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Through the Honda Stage platform, which is dedicated to uncovering the stories of determined and resilient artists, Mustard’s journey shines as a prime example of both grit and boundless talent. Honda Stage celebrates the individuals who shape music through a blend of vision and hard work, bringing fans closer to the heart of what drives an artist’s unique sound and journey. With a deft hand that melds infectious grooves with nuanced melodies, Mustard—formerly known as DJ Mustard—has cemented his status as a vital force in shaping the soundscape of hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Behind the shimmering façade of chart-topping hits lies a rich tapestry woven with experiences, inspirations, and an unyielding love for the art of sound.
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Born Dijon McFarlane in Los Angeles, Mustard discovered his musical calling at the tender age of 11—a time when many kids are still figuring out how to ride a bike or choose their favorite cartoon. “My uncle was a DJ,” he reminisces, his eyes lighting up with nostalgia. “I always wanted to be like him.” His epiphany struck at a party where his uncle left him to spin the tracks, igniting a lifelong romance with rhythm and sound. “Since I can remember, I’ve loved music,” he declares, underscoring the deep-rooted connection he has with it.
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Mustard’s rise to prominence is not merely a story of beats and bass; it is a journey that encompasses cultural influences, personal struggles, and a relentless pursuit of artistic integrity. His distinctive sound—a blend of West Coast hip-hop infused with elements of R&B and electronic music—has become synonymous with a new era of music. “I don’t think it was a specific genre that sparked my love for music,” he explains. “It’s about the feeling any song gives me.” This philosophical approach to music allows Mustard to traverse genres, drawing inspiration from a wide array of influences, from classic funk to contemporary trap.
His breakthrough came with the 2012 hit “Rack City,” a collaboration with Tyga that catapulted both artists into the limelight. This track was not just a chart-topping sensation; it was a cultural phenomenon, marking Mustard’s arrival as a powerhouse producer. The infectious rhythm and catchy hook defined an era, paving the way for Mustard’s subsequent collaborations with a plethora of artists, including YG, Ty Dolla $ign, and Nipsey Hussle. His production credits read like a who’s who of contemporary music, illustrating his ability to craft hits that resonate across demographics.
But Mustard’s success isn’t limited to individual tracks. His albums, such as Perfect Ten, have been lauded for their cohesive sound and innovative approach. The album not only solidified his position in the industry but also showcased his versatility, blending genres and exploring new sonic territories.
In 2013, Mustard took a significant leap by establishing his own label, 10 Summers. This move was not merely a career advancement; it was a commitment to nurturing emerging talent and creating a platform where artists could thrive. “I want to create a space where artists can flourish and be authentic,” he asserts, embodying a philosophy that prioritizes artistic integrity over commercial success.
The label has been instrumental in launching the careers of several budding artists, including Ella Mai. Her hit “Boo’d Up” became a global sensation, showcasing Mustard’s keen ear for talent and sound. He describes Ella as “an artist who brings a fresh perspective,” and their collaboration is a testament to his ability to recognize and cultivate talent that resonates with audiences.
More recently, Mustard has turned his attention to Amirah, an emerging artist whose potential captivated him from the start. “When I first came across her, I was drawn to her voice,” he recalls, excitement evident in his tone. “But then I saw her personality and thought, ‘Wow, this girl is special.’” Mustard’s instinct to reach out was immediate, fueled by a desire to collaborate and create something magical together. “I just knew if I could teach her things, we could really create something unique.” His commitment to fostering emerging talent is not just a business strategy; it is a reflection of his deep-rooted belief in the power of collaboration.
Collaboration is the lifeblood of Mustard’s creative universe. “Music is collaborative,” he asserts, living by this philosophy. “When you put two great minds together, you come out with something great every time.” This is not just a platitude for him; it is a guiding principle. Each collaboration is an experiment, a blending of ideas and perspectives that often leads to unexpected brilliance.
Yet, building that synergy requires a leap of faith. “I trust me; I don’t think I trust anybody besides myself,” he admits candidly. “But I have to stand on whatever I put out.” This self-trust fuels his willingness to explore new territories, ensuring he remains open to the unexpected. “I’m always looking to try something new,” he insists, embodying the spirit of a true innovator. His willingness to embrace risk is a hallmark of his career, allowing him to evolve continuously while maintaining his signature sound.
Reflecting on his journey, Mustard offers invaluable advice to aspiring artists: “Go for whatever you believe in and don’t be scared of the craziness of the industry.” His journey has taught him the importance of patience and the value of allowing others to shine. “Sometimes it’s okay to let other people do their thing, and you help them without trying to take all the credit,” he emphasizes, embodying a generous spirit that is often rare in the industry.
As Mustard stands at the intersection of artistry and entrepreneurship, his legacy is still being written. He has transformed the music landscape, not just through his own creations but by lifting others as he climbs. His journey is a vibrant reminder that passion, authenticity, and collaboration can create a symphony of success.
Mustard’s influence extends beyond the studio; it permeates the very fabric of modern music culture. As he continues to innovate, pushing boundaries and defying expectations, one thing is clear: Mustard’s love for music is not just a career—it’s an exhilarating journey, an ongoing dance of creativity that invites us all to join in. Whether through chart-topping hits, nurturing new talent, or redefining the art of collaboration, Mustard remains a beacon of creativity in an ever-evolving musical landscape, proving that true artistry knows no bounds.
About Honda Stage:
Honda Stage is a music platform that builds on the brand’s deep foundation of bringing unique experiences to fans while celebrating determined artists and their journeys of music discovery. Honda Stage offers exclusive, behind-the-scenes music content and inspirational stories from on-the-rise and fan-favorite artists, giving music fans access to the moments they love while celebrating the creativity and drive it takes to make it big.
Breaking Benjamin reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for an eighth time, ascending to the top of the Dec. 14-dated ranking with “Awaken.”
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It’s the Ben Burnley-fronted band’s first ruler since 2020, when “Far Away,” featuring Scooter Ward, led for three weeks.
The band first led Mainstream Rock Airplay in 2007 with “Breath,” for seven weeks.
Concurrently, “Awaken” bullets at its No. 4 high on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 4 million audience impressions, up 4%, in the week ending Dec. 5, according to Luminate. That’s the band’s best rank on the tally since “I Will Not Bow,” which led for four weeks in 2009.
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In addition to its mainstream rock radio success, “Awaken” is bubbling under Alternative Airplay. Breaking Benjamin is seeking its first appearance on the chart since 2015, when it notched two entries, “Failure” and “Angels Fall.”
On the most recently published, multimetric Hot Hard Rock Songs chart (dated Dec. 7, reflecting the Nov. 22-28 tracking period), “Awaken” ranked at No. 5, after hitting No. 2 in early November; in addition to its radio airplay, the song earned 1.2 million official U.S. streams in that span.
“Awaken” is the lead single from Breaking Benjamin’s seventh studio album, whose title and release date have not yet been announced. Its predecessor, Ember, debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart in April 2018, while compilation Aurora led in February 2020.
All Billboard charts dated Dec. 14 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Myles Smith’s “Stargazing” shoots to No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay charts (dated Dec. 14).
The song crowns its second and third radio rankings, after it led Alternative Airplay for a week in September.
The folk-inflected hit, on It’s OK To Feel/RCA Records, becomes the first initial entry on each ranking to top the tallies for an English soloist.
In the quarter-century-plus that Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay and Alternative Airplay have coexisted, “Stargazing” is the 17th song overall to lead each list. (See list, below.)
Smith and co-writers Peter Fenn and Jesse Fink penned most of “Stargazing,” in Malibu, Calif., in about 15 minutes, followed by an exclusive premiere at a time optimal for the song’s title.
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“I get back to West Hollywood at 2 or 3 in the morning, and I play the day-of demo,” Smith recalled to Billboard earlier this year. “I remember my manager waking up on the sofa like, ‘What is this?’ Everyone in the house is running and jumping around. For my team — my harshest critics, after my mum — to give me that genuine reaction, I knew I was on to something.”
Songs to Hit No. 1 on Pop Airplay, Adult Pop Airplay & Alternative Airplay Charts:
Title, Artist, Year(s), Song Reached No. 1
“Stargazing,” Myles Smith, 2024
“Too Sweet,” Hozier, 2024
“Enemy,” Imagine Dragons X JID, 2022
“High Hopes,” Panic! at the Disco, 2018
“Thunder,” Imagine Dragons, 2017
“Feel It Still,” Portugal. The Man, 2017
“Stressed Out,” Twenty One Pilots, 2015-16
“Royals,” Lorde, 2013
“We Are Young,” fun. feat. Janelle Monáe, 2012
“Somebody That I Used To Know,” Gotye feat. Kimbra 2012
“Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon, 2009
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” Green Day, 2004
“The Reason,” Hoobastank, 2004
“Every Morning,” Sugar Ray, 1999
“Slide,” Goo Goo Dolls, 1998-99
“Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls, 1998
“Tubthumping,” Chumbawamba, 1997
Among the 17 songs above, Smith is the eighth artist to send a first entry on each chart to No. 1, joining fellow soloists JID, Lorde, Monáe, Gotye and Kimbra, as well as groups fun. and Chumbawamba. The latter band is the only English act other than Smith to score such a triple with a breakthrough hit.
All charts dated Dec. 14 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Dec. 10.
J. Cole‘s Inevitable podcast is the gift that keeps on giving as he gives his fans intimate details they may’ve not heard before.
During this latest episode, the North Carolina rapper tells a story about the time he played “Let Nas Down” for the legendary Queens MC after they boarded the same flight at a Houston airport.
His manager and right-hand man Ibraham “Ib” Hamad was listening to the newly recorded song, and as he was passing Cole his headphones back, Ib noticed Nas boarding the same flight.
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“Right in that moment, I was like, this is some divine sh–,” Cole recalled. “This is ridiculous, bro. I don’t believe in coincidences. I was like, this is a sign from God like, ‘Keep on your path, stick with it.’ Mind you, I’ve never met Nas before. I got on the plane and I was like, ‘I have to play him this song. I’m supposed to play him this song.”
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“I say ‘what’s up’ to him and I’m like, ‘Bro, I know this is gonna sound f—ing insane,’” he continued. “‘I just made this song f—ing two days ago. I can’t even explain to you how crazy it is that I’m seeing you right now, randomly on this flight. But I have to play you this song.’”
Nas agreed to hear it, but Cole admitted that he didn’t give him an opinion on the track when he was finished.
Adding, “I have no idea what he said and now, looking back, I have no idea how he felt or how I expected him to feel. All I knew was, ‘You’re right here. This is God.’ I’m sure he was on some sh– like, ‘Yo, that’s dope.’ I don’t remember us having a conversation about the song. But it’s just nuts that I even played it for him, that raw after it was done.”
Released in 2013, on his sophomore album Born Sinner, Nas and Cole dropped a remix entitled “Made Nas Proud” where he gave the young rapper some game and said he didn’t let him down.
You can listen to the episode here.
Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want for Christmas (Make My Wish Come True Edition)” music video is the latest subject of Vevo’s Footnotes series, just in time for the holiday season. In messages printed next to shots from the 2019 visual for the Footnotes episode, posted Friday (Dec. 6), the superstar sheds light on its creative […]
A year that could have been sleepy ended up hosting a slew of massive deals, from starry catalog acquisitions to top-dollar asset-backed securities deals.
Backstreet’s back — this time, with the Rockettes! The Backstreet Boys had some fun with the Radio City Rockettes in a new TikTok video from the iconic dance group. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In the viral clip shared on Thursday (Dec. 5), Nick Carter, Howie […]
If it seems like everybody is talking about Spotify Wrapped, the streaming service’s data-driven annual recap of listening habits, it’s because everybody is talking about Spotify Wrapped. That says a lot about its effectiveness and its value to the company.
The streaming platform’s personalized year-end recap is unmissable this time of year. Mashable began prepping its readers back on Nov. 19. A week later, Spotify heightened expectations by advising users to update the Spotify app to the latest, Wrapped-ready version. When Wrapped finally appeared on Wednesday (Dec. 4), there was an onslaught of media coverage. Billboard even got into the Wrapped coverage, revealing Chappell Roan’s top artists and songs on Spotify in 2024 (Ariana Grande and Heart’s “Barracuda,” respectively).
With so much media coverage, some of it is bound to carry a grousing, annoyed tone. “Hate your Spotify Wrapped?” Rolling Stone asked, “You’re not alone.” “Sorry, parents,” The Washington Post lamented, “it’s actually your kids’ Spotify Wrapped.” Vogue turned Wrapped into a frank self-examination in an article titled “I love Spotify Wrapped so much I hate it.” For people whose Spotify Wrapped “suck[ed],” Pocket-lint suggests ways to “fix it” in 2025. The Huffington Post’s compilation of the “funniest” tweets about Wrapped was filled with only mildly humorous complaints.
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In contrast, articles about Wrapped’s peers came and went without anything close to the same level of media hullabaloo. The annual recaps of Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube Music received basic coverage at mostly tech-oriented publications but didn’t elicit the kind of longwinded pop culture essays that Wrapped conjures up every year. Apple Music Replay received run-of-the-mill articles such as “Apple Music’s yearly recap is finally available in the app” at tech news site The Verge. When TechCrunch covered the launch of Amazon Music’s 2024 Delivered, the headline referred to it as Amazon’s “take on Spotify Wrapped” lest nobody know what they were talking about. YouTube Music Recap launched on Nov. 25 to little media coverage.
For its part, Spotify contributed to the media overload by building a 2024 Wrapped microsite and posting 10 Wrapped-related press releases on launch day. Wrapped itself introduced new innovations in 2024, including a personalized Wrapped podcast featuring two AI hosts and the Your Music Evolution Playlist, a personalized playlist that tracks a user’s different musical interests and phases throughout the year. Wrapped has become such an important event that Spotify hosted a pre-release press briefing that featured talks by executives across the company. As Glenn McDonald, a former Spotify software engineer and author of the book You Have Not Yet Heard Your Favourite Song: How Streaming Changed Music, told Billboard via email, “nothing else they do gets as much marketing/branding energy put into it.”
Wrapped especially shines in the awareness it attracts on social media. At the end of every Wrapped recap, Spotify offers personalized badges that flood X, Instagram and TikTok — the latter two benefitting from integrations announced in November that make it easier to share content. In this way, Wrapped turns its users into “active brand advocates on social media,” as one academic study put it. Or, as another paper phrased it, Spotify turns its users into “free labour” to help market its product. “For Spotify, it is 100% a brand-visibility moment,” says McDonald. “Social virality is the only metric the company cares about. The viral attention does help with user retention and reactivation, but the virality itself is the thing they’re measuring.”
More than an effective marketing ploy, Wrapped has turned into a competitive advantage in a business where standalone music streaming services desperately need one. A company has a competitive advantage when it creates more economic value than its competitors. Economic value is the difference between the perceived value of the product and the costs required to produce the product. Some brands are able to charge a premium because they have succeeded, through the quality of the product and the effectiveness of marketing, in convincing consumers their product is worth more. Food made with better ingredients commands a price premium, for example. Sometimes differences in perception of value come down to marketing. The difference between luxury clothing brands’ prices can be explained by amounts spent on splashy advertisements and celebrity endorsements, not just the cost of materials and labor.
Unlike streaming video-on-demand (SVOD) services, which attract viewers mainly through exclusive programming, music streaming platforms have — for the most part — the same content and must find other avenues to attract and retain customers. Amazon Music Unlimited, for example, is cheaper for members of Amazon Prime. Apple Music benefits from being part of the Apple entertainment ecosystem and Apple’s ownership of music identification app Shazam. YouTube Music gets its subscribers through YouTube, the most popular streaming app in the world. Spotify, a standalone company, can’t match Amazon’s low price, Apple’s omnipresence or YouTube’s ubiquity.
Instead, Spotify competes on product features it develops in-house. Launched in 2015, Discover Weekly, a personalized playlist filled with recently released tracks, was so popular that people who streamed their Discover Weekly playlists streamed twice as much as people who didn’t. A product that popular helps give Spotify an advantage over its larger competitors. Discover Weekly was launched the same year Apple launched Apple Music. Although many onlookers expected Apple would crush Spotify, Spotify has consistently maintained a sizable lead in market share, and innovation played an important role in holding off behemoths like Apple and Amazon. As Will Page, former Spotify chief economist, put it in his 2021 book Pivot, Discover Weekly “create[d] a moat to protect Spotify’s castle.”
Wrapped follows in Discover Weekly’s footsteps as a moat-building product innovation. The key is Spotify’s ability to get its listeners to talk about Wrapped. One study found that Spotify Wrapped was more effective than Apple Music Replay in users’ willingness to create user-generated content (i.e. share Wrapped on social media). That’s gold in a business where consumers can choose between a number of fairly identical substitutes with similar features. Anything that increases engagement and prevents users from leaving for Apple, Amazon or YouTube is valuable. In that sense, developing a product that becomes a part of the cultural zeitgeist, like Wrapped, is perhaps the biggest competitive advantage a streaming service can have.
In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem exceptional and distinct. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today.
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Originally a poignant pop ballad, Tiago PZK‘s “Mi Corazón” undergoes a buoyant transformation in its latest remix. Joining forces with Tex-Mex sensations Grupo Frontera, this version not only continues to pay homage to La Mosca Tsé-Tsé’s iconic “Para No Verte Más,” but it also reinvents the wheel by splicing in lively cumbia rhythms, proving yet again that true artistry lies in innovation.
Together, they’ve infused some lyrical tweaks while preserving the original chorus, all while masterfully transforming the track into a cumbia that commands you to dance. Backed by the hallmark sound of güiros, accordion, requinto, and rhythm guitar, the song now pulses with an undeniable vitality.
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Accompanying the remix is a music video that places Tiago PZK and Grupo Frontera in a stark tableau of black cowboy rocker get-ups, boarding a train bound for the unknown. The video captivates with a vintage flair reminiscent of 1940s film noir dipped in warm sepia tones.
Selecting this week’s top remix was tough with contenders like “Mis Amigas (Remix)” by a star-studded roster Brray, Zion, Wisin, Jowell & Randy, Ñengo Flow, Maldy, Jory Boy, Gotay, Ñejo, and Luigi 21 Plus, with classic reggaetón samplings from Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, and Chaka Demus & Pliers. Also in the mix was ROA, De La Rose, and Luar La L’s “ETA (RMX)” featuring Yan Block & Omar Courtz, a simmering, seductive take on subtle trap. Elswhere, Dani Flow paired with Veracruz legends Grupo Climax for a fun rendition of “Mesa Que Más Aplauda (Remix).”
Yet, “Mi Corazón” stood out — not just for its deft blending of genres but for its ability to breathe new life into the soul of a song.
Watch the official video for Tiago PZK & Grupo Frontera’s “Mi Corazón” remix below:
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Whether you’re looking for a great holiday gift for someone special in your life, or yourself, we found a deep discount to make shopping a joy — especially for music lovers.
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On sale for $89 (reg. $159) at Walmart, the Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones are a premium pair that delivers clear and rich audio with deep and booming bass to listen to music and podcasts on-the-go (when paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth). They’re also sleek and stylish, as a bold fashion and audio statement.
And since the Beats Studio3 Headphones are from Walmart, you’ll get them shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping.
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If you’re not a member, then you’re in luck. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts’ streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.
Meanwhile, Walmart+ also comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels, like “SiriusXM Hits 1” for pop hits from Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, SZA, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, Olivia Rodrigo and more.
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Aside from high-quality audio, the Beats Studio3 Headphones sync to Apple iPhone and Android smartphones alike. The wireless headphones also feature seamless and automatic connection with all sorts of Apple products — thanks to their built-in Apple W1 chip, which is the very same chip in Apple AirPods.
In addition, these headphones offer up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge. In fact, if you’re on a time crunch, the headphones have ‘Fast Fuel’ features, which gives you three hours of playback time with just a 10-minute quick charge.
The Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones are on sale for $89 (reg. $159) at Walmart and come in three colors — Black, shadow gray and white — all for the same price.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.