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Lorde fans have been laughing ’til their ribs got soft for the last 12 years, and now they’re laughing all the way to the Billboard Hot 100.
“Ribs,” the long-beloved track from Lorde’s 2013 debut album Pure Heroine, debuts at No. 99 on the Hot 100 dated May 10, largely driven by 5 million official U.S. streams for the tracking week ending May 2 — a 51% gain over the previous week, according to Luminate.
Previously, the moody quasi-dance song — which was never released or promoted as an official single — had peaked at No. 26 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart dated Oct. 26, 2013, following the album’s release, but it had never before appeared on the Hot 100. (“Ribs” also re-enters at a new peak of No. 16 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs this week.)
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The song rides a new wave of streaming momentum following Lorde’s planned pop-up appearance at New York’s Washington Square Park on April 23, designed to promote her new song “What Was That” (which also debuts on the Hot 100 this week, at No. 36). The appearance was canceled and the crowd dispersed by police mandate before Lorde showed up, but the fans assembled still managed to have a singalong moment to “Ribs” first, which drew a ton of attention on social media. (Lorde did later show up to Washington Square to play the new song, with scenes from her appearance making it into the song’s official music video, released just a couple days later.)
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Despite never being a major chart hit previously, “Ribs” has long stood as one of Lorde’s both most acclaimed and best-streamed tracks. In 2017, Billboard‘s editorial staff named the song the 12th-best deep cut by a pop star this century, and in 2023, we also ranked it as the 17th-best pop song to never hit the Hot 100 (though we’ll probably have to replace it on the latter list now). In 2020, the nostalgic song achieved TikTok virality due in large part to millennials feeling wistful while stuck at home during the pandemic, and in the weeks before the recent bump, the song was still regularly pulling official on-demand U.S. stream counts in the low two millions, according to Luminate — weekly numbers superior to even “Royals,” Lorde’s seven-week Hot 100 No. 1 smash from the same album.
Lorde’s upcoming album Virgin is due to arrive June 27th on Republic/Universal New Zealand. “What Was That” marks her first top 40 hit on the Hot 100 since Melodrama single “Green Light” hit No. 19 in 2017.
Live events company Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSGE) improved its revenue 6% to $243 million in the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, the company announced Tuesday (May 6). Operating income of $27.3 million marked a 63% improvement. The results “reflect continued strong consumer and corporate demand as well as a wide variety of live […]
A$AP Rocky has opened up about his gun assault trial for the first time, calling the experience “gut-wrenching and nerve-wracking.” In a new interview with Variety published on Tuesday (May 6), Rocky talked about what it was like sitting in the courtroom for his gun assault trial in February — he was accused by former […]
As the sex trafficking trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs kicks off with jury selection in New York this week, radio DJs have all but dropped the Bad Boy Records founder’s catalog from their airwaves, Luminate data reviewed by Billboard shows.
Songs by Puff Daddy, P. Diddy and Diddy accrued just 1,671 airplay spins year to date, an 86% decline from the same time frame last year when the artists’ catalog racked up 11,870 airplay spins, according to Luminate. For a comparison, Diddy collaborator and Bad Boy artist Notorious B.I.G.’s catalog accrued 63,390 spins since the start of the year, Luminate data shows.
The decline in commercial radio play doesn’t just reflect a public turn away from the artist who is accused of running a large-scale criminal operation for his own “sexual gratification.” It also means the artist’s catalog could generate less than the $3 million in revenue that Billboard estimates it generated annually from master recording and publishing revenue from streams, sales and radio airplay between 2021 and 2023.
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Representatives for Diddy did not respond to requests for comment.
Revenue from music streaming subscriptions is still the most significant source of income for music companies, artists and other owners’ music rights. However, commercial radio play remains a significant source of income for the publishing side, sources said.
“For a mature catalogue, such as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs … that portion of income impacted by a sharp decline in radio airplay is limited to 6 percent to 9 percent of total publishing royalties,” says Barry Massarsky, a partner at Citrin Cooperman and head of the firm’s music and entertainment valuation practice. Massarsky cautioned that only the catalog’s publishing revenue can be analyzed because there is no entitled performance right for sound recordings played on U.S. commercial radio.
In the United States, the performance rights organizations ASCAP and BMI pay a base rate of roughly 50 cents to publishing companies per radio spin. As radio airplay can influence stream counts, there is a residual paid out on the master recording royalties that brings the total payment per airplay stream to roughly $1. Popular songs can earn additional bonus money.
While the Diddy catalog’s airplay spins did not put him within reach of any bonus money — bonuses are typically paid out for songs that top 135,000 spins in a quarter — Billboard estimates his catalog’s publishing revenue was $10,200 less for the first 16 weeks this year compared to last year. If Diddy’s songs continue to generate the same average per-week-radio airplay spins they did at the start of the year — an average of 117 per week — it would mean a year over year decline of $34,300 compared to last year.
As of June 2024, Diddy owned his master recording catalog and publishing, which Billboard estimated earned about $2.4 million in master recording revenue and $600,000 in publishing revenue annually for the years from 2021 to 2023. Diddy’s share was $2.625 million in each of those years, Billboard estimated. Those estimates do not include credits and royalties for music assets beyond his own artist catalog.
It is unclear to what extent the accusations and lawsuits against Diddy may have contributed to the decline in airplay because airplay spins for his catalog rose for roughly the first four months of both 2023 and 2024, when several allegations that would later lead to lawsuits were already public.
Last year, Diddy’s catalog had the best start of the year in terms of airplay spins that it has had for any similar 16-week period since 2020, when the catalog accrued about 7,700 airplay spins. The second best 16-week period for Diddy’s catalog in terms of airplay spins was the start of 2023, when the catalog racked up nearly 11,000 spins.
Despite the decline in airplay, Diddy’s catalog remains popular on streaming platforms, though streaming activity during this period was almost half of what it was last year and was the lowest for this period than during any of the past five years.
In the first 16 weeks of this year through April 24, Diddy’s catalog accumulated roughly 29 million U.S. on-demand streams compared to nearly 52.7 million U.S. on-demand streams for the same period in 2024. The only other start-of-the-year stretch over the last five years when Diddy’s catalog had such a low stream count was in 2020, when it racked up 29.7 million on-demand streams from Jan. 1, 2020, to April 23, 2020.
106 & Park is back, at least for one night. On Tuesday (May 6), BET announced that 106 & Park is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a host reunion and a night of special performances at the 2025 BET Awards.
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A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J will be packing on the nostalgia with a reunion after raising a generation of millennial rap and R&B fans.
“106 & Park was more than just a music countdown show — it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest rated BET programs for over a decade,” BET president Scott Mills said in a statement. “From Freestyle Friday to unforgettable live performances, it launched careers, influenced fashion,and became a platform where voices, style and sound converged. 106 & Park both celebrated and fueled many of the most important musical and culture evolutions that occurred during its two-and-a-half-decade tenure.”
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On the performance side, Mr. 106 & Park himself, Bow Wow, will hit the stage with B2K, Mya, Amerie, Jim Jones and T.I. on June 9. The BET Awards will kick off at the family of BET Networks at 8 p.m. ET.
“106 & Park served as a cultural touchstone, embodying the energy, creativity and authenticity of a generation,” stated Connie Orlando, who serves as the EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “It provided artists a direct connection to their fans, transforming everyday moments into lasting memories. The show’s legacy continues to influence how we engage with music, connect with talent and celebrate Black creativity. We are thrilled to commemorate 25 years of this iconic series at this year’s BET Awards.”
There will be plenty of activations for fans to get in on the festivities in Los Angeles for culture’s biggest week. The BET Fan Fest (BETX) will be set up at the L.A. Convention Center with the 106 & Park stage throughout the weekend on June 7 and June 8, leading into the BET Awards.
Launched on Sept. 11, 2000, 106 & Park enjoyed a fruitful run filled with appearances from music’s biggest stars, and went off the air after a 14-year run in 2014.
Linkin Park is gearing up to release the deluxe edition of From Zero, and the band members share how they created “Up From the Bottom” while touring, the success of “The Emptiness Machine,” how fans have embraced Emily Armstrong in the band and more!
Are you going to Linkin Park’s From Zero World Tour? Let us know in the comments!
Jason Lipshutz:What’s up, guys? This is Jason from Billboard. I’m here with the one and only Linkin Park. Thank you guys for for coming and hanging out.
Linkin Park: Thanks for having us.
You guys just put out “Up From the Bottom,” new single. It’s been a couple months since the album. What has it been like having the song out in the world, seeing the fan reaction, you know, it’s being picked up by radio, hitting the charts. What has it been like?
Emily Armstrong:Day in the life.
Mike Shinoda:Emily’s super, super jaded now. She’s just so used to it.
Dave Farrell:A couple months later.
Mike Shinoda:She used to be–
Emily Armstrong:Feels like years.
Mike Shinoda:She was so down to earth in the beginning.
Dave Farrell:You poisoned her. I blame me and Mike, I think for us, like in this whole process, even going back to the record coming out, like, I don’t ever want to take it for granted that people are going to be interested in what we’re doing or or automatically on board. “Up From the Bottom” coming out, and people being interested and excited about it. I think it’s like, it’s exciting, it’s special, it’s new, and to be releasing new music at this stage of our career is something I didn’t know 100% for sure that we able to do. So feels great.
How did this one come together?
Mike Shinoda:It’s unusual for us to be like writing and putting out new songs while we’re touring. Yeah, we usually don’t do that. Did you guys never do that in Dead Sara?
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The family and friends of Queens rapper Chinx, who died in 2015, are setting up a foundation in his name on the 10th anniversary of his passing.
The Lionel D. Pickens Foundation will focus on youth mentorship and development by connecting young people with mentors to help guide them academically, professionally and emotionally; scholarships for ambitious students regardless of circumstance; small business grants that provide local entrepreneurs with funding and resources’ and community initiatives such as coat drives, Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and toys drives for families in need across the five boroughs of New York City.
“Lionel was more than an artist — he was a dreamer, a provider, and a beacon of hope to so many,” said Veronica Clinton, co-founder and Chinx’s mother, via press release. “Through this foundation, we are continuing what he started: helping others rise up, chase their goals and never give up, no matter where they come from.”
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The foundation’s official launch will be commemorated with his annual community candle lighting on May 17 on Queens Blvd, where supporters, family and friends will gather to remember Lionel “Chinx” Pickens and celebrate the foundation’s mission.
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“This foundation is our way of turning pain into power,” said Janelli Caceres, co-founder and Lionel’s widow, via press release. “It’s about honoring Lionel by investing in the futures of others — especially those who’ve been forgotten, underestimated or underserved.”
Douglas Ellison, one of the foundation’s board members and Chinx’s former manager, added, “Lionel had the heart of a leader, he lifted people up, he inspired them to dream bigger. This foundation continues that work, so his voice, his values and his love for this community never fade.”
Chinx killed in a 2015 drive-by shooting while sitting in his car at a red light. Last year, Quincy Homere was sentenced to 23 years for his hand in the killing, while Chinx Hill’s case is still pending because he’s already incarcerated for an unrelated charge.
Chinx made a name for himself during the mid-2000s when he started making music with the late Stack Bundles and later, French Montana.
Andrea Bocelli signed an exclusive, five-year worldwide agreement with AEG Presents for the creation and management of his live performances, in collaboration with his management team (Veronica Berti and Francesco Pasquero), agency WME and record label Universal Music Group. The deal, which begins on Jan. 1, 2026, covers all of Bocelli’s ticketed live events globally.
Mark Ambor, who scored his first Billboard Hot 100 entry with the smash 2024 track “Belong Together,” signed to Capitol Records. The singer-songwriter is currently touring in Europe and set to play festivals including Governors Ball, Lollapalooza (in both Chicago and Berlin) and Outside Lands. He concluded his North American tour last year.
Don McLean (“American Pie”) signed with Day After Day Productions for exclusive global touring representation. The singer-songwriter currently has more than a dozen tour dates lined up in the U.S.
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Country singer-songwriter Ink signed with Big Loud Records and Electric Feel Records. She is managed by SALXCO. Ink co-wrote three tracks for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, including “16 Carriages,” “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “American Requiem,” as well as Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s smash single “Luther,” among many other credits.
Management firm Shelter Music Group announced the signings of five artists: Cheap Trick, Boys Like Girls, Chiodos, American Hi-Fi and Dead Poet Society. Cheap Trick is gearing up for its 2025 tour and a new album; Boys Like Girls will support the Jonas Brothers on its 20th anniversary stadium and arena tour; Chiodos is currently touring to promote the 20th anniversary of All’s Well That Ends Well and will embark on another tour in the fall, with a new studio album and more touring to come next year; American Hi-Fi are gearing up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band’s self-titled debut album; and Dead Poet Society are set to tour across Europe and the U.K. this summer, and later across the U.S. in support of Chevelle.
New Found Glory signed to Pure Noise Records, which released the band’s latest single, “100%.” The band is set to perform at Slam Dunk Music Festival before touring with The Offspring and Jimmy Eat World on the SUPERCHARGED: Worldwide in ’25 Tour in North America, followed by several U.K. headline dates.
Country singer-songwriter Mark Chesnutt signed with Conway Entertainment Group/Ontourage Management for management and Absolutely Publicity for PR. Chesnutt is represented by Risha Rodgers at WME’s Nashville division for live bookings.
RaeLynn signed with The Valory Music Co., which will release her latest track, “Heaven Is a Honky Tonk,” on Friday (May 9) in partnership with Red Van Records/Jonas Group Entertainment. The country singer-songwriter is touring with Jason Aldean on his Full Throttle Tour this summer.
British Columbia-based singer-songwriter Luca Fogale signed to Nettwerk, which released “Begin,” his first single of 2025, with more music set for release in the coming months. Fogale just wrapped a headline tour of North America and is currently touring in Europe. He’s managed by Colin McTaggart and Piers Henwood at Amelia Artists and booked by Grant Paley at Midnight Agency for Canada.
R&B artist RAAHiiM (“Peak (Fed Up)”) signed with MNRK Music Group, which released his single “Just Like Me” on Friday (May 2). He’s set to support Jessie Reyez on her North American tour beginning on June 10. RAAHiiM is managed by Joven Haye and booked by Olivia Mirabella, Yves Pierre and Jacqueline Reynolds-Drumm at CAA.
Capitol Christian Music Group signed singer-songwriter Eli Gable, whose debut single, “Holy Ghost Town,” releases May 16. The Ohio native moved to Nashville in 2020 and creates music that blends worship, folk and rock styles. Gable will join Rend Collective on the Folk! 2025 Fall Tour starting Oct. 17 in Portland, Maine. The CCMG roster also includes Chris Tomlin, Blessing Offor, Crowder and Franni Cash. – Jessica Nicholson
Universal Music Korea signed hip-hop artists Okasian and Bryan Chase. Both rose to prominence in Korea as part of The Cohort’s hip-hop crew. Both recently featured on “LOV3,” a track off Sik-k and Lil Moshpit’s [K-FLIP+] EP released in March.
Quavo’s the Rocket Foundation hosted a Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday (May 4) for moms who have lost children to gun violence.
The Migos frontman was in attendance alongside his mother, as well as the late TakeOff’s mom and grandmother; TakeOff was killed in a shooting in Houston on Nov. 1, 2022.
Quavo launched the Rocket Foundation following the death of his nephew, with a goal of reducing gun violence across the country. Draped in white and pastel colors, attendees enjoyed a day of healing as flowers by Fenty Beauty and photos of the lives lost lined the building in Atlanta.
“It’s three times a year that’s really hard. This is one of the major ones. TakeOff made me a mama,” TakeOff’s mother, Tatiana Davenport, told The Atlanta Voice. “I pray that mothers will have a place, like a refuge, where they can get finances to help them grow. They may need spiritual help. They may need mental help. Because it’s all hard, and it’s all combined into one. So I pray that this day will allow them to feel that they can continue to go on and grow.”
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There was also a panel with representatives from various anti-violence groups discussing what can be done in the community to enact the changes they want to see.
It’s the fourth initiative of its kind hosted by the Rocket Foundation, which has plans for another meeting with members of congress this summer.
Earlier this month, the Rocket Foundation named Gregory Jackson Jr. as the president of the organization. Jackson Jr. previously served as the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which was dismantled by the Trump Administration.
“What they’re going through, while it’s painful, there’s a whole community here that has their back and has been through similar trials, and we’re just stronger together than we are apart,” Jackson Jr. told those in attendance. “Maybe just every once in a while, there’s a sad night, they’ll remember that there are so many other people there to support them, even if they aren’t physically there with them. And frankly, we want to inspire them to continue to be courageous in speaking out on this issue, pushing for change, because that’s how we fix this.”
On the music side, Quavo released a posthumous collaboration with TakeOff “Dope By Phone,” which hit streaming services on May 2.
Pharrell Williams‘ hosting duties had only just begun after the 2025 Met Gala — which he co-chaired with A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton — ended Monday night (May 5).
Following the glamorous event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the producer invited a star-studded list of guests to join him for an “after hours” UNO tournament at Crane Club in the West Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Among the players were Kim Kardashian, Keke Palmer, Jaden Smith, Pusha T, Future, Ciara, Lala Anthony, Questlove, PinkPantheress, Maggie Rogers and Halle Bailey, who posed for photos, sipped on drinks and — at least in some cases — probably made a few lifelong enemies with some well-timed “Draw Four” cards.
Emceed by streamer and onetime Billboard cover star Kai Cenat, the evening also saw the winners of the tournament take home prizes ranging from a Richard Mille watch to diamond Tiffany & Co. earrings. A Louis Vuitton trunk was also awarded, as was a custom UNO varsity jacket designed by the night’s host himself.
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The tournament capped off one of the most highly anticipated celebrity events of the year, with many of Williams’ UNO guests having walked the Met Gala red carpet just hours prior to the game night. This year’s theme, which the producer helped lead with his fellow co-chairs, was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a tribute to “the role of sartorial style in forming Black identities, focusing on the emergence, significance and proliferation of the Black dandy,” according to Vogue.
In addition to helping host the gala, Williams — who is the men’s creative director for Louis Vuitton — assisted in curating many of the night’s looks, including those worn by Zendaya, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, LISA of BLACKPINK, Future and more.
See photos from Williams’ post-Met Gala UNO party below.
Kim Kardashian, Ciara, La La Anthony and Kai Cenat
Zach Hilty/BFA.com
PinkPantheress and Halle Bailey
Zach Hilty/BFA.com
Future
Zach Hilty/BFA.com
