Media

17 Jul 2023

Ariana Grande & Dalton Gomez Divorce, Taylor Swift Makes Chart History & More | Billboard News

According to TMZ, Ariana Grande and her husband Dalton Gomez have been separated since January and are heading toward divorce. They tied the knot in May 2021. With ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ reaching No. 1, Taylor Swift achieves her 12th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and surpasses Barbra Streisand for the most chart-toppers among women. Drake goes on “The Really Good Podcast” and leaves the internet confused. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Ariana Grande has reportedly separated from her husband Dalton Gomez. Taylor Swift is back on top of the charts. Drake gets interviewed in bed. Selena Gomez gets roasted on TikTok. We learn five things about Kevin Gates. And Carly Pearce goes Fishing for Answers.

Welcome back to a brand-new week of Billboard News. I’m Tetris Kelly, it’s Monday, July 17th. We do have to start today’s show off with a sad one.

Well, it’s time to say “Thank You, Next” for Ariana Grande as reports are saying the pop star is getting divorced. Hopefully, she will be still grateful for this ex. According to TMZ, Ari and her husband Dalton Gomez have been separated since January and are headed towards divorce. They tied the knot in May 2021. She did show up to Wimbledon over the weekend without her wedding ring, sparking the rumors. According to TMZ’s source, Ariana and Dalton have been thousands of miles apart since she started filming ‘Wicked’ in December but they were having problems even before that, adding that a few months back the two tried a reconciliation but it failed.

Watch the full video above!

13 Jul 2023

Billie’s ‘Barbie’ Song, Jimmie Allen’s Countersuit, Peso Pluma’s Cover & More | Billboard News

Peso Pluma opens up about reaching No. 1 with his tracks ‘Ella Baila Sola’ with Eslabon Armado and ‘BZRP: Music Sessions Vol. 55’ with Bizarrap, how his life has changed since his recent success, achieving his dream, and more! Billie Eilish has released her ‘Barbie’ movie soundtrack ballad “What Was I Made For?” Jimmie Allen countersues two women who have accused him of sexual assault. He filed documents in Nashville federal court “to protect my reputation and refute these claims.”

Evan Burke:
Peso Pluma is taking over the charts and the cover of Billboard. Billie Eilish releases her emotional self-directed music video for the ‘Barbie’ movie. Jimmie Allen has countersued in the sexual harassment and abuse case against him and we’re running down 2015’s biggest songs of the summer.

Evan Burke:
Welcome to Billboard News. It’s Thursday, July 13th, and we’ve got a brand-new cover story with Mexican superstar Peso Pluma.

Evan Burke:
Billie Eilish’s contribution to the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack is here and it’s full of hidden gems. Let us break it down for you.

Evan Burke:
After much teasing, Billie Eilish dropped a hypnotic track off the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack and she even directed the music video herself. In it she’s rocking Barbie’s signature hair, opens up the 1962 solo in the spotlight Barbie trunk and pulls out miniature Barbie versions of some of her most iconic looks. The yellow outfit from “Bellyache,” her Chanel look from the Oscars, the black number with chains from the “Lovely” music video, her camo getup from TRL, her other yellow outfit from the “Bad Guy” music video and of course her black-and-green look from the Grammys.

Evan Burke:
Billie posted a snippet of the one-shot music video to IG explaining how it all came together and ended the post with,”This video makes me cry. It means so much to me and I hope it will mean just as much to you. I don’t have much to say other than that. I think it will speak for itself.”

Watch the full video above!

13 Jul 2023

Billboard’s Top 5 Songs of the Summer 2015 | Billboard News

Billboard looks back and counts down the top five songs that ruled the summer of 2015.

Rania Aniftos:
Heading into 2015 with some chill vibes, Jamaican reggae and a revenge song, Taylor Swift style. Plus, one of the first viral social media dances comes to life in 2015.

Silento bring us in at No. 5 with “Watch Me.” Canadian R&B pop star The Weeknd comes in at No. 4 with his massively popular hit “Can’t Feel My Face.”

Taylor Swift was out for blood in 2015 with rumors speculating the song was about a then feud with Katy Perry, which has since been resolved. Coming in at No. 3 is “Bad Blood” featuring Kendrick Lamar.

From the soundtrack of Furious 7, our No. 2 song’s a tribute to the movie franchise’s star Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in late 2013. No. 2 song of the summer: Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth in “See You Again.”

The No. 1 song of 2015 is arguably the catchiest: from Jamaican reggae singer Omi with his song “Cheerleader.” Try getting that one out of your head for the rest of the day.

More fun in the sun when we dive into 2016 next.

12 Jul 2023

Peso Pluma on His Rise to No. 1, Working With Bizarrap & More | The Power of No. 1 | Billboard Cover

Peso Pluma opens up about reaching No. 1 with his tracks “Ella Baila Sola” with Eslabon Armado and “BZRP: Music Sessions Vol. 55” with Bizarrap, how his life has changed since his recent success, achieving his dream and more.

Peso Pluma:
It was a dream to me. I’m very happy to be up there, but I think the most important thing is to stay and be consistent.

I’m Peso Pluma, and this is The Power of No. 1.

The first few times I stood up in front of a lot of people, in auditoriums and arenas, obviously I was nervous, it’s always there. My heart beats faster, I’ve always been like that. But once I hear people singing they push me to carry on. I wanted to become an artist and share what I feel, what I write from my soul, and what I am. I’m really grateful for this wave. It’s a new era, just as my new album is a GENESIS. It’s just the beginning of what we can do.

George Prajin:
I first met Peso at my studio in Anaheim. I had been pitched Peso three years prior, I thought that there was immense talent at that time. I just wasn’t at a point in my career, that I was going to be able to give a developing act the kind of attention that was needed. Fast forward three years later, when I saw him in person, I saw him play the guitar and I heard him sing everything just clicked and I knew that I had to take this opportunity.

Watch the full video above.

12 Jul 2023

Zayn Reveals Why He Left One Direction, TXT Talks New Song, Britney’s Memoir & More | Billboard News

Zayn Malik reveals why he decided to be the first member to leave One Direction in a new interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Liam Payne opens up about going to a sobriety treatment center after receiving backlash from the interview he did with Logan Paul, Tomorrow x Together talks about their new collab with the Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears announces her new memoir ‘The Woman In Me’ is coming out soon. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Zayn and Liam get honest about their relationship with One Direction. Tomorrow x Together gushes over working with the Jonas Brothers. It’s Britney’s book — and I’ve already pre-ordered. Kaytranada breaks down his style and his sound. And we learned five things about Bailey Zimmerman

Welcome to Billboard News. It’s Wednesday, July 12th, and here’s your top story. Nothing was off-limits for Zayn on the Call Her Daddy podcast, and Liam shares his side of the story too. Zayn didn’t shy away from talking about leaving One Direction. In his first interview in six years, he said the reason he decided to do the sit-down interview was to show his daughter with Gigi Hadid that you can overcome your fears and anxieties.

But Zayn isn’t the only One Direction member speaking out. Liam Payne posted a video to his YouTube explaining comments on the Logan Paul podcast where he trashed his former bandmates and admitted to being sober after going to a rehab facility in Louisiana.

Fans got the ultimate boy band crossover when TXT teamed up with the JoBros and the K-pop group couldn’t be more excited. TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Yeonjun told Billboard that he’d been a fan of the Jonas Brothers growing up and even practiced their music as a trainee in Korea. So collaborating with Nick, Joe and Kevin on ‘Do It Like That’ was so surreal.

Watch the full video above!

12 Jul 2023

Kaytranada Talks Early Inspirations, Collaborative Project With Aminé & More | On the Record

In the first installment of Billboard’s new series On the Record, Kaytranada reflects on the origins of his sound, sharing the rich history of acts that his family introduced to him. Elsewhere in the discussion, the Haitian-Canadian hitmaker speaks about leaning into “the idea of different” when it comes to creating music and his collaborative project with Aminé.

Kaytranada:
I think memories and a song can go hand in hand. I feel like I’m doing the same to a lot of my fans, trying to create memories with my music.

My music really evolved, it doesn’t really sound like what people call “the Kaytranada sound.” It’s very hip-hop, but it’s still electronic house and R&B, it’s like, all those genres. And I just added swing, you know, like, keep the funk alive.

Growing up, my dad used to play a lot of, like, Haitian music, Compas music, where there’s, like, the old ones, or the recent ones, he was, like, playing a lot. We had a big sound system in our house, so music was always something important, you know. Then, it came to my sisters and they were playing, you know, a lot of like hip-hop, like, Jill Scott, Jay Z.

Rock music was something that was very, there like Linkin Park.

When it comes to me, it’s definitely like a combination of, like, you know, what I grew up listening to outside of Haitian music. But then when I got a little bit older, I just incorporate that more. And it felt like I took it for granted because I was not loving it because, you know, my parents were like, “Why don’t you listen to that? Why don’t you listen to that?” And I’m like, “Man, get out!” You know, but then, like, you hear something like “4EVA,” which is heavily Compas influence.

Watch the full video above!

11 Jul 2023

We Can See What Taylor Swift Was Up To With Her Crafty ‘I Can See You’ Video Casting

We always knew Taylor Swift was a mastermind, but she really outdid herself with the music video for her Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) “From the Vault” track “I Can See You.”

Late Friday, Swift surprised Eras Tour concertgoers in Kansas City when she was joined onstage by the top-secret cast from the new visual: 2011 “Mean” video co-stars Joey King and Presley Cash (who were 12 and 14, respectively, when they acted in that clip) and Swift’s ex-boyfriend Taylor Lautner, the alleged inspiration behind Speak Now hit single “Back to December.” In the new video, directed and written by Swift, the trio conspires to rescue the music superstar from a (literal) vault, thereby reuniting all her Speak Now songs with their rightful owner.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking all about Swift’s latest re-recorded album, as well as “I Can See You,” its buzziest “From the Vault” track. Listen below:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how there are new No. 1s on both the Billboard 200 albums and Billboard Hot 100 songs chart — and by two different artists! Plus, could Swift surpass a longstanding record held by Barbra Streisand next week on the Billboard 200 with Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)? We’ve got all the details in the podcast above. Also, Madonna shared her first message to fans since her hospitalization last month and also updated ticket-holders on the status of her postponed Celebration Tour, and we’re talking about all that too.

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.)

11 Jul 2023

Kevin Gates Reacts to His Viral Moments, Explains Re-Releasing His 10-Year-Old Mixtape & More | Billboard News

Kevin Gates reacts to some of his most viral moments on social media, explains why he decided to re-release his mixtape ‘Luca Brasi’ after being released 10 years ago, talks about his new music, and more!

Kevin Gates
Y’all did all of this for me. Y’all shouldn’t have. My name is Kevin Gates. And this is Billboard News. I never thought I’d be on Billboard News. This is so cool.

Tetris Kelly
Welcome to Billboard News. I’m Tetris and I’m hanging out with my man, what’s going on Kevin Gates?

Kevin Gates
I’m excited.

Tetris Kelly
I’m excited to have you here. The funny part is as soon as you walked in today, I was like, I’ve wanted to ask you about this. So I’m happy to hear the feather’s the vibe. I’ve seen it in your music videos and on stage. Tell me the inspiration behind this look.

Kevin Gates
It’s not a look, and I’m gonna be honest with you. I wish I would have never walked this path.

Tetris Kelly
Why do you say that? Because I feel like it’s a whole vibe.

Kevin Gates
The responsibility that come with it. Wearing the feathers, like it’s me vibrating at the highest frequency possible and my feathers are very strong, but at the same time, they’re very delicate, just like life. So I gotta be conscious at all times. At some time. I want to turn up you know?

Tetris Kelly
You got a reminder.

Kevin Gates
I gotta always remember to be present and be in the moment. Be conscious.

Watch the full interview above!

11 Jul 2023

EXO Take Over Hot Trending Songs Chart, Best Amazon Prime Day Deals & More | Billboard News

With the drop of their new album ‘EXIST,’ EXO take over the first five spots on the Hot Trending Songs chart. Kevin Gates reacts to some of his most viral moments on social moments, explains why he decided to re-release his mixtape, and more. The Bellwether is opening its doors in LA today with a performance by Phantogram. We’re breaking down the best Amazon Prime Day deals. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
EXO and Cardi B battle it out on our Hot Trending Songs chart, Kevin Gates drops by to talk about being immortal and his viral moment. We take you inside the hottest new music venue in Los Angeles. Prime Day is here and we’ve got some deals you’re gonna want to see. And Priscilla Block gives us five things to know about her. It’s Tuesday, July 11th.

And here’s your top story: The fellas of EXO dropped new music and it’s taking over Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart powered by Twitter, with “Cream Soda” in the top spot. The group just released their new album ‘EXIST: The Seventh Album’ and holds down spots 2 through 4 on Hot Trending Songs including ‘Love Fool’ at No. 2, ‘No Makeup’ at No. 3 and “Private Party” at No. 4. The top non-EXO song on the chart goes to Fendi Da Rappa’s “Point Me 2” featuring Cardi B, which debuts at No. 5.

Tetris Kelly:
Next, let’s talk to Kevin Gates about his new music.

So recently, you re-released a mixtape that you put out 10 years ago. Talk to me about why you decided to put out the ‘Luca Brasi’ project.

Kevin Gates:
You want me to be honest?

Tetris Kelly:
Yeah.

Kevin Gates:
I’m immortal. For the people that don’t know what that means. Like, I mean, I’m immortal. Like I’m one of them types of people so when I put it out, it was before its time and it was received well, but once I put it out again, it was re-received because people like to discover Kevin Gates and I’m still discovering Kevin Gates.

Watch the full video above!

11 Jul 2023

Carly Rae Jepsen, Haim & More to Perform at LA’s Newest Music Venue The Bellwether | Billboard News

LA’s newest music venue The Bellwether is opening its doors in LA today with a performance by Phantogram.

Tetris Kelly:
The Bellwether is Los Angeles’ hottest new music venue, and Billboard is taking you inside.

Musicians like Haim, Tove Lo, Carly Rae Jepsen and so many more are set to take the stage at The Bellwether in downtown Los Angeles. They open their doors for the first time today as they host Phantogram.

The venue can hold 1,600 fans and with the wraparound balcony, there’s not a bad view in the house. You can grab a drink at the bar while you wait for them to open the doors or eat at their restaurant. For a higher price tier, you have access to the Looking Glass VIP Lounge.

For a full schedule and to buy tickets for shows at The Bellwether, go to TheBellwetherLA.com.