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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Thanks to a decade-plus career racking up four Billboard Hot 100 top 10s — including the eight-week No. 1 “All About That Bass” — Meghan Trainor was honored at Saturday night’s 2025 Billboard Women in Music event with our Hitmaker award. But as she told the crowd during her hilarious and touching acceptance speech, she needs the uplifting messages of those upbeat hits just as much as her fans do.
“Everyone asks me: How are you so positive and how you do so much and smile all the time?” Trainor said after accepting the award from friend and fellow pop star Madison Beer. “But the truth is that I write these songs for myself, because I am so insecure and I have therapy a lot. I have a lot of therapy. I’m on medicine. Thank you!” she said as the crowd cheered on her efforts for better mental health. “I I love my medicine! I love my therapist so much! She’s probably watching!”
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Trainor added: “I write these songs because I need these positive affirmations for myself. And if it helps anyone else, that’d be amazing too.”
After thanking her husband, actor Daryl Sabara, and her parents — who were all on hand at a table on the floor of the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California — Trainor also called on the support system of all the women entertainers and music executives in the room to help each other feel less alone.
“I feel very alone — I really do — being a woman, putting on these heels, I shaved my face and my nose for this,” she said to big laughs. “I’m a mom and I’m a pop star, and I have no one who truly understands me — except for all the superwomen in this room tonight. So thank you. If anyone wants to do a sleepover at my house, because I don’t leave my house, we can talk about this. Just DM me, and I love you so much. Thank you, Billboard. We should help each other and we should talk about it.”
Other honorees on Saturday night included Woman of the Year recipient Doechii, as well as aespa (Group of the Year), Ángela Aguilar (Breakthrough), ANNA (Billboard Italy Woman of the Year), Charlotte Cardin (Billboard Canada Woman of the Year), Erykah Badu (Icon), GloRilla (Powerhouse), Gracie Abrams (Songwriter of the Year), JENNIE (Global Force), Megan Moroney (Rulebreaker), Muni Long (Rising Star), Tina Knowles (Mother of the Year) and Tyla (Impact).
Video of Trainor’s full speech will be available at 7 p.m. ET Monday night (March 31).
As her eldest daughter prepares for what’s sure to be one of the defining tours of the year, Tina Knowles graced the 2025 Billboard Women in Music stage to accept the inaugural Mother of the Year honor at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, on Saturday (March 29).
After beginning her acceptance speech praising all the other awardees — like Woman of the Year honoree Doechii, who gushed over Cowboy Carter on the red carpet before the show — Knowles took some time to reflect on her evolution as a mother, stressing that “there is no formal training class to prepare you for the most important job you’ll ever have in your life.” For Knowles, motherhood is all about committing to being the best you can be for your children each day.
“I want to thank my daughters, Solange, Beyoncé, Kelly [Rowland], [niece] Angie [Beyincé], and also Michelle [Williams], LaTavia [Roberson] and LeToya [Luckett],” she said to close her speech, name-dropping her “bonus” children in addition to her two daughters. “I got to mother you all in some way, and you believed in me early on to dress you and give love [and] creative input. Thank you, Mathew Knowles, who always fought for me, and I thank God Almighty for the privilege to be a mother. I’ll always say it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I dedicate this award to my amazing mother, Agnes, and all the mothers out there who have supported their kids in their dreams. Thank you.”
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Presented by Billboard editor-in-chief Hannah Karp during the final weekend of Women’s History Month, this year’s Mother of the Year award honors the ultimate 21st-century music matriarch. Tina Knowles, the mother of Grammy-winning, Billboard 200-topping music and cultural forces Beyoncé and Solange has been a key player behind the scenes of both of her daughters’ careers. In the early days of Destiny’s Child — and throughout their tenure as a group — Tina Knowles designed and crafted costumes for the R&B divas, cementing their singular Houston-indebted style. Her costume design also appeared in a slew of Beyoncé-led films, including Dreamgirls, Obsessed, Cadillac Records and Austin Powers in Goldmember.
In 2004, she and Beyoncé teamed up to launch House of Deréon, a clothing line named after Knowles’ own mother, Agnes Deréon. Twenty years later, the iconic mother-daughter duo would once again join forces for Cécred, an award-winning haircare line that brings Tina Knowles back to where it all started: the hair salon. Of course, she is also the grandmother of Grammy winner Blue Ivy, who recently starred in Disney’s box-office-topping Mufasa movie; rising fashion model Julez Smith; and twin siblings Rumi and Sir Carter.
Tina Knowles’ full Mother of the Year acceptance speech will be available here at 7 p.m. ET on Monday night (March 31).
Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — sat down (actually stood up) for an explosive interview with DJ Akademiks earlier this March. After making about “eight edits” at the request of West’s team, Ak premiered the interview during a live stream on Sunday (March 30). The Chicago native controlled the pace of the interview […]
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, what better way to honor the extraordinary contributions of women than by celebrating the female pioneers, visionaries, and stars who have defined Latin pop? From powerful ballads to timeless dance hits, these incredible artists have shaped the genre, empowering listeners and inspiring generations through their lyrics, voices, and artistry. On March 31, we proudly present our staff picks list of the Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time as a fitting tribute to the women who have shattered glass ceilings and barriers with their music.
But what exactly is Latin “pop”? Pop music is “characterized by a strong melody and beat, and the use of electric instruments and amplification,” as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary; and is “distinct from other forms of popular music.” Most pop music falls into the category of catchy, tight, memorable music with broad appeal. As far as “Latin pop” goes, it is basically pop, en español. And while distinct from other genres like rock, dance, tropical and reggaetón, the word “pop” essentially means “popular,” and applies to music that transcends genre confines.
It’s a hazy description, we know, and Billboard’s Latin editors debated for weeks the merits of who should be on this list; who, among hundreds of names familiar to fans across the continent, should enter the pantheon of the top 50.
In creating the list of best female Latin pop artists of all time, we looked at artists who had, first and foremost, built a catalog that’s stood the test of time. There are several new artists who we think have a brilliant future ahead of them, but could not make this list on the merits of just one or two albums. Others are great artists, but their still-limited output — say, three albums or fewer — automatically moved them lower in the list.
We also focused on artists whose music had inspired others and created long-lasting trends; who boasted unique, outstanding vocals; and who had, for the most part, significant impact on the Billboard charts. Major chart achievements meant a higher position on the chart. We also included a handful of artists that aren’t essentially pop in genre, but whose impact was such that it transcended into the realm of mass popularity, at least within the scope of Latin audiences.
Artists like Celia Cruz, the undisputed Queen of Salsa, captivated global audiences with her Afro-Caribbean rhythms at a time when salsa was primarily confined to Latin American markets. Shakira took Latin pop to unprecedented heights by combining Colombian influences with — in the case of the groundbreaking, Billboard Hot 100-topping “Hips Don’t Lie” — reggae and hip-hop elements. Similarly, Selena, hailed as the Queen of Tejano Music, brought regional Mexican sounds into the mainstream with hits like “Amor Prohibido” at a time when Spanish-language music struggled to cross over in the United States.
Then there’s Gloria Estefan, whose contributions in the ’80s and ’90s set the foundation for the global rise of Latin pop. In 1992, she made history as the first Latina performer at the Super Bowl halftime show. Decades later, Karol G became the first woman since Selena to top the Billboard 200 chart with 2023’s Mañana Será Bonito, a Spanish-language album, while achieving the unprecedented feat of becoming a global stadium performer — an historic moment for Latina artists.
That said, in compiling this list, we set clear criteria to spotlight female Spanish-language artists — focusing on Latin pop’s influence within the Hispanophone world. While we deeply appreciate artists from Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil and their contributions to music, this specific list focuses on performers who are Spanish-speaking or who have consistently recorded music in Spanish.
Additionally, we made a concerted effort to focus on Latin pop by excluding hip-hop/urbano and folk singers, with two notable exceptions. Ivy Queen, widely known as the Queen of Reggaetón, earned her place thanks to her versatility and pop-forward hits that helped globalize the Puerto Rican genre as its leading female pioneer. Similarly, Mercedes Sosa, the iconic Argentine folk singer, transcended her roots and entered the realm of Latin pop through her immense cultural impact and widespread acclaim.
The Billboard Latin and Billboard Español teams took into account criteria like body of work/achievements (chart placements, awards, certifications); cultural impact/influence (how each artist’s work advanced Latin pop’s evolution and inspired cultural movements); longevity (staying power across decades and relevance in different eras); musicianship and vocal prowess (their unmistakable skill and charisma); and innovation (artistic evolution and originality within the genre).
So, without further ado, here are our picks for the Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time!
Javiera Mena
Image Credit: Jordi Vidal/Redferns
It’s the end of March, and suddenly it’s already a quarter of the way through 2025. How did that happen? We’re not sure, but there’s been plenty of good music from Africa to get us through so far.
After collaborating with Nigerian superstar Burna Boy and renowned Ghanaian producer GuiltyBeatz, Jorja Smith gets (back) together with South African DJ/producers Major League Djz on the hypnotic Afro house banger “Come With Me.” And alté producer Genio Bambino has been helping rising Nigerian stars from DEELA to Moyoswlrd cultivate their sound — with the latter recently releasing her eclectic eight-track EP First Ep!c.
Not only that, but a couple of veterans return with new albums — particularly Ruger and Joeboy, both of whom have singles that made the cut this month — while now-reliable hitmakers Khaid and Young Jonn also put out new tracks worth hearing.
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We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new songs by African acts that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and enjoy some springtime tunes with our Spotify playlist below.
NSG, “A.L.Y.B.H.B.”
British Afroswing collective NSG knows we’re about to be outside bumping “A.L.Y.B.H.B.,” from its latest album The Big 6. The irresistible track’s singalong “hey, ho!” and titular “act like you’ve been here before!” chants, paired with LP producer 4Play’s groovy, sun-soaked rhythm, is sure to become the next go-to banger at day parties this spring and summer.
Efosa & Sparbz, “SKIN”
British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Efosa and his right-hand producer/manager Sparbz heat things up again on their latest sexy number “SKIN.” “Your waistline tells a story/ Whine on me till the night’s complete/ Lemme whisper in your ear/ ‘Baby, leave with me,’” Efosa croons in the second verse. His soothing voice draws listeners dangerously close, while Sparbz’s spine-chilling synth riffs heighten the erotic sensation.
Moyoswrld, Mofe. & Genio Bambino, “Pocket Money”
Alté artist Moyoswrld links with one of the scene’s most esteemed producers, Genio Bambino, and viral “Prince of Egypt” singer Mofe. on the kaleidoscopic “Pocket Money” cut from her latest EP First Ep!c. Moyoswlrd and Mofe. swap verses about being deep in their bag over Genio and Zamir’s frenetic production, characterized by laser beam-like synths and a booming bassline that makes listeners feel like they’re zooming through the track’s one-minute, 23-second runtime.
Kelvyn Boy, “Break It”
Ghanaian Afropop star Kelvyn Boy is getting the baddies to “Break It” down for him on this sensual dancefloor-filler. If your name is Ayisha, Kilisha, Amina, Abena, Maria or Monica, you better “go down (break it)” to Anel Worldwide’s bouncy beat, like Kelvyn Boy calls them out to do on the chorus.
Major League DJz feat. Jorja Smith, “Come With Me”
Jorja Smith is no stranger to collaborating with African musicians, from showing off her chemistry with Burna Boy on the sensual “Gum Body” from his 2018 album African Giant and the sweltering 2019 single “Be Honest” to linking with GuiltyBeatz on the slinky “All Of This” in 2021 (which South African DJ/producers like Major League Djz remixed).
So it comes as no surprise that the soulful English singer reunited with Major League Djz on “Come With Me.” The amapiano ambassadors trade their signature sound for an Afro house-focused approach, while Smith anchors the buoyant track with her comforting, resonant vocals. “We knew we wanted to step into the electronic space in a way that still felt authentic to who we are, and this track was the perfect balance,” Major League Djz says in a press release, adding that the duo had “been wanting to work with Jorja on an original track for a while and now the timing feels perfect.”
Khaid, “FOR YOU”
Still young, Khaid has cornered the market in super-melodic Afropop with a string of extremely catchy singles over the past few years, and “FOR YOU” adds to that lineage with a breezy paean to a lover who remains just out of reach. The song’s video seems to position it as one designed to showcase, or kick off, a dance craze — but the young singer’s vocals are just as enticing, hopefully heralding a new full project from him.
Ruger, “Toro (A Colors Show)”
The “Asiwaju” hitmaker’s voice is one of the most distinctive on the scene right now, with his almost understated delivery sometimes overshadowing his lyricism. But here it’s the overall melodies that shine through, similar to some of his bigger singles, as he leans into the laid-back vibe to croon over the hook rather than delving too deep into the topic of a broken relationship.
Zlatan feat. FOLA, “Get Better”
A contemplative cut that is almost a prayer over the understated production, the track centers largely on FOLA’s plaintive hook, which buffers Zlatan’s more aspirational and energetic verses. The two blend voices effortlessly near the end, and produce another step forward in each of their respective careers.
Joeboy, “Taxi Driver”
Joeboy’s latest album, Viva Lavida, picks up where his 2023 effort Body & Soul left off, showcasing the Nigerian singer’s silky smooth voice and layered vocal production. This track is a standout on what is generally another great album from him, with features from the legend Olamide and rising voice Qing Madi, among others, and this one layers a classic Afrobeats drum pattern with a plodding groove, letting his voice lead the charge.
Young Jonn, “Only Fans”
At this point, the super-producer has fully made the successful transition to leading artist, with his 2024 Jiggy Forever album pulling together the long string of bangers he’s released into one cohesive place last year. “Only Fans” now continues that streak with an almost luxurious new hit, more in the pocket than some of his more uptempo songs like “Sharpally” and “Xtra Cool,” but one that serves as a deserved victory lap given the past decade of Jonn’s work. Performing as an artist now, in addition to his lauded production, he’s here to stay.
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” adds a record-extending 19th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. The collaboration first moved into the top floor in November.
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga and Mars’ “Die With a Smile” secures a 14th week atop the Billboard Global 200 chart, dating to its first frame at No. 1 last September.
Plus, Alex Warren’s viral hit “Ordinary” reaches the top 10 of both global charts, marking his first appearance in each list’s top tier, and j-hope’s “Mona Lisa” debuts in the Global Excl. U.S. top 10, becoming the BTS member’s first solo top 10.
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The Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, which began in September 2020, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.
Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.
“APT.” holds atop Global Excl. U.S. with 71.2 million streams (down 6% week-over-week) and 5,000 sold (down 14%) outside the U.S. March 21-27.
“Die With a Smile” keeps at No. 2 after 11 weeks atop Global Excl. U.S. beginning last September; JENNIE’s “like JENNIE” rebounds a spot to its No. 3 best; Doechii’s “Anxiety” dips to No. 4 from its No. 3 high; and Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” maintains its No. 5 altitude, following three weeks on top in August.
Alex Warren ascends to his first Global Excl. U.S. top 10 as “Ordinary” bounds 15-6 with 32.6 million streams (up 26%) and 4,000 sold (up 42%) outside the U.S. The California singer-songwriter’s viral hit, which he performed earlier in March on Netflix’s Love Is Blind, is one of two songs of his scaling the chart, as “Carry You Home” enters the tally’s top half (122-84). “Ordinary” has also spent two weeks and counting atop the Official UK Singles chart.
Plus j-hope’s “Mona Lisa” begins at No. 9 on Global Excl. U.S., becoming his first solo top 10. Released March 21, the song drew 30.5 million streams and sold 18,000 outside the U.S. in its first week.
Here’s an updated count of BTS members’ Global Excl. U.S. top 10 totals as soloists: Jung Kook (seven), Jimin (five), V (four), JIN (three) and j-hope and Suga (one each). BTS boasts 11 top 10s as a group.
“Die With a Smile” continues atop the Global 200 with 96.3 million streams (down 6%) and 6,000 sold (down 15%) worldwide. At 14 weeks, the song breaks out of a tie with Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” for the third-longest No. 1 run since the chart began. The only hits to lead longer: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (19 weeks) and Harry Styles’ “As It Was” (15).
“APT.” holds at No. 2 on the Global 200, following 12 weeks at No. 1 starting in November; Doechii’s “Anxiety” repeats at its No. 3 best; and Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” rises 5-4, after reaching No. 3.
Plus, Warren’s “Ordinary” surges 12-5 for its first week in the Global 200’s top 10, with 48.1 million streams (up 25%) and 7,000 sold (up 17%) worldwide. Concurrently, he hits a new high with “Carry You Home” (134-87), while his “Burning Down” pushes 189-154.
The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated April 5, 2025) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow, April 1. For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
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.
For the first time in what feels like a century, the temperature in NYC broke 80 degrees — time to break out Amerie’s “Why Don’t We Fall In Love”! Funnily enough, the Grammy-nominated singer is back this week with her first new song in seven years. But before we get into that track, let’s recount the past week in hip-hop and R&B — one filled with several controversy-streaked MCs making major moves.
The evening before Lyrical Lemonade announced that Young Thug would be headlining the third night of their forthcoming Summer Smash Festival (June 22) — marking his first live performance since his release from jail last fall — the NFL sent out a memo banning the “nose wipe” gesture in touchdown celebrations. Thugger, alongside rappers like Future, popularized the gesture and its accompanying slang, further cementing how central to the culture Young Thug continues to be. The “Digits” rapper has yet to comment on the ban, but maybe he’ll allude to it at Summer Smash.
Last Friday (March 28), Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy-winning rapper Will Smith dropped his first LP in 20 years, on which he addressed his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith and, yes, the infamous Oscars slap. On the other end of the hip-hop spectrum, Lil Durk dropped a 17-track set as he remains behind bars awaiting trial for murder-for-hire charges related to the 2022 killing of Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson. As Chicago and Philly enjoyed marquee releases from hometown stars, ATL mourned yet another pillar of their iconic 2010s trap scene: According to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and details from Atlanta Police, Scooter died after sustaining injuries while attempting to flee police.
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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Amerie’s comeback to YG’s silence-breaking triumph. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: YG feat. Buddy & The Gang, “2004”
“When I was young, I got raped by a b–ch twice my age/ Picked me up from school to meet at hers and got laid/ Ever since that day, I never looked at s–t the same/ F—-d up in the brain, p—y what I blame,” spits YG over a jazzy beat built by DJ Swish, Ya Boy N.O.I.S. & SmokeyBeatz. It may only be the tail-end of March, but you’ll likely be hard-pressed to find such a hard-hitting pair of couplets to open a rap song this year. Assisted by Compton rapper-singer Buddy, YG holds ample space for one of the most complicated and nuanced discussions when it comes to Black men, masculinity and hip-hop: the sexual abuse of young boys by older women.
Expertly weaving through the double consciousness that comes with existing as a survivor within a culture that, at times, celebrates the early sexual development of young boys as proof of their manhood, “2004” further cracks open a conversation that’s taken several turns recently — from the backlash Boosie Badazz got for promising to gift his underage son time with sex workers for his birthday to Phonte’s heartbreakingly revelatory verse on Black Milk’s 2023 LP. — KYLE DENIS
NAV feat. Playboi Carti, “Unlimited”
The Opium-XO bond strengthens. Carti pops up to power OMW2 Rexdale’s headlining track as he teams up with NAV for “Unlimited.” The Atlanta native mixes up his deep-voiced flows over the uplifting melody before passing the baton to NAV, who brags about making $10 million from VLONE and jokes he could “go deep-voice just like I’m Carti.” Carti fans might be familiar with the “Unlimited” beat as it was previously Offset’s track, but was missing from the Migos rapper’s last project and somehow ended up in NAV’s hands. The Weeknd pops up to deliver a grand finale, lending his croon to the cinematic outro. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
Coco Jones, “You”
Coco Jones is back with another single from her highly anticipated album Why Not More? “You” is a heartfelt celebration of love that feels like fate. She reflects on finding someone who restores her faith in love, describing the connection as effortless and healing. With poetic lyrics and soulful vocals, she compares their bond to rare and perfect pairings, like “a drink in the Sahara,” emphasizing how refreshing and necessary this love feels. More than just romance, “You” is about gratitude, trust and the joy of feeling truly seen. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
Crimeapple, “Sabado Gigante”
The lead single off Crimeapple’s latest tape Jaguar on Palisade 3, “Sabodo Gigante” highlights why the Jersey rapper remains one of the game’s most underrated artists. Produced by Loman, the song has an infectious hook and features Crime spitting lines like, “Sous chef, I used to prep the onion,” which could make it into the next season of The Bear. Stop sleeping on Rap Game Don Francisco. — ANGEL DIAZ
Mahalia feat. Masicka, “Different Type of Love”
Between her recent collaborations with Lila Iké and Bayka, Mahalia is prepping what’s sure to be the year’s sultriest dancehall-R&B project — and her new single, “Different Type of Love,” is further proof that she has something excellent in store for the summer. Assisted by Jamaican dancehall star Masicka — who’s enjoying a massive hit of his own right now with “Whites” — Mahalia’s flirtatious tone floats across a beat that blends steady dancehall drums with a synth line that recalls the harp on Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine.” With two verses from Masicka, “Different” feels more like a true collaboration than the scores of rent-a-rapper moments that inundate the mainstream scene; the two artists perfectly match each other fly and capture the energy of a frisky night out. — K.D.
Mynameisntjmack, “Lemon/Ginger”
It’s easy to get lost in the haziness of Mynameisntjmack’s music. The Virginia native returned with his Bookmark 2 project on Friday, which finds him recounting his turbulent journey from the East Coast to Los Angeles while looking to cash in on his music dreams. “Lemon/Ginger” finds him introspectively reflecting on his travels and the pressures of trying to make it from friends and family while stretching a dollar. There’s a certain discipline needed to never get too high from the wins but not too low from the losses along the way. Now on tour with Tommy Richman, it’s all starting to pay dividends for the L.A.-based rhymer. — M.S.
Ivory Scott & Tink, “Control it”
Ivory Scott has been shaping the sound of today’s music, writing for superstars like Beyoncé, Latto and Fabolous. Now, he’s stepping out on his own with his debut album, Mud. A standout track from the project is Ivory Scott and Tink’s “Control It,” a seductive anthem about confidence, power and fiery connection. The repeated line “control it” underscores the track’s theme of dominance and desire, with Scott and Tink asserting their authority in the relationship. Lyrics like “You a boss, you so cold, you a cough” reflect deep admiration and respect for their partner. The track blends sensuality with confidence, capturing an irresistible chemistry that’s impossible to ignore. — C.C.
Amerie, “Mine”
Where there’s springtime, you’ll find Amerie. The DMV crooner is back with her first new music since her 2018 double-single “4AM Mulholland”/”After 4AM,” and it’s a winner. Co-written with Troy Taylor, who also produced the track, “Mine” is a soaring ballad accented by her trademark upper register, twinkling harp-like strings, and subtle bassline peppered with syncopated finger-snaps. “The way your lips fill in tonight, the way they pressed against mine/ The way you pulled me closer, closer, under the moonlight/ This is how it could always be, you and me/ More than friends, we could be everything,” she delicately coos in the intro. — K.D.
Naomi Sharon, “Can We Do This Over”
Naomi Sharon returns with her first single of 2025 to kick off her anticipated follow-up era to Obisidian. Dealing with an emotionally unavailable partner is a tireless obstacle to climb — and the First Lady of OVO vulnerably opens up about her own experience, as her stirring vocals capture what can be a helpless feeling. Still, Sharon remains direct and steadfast in not playing these games and running in a circle, as her silky flow ventilates the warm acoustic production. Even though our hopes of a guest appearance on Drake and PND’s $$$4U didn’t materialize, her sophomore album’s arrival should be marked on every R&B fan’s calendar. — M.S.
Ari Lennox, “Soft Girl Era”
Ari Lennox is fully embracing her Soft Girl Era, and to celebrate her birthday, she dropped her new single, “Soft Girl Era.” The track serves as a celebration of luxury, self-care and embracing a carefree, feminine energy. Produced by hitmakers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox, The track embodies the idea of prioritizing your own comfort and well-being while indulging in the finer things in life. With playful confidence, Ari declares that she’s here for the “soft girl” lifestyle — pampered, relaxed, and loving every minute of it. Lyrics like “a million dollars in the mirror” and “Ain’t tryna do nothing but look pretty in here” capture the essence of self-worth, while the track’s carefree vibe encourages women to revel in their worth and enjoy the luxury of being unapologetically themselves. — C.C.
Xowié, “Nobody’s Fool”
Recently named Apple Music’s Up Next in South Africa artist for April, rising star Xowié has unleashed the lead single from her forthcoming EP ALLO (A Little Long Overdue). “Nobody’s Fool” finds Xowié using a neo-soul-steeped soundscape to pick up the pieces and build herself up after allowing a disappointing romance to “waster her time.” Frank and vulnerable, her restrained vocal performance is the perfect pairing for Sundae Beats’ lush, ethereal soundscape. — K.D.
Winning Global Force at the 2025 Women in Music event? That’s just like JENNIE. Surrounded by some of the industry’s most acclaimed female artists and executives, the BLACKPINK star accepted this year’s international honor on stage at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater Saturday (March 29), giving special shoutouts to her bandmates, Woman of the Year Doechii and more.
Confessing that she was feeling “really nervous right now,” the Idol star — looking glamorous in a sparkling deep red gown — breathlessly gave her acceptance speech as passionate fans in the crowd screamed with excitement for her. “This is so special,” she said. “I’m inspired by all the women in this room and around the globe who continue to break barriers and make their mark on the world stage. This award is a tribute to every woman who dares to dream, create and shape the world with her vision,” JENNIE continued. “Women are such a powerful force, and when we come together, we uplift each other every step of the way.
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“I’m so lucky and fortunate to work with so many talented people in my career—singers, songwriters, producers,” she added. “Doechii, I love you, and Kali (Uchis), I love you. I had these amazing women be on my album, and words cannot express how thankful I am.”
JENNIE also gave shoutouts to her team, label, and of course, “my BLACKPINK girls — without them, this journey would’ve never happened.”
Several other women were also honored at Saturday’s show, including Songwriter of the Year Gracie Abrams, Group of the Year aespa and Impact Award-winner Tyla. Of her prize, JENNIE told Billboard on the red carpet before the ceremony that “to be honored as Global Force is just so special.”
She also spoke about how meaningful it’s been to step into her solo era while her BLACKPINK bandmates also pursue their own independent projects. JENNIE’s debut album, Ruby — featuring the Doechii-assisted “ExtraL” and “Damn Right” with Uchis and Donald Glover — arrived March 7 and debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. ROSÉ, LISA and JISOO have also dropped solo music in the past year-plus since the girl group has been on break.
“We talk about this all the time,” said the “Mantra” singer. “It’s amazing how we’re all doing our own thing. We have each other’s backs no matter what, and that’s such a special feeling. I miss them.”
JENNIE won’t have to miss her bandmates for long, though, as the foursome is set to reunite this summer for a global tour and is currently working on new music.
You can watch the 2025 Billboard Women in Music ceremony here starting at 7 p.m. ET on Monday (March 31) and on VIZIO TVs and the VIZIO app.
Drake is back with another earworm, and we have the producer Elkan to thank for it. This week, Drizzy’s latest hit “Nokia” sneaks back into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 — reaching a new peak of No. 7 — as fans are waiting with baited breath for the arrival of the song’s IMAX music video, dropping later today (March 31). Appearing on Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR‘s joint album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, “Nokia” emerged as the leader of the pack amongst three other chart-topping songs off the project: “Die Trying,” “Gimme a Hug” and “Somebody Loves Me.”
While “Nokia” is littered amongst 20-other lusty heartbroken R&B slowburns, the song commands listeners to dry their tears and hit the dance floor. Drake’s “Who’s calling my phone?” catchphrase is already breaking the internet, and will undoubtedly crash every karaoke bar this summer, as soundtracked by Elkan’s bouncy beat. The producer, who’s from Sierra Leone and is based out of the United Kingdom, graces Drake with a disorienting backdrop, which disintegrates from a sweaty and pummeling Atlanta bass beat into a slithering synth-driven funk groove.
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So who is Elkan, and how long has he been honing this unique style? Here’s everything Billboard knows about the buzzing producer behind The Boy’s latest hit.
When Did Elkan Start Producing?
The 21-year-old producer began his production journey back when he was between the ages of eight and ten. His uncle, an artist based out of Sierra Leone at the time, introduced him to FL Studio. Elkan admitted in an interview with wavs.com that he wasn’t interested in the software at first, but eventually began tinkering around in FL’s demo version. He then fully locked in with producing after taking a class led by a professional producer named Eli Brown.
“I saw Eli Brown post a sample on Twitter and it blew me away,” he said in an interview with the Spill Your Sauce podcast in 2023. “I reached out to him about his class and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn from him. It completely changed my perspective on what could be achieved with samples.”
From there, Elkan became obsessed with making samples, with his first official release being a sample from Tory Lanez’ “Joke’s on Me” when he was 17. After getting some praise online, Elkan decided to pursue production full time.
How Did Elkan Break Out?
His claim to fame became meshing nursery rhymes within his samples, and he got his official start producing as part of a well-established group called the Rucker Collective. One of Elkan’s samples from 2020, titled “Dead or Alive,” caught the attention of Lil Baby, who was seen on TikTok rapping over the beat in the studio. The sample eventually made its way to Metro Boomin, who added drums and tinkered with it a bit more to make his Heroes & Villains cut “Metro Spider” with Young Thug in 2022.
The rest was history, as Elkan continued to produce for well-known rappers including Russ, Nemzzz and Lecrae, the latter collaboration of which led to his first Grammy win in 2024, for his work on Church Clothes 4.
What Inspired “Nokia?”
While working on the beat for “Nokia,” Elkan said on Instagram in February the instrumental was just inspired by real-life events.
“NOKIA” came from people I love ringing my line asking if I was okay inviting me out to karaoke, clubbing, going to crazy food spots and just enjoying the finer things in life!” he wrote on IG. Elkan added that knew the result would be a smash hit.
“When Drake puts pen to pad onna elken ting you know it’s a special one!” he concluded.
GloRilla absolutely dominated 2024 as she cemented her status as one of the premier rappers in the game today. Following her massive year, Glo was honored with the Powerhouse Award at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday (March 29). Draped in a sleek black tux, the Memphis native was […]
