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Morgan Wallen opened up about hard times, and ponders the long-tail familial impact of his lower moments in a personal new song he wrote for his 4-year-old son, Indigo Wilder. On Monday (Feb. 24), the reigning CMA entertainer of the year and 19-time Billboard Music Awards winner shared a snippet of the track titled “Superman” to social media.
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In an accompanying caption, Wallen explained why it has taken a while for him to craft a song for his son.
“Been trying for a long time to write a song I loved to my son. None of them ever feel good enough because of how perfect I want something like this to be,” he shared. “And not saying this is perfect, but I am very proud of it. Here is a clip, It’s called ‘Superman.’”
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The song starts off with Wallen’s thoughts of how Indigo will grow to learn more about the life his father has led to this point — surely, the incredible career accomplishments, but the low points as well.
The song opens candidly, with lyrics that seemingly reference Wallen’s arrest last year, when the singer-songwriter was briefly taken into custody after allegedly throwing a chair from the roof of a Nashville bar. (He later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges, and was sentenced to seven days in a DUI education center, as well as two years probation.)
“One day he’s gonna see my mugshot from a night when I got a little too drunk/ Hear a song about a girl that I lost/ From the times when I just wouldn’t grow up,” Wallen sings. He continues describing his fears as a father in the vulnerable lines, “And when you ain’t a kid no more/ I hope you don’t think less of me/ I try to hide my fallen soul/ But you’re gonna see.”
The self-aware lyrics continue: “Now and then, that bottle’s my kryptonite … brings a man of steel to his knees/ Don’t always know wrong from right/ Sometimes I’m my own worst enemy/ No I don’t always save the day, but you know for you I’ll always try/ I’ll do the best I can, a Superman is still just a man sometimes.”
Wallen has been steadily sharing new music over the past few months, including “Lies, Lies, Lies,” “Smile,” “Love Somebody” and the title track to his upcoming new album, I’m the Problem. He’s set to launch his 2025 I’m the Problem Tour in June.
Hear Wallen’s snippet of “Superman” below:
While Spotify’s Billions Club contains an exclusive group of artists who’ve had songs reach one billion streams, there’s an even more elite crop of African artists who are members. “Essence” collaborators Wizkid and Tems have both reached this milestone, but not for their Billboard Hot 100 top 10 smash, and they both did it alongside […]
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” felt inescapable in 2024, but none of Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet domination made it onto NBA star Jaylen Brown’s latest playlist. The Boston Celtics wing participated in a pop culture quiz game during a timeout in the team’s face-off against the New York Knicks on Sunday (Feb. 23), and Brown struggled to […]
The Do Lab has announced the lineups for its stage at Coachella 2025.
The electronic heavy bills, which are different for each weekend of the festival, feature artists including Tokimonsta, Anderson .Paak performing as DJ Pee .Wee, a DJ set from Confidence Man, a DJ set by Tycho, Nimino, Kaleena Zanders, Villager, Ladies of Leisure, Rudimental b2b Skepsis, Snakehips b2b What So Not, J. Phlip, Aqutie and many more.
The Do Lab has been hosting a stage at Coachella since 2005, with the area having been home to performances by big name artists including Billie Eilish, DJ Snake, Rüfüs Du Sol and many others. The Do Lab also produces its flagship festival Lightning In a Bottle, which is happing again this May near Bakersfield, Calif., with a lineup that includes John Summit, Jamie xx, Khruangbin, Four Tet, Subtronics and many more.
The Do Lab’s Coachella 2005 lineups increase the dance/electronic factor on the already dance/electronic heavy bill. Announced in November, the main lineup includes Above & Beyond, The Prodigy, Sara Landry, Keinemusic, Alok, Darkside, Zedd, Kraftwerk and many others.
Coachella has three stages dedicated exclusively to dance music: the massive Sahara Tent, the club-space Yuma and Quasar, a stage that debuted in 2024 and is dedicated to extended sets. Dance music also happens across nearly all of the festivals other stages.
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Coachella returns to Indio, Calif., over two weekends, on April 13-15 and 20-22; 2025 headliners are Green Day, Lady Gaga and Post Malone, with a special set from Travis Scott.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” repeats at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart. A week earlier, the song rebounded to the top, from No. 15, fueled by his performance of it during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on Feb. 9.
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” adds a 10th week atop the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.
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The Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.
Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.
“Not Like Us” drew 111.7 million streams (down 1%) and sold 21,000 (down 46%) worldwide Feb. 14-20. The Drake diss track — which on Feb. 2 won the Grammy Awards for record and song of the year, among its five victories – logs a fourth week atop the Global 200.
Lamar also ranks in the Global 200’s top 10 with “Luther,” with SZA (up 4-3 for a new high); 2018’s “All the Stars,” also with SZA (10-6 for a new best); and “TV Off,” featuring Lefty Gunplay (8-7, after hitting No. 5). All four songs were part of his Super Bowl halftime performance.
“Die With a Smile” holds at No. 2 after nine weeks at No. 1 on the Global 200 starting last September; ROSÉ and Mars’ “APT.” slips 3-4 following 12 weeks on top beginning in October; and Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” lifts 6-5 after three weeks at No. 1 last August.
“Die With a Smile” claims a 10th week atop Global Excl. U.S., with 103.3 million streams (down 4%) and 4,000 sold (down 17%) outside the U.S. Feb. 14-20. The song is the fifth to run up double-digit weeks at No. 1 since the chart began.
“APT.” holds at No. 2 after a record 15 weeks at No. 1 on Global Excl. U.S. beginning in November.
Lamar charts three songs in the Global Excl. U.S. top 10: “Not Like Us” is steady at its No. 3 best; “Luther” bounds 7-4, surpassing its prior No. 6 peak; and “All the Stars” shoots 17-8, becoming Lamar’s fifth top 10 and SZA’s fourth.
Plus, “Birds of a Feather” remains at No. 5, after three weeks on top last August.
The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated March 1, 2025) will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Feb. 25. For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X and Instagram.
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.
Gossip blogger Tasha K has agreed in bankruptcy court to pay Cardi B more than $1 million over the next five years and to not make any “derogatory, disparaging, or defamatory statements” about the superstar.
In court filings Friday (Feb. 21), attorneys for Tasha (Latasha Kebe) offered a plan to resolve her years-long federal bankruptcy case — proceedings made necessary by a $3.9 million judgment for defaming Cardi with outlandish claims of drug use, STDs and prostitution.
The new plan will cover only $1.2 million — less than a third of that fine. But under the terms of the agreement, Tasha will still owe the rest of the damages award even after she finishes the repayment plan: “The Almanzar Claim is non-dischargeable.”
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In the first year of the agreement, known as a “plan of reorganization,” Tasha will pay $44,907 per quarter to her unsecured creditors, the vast majority of which will go to Cardi. By year five, those quarterly payments will escalate to $81,057.
In an unusual feature, the bankruptcy plan also includes a non-disparagement clause, barring Tasha not only from defaming Cardi while the plan is in place but also from even mentioning her or any of her family members.
“The Debtor shall ensure that no content related to Ms. Almánzar and/or her family, whether explicitly or implicitly, will be published or disseminated on any of the Debtor’s social media accounts, websites, blogs, or other online communication channels,” her lawyers wrote.
Attorneys for both sides did not immediately return requests for comment.
The filing is the latest wrangling in Cardi’s long-running efforts to collect on the huge 2022 judgment, which came after a federal jury found that Tasha had made false and defamatory statements about the superstar on YouTube and other platforms.
Cardi has repeatedly vowed to recover that money by any means necessary — saying “imma come for everything” and “b—- better have my money.” Tasha filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023, saying she still owed $3.4 million to Cardi and had less than $60,000 in assets. But the rapper has pursued her, later winning a ruling that Tasha couldn’t use the bankruptcy process to “discharge” the judgment.
In December, Cardi’s attorneys demanded that the bankruptcy case be dismissed entirely, accusing Tasha of orchestrating a “long-running fraudulent scheme to shield debtor’s assets and income from creditors.” They said she had fraudulently transferred and concealed money and had lied to both Cardi and the federal courts.
“It is clear and irrefutable that debtor has admittedly and repeatedly engaged in bad faith conduct to hinder, delay, and defraud Ms. Almánzar from collecting on the amended defamation judgement,” the star’s lawyers wrote. “This court should not allow debtor to further abuse the bankruptcy process.”
A day after Cardi filed her motion to dismiss, the court-appointed trustee — a neutral third party who helps shepherd a bankruptcy case toward a repayment plan — filed her own motion endorsing Cardi’s arguments and urging the judge to dismiss Tasha’s bankruptcy case.
The threat of such an outcome likely forced Tasha’s attorneys to negotiate Friday’s agreement, avoiding the risk that the bankruptcy would be dismissed entirely.
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Is 2025 shaping up to the be the year of denim? First, Kendrick Lamar wins Super LIX with his viral flare jeans, and now, Beyoncé proves that the Canadian tuxedo is the perfect pool hall outfit in Levi’s recent campaign video. The denim brand dropped the second chapter of its global “Reimagine” series entitled “Pool Hall,” featuring the 35-time Grammy Award winner offering a more contemporary visual inspired by the classic 1991 Levi’s ad of the same name.
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Inspired by “the legacy of Levi’s,” the campaign celebrates the brand’s staple denim pieces as told in a “series of chapters” starring Beyoncé. In chapter one, the “Levii’s Jeans” singer opted to showcase a pair of classic 501 jeans and an essential white sports T-shirt in a visual inspired by the 1985 “Laundromat” ad featuring heartthrob Nick Kamen.
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For the latest “Pool Hall” ad, she takes on a full denim-on-denim wardrobe featuring a wide-leg jean paired with a braided vest and a lengthy denim trench coat. In the short visual, Beyoncé puts her pool skills on full display as she faces off against everyone’s favorite small screen cowboy, Timothy Olyphant, star of the Western-drama series Justified.
“Denim-on-denim has often been seen through a male lens, so this reimagining campaign, which celebrates the iconic female perspective, is important to me,” said Beyoncé in a statement. “I look forward to exploring innovative ways for our visions to align in empowering women and honoring their strength.”
The Levi’s campaign couldn’t come at a better time, as Beyoncé is gearing up for her Cowboy Carter Tour. Undoubtedly a Western-themed concert, fans can now shop affordable denim essentials to level up their country fit without breaking the bank.
Shop both looks from Beyoncé’s Levi’s campaign below.
Shop Beyoncé’s Chapter Two “Pool Hall” Outfit:
Levi’s Ribcage Wide Leg Women’s Jeans
Levi’s Braided Vest
Levi’s Spade Trench Coat
Shop Beyoncé’s Chapter One “Laundromat ” Outfit:
Levi’s
Levi’s Essential Sporty T-Shirt
Levi’s
Levi’s 501 Women’s ’90s Jeans
What Beyoncé star in Levi’s “Pool Hall” campaign video below.
LiSA dropped the music video for her collaborative single with Felix of Stray Kids called “ReawakeR.” The single is being featured as the opening theme for the TV anime Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow-. The collab follows LiSA’s feature on the K-pop group’s track “Social Path (feat. LiSA)” released in 2023. “ReawakeR” […]
After an explosive start to the year between the Grammys, Super Bowl, SNL 50 and NBA All-Star Weekend, the worlds of hip-hop and R&B have finally given us some time to catch our breath.
On Saturday evening (Feb. 22), the NAACP hosted the 56th Image Awards, where Emmy-winning host, actress and singer Keke Palmer, was crowned entertainer of the year. In the music categories, Beyoncé took home outstanding female artist and outstanding album for her Billboard 200-topping Cowboy Carter. Chris Brown emerged as the most-awarded recording artist of the night with three victories, including outstanding male artist and outstanding soul/R&B song for “Residuals.” Continuing the overlap between 2025 Grammy winners and this year’s Image Awards triumphs, Doechii took home outstanding new artist and Kendrick Lamar scored two wins for “Not Like Us.” Notably, the Cynthia Erivo-led Wicked soundtrack won outstanding soundtrack/compilation album, while Tamela Mann snagged both gospel/Christian trophies.
As the NAACP led a weekend of celebration, the hip-hop/R&B community also had to hold space for moments of mourning. Impressions singer Jerry Butler passed last Thursday (Feb. 20); The Notorious B.I.G.’s mother, Voletta Wallace, transitioned the following day (Feb. 21); and on Monday (Feb. 24), a spokesperson for soul icon Roberta Flack confirmed the Hot 100-topping, Grammy-winning artist died that morning.
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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Rico Nasty’s comeback to Nardo Wick and 21 Savage’s latest link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Ayoni, “2”
Built around jazzy piano chords, a pounding bass line and a sultry electric guitar, Ayoni’s latest track is a smoldering warning to those who dare test her gangster. “Simultaneously/ You were seeing her and loving me/ And now you’re here/ Lying at my front door,” she croons at the song’s onset, employing a haunting, almost sinister timbre that amplifies the cinematic nature of the track’s narrative. As the story progresses, Ayoni reserves the chorus for a moment of direct address: “I left the same time as you/ You thought you knew what I’d do/ But two could play too/ I could play you.” The scorned woman trope has gifted us with timeless R&B records going back to the Motown days, and Ayoni has found herself with a worthy addition to that canon. — KYLE DENIS
Jastin Martin, “28 Degrees In Houston”
Rising R&B star and Houston native Jastin Martin is back with her first track of 2025: “28 Degrees In Houston” is a heartfelt expression of longing, vulnerability and emotional dependency, particularly in moments of cold-weather solitude. Her smooth vocals and raw lyricism inject her explorations of relationship-minded emotions — missing someone, needing their presence, and reminiscing about past shared emotions, etc. — with gravity sourced from real-life experiences, ultimately making for a relatable joint that emphasizes the “B” in R&B. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
AzChike, “Whatx2”
Years of grinding have paid off for AzChike, who parlayed his ScHoolboy Q guest appearance and a “Peekaboo” alley-oop from Kendrick Lamar into a recent label deal with Warner Records. Chike continues to build on his momentum with his major label debut single “Whatx2.” The AzCult frontman rides the West Coast bounce in laid-back fashion, and while others are getting hip to the wave, he’s long been a believer in the movement. “She said, ‘You one of them ones,’ I’m like, ‘I’m already knowing,’” he boasts. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
Joy Postell, “Show Me”
Baltimore’s Joy Postell and producer Mighty Mark have a jam on their hands with R&B cut “Show Me.” The song has a ’90s vibe, which goes perfectly with the dating commercial VHS tapes the singer has been posting on her YouTube channel to promote it. First, there’s Vanessa, the Cancer baddie; then there’s Stacy, who’s 100 percent muscle; and finally, there’s Linda, the entrepreneur. If you’re into this song, then you’ll dig “Play Nice (Mighty Mark Remix)” from last year. — ANGEL DIAZ
Durand Bernarr feat. T-Pain, “THAT!”
Back with a new album — and his first full-length project since he earned his very first Grammy nod earlier this month — Durand Bernarr continues his unpredictable, and rewarding, artistic evolution. Featuring collaborations with GAWD and T-Pain, Bloom continues Bernarr’s commitments to exploring the breadth of what progressive R&B can sound and feel like. “That” is a tender duet built around ethereal strings, finger-picked guitar and a distinctly ’00s melody that feels plucked from a Kirk Franklin & the Family arrangement. T-Pain’s trademark Auto-Tune adds some crackling verve to the generally laid-back soundscape, but it’s the way his tone marries with Bernarr’s that makes for a silky-smooth sound whether they’re harmonizing or singing in unison. — K.D.
Busta Rhymes, Akon & Vybz Kartel, “Crazy”
A Busta Rhymes-Akon-Vybz Kartel track was not on my 2025 bingo card! Since The Worl’ Boss made his return to the public, he’s been on a mission to drop the best music possible. Kartel even teased upcoming collaborations with Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and Drake in the near future. When it comes to “Crazy,” the trio goes wild, nearly losing their minds but also celebrating how great life is. The track reflects on freedom and ultimately delivers a bold message — they can’t be stopped. — C.C.
Chxrry22, “Just Like Me”
Chxrry22 is coming through with the female empowerment bops. “Just Like Me” keeps the First Lady of XO’s momentum rolling, following a cameo on The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow album. Riding a bass line mixed with the keyboard-laden bounce of Pharrell’s “Frontin,” Chxrry has no issue boosting her man’s ego, but just know she’s one step ahead of the game. Ultimately, the Toronto singer comes around to realizing she likes them “Just Like Me.” The 23-year-old is primed to deliver her anticipated debut album this year. — M.S.
Rico Nasty, “Teethsucker (Yea3x)”
Rico Nasty has always felt a bit ahead of the times, and this could be the moment the mainstream finally syncs up with her. Introducing both her new Fueled by Ramen era and forthcoming Lethal LP — her first project since 2022’s Las Ruinas — “Teethsucker (Yea3x)” is more of the rambunctious rock-rap we’ve come to love from the DMV MC. After expressing her desire to “pop out like a titty,” Rico spits, “Not with the bull, we not bool/ I keep a tool at your medul, just hit the pool/ He got the best f–kin face, I think I’ma use him for a mule,” effortlessly maneuvering a raucous soundscape courtesy of Rayman on the Beat & Imad Royal. — K.D.
J. Cole, “cLOUDs”
“Just wanted to share,” Cole wrote via his Inevitable blog. “Made this a few days ago, then I added a second verse and was like, ‘Man I got a blog now, I can put whatever I want up there.’ I didn’t have a title 20 minutes ago when I decided to really put this up. But now I got one…” Thanks to his blog, we now have “cLOUDs”— a deep, introspective reflection on aging, change and the state of the world, layered with sharp lyricism and intricate wordplay. The song navigates life’s uncertainties, standing firm in values, and resisting the artificial influences of modern society. It’s a powerful mix of self-awareness and social critique, making it a deeply thought-provoking listen. — C.C.
Nardo Wick feat. 21 Savage, “HBK”
Nardo Wick and 21 Savage spar for the first time since colliding on Wick’s “Who Want Smoke?” breakout hit. Savage steals the show on “HBK” with another menacing feature to continue his potent run of guest appearances. The duo channels WWE superstar Shawn Michaels’ Heartbreak Kid persona, while 21 paints the picture of traveling to rival territory to hook up with a woman but knows he’s still gotta watch his back. “She stay by the opps, so when we f–k, I grip my gun,” he raps. Is there a better ad-lib in hip-hop right now than the Atlanta rhymer’s “p—y?” — M.S.
Roberta Flack died on Monday morning (Feb. 24), and the music world came together to mourn the beloved R&B icon. The “Killing Me Softly” singer’s spokesperson announced the news in a press statement, writing, “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully surrounded by her […]