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Venue impressario Peter Shapiro is at it again with a new live music project, announcing Monday (March 10) the launch of Garcia’s, a first-of-its-kind jazz and super club in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood that was built and designed in honor of legendary Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia.
Shapiro has long collaborated with original members of the iconic 1960s band through projects like the Fare Thee Well concerts honoring the band’s 50th anniversary; he also worked as the long-time promoter for late Grateful Dead founding member Phil Lesh. For the new club, he has enlisted the help of Garcia’s family members, including his daughter Trixie Garcia, who said the inspiration for Garcia’s was “a live music club with a comfortable atmosph
The 300-capacity concert venue will feature a full bar and restaurant, says Shapiro, adding that the concept for Garcia’s comes from iconic old supper and jazz clubs of yesteryear, including New York’s Birdland, Harlem’s esteemed Bill’s Place or the Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans.
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It’s a different vibe,” says Shapiro, creator of the Brooklyn Bowl venue chain and owner of the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, N.Y., and the Bearsville Theater near Woodstock, N.Y. “The club is a big open room and it kind of feels like a high-end Vegas-style supper club. It’s a got dark, red and sexy ambiance and most people will be seated in booths, but there will be some [general admission] space for standing on the outer edge for those who want to dance. For some music fans, they’ll travel to Chicago for a show and it’s going to feel like a bucket list experience. But we will also have regulars who come each night for the vibe. Music fans will love Garcia’s — they will feel like this place was built for them.”
Peter Shapiro
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Veteran Chicago promoter Michael Berg has joined the project to support its bookings and management, with an initial lineup that includes the Blind Boys of Alabama, Grace Potter and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The venue will open March 21 with Lesh’s son, Grahame Lesh, playing with his band alongside Nashville improvisational standout and “cosmic country” creator Daniel Donato.
Garcia’s was designed by Bob Quellos of local Chicago architectural firm fc STUDIO alongside designer Tristam Steinberg. The duo developed the venue with art and designs that draw inspiration from Garcia’s life in California and his prominence in psychedelic culture. Garcia’s is decorated throughout with Garcia’s original artwork, as well as previously-unseen family portraits and posters and imagery celebrating Garcia’s favorite films, books and records.
Garcia’s “Spain meets San Francisco” menu was developed by Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality Group with a focus on American comfort food. The kitchen will be led by executive chef Ivy Carthen and the beverage program will be led by award-winning mixologist Chris Lowder. Cocktails will include a tequila-soda called “Mission In The Rain” and a White-Russian variant called “Russian Lullaby”, both honoring his Garcia’s career.
Garcia’s will be powered by Meyer Sound, and performing artists will all have access to a full multitracking and live-streaming setup. The club will feature a full backline, a new Yamaha DM7 console and a state-of-the-art lighting package to enhance the vibe.
A full list of shows can be found below. More at GarciasChicago.live.
Garcia’s
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DDG has aired out the visitation issues he’s apparently experiencing with Halle Bailey over their son, Halo, which he discussed in a new song titled “Don’t Take My Son.” The rapper released the Cash Cobain-produced track on Saturday (March 8), when he addressed the alleged problems surrounding the custody of his one-year-old son. “Don’t take […]
No matter how large or small the venue, you never know who will show up to a concert in Music City.
On Sunday evening (March 9), rapper Snoop Dogg made a surprise appearance at Nashville music venue Losers Bar & Grill. The 16-time Grammy-nominated entertainer treated the audience in the 500-capacity venue to a rendition of his 1994-released song “Gin and Juice.”
Country singer-songwriter Ernest was among those who joined Snoop during the evening, and shared photos from the performance over the weekend. The two entertainers have previously collaborated on an as-yet-unreleased song called “Gettin’ Done,” which Ernest performed during a show in Nashville last month.
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“SNOOP X DEVILLE,” the country artist captioned his carousel of photos with the rapper.
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The venue also shared a clip of Snoop’s performance on Instagram, captioning the video on Monday (March 10): “You never know who might hop up on stage. This Life Ain’t For Everybody! @snoopdogg #LosersWin”
This is just Snoop Dogg’s most recent appearance in Nashville. In November, he joined Jelly Roll on stage during the “Son of a Sinner” singer’s headlining show at Bridgestone Arena, where the two traded verses on “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and collaborated on a song inspired by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”
During his career, Snoop Dogg earned three Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers, including 2004’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot” with Pharrell, as well as a feature on the 2006 Akon hit “I Wanna Love You” and the 2010 Katy Perry hit “California Gurls.” Snoop Dogg (initially known as Snoop Doggy Dogg) first gained prominence through his collaborations with Dr. Dre, including “Deep Cover” and his contributions to Dr. Dre’s groundbreaking 1992 album, The Chronic. Snoop made his solo studio debut on his 1993 album Doggystyle, which set the stage for further hit albums, including The Doggfather. Along the way, he notched numerous hits including “What’s My Name?,” “Gin and Juice” and “Still a G Thang,” and later teaming with Pharrell for songs including “Beautiful” (with Charlie Wilson) and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
Ernest, a longtime friend of Jelly Roll, is known for his work writing hits including the “Save Me” singer’s “Son of a Sinner,” the Morgan Wallen/Post Malone hit “I Had Some Help” and Wallen’s “You Proof,” “Wasted on You” and “More Than My Hometown,” among others. Ernest earned a No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hit with the collaboration “Cowgirls” (with Wallen).
Celine Dion is speaking out against artificial intelligence-generated music that is using her likeness.
The legendary vocalist took to Instagram on Friday (March 7) to share a statement, writing, “It has come to our attention that unsanctioned, AI-generated music purporting to contain Celine Dion’s musical performances, and name and likeness, is currently circulating online and across various Digital Service Providers.”
The statement continued, “Please be advised that these recordings are fake and not approved, and are not songs from her official discography.”
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However, Dion did not indicate exactly which AI-generated songs or performances have been circulating. See her post here.
Dion recently made her long-awaited return to the stage last year, performing Édith Piaf’s 1950 classic “Hymne à L’Amour” on the Eiffel Tower at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony in July. The event came after she cancelled the dates on her North American Courage world tour before revealing she is fighting Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes severe muscle spasms. Accompanied by a piano and rocking a stunning white gown, the singer delivered her effortlessly flawless vocals as she belted the lyrics to the song, which translates to “The Hymn of Love.”
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“I haven’t fought the illness; it’s still within me and will be forever,” she told Vogue France early last year, noting that she follows athletic, physical and vocal therapy five times a week. “Hopefully, we’ll find a miracle, a way to heal through scientific research, but I have to learn to live with it. I work on everything, from my toes to my knees, calves, fingers, singing, voice… It’s the condition I have to learn to live with now, by stopping questioning myself.”
She concluded, “There is one thing that will never stop, and that’s the desire. It’s the passion. It’s the dream. It’s the determination.”
After performing at Viña del Mar, Bacilos sits down to talk about how they feel about their performance, being huge Carín León fans, how their career has changed since they first started, releasing Pequeños Romances as independent artists and more!
Ingrid Fagardo:Hi, friends at Billboard, we’re here at Viña del Mar, finally. Today, we’re here with Bacilos. How are you?
Bacilos:Really good, thank you. What a great invitation, and it’s great to be considered for Viña, thank you.
Ingrid Fagardo:We’ve really enjoyed this week in different forms. We’ve seen you guys as judges. How do you feel about Bacilos:this week being a judge and being a fan?
Bacilos:Because we’ve also had the opportunity to see artists that we admire on the stage, and obviously we admire the guys to have the courage to come here, to this novelty of a stage, and to be able to come to this monster. It requires a lot, it inspires a lot, and there’s a lot of respect.
Ingrid Fagardo:It’s the first time you’re judging right?
Bacilos:Yes, the first time.
Ingrid Fagardo:I know that the night when you guys were performing, you guys made us dance. It was a really, I don’t know, it was a night full of partying. It didn’t matter how cold it was, the time didn’t matter, it was literally a Bacilos party.
Bacilos:Yes, it was beautiful. The people were great. After Marc performed … Well to sing and perform after Marc felt like a responsibility, a challenge almost, but the people stayed. They stayed outside on a cold night.
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The sun is sticking around a bit longer, the temperatures are rising bit by bit — it looks like spring really is on the way! It’s been a relatively quiet March so far after a particularly jam-packed February, but if anyone is keeping up that momentum, it’s Doechii.
On Monday (March 10), Billboard named the Grammy-winning Tampa MC its 2025 Woman of the Year, making her the first female rapper to earn the honor since Cardi B in 2020. Over the weekend (March 8) — after getting stamps of approval from fashion giants Anna Wintour and Thom Browne during Paris Fashion Week — Doechii collected an incomparable co-sign. Ms. Lauryn Hill brought the “Denial Is A River” rapper to the stage for a joint performance of her 1998 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Doo Wop (That Thing)” during her her headlining set at the Jazz in the Gardens Festival.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Madison McFerrin’s house-soul banger to GELO’s GloRilla-assisted “Tweaker” follow-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
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Freshest Find: Madison McFerrin, “Ain’t It Nice”
SanFran multihyphenate and daughter of jazz legend Bobby McFerrin, Madison McFerrin is ready to begin a new era. “Ain’t It Nice,” a sleek house-infused soul track that explores the allure of new infatuation across a swirling mixture of groovy drum loops and twinkling synths, finds McFerrin flaunting her intimate understanding of vocal dynamics and pacing. Instead of immediately firing off the chesty belts that house often evokes, McFerrin opts for soft coos and lush background harmonies — like the ones in the bridge — that eventually help her sneak into the rafters of her range by the song’s close. — KYLE DENIS
GELO & GloRilla, “Can You Please”
GELO recruited his “Memphis twin” GloRilla for his “Tweaker” follow-up with “Can You Please,” who continues to shred every track she lends a guest verse to. The middle Ball brother is now 2/2 with a meteoric start to his rap career. “Tweaker” set the bar high with his top 40 debut hit and GELO continues his 2000s New Orleans rap pastiche run. It remains to be seen if “Can You Please” will match the virality that “Tweaker” hand to earn GELO the first rap hit of 2025. Next up, he’ll be taking his talents to the festival stage with his Rolling Loud performance debut in California next weekend. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
Aaron Page, “Pretty Girls Like R&B”
Houston-based R&B singer Aaron Page channels smooth nostalgia and modern romance on his latest track, “Pretty Girls Like R&B.” The song thrives on a mix of passion, devotion, and material flexing, with Page weaving through memories of late-night connections and heartfelt gestures. “Wanna vibe with you like Jodeci love,” he croons, setting the tone with a nod to the ‘90s R&B icons known for their raw, sensual love songs.
Beyond the allure of attraction, Page reflects on moments of intimacy like holding her hair when she was sick and proving his loyalty through lavish gestures (“Brought the Maybach out to Kamp for you”). His reference to Drake’s Take Care signals an openness to emotional depth, evoking the vulnerability that made Drizzy’s 2011 album a staple for lovers and heartbreakers alike. “Pretty Girls Like R&B” taps into the kind of love story that resonates with those who cherish both old-school romance and modern-day ambition. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
Curren$y & Harry Fraud feat. Wiz Khalifa, “Airport Industries”
What year is it? Did we wake up and go back in time to the Blog Era? While Curren$y has stayed consistent when it comes to dropping music and posting miniature diecast car content on his hobby page, Wiz has been on a freestyle run of the likes we haven’t seen in a while. This generation’s rap Cheech & Chong link up with one of the game’s most potent horticulturalists in Harry Fraud for a smokey number that sounds better when it’s a sunny day and you have one lit and one rolled already. — ANGEL DIAZ
Icewear Vezzo feat. Big Sean & Skilla Baby, “Worth Something”
Undefeated, Icewear Vezzo’s latest EP — which dropped last Friday (March 7) — is another thrilling collection of Detroit-set street tales. On “Worth Something,” he recruits Big Sean and Skilla Baby, two of his city’s biggest rap stars, for some A1 trap storytelling. “In the Nap with Milly ‘nem, just popped a Tesla, now I’m geeked/ Turned a dream into reality, that’s why I’m laughin’ in my sleep/ Cooked the Vezzo in the lab and now my hands, it smell like bleach/ Rather go to trial than cop no plea, we just cop bags and Louis V,” he spits in his opening verse, opting for a reflective tone that pairs well with Hawkey’s skittering snares. — K.D.
Turbo & Gunna, “Classy Girl”
Turbo and Gunna have been one of the best rapper-producer duos in hip-hop, and it’s been that way for some time now. They reunited on an anthem for the ladies just in time for International Women’s Day with “Classy Girl.” Gunna’s life of luxury allows him to bless the women in life with opulent experiences that most can only dream of. “Pеnthouse suite, we been livin’ on the road/ I’m in Bottega matchin’ slippers to your robe/ And I been runnin’ through a bankroll,” he raps over the bouncy production. It’s almost time for another project from the pairing. — M.S.
Dylan Sinclair, “Lemon Trees” (Motherland Sessions)”
Toronto’s own Dylan Sinclair brings a new depth to his For the Boy in Me album with Motherland Sessions, a live EP paying tribute to his Filipino heritage. Stripping back the production, Sinclair leans into a more intimate, organic sound — especially on “Lemon Trees,” a soulful reflection on love, ambition, and timing. Sinclair’s smooth vocals glide over the laid-back beat as he wrestles with the push and pull of commitment. “I’ll hold you down,” he promises in the chorus, offering devotion while grappling with his own hesitations. He paints his love interest as his “queen” and the “girl of my dreams” and contrasts that adoration with the realities of personal ambition and the fear of settling down too soon; Sinclair lets the tension linger, never forcing an easy resolution. “Lemon Trees” is a tender, honest take on romance. — C.C.
Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax, “Less Is More”
Streamer PlaqueBoyMax’s series “In the Booth With” is one of the more unique online series, helping bring fans into the recording booth with their favorite rappers. Max had U.K. rap legend Sketpa come through recently to lay down a track, and of course, it’s a banger. Big Smoke lays some game down to start off his verse, rapping, “London City is dark and cold/ Don’t take picks with the members screaming that gang if you aren’t involved/Wanna be a ‘G’ better be fully active, gotta do the road with your heart and soul/They wanna know if the street life worth, I told them the answer’s no,” as PlaqueBoyMax delivers a smooth sample flip of the Judy Bailey Quartet’s “Colours Of My Dreams.” — A.D.
Larrenwong, “Out the Frame”
Former NFL player Warren Long has been operating as rising R&B star Larrenwong for some time now, and his new 4th & Long EP is another winning entry in his growing catalog. Standout cut “Out the Frame” finds him moving from the field to the bedroom, crooning “I know that it’s been fun and games/ But you better hold tightly/ Because I go crazy when I’m inside.” At one point, he even nods to Usher, spelling out his name just like the Grammy-winner did on 1997’s “Nice & Slow.” — K.D.
Dende, “Need U Like”
Fresh off signing with Def Jam, rising R&B talent Dende keeps the momentum going with his latest single, “Need U Like.” Through vivid metaphors, Dende paints a picture of unwavering devotion, comparing his connection to his partner to classic, inseparable duos. The verses push that passion even further, with bold declarations of loyalty — he’d spend his last dollar, defy the impossible and rewrite history just to prove his love. Yet, underneath the grand gestures, there’s an emotional core: a promise to heal the wounds of past heartbreak and ensure his partner never feels unappreciated again. With its smooth production and raw lyricism, “Need U Like” is Dende at his best — vulnerable, confident, and completely lost in love. — C.C.
Lady London, “Is You Krazy?”
Walk around the streets of NYC for an hour, and you’re likely to hear one version of someone yelling, “Is you crazy?” Lady London is back with her first single of 2025, and she’s disgusted with the nerve and audacity of these men from around the way. “Cop me the Rollie, cop me the Wraith, and when you see me, you copy and paste,” she raps over Hitmaka’s thumping production. Next up, the Howard University alum is heading out on the road to open for Coco Jones on the North American leg of her Why Not More Tour. — M.S.
03/10/2025
Here’s all the songs we wanna hear from these two superstars.
03/10/2025
This is partner content. “Brilla Conmigo” is a short-form video series featuring Latin artists Elena Rose, Mariangela and Joaquina, showcasing how beauty, health and wellness fuel their creativity. Through candid conversations, they discuss how self-care, cultural pride and personal empowerment nurture confidence, which plays a key role in their artistry. Partnering with Invisalign to enhance […]
Mase is planning a comeback. During the March 7 episode of his sports talk show It Is What It Is, the Harlem rapper-turned-sports pundit kicked things off by revealing that not only is he going to drop his first album since 2004’s Welcome Back, but Cam’ron helped curate the tracklist. “Mo, what’s good? Can y’all […]
LISA lets her Swiftie flag fly whenever she does karaoke, with the BLACKPINK star revealing in a new video that her go-to song for the occasion is one of Taylor Swift‘s early hits.
While recounting some of her “firsts” with White Lotus costar Tayme Thapthimthong in a recent Teen Vogue video, LISA had an immediate answer to a question asking which song she’s first to queue up during karaoke. “For me, I’ll go for Taylor Swift,” she said. “‘You Belong With Me.’”
Even so, LISA recently told Jimmy Kimmel that she preferred to watch from the sidelines during the cast’s frequent karaoke sessions on set. “I’m just sitting in the corner of the room cheering them, hyping them up,” she said March 4 on the comedian’s late-night show, noting that she didn’t ever partake in singing while filming and instead preferred to dance. “I feel weird for me to grab the mic and sing karaoke. [There’s] a lot of pressure.”
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The Thai rapper has long been a fan of the “Karma” artist. In March 2024, she attended one of Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Singapore and posed with the 14-time Grammy winner backstage. “Had such a blast at The Eras Tour! Amazing performance💘 @taylorswift,” LISA wrote on Instagram at the time, sharing photos of her friendship bracelets.
A few months later, LISA raved again about the show. “She’s incredible!” the K-pop star told Elle of Swift in August. “Singing alone on a stage for three and a half hours is crazy … I maybe could do it with a lot of practice.”
The “Rockstar” singer makes her acting debut in the third season of HBO Max’s The White Lotus, which premiered in February. While LISA plays Mook, an employee at the titular fictional hotel chain’s Thailand location, Thapthimthong portrays Gaitok.
While speaking to Teen Vogue with the English actor, LISA also revealed what she bought with her first-ever paycheck — “I think it was a pair of sneakers or something” — as well as recounted the first time she was ever recognized in public. “After I debuted with BLACKPINK, we all went to Thailand for a trip or something,” she said. “We had like a fan waiting for us at the airport. I was like, ‘Oh wow. They love us!’”
Plus, the performer shared the first K-pop idol she ever looked up to and admitted to being a little bit “shy to answer.” “I love BIGBANG,” she said, covering her face. “I can’t pick one because I love them all.”
Watch LISA reveal her “firsts” with Tayme above.
