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21 Aug 2024

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars’ ‘Die With a Smile’ Growing Over Its First Week of Release, Now Aiming for Big Debut

Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up newsletter, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip. 

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This week: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ new duet keeps growing, Taylor Swift’s second Tortured Poets single is finding a home on radio, and Gigi Perez may be the next singer-songwriter on the verge of a big mainstream breakthrough.

“Die With a Smile” Looking to Live in the Hot 100’s Top 10



A duet between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars was always going to generate a lot of interest upon release, and “Die With a Smile,” the anthemic pop-rock collaboration released on Friday (Aug. 16), is hoping to cash in that star power for a splashy debut within the Hot 100’s upper reaches. And though that might have looked like a longshot from the duet’s first-day numbers, it has been growing over the course of its first week – and now a top-tier debut might very well be in reach for it. 

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After bowing with 2.78 million U.S. on-demand audio streams in its opening day, according to Luminate, “Smile” stayed around that daily streaming mark over the weekend. However, the song received a sizable streaming uptick on Monday (Aug. 19), with 3.52 million streams — a 34% gain from the day before. And the song just keeps growing – by publishing this Wednesday, the song had reached the top of both the Spotify Daily Top Songs USA and the real-time Apple Music charts. (The song has also performed very well in digital song sales, with over 14,000 sold over its first four days of release, as it has stayed atop the iTunes chart for nearly the entire time.) 

Maybe more pop fans latched onto the song as the work week got underway, or it’s possible that TikTok users have started sinking their teeth into its hooks. Either way, “Smile” could possibly notch another top 10 on the long track records of Mars and Gaga early next week. – JASON LIPSHUTZ

How Big of a Hit Can Taylor Swift’s ‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart’ Become?



On Tuesday night (Aug. 20), Taylor Swift capped off a five-night run at the U.K.’s Wembley Stadium, and the European run of the Eras tour, by unveiling a new music video for “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” that featured behind-the-scenes clips of the mega-selling tour. The anthem about shining in the spotlight amidst personal turmoil is featured on The Tortured Poets Department, which logs its 15th frame at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week.

And unlike “Fortnight,” the album’s lead single featuring Post Malone that debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, “Broken Heart” has slowly been climbing back up the chart, and becoming a multi-platform hit.

Read more about Taylor Swift’s swelling “Broken Heart” success here.

“Sailor Song” Charts Course to Virality for Singer/Songwriter Gigi Perez



New Jersey-born, Florida-raised Gigi Perez achieved some streaming success earlier in the 2020s with the ballad “Sometimes (Backwood),” which has racked up nine digits worth of streams on Spotify. But the singer-songwriter, whose sound is reminiscent of ‘00s alt-folk favorites like Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, appears to be headed for new levels of virality with her TikTok-approved new love song, “Sailor Song.” 

The long-teased song has earned raves, and even some comparisons to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church,” for its impassioned delivery and lyrics of queer love and longing – while also attracting some backlash from religious TikTokers who object to its “I don’t believe in God/ But I believe that you’re my savior” chorus lyric. Perez responded to the controversy, and users asking her to change or remove that lyric, with a TikTok of her own on Monday (Aug. 19), explaining via caption that altering the lyric “was never up for discussion… My songwriting is not a democracy and that applies to every artists work.” 

The discourse around “Sailor Song” has only helped its overall consumption, however. While it debuted with 3.9 million U.S. official on-demand streams on the tracking week ending Aug. 1, according to Luminate – already a tremendous number for a new song by an artist without extensive chart history – two weeks later, that number has climbed to 4.6 million, a 23% gain. The song also climbs from No. 18 to No. 12 on Hot Rock Songs this week, one of the chart’s top gainers. – ANDREW UNTERBERGER

21 Aug 2024

Latto’s ‘Tea’ Bags a No. 1 Debut on Top Rap Albums Chart

It’s Latto’s lucky week on Billboard’s Top Rap Albums chart as the rapper’s new album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, debuts at No. 1 on the list dated Aug. 24. The set, released on StreamCut/RCA Records, opens with 29,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. during the tracking week of Aug. 9 – 15, according to Luminate.

Of Sugar Honey Iced Tea‘s first-week total, streaming activity contributes 27,000 units, a figure equal to 36.1 million official on-demand audio and video streams for its tracks. It registered the second-best streaming count among rap albums for the week, just behind the 36.3 million for Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace). Traditional album sales provide 2,000 units, with a negligible number of units coming from track-equivalent albums. (One unit equals the following levels of consumption: one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams for a song on the album.)

With Sugar Honey Iced Tea, Latto achieves her first leader on Top Rap Albums with her third project. Her debut effort, Queen of da Souf (released while she was still recording as Mulatto) peaked at No. 24, while her second LP, 777, posted a No. 6 high.

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Elsewhere, Sugar Honey Iced Tea starts at No. 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, a new career best, and at No. 15 on the all-genre Billboard 200, matching the peak rank of 777.

Three of Sugar Honey Iced Tea’s tracks show on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: “Big Mama” powers 48-23 for a new peak in its seventh week on the list, while “Brokey” (No. 43) and “H&M” (No. 49) debut. Besides the album’s cuts, Latto lands a fourth song on the chart thanks to her featured spot on Drake’s “Housekeeping Knows,” which launches at No. 22.

21 Aug 2024

Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce From Ben Affleck | Billboard News

Jennifer Lopez has officially filed for divorce from Ben Affleck after two years of marriage. Keep watching for details.

Tetris Kelly:

The rumors were true. Ben and Jen are heading for divorce, and Jennifer filed the papers. We also just saw J.Lo dancing at Bruno Mars. Let’s break it down. Jennifer Lopez filed the legal docs herself on Tuesday in LA County Superior Court. The date is significant to her and Ben Affleck as August 20 was also the date of their big Georgia wedding. She listed the date of separation as April 26, 2024. The couple wed in 2022. This was J.Lo’s fourth marriage and Ben’s second. Lopez and Affleck first began dating back in 2002 before calling it quits in 2004. She told us this year, “I never thought that he and I would get back together.” She recently did a movie and doc about their love. Just this past weekend, we saw Jen at the LA Bruno Mars show as she danced to “Marry You.” What are your thoughts? Let us know down in the comments.

21 Aug 2024

Atari’s Latest Console The 7800 Plus Puts Old Atari 2600 Cartidges Back To Work

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Atari 7800 Plus

Source: Atari / Plaion Games / Atari 7800 Plus

Atari is not done banking on nostalgia. The iconic video game company is again teaming up with Plaion Games to release another backward-compatible console.

If you are sitting on a treasure trove of Atari 2600 game cartridges, blow the dust off them because the new Atari 7800 Plus retro console can put them to good use again.

Atari is partnering with publisher, developer, and distributor Plaion Games to launch the 7800 Plus. This console features an HDMI port to connect with modern televisions and, like the original console, supports Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges.

According to a press release, the Atari 7800 Plus is now available for preorder at $129.99 and will be available this “winter 2024.”

Atari 7800 Plus

Source: Atari / Plaion Games / Atari 7800 Plus

The Atari 7800 Plus’ Specs

Aside from being a smaller version, the Atari 7800 Plus looks exactly like the original console and will allow players to play games in widescreen mode or a 4:3 aspect ratio for retro gamers who want an authentic retro gaming experience.

The console will feature two new wireless controllers, the CX78 Plus Wireless Gamepad, which perfectly recreates the console’s original controller.

The CX78 Plus Wireless Gamepad is available as part of a bundle or sold separately for $34.99. The controller works with last year’s Atari 2600 Plus or can be connected to a PC using a USB-C adapter.

For the Atari purists, a $34.99 CX40 Plus Wireless Joystick will be available for purchase separately.

Atari 7800 Plus

Source: Atari / Plaion Games / Atari 7800 Plus

The console will come with one game, Crystal Castles’ sequel Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest. Still, if you want to bolster your collection with 10 additional titles, they will be available separately for $29.99.

The Atari 7800 Plus follows the release of 2023’s Atari 2600+ Mini and the long-delayed Atari VCS.

If you want to get your hands on one, head here to preorder.

21 Aug 2024

Reviewers Call This $20 Casio Watch ‘The Greatest of All Time’: Get Yours Now 

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.

Upgrade your back-to-school gear with this Silver Casio Watch that combines function and style. Originally priced at $22.95, you can now get it for just $19.94. Whether you’re heading to your next class or enjoying a long weekend, this watch can handle all your daily activities and make a nice addition to any outfit of your choice.

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This watch has a clear digital display, a three-link bracelet with clasp closure, and can be used as a stopwatch, countdown timer, and alarm. It’s also durable, stylish, and a great way to keep track of time.

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While the watch is water-resistant and can handle accidental splashes, it’s not meant for swimming. This ensures it remains protected from minor water exposure but should be kept dry.

If you’re shopping on Amazon, consider taking advantage of all Amazon Prime has to offer and sign up for a 30-day free trial, which also comes with access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Music. And to help make sure you get your purchases quickly, being a Prime member means you get fast, free shipping in two days or less with Prime Delivery. 

Casio Watch

Amazon

Casio Men’s Vintage A158WA-1 Water Resistant Digital Watch

$19.94

$22.95

13% off

Finding a functional and reliable watch can be challenging. However, customers online continue to give this watch five star reviews. One Amazon customer described it as “the greatest watch of all time.”

Customers particularly appreciate that the watch doesn’t get caught on long-sleeves and love its compact, non-bulky design.

If you’re looking for an alternative style and color, consider getting this Black Casio Sports Watch. Unlike the watch above, this sports watch is designed for swimming and snorkeling, according to the brand. It also features a built-in 10-year battery, so you won’t have to worry about frequent battery changes.

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best electronics, fashion staples for back-to-school shopping, and celebrity-inspired beauty products.

21 Aug 2024

How Big of a Hit Can Taylor Swift’s ‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart’ Become?

On Tuesday night (Aug. 20), Taylor Swift capped off a five-night run at the U.K.’s Wembley Stadium, and the European run of the Eras tour, by unveiling a new music video for “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” that featured behind-the-scenes clips of the mega-selling tour. The anthem about shining in the spotlight amidst personal turmoil is featured on The Tortured Poets Department, which logs its 15th frame at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week.

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And unlike “Fortnight,” the album’s lead single featuring Post Malone that debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, “Broken Heart” has slowly been climbing back up the chart, and becoming a multi-platform hit.

Trending on Billboard

On this week’s Hot 100, “Broken Heart” moves up two spots to No. 33 in its 17th week on the chart (“Fortnight,” meanwhile, slips 11 places to No. 49). “Broken Heart” previously peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100, when it was part of Swift’s second career flooding of the chart’s entire top 10 upon the release of The Tortured Poets Department.

Prior to the music video release, the song’s weekly streaming numbers had hovered around 7.5 million over the past three weeks, according to Luminate. Last week (in the chart week ending Aug. 15), “Broken Heart” earned 7.67 million U.S. on-demand streams, up 3% from the previous chart week (7.43 million streams).

However, “Broken Heart” has been growing more steadily at radio over the past month. On the Radio Songs chart dated Aug. 3, the song placed at No. 42, with an audience of 12.9 million; three weeks later, “Broken Heart” comes in at No. 25 on the current tally, with an audience of 21.1 million (up 10% from the previous chart week). “Broken Heart” debuted at No. 42 on the Pop Airplay chart on July 27, and has climbed to No. 15 over the past month — but the format with the most support has been adult pop, as the track is up to No. 8 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart.

With “Broken Heart” picking up steam at radio while holding steady on streaming services, the music video release could help the single push towards the top 20 of the Hot 100 in the coming weeks. Fans are certainly embracing the all-access glimpse of the Eras Tour, with the “Broken Heart” video approaching 7 million views less than 24 hours after its release.

Watch the “Broken Heart” video below:

21 Aug 2024

Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Celebrate the Power of Friendship in ‘Wicked’ Behind-the-Scenes Look

Wicked is set to hit theaters in just a few months, and a new behind-the-scenes teaser of the film dropped on Wednesday (Aug. 21) diving into the power of friendship throughout the story.

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Ariana Grande is set to star as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as the iconic role of Elphaba, also known as the Wicked Witch of the West. In the film, the two become roommates at Shiz University and, while their relationship was rocky at first, the two eventually develop a loving and supportive friendship.

“Wicked, to me, at its every core, is about friendship, director Jon M. Chu explains in the nearly three-minute clip, as scenes of Glinda and Elphaba growing in their relationship weave throughout the video. “It starts with a really fun look at how these two young women are so different from each other, are forced to be roommates and don’t get along at all.”

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Erivo adds, “We have to learn about each other and get to know each other,” before Grande notes, “These two very different women just fall completely in love with each other, and that is mirrored experience of what happened with Cynthia and I.”

Erivo then noted that she and Grande “got each other immediately,” with Chu adding, “Their friendship is going to bring a humanity to this film that they both deeply understand.”

The fourth-longest-running Broadway show of all time, Wicked pulls inspiration from both the stage musical and the best-selling Gregory Maguire-penned novel of the same name.

The rest of the principal Wicked cast will feature Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Olivier winner Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Tony nominee Ethan Slater as Boq, Emmy nominee Bowen Yang as Pfannee and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.

The first part of Wicked arrives in theaters on November 22.

21 Aug 2024

Here’s Why Big Sean’s ‘Yes’ Video Is Being Criticized Online

Big Sean has a had a hard time on the Internet over the last couple of years (something he’s touched on in the past), and his latest song and video show that rap fans aren’t letting up.

If you noticed that Baby Keem was trending on X earlier Wednesday, that’s because some fans on social media are claiming that Sean is using his flow, while others are pointing out that he’s channeling his older stuff like “Paradise.” There isn’t a consensus, as fans on social media seem to be split. We think he’s just trying something different and folks are letting his rocky relationship with Keem’s older cousin Kendrick Lamar get in the way.

The Detroit rapper talked to Charlamagne tha God earlier this month, where they talked about a leaked version of Lamar’s song “Element” where he dissed Sean. “That song came out and he changed that bar, it wasn’t on the song anymore, it was a leaked verse,” Sean said. “I had to keep that in mind because I was pissed when I heard it. He changed that on his own. He probably came to the conclusion it was nothing.”

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He then revealed that he and Kendrick talked and they hashed things out. “He apologized in a sense for going that far to that sh—t coming out,” Sean told Charlamagne. “When that sh—t leaks, people are like, ‘Oh, you heard what he said about you?’ I’m not a clout-chasing a– n—a, I’m solid and I stand on mine. We already talked about it, I already got an apology for it.”

The Detroit rapper has been on fire and he continues his hot streak with a new song and video that arrived Tuesday (Aug. 20). Directed by Diamond Visuals and presented by Lyrical Lemonade, “Yes” shows the artist at his most confident. He’s playing around with flows and rapping like his rent is due.

“New s—t might get spooky, had to bring the ways back/ Stupid lil’ b—-h wan’ reminisce about some s—t from way back/ When you slackin’ on the job, that’s when they try and take that,” he spits.

Sean has been extremely active this year.

This is his fourth single already this year as he gears up to drop his highly anticipated sixth album. He’s started the year off with “Precision” in March, then he dropped “Yes” in July (which makes this Keem “controversy” all the more confusing,) and in August he followed up with “On Up” about his newborn and the Alchemist-assisted “Together Forever.”

He’s also featured on “Shut Up” with Jessie Reyez, “Tobey” with Eminem and BabyTron, and DJ Premier with Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. And let us not forget about his impressive On the Radar freestyle over Aaliyah‘s “If Your Girl Only Knew.”

Better Me Than You was originally supposed to be released on Aug. 9, but Big Sean decided to push it back due to scheduling conflicts. There’s still no word on an official release date.

Check out a few fan reactions to Sean’s “Yes” video below:

21 Aug 2024

Pink Sweats’ Team Reveals Singer Is Currently Hospitalized: ‘Pray for Pink’

Pink Sweats has been hospitalized, but details regarding his health status remain scarce. The singer’s team took to his Instagram Story on Tuesday (Aug. 20) providing an update and soliciting prayers from fans.

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“This is Pink Sweat$ team. we ask that you PRAY FOR PINK as he fights in the hospital right now. SEND ALL OF YOUR LOVE, POSITIVE ENERGY, HEALING ENERGY HIS WAY,” the message reads.

The Philly native’s wife, JL Bunny, posted an Instagram Story holding what appeared to be her husband’s hand on a hospital bed as she also asked for prayers. “I’m not usually like this but at this point we need it,” she wrote. “Please, if you believe in the power of prayer, please pray for pink.”

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Fans sent their love and support on Instagram. “I literally just gave my mother a run down his beautiful music. It speaks to my soul,” one person wrote. “His song honesty I ask God for a special healing blessing to be placed upon him, from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. Grant his wife and family strength.”

Another added: “Love his music. Prayers up for his healing and strength for his family.”

Billboard has reached out to Pink Sweats’ reps for comment.

On the music side, Sweats’ most recent release came with his “Bloom” single back in June. The 32-year-old has a pair of studio albums under his belt with 2021’s Pink Planet, which peaked at No. 133 on the Billboard 200, and Pink Moon in 2022.

21 Aug 2024

BE:FIRST’s ‘Blissful’ Bows at No. 1, Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s ‘Lilac’ Holds at No. 2 for 5th Week on Japan Hot 100

BE:FIRST’s “Blissful” debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, dated Aug. 21.

The lead single from the septet’s second album 2:BE, due Aug. 28, dropped digitally ahead of the project on Aug. 12 and hit the top spot on the Japan song chart after ruling downloads, radio airplay, and video views, while also coming in at No. 7 for streaming. The track is the group’s seventh No. 1, following “Gifted.,” “Bye-Good-Bye,” “Scream,” “Boom Boom Back,” “Mainstream” and “Masterplan.”


https://youtube.com/watch?v=cZx1to6t2i4&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

Mrs. GREEN APPLE‘s “Lilac” continues to hold at No. 2, now in its fifth week in this position. Streaming (93%), radio (73%), and video (85%) are down from the previous week, but downloads have gone up (102%). The popular three man band’s latest single “familie” follows at No. 3, jumping from No. 17. Downloads for this song featured in commercials for the new Honda FREED decreased (75%) week-over-week, but is doing well in streaming (179%), video (up three times the week before) and radio (up 36 times the week before).

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Morning Musume. ’24’s “Nandaka Sentimental na toki no Uta” (“A song for when you’re feeling sort of sentimental”) bows at No. 4. The 74th single by the Morning Musume. girl group sold 136,205 copies in its first week to top sales, while coming in at No. 10 for downloads and No. 59 for radio.

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Meanwhile, songs by Vaundy are on the rise. “Homunculus” moved 27-19 after the CD version launched with 3,843 copies, while “Kaiju no Hanauta” climbed 12-10, “Time Paradox” 32-27, and ”Odoriko” charted again after two weeks, perhaps influenced by the 24-year-old hitmaker’s recent double-headlining concert with the band back number (whose former No. 1 song “to new lovers” is at No. 9 this week). 

The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, video views and karaoke data.

See the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, tallying the week from Aug. 12 to 18, here. For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English Twitter account.