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When Kali Uchis picked the orchid as the title and theme of her new album Orquídeas, which arrived on Friday (Jan. 12), she didn’t know it was the flower of fertility. And then, later in her rollout, she found out she was pregnant with her first child, telling Billboard News, “It all came together perfectly.”
“The flower, for me, it always symbolized timelessness, femininity, luxury,” says the Colombian artist. “It has an eerie, mystical quality about it as well. It’s also the national flower of Colombia, so for me it all tied in.”
Orquídeas is Uchis’ fourth album and second Spanish-language full-length (she typically switches between English and Spanish on each project). Features include her friend Karol G (“Labios Mordidos”), plus Peso Pluma (“Igual Que Un Ángel”), Rauw Alejandro (“No Hay Ley Parte 2”) and the “unpredictable” pairing of City Girls’ JT alongside El Alfa (“Muñekita).
The Grammy winner debuted in 2018 with Isolation, followed by Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) in 2020 and last year’s Red Moon In Venus. She believes that Orquídeas, defined by its uptempo, high-energy productions, perfectly compliments those prior albums.
“I’m not a new artist anymore, I’m looking at my discography as a whole,” she says. “My next album that I’ve been working on that is also going to come out this year is all downtempo music. So being able to have to contrast, there’s so much within me that needs to be expressed and I never want to confine myself to anything.”
She confirms that forthcoming fifth album was written and recorded while pregnant, which is perhaps where the inspiration for a more soothing, lower energy release came from. And while she says “there’s so much to be excited for” about motherhood (she will soon welcome her first born with longtime partner Don Toliver), she also admits how hard it was to keep her pregnancy private, saying she still had a few shows and a red carpet appearance on her calendar — both of which made it harder to hide her growing baby bump.
Balancing her professional life with her private one has always been a priority to Uchis, who says she most looks up to Sade for how she walks that line. “It is such a fine line between trying to understand how much of ourselves are we really meant to share, or do we really feel comfortable sharing. And at the end of the day, I really thought it was strange that there is such an expectation on an artist to share their personal life,” says Uchis. “I try to remember that my music is supposed to be in the forefront, my private life and personal matters, I really don’t want that to be something that’s consuming or overshadowing my work.”
And as someone who puts their art first — and who has always embraced her bicultural upbringing along the way, having been born and raised in Virginia — Uchis has become a safe space for others who hope to do the same. “There’s a lot of artists who sing in Spanish who are English speakers primarily and they’ve come to me like, ‘You really make me want to make music in English too. I’ve always wanted to but my label doesn’t want me to do that because this or that is what sells for me,’” she says. “I think as an artist, what’s most important always is the thought of no limitations…I feel like everyone should be as free and creative as possible.”
Watch the full interview above.
This week in dance music: The dance world roared back to life after the relative calm of the holidays, with CRSSD dropping its spring 2024 lineup and Bonnaroo and Hangout Fest both including a load of dance artists on their bills — including headlining sets from Pretty Lights and Fred again.. at Bonnaroo.
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Meanwhile, Kraftwerk announced a nine-show residency at Disney Hall in Los Angeles this May, Alesso was announced as a performer for a big Super Bowl party in Las Vegas next month and New York City’s Teksupport announced an 18-show boat party series settling sail in May.
As part of Billboard‘s “future of genre” series, we spoke with extremely of-the-moment producers Odetari and 6arelyhuman; “Strangers” phenom Kenya Grace signed a global publishing admin deal with Warner Chappell, and Beatport made two key promotions and claimed over $100 million in revenue for 2023.
In sadder news, Black Coffee was injured in a flight accident in Argentina, but is reported to be “optimistic and doing well.” And the world lost a legend, the BBC Radio 1 presenter Annie Nightingale — the stations first-ever female presenter — dying this week at age 83.
And along with all this, we have 2024’s first week of heavy dance music releases. These are the best new dance tracks of the week.
Jamie xx, “It’s So Good”
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The Label: Young
The Spiel: The sole lyrics on the latest from Jamie xx function as self-fulfilling prophesy, with a childlike voice reiterating “It’s so good!” over a complex, percussion-forward production that incorporates Brazilian funk and loads of fun (but also cerebral) bells and whistles, as well as the breathing room that makes them all pop. The song soundtracks a new Chanel ad campaign and is also xx’s first new music since the absolute bangers “KILL DEM” and “Let’s Do It Again” from 2022. More music from this year from the perpetual fav would, indeed, be so good.
Camelphat, “Running Man”
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The Label: Mahool Records
The Spiel: In the Camelphat arsenal since 2023 and (finally) getting an official release this week, “Running Man” is a punchy, wind-up toy of a melodic house track, with the urgently blinking synth at the fore building to a nearly hectic place before releasing, then rising again. The track is out on Mahool Records, the label from Saudi Arabian dance company MDLBEAST, marking the imprint’s third-ever release. Camelphat’s spring tour dates include L.A.’s Skyline, EDC Mexico, Ultra Music Festival in Miami and Awakenings in The Netherlands.
Gorgon City feat. Bbyafricka, “Biggest Regret”
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The Label: Astralwerks
The Spiel: You think you’ve got Gorgon City’s latest figured out, until the 30-second mark, when a thunder of bass enters the production like a gamma ray, leaving as quickly as it came as the song returns to a spare beat that gradually grows lusher with a swirl of piano stabs and the hypnotic voice of Los Angeles-based singer BbyAfricka, before booming in once more. The track is the first new music from the duo since their excellent 2023 album Salvation. Their 2024 tour schedule thus far includes festival dates at M3F, We Are FSTVL, Forbidden Forest and Hideout.
Logic1000 feat. DJ Plead and MJ Nebreda, “Every Lil”
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The Label: Therapy
The Spiel: The third single from Logic1000’s forthcoming debut album Mother, coming March 22, slinks into your ears like a curl of fire smoke through a crowded dance floor. A collaboration between the Berlin-based producer, Australia’s DJ Plead and Miami-based MJ Nebreda, “Every Lil” is seductive and transportive, lifting us from the late afternoon mid-winter darkness to an all-night beachside party in some tropical locale, a vibe created especially by this one’s emphasis on hand percussion. The song comes ahead of Logic1000’s new podcast Logic1000 & Helena Star Present: Therapy, which will feature conversations about motherhood, mental health and the music industry.
Four Tet, “Loved”
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The Label: Text Records
The Spiel: The first track on Four Tet’s forthcoming album — the producer’s twelfth studio LP, the title and release date for which have not been announced — is quintessential, with Kieren Hebden finding the same sort of shuffling, gently swaggering beat that’s been a defining element of much of his studio output. Over it, he layers a gently glowing synth and, midway through, some light cacophony in the form of what sounds like a pair of baking trays being banged together. The four-minute track then returns to its soothing low simmer, playing like a salve for the nervous system — which is, appropriately, also the effect that feeling loved has.
2024 is finally here, meaning there’s no better time to start filling this year’s playlists with songs from your favortie queer artists. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.
From Lil Nas X’s long awaited return single to Kali Uchis’ gorgeous new album, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Lil Nas X, “J CHRIST”
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With the amount of not-so-righteous fury Lil Nas X created for the release of his newest single, you would be forgiven for expecting a controversial, buck wild track. But what the rapper’s new song “J CHRIST” exudes instead nothing short of unbothered confidence. On this bouncing new song, Lil Nas emphasizes his return to music after a year away, proclaiming “b—h, I’m back like J Christ/ I’m finna get the gays hype.” The star employs what works for him — high-camp delivery, simple beats and lots of flexing — in service of his long-awaited comeback (complete with another stunning video).
Kali Uchis, ORQUÍDEAS
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We won’t mince words — Kali Uchis’s fourth stuido album ORQUÍDEAS is a masterpiece. Throughout this 14-track instant classic, the Colombian star weaves her own Spanish-language tale of luxurious self-actualization, ranging from raging revenge (“Te Mata”) to doe-eyed infatuation (“Tu Corazón Es Mío…”). That fact is only further assisted by Uchis’s genre-spanning vision, bouncing between heartfelt R&B and fiery reggaeton with reckless abandon throughout the LP. Perhaps the most stunning example of her flirtation with new styles comes on “Igual Que Un Ángel,” where Uchis drops the disco ball and dances the night away with the once and future king of corridos tumbados, Peso Pluma. Make no mistake, Kali Uchis is here for the long haul, and ORQUÍDEAS is just the proof of concept to confirm that fact.
Serpentwithfeet, “Safe Word”
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In times of crisis — which have become invariably more frequent in recent years — there is a safety to be found in intimacy. Serpentwithfeet takes that concept and runs with it on his lush new single “Safe Word.” The undulating song sees Serpent reassuring his lover that as long as they’re together, all will be well — a gently strumming guitar underlines his message, lulling the listener into a sense of self-security within moments. Sweet, tender and doting, “Safe Word” wastes no time fulfilling the promise of its title.
MICHELLE, “NEVER AGAIN”
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Once you start listening to Michelle’s “Never Again,” you’ll find yourself stuck in a dichotomy of opposing tones. On the one hand, the song’s delicate melody and soft rhythms will immediately put you in a place of placid comfort, like a warm hug at the end of a hard day. On the other, the lyrics will tell a very different story — one of regret and firm boundaries, where the band tells their former flame that they’re done for good. “So never again, never with you/ I wanna rewind and undo,” they sing. Putting those seemingly competing concepts together, though, makes for yet another excellent track from the rising New York sextet.
Aaron Lee Tasjan, “Horror of it All”
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Growing up queer is rarely a particularly fun experience, and Aaron Lee Tasjan is ready to reflect on the “Horror of it All” with his latest single. Taking an 80’s, glam-rock inspired look at the LGBTQ high school experience, Tasjan carefully illustrates a portrait of hormones, anxiety, fear, delusion and ultimately self-confidence. If you’re concerned about the song lacking more modern flair, don’t fret — Tasjan sprinkles in just enough hyperpop, synthwave flair to make “Horror of it All” feel like a breath of fresh air.
Bright Light Bright Light, “You Want My …”
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If you’re still in the mood for some ’80s flair, then Bright Light Bright Light is here to deliver. With his new single “You Want My …,” Welsh singer-songwriter Rod Thomas embraces a Pet Shop Boys-esque sonic sensibility — complete with sinister synths, bombastic drums and a flair for dramatic lyrics. Waving goodbye to another lover while entering the dancefloor, Thomas makes sure to throw a cheeky wink to George Michael in as well, referencing his classic single “I Want Your Sex” as the delectable chorus makes touchdown.
K.Flay, “Carsick”
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Let’s amp up the angst, shall we? K.Flay fuels up her latest release “Carsick” with a lethal dose of the stuff from the moment she opens her mouth. Vivid imagery and drilling production create a perpetual state of unease throughout the opening lines, before exploding into a fiery chorus kissing-off a toxic ex. Sure, the metaphor of a brutal car crash for a failed relationship may have been done before, but rarely to this visceral an effect — something K.Flay has always excelled at.
Sarah Barrios, “Teenage Rebellion”
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To every person who once exclaimed to a parent that they just don’t understand, this song is for you. Singer-songwriter Sarah Barrios infuses her thrilling new anthem “Teenage Rebellion” — which also serves as the official theme song for Fantasy High: Junior Year, the latest season of the extremely popular Dungeons & Dragons actual play show Dimension 20 — with every ounce of insurgency a good pop-rock track can muster. Guitars rage and voices chant as Barrios recounts the frustration of those final years of youth, while reminding herself that things will ultimately be alright. After all, “it’s our time, it’s our year!”
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
Music fans have a lot of fresh tracks and albums to enjoy as we head into the long weekend. Ariana Grande made her return with the late-’80s-inspired single “Yes, And?” Dripping with confidence, the upbeat song serves as the lead track for Grande’s anticipated seventh album, which she started teasing online in late December. Another star […]
After going to hell and back (literally) during his last album cycle, rapper and pop provocateur Lil Nas X is ready to walk through the Pearly Gates.
On Friday (Jan. 12), the singer unveiled his long-awaited new single “J CHRIST,” a pounding pop-rap track that sees the “Call Me By Your Name” singer reveling in his own comeback — much like the “MAN WHO HAD THE GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME” Jesus Christ, as Lil Nas X described him.
Lil Nas X wrote and directed the official music video, which arrived at midnight and features the artist in various roles — playing hoops, as a cheerleader, in the gladiatorial ring, and strapped to the cross.
“Is he up to somethin’ only I-I know?/ Is he ’bout to hit ’em with the high-igh note/ Is he ’bout to give ’em something vi-iral,” he sings on the slick chorus, before later declaring that “B—h, I’m back like J Christ.”
“J CHRIST” marks Lil Nas X’s first official release in over a year — his last release, the League of Legends collaborative anthem “Star Walkin’,” released in September 2022.
The release comes on the heels of a major marketing push from the “Industry Baby” singer, who spent much of the week promoting the single through a series of viral posts. In one string of TikToks, Lil Nas X joked that he was releasing new gospel music independently, while threatening to “expose y’all favorite artists” with his new song. An Instagram post, meanwhile, saw the singer post a fake acceptance letter to Christian college Liberty University, telling his followers that “not everything is a troll” (representatives for the university have since said that they did not admit Lil Nas X for the fall 2024 semester).
The rapper drew intense criticism in the run-up to releasing “J CHRIST” for his use of religious iconography, with commentators claiming that he was “mocking” and “disrespecting” Christianity.
Lil Nas shut down the claims in a tweet, saying “Jesus’s image is used throughout history in people’s art all over the world. I’m not making fun of shit. yall just gotta stop trying to gatekeep a religion that was here before any of us were even born. stfu.”
Watch Lil Nas X’s “J CHRIST” below:
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Ariana Grande‘s new music is officially coming any day now, and fans think they may have even figured out the title. Although they aren’t sure whether it’s the name of her recently confirmed seventh album, a song from the album, or both, Arianators are certain that “Yes, And?” is going to be a very important […]
Playboi Carti is already taking over 2024 with new music. To kick off the new year Monday (Jan. 1), he dropped “BACKR00MS,” featuring Travis Scott, exclusively on YouTube. The nearly three-minute visual is already No. 1 on Trending, with 4.4 million views in 17 hours at the time this article was published. It’s the second […]
Next year is already guaranteed to be full of new music, and it looks like Camila Cabello is joining the fray. While summing up how she spent 2023 in a series of Instagram Story posts on Thursday (Dec. 28), the 26-year-old pop star revealed that she has something special coming in 2024. “mostly the year […]
The end of the year is almost here, which means you have limited time to listen to new music from your favorite queer artists in 2023! Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.
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From Reneé Rapp’s Mean Girls-inspired Megan Thee Stallion team-up to new single to Anitta’s funk-filled new track, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Reneé Rapp & Megan Thee Stallion, “Not My Fault”
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When Cady Heron infamously told her friend Janis Ian “it’s not my fault you’re like, in love with me, or something,” Reneé Rapp felt that on a visceral level. So, when it came time for her to write a song for the soundtrack of the forthcoming Mean Girls remake, she decided to use Cady’s words to thrilling effect. “Not My Fault” flaunts a slick, disco-adjacent groove as Rapp — in her best Regina George-inspired affectation — shrugs off everyone else’s obsession with her. Once Megan Thee Stallion jumps in with a fiery rap verse, the song explodes into pure pop exaltation, as Meg and Reneé prove exactly why everyone cannot stop talking about them.
Anitta, Pedro Sampaio & Dennis, “Joga Pra Lua”
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One of the best ways to warm up in this cold weather is by moving your body — and you simply won’t be able to stop doing just that when you listen to Anitta’s latest single. “Joga Pra Lua” is a stunning new Brazilian funk track that sees the star linking up with fellow Brazilian artists Pedro Sampaio and Dennis over a break-neck beat, asking their audience to throw it back at every given opportunity. It’s giving full “leave it all on the dance floor” energy, and we simply love to hear it.
Young M.A, “Open Scars”
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After a tough year that involved health scares and getting clean, Young M.A is ready to let fans know exactly what she’s been going through. “Open Scars” quickly establishes itself as the up-and-coming rapper’s most vulnerable song to date, as she methodically goes through her journey to sobriety, her struggles with her health and her frustration with the music industry, all over a soothing beat. She may claim that she “let my fans down” over the last few years — but if “Open Scars” is any indication, then Young M.A’s fans have a lot more to look forward to in the years to come.
Bruses feat. Pale Waves, “She’s So Cool”
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It’s time to get your angst out. Mexican pop-rocker Bruses brings every bit of her edge to “She’s So Cool,” a thrilling new pop-punk number where the rising star oggles that one girl that everyone can’t help but take notice of. With an airy vocal over a killer hook, Bruses paints the picture in both Spanish and English, before throwing it to Pale Waves’ Heather Barton-Gracie for her own slice of rocked-out yearning. From the moment it starts, “She’s So Cool” manages to grab hold of you and not let go until it comes to a stunning close.
The Veronicas, “Detox”
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Alt-pop superstars The Veronicas are trying to get clean after an addiction to toxic partners. On “Detox,” the duo plug in and rock out to the sound of their own internal struggle, as they desperately try to quit an unhealthy relationship before it consumes them. Energetic guitars and pounding drums only further punctuate the pair’s vocals, as they realize that “you’ve got me under your thumb.”
Saucy Santana, “Walk It Like I Talk It”
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They say that if you can’t take the heat, you should stay out of the kitchen — but Saucy Santana is cooking up a storm on his latest single. “Walk It Like I Talk It” sees the rising rapper doing what he does best; flexing on every last one of his haters, letting them know exactly where they can stick their insults. Over a simple beat and a couple of dreamy chords, Santana spells out exactly how fabulous he is — and how much some folks wish they could even come close to his level.
Check out all of our picks in Billboard’s official Queer Jams of the Week playlist.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6M4y1ZiK61fymRWDv3R9Qt?si=43597ed422084767
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Karol G, “Que Chimba de Vida” (Bichota Records)
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Colombian star Karol G is closing the year with a song that best describes how she feels after such a massive year: “Que Chimba de Vida,” which translates to “What a Cool Life.” Produced by MAG and Edgar Barrera, “Que Chimba” flawlessly fuses música mexicana and urbano beats to deliver a trumpet-powered celebratory song that finds Karol reminiscing on the special moments — including a stadium tour, meeting Rihanna and a No. 1 album — that have ushered in a new era for the superstar. “Uff, what a cool life, I’m living the life I wanted, they talked badly, I made them swallow their own saliva, this is for those who said I couldn’t do it,” Karol sings confidently over a subtle trap beat. — GRISELDA FLORES
Eladio Carrión, “TQMQA” (Rimas Entertainment)
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Punctuated by glowing marimba and mellow bass lines, Eladio Carrión showcases a more tender side of himself: on the emotive ballad “TQMQA,” which stands for “te quiero más que ayer” (“I love you more than yesterday”), the Puerto Rican artist serenades listeners against an Afrobeats-inspired rhythm. Timely in its holiday release, the song resonates with the universal longing for familial connection: “But if you only knew’ what gives me pleasure/ To see you smile/ And when you say ‘I love you’ in my ear (I love you)/ I give you my all if you give me the okey,” he croons in Spanish. Produced by DVLP, Xay and Western Weiss, “TQMQA” is the first single off his upcoming album, due out early next year. The accompanying visual shows a montage of vintage and modern home videos, capturing the artist’s parents enjoying a day on a sailboat while reminiscing over cherished moments of their children’s growth. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Juanes, “Nacimos Solos” (Universal Music Latino)
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Juanes fuses his signature rock sound on this heavily Western-influenced song, written and produced by Julio Reyes Copello for the upcoming Zorro Prime Video series. Propelled by upbeat drums, colorful trumpet notes and guitars, the song addresses the uncertainty of the difficult journey of life: “We were born alone, we leave alone without any explanation/ When you have everything you take nothing/ When you have nothing, everything is worse,” he sings in the chorus. “It is a portrait of the unbearable loneliness of a human being who faces survival in adverse and hostile circumstances,” Reyes Copello says in a statement, highlighting that “El Zorro is perhaps the only story that unites the United States, Mexico and Spain in a very interesting historical context.” Juanes, whose voice and performance quality could not be a better fit, adds, “I always wanted to work with Julio Reyes Copello and I liked the song from the moment he sent it, since I felt that it was created to fit me perfectly.” — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Mario Bautista & Karol Sevilla, “Anónimo” (Warner Music México)
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Mexican singer-songwriter Mario Bautista and songstress Karol Sevilla join forces to deliver a gorgeous, vocally strong new single “Anónimo.” Penned by Bautista alongside producer Abelardo, Yera, Nabález, and Sevilla, this song perfectly combines the sweet and dreamy vocals of both artists, as well as regional Mexican and pop elements. The song tells the story of when friends find themselves at a point where they don’t know how to confess what they feel out of fear of not being reciprocated. Still, they give each other signals subtly as they take the next step. — INGRID FAJARDO
Stream the New Music Latin playlist below: