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Rob49 has spoken about the negative reception Justin Bieber‘s verse got on his “WTHelly” remix, and tells Billboard he doesn’t know if he’s gonna drop it.
The New Orleans rapper speaks about his new album, Let Me Fly, and touches on the divisive reception he got after teasing an unreleased remix of “WTHelly” featuring Biebs. After teasing the song on a Twitch livestream with the streamer Reggie, fans were quick to clown the pop star for trying to turn a lighthearted track into a soulful ballad. Rob said after speaking with Justin, he doesn’t know if he’ll officially release it to the public.
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“I talked to Justin a couple of days ago and he was telling me he wanted to do some more songs, so I don’t know,” Rob says when when discussing whether he’ll drop off the remix. “It’s funny, when he first did it he was like, ‘What you think? You think I can go harder?’ I told him like, ‘Man, I love it bro, if you feel comfortable about it, if you like it, then I love it.’ You know? I just told him, ‘If you like it you like it.”
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When asked about whether he was surprised the verse was so divisive, Rob shares, “No, not really. I knew it was a possibility because, it was the same way when he asked me, ‘Do you think I can go harder?’”
Rob admits that he knew the singing aspect of Bieber’s verse would turn some heads, and said that’s just how it goes when trying to make a hit record.
“You just never know what it’s gonna be, and fans don’t understand that all the time,” he says. “That you don’t know what a hit is! Like it just kinda happens. Some people might’ve been like, ‘Oh my god he sung!’ and if it would have been a hit, it would have been a crazy banger. That be the difference between songs.”
However, Rob says other “WTHelly” remixes will soon see the light of day, and that the G Herbo revamp will be the first to arrive.
“I was gonna drop the [remix] with [G Herbo] first and add it to the album, but we wound up doing it too late,” Rob says of why it wasn’t on Let Me Fly. “So it might come out the next day on the album, then we’re just gonna go from there with it.”
Let Me Fly drops Friday (May 23) and includes features from Birdman, Meek Mill, Sexyy Red, Quavo, Polo G and Fridayy.
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. Tired of the regular ol’ vodka-smelling hand sanitizer? Disney and Touchland have you covered. The two brands have teamed up for […]
After a blockbuster 2024, PlaqueBoyMax has announced he’s signing to Captiol Records and Field Trip Recordings. The streaming star made the announcement on Thursday (May 22), with the producer capping off an insane year after emerging in 2024 with his Twitch series In The Booth and Song Wars. He dropped off his debut EP 5$TAR […]
Megan Thee Stallion’s legal team released a detailed report Thursday blasting claims from Tory Lanez’s supporters about new evidence that will exonerate him, calling them as “false narratives” from “foolish bullies.”
The report came after Lanez’s legal team claimed they had uncovered new evidence that would prove he did not shoot Megan in 2020, a crime for which he was convicted in 2022 and is currently serving a 10-year sentence.
In the 31-page document, Megan’s attorneys said claims of a new witness were “unsworn rumors being spread as fact” and that Ring camera footage of the 2020 shooting – purported to be new evidence of Lanez’s innocence – was already played at his trial.
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“Despite Mr. Lanez being convicted at trial by overwhelming evidence (that included his own admission of his guilt), he and his team – flanked by any ignorant person they can find – have pushed whatever misleading narrative they can,” said Alex Spiro, Megan’s longtime attorney.
“One by one, their misleading statements unravel and all that is left is the simple truth: he was convicted by overwhelming evidence and those who seek to traumatize the victim of the crime should be called out as foolish bullies,” Spiro added.
The new response echo Megan’s own statement on the claims. In a social media post Tuesday, the superstar said that “FACTS ARE FACTS” and that the case was already decided in court: “TORY PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE you are a f–king demon.” SZA has also expressed support for Megan, saying Wednesday that she was “shocked” by statements supporting Lanez.
Lanez was convicted in December 2022 on three felony counts for shooting Megan in July 2020 during an argument following a pool party at Kylie Jenner’s house in the Hollywood Hills. In August 2023, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He has filed an appeal of that verdict, which remains pending.
Last week, Lanez’s legal team from the group Unite The People held a press conference claiming they had new evidence in the case. They argued that Bradley James, a bodyguard of Pete’s former friend Kelsey Harris, had overheard Harris say that she fired the gun – the central defense argument advanced by Lanez’s team during his trial.
Then earlier this week, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-R) called for the singer to be pardoned, claiming there was new “compelling evidence” that would exonerate him. In a later interview, Luna cited surveillance footage that she said corroborated James’ account.
But in Thursday’s report, Megan’s team said both of those claims were false. They noted that James was “not present at the scene of the crime” and had never spoken publicly about the case, in court or otherwise.
“James has not publicly addressed these claims himself — Peterson’s team merely alleges what James said,” Spiro and the other lawyers write. “Despite being cited as a key source, James failed to appear at the press conference to support these allegations.”
As for the surveillance footage, they argued that was nothing new: “There is no new Ring camera footage,” Megan’s lawyers write. “The Ring camera footage was previously admitted as evidence during Lanez’s trial, it was played for the jury, and the footage captured the sound of 5 gunshots.”
They also say other claims from Lanez’s supporters – including longstanding suggestions that DNA evidence calls his guilt into question – are also false: “When the firearm was tested by DNA experts, testing established that there was a 90% chance that the DNA found came from a man.”
A representative for Unite The People did not immediately return a request for comment. Lanez’s appeal of his verdict, lodged with California’s 2nd Appellate District, has been fully briefed since October but has not yet been argued before the court.
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. Since 2023, Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Yachty has partnered with sports apparel company Nike on a line of signature sneakers. And now, […]
Billboard’s Dance Moves roundup serves as a guide to the biggest movers and shakers across Billboard’s many dance charts — new No. 1s, new top 10s, first-timers and more.
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This week, on charts dated May 24, Mau P, Zach Martino, Calvin Harris and others achieve new feats. Check out key movers below.
Mau P
Mau P earns his first-ever No. 1 on a Billboard chart this week, as his remix of Tame Impala’s “The Less I Know the Better” jumps 5-1 on Dance/Mix Show Airplay. Released in February via Nervous Records, the song hits No. 1 with a 31% surge in plays among 24/7 dance reporters and pop stations’ mix show hours, according to Luminate.
The remix reimagines Tame Impala’s 2015 psych-pop staple from its album Currents, which ruled the Top Alternative Albums and reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200. The original track was a fan favorite, reaching No. 35 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and No. 37 on Alternative Airplay.
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Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, credited as the sole writer, collects his third No. 1 on Dance/Mix Show Airplay, following two smashes with Dua Lipa in 2024: “Houdini” (four weeks at No. 1) and “Illusion” (five weeks). He also reached the chart as a writer on Lady Gaga’s “Perfect Illusion” in 2016 (No. 28 peak).
As for Mau P (also known as Maurice West), the Amsterdam-born DJ scores his first No. 1. He previously appeared on Dance/Mix Show Airplay with “Drugs From Amsterdam” (No. 16 peak; 2023) and “On Again” (No. 24; 2024). He’s also charted four entries on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs: “Drugs From Amsterdam” (No. 25), “Gimme That Bounce” (No. 35; 2023), “Receipts,” with Diplo featuring Gunna (No. 24; 2024), and “The Less I Know the Better” (No. 14).
Mau P has been active in the house and techno worlds for nearly a decade. He’s collaborated with other dance heavyweights, including Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris and Armand van Helden.
Zack Martino, JAYEM & Aviella
Zack Martino, JAYEM and Aviella debut on this week’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart with their collaborative single, “Afterlove.” Released in December on Liftoff Recordings, the song arrives at No. 31, earning the week’s highest debut, with a 32% spike in plays.
The song earns Martino his fifth career chart entry, and first since 2020’s “Something About You,” featuring Kifi (No. 33 peak). He first cracked the chart in 2018 with “Hold On to Me,” which climbed to No. 3.
“Afterlove” is also a milestone for New York City-based DJ JAYEM (real name Justin Mondello), as the song marks his first-ever appearance on Billboard’s charts. “[Charting on Billboard has been] a dream of mine I’ve been longing to achieve ever since I started producing music,” he shared in a post on Instagram. “It’s an honor to be on such a prestigious chart alongside artist[s] I’ve looked up to my whole career.”
For Aviella, the song earns the singer-songwriter her fourth career entry on Dance/Mix Show Airplay. She topped the chart with her debut hit in 2021, “Tell Me What You’re Thinking.”
Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
Calvin Harris’ “Blessings,” featuring Clementine Douglas, debuts at No. 3 on the latest Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, marking the highest debut of the week. It opens with 2.9 million U.S. streams and 1,000 downloads sold earned in its opening week (May 9-15).
The song earns Calvin Harris his 54th career entry on the chart, and 25th top 10 — the third-most in the chart’s history after David Guetta and Kygo (27 each). It’s also his record-extending 14th top five hit.
As for Douglas, the song is her third career entry on the chart, after “Miracle Maker” with Dom Dolla (No. 35 peak; 2022), and “Asking” with Sonny Fodera and MK (No. 44; 2023).
PinkPantheress
PinkPantheress’ new mixtape Fancy That, released via 300/AG, debuts at No. 4 on the latest Top Dance Albums chart with 14,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week (May 9-15). It also opens at No. 72 on the Billboard 200 and No. 21 on Vinyl Albums.
PinkPantheress has charted two other albums on Billboard’s charts, but neither appeared on Billboard’s dance rankings: To Hell With It reached No. 73 on the Billboard 200 in 2021 and Heaven Knows peaked at No. 61 on the Billboard 200 in 2023.
Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke
The duo’s new electronic/ambient project, Tall Tales, debuts at No. 14 on the Top Dance Albums chart with 4,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week.
The album earns Pritchard his second career entry on Top Dance Albums, after his solo album Under the Sun in 2016 (No. 15 peak). It’s Yorke’s fourth entry, after The Eraser Rmxs (No. 13; 2009), Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes (No. 13; 2015) and Anima (No. 1; 2019).
Billboard’s Producer Spotlight series highlights creatives currently charting on Billboard’s producer rankings. Whether they are new to the industry or have been churning out hit after hit, the intention is to showcase where they are now, and their work that’s having a chart impact.
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Longtime hard rock producer Carl Bown scores a career milestone on Billboard’s latest charts (dated May 24), thanks to his work on Sleep Token’s breakout album, Even in Arcadia.
The band reaches unprecedented heights this week, as the album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 127,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in its first week, according to Luminate. Concurrently, all 10 tracks from the album land on the Billboard Hot 100, making Sleep Token the first hard rock act in history to chart as many as 10 songs simultaneously in a single week.
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Here’s a full breakdown of Sleep Token’s entries on the Hot 100:
No. 56, “Dangerous” (debut)
No. 57, “Caramel” (re-entry; peaked at No. 34)
No. 58, “Emergence” (re-entry; peaked at No. 57)
No. 61, “Even in Arcadia” (debut)
No. 66, “Look to Windward” (debut)
No. 70, “Past Self” (debut)
No. 72, “Damocles” (re-entry; peaked at No. 47)
No. 75, “Gethsemane” (debut)
No. 77, “Provider” (debut)
No. 100, “Infinite Baths” (debut)
Bown is credited as the sole producer on all 10 tracks, propelling him to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Producers chart for the first time in his career. He also claims the top spot on Rock Producers, Alternative Producers, Hard Rock Producers, and Rock & Alternative Producers.
Bown, a veteran of the U.K. hard rock scene, has been a go-to producer for many of the genre’s biggest names. He’s also worked with Bullet for My Valentine, Bring Me the Horizon, While She Sleeps, Gunship, Pendulum and Trivium, among others.
Before teaming up with Sleep Token, Bown had only appeared on Billboard’s song charts with four singles by Bullet for My Valentine:
“You Want a Battle? (Here’s a War)”: No. 37 on Mainstream Rock Airplay, No. 46 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2015)
“Don’t Need You”: No. 49 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2016)
“Knives”: No. 16 on Hot Hard Rock Songs, No. 39 Mainstream Rock Airplay (2021)
“Shatter”: No. 24 on Hot Hard Rock Songs (2021)
Based in Manchester, U.K., Bown is also the founder and owner of Treehouse Studios in Chesterfield, a popular recording hub for many of the records he’s helmed.
Meanwhile, two of Sleep Token’s members, Vessel I and Vessel II, also achieve a notable feat. They rank at Nos. 1 and 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songwriters chart, respectively. Known for their anonymity, the cloaked and masked artists have remained publicly unidentified. Vessel I is credited as a writer on all 10 of the band’s Hot 100 entries, while Vessel II is credited on eight.
Billboard launched its songwriters and producers charts in June 2019, including those for individual genres. The charts are based on total points accrued by a songwriter and producer, respectively, for each attributed song that appears on their respective “Hot” or “Top” chart. As with Billboard’s yearly recaps, multiple writers or producers split points for each song equally (and the dividing of points will lead to occasional ties on rankings).
The full Songwriters and Producers charts, plus those for other genres, can be found on Billboard.com.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with President Donald Trump at the White House this week, and there were moments of contention. President Cyril Ramaphosa shot down President Donald Trump‘s claim of so-called white genocide being carried out against white farmers by the country’s Black residents.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Washington with members of his nation’s delegation to discuss with President Donald Trump ways to improve their business dealings. South Africa is hoping to encourage other world leaders to work alongside South Africa and help improve its standing in the world.
President Trump had other issues in mind, using the meeting to harshly confront President Ramaphosa and center the rumored white genocide happening in South Africa. At one point, Trump had aides dim the lights and showed his guest a video that purported to show the violence happening against white farmers and supporting a conspiracy theory that has been continually debunked.
Trump repeatedly talked over Ramaphosa, who tried to explain the truth that more Black farmers are being harmed and killed than whites. Ramaphosa was flanked by white South African Johann Rupert, the nation’s richest man, who explained that what Trump was promoting was false. South African agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, also white, attempted to do the same.
Ramaphosa, a skilled negotiator and longtime politician, never appeared rattled by Trump’s swarming attacks. CNN added in its reporting that the South African press largely pressed Ramaphosa’s showing, which was similar to the moment Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had with Trump at the White House, albeit a lot less contentious.
Watch this video courtesy of CNN below.
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Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
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The winner of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is speaking out against the war in Gaza and Israel’s inclusion in the global music event. JJ, who won the competition May 17, said in an interview published Thursday (May 22) that he would like to see Israel banned from next year’s contest.
“It is very disappointing to see Israel still participating in the contest,” the singer told Spanish publication El Pais, according to Reuters. “I would like the next Eurovision to be held in Vienna and without Israel.”
Billboard has reached out to Eurovision Song Contest for comment.
The global songwriting competition bills itself as “a non-political event,” with its rules noting that participating broadcasters are expected to take any necessary steps to ensure that their delegations and teams “safeguard the interests and the integrity of the ESC and to make sure that the ESC shall in no case be politicized and/or instrumentalized and/or otherwise brought into disrepute in any way.”
JJ — a classically trained countertenor — won this year’s event with his song “Wasted Love,” which combines opera with techno. The artist born Johannes Pietsch is Austria’s first winner since drag queen Conchita Wurst won in 2014.
Snagging second place was Yuval Raphael of Israel, who earned the runner-up position with her “New Day Will Rise” anthem and also won the viewers’ votes in the finale. (When jury votes were taken into consideration, they put JJ in the No. 1 spot.) According to the Associated Press, while Raphael had much public support in the form of voting, she faced pro-Palestinian protests that called for Israel’s ouster from the competition over the Israel-Hamas war. The current war started on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked several locations in Israel, including the Nova Music Festival near Gaza — which Raphael survived — killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage. Since then, the Israeli government’s military campaign has killed more than 53,000 Palestinians in Gaza, Reuters reports.
Raphael coming in second prompted some countries — including Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Iceland — to question the voting, with some requesting an audit, the BBC reported on Wednesday (May 21). Organizers have since said that the votes were independently verified.
In his El Pais interview, JJ also said that the vote-counting system needs to change to better improve transparency, Reuters reported.
“It is important to emphasize that the voting operation for the Eurovision Song Contest is the most advanced in the world and each country’s result is checked and verified by a huge team of people to exclude any suspicious or irregular voting patterns,” ESC’s director Martin Green said in response to the questioning of the vote counts, according to the BBC. “An independent compliance monitor reviews both jury and public vote data to ensure we have a valid result. … Our voting partner Once has confirmed that a valid vote was recorded in all countries participating in this year’s Grand Final and in the Rest of the World.”
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is set to be held in Vienna, Austria.
