Media

05 Sep 2024

Playboi Carti Accepts the Artist Of The Year Award | R&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2024

Playboi Carti accepts the Artist of The Year award from Billboard’s Deputy Editorial Director Damien Scott at Billboard’sR&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2024.

Damien Scott:

My name is Damien Scott. I am the Deputy Editorial Director at Billboard. I’ve been here for a year now. This is the first Power Players, Hip-Hop Power Players I’ve been involved with. And when we started to think about what exactly a Hip-Hop Power Player is, I think, to me, it was somebody who exhibits a special quality, right? Someone who is able to control the game, control the genre, someone who is in the embodiment of hip-hop, and hip-hop, to me, as it probably is to a lot of you, is young, brash, innovative and honest. And the person who is getting this award right now has blazed a trail that has influenced a number of younger artists. He’s released a number of amazing tracks this year, and on top of that, he knocked his first Billboard Hot 100 hit with “CARNIVAL” earlier this year, and put his name in the record books with Ye, Ty Dolla $ign, and Rich The Kid. He’s gone from one of the most promising and exciting rappers in the game to one of the most forward thinking CEOs and one of the of the most powerful, exciting labels that we have right now, in Opium. What’s even crazier is that he’s just getting started, and I’m a huge fan of his. I know he’s someone who makes people think about what rap is supposed to be, and to me, that’s exactly what a rapper is supposed to do. Make everybody think what the hell is going on right here? What am I listening to? Is this good? Is this bad? And the fact of the matter is that it’s great. And it’s my honor to introduce the 2024 R&B Hip Hop Power Player Artist of the Year to Mr. Playboi Carti.

Keep watching for more!

05 Sep 2024

Rich Homie Quan Dies at 33 | Billboard News

Rich Homie Quan died today at the age of 33. His friends have taken to social media to commemorate the rapper. Keep watching for the full story.

Tetris Kelly:

Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan has died at the age of 33. Quan, who reached No. 12 on the Hot 100 in 2013 with his hit “Type Of Way,” died Thursday, September 5th. The Fulton County medical examiner confirmed with Billboard, but the rapper’s cause of death remains unknown. Billboard has reached out to Quan’s manager for more information. Many of his peers took to social media to share their condolences. Boosie Badazz shared on X, “JUST TALKED TO YOU BRA #tipQUAN Never go forget yo smile n the way talked n of course yo music.”

Jacquees, Playboi Carti and Quavo all shared memories with their friend, the latter sharing a pic with Quan and Takeoff saying, “May God be with US never saw this being part of our journey.”

Our thoughts are with Quan’s friends, family, and fans.

05 Sep 2024

Travis Kelce’s Reps Slam Fake PR Plan for Taylor Swift Breakup | Billboard News

After a fake breakup plan for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift went viral, Kelce’s rep slammed and denied the faux plan. Keep watching to see if his team is deciding to take legal action.

Tetris Kelly:

Some Swifties may have thought Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may be breaking up. Here’s what we know. Taylor’s no stranger to the workings of the rumor mill, and the latest fan speculation is that she and Travis may be on the rocks. The rumors stem from photos initially posted to Reddit. The viral pics seem to show a document of a PR strategy on Full Scope PR letterhead, the agency that reps Travis, outlining a plan for the couple, should they break up, and how they are to handle Travis’ image following the news. The documents contain key messages and media strategy, including an official statement, planned media interviews and social media management. 

Full Scope PR denies the legitimacy of the viral documents in a statement to E! News, saying, “These documents are entirely false and fabricated and were not created, issued or authorized by this agency.” 

His agency also told People magazine they’re in contact with Reddit’s legal team “to initiate proceedings against the individuals or entities responsible for the unlawful and injurious forgery of documents.”

Billboard has reached out to Full Scope and Taylor’s team for comment.

05 Sep 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Stuns in New Pepsi NFL Ad | Billboard News

Megan Thee Stallion stars in a new ad for Pepsi promoting the first NFL game of the season. Keep watching to see some of our favorite moments!

Tetris Kelly:

Megan Thee Stallion has rocked our world. She stuns in a new Pepsi ad and we’re breaking down our favorite moments, and our favorite throwback that inspired it. Let’s dive in. The ad also features Meg running a Roman competition with four of your favorite NFL players, including Travis Kelce. But of course, Thee Stallion had to put her own twist on the Queen Classic, “We Will Rock You.” And I mean, can anybody enter a field like this? Well maybe some can? The ad hits the nostalgia button referencing a former ad of Britney Spears, P!NK and Beyonce. How do you feel about the ad? Let us know in the comments.

05 Sep 2024

Zara Larsson & Clean Bandit’s ‘Symphony’ Makes Waves on TikTok Billboard Top 50 | Billboard News

Can Sabrina Carpenter or Billie Eilish take over Zara Larsson and Clean Bandit’s reign at No. 1 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50? Keep watching to find out!

Tetris Kelly:
Zara Larsson and Clean Bandit continue their reign, while Billie EIlish and Sabrina Carpenter make multiple appearances on the chart. “Symphony” stays in the top spot on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for the chart posting Sept. 5, and Zara’s got a great question about its success. 

Zara Larsson:
Do you think Beyoncé knows about me? It’s not impossible. It’s not impossible that she knows about the dolphins. Blue’s on TikTok scrolling and she’s like, “What the f–k is that? That’s a weird trend.”

Tetris Kelly:
Two other girls in pop are making their mark on the chart this week. Sabrina Carpenter rises nine to three with “Taste.” It’s one of three songs off her new album, Short ‘n Sweet, on this week’s chart. “Bed Chem” debuts at No. 18, while “Please Please Please” stays at 36, spending a 13th week on the chart.

Then there’s Billie Eilish. “Wildflower” grows to seven thanks to a trend where users ask how they earn aura points, and “Birds of a Feather” returns to round out the top 10.

Every Thursday, Billboard will bring you the verified list of the hottest songs on TikTok by monitoring music discovery and engagement on the platform in the United States. To find the TikTok Billboard Top 50 each week, users can simply go to any sound detail page and tap the top right button to access the charts page.

05 Sep 2024

Mike Will Made-It Shares 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Kendrick Lamar’s ‘DNA’ | Billboard

Mike Will Made-It shares five fun facts about Kendrick Lamar’s “DNA” and his album Damn. Keep watching to see what they are!

Mike Will Made-It: 
Hey, yo. It’s Mike Will Made-It, and these are five things you don’t know about “DNA.”

No. 1: I wrote that song, OK. I’m playing with you. Y’all didn’t know I made that in Swae Lee’s backyard. They had this little shed. I don’t know what that shed was for, you know what I’m saying, because it was real small, but we used to have, like, a little setup in there. When I made that beat, I was just thinking, like, man, this would be like a big performance record, like, Beyoncé, or, like, somebody big could do this, and whoever do arenas or stadiums. I never sent it to them. I only sent it to Kendrick. He ended up hearing the beat and liking the beat.

Another thing you probably didn’t know that me and Kendrick were already cool for seven years, but we just never had a song. We never landed a song. Probably gave him 1,000 beats before. I gave him beats for Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, To Pimp a Butterfly and then Damn. It’s, like, he ended up calling me and told me, like, “Yo, I’ve been going in.” He sent me, like, a little snippet video. “I’m like, damn bro, I’m about to be in L.A. in like, a week. Like, Imma pull up on you,” and he’s, like, “Call me when you get there.” So I came to the studio, and then he let me hear “Humble,” he let me hear “DNA.” He let me hear “XXX.” 

Keep watching for more!

04 Sep 2024

Ranking Beyoncé’s Top 5 Songs | Billboard News

In honor of Beyoncé’s 43rd birthday today, we take you through her Billboard hits and rank them. Leave your favorite song in the comments below!

Tetris Kelly:

Happy birthday Queen Bey! It’s Beyoncé’s 43rd birthday and Billboard is celebrating by counting down her Top 5 biggest Hot 100 Hits. Starting off at No. 5 is one of Beyoncé’s most iconic songs “SIngle Ladies (Put A Ring On It).” The song peaked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2008 and stayed there for four weeks. No. 4 helped spawn some of Beyoncé’s most iconic music video fits, 2005’s “Check On It.” The song peaked at No. 1 in 2006 on the Hot 100 and it stayed there for four weeks. At No. 3 is one of Beyoncé’s most well known songs, “Crazy In Love” featuring Jay-Z. The song peaked at No. 1 in 2003 and stayed there for eight weeks. At No. 2 is one of Beyoncé’s longest running No. 1’s “Baby Boy” featuring Sean Paul. The song peaked at No. 1 in 2003 where it stayed for nine weeks. The song peaked at No. 1 in 2006 and it stayed there for 10 weeks. What is your favorite Beyoncé song, share it in the comments down below. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button on YouTube and ring the bell to be notified on all our latest videos. 

04 Sep 2024

Katy Perry Speaks Out on Working With Dr. Luke | Billboard News

Katy Perry went on the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast and spoke out on why she worked with Dr. Luke on “Woman’s World” and her new album, ‘143.’ Keep watching to find out why!

Katy Perry:

Look, I understand that it started a lot of conversations and he was one of many collaborators that I collaborated with but the reality is it comes from me.

Tetris Kelly:

Katy Perry answered the question many fans have asked since she dropped “Woman’s World” and they saw who was credited as a writer and a producer on the track. 

Katy Perry:

I know a lot of people expressed a lot of disappointment and were upset that you chose to involve Dr. Luke on this album. Why did you choose to work with him? The truth is I wrote these songs from my experience of my whole life going through this metamorphosis. 

Tetris Kelly:

Most of the flack Katy received was because she chose to work with Dr. Luke on at least five tracks off her new album, ‘143,’ after Kesha brought a sexual assault lawsuit against the producer back in 2014, which he denied and counter sued for defamation. They ended up settling outside of court in 2023. 

Katy Perry:

He was one of the people to help facilitate that; one of the writers, one of the producers. 

Tetris Kelly:

While Katy didn’t say why she chose to work with Luke specifically on the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast, she ended her statement with this: 

Katy Perry:

I created this with several different collaborators. People that I’ve collaborated with in the past; ‘Teenage Dream’ era. All of that.

04 Sep 2024

Taylor Swift Appears in NFL Ad & Creates Plays for Kansas City Chiefs | Billboard News

NFL season is coming soon, and Taylor Swift is all the rage for football. The NFL just dropped an ad featuring Taylor, and she’s also cooking up some plays for Travis Kelce’s team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Keep watching to see the ad!

Tetris Kelly:
Is it football season or Swiftie season? The NFL just dropped their new ad, and Taylor Swift is featured more than any other player. How many times? Let’s discuss. It’s no secret Tay is dating Kansas City player Travis Kelce and was featured in a lot of games last season, including the Super Bowl. Well, gear up for more as we check out the NFL’s new ad for the 2024 and 2025 season. The Eras Tour singer pops up at least five times in the 30-second video previewing the upcoming football season, more than any player. And though she technically has nothing to do with football, her boo says she’s gotten so into it that she’s even writing plays for the team.

Do you think the ad has too much Tay? Never! Be sure let us know in the comments.

04 Sep 2024

Jessie Murph Talks Jelly Roll Collab, Amy Winehouse Inspiration on New Album | Billboard News

Jessie Murph’s That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil comes out this Friday, and the singer shares her Amy WInehouse inspo for her new music. She also talks about her collab with Jelly Roll on “Wild Ones,” her Sexyy Red pre-show ritual and more!

Jessie Murph:
I just hope they’re … they can feel, like, the emotion behind it, because there’s a lot of emotion behind it. I’d say it’s like the first one … of the first times I’ve, like, fully come into my artistry.

Hey, y’all, it’s Jessie Murph, and you’re watching Billboard News.

I’d say it’s my most authentic music yet. It’s definitely, like, straight from the soul. Like, everything I’m saying is stuff that I, like, went through and just felt like I needed to get out ’cause there’s a lot of, like, anger, there’s a lot of sadness, there’s a lot of different emotions in there. But I don’t know, this album was such a process of, like, healing for me personally, but sonically, it’s a little different from all my other stuff. A lot of it was, like, more inspired by Amy Winehouse. I think I’ve always just like resonated with her, like, lyrically, and I think her voice has so much like soul in it. This project, not even, like, specifically by Amy Winehouse, I think, like, soul in general has been really inspiring to me lately. But yeah, and hers is, like soul, but it’s, like, darker. And I really love that.

Probably this one quote, “I Hope It Hurts.” The vocals are really big. It’s super soulful and just a very, like, painful song. And I love it.

So much fun. Best dude I’ve ever met, seriously, such a good guy.