Billboard Cover
Billboard cover star Alejandro Sanz is gearing up to release his first album in four years, ‘¿Y Ahora Qué?’. The Spanish singer is teaming up with Shakira once again for a new duet, “Bésame.” He shares the inspiration behind “Palmeras en el Jardín,” what it’s like to work with Shakira, his collaborations with Grupo Frontera […]
Billboard cover star j-hope sits down to share his experience with ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE,’ the kind of music he hopes to create after completing his military service, his collaborations with J. Cole and Miguel, the artists he hopes to work with in the future, and more! j-hope: ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ is exactly what […]
Billboard cover star Tems is diving into the trajectory of her career, balancing her personal life and breaking records. Plus, she teases new music, lists her favorite songs she’s put out, talks her involvement with San Diego FC, how representation has evolved in the music industry, the challenges of fame, her future goals and more.
What’s your favorite Tems song? Let us know in the comments!
Heran Mamo:
Well, I’m so excited to be here with you.
Tems:
Me too.
I mean, this is the fourth time we chatted. But you know, much bigger occasion. Super happy. In person, in London, where you live.
In London, yeah.
So how long have you lived in London?
I’ve lived in London for about three years now.
And your family moved here when you were a baby, correct?
Yes. My dad still lives here. Actually, I was raised in Lagos. Still. I didn’t stay here too long when I was a baby.
Obviously Lagos is still considered home.
Oh yeah, for sure.
I remember, I think I was watching your Vogue France video when you’re getting ready for the Jacquemus show, and you’re talking about, like, your Pilates class and how, like, you have to keep changing them, because of people recognizing you and you’re like, not even booking under your real name. How do you maintain a sort of normal-ish routine?
The way I am naturally is, I wouldn’t say it’s routine-based, but I find joy in, you know, quiet and having my own time, and I just keep my life private, like my private life private and my public life public.
How has your relationship with your fame evolved over the years and making sure you’re still maintaining that peace?
At least when I first started, there’s a lot of things I wasn’t comfortable with. I’m hypersensitive to a lot of things, so everything was uncomfortable. I just love music. You know, I was always focused on my art and just putting on music.
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Anjula Acharia remembers when the one person who had set her up for success told her she was going to fail. And Jay-Z was there, too. In 2008, Acharia and Interscope Geffen A&M’s then chairman, Jimmy Iovine, were sharing breakfast at a New York hotel. Iovine — who had partnered with Acharia’s South Asian music/news […]
Billboard cover star Gracie Abrams is heading back to the studio and has revealed that she’s working on new music following the success of “That’s So True.” She opens up about her friendships with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, her experience opening their tours, the future of pop with Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, her […]
Billboard cover star John Summit takes you through a day in his life in Miami where he shares what he’s working on for his next album, who he would love to collaborate with, performing at the Sphere, how EDM music from the US has gone international and more! John Summit: I remember like I was […]
Billboard cover stars Grupo Frontera take us through a day in their lives, showcasing their favorite hobby, describing what their studio time involves, and explaining what an “asada” entails. They discuss how they initially managed with a limited budget and how they did not expect to suddenly gain rapid traction with “NO SE VA,” a […]
Billboard cover star Koe Wetzel is ready to headline Billboard’s THE STAGE at SXSW. The country singer shares his journey from a small Texas town to hitting the stage in countless cities where he’s able to connect with fans and change their lives. He opens up about how ‘Noise Complaint’ was the turning point in […]
It’s an early evening in late September, and San Francisco is gleaming. The back patio at EMPIRE’s recording studios near the city’s Mission District is all white marble, reflecting the last rays of the setting sun as dozens of YouTube executives mill about, holding mixed drinks and picking at passed trays of beef skewers, falafel, […]
Billboard cover star Kai Cenat has gone from being a Twitch streamer to one of the most influential figures in the music industry. The influencer shares his journey from learning the ropes of hip-hop music to becoming a music industry commentator. He discusses his thoughts on the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef, how he manages his relationships with artists, the process of inviting artists over, and his advice for those wanting to start streaming, and more!
Kai Cenat:
I want to go to space, like, I want to be the first streamer in space. I feel like that’d be crazy, like going to the rocket, going up to space, saying, “Yo, chat,” come back down. I feel like that’ll be crazy. When I started streaming, the majority of my content was, like, blowing up based off of me just reacting to different songs and like we had to do different music when they dropped and albums when they dropped, and just enjoyed it for what it was. And then certain clips and certain videos from that stream would go crazy, and then everybody just loved it.
Damien Scott:
You’ve done very well for yourself. Forbes has you as the highest-earning Twitch streamer. You had a hell of a 2024. Became most subscribed streamer on Twitch, Mafiathon 2.
Yep.
Which was incredible to watch a feat of social engineering and just content overall. That, plus a number of other things, has you covering Billboard’s annual Power 100 issue.
That’s crazy.
Did you ever think you would be-
Heck, no. Billboard is insane. I grew up looking at things that like Billboard had posted in the past, and different people that’s been on Billboard already, and it’s definitely insane.
You remember any of the songs back when you were still making skits, you were still in the Bronx? What music were you gravitated to and were you listening to?
No, I was listening to… I did straight Michael Jackson up until high school.
What do you mean straight Michael Jackson?
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