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Aubrey O’Day is hopeful for the future following Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest.
“The purpose of Justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter. Women never get this. I feel validated. Today is a win for women all over the world, not just me. Things are finally changing,” the former Danity Kane member tweeted.
O’Day has a longtime history of speaking out against Diddy. Danity Kane was formed back in 2005 on Diddy’s Making the Band and the group was also later signed to his Bad Boy Records label. O’Day was kicked out of the group in 2008, and she alleged on Call Her Daddy in 2022 that her departure was related to her refusal to fulfill non-music requests for the rapper.
The purpose of Justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter. Women never get this. I feel validated. Today is a win for women all over the world, not just me. Things are finally changing.— Aubrey O’Day (@AubreyODay) September 17, 2024
Diddy was arrested Monday (Sept. 16) in New York City, and Manhattan federal prosecutors have since unveiled the substance of their case against Combs — accusing him of operating a criminal enterprise centered on his “pervasive pattern of abuse toward women.”
The indictment, obtained by Billboard, includes allegations of sexual abuse, accusing rapper and music executive of running a racketeering conspiracy that included sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and bribery. If convicted of the charges, Combs is facing a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life behind bars. Combs is expected to be arraigned later on Tuesday at a Manhattan federal courthouse.
In a video obtained by CNN earlier this year and dated March 5, 2016, Combs appears to shove his longtime former partner, Cassie Ventura, to the ground near an elevator bank, kick her several times while she lies on the ground and drag her down a hallway. The contents of the video mirror an assault allegation Ventura made in a now-settled lawsuit she filed against Diddy in November.
Ventura was the first to accuse Diddy of sexual assault, filing a lawsuit in November in which attorneys for Cassie claimed she “endured over a decade of his violent behavior and disturbed demands,” including repeated physical attacks and forcing her to “engage in sex acts with male sex workers” while he masturbated. According to the complaint, after she attempted to separate from him in 2018 after an on-and-off public relationship for 11 years, Combs allegedly “forced her into her home and raped her while she repeatedly said ‘no’ and tried to push him away.” The case was soon settled, but Combs was then sued by multiple other women who claimed they were sexually abused by the hip-hop mogul.
O’Day has previously spoken out in defense of Ventura. “I am in full support of Cassie,” O’Day shared in a statement to ET in November. “It isn’t easy to take on one of the most powerful people in this industry and be honest about your experience with them. I know what her heart is feeling right now, because I have done so as well. May her voice bring all the others to the table, so we can start having more transparent conversations about what is actually happening behind the scenes. There is a lot more to all of our stories!”
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call the confidential National Domestic Violence Hotline toll-free at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org.
Quavo and Ty Dolla $ign are taking their cinematic tunes to the silver screen. Huncho and Ty teamed up with Brian Tyler on Tuesday (Sept. 17) to unleash the futuristic visual to Transformers One‘s “If I Fall.”
Tyler is on double-duty as the uptempo song’s producer while also directing the robot-themed clip under his immersive audio-visual project Are We Dreaming.
Huncho and Ty dish out motivational rhymes over the thumping production while moving around a dark room dodging the flashing lights. Chaos ensues with scenes mixed in from the new film, and it’s easy to see how the sci-fi clip could align with the action-packed blockbuster.
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“Ain’t no plan B and we won’t stand for defeat/ I’m in my prime, Optimus (Optimus), I’m goin’ big, Megatron/ I’ma sting, Bumblebee, now crown the king, hope you proud of me,” Quavo raps while incorporating Transformers characters into his bars.
Tyler, who is also on board as the film’s composer, reflected on having the opportunity to team up with the pair of hip-hop titans on the track that arrived earlier this month. “It was so dope getting to work with legends Quavo and Ty Dolla who both killed it in the video for ‘If I Fall,’ which has a sick sci-fi feel that brings you into the world of Transformers,” he said. “The sets were epic, it felt like we were on Cybertron.”
He continued of his all-encompassing involvement in the creative process: “It’s kind of crazy directing your own music video when you are also singing on it, playing the drums, editing the cut, and creating the visual effects. Being so integrated in the entire process has been insane but amazing.”
Transformers One hits U.S. theaters on Friday (Sept. 20) along with the release of the blockbuster’s soundtrack. With a reported budget of $75 million, the animated flick stars Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Hamm and more in the loaded cast.
Watch the “If I Fall” video below.
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With the first quarter of the 21st century coming to a close, Billboard is spending the next few months counting down our staff picks for the 25 greatest pop stars of the last 25 years. We’ve already named our Honorable Mentions and our No. 25, No. 24, No. 23, No. 22, No. 21, No. 20, No. 19, and No. 18 stars, and now we remember the century in Shakira — who transformed Latin pop with her groundbreaking early-’00s crossover, soared to global fame with hits like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka” and influenced a new generation of artists across multiple genres.
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At the dawn of the 21st century, Shakira not only emerged as a global musical force, but reshaped how Latin artists crossed into the mainstream, and thrived there. As the millennium turned, the concept of a Latin pop artist dominating worldwide charts in two languages was more aspirational than realistic. This was despite some crossover successes seen in the late ’90s — artists like Jennifer Lopez sang primarily in English, and only a few, such as Selena and Ricky Martin, made significant impacts while performing extensively in Spanish. Yet, Shakira artfully bridged this gap, turning it into a cultural spectacle in 2001. Blending her Colombian roots with a sharp pop sensibility, she not only broke through linguistic barriers, but also set the stage for the breakthroughs enjoyed by non-English speaking artists to follow.
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Today, the 15-time Latin Grammy winner is widely considered the most successful female Latin artist of all time, with 95 million records sold over her three-decade career. Many of her songs have become more than hits, but rather pivotal cultural moments that showcase her as a multidimensional superstar. From the Hot 100 No. 1 juggernaut “Hips Don’t Lie” to the FIFA World Cup banger “Waka Waka” and the unapologetic diss track “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with Bizarrap – released, respectively, across the first three decades of the 21st century – her tracks have become staples at global gatherings, turning sports anthems into pop phenomena and solidifying her status as an international music ambassador.
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Fresh off conquering Latin America with her wildly successful third and fourth studio albums — 1995’s Pies Descalzos and 1998’s Dónde Están Los Ladrones? — Shakira, a belly-dancing, guitar-playing, drum-pounding singer/songwriter, transformed her image and sound to kick off the new millennium. Trading her rockera brunette locks for a sexy blonde look, she set her eyes on the English-language market and released the groundbreaking Laundry Service in November 2001. Propelled by timeless hits like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes,” which climbed to No. 6 and No. 9 on the Hot 100, respectively — the album reached a No. 3 peak on the Billboard 200. The LP was both a commercial triumph and a cultural milestone for Latin pop.
In the peak teen-pop era of TRL, Shakira distinctively carved out her niche as an alternative-leaning pop artist — complete with dirty blonde hair with occasional black streaks and braids, and a hippie-rocker look. An exceptional dancer and multi-instrumentalist with a genuine rock edge, she also stood out as a songwriter who uniquely adapted her lyrical style to English — a language she had only recently learned. Her instantly recognizable voice carried a deep, powerful tone laden with emotional cries, reminiscent of Mercedes Sosa’s depth and Alanis Morissette’s raw energy. Yet, it was entirely her own, and her combination of talents and novel approach made Shakira a unique presence in early 2000s pop, challenging conventional norms and paving a new path towards stardom.
Shakira
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Shakira
Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images
As Shakira’s presence on the world stage expanded, she continued to break new ground. Released in June 2005, Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 marked her sixth studio album, and first while on top of the world. Despite her major pop success singing in English on Laundry Service, she still decided to return to singing in Spanish for its follow-up — a risky move that nonetheless paid off both artistically and commercially. Co-produced by luminaries like Gustavo Cerati, Lester Méndez, Luis Fernando Ochoa and José “Gocho” Torres, singles like “No”, “Días de Enero”, “Las de la Intuición” and “La Tortura” with Alejandro Sanz gained wide recognition. Particularly notable was her team-up with the Spanish superstar Sanz, one of the first examples of a major collaboration in Latin music, at a time when such partnerships were rare. Largely praised as one of the best duets of the 2000s, the pop-reggaetón track helped set a precedent for future collaborations across the industry. The latter song became the biggest hit of the set, and the only one that entered the Hot 100.
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The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, the first all-Spanish set to break to the chart’s top 5. Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 also spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums, the most for the Colombian star at the top of the ranking. She quickly followed that set with Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, the English-language counterpart to the Spanish-sung Vol. 1, released that November. Here, Shakira continued to explore new musical territories, venturing more into mainstream pop and rock, marking a noticeable shift from her Latin pop roots and Middle Eastern influences. This album saw her collaborating with iconic musicians such as Carlos Santana on “Illegal” and Gustavo Cerati on “The Day and the Time,” though these tracks, despite the star-studded lineup, didn’t achieve the impact expected.
However, “Hips Don’t Lie,” featuring Wyclef Jean, was added the following year to Shakira’s Vol. 2 in a reissue aimed at boosting the album’s sales, after lead single “Don’t Bother” had underwhelming commercial success. This move helped the album experience a significant revival, boosting it from No. 98 all the way to the top 10 that May. Blending salsa and reggaetón with a Jerry Rivera sample, the song also catapulted to the top of the Hot 100, becoming Shakira’s only No. 1 to date on the all-genre chart and remaining there for two weeks. Despite the album’s rocky start, the LP was ultimately redeemed by the massive success of “Hips,” which has endured as one of the best-remembered pop songs of that entire era (and one of our staff’s top 500 pop songs of all time).
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The Colombian superstar continued to pour out more records, and released She Wolf in October 9, 2009 — which snarling electropop title track ended up becoming her moniker up to this day, and reached No. 11 on Hot 100 and No. 1 on Dance Club Songs. The album was followed by the more back-to-basics Sale el Sol on 2010, which returned Shakira to the Billboard 200’s top 10, peaking at No. 7. Prior to these, in 2007, she also united with superstar Beyoncé on “Beautiful Liar,” marking an unprecedented collaboration of its time, an American pop icon and a Latin sensation. The song reached No. 3 on the Hot 100.
While she continued to prove her trendsetting and hit-making prowess as a singles and albums artist, she also established herself as a powerhouse in the live performance arena. Her electrifying performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where she sang the tournament’s official trilingual anthem “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” featuring Freshlyground, became a global call to unity, reflecting the spirit of the tournament and further establishing Shakira as a beloved global icon. (It was also there where she met her former partner, soccer star Gerard Piqué, who she would have two children with and be with for over a decade.) This wasn’t Shakira’s first World Cup performance; she debuted in 2006 with “Hips Don’t Lie” at the closing ceremony in Germany, returned for South Africa, and again in 2014 in Brazil, where she released “La La La” featuring Carlinhos Brown.
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Shakira’s musical journey saw continued success with the release of her eponymous 2014 album and 2017’s El Dorado. The former became her highest-peaking album on the Billboard 200, reaching No. 2, and the latter soared to the No. 1 position on Top Latin Albums for five weeks, also dominating the Latin Pop Albums chart for an impressive 63 weeks. Although these achievements maintained her relevance, they couldn’t quite match the explosive impact of her early 21st-century successes. However, notable hits from these albums, like the Shakira-Rihanna collaboration “Can’t Remember To Forget You” and “Chantaje” featuring the then-rising Colombian pop star Maluma, made significant inroads on the Hot 100.
Yet, there was perhaps no greater proof that Latin music cemented its place in American pop culture in the 2020 Super Bowl LIV halftime show, when Shakira and Jennifer Lopez took the world’s biggest stage together on February 2. Shak’s set was thoroughly Latin, featuring a lineup of her Spanish-language hits and dance styles that highlighted her Colombian (and Lebanese) heritage, including champeta and mapalé, an Afro-Colombian dance. This made her performance distinct compared to other Super Bowl halftime shows, aside from Gloria Estefan who performed three times in the ‘90s. The set also featured then-rising global stars Bad Bunny and J Balvin, bringing their own tropical-urbano flair. In contrast, J.Lo delivered more of a razzle-dazzle, high-energy set, reminiscent of a Las Vegas show.
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Two years later, Shakira found herself making big headlines again – this time not for her musical achievements or jaw-dropping performances, but for her widely publicized breakup (and tax issues). In early 2022, rumors had swirled that Shakira was ending her 11-year relationship with Gerard Piqué. That June, they confirmed their split, igniting a flurry of tabloid speculation about the soccer player’s infidelity with a younger, 23-year-old woman he reportedly started dating soon after. This personal turmoil attracted intense media scrutiny, with paparazzi besieging Shakira’s home and her children’s school in Barcelona, transforming a private family ordeal into a full-blown media circus.
As much public embarrassment as the relationship fallout caused Shakira, it also helped inspire her most commercially successful period in at least a decade. At the start of 2023, she released the explosive electropop diss track, “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with Argentine hitmaker Bizarrap. Her explicit finger-pointing and unapologetic storytelling marked a significant departure from the usual veiled references in breakup songs, as she provided intimate details of her breakup, leaving no room for ambiguity by naming names and addressing personal drama head-on. With bars like “Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan” (“Women don’t cry anymore, women cash in”), the self-proclaimed She Wolf penned a new manifesto of female empowerment, challenging the double standards imposed on Latin women in society. The song became the most viewed clip on YouTube for a Latin track in its first 24 hours, with 63 million views, and marked multiple Billboard milestones, including making Shakira the first female vocalist to debut in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 with a Spanish-language track; it also won song of the year and best pop song at the 2023 Latin Grammys.
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The hits kept rolling in, as Shakira scored another Hot 100 top 10 with Karol G on their much-anticipated teamup “TQG.” Together, the two biggest Colombian female pop stars one generation apart delivered the ultimate tabloid-pop hit; Karol G also addressed her tumultuous breakup with Puerto Rican trap star Anuel AA. Both “Vol. 53” and “TKG” reached the Hot 100’s top 10, and “TQG” topped the Billboard Global 200. The song became Karol’s first top 10 hit, and still her only top 10 hit to date.
Shakira essentially spent the rest of the year collecting accolades for her spectacular comeback and overall legacy. In May 2023, Billboard honored Shakira as its first ever Latin Woman of the Year; in July, Premios Juventud gave her its Agent of Change Award. In September, she received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards — the first South American artist to receive it — where she also performed a dazzling, 10-minute medley of hits.
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Nonetheless, in her 2023 cover story with Billboard, Shakira revealed that for the past seven years, she had been sidetracked by family matters and life in Barcelona, far from music industry action. Her focus shifted following her romantic split, when she cathartically began pouring her heart into her music. Further hits followed: “Te Felicito,” with Rauw Alejandro, climbed to No. 10 on Hot Latin Songs and No. 67 on the Hot 100 in May and June of 2022, respectively; in November, “Monotonía,” with Ozuna (its video shows Shakira’s heart being ripped out and crushed by a shoe), climbed to No. 3 on Hot Latin Songs.
With a gap of seven years since El Dorado — due to Piqué “dragging” her down, in her words — Shak triumphantly released Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran in March 22, 2024. The album, her 12th studio effort, showcased a hodgepodge of sounds, from infectious Afrobeats to soulful bachata, Tex-Mex rhythms and even a return to her rock roots. It quickly garnered critical acclaim, also debuting at No. 1 on both the Top Latin Albums and Top Latin Pop Albums charts. This milestone marked Shakira as the first woman to top these charts across four decades. Continuing her journey as a monumental force, Shakira is set to return to the stage with Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, kicking off November 2, on her first tour since 2018 with El Dorado World Tour.
Shakira
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Shakira’s early foresight in blending Spanish and English within her music paved the way for today’s artists, who now benefit from the doors she helped to open. Reflecting on the music industry today, superstars like Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Karol G navigate high-profile careers entirely in Spanish, a testament to how far the industry has evolved from the days when bilingual or English-language offerings were deemed necessary for true crossover success.
With the tremendous and more recent success of superstars like Bunny, Balvin, Karol, and also música mexicana stars like Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera — both collaborators on her latest album — their momentum has also helped legacy Latin artists like Shakira maintain their relevance and influence amid the surge of Latin music, currently the fastest-growing genre in the U.S. With the 2024 Latin Grammy nominations announced on Tuesday (Sept. 17), Shakira continues to garner recognition: She is currently nominated for three awards, including album of the year for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, song of the year for the Tex-Mex-leaning “(Entre Paréntesis)” with Grupo Frontera, and best Latin electronic music performance for “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 (Tiësto Remix).”
Shakira’s saga, marked by groundbreaking successes and personal challenges, epitomizes the journey of a true pop titan in the 21st century. Charting a path that brought Latin rhythms into mainstream global consciousness, her countless hits and charismatic stage presence have not only defined her career but also substantially influenced the current musical landscape. Moreover, her resilience and adaptability exhibit a model of empowerment and artistic authenticity. By weaving through personal hardships and consistently emerging on top, Shakira has not merely navigated the complex terrains of global pop music but has left an indelible mark on it. As we celebrate her as one of the greatest pop stars of this era, Shakira remains a pillar of innovation and resilience. After all, her hits don’t lie.
Read more about the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century here — and be sure to check back on Thursday when our No. 16 artist is revealed!
As she celebrates the first decade of her career as a soloist, Ángela Aguilar has chosen to honor Mexico by showcasing a collection of striking traditional dresses she has worn throughout the years.
The regional Mexican singer, who on Tuesday (Sep. 17) received a nomination to the Latin Grammy Awards in the album of the year category for her set Bolero, kicked off in recent days an exhibit at the Mexican Consulate in Houston, which specially arranged an area for visitors to enjoy the collection titled “Ángela Aguilar: 10 Years Singing and Dressing Mexico.”
The show is free and open to the public indefinitely, from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (local time). It includes 25 outfits, including the one she wore in the music video for “Solamente Una Vez,” a song included in her newly nominated album.
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Other dresses that have marked important moments in Aguilar’s career — from her beginnings singing “La Chancla” to a recent one with rebozos used at an awards ceremony — are part of this interactive experience, which includes QR codes on each piece to share information about the moment they were used.
Not to be missed is the short red dress she wore in the video for “Dime Cómo Quieres” alongside her now-husband, regional Mexican star Christian Nodal. Another notable piece is a tehuana from the state of Chiapas, hand-embroidered by artisans, which she wore for the cover of her album Primero Soy Mexicana.
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Ángela Aguilar, who is the daughter of Mexican music icon Pepe Aguilar and granddaughter of the legendary Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, made her onstage debut at only 3, while she and her family accompanied her father on tour. Five years later, she released her first album at the age of 8 — a joint album with her brother Leonardo titled Nueva Tradición that was powered by banda, mariachi and norteño sounds.
Her solo debut was in 2014 with the Christmas album Navidad con Ángela Aguilar, which was followed by Primero Soy Mexicana (2018), Baila Esta Cumbia (2020), Que No Se Apague La Música (2020), Mexicana Enamorada (2021) and Bolero ( 2024).
Visitors to her fashion exhibit in Houston will also see the tricolor dress, in honor of the Mexican flag, included on her family’s Jaripeo Sin Fronteras Tour, as well as the princess cut dress that the singer wore in front of Queen Sofia of Spain, which also showcased her Mexican roots.
Designers who have worked for Aguilar and contributed to this unique collection include Nelly de Anda, Iann Dey, Diego Medel, Enrique Samartin, Felipe Alvarado, Anayeli García Cruz and Felipe Botello, among others.
The Mexican consulate in Houston is located at 3200 Rogerdale Rd. in Houston, Texas. Watch the video with part of Ángela Aguilar’s dresses collection above.
Billboard Latin Music Week is returning to Miami Beach on Oct. 14-18, with confirmed superstars including Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz and Peso Pluma, among many others. For tickets and more details, visit Billboardlatinmusicweek.com.
While often underappreciated commercially and critically during their turn-of-the-century peak, Sacramento alt-metal band Deftones has enjoyed an extended revival of interest in recent years, consistently ranking as one of the top-performing bands on streaming and hosting the Dia de los Deftones single-day festival every year since 2020.
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Now, the band is embarking on its first headline tour since 2022, and they’re visiting arenas across North America. Deftones will kick off the untitled 2025 trek at Portland’s Moda Center on Feb. 25, and then will hit legendary venues such as the Kia Forum in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden in New York over the following month and a half, before wrapping at Boston’s TD Garden in April.
Guests on the tour will be Texas prog-metal veterans The Mars Volta and Boston nu-gazers Fleshwater. Tickets go on sale Friday (Sept. 20) at 10 a.m. local time, and will of course be followed with this year’s Dia de los Deftones festival in November, featuring such other acts as IDLES, Health and Sunny Day Real Estate (performing the entirety of its iconic 1994 debut album Diary).
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Watch a very Deftones trailer for the upcoming tour and see a full list of dates below:
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2025 TOUR DATES:
2/25 Portland, OR – Moda Center2/27 Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena3/1 Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center3/4 San Francisco, CA – Chase Center3/6 Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum3/8 Las Vegas, NV MGM – Grand Garden Arena3/9 Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center3/12 Austin, TX – Moody Center3/13 San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center3/15 Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center3/16 Houston, TX – Toyota Center3/18 Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena3/20 Orlando, FL – Kia Center3/22 Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena3/24 Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center3/26 Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena3/28 Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse3/29 Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena3/31 Chicago, IL – United Center4/1 Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena4/3 New York, NY – Madison Square Garden4/4 Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center4/6 Washington, DC – Capital One Arena4/8 Boston, MA – TD Garden
Eve was intent on proving the doubters wrong with her Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady debut album back in September 1999. As told in her new Who’s That Girl? memoir, which was released on Tuesday (Sept. 17), Eve recalled a phone call from Jay-Z where he tried to temper the Ruff Ryders rapper’s expectations when it came to her debut LP’s commercial performance.
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Jay allegedly told Eve that female rappers “don’t really do that well” on the day her ’99 project arrived. However, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady went on to top the Billboard 200 with more than 200,000 total album units sold in the first week. With assists from Swizz Beatz, DMX, Missy Elliott, The Lox, Faith Evans, Beanie Sigel and more, Let There Be Eve has sold more than two million copies to date.
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Eve appeared on The Breakfast Club on Tuesday (Sept. 17) in support of her memoir, and she provided context on the phone call with Hov, which was not intended to come off as malicious at all, but put a battery in her back.
“That was one of those things we were like, ‘Do we put that in?’ Because you know how people get,” she explained. “It was nothing bad about that. It was one of those things where it was a very amazing phone call that I needed.”
Even continued: “That was one of those I always felt like I was the underdog anyway. He wasn’t saying it out of malice or mean. It was facts, really. But I was like, eh, OK, let me see. I’ma show you. It’s all good. And it went on to be fine. Like I say in the book, we all have that person.”
Billboard has reached out to Jay-Z for comment.
Throughout the book, Eve disclosed she had to deal with plenty of doubters when it came to executives who continually disrespected her. “The audacity that these men had,” she wrote in the book. “Now I have age and experience on my side, nobody’s coming at me like that.”
Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady spawned a pair of hits with the Swizz Beatz-produced “Gotta Man,” which reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the “What Ya’ll Want (Remix)” featuring Dru Hill’s Nokio, which was added as a bonus track and topped the Hot Rap Songs chart.
Watch her interview with The Breakfast Club below:
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Linkin Park did not pause very often in Brooklyn on Tuesday night (Sept. 16). The band’s second full concert (following Wednesday’s show at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles) since unexpectedly returning earlier this month did not include drawn-out speeches, prolonged stage banter between members, a ton of reflection on their seven-year break or many […]
Milan reconfirmed itself as Italy’s capital of music by hosting the first Italian (and European) edition of Billboard Women In Music, the award ceremony that celebrates the most influential women in the music industry.
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Kickstarting Fashion Week, the event took place Monday (Sept. 16) at Teatro Manzoni, with the patronage of the Municipality of Milan and Camera della Moda, the association of Italian fashion brands.
Opened by a video message from the mayor Giuseppe Sala, the show was hosted by two protagonists of Italian cinema and TV, Cristiana Capotondi and Maurizio Lastrico. With their sympathy and energy, the two hosts introduced the honorees and the special guests who took the stage.
In addition to the awards, the first edition of Billboard Italia Women in Music also saw special performances by Gaia (Hitmaker of the Year, who sang her summer hit, “Sesso e Samba”), emerging talent Bu Cuaron, Federica Abbate (Songwriter of the Year, who sang a medley of some of the biggest hits she wrote for others) and Ariete.
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At the end of the show, Rinascente, Italy’s top luxury store and one of the main partners of Billboard Italia Women In Music, welcomed guests to a spectacular party on the rooftop of the iconic store in Piazza Duomo, where the music continued with DJ sets by Anfisa Letyago (DJ of the Year) and Margherita Grechi and live performances by Alexia and Gaia, who sang “Sesso e Samba” again but this time with the surprise participation of Tony Effe.
Bu Cuarons on September 16 during the first Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music.
Elena Di Vincenzo
In addition to Rinascente itself, the sponsors were Rabanne and Bellissima, which presented the “Stylist of the Year” award.
Radio 105 was the official radio station of Billboard Italia Women in Music and presented the “Hitmaker of The Year” award, in addition to animating both the event at Teatro Manzoni and the aftershow with its speakers and DJs.
Billboard Italia Women in Music was created with the support of the collecting society SIAE (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori) and produced in collaboration with Vivo Concerti, with direction by Gianlorenzo Mortgat. Ticketmaster Italia was the ticketing partner of the event.
Below is the complete list of honorees, with the official reasons for their respective awards.
ANNA, Woman of the YearHer new album, Vera Baddie, broke several records, some unbeaten for almost 20 years, occupying the first place in the Italian chart for nine consecutive weeks. Since 2020, she has been breaking down the gender gap in Italian rap like never before.
Laura Pausini, IconShe’s the artist who, more than anyone else, in her 30-year career, has held the flag of Italian music high in the world. A globally recognized talent, Pausini is an artist who, despite having achieved all possible goals, never stops putting herself on the line.
Elodie, Performer of the YearHer tour in the arenas was explosive and entirely sold out, with a live show that was a manifesto of freedom. With two dates in the stadiums already scheduled for next summer in Milan and Naples, she will be the third Italian female artist to take the stage of San Siro Stadium and the first woman to perform at the Maradona Stadium.
Gaia on September 16 during the first Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music.
Elena Di Vincenzo
Gaia, Hitmaker of the Year by Radio 105An artistic vision that leaves nothing to chance and steals nothing from her naturalness. Gaia is synonymous with freedom of expression, in music but not only. This summer she was an absolute protagonist with “Sesso e Samba” feat. Tony Effe. That refrain is exactly what we can’t get out of our heads.
Rose Villain, Impact AwardFrom her debut album Radio Gotham onwards, she has established herself on the Italian charts. Rose Villain has never stopped expressing her opinions, from the topic of environmental sustainability to that of the inequality of treatment between men and women in music and all other professional sectors.
BigMama on September 16 during the first Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music.
Camilla Pisoni
BigMama, BreakthroughWith an explosive participation in the Sanremo Festival, where she honored women with a performance in which the key words were “sisterhood” and “female power,” Italy was able to get to know her music and her personality better. BigMama is the most disruptive revelation of 2024.
Clara, Rising StarA rising star of Italian music, she introduced us to her talent as a singer and as an actress, obtaining impressive results in a very short time, from the success of the TV series Mare Fuori to her participation in the Sanremo Festival. For this reason, Clara is the Rising Star at Billboard Italia Women in Music.
Federica Abbate on September 16 during the first Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music.
Camilla Pisoni
Federica Abbate, Songwriter of the YearHow many hits of the last few years in Italy bear her signature? Many. Federica Abbate is a singer-songwriter who a year ago published her first album of unreleased songs, Canzoni per gli Altri. From pop to rap, everything her pen touches turns to gold. Or rather platinum, and in one case, even diamond.
Anfisa Letyago, DJ of the YearA true pride of the Italian electronic scene, Anfisa Letyago has climbed to the top of the international dance scene with her engaging DJ sets and her sophisticated productions. Now she is touring the world but her heart stays in Naples, a city that never ceases to give her ideas and inspiration.
Marta Salogni, Producer of the YearShe’s the producer and sound engineer who makes Italy proud on a global level. Björk, Depeche Mode, Animal Collective and Bon Iver are just some of the artists who have had the pleasure of having her in the control room. For this reason, Marta Salogni is Producer of the Year of Billboard Italia Women in Music.
Marta Donà, Manager of the YearFrom the courageous choice to start a managerial career on her own, very young, in 2012, to the most recent milestone of Angelina Mango’s victory at the Sanremo Festival, from the strength of her all-female team to the passion she puts in her work: this is why Marta Donà is Manager of the Year of Billboard Italia Women in Music.
Sara Potente, A&R of the YearShe discovered new talents of Italian music and with determination worked alongside them until she achieved the success she deserved. Now she is the director of Numero Uno, the historic label (part of Sony Music Italy) that was founded by legendary Lucio Battisti and songwriter Mogol.
Ramona Tabita, Stylist of the Year by BellissimaShe takes care of the image of some of the most important protagonists of the Italian music scene and beyond. She is a creative consultant for several brands. She is undoubtedly the name that best embodies the connection between music and fashion, and that is why Ramona Tabita is Stylist of the Year by Bellissima.
If you’re tempted to wish Chappell Roan some good luck, babe, at the 2025 Grammys, save it. The 26-year-old pop star isn’t gunning for any other major awards this cycle, even after winning best new artist at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.
In her cover story interview with The Face published Monday (Sept. 16), Roan explained why she’s “kind of hoping” she doesn’t take home any trophies for her massive debut album era with The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. “My mom would love to go to the Grammys or the Brits,” she told the publication. “[But] I’m kind of hoping I don’t win, because then everyone will get off my a–: ‘See guys, we did it and we didn’t win, bye!’ I won’t have to do this again!”
The “Hot to Go!” artist went on to explain what’s more important to her than a golden gramophone statuette: sustainability. “That’s my biggest goal right now,” she said. “My brain is like: Quit right now, take next year off. This industry and artistry f–king thrive on mental illness, burnout, overworking yourself, overextending yourself, not sleeping. You get bigger, the more unhealthy you are. Isn’t that so f–ked up?”
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“The ambition is: How do I not hate myself, my job, my life, and do this?” she added. “Because right now, it’s not working. I’m just scrambling to try to feel healthy.”
Roan has been open about feeling overwhelmed in the face of sudden super fame, the negative aspects of which she compared to an “abusive ex-husband” in the cover story. But whether she’s ready for it or not, the Missouri native is expected to snag nominations for many of the major Grammy categories ahead of February’s ceremony, particularly best new artist.
And if the Sept. 11 VMAs are any indication, Roan is a shoo-in. After delivering a fiery Joan of Arc-inspired performance of her Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit “Good Luck, Babe!” on the UBS Arena stage in New York, the musician beat out Tyla and Gracie Abrams for best new artist.
“I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me, and I dedicate this to queer and trans people who fuel pop,” she said during her acceptance speech. “To the gays, who dedicate my songs to someone they love or hate … for all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you. I understand you, because I am one of you.”
Gospel legend CeCe Winans is among the first round of performers set for the 2024 GMA Dove Awards. Other performers include Tauren Wells — who is also set to host the show — Crowder, Natalie Grant, Forrest Frank, Joseph Habedank and Maverick City Music with Naomi Raine.
The 55th annual GMA Dove Awards will be presented on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville. The show will be taped and will premiere on TBN and TBN+ on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET. An audio simulcast will air on SiriusXM’s The Message (channel 65) and on the SiriusXM App.
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An encore presentation will air on TBN and TBN+ on Friday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET.
Tickets for the Nashville taping are sold out.
Performers were announced on Tuesday (Sept. 17) on SiriusXM The Message by host and nominee Wells, whose project Joy in the Morning (Horizon Edition) is nominated for pop/contemporary album of the year.
Prior to the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards broadcast, Kristin Adams will host a red-carpet show on Friday, Oct. 4, on TBN+.
Brandon Lake is this year’s leading nominee, with 16 nods. Other top nominees include writer-producer Jeff Pardo (11 nominations), Chris Brown (10), Chandler Moore (10), writer-producer Jonathan Smith (10), Winans (five) and Raine (five).
The GMA Dove Awards have added a new category this year – Spanish language worship recorded song of the year.
See a list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in top categories here. For the full list of GMA Dove Awards nominees in all categories, visit doveawards.com.
The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.