News

17 Feb 2023

First Country: Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Tenille Arts & More

First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos & albums that dropped this week.

Kelsea Ballerini, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat

Ballerini continues in the recent lineage of divorce albums from artists including Adele and Carly Pearce with her most intimate work to date, a six-song set (accompanied by a short film) that unflinchingly details the phases of the dissolution of her marriage to fellow artist Morgan Evans. This raw project chronicles a relationship that slowly dims from its brightly-wedded origins into cloudy voids wrought by physical and emotional distance. “Mountain With a View” feels like a straight-forward response to Evans’ own post-divorce song “Over For You,” while some of the project’s strongest tracks come with no-holds-barred, lyrical gut-punches of “Interlude” and “Blindsided”–songs that shake loose the last visages of keeping up appearances, in favor of wading into the messiness, anger and pain of loss. The project concludes with “Leave Me Again,” with a message of self-worth not so unlike her early hit “Miss Me More.” This time, Ballerini’s music is stripped back to just a vulnerable guitar-vocal, her voice peaceful and hopeful, like the first glimpses of a sunrise after a long, dark night.

Lainey Wilson, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

CMA Award-winner Wilson makes this contribution to the Rolling Stones tribute album Stoned Cold Country, turning this Stones classic (which peaked at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973) into a track that transforms from barroom weeper into funky, piano-inflected track, spearheaded by Wilson’s own unique vocal flair. Wilson has earned country chart hits with the emotive “Heart Like a Truck” and wisdom-imbuing “Things a Man Oughta Know,” but here, she reminds listeners that she can rock out just as well.

The Pretty Wild, “Bettin’ On Us”

This newcomer sister duo is ready to go all-in on this anthemic, alternative pop-country hybrid about boldly risking everything when you know the reward is worth it. Sisters Jill and Julia wrote the song with Ben Williams and Colin Healey. The sisters’ harmonies are understated, while production from JoJo Centineo injects the song with a rock-tinged energy.

Tenille Arts with Maddie & Tae, “Last Time Last”


Arts teams with duo Maddie & Tae for this song that is steeped in the culture of bittersweet nostalgia, musing that if the last moment of a good thing made itself evident–whether last kickball game as a child, or the last kiss with a lover–one would do all they could to cause those final moments to linger. Maddie & Tae’s vocal pairings with Arts sound fresh and wistful. Arts wrote the song with Alex Kline, Trannie Anderson and Alison Veltz Cruz.

Joy Oladokun, “Changes”

An early release from Oladokun’s upcoming album April 28 album Proof of Life, “Changes” features the singer-songwriter’s vulnerable voice floating above tender acoustics as she reflects on kinetic shifts, both global and personal. “Life’s always been a little dangerous, but I don’t wanna stay the same so/ I’m trying to keep up with the changes,” Oladokun sings, her voice a relaxed balm on a steady beat. The song follows her previous collaboration with Chris Stapleton on the lush ballad “Sweet Symphony.”

Jay Allen, “No Prayer Like Mama’s”

Written by Jay Allen and Justin Morgan, with production from Morgan and Micah Wilshire, this intensely personal song pays tribute to Allen’s late mother, who passed away in 2019 after a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Here, Allen excels at constructing sleek pop-country with an impactful message, serving as a worthy platform for his potent vocal.

17 Feb 2023

Maino & Fabolous ft. Stuy Babyz “Best For Me,” Wiz Khalifa “Paris Fashion Week” & More | Daily Visuals 2.17.23

HipHopWired Featured Video

Last year the bromance between Maino, Fabolous and Jim Jones led to some comedic moments on social media and while it’s been a minute since we’ve seen the three crackin’ jokes on each other, Maino and Fab reunite to bring their fans some heat for the street.

Linking up for the visuals to the Stuy Babyz assisted “Best For Me,” Maino and Fab decides to throw a private soiree where they invite a gang of beautiful young women to spend some quality time with them and show them what life could be like if when getting wifed up by some rap stars.

Wiz Khalifa meanwhile heads to the City of Love for his latest clip, “Paris Fashion Week” in which he styles and profiles for the good people of Paree who may not be familiar with his Pittsburgh swagger.

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Princess Nokia, Kash Doll, DJ Drama and Sada Baby, and more.

MAINO & FABOLOUS FT. STUY BABYZ – “BEST FOR ME”



WIZ KHALIFA – “PARIS FASHION WEEK”



PRINCESS NOKIA – “CLOSURE”


https://youtube.com/watch?v=mRNIbvI7XoE&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

KASH DOLL, DJ DRAMA & SADA BABY – “ON THE FLO”



BIG SCARR FT. GUCCI MANE – “TRAPPIN N RAPPIN”



STRANDZ FT. DIGGA D – “US AGAINST THE WORLD REMIX”



BIG BOOGIE – “KUSH BREATH”



MEMO600 – “WE DAT”



17 Feb 2023

Christian Nodal’s ‘Un Cumbión Dolido’ & More: What’s Your Favorite New Latin Music Release? Vote!

Another Friday, another round of new releases in Latin music.

This week, Carlos Rivera released his seventh studio album Sincerándome — a 10-track set packed with deep self-reflection, intimacy, and vulnerability. “Songwriting has always been my most effective form of expression,” he expressed in a press statement. “It is where I am most honest and dare to say everything that I would never dare with words alone. These are the songs of my greatest loves, the biggest release of burdens and my great passions.” 

On Valentine’s Day, Danny Felix released an eight-track album amorlove — a title that, on its own, sets the tone for the set. It starts off with his ever-dreamy requintos and dulcet but potent vocals found in the captivating sierreño “déjame vivir,” a song that details life after a breakup. Other standout songs on it are “maria juana y la cubana” and “continuar o terminar.”

Additional new releases include Estevie’s “Santee,” Sebastián Yatra’s “Una Noche Sin Pensar,” Christian Nodal’s “Un Cumbión Dolido,” TINI’s new album Cupido and Fuerza Regida and Becky G’s “Te Quiero Besar.”

Another notable collaboration this week is Ana Bárbara and Vicente Fernández’s “La Jugada,” a gorgeous mariachi ballad that was recorded five years but was released today in honor of what would have been Fernández’s 83rd birthday. “These things take time, you know, and I din’t want to rush anything,” Bárbara told Billboard. “When we finally recorded the song, it was magical. He was able to hear our recording before he passed and he was really happy with it. I can now say that I have a song with Don Vicente Fernández. It’s a dream come true.”

Which release is your favorite? Cast your vote — or enter in your favorite selection — in the poll below.

17 Feb 2023

Can Music Festivals Be Sustainable? Goldenvoice’s Cali Vibes Is Betting on ‘Yes’

Long Beach is the laboratory for a half-dozen sustainability initiatives at this weekend’s annual Cali Vibes music festival at the city’s Marina Green Park.

Headlined by Snoop Dogg, Jack Johnson, Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley, Ben Harper, Cypress Hill and many more, the popular reggae and West Coast hip-hop festival will be ground zero for new efforts by promoter Goldenvoice to dramatically reduce waste, decrease the event’s carbon footprint and use materials from last year’s festival to create merch and apparel for 2023 fans.

The challenge for Cali Vibes — like all other festivals — is that most festivals are not considered environmentally sustainable due to the amount of attendee travel involved, the energy consumed and the waste generated on-site, says AEG vp of Sustainability Erik Distler.

“It’s important to start with recognizing this work is difficult,” Distler says. “Executing sustainability initiatives for a large temporary event with tens of thousands of people involves engaging a broad stakeholder set” that includes artists, vendors, production companies, city officials and fans.

Distler said Goldevoice realized early on that the best way to maximize the impact of their sustainability efforts was to “embrace the complexity at the onset” of planning the 2023 event and develop a strategy centered around trackable operational improvements and attendee education.

“We’re in the business of bringing people together, evoking emotion, fueling passion and energy — it’s very human,” Distler adds. “We have the opportunity and responsibility to connect with our fans and talk about our sustainability work in a way that’s inspiring and uplifting. It’s about what’s possible if we come together.”

Sustainability has always been one of the undertones of Cali Vibes, “due to the event’s proximity to the ocean and the overall spirit of the festival,” says Nic Adler, vp of Goldenvoice Festivals. “This year, we booked Jack Johnson and his team really got us motivated to look at each corner of the festival and ask ourselves ‘what can we do differently?’”

That includes pushing Goldenvoice and its parent company AEG to offer fans refillable water stations and eliminate the sale of single-use plastic water bottles at the festival. This effort included renegotiating a water sponsorship agreement originally brokered by AEG with Origin, which will now offer canned instead of bottled water at Cali Vibes. Goldenvoice also partnered with vendor r.Cup to replace its single-use beer cups with a reusable plastic cup that is collected on-site, washed at a specialized cleaning facility and reused the following weekend.

Cali Vibes

Cali Vibes

Elli Lauren

“These cups have a life expectancy of several years,” dramatically reducing the number of single-use cups that end up in the landfill, says Michael Ilves, director of Goldenvoice Festivals, noting that the event’s waste management plan includes bins specifically designed to collect the cups.

“Another change in how we manage waste production is that bins previously labeled as trash or landfill will now be labeled as ‘waste-to-energy,’” Ilves explains. “Long Beach happens to have a waste-to-energy power plant that burns off waste, captures the gases released and powers about 35,000 homes off of that process.”

Helping fund the initiative is a first-ever $5 per ticket sustainability fee to pay for initiatives like the r.Cup program and purchase equipment to promote the use of solar energy and reduce the use of diesel generators. Goldenvoice is also working with a vendor to recycle signage, printed material and leftover merchandise from the 2022 festival to create new consumer items for 2023, including apparel, tote bags and posters.

All sustainability initiatives at the festival are being closely tracked by Santa Monica firm Three Squares Inc. — including recording every staff member’s own carbon footprint — to measure Goldenvoice’s progress and analyze opportunities to expand the company’s sustainability efforts to the 32 festival brands it operates globally, including the annual Coachella and Stagecoach festivals. Insights gleaned from the resulting report can help the company significantly improve its environmental impact, Adler explains.

“Popping up in a parking lot for an event that 20,000 people drive to is not sustainable,” Adler says. “That’s why it’s important for us to create a report that allows us to continue the work that we’re doing and be honest about our own carbon footprint. It gives us an opportunity to get together in a room and say ‘Here is last year’s number, this year let’s try to cut it in half.’”

cali vibes

Courtesy Photo

17 Feb 2023

The Best Presidents’ Day Sales to Shop Right Now: Save Up to 80% Off Select Items

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.

Looking to save money this Presidents’ Day? The holiday weekend gives you plenty of time to score discounts on items that you may have been eyeing for months. To make things easier, we collected a list of over a dozen of the best deals that you can shop online — or pick-up in store, in some cases. Find markdowns on clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty items and much more. And if you’re more of a techie than a fashionista, our list includes sales on headphones and earbuds, laptops, TVs, furniture and more from Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and other retailers.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Keep reading for a roundup of sales to shop over Presidents’ Day weekend and click here to shop deals on cookware and other home goods.

Adidas – Save up to 30% off full-priced Adidas gear and up to 65% off sale styles with promo code: SCORE.

Ashley Furniture — Up to 50% off select deals.

Amazon – The mega-retailer is rolling back prices for Presidents’ Day. Shoppers will score deals of up to 80% off select items. Find discounts on apparel, books, beauty and personal care items, clothing, mattresses, electronics, jewelry, furniture, household supplies, musical instruments, toys and more.

Best Buy – If you need to stock up on electronics and appliances, Best Buy is serving up loads of discounts. Find deals on refrigerators, washer and dryer sets, microwaves, tablets, sound bars and other speakers, cameras, streaming players, and more. Some of the can’t miss deals include these $79 Samsung Galaxy Buds, this Lenovo laptop on sale for $299.99 (regular $499.99) and smart TVs starting at $79.

Coach Outlet — Save up to 70% off until Feb. 21; Save 30-50% off plush free shipping at Coach with code: FREESHIP (offer ends Feb. 28).

Cozy Earth — Save 20-20% off sitewide (sale ends 2/24).

Dyson — The bestselling Dyson Airwrap isn’t on sale but shoppers can save $100 on the Dyson V12 Defect Absolute cordless vacuum. Offer ends Feb. 26.

Free People – While there’s no official President’s Day sales extravaganza at Free People the fashion brand has a lot of great sales right now. For example, this denim skirt, long sleeve shirt and other items on sale for $19.95 and up.

Forever 21 — Up to 70% on select styles during the President’s Day Sale.

G-Shock — Save up to 50% off sale items at G-Shock. Click here to shop watches starting at $69.99.

GameStop – Save on Anime collectibles including GameStop exclusives and take an extra 30% off clearance items. The holiday weekend coincides with this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend and GameStop shoppers cop NBA 2K23 on sale.

J Crew — Extra 60% off select styles + 40% off almost everything (use code: WEEKEND).

Macy’s — Save 20-60% off and free shipping on purchases of $25. Shop the Macy’s lingerie sale and save 50% off bras, pajamas, underwear and more (ends 2/20).

Net-a-Porter – You won’t find a designated sale for President’s Day, but Net-A-Porter has amazing markdowns of up to 80% off clothing, shoes, accessories and beauty products. Some of the deals include this Christopher Esber Cutout Halterneck Swimsuit marked down 60%, these distressed jeans by Nili Lotan are 70% off and these Sablyn stretch jersey shorts are 60% off.

New Balance — Take 20% off select styles. Sale ends 2/24.

Nike — Whether you’re updating your sneaker collection or shopping for activewear, there’s a good chance that you can find what you need on sale at Nike. Nike app members save 25% off select styles (use code: MEMBERS25). If you’re not a member use code: JOIN20 for an extra 20% off and clearance deals up to 40% off .

Nordstrom –  Save up to 50% off select items during the Nordstrom winter sale. Some of the hot deals include these UGG Maxi Curly Slippers which are on sale for $71.50. Shoppers can also save up to 60% off Zella High Waist Studio Lite Pocket 7/8 Leggings and Mac Lip Primer and up to 80% off men’s jackets. Visit the Nordstrom website for more deals on apparel, beauty products and jewelry and other best-sellers.

Purple Mattress — Save up to $900 on mattress sets and up to 25% off sleep accessories.

Reebok — Get 40% off sitewide with code: OHYEAH.

Saatva — Get up to $500 off during Saavta’s biggest Presidents Day discount ever. Sale ends 2/20.

Sephora — Save up to 50% off select beauty at Sephora during the Long Weekend Sale. Offer ends 2/20.

ShopDisney — 30% off toys, clothing and more with code: SAVE30. Free shipping on order $75+ with code: SHIPMAGIC.

Target – Shop four days of deals at Target. Bargain hunters will save up to 50% off headphones and earbuds, up to to 30% off gaming accessories, up to 20% off clothing, mattresses and bedding, floor care items (such as vacuum cleaners) and up to 30% off furniture, rugs and other home décor items.

Timberland — Save 40% off these Tree Vault Boots (on sale for $159.99) and more during Timberland’s end-of-season sale.

The North Face — Up to 30% off select styles during The North Face’s end-of-season sale.

Tory Burch — Up to 50% off hundreds of sale items.

Tuft & Needle — Save up to $625 on mattresses, plus up to 30% off bedding, furniture and more.

Ulta Beauty – Get a free 10-piece makeup bag when you spend $19.50+ on select items; plus free shipping on purchases of $35+.

Urban Outfitters — Save an extra 40% off sale styles.

Quay Australia — 30% off sitewide (offer valid from 2/17-2/20).

Walmart– When it comes to Walmart, you don’t necessarily have to wait for a holiday weekend to find great deals. Nonetheless, the retailer is offering sales on all kinds of items — laptops, TVs, car seats, earbuds, clothing, makeup, movies and more.

17 Feb 2023

Chris Olsen’s Coffee Brand, John Legend Talks Saweetie, Sade, Nessa Barrett’s New Song & More | Billboard News

TikTok superstar Chris Olsen talks about his new coffee brand Flight Fuel, John Legend talks about his collab with Saweetie, his love for artists like Lil Baby and Sade, we talk to the star of Marvel’s new animated show ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’ Diamond White and we run through the hottest new releases of the week including Nessa Barett, P!nk, Latto and more.

17 Feb 2023

Morgan Wallen Notches Eighth Country Airplay No. 1 With ‘Thought You Should Know’

Morgan Wallen notches his eighth leader on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, as “Thought You Should Know” ascends from No. 2 to No. 1 on the list dated Feb. 25. In the week ending Feb. 16, it increased by 4% to 33.2 million impressions, according to Luminate.

(All charts dated Feb. 25 will update on Billboard.com Wednesday, Feb. 22, a day later than usual due to the Presidents Day holiday in the U.S. Monday, Feb. 20.)

Wallen co-wrote the song with Nicolle Galyon and Miranda Lambert, the latter of whom claims her first Country Airplay No. 1 as a writer for another artist, after she penned three that she’s recorded (among her seven total leaders as a recording artist).

“Thought” is the second Country Airplay No. 1 from Wallen’s 36-song LP One Thing at a Time, due March 3. “You Proof” dominated for 10 frames starting last October, becoming the longest-leading No. 1 in the chart’s 33-year history.

‘Truck’ Driving

Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck” motors into the Country Airplay top five, up 6-5 (23.2 million, up 3%). It’s her third top five hit, following “Things a Man Oughta Know,” which led for a week in September 2021, and her Cole Swindell team-up “Never Say Never,” which reigned for two frames starting last April.

Concurrently, HARDY’s “Wait in the Truck,” featuring Wilson, is parked at No. 10 on Country Airplay (19.6 million). Wilson posts a twofer for a third consecutive week; while 11 male acts have logged two concurrent top 10s – Morgan Wallen, Mitchell Tenpenny and Luke Combs, most recently – Wilson is the first woman to have achieved the feat.

“Lainey is ushering in the next generation of female superstars,” says Mike Moore, program director at Cumulus Media’s WKHX Atlanta. “Her album Bell Bottom Country is fantastic from beginning to end. We were fortunate to have her here for a station show at the end of 2022, and our audience couldn’t get enough. She is equal parts talent, sincerity and a quality person.”

17 Feb 2023

P!nk Says She’s ‘The Bionic Woman’ After Recovering From Surgery & Pandemic Quarantine

P!nk got real in a new interview on Friday (Feb. 17) about bouncing back from both the COVID pandemic and her recent surgeries.

“Having breaks is good for my voice. Not so good for the body,” the singer told Variety. “Especially during COVID — I gained 36 pounds. All I did was make sourdough and then eat the sourdough. And then I had not just the hip surgery but double disc replacement in my neck.

“So now I’m the bionic woman,” she continued. “I’ve lost those 36 pounds, and I am stronger than I’ve ever been in my life. And I’m ready to go, and I’m ready to get the hell out of here. I’ve been home way too long.”

During the chat, the star also explained her approach to putting songs together for her new album Trustfall, which is out now via RCA Records. “I’m overthinking all the time,” she said. “So there’s the worry and grief and longing and anger on the record, but there’s also, ‘I’ve had enough. Just turn it up to 11. Everyone shut up and dance.’ And instead of mixing those songs up, I could have done side A as a dance party, and side B as maybe you should get the sharp objects out of your kitchen. But that’s not life. Life is like, ‘Oh, I had a great morning, I had a sh—y afternoon, now I’m ready for a drink, now I just wanna cuddle, and now I’m gonna have a cry.’ That’s a day in the life.”

The 13-track studio set, a follow-up to P!nk’s 2021 live compilation All I Know So Far: Setlist, features lead single “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” “Trustfall,” “When I Get There” and more.

Read P!nk’s full interview with Variety here.

17 Feb 2023

Chris Brown Reacts to Those Who ‘Still Hate’ Him Over Rihanna Assault, Names White Celebrities With Assault Allegations

Chris Brown took to his Instagram Stories on Friday (Feb. 17) to seemingly respond to backlash he and Chloe Bailey received following the announcement that the duo will be collaborating on the upcoming track “How Does It Feel.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“If y’all still hate me for a mistake I made as a 17-year-old please kiss my whole entire a–,” Brown wrote in an all-text Instagram Story, seemingly referring to the time he physically abused then-girlfriend Rihanna in February 2009, which was brought up on Twitter by fans who disapproved of Bailey’s choice to collaborate with the “No Guidance” singer.

“I’m f—ing 33,” Brown continued. “I’m so tired of y’all running with this narrative… you weird a– n—-s are the same ones that tune in every week to see Blueface and Chrisean beat the f— out each other in front of the world. But that’s ok? It’s entertainment? All y’all can suck my d— disrespectfully.”

The singer went on to ask where the “cancel culture” is toward white celebrities, sharing photos of stars who had faced assault allegations against them, including Mel Gibson, Nicholas Cage, Ozzy Osbourne, Charlie Sheen and more. “No more fake love from me… stay out my way or get ran over, simple as that,” Brown concluded. “None of you and I mean none of you n—-s can f— wit me.”

The people Brown named have yet to publicly respond to his statements. Watch Brown’s Instagram Stories before they disappear here.

17 Feb 2023

The Dream Setlist for Janet Jackson’s Together Again

Janet Jackson is an unshakeable icon — unbreakable, even. The past few years reminded us just how grand her legacy is. In 2019, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and enjoyed her Metamorphosis Las Vegas residency. Last January, the fiercely private star allowed the world into her personal journey with A&E and Lifetime’s Janet Jackson two-part documentary. And in December, she announced her 2023 Together Again Tour. 

A 33-date trek across North American arenas/amphitheaters, it kicks off on April 14 in Hollywood, Fla. and follows both 2017’s socially conscious State of the World Tour and her four-month, 18-show 2019 Metamorphosis residency in Las Vegas. With a truly staggering catalog filled with chart-topping albums and singles, it’s difficult to tell what tunes Miss Jackson will choose. 

Will she revive her previous ideas from 2020’s Black Diamond World Tour (which was canceled due to the pandemic) or completely scrap them? How will she celebrate this May’s 30th anniversary of her blockbuster fifth album Janet? Will she forgo her usual offerings of ‘80s classics and replace them with deep cuts? Aside from Ludacris as the opening act, who will be the special guests?

There are many questions as to how she’ll fill up a standard two hours, but we attempt to answer them all below with our dream setlist for the Janet Jackson: Together Again tour — a journey through over three dozen of the pop and R&B legend’s classic tracks, deep cuts, features and collaborations. Now, let’s get to grooving!