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07 May 2024

Bad Bunny & Kendall Jenner Enjoy Drinks Together at 2024 Met Gala Afterparty: See the Photo

Things are all good between Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner. After the 2024 Met Gala Monday (May 6), the Puerto Rican musician and model — who reportedly began dating last year before sparking breakup rumors in December — were all smiles while enjoying drinks together at an afterparty hosted by Carlos Nazario, Emily Ratajkowski, Francesco Risso, Paloma Elsesser, Raul Lopez and Renell Medra in New York City.

In a photo from the night, Jenner squeezes in next to the “Titi Me Pregunto” musician — who co-chaired this year’s gala alongside Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Lopez — on a couch with two other friends. She leans in to chat with Benito as they both appear to laugh, visibly smiling wide in the snap.

Both stars changed out of their red-carpet outfits for the party, with the 818 Tequila founder sporting a lacy white dress and Bunny looking dapper in a leathery black jacket. Earlier that night, Jenner had walked the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps in an archival Alexander McQueen design, while the three-time Grammy winner had worn a theatrical Maison Margiela creation by John Galliano.

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The gala comes about five months after reports emerged that the rumored couple had broken up, which Bunny seemingly went on to confirm in April with his Myke Towers collaboration, “Adivino.” “Our love story is beautiful and weird,” he sang on the track, as translated from Spanish by Genius. “I was faithful to your eyes and to your lips loyal/ But no, we’re not what we were/ You were one of my loves, I was just another of your exes.”

The song — which debuted at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 — dropped more than a year after he and Jenner were first spotted together at a Los Angeles restaurant in February 2023, after which they went to Coachella, attended a Lakers game, cuddled up at a Drake concert, vacationed in Idaho and had a number of other public sightings together over the next 10 months. They also attended last year’s Met Gala afterparty together.

See the photo of Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny hanging out at the Met Gala afterparty below.

07 May 2024

Luis ‘Lu’ Mota Joins Atlantic Records as Executive VP of A&R

Atlantic Records has hired veteran executive Luis “Lu” Mota as evp of A&R, the label announced on Tuesday (May 7). Mota, who’ll work out of Atlantic’s NYC headquarters and report to co-president of Black Music Lanre Gaba, arrives from Columbia Records where since 2018 he was instrumental in the signing and developing of hip-hop stars including Lil Tjay, Polo G and Joey Bada$$, among others.

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“Lu is one of the most promising A&R execs I’ve met in a long time,” said Gaba. “He has proven his ability to find and nurture talent while delivering hit records. Sharing Atlantic’s unwavering commitment to long-term artist development in black music, he’ll be key in helping us break new acts and deliver great music.”

Mota’s big wins while serving as svp of A&R at Sony Music’s Columbia imprint included A&Ring Lil Tjay’s “Calling My Phone,” which hit No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 2021, and two years earlier he pushed Polo G’s “Pop Out,” which reached No. 7 on Billboard’s Hi-Hop Songs chart. He is also credited with inking a deal between Columbia and Fivio Foreign whose 2022 debut album B.I.B.L.E. secured a Top 10 spot on the Billboard 200.

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Earlier in his career, Mota worked in A&R at 300 Entertainment. He also made back-to-back appearances in 2021/2022 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list.

“Atlantic has a rich history of getting in early and championing superstars from the ground up,” Mota said. “To now be a part of this dynamic and accomplished team is an honor. There’s so much undiscovered rising talent out there on the global music scene, and I’m looking forward to making my mark here.”

07 May 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Announces New Single ‘BOA’

With her upcoming Hot Girl Summer Tour looming, Megan Thee Stallion is preparing to enter her new era this Friday (May 10) with the release of her forthcoming single, “BOA.”

Megan unveiled the song’s cover art for her new single on Instagram on Tuesday (May 7), featuring her alongside a snake. This serpent, a symbol that has been a part of Megan’s journey since the start of the year, holds a special meaning to her ardent supporters. It first appeared in her Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Hiss” and later in her 2023 track ‘”Cobra.”

In April, Meg was the cover star for Women’s Health, where she spoke about her “rebirth” when exploring the next chapter of her career. “I was inspired to create this album about rebirth because I feel I am becoming a new person physically and mentally,” she said.

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Megan’s next album will mark the first since Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years following the 2020 case, which found the Canadian singer guilty of shooting the rapper multiple times in the feet during an argument in Hollywood.

“A lot of people didn’t treat me like I was human for a long time,” she told Women’s Health. “I feel like everybody was always used to me being the fun and happy party girl. I watched people build me up, tear me down, and be confused about their expectations of me. As a Black woman, as a darker Black woman, I also feel like people expect me to take the punches, take the beating, take the lashings, and handle it with grace. But I’m human.”

Megan’s first-ever headlining tour will kick off next Tuesday (May 14) in Minnesota, and GloRilla will accompany her as an opening act. The two recently collaborated on Glo’s latest single, “Wanna Be.”

Check out the cover art for “BOA” below.

07 May 2024

Peso Pluma Signs With CAA in All Areas

Mexican hitmaker Peso Pluma has signed with CAA in all areas.

The corridos singer has had a massive year leading regional Mexican music’s global movement, all while making history along the way. In 2023 alone, Peso Pluma entered 24 songs on the Hot 100, including the global smash hit “Ella Baila Sola,” his collaboration with Eslabon Armado.

His album Génesis — home to megahits like “Lady Gaga” and “Nueva Vida” — made history when it debuted and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, the highest ranking for a Mexican music album on the tally. It went on to win the Grammy for best música mexicana album (including tejano).

Following his riveting Coachella set, Peso is set to headline major festivals across the U.S. and Mexico, including Governors Ball, Sueños and Baja Beach Fest. Additionally, he’ll kick off his Live Nation-produced Éxodo Tour in the summer with more than 35 shows across United States.

His first reported Boxscore was an April 8, 2023 concert at the Toyota Center in Ontario, Calif., where he grossed $988K and sold more than 8,000 tickets, according to Billboard Boxscore. He finished the 2023 tracking period with two $2 million shows in Hidalgo, Texas, and Chula Vista, Calif. His 2023 run landed him at No. 47 in the all-genre Top 100 Tours, grossing a total of $48.8 million across 39 shows, according to Billboard‘s year-end Boxscore charts.

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CAA nabs Peso Pluma ahead of his second studio album, titled “Éxodo,” which is set to release this spring.

Peso is managed by George Prajin of Prajin Parlay.

07 May 2024

TikTok Sues to Overturn U.S. Law Forcing Sale or National Ban: ‘Obviously Unconstitutional’

TikTok and parent company ByteDance have filed a federal lawsuit aimed at overturning recently-passed legislation requiring the Chinese company to sell the popular app or face a national ban, arguing that it violates the First Amendment.

In a complaint filed Tuesday in D.C. federal court, TikTok and Byte Dance called the law an “unprecedented” and unconstitutional action aimed at “singling out” one company and “silencing” more than 170 million Americans who use TikTok.

“For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban,” lawyers for the two companies wrote. “There are good reasons why Congress has never before enacted a law like this.”

The lawsuit came just week after President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which requires that ByteDance either divest ownership of TikTok by Jan. 19 or face a national ban on the app. Proponents have argued that TikTok presents a national security threat because of its connections to the Chinese government and access to millions of Americans.

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In Tuesday’s complaint, TikTok argued that such national security concerns were not sufficient to override the First Amendment’s protections for free speech. The company’s attorneys said lawmakers had failed to “articulate any threat posed by TikTok” and had cited only “speculative concerns,” meaning they were making an “extraordinary and unconstitutional assertion of power” without clear reason.

“If Congress can do this, it can circumvent the First Amendment by invoking national security and ordering the publisher of any individual newspaper or website to sell to avoid being shut down,” TikTok’s lawyers wrote.

The new lawsuit came just days after TikTok – an increasingly influential part of the music industry ecosystem – reached an agreement with Universal Music Group to end a months-long standoff over rights to the music giant’s catalog.

In the new complaint, TikTok argued that it had already spent billions of dollars addressing the potential security risks cited by lawmakers, and had reached voluntary agreements with executive agencies like the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to safeguard user data and the integrity against foreign government influence.

“Congress tossed this tailored agreement aside, in favor of the politically expedient and punitive approach of targeting for disfavor one publisher and speaker,” TikTok’s attorneys wrote. “Congress must abide by the dictates of the Constitution even when it claims to be protecting against national security risk.”

TikTok has already had success in court over U.S. efforts to ban the app. Citing the First Amendment, a federal judge in 2020 blocked former President Donald J. Trump from carrying out an executive order barring TikTok from app stores. And last year, a federal judge in Montana overturned a law in that state banning the app, ruling that legislation not only violated free speech, but also encroached on federal authority to regulate foreign relations.

07 May 2024

After ‘American Idol,’ This Singer Is Moving to an Even Bigger Stage: Eurovision 2024

Nutsa Buzaladze received raves from the American Idol judges when she competed last year on season 21 of the long-running television talent series. Eliminated from the top 12 on April 30, 2023, the singer from the nation of Georgia didn’t sit still. This week she will perform on another televised song contest when she represents her country in the Eurovision Song Contest, which normally reaches a worldwide audience in the hundreds of millions.

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One year after interviewing Nutsa in Hollywood during her time on Idol, Billboard sat down with her again, this time in Malmö, Sweden, to talk about her life since then and what will be the biggest moment of her career so far.

When we talked last year in California, I suggested you sing for Georgia in Eurovision, and here you are. What have the last 12 months been like for you?

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First of all, American Idol was the biggest thing I’ve done in my life. They gave me an open door to new opportunities. Like Lionel [Richie] said to me, “It doesn’t matter what number, you’re a star.” American Idol was a starter for my international career. Being on Idol makes your life much easier because people look at you and say you’re the real deal. I have an agent in America and he had me perform the National Anthem at a Lakers game and a Dodgers game. I had an amazing summer living in Miami and was in the Hamptons for a weekend when a producer [with Georgia’s national broadcaster] called and said, “Nutsa, we are thinking of having you represent your country at Eurovision. When are you coming to Georgia?”

So you said yes to Eurovision?

I told them I only had one condition: I’m going to be involved with every little detail. And they said, “Yes, for sure. We want you to be at your best. We want you to sing the song that you love to sing.” So I had the freedom to be myself and not someone that they want me to be and that is the greatest thing they’ve done for me. And it’s coming from the director of the broadcast.

You’re singing “Firefighter” as the Georgian entry. Who found the song?

We had an open call. We received amazing songs, and we listened to all 300 of them. We had three favorites, and we chose one that I feel very confident in. “Firefighter” was from Darko Dimitrov, a Macedonian producer who has a lot of experience in Eurovision. The writer of the lyrics was Ada Skitka from Estonia. I really loved the song, but only the chorus. I flew from Miami to Macedonia, and we spent three days in the studio finishing the song. It was a very creative process.

What does representing Georgia in Eurovision mean to you?

I have loved my country ever since I was a very little girl. Because of my country’s history and our people, I want to make them proud. I want to show the world how great Georgia is and how many talented people we have. We are a very small nation and that makes me more motivated to put Georgia on the map everywhere I can. Because especially in America, they think that Georgia is a state.

You competed on Idol and now you’re competing again in Eurovision. What are your thoughts about the competition?

I don’t really think of it as a competition, to be honest. I do it for my career and I do it to become better and to have more experience, because all my life I wanted to have a career where you can go everywhere and sing everywhere. Not only in my country, but everywhere. I think big competitions give you the possibilities to be heard by millions and millions of people and that’s the main reason I’m doing it. I don’t like to compete with anybody. The only person I’m competing with always is myself, because I always want to do something bigger and better.

What was the main lesson you learned during your run on American Idol?

On American Idol, I realized that I had done hard work before, but Idol is the hardest work. I pushed myself to the limits. When I was in my hotel room, I cried because I was so exhausted from the emotions. By the time we were doing the live shows, it was better. I became friends with the contestants and then I became friends with the crew.

What are your plans for your career after Eurovision?

My new single is coming out on May 12. I shot a music video before flying to Malmö. The song is called “Mother’s Day” and I’m releasing it on Mother’s Day. It’s about my mom and she is in the music video with me. I’m sure a lot of people are going to cry because I love my mother very much and I wanted to have a song about her.

What else lies ahead?

There is other news I haven’t told anybody, so I’ve saved it for Billboard. I’ve been invited to audition for Broadway on May 11 [the same day as Eurovision]. So I need to go to New York as soon as possible for that.

Can you tell me for what show?

I don’t think they want me to. It’s a modern musical. The character that they want me to play is very near to who I am in real life and the voice of that character in the songs is my style.

Nutsa Buzaladze will sing “Firefighter” in the first semi-final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday (May 7) in Malmö, Sweden. The live broadcast can be seen in the U.S. on Peacock at 3 p.m. ET. If “Firefighter” is one of 10 songs from the 15 semi-final entries that qualifies for the grand final, she will perform the song again on Saturday (May 11). That four-hour show will be seen on Peacock, also at 3 p.m. ET.

07 May 2024

CeCe Winans Tops Gospel & Christian Album Charts With ‘More Than This,’ a ‘Joyful Collection of Songs’

CeCe Winans earns her 10th No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and her second on Top Christian Albums with the arrival of her live set More Than This on the tallies dated May 11.

The LP starts with 8,000 equivalent album units, including 5,000 in album sales, in the U.S. April 26-May 2, according to Luminate. It was recorded at Nashville’s Rocketown on Aug. 10, 2023.

Notably, the Detroit native has ruled Top Gospel Albums in five consecutive decades.

“I’m a firm believer that when you keep God at the center of everything, He will do the rest,” Winans says. “More Than This is a joyful collection of songs that focus on His faithfulness and greatness.”

The album follows Winans’ first live set, Believe for It: A Live Worship Experience, which started at No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums, and No. 3 on Top Christian Albums, in March 2021. She notches her eighth leader on the former chart without any other billed artists; she logged her first two No. 1s with Bebe Winans, her older brother: Heaven in 1989 and Different Lifestyles in 1991. She previously commanded Top Christian Albums with Throne Room in 2003.

Concurrently, the new album’s “That’s My King” becomes Winans’ third No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart and her third top 10 on Hot Christian Songs (18-7). It drew 1.7 million official U.S. streams, up 111%, and simultaneously crowns Gospel Streaming Songs, marking Winans’ first chart-topper. On Christian Airplay, it pushes 20-19 (1.6 million audience impressions, up 35%). On Gospel Airplay, it ranks at No. 26.

Notably, as genre barriers blur among numerous formats, Winans is one of a growing number of artists — alongside the likes of Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake, Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine, Tauren Wells and others — who are actively being promoted to both contemporary Christian and gospel radio.

Campbell’s ‘Love’ Leads Gospel Airplay

Erica Campbell rolls up her fourth solo Gospel Airplay leader, all earned consecutively, with “Do You Believe in Love?,” which she co-authored.

The Los Angeles-based artist is also the host of the nationallysyndicated radio show Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell.

Campbell – who is also half of duo Mary Mary with sister Trecina – previously topped Gospel Airplay on her own with “Feel Alright (Blessed)” for two weeks starting in July 2023; “Call,” with Jor’Dan Armstrong (two, December 2022); and “Positive” (three, August 2022).

Mary Mary boasts three Gospel Airplay No. 1s: as featured, with Le’Andria Johnson, on PJ Morton’s “All in His Plan” (one week, September 2020) and with “God in Me,” featuring Kierra “Kiki” Sheard (seven weeks, beginning in June 2009), and “Heaven” (15 weeks, beginning in June 2005).

07 May 2024

This $79 Target Bag Is the Perfect Beis Weekender Dupe

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Beis has developed a strong following not only for being a celebrity-founded brand, but for creating sleek and trendy luggage that’s durable and easy to take on a plane. Its luxurious design and spacious interiors have landed it a price range in the $100s, but that’s where this dupe comes in to provide practically the same look and benefits for less than the designer price tag.

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It’s no secret that quality carry-ons come at a higher price point, but Target is offering luggage deals that’ll give you enough space to pack all your travel necessities and then some. What caught our eye though, was a Target weekender bag that looks almost indiscernible from the Shay Mitchell brand’s viral bag.

The original Beis Weekender Bag is typically priced at $108+, but you can pickup Target’s version for only $80, which is basically a 26% off discount.

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Keep reading to shop the deal and the original Beis bag. Plus, learn more about why the Beis Weekender bag is so viral.

Open Story Signature Weekender Bag

Open Story’s Signature Weekender Bag comes in two colors — black or taupe — which you can mix and match to your luggage. The design has gathered a 4.7-star rating (out of five), with Target shoppers applauding how it “fits perfectly under the plane seat [even when] completely full.” The bag also comes with many pockets, including a main compartment that can fit 35L of items such as your clothes, as well as an interior zip compartment, padded laptop compartment, side slip pockets and an exterior zip pocket. Its versatile design enables it to go from a tote or duffle, while the built-in back slip can slide onto your carry-on handle to roll it from one place to another.

For those curious about the original style, it’s become popular for frequent travelers — especially for the bag’s standout bottom compartment, which can unzip to store shoes and toiletries, or for keeping your clothes separate.

Beis Weekender Bag

You can pick from nine shades ranging from neutral colors of beige, black and gray to statement colors such as pink, blue and green. The Weekender Bag is a functional carry-on, providing an easy-access tote opening and a trolley sleeve to attach to your rolling luggage to help keep your hands free.

The travel bag has earned a 4.8-star rating on the brand’s website from more than 12,000 reviews. Shoppers have praised its interior, with one person saying “it’s spacious, deep and functional.” In our experience, the compartment on the bottom of the bag is quite spacious too, and you’d be surprised just how much fits in this bag.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best travel deals, travel backpacks and shoes for travel.

07 May 2024

Which Musician Had Your Favorite Look at the 2024 Met Gala? Vote!

From Ariana Grande to Lana Del Rey, Usher to Sabrina Carpenter, dozens of stars gathered in New York City Monday (May 7) for the biggest American fashion event of the year, each one looking more show-stopping than the last.

This year’s Met Gala theme was particularly dramatic — “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” — and prompted guests to show up to the red carpet on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in floral gowns, creatively tailored suits and wearable sculptures falling under the “Garden of Time” dress code set by Anna Wintour and co-chairs Bad Bunny, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Hemsworth. Del Rey, for instance, showed up looking like a glamorous woodland nymph in custom Alexander McQueen, while Tyla dressed as a human hourglass in a Balmain outfit designed to look like it were made out of sand.

Meanwhile, Grande sported not one, but two gowns, walking the carpet in a mother-of-pearl dress by Loewe before performing a mini-concert during the gala in an ethereal Maison Margiela Artisanal costume. “had the honor and most special time performing at @metmuseum … working on this performance was an experience i will cherish forever,” she later wrote on Instagram.

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The gala also featured a celebration of the Met Museum’s new exhibit, which is also titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” Every year, the event raises funds for the museum’s costume institute and coincides with the annual premiere of a new fashion exhibit on the grounds.

And while there were almost too many fabulous looks to choose from — Lizzo, Cardi B, Lil Nas X, Stray Kids, the list goes on and on — Billboard wants to know which was your favorite. Whose style were you rocking with the most at the 2024 Met Gala? Check out our gallery of red carpet photos from this year’s showcase and cast your vote below.

07 May 2024

Cardi B & The Best (& Worst) Dressed Hip-Hop Heads At The 2024 Met Gala

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The much anticipated 2024 Met Gala, ahem, the 2024 Costume Institute Benefit went down on Monday, May 6 and per usual the red carpet was the real show. Plenty of Hip-Hop heads, and the adjacent, were in the building, with both the extremes of fire fits and attire choices that will make you question the true intentions of their stylist.

The 2024 Met Gala’s theme was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” along with a dress code that entailed “The Garden of Time,” which is inspired by a short story by English novelist JG Ballard.

That’s all good, but we’re just here to judge the fits. Check out some of the best and worst dressed attendees—including Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Queen Latifah, Doja Cat and more—at the 2024 Met Gala in the gallery.