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04 Sep 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Tests Her Anime Knowledge With Trivia | Billboard Cover

Billboard cover star Megan Thee Stallion steps up to the challenge as she tests her anime knowledge with a trivia session. Discover if she truly is a die-hard anime enthusiast on this exciting journey to see if Megan knows her stuff when it comes to the world of anime!

Megan Thee Stallion:

Who made up these questions? These are hard a** questions. My anime knowledge is a little ratchet. I’m giving y’all the ratchet remix. What’s up? It’s ya  Megan Thee Stallion, aka the Hot Girl Coach and I am testing my anime knowledge with Billboard. What is the name of Gojo’s ability to stop/slow things down. Is it Infinity? Period. What is the reason Yuji’s grandfather wants him to use his gifts to save others? Something about… Something about being surrounded by people. To die surrounded by people. Period! Who is Gojo’s best friend? Is it not me? Geto! Come on b*tch I knew the answer sh*t. Y’all put me on a spot? What is Asta’s magic power? So Asta don’t even have powers for real. He got anti-magic, but he don’t never give up. Oh period! How old was Jonathan at the beginning of Phantom? He was… He was 12. Kai Chisaki has a Quirk known as Overhaul. What does this quirk allow him to do? Take sh*t apart and put it back together. Who runs the infirmary at UA high? Recovery girl. What country does ‘My Hero Academia’ take place? Uh, Japan. Inuyasha. What’s the name of the second movie? Inuyasha don’t hate me, but I ain’t watching none of them movies. I’m so sorry. Who trapped Inuyasha on the tree  the tree with the sacred arrow? Kikyo. How many times did Grisha get married?

03 Sep 2024

Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake & Beyond: Who Should Star in the Britney Biopic?

After Britney Spears‘ former assistant suggested that Emma Roberts should star in the upcoming Britney biopic, the actress called it her “true dream” to play the pop princess. Well, Billboard also picked our dream cast for the biopic, and (sorry to Emma), we have a different Britney in mind: Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are discussing all the possibilities for the film based on Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me, set to be helmed by Wicked director Jon M. Chu. Who should join Spears in the ultimate early 2000s pop power couple as Justin Timberlake? Who should play Britney’s mom, dad and sister? Revisit our Britney biopic dream cast here, and listen to the full podcast below:

Trending on Billboard

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Sabrina Carpenter achieves her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with the debut of Short n’ Sweet and how all 12 of the album’s songs are on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including three in the top four. Plus, Travis Scott’s 2014 mixtape makes its chart debut following its first official release, as the set opens at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Also, how Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen, wraps up the summer season as Billboard’s official song of the summer.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

03 Sep 2024

JHAYCO Talks ‘Le Clique: Vida Rockstar (X),’ Peso Pluma Performance & Collab | Billboard News

JHAYCO has created several viral hits, from “Dakiti” to “No Me Conoce,” and now the Latin star is releasing his third studio album. JHAYCO talks how ‘Le Clique: Vida Rockstar (X)’ is inspired by his childhood, the different themes the album plays into, his performance and collaboration with Peso Pluma more!

Isabela Raygoza: Welcome to Beat by Beat, the Billboard interview. I’m Isabela Raygoza and I’m here with Jhayco. How are you?

Jhayco: Good, good. Happy.

Very happy to have you here in New York. You are about to release a fire album ‘cause I had a preview to listen to. So let’s talk about it. ‘Le Clique: Vida Rockstar (X).’ Exactly. Well, first of all, it’s your first album in three years since ‘Timelezz.’ 

Yes, I was working on this album which took a lot of time, effort and love. And I’m very excited that my fans and the public will get to listen to what I’ve been working on for three years. 

Oh, that must be really exciting. And I love the colors that you have in it, you know the sonic transitions also. What’s the story behind it?

Yeah, so I have this phrase that says “Le Clique is the family, Rockstar life is the movement.” So basically, rockstar life is my movement and Le Clique is like my crew, you know? My company that I will be working with talents in the future and all that. So you know, it’s just my new step in my career, you know? A new chapter, so I felt like it was crucial to present this to the world and what’s better than putting it as a name?

Amazing. And the album does arrive at a new stage in your career, so what does it mean to you just professionally and personally? 

Keep watching to learn more!

03 Sep 2024

Who Takes No. 1 as Billboard’s 2024 Song of the Summer? | Billboard News

The summer was full of back-to-back hits, but who took home the crown of Billboard’s 2024 Song of the Summer? Keep watching to find out!

Tetris Kelly:

The song of the summer has been crowned. Can you guess what it is? We’re breaking down your top five right now. Tommy Richman seemed to come out of nowhere with a song you couldn’t escape during the summer of 2024, “Million Dollar Baby,” which is why it’s at No. 5. At No. 4 is a girl who works late ‘cause she’s a singer. “Espresso” catapulted Sabrina Carpenter to chart superstardom, which she followed with another song of the summer track. Next up, a battle of hip-hop. After a lot of back-and-forth between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, KDot dropped a track that became so big, he performed it six times at one show. And sometimes you gotta look to the past to see the future. After being featured on Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter,’ Shaboozey samples J-Kwon’s 2004 hit “Tipsy” for our No. 2 song on this list, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” And a song so big it needs two superstars: Post Malone and Morgan Wallen spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with our 2024 song of the summer, “I Had Some Help.” For the full list, head to billboard.com.

03 Sep 2024

Musicians Who Said ‘No’ to Trump | Billboard News

Donald Trump has been shut down by various musicians from using their music. Keep watching to see who has turned him down and their reactions.

Tetris Kelly:

Rihanna, Adele, Beyoncé, Celine Dion — what do they all have in common? They have said no to Donald Trump using their music. Here’s a list of musicians who have said no to the Trump campaign.

“Please Don’t Stop the Music”? But Donald did have to stop the music with RiRi. In 2018, she posted: “Me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies.”

Adele has been slaying Germany lately, but she’s not just out of the country; she’s out of U.S. politics too. When Trump used “Rolling in the Deep” as his walk-on song at campaign rallies in 2016, Adele’s spokesperson fired back with a statement to Billboard: “Adele has not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning.”

Adele loves her some Beyoncé, and they apparently have this in common. Queen Bey’s team sent DT a cease-and-desist after a campaign person used her song “Freedom.” It has been approved for use by VP Harris.

And Celine Dion’s song about a tragic ending was used at a Trump event. The usage of “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic prompted this post: “In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use.…And really, THAT song?”

From Queen to Prince and Ozzy to Pharrell, find out what other artists said no to Trump on billboard.com.

03 Sep 2024

Did Cardi B Shade Nicki Minaj During Her Maternity Shoot? | Billboard News

After Cardi B posted photos from her maternity shoot, fans are speculating that she shaded Nicki Minaj. Keep watching to see what Cardi B had to say about the rumors.

Tetris Kelly:
Did Cardi B shade Nicki Minaj during her pregnancy photo shoot? Cardi has jumped online to set the record straight. The “WAP” rapper is expecting her third child with Offset. Just Sunday, she shared photos of her bare baby bump while sitting on a motorcycle in front of graffiti. She captioned “I wanna meet my little boo boo soo bad already.” But eyes were on the background, where fans noticed the word “pedophile” was written on the security gate and questioned whether the art was meant to diss Nicki’s husband, Kenneth Petty, a registered sex offender, who was convicted of attempted rape in the first degree in 1995. 

Well, Cardi has posted: “First of all we literally picked a random street because paparazzi was hounding us everywhere.. Didn’t even have time to go over every detail because people were busy trying to expose my pregnancy as “aha” moment…Second I’m ALWAYS with the s–ts but I’m not using MY MATERNITY shoot to be funny. Are you dumb??”

No, Cardi! I was just reporting what the fans were saying, but glad we cleared that up! Congrats on the baby. 

03 Sep 2024

Playboi Carti: Exclusive Access Backstage at Summer Smash 2024 | Billboard Cover

Billboard cover star Playboi Carti gives us exclusive access into his backstage prep ahead of his performance at Summer Smash 2024. We get to see how the star and his team get ready for his sets, what they each have to say about Playboi Carti and more!

Playboi Carti:

You know, we finna rock Chicago real quick. I ain’t been here in a minute, it’s a blessing you know what I’m saying. It feels good to be back outside if you know what I’m saying. Back on stage. It’s most definitely going to be a movie tonight. 

Team Member:

You want to go up the stairs and stuff?

Playboi Carti:

Should I start on the stairs?

Team Member:

Yeah.

Playboi Carti:

And the gang will be there? 

Team Member:

Yes. 

Playboi Carti:

All good. 

Team Member:

Alright. Can I start? 

Playboi Carti:

Hey guys come on! 

Team Member 2:

You’ve been taking creatine huh? 

Team Member 3:

Yes sir.

Team Member 2:

Love that creatine, great protein. 

Playboi Carti:

No carbs.It’s a lifestyle. I can’t really like say the description of like, you know what I’m saying. It’s understood, ain’t gotta be said. You see it. 

Destroy Lonely:

Before I met him, he was one of my favorite rappers. I studied him just like I studied anything else. So it’s like, I got, I got a lot of sh*t from what I just know myself and what I was into, and then everything goes. Like, he put me down on or we really share a lot of like, like, I done taught him a lot of things too. So it’s just like, when you want to work like this e this, and that’s what you love, and you do, you just kind of bounce off each other.

Keep watching for more!

31 Aug 2024

EVNNE: See Exclusive Photos & Selfies of the August 2024 K-Pop Rookie of the Month

With millions of viewers around the world tuning in and casting votes for contestants in the K-pop survival show Boys Planet, contestants who didn’t make a place in the final band left the program with fans eager to see their next steps. No group perhaps better embraces such potential than EVNNE, the seven-member boy band quickly ascending the K-pop ranks and proving themselves as far more than just a simple spin-off act.

Noted for an intense collective charisma, the boy band’s debut with hard-hitting singles “Trouble” and “Ugly” spoke to a viewpoint as the convention-defying underdogs ready to prove themselves to the world. The group scored number-one hit songs and awards on Korea’s competitive music programs, and this summer embarked on their first U.S. tour to expand their international fanbase and showcase their dynamic performances across multiple cities.

But it’s not just the awards and accolades that define EVNNE’s success. In less than a year, the group has shown remarkable evolution in their musical style, transitioning from the rebellious anthems of their debut to a softer, more romantic sound with their third EP, RIDE or DIE from June. The lead single, “Badder Love,” a soothing rock-pop track recorded in both Korean and English, marks a new chapter for the group.

With accomplishments both in awards and aristry, Keita, Hanbin, Lee Jeonghyeon, Yunseo, Seungeon, Mun Junghyun and Jihoo have managed to carved their place in the industry and show lasting potential even if the group’s time together may be short. Read on for why else EVNNE is a group to watch as Billboard‘s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for August 2024.

Get to know the rookies more with exclusive photos and quiz questions below.

30 Aug 2024

LE SSERAFIM’s ‘CRAZY’ Release & Special Jin Appearance | Billboard News

LE SSERAFIM released their new mini-album and music video titled ‘CRAZY.’ The girls also surprised fans with an appearance from Jin. Keep watching to see some behind the scenes footage!

Tetris Kelly:

A special appearance from Jin, brand-new music, and we have exclusive photos from the set of their music video. This is music you should know: LE SSERAFIM. We are going crazy for “CRAZY.” The song is featured on the group’s freshly released five-song mini-album of the same name. The LE SSERAFIM girls rock Y2K-inspired outfits and pose for the camera in our exclusive behind-the-scenes photos. We see the girls posing with each other, striking dance moves, and serving some serious looks on the set. But the serve we weren’t ready for was from Jin. Like the whole thing is so adorable and wholesome. Mr. Worldwide Handsome indeed. Check out LE SSERAFIM’s “CRAZY” out now. 

30 Aug 2024

Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’ Receives Praise From Nicki Minaj & More | Billboard News

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet has been out for a week now, and she’s receiving love from some of the biggest stars. Keep watching to see who said what about the singer’s latest album!

Tetris Kelly:
If you’re loving Sabrina Carpenter and her new album Short n’ Sweet, you’re not the only one. Some of the biggest names in music are gushing over the pop star and her latest project. When a fan asked Chappell Roan her favorite track off the album, she had this to say on IG Live. 

Chappell Roan:
I like … I want … “Juno.” Her project is so thought out and so, like, genuine and I just really love it. 

Tetris Kelly:
As for her boo, Barry Keogan, he shared his favorite track on IG along with a link to grab her album with a bonus track, like a good boyfriend. Everyone’s singing hits off the new record. Capitol FM even had Camila Cabello singing “Espresso” in the midst of love triangle fan theories between the two and Shawn Mendes. And legends are showing love, too. 

Nicki Minaj:
Shout-out to Sabrina Carpenter and shout-out to all the Sabrina Carpenter fans.

Tetris Kelly:
Nicki Minaj praised Sabrina and her fans after she tweeted, “This one’s for Nicki.” Lady Gaga got in on the praise train, too, commenting on an old video of Sabrina singing “Speechless” on TikTok, saying, “love this so much love her.”

Same, Gaga, same.