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Jelenny Tejada has quickly become one of the most-talked-about women in hip-hop circles after being revealed as Kevin Gates’ new girlfriend. The 26-year-old Dominican-American model, influencer, and former Marine has a story that’s just as intriguing as the man she’s dating. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and raised in the U.S., Jelenny Tejada joined the United States Marine Corps in 2018 and later studied communications at San Diego Miramar College. After leaving the military, she transitioned into modeling and content creation, building a social media following by sharing her fitness routines, fashion looks, and lifestyle photos. Her combination of discipline, beauty, and charisma helped her stand out online long before her name became linked to Gates.
Still, it wasn’t until her relationship with Kevin Gates surfaced that Jelenny truly entered the spotlight. The pair were first seen together in social media clips earlier this year, with Gates openly showing affection and proudly confirming that they were indeed dating. Fans were quick to point out their 13-year age gap (Gates is 39), but the rapper didn’t hold back in defending their relationship. During a viral Instagram Live, he told critics he was unbothered by outside opinions, reminding people that he’s happy and that’s all that matters. That confidence, mixed with Tejada’s poised demeanor, instantly made them one of the internet’s favorite new talking points.
The public reaction, of course, has been divided. Some fans are rooting for Gates, saying he deserves happiness after a string of tumultuous relationships, while others question how quickly he seems to move on. A lot of attention has also turned toward Jelenny herself, her military past, her career as an influencer, and what it’s like being in the spotlight with someone as unfilitered as Kevin Gates. She has been praised for her independence and ambition, although some critics accuse her of clout-chasing, a label that often follows women who date famous men. Still, Tejada has remained relatively quiet amid the noise, letting her work and personality speak for themselves.
Kevin Gates’ dating history adds another layer to the story. He was married to Dreka Gates, his longtime partner and the mother of his two children, from 2015 until their split earlier this year. The marriage was public and spiritual. Fans saw them as a power couple in hip-hop for nearly a decade. After their separation, Gates shocked many when he briefly married influencer Brittany Renner in April 2025. That marriage lasted just 52 days before ending in divorce. So when Jelenny entered the picture not long after, it was impossible for fans not to notice the pattern and wonder whether this relationship would be different.
For Jelenny Tejada, this new chapter is both an opportunity and a challenge. Dating someone as famous and outspoken as Kevin Gates means every move is magnified. Yet she brings a unique story to the table as a former Marine, model, and influencer with a disciplined edge that contrasts Gates’ wild, unpredictable persona. Whether their relationship lasts or not, Tejada has already carved out her own spotlight and proven she’s more than just “Kevin Gates’ girlfriend.” For now, the two seem happy and unbothered by the outside noise and fans. Love them or hate them, we can’t wait to see what happens next.
RELATED: Kevin Gates Gets Flamed Online For Dating Someone 13 Years Younger
Trending on Billboard
LONDON — Blockbuster tours by the likes of Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Take That and Liam Gallagher contributed a record total of 8 billion pounds ($10.5 billion) to the United Kingdom’s economy in 2024.
The figure is up 5% from the previous year, according to the newly released This Is Music study from UK Music, the umbrella organization encompassing a range of bodies including the BPI and collection society PRS For Music.
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The results are being heralded as a huge success, with 2025 likely to bring a bumper uptick in the trend, thanks in part to headline-dominating stadium tours from the likes of Oasis, Coldplay, and Dua Lipa, plus U.K. arena residencies from pop heavyweights Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter and more.
Published annually, the latest edition of This is Music takes a deep dive into how the U.K. music business fared both at home and on the world stage. It outlines employment stats, international music sales, plus gross revenue through ticket sales, tourism and more in order to paint a full picture of the industry’s contribution to the country’s overall GDP.
A strong appetite for British artists and songs helped push a notable increase in export figures in 2024. Charli XCX’s Brat LP – which saw her enjoy a global breakthrough and scoop eight Grammy nominations – thrived overseas, while Lola Young landed a chart smash in “Messy,” both contributing to a 5% rise to 4.8 billion pounds ($6.3 billion).
Employment also lifted by 2%, with a net total of 4,000 new jobs in the U.K. taking the number of people working in the music industry to 220,000 (full-time equivalent posts), reports UK Music. The breakdown of that figure, however, shows that a significant portion of these people are vulnerable to the cost of living. 43% of respondents earned less than 14,000 pounds ($18,400) from music, forcing them to turn to other jobs in order to make a stable income.
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Elsewhere, U.K. artist royalties surpassed a billion for the first time, with PRS for Music paying out a record 1.02 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) to its members – an 8.1% increase on last year.
“The UK music industry remains one of our greatest international success stories,” said the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper MP, in a statement. “Every year, we see more new artists from Britain becoming global stars, and our existing world-famous musicians reaching new heights, all of them adding to the incredible heritage of creativity, talent and genius that has defined UK music throughout our history.”
Despite these fiscal wins, however, the report warned that the U.K. music industry still faces a number of tough challenges. There are potential risks posed by generative AI on music creation, which could erode employability across the sector, as more sophisticated tools emerge and pose a new rival for listener attention.
Another area where UK Music said urgent action was needed was further government support for the grassroots touring sector. In a survey conducted between March 20 and June 12, 2025, UK Music spoke to 1306 music creators, including songwriters, musicians, DJs and producers, and found that many emerging artists were finding it increasingly difficult to play live at this level, with income from touring not keeping pace with costs.
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95% of these respondents reported decreased earnings as a direct consequence of Brexit, up 8% from 2023, due to increasing touring costs and a subsequent impact on royalties as their music is performed less in Europe. As a result, UK Music called for an agreement between the UK and EU to lift visa and work permit requirements across EU borders.
“The status quo on these two big issues is currently tilted against music’s interests, with new survey data on both AI and EU touring evidencing why we need the balance to swing back in our favour,” said Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music. He also urged the government to take “urgent action” in the key areas addressed in a bid to boost growth, exports and jobs in the U.K. music industry.
Elsewhere, the rate of economic growth in the music industry slowed, with Gross Value Added up by five per cent in 2024. This is lower than the double-digit growth seen over the past few years as the industry recovered from the pandemic.
The report cited ongoing threats to grassroots venues and a lack of big-ticket releases by British artists in 2024 as contributing factors to this figure.
“In recent years UK Music has reported that the music industry has enjoyed double-digit annual growth. That growth has now halved indicates a levelling off of the immediate post-pandemic boost that we experienced, as well as other underlying issues set out in this report,” said Kiehl.
He went on to describe how he remains hopeful that the U.K. music industry can overcome the challenges it faces during this “pivotal moment.” He added: “Let’s come together to make sure we realise our full potential.”
Trending on Billboard
Rapper Adamn Killa (born Adam Kelly) was briefly detained after attempting his viral “ohh, arrest me, daddy” prank on Chicago police officers earlier this week.
Killa hopped in front of cops and hit his signature line in Downtown Chicago on Monday afternoon (Nov. 10) and according to the Chicago Sun-Times, he was handcuffed and detained in the back of a police car for about 20 minutes for allegedly interrupting a traffic stop.
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“I got out and I went and made more ‘Arrest me, daddy’ videos right after,” the Chicago native told the Sun-Times.
Killa, who’s managed by Chance The Rapper’s brother, Taylor Bennett, didn’t waste any time capitalizing on the moment by posting footage of his encounter with law enforcement on Instagram for his 781,000 followers to see. Soundtracked by his own track “Fall On,” the clip features him being handcuffed by police and placed in the back of a paddy wagon. Fortunately for Killa, he was released a short time later.
It’s far from the first time Killa has attempted to troll police officers across Chicago with his viral “arrest me, daddy” prank and signature taunting dance.
The 29-year-old has also used his prank as a form of protesting the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign while trolling officers and ICE agents around Chicago.
“How they be covering their face and s—t, I feel like in the future, they gonna look at them like how they looked at, like the Nazi soldiers,” he said to the Sun-Times. “Because they know what they be doing wrong. That’s why they cover their face and they be covering their badges and stuff.”
Killa continued: “I feel like rap was always speaking your mind against s–t you didn’t like,” he said. “I feel like that’s how hip-hop kind of started, but I know I’m like the new type of rap, but it’s still the same thing. I feel like you should speak about things, your opinions. You should voice your opinions. It’s a way to get your opinion out.”
On the music side, Killa released his “Arrest Me Daddy” track on Nov. 7, just a few days before his run-in with police on Monday.
Watch footage of Adamn Killa’s detainment below.
Trending on Billboard
Kehlani gets quizzed by her 6-year-old daughter Adeya on her favorite things, include her favorite TV show, her favorite singer and what her favorite song of Kehlani’s is!
Adeya:
Hey, I’m Adeya, and I’m testing my mom about my favorite things. What’s my favorite color?
Kehlani:
Well, girl, see, it changes every three business days, but last week it was pink and now it’s black. Did I get it right? Okay. Yeah!
Adeya:
What’s my favorite animal?
Kehlani:
A tiger. Uh-huh. But then last week, it was an African bullfrog, an axolotl, and hippos. Oh, manatees.
Adeya:
That is actually my second favorite.
Kehlani:
Okay. Yeah, manatees. Got it locked in.
Adeya:
What’s my favorite hobby?
Kehlani:
Swimming. Yeah?
Adeya:
What’s my favorite song of yours?
Kehlani:
“CRZY,” and it’s your babysitter’s fault. Is that your favorite? Girl, it’s okay. We’re raising them with taste.
Adeya:
What’s my favorite thing that we do together?
Kehlani:
Is it cuddling? Ah. Good.
Adeya:
Who’s my favorite singer?
Kehlani:
Um, it’s either Shawn Mendes or Ariana Grande.
Adeya:
Shawn Mendes.
Kehlani:
All right. Okay. I got Shawn Mendes to send her a happy birthday—she lost her mind. “You know Shawn Mendes?”
Adeya:
Who’s my favorite Disney character?
Kehlani:
Elsa. Okay. Whoo.
Adeya:
What’s my favorite book?
Kehlani:
‘Where’s My Butt?’ I was gonna say ‘Dragons Love Tacos,’ but you know.
Adeya:
What’s my favorite TV show?
Kehlani:
‘KPop Demon Hunters’?
Adeya:
That’s a movie.
Keep watching for more!
Trending on Billboard
Hundreds of bagpipers broke a world record this week when they assembled in Australia to perform AC/DC‘s “It’s a Long Way to the Top.”
The musicians gathered on Wednesday (Nov. 12) in Melbourne’s Federation Square, where thousands of fans watched as 374 bagpipers squeezed into the square and perform the rock and roll classic. The Australian Book of Records then confirmed with the Associated Press that they had indeed broken the world record for most people gathered to play the bagpipes. The oldest performer was 98-years-old. The previous record holder was 333 pipers in Bulgaria back in 2012.
The event was called “The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash,” and paid homage to a scene from the Australian hard rock band’s 1976 film where they blasted “It’s A Long Way To The Top” on a flatbed truck while traveling through traffic. The square is also right near Melbourne Cricket Ground, where AC/DC is scheduled to perform their first Australian show in over a decade later tonight.
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The band recently added dozens of dates to their Power Up Tour heading into 2026. The new dates for the nearly two-year-old tour by the legendary rockers will kick off on Feb. 24 at Estádio do MorumBIS in São Paulo, Brazil and include stops in Santiago, Chile on March 11 and Buenos Aires, Argentina on March 23 before winding down on April 7 in Mexico City at Estadio GNP Seguros.
AC/DC will then take a break before heading out again on July 11 in Charlotte, N.C. in Columbus, Ohio, Madison, Wi., San Antonio, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Edmonton, Alberta, Vancouver, Atlanta, Houston, South Bend, Ind., St. Louis, Montreal, Toronto and East Rutherford, N.J. before winding down on Sept. 29 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Check out a video report on the record-setting piping below.
Trending on Billboard
Italian icon Laura Pausini was honored with Billboard Italy’s prestigious Global Icon award on Wednesday (Nov. 12) during a historic Vatican ceremony with Pope Leo XIV. As part of Billboard Italia Women in Music 2025, the ceremony also emphasized the vital role of amplifying women’s voices in the music industry, with the Pope receiving a commemorative plaque underscoring this mission. Pausini’s remarkable career and humanitarian efforts continue to elevate Italian music on a global scale.
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The superstar also presented Pope Leo XIV with a unique, unreleased song — her rendition of “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Creatures.” The song celebrates universal brotherhood and the praise of God through creation.
Pausini has elevated Italian music to a global stage, serving as an ambassador for universal values such as inclusion, solidarity, and peace. She has consistently worked to support the most vulnerable, including children and populations affected by humanitarian crises. Her collaborations with organizations including UNICEF, Save the Children, Amnesty International and the World Food Programme — where she served as an ambassador — further highlight her commitment to humanitarian causes. Recognized as the most awarded Italian artist in the world, Pausini was honored with the “Icon” award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards in October, presented by Ozuna.
The second Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music will take place in Milan on Nov. 25, 26, and 28, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Across the three days, eight additional awards will be presented to individuals shaping the Italian music scene, including leading artists and professionals working behind the scenes.
Laura Pausini has sold over 75 million records worldwide and garnered more than 6 billion streams, solidifying her status as the most listened-to Italian female artist internationally. She is also the first and only Italian female artist to win a Grammy Award and has entered the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.
Throughout her career, she has won four Latin Grammy Awards and was named Person of the Year 2023 by the Latin Recording Academy, becoming the first non-native Spanish-speaking artist to receive this honor. Her accolades also include a Golden Globe, an Emmy Award nomination, and an Oscar nomination.
She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Ray Charles, Phil Collins, Shakira, Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson, among many others. Her recent collaborations include a live performance with Alanis Morissette and a duet with Robbie Williams for the first official FIFA anthem.
Her upcoming album, Io Canto 2, will be released by Warner Music in 2026, with a Spanish version titled Yo Canto 2. The album marks her return to both recording and live performances, accompanied by a new world tour in 2026 and 2027, kicking off on March 27 in Pamplona, Spain.
PlayStation/PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor
During yesterday’s Japan-focused State of Play, Sony unveiled its new PlayStation gaming monitor, which you can connect to your PC or PS5.
Along with a refreshed Japanese-only PS5 Digital Edition, Sony announced a new monitor featuring a 27-inch QHD display with a 240Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and variable refresh rate. Still, it caps at 120Hz when used with a PS5.
But that’s not the only feature it has. Sony always loves to add features to its peripherals to help them stand out, so the new monitor includes a charging hook for your DualSense controller.
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The hook conveniently folds down from the rear of the monitor, allowing you to jump into gaming mode when you get that itch quickly.
Source: PlayStation / PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor
The PlayStation 27″ Gaming Monitor will be available in both the US and Japan markets, but as of right now, it does not have a price and will hit shelves sometime next year.
The monitor announcement further highlights PlayStation’s foray into PC gaming, following the Pulse Elevate portable speakers unveiled back in September.
The Pulse Elevate portable speakers will also work with PC, Mac, PS5, and PS Portal and will arrive in 2026.
We are intrigued to see what else Sony is cooking to further cement its footprint in PC gaming.
Trending on Billboard
Meghan Trainor isn’t playing around with haters anymore. On Wednesday (Nov. 12), the hitmaker announced her new album, Toy With Me, and shared the project’s first single — “Still Don’t Care,” which she wrote for “anyone who’s ever felt judged.”
On Instagram, Trainor revealed that her seventh studio album will arrive April 24 of next year and shared the project’s pink, Barbie doll-inspired cover. The LP will feature a total of 16 tracks, including “Still Don’t Care,” which the singer described in a statement shared with Billboard as “bold, fun, a little cheeky and full of confidence.”
“This song came from a place of growth for me,” she continued. “I’m learning to shake off negativity, choosing joy, and living life my way — because at this point in my life and career, I’m ready to be done worrying about pleasing everyone. ‘Still Don’t Care’ is my reminder to myself — and to anyone who’s ever felt judged.”
Trainor also shared Wednesday that she’ll be embarking on a 2026 tour with Icona Pop in support of Toy With Me. The trek will kick off June 12 in Clarkstown, Mich., and — following stops in New York, Chicago, Boston and more cities — end Aug. 15 with a show in Los Angeles.
“Toy With Me feels like the most honest and fearless I’ve ever been — it’s all about self-confidence, freedom and learning how to meet people where they are at,” Trainor added in her statement. “I wanted to kick off this new chapter with a song that makes people feel unstoppable, and I can’t wait to bring that same energy to everyone on The Get In Girl Tour next summer.”
Trainor’s next venture will arrive about two years after the release of her last album, Timeless, which reached No. 27 on the Billboard 200. All six of her full-lengths have charted on the U.S. albums ranking, including debut album Title, which debuted at No. 1 in 2015.
This past March, Billboard honored Trainor with the 2025 Hitmaker Award at the annual Women in Music event.
Check out Trainor’s album announcement and listen to “Still Don’t Care” below.
Source: Jimmy Fontaine / Atlantic
Kevin Gates’ mantra is he doesn’t “get tired”, but after his last Instagram live, he may wanna take a seat.
The Louisiana rapper has been dating 26-year-old Jelenny Tejada. Whio is a US Marine Vet and an influencer. The couple was first seen on iShowSpeed’s stream at the LSU game. A clip went viral of Speed asking Jelenny if she was hungry, where Kevin redirected the conversation to him and told the streamer only to ask him questions.
Since then, they’ve popped out many times together. Gates recently went on Instagram Live to share his two cents on dating. Implying that men do not want an older woman, “Don’t no n*gga want no old washed up a** b*tch man. What n*gga don’t want a young h*e man? You don’t like it, eat my d*ck, straight up.”
Before his relationship with Jelenny Tejada, Gates was involved in a controversial relationship with Brittany Renner. During their time together, Brittany made a complete 180; she stopped wearing revealing clothes, converted to Islam, and began covering her hair to start a new chapter in her life. Her transformation received mixed reactions online.
Some fans online called his fling with Renner a rebound from his marriage to Drake Gates, which ended after nine years when she sought spousal and child support from the rapper.
Trending on Billboard Megan Thee Stallion says that she is dying to take the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show. In an interview with US Weekly, Meg said she would love the challenge of performing at what is traditionally the most-watched musical TV performance of the year. “I’m manifesting a Super Bowl halftime performance […]
