Music
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50 Cent had some interesting things to say about why he doesn’t rap anymore. During an interview earlier this year with Earn Your Leisure at Invest Fest that’s just now making the rounds on social media, 50 alluded to rap music today being dumbed down. “If you listen to the music that’s out right now, […]
The Queen of Christmas has spoken — it’s not the holiday season just yet. Mariah Carey took to Instagram on Wednesday (Oct. 2) to share a video of herself on a private jet, as her song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” begins to play in the background. “This is your pilot speaking. Welcome […]
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards are right around the corner, airing Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo.
This year, Karol G takes the lead as the top finalist in 17 entries, including artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and top Latin album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season).
She’s followed by 15-time finalists Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma. The former will compete for artist of the year, Global 200 artist of the year, and tour of the year, among others, while the latter is also up for artist of the year, Global 200 artist of the year, songwriter of the year and regional Mexican album of the year for Éxodo.
Among the many categories is the coveted artist of the year, new award, which recognizes the trailblazers of the new generation. The 2024 finalists include breakthrough newcomers from the Música Mexicana and urban music realms. (Learn all about them in the list below).
The 31st annual ceremony will be broadcast at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, via Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on the Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, on Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
The Billboard Latin Music Awards — the only awards that recognize the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music, according to Billboard‘s weekly charts — coincide with Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami Beach Oct. 14-18 with a roster of star speakers including Feid, J Balvin, Alejandro Sanz, Gloria Estefan, Peso Pluma and many more. Get your tickets today for the Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 here.
Gabito Ballesteros
Image Credit: Courtesy of Live Nation
Kaytranada and Childish Gambino suit up for a supernatural experience in their new “Witchy” music video, which dropped on Wednesday (Oct. 2). The collaborators and RCA labelmates post up in an intimate studio while an assortment of mesmerizing characters (and a white cat) — like four ballerinas who magically transform into an incredibly flexible male […]
Queens of the Stone Age will be back on the road next summer after cancelling a run of 2024 shows due to unspecified health issues affecting singer/guitarist Josh Homme. The band called off eight festivals shows on their End Is Nero tour so Homme could fly back to the U.S. for what was described at […]
Amazon has pulled from it’s website the bestselling 60-page Kim’s Lost Words: A Journey for Justice From the Other Side…, a memoir allegedly written by the late Kim Porter, a model and longtime partner of Sean “Diddy” Combs, according to Associated Press. The book reveals an alleged abusive relationship between the couple, who share 26-year-old son […]
Billboard Arabia‘s special edition “Jalsat” (session) stands out in form and purpose. The exclusive video series “Jalsat Billboard Arabia” was launched in February 2024 and featured some of the region’s most groundbreaking artists, from Ahmed Saad to Siilawy and Saint Levant. This time, in celebration of Saudi National Day, Billboard Arabia traveled back to the 1980s to revive the voice of an icon—a trailblazer who made music history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Etab. Released on the 94th Saudi National Day (Sept. 23), Billboard Arabia deployed AI technology to bring Etab’s iconic voice and performance back, with a fresh take on her tribute to Saudi in the song, “Ya Saudi” (Hey Saudi).
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Etab’s legacy as Saudi Arabia’s first female singer and a trailblazer in Khaleeji music continues to shape Arabic music and culture. She broke down barriers in a male-dominated industry and paved the way for generations of Arab women. Her songs are deeply rooted in Bedouin cultural heritage, which still resonates today. To celebrate Etab’s milestones, Billboard Arabia has reintroduced her iconic song with a contemporary remastering of the track. With the help of AI technology, the track was reimagined to showcase how Etab might have performed on the Jalsat Billboard Arabia stage. The new version preserves the timeless essence of Etab’s classic Arabic artistry while appealing to today’s listeners.
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While many know Etab’s famous hits, “Ya Saudi” has not received the same level of recognition. Billboard Arabia aims to change that by using advanced AI and smart technology to remaster her performance and give new life to the track. The song, updated with modern elements, is designed to resonate with longtime fans and new listeners, acting as a bridge between generations. Etab’s story and music are a reminder that cultural authenticity has the power to connect across borders, and this initiative brings her artistry into the digital age for a new generation to discover.
Etab’s career began in the 1950s and continued until her passing in 2007, spanning hundreds of songs and dozens of albums. She collaborated with prominent figures from the Gulf and Egypt while remaining true to the musical styles connected to her culture and homeland. Perhaps there is no better song than her ’80s hit “Ya Saudi” to celebrate her enduring legacy and the national festivities across the Kingdom. The song stands out against other National Day songs for its jubilant lyrics, set to a vibrant, upbeat rhythm, expressing the joy of the people coming together and celebrating their homeland.
In interviews, Etab spoke about her pride in the song and its popularity. She first heard the melody in 1984; created by Talal Maddah, who is considered one of the most impactful Arabic music composers, Talal Maddah, who shared it because of how distinct it was from his usual style. Ibrahim Ghazi penned its lyrics, and Mohammad Shafiq wrote the melody. The song was released on her album Al Qarar Se’eb (Deciding is Difficult), and it also appeared as a duet performed by Etab and Talal Maddah on the album Talal Madah and Etab No. 4. Later, various versions with new arrangements were released, covered by different artists.
“At Billboard Arabia, our goal is to spotlight Arab voices and MENA’s growing music industry, providing a platform and infrastructure to help both established and new artists reach wider audiences,” says Rami Zeidan, Managing Director of Billboard Arabia. “It was only befitting to celebrate Saudi sensation Etab. She was more than just a singer; she was a cultural icon. Her music reflects the rich culture of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, and her fearlessness as a female artist in a male-dominated industry continues to inspire generations of Arab women in music. By using AI to revive ‘Ya Saudi,’ we are not only celebrating her legacy but also highlighting modern Saudi Arabia – where tradition and innovation come together in harmony.”
Etab and her direct family members have all passed; a surviving relative was informed of this project, however. The song rights for this performance have been secured through the appropriate label.
An auction of items that belonged to the late producer Avicii has raised roughly $750,000 for charity. Taking place in the producer’s native Stockholm on Tuesday (Oct. 1), the auction happened at Auktionsverk in front of a crowded audience. The sale was made up of 267 items, including shoes, instruments, clothing and other personal effects […]
“Gin and Juice” wasn’t just an anthem from Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, it was a lifestyle. In promotion of their Gin & Juice cocktails, the iconic West Coast duo linked up with Big Boy on Tuesday (Oct. 1).
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Snoop put Dre’s drinking habits on blast when recalling how the legendary producer would pull up to the studio with a milk gallon jug, but instead of milk, it was filled up with gin and juice as the beverage of choice.
“That’s all we were drinking in the studio. This n—a would come in there with a gallon — you know the milk gallons? He’d pour the milk out — half gin, half orange juice,” Snoop explained.
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Dre quickly interjected to provide some context in his defense: “We were in our 20s, man.”
“I come in with the bumpy face gin and juice,” Snoop reminisced. “It just was our drink. Super Socco gin. It was just the s–t. It was our drink. It was some hood s–t. What I love about Dr. Dre is when he work with you, he finna learn everything about you.”
“Gin and Juice” landed on Snoop’s Doggystyle debut album and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Snoop and Dre are looking to leave their mark on the spirits industry with the launch of Gin & Juice, which arrived in February. The cocktails come in four flavors: capricot, citrus, melon and passion fruit.
There’s also new music on the way from the two. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are joining forces for their first full-length project since 1993’s Doggystyle. The sequel to Snoop’s debut is fittingly titled Missionary, and is slated to be released in November.
Dre revealed there will be some superstar collaborators involved, including Sting. “We have Sting on the song,” he told Entertainment Tonight in August. “Man, it’s an amazing roster of artists that’s on this album. I shouldn’t have revealed that, to be honest.”
Watch the clip of Snoop and Dre recalling their days of drinking in the studio below.
Central Hall Westminster was alive with the energy of cross-cultural musical exchange as the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir took to the stage alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to present an evening of musical dialogue. This conversation culminated when both orchestras were joined in concert together in several key moments, chief among them, their rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” mashed up with Saudi classic “Adeet fi Marqab” (I Passed in Marqab) to the stunning medleys of iconic Saudi music presented with a Western twist.
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On Sept. 28, London became the fourth stop in the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir’s “The Marvels of Saudi Music” performance alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in celebration of the 94th Saudi National Day. Under the patronage of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Music Commission, the concert was a vibrant tribute to Saudi heritage and cultural diversity, blending authentic Saudi music with top-tier international performances at the iconic Central Hall Westminster, featuring a hundred talented Saudi musicians. Here are some standout moments from the concert.
Tribute to the Late Poet Badr bin Abdul Mohsen
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The concert opened with a heartfelt homage to the late Saudi poet, His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen. The orchestra performed “Ana Min Hal Ardh” (I Am From This Land) , a song originally penned by Prince Badr and sung by the legendary Mohammed Abdo. Abdo was celebrated as Billboard Arabia’s first cover in December 2023, with an interview about the artist’s 60-year legacy and deep impact on Arabic music. In the Saudi Orchestra and Choir performance in London, the tribute of his famed song “Ana Min Hal Ardh” (I Am From This Land) elegantly captured the poetic legacy of the late Prince, serving as a significant gesture of appreciation for one of Saudi culture’s most beloved icons.
Samri Art and Esmahili yal Gharam
The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir delivered a captivating rendition of Samri art, a traditional Saudi folk art, set to the enchanting melody of “Esmahili yal Gharam” (The Wound of Betrayal), another iconic Mohamed Abdo song. This intricate blend of traditional art with a contemporary interpretation stood out as a remarkable moment of the concert, highlighting the rich artistic heritage of Saudi Arabia.
Yanbu Art and Hana Talabana Allah
A highlight of the evening was the performance of the Yanbu art through the song “Hana Talabana Allah” (We Ask God), which showcases the depth of Saudi cultural heritage. This performance underscored the importance of traditional arts in preserving cultural identity and demonstrated the orchestra’s commitment to presenting authentic Saudi music to a global audience, celebrating the richness of the 13 regions that the orchestra has been working to present in the “Marvels of Saudi Music” show.
Saudi Twist on Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”
In a bold and innovative move, the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir concluded the concert’s first half with a unique Saudi rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” This mash-up creatively fused Adele’s song with the Saudi classic “Adeet fi Marqab,” generating exceptional moments showcasing the orchestra’s talent blending international music with an Arab twist. The song was a breakthrough moment in the performance, when the Saudi Orchestra and Choir entered into a contemporary dialogue with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Zarqa’ al-Yamama
In the concert’s second act, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra showcased a selection of Western and Arabic classical music pieces, including the composition Zarqa’ al-Yamama. The renowned opera singer, Dame Sarah Connolly, added a special touch by singing in Arabic, enhancing the cultural fusion. The opera originally premiered in Saudi Arabia in April 2024, featuring Dame Sarah Connolly performing alongside Saudi opera singer Sawsan Al Bahiti and Italian soprano Serena Farnocchia.
Collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
In the final act, the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to present medleys of songs by some of Saudi Arabia’s musical icons. They collectively performed various medleys by famed Saudi musicians including Mohammed Abdo, Talal Maddah, Rashed Al Majed, Fawzi Mahsoun, Abdel Majeed Abdullah, Khaled Abdul Rahman and Ayed.
Concert Finale with Ashginag
The concert concluded with Rashed Al Majed’s “Ashginag” (We Loved You), released in honor of the 90th Saudi National Day on Sept. 23, 2020. The song’s lyrics celebrate the beauty and diversity of Saudi Arabia, making it a fitting choice to close the event, spreading the enchantment of Saudi music and culture from the heart of London to the world. It was in these closing medleys that the conversation that was promised between British and Saudi culture culminated with a sense of possibility.
This London concert marked the fourth stop in the “Marvels of the Saudi Music” series, following successful performances in Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet, Mexico City’s Grand Teatro Nacional and New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir plans to continue its journey, bringing its art to additional locations around the globe. Their mission is to introduce the international community to the masterpieces of Saudi music and foster cultural exchange worldwide.