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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 […]
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 […]
Here are the biggest winners, the most show-stopping performances, and all the top highlight moments from the 2023 VMAs. Rania AniftosWith 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 AniftosThe show opened with legend Weezy followed up by […]
After multiple members of *NSYNC were spotted in NYC, fans are hoping they will reunite at the VMAs. Cardi B stopped by Watch What Happens Live and opened up about potentially working with Lil’ Kim, her thoughts on returning to reality TV and more. Plus, Maluma caught a crutch thrown at him while he was […]
Olivia Rodrigo hides four new tracks in Guts vinyl records and fans are convinced her new track “The Grudge” is about Taylor Swift. The 2023 MTV VMAs are almost here and it is looking to be a memorable one. Nicki Minaj is back to host the show, Shakira is being honored with the Video Vanguard […]
In mid-August, rising pop star Reneé Rapp released her debut album Snow Angel. The 12-track project includes “Talk Too Much” and the stellar pop-rock title track, among other gems.
Leading up to its arrival, Rapp dropped by Today for a performance on the plaza and the Grammy Museum for an intimate Q&A with fans. She also stopped by Billboard News to discuss her start in music — and even teased her dream Snow Angel deluxe edition (hint: her collaborator wish list is no joke).
Rapp’s rise has been quick; she released her debut single last summer, the emotive “Tattoos.” She says she had no idea whether it was the right song to introduce herself as an artist but knew she just had to go for it. “That was a time in my life where I was so hungry and so desperate to be seen and I really wanted to get signed — so bad,” she said. “It was such a big dream of mine ever since I was a kid.”
She called the song “a huge catalyst” for her career — crediting the Internet for helping create visibility and opportunity — and, ultimately, what helped her get signed to Interscope and score a manager in Adam Mersel. Within a few months, by last November, she released her debut EP Everything to Everyone. “I’ve made it abundantly clear to everyone I work with that this is my endgame,” said Rapp. “And I want to do this to the best of my ability.”
Elsewhere, Rapp revealed her dream guests for a potential deluxe edition, saying she can envision Kacey Musgraves featuring on “I Hate Boston,” Jazmine Sullivan on “Tummy Hurts” and Frank Ocean on “Willow.”
Prior to doubling down on music, Rapp starred as Regina George in Mean Girls on Broadway. She recalled watching the film “so many times,” calling it a “staple” in her household and sharing what she believes to be Regina’s most iconic lines. More recently, Rapp has starred in the Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls (she will not return as a series regular in the upcoming third season).
“I’ve always idolized multi-hyphenates,” she said, going on to praise the well-rounded and global career Beyoncé has built for herself.
Up next, Rapp will kick off her Snow Hard Feelings Tour on Sept. 15 in Houston with her close friend and collaborator Alexander 23 and rising rocker Towa Bird as support.
Watch Rapp’s full interview above.
Actress, rising pop singer and musical theater star Reneé Rapp tells Billboard senior editor Lyndsey Havens about her debut single “Tattoos,” her first album (Snow Angel), playing Regina George in Mean Girls: The Musical, her favorite quote from the movie and more!
Reneé Rapp:Everybody’s like, “Reneé, it’s a slow burn, and enjoy the journey — not the destination.” And I’m like, “Jesus, f–k the journey!” But honestly, I’m into it right now — the journey’s cute.
Hey, what’s up! I’m Reneé Rapp, and this is Billboard News.
Lyndsey Havens:Hey, I’m Lyndsey Havens for Billboard News, and we are here with the multitalented, fast-rising pop star, I think it’s safe to say! Reneé Rapp, welcome.
Has that settled in yet? “Pop star”?
Reneé Rapp:It feels weird if I were to say yes, ’cause then I think I would just hate myself if I said yes. So no.
Lyndsey Havens:Maybe after this album comes out.
Reneé Rapp:Hopefully!
Lyndsey Havens:So your debut single was “Tattoos.” Came out last year. How did you know that was the song to introduce that side of you with?
Reneé Rapp:Oh my God, I didn’t. I absolutely didn’t. That was a time in my life where I was so hungry and so desperate to be seen. And I really wanted to get signed so bad. It was like such a big dream of mine ever since I was a kid, like to like, get signed to this like grandiose way and like have it be this moment. And I really liked “Tattoos,” and I thought it was good. I thought I had songs that I liked more. But that ended up being the song that I like, posted on the internet and ended up being a huge catalyst for like my career, and then how I did inevitably get signed.
Yeah, and I understand. And I hear the argument that is like, you know, “Hey, the internet is crazy, and it’s changed the music business and X, Y and Z.” And I don’t disagree. However, I think it’s really f–king cool, because it gave me a really big opportunity. And the right visibility that I needed to get into that space that I don’t know that I would have gotten a different way.”
Watch the full interview above!
Producers Breyan Isaac and Donny “Dizzy” Flores share how they collaborated on Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s new song “Bongos.”
Tetris Kelly:All right, guys, so I got to start right away by asking you: You’ve never worked together. I think this is your first time working together, so how did this even start? How did you end up on a track with Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion?
Donny “Dizzy” Flores:I know Breyan, you know, we’re from Miami, like, we were all coming up, you know, splitting sandwiches and, you know, going through the struggle. He went his way with Mike Caren and they did a lot of crazy hits for Flo Rida, and I mean, I’ll let him tell you about that. Then I, you know, I moved on with DJ Snake and everything else. As you know, the pandemic we just catch back up again. It was like God put us in, you know, each other’s life for a reason. So it’s like, “Let’s just start working and building some more stuff together.” And this was just, you know, one of them we did. Here we are now.
Tetris Kelly:You’re following “WAP,” which was a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 song. That’s a lot to live up to. So now that the track is out, what do you think makes it so different than what the girls offered in the past?
Breyan Isaac:It’s a completely different feel. I mean, it’s a new kind of like bounce, a new kind of vibe to be honest. Like, production-wise, it’s a different kind of direction from what “WAP” was. “WAP” was a little bit more like a mid-tempo vibe. This is definitely more of a simple, more driving, giving you some actions, something to do, you know?
Tetris Kelly:And now that it’s finished, are you guys satisfied with the product?
Breyan Isaac:Absolutely.Watch the full video above!
Charlie Puth announced his engagement to girlfriend Brooke Sansone when he posted a pic of his fianceé rocking a serious rock. The 2023 CMA Awards nominations are here, and Lainey Wilson & Jelly Roll are leading the pack! Billboard takes a look back at some of the most controversial Hot 100 No. 1 tracks. And […]
Billboard takes a look back at some of the most controversial Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 tracks. From Cardi B andMegan Thee Stallion to Katy Perry to Robin Thicke and many more before them, controversy has always been a part of music. With two controversial No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 this summer, […]