billboard news

19 Sep 2023

Megan Thee Stallion Talks Going Viral With Justin Timberlake, Christina Milian Addresses Jennifer Lopez Feud Rumors & More | Billboard News

Megan Thee Stallion talked to Billboard about her partnership with Cheetos, what it was like working with Cardi B again and going viral with Justin Timberlake. Music powerhouse Mýa sat down with her Billboard doppelgänger Heran Mamo and opened up about her album anniversaries, love for Jamacia and dancehall, the lessons she’s learned throughout the years and more. Christina Milian addresses Jennifer Lopez feud rumors over Jennifer’s track “Play.” And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Megan Thee Stallion talks about Cardi B and Justin Timberlake. Christina Milian addresses feud rumors with Jennifer Lopez. Zach Brian collabs with Noah Kahan and Bon Iver. Mya drops by our studio and we learned five things about ITZY.

Welcome to Billboard News. I’m Tetris Kelly, it’s Tuesday, September 19th and we’re starting off today with Megan Thee Stallion, straight from the horse’s mouth.

Cheeto Commercial Extras:
FU, Megan.

Megan Thee Stallion:
FU!

Cheeto Commercial Extras:
FU!

Megan Thee Stallion:
FU, all the way!

Tetris Kelly:
Megan Thee Stallion is giving out scholarships with Cheetos and she’s talking to Billboard about Cardi B and Justin Timberlake. Let’s talk about the Hotty!

Megan Thee Stallion:
Welcome to Flaming Hot University, where we teach you everything about the flaming hot lifestyle.

Tetris Kelly:
It’s Flaming Hot University and Megan is the official Hot Girl Dean of Admission for a partnership that gives back with scholarships, a curriculum and, of course, merch. But she talked with Billboard about so much more!

On her recent “Bongos” collaborator, Cardi B, she stated, “She literally just let me do me. This is the second time she sent me a song and I’ll be like, “friend, can I do whatever I want to do on the beat? I’m gonna put two verses on here. Alright?” She always let me do whatever I want to do creatively.” They performed the track at the VMAs, where a video went viral where it looked like Meg cussed out Justin Timberlake backstage.

Watch the full video above!

18 Sep 2023

Jung Kook Misses BTS, Suga’s Enlistment Date, Halle Berry Slams Drake & More | Billboard News

The numbers are in for this week’s Hot 100! Did Doja Cat hold on to No. 1? Is country music still reigning over the charts? Plus, Katy Perry sold her music catalog to Litmus for a whopping $225 million. The deal includes rights to the singer’s five chart-topping songs off ‘Teenage Dream.’ BTS’ Jung Kook talks about missing his bandmates and Suga has revealed his military enlistment date. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Olivia Rodrigo is the queen of the charts. Jung Kook says he misses BTS as Suga prepares for military duty. Drake allegedly crosses Halle Berry. Katy Perry made bank selling her catalog and we learned five things about Renee Rapp.

I’m Tetris with Billboard News. Hope you had a great weekend! It’s Monday, September 18th, and we have a huge update for our charts.

On the Billboard 200, Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album Guts debuts at No. 1, making her the first female artist to debut their first two entries at No. 1 since Ariana Grande. But that’s not it for her or us. Today, we launched our Hot 100 in a brand new way for the first time on video and I couldn’t be happier to deliver you the goods. Let’s run it down!

This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated September 23. Down from its No. 6 peak is “Dance the Night.” Gunna falls to No. 9. SZA’s “Snooze” is just shy of its No. 7 peak. But good idea, right? Olivia is up from No. 26. “Last Night” falls again to No. 6. Taylor’s “Summer” is still going at No. 5. “Fast Car” slows down to No. 4. And Zach Bryan is at No. 3 in his third week. Down from her first solo No. 1 last week, Doja Cat. And back at No. 1 for the first time since July… “Vampire.”

Watch the full video above!

18 Sep 2023

Katy Perry Sells Catalog to Litmus Music for $225 Million

Litmus Music, a catalog rights company backed by private-equity giant Carlyle Group LP, said on Monday (Sept. 18) it acquired the rights to Katy Perry’s five studio albums released for Capitol Records, including her Grammy-nominated Teenage Dream.  

According to sources, Litmus paid $225 million for Perry’s stake in the master recording royalties and music publishing rights to her five albums released between 2008 and 2020—One of the Boys, Teenage Dream, PRISM, Witness and Smile. Litmus declined to comment on the deal terms.

Perry’s catalog sale, finalized earlier this year, follows other 2023 music rights deals like Justin Bieber’s $200-million sale to Hipgnosis Songs Capital, demonstrating that household name artists can still command top dollar even as high interest rates moderate investors’ appetites for song rights.

From her breakout single “I Kissed A Girl” in July 2008 to the five chart-topping songs from 2010’s Teenage Dream, Perry has notched a total of nine No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100. During a musical era that saw major hits from other female pop stars like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Adele, Perry remains the first woman and only second artist ever (after Michael Jackson) to send five songs from the same album to the summit of the Hot 100. Those songs are “California Gurls,” “Firework,” “E.T.,” “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” and “Teenage Dream.”

In addition to releasing 2017’s Witness and 2020’s Smile, Perry is winding down a blockbuster Las Vegas residency that she started in late 2021.

The “Roar” singer’s professional relationship with Dan McCarroll, Litmus co-founder and chief creative officer, dates back to 2010 when McCarroll was president of Capitol Records, the company said.

“Katy Perry is a creative visionary who has made a major impact across music, TV, film, and philanthropy,” McCarroll said. “I’m so honored to be partnering with her again and to help Litmus manage her incredible repertoire.”

Launched in August 2022 with a $500-million-investment from Carlyle’s Global Credit Platform, Litmus has acquired publishing and recording rights of artists from a range of genres, including Keith Urban‘s master recordings and a package of publishing and performance copyrights from super producer benny blanco.

Hank Forsyth, Litmus co-founder and chief executive officer, called Perry’s “essential” songs “part of the global cultural fabric.”

“We are so grateful to be working together again with such a trusted partner,” said Forsyth, an industry veteran previously of Warner Chappell and Blue Note.

“We believe this is a testament to the team’s ability to partner with the world’s top artists. Katy’s iconic songs have not only achieved outstanding commercial success but have significantly influenced popular culture,” said Matt Settle, managing director at Carlyle.

15 Sep 2023

Vic Mensa on His Latest Album ‘Victor,’ Black Star Line Festival & More | Billboard News

Vic Mensa talks about his sophomore album, Victor, the Black Star Line festival in Africa, working and collaborating with other artists such as G-Eazy, Common and Chance the Rapper, his cannabis brand 93 Boyz and more!

Vic Mensa:
We broke out the sage.

Tetris Kelly:
Oh, of course!

Vic Mensa:
Or the palo santo! And just like, “Yeah, so what you thinkin’?” What’s up, y’all? I’m Vic Mensa, and you’re watching them Billboard News.

Tetris Kelly:
It’s Tetris with Billboard News. A lot of swag just hit the couch. What’s up, Vic?

Vic Mensa:
How are you doing, man?

Tetris Kelly:
Let’s talk about this music. You got your sophomore album coming, and I feel like your name has been around so long. It’s crazy this is only your second offering. So tell me how’s it feel to put your second piece of work out?

Vic Mensa:
I’m very excited about it. It’s really a story of redemption and triumph, and spirituality and love and pain and struggle — human experience. That’s the place I write from. That’s what I aim to communicate and to convey. And I’m just so excited to open that conversation with any and everyone who listens to this album.

Tetris Kelly:
We’ve got some great collaborators G-Eazy, Common, Ty Dolla $ign. Love Ty. So how do you go about deciding who you want to bring into a project?

Vic Mensa:
I think first and foremost, it’s like, the relationships as a human being, as a man with those brothers in particular, like those are people that have long-standing personal relationships with so as I’m creating music, and I hear a voice to do something — Common, for example, is my favorite MC since being a little kid. When I made this song called “Southside Story” that is featuring Common, immediately I knew it’d be crazy to have his voice on here, and his paintbrush, his texture.

Watch the full interview above!

15 Sep 2023

BTS’ V ‘Tiny Desk Korea,’ SUGA’s New NBA Merch, New Music From Drake, Demi Lovato & More | Billboard News

BTS’ V becomes the first K-pop idol to perform on NPR’s international version of their hit ‘Tiny Desk’ series, ‘Tiny Desk Korea’; his bandmate SUGA debuts new merch in collaboration with the NBA called the “Dynamite” capsule collection from Mitchell & Ness; Zach Bryan and Noah Kahan are working in the studio together; Billboard gives you an exclusive look at the VMAs, as well as concerts from Karol G and Gunna; Vic Mensa talks about his newly released sophomore album ‘Victor’; and we have new music from Drake and SZA, Demi Lovato, Diddy and more.

Tetris Kelly
The boys of BTS are bringing us to NPR and the NBA. Hot 100 No. 1 artist Zach Bryan teams up with Noah Kahan. Vic Mensa stops by to talk about his new album. We take you to the hottest music events around town, and we’ve got new music from Drake, Diddy, Dan + Shay and so much more.

Tetris Kelly
We’ve almost made it to the weekend. I’m Tetris Kelly for Billboard News, it’s Friday, September 15th, which means we’ve got new music and our Friday music guide. Drake surprised us with his first SZA collab. It’s called “Slime You Out” from his upcoming album ‘For All the Dogs.’ We’ll have more new music throughout the show, but first let’s get to our top story.

Tetris Kelly
V brings it to the Tiny Desk and SUGA teams up with the NBA.

Tetris Kelly
BTS’ V played NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk Korea,’ making him the first solo K-pop artists to participate in the honored tradition.

Tetris Kelly
Previous acts to play NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk’ include Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa and so many more icons. It’s the first ‘Tiny Desk’ performance since creator Bob Boylan announced his retirement. V’s not the only BTS member making moves: SUGA just launched his collab with the NBA. You can get some merch for your favorite teams with that BTS spin now, but you gotta hurry because they’re flying off the shelves.

Watch the full video above!

14 Sep 2023

*NSYNC Announces New Track, Drake & SZA Collab, Madonna’s Pepsi Commercial & More | Billboard News

The guys of *NSYNC are dropping a new track, 21 years after their last release, Drake & SZA are teaming up, and Sia’s new track “Gimme Love” is the first single off her upcoming album ‘Reasonable Woman.’ Madonna thanked Pepsi for airing a canned 1989 ad during the 2023 MTV VMAs. We are taking a look back at Madonna’s iconic VMA performance of “Like a Virgin.” And more!

Tetris Kelly:
New music is on the way from Drake, Sia, SZA and *NSYNC. Madonna reflects on her scrapped Pepsi commercial and we reflect on her first VMAs performance. We’ve got a new chart for your favorite artists to break records on and we learned five things about The Warning.

I’m Tetris Kelly, back for Billboard News! It’s Thursday, September 14th, and we’ve got some new music on the way, including a major return. *NSYNC is back and they aren’t trolling us. Drake nabbed SZA for a track and Sia breaks an eight-year silence.

Justin Timberlake:
Do you know something?

Joey Fatone:
Do you know something?

Chris Kirkpatrick:
I might know something.

JC Chasez:
I might know something too.

Lance Bass:
What’s the thing you know?

Tetris Kelly:
Well, they told us! *NSYNC has officially announced they are releasing their first new music in 20 years by way of the song “Better Place” in the new film Trolls Band Together.

I’m so excited, I don’t know what to do. The song is available to pre-save now and will be released September 29th.

Drake is teasing more ‘For All the Dogs.’ He teased an untitled track with SZA, their first in-studio collaboration. The cover art features what looks like a 2012 photo of Halle Berry covered in green slime at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. His album is expected on September 22nd.

Watch the full video above!

14 Sep 2023

TikTok & Billboard Partner to Launch TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart | Billboard News

On Thursday (Sept. 14), TikTok and Billboard announced the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart — a new weekly chart that will track the most popular songs on the platform in the U.S. The chart is available to all TikTok users in the U.S. and on Billboard.com. Sexyy Red claims the first No. 1 spot on the chart with the song “SkeeYee.”

Tetris Kelly:
You’ve heard them on TikTok thanks to the hottest trends. They’ve even climbed to the top of Billboard‘s charts. And now, they’ve got a chart of their own.

Today, we’re launching the TikTok Billboard Top 50. It’s the first official Billboard chart for songs on TikTok. The chart is based on a combination of creations, video views and user engagement by the U.S. TikTok community. And the first artist to claim the No. 1 spot is SexyyRed with “SkeeYee.” I mean, who can resist the good skeeyee?

Every Thursday, Billboard will bring you the verified list of the hottest songs on TikTok by monitoring music discovery and engagement on the platform in the United States. To find the TikTok Billboard Top 50 each week, users can simply go to any sound detail page and tap the top right button to access the charts page.

This week Doja lands at No. 2 with “Paint the Town Red,” thanks to some quick feet and devil horns. And Taylor Swift’s Folklore track “August” has everyone running on the beach, landing her at No. 3.

For a full look at the TikTok Billboard Top 50, check in the app or on Billboard.com. Happy liking and posting, and we’ll see you on the charts.

14 Sep 2023

Pop Culture Rewind: Madonna Performs ‘Like a Virgin’ at the 1984 MTV VMAs | Billboard News

We are taking a look back at Madonna‘s iconic MTV VMA’s performance of “Like a Virgin.”

Evan Burke:
You can’t get more iconic than Madonna. You can’t get more pop culture than the VMAs. Put them together, and you have one of the most prolific pairings in music television. We take you back to one of their best moments in this week’s Pop Culture Rewind.

The date was Sept. 14, 1984. The place was New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. The event: the very first MTV Video Music Awards. We all know Madonna’s Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Like a Virgin,” but we had never seen it like this. So much to unpack: a 17-foot wedding cake, the “boy toy” belt buckle, and when she suffered a wardrobe malfunction, one of her shoes came off, which gave us pop-culture gold.

The moment has inspired culture throughout the decades — with it being a top costume and Madonna look — and also spawned a performance by pop princess Britney Spears on that very same VMA stage in that very same outfit, where we’ll have more on that at another time. We always have space for more Queen Madge.

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

Watch the full video above!

13 Sep 2023

Megan Thee Stallion & Justin Timberlake’s Viral Moment, Ice Spice & Dunkin’ Collab, VMAs & More | Billboard News

After a clip seemingly showing Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake arguing at the VMAs goes viral, the two cleared the air in a new TikTok. Ice Spice has collaborated with Dunkin’ on a new drink featuring munchkins. We also break down the biggest winners, the show-stopping performances and all the highlights from the 2023 VMAs and more!

Rania Aniftos:
Megan the Stallion addresses that backstage moment with JT. The VMAs were stacked with buzzworthy performances. I taste test the new Ice Spice Dunkin’ Donuts drink. Diddy sits down for the cover of Billboard and Nelly Furtado plays Never Have I Ever.

Happy Hump Day! I’m Rania Aniftos for Billboard News. It’s Wednesday, Sept. 13, and everyone’s been talking about that VMA backstage moment. Let’s put those rumors to rest. Was there drama backstage at the MTV VMAs between Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake? A video circulating online looks like there might have been, but looks can be deceiving.

The VMAs were full of surprises on stage, but there was a lot going on backstage as well. In a moment captured on a Backstage Cam, you can see Megan Thee Stallion getting touch-ups when Justin Timberlake and Joey Fatone walked by smiling. It appears that Megan is waving her finger and yelling at JT for something. Yelling, yes but not for bad reasons. Sources close to the rapper say Justin said “Nice to meet you” to Meg, and she responded with a “No, no, no. We’ve got to meet proper. This don’t count. This don’t count.” You can’t trust everything you see. What looked nasty was nothing but love. Meg posted a TikTok showing after the award show the two got their proper meeting, captioning the post, “I just talked with my hands lol.”

Watch the full video above!

13 Sep 2023

2023 VMAs Recap: Biggest Winners, Show-Stopping Performances, Top Moments & More | Billboard News

Here are the biggest winners, the most show-stopping performances, and all the top highlight moments from the 2023 VMAs.

Rania Aniftos
With A-list attendees, electric performances and epic surprises the 2023 MTV VMAs were jam packed with viral moment after viral moment. Let’s break it down.

Rania Aniftos
The show opened with legend Weezy followed up by Olivia Rodrigo and they were just the first of many epic performances. From TXT and Anitta debuting their new song to a legendary Hip-Hop 50th anniversary performance with some of the biggest names in the game. Some of the best women in rap took the stage.

Rania Aniftos
Like Doja Cat, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, and of course, the host of the night Nicki Minaj, who performed a new song off ‘Pink Friday 2.’ Shakira gave a career spanning performance in honor of her video Vanguard Award, complete with an on-stage shower and crowd surfing.

Rania Aniftos
Followed by the sincerest speech.

Rania Aniftos
And Diddy, who not only performed with a ton of guests but also took home the Global Icon Award.

Rania Aniftos
*NSYNC reunited onstage for the first time in 10 years much to Taylor Swift’s surprise to present her with the first award of the night, Best Pop. She went on to win Song of the Year, Best Direction and Video of the Year. Best K-Pop went to Stray Kids which they could not believe.

Rania Aniftos
Nicki Minaj, Rema and Selena Gomez, Shakira and Karol G. Ice Spice and Anitta all took home moon people too. It was definitely a night to remember. For everything else you missed, head over to Billboard.com.

Watch the full video above.