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The soundtrack to the animated film The Wild Robot debuts at No. 10 on Billboard’s Kid Albums chart (dated Oct. 12), while Vince Guaraldi Trio’s classic TV soundtrack A Charlie Brown Christmas returns to No. 1 for a 106th nonconsecutive week on top. The Wild Robot opened atop the United States and Canada box office […]
DaBaby’s mental health initiative, DaBaby Cares, partnered with Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (MHACC) on Thursday (Oct. 10) to host the first-ever youth town hall at West Charlotte High School. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The year-long partnership will provide a “safe space for young […]
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Charli xcx rearranges her album with a packed guest list, Jelly Roll continues a triumphant year and JENNIE has a “Mantra” for the ladies. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Charli xcx, Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat
Like the Lorde-assisted rework of “Girl, so confusing,” which is in contention for the year’s best pop moment, the new version of Charli xcx’s masterful Brat album allows guest stars to drop by and work it out on the remix, whether it’s Ariana Grande meditating on fame over “Sympathy is a Knife” or Bon Iver crooning alongside Charli’s existential woe on “I think about it all the time”; this project revamps the concept of a remix album and extends Brat Summer into autumn.
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Jelly Roll, Beautifully Broken
Not only has Jelly Roll become one of the most successful new artists in country music in 2024, but he’s also been one of the genre’s most prolific voices — and Beautifully Broken, a 63-minute opus that includes a handful of previously released tracks but far more new country anthems, puts a bow on this fruitful era of the late-blooming singer-songwriter’s heartfelt, driving formula.
JENNIE, “Mantra”
Toward the end of “Mantra,” JENNIE lets out a delighted laugh, as if the “pretty girl mantra” that she’s just delivered is so infectious that even the voice behind can’t help but bask in its pop euphoria; indeed, the new single gives the BLACKPINK star a giddy solo banger designed to be turned up loud prior to a night out.
GloRilla, Glorious
GloRilla may have become a star thanks in part to viral-ready tracks like “F.N.F.” and “Tomorrow 2,” but the Memphis rapper was always capable of a compelling extended statement; Glorious, featuring guests ranging from Megan Thee Stallion to T-Pain to BossMan Dlow, is built around her formidable flow, and demands the listener’s attention for its full run time.
Becky G, Encuentros
Becky G’s exploration of Mexican music continues with Encuentros, her fourth studio album and another project in which the crossover star sounds wholly at ease conjuring hooks while singing in Spanish — although this time, she embraces the contours of her voice, making songs like “Otro Capítulo” and “Desierto” shine with self-certainty.
Rod Wave, Last Lap
On Rod Wave’s new album Last Lap, the twinkling and pretty track “25” is placed back-to-back with “F–k Fame,” a percolating collaboration with Lil Baby and Lil Yachty — that juxtaposition perfectly encapsulates the hip-hop star’s line-straddling aesthetic, as Rod Wave is able to offer soulfulness alongside radio-ready rap fodder.
Halsey, “I Never Loved You”
Although the lead-up to new album The Great Impersonator has found Halsey taking a chameleonic approach and channeling various eras of pop greats before her, new single “I Never Loved You” evokes more of an ‘80s vibe than a specific artist, as Halsey marinates in a breakup while hovering above piano keys and ethereal synths.
Editor’s Pick: Tyla, “Push 2 Start”
The deluxe edition of Tyla’s top-notch self-titled album from earlier this year includes three new songs, and “Push 2 Start” most effectively crystallizes the South African singer’s appeal: over sumptuous percussion and call-and-response harmonies, the “Water” star makes flirtatious car metaphors sound vibrant and celebratory.
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Xavi, Next (Interscope Records)
Unlike the typical landscape of Latin music in 2024, Xavi’s debut album, Next, distinguishes itself through his singular vocal prowess and a selective ensemble of guest features that include Tony Aguirre, Los Dareyes de la Sierra, and his brother and co-songwriter, Fabio Capri. With 15 tracks that blend fresh revelations and familiar hits, this album sees the Phoenix, Arizona, native expanding his creative wanderlust and widespread appeal.
Next captivates with songwriting that paints scenes of young love caught in the throes of rebellious fervor and wholesome charm. His vocal delivery, both haunting and resolute, is supported by an eclectic mix of traditional instruments like the requinto and tololoche, enriched further by occasional brass accents. New song “La Luna X Mi” surprises and delights, offering the lustrous tones of a 12-string guitar. “Filosofía” boasts lush melodies and playful reflections on love. Meanwhile, ongoing hits like “Corazón de Piedra,” “La Diabla” and “La Víctima” invigorate the overall momentum, intertwining with the newer tracks to create a robust musical narrative.
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A particularly compelling collaboration is “Tu Casi Algo,” where Xavi and Fabio Capri exchange verses on the blossoming nuances of romance. With Next, the 20-year-old artist not only continues to cement his status as a breakthrough artist but also challenges the conventions of Latin music, presenting a debut that will surely resonate widely and affect deeply. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Becky G, Encuentros (Kemosabe Records/RCA Records)
Becky G continues to trace her Mexican roots in Encuentros, a gorgeous 16-track set powered by prickly requintos, wailing trombones and equally emotional lyrics that touch on the sadness and grief that come with heartbreak and, ultimately, joy from a healed heart. The 27-year-old Mexican American artist sings with pathos, the way música mexicana greats often do, as she brings to life stories through songs with the help of friends like Tito Double P, Oscar Maydon, Oscar Ortiz and Delilah — who all represent a new generation of regional Mexican hitmakers. Encuentros follows, and is a continuation, of Becky’s ultra-personal Esquinas, which she released last year.
“This album is deeply personal and raw, documenting a healing process that’s far from linear,” Becky said in a statement about Encuentros. “I’ve found peace within myself and embraced every part of who I am. I am grateful to música mexicana for allowing me to express the rawest version of myself.” The new album comes on the heels of her new tour, Casa Gómez: Otro Capítulo, set to kick off today (Oct. 11). — GRISELDA FLORES
Pedro Capó, LiL CaKe & DeMasters, “Si Alguien Me Ve” (ReLo-Co. Music/Globalatino Music Partners)
In a first collaborative effort, Pedro Capó and LiL CaKe deliver “Si Alguien Me Ve” (If Anyone Sees Me). Helmed by Venezuelan producers DeMasters, the bonafide team up kicks off with the pensive Argentine newcomer LiL CaKe backed by a melancholic ballad: “I know I messed up many times […] you deserve someone better than me, who doesn’t make you cry, who doesn’t make you suffer,” he chants. The track smoothly transitions into a rhythmic cumbia villera, where Capó continues with a just as nostalgic chorus: “If anyone sees me in the streets/ I’m looking for you/ I think you moved,” further emphasizing in the lyrics that no one compares to his ex. — JESSICA ROIZ
Jerri Di, “Asilo” (Universal Music Latino)
Venezuelan musician Jerri D releases an ode to Venezuela with “Asilo,” a song that marks the end of a conceptual project titled ASILO COLLECTIONS: VOL V – Aceptación. “Dedicated to the 8 million Venezuelans abroad. And to the 24 million within,” the singer said in a press release, “Asilo” is a love letter that evokes his longing from exile. “How much I miss you/ I want the old days to come back/ This love has me on strike,” Jerry sings urgently over shimmering synths and a haunting bass line. “Asilo” arrives with an emotional music video directed by Reinaldo Díaz and produced by Juan Diasparra, which features striking images of Venezuela and its people captured throughout the country over 33 days. “We wanted to show our land to those who have not known it,” a message reads at the beginning of the clip. “What we found was the reason why millions of us have never lost faith in Venezuela.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:
It’s been the year of GloRilla and she looks to cap off her 2024 with a successful release of her debut album, GLORIOUS, which arrived on Friday (Oct. 11). Big Glo season is here. Coming into her anticipated debut LP, Big Glo set the stage with her Ehhthang Ehhthang mixtape earlier this year and supported […]
Glastonbury Festival’s ticket release is one of the most eagerly — and dreaded — days for British music fans. The performing arts festival, which began in 1970, is a staple of the summer’s festival scene and the 210,000 tickets usually sell out instantly amidst queues and a scramble to secure passes. Now the festival has […]
From her five Billboard 200 No. 1 albums to her new Tony-winning Hell’s Kitchen musical, Alicia Keys is a true “Superwoman.” Now, “Girl on Fire” is looking to add to those superpowers with a new documentary titled Uncharted. The feature-length film is slated to premiere on Paramount+ on Oct. 22.
Uncharted promises an unflinching look at the lack of access and opportunity the music business grants young Black and brown women. Featuring several bright young songwriters — including rising Chicago R&B star Jean Deaux — Uncharted examines the young women’s respective journeys as they strive to break through the industry with the next big hit.
“Everything done in this film was done by women in every capacity,” Keys tells Billboard. “You get a true sense of the journey of these artists and the songwriting process which is so special.”
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Executive produced by Keys and directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner Beth Aala, Uncharted takes fans behind the scenes of Keys’ She Is The Music songwriting camp. Launched in 2018, She Is The Music is an initiative founded by Keys, Grammy-winning engineer Ann Mincieli, Universal Music Publishing Group chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, and UTA partner and global head of music Sam Kirby Yoh. The campaign seeks to increase the number of women working in the global music industry, from songwriters to lighting directors.
Uncharted had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. Additional executive producers include Minicieli, Gerson, Kirby Yoh, Katie Couric, Dr. Stacy Smith, Brenda Robinson, Abby Rodriguez, Regina K. Scully, Geralyn White Dreyfous, and Abby Greensfelder’s Everywoman Studios for MTV Entertainment Studios.
Globally, Uncharted will exclusively premiere on Paramount+ in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, and Austria on Oct. 23. The documentary will also exclusively premiere on the service in Japan on Nov. 15.
In addition to her five Billboard 200 chart-toppers, Alicia Keys has also earned four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, including 2001’s “Fallin’” (six weeks), 2007’s “No One” (five weeks), and 2009’s “Empire State of Mind” (with Jay-Z, five weeks). Her most recent non-holiday studio album, 2021’s Keys, reached No. 41 on the Billboard 200, spawning the Adult R&B Songs top 10 hit, “Best of Me” (No. 8). Recently, Keys was named an Honorable Mention in Billboard’s ranking of the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century.
Click here to view the official Uncharted trailer.
Daniel Kyri may be best known for his starring role in NBC’s Chicago Fire, but the actor is starting to turn up the heat on his burgeoning music career as well.
Case in point: Kyri’s new single “Maybe,” which debuts today with a moving music video that depicts two lovers in a literal push and pull as they navigate the thrills and thralls of a modern-day relationship. One of the few music videos to depict two queer Black men in love, “Maybe” confronts the age-old question of whether you should fight for someone and try to make it work, or let them go and let fate take its course.
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The slow-burning, emotionally-charged track is as layered as the subject matter, with Kyri’s soothing voice layered over a mix of minimalist R&B, pop and afrobeats.
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Kyri says he first started writing the song in 2022, but wasn’t able to fully finish it until last year. “I was in one of the most toxic relationships of my life,” he tells Billboard, “and I remember wanting so badly for it to be something good, something healthy…something it wasn’t. And turns out that was extremely painful.”
“Writing ‘Maybe,’” he says, “was a way to process the loneliness and uncertainty that come with those moments where you’re stuck between wanting to hold on and knowing you should let go. This song lives in the space between decisions, in the doubt and in the fragile hope of possibility.”
Directed by Vincent Martell and Jordan Phelps, with choreography by Vic Musoni, the accompanying music video was a way for Kyri to visualize his internal conflict. “[The video] shows us two lovers literally pushing and pulling at each other, wrestling with power and submission, closeness and distance, tenderness, and passion,” the singer says. “We shot it in this old, run-down house because it felt symbolic of their love—what once was a safe, secure space is now falling apart around them.”
“Maybe” is Kyri’s second single, following his debut release “Dreamland Ave, which was released over the summer. Both tracks are expected to appear on the singer’s debut EP, due out next year.
While Chicago Fire just kicked off its 13th season, Kyri says he’s been grateful for the chance to showcase a different side to himself through music. “In acting there are all these pre-existing frameworks that I am performing within. I don’t have control over the words I’m saying, or the direction I’m getting, or even what makes it past the cutting room floor to the screen,” he explains. “Music has proven more expansive,” he continues. “I have more freedom and I can use my voice to tell a story that is important to me.”
What’s important to Kyri is using his voice — and his platform — to advocate for people who look like him and feel like him. The actor-turned-singer says he hopes listeners relate to his struggles and find hope in his journey, which continues to evolve each day. “I’m hungry for representation that models life as it actually is: messy, difficult, painful, beautiful,” he says. “I took my ‘L,’ turned it into a lesson, and I hope someone out there can relate.”
After a nearly yearlong absence, the seventh member of breakout K-pop group RIIZE will rejoin his band mates.
RIIZE’s official social media accounts announced that Seunghan will gradually participate in select group activities starting in November, marking a return that’s been highly anticipated yet fraught with confusing controversy.
Beginning in August 2023, Seunghan’s break stemmed from pre-debut photos and videos of the young star leaking that ignited backlash within some of South Korea’s more conservative social climate. The images showed Seunghan in a bed with an unidentified woman and smoking a cigarette, leading to some fans labeling his actions as inappropriate for a K-pop idol and demanding his removal from RIIZE. Last November, the group’s label, SM Entertainment, announced that Seunghan would “halt activities indefinitely” while reflecting on his behavior with no further updates from the label in a decision that left fans and industry insiders forced to speculate about his future.
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The controversy surrounding Seunghan’s return reflected the broader tension between the global aspirations of K-pop artists and the expectations placed on them by domestic audiences. While RIIZE has earned international acclaim for music and the group’s authentic approach to social media and fan connection — highlighted in a Billboard digital cover touting them as “K-pop stars on the rise” from this past June — Seunghan’s situation highlights the pressure increasingly international idols face to uphold traditional values in a rapidly modernizing industry.
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In the statement, SM Entertainment acknowledged both Seunghan’s personal growth during his time away and the label’s internal deliberation on the timing of his return. While many fans will welcome his reappearance (an online petition requesting his return had 20,000 signatures), the decision to reintegrate him into RIIZE marks a pivotal moment in how the group will navigate its future trajectory both at home and abroad and, potentially, how the K-pop industry can more seamlessly navigate controversies of cultural clashes.
Seunghan followed up on the statement with a handwritten letter uploaded to RIIZE’s Weverse account, in which he apologized to his fans, company, and band mates. The 21-year-old shared that he questioned his future as a musician but pointed out that his RIIZE members Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee and Anton actually reached out to him.
“Because I caused such great disappointment, I continued to have more realistic thoughts such as, ‘Will I be able to stand on stage again?’” he wrote. “During that time, the members held my hand once again. It must have been a very difficult decision, and I am only filled with gratitude and apologetic feelings for giving me another chance. I know there is so much I need to show to the members who have taken my hand again, the fans who are worried that the achievements made in my absence might be tarnished, and the company that made the tough decision. Of course, I feel burden and fear about this.”
Earlier today (Oct. 10), RIIZE released the “KENZIE RE:WORKS” remix of their pre-release buzz single “Memories,” which dropped ahead of the septet’s official debut in September 2023.
Read the full statement below (with translation provided via Soompi):
To the BRIIZE [RIIZE’s fandom] who love RIIZE,
Hello, this is Wizard Production, who is in charge of producing for RIIZE. We would like to cautiously make a statement regarding member Seunghan’s return and the direction of RIIZE’s future activities.
As the fans know, it has been around 10 months since Seunghan went on a hiatus from group activities due to issues with his pre-debut personal life.
Seunghan acknowledges that his past actions were wrong, and he has currently halted activities for nearly a year while deeply reflecting [on his actions] and feeling apologetic to the other members and his fans. We also recognized that Seunghan’s past actions were not appropriate as an artist, which is why it took us a long time to debate the timing of his return to activities.
Because there was no announcement regarding Seunghan’s activities, the fans went beyond curiosity to become worried and concerned, and we empathize with those feelings. But as we continued to debate the matter from various angles, [our decision took some time], and we sincerely apologize for the fact that we are only now telling you our decision about the direction of RIIZE’s future activities.
We poured our heart and soul into planning out RIIZE even before their debut, and we have determined that RIIZE’s next chapter would be even more meaningful if the seven members were together. Therefore, after numerous discussions with the staff and members about the direction of the group’s future activities, it has been decided that Seunghan will be returning to the group. After joining the group and preparing for a certain amount of time, we plan for Seunghan to gradually participate in some of the group’s scheduled activities for November and greet the fans once again.
Even during his hiatus, Seunghan has consistently worked to build his skills, and as he still has a lot to show you in the future, we hope that you will look warmly upon him.
Once again, we sincerely apologize for causing confusion and difficulty for the fans who have watched over and cheered for RIIZE’s growth. However, as RIIZE is a group that aims to rise and realize their dreams together, the members think of the group as their top priority and are, even at this very moment, working hard to practice [for their future activities]. We ask that you trust our decision so that we can properly show the fans a RIIZE consisting of seven members.
We are certain that many people are curious about what RIIZE’s next chapter will be, how much farther they will rise, what sorts of dreams they are harboring, and how they will realize those dreams in the future. Because we, the people who are the closest to RIIZE and who are also passionate fans of RIIZE ourselves, are also eagerly looking forward to RIIZE’s next chapter.
We will continue to work hard in the future to repay [the fans] with RIIZE’s great music and performances while sharing the members’ dreams. We ask that you stay with the members and share all of their moments of rising and realizing that will continue to unfold in the future.
Seunghan’s Weverse letter (via Soompi):
Hello, this is Seunghan.
First of all, I sincerely want to apologize to the members and the fans. When the photos from before my debut were released, although they were photos of me, I was deeply disappointed and regretful about myself. If even I felt that way, I can’t even imagine how the members and fans by my side must have felt.
You must have been angry, shocked, and disappointed. I am truly sorry to the fans who supported us from the very beginning, which was such a crucial time, and to those who were hurt by my immature actions. I also feel sorry to the members, with whom I should have been working hard to move forward together, which led to my sudden suspension of activities. I want to apologize to everyone who had to endure and overcome that situation. I felt both sorry for the situation and a sense of despair at not being able to be with everyone.
Because I caused such great disappointment, I continued to have more realistic thoughts such as, “Will I be able to stand on stage again? Can I continue making music?”
During that time, the members held my hand once again. It must have been a very difficult decision, and I am only filled with gratitude and apologetic feelings for giving me another chance.
I know there is so much I need to show to the members who have taken my hand again, the fans who are worried that the achievements made in my absence might be tarnished, and the company that made the tough decision. Of course, I feel burden and fear about this aspect.
However, I am determined to work even harder and do better because of the trust placed in me.
I will strive to be a good member who takes responsibility and does not tarnish the achievements the members have built up. I want to become a necessary presence to the team RIIZE.
Once again, I want to apologize to the members and company staff who made the difficult decision and to the fans who must have been shocked. I will work more diligently and responsibly in the future.
Rüfüs Du Sol‘s much-anticipated fifth album, Inhale / Exhale, is finally here (Oct. 11), and fans have plenty to dive into.
Released via their label Rose Avenue Records and Reprise, the album sees the Australian trio continue to evolve while sticking to the emotional depth that has become their hallmark.
To celebrate the launch of their latest project, Rüfüs Du Sol held a pop-up gig on Sydney Harbour on Oct. 10. The trio performed in front of the iconic backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
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“To get to play in that venue, with that backdrop was so special,” frontman Tyrone Lindqvist told Australia’s ABC News Breakfast. “It’s the first show we’ve done semi-in the round where people were in front, to the sides and behind.
He added, “It was a very surreal pinch-yourself moment for me.”
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The lead-up to Inhale / Exhale has already been promising, with singles like “Break My Love,” which earned a spot in Billboard’s Friday Dance Music Guide as one of the best tracks of August. It’s a quintessential Rüfüs Du Sol track, driven by a pulsing beat and introspective lyrics that dig into themes of love and resilience.
“We want to try new things and, you know, step out of our comfort zone so on this record we did that a lot,” Lindqvist said.
The band even dropped a playful music video for the track, where they star as ’70s-era secret agents pulling off a heist.
The album itself follows up their Grammy-winning 2021 release Surrender, which earned them a Best Dance/Electronic Recording award for “On My Knees.”
Fans have come to expect a lot from the band, especially since their sound has become a go-to for the late-night festival scene, and Inhale / Exhale doesn’t disappoint, with the album offering 15 tracks that explore everything from euphoric dance beats to more experimental sounds,
The release of Inhale / Exhale also marks a new chapter in the band’s ongoing tour schedule. Just last month, they headlined San Francisco’s Portola Festival, and in 2025, they’re set to bring their sound to Lollapalooza’s South American editions.
You can stream Inhale / Exhale below.