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Muni Long extends her hitmaking run on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart (dated April 19) as “Superpowers” climbs one spot to reach No. 1 on the radio ranking. The single ascends after its 1% gain in weekly plays made it the most-played song on U.S. panel-contributing adult R&B radio stations in the tracking week of April 4-10, according to Luminate.
As “Superpowers” asserts its supremacy, it replaces Chris Brown’s “Residuals” after a two-week stint. The former champ slides to No. 2 with an 8% decline in plays for the week.
Thanks to “Superpowers,” Muni Long achieves her third No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay, after “Make Me Forget,” a one-week leader in August 2024, and “Ruined Me,” which logged two weeks on top last November.
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Further, with all three singles from her Revenge album, the set is the first to produce a trio of champs since Tank’s R&B Money launched three leaders in 2021-2022 from its standard edition – “Can’t Let It Show,” “I Deserve,” and “Slow,” featuring J. Valentine – and another from its 2024 deluxe reissue, “See Through Love,” featuring Chris Brown.
Among albums by women, Revenge becomes just the third set with three No. 1s in the 31-year history of the Adult R&B Airplay chart. It joins Toni Braxton’s self-titled debut, which spawned four leaders, “Another Sad Love Song,” “Breathe Again,” “Seven Whole Days” and “You Mean the World to Me” in 1993-94, and Alicia Keys’ The Diary of Alicia Keys, which sent “You Don’t Know My Name,” “If I Ain’t Got You” and “Diary,” feat. Tony! Toni! Tone! to the summit in 2004.
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Elsewhere, “Superpowers” slips 14-13, dropping one rung from its peak, on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, which ranks songs by combined audience totals from adult R&B and mainstream R&B/hip-hop stations. There, the track registered 7 million in audience for the week, down 3% from the prior week’s total.
Beyond its radio results, “Superpowers” debuts at No. 25 on Hot R&B Songs, a multi-metric chart that combines radio airplay with streaming and sales data for its rankings. The arrival gives Muni Long her 12th entry on the list, a count that includes three top 10s: the three-week No. 1 “Hrs and Hrs” in 2022, and a pair of 2024 hits, “Made for Me” (No. 2) and “Ruined Me” (No. 10).
Amaarae is entering her BLACK STAR era, and the singer shares her excitement about previewing new music, her history-making Coachella performance, the differences between weekend one and two, touring with Sabrina Carpenter and Childish Gambino, her thoughts on women owning their sexuality in the music industry and more!
Are you excited for BLACK STAR? Let us know in the comments below!
Tetris Kelly:From the desert. Miss Fountain Baby, Amaarae. What’s up, girl?
Amaarae:
I’m good, I’m good, I’m good. It’s BLACK STAR now, it’s ‘BLACK STAR now. We’re getting ready for album mode. So, you know.
We know you’re getting ready for album mode because you were out there at the desert just dropping new music. So how did it feel to, like, release new stuff on such a great stage?
Man, it was incredible. I think the crowd responded really well. I’m excited to drop the new music. I’m excited for this new chapter. And it was insane. It was insane. Like the energy was nuts.
And how do you even prepare for something like Coachella?
You don’t prepare for Coachella. Coachella prepares for you. No, I feel like you just have to lock in mentally. Like, I’m not even kidding. There’s so many moving parts for the show. And I think, like, at some point I had to melt down a little bit.
Yeah, because, like do you get nervous? How do you, like, how do you handle your nerves?
I think it just gets to a point where it’s like, you have to end up on that stage, and you have to give the people a show. And I think for a stage this big and just kind of, like, this prominent, you I can’t, like, lose, you know, I can’t afford to lose. So it’s just lock that mind in and we just go. We just go.
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This week, Billboard is publishing a series of lists and articles celebrating the music of 20 years ago. Our 2005 Week continues here with a look back at the Billboard Hot 100 chart’s top songs from that year, to go with the list of staff favorites our editorial team published earlier this week.
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Fifteen years into her Billboard chart career, Mariah Carey was still achieving firsts.
In 2005, the superstar’s smash “We Belong Together” spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, between that June and September, and went on to top the year-end survey – Carey’s first title to rule the annual recap.
Carey had dominated the 1990s like no act in any previous decade, becoming the first artist to lead the Hot 100 in every year of a decade (1990-99; she expanded her record chart-topping streak to 11 years, through 2000). By 2005, she was back in familiar triumphant territory thanks to the sultry second single from her album The Emancipation of Mimi. The set debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in April 2005 and logged 74 weeks on the chart, the most for an album of hers since Daydream a decade earlier.
“My real fans have always been with me through great times and not-so-great times,” Carey shared in the 2005 year-end Billboard print issue. “That’s why I think we have a really close, special connection.”
Carey’s command was just one of the highlights on the 2005 year-end Hot 100. Elsewhere, 50 Cent boasts four entries in the top 20; Carrie Underwood places with her American Idol coronation ballad, “Inside Your Heaven”; and hits dot the ranking from the debut solo albums from No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani and Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas.
As Billboard celebrates 2005 Week, revisit the 2005 year-end Hot 100 chart, as originally revealed in the Dec. 24, 2005, publication. The recap is based on performance on the weekly Hot 100 charts dated Dec. 4, 2004, through Nov. 26, 2005. (You can also check out every year-end Hot 100 Songs chart since 2006 here.)
“Give Me That,” Webbie feat. Bun B
This is partner content. Victoria Monét gives fans a glimpse at the making of her look for Billboard Women in Music 2025 with some help from Sol de Janeiro. See below for a list of products used during filming. Victoria Monét: What’s up, you guys? It’s your girl Victoria Monét here. Come get ready with […]
TLC’s story is heading to the stage. Bill Diggins’ Diggit Theatrical Group is producing a musical about the beloved Grammy-winning trio that will premiere in 2026.
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CrazySexyCool – The Musical will tell the “mostly true” story of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, as they formed TLC and broke barriers as women in the music industry. Diggins is producing the musical, with Stephen Gabriel serving as executive producer.
Kwame Kwei-Armah (One Love: The Bob Marley Musical) wrote and directed the piece, while Chloe O. Davis created the powerful choreography to some of TLC’s biggest hits that will be featured in the musical, including “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg,” “Waterfalls,” “Creep,” “Unpretty,” and “No Scrubs.”
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“TLC completely changed the game,” Diggins said in a press statement. “Their music gave a voice to women everywhere, empowering them to be confident and unapologetic. But this isn’t just a story about the music; it’s about the sisterhood between these women and what kept them together through both unimaginable challenges and chart-topping success.”
T-Boz added, “Bringing this story to the stage is a dream come true. We have performed in a lot of different venues all over the world throughout our career, but bringing our story and music to the theater is a totally new and exciting challenge.”
Chilli agreed, noting, “We have some of the best people in the business working on this project. Audiences will get to hear our story – mostly fact with a sprinkle of fiction – told in our own way, and of course it’s set to all your favorite hits!”
CrazySexyCool – The Musical will host its world premiere at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, in June 2026 for eight weeks as part of the venue’s 75th anniversary season. For more information on the show, check out its official website here.
The MATI Festival and Conference is returning for its fifth edition in St. Louis, Missouri later this year, organizers announced on Tuesday (April 15). Taking place Sept. 12-14 in the Grand Center Arts District, the festival — which is leaning into the acronym for Music at the Intersection — will feature over 100 performances and presentations across three main stages and several nearby venues.
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This year’s headliners include rapper-actor Common with Pete Rock, R&B icon Patti LaBelle, hip-hop influencers De La Soul, jazz composer Branford Marsalis, recent Grammy winner Lucky Daye and neo-soul singer-songwriter Leon Thomas. Local trumpeter Keyon Harrold returns as MATI’s artist-in-residence, while Pedrito Martinez joins as the artist-at-large, performing across multiple sets.
With a new format and identity focused on celebrating “St. Louis Made” music, MATI honors the city’s heritage rooted in blues (the National Blues Museum is down the street), jazz, soul, R&B and more, alongside artists from culturally connected regions like the Caribbean and Mississippi Delta. Local artists such as Ryan Trey, The Baylor Project, Marquise Knox and Weedie Braimah will feature prominently.
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MATI’s footprint has also been tinkered with to provide a barrier-free experience, replacing a stage on Washington Avenue with food trucks, street performers and other family-friendly activities. Three main stages—The Big Top, Field Stage and The Sovereign —will host the headliners, while a new “MATI Places” initiative will activate adjecent indoor venues with acts, DJ sets, poetry slams, workshops, panels and keynotes, with the conference portion now spanning the full weekend.
Passes go on sale April 18 here, with weekend passes priced at $150. Special MATI Places-specific day passes will be available this summer.
Presented by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, MATI is supported by the Steward Family Foundation and Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis.
“If you’ve been to MATI, you can feel that it’s special,” said Chris Hansen, executive director of Kranzberg Arts Foundation. “It’s a microcosm of the city: all ages, races, ethnicities. No neighborhood divides. People who can afford tickets and people who can’t. All joyous. All together in the streets of Grand Center. We want to keep MATI a true, representative community experience.”
The lineup includes Common & Pete Rock, Patti LaBelle, Lucky Daye, Leon Thomas, De La Soul, Branford Marsalis, John Medeski’s Mad Skillet, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The S.O.S. Band, The Budos Band, Leela James, Arooj Aftab, The Baylor Project, The Womack Sisters, Coco & Breezy, Pedrito Martinez, Keyon Harrold, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Pirulo Y La Tribu, Butcher Brown, Marquise Knox with Funky Brass Band, Brothers Lazaroff Super Friends, Weedie Braimah & The Hands of Time and more.
The first weekend of Coachella 2025 featured some of the hottest stars, including JENNIE, LISA and Cardi B. Tyla brought out Becky G for her set, Lady Gaga delivered a monster performance, and Megan Thee Stallion surprised the crowd by bringing out Ciara, and more! Keep watching to catch everything you missed at Coachella! Who […]
GloRilla, Summer Walker, Muni Long, Maxwell and Boyz II Men are among the first wave of contemporary stars and legends announced for the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture. Presented by Coca-Cola, the annual music and lifestyle event will take place July 4-6 in New Orleans. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, […]
Leon Thomas earned his first-ever Billboard Hot 100 entry with his sensual breakthrough hit, “Mutt.” The track peaked at No. 21 on the all-genre tally and received a viral remix from Chris Brown.
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“There [are] sides to me that I haven’t shown the world yet, so I’m spoon-feeding them,” Thomas told Billboard recently. “You need to hide the medicine in the candy. This deluxe is me stepping deeper into my purpose.”
Below, find the lyrics to Leon Thomas’ “Mutt,” as well as the lyrics to the Chris Brown remix.
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She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?”I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt”She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?”I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt”I’m a dog, I’m a mutt
I can’t smoke on reggie, so pardon my bluntnessI see past pretty faces so I got trouble trusting
But I’ll let my guard down for youSaid I’ll put my guard down for youSaid I’ll be vulnerableSo you can break my heart if you want to
She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?”I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt”She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?”I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt”I’m a dog, I’m a mutt
New crib, told her, “Come through,” it’s time to break it inThirty-two like my pants size ’cause them niggas tried breaking inNew condo, say your name at the frontYou can stay if you wantIt’s been one of those nights, one of those nights I ain’t had in a minuteIt’s been a minute, had to pop a shroom to recreate the feelingBut it’s never the same as the first time we did itFirst time we did it
But I’ll let my guard down for you (for you)Said I’ll put my guard down for youSaid I’ll be vulnerableSo you can break my heart if you want to
She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?”(Take your time, what’s the rush?)I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt”She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?” (The rush)I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt”I’m a dog, I’m a mutt
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFindWRITERSLeon Thomas, Lazaro Camejo, David Kenneth Phelps, Robert GueringerPUBLISHERSLyrics © ROB GUERINGER MUSIC GROUP LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?” (Oh)I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt”She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?” OhI said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt”I’m a dog, I’m a mutt
I can’t smoke on Reggie, so pardon my bluntnessI see past pretty faces, so I got trouble trusting
But I’ll let my guard down for youSaid I’ll put my guard down for youSaid I’ll be vulnerableSo you can break my heart if you want to
She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?”I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt” (hey)She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?” (Ooh)I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt” (yeah)I’m a dog, I’m a mutt (oh)
How can I take it easy, babe?With the way you do that thing I likeKeep on grabbin’ on my chainsYou’re comin’ home with me tonightBaby, I’m a different breedAnd not your typicalOh, I love it when you make me chaseMight just listen when you tell me stayThis ain’t no temporary feeling (temporary feeling)The way that body talkI’m lovin’ what I’m hearin’ (oh)You don’t gotta say anythingWe can take our time, what’s the rush?You can bring a friend, girl, I don’t judgeYou know I’m a freak, got me tryna eat it upShawty, I’m a trick, I’ll get you what you wantWith them other girls, ain’t no trustSaid I only let my guard down for youSo you can break my heart if you want to, girl
She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?” (Take your time, what’s the rush?)I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt” (I’m)She said, “Take your time, what’s the rush?” (The rush, ooh)I said, “Baby, I’m a dog, I’m a mutt” (ooh)I’m a dog, I’m a mutt (mutt, oh, oh)
Oh, yeahOoh, yeahOh
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFindWRITERSChristopher Brown, D. Phelps, Dana Portalatin, Ell Trent, Freaky Rob, Lazaro Andres Camejo, Leon Thomas, Mariah Martinez, Ryan PressPUBLISHERSLyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
With Coachella dominating the cultural conversation over the weekend, festival season is in full bloom. During Weekend One (April 11-13), the iconic Cali festival featured showstopping performances from Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla, Missy Elliott, Mustard, Shoreline Mafia, T-Pain, Three 6 Mafia, Glorilla, 4batz, Thee Sacred Souls, Tink, Ty Dolla $ign, Rema, Amaarae, BigXthaPlug, Muni Long and Travis Scott — who mounted a fantasy world with his headlining set, which included a mash-up of his own “Modern Jam” and Drake’s “Nokia.”
Outside of Coachella, live music remained the center of conversation in hip-hop and R&B. On Thursday (April 10), Mary J. Blige played her first solo headlining show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, featuring opening sets from Mario and Ne-Yo, and guest appearances by Fabolous, Jadakiss and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. The following day (April 11), dancehall legend Vybz Kartel played his first U.S. shows in over 20 years with his first of two sold-out Barclays Center dates in Brooklyn, N.Y. Like Blige, Kartel brought out several guests, including Spice, Rvssian, Blak Ryno, Jah Vinci and Busta Rhymes. Over at the Blue Note, Saba hosted a six-show mini-residency in support of his latest project, From the Private Collection of Saba and No ID.
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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from kwn’s newest bedroom banger to Saint Lamaar’s smooth Lizzen remix. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: kwn, “Do What I Say”
Billboard‘s R&B Rookie of the Month for March has unleashed her first solo single of 2025 following successful team-ups with Kehlani (“Worst Behaviour”) and Jordan Adetunji (“Too Many Women”). On the self-written and produced track, kwn further leans into the sensual, dominant lane she’s established with her releases over the past few years. “Paint your nails the way I like ’em/ Uh-huh, s–t/ I might paint mine too/ ‘Cause I know a place I can hide ‘em/ And it’s inside you, ohhh,” she croons in the disarming first verse, immediately pulling her audience into the bedroom making each of them her subjects. With her glossy vocals gliding across the track’s hip-hop percussion and vibrant guitar riffs makes for a smart extension to the colors and sounds she dabbled in on 2022’s Episode Wn EP. — KYLE DENIS
Lihtz, “Margaritas”
This joint is way different than the funny and creative “Simple Souls” pop song Lihtz dropped a few weeks back, but it shows off the Philly artist’s versatility. He’s switching in and out of flows on “Margaritas” just as he switches in and out of genres. I feel like Lihtz is gonna be someone to pay attention to this summer. — ANGEL DIAZ
Jastin Martin, “Again – ’24 (Extended)”
Jatin Martin’s elongated version of fan favorite “Again” is filled with emotional, unpacking the mental exhaustion of loving someone who keeps letting you down. Over a moody, guitar-laced beat, she paints a portrait of repeated heartbreak, singing, “Why did you come ’round again/ Just to let me down again.” But, there’s now a newfound strength in Jastin as she admits the cycle has changed her, saying she turned “to a savage” to protect her peace. By the end, she draws a hard line: “Nah, I’m straight homie,” she declares — setting a boundary and reclaiming her power. This track is a slow-burning, late-night anthem for anyone who’s ever had to choose themselves to finally break free from a relationship they knew was no good. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
Sabrina Claudio, “Before It’s Too Late”
Sabrina Claudio kicked off 2025 with the tender “Need U to Need Me” in March, and she returned with the airy “Before It’s Too Late” on Friday (April 11). Time is the resource we’re all looking to somehow find more of, but it just can’t be bought. Claudio harps on the relatable topic, whether it’s a significant other, parent, or friend, everyone worries about not making the most of what we have left. The R&B singer-songwriter’s dreamy vocals provide a warm blanket to the electronic guitar riff, which is accompanied by a cinematic visual capturing a romantic getaway ride into the countryside. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
4batz, “n da morning”
4batz’s “n da morning” plays like a hazy love spell with equal parts bedroom confession and emotional affirmation. Anchored by the recurring line “In the morning, when you wake, girl I be on it,” the track exudes intimacy, trust, and an all-consuming pull to devotion. When 4batz sings “we locked in,” it’s a quiet declaration of loyalty — no outside noise, just a bond that stretches from dusk to dawn. “n da morning” is a soft track for anyone wrapped up in something that feels deeper than just the night before and the night ahead. — C.C.
YL & Subjxct 5, “Bobyahead2dis”
From the upcoming tape RRR & 2oo4 Presents…Only Ones Taxin and produced by Jersey producer Subjxct 5, “Bobyahead2dis” features NYC’s own and RRR co-founder YL raps about trying to make it in the city that never sleeps during these trying times. If the rest of the tape sounds like its lead single, then you should have no problem putting this in your summer rotation. — A.D.
Lizzen & Saint Lamaar, “Sweet Thing (Work It Out) [Remix]”
Just a short while after breaking through with “Buss At You,” rising R&B star Saint Lamaar slides on the remix for Lizzen’s “Sweet Thing.” “I think I sent you love/ Girl, let me pick you up/ You look so good, don’t make no sense, that s–t ridiculous/ I’ll be the shoulder you can cry on, tell your issues, love,” he croons in his verse, perfectly matching the lovey-dovey energy Lizzen exudes on the original cut. His slightly hoarse, charismatic tone pairs well with soulful timbre, making for a duet that recalls the rugged sheen of early-’00s hip-hop and R&B collaborations. – K.D.
Annie Tracy, “To Love and Be Loved”
Annie Tracy’s “To Love and Be Loved” is a glowing ode to the kind of love “where all your troubles melt away.” From the very first few lines — “These words they won’t come out” — Tracy captures that overwhelmed, heart-on-fire feeling of trying to describe something too big for language. But even without the perfect words, the emotion radiates through. The track moves from hushed vulnerability to full-on celebration, soundtracking both the stillness of being understood and the joy of nights spent dancing, laughing, and getting lost in each other’s company. — C.C.