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Eight years after the deaths of rapper Canserbero and his producer Carlos Molnar, previously ruled as a murder-suicide, Venezuela’s attorney general, Tarek William Saab, released a new update on Tuesday (Dec. 26) after reopening the case last month.
According to Saab, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has clarified the case, and released the confession of those now presumed responsible of murdering the two: Canserbero’s manager and Molnar’s partner, María Natalia Améstica, and her brother, Guillermo Améstica.
In three videos shared by the prosecutor on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Améstica confesses that, in the midst of a work-related fit of rage, she served Canserbero (real name Tirone José González Orama) and Molnar tea mixed with a sedative on the night of Jan. 19, 2015 in her apartment in the city of Maracay, and later stabbed them to death. She also states how, with the help of her brother and the complicity of officials, the scene was altered to make it appear that Canserbero murdered Molnar and then committed suicide.
“It is 1:30 in the morning on December 19, 2023. I am making this video to publicly confess my responsibility for the double homicide of Carlos Molnar and Tirone González ‘Canserbero,’” begins the first 4:40 minute clip. Also, María Natalia claims that the problems began a month before the tragedy, when she found out that she would not be reimbursed for the tickets she had bought for a tour of the artist nor would she be paid for her marketing work for the tour, and that Canserbero didn’t want her as his manager. “That hurt me a lot,” María Natalia declares. “I was left with a lot of internal suffering because of the disdain.”
In a second video, her brother Guillermo Améstica corroborates the information by telling his version of events.
According to information published on Tuesday on the official website of the Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s Office, Saab declared that “110 investigative steps were taken and 13 trips were made to Maracay to gather the new evidence that allowed the case to be clarified.”
“She poured into the tea she gave them a total of 10 milligrams [of Alpram] previously made into powder to dilute in that tea, resulting in both of them falling asleep within minutes of ingesting that beverage,” the official said.
According to the statements of the Améstica siblings, published by the ministry, María Natalia first assaulted Molnar in the kitchen with three stab wounds, and then went to the sofa in the living room, where Canserbero had fallen asleep, to stab him twice on the side. She called her brother to ask for help, and he “arrived at the property in the company of three officers of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin) who advised him on the alteration of the scene in exchange for $1,000 each.”
To make it look like a murder-suicide, “Guillermo stabbed Molnar and gave Canserbero’s body a blow with a pipe that disfigured his face, with the purpose of simulating a fight between them.” Then, they threw Canserbero’s corpse out of the window, Guillermo left the scene and Maria Natalia called the neighbors, according to Venezuelan authorities.
According to the Améstica brothers, the commission of the Scientific, Criminal and Criminalistic Investigations Corps (CICPC) noticed that the scene had been altered upon arrival and arranged the last details in exchange for $10,000. The authorities initially claimed that the rapper stabbed his friend to death before taking his own life.
The resolution of the case comes just over a month after the Venezuelan prosecutor’s office announced it would reopen the case following persistent appeals from the late rapper’s family and friends.
Canserbero died at the age of 26 as a leading figure not only in Venezuela but in the world of rap in Spanish. Known for dark lyrics reflecting the violence in his country and real life experiences, he collaborated with artists such as Mala Rodríguez and Apache and released two solo studio albums, Vida and Muerte.
In August, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español named him one of the most essential Spanish-language rappers of all time.
Hackney Diamonds are forever, it would seem, as the Rolling Stones return to No. 1 in the U.K.
The Stones’ latest album bumps 6-1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Friday, Dec. 22, for its second non-consecutive week at the top.
Featuring collaborations with Lady Gaga, Elton John Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney, and contributions from former bass player Bill Wyman and the group’s late drummer Charlie Watts, Hackney Diamonds (via Polydor) is the Stones’ first album of original material in 18 years– since A Bigger Bang, which peaked to No. 2 in 2005.
Following its release in October, the LP went straight to No. 1 for the rock legends’ 14th U.K. No. 1, by outselling the rest of the top 5 combined.
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“It’s a wonderful way to round off 2023,” the Stones say in a statement published by the Official Charts Company. “Thank you to everyone for listening to Hackney Diamonds. Have a very happy Christmas and New Year.”
The Christmas gift for the Stones also doubles-up as a late birthday present for guitarist Keith Richards, who turned 80 on Dec. 18.
Meanwhile, Michael Bublé’s Christmas (Reprise) holds No. 2 on the new chart, while Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (via EMI) improves 4-3.
Cher brings some Christmas cheer to the latest tally with her Christmas (Warner Records) collection, which lifts 15-5 for a new peak position. Christmas features “DJ Play A Christmas Song,” which lifts 41-20 on the latest U.K. singles chart, an effort that sees the iconic entertainer become the first solo artist to achieve a top 40 hit with new material on the Official U.K. Singles Chart across seven consecutive decades, the Official Charts Company reports.
At 77 year and 7 months, Cher is also the oldest solo female performer to snag a top 40 U.K. single, besting previous record holder Shirley Bassey, who was 70 years, 4 months old when “The Living Tree” reached No. 37 in 2007.
The Whamageddon didn’t transpire in the U.K., as “Last Christmas” (Epic) finally claims the coveted Christmas No. 1 spot.
Wham’s holiday classic from 1984 holds at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Dec. 22, for its first Christmas-time stint at the summit.
According to the Official Charts Company, “Last Christmas” clocked up 13.3 million plays during the seven-day chart cycle – making it the most-streamed Christmas No. 1.
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It’s not the first time “Last Christmas” has reigned over the national tally; it first did so at the start of 2021, breaking a 36-year hoodoo, and returned to the top later in 2022.
Following its initial release, “Last Christmas” was famously beaten to the Christmas No. 1 by Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” on which Wham’s co-founders George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley contributed.
With its latest feat, a full 39 years in the making, “Last Christmas” sets a new mark for the longest journey to the U.K. Christmas No. 1, the Official Charts Company reports.
Across its lifetime, the pop number has raked-in 5.34 million chart units, including 1.93 million sales and nearly 413 million streams, the OCC reports. It’s now the U.K.’s third biggest song of all time, behind Elton John’s “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” / “Candle in the Wind 1997” and “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” respectively.
With Wham taking the glory, Britain’s Eurovision 2022 entrant Sam Ryder misses out, as his Amazon Music Original “You’re Christmas To Me” (EastWest/Rhino) lifts 10-2, while Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia) completes the podium.
Predictably, Christmas tunes dominate the latest survey. Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s former leader “Merry Christmas” (Atlantic/EMI) improves 6-5; The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” (Rhino) featuring the late Kirsty MacColl dips 5-6; while holiday favorites from Brenda Lee, Michael Buble, Shakin’ Stevens, Andy Williams, Kelly Clarkson, Dean Martin, Chris Rea and more impact the top 40.
Finally, Cher cracks the top 20 — and cracks a new record — with “DJ Play A Christmas Song” (Warner Records). The legendary entertainer’s Xmas effort lifts 41-20, for her 34th U.K. top 40 single. At 77 year and 7 months, Cher is the oldest solo female performer to snag a top 40 U.K. single, the OCC reports.
Josh Groban shocked the theater community when he and his Sweeney Todd co-star Annaleigh Ashford announced that they will be playing their final shows on Jan. 14, 2024, with Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster set to replace the pair. While Groban expressed gratitude for getting to be in the show in his departure announcement, the star provided additional context as to why he left in a new interview with Billboard News.
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“I think that we feel whether we stayed in it another year, whether we left tomorrow, I think Annaleigh and I feel like we did what we came to do,” Groban explained to Billboard‘s Rebecca Milzoff. “We wanted to get it off the ground in a way that we were really proud of, to get a response that [Stephen] Sondheim would have been really excited by and proud of, we wanted to bring our essence to the role and do something to it that we personally would be really proud of. And then it comes down to, how long do you stay fresh in that and how long do you feel like you have something really vital in your tank to give it.”
Their revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, to use its full title, received eight Tony nominations, including best revival of a musical and best actor and actress in a musical for Groban and Ashford. The cast album from the show is nominated for a Grammy for best musical theater album. Final-round voting is currently underway. The awards will be presented on Feb. 4.
Elsewhere during Groban’s interview, he spoke about his link to David Foster, who mentored him throughout the process of recording his 2001 self-titled debut album, and revealed that the experience gave him the tools necessary to soar on his sophomore follow-up, Closer. Groban reflected on the album hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and being surprised because it felt “a little more expressive” than his debut.
“I remember it didn’t open at No. 1. I remember being surprised [when] I got the call that it had gone No. 1 when that’s usually not the case. Usually, you have your big opening week, at least that’s the way the business is now, so that was a really special feeling.”
Closer entered the Billboard 200 at No. 4 in November 2003 and finally reached No. 1 in its ninth week in January 2004. “You Raise Me Up,” a Foster-produced track from the album, became his first hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and brought him his first Grammy nod (best male pop vocal performance).
“That was the first album I started to write on,” Groban recalls. “I felt like that was the first album that I started to explore more eclectic taste and took more risks and dipped my toes into waters that felt a little more self-expressive.”
He continued, “Your first album you’re just so careful, you got a lot of chefs in the kitchen. When you got someone like David Foster, you’ve got Gordon Ramsey in your kitchen — in a good way. So that album doing what it did really made me realize that my fans are in it for the long run. That album going to No. 1 made me realize, ‘Oh we’re gonna have a journey together.’ … They were open to other styles. They were open to me being me.”
Watch Groban’s full interview with Billboard News in the video above.
Josh Groban spoke with Billboard’s Executive Features Editor Rebecca Milzoff about leaving Sweeney Todd, earning a Grammy nod for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023 Broadway Cast Recording), the 20th anniversary of his album Closer, working with David Foster, his friendship with Leslie Odom Jr. and Josh Gad, and more.
Josh Groban:The Jonas Brothers were across the street from us at The Marquee. They would come out to greet stage door, right at the time that I think, like, I don’t want to spoil anything, but there’s a big death at the end with a quiet moment right afterwards, and so the audience would chuckle because this very serious dramatic death would happen and then there would be these just absolute screeching, scream outside the theater.
Hi, it’s Josh Groban, and you’re watching Billboard News.
Rebecca Milzoff:Hi, everyone. Welcome to Billboard News. I’m Rebecca Milzoff, executive features editor at Billboard, and I’m here today with Josh Groban.
Josh Groban:Hi!
Rebecca Milzoff:Hi, Josh.
Josh Groban:Thanks for having me.
Rebecca Milzoff:You may not remember, but we actually met once before six years ago, when you were making your Broadway debut in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
Josh Groban:I do remember that. Yes, I knew when we met that we’d met before, I just couldn’t remember exactly when it was.
Rebecca Milzoff:Well, I remember that you said at the time that you were excited by educated risks.
Josh Groban:Yes.
Rebecca Milzoff:I thought that was such a great thought and I imagine Sweeney was very much one of those.
Watch the full interview above!
It’s Friday, Dec. 22, and we’re breaking down the biggest music drops of the week! Tetris Kelly:This week’s got a lot of rap, some club beats and a bunch of K-pop. It’s Dec. 22, and we’re kicking this Friday Music Guide off with my BTS boy, Jimin. Jimin gave his fans a parting gift as […]
Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over” returns to Billboard’s charts thanks to its sample in “Are You Gone Already,” the first track on Nicki Minaj’s new album, Pink Friday 2. The 2018 track bows at No. 25 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ranking dated Dec. 23. (Older songs are eligible for Billboard’s multi-metric […]
JID’s “Surround Sound” tops the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for a second week with Lana Del Rey and Nicki Minaj securing spots in the Top 10. Tetris Kelly:JID holds on to the top spot while Lana Del Rey and Nicki Minaj break into the Top 10. JID’s “Surround Sound” featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate […]
JID’s “Surround Sound” remains at No. 1 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 dated Dec. 23, holding off a challenge from a pair of Christmas songs in Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and The Ronettes’ “Sleigh Ride.”
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The TikTok Billboard Top 50 is a weekly ranking of the most popular songs on TikTok in the United States based on creations, video views and user engagement. The latest chart reflects activity Dec. 11-17. Activity on TikTok is not included in Billboard charts except for the TikTok Billboard Top 50.
“Surround Sound,” which features 21 Savage and Baby Tate, maintains its reign on the TikTok Billboard Top 50, leading for a second week as the viral song continues to be used in a variety of ways, chiefly its Ceiling Challenge in which creators tape a phone or camera above them and do a choreographed dance below.
The Dec. 8-14 Billboard chart tracking week saw “Surround Sound” leap another 11% to 9.8 million official U.S. streams, according to Luminate.
Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (which concurrently returns to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as previously reported) and the PhatCap! trap remix of The Ronettes’ “Sleigh Ride” rank at Nos. 2 and 3 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50, respectively. Four of the top 10 are holiday tunes, with Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” at No. 6 and Wham!’s “Last Christmas” at No. 8 also appearing.
Six-week No. 1 “My Love Mine All Mine” by Mitski remains at No. 4, while the top five receives a new challenger for the top of the tally in Lana Del Rey’s “Let the Light In,” featuring Father John Misty, at No. 5.
“Let the Light In,” from Del Rey’s latest album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, has vaulted in streams in recent weeks via a trend that involves tying a pink bow to various people, animals or objects for what they call a coquette aesthetic.
It’s not the only song from either artist on the latest list. Del Rey’s “Margaret,” this time featuring Bleachers, appears at No. 13, while Father John Misty’s “Real Love Baby” ranks at No. 48. “Margaret” draws closer to the top 10 after initially scoring virality in October with users (mostly women) explaining what their “Roman Empire is,” referencing the trend in which women asked men how often they thought about the Roman Empire.
“Margaret” concurrently returns to the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart at No. 45, its first time on the ranking since its debut (at No. 43) in April.
The TikTok Billboard Top 50’s highest debut of the week belongs to Nicki Minaj’s “Everybody,” featuring Lil Uzi Vert, which bows at No. 9. The new song is the 11th track on Minaj’s latest album, Pink Friday 2, which simultaneously bows at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
“Everybody” isn’t the only song from Pink Friday 2 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50; “FTCU” debuts at No. 18. But “Everybody,” which samples Junior Senior’s “Move Your Feet,” has users doing just that on TikTok, with a variety of dancing clips among the sound’s top uploads of the week.
It bows at No. 26 on the Hot 100, the top debut from Pink Friday 2, via 16 million streams and 6,000 downloads.
Finally, Timothee Chalamet makes an appearance on a Billboard chart thanks to his rendition of “Pure Imagination” from the movie Wonka, which debuts at No. 27 after the film’s Dec. 15 premiere. Usages of the song include footage of the movie, the red carpet at its premiere, reviews of Chalamet’s singing voice and more.
See the full TikTok Billboard Top 50 here, also featuring debuts from NLE Choppa, Jhene Aiko, Trippie Redd and more. You can also tune in each Friday to SiriusXM’s TikTok Radio (channel 4) to hear the premiere of the chart’s top 10 countdown at 3 p.m. ET, with reruns heard throughout the week.
In honor of Madonna’s The Celebration Tour, we are breaking down the singer’s most iconic tracks on the Hot 100. Madonna:’80s, ’90s, 2000s. Four decades of music avec moi. Welcome to the party, b*tches. Eric Frankenberg:After a delayed start due to a medical emergency, Madonna’s Celebration Tour is in full swing and the living legend […]