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29 Dec 2023

Megan Thee Stallion Strikes Deal with Planet Fitness, Introduces “Mother Fitness” To The World

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2023 GQ Men Of The Year - Arrivals

Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty / Megan Thee Stallion

The Hot Girl Coach is giving us some Hot Girl Hope just in time for setting those New Year’s Resolutions.

In a match made in Hot Girl Heaven, Planet Fitness is launching a partnership with Grammy Award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion.

The rapper’s latest partnership will introduce “Mother Fitness,” a fictional character inspired by a fierce fitness goddess-like persona paired with some serious swagger – encouraging gym goers to leave behind the barriers, including intimidation and high prices, commonly found at other gyms and join Planet Fitness, home of the Judgement Free Zone, to find their Big Fitness Energy.

The integrated marketing campaign will include advertising and commercial spots, a unique AR filter, and in-app Planet Fitness workouts inspired by Megan Thee Stallion.

Additionally, a co-branded exclusive merchandise line will be available online from 12/28-1/12, benefiting Megan Thee Stallion’s mental health-focused organization – the Pete & Thomas Foundation.

There Will Also Be Merch

The collection includes crew neck sweatshirts that proudly declare Big Fitness Energy for Everybody (-ody-ody), bucket hats, and water bottles emblazoned with ‘Real Hot Girl Fit’ and more.

Planet Fitness has more than 2,400+ PF locations, and the clubs feature a unique environment where anyone can be comfortable in a diverse club with low-cost memberships that start at only $10, making membership accessible to many of Meg’s fans.

The partnership is an excellent fit because MTS regularly drops fitness videos detailing how she shapes her incredible body. The high-energy videos rack up millions of views from her fans inspired by how hard the “Savage” singer goes in the gym.

“Working out is such an important part of my routine, so this partnership with Planet Fitness genuinely embodies my personal values,” Megan said in a quote. “We want to encourage everyone to prioritize their physical and mental health heading into the New Year so they can reach new heights in 2024 and continue to grow into the best version of themselves.”

We love to see it.

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Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty

29 Dec 2023

Kim Loaiza Scores First Entry on a Billboard Album Chart With ‘X Amor’

Mexican social media superstar and singer Kim Loaiza earns her first entry on a Billboard album chart as her debut set, X Amor, opens at No. 9 on the Latin Pop Albums chart (dated Dec. 30).

X Amor released Dec. 14 via Warner Latina, debuts in the top 10 with 2,000 equivalent units earned in the U.S. during the Dec. 15-21 tracking week, according to Luminate. Most of the set’s opening sum stems from streaming equivalent album units. That figure equates to 2.82 million on-demand official streams of the album’s tracks for its debut week.

X Amor‘s arrival on the chart follows Loaiza’s first record deal with a major label, however, it bows amidst controversy.

X Amor debuts on the charts a week after Loaiza announced she was walking away from the internet and quitting music following a number of controversies that broke out on Monday, Dec. 18. Those included accusations of plagiarizing Karol G (which she denied on X) and sabotaging Mexican singer-songwriter Kenia Os’ Mazatlán performance (she has not addressed the latter) and admitting on YouTube to lying about a break-up with her decade-long partner and artist JD Pantoja in order to generate publicity.

The 16-track album includes collaborations with Lit Killah, Noriel, Andy Rivera, Omar Montes, Julianno Sosa, Elvis de Yongol, and Pailita; the songs have yet to enter a Billboard chart. Ahead of X Amor on the Dec. 30-dated Latin Pop Albums chart are titles from Luis Fonsi, Becky G, Juan Gabriel, Rosalía, Enrique Iglesias, Kali Uchis, Mana and the late Selena.

29 Dec 2023

Love Is Dead?: Easy The Block Captain Seemingly Confirms Remy Ma & Papoose Split On Leaked Audio

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Remy Ma & Papoose Allegedly Split, X Users Say Love Is Dead

Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty / Remy Ma

We will close the year with one of Hip-Hop’s premiere couples, Remy Ma and Papoose, seemingly on the outs.

TMZ Hip Hop reports that the long-rumored split between Remy Ma and Papoose happened, and the “Conceited” rapper’s new alleged boo, Eazy The Block Captain, was the one to spill the beans unknowingly.

The celebrity gossip site reports that a YouTube blog leaked 16-minute audio featuring the battle rapper seemingly confirming to a “friend” that he and Remy are an item and want to fight Papoose.

In the audio, Eazy claims it was the Bronx rapper pleading with him not to spill the tea on their relationship after Papoose allegedly put his hands on him while adding that Remy Ma has been a frequent visitor to his crib, seemingly confirming rumors that began during a battle rap event.


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

Viewers became suspicious after Geechi Gotti mentioned the affair during his battle with Eazy in a clever way.



Eazy also says in the audio that he wants a rematch with Papoose, claiming his punches don’t hurt. He also claims he will step aside if Pap and Remy decide to work things out.

Social Media Reacts To The News

Remy Ma and Papoose had a fairytale relationship, with him patiently waiting and holding down the fort while the Terror Squad affiliate was in prison.

The news of their breakup spawned sad reactions from fans who regarded their relationship as “goals.”

On X, formerly Twitter, one user said alongside a video of a crying person chugging down alcohol. “Remy Ma & Papoose are really divorcing… I don’t believe in love anymore.” 

While others are outright giving Remy Ma the side eye for allegedly cheating.

“I usually don’t disagree with women cheating, but remy ma wrong asf bol,” another post read. 

It looks like love is truly dead.

You can see more reactions to another Hip-Hop couple allegedly biting the dust in the gallery below.

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Photo: Johnny Nunez / Getty

1. Welllllll

3. Lol, foul

5. Papoose’s 4:44 is on the way

29 Dec 2023

BLACKPINK Members Split With YG Entertainment for Solo Endeavors

The members of BLACKPINK are closing out the year with some bombshell news — Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé and Lisa have split with YG Entertainment for all solo endeavors.

On Friday (Dec. 29), YG issued a statement announcing the decision. “YG recently signed an extension contract for BLACKPINK’s group activities and agreed not to proceed with a separate additional contract for individual activities,” read a translated statement provided to Billboard by representatives for YG Entertainment. “We will do our best to support BLACKPINK’s activities and will cheer for the individual activities of the members with a warm heart.”

Earlier this month (Dec. 6), via a regulatory filing, YG Entertainment confirmed that BLACKPINK had renewed its contract with the company for all group activities. Details regarding the new contracts were not immediately available upon filing.

Just this week (Dec. 24), Jennie shared that she will be launching a new record label and company called OA. A caption of a photoset posted to the official OA Instagram page reads: “OA, which stands for ODD ATELIER, is a space that aims to create new things that attract attention in a different way from what is usual or expected. It is a label founded by artist JENNIE in November 2023.”

To date, all four members of BLACKPINK have begun their respective solo journeys. In 2021, both Rosé and Lisa unleashed their debut solo albums. Rosé’s -R- contained the single “On the Ground,” which debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts — the first song by a Korean solo artist to do so. With her LaLisa album — which housed a pair of Billboard Hot 100 hits in the title track (No. 84) and “Money” (No. 90) — Lisa became the first soloist to win the MTV Video Music Award for best K-pop.

This spring (Mar. 31), Jisoo released Me, her debut single album. The two-track project was led by “Flower,” which reached No. 2 on the Global 200. Although Jennie was the first BLACKPINK member to go solo back in 2018 (her aptly titled “Solo” peaked atop US World Digital Song Sales), she finally made her Hot 100 debut on the chart dated Dec. 30, 2023, with her Idol hit “One of the Girls” alongside The Weeknd & Lily-Rose Depp. In June, Jennie starred in the controversial Weeknd-produced HBO drama The Idol.

BLACKPINK is, to date, the most successful K-pop girl group in U.S. history. In 2023, the group headlined Coachella and wrapped their blockbuster Born Pink World Tour (which helped them take home top K-pop touring artist at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards) in support of their Billboard 200-topping Born Pink album.

Representatives for BLACKPINK did not immediately respond to Billboard’s request for comment.

29 Dec 2023

Lil Uzi Vert Says They Want to Have All Their Tattoos Removed

Lil Uzi Vert has more tattoos than you can count, but there isn’t a single one that brings a smile to the rapper’s face.

In a recent interview, LA Weekly asked Uzi, “What’s your favorite tattoo?” The 28-year-old musician’s reply? “None of them.”

“I’m trying to get them removed,” they deadpanned. “All of them… I want to go corporate.”

It’s not fully clear whether Uzi was joking or being serious about removing the ink, which is known to be an excruciatingly painful procedure even when the tattoos aren’t on your face, hands and everywhere in between. Last month, however, Uzi gave fans a taste of what they might look like without their signature tats. Without giving any explanation, the “XO Tour Llif3” hitmaker shared a selfie with heavy makeup covering all of their facial ink a couple days after Halloween — see it here.

Billboard has reached out to the musician’s reps for clarification.

Uzi’s tattoos are some of their most defining features (for now). In addition to several words and symbols on their face, as well as a detailed portrait of a Japanese Oni mask and samurai helmet that covers their entire chest and back, the “Just Wanna Rock” artist also shares matching tattoos with Kanye West and Steve Lacy. The trio got the phrase “We here forever technically” etched on their arms in August 2022 and posed for a picture together with their new ink.

The rapper is fresh off the release of their new single “Red Moon,” which dropped on Christmas Day along with a music video. “Red moon out now? ??,” Uzi simply wrote on Instagram upon the project’s debut. “Thank you ♥️.”

29 Dec 2023

In Canada: Strombo Appointed to the Order of Canada, Year-End Hot 100 & Next Year’s Big Issues

Each week we’ll be sharing the most important news from the north with Canada’s top music industry stories, supplied by our colleagues at Billboard Canada.

For more Canadian music coverage visit ca.billboard.com.

Longtime Host and DJ George Stroumboulopoulos Appointed to the Order of Canada

Governor General Mary Simon named 78 new appointments to the Order of Canada on Thursday to recognize “people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to our nation.” This year’s honourees include journalists, politicians, doctors and more, plus prominent figures from music and arts.

One name that stands out is George Stroumboulopoulos. Strombo, as he’s often known, has been one of the most recognizable people in music media for more than two decades.

Stroumboulopoulos has long been a household name in Canada, with some brief crossover moments in the U.S., including a short-lived talk show on CNN and an ABC reality competition show called The One: Making a Music Star.

He first rose to prominence as a VJ on TV music station MuchMusic in the early 2000s and has since hosted a variety of shows on CBC, Rogers and Apple Music. He even dabbled in sports as the host of Hockey Night In Canada from 2014-2016. After Apple Music picked up his House of Strombo concert series in 2017, he became a host and curator on Apple Music Hits when it launched in 2020 as part of Apple Music Radio and has become a tastemaker on the platform. His Up Next Canada series has recently included rising musicians like Punjabi-Canadian producer Ikky and country singer-songwriter Owen Riegling.

“With very rare exceptions, I have been 100% myself the whole way,” he recently told Canadian Press. READ MORE

— Richard Trapunski

The Biggest Homegrown Hits On the Year-End Billboard Canadian Hot 100

The Canadian Hot 100 tallies the biggest songs in Canada each week (whether or not they’re by Canadian artists). This year, the top 10 spots on the year-end Canadian Hot 100 are all dominated by international acts — with Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers”, Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” and Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” claiming honours as the biggest songs of the year — but Canadians made a strong showing on the rest of the top 100.

The year-end chart takes into account chart performance throughout the year, with longevity sometimes counting for more than high placement and measuring charts dated Nov, 19, 2022, to Oct 21, 2023 — which explains why a big song like Tate McRae’s December chart-topper “greedy” got left off.

But Canadian artists still showed up in prominent spots on the Year-End Chart, even beyond the usual high spots for Drake and The Weeknd.

At No. 23 is Ottawa singer Talk’s soulful ballad “Runaway To Mars,” which was released in 2021 but went viral on TikTok this year, shooting it up the charts. It hit No. 1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart in January 2023.

Preston Pablo from Timmins, Ontario, linked up with Quebec production duo Banx + Ranx on melancholy dance-pop track “Flowers Need Rain,” which landed at No. 26.

At No. 29, Quebec pop sensation Charlotte Cardin’s “Confetti” was a major Canadian success this year. The song has spent 34 weeks on the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at No. 10. A hit in both Canada and across Europe, the catchy pop tune is in English but also exists in a bilingual English/French version.

Other hits by Canadian artists in the top 100 include Tiësto’s Tate McRae-featuring “10:35,” “If Anything’s Left” by Ottawa pop singer Jamie Fine, “Next To You” by Canadian-born production duo Loud Luxury, “Whitney” by up-and-coming Montreal singer Rêve and more. READ MORE

— Rosie Long Decter

Music Regulation and AI high on Music Association Agendas for 2024

Billboard Canada asked a number of national music industry association leaders to provide their own unique perspective on 2023 and the year ahead.

“The passing of C-11 (the Online Streaming Act) in 2023 represents both an accomplishment and a challenge,” says Andrew Cash, president of the Canadian Independent Music Association. “Bringing some of the largest, most powerful corporations in the history of capitalism under regulation in Canada is an important step. It has also kick-started a long overdue and much-needed conversation about Canadian content policy in the age of the internet. Even that sentence sounds dated!
“2024 should answer some big questions with regards to C-11– the most pressing being: which platforms will be included in regulations currently being considered before the CRTC, how much will these platforms be required to contribute to the Canadian music sector, and where this contribution will go?”

According to Amy Jeninga, president of the Canadian Country Music Association, 2023 has been a big year for Canadian country music.

“The genre continued to outpace industry growth in countries around the world, claiming a bigger piece of the cultural pie than in recent years, including here at home, where Canada saw a 32% growth in on-demand audio and video streams in Q3, outpacing the overall industry growth of 18%,” she says. “We continue to celebrate a growing community and fanbase set to engage and continue propelling the genre forward in 2024.”

For Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada, artificial intelligence is high on the agenda for 2024.

“This past year saw rapid advancements in artificial intelligence that can unlock an exciting new era for creativity and content — but which also pose a serious threat to the creative industries and artists if not regulated,” he says. “It’s never been more critical that our copyright and legal frameworks remain strong in the face of bad actors who want to exploit artists’ work, voice and image without their consent, credit or compensation…We’re excited to work with the government and our creative industry peers in 2024 to help set policies that encourage the ethical development of this exciting new marketplace.”

Heads of the Canadian Independent Music Association, Canadian Live Music Association, SOCAN and Music Publishers Canada, meanwhile, highlight modernized rights management, arts funding and increased promotion of Canadian artists in both recorded music and on the live stage. READ MORE

— David Farrell

29 Dec 2023

Top 5 Most-Viewed ‘Live With Billboard Latin’ Episodes of 2023

Billboard is wrapping up 2023 by highlighting the five most-viewed episodes of our “Live with Billboard Latin” social media franchise. 

After the pandemic quarantine lifted, the Billboard team continued its tradition of hosting interviews via Instagram Live, which resulted in the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español team inviting some of today’s hottest music acts for a 15 to 30 minute interview about their current projects, as well as to answer fan questions.

This year, we had a wave of star-studded guests such as Sin Bandera, who sat down with us live from Texas just hours before kicking off their Frecuencia U.S. Tour; Greeicy, who from her home in Colombia talked all about her first collaborative effort with Danny Ocean called “ZHA;” El Fantasma, who while sitting in his car in Mexico, shared all the latest details about his EP Xperimental; and Colombian hitmaker Ovy on the Drums, who alongside Blessd, talked about bringing their collab “Billboard” to life — the song that they created during the “Making the Hit Live” panel at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Week. 

In 2022, the five most-viewed Instagram Live episodes were Chiquis (No. 5), CNCO (No. 4), El Alfa (No. 3), Ozuna and Tokischa (No. 2), and Emilia (No. 1). 

With many exciting “Live with Billboard Latin” episodes, we have compiled the most-viewed interviews of 2023, which include our exciting catch-up with Colombian sensation Feid, a laid-back conversation with breakthrough artist Ryan Castro, and a once-in-a-lifetime chat with ‘90s pop queens Fey and Alejandra Guzman. 

Below, see the top episodes from our 2023 Instagram live interviews:

29 Dec 2023

Barack Obama Shares His Favorite Songs of 2023

Barack Obama is taking the aux. With just three days left of 2023, the former president of the United States revealed which tunes he was grooving to the most over the past year, featuring pop music, country, R&B and more.

The annual list comes on the heels of Obama’s yearly book and movie favorites, which the ex-POTUS shared earlier this week. In 2023, he had exactly 28 tracks on repeat, with highlights including “TQG” by Karol G and Shakira, “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves, “Sprinter” by Dave and Central Cee and “America Has a Problem” by Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar.

The A Promised Land author also included Megan Thee Stallion’s “Cobra,” Tyla’s “Water,” Mitski’s “My Love Mine All Mine” and Victoria Monét’s “On My Mama.” “Here are some of my favorite songs from this year,” he wrote on Instagram Friday (Dec. 29). “Let me know if there are any artists or songs I should check out.”

Mr. Obama’s music taste has long been known to be diverse, as documented by his song lists over the past few years. In 2022, he shouted out music from artists such as Lizzo, Rosalía, Ari Lennox, Ethel Cain, Steve Lacy and Omar Apollo. A few — Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Zach Bryan — were featured on both his 2022 and 2023 playlists.

The 44th prez also typically shares his favorite songs of the summer every year, with his seasonal jams of 2023 including Boygenius, Ice Spice, Luke Bryan, Nicki Minaj and Leonard Cohen.

See Obama’s full 2023 favorite songs list below:

29 Dec 2023

Conan O’Brien Lands First Billboard Chart Appearance, Thanks to New Vinyl Album

Conan O’Brien has already had plenty of success in his career, but now he has one more reason to celebrate: he’s officially a Billboard-charting artist for the first time.

His new limited-edition vinyl release Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend: Quinquennial Celebration debuts at No. 3 on the latest Comedy Albums chart (dated Dec. 30) with 1,000 copies sold in the U.S. in the Dec. 15-21 tracking week, according to Luminate, becoming his first-ever Billboard chart entry.

The album is a compendium to his hit podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. The collection was curated by O’Brien and his trusty co-hosts Matt Gourley and Sona Movsesian in honor of the podcast’s fifth anniversary. According to a press release, the set finds the trio “reflecting on the last five years of recording their hit podcast,” including never-before-heard backstories and original comedy surprises.

SiriusXM, which acquired the podcast and the Team Coco digital media business in May, announced the news of the release on Nov. 7. “This is a historic achievement — listening to a podcast on vinyl will tear a hole in the hipster spacetime continuum,” O’Brien said in a statement. The project was produced by SiriusXM’s Team Coco in collaboration with New England-based comic/music retailer Newbury Comics.

O’Brien launched his Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast in November 2018 after retiring from his Conan late-night show on TBS. In addition to chatting with callers from around the globe on the spin-off Conan O’Brien Needs a Fan, the show has featured a wide variety of guests, including Will Ferrell, Malcolm Gladwell, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Barack and Michelle Obama, Adam Sandler, David Sedaris, Bruce Springsteen, Howard Stern and Neil Young, plus a recent special-event interview with former Nirvana bandmates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic.

O’Brien, a four-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, hosted NBC’s Late Night With Conan O’Brien from 1993-2009 and The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien from 2009-10. Before that, the Brookline, Mass., native was a writer for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons.

O’Brien isn’t the first late-night host to chart a song or album on BIllboard. Jimmy Fallon’s Blow Your Pants Off spent three weeks at No. 1 on Comedy Albums in 2012. His album The Bathroom Wall also reached No. 47 on the Billboard 200 in 2002, while his song “Ew!” featuring will.i.am peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014 — his new holiday song with Meghan Trainor, “Wrap Me Up” also rises to No. 2 on the current Adult Contemporary chart (dated Dec. 30). Craig Ferguson has charted two entries on Comedy Albums: A Wee Bit O’ Revolution (No. 6 peak in 2009) and I’m Here To Help (No. 6, 2013). Jimmy Kimmel reached No. 27 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and No. 83 on the Holiday 100 in 2014, thanks to his featured appearance on the Killers’ holiday song “Joel the Lump of Coal.” Trevor Noah’s African American LP peaked at No. 6 on Comedy Albums in 2015. Arsenio Hall — as alter ego Chunky A — hit No. 26 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 77 on the Hot 100 in 1989 with his novelty rap track “Owww!” His comedy rap album Large and in Charge also reached No. 71 on the Billboard 200 in 1990. And Steve Allen, the inaugural host of The Tonight Show in 1954-57, charted on the Hot 100 in 1963 with his song “Gravy Waltz” (No. 64 peak).

29 Dec 2023

Trina Claps Back At The “Dusty Crusty Funky B***hes” Who Are Big Mad She Crowned Beyoncé Queen of Rap

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REVOLT World 2023

Source: Prince Williams / Getty / Trina

The Barbz are R E A C T I N G all because Trina shared her opinion on who she feels is the Queen of Rap, and here’s a hint: it’s not Nicki Minaj.

The “baddest b*tch” shook the Hip-Hop tables when she crowned Beyoncé the queen of Rap during an interview with HipHopDX after she was asked about her thoughts on the new wave of female Hip-Hop stars.

The “Pull Over” crafter credited the Houston singer with opening doors, allowing for many female rappers in the ever-evolving and constantly growing Hip-Hop industry.

Yeah, Beyoncé ’cause she’s like the number one female rapper when she does rap,” Trina said.

She continued, “It’s just one of those things like, of course, this is the Queen’s Beyoncé, but when you hear her do a song and it’s rapping involved, it’s like, ‘Oh my God,’ like it just, it’s more inspiration and, um, I don’t know it’s just a good thing, man.”

The Barbz Are Mad & Trina Doesn’t Care

Trina’s opinion hit a nerve with the Barbz, who feel their queen, Nicki Minaj, currently holds that title. They didn’t realize that Trina wasn’t one to back down, and she took to Instagram to tell them to stay mad while doubling down on what she said during the interview.

In a post shared in her IG Stories, she wrote:

“For the dusty crusty funky b***hes in the bacccckkkk [loudly speaking emoji] Beyoncé is the queen of rap (when she raps) and ALL other genres of music,” she wrote in her IG Story post, which can be viewed below. “Now stay mad goofy’s I said what I said and NANN b***h gone check me. [middle finger emoji] Carry on [hot face emoji].”

She also shared a permanent post on her Instagram timeline for good measure.

She said what she said.

You can see the reactions to Trina giving Beyoncé the rap crown in the gallery below.

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Photo: Prince Williams / Getty