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30 Dec 2024

Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Adds 18th Week at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” crowns the Billboard Hot 100 for an 18th total week. The carol, which leads for a fourth consecutive week this holiday season, moves to within one week of the longest domination in the chart’s 66-year history, after only the 19-week rules of Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” this year and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, in 2019.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” was originally released on Carey’s album Merry Christmas in November 1994 and, as streaming has grown and holiday music has become more prominent on streaming services’ playlists, it hit the Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time in December 2017, and the top five for the first time in the 2018 holiday season. It led at last, prior to the past four weeks, over the holidays in 2019 (for three weeks), 2020 (two), 2021 (three), 2022 (four) and 2023 (two).

The track also holds at No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart for a record-extending 22nd week, leads Digital Song Sales for a sixth week and hits the Radio Songs top 10 for the first time.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” became Carey’s 19th Hot 100 No. 1, the most among soloists and one away from The Beatles’ overall record 20. It also made Carey the first artist to have ranked at No. 1 on the chart in four distinct decades (1990s, 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s).

In a historic first, the Hot 100’s top 10 consists entirely of holiday hits. In fact, the top 16 spots on the chart belong to seasonal songs; Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” is the top non-Yuletide title, at No. 17 after reaching No. 2. Previously, holiday songs hit a high by infusing the top eight positions a year ago this week (along with nine of the top 10 last week, a year ago this week and four years ago this week).

Among the Hot 100’s top 10, Ariana Grande “Santa Tell Me” dashes 9-5, becoming only the eighth holiday song in the chart’s history to reach the top five, and Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” returns to the tier (14-10, after reaching No. 9).

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data, the lattermost metric reflecting purchases of physical singles and digital tracks from full-service digital music retailers; digital singles sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites are excluded from chart calculations. All charts (dated Jan. 4, 2025) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Dec. 31). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, 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.

30 Dec 2024

Elon Musk Sneakily Shifts From H-1B Talk, Donald Trump Sides With Phony Stark On Hiring Foreign Workers

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President-Elect Donald Trump Watches Army-Navy Football Game

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been vocal proponents of the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump and their proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) office along with their stances on H-1B visas. After feeling the wrath of the MAGA faithful, Elon Musk shifted his tone while Donald Trump showed support for the visa program for foreign workers which has angered the many figures within the GOP and the wider base.

On Christmas Day, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy made their case for the support of H-1B visas with the suggestion that the program allows business leaders to find the best engineering minds possible. Ramaswamy found himself in the thick of it when he casually suggested that Americans and the media they consume might be contributing to their lack of engineering or intellectual excellence. Musk, a recipient of an H-1B visa himself, likened the recruitment of the foreign workforce to selecting the best players of the NBA, which too has several foreign-born players who are near the top of their class.

Over the weekend, Trump joined the fray and expressed his approval of the aforementioned visa program.

“I’ve always liked the (H1-B) visas, I have always been in favor of the visas, that’s why we have them,” Trump said in an interview with the New York Post. “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.”

This comment from Trump was an exaggeration of facts as reports came forth that many Trump staffers who work at his properties on visas did so through the H-2B visa program, which gives companies the ability to recruit foreign workers for temporary jobs such as hospitality work. According to a CNN report, Trump last used the H-1B visa program in 2022 in order to hire a data analyst for the Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.

This has sparked right-wing infighting with key figures such as former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer aiming at both Trump and Musk for walking back the campaign promises of the so-called America First agenda that focused on mass deportation and the hiring of more American workers at some of the top companies.

Elonn Musk has been defiant in his unique way and issued a profane reply on X towards Christian conservative Steven Mackey, who criticized Musk’s endorsement of the H-1B visa program.

“The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B. Take a big step back and F*CK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” Trump wrote to Mackey.

The Tesla founder has since softened his rhetoric, writing on his X platform, “Please post a bit more positive, beautiful or informative content on this platform” which garnered several passionate and colorful responses. This also sparked a still unproven rumor that Musk is using X under the “Adrian Dittman” alias.

We’ve got X comments regarding Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, H-1B visas, and the MAGA kerfuffle below.

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Photo: Getty

30 Dec 2024

SZA to Tweak ‘Lana’ With New Songs & Updated Mixes: ‘Thank Y’all for Your Patience’

Ten days after the release of SOS Deluxe: Lana, SZA has announced that she’s giving the project another makeover.

Despite the LP being out in the world for over a week — and already topping the Billboard 200 this week — the 35-year-old hitmaker revealed on X Monday morning (Dec. 30) that she’s officially tweaking some of the songs on Lana‘s tracklist in addition to adding new music to the fold. “Just got word all updated Mixes and new songs will be added Jan 6th,” SZA tweeted, noting that her fixes had been delayed until “the label comes back from holiday.”

“Sorry they can’t do it any sooner,” the musician added. “Just wanted to keep y’all in the loop … Thank yall for your patience ”

The announcement comes after SZA finally unleashed the highly anticipated expanded version of her hit 2022 album SOS via RCA Records following a lengthy rollout with several false starts on Dec. 20. On the same day, the Grammy winner shared that she had three more songs that she wanted to retroactively include on the tracklist — “Take You Down,” “PSA” and “Open Arms” — as revealed in a screenshot of a text thread with now-former manager Terrence “Punch” Henderson that she posted on X.

Trending on Billboard

Around the same time, SZA confirmed that she and the Top Dawg Entertainment president had parted ways, telling fans on Instagram that he had “stepped away abruptly” from their working relationship and that “sometimes ppl grow apart and that’s okay.”

On Dec. 23, SZA gave another update. “After listening w a clear mind I’m Switching some mixes out when I add stuff on Christmas lol,” she tweeted. “This means nothing to you but had to say it for me lol . Who knows u might notice ??‍♀️”

Christmas came and went with no new additions, but fans can now expect the finished Lana to arrive Jan. 6, per SZA’s latest alert.

But while SZA may not yet be happy with Lana as it is now, listeners have certainly embraced the second chapter of her SOS era. Selling 178,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in its first week, Lana propelled the singer-songwriter’s second studio effort back to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated Jan. 4 a full 22 months after she first dropped SOS — the longest gap between weeks at No. 1 ever recorded since the chart began publishing on a regular, weekly basis in March 1956.

Prior to Lana, SOS spent nine weeks atop the Billboard 200 in late 2022 and early 2023. It also earned SZA an album-of-the-year nod at the 2024 Grammys — which Taylor Swift ended up winning with Midnights — and took home best progressive R&B album at the same ceremony.

See SZA’s tweet below.

30 Dec 2024

Dwight Howard’s Baby Mama Royce Reed Accuses Him Of Mental & Physical Abuse

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Utah Jazz v Los Angeles Lakers

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Dwight Howard may not be the NBA superstar that he once was, but people still love getting hot tea about him and his baby mama is ready to serve it all up, as hell hath no fury like a woman scorn.

Not too long after announcing his engagement to Amy Luciani, Dwight Howard’s baby mama Royce Reed decided to take to social media to reveal the mental, emotional and physical abuse she claims to have suffered at the hands of the former NBA MVP. According to HotNewHipHop, Reed took to her IG account to state that Dwight “Asked for it!” and added, “I told him to leave me alone! Messing with my career after already being a deadbeat and then telling me to ‘Get a job!’—like I haven’t been working since I was 16—is the last straw.”

Following through on her threat, Reed went on to create a new Instagram account, @ihadababybysuperman, and went into detail about how her relationship with Dwight began in 2004 while she was a dancer for the Orlando Magic during his rookie year and reveals that after she got pregnant, Dwight agreed to pay for the abortion only to disappear on her when it came time to do so.

But that’s not all.

Per HotNewHipHop:

Reed also claims Howard initially wanted no connection to their child, forbidding his name on baby shower invitations. She recalls a brief change of heart in 2008 when he visited her, bringing a car and phone as gifts, and even offering to buy her a house under his name—an offer she declined. Despite the material gestures, Reed says their relationship turned abusive when they tried to co-parent. She accuses Howard of forcing her into unwanted sexual acts and subjecting her to verbal, physical, and mental abuse.

Sounds like Dwight was out there acting like Diddy. Just sayin’.

Dwight has remained mum on these accusations. And we doubt he’ll waste any energy defending himself, as much of his dirty laundry has already been aired for public consumption. At this point, it feels like nothing is shocking when it comes to the former NBA superstar.

What do y’all think about this latest twist in the story of Dwight Howard? Let us know in the comments section below.

30 Dec 2024

Geoffrey Owens Opens Up About “Middle-Class Actor” Struggles

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Celebrities Visit V-103 - December 5, 2024

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The Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens spoke candidly about his struggles to find work as an actor in a recent radio interview.

Six years after he was spotted working at a Trader Joe’s grocery store in New Jersey, actor Geoffrey Owens sat down for an interview to share more about his difficulties as a “middle-class actor”. Owens was a guest on “The Big Tigger Morning Show”, aired on the V-103 radio station in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cosby Show alum revealed that after the photos of him working at the store taken by a shopper were published, he left his position.

“I quit Trader Joe’s actually before the news hit,” Owens said. “It was strange because someone had been in the store taking pictures. … And I was like, well now that this is breaking, I’m not going to feel comfortable working in this store wondering who’s around with a camera. It’s gonna be just too weird. I’m a very private person.” The photos, published by the tabloid Daily Mail and by Fox News, were regarded as “job shaming” by observers. 

But Owens would also receive heavy support from celebrities, including director Tyler Perry, who offered him a role in his OWN drama series The Have and The Have Nots. Big Tigger mentioned that his residual checks from The Cosby Show must’ve been good, to which the actor replied they weren’t, given that his role as Elvin Tibideux meant that “I did maybe 20% of the show.”

“People have a false you impression of what the average, what I call middle-class actor makes and their ability to make a living in the industry,” the 63-year-old continued. “So that’s what drove me to work at Trader Joe’s to begin with. Honestly, I’m not much better off now than I was then.” Owens has appeared on the CBS sitcom Poppa’s House and is currently promoting the holiday movie Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza, which he stars in with comedian Tommy Davidson.

The actor also shared how he was gifted $25,000 by rapper Nicki Minaj, which he wound up donating to the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund) in honor of the late actor Earle Hyman, who played Russell Huxtable, Bill Cosby’s father on the NBC sitcom. When his revelation was met with surprise, he replied that

“at the time, it seemed like the right thing to do.”

Watch the interview above.

30 Dec 2024

All the U.S. Tours from Latin Artists Announced for 2025 (Updating)

From Rauw Alejandro to Shakira, see everyone who’s touring in 2025.

Rauw Alejandro

Rauw Alejandro

Marco Perretta

Editor’s Note: The list features only U.S. tours by Latin music artists and is updated on a regular basis. Tours will be removed from the list once they have ended.

2024 was a phenomenal year for the Latin touring industry, where five Latin acts—Luis Miguel, Bad Bunny, Karol G, RBD, and Aventura—grossed over $100 million, up from one in 2023 and two in 2022. Billboard reported that Latin artists are responsible for 16% of the year’s top 100 touring grosses, more than ever before.

This year, Luis Miguel topped Billboard’s Highest-Grossing Latin Tours of the Year list, grossing $290.4 million across 128 shows, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. Following El Sol de México’s trek is Bad Bunny’s Most Wanted tour, grossing $211.4 million across 49 concerts. Both tours ranked top 10 on the overall Billboard Year-End Top Tours of 2024 list — the former at No. 4 and the latter at No. 9 — alongside artists such as Coldplay, The Rolling Stones and Madonna, to name a few.

Now, 2025 is already shaping up to be another great touring year for Latin music.

Already announced for the new year are Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran stadium trek kicking off in the Spring; Rauw Alejandro’s Cosa Nuestra World Tour beginning in North America; and Nathy Peluso’s first-ever U.S. run in honor of her album GRASA. Mexican band Camila and Colombian tropi-pop artist Gusi have also secured tours in the U.S.

Below, see our updating list of Latin tours that have already been announced for 2025.

30 Dec 2024

Five Charged in Connection With Liam Payne’s Death

Five individuals have been charged in connection with the death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer who died Oct. 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to a public notice by Argentina‘s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office.

Those charged include hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores, all facing manslaughter charges. Additionally, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz have been charged with supplying drugs. In Argentina’s legal system, prosecutors gather evidence for a judge to determine whether to proceed to trial. Judge Laura Bruniard has moved the case to the next stage, a decision the defendants’ lawyers may appeal. If the appeal fails, the case will proceed to trial.

Trending on Billboard

Court documents identify the suspects only by their initials. Payne’s friend, identified as “RLN,” is accused of manslaughter for allegedly neglecting his duty of care and abandoning Payne despite knowing of his impaired state due to substance abuses. Hotel manager “GAM” is also charged with manslaughter for failing to prevent Payne from being taken to his room under circumstances deemed hazardous. Chief receptionist “ERG” faces similar charges for allegedly instructing others to forcibly take Payne to his room instead of ensuring his safety.

“Payne’s consciousness was altered and there was a balcony in the room,” the judge said. “The proper thing to do was to leave him in a safe place and with company until a doctor arrived. The people responsible at the hotel that day were the manager GAM and the head of reception ERG.”

Judge Bruniard emphasized that while these individuals likely did not intend for Payne to die, their actions or inactions posed significant risks to his life. “They were imprudent in allowing him to be taken to the room and taking him there respectively,” he concluded. “They created a legally disapproved risk and Payne’s death is the concretization of that risk.”

If convicted, the manslaughter charges carry sentences of one to five years in prison, while the drug-supplying charges carry much harsher penalties, ranging from four to 15 years, according to the BBC. The judge ordered Pereyra and Paiz, the two individuals accused of supplying drugs, to remain in custody and appear in court within 24 hours.

Payne’s death was attributed to multiple traumas and hemorrhages resulting from a fall from the third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. Toxicology reports revealed the presence of alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants in his system. Before the fatal incident, the head receptionist made two emergency calls — the first call reported a guest “trashing the entire room,” and the second raised concerns that the guest’s life “may be in danger.” Despite these concerns, the receptionist requested only medical services, not police assistance.

Last month, Payne’s funeral was held in Amersham in the UK. It was attended by his former One Direction bandmates — Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik — as well as his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and ex-partner Cheryl Cole, with whom he shares a son.

30 Dec 2024

Social Media Reacts to the Death of Jimmy Carter

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U.S. President Jimmy Carter at podium during news conference, Washington D.C., USA, Bernard Gotfryd, between 1977 and 1981

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Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away at the age of 100 on December 29th, 2024. The former president lived a long life, and many people are remembering him for more than just being president. He served a the US President from 1977 to 1981 and is often known for his efforts to bring peace to the world and fight for human rights. After his presidency, Carter didn’t just retire. He spent the next 40 years working on important issues like helping to build homes for the poor through Habitat for Humanity and fighting diseases in poor countries. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work with peace and human rights.

Carter was one of the few presidents who lived so long after leaving office. He was loved for being humble, kind, and always trying to make the world a better place. His death at 100 years old made headlines, and people everywhere shared their thoughts on social media, remembering his legacy. Even if you didn’t follow politics, Carter’s influence on the world and his kindness still matter. Many people are grateful for his lifetime of service, and his passing marks the end of an era.

30 Dec 2024

Netflix to Release Documentary Feature on Karol G in 2025: ‘A Story Born From Dreams’

Netflix is set to release a documentary feature on Karol G in 2025, the Colombian powerhouse and the streaming service announced on Monday (Dec. 30). The project will be helmed by Emmy Award-winning director and producer Cristina Costantini.

The “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” singer took to social media to share a few words about the upcoming film with her millions of followers. “A story born from dreams that seemed impossible, fueled by unwavering faith,” reads a note written on a piece of paper decorated with red hearts and the Netflix logo stamped on it. “A relentless journey that defied all odds. My life. My work. My truth. And the powerful connection I share with you all. My dream came true.”

Without revealing too many details about what fans can expect, a press release issued by Netflix describes the feature as “an intimate portrait of a global music icon — the woman behind the artist.” Since her breakthrough in 2016, Karol G (born Carolina Giraldo Navarro) has cemented herself as a global force to be reckoned with.

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The 33-year-old hitmaker made history last year with her album Mañana Será Bonito, which became the first all Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200. In July, Karol G wrapped her Mañana Será Bonito World Tour grossing more than $313 million. The stint is now the highest-grossing Latin tour by a woman in Boxscore history, topping her own $trip Love Tour from 2022.

Karol’s documentary feature will be produced by This Machine, a part of Sony Pictures Television, in association with Bichota Films and Interscope Films. Both John Janick and Nir Seroussi of Interscope serve as executive producers.

30 Dec 2024

That’s That Dunkin’ Espresso: Sabrina Carpenter Partners With Coffee Chain to Release Custom Drink

What’s that on Dunkin’ Donuts’ new menu? That’s that Sabrina Carpenter espresso.

As unveiled Monday morning (Dec. 30), the 25-year-old pop star is the face of a new drink called Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso, which will become available in stores nationwide starting on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31). The sweet, hand-crafted drink will feature rich espresso, oat milk and ice freshly shaken together — or, moved up, down, left, right, oh, switched up like Nintendo, you could say — with each order.

In photos showing off the product, Carpenter wears a sparkly pink vest while posing with her new favorite beverage, still in its clear shaker. The musician also stars in a hilarious new commercial for the partnership in which she mixes up her own espresso drink, cheekily telling the camera, “I just love shaking that ess’.”

“Been shaking that ess’ for hours,” Carpenter adds as other people join in on the fun, including her grandmother, who declares while shimmying: “No one shakes that ‘ess like Gam Gam!”

Trending on Billboard

Then for the punchline: “Oh! ‘Shake that ess” kind of sounds like, ‘Shake that a–!’” the Grammy nominee chirps.

Carpenter is just the latest star to partner with the coffee chain, with Ice Spice joining forces with Dunkin’ for a custom Munchkins drink in 2023. In June, Jelly Roll celebrated National Donut Day with the company and shared that his own stage name was inspired by jelly donuts.

The Girl Meets World alum has also previously leveraged her highly caffeinated smash 2024 hit into a partnership with Van Leeuwen, unveiling a chocolate-swirled espresso-flavored ice cream with the company in June. Her new business move with Dunkin’ caps off an explosive year for Carpenter, who scored her first-ever No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with August’s Short n’ Sweet.

Carpenter also earned her first-ever top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024, with “Espresso,” “Please Please Please” and “Taste” reaching Nos. 3, 1 and 2, respectively. Plus, the former closed out the year as the most-steamed song on both Apple Music and Spotify.

See Carpenter shake that ess’ in her new Dunkin’ commercial below.