The troubled launch of Co-op Live, the United Kingdom’s biggest entertainment arena, has hit further difficulties with GM Gary Roden resigning from his role just a few days ahead of the venue’s already delayed opening. Roden’s exit was announced late Thursday evening (April 25) U.K. time by Jessica Koravos, president of Oak View Group (OVG) International. “Gary Roden has decided to resign,” said Koravos in a statement. She went on to thank the outgoing exec for “his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans” and wished him “the best for the future.” Replacing Roden in the position of interim GM is Rebecca Kane Burton, who ran the U.K.’s highest-grossing venue, London’s The O2 arena, from 2012 to 2016 before serving as CEO of LW Theatres. Burton takes over at Co-op Live with immediate effect, said Koravos. The change of leadership at Co-op Live follows a tumultuous week at the 23,500-capacity venue, which was originally due to open on Tuesday (April 23) with the first of two consecutive shows by British comedian Peter Kay. Those plans were postponed after a heavily publicized preview show at the Manchester arena 48 hours prior, headlined by Rick Astley, which saw Co-op Live cut capacity, resulting in large numbers of fans’ tickets being canceled on short notice as the venue was not ready. Two days later, Co-op Live announced that Kay’s opening shows were being rescheduled to Monday (April 29) and Tuesday (April 30) to give operators “the extra time we need to continue testing” the building’s infrastructure and power supply, according to a venue spokesperson. At the time of publication, representatives of Co-op Live had not responded to inquiries from Billboard asking if the two Kay shows were still going ahead next week — or if a 10,000-capacity test concert by The Black Keys scheduled for Saturday (April 27) was still taking place. Koravos’ statement doesn’t mention either upcoming event and simply says, “We are focused on opening Co-op Live.” Set to be the United Kingdom’s biggest and most sustainable arena, Co-op Live is the first major project outside the United States from Oak View Group (OVG), the Denver-headquartered global management and development giant co-founded in 2015 by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff. (Harry Styles, who grew up in the small Cheshire village of Holmes Chapel, around 30 miles outside of Manchester, is an investor in the project and advised on aspects of the venue’s design). Prior to his sudden and unexpected exit on Thursday, Roden had sparked ire from U.K. trade body The Music Venue Trust for comments he made in an interview with the BBC in which he reportedly said that some small grassroots venues were “poorly run” and that calls for a £1 ticket levy from every arena ticket to support pubs and clubs was “too simplistic.” Referencing those comments, Koravos said that “neither Co-op Live nor Oak View Group share the sentiment expressed by former Co-op Live General Manager Gary Roden regarding the grassroots industry.” Koravos went on to say that the venue remains “committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond” and will donate over £1 million a year to good causes via the Co-op Foundation. “Oak View Group and Co-op Live remain happy to meet with grassroots organisations once the venue is fully operational,” Koravos’ statement concludes. Artists confirmed to perform at the venue this year include the Eagles, Take That, Liam Gallagher, Olivia Rodrigo, Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi, Slipknot, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, Justin Timberlake, Noah Kahan and Megan Thee Stallion.

It’s not the first time Myke Towers and Bad Bunny team up to release a song. In fact, the pair have collaborated in the past for the 2019 “Estamos Arriba” and, a year later, for “Puesto Pa’ Guerrial.” Now, the Puerto Rican hitmakers have unleashed “Adivino,” an electro reggaetón banger. “Adivino” — produced by Jarom […]

Jeezy has responded to the allegations of domestic abuse and child neglect made by his estranged wife Jeannie Mai. The Snowman released a statement to his Instagram on Thursday (April 25) denying the “disturbing ” accusations. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “The allegations are not only false, but also deeply disturbing, especially coming from someone I loved. This malicious attempt to tarnish my character and disrupt my family is ridiculous,” Jeezy wrote to social media. “It’s disheartening to witness the manipulation and deceit at play and at this time my main concern is being an active father to our daughter as I continue to fight for court mandated joint custody. Rest assured, the truth will prevail through the proper legal channels.” Per a court filing made on April 25 obtained by Complex, Mai accused Jeezy — born Jay Jenkins — on four different occasions. She claimed that the rapper choked her from behind and pushed her down the stairs during a stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco in April 2022. Another January 2022 incident alleges that Jeezy struck Mai in the face with a closed fist just weeks after giving birth to their only daughter, Monaco. She claimed the force from the blow caused a hemorrhage while he hurled insults at her. “[Jeezy] has a history of threats, violence, and bodily harm. [Mai] mistakenly believed [Jeezy] when he convinced her prior to their marriage that he was a changed man, and his past was in his past, but as one can see from the examples of abuse [Mai] endured during the marriage that has not turned out to be the case,” the filing reads. Two other incidents in the filing include one where Jeezy operated a golf cart while allegedly intoxicated and crashed which injured himself and Mai. Another reportedly went down following the 2022 Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball. Jeezy allegedly verbally abused Jeannie Mai on their way home and when the argument continued outside their ride home, the “Put On” rhymer grabbed and ripped her dress around the neckline. Mai claimed the incident stemmed from Jeezy being unhappy she went to the bathroom without telling him at the gala. Jeezy and Mai welcomed their daughter Monaco in 2021. The trap pioneer and Mai tied the knot in March 2021 after meeting in 2018. However, their relationship deteriorated and Jeezy filed for divorce from the former The Real co-host in September 2023 after two-and-a-half years of marriage. According to documents viewed by Billboard at the time, the filing stated that the former pair were “living in a bona fide state of separation.” The rapper also states that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” with “no hope for reconciliation.” Billboard has reached out to Jeezy’s reps for comment.

A pair of R&B legends, Babyface and Usher, will be honored by The Apollo Theater in Harlem at its annual Spring Benefit on Tuesday, June 11. Babyface will receive the inaugural Legacy Award. Usher will receive the Icon Award. “I am humbled to receive the inaugural Legacy Award,” Babyface said in a statement. “For nearly a century, the theater has been a constant symbol of excellence in Black entertainment. So, for The Apollo to honor my legacy feels nothing short of amazing.” “It’s an honor to be receiving this award from such an iconic and historic cultural institution in New York City – one that has hosted and paved the way for so many prominent people,” Usher said. “I’m humbled to be this year’s recipient and look forward to seeing everyone soon.” The event, which marks the Apollo’s 90th anniversary, will feature a special appearance by Big Daddy Kane, with more stars to be announced. Adam Blackstone will serve as musical director. All proceeds will support the non-profit organization’s year-round artistic, education, and community programs. The Spring Benefit begins with red carpet arrivals at 5:00 p.m. followed by the benefit concert and awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. The event will also include an afterparty designed by event designer and Apollo board member Bronson Van Wyck. In addition, Babyface will be inducted into The Apollo’s Walk of Fame the previous day, Monday, June 10 at 11:30 a.m. ET. Inductees are honored with a plaque which is installed under the theater’s iconic marquee on 125th Street. Previous inductees into The Apollo’s Walk of Fame include Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Richard Pryor, Patti Labelle, Smokey Robinson, Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie, Ella Fitzgerald, Temptations and Mary J. Blige. Babyface and Usher have won a combined 20 Grammy Awards – 12 for Babyface, eight for Usher. In addition, Babyface received a trustees award from the Recording Academy in 2021. Big Daddy Kane won a Grammy in 1991 for his role on Quincy Jones’ celebrated Back on the Block album. Blackstone won a Primetime Emmy in 2022 as music director of The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent. Usher headlined the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show, which drew the largest audience in the event’s history. This year’s Primetime Emmy nods, where Usher’s halftime show is a likely contender, will be announced on July 17. Visit www.ApolloTheater.org for more information. To purchase benefit tickets, make a donation, or for more information, visit www.apollotheater.org/event/spring-benefit-2024.

Argentine-Mexican singer Noel Schajris is set to hit the stage at the Latin American Music Awards on Thursday night (April 25), where he’ll be performing a brand new song with country star Jennifer Nettles, “Love’s Still Here.”  Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Billboard Español’s Sigal Ratner-Arias caught up with him to talk all about his busy schedule and how he gets ready for his constant touring and for a performance like the Latin AMAs. “I’ve been exercising daily for three years and the day I don’t exercise my body feels weird,” Schajris said. “And the diet, that’s vital. And I feel much better now that I’m almost 50 than at 40. I don’t know if you’ve seen me in shows, but I don’t stop jumping and I climb the rafters,” he added, laughing. In addition to his work as a solo artist and businessman through his own record label, Dynamo Productions, the singer of “Lo Mejor de Mí” and “No Veo La Hora” is still part of the chart-topping duo Sin Bandera with Leonel García (under Sony Music), and talked about how he juggles it all.  “It’s a challenge. The schedules are crazy. In the middle of a tour with Sin Bandera, which we did 80 shows all over the world, owning my own record label and my own music, releasing a new album, having three children, a family, many artists that we are signing on Dynamo Productions who require my time and I am [also] the A&R of the company, so I am involved in all aspects of all the repertoires of all the albums — it is very demanding,” he acknowledged. “But it’s achieved because of the passion I have for doing all these things.” As for his own music, which includes his most recent album #SiempreLoSupe and a new version of the title track with Alemor, he says he’s enjoying his freedom as an independent artist. “As a soloist I give myself the luxury of flying and looking for other textures that are a little more rock, more symphonic, as in the case of ‘Silencio’ with Tony Levin,” Schajris explains. “I allow myself to do things that are a little more alternative. I even sing a cumbia with a band from Peru, Grupo 5.” “There’s definitely more freedom when I work as a soloist,” he adds, “and it’s a lot of fun.” The Latin AMAs will air live at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión and ViX.