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Have you ever bet on an NBA Finals series against a friend? If the answer is yes, then you have something in common with E-40 and Joyner Lucas — who put up $50,000 each last year when their hometown teams, the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics, squared off in the 2022 Finals, with the Warriors eventually winning the best-of-7 series in six games.
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“The reason I was confident is because we’ve done this,” E-40, a longtime Warriors fan, tells Billboard. “We’ve got four rings, and these past 10 years, this decade has been ours.”
As confident as the Vallejo, California native was that his squad would emerge victorious from the 2022 championship, E-40 still tried to give Lucas multiple chances to call off the bet. The “Ramen & OJ” rapper admittedly made this wager with his heart and hometown in mind.
“I don’t know what the hell I was thinking, to be honest with you,” Joyner tells Billboard. “I think I was just trying to show the hometown some love. I was confident about how it started off [with the Celtics going up 2-1], that we were going to take it.”
The Worcester, Massachusetts MC, who recently dropped “Blackout,” the latest offering off his forthcoming sophomore album, Not Now, I’m Busy, watched his money slip away right before his eyes as he performed at halftime during Game 6 of the Finals last year. The Warriors were crowned champions that evening, and if you ask E-40, he wouldn’t mind betting on his hometown team again.
“I feel like we’re going to repeat, and once we win, I don’t know who’s going to step up and be like Joyner,” the West Coast legend tells Billboard. “I don’t know what rapper wants to do it. They can play with me if they want to. They can put a hundred up, they can put 200, whatever they want to do. I’m going with the Warriors.”
During Game 1 of the Western Conference Round 1 series between the Warriors and Sacramento Kings on Saturday night (Apr. 16), E-40 was involved in a verbal skirmish with security, resulting in his ejection from the arena. The incident stemmed from an earlier encounter with a heckling Kings fan, which prompted security to come and check on the matter. The West Coast veteran called out the Kings organization, citing “racial bias,” hoping those involved would be held accountable. The Kings responded with a statement and said that they are currently investigating the matter. A rep close to E-40 confirms to Billboard that he will not be attending Game 2 in Sacramento on Monday night (Apr. 17).
Prior to the incident over the weekend, Billboard caught up with E-40 and Lucas to discuss their friendly rivalry, the sources of their fandom, and their 2023 NBA playoff predictions.
When did you become a fan of your team, and what really drew you to them?
E-40: I always liked sports. Baseball, basketball, football. And I always represented my soil. I love California, period. But I love Northern California more, you know what I’m saying? And so, me being a Warriors fan since I was young watching Rick Barry shoot free throws, underhanded. Watching that, I’ve been loving it.
I did a big thing in Vallejo, in my city at Dan Foley Park, where it was called the E-40 Fun Day. And I had all the kids out there, I’m talking about the whole Vallejo. Free barbecue, games. Had hella games out there, jumpers, everything you need. I even had the Warriors, RIP to the mascot that they had back then, but he came to the thing. He set up the whole Warriors thing.
The time I’m talking about was like 1998, somewhere around twenty-something years ago. I’ve always been a fan of the Warriors, but any team around here I would try to support. It’s always Warriors, 49ers, and the [San Francisco] Giants are my first priority.
Joyner Lucas: [For me], just growing up and watching the games and having a team where you’re from. Naturally, you want to support where you’re from. As you grow up, and you want to support your team, where you from, and you know there’s a lot of legendary players that have played on the Celtics. And these players that are on the team right now will be legendary as well. I just think that that’s really what it is.
Last year, you guys made a $50,000 bet on the NBA Finals. How did that come about?
E-40: He wanted to bet me. He said, “Let’s bet.” I said, “Let’s bet a dollar, man. Let’s just do a little cool little gentleman’s bet, like $1. A dollar deal.” He wanted to big time me and just, “Nah, f–k that. Let’s bet $50,000.” He tried to punk me out, right? And he didn’t know I was trained to go, you feel me?
I say, “Okay, you sure?” Right? And he was like, “Hell yeah!” Even a day later, he posted it right away. He put it on Facebook and Instagram. I didn’t say anything. Maybe I re-posted what he put out or something, but he’s the one who started it. He wanted to talk Big Bronco. And I’m like, “Joyner.” A day later, I believe a day or two later, I say, “Man, it ain’t too late to back up out this bet.”
I’m throwing him a life vest and stuff like that, and he’s still talking Big Bronco. You know what the man said? That man said, “F–k that. I don’t want to hear no mother f—–g kumbaya.” You know what I’m saying? That’s what he said.
Joyner Lucas: I felt like Jayson Tatum and those guys really wanted it, but I didn’t really take into account how long the Warriors been really doing it, and how seasoned they are. And E-40 gave me a lot of chances to back out of the bet, even when the Warriors were leading, but I didn’t want to back out because I’m a man of my word.
In the end, I took a really bad loss, but I’m going to be real with you: I didn’t expect us to lose the night that I performed. I thought we were going to win that night. Thought it was a home game, I thought we were going to win. I thought it was going to be great, but they lost the night that I performed. It was crazy, because even during halftime, we were down. When I went out and performed, it was like nobody was trying to hear that s–t. Nobody was trying to see me perform, because nobody was really in a good mood that [because they] were down, so it was just all bad all the way around, man. It wasn’t really a good night.
E-40: He said, “Send me the wire information.” Right? And I was like, “Okay.” I sent it to him, and then he hits me … I think it was the weekend, but he hits me and say, “As promised.” And he showed me the wire info. Right?
I called him and I said, “That kind of hurt, didn’t it?” He said, “Hell yeah!” I said, “I know that would’ve hurt me no matter how much money I got.” It’s just $50K. That’s just a lot of money. He asked me what I’m going to do. “OG, what you going to do with the money?” I said, “I’m going to redo my swimming pool.”
40, being a season ticket holder, is there any player on the Warriors that you have a really good relationship with?
E-40: One of the people that I’m close with is Draymond [Green]. That’s my guy. I’m close to [Stephen] Curry too, but I’m super close to Draymond. Draymond is a great guy. We’ve played dominoes together. Before he moved to San Francisco, closer to the arena, he stayed out here by me.
And I would go over there, and his mom would be there. He used to say, “Mom’s making tacos today.” That’s our folks too. And we’d go over there, we eat tacos, play dominoes. And it’d just be nothing but just love. And we talk s–t to each other, especially on days off. We’d get a few glasses of wine, you feel me? And it’s just genuine love.
I was at his wedding. Everybody that was somebody was up in that thing. Even LeBron and all of them. He invited me and my wife to the wedding.
What are your thoughts on the overall playoffs this year? What are your predictions?
E-40: It’s going to be tough. We don’t know. This one is very unpredictable overall, because there’s so many good teams. The West is so tough, and all of these players are playing at a high capacity. Basketball has evolved. The players have evolved. I don’t know if it’s their workout plans, or technology, or how they eat. I don’t know what it is. But they didn’t play like this back in the days, good brother. Everybody’s good. You hear me?
Do either of you think your team can make it back to the Finals? And if they do, are you planning on putting another bet on it this time around?
Joyner Lucas: I’m never betting on a single basketball player or game in my entire life. Never again will I ever bet on another basketball game ever again in life, ever. That was it.
I would hope that they would be able to get back. I would like to see it go the other way this time, but at the same time, again, it’s the experience of the Warriors, man. They showed last year that they had that experience over the Celtics. I don’t know if one year is going to change that. I don’t know. Hopefully, if they get back, they can capitalize and they take it home. That would be amazing for the city, and I think everyone would love to see that. Jayson, he’s having a hell of a year, so I guess we’ll see.
E-40: Absolutely. I feel like we’re going to repeat, and once we win, I don’t know who’s going to step up and be like Joyner. I don’t know what rapper wants to do it. They can play with me if they want to. They can put a hundred up, they can put 200, whatever they want to do. I’m going with the Warriors.
After taking over Las Vegas with his sold-out residency in 2021, Usher looks to expand his dominance globally by announcing his new European mini-jaunt, Rendez-Vous Á Paris.
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Kicking off Sept. 24 in Paris at La Seine Musicale, the four-date festivity will include Hot 100 chart-topping hits “Yeah,” “You Got It Bad,” and more from Usher’s decorated 30-year career. European fans can experience never-before-seen costumes, state-of-the-art lighting and special effects. Fan presale starts on Wednesday (Apr. 19) at 10 am, while Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and venue presales begin Thursday (Apr. 20) at 10 am. General tickets will be available to everyone on Friday (Apr. 21) at 10 am. You can purchase here.
Earlier this year, Usher announced 15 additional dates to his sold-out My Way residency. The new shows will take place in June and October.
“I like the idea of what I’ve found in Las Vegas,” said Usher in an interview with GQ earlier this year. “It gives me an opportunity to settle. I have children now. I got a life, so [I like] being able to have a few days in certain places and being able to celebrate those places and enjoy them. At this age, you try to hold on to the moments.”
Usher recently released his new single “GLU” and is coming off a headlining performance at J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival earlier this month. With a potential new album on the way, Usher hopes to give avid fans great music, as R&B supremacy isn’t on his mind anymore.
“No. 1 is always going to mean a lot to everybody. But it doesn’t, and shouldn’t, change your passion,” he told Billboard in 2021. It hasn’t changed mine, whether I put out a record that hit No. 1 instantly or took time to get there. I have a record company that’s willing to fight for it and get it heard, to connect with my audience and prospective new fans. I’ve tried a lot of stuff. There’s a way to play in R&B where you can be as creative as you want. Don’t cut yourself off — don’t feel you need to be tied so authentically to one thing.”
Rendez-Vouz Á Paris at La Seine Musicale: September 24September 25September 27September 28
Day three of Coachella is a wrap.
Festival-goers trekked to the desert for the final day of weekend one, which was headlined by Frank Ocean. But before the artist, who gave his first live performance in six years on Sunday (April 16), took the main stage, artists such as Kali Uchis, Björk, Willow and Latto performed noteworthy sets of their own. For those at home, YouTube streamed live from all stages of the festival — and will continue to do so during the fest’s round two April 21-23.
Kali Uchis’ show-stopping performance featured a parade of surprise guests, including her pals Tyler, the Creator and Omar Apollo. She was also joined by her significant other, rapper Don Toliver, to perform “Fantasy” together. The night’s biggest moment was, of course, Frank Ocean, who was originally set to headline the fest in 2020. A huge crowd gathered at the main stage to welcome the acclaimed artist back to the desert after 11 years (he first performed in 2012) — and only those in attendance were able to experience Franks’s nearly 90-minute set, which wasn’t live-streamed.
After fans patiently waited for Frank to take the stage, he finally appeared (almost an hour late) and wasted little time before telling the crowd what they all wanted to know: “I want to talk about why we’re here — because it’s not about the new album, not that there’s not a new album,” he said. There’s hope.
Check out Billboard‘s six best moments from day three of Coachella 2023 below.
Latto Gasses Up the Girls
It was giving female empowerment at Latto’s Sahara Tent set, from the female rappers she brought up on stage to the messages she shared. “It’s a lotta ladies in here! Where my boss b—–s at? Where my b—–s who pays their own bills?” she asked the crowd. She later introduced her track “P—y” — which she released soon after Roe v. Wade was overturned last June, a historical push against women’s rights that Latto vehemently rapped about protecting — by asking the crowd: “Why would I let a ni–a police my own p—y?” All the while, her backup dancers held their own form of a women’s march right on the stage as pink-hued footage of real-life protests flashed on the center screen, which resembled an antique purple TV box.
Latto, who held a sequined scepter in hand, used her set both for good and… for some downright dirty. During “Nasty Nasty,” she used the mic to mimic fellatio while later asking, “Who wanna come up here and get wet with me?” As for her guests, Latto welcomed TiaCorine to perform her latest hit “FreakyT” (which Latto chimed in with her own verse); Lola Brooke who gave her first major festival performance, delivering her breakout hit “Don’t Play With It”; and last but not least, Saweetie, who joined Latto for the billed act’s own breakout hit “B—h from Da Souf.” After, Saweetie took a moment to give Latto her flowers, saying, “She can rap her ass off! And you look better than me, I know that’s motherf—king right!” She then led the audience in an “I Love Latto” chant before exiting the stage, leaving Latto alone for the big finale of her Billboard Hot 100 No. 3 smash, “Big Energy,” making sure to give Mariah Carey props by letting her verse from the remix play on through. – Heran Mamo
Kali Uchis Scores Big-Name Guests
Kali Uchis delivered an epic performance on Sunday that featured back-to-back surprise guests. The Colombian-American artist started off strong performing her bilingual hit “Telepatía,” which earned the singer-songwriter her first leader on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart in 2021. “How we feeling Coachella? Thank you for having us. My name is Kali Uchis,” she told the crowd. Wearing a two-piece denim piece (bustier and shirt) with matching boots, Kali introduced her first guest, none other than Tyler, the Creator to sing their duet “See You Again.” She then brought out Omar Apollo to perform “Worth the Wait.” For her last guest, Uchis invited rapper (and her significant other) Don Toliver for “Fantasy.”
“Are you guys hot?” she asked the crowd after Toliver left the stage. Things were only about to get hotter when she performed OG reggaeton anthems “Rica y Apretadita” by El General and Don Omar’s “Salvaje.” Most recently, Kali dropped her new album, Red Moon in Venus, which earned her her first top 10 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. During her set, she teased that she’s about to drop a Latin album next. — Griselda Flores
Christine & the Queens Deliver High Drama
Christine and the Queens’ frontman sauntered on stage in a black trench and angel wings to introduce what would be a captivating and theatrical dusk set. Opening with “Saint Claude,” Chris delivered two more songs before presenting a mini monologue of great importance.
“This is a curse I put on myself,” he began. “My life as a man… my life as a very good man. They asked me who I was and I said the guardian of the doors — I am keeping them safe from the disaster of [patriarchy]. Oh please, close your eyes and let me live my life as a man.”
The artist fittingly then performed the declarative “iT” — which features the line “I’m a man now / And there’s nothing you can do to make me change my mind” — and after took a seat to interpolate Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under the Bridge” alongside his guitarist, part of the artist’s mighty three-piece band.
To end, “If I’m Honest” — the lead single off the act’s upcoming album Paranoïa, Angels, True Love — got its festival debut, for which Chris donned the tench and wings once more. He then leave fans with one final message: “This life is about knowing what your heart is about … Angels of transformation, I am calling upon you.” — Lyndsey Havens
Willow’s Family Affair
“It’s quite a serendipitous night, if I do say so myself,” mused Willow as she stepped on stage for her set at the tented Mojave stage. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you all know this one.” The star then ripped into “transparent soul” as her parents, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, proudly looked on from a sectioned off corner within the artist guest section that’s packed with friends and family, including Moises Arias.
“Honestly, I’m so grateful to just be here and rock the f–k out with you guys,” said Willow. And that’s exactly what she did, especially on songs like screamo-rock epics “Falling Endlessly” for which she picked up her guitar, and “Why?”
Yet the standout moment came during “Summertime in Paris,” her collaboration with brother Jaden who joined in on stage — and stuck around a moment to shower his little sister with praise. “Willow, I look up to you. You’re an amazing person. You’re an amazing artist. It brings tears to my eyes as your brother to see you do this. I’m so inspired and happy for what you’re doing in the world and the amount of peoples lives that you’re changing and the music that you’re making.”
And while he remained the set’s only guest — Camila Cabello has been spotted at the fest all weekend long, though didn’t appear for her Willow collab “psychofreak” — she indulged fans with her hit “Meet Me At Our Spot,” on which she played the bass. (Though Initially released in 2020 the song went viral on TikTok the following year, pushing it up to No. 21 on the Hot 100.) “That was splendiferous,” said Willow as her set came to a close — adding that she’s fairly certain it’s a word. — L.H.
Björk’s Big Return to the Desert
Icelandic artist Björk played alongside an orchestra in her first return to the desert since headlining in 2002. Donning a tinsel outfit, complete with a hoop skirt, tabi platform heels, and a face mask — designed by longtime collaborator James Merry — she began her set with “Stonemilker” and ended with a transformative, strings-based cover of her techno-leaning track “Pluto.”
For the last few years, Björk has played many of her shows with an orchestra, led by Icelandic conductor Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason. Yet, despite the avant-garde costuming and moving arrangements, the set seemed likely better appreciated as a touring performance for fans rather than a festival set that ultimately served as many newcomers’ pre-Frank Ocean entertainment while they stood waiting for hours. — Kristin Robinson
Frank Ocean’s Long-Awaited Headlining Set
For his first live performance in seven years, Frank Ocean came out of hiding — kind of — to close out the third and final day of the festival. In the hour leading up to his set, the main stage gradually transformed into one giant screen that only left a sliver of its interior visible, which is where Frank remained tucked away for the duration of the one-hour-and-a-half set.
Inside the recording studio-like set-up, the ever-elusive star hunched over a mic to reimagine his most beloved songs, including a stripped-down, acoustic version of “Pink + White,” a turnt up remix of “Solo,” a drill edit of “Chanel” and punk-rock remix of “Wiseman.” The headliner later lent his spotlight to DJ Crystalmess, who took a stab at spinning his own discography as she played a Jersey Club remix of “Slide” and a bounce edit of “Pyramids.”
And yes, Frank even performed snippets of new music, at times using his self-proclaimed “inner child” Josiah as a vessel. Despite his ambiguous comment on whether fans can expect new music to be released soon — “I want to talk about why I’m here because it’s not because of a new album… Not that there’s not a new album,” he teased — he did expand on his decision to return to the desert more than a decade later.
“You know, these last couple years, my life changed so much…. My brother and I, we came to this festival a lot,” he reflected somberly about their Coachella memories of watching Rae Sremmurd together. “I know he would’ve been so excited to be here with all of us. I want to say thank you for the support and the ears and the love over all this time.” — H.M.
Sunday night (April 16) wasn’t the first time Lil Wayne touched the famed Apollo Theater stage, but Weezy’s Welcome to Tha Carter Tour rumbled through Harlem to close out the seasonably warm weekend in the Big Apple in style.
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The curtain dropped around 9:15 p.m. ET at the intimate venue and the thick smoke clouds began to form as the New Orleans rap deity emerged with a Jesus piece chain dangling around his neck. Weezy opened with the JAY-Z-assisted “Mr. Carter,” which took fans back to when Wayne and Hov were jockeying for the best rapper alive title in the late 2000s.
Wayne went through his humbling concert routine letting the people know “I ain’t s–t without you” before reflecting on the first time he hit the Apollo stage.
“I don’t know if it was the last time, but I know the first time I stepped on this actual stage, [Showtime at] The Apollo was still an actual show that came on television and I was on that motherf—er,” he recalled. “I think Shemar Moore was hosting it, but I was there though.”
Flanked by DJ T. Lewis and a drummer, Weezy breezed through an array of tracks from his decorated Tha Carter series while jogging the memory of the 1,500-person capacity crowd with songs including “Fireman,” “Blunt Blowin,’” “Hustler Musik,” and the Kanye West-produced “Let the Beat Build” booming through the venue speakers.
The 40-year-old found a groove inside his colossal Tha Carter III album with a medley of the triumphant “3 Peat,” “Comfortable,” “Lollipop,” and “Mrs. Officer” as attendees were hit with a laser beam light show and a heavy dose of 2008 nostalgia, at time when Weezy sat atop the rap food chain at the peak of his powers.
Wayne pressed pause 45 minutes into his set and teased a few special guests, but instead of reuniting with Drake or Nicki Minaj, fans were greeted by Young Money rappers Drizzy P, Euro, Lil Twist, and Mellow Rackz.
The jubilant energy seemed to be drained during the 15-minute intermission, but in fairness to the YM artist cameos, it’s nearly impossible to be thrown into the fire in the midst of a set from one of the greatest catalogs in rap and keep the party rolling. But when Wayne returned around 10:15 the crowd perked up like they’d just collectively downed a Red Bull to get amped for the stretch run.
Mixtape Weezy took centerstage as Dedication 2‘s lyrical masterclass “Cannon,” DJ Capcom’s “I’m Going In” featuring a then-neophyte Drake, The Leak EP’s “I’m Me,” and No Ceilings cut “Shoes” were added as setlist surprises. All that was missing were the fan-favorites “Something You Forgot” and “The Sky is the Limit.”
With all of the Verzuz chatter surrounding the Young Money honcho battling 50 Cent, Weezy’s tour set served as a stark reminder that he can go 40-deep into different bags and eras of his hall-of-fame career to compete with anyone, whether it’s commercial hits, syrupy mixtape anthems that went diamond in the streets, or prolific features.
Wayne is one of the only artists that can have a competitive Verzuz battle with himself, having “Mixtape Weezy” and other memorable loosies that exist on the internet face-off against his own albums and primary streaming service catalog.
Cam’ron surprised his hometown Harlem crowd when the Dipset rapper made an unexpected cameo in a silver tracksuit to team up with Weezy to perform their 2006 “Touch It Or Not” collaboration for the first time ever. Even more impressive, Wayne remembered his verse from the raunchy tune like he’d rehearsed it for weeks.
“Weezy, I love you! It’s the first time we ever performed this, n—a,” Killa Cam stated to Wayne before exiting.
The finish line was in sight for Wayne heading into the final turn jumping from Young Money’s “Every Girl” to his feature on French Montana’s “Pop That” as well as “HYFR” and “The Motto,” sans Drake.
Weezy fittingly capped off the marathon 40-track set with the 8x-platinum “A Milli” and even took off his long-sleeve shirt to match the fervor of his wall-to-wall Tha Carter III anthem’s rhymes.
“F–king thank you, man! Every single one of y’all, man,” he said to the crowd before recognizing the droves of fans sporting his mug on their bodies. “I see people with my face on they shirts and s–t. I appreciate you!”
Wayne wrapped up around 10:45 p.m. ET with Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” serving as the outro music, but he couldn’t leave before going over his three rules one last time.
“I must let you know three important things about myself. No. 1 is I know that we all ain’t s–t without the love from above. No. 2 is I ain’t s–t without you. Ladies and gentlemen, what’s No. 3,” Wayne asked the audience who wasted no time shouting rule No. 2 right back at him in the midst of a standing ovation.
The Welcome to Tha Carter Tour continues Monday night (April 17) with a show in Philadelphia followed by stops in Silver Spring, Maryland and Charlotte.
There are hometown heroes, and there’s Iam Tongi.
The American Idol contestant was on home soil for Sunday night’s episode (April 16), when the top 26 delivered their goods from Hawaii.
Tongi had the audience (and judges) swaying along with his cover of Spawnbreezie’s 2011 number “Don’t Let Go”. Of course, the youngster’s family and friends made their presence felt.
Appearing relaxed and happy, the high schooler kicked back for a performance that was rootsier than a planation of coconut palms, mellower than Mr Stay Puft. And to be certain, it’s going viral on YouTube.
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Tongi is the first Hawaiian to make it to his point in Idol, and he’s had to put tragedy to one side.
The teenager has overcome the recent loss of his dad, and some major technical issues, to glide into Idol’s Hollywood Week, and now Hawaii. If there’s a fan favorite in this 21st season, you’re looking at him.
Originally from Kahuka, Tongi impressed with a cover of James Blunt’s “Monsters” during the auditions round, and made his Hollywood Week one to remember with a performance of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and then a duet with Oliver Steele on The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears.”
Last week, he powered through Hollywood with a performance of “The Sound Of Silence” that was nothing short of “showstopping,” Katy Perry later remarked.
Watch his performance from Hawaii’s Disney Aulan below.
Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding aren’t ready wrap their “Miracle” run on the U.K. singles chart.
The banging retro number leads the race for what would be a third consecutive week at No. 1, though the competition is heating up.
“Miracle” leads two newcomers on the OCC’s First Look chart, which ranks singles based on sales and streaming activity from the first 48 hours in the chart cycle. As previously reported, Goulding bagged her first U.K. chart double last week, with “Miracle” extending its reign and her solo LP Higher Than Heaven starting atop the national albums survey.
Meanwhile, U.S. TikTok star David Kushner is ready and set for his first U.K. top 10 chart appearance, as “Daylight” starts at No. 2 on the chart blast. It’s a “surprising highest new entry,” notes the Official Charts Company, compilers of the U.K.’s charts. Regardless of where it lands, the track should eclipse the No. 39 best for 2022’s “Miserable Man,” Kushner’s only top 40 appearance to date.
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Lewis Capaldi has felt the love following the release of his Netflix documentary How I’m Feeling Now, with three singles and his debut album all climbing the U.K. charts last Friday (April 14). There’s quick early movement for “Wish You The Best,” the lead single from the Scottish artist’s forthcoming third album. The track is set to arrive at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart.
Former One Direction star Niall Horan is eyeing a third solo top 10 appearance, as “Heaven” vaults 21-9 on the chart blast. “Heaven” is the lead single from Horan’s forthcoming album The Show, set for release June 9.
Finally, Post Malone’s foray into pop with “Chemical” should net the U.S. singer and rapper a 20th top 40. It’s new at No. 12 on the chart blast.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday (April 21).
Ellie Goulding is in chart heaven as she scores her first U.K. double.
The English singer and songwriter starts a second week at No. 1 on the national singles survey with “Miracle” (via Columbia), her club hit with Calvin Harris, and her latest LP Higher Than Heaven (Polydor) floats to the summit on the national albums tally, published April 14.
Higher Than Heaven is Goulding’s fifth studio album, and fourth U.K. leader. That latter feat places her in fine company. She draws level with Adele for the most No. 1 albums by a British female solo artist in the U.K.
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Previously, Goulding led the chart with her debut Lights (from 2010), Halcyon (2012) and Brightest Blue (2020), with 2015’s Delirium the only title to miss out, peaking at No. 3.
Coming in hot at No. 2 on the fresh tally is NF’s Hope (NF Real Music). That’s a career best for the Michigan product, a rapper, singer, songwriter and producer with six LPs to his name. NF (real name: Nathan John Feuerstein) previously bagged top 40s with 2019 collection The Search (No. 7) and 2021 mixtape Clouds (No. 12).
As Lewis Capaldi opens his heart in the new Netflix documentary How I’m Feeling Now, fans of the Scottish artist repay the faith by tuning into his music. Three of his singles climb the singles chart, and his debut LP from 2019, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (EMI), blasts 17-4 on the albums tally. Divinely led the chart following its initial release and it has now logged 204th cycles.
Another artist enjoying a bounce is Taylor Swift, whose albums Midnights (6-5), 1989 (20-17), Lover (29-20) and folklore (34-25), all via EMI, are all on the up. Swifties in the U.K. are eagerly awaiting the domestic leg of her The Eras Tour, which is currently winding its way across America.
Finally, Linkin Park’s sophomore album Meteora (Warner Bros) bolts back into the top 10, thanks to a 20th reissue featuring previously unreleased works with unheard vocals from the late frontman Chester Bennington, who died in 2017. Meteora led the chart first time around, and returns at No. 7.
Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s U.K. chart miracle continues to play out as their hit single locks-up a second week at No. 1.
The throwback rave tune “Miracle” (via Columbia) holds off Libianca’s rising Afrobeats track “People” (5K) for its second cycle atop the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published April 14. “People” lifts 4-2 for its peak position, ahead of Ed Sheeran’s former leader “Eyes Closed” (Atlantic), which holds at No. 3.
The highest new entry on the latest survey belongs to Drake, as “Search & Rescue” (OVO/Republic Records) bows at No. 5. Drizzy’s latest track, which includes the voices of Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner, is the Canadian singer and rapper’s 38th top 10 entry in the U.K.
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As expected, Lewis Capaldi enjoys a sales spark following the release of his new Netflix documentary How I’m Feeling Now. The Scottish singer and songwriter sees three tracks climb the U.K. top 40 — “Forget Me” (up 45-8), “Pointless” (reenters at No. 17), and “How I’m Feeling Now” (up 37-24), all via EMI, while his debut 2019 LP Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent gains 17-4 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.
David Guetta scores a 46th top 10 appearance with “Baby Don’t Hurt Me” (Parlophone), the EDM star’s collaboration with Anne-Marie and Coi Leray. It’s new at No. 26 on the OCC’s singles tally. The bouncing tune, which samples Haddaway’s 1993 house hit “What Is Love,” becomes Anne-Marie’s 17th top 40 appearance and Leray’s second.
There’s a new K-pop girl group in the U.K. top flight. South Korean girl group Fifty Fifty make their first top 40 appearance with “Cupid” (WM Korea), new at No. 34. The four-piece comprises Aran, Keena, Saena and Sio, and was formed last year by South Korean entertainment agency ATTRAKT.
Finally, U.S. country star Morgan Wallen now has his first U.K. top 40 single, as “Last Night” (Republic Records) improves 59-35 in its sixth week on the survey. It’s lifted from his Billboard 200 leader One Thing At A Time, which scraped into the U.K. top 40 last month at No. 40.
After being kicked out of Game 1 of the Golden State Warriors versus Sacramento Kings first-round playoff game on Saturday night (April. 16), E-40 lambasted the Kings’ organization for “racial bias” when handling his confrontation with a female fan.
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40, known as a Golden State Warriors fan and frequent attendee, sent a statement to Billboard, recalling the incident involving him addressing the heckler in “an assertive but polite manner.”
“On Saturday night, I was subjected to disrespectful heckling over the course of the Warriors-Kings game in Sacramento. During the fourth quarter, I finally turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner. Yet, shortly thereafter, Kings’ security approached me, assumed that I instigated the encounter and proceeded to kick me out of the arena,” writes 40.
He also acknolwedges that despite his accomplishments as a musician and businessman, “racial bias” continued to be the norm and played an intergral role in his departure from the game.
“Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that — despite my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias remains prevalent. Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault,” he says.
At the end of his statement, 40 said that he hopes the Kings organization will do a thorough investigation on the matter and that those “involved are held accountable for their behavior.”
“I’ve attended countless NBA games throughout my lifetime and have always prided myself in my professionalism, so this experience has been jarring. I was absolutely humiliated by the Kings’ security team and I’m calling on the franchise to investigate the appalling conduct that transpired.”
He adds, “I’m truly grateful for my fans and supporters who have reached out to express their concern and disappointment regarding these disheartening circumstances and I hope those involved are held accountable for their behavior.”
Watch the clip below.
Coachella quickly became Motochella when Rosalía set foot on the festival’s main stage on Saturday (April 15).
The Motomamis and Motopapis assembled when they heard motorcycle engines roar. It only meant one thing: Rosalía was close to arrival. Wearing a black and white helmet, black leather pants, and a flowy pink robe over a black bra, Rosalía took the spotlight for her highly-anticipated performance on day two of the three-day event.
“Buenas noches, Coachella? I feel very happy to see you all here today,” said Rosalía, who was accompanied by a troupe of fierce dancers. “You fill my heart with your presence. I come from Barcelona, that’s why this stage is so special. It’s because of you that I’m here.”
For the special set, Rosalía brought her Motomami Tour concept to the desert, built upon a minimalistic white canvas with multiple cameras live feeding content from multiple angles. The tracklist spanned her albums El Mal Querer and Motomami, including hits like “Saoko,” “Bizcochito,” and “La Fama.” For the lattermost, she hopped off stage with a hand-held camera in selfie mode to capture the crowd taking turns on the mic.
“Are there many Motomamis here tonight? I see you all,” she declared soon after. She went on to sing “La Noche de Anoche,” “Despechá,” “Hentai,” “Motomami,” and “Candy” before unveiling her big surprise of the night.
“How many of you have already listened to RR,” the Spanish star asked the crowd. “Four years ago I came to Coachella — and I came alone. Not this time around.” Seconds later, her fiancé (and superstar in his own right) Rauw Alejandro joined Rosalía onstage where they oozed love. “Qué dice Coachella? Where’s my Latin people?” the Puerto Rican hitmaker asked the crowd.
The couple, who announced their engagement last month, performed “Beso” and “Vampiros” off RR, the joint EP they dropped March 24. After singing, kissing and a little perrero, they both stepped off the stage and shared a sweet kiss before going their separate ways. Rosalía made her way back to the white canvas for her last few songs., including an emotional cover of Enrique Iglesias’ “Héroe,” as well as “Chicken Teriyaki,” and “CUUUUuuuuuute.”
Coachella is part of Rosalía’s 20-date festival tour, which kicked off at Lollapalooza Argentina on March 17. It follows her Motomami world tour, which grossed $33.7 million and sold 443,000 tickets worldwide, landing her at No. 7 on the year-end Top Latin Tours list, according to Billboard Boxscore.
Get tickets to the first-ever #BBMujeresLatinas on May 6 in Miami: billboardmujeresenlamusica.com