Music

16 May 2023

SZA Is Loving Janelle Monae’s Sexy New Era of ‘Self Renaissance’

SZA is all about supporting women and their sexual expression.

The “Kill Bill” singer came to Janelle Monáe’s defense on Monday (May 15) amid online backlash toward the “Lipstick Lover” singer, who has been showing off a newer, sexier side of herself leading up to her The Age of Pleasure album release.

“I love that it’s HER being free [right now] because [people] LOVE to box women in and claim that because you’re articulate respected and intelligent, you can’t show your body or be sexual or anything else lol,” SZA commented on an Instagram post from RNB Radar. “It’s a ridiculous notion and I’m ALL FOR HER SELF RENAISSANCE.”

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In the “age-restricted” video for “Lipstick Lover” on YouTube, Monae relishes in female beauty as she enjoys poolside kisses on the neck and appreciates her muse’s curves.

“I’m like, ‘Why didn’t I write this song years ago?’ Because if you know me … Today, I don’t have on any red lipstick, but I’m always in red lipstick,” she told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe of the track. “And there have been so many instances where I’ve made out with somebody at a party, and it’s dark. Nobody notices it. But when the lights come on, whoever I’ve made out with, lipstick all over their face. And then I’ve also been on the receiving end of a human … who’s so attractive. … Or I’ll get home, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God. I have lipstick all over my face.’ And I’ve also been the ‘Lipstick Lover’ where … you know exactly who I kissed.”

Monae’s album, The Age of Pleasure — out June 9 via Wondaland Arts Society / Atlantic Records — will be her first studio album since 2018’s Grammy-nominated release of Dirty Computer.

See SZA’s supportive comment below.

16 May 2023

R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Victoria Monét, Monaleo, Emotional Oranges & More

We’re well into May, and the summer heat just keeps coming. From electronic and house-tinged cuts by Overmono and Emotional Oranges to irresistible rap songs by way of Monaleo and Jermtown, we’ve got everything you need to start off the warmer months right with indie and emerging artists from across the globe.

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Check out our Spotify playlist that includes all our fresh picks from this month, and don’t forget to share the wealth.

Freshest Find: Victoria Monét feat. Buju Banton, “Party Girls”

Victoria Monét is on a roll. The cult-favorite singer joined forces with dancehall mainstay Buju Banton on a single that packs more than enough heat for a summer filled with nights out. The multi-hyphenate flaunts her plethora of talents, unfurling routines of hypnotic moves from scene to scene in the visual dedicated to the “party girls lightin’ up the world.”

Overmono, “Cold Blooded”

If electronic music isn’t really your speed, Overmono is here to ease you in. On “Cold Blooded,” the UK duo builds on an Afrobeats-esque drum pattern and R&B melodies, combined with gritty synths and a classically electronic instrumental bridge with chopped and filtered vocals.

Jermtown feat. FELIX!, “2002”

Michigan’s Jermtown comes together with Massachusetts rapper FELIX! on the carefree “2002.” The Sara Kawai and Ayeitsnate-produced beat carries Detroit sensibilities while the two rappers do their part by staying true to the city’s laidback cadence. In a black and white video reminiscent of Pusha T and Kanye West’s “Diet Coke” the up-and-coming pair stroll around a white-washed studio firing off punch-line filled verses.

Emotional Oranges feat. Nonso Amadi, “Not Worthy”

“I’m the reason we fell through,” declares “A.” of Emotional Oranges on the opening line of “Not Worthy.” The beautifully self-depricating cut is a series of admissions set to a smooth house-infused instrumental as “V.” delivers a string of harmonies throughout the three-minute cut.

Obongjayar, “Just Cool”

Wanna feel cool? Obongjayar has the perfect thing. This groovy cut is perfect for that iconic movie scene where the awkward teen protagonist embraces their true self, as the London-based artist declares, “Do what you want/Just leave me be/Do what you want/Just give me peace.”

Aaron May, “Stay Humble”

It’s May season, both literally and figuratively as Houston artist Aaron May has returned with his new single “Stay Humble.” The boom-bap rap song finds the rapper spitting about hustling and grinding his way to success. “Stay Humble” is the first glimpse into May’s upcoming project which is slated to release later this year.

Josh Levi, “Birthday Dance”

Josh Levi will bust a move at any given time. On his new single “Birthday Dance,” the singer slows it down, urging his lover to dance for him. The song is an addition to his 2022 EP Disc Two.

DD Osama, “Better Days”

Channeling Y2K romantic rap by way of warm guitar chords, NYC drill rapper DD Osama delivers a tender moment on his debut project, Here To Stay. The 16-year-old artist taps into his poetic side, showing a knack for introspection far beyond his age.

Monaleo, “A– Kickin’”

Despite announcing her pregnancy last month, Monaleo is showing no signs of slowing down. “Monaleo, big bully/taking names, a– kickin’,” she raps. The track will appear on her upcoming album Where the Flowers Don’t Die.

Bandmanrill, “Mr. D.C.T.”

Bandmanrill adds a Jersey Club spin to Crystal Waters’s 1991 track “Gypsy Woman.” The Newark native has been a rising voice and is helping bring the genre into the mainstream with his youthful energy and uptempo tracks.

16 May 2023

Ed Sheeran Is ‘Super Proud’ of Harry Styles for Becoming the ‘Biggest Solo Artist in the World’

Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles‘ friendship dates back to the early 2010s, when they were both laying the the groundwork for their music careers. And according to Sheeran, it’s been incredible to be on the journey to success while being friends with Styles as they’ve grown so much in the past few years, he shared in a Tuesday (May 16) appearance on The Sprout Podcast.

“There’s something about going through your formative years, you know like it’s quite weird. Like, he’s obviously, like, on top of the world right now and has gone from being in the biggest boy band in the world to then being the biggest solo artist in the world,” Sheeran explained. “And it’s just it’s an amazing journey to see. I’m, like, really, like super, super proud of him.”

Sheeran’s friendship with Styles dates back to before he had commercial success — the “Thinking Out Loud” singer would sleep on a friend’s couch and would sometimes wake up to find Styles sleeping on a different sofa at the same place. Sheeran would go on to pen songs for One Direction, including “Moments,” “Little Things,” “Over Again” and “18”; the pair also have multiple friendship tattoos.

Sheeran compared his relationship with Styles to his friendship with Taylor Swift, adding, “It’s the same thing as Taylor, like, there’s rarely people that like totally understand you and I think both of them because they are solo artists and are at this level you kind of talk and there’s an understanding there that you don’t necessarily get from everyone.”

Listen to The Sprout Podcast in full below.

16 May 2023

Megan Moroney Hits Top 10 on Country Charts & Rules Emerging Artists Ranking

Rising singer-songwriter Megan Moroney earns a host of honors on Billboard’s charts dated May 20.

The Savannah, Ga., native’s first full-length, Lucky, arrives at No. 10 on Top Country Albums. The 13-song set, released May 5, earned 18,000 equivalent album units through May 11, according to Luminate. The set marks the first top 10 debut for a woman’s first title on the chart since Gabby Barrett’s debut LP, Goldmine, arrived at No. 4 in July 2020. (Moroney previously released the six-song EP Pistol Made of Roses, in July 2022.)

Moroney, a graduate of the University of Georgia, concurrently claims her first top 10 on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Country Songs chart, as her rookie entry, the new set’s lead single “Tennessee Orange,” bounds 15-10. The song holds at its No. 10 high on Country Airplay, up 5% to 18.5 million audience impressions. It also drew 9.7 million official streams (up 56%) and sold 2,000 downloads (up 11%) in the United States in the May 5-11 tracking week.

“Orange” marks the first freshman entry by a female artist to reach the Hot Country Songs top 10 since Lainey Wilson’s “Things a Man Oughta Know” hit No. 3 in September 2021. The latter also became her first of two Country Airplay leaders to-date.

Additionally, Moroney tops Billboard’s Emerging Artists survey for the first time. (The chart ranks the most popular developing artists of the week, using the same formula as the all-encompassing Billboard Artist 100, which measures artist activity across multiple Billboard charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200.)

Moroney is the fifth solo country female artist to rule Emerging Artists, after Barrett, Carly Pearce, Ingrid Andress and Lainey Wilson.

Moroney co-authored “Tennessee Orange” with David Fanning, Paul Jenkins and Ben Williams. She recently told Billboard of songwriters that she idolizes, including John Prine, “I think their songwriting carried their careers. That influence came from my dad.”

Moroney is currently opening shows on Brooks & Dunn’s Reboot Tour 2023, before launching her 22-city headlining The Lucky Tour this fall.

16 May 2023

Slowthai Appears in U.K. Court to Face Rape Charges

Slowthai appeared in court Tuesday (May 16) on two charges of rape and took to Instagram after the court appearance to deny the allegations.

“Regarding the allegations being reported about me. I categorically deny the charges,” the 28-year-old British rapper wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “I am innocent and I am confident my name will be cleared. Until then I will apply my energy to ensure this is concluded swiftly and justly.”

He concluded by asking his supporters not to “comment about this situation” and to “respect the process and privacy” of his family.

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The star, real name Tyron Frampton, appeared before Oxfordshire, England, magistrates court via video link earlier in the day, where he was charged with oral and vaginal penetration of a woman without her consent stemming from a September 2021 incident in Oxford, according to The Guardian.

The publication added that Frampton did not enter a plea during the appearance and only confirmed his real name, date of birth and Northampton address. Prosecuting lawyer Adam Yar Khan said the rape charge must be heard at crown court, due to it being an indictable-only offense. At the time of publication, there is no further information surrounding the charges and the accuser’s claims.

Slowthai burst into the mainstream music market with his Mercury Prize-nominated 2019 album, Nothing About Great Britain. Since then, he’s released his 2021 album Tyron and, most recently, 2023’s Ugly. The rapper is currently scheduled to take the stage at a number of upcoming summer festivals, including Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds festival.

16 May 2023

Luke Bryan & Peyton Manning to Return as Co-Hosts of 2023 CMA Awards

Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning are set to co-host the 2023 CMA Awards, which will air live on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8. The country star and the former football great also fronted last year’s show.

Bryan and Manning are just the fourth hosting team to repeat as CMA Awards hosts. Mac Davis and Barbara Mandrell co-hosted three years running, 1980-82. Brooks & Dunn also co-hosted three years in a row, 2004-06. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood fronted the show 11 years in a row, 2008-18.

Before teaming up with Manning, Bryan was the solo host of the 2021 show.

While Bryan and Manning are a great pairing, they are not quite in the same league as the hard-to-top pair of country legends that co-hosted the recent ACM Awards: Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton.

The CMA Awards, which likes to call itself “Country Music’s Biggest Night” (and has trademarked that phrase), will air live Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 8 p.m. ET.

The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. The show has aired on all three legacy networks. It aired on NBC from 1968-71 and on CBS from 1972-2005.

Luke Combs, Cody Johnson and Lainey Wilson each won two awards at last year’s CMA Awards. Combs took entertainer of the year for the second year in a row and album of the year for the second time in three years. Johnson took single of the year and music video of the year, both for “Til You Can’t.” Wilson took female vocalist of the year and new artist of the year.

Viewership for the 56th annual CMA Awards grew to three-year highs in 2022, with 9.7 million total viewers and a 1.79 rating among adults 18-49, after seven days of viewing across linear and digital platforms. The show was the No. 1 most social TV program that evening and the No. 1 most social entertainment program season-to-date. The event earned 3.7 million total social interactions (+71% above 2021) and 5.3M video views (+119% over 2021). (All figures provided by the CMA; Source: Talkwalker SCR)

The first CMA Awards Banquet and Show was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time – making it the longest running annual music awards program on network television. The Grammys first aired as a live telecast in 1971. The ACM Awards first aired in 1972. The American Music Awards debuted in 1974.

ABC is also the network home of CMA’s two other television properties, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas.

16 May 2023

Nicky Jam Rocks the 2023 Telemundo Upfront Celebration and Reveals What’s Next, From New Music To a Starring Film Role

On Tuesday (May 15), Nicky Jam showcased his hitmaker status when he took the stage at the 2023 Telemundo Upfront Celebration, a private concert held in New York City. Spanning two decades of hard-hitting reggaeton bangers like “Hasta El Amanecer,” “X,” and the classic “Travesuras,” the singer-rapper — who arrived donning athletic clothes covered by a fly trench coat — held down the sweltering house for nearly two hours.

Born Nick Rivera Caminero, the half Puerto Rican, half Dominican artist is considered one of the pioneers of reggaeton with over 20 years in the space. The 13-time Latin Billboard Music Award winner is known for his Hot Latin Songs No. 1 hits such as his Enrique Iglesias-assisted “El Perdón,” which topped the chart for 30 weeks in 2015, and “Hasta El Amanecer,” which ruled for 18 weeks. Currently, he’s making the rounds with his first regional Mexican song with Luis R. Conriquez, “Como El Viento.”

Ahead, he’ll star in the upcoming Peacock Original Reggaeton: The Sound that Conquered the World, executive produced by Daddy Yankee. According to a release, the doc will tell the story of “a grassroots music movement that grew from a local sound born in the barrios of Puerto Rico, into a global force heard around the world.”

“All I did was just sit down and talk about the years that I’ve been in the music industry and everything I know about reggaeton, the beginnings and the evolution and everything,” says Nicky Jam. “I just feel like a proud dad, like if I had a little baby and I was trying to make my baby be somebody, and my baby finally is somebody.”

Billboard Español sat down with the reggaeton rockstar at The Glasshouse in New York to discuss his starring role in the genre’s evolution and global takeover, stepping into regional Mexican music and more.

You are a pioneer of reggaeton and still at the forefront of it. How has that journey been, from seeing it in the streets to now being a global sound?

It’s a blessing to be one of the guys that knocked on doors for this genre to exist, and to see where it’s at today. I just feel like a proud dad, like if I had a little baby and I was trying to make my baby be somebody, and my baby finally is somebody. I’m happy that I have made a big contribution to this music industry, and I’m still here today. Young kids respect me, they respect my career, all I’ve been through and all [reggaeton] went through to be where it is today.

I was fascinated by your recent regional Mexican feature with Luis R. Conriquez. What do you think about the rise of regional Mexican music?

I love what they’re doing. I love their music. I connect with their music because it’s kind of like urban music. They come from where we come from. They talk about the same things we talk about. [Luis R. Conriquez] is a very humble guy. I enjoy doing music with him. When I did this song, it was before the phenomena [“un x100to”] with Bad Bunny [and Grupo Frontera] and everything that’s going on with Peso Pluma. I’m just happy for them. It’s something that’s growing. It’s like reggaeton at the beginning, that type of regional music. Regional music has been going on forever, but [now there’s] this new color of it.

It’s nice to see. It makes us learn about Mexican culture more, about that version of Mexico, because we all know different parts of it, telenovelas, their music, boxing… But this is like a whole new Mexico for us.

How was it, vocally, to sing regional?

Well, I’m very melodic, so for me, it’s not hard to get into any type of music because I can sing. Just having a feeling, studying what they do and just putting my vibe to it. The best way you could collab with different types of music is by giving it your own color. 

You also have The Rockstar Show, where you’ve interviewed key players in Latin music, including Billboard‘s own, Leila Cobo. What led you to host your own show and what’s in store for its future?

I think it was the pandemic. I needed to work, so I started creating all these things, like with restaurants and hospitality [like La Industria Bakery & Café in Miami]. Apart from that, I wanted to do a show where I interview singers, colleagues and people from the industry. That’s why I came out with The Rockstar Show. We’re coming up with the third part of it, so we’re just happy. We’re starting heavy with a lot of heavy hitters. We have J Balvin, and a couple more.

What else are you working on now?

A new movie coming out with Universal and Westbrook, Will Smith’s company. I’m the main actor in this movie. We’re working on it, but we’re not done. It’s going to be my main act. A new album, two songs coming out soon, and the new chapter of The Rockstar Show.

You’re also set to headline a bunch of international festivals: Sueños, Baja Beach Fest and the Milano Latin Festival in Italy. What do you look forward to the most when you travel to these?

I just enjoy working and singing my songs in front of people. I make people reminisce about the reggaeton from back in the days and what’s going on today. A lot of people can’t go on stage and sing you songs from 20 years back and make you enjoy it like it’s 2001. That’s Nicky Jam.

On another note, you have some of the fliest tattoos in the game. Which was your last tattoo and what does it mean to you? 

This one [pointing to a hummingbird on his thigh]. To be honest with you, I like being free, and the bird represents freedom for me. That’s why I did this one. I just love tattoos. I can’t stop. I’m going to keep getting more.

16 May 2023

Beyoncé Teases Hair-Related Project to Honor Mom Tina Knowles-Lawson: ‘Carrying on Her Legacy’

In the midst of kicking off her Renaissance World Tour, Beyoncé surprised fans by teasing a new project that’s all about hair on Tuesday (May 16).

“How many of y’all knew my first job was sweeping hair in my mama’s salon?” the superstar asked in a sweet Instagram post featuring a vintage photo of her as a child getting her hair braided. “Destiny’s Child got our start by performing for clients while they were getting their hair done.

“I was exposed to so many different kinds of entrepreneurial women in her salon,” Bey’s note continued. “I saw firsthand how the ways we nurture and celebrate hair can directly impact our souls. I watched her heal and be of service to so many women. Having learned so much on my hair journey, I’ve always dreamed of carrying on her legacy.”

While Beyoncé didn’t share any other details about her mystery project, the post also included a more recent snap of the mononymous icon sitting in front of a vanity in a loose white top with curling iron in hand.

Last week, the “Break My Soul” singer opened her hotly anticipated Renaissance World Tour with a sparkling, expertly polished showcase of 37 hits in Stockholm, Sweden that was equal parts fashion-forward (custom Mugler!) and tech-savvy (the robot arms!) as she delivered an epic three-hour rundown of Beyhive favorites, deep cuts and even a late-era Destiny’s Child throwback.

The worldwide trek won’t hit North America until later this summer, when Bey touches down for dual shows in Toronto on July 8 and 9 following her run across Europe.

Check out Beyoncé’s preview of her latest endeavor below.

16 May 2023

Dolly Parton Specifies Which ‘Greedy Politicians’ She’s Singing About in ‘World on Fire’

Dolly Parton gets a little political on her new song “World on Fire,” the first release from her upcoming debut rock album Rockstar (out Nov. 17).

Parton wrote the song herself, and in an interview with NBC’s Today, the singer-songwriter discusses the song’s lyrics — particularly, a few lines that take aim at “greedy politicians, present and past/ They wouldn’t know truth if it bit them in the *ss.”

When asked about the lyrics during her appearance, Parton laughed and asked “That’s true, ain’t it?” When pressed to elaborate on which politicians the Country Music Hall of Fame (and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) member might have been referring to, she answered, “All of ’em. Any of ’em. I don’t think any of ’em are trying hard enough.”

Digging further into the lyric, Parton added the divisive nature of modern politics doesn’t led itself to solutions. “I just really think often that they worry more about their party than they do about the people,” she said. “If we just do what we felt was the right thing, rather than ‘Who’s gonna lose?’ or ‘Who’s gonna win this?’ or ‘Who’s gonna look better if they do this?’ rather than what comes from the heart.”

Parton debuted “World on Fire” during a performance on the Academy of Country Music Awards, which she also co-hosted alongside Garth Brooks.

The massive, 30-song tracklist for Rockstar details Parton’s collaborations with Sting, Elton John, Joan Jett and more. Parton also collaborated with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood on the Beatles’ classic “Let It Be.”

“Paul was so gracious, and he played the piano and he sang on it, and they just killed it,” Parton told Today.

See Parton’s full interview with Today below:

16 May 2023

What’s Your Favorite Janet Jackson No. 1 Hit? Vote!

Happy birthday, Janet Jackson! The icon turned 57 years old on Tuesday (May 16), and we’re celebrating by looking back at some of her biggest Billboard hits.

While Jackson has an impressive 47 songs that have made the all-genre Hot 100 songs chart, the pop star also has 27 top 10 hits and 10 No. 1s. Among those chart-toppers is her first leader on the tally, “When I Think of You,” which reigned for two weeks in 1986.

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Since then, she’s had hits like 2000’s “Doesn’t Really Matter,” 1993’s “Again,” 1989’s “Miss You Much” and “That’s the Way Love Goes,” which topped the chart for a jaw-dropping eight weeks in 1993. Check out our full list of Jackson’s biggest Billboard hits here.

In celebration of Janet Jackson’s birthday, we want to know which of her No. 1s is your favorite. Let us know by voting below.