Steel Panther’s Satchel says BTS make the “worst fucking music I’ve heard in my life”

“I was like: ‘No fucking way can this be happening – and why?’” Satchel added, going on to reveal his first impressions upon hearing the band’s music.

“I had to figure it out,” he said. “So I listened to two songs. It was the worst fucking shit I’ve ever heard in my life.”

BTS CREDIT: BIGHIT MUSIC

This year, BTS have been forced to go on a temporary break due to South Korea’s mandatory military service for all able-bodied males. During the break, a number of the members are launching solo careers, with RM releasing his debut studio album ‘Indigo’.

Last month, the band’s J-hope began the process of enlisting for mandatory military service in South Korea, becoming the second member of BTS to enlist following Jin in December of 2022.

Men are usually required to enlist by the age of 28, though the Order of Cultural Merit awarded to BTS by former president Moon Jae-In in 2018 allows the seven members of the boyband to enlist at 30 instead.

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According to an October 17 statement from Big Hit Music, the remaining members of BTS will also carry out their military service according to their individual plans. It added that “both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment”.

This suggests that some of BTS’ younger members may be enlisting sooner than expected, as Jimin and V are technically only required to enlist by 2025 and youngest member Jungkook by 2027. Rapper Suga turns 30 in March 2023 and is likely to enlist soon.

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LEGO announces new BTS set

It was designed by two BTS and LEGO fans, friends Josh, 20, from Indiana, and Jacob, 21, from New York. According to a press statement, the pair combined “their love of BTS and passion for LEGO building” and “worked together to bring the set to life”.

Talking about their process, Jacob said: “Josh did the building and design work and, as a massive BTS fan, I told him what needed to be in it, what details were most important. It was a really fun process.”

Josh added: “Jacob had the BTS knowledge, and he was able to direct my build in the proper way. I watched the music video over and over and tried to capture its essence in the LEGO bricks. It was insane when the project went viral online overnight.”

You can see more images of the set here:

BTS LEGO – CREDIT: Press

BTS LEGO – CREDIT: Press

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BTS LEGO – CREDIT: Press

Talking about developing the set, Federico Begher, Head of LEGO Product Group, commented: “When we saw Josh and Jacob’s colourful design we knew it would be a hit and this was proved by how quickly they reached 10,000 views in the LEGO Ideas voting.

“The BTS fans have already got behind the design and so it was important that we were as faithful to the original creation as possible.  The set highlights creativity, passion and most importantly, fun! We can’t wait to see the fans building and displaying it.”

You’ll be able to buy the set here from early March for £89.99, and it’ll also be available in LEGO stores.

Back in 2021, Apple Music revealed that ‘Dynamite’ was the platform’s most-streamed song of the year. It was also the group’s first single to earn a triple-platinum certification in the United States.

Meanwhile, BTS’s Suga recently became the first member of the K-pop group to announce a solo world tour.

The group went on hiatus last year and plan to reconvene in a group around 2025, with separate plans to launch their own solo projects and undertake mandatory military service duties. All able-bodied men in their home country of South Korea are legally required to serve a military term of 18-21 months.

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BTS and Halsey’s ‘Boy With Luv’ has just smashed a huge Spotify milestone

 

Back in 2021, BTS became the first Korean act to achieve a billion streams with ‘Dynamite’. The song has since been added into Spotify’s official ‘Billions Club’ playlist, alongside hits like Harry Styles‘ ‘Watermelon Sugar’, Ed Sheeran‘s ‘Shape Of You’ and more.

To celebrate, the K-pop group ate off their official plaque, following in the footsteps of Drake (with ‘In My Feelings’), Halsey (with ‘Without Me’ and collaborative track ‘Closer’) and Joe Jonas (with DNCE’s ‘Cake by the Ocean’)

Last year, BTS’ 2021 English-language hit ‘Butter’ became the group’s second single to amass over a billion streams on Spotify.

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Speaking about making ‘Boy With Luv’, Halsey said: “It was really cool for us to come together and do something that reflects all of us, I think. It’s a really special marriage of music in America and music in Korea that’s our music for the world and I think that’s really, really amazing.”

“Being on set with BTS is very intimidating because they are all so incredible,” Halsey added, before she said that the boys made her “feel really calm and at home”.

In a four star review of the EP, NME said: “As they continue to break records and defy expectations, BTS’ metaphorical (and already palatial) home is only going to get bigger. ‘Map Of The Soul: Persona’ is proof of that, and finds them setting the bar intimidatingly high – for fellow K-pop artists, ones across the globe, and themselves.”

BTS are currently on hiatus as all seven members are set to serve their mandatory military terms without special exemptions in South Korea. According to Big Hit Music, they “are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment.”

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Watch Anderson .Paak join BTS on drums during ‘Proof’ live stream

‘Yet To Come’ and the album ‘Proof’ were both released on June 10. The record is a 48-track compilation that includes many of the boyband’s hit singles, from ‘Boy With Luv’ featuring Halsey to their debut single ‘No More Dream’.

It’s not the first time .Paak has appeared as a surprise guest drummer. During the Super Bowl, he made an appearance during the Half Time show alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige and 50 Cent.

.Paak’s love of K-pop will also see him direct his first feature film, K-POPS!, a dramatic comedy in which the rapper will also star alongside his son.

The film follows a musician who travels to Korea to write for K-pop stars, only to discover that his long-lost son is about to front one of the country’s most popular new groups

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BTS share first teaser for ‘Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment In Life)’

At the end of the clip, singer Jungkook holds his hand up to his face as if holding a telescope, while he sings over the visuals: “You and I, best moment is yet to come.” Watch the teaser below now.

Last weekend (June 5), Charlie Puth seemed to let slip that he will soon be releasing a collaboration with BTS. At the iHeartRadio Wango Tango concert, the singer was told that fans were looking forward to the two acts teaming up on a track. “I heard that too, and everybody in my camp doesn’t know the day it comes out,” he responded.

He added: “We legitimately have no idea of the day it comes out. We do, but like we just figured it out.”

Meanwhile, yesterday (June 6), BTS announced a live event to mark the release of ‘Proof’ and their ninth anniversary. The ‘Proof’ Live event will stream on the band’s YouTube channel on Monday (June 13) at 9pm KST (1pm BST). It is currently unclear how long BTS will perform on the stream, how long it will last and what format it will take.

Last week, BTS attended The White House to meet with President Biden to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion and representation during AANHPI heritage month in the US. The seven-piece addressed members of the press at a White House press briefing before meeting with Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.

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BTS announce live event to mark anthology album ‘Proof’

A tweet from the BTS Twitter account suggests the event will be available to stream on the group’s YouTube channel, while the poster adds that a “special guest” will also appear at the event. From the poster and previously shared images and footage, it appears that the ‘Proof’ Live event was pre-recorded in the US, while the band were in the country in April for their four sold-out shows in Las Vegas.

BTS (방탄소년단) 'Proof' Live Official Poster

2022.06.13. 9PM KST | 8AM ET
@ BANGTAN TV#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_Proof pic.twitter.com/pdM62uAzYg

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) June 6, 2022

Last week, BTS attended The White House to meet with President Biden to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion and representation during AANHPI heritage month in the US. The seven-piece addressed members of the press at a White House press briefing before meeting with Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.

“We’re devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes including Asian American hate crimes, to put a stop [to] this and support the cause we’d like to take this opportunity to voice ourselves once again,” Jimin said during the press briefing.

“It’s not wrong to be different, and equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences,” Suga said, while V added: “Everyone has their own history. We hope today is one step forward to respecting and understanding each and everyone as a valuable person.”

According to reports, BTS paid for their trip to Washington D.C., with sources from the White House cited as saying it was “something [the group] wanted to do”.

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Biden praised the band in a short clip of their meeting, which was shared online the day after their visit. “A lot of our Asian American friends have been subject to real discrimination,” the President said. “Hate only hides. When good people talk about it, and say how bad it is, it goes down. So thank you.

“People care a lot about what you say, and what you’re doing is good for all people. It’s not just your great talent, it’s the message you’re communicating. It matters.”

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Biden praises BTS during White House visit, saying their message “matters”

In a video shared on Biden’s Twitter, the group are seen walking up the White House lawn to meet the president, with RM commenting: “It’s an honour to meet you, Mr. President,” as Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook walk alongside.

“This is an important month here in America. A lot of our Asian American friends have been subject to real discrimination,” Biden said in the video. “Hate only hides. When good people talk about it, and say how bad it is, it goes down. So thank you.”

RM replied: “We want to say thank you, sincerely, for your decision, such as signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law. So we just want to be a little help and we truly appreciate the White House and the government’s trying to find solutions.”

“People care a lot about what you say, and what you’re doing is good for all people,” Biden continued. “It’s not just your great talent, it’s the message you’re communicating. It matters.”

It was great to meet with you, @bts_bighit. Thanks for all you’re doing to raise awareness around the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.

I look forward to sharing more of our conversation soon. pic.twitter.com/LnczTpT2aL

— President Biden (@POTUS) June 1, 2022

The band took part in a press conference ahead of the conversation, where they were introduced by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre as “international icons”.

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Each of the members of BTS took turns to speak, with RM beginning that it was “a great honour to be invited to the White House today to discuss the important issues of Anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion, and diversity.”

Elsewhere, Suga said: “It’s not wrong to be different, and equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences,” while V added: “Everyone has their own history. We hope today is one step forward to respecting and understanding each and everyone as a valuable person.”

BTS previously appeared at the United Nations in New York last September where they performed single ‘Permission To Dance’ after being named the UN’s Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture. They also gave a speech at the assembly.

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BTS visit the White House to discuss anti-Asian hate with President Biden

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Here are all the winners from the Billboard Music Awards 2022 – rolling list

Going into the ceremony, The Weeknd held the most nominations with 17 nods, followed by Doja Cat on 14. West, Rodrigo and Justin Bieber were close behind, appearing in 13 categories each.

Olivia Rodrigo. CREDIT: Amy Sussman/FilmMagic

The BBMAs 2022 will be hosted by Diddy and will feature performances by Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion, Silk Sonic, Burna Boy, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran and Machine Gun Kelly. Morgan Wallen will also appear after being banned from the 2021 ceremony after a video of him saying a racial slur emerged online.

Travis Scott will also perform, making his first major public appearance after the crowd crush tragedy that occurred during his headline set at last year’s Astroworld festival. The incident left 10 people dead and, according to a recent filing, thousands injured.

“To have Morgan and Travis be able to come back and touch the stage again with the mindset of getting a second chance at life,” Diddy said in a recent interview with Billboard. “Everybody in the room is getting a second chance at life, you know, because we’re back outside with no masks on. We need love and I’m excited about celebrating that.”

The winners from the Billboard Music Awards 2022 will be updated below as they are announced (highlighted in bold).

Top Artist
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Doja Cat
Drake – winner
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd

Top New Artist

Givēon
Masked Wolf
Olivia Rodrigo – winner
Pooh Shiesty
The Kid LAROI

Top Male Artist

Drake – winner
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Lil Nas X
The Weeknd

Top Female Artist

Adele
Doja Cat
Dua Lipa
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group

BTS – winner
Glass Animals
Imagine Dragons
Migos
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak)

Top Billboard 200 Artist

Adele
Drake
Juice WRLD
Morgan Wallen
Taylor Swift – winner

Top Hot 100 Artist

Doja Cat
Drake
Justin Bieber
Olivia Rodrigo – winner
The Weeknd

Kanye West. CREDIT: Scott Dudelson/FilmMagic

Top Streaming Songs Artist

Doja Cat
Drake
Lil Nas X
Olivia Rodrigo – winner
The Weeknd

Top Song Sales Artist

Adele
BTS – winner
Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran
Walker Hayes

Top Radio Songs Artist

Doja Cat
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Olivia Rodrigo – winner
The Weeknd

Top Billboard Global 200 Artist

Doja Cat
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Olivia Rodrigo – winner
The Weeknd

Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist 

BTS
Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran – winner
Olivia Rodrigo
The Weeknd

Top Tour

Eagles (Hotel California Tour)
Genesis (The Last Domino? Tour)
Green Day, Fall Out Boy & Weezer (The Hella Mega Tour)
Harry Styles (Love on Tour)
The Rolling Stones (No Filter Tour) – winner

Top R&B Artist

Doja Cat
Givēon
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak)
Summer Walker
The Weeknd

Doja Cat Credit: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Top R&B Male Artist

Givēon
Khalid
The Weeknd – winner

Top R&B Female Artist

Doja Cat – winner
Summer Walker
SZA

Top R&B Tour

Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars at Park MGM) – winner
Omarion & Bow Wow (The Millennium Tour 2021)
Usher (The Vegas Residency)

Top Rap Artist

Drake – winner
Juice WRLD
Lil Baby
Moneybagg Yo
Polo G

Top Rap Male Artist

Drake – winner
Juice WRLD
Polo G

Top Rap Female Artist

Cardi B
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion

Top Rap Tour

J. Cole (The Off-Season Tour)
Lil Baby (The Back Outside Tour)
Omarion & Bow Wow (The Millennium Tour 2021) – winner

BTS CREDIT: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Top Country Artist

Chris Stapleton
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Taylor Swift – winner
Walker Hayes

Top Country Male Artist

Chris Stapleton
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen

Top Country Female Artist

Carrie Underwood
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift – winner

Top Country Duo/Group

Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Zac Brown Band

Top Country Tour

Luke Bryan (Proud to Be Right Here Tour)
Eric Church (Gather Again Tour) – winner
Chris Stapleton (All-American Road Show Tour)

Top Rock Artist

Glass Animals
Imagine Dragons
Machine Gun Kelly
Måneskin
twenty one pilots

Top Rock Tour

Genesis (The Last Domino? Tour)
Green Day, Fall Out Boy & Weezer (The Hella Mega Tour)
The Rolling Stones (No Filter Tour) – winner

Bad Bunny. Credit: Timothy Norris/Getty Images

Top Latin Artist

Bad Bunny – winner
Farruko
Kali Uchis
Karol G
Rauw Alejandro

Top Latin Male Artist

Bad Bunny – winner
Farruko
Rauw Alejandro

Top Latin Female Artist

Kali Uchis – winner
Karol G
Rosalía

Top Latin Duo/Group

Calibre 50
Eslabon Armado – winner
Grupo Firme

Top Latin Tour

Bad Bunny (El Último Tour Del Mundo)
Enrique Iglesias & Ricky Martin (Live in Concert)
Los Bukis (Una Historia Cantada Tour) – winner

Top Dance/Electronic Artist

Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Lady Gaga – winner
Marshmello
Tiësto

Top Christian Artist

Carrie Underwood
Elevation Worship
for King & Country
Lauren Daigle
Ye – winner

(L-R) Mick Jagger and Keith Richards perform live with The Rolling Stones in 2021. CREDIT: Jason Koerner/WireImage

Top Gospel Artist

CeCe Winans
Elevation Worship
Kirk Franklin
Maverick City Music
Ye – winner

Top Billboard 200 Album

Adele, ’30’
Doja Cat, ‘Planet Her’
Drake, ‘Certified Lover Boy’
Morgan Wallen, ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’
Olivia Rodrigo, ‘SOUR’ – winner

Top Soundtrack

Arcane League of Legends
Encanto – winner
In The Heights
Sing 2
tick, tick…BOOM!

Top R&B Album

Doja Cat, ‘Planet Her’
Givēon, ‘When It’s All Said and Done…Take Time’
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak), ‘An Evening With Silk Sonic’
Summer Walker, ‘Still Over It’
The Weeknd, ‘Dawn FM’

Top Rap Album

Drake, ‘Certified Lover Boy’ – winner
Moneybagg Yo, ‘A Gangsta’s Pain’
Rod Wave, ‘SoulFly’
The Kid LAROI, ‘F*ck Love’
Ye, ‘Donda’

Top Country Album

Florida Georgia Line, ‘Life Rolls On’
Lee Brice, ‘Hey World’
Taylor Swift, ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’
Taylor Swift, ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ – winner
Walker Hayes, ‘Country Stuff: The Album’

Top Rock Album

AJR, ‘OK Orchestra’
Coldplay, ‘Music of the Spheres’
Imagine Dragons, ‘Mercury – Act 1’
John Mayer, ‘Sob Rock’
twenty one pilots, ‘Scaled and Icy’ – winner

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 12: Taylor Swift attends the “All Too Well” New York Premiere on November 12, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Top Latin Album

Eslabon Armado, ‘Corta Venas’
J Balvin, ‘Jose’
Kali Uchis, ‘Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞’
Karol G, ‘KG0516’ – winner
Rauw Alejandro, ‘Vice Versa’

Top Dance/Electronic Album

C418, ‘Minecraft – Volume Alpha’
FKA twigs, ‘Caprisongs’
Illenium, ‘Fallen Embers’
Porter Robinson, ‘Nurture’
Rüfüs Du Sol, ‘Surrender’

Top Christian Album

Carrie Underwood, ‘My Savior’
CeCe Winans, ‘Believe for It’
Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music, ‘Old Church Basement’
Phil Wickham, ‘Hymn of Heaven’
Ye, ‘Donda’ – winner

Top Gospel Album

CeCe Winans, ‘Believe for It’
Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music, ‘Old Church Basement’
Maverick City Music, ‘Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition’
Maverick City Music & Upperroom, ‘move your heart.’
Ye, ‘Donda’ – winner

Top Hot 100 Song

Doja Cat ft. SZA, ‘Kiss Me More’
Dua Lipa, ‘Levitating’
Olivia Rodrigo, ‘good 4 u’
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, ‘Stay’ – winner
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, ‘Save Your Tears’

Top Streaming Song

Dua Lipa, ‘Levitating’
Glass Animals, ‘Heat Waves’
Olivia Rodrigo, ‘good 4 u’
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, ‘Stay’ – winner
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, ‘Save Your Tears’

Top Selling Song

BTS, ‘Butter’ – winner
BTS, ‘Permission to Dance’
Dua Lipa, ‘Levitating’
Ed Sheeran, ‘Bad Habits’
Walker Hayes, ‘Fancy Like’

The Weeknd. CREDIT: Getty Images

Top Radio Song

Dua Lipa, ‘Levitating’ – winner
Ed Sheeran, ‘Bad Habits’
Olivia Rodrigo, ‘good 4 u’
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, ‘Stay’
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, ‘Save Your Tears’

Top Collaboration

Doja Cat ft. SZA, ‘Kiss Me More’
Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & GIVĒON, ‘Peaches’
Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow, ‘Industry Baby’
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, ‘Stay’ – winner
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, ‘Save Your Tears’

Top Billboard Global 200 Song

Dua Lipa, ‘Levitating’
Ed Sheeran, ‘Bad Habits’
Olivia Rodrigo, ‘good 4 u’
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, ‘Stay’ – winner
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, ‘Save Your Tears’

Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Song

BTS, ‘Butter’
Ed Sheeran, ‘Bad Habits’
Lil Nas X, ‘Montero (Call Me by Your Name)’
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, ‘Stay’ – winner
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, ‘Save Your Tears’

Top Viral Song 

Doja Cat ft. SZA, ‘Kiss Me More’ – winner
Gayle, ‘abcdefu’
Glass Animals, ‘Heat Waves’
Masked Wolf, ‘Astronaut In The Ocean’
Walker Hayes, ‘Fancy Like’

Top R&B Song

Doja Cat & The Weeknd, ‘You Right’
Givēon, ‘Heartbreak Anniversary’
Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Givēon, ‘Peaches’
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak), ‘Leave The Door Open’ – winner
WizKid ft. Justin Bieber & Tems, ‘Essence’

Top Rap Song

Drake ft. 21 Savage, Project Pat, ‘Knife Talk’
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug, ‘Way 2 Sexy’
Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow, ‘Industry Baby’ – winner
Masked Wolf, ‘Astronaut In The Ocean’
Polo G, ‘Rapstar’

Dua Lipa performs in Las Vegas on March 25, 2022 as part of her ‘Future Nostalgia’ tour. Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

Top Country Song

Chris Stapleton, ‘You Should Probably Leave’
Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood, ‘If I Didn’t Love You’
Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan, ‘Buy Dirt’
Luke Combs, ‘Forever After All’
Walker Hayes, ‘Fancy Like’ – winner

Top Rock Song

Coldplay X BTS, ‘My Universe’
Elle King & Miranda Lambert, ‘Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)’
Imagine Dragons, ‘Follow You’
Måneskin, ‘Beggin” – winner
The Anxiety: Willow & Tyler Cole, ‘Meet Me at Our Spot’

Top Latin Song

Aventura x Bad Bunny, ‘Volví’
Bad Bunny, ‘Yonaguni’
Farruko, ‘Pepas’
Kali Uchis, ‘telepatía’ – winner
Rauw Alejandro, ‘Todo De Ti’

Top Dance/Electronic Song

Elton John & Dua Lipa, ‘Cold Heart – PNAU Remix’ – winner
Farruko, ‘Pepas’
Regard x Troye Sivan x Tate McRae, ‘You’
Tiësto, ‘The Business’
Travis Scott & HVME, ‘Goosebumps’

Top Christian Song

Anne Wilson, ‘My Jesus’
Ye, ‘Hurricane’ – winner
Ye, ‘Moon’
Ye, ‘Off The Grid’
Ye, ‘Praise God’

Top Gospel Song

Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music ft. Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine, ‘Jireh’
Ye, ‘Hurricane’ – winner
Ye, ‘Moon’
Ye, ‘Off the Grid’
Ye, ‘Praise God’

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Psy says BTS have achieved ‘Gangnam Style’’s “unfulfilled dreams”

“There were even people who thought my name was ‘Gangnam Style’,” he explained of the track’s meme status in the West. “Some people overseas who would say ‘Hi, Gangnam Style’.”

Discussing the success that other Korean artists have experienced in the 10 years since ‘Gangnam Style’ was released, Psy said acts like BTS and BLACKPINK have achieved the “opposite” of his viral fame because they have gained “permanence and persistence”.

“There are cases where the song increases in popularity and cases when the [artist] increases in popularity, and longevity is that much longer in the latter,” he said.

He also noted that even BTS and BLACKPINK still face barriers in the West, particularly in terms of radio play. “The wall of American radio is very high because the songs are in a foreign language,” he explained. “Our biggest weapon is YouTube.”

Singling out BTS, the star described the band as having “achieved unfulfilled dreams” – such as scoring a Number One hit in the US. “If they continue like this, though they’re not doing music for the sake of raising national prestige, I think they’re giving [Korea] a lot of proud moments,” Psy added. “I feel very proud that I had a role in being that trigger. BTS have thanked me for that part several times, so I’m proud of it.”

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In a recent interview discussing his involvement with Psy’s new single ‘That That’, BTS’ Suga revealed he wasn’t initially aware how much he would be involved with the release. “I seriously didn’t expect to be dancing with Psy,” he said. “Ah… I thought I was only writing the song.”

Psy, meanwhile, explained: “At the beginning, we met because he wanted to produce my music. Then he ended up featuring on the track. Then he ended up learning the intense choreo[graphy]. Then he ended up starring in the music video. Step by step, he got involved more and more deeply.”

In other BTS news, the group will return on June 10 with a new album. It will be their first full-length record since November 2021, when they released ‘BE’.

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BTS, IU, aespa and ENHYPEN lead winners at 2021 MAMA

Although the group did not attend the ceremony, they sent a video message, which was filmed backstage at their recent concerts in LA. “For all of those who had difficult times this year, to share strength and comfort, we tried new things in making music and we worked very hard,” RM said. “Thank you for empathising with our heartful music and enjoying them with us.”

[#2021MAMA_Moment] BEST MALE GROUP & BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE GROUP & BEST MUSIC VIDEO & TikTok FAVORITE MOMENT #방탄소년단 #bts

You made it! Honorable winner of the night! 🏆
#2021MAMA #MAMA #MakeSomeNoise #Mnet pic.twitter.com/B9JEEgFQNk

— MAMA(엠넷아시안뮤직어워즈) (@MnetMAMA) December 11, 2021

 

Jimin continued: “‘Butter’ and ‘Permission to Dance’ gained enormous love this year, we will share this honour with everyone who worked hard to make great music and performances with us. And most of all, we think this is the award given to both us and all ARMYs who’ve been showing so much love toward our music.”

“We believe many in the world had difficult times in 2021,” J-hope added. “But we hope we all can believe that greater hope is on its way, little by little. We will work harder so our music can be your peace of mind and comfort in difficult times.”

Watch the group’s acceptance speech in full above. Their haul also meant they are now the first act to have won every top prize at the ceremony for a third year.

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Elsewhere at the ceremony, IU won three awards, while aespa and ENHYPEN won two awards each. IU was named Best Female Artist and Best Vocal Performance for ‘Celebrity’, and received Best Collaboration with AKMU, while aespa won Best New Female Artist and Best Dance Performance Female Group for ‘Next Level’. ENHYPEN, meanwhile, took home Best New Male Artist and were also voted as one of the Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10 acts.

Ed Sheeran was this year’s victor in the Favourite International Artist category and gave a special performance for the event, mashing up his recent singles ‘Bad Habits’ and ‘Shivers’.

The full list of winners from 2021 MAMA are as follows:

TikTok Album Of The Year 

BTS – ‘BE’

Best New Male Artist 

ENHYPEN

Best New Female Artist 

aespa

Best Dance Performance Female Group 

aespa – ‘Next Level’

aespa CREDIT: Courtesy of CJ ENM

Best Band Performance 

JANNABI

Best Hip-Hop & Urban Music 

Ash Island – ‘Melody’

Best OST 

Cho Jung Seok – ‘Like You’, Hospital Playlist (season two)

Korean Tourism Organisation Breakout Artist 

Brave Girls

Favourite Asian Artist 

INI

TikTok Worldwide Icon Of The Year 

BTS

Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10 

Stray Kids
NCT Dream
NCT 127
ENHYPEN
Tomorrow X Together
BTS
Lisa
Seventeen
Treasure
TWICE

ENHYPEN CREDIT: Courtesy of CJ ENM

Favourite International Artist

Ed Sheeran

Best Asian Artist Japan

JO1

Best Asian Artist Mandarin 

Accusefive

Best Asian Artist Thailand 

Tilly Birds

Best Asian Artist Indonesia

Anneth

Best Asian Artist Vietnam

Quân A.P

Best New Asian Artist Japan

ADO

Best New Asian Artist Mandarin

Anson Lo

Best New Asian Artist Thailand 

SPRIVE X GUYGEEGEE

Best New Asian Artist Indonesia 

Lyodra

Stray Kids CREDIT: Courtesy of CJ ENM

Best New Asian Artist Vietnam 

Hoàng Duyên

TikTok Song Of The Year 

BTS – ‘Butter’

TikTok Artist Of The Year 

BTS – ‘Butter’

TikTok Favourite Moment

BTS

Best Male Group 

BTS

Best Female Group 

TWICE

Best Male Artist 

Baekhyun

Best Female Artist 

IU

Best Dance Performance Solo 

Rosé – ‘On The Ground’

Best Dance Performance Male Group 

BTS – ‘Butter’

Tomorrow X Together CREDIT: Courtesy of CJ ENM

Best Vocal Performance 

IU – ‘Celebrity’

Best Collaboration 

AKMU – ‘NAKKA (with IU)’

Best Executive Producer Of The Year 

Bang Si-Hyuk

Best Producer Of The Year 

TEDDY

Best Composer Of The Year 

Yoo Young Jin

Best Engineer Of The Year 

Gu Jong Pil, Kwon Nam Woo

Best Video Director Of The Year 

Lumpens

Best Choreographer Of The Year 

Leejung Lee

Best Art Director Of The Year 

MU:E

BTS are currently on an “extended period of rest” for the first time since 2019 and will not take part in any of this year’s end-of-year shows. In a statement, their agency Big Hit explained the break would give the group “a chance to get re-inspired and recharge with creative energy” and offer them the first opportunity “to spend the holiday season with their families” since their debut in 2013.

The company also noted that the boyband will be preparing for a brand-new album that will be the start of a “new chapter”.

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BTS and Megan Thee Stallion to give ‘Butter’ remix its live debut at 2021 AMAs

BTS could take home three trophies from the event, including Favourite Pop Song for ‘Butter’, while Megan is also up for a trio of gongs.

More artists have also been confirmed to perform at the awards show including Olivia Rodrigo, who leads the nominations with seven nods across all categories. Bad Bunny, who is up for five awards, will also give the first live performance of his collaboration with Tainy and Julieta Venegas, ‘Lo Siento BB:/.’”

Last month, BTS shared footage of their New York meeting with the Houston rapper, which took place while the group were in the city to appear at the United Nationals General Assembly. In the video, Megan talked about working with the Korean stars again, saying: “Whenever we do another song, I feel like we gotta do it big. We gotta do a video, and it’s gonna be happening.”

She also shared her reaction to being asked to do the collaboration. “I was like, ‘I wanna do a song with BTS’, and then when it came up I was like, ‘They know me?’” she said. “I was so happy.”

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BTS “play well” and “rest well” in new trailer for ‘In The Soop’ season two

The trailer also showed cuts from the series of the individual BTS members winding down in their own ways, including J-Hope and Jin lounging in the pool and Suga playing basketball. “A space of ‘healing’ for BTS and BTS only,” read a caption before the trailer came to a close.

The highly anticipated second season of In The Soop starring BTS is set to premiere on October 15 at 10pm KST. The forthcoming instalment of the show is scheduled to air on South Korean broadcast network JTBC as well as globally through fan community platform Weverse.

In The Soop is a reality series produced by BTS’ agency HYBE Labels. The first season of BTS’ version of In The Soop saw the seven members of the group go on a break from their regular work schedules to spend some time together at a lakeside cabin.

Fellow HYBE labelmates SEVENTEEN are also currently starring in their own edition of the reality TV programme. Their version of the show show first premiered in late August and is set to air until October 12.

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In other BTS news, the group have achieved their third Billboard Hot 100 Number One of 2021 with ‘My Universe’, their recent collaboration with British band Coldplay. For Coldplay, ‘My Universe’ is the band’s second-ever Hot 100 chart-topper, following their 2008 single ‘Viva La Vida’.

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BTS started singing in English because they felt there was “no alternative”

RM said he felt there was “no alternative” to keep the band’s popularity high during the coronavirus pandemic, while Jin added: “The English I learned in class was so different from the English in the song. I had to erase everything in my head first.”

BTS. Credit: HYBE

Shin Young-Jae, president of BTS’s label Big Hit Music regarded the move as “a testament to the band’s strengths, the way they can come to a friendly resolution and be mindful of the company’s needs.”

Back in 2019, RM told Entertainment Weekly: “We don’t want to change our identity or our genuineness to get the number one. Like if we sing suddenly in full English, and change all these other things, then that’s not BTS. We’ll do everything, we’ll try. But if we couldn’t get number one or number five, that’s okay.”

The seven-member act also spoke about their early days in the K-pop industry, when they initially debuted as the first boyband under Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE Labels).

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“We made our debut through such a small company, and it’s been tough from day one,” said Suga, the group’s rapper and producer. “My dream was never huge.”

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BTS tease new Ed Sheeran collaboration ‘Permission To Dance’

A colourful animated video reveals the tracklist, which also includes instrumental versions of both the aforementioned songs. Big Hit then shared the official CD single cover for ‘Butter’ – see the posts below.

‘Permission To Dance’ was written by Sheeran alongside Steve Mac, Johnny McDaid (Sheeran’s collaborator and member of Snow Patrol) and Jenna Andrews. It was produced by Mac, Andrews and Stephen Kirk.

#BTS #방탄소년단 'Butter' CD Single – Cover #BTS_Butter #PermissiontoDance pic.twitter.com/9LDLJGCrXO

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) July 1, 2021

Sheeran previously said that the team-up would appear on BTS’ next record, which is also rumoured to arrive this month.

Announcing the upcoming ‘Butter’ CD in June, Big Hit Music said that the then-unknown second track “will make your heart beat to the rhythm of BTS’s positive energy”. The physical release coincides with the eighth “birthday” of the ARMYs, BTS’ official fanbase.

According to preview images, the CD will be available in two styles: an orange “peaches” version and a yellow “cream” version.

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Earlier this week, BTS’s ‘Butter’ topped the Billboard Top 100 chart for the fifth consecutive week – smashing the record previously held by Aerosmith’s 1998 hit ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’.

Ed Sheeran, meanwhile, recently returned with his new single ‘Bad Habits’.

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Ed Sheeran confirms he’s written a new BTS track

BTS’ label Big Hit Music corroborated the news with a short statement to South Korean media, reading: “It is true that Ed Sheeran is participating in BTS’s new song.”

Watch the clip below.

.@edsheeran says he's "just written" a new song for @BTS_twt 👀 #MRLxEdSheeran #BTS #EdSheeran pic.twitter.com/OpScEhx6yT

— Most Requested Live (@MostRequestLive) June 27, 2021

In a three-star review of Sheeran’s new single ‘Bad Habits’, co-written and co-produced with regular collaborators FRED and Snow Patrol‘s Johnny McDaid, NME wrote: “In a way, it’s not dissimilar to recent Weeknd hits such as ‘Blinding Lights’, which offer a darkish but catchy update of ’80s synth-pop. So perhaps ‘Bad Habits’ isn’t so unexpected after all: it’s a pretty on-trend electro bop from one of the savviest men in pop.”

BTS, meanwhile, received some good news this week (June 23) when a South Korean minister has said that he would write a recommendation for the group to delay their mandatory military enlistment, should they apply for it.

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As of June 23, a new amendment regarding military deferment has taken effect in South Korea. The law, which passed last year, states that pop musicians who have received cultural merits from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism may apply to defer their enlistment until the age of 30.

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Listen to BTS leader RM’s chill and comforting new solo song ‘Bicycle’

In a note posted to BTS’ blog, RM explained he had “always wanted to write a song about a bicycle” and that the song’s lyrics had been writing “while riding on a” bike, per a fan translation.

“For me, riding a bike always gives me a thrill, but when I put my feet on the two pedals it always feels a bit sad,” he wrote. “Whether it’s because there’s a lot of things that I miss… Even I don’t know the reason.”

He added: “Ever since I was a trainee, I always wanted to move the blurry scenery that I couldn’t quite capture while riding a bicycle into a song.”

The artwork for the release was created by Korean artist Moon Sungsic, who RM has “been admiring” and asked to be involved with the project.

Listen to ‘Bicycle’ above now.

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BTS will hold a special livestream event next weekend (June 13-14), called BTS 2021 MUSTER SOWOOZOO. When translated into English from Korean “sowoozoo” means “mikrokosmos”, the name of a track on the group’s 2019 record ‘Map Of The Soul: Persona’.

The first performance (June 13, 6:30pm KST/10:30am BST) will be followed by a “world tour” version at the same time the following night, featuring some of the band’s foreign language songs.

Meanwhile, BTS recently released two new remixes of their chart-topping and record-breaking new single ‘Butter’. The ‘Cooler’ and ‘Sweeter’ mixes arrived on Friday (June 4), and followed the previous ‘Hotter’ remix.

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HAIM on their Glastonbury livestream plans and dreams of meeting BTS

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BTS reveal first photo teaser for new single ‘Butter’

It follows last week’s “concept clips”, which rounded off on Wednesday (May 5) with videos of V, Jimin and J-hope. In V’s teaser, he was seen dancing and eating sweets, while Jimin posed with a bottle of drink. J-hope’s clip, meanwhile, featured the rapper holding a yellow lollipop.

#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_Butter Concept Clip – 뷔 (V) pic.twitter.com/UDWyGcBOZN

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) May 5, 2021

#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_Butter Concept Clip – 지민 (Jimin) pic.twitter.com/Q0oGlsarfW

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) May 5, 2021

#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_Butter Concept Clip – 제이홉 (j-hope) pic.twitter.com/eexUmvzaZb

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) May 5, 2021

Previous videos saw Jin playing around with a bunch of yellow balloons with smiley faces on them while, in Suga’s clip, the rapper took photos with a film camera on a shadowy set.

#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_Butter Concept Clip – 진 (Jin) pic.twitter.com/gNMCqtcSC6

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) May 4, 2021

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#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_Butter Concept Clip – 슈가 (SUGA) pic.twitter.com/AdteQ1zCFv

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) May 4, 2021

Jungkook was filmed on a dimly lit set as he posed for the camera and spread butter on a piece of toast. The second video saw RM on a similar soundstage as he turned a light on and off.

#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_Butter Concept Clip – 정국 (Jung Kook) pic.twitter.com/xRwp5Arev4

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) May 3, 2021

#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_Butter Concept Clip – RM pic.twitter.com/JOWxJRvAcO

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) May 3, 2021

The forthcoming single will be the second English-language release from the K-pop juggernauts following the release of ‘Dynamite’ last year. The new track will arrive on May 21 at 5am BST and is described in a statement as being “a dance pop track brimming with the smooth yet charismatic charm of BTS”.

#BTS #방탄소년단 Butter#BTS_Butter pic.twitter.com/5LOT2BB7mK

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) April 26, 2021

BUTTER // @BTS_twt // MAY 21

PRE-SAVE/PRE-ADD/PRE-ORDER: https://t.co/MIgX9uRUyi

— Columbia Records (@ColumbiaRecords) April 26, 2021

‘Dynamite’ recently became the longest-charting single by a Korean artist on the Billboard Hot 100. BTS’ record surpassed a 31-week run by Psy in 2013 for ‘Gangnam Style’.

‘Dynamite’ also became the longest-running number one on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales Chart. It surpasses an achievement previously attained by Luis Fonsi’s ‘Despacito’, which topped the chart 17 times.

Last week (April 23), luxury brand Louis Vuitton announced BTS as its latest ambassadors with a picture of the group wearing matching Louis Vuitton-branded pastel shirts and jackets.

In a press release announcing the ambassador role, Louis Vuitton called BTS “one of the most renowned and influential groups in the world”. It added that the group’s “ubiquitous popularity resonates worldwide and Louis Vuitton is very happy to share news of their new role within the House.

“Becoming global brand ambassadors for Louis Vuitton is a truly exciting moment for us,” BTS said in their own statement.

As part of the new partnership, the boyband are expected to team up with the fashion house for a number of special projects. They are also expected to be styled with Louis Vuitton pieces for their upcoming appearances.

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BTS, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion and more confirmed to perform at Grammys 2021

BTS, Swift, Eilish, and Megan will be joined by the likes of Bad Bunny, Black Pumas, Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, DaBaby, Doja Cat, and Haim in performing at the 63rd Grammys. Mickey Guyton, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Lil Baby, Dua Lipa, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Maren Morris, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch and Harry Styles will also appear.

It's going to be dynamite!

Watch BTS (@BTS_twt) bring the fire and set the night alight at the #GRAMMYs. You don't want miss their performance March 14th at 8pm ET/5pm PT on @CBS: https://t.co/FSYA126ROz #ARMY pic.twitter.com/YNzbFlVBzq

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) March 7, 2021

The Recording Academy has also confirmed that the ceremony will also pay tribute to independent venues, which have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. People who work at those venues, including bartenders and box office managers, will present some of the categories on the night.

The nominations for the Grammys 2021 were announced last year. Dua Lipa has the most nominations with five nods, including Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year.

Big news for #Swifties!@taylorswift13 will be performing at the #GRAMMYs. Watch her performance March 14th at 8pm ET/5pm PT on @CBS: https://t.co/FSYA126ROz pic.twitter.com/cbOzqtyw4H

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) March 7, 2021

Swift is in the running for four awards, while Eilish and Beyoncé are both up for three categories.

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The Grammys 2021 was originally scheduled to be held at the end of January, but was postponed at the start of the year due to the surge in coronavirus cases in LA.

The ceremony is traditionally held at the Staples Center. Interim Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason Jr. said earlier this year the 2021 ceremony would instead be held “in and around Downtown Los Angeles”.

Meanwhile, BTS have also been added to the lineup for Music On A Mission, a virtual concert and fundraiser by the Grammys’ MusiCares Foundation. The event will take place this Friday (March 12) and will also feature performances from Haim, H.E.R., Jhene Aiko and John Legend.

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BTS takes top spot on Twitter’s list of most popular artists

It’s no surprise that BTS also dominated the more specific K-pop lists on Twitter, ranking as the number one most mentioned K-pop artist in the world for 2020. BTS’ hit song ‘Dynamite’ was also the most-mentioned K-pop song on the social media platform.

Twitter looked at data from things like mentions of band members, band names and popular fan hashtags used over the course of the calendar year in 2020.

Twitter also revealed that there were a record 6.7 billion tweets about the musical genre in 2020, marking a 10 per cent increase from 2019, coming from a diverse range of markets, highlighting “the increasingly global nature of the K-pop community”.

Indonesia and Thailand topped the list of the countries with the most K-pop activity on Twitter, followed by South Korea, the Phillipines and the US. The social media giant also noticed a surge of interest from countries like Brazil, Spain, Turkey, France, and Saudi Arabia.

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Earlier this month, BTS spoke about their own experiences with fame in a new interview, noting that they try to be thankful for the lives they are living.

While speaking to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in a new episode of the music service’s Essentials Radio series, the group reflected on the fame that has come with their success.

“At least we’ve got six people beside us that understand each other,” leader and rapper RM said, referring to his bandmates. “I’m really grateful that I have these six people.”

Meanwhile, BTS member J-Hope has donated ₩150million (roughly £100,000) to charity on his birthday yesterday (February 18).

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BTS on how they deal with fame: “At least we’ve got six people beside us that understand”

“At least we’ve got six people beside us that understand each other,” leader and rapper RM said, referring to his bandmates. “I’m really grateful that I have these six people.”

“Honestly, at this moment, I feel like I am living a life to fulfil a calling,” rapper J-Hope explained. “Also, my personal motto in life is to be thankful at all times despite whatever happens and to enjoy the moment. Therefore I try to live an accepting life.”

He continued: “I have been listening to Justin Bieber’s ‘Lonely’ and have had many thoughts on how all people think similarly. Therefore, I think things that we need to bear and carry through our lives should be recognised by ourselves. This seems to be very important for all of us.”

Bieber’s collaboration with Benny Blanco details how becoming world-famous at a young age affected the Canadian pop star.

RM added that their fame “actually provides us with so many things”. “We’re one of the luckiest ones who have had those stadium concerts and Billboard Hot 100 Number Ones,” he said.

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Watch the interview in full above now.

BTS are set to release an ‘Essential Edition’ of their 2020 album ‘BE’ later this month. The reissue will arrive on February 19 and follows the ‘Deluxe Edition’ of the record, which was released in November.

The band are nominated for the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award at this year’s Grammys, which will now take place in March. The seven-piece are in the running with their track ‘Dynamite’, which scored them their first Number One single on the Billboard Hot 100 last September.

The nomination also means that they are the first K-pop group to be shortlisted in the awards ceremony’s main categories. BTS were previously nominated for Best Recording Package in 2019 for ‘Love Yourself: Tear’.

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BTS get cosy in new ‘on my pillow’ version of ‘Life Goes On’ video

Like the original version of the video, member Jungkook is credited as director. Watch ‘Life Goes On: on my pillow’ below now.

 

BTS began work on ‘BE (Deluxe Edition)’ after their ‘Map Of The Soul’ stadium world tour was forced to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It follows their previous record, ‘Map Of The Soul: 7’, which was released in February 2020.

In a four-star review of ‘BE’, NME wrote: “Over seven songs (and one skit), BTS strike the perfect balance between encouragement and reassurance, and sharing in the dark cloud of everyday struggle Covid-19 has cast over us […] When NME spoke to the world-conquering band in August, RM said they were “eager to comfort and give joy to people through our music and performance more than ever”. Mission accomplished.”

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‘Life Goes On’ will be given its first live performance at the American Music Awards tomorrow (November 22). BTS are also nominated for two awards at the ceremony – Favourite Social Artist and Favourite Duo Or Group – Pop/Rock.

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Lady Gaga and BTS lead MTV EMA 2020 nominations – see the full list here

Elsewhere, Yungblud faces competition from the likes of DaBaby, Roddy Ricch and Doja Cat in the Best New category, while Dua Lipa is gunning for Best Pop and Best Song (‘Don’t Start Now’).

📢 #MTVEMA VOTING IS NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN!!!!!! 📢

Make sure to vote for your faves at ✨ https://t.co/y6i2iDPOjopic.twitter.com/y9VDQ7nMdc

— MTV EMA (@mtvema) October 6, 2020

Featured in the Best Alternative category are The 1975, Hayley Williams, FKA Twigs and Machine Gun Kelly, while Tame Impala, Liam Gallagher, The Killers and more will battle it out for the Best Rock crown.

This year’s MTV EMAs will take place on November 8, with organisers promising “a night of jaw-dropping performances from the hottest artists while celebrating the power of music in 2020!” Details of hosts and participating artists have yet to be revealed.

Voting officially opened today (October 6) – visit here to have your say.

A statement reads: “It’s no secret that 2020 has been an absolutely WILD year so far. From virtual livestream performances to the birth of a plethora of amazing quarantine content, the world sure has rolled with the punches and embraced these unpredictable changes!

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“Obviously, the MTV EMA will be no different!”

The MTV EMA 2020 nominations are as follows:

Best Video
Billie Eilish – everything i wanted
Cardi B – WAP ft Megan Thee Stallion
DJ Khaled – POPSTAR ft Drake
Karol G – Tusa ft Nicki Minaj
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – Rain On Me
Taylor Swift – The Man
The Weeknd – Blinding Lights

Best Artist
Dua Lipa
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Miley Cyrus
The Weeknd

Best Song
BTS – Dynamite
DaBaby – Rockstar ft Roddy Ricch
Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – Rain On Me
Roddy Ricch – The Box
The Weeknd – Blinding Lights

Best Collaboration
BLACKPINK, Selena Gomez – Ice Cream
Cardi B – WAP ft Megan Thee Stallion
DaBaby – Rockstar ft. Roddy Ricch
Justin Bieber – Intentions ft Quavo
Karol G – Tusa ft Nicki Minaj
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – Rain On Me
Sam Smith, Demi Lovato – I’m Ready

Best Pop
BTS
Dua Lipa
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
Little Mix

Best Group
5 Seconds of Summer
BLACKPINK
BTS
Chloe x Halle
CNCO
Little Mix

Best New
BENEE
DaBaby
Doja Cat
Jack Harlow
Roddy Ricch
YUNGBLUD

Biggest Fans
Ariana Grande
BLACKPINK
BTS
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

Best Latin
Anuel AA
Bad Bunny
J Balvin
Karol G
Maluma
Ozuna

Best Rock
Coldplay
Green Day
Liam Gallagher
Pearl Jam
Tame Impala
The Killers

Best Hip Hop
Cardi B
DaBaby
Drake
Eminem
Megan Thee Stallion
Roddy Ricch
Travis Scott

Best Electronic
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Kygo
Marshmello
Martin Garrix
The Chainsmokers

Best Alternative
blackbear
FKA twigs
Hayley Williams
Machine Gun Kelly
The 1975
twenty one pilots

Video for Good
Anderson .Paak – Lockdown
David Guetta & Sia – Let’s love
Demi Lovato – I Love Me
H.E.R. – I Can’t Breathe
Jorja Smith – By Any Means
Lil Baby – The Bigger Picture

Best Push
AJ Mitchell
Ashnikko
BENEE
Brockhampton
Conan Gray
Doja Cat
Georgia
Jack Harlow
Lil Tecca
Tate McRae
Wallows
YUNGBLUD

Best Virtual Live
BTS – Map Of The Soul Concert Live Stream
J Balvin – Behind The Colores Live Experience
Katy Perry @ Tomorrow Land – Around The World
Little Mix – UNCancelled
Maluma – Papi Juancho Live
Post Malone – Nirvana Tribute

Meanwhile, Gaga recently said that she felt “used up” by her alter-ego prior to the release of her latest album ‘Chromatica’, which came out in May.

“I just totally gave up on myself,” she said of the period before her new record. “I hated being famous. I hated being a star. I felt exhausted and used up.”

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Listen to BTS’ remix of Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo’s ‘Savage Love’

Now, BTS have hopped on a remix of ‘Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)’, adding a new verse to the song in Korean. The stars’ new vocals focus predominantly on members Jungkook (who sings the chorus), Suga and J-Hope.

“Maybe ‘forever’ is just a sandcastle/In the face of gentle waves, it breaks down without resistance,” raps Suga. “It doesn’t matter what I’m scared of, whether it’s you or those days,” follows J-Hope. “I want to love you like a fire right now.”

Speaking to NME about teaming up with Derulo on the song, Jawsh 685 said he “wasn’t happy” about not being credited at first. “My team was able to handle it and deal with it,” he said.

“Luckily the collaboration then became official, and it achieved worldwide success. So, I can’t be too mad! But it was nice knowing that I have all these people around the world willing to back me up if they think someone is mistreating me.”

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Meanwhile, BTS are set to release their new album ‘BE’ next month. The record, which follows February’s ‘Map Of The Soul: 7’, will be released on November 20.

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BTS announce details of new album ‘BE (Deluxe Edition)’

“Hello. This is Big Hit Entertainment,” the band’s label wrote in a statement on the app. “BTS’s new album “BE (Deluxe Edition)” will be released on Friday, November 20.”

[공지] #BTS 'BE (Deluxe Edition)' 발매 안내 (+ENG/JPN/CHN)https://t.co/l1eJSmXax0

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) September 27, 2020

“‘BE (Deluxe Edition)’ contains the most “BTS-esque” music yet,” Big Hit added. “The latest story from BTS begins by declaring that “even in the face of this new normality, our life goes on” and imparts a message of healing to fans and to the world.”

The message goes on to say that BTS have had “direct involvement” in the album’s concept, composition and design.

Pre-orders for the album are set to begin tomorrow (September 28).

BTS recently shared their new single ‘Dynamite’. The song broke several records after its August 21 arrival, notably seeing BTS become the first international and Korean band to debut at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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BTS premiered of the official music video for ‘Dynamite’, featuring previously unseen choreography, as part of Fortnite’s virtual concert series on September 25. They then gave the track its live debut as part of the MTV VMAs.

Speaking to NME after the release of ‘Dynamite’ last month, BTS said they want to “give comfort and joy” through their music, adding: “It has been a difficult year for many. We have also had to face many surprises and changes. That naturally made us think profoundly about music. We can honestly say that we love it, and we are passionate about singing and dancing more than anyone.

“We realised, however, that no matter how passionate we are, we need our fans there to listen to our songs and watch us perform. It made us eager to comfort and give joy to people through our music and performance more than ever. That is how ‘Dynamite’ came to be. We decided to accept new challenges and be more flexible.”

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Watch BTS play in a Seoul record store for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert

It’s been a busy year for the K-pop superstars, who recently released their hugely successful English-language single ‘Dynamite‘, which they played in the Tiny Desk set alongside ‘Save ME’ and ‘Spring Day’.

‘Dynamite’ made the band the first-ever international and Korean group to debut at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100, and the video now holds the record for most views in the first 24 hours of any YouTube music video.

“Life might not be as ‘sweet as honey‘ as BTS sing right now,” NME said of the single, “but, on this song, they take you to a place where that feeling is viscerally, dazzlingly real.”

In an interview with NME, the band detailed how they’re going about working on their forthcoming album.

“This upcoming album really reaches new heights in terms of active participation from the members,” the band said collectively.

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“We each take our share of responsibility for the team and act with initiative; increasing our responsibility from general participation to taking charge of more significant portions of the creative process allowed us to consider many more aspects of music.”

In addition to the release of ‘Dynamite’, the band also dropped their song in collaboration with Hyundai, titled ‘IONIQ: I’m on it‘. Last week, they shared the trailer for their forthcoming mobile game, BTS Universe Story.

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BTS become first international and Korean group to debut at top of Billboard Hot 100 chart

The song also scored 33.9 million US streams last week. It has also now exceeded 500,000 sales and streams since August 21, making it eligible for gold certification.

It had the biggest digital sales week in three years, since Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ sold 353,000 downloads on its release. It is the best first-week digital sales for a group in five years, following One Direction’s 350,000 for ‘Drag Me Down’ in 2015.

BTS are also the first artist not from the US, UK or Canada to achieve a Number One on the Hot 100, Billboard 200 and the Artist 100. Other artists to have achieved that feat include Paul McCartney, Adele, Drake and Justin Bieber.

‘Dynamite’ is only the 43rd song to debut at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and the eighth to do so this year. The single also gave BTS their highest-charting entry on the Official UK Singles Chart last week (August 28), entering at Number Three.

Last night (August 30), the group made their debut appearance at the MTV VMAs, where they performed ‘Dynamite’ live for the first time. They also took home all four awards that they were nominated for – Best Group, Best Pop, Best K-pop and Best Choreography for ‘On’.

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Speaking to NME last week, BTS said of ‘Dynamite’: “We came across the song while working on our new album. When we first heard the demo, the upbeat sound and energy of the track instantly cheered us up. We wanted  ‘Dynamite’ to deliver a message of hope to our fans in these difficult times, so this disco-pop genre track felt like the perfect fit.”

Meanwhile, earlier today (August 30), BTS shared a new song called ‘IONIQ: I’m On It’. The track is part of the band’s ongoing collaboration with Korean car company Hyundai.

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BTS share breezy and reflective new song ‘IONIQ: I’m On It’

A music video for the track will be released on Wednesday (September 2), while the song is available for free download from the Hyundai website now. Watch a lyric video for ‘IONIQ: I’m On It’ below now.

 

The new release follows BTS’ debut performance at the MTV VMAs, where they gave the live premiere of their new single ‘Dynamite’. The band also took home all four awards they were nominated for – Best Group, Best Pop, Best K-pop and Best Choreography for ‘On’.

‘Dynamite’ was released last week and became the band’s highest-charting entry on the Official UK Singles Chart in their career so far, entering at Number Three. In the US, they are expected to top the Billboard Hot 100, with positions announced later today (August 31).

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Speaking to NME last week, BTS explained how the coronavirus pandemic had made them “think more deeply” about music. “It has been a difficult year for many,” the band’s leader RM said. “We have also had to face many surprises and changes. That naturally made us think profoundly about music.

“We can honestly say that we love it, and we are passionate about singing and dancing more than anyone. We realised, however, that no matter how passionate we are, we need our fans there to listen to our songs and watch us perform. It made us eager to comfort and give joy to people through our music and performance more than ever.”

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BTS announce they have a new single coming next month

Describing what fans can expect from the yet to be titled new single, the band said: “The song is upbeat and sung in English, just like ‘MIC Drop’ and ‘Waste It On Me.’ We thought that the song sounded perfect as it is in English. We recorded the guide version and felt that the result was something totally new and fresh.”

The K-pop group released their most recent album, ‘Map Of The Soul: 7’, back in February. With plans to release a follow-up later this year, their decision to drop a new single first was in the hope it would lift people’s spirits.

“We also needed a breakthrough during these unforeseen times, so we worked on this new song,” BTS said. “This is a new challenge for us as well. When we first heard and recorded the song, we were energized and our spirits were lifted up. We can’t wait to share this song with you all and enjoy it together.”

The group’s new single is expected to land on August 21.

Meanwhile, BTS have earned the Guinness World Record for most viewers of a music concert livestream with an online performance in June.

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According to the GWR website, the K-pop group’s ‘Bang Bang Con: The Live’ performance on June 14 was viewed by 756,000 fans across more than 100 countries. Broadcasting from Seoul, the concert was held as part of their seventh-anniversary celebrations and comprised a 12-track setlist.

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