billboard news

Pop Culture Rewind: *NSYNC’s Historic Chart Achievements | Billboard News

Billboard looks back at *NSYNC’s hits, career and chart achievements.

Evan Burke:
It ain’t no lie that *NSYNC holds one of the biggest Billboard chart records of all time. The boys made a comeback just this year, but we’re also taking you back to a moment and an album we could never forget all in this week’s Pop Culture Rewind.

*NSYNC’s self-titled first album hit the Billboard charts in 1998, eventually peaking at No. 2 with hits like “I Want You Back” and “Tearing Up My Heart.”

They tore up teen’s hearts around the globe, so when it came to their second album, there was no sophomore slump in sight, containing their first Hot 100 No. 1, “It’s Gonna Be Me” along with “Bye Bye Bye,” No Strings Attached was released on March 21, 2000. It went straight to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and hit a first-week sales total of 2.4 million copies, the most albums sold in a week ever. They still hold that record for a group and held the record overall until they were eclipsed by Adele’s ’25’ in 2015 after it sold 3.3 million copies in a week.

Even the fellas’ third album Celebrity still holds the record for the third biggest sales week for an album with 1.8 million sold in 2001.

Justin Timberlake called the band back together this year to join him on the Trolls Band Together soundtrack with “Better Place.” The track debuted at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, their first time back on the charts since 2002.

We’ll have another huge moment for you next week in our Pop Culture Rewind.

Watch the full video above!

Taylor Swift’s Birthday, Megan Thee Stallion Signs Deal, Amy Winehouse Movie & More | Billboard News

It’s Taylor Swift’s 34th birthday! In honor of the Swiftie Queen’s birthday, her ‘The Eras Tour’ Movie is available for rent. The singer also received a gift from the Chiefs co-owner and CEO Clark Hunt. Megan Thee Stallion has signed a distribution deal with WMG that will allow her to retain ownership of her music. ‘Back to Black,’ the Amy Winehouse biopic, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson is set to hit theaters on May 10th, 2024. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Megan Thee Stallion says she’s staying independent. The Amy Winehouse biopic gets a release date. Billy Porter takes us Behind the Photo. Brandy shares her holiday traditions, and we celebrate Taylor Swift’s 34th birthday.

Welcome to Billboard News. I’m Tetris Kelly. It’s Wednesday, December 13th, aka Taylor Swift’s birthday. And Miss. Swift has a lot to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, Taylor Swift! We’re celebrating the Swiftie Queen’s 34th birthday as she’s gifting fans with the opportunity to have her in their home and the Chiefs are showing some appreciation. Today feels like it should be a national holiday. The number 13 and 1989 aren’t special for no reason, and as Taylor is celebrating her big three-four, she posted about the release of ‘The Eras Tour’ online for, you guessed it, $19.89. “I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you.” Celebrate 34 with me by watching ‘The Eras Tour (Extended Version),’ including “Long Live,” “The Archer” and “Wildest Dreams” at home. And I know I wasn’t the only one stressed that “Long Live” wasn’t in the original version. Taylor has been supporting her Chiefs man Travis Kelce and it’s not unnoticed. Clark Hunt, who is the co-owner and CEO of the Chiefs, and his family surprised the chart-breaking singer with a sweet gift, just days before the b-day. Can I send Taylor a gift? Wait, what does one buy Taylor Swift? Happy Birthday, Tay, and happy streaming Swifties!

Watch the full video above!

Animal Shelters Call on Swifties to Donate $13 to Celebrate Taylor Swift’s Birthday

Tis the season of giving, and animal shelters are calling on Taylor Swift fans to give back on the superstar’s 34th birthday.

Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) explained their now-viral #TaylorSwiftChallenge best via Instagram on Wednesday (Dec. 13), posting a photo of Swift with her rescue cat Benjamin Button and calling on fans to donate $13 to a shelter of their choice in her name. “To honor Taylor and to help animal shelters everywhere who have had a particularly hard year we created this challenge to support not only our lifesaving mission, but efforts across the country,” the caption reads. “We have been thrilled to see it catch on with rescues and shelters from North Carolina to Texas, Missouri to Massachusetts and Kansas City to Oklahoma participating. We’re not on our own, kid.”

The post continued, “It is no secret that adoptions are low, owner surrenders are high, and at the Pennsylvania SPCA our Animal Law Enforcement team has had a record breaking year. Will you be the 1 for animals in need and donate today?”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Swift is no stranger to adopting pets, as she has three adorable rescue cats, including the previously mentioned Benjamin Button as well as Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson.

See PSPCA’s #TaylorSwiftChallenge post below.

Dove Cameron on Her Debut Album, ‘Boyfriend’ Success, Her Disney Days & More | Billboard News

Dove Cameron opened up to Billboard’s Rania Aniftos about creating her debut album Alchemical: Volume 1, life after the success of her song “Boyfriend,” being vulnerable in her writing and the lessons she learned from her Disney Channel days.

Dove Cameron:
It was just like I was learning as I went and everybody was watching every inch of it.

Hey, I’m Dove Cameron, and this is Billboard News.

Rania Aniftos:
Hi, everybody. It’s Rania Aniftos with Billboard News, and I am so excited to be here with singer-songwriter, Emmy Award winner Dove Cameron.

Dove Cameron:
Hey!

Rania Aniftos:
Hello!

Dove Cameron:
I’m so excited to be here with you.

Rania Aniftos:
Me too!

Dove Cameron:
It’s been a long time coming.

Rania Aniftos:
It has been a long time coming. We’ve both been manifesting this to happen.

So your debut album, Alchemical: Volume 1, so you’re splitting it into two parts. What was the idea behind telling a story in sequence like that?

Dove Cameron:
I felt like I was writing the two halves in such different headspaces. Like, the first half was really, like, about the ending of something and an entire year of my life and the processing of that that happened. And then there was, like, a very stark kind of sonic page turn when it came to the sort of, like, next musical phase that I stepped into. It just kind of ended up making sense to split it.

Rania Aniftos:
You’ve also been sprinkling singles throughout the past few years, and now you finally have a full project out. How does that feel to have like a complete body of work to share with your fans?

Watch the full video above!

BTS Officially On Hiatus, Nicki Minaj’s World Tour, Ye’s Listening Party & More | Billboard News

BTS is officially on hiatus until 2023. Nicki Minaj announced her ‘Pink Friday 2’ World Tour and teamed up with 50 Cent for a new version of her track “Beep Beep.” Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign hosted a listening party for their upcoming joint album ‘Vultures.’ Dove Cameron opened up to Billboard’s Rania Aniftos about creating her album ‘Alchemical: Volume 1,’ life after the success of her track “Boyfriend,” being vulnerable in her writing, and the lessons she learned from her Disney Channel days. Sarz, Asake and Gunna took us behind the scenes of the music video for their track “Happiness.” And more!

Tetris Kelly:
BTS is leaving us and we aren’t well. Kanye West has a jam-packed listening party full of A-list features, while Nicki Minaj grabs 50 Cent for a feature of her own. We go behind the video with Sars, Asake and Gunna and sit down with Dove Cameron.

It’s Tuesday, December 12th. I’m Tetris and this is Billboard News. Today’s show is pretty jam-packed so I won’t waste any time because this first story is gonna be hard for me to get through.

Say it ain’t so! The remainder of our men of BTS are heading to the military and their goodbye messages have us in pieces. No, seriously, where’s the tissue? BTS is officially on hiatus until 2025 and today is really hard, okay? A couple of days ago, RM touched ARMY in their souls with his letter stating in part “The day has come. I believe this will be some strange and new period of inspiration and learning for all of us. It’s scary, but during that vague time is there anything else that’s comforting? That’s probably your love.” Okay, I can get through this. I mean, Jin hilariously commented, “Welcome. It’s your first time in the military, right?” BTS’ youngest member Jung Kook said goodbye on Weverse, and you already know I was a puddle when Jimin also emotionally said goodbye with his clean-shaven look. Those two enlisted as buddies together. V posted a note to Weverse saying, “Actually I’m really sad that I can’t make happy memories with my ARMY for the time being. I’ll be back after 18 months of being healthy, so take care of your ARMY and if you’re looking for something to be happy about every day, cheers! I’m here!” BTS shared a photo of all seven members reunited before the big day. We’ll miss you guys but we’ll be right here when you’re back in 2025.

Watch the full video above!

Cardi B Confirms Split From Offset, 2024 Golden Globe Nominations & More | Billboard News

Cardi B confirms her split from Offset and says she’s “been single for a while.” Olivia Rodrigo performs hit songs from her album ‘Guts’ on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘Tiny Desk.’ Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Ryan Gosling and more get nominated for the 2024 Golden Globes. Brenda Lee continues to top the Hot 100 chart and more!

Tetris Kelly:
Cardi B says she’s single, while Offset shuts down wild rumors. Some of your favorite artists get nominated for the Golden Globes. Olivia Rodrigo gives epic performances over the weekend. And we revealed this week’s top 10 for the Billboard Hot 100. I am Tetris Kelly, welcome to another week of Billboard News. It’s Monday, December 11, and we’re kicking today off by setting some rumors to rest coming straight from Cardi B and Offset themselves.

Cardi B:
I have been single for a minute now but I have been afraid to like, not afraid, I just don’t know how like to tell the world.

Tetris Kelly:
Okay, girl, you better let them know. Cardi B says her and Offset are done, as Offset is coming at Blueface for saying he slept with Chrisean Rock. I was not expecting all this on my Monday morning, but let me break it down for you.

Cardi B:
I want to start 2024 like fresh, open. I don’t know, I’m curious for new life, for a new beginning.

Tetris Kelly:
You heard it from Cardi. She’s been single for a while and didn’t know how to tell us but she’s also referencing the drama surrounding Offset. Blueface fired off several tweets about his baby mama Chrisean, with one saying, “So you ain’t Cardi husband November 10th at 4am at their house in LA? I’m making this up.?” Offset responding to one of the tweets saying, “I never talked or touched that lady. Real talk man, you need some help.” Does Cardi believe all this?

Cardi B:
When it comes for today’s events and stuff, I don’t know if it’s — I don’t think it’s true. I don’t care to find out.

Tetris Kelly:
Wishing all of them the best in figuring this out. Onto some Olivia Rodrigo. She had a busy weekend and I was obsessed with every moment.

Watch the full video above!

Hot 100 Chart Reveal: Dec.16 | Billboard News

Christmas music continues to take over our charts. Wham!, Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee battle it out for the top spot this week, but who will get the No. 1 spot? Watch the full video to find out.

Tetris Kelly
This is the Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated December 16th. Slipping two spots to No. 10 is “Paint the Town Red.” Holding tight at No. 9 is “Snooze.”

Tetris Kelly
Two spots “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year,” still at No. 7 is “Cruel Summer.” Keeping it “Holly Jolly” at No. 6 is Burl Ives. Jack Harlow falls to No. 5. While Wham! climbs to 4, “Jingle Bell Rock” moves up to No. 3. And Mariah keeps the spirit at No. 2 and for her second week at the peak is the evergreen Brenda Lee.

David Foster & Katharine McPhee on Creating ‘Christmas Songs’ Album, Their Relationship Advice & More | Billboard News

David Foster and Katharine McPhee talk about how they were inspired to create their ‘Christmas Songs’ album, Foster’s secrets to making great Christmas music, how they make their relationship work, their favorite family holiday traditions and more.

David Foster:
Oh, I thought that you’re taking your ring off! And furthermore, I don’t want to be married anymore.

David Foster:
Hi, I’m David Foster.

Katharine McPhee:
And I’m Katharine McPhee

David Foster:
And this is Billboard News.

Rania Aniftos:
Hey everybody, welcome back to Billboard News. I am Rania Aniftos and I am so honored because we are here today with David Foster and Katharine McPhee.

David Foster:
Let’s hear it, folks!

Katharine McPhee:
Live studio audience!

Rania Aniftos:
We’re finally in the Christmas spirit. You guys have your Christmas album, your second Christmas album together. Tell me a bit about why you decided to give it another go?

Katharine McPhee:
It’s not really a second Christmas album. The way we look at it is that it’s like one complete album. Most albums have, what? Thirteen tracks on it.

David Foster:
Right.

Katharine McPhee:
So now we just combined the two last year…

David Foster:
We did seven and seven. Seven last year, seven this year.

Katharine McPhee:
Yeah, so it’s like one big album. So you can now get the whole thing in one sort of bundle and

David Foster:
It’s called ‘Christmas Songs.’ You know why?

Rania Aniftos:
Why?

David Foster:
“Hey Siri, play Christmas songs.”

Rania Aniftos:
To be fair, it probably doesn’t hurt that algorithm, right? The SEO to get it up at the top

David Foster:
Smart girl.

Watch the full interview above!

Nicki Minaj, Tate McRae & Sabrina Carpenter Release New Music, Akon & Sammy Wilk’s New Merch, More | Billboard News

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Nicki Minaj releases her highly anticipated ‘Pink Friday 2’ album. After success with her single “Greedy,” Tate McRae has released her album ‘Think Later.’ Sabrina Carpenter releases more holiday music with her ‘Fruitcake’ EP, featuring the single “santa doesn’t know you like I do.” Katharine McPhee and David Foster talks about their new Christmas album ‘Christmas Songs’ and what makes their relationship work. Billboard All Access shows some of the biggest Latin artists across the globe. Sammy Wilk and Akon show off their new merch on Billboard Live Shopping Week with talkshoplive and more!

Tetris Kelly
We’ve got albums from Nicki Minaj, Tate McRae and The Killers. Katherine McPhee and David Foster help us get in the holiday spirit. We celebrate the Queen of Rap’s birthday with a look back at her legacy. We’ve got your ticket to the hottest shows coast to coast. Plus our Billboard Live Shopping Week with talkshoplive continues. I’m Tetris Kelly, it’s Friday, December 8th, and it’s almost the weekend. We’ve got some Billboard News to get through first, starting with our Friday Music Guide. Tate McRae has already charted two songs on the Hot 100 in her latest era, and now we have the full project ‘Think Later’

Tetris Kelly
We’ll have more new music for you throughout the show. But first we’ve got a very special birthday girl to celebrate.

Evan Burke
Only an icon can give out gifts on their birthday. And that’s the Queen of Rap Nicki Minaj

Evan Burke
And from her “Boom Ba Da Doom Bass” to it being Pink Friday yet again, we’re celebrating Nicki’s 41st birthday in this week’s Pop Culture Rewind.

Evan Burke
It’s a monster moment in pop culture we’ll never forget. Nicki Minaj was killing the features early in her career, but her first album ‘Pink Friday’ was full of massive hits.

Evan Burke
None bigger than “Super Bass.”

Watch the full video above!

Akon & Sammy Wilk Send Love to Their Fans With New Merch on TalkShopLive | Billboard News

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Akon reveals the renaming of his merch line to Konvict Kulture and Sammy Wilk announces autographed merch along with upcoming meet-and-greets for Billboard Live Shopping Week.

Tetris Kelly:
Along with TalkShopLive, we’ve been bringing you the best gift ideas from your favorite artists for Billboard Live Shopping Week. On Thursday, Akon brought out his Superfan gear with autographed merch and special-edition pieces.

Akon:
Konvict Kulture is pretty much what we’re at now, I realized that Konvict Music was more than just music; it really became culturalized globally so we changed the name from Konvict Music to now Konvict Kulture.

Tetris Kelly:
We also linked up with Sammy Wilk, who made available autograph merch and chances for meet-and-greets.

Sammy Wilk:
This is my sending you love merch. I made the design with my buddies.

Rania Aniftos:
I love that.

Sammy Wilk:
It has an abstract hand on the back

Rania Aniftos:
So cute.

Sammy Wilk:
And it’s holding a heart and saying ‘sending you love’ and really I’m trying to simplify my life.

Rania Aniftos:
I love that.

Sammy Wilk:
I feel like if I’m all over the place, my whole life is all over the place and I always say “Sending you love” so let me just make a piece out of it.

Rania Aniftos:
I think it’s a simple sentiment that can be applied to a lot of situations.

Sammy Wilk:
Yes.

Rania Aniftos:
Like life can just be put down to sending love.

Sammy Wilk:
Yes.