holiday
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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are bringing back ’80s hair this holiday season. The longtime pals and business partners, who own the UK soccer team Wrexham A.F.C. together, recreated two of Wham!’s most iconic cover arts on Monday (Dec. 18), in which Reynolds and McElhenney are dressed up as George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, respectively. […]
This Barbie is in the holiday spirit! The official Barbie Instagram page shared a teaser video on Monday (Dec. 18), in which Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson are seen in the studio with a Christmas tree in the background. The duo play around with the soundboard, working on what seems to be a festive version […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Gifting season is in full swing and as you hunt for last-minute gifts for your friends and family, Reneé Rapp paid […]
Festive music and movies are two sides of the same Christmas coin — both are absolutely crucial to fully celebrating the holiday season each year. Some musicians have tried out both mediums, with credits on both X-mas songs and films. Sometimes, stars will appear as themselves, while others test out their acting chops as fictional […]
Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor are unwrapping a brand-new music video for their festive Christmas duet “Wrap Me Up,” and Billboard is sharing an exclusive first look at the holly jolly clip. In the video, Fallon and Trainor are dressed in their best red-and-green outfits, as the Tonight Show host asks the pop star what […]
‘Tis the season of giving, and Jared Leto is making holiday shopping easier with his livestream to wrap up Billboard Live Shopping Week with talkshoplive, launching tonight at 7 p.m. ET. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman will be featuring new merch […]
We all know and love the Christmas classics, but you might need to find some extra room on your decorated mantel for some new holiday hits this year. On the latest episode of the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast (listen below), Katie & Keith are chatting about five brand-new Christmas songs for 2023: Cher‘s “DJ Play […]
It is time for the Hanukkah spirit, and everyone knows the world needs a little bit more light in this time of darkness and war. Those at the Nova Music Festival (who have spun shows for the people lost) are still managing to play music while everything is happening to help heal. I hope this diverse array of Hanukkah bangers can help people heal. Here are 18 songs: Eight candles on each menorah plus two shamash to light them. Eighteen means chai, and that means life.
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Artikal Sound System, “Eight Days of Hannukah”
This is a holiday album that crushes a reggae Hanukkah vibe. If the whole world had a reggae twist, we’d probably get along better. Kudos to the group for singing about the “Eight Days of Hannukah” on an album of mostly Christmas songs. It usually is the eight nights that get all the shine — but don’t forget the daytime.
Matisyahu, “Happy Hanukkah”
There’s nothing like Matisyahu – a man who has been rocking sold-out Hanukkah shows for years – doing a show during Hanukkah. He recently played his song “One Day” for 300,000 people in Washington, D.C. at the March for Israel, and will be at Chelsea Music Hall on Dec. 12.
Nissim Black and Kosha Dillz, “The Hanukkah Song 2.0”
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Remixing an old Adam Sandler song to make a new bop. The best part of this video is that it was recorded in Times Square on Thanksgiving and Hanukkah — Thanksgivukkah, which happened in 2013, occurs about once every gazillion years. The bop went so well that we remixed it last year with “The Hanukkah Song 3.0.”
The Maccabeats, “We’re Still Here”
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Nothing fights the evils of antisemitism like a solid men’s a cappella group — and the Maccabeats have returned with another Hanukkah banger. Here is their anthem, “We’re Still Here.”
Six13, “Era-Lution of Taylor Swift (Chanukah’s Version)”
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Taylor Swift has had a big year. I went to perform outside one of her concerts and nearly had to pay $100 for parking but was gifted entry thanks to my Wild ‘N Out fame. What would happen if she was covered by a Jewish a cappella group for Hanukkah? This. It features so many great rewrites — “they defiled the temple when they walked in” and “we don’t never ever ever use proper letters.” It’s so bad it’s good. I can’t stop watching it, and the outfit changes are just lovely.
Gal De Paz, “Bring Them Home”
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This powerful artist is like the Amy Winehouse of Israel. Gal, lead singer of the Paz Band, has an angelic voice and cries out for women’s rights. The video places tape on her mouth while a chorus sings a powerful and anthemic “bring them home” chant. It is a solemn one. It is moving.
A$AP Rocky ft. Fat Tony, “Get Lit”
I know this isn’t the typical Hanukkah song, but maybe a Rihanukkah song? How can you not include this 2011 bop where A$AP Rocky gets lit alongside Houston’s best friend and positive rap creator, Fat Tony? “Get Lit” is how we do the candles.
Stephane Legar, “סטפן לגר – אתם בלב”
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The French-Israel artist – who raps in French and Hebrew – shares his message over irresistible Afrobeats. You might be amazed by his mere existence, but you can tell by the video he is a star who deserves a spot on the menorah.
Remedy, “Never Again”
The original Jewish rapper of Wu-Tang Clan affiliation has recorded and produced many songs over the years, but the one that most resonates throughout the Jewish world is “Never Again.” One person wrote on his Instagram page, “This is the first song I listened to after October 7.” That reason deserves the shamash (lamplighter spot).
Ness & Stilla, “Harbu Darbu”
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Echad shtime! Fifty years ago, Leonard Cohen came to Israel to sing on the front lines. Hanukkah is a story of Jews fighting back in a war. This is almost like a version of that in trap and drill form — a paralyzed country reacting to what life is like when everyone you know is at war. The reason? Trauma. Anger. Fear. Strength. Depression. The result? A No. 1 song in Israel and a reshare from Mia Khalifa.
Blippi and Meekah, “Snow Globe Surprise” / The Kiboomers, “I Have a Little Dreidel”
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My friend Adam Swig of Value Culture showed me a children’s Hanukkah video I can’t get out of my psyche. These kids celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah in school – and this 60-minute video shows it all. The kids are having so much fun with “I Have a Little Dreidel.” Watch it above and smile.
Leonard Cohen, “Hallelujah”
This legend heard about the Yom Kippur War and managed to get to Israel to sing in 1973. It inspired me on my current trip where I recently went to perform for soldiers. There wasn’t much organization when he came to sing songs in Israel, but he felt in his heart that he should come and sing. In a time of chaos, this certainly hits the holiday spirit.
Adam Sandler, “The Chanukah Song”
In celebration of Adam’s film You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, where his character’s 13-year-old daughter has a bat mitzvah, I figure he can take the 13th spot for this playlist. Adam Sandler’s song will find its way onto every Hanukkah playlist, just as socks are given as presents during gift-giving holidays. Enjoy it with your gin and tonica.
Too Short, “The Hanukkah Song”
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We don’t need Kanye West when it comes to a Hanukkah rap song — we have Too Short. I met Too Short at a show and later on Wild ‘N Out. If anyone can pull off a hip-hop Hanukkah song, it’s him. “I’m frying latkes making a mess, time to make some gelt / I ate mom’s brisket, time to loosen my belt.” These are lyrics that make you feel empowered…to eat.
Haim, “Little of Your Love” / A-Wa, “Hana Mash Hu Al Yaman”
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Not every song has to be an ode to the menorah on this playlist. Here we have two sets of three sisters, all with the surname Haim. One sings in English, the other in old Yemenite. They both wear great outfits and I don’t think many have discovered the Hanukkah miracle that there are now six singing Haim sisters. Watch the American ones, then travel over to the other side of the globe and watch A-WA. Shout out to my Yemenite Jewish homies celebrating Hanukkah.
Lola Marsh & RedBand, “Feel It Still”
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I randomly saw Lola Marsh and tried to chase her down but then I went down a rabbit hole of her songs. I played a show with Portugal. The Man (one of my favorite bands) once and now that band is covered by Lola Marsh and RedBand. The worlds collide. “I’m a rebel just for kicks” certainly describes the Maccabees during Hanukkah.
Kosha Dillz, “Bring the Family Home”
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I usually do a Hanukkah song every year but this one has been different. A war. A world of problems and sadness and anger. Instead of making my Hanukkah song for Dec. 7, I made this song on Oct. 7, so I will throw it here to light to the menorah.
Gabriella Cohen, “Dream Woman”
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In times of conflict and war, they say women hold it down — and are certainly the most outspoken against hatred. Although that isn’t the topic here, this indie rock ballad has some important words.
I hope this is enough music to illuminate the darkness. If you didn’t find everything above, check out my long playlist of Jewish artists, rappers and bands. There are a “latke” songs to choose from.
Kosha Dillz is a Brooklyn-based rapper on MTV’s Wild ‘N Out and a touring performer who is also a standup comedian and filmmaker. He recently started a viral street interview series called “Bring the Family Home” on his Instagram and dropped a song called “Ceasefire.” He is currently in Israel looking for his father’s shoes that he left there and plans to bring them home. His holiday show is at TimeOut Market on Dec. 19 in Brooklyn.
In a way, 2023 was Demi Lovato‘s reset year. Across myriad projects spanning various genres and formats, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter spent the year flaunting both their versatility and their distinct star quality — two attributes that make their brand new Roku special, A Very Demi Holiday Special, an effortless winner.
They kicked off the year with “Still Alive,” an original song for the box office-topping Scream VI that earned them a best song nomination at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards. The single soon gave way to the promotional campaign for Revamped, a reclamatory endeavor that found Lovato re-recording their biggest pop hits in the rock-focused style of their recent music. Included on the album were rock-ified versions of Billboard Hot 100 hits such as “Sorry Not Sorry” (No. 6), “Heart Attack” (No. 10) and “Cool for the Summer” (No. 11), all of which were included in Lovato’s MTV VMAs performance, which Billboard ranked as the fourth best of the night.
At that ceremony, Lovato enjoyed a best pop nomination for “Swine,” a blistering protest song they released two days before the anniversary of the fall of Roe v. Wade. The track peaked at No. 12 on Alternative Digital Song Sales.
By September, Revamped — which also featured collaborations with Slash, The Maine, Nina Strauss and The Used’s Brett McCracken — became their ninth career entry on the Billboard 200 (No. 60), reaching the top 10 of Top Album Sales (No. 4), Top Rock Albums (No. 10) and Top Alternative Albums (No. 8) in the process. Nonetheless, the new projects didn’t stop there.
Outside of their own music, Lovato also found time to appear Le Sserafim’s K-pop-meets-Jersey-club “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife” remix and Luísa Sonza‘s Portuguese-language “Penhasco2,” both of which made the Billboard charts. They also released a cover of “Let Me Down Easy” from the Emmy-nominated Daisy Jones & the Six miniseries. Of course, the multi-hyphenate maintained their presence in the film and television arenas, appearing as Anonymouse on the kick-off show for the tenth season of The Masked Singer and guest-starring as herself in the third season of the FX comedy Dave.
Ready to wind down for the holidays and bask in her delightful new holiday special, Demi Lovato catches up with Billboard for a light-hearted conversation about family traditions, her upcoming Child Star documentary, a potential Christmas rock album and plans for new music next year.
Why was this the year for you to hop into your holiday bag and put on A Very Demi Holiday?
That’s a good question and I don’t really have an answer for it! [Laughs.] It just was an opportunity that presented itself and I had to take it because I love the holidays!
What’s your absolute favorite thing about the holidays?
I love getting to spend time with my family. I think that’s my favorite part of the holidays.
What are some family traditions that you guys hold near and dear to your hearts?
Sometimes we wear onesies on Christmas morning. Other times, we have s’mores on Christmas Eve, but those aren’t traditions we do every year. We do do this tradition where we come down the stairs and look at presents, and we’ve been doing that since I was a kid — just having my mom say, “Okay, it’s time for the presents!” and then all three sisters come down at the same time. It’s cute.
I remember you recounting those moments in the special. When it comes to getting into the Christmas spirit, what’s your personal favorite Christmas song and which performance in the special would be your top pick?
I’d say that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is probably my favorite Christmas song. My favorite song in the special would probably [also] be “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” because I got to do it with JoJo and we had a really great time performing together.
You guys have worked together previously. What was it like reuniting for a Christmas cover?
Oh, it was so great! She’s so sweet and funny and being able to work with her again was such a joy. She’s so talented. She’s such a powerhouse vocally and she’s incredible.
It’s always a treat to hear two vocalists like yourselves joining forces on a track. In terms of the music in the special, how did you guys decide which of your original non-holiday songs to include, and what was the aim of those arrangements?
You know, it wouldn’t really fit if I did a rock concert for a holiday special, although it depends on who you who you ask! [Laughs.] I wanted to have a different approach to it, so my band was different than my normal band and they were incredible. We had a really great time. I wanted it to feel more in line with the Christmas spirit, so that’s what I did!
Do you have plans for this to be a recurring special, or is this one-off thing for you?
I don’t know, we’ll have to wait and see! Wait until next year.
Between making ugly sweaters and learning the Nutcracker ballet, what was your favorite thing to really sink your teeth into and show out in front of the cameras?
I think making the meat cakes for my dog was one for the books. Paris and I had a really great time, and I would do anything for my dogs. So, getting to dress them up and see who liked the cake more was really cute.
Did you look to any past Christmas specials and concerts for inspiration for your own?
No, I didn’t. I just. I just kind of winged it! [Laughs].
What draws you to the holiday season? Why do you think that it’s such an inspiring time of the year for so many artists?
The holidays inspire so many people because there’s a lot of downtime, so there’s a lot of opportunity to be able to listen to what inspires you during downtime that you wouldn’t have normally throughout the rest of the year.
There is a segment in the special where you’re consoling this young lady whose grandmother had recently passed away and it was such a beautiful, sentimental scene. What was it like getting to involve fans in this project in such a special way?
Getting to involve my fans was really fun. It was great to be able to sing with them too, you know? We sang “Joy to the World,” and they seemed really enthusiastic. Getting to surprise my fans was really fun and gave me nerves. I had butterflies to tell each person, but it was fun!
At the very end of the special there’s this animated thing that comes across the screen and you do a voiceover where you’re talking about aliens and you’re like, “Bye, b—ches, I’m going to Mars!” Did you freestyle that?
Well, the holiday special was trying to show what it would look like if an alien came to Earth and saw what Christmas was like. It would be showing them how absurd Christmas is. How a jolly old man comes down the chimney to give gifts, and there’s a tree that we decorate, you know? So, that was kind of a through-line through the special and I don’t remember how that last line came about! Maybe I freestyled that, I’m not sure. [Laughs.]
So, for the fans that didn’t get to sing with you in the special, what can they expect from you musically come 2024?
Hopefully, I’ll have an album by then. I would love to put out new music. I’m kind of just always releasing new music, it feels like, because I’m always trying to top myself or do something that feels fulfilling in the moment. So, hopefully, I’ll have new music out or new music to release next year. But I’m also not putting any pressure on it.
Do you have any plans to officially release any of these holiday covers for fans to stream?
I don’t have any plans to do that, but maybe next year I’ll come out with a Christmas album or something!
Okay if we get a Christmas album, can we get some rock Christmas songs on there?
Yeah, that would be cool!
Outside of music next year, you’re also continuing to make some moves in the film world. You’re currently prepping your Child Star documentary, what are some updates you can give fans on that project?
I’m getting some really great people to participate in the film. I’m really excited about it and — nothing that I can share with you right now! — but it’s turning out great. I’m having some deep and meaningful conversations with people that obviously were child stars previously. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.
Okay, now it’s time for some “this or that,” holiday edition. Peppermint or Gingerbread?
Peppermint.
Eggnog or apple cider?
Eggnog!
This is the tricky one: “All I Want for Christmas Is You” or “Last Christmas?”
“All I Want for Christmas Is You!” [Laughs.]
What is on your Christmas playlist? What’s playing around your house as you countdown to the 25th?
This isn’t Christmassy at all, but I’ve become a really big fan of Lola Young. I’ve been listening to her album a lot.
When you look back on the year, what’s your favorite overall moment? What’s one moment that you’ll always remember from the making of A Very Demi Holiday?
I think my favorite moment this year — I mean professionally — I would say the VMAs performance was really fun for me. Yeah. also filming the “Swine” music video was really fun, getting to release the Revamped album was awesome. I think, personally, anytime I’ve been able to spend with my best friends, my boyfriend and my loved ones.
When it comes to the holidays, country artists are all about making music to fit any Christmas mood–whether you’re joyful, thankful, reverent, lonely or not all that into the holiday season. Just like the plethora of holiday activities that folks engage in each year — attending Christmas gatherings, caroling, baking Christmas cookies, attending a tree […]