Sam Smith Says ‘The X Factor’ Is “Quite Damaging” For Songwriters: Morning Mix

:: Sam Smith believes competitions like X Factor UKare good for singers, but not such a wise career choice for singer-songwriters. “I always say to people: ‘If you’re a singer, go for it.’ It’s an amazing platform. But if you’re not, and you’re a songwriter, I think it’s actually quite damaging for you to go on there,” he told The Mirror. [THR]

:: Good news for Solange Knowles! After reports surfaced earlier in the week of the singer being hit with a tax lien of over $55,000, Solange confirmed it was simply the result of “confusion” regarding her California residency and that the matter will “come to a swift close.” [VIBE]

:: Justin Bieber doesn’t actually own that private jet he sort-of-suggested he got as a Christmas gift on Instagram. Sorry, Beliebers! [Celebuzz]

:: Did you know? Clean Bandit‘s “Rather Be” (our song of 2014!) is the only song to have sold over a million copies in the UK and tied Meghan Trainor‘s “All About That Bass” for the longest #1 run of 2014. [Official Charts]

:: The endlessly delayed, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre-produced N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton, finally has a trailer. [Stereogum]

Find out below what music you can catch on TV today.

:: The View (ABC) — Bella Thorne (rerun)

:: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest (ABC) — Taylor Swift, Elton John & more

:: Conan (TBS) — Beck (rerun)

:: New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly (NBC) — Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams

:: Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) — Hiss Golden Messenger

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.