Music

25 Jan 2023

Stray Kids Hold Top 5 of Hot Trending Songs Chart After ‘The Sound’ Album Announcement

Songs from Stray Kids’ upcoming album The Sound reach Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, powered by Twitter, dated Jan. 28, led by the title track at No. 1.

Billboard’s Hot Trending charts, powered by Twitter, track global music-related trends and conversations in real-time across Twitter, viewable over either the last 24 hours or past seven days. A weekly, 20-position version of the chart, covering activity from Friday through Thursday of each week, posts alongside Billboard’s other weekly charts on Billboard.com each Tuesday, with the latest tracking period running Jan. 13-19.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The tracklist of The Sound was announced Jan. 15, featuring multiple newly released songs in addition to Japanese-language versions of previously debuted tracks like “CASE 143,” “CHILL” and more.

“THE SOUND” leads the way on the Jan. 28 chart as fans discuss the anticipated album, due Feb. 22, with its music holding down the entire top five; the title track is followed by “DLMLU,” “Novel,” “Battle Ground” and “Lost Me” at Nos. 2-5, respectively.

The top non-Stray Kids song comes courtesy of Trippie Redd, whose “Mansion Musik,” the lead track from his new album of the same name, drops in at No. 6. Released Jan. 20, the album features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Lil Durk, Future, Lil Baby and more, and its full impact on the Billboard charts will take place upon the Feb. 4-dated tallies covering the week of Jan. 20-26.

Metallica’s “Screaming Suicide,” the latest taste of the rockers’ upcoming new album 72 Seasons (April 14), arrives at No. 7 after its Jan. 19 premiere.

Keep visiting Billboard.com for the constantly evolving Hot Trending Songs rankings, and check in each Tuesday for the latest weekly chart.

25 Jan 2023

Randy Jackson Recalls How Madonna Once ‘Stole’ His Sunglasses for a Music Video Shoot

Randy Jackson stopped by The Kelly Clarkson Show on Wednesday (Jan. 25) to regale Kelly Clarkson with a story about Madonna and a lost pair of sunglasses.

The host brought up the tale by showing her audience a 1980s-era snap of Madonna surrounded by a younger Jackson and three other men. In the photo, Her Madgesty wears a pair of white-rimmed sunglasses as the future American Idol judge smiles widely next to her. “We saw this old photo of you and Madonna,” Clarkson explained. “Which, this is going back to, like, you know everyone. But tell me if this is a true story: I heard that those are your sunglasses that she has on, and she might have taken them?”

“She stole ’em and they were in the next video!” Jackson proclaimed, much to Clarkson’s delight. “And I’m like, ‘What happened to my shades, yo? What the hell’s going on here?’”

Though the longtime record executive didn’t name the specific music video in which Madonna later used his sunnies, he added, “But look, we love her, she’s amazing,” before quipping, “Hey, you know. You’ve gotta have glasses to see, right?”

On Jan. 17, the Madame X singer played a game of NSFW truth or dare to announce her upcoming Celebration Tour, in a clever nod to her 1991 documentary Madonna: Truth or Dare. The 40th anniversary all-hits trek sold out in minutes in major markets such as New York City, London and Paris despite the Evita star adding 13 more dates within days of the initial announcement.

Watch Jackson’s hilarious reaction to Madonna taking his sunglasses above.

25 Jan 2023

Doja Cat Wears a Goatee Made of Fake Eyelashes at Paris Fashion Week

Bonjour, Monsieur Cat. While attending the Viktor & Rolf show at Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday (Jan. 25), Doja Cat got in touch with her masculine side by sporting a faux mustache and goatee, but with a feminine twist: the facial hair was made of fake eyelashes.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Sporting a light brown pin-striped suit and blue shades, the “Woman” rapper rolled up to the show looking like a whimsical, glamorous version of the Guy Fawkes mask in V For Vendetta. The look served as a follow-up to the striking all-red ensemble she stepped out in earlier this week at Schiaparelli’s show, which called for Doja’s skin to be covered with 30,000 red Swarovski crystals with the help of makeup artist Pat McGrath.

This Inferno-inspired look was actually the basis for Doja’s hairy follow-up, according to the Grammy winner. In an interview at the Viktor & Rolf show, she explained that fans had been upset that her red bejeweled face hadn’t included eyelashes, which gave her the idea to respond with falsies glued onto her upper lip, chin and eyebrows — basically, everywhere except where they’re actually designed to go.

“A few days ago, I did Schiaparelli, and people were saying that I didn’t have lashes, and that they were disappointed that I didn’t have on lashes,” Doja told Nylon. “So today I gave them lashes. I hope they’re happy. I just want to make people happy.”

In fact, before she stepped out at the Viktor & Rolf show, the “Kiss Me More” artist teased fans by writing on her Instagram Stories, “If lashes are what you all want, then lashes are what you’ll get. See you at Viktor and Rolf.” She wrapped up her message with a most appropriate emoji: the disguised face, which features similar exaggerated eyebrows and mustache.

25 Jan 2023

BLACKPINK’s Lisa Sets Three New Guinness World Records

What’s her name, what’s her name? Lisa of BLACKPINK set a trio of new world records last year, the Guinness Book of World Records announced on Tuesday (Jan. 24).

According to the outlet, the “Lalisa” rapper became the first solo K-pop winner at the MTV Video Music Awards last year, where she took home the trophy for best K-pop over BTS, and the first solo K-pop winner at the MTV Europe Music Awards, where she technically nominated twice in the same category thanks to BLACKPINK’s own nod.

Additionally, Lisa’s third record is all about social media, setting the new high water mark for most followers on Instagram for a K-pop artist with a massive 86.3 million Blinks following her on the platform. As for her bandmates, Jennie currently sits at 73.5 million followers on Instagram, while Rosé boasts 66.2 million and Jisoo has 67.8 million as of press time.

The quartet is currently on the Asia leg of the ongoing Born Pink World Tour, having most recently performed in Bangkok, three separate nights in Hong Kong and a date in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This spring, they’re set to make even more history by becoming the first K-pop group to ever headline Coachella alongside Bad Bunny and Frank Ocean. The accomplishment comes just four years after the girls first made their debut at the Indio, Calif.-based festival, as documented in their 2020 Netflix documentary Blackpink: Light Up the Sky.

Earlier this month, Lisa and her bandmates dropped the limited edition vinyl of their 2022 sophomore album, Born Pink. The baby pink pressing came with a 72-page photobook as well as a litany of other accessories, photocards, a double-sided poster and more.

See the Guinness Book of World Records’ official announcement about Lisa latest accomplishments below.

25 Jan 2023

SZA Congratulates Miley Cyrus on Hot 100 No. 1 & Teases ‘Surprises Coming Soon’

SOS: Things are definitely not all quiet on the SZA front. Though it’s only been less than two months since she dropped her critically-acclaimed, chart-dominating new album SOS, the R&B star is already teasing that there are still more projects from her on the horizon — all while sharing the love with fellow female artists like Miley Cyrus, whose single “Flowers” just debuted one slot ahead of SZA’s “Kill Bill” at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“MAJOR congrats to Miley !!!” SZA wrote Wednesday morning (Jan. 25), replying to a tweet about Cyrus’ recent chart triumph. “Excited for her album and to work together.”

It isn’t clear if by “work together,” SZA means a collaboration with the “Midnight Sky” singer, whose album Endless Summer Vacation is due out March 10. Billboard has reached out to both artists’ teams for comment.

Then, celebrating her own continued success on the Hot 100 — with songs from SOS occupying 12 spots on the most recent chart, dated Jan. 28 — the “Good Days” musician tweeted, “This is also wild as f–k,” before dropping a small bombshell: “Surprises coming soon.”

Released on Jan. 13, “Flowers” is Cyrus’ second ever No. 1 single (following 2013’s “Wrecking Ball”) as well as her first to debut in the top spot. Meanwhile, SZA’s SOS is still going strong atop the Billboard 200, logging its sixth consecutive week at No. 1 on the chart this week.

The shoutout to Cyrus isn’t the first time in recent weeks that SZA has graciously shared her spotlight with another superstar female musician. Following false speculation from fans that the two were fighting one another in real life for chart success, SZA praised Taylor Swift‘s Midnights and congratulated her on the historic Hot 100 reign of lead single “Anti-Hero” earlier this month.

“Congratulations to tay tay!” SZA posted on Instagram Stories. “And thank you so much your album and writing is phenomenal ..as ALWAYS.”

Swift had also written on her story that she’d been “listening to SZA’s album nonstop.” “Absolutely adore her music,” the “All Too Well” singer-songwriter added. “So much love and respect for her!!!”

See SZA’s tweets shouting out Miley Cyrus and teasing upcoming surprises below.

25 Jan 2023

Sofia Carson Could Sing at 2023 Oscars: What That Would Mean for Colombia

One year after Sebastián Yatra‘s moving performance at the Oscars, another artist with Colombian blood is hoping to perform at the Academy Awards ceremony: Sofia Carson.

The Florida-born actress and singer, whose parents hail from Barranquilla, is the voice of Diane Warren’s “Applause” from the movie Tell It Like a Woman, which received a nomination for best original song on Tuesday (Jan. 24.)

“We’re going to the Oscars @dianewarren,” Carson wrote in an Instagram post, sharing a sweet video of their reaction to the news.

Beautifully performed by the “Night Falls” singer, “Applause” is a ballad of empowerment and self-love that invites women to pause for a moment and celebrate their achievements.

“Recognize who you are/ Sometimes, I know it’s so hard/ But you shine/ You’re a supernova superstar,” the song says. “Give yourself some applause, you deserve it/ Give yourself some respect ’cause you’ve earned it/ Give yourself some love ’cause you’re worth it, you’re worth it.”

Last year at the Oscars, Yatra sang the sublime “Dos Oruguitas” from the Disney animated film Encanto in a colorful number that included a couple of dancers in Colombian costumes and elements such as yellow butterflies, alluding to the film and the South American country. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it was the first song in Spanish nominated to the award since Uruguayan Jorge Drexler won the trophy in 2005 for “Al Otro Lado del Río” from The Motorcycle Diaries. (That year, the Academy invited the better-known Antonio Banderas to sing Drexler’s song in a bittersweet moment for the composer and his Latin American fans.)

Warren, who now collects her 14th nomination in the category, also competed last year with “Somehow You Do,” from the movie Four Good Days. But the Academy Award went to Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for “No Time to Die,” from the James Bond film of the same name.

This time around, the veteran songwriter — who has yet to win the prize — competes again with some music superstars. The contenders are: “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick, co-written by Lady Gaga; “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” with Rihanna among its composers; “Naatu Naatu” from RRR; and “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once. (For a complete list of nominees, click here)

The Oscar for best original song goes to the songwriters, not to the performers. However, it is likely that Carson will take the stage of Hollywood’s Dolby Theater to sing “Applause” live, since it has become tradition that the nominated songs be presented at the ceremony — although the official program has yet to be announced and plans have changed from time to time.

The 95th annual Academy Awards will air live on ABC on March 12 at 8:00 pm ET.

25 Jan 2023

Huge Gains for Miley Cyrus‘ Catalog (And One Bruno Mars Hit) After ’Flowers’ Debut

Miley Cyrus‘ “Flowers” is in bloom on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, becoming just the second single in her storied pop career to top the chart, and her first to debut on top. It does so with some of the most spectacular first-full-week numbers of the decade so far: 52.6 million streams, 70,000 digital song sales and 33.5 million radio airplay audience impressions, according to Luminate.

But it’s not just the Columbia-released “Flowers” that’s blossoming this week — Cyrus’ entire back catalog is growing in the sunlight of her new release. Even without accounting for “Flowers,” Cyrus’ discography is up from 20.7 weekly million official on-demand U.S. streams in the tracking week ending Jan. 12 to 34.2 million the following week (ending Jan. 19), a 65% gain.

Some of the major gainers from Cyrus’ catalog include her enduring classics like “Wrecking Ball” (up from 1.9 million to 3.0 million, a 59% gain), “Party in the U.S.A.” (3.5 million to 4.8 million, 35.4%) and “We Can’t Stop (1.4 million to 2.0 million, 46.3%). One of the biggest beneficiaries was her most recent lead single prior to “Flowers”: “Midnight Sky,” from 2020’s Plastic Hearts (1.7 million to 3.2 million, 88.8%).

And the “Flowers” boost has also spread to a catalog smash by another top 40 household name of the past decade-plus: Bruno Mars. His 2013 Hot 100-topping ballad “When I Was Your Man” has been cited by popwatchers on social media as a likely inspiration for the lyrics to “Flowers,” with the latter’s chorus seeming to be in response (or at least in conversation) with the refrain to the former. (Mars: “I should’ve bought you flowers”; Cyrus: “I can buy myself flowers.”)

Evidently, the chatter over the relationship between the two songs — with fans further speculating that the reference is a subtle dig at Cyrus’ ex Liam Hemsworth, as he supposedly once dedicated the song to Cyrus following their first breakup in 2013 — also inspired fans to go back and listen to Mars’ original. “Your Man,” always a productive streamer, rose from 4.5 million to 5.3 million in weekly official on-demand streams for the week ending Jan. 19, a 19.5% gain.

25 Jan 2023

Taylor Swift Holds Atop Artist 100, Miley Cyrus Returns to Top 10 Thanks to ‘Flowers’

Taylor Swift extends her record run at No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart (dated Jan. 28), as she tallies her 62nd week as the top musical act in the United States.

Swift continues her dominance thanks to two charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 from her latest album, Midnights. Her former eight-week No. 1 “Anti-Hero,” which became her sole longest-leading hit a week earlier, ranks at No. 3, while new single “Lavender Haze” places at No. 34.

Midnights holds at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 73,000 equivalent album units earned, according to Luminate, after spending five weeks at No. 1. Swift boasts nine sets on the survey, the most among all acts: Midnights, Folklore (No. 22), Lover (No. 26), 1989 (No. 34), Red (Taylor’s Version) (No. 35), Evermore (No. 58), Reputation (No. 63), Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (No. 125) and Speak Now (No. 138).

Elsewhere on the Artist 100, Miley Cyrus re-enters at No. 3, reaching the top five for the first time thanks to her new single “Flowers.” The song bounds in at No. 1 on the Hot 100, becoming Cyrus’ second leader, after 2013’s “Wrecking Ball.” She last appeared on the Artist 100 in July 2021, and previously peaked at No. 9 in December 2020.

Rounding out the top five of the Artist 100, SZA holds at No. 2, as her album SOS spends a sixth week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Morgan Wallen dips 3-4 and The Weeknd descends 4-5.

The Artist 100 measures artist activity across key metrics of music consumption, blending album and track sales, radio airplay and streaming to provide a weekly multi-dimensional ranking of artist popularity.

25 Jan 2023

TOMORROW X TOGETHER Explores a Mystical Forest in Second ‘Sugar Rush Ride’ Teaser: Watch

Only two more days to go, MOA! TOMORROW X TOGETHER‘s forthcoming album, The Name Chapter: Temptation, is arriving soon, and with it, the project’s lead single, “Sugar Rush Ride.” To tease its arrival, the song received a new concept teaser on Wednesday (Jan. 25).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The new visual picks up where the previous one leaves off. The first concept teaser saw members Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun and HueningKai all sitting at the base of an aged wisteria tree; now, the guys explore and find themselves in a mystical forest. The K-pop stars perform bits and pieces of the “Sugar Rush Ride” choreography, alternating between the scenes of the forest and the wisteria tree, which is cut with a scene of the group running in the middle of a vast green space.

The new concept teaser is the last in a schedule of events for TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s The Name Chapter: Temptation. What remains is the release of the album and single “Sugar Rush Ride,” which arrive on Friday, Jan. 27. The following day, the group will perform a special showcase that will likely feature songs from the new album. (“Devil by the Window,” “Happy Fools” featuring Coi Leray, “Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock)” and “Farewell, Neverland” are the other four tracks included on Temptation.)

After completing Temptation‘s packed schedule of events, TOMORROW X TOGETHER will prepare for the Act: Sweet Mirage world tour, during which the boy group will perform 21 shows across 13 cities. March and April will consist of concert dates in Asia, starting with Seoul, while May will see them perform in the United States.

Watch the brand new teaser for “Sugar Rush Ride” in the video above.

25 Jan 2023

Luke Combs Scores Sweet 16th Country Airplay Top 10 With ‘Going, Going, Gone’

Luke Combs’ “Going, Going, Gone” reaches the top 10 of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated Jan. 28) as the single rises from No. 11 to No. 8. In the tracking week ending Jan. 19, the song increased by 12% to 21.2 audience impressions, according to Luminate.

Combs co-authored the track with Ray Fulcher and James McNair. It’s the third single from Combs’ LP Growin’ Up, which opened at No. 1 on Top Country Albums in July, marking his fourth leader.

On the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Country Songs survey, “Going” pushes 7-5 for a new best. It drew 9.9 million official U.S. streams and sold 2,000 downloads in the Jan. 13-19 tracking week.

“Going” follows Combs’ “The Kind of Love We Make,” which reached No. 2 on Country Airplay last September. Before that, he racked up a record 14 consecutive career-opening No. 1s, starting with his first entry, “Hurricane,” which led for two weeks beginning in May 2017.

On Jan. 4, Combs took to social media to announce that he’ll release a new (as yet untitled) studio album sporting 18 songs on March 24. He kicks off a worldwide tour – set to encompass 35 shows in 16 countries on three continents – March 25 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

More ‘Spins’

Jordan Davis’ “What My World Spins Around” dominates Country Airplay for a second week (31 million impressions, up 4%). It became the singer-songwriter’s fourth No. 1 among six career-opening six top 10s.

‘Orange’ Shining Bright

The Hot Country Songs chart is led for a fourth frame by Zach Bryan’s “Something in the Orange.” The track crowns Country Streaming Songs for a 12th week (17 million streams) and rises 5-4 on Country Digital Song Sales (4,000 sold) and 32-27 on Country Airplay (4 million in audience, up 12%).