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27 Sep 2023

Who Should Win Artist of the Year at 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards? Vote!

Three out of the five acts up for artist of the year at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards are Mexican music heavy hitters, a reflection of the genre’s strong hold on Latin music today. Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera and Peso Pluma are up against Karol G and Bad Bunny in the top category.

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In the past year, both Karol and Bunny have scored No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. The former’s Mañana Será Bonito became the first all-Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the chart. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti ruled the tally for 13 nonconsecutive weeks. Mexican-American group Fuerza Regida earned its first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 in January with “Bebe Dame” alongside Grupo Frontera and has since charted with a handful of other tracks, including “Ch y La Pizza” with Natanael Cano, “Sabor Fresa” and “TQM.”

Placing more than 20 songs on the Hot 100 this year alone, Peso Pluma leads this year’s finalists with 21 entries. His latest album, Génesis, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, the highest ranking for a regional Mexican album on the tally. Grupo Frontera has had a breakout year with eight songs on the Hot 100 and their first top 10 Top Latin Album with their debut set El Comienzo.

Finalists and eventual winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including audio and video streaming, album and song sales, radio airplay and touring, tracked by Billboard and its data partner, Luminate. This year’s awards are based on the chart period of Aug. 13, 2022, through Aug. 12, 2023. While this is not a fan-voted awards show, we still want to know who you think should win the category. Before you cast your vote, here’s a breakdown of the finalists accomplishments.

The awards ceremony will broadcast live from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla., on Thursday, Oct. 5, and will air on Telemundo. It will also broadcast simultaneously on Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Vote for your favorite artist in our fan poll below! (Editor’s note: The poll winner does not impact the award decision.)

Purchase tickets to the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week here.

27 Sep 2023

Becky G Spills On Her Go-To Hometown Eatery, Dream Duet & More On Speed Dating | Billboard News

Becky G shares her go-to spot to eat while visiting home, her dream collaboration and more on this episode of Billboard’s Speed Dating. 

Transcript: 

Tetris Kelly  

It’s Tetris with Billboard News and, Becky G, I want to ask you a question. 

Becky G  

All right. 

Tetris Kelly  

Have you ever been on a speed date? 

Becky G  

No, I’ve never actually been speed dating. It sounds fun though. 

Tetris Kelly  

Where you from? 

Becky G  

I’m from Inglewood. 

Tetris Kelly  

What’s your sign? 

Becky G  

I’m a Pisces. 

Tetris Kelly  

Do you like being a Pisces? 

Becky G  

I love being a Pisces. What kind of question is that? 

Tetris Kelly  

What was your dream job as a child? 

Becky G  

Oh, I get to live my dream job today. This was it.

Tetris Kelly  

What’s your pet peeve? 

Becky G  

Sometimes when people are taller than me, they do this thing. I’m going to demonstrate for you. When they do this thing.

Tetris Kelly  

They lean on you? 

Becky G  

Yeah, then I’m like doing this thing. 

Tetris Kelly  

You’re like, “Get off me.”  

Becky G  

Yeah, that’s kind of like … I don’t know if it’s a pet peeve. It just makes me feel even smaller. 

Tetris Kelly  

Oh, my goodness. 

Becky G  

And I feel really big sometimes. 

Tetris Kelly  

What’s your favorite destination to vacation? 

Becky G  

I mean, it’s not really a vacation destination. I love just being home. 

Tetris Kelly  

That’s like the best chill time for you. 

Becky G  

Best chill time, eating my mom’s home cooked food. 

Tetris Kelly  

Do you go anywhere in Inglewood that you like when you’re home, like, “I gotta hit this destination.”

Becky G  

There’s this burger joint, a char burger spot that they kind of make a little bit of everything to be honest, but it’s called Bravo’s.

Tetris Kelly  

I got to check Bravo’s out. 

Becky G  

Yeah, it’s really good. 

Tetris Kelly  

What is the best gift you’ve ever received? 

Becky G  

Shoutout to my mom [for] the gift of life. Duh. 

And what is your dream collab? I mean, my ultimate dream as a little girl was to collaborate with someone like Selena Quintanilla.

Tetris Kelly  

Oh, my goodness.

Becky G  

Heart, heart, heart heart. 

Tetris Kelly  

Well, that was Speed Dating with Becky G. Thanks boo.

Becky G  

Thank you.

Watch the full video above.

27 Sep 2023

J. Cole Posts Letter Colin Kaepernick Sent to NY Jets After Aaron Rodgers Injury: ‘I Hope There’s a Spot Out There For My Boy Kap’

J. Cole would like NY Jets fans to change their famous chant from J-E-T-S! to “Kap-Kap-Kap!”

On Tuesday (Sept. 26), Cole posted a letter he said he obtained from exiled NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, in which the player who famously got sidelined after taking a knee during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality and racial inequality in 2016 offered up his services to the Jets in the wake of the week-one injury to Aaron Rodgers. Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers in 2017 after his protest made international headlines and offered himself up as a free agent, but the six-year veteran has not had any offers from another NFL team since.

“I asked Colin @kaepernick7 if I could share this letter with the world. He was reluctant,” Cole said of the note dated Sept. 21. “My argument was that I believe the people and all organizations should know the truth about how hard he works and how much he still wants to play. And always has. In the end, he agreed to let me.”

In his note, the former San Francisco 49ers QB told the Jets’ GM Joe Douglas that he would be “honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad.” At press time it did not appear that Kaepernick had posted the letter on his socials, or commented on Cole posting it.

“I’m writing, of course, in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers. I know the aspirations this season were, and still are, to win a championship, and so that Hall of Fame sized hole will need to be filled as best as possible to keep the team on a Super Bowl track,” Kaepernick wrote in his note about the loss of the legendary Rodgers, who went down with a torn Achilles tendon just four plays into his first season with the Jets.

“As of right now, Zach Wilson is charged with that task, and I wish him and the rest of the team the best moving forward,” Kaepernick continued. “However, I know that there are currently depth issues at the position, and I’ve heard that the back-up spot is likely to be filled by a veteran Quarterback. As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me.”

Kaep said he would be happy to lead the practice squad in an effort to help the team’s defense be ready each week by giving them the advantage of getting a “truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks it will face in weeks 4, 5, and 6 (Mahomes, Wilson, and Hurts.”

It would also, of course, allow the team to get a look at where Kaepernick is at this point, football-wise, after more than six years on the shelf. Kaepernick assured the Jets that he has not stopped training since his exile, working out every weekday, while attaching a list of references that included Michigan head coach (and former 49ers coach) Jim Harbaugh, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and UCLA head coach (and former 49ers coach) Chip Kelly.

Rumors about Kaepernick’s availability and interest have been swirling for several weeks, following the Rodgers loss that instantly deflated title chances for the Jets, who are currently mired in the longest active playoff drought in the league at 12 seasons.

“I wish the @nyjets organization luck. My boy @bas is a big ass fan so I saw the heartbreak of every Jets fan when Arod went down,” added Cole, who shouted out CKaep on the 2018 Miguel track “Come Through and Chill,” where he rhymed, “In case my lack of reply had you catchin’ them feelings/ Know you’ve been on my mind like Kaepernick kneelin’/ Or police killings, or Trump sayin’ slick s–t.”

“@richeisen Everyone from players, to coaches, to execs are feeling the pressure I’m sure. I hope y’all can turn it around, and I hope there’s a spot out there for my boy Kap.”

See Cole’s post below.

27 Sep 2023

Ozzy Osbourne Wants to Release Another Album and Hit the Road One Last Time: ‘I Want to Take My Time With This One’

Ozzy Osbourne will not go gentle into that good night. Why start now? The metal legend who has been sidelined for much of this year due to ongoing issued tied to a neck injury told Metal Hammer in a new interview that he is working on another album. And, despite canceling his oft-delayed No More Tours 2 tour and announcing his retirement from touring, he is also hoping to be back on the road next year.

“I’ve done two albums fairly recently [2020’s Ordinary Man and 2022’s Patient Number 9, both produced by Andrew Watt], but I want to do one more album and then go back on the road,” Osbourne, 74, said. Osbourne said he’s set up a home studio at his house in the U.K. and would like to work with Watt (Rolling Stones, Justin Bieber) again. “I’m just starting to work on it now, and we’ll be recording in the early part of next year,” he said. “I want to take my time with this one!”

Though Ozzy has had several surgeries to deal with a nagging neck/spinal injury, Osbourne said he had his “final” one earlier this month and is feeling much better. “I’ve had all the surgery now, thank God. I’m feeling okay – it was just dragging on,” Osbourne explained of the procedure to help relieve pain from an injury he suffered after a late night fall in 2019. “I thought I’d be back on my feet months ago, I just couldn’t get used to this mode of living, constantly having something wrong. I can’t walk properly yet, but I’m not in any pain any more and the surgery on my spine went great.”

He’s feeling better, but Osbourne said he still can’t travel, so fans should not expect him to pop in for a guest appearance at the all-metal Power Trip festival in California’s Coachella Valley on Oct. 6-8; Judas Priest have stepped in to perform in Ozzy’s place. “It’s brilliant. [Priest singer] Rob [Halford]’s a great singer and they’re a very good band,” he said of the fellow Birmingham hard rock icon. “He’s been a very dear friend of mine and he’s one of the greatest rock singers of all-time.”

Despite his enthusiasm, Osbourne assured the magazine that he will not be there to see sets by AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Metallica or Tool. “If I can’t do the gig, I don’t really want to be there,” he said. “Plus I know they’ll just be like ‘go on, get Ozzy up’!”  

27 Sep 2023

Travis Kelce Jokes About ‘My Personal Life That Is Not So Personal’ After Taylor Swift Suite Visit

Travis Kelce knows exactly how this works. After 100% more people cared about football this weekend thanks to Taylor Swift showing up to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs (and, of course, Kelce) on Sunday, the KC star teased that he might spill the beans on whether, as rumored, he’s the man in Tay’s life the on this week’s episode of his New Heights podcast with brother and fellow NFL player Jason Kelce.

Or not. Because as of Wednesday morning (Sept. 27) there were only 21 seconds of the pod to pore over like the Zapruder film until the full episode drops later in the day. “We’ve been avoiding this subject out of respect for your personal life – now we’ve got to talk about it,” older brother Jason teased.

“My personal life that is not so personal,” Travis joked about the intense scrutiny he’s been under since Swift donned the red and white and whooped it up in a skybox next to the Kelce’s mom, Donna. “I did this to myself Jason, I know this,” he added.

And though two-time Super Bowl winner and eight-time Pro Bowler Travis has plenty to brag about on the field, Jason knew exactly how to ding his little bro where it hurts. “Well Trav, how does it feel that Taylor Swift has finally put you on the map?” he asked.

Though neither Kelce nor Swift have publicly commented on rumors that they are dating, the singer’s presence at Sunday’s game has revved up a titanic hype machine, with breathless coverage from the sports press, mainstream media and even typically taciturn New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to crack a joke about the reported romance.

“Travis Kelce has had a lot of big catches in his career — this would be the biggest,” he joked on The Greg Hill Show when asked about the new NFL “power couple.” In addition to getting her LFG on at the game, Swift was later seen leaving Arrowhead Stadium with Kelce, driving off in his convertible.

Kelce revealed in July that he went to Swift’s Eras Tour date at Arrowhead earlier this summer and tried unsuccessfully to slip her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it. Not long afterwards, rumors emerged that the two were seeing each other, with brother Philadelphia Eagles center Jason jokingly last week in an interview that the dating rumors were “one hundred percent true.”

Watch the New Heights teaser below; the full episode is slated to drop at 9:30 a.m. ET

 

27 Sep 2023

‘The Sound of Music’ Soundtrack Due for Deluxe Expanded Reissue: Exclusive 

The chart-topping film soundtrack to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music will be reissued on Dec. 1 in an array of new expanded, remixed and remastered formats. Among them: a lavish Super Deluxe Edition boasting over 40 previously-unreleased tracks – 11 of which are never-before-heard alternate takes from the 1965 blockbuster movie.

One of those alternate takes is an unreleased rendition of the film’s opening number “Prelude / The Sound of Music,” by the film’s star Julie Andrews, and cast. The song is now available to stream and download (Sept. 27) — listen below.

And, for the first time, all of the Academy Award-winning film’s music – including every musical element from the movie – will be included on the Super Deluxe Edition of the album. Among those classic songs: “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”

The Sound of Music soundtrack spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1965 and was a near-constant presence in the top 10 from the spring of 1965 through the spring of 1967. It spent a staggering 109 weeks in the top 10 – the most of any soundtrack in the chart’s history. In 2015, Billboard ranked The Sound of Music as the most successful soundtrack of all time on the chart.

The Super Deluxe Edition of The Sound of Music will be available as either as a four-CD/one-Blu-ray audio boxed set or as a digital download album. The Blu-Ray audio disc contains the film’s full score in hi-resolution audio, as well as a new Dolby Atmos mix of the original 16-track soundtrack released in 1965.

The boxed set features new liner notes written by film historian and preservationist Mike Matessino, who remixed and remastered the album from the original multi-track tapes.

The Super Deluxe Edition is one of multiple new iterations of The Sound of Music that Craft Recordings will release on Dec. 1. (Craft is the catalog label for Concord.) The Sound of Music will also be reintroduced in a Deluxe Edition (on two-CDs) and a three-LP vinyl collection (including a “Picnic Meadow Green”-colored vinyl pressing limited to 500 copies worldwide). A standard edition of the album will also be refreshed, where the original 16-track 1965 soundtrack will be reissued digitally in standard digital, HD digital and in a Dolby Atmos mix. (The standard digital album will also be available in multiple non-English-language editions, including Spanish, German, French and Italian).

“It’s been wonderful to collaborate across all of Concord’s divisions to help bring this historic and culturally significant reissue to light,” says Sig Sigworth, president, Craft Recordings and chief catalog officer, Concord, in a statement. “This deluxe edition has been years in the making, with Craft Recordings working in concert with Concord Publishing and Concord Theatricals (home of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization). We’re delighted that The Sound of Music fans around the world, old and new, will be able to enjoy the iconic soundtrack in a brand new listening experience, more than a half century after its original release.”

Imogen Lloyd Webber, SVP at Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization adds: “This reissue of The Sound of Music, lovingly—and painstakingly—curated by the team at Craft with collaboration from so many at Concord, alongside Mike Matessino, is a landmark moment in the history of the title. It is a truly fitting tribute to the last of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals and one we hope fans across the world will treasure for years to come.”

For a full recap of the tracklists for each variant of the album, visit the Craft Recordings website. A summary of the new iterations is below:

The Sound of Music Soundtrack 2023 Reissues:

Super Deluxe Edition (4-CD/1 Blu-Ray boxed set)
100 tracks on the CDs, 62 tracks on the Blu-Ray audio disc.

Super Deluxe Edition (Digital Download Album)
84 tracks

Deluxe Edition (2-CD)
46 tracks

Deluxe Edition (3 vinyl LPs, plus a “Picnic Meadow Green” color variant triple LP limited to 500 copies worldwide)
46 tracks

Original 1965 Release (Standard Digital [inclusive of multiple international language versions such as Spanish, German, French and Italian] & HD Digital)
16 tracks

Original 1965 Release (Dolby Atmos)
16 tracks (all in 2023 Stereo Mixes)

27 Sep 2023

Jason Mraz Impresses With Cha Cha On ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season Premiere: Watch

It turns out, Jason Mraz just wants to dance.

The 46-year-old artist has enjoyed an impressive recording career, yielding two Grammy Awards across two-plus decades, and earning the Hal David Songwriters Hall of Fame Award. Nine of his songs have impacted the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including two top 10s.

On Tuesday night (Sept. 26), Mraz showed off his other talents on the season 32 premiere episode of Dancing With The Stars, when he strutted his stuff with a Cha Cha.

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Mraz and his dance partner Daniella Karagach danced to one of his own songs, “I Feel Like Dancing,” and landed a hattrick of sevens – placing the pair equal second, just one point from the top of the early leaderboard.

This hidden skill, Mraz pointed out, might have something to do with an unusual physical feature; he claims to have an extra vertebra in his spine.

Veep star Matt Walsh won’t be around to dance another day. After his own cha cha with Koko Iwasaki was bracketed in the bottom three, fans voted, the judges weighed in and Walsh was walking.

Mraz is competing for the Mirrorball Trophy, now renamed in honor of the late head judge Len Goodman.

Mraz will hope his DWTS run goes deep. On Sept. 22, Atlantic/Rhino will release the 15-year anniversary edition of We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. We Deluxe Edition.

The forthcoming collection will be available as a three-LP, two-CD set, and digitally. We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things originally peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, following its release in 2008, and is one of his five top 10 appearances on the albums chart. In June, Mraz released his eighth studio album, Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride.

Watch Mraz’s first-up dance on DWTS below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=chVu_Wp__vM&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

27 Sep 2023

Indonesian Contestant Putri Ariani ‘Hit It Out of the Park’ on ‘AGT’ Finale: Watch

When Putri Ariani performs, jaws drop, tears fall.

That happened again, when Ariani delivered her last performance Tuesday night (Sept. 26) for the 18th season finale of America’s Got Talent.

Hailing from Indonesia, the gifted singer and pianist scored Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer during the audition phase, the judges remarking that she sounded like, or indeed was, an angel. On that occasion, she performed two songs, the second of which was “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word.”

For the finale, Ariani performed another Elton John and ‎Bernie Taupin classic, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”. Sat at a sparkling grand piano, and complemented with a gospel choir, Ariani had the room on its feet — including all four judges.

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Last time, Cowell was left “speechless.” On this occasion, the Brit found his words.

“It’s got nothing to do with the fact I gave her the Golden Buzzer,” he remarked afterwards, “I think any one of us would have given Putri the Golden Buzzer. It’s just that you are one of those rare little diamonds we come across every few years. Who is naturally born to do this.”

The teenage contestant is blind, an obstacle she overcomes when performing. “You’ve overcome so much in your life, to hopefully fulfill your dream on this show,” Cowell added. “And boy, after that do you deserve it.”

Fellow judge Howie Mandel remarked that, every time, in every round, Putri “hit it out of the park.” Her voice and her talent, “perfection.” If this was just a singing competition, she had it in the bag, he remarked. AGT, however, is broader than that, with dancers, magicians, comedians and more lining up in the 11-strong final.

Heidi Klum said it was a “moving” performance. “You could’ve not done it any better.”

Ariani had the final word. “I believe we are able, we are capable and we are equal. So, don’t be afraid to keep reaching for your dreams. Your dream will come true if you believe it.”

The winner will be announced Wednesday (Sept. 28) in the second of the two-part final on NBC.

Watch Putri Ariani’s performance below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=S71uY8wPUyM&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

26 Sep 2023

Yodeling Comes to ‘The Voice’ as Teen Ruby Leigh Lands Four Chair Turn

Yodeling is an artform so difficult to master, it ought to come with a warning — “only try this at home.”

Ruby Leigh is an exception. The 16-year-old from Foley, Missouri stopped by NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday (Sept. 26) for a Blind Audition that was both brave, unexpected and fabulously executed.

Looking the part of a golden-era country star and wielding an acoustic guitar, Leigh hit a cover of Patsy Montana’s 1935 “I Want To Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” said to be the first country song by a female artist to sell more than one million copies. The youngster’s rendition was soaked in thigh-slapping country and western. And yes, yodeling.

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From the opening bounce, the coaches realized they were in for something different. All four turned.

“I truly never heard anything like what you just did,” John Legend explained. “I loved how clear and precise and piercing and beautiful your tone was. And then when you started doing the yodeling, it was like, how was a human being able to do the things that you’re doing? You could win the voice, honestly.”

Gwen Stefani revealed her own secret talents at yodeling, though admitted they were nothing when stacked against the superior Leigh.

The contestant’s energy was “just insane,” remarked Niall Horan. “You got a four chair for a reason.” This kid is “exciting,” he added.

Reba McEntire, the country icon, spoke last. “Being as young as you are, and being a fan of Patsy Montana, I’m a third generation rodeo brat, so Patsy Montana, a country western singer, not just country – there is a difference – I’m very flattered, very proud of my heritage that you’re singing this song.”

McEntire’s mom taught the country legend to yodel, which she duly gave an example of. It was a thinly-veiled sales pitch. Was it a winning one?

Of course it was. Leigh steps into Team Reba.

“Ruby could be a star and have a huge following,” Reba told the cameras afterwards.

The 24th season of The Voice premiered Monday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Watch below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=R1NgwVE5RQw&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

26 Sep 2023

‘Rap Sh!t’ Announces Season 2 Soundtrack, Led by Sexyy Red Single ‘No Panties’

Issa Rae‘s Max series Rap Sh!t announced Wednesday (Sept. 27) that it’s releasing the season 2 soundtrack on Nov. 3 via Rae’s label Raedio and Def Jam.

Rap Sh!t S2: The Mixtape is meant to showcase the women currently taking over the rap game, including Sexyy Redd, whose single “No Panties” arrived Wednesday. “I’m happy that I got to work on ‘No Panties’ for Rap Sh!t,” she said in a statement. “It’s just me having fun on the beat and talking my sh–. It’s just like the show: The rap girls running this sh–.”

Sexyy Red

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The soundtrack is a mix of original music created for the series and performed by lead characters Shawna (played by Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) and new songs by Rico Nasty, Kali, Maiya the Don, Enchanting, Cam & China and more. Guapdad 4000, NCognita and Suni MF have writing credits, while Hitkidd, Danja and Bankroll Got It contributed to the production.

Rap Sh!t S2: The Mixtape also marks the first project Raedio is releasing alongside Def Jam, after Rae initially launched her label with Atlantic Records in 2019.

The first two episodes of Rap Sh!t‘s second season will premiere Nov. 9 on Max. Originally slated for an Aug. 10 premiere, the new season was postponed due to the strikes. The Writers Guild of America and the labor group representing studios and streamers announced Sunday that they have reached a tentative deal on a new three-year contract that could potentially end the historic, 146-day writers strike.