Music

30 May 2023

Morgan Wallen’s ‘Last Night’ Leads Billboard Hot 100 for Eighth Week, Bad Bunny’s ‘Where She Goes’ Debuts in Top 10

Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” adds an eighth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.

Plus, Toosii’s “Favorite Song” reaches the Hot 100’s top five with an 8-5 jump and Bad Bunny’s “Where She Goes” launches at No. 8, becoming his 10th top 10.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data. All charts (dated June 3, 2023) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (May 31, a day later than usual due to the Memorial Day holiday in the United States May 29). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

Wallen’s “Last Night,” released on Big Loud/Mercury/Republic Records, drew 65.4 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 3%) and 32.7 million streams (down 1%) and sold 9,000 downloads (up 1%) in the May 19-25 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The song, which first led the Hot 100 in March, becoming Wallen’s initial leader on the list, notches a 10th week at No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart; drops 2-5 on Digital Song Sales, following a week on top; and keeps at its No. 5 best on Radio Songs.

“Last Night” also tops the Country Airplay chart for a fourth week, having become the first track to rule the Hot 100 and Country Airplay simultaneously, and continues in the top 20 on Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay and Adult Contemporary. It leads the Hot Country Songs chart, which uses the same methodology as the Hot 100, for a 16th week.

As previously reported, “Last Night” parent album One Thing at a Time dominates the Billboard 200 for a 12th week, encompassing its entire stay on the chart so far. It boasts the most weeks in a row at No. 1 since the Titanic soundtrack linked 16 in 1998. Meanwhile, One Thing at a Time is just the second album to spend its first 12 weeks on the chart on top, after Stevie Wonder’s classic Songs in the Key of Life led in its first 13 weeks in 1976-77. Plus, the dozen weeks atop the Billboard 200 for One Thing at a Time mark the most for a country album since Billy Ray Cyrus’ Some Gave All, sparked by its own crossover smash, “Achy Breaky Heart,” ruled for 17 weeks in 1992.

Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” rebounds 3-2 on the Hot 100, after eight weeks at No. 1 beginning upon its debut in January. It posts a 15th week atop Radio Songs (89.7 million in audience, down 2%).

“Flowers” ties for the sixth-longest reign since Radio Songs began in December 1990 – and matches Adele’s “Easy On Me” for the longest rule for a Columbia Records single.

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Radio Songs:

  • 26, “Blinding Lights,” The Weeknd, 2020
  • 18, “Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls, 1998
  • 16, “Girls Like You,” Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B, 2018
  • 16, “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey, 2005
  • 16, “Don’t Speak,” No Doubt, 1996-97
  • 15, “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus, 2023
  • 15, “Easy On Me,” Adele, 2021-22

SZA’s “Kill Bill” lifts 4-3 on the Hot 100, after it became her first No. 1, for a week in April. It rules the multi-metric Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot R&B Songs charts for a 21st and 23rd week, respectively.

On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the No. 1 run of “Kill Bill” is historic, as the song passes Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring the aforementioned Billy Ray Cyrus, for the longest command since the chart became an all-encompassing genre survey in 1958.

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs:

  • 21, “Kill Bill,” SZA, 2022-23
  • 20, “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, 2019
  • 18, “Industry Baby,” Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow, 2021-22
  • 18, “One Dance,” Drake feat. WizKid & Kyla, 2016
  • 16, “Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke feat. T.I. + Pharrell, 2013
  • 15, “Be Without You,” Mary J. Blige, 2006

Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” reaches a new Hot 100 high, rising 6-4. It leads the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for a 39th week, extending the longest rule since the ranking began over a year ago (in partnership with music festival and global brand Afro Nation).

Toosii’s “Favorite Song” pushes 8-5 to hit the Hot 100’s top five for the first time. Aided by a new remix with Future, released May 19, to go along with a previously-available version with Khalid and sped-up and instrumental options, plus a “Midnight Session” mix, the track surges 17-1 on Digital Song Sales (17,000 sold, up 471%), as Toosii reigns in his initial appearance on the chart.

The track also climbs 8-5 on Streaming Songs (22.4 million, up 12%) – as it wins the Hot 100’s top Sales and Streaming Gainer awards – and 17-14 on Radio Airplay (36.4 million, up 15%). Plus, it rebounds for a third week at No. 1 on the multi-metric Hot Rap Songs chart.

Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” recedes 5-6 on the Hot 100, after hitting No. 4 – the best rank ever for a regional Mexican song. The collaboration claims an eighth week at No. 1 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart.

Lil Durk’s “All My Life,” featuring J. Cole, falls to No. 7 on the Hot 100, a week after it soared in at No. 2.

Bad Bunny’s “Where She Goes” bounds onto the Hot 100 at No. 8, with 23.4 million streams, 2.9 million in radio reach and 2,000 sold in its first full week (May 19-25), following its May 18 release. The Spanish-language song arrives as the star’s 10th top 10, and second this year, after “Un x100to,” with Grupo Frontera, hit No. 5 earlier in May.

“Where She Goes” marks Bad Bunny’s first Hot 100 entry with no accompanying artists since he released his LP Un Verano Sin Ti, which controlled the Billboard 200 for 13 weeks in May-October 2022 and generated four Hot 100 top 10s.

Rounding out the Hot 100’s top 10, Metro Boomin, The Weeknd and 21 Savage’s “Creepin’ ” slides 7-9, after hitting No. 3, and Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” backs up from No. 9 to No. 10 a week after it reached the region, although it takes top Airplay Gainer honors (19.8 million, up 52%).

Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated June 3), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (May 31).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

30 May 2023

Lana Del Rey Asked the Audience to Help Find Her Vape: Watch

There was no snow on the beach when Lana Del Rey played Brazil. There was, however, a problem with a missing vape.

Lana’s drama was shared with the audience at the MITA Festival, Saturday (May 27) in Rio De Janeiro, her first live performance in more than three years.

As the alternative pop artist and her band kicked into the song “Norman F—ing Rockwell,” she went off-piste with the audible comment: “And also if you see my vape on stage, can you find my vape on stage?”

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In a video capturing the moment, Del Rey can be heard chatting with someone up front.

“You did? Where, though? Oh, all the way in the pit?”

She wasn’t going there. “F— it,” she said, accepting defeat.  

Del Rey has a habit of losing her vaping device. According to Page Six, she lost her little nicotine buddy during a Portland concert in 2019. In a scene not dissimilar to what played out in Rio, Del Rey paused proceedings to start the search. Cue frustrated swearing — “Where’s my f—ing vape?” — which culminated in Del Rey giving up and moving along with her set.

Forgetfulness aside, Del Rey has a lot to be happy about. Her belated release from 2012, “Say Yes To Heaven,” debuted in the U.K. top 10, and a new edit of “Snow On The Beach,” her collaboration with Taylor Swift, could propel the track into the top 10 when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday.

Billboard’s 2023 Women In Music Visionary dropped a ninth studio album in March, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and No. 1 in the U.K. and Australia.

During her set in Brazil, Del Rey delivered the live debut of numerous songs from her latest LP, including set opener “A&W,” “Candy Necklace,” “The Grants” and the title track. Check out some of her performances from the fest here.

The MITA Festival reportedly marked Del Rey’s first full concert since November 2019. Since then, she’s appeared on such TV programs as The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and made an onstage appearance with Bleachers at High Water Festival in 2023.

30 May 2023

Royal Blood Puts Crowd On Blast, Exits Stage Flipping Middle Fingers: Watch

Royal Blood’s set at a music festival in Scotland turned into a royal mess as the band blasted the crowd and walked off, with frontman Mike Kerr raising his middle fingers as a departing gift.

The English rock duo performed late afternoon Sunday (May 28) at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2023 Dundee.

As the band neared the end of their performance, Kerr gave the audience a serve for a perceived lack of enthusiasm.

“Well, I guess I should introduce ourselves seeing as no one actually knows who we are,” the 32-year-old artist said in a video doing the rounds of social media. “We’re called Royal Blood and this is rock music. Who likes rock music? Nine people, brilliant,” he remarked, sarcastically.

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Introducing drummer Ben Thatcher, he added, “We’re having to clap ourselves because that was so pathetic. Well done, Ben.”

Kerr then stared down the side-of-stage camera and appeared to ask the operator: “Will you clap for us? You clap? You’re busy. Can you clap? Yes, even he’s clapping.” He turned to the audience, “What does that say about you?”

Then, Kerr let rip with an off-color chord as they walked off stage, his middle fingers held high to the audience.

Some fans have pointed out that Royal Blood was stuck in a tricky schedule, wedged between pop stars Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi, whose sophomore album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent is currently No. 1 in the U.K.

Other social media users have pointed out on that, yes, sometimes the crowd isn’t moved, and artists should roll with it.

The band’s fourth studio album, Back to the Water Below, is due out Sept. 8 through Warner Records.

A busy touring schedule through the U.K. and Europe should set up the release, including a performance at Glastonbury Festival, June 21-25, and a return to Scotland for TRNSMT Festival 2023, set for July 9 in Glasgow.

All three of their previous albums have gone to No. 1 on the Official U.K. Chart: Royal Blood (2014), How Did We Get So Dark (2017) and Typhoons (2021).

Watch Royal Blood’s unusual exit from stage at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

30 May 2023

Women in CTRL Receives IMPALA’s 2023 Changemaker Award

The U.K. organization Women in CTRL is the second recipient of IMPALA’s Changemaker award, it was announced on Tuesday (May 30). The not-for-profit organization, founded by Nadia Khan, seeks to advance gender equality in the music industry.

Women in CTRL encourages women and non-binary persons to find their strengths, develop their own personal brands and build the tools and confidence to become leaders. The organization runs creative growth programs, community workshops, mentoring, training, organizing events and more.

Women in CTRL also publishes research and reports, such as the “Seat at the Table” report looking at the representation of women, with an intersectional focus on Black women, in the boardroom of U.K. music trade bodies. They also released the “Women in Radio” report looking into the experiences of women in the radio industry to identify the barriers women face.

Women in CTRL has also partnered with AIM and Amazon Music to launch a new apprenticeship program, “Amplify,” which aims to improve access to music industry careers for women and non-binary people.

“It’s an honor for Women in CTRL to be chosen as the second recipient of the Changemaker award,” Khan said in a statement. “This recognition affirms our work, inspires us to continue and highlights the independent community’s collective determination and passion in driving positive change within the music industry. Women in CTRL firmly believe in the transformative power of sharing best practices and learning from the exceptional organizations that IMPALA champions.”

“Women in CTRL is an inspiration to all in the sector who seek to bring change,” Helen Smith, IMPALA’s executive chair, said in a statement. “It’s an honor to be able to showcase their work through our Changemaker Award.”

The Changemaker Award puts the spotlight on projects that champion DEI work (dubbed “equity, diversity and inclusion” in Britain). The recipient is selected yearly by IMPALA’s DEI task force. Launched in May 2022, the award highlights projects that have an impact on the independent music sector. It is presented yearly during European Diversity Month.

The POWER UP initiative was the inaugural recipient last year. Launched in January 2021, POWER UP provides mentoring, support and grants for 40 Black music creators and industry professionals.

IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents nearly 6,000 independent music companies. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change and increase access to finance.

30 May 2023

Beyonce Salutes Tina Turner With Performance of ‘River Deep – Mountain High’: Watch

Beyonce has paid musical tribute to her late idol, Tina Turner.

The “Single Ladies” singer used the platform of her Renaissance tour of the U.K. to remember Turner, who passed away last Wednesday (May 24), aged 83.

Wearing an all-blue ensemble, with matching gloves, Beyonce performed a stripped-back cover of Ike & Tina Turner’s 1966 hit “River Deep – Mountain High,” originally produced by Phil Spector.

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On this occasion, Bey didn’t attempt to match Turner’s high-energy version, instead reimagining the song as a power ballad.

Beyonce’s gave her salute to the “Nutbush City Limits” star Monday night (May 29) at north London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the first of a five-night stand.

Next stop on the Renaissance World Tour: Barcelona’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on June 8.

Bey, like so many artists, was heartbroken when news of Turner’s death reached her.

“My beloved queen. I love you endlessly,” reads a message Beyoncé posted to her website. “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain. Thank you for all you have done.”

Inspiration became collaboration, when the pair joined forces at the 50th annual Grammy Awards in 2008. On that occasion, the superstar artists performed “Proud Mary,” Ike & Tina Turner’s 1971 cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic.

Three years before that, Beyoncé had performed the same song solo at the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors, in honor of Turner.

Bey spoke fondly of Turner when her tour paused last week at Paris’ Stade de France. “I just want to take a second and honor Tina Turner,” she told the crowd. “If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner. I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner, so I want you guys to just scream, so she can feel your love. I feel so blessed that I was allowed to witness her brilliance.”

Watch fan-filmed footage of Bey’s musical tribute to Turner below.

29 May 2023

Taylor Swift Set For U.K. Singles Chart Splash

Taylor Swift is all set for a top 10 takeover in the U.K.

Following the release last Friday (May 26) of Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition), three tracks from it are vying for top 10 berths.

Based on early sales and streaming data, “Karma” could vault 67-2, after the release of a new cut featuring Ice Spice. Further down the chart blast, fan favorite “Hits Different” could arrive at No. 8 and “Snow On The Beach,” featuring Lana Del Rey, could enter the top 10, thanks to a re-recording with additional vocals from the alternative-pop artist. “Snow” starts at No. 10 on the chart blast.

Rapper J Hus could snag the highest new entry on the Official U.K. Chart with “It’s Crazy.” It’s new at No. 6 on the chart blast, and, if it holds its spot, would become the Brit’s fourth U.K. top 10 appearance.

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Dua Lipa’s soundtrack from the forthcoming Barbie film, “Dance The Night,” is getting a lot of play time. It’s new at No. 16 on the chart blast, and should give Lipa her 23rd top 40 in the U.K. The Greta Gerwig-directed Barbie stars Margot Robbie as the titular Mattel doll, and is accompanied by a soundtrack, Barbie the Album, which was produced by Mark Ronson and includes songs by Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Karol G, Khalid, Ice Spice, Charli XCX, HAIM, The Kid Laroi, Ava Max and more.

Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue’s Padamic is sweeping the country. The catchy electro-pop number “Padam Padam” is on the rise, and could crack the top 20 for the first time. It’s at No. 18 on the chart blast, after arriving at No. 26 on the chart proper last Friday, for the Australian pop veteran’s highest position on the survey since 2014’s “In The Blue” hit No. 12.

At the very top of the chart blast is, once again, “Miracle,” the throwback rave number by Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding. It’s charging to an eighth non-consecutive appearance at the summit, for what would equal Harris’ longest reign for a single.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday (June 2).

29 May 2023

Taylor Swift Tells Phoebe Bridgers She’ll Miss Their ‘Dressing Room Heart to Hearts’ After New Jersey Dates

Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour runs through August, but this past weekend’s shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, marked the last dates featuring her friend Phoebe Bridgers as one of the opening acts.

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“Yeahhhh so the last three nights were a dreamscape and totally overwhelming,” Swift said of her MetLife concerts in a Monday (May 29) post on Instagram, where she shared a handful of new concert photos. “I love every single one of you who came to those 3 shows in Jersey, all 217,625 of you.”

“@phoebebridgers, I’ll miss you out here my dude, thanks for the duets and the dressing room heart to hearts,” she wrote, adding an emoji of two pink hearts to her message.

In addition to having her own set as an opener on The Eras Tour, Bridgers joined Swift onstage to perform their from-the-vault duet “Nothing New” at the past 10 dates.

“You are my hero,” Bridgers said Sunday night before they sang the Red-era song together. The pair shared a sweet hug, and Swift said, “Thank you for being the friend that you’ve been to me. This is really something we could’ve written in a note to each other,” she joked, “Just be like, ‘Thank you for being a friend that I will never ever stop confiding in and trusting. I love you with everything,’ but yeah, this is the last time we’re gonna get to sing together on this tour.”

In her Instagram note on Monday, Swift also wrote, “I was so excited to welcome @owennmusic to the Eras Tour! And @icespice i love youuuu and I’m still buzzing from getting to sing with you all three nights! This tour has become my entire personality. See you soon Chicago!”

See Swift’s latest post on Instagram.

29 May 2023

Beyoncé Praises Blue Ivy’s Surprise Appearance at Paris Concert: ‘I’m So Proud and Thankful’

Beyoncé is beaming with pride after sharing the stage with Blue Ivy.

Queen Bey took to social media on Sunday (May 29) to reflect on her 11-year-old daughter’s surprise appearance at the superstar’s Renaissance tour stop in Paris just days earlier.

“My beautiful first born,” Beyoncé wrote on Instagram alongside a photo and videos of Blue Ivy’s unforgettable cameo. “I’m so proud and thankful to be your mama. You bring us so much joy, my sweet angel.”

During the Grammy winner’s packed show at Paris’ Stade de France on Friday (May 26), Blue Ivy stunned concert-goers by making a surprise appearance during the dance breakdown for her mom’s Lion King track “My Power” and “Black Parade.” Dressed in coordinating silver jumpsuits, Blue Ivy joined Bey onstage and kept up flawlessly with the choreography.

“Give it up for Blue,” Beyoncé told the cheering crowd after her daughter’s performance.

Beyoncé wasn’t the only one celebrating Blue Ivy’s concert appearance in Paris. Bey’s mom and the Blue’s grandmother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, also took to social media to share her excitement.

“Last night I saw my beautiful grandbaby (11) dance in the front of almost 70 thousand people !” Knowles-Lawson captioned a video of Blue Ivy on Instagram. “She killed it and was as cool as a cucumber! Blue Ivy Carter No Fear.”

Beyoncé’s long-awaited Renaissance World Tour launched on May 10 in Stockholm, Sweden, with a jaw-dropping, three-hour showcase featuring dozens of career-spanning hits. The trek is in support of her 2022 album, Renaissance, which topped the Billboard 200 albums chart upon its release and won the Grammy Award for best dance/electronic album. 

See Beyoncé’s proud post about Blue Ivy on Instagram below.

29 May 2023

Becky G, Young Miko, Junior H & More at Sueños Music Festival 2023: See the Photos

Becky G, Grupo Firme, Junior H, Young Miko, Ivy Queen, Arcángel, and many more took the stage at Sueños Music Festival 2023, which took place in Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-28).  

On Saturday (May 27), Sueños got off to a strong start with performances by Feid, Wisin & Yandel, El Alfa, Ivy Queen, Gera MX and paopao, to name a few.  

From the founders of Mexico’s Baja Beach Fest, Sueños made its debut in 2022 with headlining acts J Balvin, Ozuna, and Farruko. Returning acts include Puerto Rican rapper Myke Towers, Dominican dembow star El Alfa, as well as reggaeton pioneers Wisin & Yandel. 

For a second year in a row, Wisin & Yandel — or best known as “El Dúo de la Historia” — helped close out the fest. The Puerto Rican hitmakers took fans down memory lane performing all the reggaeton hits such as “Abusadora,” “El Teléfono” and “Pam Pam,” to name a few. 

“We’re thrilled to be coming back to Chicago for our second annual Sueños festival,” Aaron Ampudia and Chris Den Uijl, co-founders of Sueños, previously told Billboard Español. “Last year was such a moment, you could feel the energy and excitement from fans no matter where you were at in the festival. It just felt like we were meant to be there, celebrating Latin music and culture with Chicago’s thriving Latino community — and this year we’re bringing even more.” 

On Sunday (May 28), artists such as Becky G took the stage and got emotional when she heard fans chanting “Becky, Becky, Becky!” To which she responded, “I just knew today would hit different.” 

Firme was in charge of closing day two and Sueños’ second edition, and, in their signature style, they partied hard in Chicago singing anthems such as “En Tu Perra Vida,” “Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo” and “Ya Supérame.”  

Below, check out candid photos of all the performances at Sueños 2023.  

29 May 2023

Jewel’s Unique Take on National Anthem at Indy 500 Draws Mixed Reaction

Jewel‘s unique performance of the U.S. national anthem at this year’s Indianapolis 500 has left many fans divided.

On Sunday (May 28), the singer-songwriter delivered an acoustic rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” ahead of the annual Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Wearing an all-white outfit with a checkered flag tucked beneath her cowboy hat, Jewel gently plucked away at her guitar while crooning a soulful rearranged version of the classic tune.

The Utah native delivered a similar rendition of the national anthem prior to the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City in late February.

Jewel’s “Star Spangled Banner” performance at the Indy 500 drew a mixed reaction from onlookers on social media.

“Jewel butchered the national anthem at the Indy 500. People were trying to sing along but couldn’t because of the way she sang it. What a shame,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Another shared, “jewel’s national anthem for indy 500 might be the worst anthem rendition to date.”

Others, however, praised the performance. “Jewel just did the best national anthem I’ve ever heard in my life I’m not exaggerating,” a viewer tweeted.

Another added, “Jewel singing the national anthem at the Indy 500 is a thing I didn’t even know I needed.”

Jewel’s latest album, Freewheelin’ Woman, was released in 2022 through her own Words Matter Media.

Watch Jewel sing the national anthem at the Indy 500 below, and see the mixed reactions to her performance.