Beyonce becomes first black woman to hit number one on US country chart

Paul McCartney Is Britain’s First Billionaire Musician

Paul McCartney Is Britain’s , First Billionaire Musician. The 'Sunday Times' Rich List was released on May 17, ABC News reports. The former Beatles member is now the first U.K. musician to achieve billionaire status. He's reportedly worth 1 billion pounds ($1.27 billion). The British publication calculated that the 81-year-old's wealth grew by 50 million pounds due to his 2023 Got Back tour. the increasing value of his music and Beyoncé's cover of "Blackbird.". the increasing value of his music and Beyoncé's cover of "Blackbird.". "Now and Then," the last Beatles song, also topped music charts after being released in November. McCartney was number 165 on the list. The title of richest Brit, with 37 billion pounds, was awarded to Gopi Hinduja and his family, owners of Hinduja Group. Other notable names on the list include Elton John (470 million pounds). King Charles III (610 million pounds) and J.K. Rowling (945 million pounds). King Charles III (610 million pounds) and J.K. Rowling (945 million pounds)

This Day in History: Donna Summer, Queen of Disco, Dies

This Day in History: , Donna Summer, Queen of Disco, Dies. May 17, 2012. The 63-year-old singer and songwriter died in Naples, FL, from non-smoking related lung cancer. The disco diva rose to fame in the 1970s, with hits like "Hot Stuff" and "Last Dance.". As disco's popularity waned, Summer wrote songs for several different genres. Her song, "Starting Over Again," for Dolly Parton was a number-one country single in 1980. Her 1983 hit, "She Works Hard for the Money," became a pop-rock feminist anthem. Summer was a five-time Grammy winner, who's been sampled by artists from Beyonce to the Pet Shop Boys. The mother of three was buried in Nashville, her home since the 1990s

Courtney Love Disses Taylor Swift and Beyoncé

Courtney Love Disses , Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Courtney Love Disses , Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Courtney Love Disses , Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Love recently spoke with 'The Standard' and had something to say about a few fellow female musicians, according to 'The Hollywood Reporter.'. Taylor is not important, Courtney Love, to 'The Standard'. She might be a safe space for girls, and she’s probably the Madonna of now, but she’s not interesting as an artist, Courtney Love, to 'The Standard'. Love went on to talk about Madonna, saying, “I don’t like her and she doesn’t like me.” . Love went on to talk about Madonna, saying, “I don’t like her and she doesn’t like me.” . Next, the grunge icon touched on Beyoncé's critically-acclaimed album, 'Cowboy Carter.'. Next, the grunge icon touched on Beyoncé's critically-acclaimed album, 'Cowboy Carter.'. While Love said she could appreciate the symbolism “about Black women going into spaces where previously only white women have been allowed,” she's just not into it. As a concept, I love it. I just don’t like her music, Courtney Love, to 'The Standard'. And then there was Lana Del Rey, who Love thinks "should really take seven years off.". And then there was Lana Del Rey, who Love thinks "should really take seven years off.". The veteran rocker said that she hasn't liked Lana's music “since she covered a John Denver song.”. The veteran rocker said that she hasn't liked Lana's music “since she covered a John Denver song.”. Up until ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’ I thought she was great. When I was recording my new album, I had to stop listening to her as she was influencing me too much, Courtney Love, to 'The Standard'. It’s great that there are so many successful women in the music industry, but lots of them are becoming a cliché, Courtney Love, to 'The Standard'. Now, every successful woman is cloned, so there is just too much music. They’re all the same. , Courtney Love, to 'The Standard'. If you play something on Spotify, you get bombarded with a lot of stuff that’s exactly the same. , Courtney Love, to 'The Standard'

Beyoncé's Latest Album Has Boosts Sales for Western Style

Beyoncé's Latest Album , Boosts Sales for , Western Style. Beyoncé's Latest Album , Boosts Sales for , Western Style. NBC reports that sales of western style boots have surged over 20% since Beyoncé released her recent 'Cowboy Carter' album. . NBC reports that sales of western style boots have surged over 20% since Beyoncé released her recent 'Cowboy Carter' album. . The album marked the music superstar's first entry in the country genre. . According to consumer behavior firm Circana, there were significant boosts to unit sales for western style boots even before the full album dropped. . According to consumer behavior firm Circana, there were significant boosts to unit sales for western style boots even before the full album dropped. . The Wild West aesthetic started to experience a surge with the release of the singles 'Texas Hold 'Em' and '16 Carriages.'. The Wild West aesthetic started to experience a surge with the release of the singles 'Texas Hold 'Em' and '16 Carriages.'. Since the start of April, Boot Barn shares have shot up over 4%. . NBC points out that the 32-time Grammy winner's most recent album comes amid a wave of cultural push for western-inspired styles. Earlier this year, Louis Vuitton released the American Western line at Paris Fashion Week. . In addition to stagecoach-inspired boots, the new line showcased western style classics like bolo ties and cowboy hats. The CEO of Levi Strauss, Michelle Gass, spoke to analysts about the boost the company received from a song on 'Cowboy Carter' being titled 'Levii's Jeans.'. The CEO of Levi Strauss, Michelle Gass, spoke to analysts about the boost the company received from a song on 'Cowboy Carter' being titled 'Levii's Jeans.'. I don’t think there’s any better evidence or proof point than having someone like Beyoncé, who is a culture shaper, to actually name a song after us, Michelle Gass, CEO of Levi Strauss, via NBC. I don’t think there’s any better evidence or proof point than having someone like Beyoncé, who is a culture shaper, to actually name a song after us, Michelle Gass, CEO of Levi Strauss, via NBC

Paul McCartney Praises Beyoncé’s 'Blackbird' Cover

Paul McCartney , Praises Beyoncé’s , 'Blackbird' Cover. CNN reports that Paul McCartney recently took to Instagram to praise Beyoncé's cover of 'Blackbird.'. CNN reports that Paul McCartney recently took to Instagram to praise Beyoncé's cover of 'Blackbird.'. I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place, Paul McCartney, via Instagram. I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place, Paul McCartney, via Instagram. The 1969 Beatles track was written by McCartney amid the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s. The 1969 Beatles track was written by McCartney amid the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s. The music legend said the song was originally inspired by the Little Rock Nine, a group of Black students who became the first to desegregate schools in Arkansas in the late 1950s. The music legend said the song was originally inspired by the Little Rock Nine, a group of Black students who became the first to desegregate schools in Arkansas in the late 1950s. Anything my song and Beyoncé’s fabulous version can do to ease racial tension would be a great thing and makes me very proud, Paul McCartney, via Instagram. In his post, McCartney urged , "anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out.". CNN reports that Beyoncé's cover is amplified by four up-and-coming Black artists: . Tanner, Adell. Tiera, Kennedy. Brittney, Spencer. Reyna, Roberts

Happy Birthday, Stevie Wonder!

Happy Birthday, Stevie Wonder!. Stevland Hardaway Morris, also known as Stevie Wonder, was born on May 13, 1950, and turns 70. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan. Blind since birth, he later signed with Motown’s Tamla label at 11 years old. Wonder released his debut album, 'The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie,' in 1962 when he was 12 years old. His discography includes his hit singles, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," "Superstition" and more. The Grammy-winning artist is one the best-selling musicians. Wonder also campaigned to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a U.S. holiday in 1980. Wonder was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2009. and one of 'Billboard’s' Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists. Happy Birthday, Stevie Wonder!

This Day in History: Prince Dies (Sun., April 21)

This Day in History: , Prince Dies. April 21, 2016. The iconic musician, 57, was found dead at his estate, Paisley Park, in Minnesota. Prince had overdosed on fentanyl. His death was ruled accidental. Over the span of four decades, Prince transcended genre and created more than 30 albums, his first in 1978 for Warner Bros. Prince often played all of the instruments on the album himself. He was charismatic and electrifying on stage. His 1984 album 'Purple Rain' sold 13 million copies. It was number one on the 'Billboard' 200 chart for 24 consecutive weeks. He won seven Grammy awards. His final album was released in 2015, just months before his death. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent, President Obama, via History.com