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Ashanti flew over to Hawaii for the upcoming episode of American Idol, where she treated fans to a jaw-dropping live performance. The Grammy-winning superstar joined artist-in-residence Jelly Roll as a mentor for season 24. To celebrate the kick-off of nationwide voting and the top 12 of this season’s competition, Ashanti performed her 2008 hit “The […]
You could just barely hear it through the raucous screams of excitement from the studio audience, but K-pop boy band ENHYPEN did indeed make their U.S. television debut on Thursday night’s (April 10) Jimmy Kimmel Live! Dressed casually in ripped jeans and T-shirts, HEESUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, JUNGWON AND NI-KI kicked things off in […]
Who wanna rock with JENNIE? Peggy Gou does. On Friday (April 11), the BLACKPINK star and South Korean-born DJ dropped an amped-up remix of the former’s Ruby hit “like JENNIE,” along with a new visualizer rendering the duo as players in a boxing video game.
On her remix, Gou stayed true to the chest-puffing confidence of JENNIE’s original track while revving up the percussion and dance elements of the song with her own special touches. “Keep your hair done, nails done like JENNIE/ Who else got ’em obsessed like JENNIE?” the Idol star raps on the fast-paced song. “I think I really like JENNIE/ Haters, they don’t really like JENNIE/ ‘Cause they could never ever be JENNIE.”
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Animated by Jack Zhang, the anime-inspired visualizer matches the self-assured energy of “like JENNIE” by portraying the K-pop phenom and Gou as ring-ready fighters, throwing punches with red gloves on to the beat of the song.
The new remix arrives just over a month after JENNIE dropped her debut solo album, Ruby, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 7. “Like JENNIE” quickly became one of the standout hits from the set, reaching No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 — the star’s highest peak with a song featuring no collaborators so far. On March 7 — the same day Ruby arrived — JENNIE shared a space-themed, choreography-filled music video for “like JENNIE.”
The album also features collaborations with Doechii, Dua Lipa, Dominic Fike, Childish Gambino and Kali Uchis. JENNIE was sure to thank both the Swamp Princess and the “Telepatia” singer at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards in March during her Global Force acceptance speech, as Doechii was in the room to accept Woman of the Year in the night, while Uchis was the one who presented JENNIE with her award.
“I’m so lucky and fortunate to work with so many talented people in my career — singers, songwriters, producers,” the “Mantra” musician said at the time. “Doechii, I love you, and Kali, I love you. I had these amazing women be on my album, and words cannot express how thankful I am.”
Listen to Gou’s remix of “like JENNIE” and watch the visualizer below.
Kendrick Lamar had a big night at the 2025 Grammys on Feb. 2, winning in all five categories he was nominated in with his smash single and video “Not Like Us.” Lamar could be headed for another big Grammy night next year. He could become the first solo male rapper to win album of the year, for his sixth solo studio album, GNX. The only rap artists to win in that category to date are Lauryn Hill, in 1999 for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and OutKast, in 2003 for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
If Lamar wins three Grammys, he would tie Jay-Z for the most career Grammys won by a rapper (25). If he wins four, he’ll set a new record (unless Jay also adds to his Grammy collection). The standings among rappers are currently: Jay-Z (25), Ye, formerly Kanye West (24) and Lamar (22).
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As we noted in a previous post, if Lamar wins record and/or song of the year for either “Luther” or “Squabble Up,” coming on the heels of his wins in those categories with “Not Like Us,” he’ll make history. He would become the fourth artist to win back-to-back awards for record of the year, following Roberta Flack, U2 and Billie Eilish, and just the second songwriter to win back-to-back awards for song of the year. D’ Mile won in 2021 for co-writing H.E.R.’s “I Can’t Breathe” and in 2022 for co-writing Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open.”
If Lamar wins best rap performance, that would be his eighth victory in that category, extending his lead as the artist with the most wins there.
But Lamar could make history even before the Grammys are presented next year. If GNX is simply nominated for album of the year – which seems almost certain – Lamar would make Grammy history. He would set these records. (The years shown are the years of the Grammy ceremonies.)
First Rapper to Land Five Album of the Year Nods as a Lead Artist
Lamar was nominated for album of the year for good kid. m.A.A.d. city (2014), To Pimp a Butterfly (2016), DAMN.(2018) and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2023). If he is nominated for a fifth time, he would pull ahead of Ye, who has received four album of the year nods as a lead artist – for The College Dropout (2005), Late Registration (2006), Graduation (2008) and Donda (2022).
First Black Male Artist to Land Five Album of the Year Nods as a Lead Artist
If he is nominated for a fifth time, he would become only the second Black artist to receive five album of the year nods as a lead artist. Beyoncé was nominated for I Am…Sasha Fierce (2010), Beyoncé (2015), Lemonade (2017), Renaissance (2023) and Cowboy Carter (2025), winning for the latter album. This would obviously make Lamar the first Black male artist to achieve this feat.
As noted, Ye has received four album of the year nods as a lead artist. Black or biracial artists who have received three album of the year nods as a lead artist are Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, H.E.R. and André 3000 (counting two albums with OutKast).
First Solo Artist to Be Nominated for Album of the Year With Five Consecutive Studio Albums
Lamar would become the first solo artist – from any genre – to be nominated for album of the year with five consecutive studio albums. Donald Fagen was nominated for album of the year with five consecutive studio albums — but that combined solo albums and albums he recorded as half of Steely Dan. He was nominated with Steely Dan’s Aja (1978) and Gaucho (1982), then his first two solo albums, The Nightfly (1983) and Kamikiriad (1994), and finally Steely Dan’s Two Against Nature (2001), which won. He issued no other studio albums in those years, so these five nominated albums were consecutive releases.
We need to quickly add that album release patterns were very different in the 1960s. Artists often had multiple albums in one year. In that era, it’s best to look at consecutive years with an album of the year nomination instead of consecutive studio albums to be nominated.
The Beatles are the only act in Grammy history to receive a Grammy nomination for album of the year in five consecutive years. They were nominated for the Help! soundtrack (1966), Revolver (1967), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1968, which won), the Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack (1969) and Abbey Road (1970).
Barbra Streisand was nominated for album of the year in four consecutive years. She was a contender for The Barbra Streisand Album (1964, which won), People (1965), My Name Is Barbra (1966) and Color Me Barbra (1967). People competed in 1965 with the original cast album from Streisand’s Broadway triumph, Funny Girl. (That nomination went to the composers of the score.)
Spotify customers in the Benelux countries will be paying more for their subscriptions after the streaming company raised prices in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. In both the Netherlands and Luxembourg, an individual subscription plan increased to 12.99 euros ($14.73) from 10.99 euros ($12.46). A family plan jumped to 21.99 euros ($24.94) from 17.99 euros […]
Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
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This week, Lana Del Rey giddies up to country, Bon Iver finds the love and Jelly Roll discovers new “Dreams.” Check out all of this week’s picks below:
Lana Del Rey, “Henry, Come On”
“All these country singers / And their lonely rides to Houston / Doesn’t really make for the best / You know, settle-down type,” Lana Del Rey concludes on “Henry, Come On,” a poignant reflection on the dissolution of a romance with plenty of Southern iconography that would fit into the singer-songwriter’s long-teased country album; the song is more swaying ballad than Nashville anthem, but Del Rey sounds magnificent over the finger-picked acoustic guitar as she presents her spin on the country heartbreak standard.
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Bon Iver, SABLE, fABLE
We’ve come a long way from the desolate cabin of For Emma, Forever Ago with Bon Iver, as band mastermind Justin Vernon has preceded the release of long-awaited new album SABLE, fABLE with a press campaign detailing his newfound happiness — and the album does indeed radiate a new type of warmth for the singer-songwriter, whose recent collaborations with Taylor Swift have expanded his profile but whose joy is captured here in quiet, contained bursts.
Jelly Roll, “Dreams Don’t Die”
Jelly Roll is making his acting debut on the CBS hit Fire Country, and to mark the occasion, the country superstar dropped a new single: “Dreams Don’t Die” functions as the type of lump-in-throat croon-along that Jelly Roll has excelled at in the past, motivating the listener to reach for their long-held goals (regardless of whether or not they involve primetime dramas).
Shaboozey & Myles Smith, “Blink Twice”
Shaboozey has announced the upcoming release of the “complete” version of his 2024 album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going — a different way of describing a deluxe edition, but an apropos one, considering that the original album came out before “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” had grown into a record-setting smash. “Blink Twice” gives Shaboozey the opportunity to iterate on his sonic and personal success, while also roping in Myles Smith, the singer-songwriter who had a breakout hit of his own with “Stargazing.”
Cynthia Erivo, “Worst of Me”
The time is right for a high-profile Cynthia Erivo album: after Wicked gave her multiple talents a gigantic platform, “Worst of Me,” which previews the June full-length I Forgive You, presents her vocal theatrics in front of cinematic rhythmic pop, her voice spinning down through the verses before defying gravity on the high-powered chorus.
Rauw Alejandro, “Carita Linda”
“Carita Linda” and its accompanying music video may be a heartfelt tribute to Puerto Rico, but the graceful single finds Rauw Alejandro looking outward and finding new musical territory to cover — as his first release since Cosa Nuestra, and arriving at a moment in which Alejandro is performing his first tour with a live band, “Carita Linda” is the sound of a star admirably widening his aesthetic.
Rema, “Bout U”
After releasing “Baby (Is It a Crime),” which featured an affecting Sade sample, earlier this year, Rema has offered a follow-up that sounds more ready-made for a packed Coachella set this weekend: “Bout U” gives the Nigerian star a playful dance atmosphere and lets him wander around, tossing out vocal runs and flirtations as the production glides forward.
Editor’s Pick: Jessie Murph, “Blue Strips”
At the age of 20, Jessie Murph has already hopscotched through multiple genres while always sounding confident in her approach and effortlessly mining interesting lyrical territory; “Blue Strips,” which quickly follows last week’s “Gucci Mane,” starts out as a vocals-only showcase, then segues to a piano ballad before pivoting to a combustible head-knocker just 30 seconds in, but Murph’s voice prevents whiplash, and remains compelling throughout the exercise.
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Justin Bieber stirred up controversy yet again, this time for trolling legendary musician Stevie Wonder on social media.
In a now-viral Instagram Story, Bieber posted a screenshot of an unanswered FaceTime call to Stevie Wonder, jokingly captioning it, “This fool never sees my FaceTimes.” While some fans found the joke lighthearted, many felt it was in poor taste, given that Stevie Wonder has been blind since birth. Though likely meant to be humorous, the timing and tone of the post rubbed people the wrong way. Online reactions were mixed; some laughed it off, while others criticized Bieber for being insensitive and using Wonder’s disability as the punchline.
One fan commented, “Even if Stevie could see, I doubt he’d be answering FaceTime from a crash-out king like Justin right now.” The trolling has also reignited concern about Bieber’s mental state. Over the past few weeks, fans have noticed strange behavior and erratic posts from the pop star, sparking speculation that he may be struggling behind the scenes. Many are now calling on Hailey Bieber to check in on him, with comments like, “Where’s Hailey? Someone needs to make sure he’s good,” appearing across platforms.
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While Bieber has always walked a line between being goofy and controversial, this latest moment has fans wondering if his trolling is masking deeper issues. Whether it was a harmless joke or something more, one thing is clear—people are paying attention, and not all of it is positive.
Mariah Carey has officially been free for two decades — and to celebrate, she’s dropping an expansive collection of music packaged in a five-disc The Emancipation of Mimi (20th Anniversary Edition).
As announced on Instagram Friday (April 11) — one day shy of the exact 20-year anniversary of the vocalist’s enduring 2005 record — Carey has personally compiled a suite of songs from the Emancipation era into one sleek five-LP vinyl box set arriving May 30 via Def Jam Records/UMe. Featuring the original tracklist of hits including “It’s Like That,” “We Belong Together,” “Shake It Off,” “Say Somethin,’” “Fly Like a Bird” and “Get Your Number,” the special edition will also house dozens of bonus tracks, past remixes and collaborations with other artists, instrumentals, a capella takes, live recordings and more.
The Emancipation of Mimi (20th Anniversary Edition) will also include tracks from the previously released Ultra Platinum Edition — including “Don’t Forget About Us,” “Makin’ It Last All Night (What It Do),” “Secret Love” and “Sprung” — as well as brand new remixes and collaborations. One of those remixes, Kaytranada’s version of “Don’t Forget About Us,” dropped Friday as part of the anniversary project’s announcement.
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“I’m really happy to celebrate ‘Mimi’s Emancipation’ with this special anniversary re-release,” Carey said in a statement. “While working on this edition, I got to relive all the memories from this pivotal moment in my personal and professional life.”
Released April 12, 2005, The Emancipation of Mimi marked Carey’s 10th studio album, and a pivotal comeback moment in her career. Spending two weeks atop the Billboard 200, the project won three Grammys and spawned one of the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits of all time, the 14-week leader “We Belong Together.”
The new anniversary edition will further celebrate that era of the vocalist’s career with a 28-page booklet of photos of Mimi, along with a personal letter she penned to her Lambs. A deluxe 2-LP vinyl set will also be available. An extended digital deluxe version of the suite will also be available on May 30 featuring additional tracks exclusive to streaming services.
“This album has some of my biggest hits to date, as well as some personal favorites that are very special to me,” Carey added. “Forgotten gems, unreleased bonus tracks and different remixes with incredible collaborators — all of these and more are now available in one place for the first time ever!”
See the star’s announcement and listen to the Kaytranada remix of “Don’t Forget About Us” below.
Shaboozey still hasn’t gotten where he’s going. The “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” hitmaker announced an expanded version of his breakthrough album on Friday (April 11), dubbed Where I’ve Been, It’s Where I’m Going: The Complete Edition, which will add six new tracks to the original 12-track LP Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.
The revamp due out on April 25 via Empire will feature the just-released Myles Smith collaboration “Blink Twice,” as well as “Amen” featuring Jelly Roll, the Sierra Ferrell team-up “Hail Mary” and the fresh tracks “Fire and Gasoline” and “Chrome,” as well as previously released single “Good News.”
Shaboozey’s big year will roll on this weekend when performs on Sunday (April 13) at the Coachella Festival and then returns to Indio, CA on April 26 for night two of this year’s Stagecoach Festival, where he’ll share the stage with Jelly Roll, Sturgill Simpson, Nelly, Ashley McBryde and Koe Wetzel.
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He kicked off the year with “Blink Twice,” following a jam-packed 2024 in which he appeared on Beyoncé‘s three-time Grammy-winning Cowboy Carter LP and also scored the longest-running solo Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single of all time with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”; the track spent an eye-popping 17 weeks at the top of the tally. Nearly a year into its run, “A Bar Song” continues to tear it up, dropping to No. 4 from No. 3 in the most recent chart frame dated April 12, while “Good News” is hanging out at No. 51 after previously peaking at No. 47.
Check out the full track listing for Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going: Complete Edition below:
1. “Horses & Hellcats”
2. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
3. “Last Of My Kind” (feat. Paul Cauthen)
4. “Anabelle”
5. “East Of The Massanutten”
6. “Highway”
7. “Let It Burn”
8. “My Fault” (feat. Noah Cyrus)
9. “Vegas”
10. “Drink Don’t Need No Mix” (feat. BigXthaPlug)
11. “Steal Her From Me”
12. “Finally Over”
13. “Amen” (feat. Jelly Roll)
14. “Hail Mary” (feat. Sierra Ferrell)
15. “Fire And Gasoline”
16. “Blink Twice” (feat. Myles Smith)
17. “Good News”
18. “Chrome”
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CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wired’s playlist where we attempt to showcase music we believe is “Certified Fresh,” is back again! With our latest update after too many weeks away. We’ve had a lot of catching up to do, so let’s get to the newness!
Disclaimer:
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it. — D.L. Chandler, lead curator for CRT FRSH
What up, Hip-Hop Wired nation?! We’re back with our latest Certified Fresh playlist, and we hope to add to your weekend vibes. This week, we open up the playlist with “EVIL JORDAN” from Playboi Carti’s latest album, MUSIC. We follow that up with “GRITS” from Erick The Architect’s excellent I’ve Never Been Here Before: Director’s Cut project.
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U is still moving on the charts and “BRIAN STEEL” features Drake in big sh*t talk mode, and that gets followed up by Atlanta’s MARCO PLUS and his “omm” single. Texas spitter BigXThaPlug delivered his Take Care (Deluxe) set earlier this year, and we include the “Life Of A Boss” track. PremRock, one half of the dynamic ShrapKnel duo, dropped off his latest work, Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…?, and the track “Doubt Mountain,” produced by CRT FRSH fave YUNGMORPHEUS, is a standout from the release.
Salute to the rest of the CRT FRSH entrants KenTheMan, Goya Gumbani, SALIMATA, Ken Carson, Niontay, Lil Durk, Future, Young Dro, Zaytoven, Trouble (RIP), Turbo, Gunna, P-Lo, Ovrkast., Micheal Sneed, demahjiae, Lil Tecca, Falamoun, SIDESHOW, Wiz Khalifa, Smoke DZA, Lil Yachty, Veeze, Raz Fresco, and Futurewave.
Salute to all of the artists we’ve included in this week’s update. Tune in in two more weeks and we’ll be back with 20, ahem, Certified Fresh joints for the people.To be considered for inclusion, please contact D.L. Chandler via email here – dchandler@bhmdigital.com in case the link doesn’t open.
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