Music
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Mimis Plessas, a beloved Greek composer whose music featured in scores of films, television shows and theatrical productions and who provided the soundtrack to millions of Greeks’ lives, has died just a week shy of his 100th birthday.
His death was confirmed Saturday (Oct. 5) by his wife, Loukila Carrer. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid tribute to Plessas, writing, “A leading composer, a great scholar and a kind man has left us.
Born in Athens on Oct. 12, 1924, Plessas began his musical journey at a young age. He became a piano soloist at state radio before entering international piano competitions while still in his 20s. His gift for composition would cement his legacy.
Plessas became a constant presence on Greek television, his mild manner and singalong melodies endearing him to generations. Often seated at the piano, accompanying renowned Greek stars, he was a fixture of musical moments and celebrations for decades, his music becoming intertwined with the nation’s cultural fabric. His 1969 composition, “O Dromos” (The Street), remains one of the highest-selling albums in Greek history.
He collaborated with a constellation of Greek music icons, including Nana Mouskouri, Vicky Leandros, Giannis Poulopoulos, Marinella, and lyricist Lefteris Papadopoulos, shaping the landscape of Greek music. His work defied genre, blending traditional Greek music forms with elements of jazz and classical, creating an easy-on-the-ear signature sound — softer than the hard jangle of many of his contemporaries.
“His ‘Road’ was rich, full of melodies that start from jazz and permeate Greek song, as well as Greek cinema,” Mitsotakis said. “Mimis Plessas was unique, just like the moments he will forever give us with his music.”
Plessas’ contributions extended beyond composing. He produced a popular radio quiz show, In 30 Seconds, and he served as a judge on numerous Greek and international music competition panels. He was also a member of prestigious artistic societies, including the Greek Society of Theatrical Authors and the Society of Greek Composers and Lyricists.
Plessas is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Funeral arrangements were not immediately known.
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Celiz Cruz’s New Exhibit
The New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream is hosting a new exhibit celebrating Cuban star Celia Cruz, known as “The Queen of Salsa.” The special exhibit will remain open until the end of November, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Cruz, who died in 2003, was inducted to the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2013 in the arts and entertainment category. The New Jersey Hall of Fame has also recognized the late artist’s contributions to culture and communities in Cuba and New Jersey with the renaming of the Forked River Service Area on the Garden State Parkway.
Eduin Caz at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Inauguration
History was made in Mexico when the country held the inauguration for the first-ever female president, Claudia Sheinbaum. There to witness this unprecedented moment was Grupo Firme’s frontman, Eduin Caz, and the group’s manager, Isael Gutiérrez. “You made history, president and friend, I know good things are coming for Mexico,” Caz posted on social media, along with photos of him and Gutiérrez at the ceremony held Oct. 2.
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Noel Schajris Opens Restaurant
Argentine singer and songwriter Noel Schajris is embarking on a new venture. The “Kilometros” singer and his wife Gwendolyn Stephenson opened a new restaurant in the Los Angeles area called Vegan Foodie Bowl. “Happy to cook not only songs in this home … the world will now enjoy what I have appreciated for years … vegan home cooking by the best in the world,” Schajris wrote on social media.
2024 Billboard Latin Music Week Full Schedule
Earlier this week, the full schedule to the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week, taking place Oct. 14-18 in Miami, was unveiled, which you can check out here.
It was also announced that Ana Mena, Belinda, Elvis Crespo, FloyyMenor, George Harris (comedian) and Tito Double P will join Young Miko for the Billboard Latin Music Week 35th anniversary show, set for Friday, Oct.18, at The Fillmore Miami Beach. This event is included for INSIDER PASS HOLDERS. Tickets are available to the public starting at $35.
Billboard Latin Music Week will coincide with the Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will air on Telemundo on Sunday, Oct. 20. Latin Music Week tickets will not include access to the awards show this year. Instead, INSIDER badge holders will receive exclusive invitations to the 35th anniversary star-studded event.
Visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com for the latest updates.
CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank were among the evening’s biggest winners at the 55th annual GMA Dove Awards, which aired Friday (Oct. 4) on TBN.
The ceremony, which took place in front of a sold-out crowd at Allen Arena at Nashville’s Lipscomb University, the evening celebrated the artists and songwriters behind the year’s top music, encompassing sounds including pop, Gospel, rap/hip-hop, southern gospel and more.
“Unity does not mean uniformity. The Dove Award stage is a picture of God’s creativity,” said GMA president Jackie Patillo told the audience as the show began. “They are all uplifting and praising the name of Jesus.”
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Host for the evening, singer-songwriter Tauren Wells echoed those sentiments, saying, “I’m encouraged by the diversity and beauty I see in this room. The diversity that the dove awards represent is beautiful,” and adding, “Though there are many genres, we are singing one song.”
Winans earned the evening’s top honor, artist of the year, along with two other accolades.
“You gotta be kidding me,” Winans said after taking the stage to accept the artist of the year win. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I know it has nothing to do with me. God is amazing…I’m known for my music, but God only knows me for my relationship with Him. He only knows us according to the way we know Him. And so all of us here tonight – the artists I was in the category with, I came here to cheer them on tonight.”
In accepting the pop/contemporary album of the year honor for Coat of Many Colors, Lake said, “I’ve been crying all night and I told somebody this is the award I wanted to win the most. I just want my friends to win. These amazing producers, these guys it has been the honor of my life just to roll with you guys. I get the privilege of touring and presenting these songs. Your fingerprints are on thousands of lives that have been changed…I’m so grateful. I’m literally sitting here all night and just weeping…the word humility, I’m surrounded by greatness. What an honor to be surrounded by greatness. Thank you for supporting these songs, this record, we’ve got a lot more coming.” Lake was also named songwriter of the year (artist).
The evening featured 11 performances, with CeCe Winans opening the show with a full-throttle, praise-inspiring “That’s My King.” CAIN followed with their top 5 Billboard Christian Airplay hit “Any More,” while break-dancers flanked Anike as she performed the fierce “In the Light,” with guest Porsha Love. Joseph Habedank performed the swampy, soulful, stomping “Tell the Devil.”
Tye Tribbett and his backing vocalists soared through “Only One Night Tho,” to thunderous applause. Maverick City Music with Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore performed the piano ballad “God Problems” (the song was named contemporary gospel recorded song of the year).
“I think the only joy in having a song like this win something like this is we get the opportunity to remind people over and over and over again there is nothing impossible for God,” Raine said. “He is able. He sees us.”
Forrest Frank
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The crowd rose to its feet when the Jackie Patillo award for distinguished leadership was awarded to Gospel music pioneers Bill and Gloria Gaither, known for songs including “Because He Lives” and “There’s Just Something About That Name.”
“We are overwhelmed with that,” Gloria said, thanking everyone who has sung their songs in churches, congregations and choirs around the world, and artists who have recorded the songs.
“Somewhere along the way we’ve lost our song. Let us stand on the Rock of Ages and shine like a city on a hill, because there’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill,” Bill Gaither said.
Michael W. Smith presented the song of the year honor, which went to Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever.” Brian Johnson and Jenn Johnson accepted the honor, also thanking their co-writers on the song, Tomlin, Jason Ingram and Phil Wickham.
Multiple times during the evening, mothers were celebrated. In accepting the Rap/Hip-Hop album of the year honor for his album His Glory Alone II, KB honored his mother, who was in the audience.
“I got the honor this year to come to the Doves with my lovely mother,” KB said. “The doctors told her when I was a baby I would not be able to talk, and if I could, I would not talk well. My mother told them they were wrong. She’s exemplified this resilient stubborn faith that believes God can do more than what the reports say.” Turning to his mother, he said, “I dedicate this award to you. You have represented a fighter for me my entire life. You fought for me when I was far from Jesus, when I did not believe in God. And here I am right now as the fruit of your labor.”
He went on to say, “Christian Hip Hop is an often overlooked entity. Something is happening in the mainstream right now. They are paying attention to what is going on. It’s something that isn’t just music, this is a movement. People are coming to Christ. Marriages are being saved. Folks are finding themselves in these Gospel representations. As the world is watching, give them Jesus.”
The feature film of the year went to the For King & Country film Unsung Hero, based on the story of the sibling duo’s family and their journey from Australia to America. The duo’s Joel and Luke Smallbone invited their parents, who inspired the film, to speak.
“I believe every mom is an unsung hero,” their mother said, while their father added, “This is emotional. When I lost everything 35 years ago, I said, ‘The only way we can get ahead is to go to America.’ She said, ‘We’ll go for two years.’ And 35 years later, we’re sill here. We love America. This is a land of opportunity.”
“Shout to the Lord” writer Darlene Zschech introduced the collaboration of Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabriel Gabriel Guedes for a multi-lingual version of “Holy Forever.”
Meanwhile, in accepting the Spanish language recorded song of the year, Christine D’Clario said, “This one is special…and has become the song of my recovery.”
Wells took a break from hosting duties to team with DAVIES and Skillet’s John Cooper for “Take It All Back (What The Enemy Stole),” issuing a commanding performance with pummeling drums and careening guitars, instantly taking some in the audience from raising hands to headbanging.
Anne Wilson
Jamie Gilliam
Natalie Grant gave a powerful, stirring rendition of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory),” honoring the lives of many artists, executives and other creators who have passed away over the past year.
Elsewhere during the evening, Christian-country singer Anne Wilson performed her powerful ballad “Strong” (her album Rebel won bluegrass/country/roots album of the year).
The new artist of the year honor went to Forrest Frank, who earlier in the evening performed his songs “No Longer Bound” and “Good Day.” Frank also picked up the win for pop/contemporary recorded song of the year, for ‘Good Day.”
“I feel so undeserving of this award. I was curious if I was even going to come to an awards show for Christian music because everything I do is for the Lord,” Frank said. “For some reason, He’s given me songs that relate to people. I’m so thankful to be here and I want to continue to give Jesus glory because my name will fade away like everyone else’s….but one name will remain and that’s Jesus Christ.”
The evening closed out with a performance from Crowder, as he performed his top 10 Christian Airplay hit “Grave Robber,” which was named rock/contemporary recorded song of the year.
The 56th annual GMA Dove Awards will be held Oct. 7, 2025, when the Dove Awards ceremony relocates from its longtime home at Allen Arena, moving to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
See a list of winners below:
Artist of the year: CeCe Winans
Pop/contemporary album of the year: Coat of Many Colors, Brandon Lake
New artist of the year: Forrest Frank
Bluegrass/country/roots album of the year: Rebel, Anne Wilson
Southern gospel album of the year: Live in Amsterdam, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
Spanish language recorded song of the year: “Tanta Historias,” Christine D’Clario
Rap/hip-hop album of the year: His Glory Alone II, KB
Rap/hip hop recorded song of the year: “Love Like That,” Hulvey feat. Tony D. Shaun, Alex Jean
Short-form music video (concept): “Faithfully,” TobyMac
Short-form video of the year (performance): “Joy (The Choir Room Version),” The Choir Room, Ben Rector
Songwriter of the year (non-artist): Jason Ingram
Songwriter of the year (artist): Brandon Lake
Producer of the year: Jonathan Smith
Worship recorded song of the year: “Praise,” Elevation Worship
Song of the year: “Holy Forever,” Chris Tomlin
Feature Film of the Year: Unsung Hero
Contemporary gospel recorded song of the year: “God Problems,” Maverick City Music
Contemporary gospel album of the year: Father’s Day, Kirk Franklin
Bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year: “Lookin’ For You,” Zach Williams Feat. Dolly Parton
Gospel worship album of the year: More Than This, CeCe Winans
Inspirational recorded song of the year: “My Tribute (to God Be the Glory),” Natalie Grant feat. CeCe Winans
Traditional gospel recorded song of the year: “I Believe God” – Jekalyn Carr
Traditional gospel album of the year: No Failure, Melvin Crispell III
Southern gospel recorded song of the year: “Here Comes Jesus,” Jeff & Sheri Easter (ft. Mo Pitney)
Worship album of the year: I Believe, Phil Wickham
Christmas/special event album of the year: Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years, Casting Crowns
Christmas recorded song of the year: “Manger Throne,” Phil Wickham
Spanish language album of the year: Evangelio (En Vivo), Miel San Marcos
Inspirational album of the year: autobiography, Joseph Habedank
Children’s recorded song of the Year: “Holy Forever,” Yancy
Recorded music packaging of the year: Jesus Music, CAIN
Spanish language worship recorded song of the year: “Hermoso Momento (Sesión Acústica),” Kairo Worship
Spanish language recorded song of the year: “Tantas Historias,” Christine D’Clario
Television series of the year: Chasing CAIN
Rock/contemporary album of the year: Manna, Chris Renzema
Rock/contemporary recorded song of the year: “Grave Robber,” Crowder
Gospel worship recorded song of the year: “The Story I’ll Tell (Live)” – Naomi Raine
Pop/contemporary recorded song of the year: “Good Day,” Forrest Frank
Musical/choral collection of the year: “My King Is Known By Love”
Long form video of the year: “Steven Curtis Chapman: The Great Adventure,” Steven Curtis Chapman
The Grammys often talk about honoring an artist’s intent. Their screening committee did just that in at least two cases this year, allowing Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter to compete for best country album, and Dolly Parton’s Rockstar to compete for best rock album. Both albums could have been slotted in the best pop vocal album category, but the Grammys went along with the artists’ intentions.
Albums often wind up right on the border between two or more genres. That’s bound to happen more and more as artists increasingly cross genre lines. In those cases, the Recording Academy’s screening committee endeavors to put it in the most suitable category.
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Here are more albums whose placement was less-than-certain.
Jimmy Buffett’s last studio album, Equal Strain on All Parts, is entered for best Americana album, rather than best pop vocal album. Buffett died in September 2023.
Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, brat, is entered for best dance/electronic album rather than best pop vocal album.
Doja Cat’s Scarlet 2 Claude, a reissue of her fourth studio album, Scarlet, is entered for best rap album rather than best pop vocal album.
Twisters: The Album is entered for best compilation soundtrack for visual media rather than best country album.
All three Latin albums that made the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in the eligibility period are entered in different categories. Bad Bunny’s Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana is entered for best música urbana album. Kali Uchis’ Orquídeas is entered for best Latin pop album. Peso Pluma’s Éxodo is entered for best música Mexicana album (including Tejano).
Several top 10 albums weren’t entered at all, including Zach Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene, Drake’s For All the Dogs and Ed Sheeran’s Autumn Variations.
Travis Scott’s Days Before Rodeo wasn’t eligible. The mixtape was released independently on his SoundCloud account in August 2014.
In other news, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones could be headed for their first Grammy showdown. The two legendary groups are both entered for best rock performance – The Beatles for “Now and Then” and The Stones for “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” (featuring Lady Gaga). If both groups are nominated, it will be the first time they have ever faced off on a Grammy ballot. The Grammys were resistant to rock in the years the bands were at their peak. The Beatles, being the world-shakers they were, were often nominated, but The Stones weren’t nominated in any category until 1978, when Some Girls was up for album of the year.
First-round voting opened Friday (Oct. 4). Voters have until Oct. 15 to make their first-round choices. Nominations will be announced on Nov. 8. Final-round voting runs from Dec. 12 through Jan. 3. The winners will be revealed on Feb. 2 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Star Bandz is newest youngin’ on the scene. The teenage rapper out of Chicago has been doing her thing for a couple years, but she caught a little wave earlier this year with her breakout song “Yea Yea” where she had clever lines like, “Had to show ’em how to run the game, he got […]
The family of the late Tupac Shakur has hired New York attorney Alex Spiro to investigate an alleged link between the rapper’s death and Sean “Diddy” Combs, Billboard can confirm. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Shakur was 25 years old when he was shot and killed while […]
Ye and Drake have had a love/hate relationship over the years.
The two had a friendly rivalry up until he produced Pusha T‘s “Infrared” song in 2018 where the Virginia rapper brought up Drake’s ghostwriting allegations. The Toronto rapper took shots at both of them on “Duppy Freestyle,” and mentioned that he had written for Kanye in the past. And then “The Story of Adidon” followed, and the rest is history. Drake felt betrayed by some of the information in Push’s scathing diss record, and his and Ye’s relationship really hasn’t been the same since.
However, in a recent trip to China, where he performed, Ye thanked his rival for penning the hook for his song “Yikes” off the Chicago rapper’s Ye album that was released in 2018. “I wanna thank Drake for writing this chorus for me,” he said as the song started to play.
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Kanye shouted out Drake before playing ‘Yikes’ at his recent concert in China 🙏
“I wanna thank Drake for writing this chorus for me” pic.twitter.com/DkoHh21OTv
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) October 4, 2024
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Footage of Drake recording a “Yikes” reference for Ye surfaced on his 100 Gigs purge.
Drake recording Kanye’s reference track for yikes pic.twitter.com/imjJgy7MGs
— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) August 6, 2024
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This isn’t the first Ye extended an olive branch to Drake. While performing in South Korea in August, he dedicated a performance of Graduation’s “I Wonder” to him. “This one for Drake,” he said as the song started playing.
Kanye gives a shoutout to Drake before performing ‘I Wonder’
“This one for Drake”pic.twitter.com/AtnjE7lmhG
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) August 23, 2024
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This is about four months after Ye tried to get in on the Drake Hate train with his own “Like That” diss where he rapped, “Where’s Lucian? Serve your master, n—a/You caught a little bag for your masters, didn’t ya? Lifetime deal, I feel bad for n—s/Y’all so outta sight, outta mind I can’t even think of a Drake line.”
We’ll be sure to update once we figure out what happened between then and now.
One of the very best problems an artist can have is having to decide which of their many hits to enter in the Grammy competition for record of the year. (They can enter them all, but most artists and their camps are aware that it’s a far better strategy to select what you think is your strongest entry, rather than running the very real risk of splitting your votes.)
Sabrina Carpenter had three strong choices – “Espresso,” her breakthrough smash; “Please Please Please,” her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100; and “Taste,” her current smash. Her camp went with “Espresso.”
Billie Eilish had two top five hits on the Hot 100 during the eligibility year – the sexually provocative “Lunch” and the pretty ballad “Birds of a Feather.” Her camp went with “Birds of a Feather.” Eilish has a strong history in this category. She won record of the year two years running 2020-21 with “bad guy” and “Everything I Wanted.” She is one of only three acts in Grammy history (following Roberta Flack and U2) to win in that high-profile category two years in a row. This would be Eilish’s fifth nomination in this category.
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Taylor Swift had many hits during the year, but there was little question that her camp would select “Fortnight,” her collab with Post Malone that entered the Hot 100 at No. 1 in May, becoming her 12th No. 1 hit. And that is indeed her pick. It’s vying to become Swift’s sixth nomination in this category (a category she has yet to win).
It’s also not surprising that Ariana Grande’s camp went with “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” rather than her previous hit, “Yes, And?” Both singles entered the Hot 100 at No. 1, becoming her eighth and ninth No. 1 hits, but “We Can’t Be Friends” sustained on the chart longer. This is vying to become Grande’s second nomination in this category, following “7 Rings.”
Nor is it surprising that Beyoncé went with “Texas Hold ’Em” rather than “II Most Wanted,” her collab with Miley Cyrus, or “Jolene.” “Texas Hold Em” became her ninth No. hit on the Hot 100. It’s vying to become Bey’s ninth nomination in this category (a category she, like Swift, has yet to win).
Here are the records other artists who had multiple top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chose to represent them in the Grammy record of the year competition:
Future: “Like That,” his Hot 100-topping collab with Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar.
21 Savage: “Redrum.”
There were a few surprises in the record of the year submissions. Megan Thee Stallion is entered for “Mamushi” (featuring Yuki Chiba) rather than her No. 1 smash “Hiss.” J. Cole is entered with “H.Y.B.” (featuring Bas and Central Cee) rather than his top 10 hit “7 Minute Drill.”
Teddy Swims is entered with an alternate version of his No. 1 smash “Lose Control,” because the original version was released prior to this eligibility year. He is entered with “Lose Control (The Village Sessions).”
A few artists who had top 10 hits during the year aren’t entered in the category at all, including Zach Bryan (“Pink Skies”), Drake (“Family Matters”) and Cardi B (“Enough (Miami)”).
Selena Gomez and David Henrie may not actually be brother and sister, but the duo still supports one another like family. The Rare Beauty founder recently attended a screening for the actor’s new film Monster Summer and posed with her former Wizards of Waverly Place costar in a photo, after which Henrie took to Instagram […]
In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem to be exceptional and distinct from the rest. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today. Four months after Boza and Elena Rose unleashed the feel-good summer bop “Orion,” the official remix comes powered by Mr. […]