1989 (taylor's edition) Archives

Taylor Swift’s “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” Sees Biggest Billboard 200 Debut In Nearly 10 Years

November 6, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Taylor Swift’s latest re-recording release, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), notched the biggest opening on the Billboard 200 in nearly a decade, this past week. It debuted at No. 1 after moving 1.653 million equivalent album units in the week ending on November 2. It’s the most since Adele’s 25 sold 3.482 million units in its first week back in 2015. The figure is even higher than the original version of 1989, which debuted with 1.287 million in its first week in November 2014.

While it’s the highest-selling album since 2015, it’s also the sixth highest-selling of all time in terms of traditional album sales, which make up 1.359 million of the aforementioned total sum. In addition to being behind Adele’s 25, it’s also behind NSYNC’s No Strings Attached (2.416 million), NSYNC’s Celebrity (1.878 million), Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP (1.76 million), and Backstreet Boys’ Black & Blue (1.591 million). Swift also has the most number-one albums for a female artist of all time with 13 different projects topping the chart. She’s tied with Drake for third place on the list of any artist regardless of gender. They’re behind only JAY-Z’s 14 and the Beatles’ 19.

Taylor Swift Spotted In New York City

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 27: Taylor Swift is seen in the West Village on October 27, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Stealth Pix/GC Images)

Swift first began re-recording her first six studio albums in 2019 amid a dispute over ownership of her masters. She was unable to reacquire them after Scooter Braun bought her former label, Big Machine Records.

Outside of Music, Swift has been dating Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. Amid their romance, the pop star has attended several of Kelce’s games. Kelce addressed the media frenzy around the relationship back in October. “We’re learning with the paparazzi taking photos from all over the place,” Kelce told reporters at the time. “But at the same time, you know, it comes with it. You’ve got a lot of people that care about Taylor, and for good reason. You’ve just got to keep living and learning and enjoying the moments.” Be on the lookout for further updates on their relationship on HotNewHipHop.

[Via]

The post Taylor Swift’s “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” Sees Biggest Billboard 200 Debut In Nearly 10 Years appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Flavor Flav Is A Swiftie, Surprising Moment At 2023 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony

November 3, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Flavor Flav is a swiftie! In a music industry where the unexpected often takes center stage, the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was no exception. Amid the glitz and glamour of the star-studded event, one iconic figure made a fashion statement that sent shockwaves through the audience: Flavor Flav, the larger-than-life rapper and Public Enemy co-founder, donned a “1989” cardigan. This unlikely choice of clothing solidified his status as an unlikely but enthusiastic Swiftie, a term used to describe fans of pop sensation Taylor Swift. The rap icon may not strike you as someone inclined to appreciate Taylor Swift’s music. However, he has openly expressed his affection for her over a considerable period. In fact, in June, he made an appearance at one of her tour stops in Detroit!

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony is typically a platform for celebrating the pioneers and legends of the rock music genre, but Flavor Flav’s choice of attire demonstrated the diverse musical influences and interests that transcend traditional boundaries in the music world. His decision to wear a cardigan from Taylor Swift’s “1989” era was an unexpected and iconic nod to the pop superstar, showcasing his genuine appreciation for her music. “Wow, that’s so random lol. Everyone really is a swiftie,” one user tweeted.

Flavor Flav Is An Unexpected Swiftie

Flavor Flav rocking ‘1989’ cardigan at 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. https://t.co/zxc11MsTgs

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 3, 2023

Flavor Flav, known for his trademark clock necklace and energetic stage presence, has always been a fascinating character in the music industry. With his roots deeply embedded in hip-hop and rap, it came as a pleasant surprise to many when he revealed his admiration for Taylor Swift’s music. Swift, on the other hand, has garnered a massive following and numerous awards for her genre-blending approach to pop music. The “1989” era marked a pivotal moment in Taylor Swift’s career, as she transitioned from country to pop, captivating a broader audience. The album’s blend of catchy melodies and relatable lyrics resonated with millions of fans around the world, including Flavor Flav. His choice to wear a “1989” cardigan was a testament to the timelessness of Taylor Swift’s music and her ability to bridge the gap between genres.

Flavor Flav’s bold fashion choice at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony speaks volumes about the transformative power of music. It reminds us that artists are not confined to a single genre or era but can be influenced by a wide range of musical expressions. Flavor Flav’s gesture not only showed his appreciation for Taylor Swift’s work but also celebrated the unity and diversity within the world of music.

The post Flavor Flav Is A Swiftie, Surprising Moment At 2023 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Taylor Swift’s “Taylor’s Version” Re-Recordings Causing Labels To Change Their Rules

October 31, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Starting in 2021, Taylor Swift began re-recording some of her old albums. She did to because her old masters were caught up in label bureaucracy, which many fans personally blamed on manager Scooter Braun. In the years since she’s re-recorded her albums Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989. She’s also expected to release two more “Taylor’s Version” albums for her projects Taylor Swift and Reputation.

Each of the re-recorded versions have performed very well commercially. The first three all reached number one on the Billboard 200 and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) which was released just last week is expected to join them. Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) already has one of the biggest first-week sales numbers of 2023 so far and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is expected to join it. But perhaps even more importantly, the re-recordings have replaced the original albums in many fans streaming diets. That’s where labels have stepped up in an attempt to prevent artists from doing something similar in the future.

Labels React To Taylor Swift’s Re-Recordings

Labels Want to Prevent ‘Taylor’s Version’-Like Re-Recordings From Ever Happening Again https://t.co/YH9A6Pt63L

— billboard (@billboard) October 30, 2023

According to Billboard, the success of Taylor’s versions has scared some major labels into amending their contracts with artists. Many are trying to get guarantees that an artist can’t re-record their material for 10, 15 or even as long as 30 years after departing from the label. The process of re-recording material has been generally somewhat rare in the music industry. But Swift could prove to be a trendsetter which clearly has labels scared.

Swift surprised rap fans over the weekend with her 1989 (Taylor’s Version). She got Kendrick Lamar to re-record his notorious verse from their collaborative single “Bad Blood” for the project. She initially only re-recorded the solo version of the song for the first release of the re-recording. But she quickly followed it up with a special deluxe edition. That version featured even more tracks, including a redone guest spot from Kendrick. What do you think of labels reacting to Taylor Swift’s re-recordings? Let us know in the comment section below.

[Via]

The post Taylor Swift’s “Taylor’s Version” Re-Recordings Causing Labels To Change Their Rules appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Taylor Swift Receives Backlash From “Gaylor” Fandom For “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” Liner Notes

October 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The “Gaylor” subsection of the Taylor Swift fandom is very upset about the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version). “Gaylor” Swifties are a group of fans who believe that Taylor Swift is secretly queer and that her many public heterosexual relationships are merely a front for her true sexuality. However, some of the materials released alongside Swift’s new album appear to thoroughly debunk the idea. “Being a consummate optimist, I assumed I could fix this if I simply changed my behavior. I swore off dating and decided to focus only on myself, my music, my growth, and my female friendships. If I only hung out with my female friends, people couldn’t sensationalize or sexualize that—right? I would learn later on that people could and people would,” Swift wrote in a prologue found in the liner notes of the album’s physical copy.

However, this led to backlash from the “Gaylor” community, who saw it is as a direct attack on them and a betrayal by Swift. Many people went as far as to accuse Swift of “queerbaiting” her community by “pretending” to be queer to entice queer fans. At no point in her career has Swift explicitly suggested that she is a member of the queer community. As far back as 2014, Swift was pushing back against the concept. “As my 25th birthday present from the media, I’d like for you to stop accusing all of my friends of dating me. #Thirsty,” she wrote on social media at the time.

Jason Kelce Questions Level Of Media Attention About His Brother And Taylor Swift

Taylor was very clear NINE years ago that she’s didn’t want to be shipped with her female friends but gaylors have ignored her & done it every day since. i hope they feel ashamed! https://t.co/R2MkdtEGyo pic.twitter.com/0CyCrsG23e

— 𝑒𝓂✰ 1989 TODAY! (@surburbanlegend) October 26, 2023

Meanwhile, Jason Kelce has spoken out about the level of media attention his brother Travis has received for dating Swift. “It’s certainly been weird, the level that it is now. On one hand, I’m happy for my brother that he seems to be in a relationship that he’s excited about [and] that he is genuine about. But there’s another end of it where it’s like, ‘Man, this is a lot.’ There’s paparazzi talking about him fueling his car before the game today and I’m like, ‘Is that really necessary information to share?’ This is another level of stardom that typically football players don’t deal with,” Kelce told NBC Sports this past weekend.

Travis Kelce is perhaps the most spotlighted player in the NFL right now thanks to his relationship with Taylor Swift. While Jason also said that he was fine with Travis getting the attention as long as it didn’t jeopardize his safety, it may have already reached that point. Kelce reportedly recently purchased a new home in a gated community, in part due to the level of attention his current home received from paparazzi and fans. While nothing untoward has happened yet, it does feel as if the fever pitch is about to break.

[via]

The post Taylor Swift Receives Backlash From “Gaylor” Fandom For “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” Liner Notes appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kendrick Lamar Re-Records “Bad Blood (Remix)” Verse For Taylor Swift: Listen

October 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Kendrick Lamar is a bonafide Swiftie but that’s not really news. Since “Shake It Off,” he praised Taylor Swift’s artistic output. Ultimately, the mutual respect led to his verse on the “Bad Blood (Remix).” Although hip-hop purists didn’t approve of Kendrick’s leap into the pop world, it proved to be a success. K. Dot topped the Billboard Hot 100 with Swift and undoubtedly introduced him to a much wider audience that would otherwise not realize Kendrick’s greatness.

With the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Edition) and the new deluxe edition, Taylor Swift has been re-recording all six of her studio albums to retain full ownership of them. Due to her issues with Big Machine and the private equity firm that obtained ownership of her masters, she went out to re-record her albums. It proved that her name carries significant weight with the re-recording of her projects, which has only boosted her celebrity profile. Fortunately, with the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Edition) deluxe, she also got Kendrick on board to deliver a re-recorded verse from “Bad Blood.”

Kendrick Lamar Pulls A Solid For Taylor Swift

With Kendrick re-recording his verse, Taylor penned a heartfelt message to the rapper for assisting her on this journey. “Watching Kendrick Lamar create and record his verses on the ‘Bad Blood’ remix was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. I still look back on this collaboration with so much pride and gratitude, for the ways Kendrick elevated the song and the way he treats everyone around him. Every time the crowds on ‘The Eras Tour’ would chant his line ‘you forgive, you forget, but you never let it… go!’, I smiled,” she wrote on X.

She added, “The reality that Kendrick would go back in and re-record Bad Blood so that I could reclaim and own this work I’m so proud of is surreal and bewildering to me. I’m overjoyed to say that the Bad Blood Remix (featuring Kendrick Lamar) is available everywhere on the 1989 Deluxe Edition.” Check out the re-recording of “ Bad Blood (Remix) above and sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below.

The post Kendrick Lamar Re-Records “Bad Blood (Remix)” Verse For Taylor Swift: Listen appeared first on HotNewHipHop.