CHARLI XCX RELEASES NEW SONG ‘FOREVER’ FROM SELF-ISOLATION ALBUM: Charli XCX is building an album while in quarantine, and “Forever” is the first track from those sessions. “Forever” was written this week by Charli and co-executive produced A.G. Cook and BJ Burton. The three teamed up via the internet while in self-isolation, and the entirety of the project, called “how i’m feeling now,” will be written, recorded, produced and released while in quarantine due to the pandemic.
BTS TO HOLD ‘BANG BANG CON’ STREAMING EVENT: BTS has shared plans for Bang Bang Con, an at-home “concert experience” featuring past footage of the band. The event will take place April 18-19 on the BANGTAN TV YouTube channel. BTS released their latest album, Map of the Soul: 7, in February. The group postponed their North American tour in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. BTS member Suga released an early recording this week of his solo song “Trivia: Seesaw.” The song appears on BTS’ album Love Yourself: Answer.
RIHANNA WINS PETA’S ‘COMPASSION IN FASHION’ AWARD: PETA is honoring Rihanna with one of its “Compassion in Fashion” Awards for creating cruelty-free fashion. Her line, FENTY, has debuted a capsule collection of faux-leather items, including a corset dress and skirt and button-down shirts. “Rihanna should ‘Take a Bow’ for this stunning cruelty-free collection,” says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. “With her new vegan collection, Rihanna shows how easy it is to create a killer look that no animal had to die for.” The collection was “inspired by utility wear and uniforms,” according to the FENTY website. On Instagram, Rihanna wrote, “Faux leather. and yes it’s as soft as everyone says.”
MARIAH CAREY TO APPEAR ON JOEL OSTEEN’S VIRTUAL EASTER SERVICE: Joel Osteen has tapped Mariah Carery, Kanye West and Tyler Perry to appear on his virtual Easter service from the Lakewood Church, streaming on Sunday. The Houston-based mega church will be hosting its “Hope Is Alive” Easter service, with the service being pre-recorded today. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena are set to tape prayers for the city. Kanye was supposed to join Joel during his Church Service at Yankee Stadium, but the event was postponed because of the health pandemic.
HAYLEY WILLIAMS RELEASES NEW SONG, ‘MY FRIEND’: Hayley Williams has shared another new song from her upcoming solo debut album, Petals for Armor. The latest cut, “My Friend,” follows the song “Over Yet.” Back in March, Hayley also released the track “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris,” and she dropped the five-song Petals for Armor I EP, featuring the single “Simmer,” in February. The full Petals for Armor album is due out May 8th.
