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Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert attempted to defend her racist attack on Congressman Al Green by asking about “white pimps”, which led social media users to mock her.
Controversial Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has come under fire for doubling down on a racist remark using a curious statement. Boebert zeroed in on Texas Democrat Al Green after his protest of President Donald Trump at the State of the Union address. “Al Green was given multiple opportunities to stand down, to sit down, to behave, to show decorum. And he did not,” Boebert said at the time. “For him to go and shake his pimp cane at President Trump was absolutely abhorrent.” Her comments would lead another Democratic Representative, Chrissy Houlahan, to introduce a resolution condemning Boebert. The Colorado politician expressed surprise in an interview with Grant Stitchfield on the Real America’s Voice Network.
https://x.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1899631976245498035
“To attack me for referencing his cane as a pimp cane, and Grant, I stand by it,” Boebert began, “I have never seen Al Green actually use his cane as a support to walk. I have seen him shake it for years, all throughout the Capitol during any meeting that I’ve ever been present with him in, and if that gold-plated cane isn’t a pimp cane, I don’t know what is.” But she didn’t stop there. “But maybe Hula Hoo is really the racist here. Are only blacks pimps? Is that what I’m hearing? Are there no cisgendered white pimps in America?” As she spoke, the graphics team for the show put up an artist’s rendering of Boebert in a purple fur coat holding a jeweled cane.
Boebert and fellow Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have a history of being openly disrespectful, including repeatedly heckling President Joe Biden during his State of The Union address in 2022 which led some of their fellow Republicans to criticize their behavior as “unbecoming.” Social media users took immediate notice of her using “white pimps” as a way to justify her remarks, with some bringing up her ejection from a performance of the Beetlejuice musical in 2022 for vaping in the audience and visibly groping her date at the time. Others called her out for being ableist. Bluesky user Boops McGee honed in on that point, writing: “It’s not a pimp cane. It’s a cane. Al Green is a politician who uses a tool to help him walk, just like many of his constituents who are dependent on Medicaid assistance.”
Chappell Roan gets the job done, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t scary sometimes. In a new post celebrating the release of her new single, “The Giver,” the singer-songwriter gave an honest look at her feelings toward pivoting to a country sound on the track and revealed she feels nervous about taking the leap.
Sharing photos of the various alternate cover photos for the single — as well as a throwback picture of herself as a tween wearing cowboy boots — Roan told fans on Instagram Thursday night (March 13) that she’s “so excited” for the song to “come to life.” “I love this song so much,” she wrote. “It’s been such a fun rollout to see the bus benches and billboards and posters and tear-offs wow.”
The Missouri native went on to say she feels like it’s “def a bold and scary move to release a full ass country song after only releasing one song last year and it having such a success in the pop genre.”
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“Like I am very scared as I type this lol,” she added in parentheses. “But I think that’s the entire point of chappell roan. Be bold and scary and have fun. be popstar girl then pop an edible +watch YouTube vibes. The whole point of this is to be silly !!!”
Roan released “Good Luck, Babe!” in April 2024, kickstarting her meteoric rise to pop superstardom over the course of last summer. The track — which marked her first release since 2023 debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess — reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her highest peak on the chart so far.
Up until Friday’s “The Giver” drop, Roan hadn’t released a new song since “Good Luck, Babe!” And while the latter leaned retro dance pop, the new song is distinctly country, with the Grammy winner boasting through a twangy drawl, “‘Cause you ain’t got to tell me it’s just in my nature/ So take it like a taker,’cause, baby, I’m a giver.”
Roan previously opened up about embracing a different sound in an Instagram post earlier this month, explaining that the new style didn’t necessarily mean she was making a “country album.” “Right now I’m just making songs that make me feel happy and fun and The Giver is my take on c–try xoxo may the classic country divas lead their genre, I am just here to twirl and do a little gay yodel for yall,” she wrote at the time.
In Friday’s post, Roan elaborated on her love for the genre. “Country music is fire,” she wrote. “It’s the campiest of camp. some of you may be new to the country scene and not quite sure what to make of me having a fiddle and banjo in my song. Understandable boo … it is something different and sometimes different can feel bad because it’s unfamiliar, but I encourage you to give her another shot ;)”
She added, “Thank you to all the country divas who came before me.”
Noah Cyrus has signed with Range Music for management, the company announced on Friday (March 14). In linking up with Range, Cyrus joins a roster that includes Jack Harlow, Shaboozey, Rita Ora, Pentatonix, Saweetie, Midland and PARTYNEXTDOOR. She was previously with TaP Management. “I had some really impressive meetings with Matt [Graham] and the team, […]
This is partner content. “Brilla Conmigo” is a short-form video series featuring Latin artists Elena Rose, Mariangela and Joaquina showcasing how beauty, health and wellness fuel their creativity. Through candid conversations, they discuss how self-care, cultural pride and personal empowerment nurture confidence, which plays a key role in their artistry. Partnering with Invisalign to enhance […]
On March 14, 2020, Maren Morris’ “The Bones” rose a spot to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, becoming her first leader on the list.
The song, which Morris co-wrote with Laura Veltz and Jimmy Robbins, and Greg Kurstin produced, reached the Hot Country Songs penthouse in its 53rd chart week, beginning a 19-week domination. It also led Country Airplay for two frames in February 2020, becoming her fourth leader, and proceeded to be a crossover hit, dominating Adult Pop Airplay for a week that April and Adult Contemporary for a week in September. It also reached the top 20 on Pop Airplay and, boosted by a remix with Hozier, Adult Alternative Airplay.
“The fans have spoken on this one,” Morris told Billboard upon “The Bones” crowning Country Airplay. “It’s a real, gritty love song. I couldn’t be more proud that it’s become one of the biggest songs of my career to date.”
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Morris, from Arlington, Texas, sent her debut single, “My Church,” which pays homage to the Grand Ole Opry, to No. 5 on Hot Country Songs in March 2016, marking her first of nine top 10s.
In 2016, Morris won the best new artist trophy at the Country Music Association Awards. In both 2020 and 2021, she earned female vocalist of the year honors, while “The Bones” won for song of the year in 2021.
Morris, who has been an outspoken advocate for fellow female artists in country music, as well as the LGBTQ+ community, announced in 2023 that she was shifting to pop. In August 2024, she made that segue with the five-song set Intermission.
Now 34, Morris tours next on July 12 in Quebec, with more dates scheduled through September.
Well, wouldn’t you know, it’s another Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. There’s a full slate of news this week, so let’s get started.
Peermusic expanded Elizabeth Rodda‘s role to president of US Latin, Latin America and global society relations. Reporting to CEO Mary Megan Peer, Rodda will now oversee Latin initiatives and new signings in the US and Puerto Rico, as well as her prior remit in South America, Mexico and Central America. The US Latin creative team will report to Rodda, who remains based in Miami. She’ll also represent Peermusic to global collection societies, optimizing revenue growth and rights flow for songwriters. Rodda will manage Peermusic’s offices in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela, and administer territories including Belize, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay. She collaborates with local managing directors to sign new talent and oversee digital and synch activities. Recent signings include Vladi Cachai, Foudeqush and NanQ, among others. With over 20 years of experience, Rodda previously served as ASCAP’s senior vp of international affairs before joining Peermusic as president of Latin America and GSR in 2023. Pre-ASCAP, Rodda gained footing in music publishing and licensing at Planet Records and Caribe Sound and Music Publishing, and she also worked as an independent consultant.
CEO Peer praised Rodda’s development of Latin operations, “supporting the creative work and growing the income of peermusic songwriters throughout the region,” adding that “in expanding her role to lead our US Latin initiatives, we are recognizing the close ties between the US Latin and Latin American and increasing the opportunities for our Latin writers globally.”
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Meanwhile…
Round Hill Music hired Jeff Bunder as its global chief financial officer and James King as its chief capital officer. Bunder, based in Nashville, has nearly 40 years of private equity experience, including leadership roles at EY and Lindsay Goldberg. He’ll oversee finance, accounting, tax, valuation and investor relations at RHM. Londoner King joins from Cavendish and has clocked over 25 years of corporate finance and private equity experience. He will focus on expanding RHM’s investor base in the UK and Europe. Round Hill, which sold off its public fund to Concord in 2023, continues to operate its private fund, Round Hill Music Royalty Partners, in which it has limited partners like the Swiss-based private equity fund Partners Group. Round Hill’s portfolio of roughly 200,000 is worth an estimated $900 million and includes rights to songs performed by Whitney Houston, Bruno Mars, Morgan Wallen, Madonna and more, according to the company.
The Apollo appointed Joy Profet as chief growth officer and Tysus Jackson as chief development officer, expanding its executive team amid a historic theater renovation. Profet, formerly a product marketing lead at Amazon Prime Video Advertising, will work to boost global impact, brand influence and revenue partnerships. Jackson, most recently assistant director of advancement at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, will lead philanthropic efforts, including the Apollo Rising 2.0 campaign. Apollo president and CEO Michelle Ebanks praised their expertise, “from Joy’s innovative business approach and growth mindset, to Tysus’ exceptional ability to inspire and mobilize donors around worthy causes.”
Electric Feel, the multi-dimensional music company (not to be confused with the MGMT banger), recently expanded its global presence to Nashville. The company, which encompasses management, publishing, a record label, studios and a ventures wing, celebrated this expansion with a launch event at their new state-of-the-art studio in Music City on Thursday, March 13. Key executives involved in the opening include Austin Rosen, CEO; Danielle Engen, director of facilities and studios; Nick McMullen, chief engineer and technical director; Chandler Nicole Sherrill, senior director of creative; and John Bradley, country A&R.
AEG Presents announced a slew of senior vice president promotions within its global partnership division, following Andrew Klein’s appointment as president of global partnerships. Andrew Bersch has been promoted to svp of finance and administration, where he’ll oversee financial strategy and operations. Holli Branam, Bret Heiman and Alex McArthur have been elevated to svp of sales, leading efforts to drive sponsorship revenue and create brand partnerships across AEG venues and festivals, including Coachella and Stagecoach. Samantha Fernandez was named svp of festival activations, managing over 350 brand partnerships across 15 music festivals annually, while Brianne Grimley is now svp of venue activations, overseeing regional and national strategic partnerships within AEG’s North American network. Finally, Eric Kohler has been upped to svp of global partnerships, leading AEG’s American Express partnership. Klein praised “this group of industry leading individuals,” adding, “they have each been instrumental in helping grow and innovate with our family of global partners and music assets.”
Abas Pauti, co-manager of Shaboozey and Paul Russell, joined Range Music as a full-time manager and vp of artist development earlier this year. After graduating from Mizzou in 2020, Pauti headed out West to Los Angeles where he met one Collins Chibueze (aka Shaboozey), resulting in Shaboozey’s project Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die, which blends western, Americana and hip-hop. Shortly after, in 2022, Pauti discovered Cornell grad Paul Russell and a year later partnered with Range Music’s Jared Cotter to co-manage both Russell and Shaboozey. Together, Pauti and Cotter have helped Shaboozey and Russell deliver breakout hits with the former’s record-tying 19-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” and the latter’s viral hit “Lil Boo Thang,” which tipped at No. 14 on the big pop chart.
Jim Ryan, Audacy’s senior vp of programming and lead programmer at NEW 102.7 (WNEW-FM) in NYC, will leave the company in April to focus on his consultancy, Jim Ryan Media, full-time. Originally planning to depart in December, he extended his tenure due to Nielsen’s new three-minute qualifier rule. April marks his 15th anniversary at Audacy. Ryan, known for programming stations like WLTW, WNEW, and WCBS-FM, solidified his reputation as a top radio programmer. He will continue working with national radio personality Delilah and other talents. Ryan praised colleagues Susan Larkin and Chris Oliviero for their support and confirmed his successor — whom he helped pick — will be announced soon. He expressed confidence in passing the baton to a respected industry professional. You can reach him at him at Jim@JimRyanMedia.com.
David Fanning launched Off Road Records in partnership with Reservoir Media with expressed goals to empower music creators and develop sustainable careers. Fanning serves as president, with Jamie Graves as svp of marketing and promotion. The Nashville-based label has signed its first artist, singer-songwriter Dylan Davidson, who released his debut single, “Wine Night,” today (March 14). O Double R will distribute and market music through Reservoir’s label platform, Reservoir Recordings, which will also provide additional label services. Reservoir president Rell Lafargue praised Fanning’s ability to identify rising talent — “and drive it straight to the top.” He added, “This investment is also a great opportunity to continue growing Reservoir’s recorded music business together with creators we believe in.”
Universal Music UK made some tweaks to its artist relations team. Led by Shiarra Bell, with Hannah Lamb and Ali Golembo, the team will work closely with artists, managers, UMG labels, and the wider company to offer multifaceted support, including bespoke events, well-being programs and other artist-centric experiences. Shiarra Bell, promoted to director of artist relations, has a diverse background in music management and events, working with artists like Eminem and Lady Gaga. Hannah Lamb, now head of artist relations, has been with the team for 10 years, starting as an intern. Ali Golembo, promoted to artist relations manager, began as a promotions intern at EMI. The team will report to Rebecca Allen, president of the audience and media division at Universal Music UK, who now oversees artist relations. “With Shiarra at the helm, and Hannah and Ali by her side, this future-facing team are set to bring a new level of creativity and support to our artists and label teams,” said Allen.
BOARD SHORTS: Universal Music Group announced that non-executive director Manning Doherty will retire from its board of directors on March 21. The board acknowledged his valuable contributions since joining in 2021. Doherty, managing director at GIC, leads the Infrastructure Group (North America) and has extensive experience in equity research, private equity and special situation investing. Previously, he held senior roles at Mount Kellett Capital and Oaktree Capital Management … AMPOLLO, the newly launched music collaboration platform, announced an advisory board featuring top industry figures, including Andy Saunders, Emily White, Colin Barlow, Karl Nielsen and Charlie Rapino. Chaired by Saunders, the board will support co-founders CEO Yoram Ben-Israel, CMO Mark Alexiou, and Rebekah Pennington in expanding AMPOLLO’s international presence, driving innovation, and developing new revenue streams through fan engagement.
Universal Music Australia announced key leadership changes at BRING, its creative agency specializing in connecting brands with music culture. Brooke Pilton has been promoted to general manager of partnerships, while James “Griff” Griffiths has been elevated to general manager of creative. These appointments aim to strengthen BRING’s role in aligning brands with artists and music culture. CEO Sean Warner praised their “shared vision for the future of the agency.” BRING has executed successful campaigns for brands like Coca-Cola and Vodafone, earning multiple Clio Music awards. The agency will continue to develop creative partnerships, supporting UMA’s artists and promoting Australian music on a global scale.
AWAL appointed Aniket Parpillewar as head of India & South Asia, based in Mumbai. Parpillewar will lead efforts to empower independent artists in the region, offering services like marketing, sync licensing, promotion, distribution and real-time music analytics. He joins from Amazon India and will report to Paul Hitchman, AWAL’s COO, and Vinit Thakkar, managing director of Sony Music Entertainment India. Following its 2023 acquisition of OKListen, AWAL is fast-expanding in India with support from Sony Music Entertainment India, with new signings including Zanai Bhosle, Anumita Nadesan, Dino James and others. CEO Lonny Olinick highlighted AWAL’s global outlook and the significant step in extending their model to artists in India and South Asia, adding that “Aniket brings a wealth of music experience in the Indian market to the AWAL team and has hit the ground running.”
NASHVILLE NOTES: Public relations company Sacks & Co. promoted Catherine Snead to senior director in its Nashville office. The firm also touted the mid-2024 hire of Jessica Vandergriff as an associate. Snead moved to Nashville in 2017 and began working with Sacks & Co.’s roster of artists, while Vandergriff moved to Music City in 2020, working at Post Hill Press, followed by a stint at 117 Entertainment … Black River Publishing elevated Sarah Hudspeth from coordinator to creative manager … Peachtree Entertainment added two executives: Marty Elliott joined as vp of university relations following a run at Ready Room Collective, and Andrew Goldberg took over as vp of strategic partnerships following his work at Danny Wimmer Presents.
Mike Sherwood, a veteran of the majors, launched Sparks Street Entertainment, a new music management and consultancy company. With over 25 years of experience, Sherwood aims to empower artists, managers and labels in the global music market. Sherwood’s career includes key positions at Warner Music Group, where he worked with legendary artists like Green Day, Tom Petty, and Linkin Park, and helped launch stars like Dua Lipa and Zach Bryan. Most recently, he served as executive vp at Universal Music Group’s Capitol Records, supporting successful campaigns for artists such as The Beatles, Katy Perry, Sam Smith and Ice Spice.
Pieter van Bodegraven joined CTM Publishing as a creative consultant in early February. With decades of experience in the Benelux music publishing industry, he’s worked with major artists, composers and producers through roles at BMG/Talpa Music, Cloud 9 Music, and more. Van Bodegraven said he values CTM’s “atmosphere and mindset” in their handling of copyright administration and royalty distribution. Jitze de Raaff, president of CTM Publishing, praised Van Bodegraven’s extensive knowledge, experience and “extraordinary” national and international network.
PRG, a provider of concert production elements, announced key promotions within its corporate events division. Matt Hohmann has been promoted to senior director of production services, recognizing his contributions to process enhancement and operational excellence since starting as a lighting intern. Additionally, Eric Hanson, Justin Juriga, Wendy Coop, James Oyler and Walker Harris have been appointed as new technical directors. Reporting to Ariane Coldiron, PRG’s senior vp of corporate events, the team will work closely with external partners and internal stakeholders to ensure PRG’s solutions align with project needs, enhancing collaboration and efficiency.
Viamedia, the digital and cable advertising company, promoted Justin Johnston to senior vp of finance following the retirement of Sherri Bradshaw. Johnston, who joined Viamedia in 2023 as assistant controller and later became controller, will oversee financial operations. Johnston previously worked at Blackhawk Mining in financial analysis and spent six years at Breeding Henderson & Hord conducting audits. Viamedia recently became the first U.S. ad sales firm to represent over 100 video service providers.
ICYMI:
SiriusXM
SiriusXM thinned its ranks with a new round of layoffs, primarily in the company’s product and technology group. The satellite radio giant did not specify the number of employees affected … OpenPlay hired former Dubset Media exec Bob Barbiere to lead a new service offering … ARIA COO Lynne Small will step down next month … and surprise! the landscape for top music executives remains overwhelmingly white and male, according to a new report by USC. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: SiriusXM Changes Ad Wizards
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Chappell Roan gets the job done, Playboi Carti finally drops the album, and Haim kick off the spring. Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Chappell Roan, “The Giver”
2020s pop, meet 1990s country: “The Giver,” Chappell Roan’s long-awaited new single that was debuted on Saturday Night Live last November and has been teased for weeks, has arrived as a swirling, fiddle-filled gay anthem as well as an homage to the boot-stomping mainstream smashes of artists like The Chicks and Shania Twain, aware of the past but full of singular energy from a new superstar.
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Playboi Carti, Music
At long last, we have the follow-up to Playboi Carti’s towering 2020 album Whole Lotta Red: at 30 songs and 76 minutes, Music is a gargantuan undertaking that hides its A-list guests throughout the track list (Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Travis Scott and Future are among the attendees), but the project stands as a coronation of a relentless, rabble-rousing superstar, who iterates on his past flows and rage sound while also reveling in his improbable rise. Haim, “Relationships”
Him returning a few days after we push the clocks forward, and receive more sunlight on a daily basis, couldn’t be more perfect — “Relationships” sounds like an overdue embrace from an old friend, the cozy stylings of the trio typified by a buoyant bass line, rhetorical questions about relationship statuses and a breakdown that opens the song and then happily swings back around.
Sleep Token, “Emergence”
“Go ahead and wrap your arms around me,” goes the refrain of “Emergence,” the dazzling return of the mysterious British rock group Sleep Token: a six-minute epic that combines metalcore, hip-hop, electronic and pop, the lead single to Even in Arcadia is designed to command attention but pulls off its elaborate concept, and sets up Sleep Token for a huge year.
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, “Sunset Blvd”
We’ve gotten a few different shades of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanca’s collaborative album before its arrival next week, and “Sunset Blvd” is by far the dreamiest: over a warm bed of synths and unobtrusive drums, Gomez reflects on her first date with her fiancé, tossing out a few sexual innuendoes and big-hearted declarations.
Lil Nas X, “HOTBOX”
Concluding a full week of new singles from Lil Nas X, “HOTBOX” offers sing-rap opulence over a sample of Pharrell Williams’ “Frontin’,” with Nas calling everybody to the dance floor while the beat wordlessly does the same thing; the other new tracks were worthy, but he saved the best for last.
LE SSERAFIM, HOT
The fifth mini-album from the K-pop quintet finds LE SSERAFIM sharpening their aesthetic over five tracks, and while the title track to HOT is the group’s latest single, “Come Over,” which plays out like an extended flirtation over a Bossa nova-esque riff, is the easy standout here, and one of the strongest songs the group has ever made.
Lizzo, “Still Bad”
If “Love in Real Life,” Lizzo’s first new music in three years, arrived two weeks ago as the opening credits to her return, “Still Bad” sounds like the main event, as an unapologetic showcase of the Grammy winner’s vocals, sense of humor and party-ready rhythmic pop flair.
Peso Pluma, “RARI”
The latest single from Peso Pluma comes back to a successful blueprint for the superstar, but “RARI” might be the most instantly catchy track he’s released in years, with a vocal hook that is woven throughout every line and emphasizes the rougher textures in his delivery.
Editor’s Pick: Charley Crockett, Lonesome Drifter
On first blush, Charley Crockett’s new album Lonesome Drifter is a traditional country project, full of hard-scrabble storytelling, strummed hooks and the singer-songwriter’s rumbling twang — but multiple listens reveal an impressive synthesis of classic and modern styles from an emerging star, as Crockett folds well-worn country tropes into charming explorations of R&B, blues and modern rock.
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New York City is calling out Mayor Eric Adams to his face. He was recently booed by locals at the reopening event for Planet Hollywood.
As per Page Six, the politician attended the VIP event to celebrate the restaurant returning to Times Square. In the house were the likes of several high profile celebrities including 50 Cent, Arnold Schwarzenegger and his son Patrick, Pete Davidson, Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg and more. While the aforementioned A-listers received a warm welcome from paparazzi and onlookers alike, Mayor Eric Adams was openly booed by crowds as he walked the red carpet.
According to reports, the jeers were loud enough for anyone in a 10 foot radius to hear, prompting a nearby Uber driver to jump in on the heckling from the comfort of their car. Spies on the scene said Mayor Eric Adams seemed unfazed by taunts and proudly stood at the red carpet entry to get his photographs taken by the press.
Later on that night he took to social media to promote Planet Hollywood’s re-grand opening. “Planet Hollywood is back! It’s a reminder that businesses shuttered by the pandemic still want to return home to the greatest city in the world! While they’re creating jobs and investing $20 million into NYC, we’re welcoming them with a strong local economy and safer streets.”
Back in September, Mayor Eric Adams was charged with bribery and campaign finance offenses. President Donald Trump has since asked that his case be dismissed with prejudice.
Right on the heels of Trinidad Carnival — where she mounted the sixth iteration of her own Sokah Origins concert — Caribbean Music Award-winning soca superstar Nailah Blackman is ready to launch her next era.
Billboard can exclusively reveal that Born A Diamond (B.A.D.), Nailah’s sophomore studio album, will arrive via Big Money Records in the second half of 2025. The new record is the follow-up to 2022’s Teknique, her debut full-length album, and promises to uphold Nailah’s commitment to deepening and broadening the scope of her soca foundation. Featuring collaborations with Grammy-nominated pop-dancehall princess Shenseea, rising genre-bending Canadian star Sadboi and Latin Grammy-winner Nicky Jam, Born A Diamond finds Nailah with her eyes set on global domination.
“I feel like Iike I’ve always known who I was from the beginning, but for whatever reason, I got lost in the woods, and I’m trying to head back home,” she muses. “But every thought process made me feel like I was already there. Precious gems — or people who are supposed to do big things — I don’t think that they are made. I think they’re born, and they will always have their purpose even if they don’t know it yet. I believe I was born a diamond, not just made one.”
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In a way, she’s correct. Nailah is the granddaughter of Garfiled Blackman, better known as Lord Shorty, the inventor of soca music, which soundtracks Carnival celebrations across the Caribbean. Fans can expect an abundance of soca on Born A Diamond, specifically some splashes of bouyon soca from Dominica. The new record will also feature dashes of R&B, Afrobeats and dancehall, further cementing Nailah as one of the most limitless and versatile artists of her class.
“I think with the music that I do and how I do it, it’s inevitable for me to cross over because I’ve been a crossover artist from the beginning of my career,” she stresses. “My sound has never been completely defined, but it has redefined the sound of soca. Being the granddaughter of the creator of the genre, I know the sound that is dynamic and ever-evolving. I’ve never necessarily followed the rules, and I believe the purpose of soca is to bring nations and people together, and that’s what I want to do.”
On Friday (March 14), Nailah released the lead single from Born A Diamond, “Feels Like Love.” With an assist from OVO Sound’s Roy Woods, the new single infuses its Jakey Krumm and Hunter Tomeo-helmed pop&B soundscape with a healthy dose of Jamaican dancehall. With Trinidad and Guyana both represented on the steamy new track, “Feels Like Love” proves everything’s better when the Caribbean joins forces.
“I went to Toronto for Caribana last year, and we did the song in a writing camp,” says Nailah. “I’ve never done a dancehall fusion like that before, and I knew I wanted somebody to bring a Caribbean element but still keep that hip-hop influence. I’ve always loved Roy Woods’ music, so when I heard about the possibility [of collaborating] with him, I was super excited. We met the same night I flew into Toronto, and we did another studio session. We shot the video the next day at my show with 15,000 people, which was incredible.”
Born A Diamond will also serve as Nailah’s first project since signing with Philadelphia-based label Big Money Records in 2024. “When I saw her stage presence and music and everything she’s doing in the Caribbean, I knew I wanted to be a part of this to help soca crossover to the U.S.,” says CEO Jamelia “Whoa” Ho-sang. While she’s still finalizing tour plans, Nailah is prepping for an intense global promotional run, including a performance at D.C. Carnival and her historic appearance as the first soca act to grace Roots Picnic (May 31-June 1). Last winter, she brought soca to On the Radar, a rare foray into Caribbean music for the live performance platform.
Watch the official “Feels Like Love” music video below.
The wait is finally over: Playboi Carti has released his long-awaited third studio album, I Am Music on Friday (March 14) via AWGE and Interscope Records. Spotify has been assisting with the album rollout over the last month by putting up billboards around major cities such as Los Angeles, New York City and Miami that […]