Music News

11 Jul 2023

Natanael Cano’s ‘Nata Montana’ Launches in Top 5 on Top Latin Albums Chart

Natanael Cano captures his third top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart as his latest album Nata Montana debuts at No. 5 on the July 15-dated list. The 15-track set concurrently launches at No. 2 on Regional Mexican Albums.

Nata Montana starts with 20,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. after its first tracking week ending July 6, according to Luminate. Cano’s eighth studio effort was released June 30 via Rancho Humilde.

As with most Latin albums these days, streams power Nata Montana’s opening sum. Out of the 20,000 units, 19,000 stem from streaming-equivalent album units. That equals 28 million official on-demand streams of the album’s songs.

An equivalent album unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album (track equivalent album units, TEA), or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album (streaming equivalent album units, SEA).

At only 18 years old, Cano pioneered the era of corridos tumbados — an amalgam of Mexican corridos with trap-permeated sounds within conventional regional Mexican music — with his breakthrough set Corridos Tumbados, which peaked at No. 4 on Top Latin Albums in November 2019.

The now-22-year-old has opened the curtain for his peers Peso Pluma, labelmate Junior H and others, some of whom comprise the all-star crew on Nata Montana –- the album’s name and artwork are references to the 1983 cult film Scarface starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, with “The World is Yours” phrase as the set’s cornerstone approach.

As mentioned, Nata Montana marks Cano’s third top 10 on Top Latin Albums among eight entries. Prior to Montana, Cano earned his second top 10 through the No. 9 high A Mis 20 in June 2021.

The album was preceded by two songs: “AMG,” with Gabito Basllesteros and Peso Pluma (No. 6-peak in Feb.) and “Pacas de Billetes” (reached No. 37 in May).

Further, as Montana launches, two of its songs arrive on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart: “Más Altas Que Bajadas” at No. 42 and “Mi Bello Ángel” at No. 46.

Beyond its debut on the Latin albums charts, Montana bows at No. 35 on the overall Billboard 200 list. It bests his only other entry there: Corridos Tumbados which debuted and peaked at No. 166 in 2019.

11 Jul 2023

Taylor Swift Dodges Friendship Bracelets Thrown at Her in Kansas City

Taylor Swift joins the list of artists who have been getting objects thrown at them over recent weeks.

In a video uploaded to TikTok by fan Natasha Litle on Monday (July 10), Swift is seen walking offstage after her show at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium through the side exit, where fans were waiting in the stands.

As Swift passed by, surrounded by security, she waved to cheering fans before eventually lifting her arms to her face to dodge a few friendship bracelets being thrown at her. See the full video here.

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Drake, Harry Styles, Bebe Rexha, Lil Nas X and Kelsea Ballerini are among the slew of artists who have recently had their shows interrupted by the launching of various objects including phones, a sex toy and bracelet.

Ava Max was also slapped by a fan who rushed the stage, and another concertgoer threw their mother’s ashes onto the stage during P!nk’s performance at BST Hyde Park in London on June 25.

Adele even addressed the dangerous trend during one of her recent Las Vegas residency shows. “Have you noticed how people are, like, forgetting f–king show etiquette at the moment, people are throwing s–t on stage? Have you seen that?” she’s heard saying in a clip posted to social media. The “Easy on Me” singer, while striding across the stage holding a t-shirt gun, then added, “F–king dare you. I dare you to throw something at me.”

11 Jul 2023

Zayn Malik Recalls His ‘Overexposed’ One Direction Years in ‘Call Her Daddy’ Teaser

Since his exit from One Direction eight years ago, Zayn Malik has become notorious for his reclusive approach to press and traditional avenues of music promotion. But as the star preps the release of his new single “Love Like This,” he is officially re-entering the interview arena.

For his first interview in six years, Malik was announced as the latest guest on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast on Tuesday (July 11). In a preview clip posted to the podcast’s social media pages, Zayn reveals why he chose this moment to return to the limelight in a more open way. “I feel like we were so overexposed in the band that that’s why I took the time that I have to not even necessarily do interviews,” he said.

It’s easy to see why Malik feels that way — from 2011 to 2015, One Direction pumped out five studio albums, four world tours, two concert films and a documentary, as well as collecting four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and six top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Zayn ultimately decided to leave the group before the release of their fifth studio album, saying in a 2015 statement, “I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.”

In the teaser clip for his upcoming interview, Zayn tells Cooper that he grew weary of the stereotypes being used within the boy band. “They just said, ‘Oh yeah, you can be the mysterious one.’ That wasn’t necessarily my personality, I’m just chill,” he said. “I know that a lot of people have high-energy personalities, and it’s just not the way I am.”

In 2020, Zayn welcomed his first child, a daughter, with model Gigi Hadid; in the episode preview, the singer credits his daughter for giving him the confidence to sit down for the interview. “Since I’ve had my daughter, the main thing in my mind is trying to be a good example for her,” he said. “That’s why I’m even doing this interview. I used to get a lot of anxiety around having a conversation like this, and I want her to look at me and be like, ‘Yo, my dad’s doing this!’”

The preview clip also featured Zayn embracing his newfound affinity for “dad jokes,” and gushing about how his daughter has brought “the color back” into his life. Zayn’s Call Her Daddy interview will be available on Wednesday, July 12. His new single, “Love Like This,” is slated for a July 21 release.

Check out the full preview here:

11 Jul 2023

Colleen Ballinger Tour Canceled Following Child Grooming Allegations

Colleen Ballinger’s upcoming tour dates have been canceled following accusations of grooming and inappropriate parasocial relationships with underage fans.

The tour, which had already been underway before the allegations surfaced, was scheduled to resume on Thursday (July 13) in Boise, Idaho. However, while the tour dates are still listed on Ballinger’s website, when the link is clicked, the website states that the shows are canceled, as initially reported by The Independent.

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Allegations surrounding Ballinger’s behavior with her fans first began in 2020, when YouTuber Adam McIntyre made a video claiming that the comedian had a personal friendship with him while he was just a teenager and she was in her 30s. He added that he would help with her social media and would be frequently put in uncomfortable situations, specifically noting that at one point, Ballinger sent him lingerie as a joke. At the time, Ballinger denied some of his allegations in a video.

The allegations resurfaced last month when another YouTuber, KodeeRants, who defended Ballinger against McIntyre in 2020, alleged that Ballinger privately shared screenshots of messages with McIntyre in a fan group chat. She also showed screenshots in her now-deleted video, in which Ballinger asked the group of fans their “favorite position,” among other inappropriate questions.

In response, Ballinger uploaded an unusual 10-minute video to YouTube, choosing to address the allegations through a ukulele song. “For what it’s worth, I never had any bad intentions but I do feel like s—,” the 36-year-old sang, proclaiming, “I’m not a groomer. I’m just a loser who didn’t understand I shouldn’t respond to fans.”

“Your goal is to ruin the life of the person you despise while you dramatize your lies and monetize their demise,” she sang, playing the ukulele and repeating a “toxic gossip train” chorus. “I’m sure you’re disappointed in my s–tty little song, I know you wanted me to say that I was 100 percent in the wrong.”

11 Jul 2023

EXO Snags Second Hot Trending Songs No. 1 With ‘Cream Soda’

Music from EXO’s new album EXIST – The 7th Album dots Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, powered by Twitter, dated July 15, including four of the top five.

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Billboard’s Hot Trending charts, powered by Twitter, track global music-related trends and conversations in real-time across Twitter, viewable over either the last 24 hours or past seven days. A weekly, 20-position version of the chart, covering activity from Friday through Thursday of each week, posts alongside Billboard’s other weekly charts on Billboard.com each Tuesday, with the latest tracking period running June 30-July 6.

The July 15-dated survey is paced by “Cream Soda,” the album’s leadoff track. The songs “Love Fool,” “No Makeup” and “Private Party” follow at Nos. 2-4, respectively. All four songs were newly announced as part of the wider tracklist reveal on July 2 ahead of the album’s eventual July 10 release.

The reign of “Cream Soda” follows EXO’s previous No. 1, “Let Me In.” Also from EXIST, the song was released in June and led the June 24-dated Hot Trending Songs tally.

The top non-EXO song on the July 15 ranking is FendiDa Rappa’s “Point Me 2,” with Cardi B, which debuts at No. 5. A remix of FendiDa Rappa’s “Point Me to the Slut’s” released last year, the new version was released July 7 after being teased on the rappers’ social media accounts beginning July 3.

It’s Cardi B’s second time at No. 1 on the chart, both times with features on remixes of previously released songs. In April 2023, she led as part of Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor Again.”

More music from EXO plus songs from MISAMO and Jung Kook round out the top 10.

Keep visiting Billboard.com for the constantly evolving Hot Trending Songs rankings, and check in each Tuesday for the latest weekly chart.

11 Jul 2023

Camila Cabello Brings the Heat With New Bikini Photo

Camila Cabello has been enjoying a vacation in Greece, and the superstar took to Instagram on Monday (July 10) to show off her curves with a sizzling bikini photo.

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In the snap, the “Havana” superstar is standing waist deep in the Mediterranean Sea, rocking a red and black, flame-printed string bikini with her hands raised above her head. “Can’t wait to be back to chronic low level anxiety in Florida’s shark infested waters,” she joked in the caption, comparing the Grecian waters to the beaches in her hometown of Miami.

It’s been a great week for Cabello, as it was announced last week that the 26-year-old singer will receive the special Agent of Change award at this year’s Premios Juventud on July 20, celebrating commitment to the betterment of youth around the world. “I am honored and incredibly excited to receive this esteemed recognition. I can’t wait to see you all on July 20th for an unforgettable show,” she expressed in a press statement. Cabello will join past Agent of Change honorees including Jesse & Joy, Maluma, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Kany Garcia, Jenni Rivera Foundation, Ricky Martin, Becky G, Pitbull, Juanpa Zurita, and Wisin y Yandel. 

See her fiery bikini picture below.

11 Jul 2023

Cardi B & Offset Pack on PDA at Daughter Kulture’s 5th Birthday Party

Don’t worry — for the most part, Kulture Kiari’s fifth birthday party was mostly just filled with Blue’s Clues, Trolls and other PG appropriate celebrations. But parents Cardi B and Offset diiiiid sneak in a couple seconds of PDA.

Sharing clips of Kulture’s big day, which included a trip to Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream in New Jersey, Cardi included a seconds-long video of Offset passionately kissing her cheek and neck on her Instagram Story Monday (July 10). In the background, Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” can be heard playing through the speakers as Cardi smirks at the camera.

As evidenced by Cardi’s Story, the couple has been going strong since resolving their brief public spat over allegations that the “WAP” rapper cheated on the Migos star. Late last month, Offset posted and deleted a Story accusing his wife of sleeping with another man; however, Cardi quickly shut the rumors down.

In other videos on Cardi’s Story, Offset — holding the pair’s second child, nearly two-year-old son Wave — looks on as his daughter hugs special guest Blue the puppy from Blue’s Clues. “Naaa you did your big one,” Cardi wrote, praising Offset for pulling off the extravagant party.

In a post on the “I Like It” artist’s main feed, Kulture can be seen posing in a pink tutu and meeting Poppy, the pink Troll voiced by Anna Kendrick in DreamWorks’ animated film Trolls. “My baby is five….,” Cardi wrote in her caption. “Happy birthday to my pretty princess .It’s beautiful seeing my girl grow yet makes me a lil sad that my baby is not my little baby no more..light lil turn up today till the weekend.”

See Cardi’s post below.

11 Jul 2023

Boygenius Plot Fall 2023 Tour With Openers MUNA, 100 Gecs and More

Rock power trio Boygenius announced dates for a fall 2023 tour that will take the group from coast-to-coast in support of its 2023 full-length debut album, the record. The group comprised of singer/songwriters Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus will set up shop at some iconic venues on the five-date swing, including New York’s Madison Square Garden on Oct. 2 and L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl on Halloween (Oct. 31).

The tour will feature support from Palehound, Samia, MUNA, as well as 100 gecs with special guest Sloppy Jane at gigs in Boston, New Haven, CT and Philadelphia. Tickets for the outing will go on sale on Friday (July 14) at 10 a.m. local time, with American Express card members getting a chance to get in on the Hollywood Bowl show early beginning today (July 11) through Thursday (July 13) at 10 p.m. PT.

The artist presale will kick off on Wednesday (July 12) at 10 a.m. local time.

Boygenius is currently on the road on a North American tour with Carly Rae Jepsen and the Illuminati Hotties that is slated to wrap with an August 5 show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO before the trio head overseas for European dates booked through August 28.

Check out the announcement and dates below.

Boygenius fall 2023 tour dates:

Sept. 25 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall !

Sept. 28 – New Haven, CT @ Westville Music Bowl !

Sept. 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavilion at The Mann ~

Oct. 2 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden =

Oct. 31 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl *

! with Palehound

~ with Samia

= with MUNA

* with 100 gecs and special guest Sloppy Jane

11 Jul 2023

Rina Sawayama Appears to Call Out Matty Healy Again During NOS Alive: ‘Just Apologize for Once’

Rina Sawayama is still feeling a certain type of way, and fans believe that Matty Healy is the cause of it all.

During her set at NOS Alive in Lisbon on Saturday (July 8), Sawayama went on a short rant during her performance of “STFU!,” her rage-fueled song about dealing with microaggressions. “So I’ve been thinking a lot about apologies. Isn’t it funny how some people get away with not apologizing ever?” she said. “For saying some racist s–t, for saying some sexist s–t? So let’s try this: Why don’t you apologize for once in your life without making it about your f–king self?”

Billboard has reached out to both Sawayama and Healy for further comment.

Fans online quickly linked the rant to The 1975 frontman Matty Healy after Sawayama seemingly called him out before the same song during her set at Glastonbury last month. “So tonight, this goes out to a white man that watches ‘Ghetto Gaggers’ and mocks Asian people on a podcast. He also owns my masters,” she said during her performance. “I’ve had enough!”

Sawayama’s reference to a “podcast” appears to align with Healy’s controversial appearance on The Adam Friedland Show in February, during which he laughed at the hosts calling Ice Spice an “Inuit Spice Girl” and a “chubby Chinese lady.”

Healy offered an onstage semi-apology to Ice Spice back in April, saying, “I’m kind of a bit sorry if I’ve offended you.” However, in a later interview with The New Yorker, the star said that the whole controversy “doesn’t actually matter,” and insisted that those outraged were either “deluded” or “a liar.”

Check out the clip from Sawayama’s performance below:

11 Jul 2023

TobyMac & Zach Williams’ ‘Cornerstone’ Climbs to No. 1 on Christian Airplay Chart

TobyMac’s “Cornerstone” featuring Zach Williams rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart (dated July 15). The song drew 6.7 million audience impressions in the week ending July 6, according to Luminate. It’s the former’s 12th No. 1 on the survey and the latter’s fifth.

TobyMac (real name Toby McKeehan) co-authored the hit with Brian Fowler and Micah Kuiper. It’s from TobyMac’s album Life After Death, which arrived at the Top Christian Albums summit last September, becoming his sixth No. 1.

“When a song that begins in your heart is released as a radio single, then becomes a No. 1 hit, it is truly a special moment for an artist,” TobyMac tells Billboard. “Believe me, it takes teamwork. I am grateful for the people I get to work with every day. ‘Cornerstone’ is a song about what promises we choose to build our lives on, the ones this world has to offer, or the promises of God. I once saw a quote that read, ‘Until we have learned to be satisfied with fellowship with God, we will be restless with our place in the world.’ I am so thankful this song is resonating with listeners because I know there is hope in the lyric. Big shout-out to Zach Williams for collaborating and bringing the powerhouse vocals to take it home.”

TobyMac tops Christian Airplay for the first time since “The Goodness” featuring Blessing Offor dominated for three frames starting in September 2022. He first reigned with “Made to Love” for nine weeks beginning in December 2006.

As TobyMac banks his 12th Christian Airplay No. 1, he ties Jeremy Camp and Matthew West for the most among soloists over the chart’s 20-year history. Overall, only MercyMe (18) and For King & Country (13) have more No. 1s.

Williams had last led Christian Airplay with “Less Like Me,” which was No. 1 for a week in May 2021. He has a second song on the July 15-dated ranking, “Sunday’s Comin’,” at No. 25 (1.2 million).