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Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up newsletter, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip. This week: A number of up-and-coming rappers featured on the late year’s biggest rap release get bumps for their own catalogs, an old emo song becomes a seasonal-sadness singalong and much more.
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L.A. Rappers’ Catalogs Rise Following Major Looks on Kendrick Lamar’s ‘GNX’
Kendrick Lamar’s GNX has already collected impressive wins on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100, but the Compton MC’s surprise album is also helping boost the catalog of its featured L.A. rappers.
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“TV Off” blasted in at No. 2 on the Hot 100 (dated Dec. 7), making it the highest-ranking GNX collaboration. Baldwin Park emcee Lefty Gunplay is the guest on that track (“S–t get crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious!), and his own new project, Most Valuable Gangbanger (Nov. 22), ironically coincided with the GNX drop. Thanks to his own new release and the explosive immediate interest in “TV Off,” Lefty’s catalog has spiked 84% in official on-demand U.S. streams the week of GNX’s release (Nov. 22-28) versus the week prior (Nov. 15-21), according to Luminate. In the week following the release of Most Valuable Gangbanger and GNX, Lefty Gunplay’s catalog earned just over 468,000 streams.
The Dody6-assisted “Hey Now” (No. 5), is the other GNX Hot 100 top five hit to feature an L.A. rapper. His appearance on GNX follows a joint project with T.0wee called Make Vernon Great Again from earlier this year. In the week following GNX’s release, streaming activity for Dody’s catalog jumped over 110%, collecting over 336,000 official on-demand U.S. streams. AzChike, who guested on ScHoolboy Q’s Blue Lips back in March, lent his talents to “Peekaboo,” which debuted at No. 13 on the Hot 100. In the week following GNX’s release, AzChike’s catalog pulled in over 916,000 official on-demand U.S. streams, marking a 15% lift in streaming activity.
The GNX title track entered the Hot 100 at No. 24 and features Hitta J3, YoungThreat & Peysoh. Notably, Hitta J3 and Kendrick joined forces back in 2014 alongside YG and Problem (now known as JasonMartin) for the “Do Yo Gudda” remix. Following GNX’s release (Nov. 22-28), Hitta J3’s catalog earned just under 30,000 official on-demand U.S. streams – a whopping 149% increase from the 11,700 streams it collected the week prior. – KYLE DENIS
Mom Jeans Squeezes in a Sentimental Pre-Holidays Viral Hit
Everyone gets a little emotional around Thanksgiving time, right? There’s a lot of family, a lot of old memories, a lot of homesickness for those who can’t get away from their usual lives, maybe a reunion or two for those who can… Maybe that partly explains the timing of Midwest emo band Mom Jeans seeing its acoustic ballad “Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA,” from 2016’s Best Buds, unexpectedly become one of the hottest songs on TikTok, for a section with the brutal lyrics, “Don’t go back to our old place/ It’s probably locked up anyway/ I bet it still looks the same as when I ran away that day.”
The sound has of course been used by any number of users for emotional lip synch moments over the past few weeks – but it’s also been adapted as a go-to soundtrack for popular nostalgic and/or tear-jerking edits of football and wrestling stars. Consequently, the song debuts at No. 46 on this week’s TikTok Top 50, and has been exploding on streaming services, with the song racking up 2.3 official on-demand U.S. streams for the tracking week ending Nov. 28, according to Luminate – a whopping 1,282% gain from the 165,000 streams it posted three weeks earlier. If TikTok users haven’t worked out their baggage by the holidays, look out – we could see “Scott Pilgrim” elbowing its way in there with all the Bing Crosby and Perry Como. – ANDREW UNTERBERGER
Twerking Trend Helps E.K.E. Earn Viral Hit
Ever the reliable needle-mover, a twerk-centric dance trend has helped an Akon-nodding track explode at streaming this month.
On Nov. 8, TikTok creator @mora2767 posted a dance sequence – featuring lots of twerking and trademark Cali moves – to the tune of E.K.E.’s “Ghetto,” which incorporated elements from the intro of Akon’s 2005 song of the same name. In the week following that video’s initial upload – it has since garnered over 2.4 million views – E.K.E.’s “Ghetto” earned 137,000 official on-demand U.S. streams. That figure leapt but an astounding 711% to over 1.11 million streams the following week since the trend took off on TikTok. The next week, streams increased a further 43% to over streams during Nov. 22-28. Over the past two weeks, streams for “Ghetto” have risen over 1,065%.
The official TikTok sound for “Ghetto” now boasts over 157,000 posts, including one from E.K.E. himself. Back in September, about a month after the song was released (Aug. 2), E.K.E. posted a TikTok attempting to jumpstart his own dance trend for “Ghetto.” While his trend wasn’t the one to take off, his head was always in the right place.
Already off to a No. 14 start on the TikTok Billboard Top 50, expect “Ghetto” to continue rising in the weeks to come. – KD
NLE Choppa’s Latest Horny Hit Finds Its Way to the Hot 100
It’s been a pretty crazy year for NLE Choppa, who has reworked his now-signature hit “Slut Me Out” into multiple sequel incarnations, scored a breakout hit alongside New York crew 41 with the blaring “Or What,” and released one of the wildest short films you’ll see outside of the festival circuit in 2024 with NLE Choppa: The Wash. Now, he’s back with a new single that might be on its way to being his most viral non-collab hit of 2024: the characteristically horny “Gang Baby.”
The new hit, which features the repeat chorus lyric “Let me f–k somethin’” and shows NLE Choppa surrounded by a circle of twerking behinds in the video, has been absolutely exploding on streaming lately, thanks to a dance challenge and other edits that have helped the song become a major TikTok hit, many of which used a slightly sped-up version of the song. After growing 267% in official on-demand U.S. streams over the past five weeks – to 5.7 million official streams for the week ending Nov. 28 – it has now also punctured the Hot 100, reaching No. 98. Clearly, we all observe cuffing season in our own ways. – AU
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After a long and hard-hitting season of , the SEC Championship (NCAA Southeastern Conference Football) game matchup is locked up with the best of the best from the conference going head-to-head to win the championship trophy.
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For the SEC Championship 2024: The Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) take on the Texas Longhorns (11-1) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, Dec. 7.
When Does SEC Championship 2024 Start?
The Georgia vs. Texas game broadcasts live, with kickoff at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. The college football championship game airs on ABC.
Where to Watch SEC Championship 2024 for Free
For cord-cutters, there are a few ways to watch Georgia Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns, if you don’t have cable — especially if you want to watch for free. DirecTV Stream has a five-day free trial, while other streaming services — such as Hulu + Live TV and Fubo — also offer free trials, so you can watch ABC for free.
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Keep reading for more details on how to watch the Georgia-Texas game with DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
How to Watch SEC Championship 2024 with DirecTV Stream
A subscription to DirecTV Stream — which comes with ABC for Bulldogs vs. Longhorns — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, starting at $74.99 per month. The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now.
You can watch local networks such as NBC, CBS, Fox, and PBS, while you can also watch many cable networks, including ESPN, FS1, Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, MTV, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, VH1, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.
How to Watch SEC Championship 2024 with Hulu + Live TV
The Georgia Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns game on ABC is available to watch with Hulu + Live TV too. Prices for the cable alternative start at $82.99 per month, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost.
Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one bundle. It also features many other networks, including ESPN, CBS, Hallmark Channel, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, NBC, Fox Sports and more.
How to Watch SEC Championship 2024 with Fubo
To watch Georgia vs. Texas on ABC, Fubo starts at $49.99 per month (the streamer’s current deal) with nearly 200 channels — including local and cable — that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers. And with a seven-day free trial, you can watch for free, if you act fast and sign up now.
The service even gets you live access to local broadcast networks including NBC, Fox and CBS, while it also has dozens of cable networks, such as ESPN, Bravo, CMT, ID, TV Land, VH1, TLC, E!, FS1, MTV, FX, Ion, OWN, Paramount Network and much more.
Who Is Performing During SEC Championship 2024 Halftime Show
Since it’s a college football game, the Georgia Redcoat Marching Band and Texas Longhorn Band are set to perform at halftime of the SEC Championship.
How to Buy SEC Championship 2024 Tickets Online
Want to attend the Georgia-Texas game in person? There are still last-minute tickets to the SEC Championship game available via Vivid Seats (get $20 off purchases of $200 and over with code BB2024), SeatGeek (your first purchases can get $10 off ticket order $250 and with code BILLBOARD10), StubHub and GameTime (score $20 off ticket orders of $150 and over with code SAVE20). Prices vary depending on the city and seats available.
Moreover, you can save $150 off when you spend $500 with promo code BILLBOARD150, or $300 off when you spend $1,000 with promo code BILLBOARD300 at TicketNetwork.com.
Starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, SEC Championship 2024: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns broadcast on ABC, while it’s also available to livestream with DirecTV Stream on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
Between the DOJ’s Live Nation antitrust suit, Sphere’s first year, new leadership at CAA and a slew of acquisitions, it’s been another big year for the concert business.
Fresh off an exciting NBA season that saw him lead the Boston Celtics to their 18th championship, Jaylen Brown is embracing new creative heights. The Finals MVP has been making waves both on and off the court, proving he’s more than just a basketball star. Known for his powerhouse presence on the hardwood, Brown recently showcased his versatility by dropping his debut single, “Just Do It,” featuring A$AP Ferg this past August. The track, he says, was born out of post-championship celebrations. “We were just vibing after the parade, freestyling, and decided to hit the studio,” Brown shared with Billboard. “It was celebration mode, and the song came naturally.”
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Though music might seem like a detour, Brown sees it as another way to express himself. “Basketball is poetry in motion, and music is just another form of that,” he continued, while drawing parallels between his passions. His laid-back yet poetic sound reflects a deep love for creativity that extends to his other ventures, including 741, his self-funded sneaker brand that began after Brown turned down over $50 million in endorsements from major sneaker companies.
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Brown also revealed to Billboard that this venture marks a deeper exploration into his creative side. Despite the complexities of the music industry, he’s open to future collaborations, naming artists like Burna Boy and Kanye West as inspirations.
But perhaps his most impactful work lies in his 7uice Foundation, where he addresses educational inequities in underrepresented communities. By introducing kids to STEM and STEAM opportunities, Brown aims to create lasting change. In a time when many athletes are diversifying their brands, Brown’s journey stands out for its depth and purpose. Whether through music, design, or philanthropy, he’s crafting a legacy that goes far beyond the hardwood.
In this exclusive interview with Billboard, Brown reflects on his journey, balancing basketball with his creative pursuits, and the driving mission behind his work: using his platform to inspire change while staying true to himself.
Your new song, “Just Do It,” with A$AP Ferg is a vibe. How did you guys link up for the track?
We were at dinner, just vibing after the parade. Ferg came down, and there was a Chris Brown concert that week. After dinner, we went straight to the studio and started freestyling. It just happened naturally.
Is this your entry into music and do you see yourself doing more?Part of me wants to say one and done. I’ve got tremendous respect for people in music, but learning about streaming, licensing, and samples—it’s a lot. The industry gave me a headache, but music allows me to express myself differently than basketball.
Why did you title it “Just Do It?”
It just fit. We’d just won a championship — that’s what we did. It’s my way of telling the haters I’m having a great time.
If you had to describe your sound in a few words, how would you define it?
Laid-back, chill, a little poetic. I grew up writing poetry, and that influences my sound. My voice has a deep tone, but it’s calm and reflective.
Who were some of your musical influences growing up?
Kanye, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Kendrick, and Future are my top five. From an OG perspective, Tupac, Biggie, and OutKast were big for me too.
Did you ever see yourself making music as a career, or was your heart always set on basketball?
Never thought I’d make music, but I love it. It’s a good hobby — keeps you out of trouble. Winning the championship made me say, “Why not?”
Would you be open to more collaborations if the right opportunities came up? If you had more free time, I think people would love to hear more music from you.
Yeah, I’d love to work with people who inspire me — like Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Kanye. We’ll see. If we win another championship, I’ll definitely drop something.
Your 7uice Foundation is making a real impact. What’s its mission, and what kind of work are you most proud of?
We’re focused on education inequalities. I grew up in a household where education was non-negotiable—my mom and her family were all teachers. We expose kids from underrepresented communities to STEM and STEAM, helping them explore new opportunities.
You launched 741 as a self-funded, self-designed brand. Why bet on yourself instead of taking those $50 million endorsement deals?
I’ve been on a creative journey, from designing with Yeezy to starting my own brand. I wanted full control and to create solutions for athletes who face challenges in this space. It’s more than sneakers; it’s a platform for innovation.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far of designing your own brand?
Delays. From switching factories to fixing minor details, it’s been a learning curve. But every day, my team focuses on incremental growth.
You’ve also invested in Hapbee, a wellness tech company. What drew you to that space?
Wellness is essential as an athlete. Hapbee uses frequency technology to improve focus, sleep, and recovery without putting anything in your body. It’s cutting-edge, and it works. I use it all the time—it’s been a game changer for me.
With everything — basketball, music, 741, and tech — how do you balance it all?
Discipline. I stay focused, avoid distractions, and prioritize what matters. Getting good sleep, limiting accessibility, and remembering the legacy I want to leave keeps me grounded.
Pearl Jam is continuing the celebration of their 12th studio album, Dark Matter, into 2025. The band — Eddie Vedder (vocalist), Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Matt Cameron (drums)— announced on Thursday (Dec. 5) that they will be heading to five U.S. cities in the spring, kicking off […]
Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are partnering to find out the Get Up Anthems of select cities, and the next stop is Miami. Ahead of the curated list, in this Man on the Street, we tapped Miami locals to help share some of their favorite hometown hits that have inspired and energized their city, including music by artists such as Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro and more! Be sure to check out the official Get Up Anthems for Chicago presented by Tres Generaciones Tequila.
Tetris Kelly:Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are teaming up to find the best Get Up Anthems in select cities. We are in sunny Miami to find out which songs energize and influence the Magic City. Let’s see what locals have to say. We’re looking for the top Get Up anthems in Miami. How’s the vibes in Miami today?
Guest 1:The vibes are great. It’s giving. I love it.
Tetris Kelly:And what song is giving?
Guest 1:Definitely a Bad Bunny.
Tetris Kelly:“Tití Me Pregunta”?
Guest 1:No, it’s “Tití Me Preguntó.”
Tetris Kelly:See, she’s getting me, put me in my place. What is the song of Miami?
Guest 2:I think anything Rauw Alejandro sings in.
Tetris Kelly:Oh, wow, he’s so great. What’s the song for you?
Guest 2:“Santa”!
Tetris Kelly:Oh, OK, girl.
Guest 2:“Santa” goes off in the club. It goes hard.
Tetris Kelly:She’s about to go put it on right now.
Guest 2:I sure as hell am.
Tetris Kelly:Cheers! So my man, the shades are dripping. But what song makes Miami drip?
Guest 3:Adam Port with Camila Cabello.
Tetris Kelly:Oh, nice.
Guest 3:Super good song.
Tetris Kelly:What’s your song?
Guest 4:“Todavía” by Wisin y Yandel.
Tetris Kelly:Ooh. What about Wisin y Yandel do you love?
Guest 4:They always make you dance and move your hips.
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Reading & Leeds Festival has confirmed the first artists to appear on 2025’s lineup, including its four headliners. Travis Scott, Chappell Roan, Hozier and Bring Me the Horizon will top the bill at the dual festivals in Reading, Berkshire, and Leeds, Yorkshire, on Aug. 21-24. The events will take place at Richfield Avenue in Reading, and Bramham Park in Leeds.
Scott’s appearance will be a European festival exclusive, while Hozier and Bring Me the Horizon will be U.K. exclusives. Roan’s appearance at the top of the bill will be an English headline exclusive, and her first ever performance at Reading & Leeds.
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They’ll be joined on the bill by AJ Tracey, Becky Hill, Sammy Virij, Trippie Redd, Amyl and The Sniffers, Conan Gray, The Kooks, The Dare, Enter Shikari, Wallows, Sea Girls, Mannequin Pussy, Soft Play, Lambrini Girls, DJ EZ and more.
Bloc Party will perform Reading & Leeds Festival’s inaugural Icon Set, which the festival said in a press release “will celebrate the defining acts synonymous with the festival.” The London-formed indie band performed in consecutive years between 2005 and 2009 on a variety of stages.
Tickets for the two events go on general sale on Dec. 9 from the festival’s official website, and follow a number of presales that begin Friday (Dec. 6) for customers of Three Mobile and Mastercard.
In 2024, Reading & Leeds Festival was headlined by Blink-182, Fred Again.., Liam Gallagher, Lana Del Rey, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Gerry Cinnamon. In recent years, artists such as Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion and Halsey have also topped the bill.
The most recent edition in Leeds was impacted by severe weather, with two stages at the festival having to be closed due to high winds brought by Storm Lilian.
See the 2025 lineup below:
Keityn shares his favorite and least favorite food, what he’s a big fan of and more. Keityn:My name is Keityn and these are Five Things You Don’t Know about me. OK, the first one: I don’t like vegetables. The second one: I’m terrible at getting up early, but great at staying up late. The third […]
German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk are going on tour next spring, announcing on Thursday (Dec. 5) a 25-city North American run that starts on March 6 in Philadelphia. The trek includes the group’s previously announced performances at Coachella 2025. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Ticket for the […]
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Source: ABC / The View / Charlamagne Tha God / Whoopi Goldberg
The political discourse from President Joe Biden issuing a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, was a topic of conversation on The View, and things got a bit spicy between Whoopi Goldberg and Charlamagne Tha God.
Charlamagne Tha God returned to The View with his eye-roll-inducing political opinions on Wednesday, Dec 4. He got into it with the talk show’s longtime lead host, Whoopi Goldberg, after he said Joe Biden “lied” regarding issuing a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, over felony gun and tax convictions.
The President previously said he would not pardon his son but did an about-face on the matter, and his decision has gotten MAGA Republicans, some Democrats, and people like Charlamagne criticizing him.
Goldberg countered Charlamagne’s accusation of Biden lying, telling The Breakfast Club Host and aspiring political pundit, “I’m gonna stop you for a second. Only because you don’t know that it was a lie. We don’t know why he changed his mind. I’m gonna tell you what I think. I think he changed his mind because he got sick of watching everybody else get over. At some point, you get to the place where you just go, so I’m just going to follow the straight-and-narrow always, because that’s what’s expected of Democrats.”
Charlamage countered Goldberg by saying, “But that’s their fault! They’re the ones that go out there and stand on this moral high ground. They don’t have to do that.”
“So we’re mad at him because he changed his [mind]?” Goldberg asked Charlamagne, who responded: “I’m not mad at him for pardoning Hunter Biden. You sound like you’re mad!”
Goldberg asks, “Can you explain to me why it is that when Joe Biden does something, everybody clutches their pearls?” in response to Alyssa Farah Griffin’s point that Biden “made a point” not to interfere with investigations before he ultimately changed his mind.
“Nobody has criticized Donald Trump more than me and Charlamagne Tha God!” Griffin told Goldberg.
“Yeah, I’ve criticized him more,” Goldberg responded. “But, you’re missing my question. My question is: What is it that makes people flip out with Joe, but we don’t have the same kind of thing [with Trump]?”
Which is a very significant question.
Charlemagne asked the iconic actress, “Why can’t you say when Democrats are wrong, and why can’t Republicans say when Republicans are wrong? You don’t think Joe Biden is wrong?”
When Goldberg said that she, like many others, didn’t believe he was wrong, Charlamagne said that was “ridiculous,” and Goldberg hit back with, “No, you’re ridiculous.”
Quickly defusing the situation, Charlamagne clarified, “I didn’t say you were ridiculous, Ms. Goldberg. I would never say that. I just think that’s [ridiculous].” In true Auntie Whoopi Goldberg form, she told Charlamagne to “come over here and give me a kiss,” and brought the temperature down.
Social Media Did Not Care For Charlamagne tha God’s Opinion On The Pardon
Even though the two highly opinionated celebrities let bygones be bygones, social media let their disdain for Charlamagne and his political opinions.
“Charlamagne blows any way the wind goes. He is a true chameleon. He is as Pro Kamala as it gets, then pretends to be more supportive of Trump when she loses, now he’s on The View talking about how you have to fight dirty with Republicans. Charlatan tha God,” one user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
Another user wrote, “He’s not fooling anyone. Not sure why anyone listens to him in the first place. Comes across as a totally self-absorbed moron “tha God.” GFY”
You can see those reactions in the gallery below.
3. Exactly