Plot Thickens in Argentina as Murder Charges Surface Against Liam Payne's Manager + Top Viral Tracks in 2024
Sine Highlights
BUZZ // Five Charged in Argentina Over One Direction Star’s Death
Five individuals have been charged in Argentina in connection with the death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer. Liam Payne, 31, died on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.
Charges include manslaughter against the hotel’s manager, Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores. They are accused of neglecting Payne's safety despite his impaired state. Two hotel staff members, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, face charges of supplying drugs.
Argentina’s legal system requires evidence from the prosecutor to be reviewed by a judge before a trial begins. Judge Laura Bruniard has already approved moving to the trial phase, although the defense may appeal.
Toxicology reports showed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and antidepressants in Payne’s system. His death was caused by multiple trauma and severe bleeding from the fall. Medical assessments suggest Payne may have been unconscious at the time, ruling out a deliberate act.
Hotel staff reported Payne’s destructive behavior and substance use before his fall, and emergency services were called twice. Judge Bruniard noted that while the accused did not intend Payne’s death, their actions increased the risk to his life.
If convicted, those charged with manslaughter could face one to five years in prison, while the drug suppliers face sentences of four to 15 years.
Payne, a global pop icon from his time in One Direction, was laid to rest in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. His funeral was attended by his former bandmates, girlfriend Kate Cassidy, and Cheryl, the mother of his son.
EVENTS // Big Mammoth Festival Chapter 4: Indie Metal in Kolkata Set to Make a Comeback in 2025
Metalheads in Kolkata, it’s time to unite! The Big Mammoth Festival is back, bringing the heaviest, loudest, and most electrifying start to the new year. On January 7th, the city of joy will roar with an epic lineup featuring everything from brutal death metal to experimental rap and progressive grooves.
This year's lineup is absolutely monstrous: Estrotomy’s crushing riffs, Abstract Anomaly’s mind-bending progressions, Fallen Letters’ alt-metal energy, and Survival Through Sufferings’ deathcore brutality are just the beginning. Plus, get ready for surprises from acts like Trapdoor Terror, Banglar Thek, and many more.
It’s more than a festival—it’s a celebration of raw, unfiltered music where every genre finds its place. So grab your crew, your horns, and your love for metal. Let’s make this winter unforgettable!
🎸 Date: January 7, 2025
🎸 Venue: TopCat CCU, Kolkata
🎸 Tickets: On sale now—don’t miss out!
SPOTLIGHT // Puffboy - Generational Suicide
The title, “Generational Suicide,” speaks to an in-depth exploration of the collective psyche of today’s youth. You know how most of us are in this constant rat race which does not seem to get over? Well, ‘Generational Suicide’ does a marvellous job of making the younger generation seen and heard.
It paints vivid descriptions of the difficulties that youngsters face, ranging from existential anxiety to a quest to find one’s identity and the never-ending, innate societal burden. “Drowning in the digital tide, searching for a place to hide” captures the very feeling of someone being overwhelmed by the fast-moving pace of modern life.
The song does not fear the discussion of mental health; it is isolated and desperate, but still, there is a glimpse of hope in that it speaks of solidarity and understanding with peers. That duality compels listeners to look into their own experiences and wonder what the rest of their generation has gone through.
LISTS // 2024 Viral Hits - The Ones You Couldn’t Stop Playing
Take a look at these hit numbers that the global audiences could not keep off their playlists. These are the most viral trending tracks of 2024. Tell us which ones you missed hearing before!
Tommy Richman - Million Dollar Baby
With minimal established commercial history prior, Richman revealed snippets of the song on TikTok. Building on the teasers' popularity, "Million Dollar Baby" garnered immediate commercial success upon its April release, becoming Richman's breakthrough hit. The track debuted and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso
Dave Meyers directed the accompanying music video for "Espresso". To support the song's release, Carpenter performed it at Coachella 2024. She included it as the encore on the set list to her fifth concert tour, the Short n' Sweet Tour (2024–2025). It received the MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year, marking Carpenter's first VMA win. "Espresso" received Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.Rosé and Bruno Mars - Apt.
"Apt." (abbreviation for "Apartment") is a song by New Zealand and South Korean singer Rosé and American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. Critics lauded "Apt." for its catchy production, broad cross-cultural appeal, and its role in promoting Korean culture worldwide. It was a commercial success and spent nine weeks atop the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts, becoming Rosé and Mars' second number-one single and the longest-running number-one song of 2024.Hanumankind - Big Dawgs
"Big Dawgs" quickly gained international acclaim, debuting at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song has amassed over 400 million streams on Spotify and went viral on TikTok with 150 million views, and over 2,000,000 searches on Shazam. Its success led to Hanumankind being featured on the cover of Spotify's Global Hip Hop Playlist and signing with Capitol Records. Outside of India, the song peaked within the top ten in countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and Brazil.Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us
Met with widespread acclaim from music critics, who felt it solidified Lamar's victory in the conflict, "Not Like Us" is hailed as one of the greatest diss tracks in history, and many regard it as the best in the feud. The song ignited conversations based on race and cultural appropriation, was adopted as an anthem for the West Coast, and influenced various sectors within popular culture. "Not Like Us" broke several records on the streaming platform Spotify and marked Lamar's fourth number-one song on the U.S.
PLAYLISTS // Desi-pher Sessions
Desi-pher Sessions brings you the best mix of underground and top Hip-hop / Rap artists from India. Take a closer look at the best of Indian underground, whether it is influenced by classic Panjabi rappers or the new-wave of Dharavi rap that took the streets by storm in the last 10 years. Here is the best of the young generation, the torch bearers for the Hip/Hop movement in India.