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When Taylor Swift‘s The Tortured Poets Department dropped in April last year, fans were all but certain that a person mentioned in the album’s title track was supposed to be Lucy Dacus. And nearly one year later, the Boygenius star has finally officially confirmed that she was, in fact, the “Lucy” in question, revealing that the pop superstar actually reached out to her before its release to make sure the name drop was all right.
In an interview with People published Thursday (March 27), Dacus responded candidly when asked point-blank whether she was the “Lucy” referenced in the bridge of “The Tortured Poets Department.” “I think it’s fair game to say yes,” the “Night Shift” singer said. “She actually texted me and asked for my approval.”
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Widely believed to be about Swift’s short-lived romance with The 1975’s Matty Healy in 2023, “The Tortured Poets Department” finds the 14-time Grammy winner singing, “Sometimes I wonder if you’re gonna screw this up with me/ But you told Lucy you’d kill yourself if I ever leave/ And I had said that to Jack about you, so I felt seen/ Everyone we know understands why it’s meant to be.”
Fans determined at the time of the album’s release that the “Jack” referenced in the same stanza was likely Swift’s longtime producer, Jack Antonoff. Dacus and the Bleachers frontman aren’t the only stars who got shoutouts, though; a certain “See You Again” singer was also featured in the song’s lyrics, with the Eras Tour headliner proclaiming, “You smoked and ate seven bars of chocolate/ We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.”
According to Dacus, the ordeal of listening to The Tortured Poets Department — which spent a collective 17 weeks atop the Billboard 200 — and hearing herself referenced in the lyrics was “so crazy.” “This [was] the first Taylor record to come out since meeting her, and listening to a friend’s record feels so much different than a stranger’s record,” the Virginia native told People. “So I was like, ‘This is really weird. This voice that I’ve heard basically what feels like my whole waking life saying my name.’”
“It was definitely an experience,” she added. “I sat down and I was like, ‘Huh. Wow.’ But I think that that record of hers is super open-hearted, and I don’t know how many people at her level, if anyone is at her level, are writing from the heart that openly.”
The interview comes one day ahead of Dacus’ fourth studio album, Forever Is a Feeling. Earlier this month, the “Ankles” songwriter — who recently confirmed her long-rumored romance with Boygenius bandmate Julien Baker — spoke to Billboard about her most romantic LP yet.
“Once you focus on one thing and one person, it actually recontextualizes everything else,” she said. “You realize that every detail is its own universe.”
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A recently filed lawsuit alleges new bombshell claims against Hip-Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. According to TMZ, the Bad Boy founder is being sued by a male photographer who alleges that the embattled star forced him to perform oral sex by threatening his career.
In the lawsuit obtained by TMZ, the accuser is a photographer who claims Diddy invited him to join him in a trailer for an opportunity to advance his career. However, the unnamed accuser said that the Hip-Hop mogul began making sexual advances and unzipping his pants.
The allegations are disturbing, with the accuser alleging that Diddy told him “If you suck right I’ll make your career take off.”
The accuser, who identifies as a straight man, says that he complied.
He later said that Diddy allegedly told him to hold semen in his mouth “like a squirrel.”
The photographer said that the incident occurred in 2022 or 2023 and that it took place in Diddy’s trailer on the set of a commercial. He says that he did not have further contact with the mogul afterward.
He is suing for sexual battery and financial damages due to emotional and mental pain and trauma.
Diddy’s legal team sent a statement to TMZ writing, “No matter how many lawsuits are filed—especially by individuals who refuse to put their own names behind their claims—it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor.”
They added, “We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail in court.”
Diddy has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, since he was arrested on Sept. 16, 2024. He is being held without bond.
A new podcast, Bad Rap, from ABC Audio was recently released detailing the mogul’s ongoing sexual abuse and sex trafficking charges.
https://twitter.com/abcaudio/status/1904530774453555277
FKA Twigs has reunited with North West to release a music video for their collaboration, “Childlike Things,” and they’ve also called on Kevin Smith and Jake Shane to guest star. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In the clip, Smith and Shane act as music industry executives as […]
After a string of standout collaborations, Atlanta rapper Anycia is back with “Never Need” — a bold anthem that celebrates independence, confidence, and the power of women standing strong in their own light. Featuring fellow female MCs GloRilla and Karrahbooo, the track promises to resonate with listeners who know their worth and aren’t afraid to own it.Out March 28, “Never Need” marks the first single from Anycia’s upcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama, Grady Baby,set for release later this spring. Produced by the Spaceboy duo EJ Stellar and jetsonmade — known for their space-themed production style — the track highlights Anycia’s signature chant-along style. It also features an interpolation of the beat from Khia’s 2002 hit “Don’t Trust No N-—a,” featuring DSD.
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Anycia shares that the inspiration behind the track was “simple” yet profound. “I wanted to make something that really spoke to women standing on their own, not just in relationships but in every part of life,” she explains. This theme of unapologetic self-worth is echoed throughout “Never Need,” as the three artists combine their unique styles to create a song that is as fierce as it is empowering.
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“Man, I said, ‘Let’s find me the most disrespectful women I could find to get on this track with me!’” Anycia says admiringly of her collaborators. The chemistry between the three is palpable, and their combined force makes this an unmissable track. “They made it even more raw and unapologetic,” she adds, reflecting on how their individual energies elevated the song.
Anycia
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The behind-the-scenes video for “Never Need” further complements the track’s message, as Karrahbooo and Anycia exchange praise and uplift each other throughout. Anycia spends a decent part of the video explaining and displaying why she’s a “bad b—ch,” bringing the theme of independence to life in a visual form. “We wanted to show that independence isn’t just about not needing a man—it’s about owning who you are, moving how you want, and doing it with confidence,” She explains.For Anycia, “Never Need” is more than just music; it’s a statement of empowerment, especially for women. “I just want people — especially women — to feel empowered when they hear it,” she says. “Like, ‘Yeah, you got this on your own, you don’t need validation from nobody.’” It’s a celebration of knowing your worth and moving accordingly.”
She also emphasizes how sharing this moment with her fans means everything to her, declaring, “This one is for us.”
For Anycia, the track’s most powerful lyric is: “I ain’t never need a n-—a for a goddamn thing.” It’s a line that carries deep significance for the artist, who credits the women in her life for shaping her into the person she is today. “Literally since I was born, the most powerful people in my life were women. I literally never needed a n-—a for a goddamn thing,” Anycia shares.
Behind the scenes, the collaboration between the three women went beyond the music. Anycia recalls a memorable moment during the video shoot when GloRilla was “sick as f—k” but “still came and delivered like a trooper. That’s a hard-working girl!”
Watch the exclusive behind-the-scenes video for “Never Need” below.
Yailin La Más Viral is no stranger to making headlines, whether it’s for her high-profile love affairs or her bold reinventions, such as surgically changing her eye color. But in early March, the Dominican rising star drew attention in a whole new way with a career-making achievement: She made history by selling out her first headlining concert at New York’s iconic United Palace for two consecutive nights, becoming the first Dominican woman to do so, and the third Latina after Karol G and Becky G, the venue’s CEO confirmed to Billboard Español.
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“I feel very proud and it was something very important,” Yailin tells Billboard Español, reflecting on her growing success and the overwhelming support she has been receiving from the Caribbean community and beyond in the U.S. “It’s a very big pride to do it as a Dominican, as a woman, representing the Dominican youth, and the gender of us; the support that the fans gave me and putting my culture on high.”
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At just 22 years old, Yailin is not just commanding stages but living up to her moniker — “the most viral” — with her latest breakout hits. Released in November 2024, “Bing Bong” has amassed an astonishing 175 million views on YouTube to date, with an additional 75 million streams on Spotify. On this track, inspired by a spontaneous encounter with Brazilian artist Veigh during Billboard. Latin Music Week in Miami, Yailin dips into Brazilian funk and infuses her signature Dominican dembow flair. The result? A fresh and infectious sound that’s all her own, provocative and unapologetically original. The song earned a spot on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, debuting at No. 28 — her first solo chart achievement. Meanwhile, tracks like “Silla” and “Chapa” — all three produced by Puyalo Pantera and Yailin — continue to rack up ten of millions of streams.
Adding to her growing buzz, she further made waves online when she was seen celebrating New Year’s Eve in Santo Domingo alongside Spanish superstar Rosalía. “I had my first encounter with Rosalia when I was in a relationship with Catta’s father,” she says in reference to Anuel AA and their daughter Cattleya. “[Rosalia] was a very warm person, she gave me her friendship, despite everything that was going on. We kept communicating and we created a friendship.” Around the NYE holiday, she also sang “Obsesión” alongside bachata megastar Romeo Santos when Aventura came to Dominican Republic Olympic Stadium in the Dominican Republic. “It was something very important, Romeo is someone very important for us,” she adds.
Yailin (whose real name is Georgina Lulú Guillermo Díaz) grew up in Santo Domingo, immersed in the rich sounds of her island, such as dembow. “The carnival music from here, with drums and things like that, was always something I heard here,” she recalls. “My dad passed away when I was little, and music always influenced me because of him. He always listened to Ana Gabriel, which is why I identify with Ana Gabriel so much. There was a dance they called el baile de Pakitín, where you danced with your hands and feet. And those were the things that influenced me the most.”
Like many rising Latin artists, Yailin looked to the icons of reggaetón and pop culture for inspiration, imagining herself on the same level as the legendary figures she grew up listening to. “You know, I’m not that old. I used to listen to Puerto Rican reggaetón artists like Daddy Yankee. Then we started listening to music in the Dominican Republic from American artists like Beyoncé, those people. You always think when you’re [very young] that one day you’re going to be something big just like them,” she says. Her ambition fueled her journey as she ventured into music, despite the challenges of breaking into a male-dominated genre.
Yailin La Más Viral
Christopher Nunez
Her rise has been anything but ordinary, with much of her early public recognition stemming from her high-profile romantic relationships. In 2022, she became involved with superstar Anuel AA, shortly after his highly publicized split from Karol G. Their whirlwind relationship led to a marriage and the birth of their daughter, Cattleya. During this time, Yailin also collaborated with the Puerto Rican rapper, appearing on “Si Tú Me Busca,” which scored her her first Billboard chart entry, reaching No. 12 high on Hot Latin Songs.
By 2023, Yailin and Anuel AA separated, and she began to face life as a young single mother. She began collaborating with Tekashi69 — a controversial rapper with a history of legal troubles — on tracks like the bilingual “Shaka Laka” and the romantic-leaning “Pa’ Ti,” which fueled rumors of a romantic connection, as she navigated public scrutiny. The latter track, however, secured her her first top 10 on Hot Latin Songs, debuting and peaking at No. 6 that year in July. This year, she inked a deal with Roc Nation.
“I always say that God takes you on a path where you can learn,” she says. “Those things that happened to me, I think they were kind of forging me into who I am. But I know that God put me through that, so that I can be who I am today.”
“Bing Bong” marks her first chart appearance as a solo artist. Its success is particularly special to her, as it serves as both a creative milestone and a personal one. The inspiration behind the track was none other than her daughter. “Catta was the one who did the ‘aayyyy…’ [heard in the song]. She is the inspiration for ‘Bing Bong,’” she shares with pride. Being a single mother and balancing her demanding career hasn’t been easy, but her child has become her driving force. “Catta is like the engine of my life, like the motor. Everything I do is so that she can have a future and a very different life than the one I had.”
From her new grey eyes to her striking pink hair and daring outfits, the singer’s bold style is yet another way she showcases her individuality. “My look, the different things I do to myself, I change them a lot because I really like experimenting to see where I find myself,” she explains. “One of my goals is for my fans to identify with the style I have, [clothes] to be able to use it day to day, and for it not to be too expensive, so they feel good and can be different.”
As she continues growing her career, Yailin is focused on leaving an impact — not just as an artist, but as a humanitarian, of helping single mothers and children in need, even expressing her desire to one day adopt. “I have plans to help single mothers. I want that to be on my record, that I can make a plan, a foundation, something to support young single mothers,” she says, also adding, “I’ve always had a dream of adopting a baby.”
“The first thing I always want is for people to remember me as a girl who came from low-income backgrounds, who came from the bottom, from the Dominican Republic, who made it, who was able to go out and represent her country, and that this helps to put my country on high,” she says. “And as a person, that they remember me as the best mother Catta could have. May I always be seen as someone who loves her family, who is very grateful to her fans, and who appreciates the support. I see myself in the future as one of the most remembered artists of the Dominican Republic, who inspired many young people and that they know that I will always be the same Yailin.”
Name: Georgina Guillermo Díaz
Age: 22
Recommended Song: “My song ‘Bing Bong’ is like the seal of Yailin La Más Viral, because it was the song where I found myself. But if I can tell you the most important song that I have recorded, apart from that one, is ‘Mía,’ because it is the song for my daughter, where I express what she means to me.”
Biggest Accomplishment: “Many great things can come and go in life, but being Catta’s mom is my greatest accomplishment. [Professionally], I still feel like my biggest accomplishment hasn’t yet arrived.”
What’s Next: “For Yailin, la chivirica, putona, toda la chivirica, a lot of music and many surprises are coming. We have many projects: to bring out a makeup and clothing line. That the fans can identify with me, see that I wear this [clothing] and that it is not so expensive. To finish an album and do an international tour.”
Suge Knight openly criticized Ye (formerly Kanye West) for his comments about Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s kids earlier this month during an explosive X tirade. Knight joined the Art of Dialogue podcast earlier this week, where he targeted West and put the embattled Chicago rapper on blast for his flagrant remarks about Jay and Bey’s seven-year-old […]
Brian Austin Green is putting MGK (formerly Machine Gun Kelly) on blast. The Night They Came Home actor took to his Instagram Stories this week, where he shared a screenshot of a DM with the “Bloody Valentine” singer, according to People. “Stop asking when our child is gonna be born. you the FEDS ??♂️,” Kelly […]
With her bubbly charm, dazzling aura and universal appeal, Selena Quintanilla revolutionized the Tejano genre in the ‘80s and ‘90s by lacing her authentic Mexican roots with bold new sounds such as R&B, pop, dance and rock. Known as the Queen of Tejano, she shattered ceilings in a genre that was dominated by men, and made history along the way. After earning four of her eventual seven No. 1 Hot Latin Songs hits in 1994 — “Donde Quieras Que Estes,” “Amor Prohibido,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” and “No Me Queda Más” — the Mexican-American powerhouse was well on her way to a major mainstream crossover before she was tragically shot dead on March 31, 1995, at the age of 23.
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However, her music has stood the test of time — and, throughout the years, she’s influenced a new generation of hitmakers, making her a bona fide Latin icon in pop culture 30 years later. As a testament to her enduring legacy, Mexican-American artist Becky G speaks with Billboard about her love and admiration for Selena, and how she’s influenced her own career. Read her heartfelt as-told-to essay below:
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I was born in 1997. That was two years after Selena’s passing.
My mom actually remembers when they were doing the casting calls for the movie…she actually wanted to audition. Everyone loved Selena and identified with her. Having such a young mom, she naturally played for me the music she would listen to. I may not have vivid memories of Selena, but this is the way she was introduced to me. I even have baby videos listening to her music. She’s always been a part of my life.
She’s influenced my career in so many ways. As a performer, she represented so much more than just herself. She started building a bridge for the 200 percenters like myself, who [are] no eran de aqui ni de alla (neither from here nor from there). Growing up, that identity crisis used to feel like such a curse for me. I felt that I wasn’t enough, and I felt that I had to sacrifice parts of myself to be accepted on this or that side. What Selena embodied was authenticity. She was so authentic in her sense of humor, the dreams that she had, and the way she connected with her family and fans. That’s something that we, as fans, crave today from our favorite artists, but it’s a lot easier said than done.
At Coachella in 2023, I decided to pay tribute to her. A part of me does it for Little Becky, because I think what Little Becky saw in Selena was that dreams can come true, and it’s almost a celebration of being here and of her. First and foremost, I think it’s important that we recognize who came before us, and for me, it’s a beautiful thing to pay respect to the people you know you wouldn’t be here without. I truly feel that I wouldn’t be here without Selena.
Throughout the years, I’ve been very blessed to have had many, many loving interactions with the Quintanillas. Suzette even became a pretty good friend of mine. This last tour that I was on, she came to see it, and she’s always been super supportive. I actually met [her] mom and dad at the Fiesta de la Flor Festival in Corpus Christi, and I’ll never forget that her dad couldn’t believe that I was going to perform without a band. I was just getting started! It’s always one of those things that he would tease me about. It’s been really cool to keep up with them. They’re truly dedicated to continuing her legacy, and I admire that about them.
Now, going back to the word authenticity, she represents something that still resonates and is relevant today, which is that 200 percent identity. You should always be yourself no matter what, pochos and all! I feel that from the way she showed up in interviews to the way she did some of her most iconic performances to personal stories you hear from her loved ones, there was a common thread: it was her genuine kindness.
As an artist, you are overworked, you are depleted of your energy… but when you’re meant for it, you really do it with gratitude. Selena lived in abundance and was always giving back to the community, and always had the best of intentions. So many artists throughout the years since her passing may have reminded us of her essence, but there will never be another Selena. She was one of a kind — and that’s what makes a true superstar. Selena’s legacy is to admire, to respect, and to continue protecting, because she’s a light to so many of us.
Carlos Santana likes to ascribe metaphors to his music. And in the case of his new album, Sentient, that would be floral arrangements.
“When I go to the lobby in hotels in Europe, they always have these incredible flower arrangements,” the San Francisco Bay Area-based guitar hero tells Billboard. “They hire some people to come in and arrange the flowers in the lobby. That’s how this album was made — that’s how I make all my albums. I feel like a florist who is trying to combine the right colors and textures and create a beautiful ornament. That’s what Sentient is, an ornament of flower arrangements — colors, passions, textures, emotions.”
Variety is certainly the hallmark of the 11-track set, which comes out March 28 and is the follow-up to 2021’s Blessings and Miracles. It includes three previously unreleased tracks, while the rest are remastered songs drawn from various points in Santana’s career, including collaborations with friends living (Smokey Robinson, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and his wife Cindy Blackman Santana) and deceased (Michael Jackson, Miles Davis). The selections might appear random, but Santana promises there’s a unity when they’re brought together.
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“The theme of the story is to bring God out of people,” he explains. “There’s too much fear, there’s too much anger, too much harmony. There’s too much doubt, and the opposite of compassion. I’ve played music since the beginning — and now more than ever — to bring kindness, compassion, generosity, gratitude and divine attributes…elements to take make this world and life more delicious. I trust and believe that God wants something incredible for me to share with people, and that thing is to remind everyone that everyone is worthy of their own divinity and their own light. That’s the message.”
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He adds that featuring collaborations with some of his late friends (“Whatever Happens” from Jackson’s 2001 album Invincible, “Get On” and “Rastafario” with Davis from their collaborations with Italian pianist Paolo Rustichelli for his 1996 album Mystic Man) help illustrate that idea.
“Miles Davis is not here and Michael Jackson’s not here, but they’re in my heart, and it makes me very grateful,” Santana says. “I learned very well from them. I am one of them. It may sound a little this or that, but I’m immortal like them. Like Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, I am here to do the same thing they’re doing, which is to invite people to have a deep sense of self-worth, to look at yourself in the mirror and say ‘I am worth God’s grace. I can create blessings and miracles myself, with my grace.’ That’s the highest thing you do as a musician, to bring God out of people instead of the devil.”
Other tracks include “I’ll Be Waiting” from the Santana band’s Moonflower live album in 1977 and the title track from 1987’s Blues For Salvador, which netted Santana his first Grammy Award, for best rock instrumental performance, the following year. “Please Don’t Take Your Love,” meanwhile, is an earlier take of a track from Robinson’s 2009 album Time Flies When You’re Having Fun, while “Coherence” is a trio track with Blackman Santana and bassist Matt Garrison that’s intended as a preview of the drummer’s own next album.
Santana invokes Jackson again in an unreleased instrumental version of his “Stranger in Moscow,” which Santana recorded with Narada Michael Walden and his band during a club gig in San Rafael, Calif. “We played that on the spot, no rehearsal, and it felt really good,” Santana says. “I had been listening to that particular song for awhile. When I play ‘Stranger in Moscow’ I become Michael Jackson. My fingers become Michael Jackson; I was imagining how he would phrase, how he would sing it, so my guitar became his voice and I learned how to articulate the language, the phrasing. I learned all this from Aretha Franklin, because I play that album, Lady Soul, over and over. I play that album so much I learned the bass, the drums, how to hear her voice.”
After Sentient‘s release Santana will begin a nine-date Oneness Tour beginning April 16 in Highland, Calif., and wrapping May 1 at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His next residency at the House of Blues Las Vegas runs May 14-25, and a European Oneness Tour leg begins June 9 in Poland and runs through Aug. 11 in Copenhagen.
Santana is working on another performance idea as well — a multi-day, multi-act worldwide festival with the utopian perspective of Woodstock. “With everything that’s happening with this planet, with fear of nuclear war and Korea and China and Russia, the Middle East, I want to create a global concert that goes around the world and (promotes) unity, harmony, oneness,” says Santana, who envisions sites such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, New York’s Central Park and Hyde Park in London. “It’ll keep going in Asia, Japan, Singapore, all the way to Australia and New Zealand and end up with a concert in Honolulu,” he says.
No dates or solid details have yet been determined, but Santana says he’s already reached out to some acts to participate, including Eric Clapton, Metallica, Earth, Wind & Fire and others. “Everybody I talked to, they want to do it,” he says. “It starts and begins with me. This is my vision. This is my aspiration, and I’m not afraid to manifest what I learned from Bill Graham and (Woodstock co-producer) Michael Lang and Clive Davis. I’ve learned from the best, and I believe it’s not impossible to create a global event of this magnitude…and celebrate, celebrate, celebrate. Instead of fear. Celebrate — with joy.”
Uncle Luke has something to say about Southern rap music. The 2 Live Crew frontman celebrated 40 years of Miami hip-hop by giving fans a history lesson on his Instagram account about the group’s early struggles to be taken seriously by fellow rappers from New York, specifically Run-D.M.C., Salt-N-Pepa, Kid ‘N Play, Eric B. & […]
