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UMI Opens Up About Her Mental Health Journey and the Importance of Prioritizing Wellness  



UMI is a 24-year-old Seattle native pioneering a new sound rooted at the intersection of neo soul and folk. Meaning ocean in Japanese, “umi” is a beautiful reflection of her artistry – soothing like a day spent in nature. 

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The singer-songwriter made her debut in 2017, but UMI’s life changed after the release of the 2019 hit “Love Affair.” Since then she has shared a couple projects, Introspection Reimagined and Forest in the City, as well as recent single “happy im.” Currently living in Los Angeles, UMI continues to create genre-bending music that captivates and inspires listeners. She is gearing up to release a new EP, Talking to the Wind, a project meant to help fans work through their feelings.

This month, UMI is featured on Sound Mind’s latest episode of Unmasked, a video series that features artists opening up about their personal mental health journeys. In the new episode, she speaks about her own struggle with anxiety and how prioritizing wellness has improved her quality of life.

UMI told Billboard, “When we see our mental health as a form of communication and self love – we understand that it is necessary to tend to like breathing. Nothing in life can be fully enjoyed without the container of a healthy mind. And we all deserve to feel the full vibrancy of each moment.” 

Each person is at a different stage on their journey with mental health, but UMI credits meditation as something what keeps her grounded through all life has to offer. 

She said, “Teaching people the power of meditation feels like one of my purposes on this earth. Meditation has helped me to release anxiety, develop a connection with my authentic self, trust in life, and know my truths.”

Unmasked was created to promote free mental health resources, as well as foter an open dialogue about mental health for artists and fans alike. Check out UMI on the latest episode of Unmasked and stay tuned for more from Sound Mind. 

XG Rocks Billboard’s The Stage at SXSW Sydney, Australia | Billboard News

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XG Headlines Billboard’s THE STAGE Presented by American Express at First-Ever SXSW Sydney

Billboard brought its signature concert series to life at the inaugural South by Southwest in Sydney, Australia. XG headlined the one-night-only Oct. 20 concert, with opening sets from Lil Cherry and GOLDBUUDA.

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American Express sponsored Billboard’s THE STAGE and offered an exclusive ticket pre-sale for card members to secure their spots at one of the most highly-anticipated shows in Sydney this week. 

THE MOOD LAB

XG is known for their hip-hop and R&B inspired sound, dynamic production, and top notch choreography. Fresh off the release of their debut mini-album NEW DNA, XG graced Billboard’s THE STAGE presented by American Express and put on an unforgettable performance in front of a jam packed Hordern Pavillion in Sydney. The setlist featured tracks from the new album like “GRL GVNG,” “New Dance,” as well as fan favorite “LEFT RIGHT.”

THE MOOD LAB

Since the girl group’s 2022 debut, XG have been making waves in Korea, Japan and the United States. The septet, consisting of Juria, Maya, Harvey, Chisa, Cocona, Jurin, and Hinata first gained mainstream success after their single “LEFT RIGHT” went viral on social media. The catchy track debuted on the Billboard Pop Airplay Chart and grew on TikTok via multiple trending dances.

If you weren’t able to join us at Hordern Pavilion last night, stay tuned for more coverage of Billboard’s THE STAGE presented by American Express at SXSW Sydney. 

Yng Lvcas Plays This or That | Billboard

Yng Lvcas plays This or That with Billboard backstage at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2023.

Yng Lvcas:
What’s up, my people? I’m your friend Yng Lvcas, and I’m going to play This or That with Billboard.

[Horchata or agua fresca?]
Horchata

[Bachata or merengue?]
Merengue

[Tacos al pastor or tacos de pollo?]
Al pastor

[Baseball or soccer?]
Soccer.

Interviewer:
What’s your team?

Yng Lvcas:
Chivas.

[Spicy food or not spicy?]
Spicy, one hundred percent.

[Empanadas or tamales?]
Tamales.

Interviewer:
What type?

Yng Lvcas:
Green.

[Salsa Verde or Salsa Roja?]
Both.

[Mariachis or vallenatos?]
Mariachi.

[Tequila or mezcal?]
Tequila.

Watch the full video above!

Carin León Plays ‘This or That’ | Billboard

Carin León plays ‘This or That’ with Billboard backstage at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2023.

Carin León
What’s up? I’m Carin León and I’m going to play ‘This or That’ will Billboard.

[Horchata or agua fresca?]

Carin León
Horchata

[Bachata or merengue?]

Carin León
That’s a hard one, I pick bachata. More sexy.

[Tacos al pastor or tacos de pollo?]

Carin León
Al pastor, definitely al pastor hands down. [Laughs]

[Baseball or soccer?]

Carin León
Soccer for sure.

[Empanadas or tamales?]

Carin León
Tamales

[Mariachis or vallenatos?]

Carin León
Mariachis

[Tequila or mezcal?]

Carin León
Tequila

[Spicy food or not spicy?]

Carin León
Picante, like Mexican. [Laughs] Mexican…Mexican sh–.

10 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: Marc Rebillet, Aliyah’s Interlude, Brigitte Calls Me Baby & More

Billboard has more than 200 different weekly charts in its menu, encompassing numerous genres and formats.

While established artists often compete for a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and Billboard 200 albums ranking, which track the most popular songs and albums of the week, respectively, up-and-coming talents typically start off on genre-specific lists.

Here’s a look at 10 artists who appear on surveys via first entries on the Oct. 28-dated charts.

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Marc Rebillet



The electronic musician and YouTuber is officially a Billboard-charting artist, thanks to his viral hit “Your New Morning Alarm.” Rebillet first released the 57-second song on April 1, 2021, on his YouTube, Instagram and TikTok accounts, but released an official version on streaming and digital retail services Oct. 13, via Bored Certified Records. The song debuts at No. 1 on the Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart with 1,000 downloads sold, according to Luminate. It also garnered 124,000 U.S. streams. The original YouTube video has raked in over 32 million views – his most-viewed clip on the platform – since its 2021 posting.

Rebillet, whose nickname “Loop Daddy” is a nod to his improvised electronic and funk live-looping technique, has been churning out music for nearly a decade. He released his debut six-track EP Loop Daddy in 2018, and has since dropped its sequel, Loop Daddy II, in 2019, as well as three studio albums: Marc Rebillet (2018), Europe (2019) and Loop Daddy III (2020).

Rebillet is from Dallas and now based in New York City. He often performs pop-up concerts on street corners around New York, livestreaming the events on YouTube and Twitch for his “We Outside” series.

In June 2020, Billboard reported about Rebillet’s string of sold-out drive-in concerts around the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 12-concert run, which ranged from 350 to 600 cars (or about 1,000 fans) per show, earned over a half-million dollars. Before those shows, he expanded his audience that spring with livestreamed performances from his apartment wearing, simply, a bathrobe and boxer shorts.

Aliyah’s Interlude



The Atlanta-based influencer, model and artist (real name: Aliyah Bah) debuts at No. 36 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart, marking her first chart appearance, thanks to her breakout viral song, and only official release, “It Girl.” Released Sept. 30 on Interlude Records, along with a sped-up version, it tallied a combined 3.3 million U.S. streams in the tracking week (up 60%).

TikTok has been a contributing factor in the song’s growing profile, as a portion of the sped-up mix has been used in over 515,000 clips on the platform to date. Plus, a piece of the original version has soundtracked over 20,000 videos. (Activity on TikTok is not included in Billboard’s charts except for the newly-launched TikTok Billboard Top 50.) The original version has also been used in over 40,000 Instagram Reels.

Aliyah initially rose to prominence on social media in 2020 after posting videos of her outfits. Earlier this year, the New York Times reported on her fashion aesthetic, which fans have shared online using the hashtag #AliyahCore.

Brigitte Calls Me Baby



The Chicago-based band arrives on Billboard’s charts for the first time with its breakout single “Impressively Average.” The song, released Oct. 3 on ATO Records, debuts at No. 40 on Adult Alternative Airplay (up 107% in plays Oct. 13-19). The song was produced by Dave Cobb, the nine-time Grammy Award-winning producer/songwriter/engineer behind hits by Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton and others.

Outside of “Impressively Average,” the group has released the song “Eddie My Love,” in January. Both tracks are set to appear on the act’s five-song debut EP, This House Is Made of Corners, due Nov. 3. The band comprises Wes Leavins (vocals), Jack Fluegel (guitar), Trevor Lynch (guitar), Devin Wessels (bass) and Jeremy Benshish (drums).

Brake



The singer-songwriter, recognizable by his long, bright orange hair, scores his first Billboard chart hit, thanks to his new single “Cigarettes & Black Lipstick.” The song, released Oct. 13 on Bananabeat Records, debuts at No. 3 on Alternative Digital Song Sales and No. 6 on Rock Digital Song Sales with 1,500 downloads sold in its first week. The track also sparks his No. 42 debut on the Emerging Artists chart.

The song was produced by Cisco Adler, the musician/producer behind Shwayze’s two Hot 100-charting songs, “Buzzin’ ” (on which he’s also featured) and the top 25 hit “Corona and Lime,” in 2008.

Brake (real name: Blake Bidigare) has released 10 additional songs on streaming services, dating to “Mine” and “Halloween in Summertime” in 2020.

Ren



The Welsh musician, from the Isle of Anglesey, lands on Billboard’s charts for the first time with his new studio album, Sick Boi. The set, released Oct. 13 via The Other Songs, debuts at No. 137 on the Billboard 200 with 9,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week. It also starts at No. 2 on Heatseekers Albums, No. 11 on Top Current Album Sales and No. 13 on Top Album Sales. The set also helps him reach No. 4 on the Emerging Artists chart.

Ren (full name: Ren Gill) initially rose to popularity as a member of the groups The Big Push and Trick the Fox before going solo. Prior to Sick Boi, he released his debut LP Freckled Angels in 2016 and the EPs Demos (Do Not Share) Volumes 1 & 2 in 2020.

Haley Heynderickx



The singer-songwriter, from Portland, Ore., debuts at No. 25 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart, thanks to the vinyl re-issues of her 2018 debut studio album and sole chart entry, I Need to Start a Garden. The set, released via Mama Bird Recording Co., sold 2,000 copies in the latest tracking week, all on vinyl. (After its initial release, the album ranked among the top 25-selling Americana/folk albums.)

Outside of Garden, Heynderickx has released three EPs: Fish Eyes (2016), Unpeeled (Banana Stand) (2017) and Among the Horses III (2018).

Kaylee Bell



The singer-songwriter, from Canterbury, New Zealand, is a Billboard-charting act, thanks to her breakthrough tribute to Keith Urban, “Keith.” Her first charted track ranks at No. 12 on Country Digital Song Sales with 2,000 downloads sold (up 92% after debuting last week). Bell sang the song as a contestant on The Voice Australia last year – when Urban was a judge – and the subsequent performance went viral. Bell initially self-released the song in February 2019. The single also helps her debut at No. 41 on Emerging Artists.

Bell reminisced about performing the song in front of Urban in an Oct. 9 clip she shared on TikTok. “Still pinch myself that i got to share this moment with you,” she said in the clip’s caption.

Bell has been recording music for over a decade and has released two studio LPs: Heartfirst (2013) and Silver Linings (2021). She has also supported Ed Sheeran, Brad Paisley and Morgan Evans on tour.

Jacob Lusk



The singer-songwriter, and member of gospel/R&B trio Gabriels, earns his first solo appearance on Billboard’s charts, thanks to his featured appearance on The Blessed Madonna’s “Mercy.” The song, released in June on Margeverse/Warner Records, debuts at No. 8 on the Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart.

Lusk, from Compton, Calif., competed in the 10th season of American Idol in 2011, alongside fellow Billboard-charting acts Scotty McCreery (who won that season), Lauren Alaina, Haley Reinhart and James Durbin. Lusk finished in fifth place.

Gabriels have sent one song onto Billboard’s charts: “Love and Hate in a Different Time” reached No. 38 on Adult Alternative Airplay in 2021.

Billy Gillies



The DJ and electronic producer, from Northern Ireland, notches his first entry on Billboard’s charts with “DNA,” featuring Hannah Boleyn. The track, released in July on Big Beat/Atlantic Records, debuts at No. 37 on Dance/Mix Show Airplay (up 17% in plays). Billy Gillies has previously collaborated with Aly & Fila, Armin van Buuren and Andrew Rayel, among others.

Kenai



The Puerto Rican singer (real name: Joel A. Lopez) claims his first Billboard chart hit, thanks to “Ultimo Capitulo.” The song, released Aug. 23 via YO SOY LA VOZ INC, debuts at No. 6 on the Latin Digital Song Sales chart. Kenai has released two solo LPs so far: Mi Antesala in 2014 and Icono in 2017.

Nicki Nicole Plays Fishing For Answers | Billboard

Nicki Nicole plays Fishing for Answers with Billboard backstage at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2023.

Nicki Nicole:

Hello, everyone. I’m Nicki Nicole, and I’m here to answer questions with Billboard.

What’s your guilty pleasure food? I think it’s chicken supremes. They are quite popular in Argentina and honestly, when they’re fried, they aren’t that healthy, so that’s my guilty pleasure.

Let’s go to the next one! Let’s see… What was your most embarrassing moment on stage? I have quite a few, a collection of embarrassing moments on stage not because they happen, but because I look for them. But once I fell off a staircase, it was bad. I don’t think anyone saw me, but I believe they heard because the microphone was still on. I was fine, nothing happened but the front row people, I think they saw me, and when I came out, some looked concerned, others were laughing but it was all good. I was a little embarrassed.

What’s your secret talent? I’m not sure if it’s a talent, but I have some really good jokes. I love making people laugh and if I have to make someone laugh, I can do it.

What’s the best concert you have attended? Do I have to pick just one? I have two. Kendrick Lamar’s at Lollapalooza in Paris and Rosalía’s at the Movistar Arena in Argentina. For me, they’re at the top.

Someone who has impacted me? Yes. Once, behind the scenes at an awards show, I met Thalia. I hadn’t met her in person, and I was quite impressed, to be honest. She was very beautiful, and also she was walking, and I was like, “Wow.” I didn’t even know how to walk in heels at that time, imagine that so, I saw her and said, “Wait, what?!” She left a big impression on me.


Watch the full video above!

Westside Gunn Tops Emerging Artists Chart, Thanks to New LP ‘And Then You Pray for Me’

Westside Gunn re-enters Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart (dated Oct. 28) at No. 1, becoming the top up-and-coming act in the U.S. for the first time, thanks to his new album, And Then You Pray for Me.

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The set, released Oct. 13 on Griselda/EMPIRE, debuts at No. 29 on the Billboard 200 with 20,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week, according to Luminate. It also starts at No. 7 on Top Rap Albums and No. 8 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It becomes his first top 40 entry on the Billboard 200, and fourth overall. He previously charted highest with Pray for Paris (No. 67 peak, 2020).



Earlier this year, Westside Gunn earned his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to his featured appearance on Travis Scott’s “Lost Forever.” The song debuted and peaked at No. 46 in August.

Rounding out the top five of the latest Emerging Artists chart, Victoria Monet jumps 10-2 for a new high, as her single “On My Mama” stands at No. 97 on the Hot 100; Paul Russell drops to No. 3 after two weeks at the summit; Ren bounds 23-4, hitting a new best as his new album, Sick Boi, debuts at No. 137 on the Billboard 200 (9,000 units); and Teddy Swims dips 3-5.

The Emerging Artists chart ranks the most popular developing artists of the week, using the same formula as the all-encompassing Billboard Artist 100, which measures artist activity across multiple Billboard charts, including the Hot 100 and Billboard 200. (The Artist 100 lists the most popular acts, overall, each week.) However, the Emerging Artists chart excludes acts that have notched a top 25 entry on either the Hot 100 or Billboard 200, as well as artists that have achieved two or more top 10s on Billboard’s “Hot” song genre charts and/or consumption-based “Top” album genre rankings.

Hot 100 First-Timers: De La Ghetto, Bryant Myers, Luar La L & YOVNGCHIMI Debut With Bad Bunny Collaborations

De La Ghetto, Bryant Myers, Luar La L and YOVNGCHIMI all score their first entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated Oct. 28), thanks to their collaborations on Bad Bunny’s new LP, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.

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The set, released Oct. 13 on Rimas, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 184,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week, according to Luminate. It’s the fourth mostly- or all-Spanish-language album to top the chart, after Bad Bunny’s own El Último Tour Del Mundo (2020) and Un Verano Sin Ti (2022) and Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito (February). All 21 songs from the collection also chart on the latest Hot 100. (The only other track billed on the set is “Europa :(,” which runs 11 seconds long.)



Luar La L makes his Hot 100 arrival with “Teléfono Nuevo,” with Bad Bunny. The song debuts at No. 32 with 12.3 million U.S. streams earned in its first week. It concurrently debuts at No. 8 on Hot Latin Songs, where it’s his second top 10. Before this week, the Puerto Rican Latin trap singer-songwriter charted three songs on Billboard’s rankings. His previous Bad Bunny collab, “100 Millones,” hit No. 9 on Hot Latin Songs, as well as No. 143 on the Billboard Global 200 in June 2021; his solo track “Caile” reached No. 43 on Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and No. 67 on the Global 200 in September 2022; and “Wait Deh Man,” with Darell, Nicky Jam and Wisin, reached No. 47 on Latin Airplay earlier this month.

Luar La L has released two solo LPs: L3TRA, in 2020, and sequel L3TRA 2, in 2022. He has also collaborated with Eladio Carrión, Farruko and Jay Wheeler, among others.



Bryant Myers has already tallied multiple Billboard chart hits, but he nets his first Hot 100 entry with “Seda,” with Bad Bunny. The song debuts at No. 38 with 11.4 million U.S. streams. It also starts at No. 10 on Hot Latin Songs, marking his first top 10.

Myers, from Carolina, Puerto Rico, first appeared on a Billboard chart in May 2016, when “Ella Y Yo” (by Pepe Quintana featuring Farruko, Anuel AA, Tempo, Bryant Myers and Almighty) debuted at No. 41, before reaching No. 36. Since then, he’s charted eight additional entries on Hot Latin Songs. Here’s a chronological recap, by peak date.

Bryant Myers’ Hot Latin Songs History:
Pepe Quintana feat. Farruko, Anuel AA, Tempo, Bryant Myers and Almighty, “Ella Y Yo” (No. 34 peak, 2016)
Maluma feat. Bryant Myers, Noriel & Juhn. “Cuatro Babys” (No. 15, 2016)
Bryant Myers & Bad Bunny, “Triste” (No. 35, 2018)
Bryant Myers, “Tanta Falta” (No. 47, 2018)
Bryant Myers & Anuel AA, “Gan-Ga” (No. 11, 2019)
Bryant Myers, Nicky Jam & Arcangel feat. Darell & El Alfa, “Wow!” (No. 36, 2020)
Bryant Myers, “Airdrop” (No. 43, 2021)
Jay Wheeler, Anuel AA, Hades666, Dei V & Bryant Myers, “Pacto” (No. 29, 2023)
Bad Bunny & Bryant Myers, “Seda” (No. 10, 2023)

Myers has also charted three LPs on Top Latin Albums: La Oscuridad (No. 4 peak in 2018), Cambio De Clima, with Miky Woodz (No. 20, 2019), and Bendecido (No. 16, 2020).



YOVNGCHIMI is a relative newcomer to Billboard’s charts, but lands his first Hot 100 entry this with “Mercedes Carota,” with Bad Bunny. The song debuts at No. 57 with 9.7 million U.S. streams. It also starts at No. 16 on Hot Latin Songs. The Puerto Rican drill and trap artist charted three tracks previously on Hot Latin Songs, all in 2022: “Diamantes En Mis Dientes” with Anuel AA (No. 41 peak), “Modelito,” with Mora (No. 42), and “La Ruta” with Arcangel (No. 45).

YOVNGCHIMI released his first studio album, Gangsta Grillz: Mvrda Gvng, with DJ Drama, in May.



De La Ghetto has forged a successful career on Billboard’s charts since the mid-2000s, but he’s now officially a Hot 100-charting artist for the first time, thanks to “Acho PR,” with Bad Bunny, Arcangel and Nengo Flow. The song debuts at No. 83 on the Hot 100 with 8 million U.S. streams earned in its first week of release. It also starts at No. 24 on Hot Latin Songs.

De La Ghetto first appeared on a Billboard chart in May 2006, when “Intro” with Naldo, Tommy Viera, Arcangel and Nengo Flow, debuted and peaked at No. 33 on Latin Rhythm Airplay. (Arcangel and De La Ghetto were billed as a duo at the time).

De La Ghetto has charted 15 tracks on Hot Latin Songs. Here’s a recap.

De La Ghetto’s Hot Latin Songs Chart History:
Yaga Y Mackie feat. Arcangel y De La Ghetto, “Aparentemente” (No. 42 peak, 2007)
De La Ghetto, “El Dificil” (No. 42, 2008)
De La Ghetto, “Tu Te Imaginas” (No. 33, 2009)
DJ Luian & Mambo Kingz Presentan: De La Ghetto – Arcangel x Ozuna x Anuel, “La Ocasion” (No. 21, 2016)
De La Ghetto, “Acercate” (No. 33, 2016)
Mueka feat. Cosculluela, J Balvin, Arcangel & De La Ghetto, “DM” (No. 33, 2017)
Arcangel x De La Ghetto, “Mas Que Ayer” (No. 41, 2017)
De La Ghetto, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna & Chris Jeday, “La Formula” (No. 23, 2017)
Sofia Reyes feat. Jason Derulo & De La Ghetto, “1, 2, 3” (No. 24, 2018)
Revol, J Balvin & Bad Bunny feat. Arcangel & De La Ghetto, “Dime” (No. 21, 2018)
De La Ghetto, Wisin & Maluma, “Todo El Amor” (No. 40, 2018)
Dalex, Arcangel, Manuel Turizo, De La Ghetto & Beele, “+Linda” (No. 43, 2020)
De La Ghetto & Rauw Alejandro, “Loco Por Perrearte” (No. 44, 2022)
Anuel AA, Jowel & Randy & De La Ghetto feat. Yailin La Mas Viral, “La Maquina” (No. 23, 2022)
Bad Bunny, Arcangel, De La Ghetto & Nengo Flow, “Acho PR” (No. 24, 2023)

The Bronx-born artist has also logged three titles on the Top Latin Albums chart: Masacre Musical (No. 46, 2008), Mi Movimiento (No. 5, 2018) and Los Chulitos (No. 17, 2020).

Myke Towers Plays This or That | Billboard

Myke Towers plays This or That with Billboard backstage at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2023.

Myke Towers
Myke Towers here.

Myke Towers
And I’m going to play This or That with my friends from Billboard.com.

Myke Towers
No, no, no just normal water…I don’t like it with flavor.

Myke Towers
Bachata.

Myke Towers
Al pastor.

Myke Towers
Darn! To watch: baseball and, for playing? Soccer.

Myke Towers
I don’t really like spicy to be honest. I can… I can tolerate it, but it’s better without spice.

Myke Towers
Empanadas, well they can be with shrimp or whatever, but they have to taste good.

Myke Towers
Red.

Myke Towers
It depends on the mood, but… mariachi.

Myke Towers
Mezcal is more trendy now, but tequila never fails, I’ll go with tequila. Whatever’s available at the moment, because if one runs out, we drink the other!