Music

26 Jul 2023

Travis Scott’s Concert at the Pyramids of Giza Officially Canceled Due to ‘Production Issues’

After Live Nation debunked reports on July 18 of Travis Scott’s Utopia concert being canceled by the Egyptian government, it issued a statement on Wednesday (July 26) officially announcing the show’s cancellation due to “complex production issues.”

“We regret to inform you that the Utopia show, originally scheduled for July 28th at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is cancelled,” Live Nation Middle East’s statement said on Twitter. “Unfortunately, despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the show could not be constructed in the desert.”

The statement continued, “We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired. Refunds will be issued to all ticket holders at their point of purchase. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may have caused and appreciate your understanding. We remain committed to bringing exceptional live performances to fans and hope to have the opportunity to do so in the future.”

Reports had surfaced the previous week that Egypt’s Musicians’ Syndicate — who grants concert permits — canceled Travis’ show since they had concerns about ensuring “the safety and protection of the audience.” 

Dr. Mohamed Abdullah, in a statement on behalf of the Musicians Syndicate obtained by Egypt Today said: “Regarding the concert scheduled to be held on 28th July at the Pyramids area in Giza by American rapper Travis Scott, the Musicians Syndicate, as the entity responsible for issuing licenses for music and singing concerts in Egypt, in coordination with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture represented by the Censorship Authority for Artistic Works and the Ministry of Labor, emphasizes the necessity of considering security aspects and obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities as a top priority when organizing concerts. This is to ensure the safety and protection of the audience.”

Live Nation swiftly responded to those reports and denied that Scott’s show had been canceled. “There have been no changes to Travis Scott’s show in Egypt; any reports to the contrary are false. We can’t wait to celebrate Utopia with you in Egypt,” they wrote in a statement to Billboard. 

Scott’s fourth studio album, Utopia, drops on Friday (July 28) and is headlined by his new single “K-POP” featuring The Weeknd and Bad Bunny. 

Check out Live Nation Middle East’s statement below:

26 Jul 2023

Sinead O’Connor, ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ Singer, Dead at 56: Report

Sinead O’Connor has died at age 56, according to The Irish Times.

Billboard has reached out to her reps.

With her bald head, piercing eyes and fierce bearing, O’Connor burst onto the music scene in the late 1980s, serving as a rebuke to the parade of sexist tropes that dominated the era’s hair metal scene. She gave notice of her bold path away from the typical packaging of female pop stars from the very first notes of her 1987 debut, The Lion and the Cobra, which she recorded while pregnant at 20 with her first child.

A mix of driving rock (“Mandinka”), alluring hip-hop (“I Want Your (Hands on Me)” and intense ballads (“Jackie”), O’Connor emerged as a fully formed force to be reckoned with, her powerful voice a haunting howl full of pain and mystery one moment, a steely suit of armor at others. Not concerned with the typical trappings of pop stardom, O’Connor’s public face — the shaved head, slouchy wardrobe and curious mix of dance, rock, folk, Irish balladry and devotional tropes — was an instant hit on alternative radio, as well as dance clubs, where remixes of “Mandinka” and “I Want Your Hands (On Me)” became staples for many party DJs.

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Though her debut brought raves from both sides of the Atlantic, it was 1990’s I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got that served as both O’Connor’s career high and turning point. With the run-away success of her gripping cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” as well as the chilling video for the track, the singer was thrust into the international spotlight, a place she seemed uneasy with at times. The album laid bare her personal struggles and feelings of loss in a striking manner, weaving the words from a Frank O’Connor poem with Celtic melodies and a sample of the James Brown “Funky Drummer” beat on the eerie “I Am Stretched on Your Grave.” 

In between, she hits pop highs (“The Emperor’s New Clothes”) amid personal turmoil and touches on wrenching real-life drama (“The Last Day of our Acquaintance”) with massive beats, while mixing in a six-minute a cappella dirge and a prescient elegy for the police-involved death of a black London youth.

Even as her star was rising, O’Connor refused to play the music industry game, controversially defending the sometimes bloody tactics of the Irish Republican Army in interviews, lashing out at longtime cheerleaders U2 and refusing to perform and refusing to perform on Saturday Night Live in May 1990 alongside comedian Andrew Dice Clay. She earned the ire of Frank Sinatra a few months later when she refused to perform at a New Jersey venue when she found out the national anthem would play before she took the stage. The move caused some stations to pull her music from airwaves and resulted in Sinatra threatening to “kick her in the a–.”

The controversy continued two years later, when O’Connor was again booked on SNL, where she performed an a cappella version of Bob Marley’s “War” and, in a surprise to producers, stared into the camera at song’s end and tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II and said “fight the real enemy” as a protest against the Catholic church’s cover-up of child abuse by clergy; O’Connor would later say she she was abused as a child.

Sinéad Marie Bernadette O’Connor was born on Dec. 8, 1966, in Glenageary, County Dublin, Ireland, to Sean and Marie O’Connor, who split when the singer was 8 years old. She claimed over the years that she and her two siblings were physically abused when they went to live with their mother after the divorce. Her teenage years were spent getting sent to reform schools and boarding schools due to bouts of shoplifting and other bad behavior and her discovery at 15 by the drummer for the Irish band Tua Nua, who heard her singing Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen” at a wedding.

O’Connor studied voice and piano at Dublin’s College of Music before moving to London in the early 1980s, where she collaborated with U2 guitarist the Edge on a song for the soundtrack to 1986’s The Captive.

Her career was marked by an unpredictability, including the pop standards album she released in 1992, Am I Not Your Girl?, which failed to reach the success of its predecessors and began a slow commercial decline. She laid low for several years after the SNL incident — and another one shortly after in which she was roundly booed at a Bob Dylan tribute concert in New York — returning in 1994 with the underappreciated Universal Mother solid, which featured a moving Nirvana cover (“All Apologies”) and several songs that laid brutally bare her fierce drive to protect children from dangerous mothers.

The years that followed included stories about her retirement, a permanent ban on talking to the press, a return to her Irish folk roots on 200’s Faith and Courage  and 2002’s Sean-Nós Nua, a detour into covers of reggae songs on 2005’s Throw Down Your Arms and  2007’s two-disc Theology collection. O’Connor’s final album, 2014’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss, was widely praised for its return to her honest, emotionally charged songwriting and unique pop craft. 

O’Connor had been very open about her mental health issues, which include a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder, later amended to PTSD, including depression and suicidal tendencies, canceling a tour in 2012 after a doctor ordered her to get some rest following what was described as a “very serious breakdown.”

In January 2022, the singer suffered a massive loss when her 17-year-old son, Shane, was found dead in Ireland after she reported him missing to authorities. The singer-songwriter tweeted that he “the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God. May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby, I love you so much. Please be at peace.”

She is survived by three children.

26 Jul 2023

How Corey Kent’s ‘Something’s Gonna Kill Me’ Took a Spirited Venture to the Edge

After topping out at No. 3 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart with his RCA Nashville debut, “Wild as Her,” Corey Kent’s follow-up has an even wilder image embedded in its second verse, in which the singer notes that he “broke 100 on two wheels.”

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It’s not just a story. Pressed on that detail, Kent points to a motorcycle he used to own, a muscular Indian Scout Bobber that looked as if it was built for speed. He felt obliged to find out just how fast it could go.

“That was a really fun bike,” Kent recalls. “You get a new bike, you got to test the parameters of it and get comfortable with it. And so it definitely happened in Texas. You can find a nice stretch of road and really get after it.”

Kent’s triple-digit thrill ride is just one of numerous daredevil acts — from roller coasters to love — that make their way into “Something’s Gonna Kill Me,” a song that emphasizes his passion for life on the edge.

The topic arrived during an October 2022 creative retreat in the Dallas area, where Kent and three songwriting buddies -— Lydia Vaughan (“If I Didn’t Love You”), Austin Goodloe and Joybeth Taylor — knocked out six songs. “We got an Airbnb, this pink house,” muses Goodloe. “We’re just like, ‘Well, this is awesome. We’re in Barbie Dreamland here.’ ”

At one point, Kent got to his feet and expounded on his penchant for risky adventures, lamenting how often others insist he needs to live more carefully. “My response to that was always, ‘Get busy living or get busy dying,’ ” he notes. “There are things in life that have big risk. But if they add to your enjoyment, then maybe it’s worth it. You got to figure out what works for you.”

His co-writers honed in on that sentiment, and as they explored other ways of saying it, Kent philosophized further about life: “Something’s gonna kill me at some point, so I might as well enjoy it.” The first part of that clicked as a title — Vaughan insisted they write it down — and they listed a handful of potentially addictive pursuits that can place body, life or soul in peril, including the highway, whiskey, smoking and songwriting. “I would live in a cardboard box before I quit writing songs,” says Vaughan.

They attacked the chorus first, and as it reached the “Something’s gonna kill me” hook, they realized that phrase served better as the chorus’ setup, forcing them to find another last line that would rhyme with “One day I’m gonna die.” Initially, it became a breakup song; thus, what killed the singer “might as well be this heart of mine.” But they shifted into a philosophical motif and freestyled other options –— for a few minutes, they laughingly subbed in “Something’s gonna kill me/ Might as well be pizza pie” — before they finally landed on “If something’s gonna kill me/ Might as well be what makes me feel alive.”

Once the chorus was done (or almost done; they would come back to it later), they focused on the opening verse, launching with a recollection of a California sunset. That doesn’t directly describe any risk-taking, though it still fits the song’s general attitude. “That line kind of implies some sort of free-spiritedness,” Vaughan says. “None of us are from California, so it implies the travel, implies the exploring and then it also, to me, implied kind of an all-nighter — like, ‘Hey, I’ll sleep when I’m dead. I’ve got things to do.’ ”

The rest of the two verses matched dangerous events to an adventurous, galloping guitar, and the energy in the room mirrored the spirit they were trying to portray. “We’re just standing up and screaming at the top of our lungs — I’m sure the neighbors from the Airbnb thought we were crazy,” says Goodloe. “It’s the most adrenaline that I’ve felt while writing a song. Usually, you’re sitting down with an acoustic guitar and everyone’s kind of being quiet. And we were standing up, running around the living room of this pink house, just screaming, ‘If something’s gonna kill me.’ ”

Before it was over, they inserted a rising melody into the pre-chorus at the end of verse one, then finished the chorus by stretching the final syllable of the stanza’s last word, “alive,” into five upward-moving notes. The pre-chorus and tag gave the chorus a subtle, and unintended, symmetry.

“It just popped out, and it is nice that there’s a theme of ascending notes,” Goodloe says. “I feel like the whole song, if you saw it on a graph, it’s just climbing the whole time — like melodically, lyrically, the energy. It’s cool that there is an anchor on each side of the chorus. They’re related.”

Goodloe finished the demo back in Nashville, working with the same level of adrenaline during that part of the process, and the song got an extra dose of it once Kent took “Something’s Gonna Kill Me” into a session with producer Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Lainey Wilson).

Guitarists Charlie Worsham and Rob McNelley turned the galloping foundation into a more elaborate opening pattern, contrasted with descending electric guitar chords. Joyce dropped in a number of unusual, spiky sounds over the track’s four-on-the-floor drumbeat and lobbed a whistling explosion that led into an instrumental break. The guitar solo took a gnarly, upward tack before everything dropped out, leaving Kent’s vocal fully exposed to launch the final chorus. That move wasn’t planned; Joyce signaled it to the players as the solo transpired, and the rest of the team followed his lead perfectly.

After the cut, Kent asked the engineer if they could get a playback of his vocal, but Joyce intervened.
“Jay literally ran halfway across the room, waving his arms like, ‘No, no, no, don’t do it,’ ” recalls Kent. “He goes, ‘If you can’t hear it in the track, if it doesn’t bother you as you’re listening to it as a whole, there’s no reason to pick it out and pick it apart.’ He goes, ‘Stop overthinking. We’re human, we’re imperfect. It’s meant to be that way.’ It was one of the best lessons I’ve ever had.”

Worsham added harmonies, and the entire production made “Something’s Gonna Kill Me” an edgy musical statement. “The final cut was a little riskier and outside the box [than the demo], which is what that song needed,” Kent says.

It definitely connected with the audience. Outside of the established “Wild As Her,” “Kill Me” is the most streamed track from Kent’s Blacktop album on Spotify, garnering three times as many plays as any other non-single from the package. It was an easy choice for the next single, released by RCA Nashville to country radio July 5 via PlayMPE. The dangerous theme solidifies his brand, and the sound is just different enough to separate him from the pack. That’s a risk/reward scenario Kent can embrace.

“Nobody great,” he says, “ever sounded like anybody else.”

26 Jul 2023

‘Barbie’ Boost: Old Songs From Indigo Girls & Matchbox Twenty, New Songs From Billie Eilish & Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice All Way Up

Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up column, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip. 
 
This week: All things Barbie, as the blockbuster film sends several of its soundtrack hits into the streaming stratosphere, while also boosting some 20th century classics it features (and one it doesn’t — at least not in its original form). Also, some less-predictable gains for decade-old non-hits by a pop icon and a dream-rock cult favorite.

It’s A “Barbie World,” We’re All Just Living In It 

The cinematic phenomenon of Barbenheimer has monopolized the cultural zeitgeist for the past few weeks/months/years now, resulting in eye-popping opening weekend box office numbers for both Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Not only did Gerwig’s acclaimed film earn a historic $155 million opening weekend and inspire tens of thousands of fans to dress up in their best Barbie and Ken-inspired outfits, the fantasy-comedy also showcased a soundtrack stacked with A-list star power, in addition to several other memorable music moments. 

Helmed by Grammy and Oscar winner Mark Ronson, the Barbie soundtrack features a collection of today’s most prominent pop artists, including Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Lizzo. Three of the album’s pre-release singles — Lipa’s “Dance the Night,” Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice & AQUA’s “Barbie World,” and Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” — have seen sizable streaming gains before and after the movie’s July 21 release. 

“Dance the Night,” the lead single from the Barbie soundtrack, earned just over 960,000 official on-demand U.S. streams on July 17, the Monday preceding Barbie’s theatrical release, according to Luminate. The following Monday (July 23), Dua Lipa’s nu-disco banger earned 1.82 million streams, a 90.1% increase. “Barbie World,” the second collaboration between New York rappers Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, earned 1.58 million official on-demand U.S. streams on July 17. By July 23, that number rose by a whopping 94.3% to 3.07 million streams. As for “What Was I Made For,” the gut-wrenching ballad pulled 1.47 million official on-demand U.S. streams on July 17. On July 24, Billie’s latest Oscar contender earned 2.45 million streams, a 66.3% increase. 

Outside of the soundtrack’s major singles, a slew of other songs also experienced post-release streaming gains. Charli XCX’s “Speed Drive,” another pre-release single, earned 177,000 official on-demand U.S. streams on July 17, a tally that grew by 379% by July 24 for a total of 852,000. Indigo Girls’ 1989 alt-folk perennial “Closer to Fine,” which appears three times in the film, pulled 32,000 official on-demand U.S. streams on July 17. By July 24, the duo’s biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit collected just under 100,000 streams, marking a 203.5% increase. Matchbox Twenty’s 1997 pop/rock smash “Push,” which earned the band their first Grammy nomination, also has a prominent placement in Barbie. On July 17, the song earned 235,000 official on-demand U.S. streams, and by July 24, the track experienced a 43.3% increase to 337,000. There’s also Lizzo’s “Pink,” — another song that plays in the film — a funky pop track that had a strong streaming debut on July 21 (566,000 streams) and rose another 7% by July 24 (606,000). 

Of course, there is no discussing Barbie without mentioning AQUA’s “Barbie Girl.” The seminal pop song, which is sampled on Minaj & Ice’s “Barbie World,” received 307,000 official on-demand U.S. streams. On July 24, the unofficial Barbie anthem earned 619,000 streams, a 101.7% increase. But, what about Ken? Ryan Gosling’s hilarious “I’m Just Ken” pulled 812,000 official on-demand U.S. streams on July 24, a 103.2% increase from the 400,000 it collected on July 21. Barbiemania is clearly taking over both the box office and music streaming platforms. — KYLE DENIS

Superheaven’s on Fire

Doylestown, PA grunge-gaze quartet Superheaven had been broken up for most of the past half-decade, before reuniting in 2023 for a tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their acclaimed 2013 Run for Cover debut album Jar. That album has proven to be the gift that keeps on giving for Superheaven, as highlight “Youngest Daughter” has gone viral, with 19,000 TikTok videos using the sound of its crunching guitars and dreamy vocals — the most popular of which places it as the soundtrack to a user’s first-row Oppenheimer-watching experience.

The song has taken off on streaming as it’s gradually become a social media sensation, with its streams growing steadily over the past seven weeks — from 231,000 on the chart tracking week ending June 1 to over 1.9 million the week ending July 20, a 743% gain, according to Luminate. The song even debuts at No. 22 this week on Billboard‘s Hot Rock Songs chart, and No. 4 on this week’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. If the song keeps up this pace, Superheaven might have pretty good reason not to let its upcoming run of Jar anniversary dates this October be the last time it lets fans through its pearly gates. — ANDREW UNTERBEGER

Bieber’s “Billie Jean” Moment Experiences Streaming Resurgence 

11 years ago, Justin Bieber tucked away a little song titled “Maria” at the very end of the deluxe edition of Believe, his Billboard 200-topping sophomore non-holiday studio album. Co-written and produced by Darkchild, “Maria” functioned as Bieber’s very own “Billie Jean”: Just as Michael Jackson retaliated against what he said were outlandish claims from delusional groupies, Bieber used “Maria” to respond to Mariah Yeater’s allegations that he fathered her child. 

In typical TikTok fashion, the song has experienced a small resurgence on the app for reasons that have nothing do with the original controversy that birthed it. Bieber’s track has become the latest soundtrack for thirst traps on the social media app. While those make up a healthy chunk of the “Maria” videos — there are two unofficial “Maria” sounds with over 13,5000 TikToks each — there are also myriad clips explaining the song’s lore and reflecting on what it was like to be a Belieber ten years ago and live through the whole ordeal in real time. Between the tracking week ending July 6 and the week ending July 20, streams of “Maria” exploded from just over 73,000 to over 613,000 — a gain of 738.5%, according to Luminate. – KD

26 Jul 2023

Wyclef Jean to Host Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards in Brooklyn

Wyclef Jean is set to host the first Caribbean Music Awards, to be held on Aug. 31 at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. The show will livestream on YouTube at 8 p.m. ET.

Jean discussed hosting the show on NBC’s Today show last week. He said the success of the Verzuz episode in May 2020 featuring Bounty Killer and Beenie Man demonstrated the potential this awards show could have. “It reminded us how much we love the Caribbean,” he said. “For me, what’s exciting is Caribbean culture is shared, whether it’s fashion or [music].”

Jean hosted the 2000 MTV Europe Music Awards, which were held in Stockholm. He made a memorable entrance on an elephant, and said on Today that he wants his entrance here to be dramatic as well. “I want the entrance to be grand. I want it to be very carnival-like.”

The Haitian rapper and musician is a three-time Grammy winner. He won two awards for work on Fugees’ 1996 album The Score and one as a co-producer of Santana’s Supernatural, which won the 1999 award for album of the year. Jean, 53, was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2005 for co-writing the song “Million Voices” for the film Hotel Rwanda.

The Caribbean Music Awards have 26 categories across a range of genres, including reggae, dancehall, soca, kompa and zouk. Voting opened on April 6 and closes on Monday (July 31).

The event is presented by the Caribbean Elite Group (CEG), publishers of Caribbean Elite Magazine, a print and digital publication which covers Caribbean culture.

Trinidadian soca singer, record producer and songwriter Machel Montano is set to receive a lifetime achievement award. Montano, 48, topped Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart in 2019 with G.O.A.T.  

Tickets, which range in price from $60.50 to $161, are on sale here.

For the latest updates and information, visit the official website.

26 Jul 2023

Swifties Can Now Show Off Their Top 5 Taylor Swift Eras With Spotify Interactive Experience

Calling all Swifties who use Spotify — this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. The streaming service has unveiled a brand new interactive experience designed to let users officially decide their five favorite Taylor Swift albums, also known in the community as: “Eras.”

To try out Spotify’s new “My Top 5: Taylor Swift’s Eras” feature, Swifties can visit this link, scan the QR code and, while on the mobile Spotify app, tap through all ten of Swift’s albums, choosing their five personal favorites from the following: her self-titled debut (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), Reputation (2017), Lover (2019), Folklore (2020), Evermore (2021) and Midnights (2022). From there, users can re-order their Top 5 into a ranked list, which Spotify will then turn into a share-able graphic.

And if choosing between the albums is just too difficult — like being asked to pick a favorite child, some might say — then Spotify can do it for you. The new interactive experience also sorts through users’ listening activity to reveal their most-streamed Swift eras.

“Taylor Swift has long captivated her fans with her unique ability to capture the deepest human emotions in her songs,” reads a press release for the launch. “The Eras Tour has been the cultural event of the year, and now fans will get to proudly share their own top Eras with the world.”

Past “Top 5” iterations include The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, BTS and ROSALÍA.

Spotify’s new feature comes just as Swift is wrapping up the U.S. leg of her bestselling Eras Tour, which will find the singer playing two shows at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Cali. before taking on a full six shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. From there, she’ll take the trek global with a slew of dates in Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia.

Check out Spotify’s new “My Top 5: Taylor Swift’s Eras” feature here.

26 Jul 2023

Jisoo Shares Her Thoughts on Whether BLACKPINK Is a K-Pop Trailblazer: ‘There Are Parts That We Pioneered’

It’s undeniable that BLACKPINK is one of the biggest bands in the world, past and present. And in a new interview, Jisoo — one fourth of the K-pop girl group — was candid about the impact she and fellow members Lisa, Rosé and Jennie have had on their genre.

Sitting down with Elle Korea for a cover story published Wednesday (July 26), the 28-year-old South Korean singer reflected on whether BLACKPINK are “trailblazers,” as billed by BST Hyde Park Festival, which the group headlined on July 2.

“Maybe half and half?” Jisoo said diplomatically, as translated from Korean to English by Google Translates. “We also walked the path that others have made, but I think there are parts that we pioneered, as we debuted at a time when the platform was expanding and accessibility to K-pop was increasing.”

“Just as there was a part where we walked on a polished road, I hope we can help make the path of those who will come after us smoother,” the star continued. “It would be nice if they could pioneer their own thing and connect with each other. Anyway, that’s a nice expression.”

Among BLACKPINK’s major accomplishments in the past year alone: becoming the first Asian act to headline Coachella, becoming the first K-pop girl group to top the Billboard 200, and scoring the first ever single to debut atop the Hot Trending Songs chart. The four ladies are also nearing the end of their Born Pink World Tour, which kicked off in October following the release of their sophomore album.

Jisoo also spoke to Elle about the joys of playing different venues and major festivals on tour, the highlight of which was “meeting fans from various cultures.” “It is impossible not to be moved when the pink light stick is turned on in the dark,” she gushed. “I can see the affection of many people with my eyes, so I have many thoughts.”

“When I see Rosé or Lisa more overwhelmed in Australia or Thailand, where they spent their childhood, I am also moved,” she added. “It is clear that the tour brings many emotions.”

 

26 Jul 2023

How to Watch the Mastercard Artist Accelerator Showcase

After being announced at the top of the year, the Mastercard Artist Accelerator program, a Web3 spotlight program that offered musicians and fans with educational tools, ends on a high note with brand-new music.

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Billboard will present the musical output of a batch of emerging acts around the globe, including Emily Vu, Manu Manzo, Cocoa Sarai, Young Athena, and LeriQ. The group leaned on the program’s Web3 capabilities to create their songs using the AI Music Studio and incorporating the Mastercard sonic branding. In addition to the performances hosted by Billboard’s Tetris Kelly, the program features an interview with Billboard News Director Colin Stutz, as well as a special message from the President of Billboard, Mike Van. Fans can claim each song as an NFT on the OneOf Marketplace, beginning during the live showcase.

Viewers can tune in via Billboard’s Youtube channel, which boasts more than 3.7 million subscribers, on Thursday, July 27, at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. ET to catch the Mastercard Artist Accelerator Showcase presented by Billboard.

“Music is a universal passion, inspiring us, moving us, and bringing us together,” said Mastercard chief marketing and communications officer Raja Rajamannar in a statement. “With the Mastercard Artist Accelerator, we are expanding access and driving connections further with cutting-edge Web3 technology. Our vision is to bridge passion and purpose, spotlighting amazing emerging artists and creating an interactive community that allows participants to learn, experiment and grow together.”

To learn more about the program and its featured artists, head over to Mastercard’s Artist Accelerator website.

26 Jul 2023

On the Radar Latin: Andreina Bravo, Loyal Lobos, Jasiel Nuñez & More Emerging Artists to Discover

Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors feature a small group of new, or relatively unknown, artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.

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Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes nearly a dozen emerging artists, who we might’ve found anywhere from a Spotify playlist to a music showcase. See our recommendations below.

Artist: Andreina Bravo

Country: Ecuador

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Bravo is a force to be reckoned with in her native Ecuador but what makes her shine is her humility and go-getter attitude. I first met the rising pop artist at the 2023 Heat Latin Music Awards — where she nabbed the award for trending artist the year prior — when she personally approached me to introduce herself. Looking like a real-life Barbie doll, decked in a glittery dress and playful blonde locks, Bravo told me about her future projects and desire to learn more about the music industry.

Meanwhile, in Latin America, she’s already a growing name, boasting over two million followers on TikTok and more than one million on Instagram. She’s characterized by her relatable personality on social media and infectious sugary pop tracks, mainly celebrating girl power and self-love. Bravo is also a model and businesswoman, the owner of her own bathing suit brand, called Bravu. — JESSICA ROIZ

Song for Your Playlist: “Arte”

Artist: Christian Alicea

Country: Puerto Rico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I met Christian Alicea during the Premios Juventud 2023 red carpet. I was captivated by his talent and charisma during our brief conversation on the carpet. Christian, originally from Lares, Puerto Rico, has a distinct tropical music influence in his voice. His family’s musical background and his unique fusion of classic and urban sounds contribute to his originality within the genre. In his latest single “Bendición Mame y Pape,” he not only displays his great talent, but also mesmerizes his fans with his sweet and raspy vocals, while also fearlessly embracing the power of rap melodies. — INGRID FAJARDO

Song for Your Playlist: “Bendición Mame y Pape”

Artist: DAAZ

Country: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: While working out one day in the park, I came across a song called “Motel California”—it instantly caught my attention. The collaboration between newcomers DAAZ and Sabino kicks off with jazzy piano melodies that then transitions to a feel-good and smooth funk-rap fusion, narrating a conversation between two friends: one who went on a date with a girl and later to the motel, the other giving him advice. Much like this vibey track, DAAZ portrays Hip-Hop and reggae music by “incorporating Mexican ‘culturalismos’ and real-life topics of Millennial woes,” according to a press statement. The Cancun-based newcomer calls himself “the king of the jungle” on social media and is signed to WK Records. — J.R.

Song for Your Playlist: “Motel California” feat. Sabino

Artist: Darho

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Hailed from Barranquilla, Darho captured my attention with his first two singles under Warner Music Latina: “Ojitos Secos,” a beautiful heartbreak ballad that debuted in April; and the more joyful “Ven Ven,” released last week, whose fusion of dembow and afrobeat is perfect for the summer. “I made the decision to select this new song in order to infuse something refreshing for me, departing from my melancholic ballads and paving the way for something vibrant, something Caribbean,” the Colombian singer-songwriter says in a statement. It’s a welcome change that showcases Darho’s versatility and increases our curiosity to see what he’ll do next. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Song for Your Playlist: “Ven Ven”

Artist: Dayanara

Country: Ecuador

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: During the 2023 Heat Latin Music Awards in Punta Cana, I also came across Dayanara, a giddy brunette who turned heads with her pearly white smile and chocolaty eyes. But beyond being just a beautiful and viral girl (she has nearly three million followers on Instagram), Dayanara is a rising pop artist who’s already all the rage in her country, Ecuador. She navigates from reggaetón to cumbia to romantic ballads and more with her dulcet vocals, and has recently been making the rounds with her Kunno-assisted track “El Ganado.” A well-rounded star, Dayanara formed part of a reality show called Pequeños Brillantes when she was 10 years old, won Miss Teen Universe at 17 years old in 2015 and represented Ecuador at the 2019 Viña del Mar Festival. — J.R.

Song for Your Playlist: “Ni Borracha”

Artist: Drea Dury

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, Dury’s music is a lush combination of pop, Afrobeats and R&B, built over a cohesive sonic base no doubt informed by a childhood surrounded by classical music (her father is an orchestra conductor). Like Nathy Peluso, Dury’s output is truly audio-visual, her sexy beats accompanied by exuberant, tropical visuals in a combo that she calls “Criollan Elegance.” While Dury stops short of going over the top, she certainly commands attention. Last week, she opened for Ozuna in Paris, and recently released a new EP, Palmera Nights. — LEILA COBO

Song for Your Playlist: “Bandida”



Artist: Jasiel Nuñez

Artist: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Jasiel Nuñez was the first artist to take the stage at Peso Pluma’s 24th birthday bash last month in Guadalajara. I was quickly captivated by his velvety vocals, which contrast the sometimes harsh sound of a corrido. Typically, corrido singers’ vocals are raw and unpolished, but not Nuñez’s. The singer-songwriter is not only one of Peso Pluma’s best friends, he’s also signed to the Mexican superstar’s label Double P Records. Nuñez has co-written a number of tracks with Peso, including “Lagunas,” one of their collaborations featured on the history-making album Génesis, which Peso unleashed last month and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — the highest ranking on the tally for a música mexicana album. Moreover, “Lagunas” earned Nuñez his first entry on the Hot 100, after the piano-led ballad peaked at No. 85. — GRISELDA FLORES

Song for Your Playlist: “Lagunas”



Artist: K-efe

Country: Chile

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: One of the first things about K-efe that draws you in is her laidback bohemian swagger — then it’s her piercing vibrato, delivered with a soulful rap flair. That’s exactly what captivated me about the artist, also known as Karin Hoffmann, at this year’s Acoustic Showcase of the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) at New York’s S.O.B.s. — which we featured on our 11 Standout Performances list. Taking cues from Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, the Mexico City-based singer/producer makes music of a neo-soul persuasion, with an occasional ability to spit punchy one-liners. Her latest release, “SUELTA (Respira)” with Paz Quintana, showcases her conscious hip-hop lyricism, which is anchored in roots and folklore. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song for Your Playlist: “SUELTA (Respira)”

Artist: Loyal Lobos

Country: Colombia

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: This Bogotá-born, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter boasts a high, ethereal voice that sings knock-out lyrics over atmospheric vibes with just tinges of dance. Newly signed to Saban, Loyal Lobos began her career singing mostly in English on her debut indie album, 2020’s Everlasting. With Saban, she’s switched seamlessly to Spanish, marrying an alt-pop sound with the punch of Spanish-language story-telling, and leaving us better for it. Loyal Lobos’ relatable lyrics and very unique sound stand out in the Latin music realm through songs like “Funeral,” which details how her big send-off should be a big party; and her recent “Si volviera a conocerte,” a wistful look at the one who got away. A new EP, Loba Vol. 1, is due out this Fall. — L. Cobo

Song for Your Playlist: “Si Volviera A Concerte”



Artist: Milo J.

Country: Argentina

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: At the young age of 16, Camilo Joaquín Villarruel, better known as Milo J, already sounds like a veteran — thanks to his tone of voice and lyrics that talk about his personal experiences. With an indisputable talent, the rap artist is quickly making a name for himself as the promising new sound of the urban genre in Argentina. Active in music since 2021, songs like “Milagrosa” have put him on the radar of many, and he continues to build his reputation with each new release. His talent has already been recognized by other Argentine colleagues who have invited him to collaborate on their recent albums, such as Nicki Nicole, with whom he sings “Dispara,” and Khea, with whom he collaborated on the song “Nunca Voy Solo”. — LUISA CALLE

Song For Your Playlist: “Rincón”

Artist: Sebastian Esquivel

Country: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: I met Sebastian Esquivel on a red carpet in Las Vegas in April of this year. The following month, while visiting Chihuahua, Mexico, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand how his music has gained widespread popularity — not only through social media but also locally in the northern region of Mexico. Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Esquivel also represents the new era for corridos, where they innovate by combining corridos and trap.

One of the perfect examples of this genre is his last hit, “Bélico y Cholo,” released earlier this year with Yerai R. Following the success of the single, Esquivel brought Virlan Garcia onboard for a live version of the single “Bélico y Cholo – En Vivo – Con Virlan Garcia.” He is currently promoting his most recent EP Los Esquivel en vivo desde Cadereyta, in collaboration with his brother Eugenio Esquivel — together they have gained recognition as part of the TikTok-famous duo in Mexico, Los Alucines. — I.F.

Song for Your Playlist: “Bélico y Cholo (En Vivo)”



26 Jul 2023

10 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: ZEROBASEONE, Duane Betts, Ole Lonesome & More

Billboard has more than 200 different weekly charts in its menu, encompassing numerous genres and formats.

While established artists often compete for a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and Billboard 200 albums ranking, which track the most popular songs and albums of the week, respectively, up-and-coming talents typically start off on genre-specific lists.

Here’s a look at 10 titles by acts who appear on surveys for the first time on the July 29-dated charts.

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See latest videos, charts and news

ZEROBASEONE

The South Korean band lands on Billboard’s charts for the first time with its debut single, “In Bloom.” The track, released July 10 on the group’s debut EP Youth in the Shade, starts at No. 103 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and No. 182 on the Billboard Global 200 with 11.9 million official streams worldwide in the July 14-20 tracking week, according to Luminate. ZEROBASEONE (which often abbreviates its name to ZB1) formed earlier this year through the South Korean reality show Boys Planet. The nine-member group, which is managed by WAKEONE Entertainment, is comprised of Park Gun-wook, Kim Gyu-vin, Sung Han-bin, Zhang Hao, Kim Ji-woong, Seok Matthew, Ricky, Kim Tae-rae and Han Yu-jin.

Duane Betts

The guitarist and singer-songwriter scores his first solo appearance on Billboard’s charts, thanks to his debut solo LP, Wild and Precious Life. The set, released July 14 via Royal Potato Family, debuts at No. 68 on Top Current Album Sales with 1,000 copies sold in its opening week. As a founding member of the Allman Betts Band, Betts has charted two titles on Americana/Folk Albums: the group’s debut set Down to the River (No. 24, 2019) and sophomore release Bless Your Heart (No. 15, 2020). Betts, the son of the legendary guitarist Dickey Betts, founded the Allman Betts Band with Devon Allman, the son of the late Gregg Allman. Dickey and Gregg founded the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. Previously, Duane collaborated with Backbone69, Brethren of the Coast, Dawes, Jamtown and Whitestarr and fronted Duane Betts & The Pistoleers. Duane Betts is currently on the road through September, touring as Duane Betts & Palmetto Hotel, in support of his new LP.

Snooper

The Nashville-based punk/garage rock band reaches Billboard’s charts for the first time with its debut studio album, Super Snooper. Released July 14 on Third Man Records, the project debuts at No. 70 on Top Current Album Sales with 1,000 copies sold in its first week. The LP also sparks a No. 37 debut for the group on the Emerging Artists chart. Snooper comprises Blair Trammel (lead vocals), Connor Cummins (guitar) and Cam Sarrett (drums). The group has opened on tour for Amyl and the Sniffers, Dehd, Sheer Mag and Guerrilla Toss.

Ole Lonesome

The rock/blues band, from Beaumont, Texas, arrives on Billboard’s charts with its new sophomore studio album, Tejas Motel. The set, released July 14 on Gulf Coast Records, debuts at No. 5 on the Blues Albums chart. The group self-released its debut LP, Turn It On, in 2019. Ole Lonesome comprises Greg Achord, Jimmy Devers, Zachary Feemster, J. Wesley Hardin and Gregory Mosley.

Tim Dugger

The singer-songwriter and Alabama native hoists his first Billboard chart hit with “Buy a Bar.” The song, released Feb. 3 via Curb Records, debuts at No. 55 on Country Airplay (up 29% in airplay audience). Dugger released his debut EP, Signs of a Good Time, in 2020. He is currently on the road in the U.S. performing a string of shows at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. The NASCAR fan also has performances scheduled at various speedways in September-October.

Ryan Human

The Lincoln, Neb., native makes his debut on Billboard’s charts with his breakthrough single “Be Awesome.” The song, originally introduced in 2018 but recently made available on streaming services, begins at No. 26 on Adult Contemporary.

Mark Steven Doss & Ken Smith

Both artists land on Billboard’s charts for the first time with their new collaborative album, Welcome to My World. The set, released July 14 on Cedille Records, debuts at No. 2 on Traditional Classical Albums. Doss, from Cleveland, has already forged a successful career in music. The bass-baritone opera singer has performed with numerous opera companies in more than 100 operatic roles around the world. In 1994, he won a Grammy Award for best opera recording for his participation in Handel’s Semele. Smith, who plays piano on the new album, has been a professional pianist for more than 50 years. The Louisiana native has worked with a variety of singers in his career and has been affiliated with the Bel Canto Foundation. He also served on the faculty of the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University in 1992-2014.

Kadu Martins

The singer-songwriter/producer, from Brazil, makes his first mark on Billboard’s charts with his song “Halls Na Lingua.” The track, released in March on TS Music Oficial, debuts at No. 151 on Global Excl. U.S. with 13.6 million streams outside the U.S. July 14-20. Martins has released two four-track EPs: Start, in 2019, and Swing do KM, in 2022.

Austin Moody

The country artist, from East Tennessee, reaches Billboard’s charts with “I’m Just Sayin’.” Released May 19 on Dang Right Records, the track debuts at No. 7 on Country Digital Song Sales and No. 11 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales survey with 4,000 downloads sold. The sum also spurs Moody to a No. 33 entrance on the Emerging Artists chart.

The King Will Come

The Christian music collective hits Billboard’s charts with its debut single “Yet.” The cut, which the act self-released in April, debuts at No. 46 on the Hot Christian Songs chart with 281,000 official streams.