Music

19 Sep 2023

All 7 Members of BTS Have Now Reached the Top 10 of the Artist 100 Chart

V re-enters the latest Billboard Artist 100 chart (dated Sept. 23) at No. 3, reaching the top 10 for the first time thanks to his new solo EP Layover.

The set debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 100,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week (Sept. 8-14), according to Luminate. It marks his first solo entry on the chart.

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With his No. 3 return to the Artist 100 (after he hit a prior No. 30 best, in August), V becomes the seventh and final member of BTS to reach the ranking’s top 10 in a solo capacity. Here’s a recap of each member’s highpoint on the chart, listed chronologically of when each peaked in the top 10.

Artist, Peak Position, Peak Date:
Jin, No. 10, Nov. 12, 2022
RM, No. 6, Dec. 31, 2022
Jimin, No. 1, April 8, 2023
Agust D/Suga, No. 3, May 6, 2023
Jung Kook, No. 5, July 29, 2023
J-Hope, No. 6, Sept. 2, 2023
V, No. 3, Sept. 23, 2023

As a group, BTS has spent 21 weeks at No. 1 on the Artist 100, the most among groups and the fourth-most overall (dating to the chart’s 2014 start), after Taylor Swift (79), Drake (37) and The Weeknd (28).

V is also the fifth member of BTS to score a solo top 10 on the Billboard 200, after RM, Agust D/Suga, Jimin and J-Hope. Here’s a recap of every solo project by a BTS member to reach the top 10, sorted chronologically:

Artist, Title, Peak Position, Peak Date:
RM, Indigo, No. 3, Dec. 31, 2022
Agust D, D-Day, No. 2, May 6, 2023
Jimin, Face (EP), No. 2, April 8, 2023
J-Hope, Jack in the Box, No. 6, Sept. 2, 2023
V, Layover (EP), No. 2, Sept. 23, 2023

BTS has tallied seven top 10s as a group on the Billboard 200, including six No. 1s: Love Yourself: Tear, Love Yourself: Answer (both in 2018), Map of the Soul: Persona (2019), Map of the Soul: 7, Be (both in 2020) and Proof (2022).

19 Sep 2023

Seth Troxler & John Summit Lead Costa Rica’s Ocaso Festival Phase 1 Lineup

The seventh edition of Costa Rica’s Ocaso Festival will happen at the turn of the new year, Jan. 4-8, in Playa Lagarto, located in the country’s Pacific-facing Guanacaste region.

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The festival announced its phase one lineup on Tuesday (Sept. 19), with tech house phenom John Summit, underground leader Seth Troxler and techno force Sama’ Abdulhadi all on the bill.

The underground house and techno focused festival will also host a flurry of other globally known dance/electronic artists including 8Kays, Adam Ten, Brina Knauss, Cassian, Deer Jade, Hannah Wants, Hunter/Game, Julya Karma, Konstantin Sibold, Mano Le Tough, Mind Against, Mita Gami, Tini Gessler, Tony Y Not and Zombies In Miami.

Previous iterations of Ocaso have hosted artists including Solomun, Dixon, Âme, Michael Bibi, Maceo Plex, Adriatique, Jamie Jones, Bob Moses and Damian Lazarus.

The phase two festival will be released in the coming months. Tickets for Ocaso 2024 are available now and start at $259.

Moving to a new location in 2024, Ocaso will take place on a 200-acre beachfront ranch, The Bohemian Lagarto, offering overnight camping and beachside glamping options as well as hotel rooms. Shuttle service from the regional airport to the festival is available.

The environmentally-focused festival is plastic free and hosts beach cleanup events during the event. Playa Lagarto is also located roughly two hours from Santa Rosa National Park, where festivalgoers can explore tropical forests, surfing, bird watching and more.

Costa Rica is a relative hotspot for New Year’s-adjacent electronic music festivals, with Envision and BPM both also happening in the country each January.

19 Sep 2023

SEVENTEEN Announces 11th Mini Album ‘SEVENTEENTH Heaven’: Here’s When It Arrives

Move over, 7th Heaven — SEVENTEEN is gearing up to release its 11th mini album, SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN, the K-pop group revealed on social media Tuesday (Sept. 19).

The news of the arrival was shared through a brief 30-second video of a red festival wristband. Upon zooming in, the wristband has the names of the group members — S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino — the album title and its Oct. 23 release date.

The album artwork for SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN continues the festival theme, and features bright and sunny outdoor grounds filled with stuffed animals, a Volkswagen-style bus and multiple hot air balloons in the shape of a daisy, jellyfish, sailboats and more.

SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN will have three different versions: The 5:26 AM version centers around the day dawning over the festival, the 2:14 PM captures the festival in full swing and the 10:23 PM version highlights the festival’s flashy, firework-filled finale.

The new mini album follows 10th mini album, FML. The set earned the K-pop group its highest charting releasing on the Billboard 200 to date, peaking at No. 2 and spending a total of nine weeks on the tally. The album’s lead single, “Super,” peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, and spent a total of 17 weeks on the tally.

See the teaser for SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN below.

19 Sep 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Triples Up at No. 1 on Artist 100, Hot 100 & Billboard 200 Charts for First Time

Olivia Rodrigo jumps from No. 10 to No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart (dated Sept. 23), returning as the top musical act in the U.S. for a seventh total week, and for the first time since 2021, thanks to her new sophomore album, Guts.

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The set launches at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 302,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week, according to Luminate, while its lead single “Vampire” returns to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a second week on top.

This marks the first time that Rodrigo has tripled up at No. 1 on Billboard’s three premier charts. She’s the 16th artist to achieve the feat (dating to the Artist 100’s 2014 inception). Drake has scored the most such success, with 16 weeks ruling all three rankings concurrently, followed by Taylor Swift (15).

Most Weeks Ruling the Artist 100, Hot 100 & Billboard 200 Charts Simultaneously:
(As of charts dated Sept. 23, 2023)

  • 16, Drake
  • 15, Taylor Swift
  • 9, Adele
  • 5, The Weeknd
  • 4, Morgan Wallen
  • 2, Ariana Grande
  • 2, Ed Sheeran
  • 2, Harry Styles
  • 1, Beyoncé
  • 1, Justin Bieber
  • 1, Zach Bryan
  • 1, BTS
  • 1, Camila Cabello
  • 1, Future
  • 1, Kendrick Lamar
  • 1, Olivia Rodrigo

All 12 songs from Guts land in the top 40 of the latest Hot 100, led by “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right?” (No. 7). Rodrigo makes history as the first artist to chart all songs from two career-opening albums in the ranking’s top 40, as all 11 tracks from 2021’s Sour likewise reached the region.

Also on the Artist 100, V re-enters at No. 3, reaching the top 10 for the first time as a solo act. The BTS member returns on the strength of his new solo EP Layover, which debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 100,000 units.

V is the seventh and final member of BTS to reach the Artist 100’s top 10 in a solo capacity, after Jimin (No. 1 peak), Agust D (aka Suga; No. 3), Jung Kook (No. 5), J-Hope, RM (both No. 6) and Jin (No. 10).

The Artist 100 measures artist activity across key metrics of music consumption, blending album and track sales, radio airplay and streaming to provide a weekly multi-dimensional ranking of artist popularity.

19 Sep 2023

2023 Latin Grammys: No Love for Peso Pluma and Other Snubs & Surprises

The nominees for the 2023 Latin Grammys were announced on Tuesday (Sept. 19) with Mexican producer-songwriter Edgar Barrera as the most nominated person with a total of 13 nominations. Barrera is followed by Colombian stars Camilo, Karol G, Shakira and composer Kevyn Mauricio Cruz (also known as Keityn), each with seven nominations. Argentine producer and DJ Bizarrap received six.

While remarkable, it’s not the first time that a producer leads the list of nominees. In 2014 Eduardo Cabra (Calle 13) led with 10 nominations. A major surprise this year is that, for the first time ever, two regional Mexican songs are up for the top category song of the year: Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma‘s “Ella Baila Sola” and Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny’s “Un x100to.”

But just as there were big surprises, there were striking snubs. For starters, Mexican music’s biggest star, Peso Pluma, who appears in two categories (song of the year and best regional song with “Ella Baila Sola” because he was a collaborator) would not even receive an award if the song wins either of those two categories, because it would go to the song’s songwriter: Pedro Tovar. Peso, who’s had a breakout 2023 — entering 21 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 this year alone — is not up for any awards himself. He was also passed over in best new artist, a category that seemed fitting for the artist.

Grupo Frontera was also a sure bet for the best new artist category but the Mexican-American group did not make the cut. Both Peso and Frontera are up for artist of the year and artist of the year, new at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The 24th annual Latin Grammys are set to take place for the first time outside the U.S., in Seville, Spain, on Nov. 16. “This group of creators reflects musical excellence and the richness of Latin music, and I look forward to celebrating them during Latin Grammy Week in Sevilla which will be a truly historic moment for our organization,” says Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, in a statement, adding that they received more than 19,000 entries overall this year.

Here are some of the biggest snubs and surprises from Tuesday’s nominations.

19 Sep 2023

Roger Whittaker, ‘The Last Farewell’ Singer, Dead at 87

Roger Whittaker, folk singer and expert whistler known for tracks such as “Durham Town (The Leavin’),” “New World in the Morning” and his Billboard Hot 100 top 20 track “The Last Farewell,” has died at 87. The singer died on Wednesday, Sept. 13, according to a statement on his website.

“It is with great sadness that we share that our beloved Roger Whittaker passed away on the 13th. September 2023 he left us in peace in the presence of his family. During this difficult time we would like to thank everyone for their support and compassion,” the statement, also from Sony Music, read. “Roger was an iconic artist, a wonderful husband and father. He touched so many hearts with his music during his lifetime and will always live on in our memories. The family requests privacy as we go through this time of grief and we thank you for your understanding. Roger will be greatly missed, his legacy will forever live on in our hearts and in his art.”

Roger Henry Brough Whittaker was born March 22, 1936, in Nairobi. The singer was exposed to music through his family: his grandfather frequently sang in clubs, while his father played the violin. Whittaker’s earliest recordings were released while he was an undergrad at the University College of North Wales though the campus’ newspaper, which included his songs on flexi discs.

In 1969, Whittaker released “Durham Town (The Leavin’),” with the song eventually peaking at No. 23 Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, where he placed eight additional songs, including “New World in the Morning” (No. 12), “I Don’t Believe in If Anymore” (No. 10) and “The Last Farewell,” which became Whittaker’s most successful single, topping the AC chart. It was also his first and only track to reach the Hot 100, peaking at No. 19.

After becoming fluent in German, Whittaker catered to his fanbase and spent the 1970s and onward performing in the country, in addition to releasing 25 albums in German.

During his career, he also placed six albums on the all-genre Billboard 200, including The Last Farewell and Other Hits (No. 31) and When I Need You (No. 115).

According to his website, he and wife Natalie “settled into retirement” in France in 2012.

19 Sep 2023

Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Show Off Baby Boy Riot Rose in New Photos

He’s here and he’s adorable! Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have finally unveiled the first photos of Riot Rose, their new baby boy and second child together, through a Diggzy-helmed photshoot posted to the photographer’s Instagram page.

In the image, Rihanna, decked out in a denim and navy streetwear-nodding outfit, smizes for the camera while RZA, her firstborn son with the rapper, holds on to her leg. A smiling Rocky complements her style with a pair of denim jeans and a white sleeveless tank top as he gently holds baby Riot up to the camera. “It’s a FAMILY thing ??,” photographer Diggzy captioned the post. “Welcome to the World Riot Rose ?” He also shared additional snaps of the family in his Instagram Stories.

Rihanna revealed her second pregnancy on Feb. 12 during her headlining Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show performance. The “Lift Me Up” singer confirmed that she was expecting through a British Vogue cover story featuring her family, which was released days after the performance. Rihanna’s second pregnancy was revealed mere months after she gave birth to RZA Athelston Mayers, who arrived in May 2022.

RiRi and Rocky’s new son’s name appears to be a reference to “RIOT (Rowdy Pipe’n),” a 2023 Rocky track in which he raps, “Luxe balm up in my palm/ New collab’ with my baby mom.”

On Friday (Sept. 15), Rihanna launched a long-awaited Puma collaboration. Dubbed Fenty x Puma Avanti C, the new sneaker line marks the singer-actress’ first under a new partnership with Puma. The chrome-centric sneaker was made available for both children and adults.

See the first photos of baby Riot Rose on Diggzy’s Instagram account.

19 Sep 2023

Tech N9ne, Head Da Don ‘Pull Out’ All the Stops: Video Premiere

Summer may be ending. But having fun while living life on your own terms is always in season for Tech N9ne. And the indie hip-hop pioneer illustrates how he does just that in the video for his latest single, “Pull Out” featuring Head Da Don.

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Sliding into a brand new red Maserati with butterfly doors, Tech N9ne and fellow passenger Head Da Don cruise around Tech’s Kansas City, Missouri stomping ground, meeting women and handing out CD-styled invitations for a fly pool party at a mansion. Along the way, the pair rap to a head-boppin’, banging beat.

On the no-holds-barred first verse, Tech totes up his creds: “They said, ‘Tech N9na washed up.’ / I gotta tell ‘em, ‘Pull out the facts’ / Lot of ‘em stuck on planet rock / like I can’t pull out some plaques / What I scripted makes me tickets / Now I pull out the stacks / Cause I brought Independence, Overland Park and every hood out for rap.”

“When I heard that beat from Goodro, then that [pull out] hook from Head Da Don, I knew immediately that the song would get us back up on radio and the charts,” Tech N9ne tells Billboard. “This is just the beginning of the fire songs coming off my Bliss LP.”

Released in July in the midst of celebrations for hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, Bliss is the follow-up to 2021 album Asin9ne. Describing Bliss as “a mirror to society,” the project marks Tech’s 24th album via his Strange Music label — which will celebrate its own 25th anniversary in 2024.

With its forays into R&B, soul, alternative and heavy metal plus a host of guests including Joyner Lucas, Durand Bernarr, RMR and Qveen Herby, the 25-track Bliss finds the prolific Tech still in full command of his signature fast-rhyming flow and fearless genre fusion. 

In addition to “Pull Out,” album highlights include “Fatha Fig Ya (Food for Thought)” featuring RMR, “W H A T (We’re Hungry and Thirsty)” featuring Kim Dracula and Hu$h and “Knock,” a master seminar in lyricism with Tech (Kansas City), Conway the Machine (Buffalo), X-Raided (Sacramento) and Joyner Lucas (Boston).

“You’ve got a quartet of MCs from different regions just crushing it,” Tech says about the track in his recent bio. “My East Coast fans are always like, ‘We want to hear you on some boom bap!’ So we got this incredible beat from Dame The Producer. ‘Knock’ is amazing for 50 years of hip-hip.”

Between operating his successful merchandise empire and teaming with Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewery for his craft beer Bou Lou, Tech N9ne will be co-headlining a North America tour with rock band — and fellow genre-busters — the Hollywood Undead this fall.

The Hollywood & N9ne trek kicks off Oct. 16 in Chesterfield, Missouri and wraps in Nashville on Nov. 19. Stops along the way include Chicago (Oct. 18), Las Vegas (Oct. 27), New York (Nov. 8) and Atlanta (Nov. 14). For more information, visit hollywoodandn9netour.com.

19 Sep 2023

Erykah Badu & Herbie Hancock to Headline 2023 LA3C Festival

On Tuesday (Sept. 19), LA3C announced its return for year two along with music and food lineups for the three-day, all-ages festival, coming to downtown Los Angeles, Nov. 10-12.

Erykah Badu and Herbie Hancock will headline, playing intimate shows at the Orpheum Theatre and Theatre at the Ace Hotel, respectively. Flying Lotus and LA jazz legends Robert Glasper and Terrace Martin will take over the Theatre at the Ace Hotel as well, and Nick Hakim, Julie Byrne and John Carroll Kirby will take over the Palace Theatre.

Additional performers include Kamasi Washington, Marc Rebillet, Sudan Archives, Fred Armisen, Lonnie Holley, Aja Monet, Pauli the PSM, Novena Carmel, Shabazz Palaces, Yrsa Daley-Ward with The Josh Craig, Acyde, Siobhan Bell, Kilo Kish, Salami Rose Joe Louis and Def Rain, as well as pop-up performances by Feels Like Floating.

In addition to the Orpheum, Ace and Palace and surrounding lots, Los Angeles Theatre will also host performers throughout the weekend.

For more information about the festival — including more music, food and film events — visit LA3C.com. Tickets are available for purchase starting Friday (Sept. 22) at 9 a.m. PT.

Penske Media’s LA3C launched last December as a two-day festival at LA State Historic Park with performances from Maluma, Lil Baby, Snoop Dogg and Seventeen.

Penske Media Corporation is the parent company of Billboard.

19 Sep 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Reveals Her Favorite ‘Guts’ Lyric & Addresses Who ‘Lacy’ Is About

Although Guts has topped charts on both sides of the pond and launched two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, there is still much about the album yet to be discovered — at least according to the answers Olivia Rodrigo gave during her visit to the TODAY show’s “8 Questions Before 8AM” segment on Monday (Sept. 18).

The pop star revealed that Guts‘ opener “All-American Bitch” houses her favorite lyric on the entire album. “I don’t know, the one that’s really jumping out me is — I love the line ‘I got class and integrity/ Just like a d–n Kennedy,” she said. Of course, the actual lyric replaces “d–n” with “godd–n,” but Rodrigo opted for a moment of self-censorship.

The Q&A comes about a week after the 20-year-old Grammy winner performed two Guts tracks — “Vampire” and “Get Him Back!” — for the program’s 2023 Citi Concert Series on Sept. 8. She also performed “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U” from Sour, her blockbuster debut album.

Just like the album’s pre-release singles — the Hot 100 No. 1 single “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right?” (No. 7) — the set’s deep cuts have also been making waves among Rodrigo devotees and casual listeners alike. “Lacy,” in particular, has garnered a lot of attention due to the mysterious nature of its subject matter. During the Q&A, a visibly flustered Rodrigo answered, “All my songs are about me and about how I feel, I don’t know!” when asked who the standout track was about.

The standard edition of Guts includes 12 tracks, while each of the four limited-edition vinyl copies of the album boast one hidden bonus track. To that end, Rodrigo also teased that there may be more surprises to uncover. “There definitely are some hidden things,” she told TODAY. “I just recommend you buy Guts and see for yourself!”

Throughout the rapid-fire portion of the Q&A, the “Good 4 U” singer — who’s a self-professed Twihard — also revealed that she’s proudly Team Edward, loves to belt out Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the car and claims “Cell Block Tango” as her favorite musical theatre song.

Watch Olivia Rodrigo’s full Q&A above.