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Vans Warped Tour might be one of the best-selling festivals of 2025, but organizers say no one music act is responsible for moving the bulk of the 240,000 tickets sold so far across three U.S. cities. Indeed, the brand name alone seems to have been enough.
“We sold the vast majority of those tickets before we had a lineup,” says Kevin Lyman, founder and producer of the traveling punk show, which ran from 1995 to 2018 before returning this year for a limited 30th anniversary run. Lyman, who has partnered with Live Nation festival company Insomniac for this year’s Warped, is working from a makeshift office and headquarters after the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year forced him to leave his Altadena home, which was damaged but largely spared from the blaze.
“I think there’s nostalgia in the market, but it’s not just for the music — people are longing for events that are affordable and give them a chance to discover something,” says Lyman. Prices for this year’s Warped Tour are $149 for a two-day pass, and the tour is much shorter, with just three stops this year instead of the typical 36 markets. Two of the three markets piggyback off events organized by Insomniac: Warped’s Washington, D.C. stop, from June 14-15, comes two weeks after Insomniac’s Project Glow EDM fest; while the Orlando stop, Nov. 15-16, takes place one week after EDC Orlando at Camping World Stadium. Warped Tour is also coming to Long Beach, Calif., from July 26-27 at Shoreline Waterfront Park.
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Each of the three two-day stops on the tour accounts for nearly 80,000 tickets sold. When combined, the fans attending all six days of the Warped Tour this summer will have purchased 240,000 tickets. That’s likely more tickets than were sold at Coachella this year, which took place over two consecutive three-day weekends, sources tell Billboard. It also likely surpasses the number of tickets sold at the three-day Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.
Billboard recently caught up with Lyman to discuss the 30th anniversary tour, including how he pitched it to Steven Van Doren, son of Vans founder Paul Van Doren; his expectations from the fans; and whether the 2025 outing is a one-and-done or has the potential to return in 2026 and beyond.
What made you decide to bring Warped Tour back?
People don’t miss something until it’s taken away. I had a fantastic crew; we did a lot of marketing for bands and helped a lot of younger artists. And then, when we took it away, people realized that there was a place for something like Warped Tour. But by then I was busy doing other things — traveling, teaching my class at USC and working on other projects. And then the pandemic hit, and being on a college campus and being around young people, I could see a new need for Warped Tour arise.
What kind of reception have you received so far?
I think it’s been exciting because the bands that remember Warped Tour remember how important it was to their careers, and the younger bands now are super excited to be able to have that experience and be part of it.
Why did you bring in Insomniac for this year’s Warped Tour?
There’s a lot of people over there that grew up around Warped Tour, attended in the past and even worked on Warped Tour. Maureen Valker-Barlow, who works as a senior vp at Insomniac and landed her first job at Warped Tour, approached me, and it was easy for us to figure out how to work together. And then it was like the green light came on, and we just ran with it. They have great people over there like Amanda Phelan, who is a great booker, and Maureen, who I previously mentioned, handling sponsorship, as well as Chris Barlow and Nathan Armstrong in production. I’ve always operated as very small and independent, working in a garage, and they’re a big company, and they know how to run festivals. They handle a lot of the day-to-day stuff, absorbing a significant part of the logistics. And marketing. They’ve given me a little bit more of that structure. What was it like approaching Vans to do another tour? That was easy, because Steve Van Doren and myself go back — we’re talking 25 years of Warped Tour and years before that. It was easy to go over there and say, “Hey, here’s the idea, let’s bring it back with these people. I have faith in them.” Sure, there was a lot of paperwork, but it only took ten minutes of conversation to get this thing going.
Was it difficult to come up with a budget around a $149 ticket price?
Not at all, because I knew from the beginning that Warped would only work if we kept the ticket price fair. I feel strongly that a $149, two-day ticket is affordable to our fans. I think 90% of the reason that people are getting turned off by festivals is because they’re too expensive. Warped was always the show for people that maybe didn’t have that money for some of the other festivals. Both myself and Insomniac felt $149 was the right price, and a lot of people have responded to that price. It also helps that we delivered the lineup. It’s an eclectic lineup that touches on our history and past, but it also looks forward to the future. I’m excited to see which of the younger bands we’ve booked get the biggest reaction from the fans.
You’ve got some big names on the lineup this year like Avril Lavigne, Fishbone, Less Than Jake, Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise and Sublime. You’ve also got dozens of baby bands and newcomers scheduled to play. How do you strike the right balance between old and new?
Well, it’s partially an economic exercise. Every band you book, no matter how big, makes up part of your ticket price, and you always have a few that are reliable and a few that are more of a gamble. We’re booking some of these bands in January, wondering how big they will be in August? Are they going to be bigger than what we paid them? Can the $5,000 band generate $25,000 in value from fans who are excited to see them? If you look at our social media right now, we really don’t need to push Sublime or Rise Against. They’re already known. People are going to enjoy them, and they’re going to have a big, big crowd. We want to grab onto those younger acts like LØLØ or Honey Revenge and really boost them on our social media so they have a big audience at Warped Tour. A lot of what we focus on is leveraging the Warped brand and the larger bands to help raise the profile of the smaller acts.
Did you get the idea to list the bands on the lineup poster in alphabetical order from Insomniac?
No, that’s something I started doing in 1996 because I hate arguing over billing. I think we waste so much time arguing over font size on the poster when we should be marketing to fans and getting behind the show. People are smart. People will come and find the bands they want to see. If you could put Korn in the bottom corner of a festival lineup, people would find them and be excited about them.
What about scheduling? How do you keep egos in check with the schedule?
We don’t announce the set times until the day of the show. I do that because I want people to come early and enjoy all the young bands. I go to too many festivals where people come in at sunset and miss all the great young bands. And my thing is, Warped fans are diehard music fans. They’re not fashion fans, they’re there for the music. And they’re going to figure out the lineup. And I think everything we’re doing so far is working. Hopefully, we deliver the show that people will want to come see next year.
So Warped is not a one-and-done? This is a multi-year project?
I want to really go see what the first show is like in D.C. before we make any final decisions on that. I want to go see the audience and who’s coming. Is it people that want to be part of something moving forward, or people trying to capture a memory? My guess is that it will be a blend of both, but we’ll see.
Could it return as a true touring property, going from city to city, buses and all?
No. Definitely not. I can’t do that to myself, hitting the road for two months straight. I’ve had seven different surgeries because of the Warped Tour. I don’t need any more.
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Khadiyah “KD” Lewis, who was known for being on Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, has passed away at 44.
Her brother, Elijah Inegbedion, confirmed the sad news with a post on Facebook, writing about how hard it’s been to find the right words to express how much his sister meant to him. He shared that KD had an amazing legacy and was always there for him. “You left behind a legacy most people can only dream of,” he said in the emotional tribute.
KD was born on March 31, 1981, and passed away on May 30, 2025. She first appeared on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta in Season 3 and became a regular on Season 4. During her time on the show, she was known for her relationship with rapper Yung Joc.
KD was more than just a reality TV star. She was also an entrepreneur and businesswoman. She owned a real estate investment firm and worked as a tax consultant. She was always working hard and had her hands in a lot of different things, from speaking engagements to being a brand ambassador.
Even though her time on TV was relatively short, KD’s impact was big, and she’ll be remembered for her hard work, her love for her family, and the mark she left on those around her.
More news to come as the story develops.
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The Weeknd unveiled the eerie music video for Hurry Up Tomorrow album cut “Baptized in Fear” on Friday (June 6). In the cinematic clip, the R&B crooner sits alone in a desolate row of church pews as he sings, “I fell asleep in the tub, I was met with paralysis/ My foot hit the faucet, […]
In an alternate universe, Miley Cyrus‘ iconic Bangerz era would’ve been made complete with a wild music video starring Madonna, Nelly and more superstars popping wheelies and wrestling in the mud. Unfortunately, we do not live in that universe.
In an interview on the Every Single Album podcast posted Thursday (June 5), the “Flowers” singer revealed that she had been dead set on rounding up a star-studded group of friends to shoot a raucous visual for “4×4,” a song on her smash-hit 2013 album that ultimately never became a single. “I had everyone already lined up,” Cyrus said. “Nelly … Madonna was down to do the video, Miranda Cosgrove.”
“This was before Taylor [Swift] had a lot of famous people in her crew,” she continued, laughing. “I was friends with famous people first. I wanted to do that. I had a f–king squad, and my squad was very, very cool.”
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Cyrus claimed the idea was eventually shut down by RCA, her label at the time, whom she quipped didn’t want her “talking about a pit bull [and] piss” in a song they’d be promoting. “Madonna was down to mud wrestle with Miranda Kerr,” the Grammy winner reminisced wistfully. “I was like, ‘I’m gonna get all these girls, all these supermodels, all these Victoria’s Secret models and all of these pop icons to come to my dad’s farm, get in the back of 4x4s, and we’re gonna mud wrestle, and we’re gonna go out and do doughnuts.”
Despite the lack of a “4×4” visual, Bangerz remains one of Cyrus’ most successful albums to date. The LP debuted atop the Billboard 200 and spawned her first-ever No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, “Wrecking Ball,” which was followed closely by “We Can’t Stop” at No. 2.
The “Party in the U.S.A.” artist was signed to RCA for a three-album run, later dropping Younger Now in 2017 and Plastic Hearts in 2020 under the Sony Music imprint. In 2021, she inked a new deal with Columbia Records, through which she just released new album Something Beautiful on May 30.
Later in the podcast episode, Cyrus recalled another time where she and her former label weren’t quite on the same page. According to her, she never would’ve put a certain fellow pop star on “Prisoner,” one of the singles on Plastic Hearts. “No shade to Dua Lipa, it just isn’t cohesive with the album,” Cyrus said frankly.
“She would’ve been much better on something like [2023 LP] Endless Summer Vacation,” the singer continued of Dua Lipa. “She would’ve been great on ‘Wildcard,’ she would’ve been great on any of them — ‘River,’ can you imagine?”
Cyrus added that she thought her team at RCA wasn’t entirely confident in how Plastic Hearts would perform, so they brought in some “medicinal Dua” to give the LP some commercial oomph. “They basically were like, ‘Oh, great, here’s this piece of s–t album she gave us, let’s spray a little Dua Lipa on there,’” Cyrus said, laughing.
Listen to Cyrus’ full interview on Every Single Album below.
New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
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Belinda, Indómita (Warner Music México)
When Belinda received the Evolution Award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music gala, she made it clear that “Belinda isn’t a musical genre.” During a career that spans 25 years, she’s navigated through pop, rock, electronic, cumbia, and most recently, música mexicana. “My career is versatile…it’s the perfect word to define my style,” she previously told Billboard. Best representing her fruitful and experimental growth in the industry, the Spain-born, Mexican-raised star dropped Indómita, her sixth studio album and debut set under Warner Music.
The 17-track album starts off with nine “corridos coquettes,” where her alter ego “Beli Bélica” shines in collaborations with genre hitmakers Natanael Cano (“300 Noches”), Tito Double P (“La Cuadrada”), and Xavi (“Mírame Feliz”). Across the next eight songs, she dabbles in trap music (“Death Note” and “Silvana”); teams up with Netón Vega and Tokischa for two hard-hitting perreos (“+ Perra, + Bitch” and “Wet Dreams”); and goes full dance in the Kenia OS-assisted “Jackpot.” Other collaborators on the set include Alemán, Mala Rodriguez and Thirty Second to Mars.
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“The [album’s] title is very specific to a movement for women,” she explained of Indómita, which means “untamed.” “She’s a warrior, independent, a woman who’s out of the box, completely irreverent but at the same time strong, sexy, fun… all the things I like and that I am, and I’d like to convey that to people.” — JESSICA ROIZ
Óscar Maydon, Rico o Muerto, Vol. 1 (Rancho Humilde)
Excess, irreverence and romance collide in Óscar Maydon’s Rico o Muerto, Vol. 1, a whirlwind of sierreño swagger that feels like a tequila-soaked fever dream. Across 12 tracks, the Mexicali artist channels the debauchery and drama of late-night escapades, weaving tales of fleeting romances (“Mr. Vallarta”), dismissal (“Para Ti”) and indulgence (“ZAZA,” the only trap song).
The party kicks off on “Baja Beach,” a sun-drenched anthem named after the infamous Mexican festival, with Junior H and Fuerza Regida joining the revelry. “Desvelada” turns up the nocturnal chaos alongside Peso Pluma and Netón Vega, while the focus track “Asquerosamente Rico” with Peso takes playful opulence to new heights. On “2030,” Maydon rides solo, mixing carnivalesque accordion riffs with a pulsing electric bassline to deliver a debauched, dystopian glimpse into the future. The album is the right amount of star-studded that Luis R Conríquez and Gabito Ballesteros also join him on “Fina Con Los Valentinos.”
With pre-released hits “Tu boda” and “Amigos? No.” rounding out the collection, Rico o Muerto, Vol. 1 reaffirms Maydon’s devil-may-care and romantic style. But more than a party album, it’s a work where the unbridled fun and excitement feel as real as the early mornings it invokes. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Elvis Crespo, Poeta Herío (Puntería Records)
Merengue star Elvis Crespo delivers Poeta Herío, a term from Puerto Rican slang that translates to “hurt poet.” The 13-track set showcases the vibrant essence of merengue, featuring lively rhythms and heartfelt lyrics encapsulating the joys and struggles of life through his music. The LP is a vibrant tapestry of tropical sounds, featuring an impressive roster of both legendary icons and rising stars. With Elvis Crespo at the helm, the project immerses listeners in his signature genres of spirited merengue, lively mambo and infectious bachata. This new chapter in Crespo’s musical journey is fueled by collaborations with a diverse array of artists such as Ivy Queen, Jerry Rivera, Toño Rosario, Tony Tun Tun and Víctor Manuelle.
Standout tracks include “Cora Roto,” an emotionally charged song where Crespo unveils a gripping narrative of betrayal, where hidden truths come to light, revealing a harsh and unforgiving reality. This is followed by several heartfelt goodbye letters and concludes the album with a revamped version of his classic “Nuestra Canción,” featuring Jerry Rivera. — INGRID FAJARDO
Ozuna, “Sirenita” (Nibiru International)
Ozuna hasn’t released an album in two years, so he could be setting the tone for a potential LP with the two singles he’s released so far this year. His latest, “Sirenita,” is a vibrant fusion of Afrobeats and the Puerto Rican hitmaker’s signature rhythmic-leaning urban production, which serves as the perfect canvas for his sweet and delicate vocals. The lyrics to “Sirenita” — which tell the story of a girl who’s stolen Ozuna’s heart — are a testament to Ozuna’s knack for writing sensitive, romantic songs. “Sirenita” serves as the lead-up to Ozuna’s summer tour in Europe that will kick off on June 20 in Milan and span over ten cities across the continent. — GRISELDA FLORES
Elena Rose, Sistek & Mazzarri, “SINTIGO” (Warner Music Latina)
Accompanied by producers Sistek and Mazzarri, Elena Rose releases “SINTIGO,” an evocative track with an electronic vibe that explores the emotional contradiction of wanting someone to stay but also wanting them to leave. “How do I tell you? My life without you makes no sense,” the artist sings over a subtle fusion of house with Afrobeats, resulting in a delicate yet euphoric soundtrack for summer. “SINTIGO” – a Spanish play of the words “Sin ti” (without you) and “Contigo” (with you) – is the first preview of the Venezuelan singer-songwriter’s highly anticipated debut LP, following her 2024 EP En Las Nubes – Con Mis Panas. “This is the first of everything,” Elena wrote on Instagram. “A summer without drama is coming … full of beautiful things.” – SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Adriel Favela, Eddy, “KbrN InfeLiZ” (Fono)
Adriel Favela’s “KbrN InfeLiZ,” the first single from his upcoming album Elysium, is a sad sierreño song powered by raw lyrics about a man who realizes that his lifestyle and emotional failings make him incapable of loving someone back the way he is loved. The sierreño-style guitars add an even more dramatic and profound touch to the track, in which the regional Mexican star is accompanied by Eddy, an emerging música mexicana artist who has previously collaborated with Gabito Ballesteros, Calle 24 and Ed Maverick. “KbrN InfeLiZ” has the makings of an anthem for today’s generation. – TERE AGUILERA
Kapo, “Korazong” (Sony Music Latin/La Industria)
Kapo’s “Korazong” is a romantic declaration of love powered by a hypnotic Afrobeats sound. Written by the Colombian singer and produced by Gangsta, the song is distinguished by its poetic and sincere lyrics in which Kapo, with his unmistakable raspy voice, sings to that woman who came to heal his heart and transform it with love. Although it is still early to know if it will be his next hit, what is clear is that Kapo reaffirms his knack for authentic songs that touch the heartstrings and appeal to all types of listeners. — LUISA CALLE
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
Jim James will kick of NIVA ‘25 with a keynote address on Sunday, June 22. The My Morning Jacket frontman will take the stage at The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, Wisc. to discuss touring and open up the National Independent Venue Association’s fourth annual conference. In addition, legendary producer Jimmy Jam will address the conference […]
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Justine Skye is having a major moment this year. The “In My Bag” singer just began her new music era, kicking off this year with a new sound and label — Warner Records, to be exact. Now she’s entering this new phase stylishly, thanks to her latest collaboration with Nike Sportswear.
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The collection is comprised of neutrals and neon jackets, sports bras, sweat sets and yoga-esque tops, with a focus on Nike’s Air Max Dn8 in three new colorways. The women’s sneaker was revamped in Skye’s image, imbued with her effortless style and swagger. Each piece is representative of the performer’s own style, carefully cultivated to mix fashion with function. Simply put, this isn’t your mama’s athletic wear. In honor of Skye’s new chapter, we’ve picked a few favorites from her Nike collab that we’re sure you’ll be obsessed with.
Nike Sportswear Windrunner Storm-FIT ADV Oversized Trench Coat
A lengthy black Nike-branded trench coat.
Trench coats are an effortlessly classic silhouette. They’re a staple in many people’s closets, and for good reason. We love this one from Nike Sportswear because it’s built to last thanks to its storm-FIT ADV tech that helps keep you dry, even in the worst weather. The oversized fit is a nice plus, creating a boxy shape that’s angular so you won’t look like you’re swimming in fabric.
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This style is made of 80% nylon and 20% spandex. It’s windproof and ultra-warm, equipped with utilitarian details such as ample pockets for all your carrying needs. Styling options are endless with this trench thanks to the two-way metal zipper and snap closures that let you situate the outerwear as you please. Finally, subtle Nike logo detailing embroidered into the fabric offers the trench an instantly recognizable feel that’s not logo-heavy. The hood is also detachable, letting you customize your look even more. We can envision this piece paired with barrel jeans and a cable knit sweater for those colder days. Or swap the sweater out for your favorite cropped tank. The styling options are endless.
Nike Sportswear Women’s Mid-Rise Loose Woven Open-Hem Pants
Mid-rise joggers in gray with neon accents.
Retailing for $90, these mid-rise pants are a statement maker. Made of 100% nylon, they boast an effortlessly baggy fit with paneling and sewn-on neon tape that offers dimension to your look. Drawcords attached at the ankles allow versatility, meaning you can play with the proportions of your pants as you see fit.
The elastic waistband is equipped with drawcords to tighten or let loose, while Nike graphics add character and endless swagger. You’d be remiss to style these plainly. Go big with other neon-accented pieces such as sports bras or a cropped hoodie. Play with your silhouette by working smaller on the top to counteract the bagginess of the pants.
Nike Sportswear Women’s Short-Sleeve Ringer T-Shirt
A white and red retro-inspired baby tee.
There’s something so retro about this Ringer tee. It’s giving Napoleon Dynamite in the best way. The cropped fit and bright red trim nicely contrast the white base while complementing red Nike graphics offering the otherwise plain silhouette some character.
Sizing options range from XS to XXL. This tee reminds us of a standard gym uniform, but way cooler. The sporty silhouette would pair well with other sporty pieces such as biker shorts or baggy nylon trousers in neutral tones. Or go the less athletic route in denim jorts and sneakers, or a lacy maxiskirt and rugged biker boots to create juxtaposition. The world is your oyster with this one.
Nike Zenvy Women’s Dri-FIT Long-Sleeve Shrug Top
A long-sleeve black shrug made of sustainable material.
This shrug top is a Pilate girl’s dream. Retailing for $55, the style is equipped with long sleeves and a high cut that sits just above the chest. You’ll be the envy of your next hot yoga class in this, especially worn with a complimentary black jumpsuit.
Thumbholes featured on each sleeve give the shrug oodles of character. The key to this piece’s success is the fabric. Nike’s patented InfinaSoft material works with the body’s movement. It’s plush and extra-soft, moving as you move through every child’s pose or downward dog. This shrug is also made with Nike’s Dri-FIT tech that’s sweat-wicking, leaving you nice and dry even through your toughest workouts.
Nike Air Max Dn8 Women’s Shoes
Rose gold sneakers in a sleek low-profile style.
Low profile but high impact, these Nike Air Max Dn8 sneakers are a winner. Retailing for $200, these kicks come in three new colorways including a monochrome white and silver. Our favorite is the Metallic Red Bronze/Particle Beige/Hemp/Black, a rose gold hue that can be styled in a slew of ways. It’s all about Nike’s Dynamic Air system with this style.
Eight pressurized Air tubes give the sneaker a responsive bounce with every step, making you feel like you’re walking on air. Each tube is fixed with dual chambers with tuned pressure levels. The airflow shifts within each set of tubes in response to compression, providing a unique cushioning experience. The sculpted uppers are made of breathable mesh while the plastic tips at the heel keep the foot in place. The shoe features a unique slashed design on the uppers that reveals more mesh detailing. Thanks to all these details, the Air Max Dn8 is a piece we can see being worn and re-worn time and time again.
Nike Sportswear Tech Fleece Women’s Slim Maxi Tank Dress
A maxi-length light gray mock-neck dress with a slim fit.
Insanely stylish with little to no effort, this Nike Sportswear Tech Fleece Maxi Tank Dress is one of those pieces you can just throw on and look great immediately. Key details include a modern mock neckline and that sleek slim fit that flatters and streamlines almost every figure.
The dress is made of light gray fleece that is smooth both inside and out, keeping the wearer warm. Finally, a slit on the side offers the wearer ample movement and a little bit of drama. Said slit can be adjusted thanks to a zipper closure, so you can up the ante depending on your mood. We can envision this maxidress worn with chunky sneakers for a sporty look, or dressed up with PVC mules for a night out.
Nike Sportswear Essential Women’s Mid-Rise Woven Cargo Midi Skirt
A black cargo maxiskirt that can be unzipped into a midi-length skirt.
This maxiskirt can transform right before your eyes. No, it’s not magic. The cargo style features a zipper closure that allows the bottom hem to fall away, making the skirt midi in an instant. The transformation factor is pretty cool, giving you two products in one. The cargo aspect is also great, giving the skirt a utilitarian feel. Pocket detailing gives way to an elasticized waist and a contrasting embroidered white Nike logo. Sizing options range from XS to XL. We recommend styling this piece with low-top sneakers or flats and a little sports bra or tank top.
This May, 88rising unveiled its latest girl group: no na. The Indonesian quartet — made up of members Christy, Baila, Esther and Shaz — debuted with the soaring single “Shoot,” illustrating the group’s knack for vocal harmonies and love of R&B.
Its second single, “Superstitious,” leaned more into pop, and the group says that sweet spot between the two genres is where no na will thrive. The foursome made its live debut this month as 88rising’s annual Head In the Clouds: L.A., their adoptive home after relocating from Indonesia last year to focus on music full time.
Foundation
In December 2022, 88rising brought its celebrated Head in the Clouds festival to Jakarta, Indonesia — marking the event’s first time in Asia and also becoming the unwitting origin story of the label’s newest girl group, no na. Members Baila, Shaz and Christy all met at the festival — and exchanged quick, tepid handshakes, they joke today. While Shaz and Christy come from dance backgrounds, Baila was pursuing music as a solo act at the time, having competed on Indonesian Idol Junior. Six months later, Esther, a singer who had competed on season 10 of Indonesian Idol, completed the quartet, and they started training together in Jakarta with joint dance and vocal lessons. “That’s when we started spending every single day together,” Esther says. Baila adds: “Indonesians are pretty easygoing, and it was so easy for us to get along. We didn’t have to try to like each other.”
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Discovery
The four members of no na were all stealthily scouted by 88rising, an effort helmed by founder and CEO Sean Miyashiro. But when one particular project manager reached out, “We didn’t know that she was from 88,” Esther recalls with a laugh. “They just mentioned, ‘Would you like to be part of a global girl group?’ That kind of scared us at first.” But Shaz jokes, “We stalked her,” and found out that they had a legitimate offer to not only form a global girl group but also move halfway across the world to Los Angeles. (The four members moved there in 2024, sharing an apartment.) While they were immediately aligned on their influences — “pop, reggae, jazz; we all love R&B,” Esther says, shouting out Victoria Monét and FLO as well as “the classics” like Janet Jackson and Diana Ross — they struggled to agree on a group name. After combing through more than 200 options, they agreed on “no na” — a riff on nona, which means “miss” in Indonesian.
Future
Spotlighting its native country is a priority for no na — from the group’s visuals, like filming the stunning music video for debut song “Shoot” back home, to its lyrics, which will incorporate Indonesian phrases. “We want to represent our country to the world, where not a lot of people are familiar with everything about Indonesia,” Shaz says. The act has started to spread the word worldwide: In May, it made its live debut at Head in the Clouds: L.A., which was a full-circle moment. As Esther says: “A dream came true for us.”
This story appears in the June 7, 2025, issue of Billboard.
Russ discovered TuneCore by accident: Nearly 15 years ago, he watched his close friend, the rapper Bugus, Google “How do I get my song on iTunes,” and it led him to the New York-based distribution, publishing and music licensing service. Today, Russ is the face of TuneCore — and a blueprint for independent artists looking to play in the big leagues.
“I was getting 20 cents a month [from my music] in 2011,” he recalls while sitting outside his Atlanta home. “TuneCore was a lifesaver… As streaming started to take over and my music started to gain more traction, TuneCore was paying the bills. It was how I was able to take care of my family when s–t went left.”
These days, the 32-year-old rapper is cashing six-figure checks every week from TuneCore — and he isn’t afraid to show off the impressive receipts on social media. “This is what it looks like when you own your music and you have an extensive catalog and you’re distributing it independently,” he boasts.
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While rap’s mainstream has never embraced Russ or bestowed him glossy awards and accolades, he has still managed to build a successful and lucrative career with a rabid fan base. And his numbers can’t be denied: According to the RIAA, the New Jersey-born rhymer passed 35 million units sold earlier this year. In 2022, he became the first solo rapper to perform at the pyramids of Giza.
“I think it’s a testament to having an extensive catalog and having a loyal audience, [and] the music being timeless,” he says. “I try to tell artists you don’t have to try to get a song that immediately takes off. I have damn near 500 songs out and I think three of them have.”
Russ, whose next project, W!LD, will drop June 27 (an accompanying headlining tour with Big Sean opening is planned), has bucked plenty of music industry conventions on his way to stardom. He believes in flooding the market and has often spent monthslong stretches releasing singles rather than stockpiling them for albums and their corresponding cycles.
“The reason I’m not a big believer in the traditional way of putting out music is because it puts too much pressure on you,” he explains of his singles-based strategy, even if he admits “the album is still God.”
“When you’re putting out a song a month, you move on pretty quickly,” he continues. “It’s good spiritually. Just put the s–t out and give yourself a chance to be discovered.”
When you think about your journey to selling 35 million units, what runs through your head?
Just build a catalog that your fans can live with over the course of time. I think that’s what my catalog has done. It’s songs about my life, and fans have incorporated them into their lives. Maybe it didn’t go platinum in the first year, but over time, people keep listening to the s–t.
What advice do you have for indie artists today?
Stay in the studio and perfect your craft. Stock up on as many great songs as possible, put them out consistently and detach from the results. The traditional way of putting out music puts too much pressure on you. If you do the whole “I take two years off and I come back with a 13-song album,” that shit better be it. You take two years off and you come back with 13 songs and it doesn’t even resonate, it’s like, “Now what?”
It’s crazy that 2017’s There’s Really a Wolf, the first of three albums you released while you were signed to Columbia, is the first platinum album to be completely written, mixed, mastered, recorded and arranged by one person. What does that represent for you?
It’s a constant reminder that I’m enough. No matter what, I know I can do all this s–t when it comes to the music-making process and reach the mountaintop. A platinum album is still the pinnacle of success, as far as a metric in the music business. Knowing I can sit in the studio, make all the beats, mix it, master it, write everything, put it out and it goes platinum is a big confidence boost. I know that the reason I have the fans I do is because of me and my taste. It’s a reminder that people f–k with me for me.
What can you tell us about your new album, W!LD?
It’s my favorite offering of music. It has my favorite elements of all my albums: the depth and introspection of Santiago, the sonic freedom and versatility of There’s Really a Wolf, the grit that Zoo has and the bars that Chomp has. It’s me at my best.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I think in 10 years, I’m going to be primarily acting. I got a movie coming out [Don’t Move will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September]. I really love acting … it’s a different level of community I don’t get from music. [I don’t think I’ll be] touring nearly as much [but] still putting out music. It’s probably going to go to that traditional place where it’s like you don’t hear from me musically for two years and then I drop an album. Knowing me, I’ll just be putting out songs randomly and it will lead to an album.
This story appears in the June 7, 2025, issue of Billboard.
Ed Sheeran’s +–=÷× (Tour Collection) is back at No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart on Friday (June 6) as excitement builds for his new LP, Play.
The collection is made up of Sheeran’s hits from his Mathematical series of records: 2011’s + (Plus), 2014’s × (Multiply), 2017’s ÷ (Divide), 2021’s = (Equals), and 2023’s – (Subtract). A number of songs from 2019’s standalone No.6 Collaboration Project, including songs with Justin Bieber (“I Don’t Care”) and Rudimental (“Lay It On Me”), also feature on the tracklist.
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The LP was released in September 2024 and first hit the top spot back in January, remaining in the top 10 ever since. On Sept. 12, Sheeran will share his new studio album, Play, his eighth, and on Thursday (June 5), he shared the latest taster of the record with “Sapphire,” following previous singles “Azizam” and “Old Phone.”
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As she shares the Jack Antonoff-produced single “Manchild” and headlines Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona, Spain, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet holds steady at No. 2 and earns a 41st week on the chart.
Miley Cyrus’ ninth LP, Something Beautiful, is the week’s highest new entry at No. 3; she has hit the top spot only twice in her career with 2013’s Bangerz and 2023’s Endless Summer Vacation. Greatest hits collections by Fleetwood Mac (50 Years – Don’t Stop, No. 4) and The Weeknd (The Highlights, No. 5) complete the top five.
Following news of her reacquisition of her masters, Taylor Swift’s Reputation (2017) enjoys a 63-position leap up to No. 7, experiencing a 146% week-on-week uplift. Reputation and her self-titled debut are the only LPs from her Big Machine era not to be re-recorded by Swift, and fans are uncertain whether Reputation will get the Taylor’s Version treatment. (Taylor Swift has already been “completely re-recorded,” according to the superstar.) Albums from Garbage (Let All That We Imagine Be the Light, No. 24) and The National frontman Matt Berninger (Get Sunk, No. 27) also make top 40 debuts.
