djfrosty

Tyla Set to Perform at 2024 Billboard Music Awards

Tyla is set to perform on the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.

Hosted by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau, the 2024 BBMAs presented by Marriott Bonvoy is set to air Thursday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX and Fire TV Channels, and on-demand on Paramount+, with performances also rolling out across Billboard.com and via @BBMAs and @Billboard social channels.

Tyla joins SEVENTEEN and Teddy Swims, who Monday became the first performers to be announced for the show.

Tyla’s global hit “Water” hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January. The following month, it was the inaugural Grammy winner for best African music performance. Her debut album Tyla reached No. 24 on the Billboard 200 in April.

Trending on Billboard

Tyla is a finalist for eight Billboard Music Awards: top R&B artist, top R&B female artist, top Afrobeats artist, top R&B album (Tyla), top R&B song and top Afrobeats song, where three of her songs are finalists – “Truth or Dare,” “Water” and “Jump,” the last-named title a collab with Gunna and Skillibeng.

As previously announced, Zach BryanTaylor SwiftMorgan Wallen and Sabrina Carpenter are the leading finalists for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.

This marks the show’s return to FOX, which carried the show from its 1990 inaugural broadcast through 2006. In addition, Paramount+ will provide on-demand streaming of the show, while the free Fire TV Channels app will provide one-click access to fans using Amazon devices (Fire TV smart TVs and streaming media players and Fire Tablets).

The BBMAs will celebrate music’s greatest achievements with exclusive original performances, artist interviews, and award celebrations taking place from global locations and in the midst of sold-out tours. Shaboozey will deliver a special performance from W Hollywood, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Additional performers and special guests will be announced soon.

The BBMAs honors the year’s biggest artists, albums, songs, producers and songwriters across multiple genres, as determined by year-end performance metrics on the Billboard charts. The eligibility dates for this year’s awards are aligned with Billboard’s Year-End Charts tracking period, which measures music consumption from the charts dated Oct. 28, 2023 through Oct. 19, 2024.

The Billboard Music Awards are produced by dick clark productions, which is owned by MRC. MRC and Penske Media are co-parent companies of Billboard.

The show is presented by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s travel program and portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands. For more information, visit MarriottBonvoy.com

XG Talks The First Howl World Tour, Talk New Music In ‘AWE’ & More | Billboard News

XG just finished the North American leg of their The First Howl World Tour and they share their experience throughout touring, how ALPHAZ have continuously shocked the girl group with the outpour of support, what fans can expect from their new album AWE, why outer space is a significant theme for the girls and more! 

Jason Lipshutz:
We’re missing Cocona today, but we have the rest of XG and I’m very happy to have you guys. You guys have had a huge year! You guys have been touring. How has the tour been going so far? How is everything?

XG:
The tour has been going great. We just finished our North American tour, we had so much fun. We met so many of our U.S. ALPHAZ. They were all dressed up with amazing, cool outfits they designed top to bottom. They were singing their hearts out, so that was crazy, and we got so much good energy from them so it was amazing.

Cool. What has it been like performing across the United States, performing for new fans, meeting fans for the first time?

We’ve just finished our Japan, Asia and U.S. tours. The energy that the ALPHAZ fans show us has been incredible. We take that energy to fuel our performances and give more excitement to the stage. So it’s like a give-and-take. In that regard, we’re really excited to do that again in the upcoming European tour. 

In terms of the fans, performing some of these songs for the first time for them, obviously you’ve worked on this music for a long time, some new singles, some new choreography. What has it been like presenting them to the fans for the first time?

During this world tour, we’ve been dropping new songs and albums along the way. We want each performance to be fresh and exciting. Whether they are longtime ALPHAZ or seeing us for the first time.

Keep watching for more!

Troy ‘Tracker’ Johnson Launches TRACK mgmt With HARDY, Dallas Smith & More

Troy “Tracker” Johnson will launch TRACK mgmt in January following nearly 10 years with Big Loud Management.

The new full-service Nashville-based management company, a partnership with Live Nation, will launch with clients HARDY, Dallas Smith, Jake Worthington and McCoy Moore, who follow him from Big Loud Management, as do artist managers Emily Smith and Drew Magid. HARDY, Dallas Smith and Worthington remain on Big Loud Records. Moore is unsigned.

 “It’s been a long time coming for TRACK mgmt and now seems like the perfect time to make it a reality,” Johnson said in a statement. “I’m beyond grateful for the Big Loud partners — Seth England, Joey Moi and Craig Wiseman — for not only having a hand in my journey but also providing me with so much support. I’m excited to have Emily Smith and Drew Magid on the TRACK mgmt team. It’s going to be a great start to 2025.”

The move comes as Big Loud Management prepares to wind down by the end of next year.  “Working with Tracker for over a decade, from the very beginning of Big Loud Mgmt, has been an incredible journey,” said Big Loud partners England, Moi and Wiseman in a statement. “As Big Loud concludes its artist management venture at the end of 2025, we couldn’t be prouder to see Tracker embark on his own entrepreneurial path. He and his team are more than ready for this moment, and we look forward to supporting TRACK mgmt in the years to come.”

Trending on Billboard

TRACK mgmt

TRACK mgmt

Courtesy

England says Big Loud’s focus will remain on its label and publishing divisions. “Prioritizing a greater work-life balance is something top of mind now that I am a father of two and need greater bandwidth,” he tells Billboard. “I will continue to lead our records and publishing divisions as their growth requires greater focus. This shift is a return to my first love. Continuing to foster close relationships with all management clients, it’s my privilege to help guide those not working with Tracker’s team to their next destination.”

Big Loud’s management roster still includes, among others, Ernest, Jagwar Twin, Ashley Cooke, Lauren Watkins and Mackenzie Porter. Morgan Wallen departed Big Loud Management earlier this year, though he remains on the label.

Prior to joining Big Loud Management when it started in 2015, Johnson worked in the music business in his native Texas beginning in the early 2000s and earned his nickname from being a tour manager who excelled at keeping track of things. Additional artists he has worked with include Wallen, Florida Georgia Line and Chris Young.  

Nathy Peluso Dazzles With Vintage Flair in Her Late-Night Debut on ‘Tonight Show’

Nathy Peluso dazzled during her late-night TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday (Dec. 2), captivating audiences with a powerful performance of “El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud” and “Corleone” from her latest album, Grasa.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Adorned in an elegant, vintage-inspired off-white gown and a sparkling 1920s-esque headpiece, the Argentine singer-songwriter-producer delivered a set filled with raw emotion and a nostalgic nod to ’70s Latin American crooners, complete with an appearance by U.K. artist-superproducer Blood Orange on acoustic guitar.

The ballad “El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud” reflects on the loss of youth and innocence, describing moments of longing to return to a simpler, more innocent time. Meanwhile, “Corleone” explores themes of ambition, dissatisfaction and the relentless pursuit of more, despite already having achieved success. “Esta ambición me está matando,” (or “This ambition is killing me”) she belted out with a gut-wrenching delivery.

Trending on Billboard

The Spain-based 29-year-old released Club Grasa in September, on which she enlisted eight international EDM producers on her first remix project. Her first U.S. headline tour is set to launch in March. “This tour is all about embracing who we are and celebrating it with every beat,” said Nathy Peluso in a press release. “It’s raw and full of energy. I can’t wait to share these unforgettable moments with all of you!”

In November, she won three Latin Grammys for best rap/hip-hop song (“Aprender A Amar”), best alternative song (“El Día Que Perdí Mi Juventud”) and best long-form music video (Grasa); Nathy is currently in the running for a Grammy for best Latin rock or alternative album for Grasa.

Watch Nathy Peluso and Blood Orange’s full performance on The Tonight Show below.

YSL Trial: Yak Gotti Found Not Guilty On All Counts

HipHopWired Featured Video

Source: Paras Griffin / Getty

Huge news coming out of the long-winded YSL case. The last two defendants, Deamonte Kendrick aka Yak Gotti & Shannon Stillwell have been found not guilty of murder in the gang trial. Yak walks free with no charges, while Shannon is convicted on one charge for having a gun as a felon. Even though he was found not guilty on the other charges, he still got the full 10-year sentence. Since he already served 2 years, that time counts, and he’ll finish the rest on probation.

Less than 48 hours after getting into a fight and getting stabbed by another inmate, Yak Gotti walks out of the YSL trial with a not-guilty verdict.

This follows the release of Young Thug, the superstar and face of YSL, on October 31st, 2024. Thugger flipped his plea to guilty in the massive YSL case in Georgia, which is one of the longest-running trials in the state’s history. The case tried to link his label YSL to a street gang, accusing them of crimes like drugs and violence. Which taking the plea deal, Thug avoided a long sentence and got out sooner than people thought. Now that the Stoner rapper is free, he still has to follow certain rules like:

  • Banned from Metro Atlanta for 10 years, except for family weddings, funerals, graduations, or serious illnesses
  • Must give four annual anti-gang/gun presentations/concerts in Metro Atlanta
  • Allowed to travel for work
  • No contact with gang members or co-defendants (except his brother and Gunna)
  • Forbidden from promoting gang-related

    content in any form

Big day for the YSL label!

Democrats & Republicans Alike Critical Of President Joe Biden’s Pardon Of Hunter Biden

HipHopWired Featured Video

US President Joe Biden Departure

President Joe Biden is nearing the end of his term, and as that time nears, he has just weeks to make any sweeping orders before he leaves office at the top of next year. Hunter Biden, the first child of a sitting United States president to be convicted of a crime, was pardoned by President Joe Biden over the weekend, sparking critique from lawmakers and other figures on both sides of the aisle.

President Joe Biden issued the pardon of Hunter Biden on December 1 and the flurry of comments since the news broke have ranged from understanding a father’s position to protect their children to those bashing Biden for reneging on a promise to not grant his son’s clemency.

Not surprisingly, many of Biden’s opponents from the Republican Party had plenty to say, including President-elect Donald Trump. Trump took to his TruthSocial platform and called the pardon “an abuse and miscarriage of Justice” while calling for the pardon of 29 inmates at the District of Columbia Jail, who he referred to as “J-6 hostages.”

For comparison purposes, Biden has granted just 26 pardons in his time in office while Trump pardoned 143 individuals during his time, some of which were questioned.

Beyond Trump, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer spoke on the pardon and did not mince words.

“Joe Biden has lied from start to finish about his family’s corrupt influence peddling activities. Not only has he falsely claimed that he never met with his son’s foreign business associates and that his son did nothing wrong, but he also lied when he said he would not pardon Hunter Biden,” Comer wrote.

Rep. Greg Stanton, a Democrat representing Arizona’s 4th Congressional District, took to X to blast the pardon.

“I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong. This wasn’t a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers,” Stanton said.

Adding to the criticism from members of Biden’s party, Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio wrote on X, “As a father, I get it. But as someone who wants people to believe in public service again, it’s a setback.”

Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas appeared on MSNBC and pushed back on the comments made by her colleagues on both sides and spoke in her usual direct fashion.

“So, for anyone that wants to clutch their pearls now because he decided that he was going to pardon his son, I would say take a look in the mirror because we also know that when it comes to this cabinet, this cabinet has more people accused of sexual assault than any incoming cabinet probably ever in the history of America,” Crockett said. “So we are living in unprecedented times, and we know that this was completely political.”

Photo: Getty

Kristin Chenoweth Surprised Ariana Grande With Matching Glinda Jackets on ‘Wicked’ Set

Because they knew each other, Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande have been changed for good — and now, they have matching jackets to prove it.

On Monday (Dec. 2) — just over a week after Jon M. Chu’s Wicked premiered in theaters Nov. 22 — the 56-year-old singer-actress revealed on Instagram that she’d surprised the 31-year-old pop star with coordinating pink denim coats while on set together. In the film, Grande plays Glinda — a role Chenoweth originated on Broadway — while the Our Little Secret star makes a cameo alongside Idina Menzel, who first played Cynthia Erivo’s role of Elphaba.

“Leading my babygirl down the yellow brick road,” Chenoweth captioned her post, sharing multiple photos of herself and the “Yes, And?” singer posing in their new apparel. “I surprised @arianagrande with these jackets on set at @wickedmovie… a little physical memento of our ‘passing of the wand.’”

The backs of the jackets feature custom illustrations of Grande and the Broadway legend holding hands while walking down Oz’s famous Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City, both of them dressed in Glinda gowns. The two women have been in each other’s lives for about two decades now, first meeting when the Victorious alum saw the original Broadway cast of Wicked when she was a child. When Grande was cast to play Chenoweth’s iconic role in the two-part film adaptations, the latter was on hand to give the former advice and support throughout the two-year production process.

Trending on Billboard

“[Ariana] was really nervous,” Chenoweth recalled on The Kelly Clarkson Show last year. “She said, ‘I want to pay homage to you but I’m scared. I want to make you proud.’ I go, ‘Well you’ve already made me proud, so it doesn’t matter … What I want to encourage you to do, Ariana, is make Glinda your Glinda. Sure, you can tip your hat at me if you want, but really I just want you to do you.”

In her Monday post, Chenoweth added, “I’ll lead you down any road you let me, Ari. I’m so so proud of you baby. ?”

The “We Can’t Be Friends” artist wrote in the comments, “my entire heart ? thank you for your thoughtfulness, generosity and support ♡ my Glinda.”

In the 10 days since its release worldwide, Wicked has seen massive success. Its soundtrack album recently opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 — the highest ever debut for a big-screen adaptation of a stage musical on the chart — and the film has so far brought in over $260 million in North America, becoming the highest grossing movie ever at the domestic box office based on a Broadway musical.

The project has also generated newfound interest in the original Broadway soundtrack led by Chenoweth and Menzel. A quarter-century after it was first released, the musical’s album reached the top 40 of the Billboard 200 for the first time ever, jumping to No. 33 on the chart dated Dec. 7.

Sydney Sterlace Soars on ‘The Voice’ With Dramatic Cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘When the Party’s Over’: Watch

Sixteen-year-old New York native Sydney Sterlace made a strong case for a slot in the upcoming finals when the Team Gwen singer wowed the studio audience and viewers on Monday night (Dec. 2) during the launch of the live rounds on The Voice.

Dramatically backlit, Sterlace stood alone center stage in a black and tan lacy mini dress and crooned Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go hit “When the Party’s Over” as eight dancers spun and twisted in balletic accompaniment behind her. The hushed cover featuring subtle piano backing ending with Sterlace repeating the haunting lines, “I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that” over and over as the dancers lined up behind her while she hit a final, emotional high note.

Buffalo, NY native Sterlace has made a strong run during the season by sticking to songs that fit her teen vibe, including covers of Olivia Rodrigo’s breakthrough 2021 hit “Drivers License,” as well as Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” during the battle rounds, Lewis Capaldi’s 2017 hit “Bruises” during the knockout rounds and Taylor Swift’s “Betty” during last month’s playoffs.

Trending on Billboard

She also teamed up with Team Bublé’s Shye for a simmering cover of Sting’s “Fields of Gold” on Monday, with the former Police lead singer/bassist joining them on acoustic guitar for the duet on a night when he also performed other solo and Police songs with the top eight. Sterlace is vying for a slot in next week’s finale with the rest of the remaining singers, which include Team Snoop’s Christina Eagle and Jeremy Beloate, Team Gwen’s Jan Dan, Team Reba’s Adam Bohanan and Danny Joseph and Team Bublé’s Shye and Sofrino Vasquez.

The live semi-final eliminations will take place on NBC on Tuesday night (Dec. 3) at 8 p.m. ET. The first part of the live finale will air on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m., with a recap and of the top 5 performances airing on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the live finale at 9 p.m. ET.

Watch Sterlace’s performances below.

NLE Choppa Partners With New Artist Collaboration App Feeture

NLE Choppa is partnering with a new company that helps young artists collaborate with some of today’s biggest stars. Beginning today (Dec. 3), Feeture, a new app created by industry veterans Jareiq “JQ” Kabara and Edward “Ed” Ponton Jr., will “streamline the artists-to-artists collaboration process from idea to file delivery.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“I’m honored to represent a platform like Feeture that makes it so easy to connect with other artists and make music together,” Choppa tells Billboard. “As someone who’s experienced major success from both my features on other artists’ tracks and their features on mine, having an app that takes the heavy work out of finding collaborators is invaluable.”

After carving out a fistful of Hot 100 hits, including “Shotta Flow” and “Walk Em Down,” Choppa will serve as Feeture’s first global ambassador as they look to expand across genres to serve artists from different backgrounds and communities. The app allows artists to search for collaborators based on location, genre, and fees. Once a potential collaborator is found, the app provides a platform for negotiating terms, payments, and music file delivery. This process is designed to be as user-friendly as possible, allowing artists to focus on making music together.

Trending on Billboard

“Our goal was to create a space where finding and facilitating artist features is as easy as possible,” says Kabara, who formerly served as an A&R for Janet Jackson. “We want artists to focus on making music together—while leaving the administrative and legal challenges behind.”

“Feeture is a dream come true—a community exclusively for artists, free from middlemen and built on real, transparent connections,” says Ponton Jr, an experienced songwriter and now Feeture’s COO. “It opens doors the industry once kept closed, creating opportunities for all. I thank God for this journey and the vision to bring something new to the independent music industry.”

With Kabara and Ponton Jr.’s combined experience and knowledge in the industry, they hope to reduce the stress rising artists experience when negotiating artist collaborations with the creation of Feeture. Upon signing up, artists will get a one-month free trial with the promo code Feeture01. The app will also be available to Android users next year, empowering even more artists to connect and create.

Watch the Feeture commercial starring Choppa below:

NLE Choppa x New Music App

NLE Choppa

MOM

Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ Certified 6x Platinum by RIAA

Taylor Swift has a new plaque to hang up behind her desk at the Tortured Poets Department, as the Recording Industry Association of America has announced that her blockbuster 11th studio album went 6x Platinum Nov. 30. 

In an Instagram post delivering the news Monday (Dec. 2), the RIAA revealed that the pop star’s The Tortured Poets Department had earned its sixth Platinum certification two days prior, just seven months after the sprawling 31-track LP was released via Republic Records in the spring. It marks Swift’s sixth album to sell a million U.S. units six times over, following her 2006 self-titled debut, 2008’s Fearless — her only LP to reach Diamond certification, or clear 10 million units, so far — 2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s Red and 2014’s 1989.  

“She can do it with a broken heart ?✨,” the organization wrote in its post. “Congratulations @taylorswift on #TheTorturedPoetDepartment earning an RIAA 6x Platinum certification!” 

Trending on Billboard

The new certification is just the latest feat in a breathless commercial run for Tortured Poets, which outperformed any of the “Anti-Hero” singer’s past albums on the Billboard 200 by spending 15 weeks at the top of the chart. It also comes just days after a massive sales push from Swift, who released CD and vinyl versions of the full Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology deluxe album for the first time ever on Black Friday. 

The physical copies were available only through Target, as was Swift’s new The Eras Tour Book. The 256-page memoir featured photos and commentary from the 14-time Grammy winner on her expansive global trek, which is set to wrap after nearly two years this weekend in Vancouver, B.C. 

See the RIAA’s announcement below.