Music News

Leon Bridges Finds ‘Peaceful Place’ Atop Adult Alternative Airplay Chart

Leon Bridges’ “Peaceful Place” becomes his third No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart, lifting a spot to the top of the Oct. 19-dated tally.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The song is Bridges’ first ruler in six years, since “Bad Bad News” led for five weeks beginning in May 2018. He first hit No. 1 with “Smooth Sailin’” for two weeks in February-March 2016.

Although “Peaceful Place” snaps a six-year wait atop Adult Alternative Airplay for Bridges, the Atlanta native remained a common presence on the chart since he last led, with nine entries in between his two most recent No. 1s. During that stretch, he scored five top 10s, paced by the No. 2-peaking “Beyond” in 2018; “Motorbike” (No. 3, 2021) and his Noah Cyrus collaboration “July” (No. 4, 2020) also reached the top five. He boasts 10 total top 10s, dating to his first entry, “Coming Home” (No. 7, 2015).

Concurrently, “Peaceful Place” pushes 39-35 on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 1 million audience impressions, up 8%, in the week ending Oct. 10, according to Luminate. It marks Bridges’ highest rank since “Bad Bad News,” which reached No. 31 in 2018.

Trending on Billboard

“Peaceful Place” is the lead single from Leon, Bridges’ fourth studio album. Released Oct. 4, it’s set to make its chart impact on the Oct. 19-dated rankings, which will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Oct. 15. The LP’s predecessor, Gold-Diggers Sound, hit No. 17 on the Billboard 200 in August 2021 and has earned 198,000 equivalent album units to date.

Shakira’s ‘Soltera’ Music Video Arrives With Cameos From Anitta, Danna & More

Shakira‘s “Soltera” music video is all about a carefree night out with friends — and for the Colombian superstar, that includes fellow singers like Anitta and Danna.

The video, which premiered on Friday (Oct. 11), starts off with Shakira waking up in a room where she’s surrounded by pals passed out asleep alongside her on the bed, on an armchair and elsewhere, with a partially eaten pepperoni pizza beside them and an assortment of clothes strewn across the floor. It’s a reminder of the fun they all had the night before.

Shakira brings the viewer back to yesterday, when the ladies were making memories on a yacht, at a game of strip poker and on the nightclub dance floor at LIV Miami, all to the tune of Shak’s tropical pop song that celebrates being single and unapologetic about having a good time.

Trending on Billboard

“I have the right to misbehave/ To have a good time/ I’m on my own and now I can do what I want to do/ It’s good to be single,” she sings.

A few familiar faces make appearances. Besides Anitta and Danna Paola, Lele Pons, Winnie Harlow and Natty Natasha are among those seen, and Bizzarap stops by to roll the dice at the poker table.

“Soltera” follows Shakira’s latest album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, which went to No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums charts, making her the first woman to secure No. 1 albums in four different decades.

Watch Shakira’s “Soltera” video below.

John Legend, Lisa Loeb & More Pop Artists Vying for Best Children’s Music Album Grammy Nods

Most of the 113 albums vying for Grammy nominations for best children’s music album are by artists best-known for that genre. But the list also includes several well-known pop stars, and even a famous actor.

John Legend is entered with My Favorite Dream, which debuted and peaked at No. 5 on Billboard’s Kid Albums chart in September. The EGOT recipient is a 12-time Grammy winner. His biggest hit is the ballad “All of Me,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2014.

Lisa Loeb, best known for “Stay (I Missed You),” with the Nine Stories, a No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 in August 1994, is entered with That’s What It All About, with the Hollow Trees. Loeb won in this category in 2018 for Feel What U Feel.

Trending on Billboard

Patrick Stump, best known as the frontman for Fall Out Boy, is entered with Music From and Inspired by Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends. Stump composed the theme music for the TV show, which has aired on Disney Jr. since 2021. Fall Out Boy has received two Grammy nods — best new artist and best rock album for M A N I A. The band has notched four top 10 hits on the Hot 100, topped by “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race,” which debuted and peaked at No. 2 in February 2007.

Singer-songwriter Christina Perri is entered with songs for pixie. She cracked the Kid Albums chart with two albums with similar titles, Songs for Carmella and Songs for Rosie. Perri has had three top 30 hits on the Hot 100 (“Jar of Hearts,” “A Thousand Years” and “Human”).

Walk Off the Earth & Romeo Eats are entered with Buon Appetito. Walk Off the Earth is a Canadian indie pop band that cracked the top half of the Billboard 200 with three albums in the 2010s.

Actor William Shatner is entered with Where Will the Animals Sleep?, which debuted and peaked at No. 5 on Kid Albums in June.Shatner has received two Grammy nods in the category now known as best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording. He was nominated at the ceremony held earlier this year for Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder. Shatner won Primetime Emmys for The Practice and Boston Legal and was voted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2006.

As noted, most of the entries are from the artists from the world of children’s music. Among them: 123 Andrés, a husband-and-wife duo that creates children’s music in both English and Spanish. They are entered with Jamming on the Job, Vol. 1, a collab with Pierce Freelon. 123 Andrés won in this category in February for We Grow Together Children’s Songs.

Another of the entries competing for a nod this year is The Kids at North Station by Adam Blackstone Jr., Kennedy Anderson, Amg Kidz, The Teentations, Melodic Haven and B.A.A. Blackstone is the 9-year old son of music director Adam Blackstone, who has amassed seven Primetime Emmy nods. He won in 2022 for outstanding music direction for The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent.

Other pop artists who have been nominated in this category in recent years are Beth Nielsen Chapman in 2014 and Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 2018.

Interscope Geffen A&M Records Kicks Off Year-Long HBCU Initiative With ‘Homecoming SZN’ Album

Interscope Geffen A&M Records is preparing to launch a year-long initiative to provide support for HBCU institutions (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), which have played important roles in the careers of the company’s various artists and executives. For the initiative’s first phase, Interscope Records will partner with three universities — Howard University, Tennessee State University and Texas Southern University — to kick off its fall Homecoming SZN campaign.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The campaign’s centerpiece is the new Interscope album, Homecoming SZN Compilation Vol. 1. The vinyl-only project is comprised of Interscope catalog songs that evoke the spirit of HBCU homecoming celebrations plus two new tracks from rising artists. Immersive student-led pop-ups on each university will give students the opportunity to listen to the album, now available for purchase. Students will also have a chance to win concert tickets.

The album cover features custom artwork created for each of the campuses. In addition, a custom collection of Interscope merchandise, specific to each school and provided by Champion sportswear, will become available later this month. The collection includes crewnecks and T-shirts. The original vinyl artwork for each school as well as the accompanying merchandise were designed by Black multidisciplinary artist Laci Jordan. 

Trending on Billboard

For every item sold, Interscope will donate $3 to the corresponding university. Interscope/Universal Music Group will also develop HBCU-specific scholarships for prospective interns and mentors and additionally connect HBCU undergrads with HBCU alumni employees for fellowships. Moving forward, more Interscope Geffen A&M/HBCU activations will launch in spring 2025 and include partnerships with additional schools in the future.

In announcing the new initiative, Interscope Geffen A&M’s executive vp/head of urban marketing Laura Carter commented, “Historically Black Colleges and Universities have produced some of the most prominent figures in our country’s history. But HBCUs’ contributions to culture — especially music — have been especially profound. This is one of the many reasons why this compilation project is so important to the artists and executives at Interscope Geffen A&M Records. We want to deepen our ties with HBCUs nationwide and are excited to embark on this year-long journey.”  

Charlie Coleman III, associate vp for development and alumni engagement, said, “We’re excited to showcase this partnership that reflects our commitment to student success and community engagement. The contributions from Interscope Records empower our students to pursue their dreams. Together, we’re cultivating an environment where creativity, entrepreneurship,and tradition flourish as we celebrate Texas Southern University’s 97 years of rich legacy.”

Here’s the Homecoming SZN Compilation Vol. 1 track list:

SIDE A:

“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar

“TGIF” — GloRilla

“Surround Sound” — J.I.D.

“Turn My Swag On” — Soulja Boy

“No Type” — Rae Sremmurd

“Pretty Girls” — Wale

SIDE B:

“Mo Bamba” — Sheck Wes

“All the Way Turnt Up” — Roscoe Dash

“Win” – Jay Rock

“I Don’t Like” — Chief Keef

“Middle Child” — J. Cole

5 Artists Who Came Out as LGBTQ+ in 2024: Maren Morris, Chappell Roan & More

Every year on Oct. 11, the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. comes together to commemorate National Coming Out Day, celebrating the millions of people who have decided to open up to the world about who they are, while also providing encouragement those who have yet to speak publicly about their identity.

It’s an especially important day in 2024, at a time when queer artists are finding more success than ever on the charts. From Chappell Roan‘s rapid ascent to pop domination with to Billie Eilish‘s anthem for women who love women reaching the upper echelons of the Billboard Hot 100, 2024 has been a banner year for LGBTQ+ pop artists looking to prove that identity is an asset, not a barrier to success.

Yet in 2024, legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ people continue to rise. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently tracking over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills in the United States. Former president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, meanwhile, has doubled down on his anti-trans talking points in a recent set of advertisements.

But a June report from Axios points out that momentum for anti-trans and anti-queer legislation has slowed in 2024, signaling a light at the end of the tunnel for queer and trans advocates around the U.S. “There’s a lot of hope right now,” HRC president Kelley Robinson said. “Our opposition is overreaching. They are attacking not only our community, but our kids.”

To celebrate National Coming Out Day, Billboard is taking a look back at some of the artists who chose to open up about their identity in 2024:

‘The Wild Robot’ Soundtrack Makes Top 10 Debut on Kid Albums Chart

The soundtrack to the animated film The Wild Robot debuts at No. 10 on Billboard’s Kid Albums chart (dated Oct. 12), while Vince Guaraldi Trio’s classic TV soundtrack A Charlie Brown Christmas returns to No. 1 for a 106th nonconsecutive week on top. The Wild Robot opened atop the United States and Canada box office in its first weekend, earning $35 million. Among the actors voicing roles in the film are Lupita Nyong’o, Kit Connor, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry and Ving Rhames.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Kid Albums ranks the week’s top-selling kid albums in the United States according to Luminate. The latest chart reflects the tracking week ending Oct. 3.

Trending on Billboard

The Wild Robot is largely comprised of a score composed by Kris Bowers, but also boasts two new original songs by Maren Morris.

At the top of the list, A Charlie Brown Christmas continues as the title with the most weeks at No. 1, by far, as it collects a 106th week atop the tally. The album with the second-most weeks at No. 1 is the Moana soundtrack, with 54 weeks in the pole position.

As for the rest of the top five on the latest Kid Albums chart, the TV soundtrack to It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (also by Vince Guaraldi) falls one spot to No. 2 and the soundtrack to the 2011 film Rio debuts at No. 3 following promotion in the iTunes Store, while the soundtrack to the 1989 film The Little Mermaid re-enters at No. 4 and the compilation Disney Holiday Celebration debuts at No. 5 thanks to promotion around their vinyl releases.

DaBaby Hosts First-Ever Youth Town Hall For Mental Health Awareness at West Charlotte High School

DaBaby’s mental health initiative, DaBaby Cares, partnered with Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (MHACC) on Thursday (Oct. 10) to host the first-ever youth town hall at West Charlotte High School.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The year-long partnership will provide a “safe space for young people worldwide, building a supportive community that brings together mental health leaders, young people, and their families to provide real-time support for overcoming mental health challenges.”

In 2020, DaBaby’s brother, Glenn Johnson, committed suicide, leaving three daughters. For Baby, his mission statement is clear: to provide awareness for those in need and an outlet to funnel those mental health woes and frustrations.

“I believe that if more of the correct resources were in place to support mental health awareness and self-love, the world would see far less of these tragedies,” Baby’s mission statement reads. “In honor of my brother’s untimely passing, I have become devoted to utilizing my platform and resources to provide the tools needed to combat mental health issues. Breaking the long going cycle of mental illness in minority communities & normalizing the conversation around mental health. Join me in my journey to save lives one step at a time while preventing families around the world from enduring the tragic pain of losing a loved one.”

During the town hall, they raised awareness about mental health issues among the students. The students there also received their own Youth Mental Health 101 Resource Guide,” co-authored by DaBaby, which helps cop with mental health woes and provides self-care mechanisms. Then, DaBaby held a fireside chat and spoke about overcoming his trauma and rehabilitation.

To access the DaBaby Mental Health Tool Kit, you can go here.

Friday Music Guide: New Music From Charli xcx, Jelly Roll, JENNIE and More

Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond. 

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

This week, Charli xcx rearranges her album with a packed guest list, Jelly Roll continues a triumphant year and JENNIE has a “Mantra” for the ladies. Check out all of this week’s picks below:

Charli xcx, Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat 

Like the Lorde-assisted rework of “Girl, so confusing,” which is in contention for the year’s best pop moment, the new version of Charli xcx’s masterful Brat album allows guest stars to drop by and work it out on the remix, whether it’s Ariana Grande meditating on fame over “Sympathy is a Knife” or Bon Iver crooning alongside Charli’s existential woe on “I think about it all the time”; this project revamps the concept of a remix album and extends Brat Summer into autumn.

Trending on Billboard

Jelly Roll, Beautifully Broken 

Not only has Jelly Roll become one of the most successful new artists in country music in 2024, but he’s also been one of the genre’s most prolific voices — and Beautifully Broken, a 63-minute opus that includes a handful of previously released tracks but far more new country anthems, puts a bow on this fruitful era of the late-blooming singer-songwriter’s heartfelt, driving formula.

JENNIE, “Mantra” 

Toward the end of “Mantra,” JENNIE lets out a delighted laugh, as if the “pretty girl mantra” that she’s just delivered is so infectious that even the voice behind can’t help but bask in its pop euphoria; indeed, the new single gives the BLACKPINK star a giddy solo banger designed to be turned up loud prior to a night out.

GloRilla, Glorious 

GloRilla may have become a star thanks in part to viral-ready tracks like “F.N.F.” and “Tomorrow 2,” but the Memphis rapper was always capable of a compelling extended statement; Glorious, featuring guests ranging from Megan Thee Stallion to T-Pain to BossMan Dlow, is built around her formidable flow, and demands the listener’s attention for its full run time.

Becky G, Encuentros 

Becky G’s exploration of Mexican music continues with Encuentros, her fourth studio album and another project in which the crossover star sounds wholly at ease conjuring hooks while singing in Spanish — although this time, she embraces the contours of her voice, making songs like “Otro Capítulo” and “Desierto” shine with self-certainty.

Rod Wave, Last Lap 

On Rod Wave’s new album Last Lap, the twinkling and pretty track “25” is placed back-to-back with “F–k Fame,” a percolating collaboration with Lil Baby and Lil Yachty — that juxtaposition perfectly encapsulates the hip-hop star’s line-straddling aesthetic, as Rod Wave is able to offer soulfulness alongside radio-ready rap fodder.

Halsey, “I Never Loved You” 

Although the lead-up to new album The Great Impersonator has found Halsey taking a chameleonic approach and channeling various eras of pop greats before her, new single “I Never Loved You” evokes more of an ‘80s vibe than a specific artist, as Halsey marinates in a breakup while hovering above piano keys and ethereal synths.

Editor’s Pick: Tyla, “Push 2 Start” 

The deluxe edition of Tyla’s top-notch self-titled album from earlier this year includes three new songs, and “Push 2 Start” most effectively crystallizes the South African singer’s appeal: over sumptuous percussion and call-and-response harmonies, the “Water” star makes flirtatious car metaphors sound vibrant and celebratory.

GloRilla’s ‘Glorious’ Album: All 15 Songs Ranked

It’s been the year of GloRilla and she looks to cap off her 2024 with a successful release of her debut album, GLORIOUS, which arrived on Friday (Oct. 11).

Big Glo season is here. Coming into her anticipated debut LP, Big Glo set the stage with her Ehhthang Ehhthang mixtape earlier this year and supported “Wanna Be” collaborator Megan Thee Stallion on her Hot Girl Summer Tour, which ran through arenas across North America.

GLORIOUS boasts 15 tracks in total along with special guest appearances from a range of collaborators like Sexyy Red, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Kirk Franklin, T-Pain, Fridayy, Bossman Dlow, Muni Long and more.

The CMG rhymer set the table with thunderous singles “TGIF” and “HOLLON,” which invaded the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sit at No. 28 and No. 95, respectively.

“I was praying for it, I didn’t know if it was gonna come or not. I was praying for it and manifesting it,” she told Billboard News of her recent success. “I said I’ma give them the mixtape first get ’em back used to me, give ’em a feel of me and that’s gonna prep me for the album. Mixtape did good — did what it’s supposed to do, which prepped me for my album.”

Rihanna even publicly clamored for Glo to drop her album in July — and when RiRi comes calling, you deliver. Three months later, she’s delivered for Rih and her millions of fans with GLORIOUS‘ arrival as Glo looks to cement her status as one of female rap’s titans.

Stream the project below and check out our rankings of all 15 songs from worst to best.

Glastonbury Festival Announces Ticket Details For 2025 Edition

Glastonbury Festival’s ticket release is one of the most eagerly — and dreaded — days for British music fans. The performing arts festival, which began in 1970, is a staple of the summer’s festival scene and the 210,000 tickets usually sell out instantly amidst queues and a scramble to secure passes.

Now the festival has announced the on-sale process for 2025’s edition. The ticket sale will begin on Nov. 14 for coach and ticket packages at 6 p.m. GMT, and then a general sale will commence on Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. GMT. The festival will take place June 25-29, 2025.

Hopefuls will need to pre-register with the festival prior to the sale. The deadline for registration is Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. GMT. Those who have already registered for the festival in previous years need not apply again. You can register here.

Trending on Billboard

Tickets will cost £373.50 ($494) plus £5 booking fee. A £75 ($98) deposit will be required upon booking, with the remaining amount to be paid by the first week of April 2025. Any tickets returned will be entered into a resale later that month.

The festival, which takes place in Somerset, England frequently attracts international superstars for headline appearances on the hallowed Pyramid Stage.

In 2024, the festival was headlined by Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA, and recent performers also include Elton John, Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and more.

The lineup for 2025’s festival is yet to have been announced though it will arrive in stages over the coming months. 

Oasis have shot down rumors that they will appear at the festival next summer as part of their Live ‘25 reunion tour. Another heavily rumored artist Olivia Rodrigo has announced a pair of shows for June 30 and July 1 in Manchester. Rodrigo last performed on The Other Stage at 2022’s edition.