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06 Dec 2024

Latin Remix of the Week: Tiago PZK & Grupo Frontera’s ‘Mi Corazón’

In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem exceptional and distinct. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today.

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Originally a poignant pop ballad, Tiago PZK‘s “Mi Corazón” undergoes a buoyant transformation in its latest remix. Joining forces with Tex-Mex sensations Grupo Frontera, this version not only continues to pay homage to La Mosca Tsé-Tsé’s iconic “Para No Verte Más,” but it also reinvents the wheel by splicing in lively cumbia rhythms, proving yet again that true artistry lies in innovation.

Together, they’ve infused some lyrical tweaks while preserving the original chorus, all while masterfully transforming the track into a cumbia that commands you to dance. Backed by the hallmark sound of güiros, accordion, requinto, and rhythm guitar, the song now pulses with an undeniable vitality.

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Accompanying the remix is a music video that places Tiago PZK and Grupo Frontera in a stark tableau of black cowboy rocker get-ups, boarding a train bound for the unknown. The video captivates with a vintage flair reminiscent of 1940s film noir dipped in warm sepia tones.

Selecting this week’s top remix was tough with contenders like “Mis Amigas (Remix)” by a star-studded roster Brray, Zion, Wisin, Jowell & Randy, Ñengo Flow, Maldy, Jory Boy, Gotay, Ñejo, and Luigi 21 Plus, with classic reggaetón samplings from Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, and Chaka Demus & Pliers. Also in the mix was ROA, De La Rose, and Luar La L’s “ETA (RMX)” featuring Yan Block & Omar Courtz, a simmering, seductive take on subtle trap. Elswhere, Dani Flow paired with Veracruz legends Grupo Climax for a fun rendition of “Mesa Que Más Aplauda (Remix).”

Yet, “Mi Corazón” stood out — not just for its deft blending of genres but for its ability to breathe new life into the soul of a song.

Watch the official video for Tiago PZK & Grupo Frontera’s “Mi Corazón” remix below:

06 Dec 2024

Walmart Has Beats Studio3 Noise-Cancelling Headphones Marked Down to Nearly 50% Off

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.

Whether you’re looking for a great holiday gift for someone special in your life, or yourself, we found a deep discount to make shopping a joy — especially for music lovers.

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On sale for $89 (reg. $159) at Walmart, the Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones are a premium pair that delivers clear and rich audio with deep and booming bass to listen to music and podcasts on-the-go (when paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth). They’re also sleek and stylish, as a bold fashion and audio statement.

And since the Beats Studio3 Headphones are from Walmart, you’ll get them shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping.

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If you’re not a member, then you’re in luck. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts’ streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.

Meanwhile, Walmart+ also comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels, like “SiriusXM Hits 1” for pop hits from Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, SZA, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, Olivia Rodrigo and more.

Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones - The Beats Skyline Collection - Shadow Gray

Beats by Dre

Lowest Price ever

Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones

$89

$159

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Aside from high-quality audio, the Beats Studio3 Headphones sync to Apple iPhone and Android smartphones alike. The wireless headphones also feature seamless and automatic connection with all sorts of Apple products — thanks to their built-in Apple W1 chip, which is the very same chip in Apple AirPods.

In addition, these headphones offer up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge. In fact, if you’re on a time crunch, the headphones have ‘Fast Fuel’ features, which gives you three hours of playback time with just a 10-minute quick charge.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones are on sale for $89 (reg. $159) at Walmart and come in three colors — Black, shadow gray and white — all for the same price.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

06 Dec 2024

Bunnie XO Talks OCD Struggle on ‘Dumb Blonde’ Podcast: ‘It’s Not a Laughing Matter’

One of the most refreshing things about Jelly Roll and wife Bunnie XO‘s relationship is how open the country couple have been about their struggles and strife. Whether it’s the singer’s battles with addiction and obesity, Bunnie’s scary misdiagnosed aneurysm earlier this year or her battles with anxiety and depression after getting sober, both have been an open book with their fans.

Now, on the latest episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast, Bunnie discussed her longtime battle with OCD. “You guys have heard me talk about it on the podcast numerous time, but let’s discuss obsessive compulsive disorder,” Bunnie, 44, said on the NSFW episode. “I know some people joke about being a little OCD, but as someone who’s actually living with OCD, I’ll be the first to tell you it’s not a laughing matter.”

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She added, “It isn’t just being tidy or organized. OCD is actually having disturbing, unwanted thoughts that cause you overwhelming anxiety because they just feel so wrong, and you really don’t wanna be thinking about them.” The Mayo Clinic defines OCD as a “pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions. These obsession lead yo to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions.” Those compulsions can become so pervasive that they interfere with daily activities and can cause distress.

Bunnie described her OCD in similar terms. “It’s also repetitive physical or mental behaviors you do to try to make the anxiety from those thoughts go away,” she said. “But that just doesn’t work in the long run, and they just keep coming back. The idea that OCD is only about handwashing and organization is a complete misconception. OCD can latch on to anything, but it often focuses on the things we care about most, our relationships, religious beliefs, our hobbies and passions in an attempt to make the distress from their unwanted thoughts go away.”

The podcaster said she calls her OCD traits her “rituals,” which can be “incredibly time-consuming and exhausting.”

It’s not the first time Bunny has discussed her OCD diagnosis. Back in August 2023, she wrote in an Instagram post, “When I started this tour I was soooo scared, because as you all kno, I battle severe anxiety. Sobriety opened up a whole Pandora’s box of anxiety, OCD & depression j never knew j had until I had to stop covering up all the pain w/ pills & alcohol. I didn’t kno how I would feel on the bus, in the crowds or even just traveling everyday again because I hadn’t done a full tour w/ the hubby since 2019.”

06 Dec 2024

The 25 Best Christmas Songs of the 21st Century (So Far): Staff Picks

Featuring jingles from Sabrina Carpenter, Kelly Clarkson and more.

Sabrina Carpenter in

Sabrina Carpenter in “A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter” at the Sunset Gower Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

Alfredo Flores/Netflix

We might be a little biased, but Billboard firmly believes music is the best part of the holiday season every year.

That includes songs from all time periods, and certainly some of the Christmas canon’s oldest classics — think Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and Andy Williams’ “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Premiere artists of the latter half of the 20th century have also offered up a number of beloved contemporary carols, with special mentions spanning Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime,” Wham!’s “Last Christmas” and, of course, Mariah Carey’s incomparable “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

But with all due respect to the iconic pre-Y2K tracks that have won us over in decades past, the 2000s are also brimming with holiday musical excellence. Some of the best Christmas tracks of the 21st century are hidden gems, some of them are Billboard chart-toppers and some of them are already well on their way to becoming cross-generational classics joining the ranks of the tracks listed above — but all of them demonstrate that celebrating the best time of year through songwriting is a timeless art.

From uptempo bangers from Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber that shoot holiday adrenaline through shopping-mall speakers each year to more understated tracks from Sufjan Stevens, Norah Jones and Colbie Caillat that capture the versatile beauty of the season, the past quarter-century or so has tied bows on numerous Christmas stand-outs. See Billboard‘s top 25 Xmas tunes from this time period below.

06 Dec 2024

No Cable Necessary: Here’s What Makes DIRECTV the Best Place to Watch Live Sports

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.

If you’re looking to watch live sports online, then a great streaming service option that offers just about all of the major sports networks is DIRECTV — it’s your one-stop destination for live sports. And right now, you can save up to $625 in value.

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Ends 1/6/2025. Must select offers. Requires CHOICE package or higher. To access up to $625 in value, customer must redeem all offers: i) $240 via $10 bill credit each mo. for 24 mos.; ii) 3 months of Movies Extra Pack (MEP) and Lifetime Movie Club (LMC) On Us PLUS $200 Visa Reward Card with subscriptions to MEP and LMC ($100 Visa Reward Card with subscription to MEP only); Redemption req’d.; iii) 3 mos. of Premium Channels on us. MEP, LMC and premium channels are included for first 3 months and auto-renew monthly thereafter at then-prevailing rates unless canceled (currently $4.99/mo. each for MEP and LMC, $16.99/mo. for Max, $12.99/mo. for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, $10.99/mo. each for STARZ and Cinemax, and $6.99/mo. for MGM+). New residential customers w/ 24-mo. agmt. Select sales channels only. See details below.

Depending on the package, you can have access to more than 35 networks that carry live sports, including NBC, ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports, Fox Sports 2, Sportsman Channel, Surfer TV, Tennis Channel, T2, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, FanDuel TV, Pickleball TV, Players TV, Fight Network, Fuel TV, MotorTrend, NBA TV, NHL Network, Origin Sports, Pursuit Channel, SportsGrid, TNA, TUDN, MLB Network, TBS, TNT, USA Network and more*

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DIRECTV also carries over 30 regional sports networks (RSNs), so you can catch your home team action.

Regional Sports Networks included in CHOICE Package or higher. Avail. of RSNs varies by zip code and pkg.

Think of DIRECTV as your one-stop destination for live TV, on-demand movies, TV shows, and access to popular streaming apps like Max, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. It’s a versatile and convenient content aggregator that enhances its range of live sports and more, contingent on the subscription package selected. DIRECTV offers a comprehensive entertainment experience, tailored to meet all your needs.

Internet-connected Gemini device and additional paid subscriptions req’d for 3rd party apps.

How to Watch Live Sports with DIRECTV via Internet

DIRECTV via Internet packages gets you access to live TV, local* and cable channels.

You can watch local networks such as PBS*, while you can also watch many cable networks, including Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.

In addition, DIRECTV offers music-centric networks, such as MTV, VH1, BET, Fuse, CMT and much more. Now you can get the best in entertainment, sports and music all in one place with DIRECTV.

All sorts of live sports are available to live stream with DIRECTV.

New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to nonqualified customers. Equipment lease req’d. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply.

*Some local channels not available in select markets.

DIRECTV via INTERNET: Service subject to DIRECTV delivered via internet terms and conditions (see
directv.com/legal/legal-policy-center/). Available only in the U.S. (excludes Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I.). Some offers may not be available through all channels and in select areas. Different offers may apply for eligible multi-dwelling units. Early termination fees apply for a maximum of $480, prorated at $20 per month over the 24-month term. If you cancel your service within the first 14 days of ordering, a full refund of charges will be applied, and the early termination fees will be waived. If service is canceled after 14 days, you can continue to access DIRECTV through the end of the bill period, but there is no refund or credit for partial-month or unwatched content.

$240 IN BILL CREDITS OFFER: Receive $10/mo. credit for 24 mos. with CHOICE pkg or higher. 24-mo. agmt. req’d. Customer must activate service and account must remain in good standing to receive all credits. You will lose this offer and/or any portion of this offer if you cancel your service. LIMIT ONE $240 BILL CREDIT OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. May not be combined with certain offers.

MOVIES EXTRA PACK and LIFETIME MOVIE CLUB 3 MONTHS ON US OFFER: Ends 1/6/25. With min. ENTERTAINMENT package or higher. Customer must select Movies Extra Pack and Lifetime Movie Club (currently $4.99/mo. + tax each) and maintain subscriptions for 3 months to receive all credits. Account must remain in good standing. Movies Extra Pack and Lifetime Movies Club auto-renew monthly unless you change or cancel. Cancel anytime online at directv.com or by calling 800.535.5000. However, once you’ve canceled, you can access Movies Extra Pack/Lifetime Movies Club through the remaining monthly period. No refunds or credits for any partial-month periods or unwatched content. If you cancel your service, you will no longer be eligible for this offer. Returning customers who disconnected service within previous 12 months are not eligible for offer. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. May be combined with other promotional offers on same services. Offer may be changed or discontinued at any time. LIMIT ONE MOVIES EXTRA PACK AND LIFETIME MOVIE CLUB OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT.

PREMIUM CHANNELS ON US FOR 3 MOS. Offer: Max: Access Max through Max app or max.com with your DIRECTV log-in credentials. Visit directv.com to verify/create your account. Use of Max is subject to its own terms and conditions, see max.com/terms-of-use for details. To learn more, visit directv.com/max. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: Access Paramount+ with SHOWTIME streaming plan through Paramount+ app or paramountplus.com with your DIRECTV log-in credentials. Visit directv.com to verify/create your account. Use of Paramount+ is subject to its own terms and conditions, see viacomcbs.legal/us/en/pplus/sub-terms for details. Access to Paramount+ requires a subscription to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and access to your local CBS affiliate. To learn more, visit directv.com/paramountplussho. General Terms: Programming and content subj. to change. Offer requires account to stay in good standing. Upon cancellation of your video service you may lose access to Max and Paramount+. Cancel your premium channels online at directv.com or by phone at 800-531-5000. If you cancel your service, you will no longer be eligible for this offer. Limits: Access to one Max account and one Paramount+ account per DIRECTV account holder. May not be stackable w/other offers, credits or discounts. MAX and related elements are property of Home Box Office, Inc.

VISA REWARD CARD OFFER: Must maintain service through reward fulfillment to remain eligible for offer. To qualify for $200 VISA Reward Card, customer must sign up for ENTERTAINMENT package or higher, Movies Extra Pack and Lifetime Movie Club and maintain all three services for 3 mos. (Customers selecting only ENTERTAINMENT Package or higher and Movies Extra Pack only qualify for $100 VISA Reward Card). Must select offer at point of sale through the dedicated website, for new residential customers in the U.S. (excludes Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I.). Residents of select multi-dwelling units are not eligible for this offer. Redemption: Within 6 weeks of activation of qualified service, eligible customers will be sent a Reward Notification email with instructions for claiming the reward on the DIRECTV Reward Center www.directv-rewardcenter.com. Reward must be claimed by the date noted in the email (75 days from the date email was sent). If customer’s email returns as undeliverable, a letter will be mailed via USPS 3rd class mail. Reward invitation expires if not claimed by the date noted in Reward Notification. Customers can track their reward status anytime via the DIRECTV Reward Tracker, which is located on the DIRECTV Reward Center www.directv-rewardcenter.com. Allow three (3) weeks after receipt and verification of customer’s claim for delivery card. DIRECTV is not responsible for late, lost or misdirected card in mail. Not valid for purchase by groups, clubs, businesses or organizations. Void where prohibited, licensed, taxed or restricted. May not be combined with other reward card offers on same services. Card expires at month-end 6 months after issuance. For Cardholder Agreement, go to directvrewardcenter.com. The DIRECTV Visa Reward Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted in the United States, the District of Columbia, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. No cash access. The Bancorp Bank N.A.; Member FDIC. The Bancorp Bank N.A. does not endorse or sponsor and is not affiliated in any way with any product or service offered by DIRECTV. LIMIT ONE VISA REWARD CARD OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT.

All offers may be changed or discontinued at any time.

Requires high speed internet. Minimum internet speed of 8Mbps per stream recommended for optimal viewing. DIRECTV App: Req’s compatible device and data connection; data charges may apply. Pricing: ENTERTAINMENT $89.99/mo., CHOICE $122.98/mo., ULTIMATE $152.98/mo., PREMIER $197.98/mo. for 2 years. After 2 years, continues month to month at then-current prevailing prices unless cancelled. Prices reflect base package prices plus the req’d. $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee and Regional Sports Fee (RSF) of up to $17.99/mo. RSF applies to CHOICE Pkg. or higher and varies based on location. May be lower in some areas. $7/mo. lease fee per each additional device will be charged on your account. State and local taxes or other governmental fees and charges may apply including any such taxes, fees or charges assessed against discounted fees or service credits. See directv.com/directv-fees/ for additional information.

Equipment Non-Return Fees: If service is cancelled you must return the included and leased device to avoid a non-return fee of $120 per device. Regional Sports & Local Channels: Regional Sports available with CHOICE and above. Not available in select areas. Channels vary by package & billing region. Device may need to be in billing region in order to view. In select markets certain local channels are not available, call 800-535-5000 or visit directv.com/channel-lineup/ for more info. Limits: Programming subject to blackout restrictions.

DIRECTV Svc Terms: Subject to Equipment Lease & Customer Agreement. Taxes, surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), DIRECTV TECH PROTECT and transactional fees are not included in two-year price guarantee. Visit directv.com/legal/ or call for details.

All offers, programming, promotions, pricing, terms, restrictions & conditions subject to change & may be modified, discontinued, or terminated at any time without notice. See directv.com for details.

Google, Google Play, and Android TV are trademarks of Google LLC, Google login required.

©2024 DIRECTV. DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks are trademarks of DIRECTV, LLC. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

06 Dec 2024

Mrs. GREEN APPLE Talk Topping Billboard Japan 2024 Artist 100 Chart & Look Back on Busy Year: Interview

Billboard Japan unveiled its year-end charts for 2024, and Mrs. GREEN APPLE is Artist of the Year, based on the Artist 100 ranking compiled from results of both the Japan Hot 100 and Hot Albums charts. Additionally, frontman and principal songwriter Motoki Ohmori (vocals and guitar) dominated the year-end Top Composers and Top Lyricists charts for the second year in a row.

This year, the three-man pop-rock band released a new song every month from April to August. “Lilac,” the opening theme song for the anime series Oblivion Battery, stayed at No. 1 on the Streaming Songs tally for 18 consecutive weeks, becoming popular as the trio’s new signature number. “Ao to Natsu,” the group’s hit from 2018, broke its personal record for most weekly streams on the Streaming Songs chart released Aug. 14 with 6,969,716 weekly streams, coming in at No. 4 for the week. Now in its 11th year as a band, Mrs. GREEN APPLE continues to expand its reach.

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The group consisting of Ohmori, Hiloto Wakai (guitar), and Ryoka Fujisawa (keyboards) also kept busy doing live shows, including collaborative concerts at the Yokohama Arena with other acts in May, a domestic stadium tour entitled Zenjin Mito to Weltraum in July that drew about 150,000 people in total, and a ten-show mini-residency at K-Arena Yokohama that ran from October to November. In recent news, the band released a new song called “Bitter Vacances” written as the theme for the upcoming live-action movie Saint Young Men, due in Japanese theaters Dec. 20. And to make the upcoming 10th anniversary of their major debut a magical year, they have just announced numerous plans, including a 100,000-person outdoor live concert over two days, the release of their best album ’10’, and their first solo performance in Korea. What were the band members feeling as they faced their music while racing through a super-busy year? Ohmori, Wakai, and Fujisawa chatted with Billboard Japan, looking back on a fruitful 2024 and sharing some visions for the new year.  

Mrs. GREEN APPLE is No. 1 on Billboard Japan’s year-end Artist 100 chart for 2024. How do you feel about this result?

Fujisawa: I’m very grateful. I was so surprised that I teared up a little.

Wakai: We released a lot of songs this year, so I’m genuinely grateful that they’ve reached so many people in a proper way.

Ohmori: I topped the year-end Top Lyricists and Top Composers charts last year, and those results allowed me to believe in the things I create and the things we think are interesting, and work on them in a positive way for the past year. I’m happy to have received this kind of recognition in what was such a fun year. I hear from people that our songs are being used at sports days in schools ranging from elementary to high school, and that really gives me a sense of how well our songs are known and how they’re being received. I don’t really feel it when I’m going about my daily business, but when I hear that [the songs] are close to someone’s everyday life, it really hits home.

Wakai: They’re also being sung as choral pieces [in schools].

Fujisawa: From the end of last year to this year, we had a lot of opportunities to enjoy ourselves with our fans, like going on our own tour, performing live with other acts, and doing more headlining shows in the summer. It kind of surprised me that so many people knew about us.

There must have been many first-time visitors to your concerts.

Ohmori: Looking out from the stage, I did notice that people of all ages were in the audience. Like grandmothers bringing their grandchildren. It gives us confidence to know that we’re doing shows that families can feel safe and enjoy together.

The band has been busy touring and releasing new music this year. If you were to sum up the year, how would you describe it?

Ohmori: It was fun. Last year, it was like saying hello for the first time [after becoming a three-man band], but this year, I think we were able to reaffirm our unchanging relationship and stance on songwriting as we tried to live up to expectations and adapted to our changing surroundings. I was writing songs for our five-month consecutive release, but it wasn’t like I was pushing myself too hard and I can say that it was a very meaningful and enjoyable year.

Wakai: We really did a lot of things and it was really fruitful.

Fujisawa: Each member had more opportunities to flourish this year, and there were many moments when I saw the other two working hard and was like, “They’re so cool” and “I’m so proud of them.”

Wakai: There are a lot of YouTube videos of people covering “Lilac” on guitar, and personally, it felt like there were more instances where I felt like I was being recognized as a guitarist and that made me happy.

You added some original arrangements at your residency shows (Mrs. GREEN APPLE on “Harmony”) and they were awesome.

Wakai: The crowd seemed to enjoy it, so I was glad.

Fujisawa: While watching Ohmori working hard writing songs at a tremendous pace for the five consecutive releases, we also played those songs at that speed, adding our own arrangements as we went along, and also performed them live again and again. How each member has been able to face things with responsibility shows the growth of our band this year.

Ohmori: Speaking of growth, or something I’ve discovered, is that I’ve come to realize once again that writing songs isn’t something I do for something or someone, but only for myself, even though I’m the type of person who thinks it’s better to enjoy fun things together with everyone. Now that more people are listening to my music, there’s greater responsibility, but in the end I only release things that I feel are good, so I don’t feel any crazy pressure or stress and really enjoy making music naturally. Being able to reconfirm that was a personal growth for me. I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel pressure, but I still feel like I’ve been able to stay natural.

Are there any other motivations that drive the three of you?

Wakai: What we talk about a lot among the members is live performances. I feel that the main source of our energy and motivation is to do something that we can genuinely enjoy ourselves and have the audience also enjoy that, too.

Ohmori: That was notable in our The White Lounge tour.

Fujisawa: Like Wakai said, when we do something we find interesting and new, and see that the people on the receiving end are enjoying it, we want to update ourselves even more. Personally, there are a lot of things I find difficult and set me back, but seeing Ohmori and Wakai working hard gives me power.

So your bandmates are friends you can rely on and also rivals you can compete with.

Ohmori: They’re really important to me. In a good way, I don’t really have the sense that Mrs. GREEN APPLE is being burdened with expectations from the public. The three of us are just having fun making music together. That’s really all there is to it. We’ve been doing this since we were in junior high school, and I think that’s what makes us Mrs. GREEN APPLE.

Lastly, what are your prospects for 2025?

Ohmori: We celebrated our 10th anniversary [since formation] in 2023 and next year will be our 10th since our debut. It’s our anniversary year, so I hope we can be close to our JAMs [Mrs. GREEN APPLE fans]. We hope to keep challenging ourselves individually, and to make the ship that is Mrs. GREEN APPLE even bigger. We also want to do lots of shows.

Fujisawa: It’ll be ten years since our debut, so I want to express our gratitude to everyone next year.

Wakai: It’ll be the last year in our twenties for Ohmori and me, so I want to make the final year one without regrets and enjoyable.

—This interview by Takuto Ueda first appeared on Billboard Japan

06 Dec 2024

Creepy Nuts, Snow Man & Mrs. GREEN APPLE Top Billboard Japan 2024 Year-End Charts

Billboard Japan has unveiled its 2024 year-end charts, tallying the weeks from Nov. 27, 2023, to Nov. 24, 2024.

The No. 1 Song of the Year on the Japan Hot 100 is Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born.” The opening theme song of the anime series MASHLE Season 2 was released Jan. 7 and racked up 547,310,791 streams during the tallying period.

“We still feel like, ‘We’re able to make a living doing music!’” shares rapper R-shitei of Creepy Nuts upon hearing the news of topping the year-end charts, “We never planned to make songs that would be listened to around the world. It’s really just about expressing what we want to get out and releasing the pent-up expressions we’ve been holding in, basically.” DJ Matsunaga adds, “Now that we’ve returned to a lifestyle focusing on music, it feels like the irresponsibleness that I had before is back. Express bad stuff like it is. It feels like we’ve regained the courage to do that.”

Coming in at No. 2 for the year is “Bansanka” by 15-year-old singer-songwriter tuki., and Omoinotake’s “IKUOKU KONEN,” the theme song of the drama series Eye Love You, follows at No. 3.

Snow Man

Snow Man

Courtesy Photo

The No. 1 Album of the Year on Billboard Japan’s Hot Albums chart is Snow Man’s RAYS. The fourth album by the nine-member group sold 1,183,100 copies during the tallying period and topped the CD Sales ranking as well.

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“We’re very happy that our fourth album RAYS has been crowned Billboard Japan Hot Albums of the Year 2024. We’re truly grateful to everyone who received our work and touched our music, and to the encouraging staff who were involved in the production,” says Snow Man member RAUL on behalf of the group. “RAYS has a very special place in our hearts because it can be interpreted as the culmination of the first chapter of Snow Man that sublimates the powers we’ve honed and the support we’ve received over the four years since our debut into music. It was challenging, but we always imagined our fans close by as we worked on it. We’re deeply touched that our precious fans have listened to it and given us so many positive comments.”

“The group will be celebrating the fifth anniversary since its debut in 2025, kicking off with a best-of album set to drop on Jan. 22, the day of our debut,” he adds. “We’re also currently planning to spend more time with our fans, so we hope you’ll look forward to it!”

At No. 2 is Kenshi Yonezu’s LOST CORNER, and at No. 3 is SEVENTEEN’s 17 IS RIGHT HERE.

Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Courtesy Photo

Mrs. GREEN APPLE takes the top spot on the Artist 100 of the Year ranking compiled from the results of the Japan Hot 100 and Hot Albums charts. The three-man band charted 17 songs on the Japan Hot 100, including hits like “Lilac” and “Que Sera Sera.”

“I’m very grateful. I was so surprised that I teared up a little,” says Mrs. GREEN APPLE keyboardist Ryoka Fujisawa. Guitarist Hiloto Wakai adds, “We released a lot of songs this year, so I’m genuinely grateful that they’ve reached so many people in a proper way.” Frontman and principal songwriter Motoki Ohmori notes, “I topped the year-end Top Lyricists and Top Composers charts last year, and those results allowed me to believe in the things I create and the things we think are interesting, and work on them in a positive way for the past year. I’m happy to have received this kind of recognition in what was such a fun year.”

Following at No. 2 on the year-end Artist 100 is back number, rising a notch from its position on the mid-year round-up. The three-man band charted 10 songs on the Japan Hot 100 including “Suiheisen” and “Takaneno Hanakosan.” At No. 3 is YOASOBI, the breakout hitmakers whose performance at Coachella in April made headlines in their home country.

As Japanese artists continue to branch out globally, Creepy Nuts’ music is reaching listeners on a global scale after “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” became a long-running hit both in Japan and overseas. Total global streams for the hip-hop duo has jumped significantly and as a result, “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” achieved 12 No.1s on Billboard Japan’s 2024 year-end charts, including the newly announced year-end Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart, which ranks songs from Japan that are being listened to in over 200 countries around the world excluding Japan. 

Billboard JAPAN Hot 100 of the Year 2024

1. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” / Creepy Nuts

2. “Bansanka” / tuki.

3. “IKUOKUKONEN” / Omoinotake

4. “Idol” / YOASOBI

5. “Lilac” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE

6. “Que Sera Sera” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE

7. “Show” / Ado

8. “Kaiju No Hanauta” / Vaundy

9. “Ao To Natsu” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE

10. “Dance Hall” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Billboard JAPAN Hot Albums of the Year 2024

1. RAYS / Snow Man

2. LOST CORNER / Kenshi Yonezu

3. 17 IS RIGHT HERE / SEVENTEEN

4. THE VIBES / SixTONES

5. SPILL THE FEELS / SEVENTEEN

6. No.Ⅰ / Number_i

7. GIANT / Stray Kids

8. No.O -ring- / Number_i

9. SCIENCE FICTION / Hikaru Utada

10. +Alpha / Naniwa Danshi

Billboard JAPAN Artist 100 of the Year 2024

1. Mrs. GREEN APPLE

2. back number

3. YOASOBI

4. Vaundy

5. Official HIGE DANdism

6. Ado

7. Creepy Nuts

8. Kenshi Yonezu

9. King Gnu

10. Aimyon

Billboard JAPAN Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan of the Year 2024

1. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” / Creepy Nuts

2. “Idol” / YOASOBI

3. “SPECIALZ” / King Gnu

4. “NIGHT DANCER” / imase

5. “Shinunoga E-Wa” / Fujii Kaze

6. “KICK BACK” / Kenshi Yonezu

7. “Where Our Blue Is” / Tatsuya Kitani

8. “Yoru Ni Kakeru” / YOASOBI

9. “TOKYO DRIFT(FAST & FURIOUS)” / TERIYAKI BOYZ

10. “Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me” / Miki Matsubara

06 Dec 2024

From Maria Becerra to Thalia: Songs & Albums to Add to Your 2024 Latin Christmas Playlist

Christmas season is here, with a whole new offering of holiday songs in Spanish or Spanglish, including original songs or covers, and more than one album. While must-have classics like José Feliciano‘s “Feliz Navidad,” which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, remain in the top 10 of Billboard‘s Holiday 100 chart, artists like Maria Becerra and Thalia have new releases to add to your playlist this month.

The former released a bilingual version of the American classic “Jingle Bell Rocks,” adding verses in Spanish to the voice of Bobby Helms on the iconic original 1957 recording for a refreshing duet. The latter released the six-song EP Navidad Melancólica, fusing rhythms such as bachata and cumbia, and uniting pop with Christian music in a collaboration with Marcos Witt.

“This album was born from my need to preserve my childhood memories, transforming them into memories full of joy, hope and strength to fill my life with faith on these special dates,” Thalia wrote in an Instagram post.

The Latin music offering this Christmas is wide and varied, with songs to dance to, reflect on or simply enjoy with family or friends. Among those who released full albums is David Bisbal, with the 10-song set Todo Es Posible en Navidad, which includes an original song of the same title as well as Spanish versions of American classics. There is also Luis Angel “El Flaco” — with a Deluxe edition of his 2021 LP Feliz Navidad, to which he adds three new songs — and the Venezuelan musician Beet Acosta, with the luminous Christmas Express EP.

For those far from their loved ones, Joaquina captures the feeling of nostalgia in the song “Airport.” And, in a beautiful reflection, Ricardo Montaner addresses the story of Jesus’ birth from his mother’s point of view in “María”, to the rhythm of bachata.

The helpless romantic will enjoy a beautiful version of “Santa” performed by Zhamira Zambrano and Jay Wheeler, while another beloved couple of Latin music, Camilo and Evaluna, recorded “Navidad en cada corner (“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas).”

DJ Deorro with “Querido Santa Claus,” and Ryan Castro, Juanes and SOG with “Chucu Chucu,” bring laughter and fun just in time for the holidays, while Lupita Infante spreads her joy with “¡Navidad! ¡Navidad! Remix.”

Below, enjoy our list of Latin Christmas songs and albums released in 2024.

06 Dec 2024

Alex Sensation & More Debate Best Get Up Anthems of Miami | Billboard x Tres Generaciones Tequila

Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are partnering to find out the Get Up Anthems of select cities, and for this stop, we’re in Miami, Fla. In conversation with Rocsi Diaz, Miami natives Alex Sensation and Trina sat with Billboard’s Heran Mamo and Jessica Roiz to curate their top 10 Get Up Anthems for Miami. The list includes songs that inspired and energized their city, by Miami artists, presented by Tres Generaciones Tequila.

Alex Sensation:
It was only, like, a couple of years ago that I really found out that Flo Rida is Florida. I didn’t know that.

Rocsi Diaz:
The door is over there. I’m gonna need you to exit stage left. 

Alex Sensation:
I never put it together.

Rocsi Diaz:
Hey, guys. I’m Rocsi Diaz alongside Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila. We’re embarking on a journey to celebrate the profound impact of music both personally and within communities. Our mission? To uncover the ultimate Get Up Anthems for cities across the nation, and today, we’re in the vibrant beautiful city of Miami, Fla. Thank you, Hector. Contributing to this discussion, I’m joined by Miami’s very own Diamond Princess, Trina, radio phenomenon Alex Sensation and Billboard’s Heran Mamo and Jessica Roiz.

Just a few days ago, we began the selection process for Miami’s Get Up Anthems. Now, it was challenging, but with Billboard’s exclusive chart data, we narrowed it down to just a few tracks that are now in this bowl. These selections are up for discussion as we finalize the top 10 list and crown Miami’s No. 1 Get Up Anthem.

Rick Ross’ “Hustlin’.” First of all, let’s just talk about how Rick Ross came on the scene. Talk about blowing up, and I think it was his voice, Trina, that captivated the world. I think for me, it was Biggie, but then he came on and it was like a voice that filled a void that we were missing.

06 Dec 2024

Here’s How V of BTS’s Collaboration With Late ‘Idol’ Bing Crosby Came Together

In October 2021, when Primary Wave first acquired a stake in Bing Crosby’s estate, the members of the new guard sat down together and came up with two objectives.

“One is: we want to make Bing the king of Christmas and holidays, every season, every year,” senior marketing manager Jack LeVine recalls to Billboard of the late pop icon, who delivered the definitive 20th century renditions of “White Christmas” and other seasonal staples. “And two is: just exciting, educating and engaging global and young audiences around Bing and his catalog.”

Nearly 7,000 miles away, the person who would turn out to be key to both goals was in the midst of an era-defining career explosion as part of South Korean boy band BTS, which brought renewed global attention to K-pop in 2021 with a breathtaking run of sunny dance singles – most prominently the 10-week Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Butter” — dazzling audiences with sleek visuals and snappy group choreography and enjoying the support of an ever-expanding, relentlessly passionate fanbase dubbed ARMY. But while the performer known as V was, to the world, one of seven young men at the helm of the year’s most polished, cutting-edge wave of contemporary pop dominance, the artist who grew up Kim Tae-hyung was, in his personal life, a reverent fan of a much different genre: jazz.

Trending on Billboard

And his favorite performer? Bing Crosby.

You could call it kismet, then, that three years later, V can now consider his hero a duet partner, their voices coming together over generations and lifetimes on a revamped version of “White Christmas” — fashioned out of an extremely rare recording found in Crosby’s extensive personal archives, voice-isolating technology and redone instrumentals — that dropped Friday (Dec. 6). But the project is actually the result of years of Primary Wave brainstorming, coordinating and consulting with Crosby’s daughter Mary and son Harry on how to not just preserve the iconic star’s legacy, but push it forward in a way that changes with the times.

There are many, scattered moments in the story of how the new “White Christmas” came together that could be considered the starting point, from V’s numerous posts about loving Bing over the years to Primary Wave’s discovery of the recording, a necessarily intimate 1950s radio performance that had only been released on limited physical products in the past — and could be perfect for recreating the magic of Crosby and David Bowie’s 1977 era-bridging “Little Drummer Boy” duet, with the help of a new modern star. But it’s the moment that those two worlds came together that proved to be the most fateful: when Primary Wave’s Sarah Nekich, digital and audience engagement, was scrolling X in her free time and came across a vlog posted by V in July 2022 in which he sang Crosby’s “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” in his car. At that point, months had gone by since the estate had considered the duet idea, stalled without a clear choice as to who was fit to join the late legend on the track. But now?

“It was just too perfect,” Nekich remembers of seeing V’s video. “He just had a beautiful jazz-like voice that sounds very similar to a young Bing Crosby. It was a no-brainer: These two are meant to be on a song together.”

The rest of the team – including Harry and Mary Crosby – were similarly impressed, and Primary Wave quickly reached out to V’s camp at HYBE x Geffen, who “were really receptive,” says Levine. The estate went to work on fleshing out a proper sketch of what the duet would actually sound like with V in the mix, tapping experienced jazz and classic pop producer Gregg Field to oversee the music, while Nekich — having already reposted V’s cover of “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” on Bing’s channels, and getting rocked by a tidal wave of ARMY engagement in response – continued interacting with BTS fans on social media to maintain momentum.

“The fact that V was such a huge fan was so heartening to us,” recalls Mary Crosby. “Until he came along, there wasn’t the right person. Because of V, Dad is going to be reaching an entirely different audience.”

The pieces were coming together, but making them connect would take more time than anticipated — especially as other projects repeatedly pushed the duet lower and lower on the to-do list. “The challenge with Christmas is no one is thinking about it in January or February,” Levine explains, laughing.

In late 2022, however, something lit a fire under the enterprise. “The BTS solo members announced that they were enlisting [in the South Korean military],” the executive continues. “There was a new sense of urgency. We were racing against a deadline that we had no visibility into.”

If Field had been able to take his time constructing the song before, he definitely couldn’t anymore. The producer – who’s previously worked with John Williams and Herbie Hancock – assembled the track using all-new instrumental arrangements by Rob Mounsey, recording rhythm section backings in Los Angeles and the orchestra and choir parts in Europe. Doing everything fresh was essential to making the finished product palatable to “2024 ears,” Field says, as was the process of separating Crosby’s vocal from the radio recording through iZotope’s Music Rebalance technology, revitalizing it to sound “like it was recorded yesterday” — sort of the musical equivalent to restoring aged paintings or worn-down buildings.

“That’s a perfect analogy,” Field tells Billboard of the process. “It’s getting all of the years of crud away from it and exposing what’s there.”

The last piece of the puzzle was V’s contribution, which he recorded remotely just before shipping off in December 2023 for 18 months to complete his mandatory service. His raw talent blew Field away. Says the producer, “The musical decisions [V] made – he understood who he was singing with.”

When the mix was finally complete early this year, all Primary Wave had to do was keep the collaboration a secret until finally announcing it in November, to the absolute delight of V’s biggest champions. Nekich reports that Crosby’s accounts have been absolutely flooded with heartfelt messages from ARMY ever since, with the late crooner’s following on X doubling “almost overnight” and his engagements skyrocketing by 300,000% within two weeks of the reveal.

Many of their comments, Nekich says, express genuine pride and happiness for V, who shared in a statement at the time of the announcement, “I feel incredibly fortunate and honored to have sung along … with the voice of someone I consider an idol.”

For Mary, the project represents everything that was important to her father in his lifetime. “If you look at what Dad did in terms of technology, bringing voice on tape … he was always ahead of the game and always incredibly interested in musical experiments,” she reflects. “This collaboration with V is kind of a continuation of that. Many people [from Bing’s era] would’ve not been able to wrap their head around this, but I think Dad would have.”

As for whether her father, who died in 1977, would’ve chosen to do the duet with V if he were alive today, Mary says, “Dad would’ve jumped at the chance.”

“He tried everything and sang with everybody,” the actress adds. “That sparked him. There are so many popular singers that list Bing Crosby as an influence, but Dad was always 100% ready to be musically influenced by someone else.”

With the track finally out in the world after three years of build-up, Primary Wave has officially made good on the goals they set at the beginning of their relationship with Crosby’s estate. But, galvanized by the breathtaking support of ARMY and the realization that, through technology, more doors are open to them than previously imagined, the team is ready to think even bigger. Nekich hopes the duet becomes a “new Christmas classic” — one that’ll serve as the jumping-off point, not the end of, Crosby’s relationship with V. And, she’d “love to see it go to the top of the Billboard charts this Christmas — we’re shooting for the stars.”

On that note, Levine is also adding an unofficial third objective to the bulletin board. “Respect to the queen,” he tells Billboard, “But I hope we outperform Mariah [Carey] this year.”

Listen to Bing Crosby’s brand-new version of “White Christmas” featuring V of BTS above.