Media

20 May 2024

Diddy Issues Apology After Release of Assault Video, Sabrina Carpenter’s Performances on ‘SNL,’ Post Malone in Hot 100 Top 10 Twice | Billboard News

It’s Monday, May 20, and Diddy shared an apology video after CNN obtained a video of him physically assaulting former girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016. Katy Perry said goodbye to ‘American Idol’ after being a judge for seven years. Sabrina Carpenter performed her latest hit “Espresso” on ‘SNL.’ As Lana Del Rey headlined Hangout Fest, she surprised guests and brought out Jelly Roll, Benson Boone and Nessa Barrett. On the Hot 100, Post Malone has a stronghold in two top 10 spots, but which one of your favorites took No. 1 this week? We give you an exclusive look into EDM’s hottest festival of the year, EDC. What indie artists should you be on the lookout for? We tell you who and more!

Tetris Kelly: 

Lana is twerking with Sexy and singing with Benson and Nessa. Katy is slinging pizza on ‘Idol,’ and Sabrina gets nasty on ‘SNL.’ Diddy says sorry — do you believe it? We’re going in-depth with Tinashe as she has a viral smash, taking you to EDC and revealing the Billboard Hot 100.

Happy Monday, it’s Billboard News. Let’s jump into our top story. Diddy has released a video apologizing for his behavior after a video obtained by CNN of him assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie in 2016 went viral. 50 Cent has something to say. Are the words enough as Sean “Diddy” Combs apologizes only after the gruesome video of him and ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura has been made public? 50 Cent was one of the first to comment, posting, “This is not going to work, who is advising him right now? SMH bad move.” He had originally posted saying, “This is why they put that tape out, they know they can’t charge him with what we saw, but they know we can’t un-see what we saw.” What happens in the video was part of the an assault allegation Cassie made in a now-settled lawsuit she filed against the hip-hop mogul in November. And it’s the beginning of the week, so you know there’s more. Here’s three things you should know today. Sabrina Carpenter was perfection as she took over ‘Saturday Night Live’ over the weekend giving them a taste of “Espresso.”

Keep watching to learn more!

20 May 2024

Tinashe Is Finding Her Own Success With ‘Nasty’ | Billboard News

Tinashe is finding her own success with “Nasty” from her new album ‘QUANTUM BABY,’ now that she’s an independent artist. We share her transition from girl group, to a solo artist, to going independent and more.

Tetris Kelly:

Tinashe may be a name you know, but as an indie artist? She’s thriving. As a teenager, Tinashe was part of a girl group called The Stunners. She would later go solo when she signed to RCA. After three albums with the label, it was announced that she and RCA had parted ways. She told Billboard, “At the time I made the decision because I was following my gut instinct and it was telling me that relationship wasn’t productive anymore.” Since then, Tinashe’s released three albums on her own with another on the way. The lead single off of ‘QUANTUM BABY,’ “Nasty,” is blowing up in part thanks to a meme on TikTok. She says, “Going indie has been extremely rewarding, especially spiritually and emotionally in terms of how I view myself as a creative.”

20 May 2024

Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova Honored at American Folk Art Museum Showcase: See Photos

On Thursday (May 16), the art, music and activism of Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova was honored at a benefit pop-up in New York City, presented by the American Folk Art Museum.

Held at Canvas 3.0 at The Oculus, An Evening with Nadya Tolokonnikova, Creator of Pussy Riot featured a showcase of the Russian-born punk rocker’s recent artwork as well as a Q&A. Tolokonnikova also treated attendants to a volume-cranked musical performance, taking the venue’s makeshift stage in a white ski mask with black X’s painted over the eyes. 

Special guest David Byrne of the Talking Heads was on hand to present Tolokonnikova with an award for Dynamic Achievements in the Arts on behalf of the museum. “I haven’t figured [out] what does dynamic achievements mean just yet, but it sounds very substantial!” the feminist musical collective founder later joked on Instagram of the honors, sharing photos with the “Psycho Killer” singer.

The pop-up comes about a month ahead of Tolokonnikova’s first solo museum show RAGE, which is slated to open June 21 at OK Linz in Linz, Austria. It’ll display pieces from the multi-medium artist’s newest series “DARK MATTER,” along with works from her prison archive, including a replica of the Russian cell she spent over a year in during her 2012-13 incarceration and mementos from Pussy Riot’s advocacy 2011-23.

“Nadya Tolokonnikova’s pursuit of justice through art embodies the spirit of resilience and creativity that we champion at the American Folk Art Museum,” said CEO Jason T. Busch in a statement. “We are honored to host this benefit event, which not only celebrates Tolokonnikova’s extraordinary contributions to contemporary art and activism but also supports the Museum’s mission of fostering dialogue and understanding.” 

See photos from the museum’s pop-up event with Tolokonnikova below.

20 May 2024

Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Countdown for May 25, 2024 | Billboard News

Post Malone has a strong showing in the top 10 of the Hot 100 with his collaborations with Taylor Swift on “Fortnight” and “I Had Some Help” with Morgan Wallen. This is the Billboard Hot 100 for the week dated May 25.

Tetris Kelly:
Where will the new collab from Post Malone end up, while tracks like “Not Like Us” and “Million Dollar Baby” have a hold on the chart? This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated May 25. Back in the top 10 is “Too Sweet,” Sabrina’s slips a spot to 9.

Taylor and Post are down to 8, while “Like That” is at 7, Teddy Swims climbs back up to 6, with “Beautiful Things” up to 5.

“A Bar Song” is at No. 4, “Million Dollar Baby” loses its No. 2 grip.

Last week’s No. 1 is at 2, debuting at No. 1 is “I Had Some Help” with Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen.

17 May 2024

Diddy Appears to Physically Assault Ex-Girlfriend Cassie in Resurfaced Video | Billboard News

It’s Friday, May 17, and Billie Eilish has released her new album ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft,’ Saweetie put out “NANi” and Bebe Rexha released her new single “Chase It (Mmm Da Da Da).” In a 2016 surveillance video published by CNN, Diddy appears to assault his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

Yesterday was a busy day for all things country music; we give you a recap of the ACM Awards. To tie it all in, Luke Combs released “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma.” Luis Fonsi on what inspired him for his new album ‘El Viaje,’ his collaboration with Carlos Vives and more. We sat down with Grupo Frontera to talk about their new album  ‘Jugando a Que No Pasa Nada.’ Zayn dropped his new album ‘Room Under the Stairs’ and more!

Tetris Kelly: 

We have breaking news on Cassie and Diddy. New music from Billie, Bebe, Saweetie and more. We sit down with the boys of Grupo Frontera and Luis Fonsi and we run down what you missed at the ACMs. A 2016 surveillance video appears to show Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel. We have word from her attorney.

The new video obtained by CNN seems to mirror an assault allegation Ventura made in a now-settled lawsuit she filed against the hip-hop mogul in November. In the video, Combs appears to shove Ventura to the ground near an elevator bank, kick her several times while she lies on the ground, and drag her down a hallway. Cassie’s attorney stated: “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”

Now for our Friday Music Guide. Billie Eilish enters a new era with ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft.’ Saweetie submits her entry for the song of the summer with “NANi.” Last night was a celebration of country, and Dallas was the place to party. From Dua Lipa joining Chris Stapleton, to Jelly Roll & Lainey Wilson winning big. The 2024 ACM Awards in Dallas were the place to be, and we’re telling you what went down. The night had some big performances including our boy Jelly Roll delivering “Liar” and the prolific singer took home his first ACM. Lainey herself took home Entertainer of the Year.

Keep watching to learn more!

17 May 2024

Luis Fonsi Chats New Album ‘El Viaje,’ Working With Carlos Vives & More | Billboard News

Luis Fonsi on what inspired his new album ‘El Viaje’ and how it is a reflection of his own journey in music. He also shares his collaboration with Carlos Vives on “Santa Marta” and more!

Luis Fonsi:

You know when you reach these kind of moments in life you look back and you’re like, wow it’s been a fun journey. It’s been a beautiful trip. 

Tetris Kelly:

And what a journey it’s been for Luis Fonsi.

Luis Fonsi:

Straight out of college, I started promoting my first album, and it’s really been nonstop since then. And it’s been kind of an evolution from album number one to album number 11, so that’s why ‘El Viaje’ to me represents that journey.

Tetris Kelly: 

When you’re a superstar releasing your 11th album, you’ve got a lot of experience to pull inspiration from.

Luis Fonsi:

The cool thing about this album ‘El Viaje’ is that every song is a city.

Leila Cobo: 

So how did you decide on each city? Because they’re not necessarily the biggest cities.

Luis Fonsi: 

Not necessarily, no. Well, that’s the beautiful thing about cities. I mean, we can have an argument of which city is bigger, or this, or that, like they all mean something different to me. 

Tetris Kelly:

And Luis brought some amazing talent along for the ride. 

Leila Cobo:

Your last single was “Roma” with Laura Pausini. Now you’re coming out with “Santa Marta” with Carlos Vives, his hometown.

Luis Fonsi:

When you hear the song, it’s a celebration of love. It’s a song that is perfect to sing to somebody who you love. It’s like an anniversary song. It’s almost a wedding song. Once Carlos got involved, I was like, this has to be named “Santa Marta.” So we kind of rewrote it. He wrote his part as well. And we made it ours and that was such a beautiful journey.

17 May 2024

Billie Eilish’s Billboard Chart Domination | Billboard Explains

Narrator:
Billie is back! To celebrate the release of her brand-new album Hit Me Hard and Soft, we’re rolling back to some of her biggest chart achievements. This is Billboard Explains: Billie Eilish’s chart domination.

Billie Eilish made her Billboard chart debut back in 2017. Two major highlights that year were when her first EP, Dont Smile At Me, debuted on the Billboard 200, and she had her first charting song with “Ocean Eyes.”

She earned her first Hot 100 hit thanks to her collab with Khalid, titled “Lovely,” back in 2018. The song went on to peak at No. 64 in early 2019.

Billie currently has 33 Hot 100 hits, five of which have gone to the top 10, including “Everything I Wanted,” “Therefore I Am” and “Bad Guy,” which topped the charts for one week in 2019.

Both of Billie’s Academy Award-winning songs have also reached the Hot 100 top 20: the James Bond theme “No Time to Die” that reached No. 16 and Barbie‘s “What Was I Made For?” went to No. 14. Over on the Billboard 200, the singer has charted five projects and currently holds two No. 1s: Her 2019 album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? ruled the charts for eight weeks and Happier Than Ever did the same in 2021.

Billie has also made moves on the Hot Alternative Songs chart with three No. 1s, including “What Was I Made For?,” which dominated the No. 1 spot for 19 weeks.

Keep your eyes on the Billboard charts to see where Billie’s new project takes her next.

17 May 2024

Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll & More Attend BBR Music Group Brunch at the 2024 ACM Awards: Photos

BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville hosted its second annual  brunch at the 2024 ACM Awards at the Stonebriar  Country Club in Frisco, Texas, on May 16.  Held the morning of the awards, the brunch included more than 150 attendees from the label, radio, streaming services and other industry executives.

Jon Loba, president of frontline recordings for BMG North America, opened the brunch, which was moved inside due to stormy weather. Lainey Wilson, who went on to win entertainer of the year at the ACM Awards a few hours later, introduced her new single, “Hang Tight Honey,” from her for forthcoming album, Whirlwind, before the label and Melinda Newman, Billboard’s executive editor, West Coast and Nashville, presented Wilson with a plaque for having the shortest stint of any woman artist between No. 1 songs on the Country Airplay chart. Later, Billboard’s exec vp of charts and data partnership Silvio Pietroluongo presented Jelly Roll, a plaque for landing three No. 1s on the Country Airplay chart in 2023, while the artist played a recording of his new single, “Liar,” which he later played on the ACM Awards.

The brunch also included superstar Jason Aldean and his writing collaborator-turned-duet partner John Morgan  performing “Friends Like That,” their current single, as well as “Trouble with a Heartbreak,” a 2022 No. 1 hit for Aldean, co-written by Morgan. The Frontmen, a supergroup comprised of the Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar), Larry Stewart (formerly of Restless Heart) and Tim Rushlow (formerly of Little Texas), also performed two of their songs, including new single, “Beatles and Eagles,” as well as a mini-medley of their previous groups’ hits.

Additionally, Frank Ray played his new Latin-tinged tune, “Uh Huh (Ajá)” and Blanco Brown sang along as his new Diane Warren-penned song, “Snapshot,” played.

See photos from the event, sponsored by Heineken Silver, Zilzie Wines and Billboard,  below.

17 May 2024

Groupo Frontera Talks New Album ‘Jugando a Que No Pasa Nada,’ Working With Bad Bunny & More | Billboard News

Regional Mexican band Groupo Frontera tells Billboard all about their new album, Jugando a Que No Pasa Nada, recent collaborations they’ve done with Maluma on “Por Qué Será?,” “Los Dos” with Morat, “Ya Pedo Quién Sabe” with Christian Nodal, “Un x 100to” with Bad Bunny, “Entre Paréntesis” with Shakira, experimenting with the Regional Mexican genre, cumbia, other Latin genres and more!

Julian Peña Jr.
All the sudden, we get a call that’s like, “Yo, bro, Shakira wants to record with you guys. Get your a–es up to Malibu, like, right now?”

Groupo Frontera:
Hey guys, we’re Groupo Frontera, and you’re watching Billboard News.

Tetris Kelly:
How’s it going, fellas? I mean, I gotta say congratulations because Jugando a Que No Pasa Nada is out. Did I say it right? I’ve been practice. So the album is finally out — how’s it feel?

Adelaido Solis III:
It feels amazing. This is one that we’ve been working on for almost a year. Yes, yeah. Since the last album came out, we were touring last year, we like during the tour, we were working on this one. And, like, everything is, like, tied into one concept. And that’s really amazing. And we’re just so happy about all the songs because they’re so different. And each and every single one, even though they’re a different style. We just love them.

Tetris Kelly:
You say it’s all tied into one concept. So tell me a little bit more about the actual concept of you.

Adelaido Solis III:
Well, when we were walking in here, actually, we said, because we saw this picture is the first time we’re seeing this picture. When we walked in here we were like, “That’s the new from that this is the new Frontera.” And last year was alchemy. And so yeah. The beginning this is yeah, so we’re advancements, the concept, like, revolves around “We are Groupo Frontera.” We got known for the cumbias, and we’re not leaving the cumbias. But each and every single one of us has their own style. Like, if you see in this picture, not everybody looks the same. They’re all in their own style. And that shows in the new music that’s on this album.

Watch the full video above!

16 May 2024

Cardi B Isn’t Voting For Biden Or Trump, Steve Aoki’s EDC Preview, Kendrick Lamar Reaches Top 10 On TikTok & More | Billboard News

It’s Thursday, May 16th, and the House of Representatives have passed the TICKET Act. This bill will require ticket sellers (including sellers on the secondary market) to clearly and prominently disclose at the beginning of the transaction, and prior to the selection of a ticket, the total ticket price for the event and an itemized list of the base ticket price and each fee. Cardi B states that she will not be voting for either presidential candidate later this year. Take a look into our new segment ‘Unfiltered’ where we go over everything in the world of hip hop. Will Lay Bankz hold her No. 1 spot for a 4th week on the TikTok Billboard Top 50? Keep watching to kind out! We give you a sneak peek at EDC and what to expect this weekend with Steve Aoki and more!

Tetris Kelly
Cardi won’t even vote,as fans are tired of some artists being silent on Gaza. We run down Billy Eilish’s numerous achievements. Steve Aoki tells us what to expect that EDC and we see who’s hot on the top. That’d be almost the end of the week. It’s Billboard News. And yes, it’s politics season, Cardi won’t even vote as fans are tired of some artists being silent on Gaza. And Congress finally shows some action on ticket prices. Let’s jump into politics and music. With some of the biggest tours ever going down over the last year. Fans want more insight to ticket prices and they might be getting it, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation called the Ticket Act, which will require ticket sellers to use more simple all in pricing, say no to speculative ticketing and even provide refunds for any canceled event. It will now move to the Senate before President Joe Biden signs it into law. But will fans even want to support artists? A viral trend has picked up where people are unfollowing or blocking celebs that haven’t spoken out about the dire situation in Palestine. But Cardi B is also staying out of politics this year. She told Rolling Stone on Trump and Biden. “I don’t f*ck with both of y’all. I feel like people got betrayed, it’s just like damn, Y’all not caring about nobody. Then it really gets me upset that there is solutions to it. There is a solution. I know there’s a solution because you’re spending billions of dollars on any thing.” Yikes, I mean, my girl is not wrong, but we definitely encourage everybody to stay active as this race affects us all.

Keep watching to learn more!