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Drake has continued to bless fans experiencing financial hardship during his Anita Max Wynn Tour through Australia. The 6 God took his generosity to another level earlier this week in Brisbane when pointing out a fan who was holding up a sign about his mother’s upcoming cancer treatment, and Drake promised to take care of […]
Smart Music Group (SMG) has entered into a contract with Grupo Arriesgado, Billboard Español can exclusively reveal Tuesday (Feb. 25). Co-founders and artist managers, Raczon López and Natalia Corona — also honorees on last year’s Latin Power Players list — have launched a new label focusing on this five-member band that is currently gaining traction on social media platforms.
Originally formed in late 2013 on a ranch named Costa Rica in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and initially led by former frontman turned soloist Panter Bélico, Grupo Arriesgado gained popularity with hits such as the accordion-infused “Jimenez” (2021), “El H,” and “Enloquecido” (2022). With César Alfonso stepping in as the new lead vocalist, they have secured significant radio play and impressive digital platform statistics, amassing 4.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify and maintaining a vigorous schedule of live performances.
Their digital presence is equally robust with 882,000 followers on Instagram, 1.1 million followers and 23.8 million likes on TikTok, and a strong YouTube following with 472,000 subscribers and over 600 million views. Jesús Cuadras (electric bass), César Soto (bajo sexto), Alfonso Rodríguez (second voice) and Ángel de León (drums) also make up the band.
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“Our relationship with Grupo Arriesgado began with the promotion of their three most recent releases, which allowed us to increase their audience on Spotify to almost 5 million monthly listeners and accumulate 35 million views on the main platforms,” López tells Billboard. “For this reason, the group wanted to take its relationship with Smart Music Group (SMG) to the next level and we have signed an agreement that makes us their representatives.”
He adds: “From now on, we will provide a comprehensive strategy that combines digital growth with presence in traditional media. This work will consolidate Grupo Arriesgado as one of the most important groups in regional Mexican.”
López and Corona have recently managed the 2024 global breakout star Xavi, who topped Hot Latin Songs with “La Diabla” and secured the No. 2 spot with “La Víctima” on the same chart, and other notable achievements. Under the pair’s management, Xavi also clinched the Artist of the Year (New) award at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards. The duo also managed newcomer Drian.
With this new partnership, Grupo Arriesgado has embarked on a fresh phase with the release of “De Aquí Soy” (2025) and “Qué Chulada” (2024), two singles that mark a shift toward a more romantic and melodic style.
Listen to “De Aquí Soy” below.
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In honor of the timeless silhouette, Converse celebrates the legacy of the Chuck Taylor in the new campaign Love, Chuck. A short film captures the deep-rooted connection between the sneaker and its creative community by tapping a star-studded list of artist and athlete collaborators, including Tyler, the Creator, Charli XCX, Lil Yachty and Vince Staples, alongside NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Olympic skateboarder Alexis Sablone, Chinese singer-songwriter-actor Roy Wang and skateboarder Zion Effs to honor the iconic sneaker.
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Since its debut in 1917, the Chuck Taylor has become a culture symbol, weaving its way into the fabric of various subcultures and earning a revered place in the hearts of its devotees. For generations of athletes, artists and musicians, the Chuck Taylor was more than just a shoe — it’s a badge of honor, a symbol of nonconformity and a representation of community. Its simple design, universal appeal and affordable price point allows wearers from all walks of life to easily tap into its story.
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The celebratory short film, narrated by Tyler, the Creator, is described as “an invitation to all creators: to not let the fear of failure stop them, to create what they love, and to ‘Go Do That.’” Converse has a long history of music-based collabs, including Blondie, Kurt Cobain, AC/DC and Metallica Chuck Taylors. With a new generation of stars under its laces, the sneaker brand doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.
Watch the short film below, as well as, shop classic Converse staples, including the Chuck Taylor All-Star and the Chuck 70 sneaker, below.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas Sneakers
Converse Chuck 70 Canvas Sneakers
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas Low Sneaker
Converse Chuck 70 Glow-In-The-Dark Leopard Print
Watch the Converse “Love, Chuck” campaign below.
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Andrew Cuomo is said to be preparing to enter New York City’s mayoral race, with numerous signs indicating it will be soon.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is reportedly ready to throw his hat into the ring to become New York City’s next mayor, with several signs pointing toward him making an announcement as soon as the upcoming weekend. The decision comes four years after Cuomo resigned his position in disgrace after being hit with multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, but those close to him have said he’s framing a potential campaign to “save” the city from scandal and the pressure of President Donald Trump.
The reported decision to run places Cuomo in an enviable position against current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is rapidly losing approval in the wake of allegedly being pressured by President Trump to aid him in his immigration agenda to receive a pardon from federal corruption charges. Cuomo has not offered any public comment on Adams, but polling shows that among potential Democratic opponents in the June 24 primary, he shows higher numbers of approval from voters.
One of his potential primary opponents, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, has already gone on the offensive against Cuomo by publishing a website counting how many days it has been since Cuomo has mentioned Adams or Trump. “In the past 35 days, when the city has seen funding for hospitals, schools, and senior centers threatened; when our literal sovereignty has been in question,” Myrie said, “he has said nothing.” Observers noted that Cuomo’s late entry could be a good strategy to limit further attacks on him including allegations of mishandling data during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cuomo has meticulously avoided unscripted public events and media interviews but has reached out to several prominent Democrats such as current New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, with many donors lining up private events to raise money for his campaign. He has already obtained endorsements – one from his former political rival, H. Carl McCall, and Bronx Democratic Congressman Richie Torres. Cuomo is reportedly soon to be endorsed by the New York City District Council of Carpenters, although a representative’s comments were vague regarding such an announcement.
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Alvin Poussaint, a psychiatrist who applied his studies to assist those within the civil rights movement, passed away on Monday (Feb. 24). Among Dr. Alvin Poussaint’s accomplishments, he was also instrumental as a consultant for several television series throughout his career.
Dr. Alvin Poussaint was born on May 15, 1934, in East Harlem, New York. As a studious child, Poussaint’s love of reading translated into his study and love of the sciences in high school. After entering Columbia University, Poussaint earned a pharmacology bachelor’s degree in 1956. He then entered Cornell Medical School and was reportedly the only Black student admitted that year and earned his M.D. in 1960. This experience shaped Poussaint’s worldview and was a continuance of the racism he experienced in high school and undergrad.
Poussaint would go on to become the chief resident at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute but left the role in 1965 to join the Medical Committee for Human Rights as its Southern Field Director in Jackson, Miss. Poussaint completed his residency in 1964 at UCLA, earning an M.A. degree. Poussaint focused his efforts at the time on working to dismantle racial segregation, arguing that racial bias was detrimental to the mental health of the Black community. While working for the committee, Poussaint and his colleagues administered care to those working in the civil rights movement, many of whom endured physical violence and mental warfare under the guise of segregation.
In 1967, Poussaint became a faculty member of Tufts Medical School where he served as the director of the school’s psychiatry program situated in a low-income housing project. He also used his time in the role to illustrate that race relations in the nation still needed to improve despite the strides made at the time. In 1969, Poussaint left Tufts and joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School, where he remained for the rest of his career as a professor and associate dean of student affairs. Even in those hallowed halls, Poussaint never put civil rights on the back burner and continued to champion the movement.
During the 190s, Poussaint was known as a media consultant for scripts for Black sitcoms, including The Cosby Show and A Different World among others. His role was to ensure that what was depicted onscreen truly mirrored the real lives of Black families and students along with highlighting the positives of Black family life. Government agencies such as the White House, the Department of Health, and the FBI also sought guidance from Poussaint.
Poussaint did have his fair share of critics, especially those who thought his assessment of racism as a mental health condition instead of a divisive systemic practice that placed Black people under its weight. While well-meaning, some believed that putting racism in the same realm as a mental health disorder discredited the very real racism Black and non-white people faced across the country.
Dr. Alvin Poussaint is survived by his wife, Dr. Tina Young Poussaint, with whom he had a daughter. His first marriage to Ann Ashmore ended in 1988 and the pair had a son. According to his spouse, Poussaint passed away in his Chestnut Hills, Mass. home.
Poussaint was 90.
[h/t The History Makers & The New York Times]
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Photo: Getty
For Vanessa Lachey, a bad cold, romantic comedies and Jennifer Lopez all led to giving her 10-year-old daughter “the birds and the bees” talk.
Vanessa and her husband Nick Lachey joined The Kelly Clarkson Show this week, where the Love Is Blind host recalled the moment. “This has been the craziest cold and flu season,” she explained. “It went through our entire house, and at the same time, my daughter Brooklyn and I were both sick in bed. We watch every romcom that a 10-year-old can watch, which is a little limiting because some get R-rated.”
At one point, they settled on watching 2010’s The Back-Up Plan, which follows Zoe (Jennifer Lopez), who conceives twins via artificial insemination. On the same day as her procedure, she meets Stan (Alex O’Loughlin), whom she believes to be her dream man. “I was like, ‘Oh crap.’ I press play and I’m thinking I’m going to ease into it,” Vanessa recalled. “First scene, she’s in the chair legs up in stirrups, he comes in with the Q-tip. He’s about to artificially inseminate her.”
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She continued, “So, I pause it and I go ‘OK, so there’s a couple ways you can get pregnant. This is one.’ [Brooklyn] goes, ‘I’m going to look in the pillow when you tell me the other one.’ I go, ‘No, look at me. I’ll look at the TV.’ We had a whole talk, explaining the science of it.”
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Ultimately, Brooklyn deduced that to get pregnant, “you can opt for the Q-tip and not the guy,” to which Vanessa responded, “Absolutely.”
Watch the full interview — with Nick’s face in his hands throughout the hilarious story — below.
Tyler, the Creator just wrapped up six Los Angeles shows on his Chromakopia Tour, but he has one request for fans who see him in public. Tyler requested on X Monday (Feb. 24) that fans who see him out and about stop asking him “weird a– questions.” Essentially, he just wants them to say what’s […]
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Once again, sneaker heists have become a topic of discussion in the sneaker community as bandits made off with thousands of pairs of one of this year’s most anticipated upcoming releases.
According to The Los Angeles Times, thieves in Arizona, Texas, pulled off quite the jux last month when they stole 2,000 pairs of sneakers off an BNSF freight train, many of which were pairs of the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 “Brick By Brick.”
Already regarded by many in the sneaker community as the “Shoe of the Year,” the “Brick By Brick” Air Jordan 4s have the kind of hype behind its release that we haven’t seen in quite some time, so when word of the heist hit the internet, many sneakerheads were furious that there would be less pairs to be had for retail, as it’s already a limited edition sneaker.
Authorities were able to arrest the group of thieves and interestingly enough they were undocumented immigrants.
Per The Los Angeles Times:
New sneaker releases may have touched off at least some of the recent incidents. In Perrin, Ariz., thieves allegedly cut an air brake hose on a BNSF freight train on Jan. 13 and unloaded 1,985 pairs of unreleased Nikes worth more than $440,000, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix. Many were Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s, which won’t be available to the public until March 14 and are expected to retail at $225 per pair, the complaint states.
Theft crews typically scout high-value merchandise on rail lines that parallel Interstate 40 by boarding slow-moving trains, such as when they are changing tracks and opening containers, said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk’s CargoNet and a deputy sheriff in Arizona.
Lewis said the thieves are sometimes tipped off to valuable shipments by confederates working at warehouses or trucking companies. Other times they simply look for containers with high-security locks, which they cut with reciprocating saws or bolt cutters, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent said in affidavits filed in federal court.
Of the 11 people arrested for the Jan. 13 heist, nine were Mexican citizens illegally in the U.S. and were charged with illegal reentry after removal and six were charged with improper entry. Five of those detained pleaded not guilty while the other six have yet to enter their own pleas.
While the people behind the theft have been apprehended, there’s no word on whether the sneakers were retrieved. That’s all us sneakerheads really care about because damnit, man! We want those kicks! Go ambush a truck filled with adidas Sambas or Crocs or something, b.
What do y’all think about this crazy heist? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, announced he’s quitting Twitter “for now,” saying the app’s been censoring his freedom of speech. In his tweet, he wrote, “I quit Twitter for now. They just deleted my last tweet. Jordan leaving the NBA.”
The Chicago rapper clearly draws a parallel to Michael Jordan stepping away from basketball for a bit before making a legendary comeback. Ye’s saying his exit could be temporary, just like MJ’s break, and he might be back sooner than later. This announcement comes after Ye’s been pretty vocal about his relationship with Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk. Ye’s shared a bunch of screenshots of their private convos, showing that the two have been having casual chats. Despite their connection, Ye’s frustration with how Twitter handles free speech seems to have hit a tipping point.
The platform’s been under fire for limiting content, and Ye’s decision to step away looks like a protest against those restrictions on what he can say. It’s clear that Ye feels like his voice is being silenced, and he’s not having it. Whether this is a permanent move or just a brief break, only time will tell. But for now, Ye’s out — and he’s making it clear that he’s not here for any platform holding him back.
Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, recently went viral after they crashed the Grammys recently, and they turned heads. Bianca showed up in an outfit so revealing, she was damn near topless. The couple didn’t hold back, and their bold move had the internet buzzing. Ye doesn’t seem to stay away from the limelight for too long.