Music

22 Oct 2023

NFL Celebrates ‘National Tight Ends Day’ With Rap Video Featuring Travis Kelce, George Kittle & More

It’s time to celebrate your favorite tight end, as Sunday (Oct. 22) is the NFL‘s National Tight Ends Day.

National Tight Ends Day first started in 2019 after San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was caught in a mic’d-up segment making a joke about tight ends having their own a holiday — and he got his wish, as it’s now celebrated every fourth Sunday in October.

This year, Kittle took his goal for tight end appreciation a step further by recruiting his 49ers teammates Christian McCaffrey, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner and Kyle Juszczyk for a hilarious National Tight Ends Day music video featuring all five athletes hanging out in a convertible — with Kittle at the wheel — to sing about the importance that tight ends hold in the NFL.

“We move/ We pivot/ We catch, pass and we hit it/ Just cruise/ No gimmicks/ We’re the tight ends, let’s get it,” they sing in the hook, as various tight ends from the NFL flash across the screen.

In a post shared across the NFL’s social media channels, the league wrote alongside the cheeky music video: “Your favorite player’s favorite holiday… #NationalTightEndsDay is officially back. Let’s get it.”

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce makes a few cameos in the clip, strutting confidently through the tunnel and busting out one of his signature celebration dances. Kelce is one of the most notable tight ends in the league right now, winning two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, starring in countless commercials, and dominating the headlines over the past month-plus due to his budding relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift.

Watch the National Tight Ends Day music video below.

21 Oct 2023

Travis Scott Pauses Concert to Stop Security From Kicking Out a Fan

Travis Scott seemed to be looking out for his fans at a recent stop in Dallas, Texas, where he brought his Utopia Circus Maximus Tour earlier this week.

A clip from the Oct. 18 show, which was filmed by someone in the audience, has started circulating around social media. In the short video, a fan in the crowd falls to the ground while there appears to be an interaction with security.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“One thing you not gonna do, you not gonna kick a fan out,” Scott called out from Dallas’ American Airlines Center stage as the music turned down. “You not gonna do that, brother. You’re not gonna do that. You back up. You back up, brother. She’s just enjoying herself. You back the f— up. Let her just have a good time.”

“That’s a female,” he said. “You don’t grab a female like that, OK?”

The security guard in question shook hands with the fan the rapper defended, who stood up on a platform for a moment to hype up the crowd, and then went back down to the floor.

Last week, Scott postponed a date of the tour at the last minute. According to local reports, he played a sold-out show at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., on Oct. 13, but when concertgoers arrived at the arena for his second show at PNC the following night, they were told it had just been called off. The arena told fans to hold on to their tickets, which will be honored at a to-be-determined future date.

Watch him call out a security guard at the Dallas show below, plus check out a performance clip Scott posted on Instagram. He heads to Denver, Colorado, for his next tour date on Oct. 22.

21 Oct 2023

Rema & Davido Are Top Winners at 2023 Trace Awards, Celebrating African Music (Full Winners List)

Rema and Davido were the top winners at the 2023 Trace Awards, which were held in Kigali, Nigeria, on Saturday (Oct. 21). The Trace Awards are a new awards franchise created by Trace, a global TV and multimedia platform. The purpose of the awards is to recognize African and Afro-influenced musicians from Africa and around the African diasporas.

Rema won two awards — song of the year for his global smash “Calm Down” and best global African artist (in a tie with Nomcebo). A remix of “Calm Down” with Selena Gomez reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Davido also won two awards — best male and best collaboration. He won the latter award for “Unavailable,” a collab with Musa Keys.

Burna Boy won album of the year for Love Damini.

The Trace Awards included performances by approximately 50 Africa and Afro-inspired artists from around the world, including Davido, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi and Diamond Platnumz.

In addition to the competitive categories listed below, awards were presented in three categories in which no nominees were announced. They were: a lifetime achievement award to 2Face, a Change Maker award to Mr Eazi (Nigeria) and the aforementioned best Global African artist award to Rema and Nomcebo.

Here’s the full list of winners and nominees from the 2023 Trace Awards:

Album of the Year

DNK – Aya Nakamura (France)

WINNER: Love Damini – Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Maverick – Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)

More Love, Less Ego – Wizkid (Nigeria)

Timeless – Davido (Nigeria)

Work of Art – Asake (Nigeria)

Song of the Year

“BKBN” – Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

“People” – Libianca (Cameroon)

“Suavemente” – Soolking (France)

“Encre” – Emma’a (Gabon)

“Sugarcane” – Camidoh (Ghana)

“Last Last” – Burna Boy (Nigeria)

“Rush” – Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

WINNER: “Calm Down” – Rema (Nigeria)

“Peru” – Fireboy DML (Nigeria) with Ed Sheeran (UK)

“Sete” – K.O (South Africa)

“Cough” – Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)

“MORTEL 06” – Innoss’B (DRC)

Best Music Video

“2 Sugar” – Wizkid (Nigeria) feat. Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

WINNER: “Baddie” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

“Kpaflotage” – Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)

“Loaded” – Tiwa Savage(Nigeria) & Asake (Nigeria)

“Ronda” – Blxckie (South Africa)

“Tombolo” – Kalash (Martinique)

Yatapita” – Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Best Male

Asake (Nigeria)

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

WINNER: Davido (Nigeria)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Didi B (Ivory Coast)

K.O (South Africa)

Rema (Nigeria)

Best Female

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Josey (Ivory Coast)

Nadia Mukami (Kenya)

Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

WINNER: Viviane Chidid (Senegal)

Best Collaboration

“Many Ways” – BNXN (Nigeria) with Wizkid (Nigeria)

“Mine” – Show Dem Camp (Nigeria) with Oxlade (Nigeria)

“Peru” – Fireboy DML (Nigeria) with Ed Sheeran (UK)

“Second Sermon” – Black Sherif (Ghana) with Burna Boy (Nigeria)

“Sete” – K.O (South Africa) with Young Stunna (South Africa), Blxckie (South Africa)

“Stamina” – Tiwa Savage with Ayra Starr (Nigeria) & Young Jonn (Nigeria)

“Trumpet” – Olamide (Nigeria) with Ckay (Nigeria)

WINNER: “Unavailable” – Davido (Nigeria) with Musa Keys (South Africa)

Best Newcomer

Azawi (Uganda)

Krys M (Cameroon)

Libianca (Cameroon)

Nissi (Nigeria)

Odumodublvck (Nigeria)

Pabi Cooper (South Africa)

WINNER: Roseline Layo (Ivory Coast)

Best DJ

Danni Gato (Cape Verde)

DJ BDK (Ivory Coast)

DJ Illans (France)

DJ Spinall (Nigeria)

WINNER: Michael Brun (Haiti)

Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

Best Producer

DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)

Juls (Ghana)

Kabza de Small (South Africa)

Kel-P (Nigeria)

WINNER: Tam Sir (Ivory Coast)

Best Gospel Artist

Benjamin Dube (South Africa)

Janet Otieno (Kenya)

WINNER: KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)

Levixone (Uganda)

Moses Bliss (Nigeria)

Best Live

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

WINNER: Fally Ipupa (DRC)

Musa Keys (South Africa)

The Compozers (Ghana)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Dancer

WINNER: Robot Boii (South Africa)

Tayc (France)

Uganda Ghetto Kids (Uganda)

Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Zuchu (Tanzania)

Best Artist Africa – Anglophone

WINNER: Asake (Nigeria)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

Davido (Nigeria)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Fireboy DML (Nigeria)

Best Artist Africa – Francophone

WINNER: Didi B (Ivory Coast)

Emma’a (Gabon)

Fally Ipupa (DRC)

KO-C (Cameroon)

Locko (Cameroon)

Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast)

Viviane Chidid (Senegal)

Best Artist Africa – Lusophone

Gerilson Insrael (Angola)

WINNER: Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)

Perola (Angola)

Plutonio (Mozambique)

Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Best Artist – Rwanda

Ariel Wayz (Rwanda)

WINNER: Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)

Bwiza (Rwanda)

Chriss Eazy (Rwanda)

Kenny Sol (Rwanda)

Best Artist – East Africa

Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)

WINNER: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Zuchu (Tanzania)

Khaligraph (Kenya)

Nadia Mukani (Kenya)

Azawi (Uganda)

Best Artist – France & Belgium

Aya Nakamura (France)

Booba (France)

Nihno (France)

Ronisia (France)

Soolking (France)

WINNER: Tayc (France)

Best Artist – UK

WINNER: Central Cee (UK)

Headie One (UK)

Ms Banks (UK)

Raye (UK)

Stormzy (UK)

Best Artist – The Caribbean

Admiral T (Guadeloupe)

Bamby (French Guiana)

Kalash (Martinique)

Maureen (Martinique)

Popcaan (Jamaica)

Princess Lover (Martinique)

WINNER: Rutshelle Guillaume (Haiti)

Shenseea (Jamaica)

Best Artist – Indian Ocean

Donovan BTS (Mauritius)

GaEi (Madagascar)

WINNER: Goulam (Comoros)

Mik’l (Reunion)

Sega el (Reunion)

Terrell Elymoor (Mayotte)

Best Artist – Brazil

Djonga (Brazil)

Iza (Brazil)

Leo Santana (Brazil)

WINNER: Ludmilla (Brazil)

Luedji Luna (Brazil)

Best Artist – North Africa

Amira Zouhair (Morocco)

Artmasta (Tunisia)

WINNER: Dystinct (Morocco)

El Grande Toto (Morocco)

Kader Japonais (Algeria)

Raja Meziane (Algeria)

21 Oct 2023

Usher Serenades Doja Cat With ‘There Goes My Baby’ on Her Birthday Weekend in Las Vegas

Happy birthday to Doja Cat! The “Paint the Town Red” hitmaker asked for birthday greetings on Saturday (Oct. 21), but she already got a pretty good gift before her actual birthday: Usher serenading her in Las Vegas.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Usher gave all his attention to Doja Cat at his Vegas residency Friday night while singing the sexy “There Goes My Baby,” off of the 2010 album Raymond v. Raymond, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart that year.

“Ooh girl,” he sang, taking her hand. “You don’t know how good it feels to call you my girl/ There goes my baby/ There she goes, and she goes, and she goes and she goes.”

“Loving everything you do,” the “Good Good” singer crooned, then let the audience take over for “Ooh girl, look at you” as the pair danced.

“Doja Cat, ladies and gentlemen,” Usher, who’s in the midst of his My Way residency at Vegas’ Dolby Live, announced to the crowd.

He even improvised a bit, switching his lyric about “heels” to “stilettos: “Bet you ain’t know that I was checking you out when you was putting your stilettos on/ Swear your body’s so perfect, baby, how you work it baby/ I love the way that you be poking it out.”

Doja Cat released her latest album, Scarlet, in September. It rose to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 upon release.

Usher continues with his residency through early December.

Coming Home, the Atlanta superstar’s upcoming ninth album, will arrive the same day as his Super Bowl Halftime Show on Feb. 11, 2024.

Watch Usher singing to Doja Cat below.

21 Oct 2023

Kelly Clarkson Clarifies She Didn’t ‘Bash’ Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s Romance

Kelly Clarkson is setting the record straight about her comments regarding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s romance.

During The Kelly Clarkson Show on Thursday (Oct. 19), the pop star and TV personality joked about the NFL’s constant coverage of the couple’s budding relationship.

“It’s not hilarious how it is literally taking over the NFL for people that like watching sports now,” Clarkson told her guest, Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang. “It’s like you’re watching Housewives while you’re watching.”

She added, “They’re just talking about gossip things and you’re like, ‘So, what about the play?’”

On Saturday (Oct. 21), the “Stronger” singer took to social media to respond to claims that she was bashing Swift and Kelce’s relationship.

“Just a quick public service announcement everybody since this seems to be breaking news…” Clarkson began her message on Instagram. “Do not fall prey to clickbait, trash reporters twisting the facts again. I did not bash anyone’s romance. I am pro romance. Yay romance.”

She continued, “Did y’all even watch what I actually said on my show? I just said I want to watch football when I tune in to watch football. Seems an appropriate request. Okay, carry on, and GO COWBOYS!”

Both Swift and Kelce made surprise cameos during the season 49 premiere of SNL on Oct. 14. The pop star helped introduce musical guest Ice Spice and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end appeared in a skit that parodied the NFL’s Swift-centric coverage of her recent attendance streak at his games.

Check out Clarkson’s post on Instagram below.

21 Oct 2023

Kanye West Concert in Italy ‘Very Unlikely’ to Happen, Sources Say

Kanye West‘s planned concert in Italy will likely not be taking place after all, sources tell Billboard Italy.

West, who now goes by Ye, had been planning to perform at RCF Arena (formerly known as Campovolo) in Reggio Emilia on Oct. 27. The show, which was being organized by Italian promoter Vivo Concerti, was never officially announced.

The event was originally being planned for Oct. 20, but had been delayed until Oct. 27. Signs that the concert was being canceled arrived earlier this week after the dismantling of a stage being built at the site, followed by Ye’s return to the U.S. from Italy, where he had been visiting in recent months with his wife, Bianca Censori.

West’s “secret” concert at RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia kept his fans (and haters) in suspense, as well as sparking controversy from local feminist and anti-fascist associations for his past antisemitic statements and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler.

As previously reported by Billboard, the assumption was that Ye’s concert in Italy would be the official global premiere of his new joint album with Ty Dolla $ign.

In early August, the rapper and fashion mogul made a surprise appearance during Travis Scott’s concert at the Circus Maximus in Rome, where Scott performed his latest album, Utopia, live for the first time.

Rumors about a possible West concert in Italy began in early October when RFC Arena started the construction of a large stage for a show that was scheduled for mid-October, according to local news outlet Reggionline. Plans fell through when the building couldn’t obtain the necessary permits to build the stage by the mid-October deadline.

In recent weeks, West has been spotted near recording studios in Florence and Milan. He also made a controversial appearance at the Venice Film Festival.

21 Oct 2023

Shygirl Cancels Joint Tour With Tinashe Due to Health Issues: ‘I’m Truly Heartbroken’

Shygirl has canceled her upcoming co-headlining tour with Tinashe due to health issues.

The U.K. rapper took to social media on Friday (Oct. 20) to reveal that she was “heartbroken” to call off the 13-date North American trek because of a respiratory condition.

“Devastated to share that due to an ongoing respiratory condition I’ve been forced to make the difficult decision to cancel my appearances on the upcoming US tour on the advice of my doctor that I can no longer delay surgery,” Shygirl wrote on her Instagram Story.

The musician added, “My thoughts also go to Tinashe and Uniiqu3 as we were all so looking forward to this tour together. I am truly heartbroken by the situation and I hope to be back to see you all as soon as I am able.”

Shygirl’s joint tour with the R&B artist was set to launch next Saturday (Oct. 28) at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom and visit U.S. and Canadian cities like Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles before wrapping Nov. 18 at Oakland, Calif.’s Fox Theater. Uniiqu3 had been tapped as the opener.

Tinashe wrote in her own post that she was “beyond devastated” about the canceled tour, but teased that she may be hitting the road soon.

“THE SHOW MUST GO ON!” the singer-songwriter wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’ve been working tirelessly with my team to put together my own tour which will be announced in the coming weeks.”

She added, “This new show is absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to show you what we have been working so hard on.”

Tinashe’s sixth album, BB/ANG3L, is scheduled for release on Sept. 8 with a seven-song track list that includes pre-release singles “Talk to Me Nice” and “Needs. BB/ANG3L follows her 2021 album, 333, which peaked at No. 175 on the Billboard 200 and spawned singles “Pasadena” (with Buddy) and “Bouncin’.”

See Shygirl’s post on her Instagram Story here, and Tinashe’s update on X below.

21 Oct 2023

Maren Morris Returns to Social Media Amid Divorce From Ryan Hurd

Maren Morris returned to social media with an encouraging message following news that she filed for divorce from her husband Ryan Hurd.

On Friday (Oct. 20), the singer-songwriter, 33, shared a positive quote through her Instagram account weeks after officially ending her marriage. The quote begins with partially scribbled-out text “It will be fine,” above the words, “It will just be, and when it is, you will face what’s necessary.”

The carousel post also includes a mirror selfie of Morris wearing a black baseball hat with the lyrics “There were nights when the wind was so cold,” from Celine Dion’s hit song “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996.

The five-slide post included the caption, “Welcome to The End where you can come and lose some friends…” The gallery also features a photo of a wine bottle, along with snapshots of skincare products, and a TikTok clip of Morris attending the premiere of Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour film.

News of Morris’ divorce surfaced on Tuesday (Oct. 17). The singer’s lawyers said in an Oct. 2 complaint that she and Hurd, 36, were “unable to live together successfully as husband and wife,” and were “experiencing irreconcilable differences in their marriage.”

The filing said that the couple had signed a prenuptial agreement, which will govern how their assets are divided. The pair, who share a 3-year-old son, will submit a “permanent parenting plan” to be approved by a judge, according to the court documents. Morris also asked for child support.

Morris and Hurd began dating in 2015 and wed in March 2018 in Nashville. They welcomed son Hayes in March 2020.

See Morris post on Instagram here.

21 Oct 2023

Peso Pluma Is Ready for Halloween & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little, important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Peso Pluma is Halloween ready

Just ahead of Halloween, Netflix Latinoamérica released a fun clip featuring Mexican star Peso Pluma who tries entering a party without a costume. He’s immediately stopped at the door when security notices he’s not dressed up as any character from a Netflix series. On cue, he quickly transforms into Stranger Things’ Mike Wheeler. “Now I am Mike, perro,” he jokes about the character he’s been compared to in the past by people who say they look alike.

Maria Becerra makes history 

Maria Becerra sold out her first concert at the fabled River Plate Stadium in record time, according to the artist’s team. With over 500 tickets sold per minute, the 23-year-old artist will become the first Argentine woman to pack the revered Nuñez stadium on March 23, 2024.  

With a capacity of 65,000 people, other artists that have performed at that venue include The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Madonna, among others. Becerra’s show at River Plate Stadium will be produced by DF Entertainment and LNDA.  

“When I found out the sold out I was shocked, I was overflowing with happiness. I’m a calm person,” Becerra told Billboard Español. “But they told me, ‘You’re about to sell out,’ and it had only been an hour. And throughout the day I started to fall in the event that it implied.”

2023 Latin Grammys announces its hosts  

Mexican singer Danna Paola, Colombian superstar Sebastián Yatra, Puerto Rican actress Roselyn Sánchez and Spanish actress Paz Vega are set to host the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards. The ceremony will be broadcasted from the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Seville, Andalucía in Spain, on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. ET via Univision.  

Racking up a total of 15 Latin Grammy nods throughout his career, Sebastián Yatra is nominated for best pop song for “Contigo,” featuring Pablo Alborán. Roselyn Sánchez returns for the sixth time after presenting the 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th and 22nd Annual Latin Grammys. Also, previously nominated for a Latin Grammy, Danna Paola joins the lineup of hosts for the first time. Finally, award-winning actress Paz Vega returns for a second time after hosting the 20th annual ceremony. 

The first round of performers was announced earlier this week. See who is performing here.  

Maluma is going to be a dad  

The Colombian artist revealed that he and his girlfriend, Susana Gomez, are expecting their first child together via a new music video posted at midnight on Friday (Oct. 20). 

Titled “Procura,” the song is an edgy bachata-urban fusion about two people who are crazy for each other and have an unforgettable romance. At the beginning, Maluma is giving a speech at one of his previous concerts and shouting out his girlfriend: “I love you. So many years looking for love elsewhere and I didn’t realize it was next to me.”

Manuel Turizo es Billboard Español’s latest cover star 

Colombian star Manuel Turizo graces the latest digital cover for Billboard Español. In his story, the singer-songwriter talks about his experimental nature, which has catapulted him to the top of the charts. Additionally, the singer of “La Bachata” and “El Merengue” shares that he’s preparing to release a new album following the same instinct that took him to the top. 

Read the cover story here.  

20 Oct 2023

8 Impactful Moments From 2023 GMA Dove Awards

Brandon Lake and Tasha Cobbs Leonard were among those in the winners circle on Friday evening (Oct. 20), as the 54th annual Dove Awards aired on TBN.

The Gospel Music Association began in 1964, and the first Dove Awards were held in 1969; initially, the ceremony primarily honored Southern gospel music. But the awards ceremony has expanded over the decades to honor an array of sounds and musical styles, including pop, hip-hop, Gospel, country, Latin and more.

During the 2023 ceremony, which was taped earlier this week on Oct. 17 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Lake took home the lion’s share of wins, earning four trophies, including the overall artist of the year trophy.

“There are so many people in this room that I look up to and who gave me permission to write as a young boy. They say imitate before you innovate,” Lake said in accepting his artist of the year honor. “I have imitated so many of you year after year after year and songs not making it and no one hearing it and then God breathes on a little something. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community.”

Cobbs Leonard took home two awards — gospel worship album of the year for Hymns (Live) and traditional gospel recorded song of the year — and closed out the evening by performing “Burdens Down.”

“This album means a lot to me because I’m a church girl; I’m a PK [preacher’s kid],” Cobbs Leonard told the audience after winning the evening’s first honor, gospel worship album of the year. She added, “One of the ways I learned scripture was through song. I think we have an amazing opportunity to impact future generations through our lyrics.”

Toby Mac, Blessing Offor and Jeff Pardo each won two awards. Other winners included Katy Nichole (new artist of the year), Elevation Worship (worship album of the year for Live From the Loft), Jason Crabb and Dylan Scott (bluegrass/country/roots recorded song of the year for “Good Morning Mercy”) and Lecrae (rap/hip-hop album of the year, for Church Clothes 4). Song of the Year went to “Goodness Of God,” honoring songwriters Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, and Brian Johnson. Miel San Marcos, Daniel Calveti, Marcos Witt and Ingrid Rosario won Spanish language recorded song of the year for “Coritis (En Vivo).”

Here, we look at 8 impactful moments from the ceremony. A full list of winners can be found here.