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Right on the heels of Trinidad Carnival — where she mounted the sixth iteration of her own Sokah Origins concert — Caribbean Music Award-winning soca superstar Nailah Blackman is ready to launch her next era.
Billboard can exclusively reveal that Born A Diamond (B.A.D.), Nailah’s sophomore studio album, will arrive via Big Money Records in the second half of 2025. The new record is the follow-up to 2022’s Teknique, her debut full-length album, and promises to uphold Nailah’s commitment to deepening and broadening the scope of her soca foundation. Featuring collaborations with Grammy-nominated pop-dancehall princess Shenseea, rising genre-bending Canadian star Sadboi and Latin Grammy-winner Nicky Jam, Born A Diamond finds Nailah with her eyes set on global domination.
“I feel like Iike I’ve always known who I was from the beginning, but for whatever reason, I got lost in the woods, and I’m trying to head back home,” she muses. “But every thought process made me feel like I was already there. Precious gems — or people who are supposed to do big things — I don’t think that they are made. I think they’re born, and they will always have their purpose even if they don’t know it yet. I believe I was born a diamond, not just made one.”
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In a way, she’s correct. Nailah is the granddaughter of Garfiled Blackman, better known as Lord Shorty, the inventor of soca music, which soundtracks Carnival celebrations across the Caribbean. Fans can expect an abundance of soca on Born A Diamond, specifically some splashes of bouyon soca from Dominica. The new record will also feature dashes of R&B, Afrobeats and dancehall, further cementing Nailah as one of the most limitless and versatile artists of her class.
“I think with the music that I do and how I do it, it’s inevitable for me to cross over because I’ve been a crossover artist from the beginning of my career,” she stresses. “My sound has never been completely defined, but it has redefined the sound of soca. Being the granddaughter of the creator of the genre, I know the sound that is dynamic and ever-evolving. I’ve never necessarily followed the rules, and I believe the purpose of soca is to bring nations and people together, and that’s what I want to do.”
On Friday (March 14), Nailah released the lead single from Born A Diamond, “Feels Like Love.” With an assist from OVO Sound’s Roy Woods, the new single infuses its Jakey Krumm and Hunter Tomeo-helmed pop&B soundscape with a healthy dose of Jamaican dancehall. With Trinidad and Guyana both represented on the steamy new track, “Feels Like Love” proves everything’s better when the Caribbean joins forces.
“I went to Toronto for Caribana last year, and we did the song in a writing camp,” says Nailah. “I’ve never done a dancehall fusion like that before, and I knew I wanted somebody to bring a Caribbean element but still keep that hip-hop influence. I’ve always loved Roy Woods’ music, so when I heard about the possibility [of collaborating] with him, I was super excited. We met the same night I flew into Toronto, and we did another studio session. We shot the video the next day at my show with 15,000 people, which was incredible.”
Born A Diamond will also serve as Nailah’s first project since signing with Philadelphia-based label Big Money Records in 2024. “When I saw her stage presence and music and everything she’s doing in the Caribbean, I knew I wanted to be a part of this to help soca crossover to the U.S.,” says CEO Jamelia “Whoa” Ho-sang. While she’s still finalizing tour plans, Nailah is prepping for an intense global promotional run, including a performance at D.C. Carnival and her historic appearance as the first soca act to grace Roots Picnic (May 31-June 1). Last winter, she brought soca to On the Radar, a rare foray into Caribbean music for the live performance platform.
Watch the official “Feels Like Love” music video below.
The wait is finally over: Playboi Carti has released his long-awaited third studio album, I Am Music on Friday (March 14) via AWGE and Interscope Records. Spotify has been assisting with the album rollout over the last month by putting up billboards around major cities such as Los Angeles, New York City and Miami that […]
In an Instagram post earlier this week captioned “dirtbag girl in a dirtbag world,” Halsey fully embraced their body in pics in which the “Safeword” singer modeled a series of skin-baring outfits. The get-ups ranged from a black sweater and plaid skirt combo to a black lacy thong and push-up bra, a half-shirt reading “Breed […]
Jessica Simpson returned to the stage for her first live show in 15 years on Wednesday night (March 12) at SXSW in Austin, TX. The singer performed a live set at Owen Bradley Park for the Recording Academy’s Block Party during the annual music industry conference, playing a mix of gritty, rock-tinged and country-influenced originals and covers while rocking a fringed buckskin jacket and brown leather skirt.
The energetic six-song set opened with the live debut of two new songs, the gospel country-tinged “Breadcrumbs” and “Leave,” followed by a gritty cover of the Dusty Springfield classic “Son of a Preacher Man” that found Simpson, 43, belting the song with enthusiasm while accompanied by a full live band featuring stand-up bass and two powerful back-up singers.
“Last night, was my first performance in 15 years. It was an emotional coming back home to the best part of myself,” Simpson wrote on Instagram in a post that featured footage of the set. “Thank you for embracing me. You know that I have so much to say, but this lucky voice gets to soar again tonight. I love y’all. More to come.”
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In addition to the Springfield cover, Simpson also took on the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Nancy Sinatra hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” — which she covered for the 2005 Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack — along with the live debuts of the bluesy “Blame Me” and boot-scooting country pop tune “Use My Heart Against Me“; the new songs are slate to appear on Simpson’s upcoming Nashville Canyon, Part I EP. Simpson recently released “Use My Heart Against Me” and “Leave” in advance of the EP’s March 21 street date, marking her first new music since a 2010 Happy Christmas album. Simpson’s last studio album of new music was 2008’s Do You Know.
Speaking to the audience at the top of the set, Simpson explained, “This time I needed to remember who I was and why I wanted to sing in the first place and all the music that inspires me. And I need to forget who they told me to be.” The last time Simpson performed live was at the 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
In one of the videos from her SXSW show, Simpson described how therapeutic her Nashville writing and recording sessions were to the audience. “The songs kept coming, I was so inspired, it was such a beautiful moment. But within that moment, my life turned upside down and there was no way I was going to let it keep me from my purpose,” she said to whoops from the audience. “There was no way I was going to let the light go dim. I’ve done that before and it really only held me back and made me so insecure. And I can say today that I love myself, I love the woman that I am, I love the mother that I am, I love the friend I am and I know that heartbreak… you write some good music when you go through heartbreak… so, I guess take advantage of it?”
In January, Simpson announced her split from husband of 10 years, former NFL tight end Eric Johnson. “Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson — who shares three children with Johnson — said in a statement at the time. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
Doubling down on her country pivot, Simpson was also a surprise guest at Thursday night’s (March 13) annual Luck Reunion at Willie Nelson’s ranch in Luck, TX, where she performed “Use My Heart Against Me,” “Breadcrumbs” and another new song, “Sunday Lover,” as well as the “Boots” cover. This year’s show also featured sets from Willie Nelson & Family, Charley Crockett, Shane Smith & the Saints, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Julien Baker & TORRES, Taj Mahal and others.
Check out Simpson’s performance below.
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem has debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, marking her fifth chart-topping album in Australia.
The highly anticipated release stormed to the top spot, reinforcing the singer’s enduring popularity Down Under.
Gaga’s latest album joins an impressive list of past No. 1s on the ARIA chart, including The Fame Monster, which spent three weeks at No. 1 back in 2010, Born This Way (2011), A Star Is Born soundtrack (2019-20), and Chromatica (2021). Mayhem also leads the ARIA Vinyl Albums Chart this week, underscoring strong demand from collectors and fans alike.
It comes after Gaga hinted at impending Australian tour dates, which would mark her first in the country since 2014.
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She appeared on Australian radio network The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick program on March 6 to discuss the release of her nascent Mayhem record, while also providing a hint as to whether she might be announcing her first Australian tour dates in over a decade.
“I can’t formally announce anything, but I can tell you that I’m going to be announcing… some things,” she responded with a laugh, before reflecting on her time in the country. “I miss my fans there so much, I really do. I have such fond memories of being in Australia, it’s a beautiful place and I really do want to come back soon.”
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The Mayhem era has already proven to be a commercial success, with the album’s lead single, “Die With A Smile”—a collaboration with Bruno Mars—soaring to No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart this week after rebounding from No. 7. The track’s resurgence follows the album’s release, driving renewed interest in Gaga’s discography.
Elsewhere on the charts, BLACKPINK’s Jennie makes a strong debut at No. 2 with her first solo album Ruby, marking the second consecutive week that a BLACKPINK member has landed in the Top 5. Meanwhile, Rosé’s APT., a collaboration with Bruno Mars, holds the No. 1 spot on the ARIA Singles Chart for its 14th non-consecutive week, tying with ABBA’s 1976 hit Fernando as the fourth-longest-running No. 1 in ARIA history.
Other notable debuts include American singer-songwriter Daniel Seavey, who enters the chart at No. 7 with his first full-length album, Second Wind.
Additionally, Australian rock legends The Cruel Sea return with Straight Into The Sun, which lands at No. 18 and marks their first studio album in over two decades.
On Thursday night (March 13), Billboard’s The Stage at SXSW kicked off in Austin with a fiery set by Texas’s own Koe Wetzel, who is fresh off a five-week No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with “High Road” with Jessie Murph. Murph may have been absent from the stage at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo […]
Playboi Carti fans will have to wait a little longer for his highly anticipated album I AM MUSIC, as the rapper has announced a last-minute delay.
Initially scheduled for release at midnight EST, Carti revealed on social media that the album will now drop three hours later at 3 a.m. EST.
The rapper took to X on March 14, citing Young Thug’s involvement in the project as the reason behind the delay. “HAD TO WAIT 4 THUG 2 SEND HIS VERSE,” Carti wrote, confirming that the Atlanta rap icon will be featured on the album.
Alongside the announcement, Carti also shared what is believed to be the official list of featured artists on I AM MUSIC, which includes heavyweights such as Travis Scott, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, The Weeknd, Skepta, Young Thug, Ty Dolla Sign, and one mystery feature whose name is blacked out. The final tracklist currently remains unconfirmed.
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DJ Akademiks previously claimed to have heard the album on Thursday (March 13), and he’s already championing it as a “day one classic” and seemingly dropped names from the star-studded guest list.
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“CARTI got Pluto slime Uzi Trav Weeknd floating on dat bih,” he wrote to X. “I nearly shed a tear listening to the s–t. This s–t for everybody I SWEAR. Btw purple hair Uzi back.” He also seemingly confirmed rumors circulating of a Kendrick Lamar appearance on I Am Music. “Buckle up, y’all,” Akademiks said. “That n—a talking s–t again.”
Ak also teased a posthumous collaboration with XXXTENTACION. “I also heard a song with,” he said on a stream and proceeded to play X’s “SAD!” hit.
Before hitting the road for tour with The Weeknd, Carti will debut the project live when he takes the stage at Rolling Loud California 2025 this weekend at Hollywood Park.
It’s been a long journey for Playboi Carti to I Am Music after announcing the project in 2022. His last album, Whole Lotta Red, arrived on Christmas Day in 2020 and debuted atop the Billboard 200 for his first No. 1 album, which earned 100,000 equivalent album units.
Carti has been teasing I AM MUSIC for months, with fans eagerly anticipating its sound and directio
I AM MUSIC is now expected to arrive at 3 a.m. EST.
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s joint album I Said I Love You First is arriving in just a week, and the pair unveiled the latest single from the project, “Sunset Blvd,” on Friday (March 14). The title is inspired by the Los Angeles street where the duo, who got engaged in December, had their first […]
There are changes afoot at Australia’s peak trade body and the country’s labels’ copyright collecting society.
Lynne Small, the Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA), has announced she will be stepping down from her joint role at the organizations as of April 30.
Small joined PPCA in 1996 following seven years spent at Festival Records as their Group Finance Manager. With her initial roles seeing her serve as Finance Manager and later Finance Administration Manager, Small’s presence within the company grew in the ensuing years, ultimately resulting in her appointment to General Manager of both PPCA and ARIA in 2011.
In 2021, Small took over the role of Chief Operating Officer alongside the appointment of Annabelle Herd to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Small’s work within both ARIA and PPCA have seen her become one of the Australian music industry’s most respected figures, with her impact felt far beyond the two companies for which she has served. Small will continue in her current role until April 30, though she will continue to be engaged on a part-time basis to support key PPCA projects and assist with ARIA’s transition.
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“I’ve been incredibly lucky to have spent the majority of my career with organisations that support and champion Australian music,” Small said in a statement. “The friendships, challenges, and achievements over the past 28 years have been incredibly rewarding, and I am so grateful to have worked alongside such passionate and talented people, both inside and beyond ARIA and PPCA.
“While I’m looking forward to the next chapter, I’ll always be invested in the ongoing success of ARIA, PPCA, and the Australian music industry, and a big supporter from the cheap seats!”
“Lynne’s legacy is immeasurable. She’s been more than a leader, she’s been the heartbeat of ARIA and PPCA, a trusted advisor, and a guiding force through decades of change,” Herd added. “Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry, coupled with her warmth, integrity, and sharp wit, will leave an incredible legacy and undeniably positive impact on all of Australian music.
“While this is a significant change for ARIA and PPCA, we are fortunate to have Lynne’s continued support during the transition, and we will forever be grateful for her immense contribution.”
Alongside Small’s news, the organizations have announced that Julia Robinson will be promoted to Head of Government Relations and Programs, while Rohini Sivakumar will be promoted to General Counsel & Company Secretary. Their new roles will take effect as of May 1.
ARIA and PPCA have also posted a job advertisement seeking a new Head Of Finance, with full details available via recruitment website SEEK.
The Mars Volta appear to be sick of the standard album release plan, with the group finally confirming their new album after weeks of speculation.
Vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala confirmed the existence of the new album via his Instagram Stories this week, sharing a pre-order link to a record titled Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacío. No other announcement from the band – be it a larger social media post or a press release – has mentioned the record, though it is currently available for pre-order via online retailers such as Amazon. These retailers list an official release date of April 11.
“The Mars Volta’s ninth studio album represents a significant milestone for the band, which has been continually reinventing itself for more than 20 years,” an online description for the record reads. “With Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacio, they deliver an album that celebrates their roots, allowing them to reconnect with their origins. Fans are invited to embark on a musical journey.”
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The album’s rollout plan has been a strange one, perhaps in response to the fact that both news of the album and its content had leaked prematurely in late January. While The Mars Volta had not acknowledged the leak publicly, they launched a U.S. tour in support of Deftones on Feb. 25, where they have since been performing Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacío in its near-entirety.
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On March 2, a Reddit user took to The Mars Volta subreddit to share an unverified story in which they claimed to have delivered food to Bixler-Zavala while the band were in Oregon, only to be handed the singer’s personal copy of the album. The user shared a handful of photos to support their claim, adding further speculation amongst fans as to when the album would be officially released.
The Mars Volta was formed by Bixler-Zavala and guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López following the breakup of their previous band At the Drive-In. Debut album De-Loused in the Comatorium was released in 2003, while 2005’s Frances the Mute would see the band reach No. 4 on the Billboard 200. They would release a total of six albums across their initial run, with 2012’s Noctourniquet preceding their split the following year.
While Bixler-Zavala and Rodríguez-López would later perform again in Antemasque and a reunited At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta would not be considered active again until 2019. They returned to releasing music in 2022 with a self-titled record, and an acoustic re-recording of the album the following year titled Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazón.
