Billboard

Kep1er Shares a Movie Soundtrack They Want to Appear On | KCON LA 2024 

Kep1er chatted with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly on the red carpet at 2024 KCON LA.

Tetris Kelly:
Hanging out with my girls Kep1er at KCON. How’s it goingm=, ladies? So tell me, what is the current era of Kep1er? How are you guys feeling lately?

Kep1er:
Shall we express how we’re feeling together? One, two, three: Excited!

Tetris Kelly:
Tell me, ladies, right now: What is one of your musical obsessions that’s not you?

Kep1er:
My musical obsession is Lizzy McAlpine — she’s my favorite artist.

Tetris Kelly:
And then I heard recently that Stray Kids is going to be on the Wolverine soundtrack. If you could think of a movie soundtrack that you would wanna be on, what would the movie be?

Kep1er:
I think Avengers? SInce we’re in L.A., I’m reminded of La La Land! I love musical films, so La La Land would be my choice!

Tetris Kelly:
Oh that’s a good choice, good choice. Thank you so much, ladies! Have a good day at KCON!

BOYNEXTDOOR Talks About Group’s Performance at KCON LA | KCON LA 2024

BOYNEXTDOOR chatted with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly on the red carpet at 2024 KCON LA.

Tetris Kelly: 
So we’re hanging out at KCON. Tell me how it is to be here with all the other idols all together?

BOYNEXTDOOR:
This is our third time performing at KCON, and it is always a pleasure to enjoy so many fun performances with various artists. For today’s KCON LA performance, we’re going to do our absolute best as well!

Tetris Kelly:
I know that’s gotta be really fun, but tell me what is your musical obsession right now? What’s something you guys have been listening to that’s not you guys?

BOYNEXTDOOR:
Pharrell Williams. I like his music

Tetris Kelly:
Oh Pharrell! Oh man, that’s really, really good man. Well thank you guys so much, I’ll see you guys on Monday.

Megan Thee Stallion & Quavo Back Kamala Harris | Billboard News

Megan Thee Stallion opened for Kamala Harris’ Atlanta campaign, and Quavo shows up for the VP. Keep watching to see what they had to say!

Narrator:
Megan Thee Stallion kicked off Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign event in Atlanta, getting the crowd hyped. She even shared some backstage fun with the VP.

But she wasn’t the only one getting the crowd hyped. They showed off their excitement, singing along to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”

Another musician showed up for Kamala. Quavo, who lost his nephew and Migos partner Takeoff to gun violence, helped introduce Harris to the crowd of 10,000 people. 

Quavo:
You can’t understand the struggles of gun violence if you’re not in the field and in the heart of it. So one thing I learned about Vice President Harris is that she always stands on business. 

Narrator:
And then it came time for the VP to address the crowd, een fitting in a mention of the Atlanta native in her speech. 

Kamala Harris: 
Donald Trump, on the other hand, has been talking a big game about securing our border but he does not walk the walk. Or as my friend Quavo would say, he does not walk it like he talks it. 

Peso Pluma, Gloria Estefan, JOP & More to Headline Billboard Latin Music Week | Billboard News

Billboard Latin Music Week is back this year in October. The week will be star-studded with artists such as Peso Pluma, Gloria Estefan, JOP of Fuerza Regida and so many more! Keep watching for more details!

Buy your tickets here: https://www.billboardlatinmusicweek.com/

Katie Cao:

Billboard Latin Music Week is back! The annual conference featuring the hottest stars in Latin music is making its return to Miami Beach with a flood of superstars. Peso Pluma, Gloria Estefan, JOP of Fuerza Regida, Lele Pons, Danny Ocean, Fat Joe and so many more will take the stage at the Jackie Gleason Theater at The Filmore Miami Beach from October 14th to 18th. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Billboard’s Latin Music Week. The most important week in Latin music will be filled with exclusive panels, conversations and performances by the genre’s biggest stars. More artists will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Tickets are available at BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com. We’ll see you in Miami in October! 

Arianators vs Swifties, Who’s Left In Fan Army Face-Off 2024? | Billboard News

Some big names are out of Billboard’s Fan Army Face-Off, but who still has a fighting chance? See who’s left in round 3 and vote for your fave!

Narrator:

Round two has come to a close in Billboard’s Fan Army Face-Off. With a couple upsets, we head into the eight matchups of round three. Billie Eilish’s fans beat out the Barbz, so she’s taking on Eminem. While the Swiftie’s nudged out Drake stans for her to go up against Ariana Grande. Aespa, the last K-Pop group, fell to Jelly Roll who’s up against Hozier in round three. Other matchups include Dua Lipa versus Peso Pluma, Justin Bieber versus Gracie Abrams, and Lana Del Rey is going head to head with last year’s winners, SB19. And the final two pairings are a battle of the beauties. Sabrina Carpenter takes on Rihanna, while Selena Gomez is up against Queen Bee. Head to Billboard.com to see who’s in the lead and to cast your vote.

Taylor Swift Reacts to Deadly Southport Stabbing | Billboard News

A stabbing attack occurred during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event in Southport, U.K., leaving three children dead. See what Swift said about the tragedy.

Tetris Kelly:
Taylor Swift speaks out after the tragic death of three children and the wounding of 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event in the U.K. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer:
The events today are just truly awful. And I know the whole country is deeply shocked at what they’ve seen and what they’ve heard. 

Tetris Kelly:
According to the Associated Press, local police said a 17-year-old boy from Cardiff was arrested in the incident at the community center, and a knife was seized following the attack. The event was billed as “a morning of Taylor Swift-themed yoga, dance and bracelet making.”

Taylor posted on her Instagram story: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock..” and “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”

Police said the suspect was in custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Taylor’s fans have responded to the tragedy by raising money for the victims’ families. At the time of recording they’ve raised $230,000.

Simone Biles & More Gymnasts Compete to Stray Kids, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift & More | Billboard News

As Simone Biles and other gymnasts compete at the Paris Olympics, they’re bringing the heat with their routines and music choices. From Stray Kids to Taylor Swift, these girls have it going on. Keep watching to see more of their musical selections!

Katie Cao:
We all know Simone Biles is the GOAT, and when you’re the GOAT, you’ve gotta have the appropriate floor music. And Taylor Swift’s “…Ready for It?” is just one of the many pop songs you can hear at this year’s Olympics. Jordan Chiles, also of Team USA, has a medley of Queen Bey’s tracks in her floor music, with a little Destiny’s Child for good measure. Rebeca Andrade of Brazil is a Beyoncé fan as well, tumbling to Bee’s classic “Countdown.” Her teammate Jade Barbosa brought some Britney to Paris with “… Baby One More Time” music and “Oops (I Did It Again)” choreo.

And since it’s a global competition, you’d expect some global hits. Mexico’s Alexa Moreno is a true STAY, tumbling to a medley of STRAY KIDS hits. Good luck to all the women competing in Paris.

Khalid’s ‘Sincere’ Album, ‘Young Dumb & Broke’ Nostalgia and Dream Tyla Collab | Billboard News

After not releasing an album for half a decade, Khalid is back and better than ever with his third studio album ‘Sincere.’ He discusses how he knew it was time to release ‘Sincere,’ recalls the nostalgia of his early hits like “Young Dumb & Broke” and “Location,” and explains how his songwriting inspiration is sporadic and often a feeling in the moment. He also shares how his intuition guides his music, his dream collaboration with Tyla, and more!

Khalid:

I mean, I’m not afraid to say it, but I love listening to my music because it’s like my own personal journal entries that I get to look back at.

Rania Aniftos:

Totally! 

Khalid:

And I’m like, I thought of that?

Hey, what’s up? It’s Khalid here and you’re watching Billboard News.

Rania Aniftos:

Hey everybody, I’m Rania Aniftos with Billboard News. And I cannot be more excited, I have one of my favorite artists here in the studio today. We have Khalid! 

Khalid:

What’s up everybody? Happy to be here.

Rania Aniftos:

I’m so happy to have you. 

Khalid:

Thank you for having me. 

Rania Aniftos:

And like what a special time in your career right now. You’re about to release your third studio album, ‘Sincere.’

Khalid:

This is the one that I have been waiting five years for it to come out. I feel like this is the one full of music that I’ve been harboring over the past half-decade just for the perfect moment. And I feel like no moment is more perfect.

Rania Aniftos:

Where do you feel that you are in your growth journey that you’re like, I feel comfortable with this?

Khalid:

I met a random person a year ago in South Africa, actually. And I had a conversation with him. And he shook my hand and looked me in my eyes. And he told me he was like, “Next year is gonna be one of the biggest years that you’ve had in your career so far. He’s like, 2024.”

Keep watching for more!

ENHYPEN on ‘ROMANCE:UNTOLD’ Success, LA Pop-Up & More At KCON LA 2024 | All Access | Billboard News

ENHYPEN share their ‘ROMANCE:UNTOLD’ success, what you could find at their LA pop-up, their ‘UNTOLD Concept Cinema’ and more at KCON LA 2024!

Tetris Kelly:

It was an amazing KCON weekend for ENHYPEN, and we talked to them about their LA pop-up, brand-new charting album and epic concept film. We take you there in Billboard All Access.

‘ROMANCE:UNTOLD,’ your biggest debut yet. No. 2 on the Billboard 200. You did better than Taylor Swift! So like, how’s it feel to have your biggest success yet with your album?

ENHYPEN:

I just want to say thank you to all our fans out there. We put so much effort in this ‘ROMANCE:UNTOLD’ album, and I think all the love and support that our fans are showing is really paying off and all that hard work paying off so thank you very much! Love you guys.

Tetris Kelly:

And also, you guys have a pop-up in LA, so tell me how it is to have all your fans be able to come and show love for the album. 

ENHYPEN:

Well first, you can check out the T-shirt Tetris is wearing at the pop-up. It’s actually our first time hosting a pop-up in the States. So it’s a great experience for us, and seeing ENGENEs have fun there makes us even happier. 

Tetris Kelly:

And ENGENEs lined up all around the Fonda in LA to check out the exclusive pop-up. There were photo moments galore for fans to take advantage of. 

Keep watching for more!

KATSEYE’s Debut Performance at KCON LA 2024 | All Access | Billboard News

KATSEYE had their first debut performance at KCON LA 2024, and we have the inside scoop. Keep watching for more, and keep an eye out for their full interview!

KATSEYE:

We’re going to perform for the first time very soon, we’re working really hard. 

Tetris Kelly:

And that’s what you call a debut of a global girl group. As KATSEYE took the stage for the first time at KCON LA. We even got to see their brand new single. 

KATSEYE:

“Touch” is the favorite. I think it’s everyone’s. 

Tetris Kelly:

We take you there in Billboard All Access. So tell me, how exciting is that going to be wto perform at KCON.

KATSEYE:

We’ve been working and training so hard for KCON and like everything. So yea we are so excited to perform together and meet the Icons for the very first time.

Tetris Kelly:

And meet the icons they did as they rocked the convention floor before taking the stage at Crypto.com Arena.

KATSEYE:

So this next song is “Touch,” and this is our second single. She’s fire. 

Tetris Kelly:

KATSEYE previewed their brand new song “Touch” for us ahead of the release of their new EP. And the video by the global girl group has fans talking. 

KATSEYE:

I think “Touch,” filming the whole music video too, was such an amazing experience and recording as well. But it is ethereal, like I said, our softer side, but we can tap into our fierceness and our self confidence too.

Tetris Kelly:

Find all that fierceness and more in our full interview with KATSEYE, coming soon.