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Jelly Roll has added several new titles to his resume over the past few years, among them Billboard chart-topper, Grammy nominee, CMA Award winner and concert headliner. But earlier this week, he added a new role: Jelly Roll cut the ribbon on the Jelly Roll Music Studio at Genesee County Jail in Flint, Mich., and […]
Eminem killed off his alter-ego on The Death of Slim Shady, but Slim Shady made his grand return as part of Complex‘s The Face-Off series, released in full on Tuesday (July 30).
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In the 11-minute clip, Eminem argues with Slim Shady, with Em calling out Slim for being too aggressive and controversial while Slim says Em’s entire career success can be attributed to him. “You’re not f—ing Taylor Swift. You had one ‘era’ that mattered. Mine. Everything people think of when they think of Eminem is f—ing yours truly,” Slim quips.
The duo make a series of references to a number of stars throughout the series, including Richard Gere as the original title for 2005’s “FACK,” Vanilla Ice in an old age joke, MGK in reference to their years-long feud and Ja Rule, Moby, Fred Durst and Christina Aguilera as the sarcastically labeled “lyrical titans” that Em has dissed over the years.
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Elsewhere in the interview, the duo make references to Drake’s “Family Matters” when the conversation of weight arose. “We cured fatness. There’s literally a shot for it. It’s very popular,” Em tells Slim, in reference to the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic, which is often used by celebrities for weight loss.
“I hear it’s got side effects of jealousy,” Slim said, mocking Drake’s “Family Matters” lyric, before Eminem dubs Slim “BBL Slizzy.”
At the end of the series, Em and Slim ultimately come to an understanding and settle their beef. “Look at us. Hey, look at us. Who would’ve thought? Not me,” the duo conclude, in reference to Paul Rudd’s Hot Ones episode and the meme it inspired.
The Death of Slim Shady served as the Detroit legend’s 12th studio album and delivered his 10th consecutive Billboard 200-topper. TDOSS debuted with 281,000 total album-equivalent sales in the first week to end Swift’s three-month run atop the chart.
Watch the full face-off via Complex below.
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Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.
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Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered either by networking or coming across their music at a showcase, and beyond. See our recommendations this month below:
Name: Alvaro Rod
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Country: Peru
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: With a demanding stage presence, but even more powerful vocals, Alvaro Rod instantly caught my attention at the 2024 Heat Latin Music Awards (a.k.a. Premios Heat), where he was nominated for best salsa artist, and performed alongside other talented Peruvian artists. Rod unleashed his debut single “Vamos a Escapar” in 2019, and since, has established himself as a promising artist in the salsa music scene, along with the likes of Christian Alicea, Luis Figueroa, and Daniela Darcourt. The singer-songwriter has taken his intense eyes to the masses, sharing stages with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and La India. He’s also gotten traction on social media thanks to his four-part Live Session album, where he covers timeless hits from Camilo, RBD, and Luis Enrique, giving them a modern twist. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song for Your Playlist: “Dime Cómo Hago”
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Artist: Allyson Menrod
Country: Mexico
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Watching Allyson Menrod’s latest music videos, it’s hard to imagine her leading a professional double life. “I am a ‘Hannah Montana’: In the mornings I am a pharmaceutical chemist, biologist, and in the afternoons/nights I am a pop singer,” she tells Billboard Español. But with nearly 15 years in singing (including a stint on 2019’s The Voice Mexico) and writing her own songs, it is evident what her true passion lies. Her most recent release is “Sin Tu Amor,” an empowering self-love track about how good it feels to get out of a toxic relationship. Menrod, whose musical influences lie primarily in ’80s American pop and R&B, has something to say, and does so in a fun and sincere way. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song for Your Playlist: “Sin Tu Amor”
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Name: Amy Gutiérrez
Country: Peru
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I first met Amy Gutiérrez when she approached my colleague and I at the 2024 Heat Latin Music Awards in Punta Cana (The Dominican Republic), where Billboard comprised part of an educational panel. After the conversation, Gutiérrez came up to us to introduce herself and thank us for such an inspirational panel. Little did I know that she was a force to be reckoned with: she sings, she dances, she’s humble, she’s sweet and she was the winner of La Voz Kids Perú 10 years ago. Hailing from Callao, Gutiérrez’s talent shined at the awards show, where she took center stage to perform alongside other Peruvian acts including Yahaira Plasencia and Alvaro Rod. In 2023, she launched her debut album Valiente, showcasing her ability to navigate from salsa to romantic ballads, and is currently making the rounds on a sugary cumbia called “Cuando me veo en tus ojos” — part of hitmaker Master Chris’ La Nueva Cepa album, released in June. — J.R.
Song for Your Playlist: “Cuando Me Veo en Tus Ojos” (Master Chris feat. Amy Gutiérrez)
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Artist: Anabella Mondi
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Anabella Mondi is an independent artist and producer based in Miami who fuses Venezuelan folk with electronic beats and other modern rhythms. The self-proclaimed Llanera Global, as her most recent album is titled, has been developing her style for years under her own label, Tactus Pro, with more than 40 songs published — with the intention of bringing the music of her land to new generations and audiences. She has an interesting approach, which she conveys with poise and coherence. — S.R.A.
Song for Your Playlist: “Meaculpa”
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Artist: Andre
Country: Peru-Spain
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I met Andre earlier this month at the Latin Alternative Music Conference in New York where, after the Wonder Women in Latin Music panel I moderated, she approached me and began explaining the concept behind her music. As a trained opera and classical artist, and also a proud Peruvian-Spanish singer-songwriter, Andre has placed all bets on a more regional approach to alternative music, to stand out with a signature sound that fuses folkloric genres such as Creole music, Peruvian polka and marinera, and Afro-Peruvian rhythms such as festejo and landó. (All while also incorporating classical and contemporary pop elements.) Her debut album Sagrado Corazón, released in May, showcases Andre’s uniqueness, as she sings in Spanish and the indigenous language of Quechua, native to Peru. Throughout the album, which is broken down into different acts, Andre sings emotively about love that is no longer reciprocated. — GRISELDA FLORES
Song for Your Playlist: “Pisco y Hielo (Acto: 1 Escena: 1)” (feat. Wariwillka)
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Artist: Gigi Méndez
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Gigi Méndez became the first woman to write the official song of La Vinotinto — as the Venezuelan national soccer team is known — for the Copa América 2024. With an exciting music video directed by Poe Polanco and Edixon Ochoa, which has more than 5.7 million views since its June 28 release, “Somos Vinotinto” injected her compatriots with joy and excitement inside and outside Venezuela, where she is known as “the toughest of the new school,” and put her on the international map. “I live this moment in my career with enthusiasm, focus and, above all, discipline,” she said then in a press release. “My team has done an exceptional job, and this achievement is thanks to them.” We are looking forward to seeing what she will bring us next. — S.R.A.
Song For Your Playlist: “Somos Vinotinto”
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Artist: Jhon de La Torre
Country: Colombia
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: With his tejana and tailored suit representing the regional Mexican genre, I met Jhon de la Torre after this year’s Masterclass: Optimizing Your Relation with the Billboard panel for Premios Heat 2024. He humbly and sweetly introduced himself, sharing everything about his new album, Más Ranchero Que Nunca, where he combines rachera with a hint of música popular powered by acoustic guitars and country music elements that make it stand out. Clear examples of that are “La Miradita,” Lo Que Duele” and “Que Importa Ya,” captivating us also with his powerful vocals. Like Amy Gutiérrez, De la Torre also takes part in La Nueva Cepa, renowned producer Master Chris’ new set featuring 12 artists from different regions and musical genres. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song For Your Playlist: “Ni Plata Ni Nada”
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Artist: Maruja Limón
Country: Spain
Why They Should Be on Your Radar: With their recent showcase at the Sounds From Spain event at DROM during the 2024 LAMC, Maruja Limón dominated the stage, breathing new life into flamenco with a captivating fusion. This Barcelona quintet — composed of Esther González and Sheila Quero on vocals, Vicky Blum on guitar, Eli Fàbregas on percussion, and Milagros González on trumpet — intertwines the soulful strains of traditional style with an audacious blend of rumba rhythms and a burst of gypsy punk zest. Their latest EP, Te Como La Cara (A), released in March, is an invigorating showcase with fervent guitar hooks and mighty brass that splendidly clash, complemented by animated percussion. The raspy vocals oscillate between playful teases and deep, poignant bouts of storytelling, capturing the time-honored spirit of flamenco and propelling this storied art form into an exhilarating, contemporary spotlight. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song For Your Playlist: “Míralas”
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Snoop Dogg brought a little bit of silliness to the otherwise no-nonsense Olympic Games over the weekend, starting an impromptu dance party with the Team USA gymnasts right in the middle of competition. In a newly shared video from the women’s gymnastics qualification Sunday (July 28), Simone Biles points at a mystery person in the […]
Rapper Chino XL has died at age 50, his family announced in a statement posted to his Instagram account on Tuesday (July 30). Born Derek Keith Barbosa, Chino XL passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday (July 28); no cause of death was revealed.
“Chino is survived by his children, Chynna, Bella, Lyric, Kiyana; his stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former longtime partner Stephanie,” the statement shared. “Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad. And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic,” Chino XL’s daughters added in a joint message. “The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace.”
Born in the Bronx and raised in East Orange, N.J., Chino formed the Art of Origin duo with Kerri Chandler, and they signed to Def Jam Recordings via Warner in 1991. Chino XL went on to reach acclaim in his solo career.
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His Here to Save You All debut — featuring collabs with Kool Keith an Ras Kass — arrived in 1996 and reached No. 56 on the Top R&B Albums chart. Chino followed up with I Told You So in 2001 and Poison Pen in 2006, as well as 2012’s Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary.
Chino XL has notched collaborations over the years with Kool G Rap, Proof, J. Dilla and B-Real among others. He also earned some stripes in Hollywood as an actor in movies such as Alex & Emma, while appearing in television shows such as CSI: Miami, The Young and the Restless and Reno 911!
More recently on the music side, Chino connected with Stu Bangaz for their God’s Carpenter joint project in 2023. He also made an appearance on “Pedulum Swing,” which landed on Rakim’s G.O.Ds Network – Reb7rth album last Friday (July 26).
There has been an outpouring of support from the hip-hop community since the news of his death.
“My uncle knew i hate giving the internet even a fraction of my pain if it isnt on vinyl. There are no amount of tears that could ever bring me peace. No amount of words that could ever bring me solace,” his niece Lady London wrote in part in a lengthy Instagram tribute. “Uncie, Thank you for nerding out with me. For gifting me with the love of words and knowledge. Literature and rhythmical composition. For your heart… larger than your body (quite literally) . Your Legacy lives on, forever. I promise im gonna take it all the way there.”
Ice-T also remembered his friend on social media. “This one REALLY hurts… Yesterday morning I got the awful news and did not want to believe it was true,” the musician and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star wrote on Instagram alongside a black-and-white photo of the late artist. “I’ve lost so many homies but THIS one got me Fd up. People know he was an incredible MC. But Chino was a truly GREAT MAN. This is a tragedy. My love and condolences go out to his family. Homie you are loved by so many. Rest in Peace Homie.”
Find more reactions to the news of Chino XL’s death below.
Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL 🙏🏾— Joe Budden (@JoeBudden) July 29, 2024
We spoke on the phone the other day and laughed. Our careers have been tied together since the Wake Up Show freestyles decades ago. I’m fucked up. Rest in Peace my brother Chino XL 🙏🏾🙏🏾— Crook 🏴🏳️🏴 (@CrookedIntriago) July 30, 2024
Rest in Peace to one of the true Icons of the HipHop Underground CHINO XL. A legendary lyricist, a good friend and a great man. you are missed and loved— R.A. the Rugged Man (@RAtheRuggedMan) July 30, 2024
CHINO XL. That was my man. Smh. RIP.— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) July 30, 2024
hurts to write, RIP Chino XL.— Evidence (@Evidence) July 29, 2024
RIP to a lyrical warrior, the true one of one, Chino XL. Legends never die, and neither do lyrics, so you’re still here G 🙏🏽— Skyzoo (@skyzoo) July 30, 2024
Imagine the thrill of receiving a text from Janet Jackson. On top of that, Beyoncé gives you flowers after your rousing tribute to Usher at the BET Awards. That’s the current reality for three-time Grammy-winner Victoria Monét, who’s still basking in the success of her debut album Jaguar II after it reshaped her decade-long career.
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“It’s insane,” says Monét hours before her Sunday (July 28) set at Broccoli Fest. “I just wonder if I could time travel. I would want to hear from the little kid version of myself, and how excited that little girl would be — because I still feel like that person. I would want to hear from her, like, ‘How do you feel right now? Because — can you believe that this is your grown-up life?’ It’s really, really special to me to hear from people you look up to.”
Always touted as a gifted songwriter, Monét is enjoying her second act as an in-demand performer as well. After a hellacious performance at Coachella, which saw fans chirping about how she deserved a headlining slot, Monét fueled conversations again at this year’s BET Awards when her and Teyana Taylor’s titillating tribute to Usher’s “Bad Girl” had social media in a tizzy.
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The homages didn’t stop there, as Monét recently released the video for her Kaytranada-produced song “Alright” from Jaguar II. Teaming up with director Dave Meyers and choreographer Sean Bankhead, Monét channeled the spirits of Michael and Janet Jackson to reimagine their classic videos “Smooth Criminal” and (of course) “Alright,” respectively, for her dance-centric video.
Billboard spoke to Monét about paying tribute to her heroes, wanting to start her dream album with Kaytranada, and playing bartender for Megan Thee Stallion during their studio session.
What made you decide to pay homage to Michael and Janet Jackson for your “Alright” video?
When we first worked on the “Alright” music video, that wasn’t the plan. I told Sean Bankhead that I knew the type of dance that I wanted to do was more of a house-style — using footwork. When we got into the studio, the movements just started coming. We were like, “We should definitely wear suits.” When the suits came, there was one that was a little bit short and you could see my socks. I had my socks from rehearsal and we were like, “Oh. I think we should just go there,” — ’cause we’re talking about my favorite artists of all-time. So let’s just lean in, no pun intended, and show the respect that they deserve. It was definitely a Jackson-inspired video.
Did Janet hit you after the video came out?
She did, but not about the video, though. We exchanged numbers — and honestly, I gave her my number. I went to see her Essence set. So after Essence, I was able to see her again and I gave her my number. I just been waiting on her to text me and just a couple of days ago. I realized she texted me. [Laughs.] I was completely shocked, and I was like, “How did I miss this text?”
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I’m going to add a little pressure on you with this question, since you spoke on wanting it to happen before — have you and Kaytranada been able to talk about finally doing this album together?
You know what? I still think that’s the goal. We do have enough music to have a project, to be honest, but if we’re going to work on one, I definitely want to go in with that intention — because the music we have is just accumulated from [old] sessions. If we make a project, I want it to feel cohesive, and it’s a certain energy that we put into it. I wanna work on so many more songs with him and narrow them down to the best ones. I would love that. He’s incredible. He got that energy.
Jaguar was originally supposed to be a three-part project. Because of the success of Jaguar II, would you entertain the idea of a trilogy again?
I just felt like after the space between the two projects — ’cause I didn’t expect them to be two years apart — I felt that the Jaguar story had kind of subsided, especially with Jaguar II winning Grammys, I’m like, “How do I come back with a third one?” It kind of felt like the ribbon on the present. There will be a Jaguar II deluxe, so you could look at that like kind of the third little part — but technically, there will be no Jaguar III. I think it’s time to get out of the jungle and see the city, maybe. [Laughs.]
Do you have an idea when the deluxe will come?
Soon. Pretty soon.
You’ve had some dope features this year with Bryson Tiller (“Persuasion”) and Megan Thee Stallion (“Spin”). What has been like for you to get back into that zone?
You know, it feels like old Vic. Because a lot of my early, early features — starting in like 2013 — my very first feature was with Nas, then T.I., Meek Mill and B.o.B. I was the hook girl. A lot of rappers would call me for hooks. I feel like I’m back in that bag. And it’s nice to have collaborations — especially with Meg, because I’ve wanted that for a really long time.
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I heard you played the role of bartender in the studio when y’all made “Spin.”
I was really just trying to make it a really fun experience. I think maybe trying to create the party environment that we would hear our record in. Even though it was just me, her and the engineer, I just wanted her to feel that uptempo energy that you feel. So I came into the studio with the ingredients for an espresso martini, but with tequila. So that’s how we do our espresso martini — and it worked! I feel like we got the great vibes going and I loved it. I wanna see it [played at] Magic City, to be honest. That’s my goal. [Laughs.]
After successful editions in countries like the U.S., Japan, Switzerland and Brazil, Netflix is launching dating reality show Love is Blind: Mexico on Thursday (Aug. 1), featuring a theme song by Joss Favela.
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That song is “Cosas Mágicas,” a romantic single released on July 19 under Sony Latin, in which the Sinaloa singer-songwriter experiments with country music for the first time. “They say magical things never warn us when they arrive/ Love is blind and the truth is/ Today I was able to confirm it,” he sings in Spanish over beautiful electric guitar riffs and trombone.
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“I’m truly happy to have written a song for such a significant series,” he tells Billboard Español, explaining that the opportunity came through Seitrack, his management agency. “The lyrics are completely romantic, something I haven’t written in a long time,” he adds.
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He recalls that the closest he had come to country music before was “Pienso en Ti” with Becky G, released in October 2018, where the guitar sounds evoke classic Nashville rhythms without being entirely country. Now, he hopes to reach new markets beyond regional Mexican music.
“It’s definitely a great opportunity for my music to reach beyond where it’s currently known,” says the 33-year-old artist. “Many people will watch the series and if they don’t know who Joss Favela is, they will now. Ultimately, what an artist wants is to be heard, and this is a great showcase.”
Favela has had a busy 2024. In May, he released the six-song EP, Mis Compas, Vol. 1, which includes duets with Banda MS, Codiciado, Los Plebes del Rancho, Luis R. Conríquez, Gera MX and Yuridia. Last Thursday, July 25th, he performed at the Premios Juventud in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
He has also returned to the top of the Billboard charts as the songwriter of Grupo Firme’s hit “El Beneficio de la Duda,” which reached No. 1 on Latin Airplay and Regional Mexican Airplay this month.
“I had been holding onto the song for a while; it’s from a time in my life when I felt very vulnerable,” Favela says about the top-charting song. “[Grupo Firme’s vocalist] Eduin [Caz] connected with the song from the moment he heard it. We recorded it in my studio, which allowed me to get to know him better, and he’s a great guy. Today, I can say he’s my friend, and honestly, working that way is much easier.”
He confesses that he initially “had fears because it isn’t a song in the style of what Grupo Firme usually does,” but now he is “as proud as a peacock” with the outcome and its success. “What has happened with the song has been wonderful for them, for me, and for everyone involved,” he says.
Favela is planning to release Vol. 2 of Mis Compas. Fans have to wait and see if Caz is among the guests.
Even without a gold medal, Snoop Dogg has been a star of the show at the 2024 Paris Olympics with his wall-to-wall coverage of the games. Snoop caught up with Michael Phelps to pick up some lessons in the pool from the American swimming icon and 23-time gold medalist in a video shared by NBC […]
When it comes to overheated claims that their explosive 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony set on Friday was somehow in league with Beelzebub, French metal band Gojira could take a page from Vice President Kamala Harris’ playbook. Just as the potential democratic presidential candidate and her supporters keep describing Republican rivals Donald Trump and his veep pick JD Vance as “weird,” lead singer Joe Duplantier told Rolling Stone that suggestions their eye-popping set was “satanic” is just, well, weird.
“It’s none of that. It’s French history. It’s French charm, you know, beheaded people, red wine, and blood all over the place — it’s romantic, it’s normal,” Duplantier said of the unexpected explosion of double kick drums, growling vocals, pyro-mania and raining blood-like streamers that accompanied the group’s performance of the 19th century French anthem “Ah! Ça Ira” from the windows of Paris’ Conciedrgerie palace during a four-hour opening spectacle.
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“There’s nothing satanic [laughs]. France is a country that made a separation between the state and religion during the revolution,” Duplantier added. “And it’s something very important, very dear to the foundation of republican France. We call it laïcité. It’s when the state is not religious anymore, so therefore it’s free in terms of expression and symbolism. It’s all about history and facts. We don’t look too close closely at symbolism in terms of religion.”
In addition to the sight of a dozen decapitated Mario Antoinettes singing along as columns of fire shot up all around them, Gojira were joined by mezzo-soprano Marina Voitti, who floated by on the prow of a ship. With a few days to let it all soak in, Duplantier told RS that things are still feeling a bit “unreal.” He described getting a call from Olympic committee and opening ceremony composer Victor le Masne months ago and thinking it was a long shot that they would end up in the final cut because the whole thing sounded “completely unreal.”
“The amount of people that would see us live kind of eclipsed the moment. I wasn’t thinking about what it was going to be because it was just too mind-bending to think about,” he said, noting that the Olympic Committee could have picked a more well-known global hard rock act such as Metallica or AC/DC for the honor. “So the reality of the moment was absolutely mind-blowing from where we were, up there at the Conciergerie and the view we had of the scenery and all the Olympic teams, passing by on boats. It was pretty surreal… We never considered ourselves the biggest band in the world that would be worthy to play the Olympics or anything like that. It’s so weird.“
Not only didn’t Gojira pick the song they performed, but Duplantier said they were totally in the dark in terms of how they would fit into the full ceremony along the Seine River, including the fact that Celine Dion and Lady Gaga would also be performing that night. “We didn’t know what was going to happen at all,” Duplantier said, adding that they never got a chance to rehearse on site beforehand. “We just went back and forth with the composer of the Olympic ceremony, Victor le Masne. He threw us a tempo and a guideline. And then we did our thing.” The only time Duplantier even got a feel for the historic building was when he climbed up on the balcony he performed from for 10 minutes three days before to try out his harness, without his guitar.
Determined to represent and honor the metal scene, the singer said they didn’t want to “play a few notes to shock people,” but rather go all-in with the double-kick drums, growling vocals and a tempo breakdown at the end to really “show what metal is all about.”
While brushing off comments from such social media trolls as Andrew Tate and some talking heads on Fox News that the performance was inspired by the devil, Duplantier also had to shrug at similar pearl-clutching on the American right from Donald Trump Jr. and House Speaker Mike Johnson that the ceremony’s recreation of the “Last Supper” featuring drag queens was an insult to Christians. “I haven’t seen it, as surprising as it seems,” the singer said. “I have a family. I have children. So right after all that work and concentration on the Olympics, I was totally in the dark. I didn’t get to sit and watch the whole thing properly.”
Watch Gojira’s performance again below.
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She was born to flex. So when a rumor sprouted online that Cardi B can no longer afford the home she shares with husband Offset in Atlanta, the “WAP” rapper was quick to shut it down. “LMAOOO You bum b—-es wish… me and offset bought that house in 2019 for 5 million now it’s worth […]