Grammy-winning jazz artists Esperanza Spalding and Miguel Zenón are among six recipients of the 2024 Doris Duke Artist Awards. This honor comes with a significant monetary reward. Each of the six honorees is being awarded $525,000 in unrestricted funds and up to $25,000 in retirement funds. It’s billed as the largest prize in the U.S. specifically dedicated to individual performing artists. The Doris Duke Artist Award, established in 2012, recognizes artists for their record of achievement within the disciplines of contemporary dance, jazz and theater. This year’s four other honorees are Nataki Garrett and Chay Yew (both from theater) and Shamel Pitts and Acosia Red Elk (both from dance). The unrestricted nature of the award allows artists to use the funds for either personal or professional needs and enjoy the freedom to pursue projects of their choosing. Last year, the foundation doubled the amount of the award. Including the 2024 recipients, the foundation to date has provided 135 artists with $38.8 million through the Doris Duke Artist Award program. Trending on Billboard On Friday April 26, the Doris Duke Foundation will host a symposium in New York about the future of the performing arts entitled Creative Labor, Creative Conditions: A Symposium and Celebration of the Doris Duke Artist Awards. The foundation will also inaugurate an annual retreat for Doris Duke Artist awardees at Duke Farms, its 2,700-acre environmental center. This year’s retreat runs from April 29 to May 2. Spalding, 39, has won five Grammys. The bassist and singer famously won best new artist in 2011, prevailing over a red-hot field that also included Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence + the Machine and Mumford and Sons. She has since won three Grammys for best jazz vocal album for Radio Music Society, 12 Little Spells and Songwrights Apothecary Lab and one for arrangement accompanying vocalist(s) for “City of Roses.” Zenón, 47, won his first Grammy this year for best Latin jazz album for El Arte del Bolero, Vol. 2, a collab with Luis Perdomo. The alto saxophonist had previously gone 0-11 at the Grammys, so this year’s win was a breakthrough. Duke, a tobacco heiress, socialite and philanthropist, died in 1993 at age 80. Her philanthropic work in AIDS research, medicine, and child welfare continued into her old age. Her estimated $1.3 billion fortune was largely left to charity. The Doris Duke Foundation is one of only two foundations to have received the National Medal of the Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts. The foundation’s mission “is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities,” according to a statement. Visit www.dorisduke.org to learn more.

Andrea Bocelli has been bringing his honeyed vocals to fans for 30 years, and he’s celebrating his third decade in the music business with Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration, a three-day event in the 65-year-old tenor’s hometown of Lajatico, Italy. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The event, which is set to take place July 15, July 17 and July 19 in at Tuscany’s Teatro del Silenzio will feature appearances and performances from Bocelli’s superstar friends including Ed Sheeran, Shania Twain, Jon Batiste, Russell Crowe, Sofia Vergara, David Foster, Christian Nodal, Sofia Carson, Laura Pausini, Tiziano Ferro, Zucchero, Giorgia, Matteo Bocelli and Virginia Bocelli as well as classical stars Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Lang Lang, Aida Garifullina, Bryn Terfel, Nadine Sierra and more to be announced. “As a child, I learned to dream about my future in the enchanted silence of these hills,” Bocelli said in a press statement. “Then life made that dream happen. Today, 30 years later, I can only imagine celebrating my career and my life, its strength, and its wondrous beauty here at Teatro del Silenzio, surrounded by such wonderful artists and friends. I want to thank everyone who helped my childhood dreams come true with an unforgettable concert.” Trending on Billboard In addition, Mercury Studios, Maverick, Impact Productions and CITYSOUND & Events are working together to produce the Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration concert film, which will be directed by Sam Wrench. “You can’t get much more cinematic than Andrea Bocelli against the Tuscan landscape. I’m incredibly excited to bring this once in a lifetime concert to cinemas around the world with his unique voice, this world class team and enviable list of special guests,” Wrench shared. Tickets to Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration are still available for purchase here.

Mötley Crüe promises there’s more where its brand new song “Dogs of War” came from. The track and video, both out Friday (April 26), are the first releases under a new deal with Nashville’s Big Machine Records. It’s also the Crüe’s first new song since the Machine Gun Kelly collab “The Dirt (Est. 1981)” from the soundtrack for the 2019 Netflix biopic of the same name and the band’s first recording with new member John5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie), who replaced original guitarist Mick Mars last year. “We want to keep putting out new music, too, so we don’t get stagnant,” frontman Vince Neil tells Billboard. “We recorded ‘(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)’ by the Beastie Boys and we recorded this song, too, and I thought it turned out pretty good.” And while no firm plans have been specified for future material (although an EP has been rumored for fall), both Neil and John5 say there’s more Motley music on the runway. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “There’ll definitely be new music out next year, for sure,” Neil says, “’cause we recorded a couple of other songs, too. Maybe we’ll release one of those by the end of the year, but I can’t say. But we want to keep putting out new music — not, maybe, an album but a few songs here, a few songs there, and that’s good.” Trending on Billboard John5 confirms that “there’s gonna be more music to come out, that’s for sure. [Bassist] Nikki (Sixx) calls me all the time and says, ‘Hey dude, check this out’ and it sounds like it could be a demo from, like, the Too Fast For Love album or the Shout at the Devil album. He just has that inside him; he’s created this music and it sounds just like that era because that’s who the guy is.” Neil describes the fiery-tempoed “Dogs of War” as “like old school meets new school. It’s got that old school vibe about it, but it’s new music. Nikki came up with it and he sent me the music and I thought it was really cool. So I started singing it and we got in the studio and it turned into the song I think the fans are really gonna like it.” The song was produced by frequent Crüe collaborator Bob Rock, which Neil says was a source of comfort for the band. “He’s great,” the singer explains. “He’s  a lot of fun. He’s smart. He’s creative. He knows what the wants. He knows what to get from each guy to make them be their best. That’s what a good producer does, takes what you have and makes it better – and that’s what (Rock ) does to Mötley Crüe. That’s what we love about him. We know he’s not gonna change and we didn’t want any change. We wanted to do it just the way we always recorded with him.” The upcoming video, meanwhile, is an animated, all-CGI affair directed by Nick DenBoer that depicts the band in various levels of an apocalyptic, video game-like battle. It also includes a clever nod to the pig masks the group wore on the cover of 1997’s Generation Swine album.  In making the new label deal announcement, Big Machine Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta — the driving force behind the 2014 Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe compilation — says that, “Growing up in Southern California, I was in Hollywood when these new sheriffs showed up and took over the city. It was loud. It was powerful. It was game changing. (The band has) reignited the flame with ferocious newCrüe Music.” Neil, who resides in Nashville, calls Borchetta “a good friend … and a good friend of the band’s. They’re just a smart company that knows how to market songs and how to get them on the radio and do all the stuff you gotta do. They’re perfect for us.” BMG remains the band’s home for catalog releases, however. This year it’s already released a Dolby Atmos remaster of The Dirt Soundtrack to celebrate its fifth anniversary as well as a Record Store Day re-release of the rarities compilation Supersonic and Demonic Relics on vinyl for the first time. Since this year is the 25th anniversary of the band’s legendary Dr. Feelgood album, fans have been speculating about some sort of release to commemorate that later in the year. Back in 2014, of course, Mötley Crüe famously signed a “binding” contract for its The Final Tour farewell trek stipulating that support act Alice Cooper could cut their heads off if they broke it. Then, however, came The Dirt, which despite overwhelmingly negative reviews was a rating success, while the soundtrack hit No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and Top 5 on the Top Rock Albums and Soundtrack Albums charts. “The Dirt (Est. 1981)” single was also a Top 10 Mainstream Rock hit.  “The Dirt got us so many new fans, a whole generation that hadn’t seen Mötley Crüe. That kinda brought us back to want to play again,” Neil says. The Crüe did regroup for The Stadium Tour with Def Leppard in 2022, while John5 came on board later in the year in place of Mars, who announced he was retiring from touring. (The band and Mars are currently embroiled in legal actions regarding the latter’s departure and status in the band, which Neil would not comment on.) “John brings a lot,” Neil says. “He’s an amazing, creative guitar player. He hears stuff us normal people don’t hear. He brings a lot to the song and a lot to the band, and we’re just so happy to have him.” The feeling is mutual according to John5, who collaborated with Sixx on Sixx A.M. projects and co-wrote the three new songs on The Dirt Soundtrack. “I love Motley and I’ve known Mick, Tommy (Lee) and Nikki for so long, it’s just like playing with your friends,” the guitarist says. “Their music is something I care about. I care about the history and I care about the future of this band, so I want to do things with the utmost respect and make sure everything is done right and execute it to the ability it deserves.” Mötley Crüe will play selected shows this year starting May 3-4 at Hard Rock Live in Atlantic City, N.J. and including several festival dates. Check out the full tour itinerary below: May 3-4 — Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live May 9 — Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville June 22 — Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest June 23 — Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort July 11 — Calgary, Canada @ Calgary Stampede July 13 — Ottawa, Canada @ Ottawa Bluesfest July 14 — Quebec, Canada @ Festival d’Ete de Quebec July 19 — Minot, ND @ North Dakota State Fair August 10 — Springfield, IL @ Illinois State Fair August 14 — Des Moines, IA @ Iowa State Fair August 17 — Thackerville, OK @ Winstar Casino August 29 — St. Paul, MN @ Minnesota State Fair August 31 — Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Sept. 26 — Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live Sept. 28 — Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival  Oct. 13 — Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Fest

HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Anadolu / Getty Student-led protests on college campuses over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have led to increased tensions with administrators and arrests. Protests supporting the Palestinian people in the Gaza region of Israel during the nation’s conflict with the Hamas terror organization on college campuses such as Columbia University in New York City have become highly intense within the last few days. The school is the home of the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” erected last week by student protesters. The protests have riled up those for the Palestinians and those supporting Israel, leading Columbia President Dr. Minouche Shafik to initiate hybrid classes for the rest of the semester, which began Monday (April 22). “Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus,” she wrote in a statement, calling for a “reset” due to the Passover holiday and citing the concerns of Jewish students who said that they were being intimidated by the pro-Palestinian protesters and were hit with antisemitic threats. “Antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken,” Shafik continued. The Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine group issued their statement, saying that they “firmly reject any form of hate or bigotry” and their criticisms are of Israel’s government. Tensions at the encampment hit a fever pitch over the weekend as the New York Police Department arrested close to 100 protesters at the encampment, with dozens of students at Columbia and Barnard being suspended and barred from school housing including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Barnard has since offered an olive branch to those suspended, offering to lift them for students, acknowledging many had “not previously engaged in misconduct.” Republican federal lawmakers and Jewish groups, however, are in opposition to these moves and are calling for stricter punishment and protection of Jewish students. The spirit of the protests has spread to other colleges – New York University and Yale University also saw encampments go up in solidarity with those at Columbia and Barnard. To date, there are encampments of protesters supporting the Palestinian people at 15 university campuses nationwide. Faculty members at New York University and Yale were arrested after police said they denied requests to leave. There is also a growing shift in public opinion, as polls are showing most Americans disapprove of Israel’s handling of the war that began after Oct. 7, 2023.

As she winds down her American Idol run Katy Perry is gearing up for her next pop era. And to hear tell it, the best is yet to come. Earlier this week while doing Idol promo, Perry snuck in a tantalizing tease about her upcoming single, which, low key, she think is among her greatest work to date. Perry said the unnamed track — whose release date has not yet been revealed — is “one of my biggest songs that has yet to come out.” The track was co-written by 28-year-old Canadian-Congolese singer Lu Kala, best known stateside for her feature on Latto’s 2023 song “Lottery.” “But it’s coming out,” Perry, 39, says excitedly, counseling Kala, “don’t say anything!” as she covers her mouth in mock horror. Trending on Billboard Kala, of course, could hardly contain her excitement, sharing a roll of pics with Perry from her visit on Tuesday (April 23) with the caption, “To know me is to know that I’ve been a Katy fan FOREVER!! You can’t spell Pop without @katyperry and as a Pop gurlll, this means the WORLD TO ME!!!!🥹💕 brb, still crying.” The pics include Kala standing arm-in-arm with Perry, as well as a slide with the caption featuring Perry’s tease. “I was not expecting any of this, wow😭 Thank you @katyperry for letting me be the tiniest part of what you have coming. I can’t wait for the world to hear it🥹💕,” Kala captioned the video post. Kala, who was named a Vevo #DSCVR Artist to Watch for 2024 just released her aching new ballad “Nothing But Love.” On the same night, Perry further pulled back the curtain on the long-awaited follow-up to her 2020 album Smile, telling Access Hollywood that her as-yet-untitled LP is one of her happiest to date. “I just have yet to make a record from a place of feeling really happy and whole and full of love,” she said. “Sometimes artists are like, ‘Oh, that’s boring, you want to make music from kind of like a tougher place,’ but actually it’s very bright and joyful, like pure joy and fun and playful and celebratory and a party.” Check out Kala’s post below.