Music
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Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up newsletter, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip. This week: A number of up-and-coming rappers featured on the late year’s biggest rap release get bumps for their own catalogs, an old emo song becomes a seasonal-sadness singalong and much more.
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L.A. Rappers’ Catalogs Rise Following Major Looks on Kendrick Lamar’s ‘GNX’
Kendrick Lamar’s GNX has already collected impressive wins on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100, but the Compton MC’s surprise album is also helping boost the catalog of its featured L.A. rappers.
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“TV Off” blasted in at No. 2 on the Hot 100 (dated Dec. 7), making it the highest-ranking GNX collaboration. Baldwin Park emcee Lefty Gunplay is the guest on that track (“S–t get crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious!), and his own new project, Most Valuable Gangbanger (Nov. 22), ironically coincided with the GNX drop. Thanks to his own new release and the explosive immediate interest in “TV Off,” Lefty’s catalog has spiked 84% in official on-demand U.S. streams the week of GNX’s release (Nov. 22-28) versus the week prior (Nov. 15-21), according to Luminate. In the week following the release of Most Valuable Gangbanger and GNX, Lefty Gunplay’s catalog earned just over 468,000 streams.
The Dody6-assisted “Hey Now” (No. 5), is the other GNX Hot 100 top five hit to feature an L.A. rapper. His appearance on GNX follows a joint project with T.0wee called Make Vernon Great Again from earlier this year. In the week following GNX’s release, streaming activity for Dody’s catalog jumped over 110%, collecting over 336,000 official on-demand U.S. streams. AzChike, who guested on ScHoolboy Q’s Blue Lips back in March, lent his talents to “Peekaboo,” which debuted at No. 13 on the Hot 100. In the week following GNX’s release, AzChike’s catalog pulled in over 916,000 official on-demand U.S. streams, marking a 15% lift in streaming activity.
The GNX title track entered the Hot 100 at No. 24 and features Hitta J3, YoungThreat & Peysoh. Notably, Hitta J3 and Kendrick joined forces back in 2014 alongside YG and Problem (now known as JasonMartin) for the “Do Yo Gudda” remix. Following GNX’s release (Nov. 22-28), Hitta J3’s catalog earned just under 30,000 official on-demand U.S. streams – a whopping 149% increase from the 11,700 streams it collected the week prior. – KYLE DENIS
Mom Jeans Squeezes in a Sentimental Pre-Holidays Viral Hit
Everyone gets a little emotional around Thanksgiving time, right? There’s a lot of family, a lot of old memories, a lot of homesickness for those who can’t get away from their usual lives, maybe a reunion or two for those who can… Maybe that partly explains the timing of Midwest emo band Mom Jeans seeing its acoustic ballad “Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA,” from 2016’s Best Buds, unexpectedly become one of the hottest songs on TikTok, for a section with the brutal lyrics, “Don’t go back to our old place/ It’s probably locked up anyway/ I bet it still looks the same as when I ran away that day.”
The sound has of course been used by any number of users for emotional lip synch moments over the past few weeks – but it’s also been adapted as a go-to soundtrack for popular nostalgic and/or tear-jerking edits of football and wrestling stars. Consequently, the song debuts at No. 46 on this week’s TikTok Top 50, and has been exploding on streaming services, with the song racking up 2.3 official on-demand U.S. streams for the tracking week ending Nov. 28, according to Luminate – a whopping 1,282% gain from the 165,000 streams it posted three weeks earlier. If TikTok users haven’t worked out their baggage by the holidays, look out – we could see “Scott Pilgrim” elbowing its way in there with all the Bing Crosby and Perry Como. – ANDREW UNTERBERGER
Twerking Trend Helps E.K.E. Earn Viral Hit
Ever the reliable needle-mover, a twerk-centric dance trend has helped an Akon-nodding track explode at streaming this month.
On Nov. 8, TikTok creator @mora2767 posted a dance sequence – featuring lots of twerking and trademark Cali moves – to the tune of E.K.E.’s “Ghetto,” which incorporated elements from the intro of Akon’s 2005 song of the same name. In the week following that video’s initial upload – it has since garnered over 2.4 million views – E.K.E.’s “Ghetto” earned 137,000 official on-demand U.S. streams. That figure leapt but an astounding 711% to over 1.11 million streams the following week since the trend took off on TikTok. The next week, streams increased a further 43% to over streams during Nov. 22-28. Over the past two weeks, streams for “Ghetto” have risen over 1,065%.
The official TikTok sound for “Ghetto” now boasts over 157,000 posts, including one from E.K.E. himself. Back in September, about a month after the song was released (Aug. 2), E.K.E. posted a TikTok attempting to jumpstart his own dance trend for “Ghetto.” While his trend wasn’t the one to take off, his head was always in the right place.
Already off to a No. 14 start on the TikTok Billboard Top 50, expect “Ghetto” to continue rising in the weeks to come. – KD
NLE Choppa’s Latest Horny Hit Finds Its Way to the Hot 100
It’s been a pretty crazy year for NLE Choppa, who has reworked his now-signature hit “Slut Me Out” into multiple sequel incarnations, scored a breakout hit alongside New York crew 41 with the blaring “Or What,” and released one of the wildest short films you’ll see outside of the festival circuit in 2024 with NLE Choppa: The Wash. Now, he’s back with a new single that might be on its way to being his most viral non-collab hit of 2024: the characteristically horny “Gang Baby.”
The new hit, which features the repeat chorus lyric “Let me f–k somethin’” and shows NLE Choppa surrounded by a circle of twerking behinds in the video, has been absolutely exploding on streaming lately, thanks to a dance challenge and other edits that have helped the song become a major TikTok hit, many of which used a slightly sped-up version of the song. After growing 267% in official on-demand U.S. streams over the past five weeks – to 5.7 million official streams for the week ending Nov. 28 – it has now also punctured the Hot 100, reaching No. 98. Clearly, we all observe cuffing season in our own ways. – AU
Fresh off an exciting NBA season that saw him lead the Boston Celtics to their 18th championship, Jaylen Brown is embracing new creative heights. The Finals MVP has been making waves both on and off the court, proving he’s more than just a basketball star. Known for his powerhouse presence on the hardwood, Brown recently showcased his versatility by dropping his debut single, “Just Do It,” featuring A$AP Ferg this past August. The track, he says, was born out of post-championship celebrations. “We were just vibing after the parade, freestyling, and decided to hit the studio,” Brown shared with Billboard. “It was celebration mode, and the song came naturally.”
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Though music might seem like a detour, Brown sees it as another way to express himself. “Basketball is poetry in motion, and music is just another form of that,” he continued, while drawing parallels between his passions. His laid-back yet poetic sound reflects a deep love for creativity that extends to his other ventures, including 741, his self-funded sneaker brand that began after Brown turned down over $50 million in endorsements from major sneaker companies.
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Brown also revealed to Billboard that this venture marks a deeper exploration into his creative side. Despite the complexities of the music industry, he’s open to future collaborations, naming artists like Burna Boy and Kanye West as inspirations.
But perhaps his most impactful work lies in his 7uice Foundation, where he addresses educational inequities in underrepresented communities. By introducing kids to STEM and STEAM opportunities, Brown aims to create lasting change. In a time when many athletes are diversifying their brands, Brown’s journey stands out for its depth and purpose. Whether through music, design, or philanthropy, he’s crafting a legacy that goes far beyond the hardwood.
In this exclusive interview with Billboard, Brown reflects on his journey, balancing basketball with his creative pursuits, and the driving mission behind his work: using his platform to inspire change while staying true to himself.
Your new song, “Just Do It,” with A$AP Ferg is a vibe. How did you guys link up for the track?
We were at dinner, just vibing after the parade. Ferg came down, and there was a Chris Brown concert that week. After dinner, we went straight to the studio and started freestyling. It just happened naturally.
Is this your entry into music and do you see yourself doing more?Part of me wants to say one and done. I’ve got tremendous respect for people in music, but learning about streaming, licensing, and samples—it’s a lot. The industry gave me a headache, but music allows me to express myself differently than basketball.
Why did you title it “Just Do It?”
It just fit. We’d just won a championship — that’s what we did. It’s my way of telling the haters I’m having a great time.
If you had to describe your sound in a few words, how would you define it?
Laid-back, chill, a little poetic. I grew up writing poetry, and that influences my sound. My voice has a deep tone, but it’s calm and reflective.
Who were some of your musical influences growing up?
Kanye, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Kendrick, and Future are my top five. From an OG perspective, Tupac, Biggie, and OutKast were big for me too.
Did you ever see yourself making music as a career, or was your heart always set on basketball?
Never thought I’d make music, but I love it. It’s a good hobby — keeps you out of trouble. Winning the championship made me say, “Why not?”
Would you be open to more collaborations if the right opportunities came up? If you had more free time, I think people would love to hear more music from you.
Yeah, I’d love to work with people who inspire me — like Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Kanye. We’ll see. If we win another championship, I’ll definitely drop something.
Your 7uice Foundation is making a real impact. What’s its mission, and what kind of work are you most proud of?
We’re focused on education inequalities. I grew up in a household where education was non-negotiable—my mom and her family were all teachers. We expose kids from underrepresented communities to STEM and STEAM, helping them explore new opportunities.
You launched 741 as a self-funded, self-designed brand. Why bet on yourself instead of taking those $50 million endorsement deals?
I’ve been on a creative journey, from designing with Yeezy to starting my own brand. I wanted full control and to create solutions for athletes who face challenges in this space. It’s more than sneakers; it’s a platform for innovation.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far of designing your own brand?
Delays. From switching factories to fixing minor details, it’s been a learning curve. But every day, my team focuses on incremental growth.
You’ve also invested in Hapbee, a wellness tech company. What drew you to that space?
Wellness is essential as an athlete. Hapbee uses frequency technology to improve focus, sleep, and recovery without putting anything in your body. It’s cutting-edge, and it works. I use it all the time—it’s been a game changer for me.
With everything — basketball, music, 741, and tech — how do you balance it all?
Discipline. I stay focused, avoid distractions, and prioritize what matters. Getting good sleep, limiting accessibility, and remembering the legacy I want to leave keeps me grounded.
Pearl Jam is continuing the celebration of their 12th studio album, Dark Matter, into 2025. The band — Eddie Vedder (vocalist), Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Matt Cameron (drums)— announced on Thursday (Dec. 5) that they will be heading to five U.S. cities in the spring, kicking off […]
Reading & Leeds Festival has confirmed the first artists to appear on 2025’s lineup, including its four headliners. Travis Scott, Chappell Roan, Hozier and Bring Me the Horizon will top the bill at the dual festivals in Reading, Berkshire, and Leeds, Yorkshire, on Aug. 21-24. The events will take place at Richfield Avenue in Reading, and Bramham Park in Leeds.
Scott’s appearance will be a European festival exclusive, while Hozier and Bring Me the Horizon will be U.K. exclusives. Roan’s appearance at the top of the bill will be an English headline exclusive, and her first ever performance at Reading & Leeds.
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They’ll be joined on the bill by AJ Tracey, Becky Hill, Sammy Virij, Trippie Redd, Amyl and The Sniffers, Conan Gray, The Kooks, The Dare, Enter Shikari, Wallows, Sea Girls, Mannequin Pussy, Soft Play, Lambrini Girls, DJ EZ and more.
Bloc Party will perform Reading & Leeds Festival’s inaugural Icon Set, which the festival said in a press release “will celebrate the defining acts synonymous with the festival.” The London-formed indie band performed in consecutive years between 2005 and 2009 on a variety of stages.
Tickets for the two events go on general sale on Dec. 9 from the festival’s official website, and follow a number of presales that begin Friday (Dec. 6) for customers of Three Mobile and Mastercard.
In 2024, Reading & Leeds Festival was headlined by Blink-182, Fred Again.., Liam Gallagher, Lana Del Rey, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Gerry Cinnamon. In recent years, artists such as Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion and Halsey have also topped the bill.
The most recent edition in Leeds was impacted by severe weather, with two stages at the festival having to be closed due to high winds brought by Storm Lilian.
See the 2025 lineup below:
German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk are going on tour next spring, announcing on Thursday (Dec. 5) a 25-city North American run that starts on March 6 in Philadelphia. The trek includes the group’s previously announced performances at Coachella 2025. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Ticket for the […]
Oliver Anthony, who earned a two-week Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper with his song “Rich Men North of Richmond” in August 2023 and became a viral sensation, didn’t hold back in offering his thoughts on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album.
In a video he posted on YouTube on Wednesday (Dec. 4), Anthony spends much of it discussing his experiences with the music industry, including mentioning an unnamed management company that he had begun working with following the success of “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
“In their own words, it was like, ‘We gotta figure out how to make you cool,’” Anthony said, noting that one of the ideas an unnamed music industry member pitched to him involved having the singer-songwriter praise Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album — an idea Anthony rejected.
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“One of the guys I worked with, he wanted me to make some stupid f–king post about Beyoncé’s country album, about how it was good, even though it was complete trash. It makes me just want to throw up,” Oliver said. He also disparaged Beyoncé’s reimagining of Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene,” saying, “Even half trying to listen to the beginning of, like, her version of ‘Jolene,’ it’s just total cringe.”
Anthony added, “It represents how degenerative our society has become, that a song like a Beyoncé version of ‘Jolene’ can come out and anybody actually listen to it and think it’s not just complete trash. So I was supposed to make a post, basically trying to associate myself with Beyoncé in hopes of us doing some kind of song together, but you know, how many people do that? How many artists do you follow on social media that have never even looked at their social media, and you’re just reading words and posts and things that were written by somebody that you’ve never even met, that aren’t the artist, that don’t even necessarily work directly for the artist … It’s so much theatrics and illusion and characterizations that are built in this whole thing to like keep people hanging on for more.”
Billboard has reached out to Beyoncé’s rep for comment.
Elsewhere during his video, he noted that his approach of keeping his concert ticket prices affordable for fans has been monetarily successful, despite industry members who told him he would not be able to make a profit. “It’s ridiculous how greedy these people are. We did this whole tour for this year, we had a $25 ticket option at every show that I did that was mine, and everybody was like, ‘You can’t do that. You won’t make any money.’ I got so sick of listening to everybody who told me how stupid I was for trying to do it,” he said. “I mean, we made great money this year. I made enough money in one year of touring to never have to work again. So, you don’t have to charge $200 for a ticket. It’s just crazy how it is.”
In October, Anthony stated in a separate YouTube video that he was intent on walking away from aspects of the music business to focus on traveling ministry work, though he clarified that he would still be playing shows and making music. In that video, he stated how his involvement with the music business since the launch of “Rich Men North of Richmond” had “opened my eyes to how much control and how much visibility there is on the top down.”
He also said that upcoming music would come as part of his The Rural Revival Project, an organization that he noted would “be set up legally as a ministry,” while helping to revitalize farming and other rural communities. He noted as well his intent to set up his touring in a way that would allow him to visit towns “that haven’t had music in them in a long time. It stimulates their economy, showcases their culture, it uses local vendors and local musicians.” Added Anthony, “You’re not having to drive out to Pittsburgh to a concrete amphitheater to see a show. It’s done out on a farm or on a main street that desperately needs the economic impact.”
On Easter Sunday, Oliver Anthony released the project Hymnal of a Troubled Man’s Mind, which featured a mix of songs and recitations of Bible verses. The set reached No. 13 on Billboard‘s Heatseekers chart.
In April, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200, marking her eighth No. 1 on that chart. Cowboy Carter also launched at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums, Americana/Folk Albums and Top Album Sales charts. Meanwhile, the album’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Cowboy Carter featured collaborations with Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, while spotlighting country music trailblazer Linda Martell and highlighting the talents of Shaboozey, Willie Jones, Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Brittney Spencer.
Beyoncé was also just named Billboard‘s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century, and is up for several Grammys at next year’s ceremony, including album of the year and best country album.
See Oliver Anthony’s full video below:
Ariana Grande and The Weeknd couldn’t love each other harder.
The “Blinding Lights” singer sang the praises of his longtime friend and collaborator in a recent post on Instagram Stories, sharing a poster for Wicked — in which the R.E.M. Beauty founder stars opposite Cynthia Erivo — and writing, “this was fantastic.”
“congrats @arianagrande so proud,” The Weeknd added.
Shortly afterward, Grande reposted the The Idol star’s words on her own Story. “thank you, my friend,” she wrote, adding a bubble emoji to emulate Glinda’s famous method of travel in Wicked.
The “Yes, And?” vocalist and The Weeknd have been working together for years, starting with “Love Me Harder” in 2014. Six years later, the Canadian musician jumped on Ari’s Positions track “Off the Table,” while she helped propel his “Save Your Tears” to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 by joining him on a remix.
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In 2023, while Grande was still filming Wicked, she again gave one of The Weeknd’s tracks a lift by adding her magic to “Die for You,” which then shot up to the top of the Hot 100. “Wrote and recorded a verse for my friend after a 14 hour day on set,” she wrote of the project at the time. “This certain exception had to be made….”
The Weeknd is just one of many fans who are loving Wicked. Following its Nov. 22 premiere in theaters worldwide, its soundtrack album opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 — the highest ever debut for a big-screen adaptation of a stage musical on the chart — and the film has brought in over $260 million in North America so far, making it the highest grossing movie ever at the domestic box office based on a Broadway musical.
Grande’s performance in the film is also being widely lauded, and the star will soon receive the the Rising Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards. “In Wicked, Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda elevates her to new heights with a powerful acting performance that beautifully combines her outstanding musical talent, brilliant characterization and impeccable comedic timing,” chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a recent statement. “Ariana is an iconic global performer, who has seamlessly transitioned to film in her first major starring role, proving herself to be a multifaceted and undeniable talent.”
Billboard‘s Joe Lynch felt similarly. “Grande is a revelation,” he wrote in his review. “This performance signals the arrival of a formidable cinematic talent with a lot more to show us.”
Myles Smith has been announced as the winner of the BRITs Rising Star Award for 2025.
The award caps off a banner year for the Luton-born singer-songwriter, who saw off competition from soul vocalist Elmiene and indie-pop duo Good Neighbours to claim the accolade. The winner was announced Thursday (Dec. 5) on BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show With Jack Saunders.
“Winning the BRIT award for Rising Star is such a surreal moment,” he said in a statement. “Music has always been about connecting with people, and to see it resonate on this level is incredible. I’m so grateful to my team, my family, and especially the fans who’ve supported me every step of the way. Your belief in me means everything. This is just the beginning, and I’m so excited for what’s to come — thank you for being part of this journey.”
Smith is the first male artist to win in the category since Sam Fender in 2019. In the last five years, the award – formerly known as Critics’ Choice – has gone to three female solo artists (Celeste, Griff and Holly Humberstone) and two groups consisting of all female and non-binary performers (FLO and The Last Dinner Party).
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The award was first presented at the BRIT Awards in 2008, and is annually handed out to the British act that the voting academy believes will make the biggest impact on music in the coming year. Other previous winners include Adele, Sam Smith and Florence + the Machine.
The shortlist is selected by a panel of music industry experts, including editors, critics, songwriters, producers and live bookers. Eligibility criteria deems that nominees cannot have had a top 20 placing on the Official Albums Chart or more than one top 20 single on Official Singles Chart in the U.K. as of Oct. 31, 2024.
Smith was also recently included in the longlist for another new music prize, BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2025, with the winner set to be revealed in January. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough moment in the summer with his global hit “Stargazing,” which reached No. 4 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Speaking to Billboard in July, he explained that his main ambition is to be “seen as an album artist,” adding that “there’s only so much you can say in an EP or single.” Smith also discussed the years he spent covering chart hits on TikTok before landing a deal with RCA Records and in turn started penning his own original music. “Covers [were] an opportunity to find an audience that I thought would match with the music I would eventually create,” he added.
The 2025 BRIT Awards will take place on March 1, and will be broadcast live on ITV 1 from London’s O2 Arena.
Our 100 favorite songs from a year where pop was really back in full effect.
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Rihanna recently said that she wants to collaborate with Billie Eilish — and according to the 22-year-old pop star, she’s waiting by the phone for the Fenty mogul’s call.
In a new cover story interview with Complex published Thursday (Dec. 5), Eilish gushed about the moment RiRi shouted her out in October — “If I could only do a song with Billie Eilish, she’s so good,” the superstar said at the time — which the two-time Oscar winner said she “literally thought … was AI.”
“I’ve never met Rihanna,” Eilish continued to the publication. “She’s literally my idol. She’s the greatest of all time. She’s my complete dream collab.”
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“I don’t even answer that question when people are like, ‘Who would you like to collab with?’” she added. “But I always think Rihanna. I’m not going to say that, though! Why would I say that?! It’s not real. I would think, like, ‘She probably doesn’t even like me.’ I’ve never heard from her, and I’ve never had any interaction with her, so why would I have ever even thought about it?”
When the “Umbrella” singer first sang Eilish’s praises, the latter simply wrote in disbelief on Instagram Stories, “what in the absolute f–k.”
A few weeks later, the “Birds of a Feather” artist says she finds the whole thing funny. “I was like, ‘Well, b—h, I’ve been sitting here this whole time!’” Eilish told Complex, laughing. “What the f–k is she even talking about? Like, as if I’ve been saying, ‘No.’ Rihanna! Riri!? I’ll literally do anything you want. That’s insane.”
The interview comes about six months after Eilish released her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The star — who is currently on tour in support of the LP — also recently sat down with CBS News Sunday Morning and spoke about how she came into her own as a songwriter while working on the project with her older brother and producer, Finneas.
“My passion has never been songwriting,” she said in a video snippet from the interview airing Dec. 8. “My passion is music, and performing, and singing. And songwriting is something that I do so that I can then sing it and perform it … I did way more writing on this album than anything ever.”
Watch the clip from the upcoming episode of CBS Sunday Morning below.
Superstar singer-songwriter and two-time Oscar winner Billie Eilish opens up about her evolving view of songwriting. While her brother Finneas has always had a deep passion for it, Ellish saw songwriting as a means to perform and express herself. pic.twitter.com/CsnVg1NtAa— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) December 5, 2024