Music

Carin Leon & Kane Brown Live-Debut Country & Regional Mexican Crossover ‘The One’ at 2024 Premio Lo Nuestro

Carin León and Kane Brown took center stage at the 2024 Premio Lo Nuestro on Thursday night (Feb. 22) for the world premiere of their first collaborative effort called “The One (Pero No Como Yo).”

The Spanglish bop is a heartfelt country-tinged, regional Mexican fusion that narrates the story of a man who’s convincing a woman that he’s her one and only. The epic performance also marked the first time Brown attended a Latin awards show.

“I think it’s a vibe very similar to the country of the ’80s, ’90s that was more romantic. Artists like Kenny Rogers and Johnny Lee began to give it a more pop touch, which I feel is what is happening with our [Mexican] music,” León told Billboard on the Premio red carpet. “Everything that comes from the roots, I think they are very similar music, especially with many instruments, the lyrics are very similar. I think this collaboration was long overdue but it’s the perfect time.”

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“The One,” which will officially be available on all digital platforms on Feb. 29, was created in León’s hometown, Hermosillo Sonora, with his own musicians and producers.

“Country music has always caught my attention, ever since I first started my Carin Leon project in 2018-2019,” he continues. “The first name I heard that I thought was interesting was Kane Brown. Kane and I are very happy to be pioneers of this movement, of this first crossover between country and regional Mexican music, and we hope to see many more collaborations for our music, culturally speaking.”

Here Are the 2024 Premio Lo Nuestro Winners (Updating Live)

Under the theme “El Poder de Lo Nuestro” (the power of ours), the fan-voted Premio Lo Nuestro awards will recognize 180 artists across 38 categories, including tropical, urban, pop and música Mexicana on Thursday night (Feb. 22). 

The artist with the most nominations is Colombian hitmaker Maluma, who leads the pack with 14 nods. He’s followed by Peso Pluma (13), Grupo Frontera (10) and, with nine each, Karol G and Feid

The nominees are selected through a partnership with Uforia, which takes into account airtime on Univision Radio and information related to digital streaming, as well as evaluations from the Television Committee composed of music and industry experts. 

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Special awards will go to Ana Bárbara (Premio Lo Nuestro a la Trayectoria), Don Omar (Ícono Global) and Olga Tañón (Premio Lo Nuestro a la Excelencia). Meanwhile, the show is set to include performances by Carin León, Banda MS, Pepe Aguilar, Tini and Emilia, among others.

Co-hosted by Galilea Montijo, Clarissa Moline and Angélica Vale, the 2024 Premio Lo Nuestro are aring live from Miami via Univision and Vix Premium.

Below, the updating winners list:

Mariachi/Ranchera Song of the Year

“Canción Para Olvidarte” – Majo Aguilar
“Difícil Tu Caso” – Alejandro Fernández
“La Jugada” – Ana Bárbara & Vicente Fernández
“No Puedo No Caer” – Leonardo Aguilar
WINNER: “Qué Agonía” – Yuridia & Ángela Aguilar
“Sólo Muere Si Se Olvida” – Adriel Favela & Kurt
“Un Cumbión Dolido” – Christian Nodal

Pop/Urban – Album of the Year

2000 – Manuel Turizo
WINNER: Cupido – Tini
Desgenerados Mixtape – Mau Y Ricky
Don Juan – Maluma
Eva – Lasso
Haashtag – Ha*Ash
La Neta – Pedro Capó
Mi Soundtrack Vol.1 – Gloria Trevi
Sincerándome – Carlos Rivera
Thalia’s Mixtape – Thalia

Mexican Music – Song of the Year

“Alaska” – Camilo & Grupo Firme
WINNER: “Ella Baila Sola” – Eslabon Armado & Peso Pluma
“Eres Ese Algo” – La Maquinaria Norteña
“Indispensable” – Carin León
“Inexperto En Olvidarte” – Alejandro Fernández
“Ni Con Labios Prestados” – Alfredo Olivas
“No Se Va (En Vivo)” – Grupo Frontera
“Tú Y Tú” – Los Ángeles Azules, Cazzu & Santa Fe Klan
“Un Cumbión Dolido” – Christian Nodal
“¿Y Qué Tal Si Funciona?” – Yuridia & Banda Ms De Sergio Lizárraga

Premio Lo Nuestro Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny
Camilo
Carin León
Feid
Grupo Frontera
Karol G
Maluma
Ozuna
Peso Pluma
Shakira

Song of the Year

“Ambulancia” – Camilo & Camila Cabello
“Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” – Bizarrap & Shakira
“Despechá” – Rosalía
“Ella Baila Sola” – Eslabon Armado & Peso Pluma
“Lala” – Myke Towers
“Me Enrd” – Prince Royce
“Nunca Y Pico” – Yandel, Maluma & Eladio Carrión
“Sé Que Estás Con Él” – Silvestre Dangond, Reik & Boza
“Un X100to” – Grupo Frontera & Bad Bunny
“¿Y Qué Tal Si Funciona?” – Yuridia & Banda Ms De Sergio Lizárraga 

Album of the Year

Colmillo De Leche – Carin León
Don Juan – Maluma
El Comienzo – Grupo Frontera
Escalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así – Carlos Vives
Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo Te Pirateamos El Álbum – Feid
Fórmula, Vol. 3 – Romeo Santos
Génesis – Peso Pluma
Haashtag – Ha*Ash
Mañana Será Bonito – Karol G
Playa Saturno – Rauw Alejandro 

Remix of the Year

“La Bebe Remix” – Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma
“Podemos Repetirlo Remix” – Don Omar, Chencho Corleone & Anuel AA
“Polaris Remix” – Saiko, Quevedo, Feid & Mora
“Quédate” – Tiësto Remix – Bizarrap & Tiësto
“Una Noche En Medellín Remix” – Karol G, Cris Mj & Ryan Castro

New Artist Male

Beéle
Christian Alicea
Dei V
Michelle Maciel
Milo J
Omar Courtz
Peso Pluma
Rels B
Saiko
Yng Lvcas

New Artist Female

Gale
J Noa
Joaquina
Kenia Os
La Joaqui
Ludmilla
PaoPao
Snow Tha Product

Mexican Music – New Artist Group or Duo

Conexión Divina
Eslabon Armado
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Los Esquivel
Marca MP

“Crossover” Collaboration of the Year

“Bailar Contigo” – Black Eyed Peas & Daddy Yankee
“Dientes” – J Balvin, Usher & Dj Khaled
“El Vibe” – Farina & Sean Paul
“Jumpin” – Pitbull & Lil Jon
“Let’s Get Crazy! (Mambo Drop)” – Don Omar & Lil Jon
“Ojalá” – The Rudeboyz, Maluma & Adam Levine
“Somos Iguales” – Ozuna, Tokischa, Louchie Lou & Michie One
“The Reason (Latin Version)” – Jonathan Moly & Hoobastank

The Perfect Mix of the Year

“Alaska” – Camilo & Grupo Firme
“Amor Clandestino” – Maná & Eden Muñoz
“Chanel” – Becky G & Peso Pluma
“Como El Viento” – Luis R Conriquez & Nicky Jam
“El Amor De Mi Vida” – Los Ángeles Azules & Maria Becerra
“El Pañuelo” – Romeo Santos & Rosalía
“La Siguiente” – Kany García & Christian Nodal
“Peso Pluma: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 55” – Bizarrap & Peso Pluma
“Según Quién” – Maluma & Carin León
“Un X100to” – Grupo Frontera & Bad Bunny

Tour of the Year

Fórmula Vol.3 Tour – Romeo Santos
Luis Miguel Tour 2023 – Luis Miguel
Mañana Será Bonito Tour – Karol G
Saturno World Tour – Rauw Alejandro
Soy Rebelde Tour – Rbd

Urban – Male Artist Of The Year

Arcángel
Bad Bunny
Daddy Yankee
Eladio Carrión
Feid
Myke Towers
Ozuna
Rauw Alejandro
Ryan Castro
Yandel

Urban – Female Artist Of The Year

Anitta
Becky G
Chesca
Karol G
Maria Becerra
Natti Natasha
Nicki Nicole
Paopao
Villano Antillano
Young Miko

Urban – Song of the Year

“Besos Moja2” – Wisin Y Yandel & Rosalía
“Classy 101” – Feid & Young Miko
“Instagram” – Blessd
“Lala” – Myke Towers
“Mas Rica Que Ayer” – Anuel AA, Mambo Kingz & Dj Luian
“Necesidad” – Venesti
“Panties Y Brasieres” – Rauw Alejandro & Daddy Yankee
“Un Cigarrillo” – Chencho Corleone
“Where She Goes” – Bad Bunny
“Yandel 150” – Yandel & Feid 

Urban – Collaboration of the Year

“Gatúbela” – Karol G & Maldy
“Hey Mor” – Ozuna & Feid
“La Bebe Remix” – Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma
“La Jumpa” – Arcángel & Bad Bunny
“Lokera” – Rauw Alejandro, Lyanno & Brray
“Mi Exxx” – Wisin & Anuel AA
“Nunca Y Pico” – Yandel, Maluma & Eladio Carrión
“Podemos Repetirlo” – Don Omar & Chencho Corleone
“Te Kiero Ver” – Paopao & Jay Wheeler
“Ulala” – Myke Towers & Daddy Yankee

Urban – Album Of The Year

3MEN2 KBRN – Eladio Carrión
Feliz Cumpleaños Ferxxo Te Pirateamos El Álbum – Feid
La Nena De Argentina – Maria Becerra
La Sustancia X – Villano Antillano
La Vida Es Una – Myke Towers
LLNM2 – Anuel AA
Mañana Será Bonito – Karol G
Ozutochi – Ozuna
Playa Saturno – Rauw Alejandro
Resistencia – Yandel

Pop – Male Artist of the Year

Camilo
Carlos Rivera
Lasso
Luis Fonsi
Maluma
Manuel Medrano
Manuel Turizo
Pedro Capó
Ricky Martin
Sebastián Yatra

Pop – Female Artist of the Year

Aitana
Emilia
Gloria Trevi
Kany García
Kenia Os
Laura Pausini
Rosalía
Shakira
Thalia
Tini

Pop – Group or Duo of the Year

Camila
Ha*Ash
Piso 21
RBD
Reik 

Pop – Song of the Year

“A Mi Lado” – Reik & Rusherking
“Coco Loco” – Maluma
“Como Tú Y Yo” – Chayanne
“Fugitivos” – Camila
“La Falta Que Me Haces” – Natti Natasha
“La Última Canción” – CNCO
“Mi Salida Contigo” – Ha*Ash & Kenia Os
“Sincerándome” – Carlos Rivera
“Una Noche Sin Pensar” – Sebastián Yatra
“Volver A Casa” – Pedro Capó

Pop/Ballad – Song of the Year

“Hey” – Ana Isabelle
“Te Acuerdas” – Ha*Ash & Reik
“Tu Salida “- Christian Daniel
“Un Buen Inicio” – Laura Pausini
“Yo No Fumo” – Ricardo Montaner & Carlos Rivera

Pop-Urban – Collaboration Of The Year

“Berlin” – Zion & Lennox & Maria Becerra
“Beso” – Rosalía & Rauw Alejandro
“Easy” – Chesca & Dalex
“Esta Vida” – Marshmello & Farruko
“La Loto” – Tini, Becky G & Anitta
“Los Cachos” – Piso 21 & Manuel Turizo
“Sé Que Estás Con Él” – Silvestre Dangond, Reik & Boza
“Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” – Bizarrap & Shakira
“Tu Recuerdo” – Wisin, Emilia, & Lyanno
“Vagabundo” – Sebastián Yatra, Manuel Turizo & Beéle

Pop-Urban – Song of the Year

“5 Estrellas” – Reik & Sech
“Columbia” – Quevedo
“Éxtasis” – Manuel Turizo & Maria Becerra
“Junio” – Maluma
“Niña Bonita” – Feid & Sean Paul
“No_se_ve.Mp3” – Emilia, Ludmilla & Zecca
“Pasa_je_ro” – Farruko
“To’ Esto Es Tuyo” – Natti Natasha
“TQG” – Karol G & Shakira
“Tucu” – Ozuna & Amarion

Pop-Urban/Dance – Song of the Year

“Berlin” – Zion & Lennox & Maria Becerra
“Café Con Leche” – Pitbull
“Celular” – Nicky Jam, Maluma & The Chainsmokers
“Esta Vida” – Marshmello & Farruko
“Let’s Get Crazy! (Mambo Drop)” – Don Omar & Lil Jon
“Tá Ok Remix” – Dennis, Mc Kevin O Chris, Maluma & Karol G

Tropical – Artist of the Year

Aymée Nuviola
Carlos Vives
Juan Luis Guerra
Luis Figueroa
Marc Anthony
Olga Tañón
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos
Silvestre Dangond
Víctor Manuelle

Tropical – Song of the Year

“Bailando Bachata” – Chayanne
“Decidí Tener Pantalones” – Víctor Manuelle
“Me Enrd” – Prince Royce
“Solo Conmigo” – Romeo Santos
“Vienes” – Luis Figueroa
“Yo Le Mentí” – Marc Anthony

Tropical – Collaboration of the Year

“Ambulancia” – Camilo & Camila Cabello
“El Merengue” – Marshmello & Manuel Turizo
“El Pañuelo” – Romeo Santos & Rosalía
“La Fórmula” – Maluma & Marc Anthony
“Las Mujeres” – Carlos Vives & Juanes
“Si Tú Me Quieres” – Fonseca & Juan Luis Guerral

Tropical – Album of the Year

Bachata En Vivo, Vol. 2 – Elvis Martinez
Canciones Del Corazón – Olga Tañón
Catarsis – Daniela Darcourt
El Swing Del Gran Combo – El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico
Escalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así – Carlos Vives
Fórmula, Vol. 3 – Romeo Santos
Intruso – Silvestre Dangond
Metamorfosis – Jonathan Moly
Voy A Ti – Luis Figueroa
Yo – Christian Alicea 

Mexican Music – Male Artist of the Year

Alejandro Fernández
Alfredo Olivas
Carin León
Christian Nodal
Eden Muñoz
Junior H
Lenin Ramírez
Luis R Conriquez
Pepe Aguilar
Peso Pluma

Mexican Music – Female Artist of the Year

Ana Bárbara
Ángela Aguilar
Chiquis
Majo Aguilar
Yuridia

Mexican Music – Collaboration of the Year

“Alaska” – Camilo & Grupo Firme
“Bebe Dame” – Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera
“Ella Baila Sola” – Eslabon Armado & Peso Pluma
“La Patrona” – Edwin Luna Y La Trakalosa De Monterrey & Leandro Ríos
“No Me Hablen De Amor” – Pepe Aguilar & Intocable
“Qué Agonía” – Yuridia & Ángela Aguilar
“Se Acabó (En Vivo)” – Lenin Ramírez, Fuerza Regida & Banda Renovación
“Según Quién” – Maluma & Carin León
“Si Ya Hiciste El Mal” – Luis R Conriquez & Jessi Uribe
“Solo Que Lo Dudes” – Banda Ms De Sergio Lizárraga & Yahritza Y Su Esencia

Mexican Music – Group or Duo of the Year

Banda Los Recoditos
Banda Ms De Sergio Lizárraga
Calibre 50
Eslabon Armado
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Firme
Grupo Frontera
Intocable
La Maquinaria Norteña
Los Ángeles Azules

Banda Song Of The Year

“Al Ver Que Te Vas” – Banda El Recodo
“Amor Pasajero” – Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
“Calidad” – Grupo Firme & Luis Mexia
“Fuerte No Soy” – Banda Los Recodito
“La Patrona” – Edwin Luna Y La Trakalosa De Monterrey & Leandro Ríos
“Se Acabó (En Vivo)” – Lenin Ramírez, Fuerza Regida & Banda Renovación
“Se Manda Sola” – La Adictiva
“Si Ya Hiciste El Mal” – Luis R Conriquez & Jessi Uribe
“Soldado Caído” – El Fantasma
“¿Y Qué Tal Si Funciona?” – Yuridia & Banda Ms De Sergio Lizárraga 

Norteño Song of the Year

“Beses A Quien Beses” – La Fiera De Ojinaga
“Cuéntame” – Los Rieleros Del Norte
“Dirección Equivocada” – Calibre 50
“Eres Ese Algo” – La Maquinaria Norteña 5. Indispensable – Carin León
“Ni Con Labios Prestados” – Alfredo Olivas
“Ni Volviendo A Nacer” – Eden Muñoz
“No Me Hablen De Amor” – Pepe Aguilar & Intocable
“Que Te Vaya Bien” – Julión Álvarez Y Su Norteño Banda
“Se Me Soltó El Hocico” – Los Dos Carnales

Mexican Music Fusion of the Year

“Cambio De Canción” – Conexión Divina
“Ella Baila Sola “- Eslabon Armado & Peso Pluma
“Fin De Semana” – Oscar Maydon & Junior H
“Frágil” – Yahritza Y Su Esencia & Grupo Frontera
“Mírate Nomás” – Ulices Chaidez

Mexican Music – Album of the Year

Bordado A Mano – Ana Bárbara
Colmillo De Leche – Carin León
Consejos Gratis – Eden Muñoz
Cumbia Del Corazón – Los Ángeles Azules
Desvelado – Eslabon Armado
El Comienzo – Grupo Frontera
Forajido EP2 – Christian Nodal
Génesis – Peso Pluma
Pa Que Hablen – Fuerza Regida
Pa’ Luego Es Tarde – Yuridia

Enrique Iglesias & Miranda Lambert Team Up for ‘Space in My Heart’: Listen Now

Country music star Miranda Lambert and Latin pop star Enrique Iglesias have teamed up for the romantic collaboration “Space in My Heart.”

The duet, which Iglesias wrote years ago with Carlos Paucar, Simon Wilcox, Ross Golan and Nolan Lambroza, is a straightforward love song that includes the lines, “If you ever go/ I will never change/ There’s a space in my heart and it’s just your shape.”

Lambert and Iglesias previously teased the collaboration via social media on Feb. 12, with Lambert saying, “Texas meets Spain! Can’t wait for y’all to hear this one.”

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Iglesias has notched several Billboard Hot 100 hits, including the No. 1 smashes “Bailamos” (1999) and “Be With You” (2000) as well as three other top five hits: “Hero” in 2001 (No. 3), “I Like It” with Pitbull in 2010 (No. 4) and “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)” with Ludacris and DJ Frank E in 2011 (No. 4). He was named one of Billboard‘s Top-Grossing Latin Artists of All Time. Additionally, he’s earned eight chart-topping albums on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums, including 1997’s Vivir (15 weeks at the chart pinnacle) and 2014’s Sex and Love (16 weeks).

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Meanwhile, Lambert has launched seven of her albums to the top of Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart and is the artist with the most Academy of Country Music Awards wins in history, with nearly 40 trophies, including the ACM’s triple crown honor.

Their collaboration adds to a lengthy list of country/Latin collaborations over the decades. Iglesias’ father, Latin music star Julio Iglesias, earned a two-week No. 1 Hot Country Songs hit with the 1984 Willie Nelson duet “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”; Iglesias and Nelson won a CMA Award that year for vocal duo of the year. Nelson and Iglesias also earned a top 10 country hit in 1988 with “Spanish Eyes.”

Country trio Midland teamed with Jay De La Cueva for a Spanish-language version of their hit “Drinkin’ Problem.” Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood performed with Latin artist David Bisbal for the bilingual song “Tears of Gold,” while Kane Brown teamed with Becky G for a Spanish remix of “Lost in the Middle of Nowhere,” and more recently with Carin León for “The One (Pero No Como Yo).” Meanwhile, Cuban-American MC and rapper Pitbull has collaborated with country music artists including Zac Brown, Blake Shelton and, most recently, Dolly Parton.

Listen to “Space in My Heart” below:



SZA Unleashes Enchanting New Single ‘Saturn’: Stream It Now

SZA believes life is better on “Saturn” in her new single that dropped Thursday (Feb. 22) via Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records.

The whimsical track arrives almost three weeks after she first debuted “Saturn” in a Mastercard commercial that aired during the Grammys, where SZA was prancing around an enchanted forest while supporting Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition that promotes forest restoration. “We’re a force of nature when we come together. That’s why I’m supporting Mastercard on their mission to restore forests around the globe. Join me,” SZA says at the end of the ad.

The commercial aired during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 4, when SZA — the night’s most nominated artist with nine nods — took home three awards: best R&B song (“Snooze”), best progressive R&B album (SOS) and best pop duo/group performance (“Ghost in the Machine” with Phoebe Bridgers).



“Saturn” — which was written by SZA, Carter Lang, Rob Bisel, Solomonophonic and Monsune and produced by the latter four — finds the superstar disappointed with the world around her and wonders if life would be better if she could start over on Saturn. It was released as a five-track bundle that includes the original track as well as the live, sped-up, a cappella and instrumental versions.

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The song will reportedly appear on her forthcoming SOS deluxe album titled LANA. SOS debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 following its December 2022 release and spent 10 nonconsecutive weeks there — the most of any R&B/hip-hop album by a woman since Mariah Carey’s self-titled debut spent 11 weeks at the top in 1991.

Listen to “Saturn” below.



Selena Gomez Turns Her ‘Love On’ for New Song & Video: Stream It Now

For all you lovers out there, Selena Gomez‘s new single “Love On” has officially arrived.

The track dropped at 6 p.m. ET Thursday (Feb. 22), getting a six-hour jump on the traditional Friday new music model. It marks Gomez’s first release of 2024 and follows “Single Soon,” a carefree ode to independence produced by the Only Murders in the Building star’s now boyfriend, musician Benny Blanco.

Gomez first announced “Love On” last week, sharing the song’s chic cover art and release date on Instagram. “Wait till I turn my love on,” she captioned the post.

Later, the 31-year-old singer-actress unveiled a short teaser for the track’s music video, which also premiered Thursday. In the snippet, Gomez cuddled with a puppy as a group of couples made out nearby, leaving her out of the mix.

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Qu’est-ce que je vais te nommer? Je vais te nommer. L’amour … L’amour tendre,” a French voice-over said during the clip, a message that translates to: “What shall I name you? I’m gonna name you the love … the tender love.”

Both “Love On” and “Single Soon” — which debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 — are expected to appear on Gomez’s upcoming fourth album, which the Rare Beauty founder has not yet announced. She has, however, confirmed that a new LP is in the works, telling Vanity Fair in February that her follow-up to 2020’s Rare will be “really powerful, strong, very pop.”

She added, “The theme generally is freedom — freedom from relationships, freedom from the darkness.”

Stream Selena Gomez’s new song “Love On” below.



Kelly Clarkson Fesses Up on Chris Stapleton’s ‘I Was Wrong’ Kellyoke Cover: Watch

She may be a New York City gal now, but Kelly Clarkson was still able to get in touch with her country side this week with a performance of Chris Stapleton‘s “I Was Wrong” on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Taking the stage for her Kellyoke cover series, the Texas native looked sultry and mysterious as blue stage lights shone down on her silhouette, clad in an all-black ensemble. Making space for a few epic electric guitar riffs from her band throughout the song, Clarkson added her signature runs and unreal high notes to Stapleton’s regretful lyrics.

“You know that I still love you/ And you know that I’m so alone,” the three-time Grammy winner belted. “I don’t know why I told you that I didn’t need you/ Can’t you see that, baby, I was wrong?”

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Released in 2017 on Stapleton’s album From A Room: Volume 1, “I Was Wrong” peaked at No. 41 on the Hot Country Songs chart. It’s not the first track from the Kentucky star’s catalog to get a Kellyoke twist. In January 2023, Clarkson performed his 2020 hit “You Should Probably Leave” on the Kelly Clarkson Show stage.

The “Since U Been Gone” singer recently moved her Daytime Emmy-winning talk show to New York, away from its original home in California. Since then, she’s opened up about how walking through the streets of the Big Apple has improved her health, in addition to other lifestyle changes she made after learning from a doctor that she was prediabetic.

“I wasn’t shocked,” she said of her diagnosis and subsequent weight loss on an episode of The Kelly Clarkson show earlier this month. “I was a tiny bit overweight. So, yeah, I wasn’t shocked by it. They were like, ‘You’re prediabetic. You’re right on the borderline.’ And I was like, ‘But I’m not there yet.’ And then I waited two years and then did, however, move into the — I was like, ‘OK, I’ll do something about it.’”

In June, Clarkson released her album Chemistry, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. The 14-track project featured cameos from Steve Martin and Sheila E., as well as the “Stronger” vocalist’s 9-year-old daughter, River Rose.

Watch Clarkson perform “I Was Wrong” below.

Usher Will Finally Release ‘Believe’ on ‘Coming Home’ Reissue: Here’s When It Arrives

For those who have been holding out hope that Usher will finally drop his “Believe” track that’s been swirling around online for years, good news awaits: Jermaine Dupri, one of the song’s writers, confirmed via X on Thursday (Feb. 22) that the song will finally arrive on Friday.

Usher’s reps confirmed to Billboard that “Believe” and “Naked” will be a part of Coming Home (Expanded Edition), a reissue of Usher’s ninth studio album, which originally arrived on Feb. 9 ahead of his Super Bowl halftime show.

“Yo!!! For everyone commenting on this post, for everyone that’s sent me a message about this song, I was just told it will be available on Friday, ‘BELIEVE’ this Friday!!” Dupri wrote while sharing a Shade Room Instagram post about fans being disappointed that “Believe” wasn’t initially included on the original Coming Home release.

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The post also included an IG Live snippet of Usher and Dupri previewing the uptempo breakup track in 2019, which Dupri also shared on his Facebook page.

“Believe” was also one of the songs Usher’s team previewed for Billboard for his 2021 cover story, along with “Fresh Air” and “Kissing Strangers,” but the latter record is the only one that made the cut on Coming Home when it arrived Feb. 9 via mega/gamma. The set debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 as well as Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and it topped the Top Album Sales chart this week (ending Feb. 24).

Dupri united with Usher on the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show stage to introduce “Confessions, Pt. II” as part of the R&B superstar’s hit-filled performance earlier this month at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

Watch Eddie Vedder & Post Malone Duet on ‘Better Man’ to Help Raise $1 Million for EB Research

Eddie Vedder and Post Malone joined forces — both onstage and off — for a good cause.

The two stars sang a duet of Pearl Jam‘s “Better Man” last week for the second annual Reportin’ for Duty benefit honoring late actor Leslie Jordan, which this year took place at Humble Baron at Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn., and raised more than $1 million for the EB Research Partnership. And on Thursday (Feb. 22), Posty shared a video of their performance on YouTube, giving fans who didn’t attend a chance to see him take the stage with Vedder.

The clip finds both Vedder and Malone wielding acoustic guitars as they take turns singing lines from the 1994 track, a No. 2 Alternative Airplay hit for Pearl Jam. The event also featured performances from The War and Treaty, Jelly Roll, Ruby Amanfu, Jake Wesley Rogers and Dan Spencer.

“I can’t find words to say how powerful and inspiring it was to be gathered with such incredible musicians under one small roof for a cause that’s so impactful on young people’s lives,” Vedder said in a statement. “I had chills. Had tears. And all the while with a grin of positivity and action.”

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“I love when music connects me to great people like Eddie, and good causes like EB Research Partnership,” added Post. “Eddie is someone I look up to as a dad, a musician, and a person. I’m honored that he’s brought me into the EB community.”

Eddie and Jill Vedder founded EBRP in 2010 alongside a group of parents of children with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a life-threatening genetic skin disorder. According to Mayo Clinic, the condition “causes fragile, blistering skin” in response to “minor injury, even from heat, rubbing or scratching.”

As of now, there is no cure for EB — something the Vedders’ foundation aims to change within the next decade. Eddie continued in his statement, “The generosity of all who were involved is tremendously appreciated and will help us continue to fund research aimed at curing EB by 2030.”

Watch Eddie Vedder and Post Malone perform “Better Man” together below.



Best Country Songs Featuring ‘Texas’ in the Title

With Beyoncé making history at the pinnacle of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, beckoning listeners to the dancefloor with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the Houston, Texas native gives a tip of the hat to her homestate–the music, the heatwaves and the whiskey.

Texas, home to more than 29 million residents as of 2021, has produced scores of country music’s biggest artists over the decades, including George Strait, George Jones, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, The Chicks and Tanya Tucker. But also, as the sounds of Texas Country meshed with the Red Dirt sounds emanating from Oklahoma over the years, the Lone Star State has provided fertile grounds for artists such as Pat Green, Josh Abbott Band and Flatland Cavalry.

According to the 2023 Texas Music Industry Economic impact Report, the music industry in Texas, including music businesses supporting a range of musical genres and music education, fostered an economic impact in 2022 that included nearly 90,000 permanent jobs, $4.6 billion in annual earnings and more than $10.8 billion in annual economic activity. Of course, Texas is also home to Austin, billed as “The Live Music Capital of the World,” with approximately 250 live music venues representing a range of musical styles.

The list of iconic artists—native Texans and non-Texans alike—who have tipped their hats to the Lone Star State has included Jimmie Rodgers, Elvis Presley, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan and more. Some songs pay homage to the state’s wide open spaces, Texan cuisine, rodeo culture, or the grit and determination of its cowboys and cowgirls. Other tracks mourn ex-lovers, devote lyrics to putting specific Texas towns in a greater spotlight, or center on stories from the state’s history.

Here, we look at 10 more songs featuring “Texas” in the title that nod to the Lone Star State.

Beyoncé’s New Era Is Giving Other Black Women in Country a Big Boost, Too

Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up column, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip. 
 
This week: Beyoncé’s country crossover drives extra attention (and streams) to other Black female country artists, a
Stranger Things star is on the verge of a major pop hit and a smash biopic results in a booming Bob Marley catalog.

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See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Beyoncé’s New Country Era Is Already Lifting Up Other Black Women in the Genre 



When Queen Bey bet that she could break the internet (again) in her hilarious Verizon commercial during the 2024 Super Bowl on Feb. 11, that was a promise. Although Beyoncé has been in her country era for barely a week and a half, she’s already making history – and uplifting other Black women in the genre along the way. 

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The music icons two new songs — “Texas Hold ‘Em” (No. 1) and “16 Carriages” (No. 9) — concurrently debuted in the top 10 on Hot Country Songs, making Beyoncé the first Black woman in history to top that chart. While those two songs continue to rack in streams and sales, they’re also serving as gateways for audiences to explore the catalogs of other Black women in country. 

According to Luminate, Tanner Adell – who has scored a few minor hits such as “Buckle Bunny” and “Love You a Little Bit” — experienced a 188% increase in streaming activity from the period of Feb. 9-12 (230,000 official on-demand streams) to Feb. 16-19 (670,000 streams). On TikTok, Adell has seamlessly incorporated her love for Beyoncé and anticipation for her forthcoming LP into promotion of her own music. “If you’re waiting on Bey’s country album, you might like me,” she wrote in a Feb. 14 TikTok; the strategy has clearly paid off, as a Feb. 20 TikTok finds the young singer-songwriter celebrating “Buckle Bunny” (also released via Beyoncé’s home label Columbia) flying up the Shazam charts. 

Reyna Roberts, perhaps best known for 2020’s “Stompin’ Grounds,” collected around 200,000 official on-demand streams during the period of Feb. 16-19, marking a whopping 250% increase from 57,000 streams during Feb. 9-12. There’s also Billboard chart-topping R&B artist K. Michelle, who is currently prepping a long-awaited debut country album. The Memphis-bred star has released some standalone country songs, including “Tennesse” from last year’s I’m the Problem. That track garnered around 32,000 official on-demand streams during the period of Feb. 9-15, a massive 185% increase from the week prior (11,000 streams, Feb. 2-8). 

Of course, any discussion about “Texas Hold ‘Em” is incomplete without mentioning Rhiannon Giddens, the Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist who plays banjo on the track. During the period of Feb. 16-19, Giddens’ catalog collected over 108,000 official on-demand streams, up nearly 50% from 73,000 streams during Feb. 9-12. In the visualizer for “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Beyoncé has her hair in a cross between a beehive and low ponytail, a style often sported by country music legend Linda Martell, the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry. During the period of Feb. 16-19, Martell’s catalog received just over 12,000 official on-demand streams, marking a 275% increase from 3,000 streams during Feb. 9-12. And notably, Martell’s debut album, Color Me Country, provided the name of Rissi Palmer’s Apple Music Country radio show. Palmer – whose “Country Girl” (2007) made her the first Black woman to hit Hot Country Songs since Dona Mason in 1987 – earned over 5,000 official on-demand streams across her discography during the period of Feb. 16-19, a 110% increase from those she amassed Feb. 9-12. 

As Beyoncé’s new country era continues to unfold, expect to continue to see gains for Black women across country music. Looks like the Renaissance really isn’t over. — KYLE DENIS


‘Stranger Things’ Have Happened: Joe Keery’s Music Project Has a Burgeoning Smash



Over the course of his run on the Netflix global hit Stranger Things as the well-coiffed heartthrob Steve Harrington, Joe Keery has simultaneously dabbled in the music space, first as a member of the psych-rock band Post Animal and more recently with the synth-pop solo project Djo. Decide, Keery’s second full-length under the Djo alias, was released independently in September 2022 and featured his strongest writing and song construction to date, albeit with little commercial footprint.

Yet that last part has changed over the past few weeks: “End of Beginning,” a blissed-out mid-tempo anthem from Decide that was never released as a single and hasn’t received any promotional push, has gone viral in early 2024 — and will likely become a breakthrough hit for Djo.

The uptick was started by a TikTok trend, in which users have taken the chorus lyric, “And when I’m back in Chicago, I feel it/ Another version of me, I was in it/ I wave goodbye to the end of beginning” to soundtrack travel clips, either of Chicago or whatever their version of hometown wistfulness might be. “End of Beginning” has fully crossed over from TikTok at this point, though: on Spotify, Djo’s track has entered the top 10 of the U.S. Daily Top 200 and U.S. viral 50, as well as creeping up to No. 16 on Billboard‘s Hot Alternative Songs.

“End of Beginning” was earning hundreds of thousands of weekly streams by mid-January, but the song is skyrocketing in February: from Feb. 16-19, the track earned 5.27 million official on-demand U.S. streams, up more than 200% from the previous four-day tracking period (1.66 million streams from Feb. 9-12), according to Luminate. Keery, who was a scene-stealer in the latest season of Fargo last fall, re-joined the Stranger Things crew in January as production on season 5 began; by the time filming wraps, Keery will likely have the first Hot 100 hit of his career. – JASON LIPSHUTZ


So Much Things to Stream: Bob Marley’s Catalog Explodes With Biopic Debut



Following Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, this month’s Bob Marley: One Love becomes the latest biopic of a legendary artist to electrify audiences (even as it divides critics). The movie has already brought in more than $50 million at the box office, setting Valentine’s Day records and exceeding even the most optimistic pre-release projections. And as it brings Marley’s music to a new audience — and reminds older audiences of its greatness — it has also resulted in a massive increase in the reggae icon’s music consumption, particularly on streaming.

Marley’s catalog has actually been on the rise across streaming services for all of 2024, with anticipation for One Love perhaps helping to gradually boost his weekly official on-demand U.S. streaming numbers from around 15 million for the week ending Jan. 11 to nearly 27 million for the week ending Feb. 8, according to Luminate. But Marley’s numbers have of course exploded following the movie’s Feb. 14 release — the movie racked up over 30 million official on-demand U.S. streams in the five-day period following the movie’s release (Feb. 15-19), up 62% from the 19 million it amassed over the five days prior. (The catalog was also up 112% in digital song sales over the same time span, from over 4,000 to nearly 9,000.)

The songs currently doing the best in Marley’s catalog over that period are some of his most famous, including “Three Little Birds” (2.5 million streams, 1,500 sales), “Jamming” (1.9 million streams, 600 sales) and of course, “One Love / People Get Ready” (1.7 million streams, 1,300 sales). Legend, Marley’s RIAA Diamond-certified canonical hits collection, has even re-entered the top 30 of the Billboard 200 as a result of the increase in activity. But another song that continues to benefit from the bump in Marley exposure is from one of Bob’s descendants: “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” breakout hit from grandson YG Marley, which falls at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. “Praise” garnered 6.5 million streams over that period, up 12% from 5.8 million the previous five-day period. — ANDREW UNTERBERGER