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After winning her first Grammy and being named Billboard‘s Woman of the Year for 2025, Doechii is adding another piece of awards hardware to her shelf after Thursday night (March 27).
Doechii took home the GLAAD Media Award for outstanding music artist at the non-profit organization’s ceremony. Presented the award by former GLAAD Award recipients Lil Nas X and Maren Morris, Doechii took to the stage to express her delight.
“I am thrilled at being recognized with such a prestigious award by GLAAD and to be joining prior honorees such as Renee [Rapp], Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Sam Smith and Janelle Monáe,” she said. “This is a huge and special moment as well because GLAAD is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, which is super fab.”
As she continued, laying out the organization’s principles of “acceptance, inclusiveness and empowerment,” Doechii took a moment to reflect on where we are in this politically charged moment for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Those are the same things I strongly believe in and advocate for and that continue to propel me forward — especially now that hard-won cultural change and rights for transgender people and the LGBTQ community have been threatened,” she said. “And I am disgusted. Disgusted. But I want to say that we are here and we are not going anywhere.”
In closing her speech, Doechii gave a special callout to up-and-coming queer artists in the audience, offering them some sage advice: “[Do] not let anyone ever block your dreams … I just want to encourage you guys to stay connected with one another. Stay passionate. Stay focused. Keep your chin up. Be kind, and be fab!”
Doechii was far from the only winner at Thursday’s ceremony. Rising R&B star Durand Burnarr took home a trophy for outstanding breakthrough music artist during the ceremony, while Cynthia Erivo was honored with the organization’s Stephen F. Kolzak award for her work in raising visibility for queer people in 2024 and beyond.
“I know this event is to celebrate the work and I am endlessly grateful for that honor and for this celebration, but the real work is making the ground we leave in our wake level enough for the next person who finds their way to the path we have made,” the Wicked actress said in her speech. “For the person who is searching and searching and has not found it yet. This room is full of people who can and will … be lanterns to light up your journey and your path on your way to showing the world who you are.”
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Lil Durk is currently embroiled in a legal matter involving an alleged murder for hire plot involving rival Quando Rondo. While behind bars, Lil Durk released his ninth studio album, Deep Thoughts, and the early reactions are in on X.
Lil Durk, 32, announced the release of Deep Thoughts on social media and left a message for his fans, along with sharing the album covers and images of the Chicago rapper at work.
From Instagram:
I WASN’T GON PUT THIS OUT BUT THEN I REMEMBERED THE STREETS NEED THIS.
NOT BEING OUTSIDE WITH Y’ALL WHEN I DROP IS HARD, BUT I KNOW I WILL FEEL Y’ALL LOVE AND ENERGY THROUGH THESE WALLS
THANK Y’ALL FOR ROCKING WITH ME THROUGH EVERYTHING. I TELL THESE STORIES SO OUR VOICE IS NEVER LOST. I’M COMING HOME SOON STRONGER THAN EVER. INSHALLAH, THE VOICE
LOVE, DURK
Deep Thoughts only has four features, with Future showing up on “They Want To Be You” and Lil Baby delivering a verse on “1000 Times.” On “Cant Hide It,” Jhené Aiko delivers vocals, and lastly, Hunxho appears on “Late Checkout.”
Much of the album finds “The Voice” in a reflective space, especially on the opener “Shaking When I Pray,” which features the artist born Durk Banks praying in Arabic. The common themes of his back against the wall, eclipsing his meager beginnings, and speaking directly to his detractors are present throughout Deep Thoughts. However, it is an extension of the rhythmic comfortability Lil Durk displayed on his 2023 album, Almost Healed.
On X, formerly Twitter, we’ve scoured the site and got the best reactions to the album we could find. Find those replies below.
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Photo: Prince Williams / Getty
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A bizarre and unsettling video surfaced last month showing two unidentified men dropping off a coffin outside DJ Khaled’s Miami home.
The casket was marked with the words “R.I.P Drake,” instantly sparking speculation about its meaning and intent. The footage, captured by security cameras, shows the men engaging in a strange ritual after leaving the coffin. They kneel beside it, seemingly praying or possibly casting a hex, while making cryptic hand gestures toward the sky. The security guard on duty appears visibly confused, unsure of how to respond to the eerie scene.
When Kendrick Lamar dropped “Not Like Us,” a lot of fans started rocking with him over Drake, and that’s when the “Drake hate” really kicked off.
Strangely, DJ Khaled wasn’t the only one to receive such a chilling delivery. Just two days earlier, rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine had a nearly identical experience at his Florida home. In his case, the coffin was labeled “R.I.P King Von,” referencing the late Chicago rapper who was fatally shot in 2020. The eerie coincidences have fueled numerous conspiracy theories, with some suggesting the acts were meant as intimidation tactics or a form of ritualistic symbolism.
Nobody knows who’s behind these creepy acts, and no one’s explained why they’re happening. Some people think it might just be a weird publicity stunt, while others are worried it could mean something darker. The authorities haven’t said anything yet, leaving fans and the hip-hop community wondering who’s doing this and what message they’re trying to send.
Elbows up for 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.
Universal Music Canada promoted Amanda Kingsland to vp of A&R, co-leading the company’s A&R efforts with Shawn Marino, the vp of A&R operations. Together, they’ll lead UMC’s A&R teams — located in both Toronto and Montreal — to sign, develop, and break new Canadian artists. Kingsland, who joined UMC in 2021, revitalized the country music roster and multiple projects. Marino, a 30-year industry veteran, oversees 80A Studios, the label’s multi-room recording space, and The Academy, UMC’s event space. UMC’s artists include Josh Ross, Sofia Camara, Mae Martin, Owen Riegling and thiarajxtt, alongside recent signings AP Dhillon, Lindsay Ell, James Barker Band, Sebastian Gaskin, and TyriqueorDie. Julie Adam, president and CEO, praised Kingsland and Marino’s leadership, emphasizing their role in investing in artistic voices. “Music – and the artists who create it – are our driving force,” she said. “We focus our hustle, passion, care, creativity, and abundance of forward-thinking ideas on helping the artists we work with achieve personal, artistic, and commercial success. And at the centre of our mission to sign, develop, and break artists is our industry-leading A&R team.”
Hopeless Records announced key hires and promotions as it cements its position in the indie music industry. Ian Harrison is promoted to executive vp, focusing on business development and global growth. Erin Choi becomes general manager, overseeing global marketing and promotions after nearly two decades with the label. Christina Johns steps up as vp of operations, while Nonafaye Williams advances to senior director of product management. New additions include Jen Darmafall as director of marketing and Rheanna ‘Caedance’ Lauren as program director of the Hopeless Music Academy, which offers music education to under-resourced youth in Los Angeles. Founder Louis Posen praised the leadership team — Harrison, Choi, Johns, CFO Al Person, and evp of A&R Eric Tobin — as a passionate, “caring and talented executive team.” He also emphasized the label’s commitment to artist development, highlighting the Academy’s launch as a dream realized.
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Universal Music Greater China appointed Vivian Xu as chief operating officer, effective immediately. Based in Beijing, Xu will report directly to Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO. In her new role, she’ll collaborate with the senior leadership team to oversee daily operations and identify market expansion opportunities. Xu brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Columbia China, Sony Music Entertainment China, Motorola Solutions, Sony Ericsson and Schneider Electric China. Xu’s appointment is expected to enhance UMGC’s capabilities and strengthen its position in the Chinese music market. UMGC represents a diverse artist roster, including Li Nong Chen, Sunnee, Tanya Chua and Guo Ding. It has also partnered with Modern Sky, which features acts like New Pants and Tizzy T. Timothy Xu and Adam Granite, executive vp market development at UMG, praised her strategic insights and operational expertise.
MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports — friends call-em “the MSG family of companies” — appointed Doug Jossem as executive vp, global sports and entertainment partnerships. Reporting to Jamaal Lesane, chief operating officer of MSG Sports, Jossem will lead global partnership initiatives across MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment while supporting sales for MSG Networks. Jossem brings over 20 years of experience in media, advertising, and management, previously leading Walmart Connect’s largest business unit and holding key roles at Twitter, Vice, Comedy Central and CNN. Lesane highlighted MSG’s topline brands, expressing confidence in Jossem’s ability to create “innovative solutions that leverage the full depth and breadth of our portfolio to create unique platforms and unrivaled exposure for our partners.”
Nathaniel Brown, former PR head at Warner Bros. Discovery, joined TikTok as global head of corporate communications, reporting to Zenia Mucha. Based in New York, Brown previously held roles at 21st Century Fox, MTV Networks and SiriusXM. At Discovery, he managed PR during the 2022 merger and controversial decisions like shelving projects for tax write-offs. Brown left the company in January 2024. Now at TikTok, he faces significant challenges, including a potential U.S. ban on the app, set for April 5, after President Trump delayed the law earlier this year.
Candice Watkins, senior vp of marketing at Big Loud Records and a fixture on various Billboard power lists, confirmed she is leaving the Nashville label after a six-and-a-half year run. Prior to joining BLR, the USC alum clocked a couple years as senior director of marketing and artist development at Universal Music Group. The news was first covered by HITS, which reported “big plans on the horizon” for the executive.
Red Street Records hired Jason McArthur as the label’s vice president of Christian A&R and publishing, to lead in developing and expanding the roster of Christian artists and songwriters at Red Street Records and Red Street Publishing. McArthur will oversee the label’s Christian roster, including Jason Crabb, Consumed By Fire, Cade Thompson and Iveth Luna, in addition to songwriters Brian White, the Ward Brothers and Crabb. McArthur previously served as vp of A&R at Sony Music Entertainment’s Provident Entertainment. –Jessica Nicholson
ATC Management expanded its U.S. team with new managers Dev Crawford and Jay Saunders. Based in Los Angeles, Crawford represents rapper Earl Sweatshirt and singer-songwriter Fana Hues, bringing extensive experience in hip-hop and R&B, including tour management for Snoh Aalegra and NxWorries. Saunders will lead ATC’s Nashville expansion, specializing in Americana, folk and all things roots. He previously worked with Marty Diamond and Mark Williams at Concord and now represents artists like John Vincent III and Kacy Hill. Both managers will continue signing new clients, joining a roster that includes Nick Cave, PJ Harvey and The Smile. They’ll work closely with Jackson Perry, head of management in North America, and can be reached at dev@atcmanagement.com and jay@atcmanagement.com.
Warner Music France launched Adore Music, a dance label led by Romain Pasquier, a 17-year WMG veteran. The label aims to showcase both emerging and established dance artists, leveraging Warner Music’s global resources to support talent in France and beyond. Pasquier, the managing director who’ll keep his senior role at label and artist services division WEA, is committed to honoring France’s electronic music legacy while nurturing the next generation. He is joined by Adrien Morin-Guardia, A&R and head of marketing, and Nicolas Klersky, A&R. Adore Music’s first release, “Need You the Most” by house duo Ofenbach, debuted on March 21. Parlez-vous français? Check out Billboard France‘s story on the launch.
Infamous promoted Jelani Wright to vp of festivals & events for North America. In his new role, Wright will oversee creator and publicity campaigns for North American music festivals, including CRSSD Festival, Lightning in a Bottle and its producer Do Lab, HARD Summer, Hangout Festival, Sand In My Boots, ARC Festival, Splash House, M3F Festival, and Electric Forest. Wright will also handle campaigns for international festivals including Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, Montreal’s Igloofest and Turin’s KappaFutur Festival. Wright started at Infamous as a publicist in the festival division in 2020 after graduating from the agency’s Fellowship program, an initiative that helps BIPOC candidates break into the music industry. Wright will report to Infamous COO Maxfield Frieser, who says that “Jelani’s passion, leadership, and innovative approach to earned media have been instrumental in evolving our festival campaigns and helping grow the division.” –Katie Bain
“Single White Female” singer-songwriter Chely Wright announced her new role as senior vp of corporate social responsibility and new market growth at facilities management firm ISS. She’ll drive impact by fostering client and community partnerships and empowering ISS’ 320,000+ employees. Wright’s initiatives will strengthen client relationships and celebrate internal culture, focusing on partnerships that unite corporate entities and community organizations. Wright was the first country artist to come out as gay in 2010 — read about her career transition in Stephen Daw’s new profile.
NASHVILLE NOTES: Matthew Miller, a veteran country music manager, joined talent agency The Familie, bringing artists William Beckmann and LEW. With 20-plus years of experience at WME, Red Light and more, Miller praised The Familie’s collaborative culture, while evp Royce Risser highlighted his expertise and artist-focused management approach … Monti Smith joined King Pen Music as creative coordinator after interning at the publishing company. He will work closely with CEO Kelly King and Amanda Roach, creative manager.
Brandon Holman joined Amber Health to lead industry relations. Previously, he was vp of marketing and wellness at Guin Records and co-founded The Lazuli Collective, an experiential wellness agency. Earlier in his career, Holman made stops at UnitedMasters and TikTok in various marketing and label partnerships roles. Amber Health, established in 2020, styles itself as the only full-service mental health and wellness solution for the music industry, focusing on supporting artists, tours, events and music companies. In 2023, Holman penned a guest column on how Guin prioritizes artists’ well-being, empowering them to create and share their music in a sustainable way.
The Circuit Group formed a joint venture with James Ahearn, founder of Buena Artists & Projects, to expand its global artist management team. Ahearn brings his roster, including Sparrow & Barbossa, Two Friends and Stevie Appleton/Collect 200. Ahearn praised The Circuit Group’s innovative approach and expressed excitement about launching his own division within the company. Dean Wilson, CEO of The Circuit Group, highlighted Ahearn’s impressive track record in artist management, adding, “his ability to identify and develop artists, foster impactful partnerships and navigate both the major label system and independent space makes him a perfect fit.”
Viamedia, the independent digital and linear advertising rep firm, acquired digital advertising company LocalFactor. LocalFactor’s founder and CEO, Evan Rutchik, will become Viamedia’s president and chief strategy officer, reporting to CEO David Solomon. Rutchik will drive Viamedia’s strategic vision, oversee LocalFactor’s operations, and join Viamedia’s board.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Billboard welcomed Delisa Shannon as its new shortform content director. She joined from Rolling Stone and started this week in the New York office. Also, new staff writer Mackenzie Cummings-Grady will officially join the team on April 1, based in NYC … The Hollywood Reporter made three key editorial changes: Beatrice Verhoeven dropped the “deputy” from her title and is now “just” awards editor, longtime contributor Brande Victorian joined as the deputy awards editor, and senior awards editor Steven Zeitchik is now senior editor of technology and politics.
ICYMI:
Fernando Cabral
Fernando Cabral de Mello was appointed CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Brazil as part of a new organizational structure … Avex appointed S10 founder Brandon Silverstein as CEO of its new Avex Music Group to enhance its U.S. presence and promote Avex artists globally … and longtime music manager Andrew Goldstone joined the team at Milk & Honey as head of electronic music. [Keep Reading]
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British singer Duffy has been off-the-radar for much of the past decade after revealing in 2020 that she was the victim of a terrifying assault and kidnapping in 2015. The Grammy winner took her latest tentative step back into the spotlight this week when she made a brief cameo in a TikTok video posted by […]
Buoyed by the meteoric rise and popularity of Latin music, Billboard is expanding its Latin chart offerings with four new 25-position genre rankings, which — effective with the lists dated April 12 (to post on Billboard.com Tuesday, April 8) — will employ the same model as the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Latin Songs chart.
The new Hot Latin Songs sub-genre charts — Hot Latin Pop Songs, Hot Regional Mexican Songs, Hot Latin Rhythm Songs and Hot Tropical Songs — aim to recognize the achievements of Latin artists based on today’s consumption methods: across audio and video streaming platforms, at radio and via purchased tracks in the U.S., with data according to tracker Luminate.
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“We are thrilled to see these sub-genre charts become a reality,” says Salomon Palacios III, Universal Music Latino svp marketing and artist strategy. “The implementation of these charts continues to demonstrate the growth of Latin music and all of its diverse sub-genres and, as a result, a need to have additional charts beyond Hot Latin Songs. These sub-genre charts provide additional spaces to highlight the successes of more emerging artists from different Latin sub-genres, allowing these artists more opportunities to reach new achievements and enrich their narratives, storytelling and overall awareness.”
The new charts will also serve as a complement to the continuing airplay and album rankings for Latin pop, regional Mexican, Latin rhythm and tropical.
Here’s a recap of all Billboard Latin charts (all updated weekly on Billboard.com), in order of their premiere dates:
Launch Date, ChartJune 29, 1985, Latin Pop Albums, Regional Mexican Albums, Tropical AlbumsSept. 6, 1986, Hot Latin SongsJuly 10, 1993, Top Latin AlbumsOct. 8, 1994, Latin Pop Airplay, Regional Mexican Airplay, Tropical AirplayNov. 12, 1994, Latin AirplayMay 21, 2005, Latin Rhythm AlbumsAug. 13, 2005, Latin Rhythm AirplayJan. 23, 2010, Latin Digital Song SalesApril 20, 2013, Latin Streaming SongsApril 12, 2025, Hot Latin Pop Songs, Hot Regional Mexican Songs, Hot Latin Rhythm Songs, Hot Tropical Songs
It’s been 20 years since Ding Dong’s “Badman Forward Badman Pull Up” became an ocean-crossing, generational anthem for dancers and revelers — and the man behind the iconic track is finally unleashing his debut studio album.
Billboard can exclusively reveal that, on May 5, Ding Dong (born Kemar Ottey) will release From Ding Dong to the World, an album he promises will be a breath of fresh air for the dancehall scene. Featuring production contributions from Ricky Blaze, Khalfani, Felva, Dunwell, and Black Spyda — who mixed and mastered the entire project — From Ding Dong to the World will also house collaborations with scores of dancehall superstars, including Skeng, Skillibeng, Stalk Ashley, Govana, Afro B, Popeye Caution, Vanessa Bling and Grammy-nominated rap icon Busta Rhymes. Fans can pre-save the album here.
At a succinct 13 tracks, Ding Dong’s new album aims to place him in the pantheon of dancehall greats, several of which he names as inspiration, like Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and Sean Paul, whose 2002 “Gimme the Light” music video he cites as one of the most important moments of dancehall’s dance culture being highlighted on a global scale.
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“This album is the evolution of Ding Dong,” the dancer-turned-recording artist declares. “I want to show people that I am a rounded artist, not just a dancer. This style of dancehall hasn’t been done on an album in a long time. I never knew the difficulties and the challenges of doing an album. It’s not a simple thing to get [samples] cleared, so I think the time is now. I am always current. It’s God’s will!”
Ding Dong finished the album last year, but sample clearances cosmically delayed the album release timeline to coincide with the 20-year anniversary of “Badman Forward.” One of those samples was Kris Kross’ “Jump,” which Ding Dong lifts for his new Kaka Highflames and Skeng-assisted single, “Street Jump.” Serving as the set’s lead single, “Street Jump” transposes the audacious energy of Kris Kross’ 1992 Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper into a floor-quaking dancehall banger that plays on Skeng’s own penchant for leaping into the sky during his live performances. The new single arrived alongside its official music video on Thursday (March 27).
“Kris Kross was one of the artists I really messed with growing up,” explains Ding Dong. “I remember when Khalfani did the riddim and I walked in the studio and he played it – without thinking, the first thing I did was [start rapping “Jump”] over the riddim. I recorded that right away, and then mi seh, “I haffi get Skeng pon di song.”
And he did. On a clip shared to his official Instagram page — which has amassed nearly 200,000 views — Ding Dong plays the “Street Jump” riddim for Skeng as he characteristically vaults into the air because the beat moved him so much. It’s similar to what happens when a DJ drops “BadMan Forward” at a function, people simply feel compelled to move. Playing on the legacy and timelessness of “Badman Forward,” Ding Dong also included a bombastic remix of the classic featuring new-age dancehall giant Skillibeng.
“’BadMan Forward’ is the first song I recorded. If you notice, there are no verses, I just wanted to buss a dance, not a song. The version that you hear is the demo version, it’s not mixed,” reveals Ding Dong. “At the time, the willie bounce was everything but I realized di people dem wan change. So I made the song with the dance to make my mark as a dancer. When I chose the name of the song, I was told it was too long. Mi seh mi nah change it. If you wan mek change inna your life, you have to do things differently. It started in Jamaica, went to England, and then New York. The energy, the kick of the riddim and the dance itself made the song a staple within so many generations.”
Watch the official “Street Jump” music video below.