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26 Apr 2024

Normani’s New Single ‘1:59,’ Anitta’s ‘Funk Generation,’ Doja Cat’s Backlash, Latin AMAs 2024 Recap & More | Billboard News

It’s Friday, April 26th, and Doja Cat is getting backlash about her performance at Coachella, with many stating it wasn’t “safe for kids.” Normani released her new single featuring Gunna “1:59,” Anitta dropped her new album ‘Funk Generation’ and more. The Latin AMAs happened yesterday and we have all the updates from behind the scenes with some of Latin music’s biggest names. Songwriter and artist Keityn sits down with us to share how he’s created some of the biggest Latin hits with Shakira, Karol G, Maluma and more. With the release of her new album ‘Funk Generation,’ we take a look back at all of her hits on the Hot 100 and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Doja Cat is not safe for work or your kids, new music from Normani and more. We take you to the Latin AMAs, have an interview with Keityn and an in-depth look at Anitta. It’s almost the weekend, which means we’ve got a ton of new music to get to in our Friday Music Guide. More new music throughout the show, but it’s time to get to our top story. Are Doja Cat’s shows not safe for kids? She’s saying hell no in a rant on X, but is she wrong? Doja just popped off at Coachella, but it’s not for everybody. The Billboard chart-topper posted today, “I don’t know what the f— you think this is but I don’t make music for children so leave your kids at home motherf—er.” Um, okay girl. … A fan asked if she was high and she answered “maintenance.” We love a high maintenance queen.

Get ready for a vocal master class. VINCINT’s got the feels and the vibes with “LEAN.”  Feid & Karol G, who wasn’t able to attend, took home the most awards of the night at the Latin AMAs.

Watch the full episode above!

26 Apr 2024

Keityn on Writing for Karol G, Shakira, Maluma & More: ‘Out of 10 Songs I Write, One Becomes a Hit’

What’s behind Keityn’s extraordinary ability to pen hits?

The 27-year-old from the small city of Palmira, Colombia, was ASCAP’s Latin Music Songwriter of the Year for the second consecutive year, thanks to a string of hits that included Shakira’s “Acróstico” and Shakira and Karol G’s “TQG.”

But, he says, it’s not like everything he touches turns to gold, and definitely not immediately.

“Out of 10 songs I make, one becomes a hit,” Keityn said in a candid interview with Billboard News. “There are many more songs that never come out. You do a lot, and out of that whole, two or three become huge hits.”

In the last couple of months, Keityn (real name Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno) has had plenty of huge hits. They include Karol G’s “Me Curo Del Cora,” which was inspired by the title of the album Mañana Será Bonito (Tomorrow Will Be Pretty). “If tomorrow will be pretty, it means today isn’t. That’s why we made ‘Me Curo del Cora’ (I Heal My Heart).”

As for “TQG,” the track was written with Karol G while the singer was in Los Angeles filming Griselda, the Netflix series starring Sofia Vergara. “Karol had the foresight to send the song to Shakira,” says Keityn.

And then, there’s the most meaningful song for him, Shakira’s “Acróstico.”

“The fact that such an important woman would let me make a song about something so personal … it’s something that fills me with pride,” Keityn says. “I’ve seen her as a mom, and she’s an amazing mom and sings what she feels. I said, ‘If you want to sing what you feel, let’s give some play to the kids.’”

Watch the full interview here.

26 Apr 2024

Keityn Shares How He Writes Big Hits With Karol G, Shakira, Maluma & More | Billboard News

Songwriter and artist Keityn shares how he’s created some of biggest Latin hits in recent history with Shakira (“Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”), Karol G with (“Tusa,””Provenza” and “TCQ”), Maluma (“Hawái”). He shares that he’s written for J Balvin’s new album, talks about how Shakira’s “Acróstico” is a testament to her motherhood, his new song with Tiago, how he finds songwriting inspiration and more!

Keityn
When we did “Hawái” we didn’t think about the artist, it was stored for 6 months. I showed it to several artists and they didn’t want it.


Leila Cobo
Really?


Keityn
Hi I’m Keityn and this is Billboard News.


Leila Cobo
We are happy to have you, because you’ve just won the ASCAP composer of the year.


Keityn
Yes, I won that Composer of the Year.


Leila Cobo
11 songs, including which ones?


Keityn
“Bzrp Music Sessions 53″ with Shakira, I think “TQG,” “Acróstico,” I can’t remember, can I look at a photo?


Leila Cobo
Look at a photo because it is an impressive list.


Keityn
Yes.


Leila Cobo
While you look at the photo, I want to know how do you make a song like “TQG?”


Keityn
“Monotonía,” “Frágil,” “El Amor su de Vida,” “Amargura,” the one with Romeo “for the last time,” “Según Quién,” “Mi Ex Tenía Razón,” “El Amor su de Vida,” and that’s it.


Leila Cobo
Nothing.


Keityn
There are little things.


Leila Cobo
Among those 11 songs, 8 or 9 sung by women.


Keityn
Almost all of them.


Leila Cobo
You are a man at a time when many people are saying women should sing songs made by women, but it seems like you have the skill to know how to think like women.

Watch the full interview above!

25 Apr 2024

Noel Schajris on Staying in Shape & Balancing His Solo Career With Duo Sin Bandera

Argentine-Mexican singer Noel Schajris is set to hit the stage at the Latin American Music Awards on Thursday night (April 25), where he’ll be performing a brand new song with country star Jennifer Nettles, “Love’s Still Here.” 

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Billboard Español’s Sigal Ratner-Arias caught up with him to talk all about his busy schedule and how he gets ready for his constant touring and for a performance like the Latin AMAs. “I’ve been exercising daily for three years and the day I don’t exercise my body feels weird,” Schajris said. “And the diet, that’s vital. And I feel much better now that I’m almost 50 than at 40. I don’t know if you’ve seen me in shows, but I don’t stop jumping and I climb the rafters,” he added, laughing.

In addition to his work as a solo artist and businessman through his own record label, Dynamo Productions, the singer of “Lo Mejor de Mí” and “No Veo La Hora” is still part of the chart-topping duo Sin Bandera with Leonel García (under Sony Music), and talked about how he juggles it all. 

“It’s a challenge. The schedules are crazy. In the middle of a tour with Sin Bandera, which we did 80 shows all over the world, owning my own record label and my own music, releasing a new album, having three children, a family, many artists that we are signing on Dynamo Productions who require my time and I am [also] the A&R of the company, so I am involved in all aspects of all the repertoires of all the albums — it is very demanding,” he acknowledged. “But it’s achieved because of the passion I have for doing all these things.”

As for his own music, which includes his most recent album #SiempreLoSupe and a new version of the title track with Alemor, he says he’s enjoying his freedom as an independent artist.

“As a soloist I give myself the luxury of flying and looking for other textures that are a little more rock, more symphonic, as in the case of ‘Silencio’ with Tony Levin,” Schajris explains. “I allow myself to do things that are a little more alternative. I even sing a cumbia with a band from Peru, Grupo 5.”

“There’s definitely more freedom when I work as a soloist,” he adds, “and it’s a lot of fun.”

The Latin AMAs will air live at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión and ViX. 

25 Apr 2024

Taylor Swift Breaks Records on Vacation, Matty Healy Responds, Peggy Gou’s Rise to Fame & More | Billboard News

It’s Thursday, April 25th, and we can’t seem to get enough of Taylor Swift. The singer jetted off to a vacation with Travis Kelce, Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid. After the release of her new albums, ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ Matty Healy finally responds about the songs about him in Taylor’s new album and Taylor breaks yet another record. On our cover, we have groundbreaking DJ-producer Peggy Gou and she tells us about her rise to fame. We give you an overview of all the exciting music festivals to come this summer. The TikTok Chart is in, who takes the lead? Will it be Hozier or will Alek Olsen still reign supreme? We take a look at the success of Blondie in our Chart Rewind this week and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Taylor’s ex, her vacation and her broken record. We break down the top headliners of festival season. Peggy Gou takes over the cover of Billboard, we run down the TikTok Billboard Top 50 and look back at a past chart topper. Welcome to Billboard News. We’ve got a lot to get into, here’s Three Things You Need To Know about Taylor Swift today.

The records keep breaking, Taylor’s ‘The Tortured Poet’s Department’ became the first album to pass 1 billion Spotify streams in a single week. Oh, we are listening, but is one of the album’s rumored muses doing the same? As the Swifties and public dissect if songs are about Tay’s ex, Joe Alwyn or her fling with 1975, Matty Healy, ET caught up with the singer and asked “did he hear his diss track?” To which he responded, “I haven’t really listened to that much of it, but I’m sure it’s good.” It is good. And can we all stop figuring out who it’s about and just enjoy the music.?I pretend it’s my life. Lights, camera, b*tch smile, and Taylor is apparently smiling on vacation. Travis Kelce’s mom shared on QVC saying her son sent her a pic of them having a couple’s vacation with Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid. All I can say to that is double power couple goals. Just invite me next time. Moving on to our latest cover star, Peggy Gou is paving her own way.

Keep watching to learn more!

25 Apr 2024

Noel Schajris on How He Balances His Solo Career & Tour With Sin Bandera | Billboard News

Solo artist and Sin Bandera band member Noel Schajris talks about preparing to perform new song “Love’s Still Here” at the Latin AMAs with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, balancing his solo career and tour schedule with Sin Bandera and more!


Tetris Kelly
Argentine, Mexican singer Noel Schajris is set to hit the stage at the Latin AMA’s Thursday night, performing a brand new song with country star Jennifer Nettles. Billboard’s Sigal Ratner-Arias caught up with him to talk about his busy schedule and how he gets ready for a performance like the Latin AMAs.


Noel Schajris
And I’ve been exercising every day for three years. The day I don’t exercise, my body feels strange and nutrition is vital. I don’t know if you’ve seen me on the show, but I keep jumping up and down and climbing on the rafters.


Tetris Kelly
In addition to his work as a solo artist, he’s part of the chart topping group Sin Bandera and talked about how he juggles it all.


Noel Schajris
Calendars are crazy, in the middle of a tour with Sin Bandera, that we’ve played 80 shows all over the world, owning my own record label, of my own music, release a new album, have three children, a family. It is very demanding. A lot of people tell me: I don’t understand how you do it, but it works. It is achieved by the passion, I have for making.


Tetris Kelly
As for his own music which includes his most recent album ‘Siempre Osupe’ he says he’s enjoying his freedom as an independent artist.

Watch the full video above!

25 Apr 2024

Blondie Earned Their First No. 1 on the Hot 100 With ‘Heart of Glass’ in 1979 | Chart Rewind

On today’s episode of Billboard‘s Chart Rewind, we look back at Blondie hitting their first of four No. 1s on the Hot 100 with their hit “Heart of Glass” in 1979.

Narrator:
Blondie hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1979. “Heart of Glass” was the group’s first No. 1 hit on the chart. Co-written by lead singer Debbie Harry, the song brought in a new and exciting disco sound for the group. It was the first of four No. 1 hits. They later hit No. 1 again with “Call Me” in 1980, “The Tide Is High” in 1981 and “Rapture,” also in 1981.

Although the group continued to see success on the charts, it was “Heart of Glass” that led the way.

25 Apr 2024

Lana Del Rey, Post Malone & More: The 2024 Festival Season Headlining Acts | Billboard News

Festival season is in full swing! We’re breaking down all the headlining acts for this year’s festival season.

Tetris Kelly:
Lana Del Rey, Post Malone and more have been announced as some of the headlining acts of the 2024 music festival season, and we have the rundown on all this year’s highlights.

From industry veterans to chart-toppers, the headliners scheduled to hit the stage this year vary across the board. Take Coachella Music Festival for example, come April, Lana Del Rey will make her grand return as headliner of the two-weekend affair, offering her first performance on the ground in 10 years. Later on, she’ll make her way to the beaches of Gulf Shores, Ala., to Hang Out Music Festival.

Post Malone will also make the festival circuit this season hitting Lovin’ Life Music Festival in Charlotte, N.C., in early May before Governors Ball in New York City in early June, and Bonnaroo later that month in Manchester, Tenn.

Meanwhile, Foo Fighters are also a staple among this year’s lineups at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta and Rockville in Daytona Beach, Fla., all in the month of May.

And Noah Kahan will bring his slice of folk-pop to several festivals this year, including High Water Festival in April, Lovin’ Life in May, Railbird Music Festival in June, Hinterland in August and more.

Gwen Stefani will also make a resurgence this summer. Not only she’s scheduled to reunite with No Doubt at Coachella but the superstar will take the stage for solo sets at the third annual Lovers & Friends Fest in May and Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in July.

For more on the lineups for the 2024 music festival season, head over to Billboard.com

24 Apr 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Is Being Sued, TikTok Banned in U.S., Billie Eilish On Her Sexuality, Selena Gomez’s Date Night & More | Billboard News

It’s Wednesday, April 24th, and we have legal issues and confessions to share with you. Unfortunately for over 170 million users, TikTok is officially banned in the US unless the owners of the app can find a new owner in the next 9 months. Is Megan Thee Stallion going back to court? The singer finds herself facing a lawsuit from her cameraman claiming to be subjected to a hostile work environment. Halle Bailey opens up about the downside of motherhood, Billie Eilish shares more behind her sexuality and the influences behind her upcoming album, ‘Hit Me Hard And Soft’ and Selena Gomez heads out to date night with Benny Blanco. Dwayne Johnson confesses how at one point he wanted to be a country star, Jess Glynne dives into her creative process for her hit “Hold My Hand” and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Billie gets graphically sexual, as Selena goes on date night and Hallie opens up about postpartum. TikTokk is banned. Megan Thee Stallion is Megan Thee Sued. We find out Dwayne Johnson’s dream job and find out how a huge it was made. This is Wednesday’s Billboard News let’s jump in. Megan Thee Stallion may be heading back to court. Let’s break it down. In a complaint filed on April 23, cameraman Emilio Garcia accuses Megan Thee Stallion of subjecting him to a hostile work environment. In the lawsuit filed against Megan in rock nation. Garcia alleges that after a night out in Ibiza back in June 2022 he was in an SUV with Megan and three other women. Garicia’s lawyer, who also represents three backup dancers suing Lizzo, writes in the lawsuit obtained by Billboard: “Suddenly, Stallion and one of the other women started having sex right beside plaintiff. Plaintiff could not get out of the car as it was both moving and he was in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country.” Gracia claims this left him feeling embarrassed, mortified and offended. And he alleges the next day she “berated him,” told him “Don’t ever discuss what you saw” and made “fat shaming comments” toward him. Where does Roc Nation come into all of this? Garcia alleges Roc Nation switched him from a monthly rate to a per assignment arrangement, decrease the number of bookings with Megan and by June of 2023…

Keep watching to learn more!

24 Apr 2024

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on His Dream to Be a Country Star | Billboard News

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confesses how at one point he wanted to be a country star, his upcoming dream performance with Chris Janson and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a true country fan, but did you know he’s a country singer too? Dwayne Johnson may have appeared in Chris Janson’s music video for “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” but he’s not just there for his good looks. He’s got singing chops too.

Dwayne Johnson:

I can tell you that he had surprised and blessed me with an open invitation from himself and the Opry for me to join them on the Opry stage, which I cannot wait to do. That’s a dream come true.

Tetris Kelly:

He told us how he almost became a country singer when he was evicted from Hawaii as a teenager and discovered the country scene in Nashville.

Dwayne Johnson:

I was in Piggly Wiggly singing, like not caring, and I was singing a Hank song. I’ll never forget, a woman came around and she kind of looked at me. And I thought I’d done something wrong. She goes, “Oh, I’ve just came around to see who was singing.” And she goes, “Do you sing? Do you?” And I’m 15 and I went, “No, I just love to sing. I love country.” She goes, “You should go down to [Broadway]. That’s where all the singers are.” And I went, “OK.” And that’s when I started hanging out on Broadway, trying to get a gig at these honky-tonks because I had this dream in my head that I was, or delusion, that I was a country music star.

Keep watching to learn more!