Media

15 Nov 2024

The Immersive Future: The Future of Sound, Visual & Interactive Programming At Festivals  | Billboard Live Summit 2024

Sponsored by L Acoustics. A distinguished group of executives will take center stage to discuss how innovations in sound, video and immersive media are transforming the festival experience. Moderated by Amber Mundinger (L-Acoustics Global Director of Artistic Engagement), the panel features Dave Rat, President of Rat Sound Systems, Polygon’s David Lopez de Arenosa, and WME’s Josh Kurfirst. They will explore the critical role of sound design and technology, including deploying large-scale spatial audio, immersive sound, and projection mapping. From deep diving into Electric Forest’s sellout success to new initiatives for developing artists, the Festivals of the Future panel will serve as a roadmap for the next generation of experienced creators.

15 Nov 2024

Lil Durk Pleads Not Guilty in Federal Case Over Quando Rondo Shooting | Billboard News

Lil Durk has pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging a plot to kill fellow rapper Quando Rondo. Keep watching for the full details of the case.

Tetris Kelly:
Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Durk pled not guilty in a Los Angeles court on Thursday to federal charges related to an alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy plot against fellow rapper Quando Rondo. In September 2022, Quando was shot at in his car in Los Angeles, and the gunfire killed his cousin. Durk was arrested on October 24 in Miami and was recently extradited to Los Angeles. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed two additional charges against the Chicago rapper: one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death. He was also charged with one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun, and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death.

Billboard has confirmed that Lil Durk has hired famed defense lawyer Drew Findling, who’s represented the likes of Donald Trump, Cardi B, Gucci Mane and Offset. Durk remains in custody in a Los Angeles detention awaiting a bond hearing on Dec. 12, with his trial expected to take place sometime in January.

Billboard has contacted Lil Durk’s reps for comment. Stay tuned to Billboard for all the latest updates.

15 Nov 2024

Inside Global Touring: A Conversation With Arthur Fogle & Bobby Campbell | Billboard Live Summit 2024

Join Live Nation’s Arthur Fogel as he sits down with artist manager Bobby Campbell to explore the evolution of global touring. From the growing demand for live experiences to advancements in large-scale production, Fogel and Campbell will share insights into how the industry continues to push boundaries and create unforgettable moments for fans around the world.

15 Nov 2024

Darren Criss & Helen J Shen Talk Starring In Broadway’s ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ | Billboard News

Darren Criss and Helen J Shen are headed to Broadway to star in the musical Maybe Happy Ending. The pair sits down to discuss what it’s like to work with each other, how they got the roles, the beauty of musicals and more!

Darren Criss:
This is a funny little backdrop, because before we were like in previews. We’ve done performances for audiences over 20 times, I think, or something like that. This is we’ve met for …

Helen J Shen:
Probably 48 hours, less. 

Darren Criss:
Yeah, just a couple, yeah. This is, this is so proto what we are now. The show looks very different from this. I don’t have, none of us have our wigs on, but I think the heart is there, I suppose. So I don’t want to misdirect it too much.

Rebecca Milzoff: The heart and the plant.

Darren Criss: Most importantly, the main star of our show. He couldn’t make it today. He’s already on the private yacht. Yeah, he’s partying on a yacht somewhere.

We’ll give Hua Boon his moment later on, I feel like the show is straightforward to explain, but also sort of defies description in so many ways. I would love to hear when you’re giving kind of your elevator pitch on it to friends and people considering coming. How do you describe Maybe Happy Ending?

Darren Criss: There’s what the story is, and then there is what the show is about. Those aren’t necessarily the same things. Thematically it’s kind of about, yeah, two elderly people in hospice that decide to break out of the situation, to go connect with their family. Now that is a really grim, depressing construct for a show. So why would you ever want to see a musical comedy about that? 

Keep watching for more!

15 Nov 2024

Inside the Rise of John Summit | Billboard Live Music Summit 2024

Join the compelling discussion moderated by Billboard’s Senior Dance Correspondent Katie Bain. Inside the Rise of John Summit, featuring the chart-topping DJ and his manager Holt Harmon. Discover the secrets behind his explosive success and the future of the dance music scene.

14 Nov 2024

Lady Gaga Joins Jenna Ortega in Season 2 of ‘Wednesday’ | Billboard News

Lady Gaga is set to star alongside Jenna Ortega in season 2 of ‘Wednesday.’ Keep watching for the details of her upcoming appearance!

Tetris Kelly:

Lady Gaga is heading to ‘Wednesday.’ After a previous viral moment, Mother Monster is joining the popular Netflix show. Two years ago, Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary” was resurrected by a runaway TikTok trend surrounding the Netflix show “Wednesday.” Well, The Hollywood Reporter is saying Gaga will appear in the second season of the hit Addams Family-inspired show slated for 2025. Production is already underway in Ireland. I mean, we all remember the iconic scene. Even Seventeen and I got involved. Billboard has reached out to reps for Gaga and Netflix for comment.

14 Nov 2024

Feid Plays ‘Finish the Lyrics’

Feid tests his knowledge and finishes the lyrics to some of his biggest hits, including “Se Me Olvida,” “Luna” and more!

Feid:
Hello, love, how are you? Feid greets you and I am going to Finish the Lyrics of my songs here in Billboard. 

Another day the sun doesn’t rise/ Marijuana to cure this pain/ Thinking about what would have been better/ I no longer expect you to call me/ How lame to run into that other guy.

I’m looking for you/ And I don’t know where you are/ I’m looking for answers/ When was the last time I saw you smile?/ I was telling you “my queen”/ Your legs were trembling.

Doing everything/ You’re gonna walk with this cat/ Not with that prick/ You’re alone/ And I’m alone, too.

You look like you like it freaky/ Nasty nothing romantic/ You look expensive, b—hy, classy, a fantastic mode.

I know what to do/ To get you out of here/ Baby, I understand, the notes, the party/ Is from another planet.  

14 Nov 2024

Chris Brown’s ‘No Guidance’ Goes Diamond | Billboard News

Chris Brown and Drake’s “No Guidance” receives a diamond plaque, and we’re running through all of Chris’ platinum hits. 

Tetris Kelly:
Chris Brown gets his first diamond plaque for his 2019 hit song “No Guidance” featuring his frenemy, the Canadian rapper himself, Drake. On Tuesday, RIAA certified that the song had earned a diamond plaque, which means “No Guidance” has sold or streamed over 10 million units. Oh, but that’s not it for the R&B singer. His 2007 hit “With You” has gone 6x platinum. And off his 2019 album, Indigo, the track “Under the Influence” has officially gone 5x platinum. Thanks to his new certifications, Breezy’s single sales have reached 114.5 million. That’s more than any other male R&B singer, also making him the second Black male singer to cross the 100 million mark with 114, behind The Weeknd’s 126 million sales. Speaking of singles, over the course of his career, Breezy has had over 118 singles land on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Shout out to Chris Brown for those huge achievements.

14 Nov 2024

Gracie Abrams’ ‘That’s So True’ Lands Her in Top 10 of TikTok Billboard Top 50 | Billboard News

Gracie Abrams, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and more make their way into the top 10, but will any of the new entries take over “Maps” holding No. 1?

Tetris Kelly:
Four new tracks break into the top 10, and one impressive record gets matched. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs tie Mitski for the second longest run on top of the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for the chart posting Nov. 14. “Maps” spends a whopping sixth week at No. 1. Queen Bey climbs from 12 to six. Her 2008 hit “Diva” found new life thanks to a trend where users combine various moves from Beyonce’s performances over the years.

Christmas came early on TikTok at No. 7. Mariah Carey is the queen of topping the chart during the holidays and according to her, it’s time for “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Gracie Abrams adds another top 10 hit to her list with “That’s So True” at No. 8. And our last track to break into the top 10 is “Finesse” by Michael Prince and Koncept P, thanks to a violin-inspired trend.

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.

14 Nov 2024

Dei V, De la Ghetto & More Spill Spicy Stories | Truth or Dare

Whether it is revealing their least favorite song to perform or their last lie, Dei V, De la Ghetto, Luis Alfonso and Mario Bautista are feeling the heat in a game of Truth or Dare.

Mario Bautista:
When was the last time you lied?

De la Ghetto:
“What song do you like to perform the least?” Wow, you’re going for my head. 

Dei V:
This one is dangerous here. Let’s go there. 

Luis Alfonso:
“What is your favorite song to perform?” “Chismofilia,” the song for all the gossipers.

Mario Bautista:
“What song do you like to perform the least?” Well, I think it might be my first song. I mean, I do like to play it, but I had the voice more, more acute when I was 17 years old. So today “Ven a Bailar” remains in a higher pitch, so if I sing it, I have to lower it a semitone to be at ease. I think it would be that, but I really enjoy playing all of them. 

Dei V:
“What was the last text you sent?” I told him “bro, you got me f–ked up” because he got my jewelry on, I mean he’s bringing my jewelry right now. So that was the last text I sent, telling bro to hurry up.

Luis Alfonso:
Well, it says “Who was your celebrity crush?” Her name was Antonella from a novela that came out when I was a kid called Patito Feo. That was a celebrity crush I had as a kid. 

Keep watching for more!