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27 Jul 2023

Jonas Brothers Extend Tour Into 2024 With More Than 50 New Dates in North America, Europe & More

Missed out on tickets to see Jonas Brothers in concert? You’re in luck, as the trio — which consists of Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas — have added 50 dates to The Tour into 2024, spanning across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The trek will see the brothers play hits across five albums dating back to 2006. The Tour, which kicks off with a pair of dates at New York’s famed Yankee Stadium on Aug. 12-13, has added 27 new shows to the North American leg of the tour, with five of the new dates taking place in Canada.

2024 will see the Jonas Brothers heading to Australia and New Zealand from February to March, while Europe closes out the tour from May to June. The Australia and Europe leg is notable for the trio, as they head to Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Hamburg, Lyon, Munich and Norway to play shows for the first time in their career.

Fans interested in North American tour dates can sign up for Live Nation’s Verified Fan presale starting now through Monday, July 31, at 10 p.m. ET. Fans who are selected for the presale can purchase tickets starting Thursday, Aug. 3. General ticket onsale begins on Friday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. local time. Local presales for Europe will start Aug. 2 and conclude with general onsale on Aug. 4, while Australia and New Zealand local presales start on Aug. 4, with general onsale beginning on Aug. 8.

See the full list of tour dates in the Jonas Brothers’ announcement below.

27 Jul 2023

How Sinead O’Connor Shaped Modern Pop Careers

Sinead O’Connor, who died on July 26 at the age of 56, first gained public acclaim for two transcendent albums, then gradually became better known for a chaotic personal life that seemed eccentric until it turned tragic. Years after she infamously ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live, she declared that she was gay (2000), said she was actually only one-quarter gay (2005), upbraided Miley Cyrus for making sexy videos (2013) and converted to Islam (2018). Throughout the last decade of her life, she struggled publicly with her mental health.

In recent years, she has been reassessed as a trailblazing feminist artist, and her importance will continue to be acknowledged in the days to come. This is well-deserved, and any honest appreciation of her musical gifts shouldn’t end with her first two albums, The Lion and the Cobra and I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. Long after her music attracted mainstream attention, she made a gorgeous album of Irish folk music (Sean-Nós Nua, 2002) and a compelling set of classic reggae covers (Throw Down Your Arms, 2005), neither of which are available on Spotify or Apple Music. Two of her later recordings were deeply felt covers of old gospel songs, “Troubles Will Soon Be Over” and “Trouble of the World.”

What’s interesting is just how much the themes in her music and her life predicted the way we live and think now. O’Connor’s desire to be marketed as the capital-A artist she was, instead of just an attractive singer, once seemed like a fringe issue but is now a mainstream topic in the music business. Her anger against the Catholic Church’s role in concealing child sexual abuse in the priesthood, which fell on willfully deaf ears 1992, became widespread a decade later when a major investigation in The Boston Globe made clear the extent of the problem. Her frankness about her shifts in sexuality and issues with mental health, which seemed so unusual at the time, are much more common among younger artists. In many ways, O’Connor talked about subjects that music fans weren’t ready to hear about – until, later on, they were.

Her genre experiments seem modern, too. More than other artists, female singers have often been put in a box – a marketing category, if you prefer – by a music industry that doesn’t always know what to do with them. O’Connor faced that earlier than most (in this, too, she was a pioneer), and, as in other matters, she simply did what she pleased. Sean-Nós Nua might at first seem like minor work from a major artist, but O’Connor delved deeper into these folk standards than most interpreters because she grew up around them. On Throw Down Your Arms, she sings material much more foreign to her, but she goes deep there, too – especially on the four Burning Spear covers that start the album. Like the reggae singers she covers, O’Connor has no use for materialist Babylon, and she turns what seemed like an artistic left turn into a left-field triumph.

O’Connor released her last album in 2014, I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss, but two more recent covers showed that her vocal and artistic powers hadn’t diminished. On her cover of Blind Willie Johnson’s “Trouble Will Soon Be Over,” released on a 2016 Johnson tribute album, she circles back to the approach of her first two albums, layering her pure, searing voice atop a minimalist but resonant arrangement. The song starts a cappella, then a guitar and handclaps come in as O’Connor sings about how her faith helps her navigate what she seems to see as a fallen world.

The next song O’Connor released was a 2020 cover of the traditional spiritual “Trouble of the World,” which has become identified with Mahalia Jackson. Shot in stark black-and-white, the video intercuts scenes from racial justice protests with shots of O’Connor walking through a city street in a Black Lives Matter sweatshirt. O’Connor sings mournfully, connecting the current battle against injustice to the weariness of the song’s gospel roots. “Soon it will be done,” she sings, “trouble of the world. Going home to live with God.”

27 Jul 2023

Tupac Shakur’s Jewel Encrusted Ring Sells For $1M

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US-MUSIC-JEWELLERY-AUCTION

Source: ED JONES / Getty

Though the iconic Tupac Shakur may not crack the Top 10 of this current Hip-Hop generation’s list of rap GOATs, us older heads know the impact he had on the culture. So when his personal items hit the auction block, you can expect them to sell for quite the grip.

According to Digital Music News, such was the case when one of the late-great Makaveli’s iced out rings went to auction. And Tupac’s ring was estimated to sell for anywhere between $200,000 – $300,000, it ultimately ended up moving for a whopping $1.016 million! That’s a whole lotta paper for a ring that would probably sell for a few stacks had it not been owned by the legendary music artist.

While we don’t know who ended up with the winning bid, we wouldn’t be surprised if it was Tupac’s former bestie/love, Jada Pinkett Smith. She’ll probably wear that joint around the house and wave it in front of Will Smith on some John Cena ish like “You can’t see me!” Will Smith gonna end up catching a body one day. Just sayin’.

The sale comes years after the iconic crown that The Notorious B.I.G. wore for his Rap Pages photoshoot sold for $500,000, which apparently went to Jay-Z. And that joint wasn’t even real gold!

What do y’all think of Tupac’s ring selling for a milli and who do you think bought it? Let us know in the comments section below.

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27 Jul 2023

The Deals: BeatStars Strikes ‘Ethically-Sourced’ AI Partnership; Insomniac Parties With Emo Night

Beats marketplace BeatStars signed a partnership deal with AI music startup Lemonaide that will make “ethically-sourced AI” available to music creators to help them write and produce new works. Lemonaide’s AI technology “purposefully generates short musical ideas to spark inspiration, push creative boundaries, and pull artists out of their creative slump,” according to a press release. The companies claim the AI is “trained exclusively on voluntarily contributed data from producers” to ensure proper compensation for and active participation by those whose musical works are used.

Music festival and live events promoter Insomniac and music and lifestyle brand Emo Nite announced a partnership that will encompass projects ranging from events to music to apparel. First up is the launch of Grave Rave, a new event series coming to Los Angeles in December that will feature “both legendary and emerging bands and DJs…fusing the sounds of electronic music with the melodies of the emo, pop-punk, and rock genres,” according to a press release. A preview party for the series will be held on August 26 at Insomniac’s Academy LA venue with a surprise lineup of DJs who “built their careers on pop-punk/alternative/emo influences,” the press release adds. The two companies have also teamed for the launch of a new record label, Graveboy Records, with forthcoming single releases by We The Kings, Say Anything and Noelle Sucks. The first collection of Insomniac x Emo Nite merch will also debut at HARD Summer 2023.

Atlanta-based record label and management company Love Renaissance (LVRN) will utilize music streaming and discovery platform Audiomack‘s proprietary ArtistRank system to discover and develop emerging musicians under a new partnership. According to a press release, ArtistRank “allows partners to identify better when an artist is building a lasting fanbase, differentiating itself from other analytical tools by emphasizing engagement metrics rather than solely through play growth.” It provides detailed analytics on fan demographics as well as predictive data that analyzes an artist’s potential growth trajectory.

NetEase Cloud Music formed a partnership with leading Chinese music and entertainment company RYCE Entertainment that will see the companies extend their previous agreement while also giving NetEase access to an expanded portfolio of RYCE’s music catalog in China, with 30-day initial launch rights to distribute new additions to the catalog. The companies will additionally team up to promote RYCE artists and music in China. RYCE’s catalog includes works by Jackson Wang, Amber Liu and Tablo, among many others.

NLess Entertainment co-founders Zach “Z-Bo” Randolph (a former NBA star) and Marcus “Head” Howell are leading a funding found for Connect Music Group, a Black-owned Memphis music company that offers tools and resources to help independent musicians build successful careers while retaining ownership of their masters. Along with fellow investor Richard W. Smith, CEO of airline and international at FedEx, Howell recently hosted an investor event to raise capital for Connect. The amount of the funding round is unknown.

MNRK partnered with New York industry workshop Steel Sessions — based in downtown recording studio The Engine Room — along with its producers Francis “Buda Da Future” Ubiera, Dan “Grandz Muzik” Garcia and Michael “Mike Kuz” Kuzoian. Under the deal, Ubiera, Garcia and Kuzoian will develop artists in the studio to eventually sign them to MNRK while also providing production services for MNRK Urban’s frontline releases, lo-fi instrumental albums, brand partnerships, soundtracks and artist synchs.

Deezer renewed its partnership with French telecoms provider Orange which was first struck in 2010. Under the deal, Orange customers will continue to have access to the Deezer streaming service. In celebration of the renewal, Deezer and Orange will offer six months of Deezer Premium for free to new customers who subscribe to a “Plus que forfait” plan.

Don McLennon, formerly of Brockhampton, has partnered with Nashville-based music tech company Artiphon to release his new track, “Halcyon,” exclusively via the company’s handheld smart instruments, Orba 2 and Chorda. Utilizing stems, Artiphon and McLennon will offer fans the ability to remix the track without any prior musical skill.

27 Jul 2023

Robert Glasper & Dwyane Wade Talk Upcoming Blue Note Jazz Festival & Empowering Black Businesses

Grammy-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper returns to Napa Valley this weekend for his annual Blue Notes Jazz Festival. Headlined by Nas, Mary J. Blige, and Chance the Rapper, Glasper, alongside his superstar cohorts, will provide an enriched Black experience through high-end art, live entertainment, exquisite food, and more during the three-day soiree. Joining Glasper will be three-time NBA Champion and Class of 2023 Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, who looks to bring his brand of fun and excitement to wine country this Friday (July 28). 

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“Last year, I came in with eyes wide open to see what the experience was, and I left there like, ‘When are the dates next year?’” says Wade, the appointed director of culture and vibes for this year’s festival. “I wanted to be back here. I wanted to experience this again, which had nothing to do with me. It had something to do with everybody creating this vibe and putting on for us.”

Attendees will feel Wade’s presence beyond the vibes he intends on setting this weekend as his wine company, Wade Cellars, joins a sea of Black-owned vendors and businesses. “We must show how high-level, sophisticated, and dope we are in this game and all the realms of it,” says Glasper on the importance of highlighting the wealth of talent within the Black community. “It’s important that we do that — from the comedy, the music, the visual arts, the wine, and the chefs — because we’re not represented enough [being] at the high level we are.”

Billboard spoke to Glasper and Wade about the upcoming Jazz festival, empowering Black businesses, and their favorite hip-hop albums. 

Rob, what went into your decision of giving D-Wade the title of director of culture and vibes for your festival?

Robert Glasper: He’s given so much to the culture already. He’s a champion, he does everything at a high level — not just at basketball, but doing the wine and fashion. You have a high-level family, man. I’m a fan of the father that you are. Just overall, it’s an honor and privilege just to have you. When you pulled up on us last year, I didn’t know you was coming. I just saw him and [his wife] Gabrielle in a golf cart. [Laughs.] I’ve been a fan for a long time, so i’m just looking forward to this collab. 

D-Wade, considering the vibes were already present last year, what more can fans expect with you at the helm for this year’s event?

Dwyane Wade: Man, in life, you just always wanna add, and never take away. I just wanna add to the vibes that are already being created. To me, obviously, it’s in Napa [Valley]. I have my own wine brand. I’ve been in this for nine years as a Black vineyard. So when I looked at into that space last year and we had the VIP sections and I saw all the food, I said, “This is what we do. This is where we lay.” We lay in the middle of food and music. I thought it would be amazing if Wade Cellars can have an imprint and be a part of this in Napa. 

First of all, a lot of people were coming up to me in Napa while we were there, and [asking], “Yo. Where can we find your wine at?” I said, “Oh s–t. We don’t have any available.” We weren’t ready. So this year, we’ll be ready. We’re gonna make sure we go in there and we create a vibe. It’s just exposure, bro. This culture needs exposure, so that’s what we’re gonna do with our wine brand — expose them to what we created.

Rob, you’re building a place where Black businesses and vendors can showcase their products. Why was that such a priority for you outside of the music for your festival?

Robert Glasper: Because Black people are high-level in so many different ways. I feel like it’s important we showcase that, because we’re not represented at our highest level in the world in a real way. We’re represented in the things you see on TV, and even on the platforms we provide ourselves — it’s like, ‘Why are you showing this?” We have so much more to offer than what people are seeing.

You guys are pushing the Wine Unify Scholarship. What went into bringing that into the forefront?

Dwyane Wade: You always want to have an element of community or charity. So outside of the Blue Note, there’s other things going on. Wade Cellars will be a part of dinners going on Friday and Saturday, so to be able to tap into the community is what it’s about. We’re gonna have fun, we’re gonna create experiences, but what else can we provide?

I’m looking forward to what goes on at those dinners and what kind of relationships that I can build. The wine industry is like sports to me. If I like a team and you like a team, Carl, we may not know each other and come from two different forms of life — but we can high-five, we can chest bump, we can look at each other to a point, because we love Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. So the wine world to me is a connected world, that if you love this experience of what wine brings, no matter where you’re from, you’re gonna end up cheering that glass with somebody. You’re gonna end up having a conversation and getting to know somebody.

So we just want to continue to create that vibe and more exposure to things. So to be able to be a part of exposing them to so many things in the Blue Note week, that’s what it’s all about. It’s always great to have that charity aspect to it.

Rob, how has music become that central connector to everything going on in sports, comedy, media and so many other sectors in the world today?

Robert Glasper: I mean, music has been the connector since the beginning of time. It’s how people communicated in many ways. It’s how slaves communicated to each other and let you know where to go and where to be. It’s one of the reasons we have a Martin Luther King Day — songs. Music is literally the universal connector. That’s the one artform where, if you don’t know somebody who doesn’t have a favorite song, you can’t trust them. Period. With music, you don’t have to have a favorite visual artist or favorite dancer — but music is such a communicator in such a way of connecting people within all walks of life all over the planet. You don’t have to speak the language, because music is the language. That is literally the language.

Because it is Hip Hop 50, I need you both to list out your three go-to albums.

Robert Glasper: Three?

Dwyane Wade: Three go-to albums?

Robert Glasper: I’ll go first so I don’t have to think about it. I’m gonna go Chi-Town. I’m gonna go Common, Like Water For Chocolate. Part of the reason because I was there when he was making that in New York. I was at some of the sessions and it’s also nostalgia for me. Two, whew. Midnight Marauders, Tribe. Classic. One more album? My son is giving me the look. [Laughs.] You gotta have this one because it is what it is, Illmatic, Nas. 

D-Wade, the pressure is on you now.

Dwyane Wade: Let me go Chicago first. I’m actually gonna go Kanye West, Graduation. I’m a Chicago kid and “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” is one of my favorite songs. I feel like you can’t tell me s–t. I love Graduation. 

Robert Glasper: Wade, you know I’m on “Touch the Sky.” That’s my first hip-hop recording. I did it in 2004 when Just Blaze called me into the studio. I played on “Touch The Sky.”

Dwyane Wade: Wow. OK. Now, my favorite artist is Jay-Z and it’s so hard to pick, but I’m gonna go with — because at the time of my life it was important — The Black Album. That’s when I got into the league, I just got a little money. You couldn’t tell me s–t boy, I’ll tell you. And the last one? This is tough. I’m playing between 2Pac and Lil Wayne right now in my mind. I’m just going with some of my favorite artists, and I’m trying to think what album of Lil Wayne I would pick. 

Were you a Carter II or Carter III guy?

Dwayne Wade: I’m going Tha Carter ’cause that was 2003, 2004 as well. That’s when I was in the Olympics. Matter fact, I’m gonna put that on when I get in the car and go to the meeting. 

Go play some “Go DJ”, D-Wade.

Yeah, I’m gonna do that now. That was my s–t. [Laughs.]

27 Jul 2023

Rosalía Speaks Out for the First Time Since Split From Rauw Alejandro: ‘We Know What We Have Been Through’

It’s Rosalía’s turn to say her piece following her shocking breakup from fiancé and fellow Latin music superstar Rauw Alejandro.

Taking to Instagram Stories, the “Hentai” singer posted a brief message to fans, marking the first time she’s spoken out since news broke earlier this week that she and Rauw have ended their engagement. “I love, respect and admire Rauw very much,” she wrote in Spanish on Thursday (July 27). “Not paying attention to the movies, we know what we have been through. This moment is not easy so thanks to everyone for understanding and respecting.”

Rosalía’s message follows one day behind Rauw’s own statement, in which he confirmed their split via social media and denied rumors that either of them had cheated. “There are thousands of problems that can cause a breakup but, in our case, it was not because of infidelity or a third person,” he wrote in Spanish.

“During this time that I’m taking to assimilate everything,” he continued, “There have been false public allegations, and because of the respect I have for her, our families and all we ever lived, I couldn’t stay quiet and continue to see how they try to destroy the most real love story God has ever allowed me to live.”

News of their breakup came earlier this week, just four months after the power couple announced their plans to tie the knot. They were together for three years, meeting in Las Vegas in 2019 during the Latin Grammys.

In March, Rosalía and Rauw joined forces to release RR, a three-song EP that served as a public and passionate exploration of their love, which they discussed in their joint Billboard cover story. The music video for one of the tracks, “Beso,” doubled as their engagement announcement.

“I’m lucky to be your partner, and I want to be there for you, sabes?” Rosalía told Rauw while speaking to Billboard in March. “And I feel you’re there for me, independent of the careers. For me, our relationship is first, and then there’s everything else. Of course my career is super important in my life, but at the same time, in my life, you’re my companion, and everything else comes second.”

27 Jul 2023

P!nk Summer Carnival U.S. Tour Opener: 7 Best Moments — Soaring, Swinging, Sinead O’Connor Tribute

If Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels, then on Wednesday night (July 27) at her U.S. Summer Carnival tour kick-off in Cincinnati, P!nk did everything Rogers did, but in higher (sparklier) heels, while adding sideways, upside down and round-and-round into the mix.

The high-flying singer brought her signature aerial rig to a sold-out, sweltering Great American Ballpark for the second show of her summer extravaganza — it kicked off in Toronto on Monday night — singing flawlessly while boomeranging 100 feet in the air during a two-hour show that mixed joy, pain, pleasure and poignancy with pure spectacle.

Fans have come to expect the former gymnast to take to the air during her concerts, and while P!nk didn’t disappoint on that level during the show that featured spirited opening sets from Grouplove and Brandi Carlile, the singer also found moments to pay loving tribute to her late dad and her musical idol Sinead O’Connor, whose death was reported just hours before showtime.

Inviting Carlile up to join her, P!nk dueted on a reverent cover of O’Connor’s signature Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” with both women summoning their full emotional range to pay homage to the supremely talented, complicated singer who died at age 56 of as-yet-undisclosed causes.

The solemn moment came amid a flashy spectacular that featured neon flamingo scooters and glowing grocery carts skittering around the stage and a mega-trampoline set-up on which dancers performed daring flips and spins to accompany the title track from P!nk’s most recent album, Trustfall. There were also several sweet moments when the singer kneeled down and stopped the show to acknowledge superfans who brought her homemade gifts, which she promised to find a place for at home.

Amid the expected hits (“Get the Party Started,” “Raise Your Glass,” “What About Us,” “F–kin’ Perfect,” “Never Gonna Not Dance Again”) there were some surprise covers and just plain silly moments during a show that featured enough different pink costumes to rival the Barbie movie.

Check out our favorite seven moments from the Summer Carnival show.

27 Jul 2023

8 National Lipstick Day Deals You Won’t Want to Miss: Ulta, Sephora, Charlotte Tilbury & More

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.

National Lipstick Day may be on Saturday (July 29), but that hasn’t stopped some of your favorite beauty brands from kickstarting the celebration. This year, you can expect promos, gifts and discounts galore off everything from TikTok beauty alternatives and refillable lipsticks to new beauty products. Whether you’re looking to stock up on your go-to lip balm or splurge on a statement glittery lipstick, take advantage of slashed prices during National Lipstick Day sales.

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To help you score major savings, we rounded up just a few of the sales that have already started or will be soon. With sales from MAC and Charlotte Tilbury to Sephora and Ulta, clear some space on your vanity, as some of these deals include up to 50% off all lip products. That means you could get double the lip products for the price of one.

Keep reading to shop the best National Lipstick Day 2023 sales.

box with 10 shades of lippies

Colourpop

In The Nude Lippie Stix

$23.80 $80 70% off% OFF

Colourpop is celebrating National Lipstick deal with major lip deals — like 50% off most lip products! That includes a pack of lippie stix or their viral lip stick, which is currently $4 (regularly $8).

pink glittery lip gloss

Sephora

Too Faced Lip Injection Power Plumping Lip Gloss

$17 $26 35% off% OFF

Sephora isn’t being stingy with its deals this year, with major savings (we’re talking up to 50% off) on everything from GXVE by Gwen Stefani, Too Faced, Bobbi Brown and more. So yes, you can get that plumping lip gloss and lip tint.

brown shiny lip gloss

Ulta Beauty

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

$12 $20 40% off% OFF

From now until Saturday (July 29), Ulta is discounting lip products up to 40%, giving you the opportunity to stock up on your favorites for a fraction of the price. This includes deals on brands such as IT Cosmetics, Tarte, Anastasia Beverly Hills and more. They’re also offering an additional promo of buy one get one 50% off on select lip products.

plum lipstick next to peach lipgloss

Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Duo Set

$32 $64 50% off% OFF

National Lip Stick Day falls during Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale and beauty deals, which will provide you with an array of luxe lip products for less. Some of the most notable brands on sale include Bobbi Brown, MAC, Lancôme and more. Plus, select brands are offering a gift with purchase meaning you can score additional beauty products for free.

tube of nude liquid lipstick

Morphe

Matte Liquid Lipstick

$6 $12 50% off% OFF

Morphe is providing a haul-worthy sale of 50% off select Morphe, Morphe 2 and Jaclyn Cosmetics lip products when you use the code LIPDAY50 at checkout. Why spend full price when you can get twice the amount of lipsticks or lip gloss for half the price?

brown shade of lip balm in white tube

Ilia

Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm

$28

On Saturday (July 29), you can score a free Color Block Lipstick (regularly $28) for free with any purchase, which means you can snag that hydrating lip balm on top of a free lipstick. Or, if you want to upgrade your eye makeup collection, you can score a tube of the Limitless Lash Mascara to pair with your free lipstick.

black tube of lipstick in purple shade

MAC Cosmetics

Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick

$16.80 $28 40% off% OFF

MAC Cosmetics is offering 40% off lip glosses, lip sticks and lip pencils starting Thursday (July 27) until Sunday (July 30). Until then, the brand is offering 50% off select products during its summer sale, which means you can score everything from lip, eye and face makeup for half the price.

gold and clear tube of pink lip gloss

Charlotte Tilbury

Pillow Talk Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur

$35

Charlotte Tilbury is ready to shower you with gifts to celebrate this kiss-worthy day. When you spend over $100, you’ll be gifted at checkout and you’ll receive free shipping — meaning if you were looking for an excuse to splurge, at least this time you’ll be rewarded for it.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best beauty deals, TikTok mascara and the best powder foundation.

27 Jul 2023

Which Is Your Favorite Song From Madonna’s Debut Album? Vote!

Madonna‘s debut studio album arrived on July 27, 1983, and pop music hasn’t been the same ever since. The icon, then a budding star, released her self-titled set, Madonna, to critical success. In celebration of the album’s 40th anniversary, Billboard wants to know which track is your favorite.

Madonna had a hefty climb on the charts following its arrival. The set debuted at No. 190 on the Billboard 200 in Sept. 3, 1983, and would scale its way all to the top 10 (No. 8) by the following calendar year. The set, released by Sire/Warner Bros. Records, ultimately went on to spend a whopping 168 weeks on the chart, the most weeks of any of Madonna’s albums.

The pop star’s album success could be attributed to to its three major singles — “Borderline,” “Holiday” and “Lucky Star.” “Borderline” and “Holiday” scored Madonna two top 20 singles, charting at Nos. 10 and 16, with each track spending a total of 30 and 21 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. “Lucky Star,” however, managed to crack the chart’s top five and peaked at No. 4, with a total of 16 weeks on the all-genre tally.

Considered one of the best pop debuts of all time, Madonna’s self-titled album holds a special place in the heart of longtime fans. Billboard ranked each of the album’s eight tracks in honor of its anniversary (which you can read here), but which song on Madonna is your favorite? Vote in our poll below.

27 Jul 2023

Arctic Monkeys, Jessie Ware, Fred Again.. Among Finalists for 2023 Mercury Prize: Complete List

Arctic Monkeys’ The Car was named one of the 12 albums of the year by the 2023 Mercury Awards on Thursday (July 27). It’s the band’s fifth album to be shortlisted for the honor, which puts them in a tie with Radiohead for the most shortlisted albums since the award was introduced in 1992.

Arctic Monkeys won the award in 2006 with Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not and were finalists with Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), AM (2013), Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018) and now The Car. Radiohead was shortlisted with OK Computer (1997), Amnesiac (2001), Hail to the Thief (2003), In Rainbows (2008) and A Moon Shaped Pool (2016). Radiohead has yet to win the award.

Should Arctic Monkeys win again, they will join PJ Harvey as the only two-time winners of the award. Harvey won in 2001 with Stories form the City, Stories from the Sea and in 2011 with Let England Shake.

Two of the shortlisted albums — The Car and Fred Again..’s, Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) appeared on Billboard’s list of The 50 Best Albums of 2022: Staff List.

The Mercury Prize — officially known as The Mercury Prize with FREENOW — celebrates the best of British and Irish music across a range of contemporary music genres.

The 2023 awards show will take place on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London. The event will feature live performances from many of the shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner.

The shortlist was revealed at a launch event. It was also announced live on BBC Radio 6 Music by Tom Ravenscroft as part of a Mercury Prize special. BBC Music, The Mercury Prize’s broadcast partner, will provide coverage of the event across BBC TV, radio, online and social media.

The shortlist was chosen by an independent judging panel chaired by Jeff Smith, head of music, 6 Music & Radio 2. Unlike judging panels for the Grammy Awards, where the members’ names are not revealed, the Mercury Prize publishes the names of all of the committee members. In addition to Smith, this year’s committee consisted of: Anna Calvi – musician, songwriter & composer; Danielle Perry – broadcaster & writer; Hannah Peel – musician, songwriter & composer; Jamie Cullum – musician & broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – broadcaster & DJ; Lea Stonhill – music programming consultant;  Mistajam – songwriter, DJ & broadcaster; Phil Alexander – creative director, Kerrang!/contributing editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – broadcaster & DJ, Tshepo Mokoena – music writer & author; Will Hodgkinson – chief rock & pop critic, The Times.

Here’s the complete list of 2023 Mercury Prize albums of the year:

  • Arctic Monkeys, The Car
  • Ezra Collective, Where I’m Meant to Be
  • Fred Again., Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)
  • J Hus, Beautiful and Brutal Yard
  • Jessie Ware, That! Feels Good!
  • Jockstrap, I Love You Jennifer B
  • Lankum, False Lankum
  • Loyle Carner, hugo 
  • Olivia Dean, Messy 
  • RAYE, My 21st Century Blues
  • Shygirl, Nymph
  • Young Fathers, Heavy Heavy