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Brenda Lee reaches another landmark as the legend notches her first chart-topper on Billboard’s Top Country Albums survey (dated Jan. 4, 2025).
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: The Decca Christmas Recordings ascends a spot to No. 1 following a 40% burst to 53,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. Dec. 20-26, according to Luminate.
Lee, who is 80 years young and a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame (inducted in 1997) and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2002), earns her first Top Country Albums No. 1 among six top 10s. The release is also her first leader on any Billboard album survey.
The set features 18 songs, including Lee’s 1958 multigenerational title-smash, which led the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks last holiday season, and such Yuletide favorites as “Blue Christmas,” “I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus” and “White Christmas.”
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The LP, which first hit the Top Country Albums top 10 in 2019, follows Lee’s prior top 10s: Brenda, (No. 7 peak, 1973); The Brenda Lee Story (No. 6, 1973); New Sunrise (No. 3, 1974); …The Winning Hand, with Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton (No. 4, 1983); and The Best of Brenda Lee: 20th Century Masters, The Christmas Collection (No. 6, 2019).
On the all-genre Billboard 200, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: The Decca Christmas Recordings jingles 19-15, surpassing its prior No. 17 high – and marking a new best rank for Lee over her 61-plus-year span of appearing on the chart. She previously hit the top 40 with Too Many Rivers (No. 36, 1965) and Let Me Sing (No. 39, 1964).
Shaboozey Scores Sole Longest No. 1 Run This Decade
Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” logs a 28th week at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs, becoming the sole longest-leading hit of the 2020s. The track, co-written by the Virginian (born Collins Obinna Chibueze), first hit the summit in May and now passes Gabby Barrett’s debut smash “I Hope,” which governed for 27 frames beginning in July 2020.
Only two songs have led longer since Hot Country Songs became an all-encompassing genre ranking in 1958. Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant To Be” ruled for a record 50 weeks starting in December 2017, surpassing Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” (34 weeks, beginning February 2017). All four songs became hits at both country and pop radio formats, further fortifying their chart performances.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” spent a record-tying 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 between July and November.
Shaboozey’s multiformat monster totaled 59.9 million airplay audience impressions, 16 million official streams and 5,000 sold in the U.S. Dec. 20-26.
Rihanna surprised fans with an impromptu visit to a New York City karaoke bar.
On Saturday (Dec. 28), the 36-year-old singer and entrepreneur made an unexpected stop at Manhattan’s Girls Love Karaoke, where she took the stage to perform “Needed Me” and “Sex With Me” from her 2016 album, Anti.
In fan-captured footage from the event, RiRi can be heard telling the excited crowd that she only had about five minutes to spare, joking that her “battery” was “about to burn out.” The Grammy-winning superstar, also a mother of two, added a dose of star power to the evening while playfully teasing fans who have been eagerly awaiting new music, nearly nine years after the release of Anti.
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Following the performance, Rihanna’s Navy flooded social media with reactions to the karaoke surprise. “Imagine going to [karaoke] night and you get a free Rihanna performance,” one fan wrote on X. Another added, “Awee she’s having fun.” Someone else gushed, “Her voice reminds me of Whitney Houston.”
But not all responses were so positive. “Chii 😭 the mic was bleeding,” one commenter quipped on X. Another person wrote, “Help this is horrible 😭😭.” A third user critiqued, “I didn’t know singing a simple note was this hard.” And yet another questioned, “Is this really Rihanna? My cat can sing better.”
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Some disgruntled fans took to social media to call out the Fenty Beauty founder for performing at a karaoke bar instead of focusing on new music.
“So she wanna f— around with karaoke instead of getting her ass in the booth. wtf Rihanna 😒,” one person wrote on X. Another added, “Karaoke to your own 2016 hits with nothing new released?!!?” alongside a Simpsons meme that read “Pathetic.”
Earlier this year, Rihanna — who shares two young children with boyfriend A$AP Rocky — teased that her upcoming music will be worth the wait.
“I already got stuff that I feel like I could make hits out of,” she told ET in April. “Me and Rocky are really trying to figure out who’s gonna use what because it’s so good.”
In March, Rihanna performed live for the first time in eight years when she took the stage for a pre-wedding celebration for the son of Asia’s richest man.
Charli XCX had a landmark 2024, and she’s looking back on the best moments of her year on social media. “So many highs in 2024 and i cba to post them all but here’s some of my fav memories and fav people. love you all so much and thank you for everything. sorry i’m a […]
Shakira closes off 2024 regaining the throne on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart with “Soltera,” marking her 24th No. 1 on the tally. With this feat, the Colombian global star extends her record for the most No. 1 hits among women, dating to the chart’s 1994 inception. Karol G is the closest female contender, amassing […]
As we come to the end of 2024, it’s a good time to look back at all the great music that has come out this year, with December rounding out the past 12 months on another high.
And 2025 is already looking promising, with Afrobeats heavyweights Burna Boy and Davido announcing their new albums No Sign of Weakness and 5ive, respectively, and entering rollout mode with their prosperous singles “Bundle By Bundle” and “Funds,” featuring Odumodublvck and Chike. It’s no surprise that Chloe Bailey, who’s been cuddling up with Burna in Lagos, is featured in the “Bundle By Bundle” music video. Meanwhile, there has been a ton of great music releases, including by highlife icons The Cavemen., Afrobeats legend Wande Coal, superproducers Sarz and Kel-P and a gorgeous reinterpretation of “Jerusalema” by the incomparable Angélique Kidjo.
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 get in the spirit of Detty December with our Spotify playlist below.
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SuperSmashBroz & Fave, “Shut It Down”
On the heels of her sophomore EP Dutty Love, Fave links up with Nigerian American sibling DJ duo SuperSmashBroz (Muyi Fre$co and Noma Nomz) on the slinky club single “Shut It Down.” “Lesson of the day: Don’t trust DJs, ‘cause all they do is play me,” she sings while continuing to tell off someone who lost her trust. But the irresistible Afrobeats production will send us straight to SuperSmashBroz’s booth to have them run it back.
Boj & Minz, “Sara Jay”
The alté pioneer cooks up a heater with Minz on “Sara Jay,” one of four new tracks featured on the Summerfornication deluxe edition of his 12 Summers album. Boj and Minz love their lavish bachelor lifestyle, and whichever girl understands they’re here for a good time and not a long time gets to enjoy their flashy whips and other pleasures. From Genio Bambino’s skittering beat to the catchy “Put your ass in a Murciélago” refrain, “Sara Jay” will have you coming back for more.
The Cavemen., “Medicine”
Nigerian highlife sibling duo The Cavemen, featuring bassist Kingsley Okorie and drummer Benjamin James, take your troubles away in less than four minutes with “Medicine.” The sweet antidote is composed of faded, dizzying horns, twinkling keys and jazzy percussion, making it livelier than its temperate B-side “Opportunity.” “In a world where all has been said, we have decided to end the year with a call to groove and reflect,” The Cavemen. said in a press release. “‘Medicine’ and ‘Opportunity’ explore the possibility of therapy in modern highlife. Both songs are a mix of two worlds heading in the same direction to uplift listeners.”
Tayc & Davido, “PrAy”
The Cameroonian-French crooner connects with Davido on the touching standout track “PrAy” from the former’s latest album TESTIMONY. Tayc wonders who’ll pray for him long after he’s gone, while Davido bodies his verse about maintaining his peace amidst life’s mystery. And their smooth R&B-tinged melodies have us in our feelings just like them.
Burna Boy, “Bundle By Bundle”
When Burna throws money in the club, he’s throwing it “Bundle By Bundle,” as evidenced by his new single that will be featured on his upcoming eighth studio album No Sign of Weakness. It’s an anthem of abundance, with Burna stacking his W’s and relishing in the lifestyle they’ve earned him. Produced by Telz, who worked on much of Burna’s 2020 Grammy-winning album Twice as Tall, the pulsing bass line and intoxicating rhythms will surely be blasting at every Detty December party, while its swelling orchestral flourishes make the African Giant sound truly larger than life.
Davido feat. ODUMODUBLVCK & Chike, “Funds”
Davido’s melodic and effortlessly creative hot streak of the past decade continues with this new track, which brings in both ODUMODUBLVCK and Chike to celebrate the high life, and what they plan on doing with the money they’ve accumulated — namely, “mismanage my funds on you,” as the hook states. The production is bright and airy, and matches the vibe effortlessly.
Sarz feat. Asake, “C’mon, Look!”
Super-producer Sarz returns with this propulsive, insistent beat that powers Asake’s flow perfectly — almost a spiritual successor to their collaboration on Asake’s latest album, with the Travis Scott-assisted “Active.” If Asake has proven anything this year, it’s that he’s one of the most versatile vocalists out there, and Sarz continues to provide him with production that allows him to stretch his horizons — with this being another great example.
King Promise & Tom Walker, “Eyes Dried Over”
King Promise has been on a great run of late, with his vocals standing out among his peers. This collaboration with the Scottish singer/songwriter Tom Walker represents him stepping out of the lane he carved so well on his album True To Self, and seems in line with the Ed Sheeran-assisted remix of Fireboy DML’s “Peru” that made such a big splash a few years ago. This song is an emotional ode to the healing powers of liquor to mask the pain of relationship drama — in other words, a timeless feel.
Wande Coal & Kel-P, “Old Soldier”
Another collaboration between Afrobeats icon Wande Coal and innovative producer Kel-P — the first since “Kpe Paso” nearly two years ago — produced, unsurprisingly, a serious gem of a song, with Kel-P bringing the vibes with a danceable groove augmented by staccato guitars, steadying keys and a horn section that pushes things forward, while Wande Coal floats over top MC’ing the party. A great feel for the end of the year.
Angélique Kidjo, “Jerusalema”
Kidjo is truly a legend, and her take on this track brings beauty and emotion to a song that positively overflows with it. The original, by Master C and Nomcebo, became a sensation when it was released several years ago, and Kidjo’s rendition — released as a single following her performance of the track at the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral — replaces the underlying pulse of the original with ethereal strings, slowing it down and bringing the deep feeling of it out in full force — particularly towards the end, when she digs deep and lets her voice truly shine.
Sometimes, understanding the full impact of your work happens only when someone else points it out. Producer Ernesto “Neto” Fernández recalls the moment that brought him that realization: “Did you know Peso [Pluma] is now global?” someone told him after Fernández debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in early February 2023 with Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano’s “PRC.”
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“That’s how you start realizing it, but you keep getting wrapped up in work, and sometimes you don’t fully assimilate it,” he tells Billboard Español.
But that changed when he was named Producer of the Year at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
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In an astonishing breakout year, Fernández amassed 26 production credits on the Hot 100. He is also a mastermind behind 20 Hot 100 hits by Peso Pluma, three by Xavi (“La Diabla,” “La Víctima,” “Corazón de Piedra”), one by Junior H (“Y Lloro”) and three by Tito Double P (“Rosones,” “El Lokeron,” “Dos Días”).
However, this is far from his first successful year. Fernández’s influence dates back to the ’90s quebradita explosion — a period defined by a booming regional Mexican dance style and music. He started his career creating songs for Jessie Morales, known as El Original de la Sierra, and Los Jilgueros Del Arroyo. It was then that he initiated a longstanding collaboration with George Prajin, who worked with those artists and who now leads Prajin Parlay Studioz and co-founded Double P Records with Peso Pluma. Under Prajin’s management, Fernández’s productions have solidified his role as a pivotal voice in modern-day Latin music.
2024 marked a milestone for Fernández, as he won the Producer of the Year award and topped the Hot Latin Songs Producer year-end chart, outpacing super producers such as Edgar Barrera and MAG. His rise mirrors the seismic shift in the regional Mexican music landscape, establishing Fernández as a key producer to watch.
Read on to learn more about Fernández and his work in his chat with Billboard Español below.
Congratulations on reaching No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs Producers list. Did you expect this achievement given the success of many hits you’ve created this year?
I wasn’t expecting it. When I found out, I was like, “Wow!” This year has been very blessed — a lot has happened. Thanks to all the artists who have also been part of all this.
Let’s talk about some of the hits you produced, for example, “La Diabla” by Xavi. What was the creative process like?
Xavi is a very talented young man with many great ideas. All the musicians were here in the studio working on the song “La Diabla.” It’s a very friendly environment and a smooth vibe. We all work very comfortably that way; everyone gets along and chats. I think that is also reflected in the music. [The management] did new things with Xavi and it was very successful. In part, Xavi’s music helped with being named on the charts.
George Prajin is good friends with Nir [Seroussi] from Interscope. So, Xavi started coming here [to the studio] earlier to record some songs he was just starting. He liked working here, so we continued collaborating with him until he started doing all the new stuff, “La Diabla,” “La Víctima” and all that.
You also have many hits with Peso Pluma, more recently “Gervonta” and “La Durango,” among others. Can you tell me about one of your favorite tracks with Peso?
Choosing a favorite is very difficult. But what I like about working with Peso is different ideas come out. For example, in “Bruce Wayne,” we added a piano, which I played. In “Gervonta,” we did something very different at the beginning, you start listening and you’re like: “Oh, what’s going on here?” Little things and new ideas we try together; everyone contributes ideas. Besides, I’m also the musical director of Peso Pluma. As for the musicians, we all work as a team.
Tell me, which other artists do you collaborate with?
Right now, we are working with Jasiel Núñez, Los Dareyes de la Sierra, Tito Double P, new artists like Estevan Plazola — who sang “Hollywood” with Peso Pluma — and another we call el Chivo. We have worked with Luis R. Conriquez, and Junior H, among others. But right now, new things are coming from Los Dareyes de la Sierra, who’s preparing his new album.
Could you tell us more about your beginnings in the industry and how you became a producer?
I was born in El Paso, Texas, but I was brought to Los Angeles when I was three years old. My dad is also a musician; he plays piano and keyboards. I also play music, specifically the piano, and then a bit of drums, bass and guitar. In ’89, ’90, my dad took me to a recording studio with a friend of his, and that’s where I started learning the engineering of recording and producing. During the ’90s, the quebradita movement exploded. I experienced that whole era: banda, norteño, mariachi. And over the years, [I continued] producing and recording that way.
Like in ’99, 2000, I met George Prajin with whom we started producing Jessie Morales El Original de La Sierra, Los Jilgueros [Del Arroyo] and other artists of that era. From there, we started working banda and norteña music. As the years went by, everything was changing, and evolving. Currently, like in 2018, we started with Prajin here in the studio, and in 2021, I began producing Peso Pluma and other artists that George handles. It has been a long process. We’ve been in the industry for a long time, but what happened with Peso was a complete game-changer.
Ernesto Fernández
John Rodríguez
Given this new chapter in your career, how did you experience the recent Mexican music boom along with the rise of Peso Pluma?
When it all started, one could hardly believe it. But what happens is that there comes a time when you’ve been working so long that sometimes you don’t even realize everything that’s going on outside. And just when you least expect it, they tell you, “Did you know that Peso is now global?!” and that’s how you start realizing, but you keep working and getting wrapped up in work, sometimes you don’t fully assimilate it. It wasn’t until I was informed about the Billboard [Latin Music] Awards when I was named Producer of the Year. That’s when you get it, you’re like: “Wow, this really is happening.” This movement does have an impact. You don’t realize it until you begin to look around and see how much impact the movement has had and what it has done. Many artists are behind it, including Nata (Natanael Cano) and Junior H, who opened the doors, and Peso took it to another level. It opened up the market further. It’s such a pride to be part of this movement.
After reaching No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs Producer chart and earning the Producer of the Year award, what’s next for 2025?
This coming year, we are going to release new music with new artists and try different things in an effort to broaden the genre in terms of different sounds and styles, and try to make regional Mexican music more global.
Doechii is gearing up to drop her rumored Comedy Central show, Denial Is a River, on Jan. 2, and she continued the rollout on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) by releasing another comedy sketch. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The clip, which features Zack Fox and […]
Ariana Grande is reflecting on a highly productive and successful year.
On Tuesday (Dec. 31), the 31-year-old pop star and actress looked back on 2024, sharing a series of nostalgic photos and videos. In her Instagram post, Grande highlighted some of the standout moments from the past 12 months, including the filming of her record-breaking musical movie Wicked and the release of her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine.
“a year full of art and heart,” the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer captioned the post. “thank you eternally for your love and support, words truly don’t suffice. i love you always and am wishing you a all a very happy new year !”
Grande’s carousel begins with a stunning shot of her “Sleeping Beauties”-themed look, worn at an afterparty following the 2024 Met Gala. The gallery also includes photos with friends and Wicked castmates, including Cynthia Erivo and Bowen Yang, along with a playful shot of her in a Catwoman-inspired outfit from her “The Boy Is Mine” music video. Several heartwarming pictures with her mom, Joan Grande, and brother Frankie Grande are also featured.
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In her Instagram Story on Tuesday, Grande shared a mysterious clip showing her head tilted against what appears to be film equipment, with the caption, “to be continued…,” alongside a heart emoji. The image is reminscent of one of her Eternal Sunshine alternative album covers.
It’s been a monumental year for Grande. The two-time Grammy winner, who ranked No. 9 on Billboard’s list of Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century, scored her sixth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with Eternal Sunshine in March. Meanwhile, her new movie Wicked became the highest-grossing film ever based on a Broadway musical at the domestic box office, earning $634.4 million worldwide since its Nov. 22 release.
The year was rounded out with a milestone for her holiday hit “Santa Tell Me,” which reached the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time since its release in November 2014. The track landed at No. 9 on the chart dated Dec. 28, after peaking at No. 11 in 2023.
The Recording Academy made Beatlemaniacs happy on Nov. 8, when The Fab Four’s “Now and Then” was nominated for two awards – record of the year and best rock performance. But only the two living Beatles — Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr — are nominated for those awards. John Lennon, who died in 1980, and George Harrison, who died in 2001, are not.
Because Lennon and Harrison have each been dead for more than five years, they cannot meet the Grammy test for “new recordings” – “material that has been recorded within five years of the release date.” There is precedent for this. Nat “King” Cole was not nominated when daughter Natalie Cole won record of the year and best traditional pop performance in 1992 for their studio-created duet “Unforgettable.” He had died in 1965.
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Lennon’s last Grammy nomination was at the 1985 ceremony – best spoken word or non-musical recording for Heart Play (Unfinished Dialogue), a collab with Yoko Ono. The album, which reached No. 94 on the Billboard 200, consisted of excerpts from a Playboy magazine interview done shortly before Lennon’s death.
Harrison’s last Grammy nominations were at the 2004 ceremony, where Brainwashed, his posthumously released 12th and final studio album, was nominated for best pop vocal album. Two tracks from the album were also honored. “Marwa Blues” won best pop instrumental performance, while “Any Road” was nominated for best male pop vocal performance.
McCartney co-produced “Now and Then” with Giles Martin, the son of legendary Beatles producer George Martin, who produced the band’s four previous record of the year nominees, “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be.” Martin also produced McCartney’s one post-Beatles record of the year nominee, “Ebony and Ivory,” a 1982 collab with Stevie Wonder.
Both McCartney and Giles Martin are nominated for record of the year as producers of the single, as are eight engineer/mixers and a mastering engineer – but not John and George.
Bonus factoid: If “Now and Then” wins record of the year, McCartney will complete his sweep of the Big Four awards, though it will have taken him longer to do so than any other act in Grammy history. He won best new artist in 1965 (with The Beatles), song of the year in 1967 for “Michelle” (in tandem with Lennon) and album of the year in 1968 for The Beatles’ landmark Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Cardi B is in a New York state of mind. The Bronx native revealed on X over the weekend that she’s done with her Atlanta residence, and appears ready to unload the estate and settle down once again in the Big Apple. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news […]
