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14 Oct 2023

Madonna’s Celebration Tour: Photos From Opening Night in London

After the opening night of The Celebration Tour in London on Saturday (Oct. 14) night at the O2 Arena, the verdict is in: Madonna is back.

Despite a brush with death, the Queen of Pop delivered a two-hour-plus show full of smash hits, killer deep cuts and a surprise or two (or three). Candid as ever, Madonna didn’t shy away from addressing her hospital stay in June due to a “serious bacterial infection” that caused her Celebration Tour’s opening to be pushed back by three months.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” she stated bluntly at one point in the evening. “I forgot five days of my life — or death, I didn’t really know where I was.” Madonna said it was her family, ultimately, who pulled her through. “My children were there — and my children always save me every time.” Calling it her “secret” to survival, Madonna said she simply tells herself, “I have got to be there for my children – I have to survive for them.” Five of her children were on stage with her during the tour opener in London: Mercy James, David Banda, Lourdes, Esther and Stella. And it seems that moving forward, at least four of her kids will be joining her on stage each night as performers.

Joining her throughout the tour, too, is Bob the Drag Queen, a RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and LGBTQ comedy legend in the making. Recounting Madonna’s arrival at LaGuardia airport in the late ‘70s to take on New York City with nothing but $35, Bob tossed a wad of cash into the crowd at the top of the show and drily offered, “Use this and become a star.”

Check out pics of the woman who did that below and check out best moments from the tour here.

14 Oct 2023

Wisin’s 5 Favorite Latin Things | Billboard

Wisin tells us all about his five favorite Latin things backstage at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2023.

Wisin
Hello, my lovely people. This is W, and these are my 5 favorite Latin things

Wisin
My favorite Latin word…

Wisin
Wow. Sabroso, sabroso. [Tasty, tasty.]

Wisin
My favorite Latin dish is arroz, lechon y mofongo [rice, roast pork and mashed plantains].

Wisin
There are so many things in Puerto Rico, you eat well.

Wisin
My Latin vacations

Wisin
Well, in Puerto Rico, I’m always on vacation.

Wisin
I don’t need a vacation.

Wisin
Puerto Rico is an eternal vacation. 365 days a year.

Wisin
I have many favorite Latin songs

Wisin
I really love Ricky [Martin]’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”

Wisin
I think that song was big in that moment and it impacted all of us, so there are many favorites.

Wisin
And from great friends in the genre…and even those outside the genre who have impacted my life with music, so there are many favorites.

Wisin
My favorite Latin athlete

Wisin
Well he’s no longer active, but I really loved Félix “Tito” Trinidad. He’s a retired boxer, a great friend.

Wisin
I think he’s a true representative of the “Boricua.”

Wisin
I remember when he used to fight, and when he came to Puerto Rico, we had the day off.

Wisin
It was a celebration, so Félix “Tito” Trinidad.

14 Oct 2023

Nicky Jam Explains the Stories Behind These Photos | Billboard

Nicky Jam explains the stories behind these photos backstage at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2023.

Nicky Jam:
Hi, I’m Nicky Jam and I’m taking you Behind the Photos with Billboard.

Okay, so this picture right here was taken on my way back from tour. I was touring for two months in Europe and finally, I was coming back to my house here in Miami so I was really happy. And it was two months so two months is crazy. So you could tell I was really tired here.

Now this picture is, it’s an epic moment because it’s me, Karol G, J Balvin, as you see, and we’re flying on Balvin’s plane in that moment. He bought, at that time, he doesn’t like talking or bragging so I’ll brag for him. He bought a global like one of the biggest private planes so we were all happy on his new plane and we were flying to do the remix video for “Poblado.” That’s that moment right here.

Now this moment is just me going crazy. This is me trying to look like Feid when we came out with the song. No, actually we were going to Medellín to do a rally with a whole bunch of motorcycle people. The whole city came out and showed me love and I needed my beard again. So I drew my beard like I painted my beard. And if you see a picture you won’t notice but I did my beard again myself. So there you go, Nicky Jam. Boom. Feid Jam!

Watch the full video above!

13 Oct 2023

Metro Boomin on His Role in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ Working With Future & More | Billboard News

Metro Boomin talks about how he got involved with ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ how he keeps topping the Billboard 200 with his albums, frequently working with Future, his iconic producer tags, and more on the set of his Billboard cover shoot.

Metro Boomin
I do strive to make every album that I do next better than the last one. Hey, what’s up, this is Metro Boomin, and you’re watching Billboard News.

Tetris Kelly
What’s up, it’s Tetris with Billboard News, chillin’ with Metro Boomin.

Metro Boomin
Bless. How you doing?

Tetris Kelly
Nice to meet you! We’re on the set of your Billboard cover shoot. Was this the dream, you feeling good about it?

Metro Boomin
Yeah it’s a blessing, man, it feels great to be here, still surreal.

Tetris Kelly
And at our Hip-Hop Power Players event, we gave you a plaque: three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. So let’s talk about it. What are you doing that’s so consistent that you keep topping our charts?

Metro Boomin
Just really, I feel like it’s caring, just like caring enough to take the time where it’s not difficult for me to just take a long time if I need to, to work on something.

Tetris Kelly
And when you put that much love and effort into each project, could you pick your three No. 1s? Which one is your baby?

Watch the full video above!

13 Oct 2023

Megan Teases Next Album, Plus New Music From Bad Bunny, Offset, Troye Sivan, TXT & More | Billboard News

It’s Friday, October 13th, and we’re breaking down this week’s music releases. Bad Bunny dropped a new full-length album, TXT’s new LP is here and more. We have an exclusive interview with Metro Boomin. Megan Thee Stallion teased her new album and revealed that she is not currently signed to a label. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Megan Thee Stallion says she’s completely self-funded. We talked with chart-topper and cover star Metro Boomin. Shakira goes Fishing for Answers. We take you inside this week’s hottest music events, and give you new tracks to add to your playlist.

It’s almost the weekend, but first, we’ve got some Billboard News to get to. I’m Tetris Kelly, it’s Friday, October 13th, aka Jimin’s birthday.

And let’s talk new music.

Bad Bunny said “Surprise!” With little notice, he has given us ‘Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.’

I had such a good time sitting down with Metro Boomin for the cover of Billboard, but we talked about so much more — take a look.

Your Billboard cover shoot, was this the dream? You feeling good about it?

Metro Boomin:
Yes, it’s a blessing man. It feels great to be here. Still surreal.

Tetris Kelly:
And I mean, at our Power Players event, we gave you a plaque for three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. So let’s talk about that success. What are you doing that’s so consistent that you keep topping our charts?

Metro Boomin:
It’s really… I feel like it’s caring. Just like caring enough to take the time where it’s not difficult for me to just take a long time if I need to.

Tetris Kelly:
Well, you’ve got so many hits, like whether they’re your hits, whether other people’s hits you produced on, you know. “Congratulations,” “Tuesday,” “Jumpman,” like what do you feel is the signature Metro Boomin song? What are the fans waiting on? What is the one you close the set with every time you do it?

Watch the full video above!

13 Oct 2023

Shakira Plays Fishing for Answers | Billboard

Shakira plays Fishing for Answers with Billboard backstage at Billboard’s Latin Music Week 2023.

Shakira:
Welcome! I’m Shakira, and I’ll be Fishing for Answers with Billboard.

Let’s see … the first one. What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened to me live on the stage?
Everything has happened to me. I have fallen, I broke my tooth. I think that’s the craziest that has occurred to me.

Let’s see … What’s my guilty pleasure food? Brownies.

The other one. Do you like to record or go on tour the most? Tough one. Lately, the recording studio is one of my happy places. It brings me lots of peace — I don’t know, I love it. It’s where I feel free the most. But I really want to go on tour and to return on stages. I actually feel very happy when I’m on stage. So, I don’t know … everything has its own time. After being in the studio for a long time, I really want to be playing live. But after some time being on tour, well … I like to come back home and to enjoy making music. Also at my place. The recording studio is also my place.

Watch the full video above!

12 Oct 2023

Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ Movie Premiere, Joe & Sophie Settle Child Custody & More | Billboard News

Taylor Swift shuts down The Grove in Los Angeles for the premiere of her ‘Eras Tour’ movie. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have reached an agreement on the custody of their children. Offset goes all out for Cardi B’s birthday, and Kesha announces she’s searching for a sugar daddy. Mitski claims the No. 1 spot on the TikTok Billboard Top 50. Fuerza Regida frontman JOP shares the stories behind some of his most interesting IG photos. Jessie James Decker shares five things you didn’t know about her, and more!

Tetris Kelly 0:00
Taylor’s movie premiere was the place to be, and I was there. We’ve got relationship updates on Joe Jonas, Cardi B and Kesha. We learn five things about Jesse James Decker. We run down what’s charting on TikTok, and we ask Fuerza Regida frontman JOP what’s going on in this photo. Welcome back to Billboard News. I’m Tetris Kelly and I am tired. It’s Thursday, October 12th, and I’m still not over the Taylor Swift ‘Eras Tour’ movie premiere.

Taylor Swift
You’re stuck with me because I’m gonna sit with you and watch this.

Tetris Kelly
OMG. Taylor sat in the theater with friends and celebs. Yes, that’s Beyoncé, and all her loyal Swifties last night and we were there. It’s Tetris with Billboard News, Taylor Swift just shut down The Grove’s AMC for the world premiere of ‘The Eras Tour.’

Taylor Swift
So I think you’ll see that you absolutely are main characters in this film because that’s what made the tour magical. That’s what made it different than anything I’ve ever done in my life is your attention to detail, your preparation, your passion, your intensity.

Tetris Kelly 1:14
Taylor went to each room last night to talk to fans during a magical night at AMC The Grove where fans were able to grab pictures, colorful drinks, snacks and merch, and celebs like Maren Morris, Flavor Flav and Adam Sandler joined. And somehow we ended up getting to watch Taylor watch Taylor and it’s the best thing that ever happened to us.

Tetris Kelly
I mean, like watching her be in the crowd for the “delicate” chant.

Watch the full video!

12 Oct 2023

Fuerza Regida’s JOP Explains the Stories Behind These Photos | Billboard

Fuerza Regida frontman Jesús Oritz Paz — also known as JOP — explains the stories behind these photos backstage at Billboard‘s Latin Music Week 2023.

Jesús Ortiz Paz:
All right, you got to put that one in. Hey, what’s up? I’m Jesús. I’m taking you behind the photos with Billboard.

Right here, I’m in Malibu working on my album Pa Las Baby’s Y Belikeada, which drops Oct. 20.

Right here, with Becky G after we finished our video shoot, I surprised her with some flowers. And I told her mom she was my [mother-in-law], you feel me, just f–king around, you know. It was a nice collab with Becky G right here. We got her, like, over … I don’t know how many roses, but she looks pretty excited.

And right here, we’re in my mom’s backyard en carne asada with Faze Rug, with the homie Faze Rug. And we wanted to show him the whole vibe we do, you know? So we brought the rooster out, we brought the goat, you know? Showed him the whole Mexican authentic vibe, you feel me? We made a gaban with our logo, you know, show him how when it gets cold what we wear, you feel me.

Watch the full video above!

12 Oct 2023

Mitski Claims No. 1 on TikTok Billboard Top 50 | Billboard News

Mitski takes over as the latest No. 1 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 with “My Love Mine All Mine,” which vaults 5-1 on the Oct. 14-dated ranking.

Tetris Kelly
Mitski makes her way to the top of the chart while a pair of tracks breaks their way into the top 10.

Tetris Kelly
Mitski’s “My Love Mine All Mine” climbs to No.1 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for the week posting October 12. Fans have posted moments of their life using Mitski as the perfect soundtrack.

Tetris Kelly
Elsewhere on the charts SUICIDAL-IDOL’s “Ecstacy (slowed)” breaks into the top 10 at No.3.

Tetris Kelly
girl in red gives us “we fell in love in october” at No. 5 appropriate for this time of year.

Tetris Kelly
And the rest of the top 10 sees quite a few familiar faces. 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.

12 Oct 2023

All the Stars at the ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ Movie Premiere

Taylor Swift hosted the world premiere of her record-breaking Eras Tour concert film Wednesday (Oct. 11), joining fans and fellow stars in viewing the first-ever screenings of her bestselling global trek caught on camera.

The event took place at AMC theaters at The Grove in Los Angeles, where multiple rooms of people enjoyed synchronous showings of the nearly three-hour program. The seats were filled with Swifties who’d been handpicked by the pop star and her team to attend, but several celebrities also dotted the audience: Maren Morris, Hayley Kiyoko, Simu Liu and the queen herself, Beyoncé, to name a few.

Before sitting down to watch the film, which captured almost an entire Eras Tour concert via footage compiled from Swift’s SoFi Stadium stops (minus the songs “The Archer,” “No Body No Crime” feat. HAIM, “Long Live,” “Cardigan” and “Wildest Dreams”), the 12-time Grammy winner stopped in each theater to make a speech. “I can’t believe I get to do music as a career,” she told the crowds. “That’s crazy. I’ve always had so much fun doing it. I’ve never had this much fun in my life as I have had on The Eras Tour. It is far and away just the most electric experience of my life.”

The star-studded premiere marked a triumphant send-off for the Eras Tour movie, which had already crushed existing AMC sales numbers well before its release. Similar with the Eras concert tickets, the company experienced an unprecedented demand for tickets to the film — so much so, Swift announced that the project would hit theaters a whole day early, now opening Thursday (Oct. 12).

“I can’t really wrap my head around this but…. Look what you genuinely made me do,” wrote the singer in a pre-premiere Instagram post.  “I can’t thank you enough for wanting to see this film that so vividly captures my favorite adventure I’ve ever been a part of: The Eras Tour. And the best part is, it’s an adventure we’re still on together. Getting in the car now…”

See photos of the stars who made it out to Swift’s Eras Tour movie premiere below.