djfrosty

‘Mario vs. Donkey Kong’ Is Here: How to Buy the Game Online

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.

Nintendo has remastered the classic Game Boy Advance game Mario vs. Donkey Kong to celebrate the title’s 20th anniversary.

Exclusively for Nintendo Switch, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is priced at $49.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target. After Donkey Kong steals all of the Mini-Mario toys, Mario has to get them all back in a this classic puzzle/platformer game with more than 130 levels of gameplay.

And if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order now and get the game delivered to your home in less than two days, thanks to Prime Delivery.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video and Prime Gaming; fast same-, next-, or two-day free shipping; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day and Black Friday — and more.

Trending on Billboard

Nintendo

‘Mario vs. Donkey Kong’

$49.94

$49.99

$49.94

$49.99

The Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake has new and improved graphics that are vivid and contemporary, while audio is full, robust and crystal clear. It’s specifically designed for the Nintendo Switch, which is a huge step up from the handheld Game Boy Advance.

Meanwhile, it also has some new gameplay features, such as local co-op multiplayer, new worlds and levels, new mechanics and more.

Released back in 2004, Mario vs. Donkey Kong was very influential, as it paved the way for more puzzle-platformer games, such as the March of the Minis! and Tipping Stars.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch is available at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target for $49.99. In the meantime, watch an overview trailer for the game, below.



Want more deals? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox dealsstudio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

New Music Latin: Listen to Releases From Greeicy, Prince Royce & More

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Prince Royce, Llamada Perdida (Sony Music Latin/Smiling Prince Music)

A lot has happened in Prince Royce’s life since his last studio album, Alter Ego (2020). After the pandemic derailed his promotion and touring plans for that set, the bachata star also went through a divorce in 2022, following a 12-year relationship. Now he presents his most personal work to date in Llamada Perdida, “a celebration of overcoming obstacles, especially in love, [which] represents the end of a life chapter as well as the acceptance of a new beginning,” as described in a press release.

With 23 mostly bachata tracks, but also fusions with uptempo/disco (“Morfina” with Paloma Mami), regional Mexican (“Cosas de la Peda” with Gabito Ballesteros”), merengue (“Matar el Sentimiento”), urbani (“¿Cómo Salimos de Este Lío?” with Lenny Tavárez) and more, Llamada Perdida — Spanish for “Lost Call” — takes us on a fascinating roller coaster of emotions. It is heartbreaking in “Un Papel,” which speaks directly about the pain of the separation (or in “Frío en el Infierno,” about letting go of the loved one), funny in “Los Lambones,” and hopeful in “La Vida Te Hace Más Fuerte.”

Trending on Billboard

Royce’s eclectic group of guests includes stars such as Nicky Jam and Jay Wheeler, on the delicious bachata “Si Te Preguntan…“; Maria Becerra on “Te Espero” (with a surprising lift of Cutting Crew’s 1987 Billboard Hot 100-topper “(I Just) Died in Your Arms”) and El Alfa on “Le Doy 20 Mil”, but also less-predictable names like New York rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie (“Boogie Chata”), Dominicans Ala Jaza (“Sufro”) and Luis Miguel del Amargue (“Anestesiada”).

“I think the overall concept of the album is the form of communication,” Royce told Billboard Español when explaining why he chose its title. “If you make the call, [with] that decision, something can happen. If you don’t take it. If he says something; if you don’t. If you send a text while drunk; if you don’t send it.” It is, all in all, a charming and deeply honest set that will make you dance and reflect. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Pepe Aguilar, “Hasta que me duermo” (Equinoccio Records)



Pepe Aguilar has always lived between two worlds: The ranchera music he carries in his veins, and the pop/rock he loves to play. In “Hasta que me duermo,” (penned by Pablo Preciado) from his upcoming album, Aguilar brings the two currents together, sonically and visually. An emotional ballad, it kicks off to the strains of electric guitar, with Aguilar –dressed in black leather– playing the instrument in the video, before he transforms into full ranchero regalia to the strains of trumpet. The two sounds and looks intertwine throughout the song –which is no easy task to accomplish seamlessly– but the real star here are the immediately memorable melody and the lyrics (“In my house, everything is the same, to be honest; I can’t even push you out with someone else’s kisses”).  This is fine pop, romantic but contemporary. — LEILA COBO

Greeicy, Yeliana (Universal Music Latino)

Greeicy has given birth to her third studio album Yeliana — one she’s been working on since her pregnancy in 2022. Home to nine tracks, the conceptual set tells the story of Yeliana (Greeicy’s second name), “a single mother working to fulfill her career goals while battling challenges such as an unexpected pregnancy and relationship troubles,” and it “represents all those who are fighting to be good mothers while pursuing their dreams and overcoming obstacles,” explains an official press statement. On an even more personal level, the album finds the Colombian artist co-writing her own music for the first time — closing track “De a Poco” is the perfect example, where she pens potent lyrics of resilience, self-worth, and optimism following a toxic relationship.

In Yeliana, Greeicy fuses her distinct Latin pop sound with other rhythms, as heard in her Danny Ocean-assisted “Zha,” a sultry electro-urban fusion that references a sensual connection between two people whose bodies want “zha, zha, zha.” “I know you have a super power/you can tell that you know how to move/come get close to my body to see,” the Venezuelan artist kicks off in his raspy tone. “Your body and mine, it’s so good, I don’t want it to stop,” Greeicy sings back in the only collab on the set. Other notable tracks on the album include “Lokita,” “Vete,” and “Química.” — JESSICA ROIZ

Farruko, “Rasta Reggae (Jamming)” (Island Records/UMG)



In his contribution to the soundtrack for Bob Marley: One Love, Farruko pays tribute to the reggae legend with a fresh take on Marley’s 1977 hit “Jamming.” Known for his tropical flair and dancehall nuances, the Puerto Rican hitmaker merges reggae with Latin beats and cultural nods in a way that both honors the original’s influence and highlights his own identity and Caribbean roots. He is also the only artist featured on the soundtrack who was tasked with reimagining one of Marley’s hits, and he does so with aplomb. A masterful blend of tropical zest and Latin rhythms, Farruko diverges from the original’s pure reggae essence to introduce a swaggering track, with rich references to Latin culture and idyllic settings (“Flow caribe debajo ‘e la palmera”). Midway through the song, it adopts a dubbier tone, with Farruko rapping over the intensified reverb.

“When the opportunity was presented to me, I chose ‘Jammin’’ because it is one of my favorite songs from Bob. I knew this was the one,” says Farruko in a statement “The process was incredible, because I got to sample his vocals in a song I was on. It was a wow moment for me, like if I actually recorded with the Bob Marley! It was an honor to take part and that this film will show he was more than a leader, he was a prophet, someone who forever changed the music culture and who made it a priority to fight for human rights and peace and equality. I very much identify with him.  He has always inspired me and we share something else so special, that island culture, it’s in our blood.” — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Grupo Frontera, “Quédate Bebé” (Grupo Frontera)



Thriving on Grupo Frontera’s signature norteño style, “Quédate Bebé” is a new anthem-in-the-making for broken hearts. The lyrics are all too relatable, and for that we can thank songwriters Edgar Barrera and Keityn (plus Benny Blanco, who is also listed in the credits) who’ve continuously delivered songs that immediately strike a chord. In the song, Payo — the band’s lead singer — emotionally and evocatively sings about begging his bebé not to leave (and if she decides to leave, to take him with her). “There they are the tickets I bought for New York, the Post Malone concert tickets/ We were going to Japan, kiss on a balcony in Paris/ And Karol G has a new song, let’s dance to it/ Don’t leave, stay,” he sings with pathos as the cumbia builds up to a hip-swiveling release. — GRISELDA FLORES

Gaby Moreno, Dusk (Gaby Moreno/Cosmica Artists)

Singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno, the recent Grammy winner for best Latin pop album with her X Mí (Vol. 1), continues to showcase her musicianship in her new album Dusk. The 10-song collection is a collision of the best of the American and Latin American worlds — not only combining English and Spanish but also fusing the folklore of both, walking between country music, blues, rock and Latin folk. “I want this to be my introduction to the Americana world, which is something that I’ve been trying to do for as long as I’ve been releasing albums,” Moreno says in a statement. “I’m a Latin artist, a bilingual artist, and there’s not a ton of representation in that department” she adds.

Co-produced alongside Nashville’s Dan Knobler, Dusk opens with the introspective “Let it Fade,” setting the tone for the musical journey. It includes Old West-tinged tracks like “New Dawn” and “A Song in My Heart,” where heartfelt rhythmic guitars create an optimistic anthem for life. The album further explores the rock’n’roll realm with dynamic pieces like “Solid Ground” and the whimsical “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” while paying homage to the blues tradition with the timeless “Ain’t That The Way It Goes.” The melancholy melody of “Rainy Season” captivates, leading to a triumphant conclusion with the romantic finale, “Dance the Night Away.” “El Saber” (Dusk Version) is also part of the soundtrack to the film Radical, starring Eugenio Derbez. Dusk stands as a testament to Moreno’s artistic versatility, while pushing the boundaries for Latin representation in the anglo music industry. — LUISA CALLE

Listen to more editor’s Latin recommendations in the playlist below:

Big Ol Freak: Hulu’s FreakNik Doc Gets An Official Release Date

HipHopWired Featured Video

Freaknik

Source: Hulu / hulu

One year after shaking the tables in Black middle-aged households across the country, Hulu’s highly anticipated documentary, Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, will finally make its debut.

According to a video announcement made by Jermaine Dupri, via Instagram Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, will make its official debut during SXSW 2024 (March 8 – 16).

“This is something that a lot of y’all have been asking about,” he said in the video. “Freaknik — what’s up with Freaknik? So here we go.” Dupri then read off an email he received from Hulu saying the documentary would premiere at the world-renowned film and television festival.

Following Dupri’s unveiling, Hulu dropped the official announcement during Super Bowl weekend, revealing that the wider release would happen on March 21.

According to Deadline, Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, is telling the legendary stories about the iconic Atlanta street party that drew hundreds of thousands of people in the ’80s and ’90s, celebrating the legacy of the event that solidified Black spring break and helped put Atlanta on the cultural map. Executive Produced by Luke Campbell, Jermaine Dupri and 21 Savage, and crafted by Mass Appeal and Swirl Films, the documentary features appearances by 21 Savage, Lil Jon, Killer Mike, Jalen Rose, Too $hort, Shanti Das, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Erick Sermon, CeeLo Green, Rico Wade, Kenny Burns and more.

As previously reported, the streaming giant went viral after announcing it was dropping a documentary about the HBCU-focused annual Atlanta spring break event from the 1980s and 1990s, after concerns from former attendees–now with their college-aged children–were worried about archival footage of them in compromised positions coming to light. Freaknik, which started as a modest HBCU picnic in 1983 and spent 15 years morphing into the quintessential Black Spring Break, was a cultural touchstone that many participants would rather leave in the time capsule, opening the door for the documentary to face lawsuits from women and men worried that their college-aged shenanigans would be presented to the world. Director P. Frank Williams assured those worried it would be a celebratory reflection of the era versus salacious.



Bow Wow Opens Up About His Lean Addiction: ‘I Was Losing My F–king Mind’

Bow Wow has opened up about his former lean addiction, which led to him being hospitalized at one point.

Lean, according to the National Institutes of Health, is a combination of codeine and promethazine that is also known as “sizzurp.”

The Like Mike star recently appeared on The Art of Dialogue, where he opened up about his addiction and what forced him to eventually get clean after seeing the stranglehold lean had on his life circa 2007.

“I was sipping lean,” he said. “I was sipping so much syrup. I said this after Mac Miller died. I spoke on this s–t. I was drinking that s–t like crazy. If you go back and watch The Road to Platinum series on BET, you’ll see so many white Styrofoam cups. I was losing my f–ing mind. That lean s–t had me f—ed up. I was just always irritated.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Bow Wow reached a point of no return and knew something had to change after collapsing on stage one night while touring with Chris Brown.

“We were on our tour, I was co-headlining with Chris Brown, and the opening night was in Cincinnati and when I got off stage, I collapsed,” he recalled. “I went straight to Cincinnati University Hospital. My stomach was so f–ked up that I ended up going back home to Atlanta after the first show.”

Trending on Billboard

Bow continued: “I’m sitting in the hospital not knowing what the f–k going on, and I get back home and the s–t gets worse. I’m throwing up, I’m shivering in the bed, I’m sweating, I’m going through it. I didn’t know I was having withdrawals. That’s how much lean I was consuming.”

He credited his former publicist for making up an excuse of dehydration for the reason behind him dropping out of the tour when it was really because of lean.

“I had the best publicist ever, Pattie Webster,” he added. “She put out a press release [saying I dropped out] for dehydration. Wasn’t no dehydration — I was f—ed up off lean … That’s just good PR. We didn’t want the world to know that 18, 19-year-old Bow was heavy on the drank.”

Bow Wow and Soulja Boy ruminated about their days pouring up “Lean” on a track from their 2016 joint project Ignorant S–t, named after the “purple drank.” “This my first time f–king with that DJ Screw/ I can’t even stay awake, that’s what that lean will do/ Pour it out that baby bottle right into that juice/ If I take another sip of it, I am through,” Bow raps.

Watch the clip of Bow Wow detailing his lean addiction below.



If you or anyone you know is struggling with substance abuse, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for free and confidential support 24/7. You can also call the national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Former Def Jam Exec Drew Dixon Sues Russell Simmons

HipHopWired Featured Video

IndieWire Sundance Studio presented by Dropbox, Day 3, Sundance Film Festival, Park City, USA - 26 Jan 2020

Source: IndieWire / Getty

Drew Dixon, a former Def Jam executive, is suing Russell Simmons for defamation related to remarks he made on a podcast.

Two days after being hit with a lawsuit alleging sexual assault, Russell Simmons is being sued again – this time by Drew Dixon, a former A&R  executive at Def Jam Records. The suit, which was filed in New York City on Thursday (February 15), contends that Simmons made comments in a  “concerted and malicious campaign to discredit” Dixon to discount her previous allegations of him committing sexual assault against her. The comments come from an interview of Simmons on the In Depth With Graham Besinger podcast last December where he claimed there were different definitions of rape and harassment, saying:  “Yeah, [rape is] a serious word, but I think they’ve changed the meaning.”

The legal filing says that the Def Jam Records co-founder “has gone on a concerted and malicious campaign to discredit Ms. Dixon and to so damage her reputation” to the point where Dixon’s previous allegations wouldn’t be seen as credible. “He has continued in his campaign to discredit Ms. Dixon, referring to the ‘main accuser’ from On the Record and calling her a liar for making the account of the assault public—defamation that started in December 2019 has continued until today,” Kenya Davis, a lawyer representing Dixon, wrote in the suit. Dixon was one of the main subjects of the documentary. Simmons would claim that Winfrey pulled her name from the documentary at his request. “This defamation has reached all the way up the ladder to the pinnacle of the leadership circle, not only including Ms. Winfrey, but other founding board members of Time’s Up, including some of our nation’s most powerful women spanning industries from business to politics to entertainment,” Davis also wrote. The lawsuit is seeking punitive and compensatory damages.

Drew Dixon, who had worked at Def Jam from 1993 until 1995, first came forward with her claim of Simmons assaulting her along with two other women to the New York Times in 2017. She alleges that she constantly fought off Simmons’ aggressive sexual advances while at Def Jam which led to him pinning her to a bed in his apartment in 1995 and sexually assaulting her. Simmons has disputed those claims. 20 women in total have since come forward to accuse the 66-year-old of sexual misconduct. 

Hayley Williams Slams Tennessee GOP’s ‘Blatant Racism’ for Rejecting Resolution Honoring Allison Russell

Hayley Williams is calling out Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives after a lawmaker blocked a resolution honoring Allison Russell‘s Grammy win while allowing a similar resolution honoring Paramore to pass.

In a Friday (Feb. 16) statement to local newspaper The Tennesseean, the frontwoman wrote, “Allison Russell is an incredibly talented musician and songwriter” whose music “spans genres with strong ties to the Folk/Americana scenes.” “You might have seen her on the Grammy stage performing with the great Joni Mitchell,” she continued.

Williams went on to address what she sees as the crux of the issue: racism, particularly on the part of House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison. His Feb. 12 objection to the decree honoring Russell’s 2024 best American roots performance win pushed the resolution back to committee, a move seen as “a death knell for resolutions, though it technically could be brought back to the House for another vote,” explains The Tennesseean. Meanwhile, Faison had no qualms with passing a resolution celebrating Paramore’s best rock album and best alternative music performance wins.

Trending on Billboard

“Oh, she is also Black,” wrote the “Still Into You” singer of Russell. “She’s a brilliant Black woman. The blatant racism of our state leadership is embarrassing and cruel.”

Paramore and Russell took home their respective awards at the Grammys ceremony on Feb. 4. The resolutions honoring both acts were put forth by Democratic Rep. Justin Jones, whom Williams personally thanked for his “steadfast commitment to [his] community” in her statement.

“Thank you to Allison Russell for using your voice and artistry to band people together, not tear them apart,” she concluded, congratulating the “Nightflyer” singer on her Grammy success. The Good Dye Young founder also shared a link to her statement on Instagram Stories and wrote, “Paramore will not accept any acknowledgement or honor from the TN House until Allison Russell is given the same recognition.”

Russell also previously responded after Jones slammed Faison on X for nixing the resolution. “That the TN GOP blocked it, I take as a compliment,” she wrote at the time. “Their bigotry, sadly, is on relentless display. We have a chance this year to make a real change in TN.”

‘X-Men ’97’ Disney+ Animated Series Drops First Trailer

HipHopWired Featured Video

X-Men '97

Source: Marvel / Disney+

The Marvel Cinematic Universe might be struggling in popularity at the moment (Deadpool & Wolverine has the potential to change that come this summer). But Disney sure does have comic book fans in a frenzy over their upcoming series and shows and had the internet buzzing when they dropped the first trailer to the highly anticipated X-Men ’97.

Decades after FOX’s X-Men went off the air, Disney+ is bringing back the beloved animated series and picking up where it left off in 1997 when Professor X bid farewell to his mutant family in the series finale. With Cyclops at the helm of the team, the OG X-Men team of Wolverine, Storm, Gambit, Rogue, Beast, Jean Grey and Jubilee will continue to take the fight to any and everyone who poses a threat to the world. Though no villains other than the Sentinel’s were shown, you can bet your bottom dollar that some of your favorite mutant baddies such as Apocalypse, Sabretooth, and Mr. Sinister will pop up throughout the series.

Featuring old school animation and the original score that 80’s babies grew to love on Saturday mornings, the new trailer promises to take us back to a time when a dollar could fetch you a bag of chips, a quarter juice and a Phillies blunt. We. Can’t. Wait.

X-Men ’97 is set to hit Disney+ on March 20. Will you be tuning in? Let us know in the comments section below.



In Canada: Sidhu Moose Wala Scores Posthumous Hit and Hollerado Reunite for Tokyo Police Club Farewell Gigs

On this week’s Billboard Canadian Hot 100, the late Punjabi music sensation Sidhu Moose Wala debuts in the top 10, with posthumous single “Drippy.” 

The hard-hitting track finds Moose Wala and Canadian rapper AR Paisley trading verses — the former in Punjabi, the latter in English — over an ominous trap beat from producer MXRCI. “Stop playing these games / cause out in these streets s–t could get pricey,” raps Paisley, “could cost you your life / so don’t take that lightly.”

The song arrives nearly two years after Moose Wala’s 2022 murder in Mansa, India. The artist moved to Brampton in 2016 and quickly rose to prominence in the Punjabi rap scene, eventually starting his own label and moving back to India, where he became involved in politics. His shocking death came right before a planned eight-date Canadian tour, during which he was booked to play Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum.

Trending on Billboard

Moose Wala has previously had 13 charting songs on the Canadian Hot 100, with several landing after his death — but has never cracked the top 10 before. As Punjabi music becomes a major force in Canada, he leaves behind a significant legacy, evident in the strong support for singles like “Drippy.” His influence also shows in artists like Paisley, who’s signed to 91 North, the joint label between Warner Music Canada and Warner Music India to promote South Asian music worldwide. – Rosie Long Decter

Canadian Indie Rock Band Hollerado Reunite as Tokyo Police Club Break Up

It’s been five years since Canadian indie group Hollerado called it quits. But they’re getting the band back together in order to send-off fellow indie rockers Tokyo Police Club, who are playing their final shows this November. Hollerado will open for Tokyo Police Club at two of their four dates at Toronto’s History.

The shows mark a full circle moment for both bands, who came up around the same time in the late 2000s Canadian indie scene. Tokyo Police Club opened for Hollerado at their final shows in 2019. “When they told us that it was their turn to hang up the skates, and asked if we would come out of retirement to join em,” the band wrote on Instagram, “of course we said YES.”

Hollerado had a gold record with 2010’s “Juliette,” off the Ottawa band’s debut album Record in a Bag. The band also hit No. 42 on Billboard‘s Canada Rock chart in 2019 with “One Last Time.” Since breaking up, members have focused on other projects and ventures, like popular label Royal Mountain Records, helmed by the band’s frontman Menno Versteeg.

Now, they’ll be joining their friends in Tokyo Police Club one last time, to give the Newmarket, Ontario band a proper goodbye. Tokyo Police Club were one of the biggest breakouts of Canada’s indie rock wave in the 2000s, playing Coachella and Letterman. The success of their 2006 EP A Lesson in Crime helped inspire guitar bands across the country. In 2010, they spoke with Billboard about the sessions for their sophomore album, Champ.

Guitar music has gone through a whole cycle of falling out of style and coming back in since 2010, its forms evolving and expanding along the way. If Tokyo Police Club hasn’t had as big a profile in recent years, there’s clearly still a lot of love for the band: three out of four of their farewell shows have already sold out. The last one, on Nov. 26, still has a few available here– Rosie Long Decter

Canadian Music Appointments and Signings

Quebec City-based country singer and songwriter Alison Daniels has signed on with 604 Records with her debut “Who, What, Where, When, Why?” released Feb. 9 via Warner Music Canada.

Victoria-based musician Michael Kaeshammer has just announced the release date for his new album and a new worldwide deal with Seven.One Starwatch/Sony Music Germany. He recently wrapped up what is described as SRO tours in China and Germany and heads back to Germany in May for a theatre tour. He recently signed a touring deal with German event promoter MMP/Starwatch. Meanwhile, Kaeshammer’s Kitchen, his television show fusing music with cooking, has been renewed for its second season, airing on Yes and CHEK stations.

Secret City Records has named Magali Ould as GM. A former independent publicist, she joined in 2011 and has held various positions with the Montreal-based music company since. In naming her to the role, president/CEO Justin West stated: “Secret City’s tremendous growth, as well as the accelerated pace of the changing market, both bring new challenges and opportunities and drive the need for additional management infrastructure to ensure the relevant parts of the organization continue to function at the highest level. The General Manager role addresses that need and will help unlock our potential for future growth and expansion.”

Quebec rapper Lost has been named as a participant in YouTube’s FIFTY DEEP Music Class of 2024, a grants program that champions and provides support for Black artists, songwriters and producers in the hip-hop arena. The class is comprised of 27 global artists, songwriters, and producers from the U.S., Brazil, Sub-Saharan Africa, Canada and beyond. Read more about FIFTY DEEP here. – David Farrell & Kerry Doole

Last Week In Canada: This Unsung Canadian Cleaned Up at the Grammys

Beyoncé Makes Her Country Radio Chart Debut With ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’

Pop and R&B/hip-hop superstar Beyoncé made a surprise announcement during Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, releasing two tracks noticeably different in sound from the bulk of her catalog: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”

The former is officially being promoted to country radio, as announced in a Columbia Nashville email to stations Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. ET, and arrives as Beyoncé’s first entry on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated Feb. 24), starting at No. 54 with 1.1 million in audience via 100 stations at the format in the tracking week ending Feb. 15.

The Country Airplay survey reflects songs’ audience impressions on nearly 150 U.S country radio stations as monitored by Mediabase and provided to Billboard by Luminate.

Trending on Billboard

“We immediately added it a sub-power rotation, which is where we put top-trending new music,” Alpha Media-owned KBAY San Jose, Calif., program director Bo Matthews tells Billboard of “Texas Hold ‘Em.” “I want people to hear it. One of the biggest artists in the world delivered a great country record for us to have fun with, and the song is really good. We are in the business of creating excitement for our listeners and I’m embracing the moment. Plus, there is plenty of room for great artists, even from other genres. It’s a big country tent.”



Beyoncé has banked eight No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and seven No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 as a soloist, starting in 2003. Plus, Destiny’s Child, with her as a member, logged four leaders on the Hot 100 and two on the Billboard 200, beginning in 1999.

As a soloist, Beyoncé boasts 12 career No. 1s on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, 11 on Rhythmic Airplay, seven on Pop Airplay, five on Dance/Mix Show Airplay and three on Adult R&B Airplay.

Concurrent with its Country Airplay entrance, “Texas Hold ‘Em” opens at No. 38 on Pop Airplay, with its plays on 98 chart reporters translating to 1.3 million audience impressions at the format.

Notably, Rhiannon Giddens plays banjo and viola on “Texas Hold ‘Em.” She hit No. 6 on Country Airplay in 2017 as featured on Eric Church’s “Kill a Word.” (She has charted one No. 1 on the Americana/Folk Albums list, Tomorrow Is My Turn, in 2016, and, as part of Carolina Chocolate Drops, two leaders on Bluegrass Albums.)

“We put the Beyoncé directly into a strong rotation so it can be heard. I want the station to sound as interesting as possible, because the opposite is boring,” muses Dave Parker, pd of Sinclair’s WUSH Norfolk, Va. “This song is sounding great and doesn’t sound like anything else. Plus, the feedback from listeners and even fellow staffers so far has been very positive.”

Says Tim Roberts, pd of Audacy’s WYCD Detroit, of “Texas Hold ‘Em”: “I think it’s a good record, and country is so popular right now, it’s great that she wants to be here. Just like we do with any song on our playlist, now the listeners will decide.”

All charts dated Feb. 24 – including the Hot 100, reflecting songs’ streaming, airplay and sales Feb. 9-15 – will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Feb. 20 (a day later than usual due to the Presidents’ Day holiday in the U.S. Feb. 19).

Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign’s ‘Vultures 1’ Taken Down By FUGA Distributor, Now On Label Engine

HipHopWired Featured Video

Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - February 02, 2024

Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign‘s new collaborative project Vultures 1 has been met with delays and false starts before its release last week. FUGA, a music distribution company, moved to take down Vultures 1 from DSPs and now the album is being distributed by another company.

Rolling Stone reports that Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign dropped their new project but not without a hitch. In the report, FUGA says that a client of theirs uploaded Vultures 1 without their approval despite never agreeing to a full-on deal with Ye and his team.

“Late last year, FUGA was presented with the opportunity to release Vultures 1. Exercising our judgment in the ordinary course of business, we declined to do so,” a spokesperson for Downtown Music, FUGA’s parent company, shared in a statement to Rolling Stone. “On Friday, February 9, 2024, a long-standing FUGA client delivered the album Vultures 1 through the platform’s automated processes, violating our service agreement. Therefore, FUGA is actively working with its DSP partners and the client to remove Vultures 1 from our systems.”

The outlet adds that the album is now being electronically distributed via Label Engine and is back on DSPs such as Apple Music. The album is facing other hardships after the estate of Donna Summer didn’t clear the use of the singer’s sample on one track along with Ozzy Osbourne blasting West for sampling one of his songs without clearance, citing Ye’s antisemitic views.

Photo: Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin / Getty