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28 Jun 2024

Donald Glover Finds Himself In A Monstrous Reality ‘Bando Stone and The New World’ First Trailer

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Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - June 11, 2024

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While many of us still mourn the loss of our beloved FX series, Atlanta, we knew it ended because the show’s main cast of Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, and LaKeith Stanfield were moving on to bigger and better things in both film and TV.

Now we’ve gotten our first look bootleg look at Donald Glover’s next cinematic project in Bando Stone and The New World which is a blend of comedy and sci-fi. Starring Glover as a singer known as Bando Stone, the trailer features the titular character waking up to a new reality as he finds himself wandering around town as seemingly the last person on earth. After being found by a gun-toting woman and her daughter, Bando soon learns that not only has humanity suffered a catastrophic event, but that humans aren’t alone on this planet anymore.

Getting chased by prehistoric looking creatures that may or may not be part of an alien invasion and facing off with hostile humans who may or may not be racist, Bando and company have to stay on the move if they plan on surviving whatever otherworldly entities have done away with the world that he and everyone else were familiar with.

Though the official trailer for the film has yet to be released, a fan was able to capture the joint at a Thursday night screening of A Quiet Place: Day One after Glover announced the trailer would be premiering along with the film.

So check out the bootleg trailer to Bando Stone and The New World below (before it’s forced to be taken down) and let us know if you’ll be checking for it when it hits theaters later this year.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=vT5Q2JJ-3vE&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

28 Jun 2024

In Canada: Avril Lavigne Appointed to Order of Canada

One of Canada’s biggest stars is getting one of the country’s highest honours. Pop-rock star Avril Lavigne has been named to the Order of Canada, a civilian honour that recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to the country. Lavigne was announced by Governor General Mary Simon yesterday, amongst a list of 83 new appointees that includes scientists, economists, poets and activists.

Lavigne’s appointment highlights her impressive commercial and artistic achievements, as well as her charity work. “With over 50 million albums sold worldwide, she paved the way for female-driven punk-rock music and continues to do so today,” the notice reads, going on to mention her support of individuals living with disabilities and serious illnesses through the Avril Lavigne Foundation.

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The Order of Canada appointment comes as Lavigne is celebrating her successes with Greatest Hits, a new compilation released June 21 featuring platinum singles like “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi” as well as her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Girlfriend.” Lavigne is one of Canada’s best selling artists.

The Canadian icon is also taking her hits on the road with a major tour, which kicked off in Vancouver in May and begins its second leg in Toronto on Aug. 12 with a sold-out Scotiabank Arena show.

Beyond the charts, Lavigne helped pave the way for a punk-inspired vision of girlhood in the early 2000s, when most female pop stars were embracing a more traditionally feminine image. Lavigne’s brash attitude and white tank top and tie combo cemented her as an icon for a generation of Canadian kids.

Lavigne wasn’t the only musician recognized by the Order of Canada this week. Montreal singer-songwriter Daniel Lavoie was named an Officer of the Order, as were percussionist Beverley Johnston and conductor Kent Nagano. -Rosie Long Decter

Mustafa’s ‘Name Of God’ Named Best Canadian Music Video of the Year, Winning 2024 Prism Prize

Mustafa has become the first two-time winner of the Prism Prize, the award that celebrates the best in Canadian music videos. He has won the 2024 Grand Prize for video of the year for “Name of God.” 

Mustafa, also known as Mustafa Ahmed and Mustafa The Poet, also took home the award in 2022 for “Ali.” Both of his winning videos are self-directed. Mustafa’s win comes with a $20,000 prize, the largest monetary award for music videos worldwide.

Mustafa released “Name of God” last year days after penning a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging him to speak for Palestine. The song and video touch on violence and grief as well as the power of community and tradition.

Mustafa isn’t this year’s only winner. Nemahsis has won the fan-voted Audience Award, winning “i wanna be your right hand.” That $2,500 prize goes to both artist Nemahsis and directors Norman Wong and Amy Gardner. The video takes the Palestinian-Canadian artist in a choreographed dance through a restaurant kitchen and into a showstopping empty-room dining hall performance.

Mustafa and Nemahsis beat out a strong shortlist of videos, including clips from The Beaches, Feist, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and more. See the whole list here and check out the four other special award winners here. -Kerry Doole

k.d. lang To Be Inducted Into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024

k.d. lang will be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024 by the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA). The induction will take place at Country Music Week 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, September 11–14 leading to the CCMA Awards.

“I am beyond thrilled, and frankly pleasantly surprised to be honored in this way,” says lang, who was born in Edmonton. “My love for the prairies, the people and our culture underscore every ounce of my inspiration. Not without its complexities, I might add. Such is life. I am so stoked to be coming to Edmonton to bask in this celebration… with deepest gratitude.”

Emerging in the 1980s as part of a then-burgeoning “cowpunk” scene, lang has had one of the most powerful and beautiful voices in country music and beyond. A queer icon and activist in many spheres, she’s expanded the boundary of the genre and pioneered within and beyond it.

“Today, we are excited to announce the incomparable k.d. Lang as our 2024 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Artist inductee,” says Amy Jeninga, president of CCMA. “A true Canadian icon and trailblazer in country music and beyond, k.d. embraced the genre with unparalleled passion, and her extraordinary talents have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of our nation. We proudly honour her incredible legacy and outstanding contributions, and can’t wait to celebrate her induction in Edmonton this September.”

The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame is housed at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary. A new exhibition celebrating new and historic inductees will open September 11, 2024, with more details still to be announced. -Richard Trapunski

Country Label MDM Recordings Inks Global Deal With Warner Music Canada’s ADA CANADA

Country music is big business in Canada right now, and one of the nation’s major labels has made a new deal to reflect that.

ADA CANADA, the independent label and artist services arm of Warner Music Canada, has announced a new exclusive global distribution deal with MDM Recordings. Founded by Canadian music industry veteran Mike Denney in 2008, MDM Recordings describes itself as “a full service independent label and management company specializing in country music.”

MDM has an impressive track record, especially with up-and-coming country acts. Its roster has included such notable Canadian country musicians as Chad Brownlee, Tyler Joe Miller, Bobby Wills and Don Amero, and music released on the label has earned over 450 million global streams, and more than 500,000 physical units sold. Artists currently on the MDM roster include Jess Moskaluke (a platinum-selling artist and Juno and CCMA Award winner), Charlie Major, Amero, and The Redhill Valleys, alongside promising newcomers Savannah Jade and Josh Stumpf.

MDM Recordings has twice been awarded record label of the year at the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards. Mike Denney has been honoured with the record company person of the year title three times and has overseen seven CCMA Award wins for their artists.

“MDM Recordings has always been about fostering incredible talent and sharing their music with the world,” says Denney. “This partnership with ADA Canada marks an exciting new chapter for us. We are thrilled to leverage ADA’s extensive global network to bring our artists’ music to an even broader audience.”

Greg Morris, VP of ADA Canada, says: “Mike Denney had a vision 16 years ago to create MDM Recordings, and he has done incredible work building it into what it is today. It has an excellent track record of discovering and developing country artists, and has regularly been recognized as one of the best country labels in Canada. I’m proud that Mike has entrusted ADA Canada to support and grow his business, and am excited to work with him and his team to grow his artists’ success, and help them connect with their fans around the world.” -Kerry Doole

28 Jun 2024

Diddy Day in Miami Beach Is No More

The Sean “Diddy” Combs fallout continues in wake of the leaked Cassie assault footage and mounting sexual misconduct lawsuits against him. Diddy has maintained complete innocence in the sexual misconduct and sexual assault lawsuits against him, and he continues to deny all of the allegations.

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According to the Miami Herald, the Miami Beach Commission revoked the Diddy Day recognition dedicated to the Bad Boy mogul on Oct. 13. He received the honor courtesy of Mayor Philip Levine at a REVOLT conference in 2016.

The decision to rescind the recognition was made on Wednesday (June 26) “without discussion.” Diddy has been a staple of the Miami Beach Star Island community where he owns a mansion, which was raided by federal agents alongside his L.A. estate in March.

Earlier in June, Diddy returned his key to New York City after a request from Mayor Eric Adams. Combs sent the key back to Adams’ offices after the mayor received letters asking for it to be sent back to City Hall, and Diddy obliged on June 10.

“I strongly condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence,” Adams wrote at the time in the letters.

Howard University also rescinded an honorary degree that was awarded to Combs and ended a scholarship program in his name following the release of the disturbing video involving Cassie. CNN released surveillance footage in May of Diddy physically abusing Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel outside an elevator bank from March 2016.

Diddy apologized for his behavior, which he says he was “disgusted” by, but ended up deleting the video when clearing his Instagram account last week.

“I was f—ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses,” he said in the since-deleted clip. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now.”

Cassie and Diddy dated on-and-off for over a decade from about 2007 through 2018 before calling it quits for good.

The “Me & U” singer filed a sprawling lawsuit against the famed music executive in November accusing him of rape and physical abuse during their time together. The two parties quickly reached a settlement less than 24 hours later. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Find a photo of when Diddy was presented with his own day in Miami Beach here.

28 Jun 2024

The Future of Hip-Hop: What’s Next, Up & Coming Artists, AI & More | Billboard News

Presented by Lexus, proud supporter of Black Music Month, this episode explores emerging trends in hip-hop and potential future directions for the genre. We will examine how new technologies, cultural shifts, and global influences are shaping the next generation of hip-hop artists including international hip-hop artists Bad Bunny, Central Cee and more.

Yo-Yo:

The future of hip-hop is, “we are taking over.” There’s no saying no to hip-hop.

DDG:

It’s becoming more than just music.

Polo G:

The future hip-hop is artists like myself, of course. 

Laurieann Gibson:

Honestly, it’s in a sensitive time right now.

Yo-Yo:

Hip-hop takes pride in being great. Hip-hop takes pride in being revolutionary. 

Catrise Johnson:

What’s so interesting with hip-hop is how global it is right? It’s an American conceptual thing, but in the U.K. you have Central Cee. You have artists in Africa and Asia and the Philippines and South America even. I mean Peso Pluma just did a song with Rich The Kid. 

Gail Mitchell: 

I’m very excited about all the women who are in the lanes right now like Latto. There’s Rapsody. She’s talking a truth about inner reflections about things that women are going through. 

Yo-Yo:

I’m seeing artists who are finding alternative ways to get their music played in video games, movies.

Catrise Johnson:

Lexus is proud to honor iconic black artists during Black Music Month. Continue watching this exclusive look at hip-hop history on Billboard presented by Lexus.

DDG:

YouTube, for me is a big impact on how you sell your music and how much you can sell. So you got to think about every music video there is on YouTube. It’s really to gain fans, to get people to care about your music for like people who don’t really like it. There are artists out there, there’s 100 times better than me, but he ain’t got as many eyeballs as me. 

Keep watching for more!

28 Jun 2024

Here’s How to Get Tickets to the Nicky Jam & Luis R Conriquez-Headlined RUMBAZO 2024

Tickets for RUMBAZO 2024 — the two-day event taking place Sept. 13-14 and headlined by Nicky Jam, Luis R Conriquez, Arcángel and Codiciado – are now on sale.

Announced earlier this week, the third edition of RUMBAZO, this year in partnership with Billboard, is set to take place at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, where music fans will not only be in for some show-stopping performances but will also get to enjoy food stands, art displays and many other activities. RUMBAZO coincides with the traditional El Grito and Mexican Independence Day weekend, celebrated Sept. 15-16.

“Year three of RUMBAZO is slated to be our best event yet, especially with the addition of our new partner, Billboard,” organizers said in a press release. “Over the past few years, Las Vegas has become the ideal location for El Grito weekend, and RUMBAZO has emerged as a true Mexican Independence Day tradition.”

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Sponsored by Estrella Jalisco, this year’s RUMBAZO lineup reflects the stronghold both regional Mexican and urbano have on Latin music and culture. Reggaetón veterans Nicky Jam and Arcángel bring in decades of hits. Meanwhile, both Conriquez and Codiciado are among the new generation of música mexicana hitmakers forging their own path singing corridos.  

RUMBAZO is open to guests ages 18+. For more information, visit rumbazofest.com or follow the event on social media at @rumbazofestival.

Rumbazo tickets are on-sale here. Use the code Billboard for exclusive discounted pricing. Regular price is just $89 for weekend GA & $129 for weekend VIP – grab them while you can.

28 Jun 2024

Lana Del Rey Stepped Out In a Beachy $11 Walmart Top (And It’s Almost Sold Out)

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.

When it comes to Lana Del Rey’s style, the singer can often be spotted showcasing a boho, free-spirited look, which includes flowy skirts and crochet styles. And while she showed off a more fantastical look at the 2024 Met Gala, where she appeared as a whimsical forest nymph, Del Rey was back to her signature style on her most recent outing on Wednesday (June 26). Even better? She was spotted in one of her most wallet-friendly looks yet: an $11 top from Walmart.

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Days after performing her one-night-only show at Boston’s Fenway Park on June 20, the “Summertime Sadness” singer was photographed in South Carolina wearing a floral tube top from the brand No Boundaries, according to Lana Del Rey fashion blogger Anna Hocking (known on Instagram as @lanadelreysclosets). The shirt is available on sale right now on Walmart. Keep reading to shop the tube top below.

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blue floral crochet tube top from walmart

No Boundaries Juniors Crochet Bra Top

No Boundaries’ Crochet Bra Top is ready to bring a boho Y2K vibe to all of your summer outfits. The design has a fitted bodice that flares out into an asymmetrical hem decorated with a blue floral crochet pattern. In the center of the bodice are tie strings that you can tie into a bow for a more flirty appearance.

Walmart’s crochet top comes in four different patterns, but sizes for the exact blue floral shade seen on the Del Rey are already selling out, which means you’ll want to add it to your cart fast if you plan on channeling her summer look.

The “Young and Beautiful” singer chose a more casual route and paired the crochet top with ripped jean shorts and white sneakers, which can be seen in a photo slide posted by the fan account @lanadelreypictures on Instagram.

Rey has previously stated that she’s feeling more playful as she gears up to drop her first-ever country album. Her style always embodies individuality, and this wallet-friendly top only further proves her free-spirit energy towards everything from her music to fashion.

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best slip dresses, denim jumpsuits and knee-high boots.

28 Jun 2024

Aaron Frazer on Avoiding ‘Whiplash’ With New Eclectic Album: ‘I Am Still Me in Every Context’

Over three years into his solo career, Aaron Frazer is about to embark on his first headlining tour. Frazer – the drummer and vocalist for soul outfit Durand Jones & The Indications – released his first solo album Introducing… in January of 2021 when touring options were limited due to COVID-19 restrictions and only managed to fit in a few opening gigs with fellow retro-enthusiasts Black Pumas. 

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For his sophomore set Into the Blue (out today via Dead Oceans), Frazer will support the new record across nearly 30 dates and multiple countries – a challenge he’s nervous, but ready to accept.  

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“At this point in people’s careers, if they’re the front person up there without an instrument in their hands they have probably been doing it since they were a kid,” Frazer tells Billboard. “And I’ve spent a lot of time on my butt … behind a drum kit.” 

But Frazer isn’t entirely untested as a headliner. His booking team floated the idea of a one-off show at the iconic Troubadour in Los Angeles (the city he now calls home) for February and, within minutes of onsale, it was sold out. The team added two more nights around the city including The Lodge Room and The Paramount in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, both of which also sold out.  

“It moved really quick, which was cool, man,” says Frazer. “I don’t think anywhere in the world has my back the way L.A. has my back.” 

Tonight, he’ll celebrate the release of Into the Blue at The Wiltern, which has a larger capacity than his Threepeat run combined, and will formally introduce his loyal audience to the 10-track collection that showcases an even wider range of Frazer’s talents. Following his heavily soul-focused debut, Into the Blue takes the listener from 1950s pop of “Perfect Strangers” to the ‘90s R&B-styled “Fly Away,” along with boleros-inspired Spanish-language track “Dime.” While the genres sound disparate, Frazer and co-producer Alex Goose manage to ground the album in Frazer’s slick drumming and signature falsetto.  

Billboard caught up with Frazer prior to his album release gig to discuss growing into a frontman, his love for hip-hop and how he manages to create cohesion as a “genre-agnostic” artist. 

Into the Blue takes you into even more genres than before with ‘90s R&B, 1950s/1960s rock’n’roll and, of course, soul. How do you make all these genres sound cohesive on one album? 

I am extremely eclectic in my listening, but for some people I did want to avoid the feeling of whiplash. Finding these through-lines that you can weave together to make it a more cohesive listening experience. So, like, Italian film score, some of the spaghetti western stuff. Ennio Morricone was a big influence on this record, and David Axelrod. Both Morricone and Axelrod, you have these big operatic background vocals, but then you also have very tough drums – very breakbeat-oriented drums. For me, it is keeping the drums tough throughout.  

For example, the opening track “Thinking of You” — I was listening to a lot of Black Ivory from Harlem when I was writing that. The true period take would be to actually dial back the drums a little bit, but I wanted to push the drums a little bit more forward so that it can also blend with a song like “Dime” which is part Little Beaver and part Kali Uchis. So, yeah, tough drums, the background vocals and I am still me in every context. That is also the tie that binds. 

Speaking of “Dime” featuring Cancamusa, what made you want to add Spanish-language vocals to this track? 

I was working with a Spanish co-writer. I had this beat that I had made in collaboration with Alex Goose, my co-producer, as well as Robin Hannibal from Rhye. We put this track together and it had this smooth, intimate romance to it and Spanish is such a romantic language – it literally is a romance language. It felt like the right context for a Spanish-speaking artist. I wrote the lyrics with a writer named Sofia Lafluente, and she brought the Spanish perspective to that. I love being able to shine a spotlight on other artists, whether it is with my production or if it’s on my own social media. So much of the soul audience that I have is Spanish-speaking, and I wanted to show respect to the culture and bring a Spanish-speaking artist onto the track. 

Your career has been heavily influenced by older soul music. What drew you to that music? 

I’ve always felt genre agnostic. Hip-hop for me has always been at the core of my musical DNA. That’s how I learned soul music in the first place. The first CD I ever owned was Big Willie Style by Will Smith. I wish it was a cooler album. [Laughs] You get what you get when you’re a kid. But on that record there is “Just the Two of Us” which is a Bill Withers interpolation and the “Men in Black” rap which is Patrice Rushen’s “Forget Me Nots.”  

From the jump, my introduction to soul music was filtered through hip-hop. It’s always been part of how I’ve understood music. Every hip-hop record draws multiple lines outward to other records across generations. So, here’s a drum break from the ‘60s. Here’s a soul sample from the ‘70s. There’s a jazz piano snippet. That’s the core of my musical philosophy. All these genres and different decades, it’s all just one thing. 

Despite the depth of genres and instruments you introduce on the album, the tracks never sound cluttered. How do accomplish that? 

It definitely takes a lot of work the more elements you put in. A lot of my musical heroes are good at exactly that. Curtis Mayfield builds these huge arrangements but they’re never like, “Whoa! Okay, I get it.” It’s never overbearing. Lee Hazlewood is another one that I come back to a lot. He’s making country music but there’s a toughness to it and his arrangements are just cavernous. A lot of it comes down to the part arranging and being able to see when everything fits. There’s a call and response to create a conversation between the elements. That’s what it is a lot of the times. 

You had a very successful Threepeat run of shows in Los Angeles earlier this year, but now you’re going on a full headlining tour. What can fans expect? 

I have a drummer who signed on for this tour who also sings background and plays percussion. So, when I’m on the kit, he’ll be on percussion and background vocals and then when I go up front, he’ll be on the drums. 

So, unlike previous gigs, you’re going to be even more of a frontman. How does that feel? 

It feels naked. It feels like a fever dream where you walk on stage without your pants on. It is fun, but it is a challenge. It requires a certain amount of bravery. I’m learning as I go, but I’m looking forward to this opportunity to experiment with abandon. That’s something I admire so much about Durand as a front person – his sense of abandon, his freedom on stage.

I also need to figure out who I am as a front person. I don’t come out of the James Brown school of frontmanship. It would be weird if I did. Smokey Robinson had his own kind of stage presence that is more demure. Or Curtis Mayfield, his stage presence was interesting because he held a guitar for a lot of it, which is nice. When I have a guitar in my hand, I’m like, “Okay, I’m safe. I’m good. I have something to do with my limbs.” 

28 Jun 2024

How Sabrina Carpenter Conquered the Charts With ‘Please Please Please’ and ‘Espresso’

For the past few months, things seem to have only been getting better for Sabrina Carpenter. Last summer, while opening on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, she began going viral for the city-specific outros she would tack on to the end of her song “Nonsense,” a true fan-driven hit that reached No. 56 on the Hot 100 and No. 10 on Pop Airplay. Next came “Feather,” off the deluxe edition of her Emails I Can’t Send album, which went even further, reaching No. 21 on the Hot 100 and becoming her first-ever Pop Airplay No. 1 earlier this year.

But that was just the beginning. “Espresso,” her single she released on top of her Coachella performance in April, exploded to No. 2 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Global 200, cementing her as the pop superstar of the moment, crowned accordingly with a performance (and skit appearance) on Saturday Night Live. But her latest single, “Please Please Please,” then went even further — after debuting at No. 2 on the Hot 100 and giving her the top two songs on the Global 200, “Please Please Please” then ascended to the top of both charts, giving Carpenter her first-ever Hot 100 No. 1 and the distinction of replacing herself atop the global charts.

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The momentum has been dizzying — with every level conquered, another fell right after. Or, as Island Records vp of A&R Jackie Winkler puts it, “‘Nonsense’ walked so ‘Feather’ could jog, then ‘Espresso’ ran so that ‘Please Please Please’ could start a stampede.” And the success earns Winkler, who originally signed Carpenter to Island and has worked with her ever since, the title of Billboard’s Executive of the Week.

Here, Winkler talks about the building success of each of these songs, Carpenter’s evolution as a songwriter, the way that A&R has evolved over the years — and what will come next. “I think this album is going to blow people away,” Winkler says of Carpenter’s forthcoming Short N’ Sweet, due out in August. “If you like ‘Please Please Please’ and ‘Espresso,’ just wait for what’s in store.”

This week, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, her first-ever song to top the chart. What key decision did you make to help make that happen?

Sabrina and Jack Antonoff had known each other personally for some time, so it was a natural progression for them to eventually work together. Given the chemistry that Sabrina and Amy Allen had already built, putting the three of them together felt like the perfect musical combination to undoubtedly yield something exceptional. It’s also fun to share the success of this song with David Gray and Jenn Knoepfle at UMPG who were instrumental in connecting the dots.

“Please Please Please” also hit No. 1 on the Global 200, replacing “Espresso,” which was No. 1 last week. Why do you think these songs are resonating, and working so well, around the globe?

To put it simply, the two songs speak for themselves. The first time I heard “Please Please Please” and “Espresso,” both sounded like hit records to me. The extraordinary nuances of Sabrina’s vocal delivery and quick-witted lyrics, combined with Jack Antonoff and Julian Bunetta’s brilliant productions, all play an essential role in what makes these songs so infectious and undeniable. They are especially bold, and nobody could pull them off as fearlessly and authentically as Sabrina.

Since last year, Sabrina has been on an increasingly-ascendant run up the charts, from “Nonsense” to “Feather” to “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” How have you worked with her to help her develop her sound in the past year to reach this level?

It really feels like all four songs came at the perfect times in her career. “Nonsense” walked so “Feather” could jog, then “Espresso” ran so that “Please Please Please” could start a stampede. At the core, the music Sabrina makes is perfectly reflective of who she is as a person, and all the quirks and character are what give her such a strong musical identity. Writing with her friends has always felt like the most effortless way to allow her to be herself, so protecting that process at all costs will remain a vital part of her ever-evolving sound.

You originally signed Sabrina to Island several years ago. How have you seen her develop as a songwriter and as an artist since then?

From day one, Sabrina’s superpower has always been knowing exactly who she is and the type of musical collaborators she’s wanted to work with. I’ve witnessed her develop into an extraordinary songwriter who has not only coined entirely new phrases, but also infiltrated popular culture around the world with her lyricism alone. One of the most rewarding parts about seeing her succeed is that none of this has happened by skipping steps or catching a lucky break. It is all owed to her remarkable talent, the music itself and the relentless detail put into every aspect of her creative campaign. [Island co-CEOs] Justin Eshak and Imran Majid are ambitious leaders who strongly encourage our artists and our Island Records staff to take risks musically and strategically, which has made this journey even more gratifying as we continue to charge forward with no limitations.

With such a string of successful singles, how does that influence your approach to her upcoming album?

I think this album is going to blow people away. If you like “Please Please Please” and “Espresso,” just wait for what’s in store. Every ounce of the album oozes with Sabrina’s personality — funny, sincere, cheeky and intelligent, but above all, it’s honest. There isn’t a single song on the album that one could mistake for another artist, which is by far my favorite part. 

How has A&R changed over the course of your career, and how has technology changed the role?

Technology continues to be a valuable tool for us to perform our jobs more efficiently. Since the start of my career, our access to information, data and even resources used to break artists have multiplied; however, my approach to signings, choosing singles and pairing creatives has never wavered from following my gut instinct. What will remain constant in A&R is the importance of maintaining genuine relationships, remaining selective and staying true to finding artists with longevity, a point of view and an unparalleled vision. 

28 Jun 2024

Mustard Talks ‘Not Like Us’ Success, Nipsey Hussle Helping Name His New Album & More | Billboard News

Mustard is riding high off of his success with Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” He sits down with us and gives us the inside scoop on how he helped create it and how it changed his life, how the late Nipsey Hussle helped name his new album ‘FAITH OF A MUSTARD SEED’ and his opinion on why the Kendrick & Drake beef was good for hip-hop. He goes in-depth about his latest single “Parking Lot” with Travis Scott, his divorce, collaborating with Rihanna, Mariah Carey and more!

Mustard:

Drake and Kendrick and even J. Cole, they all came and just made this thing the top of- It’s back. Would you guys rather me stay with this lady and me be unhappy and me dog her or something? What would you want me to do? I remember like the last conversation I had with Nipsey he was telling me to name that album ‘FAITH OF A MUSTARD SEED.’ What up, it’s Mustard, and you’re watching Billboard News.

Tetris Kelly:

You picked the perfect time to stop by Billboard. Hot 100, No. 1 song- 

Mustard:

Yeah.

Tetris Kelly:

“Not Like Us,” man. How’s it feel at this point of your career to be topping the Hot 100? 

Man, I keep saying it. And I can’t say enough. It’s got to be God. Like, because you think about it, it’s like I think like a couple months ago, I knew I had this whole album. And I’m just like, Okay, what am I gonna do to get myself back hot? What am I going to do to? You know, I can’t I want to do drip checks no more. I did that already. I don’t want to do the weight check stuff. I’ve done that already. I want to get as much as in shape as I can, but you know, I was just like, what am I going to do? How are we going to spark for people to be like, oh, I want to hear Mustard, again? You know, that’s just like, I think every artist would think about that. And then the song came out. 

Tetris Kelly: 

Well, there’s my Apple promotion. 

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28 Jun 2024

Mustard Reveals Kendrick Lamar’s Reaction to Hearing ‘Not Like Us’ Beat

Mustard is riding high off the success of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which gave the Cali bounce producer his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit.

The Los Angeles native pulled up to Billboard News recently to put the whirlwind of the last couple of months into perspective. Mustard was wondering how he was going to pick up a buzz heading into his album, before the Drake-dissing “Not Like Us” seemingly fell out of the sky in May and gave him an ace in the hole.

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Mustard had long wanted to land a placement with Kendrick Lamar to the point that he’d pepper the Compton rap dignitary with five beats at a time on some days.

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“I keep saying it and I can’t say it enough — it’s gotta be God,” Mustard says, crediting a higher power. “What am I gonna do to get myself back hot? … How are we gonna spark to where people are like, ‘I wanna hear Mustard again.’ … Then the song came out. There’s my rollout.”

He continued: “I’ve been literally trying to get a song with him for years… Before I even made that beat, I got to a point where I was like, ‘I’m gonna send five beats a day.’ I maybe sent him five beats a day for maybe three months. I’m still doing it right now just in case he wants to record something. I sent him that beat and then I think that day I would make it a point just to go to the studio to make a couple of beats to send to him.”

Mustard cooked up the “Not Like Us” beat and sent it over to Kendrick in early April before running to his manager’s birthday dinner.

“I started chopping it up and I sped it up and I did the drums and I was like, ‘This is fire.’ … I sent him the beat and I was going to my manager’s birthday party and that was April 6,” he recalled. “He never responded until 12 at night and was like, ‘This is fire.’”

Mustard admitted: “I don’t think I even understood how big it was until it went No. 1 (on the Billboard Hot 100). I was like, ‘This is the biggest song I ever had in my life.’ I just wanted a song with Kendrick.”

The 10 Summers Records boss is rolling into his upcoming album, Faith of a Mustard Seed, which he revealed was named by the late Nipsey Hussle. He continued the album rollout on last Friday (June 21) with the release of “Parking Lot” feat. Travis Scott.

“When I was doing Perfect Ten, I remember the last conversation I had with Nipsey, he was telling me to name that album Faith of a Mustard Seed,” he added. “We talked for hours that night and I always kept that in the back of my head.”

Watch the full 20-minute interview with Mustard below, which also finds him touching on the losses he’s recently endured, how it was to work with legends like Mariah Carey and Rihanna, plus much more.