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Coldplay is set to perform on the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.
Hosted by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau, the 2024 BBMAs presented by Marriott Bonvoy is set to air on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 8 pm ET/PT on FOX and Fire TV Channels, and on-demand on Paramount+, with performances also rolling out across Billboard.com and via @BBMAs and @Billboard social channels. Coldplay joins SEVENTEEN, Teddy Swims and Tyla, who were previously announced as performers on the show.
Coldplay is a finalist for two Billboard Music Awards this year: top duo/group and top rock touring artist.
In October, the band landed its fifth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 – its first in more than 10 years – with Moon Music. The album has spawned two hits on the Billboard Hot 100 – “Feels Like I’m Falling in Love” and “We Pray” (featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & Tini). Coldplay has so far had two No. 1 Hot 100 hits – “Viva La Vida” in June 2008 and “My Universe,” a collab with BTS, in 2021.
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As previously announced, Zach Bryan, Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen and Sabrina Carpenter are the leading finalists for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.
This marks the show’s return to FOX, which carried the show from its 1990 inaugural broadcast through 2006. In addition, Paramount+ will provide on-demand streaming of the show, while the free Fire TV Channels app will provide one-click access to fans using Amazon devices (Fire TV smart TVs and streaming media players and Fire Tablets).
The BBMAs will celebrate music’s greatest achievements with exclusive original performances, artist interviews, and award celebrations taking place from global locations and in the midst of sold-out tours. Shaboozey will deliver a special performance from W Hollywood, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Additional performers and special guests will be announced soon.
The BBMAs honors the year’s biggest artists, albums, songs, producers and songwriters across multiple genres, as determined by year-end performance metrics on the Billboard charts. The eligibility dates for this year’s awards are aligned with Billboard’s Year-End Charts tracking period, which measures music consumption from the charts dated Oct. 28, 2023, through Oct. 19, 2024.
The Billboard Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corporation. PMC is also the parent company of Billboard.
The show is presented by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s travel program and portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands. For more information, visit MarriottBonvoy.com
Sympathy is a knife, but Charli XCX and Ariana Grande are watching each other’s backs.
In a new interview with Variety published Wednesday (Dec. 4), the 32-year-old alt-pop star opened up about her bond with the 31-year-old Wicked singer-actress — whom Charli says gave her a lot of support on multiple career fronts as they were working on their October remix of fan-favorite Brat track “Sympathy Is a Knife.” “She had a lot to say,” the “Von Dutch” artist began of her collaborator.
Noting that Grande “gravitated” toward “Sympathy Is a Knife,” Charli added, “We went back and forth on the lyrics, talking about all the knives that we both felt in this industry.”
The “Yes, And?” artist also apparently encouraged Charli’s acting ambitions, which, in the near future, will include parts in Benito Skinner’s Overcompensating series, Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex film, Daniel Goldhaber’s Faces of Death remake and Julia Jackman’s 100 Nights of Hero graphic-novel adaptation. Grande, who hosted Saturday Night Live in September, also showed the “Apple” artist the ropes before the latter helmed a November episode of the comedy series.
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“She’d obviously just done [‘SNL’] and killed it, so I was getting tips,” Charli told the publication. “She was just like, ‘You’re gonna be amazing, just relax, it’s so fun.’”
Grande’s spin on “Sympathy Is a Knife” was just one of numerous remixes on Brat and It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat, a companion LP to Charli’s blockbuster sixth studio album. On the track, both women delve into their least favorite aspects of fame and the music industry, singing, “It’s a knife when you’re finally on top/ ‘Cause logically the next step is they wanna see you fall to the bottom.”
Billie Eilish, Lorde, Troye Sivan, Addison Rae, Tinashe, The 1975 and more were also featured on the Brat remix album, which dropped Oct. 11. The project served to build on the career-boosting whirlwind started by the original record, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in June — Charli’s first-ever top five album.
“Crash was me kind of playing at being a major-label pop artist,” the star told Variety, reflecting on her unexpected success with Brat. “It’s funny now to see how Brat has dwarfed it, because I was so prepared for this record to be just for my audience.”
The full nominations for the 2025 MOBO Awards have been revealed, with Central Cee, Jorja Smith and Sampha among the names leading the way with three nods each.
The 27th edition of the annual ceremony, which was established in 1996 and celebrates music of Black origin, is scheduled to take place in Newcastle for the first time. It’ll be held at the city’s Utilita Arena on Feb. 18.
The album of the year category features Bashy (Being Poor Is Expensive), Cleo Sol (Gold), Ghetts (On Purpose, With Purpose) Jorja Smith (Falling Or Flying), Sampha (Lahai) and Skrapz (Reflection). The former marks a return to music after 15 years for the London rapper, known otherwise as Ashley Williams, having built a successful acting career including his role as Jermaine Newton in hit Netflix series Top Boy.
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Elsewhere, Raye is up for best female act and video of the year (“Genesis”). Alternative artist Jordan Adetunji, who made his Billboard Hot 100 debut in July with viral single “Kehlani” peaking at No. 24, picks up two nominations for best newcomer and song of the year.
In the running for best international act are Asake, Ayra Starr, Beyoncé, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Tems and Tyla.
“Each and every time we unveil the MOBO Awards nominations, I am taken aback by the sheer amount of incredible talent we have in the UK,” MOBO founder Kenya King said in a statement. “It inspires us all to continue pushing the industry to be more inclusive of a greater variety of Black music and culture. The music coming out of the U.K. this past year has been some of the best we have had in years. These distinct, uncompromising voices are not just soundtracks for our days. They provide healing and reflection, and also escapism in times of need.”
The major winners at the MOBO Awards 2024, which were held in Sheffield, included Little Simz, Dave, and Stormzy.
Here’s the full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2025:
Best male actBashyCentral CeeD-Block EuropeGhettsNemzzzSampha
Best female act Cleo SolDarkooJorja SmithLittle SimzNia ArchivesRaye
Album of the yearBashy – Being Poor Is ExpensiveCleo Sol – GoldGhetts – On Purpose, With PurposeJorja Smith – Falling Or FlyingSampha – LahaiSkrapz – Reflection
Song of the yearCentral Cee Feat. Lil Baby – “Band4band”Chase & Status, Stormzy – “Backbone”Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – “Favourite Girl”Jordan Adetunji – “Kehlani”Leostaytrill – “Pink Lemonade”Odeal – “Soh-soh”
Best newcomerChy CartierElmieneFimiguerreroFlowerovloveJordan AdetunjiLenLeostaytrillMyles SmithOdealPozer
Video of the year Meekz – “Mini Me’s” (Directed By Kc Locke)Mnelia – “My Man” (Directed By Femi Bello)Raye – “Genesis” (Directed By Otis Dominique & Raye)Sampha – “Only” (Directed By Dexter Navy)Skepta – “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” (Directed By Steveo)Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – “Hocus Pocus” (Directed By Felix Brady)
Best R&B/soul act Cleo SolElmieneFloJaz KarisJorja SmithNippaOdealSasha KeableShae UniverseSinead Harnett
Best alternative music act ALT BLK ERABob VylanHak BakerKid BookieNative JamesSpider
Best grime act ChipD Double EDuppyKruz LeoneManga Saint HilareScorcher
Best hip hop act BashyCristaleHeadie OneNinesPotter PayperSkrapz
Best drill act163MargsCentral CeeHeadie OneKairo KeyzK-trapPozer
Best international actAsakeAyra StarrBeyoncéGloRillaKendrick LamarLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajTemsTyla
Best performance in a TV show/filmAngela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In EastendersCaroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book II: GhostDiane Parish As Denise Fox In EastendersDionne Brown As Queenie In QueenieGhetts As Krazy In SupacellJacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The VampireJasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top BoyJosh Tedeku As Tazer In SupacellKingsley Ben-adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One LoveTosin Cole As Michael In Supacell
Best media personality90’s Baby ShowAJ OduduChuckie OnlineCraig MitchHenrie KwushueMadame JoyceMicah RichardsSpecs GonzalezThe Receipts PodcastZeze Millz
Best African music act Asake (Nigeria)Ayra Starr (Nigeria)Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)King Promise (Ghana)Odumodublvck (Nigeria)Rema (Nigeria)Shallipopi (Nigeria)Tems (Nigeria)Tyla (South Africa)Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Best Caribbean music actPopcaanShenseeaSkillibengSpiceValiantYg Marley
Best jazz actAmy GadiagaBlue Lab BeatsEgo Ella MayEzra CollectiveKokorokoYussef Dayes
Best electronic/dance act Eliza RoseNia ArchivesPinkpantheressSaluteShygirlTsha
Best producerCeebeaatsInfloJulsM1onthebeatP2jSammy SosoBest gospel act AnnatoriaImrhanLimoblazeReblahStill ShadeyVolney Morgan & New Ye
Taylor Swift will have much to celebrate this New Year’s Day, with the musician taking home two major year-end accolades on Spotify to close out 2024.
And in response to the news that she is both Spotify’s most streamed artist of 2024 and the creator of the app’s most streamed album of the year — both things the platform announced Wednesday (Dec. 4) as part of its annual Wrapped — the 34-year-old pop star gushed about the feats in a heartfelt thank-you message to fans on Instagram Stories.
“Top Streamed Artist and Album on @spotify this year?!” Swift wrote incredulously. “You guys are unbelievable.”
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The end-of-year victories come just a couple days before the 14-time Grammy winner takes the stage for one last trio of Eras Tour shows Dec. 6-8 in Vancouver, B.C. Coincidentally, Sabrina Carpenter — a former opener on the nearly two-year trek — had the top-streamed song on Spotify in 2024, with smash hit “Espresso” racking up more than 1.6 billion global listens.
“What an amazing thing to find out going into our last weekend of eras shows,” she added in her post. “THANK YOU!”
According to Spotify, more than 26.6 billion global streams pushed Swift to the top of their artist list this year, with The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Drake and Billie Eilish respectively finishing out 2024 as the site’s second, third, fourth and fifth most streamed artists. This turn around the sun marks the second year in a row that the “Karma” artist has been the service’s top artist, having taken the crown in 2023 as well.
In addition to her post on Stories, Swift also personally thanked fans with a video message sent out to her top listeners on Spotify. “I just wanted to say thank you so much for being one of my top listeners on Spotify, that’s so nice of you,” she said, addressing in the camera while outfitted in one of her Eras Tour leotards. “Thank you for streaming the music — it’s just been such a wild ride.”
As for the most streamed album honors, that’s only the latest feather in The Tortured Poets Department‘s cap. Swift’s expansive 11th studio album has spent a total of 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2024 and was recently certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA, meaning it has surpassed 6 million sales units in the U.S.
Swift’s streaming reign in 2024 wasn’t limited to Spotify, though. This year, she was also Apple Music’s top streamed artist, while Tortured Poets was the competing platform’s biggest album.
“Ahhhhhh thank you for listening to my music and TTPD so much!!!!” she wrote of the latter feat on her Story Dec. 3. “You, the fans, made The Tortured Poets Department the TOP STREAMED ALBUM of The Year on @applemusic!!!”
Venezuelan band Rawayana announced Tuesday night (Dec. 3) that its tour scheduled for this month in Venezuela was canceled, two days after President Nicolas Maduro criticized its recent hit “Veneka” as an insult to Venezuelan women.
The announcement also comes months after the trippy-pop group openly expressed its stance against the Maduro government following the disputed July 28 presidential election.
“Our Venezuela tour CANCELED,” Rawayana wrote in a post on Instagram, explaining that ”this is how we say goodbye to our country until further notice. Our music is not made to divide.” The band also thanked its followers and asked them to be on the lookout for ticket refunds.
“Someday we’ll get together again. Now watch us conquer the world!” added the band, which just last month won its first Latin Grammy, for best pop song for “Feriado,” and received a Grammy nomination for best Latin rock or alternative album for ¿Quién Trae Las Cornetas?
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Rawayana’s canceled concerts in Venezuela were scheduled for Dec. 13-29, and included dates in Caracas, Mérida, San Cristóbal, Maracaibo, Valencia, Barquisimeto, Lechería and Margarita Island.
It was not specified if the group canceled the tour, or if it was the government. “For security issues and protection of our allies, I don’t want to give statements,” Rawayana frontman Alberto “Beto” Montenegro told Billboard Español Wednesday (Dec. 4). “What is evident doesn’t require much explanation.”
On Sunday (Dec. 1), during a speech at an event called Toma de Caracas, Maduro fiercely criticized Rawayana’s song “Veneka,” which has given a positive tone to a term considered derogatory. The song also became a viral hit on social media since its October release. “The women of Venezuela are called dignity, respect and are called Venezuelans, they are not venekas,” Maduro said. “The group that made that song as insulting, as derogatory, as horrible as ‘Veneka,’ screwed up.”
In July, when the Venezuelan electoral authority declared Maduro the winner with 51.2% of the votes (although it has not shown the documents that support the results), the opposition denounced irregularities in the count and claimed that its candidate, Edmundo González, had obtained almost 70% of the votes, Rawayana was among the many Venezuelan artists in exile who reacted to the political situation in their country.
“Venezuela has been living a great fraud for many years … an ideological, moral and ethical fraud,” Montenegro told Billboard at the time. “Unfortunately we are not surprised by another electoral fraud, we have already seen it all.”
Rawayana’s Tuesday night post — which in addition to the brief statement also includes photographs of the band’s early days in Venezuela, at the Latin Grammy red carpet and performing at a massive concert — generated dozens of reactions from major names in entertainment, media and politics.
“A new announcement will be soon. In Freedom!!!” opposition leader María Corina Machado, who has been under protection since August due to threats against her integrity, wrote in the comments section.
Danny Ocean, Elena Rose and Mau y Ricky — who were featured on the October cover of Billboard Español‘s Music from Exile: Venezuelan Voices Find Purpose in the Fight for Their Country — also responded to their compatriots’ announcement.
“Soon you will sing and we will all go to be there with you,” expressed Danny.
“There is no darkness that can stop the love we want to give to our country. Soon we will be back. For now with faith, we go on,” wrote Elena Rose.
Mau and Ricky, who had planned to share the stage with Rawayana for their first performance in their native country, wrote: “We had the illusion of going up there to sing with you for the first time there. Our dream will come true!!!! Sending hugs.”
In the United States, the band — up for a Grammy at the Feb. 2 ceremony — is confirmed for Coachella 2025, which will take place on the weekends of April 11-13 and 18-20 in Indio, Calif.
Check out Rawayana’s statement on the tour cancellation below:
Taylor Swift loves Travis Kelce, but it’s definitely not ruining her life — especially as the Kansas City Chiefs tight end supports her on projects such as the “Fortnight” music video, according to cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto.
In an interview with People published Wednesday (Dec. 4), the filmmaker — who worked on the pop star’s gothic The Tortured Poets Department visual — opened up about how Kelce was on hand to be with his superstar girlfriend during filming. “Travis is a lovely man,” Prieto said. “They both are.”
“I would say that it seems like their parents educated them well,” he continued of the couple, who have been dating since mid-2023. “They are not just polite, but actually interested in what others have to say. I think she felt very supported by his presence, and probably also proud to show him what she does, and the kind of leader she is.”
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Swift herself previously touched on having the New Heights podcaster on set with her during the making of the “Fortnight” visual, which is nominated for best music video at the 2025 Grammys. While accepting the coveted video of the year award alongside duet partner Post Malone at the 2024 VMAs in September, she told fans, “This video seems very sad when you watch it, but it was actually the most fun video to make.”
“I would always just hear someone cheering, like, ‘Whoo!’ from across the studio — that one person was my boyfriend, Travis,” she continued at the time. “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic, so I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot.”
Also featuring cameos from Dead Poets Society‘s Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles, the “Fortnight” video marked just the latest self-directed project from Swift, who has previously masterminded her visuals for “Anti-Hero,” “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” and more. While speaking to People, Prieto shed some insight on the Eras Tour headliner’s creative process.
“I find it amazing that she has such a vivid imagination for music, lyrics, and images,” he told the outlet. “She is a storyteller at heart, and she uses all the mediums at her disposal to express herself.”
“One thing I have loved of being on set with her is that when we are discussing a camera angle or a moment of the story of the video, is that she will softly sing to herself the lyrics of the moment in question,” he continued. “She connects each lyric to an image. It’s never about just filming random stuff to figure out in the edit. She creates a script where the images have a meaning that is intrinsically related to a moment in the song.”
Parmalee earns its fourth leader on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as “Gonna Love You” jumps 6-1 on the list dated Dec. 7. During Nov. 22-28, it advanced by 28% to 28.8 million audience impressions, according to Luminate.
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The single, from the band’s upcoming LP, was written by Parmalee frontman Matt Thomas with Abram Dean, David Fanning and Andy Sheridan. It was produced by Fanning (who is also the group’s manager). Parmalee records for Stoney Creek Records, under the Broken Bow Records umbrella.
The act is rounded out by Scott Thomas (Matt’s brother), Barry Knox (a cousin of the Thomases) and Josh McSwain.
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The official video for “Gonna Love You” starkly chronicles a shooting involving armed robbers on the band’s bus following a show in 2010, which culminated with Scott Thomas being critically injured.
“‘Gonna Love You’ is personal to all four of us,” the band collectively tells Billboard. “It allowed us to tell our story and film the music video, which recreates the night we were robbed after a show that resulted in a shooting. A lot of people think it’s just a love song, so it’s been amazing hearing and seeing the responses when they see the video and find out what the song is really about. Having it connect with so many people and go to No. 1 is pretty emotional. But at the same time, we’re like, hell yeah … it was the right song at the right time for us.”
“Gonna Love You” follows Parmalee’s “Girl in Mine,” which reached No. 3 on Country Airplay in October 2023. Before that, the group led with “Take My Name,” for two weeks in June 2022, and “Just the Way,” with Blanco Brown (one week, March 2021). The act first reigned with “Carolina” for a week in December 2013 and has scored two additional top 10s: “Already Callin’ You Mine” (No. 10, December 2015) and “Close Your Eyes” (No. 4, December 2014).
Shaboozey Parties On
Shaboozey’s multi-genre smash “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” logs a 24th week atop Hot Country Songs, tying Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like” (2021-22) and Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” (2012-13) for the fifth-longest command since the chart became the genre’s singular songs survey in 1958. The tracktotaled 68.1 million in all-format airplay audience, 20.5 million official U.S. streams and 9,000 sold Nov. 22-28.
A week earlier, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” tied Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, for the longest command – 19 weeks – in the all-genre Billboard Hot 100’s history.
Zach Top 10
Zach Top’s“I Never Lie” rises 13-10 on Hot Country Songs, awarding the Sunnyside, Wash., native his first top 10. His co-written single drew 8.8 million streams (up 13%) and sold 2,000. On Country Airplay, it climbs 39-33 (4.5 million impressions, up 33%). The song follows Top’s “Sounds Like the Radio,” which reached Nos. 29 and 15 on the charts, respectively.
A time capsule of Jay-Z’s decorated career was on display at the Brooklyn Public Library in 2023, and the immersive exhibit has been turned into The Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z.
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Published by Assouline, The Book of HOV coffee table book was released on Wednesday (Dec. 4), which is also Jay’s 55th birthday.
The classic version of the collector’s item is available for $120, while the ultimate version is going to run fans $2,000, as a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Brooklyn Public Library. The tome is filled with nearly 700 iconic images broken down into eight chapters depicting different pillars of Jay-Z’s artistry, along with personal essays penned by those who know the Roc Nation mogul best.
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One of those legendary images from Jay’s career is his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, from when he became the first solo rap act to enter the HoF as part of the class of 2021. But it wasn’t exactly a smooth ride from the time Mr. Carter received the induction call to getting on stage at the ceremony to make a moving acceptance speech.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes had his work cut out for him convincing Hov to make the trip to Cleveland, and Billboard can exclusively reveal his poignant essay as an excerpt from The Book of HOV.
Sykes recalled Jay imploring, “Rock is dead. Rap is the new rock!” He spent the next half-hour explaining how six of the first 10 artists in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were Black, and there would be no rock n’ roll without Black artists.
“My last words, as I pleaded for Jay to come to Cleveland to accept his award, were that rock n’ roll is not any one sound, rather a gumbo,” he wrote. “To paraphrase the great Barry Gordy, rock n’ roll created the sound of young America. It’s a spirit, and the spirit of hip-hop and rap connected rock n’ roll with an entirely new generation.”
Sykes was in the dark and didn’t hear from Hov until Jay-Z and his family showed up in Cleveland on Oct. 30, 2021, and the chairman could breathe a sigh of relief. The rapper’s induction video included star-studded cameos from wife Beyoncé, LeBron James, Rihanna, Chris Rock, Usher, Rick Ross, Dave Letterman and his daughter Blue Ivy.
Introduced by Dave Chappelle, Jay-Z took the stage and moved the room with his speech detailing his journey from Marcy Projects to mogul status, while paying respect to the legends who paved the way before him.
Read the excerpt in full below.
The Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z
There have been few times in my years in the music industry where I have been a witness to asingle moment that changed popular culture forever. Being in the room when we launchedMTV on August 1st , 1981, was one of them. The night of October 30th, 2021, in Cleveland,Ohio was another.
The occasion was the 36th Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony at a sold-out sportsarena in Cleveland, just down the street from the storied Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum. The museum was established to honor those artists whose original sounds created and promoted the growth of Rock and Roll Music and had a profound impact on culture. Gathered backstage that evening was a “who’s who” in music and arts, from Paul McCartney to Taylor Swift, Dave Chappell, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez and more. All had traveled to Cleveland from around the globe to induct and honor the Class of 2021 inductees which included: LL Cool J (the original GOAT), Tina Turner, Clarence Avant, The GoGo’s, The Foo Fighters, Billy Preston, Charley Patton, Carole King, Gil Scott-Heron, Kraftwerk, Fela Kuti, Todd Rundgren, Randy Rhoads, and JAY-Z.
I had just been named the third Chairman in the history of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which was founded in 1986. It was a dream job for me, as a lifelong obsessed music fan. I accepted the position with one promise and vision; to honor the original mission of the Hall, which was to recognize artists who, regardless of race, gender, or style, contributed to the continued growth and spirit of Rock & Roll music. Rock & Roll was born in 1955 not from one singular sound, but rather a collision of Rhythm & Blues, Gospel, and Country, and continues to evolve as new artists and sounds are created.
Artists spend their entire careers hoping to one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s a rare honor. On the day the ’21 inductees were announced, I personally called my longtime friend JAY Z to give him the good news. We had worked together for over two decades during my time at MTV, VH1, iHeartRadio, and as a board member of the New York charity, the Robin Hood Foundation. I was beyond excited, as JAY had made the coveted ’21 inductee list on his first year of eligibility, which is a seldom accomplished feat. And, while the Hall of Fame had previously inducted great rappers like Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy and N.W.A, JAY stood out. He was not only the greatest rapper of his time but was now an icon for bringing Hip Hop to the mainstream, as well as becoming an enormously successful business executive, and a beacon for culture.
This was exactly the direction that I envisioned the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame moving towards. However, JAY’s response to my good news was not exactly what I was expecting. “Rock is dead,” he said. “Rap is the new Rock.” For the next 30 minutes I explained to him that “Rock” is not “Rock & Roll”. Yes, it’s an important part, but it’s only one part. In fact, six of the first ten artists inducted into the Hall of Fame were Black: James Brown, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, and Little Richard. The next year Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Bo Diddley were inducted. Without Black artists there would be no Rock & Roll.
My last words, as I pleaded for JAY to come to Cleveland to accept his award, were that Rock & Roll is not any one sound, rather a gumbo. To paraphrase the great Barry Gordy, Rock & Roll created the sound of young America. It’s a spirit, and the spirit of Hip Hop and Rap connected Rock & Roll with an entirely new generation.
Then, we waited.
On the induction evening of October 30th JAY-Z arrived in Cleveland with his family and team. After a moving induction video featuring “A-list” pop culture icons, including a former President of the United States, Dave Chappelle took the stage to give a powerful induction speech. He then invited JAY to come up to accept his statue. What followed was a speech for the ages. Just like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, or Paul McCartney did before him, JAY told the 16,000 people in the room, and millions more watching on television, his own story of being turned down by record companies who called his music “trash”, and how he refused to compromise, never giving in to conventional wisdom. JAY looked over to his fellow inductee LL Cool J and gave him his admiration and thanks. He then ended his passionate speech, holding his statue high in the air proclaiming, “Now THAT’s Rock & Roll”.
The crowd roared. JAY smiled and walked off the stage and to the exit, knowing that he had accomplished his mission of recognizing rap as a true force in music and culture, while at the same time opening the door for the next generation of musical dreamers and creators to follow in his footsteps and continue to honor and evolve the attitude, spirit, and many sounds of Rock & Roll.
John SykesChairman, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
After releasing the first iteration of the Hottest Female Rappers List in June, Billboard returns with the final rankings for 2024.
While Eminem has not yet commented on the death this week of his mother Debbie Nelson at 69 due to complications from advanced lung cancer, the rapper’s half-brother Nathan “Nate” Mathers issued a terse, five-word reaction to the loss.
“Hatred and mixed emotions today,” Nate Mathers wrote on his Instagram Stories on Tuesday (Dec. 3) in a curt message in keeping with the sometimes contentious Mathers family dynamic between mother and sons. Nelson died in St. Joseph, MO on Monday and at press time Marshall had not yet issued a public statement about the loss of the woman who was frequently a subject of disdain and ridicule in his songs before their more recent rapprochement.
Music producer Nate was Nelson’s youngest son, born to her and partner Fred Samra when Eminem was 13-years-old; she married the MC’s father, Marshall Mathers Jr., when she was 16 and gave birth to Eminem (born Marshall Mathers) two years later in 1972. Eminem became Nate’s legal guardian when his half-brother turned 16.
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Eminem was often at odds with his mother in his music, lashing out at her on such hits as 2002’s “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” on which he rapped about his mother abusing prescription pills and said, “Wasn’t it the reason you made that CD for me, Ma?/ So you could try to justify the way you treated me, Ma?/ But guess what, you’re gettin’ older now, and it’s cold when you’re lonely/ And Nathan’s growin’ up so quick, he’s gonna know that you’re phony.”
He also took aim at her on his iconic 1999 Slim Shady LP track “My Name Is,” rapping, “99 percent of my life, I was lied to/ I just found out my mom does more dope than I do/ I told her I’d grow up to be a famous rapper/ Make a record about doin’ drugs and name it after her.”
Nelson sued Eminem for defamation in 1999, seeking $11 million in damages; the judge ruled in her favor, but she was only awarded $25,000 in a 2001 judgement. She later delved into their prickly relationship in her 2007 tell-all memoir My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem. Years later, on the 2013 Marshall Mathers LP 2 track “Headlights” he extended an olive branch when he apologized with the lyrics, “I went in headfirst, never thinkin’ about who, what I said hurt/ In what verse, my mom probably got it the worst/ The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, did I take it too far?/ ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’ and all them other songs/ But regardless, I don’t hate you ’cause, ma/ You’re still beautiful to me, ’cause you’re my ma.”
The thaw continued in 2022, when Nelson gave her son kudos for his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, saying in a video, “Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame. I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you. And also I’m very proud of [granddaughter] Hailie Jade, my big girl. I want to tell you, Hailie, great job on your podcast and God bless you guys. I love you very much.”