Media

26 Mar 2024

Billboard & Smirnoff Take SXSW: Cardo Got Wings Performs, Pickleball & More | Billboard News

Billboard teamed up with Smirnoff Smash Vodka Soda to bring some fun to Austin, Texas, at SXSW.

Tetris Kelly:
From pickleball to custom cocktails, the merging of the unexpected took place when Smirnoff Smash Vodka Soda took over Billboard’s South by Southwest festivities. Fans of music, tech and more came together in Austin, Texas, for the annual music festival, and our visit down south saw an unexpected pickleball court appear on the ever-popular Rainey Street.

To highlight the vibrant new Smirnoff Smash Vodka Soda line, 21+ festivalgoers had the opportunity to work up a sweat at a custom pickleball experience. Decked out in colors to match the new line, the court was a show-stopping affair with players going head to head in a showdown to remember. After flexing their skills, attendees grabbed free swag, local bites from food trucks and tried the new line, among a variety of flavors including watermelon lime, pineapple orange, strawberry dragon fruit and red berry peach, just 100 calories each.

While a referee led the game, super producer Cardo Got Wings was on site to offer the tunes and show some love to the event.

Cardo Got Wings:
With your drinks in the air, one time for Smirnoff again! Make some noise for them making this beautiful event take place, please!

Tetris Kelly:
He was joined by the DJ collective The Chopstars, who brought the vibes for the rest of the evening. Some of the attendees even won tickets to Billboard Presents The Stage concert series at the Moody Amphitheater. Smirnoff Smash Vodka soda brought the flavor to the venue with a specialty bar and samples while star-studded acts hit the stage. Fans were also treated to custom cocktails, including Smirnoff Mule and Smirnoff Texas Lemonade.

For more from our Austin, Texas, takeover head over to Billboard.com

Watch the full video above!

25 Mar 2024

Shakira Wants to Work With Taylor Swift, Drake Addresses Kendrick Lamar Feud & More | Billboard News

It’s Monday, March 25th and we run down all the Taylor Swift news! Shakira reveals she wants to collaborate with the “Cruel Summer” singer, while The Eras Tour opener, Sabrina Carpenter, reflects on her tour experience with her. Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce is in talks to host ‘Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?’ Kendrick Lamar sparked a lot of conversation online after taking some pointed shots at Drake with his surprise feature on Future and Metro Boomin’s track “Like What” off their new album ‘We Don’t Trust You.’ The Canadian rapper has seemingly responded to being called out at his concert in Florida. Billboard reveals a new No. 1 on the Hot 100. Brazilian pop star Luísa Sonza talks about the importance of therapy. Tems reveals 5 things you didn’t know about her music and more!

Tetris Kelly
Drake turns the drama with him J.Cole and Kendrick Lamar up a notch. Well, Taylor Swift after learn Spanish for a new collab, as Sabrina carpenter thanks her and her boyfriend, maybe getting a new job. We got a friend on top of the Billboard Hot 100 and he pops in to talk to us. And we rewind back to women and music to hang backstage with Luísa Sonza and Tems.

Tetris Kelly
Welcome back to Billboard News. I’m Tetris Kelly is Monday, March 25th. And it’s a whole new week of news, but this first story is the latest in a long lasting feud.

Drake
I got my fckin head up high, my back straight, I’m ten fcking toes down.

Tetris Kelly
Drake seems to address Kendrick Lamar continuing the long standing feud.

Drake
There’s not a ngga on this earth that could fck with me in my life.

Tetris Kelly
Drake had this to say it is recent concert and the internet is assuming he’s talking about Kendrick Lamar in the viral video.

Tetris Kelly
On Friday Kendrick called out Drake and J. Cole on Future and Metro Boomin ‘s new track “Like That.”

Tetris Kelly
That’s Kendrick Lamar addressing Drake and J. Cole song “First Person Shooter.” Where J. Cole tried to claim the three rappers are the best in the game, but this beef is over a decade old back in 2013 Kendrick had this to say on Big Sean’s “Control.”

Tetris Kelly
Back then Drake told Billboard, “It just sounded like an ambitious thought to me. That’s all it was. I know good and well that Kendrick is not murdering me at all in any platform. So when that day presents itself, I guess we can revisit the topic.”

Tetris Kelly
Well, it looks like we’ve come full circle, Drake.

Watch the full video above!

25 Mar 2024

Diddy’s Miami & Los Angeles Homes Reportedly Raided by Federal Agents | Billboard News

A pair of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami were reportedly raided by law enforcement on Monday March 25. Fox 11 reports that the raids were executed by Homeland Security “in connection” with an ongoing federal sex trafficking investigation.

Tetris Kelly
Breaking news Diddy’s LA and Miami homes have been raided by Homeland Security and both his sons have been placed in handcuffs. I have the updates for you now. TMZ broke that Diddy’s homes were rated in a sex trafficking investigation. Now Homeland Security has released a statement here’s what it say, “earlier today Homeland Security Investigations New York executed law enforcement actions as a part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available.” Now recently, Diddy has been no stranger to sexual assault and misconduct allegations which he has firmly denied on all accounts.FOX 11 does have video of the rate in which both of people handcuffed seem to be his sons. Justin and King Combs, Billboard will be following the story as it develops and you can catch all the updates at Billboard.com.

25 Mar 2024

Drake Seemingly Responds to Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Like That’ Diss | Billboard News

Drake appeared to send a strong message to Kendrick Lamar and the rest of the rap game during his show in Sunrise, Fla.

Drake:
“I got my f–kin’ head up high, my back straight, I’m 10 f–king toes down.”

Tetris Kelly:
Drake seems to address Kendrick Lamar, continuing the long-standing feud.

Drake:
There’s not a n—a on this earth that could ever f–k with me in my life.

Tetris Kelly:
Drake had this to say at is recent concert, and the internet is assuming he’s talking about Kendrick Lamar in the viral video.

Tetris Kelly:
On Friday, Kendrick called out Drake and J. Cole on Future and Metro Boomin ‘s new track “Like That.”

That’s Kendrick Lamar addressing Drake and J. Cole song “First Person Shooter,” where J. Cole tried to claim the three rappers are the best in the game, but this beef is over a decade old. Back in 2013 Kendrick had this to say on Big Sean’s “Control.”

Back then Drake told Billboard, “It just sounded like an ambitious thought to me. That’s all it was. I know good and well that Kendrick’s not murdering me at all in any platform. So when that day presents itself, I guess we can revisit the topic.”

Well, it looks like we’ve come full circle, Drake.

Drake:
There’s not a n—a on this earth that could ever f–k with me in my life.

25 Mar 2024

Tems on Creating ‘Free Mind’ Sample, Being Inspired by Frank Ocean & More | Billboard Women In Music 2024

Tems opened up about her creative process, creating the howl sample in her track “Free Mind,” being inspired by other artists and more backstage at Billboard Women in Music 2024.

Tems:
Hi, I’m Tems, and here are five things you don’t know about my music.

No. 1 is almost all my music is freestyle. It’s all came from freestyles. It’s just me freestyling the whole way through.

No. 2 two is that I have cried while making some of the songs because they were very personal to me. I think maybe that was too personal, but yeah, it’s true.

My favorite city to perform … right now, I don’t have a favorite city to perform. I really want to perform in Paris. I think that might be life-changing.

So I have a song called “Free Mind.” And when I was making that song, there’s a sample in the beginning that it’s like it sounds like it howl. A lot of people don’t know that I sang it into my laptop. I didn’t have a mic when I made that song, so I put my laptop speaker to my mouth and I sang the song, the sample.

What inspires me most is the season I’m in in life, coupled with the music that I’ve heard, people that I love: Frank Ocean, Aṣa, Sade. Those are the people that inspire me and helped me in my process.

Watch the full video above!

25 Mar 2024

Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Countdown for March 30 | Billboard News

Tetris Kelly:
With a new track from Cardi B and a battle between two Warner Brothers, will anybody be able to unseat Ariana’s latest No. 1?

Last time I talked to you, you were at No. 8 on the Hot 100, and now No. 4.

Teddy Swims:
Look at us. We’re going all the way.

Tetris Kelly:
This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated March 30.

Taylor Swift dances back into the top 10.

Cardi B’s “Enough” debuts at No. 9.

“Greedy” stays at No. 8.

Zach and Kacey glide up to No. 7.

Beyonce is holding them at No. 6.

Ye and Ty Dolla $ign dropped a spot to No. 5.

“Lovin On Me” is up to No. 4 as Ariana Grande falls to No. 3.

“Beautiful Things” is in at No. 2.

Grabbing his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 is Teddy Swims with “Lose Control.”

Teddy Swims:
I felt like when we recorded it and we first wrote it, I felt like this is gonna change my life. I just had that feeling, you know.

Watch the full video above!

25 Mar 2024

Luísa Sonza Reveals the Advice She Would Give Her Younger Self | Billboard Women In Music 2024

Luísa Sonza looks back at her career and offers advice to her younger self backstage at Billboard Women in Music 2024.

Luísa Sonza:
Advice? Like, be chill — just like do your work and keep working. And do therapy, a lot! Well, you didn’t give up so … good job, girl.

Watch the full video above!

25 Mar 2024

Entre Artistas: Conversación franca con Mala Rodríguez, Maikel Delacalle, Paula Cendejas y Yotuel | Encuentro de la Música en Español

Los nombres más relevantes y emocionantes de la música en español en una conversación franca y abierta sobre tendencias, arte, negocios, el mundo digital y más: Mala Rodríguez, Maikel Delacalle, Paula Cendejas y Yotuel, moderado por Ingrid Fajardo de Billboard.

YOTUEL
Cuando yo llego a España en los 2000, era el cubano, no despectivo, pero era el sudamericano, era el sudaca. Éramos los peruanos, los boricuas, era como…

INGRID FAJARDO
¿Era difícil para esa época?

YOTUEL
Nosotros somos europeos, ustedes son latinos. Ahora no. Ahora el español quiere ser latino. ¿Entiendes? Esa vuelta que ha dado la música, como dicen en España, está de puta madre.

MAIKEL DELACALLE
Que cada vez parece que cuesta más, porque antes por ejemplo un artista como… voy a nombrarte un grande grande, Michael Jackson, te sacaba un disco, con ese disco te duraba… 15 años haciendo una gira con ese disco. Ahora, sin embargo, tú sacas un disco o haces gira ese mes o el mes que viene, estás jodido porque es que todo va avanzando, sacan música. El año pasado el género que estaba de moda era el dembow, este año es el corrido mexicano, el año que viene es el K-pop, el otro hay que adaptarse.

INGRID FAJARDO
¿Tú, Paula?

PAULA
Yo con Luis Miguel, soy muy fan. Siempre he sido muy fan de él y me encantaría hacer algo distinto. Además que ahora estoy haciendo otra movida muy diferente, un bolero clásico, me encantaría.

INGRID FAJARDO
Mi nombre es Ingrid Fajardo. Yo soy la Social Media Manager de Billboard Latin y Billboard Español, y estoy súper contenta de la conversación que vamos a tener a continuación con mucho talento, obviamente de aquí, de España. Así que bueno, por favor, si podemos darle la bienvenida a la Mala Rodríguez, Maikel Delacalle, desde Islas Canarias. Nuestra querida Paula Cendejas. Y Yotuel.

Watch the full video above!

23 Mar 2024

El Star Q&A y Showcase con Nicki Nicole | Encuentro de la Música en Español

La estrella argentina conversa en una charla íntima sobre relaciones, cómo vuelca sus sentimientos en canciones, y su próxima colaboración con Alejandro Sanz. Moderado por Leila Cobo de Billboard.

Nicki Nicole:
Al sacar esa canción, ya no era más mía, era de muchas otras mujeres y también personas que dijeron: “Che, ya no quiero vivir más en el pasado, simplemente quiero vivir el presente, disfrutarlo”. Entonces sí, obviamente que se habla de amor hacia otras personas que se fueron o que están o que vienen, pero también se habla mucho de uno mismo, que es para mí la catarsis más importante. Me gustó mucho también el hecho de los mensajes que recibí de muchas mujeres. Mucho apoyo, mucho cariño, que es algo que es un poco difícil cuando se te mezcla lo privado con la exposición, porque como que sale mucha gente a decir: “Ah, bueno”, ¿entiendes? “Ahora van a hacer esto”. O sea, como que salen a opinar y esas cosas y es difícil. Entonces, yo dije: “Okey, esto está pasando, está en mí decir algo o no decirlo, pero siento que lo tengo que decir y también va de la mano con lo que soy”. Yo canto lo que vivo y digo lo que siento. Y si no fuera así, no estaría siendo yo al 100%.

Leila Cobo:
Muchas gracias por haber sido parte de nuestro primer Encuentro de la Música en Español. Ahora, nuestro grandísimo finale, una artista que realmente es ejemplo de lo que es cruzar este Atlántico. Nicki Nicole viene de vender nueve Movistar Arenas en Buenos Aires. Más de 100.000 personas pagaron para irla a ver tocar. Y pasado mañana, toca aquí mismo en el WiZink Center su primer sold-out en España, aquí en Madrid.

23 Mar 2024

La entrevista Icono con Raphael: 60 años de estrellato | Encuentro de la Música en Español

El panel Ícono con Raphael es moderado por Leila Cobo de Billboard.

Raphael:
Pero lo más importante para la gente nueva o no nueva que quiera estar en esta profesión es que hay que tener un sello muy personal. Lo que no se vale es venir a este mundo artístico copiando o bebiendo de otras fuentes. Uno tiene que tener un sello muy especial. En estos últimos días me han preguntado mucho que cuándo me retiro, porque como parece ser que está como de moda, últimamente se van retirando compañeros míos y yo digo muy tajante que yo no voy a retirarme.

Leila Cobo:
¿Por qué?

Raphael:
¿Por qué? Porque no. Es que no hay otra respuesta. Porque yo no me veo… Yo, lo primero, no me veo no haciendo nada. Vegetando, yo no me veo. No. Entonces, mientras esta responda, yo voy a estar cantando.

Leila Cobo:
Nos da muchísimo gusto tener al O.G., como me gusta decirle yo, el artista que realmente empezó a hacer todo esto y que todavía lo está haciendo, señores y señoras, el incomparable Raphael.

Leila Cobo:
Estamos hoy en Madrid, llegaste hoy de Londres.

Raphael:
Hace un rato.

Leila Cobo:
Hace un rato, hace dos horas. Hoy es el Día del Padre, además. Y en un mes te vas a México.

Raphael:
Antes, antes. Voy a México el día 8.

Leila Cobo:
Y después a Colombia.

Raphael:
Y después a Colombia.

Leila Cobo:
¿No te has cansado todavía?

Raphael:
¿Te lo sabes todo? Suéltalo.

Leila Cobo:
Yo hice mi tarea.