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07 Jun 2024

How A24 Is Building an Indie Music Empire, One Soundtrack At a Time

Jessica Berndt has worked in film/TV music for almost a decade, most recently as music supervisor with independent label Secretly Group. “I had a few items on [my] music supervision bucket list,” she says. “An A24 film was at the top.”

In 2021, that dream inched closer when A24 launched its own record label, A24 Music. The in-house entity partnered with Secretly Distribution to build its own catalog of musical intellectual property and ensure its releases appeared on streaming services and in record stores. While it’s rare for a film company to start its own label (excluding major conglomerates like Disney), A24 Music showed signs early on it could be the first successful independent filmmaker to bet on a label: To promote its 2016 Academy Award-winning best picture, Moonlight — which features an Oscar-nominated score by Nicholas Britell (Succession, The Big Short, If Beale Street Could Talk) — A24 hosted a live performance of its score in London.

Ever since, A24 has maintained a music focus across its projects, from 2021’s C’mon C’mon (scored by The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner) to the upcoming MaXXXine (starring Moses Sumney and Halsey). And in May, Berndt was able to cross off that No. 1 goal from her bucket list with the release of trans horror film I Saw the TV Glow, for which she was co-music supervisor alongside Secretly Group founder Chris Swanson.

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Like Moonlight and others before it, I Saw the TV Glow leaned heavily on its soundtrack as a marketing tool, using its roster of featured artists to drum up anticipation among its target demographic months before release. Featuring a score by Alex G and original songs by a slate of indie-rock staples including Caroline Polachek, Jay Som and a title track from Phoebe Bridgers and Sloppy Jane (both of whom make cameos in the movie), Berndt says a catchy new song can drive as much advance interest in a film as a well-edited trailer.

While star-powered soundtracks have experienced a revival in the last decade — including for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Black Panther, The Lion King and Barbie — no one has done it in the indie space quite like A24. The company has expanded its brand as a film company into a formidable and growing music catalog, as well as a meaningful merchandise business and podcast network.

It’s that very strategy that enticed Jen Malone to work with the company as music supervisor on the hit HBO show Euphoria, which was a turning point for series co-producer A24 as a music-focused outfit. “Music can often be an afterthought in TV and film,” Malone says. “In Euphoria, we decided at the top that music was going to be like a character in the show, and A24 supported that the whole way through.”

Euphoria spawned virality for a number of songs on its soundtrack and, in some cases, led to a streaming uptick of over 2,100%, according to Luminate, following a synch. Whether that was for Labrinth’s original score and songs for the show — two of which he and Euphoria star Zendaya performed at Coachella in 2023 (“All for Us” and “I’m Tired”) — or older licensed works like Gerry Rafferty’s “Right Down the Line,” Sinéad O’Connor’s “Drink Before the War” and DMX’s “Party Up,” Euphoria played a large role in igniting trends that would later perpetuate as popular sounds on TikTok.

A24 also creates extended Spotify playlists based on its soundtracks, as well as special-­edition vinyl records, both of which continue to strengthen viewers’ relationship with a film long after the lights come on in the theater. On A24’s website, hot pink I Saw the TV Glow vinyl is for sale next to a myriad of other superfan offerings, from coffee-table books and posters to oddities like Marcel the Shell figurines, Everything Everywhere All at Once hot dog fingers and Hereditary-themed gingerbread kits.

And now, just a few years in, A24 Music is rolling out its most ambitious project yet: a star-studded set titled Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to the Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense arriving in July. It follows A24 remastering and rereleasing the band’s 1984 classic concert film, Stop Making Sense, last year.

And everyone seemingly did get involved with the album, which is just as stacked with major stars like Lorde, Paramore and Miley Cyrus as it is with indie breakouts like The Linda Lindas and Blondshell. “I feel like there’s a real sense of play permeating the entire project,” says Evan Whikeheart, head of label and shared services at Secretly Distribution. “It was a real joy to hear how all these artists from different musical backgrounds came together to interpret these songs.”

Representatives close to A24 Music tell Billboard it’s still the early days of its exploration into music-focused programming but cite a desire to “attribute the success of A24 Music to all the incredible artists we work with.” (The company declined to be interviewed for the story.) Yet Talking Heads’ David Byrne says the A24 team is largely responsible for the tribute album’s success, saying that he was “absolutely hands off” with the process. “When I saw the list of artists who wanted to do it, I have to say I was pretty excited,” Byrne says. “I thought ‘Damn, this is going to be an amazing record.’

“It’s hard to imagine that yet another generation might connect with this film,” he continues. “We like to believe that life is short and art is long, but here, it is really happening.”

This story will appear in the June 8, 2024, issue of Billboard.

07 Jun 2024

Bun B Emotionally Addresses Armed Robber During Court Testimony

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Bun B and his wife, Queenie, were the victims of a 2019 home invasion that ended with the armed robber being shot and eventually arrested. Facing the robber in court this week, Bun B was rendered emotional after sharing that his wife is still suffering from the event.

Local outlet KTRK aired a report about Bun B testifying in court against the defendant, Demonte Jackson, an event that took five years to occur as Jackson reportedly struggled with mental health issues. After the Houston rapper and entrepreneur took the stand, he opened by stating to the defense how the 2019 incident was so horrifying that his wife never returned to the home.

From KTRK:

“This was an entirely new traumatizing incident,” Bun B said. “This is something we still deal with to this day.”

“There are times when she gets closed off. She can’t communicate, and I just get so angry all over again because she didn’t deserve this. She didn’t ask for this,” he continued, getting visibly emotional.

Bun B, real name Bernard Freeman, then began to detail how he eventually came to his wife’s aid after she warned him not to approach the robber from an upper-level room because she was fearful that Jackson would kill her. Jackson then made his way to the couple’s garage with Bun B opening fire and striking Jackson who then fled on foot but was later captured by the rapper.

The outlet added in its report that Queenie, real name Angela Walls, was also set to take the stand.

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Photo: Getty

07 Jun 2024

CMA Fest’s Thursday Night Nissan Stadium Shows: 5 Top Moments

The 51st annual CMA Fest launched on Thursday (June 6), with a cavalcade of artists performing on nearly a dozen outdoor and indoor stages in downtown Nashville. As the sun set, a swarm of festivalgoers — many sunburned and already having taken in hours of music that day — descended upon Nashville’s Nissan Stadium to see some of country music’s biggest artists of the moment perform their hits.

“Last year marked 50 years of CMA Fest, and the next 50 years start tonight,” Nashville, Tennessee mayor Freddie O’Connell told the crowd. Last year’s CMA Fest saw a reported 90,000 daily attendees from all 50 states, as well as more than 50 countries. CMA Fest also generated $74.7 million in estimated direct visitor spending, according to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. The yearly festival serves as a massive welcome party from Nashville to country music lovers, with an estimated 61 % of last year’s CMA Fest attendees being new to the festival, according to a survey from the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp.

The artists on the main stage Thursday night highlighted a patchwork of sonic framings, beginning with featured Cowboy Carter contributor and current America’s Got Talent contestant Reyna Roberts performing the national anthem — followed by performances from Craig Morgan, Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, Shaboozey, Thomas Rhett and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Nissan Stadium Platform stage featured Chapel Hart and Dylan Gossett.

Of course, it wouldn’t be CMA Fest without a few surprise guests — and the Thursday night lineup didn’t disappoint, as Post Malone made an appearance, performing with longtime country hitmaker Blake Shelton.

Here, we look at 5 top moments from CMA Fest’s Thursday night lineup:

07 Jun 2024

Roc Nation Launches Campaign to Help Underprivileged Student Secure $300 Million in Scholarships

Roc Nation has spearheaded plenty of philanthropic initiatives in the past, and Jay-Z’s company’s latest campaign hones in on improving youth education for students in Philadelphia.

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The Roc announced an initiative on Friday (June 7) that will assist students with about $300 million in scholarships. The funding will give underprivileged kids in grades K-12 the opportunity to attend prestigious private schools and various educational institutions across Philly.

Roc Nation will look to spread awareness by hosting events running daily from June 10 to June 21 throughout the greater Philadelphia area. Those in attendance will have the chance to learn more about the PASS program (Pennsylvania Award for Student Success), which is also known as Senate Bill 757.

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“We have enjoyed such a special connection with Philadelphians, so we’ve made it our mission to invest in the long-term success of the city’s changemakers,” said Roc Nation Managing Director of Philanthropy Dania Diaz in a statement. “Impact starts with the students and with awareness. We want to empower the youth and families with the knowledge to pursue their scholastic dreams, make their voices heard and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

Scholarship amounts for students vary depending on their age group and education level. Half-day kindergarteners will receive $2,500, K-8th graders get $5,000, while high schoolers can secure $10,000. Special needs children of any age will be eligible to collect $15,000 in scholarship funding. For a student to be able to receive a scholarship, their family cannot make more than 250 percent of the federal poverty threshold, which currently sits at $75,000 for families of four.

Hov and Roc Nation are no strangers to uplifting and connecting with the Philadelphia community throughout the years. The Roc previously hosted the annual Made In America festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and the REFORM Alliance has assisted in passing legislation to help citizens on parole or probation in Pennsylvania.

Find the Roc Nation information schedule for the program below.

  • June 10: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ Hunting Park
  • June 11: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ Olney-Feltonville
  • June 12: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ Brewerytown
  • June 13: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ Haddington
  • June 15: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ East Passyunk/South Philly
  • June 17: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ Hunting Park
  • June 18: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ Olney-Feltonville
  • June 19: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ East Passyunk/South Philly
  • June 20: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ Brewerytown
  • June 21: 12 p.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET @ Haddington

07 Jun 2024

Celine Dion Says Singing With Stiff Person Syndrome Feels Like ‘Somebody Is Strangling You’

In an upcoming primetime interview with the Today Show‘s Hoda Kotb, Celine Dion describes the agonizing pain she’s suffered while battling the rare neurological condition Stiff Person Syndrome. “It’s like somebody is strangling you,” Dion said in an excerpt of chat that aired on The Today Show on Friday morning (June 7), the first broadcast interview the singer has done since revealing her diagnosis in 2022. “It’s like somebody is pushing your larynx/pharynx this way [raises voice]. “It was like talking like that, and you cannot go high or lower. It gets into a spasm.”

In fact, Dion, 56, said, the spasms caused by the disorder can get so intense that they have caused painful physical injuries. “I have broken ribs at one point because sometimes when it’s very severe it can break some ribs as well,” she said.

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The rare disorder can cause uncontrolled muscle spasms that make it hard to move and it forced Dion to cancel her planned 2023 tour after her sister revealed that the singer had “no control” over her muscles. Her long road managing the disease is the subject of the upcoming documentary I Am: Celine Dion, which will debut on Prime Video on June 25.

In addition to affecting her voice, Dion said the muscle spasms and stiffness associated with Stiff Person Syndrome can migrate to other parts of her body, including her spine, feet and abdomen. “It feels like if I point my feet, they will stay in a (stuck position), or if I cook — because I love to cook — my fingers, my hands, will get in a position. It’s cramping but it’s in a position like you cannot unlock them.”

Dion told Kotb that she first began having difficulty controlling her voice after noticing symptoms in 2008, saying that initially she thought things would be “fine.” But when the muscle spasms and stiffness in her hands and feet became more prominent she realized something serious was happening with the disease that is chronic and progressive, but which can be managed with medication. “She’s on the fight of her life right now,” Kotb said in Friday morning’s preview.

In an interview with Vogue France in April, Dion said she has therapy five days a week to strengthen her voice and work on moving her joints, but she still doesn’t know if, or when, she’ll return to the stage. “I can’t answer that… Because for four years I’ve been saying to myself that I’m not going back, that I’m ready, that I’m not ready,” she told the magazine. “As things stand, I can’t stand here and say to you: ‘Yes, in four months.’”

The full interview will air as a primetime one-hour special on NBC on Tuesday (June 11) at 10 p.m. ET. Watch the preview of Kotb’s Dion sit-down below.

07 Jun 2024

How Myles Smith Turned a Working Demo Into a Hot 100 Hit: ‘There’s So Much Beauty in Imperfection’

When Myles Smith initially posted a teaser of what would become the soaring folk-pop hit “Stargazing” to his TikTok in early April, he had no idea what would become of it — both in terms of its overwhelming fan response, but more pressingly, how the then-still-unfinished preview would sound when it ultimately became a completed product.

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“As the song was gaining momentum, I was like, ‘Oh snap, I’m gonna have to finish this thing,’ ” Smith tells Billboard. A week after making that initial post, which featured him singing a stripped-down rendition of the song’s captivating hook over a simple acoustic guitar, Smith unveiled a studio demo of “Stargazing,” which he continued to use as a teaser — generating 80 million views across several videos — until its official release on May 10.

Soulful melodies, heartfelt lyrics and an online following of fans hungry for more made the perfect recipe for the 26-year-old Luton, England native’s debut on the Billboard charts. With 6.7 million official U.S. streams in its opening week, according to Luminate, the track became Smith’s first-ever Billboard Hot 100 entry at No. 77 on the chart dated May 26. And the song is continuing to heat up as summer rolls in — it reaches a new No. 51 high on this week’s list, boosting Smith into the top five on Billboard‘s Emerging Artists chart for the first time as well.

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As “Stargazing” continues to shine, Smith is taking it all in, without abandoning his go-to strategy: sharing glimpses of unfinished projects with fans along the way. In the past few weeks alone, Smith has already posted demos of the pop-infused folk ballad “Whispers” and the charming love song “Be Mine” to his TikTok. “It could be a ‘Stargazing’ part two,” he teases of the latter track. “You never know with these things. I was itching to get it out.”

Below, Smith opens up about the cosmic growth of “Stargazing,” balancing social media with mental health, his experience being on tour, his dream collaboration list and more.

Where did you get the idea for “Stargazing,” and how did it come together?

It was something that was birthed out of being with the people that I loved in a space that I loved. I was out in Malibu in L.A. [in January], my first time ever there, and distinctly different from where I grew up. I was with songwriter Jesse Fink and a songwriter-producer Peter Fenn, who I’ve collaborated with before. I just signed with my label [RCA Records], and I was like, “I want to write something that’s really warm, fun and happy.” I came up with the hook pretty instantaneously.

It was just us jumping around, about day five into writing — looking at each other with guitars and having the time of our lives. It came from the idea of the people that you love, the things that you love, always being present in your life, maybe in a way you don’t recognize or see. And then that coming into light later in the day, and that euphoric moment of realizing that. The whole song wasn’t finished on that day, but the embers of it definitely were. From the very moment that that melody was found, the warmth in the room was infectious.

Where did the “Stargazing” metaphor come from?

It jumped out of nowhere. It was getting late in Malibu, and we’re looking over at the ocean and the sun setting, and in that beautiful moment, I stood there and it was quite cathartic. I was like, “Damn, I’m doing the thing that I’ve really wanted to be doing while looking at this beautiful night sky setting.” We were like, “Oh snap, is this what it’s called?” We threw the word in and it found its life there.

How much did the initial recording change from the final product?

At the time, it was just really the hook and the bare bones of the verse and melody. I think that’s the exciting part of where we are now in music. Not everything has to be done, and not everything has to be perfect. In fact, the process of getting there was very much a reciprocal relationship between me and my fans. Watching them react to it, I was even more inspired to finish the song. We kept the bones of the demo in there, and we embellished it to bring it to studio standard. We wanted to not step too far away from the magic that had been created.

So when you posted that initial snippet on TikTok, you didn’t have the whole song done yet?

No, the whole song was not done by that point but it was something that we knew was special. “Solo” and “My Home” — my two songs before that — were a similar process. I just fell in love with the bare bones of the song. I’ve got this really itchy finger in which I can’t wait to put something out. I know for a lot of artists, it’s about putting out what’s perfect. But for me, there’s so much beauty in imperfection.

A big part of why I love the audience that I have is that they bear with me as I get through things and as I explore what something should sound like. Them being part of my creative process is integral to the music being what it is and to it connecting the way that it connects. I’m forever thankful to the feedback online. It really matters in that final mastering and finishing of any song that I make.

Has there been any reaction to its chart success from friends or family that stands out?

My mum was exactly like me, and was like, “Is this real? Are you being scammed?” [Laughs.] We got on FaceTime and I got about 50 texts from friends and family because my mum had gone mental on all the group chats. Especially here in the U.K., the reality of a U.K. artist being on the Billboard [charts] isn’t very big, so when you hear it, it does sound a little bit like a dream. Then it happened, and we were like, “Oh my word. We’re making waves across the pond.”

It’s so fulfilling and so inspiring, the fact that I’m able to do this, and follow so many great British artists. To have support across the water and feel like I have a home away from home has just been so humbling, and such a privilege of an experience. Charting on the Hot 100 has such a profound impact on an artist’s journey, to really gain confidence and validity in how they think and feel about their art and their music.

Do you have a favorite interaction or use of the song on TikTok?

The ones that really get me are the wedding ones. This is someone’s biggest day of their life to this point, potentially. And they’ve chosen my voice, a kid from a million miles away who grew up in a town that no one’s ever heard of, as their soundtrack. It stops me in my tracks every time that I see it, and it reminds me that the thing that we do as artists really does have an impact on people’s lives.

Sometimes on the internet, you can be so distracted by the things that don’t matter. When you’re pulled back into reality by those moments, it really amplifies the role of an artist — but also the beauty of the music industry and moving towards social media in a global perspective. I’m so lucky to be a part of a generation of artists who are doing that.

What is your current relationship with social media like?

My relationship is healthier than what it was. We naturally compare ourselves to people so much and look at people doing amazing things. For a long time, I took that as a reflection of what I wasn’t doing. That wasn’t great for me. But I started to use social media, for lack of a better word, in a more selfish way — like, “Hey, I want to use this as a tool to find my community, build relationships and network.” I started focusing on what was important to me, and it became such an incredible part of my artist journey.

Now I have a community that thinks, feels and expresses themselves in such similar ways and teaches me things about myself and the world that I didn’t know. I see it now as an opportunity to connect with people across the world.

You’re currently on tour in Europe. What’s that experience been like?

I did a mini-run of shows at the start of this year, and that was my first moment of bridging the gap between online and real life. It was such a surreal moment. Being on stage and being in cities I’ve never been and people singing lyrics back to me, it stopped me in my tracks every single night. This tour is that, just a little bit bigger. It’s still the exact same feeling. It feels like I’m living a dream. People ask me, “Is this normal yet?” For me, it’s not. I don’t ever want it to be normal.

The magic of living your dream and seeing it every night is what I think what music’s all about. To see people in real life, hear their stories and hardships and sing, laugh, cry in a room together is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I’ve loved every moment of this tour. I can’t wait to go to the States and run it back.

What’s next for you after tour?

After tour I will be taking… I’m lying. I’m not gonna be taking a break. I don’t have time to take a break! I’m going to be straight back in the studio, writing and recording more music. The part I love about what I do, and the part about working with the people I work with and the label that I now call home at RCA, is that they really support my vision of being able to put out music, and not always having to wait.

Who are some of your dream collaborators?

I’m a huge Mumford & Sons stan. I love Noah Kahan — I think what he does is just unbelievable. I can’t think of someone who’s a better songwriter at this current stage. Hozier is a GOAT of GOATs. But if I had to pick an all-time dream, it’d be Chris Martin. I will forever be a Coldplay stan.

A version of this story originally appeared in the June 1, 2024, issue of Billboard.

07 Jun 2024

Watch Brandy & Monica Make Surprise Cameos in Ariana Grande’s ‘The Boy Is Mine’ Music Video

Ariana Grande‘s claws come out in her new “The Boy Is Mine” music video, which arrived Friday morning (June 7) featuring surprise cameos from Brandy and Monica.

The visual begins with Grande watching a press conference introduced by TV news anchors played by Brandy and Monica, who sang the original 1998 hit “The Boy Is Mine” together. The iconic song spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the year it was released, and served as the clear inspiration for the “Into You” singer’s track of the same name.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande “the boy is mine”

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It then cuts to the mayor of their Gotham-esque city, portrayed by Penn Badgley, proposing a new idea for getting rid of the area’s rat infestation — rounding up stray cats and setting them loose on the vermin — which leads the singer to hatch a plan to transform herself into a sort of Cat Woman and sneak into his apartment.

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While there, she attempts to seduce him, ensnares him in a lasso and comes close to injecting him with love potion. Badgley, however, distracts her by removing her mask and staring sensuously into her eyes before throwing the potion against the wall.

Grande has been teasing the new video all week, and at one point fueled rumors that Badgley would be her male lead by posting a TikTok video of him dancing to “The Boy Is Mine.” The night before the visual dropped, she performed the sultry track on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she also opened up about her love for the Gossip Girl alum.

“I’ve been a fan of [him] my entire life,” she told Fallon. “It was just so amazing to work with him. I’m such a fan.”

“The Boy Is Mine” is the third single off Grande’s Billboard 200-topping album Eternal Sunshine, as well as its third track to get the music video treatment. She previously released a Paula Abdul-inspired, choreography-filled visual for lead single “Yes, And?,” which was followed by an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind tribute starring Evan Peters for “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).” Both tracks hit No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Watch Grande, Badgley, Brandy and Monica in “The Boy Is Mine” music video above.

07 Jun 2024

Oschino Believes Jay-Z Betrayed Beanie Sigel Over Attempted Murder Trial

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Fans of Roc-A-Fella Records should be familiar with the name Oschino, who spent time on the label as part of the State Property collective. Via a new interview, Oschino shared that he felt Jay-Z betrayed Beanie Sigel during a tough time for the Philadelphia star.

Oschino sat down with the SAY CHEESE! YouTube show to discuss his rise as a rapper, signing with Roc-A-Fella, auditioning for Jay-Z, and more. During the portion when he discussed his time under the Brooklyn mogul’s label, Oschino expressed disappointment in the honcho for not stepping up during Beanie Sigel’s attempted murder trial.

“I came to court for Beanie when he allegedly shot somebody,” Oschino Vasquez said. “JAY-Z got on the stand and they said, ‘Are you gonna be responsible for him if we let him go?’ Jay-Z said, ‘No.’ I was there. This ain’t hearsay; this was me in the courtroom.”

Vasquez went on to say that he was shocked that Jay-Z wouldn’t tell the court that he would step up and assist Beanie Sigel in his return to public life, stating that his time in jail raised him to view such matters differently.

He continued, “And nobody didn’t say nothing, nobody flinched. Mind you, I’m a jail n*gga so I’m looking around like, ‘Nobody not saying nothing?!’ Like it was normal.”

Check out Oschino’s interview speaking about the matter below.



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Photo: Getty

07 Jun 2024

Karol G Honored as 2024 Woman of the Year at Billboard’s Latin Women in Music Event

Karol G ended 2023 on the highest possible note: She became the first woman (and second artist ever) to top the Billboard 200 with an all-Spanish-language album (Mañana Será Bonito, the year’s fifth-most-streamed album on Spotify); the top female Latin artist on Billboard’s year-end charts (behind only Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma); and the winner of both urban album and album of the year at the Latin Grammy Awards in November — the first woman to win urban album of the year. 

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As a touring artist, she sold a staggering 925,000 tickets and grossed $155.3 million, making her the 11th-highest-grossing touring act of 2023, among all genres, according to Billboard Boxscore. 

Then came the encore. 

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During the first six months of 2024, Karol G was named Billboard’s Woman of the Year, her Mañana Será Bonito tour has grossed over $100 million and sold nearly 1 million tickets throughout Latin America — and on June 8, she will be recognized as Billboard’s Latin Woman of the Year at the Billboard Latin Women In Music gala taking place on the same date as the kickoff to her European arena tour. 

One could think that the numbers alone are the driver behind the award, and yes, they would be enough. But that’s not at the heart of Karol G’s selection. 

When, 18 months ago, the Colombian singer hit the road that took her to over 35 sold-out stadiums, she did so by taking a big risk and a huge leap of faith. She launched her own label, Bichota Records; launched her Con Cora Foundation; and opened offices for her company, Girl Power, in Medellín. She also made a point of inviting up-and-coming artists, mostly women, to perform on her tour. In February, she released a new single, “Contigo,” with Tiësto, an exploration into dance music that reached No. 3 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. 

Through it all, Karol is acutely aware that it doesn’t end here.  

“I feel very thankful and honored to receive this recognition that I accept with great responsibility and commitment,” she tells Billboard. “I thank all the women who have been part of this journey and I celebrate –in the most genuine way—women: their discipline, their commitment, their making this movement something so big, special and inspiring. Remember, we can’t allow anyone to destroy our extraordinary outlook on life and the opportunities it gives us. Nor can anyone else decide our value as a woman, as a person, as a professional. That value is yours to determine; it’s something you work for, it’s something you earn.”  

“No one else can decide our value as a woman, as a person, as a professional. That value is yours to determine; it’s something you work for, it’s something you earn.”  

Karol G

Billboard has spoken with Karol G many times over the past several years, closely documenting her career’s rise. This time, as we honor her as Latin Woman of the Year, we asked others in the industry to speak about her impact. 

ROMEO SANTOS, on having Karol G as a guest on “Obsesión” during Aventura’s 2021 Dodger Stadium show. “Despite Karol’s fame status, she’s down to earth, and her energy is always positive. She has expressed that it was an honor to participate onstage that night, but sincerely she made that occasion an unexpected epic experience for the fans. I’m proud of her success, and her name will go down in history as one of the very few Latin artists that can sell out stadiums. There ain’t too many of us.” 

BECKY G, on working with Karol G on their hit song “MAMII” and its aftermath. “What impacted me most about working with Karol was her willingness to give advice and lend a helping hand. There’s a preconceived notion that success comes overnight, but Karol and I have been hustling in this industry for over 10 years. It’s rare to find someone so open to sharing insights and discussing the obstacles she faced so others don’t have to, helping us continue breaking down barriers … Karol inviting me to perform in both our hometowns will forever be performances held in my heart so dearly. The rumble in the stadiums of Los Angeles and Medellín [Colombia] at our feet reminded me of the power we hold when we come together. Every soundcheck Karol held me by the hand and showed me the ropes, walking me through step by step of what to be prepared for and present for during our performances. Her and her amazing team are like family to me, and I love seeing them win.” 

“What impacted me most about working with Karol was her willingness to give advice and lend a helping hand.”

Becky G

OVY ON THE DRUMS, on producing Karol G and their longstanding friendship. “I’ve had the fortune of being her producer from the very beginning, and being able to connect musically and achieve everything we have, goes beyond music. We’re already family … Her discipline and consistency [continue to impact me]. She’s truly an unstoppable woman. For me, she has a superpower. When we create music together, she already knows what’s going to be her next single. She has an incredible vision when it comes to her project and knows exactly how she’s going to execute it. I think she’s a genius in that sense.” 

“She has an incredible vision when it comes to her project and knows exactly how she’s going to execute it. I think she’s a genius in that sense.” 

Ovy On The Drums

RYAN CASTRO, on collaborating with Karol G on “Una Noche En Medellín (Remix).” “[The track] is a very special song for me because it is a hit that was global and talks about the city where Karol and I grew up. I am very grateful to Karol, because when she took the opportunity to do the remix, she wanted me to participate because of the representation I give to ‘Medallo.’ What strikes me most about working with Karol G is the control she has of the stage and the fans when doing her shows. She is also a very organized person and everything she does has some meaning. [I remember] the first time I sang at her concert at the Medellín stadium. Not only did she invite me to her show, but she also called me onstage to sing my hit ‘Jordan’ with me. It was one of the most memorable moments, because she knew the words to my song.” 

MYRIAM HERNANDEZ, on sharing the stage with Karol G at the Viña del Mar Festival in 2023. “It’s one of the most beautiful experiences I had almost two years ago. It was very relevant and exciting. Two women, different musical genres and united in a single love song. [A] magical moment. Plus, we wanted to fulfill that dream. Karol impresses me because not only does she have this overflowing talent, but she is also very disciplined and doesn’t stop. She has endless energy and I love that she maintains her humility. Seven years ago, she herself sent me a video declaring that one day we would sing together, and it was achieved.” 

BAD GYAL, on recording and performing “Kármika” with Karol G. “Sharing the stage with Karol always makes me feel very comfortable; her team and her always treat me the best. An experience like that could put a lot of pressure on me – like being onstage with one of the biggest artists today – but they make me feel very calm and everything goes very easy. What has surprised me the most is that she’s very humble, she treats everyone so well and she has a very beautiful energy.” 

NATHY PELUSO, on performing and recording with Karol G. “She is very generous. She invited me to play in Buenos Aires, which means a lot to me. [It was] the first time we sang ‘Gato Malo,’ which is the song we’ve had together for years. She has a very gigantic show, very beautiful, very spectacular, and I also love her very much as a friend.” 

KALI UCHIS, on filming the video for “Labios Mordidos.” “I was pregnant and showing, but I wasn’t ready to announce my pregnancy. So I had to hide my stomach in the whole video. I was really shy about so many strangers seeing my belly, because I was still keeping that private, and it was making me uncomfortable … Then we did the music video. It was so sweet. Everybody, [Karol] and all the girls on site were so supportive and protective of me [about] any little thing that [could] happen. They were looking out for me. I felt very safe with all of them. It was probably the funnest music video I’ve ever shot because of that.” 

ELENA ROSE, on opening Karol G’s show in Venezuela. “There is a before and after, absolutely. More than for my career, it’s what it meant for my life. I was honored to be there and my heart was full to feel my beautiful country hug me and to feel supported and appreciated by such an amazing woman and artist as is Karol. Karol is a huge inspiration, personally more so for her humanity. She is a giver, a lover and a strong warrior. Our conversations are always meaningful, and the work we do together is very intentional. I admire her so much, and I feel unstoppable when I’m around her. I think that is what women should always do to each other — make each other stronger and more powerful. 

“Karol is a huge inspiration, personally more so for her humanity. She is a giver, a lover and a strong warrior.”

Elena Rose

“The second show in Venezuela was on my birthday. Karol and her team had my backstage room filled with balloons and flowers. She sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me before going onstage with her family and mine. I felt so full and loved. I hugged her mom and told her, ‘Thank you for giving birth and raising this amazing human being.’” 

“I was surprised by her simplicity, her humility, how hardworking she is, the love for her family and her fans. There are many things I identify with her, and I see her as a great role model to follow.” 

Dei V

DEI V, on working with Karol G on “Gatita Gangsta.” “Working with someone like ‘La Bichota’ is something that many artists dream of, and thank God, I had that privilege. Our collaboration changed my life. It marked a before and after in my career, and I will always be grateful to Karol for that. Singing with her onstage was epic. It was the first time that I performed in front of thousands and thousands of people. I was surprised by her simplicity, her humility, how hardworking she is, the love for her family and her fans. There are many things I identify with her, and I see her as a great role model to follow. 

NOAH ASSAD, Karol G’s manager, on her current success. “She was ready to build her own label, her own structure, her own team. She was already betting on herself without getting the gain. I’m very proud of the independence we were able to accomplish, but I’m very proud of how hard she worked during the pandemic, and being an artist that went from the pandemic to theaters to arenas to stadiums, all from 2020 to 2023, that’s just amazing. [Her global success] was overdue. It’s overdue for a woman to lead a genre. A lot of people identify with her in different ways. Being a human in her position is hard to come by. There are very few people that can do a stadium tour. I think people love her because she’s a genuine human being and she inspires people to be better every day.” 

SERVANDO Y FLORENTINO, on singing the hit “De Sol a Sol” with Karol G in Venezuela. “I would describe this moment as Epic and unprecedented. [We admire] her discipline, her disposition, her center, how well-focused she is. She understands the moment she is living in because she also built it herself with a wonderful team, and she does not leave the work that falls to her in the hands of others. She received us with a beautiful disposition; she sang with us, laughed, rehearsed everything, even though she had played a huge show the night before … We love that she returned to her roots and used that as a resource to revisit a song from her childhood and invite us [the creators] to sing it with her. We admire her; we know how hard she has worked with music and for it, and the love and emotion were reciprocal that night.” 

JULIA PERICAS ANTON, Karol G’s choreographer. “At the beginning of the tour, we prepared about 12 new choreographies in which both the dancers and Karol had to participate. We had several weeks of rehearsals and Karol was very clear about the concept with which she wanted to show herself to the public. As the tour has progressed, we have been adding new choreographies, always trying to improve it and raising the level of the production of the show, which is spectacular. 

“I really believe that Karol G is a unique artist, not only because of the natural talent that she has when getting onstage but because of the amount of preparation and work she does every day so that you can see her on that stage as confident as you see her. Working alongside her makes you realize that perfection does not exist, but she is going to be very close to that and she will do whatever it takes.” 

JESSICA GIRALDO, Karol G’s sister and co-manager. “These past 12 months have been a window of transformation and growth for Karol’s musical and professional project. What we’ve achieved is the sum of the efforts of a great team headed by Karol and which I’ve had the opportunity to structure and lead. 2023 and 2024 have been full of successes that contributed to the expansion of the project and have taken it to another level.” 

EDGAR BARRERA, on writing and producing for Karol G. “She is an artist that knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to experiment in the studio with different genres and styles. Working with Karol G is always a pleasure and a delight. She takes care of every detail and is just as passionate about music as I am, so I feel like that makes our time in the studio so much more enjoyable.” 

MIA NYGREN, GM, Latin America, Spotify. “When Karol made history by being the first Latina woman to be chosen as Woman of the Year by Billboard, she invited several women in the industry who had been part of making this a reality to accompany her at the ceremony. I was fortunate and honored to be one of them, and this also coincided with my own nomination, which made the experience very special.”

Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2024 gala airs Sunday, June 9, on the Telemundo network (8 p.m. ET and can also be streamed on Peacock and the Telemundo app.

Jessica Roiz, Griselda Flores, Ingrid Fajardo, Isabela Raygoza and Sigal Ratner-Arias contributed to this article.

Latin Women in Music, Mujeres Latinas en la Música

07 Jun 2024

Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024: How to Watch & All Honorees

The second annual Billboard Latin Women in Music is just around the corner. The two-hour music special — where superstars such as Karol G, Kali Uchis, Gloria Estefan and many more will be honored — is set to air exclusively on Telemundo on Sunday (June 9) at 9 p.m. ET.

The Billboard Latin Women in Music franchise recognizes the importance of Latin women in the music industry and honors those who have made a positive impact in the previous year. The honors bestowed in 2023 included Shakira as Woman of the Year, Ana Gabriel as Living Legend, Emilia as Rising Star, and Thalia as Global Powerhouse, among others.

Below, find everything you need to know about this year’s Billboard Latin Women in Music, including how to watch and a list of all the honorees and their respective awards:

Trending on Billboard

How to Watch

The Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 ceremony will air exclusively on Telemundo on Sunday (June 9) at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT, and will also be available on the Telemundo app and on Peacock.

Honorees

  • Karol G – Woman of the Year
  • Gloria Estefan – Legend Award
  • Ana Bárbara – Lifetime Achievement Award
  • La India – Pioneer Award
  • Kany García – Spirit of Change Award
  • Kali Uchis – Rising Star Award
  • Ángela Aguilar – Musical Dynasty Award
  • Camila Cabello – Global Impact Award

Performances

Several of the night’s honorees will perform on Sunday, and special collaborations will also take place with the likes of Puerto-Rican singer-songwriter GALE; producer, composer and pianist Sergio George; pianist Arthur Hanlon; Colombian singer-songwriter Juliana; and singer-songwriter Elena Rose.

Hosts and presenters

The show will be hosted by Mexican actress Jacqueline Bracamontes and will have Pedro Capó, Myrka Dellanos, Luis Figueroa, María José, Penélope Menchaca, Andrea Meza and Maripily Rivera among its presenters.