Music News
Page: 87
Itâs about damn time for some new Lizzo music! The superstar went live on Twitch on Friday (Feb. 14), and after navigating some technical difficulties with her muted microphone, she gave her fans a Valentineâs Day gift with a new teaser. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news […]
Former Eagles guitarist, Don Felder, is recovering after he was abruptly rushed offstage after a medical emergency during a Rock Legends Cruise performance. In a video shared by an attendee and posted by TMZ, the musician is seen introducing the Eagles classic, âTequila Sunrise,â sharing the inspiration behind the song before he began strumming his […]
Gene âGrooveâ Allen, a rapper and actor who was known for his role in rap trio Groove B. Chill, died on Wednesday (Feb. 12). He was 62 years old, according to TMZ, who first reported the news. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Long Island, New […]
The first Top Gabb Music Songs chart of 2025 continues a trend that started with the inaugural ranking for October 2024: a new No. 1 each month.
This time around, itâs Lady Gaga and Bruno Marsâ âDie With a Smileâ that tops the tally, debuting at No. 1 on the January 2025 survey as the most-played songs on Gabb Wireless phones that month.
Billboard has partnered with Gabb Wireless, a phone company for kids and teens, to present a monthly chart tracking on-demand streams via its Gabb Music platform. Gabb Music offers a vast catalog of songs, all of which are selected by the Gabb team to include only kid- and teen-appropriate content. Gabb Music streams are not currently factored into any other Billboard charts.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Despite premiering in August 2024, âDie With a Smileâ had not taken off on Gabb until January, becoming both actsâ first No. 1 on the monthly tally. The previous rulers include Benson Booneâs âBeautiful Things,â KSIâs Trippie Redd-featuring âThick of Itâ and Jelly Rollâs âRun It.â
Concurrently, âDie With a Smileâ rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in January and has reigned for five weeks total, including on the most recent (Feb. 15-dated) list.
Trending on Billboard
It assumes the lead over former No. 1s âThick of It,â âRun Itâ and âBeautiful Thingsâ at Nos. 2-4, respectively. Juice WRLDâs âFace 2 Faceâ rounds out the top five at a new peak, rising 6-5.
Mars appears in the top 10 of Top Gabb Music Songs twice, as his ROSE collaboration âAPT.â appears at No. 6, while Myles Smithâs âStargazingâ is the only other new entrant in the top 10, rising 12-9.
Other debuts aside from âDie With a Smile,â meanwhile, include âI Always Wanted a Brotherâ from the 2024 Disney film Mufasa: The Lion King (No. 22), Paul Russellâs âLil Boo Thang (No. 24) and SZAâs âSaturnâ (No. 25).
See the full top 25 below.
Top Gabb Music Songs
âDie With a Smile,â Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (debut)
âThick of It,â KSI feat. Trippie Redd (=)
âRun It,â Jelly Roll (-2)
âBeautiful Things,â Benson Boone (=)
âFace 2 Face,â Juice WRLD (+1)
âAPT.,â ROSE & Bruno Mars (-3)
âAinât No Love in Oklahoma,â Luke Combs (-2)
âSlow It Down,â Benson Boone (+2)
âStargazing,â Myles Smith (+3)
âPlease Please Please,â Sabrina Carpenter (-1)
âDeja Vu,â Olivia Rodrigo (-3)
âGodâs Plan,â Drake (+2)
âPopular,â Ariana Grande (-6)
âToo Sweet,â Hozier (+4)
âLove Somebody,â Morgan Wallen (+1)
âButterfly Effect,â Travis Scott (-1)
âBones,â Imagine Dragons (+5)
âLet You Down,â NF (+3)
âDefying Gravity,â Ariana Grande feat. Cynthia Erivo (-8)
âWildflower,â Billie Eilish (=)
âEnemy,â Imagine Dragons (+2)
âI Always Wanted a Brother,â Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Aaron Pierre & Kelvin Harrison Jr. (debut)
âStressed Out,â Twenty One Pilots (-4)
âLil Boo Thang,â Paul Russell (debut)
âSaturn,â SZA (debut)
DROPS FROM DECEMBER 2024: JVKE, âGolden Hourâ; âWhat Is This Feeling,â Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo; âEyes Closed,â Imagine Dragons; âJealousy, Jealousy,â Olivia Rodrigo
Billboard has announced the launch of its first French edition. The new venture is licensed by So Press. Billboard France marks the 12th global edition of Billboard.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
In the Parisian night, an imposing entourage makes its way to the photo studio. About 10 people â assistants, photographers, and collaborators â orbit around a familiar silhouette. The studio door opens to reveal Burna Boy, accompanied by his sister Ronami, an inseparable figure in his success, who combines the roles of manager, stylist and advisor with unwavering conviction. Thereâs an obvious quality to his charisma â the kind that shifts the energy of a place as soon as the person enters.In recent years, Burna Boy has been particularly prolific, allowing himself few moments of respite. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, he comes from a family deeply rooted in music (his grandfather was the manager of legend Fela Kuti).
From promising beginnings in 2012 with the single âLike To Partyâ to a noteworthy first album, L.I.F.E, released in 2013. However, it was from 2017 that his career took on an international dimension. Mainstream global audiences discovered him during a collaboration with Drake on âMore Lifeâ in 2017. He followed with three major albums (Outside, African Giant, and Twice as Tall) while delivering well-chosen features like âJerusalemaâ with Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode, and âBe Honestâ and âLocationâ with British artists Jorja Smith and Dave, respectively.
Trending on Billboard
After filling La DĂ©fense Arena and its 40,000 seats in May 2023, the Nigerian artist is preparing to take on a new challenge: the Stade de France, on April 18, 2025, the starting point of a European tour of about 10 dates.
France holds a special place in Burna Boyâs career. Itâs the third country where heâs most listened to, behind the United States and the United Kingdom. According to the SNEP (Syndicat national de lâĂ©dition phonographique, in English National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing), the has 11 certified singles in France and has already been streamed more than 700 million times there.
âItâs a celebration of African excellence and proof that our music knows no boundaries,â he confides, showing pride in being the first non-French-speaking African artist to perform in the legendary venue. â Itâs not just about me as an artist but about representing a continent, a culture, and a people whose stories deserve to be heard on the biggest stages in the world.â
Figurehead of Nigerian Music
In 2019, he proclaimed himself African Giant. Today, the title seems trivial compared to the scale of his triumph. Burna Boyâs journey illustrates that of an outsider, a meteoric rise from Port Harcourt to the heights of international music. Initially an English-speaking breakthrough that today knows no boundaries.
More than a decade after Burna Boyâs rise with L.I.F.E, Nigerian music has established itself as a major force in global popular culture. Afrobeats, a genre of which he has become the most respected ambassador, transcends geographical, linguistic and cultural boundaries. Vevo even reported that in 2023, views of Afrobeats and Amapiano tracks increased by 61%, exceeding four billion. As reported by IFPI, Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the fastest-growing music industry (the only one exceeding 20% growth in 2023).
Burna Boyâs Grammy Award, which he keeps on a dedicated table at home, also demonstrates a new American appetite for the Nigerian sound. âItâs not just about recognitionâitâs what it symbolizes. It represents the power of staying true to yourself, breaking boundaries, and proving that African music belongs on the global stage. Itâs a reminder that our culture and art are worthy of the highest honors.â
He returns this new American recognition well by inviting GZA for a feature on the title track of his latest album, I Told Them. On this album, he openly samples great American artists (Toni Braxton, Brandy, Jeremih, among others). âYes, itâs intentional. Sampling is a way to pay homage to the sounds that shaped me while creating something new. Itâs about bridging cultures and showing that music is a universal language. Iâll continue to experiment because growth and creativity go hand in hand.â
Burna Boy
Xiaoyi Dai/Billboard France
The Anglo-Saxon World As a Leitmotif
Having studied in London during high school, then briefly at Oxford Brookes during university, the English scene opened its doors to him first, and heâs always known how to reciprocate. He looks fondly on this ecosystem whose Nigerian roots are also illustrated in music (he mentions J Hus, Dave, NSG, and Not3s). âTheyâre carrying the torch in their own way. The UK has always had a deep connection with African music, and these artists are blending their experiences with Afrobeats influences to create something unique. Itâs a beautiful exchange of cultures, and it shows how far-reaching Afrobeatsâ impact is.â
African Music Conquering the World
The resonance of Burna Boyâs music is part of a larger movement. Since 2020, Afrobeat has spread westward thanks to crossover hits like CKayâs âLove Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)â or Remaâs âCalm Down,â which have exceeded a billion streams on Spotify. Nigeria is now the sixth best music-exporting country, and Burna Boy serves as the figurehead of a scene that has definitively conquered the world.
He enthusiastically discusses this new generation of Nigerian artists who are breaking codes. â[Theyâre] fearless,â he states. âThey are experimenting with sounds and taking risks. Itâs interesting to see how theyâre building on the foundation. Theyâre proof that Nigerian & indeed African music has no limits.â As the genre gained popularity abroad, more Afrobeats artists began their first U.S. tours after lockdown.
Among all of them, Burna has performed on the biggest stages â where real superstars are born. But this consecration can be frightening too, as Western stars have almost immediately embraced Nigerian sounds. An observation that doesnât scare Burna Boy: âIn 10 years, if we are mindful to keep putting in the work, Afrobeats will be even more global, influencing every corner of the music industry. It will evolve, incorporating new sounds and ideas, but its essenceâour African rootsâwill remain intact. I see it being a dominant force in shaping global pop culture.â
His view isnât limited to Nigeria. He observes with interest the emergence of French-speaking West African scenes: â[They] are incredibly vibrant and full of talent. Artists from Ivory Coast, Senegal and Mali are creating something powerful by mixing their musical traditions with modern sounds.âWe take the opportunity to ask his view on French artists in general. The answer will surprise many: âIâve always admired artists like Stromae, Matt Pokora, Tayc & Aya to mention a few. Their ability to tell stories and push creative boundaries resonates with me. French music has a unique depth, and itâs influenced how I approach my own storytelling.â
Refocusing on Raw Emotions
âWhen youâre honest in your music, people feel it, no matter where theyâre from.â His extraordinary ability to transform personal experiences into anthems, as exemplified by âLast Last,â born from a romantic breakup, has indeed played a crucial role in Burna Boyâs rise. His tracks are imbued with raw emotions of universal dimensions, explaining his global success.
His next project (perhaps named âNo Sign of Weaknessâ if we believe some cryptic messages sent to his fans before Christmas), promises to explore new horizons and unprecedented spirituality in his music. âItâs extrospective,â he reveals. âItâs not just about me but about looking outward, reflecting on the world, and how my experiences connect to the bigger picture. Itâs about growth, understanding, and challenging perceptions while staying true to who I am.â
The Pillars of His Life
He supports organizations like R.E.A.C.Hng that work with disadvantaged communities in Nigeria and created the ProjectPROTECT fund which helps those wrongfully detained in cases of police violence. âIâve been blessed,â he acknowledges, âand I believe itâs my responsibility to use my platform to uplift others.â Politics permeates Burna Boyâs tracks, particularly through his songs âWetin Man Go Doâ and âAnother Story.â
This social consciousness comes with a deep sense of family. His mother Bose and sister Ronami play crucial roles in his career. âTheyâre my pillar,â he affirms. âThey understand me not just as an artist but as a person, and they push me to be the best version of myself. Working with them is natural because we share a bond and a vision that goes beyond business. It also has its headaches as do all relationships but Iâm the better for it.â
As his French fans await a historic show at the Stade de France, Burna Boy more than ever embodies an era where African music dictates global trends. But itâs almost carried by an uncontrollable wave that his eighth album arrives, to once again redefine the limits of the genre.
Burna Boy
Xiaoyi Dai/Billboard France
Benny Blanco knows that Selena Gomez is a fan of cheesy Valentineâs Day gestures â literally. In celebration of this yearâs Day of Love, the producer showed off the unorthodox gift he gave his famous fiancĂ©e: a bathtub full of queso. On an Instagram video posted Friday (Feb. 14), Blanco follows a trail of tortilla […]
GloRilla is trying her best to beat the BBL allegations. On Thursday, the Memphis rapper posted a video to her X account taking a break in the gym while wearing a waist-trainer. âHey, yâall, Iâve been seeing everybody with all the BBL allegations and I wanna come on here and be honest,â she told her […]
Concurrent with the release of their new album Automatic today (Feb. 14), The Lumineers notch their eighth No. 1 on Billboardâs Adult Alternative Airplay chart, as âSame Old Songâ rises two places to the top of the tally (dated Feb. 22). The Lumineers slot into a four-way tie with The Black Keys, Death Cab for […]
While talking over the phone from prison with The Art of Dialogue, Death Row co-founder Suge Knight made an interesting revelation involving two late superstars. Apparently, 2Pac was a big fan of Aaliyah â so much so that he not only wanted to make music with her, he also wanted to sign her to Death Row.
Suge explained that the first time the late rapper/actor learned about the young singer was when they went to check out a Gladys Knight show. âWe had a thing,â Suge remembered. âI would always listen to oldies, and Pac would listen to rap. He didnât like oldies, so I told him, âI gotta show you what oldies are about.â So, I took 2Pac to go see Gladys Knight perform in Vegas.â
Trending on Billboard
He then says that eventually Aaliyah came out to perform and blew 2Pacâs mind. âAaliyah starts singing and 2Pac said, âDonât get up! Donât get up!ââ Knight recalled. âI said, âWhy?â He said, âBecause Gladys Knight knows you, youâre gonna speak to Gladys Knight, and then youâre gonna talk to that little girl singing. And the next thing you know, youâre gonna be doing an album.â He said, âIâm gonna go talk to her, you come later on, because I want to do an album with Aaliyah.ââ
Knight added of 2Pac, âHe wasnât thinking about signing nobody else. He thought she was the biggest star and had the best voice ever. Me and that dude spent hours and hours and days and days together. Me, personally, I never seen him get so excited about no female artist. ⊠He lost his mind over Aaliyah. He talked about her for days and days. I got tired of hearing him talking about that little girl. He said, âI got these songs I want do with her. Iâm gonna do this song with her.â ⊠He was super, super, super excited.â
âI always looked up to 2Pac because he was such a real brother,â Knight continued. âI donât know how long itâs going to take me to get over his death, but I do know his music will live on forever. All of us have suffered a major loss, including those who tried to destroy his name, reputation and spirit when he was alive.â
A day after 2Pacâs fatal shooting in 1996 at age 25, Aaliyah told MTV News, âI was very saddened, truthfully, at the tragic and senseless loss of such a multi-talented young man.â Aaliyah also passed away tragically early, dying in a plane crash in 2001 at age 22.
Check out Knightâs new interview below.

Demi Lovato celebrated another Valentineâs Day with their fiancĂ© Jutes on Friday (Feb. 14), taking to social media to share a carousel of gorgeous photos from a shoot the duo took part in recently.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
In the Old Hollywood-style snaps, Lovato is seen in a white dress and headscarf, complete with matching white sunglasses, loose 1950âs wavy hair and a red lip. Jutes, meanwhile, rocks a sleek black suit and sunglasses, as the couple poses in a vintage convertible car. âJordan, I cannot WAIT to marry you!!â Lovato captioned the post. âThe past 3 years have been the best 3 years of my life and I have you to thank for that. Iâm obsessed with your heart, your love and your light. I canât wait to grow old with you and start a family together. Happy Valentineâs Day to the love of my life. I love you honey!!!â
See the Instagram photos here.
Trending on Billboard
Jutes, meanwhile, posted photos from the same shoot on his Instagram page, writing in the swoon-worthy caption, âhappy valentineâs day to the love of my life. words will never do you justice, and Iâll never stop feeling like the luckiest guy alive. thereâs no better feeling than being loved by you. I adore you baby and I canât wait to marry you.â
The couple first made their relationship Instagram official in August 2022, and the next year, Jutes popped the question, on Dec. 16, 2023. The following day, Lovato showed off her engagement ring on Instagram and wrote, âIâm still speechless ⊠My love, Iâm beyond excited to marry you.. every day Iâve spent with you has been a dream come true and I canât wait to love and cherish you forever. Hereâs to the rest of our lives. I love you baby.â
The duo have also worked together on music. Jutes helped Lovato write multiple songs on their most recent album, Holy Fvck, including second single âSubstance,â âHappy Endingâ and âCity of Angelsâ; the LP reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200.