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We tested Barbz at Rolling Loud to see who would know the most about Nicki Minaj. Tetris Kelly:So, I’m trying to find the biggest Barbz out here. I’m gonna ask you guys a couple of questions. OK: Where was she born? Barbz:Spain! Tetris Kelly:Spain? Barbz:Wait, can I start over? Tetris Kelly:Rewind! It’s being Friday at […]
Next week, on March 29, alternative veterans Chicano Batman will release its long-awaited fifth album, Notebook Fantasy. It will be the band’s first release since 2020, while the supporting tour will see the trio of Bardo Martinez, Eduardo Arenas and Carlos Arévalo headline a historic Los Angeles venue for the first time: The Forum.
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“It means everything, it’s a graduation of sorts,” Arenas tells Billboard News. “It’s a celebration for the city because L.A. built this band. Our fans built this. We could not get to this level without [them].”
Arenas believes the recording process for Notebook also forced the band to aim higher, as they worked from the iconic Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood. “The walls have something to tell you,” he says. “You level up. Like, if [The Doors]’ Jim Morrison did that right there, what am I going to do today?”
“I feel like every time we make a record we’re trying to do something different, and that’s certainly the case for all the songs on this record,” adds Arévalo.
Martinez agrees, saying he’s a big fan of David Bowie for the way in which he “personifies different things.” He compares the icon to a painter, saying, “I think that’s what make great artists, is they’re not afraid to be different and challenge norms [by] just being their authentic self.”
In addition to the band’s own forthcoming album, Chicano Batman will also appear on the star-studded Talking Heads covers compilation album Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense. While they can’t yet reveal what song they covered, they do share that they had just four days to rehearse, record and turn it in. But for Arenas, it was all worth it: “Stop Making Sense, for me, was life changing.”
For a band that formed 15 years ago, the trio is tighter than ever — both sonically, and by way of their lasting friendship. When asked if it feels as long as it’s been, they reply with a resounding “yes” before Arévalo doubles back. “Yes and no,” he says. “It feels like a blink, honestly, but we’ve put in the work.”
Watch Chicano Batman’s full Billboard News interview above.
Indie band Chicano Batman talk about their upcoming album Notebook Fantasy, their varied music influences from both Western and Latin America, look back at their 15-year journey as a band, how they first met and became a band, what playing the Kia Forum means to them as Los Angeles natives and more!
Chicano Batman:I’m excited for people to hear the whole album. Finally, because we’re releasing singles. And every song is so diverse on this record.
My name is Bardo.
Sup, y’all, I’m Eduardo.
Hi, I’m Carlos, and we are Chicano Batman, and you are watching Billboard News.
Lyndsey Havens:Hey, I’m Lyndsey Havens for Billboard News, and we’re here with L.A. legends Chicano Batman. How’s it going, guys?
I know it was your most collaborative album, from my understanding. So tell me a little bit about what that was like, you know, between all of you and then also the other people that you brought in for this?
Chicano Batman:We wanted each of us to kind of have the reins on whatever song we presented to the group. Whether it’s “OK, I want string.” It’s kind of like the John Lennon vibe. I want strings on it. And they’re like, “OK, well, let’s let’s do it. Yeah.” And John Congleton was really … our producer was really helpful in that process. He’s also you know, he’s he’s a legend as well. I’m the biggest fan of St. Vincent. I’ll always work with St. Vincent, worked here at Sunset Sound, so it was … I don’t know. I was kind of sweating the day before. I was like, “Oh, The Doors recorded everything there.”
Watch the full video above!
Erykah Badu and Azealia Banks took to social media to give their unfiltered thoughts on Beyoncé’s upcoming album ‘Cowboy Carter.’ After having to postpone 29 shows, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band make their big return at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Djo returns to the top spot on the TikTok Billboard Top […]
Billboard and Carnival Cruise Line teamed up for two nights at The STAGE to deliver a slice of paradise following the recent announcement of a new, exclusive designation offering, Celebration Key on Grand Bahama: opening Summer 2025. Tetris KellyBillboard and Carnival Cruise Line teamed up for two nights at this stage to deliver a slice […]
Djo returns to the top spot on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart as Beyoncé and Dasha break into the top 10. Tetris Kelly: Djo returns to the top, while one fresh face breaks into the top 10. Djo aka Joe Kerry’s “End of Beginning” bounces back to No. 1 after spending some time at […]
Beyoncé unveiled the cover for her highly anticipated upcoming album ‘Cowboy Carter’ and Maren Morris showed her support after the ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ singer revealed she didn’t feel welcome in the country music world. Olivia Rodrigo announces that she’s releasing a deluxe version of her album ‘Guts’ which will include new tracks “So American,” “Obsessed,” […]
Billboard and the city of Madrid teamed up for the first-ever Encuentro de la Música en Español. The event highlighted Spanish and Latin American music and was held to celebrate its global reach. Nicki Nicole and Raphael participated in special Q&As, while panels were packed with stars, music executives and managers. Tetris Kelly: Billboard Español […]
Chief Keef opens up about working with Sexyy Red and Mike Will Made-It, his upcoming album Almighty So 2 and more backstage at Rolling Loud 2024.Chief Keef:Saying she wants to come through and I said, “hell f–king yeah.”
Oh s–t. I’ve been working on that s–t man. It’s actually dope, man.
Man, you know, but when I do go on tour, I mean, I’d be ready to go home.
Tetris Kelly:Chief Keef is the epitome of a mood, and from following him to his juiced set at Rolling Loud and heading backstage with him and Mike Will Made-It. It was down with the man Sosa and Billboard News. Arriving just before his set, everybody — and I mean everybody — was excited for Chief Keef at Rolling Loud, and he ran to the stage to give the people what they want.
And right afterwards, he was in high demand, as he doesn’t do press often, but Billboard was able to hop in the van with the legend for some hilarious shenanigans.
Unknown Speaker:He hit that bih like Tom Cruise.
Tetris Kelly:To cruise backstage and chat all about the show and his new project. Hanging out backstage with Chief Keef at Rolling Loud. Man, the festival has been such a vibe. The fans was loving your set. How was it up there, man?
Chief Keef:Always dope. It’s always loud. Rolling Loud.
Tetris Kelly:I mean, you had Sexyy Red up there, man. How did you guys start working together? It was so good.
Chief Keef:S–t.I just know she f–k with me real heavy. I f–k with her too. Saying she wants to come through and I said “hell f–king yeah.”
Tetris Kelly:And I mean what do you think it is about her that has like made people go so crazy for Sexyy Red?
Chief Keef:She just … you could tell she really just come from where we come from.
Tetris Kelly:I feel you on that, man. Then also you know you just dropped “Dirty Nachos” with Mike Will Made-It, so what made y’all decide to collaborate on a project together?
Chief Keef:That’s my dog. He right up there. Where he at? That’s my boy.
Tetris Kelly:And the fan reaction has been great. How’s it feel to finally have the project out there?
Chief Keef:Man, it ain’t even just … that ain’t even what we suppose to been drop. That just what he decided, you know what I’m saying? Let’s just drop something before we do what we suppose to drop. Yeah, man, like I said, that my mans and we always got together and we always working too.
Tetris Kelly:And then you got Almighty So like the sequel, to part two coming out, man. So tell me what the fans gonna expect from that.
Chief Keef:Oh s–t. I’ve been working on that s–t, man. It’s actually dope, man. Got some different stuff on it.
Tetris Kelly:Got some features you can tease us with a little bit?
Chief Keef:Yeah, I got some features on there, but I just want to, you know, keep it a surprise if they don’t know already.Watch the full interview above!
Seven months after THE BOYZ initially introduced their three-part Phantasy album series with Christmas in August, the K-pop group completed the 15-track project with the final chapter Love Letter.
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Led by the sentimental single “Nectar,” THE BOYZ member Kevin says the final chapter in their trilogy delivers an “emotional-but-hopeful kind of vibe” for Love Letter that contrasts the summery, shimmering pop single “Lip Gloss” for Christmas in August, and their dark and experimental “Watch It” single for Pt. 2 Sixth Sense. “At this point in our career, we want to tackle what we haven’t done before.”
“I really hope through this trilogy that we got to really emphasize Phantasy and our fans were able to see a lot of different sides of THE BOYZ,” Jacob told Billboard News‘ Tetris Kelly during a visit to Los Angeles with his members Kevin, Juyeon, Hyunjae and Eric. “As we are ending it off with ‘Nectar,’ saying goodbye to our bittersweet memories and going for our happier new future, I hope you guys just come along with us and we’ll be able to show you what we have in store.”
Now that their Phantasy releases are complete, THE BOYZ say it’s time to perform these new songs live for fans.
“Our fans have been dying for us to go on a tour and I think it’s about time,” Eric says. “We are going to make it happen this year,” with Kevin making sure to add, “We may or may not be seeing you in your own city/country.”
Before they do make their way back to the States, fans can stay on top of their additional musical activities by following them on TikTok where Kevin delivers Beyoncé covers, Jacob plays guitar in his pajamas, and all 11 of THE BOYZ sing, dance, and share their lives.
We don’t really get to do a lot of musical production in our group for our own music, so I like to experiment and do things on TikTok,” Kevin says. It’s my musical outlet, and I like to do a lot of covers there.”
Jacob agrees with that sentiment, adding, “Since we’re in a group, I don’t really get to play the guitar and sing for the fans, so I use TikTok for my pajama karaoke covers.”
While Juyeon, Hyunjae, and Kevin have all attended events and linked up with different fashion brands, like Dior, Gucci, and Jeremy Scott, the guys also shared some surprising insight into their personal style during the sitdown.
“Whenever we have events where our stylist can potentially dress us in casual clothing, we opt for our own clothes instead of our stylists’ clothes,” Kevin shares. “We like to dress ourselves as much as we can.”
Watch the full Billboard News interview above for more from Kevin, Juyeon, Jacob, Hyunjae and Eric on THE BOYZ’s Phantasy album, plus find out who among them is most likely to snack at midnight, run late getting ready, know another K-pop group’s choreography and more.
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