Music
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Gracie Abrams has canceled her performance in Brussels on doctor’s orders, with the singer revealing that she’s currently fending off a “gnarly” illness that has left her unable to take the stage. Breaking the news via a handwritten note posted on Instagram Stories Thursday (Feb. 27) — one day before she was slated to take […]
Lil Yachty doesn’t like the taste of alcohol, so he made his own. The Atlanta native added to his lucrative business portfolio with the launch of his Yacht Water on Thursday (Feb. 27), which is really a tequila seltzer. Boat partnered with Quality Control’s Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Sneaky Pete Spirits on the endeavor. […]
YoungBoy Never Broke Again has announced a new album, and it’s set to arrive right before he’s released from prison. On Friday (Feb. 28), YoungBoy’s team posted on its company Instagram that Top would return with his new project More Leaks on March 7. More Leaks will serve as the rapper’s first drop of 2025, […]
Elle King is now a mom of two, with the “Ex’s & Oh’s” singer announcing Friday (Feb. 28) that she and partner Dan Tooker have welcomed their second son together. Sharing a black-and-white photo of herself lying down with her tiny newborn sleeping on her bare chest as a smiling Tooker leans into frame, King […]
Ye — the artist formerly known as Kanye West — is facing backlash online after he called on jewelers to help him craft a swastika chain.
“For all jewelers, I’m looking for swastika chain designs,” Ye wrote in a post on X on Thursday (Feb. 27). Attached to the message, the rapper included a video of a bedazzled swastika, and fans flooded his comments with plenty of criticism.
“Kanye will be remembered as one of the greatest artists who destroyed his own legacy,” one person commented on his message.
“Back on the bulls–t I see lmao,” another fan wrote, while someone else shared the same sentiment along with an image of Hitler that read “Hitler Returns.”
“Bro you gotta chill,” another fan pleaded with Ye, while another simply wrote, “Bro doesn’t know when to stop.”
It wasn’t just on X that people were criticizing his post. On the Kanye subreddit, users also shared their outrage at his continued display of antisemitism, with one wondering, “Doesn’t he realise that if he was alive in the time of Hitler, he would have been going into the concentration camps as well? It wasn’t just Jews they had a problem with. As a black man, he no doubt wouldn’t be accepted in their vision of the master race.”
Billboard has reached out to Ye’s team for comment.
Despite the backlash, the rapper continued putting his antisemitism on display in several early morning X posts on Friday (Feb. 28). In one message, he ranted about how some rappers write music about how many people they’ve killed, but are “SCARED TO WEAR A SWASTIKA T SHIRT” because of potential backlash from the music industry. And in another post, he wrote, “It was always a dream of mine to walk around with a Swastika T on.”
The latest wave of backlash against the Vultures rapper comes after he previously backtracked on antisemitic comments made on X earlier in February. The rant saw Ye praising Adolf Hitler and offering a T-shirt featuring a swastika on his website, a move that led to his marketplace partner Shopify taking down the website) and ushering in condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League, Charlie Puth, Lyor Cohen and others.
“As if we needed further proof of Kanye’s antisemitism,” the organization said in a statement at the time. “Kanye was tweeting vile antisemitism nonstop since last week. There’s no excuse for this kind of behavior
Ye seemingly backtracked on Feb. 19, writing on X: “After further reflection I’ve come to the realization I’m not a Nazi.”
Check out some of the fans’ reactions to his request for a swastika chain below:
https://twitter.com/MobileSuitKas/status/1895183265998266473
https://twitter.com/PlebeianPepe/status/1895436263756607705
https://twitter.com/FreightGuru3/status/1895180931469844803
https://twitter.com/marchplus17/status/1895190063014977958
https://twitter.com/FreedomToType/status/1895180565495849274
https://twitter.com/MrsNesbitt802/status/1895201119506440231
After dropping her Bruises EP and gifting the world three cross-genre collaborations with H.E.R. (“He Loves Us Both”), Joey Bada$$ (“Fry Plantain”) and Mahalia (“Pressure Points”), Lila Iké has finally unleashed her first solo single of 2025.
Titled “Too Late to Lie,” the new track finds Iké crooning of a bleak conclusion to a romance that, at some point, promised forever. “I know my life will never be the same/ You made your choice and I will not complain/ Don’t raise your voice/ Please don’t speak my name/ Just say goodbye/ It’s too late to lie,” she coos at the song’s onset over Winta James’ plaintive, live instrumentation. “Too Late to Lie” — which arrived accompanied by a Remi Laudat-helmed music video — is set to appear on Iké’s forthcoming debut studio album, which will be released through Wurl Iké Records and In.Digg.Nation Collective under exclusive license to Ineffable Records.
2025 will also be a major touring year for Iké. In late March, she will play five shows in music halls across Japan, and from April 8 to 10, she will play her first headlining shows in the U.K. with her full Wurl Band, including stops in London, Bristol, and Manchester.
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Released on the last day of Reggae Month in Jamaica — and just one day before Women’s History Month in the U.S. — “Too Late to Lie” celebrates both the essence of reggae music and Iké’s femme-forward approach to songwriting. “[The new single] highlights the importance of protecting one’s space and energy, and being vigilant about where you invest your time and trust,” she said in a press release.
In celebration of Reggae Month, Lila Iké has shared a playlist of her all-time favorite reggae songs exclusively with Billboard, alongside bits of commentary for each track. Check out the playlist below and stream “Too Late to Lie” now.
Lila Iké’s 10 Favorite Reggae Songs
1. Garnet Silk, “Hello Mama Africa“
“Garnet Silk is my favorite reggae artist of all time. This song has connected with me ever since I was young because it was my mother’s favorite song.” — LILA IKÉ
2. Bob Marley feat. Lauryn Hill, “Turn Your Lights Down Low”“Bob Marley’s contribution to reggae music will never not be recognized, but this song was how I discovered Lauryn Hill, and discovering her music changed my life. Her ability to sing and rap effortlessly blew me away.” — L.I.
3. Dennis Brown, “Lips of Wine“
“I love the production of this song, the guitar, and the organs. I love how Dennis sounds so young and innocent, but successfully belts one of the most beautiful love songs I’ve ever heard. I also love the harmonies.” — L.I.
4. Stephen Marley & Capleton, “Break Us Apart“
“Stephen is one of my favorite producers of all time; the mix of this song is insane!” — L.I.
5. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, “Old War Chant“
“Damian Marley’s Mr. Marley is my favorite project from him. I love this particular song due to how militant he sounded at such a young age!” — L.I.
6. Protoje, “Come My Way“
“This was the first song I actually heard Protoje sing on, and it made me a Protoje fan immediately. I loved the topic of the song and how vulnerable he was. I began to really pay attention to his writing after this.” — L.I.
7. Chronixx, “Rain Music“
“This song was the first song I heard from Chronixx! It’s a beautiful song, amazing music and very nostalgic.” — L.I.
8. Samory I, “Is It Because I’m Black“
“This song gets me emotional every time I hear it. Samory I’s voice is one of a kind. I think his delivery on this song is one of the best covers of all time in reggae music.” — L.I.
9. Jesse Royal – “Feel Your Pain”“Jesse Royal’s music has always had that effect where every time he makes music specifically for women, it immediately makes you feel appreciated and safe. This song was exceptionally written and produced.” — L.I.
10. Ini Kamoze, “Wings With Me“
“The drums in this song are insane — especially the dub effect on the drum roll! I was immediately drawn the first time I heard it. I absolutely love how unique Ini Kamozi’s sound is. The thing about this song that captures me the most is how abstract the writing is! [Laughs]. I still don’t completely understand what exactly is being ‘wings with me.’” — L.I.
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, LISA presents the real her, Lizzo returns to the public eye and Benson Boone delivers another arena-ready single. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
LISA, Alter Ego
Although LISA employs different alter egos — Vixi, Kiki, Roxi, Sunni and Speedi — on her debut solo album as a means of embodying different styles and shades of her identity, nothing about Alter Ego feels disjointed; instead, the BLACKPINK star spends this impressive project exploring different aspects of her musical persona with curiosity and confidence, whether she’s spitting alongside Future on “Fxck Up the World,” throwing it back to ‘00s R&B with Tyla on “When I’m With You,” or putting her own spin on modern pop balladry on “Dream.”
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Lizzo, “Love in Real Life”
“I might make an appearance since I look this fine / Plus, it’s been a while,” Lizzo declares on her comeback single “Love in Real Life,” which follows a period of controversy (and a flirtation with retirement) with a song that centers Lizzo’s still-mighty voice, snarling guitar in the chorus, and a story about stepping back into public life and feeling more satisfied than expected.
Benson Boone, “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else”
Even as “Beautiful Things” logs another month as a streaming juggernaut, Benson Boone is moving on to more anthemic fare: “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else” mines similar territory but with a tempo that remains racing throughout, as Boone’s booming voice keeps pushing forward this time instead of starting and stopping.
D4vd with Kali Uchis, “Crashing”
Both D4vd and Kali Chis are young, kinetic stars with classic pop sensibilities, so it’s not surprising that their new collaboration, “Crashing,” features a lilting hook and shimmering harmonies that could work on both top 40 radio and TikTok feeds; both artists have scored viral hits in the past, and they might have a traditional one here.
Dasha, “Not at This Party”
Part of the reason why Dasha broke through with “Austin” last year was due to the song’s combination of evocative lyrical detail and folk-informed country — and with new single “Not at This Party,” the singer-songwriter revisits a winning formula, as she checks her phone in a bathroom line and lets her mind wander to happier times while banjo and guitar strings get strummed around her voice.
Feid, “Nos Desconoximos”
Ascendant Colombian star Feid continues to blend reggaeton and electronic music on “Nos Desconoximos,” a new single which precedes a European tour that kicks off next week, but might as well be designed to rule club mixes this summer, with its collision of thumping percussion and Feid’s lower tone producing a rumbling dance hit.
Banks, Off With Her Head
Banks recently told Billboard that new album Off With Her Head is “about shedding past identities that no longer resonate” — and while the veteran singer-songwriter’s latest project will please longtime listeners, she does indeed tinker with the edges of her alt-pop, particularly on collaborations with Doechii and Sampha that serve as highlights.
Editor’s Pick: Shygirl, Club Shy Room 2
It’s almost unfair that Club Shy Room 2, Shygirl’s latest luxurious dance project, is only 14 minutes long — these six songs of entrancing dance music, featuring guests like Saweetie, PinkPantheress and Jorja Smith, create a new world for the British singer-producer that ends too soon, and begs for expansion. Let’s hope this Room gets an addition sooner than later.
Zach Top earns his first top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as “I Never Lie” rises 12-10 on the ranking dated March 8. During the Feb. 21-27 tracking week, the single increased by 12% to 17 million audience impressions. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The 27-year-old […]
R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe has made it clear over the years that the beloved indie rock godheads are definitely done. But on Thursday night (Feb. 28), the original quartet were back on stage together for just the second time since their split in 2011 to play a high-spirited version of their 1984 classic “Pretty Persuasion.”
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The totally unexpected moment came during a show by actor Michael Shannon as part of his latest tour with Verbow singer/guitarist Jason Narducy performing full R.E.M. albums, in this case the group’s 1985 Southern Gothic jangle classic Fables of the Reconstruction. Not only did Stipe take the stage with former bandmates guitarist Peter Buck, bassist/singer Mike Mills and long-retired drummer Bill Berry on tambourine, but they did it at the 40 Watt Club, the legendary 500-capacity venue in their hometown of Athens, Georgia that has been the launching pad for dozens of local bands and a favorite haunt for R.E.M.’s members over the years.
In a thrilling video posted by the 40 Watt, Stipe, wearing red shades and sharing the mic with Mills and Narducy, belts out the lyrics “It’s gone and won/ Hurry and buy/ All has been tried/ Hurry and buy,” as the packed-in crowd jump and clap and, of course, hold up their phones to capture the once-in-a-lifetime moment.
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It was only the second time that Berry has performed alongside his former bandmates since leaving the group in 1997 citing a desire to quit touring after suffering a brain aneurysm on stage in Switzerland in 1995. R.E.M. soldiered on after Berry’s departure and released five more albums as a trio before calling it quits for good in 2011. They had not all been on stage together since until last year when they stage a surprise get-back at the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame induction to perform another of their most iconic anthems, “Losing My Religion.”
Though the 40 Watt is in a different spot now, it has long been an incubator for the local music scene, hosting a number of prominent hometown indie bands (Pylon, Love Tractor, Gudalcanal Diary, Drive-By Truckers, B-52s, Widespread Panic, Vic Chesnutt) over the years, as well as acts that went on to global stardom that popped in for early gigs or serious underplay shows, including Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, as well as Iggy Pop, Run-DMC and Snoop Dogg, among countless others.
And while the second surprise reunion by R.E.M. in a year surely stirred excitement among fans, Stipe has made it clear that their performing and recording days are over. In a 2021 interview with WYNC’s All Of It, Stipe responded to a question about a possible third act by saying, “That’s wishful thinking at best. We will never reunite. We decided when we split up that that would be really tacky and probably money-grabbing, which might be the impetus for a lot of bands to get back together. We don’t really need that. And I’m really happy that we have the legacy of 32 years of work that we have from 1980 to 2011.”
R.E.M.’s last full concert was in November 2008 in Mexico City. Since then the only other time they’ve performed was at a private party for their manager, Bertis Downs, in 2016.
Check out the video of R.E.M. playing “Pretty Persuasion” below.
African female artists have been killing it this month. A week after Ayra Starr dropped her new single “All the Love,” she became the first African female artist to win best international artist and first female artist to win best African music act in 16 years at the 2025 MOBO Awards. And Tems‘ record-breaking domination continues, with her becoming the first Nigerian to win two Grammys, after taking home the trophy for best African music performance with her “Love Me JeJe” single, becoming the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership when she joined San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner, performing at Aston Martin’s 2025 F1 livery unveiling in London and becoming the first African female artist to have a song hit 1 billion Spotify streams with Future‘s “WAIT FOR U,” also featuring Drake.
Just days after Tems made Spotify history, Tyla became the first unaccompanied African soloist to enter Spotify’s Billions Club with her 2023 breakout smash “Water,” and she’s been making a major foray into the fashion world by covering British Vogue and signing an endorsement deal with Nike. And Qing Madi — who’s been featured on countless publications’ Artists to Watch lists this year, including Billboard‘s — asserts her dominance while diving deeper into the intricate matters of the heart with her debut album I Am the Blueprint. “You can tell that this is coming from a teenager, someone who’s lived a certain life and is trying to open her heart to the public,” she told Billboard in her recent African Rookie of the Month interview.
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British-Nigerian quiet storm icon Sade‘s power remains potent, as Rema sampled “Is it a Crime?” on his latest single “Baby (Is it a Crime),” which he confirmed was coming when he was photographed leaving Amoeba Records in Hollywood, Calif. with the English band’s Promise vinyl. “Baby (Is it a Crime)” peaked at No. 3 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs and No. 4 on World Digital Song Sales.
And there is plenty more that has happened in an action-packed month, with big new singles from the likes of Black Sherif, L.A.X., Shallipopi and an energetic new EP from Seyi Vibez, among others. 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 catch a vibe with our Spotify playlist below.
Rema, “Baby (Is It a Crime)”
Three months after Rema set the internet ablaze with his sizzling snippet of “Baby (Is It a Crime)” — which samples Sade’s 1985 smooth jazz classic “Is it a Crime?” — he finally dropped the full single. Produced by P. Prime, Sade’s soulful, timeless vocals weave in with Rema’s suave, refreshing vocals in this sultry Afrobeats banger as he reminds his lover that he treasures her and will even shower her with treasures (“Buy you a Birkin matching my AP color,” he sings in the third verse). “I’m a huge fan of Sade. I like the peace her vocals give me. I was just in the studio, and I talked to my boy like, ‘Let’s see how we sample some of her stuff.’ Played around with a couple of stuff until we found this one,” the Heis hitmaker told Complex on the 2025 Grammys red carpet.
Qing Madi, “Feeling Alright”
Qing Madi expresses unwavering love on her “Feeling Alright” standout track from her debut album I Am the Blueprint. As a young woman navigating money and fame, Madi reflects how much heedfulness and resilience romance requires over Wademix and Ozediku’s feelgood production. “It’s an anthem about loyalty and the quiet strength found in standing by a friend or significant other, irrespective of the circumstances,” she explained on Instagram.
Beeztrap KOTM, Sarkodie & Kwesi Arthur, “BANG BANG BANG”
Beeztrap KOTM makes the club go “BANG BANG BANG” with fellow Ghanaian rappers Sarkodie and Kwesi Arthur. He interpolates R. Kelly’s 1996 Grammy-winning hit “I Believe I Can Fly” while flaunting his larger-than-life moves, and Sarkodie and Arthur’s distinct flows float over Kwame Agger’s spirited drill production.
Lojay, “Somebody Like You”
Lojay – who earned his first Grammy nomination this year for best African music performance with Chris Brown’s “Sensational,” also featuring Davido – searches for a different kind of validation by chasing “Somebody Like You,” the first single from his forthcoming debut album. His “Monalisa” collaborator Sarz’s sublime Afropop production sets up Lojay’s “Summertime in Abuja” opening line as he reminisces on past heartbreak and clings on to “the hope of healing and finding love again,” he said in a press release.
Ruger, “Jay Jay”
Ruger likens his slick, Lothario schemes to Nigerian football legend Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha’s Machiavellian dribbling and stepover tactics on his new single “Jay Jay.” The Afropop star cautions any girl who’s trying to get with him that he’s only here for a good time, not a long time, especially with the first lyric: “If ah girl worry me, I delete her/ Put her inside the bin bag.” But his right-hand producer Kukbeatz’s playful beat complements Ruger’s tongue-in-cheek bad boy nature.
Seyi Vibez, “SHAOLIN”
The Nigerian street MC returned with an insistent new EP, Children of Africa, and “SHAOLIN” is the undeniable breakout of the set. The track is bursting at the seams with barely-contained energy, a microcosm of his entire career to this point, and it has a frantic video that accompanies it perfectly.
L.A.X., “Lockdown”
L.A.X.’s sound is always defined by its musicality, and the layered guitars and horns on this track continue that tradition. “Lockdown” itself is a song about the highs and lows of love and the depth of emotion that comes with it; as a singer, he’s defining his lane with each release, showcasing a feel for melody that sets him apart from many of his peers.
Black Sherif & Fireboy DML, “So It Goes”
Black Sherif has been on a heater with his singles lately, as he gears up for his forthcoming album IRON BOY, and this collaboration with Fireboy DML softens some of his rougher edges without losing the depth of feeling he manages to convey consistently. Fireboy’s melodic flow complements him perfectly, too, and the hook is a memorable addition to his growing catalog.
ODUMODUBLVCK & Victony, “PITY THIS BOY”
A track that shows off another side of ODUMODUBLVCK, who has so far in his career defined himself through frenetic energy and breakneck verses, “PITY THIS BOY” finds him taking a deep breath and sitting in the pocket more, showcasing the versatility in his flows. And Victony — who broke out with the distinctive earworm “Soweto” in the last few years — helps to underline that vibe; the two have some of the most recognizable voices in the world of African music right now, and this link up puts a spotlight on each of them.
Shallipopi, “Laho”
There’s something sinister yet alluring about the feel of “Laho,” a track that almost oozes and seeps into the consciousness. Shallipopi exudes cool over the beat, not trying to do too much with it, which is what makes the listener keep coming back for more. He’s one of the more creative talents on the scene right now, and just about every release is worth dissecting at this point.