Media

Max B Sits Down for His First Interview Since Being Released From Prison | In Conversation

Trending on Billboard

In his first sitdown interview since being released from prison, Max B talked with Billboard‘s hip-hop editor Angel Diaz about a wide range of topics that include his first day out and reuniting with French Montana, how he’s readjusting to life outside and reviving his career, his friendships with the younger generation of rappers such as the late Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa and Cash Cobain, his love for the Knicks and much more.

Angel Diaz: This is In Conversation with Max B, the boss of Biggaveli. Welcome back home, man. 

Max B: Thank you, beloved. The one and only. 

So let’s get started. You came home Nov. 9, right? French’s birthday, and you went straight to the Jets game. Can you kind of talk about why you were at the you were, like, on the field and everything. 

Well, that was kind of like one of the signs where I knew I was, it was, I was like, the come out was gonna be impactful. So it just so happens I’m a Jet fan, anyway. 

OK, all right. 

So, you know, we needed to win. You know, it all ran good company that day. We wanted to win. And I wanted to, you know, finally meet Shedeur Sanders. So it was love, one of the fun days I’ll remember for a long time, very long time.

So how crazy was it, though, when you was on the field and you saw Method Man taking pictures?

I thought he found some type of loopholes. I said, “You don’t found some loopholes to the game.” And I’m like, “OK, do they let the guys take, you know, maybe you need some type of little photo, the little, you know?”

Yeah, like, he’s, like– 

And they gonna give you a job, a volunteer, doing some photo. You be caught sight sidelined the game. You get to see all the players. You get, like, that’s some official s–t. So it was good shout-out to Meth, yo, because I been a Method fan forever. So to see him like that on that in that circumstance, it was just like, I knew the day was just beginning. I’m like, it’s gonna get more exciting.

Keep watching for more!

Trueno On Collaborating With Gorillaz on ‘The Manifesto’ | Billboard News

Trending on Billboard

Trueno talks on working with Young Miko and going on tour with Damon Albarn.

Trueno:

Well, precisely, the collaborations I have are with two friends, one female and one male, who I consider to be two of the strongest hip-hop representations that Latin America has to offer. Young Miko is a beast, and Akapellah is another beast. I love that hip hop is increasingly taking up more space in the Latin Grammys and awards in general, that we’re increasingly present. And then there’s “Fresh,” one of my favorite songs of those I’ve made recently, so I’m very happy that they specifically chose that one from all the songs on the deluxe album. While I love the others, “Fresh” is still one of my absolute favorites.

Interviewer:

Now, speaking of the latest album, the deluxe, it’s nominated for a Grammy this year—congratulations as well. 

Thank you. 

What do you feel this project has done, perhaps different, from what you’ve done in the past? 

Well, precisely, EL ÚLTIMO BAILE has two parts. There’s what I released in 2024, which is EL ÚLTIMO BAILE regular, and then the extended version, which is the deluxe. For me, these two parts signify the two stages of hip hop: the first fifty years and the second fifty years. I feel that the deluxe brings forward more of what’s coming in the future, introducing fresher sounds, a bit of the West Coast that’s popular now, some drill, and boom bap combined with Premier’s scratch. It’s like, in the second part of EL ÚLTIMO BAILE, I tried to propose a bit more for the future, whereas the first part was more of a tribute. I’m very happy that this is how people recieved it, and I love it.

Keep watching for more!

Khalid Awarded With First Disruptor Award at Billboard Live Music Summit | Billboard

Trending on Billboard

This is partner content.

Billboard along with Live Music Summit presenting partner VENU awarded Khalid with the first Disruptor Award at this year’s event. After the summit, some of the industry’s top executives gathered for a Music & Money Dinner where they enjoyed food, custom cocktails, and a thought-provoking conversation lead by Billboard’s Editor-in-Chief, Hannah Karp, with VENU CEO and Chairman, J.W. Roth and industry veteran Tommy Ginoza.

Hilary Duff, Katy Perry & Meghan Trainor Return With Brand-New Music & Tours | Billboard News

Trending on Billboard

Pop girlies Hilary Duff, Meghan Trainor and Katy Perry have been busy in the studio and made a return. Hilary Duff dropped “Mature” and is going on tour, Meghan Trainor dropped her new single “STILL DON’T CARE,” and Katy Perry surprise-dropped “bandaids.” Watch as we go through all their new releases, their tour life, and interviews we did with them!

Tetris Kelly:

It is pop girly fall and your boy is over here losing his mind. From Katy to Meghan to Hilary, we’re running down all the new releases, and we’re gonna start with the one whose comeback announcement literally gave me a heart attack. New music and a brand-new tour. This is what dreams are made of. Hilary Duff is back. The new song “Mature” touches on all the notes that we missed from our girl Hilary Duff, and the music video is just as perfect. And there’s even a viral dance; I need to learn it now. Hopefully this all means a new album because her discography, top to bottom, it’s flawless. But most importantly, she’s going on tour. She’s hitting the road for the Small Rooms, Big Nerves Tour with four dates, including London and LA. Did you get lucky when tickets went on sale? We can’t wait. We are so excited about the return of Hilary Duff, but what’s our fandom name? I say Duffsters, but online, I’ve also seen Duffel bags, which honestly is kind of genius. Anyways, we did have Hilary talk to Meghan Trainor on our show Quizzed a while back, and it was iconic. 

Keep watching for more!

Edgar Barrera Says Composing Is a ‘Result of Relentless Effort’ For Him | Billboard News

Trending on Billboard

Edgar Barrera, composer and 24-time Latin Grammy winner, says that finding the next hit is a rush of adrenaline. He recently sent Carín León a song that he’s incredibly excited about.

Edgar Barrera: I think it’s the result of a whole year of a lot of work. A few days ago, we were talking about that, about how I keep a calendar where I schedule all my sessions and log the songs I write every day. On my way here, I was looking at the calendar. Everything in it, it’s just packed. I’d turn the page and see the whole month, and every single day there would be one song, two songs, sometimes even three songs created in a single day.

I think it’s something people don’t often see. They don’t see the effort and work that happens behind the scenes. So, when these nominations come out, when I receive ten nominations, it’s because I’m in the studio all day, almost every day, writing one, two, or even three songs daily, just like I’m telling you. Every week, every month, I collaborate with different artists like Peso Pluma, Frontera, Carín León, just last week, I was working with Carín León. It’s this crazy pace. I was with Carín for three days, and in that short time, we recorded seven songs. It’s a result of relentless effort, I think.

Seven songs in how much time? 

In just three days. Actually, there were nine songs. Two of them were pre-written, and together we created seven more during those days. 

Incredible. Honestly, the process of creating songs seems so fascinating to me—the way you guys handle it. But obviously, when you first started teaching and sharing your songs, how many songs did you already have?

When I began sharing my songs? Well, I’ve always written music. I’ve been making music since I was around fourteen or fifteen years old, just writing and writing. It’s something I’ve been passionate about for a long time.

Keep watching for more!

Arcángel Considers Himself ‘More of a Person Than an Artist’ | Billboard News

Trending on Billboard

Arcángel opens up about how he stays true to himself and explains the differences between Austin Santos and his on-stage persona.

Arcángel: In fact, I consider myself more of a person than an artist. I’ve always been like that because every time I have to give an opinion, I speak as Austin Santos, not as Arcángel. Speaking as Austin Santos has hurt Arcángel a lot. I’m really happy because people are recognizing my skill and talent more within urban music. I’m even happier because I can share this experience with my close friends and my work team. 

You’ve been traveling a lot and visiting many places. What has left the biggest impression on you from each city you’ve been in? 

Well, honestly, I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to learn about different cultures and getting to know different places. Wherever we’ve gone, the people have treated us very well. It’s been incredible to create lasting memories with people I sincerely love and appreciate. Those moments are priceless.

While I’ve changed in some ways, I don’t think certain things about me will ever change. If they did, I’d be failing myself. If I ever stopped being sincere or real, I would be disrespecting myself as a man, as a person, and I’d be disrespecting my mom, who gave me the upbringing I have today. So, no, I don’t think that part of me will change — though, yes, I have changed in other ways. For example, there are many things that don’t matter to me anymore. It’s not about being a conformist, but I’ve learned to let go of things I once clung to. Before, I used to be much more competitive than I am now. These days, it’s just different.

Keep watching for more!

Claire Rosinkranz Performs ‘It’s That Native Holiday Cheer’ | Billboard x Native

Trending on Billboard

This is partner content.

Just in time for the holidays, Claire Rosinkranz is partnering with Billboard and Native to spread some joy with her new song “It’s That Native Holiday Cheer.” Cozy up and watch the story unfold — a night of sugar cookies, mistletoe, and holiday magic.

When you’re done, you can click here to shop Native’s limited-edition holiday collection.

Ashley: Hey guys! How’s everything?

Claire Rosinkranz: Ashley, this is Nick. Nick, Ashley. 

Ashley: Very nice to meet you, Nick. Thank you guys so much for performing. It means so much. 

Nick: Didn’t realize sugar cookie season came early. 

Claire: Is somebody baking cookies? 

Ashley: It’s Native Sugar Cookie Deodorant Spray!

Claire: [singing “It’s that Native Holiday Cheer”]: It’s that feeling in the air; holiday cheer, so clean and so clear.

Scents so captivating, don’t be hesitating when there’s memories to be making.

So let’s make a move. Festive magic, baby, me and you.

It’s Native … so near. You’re the gift I want this year!

It’s my favorite time of year, sugar cookies in the air.

Simple joy, let laughter steer, it’s that Native holiday cheer!

Pure like the morning snow, kiss me under the mistletoe.

Holiday gumdrops? Yeah, let’s go! It’s that Native holiday cheer!

Keep watching the video above for more!

Get It Together with Myles Smith | White Claw x Billboard

Trending on Billboard

This is partner content.

Myles Smith’s soulful sound has captured hearts across the globe, but in Austin it hit differently. Go behind the scenes as he brings his story and “Get It Together” to life ahead of his White Claw Sessions performance.

Jon Weigell:

Myles. 

Myles Smith:

Yeah?

What are you doing? 

I’m just chilling.  

We got the White Claw bus outside. We got to go now, right now. 

Okay, let’s go.

Yo. What’s up, guys? It’s Jon Weigell here with Myles Smith and we are going White Claw sessions. 

White Claw Sessions, let’s go. 

You being here in Austin, Texas, it’s gonna be great. Cheers, dude. Now that you’ve had a lot of success, what keeps you excited about playing music for people today? 

It’s something that you always want to get better at. Like we write stories every day, the people we talk to, the life that we live. And so there’s always, like an endless stream of things to say. Here we go. Here we go. 

What would you say like, the big difference is between playing a big stadium show with a lot of people versus a more intimate venue, like tonight’s White Claw Sessions?

I try to keep everything feeling like it’s intimate, even though the spaces grow. It’s like keeping the stories close to people that feeling like everyone in the room is there for the same reason, and everyone’s there to enjoy themselves, and it doesn’t matter if you’re playing to 10 people or 100,000 people. My shows are always about people looking inward, and if you could, like, listen to the music, find a bit of yourself in it, and answer maybe some unresolved questions in your head, or ask yourself some questions that you haven’t asked yourself before. That’s normally where I love to leave people.

State Farm and Billboard Celebrate Latin Music Week with Exclusive Fan Experiences | Billboard

Trending on Billboard

This is partner content.

Billboard and State Farm joined forces at Latin Music Week to deliver unforgettable moments for fans and artists alike. From custom merch drops to interactive activations and live performances, the collaboration brought energy, connection, and community to Miami’s biggest celebration of Latin music.

Thiago: I’m Thiago, I’m a graphic designer from Brazil. I designed these two t-shirts for Billboard and State Farm. It’s very good to be here in Miami. I was impressed with a lot of young people here receiving the t-shirts and enjoying the work I did. 

Keep watching the video for more!

Latin Grammys 2025 Recap: Bad Bunny Wins Big, Karol G Dances & More | Billboard News

Trending on Billboard

The 2025 Latin Grammys were full of big wins and hot performances from Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos, CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso, Karol G and more! Keep watching for the full breakdown of the award show!

Jessica Roiz:

Big winners. And incredible performances. Hi, I’m Jessica Roiz for Billboard and this is everything you missed at the 2025 Latin Grammys in Las Vegas. Bad Bunny took us all to the beach with his performance of “WELTiTA”  with Chuy. And he won awards for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, and the famous Album of the Year for ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos.’ Karol G, who won song of the year, danced on stage with Marco Antonio Solís. And Gloria Estefan dedicated her award to the love of her life, Emilio.

The new Argentine artists, CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso, took five Latin Grammys home. JOP from Fuerza Regida covered his face before singing his big hit

“Marlboro Rojo.”  Alejandro Sanz brought Madrid to Las Vegas. And Ángela Aguilar looked at her husband, Cristian Nodal, as she accepted her award. That was our roundup of the Latin Grammys. And as always, for all the best Latin music news, visit billboard.com.