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18 Apr 2024

Inside Taylor Swift’s ‘Tortured Poets Department’ Spotify Pop-Up | All Access | Billboard News

Taylor Swift’s upcoming album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ has everyone excited, and fans can’t wait to uncover the hidden meanings and Easter eggs within her Spotify pop-up, The Tortured Poets Department Library.

Chris Olsen:
This is crazy. I mean, what Spotify has done is also so beautiful. The energy here is beautiful, Swifties are the best people in the world

Tetris Kelly:
So many Swifties, lyrics and Easter eggs? It’s Tetris with Billboard, and Spotify is helping us celebrate ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ Taylor Swift, what are you telling us? We try to find out in Billboard All Access. You wouldn’t believe the line at The Grove as Spotify enticed Swifties with a mission before Friday’s release of ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’

Swiftie #1:
I cannot wait. I actually can’t believe it’s already coming out. We just saw you at Coachella, Taylor!

Swiftie #2:
I literally can’t wait. This woman’s a genius. She is a genius! 

Swiftie #3
Twenty new songs, hopefully some music videos, merch, it’s gonna be amazing.

Tetris Kelly:
Fans grabbed bookmarks and a card where they could pick the song they’re most excited for and then deposit it at the library pop-up. And in addition to hidden lyrics and titles, they also had a photo opp to commemorate the moment. And what are the Easter eggs here? I gotta find them.

Chris Olsen:
There’s a lot of 2’s here. There’s a lot of Easter eggs that lead to the number 2, and I don’t know what that means, but I’m shaking once again.

Swiftie #1:
I saw the December 13th sign over there. And then I also saw a journal that said “us” and it was like hidden behind something and I really wanted to go in there and see if it was a journal about her and Travis, but who knows.

Watch to learn more!

18 Apr 2024

Taylor Swift: Insider Her Record-Breaking Billboard Chart History | Billboard Explains

Will Taylor Swift earn another No. 1 album? In light of her highly anticipated release of ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ this Friday, April 19th, let’s take a look back at Taylor Swift’s many history-making achievements.

This is Billboard Explains: Taylor Swift’s Record-Breaking Chart History.

Narrator:
​​The day has finally arrived. Taylor Swift’s upcoming studio album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ drops on April 19. And to celebrate, we’re looking back at some of Taylor’s incredible achievements on the Billboard charts. This is Billboard Explains: Taylor Swift’s Record-Breaking Chart History.

Taylor kicked off her charts journey back in July 2006 when her debut single ‘Tim McGraw’ arrived on the country charts. It also made the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 40 the next year. She kicked things into high gear with her sophomore album ‘Fearless,’ which includes hits like “Love Story” — that reached No. 4 on the Hot 100 — and “You Belong With Me,” which went to No. 2 in 2009.

Since then, Taylor has been a Hot 100 force to be reckoned with. She’s racked up 11 No. 1 hits, tying her with Whitney Houston for the fourth most among women in chart history. The superstar has charted 232 songs on the Hot 100, more than any other female artist and only second to Drake overall. Often, Taylor is competing against herself. She’s the only woman to replace herself at No. 1 on the Hot 100, and she’s done it three times. In 2014, “Blank Space” knocked “Shake It Off” from the top spot. And then in 2023, “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version)” took out “Cruel Summer” before the songs switched places the following week.

And we can’t forget the history-making album ‘Midnights.’

Watch above to learn more!

18 Apr 2024

YG Marley Lands in Top 3, Madison Beer in Top 10 in TikTok Billboard Top 50 | Billboard News

On the TikTok Billboard Top 50, YG Marley’s “Crazier in the Moonlight”  jumps into the top three, and Madison Beer lands in the top 10 with “Make You Mine.” Alek Olsen remains at No. 1 for the fourth week straight with “Someday I’ll Get It.”

Tetris Kelly:

One trend reigned supreme while two songs returned to the top 10. Alek Olsen’s “Someday I’ll Get It” spends a fourth week on top of the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for the chart posting April 18. It ties Flo Milli’s “Never Lose Me” for the most consecutive weeks at No. 1, while the rest of the top 10 are the same as last week.

YG Marley’s “Crazier in the Moonlight” jumped up from No. 14 to No. 2, a new peak for the reggae hit. Also reaching new heights is Madison Beer’s “Make You Mine,” which climbs 20-8.

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.

Watch the full video above!

17 Apr 2024

JoJo Siwa Backlash Continues, NBA YoungBoy Arrested, Ariana Grande’s Grandmother Awarded For Hot 100 | Billboard News

It’s Wednesday, April 17th, and JoJo Siwa keeps on taking heat from the public and Lil Tay steps in. Ariana Grande’s grandmother officially became the most senior person to chart on The Hot 100, Kid Cudi is set to perform at Coachella weekend two and Charli XCX & Troye Sivan announced a co-headlining tour coming later this year. NBA YoungBoy has been arrested? You read that right, the rapper was arrested in Utah for various drug, fraud and weapon charges while on house arrest. Our latest cover star, Tyla, talks about her viral hit, “Water,” the collaborations on her self-titled debut album and more. Tate McRae shares more about her friendship with Olivia Rodrigo, her fashion choices growing up and more!

Rania Aniftos:

JoJo Siwa taking a lot of heat, Ariana’s Nona breaks a record, Kid Cudi joins Coachella and Charlie and Troye Sivan hit the road. YoungBoy Never Broke Again has been arrested. We go behind the scenes with Billboard cover star Tyla and Tate McRae takes us Behind The Photo. Another day, another Billboard News. I’m Rania Aniftos and it’s Wednesday, April 17th. Everyone’s been talking about JoJo Siwa since she released “Karma,” but it’s not just people trolling on the internet now. JoJo Siwa clarifies that viral moment while some others hop on the hate train. Practically everyone saw that moment of our interview with JoJo Siwa, well JoJo clarified what she meant on SiriusXM. That wasn’t the only flack JoJo got after releasing “Karma.” Folks online dug up an unreleased version of the song by Brit Smith from 12 years ago accusing JoJo of stealing the track. Jojo told TMZ that she didn’t steal it. Rock Mafia who wrote the song allegedly for Miley Cyrus at the time recorded a version with Brit Smith that didn’t see the light of day until it showed up on TikTok recently. Well Brit released her version and many people bought it on iTunes in order to, what looks like, spite JoJo. One person who definitely is not a fan of JoJo? Lil Tay. After people online compared the young rapper who went viral after an online death hoax to JoJo, she told people to not compare them.

Keep watching to learn more!

17 Apr 2024

Myke Towers Surprises Rockstar Energy Myke Check Winner GiL | Billboard News

Latin superstar Myke Towers was on a mission to find the next Latin star through this Rockstar Energy Myke Check con Myke Towers campaign. GiL stood out from the competition, and Myke Towers surprised her and gave her advice on making it in the music industry.

Tetris Kelly:
What’s better than winning a contest to open for one of your musical inspirations on tour? Well, maybe a surprise in-person hang with that very idol. 

As a part of Rockstar energy presents Myke Check con Myke Towers, the global Latin superstar took to the House of Hits recording studio in Miami to surprise rising artist Gilmarie “GiL” Villanueva. The star came out on top in the contest and thought she was getting an interview with Billboard, but was met with the surprise of a lifetime.

GiL:
[In Spanish] I play the song “Girl” by Myke Towers. 

Myke Towers: 
[In Spanish] Which other one? Which other song do you play? 

Tetris Kelly:
During his appearance, Myke opened up about his partnership with Rockstar energy drink. 

Myke Towers:
[In Spanish] Well I termed up with Rockstar Energy for this new campaign to discover a new Latin star and from there, we found GiL. When I saw GiL, I thought, “She has it all.” 

Tetris Kelly:
After the big reveal, GiL spent time with her idol to get some tips on making it in the industry.

Myke Towers: 
[In Spanish] Maintain forward with your focus and do what the people ask of you, what you know they’re expecting. You have a responsibility to present the best version of yourself.

Watch the full video above!

17 Apr 2024

Tate McRae on Friendship With Olivia Rodrigo, Tour Essentials & More | Billboard News

Tate McRae opens up about her tour must-haves, her friendship with Olivia Rodrigo, being a part of the “Bad Idea Right?” music video and her fashion choices growing up in Billboard News’ Behind the Photo.

Tate McRae:
Hey, this is Tate McRae, and this is Behind the Photo with Billboard.

Oh my god, this is me on the tour bus. My first ever tour, North American tour. Obviously, you wake up and you feel very puffy because you’re seeing a lot of people, you’re dancing every night, lots is going on. I have this one, like, ice cold face mask that has ice in it, and my photographer took this photo. I was sitting in my front lounge like this. Pretty iconic.

Oh my god. This is insane. This is me as a child. I have the wildest baby pictures you have ever seen. I don’t know what I would wear every single day. I always say to my mom, like, “How could you let me, like, out of the house like this?” But I always wore, like, these massive bandanas over my head. I was just the chubbiest little kid ever, who did not give a s–t about anything or how I looked or anything and I would just be chillin always. Pretty gangster, always.

This last photo is a picture of me and my girlfriends, the best ever. They’re so beautiful. This was on Olivia’s music video shoot for “Bad Idea Right?” All of us were in the music video. It was so cute. It was in this little neighborhood. We were all driving around on golf carts. We literally only filmed for, like, 10 minutes, and then we just, like, hung out the rest of the day. But they’re the best. I love these girls. They’re so talented and the sweetest.

Watch the full video above!

17 Apr 2024

Tyla Talks About Creating ‘Water,’ the Journey to Her Debut Album, Grammy Win & More | Billboard Cover

Billboard cover star Tyla talks about creating her viral hit “Water,” the journey to creating her recently released debut album ‘Tyla,’ the diverse collaborations from Becky G, Tems, Gunna and Skillibeng, how her sound has evolved from R&B and pop to more Ampiano focused, how she feels to be the first artist to win a Grammy in the new African Music Performance category, how the South African dance Bacardi dance style inspired the viral “Water,” dance, canceling her highly anticipated Coachella performance and tour due to injury and more.

Tyla
People are gonna see me everywhere. So if you don’t like me, I’m sorry.

Tyla
The making of “Water,” I was wrapping up the album. And I was looking for sounds that I was missing. And I really felt like I was missing like a summer, banger, vibey type song. So I ended up working with these people that we call the Fantastic Four, which is Ari, Corey, Mocha and Sammy Soso and, we came up with literally the exact song I had envisioned. And we recorded it in a bedroom, literally. And I just remember repeating it and repeating it and playing it for whoever would listen and people that I played for loved it had a really good feeling I started performing it before it was out. And the response was so good that I was like, Wait, this could be the song. But obviously the challenge and everything took a like to the wall.

Watch the full video above!

17 Apr 2024

Myke Towers Surprises Mic Check Contest Winner | Rockstar Energy | Billboard

Myke Towers surprises GiL, the winner of Rockstar Energy Presents: Mic ‘Check con Myke Towers.’ See her dreams become reality as the mentorship kicks off at the studio.

Myke Towers: Is this my camera?

Producer: Yes it’s that one.

Myke Towers: I’m doing a “bit,” I’m joking-. Come in closer, I have a little something to tell you. I came here to meet for the first time, GiL, the official contest winner of “Rockstar Energy Presents: Mic Check con Myke Towers” baby. Sha has no idea that I’m coming to meet her. So keep an eye out and join me, so you can be a part of this moment please. Be ready! Follow me. Well I teamed up with Rockstar Energy for this new campaign to discover a new Latin star, and from there we found GiL. When I saw GiL, I thought, “she has it all.” I’m going to surprise her and see her reaction. I’ve never done anything like this, so I think I may be a little more nervous than her. Join me please.Young King baby!

GiL: My name is GiL and I’m the winner of “Rockstar Energy Presents: Mic Check con Myke Towers” and I still can’t believe it! Myke Towers is one of my favorite artists of all time. He has inspired me in a big way because I also grew up in the barrio, you feel me? Myke Towers has a different energy. There are days when you just wake up and you don’t feel so good, but then I put on my headphones, I play the song “Girl” by Myke Towers-

Myke Towers: What other one? Which other song do you play?

Watch to learn more!

16 Apr 2024

Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish & Beyond: Coachella 2024 Could Have Built an Alternate Lineup Out of Surprise Guests

While the headliners of Coachella 2024 are Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator and Doja Cat, a pack of fellow A-listers also showed up on stages across the Empire Polo Ground over weekend one, with surprise performances from Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Justin Bieber, Shakira, A$AP Rocky, Lauryn Hill, 21 Savage, David Guetta, Childish Gambino and even Will Smith.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie tells Keith all about her return to the desert festival for her first time in 14 years and what it was like to see so many unannounced guests pop up throughout the weekend.

Listen to the full show below:

Trending on Billboard

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is her first multi-week No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in over a decade, how Hozier’s “Too Sweet” jumps to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart (could it become his first No. 1?), and how Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” is the first song to spend three weeks in a row at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in more than nine months.

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.)

16 Apr 2024

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Are Busy Ahead of ‘TTPD’ Release, Courtney Love Disses Beyoncé & Lana, Dua Lipa’s Creativity Behind “Illusion” & More | Billboard News

It’s Tuesday, April 16th and Courtney Love is dissing Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Lana Del Rey, and more big artists. The Kid LAROI officially confirms his relationship status with Tate McRae, Coi Leray wants to change her stage name and the Department of Justice is putting Live Nation & Ticketmaster in the hot seat. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are about to be busy with Taylor releasing ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ this week, she’s giving her fans all the clues prior to its release. Travis Kelce is officially named the host of ‘Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?,’ what can’t this power duo do? Richy Jackson spills into what it’s like working with Lady Gaga & JoJo Siwa, Dua Lipa explains her creativity behind ‘Illusion’ and more!

Katie Cao  3:11 PM

Rania Aniftos:
Courtney Love isn’t here for Beyonce, Taylor or Lana. Travis and Taylor are booked and busy Tate and LAROI are official, Coi wants to lose Leray and the DOJ is going after Live Nation. Choreographer Richy Jackson stops by our studio and Dua Lipa gives us all the details on her new single. Welcome back to another episode of Billboard News. I’m Rania Aniftos, it’s Tuesday, April 16 and we got to kick off the show with Courtney Love getting real about some of your faves. Courtney Love did not hold back when she talked about Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and more. Let’s break it down. Courtney Love does not shy away from sharing her opinions while promoting her eight part audio series on the BBC, Courtney Love’s Women, The whole front woman actually admitted to not liking some women’s music. She told the Atlantic she likes the idea of Beyonce doing a country album because she’s a black woman in a commonly white space, but she doesn’t like her music. Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are the biggest women in music at the moment, but Courtney doesn’t think Taylor’s important. Love said “she might be a safe space for girls and she’s probably the Madonna of now, but she’s not interesting as an artist.” Speaking on Madonna Courtney simply said “I don’t like Madonna and she doesn’t like me.” She also talked about Lana Del Rey.

Watch to learn more!