Music
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Just a month after Bad Bunny bagged his 77th top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, the Puerto Rican adds a new top 10 to his roster of songs, as “El Club” debuts at No. 2 on the Dec. 21-dated list. The new arrival extends his scope to 78 top 10s across a seventh calendar year, dating back to his first in 2017.
“El Club,”, along with its music video, was released Dec. 5 on Rimas Entertainment. The song launches at No. 2 as the Hot Shot Debut of the week largely to its streaming activity –9.5 million official U.S. streams in the tracking week of Dec. 6-12, according to Luminate. The sum also sparks a No. 2 entrance on Latin Streaming Songs for a record-extending 83 top 10s there.
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“El Club,” Benito’s second solo single of the year, follows “Una Velita,” a song that addressed the destructive effects of hurricane María on his native Puerto Rico in 2017, which launched at No. 4 on Hot Latin Songs with 6.6 million official U.S. streams (Oct. 5-dated list). The multi-metric tally combines streaming data, digital sales and audience impressions into its formula.
Despite a negligible number of downloads in its first week, “El Club” advances 11-2 on Latin Digital Song Sales, also Benito’s 78th top 10 there.
With “El Club,” Bad Bunny stacks his 78th top 10 on Hot Latin Songs, further extending the distance from the next competitor, Enrique Iglesias, who last secured a top 10 through his Anuel AA collab, “Fútbol y Rumba” (No. 8 debut and peak in 2020).
As Bad Bunny’s top 10 collection grows, here’s a look at the artists with the most top 10s on Hot Latin Songs since its inception in 1986:
78, Bad Bunny39, Enrique Iglesias39, Luis Miguel37, Daddy Yankee37, Shakira
Further, “El Club” starts at No. 66 on the overall Billboard Hot 100, for Benito’s 97th entry there, still the most for a Latin artist. It also makes its No. 39 entrance on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, with 31 million global streams and 22 million clicks outside the U.S., respectively.
All charts (dated Dec. 21, 2024) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Dec. 17). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
When Cai Xukun — the 26-year-old Chinese singer-songwriter better known as KUN — began working on his smash single “Afterglow,” he wanted to capture fleeting moments of change by connecting time and space with art and fashion. “I pondered for a long time about what kind of word could represent this imagery and mood,” he says. “Finally, the word ‘afterglow’ came to mind. We often see this scenery during various travel moments — including while driving; it represents our feelings in that instant. I chose this theme and combined it with some of the images in my mind: models on the runway, flashing lights, shifting time and space and changing people.”
“Afterglow” immediately connected with audiences. On its release day in early June, the song achieved a score of over 95 on the Tencent Music Uni Chart, which aggregates data from nine major platforms and over 100 radio stations. The song remained on the chart for 10 weeks and became the fastest song to receive gold certification on the Tencent chart; it also made the June edition of the Tencent Music Wave Chart, which is voted on by over 200 Chinese music industry professionals. That success has informed his selection as China’s representative for Billboard’s Global No. 1s, as chosen jointly by Tencent Music Chart and Billboard China.
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KUN created “Afterglow” with soul and rock sounds, and his integration of modern and classic production influences helped to give the song a timeless feel. And the song’s success marks the beginning of a new musical phase for KUN. “In my upcoming works, I will include some classic or modern elements,” he says. “I hope everyone can gradually sense a recognizable style in my music.”
In fact, several new singles KUN released in 2024 represent his fresh musical explorations. For instance, “Remedy” features clean piano sounds paired with a vintage vocal style, revealing his more minimalist side. It also reflects his listening habits: “I often enjoy classic songs, especially in quiet moments alone, listening to music and savoring that dialogue with myself,” he says.
While his previous works were warmer, KUN’s 2024 release “RIDE OR DIE” introduces a sound that’s new for him. “This song serves as a signal I’m conveying, heralding a transformation in my future musical style,” he says. “I believe it is essential to present something distinct to my audience, which has always been my aspiration. Consequently, the production process for ‘RIDE OR DIE’ extended over a considerable period and traversed numerous iterations, aiming to express the ‘stormy night’ concept that has long resided in my heart.”
KUN photographed for the Billboard China Global No. 1s Issue.
Tianyao Wang/Billboard China
Looking ahead, KUN plans to continue to expand his online live concept Art Lab, chronicling his growth and reflecting his changes from year to year — while strengthening his connections with audiences. “I can feel their enthusiasm, and they can feel my energy,” he says of his live performances. As time progresses, KUN is learning to “enjoy the process,” he adds. “Whether you genuinely enjoy the experience or merely fulfill a task can yield entirely different results. I believe that embracing this journey is paramount.”
Now, KUN is relishing a journey of “accumulation.” He’s preparing for a long journey ahead and accumulating new musical energy that he plans to direct toward producing more great songs. “This year, through the process of production and performance, I have engaged in numerous discussions and collaborations with various artists, which have profoundly influenced my personal perspectives and aesthetics,” he says. “Next year is likely to be a year where I unveil the fruits of my introspection.”
As Chinese artists increasingly gain international acclaim, KUN believes that the intersection of music across diverse cultures transcends language and geography, fostering cultural exchange. “I aspire for more individuals globally to experience music that is authentically ours as Chinese,” he says. “This has consistently been my ambition.”
As the chapter of who was responsible for 2Pac‘s death finally closes with the arrest of Keffe D, more stories from that fateful night are being told.
Young Noble of the Outlawz, who frequently collaborated with the late rapper and actor — sat down with The Art of Dialogue to talk about Pac’s final days in the hospital after he was shot in Las Vegas after a Mike Tyson fight in 1996.
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He began talking about the day the Notorious B.I.G. got shot in Los Angeles by revealing that the group had recently signed to Death Row and that he remembered them getting kicked out of a hotel after the staff accused them of pimping due to “too much female activity.” Noble then recalled watching the news about Biggie and feeling like “hip-hop was dying.”
Adding, “This ain’t how it’s supposed to be. We didn’t wish that on Biggie or nothin’ like that. It felt devastating,” before acknowledging that some members of the Outlawz were featured on 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” where he dissed Big.
Towards the end of the interview, Noble started speaking on being there with Pac in the hospital. “I was right there, front and center,” he said before referring to the longstanding rumors that the late rapper allegedly faked his death and moved to Cuba.
“Let them tell it, he’s still alive underground like Bin Laden somewhere hiding or in Cuba… Nah, he really died. I really was in the hospital. I really saw him with tubes in his body. I really saw his body full of fluid real big. He wasn’t skinny with the six-pack; his body was full. He really f—king died on us.”
The New Jersey rapper then claimed Pac’s mother made the decision to “let her son go,” saying, “He probably could have lived. His momma said, ‘Nah, f—k all that. I think he lost his finger, he was gonna lose a lung, they were gonna do all these surgeries. You know how strong your momma gotta to be to say, ‘Damn, he’s probably could make it. I don’t want my son to endure no more pain in this world. Y’all tear him down.’ That sh—t is devastating.”
He then added, “She let her son go. ‘Pac ain’t die; Afeni said, ‘Let my son fly,’” before getting emotional and walking off set as he continued to talk about how his friend’s life has been “dissected” since his untimely passing.
You can watch the full clip below.
Ariana Grande has brought the magic to Wicked as Glinda the Good Witch — and even snagged a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. One person who is particularly happy for her is Amanda Seyfried, who also auditioned for the coveted role. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and […]
André 3000 and Beyoncé have teamed up for collaborations in the past and he even named a song after Queen Bey on his New Blue Sun album.
The Hollywood Reporter caught up with Three Stacks on Monday (Dec. 16) for a rare sit-down interview, where he reflected on working with the pop icon.
“Really just being excited about working together because we performed together during the ‘Hey Ya!’ times in England [in 2003],” the Outkast legend recalled. “That was some of the first times I’ve met her, so being able to record, I think we’ve always had respect for each other and been fans.
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He continued: “To be reached out by Beyoncé, ‘Hey, can you get on this song?’ I’m like, ‘Hell, yeah, you know I’m with it.’ Yeah, it was a cool musical family thing. I think people from a certain era, we have a kinship.”
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Three Stacks and Bey joined forces for “Back to Black” from The Great Gatsby soundtrack in 2013 and “Party” a couple of years prior. He detailed the vision of naming his “Ninety Three ‘Til Infinity And Beyoncé” after the Houston-bred music deity.
“The title was really a play on words, just referencing things that I was into,” he began. “Souls of Mischief, one of their most famous songs was called ’93 ‘Til Infinity,’ and that’s when I was coming out of high school. That was one of my favorite rap tracks. Then I thought it was funny to put that together with a Toy Story proclamation, ‘Until infinity and beyond.’”
Dre even received Jay-Z and Bey’s blessing: “That was a thing that the character would say in the movie, and I would say, “Why not Beyoncé?” It was funny; it was a play on pop culture stuff. I reached out to Jay-Z and Beyoncé and asked if it was cool. She’s like, ‘Yeah.’ So I was happy.”
Elsewhere in the interview, André 3000 voiced his frustration with the media continuously referring to New Blue Sun, which is nominated for album of the year, best alternative jazz album and best instrumental composition at the 2025 Grammy Awards, as a “flute album.”
“The media has touted it as this flute album and I think it’s a misrepresentation of the album,” he said. “It’s way more than a flute album. They belittle it by calling it a flute album because there are actual flutists that have made flute albums, like Jethro Tull and Paul Horn. I think it could be a turnoff to some people if they think, ‘Yo, he’s just in a room playing this flute.’”
In the world of electronic dance music, the West has long led the way with its frequent collaborations, driving technical advancements and making electronic music culture popular worldwide. Inspired by Western electronic music culture, ZHANGYE, in collaboration with Cyanhill Music, has created the CHINA EDM Vol.1 compilation, marking a new chapter in Chinese electronic dance music.
This compilation features not only exclusive tracks from top producers such as BEAUZ, CORSAK, Panta.Q, and WILLIM, but also selects other tracks from hundreds of contributors, showcasing the diversity and vitality of Chinese electronic music.
The release of the CHINA EDM Vol.1 compilation is not only a summary of the development of Chinese electronic dance music, but also a new beginning. Crafted to international standards, it aims to promote the works of outstanding Chinese producers on the world stage. On Nov. 29, this musical feast was spectacularly staged at the Escape deLux nightclub in Amsterdam, Netherlands, under the theme of “CHINA EDM NIGHT,” marking a significant step in the global journey of Chinese electronic music.
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“CHINA EDM NIGHT” was an unprecedented performance featuring “Beats from the East,” bringing the rhythm of the Orient to the Western stage. This event was a live rendition of the CHINA EDM Vol.1 compilation and a significant showcase of Chinese electronic music culture to the world. The performance took place at the renowned Amsterdam nightclub Escape deLux, known for its unique atmosphere and high-quality music events.
To ensure that the “CHINA EDM NIGHT” performance garnered more attention in the Netherlands, the organizers put significant effort into promotion. Offline advertising reached close to 4,000 advertising spaces, including large billboards, metro stations, hotels and public notice boards, promoting the compilation, artists and the event activities comprehensively to ensure that the performance information reached every potential audience member.
The release of the CHINA EDM Vol.1 compilation and the staging of the “CHINA EDM NIGHT” performance mark a significant step for Chinese electronic dance music on the global stage. This is a collective showcase of Chinese electronic music producers, as well as an international dissemination of Chinese electronic music culture.
CORSAK
Courtesy of CORSAK
Gracie Abrams had lots of new eyes on her during her Saturday Night Live musical-guest debut over the weekend, including Barbra Streisand‘s — and Babs liked what she saw.
Two days after the 25-year-old pop star performed on the live comedy series for the first time ever Saturday, the Broadway legend shared a photo of Abrams singing and playing guitar on the 30 Rock stage and wrote, “I just saw a wonderful new singer named GRACIE ABRAMS (@gracieabrams) on Saturday Night Live this weekend.”
Streisand also pointed out the former Eras Tour opener’s famous parentage. “And it turns out she’s the daughter of my friend JJ Abrams!” the Funny Girl actress wrote, shouting out the Star Wars: The Force Awakens director.
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Gracie performed two tracks on the Chris Rock-hosted episode of SNL, starting with runaway hit “That’s So True.” Released in October as part of her The Secret of Us deluxe album, the track became the California native’s first-ever Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in November, so far peaking at No. 6.
The star followed it up with “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” a hit from the original The Secret of Us track list, which peaked at No. 19 on the Hot 100 in October. In a recent year-end conversation with Billboard, Gracie spoke about both of the tracks, noting, “When ‘I Love You, I’m Sorry’ ended up being the song that took off the most, I felt like it was — not that we needed it — permission to allow acoustic guitar to remain the driving force behind ‘That’s So True,’ which came from the feeling of living with a burning, fiery rage of jealousy.”
“Seeing the life that song is having right now is psychotic to me,” added the musician, who recently announced a run of North American tour dates in support of her deluxe album.
Streisand also released new music this year, dropping “Love Will Survive” in April for Peacock’s The Tattooist of Auschwitz. “Because of the rise in antisemitism around the world today, I wanted to sing ‘Love Will Survive’ in the context of this series as a way of remembering the six-million souls who were lost less than 80 years ago,” she said of the project in a statement at the time. “And also to say that even in the darkest of times, the power of love can triumph and endure.”
Gracie and the Yentl star also have something else in common: Both are up for awards at the 2025 Grammys. The former is in the running for best pop duo/group performance thanks to her “Us” duet with Taylor Swift, while Streisand earned nods for best song written for visual media thanks to “Love Will Survive” and best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording for memoir My Name Is Barbra.
Christian Alicea has set the microphone aside and picked up a fire extinguisher, bringing to life his modeling side in a red-hot limited-edition calendar for 2025.
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The breakthrough salsa singer — nominated for best salsa album at the 2024 Latin Grammys — has released his very own firefighter-inspired calendar, serving as the sensual poster boy for each month. The fiery merch is not only a tribute to his own beginnings as a firefighter in Puerto Rico, but also an act of gratitude for his fans.
“The idea of the calendar was to satisfy my fans, since they always suggested it in the comments on photos of when I was a firefighter. In interviews they always questioned me about it too. Rather, it was to make that idea a reality,” he tells Billboard exclusively.
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For Alicea, there’s not much difference between his former career and his job as a musician today.
“It was a public service,” he explains. “In music, we also owe it to the public and work for them every day. As a firefighter I was part of a musical band, and I always try to give the best show, the best work in music. The sacrifices. Firefighters don’t have a fixed schedule. Many times I missed my mother’s birthday, I couldn’t share with my family on important dates, and music is the same. I have to do my part for my people.”
Describing himself as hardworking, disciplined and focused, Alicea hopes his hot-and-steamy portraits bring new career opportunities as well.
“In this calendar you will see a side of Christian Alicea that’s very important because who knows if through this other doors will open: brands, movies,” he notes. “We don’t just make music, we’re not just composers, we don’t just go to the gym, but we like to do different things that have to do with art.”
Christian Alicea’s 2025 calendar is available for purchase at ChristianAlicea.com.
Christian Alicea
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It looks like Owen Wilson is a fan of the hood’s hottest princess. The actor went viral over the weekend, as a fan in attendance captured him with his jaw on the floor as he watched Sexyy Red perform her song “Hellcats SRTs” on the Rolling Loud stage in Miami. The St. Louis rapper caught […]
Steve-O is on Team Kendrick. The Jackass star joined Hardy’s Wild Ride podcast this week, during which they talked about their top five rappers. While discussing André 3000 and Kendrick Lamar, Steve-O explained that the Outkast star “oozes coolness,” as does the “TV Off” rapper. Steve-O then chimed in on the headline-making feud between Lamar and […]