Author: djfrosty
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When asked where he was most excited to perform after finally regaining his freedom following a 13-year prison stint, Vybz Kartel responded, “The entire Caribbean and New York — that’s Jamaica outside of Jamaica!”
In the eight months since he walked out of prison, the King of Dancehall has barely taken a minute to sit down. To ring in the new year, Kartel mounted Freedom Street on Dec. 31, 2024, marking Jamaica’s largest live music event in almost 50 years. The stadium-sized event featured appearances by dancehall giants like Skeng and Popcaan, as well as Kartel’s sons — both recording artists in their own right — Likkle Vybz and Likke Addi. Freedom Street kicked off a global comeback tour for Kartel that has since included an appearance at February’s Grammy Awards (where he enjoyed his first nomination for best reggae album, thanks to his 2024 Party With Me EP), a performance at the U.K.’s MOBO Awards (where he was honored with the impact award), and the announcement of a set at Wireless in support of Drake‘s three-night takeover of the Finsbury Park festival.
In 2025, any Worl’ Boss performance is a special one, but the Billboard cover star wasn’t joking when he called New York “Jamaica outside of Jamaica.” On Friday (April 11), Kartel played his first of two sold-out shows at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center — his first Stateside headlining concert in over 20 years, organized by Reggae Fest. Brooklyn, which has an incredibly high population of first, second and even third-generation Caribbean-Americans, was the perfect host borough for Kartel’s return. For every BK neighborhood the DJ shouted out (Flatbush, Canarsie and Utica rightfully got a lot of love), a different island got the same amount of shine (Grenada, Trinidad, St. Vincent and, of course, Jamaica were among the most mentioned isles of the night). Kartel didn’t hit the stage until shortly after 10 p.m. E.T., but DJ Milan primed the crowd with over two hours’ worths of reggae and dancehall classics, spinning anthems by everyone from Buju Banton and Shenseea to Elephant Man and Teejay.
Kartel made his triumphant return to the stage with his legendary remix of Akon‘s “Locked Up.” “Look! 13 years inna prison, and mi come out a general!” he declared, sauntering across the stage and soaking up the rabid screams from the 19,000-capacity arena.
Worl’ Boss then launched into his litany of hits, tearing through “Dumpa Truck,” “Benz Punany,” “It Bend Like Banana,” “You and Him Deh,” “Street Vybz,” “Come Breed Me” and “Turn Up the F–k.” Kartel, who is currently dealing with Graves’ disease and a heart condition, smartly split up his set with cameos from several surprise guests, allowing him ample time to catch his breath and pace himself throughout the show.
Early in the night, Kartel brought out two former Portmore Empire affiliates, Jah Vinci and Black Ryno, both of whom helped amp the energy in the room. In fact, Black Ryno had so much energy, he got a little ahead of himself and wiped out while walking down the stage’s catwalk. Other special guests throughout the night included Latin Grammy-nominated producer Rvssian, Queen of Dancehall Spice and rap legend Busta Rhymes (who effortlessly rapped his entire “Look at Me Now” verse). Almost more impressive than Kartel’s stamina was just how much power he held over the crowd. If anyone sat down during his two-hour set, it was only for a brief minute to find their bearings after a particularly wicked wine. Kartel’s catalog isn’t littered with Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits or U.S. radio smashes, but none of that mattered on Friday night. When a catalog is so beloved that fans are rapping deep cuts that dropped before they were even born, there’s something very special taking place.
To close out his set, Kartel fired off his biggest crossover smashes, including “Summertime,” “Clarks,” “Fever” and, of course, “Brooklyn Anthem,” gifting Kings County one of the most memorable nights of live music in the borough’s storied history.
Here are the five best moments from Vybz Kartel’s first U.S. headlining show in over 20 years.
Rvssian Hits the Stage for ‘Straight Jeans & Fitted’
Billie Joe Armstrong made a surprise appearance during the Go-Go’s afternoon set at Coachella 2025 on Saturday (April 12).
Ahead of Green Day’s headlining performance that evening, the band’s frontman joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group for a rendition of their 1984 hit song “Head Over Heels.”
In the hours leading up to the collaboration, Armstrong teased a “special surprise” on Green Day’s Instagram account. “Go see the go gos,” he wrote alongside a photo of the festival’s three-day lineup poster.
Following the Go-Go’s set on the Outdoor Theatre stage, Armstrong returned to social media to celebrate the moment.
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“Head over heels after playing with @officialgogos at @coachella,” the singer-songwriter captioned a backstage photo with the band on Instagram. His post also featured a carousel of snapshots from the performance, including an official setlist.
The Go-Go’s responded with a post of their own, sharing a photo on Instagram with Armstrong and writing, “We had the time of our lives!”
This year’s two-weekend Coachella festival runs April 11–13 and April 18–20. Saturday lineups are headlined by Green Day, with additional performances from Charli XCX, Anitta, Clairo, ENHYPEN, Jimmy Eat World, T-Pain, and more.
“Death, taxes and… rock n roll,” Armstrong told Billboard ahead of Green Day’s foray into the desert. “In this world gone sideways we know one thing for certain – rock n roll is forever, and its spirit is needed now more than ever. So bring your rage, your hope, and your loudest voice. Coachella, let’s have the time of our lives.”
The festival’s opening day on April 11 delivered standout moments from Lady Gaga, Tyla, LISA, Mustard, and more. Read Billboard’s full recap of day one here.
A concert by popular Mexican corrido singer Luis R. Conriquez ended in chaos on Friday night (April 11) when the musician announced that his performance at the Feria del Caballo in the State of Mexico would not include narcocorridos due to a ban on expressions that glorify violence implemented in several municipalities in the central region of the country.
The singer was performing at a “palenque” (a more intimate format at popular fairs) in the municipality of Texcoco, featuring covers of other artists and his own songs, when the audience booed him because the setlist did not include some of his most famous corridos — several of which have been criticized for allegedly glorifying drug trafficking. Upset attendees began jeering, throwing punches, and causing damage at the venue.
“There are no corridos. What do we do? Should I just go home instead?” Conriquez is heard saying to the audience in videos of the moment before the chaos erupted, which are circulating on social media.
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Hours before the show, the musician had already warned his followers that narcocorridos would be removed from his setlist at the Texcoco Fair. “We’re entering a new phase, without corridos and all that. It feels bad not being able to sing what people want to hear, but we’re joining the cause of zero corridos and moving forward,” the singer said in an Instagram Story.
Although Conriquez tried to explain to the audience the reason for the absence of narcocorridos in the night’s repertoire, the angry crowd expressed their displeasure with boos and shouts and began throwing empty and drink-filled cups toward the stage, as can be seen in videos circulating on social media. In response to this reaction, Conriquez left the venue, which provoked a barrage of chairs and other objects.
“There are many people who don’t understand. They think we’re the ones setting the rules, but the truth is there won’t be any corridos at events from now on, for any artist, my people. Cheer up. I love you all. The people who truly support us will continue doing so, even if we’re playing bachata,” the Sonoran musician expressed in another Instagram Story hours before the show.
In Texcoco, along with two other municipalities in the State of Mexico (Metepec and Tejupilco), which neighbor the Mexican capital, expressions that glorify violence have been prohibited since April 9 following the implementation of a law targeting popular fairs and mass events, with sanctions of up to six months in prison, according to reports from newspaper Milenio.
So far, neither Texcoco authorities nor organizers of the Feria del Caballo have commented on the incident. Billboard Español has sent a requested for comment to Luis R Conriquez’s team but has not yet received a response.
The ban on narcocorridos in municipalities in the State of Mexico adds to similar measures in other regions of the country, following controversy sparked by the projection of images of a famous cartel leader at an auditorium of the University of Guadalajara in Jalisco on March 29 during a concert by the group Los Alegres del Barranco. This incident led to the U.S. revoking the work and tourist visas of the group’s members.
On Friday (April 11), the Jalisco government introduced a bill to reform the law against the glorification of crime in public or private performances. This initiative “empowers municipalities to regulate, and if necessary, prohibit and sanction musical groups that engage in any type of glorification of violence,” according to a post on X.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, through the Secretary of Culture of the Mexican Government, announced this week the binational contest México Canta (Mexico Sings), which seeks to encourage young artists — especially those in the trending genre of corridos tumbados — to create songs that don’t glorify violence or drugs.
Four people hospitalized after being rescued from the rubble of a roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic died overnight, raising the death toll to 225, health officials said Saturday (April 12). Officials said 189 people were rescued alive from the rubble of the popular venue in the capital Santo Domingo. More […]
The upcoming remake of The Bodyguard has found its director. Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Sam Wrench, best known for directing the 2023 concert film Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, has been tapped to helm Warner Bros.’ reimagining of the iconic 1992 romantic thriller, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The original film famously starred Whitney […]
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Source: Getty Images / Tim Cook / Apple / Donald Trump
Donald Trump recently boasted that he “knew what the hell he was doing” after stupidly issuing global tariffs, effectively tanking the global market, but his latest move proves he has no clue what he is doing.
After caving on his global tariffs and issuing a 90-day pause after billionaire CEOs and his MAGA allies whispered the ear that was allegedly shot off that their bottom lines are being affected, he is caving once again. He is exempting smartphones, chips, and computers from his stupid tariffs.
Oh, and that includes those same electronics from his favorite punching bag, China, Bloomberg reports.
According to the financial website, late last night, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) updated its guidance to exempt smartphones, laptops, hard drives, computer processors, and memory chips from the tariffs.
The website also reports machines used by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to make semiconductors will also be exempt.
The Electronics Companies Reacted Swiftly To The Threat of Trump’s Tariffs
There is no word on what pushed Trump to make this decision, but it follows the swift response from numerous electronics companies to his blanket tariffs.
Nintendo unprecedentedly delayed Switch 2 preorders in the US. Apple reportedly filled a plane with 600 tons of iPhones from India ahead of the tariffs going into effect this week.
OnePlus also raised the price of its latest smartwatch without sharing a reason for the decision, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume it was related to Trump’s blatant abuse of tariffs.
So much for Trump’s economics team’s talk about bringing iPhone manufacturing back to the US.
https://x.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1911060500621721877
The story is still developing, but please feast your eyes on the reactions to Trump looking silly in his trade war and Apple CEO Tim Cook seemingly benefiting from kissing the ring early in the gallery below.
Ahead of d4vd’s Coachella set, the singer sat down and shared what fans could expect from his performance, and tying it into his new album, working with Kali Uchis on “Crashing,” and more!
What did you think of d4vd’s performance? Let us know in the comments!
Tetris Kelly:
Yo. What’s up? It’s Tetris with Billboard News, and I’m lucky enough to be hanging with an artist that’s performing at Coachella. d4vd, how are you feeling?
d4vd:
I’m great, man. How’re you feeling?
I’m feeling good, but I can’t imagine what is going through your mind right now. So tell me, like, how you are you prepared? Is the Fit ready? What’s the aesthetic?
Ooh, yeah, I went to the fitting yesterday. I had a little vibe check. Little vibe check. I picked out two, two fire outfits. You know, I’m excited. I’m hyped. I’m thrilled. I got all the adrenaline in my body already preparing me for Friday, but I’m excited.
So you said you got two fits picked out. So are you trying to give something different weekend one versus weekend two?
Yeah, yeah. I got this iconic style that I go for, but there’s always like so much to play around with with this style. I don’t give too much away right now, but it’s just coming, bro.
All right, and then what would you say is your style inspiration overall, when you’re, like, preparing for, like, performing or doing a photoshoot.
You know what? I like to keep it like, when I’m on stage, I have this classic kind of business attire to it, like I wear, like this white shirt with like suede pants and like all types of different stuff that kind of brings more swag to the show, you know.
Keep watching for more!
Benson Boone made a memorable Coachella debut on Friday (April 11), lighting up the main stage with surprise guest Brian May for a powerful rendition of Queen’s iconic 1975 hit “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Wearing a white-and-blue outfit reminiscent of Freddie Mercury’s classic look, the 22-year-old singer delivered a high-energy set complete with his signature backflips. Midway through the performance, Boone sat at the piano to begin “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and moments later, May emerged dramatically from the top of the stage, guitar in hand, to join him.
The legendary Queen guitarist stuck around for Boone’s final song, “Beautiful Things,” adding signature Queen-style riffs to the emotional track, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024.
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“It has changed my life this year and I hope you enjoy it,” Boon said prior to hit set, which was filled with fireworks and pyrotechnics.
May had teased the surprise appearance by posting a photo of himself and Boone on a plane headed to Palm Springs. “Look who I bumped into – on the way to the fabled Palm Springs,” May wrote on Instagram. “Maybe something will happen ?!”
Boone replied with a playful comment: “What are you doing with Pedro Pascal.” P!nk also joined in, commenting, “Perfect combo right here.”
During his set, Boone also announced that his second album, American Heart, is dropping on June 20. He premiered the title track and revealed the cover art, which shows him standing in front of an American flag.
Coachella’s opening day was packed with standout moments, including sets from Lady Gaga, Tyla, LISA, Mustard, and more. Catch Billboard’s full recap of day one here.
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Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
Manzaro Joseph filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging that at a 2015 party for King Combs, he witnessed a bevy of questionable acts and detailed superstar couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé as attendees. Manzaro Joseph has since amended his lawsuit, taking out the names of Jay-Z and Beyoncé, but still intends to move ahead on Diddy.
TMZ Hip Hop reports that Manzaro Joseph’s lawsuit from earlier this month, where he claimed Diddy forced him to wear a mask afixed with a penis, has since been amended to and no longer has the couple named as witnesses to the alleged “freak off” event. Joseph’s earlier account said that he was forced to wear the mask and paraded around the party, claiming the singer confronted him at one point.
The outlet added in its reporting that sources close to the matter say that Joseph’s attorney was warned by Alex Spiro, the attorney for Jay-Z and his wife, adding that the Carters were not in or near Miami at the time of the alleged party for Diddy’s son.
Manzaro Joseph is still going ahead with the lawsuit, which also names Emilio Estefan and other celebrities who lived on Star Island in Miami, where Joseph claims these acts took place.
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Photo: Getty
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Eslabon Armado Inspires Students in NYC
Mexican music superstars Eslabon Armado made a special visit to Baruch College in New York City to participate in Eres Arte: A Panel con Eslabon Armado. The event, moderated by Billboard Español’s Isabela Raygoza, was inspired by a creative student-made video imagining the band visiting their college to perform and speak as a playful alternative if unable to attend their concert.
With about 150 students, the panel offered a rare opportunity for the young fans to engage directly with the Mexican-American group where they shared their journey, from their origins as a family group to their rise to fame. The discussion touched on their leap into independence with their own label, Armado Records, and their excitement about their upcoming tour in Mexico, where they’ll play live in the country of their ancestry for the very first time. “We want to tell our story to people that are our age, that are maybe inspired by us, that just want to make a change in their lives or want to superarse,” frontman Pedro Tovar shared during the discussion. Following the 30-minute panel, Eslabon Armado treated the crowd to an intimate live performance, playing new releases “Esa Noche,” “Eres Arte