Music

Zach Bryan Takes Top 3 Spots on Americana/Folk Albums Chart As ‘Boys of Faith’ Debuts

Zach Bryan triples up in the top three spots of Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart dated Oct. 7, becoming only the second act ever to earn the honor.

The singer-songwriter’s self-titled LP leads for a fifth week, encompassing its entire run on the survey so far, with 66,000 equivalent album units earned Sept. 22-28, according to Luminate. His new EP, Boys of Faith, launches at No. 2 with 44,000 units and former leader American Heartbreak dips to No. 3 from No. 2 with 31,000 units.

Bryan joins only Chris Stapleton in having monopolized the chart’s top three. Stapleton did so for 11 weeks in 2017-18.

Bryan now boasts seven career Americana/Folk Albums top 10s, all tallied in just over a year and a half. In chronological order of their peaks: DeAnn (No. 6, February 2022); American Heartbreak (No. 1, 61 weeks, beginning in June 2022); Summertime Blues (No. 2, July 2022); Elisabeth (No. 6, November 2022); All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live From Red Rocks) (No. 3, January 2023); Zach Bryan (No. 1, five weeks to date, beginning in September 2023); and Boys of Faith (No. 2 to date, October 2023).

Bryan ties for the ninth-most top 10s since Americana/Folk Albums began in December 2009. Bob Dylan leads with 30, followed by Neil Young with 25.

Meanwhile, Bryan charts six titles overall on the Oct. 7 Americana/Folk Albums tally, matching his mark for the most by an act in a single week. He first totaled that many on the Sept. 9 and Jan. 14 rankings.

As previously reported, Boys of Faith boys at No. 8 on the all-genre Billboard 200. It’s Bryan’s third top 10, following his self-titled No. 1 and the No. 5-peaking American Heartbreak.



All five Boys of Faith tracks debut on the Billboard Hot 100, led by “Sarah’s Place” featuring Noah Kahan at No. 14. It starts at No. 5 on Streaming Songs with 15.8 million official U.S. streams. It also begins at No. 2 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and No. 5 on Hot Country Songs.

Four weeks earlier, Bryan notched his first Billboard 200 No. 1 with his self-titled set, while the LP’s “I Remember Everything” featuring Kacey Musgraves debuted as his first Hot 100 leader.

Chris Tomlin Wraps Record Run to No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs With ‘Holy Forever’

Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever” hits No. 1 on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Christian Songs chart dated Oct. 7. With its 59-week trip to the penthouse, it completes the longest trek to the top in the chart’s 20-year history, surpassing Elevation Worship’s “Graves Into Gardens” featuring Brandon Lake (46 weeks, 2020-21).

Tomlin scores his seventh No. 1 on the chart and his first since “Good Good Father,” which dominated for seven weeks beginning in February 2016.

The singer-songwriter tells Billboard of his latest coronation, “Ultimately, what this chart represents is impact, and to be a part of a song like ‘Holy Forever’ and experiencing its impact is an honor. My hope is that this song continues to help people around the globe beyond anything I could imagine, see or ever know.”



“Holy Forever,” which Tomlin co-authored with Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson and Phil Wickham, ruled Christian Airplay for six weeks beginning in August, awarding Tomlin his 11th No. 1. It ranks at No. 6 on the latest list with 5 million audience impressions Sept. 22-28, according to Luminate. It also drew 2 million official U.S. streams and sold 1,000 downloads.

David & Blessett Bring Back a Classic

Atlanta-based Anthony David and Algebra Blessett’s “Heaven” soars from No. 5 to No. 1 on Gospel Airplay, up 15% in plays. The singers’ first collaboration in over a decade marks their first entry on the chart. Billed as Anthony David featuring Algebra, they reached No. 2 on Adult R&B Airplay in 2011 with “4Evermore.”



“Heaven” was originally recorded by gospel greats BeBe & CeCe Winans and released as the title track on their 1989 set that led Top Gospel Albums, becoming the duo’s first of three chart-toppers.

BeBe Winans co-wrote the song with Keith Thomas.

“We’re definitely happy to be embraced by the gospel community,” David and Blessett shared in a statement to Billboard. “Our whole mission in music is to be inspirational and add to the culture.”

David and Blessett are currently working on an album of duets.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s Krayzie Bone Says He ‘Fought for Life’ for ‘9 Straight Days’ During Recent Hospitalization

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Krazyie Bone is giving fans an update on his health after being hospitalized for nearly two weeks.  

In a Tuesday (Oct. 3) Instagram post, Krazyie Bone shared a photo of himself from his hospital room. “Just fought for life Literally for 9 days straight,” he wrote in the caption. “And I only won the battle this time because I know Jehovah God was with me every step of the way fighting for me. Never take life for granted enjoy it while have you have it! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers trust me I needed every last one of them.”

For the last few years, Krazyie Bone (born Anthony Henderson) has battled sarcoidosis, a condition that causes clumps of cells form in organs. According to theNational Institutes of Health, sarcoidosis often impacts the lungs and lymph nodes in the chest. It affected Henderson during a tour in 2016, which resulted in him postponing several dates. In September, AllHipHop reported that Krayzie Bone checked himself into a local hospital after reportedly coughing up blood. 

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Henderson is part of the five-person Cleveland group that earned widespread acclaim in the ’90s for its melodic hooks. Throughout Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s 30-year career, the group carved out notable Billboard Hot 100 hits, including “Look Into My Eyes,” “1st of Tha Month,” “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” and “I Tried” featuring Akon. In 1996, they clinched the biggest song of their career when “Tha Crossroads” peaked at No. 1. The track would sit atop the summit for eight weeks and won a Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group the following year.

Check out Krazyie Bone’s message below. 

Travis Kelce Agrees NFL Is ‘Overdoing’ the Taylor Swift Hype, But He ‘Can’t Be Mad’ About How Things Played Out

Travis Kelce is well aware that the NFL‘s coverage surrounding his rumored romance with Taylor Swift might be pushing the limits. But he’s definitely not complaining, either.

On the latest episode of his New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, Travis conceded that the pro league’s role in hyping up his rumored relationship with Swift — from Swift-themed social media posts to commercials, not to mention the many questions and segments about the singer in sports media in recent weeks — is getting to be a little too much. “I think everybody is just overwhelmed,” he said on the Wednesday (Oct. 4) episode.

“They’re overdoing it a little bit, for sure,” he added. “Especially my situation. I think they’re just trying to have fun with it.”

The “situation” in question started months ago, when the Kansas City tight end first revealed on New Heights that he had a crush on Swift and had tried unsuccessfully to slip her his phone number via a friendship bracelet at an Eras Tour show. Things kicked into high gear in September when the “Anti-Hero” singer attended the Chiefs-Bears game at Arrowhead Stadium and was seen leaving the event with Travis.

Over the weekend, she was spotted again at a Chiefs game, this time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. She cheered Travis on from a box suite filled with many of her friends, including Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Sophie Turner and Brittany Mahomes — a spectacle NFL production made sure to capture on camera multiple times throughout the game.

“Take away your feelings for Taylor,” Jason said of Travis on their podcast. “What is your honest opinion on how the NFL is treating celebrities at the games?”

“I think it brings a little more to the atmosphere, it brings a little bit more to what you’re watching,” the younger Kelce responded. “But at the same time, I think …”

“They’re overdoing it,” Jason chimed in, with Travis agreeing.

Even so, #87 isn’t feeling too shabby about how things have played out with Ms. Swift. In an interview with the Chasin’ It with Trey Wingo and Chase Daniel that aired Tuesday (Oct. 3), Travis said he had “no idea” how much attention his pursuit of the pop star would garner. “I had no idea, man,” he admitted. “I had no idea. You can’t tell me that anybody else did either, but I can’t be mad at how it’s all played out. I’ll say that.”

Watch Travis Kelce talk about Taylor Swift on New Heights above.

Sexxy Red Wants Donald Trump Back in Office: ‘We Need People Like Him’

Sexxy Red is the latest rapper to show support for former president Donald Trump. 

Her comments came during recent interview with comedian Theo Von on his This Past Weekend podcast, during which she praised the mercurial figure for freeing Black people from prison and giving out stimulus checks during his controversial four-year term. 

“I like Trump,” she said. “Yeah, they support him in the hood. At first I don’t think people was f–king with him. They thought he was racist, saying little s–t against women. But once he started getting Black people out of jail and giving people that free money. Aww baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office. We need him back because, baby, them checks. Them stimulus checks. Trump, we miss you.”

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“I love Trump. He funny to me,” she continued. “I used to be watching him talking to people. He used to be calling people fat. He just bold. He funny. We need people like him.”

Though Trump had a tumultuous term, rappers — including Kanye West and Kodak Black — have come to his defense. In 2021, the former president pardoned Black while the artist was serving a 46-month federal prison sentence on a 2019 weapons conviction. The “Tunnel Vision” rapper came to the former commander in chief’s defense last year on social media, saying, “We need Trump in office forever, man. Just like how them Chinese and Russian and Korean motherf–kers have their president. Trump the best thing for America — ya heard me — for sure.” 

Her comments come as Trump faces a bevy of charges. Among them, in March, he was indicted in New York for allegedly making hush money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign; he pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of felony charges. In June, he was indicted on charges he mishandled top secret government documents, and faces 40 felonies in the case. Then in August, an Atlanta grand jury indicted Trump and 18 others on state charges for their alleged efforts to overturn the former president’s 2020 election defeat. 

The twice-impeached former president is currently the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.

Check out Red’s interview above. 

The Rose Hits No. 1 on Emerging Artists Chart Thanks to ‘Dual’ Album

The Rose re-enters Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart (dated Oct. 7) at No. 1, becoming the top up-and-coming act in the U.S. for the first time, thanks to the band’s new sophomore set, Dual. The coronation also marks the band’s first No. 1 rank on any Billboard chart.

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Dual, released Sept. 22 on Windfall/Transparent Arts, debuts at No. 9 on Top Alternative Albums, No. 13 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums and No. 83 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart with 12,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week, according to Luminate. With nearly 11,000 of that sum from album sales, the LP also debuts at No. 5 on the Top Album Sales chart.

The Rose is a pop-rock quartet from Seoul, South Korea, comprised of members Woosung (lead vocalist, guitar), Dojoon (keyboards, guitars, vocals), Jaehyeong (bass) and Hajoon (drums).



The group scored its first overall chart appearance in August 2017, when its track “Sorry” debuted and peaked at No. 14 on World Digital Song Sales. The group has charted four additional songs on that ranking since then: “Baby” (No. 14 peak in 2018), “She’s in the Rain” (No. 13, 2018), “Red” (No. 7, 2019) and “Beauty and the Beast” (No. 15, 2022).

The band has also charted two EPs on World Albums: Void reached No. 8 and Dawn: Mini hit No. 5, both in 2018.

In 2022, the group’s debut full-length, Heal, reached No. 4 on Heatseekers Albums and No. 19 on Top Album Sales.

The Emerging Artists chart ranks the most popular developing artists of the week, using the same formula as the all-encompassing Billboard Artist 100, which measures artist activity across multiple Billboard charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200. (The Artist 100 lists the most popular acts, overall, each week.) However, the Emerging Artists chart excludes acts that have notched a top 25 entry on either the Hot 100 or Billboard 200, as well as artists that have achieved two or more top 10s on Billboard’s “Hot” song genre charts and/or consumption-based “Top” album genre rankings.

Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and SZA Lead 2023 MTV EMAs Nominations: See List

Taylor Swift leads all nominees for the 2023 MTV EMAs with seven nods, including best artist, best song and best video, the latter for her single “Anti-Hero.” This year’s nominations were announced Wednesday morning (Oct. 4) and they find Olivia Rodrigo and SZA just behind Taylor with six noms each — including for best artist, best song and best video — with Doja Cat, Måneskin, Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj each garnering four.

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This year’s event will be broadcast live to more than 150 countries on Nov. 5 from the Paris Nord, marking the first time the ceremony has returned to the City of Light since 1995; the show will also be available in a number of international territories on Pluto TV and on-demand on Paramount+.

This year’s list of honorees also includes 26 first-time nominees, including BTS’ Jung Kook — his first EMA noms as a solo artist — as well as Central Cee, FLO, Ice Spice, PinkPanthress with three each and Asake, Coi Leray, Metro Boomin’, The Weeknd (who now goes by his birth name, Abel Tesfaye), NewJeans, Peso Pluma and Reneé Rapp with two each.

The 2023 EMAs will also add a new best Afrobeats category this year, with Asake, Aya Nakamura, Arya Starr, Burna Boy, Davido and Rema in the running. Fans can start voting for their favorite categories starting today here; voting will be open through 11:59 p.m. CET on Oct. 31. Fans in 24 regions around the world will be able to vote for their favorite performers in the best local act category.

Check out the complete list of 2023 MTV EMA nominees below.

Best Song

Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”

Jung Kook feat. Latto – “Seven”

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”

SZA – “Kill Bill”

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”

Best Video

Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion – “Bongos”

Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”

Little Simz – “Gorilla”

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”

SZA – “Kill Bill”

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

Best Artist

Doja Cat

Miley Cyrus

Nicki Minaj

Olivia Rodrigo

SZA

Taylor Swift 

Best Collaboration

Central Cee x Dave – “Sprinter”

David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray – “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”

KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG”

Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage – “Creepin’”

PinkPantheress, Ice Spice – “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2”

Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”

Best New

Coi Leray

FLO

Ice Spice 

Peso Pluma

PinkPantheress

Reneé Rapp

Best Pop

Billie Eilish 

Dua Lipa

Ed Sheeran

Miley Cyrus

Olivia Rodrigo

Taylor Swift

Best Afrobeats

Asake

Aya Nakamura

Ayra Starr

Burna Boy

Davido 

Rema

Best Rock

Arctic Monkeys

Foo Fighters

Måneskin

Metallica

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Killers

Best Latin 

Anitta

Bad Bunny

KAROL G

Peso Pluma

ROSALÍA 

Shakira

Best K-pop

FIFTY FIFTY

Jung Kook

NewJeans

SEVENTEEN

Stray Kids

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Best Alternative

Blur

Fall Out Boy

Lana Del Rey

Paramore

Thirty Seconds To Mars

YUNGBLUD

Best Electronic

Alesso 

Calvin Harris

David Guetta 

Swedish House Mafia 

Peggy Gou

Tiësto

Best Hip-Hop

Cardi B

Central Cee

Lil Wayne

Lil Uzi Vert

Metro Boomin

Nicki Minaj

Travis Scott

Best R&B

Chlöe

Chris Brown

Steve Lacy

Summer Walker

SZA 

Usher

Best Live

Beyoncé

Burna Boy

Ed Sheeran

Måneskin

SZA

Taylor Swift

The Weeknd

Best Push

November 2022: Flo Milli 

December 2022: Reneé Rapp 

January 2023: Sam Ryder 

February 2023: Armani White

March 2023: FLETCHER

April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER

May 2023: Ice Spice

June 2023: FLO

July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith 

August 2023: Kaliii

September 2023: GloRilla

October 2023: Benson Boone

Biggest Fans

Anitta

Billie Eilish 

BLACKPINK

Jung Kook

Nicki Minaj 

Olivia Rodrigo 

Sabrina Carpenter

Selena Gomez 

Taylor Swift

Best Group

aespa

FLO

Jonas Brothers

Måneskin

NewJeans

OneRepublic

SEVENTEEN

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

2023 MTV EMA Best Local Act Nominees:

Best African Act 

Asake

Burna Boy

Libianca

Tyler ICU

Diamond Platnumz

Best Asia Act

BE:FIRST

BRIGHT

Moria

Tiara Andini

TREASURE

Best Australian Act

Budjerah

G Flip

Kylie Minogue

The Kid LAROI

Troye Sivan

Best Brasilian Act

Anavitoria

Kevin O Chris

Luisa Sonza

Manu Gavassi

Matue

Best Canadian Act

Charlotte Cardin

Drake

Jamie Fine

Shania Twain

The Beaches

Best Caribbean Act

Eladio Carrion

Mora

Myke Towers

Rauw Alejandro

Young Miko

Best Dutch Act

FLEMMING

Idaly

Kriss Kross Amsterdam

S10

Zoë Tauran

Best French Act

Aime Simone

Aya Nakamura

Bigflo & Oli

Louane

Ninho

Slimane

Best German Act

Apache 207

AYLIVA

Kontra K

Luciano

Nina Chuba

Ski Aggu

Best Hungarian Act

ajsa luna

Analog Balaton

Beton.Hofi

Co Lee

Hundred Sins

Best India Act

Dee MC

DIVINE

Mali

Tsymyoki

When Chai Met Toast

Best Italian Act

Annalisa

Elodie

Lazza

Måneskin

The Kolors

Best Israeli Act

Anna Zak

Liad Meir

Noa Kirel

Nunu

Shira Margalit

Best Lat Am Central Act 

Blessd

Feid

Manuel Turizo

Ryan Castro

Sebastian Yatra

Best Lat Am North Act

Danna Paola

Kenia Os

Kevin Kaarl

Siddhartha

Natanael Cano

Best Lat Am South Act

Bizarrap

Duki

Fito Paez

Lali

Nicki Nicole

Best New Zealand Act

BENEE

JessB

Jolyon Petch

L.A.B.

SIX60

Best Nordic Act

Alessandra

Käärijä

Loreen

Swedish House Mafia

Zara Larsson

Best Polish Act

Doda

Kasia Nosowska

Mrozu

Sanah

Vito Bambino

Best Portuguese Act

Bárbara Bandeira

Bispo

Carolina Deslandes

Marisa Liz

PIRUKA

Best Spanish Act

Abraham Mateo

Álvaro de Luna

Lola Índigo

Quevedo

Samantha Hudson

Best Swiss Act

Danitsa

Gjon’s Tears

KT Gorique

Monet192

Stress

Best UK & Ireland Act 

Calvin Harris

Central Cee

PinkPantheress

Raye

Sam Smith

Tom Grennan

Best US Act

Doja Cat

Nicki Minaj

Olivia Rodrigo

SZA

Taylor Swift

Who Are You Excited To See Perform at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards? Vote!  

More than 25 artists are confirmed to take center stage at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air live Thursday, Oct. 5 on Telemundo. 

Bad Bunny—a 15-time finalist, including artist of the year, tour of the year, and top Latin albums artist of the year, male—is one of the most recent acts to confirm his participation at the awards show. Bunny, who released singles “un x100to” with Grupo Frontera, “Where She Goes,” and “Un Preview” this year, is set to make a surprising worldwide TV premiere. 

Other performers the audience can expect to see live are El Alfa, TINI, Nicki Nicole, Manuel Turizo, Farruko, Myke Towers, Marc Anthony, Olga Tañon, Sofia Reyes, and Peso Pluma, who leads this year’s awards show as a 21-time finalist across 15 categories, including artist of the year and artist of the year, new. 

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In addition to the promising star-studded lineup, a couple of special awards will be presented: Mexican cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules will receive the Billboard Artistic Trajectory Award; Puerto Rican reggaeton star Ivy Queen will receive the Billboard Icon Award; and Colombian sensation Karol G will receive the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for the philanthropic work through her foundation, “Con Cora.”

Hosted by Jacqueline Bracamontes and Danilo Carrera, the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards will broadcast live on Oct. 5 via Telemundo and will also be simulcast on Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean via Telemundo Internacional.

Below, check out all the performers and vote for you you’re excited to see: 

MetaMoon Music Festival Is Heading Back to NYC With MetaMoon Block Party

MetaMoon Music Festival revealed on Wednesday (Oct. 4) that it’s returning to New York City this winter with a special, one-night-only event.

The MetaMoon Block Party, which will take place on Dec. 3 at Hammerstein Ballroom, will host a lineup of some of today’s biggest API artists including PSY.P of Higher Brothers and special guest MC Jin. AK Liu Zhang, Kire, Marf @ Collar, Miss Ko, Nene, Nineone and Sunkis. The New York show will kick off additional dates and line-ups in various cities across the U.S. to be announced in the coming months.

MetaMoon Block Party lineup

MetaMoon Block Party lineup

MetaMoon

“It was great to see Asian artists and music fans come together last year to celebrate our culture at the inaugural MetaMoon. This year, I’m excited to be back as a special guest performer,” said MC Jin in a press statement. “I’ve always believed music is the perfect bridge between different cultures and backgrounds. More than ever, Asian representation on stage has shown great influence and importance in a connected world.”

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“MetaMoon was born in NYC last year with a talented lineup supported by their incredible fans and followers of Asian pop culture. We are so excited to be expanding upon that this year with MetaMoon Block Party,” added Grace Chen, founder of MetaMoon. “We started MetaMoon with the belief that music is a universal language that can foster stronger understanding between cultures. Bringing the festival back in this new format and being able to tour it next year allows us to continue our mission of providing a platform for creating a genuine connection between Asian artists and global music fans.”

Presale for MetaMoon Block Party starts on Friday (Oct. 6), with general on-sale starting Monday (Oct. 9) at Ticketmaster.com.

Blackpink’s Jennie Announces Release Date for Solo Single ‘You & Me’

Blackpink‘s Jennie is prepping a solo track for release this week. The singer announced that the “special single” titled “You & Me” will drop on Friday (Oct. 6). The reveal came on the K-pop group’s official Instagram, accompanied by a shot of Jennie in a red ruffled shirt and matching top standing in the ocean in front of a full moon.

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According to NME, the song debuted during the opening date of Blackpink’s Born Pink world tour at the KSPO Dome in Seoul last October, with a remixed version spotlighted during the band’s set at Coachella earlier this year.

The song will be Jennie’s first solo venture since the release of her 2018 debut solo single, “Solo,” which hit No. 1 on Bilboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart in Nov. 2018. Though critics savaged the one-season show, Jennie’s role on The Weeknd’s ill-fated HBO drama The Idol was one of the few highlights of the music industry soap opera.

Among the handful of memorable take-aways from the show was the down-tempo single “One of the Girls,” an emotionally turgid song about fame, control, desire and choking during sex featuring Jennie, show star Lily-Rose Depp and the Weeknd (who now goes by his birth name, Abel Tesfaye).

Blackpink wound down their Born Pink Encore Tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles with a final show on Aug. 26, following stadium gigs in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Rutherford, New Jersey and two shows at Foro Sol in Mexico City.

Check out the Jennie “You & Me” single announcement below.