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Madison Beer, Kali Uchis, Summer Walker, Tanner Adell and more join Jennie, aespa, Gracie Abrams at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music. Keep watching to see who else is part of the lineup for this year! Narrator: This year, get ready for the biggest Billboard Women in Music. It’s all happening live March 29 at […]
In today’s episode of ‘Billboard Unfiltered,’ Billboard staffers Kyle Denis, Damien Scott, Carl Lamarre and Trevor Anderson break down Drake tying with Taylor Swift & Jay-Z on the Billboard 200 with ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U,’ if MCs should take J.Cole seriously, Ye sharing an alleged DM of The Game DMing Tina Knowles, Rolling Stone’s worst song on Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ the 15 up and coming hip-hop, African & R&B artists to watch in 2025 and more!
Carl Lamarre:
Yo yo. What’s going on, y’all, welcome to a fresh episode of Billboard Unfiltered, gentlemen!
Kyle Denis:
Yo yo.
Carl Lamarre:
What it do, what it do, what it do, what it do? How y’all feeling?
Trevor Anderson:
You a little high today?
Carl Lamarre:
I’m on my high horse.
Trevor Anderson:
Clearly!
Damien Scott:
We all know why.
Carl Lamarre:
We all know why!
Kyle Denis:
A high horse? Uh-oh, why?
Carl Lamarre:
The reason why-
Kyle Denis:
Something happened?
Carl Lamarre:
Huh?
Kyle Denis:
Something happened?
Carl Lamarre:
Something monumental will happen.
Kyle Denis:
Oh, put me on. What happened?
Trevor Anderson:
Monumental?
Carl Lamarre:
Potentially, I’m not gonna say historic, but we’re on the doors of something, well, on the steps of some history-making sh–. I gotta say we’re gonna start this off with brother Aubrey Graham notched-
Damien Scott:
Surprise, surprise.
Carl Lamarre:
Notched number 14.
Trevor Anderson:
Come on, notch?
Carl Lamarre:
Notch. Come on. I took some advanced classes back in the day. Brother Aubrey and PARTYNEXTDOOR notched a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U.’ 246,000 album equivalent units, marking number 14 for Mr. Aubrey Graham, tying him with Jay-Z and Taylor Swift for the most No. 1s for soloists still trailing, of course, The Beatles with 19.
Kyle Denis;
Come on.
Trevor Anderson:
Hey, they got the AI song a few years ago, a lil AI album.
Carl Lamarre:
Still got some work to do. But you know, first off, of course, Mr. PARTYNEXTDOOR, shout out to PARTY getting his first No. 1 album.
Kyle Denis:
Absolutely.
Damien Scott:
This is his biggest first week, right?
Carl Lamarre:
Biggest first week.
Keep watching for more!
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Source: Andrew Harnik / Getty
Donald Trump recently dropped a wild AI-generated video that’s got everyone scratching their heads. The clip supposedly shows the “future of Gaza,” but it’s packed with bizarre scenes that seem totally out of touch with reality.
Trump has posted a sinister AI video of his future for ‘Riviera’ Gaza.
It needs to be seen to be believed:
Trump statues; Musk dancing; Trump & Netanyahu sun bathing & drinking cocktails.
Monsters rejoicing in their genocide & ethnic cleansing.
It is truly racist fascism. pic.twitter.com/OJhRyqz8Ob
— Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) February 26, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
In it, you’ve got a sunbathing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chilling poolside with Trump, sipping cocktails like they’re on vacation. Meanwhile, Hamas militants are dancing in bikinis, Teslas are cruising the streets, and even Elon Musk is tossing cash at people. To top it off, the soundtrack features the odd lyrics, “Donald Trump will set you free, bringing the life for all to see, no more tunnels, no more fear, Trump Gaza is finally here.”
The video is full of over-the-top, almost surreal imagery – think skyscrapers, beach scenes, and clubbing with Trump hitting the dance floor. It all seems too weird and out of place, especially given the real-life issues going on in Gaza. Many people online are calling out the video for making light of a serious, ongoing situation, with some claiming it’s an insensitive way to portray the region’s future.
It’s unclear what Trump was really trying to say with this strange post, but it’s certainly raised some eyebrows. The use of AI to show a “post-conflict” world in Gaza, with political figures looking carefree, doesn’t sit well with many who feel the video oversimplifies or even mocks the real struggles in the area.
Shane Gillis is pumped to host Saturday Night Live for the second time this weekend, but the cast members are still in recovery. In a new promo for the upcoming episode, Gillis walks backstage at Studio 8H with cast member Ashley Padilla, who asks how the comedian is feeling about his upcoming hosting gig. “I’m […]
The Lumineers’ Automatic debuts in the top 10 of multiple Billboard charts dated March 1, paced by its No. 2 starts on the Top Rock Albums and Americana/Folk Albums tallies. In the week ending Feb. 20, Automatic, The Lumineers’ fifth studio album, starts with 29,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S., according to Luminate. […]
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Source: Tom Williams / Getty / Jasmine Crockett
Democratic Congresswoman and political star Jasmine Crockett kept it real when asked what she would say if she had the opportunity to speak with Elon Musk directly.
Crockett spoke for many Americans who are no fans of Donald Trump, especially Elon Musk, following the ridiculously mass firings within the federal government due to federal budget cuts made by Musk’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency).
In a video that has since gone viral on X, formerly Twitter, Crockett was asked “”If you could speak directly to Elon Musk, what would you say?”
Without any hesitation, Crockett responded, “F*** off.”
The Texas politician has been making a name for herself for the verbal takedowns of her MAGA rivals like Marjorie Taylor Green, Nancy Mace, Trump, and now Musk.
As expected, many appreciated Crockett for saying what many would love to tell the Tesla chief to his face.
“Patriot. She has more cojones than every single republican in congress,” one user on X said.
Another user added, “i’m sorry but my favorite thing about her is that she doesn’t give a singular f**k.
Writer and director Matthew A. Cherry echoed many folks’ sentiments in his post on X, saying, “I’d vote for her.”
But not everyone is happy with Crockett’s comments. “Jasmine Crockett tells Elon Musk he should “f*** off.” Is this how elected representatives should talk?” the account Road to The Election asked on X.
That’s rich when Donald Trump constantly goes off the rails during his rants; oops, we mean speeches and curses.
Anyway, Jasmine Crockett’s energy towards Donald Trump and the MAGA crew is what’s needed, so we hope she doesn’t change.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
To launch the new series Billboard Live, Isaiah Falls exclusively performs “Diva,” “Butterflies” and an unreleased track. He also sits down with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly to chat about the inspiration behind his music and more!
Isaiah Falls:How are y’all doing? My name is Isaiah Falls, and we’re at Billboard Live. I’m here with The lovers, Luxury Lane, and we’re going to perform a few songs for y’all, so let’s get it.
Isaiah Falls:[Sings “Diva”]
It’s big love over here baby. Shout-out to all my lovers out there. If you know this s–t, vibe with me. We good? Y’all chillin’, that s–t felt amazing man. So my name is Isaiah Falls, and we’re here at Billboard Live. Big shout-out to Billboard. Thank y’all for having us for real. We gon’ get into this next song, it’s one of my favorite songs to perform. This song right here is called “Butterflies.” Man, big shout-out to my sister, Joyce Wright, she couldn’t be here today, but we gon’ rock out, so y’all ready? Let’s vibe.
Isaiah Falls:[Sings “Butterflies”]
Tetris Kelly:What’s up, man? Thank you for bringing the swag to Billboard, man. If i could just have, like, an ounce of that, I would be doing pretty good.
I appreciate that, man. Thank you, brother, I appreciate it for real.
But let’s talk about your swag in general. Listening to your music and watching your performance like in “Diva,” you say, “You know i’m not ashamed to love my b—h.” How are you with that in life and in music?
Keep watching for more!
Andy Reid is not happy about the Taylor Swift slander. The Kansas City Chiefs coach joined NFL on NBC this week for a wide-ranging conversation about the Super Bowl, where he came to the “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” singer’s defense after she was met with boos from the crowd at the […]
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Source: Theo Wargo / Getty
The controversial founder of Fyre Festival announced that the second edition of the concert event will take place on a Mexican island, causing many online to express disbelief.
On Monday (February 24), Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland announced that the second edition of the ill-fated music fest will take place this year. In a press release that was shared on social media, McFarland stated that it would be a “three-day escape to the Mexican Caribbean where you’ll explore by day alongside your favorite talent and come together at night to celebrate with music,” with patrons being hosted in “world-class accommodations” with the ability to take part in “adventures led by international and local talent, taking guests on boundary-pushing excursions by day and uniting for intimate beach-side performances at night.”
Further details revealed that the festival will be held at Isla Mujeres, a luxury tourist destination just off the coast of Mexico from May 30 to June 2. Specifically, the festival will be staged at “Playa Fyre”, which is just west of Isla Mujeres according to coordinates on the event’s website. The local government of Isla Mujeres stated that it has not received any permits from organizers when contacted by The New York Times. 2,000 tickets are now available, with prices ranging from $1,400 to $1.1 million. The latter price is for an all-inclusive “Prometheus” package promising round-trip airfare from Miami to Cancun as one of the perks.
There are no performers scheduled so far for Fyre Festival 2, and in an interview with NBC’s Today, McFarland said “I’m not in charge of booking the talent,” adding that the musical acts would be from different genres including Hip-Hop, rock and electronic pop. “I’m sure many people think I’m crazy for doing this again. But I feel I’d be crazy not to do it again,” McFarland said in a statement, adding: “After years of reflection and now thoughtful planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for FYRE 2. The adventure seekers who trust the vision and take the leap will help make history. Thank you to my partners for the second chance.”
The news of the festival potentially taking place caught the attention of numerous skeptics online, who had jokes for those considering going to the festival after the first iteration failed spectacularly leading McFarland to spend six years in prison beginning in 2018. He was released in 2022. “We have Trump round 2 so why not Fyre Festival round 2,” wrote Blue Sky user Daniel Braten.
Another week means another new episode of Billboard Unfiltered. This episode was broadcasted live on Wednesday (Feb. 26) with the core four back together.
Drake and PartyNextDoor topped the Billboard 200 with $ome $exy $ongs 4 U earning 246,000 first-week units. The feat brings Drizzy to 14 No. 1 albums, which ties him for the most ever among soloists.
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Deputy Director Damien Scott thinks Drake cracked the code with his album sequencing in the streaming era with Views. “Views, to me, is where Drake figured it out. He’s like, ‘Oh, this long-ass album with a multitude of genres.’ He figured out how to make an album for the way people consume music now and then he kept trying to make that album over and over again,” he said. “He’s never dropped below a certain qualitative point where people are like, ‘I’m not gonna pay attention to this.’ … I’m curious to see what the staying power is.”
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Staff Writer Kyle Denis considered the first-week sales for Drake to be “soft” when comparing to his previous bodies of work. “I’ll never take away this kind of feat. Tying the record for most No. 1 albums by a rapper, that’s something to celebrate about. But at the same time, when you contextualize these numbers they’re kind of soft,” he said. “I think him not clearing 300,000 is pretty surprising to me… This is squarely more in his wheelhouse and he’s still 100K behind his collab albums he did with Future and 21 Savage.”
When looking ahead to the all-time No. 1 albums list, Billboard charts expert Trevor Anderson wonders if Drake albums will continue to remain events. “Will Drake ever come out and it’s eh, fine, top 10 or will they always be events?” Anderson pondered.
Deputy Editor Carl Lamarre reported that he’s hearing that Drake could possibly come with his next heavily-anticipated solo album this summer surrounding his three-night headlining performance across the pond at Wireless Festival.
Meanwhile, J. Cole returned with “Clouds” last week, and it appears a possible feud with Freddie Gibbs is brewing on the horizon. After side-stepping the Kendrick Lamar feud last year, would Cole step into the ring with Freddie Kane?
“If he were to go at Cole, I don’t have any inside information, but I don’t think Cole would be like, ‘I’m alright, man.’ Gibbs is basically calling him a b—h, like you’re not gonna squeeze off with anybody. The dude’s still an amazing rapper,” Scott said. “The circumstances around the Kendrick beef are very particular… It won’t be like that otherwise.”
Ye and The Game also reunited earlier this week and appeared to be using Tina Knowles as the duo’s creative muse while Yeezy teased Game’s The Documentary 3.
“He’s just too old to be acting like this,” Denis said. “45 and 47, really? It’s just so desperate and so pathetic and it’s so clear you want their attention and they haven’t given you it in recent years.”
Watch the full episode below.