Music

16 Oct 2023

All 23 Songs From Drake’s ‘For All the Dogs’ Hit Top Half of Hot 100

Drake has yet another massive week on Billboard’s charts (dated Oct. 21), as all 23 songs from his new studio album For All the Dogs land in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, led by “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole new at No. 1.

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The album debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 402,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week, according to Luminate. That’s the fourth-biggest week of the year, after the first frames of Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (716,000 units), Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at at Time (501,000) and Travis Scott’s Utopia (496,000).

For All the Dogs tallied 514 million on-demand official streams for its tracks in its opening week, the fourth-highest single-week sum ever for an album. The biggest streaming weeks were achieved by the first weeks of Drake’s Scorpion (745.9 million, 2018) and Certified Lover Boy (743.7 million, 2021) and Swift’s Midnights (549.3 million, 2022).

All 23 songs from the new album land on the latest Hot 100. Of those, 22 debut, while “Slime You Out” featuring SZA ranks at No. 6 after debuting at No. 1 three weeks ago.

“First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole debuts as Drake’s 13th Hot 100 leader, and Cole’s first. Now with 13 No. 1s, Drake ties Michael Jackson for the most among solo males.

Here’s a recap of every Drake song on the latest Hot 100, all of which are debuts except where noted. He charts 24 songs overall, including one in a featured role.

Rank, Artist Billing, Title:

  • No. 1, Drake feat. J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”
  • No. 2, Drake feat. Yeat, “IDGAF”
  • No. 3, Drake, “Virginia Beach”
  • No. 5, Drake feat. 21 Savage, “Calling for You”
  • No. 6, Drake feat. SZA, “Slime You Out” (up from No. 18; peaked at No. 1)
  • No. 8, Drake, “Daylight”
  • No. 10, Drake, “Fear of Heights”
  • No. 11, Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
  • No. 12, Drake feat. Bad Bunny, “Gently”
  • No. 15, Drake feat. Teezo Touchdown, “Amen”
  • No. 16, Drake, “7969 Santa”
  • No. 17, Drake, “8am in Charlotte”
  • No. 18, Drake, “What Would Pluto Do”
  • No. 20, Drake, “Bahamas Promises”
  • No. 21, Drake, “Tried Our Best”
  • No. 24, Drake feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR, “Members Only”
  • No. 26, Drake feat. Chief Keef, “All the Parties”
  • No. 27, Drake, “Drew a Picasso”
  • No. 29, Drake feat. Lil Yachty, “Another Late Night”
  • No. 32, Drake, “Away From Home”
  • No. 36, Drake, “BBL Love Interlude”
  • No. 37, Drake “Polar Opposites”
  • No. 42, Drake, “Screw the World Interlude”
  • No. 59, Travis Scott feat. Drake, “Meltdown” (down from No. 40; peaked at No. 3 in August)

This week marks the sixth in which an artist has tallied at least seven songs in the Hot 100’s top 10 simultaneously. Here a look at every occurrence:

Total Songs in the Hot 100’s Top 10, Artist, Chart Date:

  • 10, Taylor Swift, Nov. 5, 2022
  • 9, Drake, Sept. 18, 2021
  • 8, Drake, Nov. 19, 2022
  • 7, Drake, July 14, 2018
  • 7, 21 Savage, Nov. 19, 2022
  • 7, Drake, Oct. 21, 2023

This is also the ninth week in Hot 100 history that an artist has charted at least 24 songs on the chart in a single week. Here’s a look at every such instance.

Total Songs on the Hot 100, Artist, Chart Date:

  • 36, Morgan Wallen, March 18, 2013
  • 28, Morgan Wallen, March 25, 2023
  • 27, Drake, July 14, 2018
  • 26, Taylor Swift, Nov. 27, 2021
  • 25, Lil Baby, Oct. 29, 2022
  • 25, Taylor Swift, July 22, 2023
  • 24, Drake, April 8, 2017
  • 24, Drake, July 21, 2018
  • 24, Drake, Oct. 21, 2023

Drake also extends many of his Hot 100 chart records, including the most top five hits (41), top 10s (76), top 20 entries (132), top 40 hits (199) and overall charted titles (320). He becomes the first artist to tally at least 300 total entries on the Hot 100. The only other acts with at least 200 are Taylor Swift (212) and the Glee Cast (207).

16 Oct 2023

Summer Walker Enlists Victoria Monet, Tyla & Tink for ‘Girls Need Love (Girls Mix)’ EP

It’s for the girls and by the girls on Summer Walker‘s forthcoming project. The singer announced on Monday (Oct. 16) that she has a new EP titled Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) releasing on Friday (Oct. 20).

The EP serves as an extension of her 2018 track titled “Girls Need Love.” The song — which received its first remix with Drake — peaked at No. 37 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, and spent a total of 20 weeks on the tally; on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the track hit No. 16. Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) will feature three remixes of the track featuring Victoria Monét, Tyla and Tink. The original solo version of “Girls Need Love,” as well as an acoustic version of the track released on Monday, will also be included on the EP.

“Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) 10/20,” Walker tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the project’s album cover — a March 4, 2019, tweet of her asking fans to “text ur man ‘I just need some d–k with no complications’ and tweet me his reply lol” with a parental advisory sign and the set of new collaborators.

“Girls Need Love” served as the breakout single from Walker mixtape Last Days of Summer. The set, released on Oct. 19, 2018, peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard 200 and spent 35 weeks on the chart. Girls Need Love (Girls Mix) comes amid the mixtape’s fifth anniversary.

See Walker’s announcement below.

16 Oct 2023

Sexyy Red Announces She’s Pregnant, Says She Was ‘Tired’ of Pretending She Wasn’t

Congratulations are in order for Sexyy Red, who surprised fans on Sunday (Oct. 15) when she revealed on Instagram that she’s pregnant.

In a series of photos, the “SkeeYee” rapper poses with SZA, who is seen kneeling next to her and showing Red’s baby bump, which is seen peeking out through a black, deep-V neck jumpsuit. “Team boy or team girl,” Sexyy Red captioned the post.

Over on her IG Stories, Sexxy Red showed off recent photos where she was pregnant, but sucked in her stomach to hide the bump. “I was pregnant asf on here trona suck my belly in,” she captioned a photo in which she was wearing red booty shorts and a white crop top. “I got tired of fakin.”

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The star has previously mentioned having a son in her interviews and songs.

It’s been a breakout year for Sexxy Red, whose hit “SkeeYee” topped the inaugural TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart, dated Sept. 16. The song follows the rapper’s breakthrough hit “Pound Town 2” (with Tay Keith and Nicki Minaj). Released in June, the song was initially aided by a trend in which users whipped their hair during the St. Louis rapper’s “skeeyee” ad lib, although many of the uploads to date have utilized the song in general videos, whether for comedy clips or otherwise.

“I am so excited that so many of my songs are charting on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart,” Sexyy Red told Billboard at the time. “I always knew I would be a No. 1 type of artist, so I want to thank all my fans on TikTok for running my music up! I’m just being me on TikTok and people love it.”

See her pregnancy announcement below.

16 Oct 2023

R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Ken Carson, Westside Gunn, Veeze, Young Thug & More

Between a rumors of joint album from Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign, several revelations from Jada Pinkett Smith’s memoir, and a surprise freestyle from Drake’s son, Adonis, the hip-hop world has been in a tizzy for the past week. In the midst of all of these cultural conversational touchstones, a bevy of hot new music also made its way to streaming platforms on Friday (Oct. 13).

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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Naomi Sharon’s smooth ode to unconditional love to Young Thug’s heartfelt response to Mariah the Scientist. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Ken Carson feat. Destroy Lonely, “Paranoid”


https://youtube.com/watch?v=_OpFTPt6G8o&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

The umpteenth reunion of Playboi Cart’s two biggest signees was bound to produce a banger — and Ken Carson & Destroy Lonely do not disappoint. In a nod to the everlasting cultural impact of Barbie, Ken raps, “I f–k Barbie b–ches, yeah, yeah, all my hoes plastic/ All my hoes know how to act, all my hoes classy,” over a skittering trap beat crafted by F1LTHY, Lukrative & Lucian. Both rappers employ madcap flows that cover hip-hop’s most stories tropes (wealth, women, guns, etc.) with an air of wariness that plays into the concept of paranoia that guides the track.

Westside Gunn & Stove God Cooks, “House of Glory”

And Then You Pray For Me may stand as Westside Gunn’s final studio effort, but the Griselda God left us with an incredibly consistent project. One of the record’s standouts is a RZA-produced collaboration with Stove God Cooks titled “House of Glory,” which finds the pair trading verses laden with biblical imagery over a soulful, almost drumless beat that pulls from a Tchaikovsky sample. “Seen Chanel five hundred dollar plates, she in the county/ She pulled up on Tiffany, shot out the Audi/ Another palm angel gained new wings/ Valentino down to my shoestrings,” he spits.

Jay Worthy, Kamaiyah & Harry Fraud feat. Ty Dolla $ign, “Pull Up”

On this cut from Jay Worthy, Kamaiyah & Harry Fraud’s terrific The Am3rican Dream collaborative album, the trio calls upon Ty Dolla $ign to help inject some extra West Coast bounce and flair into the track’s soulful production. It’s a tribute to Black wealth as it relates to the concept of the American Dream through the lens of the contemporary entertainment industry. When Ty and Jay trade the “It go money, hoes, fancy s–t/ Let the ho choose up, don’t ask the b–ch” lines in the hook and pre-chorus, there’s a glint of irony in their delivery that takes the whole thing up several notches.

Naomi Sharon, “Regardless”

As OVO’s First Lady continues to tease her forthcoming debut album, she delves even deeper into her Sade influences on this new acoustic track. “Regardless,” a straightforward track that finds Naomi yearning for truly unconditional love, balances her smooth, seductive timbre with sparkling, subdued keys for a track that understands the beauty of letting the music breathe.

Veeze, “Amusing”

Over a subtly menacing K Money-helmed beat, Veeze delivers a verse-long stream-of-consciousness tirade in this new track from the deluxe version of his acclaimed Ganger album. He does a lot of typical street posturing on the track — “Doin’ deals neat, this the corner suite trap spot/ I done grew a lot, servin’ n—as I could slime out/ Do the drill on feet, take that boy ID, face shot/ All my n—as stand over shit, we don’t do drive-bys,” he raps — but it’s his laidback cadence that every so often bubbles over into a new level of assertiveness that makes “Amusing” such a dynamic and intriguing listen.

Hunxho feat. Dej Loaf, “Make Time”

In this delectable slice of trap&B yearning, rising Atlanta rapper Hunxho and Dej Loaf trade verses about straightening up their ways and doing the work to prove to a potential significant other that they are both ready for a proper relationship. Murky trap drums and slurred flows add to the muddy kaleidoscope of emotions that both artists cycle through in the song. “I wish I could love myself/ Like I love you and nobody else,” Dej croons.

Young Thug, “From a Man”

Over a surprisingly smooth beat courtesy of Turbo and London On Da Track, among other contributors, Thugger delivers a freestyle-evoking track that details his personal and romantic commitments to R&B singer-songwriter Mariah the Scientist, who released her own “From a Woman” track on Friday (Oct. 13) as well. It’s Young Thug’s first new song (as a lead artist) since he dropped off his Business Is Business album earlier this year. The rap great is still behind bars as he awaits the resolution of his RICO case, but “From a Man” proves that he’s still capable of being as prolific as ever.

16 Oct 2023

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Hold Hands Again While Out for Dinner in NYC

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce couldn’t help showing off their romance this weekend. Less than 24 hours after the couple was spotted holding hands en route to the Saturday Night Live afterparty, Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end were once again spotted with interlocking fingers. This time, the pair was headed out to dinner at Waverly Inn in New York City Sunday (Oct. 15).

The “Anti-Hero” singer looked chic in a sheer, flower-print top, leathery black miniskirt and fuchsia shoulder purse. Kelce was all smiles, dressed in matching khaki-colored pants and button-up shirt jacket.

Neither Swift nor Kelce have released statements to confirm that they’re dating, but two nights in a row of joint public outings has basically done the trick regardless. On Saturday (Oct. 14), the pair were both at SNL, each of them making surprise cameos on the series’ season 49 premiere. Afterward, they walked into the afterparty together hand in hand.

The two consecutive date nights follow weeks of rumors that Swift and the football star have been courting. Kelce first confessed his feelings for the musician earlier this year, revealing he tried unsuccessfully to deliver his phone number to her at an Eras Tour concert. Flash forward to present day, and Swift is now a frequent guest at Kelce’s games; she’s been spotted sharing a box suite with number 87’s mother, Donna Kelce.

It’s a romantic matchup that has earned commentary from everyone from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to the New England Patriots’ GM Bill Belichick, who jokingly called Swift the “biggest catch” of Kelce’s career. Most recently, Katy Perry weighed in, commenting on an Instagram photo of Swift and Kelce holding hands post-SNL: “I ship.”

See a photo of Swift and Kelce holding hands while out to dinner below:

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have dinner at Waverly Inn on Oct. 15, 2023 in New York City.

Gotham/GC Images

16 Oct 2023

Drake & J. Cole’s ‘First Person Shooter’ Debuts Atop Billboard Hot 100, Tying Drake With Michael Jackson for Record

Drake’s “First Person Shooter,” featuring J. Cole, launches at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. The collaboration, from Drake’s LP For All the Dogs – which concurrently debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart – is his 13th Hot 100 leader, tying him with Michael Jackson for the most in the list’s history among solo males, and the fourth-most among all acts.

J. Cole achieves his first Hot 100 No. 1.

Drake, meanwhile, charts seven songs in the Hot 100’s top 10, including six debuts, upping his record total to 76 career top 10 hits.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data, the lattermost metric reflecting purchases of physical singles and digital tracks from full-service digital music retailers; digital singles sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites are excluded from chart calculations. All charts (dated Oct. 21, 2023) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 17). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

Here’s a look at the coronation of “First Person Shooter,” the 1,157th single to top the Hot 100 over the chart’s 65-year history, and the 72nd to debut at No. 1.

Streams, airplay & sales: Released Oct. 6 at 6 a.m. ET on For All the Dogs, on OVO Sound/Republic Records, “First Person Shooter” drew 42.2 million streams and 4.3 million radio airplay audience impressions and sold 4,000 downloads in the tracking week ending Oct. 12, according to Luminate.

The single also debuts at No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart and No. 7 on Digital Song Sales.

Drake ties MJ with 13th Hot 100 No. 1: “I’m one away from Michael,” chart-watcher Drake notes in “First Person Shooter,” while also shouting out Jackson’s classic 1983 Hot 100 No. 1 “Beat It.” Upon the former song’s debut, the lyric is outdated, as Drake now ties Jackson for the most leaders among solo males: 13 each.

Drake and Jackson tie for the fourth-most Hot 100 No. 1s among all acts, dating to the chart’s Aug. 4, 1958, inception.

Most Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s:

  • 20, The Beatles
  • 19, Mariah Carey
  • 14, Rihanna
  • 13, Drake
  • 13, Michael Jackson
  • 12, Madonna
  • 12, The Supremes
  • 11, Whitney Houston
  • 10, Janet Jackson
  • 10, Stevie Wonder

Here’s a recap of Drake’s 13 Hot 100 No. 1s:

  • “First Person Shooter,” Drake feat. J. Cole (one week to-date, Oct. 21, 2023)
  • “Slime You Out,” Drake feat. SZA (one week, Sept. 30, 2023)
  • “Jimmy Cooks,” Drake feat. 21 Savage (one week, July 2, 2022)
  • “Wait for U,” Future feat. Drake & Tems (one week, May 14, 2022)
  • “Way 2 Sexy,” Drake feat. Future and Young Thug (one week, Sept. 18, 2021)
  • “What’s Next,” Drake (one week, March 20, 2021)
  • “Toosie Slide,” Drake (one week, April 18, 2020)
  • “In My Feelings,” Drake (10 weeks, beginning July 21, 2018)
  • “Nice for What,” Drake (eight weeks, beginning April 21, 2018)
  • “God’s Plan,” Drake (11 weeks, beginning Feb. 3, 2018)
  • “One Dance,” Drake feat. WizKid & Kyla (10 weeks, beginning May 21, 2016)
  • “Work,” Rihanna feat. Drake (nine weeks, beginning March 5, 2016)
  • “What’s My Name?,” Rihanna feat. Drake (one week at No. 1, beginning Nov. 20, 2010)

J. Cole’s first No. 1: J. Cole earns his first Hot 100 No. 1, with his 72nd entry on the chart. He previously reached No. 2 twice, as featured on Lil Durk’s “All My Life” (this May) and with “my.life,” with 21 Savage and Morray (May 2021). As “First Person Shooter” debuts, he now totals 12 career top 10s.

Drake’s record ninth No. 1 debut: “First Person Shooter” is Drake’s record-extending ninth song to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100. He previously started at the top with “Slime You Out,” “Jimmy Cooks,” “Wait for U,” “Way 2 Sexy,” “What’s Next,” “Toosie Slide,” “Nice for What” and “God’s Plan.”

Drake passes BTS for most No. 1s in the ‘20s: Drake ups his haul to seven Hot 100 No. 1s in the 2020s – pushing him past BTS for the most so far this decade. Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift follow with four each in that span.

Drake earned six Hot 100 No. 1s in the ‘10s, the fourth-best sum, after Rihanna (nine), Katy Perry (eight) and Bruno Mars (seven).

Here’s a recap of the artists with the most Hot 100 leaders in each decade:

  • ‘20s, to date: Drake, seven
  • ‘10s: Rihanna, nine
  • ‘00s: Usher, seven
  • ‘90s: Mariah Carey, 14
  • ‘80s: Michael Jackson, nine
  • ‘70s: Bee Gees, nine
  • ‘60s: The Beatles, 18

(Frankie Avalon and The Fleetwoods tied for the most Hot 100 No. 1s, two each, over 1958-59.)

Drake claims 7 of top 10: Drake tallies seven songs overall in the latest Hot 100’s top 10. He infuses the entire top three for a third time (after he tripled up on the Sept. 18, 2021, and March 20, 2021, charts). He and The Beatles (five weeks, 1964) are the only acts with multiple such weeks, while Grande and Swift have monopolized the top three once each.

Here’s a rundown of Drake’s tracks in the latest Hot 100’s top 10 (all of which are debuts except for No. 6):

  • No. 1, “First Person Shooter,” feat. J. Cole
  • No. 2, “IDGAF,” feat. Yeat
  • No. 3, “Virginia Beach”
  • No. 5, “Calling for You,” feat. 21 Savage
  • No. 6, “Slime You Out,” feat. SZA (up from No. 18; debuted at No. 1 on the Sept. 30 chart)
  • No. 8, “Daylight”
  • No. 10, “Fear of Heights”

As J. Cole lands his first Hot 100 No. 1, and 12th top 10, Yeat earns his first top 10 and 21 Savage, his 15th (and 10th in collaboration with Drake).

Drake’s records in top 2, 5 & 10: “First Person Shooter” also contributes to Drake’s marks for the most top two, top five and top 10 Hot 100 hits.

Here’s an updated look at Drake’s leading ranks among acts with the most hits in those tiers:

  • Top 2: Now with 23 top two Hot 100 hits, Drake ties The Beatles and Mariah Carey for the most. (The Beatles boast 20 No. 1s, the most among all acts, and three top two hits; Carey has 19 and four, respectively; and Drake now has 13 and a record 10, respectively.)
  • Top 5: Now with 41 top five Hot 100 hits, Drake moves further ahead of runners-up The Beatles (29). Madonna follows with 28.
  • Top 10: Now with 76 top 10 Hot 100 hits, Drake surges further past Swift, in second place with 42. Madonna is next with 38.

No. 1 on Streaming Songs, R&B/hip-hop charts: As “First Person Shooter” concurrently crowns the Streaming Songs chart, Drake adds his record-extending 19th No. 1. (Justin Bieber and Swift rank next with six each.) J. Cole notches his second No. 1, after “Interlude” led for a week in May 2021.

“First Person Shooter” likewise premieres atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, which use the same multi-metric methodology as the Hot 100. Drake claims his record-padding 30th Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs No. 1, further distancing himself from legends Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, each with 20. J. Cole collects his third Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs No. 1, after “All My Life” ruled for seven weeks and “my.life,” for one frame. On Hot Rap Songs, Drake and J. Cole also swell their No. 1 totals to a record-extending 30 and three, respectively.

Plus, on the multi-metric Hot R&B Songs chart, “Slime You Out” rebounds for a second week at No. 1.

‘First’ things first: Last but not least, “First Person Shooter” is the fifth Hot 100 No. 1 with the word “first” in its title. Here’s an updated firsthand look:

  • “First Person Shooter,” Drake feat. J. Cole, one week at No. 1, beginning Oct. 21, 2023
  • “First Class,” Jack Harlow, three weeks, beginning April 23, 2022
  • “The First Night,” Monica, five weeks, beginning Oct. 3, 1998
  • “The First Time,” Surface, two weeks, beginning Jan. 26, 1991
  • “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” Roberta Flack, six weeks, beginning April 15, 1972

Elsewhere, three songs not by Drake make the latest Hot 100’s top 10, led by Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red,” which falls to No. 4 following three nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1.

SZA’s “Snooze” retreats to No. 7 on the Hot 100 from its No. 2 high. It rules the Radio Songs chart for a second week (77.9 million in audience, up 3%).

Plus, Swift’s “Cruel Summer” slips to No. 9 on the Hot 100 from its No. 3 peak.

Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Oct. 21), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 17).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

16 Oct 2023

10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Blu DeTiger & Mallrat, Lauren Mayberry, Mckenna Grace & More

Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

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These 10 tracks from artists including Blu DeTiger with Mallrat, Lauren Mayberry, Mckenna Grace and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all 10.

Blu DeTiger featuring Mallrat, “Cut Me Down”

Both Blu DeTiger and Mallrat have an abundance of self-assuredness — and when they join forces, it becomes impossible for anyone listening not to catch their confidence. On “Cut Me Down,” a dizzying pop song built around a groovy and defining bass riff, the two trade verses about no one being able to bring them down. Who would dare try? – Lyndsey Havens

Desire Marea, “The Only Way“

South African artist Desire Marea was formally trained as a traditional Nguni spiritual healer — and his music is proof enough, with his soulful, feel-good approach. “The Only Way” previews an upcoming EP, The Baddies of isandlwana, out Nov. 9, and makes clear that for Marea, “the only way” he knows how to create is with a larger mission in mind. – L.H.

Allie X, “Black Eye”

Creating a haunting pop song is light work for Allie X, but the Canadian auteur employs larger-than-life synthesizers — somewhere between the opening thumps of New Order’s “Blue Monday” and the hybrid of eastern European post punk/new wave — to create an ’80s-inspired gothic adventure on “Black Eye.” A solid addition to any Halloween playlist, this track sees the singer boldly embracing her pain and daring the listener to flinch at her lack of response. – Starr Bowenbank

Chelsea Cutler, “Loved By You”

On a song that reflects on personal growth and identity within the context of a world-stopping global pandemic, Chelsea Cutler demonstrates the evolution that she’s experienced as a vocalist and songwriter. “Loved By You,” a highlight of new album Stellaria, finds Cutler sinking comfortably into each new thought and attacking the chorus with a persuasiveness that matches the track’s booming drums. – Jason Lipshutz

Lauren Mayberry, “Shame”

“Shame” may be Chvrches star Lauren Mayberry’s second solo single following last month’s ballad “Are You Awake?,” but the new track feels like the start of a fresh, compelling stance: as she sings about internalized shame during different phases of her life, Mayberry navigates a shape-shifting soundscape, electronic zaps and fire-off vocal jabs buckling into stripped-down harmonies. The song is designed to shake Mayberry’s listener awake, and as both a standalone track and representation of her solo prospects, “Shame” succeeds. – J.L.

Wild Arrows, “Got to Know”

New York singer-songwriter Mike Law is best known for his work with EULCID and New Idea Society, and created Wild Arrows as a means of releasing solo work quickly and efficiently. With that in mind, new single “Got to Know” possesses an effortless snappiness that sounds dreamed up in a matter of minutes — but listen closely, sniff out the string plucks and stray riffs, and you’ll realize how much work went into making a song this immediate. – J.L.

Madi Diaz, “Same Risk”

Although Madi Diaz has opened for Harry Styles’ arena shows and is spending this month playing to large crowds in support of My Morning Jacket, “Same Risk,” which precedes her 2024 album Weird Faith, proves that she hasn’t lost an ounce of the intimacy at the center of her 2021 full-length History of a Feeling. “Same Risk” confronts relationship messiness with blunt emotion and musical vulnerability — a few sounds creep into view to join Diaz’s honest vocals and guitar strums, but never enough to overwhelm her words. – J.L.

Mckenna Grace, “Catch Me”

“Why’d you make me fall if you weren’t gonna catch me?” McKenna Grace demands on the resplendent new single “Catch Me,” after the 17-year-old singer-songwriter has listed off the sparks of romance that went unrequited and dreams of a future that will never be fulfilled. Grace’s new EP, Autumn Leaves, ruminates on young heartbreak, and “Catch Me” best distills her talents as a storyteller and creator of woozy, richly textured pop. – J.L.

Cafuné, “Shadowboxing”

Cafuné’s new EP, Love Songs for the End, may have been intended to soundtrack the finales of various life journeys, but Sedona Schat and Noah Yoo sound like their blissful mix of alt-rock and bedroom pop is just getting off the ground and morphing into something truly meaningful. “Shadowboxing” continues their upward trajectory, all sun-kissed harmonies and the type of elongated syllables that will work well in summer festival crowds. – J.L.

Yumi Zouma, “Be Okay”

The moment that “Be Okay,” the latest single from New Zealand indie-pop mainstays Yumi Zouma, flares up musically is the same moment that the bitterness at the heart of the lyrics boils over into anger: “You crush me,” Christie Simpson wails, as the guitars bubbling beneath her voice rise up into a tidal wave. Yumi Zouma have traded in dreaminess for years, but “Be Okay” is a nice reminder that the quartet can handle fury, too. – J.L.

16 Oct 2023

From the Bordertown to the 305: Grupo Frontera Brings Norteño Magic to Miami Show

Grupo Frontera’s El Comienzo Tour made a stop in Miami on Sunday night (Oct. 15), where the group performed to a sold-out crowd of nearly 5,000 at the James L. Knight Center — a remarkable contrast to the band’s quinceañera and nightclub presentations less than two years ago. 

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As the theater began to fill with people of all ages — the majority wearing cowboy boots and tejana hats — opening act Milla 22 took center stage to pump up the crowd, followed by ambiance music that included Grupo Firme, Bad Bunny, Elvis Crespo and Eslabon Armado, to name a few. 

Sharply at 9 p.m., the lights dimmed and an intro video rolled on the screen, showing each Frontera member’s life before becoming famous, some working at the ranch, others gambling, some having a side photography gig. “We must never lose faith,” said founding member and accordionist Juan Javier Cantú in the clip. “We are very excited to sing in front of so many people and we are ready with our hearts in our hands.”

Soon after, the sextext — accompanied by four other musicians — kicked off the night with its viral TikTok hit — and the one that ultimately put them on the map — “No Se Va.” 

Grupo Frontera

Grupo Frontera

Abelardo Báez

At all times, the band had the crowd chanting and dancing along to songs such as “Di Que Si,” “Le Va Doler,” “En Altavoz,” “Frágil” and “La Ladrona,” one of Grupo Frontera’s earlier career covers of Diego Verdaguer’s 1981 hit. 

The night’s biggest highlight, however, was when Frontera paid tribute to the Tejano and Norteño music pioneers who paved the way for them, performing their own versions of Selena Quintanilla’s “Como La Flor” and Ramon Ayala’s “Te Voy a Esperar,” for example. 

In between songs, percussionist and animator Julian Peña Jr. and vocalist Adelaido “Payo” Solis III talked about a failed relationship and a girl who broke their heart, which set the mood for the last set of songs from the concert: “Ojitos Rojos,” “un x100to,” “El Amor De Su Vida,” “De Lunes a Lunes,” “911,” “Tulum” and “Que Vuelvas,” before wrapping up with an encore of “No Se Va.”

At the end of the concert, Peña Jr. also gave a special shoutout to Latin Grammy-winning producer Edgar Barrera for believing, supporting and propelling Grupo Frontera. 

El Comienzo Tour, which kicked off in April and will wrap in November, is in support of Frontera’s debut studio album of the same name that peaked No. 2 on Regional Mexican Albums chart, and No. 4 on the Top Latin Albums chart.

16 Oct 2023

ENHYPEN Announces 5th Mini Album ‘Orange Blood’: Here’s When It Arrives

ENGENE’s, get ready: ENHYPEN is gearing up to return with new music. On Monday (Oct. 16), the K-pop group announced that it will be releasing its fifth mini album, Orange Blood, soon.

The group shared the news of its forthcoming set via X, formerly known as Twitter, with a link to a Weverse statement from its label, BELIFT LAB. “ENHYPEN’s 5th mini album Orange Blood will be released on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Pre-orders will begin on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, and further information will be provided on the Weverse notice board. Pre-orders begin 11 a.m. KST, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Release 2 p.m. KST Friday, Nov. 17, 2023,” the statement read.

According to the press release, Orange Blood continues the story of previous release, Dark Blood, which arrived in May. It became the K-pop group’s highest charting album to date on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 4 and spending a total of 10 weeks on the chart.

The K-pop group — which consists of members Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon and Ni-ki — also shared a brief video preview of the album, which appears to have three potential physical versions: an orange cover, a white cover and a split orange and white cover.

Fans will have plenty to look forward to in the lead-up to Orange Blood. The group revealed a calendar of dates pertaining to the mini album’s rollout, which kicks off on Oct. 27 with a concept trailer. Oct. 29 will see the release of a mood film, while concept photos arrive the following day. Additional concept photos, mood films and a tracklist poster for Orange Blood will arrive between Nov. 1-6; an album preview and music video teasers will rollout between Nov. 11-16, concluding with the video and album release on Nov. 17 and a special showcase, EN-CONNECT Night, on Nov. 18.

See the video preview and release calendar for Orange Blood below.

16 Oct 2023

Jung Kook Unveils ‘Golden’ Tracklist Featuring Major Lazer, DJ Snake & More

Jung Kook has unveiled the full tracklist to his upcoming solo album, Golden, and it features some pretty famous names.

The announcement comes in the form of a Sunday (Oct. 15) social media post from Big Hit Music, the BTS star’s label. In a photo shared by the company, Golden‘s 11 tracks are listed in aptly gold lettering.

The first three tracks on the K-pop star’s debut are back-to-back collaborations, starting with his previously released song “3D” with Jack Harlow. Next comes “Closer to You,” a team-up with Major Lazer, followed by two versions of his duet with Latto, “Seven,” which was originally released in July.

Also featured on the set is French EDM producer DJ Snake, who’s billed as a featured artist on a song called “Please Don’t Change.” The other six tracks will find Jung Kook flying solo: “Standing Next to You,” which is labeled as the album’s “main track” in Big Hit’s announcement, “Yes or No,” “Hate You,” “Somebody,” “Too Sad to Dance” and “Shot Glass of Tears.”

The album is set to arrive Nov. 3, although fans won’t have to wait until then to hear new music from the 26-year-old star. Last week, it was announced that Jung Kook will team up with The Kid Laroi and Central Cee for “Too Much,” a single arriving Oct. 20 that will have a home on Laroi’s November album The First Time.

Last week, BTS’ official Instagram account shared a batch of concept photos for Golden, featuring Jung Kook posing against a graffiti backdrop with graffiti art renderings of special numbers and letters, including 0613 — BTS’ anniversary date — ’97 (his birth year) and the logo for BTS ARMY.

See Big Hit’s tracklist announcement for Jung Kook’s Golden below: