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BTS’ V Teases ‘FRI(END)S’ Music Video, Shares Concept Photos

V is giving fans a first look at “FRI(END)S.” The BTS member unveiled a preview of the official music video for his new solo single, plus a set of concept photos for the song, on Saturday (March 9).

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The 35-second teaser shows a moment of grabbing leftover takeout from the fridge and eating it alone, before cutting to a chaotic scene at a movie theater and one where V sits by himself in a crowded diner. The clip features a brief preview of instrumentals and vocals.

V’s “FRI(END)S” concept photos — including the black-and-white image above — show the singer in solitude as well. Check out the full set of six concept photos for the single on BTS’ Instagram.

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The K-pop star first announced the March 15 release date of “FRI(END)S” last weekend. BTS’ official Instagram account had also teased “FRI(END)S” with a brief clip featuring V.

“The track, rooted in the pop soul R&B genre, delivers relatable and witty romance through lyrics written entirely in English,” a press statement from Big Hit Music said. “The single artwork accompanying the announcement reveals the song title and release date against a vivid pink background that hints at the song’s sweet mood.”

Big Hit says that another set of concept photos and “flash video encapsulating the overall mood of the single” will be released on March 11, and a second music video teaser will come on March 12.

“FRI(END)S” follows V’s 2023 solo debut, Layover, which included songs like “Love Me Again,” “Rainy Days” and “Slow Dancing.”

Watch the “FRI(END)S” music video teaser below.



7 Top-Rated Freckle Pens That’ll Give You a Natural Sun-Kissed Appearance

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Freckle pens have made it possible for anyone who wasn’t born with freckles to sport the natural sun-kissed look. The versatile makeup trend has been around for years, with celebrities like Hailey Bieber incorporating it into both her minimalist and bold looks. Selena Gomez, meantime, donned fake freckles in her music video for 2017 single “Fetish.”

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The natural aesthetic has continued to garner a large following on social media with countless beauty influencers on TikTok providing tutorials on how to achieve the most realistic-looking fake freckles. Makeup brands have also dropped tools ranging from freckle pens to stamp applicators so you can ditch using mascara or an eyebrow pen to apply the beauty trend.

Below, Billboard Shopping breaks down how to use a freckle pen including how to create realistic freckles and the best freckle pens to stock up on.

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What Is a Good Freckle Pen?

A good freckle pen will have a soft, lightweight tip to help you effortlessly apply fake freckles to your face. You’ll want to make sure the shade is complimentary to your skin tone to create realistic freckles, as the hue could show up too dark or not at all. If you like wearing powder foundation and concealer, the best freckle pens will be buildable, allowing you to layer the formula over your makeup.

How Do You Get Realistic Freckles?

The key to making realistic freckles, according to most TikTok beauty creators, is to take the freckle pen and apply the brush randomly onto your face for the most natural look. Then, use your finger or a beauty blender to lightly blend and spread the formula around your face. Apply another layer to different spots and areas around your face and repeat the process until you get your desired look. Make sure to put freckles in spots that the sun would hit the most and avoid staying in one section or area of your face, as TikToker @peytonliveslife suggests in a tutorial video.

What Are the Best Freckle Pens?

We’ve rounded up some of the best freckle pens that you can buy online, based on our own experience testing them and on top user reviews.

editor’s pick

Lime Crime Freckle Pen

$15

$15

$15

This freckle pen has been loved by Amazon reviewers for its fine tip and color options, including a bold magenta for anyone looking to add some color to their makeup looks. You can apply it onto your bare skin or over foundation thanks to its buildable formula, and shoppers boast that it “lasts all day even without setting spray.” The ingredients are also 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

tiktok pick

Freck Beauty The Original Freckle Pen

TikTok can’t get enough of Freck Beauty’s freckle pen with @peytonliveslife using the makeup tool within the review. You need to shake it before using, but once applied, it boasts a waterproof and long-lasting formula that’s cruelty-free, gluten-free and oil-free. TikTokers are especially obsessed with how it turns out, praising its ability to provide a realistic look.

“It’s very, very warm, but once you dab it out it looks so, so natural,” TikToker @cakedbybabyk said in a review video about the freckle pen.

buildable pick

ColourPop Freckle Pen

Even after applying a full face of makeup, this freckle pen will still be able to give you a natural look using its staying formula and felt-tip pen. It comes in a soft brown shade recommended for fair to medium skin tones and comes out with “subtle marks,” according to reviewers (of course, you can always make them darker by applying more color). For those with freckles, one reviewer likes using the pen post-makeup routine, saying “these help me enhance them after makeup.”

budget-friendly pick

HandAiyan Freckle Pen (2-Pack)

Amazon’s under $10 freckle pen is ideal for those who want to try out the trend with a quality formula that’s affordable. You’ll receive two pens in either light brown and natural coffee, or chestnut and dark brown. Both come with a soft felt tip for a simple yet comfortable application. In addition to being a best-selling on Amazon, reviewers note that the shades appear soft, which means you don’t need to spread the freckles out with your fingers.

fiber brush pick

Tarte Freckle Pen

Tarte’s Freckle Pen has a larger shade range, with three options to choose from: light, medium and dark brown to match to your skin tone. What makes it unique from the rest is its flexible fiber brush tip that you can use to splatter across your face or gently tap. The formula is made with vegan ingredients and is waterproof for a more long-lasting look.

stamp pick

Maykoo Freckle Stamp

If using a brush sounds too advanced for you, consider trying out a freckle stamp like this one by Maykoo. Instead of using a brush to randomly spot your face, you’ll dip the stamp into the tub, making sure the applicator is completely covered. Then, lightly press it onto a section of your face. Blend it and then repeat until you get the look you want.

Amazon reviewers love its easy application and design, praising “how the stamper has different size points on it” and that the result “makes full coverage makeup seem more realistic.”

skin-soothing pick

Jason Wu The Freckled Boy Freckle Pen

$14

$13.99

What sets Jason Wu’s freckle pen apart from the rest is how it infuses rosewater into its formula to help soothe skin with every application. It comes in a light brown shade, which is suitable for most skin tones, and has reviewers raving over how it’s “perfect for summer time.”

To apply: “lightly tap the fine point tip wherever you want faux freckles and dab off any excess. Reviewers also say “the pigment is on point [and] blends beautifully with makeup.”

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best refillable lipsticks, makeup tools for beginners and press-on nails.

Ariana Grande Asks Fans to Stop ‘Sending Hateful Messages to People in My Life’ Following Release of ‘Eternal Sunshine’

Ariana Grande has a message for fans who are attacking anyone on the internet after listening to the pop star’s new album Eternal Sunshine.

“i just wanted to say anyone that is sending hateful messages to the people in my life based on your interpretation of this album is not supporting me and is absolutely doing the polar opposite of what i would ever encourage (and is also entirely misinterpreting the intention behind the music)… i ask that you please do not. it is not how to support me. it is the opposite,” she wrote in an Instagram Story posted Saturday afternoon (March 9).

“although this album captures a lot of painful moments, it also is woven together with a through line of deep, sincere love,” Grande said. “if you cannot hear that, please listen more closely.”

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“thank you! i love you!!!!!!!’ she added in a second slide.

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Grande’s introspective new album — exploring relationships and personal growth — comes after her love life dominated headlines in 2023, when Grande separated from Dalton Gomez after two years of marriage and started a new relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

Eternal Sunshine arrived on Friday. It’s the singer’s seventh full-length album, and her first since chart-topper Positions, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in 2020.

On Saturday, Eternal Sunshine set a record as the most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far.

Grande will perform as the musical guest on the Josh Brolin-hosted episode SNL Saturday night.

See Grande’s message on her Instagram Stories.

Jennifer Lopez’s Streetwear Choice Includes This Pair of Viral Platform Uggs

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Jennifer Lopez is proving Y2K style remains supreme in one of her most recent streetwear outfits, which put the popular Mini Platform Uggs on display. After releasing the movie This Is Me Now: A Love Story to coincide with her latest album release, the “Jenny From the Block” singer took some time to hit the gym before her upcoming tour in a cozy yet chic outfit featuring the Ugg boots, a matching athleisure set and accessorized with a Hermès Birkin bag.

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J. Lo is among the celebrities who are part of Ugg fan club, especially for this style, as she’s also been spotted wearing the exact Uggs boots with a pair of overalls while out and about with her husband Ben Affleck.

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Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez is seen on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

In the past, Uggs were considered controversial for their deemed “ugly” style, but the “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer has proven that the shoe brand isn’t just relevant, but a fashion must-have.

Social media users have been clamoring to get their hands on their own pair of the Mini Platform Uggs and while many sites are sold out, Billboard Shopping has found a few options to buy platform Uggs online.

Ugg Mini Platform Boot

$169.95

$169.95

$170

The Ugg Mini Platform is ready to elevate your outfits in height and trendiness with its quality suede material and overlock stitch detailing that can pair with jeans or sweatpants. Your feet with be praising the fluffy interior that’s soft and heat-insulating to keep you comfortable during colder days.

Do Platform Uggs Run Big?

Amazon reviewers have noted that the platform Uggs do run big and suggest sizing down for a more snug fit. For those who bought their normal size instead of a smaller fit, reviewers claim you can wear them with thick socks and be comfortable.

Do Platform Uggs Stretch Out?

If the shoes feel a bit snug at first, some reviewers have noted that the Ugg Mini Platforms will expand with time. One verified Amazon reviewer even noted “After doing lots of research, these will stretch out so although they’re tight at first, give it a bit and they will stretch out.” Hey, if it’s good enough for J. Lo, it’s good enough for us.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Ugg slipper dupes, platform boots andknee-high boots.

Ariana Grande Says ‘We Can’t Be Friends’ Video Captures Spirit of ‘Eternal Sunshine,’ Shouts Out Co-Star Evan Peters

Ariana Grande is reflecting on her new “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” music video.

On Saturday (March 9), the 30-year-old pop superstar took to social media to share a heartfelt message about her loving homage to the 2004 Jim Carrey sci-fi romance that inspired her new album title, Eternal Sunshine.

“Thank you for creating such a safe space, for holding my hand, and for thoughtfully bringing this entire album to life with this one video. Though we will make many more, this video is the album to me,” Grande wrote on Instagram alongside a teaser of the visual, giving a shout-out to co-star Evan Peters and director Christian Breslauer. “A tremendous thank you to the incredible crew who made this what it is.”

Grande followed her note with a long list of the crew members involved in the creation of the video.

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Breslauer, who also directed the singer and actress’ “Yes, And?” video, shared his gratitude in the comments section. “Thank you for writing from the heart, leading the way and trusting me with something so precious,” the director wrote.

The midtempo track is the second single from Eternal Sunshine, following the January Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping hit “Yes, And?” In celebration of the album’s release, Grande will perform on Saturday Night Live this weekend as the Josh Brolin-hosted episode’s musical guest.

Eternal Sunshine, which arrived Friday (March 8), is already setting is already setting records. Spotify announced through social media on Saturday that the project is the company’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far.

Check out Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends” post on Instagram below.

Ariana Grande’s ‘Eternal Sunshine’ Is 2024’s Most-Streamed Album in a Single Day on Spotify

Ariana Grande‘s just-released album, Eternal Sunshine, is already setting records. On Saturday (March 9), Spotify announced through social media that the project is the company’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far.

The 30-year-old Wicked star unveiled Eternal Sunshine, her seventh album, on Friday (March 8), marking her first full-length since 2020’s Grammy-nominated Positions, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Grande entered the Eternal Sunshine era back in January with the release of lead single “Yes, And?” That Max Martin-producer dancefloor-ready banger used house music to kiss off her haters and shimmy to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Five weeks later, Grande’s latest Hot 100 chart-topper — her eighth overall and sixth to debut in the pole position — received a remix from none other than Mariah Carey.

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She has earned eight No. 1 singles on the Hot 100, including “Thank U, Next” (seven weeks), “Save Your Tears” (with The Weeknd, two weeks) and the eight-week leader “7 Rings.” On the Billboard 200, the multi-hyphenate has sent five titles to the chart’s summit, including 2013’s Yours Truly, 2014’s My Everything, 2018’s Sweetener and 2020’s Positions.

In celebration of Eternal Sunshine‘s release, Grande will perform on Saturday Night Live this weekend as the Josh Brolin-hosted episode’s musical guest. Along with the album, she dropped the music video for her next single “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” on Friday.

Grande is no stranger to receiving accolades from Spotify. Earlier this year, she reflected on the stories behind all 14 of her hits that earned a billion streams on Spotify — the most of any female artist in history.

“thank you so much @spotify for this incredible honor and celebration !” the Victorious album captioned a video on Instagram, in which she shared stories about such hits as “Bang Bang,” “Rain On Me” and “Save Your Tears.” “filming this little episode was such a sweet little commemoration and gratitude meltdown, if you will !!!!! i wasn’t expecting to get emotional but it really, truly hit me!”

See Spotify’s Eternal Sunshine announcement on Instagram below.

Sherine Accepts The Global Force of Arabia | Billboard Women In Music 2024

Sherine accepts the Global Force award from Billboard Arabia at Billboard’s Women In Music 2024.

Sherine
Thank you Billboard for the award. Thank you, I am proud to be receiving it, I’m so proud that you enjoyed my work. And of course I’m thrilled and proud that there is a music award specifically for women, is something that makes me very happy. And I hope that my work reaches the entire world, that’s always been a dream of mine. Thank you so much again.

Kanye West Teases ‘Vultures 2’ With Ty Dolla $ign Following Album Delay

Kanye West is sharing some new artwork for his upcoming Vultures 2 album with Ty Dolla $ign.

The rapper and fashion mogul, who now goes by Ye, took to social media early Saturday (March 9) to share a photo of himself wearing all black and holding a portrait of what appears to be Ty’s incarcerated Brother Big TC.

“VULTURES 2,” Ye captioned the Instagram post, which features an image of the superstar rapper wearing a face mask and leather jacket.

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The sequel album was expected to arrive on Friday (March 8), about one month after Vultures 1, which topped the Billboard 200 chart in back-to-back weeks. That marked the first time West held the top spot for more than a week since Watch The Throne.

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The impending arrival of Vultures 2 sets up another busy month for Ye and Ty Dolla $ign. They’re set to host a pair of Vultures listening experience parties at Phoenix’s Footprint Center (March 10) and San Francisco’s Chase Center (March 12) before making their live performance debut on Thursday (March 14) at Rolling Loud California.

The project boasts Vultures leftovers such as “Everybody” and “Time Moving Slow.” Ye and Ty invite a plethora of guests into the mix to execute their vision with appearances from Playboi Carti, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Lil Baby and more.

On Friday night, West and his wife, Bianca Censori, arrived to a Vultures 2 listening party in Los Angeles, according to TMZ. Ye reportedly gave an update on the sequel’s progress through the fan Instagram account Ye Fanatics, writing, “We in the Lab.”

See Ye’s Vultures 2 post on Instagram below.

TWICE & LE SSERAFIM Make History as First Two All-Woman Groups at Nos. 1 & 2 on Top Album Sales Chart

TWICE and LE SSERAFIM make history on Billboard’s 32-year-old Top Album Sales chart (dated March 9), as the South Korean female pop groups debut at Nos. 1 and 2 — marking the first time two all-women groups have been in the top two positions at the same time.

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Top Album Sales’ chart history dates to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate.

TWICE’s With YOU-th launches at No. 1 with 90,000 copies sold in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 29, according to Luminate. LE SSERAFIM’s Easy starts at No. 2 with 34,000 copies sold. The majority of each album’s sales come from CD purchases in assorted collectible editions, as is usual with major K-pop releases

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Also in the top 10 of the new Top Album Sales chart, the latest albums from French Montana and Ace Frehley arrive, while BTS’ former No. 1 Love Yourself: Tear re-enters the chart in the top 10 following its release on vinyl.

Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

For TWICE, With YOU-th marks the fourth No. 1 on Top Album Sales and fifth top 10 overall. For LE SSERAFIM, Easy is the act’s third top 10 set.

At No. 3 on Top Album Sales, French Montana’s Mac & Cheese 5 debuts with 22,500 copies sold. Of that sum, physical sales comprise 19,000 (9,000 on vinyl — his best week on the configuration, 10,000 on CD) and digital sales comprise about 3,500. Sales were boosted by the album’s availability across six CD variants (three alternative covers, and three signed editions each with a different cover) and three vinyl variants (all with alternative covers) — and all were sold through the artist’s webstore. The physical albums were deeply discounted to $5 for standard vinyl and CD editions, and $10 for the signed CD editions. The digital album was also issued in three variants: a standard album (clean and explicit), a deluxe edition (with one bonus track, clean and explicit) and a super deluxe edition, dubbed the “Versions” variant (with all of the album’s standard explicit tracks, plus versions of each song in clean, sped-up, slowed-down, instrumental and acapella mixes).

Mac & Cheese 5 is French Montana’s fourth top 10-charting effort on Top Album Sales and his highest-charting set yet, surpassing the No. 4 peak of his three earlier top 10 sets.

Ace Frehley logs his highest-charting album ever on Top Album Sales, as his latest release, 10,000 Volts, charges in at No. 4 with 13,000 copies sold. Of that sum, vinyl sales comprise 5,500, marking the former KISS guitarist’s biggest sales week on vinyl since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991. In total, 10,000 Volts is Frehley’s fifth top 10-charting set on Top Album Sales.

BTS’ former No. 1 Love Yourself: Tear re-enters Top Album Sales at No. 5 with about 9,500 sold — nearly all from vinyl sales, as the album was released on the configuration for the first time during the tracking week. With nearly 9,500 copies sold on vinyl, the album also bows at No. 1 on the Vinyl Albums chart, BTS’ second leader on that list, following Love Yourself: Her in 2023.

Four former No. 1s, all from Taylor Swift, are next on Top Album Sales. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) falls 3-6 (9,000; down 19%); Lover dips 4-7 (7,000; down 22%); Midnights slips 7-8 (6,000; down 19%); and Folklore descends 8-9 (nearly 6,000; down 21%). Bob Marley and The Wailers’ Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and The Wailers, rises 11-10 (nearly 6,000; though down 17%), marking the set’s first week in the top 10 since April 17, 2021, when it ranked at No. 9. (The album earlier peaked at No. 5 on the Sept. 20, 2014-dated chart.) The hits album returns to the top 10 on the latest chart following publicity and promotion generated by the release and success of the Marley biopic film Bob Marley: One Love.

In the week ending Feb. 29, there were 1.276 million albums sold in the U.S. (up 9.4% compared to the previous week). Of that sum, physical albums (CDs, vinyl LPs, cassettes, etc.) comprised 976,000 (up 13.8%) and digital albums comprised 300,000 (down 2.9%).

There were 533,000 CD albums sold in the week ending Feb. 29 (up 30.6% week-over-week) and 438,000 vinyl albums sold (down 1.7%). Year-to-date CD album sales stand at 3.875 million (down 29.9% compared to the same time frame a year ago) and year-to-date vinyl album sales total 4.197 million (down 47.3%).

Overall year-to-date album sales total 10.783 million (down 35.3% compared to the same year-to-date time frame a year ago). Year-to-date physical album sales stand at 8.113 million (down 40.2%) and digital album sales total 2.669 million (down 13.7%).

Alicia Villarreal Performs for Female Inmates & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

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Alicia Villarreal visits inmates in Mexico

For International Women’s Day, Mexican singer Alicia Villarreal paid a special visit to female inmates at a women’s reintegration center in Guadalajara, Jalisco. There, she spent around three hours touring new installments, including a library, a chapel and workstations, and gave an empowering speech. She also performed for the inmates two of her greatest hits: “Te Quedó Grande La Yegua” and “Te Aprovechas.”

Karol G is Woman of the Year

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The Colombian hitmaker was honored with Woman of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music event on Wednesday (March 6). After receiving the award from Colombian actor and producer Sofía Vergara, Karol went on to give a passionate acceptance speech. “In the midst of my desire, in the midst of wanting to make music even if it was just for me, I decided that if my environment did not change, I was the one who had to change and I was the one who was going to do it,” Karol said. “And that I wasn’t going to let being a woman be an obstacle or define my capabilities, but that it was going to be my strength, it was going to be my motive and my reason.”

She also performed a salsa version of her hit song “Amargura.” See her performance here.



Girl-power anthems

In the spirit of Women’s History Month, Billboard has compiled a list of the best Latin female anthems. From Jenni Rivera’s “Ovarios” to Shakira’s Bizarrap session and Paulina Rubio’s’ “Yo No Soy Esa Mujer,” these are the songs that continue to make us feel empowered. The list includes impactful songs across different music genres that may have marked a before and after in the artist’s career but also became a timeless staple for their fans. See the list here.



Carlos Vives’ special award

The Colombian singer-songwriter will be honored with this year’s ASCAP Founders Award, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced. “Carlos has led a new generation of Latin artists bringing Colombian music sounds to music fans around the world,” said Paul Williams, ASCAP chairman of the board and president, in a statement. “His talent and passion for Latin music and culture are unmatched. His accomplishments have paved the way for so many others and we are thrilled to present him with our highest honor, the ASCAP Founders Award.” 

The presentation of the award will take place April 2 at the 2024 El Premio ASCAP in Miami, an invitation-only event that celebrates this year’s ASCAP Latin Music Award winners.

The Montreux Jazz Festival Miami is a wrap

The Montreux Jazz Festival Miami — headlined and co-owned by Jon Batiste — made its grand debut at The Hangar in Coconut Grove on March 1. The three-day festival included sets by Cuban musician Cimafunk, Emily Estefan — daughter of Gloria and Emilio Estefan — Daryl Hall, Cuban piano legend Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and The Wailers, among many more. Special guest appearances included Brazilian chanteuse Lia de Itamaracá, who performed alongside Batiste marking her first-ever set outside of Brazil. And Will Smith, who had a cameo rap performance.