Music News

Gayle King Shoots Her Shot at Lenny Kravitz in Viral Interview Moment

Lenny Kravitz swept Gayle King off her feet in a new CBS Morning interview, and the journalist turned up the heat when she got flirty at one point during their conversation.

“Asking for a friend, is there love in your life right now? Do you have a significant other in your life? And can I beat her a— if she is?,” King said to Kravitz, to which the rockstar laughed and said, “Wow.”

Gayle continued, “Oops, did I say that out loud? I’m non-violent Lenny Kravitz!”

To answer her question, Kravitz admitted, “I’m just open. […] It’s hard not to look. When you desire something, you’re looking for it. I find that when you don’t look, you find it. I’m at a place where — I’ve said this for several years — I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready. I wasn’t ready, right? I can say that I’ve never felt how I feel now.”

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On his confidence, the rockstar shared, “It’s a constant journey, but I feel great.”

Kravitz is fresh off the release of his new album, Blue Electric Light, which arrived on Friday (May 24) via Roxie Records/BMG. The project was written and recorded by Kravitz in his studio in the Bahamas, and features the previously-released cuts “Paralyzed,” “TK421” and “Human.” The collection, he told Jimmy Fallon for a late-night interview that aired in March, is about “celebration, life, humanity, sexuality, sensuality, spirituality.” Blue Electric Light is “just that vibration of love, of god, of spirit.”

Watch the viral moment between King and Kravitz at the 7:30 mark below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=aKgAOhXwJhg&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&start=452&wmode=transparent

New Kids on the Block Reflect on New Album ‘Still Kids’ & ‘Not Wanting to Let Each Other Down’

Last week, New Kids on the Block made their long-awaited return with Still Kids, their first full-length album in 11 years — and a project on which the long-running pop quintet sounds reinvigorated. During a sit-down with Billboard News, Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood discussed how NKOTB’s first album in over a decade came together slowly but surely.

“Donnie kind of kicked it off,” McIntyre, who co-wrote roughly half of the songs on Still Kids, told Billboard, “and we’ve had success with singles, one-offs. The last song we had was [2022 single] ‘Bring Back the Time,’ great reaction there. And that sort of kicked off, ‘Maybe let’s do some more music.’ Donnie started writing, and Jordan started recording vocals. … It did take a lot! There was a lot of passion, and I heard a lot of passion. But there was a lot of give-and-take, and space to feel what this was gonna become when we all got involved.”

Instead of flying to one location and working on the album together, New Kids tinkered with Still Kids remotely — and instead of allowing that recording process to result in a disjointed project, the guys said that they pushed themselves to deliver their best material to the rest of the group.

“There’s a sense of not wanting to let each other down,” Wahlberg explained. “There’s an urgency that I think you can sometimes hear in the voices, of wanting to deliver the best of a performance. I think that’s present in this record, even in the writing.”

Next month, New Kids on the Block will kick off the Magic Summer 2024 tour, also featuring Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff. The latter was featured on the Still Kids highlight “Get Down.”

Ahead of the tour kick-off on June 14, watch the group discuss their relationship with boy bands who have come before and after them, playing their enduring smashes on the road, the changing landscape of the music industry and, of course, their beloved Boston Celtics.

Tank & Fabolous Hit No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay With ‘Before We Get Started’

Tank hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart for a ninth time, as “Before We Get Started,” featuring Fabolous, rises to the top of the June 1-dated survey.

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“Before We Get Started” is Tank’s third straight ruler, following “Slow,” featuring J Valentine, in 2022 and “See Through Love,” featuring Chris Brown, last year. It’s the first time that the singer has strung together three No. 1s in a row, following two prior streaks of two.

Tank first led Adult R&B Airplay in 2007 with “Please Don’t Go.” His nine No. 1s tie him with Usher for the fourth-most in the ranking’s nearly 31-year history.

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Most No. 1s, Adult R&B Airplay:

  • 14, Alicia Keys
  • 11, Toni Braxton
  • 10, Charlie Wilson
  • 9, Tank
  • 9, Usher
  • 8, Mary J. Blige
  • 8, Bruno Mars
  • 8, H.E.R.
  • 8, Kem
  • 8, Maxwell

As for Fabolous, “Before We Get Started” marks the rapper’s first No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay, in his second appearance; he peaked at No. 35 as a featured act (alongside Jamie Foxx) on Ne-Yo’s “She Got Her Own” in 2009.

Concurrently, “Before We Get Started” lifts 18-16 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, which mixes mainstream R&B/hip-hop and adult R&B audience data. While Tank has appeared on the list a dozen times over the past decade, Fabolous claims his highest-charting song on the ranking since 2013, when his “Ready,” featuring Chris Brown, peaked at No. 14.

“Before We Get Started” is from Tank’s R&B Money: The Vault, a 2024 re-release of his 2022 album R&B Money.

All Billboard charts dated June 1 will update on Billboard.com Wednesday, May 29, a day later than usual due to the Memorial Day holiday May 27.

Watch Central Cee & Lil Baby Go ‘BAND4BAND’ In Fiery New Video

Random link ups are everywhere in rap these days — and the latest one sees Lil Baby flying across the pond to connect with London’s Central Cee for the song “BAND4BAND.” The UK drill beat — produced by Ghana Beats and Geenaro — is a certified trunk rattler with both Cench and Baby, as the title suggests, going band for band.

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Directed by Wowa, the video shows their respective teams riding through London in back-to-back Lamborghini Urus’ in different colors looking very presidential. Central Cee sets things off and quickly loses his mind spitting, “I’m not in the mood ’cause my flight delayed/ So I jumped on a private jet and I’m askin’ the pilot the ETA/ Lambo’ parked on the landin’ strip, everyone in my gang and my DJ paid/ Why’s my man talkin’ ’bout Insha’Allah? These times, he don’t even pray.”

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Then, Lil Baby comes through to calm things down in his signature style of rapping like he’s never lied about anything a day in his life. “Bro’ll do it for some shoes and some clothes, you’ll see what he’ll do for a necklace/ ‘Rari truck, it look like a spider, it’s crawlin’ a dollar on just accessories (Damn)/She made me wanna go harder, I like her whole aura, I think I’m obsessed with her,” he spits like a character of an Iceberg Slim novel.

It’s always dope when unexpected collabs turn out to be bangers. Play this in the whip this Memorial Day weekend and make the trunk rattle on that reasonably priced sedan while going back and forth like Cench and the Hero.

While Baby has been relatively quiet this year, Central Cee has been active. He dropped the R&B-leaning “I Will” back in February and recently dissed old foe Digga D on “CC Freestyle.”


https://youtube.com/watch?v=WKuzQhQdQMs&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

Maybe all this activity means he’s gearing up to drop the rumored Can’t Rush Greatness album this year. We sure hope so.

Emilio Estefan Teams Up with Congress to Create ‘Latin Music Month’ & More Uplifting Moments

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

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Latin Music Appreciation Month

May 2024 has been designated as “Latin Music Appreciation Month” in The United States, after a bipartisan resolution was introduced by U.S. senators  Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla) this week. The effort was led by award-winning producer Emilio Estefan, People en Español, and political strategist and organizer Nathaly Arriola Maurice, after the group traveled to Washington, D.C. last year in December to meet with Senator Lújan. 

“As one of the only Hispanics in the United States Senate, I’m honored to introduce this resolution recognizing Hispanic and Latino achievements in music and culture,”  Luján said, according to People en Español. “The impact of Hispanic and Latino artists in the U.S. and around the world is immeasurable – from driving cultural trends to achieving commercial success – and it’s worth celebrating.” 

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Since kicking off his career in the ‘70s, Estefan has always focused on elevating Latin music and culture. “The recognition of Latin Music Month marks a crucial moment to highlight the true story of our music, which carries a diversity of styles from all corners of the world,” he expressed. “These sounds have influenced many generations and continue to be the inspiration for the new ones.”

Feid Launches his Foundation

Earlier this week, Feid shared a new Instagram profile called “Fundación GOOD KIDZ” on his stories, which all hints that its the start of his own foundation. The foundation—that has garnered over 25K followers in its first week and only follows the Colombian artist—shared its first post, showing one of its first efforts. “This young forest that we planted last weekend in collaboration with @CasaMadreRaiz is the beginning of many projects to come. Join us to promote culture, nature and well-being,” read the caption.

Camilo Presents His Creative Space

Camilo welcomed Billboard to his creative space that he calls his “Taller Creativo.” Located in Miami, Camilo’s new home-away-from-home is where he created his latest studio album Cuatro — the set where he experimented with salsa music, bossanova, and other genres. The industrial building that he decorated with instruments and a Bohemian aesthetic is also where he filmed the 12 music videos — including the Carin León-assisted “Una Viva Pasada” — directed by his wife Evaluna Montaner. During the event, Camilo also crooned us with acoustic versions of his new songs.

Carlos Vives Is Named POTY

Carlos Vives — winner of 18 Latin Grammy Awards, two Grammy Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee — has been named The Latin Recording Academy’s 2024 Person of the Year. “It’s still surprising to me,” the Colombian artist told Billboard Español in an exclusive interview. “It’s like a message that the Academy gives at the end, because 32 years ago I chose a path [that was unconventional]. To be successful, to be commercial, there was one way. This other path that’s cultural or has to do with your identity, that doesn’t work, [they would say].” Vives will be honored as part of the Latin Grammys 25th anniversary celebrations held November in Miami. Watch the emotive reactions of his family members below:

Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Like That’ Tops Two More Airplay Charts

Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” adds two more Billboard airplay No. 1s to its collection, rising to the top of the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay tallies dated June 1.

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The coronation of “Like That” on both lists accompanies its continued reign on Rap Airplay for a fifth week and Rhythmic Airplay for a third frame.

“Like That” becomes the first song to rule all four charts since Drake and 21 Savage’s “Rich Flex” in 2023. “Rich Flex,” as with “Like That,” also reigned on all four simultaneously (Feb. 4, 2023).

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On Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, “Like That” is the sixth No. 1 for Future and first since “Wait for U,” featuring Drake and Tems, led for 16 weeks in 2022. He first led in 2014 as featured, with Chris Brown, August Alsina and Jeremih, on DJ Khaled’s “Hold You Down.” “Like That” is Lamar’s fifth No. 1 and first since 2017’s “Love.”; he first reigned with “Swimming Pools [Drank]” in 2012. Metro Boomin leads for the first time as a billed recording artist.

On R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (which blends audience data on mainstream R&B/hip-hop and adult R&B stations), “Like That” leads with 17.5 million in reach, up 9%, May 17-23, according to Luminate. It becomes Future’s fourth No. 1 and first since “Wait for U.” It’s Lamar’s third (and first since “Love.”) and Metro Boomin’s first.

Concurrently, “Like That” debuts on Pop Airplay. While Future charted four titles at the format previously this decade and Metro Boomin reached the list twice in 2023, Lamar makes his first appearance on the ranking since 2018.

“Like That,” from Future and Metro Boomin’s collaborative album We Don’t Trust You (the pair’s first of two LPs in 2024), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated April 6 and led for three frames. It ranked at No. 7 on the most recently published survey (dated May 25, reflecting data May 10-16).

We Don’t Trust You debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated April 6 and has earned 809,000 equivalent album units to date.

All Billboard charts dated June 1 will update on Billboard.com Wednesday, May 29, a day later than usual due to the Memorial Day holiday May 27.

RM, Twenty One Pilots, Zach Bryan & More: What’s Your Favorite New Music Release of the Week? Vote!

Summer is just around the corner, and some of today’s biggest artists are heating things up with their newest music releases.

To kick things off, Zach Bryan dropped the somber “Pink Skies,” where he addresses a deceased loved one as their grown children get ready to wish them farewell. Bryan was named Billboard’s Top New Artist of 2023, landing No. 1s on both the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart and Hot 100 songs survey.

Meanwhile, RM dropped his second solo record, Right Place, Wrong Person, on Friday (May 24), bringing with it 11 new tracks for fans to enjoy amid the band’s military obligations. Led by the single “Come Back to Me,” Right Place, Wrong Person also features the alternative-based songs “Nuts,” “Groin,” “Heaven,” “LOST!” and more. Overall, the LP reflects a “raw and honest presentation of RM’s distinctive sensibility, aesthetics, and beliefs,” per a BigHit release, and follows the South Korean artist’s 2022 debut album Indigo, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

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Also in the album realm, Twenty One Pilots returned with Clancy, which follows 2021’s Scaled and Icy –which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — and concludes the duo’s long-running album saga that started with 2015’s Blurryface and 2018’s Trench.

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Sexyy Red also surprised fans with her new mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust, which includes a Drake guest spot on “U My Everything,” which name-checks and flips Metro Boomin’s “BBL Drizzy.”

We want to know which music release is your favorite. Check out our Friday Music Guide here, and let us know by voting below.

Nelly Furtado Brings the Sunshine for Refreshing ‘Tiny Desk’ Concert: Watch

Nelly Furtado trekked from Canada to the Washington, D.C. NPR offices to make her long-overdue Tiny Desk concert debut.

Furtado bundled her decorated two-decade long career into a soothing 11-track medley performance, which arrived on Friday (May 24) ahead of the holiday weekend.

The set list ranged from her greatest hits like the Timbaland-produced “Promiscuous,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100, to underground bangers that don’t even exist on streaming services today such as her dynamic remix to Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On.”

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“We really want to give a shout-out to Timbaland,” Furtado said. “If he doesn’t have one, I feel like he needs his own Tiny Desk for sure.”

Nelly brought out a fully-equipped band to help recreate her eclectic pop sound. Backed by musicians handling the percussion, violin, keyboard, bass, a DJ and additional vocalists, Furtado shined centerstage as an ageless wonder.

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She rocked a white tank top that appeared to have a slimy texture to give off an aesthetic that it was actually soaking wet with her black bra peering through behind.

The Portuguese singer ran through her other Hot 100 No. 1 hits “Say It Right” and the trash-talking “Give It to Me” sans Timbo and Justin Timberlake. Furtado also took fans in a time machine back to 2001 for top 10 Hot 100 entries “Turn off the Light” and her introductory anthem “I’m Like a Bird.”

“Please dance,” she instructed the crowd before wrapping up with 2006’s thumping Loose standout “Maneater.”

U.S. fans will be able to catch the Canadian pop icon in Los Angeles at the HARD Summer 2024 music festival in August. Earlier this week, Furtado teamed up with Tove Lo and SG Lewis for her new “Love Bites” single.

Watch the Tiny Desk concert below.



Jelly Roll Says Smoking Marijuana ‘Has Kept Me Sober’ Amid Lifestyle Change

As of late, country superstar Jelly Roll has been embracing a healthier lifestyle. But the “Halfway to Hell” singer says the key to his success lies in balance and knowing what works for him.

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In a new interview with Taste of Country Nights, Jelly Roll was asked if he is still smoking marijuana in the midst of his aim of living a healthier lifestyle. “I get in trouble for this, all the time, but my stance on marijuana will always be the same. I believe marijuana has helped me in so many regards, with my anxiety,” he said. “This is a hot button topic, but truly, marijuana has kept me sober.”

Jelly Roll added, “I think a world without weed, Jelly Roll’s drinking codeine and popping Xanax and snorting cocaine again. But a world with weed, I’ll be alright.”

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He further noted that he has “friends that don’t do that. I have friends that are in the program that are totally against any kind of mind-altering anything. I respect that. I have so much respect for those people. That’s just not how my sobriety worked out.”

Earlier this month, the singer finished his first 5K race, taking part in the 2 Bears 5K in Los Angeles. He’s also committed himself walking more regularly and eating healthy.

Jelly Roll is currently working on a new project, telling the outlet he wrote more than 150 songs in the process of creating the new record. He’s slowly been offering glimpses of the new music, debuting a new song, “I Am Not OK,” which centers on mental health, on The Voice. He also performed the song “Liar,” which aims at addiction, during the Academy of Country Music Awards.

He’s also on the verge of adding another Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 to his arsenal, with “Halfway to Hell.” He’s already notched three Country Airplay chart-toppers “Son of a Sinner,” “Need a Favor,” and “Save Me” (with Lainey Wilson).

Spicoli Scramble Golf Tournament Raises Over $20,000 in Memory of Quinn Coleman 

On May 5th, the inaugural Spicoli Scramble Invitational celebrated the life and legacy of Quinn Coleman, co-founder of DC music festival Trillectro, Capitol Records A&R, and Debra Lee’s beloved son. Over 150 of Coleman’s closest friends and family came out to support, raising over $20,000, for the Recording Academy’s Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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Modi Oyewole (Coleman’s Co-Founder of Trillectro Music Festival), Hannah Wittman (sal&co), and William “VJ” White (creator of party series WORD OF MOUTH) put together a beautiful  event, celebrating Quinn’s life and the significant impact he had in music. His unexpected passing in August 2020 left a void, but his legacy thrives through the scholarship fund established in his honor.

“It was truly heartwarming to have friends and family, some who traveled from across the country, to celebrate our friend Quinn. It’s been four years since he left us, so it felt really good to get people together in the name of competition and camaraderie. Emotional for sure, since we all just wish he was out there playing with us,” explained Coleman’s longtime friend & business partner Modi Oyewole. 

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The Spicoli Scramble Invitational was named after Coleman’s DJ name, Spicoli. To truly honor his legacy and impact on the industry, his friends curated an impressive list of DJs including Dj Domo, DJ Osh Kosh, Jadaboo, DJ Sean G, Jonny Rabbit, and Smiles Davis. 

Among the tournament participants, Mike Pak (Koreatown Run Club), Alex James (Pleasures), Camille Hyde (The CW’s All American: Homecoming), Lester Spellman (Spellman Performance), and more competed in the Par 3 10 hole 4-player scramble.

*embed Recap Video* 

Official brand sponsors for the event included: Lululemon, Celaya Tequila, Happy Dad, Topo Chico, OnlyGolfers, and Swang. 

The Recording Academy’s Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship aims to empower emerging Black music creators by offering financial scholarships and a comprehensive career development program for underrepresented college students. To date, the initiative has effectively dismantled obstacles within the music industry by providing students with professional growth opportunities that will help them secure full-time work opportunities in the industry after graduation. 

Learn more about the inaugural Spicoli Scramble and donate to the Recording Academy’s Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship fund HERE.