Pop Shots – Anger Management

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 Miley Cyrus maybe making her dad mad, to who’s currently upset with Demi Lovato, to which artist is facing beef from a very long time ago, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Miley Cyrus tweeted photos of herself kneeling on the hood of her father’s truck while wearing a shirt that said “I [heart] Dick,” noting she didn’t know what her dad was going to be more upset about – the choice of attire, or being on his truck. I don’t think Miley has much to worry about, because I feel like Billy Ray Cyrus has to be completely numb to everything she does by now.

* Foo Fighters have matched Tom Petty for the most Top 10 songs in the 40-year history of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, with “Making a Fire” becoming the band’s 28th Top 10 song. Personally, I’m amazed at this achievement, mostly because as far as I can tell rock radio has only played the same half dozen Foo Fighters songs for the past 15 years.

* Usher has begun his first Las Vegas residency. Based on his previous work, what happens in Vegas probably won’t stay in Vegas, but instead will end up on an album.

* Lala Kent – who I just discovered existed, and is apparently from a television show named Vanderpump Rules – is coming after Demi Lovato, saying the pop star’s song “California Sober” is “extremely offensive” to those who are actually trying to get sober. According to Lovato’s song, being “California Sober” involves allowing some alcohol and weed, but no hard drugs. Wait a minute, Demi’s fine with a “sobriety” that involves drugs and alcohol, but can’t handle seeing a sugar free cookie??? That’s an odd set of standards right there.

* In an Instagram post, Britney Spears said she’s “not even close” to having said everything she wants to say about her conservatorship. The fact that she’s been able to put together a planned slow rollout of damning information about her family seems like a pretty clear indicator that she can do just fine on her own.

* Megan Thee Stallion, Tinashe, and Anitta are all in this year’s edition of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, with Meg being on one of the issue’s three different covers. All I have to say is congrats to the editorial team from King magazine on apparently landing gigs with SI. When we gettin’ Vida Guerra?

* Japanese composer Keigo Oyamada, who is better known by his performance name of Cornelius, had been working on the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony until news of bullying incidents from his childhood arose, forcing him to apologize for the incidents, and resign from working with the Olympics. This just goes to show that when you’re a young artist, those who you’ve hurt will definitely take to social media to let people know … wait … hold up … Oyamada is 52 years old? People are bringing up sh*t from 40 years ago? Speaking as someone who was bullied as a child – y’all need to move on. Life’s too short to spend time being miserable.

* British-based entertainment chain HMV is celebrating its 100th birthday by proposing ten new retail locations, and hosting an in-store performance by Ed Sheeran. I have two words to describe my feelings on the news that more stores that sell CDs may be opening – ROAD TRIP!

* Boy band Big Time Rush have returned after an eight-year hiatus, announcing two performances for 2021. An eight year hiatus? Doesn’t seem like they were in a big time rush to get back together.

* Hip-hop legend Biz Markie passed away at the age of 57. The man who was at the center of the first major copyright lawsuit involving sampling, he made the music with his mouth, taught us about the “Vapors,” and warned us about the perils of being “Just a Friend.” He will be remembered for these things, and many others, so let us never forget that “Nobody Beats The Biz.”

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