By Wonderwall.com Editors
9:32am PDT, May 1, 2020
Beyonce and Megan Thee Stallion release charity "Savage" remix
Leave it to Beyonce to make the biggest song on the internet today even bigger by adding her presence. Queen B shocked fans on April 29 when she joined rapper Megan Thee Stallion on a remix of Meg's hit "Savage." (The song was already a viral success before Beyonce's remix due to its popularity on TikTok.) Megan hopped on Instagram to share her excitement, saying, "I'm literally crying. Being from HOUSTON MF TEXAS this s— means EVERYTHING to me !!!! SAVAGE REMIX FT THE QUEEN @BEYONCE OUT NOW!" The proceeds from the "Savage" remix will go to Bread of Life, a disaster relief organization working to provide meals to Houston families amid the coronavirus pandemic. Fans — including some celebs — have praised the song online, with Kerry Washington tweeting, "I didn't think this song could get any better….enter @Beyonce! AND the proceeds will benefit Bread of Life's Houston COVID-19 relief efforts!"
RELATED: Stars donating to coronavirus relief efforts
Post Malone asks fans to help him choose which causes get $1 million in charity donations
First, Post Malone raised more than $4 million for coronavirus relief efforts when he covered Nirvana songs during a virtual at-home concert on April 24. Now he's giving back again. On April 29, the rapper announced that he will be giving $1 million to other organizations in need — and he asked his fans to help him decide which causes should get it. "Not everyone has the ability to financially support causes that may be close to them or that have helped them in the past. The fans are the absolute best, and I want to give them the chance to give to charities that mean something to them," the rapper announced in a press release. Fans have the option of donating to COVID-19 frontline responders, disaster relief, education, homelessness, hunger, mental health, veterans and more. The music star will look at submissions that are texted to his community number (817-270-6440).
RELATED: Stars who've been diagnosed with COVID-19
Ticketmaster furloughs hundreds of staff
Like so many companies around the globe, Ticketmaster has announced that it has furloughed hundreds of employees in North America as the company cuts costs during the COVID-19 crisis. The furloughs have proven to be shocking and controversial, as employees were assured multiple times that the company would do everything in its power to avoid cutting staff. Live Nation has tried to stress that the furloughs are temporary and part of a larger cost-cutting plan in order to save $500 million in 2020 through "the reduction in the use of contractors, rent re-negotiations, furloughs and reduction or elimination of other discretionary spending." Employees will maintain their health coverage and be given a three-week payout.
RELATED: Stars who died from the coronavirus
Travis Scott sets "Fortnite" record with 12.3 million live viewers
Leave it to Travis Scott to set a record during quarantine. On April 29, the rapper drew the biggest live audience in "Fortnite" history when 12.3 million players joined in to watch his "Astronomical" virtual show. To compare, FOX's airing of "The Masked Singer" this week drew 7.9 million total viewers. As part of its partnership with Travis, "Fortnite" added the rapper to its Icon Series so players can get his emotes, outfits and other accessories. "Fortnite" was the biggest game of 2019, bringing in $1.8 billion in revenue.
Menudo-inspired competition series wants to rebuild the iconic boy band
Are we about to enter another phase of boy band mania?! If it's up to Mario Lopez, one of the executive producers, then yes! Universal Television announced on April 29 that its developing an "hour-long, weekly competition series that will search for and rebuild the iconic Latin American boy band. Menudo debuted in 1977 and became a global sensation in the '80s, launching the career of heartthrob singer-actor Ricky Martin. Mario expressed his excitement saying, "I grew up as a huge fan of Menudo and I'm thrilled to be a part of bringing this iconic band back to the world."
CMT Artists of the Year event will honor coronavirus pandemic heroes
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the music community, CMT is stepping up to appreciate the real heroes of the pandemic — everyday Americans who are making extraordinary contributions to their communities during this time of crisis. CMT announced on April 27 that for this year's Artists of the Year event — which airs on June 3 — the network will shift the focus and air a two-hour virtual tribute to workers across the country who are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. Stars like Thomas Rhett, Brothers Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert and more will perform from their homes. "From the first responders and health care workers to members of the military, our educators, food industry workers and so many more, the country music community will come together to honor these heroic men and women," the network said in a statement. "The evening of unity will feature incredible performances, uplifting tributes and a salute to those risking their lives on the front lines of this crisis." The show takes the place of the CMT Music Awards, which have been pushed to Oct. 14 due to the pandemic.
Miley Cyrus performs Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" on "Saturday Night Live"
Miley Cyrus made a surprise appearance on "Saturday Night Live" on April 25, treating viewers to a beautiful acoustic version of a Pink Floyd classic. The singer, who was not announced ahead of time, performed "Wish You Were Here" with producer Andrew Watt. The song seemed to hit the right note as the world deals with lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The performance had even more special meaning to Andrew, who tested positive for the coronavirus in March. The producer said the virus left him feeling as if he had been "hit by a bus" and had to repeatedly beg for a test before finally getting one from a private doctor. He wanted fans to understand the severity of the virus: "I can't stress this enough… This is not a joke."
Willie Nelson turns a gift into a PPE fundraiser by autographing masks
Leave it to Willie Nelson to prove he's a class act! Tanya Boike, a friend of Willie's granddaughter Noelle, revealed on April 26 that she'd made masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and planned to send a pair to Willie and his wife. Instead, he suggested they use the masks to raise money so she could produce even more. Tanya told Texas CBS affiliate KTRK that Willie's granddaughter texted her and said, "'Pops would rather sign these and have [you] auction them off. That way you can get more materials and keep making these masks for free.'" That's what they did and the masks brought in $5,100 on the FrontLine-Angels Charity auction website. Granddaughter Noelle praised the music legend, saying, "That's him. That's who he is. That's him every day. He's just relaxed. He's just giving. He's just got a great smile, and he's just the best."
