Music

01 Sep 2024

Here’s What Adele Has Planned After Her Las Vegas Residency

Adele is ready for a break from the spotlight.

During the final show of her Munich residency on Saturday (Aug. 31), the 36-year-old British songstress reiterated her plan to take a lengthy break from music after her Las Vegas residency wraps up this fall.

“I just need a rest. I have spent the last seven years building a new life for myself and I want to live it now,” Adele told the crowd at Munich’s custom-built Adele Arena. “I want to live my life that I’ve been building and I will miss you terribly.”

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The “Easy on Me” hitmaker’s 10-night stand in the German city concluded Saturday. Her Weekends With Adele residency at Sin City’s Colosseum at Caesars Palace picks back up in October for another 10 performances.

“But after that, I will not see you for an incredibly long time,” the singer said. “And I will hold you dear in my heart for that whole length of my break.”

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Adele revealed earlier this summer that she plans to step away from music for a while after her Vegas residency.

“I don’t have any plans for new music at all,” she told Germany’s ZDF. In fact, the star, who said she “doesn’t like being famous,” added, “I want a big break after this and I think I want to do other creative things, just for a little while.”

Adele launched Weekends With Adele run in November 2022. She said that the residency of 100 live shows over the past two years have left her feeling as if her “tank is quite empty.”

The singer, who has not gone on a world tour since her 2016-2017 run in support of her 25 album, has made a habit of taking time for herself between albums and tours. Those stretches out of the public eye have increased over time, from three years between her 2008 debut, 19, and 2011’s 21, to four years until her 2015 LP 25 and six between that album and 2021’s 30.

During one of her Weekends shows in January, Adele told the audience, “I just don’t think I’m gonna write an album for quite some time,” teasing that when she does she may be ready to hit the road properly again.

31 Aug 2024

How EVNNE Showcases the Evolution From ‘Cheeky Rascal’ to ‘Romantic’ Boy Band in Under a Year

With millions of viewers around the world tuning in and casting votes for contestants in the K-pop survival show Boys Planet, contestants who didn’t make a place in the final band left the program with fans eager to see their next steps. No group perhaps better embraces such potential than EVNNE, the seven-member boy band quickly ascending the K-pop ranks and proving themselves as far more than just a simple spin-off act.

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Noted for an intense collective charisma, the boy band’s debut with hard-hitting singles “Trouble” and “Ugly” spoke to a viewpoint as the convention-defying underdogs ready to prove themselves to the world. The group scored number-one hit songs and awards on Korea’s competitive music programs, and this summer embarked on their first U.S. tour to expand their international fanbase and showcase their dynamic performances across multiple cities.

“We didn’t expect it, but we really wanted it,” EVNNE’s leader Keita says of the group’s ability to break out beyond Korea and tour the States. “We felt that there were a lot of fans all over the world cheering for us while we were doing such a program like Boys Planet…it’s really a dream come true.”

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But it’s not just the awards and accolades that define EVNNE’s success. In less than a year, the group has shown remarkable evolution in their musical style, transitioning from the rebellious anthems of their debut to a softer, more romantic sound with their third EP, RIDE or DIE from June. The lead single, “Badder Love,” a soothing rock-pop track recorded in both Korean and English, marks a new chapter for the group.

“The reason we came out with the concept of bad guys when we made our debut was because we wanted to show the public what we can do best,” Yunseo says. “But we released a refreshing album like this because we wanted to show a new side of us.”

With accomplishments both in awards and aristry, Keita, Hanbin, Lee Jeonghyeon, Yunseo, Seungeon, Mun Junghyun and Jihoo have managed to carved their place in the industry and show lasting potential even if the group’s time together may be short. Read on for why else EVNNE is a group to watch as Billboard‘s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for August 2024.

Congratulations on the success so far and being named Billboard‘s Rookie of the Month! I wonder how you feel about your achievements over the past few months?

YUNSEO: We’ve been through a lot with our members and together we’ve achieved a lot of things, but time is really flying by so fast — faster than I thought. It feels surreal that we’ve been spending so much time together and able experience a lot of things in such a short time, but it also has been very short. Even so, we have realized that there are more fans and more people really supporting us, giving us so much love, so we are just very happy and grateful for everything.

SEUNGEON: I want to add that I’m so happy to be able to come to the U. S. tour following the Asia tour and so excited to meet people from different places. We truly believe that winning on the music shows and being able to go on tours in different countries is all thanks to our fans’ love and support for us. So, we are very thankful for that. We are also very happy and excited to be named as the Rookie of the Month on Billboard. We have been really wanting this so thank you so much.

While you didn’t earn a place in the final group for Boys Planet, you are here now winning awards and going on tour. Did you guys expect all these things to happen?

KEITA: We didn’t expect it, but we really wanted it. We felt that there were a lot of fans all over the world cheering for us while we were doing such a program so we always dreamed that we wanted to go to many cities, perform for many fans, share our energy and communicate with them. It’s really a dream come true.

How has touring the U.S. been for you?

JIHOO: So we were really happy that the crowd cheers were so much bigger than we expected. From what I understand, there’s about 500 people per venue for this tour, but from what we felt on stage, it really felt like the cheer was coming from 5,000 or even 50, 000 people — it was really loud. I feel like we’ve been really eager to share our energy with the audience, but in return, I think we got even more energy and motivation from them.

MUN JUNGHYUN: We were able to sing the English version of “Badder Love” for the first time, and I think the response was good because the fans sang along to the whole song which made us really happy. Also, we were able to show “XO” with its choreography in full for the first time on this U.S. tour and it felt like were cheering so much for that song.

SEUNGEON: You know, the global fans who don’t necessarily speak Korean tend to hum to our songs, instead of like singing along to the actual lyrics, which is still really cute but we always had a little bit of regret that and wish everyone could really sing along together from start to finish. But with the English version [of “Badder Love”] they were really able to do it and were singing along to the song while we were performing so it was really a great experience. It really motivated us and, one day, we would love to release more songs in different various languages in the future.

Any languages you might want to record in next?

HANBIN: We go to Japan a lot and there are a lot of our fans and people who support us in Japan so I think it would be nice to make a version that can be done in Japanese.

Going back to “Badder Love,” it feels like this album is centered around a softer image and less intense than the concepts for your singles like “Trouble” or Ugly.” What does EVNNE want to prove this time around?

JIHOO: Our main focus was to really show a different side of ourselves compared to our first two albums. For our first and second mini albums, we really wanted to show that “cheeky rascal” side, which is more powerful and very straightforward. But with the third album, we wanted to show more of a romantic, a softer side of us.

YUNSEO: Actually, the reason we came out with the concept of bad guys when we made our debut was because we wanted to show the public what we can do best while talking to the company. That’s how we made our debut. We released a refreshing album like this because we wanted to show a new side of us. We’ve always been able to do this, but we’ve shown you a little bit of a bad boy and a strong image, but this time, we’re going to show you a bit of a different image.

LEE JEONGHYOEN: We have some all-white outfits in the music video that are very fitting for summer. There’s also no really bright hair colors. Actually, this is my first time dying my hair in brown so we really focused on showing the right styling for the concept through this album. A lot of the backgrounds in the music video are set in the ocean so in my opinion that really emphasizes on that refreshing cool side with the song and the music video.

I saw you guys compete in the Idol Star Athletic Championship and reunite even with some of the Boys Planet contestants. How was that after all you went through?

HANBIN: We participated in two of the events during the program and we really prepared ourselves to do our best in it while preparing for this tour. We had to find little moments here and there to really prepare for ISAC, but I think it was a great opportunity for us to promote who we are and what we can do to even more people. So, it was a really great experience in overall and like you mentioned, we were able to talk and chat with many other artists as well including ZEROBASEONE. It’s actually been awhile since we got to chat and reunite with them so it was really fun to be reconnecting.

YUNSEO: Our schedules don’t really leave us a lot of time to meet in person or privately, but I was so happy to meet my friends that were at Idol Star Athletics Championships, talk, and play sports and games together.

KEITA: I met Matthew and I told him, “Hey Matt, I’m studying English!” and he said, “Hey, your pronunciation is not as bad as I thought!” but in Korean. So, I got a compliment from him.

SEUNGEON: I think fans who watched the show were really waiting to see us all again and a Boys Planet reunion one day. This was actually our first opportunity for all the Boys Planet groups and artists to come together, really reunite, talk to each other and just have a good time in general. I felt like it was a school event in some ways because there are a lot of idol seniors, juniors and colleagues but we all have the same dream and passion for music and artistry so it really felt like we were at a school event all together. So, overall it was a very, very fun event.

HANBIN: I actually ran into some friends who I trained with so while it felt really very new, and it also really reminded me like we were back in school all together and we were at a school event together rather a TV show program.

Do you have a message you’d like to share with international fans who are waiting to see you?

YUNSEO: First of all, we were selected as the Rookie of the Month so I’d like to say thank you so much. It’s a great honor and beginning with this, we’d like to show you all more and promote our name to an even more bigger audience around the world so we can really share our artistry and who we are to everyone around the world. And in the future, we really hope we can someday have our song chart on the Billboard charts. We will work hard for that so it would be great if the American fans and international fans know about us and send us your continued love, support and attention.

SEUNGEON: We’ve been really eager to share incredible performances through this tour and please please look forward to all our activities and performances in the future as well. It’s a great honor, again, to be selected as the Rookie of the Month with Billboard.

31 Aug 2024

Lana Del Rey Reacts to Jeremy Dufrene Relationship Rumors

Lana Del Rey responded to gossip about family drama surrounding a rumored romance with Jeremy Dufrene.

The “Tough” singer commented on an Instagram post Saturday afternoon (Aug. 31) that claimed to have an “update on Lana Del Rey’s new man.”

Tagging Del Rey on the post, the Instagram account claimed that Dufrene, “Lana’s new beau, is an alligator tour guide… who also recently separated from his wife. Jeremy’s daughter took to Twitter/X to share that she found out about her dad’s new romance with the stunning singer through social media and her thoughts on everything unfolding.”

The now-edited post originally featured a screenshot of an alleged text message exchange between Dufrene and his “daughter” regarding his rumored relationship with the star. It also showed a tweet from the “daughter” that said: “he doesn’t understand social media i’m in tears” and “everyone is fighting.”

The post on Instagram was later updated to show a different tweet from her that said, “i barely talk to my dad let alone care about his love life. i’m just shocked WHO he’s dating.”

Del Rey shut down hearsay concerning her personal life and Dufrene’s family on Saturday.

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“No,” she wrote in a comment on the Instagram post.

The Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd artist returned with a second comment, adding, “Also, that’s not his daughter on Twitter.”

While Del Rey appears to know Dufrene — they were spotted holding hands last weekend in the U.K., at Reading & Leeds Festival, which she headlined — she hasn’t confirmed whether or not they’ve dated. She was previously pictured with him in photos she posted in 2019, from a swamp and marsh tour south of New Orleans, which she captioned: “Jeremy lemme be captain at Arthur’s Air Boat Tours x.” More recently, Del Rey tagged him on an Instagram post this past May, when she possibly returned for another excursion on the bayou.

Video footage on TMZ from one of Dufrene’s tours shows he has no fear of getting up close and personal with alligators. In one clip, he lures one up the side of the boat by feeding the gator raw chicken. Then he plants a quick kiss upon the gator’s head.

Del Rey, who’s kept busy this summer on a tour of her own, played Reading & Leeds on Aug. 24-25. Her Reading set was unexpectedly shortened when her mic was turned off during a fireworks display at the festival. Fans reportedly missed out on her performing Norman F—ing Rockwell‘s “Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It.”

“Due to an error by the Reading production team we accidentally cut Lana Del Rey’s incredible set short by 5 mins, we apologise unreservedly to Lana and her fans,” a statement from the fest said the next day, ahead of Del Rey’s performance at the Leeds stage.

Coming next for Del Rey is likely her anticipated new album Lasso, which she’s called country but said won’t be a “heavy departure” from her discography thus far. In an interview with Vogue, she explained, “If anything, it will just be a little lighter lyrically, and more pointed in a classic country, American, or Southern Gothic production — which again, so many of my songs already are.”

31 Aug 2024

Missy Elliott, Questlove, Ludacris & More React to Fatman Scoop’s Death

The hip-hop community is paying tribute to New York rapper Fatman Scoop, who has died at the age of 53.

Musicians like Missy Elliott, Questlove, Ludacris and Ciara are mourning the loss of the Grammy-winning hype man — whose real name is Isaac Freeman III — after he collapsed during a concert in Connecticut on Friday night (Aug. 30). The rapper’s family announced his passing the following morning on social media. A cause of death was not provided.

Elliott, who collaborated with Freeman on her 2005 hit “Lose Control,” took to X (formerly Twitter) to honor him.

“Prayers for Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during this difficult time,” Missy wrote. “Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades. Your IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten.”

“Lose Control,” which also featured Ciara, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s video earned a Grammy Award in 2006 for best short form music video, and the track received a Grammy nod that year for best rap song.

Ciara also honored the late musician on social media. “Rest Easy at @FatmanScoop! You were truly one of the best voices in hip-hop! I’m so glad I got to experience your greatness! We will all miss you greatly,” the singer wrote alongside a video of Freeman on X.

Questlove shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram, writing, “I want to thank Fatman Scoop for being an embodiment of what hip hop was truly about. To just forget about your troubles and live in the moment and allow joy in.”

The Roots drummer’s dedication was “on behalf” of a list of groups, including “everyone who procreates after a celebratory night in the club,” “all human beings whose hands have the ability to raise up” and “EVERY DJ who needed to spike the punch with adrenaline music to make the energy INSTANTLY rise from a 3 to a way past spinal tap 11.”

Ludacris noted on Instagram that “Scoop was one of those people that reminded you what the word LOVE Truly means. It’s an ACTION, and with his ACTIONS he exuded the PUREST form of Passion For HIP HOP. Every human being that he came Into contact with felt that LOVE & that PASSION. THIS is the Type Of LEGACY WE should ALL continue from here on until ETERNITY.”

DJ D-Nice remembered Freeman, writing on Instagram, “he was always kind to me. This is a major loss for the culture. My condolences to all of his loved ones.”

On Friday, Freeman was performing at Town Center Park in Hamden, Conn., where he appeared to have suffered a medical emergency, according to TMZ. Fan-captured video on X showed the him collapsing mid-performance. After medical personnel performed chest compressions behind a DJ booth, Freeman was then transferred to a local hospital. His death was announced the following morning.

“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic Fatman Scoop,” his family wrote on Instagram. “Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”

Freeman gained prominence with his 1999 club favorite “Be Faithful,” featuring the Crooklyn Clan. His other musical accomplishments include a feature on Mariah Carey’s 2005 song “It’s Like That,” which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100. Over the years, he would appear on tracks by Skrillex (“Recess”), David Guetta (“Love Is Back”) and Ciara (“Level Up” remix), among many others.

31 Aug 2024

Two People Dead After Attack at Notting Hill Carnival in London, Police Say

Two people who were critically injured in attacks while attending London’s Notting Hill Carnival earlier this week have died, police said Saturday (Aug. 31).

The Metropolitan Police force said 32-year-old Cher Maximen died early Saturday after being stabbed in the street on Aug. 25. She had been visiting the carnival, billed as Europe’s biggest street party, with her child, who was not hurt.

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A 20-year-old local man was arrested and charged with attempted murder, and is now likely to face a murder charge.

Police also announced the death of Mussie Imnetu, 41, who was found unconscious in a west London street with a head injury on Monday night. The chef had been visiting Britain from his home in Dubai.

A 31-year-old London man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, and police said the charge would be reviewed after Imnetu’s death.

More than 1 million people each year attend the carnival, a two-day celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture that takes place on the streets of the Notting Hill neighborhood in west London.

The event draws revelers from around the world for its flamboyant dancers, colorful costumes, rousing steel bands and booming outdoor sound systems, but is sometimes marred by violence on the sidelines. Police said eight people were stabbed at the event this year and more than 300 people were arrested, most for possessing an offensive weapon or drug offenses.

“Carnival is about bringing people together in a positive celebration. That it has ended with the tragic loss of life, among other incidents of serious violence, will sadden everyone involved,” said Commander Charmain Brenyah, the police spokesperson for Carnival.

31 Aug 2024

Camila Cabello Teases New Song ‘Godspeed’, Announces ‘C, XOXO’ Deluxe Album

Camila Cabello is teasing more new music.

On Friday (Aug. 30), the 27-year-old pop star announced on Instagram that she’ll be releasing an expanded edition of her latest album, C, XOXO, along with a brand new song.

The Magic City Edition of C, XOXO will arrive on Friday, Sept. 6, and feature new single “Godspeed.”

“i wish you well, but far away from me,” Cabello captioned a teaser video of the forthcoming tune, hinting at a possible theme about breakup.

The brief clip finds the “I Luv It” singer swimming in a dark pool of water while donning a sparkly silver dress. “Always more stories to tell. Some new songs for your night in Magic City,” she wrote in second post announcing the deluxe album.

Cabello’s announcement comes after unconfirmed theories that Sabrina Carpenter‘s newly dropped sixth album, Short n’ Sweet, includes songs are about a potential love triangle between herself, Cabello and Shawn Mendes.

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Carpenter and Mendes were spotted spending time together in February 2023, a year after the “In My Blood” singer split from Cabello in November 2021. Just two months later, Cabello and Mendes were spotted rekindling their romance at Coachella.

Songs on Carpenter’s album, including “Coincidence,” “Sharpest Tool” and “Taste,” all seem to follow a storyline about a love interest rekindling his romance with his ex-girlfriend. The corresponding “Taste” visual stars Jenna Ortega, who fans think was casted to represent Cabello in the clip.

Cabello also seemingly added fuel to the flame, by recently sharing a TikTok singing along to her own track, “June Gloom,” which features the lyrics: “She’s cool, I heard/ Won’t act surprised, I saw the pictures/ […] If she’s so amazing, why are you on this side of town? / If you like her so much, what are you here trying to find out?”

Cabello released her fourth album, C, XOXO, in June. The set features 14 tracks, two of which are Drake collaborations. The project was led by the singles “I Luv It” with Playboi Carti and “He Knows” with Lil Nas X.

See Cabello’s post on Instagram below.

31 Aug 2024

Fatman Scoop Dies at 53 After Collapsing at Concert in Connecticut

Fatman Scoop has died after collapsing during a concert in Connecticut on Friday night (Aug. 30). He was 53.

The New York rapper, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, was performing at Town Center Park in Hamden, Conn., where he appeared to have suffered a medical emergency, according to TMZ. Fan-captured video on X (formerly Twitter) showed the legendary hip-hop hype man and radio personality collapsing mid-performance. After medical personnel performed chest compressions on Freeman behind the DJ booth, the artist was then transferred to a local hospital.

Freeman’s passing was confirmed Saturday morning (Aug. 31) in a post from his family on Instagram. A specific cause of death was not provided.

“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic Fatman Scoop,” the heartfelt message begins. “Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”

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The post continued, “Fatman Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club. His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity. His joy was infectious and the generosity he extended to all will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”

Freeman’s tour manager Bryan “DJ Pure Cold” Michael also shared the sad news on social media.

“I am honestly lost for words,” Michael wrote on Instagram. “You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truely made me the man I am today.”

Freeman gained prominence with his 1999 club favorite “Be Faithful,” featuring the Crooklyn Clan. He also appeared on Missy Elliott’s 2005 hit “Lose Control,” alongside Ciara. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and its video earned a Grammy Award in 2006 for best short form music video. The track also earned a Grammy nomination for best rap song.

Freeman’s other accomplishments include a feature on Mariah Carey’s 2005 song “It’s Like That,” which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100. Over the years, he would appear on tracks by Skrillex (“Recess”), David Guetta (“Love Is Back”) and Ciara (“Level Up” remix), among many others.

30 Aug 2024

What’s Your Favorite of Stevie Wonder’s Politically-Charged Songs? Vote!

Stevie Wonder’s new single, “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart?,” reflects the legendary musician’s deeply-felt political and social concerns. Wonder has incorporated these concerns into his music at least since he was 16, when he had a top 10 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Top Selling R&B Singles (as the chart was called then) with a cover version of Bob Dylan’s classic “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

Wonder has also written and introduced many songs of this nature, including “Higher Ground,” a 1973 smash that he sang at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21. He performed “All About the Love Again” at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Two of his politically-charged songs were directed at Republican presidents who he felt weren’t representing all the people. “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” was a biting attack on President Nixon, released just days before Nixon was forced to resign in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal. Wonder’s 1987 single “Skeletons” was an equally pointed attack on President Reagan amid the Iran/Contra scandal.

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Wonder’s “Living for the City,” with its finely-detailed songwriting (“her clothes are old/but never are they dirty”) topped the R&B chart in 1973 and became his second Grammy winner for best R&B song. Wonder’s 1980 song “Happy Birthday” helped in the cause of turning Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday into a national holiday. (A catchy song can do more than a thousand speeches.) His 1982 teaming with Paul McCartney, “Ebony and Ivory,” is glossy and candy-coated, but the plea for brotherhood and racial harmony was heartfelt.

Here are 18 politically or socially-charged songs that Wonder has written and/or recorded. They are listed in alphabetical order by song title. Which is your favorite? Vote!

30 Aug 2024

Lee Youngji Wants to Spotlight Her ‘Musician Mode’ & Get Drunk With Fans on First U.S. Tour

In Korea’s pop culture scene, Lee Youngji is a name now synonymous with vibrant and unfiltered entertainment, best seen through her viral Nothing Much Prepared YouTube series, where she shares drinks with members of K-pop supergroups like BTS, BLACKPINK and SEVENTEEN. However, 2024 marks a significant year for the 21-year-old as she looks to return to her roots in music and spotlight her talent as a performer and musician. Even if many fans might recognize her first as the comedic force behind some of K-pop’s most unforgettable interviews, Youngji’s journey in entertainment began with music — and she’s determined to remind everyone of that on her ongoing world tour that hits the U.S. at the end of August.

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The release of her debut album, June’s 16 Fantasy, marked a bold statement of her artistic identity and the promise shown for her musical future. The lead single, “Small Girl” featuring EXO’s D.O., not only topped the charts in South Korea but also broke into the Top 40 of the Billboard Global 200. Meanwhile, b-side cuts like Lee’s “ADHD Girl,” plus her hit collaborations with top acts like Dynamicduo and BSS, all display her versatility and abilities to step up and level up for each new song release.

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“This year is really important for me musically,” Youngji reflects during an evening FaceTime call from Seoul ahead of the U.S. leg of her tour. “I’ve had a lot of collaborations and I have a variety show on my YouTube channel, so many people know me through lots of jobs…but I want to spotlight my musician mode this year.”

As she embarks on the U.S. leg of her All or Nothing World Tour, Lee Youngji is eager to connect with fans in a more intimate setting, bringing not just her music to the stage but the unique personal energy that’s made her such a breakout star among the next generation of Korean-pop entertainers.

“I tend to try to really communicate with the audience, ask them questions, just try to talk to them and I think that U. S. fans are going to like that a lot,” she says, hinting at the interactive and personal nature of her stage setup. The All or Nothing Tour is more of an invitation for fans to experience Lee Youngji in her purest form as a musician and entertainer. And while she might not be able to indulge in her famous on-camera drinking with her audience — even though she tells Billboard that she really wants to — she’s ready to bring that same spontaneous and genuine connection to every show.

Read on for more with Lee Youngji sharing about her Stateside tour, her big year in music, memories with some top K-pop stars and what’s coming next.

Congratulations on all the recent successes, Youngji. There’s a lot to discuss, but it’s been a really important year for you as a musician. Is this why you’re going on your first U.S. tour?

Like you said, this year is really important for me musically. I’ve had a lot of collaborations, and I have a variety show on my YouTube channel, so many people know me through lots of jobs. First, they knew me as a YouTuber; then they might have known me as a celebrity friend; they knew me as all different types of things, but I want to spotlight my musician mode this year. And gratefully, “Small Girl” had a great response and boom, even in the U.S., so I thought that this was a great opportunity for me to be more confident on what I’m doing right now as a musician.

You do so much, and people know you for many different reasons, but where does music align with your overall world?

In my childhood era, I would always believe, “I think I’m gonna be a famous person, but I don’t think that I could be a musician.” But the first time people got to know me was in the survival show High School Rapper 3 [in 2019]. At that time, rap was the only thing I was competent in any type of musical talent, but I didn’t necessarily want to be only a rapper.

Did you find your confidence to pursue music through rapping?

Yes, but I don’t think that it’s my only talent. Rapping definitely requires talent, but I don’t think that’s all I have. So, when I won the rap survival show, I was always thinking, “Oh, so is ‘rapper’ my job now?” I didn’t want to start my career as a rapper. I said, “Oh, I got [to show] more than rapping.” But it was my best talent, so I was always curious…

Is that why we only got your first album five years after High School Rapper? You share a lot of different sides and styles on the record. What’s your favorite song?

Yep, yep. And not because that song got so much fame, but I eventually really loved “Small Girl.” It’s an honest, honest, honest song; a real story about myself. I love those kinds of songs. There are some tall, tall girls…ah, how should I say this? Everyone has a part of themselves that they lack confidence in, but this song can honestly melt that complex. I thought that “Small Girl” was a song I could make for everyone to be more confident. So, I really cherish “Small Girl” as a song that I made for everyone who might have lower or might not have self-confidence.

One of my favorites is “ADHD Girl” because I actually have ADHD. What inspired this song?

Ever since childhood, I’ve been hearing a lot of people, like my teachers and my parents, saying that I have ADHD — and that was before many people became really aware of it. But I have a lot of friends around me who do have ADHD and take medication for it. It’s a song I wrote based on my experiences as well as my friends’ experiences, some of them who are really struggling with ADHD.

What is your songwriting or creative process?

Well, there is a lot of great technology and stuff for music these days, you know? But I love iPhone and iPhone memos. I’m always recording on my iPhone: a little gibberish, little unknown sounds, guides for songs. I always write keywords with my iPhone. Actually, that was the exact process for the song “Not Sorry.” When I went through the competition show, Show Me the Money, I suffered a lot from this hate train. So, I wrote on my iPhone that said, “Not sorry, not sorry at all,” and I asked my producers — Jay Park, Zion.T and Slom — I asked them, “What about this subject for the title of this song” and they were like, “Oh, that’s dope and that’s something you can do right now.” My music-making process is always, always like that. I write a title on my phone and I do a gibberish recording.

And “Not Sorry” was a hit!

[Laughs] Yeah!

I’ve always appreciated your attitude. I’m sure it’s not easy for you, or anyone, but you have a refreshing attitude about criticism and “hate comments.” We even saw your “liking” tweets that have criticized you. How do you keep this strong mindset?

When I get hate, I try to understand them. “Why do you hate me?” “Oh, because of that point?” “Okay, I understand that — but I do not agree at all.” I can understand you, but I don’t have to agree with you. I always think about how nobody knows me better than me. So, you know when I “like” [hate comments] — I really don’t know how the internet system works — but I don’t care unless I do something that’s really a bad thing or crosses the line legally. I also reply [to] them when they send me DMs that say, “I hate you, go kill yourself” or something. I always reply to them and always like their messages because they never think that if they send me a message, I can see them; they don’t know that I can see them. So I want to let them know that I see everything.

So, what are you preparing for the U.S. leg of your All or Nothing Tour?

I always hoped that if I had a chance, I want to meet everyone in the world and music is my chance. So, yes, I wanted to use this as my opportunity. I’ve already toured Asia, but you know what? The mood is kind of different compared to America. My performance [style] is usually to get people crazy. On this tour, I especially want to have more direct communication with the audience and to introduce who I am, that I make this kind of music, and that I introduce myself as an artist to the U.S. audiences. Compared to Asia, there’s more participation in the U.S., whereas direct communication is lower in other countries. I made a lot of changes to my songs. I’m planning to bring the audience up to the stage actually, and maybe dance or perform together; I’m trying to plan those kind of things.

Like you said, you’re not just known for music but for your personality too. Are you preparing funw ways to share that side of yourself too?

I think that my personality shows up while I’m talking with another person. So, I tend to try to really communicate with the audience, ask them questions, just try to talk to them. And I think that U. S. fans are going to like that a lot. I really want to drink with them. I mean, I really want to get drunk with them, but I can’t. [Laughs]

Maybe we can take a secret shot together since the tour’s last show is in New York…

HA ha. I hope so! [Laughs]

But I do want to highlight how, in your five years since High School Rapper, you’ve done a ton of collaborations across many genres: K-pop idols, rappers, indie musicians, R&B, older generation artists, chart-topping artists. How do you connect with so many different sounds and styles?

I’m so thankful that they always reach [out] to me and ask me to feature with them or collaborate. I’ve been really active with video and media contents in Korea for four, five years now and, thankfully, that’s shown my personality and skills in Korea and to audiences. So, I think a lot of artists feel like I’m someone who’s familiar and for them to reach out and connect with me to do other projects. But anytime when I get asked for a feature, I always think, “How can I beat them in this song? How can I do better in this song?” [Laughs] But features and collaborating really force me to go to the next level of myself.

I think that’s what Nicki Minaj said. She needs a “sparring partner” to level herself up.

She’s my goal.

Are there any last messages for fans or what to expect on the U.S. tour? And with Nothing Much Prepared‘s return, can you share some spoilers?

Well, yes, I can give you a lot of spoilers, but the first episode is with Lisa and she’s so smart, pretty, young, rich, and a hilarious person. I love her. As of mid-August, I already recorded, like, six or seven episodes so we’re going to see a lot of idols and a lot of actors.

But what else should I say? I think U.S. fans are not prepared for what’s coming to them! I want to promise to the U.S. fans that I will be working hard to be able to see them more often. I actually have a lot of songs ready to be released, and I want to watch U.S. fans react. I’ve got a long way to go. This tour is not even the first step. I have big ambitions.

30 Aug 2024

Grammys 2025: Who Will Nab Nominations in the Top Country Categories?

It’s been an exceptionally strong period for country music, with many albums and songs having tremendous critical and commercial success as the genre has transcended borders both stylistically and geographically. Additionally, artists from outside the world of country music jumped in with confidence, providing some of the best and most substantial music of the year.

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Grammy nominations for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards will be announced on Nov. 8, with the ceremony taking place Feb. 2, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. As Grammy eligibility draws to a close today (the eligibility period is Sept. 16, 2023-Aug. 30, 2024), here are Billboard’s best bets for the contenders in best country album and best country song.

Best Country Album

Grammy voters often pull from a wide range of albums and artists here, considering records that fall into Americana and country-adjacent music styles and, therefore, make this category harder to predict than for the country-only awards shows. Other than Chris Stapleton’s Higher, which is a guaranteed nominee, and Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind, the other three slots could just as easily go to the albums mentioned in Within Reach — but that only speaks to the strength of this Grammy season’s contenders.

Trending on Billboard

Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter 

Grammy voters tend to be less insular than CMA Awards voters, so look for Bey to land her first nomination in this category. The album is not only a cultural touchstone, and “Texas Hold ‘Em” went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, but voters want to support Beyoncé and show Nashville and the country community have changed after her less-than-welcoming reception at the 2016 CMA Awards.

Kacey Musgraves, Deeper Well

Musgraves’ 2021 album, star-crossed, became her first album to not be nominated for best country album when the country committee took it out of contention. Will she return to the category this year, or is Musgraves now considered a pop or Americana artist? Deeper Well is a largely mid-tempo, gentle exploration by this cosmic cowgirl of many of life’s bigger questions that Nashville should be proud to embrace. 

Post Malone, F-1 Trillion

Post Malone came to Nashville and conquered the town like few outsiders before him. He put in the work, spending months writing with top songwriters and playing local spots as he crafted a duets-heavy album that reflects where country music is at the moment, but also, especially in the solo songs, pays homage to its rich, deep history. Add in the overwhelming success of “I Had Some Help,” his collaboration with Morgan Wallen, and you have a contender that is going to draw votes from both the country and pop communities. 

Chris Stapleton, Higher 

Higher is a sure bet in this category, as Stapleton has been nominated for every album he has released and taken home the trophy three times. Like his previous four studio albums, Higher debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and first single “White Horse” rode to No. 2 on Country Airplay. His unmistakably gruff, bluesy voice tackles affairs of the heart in an intimate way that few other contemporary artists can muster. 

Lainey Wilson, Whirlwind

Wilson’s last album, Bell Bottom Country, is the reigning champ in this category, and with Whirlwind, which came out a week before eligibility period closed, Wilson has released a set that will not only be fresh on voters’ minds but is her most confident one to date. From the fun-loving rush of first single, “Hang Tight Honey” to the heart-tugging “Whiskey Colored Crowd” and sassy kiss-off of “Ring Finger,” Wilson’s broad appeal may prove irresistible to voters.  

Within Reach: Zach Bryan, The Great American Bar Scene; Luke Combs, Fathers & Sons; Cody Johnson, Leather; Megan Moroney, Am I Okay;  Willie Nelson, The Border

Best Country Song

Given the range of artists, from country newcomers to established pop stars, who have released country and country-adjacent music over the past year, it seems likely that the best country song nominations (which honors songwriters) will span from multi-week chart leaders to more boutique fan favorites. And given country’s surging global appeal, the writers on these songs have credits spanning the genres of country, pop, hip-hop, R&B and more.

Nominees for best country song must have been released on a recording for the first time, or achieved prominence for the first time, during the current eligibility year. There are traditionally five nominees in this category, but in three of the past six years there have been six (due to ties), so we’re showing six possibilities. 

“The Architect” (Kacey Musgraves)

Songwriters: Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

From Musgraves’ Deeper Well album comes this exquisitely-crafted song that questions whether there is a higher power guiding life events, or if situations are simply the results of a series of random chances. Musgraves wrote the song with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Musgraves has won twice in this category, with “Merry Go ‘Round” (also written by Musgraves, McAnally and Osborne) and “Space Cowboy” (written by Musgraves McAnally and Luke Laird).

“Dirt Cheap” (Cody Johnson)

Songwriter: Josh Phillips

Johnson is no stranger to this category, and certainly knows how to pick an award-worthy song. One of Johnson’s previously-recorded songs, “’Til You Can’t,” won in this category in 2023. His song “Dirt Cheap,” which is in the top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, is a solo write by songwriter Josh Phillips. Similar to “’Til You Can’t,” the song is built on vivid imagery and a heartfelt sentiment.

“Halfway to Hell” (Jelly Roll)

Songwriters: Jason DeFord (Jelly Roll), Jesse Frasure, Matt Jenkins, Jessie Jo Dillon

Released in January, this track continues Jelly’s penchant for rock-propelled songs detailing the duality of life, giving a voice to the masses who ride the line between wholesome living and various vices, particularly on lines such as “I’m a dive bar Sunday sermon/ Holy water with my bourbon.” “Halfway to Hell” serves as the third single from Jelly Roll’s Whitsitt Chapel and topped the Country Airplay chart this year.

“I Had Some Help” (Post Malone and Morgan Wallen)

Songwriters: Ernest Keith Smith, Louis Bell, Morgan Wallen, Ashley Gorley, Austin Post, Chandler Paul Walters, Hoskins, Ryan Vojtesak

Post Malone has notched 10 Grammy nominations but could notch his first country category nominations leading up to 2025’s ceremony, thanks to this Wallen collab. “I Had Some Help” has spent six nonconsecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and seven weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart. While, in recent years, the best country song category has often tilted toward songs that haven’t been multi-week chart-toppers, last year’s nominations included another Wallen-recorded song, “Last Night,” which spent 16 weeks atop the all-genre Hot 100.

“Texas Hold ‘Em” (Beyoncé)

Songwriters: Beyoncé, Brian Bates, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bulow, Nate Ferraro, Raphael Saadiq

Beyoncé stands alone as the artist who has earned the most Grammys, with 32 trophies — but the upcoming Grammy Awards ceremony could very well see the musical iconoclast extend her wins into country categories, including best country song, thanks to “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Beyoncé has previously earned Grammys for songwriting in the R&B field (for “Say My Name,” “Crazy in Love,” “Drunk in Love,” “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” and “Cuff It”) and in the rap field (for “Savage”). Earlier this year, Beyoncé became the first solo Black woman to top Hot Country Songs, with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which ruled the chart for 10 weeks from February through April.

“Tucson Too Late” (Jordan Davis)

Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins

“Tucson Too Late,” the fourth single from Davis’ Bluebird Days, topped the Country Airplay chart in May, becoming Davis’ fifth leader on that chart. The song was penned by two sets of brothers — Davis and his brother Jacob, as well as brothers Josh and Matt Jenkins. This songwriter group is the same one behind Davis’ CMA song of the year winner “Buy Dirt.” Though “Tucson Too Late” ventures into a more mid-tempo groove than some of his previous balladry, the earnest storytelling here has connected with listeners.

Within Reach: Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”; Ashley Cooke, “Your Place”; Megan Moroney, “No Caller ID”; Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”; Scotty McCreery, “Cab in a Solo”; Chris Stapleton, “Think I’m in Love With You”