Music

21 Jun 2024

Emilia Drops Y2K-Inspired ‘La_Playlist.mpeg’ & More New Music Latin

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard‘s Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

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Emilia, “La_Playlist.mpeg” (Sony Music Latin)

Stepping into a dance-pop groove that flickers with Y2K nostalgia, “La_Playlist.mpeg” evolves past Emilia’s .mp3-themed releases, and echoes classics like Vengaboys’ “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!” Capturing the essence of the ‘90s and early ‘00s — a period rich in glitchy, vibrant pop tunes — this track is a tribute to the epoch of mixtapes transitioning into digital playlists. She conveys emotions of desire and connectivity with an energetic persuasion, merging her modern style with retro flair, also showcased through playful nods like fuzzy pink notebooks and a 1999-era lime green iMac, as seen in the music video. The Argentine pop star initiates a fresh mpeg phase, bridging decades and eras in technology, as she stands at the cusp of a nostalgic-yet-innovative musical resurgence. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Karol G, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” (Bichota Records/Interscope Records)

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“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” is the second single that Colombian star Karol G has given her fans this year, and one where she immerses herself in merengue. The sweet song, which already promises to be a hit this summer, explores in its lyrics the possibility of having met a potential love interest before he was with someone else. “What would have been?/ If I had met you before/ Surely, you would be dancing with me/ Not as friends” she sings in the infectious chorus.

Prior to its release, the Colombian star shared on her social media a clip of the song released at her concert in London where she expressed her love for the Dominican Republic: “RD It is a country to which I owe a lot.” In the music video, La Bichota transports us to the Caribbean, reflecting the warmth and joy of its people. In one part of the video, she is seen leading a long dance train. “It represents the flavor not only of a country, but of our Latin community around the world… cheerful, happy, jovial, contagious,” she added. — LUISA CALLE

Justin Quiles x Rawayana, “BOOM BOOM” (Warner Music Latin)

In a first collaborative effort, Justin Quiles teams up with Rawayana for “Boom Boom.” The feel-good and summer-friendly track, co-produced by Botlok and Fux Beat, combines the Puerto Rican artist’s distinct sugary vocals with the Venezuelan group’s chill reggae melodies. In its flirty lyrics, the two acts chant about the feeling “unfocused, trapped in a vice,” “writing songs and dedicating captions” and “floating without touching the sand” when they are near the girl they like. The music video, filmed at a towing lot, features famed Patito Feo actress Brenda Asnicar as the lead model. “Boom Boom” marks Quiles second single, following “Su Gato,” off of his upcoming studio album Permanente. — JESSICA ROIZ

Iñigo Quintero, “CLASSICO” (Acquistic)


https://youtube.com/watch?v=8yWWEmGTBm4&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

Iñigo Quintero welcomes the summer with “Classico,” an upbeat pop single in which he seems to address the unexpected fame he achieved in 2023 with the viral success of “Si No Estás,” the song that not only put him on the map but at the summit of the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. “I didn’t want you at all/ But you changed my way of speaking/ I just didn’t expect it/ You filled everything with your electricity,” the Spanish artist sings with his hoarse, passionate voice, before saying in the chorus: “You were going to kill, but I’m a classic guy/ I don’t appear on covers/ Supernatural and it plays on the radio/ The most listened to.” He may not have been ready for what was coming, but Quintero has since proven with a series of releases that he is no one-hit wonder; He is here to stay. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:

21 Jun 2024

The Game Addresses Not Attending Kendrick Lamar’s Pop Out Concert

The Game went on Instagram Live to address his absence from Kendrick Lamar’s star-studded Pop Out concert.

The Compton rapper said in the video also posted to his IG grid Thursday (June 20) that he felt the need to clear the air after seeing the chatter online about him not being invited. Many believe he went against Compton and sided with Drake after he dissed Rick Ross. He started things off in the 17-minute clip by addressing the DMs he’s received and the noise in the blogosphere saying that he’s choosing sides.

“When the f—k you heard me say a motherf—n’ thing about who I’m sidin’ with and this and that?” he asked before alluding to industry playing a part as to why he wasn’t there.

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“There’s a lot of f–kery that goes on in this industry,” he added. However, he did big up the affair saying, “I ain’t have to be there to think that the s—t was motherf—ing cool and major.”

On his relationship with Drake, he referred to the Toronto rapper as his “brother,” saying, “As far as my relationship with Drake? Drake is my brother … And my loyalty is with motherf—ers that’s loyal to me.”

Most of the speculation that the Compton rapper was siding with Drake stems from two recent instances. First, he posted an Instagram Reel of the Toronto rapper’s 2015 song “Energy” playing on a screen with the caption, “I got rap n—s that I gotta act like I like.” Many questioned the timing of the since-deleted post because Drake’s “Like That” response “Push Ups” had been released a few days earlier.

Then a few weeks later, The Game took to his Instagram Stories to take shots at Rick Ross for trolling Drake after he released “The Heart Part 6” in response to Kendrick’s “Meet the Grahams” and “Not Like Us.” The West Coast rapper said, “It’s quiet today Wingstop must be closed on Monday’s [sic]” and then added, “It be the fat n—s with the skinny legs always running they mouth.” He then decided to join the 20 v 1 Rap Royal Rumble and dissed Rick Ross with the song “Freeway’s Revenge.”

He gave his reasoning on the Joe Budden Podcast afterward. “A n—a sitting around just trolling, n—a, keep that same energy, n—a,” The Game said. “You wann rap, you wanna troll? N—a, let’s do it. Bump heads with a n—a that really do this s—t.”

The Game is from the same city as Lamar and has collaborated with both him and Drake over the years.

21 Jun 2024

Snoop Dogg Crowns Kendrick Lamar ‘King of the West’ Following Pop Out L.A. Concert

Kendrick Lamar is riding high coming off the success of his Pop Out concert in Los Angeles. With the dust settling, Snoop Dogg is passing the torch to K. Dot and crowned him as the king of L.A. following the epic show.

Snoop took to his Instagram on Friday (June 21) from Canada and saluted what Kendrick was able to accomplish in unifying different sections of the West Coast under one roof at his Juneteenth show.

“Sending a big shout-out to K. Dot and all the homies from the West that stood together unified, organized in peace [and] love,” Snoop gushed. “That was fun to watch. Beautiful to see all my peoples come together.”

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It’s not exactly Jon Snow being deemed King in the North in Game of Thrones, but then came the coronation from Snoop: “K. Dot, you are the King of the West. That’s the kind of s–t kings do, we unite.”

As an artist who’s just about seen it all in his three decades in the music business, Snoop understood how special it was to have Kendrick Lamar preach a message of unity and have peace in L.A., even if it was just for one night.

Kendrick electrified the Kia Forum crowd with his first show since feuding with Drake. Lamar’s victory lap saw the live debut of tracks such as “Euphoria,” his verse on Billboard Hot 100-topper “Like That” and the Mustard-produced “Not Like Us,” which he performed five times in a row.

Drake beef aside, Kendrick Lamar appreciated just being able to bring gang members from different sets and various Los Angeles luminaries with him on stage. “It ain’t got nothing to do with no back-and-forth records,” Kendrick said during his show. “It’s got everything to do with this moment right here. That’s what this s–t was about. To bring all of us together.”

It’s fitting for Snoop to crown K. Dot as the king of the West after he passed the torch to him back in 2011 following the release of Section.80. “I’ma say this and I’ma mean this. N—a, you got the torch,” Snoop said at the time. “You better run with it, n—a, because it’s yours.”

Listen to Snoop Dogg champion Kendrick below.

21 Jun 2024

Gracie Abrams Shares Hilarious Footage of Taylor Swift Extinguishing Apartment Fire After Writing ‘Us’

Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams pulled on our collective heartstrings when they worked together on “Us,” featured on the latter’s 13-track sophomore studio album The Secret of Us that was released on Friday (June 21).

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Upon the release of the project, Abrams took to Instagram to share a video of the duo playfully creating the song while pulling an all-nighter during a girls’ night, calling the evening “some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.”

She also included a video of Swift extinguishing an apartment fire as the duo broke out into hysterical laughter. “Now we know how to use a fire extinguisher. I love you,” Abrams wrote.

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Abrams previously told Billboard that the talented duo heard the candle fall over earlier in the evening, but Taylor had thought it was one of her cats making noise. Swift put out the fire with the extinguisher before anyone was hurt.

“She was such a legend,” she recalled. “I don’t know how at this hour or in our state she knew what to do.”

She added, “We both had an insane cough from the fire extinguisher fumes for weeks.”

The 24-year-old Abrams spent the summer opening for Swift’s The Eras Tour, a role she’ll reprise on select dates in North America later this fall. She’ll head out on her very own headlining tour of theater-sized venues across the United States, starting Sept. 5 in Portland.

The Secret of Us features the previously-released tracks “Risk” and “Close to You,” which debuted at No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it’s the followup to Abrams’ debut record Good Riddance, which arrived February 2023, peaking at No. 52 on the Billboard 200.

21 Jun 2024

Monica Gushes Over Ariana Grande’s ‘Boy Is Mine’ Remix: ‘As Soon As I Heard This Version, I Fell In Love’

The boy is theirs! As fans across generations delight in Ariana Grande‘s new “The Boy Is Mine” remix with Brandy and Monica, the Grammy-winning “So Gone” star is opening up about how the star-studded collaboration sparked true healing for her and Brandy.

“The process of the new collaboration did a lot of closing the gaps,” Monica told Entertainment Tonight. “When you properly communicate, something — you can find not only the resolutions and solutions to problems — but sometimes you find that there weren’t ever problems, just consistent miscommunications.”

Brandy and Monica teamed up for the original “The Boy Is Mine” back in 1998, spending 13 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy together in the process. During the song’s reign and in the years that followed, the two R&B icons were long-rumored to be beefing, with their rocky relationship becoming a key part of the song’s lore. Now, more than 25 years after “The Boy Is Mine” first entered the contemporary American pop canon, the two singers have found a way to move forward and preserve their friendship.

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“We recognized that the key was to keep other people out of our relationship, both business and personal, and let it be between she and I, and that has changed everything. It’s changed the trajectory of it in its totality,” the “Angel of Mine” singer said. “My son was in the hospital the other day and she was who I was speaking to while he was there, so I think that is what Ariana has done that she may not even realize.”

Grande originally released “The Boy Is Mine” from her Billboard 200-topping Eternal Sunshine LP earlier this year, with the track instantly becoming a fan-favorite. Upon the album’s debut, “The Boy Is Mine” entered the Hot 100 at No. 16. This week (chart dated June 22), the song re-entered the Hot 100 at No. 64, following the release of its Catwoman-inspired Penn Badgley-starring music video. The cinematic clip also featured cameos from Brandy and Monica, giving fans a little Easter egg for the new remix. Grande’s track is inspired by Brandy and Monica’s original duet — which Billboard named the greatest karaoke duet of all time — but the remix does interpolate elements from the hook of the 1998 chart-topper.

“I’ve always said that the song should not be touched, right? And I said that because I felt that it did not need to be redone in the idea of, let’s say, actually doing it the exact way that it was,” Monica explained. “But Ariana and [producer] Max Martin — as soon as I heard this version, I fell in love with it.”

According to Monica — who recently headlined the inaugural Blavity House Party in Nashville — Grande sent her flowers and a note. The “We Can’t Be Friends” singer also hopped on FaceTime with Monica, Brandy and their respective families. “What I am so amazed by is her humility, her compassion,” Monica gushed. “Everything has been directly from her chest and, for me, authenticity, humility, all of those things are key.”

The new remix marks the Grande’s second re-imagining of an Eternal Sunshine track. Earlier this year, the Grammy-winner linked up with Mariah Carey for a new version of her house-steeped Hot 100 chart-topper “Yes, And?”

21 Jun 2024

Exploring The Boston Music Institutions Shaping the Sound of the City

In the heart of Boston’s vibrant cultural landscape lies a rich tapestry of musical diversity, connected by people from all walks of life, nationalities, and backgrounds. 

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From the hallowed halls of the Boston Symphony Orchestra to the prestigious New England Conservatory and the innovative Berklee College of Music, the city’s music scene resonates with the voices of many different cultures, each adding its unique flavor to the symphony of sounds that defines Boston’s musical identity.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), one of the oldest and most revered orchestras in the United States, stands as a beacon of excellence and inclusivity. Comprising musicians from over 25 countries, the BSO embodies the essence of diversity, blending the classical traditions of Europe with the rhythms and melodies of the world. From the passionate strings of Eastern Europe to the soulful brass of South America, each member brings their cultural heritage to the forefront.

Similarly, the New England Conservatory (NEC) serves as a nurturing ground for musical talent from around the globe. With a student body representing over 40 countries, NEC fosters a community where students learn not only from their professors but also from each other’s unique musical perspectives. 

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Whether mastering the intricacies of Bach or exploring the improvisational artistry of jazz, students at NEC are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage while embracing new forms of expression, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas that fuel innovation and creativity.

At the forefront of contemporary music education, lies Berklee College of Music. With students hailing from over 100 countries, Berklee offers a melting pot of musical styles and genres, from jazz and rock to hip-hop and electronic dance music. Berklee College of Music boasts an impressive group of alumni who have made significant contributions to the music industry. 

From Billboard chart-topping artists, to renowned composers and producers, Berklee alumni can be found in all facets of the music world. Some notable Berklee College of Music Alumni include Grammy-winning artists like John Mayer and Quincy Jones, renowned film composer Alan Silvestri, and jazz pianist Diana Krall. 

In a world often divided by barriers of language, nationality, and ideology, music serves as a universal language that transcends boundaries and brings people together. Boston’s world-class institutions will continue to nurture the talents of aspiring musicians alongside a community of thriving venues & festivals. The city’s music scene remains a cornerstone of its identity, weaving together threads of diversity and creativity that define the essence of Boston.

21 Jun 2024

Nothing More Returns to No. 1 on Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart With ‘If It Doesn’t Hurt’

For the first time since 2017, Nothing More has a No. 1 song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.

“If It Doesn’t Hurt” climbs to the top of the June 29-dated ranking, becoming the Texas rockers’ second ruler. The band first led with “Go to War” for one week in December 2017.

In between “Go to War” and “If It Doesn’t Hurt,” Nothing More reached Mainstream Rock Airplay with five entries, including three top 10s, led by the No. 5-peaking “Tired of Winning” in 2022. The band first made the list in 2014 with the No. 2-reaching “Ballast.”

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Concurrently, “If It Doesn’t Hurt” leaps 14-10 on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay survey with 2.6 million audience impressions, up 2%, in the week ending June 20, according to Luminate. It’s the band’s first top 10, exceeding the No. 12 peak of “Go to War.”

On the most recently published multimetric Hot Hard Rock Songs chart (dated June 22, reflecting data over June 7-13), “If It Doesn’t Hurt” ranked at No. 12 (after debuting at its No. 8 high in February). In addition to its radio airplay, the song earned 550,000 official U.S. streams.

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“If It Doesn’t Hurt” is the lead single from Carnal, Nothing More’s seventh studio album, due June 28. Two other songs from the LP, “House on Sand” (featuring Eric Vanlerberghe) and “Angel Song” (featuring David Draiman), reached Nos. 11 and 15, respectively, on Hot Hard Rock Songs upon their debuts. Carnal is Nothing More’s first album since 2022’s Spirits, which bowed at No. 14 on the Top Hard Rock Albums tally and has earned 48,000 equivalent album units to date.

All Billboard charts dated June 29 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, June 25.

21 Jun 2024

Hozier Notches His First Alternative Airplay Chart No. 1 With ‘Too Sweet’

Nearly a decade after his first appearance on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, Hozier achieves his first No. 1 as “Too Sweet” lifts to the top of the June 29-dated ranking.

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Hozier first reached Alternative Airplay with his breakthrough single “Take Me to Church,” which debuted at No. 38 on the July 5, 2014, survey. The song eventually peaked at No. 2 that November.

Since “Take Me to Church,” Hozier had appeared on Alternative Airplay with two tracks prior to “Too Sweet.” “Nina Cried Power,” featuring vocals from Mavis Staples, peaked at No. 31 in 2018, and “Eat Your Young” reached No. 13 last year.

Concurrently, “Too Sweet” continues its reign on Adult Alternative Airplay, ruling for an eighth week. It’s Hozier’s longest running No. 1 among six on the survey and the chart’s longest leading hit since Death Cab for Cutie’s “Here to Forever” dominated for eight weeks in August-October 2022.

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“Too Sweet” also lifts to No. 1 on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay tally thanks to 6.9 million audience impressions, up 5%, in the week ending June 20, according to Luminate. It’s likewise Hozier’s first leader; “Take Me to Church” peaked at No. 3 in 2014.

“Too Sweet” is the first song to top all three lists since The Killers’ “Boy” in September-October 2022. As “Boy” did not lead all three simultaneously, “Too Sweet” is the first to accomplish that particular feat since The Black Keys’ “Wild Child” in May 2022.

A multiformat hit, “Too Sweet” also rises to No.1 on Adult Pop Airplay, becoming Hozier’s second leader, following “Church” for a week in 2015, while ruling Pop Airplay for a second week. It also became his first No. 1 on the most recently published all-genre Radio Songs chart (dated June 22, reflecting data June 7-13) via 70.5 million audience impressions.

“Too Sweet” is from Hozier’s four-song EP Unheard, which debuted at No. 3 on the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums rankings dated April 6 and has earned 277,000 equivalent album units since its release.

All Billboard charts dated June 29 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, June 25.

21 Jun 2024

Cardi B Teases Sophomore Release Title: ‘What Y’all Think My Album Name Is?’

Cardi B’s long-awaited sophomore album appears to finally have some traction. The Grammy-winning rapper took to social media to tease the title of her forthcoming LP.

While stopping short of revealing the name, Cardi invited the Bardi Gang to guess what she had in mind in a post to her Instagram Story on Thursday (June 20).

“What y’all think my album name is?” Cardi B asked while appearing to coverthe title with her hand on a photo of the rapper. The 31-year-old seemed to be messing around on her computer when making the post.

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As the wait for the album continues, Cardi is still churning out features left and right. She joined forces with Mexican rapper Peso Pluma to dish out some bilingual bars on “Put Em in the Fridge.” The track hit streaming services on Friday (June 21) as part of Peso’s Éxodo album.

Cardi B lent out another stimulus package in the form of a verse when she hopped on GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Wanna Be,” which dropped May 31. It shot up to No. 15 the following week on the Billboard Hot 100.

The “WAP” rapper must’ve had a change of heart when it came to album plans, as Cardi claimed in May that she wasn’t planning to drop an LP. “Anyway NO album this year I don’t care I’m relaxing this year .. Dropping these features I already committed to and traveling and enjoying my summer,” she wrote to X at the time.

However, reps for the rapper confirmed soon after in her Rolling Stone cover that an album was still on the calendar for 2024.

Her debut album Invasion of Privacy arrived in April 2018, and debuted atop the Billboard 200. Every song on the project is at least certified-platinum by the RIAA, and she took home best rap album honors at the Grammys in 2019.

See Cardi’s post below.

21 Jun 2024

Billie Eilish Delivers a Haunting Cover of Frank Ocean’s ‘Solo’ From a Bathtub: Watch

Billie Eilish‘s latest album may be parked in the uppermost regions of the Billboard 200, but clips of new music from the Grammy-winning superstar are always welcome.

On Thursday (June 20), Eilish shared a TikTok of herself crooning a haunting a cappella rendition of Frank Ocean‘s “Solo.” “It’s hell on Earth and the city’s on fire/ Inhale, in hell there’s heaven/ There’s a bull and a matador dueling in the sky/ Inhale, in hell there’s heaven,” she sings in gorgeous falsetto as she lounges in a bathtub overlooking an eye-popping neon-drenched skyline.

“In Korea,” she captioned the post.

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“Solo” appeared on Ocean’s acclaimed sophomore album, Blonde, and reached No. 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite not being released as a single. Blonde debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 back in 2016, ultimately spending 386 weeks on the ranking. Other Hot 100 hits from Blonde include “Nikes” (No. 79), “Ivy” (No. 80), “Pink + White” (No. 84) and “Nights” (No. 98).

Eilish is enjoying yet another banner year with the release of Hit Me Hard and Soft, her third studio album. Hit Me Hard And Soft debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 dated June 1, marking Eilish’s third consecutive top 10 album. She previously topped the chart with 2019’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (three weeks) and 2021’s Happier Than Ever (three weeks).

Eilish also recently became just the third artist to reach 100 million monthly Spotify listeners, joining Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, doing so with just 82 songs.

This new casual cover of “Solo” isn’t the first time the “Lunch” singer has put her own spin on an Ocean track. Back in 2017, she and brother Finneas teamed up for a take on Ocean’s breakthrough hit, “Thinkin Bout You,” which reached No. 32 on the Hot 100 back in 2012.

Watch Billie Eilish cover Frank Ocean’s “Solo” below.