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Selena Gomez will receive the 2025 Woman of the Year award at the annual Billboard Latin Women in Music event, Billboard and Telemundo announced on Wednesday (April 16). The two-hour special, set to be held Miami, will air April 24 exclusively on Telemundo.
The Woman of the Year award is presented to a female artist who has demonstrated exceptional success, leadership and cultural influence in the music industry and beyond. Previous Women of the Year honorees at Latin Women in Music include Shakira and Karol G.
A global powerhouse, Gomez has had a fruitful career as a recording artist. On the Billboard charts, the 32-year-old star has had presence across genres, including a total of 42 entries on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, including her first No. 1 hit, “Lose You to Love Me” (2019). On the Hot Latin Songs chart, her featured role on DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki,” alongside Ozuna and Cardi B, debuted at No. 1 on the tally in October 2018, where it ruled for 13 weeks. Since, she’s achieved three additional top 10 hits on the multimetric ranking, including “Baila Conmigo,” her collaboration with Rauw Alejandro, which soared to a No. 4 peak in 2021 and topped the Latin Airplay chart for a week.
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The Texas-born artist of Mexican descent further expanded her reach in Latin music with her first-ever Spanish-language project, Revelación. The EP, released four years ago, debuted at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, making history as the first album by a female artist to achieve the feat since Shakira’s El Dorado. It also scored her a Grammy nomination for best Latin pop album. Most recently, Gomez entered the top five on Hot Latin Songs thanks to “Ojos Tristes” with Benny Blanco and The Marías. The song, a reimagination of the ’80s classic “El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes,” is part of Gomez and Blanco’s collaborative album, I Said I Love You First.
Beyond her career in music, Gomez — also an award-winning actress, producer and business mogul — has become a leading voice for mental health and social justice issues that impact underrepresented communities. She was Woman of the Year at the 2017 Billboard Women in Music.
Gomez joins this year’s previously announced honorees, including Anitta (Vanguard Award), Belinda (Evolution Award), Celia Cruz (Legend Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award), Natti Natasha Unstoppable Artist), and Olga Tañón (Lifetime Achievement Award).
Read Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 Executive List here.
The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live April 24 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. Central exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean onTelemundo Internacional.
Kate Cassidy, who dated Liam Payne for two years before his sudden death in October, is opening up about her emotional last moments with the singer.
In a raw interview on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast posted Wednesday (April 16), the influencer recalled saying goodbye to Payne days before he suffered a fatal fall from a third-story hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The couple had been in Argentina on a trip together before Cassidy left by herself, but not before having one last heartfelt conversation with her boyfriend, of which she says, “I’m so glad that we had that last beautiful moment together.”
“On the last day in Argentina, my car was in the driveway, and we went back into the guest house, grabbed my suitcase and we were sitting on the couch and I just kept going on and on and on about how much I love him and how much he means to me,” Cassidy recalled. “And he laughed and he interrupted me, and he just said, ‘Kate, you’re gonna miss your flight … You’re acting like this is the last time you’re ever gonna see me again.’”
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“I think when I think about the last day and the last words that we said to each other, it brings me this mixture of pain and peace,” she explained to Shetty. “We’d just bought a new house. We just got a dog. We just moved to America as well. I mean, I was living in England with him for two years … It was just all these new beginnings, and it was in just such a positive light. So I remember sitting there with him and I was going on and on and on, and saying to Liam how much I love him.”
Cassidy and the former One Direction star first met when the TikToker was working as his server at a bar in Charleston, S.C. Over the course of their relationship, she would often share videos of the two of them together, including one of the couple attending Niall Horan’s concert in Argentina just a couple weeks before Payne’s death.
When they initially started dating, Cassidy remembers that some of Payne’s fans would send her hate, picking apart her appearance and speculating on the validity of their relationship. “It was just hard to see that,” she told Shetty. “Liam would say to me, ‘I’m so sorry.’ Like, he would feel at fault. He’d be like, ‘I feel so bad that you have to put up with this and deal with this’ … And I was like, ‘I don’t care what people think at all, because I love you.’”
On the podcast, Cassidy also opened up about supporting Payne through his struggles with substance abuse, something he was open about in his lifetime. At the time of his death, the “Strip That Down” musician had several substances in his system and a nearly life-threatening blood-alcohol content, according to the toxicology reports.
“He experienced struggles with mental health for years before dating me,” Cassidy said. “It’s something that I, at first, didn’t fully understand. I don’t have addiction that runs in my family. I think in the beginning of our relationship, when he was struggling a little bit, I think that I remember just kind of being like, in my head, ‘Can’t you just not do that?’ But it’s not that easy. It’s not easy at all.”
“An addict doesn’t want to do that,” she continued. “He doesn’t want to pick up a drink, he doesn’t want to take a certain substance. They don’t want to do that, but they, it’s almost like their brain is wired to pick up that beer to do that thing … I finally realized that this is something he did not choose.”
“We would have the best day, we would have such a great day,” she added. “And then, later on that night, it was just … something would just tick in his brain where he couldn’t help himself.”
Listen to Cassidy’s full interview with Shetty below.
If you or anyone you know is facing mental and/or substance abuse disorders, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline for referrals and information 24/7 by calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visiting the SAMHSA website.
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The Urban One Podcast Network is thrilled to welcome comedian, actress, and entrepreneur Torrei Hart with the launch of her new show, Brutally Honest with Torrei Hart. This bold and unfiltered podcast brings Hart’s signature humor and candidness to the forefront, offering listeners engaging conversations that resonate across cultural lines.
About the Podcast
Brutally Honest with Torrei Hart is a comedy interview podcast that breaks through the noise with fearless and refreshingly authentic discussions. Each episode features studio interviews with a diverse lineup of guests, including entertainers, comedians, authors, community and religious leaders, and other newsmakers. The show is more than a podcast—it’s a cultural force, where raw truth, bold humor, and powerful conversations come together to leave a lasting impact.
Meet the Host
Torrei Hart is a multi-talented comedian, actress, TV personality, and influencer with over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry. A Philadelphia/Jersey native and mother of two, Torrei has performed alongside comedy heavyweights like Martin Lawrence, Katt Williams, Alex Thomas, and Chris Spencer. She has also hosted the Wendy Williams Foundation 10-Year Anniversary Gala.
Beyond the stage, Hart is a successful entrepreneur. In 2017, she founded Heavenly Hart Haircare, a natural haircare line catering to all ethnicities. She also launched the YouTube comedy channel Pretty Funny Fish, which gained significant popularity. With a production company under her name and a signed partnership with Russell Simmons, Torrei has contributed creative content to All Def Digital and has starred, co-written, and executive produced her own short films. Additionally, she developed an unscripted talk show titled Talkin Shit with ZEUS Network and holds a recurring chair on DISH NATION. In 2020, she introduced Skinny Bish Keto, a health and fitness brand encouraging women to become their “Best Self.”
What to Expect
Listeners can anticipate real, raw, funny, and honest interviews from Torrei’s unique perspective. Her excitement about partnering with the Urban One Podcast Network is palpable:
“You can expect to hear real, raw, funny, and honest interviews from my perspective. My excitement is through the roof to partner with such an established iconic brand that is aligned with my vision.”
Production Team
Brutally Honest with Torrei Hart is produced by Matt Ables, Jeremiah Stewart, and Rashid Terry, bringing together a team dedicated to delivering compelling and impactful content.
About The Urban One Podcast Network
Launched in 2022, the Urban One Podcast Network offers a curated slate of premium content spanning diverse genres—rich in information, insight, and entertainment. Powered by Black stories and voices, the network features top-charting podcasts like Dear Future Wifey and Mick Unplugged. Our women-led shows include She Said It First with Lynee’ Monae and Jerrilyn Lake (aka IndeskribeaBULL), Mompreneur, Listen To Black Women, and Adult’Hood.
Stay up to date with news from The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, The D.L. Hughley Show, The Morning Hustle, and Get Up Mornings with Erica Campbell. Enjoy the latest in entertainment and pop culture with Frames Per Second, Is The Mic Still On, and Dead End Gaming. Sports fans can tune into I Hate The Homies, SZN Opener, and Dead End Sports. Music lovers can dive into Dead End Hip Hop, Backstory with Colby Colb, and The Fun House with Kid ‘N Play. Plus, explore TV One’s original series Fatal Attraction, featuring true stories of love gone wrong.
With the addition of Brutally Honest with Torrei Hart, the network expands its comedy and storytelling slate—bringing even more unfiltered, culturally relevant conversations led by one of today’s boldest voices in entertainment.
Torrei Hart Launches New Podcast On The Urban One Podcast Network
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While hardcore Rihanna fans continue to patiently wait for new music from the bombshell from Barbados, Riri decided to get the internet in a frenzy, but it had absolutely nothing to do with a new track or album announcement.
On Tuesday (April 15), Rihanna had the internet buzzing when she announced her new Savage x Fenty Bridal collection complete with a photoshoot, featuring herself styling in some of the pieces set to release. Man did she stun! Rocking pink lingerie and a wedding veil, Rihanna demonstrates just how seductive her latest collection can be for any bride to be on her wedding night if they share the same physical dimensions as the 37-year-old superstar.
Naturally, her followers absolutely loved the look and flooded her comments section with praise and, well, thirst. So we wouldn’t be surprised if this collection flies off the digital shelves even if they aren’t engaged as they’ll be looking to make a visual impact on their partners in the near future.
That being said, this begs the question, could Rihanna be hinting at wedding bells for herself and her baby daddy, A$AP Rocky? What’s taking that man so long to put a ring on it? Seriously. Rihanna’s a classic beauty and she stood by his side during his gun trial throughout the proceedings. Lock it down already, bro!
Check out Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Bridal collection, and let us know your thoughts about the look and photoshoot in the comments section below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIeLsLSplAz/?img_index=1
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In today’s episode of Water Is Wet, The Sky Is Blue, And White People Are Exhaustingly Fragile, a Black man has been cast to portray Hogwarts Professor Severus Snape in HBO‘s forthcoming Harry Potter series, and the Caucasian nerd-o-sphere is predictably salty about it.
Recently, it was announced that I May Destroy You actor Paapa Essiedu was cast to portray the classic role of Snape. We already knew how the news would be received by a certain segment of the melanin-deficient population because we already saw it when Ariel of The Little Mermaid, some of the Harfoots of the Lord of the Rings universe, and the Valaryons of the Game of Thrones universe were depicted as Black. Basically, the most catered to and overwhelmingly represented racial group in every pillar of our popular culture — from TV to film to broadcasting to advertising — are throwing their typical temper tantrums over Black actors getting cast in roles Black actors could hardly conceive of before a decade or so ago.
From Newsweek:
X user @GoatHerder101 posted: “This is the worst race swap in the modern history of race swaps. Of course racism will be a focal point in Snape’s backstory now, since he will bullied mercilessly by James Potter and his friends. HBO has officially divided the fandom before filming has even begun all for the sake of DEI [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion].”
Media personality Jon Root posted to X: “HBO just officially killed their show in the womb…Snape is white in the books, so he should be white in the show. This is just DEI nonsense. Now imagine what’ll look like when white James Potter bullies black Severus Snape…Great way to push a racism, victim agenda.”
X user @MyNerdyHome posted: “And just like that- everyone who picks on Snape is going to be labeled a racist. In 2025 they would never let the silent hero of this series be a white man. What a shame.”
Reddit user u/midtrailertrash posted: “I am truly sorry but I cannot get behind Paapa Essiedu playing Snape. I think I will have to pass on this tv series.”
Reddit user u/TheJoshider10 posted: “You just know they’re going to make Hermione black too. Harry Potter has so many diverse supporting characters that never got a chance to shine and easily could be made more important. We could get the likes of Cho Chang brought into the story sooner as a character with her own agency rather than being nothing more than ‘ooo Harry’s first crush’ in a later book. Why change what already exists when you can elevate the characters that never got a chance to shine in the past? The example I always go to is Spider-Man. Why would you make Peter Parker black, when you can just create a new character. Because of that we got Miles, and now over a decade on from his debut he’s a popular Marvel character. Yet Hollywood is so adamant on making unnecessary changes to existing characters, whether that be through race or gender. Do something different that doesn’t cause controversy. Create new characters or elevate less known ones so people can have more characters to love rather than replacements for what is already there.”
It must be nice to be white in a world where whiteness is the default and diversity is a relatively new concept. It must be nice to be able to simply ignore the fact that the only reason the overwhelming majority of the most iconic superheroes, Disney princesses and fantasy characters are white is that the source material was created at a time when everything was overwhelmingly white by design because white people needed to see themselves on the screen, and that need was always catered to by the Western entertainment industry. And, of course, we should celebrate that industry racism by ensuring that white actors are the only actors to receive opportunities to play those roles.
Ironically, some of the commenters above complained that casting Snape as a Black man will ensure that the bullying he endured will be seen as racism, which is pretty much a micro-example of how white privilege works. As long as Snape is white, the bullying is only imagined as bullying, but if he’s Black, the issue of racist bullying is inescapable. That’s not just how the show’s viewers will see it; that’s a reflection of true Western society.
Other commenters are asking why not just create original Black characters as if the world of white fandom doesn’t also get itself into a white-tearsy tizzy when original casts of color become prominent in entertainment. (See the Black Samurai in the latest Assassin’s Creed game.) Again, the effort to bring true diversity to the entertainment world has only been going on for a decade or so, and it’s already on a down slope, largely because not a day of said era has gone by without white people kicking and screaming about it.
Who knows how good a job Essiedu will do portraying Snape until we see it? What we do know is that a Black man playing Snape changes absolutely nothing about his story outside of his original physical description, which would only matter to Harry Potter fans for one reason:
They’re racist!
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The twists and turns continue with Diddy’s trial. He has plead not guilty to new charges and his defense may ask to postpone the start date of the trial.
As spotted on Deadline, the mogul was charged with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution as part of a superseding indictment. On Monday, April 15, he appeared in a New York City courtroom and formally submitted a not guilty plea. In addition his defense argued that the prosecutor has been less than forthright with the disclosure of evidence. Hence they are considering requesting that the trial be postponed.
Diddy’s lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos say that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has not been sharing all the communications they have in their possession; specifically those from Diddy’s former employees. Furthermore they casted doubt on whether the prosecutors actually have the messages in question saying “it’s troubling to us.” As a result, Diddy’s defense team revealed that they might file for an adjournment of the case in hopes of delaying the trial another two weeks in order to sort out any issues with the evidence. After the court hearing Agnifilo told the press that they will not seek the adjournment if the prosecutors “get their act together.” Judge Arun Subramanian has given Diddy’s legal team 48 hours to file the adjournment if they are still interested in pursuing that request.
Diddy’s trial is set to commence May 5. The next hearing is scheduled for later this week.
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Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz
Fans of Lil Nas X received some surprising news on Monday (April 14), as he shared a video on Instagram taken from a hospital bed. In the video, he revealed that he lost movement on the entirety of the right side of his face. “When I smile – this is me doing a full smile by the way,” Lil Nas X says while demonstrating the lack of movement on that side of his face, “It’s like, “Bro what the f— bro, I can’t even laugh right!!!”He burst into laughter at the situation. Later in the same video, he cracks another joke about the situation while doing an extreme close-up of his face. “We normal over here…we go crazy over here,” the “Old Town Road” rapper says before falling into laughter again, with text reading “I’m so cooked” overlaid on the video.Lil Nas X implored his followers to not be dismayed by the news with subsequent Instagram Stories. In one, he wrote “Guys I am OK!! Stop being sad for me!! Shake ur ass for me instead!!” That was followed by another story in which he shared a selfie with the caption “Imma look funny for a lil bit but that’s it,” topped off with crying laughing emojis.Fans have speculated that Lil Nas X could be dealing with Bell’s Palsy, a nerve condition that is triggered by an infection or by stress, which causes paralysis to parts of the face. Other stars such as Cardi B and Justin Bieber have experienced the same condition. Prior to his hospitalization, he was doing promotion for his upcoming EP Days Before Dreamboy, which will be followed by his first full-length album since his 2021 debut, Montero. Other celebrities took time out to send him well-wishes. “Get well baby,” wrote actress Taraji P. Henson. “Sometimes your body tells you to sit down somewhere. Rest up,” wrote comedian Wanda Sykes.
For any number of fans who got upset last year at Bowen Yang‘s Saturday Night Live segment parodying both Moo Deng and pop star Chappell Roan, the “Pink Pony Club” artist would ask you to please calm down.
On the Wednesday (April 16) episode of Las Culturistas, Yang and co-host Matt Rogers chatted with Roan about her fans’ reaction to Yang’s appearance on Weekend Update, during which he dressed as the viral baby pygmy hippopotamus and echoed the singer’s sentiments about inappropriate fan behavior. “Do not yell my name or expect a photo just because I’m your parasocial bestie or you appreciate my talent,” his Moo Deng proclaimed before clarifying that the hippo’s talent was “having a slippery body that bounces.”
While some fans felt that Yang was mocking Roan’s boundary-setting statement, the pop singer says she never felt that way. “I wasn’t even mad,” she declared as soon as Rogers brought up the topic. “I did [think it was funny], I didn’t feel anything!”
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As Yang explained that he chatted with Drag Race winner and Roan’s friend Sasha Colby about the public outcry, the singer explained that she wished some of her fans would pump the breaks before jumping to her defense. “People do not have to get mad on my behalf — we are fine. What is there to be mad about?” she said. “It’s comedy! It was so lighthearted. It was, to me, harmless. Even if you were to push it further — harmless! It’s comedy, I just don’t understand … I just don’t know ‘the line’ anymore.”
Rogers explained some fans’ “parasocial” need to “protect this person,” even when the person in question has not asked for protection. Chappell agreed, adding that “even if you didn’t think the Moo Deng sketch was funny, you don’t have to say anything! Like, you can always not say something.”
Elsewhere on the podcast, Roan also chatted with the pair about some disappointed fan reactions to “The Giver” after her viral debut of the track on SNL, referring to their preference as “demo-itis.” “You have attached memories, all of these things to this one version of the song, but it’s actually not as good as the recorded version,” she explains. “But you fall in love with what you hear first, because when you hear a different version, you’re just going to hate it because it’s different.”
Check out Chappell’s full conversation with Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers on Las Culturistas below:
After years of laying the groundwork, Coco Jones is stepping fully into her moment. The singer, songwriter and actress has been riding high since the success of her breakout EP What I Didn’t Tell You, which earned her a best R&B performance Grammy for her 2022 track “ICU” and introduced the world to her powerhouse vocals and unapologetic storytelling. Now, she’s ready to reveal even more.
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On April 25, Jones will release her debut album Why Not More? via High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings — a bold, genre-blending project that she describes as magnetic, genuine, and transparent.
“I’m really trying to push the boundaries of what R&B can be,” Jones tells Billboard. “Because I have so many influences — I have what my mom taught me as a kid, Disney Channel influences, and then I have me as a young adult — I feel like I blend genres naturally as a personality. I wanted to match that energy with the album and continue to show the versatility of R&B.”
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Her EP was about introductions. Why Not More? is about deepening the connection. “ I think I have built up a good rapport with my fans,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot about them, they’ve learned about me — and I can kind of let my hair down and be riskier.”
That growth is reflected not just in the themes, but in the collaborators as well. Jones tapped into new creative chemistry with producers like Stargate and Cirkut, alongside longtime collaborators London on da Track and Cardiak.
Still, it’s the personal moments that might matter the most. On “By Myself,” Jones sings about self-reliance, inner peace and delivers what she believes to be one of the album’s most important messages. “It’s really about wanting to be comfortable alone,” she says. “Comfortable without needing validation, without needing to be around people — some boy or girl, whatever. Just comfortable with you. I think that will really resonate with a lot of my listeners.”
When asked to sum up the project in three words, Jones doesn’t hesitate: “Authentic. Charismatic. Vulnerable.”It’s a fitting description for a body of work that’s already resonating. With four singles out — including “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” and “Taste,” both of which charted on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart — and a tour around the corner, Jones is paying close attention to how fans are responding. “I think it’s really good to get feedback,” she says. “I make music for my listeners, and I want them to be happy. I want them to have music that makes them feel heard.”
For Jones, that feedback plays a crucial role in shaping her approach moving forward. “Having positive perceptions — having any, opinions — is always crucial because music is subjective,” she says. “But I make it so that it works for [the listeners].”As for the tour itself, Jones promises it’s not just a concert — it’s a ride. “We’re gonna have some fun, we’re gonna cry a little bit, we’re gonna get in our bag,” she shares. “Definitely going to have some flips, have some remixes, have some old stuff that I think is really catchy and really fun brought back in and kind of remix with my new stuff.” The tour kicks off May 6 in Philadelphia, and for her, it’s all about connection. “At the end of the day, I hope that you walk away feeling like you know me more and you’re excited for the next time.”
One track she’s especially excited to perform hasn’t dropped yet, but it’s one she describes as more “aggressive,” channeling her confident “Here We Go” energy. And yes, there will be surprises. We know for sure that Lady London will join her as an opener — the two have a new song together on the album. “I don’t know if that’s exclusive,” she teases with a smile.
Reflecting on everything she’s built, Jones says this album doesn’t feel like a new stage — it feels like a beginning. “I think this album is a chapter,” she says. “I’ll look back and say, ‘That was this era.’” But right now, “It’s chapter one of a very long story, hopefully.”
If she could offer one piece of advice to the Coco who started this journey years ago? “Post more. I did a lot of waiting on opportunities, when — girl, you could’ve had your own TV show on your phone by now!”
With Why Not More?, Coco Jones isn’t waiting on anyone. She’s owning her narrative, amplifying her voice, and delivering the kind of debut that asks — and answers — the question: Why not more?See the full track list for Why Not More? below:
“Here We Go (Uh Oh)”
“Other side of love”
“Hit You Where It Hurts”
“Keep It Quiet”
“Thang 4 U”
“AEOMG”
“Why Not More?”
“On Sight”
“Taste”
“Nobody Exists”
“Most Beautiful”
“You”
“Forever Don’t Hit Like Before”
“By Myself”
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How was your Record Store Day? This year I spent about an hour and a half and $150 picking up some great vinyl at two stores in Berlin, where I live. (Shout-outs to Soultrade and Dussman.) Every year seems to bring more music fans into stores, along with more releases in more genres. I personally picked up reissues of the Passengers album and Emmylou Harris’ Spyboy, plus archival live releases from Ry Cooder and Talking Heads, and a split 7” single from Goat and Graveyard. While I was at Soultrade, I also found a used album I’ve wanted forever – a 1973 copy of This Is Amon Düül, which is hard to find and even harder to wrap your head around.
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That record was in great shape for 1973, but it needed to be cleaned — as do many old records. These days, some new ones do, too: A combination of falling quality control and a tendency to use paper sleeves means that many new records come with some grit in the grooves. So, in the Record Store Day spirit, I wanted to share some tips on the various ways to clean records and keep them free from dirt and scratches — and sounding great for as long as possible. There’s some science to this, but it’s pretty easy. You’ll need to buy accessories, and I’ve shared my favorites here, but like everything in audio, the equipment costs as much as you want it to. My advice, as always: Start with the basics and work your way up.
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The first thing any vinyl fan needs is an anti-static brush. It’s the easiest to use — you just hold it perpendicular to the record as it spins, and it lifts out dust and eliminates static electricity that causes snaps, crackles and pops. Serious vinyl nerds call this “dry cleaning.” As opposed to wet cleaning that eliminates serious dirt, this just targets basic dust. It couldn’t be easier, though. Just press down very gently as the record rotates, and you’re good. I have an Audio-Technica AT6011a Anti-Static Record Brush, which has served me well for years, but the Boundless Record Cleaner Brush is just as good. Both are about $15, and buying one of them, or something similar, is a no-brainer. There’s no way to get a bigger boost in quality for less money.
Audio-Technica AT6011a Anti-Static Record Brush
Boundless Audio Record Cleaner Brush
$14.95
$18.99
21% off
The other inexpensive way to improve sound quality is to make sure your turntable stylus is clean. This is also inexpensive, but it’s a bit trickier! The styli on good turntables are delicate and expensive, so you need to be careful. Start with the right tool for the job — a small carbon-fiber brush. Then follow the instructions carefully — brush very gently back to front, only when necessary. For about $14, the Boundless Stylus Cleaner Brush is solid. You can also buy a record brush and a stylus brush together — this $20 package from Fluance is great.
Boundless Audio Stylus Cleaner Brush
$13.95
$17.99
22% off
Fluance Vinyl Record & Stylus Cleaning Kit
The next thing you’ll want is plastic sleeves — “inners,” as collectors call them, because they protect vinyl in an album, as opposed to “outers” that protect the sleeve itself. These don’t need to be fancy — the only goal here is to avoid the paper sleeves that can cause minor scratches over time. It’s hard to go wrong here, but for years I used Collector Protector sleeves (50 for $24). Recently I switched to Big Fudge sleeves (50 for $25), which look a bit nicer, although I haven’t noticed any real difference. The kind of people who buy $200 records have a preference, but it probably just makes sense to buy whatever’s cheapest. Right now, that looks like Hudson sleeves (100 for $29) or the round-bottomed Invest in Vinyl sleeves (50 for $14). I haven’t tried either of them, but only the most serious collectors can tell the difference.
Collector Protector Sleeves for Vinyl Record Storage
Big Fudge 50x Premium Vinyl Record Inner Sleeves
Hudson Hi-Fi 3 Layers HDPE Anti-Static 100 Vinyl Record Inner Sleeves
50 LP Inner Sleeves Anti Static Round Bottom 33 RPM 12″ Vinyl Record Sleeves
If you have valuable records, you’ll also want outer sleeves. This doesn’t touch the vinyl itself — it just protects the album. In some cases, with valuable albums or gimmick covers, that’s great to have. In a decade and a half of seriously collecting vinyl, I haven’t noticed so much difference between different brands, but some are sturdier. Big Fudge is solid and reliably good (50 for $20) and Invest in Vinyl (100 for $23) is currently a better buy.
BIG FUDGE 50x Vinyl Record Sleeves 12″ LP
If you have a good system, you’ll want to get more serious about cleaning. That means “wet cleaning” records, which means buying some special supplies. Under no circumstances should you attempt to clean records with stuff you have lying around the house. It’s no fun and it can damage records. Vinyl is delicate, so it demands its own routine. To start, it’s easiest to buy a cleaning kit with a microfiber cloth, some specialized vinyl cleaner and perhaps a brush. Big Fudge sells a $23 Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit that comes with a stylus brush and a styling storage pouch. Boundless has a $60 package that has all of that, plus a record brush and a nicer case, and Amazon now offers it with a $5 coupon discount. Eveo has one for $20 that’s not so different. The real difference comes in what you do with them — and you should use only specialized cleaning fluid, distilled water and either special brushes or microfiber cloths.
Big Fudge Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit
Boundless Audio Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit
$59.95
$74.99
20% off
EVEO Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit
$19.97
$26.97
26% off
That will get you started. Remember, though, the idea isn’t to clean the surface of the vinyl — it’s to get the dirt out of the grooves. At some point, though, you might want a machine that will really get into the grooves. For between $50 and $100, you can get a spin-cleaner, a kind of hand-powered car wash for vinyl that rotates records against brushes and in and out of a bath of water and cleaning solution. One of the best is the $80 Spin-Clean Record Washer Kit. You fill a small tub with water and a cleaning solution, then turn the records against brushes, in and out of it — then dry them. This is easier than it sounds, and it’s far more effective than doing it by hand. The Spin-Clean Deluxe Kit, for $125, includes more fluid and drying cloths, although you can buy those separately, too. There are a bunch of machines built on this basic model: The $63 Big Fudge model gets positive reviews, and at $50 the Studebaker is the bargain of the bunch.
Spin-Clean Record Washer Kit
Big Fudge Vinyl Record Cleaner Kit
Studebaker Vinyl Record Cleaning System
If you are really, truly serious about great sound, you might also want to consider an ultrasonic record cleaning machine. Right now, the machine of choice is the German-made HumminGuru Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner, a fully automatic machine that attacks dirt with sound, then dries records after cleaning them. It’s $600 but, if you’re tempted, Amazon is now selling it with a coupon that’s good for $100 off. Think of all the money you’ll save.
Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
