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Longtime Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain is stepping back from touring.
On Saturday (Dec. 7), the 72-year-old musician announced that he is retiring from the road, with Saturday’s concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, marking his final show with the legendary rock band.
“After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle,” McBrain shared in a statement on Iron Maiden’s website. “I wish the band much success moving forward.”
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McBrain, who joined Iron Maiden in 1982, replacing Clive Burr, has been an integral part of the band’s sound, drumming on every album since Piece of Mind in 1983.
“What can I say? Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you!” McBrain added.
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While stepping away from touring, McBrain will remain closely connected to the band. He confirmed that he’ll continue to be involved in “a variety of projects” with Iron Maiden, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.
“I look into the future with much excitement and great hope! I’ll be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, ‘Up the Irons!’” he wrote.
McBrain’s decision comes after health issues in recent years, including a stroke in 2023 that left him partially paralyzed. After extensive rehabilitation, he returned to the stage with Iron Maiden for their current world tour.
Iron Maiden expressed their gratitude for McBrain’s remarkable contributions to the band. “Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of all the band when I say we will miss you immensely!” the band said in a statement.
Iron Maiden also referenced their long-standing bond with Brazil, where they have had a special connection since their 1985 Rock in Rio performance. “To bow out of touring in front of 90,000 fans here in São Paulo over two nights is poetic,” they continued. “Nicko is and will always be part of the Maiden family.”
Saturday’s performance marks the final show of Iron Maiden’s The Future Past world tour, which began in September. The band will return to the road in 2025 for their Run for Your Lives World Tour, set to launch in May.
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
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Camila Cabello Becomes Substitute Teacher
From pop star to substitute teacher, Camila Cabello can do it all. In the Dec. 4-episode of Celebrity Substitute, the singer-songwriter visits a New York City public school to teach elementary students about the art of performance. Cabello’s lesson plan includes: Getting the students comfortable, inspiring confidence and, lastly, filming a music video for her song “I Luv It.”
Watch the adorable episode below:
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Eladio Carrión Holds Annual SauceGiving Event
Over Thanksgiving weekend, Eladio Carrión held his 4th annual SauceGiving event in Puerto Rico, which had over 4,000 attendees. The day kicked off with “baseball clinics,” where around 300 children learned directly from Major League players who shared techniques and inspired the next generation of baseball talent.
This year, the Celebrity Softball Game, where music stars and Major League talent team up for a showdown at Estadio Néstor Morales, included on its lineup artists like Eladio Carrión, Arcángel, Daddy Yankee, Latin Mafia, Yandel and Young Miko, to name a few.
Celebrity Softball Game at Eladio Carrión’s SauceGiving event in Puerto Rico.
Rafael R. Molina
Meanwhile, the SauceMarket showcased a variety of vendors, fair games, a pet adoption area and a merch booth for fans. In total, five dogs and two cats were adopted.
Ricky Martin Performs at World AIDS Day Event
Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin sang some of his biggest hits — in English and Spanish — during his headlining set on Monday at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s annual World AIDS Day concert, which was held at the Watsco Center in Miami. World AIDS Day is commemorated each year on Dec. 1 as “an opportunity for communities to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and remember those we’ve lost,” according to a press release.
Watch a short recap of the event here.
Shakira Shares Special Moment With Milan & Sasha
“These little kisses always make me sing better,” Shakira captioned a video that captures a sweet moment with her two sons, Milan and Sasha, during rehearsals for her upcoming world tour. In the video, the Colombian superstar shows off her ethereal vocals singing “Última,” from her latest album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, while her kids accompany her and offer her kisses. Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour is set to kick off next year in Latin America.
Watch the video with her kids here.
The Philly Specials’ charity album A Philly Special Christmas Party makes a festive debut across Billboard’s charts, opening at No. 1 on Independent Albums; in the top 10 on Top Album Sales (No. 2), Top Holiday Albums (No. 2), Vinyl Albums (No. 2); and at No. 16 on the all-genre Billboard 200 (all charts dated Dec. 7).
It’s the third and final release in the charity series, presented by The Philly Specials (former Philadelphia Eagles football player Jason Kelce and his teammates Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata).
Party arrives with the biggest sales week for any holiday album in four years, and the largest sales week for a holiday album on vinyl in the modern era (since Luminate began electronically tracking sales in 1991). A Philly Special Christmas Party sold 32,000 copies in its first week (ending Nov. 28), with 22,000 of that sum on vinyl. The album was commercially released on CD, vinyl and digital download on Nov. 22.
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The last holiday set with a bigger sales week overall was when Carrie Underwood’s My Gift sold 33,000 nearly three months into its release, on the Dec. 19, 2020-dated charts. Previously, the biggest sales week in the modern era for a holiday set on vinyl was when Vince Guaraldi Trio’s A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack pushed through 20,000 copies in late 2022 (Dec. 31, 2022 chart date).
The new Party album boasts collaborations with the likes of Boyz II Men, Stevie Nicks, Mt. Joy and Jason’s brother (and Kansas City Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce and includes covers of tunes like “Maybe This Christmas,” “Last Christmas” and “Please Come Home for Christmas.”
Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units.
As for the rest of the top 10 of the latest Top Album Sales chart, the Wicked film soundtrack debuts at No. 1 (85,000), Kendrick Lamar’s GNX debuts at No. 3 (32,000), ATEEZ’s Golden Hour: Part.2 falls 1-4 in its second week (24,000; down 87%), Marilyn Manson’s One Assassination Under God: Chapter 1 debuts at No. 5 (20,000), Zach Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene re-enters the chart at No. 6 (18,000; up 14,517% after it was issued on vinyl and CD for the first time), Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet is steady at No. 7 (16,000; up 9%), ENHYPEN’s chart-topping Romance: Untold falls 4-8 (15,000; down 70%), Ice Cube’s Man Down debuts at No. 9 (nearly 15,000) and Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess rises 11-10 (13,000; up 16%).
As we build toward the 2024 Billboard Music Awards on Dec. 12 and Billboard’s Year-End Charts reveal on Dec. 13, check out our editorial list of staff picks for the best K-pop songs of the year.
As more and more K-pop artists break the genre and cultural barriers that can divide listeners, the Korean music industry grew its visibility and expanded its experimental nature this past year, resulting in greater opportunities for the scene at large while gifting global audiences some undeniably special singles.
In line with trends since the start of the decade, girl groups continued to dominate the singles space as (G)I-DLE, fromis_9, aespa, NewJeans and ILLIT delivered inescapable hits, alongside beloved troupes like Red Velvet, ITZY, Dreamcatcher and Kep1er, who delivered some of the best songs of their career.
K-divas BIBI, Lee Young Ji and K-pop’s standout rookie boy band TWS delivered singles that became mainstays on the charts and across social media. Elsewhere, Lim Young Woong, PENTAGON’s Hui, ATEEZ, Loossemble and ARTMS all stepped up to new moments of musical greatness with creative curveballs that defied expectations but delighted all kinds of audiences.
From the nostalgic reunion of BIGBANG’s leader G-Dragon enlisting his bandmates Taeyang and Daesung for “Home Sweet Home” to the rookie girl group that made Billboard Hot 100 history this year, not to mention a track that samples Afrika Bambaataa and the Afrobeat-infused flair of KISS OF LIFE’s “Sticky,” this year’s best K-pop songs boast some of the most eclectic, exciting tunes in recent history.
While the Korean music industry continues to expand its global reach, with many of its artists releasing English singles or tracks explicitly aimed at the Western pop market, this list focuses on the songs released with Korean lyrics or with core K-pop audiences in mind (as much as we loved bops from the likes of Jimin, AleXa, BABYMONSTER, the BLACKPINK members and many, many more).
With some of the best boy bands, greatest girl groups, specially selected soloists, plus one dynamic duo, dive into the complete list to experience the finest K-pop songs of 2024. And check out our list of the 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2024, too.
Kep1er, “Shooting Star”
Idols, rookies and global stars all made our list.
The West Coast rapper is enjoying the looks he’s had this year. First, AzChike was featured on ScHoolboy’s Q‘s critically acclaimed album Blue Lips, which essentially worked as a solo track/interlude on the song “Movie”. Chike then made another scene-stealing appearance on Kendrick Lamar‘s GNX on the song “peekaboo”. During a recent interview with Brown Bag […]
It looks like Britney Spears is staying put — for now. After telling fans that she was moving out of the United States to Mexico to escape “cruel” paparazzi, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the pop star actually isn’t taking the leap, according to a source. Spears had told fans in an Instagram video […]
Through the Honda Stage platform, which is dedicated to uncovering the stories of determined and resilient artists, Mustard’s journey shines as a prime example of both grit and boundless talent. Honda Stage celebrates the individuals who shape music through a blend of vision and hard work, bringing fans closer to the heart of what drives an artist’s unique sound and journey. With a deft hand that melds infectious grooves with nuanced melodies, Mustard—formerly known as DJ Mustard—has cemented his status as a vital force in shaping the soundscape of hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Behind the shimmering façade of chart-topping hits lies a rich tapestry woven with experiences, inspirations, and an unyielding love for the art of sound.
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Born Dijon McFarlane in Los Angeles, Mustard discovered his musical calling at the tender age of 11—a time when many kids are still figuring out how to ride a bike or choose their favorite cartoon. “My uncle was a DJ,” he reminisces, his eyes lighting up with nostalgia. “I always wanted to be like him.” His epiphany struck at a party where his uncle left him to spin the tracks, igniting a lifelong romance with rhythm and sound. “Since I can remember, I’ve loved music,” he declares, underscoring the deep-rooted connection he has with it.
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Mustard’s rise to prominence is not merely a story of beats and bass; it is a journey that encompasses cultural influences, personal struggles, and a relentless pursuit of artistic integrity. His distinctive sound—a blend of West Coast hip-hop infused with elements of R&B and electronic music—has become synonymous with a new era of music. “I don’t think it was a specific genre that sparked my love for music,” he explains. “It’s about the feeling any song gives me.” This philosophical approach to music allows Mustard to traverse genres, drawing inspiration from a wide array of influences, from classic funk to contemporary trap.
His breakthrough came with the 2012 hit “Rack City,” a collaboration with Tyga that catapulted both artists into the limelight. This track was not just a chart-topping sensation; it was a cultural phenomenon, marking Mustard’s arrival as a powerhouse producer. The infectious rhythm and catchy hook defined an era, paving the way for Mustard’s subsequent collaborations with a plethora of artists, including YG, Ty Dolla $ign, and Nipsey Hussle. His production credits read like a who’s who of contemporary music, illustrating his ability to craft hits that resonate across demographics.
But Mustard’s success isn’t limited to individual tracks. His albums, such as Perfect Ten, have been lauded for their cohesive sound and innovative approach. The album not only solidified his position in the industry but also showcased his versatility, blending genres and exploring new sonic territories.
In 2013, Mustard took a significant leap by establishing his own label, 10 Summers. This move was not merely a career advancement; it was a commitment to nurturing emerging talent and creating a platform where artists could thrive. “I want to create a space where artists can flourish and be authentic,” he asserts, embodying a philosophy that prioritizes artistic integrity over commercial success.
The label has been instrumental in launching the careers of several budding artists, including Ella Mai. Her hit “Boo’d Up” became a global sensation, showcasing Mustard’s keen ear for talent and sound. He describes Ella as “an artist who brings a fresh perspective,” and their collaboration is a testament to his ability to recognize and cultivate talent that resonates with audiences.
More recently, Mustard has turned his attention to Amirah, an emerging artist whose potential captivated him from the start. “When I first came across her, I was drawn to her voice,” he recalls, excitement evident in his tone. “But then I saw her personality and thought, ‘Wow, this girl is special.’” Mustard’s instinct to reach out was immediate, fueled by a desire to collaborate and create something magical together. “I just knew if I could teach her things, we could really create something unique.” His commitment to fostering emerging talent is not just a business strategy; it is a reflection of his deep-rooted belief in the power of collaboration.
Collaboration is the lifeblood of Mustard’s creative universe. “Music is collaborative,” he asserts, living by this philosophy. “When you put two great minds together, you come out with something great every time.” This is not just a platitude for him; it is a guiding principle. Each collaboration is an experiment, a blending of ideas and perspectives that often leads to unexpected brilliance.
Yet, building that synergy requires a leap of faith. “I trust me; I don’t think I trust anybody besides myself,” he admits candidly. “But I have to stand on whatever I put out.” This self-trust fuels his willingness to explore new territories, ensuring he remains open to the unexpected. “I’m always looking to try something new,” he insists, embodying the spirit of a true innovator. His willingness to embrace risk is a hallmark of his career, allowing him to evolve continuously while maintaining his signature sound.
Reflecting on his journey, Mustard offers invaluable advice to aspiring artists: “Go for whatever you believe in and don’t be scared of the craziness of the industry.” His journey has taught him the importance of patience and the value of allowing others to shine. “Sometimes it’s okay to let other people do their thing, and you help them without trying to take all the credit,” he emphasizes, embodying a generous spirit that is often rare in the industry.
As Mustard stands at the intersection of artistry and entrepreneurship, his legacy is still being written. He has transformed the music landscape, not just through his own creations but by lifting others as he climbs. His journey is a vibrant reminder that passion, authenticity, and collaboration can create a symphony of success.
Mustard’s influence extends beyond the studio; it permeates the very fabric of modern music culture. As he continues to innovate, pushing boundaries and defying expectations, one thing is clear: Mustard’s love for music is not just a career—it’s an exhilarating journey, an ongoing dance of creativity that invites us all to join in. Whether through chart-topping hits, nurturing new talent, or redefining the art of collaboration, Mustard remains a beacon of creativity in an ever-evolving musical landscape, proving that true artistry knows no bounds.
About Honda Stage:
Honda Stage is a music platform that builds on the brand’s deep foundation of bringing unique experiences to fans while celebrating determined artists and their journeys of music discovery. Honda Stage offers exclusive, behind-the-scenes music content and inspirational stories from on-the-rise and fan-favorite artists, giving music fans access to the moments they love while celebrating the creativity and drive it takes to make it big.
Breaking Benjamin reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for an eighth time, ascending to the top of the Dec. 14-dated ranking with “Awaken.”
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It’s the Ben Burnley-fronted band’s first ruler since 2020, when “Far Away,” featuring Scooter Ward, led for three weeks.
The band first led Mainstream Rock Airplay in 2007 with “Breath,” for seven weeks.
Concurrently, “Awaken” bullets at its No. 4 high on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 4 million audience impressions, up 4%, in the week ending Dec. 5, according to Luminate. That’s the band’s best rank on the tally since “I Will Not Bow,” which led for four weeks in 2009.
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In addition to its mainstream rock radio success, “Awaken” is bubbling under Alternative Airplay. Breaking Benjamin is seeking its first appearance on the chart since 2015, when it notched two entries, “Failure” and “Angels Fall.”
On the most recently published, multimetric Hot Hard Rock Songs chart (dated Dec. 7, reflecting the Nov. 22-28 tracking period), “Awaken” ranked at No. 5, after hitting No. 2 in early November; in addition to its radio airplay, the song earned 1.2 million official U.S. streams in that span.
“Awaken” is the lead single from Breaking Benjamin’s seventh studio album, whose title and release date have not yet been announced. Its predecessor, Ember, debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart in April 2018, while compilation Aurora led in February 2020.
All Billboard charts dated Dec. 14 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Myles Smith’s “Stargazing” shoots to No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay charts (dated Dec. 14).
The song crowns its second and third radio rankings, after it led Alternative Airplay for a week in September.
The folk-inflected hit, on It’s OK To Feel/RCA Records, becomes the first initial entry on each ranking to top the tallies for an English soloist.
In the quarter-century-plus that Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay and Alternative Airplay have coexisted, “Stargazing” is the 17th song overall to lead each list. (See list, below.)
Smith and co-writers Peter Fenn and Jesse Fink penned most of “Stargazing,” in Malibu, Calif., in about 15 minutes, followed by an exclusive premiere at a time optimal for the song’s title.
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“I get back to West Hollywood at 2 or 3 in the morning, and I play the day-of demo,” Smith recalled to Billboard earlier this year. “I remember my manager waking up on the sofa like, ‘What is this?’ Everyone in the house is running and jumping around. For my team — my harshest critics, after my mum — to give me that genuine reaction, I knew I was on to something.”
Songs to Hit No. 1 on Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay & Alternative Airplay Charts:
Title, Artist, Year(s), Song Reached No. 1
“Stargazing,” Myles Smith, 2024
“Too Sweet,” Hozier, 2024
“Enemy,” Imagine Dragons X JID, 2022
“High Hopes,” Panic! at the Disco, 2018
“Thunder,” Imagine Dragons, 2017
“Feel It Still,” Portugal. The Man, 2017
“Stressed Out,” Twenty One Pilots, 2015-16
“Royals,” Lorde, 2013
“We Are Young,” fun. feat. Janelle Monáe, 2012
“Somebody That I Used To Know,” Gotye feat. Kimbra 2012
“Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon, 2009
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” Green Day, 2004
“The Reason,” Hoobastank, 2004
“Every Morning,” Sugar Ray, 1999
“Slide,” Goo Goo Dolls, 1998-99
“Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls, 1998
“Tubthumping,” Chumbawamba, 1997
Among the 17 songs above, Smith is the eighth artist to send a first entry on each chart to No. 1, joining fellow soloists JID, Lorde, Monáe, Gotye and Kimbra, as well as groups fun. and Chumbawamba. The latter band is the only English act other than Smith to score such a triple with a breakthrough hit.
All charts dated Dec. 14 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Dec. 10.
