Pop Shots – For All Your Needs

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Katy Perry’s need for a tailor, to Dojo Cat’s need for some time off, to CMT bringing back the musical backstories we all need to know, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Katy Perry split her pants while performing “Teenage Dream” on American Idol. In a related story, I think I finally have a reason to watch American Idol.

* The 64th annual Grammy Awards were held last night. There’s no word on if Will Smith slapped anyone there.

* Taylor Swift – never one to miss a marketing opportunity – wants to help the graduating class of 2022 celebrate their achievement with a new line of merch based on her hit song “22.” Unfortunately for Swift, since “22” was on her 2012 album, Red, everyone in the graduating class of 2022 probably considers it painfully old and/or an embarrassing part of their youth they’ve moved on from, like fidget spinners.

* Protestors picketed Jay-Z’s Oscar Gold Party at the Chateau Marmont. The venue has been at the center of controversy since 2020, when owner Andre Balazs laid off nearly all of his employees at the start of the pandemic without any severance packages, or health insurance. Following this, allegations of systemic racial discrimination, and sexual misconduct came to light. Of course, the vast majority of celebrities crossed the picket line, because the support of the working class has only given them their entire lives, and hey, Questlove was spinning, can’t miss that, right?

* Deborah Cox will be the first Black female artist to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. I didn’t even realize there was a Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Is it a building in the shape of Celine Dion?

* Doja Cat seems to have called it a career, saying in one of a series of tweets about the music industry, “This shit ain’t for me so I’m out. Y’all take care.” Something tells me this will be a temporary mooove.

* Miranda Lambert announced a Las Vegas residency titled Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo the Las Vegas Residency. The 24-date affair will begin on September 23rd, and take place at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. It will be the perfect show to attend if you’re looking to break up your marriage.

* Foo Fighters have cancelled all of their upcoming tour dates in the wake of the passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins. Fans, however, can still get their fill of the band’s music as literally every band on the planet is currently covering Foo Fighters songs in Hawkins’ honor, so it kinda feels like they’re on tour every night in every town and city in the world.

* A$AP Rocky is getting into the whiskey business with his latest venture, Mercer + Prince, a Canadian whisky developed in partnership with Global Brand Equities and E. & J. Gallo. He named the whiskey after his favorite cross streets in NYC. In a related story, I’m still waiting for ICP and Four Loko to collaborate on something!

* K-pop group Stray Kids debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with their first ever appearance on the chart. Their debut album, Oddinary, achieved the odd feat. Now we can only hope for a Stray Kids meets Stray Cats collaboration … on Stray Records (yes, I know that label folded in 2001, but give me this one, OK?)

* In tragic news, Tom Parker of British-Irish boy band The Wanted passed away from brain cancer at the age of 33, leaving behind a wife, and two young children. We’ve all said it before, but let’s say it again – Fuck Cancer!

* CMT is reviving VH1 Storytellers under the name CMT Storytellers. Looks like we may finally get the full story behind “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.