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When Juan Gabriel released his debut album El Alma Joven (1971) — which included the hit “No Tengo Dinero” — and received his first paycheck, the iconic Mexican singer-songwriter bought a house for his mother and gifted himself a Super 8 camera to meticulously document his life on and off stage. Years later, that vast video archive became the foundation for a documentary narrated in his own voice.
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In Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, I Will (Juan Gabriel: Debo, Puedo y Quiero), a four-episode docuseries available on Netflix starting Thursday (Oct. 30), the artists also known as the “Divo de Juárez” is showcased like his audience has never seen before: through his own lens and from his intimate perspective. This was made possible thanks to access granted to documentary filmmaker María José Cuevas to hundreds of tapes recorded by the artist himself from the 1970s until shortly before his death in August 2016.
“What makes this project unique is being immersed in the two personas: the private and the public figure,” Cuevas tells Billboard Español in an interview in Mexico City. “Juan Gabriel was music. Alberto Aguilera Valadez (his real name) was his pause.”
Cuevas explains that she relied on hundreds of home videos, concert recordings, family scenes, and intimate moments that had been stored in a warehouse for over 40 years. But the sheer volume of material — “all filmed by him and for him,” she emphasizes — became the project’s main challenge for the filmmaker, producers Laura Woldenberg and Ivonne Gutiérrez, and their team.
“Any cassette could hold a gem. There were tapes in 8 mm format, VHS, everything,” Gutiérrez recounts. “We had thousands of photos, many audio and video files, but the story was crafted by Juan Gabriel with the recordings he left behind.”
The series title comes from a newspaper headline after his first concert at the iconic Palacio de Bellas Artes in 1990, a performance that sparked great controversy due to criticism of his desire to perform at Mexico’s most prestigious cultural venue as a popular artist. This chapter in the great singer-songwriter’s life is one of the most symbolic moments in the documentary. The phrase is also included in his song “Debo Hacerlo.”
Juan Gabriel in Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, I Will
Netflix
That very first concert in 1990 — one of three Juan Gabriel performed at the Palacio de Bellas Artes throughout his career — will be screened at the Zócalo in Mexico City, the country’s main public square, on Nov. 8 as part of the promotion for Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, I Will. Thousands of attendees are expected, much like in Sept. 2024, when a projection of his 2013 show drew 70,000 people.
For Cuevas, who also directed the 2016 documentary Bellas de Noche, about legendary Mexican vedettes, the incredible aspect of Juanga’s docuseries is the timeline of his story in video, which allows the viewer to witness the journey from beginning to end. “To understand the public persona, the idol, you first have to know Alberto,” the filmmaker explains. “That story is in his songs. Alberto is the songwriter, but Juan Gabriel is the performer.”
Juan Gabriel, known internationally for classics like “Querida” and “Amor Eterno,” died on August 28, 2016, at his home in Santa Monica, California, of natural causes, in the middle of a concert tour. He was 66.
Inducted into the Billboard Hall of Fame in 1996, he built a legacy as a multifaceted artist over more than four decades, recording songs in genres as diverse as ranchera, ballad, pop, and bolero, and producing for other artists. Among his many achievements, he sold over 150 million records, wrote more than 1,800 songs, released 34 studio albums, was nominated for six Grammy Awards, won three posthumous Latin Grammys, and saw more than 20 of his hits reach the top 10 on the Billboard charts, including seven No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs. His hit “Yo No Sé Qué Me Pasó” inaugurated the first edition of that chart in 1986, at No. 1.
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New York voters will go to the polls on Tuesday (Nov. 4) to pick a new mayor, and in at least one late-breaking survey, leading contender Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani is on top again when it comes to his knowledge of iconic New York musicians. The democratic nominee who is facing off against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, popped in to the Track Star podcast this week to test his music IQ with host Jack Coyne, and the results were an across-the-board sweep.
Well, except for one legendary Long Island-based songwriter whose music Mamdani was surprisingly unfamiliar with.
Coyne started with a layup, with Mamdani smiling as he instantly identified Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ 2009 classic “Empire State of Mind.” Coyne suggested that his music test was “more important” than running for mayor, with Mamdani joking that despite his double-digit lead at press time, he feared he was “about to lose the race” if he blew the quiz.
He aced the next one as well, singing along to the chorus of the Strokes’ 2001 classic “Someday,” and casually dropping that his pal, band singer Julian Casablancas, is a “great guy,” who, despite working in a “pretty dirty” profession is a “straightforward, sincere, nice” person.
And you know track three was no worry, since it was his own song with HAB, “#1 Spice,” released under his nom de rap “Young Cardamom,” in 2016. If having a candidate who has dropped bars didn’t already make you feel old, the 34-year-old aspiring city leader said he recorded his first verses for an AP Lit class in high school before a friend from his native Uganda hit him up to record the track that he later heard a different politician using to hype his own campaign.
Within seconds, Mamdani blew a kiss to indicate that he knew Coyne was rocking Yonkers MC Jadakiss’ 2001 single “We Gonna Make It,” with the candidate revealing that his dream walk-on music is Ja Rule and Jada’s 2004 anthem “New York.”
He ran the board on the next three, correctly bagging the Beastie Boys’ party starter anthem “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”, grooving to the “incredible” Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” and bobbing his head to Queens’ own Mobb Deep and their 1995 single, “Survival of the Fittest.”
“M-O-B-B-D-E-E-P,” Mamdani chanted.
And then things went off the rails.
As the legendary piano intro to Long Island legend Billy Joel’s 1976 homage to his home, “New York State of Mind,” played over his headphones Mamdani had to get real. “You know, as a politician it’s important to be honest,” he said as Coyne tried to help out by noting that the musician plays piano and is, as we said, from Long Island.
Nothing.
“That’s not on your go-to playlist?,” Coyne asked. “Got to be honest, no,” Mamdani said, hoping that his fellow New Yorker’s won’t ding him for not knowing the track from the artist who holds the record for the most shows by an act at Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden at 150.
Mamdani proved his music bona fides last week as well, when he popped up for a surprise cameo on Friday (Oct. 24) at PinkPantheress’ Brooklyn show at the Kings Theater. When the camera cut to him in the audience, he flashed the get out the vote message, “Our Time Has Come Vote Nov 4,” which was scrawled across his hands.
Watch Mamdani on the Track Star show here.
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Karol G made her debut on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Thursday (Oct. 30), where she talked about her latest career milestones including performing with Andrea Bocelli at the Vatican, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and soon becoming the first Latina to headline Coachella.
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“When [Bocelli] invited me, I said no, because I was super nervous,” Karol admitted to Hudson. “It’s the Vatican, we’re going to sing in La Plaza San Pedro, I’m going to perform for a lot of people and with Andrea Bocelli. I don’t know if I’m ready, and I was doing a lot of stuff at the same time, so maybe it wasn’t the moment to do this? So, I said no. My mom got crazy, [and said], ‘How is this possible? Karol, this is an opportunity that you have every 25 years, because the jubilee is every 25 years.’ So I was like, ‘OMG that’s true, so maybe the opportunity came to me because I’m ready. I’m actually ready.’”
Karol ultimately joined the iconic Italian tenor for a performance of “Vivo Por Ella” at the Grace for the World concert that took place in Vatican City in September.
Weeks later, the Colombian superstar was strutting the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October.
“I grew up watching the show and living the fantasy,” she said. “ I never thought I would be able to be there, with my shape, my curves, the music that I do in Spanish, but actually, I was there. The first thing I thought about when creating the show was the wings and then the performance. I was like, ‘Can I have the wings?’ because if I’m going to be, like, a Victoria Secret Angel, I need my wings. It was amazing … the moment of the show was the runway. I loved the runway. I was having so much fun.”
Next Spring, the “Provenza” singer will headline the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. She told Hudson: “I have a mantra in my life: You don’t lose the opportunity because you’re not ready. You get ready and you take that opportunity.”
Watch the interview clips below:
Billboard’s Live Music Summit will be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 3. For tickets and more information, visit the event’s website.
This article was created in partnership with BetterHelp.
Noah Cyrus has always been open and vulnerable when it comes to her mental health. It’s a through line in her art. Billboard and BetterHelp teamed up to bring viewers an exclusive interview with Cyrus at one of the best moments of her life, personally and professionally. We chatted with Noah, before the Brooklyn stop of her I Want My Loved Ones to Come with Me Tour, about her feelings around her new album, this stage of her life, and the importance of therapy.
When describing her latest album, Noah said “This album is much more about transitioning and moving forward and it being more of a comforting release, rather than something painful that you’re walking away from.” Which is completely fitting for this stage of her life. She released a critically acclaimed album with “I Want My Loved Ones to Come with Me,” toured North America, played the Grand Ole Opry, and announced she’ll be performing at StageCoach 2026. On top of that, she’s found the love of her life in fiancé, Pinkus.
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Getting to this point had its ups and downs but through therapy, she’s wound up on top. Noah described her lowest point at around 20 years old, when she was addicted to downers. “I had recently lost my grandmother at the time, and it just felt like I had pushed myself so far away from my family and my mom, who I’m so close with and I had really just gotten myself in such a dark place and I felt so alone.” That is when she reached out to her therapist and said she started to be honest with them.
After coming up with a plan to treat her addiction and unpack all the layers of trauma that she had accumulated, Noah said the first six months were really difficult but after a year she really started to see a change in herself. But to this day she says she’ll still get triggered by things. “Living with somebody, opened my eyes up to a lot more that I wanted to work on with myself.” Noah says moving in with her fiancé opened her eyes to what else she could achieve through therapy. It made her think “How do I coexist with this person and how do I not let my past traumas get in and hurt this person or fracture this relationship? Because that was the last thing I wanted.”
Cate Groubert for Billboard
While thinking about her journey with therapy, Cyrus believes it isn’t something you work on for a few weeks or months, but a long process that takes time. With time, it made her day-to-day life better. “It helped me just enjoy life more. When I really started to take therapy seriously, after my addiction, I did not want to be alive. I did not have any feelings or connection to life and what it feels like to live.” During our interview, she got emotional saying “When I look back on it, I think about how I didn’t know at the time that I would be at a place where I am standing here now in an interview like this being able to talk about my success in getting healthier.”
In this moment, Noah says she can enjoy the success of her new album, her tour, her engagement, and looks forward to the future where she can start a family and become a mother. “I feel so lucky to have the resources of therapy and recovery treatment and being able to discover this side of myself that actually does love myself and does want myself to live and be happy and have a life to feels fulfilled.”
Cate Groubert for Billboard
By sharing her story, Noah is helping her fans see the opportunities that come from therapy. “My one hope for anyone that’s feeling lost with that is that therapy can bring that to them. And that therapy really did, it like completely saved my life.” Cyrus ended our interview with a message to viewers who may be afraid to start therapy, saying “Just giving it that one try and getting your foot in the door even if it doesn’t work for you, I encourage it because of how much I can just sit here and say from my personal experience how much it helped, and changed, and saved my life in so many ways.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, BetterHelp can help you take that first step. Learn more at betterhelp.com/tunedin
Hyeonbin, Yeonwoo, Yoon, Siyun, and Jinhyuk
Image Credit: Kim MinSeok
YEONWOO
You trained for seven years at CUBE entertainment. Known as the team’s “all-rounder” for your performance and vocal skills, your hard work really shows. What did you learn from the experience as a trainee?
I think I naturally picked up not just dance and singing, but also other skills like speaking and languages. All of that has helped me, especially on stage, where every detail matters.
A debut showcase must have been an emotional moment for you.
It was the moment of reaping seven years of effort and taking a new leap forward, so the excitement was unforgettable. I’ve faced many nerve-wracking stages since, but that one felt like my heart was literally going to jump out of my chest (laughs).
The title track of NOWZs EP IGNITION, released this July, “EVERGLOW,” is about running toward the light even in darkness. How did your pre-debut experiences shape you?
As a trainee, you’re always in a position where growth is necessary. There were times of improvement, but also moments that I’d call failures. Looking back, I think I learned the most from those failures. That goes for skills, but also for relationships. You really can’t know anything without experiencing it, and every experience ends up being important.
As a member of NOWZ, what do you feel you do best?
I’d say keeping the group’s performance in sync. I tend to dive deeply into things, so I notice a lot of details. I also watch the stage as a whole and often suggest ways to make it look even better.
How would you define NOWZ’s current identity?
With “EVERGLOW,” we tried to convey the message that even painful moments eventually shine. We’ve all felt the struggles of growing up and the uncertainties about the future, so we could put genuine emotion into that. On stage, it feels like we’re showing our true selves. We often talk about NOWZ’s ‘color’ as a group, but it’s still something we’re discovering. What’s certain is that we want to share stories that resonate with people our age, offering empathy and comfort to those watching. Hearing that someone felt comforted through our performances is incredibly motivating.
You mentioned energy, but that you were also comforted by BTS’s music during your trainee years. Is there anything that’s inspired you recently?
I recently saw a video from Travis Scott’s concert where the fans jumped so energetically that it created vibrations like an earthquake. I started thinking about what it must feel like to be on a stage like that, and what it is that makes people go so wild with excitement.
Having spent years at CUBE’s office building, you must know it better than most. Can you share a little?
There’s nothing really secret, but the building has about 15 vocal rooms and 5 dance studios. Recently, NOWZ even got our own floor! Before debut, I used to be a little intimidated by the fourth floor — that’s where we were evaluated by the performance director every Friday. Now, I feel completely comfortable going there (laughs).
At this point, what do you enjoy the most?
Nothing compares to being on stage. I’ve been chasing the dream of standing on stage for so long, and it’s where I feel most alive. Moving and singing on stage brings me the greatest joy and makes me feel truly fulfilled.
NOWZ have performed covers of Stray Kids’ “Back Door” and “MANIAC”, as well as NCT U’s “Seventh Sense”. What do you focus on when doing cover stages?
For “MANIAC” at KCON LA, we wanted a song that could match the energy of the local audience, and that’s what we chose. Stray Kids are incredibly energetic, and performing on stage while feeling that energy made it one of the most memorable stages for me. Watching other artists’ performances always inspires me — seeing different music and styles makes me realize just how wide the world is.
Do you have something you do just for yourself?
I recently started enjoying biking. From our company in Seongsu-dong to the Jamsu Bridge, it’s a decent distance, but biking makes it quick. I love riding while listening to music. I also enjoy gaming, of course. And, honestly, the little happiness of lying in bed after everything and feeling the coolness of the blanket — that’s pure bliss.
What comes to mind first when you think of ‘Billboard’?
BTS! I’ve always admired them, and seeing their Billboard records made me imagine a bigger world. It also reminds me of my trainee days when the company told us to check the Billboard charts to understand global music trends.
As K-pop reaches audiences all over the world, what’s a dream you hope to achieve?
It’s always amazing to see people doing ‘dance challenges’ with our songs. One day, I’d love to hear someone singing our music casually while walking down the street. I’ve seen moments like that in BTS’s overseas vlogs, and while it may be routine for them, I can’t help but imagine how incredible it would feel for us to experience that too.
What does music mean to you right now?
Music feels like the ocean. I’ve explored some parts of it, but there’s still so much to discover. I’m curious about the things I haven’t experienced yet. I want to dive into broader genres and keep exploring the depths of music.
SIYUN
Your first EP IGNITION has been described as showcasing NOWZ’s new identity. Aside from the title track “EVERGLOW”, is there another track you’re particularly proud of?
Definitely “Problem Child”. The concept itself felt fresh and fun to me. I remember writing the lyrics excitedly while waiting in the car on set during the music video shoot.
You’ve been working closely with member JINHYUK, who’s also born in 2004. How do your studio sessions usually go?
Usually, late at night, I listen to the beat and think, “This could work — let’s try this together,” and I’ll take JINHYUK to the studio(laughs). Sometimes we try writing in our dorm first, then go back to the studio to record. Other times, we just head straight to the studio and start working. Since we’re both rappers, a lot of our work is collaborative.
And he follows along willingly?
Honestly, I need JINHYUK! I’ve learned so much from JINHYUK. I used to work really slowly — sometimes it took me a week just to write four bars. Thanks to him, I can put something together relatively quickly now.
What joy do you get from participating in the songwriting process yourself?
I know my pronunciation, tone, and flow better than anyone. So if I want to show my style at 100%, it’s better for me to be directly involved. Of course, there’s also the pride I feel when people like the songs I’ve worked on. That’s really rewarding.
Once you described yourself as “someone who can do anything.” Do you feel the same way now?
Absolutely. I feel like I’m constantly proving myself. When I first started as a trainee at 17, my dancing and singing were really clumsy. Looking back now, I can see how much I’ve grown — my speed in songwriting has improved, and my vocal parts have gotten stronger too. There have been many moments where I’ve realized, “OK, I can do this.”
What has motivated you to keep pushing yourself?
These days, so many people start training or debut at a very young age. Since I felt like I started a bit later, I think it pushed me to work even harder.
You’ve been active for a year and a half since debut. Do you see areas where you can have more fun or improve?
I’ve never once regretted choosing this path. Even the tough parts feel worthwhile because it’s a career that truly fits me. The best part, of course, is having our fans.
Are there performances by other artists that inspire or motivate you?
Watching NCT DREAM’s “We Go Up” performance is what made me dream of becoming a K-pop idol. After our debut, I saw their “Smoothie” stage on a music show, and it was truly overwhelming. That was the day I really thought, “Wow, this is the epitome of K-pop idol.”
Your cover of MARK’s “Fraktsiya (Feat. Lee Youngji)” with Jinhyuk hit 1 million views on YouTube. What do you focus on when performing a cover?
Rather than just copying the original, I focus on emphasizing the parts where we can showcase our own charm. For example, when preparing Stray Kids’ “MANIAC” for KCON LA, I tried adding elements that suited me better and worked with the members to refine the key choreography points. It’s all about making the performance feel like us.
If you return to LA, what would you like to enjoy more?
The U.S. is really the center of the music industry. While performing and doing interviews there were invaluable experiences, I’d love to go deeper into the culture — participating in a songwriting camp, taking dance classes at local studios, that kind of thing. I’m also studying English diligently.
As a Billboard K-pop rookie of the month, do you remember the first moment that you were aware of ‘Billboard’?
During my trainee years, I was told that checking the Billboard charts would help me study rap, so I started exploring them. Artists like Drake were often at the top back then, and I think that really helped me. Now, being on the Billboard chart as a K-pop artist has become one of my personal goals as well.
After a year and a half as a five-member team, is there a particular member whose charm you hope more people recognize?
A lot of my and JINHYUK’s work has been released, but HYEONBIN has also created some amazing tracks. And Yoon is probably the most variety-show-savvy member in our team — I hope people get to see that side of him too.
What does music mean to you right now?
Music is like food to me. Just as I can’t live without eating, music is something I absolutely need. And depending on which ingredients I use and how I technically cook them, the taste can vary greatly — that’s how I see creating music.
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Renaissance man Idris Elba has extended his exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group, continuing his multifaceted career as a songwriter, producer, musician, actor, director and DJ.
Known for his acting roles in The Wire and Luther, Elba has also starred in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Beasts of No Nation, Thor, Pacific Rim and the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Musically, Elba broke into the global scene with the hit “Boasty” (with Wiley, Stefflon Don and Sean Paul), and later collaborated on “Vroom” with The FaNaTiX, Lil TJay, Davido, Koffee and Moelego for Gran Turismo 7. He has released the collaborative EP Cordi Elba with Lime Cordiale and worked with labels such as Defected, Dirtybird and Ultra. In 2024, he launched Sound International, a global house label and live brand that has hosted showcases across London, Nairobi and at major festivals like Glastonbury and ADE.
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As a performer — often appearing as DJ Big Driis — Elba has played back-to-back with Kaskade at Coachella, headlined Glastonbury stages, and held summer residencies in Ibiza. He’s set to headline the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after performing at Silverstone earlier this year.
“Idris is the rare writer and musician that moves easily between genres and can great create songs in every possible way,” glowed David Gray, managing director of UMPG UK. “We are honoured to be working with him to continue to build his already impressive music career.”
Elba added that songwriting brings him “real joy — and having great people around only elevates the process.”
Check out the rest of this week’s publishing news below, including the 20th anniversary of SMP Poland, plus deals involving grunge knob-twister Rick Parashar, Maninho, Brandon Manley and more.
Nick Drake and Molly Drake (Blue Raincoat)
Image Credit: Victoria Waymouth/Courtesy of Estate
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Since making her major-label debut in April 2024, eill has enthralled countless people with her unparalleled voice and her overwhelming musical sensibilities. On Nov. 5, she will release her second EP, Action. This will be her first CD release in three and a half years, and the title track, “ACTION,” is the ending theme of the second arc (the Nerima Arc) of the TV anime TOUGEN ANKI: Legend of the Cursed Blood (airing on Nippon Television and affiliated stations). The EP contains a total of six songs, through which she expresses different aspects of her artistry.
She recently spoke with Billboard Japan at length about what went into the making of the album and about her upcoming [ACTION TOUR 2025-2026], which will begin in November.
On November 5, you’ll be releasing your second EP, ACTION, and the title track will be the ending theme to the TV anime TOUGEN ANKI: Legend of the Cursed Blood. I’m sure you watched the anime before writing the song. What was your mindset going into creating this song?
I’ve written several tie-up songs for animes before, and I’ve always made sure that I didn’t just make typical J-pop songs, but instead gave them some more musical depth. This time, I used some elements of new jack swing. I wanted to create a song born from the battle between dance and anime. I also listened to music from the new jack swing era and talked with other musicians to figure out what kind of synthesizer tone to go with.
Was that at the request of the anime producers?
There weren’t any requests, I just thought about what would fit the anime. There are battle scenes, so I didn’t want to make the song flat. Instead, I wanted there to be soft parts and powerful parts, to match the battle scenes. It was also important that listeners could get into the music and dance to it.
How did the name “ACTION” come to you?
I’d like to be able to say “I read the manga and the name just came to me,” but unfortunately, it was nothing like that (laughs). When I was working on the melody, recording a temporary vocal, my producer had left their mic on, and they let out a sneeze, which sounded kind of like “hakushon.” The completed song starts out with record scratching, and then someone saying “ACTION,” and the point where they say that is right where my producer sneezed. We were like “This is fire!” So that’s where “ACTION” came from.
I’ve got to say, I wasn’t expecting an origin story like that (laughs).
Right? (laughs) But it really does perfectly express this transition into the next era, so I think it’s a great title.
I bet you’re looking forward to seeing the reaction when the show starts airing. Now, about “last scene.” This is the theme song of season three of Love Transit (on Prime Video), and it’s the third theme song you’ve written. What was the writing process like?
Well, originally, I’d written a demo version of the song a long time ago, so I changed the arrangement a bit for Love Transit. I wanted to make it cinematic, so I added strings. Love Transit is the kind of show that viewers can get emotionally invested in, because they can see their own past or present romantic experiences reflected in it. So with “last scene.” My hope is that listeners will remember past loves as they listen to the song, and that they’ll listen to it after future heartbreaks, too. I wanted to make a song for people who were at a crossroads, or for a movie about people at a crossroads in their lives.
One thing I keep wondering is why you put the period at the end of the title.
I wanted to add my own personal touch (laughs). “last scene” by itself would just be so commonplace, so I decided to add a period at the end (laughs).
Another song on the EP is “what am i made for?” That’s a deep title. What led to the making of this song?
I just finished this song recently. Because of that, it might just be the song that best reflects where I am now. After having had different experiences, like solo shows, I wanted to sing a song about life. I’m not the kind of person that has lofty goals, so when I’m really busy, and I’m really working hard, I often think “What am I working so hard for?” The reason I work so hard has got to be something that’s in me, but I sometimes lose sight of it. I often find myself struggling to answer the question of why I’m making music. It’s not like I’m agonizing about it or anything. When I write a good song, or I put on a good live show, those worries all vanish. But if someone asks me “what kinds of things have you been worried about lately?” sometimes the answer is “Why am I making music?” So I expressed that through the lyrics to this song.
Moving on to “NEEMIA,” this is a bit of strange song. What does “NEEMIA” mean?
“NEEMIA” doesn’t mean anything. I wanted to repeat some word with no particular meaning, and I was like “neemia’s got a nice ring it, don’t you think?” I don’t even remember why I said “neemia.” In the temporary vocal track, I just sang “nya” for the lyrics, and that stuck. The world’s getting too complicated, so I was thinking that not everything has to have a meaning. That’s how I came up with the song.
That’s a very artistic sense of playfulness. It really clicks for me.
But the lyrics are packed with meaning, and the song has the same vibe as my music from my indie days. I think for people who know my music from back, it might feel a bit nostalgic.
Looking at the song selection, there’s a lot of variety on the EP. In November, you’re going to be starting a tour, [ACTION TOUR 2025-2026]. You’ll be playing in five cities in Asia, right?
Earlier, I talked about not being the kind of person with goals and dreams, but that said, one goal I have had, ever since I started performing as eill, has been to put on an Asian tour, so I’m really looking forward to it!
You’ll be visiting different countries, so there’ll lots of fun things to do, in addition to the shows.
So many. In Taipei, I want to do java sparrow fortunetelling. The birds tell your fortune by instinctively picking cards. I hear it’s really accurate. So I definitely want to do that, and then in Thailand I want to go to the night market. There’s also this artist I love named LUSS. They made a guest appearance on my last album, and I’d love it if they could come to a show and we could collaborate (laughs). I love Korea and I’ve been there several times. There are these places set up outside convenience stores where you can drink alcohol. They have paper cups and ramen machines, so I like to kick back with some Chamisul (a Korean liquor) and some Shin Ramyun. So I’ll definitely be doing that. In Shanghai, I want to get false eyelashes. In Chinese, false eyelashes are called “jiajiemao,” and I want to just go to a shop and buy jiajiemao to my heart’s content. I hear Hong Kong is really humid—so humid that the locks on people’s houses break. I always keep the humidity level in my house at 80%, for the sake of my voice, so I think Hong Kong will be perfect for me. I want to feel that humidity, so I’m looking forward to it!
They all sound fun. And, of course, you’re going to be touring Japan as well. How are you feeling, going into your first tour in a year?
My songs often express what I feel inside, but before reaching the level of the emotional content of my music, I want the audience to want to move their bodies and throw their hands up in the air. I want people to be more honest with themselves about their urges and desires. I hope that’s the kind of tour this will turn out to be.
I’m looking forward to it! In closing, what are your next goals, after finishing the Asian tour?
Right now, nothing specific. But throughout my life, I’ve kept pushing forward even though I didn’t have any specific goals. Recently, looking back on it, I’ve realized that I’ve led a really wonderful life. So I can’t just put a lid on my own weaknesses and worries. I mean, after all, these are emotions that only I can experience, right? If I take them head-on, I can change my own future. So I plan to cherish each and every day.
—This interview by Azusa Takahashi first appeared on Billboard Japan
Trending on Billboard Over the years, there’s been a fair bit of “paranormal” activity on the charts, with numerous creepy crawly tracks climbing their way up the Billboard Hot 100 at different points in time. Frequently, such songs are summoned to the charts when spooky season is at its peak, particularly perennial frightening favorites such […]
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Kenshi Yonezu’s “IRIS OUT” extends its run at No.1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for a sixth straight week, topping the chart dated Oct. 29.
The Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc theme leads four metrics this week: — downloads, streaming, video views, and karaoke. Downloads dipped 26% from the week before, but the song returns to No. 1 on the metric for the first time in three weeks. Radio airplay continued to build for a second week, rising to 127% of last week’s points.
Yonezu’s previous longest consecutive streak at No. 1 was the five-week run of “Lemon” in January 2019 (seven total weeks at the summit). With “IRIS OUT,” he now sets a new personal record for consecutive weeks at the top.
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JO1’s “Handz In My Pocket” moves to No. 2, soaring from No. 41 following its CD release. The single sold 692,223 copies in its first week, launching at No.1 for sales. Since debuting, JO1 have now placed all ten of their singles at No. 1 for sales. The CD release also lifted other metrics: downloads climbed from 19-3, streaming 40-33, radio 58-4, and video 65-47. Radio saw the sharpest increase, jumping to 655% of last week’s points.
At No. 3 is “JANE DOE” by Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada, rising a spot from last week. Karaoke increased to 108% of the previous week. HANA’s “My Body” climbs two notches to No. 4 as the breakout girl group places seven songs on the chart this week, including “Blue Jeans” at No. 6 and “ROSE” at No. 14.
Yonezu’s “1991” settles at No. 5, down two positions. The track comes in at No. 3 for streaming, No. 6 for downloads, No. 8 for video, and No. 14 for radio.
Elsewhere in the top 10, CLASS SEVEN’s first single “miss you” bows at No. 9, selling 18,522 CDs to place No. 4 for sales, while hitting No. 2 for radio and No. 89 for downloads. CUTIE STREET’s “We Can’t Stop Suddenly!” returns to the tally for the first time in about three months, charting at No. 10. The CD sold 50,567 copies to hit No. 2 for sales.
The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, video views and karaoke data.
See the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, tallying the week from Oct. 20 to 26, here. For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English X account.
Drake is continuing his legal battle with UMG after the lawsuit he brought against the record label over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was dismissed earlier in the month. Filing an appeal this week, Drake aims to get the judge to reinstate the lawsuit, which alleges UMG aided his rival in relaying what his side felt with defamatory claims out to the public, thus damaging his brand.
Music Business Worldwide reports that Drake filed a Notice of Appeal on Wednesday (October 29) in a countering stance against Judge Jeannette Vargas’ October 9 dismissal of the lawsuit. The Canadian superstar alleges that UMG intentionally promoted Lamar’s blistering “Not Like Us” diss track, writing in the complaint that the label pushed the song’s popularity “while knowing that the song’s insinuations that he has sexual relations with minors were false and defamatory.”
Judge Vargas ruled that Lamar’s lyrics, despite the OVO honcho’s insinuation that they were meant to defame him, were essentially stated opinions that were protected instead of facts. Further, the judge said that the case should be examined in full as both gentlemen verbally sparred across with several lines and songs between them.
The filing for appeal is the start of the process, with a full appellate brief filing happening at a later date. There are no new developments as the notice was just filed a day ago, and it will take months for things to move ahead.
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Photo: Getty
