billboard news

03 May 2024

Kendrick Lamar Drops 2nd Drake Diss, Dua Lipa on ‘Radical Optimism,’ WILLOW’s New Album ‘empathogen’ & More | Billboard News

It’s Friday, May 3rd, and we have lots of new music to get through. Kendrick Lamar hits back at Drake again this week with a second diss track, “6:16 in LA.” The track comes out days after releasing “euphoria.” Dua Lipa released her new album ‘Radical Optimism,’ and she shares the meaning of it and more when she dropped by the studio. Sia drops the new album ‘Reasonable Woman’ after five years since her last album and WILLOW released her highly anticipated album ‘emphathogen.’ We give you a behind the scenes look at WILLOW’s private concert. We sat down with Rapsody, and she shares How It Went Down behind the creation of her latest single “3:AM” with Erykah Badu. J Balvin & Imagine Dragons just launched their new single “Eyes Closed,” Mckenna Grace releases “Gentleman” and more.

Tetris Kelly: 

The Kendrick and Drake beef continues. We’re talking to Dua Lipa. We take you inside WILLOW’s album release party, and Rapsody shows us How It Went Down. It’s Friday, May 3rd, but before you enter the streets, let’s get into this entertainment news, starting with your Friday Music Guide. Dua Lipa is injecting us with some ‘Radical Optimism’ and it’s gonna make you move. More bops later in the show but now your top story. The Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef just won’t end after K.Dot fired off a second explosive track, we’re breaking down some of the top moments. It keeps on going. After so much back and forth like Drake’s “Push Ups” and the just released “euphoria” from Lamar, most fans have crowned their winner, but Kendrick’s gun was still loaded he dropped “6:16 in LA” with some pretty lethal bars towards Drizzy. The Internet is really latching on to the section about OVO. Kendrick at this point seems to be giving advice to Drake, making the Toronto rapper question if his own team even has his back. After Kendrick’s one-two punch is the beef over? Or are we expecting another track from Drake outside of a questionable IG post? Let us know your pick. Sia is back with ‘Reasonable Woman’ and the album’s got all the good stuff you’d expect from her. She’s even recruited the queen Chaka Khan. Dua Lipa might be one of the sweetest people I’ve ever sat down with.

Keep watching to learn more!

03 May 2024

Rapsody Shares How She Made the ‘3 AM’ Music Video With Erykah Badu | How It Went Down | Billboard

In today’s episode of “How It Went Down,” Rapsody shares why she decided to name her new song “3 AM,” how she filmed the live performance music video with Erykah Badu and more!

Rapsody
I’m Rapsody and this is how it went down with my new single “3 AM.”

Rapsody
Getting to the final lyrical version of “3 AM” was a process. The first verse was actually lyrics that I pulled from another song that I had. Regardless, when I was talking about love, I wanted to pull from a real authentic place: “You made me feel like a virgin, a new person, you made me pull back the curtains. I’m not afraid to share what you were hurt me.” You know, I was really thinking about a relationship that I was in and the emotions that I was feeling. It was just really raw and real. And it just, it just kind of poured out. I took those lyrics and spit them over the version of the “3 AM” beat, and it just felt really good. The last verse, which is actually performed as a spoken-word piece, I wanted to talk about the whole journey of falling in love and then you fall out of love, what that feels like — where you can appreciate the experience, you can appreciate how you feel at the same time, sometimes you have to put yourself first and it requires letting go. And that was just really the approach of it. You know, the last verse is super emotional, though, you know, like my second adolescence. Like, come on.

Watch the full video above!

02 May 2024

Nicki Minaj’s Surprise Guests, Britney Spears Settles Divorce, Dua Lipa’s Chart Achievements & More | Billboard News

It’s Thursday, May 2nd, and Nicki Minaj brings out Cyndi Lauper & Kai Cenat at her concert, Selena Gomez turns off her Instagram comments and Britney Spears settles divorce. We sat down with Billboard cover star T-Pain and went down memory lane to find out the stories behind some of his biggest hits including: “Buy U a Drank,” “Bartender,” “I’m Sprung” and more! With Dua Lipa’s ‘Radical Optimism’ being released tomorrow, we cover some of her greatest achievements on Billboard Explains. The TikTok Top 50 Chart is in and Taylor Swift lands in Top 4 while Phoebe Bridgers is in Top 10, but who reigns supreme this week? Keep watching to find out. On today’s Chart Rewind, we have The Cure, who took over the Billboard Alternative Airplay Chart in 1989 with “Fascination Street” and more!

Tetris Kelly
Kai Cent joins the ‘Pink Friday’ tours, Selena Gomez explains her social decisions and Britney is in the news for her ex-husband and sister. We have a brand new Billboard cover star, go in depth with Dua Lipa. See what’s hot on the Tok and rewind our charts. This is Billboard News, let’s hop into our top story. From Drake to the Queen mix girls “Gag City” is proving the place to be in the Brooklyn stuff of the Nicki Minaj ‘Pink Friday 2’ World Tour did not disappoint. Kai Cenat took to the stage to show off his dance moves. Being the most in the best possible way, Selena Gomez stopped by NBC today to talk about mental health and what she does to take care of herself.

Watch the full video above!

02 May 2024

Britney Spears Speaks Out After Possibly Emergency Situation at LA Hotel | Billboard News

Britney Spears is speaking out on Instagram after she was photographed exiting the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles barefoot around the same time an ambulance was dispatched to the hotel.

Tetris Kelly
Britney Spears has responded to reports of allegedly being escorted out of a LA hotel with paramedics after a fight with her boyfriend. Britney logged on Instagram to say the news is fake and “I also twisted my ankle last night and paramedic showed up at my door illegally. I felt completely harassed. I’m moving to Boston!” So here’s the backstory. The LA Fire Department confirmed to Billboard that they received a 911 call at around 12:42am, the morning of May 2 requesting aid for an injured adult female at Chateau Marmont. Though they departed the hotel at 1:17am, without transporting anyone to the hospital. And paparazzi photos obtained by multiple outlets show pop star Britney Spears was outside the hotspot barefoot scene with Paul Solis who Spears has previously been seen photographed with and rumor today. Sources also told CNN Brit is home and safe after a major fight with her boyfriend. We have reached out to Britney’s team and we’ll keep you posted.

02 May 2024

Taylor Swift Lands in Top 5, Phoebe Bridgers in Top 10 on TikTok Billboard Top 50 | Billboard News

On this week’s TikTok Billboard Top 50, we have Taylor Swift coming in hot in the top 5, with Phoebe Bridgers and Shaboozey in the top 10, but who’s at No. 1? Watch to find out more!

Tetris Kelly:
Lay Bankz holds strong while three big names debut in the top 10. Lay Bankz’s “Tell Ur Girlfriend” holds on to the top spot on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for the chart posting May 2. Elsewhere on the chart, T-Swift’s “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” debuts at No. 4 thanks to a trend of showing off cuteness. Her good friend Phoebe Bridgers lands at six with a slowed-down version of “Scott Street.” Fresh off of Stagecoach, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song” sits at No. 9.

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.

01 May 2024

Drake Seemingly Responds to Kendrick Lamar’s ‘euphoria,’ Mariah Carey’s All Access in Vegas, ENHYPEN Throw First Pitch & More | Billboard News

It’s Wednesday, May 1st, and Drake possibly responded to Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “euphoria.” Drake joined Nicki Minaj during the Toronto stop of her tour, and although he didn’t respond to the diss track on the stage, he may have made a reference to it on his Instagram Story with a monologue from Julia Stiles’ ‘10 Things I Hate About You.’ We give you All Access to Mariah Carey’s: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas. Shenseea stops by our studio to talk about her new album, ‘Never Gets Late Here,’ her big collabs with Kanye West and more! ENHYPEN gave us details about throwing the first pitch for the Seattle Mariners, Mckenna Grace talks about her new music and more!

Tetris Kelly: 
Did Drake react to Kendrick’s diss track? We’re talking to Shenseea and McKenna Grace. We take you inside Mariah Carey’s Vegas residency and chat within ENHYPEN about throwing out the first pitch. Tetris Kelly back with Billboard News and I hope you’re hungry because beef is what’s for dinner. Drake took a trip to Gag City, but did he respond to Kendrick Lamar’s diss track? Let’s break it down. Drake joined Nicki Minaj onstage during the Toronto stop of the Pink Friday 2 World Tour just hours after Kendrick Lamar dropped “euphoria,” which took aim at Drizzy. While the Toronto native didn’t address the track onstage, fans think he may have been responding to it on his IG Story. He posted the iconic Julia Stiles monologue from ’10 Things I Hate About You’ with a broken heart and a winky face. If those two are related, it looks like he’s not taking the diss track too seriously. Everyone’s waiting to see if Drake responds lyrically. His last track “Push Ups” debuted at No.2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while Kendrick’s OG diss track with Metro Boomin and Future “Like That” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, proving this beef is the feud that keeps on giving. I had the pleasure of seeing one of the best vocalists of all time and I’m taking you along for the ride.

Keep watching to learn more!

30 Apr 2024

Kendrick Lamar Takes Jabs at Drake With ‘Euphoria’ Drop, Dua Lipa Previews New Blonde Locks, Blue Ivy Carter Stars in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ & More | Billboard News

It’s Tuesday, April 30th, and we have lots to go through with your favorites. Kendrick Lamar just dropped his new diss track aimed at Drake, titled “euphoria.” Katy Perry is seen rocking a new ‘do for ‘American Idol,’ Dua Lipa shares new blonde hairdo and Blue Ivy Carter is making her film debut alongside Beyoncé in Mufasa: The Lion King. Myke Towers is our Billboard Español cover star and he gives us an exclusive look into his day-to-day life. Aitana shares what it was like to work alongside her ex, Sebastián Yatra. WILLOW stopped by the studio to share how her new album, ‘empathogen,’ is authentic to who she is now and more!

Rania Aniftos:
Kendrick disses Drake again, Katy’s new hair, Dua’s new zine and Blue Ivy’s new role. Aitana talks ex Sebastián Yatra, Myke Towers takes over the cover of Billboard Español and WILLOW Smith drops by our studio.

Welcome to another episode of Billboard News, I’m Rania Aniftos, and let’s jump right in. If you thought the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef was anywhere near squashed, Kendrick just turned up the heat. Kendrick Lamar surprise dropped “euphoria” in response to Drake’s “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle” where he used AI to include Tupac in the diss track “euphoria” is over six minutes of diss after diss mostly against Drake, but also J. Cole. That’s likely in reference to rapper YNW Melly who is currently on trial for allegedly killing two of his friends. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Kendrick also touches on Drake’s feud with Pusha T and brings up one of his recent collaborators. And that’s just some of the many disses in “euphoria.” For a full breakdown of the song head over to billboard.com.

Of course, we got more news to get to, here’s Three Things You Should Know. Katy Perry debuted a new ‘do while filming ‘American Idol’ and while she asked her fans opinions, the truth is… So all of you KatyCats to experienced witness PTSD, don’t worry. Also, who cares? Katy looks good. Now bring on ‘KP6’.

Watch the full video above!

30 Apr 2024

Willow Talks New Album ‘Empathogen,’ Reflects on ‘Whip My Hair’ 10 Years Later & More | Billboard News

Willow talks about her new album Empathogen, how it different from her last album, the vision she had for the two singles “Alone” and “Symptom of Life,” reflects on the virality and success of “Whip My Hair” 10 years later, the success “Meet Me At Our Spot,” how her biggest music influences came from her mom, the potential of collaboration with her brother Jaden Smith and more!

Willow:
And there’s something to learn from that. You know what I’m saying? And it’s beautiful.

Tetris Kelly:
Sometimes you don’t gotta think about it, you just gotta put it out there.

Willow:
I’m gonna remember that this is looking at, I’m gonna remember that. Hey, I’m Willow, and this is Billboard News.

Tetris Kelly:
Hey, it’s Tetris with Billboard News hanging out with someone who doesn’t really need an introduction, but hi, Willow! How are you?

Willow:
Hi, I’m so good, I’m so happy to be here.

Tetris Kelly:
I’m so excited about your new album. It’s out this week — nervous?

Willow:
Oh, my goodness, I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for a project to come out. I’m just I can’t wait for people to hear it.

Tetris Kelly:
And the title, love that Empathogen. Tell me the inspiration about why you wanted to name the album that?

Willow:
Well, you know, during the time that you know, these songs were kind of coming into being and I was creating this concept for the album, I was learning a lot about indigenous plant medicine. Another, you know name for these molecular compounds. These ancient molecular compounds are called empathogens — empathy and pathogens — pathogens that create empathy when you ingest them. And yeah, I just … I just thought that was a really beautiful explanation of, you know, kind of how I want to walk in the world, how I want to affect the space when I enter the space. And I just thought that was a really cool name.

Watch the full video above!

29 Apr 2024

Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ Breaks More Records, Rihanna Teases New Album Again, Hot 100 Reveal & More | Billboard News

It’s Monday, April 29th, and Taylor Swift hits another record on the Billboard 200 with the release of her double album ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ She makes a huge debut at No. 1, securing her 14th chart topping album. The Hot 100 is in, who takes the cake? Keep watching to find out. Rihanna is at it again teasing her new album and what type of tracks could potentially be on it. Jess Glynne takes us behind the photo, WILLOW stopped by the Billboard studio to share more about her upcoming album and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Taylor Swift makes a historic debut with ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ The album does a complete takeover on The Hot 100, Rihanna teases R9 leaving fans wanting more and we give you a preview of our chat with WILLOW Smith. Welcome to a brand new week of Billboard News we’ve got a lot to get into, so let’s start with our top story. To no one’s surprise Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ made a huge debut on the Billboard 200, it broke some other records too. Taylor herself reacted to the huge news posting on Twitter, “My mind is blown. I’m completely floored by the love you’ve shown this album.” The album debuted at No. 1 on the chart is the superstars 14 chart topping album. That makes her tied with Jay-Z for the most No. 1 albums for solo artist in the nearly 70 year history of the chart. Only The Beatles are ahead with 19 No. 1 albums. The album launch with 2.61 million equivalent album sales and over 891 million official streams with 1.9 million traditional album sales, it’s instantly the top selling album of 2024. To put that number into context, the second biggest selling album counting weekly sales from January to now is Beyonce ‘Cowboy Carter’ with 228,000 copies total. Taylor does it again. Taylor Swift breaking records who would have guessed? Here’s this week’s chart. Taylor Swift’s the ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ has done a complete takeover.

Keep watching to learn more!

29 Apr 2024

Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Countdown for May 4, 2024 | Billboard News

Tetris Kelly:
Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department has done a complete takeover. This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated May 4.

At No. 10 is “Guilty As Sin.”

“Who’s Afraid of Little Oh Me?” is in at No. 9.

Florence + The Machine joins Taylor at No. 8.

“But Daddy I Love him” is at No. 7.

At No. 6 is “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys.”

“So Long, London” is at No. 5.

The title track is in at No. 4, with “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” at No. 3.

“Down Bad” is in at No. 2.

In the top spot is Taylor’s 12th No. 1, “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone.

Watch the full video above!