#interscope artists new

[possible-streetwear]

TOMMY GENESIS

[archersclef]

Joker EP 3/5:

be your joker

#ArchersClef

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Smash Mouth - All Star 1999

"All Star" is a song by the American rockband Smash Mouth, released as the first single from their second studio album, Astro Lounge (1999). It was one of the last tracks to be written for Astro Lounge, after the band's record label Interscope requested more songs that could be released as singles. In writing it, guitarist Greg Camp drew musical influence from contemporary music by artists like Sugar Ray and Third Eye Blind, and sought out to create an "anthem" for outcasts. In contrast to the more ska punk style of Smash Mouth's debut album Fush Yu Mang (1997), the song features a more radio-friendly style.

It received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its musical progression from Fush Yu Mang as well as its catchy tone. It was nominated for the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards. Subsequent reviews from critics have regarded "All Star" favourably, with some ranking it as one of the best songs of 1999. The song charted around the world, ranking in the top 10 of the charts in Australia, Canada, and on the US Billboard Hot 100, while topping the Billboard Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 charts.

The song's accompanying music video features characters from the 1999 superhero film Mystery Men, which itself prominently featured "All Star". The song became ubiquitous in popular culture following multiple appearances in films, most notably in DreamWorks Animation's 2001 film Shrek. It received renewed popularity in the 2010s as an internet meme and has ranked as one of the most-streamed rock songs from 2017 to 2021 in the US. In June 2019, the music video was remastered in high definition and received subtitles in commemoration of its 20th anniversary. By that point, it had received over 219 million views on Youtube. In 2020, The New York Times listed the song as #1 in their top ten climate change songs.

"All Star" received a total of 90,9% yes votes!

[happinessismusic]

Global pop icon Gwen Stefani returns with her fifth studio album, ‘Bouquet’, a stunning showcase of her signature sound, reimagined with the maturity and optimism of a seasoned artist. Released via Interscope Records, the album features the previously unveiled singles “Somebody Else’s” and “Swallow My Tears,” each radiating Stefani’s ability to blend poignant introspection with infectious melodies.

Recorded live at Nashville’s Smoakstack Studios with acclaimed producer Scott Hendricks, Bouquet captures an organic and vibrant energy. Stefani’s lyrics delve into the cyclical nature of life, symbolized by the “seeds of hope” she plants throughout the album. “Bouquet represents a blend of everything that I’ve ever been and who I’ve evolved into,” Stefani explains. “Each song was picked like individual flowers to create a bouquet of the past, the present, and the seed of hope for the future.”

Stefani’s knack for crafting quotable, clever turns of phrase is on full display here, making Bouquet as lyrically sharp as it is musically rich. Tracks like the hauntingly raw “Swallow My Tears” (which she debuted on the Today Show) and the emotional title track set to be performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 18, highlight her evolution as an artist.

With Bouquet, Stefani cements her legacy as both a pop powerhouse and a reflective storyteller. From her chart-topping days as No Doubt’s magnetic frontwoman to her multi-platinum solo career, the three-time GRAMMY® winner has always thrived in reinvention. And with over 100 million track units sold worldwide and a history-making Billboard 200 debut for her 2015 album This Is What the Truth Feels Like, her influence continues to flourish.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new listener, Bouquet is a vibrant offering of Stefani’s artistry—an arrangement that feels timeless yet fresh, nostalgic yet forward-thinking.

Listen to Bouquet below now and let Gwen Stefani take you on a journey through the seasons of her life.

[shefanispeculator]

Once Tedder finished the song, the search for the right artists began, landing on Stefani and .Paak, both of whom are repped by Full Stop Management. “Gwen & Anderson’s energy together is undeniable, and both have these incredibly unique and iconic voices that were a perfect blend this global track,” Burke says. “ We also loved that this was the first time Ryan, Gwen and Anderson have collaborated, and the story of two very different artists coming together is a nice nod to Coke’s legacy in music and the spirit of the Olympic Games.”

Coca-Cola has an existing partnership with Universal Music Group and worked with UMG’s Interscope Records, Stefani’s label home, to release the song. “It was crucial that we treated this release in the most authentic way possible,” Burke says. “And with the same care as any major single.”

For .Paak, blending their different genres to create something “was the real magic of creating with Gwen and Ryan on our new song,” he said in a statement. “While we hope the song becomes an instant hit and gives listeners worldwide a new sound to groove to, we also hope to inspire fans and athletes to embrace the differences that make them unique as we celebrate the excitement of the Olympic Games.”

[baejl]

[BREAKING NEWS] BLACKPINK'S Lee Minah signs up with Republic Records and writes an emotional message to BLINKS: "A part of me is afraid, and the other one is relieved."

Another win for BLINKS! On this Monday, February 5th, BLACKPINK's Minah announced, through an emotional handwritten note posted on her official profile on Instagram that she is now a Republic Records' artist. 

According to a brief statement issued by YG to local media on December 29th, 2023: "BLACKPINK recently renewed their contracts with YG for their group activities, and we have agreed not to proceed with additional contracts for [the members'] individual activities”. Since then, fans have been anxious to know more about the members' plans for their solo careers. 

Minah was seen meeting with executive producers from record labels overseas, such as Sony Music, Columbia Records and Interscope Records, but never confirmed anything until this week. 

Surprising the fans after months away from social media, Minah started her letter greeting the fans and joking about her hiatus. 

"It's been a long time, right? I feel like I have to re-introduce myself to you." Minah wrote. She then continued with the news. "I would like to start by wishing everyone a happy new year. May 2024 be as blessed and happy as 2023, with a lot of money and health for us! As it is known, I'm not a YG artist anymore. I and the whole YG crew have been a family since my infancy, but, as it happens in real life, it was time for me to chase big and better things, personally and professionally. Part of me is afraid, and the other one is relieved. I'm grateful for all the things I learned with all the YG staff and producers - who helped me become the artist I am and made my biggest dream come true. I'm still part of BLACKPINK, and BLACKPINK will always be part of me, but I'm excited to announce that I'll be managing my solo career alongside the amazing team from Republic Records. I hope to get to explore and show you another side of myself. I love you. Thank you." 

Republic Records is the house of many A-list artists, such as Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Shania Tawn and KPOP groups like TWICE, ITZY, TXT and more. 

We wish Princess Minah sucess in this new era! 🩰🖤💗

[stuckinapatriarchalbullshitland]

THE FUCKING MONEY 💰💸💵

I decided to uncover this can of worms, not to create controversy or believe in blind items. Those kinds of things have to be taken with a grain of salt and it's something I understand, especially if Camila is involved in it.

But, money in the industry is important and even more so for artists who want to make music.

We know that record companies have artists as investments and if for them an artist is not profitable to invest in him or her, they will not do it and will shelve them.

It's not the first time I've read or heard that an artist has a relationship with someone important in the industry to have money to make music. I have seen this before and I am not referring to Camila. This is something that is very common in Asia with Korean music as well. They told me that they forced the BTS boys to have meetings with important people in the Korean government and in the US, it is no different. Remember folks, this also happened with the girls from 5H.

They forced them to have meetings with important people at the record company and Camila continues to do that. She accepted the Shitmila circus to release Romance, because if you remember, CC1 came out because Roger pushed for it.

As I know, CC3 also came out thanks to Showmila and we can also understand why Camila was forced to accelerate the releases of CC2 and CC3.

CC4 is unknown. If the blind item is right that Camila doesn't have the money to release that album, maybe that's why that material hasn't seen the light yet, plus, we don't even know where Camila stands with the Interscope record label.

We know from Camila that she has been working on new music, but if she hasn't released it yet it's for a reason. Something tells me it has to do with the record company and money. My theory is that maybe she doesn't want to depend on all the money from the label's investment and that's why she needs the money. Camila has never done well with record companies so I wouldn't be surprised by something like that.

As for the sexual part of the blind item, I don't know. I don't see Camila doing something like that, but I don't know.

All I hope is that if Camila needs money to continue releasing music, that she doesn't go to extremes that she can't get out of later.

[fromtenthousandfeet]

A classic corporate apology (non apology)

Hmmmmm. That wasn't much of an apology from Geffen, not that I really expected anything.

I've made it pretty clear (if you've read my previous blog posts) that I don't think it makes sense to focus on Geffen when BigHit/HYBE is the driving force behind the unforgiveable roll out of Jimin's MUSE. Geffen is simply following orders. That said...

All ire and outrage focused on that Ray dude and Geffen the company, followed by coverage from major media, has the potential to damage the relationship between HYBE and UMG. And for that I cheer.

Read the above if you feel like throwing up in your mouth.

This is only my hunch, but I believe Bang Si Hyuk is really hoping for Universal Music Group to acquire HYBE. I think that's why he's entered into this relationship with UMG for Geffen to promote HYBE Labels groups, even if the terms aren't in the best interest of the artists or HYBE itself. I think that's also why he structured HYBE to look a lot like UMG with multiple labels under the corporate umbrella.

Corporations are always looking for ways to streamline, cost cut, reduce redundancies. From a profitability standpoint, a corporation should run the leanest operation possible. It makes zero sense for HYBE to have so many record labels when most of them have between 1-3 acts. Are you telling me a single label couldn't handle all the groups and solo artists under HYBE? That's absurd. And its inefficient as hell. It's more like delusions of grandeur.

Check out all the artists under IGA (owned by UMG) to see what I mean. This list is just Interscope artists.

I could see a scenario where UMG may want to cut ties with HYBE just because they're too big of a liability. BTS fans are bullies, company oversight is trash (insider trading charges are in the news today), and public sentiment about the labels continues to fall. Will UMG eventually decide that the HYBE partnership is more trouble than it's worth?

Now we wait and see how the Geffen/HYBE joint venture, aka KATSEYE, goes.

Anyway. New music from Jimin is hours away. Yes!!

[swvlswvl]

My Favorite Albums of 2024

Previously: 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

It's been another amazing year for new music! I've written about several of these artists at Rolling Stone, including profiles of This Is Lorelei, Allegra Krieger, Thus Love, and Lip Critic, and reviews of the Common/Pete Rock and Sophie albums. (As always, you can find all my recent stories at my RS author page.) Without further ado, here are my 40 favorite albums released in 2024!

Charli XCX, Brat (Atlantic)

This Is Lorelei, Box for Buddy, Box for Star (Double Double Whammy)

Waxahatchee, Tigers Blood (Anti-)

Fontaines D.C., Romance (XL)

Allegra Krieger, Art of the Unseen Infinity Machine (Double Double Whammy)

Kim Gordon, The Collective (Matador)

Kendrick Lamar, GNX (pgLang/Interscope)

MJ Lenderman, Manning Fireworks (Anti-)

Common and Pete Rock, The Auditorium, Vol. 1 (Loma Vista)

Thus Love, All Pleasure (Captured Tracks)

Cindy Lee, Diamond Jubilee (Realistik Studios)

The Smile, Wall of Eyes/Cutouts (XL)

Soccer Mommy, Evergreen (Loma Vista)

Lip Critic, Hex Dealer (Partisan)

Mannequin Pussy, I Got Heaven (Epitaph)

Anycia, Princess Pop That (UnitedMasters)

Young Miko, att. (Capitol)

Hello Mary, Emita Ox (Frenchkiss)

Doechii, Alligator Bites Don’t Heal (TDE/Capitol)

Mdou Moctar, Funeral for Justice (Matador)

Future and Metro Boomin, We Still Don't Trust You (Epic/Republic)

Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department (Republic)

Cavalier, Different Type Time (Backwoodz Studioz)

Hinds, Viva Hinds (Lucky Number)

Rauw Alejandro, Cosa Nuestra (Sony Latin)

Johnny Irion, Sleeping Soldiers of Love (Blackwing)

GIFT, Illuminator (Captured Tracks)

Been Stellar, Scream from New York, NY (Dirty Hit)

Sleater-Kinney, Little Rope (Loma Vista)

Ekko Astral, Pink Balloons (Topshelf)

Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter (Parkwood/Columbia)

Jack White, No Name (Third Man)

Bnny, One Million Love Songs (Fire Talk)

Sinkane, We Belong (City Slang)

Sabrina Carpenter, Short 'n Sweet (Island)

Sophie, Sophie (Transgressive)

Brutus VIII, Pure Gluttony (Ramp Local)

Schoolboy Q, Blue Lips (TDE/Interscope)

May Rio, Elegant Ensemble (DPI)

Sinaka, Kema (La única compañía)

[najibsn]

Drake Alleges Universal Music and Spotify Manipulated Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Success

The ongoing rivalry between hip-hop icons Drake and Kendrick Lamar has taken an unexpected turn, escalating into a public dispute involving major industry players, Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify. Drake has accused UMG and Spotify of artificially boosting the streaming numbers of Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us, suggesting that the two companies manipulated the song’s performance to the detriment of other artists, including himself.

Allegations Against UMG and Spotify

In a pre-action petition filed under New York law, Drake claims UMG charged Spotify significantly lower licensing fees for Lamar’s track. This alleged agreement purportedly encouraged Spotify to heavily promote the song through its recommendation algorithms, even to users searching for unrelated music. The track, released as part of a series of diss tracks targeting Drake, swiftly climbed the charts, reaching №1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and accumulating over 914 million Spotify streams.

Read More In Google News

Drake’s legal team has characterized the arrangement as violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, alongside accusations of deceptive business practices and false advertising. The petition also alleges efforts by UMG to conceal these actions, including dismissing employees perceived as loyal to Drake.

Industry and Corporate Reactions

UMG has strongly denied the accusations, calling them “offensive and untrue” and emphasizing that listeners ultimately choose what they want to hear. Spotify, while declining to comment officially, has also not indicated any acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

The dispute underscores the tension in the streaming industry, where algorithmic recommendations and licensing agreements significantly influence an artist’s visibility and success. Drake’s filing further critiques the “zero-sum game” nature of streaming, arguing that inflated support for one artist inherently disadvantages others.

Implications for the Music Industry

This feud has implications beyond the artists involved. It highlights concerns about transparency and fairness in the music-streaming ecosystem, where corporate interests might intersect with artistic rivalries. The situation also highlights the mechanisms by which streaming platforms promote content, raising questions about equity for smaller artists.

Read More In Google News

Whether this legal battle proceeds or resolves behind closed doors, it signals a need for clearer guidelines in how streaming platforms handle artist promotion and licensing deals. Fans and industry insiders alike are closely watching this drama unfold.

Artist Accountability vs. Corporate Oversight

While the feud draws attention to corporate practices, it also raises questions about artists’ relationships with their labels. Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar are under UMG’s umbrella, though through different sub-labels (Republic for Drake and Interscope for Lamar). This situation highlights the complexity of intra-label competition, where two high-profile artists under the same parent company may have conflicting interests.

Algorithmic Bias in Streaming

The claim that Spotify favored Not Like Us in its recommendation engine hints at the opaque nature of streaming algorithms. These systems, often driven by proprietary AI, have faced scrutiny for favoring major-label artists over independent creators. Drake’s allegations, if substantiated, could ignite a broader discussion about the ethics of algorithmic promotion and whether platforms should disclose partnerships that influence song recommendations.

Impact on Independent Artists

The debate has implications for smaller, independent musicians. If large labels can manipulate streaming platforms to favor specific tracks, it could further marginalize artists without similar backing. This concern ties into wider industry calls for transparency in how streaming royalties are distributed and how promotional algorithms are configured.

Read More In Google News

Strategic Timing and Rivalry

Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us was part of a trilogy of diss tracks released in quick succession, escalating his ongoing feud with Drake. The timing of these releases and the song’s meteoric success suggest a calculated strategy to capitalize on their rivalry, an age-old tactic in hip-hop. However, Drake’s accusations could undermine the legitimacy of that success, casting doubt on whether it was driven by genuine audience interest or corporate intervention.

Potential Legal Precedents

If Drake’s pre-action petition progresses to a lawsuit, it could set legal precedents in the music industry. Specifically, it could clarify how streaming platforms must disclose promotional agreements and address whether such deals violate consumer trust or competitive fairness. This case could influence future contracts between artists, labels, and streaming platforms.

Read More In Google News

Fan Reactions and Social Media Influence

The controversy has sparked debates among fans on social media, with some siding with Drake and others defending Lamar’s artistry. These discussions highlight how artist feuds resonate beyond the music, engaging audiences in broader conversations about fairness, corporate ethics, and authenticity in the industry.

[kickmag]

Throwback: Eminem: Stan Feat. Dido

Eminem's "Stan" is the third single from his 2000 studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP. The 45 King produced the single using a sample of Dido's "Thank You" that he heard while watching the film Sliding Doors. Eminem heard the track after The 45 King sent it to Interscope Records and he was inspired to write a song about fans who were sending him letters and taking his words to heart. The lyrics about an obsessed admirer named Stan were dark and Eminem took on the voice of the fan as well as himself. Dr. Dre and Phillip Atwell co-directed the video, which intensified the story.  Actor Devon Sawa played Stan and Dido was his pregnant girlfriend, who ends up in the trunk of the car after he drinks a bottle of vodka. Stan is angry because he believes Eminem has ignored him after sending him a fan letter. The rapper finally responds to him but it's too late because Stan drove off a bridge and Eminem realizes who he is after seeing a news report about the incident.

MTV censored the video and omitted Stan drinking, seeing Dido in the trunk of the car, and the first two verses of the song. "Stan" was critically acclaimed and quickly pegged as one of Eminem's best songs. He responded to criticism that his lyrics were anti-gay according to GLAAD by performing "Stan" with openly gay artist Elton John at the 2001 Grammy Awards. "Stan" is now a commonly used word to describe any person that is too fixated on anything. It was announced in 2024 that a new documentary about Stan culture, Stan, directed by Steven Leckart and produced by Eminem, will be released. Eminem's 12th album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), was released. 

[possible-streetwear]

TOMMY GENESIS

[archersclef]

Joker EP 5/5:

they say I'm insane

genre: soft-rock / dark-pop / psychedelic

[tourneyposting]

i decided to randomise megamix

see under the cut for sourcelists & fan-names

01 - MAU5TRAP

-Claymation/Stop Motion -Gnarls Barkley & It's members -Snakes, Serpents, & Reptiles -Kero Kero Bonito

02 - Summer Swimming

-Rivals of Aether & flashygoodness -Mysteries, Detective Media, & Puzzles -Royalty & Time -School & Education

03 - Lord Farquaad

-RayWilliamJohnson -Studio Ghibli & Their Image Albums -Pre-2012 Internet Culture & Bait-And-Switch memes (NO SIIVAGUNNER)

04 - Heaven Ascension Dio

-Big Time Rush/Stephen Glickman, Boy Bands & Their solo acts -Jojo's Bizzare Adventure & other Shonen Jump media -Wayforward & ArcSystem

05 - Ace D. Copular

-Smash Mouth & Shrek Artists -Webcomics, Animated Webseries, & Indie Web Animation -Quad City DJs/Space Jam Artists

06 - Maddumb

-90s Hip Hop/Rap -Lofi Hip-Hop & Shiloh Dynasty -Dreamworks -Pokémon & It's mainstay artists

07 - Neil Cipher

-Well-Known Music Producers -Insects & Skeletons -Otaku Culture/Sex -Alt Rock, Britpop, & Post-Britpop

08 - Tomska

-Sleep, Dreams, & Nightmares -Twitch/Esports games -Jojo's major antagonists references -First Person/Class-Based shooters, & Guns

09 - Tord

-Turner Broadcasting Media -Space & Aliens -Danny Baranowsky

10 - Charles "All-Star" Barkley

-Geico Commercials/Made for Ads -Progressive House & Dubstep -Sampled by Neil/Featured in his Mouth albums -Robots, Ghosts, & Felines

11 - Hot Hats

-Lou Bega, Mambo, & Big Band -Skating/Boarding & Skate Punk/Ska -Madeon & His collaboraters

12 - Last Peace

-S3RL/Happy Hardcore -SoundClown sources & SoundCloud rappers -Gears for Breakfast/Indie Platformers & Collectathons -Racing Games, Cars, & Bikes

13 - Scatman John

-Tally Hall & It's members -Christmas, Winter, Snow, & Ice -R&B & Soul

14 - Baba

-War, Explosives, & Flight -Electro Swing -Interscope solo female artists

15 - DARK ONES

-Voxel -Halley Labs -Psychadelic/Drugs

16 - UNCRE/ATIVE

-C418, Minecraft, & Sandbox -Lil Darkie/Spider Gang & Their Producers & Collaboraters -Gangs & Organised Crime -Creepypastas

17 - Oven Beats

-RPGMaker -Hardstyle/Trap Metal -88rising & Their collaboraters

18 - Elliana

-Streamers, Streaming, & Streamer BGM -Arena Fighters & 3D Brawlers (NO ARMS) -Live Action Sitcoms

19 - Sex Rulers

-Mods -The Apocalypse -Snail's House/Kawaii Future Bass

20 - Mettaton EX

-Tyler, The Creator & His collaboraters -Damon Albarn -Eddsworld & It's collaboraters -French Touch/Ed Banger

21 - Bad Snails

-Big Beat, Plunderphonics, & Turntablism -Gigi D'Agostino & Fatman Scoop -Undertale/Deltarune -Eastern European Culture, Food, & Culinary arts

22 - Sleepless Nights

-Deadmau5, his collaboraters, & Mau5trap artists -Bedroom Pop -VGM & Chiptune EDM

23 - The Mutant Enderman

-Beat Em Up -Game & Watch/Other Category -ARGs -Glam-Rock

24 - Rocque Banger

-Industrial, Dark Techno, & IDM -Bodies of Water & Sea Life -80s/90s Nintendo Non-VGM -Valve & It's fancontent

25 - CA7 & MATT

-NES, SNES, & Gameboy -FGC Competitions & 2D Fighting Games -Neil Cicierega -Money & Partying

26 - Cursed ARMS

-Nickelodeon/Nick Records -Vampires & Religion -Synthpop/Synthwave -One-Hit Wonders & 90s Hits (NO RAP/HIP HOP)

27 - Snail's Stream

-YTPs/YTPMVs & Keygen -Disney Channel/Disney XD & Disney child stars -Billboards Top 100 2010 & 2019

28 - Misako

-Newgrounds/Flash & Their creators -Rythm Games -Rick Astley/80s New Wave

29 - Lou Bega

-ARMS/Switch Exclusives -Huey Lewis & The News -Dungeon Crawlers/Roguelikes

30 - The Grinch

-Heat/Fire & Summer -Zombies -Chipzel

31 - Ke$ha

-Murder & Killing -Sports, Training Segments, & Montages -Ke$ha, Billie Eilish, & Their collaboraters

32 - GAME: BEAT: HUNT

-Cowboys, Deserts, & The Wild West -Illumination/Dr Seuss -Scatman John, Eurodance, & Jazz -Monstercat artists

i'm pretty sure i forgot a source in there. don't know what it is though. whatever it is goes to ke$ha.

[happinessismusic]

“Gwen Stefani is the pride and joy of California!” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Not only is she an acclaimed singer/songwriter and performer, Gwen is also a talented fashion designer and cosmetics mogul. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is ready to welcome not just a girl but a mega talent to the Hollywood Walk of Fame!” added Martinez.

As guest speakers, record label founder and entrepreneur Jimmy Iovine, CEO of the Azoff Company and manager Irving Azoff and country superstar and husband Blake Shelton will join emcee Ellen K for the star unveiling.

A three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, Interscope Records recording artist Gwen Stefani has achieved global success as a singer/songwriter, performer, charismatic frontwoman of No Doubt, and as a multi-platinum solo artist.  Currently, Stefani can be seen as a coach on NBC and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television’s Emmy®-winning series “The Voice.”

Stefani is a trend-setting music and fashion icon with an impressive array of honors: four MTV Video Music Awards, two Billboard Awards, an American Music Award, and a Brit Award.  To date, she’s sold more than 60 million units worldwide, and over ten billion streams, including her debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.  The four-times platinum album delivered the hit singles “Rich Girl,” “What You Waiting For?” and the No. 1 hit “Hollaback Girl.”

Her sophomore album, The Sweet Escape, featured the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single “Wind It Up” and the unforgettable anthem “The Sweet Escape.”  Her critically praised latest album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart and includes her powerful No. 1 single “Used to Love You.”

In 2020, Stefani had two No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with husband Blake Shelton, “Nobody But You” and “Happy Anywhere.”   Stefani released the new song “True Babe” in June ahead of a series of major festival performances in for the U.K. and Europe this summer.

Before the music there was makeup. Stefani’s passion for makeup was integral in the launch of her beauty brand GXVE in early 2022. The clean, high-performance cosmetics collection is inspired by Stefani’s iconic looks and created for the community of makeup lovers who find their inspiration, individuality and self-expression through artistry.

One of pop culture’s most magnetic style icons, Stefani is one of the first artists to brilliantly merge music stardom into a series of global lifestyle brands including her fashion-forward clothing line, L.A.M.B., sister label Harajuku Lovers and her eyewear line gx by Gwen Stefani.

Stefani continues to make giving back a focus in her life supporting several charities and foundations.

Source: SHE’S JUST A GIRL GETTING A STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME! GLOBAL MUSIC ICON GWEN STEFANI TO BE HONORED ON OCTOBER 19TH IN CELEBRATION OF HER BIRTHDAY MONTH - Hollywood Walk of Fame

[rosesnthornz]

🌹— a guide to … LEE JANG-MI

🌹 — BASICS !

BIRTH NAME ! lee jang-mi

ENGLISH NAME ! cecilia chiara cynthia rose williams

IGBO NAME ! amarachi okoye

NICKNAMES ! lia, chichi, tia, mimi, rosie

BIRTHDAY ! july 15th, 1997

ZODIAC ! cancer

BIRTHPLACE ! busan, south korea

HOMETOWN ! seoul, south korea + london, england + los angeles, california

ETHNICITY ! korean-nigerian

NATIONALITY ! korean-american

SEXUALITY ! bisexual

🌹 — PHYSICAL !

HEIGHT ! 5’5” 1/2 (166 cm)

WEIGHT ! 116 lbs (52 kg)

BLOOD TYPE ! o-

PIERCINGS !

— eyebrow piercing

— snakebite piercings

— tongue piercing

TATTOOS !

— see here !

🌹 — CLAIMS !

FACE CLAIM ! wolftyla / tyla parham

VOICE CLAIM ! chlöe bailey (english) + ailee (soloist / korean) or taeyeon (snsd / korean)

DANCE CLAIM ! lisa (blackpink)

🌹 — CAREER !

STAGE NAME ! lia williams + lee jang-mi (이장미)

COMPANY ! interscope records + yg entertainment

OCCUPATION ! singer-songwriter, producer, actress, model, choreographer, radio show host, businesswoman

DEBUT DATE ! october 16th, 2015

TRAINEE YEARS ! 1 year (july 2014 — july 2015)

YEARS ACTIVE ! 2015 — present

SURVIVAL SHOWS ! girls’ planet 999 (2021 / as a mentor) + queendom 2 (2022 / as a judge) + street woman fighter 2 (2023 / as a judge) + universe ticket (2023 / as a judge)

FANDOM NAME ! rosies

COLORS ! #800020 + #36013F + #000000

🌹 — BACKGROUND !

LEE JANG-MI was born on july 15th, 1997 in busan, south korea to DAVID OKOYE and LEE CHUN JA. the former was a former olympic swimmer and united nations diplomat who hailed from one of the wealthiest families in nigeria. the latter was one of asia’s most well known singers, as well as an actress and a former beauty queen, and she also happened to be a SAMSUNG heiress. shortly after jang-mi was born, she and her parents moved to seoul in order to be closer to her maternal grandparents. the family would spend most of their time there, although they would briefly reside in london, as well.

despite the family’s picture perfect life, tragedy would strike a mere nine months following jang-mi’s birth. in may 1998, they would travel to italy to celebrate chun ja’s 31st birthday, which fell on the 25th. just four days later, however, both of jang-mi’s parents found themselves in a devastating car accident. unfortunately, the accident took both of their lives. chun ja was pronounced dead at the scene, while david fell into a coma, and later succumbed to his injuries a day later. jang-mi and her grandparents were quick to return to korea, and she was left in their care as her parents’ sudden deaths made international news.

up until jang-mi’s first birthday, she was raised by her grandparents and occasionally by her aunt, lee chaewon. however, her grandparents were already retired, and the grief of losing their eldest daughter and son-in-law made it hard for them to properly raise their granddaughter. chun ja’s youngest sister, bae eun-ji, already had a family of her own, and she was unsure if she could split her time amongst three children who were all under the age of five. meanwhile, although chaewon was unmarried, she was almost always working, and she didn’t want to leave jang-mi in the care of a nanny most of the time. and on top of that, her paternal grandparents resided in nigeria. as a result, jang-mi was regrettably put up for adoption. after a few months in a foster home, she was eventually adopted by a couple from southern california. she was given an english name, cecilia, and her middle names were taken from what her parents wanted to name her (chiara), her mother’s own english name (cynthia), and the meaning of her birth name (rose). and although the world knew of jang-mi’s existence, no one would know what became of her for the next seventeen years.

from then on, jang-mi was raised in california along with her older sister, who was also adopted. she grew up with a particular passion for music, and frequently listened to artists such as WHITNEY HOUSTON, MARIAH CAREY, DESTINY’S CHILD, AALIYAH, ASHANTI, AMERIE, ERYKAH BADU, THE SUPREMES, S.E.S, WONDER GIRLS, SNSD, KARA, 2NE1, MISS A, and LEE HYORI. at the age of fifteen, jang-mi began posting song covers and the occasional original song onto youtube. she began working at a nanette lepore boutique a year later, but shortly after she started her job, she was cast off the street by a representative of IMG MODELS, and was encouraged to enter an open casting call. although jang-mi failed to get a job, she managed to work her way into advertisements and editorials.

in 2013, she was encouraged to participate in that year’s MISS TEEN CALIFORNIA pageant. although initially skeptical, jang-mi would end up participating, and surprisingly, she won. the resulting exposure gave her acting and modeling opportunities like never before, and instead of participating in MISS TEEN USA, jang-mi used the attention to get her music career off the ground. she began starring in off-broadway productions, performing on the streets of los angeles, giving out her demo CDs to the people that would stop to watch her, posting her street performances to youtube, and writing as many songs as possible in her free time. meanwhile, her youtube channel was garnering a significant amount of traction. during the summer of 2014, her covers of PARAMORE’s “still into you” and of LEE HI’s “rose” would go viral. the former got her invited to one of the band’s concerts, while the latter caught the attention of YG ENTERTAINMENT. the label invited her to audition, and wanting to get closer to her home country through music, jang-mi accepted.

jang-mi sang ALICIA KEYS’ “no one” at the final round, and to her surprise, she passed auditions. she signed a 2-year contract with YG, and as a result, she had to quit her job, place her modeling career on hold, and move to south korea. she didn’t stop posting to her youtube channel, however, using it to record her progress as a trainee. jang-mi trained alongside the future members of BLACKPINK, and was actually meant to be one of the group’s members, renowned for her powerful vocals. while training, she had background vocals on the songs of other YG artists, wrote songs for them and what would become BLACKPINK’s discography (including the “WHISTLE” demo and “PLAYING WITH FIRE”), and had small roles in a few dramas. jang-mi was particularly hard working during her time as a trainee, and would even spend her days off in dance studios or at karaoke. however, a year into her trainee, she began having doubts, particularly about how she would be received in a country such as south korea. those doubts turned into stress, and it forced jang-mi to leave the company. returning home, she felt as if she had accomplished nothing.

jang-mi’s brief depressive state after leaving YG only pushed her to work harder, however. after returning to california, she didn’t return to her job, and instead focused most of her time on music and getting into university. in september, she was contacted by record label FUELED BY RAMEN, but she declined their contract offer, as it made her feel better to have control over the earliest aspects of her career. jang-mi formed the band ROSES ‘N THORNS with some of her high school friends, began uploading her original work to SOUNDCLOUD, and immediately started working on what would be her debut album.

in mid-october, jang-mi’s debut single “REWIND” would be released, and her album of the same name would drop at the beginning of november. going by the name LIA WILLIAMS, she spent her time touring across california in small venues and performing at local music festivals. in january 2016, however, a representative from INTERSCOPE RECORDS would attend one of jang-mi’s concerts. she was told about a potential record deal with the label, and just days later, she was singing her music in front of executives in INTERSCOPE’s headquarters. and instead of taking a month like she expected, jang-mi was signing a deal within a couple of hours, with JIMMY IOVINE reportedly saying that no one could leave until she was signed. and immediately afterwards, jang-mi got to work on her major label debut album, FRUITS OF MY LABOR, which would go on to catapult her into mainstream success.

fast forward to 2019, and wanting to begin a career as an idol in korea, jang-mi began looking for agencies to sign to. initially, SM ENTERTAINMENT, SOURCE MUSIC, and RBW looked to sign her, but she declined all of their offers. eventually, in june, she signed with YG—the same company that she trained under five years prior. two months later, her debut album was released, and its lead single topped charts across asia. jang-mi is now one of YG’s most successful soloists, and not only is she one of the best selling artists in korea, but she’s one of the highest selling artists in the WORLD, renowned for her performance skills, lyricism, and impressive vocal ability, garnering the title of “PRINCESS OF POP.”