Pop Shots – Pick Your Battles

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 Sexxy Red’s use of AI getting her into trouble, to another rapper taking aim at Drake, to Heidi Montag fighting fire with a long forgotten pop album, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Sexyy Red posted an AI generated image of her and Martin Luther King Jr. holding hands, but took it down at the request of the civil rights leader’s daughter. A quick note to Sexxy Red – whatever you’re planning for Easter … just don’t.

* Bruno Mars said on social media that in celebration of his “Die With a Smile” collaboration with Lady Gaga spending a third week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 he was going to make a strip club anthem. Honestly, I want this to be for real. I want him to make the song, and then book an interview with me where we do nothing but reminisce about our favorite BET Uncut videos. Whaddaya say, Bruno? Sound good?

* Soulja Boy took aim at Drake during a livestream, telling the much maligned rapper to, “Stay in Canada.” I almost never side with Drake, but all he really has to say to Soulja Boy in response to this is, “Stay anonymous.”

* Taylor Swift notched her 15th #1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart when her 2023 LP, Lover: Live From Paris reentered the chart at the top after a reissue on vinyl, and a first-ever release as a download. The way Taylor can convince her fans to spend money on her, she would’ve been a national threat in the era of artist’s having 1-900 numbers.

* In an effort to build back after losing their home in the L.A. wildfires, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, of The Hills fame, made a plea to fans to stream and download the music from Montag’s 2010 album Superficial. Somewhere, Mandy Moore is thinking – Damn, that’s what I should’ve done.

* Post Malone has created a limited edition Oreo cookie featuring a twisted center that will be available on February 3rd. All I can say is, once again LL Cool J was a trailblazer.

* In more Post Malone news, the pop star has been named Record Store Day Ambassador. Set to take place on April 12th, I now expect free cookies this year!

* Billy Idol announced his 2025 tour, It’s a Nice Day to … Tour Again, will feature Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and kick off on April 30th in Phoenix, AZ. Word is he’s ready to rock the Craftmatic adjustable bed of love.

* Finally, in sad news, John Sykes, who played guitar in Thin Lizzy, and Whitesnake, passed away at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. Sykes co-wrote a number of Whitesnake’s biggest hits, including “Is This Love,” and I think we all know that even though people are mortal, monster ballads live forever.

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