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Thirty years on from Britpop’s commercial zenith, the U.K. still can’t get enough of the scene’s so-called big three. In 2023, Blur scored a hard-won victory lap with their plaintive eighth album, The Ballad of Darren, and followed that up with two shows at London’s Wembley Stadium, their biggest ever performances. Oasis, meanwhile, will swagger […]
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.
Becky G’s Premieres Rebbeca
Becky G premiered her deeply personal and beautifully crafted documentary, Rebbeca, at the Tribeca Festival on Thursday (June 12) at United Palace in Washington Heights, New York. Directed by Gabriella Cavanagh and Jennifer Tiexiera, the film peels back the glitz of stardom to reveal an intimate portrait of Becky as Rebbeca, the Mexican-American woman behind the music phenomenon. Shot during a pivotal moment in her life — as she prepared for her first headlining tour, the Mi Casa, Tu Casa Tour, and worked on her música mexicana debut Esquinas (2023) — the film “symbolizes resilience, the kind that shows up quietly in our families, our culture, our growth,” Becky G told Billboard Español. Through moving and at times tear-jerking storytelling, the documentary celebrates her cultural roots as a Latina from Southern California and her evolving artistry.
After the screening, the evening segued into a Q&A with Becky and directors Cavanagh and Tiexiera, and moderator Tefi Pessoa. They discussed the creative process behind the doc, and the importance of shedding light on pressing issues like immigration and family separation. “My grandfather’s immigration story is a big part of that, and sharing this now, at a time when so many in our community are being targeted, feels even more urgent,” Becky G added. “This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about holding space for who we’ve been, who we are, and who we’re still becoming.” The night closed with a heartfelt acoustic performance alongside guitarist Ethan Riding, where she performed her breakout 2013 rap hit, “Becky from the Block,” a nostalgic callback to where it all began. She then segued into “Querido Abuelo,” a touching bolero dedicated to her late grandfather.
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Johann Vera & Christian Chávez’s “Closet”
Less than a year after releasing “Closet,” an ultra personal ballad with which Vera came out as queer, the Ecuadorian pop artist has teamed up with Mexican star Christian Chávez for a new version of the poignant track — just in time for Pride Month. “It took me two years, but it pushed me to be honest and open with myself,” Vera previously told Billboard. “‘Closet’ is about acceptance. I want to be as honest as I can be.”
“In these moments where minorities are being so attacked, Christian Chávez and I join with #Closet to remind them that love should always be above all else,” Vera captioned a post on Instagram.
Arcángel’s Special Moment With His Son
Arcángel is celebrating Father’s Day in a special way. The Latin trap and reggaetón star released “Gohan y Goku,” marking the official musical debut of his son, Austin. “I had already dreamed of this—this is a déjà vu,” Arcángel sings in a part of the lyrics. “It’s a symbolic gesture that honors the bond with his son and celebrates a legacy that lives on through music,” according to a press release. “Arcángel is introducing Austin to the world from the most authentic place possible—as a father, mentor and guide.”
Artists Denounce ICE Raids
A number of Latin artists have shared words of solidarity with the immigrant community in the U.S. amid ICE raids and mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration. “It no longer feels like the country of hope they told us so much about,” DannyLux wrote in a heartfelt post. Check out the complete list of artist reactions — from Fuerza Regida to Ivan Cornejo and Chiquis — here.
Billboard Latin Editors Win Award
The 2025 Ritmo Latino Entertainment Awards were announced on social media on June 10 with Bad Bunny announced as the biggest winner of the night with seven wins, including artist of the year.
After being sidelined for two decades, the awards made a comeback this year. Originally slated to take place live at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, the ceremony transitioned to a digital formate “due to unavoidable schedule conflicts,” according to a press release. See the complete list of winners here.
Billboard‘s Jessica Roiz and Griselda Flores and Billboard Español‘s Isabela Raygoza won the favorite music reporter category.
Additional reporting by Isabela Raygoza.
After issuing an evacuation notice to attendees earlier Friday (June 13), the remainder of the 2025 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has now been canceled due to severe weather.
The Manchester, Tennessee, festival shared the news on social media around 7:30 p.m. local time Friday, saying that the updated forecast was showing unsustainable conditions for on-site campers as heavy thunderstorms ripped through the area.
“Today, the National Weather Service provided us with an updated forecast with significant and steady precipitation that will produce deteriorating camping and egress conditions in the coming days,” the statement reads. “We are beyond gutted, but we must make the safest decision and cancel the remainder of Bonnaroo. We are going to make things right with you, and you will find refund information at the end of this message, but let’s start with the next steps.”
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The message goes on to suggest that any campers whose sites are in decent shape or who are safely inside an RV consider camping overnight to prioritize evacuating those festivalgoers in the roughest situations.
“The number one thing we need from the Bonnaroo community is patience,” the message reads. “Some of your fellow campers’ sites are in rough shape. The rain has settled in areas and made certain parts of Outeroo difficult to manage. We’d like to prioritize getting those folks as well as those with accessibility needs off The Farm as soon as possible this evening. To do this, we ask that if your campsite is in good shape or if you’re in an RV or pre-pitched accommodation, please consider spending the night with us and we’ll start working to get you out of here safely tomorrow.”
The festival wrapped its message by reiterating how “crushed” organizers are to make this decision. “We have put our hearts and souls into making this weekend the most special one of the year, and cannot express how crushed we are to have to make this decision. Thank you in advance for your patience, your positivity and your unfailing Bonnaroovian spirit.”
As promised, the post ends with refund details, spelling out what tickets and parking passes will be refunded in full and what will be returned in part since Thursday’s day 1 went off without a hitch. Find the full refund details in the second slide below:
Bonnaroo kicked off Thursday with performances from Luke Combs, Dom Dolla, Insane Clown Posse and Rebecca Black. Friday night’s headliners were scheduled to be Tyler, The Creator, John Summit and Glass Animals; Saturday’s lineup was led by Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne and Justice; and Sunday would have wrapped up with Hozier, Vampire Weekend and Queens of the Stone Age.
Kim Gordon unveiled a new version of her 2024 single”Bye Bye” on Friday (June 13) aimed squarely at the right-wing culture wars created by President Donald Trump.
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Rechristened “Bye Bye 25!,” the protest song now features the Sonic Youth alum listing off a litany of cultural terms the Trump administration has not only gotten worked up over, but attempted to erase from official government records altogether since returning to office in January.
“Mental health, electric vehicle, Gulf of Mexico/ Energy conversion, gay, bird flu, advocate, pregnant person,” Gordon intones over skittering, apocalyptic production, before later adding words like “immigrants,” “diversity,” “victims,” “transgender,” “Hispanic,” “fluoride” and “female” to the stanzas.
“When I was thinking of lyric ideas, it occurred to me to use words taken from a site that had all the words that Trump has essentially banned, meaning any grant or piece of a project or proposal for research that includes any of those words would be immediately disregarded or ‘cancelled,’” the singer explained of the song’s reinvention in a statement. “I guess Trump does believe in cancel culture, because he is literally trying to cancel culture.”
To coincide with the release, Gordon has also designed a limited-edition T-shirt, with proceeds from both the tee and the song going to benefit Noise for Now, a New Mexico-based nonprofit organization dedicated to abortion access and reproductive rights justice.
The alt-rocker released the original iteration of “Bye Bye” as the lead single from her sophomore solo album, The Collective, which bowed at No. No 40 on Billboard‘s Top Album Sales chart and peaked in the top 20 of the Indie Store Album Sales tally back when it was released in March 2024.
Watch the stark music video for Gordon’s “Bye Bye 25!” below.
We’re nearly halfway through the month of June, and stars like j-hope & GloRilla, Lil Tecca and Gunna marked Friday (June 13) by dropping new collabs, albums and singles galore. The BTS member and the Memphis MC teamed up for “Killin’ It Girl,” a tinkling hip-hop groove that captures the seductive magnetism of lust at […]
Morgan Wallen fans are getting an early look at his setlist ahead of the opening night of his upcoming I’m the Problem Tour on June 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, thanks to Apple Music Country.
The 27-song playlist features not only many of Wallen’s earlier hits, such as “Whiskey Glasses,” “More Than My Hometown,” “One Thing at a Time,” and “Ain’t That Some,” but also many songs from the tour’s namesake album, last month’s I’m the Problem.
Among the new songs on his tour setlist are “I Got Better,” “Love Somebody,” “Kiss Her in Front of You,” “I’m a Little Crazy,” “What I Want,” “Superman” and “20 Cigarettes.”
To Apple Music Country, Wallen said, “There’s a bunch of songs on there that I’m excited to play,” noting that he’s excited to sing “I’m a Little Crazy” (“I love singing that song,” he says) and “I’m The Problem” (“I already see how well it’s doing,” he says).
He also said it’s “the energy” that marks a major difference between hearing a song and seeing the artist perform it live in front of thousands of fans.
“I spend months at this point getting ready to get on tour, just getting in shape,” he says. “I don’t have to be in any kind of crazy shape to record in the studio. With how big my stage is, how much I run around, and how much effort that me and the guys put into it, I don’t think you would know that by just listening to the record.”
Wallen’s I’m the Problem Tour comes just over a month after the release of his I’m the Problem album and the launch of his Sand in My Boots Festival. The trek will conclude with two shows on Sept. 12-13 in Edmonton, Alberta. Artists set to open various shows on the tour are Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Koe Wetzel, Gavin Adcock, Corey Kent, Ella Langley and Anne Wilson.
Here’s every song listed on Apple Music Country as part of the setlist for Wallen’s upcoming tour.
“Broadway Girls” (Lil Durk feat. Morgan Wallen)
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty
Racial tensions may be high out in public due to a certain divisive Presidential administration that seems to feed off of chaos, fear and prejudice but at least in Hip-Hop we’re still seeing unity amongst its racially diverse artist as we all know that music in itself is a universal language.
Proving that point is Juicy J and Logic as the two rap artists link up for the visuals to “The Problem” in which Juicy and Logic due their thing on a sunny day while people are seemingly raptured into the air as if the time of judgement is upon us. The way things are going on in the world today, this doesn’t seem that farfetched. Just sayin.’
Lil Flip and Z-Ro meanwhile get their royalty on and in their clip to “Meet The Kingz,” the two Southern rappers kick back on their thrones before turning up on some Cyber Trucks and being celebrated by their adoring fans.
Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Bino Rideaux and Blxst, Demrick and B-Real, and more.
JUICY J & LOGIC – “THE PROBLEM”
LIL FLIP & Z-RO – “MEET THE KINGZ”
BINO RIDEAUX & BLXST – “GO BESTFRIEND”
PAUL WALL & DJ FRESH – “IT’S NECESSARY”
DEMRICK & B-REAL – “FRIEND CHICKEN FRIDAY”
ICEWEAR VEZZO – “SHOP WITH US”
BAY SWAG & MEEK MILL – “SEVENTEEN”
SHORELINE MAFIA – “BROSKI”
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No, don’t get stressed, it’s gon’ get figured out! Jonas Brothers sent a note to fans on Friday (June 13) explaining a major update involving venues in six different cities on their upcoming JONAS20 anniversary tour. “To the fans, we’re so excited to get out and be with you for our 20th Anniversary Tour! Every […]
Following the recent sexual assault accusations against Contemporary Christian Music star Michael Tait, Hayley Williams is speaking out against the genre as a whole for allegedly enabling his behavior for years.
Sharing a screenshot of The Guardian‘s Friday (June 13) investigation into the former Newsboys member’s actions, the Paramore frontwoman wrote in a statement on her Instagram Story, “The amount of things i have to say and the amount of people i know who were likely changed forever by this man and by the industry that empowered/enabled him …”
“I grew up around this,” Williams continued. “I am not afraid of any of these people — most of them have written me off anyway by now. How many stories like this from this VERY small corner of the music industry will we hear before we realize that [capitalizing] on people’s faith and vulnerability is the ‘sin?’”
The pop-rock singer’s post comes about a week after Christian news site The Roys Report published findings from a two-and-a-half-year investigation into Tait, with three men claiming that he groomed and sexually assaulted them between 2004 and 2014. Sources also detailed how Tait had allegedly long abused drugs and alcohol, despite years of encouraging sobriety and abstinence in his music.
Days later, Tait said he was “ashamed” and confirmed that there was truth to the allegations, writing in a response, “For some two decades, I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way … I will simply call it what God calls it — sin.”
But on Friday, The Guardian‘s piece — in addition to sharing more details about how Tait allegedly secretly drugged and molested a minor — expanded upon how the CCM industry at large allowed for his behavior to go unchecked, the same thing Williams emphasized in her post.
“This is a man who’s entire faith identity is built upon a faulty structure of self-hatred, to please a system that would rather cover up abhorrent behavior for 20+ years (and make money off of it) rather than accept that being gay is not the problem,” she wrote in her statement. “I hope the ccm industry crumbles.
“And f— all of you who knew and didn’t do a damn thing,” Williams added. “I bet I’ve got your number. and btw if you’re not angry too then maybe its time to question why.”
Tait got his start as part of the group DC Talk, which found groundbreaking success on the charts in the ’90s. He joined Newsboys in 2009, remaining there up until he abruptly stepped down from the band in January.
At the time, remaining bandmates Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis and Adam Agee wrote in a joint statement that they were “grateful for the extended season Michael has had with Newsboys” — but following the publication of The Roys Report‘s piece, the four musicians wrote on Instagram, “We are horrified, heartbroken and angry at this report and in many ways, we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the past fifteen years.”
In his statement, Tait admitted that he’d “deceived my family, friends, fans and even misled my bandmates about aspects of my life” for years before seeking treatment at a center in Utah.
“I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives,” he added earlier this week. “I was not the same person onstage Sunday night that I was at home on Monday … By His grace I can say that for the past six months, I have lived a singular life, one of utter brokenness and total dependence on a loving and merciful God.”
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Drake and Smiley have joined forces once again for the latter’s “2 Mazza,” from the Toronto artist’s new project Don’t Box Me In. Smiley dropped off the project Friday (June 13), and in his verse, Drizzy reminds Canada of his dominance, proclaiming “I”m the 6 God” and rapping “f— Hollywood and the Hamptons.” The pair […]
