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Ahead of the release of his upcoming album Better Me Than You, Big Sean dropped off a loosie on SoundCloud, and he sounds confident as he sets things off on the Kanye-produced track with lines such as “We in this b—h, back focused, right?/F—k that overnight success, I want it over life? I’m overseein’ what I’m seein’, f—k a oversight/ From the other side of the screen like a poltergeist/ I’m in this b—h, droppin’ gems like I’m off the heist/ They had to name they son Sean ’cause the boy that bright.”
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“Fighting Fires” is essentially a different version of Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Ty Dolla $ign‘s Vultures 2 song “My Soul.” The Detroit rapper teased the song in July on Instagram Live and even stated it could end up on his former label boss’ album.
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During the same IG Live session, the Detroit rapper shared he has dealt with mental health issues and second guessing decisions when it comes to this project. “I’ve been having a hard f—king time, dawg, I’m not gon’ lie,” he said. “Been in this b—h trying to finish a album, and I’m kinda tired of overthinking it. … And, by the way, n—a, like me, I’ve been trying to be on some sober s–t so a n—a out here raw-dogging his emotions, bro.”
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As his release date gets closer, Sean revealed that he’s been doing too much overthinking as he held back tears. “I am a chronic overthinker,” he said during an emotional Instagram Live earlier this week. “I’m a chronic, constant worker. And I’ve been having a hard time lately, straight up. It’s not been easy … But it’s worth it. The whole concept of the album, though, is like Better Me Than You. So, it’s like when you go through your s—t, it’s like you the one that can handle it… ’cause it gets hard. Your faith gets tested, for sure.”
He credited his mom for helping restore his confidence. “When me and Jhené [Aiko] were giving our son a bath last night, my mom called me and she was just giving me them words,” he said. “And I was just like, ‘Look, I can keep working and make it exactly how I want it and I’ll be pushing it back forever. Or I can believe in the fire-a– work that I got right now and that’s what I’ma do. I appreciate my mom for being that guardian angel and always giving me that advice. She really talked me through it, for real.”
Initially slated to drop on Aug. 9, Better Me Than You hits DSPs Aug. 30 at midnight.
In the world of Southern gospel music, few names are more revered than The Nelons. Family patriarch Rex Nelon began his career with The LeFevres before launching The Rex Nelon Singers in 1977, and following his death in 2000, daughter Kelly Nelon Clark continued shepherding the group. They enjoyed a successful new era with a lineup that featured Kelly, her husband Jason Clark and daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Streetman.
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On July 26, the music world was stunned with the news that Kelly, Jason and Amber, along with four others, were killed when their private plane crashed in Wyoming, en route from Georgia to Seattle. The only surviving member of the singing group is daughter Autumn Nelon Streetman, who had flown on a commercial flight from Nashville to Seattle with her husband Jamie. While the investigation into the crash is ongoing, early reports have indicated there may have been a malfunction with the auto pilot.
The Nelons were on their way to Seattle to board the ship for the annual Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Bill and Gloria Gaither and Karen Peck met Autumn and her husband at the hotel in Seattle to comfort them, and then gathered other artists to tell them the tragic news, which rocked the close-knit Southern gospel community.
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Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016, The Nelons are known for such classics as “Come Morning,” which was awarded Southern Gospel Song of the Decade in the 80s, and “O For a Thousand Tongues,” as well as more recent hits such as “If God Pulled Back the Curtain,” which won the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song in 2021, one of the group’s 10 Dove Awards. Kelly Nelon Clark is a 2024 inductee into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Autumn, who is expecting a baby boy in December, is left to continue the group’s legacy. In a stunning show of strength, she took the stage with the Isaacs to sing “Family Chain” at the Nelons memorial service in Roopville, Georgia on Aug. 6.
“People have asked me, ‘How did you get up there and sing at the funeral?’ And I told them, ‘This is what we do. We sing in good times and bad times,’” she tells Billboard. “The Lord just gave me the strength to get up there and do it.”
The Nelons’ final album, Loving You comes out Friday (Aug. 30) via Daywind Music. “Obviously we had no idea that this was going to happen,” Autumn says, “but I know God had a plan and he knew that this was going to happen even when we didn’t know. I think that this album was made for this time and each song will mean something to everybody. [It’s music] that anybody can relate to. I know it means something to me.”
On Tuesday morning, July 23, just days before the plane crash, Kelly, Jason, Amber and Autumn shared their thoughts about the new album with Billboard over a lively Zoom conversation. This is Kelly, Jason and Amber’s last interview.
What do you feel this album has to say to your audience right now?Kelly: This morning I went to the business license office for a venue, and the lady looked at my name and she said, “I know who you are.” She said, “I have listened to your music since way back. I remember you being on the Gospel Singing Jubilee every Sunday morning, and I have used your music to get me through some of the hardest times in my life.” That made my morning!
That’s what is important— that God uses what we do and what we sing. I feel the same way about this new project. I feel it’s got the lyrical content that the world needs to hear. I’m so excited about it! I love all the music and the songs, but I love the lyrics about how God will help us through anything that we will go through, anything. We look out in our audiences — we’re starting to put the songs on the stage —and you can see the people in the audience. Tears just flow.
The lead single from the album, “There’s a Hole in the Heart,” was written by Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin. How did you come to record that one?Jason: We were in Bill’s office watching a private screening of the movie Reagan. Some of the producers of the film had asked us to contribute some music. Afterwards, Bill said, “I’ve got some lyrics I’ve got to read you,” so we went to his office and he read us these lyrics: “There’s a hole in the heart of this country,” and he said, “I’ve been writing songs for over 70 years and I think every song has a time and a season and it’s time for this song.” That was the first song we recorded when we went back to the farm.
Why do you feel it’s an appropriate song for this time?Amber: We are so divided right now, probably more than we’ve ever been, as a nation. This song actually gives hope where it can truly be found — not in a political candidate, not in government. You’re not going to find hope on the news. That’s pretty obvious to anybody who watches any news station, but you’re only going to find it in the Lord. He’s the one that can fill any void or fear you may have about the future. You don’t have to worry because He already knows what’s going to happen.
This song truly is a movement and we’ve seen it happen. Churches have put the lyrics of this song on their church signs. We’ve started giving out yard signs that people are being able to put in their yards. We’ve encouraged them not to be divisive with neighbors. You don’t have to put out a political sign. You can put out this sign and you can bring unity to everybody and bring real hope.
Jason, you wrote or co-wrote six of the 10 songs on Loving You. Did you have a vision of what you wanted this album to be as you started writing?Jason: We were very intentional about writing. I invited some of my best writing buddies, Joel Lindsey and Wayne Haun, and they were gracious enough to come to our farm in Georgia. I usually go to Nashville to write, and I said, “Guys, I would really love it if we could write this entire record at the farm.” So they flew in and we spent a week here at the farm. I think we wrote about 15 songs and several of those ended up on the record.
There are four producers on the record: Jason, Gordon Mote, Bill Gaither and Wayne Haun. That can sometimes result in an album that sounds fragmented, but this is a very cohesive record. How did you accomplish that?Jason: I’ve produced a lot of our stuff over the years, but we have such deep relationships with Gordon, Bill and Wayne. Gordon probably was the driving force behind a lot of the rhythm and sonically it’s probably one of my favorite records that we’ve ever done. Bill is a big idea guy. Wayne’s strongest suit is he understands the strength of a song. If you will let him, he will make sure you’ve got commercial songs on your records. He’s a great song coach. All of us bring in those different things. I’m always going to be driving the harmony towards our records because we’re a family that sings harmony.
You have some specials guests on the album, including the Gaither Vocal Band and Joseph Habedank on “Moses.” NT Martin is featured on “River of Peace (Rio de Paz).” How did that collaboration come about?Jason: We searched forever to find someone to sing the Spanish part. We couldn’t get anybody in Nashville [whose] schedule worked out, so I went to TikTok and found this famous singer from Spain. I messaged him and said, “Hey, we’ve got this song and we need a singer. Would you consider singing it with us?” He said, “Yes.” We sent it to him and gave him some coaching on where we wanted his parts and the harmonies with Amber. He sent it back with the Spanish parts to teach Amber how to sing Spanish with him.
“Hand of an Unseen God,” written by Jason, Kenna Turner West and Don Poythress, has a really powerful lyric. Is there a story behind that one?Jason: Going into the writing session that day, I got a call from Amber, and I’ve asked her permission to share this story in interviews. We were waiting on her ultrasound to find out the gender of her baby. When she called, she couldn’t speak. She had learned that she had miscarried, so we went into that writing session really heavy-hearted and then literally two hours later, I get a call from our other baby girl, Autumn. She tells me — and we were completely blown away by this news — that she just found out that she was pregnant. So, I’m like, “Lord, it really is true that you weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice,” and sometimes in the Christian life, you do it the same day. Don was like, “Man, we need to write that,” and so we began to write that song: “In my weeping, in my rejoicing, when my world is good or when it falls apart, I am held by the hand of an unseen God.”
The album closes with “We’ve Always Had a Song,” written by Jason, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey. With your lengthy history in gospel music, Kelly, what does this song mean to you?Kelly: The first thing that I ever remember really was music. My father was with the LeFevres at the time and the first song I remember, he was teaching me “The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up.” I never dreamed that that little song would carry me through a lot of difficult and trying times. It makes you realize that songs and music heal the soul when you are going through difficulties so for me being in the music business and ministry, there’s always been a song that has kept me going.
Kelly, you’ve been in Southern gospel music a long time. How does this season feel, to be carrying on your family’s legacy with your husband and two daughters?Kelly: It’s a great time. I feel like I’m on the other side. I’m 64 so I’ve had a lot of life up until this point, but now this is my plan — and I hope it’s God’s plan — but I’d like to see my grandchildren up there singing. This is a really good time, and I’m excited about what the Lord is doing. The older people loved when my daddy was here, but the new and younger crowd love Amber and Autumn so much. A long time ago people would come up to me when I was young and say, “Oh, if you could only see how your dad looks at you.” I really didn’t understand that too much, but now I do because when I see them sing and I listen to their voices and the anointing that the Lord has given them, I’m so proud. So now I understand what exactly they were saying about my dad and now it’s me.
Amber and Autumn, how do you feel about being part of this musical dynasty?Autumn: When I was young, I knew that one day I would eventually be up there, but I’ll tell you, when I first started, I didn’t want any part of it, just because I was scared to sing in front of people… but now honestly, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. And now that I’m having a child, I hope that he grows up on the road and gets to travel to all these amazing places. I’m so blessed.
Amber: I wanted to sing since the time I came out [of the womb], so I was a total opposite of Autumn. I love being on stage. I started on the Gaither Homecoming Kid’s videos at four years old, so Gloria Gaither had me working on the stage as a toddler. I’m forever grateful for that, because there are hardly any other kids that could say that they’ve had the life that Autumn and I have had. . . I just hope that when our time is up that we’ve made a mark on another generation that will follow in our footsteps.
Any additional comments on the new record?Jason: When we came out of COVID and were starting to inch our way back to touring and recording, we really had a new revival and new focus. I think you sense that in this record. It sounds fresh. We wanted to sound like it was the first record we ever made — and we’ve been doing this forever. We really have invested so much energy into this from every detail, and I’m hoping it’s going to find its way to some lady in Venezuela or maybe some person in Spain, or maybe some person driving a truck on the back roads in Kentucky. Wherever it may find its way, we trust the Lord with the results, but this is our best offering. Here it is. Take it and use it.
Ending his lengthiest break between album releases, MIYAVI is ready to make a powerful return to the global music scene with a new project that the Japanese rock guitarist says “represents a three-year journey of sonic exploration.”
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Billboard can exclusively confirm MIYAVI’s long-awaited Lost in Love album is slated for release this October via Rise Records. Nicknamed the “Samurai Guitarist” for his distinctive slap-guitar style, MIYAVI’s latest project comes after establishing himself as a trailblazer in the industry with more than two decades under his belt, earning multiple hits on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and making his debut on the U.S.-based Alternative Digital Song Sales chart in 2021 with his PVRIS collaboration “Snakes.”
“This album represents a three-year journey of sonic exploration where I allowed the creative process to lead the way,” MIYAVI tells Billboard in a statement. “I intentionally took my time with this record, stepping outside my artistic comfort zone to push my boundaries and craft my best work. It’s been a vulnerable place to be after so many years in the music industry, but I knew it was necessary.”
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With new collaborators such as funk legend George Clinton and enlisting longtime musical partners including Lenny Skolnik, MIYAVI says Lost in Love symbolizes his international viewpoint as an ever-evolving artist.
“I was fortunate to collaborate with a diverse group of artists whose influences have woven their way into the album with MIYAVI’s signature guitar serving as the unifying thread,” the Osaka-born musician adds. “My life has always been split between Japan and the U.S., and that duality is deeply reflected in this album. Some tracks hit hard, while others are just pure fun, giving the record a split personality. Lost in Love is the culmination of a lifetime of experiences, encapsulating all the facets of who I am as MIYAVI.”
The 42-year-old shares such experiences on the LP’s first song, “Broken Fantasy,” which delves into MIYAVI’s near identity crisis after relocating his family from Tokyo to Los Angeles after he found critical and commercial success starring in Unbroken, the Oscar-nominated Angelina Jolie-directed film released in 2014. The George Clinton collaboration “I’m So Amazing” displays his ability to blend different eras and genres into his signature sound for a universal message of how to maintain one’s confidence. The album closes with “One More Time,” a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Melody, highlighting their challenges and love while supporting his family through a demanding career.
Elsewhere, tracks such as “We Stay Up All Night” and “Real Monster” continue MIYAVI’s exploration of identity and connection as displayed on his earlier records, while “Mirror Mirror” offers a raw introspection into the rock star’s inner struggles with lyrics such as “All my life I’m fighting for you” capturing his internal monologue.
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Fans got a taste of Lost in Love via February’s double single release of “Broken Fantasy” and “Tragedy of Us,” as well as the stomping, ominous rock-pop anthem “Eat Eat Eat,” released last month. In addition to his forthcoming album, MIYAVI recently joined Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming action comedy The Wrecking Crew alongside Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa.
MIYAVI’s Lost in Love album drops Oct. 9. Peep the full tracklist below:
“Intro”
“Broken Fantasy”
“Tragedy of Us”
“Eat Eat Eat”
“We Stay Up All Night”
“Real Monsters”
“Mirror Mirror”
“I’m So Amazing” (feat. George Clinton)
“You Already Know”
“Put Your Hands on Me”
“If You Know How to Dance”
“One More Time”
Camila Cabello took part in Capital FM’s “Finish the Lyric “game recently, where she was tasked to test her musical knowledge by completing the lyrics to songs presented to her. Amid songs by Taylor Swift, Tyla, Tate McRae and more, Cabello sang along to the viral second verse of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”
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While she got some of the lines confused, fans began buzzing at the timing of Capital FM’s release of the clip. Sabrina Carpenter dropped her sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet, last week, which led to a slew of unconfirmed theories that some of the songs are about a potential love triangle between herself, Cabello and Shawn Mendes.
Carpenter and Mendes were spotted spending time together in February 2023, a year after the “In My Blood” singer split from Cabello in November 2021. Just two months later, Cabello and Mendes were spotted rekindling their romance at Coachella.
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Songs on Carpenter’s album, including “Coincidence,” “Sharpest Tool” and “Taste” all seem to follow a storyline about a love interest rekindling his romance with his ex-girlfriend. The corresponding “Taste” visual stars Jenna Ortega, who fans think was casted to represent Cabello in the clip.
Cabello also seemingly added fuel to the flame, by recently sharing a TikTok singing along to her own track, “June Gloom,” which features the lyrics: “She’s cool, I heard/ Won’t act surprised, I saw the pictures/ […] If she’s so amazing, why are you on this side of town? / If you like her so much, what are you here trying to find out?”
Again, the theories are just rumors, but check out Cabello’s “Finish the Lyric” round below.
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Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.
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Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered either by networking or coming across their music at a showcase, and beyond. See our recommendations this month below:
Deny K
Country: Colombia / Italy
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Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Born in Colombia, but residing almost his entire life in Italy, Deny K (real name: Jhon Daniel Castro) is an artist and producer whose main mission is to shed more visibility on the global reggaetón scene in Europe. At only 23 years old, Deny K is already signed to Empire Records and has released a number of singles that flaunt his experimental versatility, from reggaetón to corridos to urban fusions with Middle Eastern rhythms.
His charming and boy-next-door personality, backed up by his dulcet vocals, can be heard on his most recent collaboration “WOA,” a flirty dembow with Dominican artist Angel Dior. Deny — who fluently speaks English, Spanish, and Italian — lived in the Dominican Republic during the pandemic, where he was able to secure collaborations with key local acts such as Kiko El Crazy and El Cherry Scom, to name a few. — JESSICA ROIZ
Song For Your Playlist: “WOA,” Deny K & Angel Dior
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Doble Sentido
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: The Venezuelen pop group is not entirely new, but it has only recently started to make noise internationally. Doble Sentido started out two decades ago as a family business, playing covers at fairs, weddings and local parties. Over the years, it evolved into an independent band writing its own songs, with a different lineup. Now based in Panama and made up of brothers Ray (voice and keyboard) and JuanMa (voice and guitar) Yepez, Gustavo Calvo (percussion), Erick Reyes (bass) and Fernando Colmenarez (drums), Doble Sentido made its official debut in 2019 with the single “Magia,” produced by Emmanuel Briceño (musical director of Juanes). Since then, they’ve been perfecting their sound in songs like “Mala Vida” and “Para Los Dos.”
“We are influenced by Latin pop, we sing songs of love and heartbreak, combining between ballads, merengue, urban and a little pop rock,” they tell Billboard Español. Their latest single is “No Quiero Perdérmelo” with Argentine rock band Los Rancheros. Released on Aug. 8, it’s an exhilarating breakup anthem about still being in love with the one that got away. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Song For Your Playlist: “No Quiero Perdérmelo,” Doble Sentido & Los Rancheros
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EMMA
Country: Venezuela
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: As a Latin American trans woman, Venezuelan singer Emma has something to say, and she does it in an honest and eloquent way. “Being myself has been a challenge, but I face it with a lot of dignity and a lot of strength,” she tells Billboard Español, and that is evident in her songs. From the smooth reggaeton “Tantito” in 2020 to 2022’s “Me Puse Mami” to the bachata “No Era Yo” released in January, Emma presents herself as she is, addressing her challenges and professing the importance of self-love.
Living in Mexico for seven years — where she began her career as a singer-songwriter, and also her physical transition — Emma is dedicated to music, “wanting to transform people with my message” and collaborate as a writer with other artists. Last week, she released “Como a Una Mujer,” an emotional pop ballad about how she lives (“locked in a room, hidden”) and the illusion of wanting to live it in freedom (“as every person deserves”). Co-written by Emma with her Venezuelan compatriots Sara Schell and Juan Vegas, it is the first single from a five-song EP titled HEMMATOMA that she plans to release in March 2025. — S.R.A.
Song For Your Playlist: “Como a Una Mujer”
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Little Homie
Country: Dominican Republic
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: Originating from Santo Domingo, Little Homie is carving out a niche in the realm of Spanish-language rap while helping boost drill in his native island. His breakout hit, “Bailando Drill” with fellow rappers Carlos Trvp, Blacky Drippy, Keyviem and Nelly Nellz, established him as a key player in popularizing the menacing trap subgenre.
Known for integrating gritty textures of old-school samples, his latest track “Tengo Eso” interpolates the merengue classic “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo, blending traditional rhythms with hard-hitting beats. Tonight, he debuts his next single, “X ENCIMA,” through Roc Nation, featuring a soul-stirring sample of Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang (You Shot Me Down)” entwined with punchy 808 drums and fluttering guitar riffs. A vital member of the young rap collective 4TG, with artists like Lismar and Keyviem, Little Homie is definitely a promising star to keep an eye on.— ISABELA RAYGOZA
Song For Your Playlist: “Tengo Eso”
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NSQK
Country: México
Why They Should Be On Your Radar: A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet NSQK in Miami during the listening session of his latest album ATP (acronym for “Aún te Pienso,” which means “I still think of you”). While he passionately explained the album’s creative process, I discovered that the Monterrey-born artist has an avant-garde vision of music. His marketing plan played with nostalgia and created an “imaginary world” that transports his listeners to “Radio ATP.”
With features such as Álvaro Díaz, Paopao, Easykid, El Malilla, and Nina Mínguez, NSQK’s latest set boasts collaborations that boost his project to an international level. The singer-songwriter and producer skillfully navigates through diverse musical genres, including rap, pop, reggaeton, R&B, and even regional Mexican music. These songs serve as melodic vehicles for expressing hope and positive messages through their lyrics. — INGRID FAJARDO
Song For Your Playlist: “Tarde o Temprano”
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The summer may be coming to a close, but the high-profile releases from some of the giants of African music don’t appear to be slowing down at all.
Asake continues pushing his own sonic boundaries, tapping an array of international collaborators — including Travis Scott, the UK’s Stormzy, and Brazil’s Ludmilla — for his third studio album, Lungu Boy, a triumph of both expanding musical horizons and fully embracing your status as an innovator on the scene. The Nigerian hitmaker scored his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart with “Active,” featuring Scott.
And renowned British-Nigerian producer London, whose artist name is Thisizlondon, has been behind some of the biggest Afrobeats hits in recent years, from Rema‘s Billboard Hot 100 No. 3 smash “Calm Down” to Ayra Starr‘s “Bloody Samaritan.” Now, he’s getting in front of them by recruiting Starr and 6LACK for his refreshing debut single “PINACOLADA,” and collaborating with Olamide and Alpha P on the latter’s “W.”
But those are just a few of the artists who have released big tracks in August. We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and find your new summer soundtrack with our Spotify playlist below.
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Asake feat. Wizkid, “MMS”
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Asake waxes philosophical on “MMS,” a highlight from Lungu Boy which stands for “Mr. Money Sound.” Asake chants “O ye ọlọun” in the chorus (meaning God understands in Yoruba) over P.Priime’s jazzy production, as he restores faith in listeners who feel overwhelmed with life’s twists and turns by reminding them about the path God has already put them on. Meanwhile, Wizkid reflects on losing himself, especially after the death of his mother last August, and finding his purpose as one of Afrobeats’ brightest stars. “As a young striving artist in Lagos, I have always been waiting for the right song, so when the opportunity came it was a no-brainer,” Asake told Apple Music about collaborating with one of his “musical inspirations.”
JayO, “Suns Out”
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JayO reworks the “suns out, buns out” summer slogan for the hook of his latest seasonal anthem. Skittering hi-hats and hypnotic synths, courtesy of producers WHOSDAT and RZ, underline the British-Nigerian AfroR&B artist’s smooth melodies. “Suns Out” is sure to soundtrack the last day parties of the summer (ugh, don’t remind us it’s almost over).
Efosa, “FEEL IT”
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After co-writing Darkoo’s summer smash “Favourite Girl” – which features Rema on its recent remix – British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Efosa drops his own sensual number. On “FEEL IT,” Efosa makes the case for why a woman should be with him, with his suave vocals doing most of the convincing. The drill-esque syncopated drums mimicking his heartbeat (“Do you feel it?” he repeatedly asks her) give the ballad’s woozy synths an upbeat edge.
Omah Lay, “Moving”
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Omah Lay pursues happiness while struggling with hardships on his latest single “Moving,” from his sophomore album Clarity of Mind, which is slated for release this winter. The propulsive percussion and resonant rhythms drive the track’s sense of urgency, which reaches a fever pitch at the bridge when he chants, “You can tell that I ran out of time/ Unavailable a lot of times.” And the affecting music video gives “Moving” a more profound meaning. “I am telling the story of how illegal immigrants travel to Europe through the desert, through Sahara…. Home is really bad where we can’t stay at home,” he said in a recent Billboard News interview. “I’m telling the story of the whole world, where everybody’s looking for some place to find peace of mind, some place to just call home and feel relaxed.”
Thisizlondon, Ayra Starr & 6LACK, “PINACOLADA”
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Thisizlondon taps frequent collaborator Ayra Starr and 6LACK for his debut single “PINACOLADA,” crafting a tantalizing concoction of Starr’s self-confident, vibrant delivery and 6LACK’s laidback R&B vocals that he’s lent to plenty of other Afropop records, like the remixes of Omah Lay’s “Damn” and Spinall and Fireboy DML’s “Sere.” “I wanted to create a vibe that captures the essence of summer — something that’s both chill and energizing,” Thisizlondon said in a press release.
Asake feat. Ludmilla, “Whine”
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Mr. Money Worldwide has finally arrived at the peak of his powers — and he’s clearly having fun. No song off his excellent new album exemplifies that better than “Whine,” in which producer Sak Pase flips Mary J. Blige’s 1992 classic “Real Love” into a joyful celebration of the ecstasies of love, and Brazilian singer Ludmilla adds a South American flair and a largely Portuguese verse to a track that is positively bursting with vibes. It’s the most euphoric track of his career so far.
Asake feat. Stormzy, “Suru”
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This isn’t the first time Asake has linked up with a British rapper — and not even the only instance on this album — but this collaboration with Stormzy is a deeply emotional appreciation of how far each of them have come to reach where they are, and an acknowledgment of the sacrifices that were made by those around them along the way. It’s summed up by the first line of Asake’s hook — “My mama tell me say surulere,” surulere meaning “patience is rewarding” in Yoruba — and each of their verses, which center on their families’ role in their success. But maybe the best line is in the outro, when Stormzy acknowledges the hard work, too: “This was not a dream, it was more like a plan I believed in.”
Darkoo feat. Rema, “Favourite Girl”
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We featured Darkoo’s original version of “Favourite Girl,” which featured Dess Dior, back in May. But this new remix with Rema brings the track to even greater heights, as the Afro Rave leader adds his own flavor with an exuberant verse that oozes self-confidence. The remix transforms what was already a great song into one that will fill dance floors to capacity for years to come — and is one of the best songs of the summer.
Oxlade & Fally Ipupa, “IFA”
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Oxlade has always had a great ear for melody, and a talent for engaging with unexpected harmonies and layers in his vocals. “IFA” is very much in that lineage, as he croons over a laid-back Afrobeats drum pattern. But it’s the Congolese icon Fally Ipupa who comes through and takes this song to the next level, with his distinctive tenor bringing an entirely different flavor as he croons in French of a woman he would love to keep. It’s a great team-up, and a reminder that Oxlade remains one of the more creative hitmakers of his generation.
Alpha P feat. Olamide & Thisizlondon, “W”
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The young Nigerian singer Alpha P taps two of the biggest names around for this wistful love song, in the YBNL chief Olamide and the in-demand producer Thisizlondon, the latter of whom crafted the perfect vibe for Alpha’s soaring melodies. And Olamide, known for so long for his hip-hop roots, perfectly meets the moment with his verse, both melodic and filled with his patented punch lines. The track is one of the best earworms of the year by far.
Young Miko took the stage at New York’s The Theater at Madison Square Garden for two back-to-back performances on Tuesday and Wednesday (Aug. 27-28), captivating the audience with a one-and-a-half-hour show. As part of her XOXO Tour 2024 across the U.S. in support of her new album, Att., Young Miko delivered numerous highlights on her second day to her eager fans, including appearances from two special surprise guests: Villano Antillano and Tokischa.
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Dressed in a pastel-hued, shimmery BMX racing jersey set and with her brown hair slicked back, the rising hitmaker performed through her hits including “Wiggy,” “Lisa” and “Classy 101” originally featuring Feid, as well as “Fina,” originally with Bad Bunny.
The excitement peaked when Villano Antillano entered the spotlight, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Dressed in high leather boots, a black top and a thong, with her long black hair reaching her lower back, Villano exuded a fierce demeanor. The two Puerto Rican rappers teamed up to perform “Madre,” with Villano owning the catwalk across the stage, while Miko showcased some ballroom-style rave moves.
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“We have a legend in the house today, New York. She is la foking Villano, baby. Viva PR, queen!” Young Miko commanded, then turned her attention to the guest star. “You know how much I love you. This woman collaborated with me when no one knew who the hell I was. And now I have the honor to call her my sister. I adore you! Te amo, mi amor.”
Villano replied, “I love you, my love,” returning the affection.
Later in the evening, as the hard-hitting reggaetón banger Bad Gyal’s “Chulo pt. 2” started, both Miko and the audience amped up the energy. The crowd went wild as Tokischa hit the stage unexpectedly. Dressed in a short, sporty white skirt and a strapless black halter top, with her hair slicked back in a braid, the Dominican dembow rapper-singer flawlessly delivered every verse, adding some twerking with the night’s star for good measure.
The stage décor was tantalizingly playful. Miko first appeared in a setting resembling perhaps her childhood bedroom — dominated by pink, her favorite color, with a giant tamagotchi beside her on a bed. Later, the scenery shifted to a pixelated outdoor field where she sang atop a log surrounded by plants and flowers, looking exceptionally adorable. She also got naughty — at one point she made a sexual innuendo with her microphone, and briefly showed off her toned abs — sparking screams from her fans.
The Puerto Rican singer-rapper’s NYC performance not only showcased her rapidly ascending career, but also was packed with invigorating moments, including plenty of laughter. At one point, she paused to read some clever and hilarious cardboard signs brought by fans. “When I play with my kitty and think of you, I get a happy ending,” Young Miko read out loud. “I honestly love that for you. We all love a happy ending.”
Watch Young Miko perform with Villano Antillano and Tokischa below:
With the first quarter of the 21st century coming to a close, Billboard is spending the next few months counting down our staff picks for the 25 greatest pop stars of the last 25 years. We’ve already named our Honorable Mentions and our No. 25, No. 24 and No. 23 stars, and now we remember the century in One Direction — who helped to redefine pop music, pop stardom and pop fandom in their brief-but-dominant 2010s run, while also minting five future solo hitmakers (including one absolute superstar).
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Piles of headshots were accumulating on a table in front of The X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh. Tasked with deciding which contestants would make it to the next round of the competition, the panel analyzed each photo – and as they sorted through the contestants, an idea started to form. “You can’t get rid of little stars, you know?” Scherzinger said. “So you put them all together.” And in a twist of fate, five journeys that were in peril merged paths to become One Direction.
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As the boys spent more time together, their roles became clearer: Liam Payne, with his standout audition, would be the leader; Louis Tomlinson’s charm would make him the lovable prankster; Niall Horan, the humble boy from Ireland would be the down-to-earth sweetheart; Zayn Malik, reserved with undeniably striking looks, would be the mysterious one; and Harry Styles, with his curly locks, dimples and wide smile, would be the heartthrob. Together, they were 1D, and they would take over the world.
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One Direction’s ascent to global stardom proved that the boy band archetype could still thrive in the 21st century, albeit in a new and distinctly modern way. In just five years, 1D released five albums that brought up-tempo British pop-rock to the States and laid the foundation for today’s international pop groups. A new online community, “stan Twitter,” rallied around the group, and their superfans, called “Directioners,” helped their idols achieve astronomical mainstream success, changing fan-to-fan communication and fan-to-artist relationships forever.
Back in 2011, One Direction won the hearts of The X Factor’s U.K. audience with a mix of pop covers ranging from Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” to Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” – and even though they didn’t win the competition, they won something bigger: an already-devout fan following, and a contract with Simon Cowell’s Syco Records. Cowell moved swiftly to capitalize on One Direction’s momentum, pairing the group with established hitmakers to churn out their debut single “What Makes You Beautiful.” Savan Kotecha, whose writing credits already included songs for Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Usher, penned the track, and perfected it with the help of fellow writer Carl Falk, who would go on to write for Ariana Grande, Jason Derulo and Madonna.
“What Makes You Beautiful” was a work of bubblegum pop perfection that popped the top 40 bubble. When the track was released in the U.K. and Ireland in September of 2011, pop was dominated by EDM, turbo-pop and Young Money-style hip-hop – but managed to break through the noise and rise to the top of the charts. The single was so commercially successful that it drummed up interest overseas – by the time One Direction’s debut album Up All Night was released in the U.K. and Ireland in November of 2011, #Bring1DtoUS was trending regularly on Twitter, with fans organizing their own marketing efforts to catch the group’s attention, including flash mobs and DIY music videos combining clips from fans from all over the country.
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As soon as One Direction touched down on American soil, the quintet was breaking records and taking names. “What Makes You Beautiful” was digitally released on Valentine’s Day of 2012, debuting at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marking the biggest debut for a British act in over a decade. It peaked at No. 4 less than two months later, when Up All Night was released in the U.S. to a No. 1 bow on the Billboard 200, cementing 1D as the first U.K. group to score that achievement with a debut album. When One Direction made their first stateside TV appearance on the Today Show to promote the release of Up All Night, 15,000 fans showed up, comparable to audiences pulled by Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.
Straddling the line of being child-friendly, brand-safe public figures and being young men in their late teens and early twenties was critical to One Direction’s success, as the lads were ubiquitous in what seemed like every way possible. The group was booked to open for Big Time Rush, a Nickelodeon-bred boy band that was taking off in the states, on their already sold-out tour – but their presence was so overwhelming that they overshadowed their headliner, and the Up All Night Tour sold out in venues across the U.S. soon after.
One Direction had a je ne sais quois that set them apart from other boy bands. Unlike most of their predecessors, the five members didn’t follow choreography or dress alike, but they still possessed the same level of charisma – just in different packages. Their distinct personalities shined in interviews, video diaries and Twitter Q&As, and even more so when they interacted with one another. Watching five young men come together like brothers to live out their dreams was inspiring, and their camaraderie warmed the hearts of millions. The fans treasured the group’s relationships so deeply that they declared allegiance to every possible combination of inter-band dynamics, including “Narry,” “LiLo,” and “Ziam.”
One Direction
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Directioners wanted more – and they got what they wished for. A Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime commercial with NFL star Drew Brees aired, guest appearances on iCarly and SNL premiered on the same day in April, and the quintet took the stage at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. You couldn’t walk into a drugstore without encountering a One Direction toothbrush or turn on the radio without hearing “What Makes You Beautiful” – it was Beatlemania for the 2010s, powered by fans who were online 24/7, 365 days a year and watching their every move – literally, sometimes going as far as hacking security cameras in elevators and airports just to catch a glimpse of their favorite band.
The release of One Direction’s sophomore album Take Me Home ushered in a new era: The set also debuted atop the Billboard 200, making One Direction the first group to best the Billboard 200 with their first two albums since American girl group Danity Kane, and the group became the first boy band in U.S. chart history to land two No. 1 albums in a calendar year. But the accolades were not as significant to the group as how the release helped them evolve their image. Each member had writing credits on this album, showing that they were involved artists who had control of the development of their music; and bolder, more blatantly suggestive lyrics on songs like “Live While We’re Young” and fan favorite “Rock Me” reminded their audience that despite their Radio Disney-friendly appeal, the members were all adults by then, ranging from 18 to 20 years old. While critics were not convinced that One Direction could shake its bubblegum pop sound, fans loved it, and the Take Me Home Tour was the band’s biggest yet, wrapped with an accompanying concert film.
With so much commercial success, nonstop touring and more, fans and critics alike began to wonder: how long can this all be sustained? Repeating the cycle of Take Me Home, One Direction released their third album Midnight Memories in November of 2013, earning their third consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and highest debut on the Hot 100 (No. 2) with accompanying lead single “Best Song Ever.” The group was making what critics would finally admit was “great rock music” – but fans and outsiders alike could sense that they were tired; this was, after all, their third No. 1 album in just over a year and a half since their U.S. debut. Still, One Direction pushed forward with the Where We Are tour, playing stadiums two years into their careers – and packing them with 3.4 million fans, while also flipping said tour into a concert film. Everything 1D touched turned to gold.
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At the tail end of the tour, One Direction announced their fourth LP, Four. Their aptly named fourth studio album rollout began with “Steal My Girl,” drawing praise and comparisons to Journey. This old-school rock and alt-folk inspiration was present throughout the record, and it made 1D’s music feel more elevated than prior releases. It felt like the group had collectively matured and improved, and the set notched the group’s fourth consecutive debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in November of 2014, making them the first group in history to bow atop the chart with each of its first four albums. Its most critically acclaimed album was celebrated by fans – but what those fans didn’t know was that the LP would also mark the beginning of the end.
Commercial success kept 1D booked and busy, but it couldn’t make up for the toll it had taken on the group’s wellbeing. Shortly after the start of the On The Road Again tour, Malik left for home in hopes of dealing with the stress; less than a week later, on March 25, his departure from the group was announced via Facebook. “I am leaving,” Malik shared, “because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.” At that moment, millions of girls around the world had their hearts broken: not only did Malik’s imminent departure become permanent, but the future of the band officially came into question. The official One Direction account followed Malik’s statement, assuring fans that the remaining four members would continue on and release their fifth studio album, but the plans felt more daunting than reassuring.
The seismic shift caused by Malik’s departure crumbled the foundation that One Direction stood upon, and their final album, Made in the A.M., would ultimately be their swan song. Its lead single “Drag Me Down” was released in July, with an uncharacteristic lack of pre-promotion – and in August, a hiatus was announced for 2016. Made in the A.M. was released in November, and while it was not as commercially successful as their past work, it didn’t matter: It was what the fans needed so that they could say a proper goodbye. “Love You Goodbye,” “History” and the album’s final track “A.M.” memorialized five years of international superstardom and closed the door on a One Direction era for the last time.
Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Niall Horan
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Freed from the obligations of being in a band, the members of One Direction explored solo ventures. They each released successful top 40 singles: Malik debuted first with “Pillowtalk,” soaring to the top of the Hot 100 in January of 2016 — higher even than 1D ever got as a quintet. Horan followed suit, releasing “This Town” in September with a No. 20 debut, and Tomlinson closed out the year by dropping “Just Hold On,” a collaboration with Steve Aoki, in December, which landed at No. 52. The remaining two members, Styles and Payne, made their solo debuts the year after: Styles’ first single “Sign of the Times” peaked at No. 4 in April of 2017, and Payne’s “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo dropped in May. Payne’s No. 10 debut with “Strip” hammered the final nail into the 1D coffin – and now that each member had their solo debut, the public would decide who would be the most successful outside of the group.
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By December 2019, four of the five former bandmates had released their debut album – all except Tomlinson, who would release his debut Walls in January 2020 – and Malik, Styles and Horan each notched No. 1 Billboard 200 debuts, showing similar promise across the group post-break up. But as Styles’ sophomore album Fine Line began to roll out, with singles like “Adore You” and “Watermelon Sugar” achieving increasingly higher levels of pop success, it was clear that his sustained stardom would be difficult for the other members to match. By the time Harry’s House was released in 2022, Styles was respected by Directioners, new fans and critics alike – so much, in fact, that Harry’s House won Album of the Year at the Grammys the following year. Still, despite Styles’ well-earned superstardom, he always pays tribute to his past, continuing to perform the song that started it all: “What Makes You Beautiful.”
One Direction’s legacy survives in both obvious and unexpected ways. The British pop invasion that the group led in the early 2010s amplified related acts like Ed Sheeran, The Wanted and Little Mix for all the world to hear, and helped bring rock-based pop music back to the mainstream – starting with 5 Seconds of Summer, the Australian band whose hitmaking career skyrocketed after opening for 1D on the Where We Are Tour. The quintet’s greatest contribution, though, was how it changed the blueprint for pop superstardom. While there is no exact formula for fame and success, the Directioners created and normalized a more intense version of “stan” culture than ever before: one that shows devotion through chronic online-ness and community building all day, every day, which has shaped entire industries like K-pop. And even though One Direction only lasted for five years as a group, the impact of its discography — ranging from enduring smashes to beloved deep cuts — continues to shape a generation of pop connoisseurs, and hold a particularly special place in the hearts of Millennials and Gen Z’ers everywhere.
Read more about the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century here and check back on Tuesday when our No. 21 artist is revealed!
Kelsea Ballerini is asking fans for prayers and good thoughts for her dog Dibs, revealing that her beloved pooch has been diagnosed with cancer.
Ballerini wrote on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday (Aug. 28), “The last few days we have discovered that dibby has inoperable cancer in his heart. He’s not in pain and luckily it hasn’t spread further.”
The singer-songwriter adopted the dog in 2015, following the breakthrough success of her debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It.” Her cherished dog shares a name with her hit song “Dibs,” which became a No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hit in 2016.
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In her post, Ballerini also said that the dog will soon begin taking “‘big’ meds” to ensure he will “have as many comfortable and happy days (weeks, months) left s possible.”
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Ballerini had words of praise for the dog’s veterinarians, and added, “My mom is here (he stans grandma), and [Ballerini’s boyfriend] Chase is the greatest dog dad in the world. He is getting extra cuddles and kibbles from his little family.”
Ballerini, who will release her new album, Patterns, on Oct. 25, also told fans, “I feel pretty disingenuous promoting this album and tracklist reveal (which I am so, so proud of) without updating you on my sweet dibs health.” She added, “It’s a complex and emotional time. He’s been my baby and my steady for the last 9 years and very much alongside this whole journey with us all. I know so many of you care about him and are sending him prayers and love, and from my whole heart … thank you. He’s wagging his tail right now no doubt saying thank you too.”
Ballerini had previously shared days ago that Dibs was going through some hard times, with the musician sharing on Instagram that the dog had “made it through the night and is stable enough to run the tests we need to figure out our next steps.” In that same IG story, Ballerini said, “Thank you for all of the prayers and good energy. I made sure to tell him so many people love him and are thinking of him when I got to visit last night.”
While A$AP Rocky delayed his anticipated Don’t Be Dumb album, the Harlem native is still preparing to unleash another single ahead of the years-in-the-making project’s arrival. The Mob frontman announced on Thursday (Aug. 29) that his previously leaked “Tailor Swif” single — essentially named after pop titan Taylor Swift but doesn’t have anything else associated with her — will be released on Friday (Aug. 30).
“SINCE U DUMMIES LEAKED IT ALREADY,” Flacco tweeted matter-of-factly, while noting on TikTok that it would arrive “2MRW.” He gave fans a taste of the visual with a 10-second teaser of the clip, which was shot in Ukraine.
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Some fans are hyped that the leak — that was previously titled “Wetty” — will receive an official release. “This a hall of fame music video,” one person tweeted.
However, some Swifties are not exactly thrilled with Rocky using a play on words with the singer’s name. “Why does every male want beef with taylor swift? it’s weird,” they tweeted.
There’s plenty of history with “Tailor Swif.” Rocky debuted the record during a July 2022 performance at Rolling Loud Portugal. Days later, the song and visual leaked.
Rocky seemed to have trepidation about putting “Tailor Swif” on the album following its leak, but he’s apparently had a change of heart and it will release on streaming services. “It’s very important and special if it makes it on the album,” Rocky explained to Apple Music in early August about his new material. “Most of the songs that I usually perform and s–t like that, muthaf–kas leak it. And once it’s leaked, it’s just like, ‘Nah, it’s not on the project.” … I might perform it here or there, but it’s leaked. It is what it is. It’s out already.”
Don’t Be Dumb was slated to arrive on Friday (Aug. 30), but A$AP Rocky delayed the effort until the fall without a concrete date. While describing the project to Billboard as part of his cover story, Rocky said he’s continuing his exploration of German expressionism.
“In this very moment, it’s very grim. That’s an abbreviation,” he said. “It’s infusing German expressionism with ghetto futurism.”
Rocky released his “Highjack” single earlier in August with an assist from Jessica Pratt. The track reached No. 89 on the Billboard Hot 100.