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Billboard is continuing to expand its global footprint with the launch of Billboard Africa, which was announced Wednesday night (June 4) at our inaugural Global Power Players event in London.
In partnership with Global Venture Partners, Billboard Africa will continue Billboard‘s commitment to highlighting major developments within the African music industry and embracing the continent’s diverse voices and rich stories through events, awards and exclusive multimedia content. The platform aims to become the leading hub for African music and culture, strengthening ties between artists and fans as well as the local music economy.
“We are thrilled to launch Billboard Africa, a pivotal step in recognizing Africa’s profound contributions to global music culture,” said Josh Wilson, managing director at Global Venture Partners. “African music is not only rich and diverse but a driving force that continues to reshape global music trends. Billboard Africa will create a space where these voices are amplified, where artists connect with new audiences, and where fans and industry professionals alike can witness the full impact of Africa’s creative energy.”
In honor of Billboard Africa launching, we’re celebrating 11 African artists’ trailblazing efforts in the global music scene.
While Rema‘s “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez on the remix, became the first African artist-led song to hit one billion Spotify streams, he’s not the only African artist in Spotify’s Billions Club. Wizkid was the first African member and also one of the first members ever when Drake’s “One Dance,” also featuring Kyla, became the very first song to hit one billion streams on the streaming service in 2016. And while Wiz is also the first Nigerian artist to have a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the same song in 2016, South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela became the first African artist to top the all-genre songs tally nearly 50 years earlier with “Grazing in the Grass.” CKay also landed a historic No. 1 on a Billboard chart that was brand new at the time: the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart that we launched in partnership with Afro Nation in 2022, which ranks the 50 most popular Afrobeats songs in the country.
Like Masekela, many African acts have paved the way for others to achieve historic firsts in their own right. Miriam Makeba, also known as “Mama Africa,” was the first African artist to win a Grammy in 1966, and almost 60 years later, Tyla won the first Grammy in the best African music performance category that the Recording Academy introduced in 2024. And Tems, who won her second Grammy in that category earlier this year with “Love Me JeJe,” made history in a whole different field when she became the first African-born woman to own a Major League Soccer team when she joined the San Diego FC ownership group as a club partner.
From the 1960s to the 2020s, take a look back at more of the historic firsts African artists have accomplished.
Miriam Makeba becomes the first African artist to win a Grammy (1966)
Clive Davis was honored with the Legacy Award at the 2025 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit on Wednesday (June 4). The legendary music industry executive hit the red carpet of the star-studded gala wearing a metallic suit coat, and posed for photos with attendees like Busta Rhymes, Larry Jackson, Sherri Shepherd, Jawn Murray and more. The […]
Billboard has partnered with Global Venture Partners, a Dubai-based venture capital firm focused on fostering economic growth across Africa and the Middle East, to launch Billboard Africa. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Billboard editorial director Hannah Karp first announced the news at our inaugural Global Power […]
Top Dawg Entertainment singer SiR had his 2024 tour stop in Toronto canceled, and he made his return north of the border for a show on Wednesday (June 4).
During his performance, SiR placed the blame for his original cancellation on Drake. In a clip from the performance, SiR says that he was “caught in the middle of a beef I ain’t have s–t to do with,” referencing the ongoing feud between the Toronto rapper and Kendrick Lamar. However, SiR quickly walked back the claims and said it was the venue — which is co-owned by Drizzy — that cancelled his show.
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“Then when we tried to switch venues, the venue was like, ‘Nah, we ain’t f—ing with it. I ain’t taking no motherf—ing chance you gon’ get your ass beat,’” he says in the clip.
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Billboard has reached out to Drake’s team for comment.
The clip from Wednesday’s concert went viral on social media as fans had plenty to say about SiR’s claims, who himself wondered, “Why is this news?”
Plenty of OVO fans were riled up at SiR’s comments and hopped into his replies on X. “It’s news because you said Drake name,” one person said. Another added: “Why you mentioning Drake when he has no clue who you are?”
At the time of the 2024 show, SiR blamed the venue in a statement to fans on X. “So sorry to my Toronto fans. The show has been canceled. We’re working on rescheduling for a later date,” he wrote, per VIBE. “For those wondering, we sold that show out. It was canceled by the venue. Not sure why. My apologies again to those that came just to see me.”
SiR wasn’t the only TDE-affiliate to have issues touring in Canada, as ScHoolboy Q also had a show scrapped in Toronto last summer. “THey just canceled my sHow in TORONTO,” he said at the time. “CANADIAN POLICE DONT WANT NOBODY FROM TDE PERFORMING.”
See how fans reacted to the clip of SiR talking about his 2024 cancellation below:
Anytime an affiliate from either side mention anything about the “beef” it’s going to be news. Tbh why you even take the time to talk about it. You should’ve thanked the crowd and kept it moving. We all know what happened last year.— BREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE (@breyonksmith) June 5, 2025
Why did you make a spectacle of it in the first place— Prime – Enjoyer of #4 (@xPrimeHoops) June 5, 2025
Sir is only speaking the truth from a year ago. Drake is petty and can’t a Loss like a man. Everyone knows this…What is the new news here?— ChiKnows (@Chi_Knows01) June 5, 2025
SIR is irrelevant to the culture. Top 5 is more relevant— Stateless Gonad (@StatelessGonad) June 5, 2025
0 clips of the performance just 1 clip of the only part anyone cares about— Vocal Pineapple 🍍 (@VocalPineapple) June 5, 2025
He literally just told you— Corey (@ioftendrift) June 5, 2025
Neh Drake involved him in things that’s he was not part of— SeanKing (@ShawnSikhosana) June 5, 2025
Ed Sheeran‘s love for India sparkles on his new song “Sapphire,” which dropped alongside an adventurous music video Thursday (June 5).
On the effervescent dance track, the British pop star mixes percussion elements of traditional Indian music with his signature absurdly catchy melodies, singing about never wanting to stop dancing with a lover whose aura shimmers just like the blue diamond for which the song is named.
“We are surrounded but I can only see/ The lights, your face, your eyes/ Exploding like fireworks in the sky,” Sheeran sings on the song.
Adding flair to the recording are vocals and sitar provided by Indian artist Arijit Singh, who also appears with the four-time Grammy winner in the “Sapphire” music video. Filmed across various locations in India during Sheeran’s tour through the country earlier this year, the visual keeps the English musician in the center of the frame as he walks through bustling streets, explores beaches, visits tourist spots, hangs out with locals and sings with a team of youth soccer players.
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His companion in those sites is often Singh, with whom Sheeran sings in Punjabi, “ਚਮ-ਚਮ ਚਮਕੇ ਸਿਤਾਰੇ ਵਰਗੀ” — which translates to “They sparkle just like stars,” according to YouTube’s captions.
“‘Sapphire’ was the first song I finished for Play that made me know where the album was heading,” wrote the “A Team” singer in a statement, referring to his September-slated LP. “It’s why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India.”
“The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the record,” he continued. “Me and him have done a full Punjabi version of the song that will come out in the next few weeks, which has a lot more of him on it. This is the album version of the song, and my favorite song on the album. Hope you guys love it.”
“Sapphire” follows previous Play singles “Azizam” and “Old Phone,” the latter of which dropped at the beginning of May. Arriving Sept. 12, the new album will serve as the first in Sheeran’s next series of LPs, marking a departure from his yearslong mathematics-themed saga.
“Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life,” he recently wrote on Instagram. “Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolor, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring. It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, it encapsulates everything that I love about music, and the fun in it, but also where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father.”
Watch the “Sapphire” music video above.
aespa unleashed a molten teaser for their upcoming single “Dirty Work” on Wednesday (June 4). The 28-second clip keeps the actual sound of the song a secret until its release on June 27 at midnight EST/1 p.m. KST, but its animation promises that fans can expect whatever the K-pop girl group is cooking up with […]
After several false starts, summer finally seems to have settled in. That means music festivals, various carnival celebrations, and the search for a song of the summer are in full effect.
May featured album releases from dancehall stars like Valiant (Prove Them Wrong) and Ding Dong (From Ding Dong to World Ding), but the month’s buzziest news story arrived in its very last weekend. Vybz Kartel, who recently announced his first world tour in over 20 years, and Moliy, whose global Afro-dancehall smash “Shake It to the Max” recently entered the Billboard Hot 100, were both set to play Trinidad’s One Caribbean Music Festival on May 31. However, due to “non-fullfilment of contractual obligations,” as per Kartel’s management, the King of Dancehall pulled out of the festival just hours before he was set to hit the stage. According to Kartel’s team, the dancehall titan did not receive his full payment before the festival took place.
“Vybz Kartel was formally contracted to perform at [One Caribbean Music Festival] 2025 for a total sum of $1.35 million. To date, $950,000 has been paid directly to the [artist], while an additional $150,000 was disbursed to his legal representative,” the promoter explained. “The remaining balance due was made available in full; however, due to legal and financial regulations in Trinidad and Tobago, the organisers were unable to disburse the final amount in cash.”
As for Moliy, the Ghanaian-American singer pulled out of the event, citing the promoter’s failures to meet “key contractual obligations.”
“Moliy arrived in Trinidad ready and excited to perform, but since landing, her team has not received any communication from the festival organizers,” her management team explained in a press release. “Combined with their failure to meet key contractual obligations, this has made it impossible for the performance to proceed.”
Nonetheless, One Caribbean Music Festival continued as planned, with performances from artists such as Chronic Law, Rvssian and Sizzla Kalonji.
Outside of that festival kerfuffle, Caribbean artists are enjoying a particularly notable moment in the live entertainment space. Beenie Man headlined a blockbuster show at Long Island’s UBS Arena on May 24, and Bounty Killer will headline Brooklyn’s Barclays Center next month (July 5), underscoring Caribbean music’s transition to arena-headlining status in the 2020s.
Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:
Freshest Find: Asa Bantan, “God Is Good”
Source: Kayla Oaddams / Getty / DDG / Halle Bailey
Halle Bailey was granted a restraining order against YouTuber and rapper DDG on May 13. Now, he is coming with his own counter-restraining order, accompanied by some eye-opening claims that social media isn’t buying.
*This article contains descriptions of domestic violence and suicide.*
People reports DDG, born Darryl Granberry Jr., has requested an emergency hearing, plus a domestic violence restraining order, and has asked the court to stop Bailey from taking their son to Italy.
DDG’s restraining order comes after Bailey alleged multiple instances of domestic violence took place during their relationship.
DDG was ordered to stay at least 100 feet away from Bailey and their son, Halo. She was also allowed to take Halo to Italy with her, where she is currently shooting a movie.
DDG claims in his restraining order that Bailey is an “imminent emotional and psychological risk to the minor child based on repeated, documented threats of self-harm.”
The rapper also claims that Bailey took his gun and left the house with it during one fight and found her outside with it “emotionally unwell, incoherent, and potentially suicidal.”
In her restraining order, Bailey said DDG slammed her face on a steering wheel, chipped her tooth, broke her Ring camera, and locked her out of her own home.
A judge would ultimately deny DDG’s request.
Nobody Believes DDG On Social Media
Social media isn’t buying DDG’s claims at all, and is currently clowning the streamer.
“doodoogarbage can pull up a video of halle planting a bomb in his pillowcase and I still won’t gaf,” one post on X, formerly Twitter, read.
Another post read, “Halle Bailey posted evidence of DV & was granted a restraining order so DooDooGarbage posted receipts of him cheating on his girlfriend & neglecting his child…? I’m not understanding.”
Welp.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: John Lamparski / Getty
The infamous and ongoing Sean “Diddy” Combs trial just had a dramatic moment. The judge presiding over the racketeering and sex trafficking case against Mr. Combs warned the defense that he would have their client removed from court if he kept staring at the jury.
According to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, Diddy was “nodding vigorously” at the jury during witness testimony. Such behavior is apparently a no-no, with the judge noting that it was “absolutely unacceptable” that he had already warned the defense about such behavior, according to various reports.
After being admonished (after the jury had been excused for lunch), Diddy defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said, “it’s not going to happen again.”
Telling a multimillionaire what not do, even if his freedom depends on it? Good luck with that. The alleged interaction with the jury occurred during the testimony of Bryana Bongolan, who claims that Diddy dangled her over a balcony back in 2016.
According to NBC News, a court artist confirmed what the judge observed.
Courtroom artist Jane Rosenberg, who has had her eyes and binoculars on Combs for over a month, told NBC News that she has seen him making facial expressions both affirmatively and negatively depending on the testimony, and she has seen him attempting to interact with various members of the jury since the beginning of the trial.
The judge was also clear that if the behaviour does not change, he will remove Diddy from the courtroom for the rest of the trial.
Diddy’s trial is only in its third week and is schedule to last about two months.
See more reactions to this latest development in the comments.
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Disclosure will perform a run of North American live shows this fall, the duo announced Thursday (June 5.) The newly announced shows piggyback a run of previously announced DJ sets from the Lawrence brothers. The newly announced shows include dates at both indoor and outdoor venues, including Forest Hills in New York, the Santa Barbara […]
