News

26 Aug 2023

Maluma Talks New Album ‘Don Juan,’ His Upcoming Tour, J Balvin & More | Billboard in Conversation

Maluma tells Billboard Latin Chief Content Officer Leila Cobo all about his new album ‘Don Juan,’ how it’s different from his last album, his upcoming tour, his collab with J Balvin, and more!

Maluma
I’m gonna let it grow a little bit more.

Leila Cobo
It looks cool.

Maluma
You approve it?

Leila Cobo
I think you look cute.

Maluma
Leila approve it, come on!

Leila Cobo
Mr. Maluma — hola, hi.

Maluma
Hola, hi, how are you? Como estas?

Leila Cobo
How many languages?

Leila Cobo
Let’s talk about ‘Don Juan.’

Maluma
Yeah.

Leila Cobo
I listened to the whole album.

Maluma
You listened to the whole album already?

Leila Cobo
I did.

Maluma
Oh, I love that.

Leila Cobo 0:43
So before I tell you what I think I want to ask you if you had to describe ‘Papi Juancho’ and ‘Don Juan’ each in like two words.

Maluma
Let’s say that ‘Don Juan’ is magical, ‘Papi Juancho’ I would say is emotional. When I was doing ‘Papi Juancho’ I was going through some emotional things that in every song like you can interpret, right? But then with ‘Don Juan’ it’s like, everything in one album. That’s where I would say that is magical. Because it’s fun. It’s modern, still very sentimental. That’s the vibe that I’m that I’m giving right now is music, to have fun and enjoy life. I’m so happy in my life right now. Leila, like you have no idea. Maybe you can tell. I feel so grateful every morning when I wake up that I just want to do positive things. Right now that’s ‘Don Juan,’ that’s the whole album.

Watch the full interview above!

26 Aug 2023

RBD’s Soy Rebelde Tour First Concert: Here’s the Full Setlist

The Latin music world has been abuzz about the reunion of Mexican pop band RBD, who played their last show as a group in December 2008 in Madrid. Since that day, fans have been clamoring for a reunion, but the likelihood of that happening had seemed far.

Now, five of the original six members — Anahí, Dulce María, Maite, Christian and Chrsitopher — have come together for their Soy Rebelde tour, which launched Friday (Aug. 25) in El Paso, Texas. The show gave start to a highly-anticipated tour that sold over 1.5 million tickets in the first 24 hours it went on sale and that will see RBD performing in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and the United States.

Aside from a plethora of outfit changes and dazzling set design, the show features RBD performing from their vast catalog of hits backed by a full band, and for the first time, features the group on stage with a troupe of dancers.

For all those RBD fans out there, here is the current show set list (plus a handful of medleys). If you’re one of the lucky people who was able to score a ticket, get ready for your karaoke moment!

1. Tras de mi

2. Un poco de tu amor

3. Cerquita de tí

4. Aún hay algo

5. Otro día que va

6. Inalcanzable

7. Medley Eras

7. Enséñame

8. Qué hay detrás

9. Tu amor

10. Quisiera ser

11. Celestial

12. Bésame sin miedo

13. Ser o parecer

14. No pares

15. Este corazón

16. Siempre he estado aquí

17. Empezar desde cero

18. Solo quédate en silencio

19. Sálvame

20. Nuestro amor

21. Rebelde

26 Aug 2023

SESAC Latina & Rimas Publishing Join Forces for ‘Music 101’ & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones and new music releases to major announcements and those little, important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Music 101 in Puerto Rico

SESAC Latina and Rimas Publishing joined forces to produce Music 101 in Puerto Rico on Thursday (Aug. 24). According to a press release, the event was an effort to “empower and educate songwriters and producers with the necessary tools to succeed in the music industry.” Featuring six panels, the topics ranged from the significance of a performing rights organization, the role of a publisher and creative and legal assessment, among other topics.

“We are thrilled with the results of Music 101 in Puerto Rico. We were looking forward to bringing back this seminar and what better way to do it than at one of the hubs for Latin Music. Our gratitude goes to Rimas Publishing for their invaluable support in making this event a real success,” said Celeste Zendejas, vice president of SESAC Latina. “We remain committed to fostering the development of the music industry ecosystem in Puerto Rico and in the region, therefore events like Music 101 are necessary to educate the new generations and those who want to learn how to navigate this industry,” added Emilio Morales, managing director of Rimas Publishing.

Becky G Announces New Album

Mexican-American star Becky G has announced the name of her upcoming album, which will be her first Mexican music set. During her performance in New York on Friday (Aug. 25), as part of Citi Concert Series on Today, the “MAMIII” singer said her album’s new name is Esquinas and went on to explain what inspired the title. “I have always identified as not this side or that side of the streets that raised me but the corner where two flags, two cultures, two languages meet,” she said. Becky G is set to kick off her first-ever headlining tour Sept. 14 in Boston. See the tour dates here.

2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists

Mexican music star Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists for the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, with 21 nods across 15 categories including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year, and Top Latin Album of the Year. His collaboration with Eslabon Armado, “Ella Baila Sola,” is up for six awards, including Hot Latin Song of the Year, Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Sales Song of the Year. And his hit with Yng Lvcas, “La Bebe,” competes in five categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Latin Rhythm Song of the Year.

Following Peso Pluma are Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera with 15 nods each. For a second year in a row, Karol G is the female artist with the highest number of entries on the list of finalists. The Colombian star has 13 nods.

See the complete list of finalists here.

Grupo Frontera at the Zócalo

Viva México! Grupo Frontera is set to help celebrate Mexican Independence Day with a special performance at the Zócalo — the country’s most important public square — on Sept. 15. The Texas-based group joins a long list of national and international artists who have set foot in the second-largest public square in the world. Musicians such as Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the late icon of regional Mexican music Vicente Fernández, among many others, have performed at the Zócalo.

The attendance record for free concerts held in the so-called Primer Cuadro in the Mexican capital is held by the Argentine rock band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, which achieved the milestone of gathering 300,000 people on the night of June 3.

Nicky Jam’s Scholarship

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation has awarded the Nicky Jam Scholarship to 19-year-old Dominican Pianist Leomar Cordero. The award was granted during a special presentation with the reggaetón Puerto Rican hitmaker on Thursday (Aug. 24) in Miami, Florida. “When I received the news, I could not believe this was happening to me!,” Cordero told Billboard Español. “I feel very fortunate to have been selected for the Nicky Jam Scholarship and very happy at the same time to see that all my hard work is yielding results.”

The four-year scholarship holds a maximum value of $200,000 and it will allow Cordero to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston starting this fall.

25 Aug 2023

Bernie Marsden, Beloved Whitesnake Guitarist, Dead at 72

Bernie Marsden, the original guitarist for Whitesnake and co-writer behind some of the band’s biggest hits, died on Thursday (Aug. 24). He was 72 years old.

Marsden’s family shared the news via a statement posted to the rocker’s Instagram page, along with a photo of Marsden smiling at the camera. “On behalf of his family, it is with deep sadness we announce the death of Bernie Marsden. Bernie died peacefully on Thursday evening with his wife, Fran, and daughters, Charlotte and Olivia, by his side. Bernie never lost his passion for music, writing and recording new songs until the end,” reads the post, which you can see here.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The star performed with Whitesnake from 1978 to 1982, and was part of the original band lineup that included frontman David Cloverdale, bassist Neil Murray, guitarist Mick Moody and drummer Dave Dowie. As part of the group, Marsden co-wrote the band’s biggest hit “Here I Go Again,” which he re-recorded with his bandmates in 1987. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart in October 1987 and spent 28 total weeks on the tally. He also co-wrote “Fool for Your Loving,” which hit No. 37 on the Hot 100 in 1989.

During his four-year stint in Whitesnake, Marsden contributed to the band’s first five albums, 1978’s Trouble, 1979’s Lovehunter, 1980’s Ready an’ Willing, 1981’s Come an’ Get It and 1982’s Saints & Sinners. Beyond Whitesnake, Marsden performed with a number of other bands including the Moody Marsden Band and Alaska.

He also released a number of solo albums, with his most recent project, Trios, released in August 2022.

25 Aug 2023

2023 U.S. Open: All the Ways to Stream the Tennis Championship Online Without Cable

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Whether you’re a die-hard tennis fanatics or novice sports watchers, the 2023 U.S. Open is packed with exciting moments. This year’s championship returns to Flushing Meadows in Queens, N.Y., on Monday (Aug. 28).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

U.S. Open matches held at Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand will begin at 11 a.m ET. Matches held at Arthur Ashe Stadium begin at noon. Night rounds start at 7 p.m. ET. Click here for the full 2023 U.S. Open schedule.

How long is the U.S. Open? The two-week event will be held from Aug. 28-Sept. 10.

Keep reading for ways to stream the U.S. Open without cable and where to buy tickets.

How to Watch the 2023 U.S. Open from Anywhere

Coverage of the 2023 U.S. Open will be available on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, Tennis Channel and ABC. Matches will stream daily on ESPN+ from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

The Tennis Channel will air coverage from 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. Afternoon and primetime rounds will air on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN 2 from noon until 11 p.m.

ESPN+

$9.99/month

If you already have cable, you can access the U.S. Open from your TV, phone or streaming device through your cable provider or log into the ESPN app and if you’re a cord-cutting tennis fan, ESPN+ is a good choice.

What is ESPN+? The platform costs $9.99 a month (or $99.99 annually) to stream live sporting events like the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open, in addition to ESPN originals such as The Captain, Al Davis vs. The NFL, Vick, Be Like Water, Breakaway, Dana White’s Contender Series, the entire 30 for 30 library, PPV events, UFC Fight Night, NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA games, college basketball, golf, soccer and more.

To expand your streaming library, bundle ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ for $13.99 a month.

Not interested in joining ESPN+? No worries. You can stream ESPN programs and live sporting events through platforms that offer live television, like Sling TV, which usually starts at $40 a month. Currently, Sling is half off for the first month, giving you instant access to dozens of live channels, 50 hours of DVR recordings and multiple device streams, for $20.

DirecTV Stream is another option for ESPN and other cable and local channels at an affordable price, plus there’s a free trial for five days. Monthly plans start at $74.99 a month, but you’ll save $30 over three months when you subscribe online via the link below.

DirecTV Stream

$64.99/month $74.99/month 13% off% OFF

Other streamers with access to ESPN and ESPN2: Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, Vidgo and YouTube TV. If you’re streaming from outside the U.S., ExpressVPN allows uses to access ESPN, ESPN+ and more.

Where to Buy Tickets to the 2023 U.S. Open

Last year’s U.S. Open saw record ticket sales as fans clamored to see Serena Williams play in what she says will be her final tournament. Tickets are in high demand this year as well, so it’s best to get them as early as possible.

U.S. Open Tennis Tickets

Most of the U.S. Open tickets prices are around $84-153 and up at StubHub, Vivid Seats, Seat Geek, Game Time, Ticketmaster.

Purchase tickets to the 2023 U.S. Open via the link above.

25 Aug 2023

Sabrina Carpenter Talks Opening for Taylor Swift on Eras Tour, Enjoying the ‘Fun’ of K-Pop & More

It’s been an exciting year for Sabrina Carpenter, who is fresh off her Emails I Can’t Send Tour and just kicked off her stint opening for Taylor Swift on the Latin America leg of the Eras tour. She also just launched her second fragrance, Caramel Dream, and to celebrate, she chatted with Billboard‘s Rania Aniftos behind the scenes of her perfume’s promotional shoot.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

After admitting that she was speechless after finding out that she’d be touring with Swift, Carpenter revealed, “That is one of my main inspirations ever since I was a little girl, and now to just be able to watch that show every night is going to be so special.”

She continued, “It’s so funny, I’ve been growing up with her advice in her songs because it’s very much a how-to book on how to survive as a young woman, which is really special. Watching her in and of itself is how you learn. I admire her work ethic and her talent and she’s just so amazing.”

Carpenter also opened up about her love for K-pop following the release of her remix of FIFTY FIFTY’s “Cupid” last week. “It’s really nice to have fun when you think about life,” she shared. “Life can be so many things and a lot of times it’s heavy and confusing, so I really do appreciate how much fun I have when I listen to K-pop. More than that, they’re just impressive. They’re some of the most talented people I’ve ever met.”

Watch Billboard‘s full interview with Sabrina Carpenter above, and check out our full livestream with the pop star as she introduces her new fragrance Caramel Dream here.

25 Aug 2023

Sabrina Carpenter Talks About Opening for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, Being a K-Pop Stan & More | Billboard News

Sabrina Carpenter talks about opening up for Taylor Swift on the Latin American leg of the superstar’s Eras tour, how she thinks of her viral “Nonsense” outros, being a K-pop stan, her new fragrance Sweet Tooth Caramel Dream and more!

Sabrina Carpenter:
I’ve been growing up with her advice in her song, because it’s very much like a how-to book on how to survive as a young woman. Hey, what’s up? It’s Sabrina Carpenter and this is Billboard News.

Rania Aniftos:
Hi, everybody. It’s Rania Aniftos with Billboard News, and I’m here with one of my favorite artists, Sabrina Carpenter.

Sabrina Carpenter:
Hello.

Rania Aniftos:
Hey.

Sabrina Carpenter:
Hi.

Rania Aniftos:
This looks a little different than the usual Billboard set because we are here behind the scenes of your new fragrance Caramel Dream.

Sabrina Carpenter:
Yeah, we on set for sure.

Rania Aniftos:
We drenched ourselves in it earlier.

Sabrina Carpenter:
We smell crazy good right now.

Rania Aniftos:
So good, haha! Yeah, I mean, it’s your second fragrance.

Sabrina Carpenter:
Yeah.

Rania Aniftos:
How exciting.

Sabrina Carpenter:
Yeah, I feel I mean, I feel so lucky to make one fragrance, let alone two. It’s also really nice because you know, when you get, like, a pet, and, like, the pet is, like, kind of lonely and you’re, like, “Ah, I need to get another cat now because the cat is alone.” That’s how I feel about the fragrance because, like, the first one now has, like, a sister. It has a companion. But they’re both very different and unique in their own special ways. So it’s hard to choose a favorite — much like your children, like your pets. And yeah, I’m so passionate about the fragrance because it smells … it smells incredible. I mean, it’s all the things that I love and and it’s very aligned with, like, where I’m at in life right now.

Watch the full interview above to see what she has to say about opening for Taylor Swift, being a K-pop fan and more!

25 Aug 2023

Live Music Stocks Suffer Down Week While iHeartMedia Shares Make Biggest Gain

Live music companies’ stocks fell an average of 4.4% on this week’s Billboard Global Music Index despite their optimism about sustained consumer spending and healthy revenue and ticket sales in the second half of the year. While Live Nation shares rose 0.5% to $84.79, the other promoters and ticketing companies in the index had down weeks: Madison Square Garden Entertainment fell 2.7%, CTS Eventim dropped 5.7% and Sphere Entertainment Co. plunged 9.6%.

Sphere Entertainment shares have gained over 19% since the company turned on the external display on its state-of-the-art Las Vegas venue and showcased the potential inside the structure on July 5. The company’s second quarter results, released Tuesday, showed revenue of $129.1 million — with the Sphere contributing just $700,000 and the remainder coming from MSG Networks. Sphere’s share price rose nearly 8% to $39.58 following Tuesday’s earnings results but fell nearly 15% over the next three days. The $2.3-billion Sphere will open on Sept. 29 with a 25-date residency by U2.  

iHeartMedia shares rose 6.6% for the week to close at $3.56 on Friday (Aug. 25), making the radio giant the week’s greatest gainer on the Billboard Global Music Index. However, radio companies’ struggle with weak national advertising has hurt their share prices overall in 2023. Year to date through Friday, iHeartMedia was down 41.9% and Cumulus Media had lost 41.9%. Audacy, troubled by debt on top of the soft advertising market, was de-listed by the New York Stock Exchange on May 16 and currently trades over the counter at 75 cents per share despite a reverse stock split on June 30 raising the price from 7 cents to $2.13. Audacy was removed from the Billboard Global Music Index following the de-listing.

Overall, the 21-stock Billboard Global Music Index was flat this week at 1,298.80. Ten stocks finished the week in positive territory, ten stocks lost ground and one stock, Round Hill Music Royalty Fund, was unchanged. Record labels and music publishers were the top performing sector with an average gain of 1.7% and only one company, Universal Music Group (down 0.7%), finished in negative territory. Streaming companies and radio companies suffered average weekly losses of 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively. 

Year-to-date, the index has increased 11.2%, even as it’s now on its fifth straight week without a gain.

Stocks in general performed better than music stocks. In the United States, the S&P 500 gained 0.8% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite gained 2.3%. In the United Kingdom, the FTSE gained 1%. South Korea’s KOSPI composite index gained 0.6%. 

The week’s biggest loser, streaming company Anghami, fell 17.5% to 94 cents per share. The stock traded below $1 per share from Wednesday to Friday, marking the first time since July 18 the stock has dropped below $1. On Monday, Anghami announced the sale of a convertible note worth $5 million to SRMG Ventures, a venture arm of Saudi Research and Media Group. The company plans to use the proceeds for working capital, growth and other corporate purposes. 

25 Aug 2023

SZA “Snooze,” Lil Yachty “Telsa” & More | Daily Visuals 8.25.23

HipHopWired Featured Video

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards - Arrivals

Source: Variety / Getty

2023 has been a stellar year for the first lady of TDE as SZA dropped one of the best albums of the year in S.O.S. and a successful tour to boot. Looking to continue to ride that S.O.S. wave throughout this summer, SZA comes through with a new video for one of the album’s more sensual cuts.

Dropping off some visuals to “Snooze,” SZA gets whined and dined by multiple men including a robot, an Asian dude (mad random) and Justin Bieber?! Also some dude was eating French fries off her bare a** which seemed right for so many reasons. We lowkey hating right now.

Lil Yachty meanwhile really likes to color coordinate as in his clip for “Telsa,” Yachty rocks various outfits to match the paint of whatever room or wall he’s standing next too. Does that man change his gear before walking into each individual room on the daily? He just might!

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Qunicey White and Styles P, KB Mike, and more.

SZA – “SNOOZE”



LIL YACHTY – “TELSA”



QUINCEY WHITE & STYLES P – “UP!”



KB MIKE – “MY BOO”



FREDO BANG – “BANG MAN”



NANDOSTL FT. NELLY – “ON ERRTHANG”



LUH TYLER – “RAPPER OF THE YEAR”



MONALEO – “I LUV MY N***A”



HipHopWired Radio

Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…

25 Aug 2023

Peso Pluma Arrives to New York’s UBS Arena: 5 Takeaways From Doble P Tour Stop

The Mexican music star showcased his hitmaking prowess on Thursday night.

Peso Pluma

Featherweight performs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 21, 2023 in Las Vegas.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

It was a humid summer night east of New York City in Elmont, Long Island, and inside the packed UBS Arena on Thursday, it was just as sweltering. Thousands of fans gathered, largely a young Latin crowd clad in black, many visibly thrilled to see arguably the hottest música Mexicana sensation, 24-year-old Peso Pluma.

The Guadalajara performer is midway through the North American leg of his Doble P Tour, presented by Live Nation, which spans about 40 dates. Donning a huge black puffer jacket and durag, Peso Pluma began the show at 9 p.m. Thursday night. He appeared more like a drill artist instead of a traditional corridos singer, wearing a baggy T-shirt and pants onstage. But that’s the appeal: He resonates with an urbano crowd that leans toward a street-style aesthetic and a bélico lifestyle.

Riding high off his Billboard chart-topping streak — including being the artist with the most nods (21) ahead of this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards — Peso Pluma showcased his hitmaking and genre-spanning prowess for nearly two hours.

Here are five takeaways from Thursday night’s show.