Billboard Cover
Page: 2
In July, Jamaica’s most influential living artist walked out of a Kingston prison after 13 years, drove straight to his mother’s house for a tearful reunion over steamed fish and okra — and dove immediately into preparations for Freedom Street: his first performance since his release, and the biggest concert the country would see in […]
After being released from prison after 13 years, Vybz Kartel, the king of Dancehall, is ready to reclaim his throne. The Billboard cover star takes us through a day in his life in Kingston, Jamaica, where he shares his experience of creating “Fever” in jail, how he intends to get his music cleared for streaming, his personal evolution, his thoughts on newer artists in the genre, and more!
Keep watching to see how he plans on dominating the music industry again!
Vybz Kartel:
You can’t even feel sorry for yourself like I didn’t have time to do that. I had kids to feed. I had family to take care of. I had my health issues. I was sitting in this position, you know, with the legs crossed in my cell. I was listening to the radio. He was like, “Yo, I think this is it.” This is Vybz Kartel. I’m here with Billboard. Come spend the day with me.
Kyle Denis:
Do you feel like the scene kind of stalled when you went away?
Yes, but it also opened up a portal for the new artists. I mean, it took a minute because Vybz Kartel’s presence is so powerful, maybe like 20 between 2016 then new artists started coming out one by one, and then the floodgates opened, like around 2020, but yeah, it took a while. So yes.
I heard you, you know, recorded one of your biggest songs in the past decade while you were away, “Fever.”
I’ve been recording, but initially I figured out how to record using an iPod, the little, small, flat ones. You know, the original rectangular ones. But a lot of time the sound was metallic because the cell didn’t have the padding like what a studio has to kill the sound, so it bounced all over the place. Then I figured out that I could use my mattress as a sponge over my head. That’s when the music started getting clearer.
Keep watching for more!
Never one to follow the status quo, Billboard cover star Tyler, the Creator sits down and shares the most honest version of himself that went into his Billboard chart-topping album, ‘Chromakopia.’ The hit-making artist looks back on his 13-year career and how Camp Flog Gnaw has grown with him throughout the years. He also shares […]
Billboard cover star and global pop star LISA welcomes you inside her world. She shares her passions in life, riveting stories about meeting Sabrina Carpenter and Rosalía, her journey to stardom, sneak peeks into upcoming projects and so much more! LISA: Oh, I would love to say Grammy. Hi. I’m LISA, and this is behind […]
Lisa looks stumped. She raises her eyebrows slightly and purses her lips, staring out from underneath her immaculate, walnut-brown bangs. She is trying to answer a question that for most people qualifies as Small Talk 101, but for her is a Sphinx-level riddle: “Where do you live?” “I can’t really tell where I’m based,” she […]
At most huge pop tours, there’s a moment when shrieking fans reach a true fever pitch — when the lights dim right before the show begins, or when the intro to the artist’s biggest hit kicks in, or during the break before the encore. All of those happened at Olivia Rodrigo’s first arena tour — […]
Billboard cover stars and prominent Venezuelan artists Lele Pons, Elena Rose, Danny Ocean, Mau and Ricky, and Nacho have come together to discuss the state of their home country. They share the influences of Venezuela within their music, including ‘venequia,’ ‘hotel caracas,’ and “CARACAS EN EL 2000.” Together, they emphasize the need for support for Venezuelan artists, the role of social media in their activism and more.
Sigal Ratner-Arias:
Hello, I am Sigal Ratner-Arias, editor of Billboard Espanol. Today we have the honor of having Nacho with us.
Nacho:
I have never been willing to give up on Venezuela. You are a beautiful example of unity, but that applies to this generation.
Sigal Ratner-Arias:
Danny Ocean.
Danny Ocean:
Venezuela is tired, exhausted, we need a change, and I think everyone knows that to flourish.
Sigal Ratner-Arias:
Mau and Ricky.
Mau and Ricky:
There are real threats, serious things happening, very complicated. This is not as easy as people think, man. This is what we are fighting for. It is worth it.
Sigal Ratner-Arias:
Elena Rose.
Elena Rose:
Our music, our words, a hug, do you understand? It can give people hope; because I really don’t want any Venezuelan to give up without seeing their country alive.
Sigal Ratner-Arias:
And Lele Pons.
Lele Pons:
Now, that is our power, communication, so that the whole world, not just Venezuela knows what is happening.
Sigal Ratner-Arias:
All Venezuelan artists who have stood out worldwide with their music, or in Lele’s case, as a content creator on social media. And who have also used their voice to speak out on causes close to them, such as the current political crisis in Venezuela following the presidential election on July 28. Together, they will share their views on the rise of Venezuelan artists in the music scene, and as role models.
Keep watching for more!
Mustard, the mastermind behind the beat of Kendrick Lamar’s smash hit “Not Like Us,” is riding a wave of success. Hot on the heels of this triumph, he unleashed his own creation, ‘Faith of a Mustard Seed.’ But he’s far from done. We spend a day with Mustard exploring his daily routine, diving into the […]
Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” took the Hot 100 by storm, and with its 12th week at No. 1, we get to speak with the man behind the hottest hit. Shaboozey takes us behind the scenes of his Brooklyn tour stop on his first headlining sold-out ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’ Tour, and he tells us about his reaction to becoming an overnight sensation, his musical influences, what his plans are for the future, and more!
Shaboozey:
What’s up, Billboard, you’re here with Shaboozey. Welcome to the ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’ Tour. Let’s rock it out. This is the boring part where we pull suitcases out.
Team Member:
Do you need any of your bags from your room?
Shaboozey:
I need all of the bags. Got this beautiful little J-45 situation in here, you know? But by the good folks at Gibson, you know what I mean? Sounds really good. This little sunburst — is this sunburst or rosewood? I’m not too sure. But yeah that’s my baby right now, getting me through the tour, you know? Stephen — toes out, huh?
Stephen Musselman:
Toes out, beers out.
Shaboozey:
That’s our pedal steel player, Stephen right here. Musselman.
Team Member:
The greatest pedal steel player, you will ever come across.
Shaboozey:
West of the Mississippi, we say. What’s up, boy, is that beer? I’m playing, it’s definitely beer. All right, y’all.
Jared Cotter:
We’re so excited to be here. You know, this is a culmination of years of work. You know, Shaboozey’s first headline tour. It’s sold out. You know, this particular stop is in Brooklyn, which is near and dear to my heart. Being from New York, I’m just so proud of Shaboozey and where he’s at, and, in turn, where the team is at. It’s just amazing. We had a show here.
Keep watching for more!
Billboard cover star and iconic reggaeton artist J Balvin shares the stories behind some of his biggest hits and collaborations, including “6 AM,” “Ginza,” “I Like It” with Cardi B & Bad Bunny, “LA CANCIÓN” with Bad Bunny, the “Mi Gente” remix featuring Beyoncé, Karol G on “Mi Cama” and more! J Balvin: We did […]