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Sam Fender might only be days removed from the release of his third album, People Watching, but already the English musician is thinking of shaking things up for his next record.
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On Friday (Feb. 21), Fender put an end to the multi-year wait for another studio album by releasing People Watching as the follow-up to 2021’s critically-acclaimed Seventeen Going Under. Having teased the album since the release of its title track in November, the record is on its way to becoming a watershed moment for the singer-songwriter.
However, while Fender has managed to harness his heartland rock style with great success, a new interview indicates that he’s looking for a bit of a sonic shift when it comes to album number four.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Fender revealed that he has piles of new material at the ready, going so far as to show his phone to the interviewer and previewing “dozens of demos.” According to the article, these include songs such as “Drugs” and “Hornsby,” the latter of which is named for its sonic similarities to U.S. musician Bruce Hornsby.
Most notably, Fender adds that he’s “desperate” to record a punk album. “I’m buzzing! I’m just singing at you!” he tells the interviewer, going so far as to belt out a Tom Petty-esque track as a preview.
“People are going to hate you, whether you’re a saint, sinner, giver or a taker,” Fender sings on one of his as-yet-unreleased tracks. “But a big old heart is all that it’s worth. And he said, ‘You’ve got a big old heart, kid! Don’t let them own it.’”
Currently, it remains to be seen when Fender will actually get some time to hit the studio and work on his desired punk album, given his hectic live schedule.
In December, he cut short a run of U.K. tour dates following a diagnosis of a hemorrhaged vocal cord, and he’s currently set to return to the global stage for a series of European dates in early March. He’ll hit the U.S. and Canada the following month, with a series of summer dates scheduled for the U.K. and Europe throughout June, July, and August.
Before he returns to the touring circuit, Fender will also perform at the Brit Awards on Saturday (March 1). He’s also up for two awards at the ceremony, including British artist of the year, and best alternative/rock act, the latter of which he previously won in 2022.
Iconic Chilean songstress Myriam Hernández graced the stage on Monday (Feb. 24) at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, marking her first performance at the event in over 20 years. At 7:45 p.m. ET, the singer made a memorable entrance with “El Hombre Que Yo Amo,” her hit from 1992, accompanied by a live band featuring keyboards, melancholic violins, and a cello.
Dressed elegantly in a black, beaded gown with a leg slit, Hernández showcased her signature vocal range and poise right from the start. She continued with a seamless transition into “Te Pareces Tanto A Él,” accompanied by striking visuals including fiery planet imagery, masks, and bucolic scenery.
The show continued with the ranchera-tinged “Nos Lo Hemos Dicho Todo,” continuing to display her exceptional vocal prowess. “Good evening Viña, I dreamed of this moment. 23 years have passed, and 35 years since I stood up on this stage for the first time; and you made that dream of that four-year-old girl come true,” she said in between songs. “I just have to give infinite thanks to God, to you, to all of you.”
Following nostalgic hits like “Mío” and a vibrant medley that included “Dónde Estará Mi Primavera” and “Rescátame,” the stage came alive with more dynamic visuals. Chilean musician Valentín Trujillo also joined her for “Se Me Fue” on the grand piano, enriching the historic moment.
One of the night’s highlights was the appearance of the Power Peralta twins, whose electrifying dance moves in fiery red pants and sparkly B.B. Simon belts — and their washboard abs — complemented Hernández’s performance of “Leña Y Fuego.” The star, now in a shorter, more flamboyant dress, continued to rev up the energy, surrounded by a dozen female dancers, cementing her status as a queen of the stage. “Myriam, you are the queen of Chile, and thank you very much for representing us so well,” exclaimed one of the Power Peralta brothers.
The emotional peak of the night arrived as Hernández was awarded the prestigious Gaviota de Platino — which has only been awarded four times (Luis Miguel, Juan Gabriel, Lucho Gatica, Los Jaivas) in its 64th history of the festival; she is the fifth artist to receive the coveted prize. “It is so difficult to talk and describe what I feel,” said the emotional performer. “I am proud to be Chilean, and that is my flag to the whole world, you are my greatest motivation.”
As Hernández sang “Ay Amor,” tears streamed down her face. “Myriam Hernández, the balladeer of America, leaves an indelible mark on Viña and all who witnessed this historic return,” remarked one of the announcers as the showcase came to an end.
Viña will continue that night with the duo Ha*Ash, and on Tuesday (Feb. 25) with Colombian’s Morat headlining and Sebastian Yatra; Feb. 26 with Carlos Vives headlining and Carín León; Feb. 27 with Incubus, Juan Carlos López and The Cult; and Feb. 28, urban night, with headliner Duki, Eladio Carrión and Kid Voodoo.
Tony Hawk has taken to social media to lament the fact that Kurt Cobain isn’t alive to meet the grandchild they share.
In September 2024, it was announced that Hawk’s son Riley and Cobain’s daughter Frances Bean had given birth to a baby boy. “Ronin Walker Cobain Hawk,” Cobain wrote on social media, revealing her son’s birth date as Sept. 17. “Welcome to the world most beautiful son. We love you more than anything.”
While the couple’s 2023 marriage and subsequent parenthood was the dream pairing that ‘90s kids the world over could have hoped for, it also resulted in the newborn boasting two of the decade’s most iconic and influential figures as his grandfathers.
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Now in his own post on social media, Tony Hawk has reflected on the impact that Kurt Cobain had upon his life, reflecting on a Nirvana gig he once attended and sharing his desire that Cobain could have met their shared grandson.
Hawk’s post was shared to Instagram Stories over the weekend and featured a ticket stub to an Oct. 20, 1991 Nirvana concert at the long-gone Houston, TX venue The Vatican. According to Hawk, he was in the area for a skateboarding competition and went directly from the event to the show.
“It was as transformative as live music can possibly be,” Hawk wrote of the gig. “We all experienced something rare and powerful that night. The world would never be the same.”
The event itself took place right on the cusp of Nirvana’s massive global takeover. Priced at just $10, the show took place just shy of four weeks after the seminal grunge outfit had released their breakthrough album, Nevermind. Just under three months later, the record would topple Michael Jackson’s Dangerous to claim the top spot on the Billboard 200, and swiftly turning the group into household names.
“I wish Kurt were here so he could see the incredible woman his daughter has become, meet her devoted, caring husband, and hold our wondrous grandchild,” Hawk added to his post.
Both Nirvana and Tony Hawk have found themselves at the forefront of the news cycle recently. While the surviving members of Nirvana performed separate reunion sets with celebrity vocalists for the FireAid LA Benefit Concert and Saturday Night Live’s SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, Hawk’s eponymous video game series has been the talk of the gaming world thanks to rumors of a new volume to be announced next week.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet hits No. 1 for the first time on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, as the six-month-old set jumps 6-1 on the list dated March 1. It vaults to No. 1 following its deluxe reissue on Feb. 14 with five additional bonus tracks on CD, digital download and two vinyl variants.
In the week ending Feb. 20 in the U.S., Short n’ Sweet sold 71,000 copies across all versions – old and new combined – increasing by 616% in sales. It’s the second-largest sales week for the project, following its opening week (Sept. 7, 2024-dated chart), when it launched at No. 2 with 184,000 copies sold.
Short n’ Sweet marks Carpenter’s first No. 1 on Top Album Sales out of seven total entries on the list.
Short n’ Sweet also returns to No. 1 on the Vinyl Albums chart, for a third nonconsecutive week, as it sold nearly 48,000 copies on vinyl (up 626%). Of Short n’ Sweet’s total overall sales to date, vinyl sales comprise 61% (372,000 of 606,000).
Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album (TEA) units and streaming equivalent album (SEA) units. The new March 1, 2025-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Feb. 25.
Elsewhere on the latest Top Album Sales chart, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX falls 1-2 with 30,000 copies sold (down 74%) while PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U bows at No. 3 with 25,000. The Lumineers’ Automatic arrives at No. 4 with 16,000 while Chappell Roan’s chart-topping The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess rounds out the top five, falling 4-5 with 11,000 sold (down 22%).
The Weeknd’s former No. 1 Hurry Up Tomorrow falls 2-6 (11,000; down 63%), Stray Kids’ chart-topping HOP rises 9-7 (8,000; down less than 1%), Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft slips 7-8 (nearly 8,000; down 21%), the Wicked film soundtrack falls 8-9 (nearly 7,000; down 24%) and Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city is a non-mover at No. 10 (6,000; down 10%).
Billy Joel is in a New York and New Jersey state of mind. During his 2025 tour, which kicks off March 15 in Toronto, Joel will play all three New York City-area sports stadiums, making him the first artist to ever play all three in one summer. His impressive feat will come over a month-long […]
Kendrick Lamar and SZA made waves with their latest team-up, “Luther” off Lamar’s newest album, GNX.
“Luther” made its way up to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, marking Lamar’s sixth leader and SZA’s third. The single’s title is an ode to late R&B legend Luther Vandross, who is sampled on the track.
“Luther” replaced Lamar’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us” atop the Hot 100, just week after the latter returned to to the top spot, thanks to the performance during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. “Luther” was also a part of the halftime set, with SZA appearing as a surprise guest.
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Below, find the full lyrics of Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther.”
If this world were mine
Hey, Roman numeral seven, bae, drop it like it’s hotIf this world was mine, I’d take your dreams and make ’em multiplyIf this world was mine, I’d take your enemies in front of GodIntroduce ’em to that light, hit them strictly with that fireFah-fah, fah-fah-fah, fah-fah, fahHey, Roman numeral seven, bae, drop it like it’s hotIf this world was mine, I’d take your dreams and make ’em multiplyIf this world was mine, I’d take your enemies in front of GodIntroduce ’em to that light, hit them strictly with that fireIt’s a vibe, do your dance, let ’em watchShe a fan, he a flop, they just wanna kumbaya, nah
In this world, concrete flowers growHeartache, she only doin’ what she knowWeekends, get it poppin’ on the lowBetter days comin’ for sure (if this world were)If it was up to meI wouldn’t give these nobodies no sympathyI’d take away the pain, I’d give you everythingI just wanna see you win, wanna see (if this world were mine)
It go in (when you), out (ride it), do it real slow (slide)Baby, you a star, strike, pose (right)When I’m (when you), with you (with me), everything goes (slow)Come and (put that), put that (on my), on my (titi), soul (soul)‘Rari (red), crown (stack), wrist (stay), froze (really)Drip (tell me), pound (if you), on the way home (love me)
In this world, concrete flowers growHeartache, she only doin’ what she knowWeekends, get it poppin’ on the lowBetter days comin’ for sure (if this world were)If it was up to meI wouldn’t give these nobodies no sympathyI’d take away the pain, I’d give you everythingI just wanna see you win, wanna see (if this world were mine)
I can’t lie, I trust you, I love you, I won’t waste your timeI turn it off just so I can turn you onI’ma make you say it loudI’m not even trippin’, I won’t stress you outI might even settle down for you, I’ma show you I’m a proI’ma take my take my time and turn it offJust so I can turn you on, babyWeekends, get it poppin’ on the lowBetter days comin’ for sure
I know you’ll comeI know you’re comin’ for(Anything)(If this world were mine)
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFindWRITERSSam Dew, Atia Boggs, Kendrick Lamar, Marvin Gaye, Solana RowePUBLISHERSLyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
It’s incredible to think about the evolution of Tyler, The Creator’s music. From the days of Odd Future in Fairfax, where his music felt like controlled chaos, to now—headlining arenas, selling out shows, and having a Billboard No. 1 album. Despite his success, Tyler remains the same person from Los Angeles, CA. His return to […]
Leila Cobo sat down with Nicky Jam where he opens up about meeting Donald Trump and how he reacted to the “She’s Hot” comment, his sobriety, stories about Enrique Iglesias, Fher of Mana, his relationship with his wife, getting bariatric surgery and more!
Keep watching for this in-depth and vulnerable conversation with Nicky Jam.
What was your favorite part of the interview? Let us know in the comments below!
Nicky Jam:
I would love to tell you that Trump story.
Leila Cobo:
Tell me the story.
Well I haven’t told anyone.
Tell me!
I’m going to take advantage and tell you about it.
Nicky, you came to La Industria hungry.
If they come to La Industria, you have to try these cheese arepas and cream.
And how involved are you in preparing the dishes on the menu?
In almost everything. I mean, my DNA is all over the menu.
Ok, then wait, because I have the menu here.
Oh, no wait.
You just touched it and it moved a little.
The man-
Here comes the most handsome man in the world. So here is the most handsome man in the world. And how are you? Oh, what a delight. Thank you!
Server:
With pleasure.
So, these are the famous arepas with “queso de mano.” “Queso de mano” is the one that is shredded inside?
No.
The reverse?
Yes, the soft one over there, try it! Take a little bite, it’s fine. You’re going to stick a fork in an arepa?
Yeah…
D*amn! You know that I’m a real thug.
Let’s see, but is this a Colombian or Venezuelan arepa?
But you are a lady. This is a Venezuelan arepa.
You clearly know that it is not Colombian.
Keep watching for more!
On the 10th anniversary of his hit song, “El Perdón,” and as he readies to release new music, reggaetón superstar Nicky Jam spoke with Billboard about quite literally everything.
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We chatted with the Puerto Rican star for over an hour, about his new marriage and his love for his new wife; about the story behind “El Perdón;” quitting alcohol; regrouping mentally and preparing new music — due out at the end of the month — that is rooted in happiness.
He also spoke about the infamous, yet hilarious, Donald Trump introduction at a rally in Las Vegas last September, when the President invited Nicky Jam, who at the time announced he was endorsing Trump, to the stage saying, “Do you know Nicky? She’s hot!”
“You want to know why he said, ‘She’s hot?’” Nicky Jam asked over a brunch of arepas at his restaurant, La Industria, in Miami. “I’ll tell you. I haven’t told this story to anyone.”
Before turning to Trump-Gate, Nicky Jam spoke at length about the history of “El Perdón,” the breakout hit he recorded with Enrique Iglesias, which when released in 2015, spent 30 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.
“Don’t give that song to anyone. That song is mine!” Nicky Jam recalls Iglesias telling him about the romantic track, which was also released in a bilingual version.
Nicky Jam also spoke about his new record deal with Virgin. And yes, he did get into the details of the Trump faux pas.
Turns out when Nicky Jam went to meet the now-President for the first time at the rally, he allowed his wife to go inside first. “Obviously, I let my wife go first, and when he saw her he said, ‘Wow, she’s beautiful!’” recalls Nicky Jam. “It’s flattering to have the president tell my wife that she’s hot. But when I met him, in his mind she was Nicky Jam.”
“So that’s when he said, ‘Latin superstar Nicky Jam, she’s hot.’ I’m sure when I went onstage he thought, ‘Oh my God.’ Because, what does he know about Nicky Jam? He doesn’t listen to reggaetón.”
Of course, the faulty intro was the tip of the iceberg. Nicky Jam was criticized for endorsing Trump, and just a few days, he rescinded his endorsement after a comedian referred to Puerto Rico as a floating island of garbage at another Trump rally.
“I can’t support your campaign because I have to support my country,” said Nicky Jam. “I learned my lesson.” However, he admits, the onslaught of negativity online was jarring. “Had this happened when I was in my twenties, I’d have gone crazy!” he says.
The one good thing?
“Trump called and apologized” for the “hot” comment. “He said, I never call nobody, but you’re a standup guy.”
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Roberta Flack’s life story was detailed by the late singer in a 2023 children’s book that’s back in the spotlight, following […]