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09 Jan 2024

What Will the Early Year Be Like on the Hot 100?

With the holiday rush finally clearing up on the Billboard Hot 100 — all the dozens of Christmas songs that appeared on the chart last week (dated Jan. 6) fall off completely this week, including nine of the song’s in that week’s top 10 — we can finally get a bit of a picture as to how early 2024 is going to go on the listing.

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Jack Harlow‘s “Lovin on Me,” the most recent song to hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 before the Yuletide swarm, returns to the top spot this week, followed by fellow 2023 chart-topper “Cruel Summer.” Meanwhile, three songs hit new peaks inside the top 10 — Tate McRae’s “Greedy” (No. 3), Tyla’s “Water” (No. 7) and Doja Cat’s “Agora Hills” (No. 10) — and double-digit debuts and re-entries flood the chart to replace the departed holiday tunes.

How long will Harlow’s smash dominate the chart? And what might be the most viable threat to it in the weeks to come? Billboard staffers discuss these questions and more below.

1. So far this decade, there’s been one song every year that’s sort of lorded over the Hot 100 for the majority of the winter — “The Box” in 2020, “Drivers License” in 2021, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” in 2022 and “Flowers” in 2023. Do you believe that Jack Harlow’s “Lovin on Me” (No. 1 both the week before and now the week after the holiday rush) is going to be that song for 2024?

Rania Aniftos: My gut is saying yes, depending on how Ariana Grande’s upcoming “Yes, And?” does upon its arrival. The winter always has a slowdown in music releases, which is why Harlow’s track might stick around — but I really think Grande is coming in for the 2024 title, especially with all the buzz about her new relationship in the news.

Katie Atkinson: It’s possible, but I would give the edge to the new songs coming this Friday from Ariana Grande and Lil Nas X. After all, “Drivers License” and “Flowers” both came out in early January (Jan. 8 and 12, respectively), so there’s a real opportunity for one of those new songs — by artists with reliable Hot 100 track records – to dominate in the same way. We’ll have to wait and see if “Yes, And?” or “J CHRIST” has the juice.

Stephen Daw: Probably not, but not because it’s not a jam — as a Jack Harlow skeptic, even I can’t deny that “Lovin on Me” is fun and catchy as hell. But I think there are two problems for Jack here: momentum and track record. “Lovin on Me” was having a moment before the Christmas season kicked in, and it is certainly back to cultural dominance now that Mariah and Brenda Lee don’t stand in its way. But the second a buzzier 2024 release comes along (more on that later), I don’t see this song picking up the steam it lost out on thanks to the yuletide chart disruption.

Moreover, Jack’s songs have a tendency to hit the top of the charts and then slowly move downward shortly after (“First Class” kept the spot for three weeks, while “Industry Baby” topped the chart for just one week). This song will certainly be a top 40 mainstay for months to come, but with gargantuan artists gearing up to release new singles this month, I’m not “Lovin” Young J-A-C-K’s chances at maintaining a No. 1 streak.

Kyle Denis: I think so! The closest competitors to “Lovin on Me” are probably Tate McRae’s “Greedy” and Tyla’s “Water,” but both artists have already started to shift their attention to their follow-up singles. Furthermore, “Lovin on Me” is tailor-made for crossover radio success, which will only help with its longevity on the Hot 100. Not to mention, there is still ample time for more live performances and a remix (or two!).

Andrew Unterberger: It does feel like Harlow’s only real competition here hasn’t been released yet. “Lovin” remained steady all through throughout the holidays — no small feat — and is still leading the pack two months into its lifespan, which are usually strong signs a song is gonna stick around for a long, long time. But with new Ariana Grande and Lil Nas X singles on the horizon — and now a new 21 Savage album as well — it’s gonna have its work cut out for it protecting against challengers to the throne.

2. Three songs hit new peaks in the top 10 this week: Tate McRae’s “Greedy” (No. 3) Tyla’s “Water” (No. 7) and Doja Cat’s “Agora Hills” (No. 10). Which song do you think will stick around the chart’s top tier the deepest into 2024?

Rania Aniftos: “Greedy” for the win! I genuinely think Tate McRae’s star journey is just getting beginning, and as her pop star status grows, her hits will continue to endure. She’s also heading out on tour this spring, which will surely encourage revisits to songs like “Greedy.”

Katie Atkinson: My money is on “Water.” Tyla got her biggest U.S. look yet when she was one of only five Times Square performers on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest, so this new peak comes after that mainstream moment. After Wizkid’s “Essence” peaked in 2021 and Rema’s “Calm Down” peaked last year, maybe Tyla can usher in 2024 with a major Afrobeats hit and keep them coming throughout the year.

Stephen Daw: It’s gonna be Tate. With a steadily rising profile for Tate and a tried-and-true pop sound that fits in the pantheon of enduring hits, it feels like “Greedy” is going to be here for a while. “Agora Hills” is a killer song, but with her album cycle well and truly over and only a small European leg of her tour set for this summer, I don’t see Doja climbing this “Hill” much higher. I think the only thing that could help “Water” stick around longer than “Greedy” would be a win at the 2024 Grammys — and even that might not be enough. 

Kyle Denis: My money is on Doja Cat’s “Agora Hills.” Doja’s singles tend to stick around on the Hot 100 for a long time – she has four songs that have spent at least 40 weeks on the chart – and “Hills” hasn’t even hit the top 10 on Pop Airplay yet, unlike “Greedy.” Another advantage “Hills” may have over “Water” is its crossover appeal, Doja will get play from rhythmic, top 40 and hip-hop stations which should only bolster the song’s longevity. Couple that with her consistent on-demand streaming success, and Doja could be looking at another 40-plus-week Hot 100 hit.  

Andrew Unterberger: They’ve all got a shot, but “Greedy” just seems like one of those songs that radio will wring every last ounce of life out of — likely to the detriment of McRae’s Think Later follow-up singles, even. And there’s still a card left to play there in terms of a big-name remix, which could provide an extra adrenaline shot if the song starts to lag sooner than expected. I’m rooting for “Agora Hills,” though, since it might be Doja Cat’s most intoxicating single to date.



3. Way down the chart, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s early-‘00s U.K. smash “Murder on the Dancefloor” debuts at No. 98, as the latest pop culture-boosted catalog hit to become newly chart-relevant in the 2024s, thanks to its much-memed use in Saltburn. Do you see it growing into one of the year’s biggest hits, Kate Bush-style, or will it fall back off within a few weeks?

Rania Aniftos: I think we’ll have some more time with “Murder on the Dancefloor,” especially with awards season heating up and Saltburn staying in the news, both at the ceremonies and on TikTok. Speaking of TikTok, tastemaker influencer Alix Earle has recently expressed how much she likes the song since watching the movie, and everything she touches turns to gold.

Katie Atkinson: I definitely see it climbing higher than No. 98, but I don’t think the Hot 100 top 10 is in its future, like it was with the No. 3-peaking “Running Up That Hill.” Stranger Things is just a broader pop-culture vessel than the over-the-top, adults-only Saltburn ever could be. That said, I think “Murder” has a better shot at hitting a new peak in the U.K., where it’s already rebounded to No. 8 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart. It originally topped out at No. 2 in 2001, so I think the most interesting story is whether it could climb to the very top in Ellis-Bextor’s native U.K. more than 20 years later.

Stephen Daw: Much like the mind of Barry Keoghan’s sadistic protagonist, I’m torn. “Murder on the Dancefloor” is the definition of a feel-good banger, it fits naturally within our current pop landscape and the deliciously weird memes surrounding it could very well propel it to further heights on the Hot 100 in the weeks to come.

The problem, though, is another one of momentum. Part of the reason that “Running Up That Hill” performed as well as it did was because it played a major part in a once-in-a-generation, monolithic series like Stranger Things. Saltburn has certainly garnered much wider attention since it became available on Prime Video, but its following is much smaller and more cultish than the Duffer Brothers’ behemoth show. Once awards season is over, I don’t think “Dancefloor” will be killing on the charts for much longer.

Kyle Denis: I’m on the fence on this one. We haven’t completely moved on from the recent wave disco-inspired dance-pop, so that works in the song’s favor. On the other hand, however, Saltburn will likely never amass the cultural capital of Stranger Things 4, so that could also stunt the song’s ability to replicate the success of “Running Up That Hill.” If “Murder” is unable to successfully transcend Barry Keoghan’s NSFW scene by the end of awards season, it could be light out on the dancefloor.  

Andrew Unterberger: Perhaps my opinion will change if I ever actually see Saltburn, but I just can’t see this getting that much bigger. I’m a fan of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s early-’00s output and it’s always fun to see a song this good getting its belated due… but irresistible as the song is, it’s just not “Running Up That Hill” (or “Dreams”) in terms of its timeless and enduring power. The big question, though, is radio — if the song continues to grow for a few weeks and folks don’t seem sick of it yet, will top 40 jump on the 20-year-old song as free playlist filler? Don’t know if I’d bet on it, but it’s definitely not impossible.

4. Who else outside the top 10 this week do you have your eye on as potentially being a big threat on the chart in the weeks and months to come?

Rania Aniftos: I beg the readers to continue listening to Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control.” He’s at No. 12 right now, and one of the most talented musicians and vocalists out there right now. He deserves all the success and I want to see that song climb up and become a mainstay in the top 10.

Katie Atkinson: With the amount I’ve heard it on playlists and radio, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” feels like the obvious choice. It peaks just outside the top 10 (at No. 12) this week, and it has a lot of elements that make it feel like it could be a winter creeper hit.

Stephen Daw: Among the crop of candidates currently charting, I’m watching Nicki Minaj’s “FTCU.” Pink Friday 2 may be meandering down the Billboard 200, but “FTCU” has quickly become the most talked-about song off the album in the weeks since its release. Online hype has at least sustained itself, if not increased for the song, and with the right strategy (I notice that the song does not yet have an official music video), “FTCU” could easily earn Nicki another top 10 centerpiece in the coming weeks. 

Outside of this week’s charts, the candidates for upcoming chart domination are pretty clear to me. Both Ariana Grande and Lil Nas X have hugely anticipated new songs out this week. Ari’s “Yes, And?” comes after the singer took a break from solo music following her prolific album from 2018-2021, meaning the masses are starving for fresh Ariana Grande content. And with the increasingly provocative promotions Lil Nas is putting out for his track “J CHRIST,” it’s evident that his pot-stirring shenanigans could very well lead to another massive hit for the rapper. 

Kyle Denis: I’m definitely keeping an eye on Nicki Minaj’s “FTCU” and “Everybody” (with Lil Uzi Vert). Likewise with Flo Milli’s “Never Lose Me.”  

Andrew Unterberger: The people have spoken in terms of electing “FTCU” as the breakout hit off Pink Friday 2, and I think it’s only gonna get bigger throughout the first month or so of 2024. If it’s not in the top 10 two weeks from now I’d be pretty surprised.



5. Make one bold Hot 100-related prediction of any kind for 2024.

Rania Aniftos: I don’t know how bold this is, but Harry Styles will be back (shaved hair and all) to take over 2024 with another “As It Was”-like Hot 100 hit.

Katie Atkinson: This is more of a hope than a prediction, but I really want more artists to have Hot 100 No. 1 hits this year. I love when the top spot is a revolving door, and in 2023, due to a couple of longtime No. 1s (namely Morgan Wallen’s 16-week stay with “Last Night” and Miley Cyrus’ eight weeks with “Flowers”), only 20 total artists had chart-toppers. Would it be crazy to ask for 26 this year?

Stephen Daw: Rihanna’s ninth album is coming this year, and all of the singles will replace each other at No. 1. You said to be bold!!

Kyle Denis: An all Portuguese-language Brazilian funk track cracks the top 50.

Andrew Unterberger: Ariana Grande ends up with three of the top 10 songs on the year-end Hot 100, including her first ever No. 1 on the year-end chart.

09 Jan 2024

A Timeline of Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s Relationship

Fans have a lot of reason to want to see Selena Gomez find love. The singer-actress has been open about her struggles with heartbreak in the past, and her on-off relationship with Justin Bieber, as well as their painful final breakup in 2018, was highly publicized.

But while 2023 brought several dating rumors relating to Gomez — including Zayn Malik and The Chainsmokers’ Drew Taggart — they all ended up being fruitless, with the Rare Beauty founder confirming her single status several times with funny posts on social media. That is, until Benny Blanco came along.

The pop producer, who was previously linked to model Elsie Hewitt, proved to be the real deal for Gomez. He started off as one of the “Lose You to Love Me” singer’s collaborators, having also engineered songs for artists such as Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Halsey, Kesha, Britney Spears and, ironically, Bieber. The unexpected couple privately started dating midway through 2023, keeping their relationship out of the spotlight for several months before going public.

Since then, the two stars haven’t been shy about sharing sweet photos of each other on social media, as well as showing their love through custom accessories. And in addition to pop music, the pair also has a love of cooking in common; Gomez is the host of Max’s Selena + Chef series, while Blanco is planning to publish his own cookbook, Open Wide, in April 2024.

See a timeline of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s relationship below:

09 Jan 2024

T.I. & Tiny Sexual Assault Case, French Montana Copyright Ruling & More Top Music Law News

This is The Legal Beat, a weekly newsletter about music law from Billboard Pro, offering you a one-stop cheat sheet of big new cases, important rulings and all the fun stuff in between.

This week: A judge clears French Montana of copyright infringement but sympathizes with his accuser; T.I. and his wife face the latest sexual assault accusations to rock the music industry; Cher battles with her son over a potential conservatorship; and much more.

THE BIG STORY: French Montana’s “Technical” Copyright Victory

Imitation might be the “sincerest form of flattery,” but it isn’t always copyright infringement. That was the key takeaway from an unusual federal court ruling last week, in which a judge dismissed a copyright lawsuit against French Montana – but almost seemed to regret that she had to do so?

The case against French (Karim Kharbouch) was filed by a little-known Chicago artist named Hotwire The Producer (Eddie Lee Richardson), who claimed the star rapper’s 2013 hit “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’” featured an unlicensed sample of his earlier song “Hood Pushin’ Weight.”

In a decision Thursday, Judge Nancy L. Maldonado ruled that French’s song did not technically infringe the rights that Richardson had secured – he registered only the copyright to a sound recording, not the underlying musical composition. But she also expressed “great sympathy” for Richardson, lamenting that he had failed to fully register his copyrights and saying that the outcome of the case “might have been very different” if he had.

“If it is any consolation, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Court hopes that Richardson will not be deterred in his musical endeavors, now armed with a better understanding of copyright law,” Judge Maldonado wrote. “As it is, though, Richardson’s evidence in this particular case is insufficient to establish copyright infringement.”

For more on what the judge had to say in her opinion — including advising French not to celebrate too much over a “technical win” – go read our full story.

Other top stories this week…

T.I. SEX ASSAULT CASE – The rapper and his wife Tiny were hit with a civil lawsuit claiming they drugged and sexually assaulted a woman they met in a Los Angeles nightclub in 2005. In the complaint, lawyers for the unnamed Jane Doe accuser said that T.I. (Clifford Harris) and Tiny (Tameka Harris) gave her a spiked drink after she was introduced to them in the VIP section of a club, then brought her back to their hotel room where they “forced her to get naked” and assaulted her. In a statement to Billboard, the couple “emphatically and categorically” denied the allegations and vowed to fight back against a lawsuit that they said the plaintiff had been threatening to file for years.

JIMMIE ALLEN ATTORNEY SHAKEUP – More than six months after Jimmie Allen was hit with a pair of sexual assaults, news broke that the country star was parting ways with the legal team that’s been representing him (from the Tennessee law firm Baker Donelson) in the cases. The move to swap lawyers quickly prompted objections from his accusers, who say he’s obstructing the progress of the litigation by “moving through attorneys.”

CHER FIGHTS SON OVER CONSERVATORSHIP – A Los Angeles judge declined to immediately put Cher’s son (Elijah Blue Allman) into a legal conservatorship – an arrangement she is seeking over his opposition — but said he would take up the issue again later this month. Cher petitioned for the conservatorship late last year, arguing that Elijah’s struggles with addiction and mental health have left him unable to manage his money and potentially put his life in danger by making him able to buy drugs.

TUPAC MURDER BAIL BATTLE – A hearing is set for Tuesday over whether Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the former Los Angeles-area gang leader charged with orchestrating the killing of hip-hop music legend Tupac Shakur, should be released on bail. The proceedings had initially been scheduled for last week, but were delayed after prosecutors raised new arguments for why Davis poses a threat to the public if he is released.

MAREN MORRIS DIVORCE SETTLED – Maren Morris reached a settlement to resolve her divorce proceedings against singer/songwriter Ryan Hurd, her husband of five years. Under the terms of the deal, Morris, 33, will pay Hurd, 37, $2,100 per month in child support as the two evenly split time with their three-and-a-half-year-old son, Hayes Andrew. Most of the rest of the settlement was stipulated in a prenuptial agreement, which the couple signed in 2018 and updated in 2022.

09 Jan 2024

Signed: ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Star Bailee Madison Inks Record Deal With Red Van; Graham Barham to Sony Nashville

Bailee Madison — best known as an actor for her roles in films and TV shows including Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Just Go With It, The Strangers: Prey at Night and A Week Away — has signed with Jonas Group Entertainment’s Red Van Records ahead of the release of her upcoming song, “Kinda Fun,” on Friday (Jan. 12). Madison co-wrote the song with boyfriend Blake Richardson. She previously signed with Jonas Group Publishing and is managed by Rachel Inglesino at Jonas Group Entertainment.

Singer-songwriter Graham Barham has signed with Sony Music Nashville and Disruptor Records. The Louisiana native recently debuted a new single, “Lights On Nobody’s Home,” and will open shows on Adam Doleac‘s Wrong Side of a Sunrise 2024 Tour. Barham is signed to UTA for booking. – Jessica Nicholson

Girlfriends (“California,” “Jessica”), an alt-rock duo composed of Travis Mills and Nick Gross, signed a record deal with Verswire, marking the company’s second label signing.

WHY&HOW and RECORDS Nashville signed management and record deals, respectively, with singer-songwriter-guitarist Cole Philips, who recently gained attention for the track “Drinking Alone.”

L.A.-based artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Bad Snacks signed with Nettwerk, which released her latest track, “iiwannabe,” on Friday (Jan. 5). Bad Snacks is represented by managers Makayla Meador and Kyle Dick at NAYMLIS and booking agent Jason Kupperman at Goldengate.

Three-piece Icelandic indie band LÓN signed with Do Less Management. The group comprises Valdimar Guomundsson, Asgeir Aoalsteinsson and Omar Guojonsso; the former two are also members of Iceland band Valdimar, while Guojonsso is a member of jazz-rock band adhd and frontman of the duo ROFOROFO. LÓN is signed to Sony Music Denmark.

Priority Records has signed rapper 70807 Teezy and released her debut mixtape, PSA, on Dec. 22. She’s also signed to Da King and I for management.

09 Jan 2024

Lady Gaga Is Back in the Studio

Mother Monster is back!

Lady Gaga took to Instagram on Monday night (Jan. 8) to share a photo set of herself in a dimly-lit music studio, posing by the microphone in an oversized striped sweater, chunky black heeled boots and sunglasses. She captioned the post with a black heart and music notes emojis, confirming that she’s working on new music.

Fans have been itching for new music since Gaga’s last album, 2020’s Chromatica, but the 13-time Grammy winner has been spending the past three years on plenty of other projects that she’s been passionate about. Gaga’s recently relaunched Haus Labs makeup brand has been viral all over TikTok, continually coming out with inventive new products, from foundations and illuminating blushes to colorful lip crayons, glosses and everything in between.

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In June, the superstar teased that she’s working hard on numerous artistic projects, including an edit for a movie based on her 2022 headlining concert tour. “I prepared for months developing my character for Joker, I filmed [Joker: Folie à Deux] for many months (a very introspective time),” Gaga wrote in a lengthy message. “I have been running my start-up Haus Labs, doing philanthropic work, and additionally have been working on The Chromatica Ball film edit.”

She added, “I can say for the first time in many years that my love of making art, music, fashion, and supporting community has never been more fulfilling.”

Gaga has yet to confirm any more information about the music she’s working on. See her new Instagram post below.

09 Jan 2024

How to Watch ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ Reunion Without Cable

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After a jaw-dropping season finale, the ladies of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City are ready to hash it out — reunion style. Part one of the three-part RHOLSC reunion premieres on Bravo on Tuesday (Jan. 9).

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Lisa Barlow, Heather Gray, Whitney Rose, Meredith Marks, Monica Garcia, Angie Katsanevas and Mary Cosby will appear at the reunion hosted by Andy Cohen. The reunion picks up after the bombshell finale episode in which Heather exposed Monica for running the now defunct Instagram troll account Reality Von Teese. The reunion will be the first time that the entire cast is together since the finale episode in Bermuda.

Read on for ways to watch and stream the reunion without cable.

RHOSLC Reunion: How to Watch & Stream

The RHOSLC reunion premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. Part two will air next Tuesday, Jan. 16. Part three will air the following Tuesday on Jan 23.

If you have cable, you can watch the reunion as soon as it premieres tonight, or catch the re-airing at 9:31 p.m. ET/PT after Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. The reunion will also be available to stream on-demand.

Bravo fans who don’t have access to cable can stream the reunion live on platforms such as Sling TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV.

Want to stream for free? Subscribe to Fubo or DirecTV Stream to land a free trial for up to a week (five days for DirecTV Stream, seven days for Fubo).

Although Hulu + Live TV doesn’t come with a free trial, you’ll get access to Hulu, ESPN+ and Disney+ in addition to 90+ live channels. And if you’re streaming internationally, ExpressVPN allows you to access several platforms.

For the fans who want an unfiltered look at the reunion, Peacock is the best choice. The uncensored RHOSLC reunion will be available to stream on Peacock starting on Wednesday, Jan. 10.  

Peacock is $5.99/month for the ad-supported plan, which lets you access the Bravo hub including RHOSLC and other series in the Real Housewives franchise. Peacock’s ad-free plan includes live access to NBC for $11.99/month. Peacock is also available on DirecTV (paid episodes of RHOSLC are available on Prime Video and Apple iTunes).

NBC Universal’s streaming platform features exclusive TV series, sporting events and movies such as Dr. Death, Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy, Genie, Love Island: Love Games, The Continental, The Holdovers, Teenage Kraken, Five Nights at Freddy’s and The Exorcist Believer.

Peacock is also home to live sports and NBC shows like The Irrational, Found, Night Court and Extended Family.

Watch a sneak peek of the RHOSLC reunion below.



09 Jan 2024

From The Rolling Stones to ‘RIVO’: Amir Eid on the Intersection Between Acting and Music

It’s been an action-packed year for Amir Eid, the lead singer of the groundbreaking Arabic rock-pop band Cairokee, who just released several tracks off his debut solo album, which came in parallel with season two of the hit show, RIVO. Created by Mohamed Nayer and directed by Yahya Ismail, the show premiered on Watch It, starring Amir Eid as Shady, the lead member of a fictional indie band shrouded in mystery.

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Much like Cairokee’s journey to success, and particularly that of lead singer Amir Eid, RIVO depicts the arduous road of a band determined to change the musical landscape in which it exists. We hear this all packed into RIVO’s brilliant soundtrack. Meanwhile, the deep nostalgia for the glory days of the ‘90s was perhaps another factor behind RIVO’s mass appeal.

Amir says the idea for RIVO began with his friend, script writer Mohamed Nayer, who kept trying to sell him the character of Shady for years. For the Cairokee lead singer, the decision to embark on this new experience was not an easy choice to make.

“[Mohamed] would always tell me: ‘You will play the role of Shady,’ and I would respond by saying: ‘My son, I do not want to act,’” Amir explains. But it seems that seven years of preparation were enough for Amir to change his mind. “I met Nayer by chance, and he told me you have to read this script,” he recalls. “I read the script and loved it, because it had a band and music and ‘90s and playing, so honestly, I fell in love with the role, and wanted to go through with it.”

In terms of the music, Amir manages to yet again deliver a set of songs that exhibit his resonant ability to blend alternative rock and pop, with his self-contained style of songwriting — in this case, songs that are at the heart of both Shady’s life and Amir’s career. Four tracks were enough to leave the audience with a sonic token from the show, as heard in “Tayer” (“Flying”), where the mood is immediately set by means of a bemoaning guitar line and delicate drum pattern that gives space for Eid’s vocals.

Later in “Wahshteny” (“I miss you”), Amir’s pop sensibilities and musical storytelling come in with an upbeat production juxtaposed against lyrics of an untimely love. “Lw Kan” (“If Only”), in collaboration with producer Sary Hany, offers the fullest sound, while in “Metkatef” (“Tied Up”), the keys and trumpet-driven track delivers a melancholia cushioned by rich instrumentation. In the track, we hear Amir in his most controlled vocal delivery situated within the tragic closing scene of RIVO‘s series finale.

The show weaves the music into its narrative to convey meaningful messages and ignite conversations about mental health. Within its script, the series spotlights issues like depression, a dialogue that Amir aspires will resonate profoundly with the audience.

Amir says that his approach to crafting music content for RIVO is a complete departure from his usual songwriting process for Cairokee — in this case, a largely solo driven process, but also conceived for an entirely different time period. The songs he writes for RIVO are based on a script set in the 1990s, whereas his songs for his band Cairokee are born out of pure imagination.

“First thing I do is I read the scenario really well,” he says. “Then I put it aside and go about my life normally, as we do tours and a lot of concerts, so I think, ‘What would Shady do in this situation? If he was to sing, how would he sing? If he was to write, how would he write?’ So the idea gets refined in my head, so I go back to the scenario and start working on Shady’s songs and character in the second season of RIVO.”

Looking back, a blending of Western rock and Egyptian folk music is carved in Amir’s memories of his childhood and teenage years — a fusion that would eventually shape his own music to a great extent. When revisiting this period of his life, Amir, a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, often remembers his Beatles-loving older brother. To justify his own preference, Amir says he liked the Stones’ rebellious nature and signature look.

“I would love for Cairokee to keep performing when its members are 60 or 70, touring and writing songs and living this life regardless of their age. It goes beyond just looks and fashion style – it’s that forever-young attitude that I admire most in the Stones.”

Since their debut self-titled album in 2009, the band has released eight albums, with songs that continue to find a home on the Billboard Arabia newly launched Hot 100 chart. Amir also landed a spot in Billboard Arabia’s Top 100 Artists with his solo work, while closing out the year with two epic performances with Cairokee: MDLBEAST’s Soundstorm in Riyadh, followed by their show in Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival.

Through Amir’s musical journey, the timeless essence of rock and the resonance of his songwriting continue to permeate his melodies. Be it in his solo work or the rich portfolio he’s created with Cairokee, Amir maintains his ability to create music that speaks to the human experience, with songs that are helping to shape the new sound of Arabic pop.

This article is a translation of a piece that originally ran on Billboard Arabia.

Amir Eid

Amir Eid

Abdulla ElMaz/ Billboard Arabia

09 Jan 2024

The Weeknd & School on Wheels Team Up to Provide Laptops, Tutoring & Mentorship for Homeless L.A. Students

The Weeknd has partnered with the L.A.-based organization School on Wheels to support more than 1,000 students experiencing homelessness.

Since 1993, School on Wheels’ mission is to enhance educational opportunities for children who are experiencing homelessness from kindergarten through twelfth grade. And The Weeknd is on board supporting the nonprofit organization’s Literacy Program, which provides students ages 5-8 with in-person tutoring and the tools they need to learn to read and write; supporting the BUS (Believe-Understand-Succeed) Program, which helps students living in homeless situations graduate high school in 2024; and providing laptops and Chromebooks, internet access and software for hundreds of students experiencing homelessness.

The Canadian-Ethiopian superstar (real name Abel Tesfaye), who is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme, recently donated $2.5 million to provide four million meals to Gaza through his XO Humanitarian Fund, and two years ago, he donated $1 million to provide two million meals in Ethiopia. In 2020, he donated $1 million to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, $500,000 to nonprofit organizations committed to racial equality and $300,000 to victims of the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.

Earlier this week, he teased the final album of his trilogy, following 2020’s After Hours and 2022’s Dawn FM, the latter of which celebrated its second anniversary on Sunday (Jan. 7). He posted the two album covers along with a third, black slide with a white question mark in the middle and a parental advisory warning label. “3,” he wrote as the caption. He dropped his first Trilogy in 2012, which contained his first three mixtapes from 2011 — House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence.

09 Jan 2024

Jelly Roll Revisits His Former Nashville Jail Cell, Reflects on Career Success: Watch

Jelly Roll‘s career has been on a swiftly upward trajectory since he earned his first Billboard No. 1 hit, “Dead Man Walking,” in 2021, gaining acclaim and commercial success including three Country Airplay No. 1s, earning the new artist of the year honor at November’s CMA Awards and more. In 2023, Jelly Roll was also featured on the cover of Billboard’s Country Power Players issue.

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But the Antioch, Tenn. native recently revisited the place where he spent some of his more troubled years…and the place that sparked inspiration for so many of his songs.

As part of a recent interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Jelly Roll visited his former jail cell at Metro-Davidson County Detention Facility in Nashville. From the age of 14, Jelly Roll spent years in and out of juvenile and adult correctional facilities for crimes including drug dealing and aggravated robbery. But he also had a passion for music, making hip-hop mixtapes and giving them away to people he met.

“There was a time in my life where I truly thought this was it,” the singer-songwriter said, growing emotional as he spoke with CBS News Sunday Morning‘s Kelefa Sanneh. “And then, coming here after being nominated for two Grammys just hits different.”

He added, “I wrote hundreds of songs right here. I wrote [the 2010 song] ‘Ridin’ All Alone’ chorus right here.”

He signed with BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records, after BMG Nashville president Jon Loba heard “Save Me,” which appeared on Jelly Roll’s 2020 album Self Medicated. In 2021, his song “Dead Man Walking” topped Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. He followed with three consecutive Country Airplay chart-toppers, “Son of a Sinner,” “Need a Favor,” and a new version of “Save Me,” a collaboration with his BBR Music Group labelmate Lainey Wilson. His debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, debuted at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart, and a No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Heading into 2024, Jelly Roll is nominated for Grammys for best new artist, as well as best country duo/group performance, for “Save Me.” Later this month, his new single, “Halfway to Hell,” will impact country radio on Jan. 22.

Watch Jelly Roll’s full interview below.

09 Jan 2024

Timothée Chalamet Denies Beef Between Kylie Jenner & Selena Gomez After Golden Globes Rumors

Timothée Chalamet is caught in between a lot of rumored drama following Sunday night’s (Jan. 7) Golden Globes, where viewers speculated that Selena Gomez at one point whispered to Taylor Swift that Kylie Jenner had forbade her from taking a photo with the Wonka actor. But in a recent run-in with TMZ, he said there isn’t any beef between the parties involved.

Let’s debrief. Jenner was in attendance Sunday night as Chalamet’s date, about nine months after they first sparked dating rumors in April 2023. During one of the award show’s commercial breaks, rolling cameras captured Gomez darting over to Swift’s table to whisper something that made the “Anti-Hero” singer gasp.

The exchange was inaudible, however lip-reading fans on the internet are convinced that the Only Murders in the Building actress was telling Swift that the Kardashians star had said no to Gomez’s request for a photo with Chalamet. The alleged drama becomes even more compelling considering Swift’s rocky past with the Kardashian family (namely Jenner’s older sister Kim) and Gomez’s own history with Jenner’s good friend Hailey Bieber, who is now married to the Rare Beauty founder’s famous ex, Justin Bieber. (Let’s not forget #BrowGate of February 2023).

Plus, the Little Women actor has been friends with Gomez in the past, having both starred in Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York.

However, Chalamet says there’s nothing to worry about — at least, that’s what he begrudgingly told a TMZ reporter after trying unsuccessfully to shake the outlet off on a stroll in Los Angeles. “Yeah, of course,” he responded when asked if he and Gomez were on good terms.

Then, after being pressed about whether Gomez and Jenner are feuding, he said, “No… They’re good.”

Aside from all the gossip, Chalamet, Jenner, Gomez and Swift seemed to have a great night at the Globes. The Lady Bird star and Kylie Cosmetics founder packed on the PDA throughout the ceremony, where Chalamet’s Wonka performance was nominated best male actor in a motion picture but lost to Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers. The “Calm Down” singer was up for best female actor in a TV series, musical or comedy for Only Murders and Swift was in the running for cinematic and box office achievement for her Eras Tour concert film, however Gomez lost to The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri and Barbie was victorious in Swift’s category.