Music

13 May 2023

Karol G Joins Alicia Keys Onstage In Colombia & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and more, Billboard editors highlight the latest news buzz in Latin music every week. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Karol G & Alicia Keys’ Special Moment Onstage

Karol G surprised fans in Bogotá, Colombia when she showed up onstage to perform alongside Alicia Keys, who gave a show at the Movistar Arena on May 11. Following Goyo’s opening set, Keys took the stage and was later joined by the “Mañana Será Bonito” singer to duet “No One.” Fans were in for a treat when these two artists joined forces. Watch the special performance below:

A Poem by Shakira

Shakira released a new single, “Acróstico” (acrostic), and it’s a powerful open letter to her children, Milan and Sasha. The song is a poetic composition constructed so that the initial letter of each line of lyrics, taken consecutively, form words.

Released just in time for Mother’s Day, Shakira uses her iconic sultry voice to showcase her raw, vulnerable emotion in this stripped-down piano ballad, where she expresses a mother’s deep and pure love for her children. Acróstico” talks about how a mother can turn her pain into strength through the love of her kids, and how a caress from a son can uplift the soul. More info on the song here.

GALE’s New Career Milestone

This week, GALE sang the U.S. National Anthem to a crowd of nearly 300,000 people at the Formula One Miami Grand Prix that took place in Miami, Fla.—a first in her career. “I feel like I can do anything after this,” she expressed on her Instagram account. “I sang the National Anthem at the @f1 race. What a dream and an honor! Thank you for the love. I’ll never forget this moment. De Puerto Rico pa’l mundo enterooo.” The powerful performance by the Puerto Rican newcomer was aired live on TV in over 140 counties. GALE documented the exciting career highlight on social media. Watch it below:

Gibson Gives Back to Cuba

Gibson Gives has donated 52 guitars, in addition to strings, picks, and other musical equipment, to benefit students at the National School of the Arts in Cuba, where access to musical supplies is limited. “At Gibson Gives, we’ve extended our global growth over the past year, even reaching corners of the world we never thought possible,” said Dendy Jarrett, CEO of Gibson Gives in a press statement. “After two years of negotiations, we are excited to bring much-needed music and equipment for the first time to young people in music and art schools who have limited supplies. Cuban music and songwriting have a rich musical history and global impact; We are delighted to do our bit to ensure that this tradition continues to thrive with the next generation.” Gibson partnered with Derek Walker (Gibson Gives Goodwill Ambassador), who personally delivered the instruments and equipment. Gibson is also expected to donate 100 more Epiphone guitars to the school in the coming months.

First-Ever Latin Women in Music

The inaugural edition of the Billboard Latin Women in Music is a wrap. Shakira, Thalia, Ana Gabriel, Evaluna Montaner, Goyo, Emilia and Maria Becerra were honored as the first class of the Billboard Latin Women in Music on Saturday (May 6) in Miami. From epic performances to emotional and poignant speeches, read all the highlights from the special night here.

With Latin Women in Music, Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.

12 May 2023

18-Year-Old Man Admits to Fatally Shooting Pop Smoke

An 18-year-old man who was charged in the 2020 fatal shooting of rising Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke admitted to killing him during a home-invasion robbery at a Hollywood Hills home in juvenile court Friday (May 12), according to City News Service.

The man, who was 15 at the time of the crime, admitted to a first-degree murder charge stemming from the Feb. 19, 2020, killing of Pop Smoke (real name Bashar Barakah Jackson). He also admitted to a home-invasion robbery charge as well as an allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm during the crime.

He is expected to be held in a state juvenile facility until he turns 25.

City News Service reported that during the hearing, L.A. County Superior Court Judge J. Christopher Smith told the 18-year-old man and his 19-year-old co-defendant, the latter of whom admitted to a juvenile court petition charging him with home-invasion robbery, “That man lost his life over no good reason. … You have no right to take somebody’s life. You have no right to take somebody’s property.”

The 19-year-old man and a third, 20-year-old man, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and another count of home-invasion robbery during an April 6, 2023-dated hearing, could both remain in juvenile custody until they turn 25. The names of all three men are not being publicly released because of their ages at the time of the crime.

Only one of the four men who were charged in the killing of Pop Smoke, Corey Walker, is being charged in adult court because he was 19 at the time of the crime and is now 22. City News Service reports he is awaiting a pretrial hearing scheduled for June 16 in L.A. on murder, robbery and burglary charges.

12 May 2023

Gwen Stefani Gushes Over ‘Magnetic’ Blake Shelton at His Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony

Blake Shelton received the 2755th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday morning (May 12), and he celebrated the honor while surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife Gwen Stefani and longtime friends and The Voice peers Carson Daly and Adam Levine.

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“The reason Blake Shelton is here today on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is because you are part of the country dream, the Hollywood dream and you are part of the American dream,” Stefani said during her heartwarming speech at the ceremony, per People. “And everybody knows you are my dream come true. I love you.”

“He’s humble, he’s genuine and, trust me, wherever we go, everybody feels like they know Blake Shelton,” she continued. “Blake, you are a rare human being and for all the success that you’ve had in your life as a singer, a songwriter, a musician, a performer and entertainer, an actor, a comedian, an entrepreneur, he’s the same guy today as he was back then. A country guy with a love for country music. He’s magnetic, the most generous person you’ll ever know and always just him. No matter where he goes, making people happy, laugh, making jokes.”

Just as Stefani is Shelton’s biggest supporter, the country singer is hers. “I kind of stopped checking things off my list of great accomplishments in my life when I married Gwen, so this is just icing on the cake,” the “God’s Country” singer said of the No Doubt superstar during his speech.

Shelton and Stefani tied the knot in 2021, and have been going strong ever since. The two first met while coaching on NBC’s The Voice, which Shelton will be stepping away from after 12 years and 23 seasons.

12 May 2023

Lil Nas X Supports Jack Harlow at ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ Premiere in a Jack Harlow Shirt

Lil Nas X showed up to Jack Harlow‘s premiere for White Men Can’t Jump on Thursday sporting a T-shirt specially dedicated to his pal.

Emblazoned with the “They Don’t Love It” rapper’s name in bold, white letters, the black tee featured an image of Harlow as well. But that wasn’t all: On the graphic, Harlow is actually wearing a similar tee with Lil Nas X’s name and likeness on it at the 2022 BET Awards — potentially opening up an endless cosmic cycle of Jack wearing Montero wearing Jack wearing Montero and on and on.

For his part, Harlow got a kick out of his “Industry Baby” collaborator’s outfit of choice, gamely posing with an ear-to-ear grin on his face and his arm draped around Lil Nas X’s shoulders on the red carpet. He also shared a pic of Lil Nas X’s cheeky T-shirt to his Instagram Story.

Earlier this month, Harlow unveiled his third studio album Jackman. as somewhat of a surprise, with the studio set landing at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and also earning the Kentucky native his first Top Rap Albums chart-topper (chart dated May 14).

A few days prior, Lil Nas X hit the carpet for the 2023 Met Gala in almost nothing except a copious amount of silver body makeup and a glittering, jeweled face mask in a skin-baring homage to Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved pet cat Choupette. Inside the star-studded gala, he then draped himself in faux fur to take selfies with everyone from Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton to Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, Doja Cat and, yes, Harlow himself, who opted to wear a tailored navy suit.

12 May 2023

Jason Isbell Surprised by Janelle Monáe’s ‘Lipstick Lover’ Video Backlash

Jason Isbell jumped on social media Friday afternoon (May 12) to defend Janelle Monáe and the buzzy music video for her new single “Lipstick Lover.”

“Wait there are people who DON’T like Janelle’s video?” the country singer tweeted. “Seriously I don’t know wtf you people want if it isn’t that.”

In a follow-up tweet, he doubled down, writing, “There are some things we all just agree [are] awesome so we can go about our business. Like gold, diamonds, Outkast, this video.”

While some trolls bemoaned the sensual nature of Monáe’s visual — on which she lustily intones, “I like lipstick on my neck/ Leave a sticky-icky in a place I won’t forget/ I like lipstick on my neck/ Baby I’m obsessed, get me undressed” — plenty of fans sided with Isbell in the video’s comments on YouTube. For example, one wrote, “This felt very for the female gaze, and I absolutely loved it! Everything about it feels like summer’s coming!” while another praised, “I love how she highlights natural beauty!! All shapes, colors, and sizes!”

“Lipstick Lover” is the latest highlight from the queer R&B star’s forthcoming album The Age of Pleasure, which is set to drop June 9 via Bad Boy and Atlantic Records and will also contain the summery, Seun Kuti and Egypt 80-assisted lead single “Float.”

Meanwhile, Isbell recently shared his HBO documentary Running With Our Eyes Closed with fans and used his platform to both speak out against Tennessee’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and support commonsense gun safety legislation.

Read Isbell’s glowing opinion of Monáe’s “Lipstick Lover” video below.

12 May 2023

Forever ‘Young’: Kimberly Perry’s Solo Debut Hits Country Airplay Chart

Kimberly Perry’s first single as a solo artist, “If I Die Young Pt. 2,” bounds onto Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, dated May 20, at No. 31.

The song, on RECORDS/Columbia/RECORDS Nashville, drew 4 million in audience from May 5, its release day, through May 11, according to Luminate. While it did not receive a standard premiere from any of the large radio chains, RECORDS Nashville executive vice president of promotion and commercial strategy Josh Easler notes that select focus stations played the single multiple times its first day.

“Pt. 2” is the sequel to “If I Die Young,” The Band Perry’s first of four Country Airplay No. 1s, which led for a week in 2010. The original also crossed over, spending three weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

The trio consisted of Perry siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid. In March, the act announced its separation, with the members set to concentrate on individual projects.

“Pt. 2” is the first single from Perry’s five-song EP BLOOM, due June 9. She co-penned it – updating the original’s lyrics with the benefit of more than a decade’s hindsight – with Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins. Perry also co-wrote the other four tracks on BLOOM. She recently signed with RECORDS Nashville.

“The moment I heard ‘If I Die Young Pt. 2,’ I knew we wanted to be part of Kimberly’s solo project,” Easler tells Billboard. “She’s a true artist, a phenomenal songwriter, and her voice has been missing from country music. It’s been amazing to see the excitement from our partners at radio, DSPs and others. This is just the beginning.”

‘Last’ Still First

Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” tops Country Airplay for a second week, up 13% to 33.4 million in audience. The song is the fifth of his nine No. 1s to reign for multiple weeks.

As previously reported, the track became the first to top Country Airplay and the multi-metric all-genre Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously.

12 May 2023

Jamie Foxx’s Daughter Says Actor Has Been Out of Hospital ‘For Weeks’ & Played Pickleball Recently

It’s been a month since Jamie Foxx‘s daughter revealed that the 55-year-old actor/singer had been hospitalized for an undisclosed “medical complication,” and on Friday (May 12), Corinne Fox gave fans a positive update.

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In response to reports that Jamie’s family is “preparing for the worst,” Corinne took to her Instagram Stories to deny the rumors. “Update from the family: Sad to see how the media runs wild,” the 29-year-old media personality wrote. “My Dad has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating. In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday! Thanks for everyone’s prayers and support!”

She added that they have “an exciting work announcement” coming in the next week. See her Stories before they disappear here.

At press time there was still no additional information available about what the undisclosed “medical complication” was that sent Foxx to the hospital in April, or what treatment he received and a spokesperson had not returned requests for comment. Foxx has been filming Back in Action with Cameron Diaz in Atlanta and a source told CNN that the medical incident didn’t take place on the set and Foxx was not transported to the hospital by EMS. It was unknown at press time if Foxx had wrapped his portion of the shoot before the incident.

12 May 2023

2023 ACM Awards: The Best Photos From the Show

The 58th annual Academy of Country Music Awards hit the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday (May 11).

It was good night for “wait in the truck” collaborators HARDY and Lainey Wilson, who each won four awards at the 2023 ACMs, including album of the year for Wilson thanks to her LP Bell Bottom Country. After those two, Cole Swindell nabbed three awards and Ashley Gorley netted two.

Co-host Dolly Parton delivered a memorable show-wrapping performance of “World on Fire,” the lead single from her first rock album, appropriately titled Rockstar. The star-studded album follows Dolly’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson delivered a memorable duet together on “Save Me,” followed by a solo Wilson on “Grease.” Jelly Roll and ACM co-host Garth Brooks are both part of Billboard’s inaugural Billboard Country Live event on June 6-7. Jelly Roll will perform at Marathon Music Works in Nashville on June 6, while Brooks will sit down for an intimate Q&A at the same venue on June 7.

You can read about other can’t-miss moments from the 2023 ACM Awards here and check out Billboard’s backstage interviews with the winners here. And to learn more about the snubs and surprises at this year’s show, head here.

The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions. DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation (PMC) subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldridge. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.

12 May 2023

Dolly Parton, Ed Sheeran & More: Which Was Your Favorite 2023 ACM Awards Performance? Vote!

The 2023 ACM Awards featured some of the biggest stars in country descending upon the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday (May 11) to honor achievements in the genre and showcasing talent in a series of performances.

Dolly Parton played a large part in the night’s success, as she co-hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards with Garth Brooks, and took to the stage for a debut performance of “World on Fire.” Serving as the first taste of her forthcoming rock n’ roll album Rockstar — which is set to be released in November — Parton took to the stage in a billowing skirt with a map of the world on it, and was later joined by dancers who performed high-energy choreography in front of controlled flames.

Ed Sheeran, fresh off the release of his fifth studio album Subtract, also gave a stunning performance of of “Life Goes On” consisting of just him with his acoustic guitar — that is, until Luke Combs provided a surprise assist for the second verse of the track. (Combs performed “Love You Anyway” solo earlier in the night).

Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll teamed up to perform “Save Me,” while Cody Johnson, joined by his band, gave a twangy performance of “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys,” and Jason Aldean took to the ACM stage for his song “Tough Crowd,” which, contrary to its title, won over the audience.

Revisit some of performances at the 2023 ACM awards and vote for your favorite in the poll below.

The ACM Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions. DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation (PMC) subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldridge. PMC is the parent company of Billboard. 

12 May 2023

Rob Bisel Hits No. 1 on R&B Producers Chart Thanks to SZA Hits

Rob Bisel rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B Producers chart (dated May 13), ruling for the first time thanks to four production credits on the Hot R&B Songs chart (dated May 13), all by SZA.

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Leading the charge is SZA’s smash single “Kill Bill,” which adds a 20th week at No. 1 on Hot R&B Songs. It ties Bruno Mars’ “That’s What I Like,” The Weeknd’s “Starboy” featuring Daft Punk, and Drake’s “One Dance” featuring WizKid and Kyla for the second-longest reign in the chart’s history, after The Weeknd’s 48-week leader “Blinding Lights.”

“Kill Bill,” which became SZA’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 two weeks earlier, drew 81.7 million radio airplay audience impressions and 21.3 million official streams and sold 1,000 in the U.S. April 28-May 4, according to Luminate.

Bisel co-produced “Kill Bill” with Carter Lang, who dips to No. 2 on R&B Producers after spending 20 weeks at No. 1, the fourth-longest command in the chart’s four-year history.

Here’s a look at all four of Bisel’s production credits on the latest Hot R&B songs chart, with co-producers listed in parentheses.

Rank, Artist Billing, Title (co-producers in addition to Bisel):

  • No. 1, SZA, “Kill Bill” (Carter Lang)
  • No. 13, SZA feat. Travis Scott, “Open Arms” (Michael Uzowuru, Teo Halm)
  • No. 21, SZA, “Blind” (Carter Lang, Yuli, Will Miller)
  • No. 24, SZA feat. Phoebe Bridgers, “Ghost in the Machine” (Carter Lang)

All four tracks are on SZA’s latest album, SOS, which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and 21 weeks and counting at No. 1 on Top R&B Albums (encompassing every week since the set’s release).

Bisel also spends a 21st consecutive week at No. 2 on the R&B Songwriters chart, behind SZA herself, who claims a 32nd week on top.

Elsewhere, Bisel ranks at No. 2 on R&B/Hip-Hop Producers, No. 3 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriters, No. 7 on Hot 100 Producers and No. 16 on Hot 100 Songwriters.

Billboard launched the Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers charts, as well as genre-specific rankings for country, rock & alternative, R&B/hip-hop, R&B, rap, Latin, Christian, gospel and dance/electronic, in June 2019. (Alternative and hard rock joined in 2020, along with seasonal holiday rankings in 2022.) The charts are based on total points accrued by a songwriter and producer, respectively, for each attributed song that appears on the Hot 100. The genre-based songwriter and producer charts follow the same methodology based on corresponding “Hot”-named genre charts. As with Billboard’s yearly recaps, multiple writers or producers split points for each song equally (and the dividing of points will lead to occasional ties on rankings).

The full Hot 100 Songwriters and Hot 100 Producers charts and full genre rankings can be found on Billboard.com.