Music

24 Apr 2023

Keith Gattis, Writer of George Strait & Kenny Chesney Hits, Dies at 52

Artist and songwriter Keith Gattis, who has penned hits for George Strait and Kenny Chesney, died Sunday at age 52, Billboard has confirmed.

Gattis was born May 26, 1971, in Georgetown, Texas, and began performing in the Austin area as a teenager, before relocating to Nashville.

In 1996, Gattis released his self-titled album for RCA Nashville, which included the radio singles “Real Deal” and “Little Drops of My Heart.” In 2002, Gattis became a guitar player for Dwight Yoakam and contributed to Yoakam’s albums, including 2005’s Blame the Vain and 2004’s Dwight’s Used Records.

In 2005, Gattis released another album, Big City Blues, via Smith Music Group. Big City Blues included Gattis’ version of “El Cerrito Place,” which Charlie Robinson had included on his 2004 album Good Times. Robinson also recorded Gattis’s songs including “Big City Blues,” as well as “Reconsider” and “Down Again,” the latter two included on Robinson’s 2009 album Beautiful Day.

Kenny Chesney would later record “El Cerrito Place” for his album Welcome to the Fishbowl, earning a top 10 Country Airplay chart hit with the song in 2012. A year later, Chesney would earn a top 15 hit on the Country Airplay chart with Gattis’s “When I See This Bar,” included on Chesney’s album Life on a Rock.

Gattis was also a writer alongside Tom Douglas on George Strait’s 2013 top 20 Country Airplay hit “I Got a Car,” and co-wrote Strait’s 2015 radio single “Let It Go” alongside Strait and Strait’s son and fellow songwriter Bubba.

Along the way, Gattis contributed his instrumental, vocal, production and/or composition talents to a range of projects, including Randy Houser’s 2019 album Magnolia, Wade Bowen’s 2018 album Solid Ground, Waylon Payne’s 2004 album The Drifter, as well as projects recorded by Brandy Clark, Sara Evans and Gary Allan. Gattis also co-wrote “Tonight I’m Playin’ Possum,” a duet recorded by Joe Nichols and Randy Travis.

Several artists offered kind words of remembrance of Gattis. Sheryl Crow stated via social media, “Woke up to the news that Keith Gattis has gone on. He was a wonderful person, an incredible talent, and a well loved friend to all who knew him. He will be missed.”

Jake Owen stated via social media, “Losing people in our lives is never something we can get used to. Losing someone in this business, is even harder bc of what they brought to everyone around them. @keithgattis brought it all. He was the guy you wish you could be as cool as. From his own records, his style, his swagger,.. Keith was always himself. I really admired him and I wish I would of told him that. It’s hard to only be left with memories.”

Kendell Marvel stated, “I met Keith Gattis through our bud Steve Markland in 2008 and we hit it off immediately. I know people say this all the time but I mean it with all my heart when I say I would not be out here doing what I’m doing today without Gattis. We made my first record together and wrote most of the songs. Hell, we started The Honky Tonk Experience together. He was not only a great guitar slinger/ songwriter/singer/producer, he was also a great friend and an even better dad to his babies and husband to Penny. Gonna miss my ole pal from Texas. Call your people and tell em ya love em just because.”

24 Apr 2023

Miley Cyrus Is Back to Her Brunette Roots

It’s 2011 all over again. Miley Cyrus debuted her new hair transformation at the The Daily Front Row’s Seventh Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards on Sunday (April 23), with the star going back to her roots (literally) with long, wavy brunette locks.

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However, the “Can’t Be Tamed” singer did keep some of her blonde look via chunky, 90s-inspired highlights (as seen above). She paired the new hairstyle with a stunning, plunging Versace corset top, paired with a sleek pencil skirt and leather gloves. She rocked the look while presenting the Music Stylist of the Year award to Bradley Kenneth.

The last time the superstar was brunette was back before the release of her Bangerz album in 2013. In 2012, she surprised fans when she chopped her long hair into a sleek, platinum blonde pixie cut, kicking off an edgier, more free-spirited era for the singer.

It’s been an incredible year for Cyrus, who released her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, on March 10. The project’s lead single “Flowers” topped the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart for eight weeks, and also crowned the Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay and Adult Contemporary surveys dated April 15. Endless Summer Vacation, meanwhile, is Cyrus’ 14th top 10 album on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at No. 3 on the tally dated March 25, 2023.

24 Apr 2023

SZA Scores Her First Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 With ‘Kill Bill’

SZA slices her way to her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, as “Kill Bill” jumps from No. 4 to the top spot, following eight weeks at its prior No. 2 high. The song reigns following the release of its remix adding Doja Cat.

Plus, Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj’s “Princess Diana” launches at No. 4 on the Hot 100, marking the second top 10 for the former rapper and the 22nd for the latter.

Also in the Hot 100’s top tier, Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma log the first regional Mexican top five hit in the chart’s history, as “Ella Baila Sola” soars 10-5. A week earlier, the song became the chart’s first-ever regional Mexican top 10.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data. All charts (dated April 29, 2023) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (April 25). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

Here’s a rundown of the Hot 100 coronation for “Kill Bill.” The song is the 1,149th No. 1 since the chart originated in August 1958. It was released on her Top Dawg/RCA Records album SOS, which ranks at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, after 10 weeks at the summit.

Airplay, streams & sales: “Kill Bill” drew 86.5 million radio airplay audience impressions (down 1%) and 28.3 million streams – up 32% – and sold 5,000 downloads – up 228% – in the April 14-20 tracking week, according to Luminate, as it claims both the Hot 100’s top Streaming Gainer and Sales Gainer awards.

Sparking the song’s surge, its remix with Doja Cat arrived April 14. (All versions of the song roll up into one chart listing; Doja Cat is not listed on “Kill Bill” on the Hot 100, as the remix did not account for the majority of the song’s overall consumption during the tracking week.)

The track rises 3-2 for a new high on the Radio Songs chart; ascends 4-3 on Streaming Songs, following four weeks at No. 1; and bounds 36-8, returning to its best rank, on Digital Song Sales.

SZA’s first No. 1: SZA claims her first Hot 100 No. 1 with “Kill Bill.”

Here’s a look at her seven career Hot 100 top 10s, ranked by peak position. She scored her prior best peak also thanks to collaborating with Doja Cat, as featured on 2021’s “Kiss Me More.”

  • No. 1, one week, to-date, April 29, 2023, “Kill Bill”
  • No. 3, July 10, 2021, “Kiss Me More” (Doja Cat feat. SZA)
  • No. 7, Dec. 18, 2021, “I Hate U”
  • No. 7, March 3, 2018, “All the Stars” (with Kendrick Lamar)
  • No. 9, Feb. 6, 2021, “Good Days”
  • No. 9, Nov. 25, 2017, “What Lovers Do” (Maroon 5 feat. SZA)
  • No. 10, Dec. 24, 2022, “Nobody Gets Me”

Eight’s not too late: “Kill Bill” tops the Hot 100 after eight nonconsecutive weeks at No. 2. It debuted at No. 3 on the Dec. 24, 2022, chart – as SOS premiered at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

The song ties for the second-most weeks spent at No. 2 on the Hot 100 before rising to No. 1 at last:

  • 9 weeks at No. 2 on Hot 100 before hitting No. 1, “Bad Guy,” Billie Eilish, hit No. 1 Aug. 24, 2019
  • 8, “Kill Bill,” SZA, April 29, 2023
  • 8, “Starboy,” The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk, Jan. 7, 2017
  • 8, “Sorry,” Justin Bieber, Jan. 23, 2016
  • 8, “The Way You Move,” OutKast feat. Sleepy Brown, Feb. 14, 2004
  • 7, “Havana,” Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug, Jan. 27, 2018
  • 7, “Sexy and I Know It,” LMFAO, Jan. 7, 2012
  • 6, “Girls Like You,” Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B, Sept. 29, 2018
  • 6, “All of Me,” John Legend, May 17, 2014

‘Kill’-er hits: As SZA takes out all chart competition in her way, she notches the fourth Hot 100 No. 1 with “kill” (or any form of the word) in its title:

  • “Kill Bill,” one week at No. 1, to-date, April 29, 2023
  • “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Kelly Clarkson, three weeks, beginning Feb. 18, 2012
  • “A View to a Kill,” Duran Duran, two, July 13, 1985
  • “Killing Me Softly With His Song” Roberta Flack, five, Feb. 24, 1973

Meanwhile, “Kill Bill” is the second Hot 100 No. 1 of the four above that doubles as a movie title, as it’s an ode to the 2003 Quentin Tarantino-directed, and likewise revenge-focused, martial arts favorite (subtitled Volume 1) starring Uma Thurman, among others (including David Carradine in the role of Bill). Duran Duran’s “A View to a Kill” is the theme from the same-named 1985 James Bond movie, and the only one from the franchise to have topped the Hot 100.

Record-extending R&B/hip-hop reign: “Kill Bill” concurrently rules the multi-metric Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot R&B Songs charts for a 17th and 18th week, respectively. On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it boasts the longest command for a song by a woman in a lead role since the survey became an all-encompassing genre chart in 1958, having passed Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” (15 weeks at No. 1 in 2006).

Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” dips to No. 2 on the Hot 100 after three nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1. It adds a sixth frame at No. 1 on Streaming Songs (35.1 million, down 4%), while winning top Airplay Gainer honors on the Hot 100 for a third week in a row (39.9 million, up 16%). The single from Wallen’s album One Thing at a Time, which spends a seventh week atop the Billboard 200, leads the multi-metric Hot Country Songs chart for an 11th week.

Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” holds at No. 3 on the Hot 100, after eight weeks at No. 1, beginning upon its debut in January. It posts a 10th week atop Radio Songs (92.7 million in audience, down 1%) – where, since the survey began in December 1990, only 15% of all No. 1s have dominated for double-digit weeks. Notably, the song spends a third week topping the Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay and Adult Contemporary charts simultaneously, becoming just the fourth hit with that many weeks leading all three lists at the same time; it joins Adele’s “Easy on Me” (three, 2022) and “Hello” (four, 2015) and Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” (five, 1996).

Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj’s “Princess Diana” debuts at No. 4 on the Hot 100, with 21.8 million streams, 2.4 million in radio audience and 77,000 downloads sold, following the April 14 arrival of its remix with Minaj; the original version of the track was released by Ice Spice solo in January.

The song starts as Ice Spice’s second Hot 100 top 10 – her first, “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2,” with PinkPantheress, drops 8-10, after reaching No. 3. Minaj achieves her 22nd top 10, extending her record for the most among women rappers.

“Princess Diana” opens at No. 1 on Digital Song Sales, where it’s Minaj’s 13th leader, and Ice Spice’s first, and No. 6 on Streaming Songs. (Helping the song’s sales, along with Ice Spice’s solo version and the main [billed as “edited”] version of the duet remix, clean, explicit, extended, sped-up, slowed-down and instrumental versions of the Minaj remix were available for purchase in the tracking week.)

The single also begins atop the multi-metric Hot Rap Songs chart, where Minaj earns her 10th No. 1 and Ice Spice, her first.

Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” vaults 10-5 on the Hot 100, led by 31.8 million streams, up 31%. It becomes the first regional Mexican top five hit in the chart’s archives, a week after it became the list’s initial top 10 for the genre. The collaboration tallies a third week at No. 1 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart.

Metro Boomin, The Weeknd and 21 Savage’s “Creepin’ ” slips 5-6 on the Hot 100, after hitting No. 3, and Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” descends to No. 7 from its No. 6 high. The latter tops the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for a 34th week, extending the longest rule since the ranking began a year ago (in partnership with music festival and global brand Afro Nation).

The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Die for You” backtracks 7-8 on the Hot 100, following a week at No. 1 in March, and Drake’s “Search & Rescue” falls to No. 9, a week after it roared in at No. 2.

Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated April 29), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (April 25).

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.

24 Apr 2023

SEVENTEEN Opens Up About the ‘Grand Sound’ of ‘Charming’ New Song ‘Super’

SEVENTEEN unveiled their brand new mini-album FML on Monday (April 24), and to celebrate, the 13-member group sat down with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe to talk about the inspiration behind some of the project’s songs.

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“‘Super’ is the track makes you cheer up when you want to do fighting and it is a charming song with the grand sound,” Seungkwan shared, with S. Coups adding, “During listening to the all the tracks in this album, we hope to feel that SEVENTEEN and [fanbase] CARATs are one team.”

As for what they have planned for the rest of the year, Seungkwan kept it coy. “It would be hard to say exactly what is the plan for the rest of this year but we will present great performances to CARATs,” he shared.

Listen to the full interview here.

Six tracks appear on FML: “F*ck My Life,” “Super,” “Fire,” “I Don’t Understand But I Luv U,” “Dust” and “April Shower.” FML arrives via PLEDIS Entertainment almost nine months after SEVENTEEN’s most recent full-length project, SECTOR 17, which earned the act a career high on the Billboard 200 by peaking at No. 4. 

FML is the most pre-ordered album in K-pop history with 4.64+ million pre-orders, a press release for the new album says.

24 Apr 2023

Here’s How Taylor Swift Cut Her Hand Mid-Concert: ‘It Was My Fault Completely’

Taylor Swift saw that her fans were concerned about her literal “Death By a Thousand Cuts” moment, during which she somehow acquired a gnarly injury on her left palm during one of her recent Eras Tour shows in Houston. Don’t worry, though — she says she’s completely fine.

In a Monday (April 24) post on her social media accounts, shared one day after she finished out a weekend of three concerts at NRG Stadium, the 33-year-old pop star revealed what happened to her and her guitar chord-playing hand during her Saturday (April 22) concert. “Just got to play 3 insane shows in Houston and I’m waking up smiling reminiscing about how much fun we all had,” she began, captioning three dynamic, sparkly photos from the trio of performances.

“Loving this tour so much because of the passion these crowds put into it all – seriously can’t wait for Atlanta,” Swift continued, before revealing how she injured herself. “PS for those asking how I cut my hand, I’m totally fine and it was my fault completely – tripped on my dress hem and fell in the dark backstage while running to a quick change – braced my fall with my palm.”

“It was all very Mercury in retrograde coded,” she joked. “Don’t worry about me I’m gooooood.”

Swifties have been buzzing about the “Anti-Hero” singer’s endurance ever since photos of her hand injury cropped up online following the second Houston show. Fans couldn’t believe how the pop star was able to continue through the rest of her three-hour set without any indication that she was in pain, despite the chunk of missing skin on the bottom part of her palm.

One fan even traced back photos from the night to identify when the injury must have occurred: during a costume change in between the songs “Tolerate It” and “Ready For It.” Another Swiftie tweeted, “i cannot believe she performed with her hand THAT injured last night, without letting on that something was going on. we do not deserve her.”

24 Apr 2023

Young Man Dies From Suspected Drunk Driver After Leaving Taylor Swift Concert

20-year-old Jacob Lewis was killed by a suspected drunk driver on Friday night (April 21) after leaving the Taylor Swift concert in Houston, Texas, with his sister April Bancroft.

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According to KHOU-11, the two young fans were driving home from the show when they had car trouble on the freeway. Lewis began pushing the car and was struck and immediately killed by 34-year-old Alan Bryant, who fled the scene. Thankfully, a tow truck driver that saw what happened followed Bryant and he was eventually arrested by police.

Jacob’s father, Steve Lewis, shared the devastating news on his Facebook page over the weekend, noting that Bancroft survived, and suffered “only minor bruises and scrapes.”

Steve also shared photos of Jacob and gave insight into his passion-filled life, which included enjoying theater, dance, music and playing video games. “It was Jacob’s love of Pokémon that introduced this family to the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and he would qualify for the Pokémon World Championships 3 times. Jacob competed against players from all over the world in Vancouver in 2013, Boston in 2015, and San Francisco in 2016,” Steve wrote.

“Jacob will be remembered as a loving and faithful young man who was loyal to his family and friends,” he concluded his heartbreaking message. “His last act was to push his sister to safety on a dark street. There is no way to describe the magnitude of this loss and the emptiness left in our hearts.”

See Steve’s post here.

24 Apr 2023

Katy Perry’s ‘Wide Awake’ Video Hits 1 Billion Views on YouTube

Katy Perry‘s video catalogue has reached a major milestone once again. The “Chained to the Rhythm” singer’s video for “Wide Awake” has surpassed the one billion views mark on YouTube.

The visual takes place just after Perry films the confection-filled video for “California Gurls” — she heads back to her dressing room, takes off her bubblegum-pink wig with its matching headband and stares into the mirror of her vanity before falling into a dark, maze-filled wonderland. A much younger version of herself ultimately rescues her and guides her to a lush garden where a Prince Charming is waiting. But instead of running off with him, Perry chooses to bring light to the rest of the kingdom. The video concludes with the star preparing to sing “Teenage Dream” in front of a crowd during a concert.

“Wide Awake” was released as the final single from Perry’s Teenage Dream album cycle, appearing on the set’s 2012 deluxe reissue, Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection. The track peaked at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it would chart for a total of 26 weeks.

“Wide Awake” also marks Perry’s sixth video to surpass one billion views on Youtube. “Roar” currently sits at 3.7 billion, while “Dark Horse” trails behind at 3.4 billion. “Firework,” “Hot n Cold” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” all have over one billion views each. (“The One That Got Away” is close behind at 968 million views.)

Revisit Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake” in the music video above.

24 Apr 2023

Lea Michele & Myles Frost to Announce 2023 Tony Nominations

Lea Michele, star of the hit revival of Funny Girl, and Myles Frost, a 2022 Tony winner for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in MJ, are set to announce the 76th Annual Tony nominations on Tuesday, May 2.

The nominations announcement will air live from Sofitel New York on the Tony Awards’ official YouTube Page at 9 a.m. ET. Selected categories will be read live on CBS Mornings at 8:30 a.m. ET. A complete list of the 2023 nominations will be available on the Tony’s website immediately following the announcement.

As a replacement (for Beanie Feldstein) in the revival of Funny Girl, Michele isn’t eligible for a Tony nomination. Barbra Streisand received a 1964 Tony nod for best actress in a musical for her performance in the original production.s a

In 2010, Michele received an Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her breakout role in Glee. She was named as one the most influential people of 2023 by TIME, on their TIME100 list.

Frost received the 2022 Tony Award for best leading actor in a musical for his performance in MJ. At 22, he became the youngest actor to ever win in that category. Frost will next be seen in Ava DuVernay’s feature film Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

The Tony Awards eligibility cut-off date for the 2022-23 season is Thursday, April 27, for all Broadway productions that meet all eligibility requirements.

The 76th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Ariana DeBose, will air live from United Palace Theatre in New York City on Sunday, June 11. The celebration will commence at 7 p.m., ET/4 p.m. PT, with one hour of exclusive content streaming on Paramount+, followed by the presentation of the 76th Annual Tony Awards from 8 to 11 p.m. ET live on CBS, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

24 Apr 2023

Carrie Underwood Adds More Dates to Las Vegas Residency

Carrie Underwood has added three new shows to her Las Vegas residency, Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency at the 5,000-person capacity Resorts World Theatre. The trio of new dates are Dec. 13 and Dec. 15-16, 2023.

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The eight-time Grammy winner was the first artist to perform on the theater’s stage when she launched her Reflection residency in 2021. Her approximately 90-minute set, bolstered by an array of costumes and pyrotechnics, serves as a chronicling of her numerous hits from the past 15 years, as well as songs from her most recent album, Denim & Rhinestones.

These new shows join Underwood’s current slate of performances at the Resorts World Theatre, beginning June 21, including dates in June, July, September, November and December. The residency shows follow her recently wrapped, 43-city arena tour, The Denim & Rhinestones Tour, which featured opener Jimmie Allen.

“We had a blast on the road with The Denim & Rhinestones Tour,” Underwood said via a statement, “but it’s always nice to come back ‘home’ to Resorts World Las Vegas to continue Reflection. This show is truly a celebration of all my music, and I love having the chance to welcome fans from all over the world who come to see us in Vegas.”

Tickets for the new shows go on sale Friday (April 28) at 10 a.m. PT. American Express cardholders can purchase tickets to the new shows before the general public beginning Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 10 a.m. PT through Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 10 p.m. PT.

See Carrie Underwood’s new shows announcement below:

24 Apr 2023

Why Bubbly Rapper/Singer TiaCorine Is Just Getting Started 

It’s a travel day for TiaCorine, who is riding on a tour bus from Salt Lake City to Seattle for her next stop as a supporting act on Key Glock’s Glockoma Tour when she talks to Billboard over Zoom. She turns her camera to show that the bus is going through the mountains — making for an occasionally choppy conversation, but demonstrating the kind of new terrain that Tia’s promising career is now regularly visiting.

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Hailing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Tia (born Tia Shultz) takes pride in her hometown and still lives there with her seven-year-old daughter. But the rising rapper has been out and about a lot more recently — for tour of course, but thanks to her growing popularity she’s also found herself at New York Fashion Week, in Los Angeles for Grammy events and most recently, performing alongside Latto at Coachella.

TiaCorine has been a product of virality ever since her 2018 song “Lotto” found its way to TikTok in 2020. Fittingly, she sounds like an anime character rapping on the song, as her love for the animation style heavily informs her vibrant wardrobe and visuals. Last fall, she released her third project I Can’t Wait, on which she weaves totether hip-hop, rage rap and alternative rock. Tia took inspiration from The Wizard of Oz, Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts for the album’s artwork (video games are another big influence) and earned another viral moment via standout track “FreakyT.” 

Produced by Honorable C.N.O.T.E., the song sees Tia rhyming over a beat that reminded her of Memphis rap staples Project Pat and Three 6 Mafia, whom she’s a big fan of. (“Look at me, where she wanna be, call me Freaky T/ Off the leash, I feel like a dog, I get hella flee,” she opens in a staccato flow.) “FreakyT” has been used in over 23,000 TikTok videos, and reached a No. 22 high on Billboard’s Rap Airplay chart. She even released an official sped-up version as well as the first remix of the song featuring Latto last Friday (April 21).

“It got a little doubt from the beginning, but I knew it was a good song,” she says. “I knew people would like it, but I didn’t know it was going to go this far.”

TiaCorine is just getting started. Billboard spoke with April’s R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month about balancing motherhood and newfound fame, her dream collab and the freakiest thing she’s ever said.

It’s good to be talking again since we met a few months ago in the office. How’ve you been since then?

Good! Just on tour. Working, working!

What’s been the most lit city so far? 

I think it was Kansas City, [Missouri]. Kansas City was real, real lit.

How do you balance motherhood with your newfound stardom and touring? 

Being on tour, [my daughter and I] have certain times that we FaceTime throughout the day – we play Roblox together, we talk, we text. She just calls me whenever she feels like talking. Sometimes it makes her sad the more that she talks to me, because she doesn’t really understand the time — like, April 28th [the last day of tour], she doesn’t know how long [from now] that is. She doesn’t understand how long I’m gonna be gone. But it’s been good, though. My mom’s staying at my house so [my daughter’s] at home.

Do you find it hard to say “no” to opportunities?

No. I usually just say “no” when I don’t want to do something, because at the end of the day, I’m the boss and it’s all about me. This is my face, my brand — so if I don’t wanna do something, I just say “no.” I could care less how you feel. I say “no” all the time.

Tell me about your childhood and your beginnings in music.

I’m from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and my parents just really love music. My mom played music all the time. I just naturally liked music, I guess. And then I picked up my first instrument in sixth grade, which was the flute, and I fell in love with the sounds — reading a body of music and the behind-the-scenes of music. I started hearing things in songs that I normally didn’t hear at first. My mom would take me to symphonies and orchestras, because if you were a part of the band, you would get tickets to go there if you wanted to after school.

I started talent shows in third grade where I started off singing. [As I got older], it kinda morphed into rapping, because I used to hang out with guys and they would be rapping. I just tried it one day, and the first time I did it, I was like “Oh s–t. D–n, I sound pretty good.” I had fun doing it and I just kept practicing and “Lotto” was the second song I made and it went viral.

Do you write your raps or freestyle?

It’s a mixture of both. I don’t have a certain way that I do it — every time I record it’s kinda different. I might get on the mic and find a tune, or I might have something to start me off in my phone because I have little bars that I write throughout the day. It’s kinda [like] how I dress, I just do it depending on how I’m feeling that day.

Who is someone that you really want to work with?

I really wanna work with Tyler, the Creator, I look up to him a lot. I think he’s a genius. I love a lot of the things that he does, and I kinda see myself being like him.

Did you expect “FreakyT” to take off the way it did? I saw Rick Owens used it in a TikTok.

Yeah, that was crazy! My brother sent me that TikTok and I was like, “What the f–k, it’s Rick Owens! He needs to send me some Rick’s.” [Laughs.] But nah, I didn’t — because I definitely was told that it wasn’t one of my best songs and they weren’t trying to put it on the project, so I had to fight to get that on and keep it on there.

I know you have a few remixes of the song coming out. 

I have a boy version and a girl version, and we are dropping one soon.

What’s the freakiest thing you’ve ever done or said?

It had to be something I said on Twitter. I don’t know if it’s the freakiest, but I posted a photo of Lois Griffin. She was in the bed with big muscles and I was like, “This is me when I make myself [nut].” And everybody was like, “What the f–k.” [Laughs.] I didn’t think it was that freaky at the time, but I guess so — everybody said I was out of pocket.

I saw in another interview you said when you make it big you want to move to Japan. Why is that?

I just think Japan is so cool-looking. It’s so futuristic and I love cherry blossom trees. The scenery out there is so crazy and magical. When people send me pictures, I just see myself being there.

What anime shows do you recommend for people who want to get into it?

I’ll always recommend Hunter x Hunter, I just like the way that it started off. Anybody that’s never watched anime or doesn’t like it, when I put them on to that, they’re like “D–n, this is actually really good.” Parasyte is good, even Death Note is really good to start off with. Or you can start off with something smaller like Inuyasha, but that’s more of a romantic type [and] it’s kind of funny.

It seems like your bubbly personality is reflected in your style and videos. How do you maintain such bright energy?

Because I love it. I’m really passionate about [making music] and having fun. Like, if I’m not having fun, then what am I doing this for? It’s a mixture of naturally having the love to do it and I talk to my supporters a lot online, and they always give me good words of advice and say really encouraging things. That just makes me more excited and inspires me to make more music.

And just having people around me — like Kyra, she does my hair, but that’s a childhood friend of mine. So a lot of people that I keep around me are actual, real true friends that were here from the beginning. I think having that natural, raw energy around [me] keeps me grounded. Also, I still live in North Carolina where everything started for me. [That’s] what keeps me going and aligns me.