Categoría: Billboard

Just days after announcing her debut solo album, Jennie has released the music video for her new song “Zen.” On Friday (Jan. 24), the 29-year-old BLACKPINK star surprised fans with the visually stunning video, directed by Cho Gi-Seok. The three-and-a-half-minute clip follows Jennie as she journeys through cosmic landscapes, showcasing a range of looks that are both elegant and futuristic. “Nobody gon’ move my soul, gon’ move my aura, my matter/ Nobody gon’ move my life, gon’ touch my goal, my matter/ Nobody gon’, all this power make them scattеr/ No, nobody gon’ touch my soul, gon’ match my flow, like damn,” Jennie sings on the track. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Earlier this week, Jennie announced that her first solo album, Ruby, will be released on March 7. The project features an impressive roster of collaborators, including Childish Gambino, Dua Lipa, Doechii, Dominic Fike, FKJ and Kali Uchis. Ruby will contain 15 tracks, including her October 2024 single “Mantra,” which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Global 200. In a recent interview with Billboard, Jennie reflected on the deeply personal journey of creating Ruby. “It’s not nice to be someone who’s always like, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t say anything,’ ” she said of the project she began in early 2024. “I want to say I’m almost there.” Acknowledging the challenges she faced along the way, she added, “I’m just going to say, ‘I don’t do well with time.’” But “Zen” wasn’t the only surprise Jennie dropped on Friday. She also announced that she’ll be embarking on a three-city tour to celebrate the release of Ruby. The Ruby Experience will visit Los Angeles (March 6), New York City (March 10) and Seoul (March 15). “Intense and intimate as I like it,” Jennie captioned the announcement on Instagram. Check out Jennie’s music video for “Zen” below on YouTube. Source link

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Feid Launches Sixdo Collection On Thursday (Jan. 23), Feid hosted the first pop-up for his brand “Sixdo” in Miami. A fan experience, the one-day event featured a room that resembles the artist’s personal closet. Fans also had the opportunity to sit down with Ferxxo for a roundtable discussion, where they could ask him questions. The pop-up showcased the initial development of his clothing brand “Sixdo,” which included a closet with green neon lights and a painting that represented his sold-out shows in Latin America, among other elements. Ferxxo has been hinting at the clothing brand during his concerts, in music videos, and even on album covers (starting with FERXXO Vol. 1 M.O.R.), leading up to the grand reveal this week. The goal is to continue developing this brand throughout 2025. Feid @sismatyc & @sebasanchezv  A Wholesome Moment with Shak Shakira surprised a young fan named Zoe, who’s currently undergoing cancer treatment. Dance studio Hip Hop Kidz and Sunrise Day Camp shared the wholesome moment on Instagram, capturing the moment the Colombian artist and her sweet fan met for the first time, opened presents, and even did the “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” dance together.  “Despite the tough battle she’s been facing, Zoe’s spirits soared when the international star took time out of her busy schedule to spend time with her,” read the post’s caption. “Shakira, known for her charitable work and deep empathy, shared some quality time with Zoe, encouraging her to stay strong and never give up.” Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch 2025 This week, Billboard unveiled its carefully curated Latin Artists to Watch list, highlighting 22 acts who caught our attention in 2024, and who we believe will go on to have a breakout year. The list includes artists who cracked the Billboard charts in 2024, such as Tito Double P, who earned his first No. 1 on Top Latin Albums with his debut set. Artists who’ve been showered with critical acclaim, like Latin Grammy winner Ela Taubert, and those newcomers who first built a fandom on social media before kicking off a music career – like reggaetón mexa pioneer Bellakath, who quickly went from viral sensation to bona fide hitmaker. See the complete list, here. Tito Double P, Yailin La Más Viral & Kapo Sebastian Espino; Christopher Nunez; Alejandro Bethencourt Celebrating una Reina A children’s book celebrating Selena’s legacy is officially available this week. Selena: A Little Golden Book Biography, by Maria Correa and illustrated by Paula Zamudio, chronicles the Queen of Tejano’s journey to superstardom and illustrates her timeless impact on music, fashion, and beauty. “Nearly 30 years after her death, Selena’s influence endures, and her accomplishments continue to inspire legions of fans to follow their dreams. This is an inspiring read-aloud for young children and the perfect gift for fans of all ages,” read a press statement. The book can be purchased here, and a Spanish-language version will be published on February 4.  Selena Quintanilla at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall March 1, 1994 in New York, NY. Arlene Richie/GI Source link

BAND-MAID kicked off 2025 with a new digital single called “Zen,” released Jan. 13. The track is being featured as the opening theme song for ZENSHU, an original TV anime series produced by MAPPA. The collaboration between the all-women rock band and animation studio hailing from Japan with fans around the world is poised to gain a wide global audience suitable to celebrate the start of a new year. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The five members of BAND-MAID chatted with Billboard Japan about the production process of the new single, the tracks on Epic Narratives, their first studio album in three and a half years, and their outlook for what is already looking to be a super-busy 2025 for the group. “Zen,” your new single, has a different flavor from the songs on the Epic Narratives album. Did you start working on it after you finished the album? Miku Kobato (Guitar/Vocals): It was around the same time. We were asked to write it when we were still working on the album. KANAMI started off by coming up with a number that fit the requirements for the tie-in while also having a different feel from the album. KANAMI (Guitar/Vocals): I was given the script for the main story and received quite specific requests regarding the music, so I simplified the image I had in mind to create the track. MISA (Bass/Vocals): When I listened to the demo, I thought that this song had a strong melody, so I made the bass line feel solid to bring it out. I usually tend to play bass lines that move around a lot, but this time I tried to really focus on the melody and held back on being too technical.  AKANE (Drums/Percussion): I was also very aware of making a melody-oriented beat. Since many of BAND-MAID’s songs have fast BPM, this one might sound a bit mid-tempo, but I tried to avoid making it sound simply like a chilled-out mid-tempo track by adding little details, like creating beats with fills, that would become the hook. Basically, though, I wanted people to listen to the vocals throughout the song, so it’s a simple beat that supports the vocals. It might be a little simple for BAND-MAID, but when you compare it to songs by other rock bands, it’s not laid back at all. AKANE: Right. [Laughs] When the melody line is extended like this and the drums are keeping a simple eighth-note groove, it sounds mid-tempo when our band does it. But I didn’t want to erase its speedy feeling, so was conscious of creating a beat that wouldn’t get boring. In terms of the anime, it’s like being reincarnated in another world. I added a furious drum fill before the final chorus, and had these two themes of another world and the real world in my mind when I recorded it. Kobato: I’ve felt that there are surprisingly few songs with a simple feel recently, so I’m thinking of playing the guitar parts in our live shows [the band calls its concerts “Okyuji,” meaning “to serve”] in a way that would complement the catchy melody, po. SAIKI sings in a way that really brings out the story, so I tried to sing the chorus in a way that would support her from behind, changing the nuances and singing with a lot of range. The chorus work is rich, so I tried to sing it with that in mind, po. SAIKI, when you wrote the lyrics, what did you focus on in the work it accompanies? SAIKI (Lead vocals): The title “Zen” was there from the demo stage, and the ZENSHU team were like, “Perfect, that’s great,” so we kept it. I was able to really get into the work by watching all the episodes as moving images, and picked out words from the story and incorporated them into the lyrics. ZENSHU taught me all kinds of things about being an animator, the profession of the protagonist, and thought it’d be nice to convey how creators like that feel. I think musicians and animators are the same in that we both create, so there were lots of parts I could relate to as a musician, and the lyrics in the chorus also reflect how we feel as BAND-MAID. When (an anime) is based on a work that exists, you might already like it and be able to get into it right away, but since ZENSHU is an anime by MAPPA with an original story, I imagine it must have been difficult to grasp its worldview and reflect that in the lyrics. SAIKI: It was. [Laughs] But I went over the plot and script and everything many times and worked on it after becoming a fan before anyone else. I felt that the song was “kayou [vintage Japanese pop music] rock.” We don’t often do songs in that style, and because of that, I figured my lyrics would reach people without sounding off, so I did pretty much what I pleased. As a vocalist, I recall recording it in a simpler way. In the first verse, I did simple chorus work, and from the second verse I tried to show off my own quirks, and added more and more harmonies to each chorus. In terms of the performance, the descending part at the end of the chorus is memorable. What was the inspiration for that arrangement? KANAMI: I wanted to create a kind of conclusion to the song. I also considered ending all together with the members, but since the work is about reincarnation, I wanted to include a fantasy-like image. Your guitar solo, on the other hand, has an ascending, chaotic nuance that’s cool. KANAMI: Thank you, I like it myself. It’s quite difficult technically, but I always want to play melodies that stick in your ears, and I think I’ve created a guitar solo that leaves a strong impression. On the Zepp

Chappell Roan has well and truly made her presence felt in Australia, with her sleeper hit “Good Luck, Babe!” effortlessly topping triple j’s Hottest 100 poll for 2024. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news When Roan was announced as the winning song on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 25, the 26-year-old became only the third solo female artist to top the countdown (after Billie Eilish in 2019 and Doja Cat in 2023), and achieved the feat with most votes ever cast for a song in the No. 1 spot. The result is hardly surprising, of course. It’s become a massive hit for Roan on a global scale, earning her six nominations at this year’s Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Solo Performance, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for the track, alongside the coveted Best New Artist trophy. Meanwhile, it peaked atop Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart, and reached No. 4 on the Hot 100. In Australia, it matched that feat, and currently sits at No. 12 – one placing higher than its appearance on ARIA’s 2024 End of Year chart. Roan’s impressive result was followed by Australia’s own Royel Otis, who achieved the silver medal position thanks to their cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor”, performed as part of triple j’s own Like a Version cover series. The performance has truly helped put the Sydney duo on the map, with the track reaching No. 35 in Australia, and topping Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart – the first Like a Version cover to do so. Billie Eilish finished in third position with “Birds of a Feather”, taking out a new record in the process. Eilish, along with fellow pop icon Charli XCX, both managed a record-breaking eight appearances in the countdown, including their own collaboration as part of Charli XCX’s “Guess” remix at No. 6. This impressive achievement comes only one year after Australia’s G Flip broke the previous record, with their seven songs overtaking an 18-year record set by Wolfmother in 2005 and matched by Spacey Jane in 2022. Eilish’s strong showing also sees her become the artist with the most historical appearances in the annual poll, with 25 songs since her debut in 2017. She steals the crown from Adelaide hip-hop favorites Hilltop Hoods, whose 24 all-time entries have been achieved between 2003 and 2023. The top five was rounded out by Lola Young’s “Messy” at No. 4, and Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” at No. 5. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish and Charli XCX’s “Guess” at No. 6, while Dom Dolla’s “Girls”, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”, G Flip’s Like a Version cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer”, and Fred again.. and Baby Keem’s “leavemealone” capped off this year’s top ten. Despite her ubiquitous appearance within the world of popular music, the perennial Swift also made her own debut appearance in the countdown this year, showing up as a featured artist on Abrams’ “Us.” at No. 71. Famously, Swift had been barred from the countdown in 2014 after a BuzzFeed-led campaign to get “Shake it Off” in the poll was supported by KFC, with triple j saying it was “not legit for other media to try and troll the poll”. The station later said “Shake it Off” would have reached No. 12 had it not been dropped, ultimately leading to unconfirmed rumors Swift had been banned from ever appearing in the countdown. The 2024 edition of triple j’s Hottest 100 also left a sour taste in the mouth of Australian music-lovers, with the full countdown featuring the lowest number of homegrown artists in almost three decades. With only 29 Australian artists appearing across the full list of songs, it’s the worst showing for Aussies since the 1996 list. Only the debut poll in 1993 and its 1994 follow-up are worse, with 24 and 26 Australian artists, respectively. This year’s countdown was the result of almost 2.5 million votes cast by the listeners of the station, making it an increase on last year’s 2.335 million showing, but far less than 2019’s record of 3.21 million responses. All told, 26 artists made their triple j Hottest 100 debuts over the weekend, including Abrams, Shaboozey, Doechii, BABYMETAL, and Tommy Richman. Read more here. Source link

Deadmau5 had some choice words for electronic producer 3lau, in response to social media posts from the latter artist about playing an inaugural ball for President Trump earlier this week in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, 3lau (pronounced “blau”) posted images and video of the event alongside an Instagram caption reading that “five days ago [President Trump’s] team reached out cause they needed a DJ for inauguration afters. Playing Starlight Ball was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I mean wow, what an honor. I was so nervous, and only got to play for 30 min but holy ****. Achievement unlocked.” On X (formerly Twitter), the producer shared the same images and video and wrote “Yesterday was a huge leap forward for crypto !!! It was an honor to be a small part of it DJing the @POTUS afters ;)” Born Justin Blau, the producer has released electronic music as 3LAU since 2013. He is also a well-established tech advocate and investor. In 2021, he launched Royal, a blockchain-based platform for investing in music rights. “The timing is crazy,” 3lau’s Instagram caption continues. “I know I’ve been quiet for a long time, mainly because 2025 is gonna be the biggest year yet – for both my music and Royal.” The comments section of his inauguration day post — currently the only post on the 3lau grid — is a mixed bag of feedback, with Deadmau5 among the thousands of commenters on Instagram. The Canadian producer pointedly wrote, “Here’s the best takeaway, not a single person in that entire dumb— administration has ever known who the f— you were, cared about you, or even gives the remotest sh– about you, and you certainly won’t be remembered by any of em. But everyone in this business will remember that you stood behind nazis and convicted felons who would further marginalize the very people who gave you a platform. What very little respect I had for you is gone. So glad you got some drink tickets out of the deal, enjoy them, you nepo pissbaby.” In response, 3lau wrote Friday (Jan. 24) on X that since playing the ball, “I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected. “A matter of fact: I am a proud American,” the statement continues. “The freedoms we have in this country make it possible for me to pursue my passions—whether as a founder, a CEO, or a musician. My pride should not be used as a vessel for other people’s anger. This is exactly the behavior that has divided us. I am unwavering in my decision to focus my music and my work on things that continue to push our country forward. This might not always align with a single party, but progress comes from working together, not against each other. “I believe firmly in both free speech and the acceleration of tech innovation. These principles have been integral to my identity. I also see crypto and blockchain technology as monumental forces essential to our future as a nation—forces that the previous administration opposed. This administration favors many aspects of the vision I hold for our future; while no one’s values will ever fully align with those of any president or party, I stand by my choice. And, for the record, I am grateful to participate in our democracy.” Source link

DJ Unk, the Atlanta rapper behind the 2006 snap smash “Walk It Out,” has died at age 43, his family shared on social media Friday (Jan. 24). The cause of death has not been publicly revealed. His wife Sherkita Long-Platt wrote on Facebook, “Please respect me and my family. I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER.” Korey “Big Oomp” Roberson, who signed DJ Unk to his first label deal 25 years ago, confirmed his passing in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “DJ Unk was not just a legendary DJ, rapper, and producer, but a true cornerstone of our label, and the imprint that he left globally will be cherished forever,” he wrote, which was also shared on Big Oomp Records’ Instagram account. “Hit songs such as ‘Walk It Out’ and ‘2 Step’ have left an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire artists, DJs, and fans alike for years to come. His energy, creativity, and commitment to the craft will never be forgotten.” Born Anthony Leonard Platt, he joined the DJ crew, the Southern Style DJs, before signing to Big Oomp Records in 2000. DJ Unk released his debut single “Walk It Out” in August 2006, months ahead of his debut album Beat’n Down Yo Block! that reached No. 21 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. “Walk It Out” hit No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. “I’m glad that it’s good energy and good vibes in the song ’cause they use it as far as work out dances, they use it in church, they use it for anything,” he told Billboard while on the red carpet of the 2023 BET Awards. He also praised André 3000’s verse on the “Walk It Out” remix, featuring OutKast and Jim Jones. “I still can’t believe that to this day,” he said. “I never dreamed that he would get on a record like that because he’s so powerful as far as hip-hop and music and everything, so it’s a blessing. That was a dream come true. It was like doing a song with Michael Jackson.” “2Step,” the second single from Beat’n Down Yo Block!, reached No. 24 on the Hot 100 and hit the top 10 of Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. These songs solidified DJ Unk as a leader of the snap subgenre of Southern hip-hop. He released his sophomore album 2econd Season in 2008, which peaked at No. 15 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. GloRilla’s “Hollon” single from her 2024 debut album Glorious samples DJ Unk’s “Hold On Ho” from Beat’n Down Yo Block!. Source link

Lily Allen receives plenty of DMs on social media, but one caught her eye as she revealed that Central Cee shot his shot at her recently. The “Smile” singer sat down with Miquita Oliver earlier this week for an episode of “Who’s Most Likely to” for Grazia. When asked “who’s most likely to have a celebrity slide in their DMs,” Oliver passed the baton to Allen, who admitted, “It happens all the time.” Allen said that Cench go right to the point directly asking her, “Where you at?” Unfortunately, the 39-year-old was heading out of town. “I was like, ‘I’m in the departure lounge at Heathrow [Airport]. Sorry, next time,” she recalled. Oliver asked, “What do you think he was looking for?” Allen wasted no time replying: “Punani, obviously.” Perhaps Central Cee was looking to collaborate with Allen in the studio or wanted to sample one of her songs for his Can’t Rush Greatness debut album, which arrived on Friday (Jan. 24) via Columbia Records featuring Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Dave, Skepta and Young Miko. On the relationship side, Lily Allen married Stranger Things actor David Harbour in 2019 after meeting on the dating app Raya, but there are rumors of the couple’s split. As for Cench, he appeared to get out of a relationship with TikTok influencer Madeline Argy last year and was speculated to be romantically involved with Ice Spice after they teamed up for “Did It First,” but those claims went largely unfounded. Watch the entire clip below. Talk about Central Cee takes place at 2:45. Source link

The Americana Music Association and Americana Music Foundation announced its annual AMERICANAFEST Pre-Grammy Salute for 2025 in celebration of John Hiatt. The event will be held at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. PT. General public tickets will be available through the Troubadour’s website on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. PT. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news This year’s salute will serve as a benefit to MusiCares and its aid to those in need during the Los Angeles wildfires. “Americana has hosted its annual Pre-Grammy Salute every year since 2013 and this year, in light of the incredible devastation brought to California by the recent fires, our only thought was, ‘How can we help?’,” Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association said in a statement. “We’re turning our Troubadour show into a fundraiser, with proceeds going to MusiCares. We hope a sold-out show will help, even in a small way, those who have lost everything.” Previous AMERICANAFEST Pre-Grammy salutes have paid tribute to the songs of Paul Simon (2024), Lucinda Williams (2023), Willie Nelson (2020), John Prine (2019), Emmylou Harris (2018), Loretta Lynn (2017), Glenn Frey (2016), Phil Everly (2014), and Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell & Friends (2013). The Troubadour hosted all evenings except for 2018, when the Grammys were held in New York City. Co-presented by Vector Management and the Americana Music Association and Foundation, all Pre-Grammy Salutes have been produced by Michelle Aquilato and Americana Music Association executive director Jed Hilly. Hiatt, 72, is a 10-time Grammy nominee, with nominations spanning country, rock, contemporary folk and Americana/American roots categories. He has yet to win a Grammy. Hiatt has placed 16 albums on the Billboard 200, with 11 of them making the top half of the chart. Source link

PartyNextDoor‘s 2013 cult classic “Break From Toronto” becomes the Canadian R&B singer-songwriter’s first song to hit one billion Spotify streams. His label OVO Sound celebrated his feat on X Friday (Jan. 24), when Party got even more good news: His “Resentment” single from his latest album PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). PND broke down how he made the song, which samples Miguel’s 2010 hit “Girl with the Tattoo Enter.Lewd, during his Billboard cover shoot. “I was listening to a lot of R&B around that time, so I was really into Wale and Miguel and Usher. That was what was peaking at the time of R&B. I was driving down Mississauga, exactly how the video looks, and I was listening to the Miguel album. When I heard that intro to that song, I knew I was going to flip,” he said last March. “The next day, in my living room — I was living with my entire family at the time in an apartment — I made the beat to ‘Break From Toronto’ at the kitchen table, and I recorded it right after. It maybe happened in three hours. For sure, I didn’t think that it would be what it is today.” “Break From Toronto” was featured on PND’s 2013 eponymous debut mixtape, which reached No. 34 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. His latest album PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 earned him his third Billboard 200 top 10 project and was featured on Billboard‘s 10 Best R&B Albums of 2024 staff list. Source link

Heidi Montag is thanking fans for all their support in recent weeks with a surprise musical gift. The Hills alum took to social media on Friday (Jan. 24) to announce that she released Superficial 2, the following-up to her 2010 album, Superficial. “SURPRISE! As a special thank you for all the love and support, and for making my dream of being a @billboard charting artist come true, here is SUPERFICIAL 2,” she wrote on X, adding that the new album has 12 new songs. Surprise! As a special thank you for all the love and support, and for making my dream of being a @billboard charting artist come true, here is SUPERFICIAL 2! It’s Superficial…but it has 12 NEW NEW songs, so it’s not! Buy & Stream now!🔮✨️ #Superficial2… pic.twitter.com/R9YTwY7nxF — Heidi Montag (@heidimontag) January 24, 2025 After Montag and her husband Spencer Pratt lost their home in the Pacific Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, an outpouring of support drove Superficial and its songs to debuts across a number of Billboard’s charts (all dated Jan. 25) – including the Billboard 200, Top Album Sales, Top Dance Albums and Hot Dance/Pop Songs. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Montag also graced the Billboard Artist 100 chart for the first time, which ranks the most popular artists of the week. Earlier in the day, the couple joined more than 20 property owners in suing the City of Los Angeles and the L.A. Department of Water and Power, claiming the city’s decision to “drain” a local reservoir left firefighters without enough water to fight the devastating Palisades Fire that destroyed their home. In the complaint, which was filed Tuesday (Jan. 21), Pratt, Montag and their co-plaintiffs accuse L.A.’s Department of Water and Power (LADWP) of making “the conscious decision to operate the water supply system with the reservoir drained and unusable as a ‘cost-saving’ measure,” leading hydrants in the Pacific Palisades to “fail…within a span of 12 hours” because the tanks that fed them were not replenished by water from the “empty” Santa Ynez Reservoir. Source link