Music

09 Nov 2023

The Living Tombstone’s ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ Debuts in Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart Top 5

The Living Tombstone’s “Five Nights at Freddy’s” rides the release of the new film of the same name to a debut on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart dated Nov. 11, bowing at No. 4.

In the Oct. 27-Nov. 2 tracking week, the song earned 4.2 million official U.S. streams, a 439% surge from 770,000 the previous frame, and sold 1,000 downloads, according to Luminate.

The entry marks The Living Tombstone’s first appearance on a multimetric Billboard chart. Prior to 2023, the duo (Yoav Landau and Sam Haft) reached Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales with multiple titles, paced by “Five Night’s at Freddy’s,” which previously peaked at No. 12 in January 2015; it ranks at a new No. 2 best on the Nov. 11 survey.

The Living Tombstone’s “Five Nights at Freddy’s” was originally conceived in 2014 as a fan-made song written about the video game franchise of the same name that premiered that year. Despite the song’s unaffiliated beginnings, it enters nonetheless into the franchise’s official canon as it’s heard in the end credits of the film, which premiered in theaters and on Peacock Oct. 27.

In all Oct. 27-Nov. 2, official on-demand U.S. streams of The Living Tombstone’s catalog – much of which includes other songs written about various media properties, including cuts referencing the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise – totaled 13.3 million, a 109% jump from 6.4 million the previous week (Oct. 20-26). Next up after “Five Nights at Freddy’s”: “It’s Been So Long,” written after the 2014 release of the Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 video game, with 2.6 million streams, up 162%.

The Living Tombstone also debuts at No. 15 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart.

“Five Nights at Freddy’s” isn’t the only song to garner a gain after being featured in the film, end credits or otherwise. The Romantics’ “Talking in Your Sleep,” a No. 3 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1984, scored a 274% vault to 2.1 million streams; it’s heard in the movie multiple times.

09 Nov 2023

Bad Bunny Claims 27th Top 10 on Latin Airplay With ‘Un Preview’

Bad Bunny collects his 27th top 10 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Un Preview” surges 14-2 on the Nov. 11-dated ranking. The song matches its previous No. 2 high across the charts.

“Un Preview” shoots to No. 2 on the overall Latin Airplay chart with 9.55 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 2, according to Luminate. That’s a 48% increase from the week prior.

Prior to its radio growth, “Un Preview” reached No. 2 on Latin Digital Song Sales chart (dated Oct. 7) and No. 2 on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs (Oct. 14). Plus, it peaked at No. 3 on Latin Streaming Songs during the same period.

As “Preview” solidifies its standing on Latin Airplay, Bad Bunny claims his 27th top 10, tying with Maluma and Wisin for the fifth-most among Latin rhythm acts. Here’s a review:

  • 48, Daddy Yankee
  • 41, J Balvin
  • 38, Ozuna
  • 28, Wisin & Yandel
  • 27, Bad Bunny
  • 27, Maluma
  • 27, Wisin

Elsewhere, Bad Bunny adds his 22nd career No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay as “Preview” jumps 5-1.

09 Nov 2023

Morgan Wallen Reacts to His CMA Awards Losses

Heading into this year’s CMA Awards, Morgan Wallen was among the frontrunners in key categories including entertainer of the year, album of the year (for his album One Thing at a Time) and male vocalist of the year. But he walked away empty handed after the Wednesday (Nov. 8) ceremony held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Wallen responded to his lack of wins on his Instagram Stories late on Wednesday night with the simple message, “Walked in tonight a winner, didn’t leave no different.”

He’s got a point: His album One Thing at a Time topped the leaderboard on the all-genre Billboard 200 for 16 weeks, while his song “Last Night” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the same amount of time. Meanwhile, Wallen’s One Night at a Time Tour included sold-out arena and stadium shows and made stops not only in the U.S. and Canada, but also in Australia.

Luke Combs won male vocalist, while the night’s big winner, Lainey Wilson, took home album of the year for her Bell Bottom Country project and — in one of the night’s biggest surprises — the entertainer of the year award.

Wallen did, however, perform twice during the show. He sang with Eric Church on “Man Made a Bar,” and teamed with HARDY and Post Malone for a tribute to the late Joe Diffie.

Wallen previously took home a CMA Award win for new artist of the year in 2020, marking his only CMA Awards win to date. Of course, Wallen is far from the first country artist to miss out on a key CMA Awards win; some artists who have never taken home a CMA Award win at all include Marty Robbins, Dwight Yoakam and Johnny Paycheck.

But he’s got another chance to take home some trophies later this month. The country star is a 2023 Billboard Music Awards finalist with 17 nominations, tied with SZA and second only to Taylor Swift, who has 20 nominations. Stream the event on Nov. 19 via BBMAs.watch, or via Billboard and the BBMAs’ social channels.

09 Nov 2023

It’s Christmastime on the TikTok Billboard Top 50

Lil Mabu and Chrisean Rock’s “Mr. Take Ya B-tch” leads the TikTok Billboard Top 50 for a second straight week, while holiday music infuses the Nov. 11-dated survey, both for Halloween and Christmas.

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The TikTok Billboard Top 50 is a weekly ranking of the most popular songs on TikTok in the United States based on creations, video views and user engagement. The latest chart reflects activity Oct. 30-Nov. 5. Activity on TikTok is not included in Billboard charts except for the TikTok Billboard Top 50.

“Mr. Take Ya B-tch” reigns for a second frame, coming in its third week on the chart. It debuted at No. 33 on the Oct. 28 tally and has risen in popularity since, not just on TikTok but also on on-demand music streaming services; the track bows at No. 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 thanks to 7.8 million official U.S. streams Oct. 27-Nov. 2, a boost of 9%, according to Luminate.

The remainder of the TikTok Billboard Top 50’s top five consists of songs either at or near the chart’s summit in recent weeks – or in the case of Playboi Carti’s “Sky,” a return at No. 2 thanks to its usual beginning-of-the-month spike due to its “Wake up/ It’s the first of the month” lyric and subsequent TikTok uploads.

But largely, the most recent list is all about the holidays. Crystal Knives and Lex Allen’s rendition of “Spooky, Scary Skeletons” paces the Halloween-themed group at No. 6, blasting up from No. 17. It’s followed by other spooky entries in Mark Mothersbaugh’s “Halloweentown Theme” (the theme music to the Disney Channel original movie Halloweentown) at No. 2 and The Party Cats’ cover of The Nightmare Before Christmas’ “This Is Halloween” at No. 31. An additional tangentially related appearance is at No. 17 via The Newton Brothers’ “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” the theme to the new horror film of the same name that premiered Oct. 27 in theaters and on Peacock.

Usages of the songs on TikTok are mostly what you’d expect: uploads showing off costumes, trick-or-treating and generally getting into the Halloween spirit.

Halloween isn’t the only holiday represented, though. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” debuts at No. 11, while Wham!’s “Last Christmas” also makes its first appearance at No. 42.

The arrival of both songs heralds the start of the holiday season in the U.S. for many – including Carey herself – following the end of October. In fact, some of the top-performing videos for “All I Want for Christmas Is You” so far this year feature users looking back on Carey’s “It’s Time” videos past and present that ring in Christmastime.

One more big mover to call out this week: Ice Spice’s “Deli,” which re-enters at No. 7. The track appeared at No. 6 on the inaugural TikTok Billboard Top 50 (Sept. 16), but after five weeks on the chart, had since fallen off. The reason for its return? A viral remix of the tune mashing it up with Diddy’s “It’s All About the Benjamins.”

See the full TikTok Billboard Top 50 here, including debuts from Drake, Fuerza Regida and Marshmello, Taylor Swift and more. You can also tune in each Friday to SiriusXM’s TikTok Radio (channel 4) to hear the premiere of the chart’s top 10 countdown at 3 p.m. ET, with reruns heard throughout the week.

09 Nov 2023

Nicki Minaj Reflects on Her Breast Reduction Journey: ‘I Love It’

In Nicki Minaj’s latest cover with Vogue, the Queen MC revealed her thoughts on body positivity and why she denounces the movement — if it comes at the expense of “unhealthy bodies.”

“I’m not in favor of body positivity if it means unhealthy bodies,” she told the publication. “That’s bull. It’s not believable, so let’s stop pretending. Recently, I had to get a breast reduction, and actually I love it. I used to want a bigger butt, and now I look back and realize how silly that was. So — love your curves, and love your non-curves. There’s nothing wrong with any of it.”

Earlier this year, Minaj spoke about her decision to get breast reduction while on an Instagram Live with JT of City Girls. “If I tell you what size my t–ties was, I can promise you, once nature did what they had to do for [my son] Papa Bear, it’s no way your boobs right now are still able to look like that and be all sexy and cute and stuff like that in your dresses,” Minaj said. “Trust me. You did not have the size that I had.”

Elsewhere in her interview with Vogue, Minaj spoke about mom guilt and how she’s been trying to overcome those issues. “Well, if I’m going to have mom guilt regardless, I might as well continue doing the only thing I know how to freaking do, which is make music,” she said.

Minaj is making inroads on completing her fifth album, Pink Friday 2, the sequel to her 2010 debut effort. Dropping in December, Minaj released the project’s first official single, “Last Time I Saw You,” which she described to Vogue as a “happy-sad” song. 

“I’m not saying I want this to be a sad song. Actually I want people to feel happy when they hear it. Happy­-sad,” she said. “Then again, look at Adele. That woman has made me cry a million times, yet I want more.”

See photos from her Vogue cover story below:

09 Nov 2023

Nicki Minaj Looks Back on Her COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Controversy: ‘I Like to Make My Own Assessment’

Nicki Minaj faced quite a bit of backlash in 2021 for sharing her stance against the coronavirus vaccine. Now, more than two years later, she’s still not walking back.

In one of the rapper’s biggest controversies to date, Minaj was accused of spreading misinformation back when the government first started rolling out preventative shots about a year and a half deep into the global pandemic. Revealing at the time that she wouldn’t be attending that year’s Met Gala because she hadn’t been vaccinated, which was required of guests, the “Barbie World” artist also tweeted that a cousin’s friend in Trinidad had become “impotent” after the COVID-19 vaccine allegedly caused his testicles to swell.

Her tweets earned concerned responses from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Trinidad & Tobago Health Minister and even the Philadelphia Health Department, each of them debunking her claim and emphasizing that there was no scientific basis to the side effects supposedly made by her cousin’s friend. She became the butt of late-night jokes and even went toe to toe with both the White House and Piers Morgan over the controversy. But in a new interview, Minaj had no regrets to share.

“I’m one of those people who doesn’t go with a crowd,” she told Vogue in her December cover story published Thursday (Nov. 9). “I like to make my own assessment of everything without help from everyone.”

“Every time I talk about politics, people get mad,” Minaj added. “I’m sorry, but I am not going to be told who I should get on social media and campaign for. There’s a lot we don’t know that’s going on in the government, and I don’t think it changes whether you lean to the left or right.”

The interview comes one month ahead of Minaj’s upcoming album, Pink Friday 2, which was originally scheduled to arrive Oct. 20 before being pushed back to Nov. 17. In late October, the Queen of Rap announced that the project would be postponed once more to Dec. 8, her 41st birthday.

See Nicki Minaj’s Vogue cover and photos below:

Nicki Minaj's Vogue Cover Story

Nicki Minaj

09 Nov 2023

Karol G Set to Perform at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards

Karol G will perform at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, taking place Sunday, Nov. 19. The Colombian hitmaker — who’s had a massive year, scoring her first Billboard 200 leader with Mañana Será Bonito — is set to perform a trio of songs.

The global star is up for five Billboard Music Awards, including top Latin artist, top Latin female artist, top Latin touring artist, top Latin album (Mañana Será Bonito) and top Latin song (“TQG” with Shakira). Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito, released in February, made history as the first all Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200. The set includes her unprecedented collaboration with Shakira, “TQG,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. This year, Karol also went on her first-ever U.S. stadium tour, which included stops in major markets such as Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Earlier this week, Peso Pluma — also up for top Latin artist — was announced as a performer for the 2023 BBMAs. The Mexican star will perform “Rubicón” with a special guest appearance by boxing legend Mike Tyson. NewJeans and Bebe Rexha & David Guetta have also been announced as performers.

With nods in 20 categories, Taylor Swift is the top finalist at the 2023 BBMAs. Morgan Wallen and SZA are runners-up, with 17 entries each. They are followed by The Weeknd (16); Drake and Zach Bryan (14); Luke Combs (10); 21 Savage, Metro Boomin and Miley Cyrus (nine each); Beyoncé and Rema (seven each); Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma (six each); and Ariana Grande, David Guetta, Eslabon Armado, Karol G, NewJeans and Selena Gomez (five each). See the complete list of finalists here.

The 2023 Billboard Music Awards Presented by Marriott Bonvoy — which will be produced by dick clark productions — will have a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Spotify “Fans First,” which will bring fans up close and personal with their favorite artists. Performances and awards will roll out across the BBMAs and Billboard social channels, as well as via BBMAs.watch on Sunday, Nov. 19. Billboard Music Awards performers will be revealed daily on BBMAs social channels.

One special BBMAs performance and two exclusive acceptance speeches will be hosted at hotel brands within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy will be providing a select group of fans access to attend five BBMAs performances via Marriott Bonvoy Moments. Other sponsors include Lexus, who will be surprising one lucky fan with VIP treatment with a private ride in a luxury Lexus vehicle to the one-of-a-kind performance.

09 Nov 2023

Wynonna Judd Addresses Fan Concerns Over Her 2023 CMA Awards Performance: ‘I’ve Read the Comments’

Wynonna Judd addressed fans’ worries about her health after the country star opened the 2023 CMA Awards alongside Jelly Roll to perform his hit “Need a Favor” on Wednesday (Nov. 8) at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

During the set — which Judd was previously not announced for — she delivered powerful vocals alongside the new artist of the year winner. However, fans noticed that she seemed to be a bit stiff and was hanging on tightly to Jelly for much of the performance.

“Is #WynonnaJudd ill?” tweeted one viewer. “The way she was moving during this performance looks like she can’t was struggling to keep her balance.”

“OK so they say don’t read the comments — I’ve read the comments!” the “To Be Loved by You” singer began in a video message shared on her TikTok and Instagram accounts. “I’m just gonna come clean with y’all. I was so freakin’ nervous! I got out there and I looked at Jelly Roll. I wanteed it to be so good for him. I could cry right now, but I’m not going to because I’m such a fan of his and he asked me to sing and I said, ‘Absolutely!’ I got out there and I was SO NERVOUS that I just held on for dear life, and that’s the bottom line.”

The singer — who appeared to be on a plane while recording her message — told viewers that she was on her way to Texas for a show Thursday. She’s currently on her Back to Wy Tour. “I’ll be on stage tomorrow night with the people I love the most, and with you, the fans I love the most,” she said. “And all is well!”

After her performance, Judd spoke to Billboard‘s Lyndsey Haven backstage about her taking the stage with Jelly Roll. “That was a kick in the pants!” the country star said of their duet.

She then explained how Jelly got her to open the show with him. “He literally phoned me and said, ‘So, can you sing on the CMA Awards?’ and I went, ‘No, I can’t because I have to be in Texas Wednesday night.’ He said, ‘What if I can get you there on a private plane?’ and I said, ‘I’m in!’ So he got me a private plane, and here I am! See how it works?”

Watch Wynonna Judd’s video message to fans, and her chat with Billboard below:

09 Nov 2023

Who Should Win Album of the Year at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards? Vote!

The 2023 Latin Grammys are coming up next week, and this year they’re being held for the first time in Seville, Spain. Some of the biggest names in Latin music are competing for album of the year (one of the four main awards, along with song of the year, record of the year and best new artist), but who will take home the coveted trophy on Nov. 16?

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This year’s 10 contenders are Pablo Alborán‘s La Cu4rta Hoja, Paula Arenas‘ A Ciegas, Camilo‘s De Adentro Pa Afuera, Andrés Cepeda‘s Décimo Cuarto, Juanes‘ Vida Cotidiana, Karol G‘s Mañana Será Bonito, Natalia Lafourcade‘s De Todas Las Flores, Ricky Martin‘s Play, Fito Páez‘s EADDA9223 and Carlos Vives‘ Escalona Nunca Se Había Grabado Así.

Karol G made history in March with Mañana Será Bonito, which became the first Spanish-language album by a female artist to reach No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Lafourcade recorded Flores — her first full-length since 2015’s Latin Grammy-winning Hasta La Raíz, which she debuted at the prestigious Carnegie Hall on October 2022 — on analog tape.

Juanes, with his first studio album of original music in four years, delves into the themes of family and the issues affecting his native Colombia in Vida. Páez gives a fresh perspective on his 1992 classic El Amor Después Del Amor, adding innovative arrangements for a new generation. And Vives breathes new life into the classics of the great Colombian composer Rafael Escalona.

But who do you think should win best new artist at the Latin Grammys on Nov. 16? Vote in our poll below!

09 Nov 2023

The Beatles, Drake, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift & More: The Acts With the Most Billboard 200 & Hot 100 No. 1s Combined

Topping the Billboard 200 albums chart or the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart marks a milestone achievement for any artist.

Topping both tallies reflects that an act can boast mass appeal with a full collection of music along with the ability to translate that reach to hit singles.

Who has the most combined No. 1s on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100?

With the most No. 1s on each ranking (through charts dated Nov. 11, 2023), The Beatles, thus, claim the most leaders on the lists combined: 39, via 20 No. 1s on the Hot 100 and 19 on the Billboard 200. The Fab Four first topped the charts in February 1964, thanks to “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and parent album Meet the Beatles, respectively. Their run of Billboard 200 No. 1s stretches through their retrospective 1 in 2000-01.

Drake leads all soloists and ranks second overall with 26 combined Billboard 200 and Hot 100 No. 1s, an equal 13 on each chart. He added his latest leaders with For All the Dogs and the set’s “First Person Shooter” (featuring J. Cole) in October.

Pacing women artists, Mariah Carey has posted 25 No. 1s on the charts. She has 19 leaders, the most among soloists, on the Hot 100, and six on the Billboard 200.

Taylor Swift follows with 24 No. 1s: 13 on the Billboard 200 – her total swelled on the Nov. 11 chart with the launch of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – and 11 on the Hot 100, likewise a new total thanks to the coronation of the album’s “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault].” Swift is the only woman, and has joined The Beatles and Drake among all acts, with double-digit No. 1s on both rankings.

Rounding out the top five, Madonna has earned 21 No. 1s on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 combined, with 12 on the latter and nine on the former.

(Notably, Paul McCartney accounts for a whopping 56 combined Billboard 200 and Hot 100 No. 1s, with The Beatles’ 39 augmented by 17 more by McCartney solo, including his output with Wings.)

Below, browse the list of the superstars with the most combined No. 1s on the Billboard 200, which began with the survey dated March 24, 1956, and the Hot 100, which premiered with the edition dated Aug. 4, 1958.