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27 Jun 2024

NewJeans & Rina Sawayama Link Up, Post Malone & Chris Stapleton Collab & More | Billboard News

NewJeans & Rina Sawayama meet in Tokyo, Post Malone & Chris Stapleton collab on a new song coming soon and Omar Apollo & Pedro Pascal have a new song, too? Keep watching to see all of the link ups!

Tetris Kelly:

Music collabs, artistic endeavors, and backstage meet cutes. Some of your faves are having surprising link ups. We knew Rina Sawayama was a Bunnie and she got the chance to catch up with NewJeans backstage at their Bunnies camp in Tokyo and even exchanged albums! Now how about a collab? Continuing his string of country collabs is Post Malone. He teased a new song with Chris Stapleton. It comes after his Hot 100 No. 1 hit with Morgan Wallen and new track with Blake Shelton. It’s all part of his ‘F-1 Trillion’ album due August 16. But collabs don’t always have to be musical. Omar Apollo told ABC News, he asked his friend and superstar actor Pedro Pascal he wanted him on his sophomore album, ‘God Said No,’ out tomorrow.

27 Jun 2024

Los Ángeles Azules & Emilia’s ‘Perdonarte, ¿Para Qué?’ Adds Third Week Atop Billboard Argentina Hot 100

Los Ángeles Azules and Emilia’s “Perdonarte, ¿Para Qué?” notches a third total and consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated June 29). The song, Los Ángeles Azules’ third leader and Emilia’s fifth, is the fourth song to spend at least three weeks at the summit in 2024. Here’s the recap:

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Peak Date, Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1
Jan. 20, “Una Foto (Remix),” Mesita, Nicki Nicole, Tiago PZK & Emilia, No. 10
May 4, “Bésame (Remix),” Bhavi, Seven Kayne, Milo j, Tiago PZK, KHEA & Neo Pistea, No. 5
March 2, “Hola Perdida (Remix),” Luck Ra & KHEA, No. 4
June 15, “Perdonarte, ¿Para Qué?,” Los Ángeles Azules & Emilia, No. 3

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Los Ángeles Azules posts two other songs on the current tally, “El Amor De Mi Vida,” with Maria Becerra, at No. 22, and “Otra Noche,” with Nicki Nicole, at No. 86.

Valentino Merlo and The La Planta’s “Hoy” nearly misses the top slot, with a 3-2 jump. While Trueno’s “Real Gangsta Love” moves ahead, with a 4-3 lift.

The Hot Shot Debut of the Week goes to Ke Personajes and Ulises Bueno who each add a new entry with “Intento” at No. 51.

Feid’s “Sorry For That Much” claims the week’s Greatest Gainer honors, with a 24-position surge, from No. 87 to No. 63. The Colombian boasts two other entries, “Luna,” with ATL Jacob, at No. 13 and “Offline,” with Young Miko at No. 42.

Two more songs debut this week: starting with Marama, Migrantes and the Argentinian rising star Flor Alvarez, whose first collab, “No Te Vayas,” opens at No. 66. Plus, J Abdiel, Pirlo, Izaak, Anuel AA & Blessd’s “WYA (Remix) Black And Yellow” launches at No.79.

27 Jun 2024

The Deals: Billie Eilish & Yousician Strike ‘Hit Me Hard’ Collab, Paris Hilton Finds Distributor for New Album

Music instruction platform Yousician launched a partnership with Billie Eilish under which all 10 songs from Eilish’s latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, will be featured on the platform. Yousician users can now learn Eilish’s new songs on guitar, bass, ukelele, piano and vocals, in addition to more than 20 additional Eilish songs that are already available on the platform. Yousician provides users with lyrics, chords, step-by-step tutorials and real-time individualized feedback. This marks Yousician’s first deal with a major artist since its Metallica collaboration in 2022.

Warner Music Group’s ADA signed a global distribution deal with 11:11 Media, the media and consumer lifestyle company founded by Paris Hilton, who recently announced the Sept. 6 drop of her sophomore album, INFINITE ICON. “ADA gives me the ability to share my music with the world while maintaining ownership of it — which is so important to me, as an artist and entrepreneur,” said Hilton in a statement.

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Warner Music Group acquired a minority stake in the independent Croatian music company Dancing Bear Music. Under the deal, Dancing Bear artists will be able to utilize the services offered by ADA, Warner Music’s global distribution and label services arm, with the opportunity to upstream and become part of Warner Music’s global roster. The deal also includes a renewal of the companies’ licensing agreement covering Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and North Macedonia. Dancing Bear has acted as Warner Music’s licensee in Croatia since 1996, while its sister company, Dancing Bear Publishing, acts as a local representative of Warner Chappell Music. Artists on the Dancing Bear roster include Dalmatino, Bruno Pietri and Pete Spruce.

The BBC invested 500,000 pounds in Condense, a live-streaming platform that allows fans to experience live shows in an immersive virtual space. The announcement follows BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show with Jack Saunders hosting a series of Condense live-streams with artists including Gardna, Charlotte Plank and Sam Tompkins. Jo Sherlock, group rights and commercial director at the BBC, will serve as Condense’s contact at the broadcaster; she will help shape the growth of the partnership as an observer on the Condense board. “By partnering in this way, we can rapidly explore new ways to engage younger audiences who don’t regularly come to the BBC,” said BBC head of ventures Jeremy Walker in a blog post.

Juan Munoz‘s independent label Night Stone Records signed a global distribution deal with The Orchard. Night Stone’s roster includes B. Howard, Otti, RMB Justize, PRIVATEHOUR, Kris Hollis, DJ So Cole and Million$. All will have access to The Orchard’s suite of services, including global distribution, DSP and digital partner pitching, marketing, synch licensing, video services, data analysis, advertising and radio promotion. Night Stone also announced the launch of Night Stone Games, an independent game studio that will be led by Ken Fox, co-founder of Warner Brothers Games San Francisco.

Created by Humans, which aims to create a marketplace where creators can license their intellectual property directly to AI companies, raised a $5 million funding round led by Craft Ventures and Floodgate, with participation from LAUNCH Fund, Slow Ventures, Garry Tan and Walter Isaacson.

Downtown-owned business-to-business distributor FUGA formed a partnership with two labels: Paris-based independent label Record Makers and Potion Records, founded by DJ/producer The Magician. Record Makers, whose roster includes Sébastien Tellier, Kavinsky and Dita Von Teese, struck a global distribution and marketing deal with Downtown that will include expanded services across Downtown’s marketing strategy and marketing accounts offering, as well as synch. Potion Records will utilize FUGA’s marketing strategy and digital accounts offering along with synch and licensing services. The Potion roster includes The Ashton Shuffle, Soda State and Aevion.

Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films partnered to produce music projects that will cover both film soundtracks and independent pop projects featuring Indian talent. The deal launches with soundtracks for the upcoming films Chhava starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna with music by A.R. Rahman, Diler featuring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Ikkis starring Agastya Nanda with music by Sachin-Jigar. The soundtracks for Luka Chhupi 2, Sector 36 starring Vikrant Massey, Sarvagunn Sampan starring Vaani Kapoor and Rumi Ki Sharafat starring Radhika Madan also fall under the partnership.

Leading Bulgarian music event organizer Fest Team signed a preliminary contract to acquire East European promoter, talent buyer and artist agency Charmenko, which encompasses Charm Music and Charmworks. With the acquisition, Fest Team hopes to expand its regional presence and operations across Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Turkey, the Baltic regions and more. The acquisition is set to be finalized later this summer.

27 Jun 2024

TikTokers Are Calling Target’s $43 Matching Set ‘Really Cute’ for Sunset Photos & Bridal Showers

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.

Matching sets make getting dressed less complicated by eliminating the hassle of mixing tops and bottoms until you get a combination that feels trendy. There’s one matching set from Target though that has TikTok especially gushing over its affordability and stylishness — even earning the label of the No. 1 most-shared item on Target’s top 10 list for June (replacing their coveted denim jumpsuit that held the spot previously).

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The online retailer has become a go-to destination for style on a budget with more than 7.8 million videos on TikTok made with the hashtag “Target Fashion Finds 2024.” This matching set has TikTokers in a chokehold though as it features a ’90s-inspired design featuring dainty details such as a tiny bow in the center of the skirt paired with small lace accents. User @michaela.delvillar showed off the complete set in a video that has racked up more than 47,000 views.

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“The waistband is super stretchy, so I would size down if you’re in-between sizes,” the user recommends while pulling on the waistband to show off it’s stretchiness. “I will definitely be wearing this in a sunset photo on the beach somewhere.”

There are four colors and patterns to pick from: red, brown, yellow, and a blue and white floral pattern. The crop top is only $18, while the maxi skirt is priced at a wallet-friendly $25, making the entire set only $43. And, since it’s made with a linen material, it’s lightweight and breathable to keep you comfortable during especially hot days.

Already sizes are selling out, which means you won’t want to wait too long before adding both pieces to your cart. Keep reading to buy the matching set online now.

models wearing brown and floral matching target maxi skirt and crop top sets

Wild Fable Linen Bow-Front Maxi Skirt

Stay cool this summer without ditching trendiness in this budget-friendly maxi skirt from Target. The design is made with a lightweight material and side zipper closure that’s paired with a mid-rise elastic waistband that rests gently on your skin.

Target Wild Fable Two-Piece Set: Buy $43 Matching Skirt, Top Online

Wild Fable Linen Tiny Tank Top

Complete your look with the matching crop top that shows off a tie back and ruffle hem on the top and bottom. The straps are also adjustable to shorten or lengthen to your liking.

If you’re curious about what the brown shade looks like on, user @_annvaz gave a OOTD breakdown pairing the look with a blazer and heels, which you can see here.

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best slip dresses, crop tops and jean shorts.

27 Jun 2024

Rock Out in Las Vegas for Fourth of July: How to Plan the Ultimate Sin City Getaway for Music Lovers

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.

Viva Las Vegas!  

From live music to nightlife, restaurants, shopping, spas and more, Las Vegas is the perfect place to experience an unforgettable weekend, and with the Fourth of July holiday coming soon, Sin City is a prime destination to celebrate Independence Day.

The desert has long been a landing destination for music’s biggest stars, and Hilton has played a part in transforming Las Vegas into the entertainment juggernaut that it is today. In the 1970s, Hilton was the first hospitality company to launch “residencies” for its regular performers, including acts like Elvis and Liberace. Other music legends that performed at the famed Las Vegas Hilton include Johny Cash, Barry Manilow, B.B. King, Duke Ellington, Kenny Rogers and Tony Bennett. 

The Las Vegas Hilton has expanded since then, but the tradition of live performances continues today. At Resorts World, music lovers can hit up some of Sin City’s coolest attractions and most buzzed-about residencies. 

But there’s even more to see than live music. From gambling to dining options, dayclubs, nightclubs, comedy shows, sporting events and other nightlife attractions, whatever your taste, Hilton has something to feed your appetite. 

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What’s on the schedule for Fourth of July weekend? Jonas Blue will be at Zouk Nightclub on July 4, Ludacris on July 5, and Illenium on July 6. 

Hilton x Las Vegas July 4th

Hilton x Las Vegas July 4th

Courtesy of Hilton

Ayu Dayclub will feature Duke Dumont on July 5, Lil Dicky on July 6, and Shaboozey on July 7. 

Comedian Theo Von will take the stage at Resorts World theatre on July 5 and 6. The 5,000-capacity, multi-level venue boasts Las Vegas’ largest performance stage and features two private lounges — Gold Bar Whiskey VIP Lounge & Alle Backstage — with special access to bars and other VIP amenities.  

Zouk Nightclub features multiple bars, VIP booths, a state-of-the-art sound system and the ultimate dance floor, making it a perfect party destination for clubgoers. For day partiers, Ayu Dayclub offers a palm-tree-laden tropical oasis where you can take a dip in the pool’s crystal-clear water, or party the day away in the sunshine. 

If you plan to start the Fourth of July celebration early, celebrity chef/Food Network star Jet Tila will be hosting a pop-up at Crossroads, featuring a vegan Pan-Asian menu for $85 on July 1.  

With so many must-see attractions to offer, it’s nice to stay at a hotel that allows you to do everything in one place as it’ll save you the energy of walking up and down the Las Vegas Strip for miles on end. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t step out onto the Strip, but having the right hotel accommodations makes for a more comfortable stay, plus the Las Vegas heat can be unrelenting, especially in the summertime. 

For the traveler looking for a one-stop shop, Hilton has the answer. Consisting of Hilton towers — Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad Las Vegas, and Crockfords Las Vegas — Resorts World combines all your entertainment needs in one place.   

With Adele, Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Christina Aguilera and other can’t-miss Las Vegas residencies taking place over the summer, you’ll have plenty of ways to enjoy live music. And Las Vegas is bigger than ever – there are enough restaurants to make your head spin and let’s face it, while it’s fun to shop, going to the mall in Las Vegas can feel like a field trip on its own. But condensing your entertainment and hotel into one location can not only save you time and money, it’ll take some of the stress out of planning the perfect stay. 

Hilton x Las Vegas July 4th

Hilton x Las Vegas July 4th

Courtesy of Hilton

Enjoy fine dining, casual dining and other appetizing options including Pan-Asian eateries, street-food-inspired menus and Michelin-starred dishes from award-winning chefs at eateries such as Bar Zazu, Brezza, Carversteak, Crossroads Kitchen, Caviar Bar, Kusa Nori, Fuhu, Genting Palace, Kusa Nori and ¡Viva! 

For casual dining, there’s Agave Bar & Grill, Crossroads, Dawg House Saloon, Junior’s, M Lady M New York, Mulberry Street Pizzeria, Redtail, The Kitchen, Suns Out Buns Out and The Co-Op. 

Love wine? Head to Wally’s to shop from a selection of over 8,000 labels of wine, spirits and beer.  

Stock up on snacks, refreshments, souvenirs and more at RW Store. Grab quick eats by the pool at Bites, enjoy boozy ice cream at Aubi & Ramsa, vegan goodies at Craig’s Vegan Ice Cream, donuts at Randy’s Donuts, and coffee at Starbucks. If you’d rather dine in bed, there’s room service powered by GrubHub. 

Resorts World Las Vegas

And there’s plenty of other places to shop at The District at Resorts World Las Vegas. The 35,000-square-foot mall is packed with must-shop boutiques like Black Clover, Corso, Fred Segal, FOUND by Fred Segal, Nectar Life, Twila True Boutique and Racing Miami – where F1 fans can score official F1 team and driver merchandise. 

The property also features seven bars and lounges including Eight Cigar Lounge, Allē Lounge on 66, Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge, Genting Palace Lounge, Redtail, Jalisco Underground, Crystal Bar and Crossroads Lounge. 

Another benefit of staying at Hilton hotels: You don’t have to leave the premises to get to your room. Hilton provides a variety of rooms to suit your travel and budgetary needs. Guests will enjoy premium rooms and suites with picture-worthy, panoramic views of Las Vegas and the surrounding desert, along with gorgeous mountain views that will make you want to whip out your phone and capture the moment. Plus, the rooms have breathtaking floor-to-ceiling window views, plush bedding, modern décor and are perfectly designed for sleeping, sitting and even working away from the office.  

For guests craving a VIP experience, Las Vegas is home to the world’s largest Conrad Hotel, with 1,496 rooms and special accommodations such as a private reception and VIP check-in and digital keys. 

With Hilton, music fans will get a VIP travel experience that’s worth betting on. Book your stay below. 

27 Jun 2024

Pretends To Be Shocked: Atlanta “Blacks For Trump” Event Lacked Melanin, But Had Plenty of White Folks In Attendance

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Blacks For Trump Event In Atlanta Lacked Actual Black People

Source: NICHOLAS KAMM / Getty / Blacks For Trump

Two of Donald Trump’s few favorite Black people, Rep. Byron Donalds  (R-FL) and his former HUD secretary, the sleepwalking brain surgeon Ben Carson, headlined a “Black Americans for Trump” event in Atlanta, and no surprise, it was full of white people.

Per Raw Story, via The New Republic’s Talia Janes reporting, the latest jig, aka a Blacks for Trump event, was a massive bust in getting Black people to attend.

The event went down at Rocky’s, a Black-owned barbershop in Atlanta, Georgia. Jane’s report mentions that Trump didn’t even bother to show up in all of his felonious glory, instead opting to call into the event, so that should tell you how unserious he is about reaching out to Black voters.

Trump got on the phone and boasted about tax cuts for businesses, something Black people and a majority of his white supporters wouldn’t even benefit from because they are not in the 1%.

The orange menace also bragged about his struggle mugshot during his phone call. But what took the cake was the fact there were not that many Black people in attendance, but a “sea of white people.”

Per Raw Story:

“The roundtable setup featured Representative (and Trump V.P. wannabe) Byron Donalds, former Trump Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, and Representative Wesley Hunt in attendance,” she writes. “The seats were positioned in a semi-arc facing a gaggle of cameras and sea of white people, and everyone looks abundantly unenthused to be there.”

Jane goes on to explain how the Atlanta event was just one of a string of failed Black voter outreach efforts.

What was even more hilarious was writer/journalist Michael Harriot pointing out there is still a photo of former President Barack Obama hanging in the shop.

This event is just the latest lame attempt to pilfer the Black vote with lazy tactics. With the help of a Black conservative activist, Trump staged a stop at an Atlanta Chick-fil-A restaurant.

He also staged an appearance at a Harlem bodega where he was greeted by more whites than Blacks, gasp.

Of course, there were those trash Trump sneakers that he also claimed were his way of connecting with the Black community.

The man is never beating the racist allegations.

You can see more reactions to this latest mess in the gallery below.

27 Jun 2024

Birkenstock Season Is Here: Save Up to 45% Off Select Styles for Summer

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.

From beach days and barbecues, pool parties and errand runs, Birkenstock sandals are perfectly designed for summer.

To help update your sandal collection, we’ve rounded up a few of the best Birkenstock options to sport this summer along with a couple of alternative styles. For lazy summer days, hot summer nights and everything in between.

Below, find a roundup of bestsellers to shop from Birkenstock and more.

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Birkenstock Sandals & Alternatives to Shop for Summer: Up to 45% Off

Birkenstock

The Arizona Suede Sandal

$71.50

$130

45% off

If you appreciate an icon, the Birkenstock Arizona is for you. The classic, buckle silhouette slip-on sandal hit shelves in 1973 and the design hasn’t changed since then. The Arizona is available in leather, suede and vegan textiles.

Besides the wide color selection, the Arizona is a great season-to-season sandal. You can wear them through the summer and into the fall — just throw on a pair of socks. Speaking of a multi-season shoe, the Birkenstock Boston qualifies as a summer shoe too; even though it’s not a sandal, the comfy clog can be worn throughout the year.

Birkenstock Sandals & Alternatives to Shop for Summer: Up to 45% Off

Amazon

The Mayari Vegan Leather Sandal

A flip on the regular buckle design, the Mayari has crisscross straps with a contoured cork-latex footbed, a lightweight EVA sole, synthetic leather upper and metal pin buckles.

Birkenstock Sandals & Alternatives to Shop for Summer: Up to 45% Off

Birkenstock

The Gizeh Nubuck Leather Sandal

Thong sandals have summer written all over them. The Gizeh is another popular style from Birkenstock featuring a thong design in the front, an adjustable buckle and open back.

If you’d rather not go strapless, Birkenstock has sandals with straps too! Shop other Birkenstock styles at Birkenstock.com and retailers such as Zappos, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, QVC, and REI. You can also find Birkenstocks at Walmart, Amazon and StockX.

Where to Find Birkenstock Alternatives for Cheap

It seems like every top has a budget-friendly alternative, although when shopping for dupes, the quality may not be exactly the same and the item not last as long as the real thing.

Where can you find Birkenstock alternatives online? Retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and Target are a few of the major leaguers that offer affordable alternatives to Birkenstock sandals.

Birkenstock Sandals & Alternatives to Shop for Summer: Up to 45% Off

Amazon

CUSHIONAIRE Women’s Lane Cork Footbed Sandal With +Comfort

$29.99

$49.99

40% off

Cushionaire makes a couple of bestselling alternatives to Birkenstocks, one being the Cork Footbed Sandal. The slip-in sandal features a buckle closure and available in over 22 colors.

Birkenstock Sandals & Alternatives to Shop for Summer: Up to 45% Off

Amazon

CUSHIONAIRE Women’s, Luna Low Heel Slide Sandal

$29.99

$49.99

40% off

The Luna Low Heel Slide by Cushionaire, gets its style inspiration from the Birkenstock Mayari sandal. The Luna is available in 20 different colors including brown, black, stone, taupe, gold, pink vegan suede and tan vegan suede

For more summer footwear, see our roundups on the best platform sandals, best slides and best shoes for travel.

27 Jun 2024

Kevin Hart Reveals Why He Looked Bored at the Club With Latto & Usher

Kevin Hart’s club days are behind him.

The comedian went viral recently when he was caught on video looking bored at the club next to Latto and Usher. However, he recently revealed that it was nothing personal.

Hart told Complex’s Jaelani Turner-Williams that the video “captured a real moment and a real face.” The 44-year-old added that he “was ready to go home.”

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“That moment was a real moment. Both of them are amazing people. Usher’s a really close friend of mine, and he told me we were going to a little lounge atmosphere, which is my vibe. I don’t mind,” he recalled.

“But we ended up being at what I would consider to be a club,” he continued. “So what you saw was just somebody who has the days of nightlife and partying at that scale, and I was ready to go home. I was ready to take my a— home.”

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Hart concluded, “My fear is just looking like the old guy in the club,” hI never want people to look up and [and people] go, ‘Why is he here?’ That to me, that’s aggressive. ‘Oh God, you see Kevin over there in the corner? Why is he here? It’s 21, 22 night. Why did he come?’ Bumping into my kids’ friends from school, that’s just aggressive. I don’t need those problems. I’ll take my ass home and be happy.”

Watch the OG viral video below.

27 Jun 2024

How Codiciado’s Visa Revocation Fueled His Cross-Border Corridos Comeback

After a five-year hiatus from the U.S. due to a visa revocation over a minor marijuana possession charge, Mexican musician Codiciado made a striking comeback. Barred from entry just as his career began to ascend, the Tijuana-born artist didn’t let this setback slow his momentum. He had already co-founded Grupo Codiciado in 2015 and rapidly gained industry recognition with eight full-length albums— from 2016’s Si Lo Digo Es Porque Puedo to 2022’s Cuadro de Honor via Rancho Humilde.

Undeterred by the challenges, Codiciado used this period to reinvent himself. He split from Grupo Codiciado to pursue a solo venture, a move catalyzed by both contemplation and encouragement from fans. “When we made the decision to split up, I really wanted to stop — I didn’t want to make music, because I was with the idea that we were a group and that people knew me for the group,” he tells Billboard Español. “But the people who were with me at the time gave me encouragement to say that it wasn’t over there, that it was just a stepping stone, a stumble. We had to keep going.”

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This new venture culminated in his 2023 solo debut, Golpes de La Vida, which delved into his personal and professional experiences. Rather than stalling, the separation from U.S. audiences fueled his resolve, setting the stage for a triumphant return.

Codiciado’s reentry into the U.S. market was marked by a successful five-date tour with sold-out venues and record attendance, particularly at Sacramento’s Hard Rock Live. The tour’s success not only reaffirmed his artistic presence, but also spurred him to schedule an extended second leg of the Ando Enfocado U.S. Tour. This new leg included 14 additional dates, starting in Brooklyn, New York on September 27 and wrapping up in Reno, Nevada on October 26.

But before that, he will also be touring Mexico and performing at RUMBAZO 2024, a Latin music festival in its third edition in partnership with Billboard. Headlined by Nicky Jam and Luis R. Conriquez, the event will take place on September 13 and 14 in Las Vegas and will also feature Arcángel.

Meanwhile, the singer-songwriter has also been making the rounds on the Billboard charts. “Gabachas,” with Joaquin Medina and Sheeno, secured his first top 10 placement on the Latin Pop Airplay chart, reaching No. 9 in June. “It was merely a studio session,” he says of the creative process. “We got together in Los Angeles and spent about four or five hours hammering out the beat, the lyrics and the melodies.”

His musical influences and the roots of his passion for Mexican music were shaped by his surroundings and personal experiences in Tijuana. “The music I fell in love with [I heard] at home and in the streets of Tijuana, listening to corridos,” Codiciado explained. He cites Los Tucanes de Tijuana as a big influence, and mentions being 14 years old when he wrote his first song. “It was a corrido that I did for a…. I mean, I didn’t know about cartels in those days, just what I heard on the street, but it was a corrido for someone from Sinaloa,” he mentions.

On his stage name, Codiciado — which means “coveted” or “sought-after” — he adds, “[Codiciado] is something you want to have, something that costs. I told my former bandmates that we had to live up to the name, which was to stick so that we were actually sought-after — something that costs money, unlike any local band.”

When it comes to his style — as an artist who might be mistaken as a rapper, but also with a fashion sense that one might associate with Natanael Cano and the new wave of corridos — Codiciado was also ahead of the curve, donning urban wear before it was a thing in música Mexicana.

“I had several disagreements with older colleagues, because they thought I was [dressing this way] to look out of place. Many took it as an offense, saying, ‘No, man, we’re the same, and you’re wearing durags, caps and sneakers, while we’re here with cowboy hats and boots,’” he recalls. “I did it because I come from Tijuana. Although my parents are from Sinaloa, my culture is more urban. In fact, when Nata later broke out — and several other new young artists — everyone tried to have that image. It was a big change for the genre.”

Beyond his music career, Codiciado has remained committed to giving back to the community. His collaboration with La Fundación UFW, a foundation started by activist Cesar Chávez, underscores his dedication.

“We as a society have to be a little bit more noble and empathize more with people who don’t have,” says the artist born Erick de Jesús Aragón, who began earning money working in the Southern California fields. “It’s always good to do our bit. Even the people who work in the fields or on the streets have feelings and many times they share what they have. So, I always try to encourage others to do the same. If you have 100 pesos, give 10, 20, nothing happens. I try to have those approaches, not only with the fields, but also with children and families.”

Name: Erick de Jesús Aragón Alcantar

Age: 31 

Recommended Song: “Vamos Aclarando Muchas Cosas”

Biggest Accomplishment: “My children. A four year old son and a ten year old daughter.”

What’s Next: “The second part of my Ando Enfocado Tour. [First] we are planning touring Mexico. The upcoming album is called No Lo Intenten En Casa, Vol. 2, because when I was with Grupo Codiciado, we did No Lo Intenten En Casa. That album contains corridos bélicos. We want to give continuity to volume two. I already have it recorded — I’m just working on the vocals so we can have it ready for November.”

27 Jun 2024

Mase Tells Story About the Time He Says Big L Almost Had Him Robbed

On the latest episode of It Is What It Is, Mase talked about the times he and his late friend and collaborator Big L were at odds.

Both hailing from Harlem, New York, the two rappers were in a group together called Children of the Corn formed around 1993, but prior to that, Big L was already getting buzz in NYC’s underground rap scene, ultimately releasing his solo debut Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous in 1995. However, the younger Mase signed with Bad Boy a year later in 1996 and became a huge mainstream star. This was when the rift started between the friends, according to Mase.

“This was when I first got on. Because, you know, before we got on L was the guy.” Adding, “He took us everywhere… to Bobbito and different places to rap, and then when I got on it was like the whole wave changed, like this is what it looks like when a n—a really get on. So, me and L would get into it.”

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Mase then continued by saying he noticed some similarities between himself and some of Big L’s rhyme schemes. “He start using a few of my lyrics, like different compounds that I was using,” he said. Adding, “That’s when you make two words rap at the same time, so I checked the n—a.”

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After saying the conversation wasn’t a productive one, Mase revealed he was later confronted by Fat Joe — who was in another rap crew D.I.T.C. with Big L — in popular nightclub The Tunnel. “I told L, ‘I’ll knock you out, n—a. You fakin’, n—a. You know I know you, n—a.’ God Bless [the dead],” he recalls while laughing. “He went and got Fat Joe on me, he went and got some Bronx n—as ’cause he couldn’t find nobody.” Adding, “Next thing I know I’m in The Tunnel and the n—a Fat Joe come up to me,” he says. “Then Joe see me and Joe’s like, ‘I ain’t doing nothing to that n—a. That’s Mase, that’s something y’all got going on.’”

Fat Joe confirmed this story on the podcast Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson last year.

The Harlem rapper then brings up a second time when the two friends started arguing over a woman. He said was hanging out with childhood friend Dallas Mavericks assistant coach God Shammgod in their old neighborhood when the two were confronted by a stick-up kid. Mase said he had just purchased his first Rolex and had it iced-out. “A Spanish n—a just run out of nowhere like, ‘Yo, give it up, give it up, n—a, I’mma kill both of y’all n—as.”

After stalling a bit, Mase said he took his watch off slowly, threw it by the tires of a car, and he and Shammgod fled the scene. Luckily, the cops were in the area and were able to nab the stick-up kid and found the watch.

However, Mase claims he started getting phone calls from friends that were in the same jail as the robber and eventually found out that Big L was behind the robbery. “N—as got crazy on the dude in jail and then they beat the n—a so bad, he told us who did it.”

With all that being said, Cam and Mase laughed the entire time and still consider Big L their “brother.”

The stories begin around the 50-minute mark. You can watch it here.