’s real name?

Jimin’s real name is Park Jimin.

The post BTS Jimin songs to add to your playlist right now appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Adonis Graham, the six-year-old son of Drake and artist Sophie Brussaux, has debuted his song “My Man Freestyle.”

Drake shared a clip of the song along with its music video on Instagram on 15 October.

“Happy birthday my son…MY MAN FREESTYLE OUT NOW,” wrote the Canadian singer and rapper. Adonis had his sixth birthday celebration on 11 October.

More about “My Man Freestyle” music video

Adonis is credited as a writer with producer Lil Esso on “My Man Freestyle.”

The video of the song shows Adonis and his friends playing basketball on an indoor court as he raps, “Don’t talk to my man like that/I like it when you like it/My, my, my, my man/My, my, my, my man.”

In the video, Adonis is seen sharing a ‘strategy’ with his basketball team – a group of other youngsters close to his age – on a whiteboard.

“I was waiting for this moment to arrive/ I was driving in the car and I smash my car/ I was playing in on my iPad and I broke my iPad/ I’m going to my house, seeing my dad/ I am saying hi to my dad and I have to go change/ I’m playing basketball,” goes the lyrics.

He is seen sharing a ‘pep talk’ with the cover of Drake’s album All the Dogs on a board in the background. The cover features a white dog with red eyes. Drake revealed in August 2023 that it was drawn by Adonis.

Drake makes a cameo appearance towards the end of the “My Man Freestyle” music video, which raked in more than 126k views in just four hours since it went live on YouTube.

Adonis in “8AM in Charlotte”

Before “My Man Freestyle,” Adonis was seen in a cameo in his dad’s “8AM in Charlotte” music video.

The song includes a father-son conversation about Adonis’ artwork.

“So the goat was running away from the other monsters. And the other animals,” explained Adonis.

Drake asks his son: “Daddy’s name is next to the goat. Does that mean that Daddy’s the goat?”

“Yes. So it’s Daddy Goat,” Adonis replied.

When Drake asks how much he earned for the art, Adonis lets out a cute laugh adding “Oh please.”

(Hero and Featured images: Screenshot/Drake/@DrakeOfficial/YouTube)

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It’s officially Drake season again. After dropping “Slime You Out” featuring SZA, and the music video for “8AM In Charlotte” starring his son Adonis, Drake now reveals the release date for his heavily anticipated album, For All the Dogs.

There’s a total of 23 songs on the album beginning with “Virginia Beach” and ending with “Polar Opposites.” The artist behind the album artwork is none other than Adonis. As explained in the “8AM In Charlotte” music video, the illustration is of a goat referring to Drake.

“Daddy’s name is next to the goat, does that mean daddy’s the goat,” asks Drake.

“Yes,” Adonis replies.

“So it’s Daddy Goat. That makes perfect sense to me,” Drake responds.

 

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Leaving little time for fans to react, the album release date is set for October 6 at 6 a.m. EST. The artist apologises for switching away from the usual midnight drop in advance, writing “Sorry to all my streamers.”

Drake maintains some mystique for the release itself, with no features mentioned on the tracklist. An unexpected addition to the credits, however, is Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant who’s listed as A&R. If the recent singles are any indication of how the upcoming album will turn out, we’re in for a treat as Drake carries on the momentum from Her Loss.

 

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For All the Dogs will be uploaded on major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music on October 6 at 6 a.m. EST.

Images via Cole Burston/Getty Images

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Ever wondered what the frontman of Getsunova loves to listen to? Here is Name-Prakarn Raiva & his 5 all-time favourite artists. 

Prakarn Raiva, aka Name, is the frontman for Getsunova, which is composed of three other members: Natee Osathanugrah, Panoth Khunprasert and Komkadech Sangwattanaroj. Although they were under GMM Grammy, the boys started with a rocky beginning as they were initially an indie group. After receiving much criticism, especially with them coming from a high society background, the members worked really hard to prove that they were more than just their name. With many trials and errors, Getsunova has gained much recognition in the Thai music industry, especially after their first song, “Glai Kae Nai Kue Glai,” released in 2012. 

Besides being in the music industry, Name is also the heir to S&P restaurant and a father of two. With his busy schedule, Name loves a great timepiece to keep him on track. One of his favourites is from the LONGINES’ Master Collection, which is timelessly elegant and can never go out of style. Now despite his hectic life, Name told us one of his top stress-relief secrets: listening to music. (Besides seeing his children’s faces, of course). 

Name-Prakarn Raiva & his 5 all-time favourite artists

wave to earth

The first band Name thought of was wave to earth, a three-member Korean indie band under Wavy. The group comprises Daniel Kim, the guitarist and songwriter, drummer Dongkyu Shin, and John Cha, the bassist. Despite being a Korean band, most of their music is in English, which has helped them gain a broader fan base beyond Korea. However, what makes them stand out is their unique beats, making them different from other Korean bands. Their music’s smooth, low-fi sounds have a calming effect, bringing back pleasant memories. “They are not a boy band, but a Korean indie rock pop band. Their music is really cool, and anyone can enjoy listening to them, regardless of gender or age.”

SURL

The second band that the lead vocalist of Getsunova adores is also from Korea. “I have another Korean band favourite, but this time it’s in the style of indie-rock. The band is called SURL. But to be honest, there are many amazing Korean bands.” Active since 2018, SURL consists of four high school friends: Hoseung, Doyeon, Hanbin, and Myeongsuk. And although they are relatively new, their music is top-tier. Besides the beautiful vocals and instruments, their songs are relatable, making SURL a fantastic band. Check out some of their top tunes like “Snow,” “Dry Flower,” and “The Lights Behind You.”

Queens of the Stone Age

For his third all-time favourite, Name chose an American band. “Queen of the Stone Age has been here for so long. I love to listen to them since I was a kid.” Queen of the Stone Age, formed in 1996, is an American rock band from Seattle. Although the band has changed multiple partners, one constant member was the founder, vocalist, and guitarist John Hommes. Some of their famous hits include, ‘No One Knows,’ ‘Go with the Flow,’ and ‘Little Sister.’

The Horrors

As rock music seems to be a trend for Name, his fourth all-time favourite band is more on the trippier side. “The Horrors is quite trippy. (Haha). They have some shoegaze elements, which makes their tracks amazing.” Formed in 2006 in Essex, The Horrors is a psychedelic, garage-rock, and pop-punk band with Faris Badwan as the lead vocalist. The other members include Joshua Hayward, Tom Cowan, Rhys Webb, and Joseph Spurgeon. If you’ve never listened to their music, it gives off a trance vibe that can be somewhat chilling. Some of their masterpieces include “Still Life,” “Something To Remember Me By,” and “Sea Within A Sea.”

Harry Styles

“Let’s do a solo artist for my last all-time favourite. It has to go to the one and only Harry Styles. From the lyrics to the product, his music is fantastic.” Although Harry is known for being a part of the English boy band One Direction, he has paved his way into the music world as a solo artist. And we love that for him. Although his music is easy to digest, it is still complex, which is one of the reasons why he won three Grammy awards. Plus, he’s a total fashion icon. His famous songs include “Sign of the Time,” “As It Was,” and “Kiwi.”

The post Name-Prakarn Raiva & his 5 all-time favourite artists appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The best part of December was just announced: Daniel Caesar is coming to Bangkok as part of his world tour.

Daniel Caesar is coming to Bangkok this December 2023

Canadian singer-songwriter and chess enthusiast Daniel Caesar has confirmed through his social media that he will be coming to Bangkok as part of the Asia leg of his world tour. The Asia leg is the third leg of the “Superpowers World Tour,” following his previous shows in North America in October.

After Caesar released his debut studio album Freudian, he became an instant hit on a global scale. His song Best Part with R&B singer H.E.R won the “Best R&B Performance” award at the Grammys in 2019, while the album was nominated for the “Best R&B Album” in the year prior.

This will be Daniel Caesar’s second time in Bangkok, after his live performance in 2019. It will be held on 9 December, 2023 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.

Tickets start from THB 1,500 onwards, with pre-sale starting on 29 October, and general sale starting on 30 October—both from 10am onwards.

Although there is no confirmed set list, we can expect him to bring some of the most popular entries from his discography, including Best Part, Get You, and We Find Love. We think he will also be showcasing his newer entries. After all, he just released his third studio album in April, 2023.

You can find more information at Live Nation Tero.

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South Korean vocalist Jungkook will be performing at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) 2023, where he is expected to tease his fans with some of the tracks from his upcoming album GOLDEN.

MTV confirmed the participation of the BTS member on 7 October as part of the performer’s line-up. He is, thus, the third K-pop artist and second K-pop soloist to perform at MTV EMAs after PSY in 2012 and NCT 127 in 2019.

Jungkook has also received multiple nominations for the awards, alongside other world famous artists. This is the first time that he has been nominated for an MTV award as a solo artist.

Jungkook nominated for three awards at 2023 MTV EMAs

Jungkook has been nominated in three categories at the 2023 MTV EMAs. He is competing with Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Taylor Swift, and Rema and Selena Gomez in the Best Song category for his single “Seven” featuring Latto.

He is also nominated in Best K-pop and Biggest Fans categories, the latter of which also has all-girl group Blackpink in the running.

In the Best K-pop category, Jungkook is the only individual act competing against five nominated groups: Fifty Fifty, NewJeans, Seventeen, Stray Kids and Tomorrow X Together.

Debut album performance expected

Jungkook is set to release his debut full-length solo album GOLDEN on 3 November. It is the first solo album of his career. Since the album hits a couple of days before the 2023 MTV EMAs, fans hope to see the BTS idol perform a series of tracks from GOLDEN.

Jungkook has previously released solo, collaboration singles and special tracks such as “Euphoria,” “Left and Right,” Dreamers,” and “Stay Alive,” among others.

His debut solo album will have 11 tracks, including “Seven” and “3D,”  the latter of which features Jack Harlow.

Other nominees at 2023 MTV EMAs

The nominations for the 2023 MTV EMAs were announced on 4 October. There are 26 first-time nominees, including Central Cee, FLO, Ice Spice and PinkPantheress, and an entirely new category called Best Afrobeats.

Taylor Swift leads the nominees with seven nods, including in Best Artist, Best Song and Best Video categories.

Olivia Rodrigo and SZA are behind Swift with six nods each. Doja Cat, Måneskin, Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj follow with four nominations each.

The awards show will be held on 5 November at Paris Nord Villepinte. The 2023 MTV EMAs, therefore, marks a return to the City of Light for the first time since 1995.

(Hero and Featured images: Courtesy of BTS_official/@bts_bighit/Twitter)

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Workin’ 9 to 5—what a way to make a livin’. We were inspired by Victoria Beckham baring her soul to us on Beckham, so here’s a playlist for your commute to school or work (in a Rolls-Royce or not, up to you), inspired by the insanely relatable superstar.

In David Beckham’s documentary just released on Netflix, we get a glimpse of what’s it like to be in the household of one of the most well-known celebrity families in the world. After all, David has crossed the threshold to being a household name to fans even outside of the sports circle. Oh, and he happens to be married to Victoria Beckham, too.

[Hero and featured image credit: victoriabeckham/Instagram]

We made Victoria Beckham a working class-inspired playlist for her Rolls-Royce

In the documentary, Victoria claims that she was raised “very working class,” to which David immediately stuck his head through the door, and asked a very fair question. What car did her father take her to school in when she was little? Just probing into the normal childhood of a fashion designer, owner of a makeup line, singer, television personality, and former member of one of the most successful girl groups in the world ever.

Her answer — first “it depends,” and later “a Rolls-Royce,” — has sparked massive meme-age online, and netizens are having much fun poking fun at this very not-working-class interaction.

Hahahaha David Beckham wasn’t having Victoria as coming from a working class family. pic.twitter.com/sVBM7IxK6T

— AFC GLEN (@AFC_GLEN) October 4, 2023

Anyways, we love that for them. We could totally imagine the scene. We could hear the music. Thereby, we quickly put our working class heads together and created the kind of playlist the Beckhams could get to work with on their daily commute.

As they say girls just wanna have fun, enjoy this very work-y playlist as you sit back and relax in your dad’s 80s Rolls-Royce.

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BTS member Jungkook is set to release his debut full-length solo album, GOLDEN, on 3 November 2023 at 1 pm KST.

Jungkook, who is 26 years old, is the sixth member of the septet to go solo since the group’s mandatory military service announcement. GOLDEN, however, also marks the first solo album of his career.

He has previously released solo singles such as “Euphoria” and “My Time,” apart from collaboration singles such as “Who” with Lauv and “Left and Right” with Charlie Puth.

All about Jungkook’s debut album GOLDEN

In an announcement Big Hit Music said that the album is “inspired by the golden moments of Jungkook, the golden maknae [youngest member] of BTS and a solo artist.”

The label added that Jungkook will be “delivering special stage performances and making various appearances alongside the release of ‘GOLDEN.’”

Songs that are part of GOLDEN by Jungkook

Big Hit Music said that GOLDEN will feature 11 tracks, including Jungkook’s recently released digital singles “Seven” (featuring Latto) and “3D” (featuring Jack Harlow).

“Seven” was released on 14 July. Its music video also stars K-drama actor Han So-hee alongside American rapper and singer Latto. The single hit No.1 on Billboard Hot 100, making Jungkook the second BTS member after Jimin to debut a single at No.1. It was also the first No.1 song for Latto.

The single peaked at No.3 on Official U.K. Singles Chart, handing Jungkook the record for the highest-charting debut by a solo Korean act.

“3D,” on the other hand, was released on 29 September and is described as a pop R&B track with acoustics reminiscent of the mid-2000s.

A day before the announcement of his solo album, Jungkook earned the remarkable feat of replacing himself at No.1 on Spotify’s daily global chart when “3D” dethroned “Seven” to take the top spot.

What else has Jungkook released as a solo artist?

Among Jungkook’s other solo tracks outside of BTS are “Dreamers,” a song that was part of the official soundtrack of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, and “Stay Alive,” a theme song for fantasy webtoon 7Fates: Chakho.

He has also dropped two free songs for German music streaming service SoundCloud — “Still With You” (2020) and “My You” (2022).

Which BTS members have gone solo?

BTS has been on a break since mid-2022 due to the mandatory military service requirements of the members.

During this period, J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jimin and Suga released their solo singles or albums before Jungkook.

V followed Jungkook’s “Seven” release with his own solo single “Love Me Again” on 10 August. It was followed by the songs “Rainy Days” and “Slow Dancing,” all three of which were part of V’s debut solo album Layover, which was released on 8 September.

BTS is set to reconvene as a group in 2025.

(Hero and Featured images: Courtesy of BTS_official/@bts_bighit/Twitter)

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The worlds of K-pop and e-sports are colliding once again, as NewJeans will be performing a new anthem for League of Legends, the toxic cesspool we love and adore.

Riot Games, the visionary game developer behind the beloved League of Legends, has just unveiled the sensational K-pop girl group NewJeans as its choice for performing the 2023 League of Legends World Championship anthem.

Titled ‘Gods’, the anthem is slated for release on October 4th at 6 AM BST (equivalent to 10:30 AM IST). But that’s not all! Riot Games also has a cool surprise in store for fans. Alongside the single’s release, fans will be treated to a visually captivating animated music video, promising to amplify the magic of the music. 

So, in case you’re a fan of NewJeans or League of Legends or both, Here’s everything you need to know about this harmonious collision.

NewJeans x ‘League of Legends’: More about the new world championship anthem

With ‘Gods’, NewJeans, the K-pop girl group renowned for their enchanting melodies, steps boldly into the gaming arena. Their description of the single, which describes it as “a new experience for all of us”, is igniting further curiosity among fans about the fusion of K-pop’s charm with the mystique of League of Legends.

The group shared their enthusiasm in a press statement, saying;

“It was fun to try a new genre and sound. Through this collaboration, we are happy to present a song that incorporates both NewJeans’ and League of Legends’ unique colours. We hope it brings you a new sense of empowerment!”

More about K-pop girl group NewJeans’s collaboration with esports excellence

‘Gods’ has been meticulously crafted to coincide with the eagerly awaited League of Legends World Championship, a marquee esports event to be hosted in South Korea. It’s the perfect stage for the anthem’s debut, as the world’s finest esports athletes prepare to showcase their skills at the highest level of competition.

NewJeans x ‘League of Legends’: What awaits fans in ‘Gods’?

 

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Riot Games reveals that the upcoming League of Legends World Championship anthem’s music video will take viewers on a journey into the life of Korean pro player Kim ‘Deft’ Hyuk-kyu, narrating his remarkable ascent from high school obscurity to ultimate victory at the 2022 World Championship.

While the precise genre of the song remains a mystery, NewJeans hints at a departure from their traditional mid-tempo K-pop style.

Meet the creators of ‘Gods’

Behind the scenes, ‘Gods’ is a harmonious blend of different talents.

It is skillfully composed by Riot Games’ principal composer Sebastien Najand in collaboration with Mako’s Alex Seaver, renowned for his previous work on another League of Legends anthem with Pusha T.

Riot Games’ history of K-pop collaborations

Riot Games boasts a rich history of successful collaborations with K-pop artists. 

This includes Jackson Wang of K-pop group GOT7 who graced the League of Legends World Championships stage in North America last year, alongside Lil Nas X. Notably, Imagine Dragons and Against The Current have also enthralled fans at Riot Games’ championships. 

Furthermore, Riot Games ventured into creating their own virtual K-pop sensation, K/DA, in 2018, coinciding with the last time the League of Legends World Championship was held in Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Is NewJeans a real K-pop group?
Yes, NewJeans is a real K-pop group.

– What is NewJeans’ K-pop concept?
NewJeans’ K-pop concept is a blend of enchanting melodies and a unique, empowering style.

– Which K-pop group is from India?
Currently, there are no K-pop groups originating from India.

– Why is NewJeans so popular?
Apart from its captivating music, NewJeans is popular for its luxury brand partnerships and girl-next-door relatability.

– How successful is the K-pop group NewJeans?
NewJeans is considered to be highly successful, with a growing fan base, an astounding social media presence and exciting collaborations.

(Header and feature image courtesy: Instagram/New Jeans)

This article originally appeared on Augustman India.

The post NewJeans to perform ‘League Of Legends’ World Championship anthem appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Troye Sivan’s ‘Got Me Started’ was released, and everybody loved it. Let’s take a look at the drag performers starring in the music video. You can call them by their names, but you can also call them “mother.”

Troye Sivan graced the world with ‘Got Me Started’, which was filmed in the city of Bangkok. It features a few places you may be familiar with, including Yaowarat road, and the Silom-Chong Nonsi intersection.

What people also adore, is how Troye has been exclaiming his queerness unapologetically through his videos, which in turn uplifts other queer performers and lets the world see their talents shine. This is also the case for Bangkok, where the nightlife never stops—you just don’t inform the police after 2am. Here, we celebrate those queer drag performers that have appeared in Troye’s newest music video.

And if you do visit them, don’t forget to tip the dolls.

[Hero image credit: Troye Sivan/Youtube]

Who are the drag queens in Troye Sivan’s ‘Got Me Started’ music video?

Angele Anang

Current reigning queen of Drag Race Thailand, winner of Drag Race Thailand season two. Angele Anang can be found as a resident performer at Bipolar Silom, Silver Sand, and occasionally at House of Heals.

Gigi Ferocious

Gigi Ferocious is a phenomenal performer. Death drop, splits, kicks—she’s got it all. You may have seen her performing at the now-defunct Sunday Gay Nights at Maggie Choo’s. These days, she can be seen at Silom soi 4’s The Stranger Bar as well as The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon‘s drag parties.

Annee Maywong

First runner up of Drag Race Thailand season one, Annee Maywong serves looks for days and legs for weeks. Apart from being a drag performer, she is also one of the coaches you can find at Muse by Metinee, a school specialising in the modeling and the entertainment industry.

Miss Gimhuay

From Drag Race Thailand season two, and the fourth runner up of Miss ACDC 2019, Miss Gimhuay is no stranger to the stage and strobe lights. She can be found at House of Heals, as well as drag parties across Bangkok.

Gawdland

Last but definitely not least, Gawdland is a frequent performer in the Silom area. One thing is for certain: her mug is always beat. You can find her lipsyncing the house down boots at Bipolar and Silver Sand.

The post Who are the Thai drag queens in Troye Sivan’s ‘Got Me Started’ music video? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Jennie, Jisoo, and Lisa are in a “last-minute” discussion with YG Entertainment to continue as members of BLACKPINK even though they may be moving to different agencies, a local Korean media reported on 21 September.

The report by Sports Seoul indicates that the three members are not renewing their contract with YG Entertainment following months of speculation over an extension.

The report added that Rosé is the only member who has agreed to remain with the label which launched BLACKPINK in 2016 and has since been managing the group.

According to Koreaboo, YG Entertainment reacted to the report saying in a statement that the members are still negotiating.

More about BLACKPINK and YG Entertainment deal

Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa may continue as members

The report said that there is a possibility that BLACKPINK may continue to perform as a group for a while even if the three members change their respective agencies.

It said that YG Entertainment is trying to work out an agreement with Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa to promote their acclaimed all-girl K-pop quartet for six months out of the year.

If a deal of this nature goes through it would be similar to that of SM Entertainment’s hybrid contract with Super Junior’s Eunhyuk, Donghae and Kyuhyun.

The three K-pop idols continue to remain members of the all-boys group, despite leaving SM Entertainment in August 2023.

While Kyuhyun joined the label Antenna in early August, Donghae and Kyuhyun co-founded their own label ODE Entertainment on 1 September. Won Yong Sun, who was Super Junior’s longtime manager, also joined ODE.

Future of Jisoo and Lisa of BLACKPINK

The Sports Seoul report notes that Jisoo and Lisa are particularly more popular among foreign investors. It says that Jisoo has a tremendous potential as an actress while Lisa enjoys immense popularity in the Southeast Asian market especially her home country of Thailand.

Entertainment

A few ideas for Lisa BLACKPINK, if she leaves YG Entertainment

With regard to prospects outside of YG Entertainment, speculation in the media is that Lisa may sign a new contract with a US label which is believed to have offered her more than YG Entertainment’s offer of KRW 50 billion (USD 37.6 million) which she rejected a week ago.

But Sports Seoul underlined that Jisoo and Lisa have signed with domestic agencies instead of foreign labels.

Shares of YG Entertainment hit

Meanwhile, uncertainty around BLACKPINK has taken a major toll on the stocks of YG Entertainment.

Soon after the report by Sports Seoul, shares of the label fell 13.28 per cent. According to CNBC, the stocks closed at KRW 69,200 (USD 51.68) per share. It is the lowest level for YG Entertainment stocks in almost five months.

YG Entertainment had also witnessed a plunge in stocks by 9 per cent on 15 September when Lisa rejected its KRW 50 billion offer. It was the largest single-day drop for the label since 28 September 2022.

(Hero and Featured images: BLACKPINKOFFICIAL/@BLACKPINK/Twitter)

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After Joji revealed that he would be joining the Clockenflap 2023 lineup last month as part of his Pandemonium world tour, we now get the first lineup drop from the festival organizers.

The musician will also be dropping by Singapore as headlining act for ZoukOut 2023.

Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival is one of Hong Kong’s most highly-anticipated outdoor events. Every year, the international music festival brings in over 100 musical acts across a vast range of different genres. The festival returned with a bang last year with a monster lineup featuring the likes of Artic Monkeys, Wu-Tang Clan, The Cardigans, Phoenix, and FKJ. Organizers also make sure to leave room for both established and rising local acts to shine.

Building off the momentum, this year’s annual showcase will run from December 1 to 3 with J-pop superduo Yoasobi and British pop legends PULP headlining on Friday and Saturday respectively. Joji is set to deliver his heartbreak anthems on Sunday to close out the show.

Other highlights announced so far include standout Taiwanese indie band No Party for Caodong, breakout “Romantic Homicide” singer d4vd, U.K. post-punk rock band IDLES, Canadian rapper bbno$, and Chinese singer/rapper Lexie Liu.

Tickets for Clockenflap 2023, taking place on Central Harbourfront, are now available online, but stay tuned for more artists to be announced in lineup the coming months.

 

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A post shared by Clockenflap (@clockenflap)

[Image Credit: Clockenflap]

The post Clockenflap unveils its lineup for December 2023 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Troye Sivan just teased a new music video, and it’s all filmed in the city of Bangkok.

Troye Sivan’s “Got Me Started” music video is set in in Bangkok

“Got Me Started” will be released on 20 September, 2023. Teased on Instagram by Troye Sivan himself, the music video will feature Bangkok as the setting, and according to the Australian star, it’s one “for the Blue Neighbourhood girlies.” ‘Blue Neighbourhood’ was the name of Troye Sivan’s debut album back in 2015, and it’s been a hit amongst pop girls and boys alike. “Got Me Started” will surely be another iconic hit to his discography.

[Hero and featured image credit: troyesivan/Instagram]

The teaser feels like the team watched In The Mood For Love for this first time and decided to head Yaowarat, which is honestly something the people of Bangkok can relate to. We also spot a possible homage to Happy Together (1997). Wong Kar Wai girlies rise up, this is your moment.

Beyond this, there are shots of the Bangkok cityscape at night time, and even an honorary shot of the all-famous Bangkok traffic. There’s also a scene with Troye in the nude, two men slow-dancing, various shots of gold fish, and a dancer on a rooftop in Sathorn. It’s hard to make out what the storyline will be just yet, but the backdrop is already very familiar.

In the BTS that Troye posted earlier this week, we also spot him hanging out with PP Krit, so we hope for a possible collaboration. Other places he features include a handful of local dining spots, as well as a few places popular with visiting tourists, such as the top of the Mahanakhon building.

Public reception has been extremely positive, with fans eagerly awaiting his new music video. “Blue neighbourhood girlies how are we feeling bc im shaking in my boots,” says one comment. Meanwhile, “I’m gonna cry my heart out with this one,” says another. The iconic Sabrina Carpenter also commented “you’re everything.”

“Got Me Started” will be officially released on 20 September, 2023. Stay tuned for more glimpses of Bangkok city.

The post Troye Sivan’s new music video is set in Bangkok appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

In the latest line-up announcement for VERY Festival 2023 this 25-26 November, Bangkok is blessed with the arrival of several global artists, including the “I Don’t Wanna Be Okay Without You” singer, Charlie Burg.

The American artist will be making rounds in Asia for the first time in his tour ‘Charlie Burg and the Blue Wave Band.’ It starts in Jakarta, before continuing to Manila, Tokyo, Bangkok, and finishing off in Singapore throughout November.

did u getcha tickets ? https://t.co/FeFIbbOSIZ pic.twitter.com/Qbf0bSytek

— blue wave boi (@charlie_burg) September 11, 2023

As for Bangkok, Charlie Burg is one of the headliners of VERY Festival 2023 performing on 26 November, alongside Joji, Bloc Party, Last Dinosaurs, H3F, and more to be announced.

Some of his much loved songs are “I Don’t Wanna Be Okay Without You,” “Lancaster Nights,” and “Intentions.”

VERY Festival 2023 will take place at QSNCC on 25-26 November, 2023. Tickets start at THB 2,900.

book here

The post Charlie Burg is coming to Bangkok this November 2023 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

On 8 September 2023, V of BTS dropped his much-awaited debut solo album Layover with a music video of “Slow Dancing” — one of its tracks.

Layover is essentially an extended play (EP). It has six songs, two of which, the first cut “Love Me Again” and “Rainy Days,” were released in the run-up to the launch of the album in August. The other tracks in the album are “Blue,” “For Us” and a bonus track piano version of “Slow Dancing.”

V’s debut album was announced by BTS’ music label Big Hit Entertainment on 7 August, with the record title and names of all the six tracks including the bonus.

V, whose real name is Kim Taehyung, has previously released solo tracks “Stigma,” “Singularity,” “Winter Bear,” “Inner Child,” “Christmas Tree,” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”

As reported earlier, V worked with Min Hee-jin, the chief producer and CEO of HYBE subsidiary ADOR which manages the all-girl K-pop group NewJeans, for his first solo album.

More about “Slow Dancing” and other tracks

Music video has a laid back feel

Big Hit has described “Slow Dancing” as a “’70s romantic soul style track” that is the “focus track” of Layover.

In tune with the relaxing rhythm of the song, the music video plays along with a vacation vibe.

It shows V in a car with a bunch of friends travelling through mountainous roads to a beach. They are seen chilling on a sailing yacht and simply enjoying the moments.

In one scene of “Slow Dancing” music video, V of BTS is seen swimming in the shimmering blue waters of the sea while admiringly looking at the sky. The video ends with V on the terrace of a building with what looks like his pet Yeontan.

Not surprisingly, the music video gained instant praise from both critics and fans alike. In just three hours of its release, the music video clocked over 2.4 million views and was trending at No.23 for music on YouTube.

Big Hit say Layover tracks to be played in specific order

Announcing Layover in August, Big Hit recommended that the tracks of the first album of BTS’ V be played in a specific order.

“To appreciate the album’s flow, we recommend listening to it in sequence from start to finish,” said the entertainment agency.

As such, the order of listening would start with “Rainy Days” followed by “Blue,” “Love Me Again,” “Slow Dancing,” and ending with “For Us.”

Commenting on the piano version of “Slow Dancing,” Big Hit said that it “offers a different allure from the original as a bonus track.”

(Hero image: BIGHIT MUSIC/@BIGHIT_MUSIC/Twitter; Featured image: BTS_official/@bts_bighit/Twitter)

The post V of BTS drops debut album <i>Layover</i> and music video of ‘Slow Dancing’  appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

It’s official, girls and gays. Singer and songwriting-contibutor Bebe Rexha will be making her way to Bangkok this November. Consider yourselves booked.

It’s hard to pinpoint the rise to fame of the icon that is Bebe Rexha. She sang the chorus for Hey Mama in 2015 with the beats provided by David Guetta and almost the entirety of the vocals by Nicki Minaj, and also contributed to a number of artists in the industry, including Eminem, Shinee, and Selena Gomez.

Perhaps it was her hit single with Florida Georgia Line I’m a Mess that landed her two nominations for the 61st Grammy Awards. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, Bebe then released the self-titled album “Bebe” in 2023 that contains the song I’m Good (Blue) in collaboration with David Guetta, disappointing anyone at the gym expecting to hear the song I’m Blue (Da Ba Dee) when they hear the intro.

[Hero and featured image credit: beberexha/Instagram]

Bebe Rexha is coming to Bangkok as part of her Asia tour

As a treat to all her fans, Bebe Rexha is coming to Bangkok as part of the “Best F*n Night of My Life” tour, stopping in South Korea, the Philippines, and Japan, before making her way to Moonstar Studio, Ladprao, Bangkok, on 3 November, 2023.

While no set list has been announced yet, she is speculated to feature her latest single and collaboration with David Guetta One in a Million, as well as some love and spotlight for her third studio album Bebe.

The general admission standing ticket will be on sale very soon, priced at THB 2,600. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian or parent.

You can find more information, as well as ticket sales on TicketMelon.

The post Bebe Rexha is coming to Bangkok as part of her Asia tour appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Korean indie rock band SURL returns to Bangkok after their first visit in 2018, and garnering a number of loyal followers since. We sat down with them for an exclusive interview.

When people think of Korean music, it’s normal for them to immediately shift their minds to K-pop, but aspiring artists performing with other genres are slowly but surely breaking into international fame. Meet SURL, a Korean indie rock band consisting of four members: Hoseung, Doyeon, Hanbin, and Myeongsuk. They debuted in 2018, and later won the grand prize at the Shinhan Card Rookie Project that same year.

Before their concert in Bangkok this October, let’s take a deep dive into what makes them as charismatic as they are, and the inspiration behind their sound. Here’s our in-depth interview with SURL.

[Hero and featured image credit: SURL/Facebook]

SURL interview: Inspiration, Korea’s music scene, and Thai fandoms

Why did you name yourselves “SURL”?

We named ourselves SURL because we want to tell our stories. Actually, in Kanji, SURL translates to the word ‘story.’ We had other names as options, such as ‘Feelings’ or ‘Stories,’ but SURL stuck with us more.

What are your inspirations when it comes to making music?

There’s a lot of artists that we know, but our music comes from stories about other people or about ourselves. There’s a lot of stories we have that spark our inspiration.

Can you tell us about the indie/rock scene in Korea?

It’s growing in popularity. There are some bands popping up here and there. Sure, our K-pop bands are known worldwide, but K-rock and K-indie bands are coming up too, and they’re definitely more popular than they were yesterday.

In your opinion, how has your music evolved since your debut?

In 2018, we wrote the songs as ‘pure things,’ but as time went on, we study from each other and try new things, including becoming more structured when we write our songs. Our music, compared to 2018, became more experimental as time went on.

What would be the first song you’d recommend to a new fan?

Snow or Dry Flower, because those two are the most popular songs we have. They’re also easy to listen and get into.

Who are the artists you would like to collaborate with?

Probably the Thai band Yonlapa. Their songs are very adorable, and I think a collaboration would be nice between us.

What are your favourite places you have visited in Thailand?

Thonglor, Khaosan Road, and Khao Yai.

Any messages for your Thai fans?

To our Thai fans, we are preparing something exciting in our shows. We will be playing new songs we never played before. Our fans can expect new music, the fun, the energy you know from us. We love you—come see us play!

You can find more information at SURL.

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The highly anticipated K-pop extravaganza HallyuPopFest Singapore 2023 is set to return to Lion City on 12 November. Expect Taeyang of BIGBANG and four other top names at the event.

Taeyang of BIGBANG and four other top names are set to perform at the HallyuPopFest Singapore 2023, the highly anticipated K-pop extravaganza which returns to the Lion City on 12 November.

HallyuPopFest made its debut in Singapore in 2018 and, outside of South Korea and Japan, has become the largest gathering of K-pop artistes within Asia. In 2022, HallyuPopFest went global with events in cities such as London and Sydney.

Over the years, the music extravaganza has been graced by the likes of renowned K-pop acts such as EXO’s Kai and Chen, Super Junior, NCT127, MONSTA X, Everglow, Chungha, and (G)I-DLE, among others.

More about HallyuPopFest Singapore 2023

Taeyang expected to perform “Shoong!” and “VIBE”

Taeyang made his debut as a member of BIGBANG in 2006. Apart from his discography with the K-pop group, the 35-year-old singer, particularly renowned for his vocals, has released three solo studio albums — Solar (2010), Rise (2014) and White Night (2017).

The one-night music event will mark his first performance in Singapore in more than five years. He is expected to perform on his latest hits “Shoong!” and “VIBE,” among others.

Both songs are from Taeyang’s second Down to Earth. Taeyang collaborated with Jimin of BTS on “Vibe,” which peaked at No.1 on iTunes in 60 regions worldwide within the first hour of release.

“Shoong!,” on the other hand, is Taeyang’s collaboration with Lisa of BLACKPINK. The song debuted at No.1 on Worldwide iTunes Song Charts and topped in 40 countries.

A line-up boasting of outstanding K-pop acts

Other than Taeyang, the event will see four top names from the world of K-pop entertaining attendees in Singapore. They are SF9, Kwon Eunbi, Kep1er and DKZ.

Kwon Eunbi is a former member of the non-disbanded all-girl group IZ*ONE. Both SF9 and DKZ are all-boys groups, who made their debuts in 2016 and 2019, respectively.

Kep1er is an all-girl group who made their debut in 2022 and will be performing in Singapore for the first time.

HallyuPopFest Singapore 2023: Venue and tickets

The HallyuPopFest Singapore 2023 will be held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Tickets for HallyuPopFest Singapore 2023 will go on sale starting 31 August at 10 am. They can be purchased at Ticketmaster.

VIP attendees will be able to interact with the artists through Hi-Wave and photo taking opportunities.

The event is presented by global live entertainment promoter AEG Presents Asia, in partnership with Singapore-headquartered global entertainment company H.A.H. Entertainment.

(Hero and Featured images: AEG Presents/H.A.H. Entertainment)

The post HallyuPopFest Singapore 2023 to return this 12 November appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

NCT member Doyoung has to his credit some beautiful melodies, including OSTs for K-dramas like ‘See You in My 19th Life’. Here are the top songs by Doyoung.

South Korean singer Doyoung, who made his debut with the rotational unit NCT U and later went on to become the main vocalist of the popular K-pop group NCT, has to his credit some of the most beautiful songs in the Korean music industry.

Born in Korea’s Gyeonggi-do province, Kim Dong-young aka Doyoung was shortlisted to be a trainee under the music label SM Entertainment through the singing contest recruit programme in 2013. After his debut in April 2016, the vocalist also became a member of the K-pop band’s sub-units NCT 127 and NCT DoJaeJung, besides NCT U.

While Doyoung is yet to make his official solo debut, the multi-hyphenate is constantly grabbing headlines for his acting chops, fashion moments and music collaborations outside his group. The singer’s first solo endeavour since debuting with NCT was his song with Shinee’s group member Key, “Cool”. The track was released on 11 July 2016 as a part of the original soundtrack (OST) of the crime drama 38 Squad.

Other popular Doyoung OSTs include “Here With Me” for the 2023 hit K-drama, See You in My 19th Life and “Beautiful Day” for the medical series, Dr. Romantic 3 (2023).

Doyoung is also quite popular among NCTzens for his cover songs. Some of these include his idol IU’s “I Give You My Heart” and American singer Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down”. The singer also collaborated with Kim Minha from the Pachinko fame for the 2022 track “Fallin”.

In a 2018 L’Officiel Hommes interview, Doyoung shared that as a singer, he wanted his voice to be “instantly recognisable”. He has surely achieved that with his discography so far.

Unmissable songs by NCT singer Doyoung you need to add to your playlist

Here with me

While the 2023 tvN original See You in My 19th Life grabbed headlines for the brilliant performances by actors Ahn Bo-hyun and Shin Hye-sun, it was also praised for its soulful original track “Here With Me”.

Performed by the NCT vocalist, the song narrates the intertwined destinies of the drama’s protagonists Ban Ji-eum (Shin) and Moon Seo-ha (Ahn). It was released on 23 July 2023 and is the sixth part of the K-drama’s OST lineup.

An official statement said that with this song, Doyoung “surpasses various vocal ranges and boasts a wide spectrum of vocal skills”. It added that “Here With Me” is meant to further heighten the “immersion of the drama”.

Beautiful Day

When the original soundtrack for the Korean drama, Dr. Romantic 3, was released on 12 May 2023, fans were quick to elect NCT singer Doyoung’s “Beautiful Day” as the best one of the lot.

The lyrics tell the story of moving on from one’s memories. The compositions and production convey the suppressed emotions of Dr Kim (Han Suk-kyu) and his teammates, who relentlessly work to save the lives of patients at Doldham Hospital.

Along with the release of the original soundtrack, a behind-the-scenes video was also dropped, where fans could see a very serene and confident Doyoung perform the song at a recording studio.

A Little More

It was on 22 February 2022 that Doyoung released this beautiful ballad as a part of the OST for the Disney+ K-drama Soundtrack #1. The show stars BTS Jungkook’s “Seven” music video fame Han So-hee and ZE:A’s Park Hyung-sik.

Before the official release, the NCT singer had taken to his Instagram to post a live performance teaser.

“A Little More” — a mellow song about the desperate desire to hold on — is the seventh track released as part of the romance K-drama. Other idols who lent their voices to the OST of Soundtrack #1 include Kyuhyun of Super Junior and the South Korean pop duo Davichi.

To You, Who Can’t Love

Along with playing the lead Jung Si-ho in the 2022 TVING original romantic comedy, To X Who Doesn’t Love Me, NCT singer Doyoung also lent his vocals for one of the most popular songs on the K-drama’s OST — “To You, Who Can’t Love”.

Composed by Moon Kim and KYUM LYK of the Korean music publishing company 153/Joombas, the pop ballad starts with a calm piano melody backed by heavy instrumentals. It was released on 22 July 2022.

The official music video for the track has more than 350k views on YouTube.

Like a Star

Composed by EastWest, YOSKE and Yeul (1by1), “Like a Star” is a pop love song that has been used as the theme tune for the main characters in the K-drama Yumi’s Cells (2021).

While fans were teased with multiple previews of the song prior to its release, “Like a Star” was officially dropped on 1 October 2021. According to Korean media outlets, it was to provide a pleasant viewing experience to the audiences.

With this track, Doyoung joined the lineup of iconic musicians like Red Velvet’s Wendy, Korean-American singer John Park, and indie rock star Black Skirt, who lent their voices to the OST of Yumi’s Cells.

Night Air

Doyoung’s second-ever release as a solo performer was the sweet rock ballad, “Night Air”. The song dropped on 19 February 2021 as part of the original television soundtrack of the fantasy drama Midnight Cafe Season 3: The Curious Stalker.

The melancholic track portrays the protagonist Kim In-yi’s (Kang Sun-min) longing for Son Ji-woo (Doyoung) and makes viewers wonder if she would get a second chance with the love of her life.

Additionally, the MBC Dramanet original series served as Doyoung’s debut as a lead K-drama actor.

Hard For Me

While this track was originally sung by South Korean singer Cheeze for the 2018 K-drama Rich Man, Poor Woman, Doyoung decided to release his own reimagined version on 9 June 2018.

“Hard for Me” marks the fifth part of the OST lineup for the MBN drama starring his labelmate, EXO’s Suho and has more than 3.5 million views on YouTube.

The track serves as the theme song for the protagonists Lee Yoo-chan (Suho) and Kim Bo-ra (Ha Yeon-soo), who are destined to be together.

(Hero and featured image: Courtesy NCT/Twitter)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Are Doyoung and Taeyong close?

NCT bandmates Doyoung and Taeyong are close friends. Taeyong has also mentioned in multiple interviews that Doyoung helps him with his leadership duties.

– Where was Kim Dong-young born?

Kim Dong-young, aka Doyoung, was born on 1 February 1996, in Guri, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

– Who are the members of NCT 127?

NCT 127 is the second sub-unit of the K-pop boy group NCT. The sub-unit consists of 10 members: Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, Mark and Haechan.

–  Which sub-units are Doyoung a part of?

NCT’s Doyoung is a part of sub-units NCT U, NCT 127 and NCT DoJaeJung.

The post Some of the best songs from NCT singer Doyoung’s discography appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande departed ways with Scooter Braun, and it’s like the world is healing. Anyway, here’s some facts about the guy.

The news comes three months after Colombian singer J Balvin left the agency after four years with it. A few days ago there were rumours that Justin Bieber, too, had left Braun, but it was refuted by both the singer and the talent manager.

Braun’s SB Projects currently manages Bieber, Ava Max, Black Eyed Peas, Carly Rae Jepsen, Dan + Shay, David Guetta, Ozuna, Tori Kelly, and Usher among others.

The reported departures of Lovato and Grande has brought the spotlight back on Braun, who is particularly infamous for his feud with Taylor Swift.

All about Scooter Braun and his business

Major name in the world of music

New York City-born Scott Samuel Braun aka  Scooter Braun shot to fame after he “discovered” a young Justin Bieber in 2006 on YouTube.

But he was quite popular himself as talent manager and organiser since his early years.

Braun started organising after-parties in a professional capacity in Atlanta’s club scene while he was a student at Emory University.

When he was only 20, American rapper Jermaine Dupri recruited him as executive director of marketing for So So Def Records. This is where he met artists such as Usher and Anthony Hamilton.

After leaving So So Def Records, he went independent. One of his earlier achievements was brokering a USD 10 million campaign deal with rapper Ludacris and the Pontiac Solstice sports car.

By 2009, he had founded Scooter Braun Projects (SB Projects) label and was named by Billboard in its list of 30 under 30.

SB Projects is part of Braun’s holding company Ithaca Holdings. In April 2021, Ithaca Holdings was acquired by South Korean entertainment company Hybe for over USD 1 billion via a subsidiary named Hybe America. Braun became the CEO of Hybe America and a board member of the parent company Hybe.

The acquisition brought Braun closer to world famous K-pop group BTS, who are managed by the Hybe label, and turned him into a billionaire by net worth.

Controversy over Taylor Swift’s music

Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun share a bitter history over the former’s music rights since June 2019 when it was announced by Big Machine Records that Braun had purchased the label for an estimated USD 330 million through Ithaca Holdings.

The deal gave Braun the rights to the masters recordings of Swift’s first six albums, which she had recorded with Big Machine Records.

Swift repeatedly called out everyone involved in the deal, claiming that she was not given an opportunity to purchase her own works.

“After I was denied the chance to purchase my music outright, my entire catalog was sold to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in a deal that I’m told was funded by the Soros family, 23 Capital and that Carlyle Group,” Swift said in December 2019.

Swift called Braun a “bully” and “the definition of toxic male privilege in our industry.”

Swift again called out Braun, along with the Soros family and others, in an Instagram post in April 2020 when she discovered that Big Machine was planning to put out an album of her live performances.

Braun, through Ithaca Holdings, sold all of the masters to American private equity firm Shamrock Holdings in November 2020 for around USD 405 million and a profit of USD 265 million.

The same month, Swift said that “[Braun] would never even quote my team a price” and that she was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement that would “silence [her] forever.”

Braun has disputed the claim.

In an interview with NPR in 2022, Braun revisited the controversy and said, “The regret I have there is that I made the assumption that everyone, once the deal was done, was going to have a conversation with me, see my intent, see my character and say, great, let’s be in business together.”

Without naming anyone, he claimed that he was “treated unfairly” but added that he understands “from the other side, they probably felt it was unfair, too.”

By this time, Swift had already announced that she would use her publishing rights as primary songwriter of all her songs to re-record and release her first six albums in what would be known as Taylor’s Version. Subsequently, she released Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in April 2021, followed by Red (Taylor’s Version) in November 2021, and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in July 2023. She is set to release 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in October 2023.

All of her versions have hit No.1 in almost every music chart around the world.

Why did Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande part ways with Scooter Braun?

There is no clarity on why the two music icons have decided to leave Braun’s label. Demi Lovato had signed up for Braun’s SB Projects in 2019, while Ariana Grande was with the agency since 2013.

According to Billboard, Lovato left SB Projects in July 2023 and is looking for a new management. She launched two albums with the agency, Dancing With the Devil … the Art of Starting Over (2021) and Holy Fvck (2022). Both had difficulties in scoring a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

At the time when she joined Braun’s company, Lovato expressed her joy on Instagram.

“Dreams came true for me. I officially have a NEW MANAGER. And not just any manager but the one and only Scooter Braun. Couldn’t be happier, inspired and excited to begin this next chapter. Thank you for believing in me and for being a part of this new journey,” she wrote in a post in 2019.

But despite the departure, it seems Lovato and Braun are on good terms. The famous manager called her “one of the kindest souls out there” in a message posted to his Instagram Stories on Lovato’s 31st birthday on 20 August 2023.

On the other hand, Grande’s departure from Braun’s SB Projects was first reported by Puck’s Matthew Belloni on Twitter. According to Billboard, representatives of both Braun and Grande have declined to comment.

Great week pic.twitter.com/xVGQPoykFl

— Scott “Scooter” Braun (@scooterbraun) April 2, 2023

Grande’s entire post-Nickelodeon career has been under Braun’s company. She released six albums during this period, five of which were No.1 on Billboard 200 beside seven No.1 songs on Billboard Hot 100.

(Hero image: Scott “Scooter” Braun/@scooterbraun/Twitter; Featured image: Scott “Scooter” Braun/@scooterbraun/Instagram)

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The youngest member of BTS, Jungkook’s Seven had made waves last month. The pop track is now back in the headlines but not for a good reason. The chart-topping song now is allegedly facing possible plagiarism by composer Yang Joon Young. Here’s all about it.

Over the course of the past few weeks, social media has been abuzz with K-pop hit Seven — complete with dance challenges, memes, and fan dedications. The song marked Jungkook’s first solo rodeo, with its catchy melody and suggestive lyrics quickly raking up views, streams, and likes by billions. However, the summer anthem has now come under fire for plagiarism, as alleged by composer Yang Joon-young, who helmed girl group Fin.K.L’s albums SPECIAL and Time of Mask. The latter’s eponymous title track — released in 2000 — bears resemblances with the BTS member’s garage-pop track, according to the composer.

BTS’ agency refutes plagiarism allegations around Jungkook’s song

Rumours first began swirling when an American music reviewer Jarred Jermaine pointed to perceived similarities between Seven and a TikTok video by a Vietnamese content creator called So Y Tiet. Meanwhile, Yang Joon-Young’s allegations elaborated that Seven shares similarities with, and has the same scale sequence as, the song Time of Mask, NewsBytes reports. He then requested BTS’ agency to look into the same. The latter, in turn, responded with a statement refuting the allegations.

“We would like to inform you that the claims of copyright infringement regarding Jungkook’s Seven are not true,” Hindustan Times quotes BigHit Music as noting. “Seven is a song that was made through the collaboration of five foreign composers, and it is a creation that is completely unrelated to the song on a domestic album from 24 years ago like some are claiming. They are one-sided claims that do not meet any criteria such as substantial similarity and principles in determining plagiarism.”

Meanwhile, Seven continues to garner attention — going No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global charts. Reflecting on the group’s solo endeavours, BTS’ leader RM recently confirmed that the band would make a comeback in 2025. “Even though we’re doing our solo activities on our own… what I’m thinking these days when I’m doing my solo projects is… this is just like a vacation,” Billboard quotes him as stating. “Eventually, when we get back and reunite together in 2025… [we will] be back for sure. We’ll be joining together again. And that will be in 2025.”

(Hero and featured image credit: @bighit_ent/Instagram)

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Korean-American musician Kevin Oh and South Korean actor Gong Hyo-jin’s fairytale romance, which started in 2020, has turned into a memorable  love story — one that was sealed forever with rings, bouquets, and vows. Here’s a rundown of the relationship timeline of Kevin Oh and his wife Gong Hyo Jin and how they have  become one of South Korea’s biggest celebrity sweethearts since they got married last year.

One of the most beloved celebrity couples in South Korea, Oh and Gong have a perfectly-balanced relationship. This is particularly evident when they take turns lovingly admiring each other at public events and on social media.

The Master’s Sun (2013) fame Gong, who married Oh in 2022, started out in the industry as a model. She made her acting debut in 1999 with the horror film Memento Mori. Since then, fans have been blessed with multiple Gong Hyo-jin movies and TV shows including Guns and Talks (2001), Door Lock (2018), and Crazy Romance (2019). More recently, the actor shares screen space with Korea’s heartthrob Lee Min-ho in the sci-fi series, Ask The Stars (2023).

Oh, meanwhile, found his footing in the music industry after winning the Korean talent show Superstar K7 in November 2015. The vocalist and guitarist of the South Korean rock band AfterMoon made his solo debut in 2016. He’s behind the official soundtracks of hit K-dramas like Chicago Typewriter (2017), D.P. (2021) and Snowdrop (2021).

Retracing Kevin Oh and Gong Hyo-jin’s love story

When Kevin Oh first met Gong Hyo-jin

Despite all the attention due to their 10-year age gap, celebrity couple Oh and Hong managed to keep their relationship details under wraps for the most part. It was only in August 2022 that Oh took to his Instagram and revealed about his then-girlfriend Gong. Oh said that he first met her in 2020.

While there were no other details about their initial meeting and budding romance, sources claimed the duo fell in love and started dating the same year.

It’s official: Kevin Oh and Gong Hyo-jin are in a relationship

It was on 1 April 2022 that the Korean news outlet Sports Chosun reported about Oh and Gong’s relationship and their probable marriage. The report read, “Gong Hyo-jin will have a wedding within the year. The prospective groom is Korean-American singer Kevin Oh, who is 10 years younger than her.”

Following this, the “Crazy” singer penned a heartfelt note to his fans about the sudden revelation revolving around his relationship with Gong. He thanked his fans for being supportive and said, “Since I couldn’t tell you first, I’d like to be completely honest with you. I’ve met a wonderful person who I’m dating sincerely. I know the news may seem sudden to some of you, but I ask you [to] look on us kindly. Thank you for trusting in me and giving me strength. I’ll meet you with good music soon.”

Meanwhile, the When The Camellia Blooms (2019) actor made the news public via her management agency SOOP. While her relationship with Oh was confirmed, the agency was vague about their wedding plans and said, “It is difficult to say yet. We will share another announcement if there is good news in the future.”

Wedding rumours start spreading

Following their public love declaration, Oh and Gong became the talk of K-town; with every other headline reading, “Rumour has it! Kevin Oh and Gong Hyo-jin to get married in an intimate ceremony.”

Not to mention, Gong catching the lucky bouquet at Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin’s 2022 wedding further prompted rumours about Gong’s upcoming marriage with her then-beau Oh.

Wedding prep begins

Confirming the speculations, Gong’s talent agency released a statement about her fall wedding with the “Baby Blue” singer on 17 August 2022.

Speaking to various South Korean media outlets, the agency stated, “Gong Hyo Jin and Kevin Oh are about to start a new part of their lives together. As it is what the two wish for, they will be getting married in October in a private ceremony with only their close relatives and acquaintances present.”

Kevin Oh also took to his Instagram account and called his love for his wife “daunting at times” but “full”. He added, “We proved to each other that we need each other. In her, I’ve met my best friend for life, my soulmate. And soon, I’ll be able to call her my wife.”

The letter also revealed that the couple will be getting married in Oh’s hometown in the USA, in the presence of his family.

Though Gong kept most of the event’s details under wraps, in October 2022 she teased fans with a glimpse of her wedding dress — a Valentino net gown. She captioned the post, “my one and only..i’m ready! [sic],” hinting at Oh.

Kevin Oh’s song for Gong Hyo-jin

With marriage on the cards, the celebrity couple began acknowledging each other on social media quite frequently.

While Oh shared the news of their wedding via Instagram, he also uploaded a music sheet of a song called, “Dawn when you and I were asleep” in Korean. Composed by Oh with lyrics by Gong, the song was later released with the title “Dawn” as a part of the former’s November 2022 album, Pieces of _.

Finally hitched

The celeb couple exchanged vows in a beautiful resort in New York on 11 October 2022 in the presence of family and close friends.

The It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014) actor announced the special news by uploading a lovely picture of their wedding rings and matching couple Piaget watches on Instagram with the caption, “J U S T M A RR I E D.”

The new bride also shared multiple other behind-the-scenes glimpses from the ceremony. While a box of Stick With Me Sweets — known for their handmade bonbons — made for a special wedding gift, Gong Hyo Jin also included pictures of two elegant gowns from the Kayla Bennet bridal shop that she got married in, as well as a pair of embellished stilettos from Manolo Blahnik, and the most gorgeous flower decor from Oh Fleur.

Their love grows deeper

Following marriage, the duo has made sure to acknowledge and appreciate each other and their bond on multiple public platforms.

Expressing his affection for his wife in a 2022 interview with Cosmopolitan, Kevin Oh said, “I get a lot of inspiration from my wife, but I don’t want to describe her simply as a muse. It’s reassuring to have someone who loves and trusts you.”

In a 2023 appearance on TV host Jung Jae-hyung’s YouTube show, Fairy Table, Gong opened up about her personal life and shared, “I’m quite cautious when it comes to dating, so I don’t have many actual dating experiences. I don’t easily fall for someone. Through my relationships, I thought marriage and I were incompatible, leading to my decision to not get married. But my feelings changed. He’s (Kevin Oh) an angel. Even now, I still think he seems like an angel. That’s why he’s saved as ‘Angel’ on my phone. He’s a kind person.”

(Hero and featured image credit: @rovvxhyo & @kevinoh_/Instagram)

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