News

28 Mar 2025

Executive Turntable: Universal Canada Shores Up A&R Team, Plus Hopeless Feels Anything But

Elbows up for another Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. There’s a full slate of news this week, so let’s get started.

Universal Music Canada promoted Amanda Kingsland to vp of A&R, co-leading the company’s A&R efforts with Shawn Marino, the vp of A&R operations. Together, they’ll lead UMC’s A&R teams — located in both Toronto and Montreal — to sign, develop, and break new Canadian artists. Kingsland, who joined UMC in 2021, revitalized the country music roster and multiple projects. Marino, a 30-year industry veteran, oversees 80A Studios, the label’s multi-room recording space, and The Academy, UMC’s event space. UMC’s artists include Josh Ross, Sofia Camara, Mae Martin, Owen Riegling and thiarajxtt, alongside recent signings AP Dhillon, Lindsay Ell, James Barker Band, Sebastian Gaskin, and TyriqueorDie. Julie Adam, president and CEO, praised Kingsland and Marino’s leadership, emphasizing their role in investing in artistic voices. “Music – and the artists who create it – are our driving force,” she said. “We focus our hustle, passion, care, creativity, and abundance of forward-thinking ideas on helping the artists we work with achieve personal, artistic, and commercial success. And at the centre of our mission to sign, develop, and break artists is our industry-leading A&R team.”

Hopeless Records announced key hires and promotions as it cements its position in the indie music industry. Ian Harrison is promoted to executive vp, focusing on business development and global growth. Erin Choi becomes general manager, overseeing global marketing and promotions after nearly two decades with the label. Christina Johns steps up as vp of operations, while Nonafaye Williams advances to senior director of product management. New additions include Jen Darmafall as director of marketing and Rheanna ‘Caedance’ Lauren as program director of the Hopeless Music Academy, which offers music education to under-resourced youth in Los Angeles. Founder Louis Posen praised the leadership team — Harrison, Choi, Johns, CFO Al Person, and evp of A&R Eric Tobin — as a passionate, “caring and talented executive team.” He also emphasized the label’s commitment to artist development, highlighting the Academy’s launch as a dream realized.

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Universal Music Greater China appointed Vivian Xu as chief operating officer, effective immediately. Based in Beijing, Xu will report directly to Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO. In her new role, she’ll collaborate with the senior leadership team to oversee daily operations and identify market expansion opportunities. Xu brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Columbia China, Sony Music Entertainment China, Motorola Solutions, Sony Ericsson and Schneider Electric China. Xu’s appointment is expected to enhance UMGC’s capabilities and strengthen its position in the Chinese music market. UMGC represents a diverse artist roster, including Li Nong Chen, Sunnee, Tanya Chua and Guo Ding. It has also partnered with Modern Sky, which features acts like New Pants and Tizzy T. Timothy Xu and Adam Granite, executive vp market development at UMG, praised her strategic insights and operational expertise.

MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports — friends call-em “the MSG family of companies” — appointed Doug Jossem as executive vp, global sports and entertainment partnerships. Reporting to Jamaal Lesane, chief operating officer of MSG Sports, Jossem will lead global partnership initiatives across MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment while supporting sales for MSG Networks. Jossem brings over 20 years of experience in media, advertising, and management, previously leading Walmart Connect’s largest business unit and holding key roles at Twitter, Vice, Comedy Central and CNN. Lesane highlighted MSG’s topline brands, expressing confidence in Jossem’s ability to create “innovative solutions that leverage the full depth and breadth of our portfolio to create unique platforms and unrivaled exposure for our partners.”

Nathaniel Brown, former PR head at Warner Bros. Discovery, joined TikTok as global head of corporate communications, reporting to Zenia Mucha. Based in New York, Brown previously held roles at 21st Century Fox, MTV Networks and SiriusXM. At Discovery, he managed PR during the 2022 merger and controversial decisions like shelving projects for tax write-offs. Brown left the company in January 2024. Now at TikTok, he faces significant challenges, including a potential U.S. ban on the app, set for April 5, after President Trump delayed the law earlier this year.

Candice Watkins, senior vp of marketing at Big Loud Records and a fixture on various Billboard power lists, confirmed she is leaving the Nashville label after a six-and-a-half year run. Prior to joining BLR, the USC alum clocked a couple years as senior director of marketing and artist development at Universal Music Group. The news was first covered by HITS, which reported “big plans on the horizon” for the executive.

Red Street Records hired Jason McArthur as the label’s vice president of Christian A&R and publishing, to lead in developing and expanding the roster of Christian artists and songwriters at Red Street Records and Red Street Publishing. McArthur will oversee the label’s Christian roster, including Jason Crabb, Consumed By Fire, Cade Thompson and Iveth Luna, in addition to songwriters Brian White, the Ward Brothers and Crabb. McArthur previously served as vp of A&R at Sony Music Entertainment’s Provident Entertainment. –Jessica Nicholson

ATC Management expanded its U.S. team with new managers Dev Crawford and Jay Saunders. Based in Los Angeles, Crawford represents rapper Earl Sweatshirt and singer-songwriter Fana Hues, bringing extensive experience in hip-hop and R&B, including tour management for Snoh Aalegra and NxWorries. Saunders will lead ATC’s Nashville expansion, specializing in Americana, folk and all things roots. He previously worked with Marty Diamond and Mark Williams at Concord and now represents artists like John Vincent III and Kacy Hill. Both managers will continue signing new clients, joining a roster that includes Nick Cave, PJ Harvey and The Smile. They’ll work closely with Jackson Perry, head of management in North America, and can be reached at dev@atcmanagement.com and jay@atcmanagement.com.

Warner Music France launched Adore Music, a dance label led by Romain Pasquier, a 17-year WMG veteran. The label aims to showcase both emerging and established dance artists, leveraging Warner Music’s global resources to support talent in France and beyond. Pasquier, the managing director who’ll keep his senior role at label and artist services division WEA, is committed to honoring France’s electronic music legacy while nurturing the next generation. He is joined by Adrien Morin-Guardia, A&R and head of marketing, and Nicolas Klersky, A&R. Adore Music’s first release, “Need You the Most” by house duo Ofenbach, debuted on March 21. Parlez-vous français? Check out Billboard France‘s story on the launch.

Infamous promoted Jelani Wright to vp of festivals & events for North America. In his new role, Wright will oversee creator and publicity campaigns for North American music festivals, including CRSSD Festival, Lightning in a Bottle and its producer Do Lab, HARD Summer, Hangout Festival, Sand In My Boots, ARC Festival, Splash House, M3F Festival, and Electric Forest. Wright will also handle campaigns for international festivals including Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, Montreal’s Igloofest and Turin’s KappaFutur Festival. Wright started at Infamous as a publicist in the festival division in 2020 after graduating from the agency’s Fellowship program, an initiative that helps BIPOC candidates break into the music industry. Wright will report to Infamous COO Maxfield Frieser, who says that “Jelani’s passion, leadership, and innovative approach to earned media have been instrumental in evolving our festival campaigns and helping grow the division.” –Katie Bain

“Single White Female” singer-songwriter Chely Wright announced her new role as senior vp of corporate social responsibility and new market growth at facilities management firm ISS. She’ll drive impact by fostering client and community partnerships and empowering ISS’ 320,000+ employees. Wright’s initiatives will strengthen client relationships and celebrate internal culture, focusing on partnerships that unite corporate entities and community organizations. Wright was the first country artist to come out as gay in 2010 — read about her career transition in Stephen Daw’s new profile.

NASHVILLE NOTES: Matthew Miller, a veteran country music manager, joined talent agency The Familie, bringing artists William Beckmann and LEW. With 20-plus years of experience at WME, Red Light and more, Miller praised The Familie’s collaborative culture, while evp Royce Risser highlighted his expertise and artist-focused management approach … Monti Smith joined King Pen Music as creative coordinator after interning at the publishing company. He will work closely with CEO Kelly King and Amanda Roach, creative manager.

Brandon Holman joined Amber Health to lead industry relations. Previously, he was vp of marketing and wellness at Guin Records and co-founded The Lazuli Collective, an experiential wellness agency. Earlier in his career, Holman made stops at UnitedMasters and TikTok in various marketing and label partnerships roles. Amber Health, established in 2020, styles itself as the only full-service mental health and wellness solution for the music industry, focusing on supporting artists, tours, events and music companies. In 2023, Holman penned a guest column on how Guin prioritizes artists’ well-being, empowering them to create and share their music in a sustainable way.

The Circuit Group formed a joint venture with James Ahearn, founder of Buena Artists & Projects, to expand its global artist management team. Ahearn brings his roster, including Sparrow & Barbossa, Two Friends and Stevie Appleton/Collect 200. Ahearn praised The Circuit Group’s innovative approach and expressed excitement about launching his own division within the company. Dean Wilson, CEO of The Circuit Group, highlighted Ahearn’s impressive track record in artist management, adding, “his ability to identify and develop artists, foster impactful partnerships and navigate both the major label system and independent space makes him a perfect fit.”

Viamedia, the independent digital and linear advertising rep firm, acquired digital advertising company LocalFactor. LocalFactor’s founder and CEO, Evan Rutchik, will become Viamedia’s president and chief strategy officer, reporting to CEO David Solomon. Rutchik will drive Viamedia’s strategic vision, oversee LocalFactor’s operations, and join Viamedia’s board.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Billboard welcomed Delisa Shannon as its new shortform content director. She joined from Rolling Stone and started this week in the New York office. Also, new staff writer Mackenzie Cummings-Grady will officially join the team on April 1, based in NYC … The Hollywood Reporter made three key editorial changes: Beatrice Verhoeven dropped the “deputy” from her title and is now “just” awards editor, longtime contributor Brande Victorian joined as the deputy awards editor, and senior awards editor Steven Zeitchik is now senior editor of technology and politics.

ICYMI:

Fernando Cabral de Mello was appointed CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Brazil as part of a new organizational structure … Avex appointed S10 founder Brandon Silverstein as CEO of its new Avex Music Group to enhance its U.S. presence and promote Avex artists globally … and longtime music manager Andrew Goldstone joined the team at Milk & Honey as head of electronic music. [Keep Reading]

Last Week’s Turntable: Dizzying Changes Made at Spinnin’ Records

28 Mar 2025

Ahead of 2025 Juno Awards, Here’s Every Canadian Artist Who Has Topped the Billboard Hot 100

03/28/2025

They’re all here, from Paul Anka to Drake.

03/28/2025

The Weeknd attends the 2016 Juno Awards at Scotiabank Saddledome on April 3, 2016 in Calgary, Canada.

George Pimentel/Getty Images

We’re just days away from the 2025 Juno Awards, Canada’s equivalent of the Grammys. Kaytranada, Tate McRae, Shawn Mendes, Josh Ross and The Weeknd are competing for artist of the year at the show, which will air on Sunday (March 30) from Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Michael Bublé is set to host.

The Weeknd and Mendes have both landed No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The Weeknd has amassed seven No. 1 hits on this side of the border. Mendes has so far reached the summit once, with “Señorita,” his 2019 collab with then-girlfriend Camila Cabello. McRae came close to joining them when “Greedy” reached No. 3 in January 2024.

Paul Anka became the first Canadian artist to top the Hot 100, scoring in July 1959 with “Lonely Boy.” Anka’s U.S. hits predate the inception of the Hot 100 in August 1958. His 1957 breakthrough smash “Diana” topped Billboard’s Best Sellers in Stores chart.

Percy Faith, who in 1960 became the second Canadian artist to top the Hot 100, also had hits that predated that chart. His “Delicado” and “The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)” were major hits in 1952-53.

But which Canadian artists have had the most No. 1 hits on the Hot 100? Rosie Long Decter of Billboard Canada prepared this comprehensive report, which we reformatted into a ranking.

Count down the chart-topping Canadian acts below – listed from fewest to most No. 1 hits. Artists with the same number of No. 1s are listed chronologically by the date that their earliest No. 1 hit reached the top spot.

Percy Faith, 1

No. 1 Hit: “The Theme From ‘A Summer Place’ ” (1960, 9 weeks)

Notes: The shimmering film theme was the first instrumental hit to win a Grammy as record of the year. It was also nominated for song of the year, despite the fact that it was an instrumental. (That’s no longer allowed.)
Lorne Greene, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Ringo” (1964, 1 week)

Notes: Greene was far better-known as the star of Bonanza, which was the No. 1-rated TV series for three consecutive seasons in the mid-1960s. The show’s run on top included the 1964-65 season, when Greene’s spoken-word hit reached No. 1.
The Guess Who, 1

No. 1 Hit: “American Woman”/“No Sugar Tonight” (1970, 3 weeks)

Notes: The Guess Who became the first Canadian group or duo to top the Hot 100. The band’s original version of “American Woman” wasn’t even nominated for a Grammy, but Lenny Kravitz’s cover version won best male rock vocal performance in 2000. Go figure. The Guess Who was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1987.
Neil Young, 1

Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/WireImage

No. 1 Hit: “Heart of Gold” (1972, 1 week)

Notes: Young was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1982. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – on his own in 1995 and as a member of Buffalo Springfield two years later.
Terry Jacks, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Seasons in the Sun” (1974, 3 weeks)

Notes: Jacks just missed the top spot in 1970 when The Poppy Family’s “Which Way You Goin’ Billy” peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100. He was a member of that pop group, along with his wife Susan Jacks and others.
Gordon Lightfoot, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Sundown” (1974, 1 week)

Notes: Lightfoot just missed landing a second No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 when “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” topped out at No. 2 in 1976. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012.
Andy Kim, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Rock Me Gently” (1974, 1 week)

Notes: Kim had teamed with Jeff Barry to write The Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar,” a No. 1 smash on the Hot 100 in 1969 (and one of the biggest and best bubblegum hits of all time). He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2019.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive, 1

No. 1 Hit: “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” (1974, 1 week)

Notes: This stuttering smash was the fifth song by a Canadian artist to top the Hot 100 in 1974 – a record that wouldn’t be equaled until 2021. Randy Bachman was the first Canadian musician to top the Hot 100 as part of two groups – The Guess Who and BTO. He has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame twice – in tandem with The Guess Who in 1987 and on his own in 2014.
Nick Gilder, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Hot Child in the City” (1978, 1 week)

Notes: Gilder had been a member of the group Sweeney Todd, which had a minor Hot 100 hit in 1976 with “Roxy Roller.” There was nothing minor about “Hot Child in the City,” which remained on the chart for 31 weeks, a long run by 1970s standards.
Anne Murray, 1

Image Credit: Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images

No. 1 Hit: “You Needed Me” (1978, 1 week)

Notes: Murray became the first Canadian woman artist to top the Hot 100. “You Needed Me” won a Grammy for best pop vocal performance, female, and was nominated for record of the year. In 1993, she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In 2025, she is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Junos.
Sheriff, 1

No. 1 Hit: “When I’m With You” (1989, 1 week)

Notes: This record stalled at No. 61 on the Hot 100 when it was first released in 1983. Capitol Records tried again more than five years later, when the ballad made it all the way to No. 1.
Alannah Myles, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Black Velvet” (1990, 2 weeks)

Notes: This marks the first hit by a Canadian woman to log multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100. It won a Juno Award as single of the year in 1990 and a Grammy for best rock vocal performance, female.
Snow, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Informer” (1993, 7 weeks)

Notes: “Informer” became just the third song by a Canadian artist to top the Hot 100 for seven or more weeks. At the time, only Percy Faith’s “Theme From ‘A Summer Place’ ” (nine weeks) and Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (seven) had remained on top as long.
Barenaked Ladies, 1

No. 1 Hit: “One Week” (1998, 1 week)

Notes: How appropriate that this song was No. 1 for exactly “One Week”? This won a Juno Award as best single in 1999. The band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
Nickelback, 1

No. 1 Hit: “How You Remind Me” (2001-02, 4 weeks)

Notes: This power ballad won a Juno Award as best single in 2002 and received a Grammy nod for record of the year. The group was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2023. Not bad for a band that has taken a lot of abuse from critics and tastemakers.
Daniel Powter, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Bad Day”(2006, 5 weeks)

Notes: Powter is a true one-hit wonder. He topped the Hot 100 with his one and only chart entry. But what a smash.
Avril Lavigne, 1

Image Credit: MJ Kim/Getty Images

No. 1 Hit: “Girlfriend” (2007, 1 week)

Notes: Lavigne just missed topping the Hot 100 with her 2002 breakthrough hit, “Complicated,” which peaked at No. 2. Five years later, she went all the way. “Girlfriend” received a Juno nod for single of the year in 2008.
Carly Rae Jepsen, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Call Me Maybe” (2012, 9 weeks)

Notes: This smash boasts the longest run atop the Hot 100 of any hit by a Canadian woman. It won a Juno for single of the year in 2013 and received a Grammy nod for song of the year.
MAGIC!, 1

No. 1 Hit: “Rude” (2014, 6 weeks)

Notes: This hit sports the longest run atop the Hot 100 of any hit by a Canadian group. It won a Juno Award for single of the year in 2015.
Shawn Mendes, 1

No. 1 Hit: Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s “Señorita” (2019, 1 week)

Notes: Mendes also made the top 10 with “Stiches,” “Treat You Better” and “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” but he has so far reached the top spot only with this duet with then-girlfriend.
Daniel Caesar, 1

No. 1 Hit: Justin Bieber’s “Peaches” feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon (2021, 1 week)

Notes: This is the only collab involving two Canadian artists – Caesar and Bieber – to top the Hot 100. It received Grammy nods for record and song of the year and a Juno nod for single of the year.
Paul Anka, 2

Image Credit: Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

No. 1 Hits: “Lonely Boy” (1959, 4 weeks); “(You’re) Having My Baby” (with Odia Coates, 1974, 3 weeks)

Notes: Anka became the first Canadian artist to top the Hot 100 – and also the first Canadian to top the Hot 100 twice. He was voted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2008, he received the SHOF’s highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award, which each year recognizes a previously-inducted songwriter for a legacy of outstanding creative works.
Nelly Furtado, 3

No. 1 Hits: “Promiscuous” (feat. Timbaland, 2006, 6 weeks); “Say It Right” (2007, 1 week); Timbaland’s “Give It to Me” (feat. Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, 2007, 2 weeks)

Notes: Furtado became just the second Canadian woman to amass three No. 1 hits. “Promiscuous” won a Juno Award as single of the year in 2007.
Bryan Adams, 4

No. 1 Hits: “Heaven” (1985, two weeks); “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991, seven weeks); Bryan Adams/Rod Stewart/Sting’s “All for Love” (1994, 3 weeks); “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” (1995, 5 weeks)

Notes: Adams stands as the first Canadian artist to top the Hot 100 three times, and also the first to top it four times. “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” received Grammy nods for record and song of the year and an Oscar nod for best original song. It also received a Juno nod for single of the year. “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” also received Oscar and Juno nods. Adams received the Junos’ International Achievement Award in 1992 and was voted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
Celine Dion, 4

No. 1 Hits: “The Power of Love” (1994, 4 weeks); “Because You Loved Me” (1996, 4 weeks); “My Heart Will Go On” (1998, 2 weeks); R. Kelly and Celine Dion’s “I’m Your Angel” (1998-99, 6 weeks)

Notes: Dion has had more No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 than any other Canadian woman. “My Heart Will Go On,” the iconic love theme from Titanic, won an Oscar for best original song and won Grammys for record and song of the year. “Because You Loved Me” was nominated for all three of those awards. Both of those songs received Juno nods for single of the year, as did “The Power of Love.” It’s a chart oddity that the little-remembered (and now best-forgotten) “I’m Your Angel” had three times as many weeks at No. 1 as Dion’s signature song, “My Heart Will Go On.” Dion is the only artist to receive the Junos’ International Achievement Award twice (in both 1997 and 1999), which seems both a little redundant and entirely appropriate.
The Weeknd, 7

No. 1 Hits: “Can’t Feel My Face” (2015, 3 weeks); “The Hills” (2015, 6 weeks); “Starboy” (feat. Daft Punk, 2017, 1 week); “Heartless” (2019, 1 week); “Blinding Lights” (2020, 4 weeks); The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save Your Tears” (2021, 2 weeks); “Die for You” (feat. Ariana Grande, 2023, 1 week)

Notes: “Can’t Feel My Face” won a Juno for single of the year and received a Grammy nod for record of the year. “Blinding Lights” – No. 1 on Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs retrospective – also won a Juno for single of the year. “Starboy” was nominated in that category. “Blinding Lights” inexplicably wasn’t nominated in any Grammy categories. The Weeknd was understandably a little miffed.
Justin Bieber, 8

Image Credit: George Pimentel/Getty Images

No. 1 Hits: “What Do You Mean?” (2015, 1 week); “Sorry” (2016, 3 weeks); “Love Yourself” (2016, 2 weeks); DJ Khaled’s “I’m the One” feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne, 2017, 1 week); Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” feat. Justin Bieber (2017, 16 weeks); Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, “Stuck with U” (2020, 1 week); “Peaches” (feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon, 2021, 1 week); The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” (2021, 7 weeks)

Notes: With 16 weeks atop the Hot 100, “Despacito” is the longest-running No. 1 hit involving a Canadian artist. “Love Yourself” was Grammy-nominated for song of the year; “Despacito” and “Peaches,” for both record and song of the year. “What Do You Mean?” and “Peaches” were both nominated for Junos for single of the year. Bieber received the Junos’ International Achievement Award in 2022.
Drake, 13

No. 1 Hits: Rihanna’s “What’s My Name?” (feat. Drake, 2010, 1 week); Rihanna’s “Work” (feat. Drake, 2016, 9 weeks); “One Dance” (feat. WizKid & Kyla (2016, 10 weeks); “God’s Plan” (2018, 11 weeks); “Nice for What” (2018, eight weeks); “In My Feelings” (2018, 10 weeks); “Toosie Slide” (2020, 1 week); “What’s Next” (2021, 1 week); “Way 2 Sexy” (feat. Future and Young Thug, 2021, 1 week); Future’s “Wait for U” (feat. Drake and Tems, 2022, 1 week); “Jimmy Cooks” (feat. 21 Savage, 2022, 1 week); “Slime You Out” (feat. SZA, 2023, 1 week); “First Person Shooter” (feat. J. Cole, 2023, 1 week)

Notes: “God’s Plan” logged the longest run at No. 1 of any song by a Canadian lead artist. Drake’s seven most recent No. 1 hits each had just a single week on top. Even so, he has had more songs with multiple weeks on top (five) than any other Canadian artist. Drake received a Grammy nod for best new artist in 2011 (when he went head-to-head with Bieber, both losing to jazz phenom Esperanza Spalding). Drake received the Hal David Starlight Award (for fast-rising talents) at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala in 2011. He received the Junos’ International Achievement Award in 2017. He landed Grammy nods for record of the year for both “Work” and “God’s Plan.” The latter was also nominated for song of the year. “One Dance” and “Starboy” both received Juno nods for single of the year.

28 Mar 2025

Miles Minnick Signs With EMPIRE & Releases ‘My Twin’ Single Featuring 310babii

Miles Minnick has enjoyed a busy 2025, and the Christian rapper is looking to elevate his artistry as he’s agreed to a deal signing with EMPIRE on Friday (March 28).

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The partnership comes about as a joint venture with Minnock’s The GLO imprint alongside the independent powerhouse label.

Commemorating the newfound partnership between EMPIRE and the California native, Minnock released a bouncy collaboration celebrating friendship across the board with “My Twin” featuring Inglewood resident 310 b abii.

“This record and collaboration is special to me because this is my first drop of 2025 since officially partnering with EMPIRE,” Minnick tells Billboard. “It holds a message that music has been missing and represents remaining solid with the ones who came up with you and holding them down even after you come up.”

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Minnick’s unique blend of hip-hop and gospel caught the ear of EMPIRE COO Nima Etminan, who played an integral role engineering bringing the rapper into the fold with EMPIRE.

“It’s a privilege to work with an artist like Miles Minnick,” Etminan says. “What he’s built with the GLO family and his Christ Like brand has been nothing short of incredible. He makes the kind of music that can transcend generations – entire families of all ages support his live shows – and we are excited to share his music with the rest of the world.”

Minnick already made history in March when he became the first Christian artist to perform a set at Rolling Loud California.

Earlier this month, Minnick joined forces with fellow Christian rapper Lecrae for the celestial “Heaven Sent” and he teamed up with Jon Keith for a joint project showcasing his artistry titled West Indies in February.

28 Mar 2025

How to Watch Top Rank Boxing Online: Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan Rematch Livestream

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Two women’s welterweights go head-to-head in a rematch in “Sin City:” Mikaela Mayer (20-2-0) defends her WBO women’s welterweight title against Sandy Ryan (7-2-1) in a rematch. The pair faced off last September in a very heated and contentious match with Mayer winning in a decision. Tensions are high for Saturday (March 29).

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Top Rank Boxing: Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan takes place at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The main event is expected to start around 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds

Want to watch the Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan online? The Top Rank Boxing event livestreams on ESPN+ for subscribers only.

If you’re not a subscriber, a monthly subscription to ESPN+ goes for $11.99 per month. However, you can go with an ESPN+ annual subscription for $119.99 per year. This saves you 15% compared to the month-to-month subscription price for 12 months.

Although Top Rank Boxing has yet to announce each fighter’s walkout music for the main event, the boxers usually go out to the ring to the same songs during their matches. Mikaela Mayer typically walks out to “Hard Knock Life” by JetBlxckBej — although sometimes she walks out to “Spice Up Your Life” by Spice Girls — so girl power pop classic will likely make an appearance during the boxing event. Meanwhile, Sandy Ryan’s ring walk music is usually “Praise Jah In The Moonlight” by YG Marley.

Top Rank Boxing: Fight Card, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan (Women’s Welterweight): Main Event, WBO Women’s Welterweight Title Match
Brian Norman Jr. vs. Derrieck Cuevas: WBO Welterweight Title Match
Bruce Carrington vs. Jose Enrique Vivas: Featherweight
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Giovannie Gonzalez: Junior Welterweight
Delante Johnson vs. Kendo Castaneda: Welterweight
Emmanuel Chance vs. Miguel Guzman: Bantamweight
Dedrick Crocklem vs. Dinne Ruvalcaba: Junior Lightweight

Mikaela Mayer vs. Sandy Ryan is streamable on ESPN+ on Saturday, starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The main event title bout has an estimated start time of 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

28 Mar 2025

Duffy Makes First Public Appearance in Years in TikTok ‘Mercy’ Remix Video

British singer Duffy has been off-the-radar for much of the past decade after revealing in 2020 that she was the victim of a terrifying assault and kidnapping in 2015. The Grammy winner took her latest tentative step back into the spotlight this week when she made a brief cameo in a TikTok video posted by e.motion to promote an EDM remix of her signature 2008 hit “Mercy.”

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The clip opens with what looks like contemporary footage of the 40-year-old belter born Aimée Anne Duffy in which she lip synchs the iconic chorus, “You got me begging you for mercy,” along to the revved-up version of the tune and gives the camera a sly wink. The two-second peek of Duffy then gives way to archival footage of her performing the song in the 25-second snippet.

The quick cameo came five years after Duffy shared an essay about what she said was a horrifying assault a decade ago that caused her to step back from public appearances. The post explained why the singer whose 2008 debut album, Rockferry, won the best pop vocal Grammy, disappeared from public view after 2010’s Endlessly album.

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In it, she answered fans questions about where she’d been by explaining that she went into hiding after an incident in which she said she’d been drugged at a restaurant on her birthday and flown to a foreign country where she was held hostage in a hotel room for several weeks and sexually assaulted by unnamed perpetrators.

Back in June 2020, Duffy released her first single in years when she dropped the emotional ballad “River in the Sky,” on which she sings, “Like a river in the sky/ Why, oh why do we cry? Do we cry?” That same year, she also dropped the radio-only song “Something Beautiful.”

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

Check out Duffy’s “Mercy” remix cameo below.

28 Mar 2025

Billboard Announces Launch of New Hot Latin Songs Sub-Genre Charts

Buoyed by the meteoric rise and popularity of Latin music, Billboard is expanding its Latin chart offerings with four new 25-position genre rankings, which — effective with the lists dated April 12 (to post on Billboard.com Tuesday, April 8) — will employ the same model as the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Latin Songs chart.

The new Hot Latin Songs sub-genre charts — Hot Latin Pop Songs, Hot Regional Mexican Songs, Hot Latin Rhythm Songs and Hot Tropical Songs — aim to recognize the achievements of Latin artists based on today’s consumption methods: across audio and video streaming platforms, at radio and via purchased tracks in the U.S., with data according to tracker Luminate.

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“We are thrilled to see these sub-genre charts become a reality,” says Salomon Palacios III, Universal Music Latino svp marketing and artist strategy. “The implementation of these charts continues to demonstrate the growth of Latin music and all of its diverse sub-genres and, as a result, a need to have additional charts beyond Hot Latin Songs. These sub-genre charts provide additional spaces to highlight the successes of more emerging artists from different Latin sub-genres, allowing these artists more opportunities to reach new achievements and enrich their narratives, storytelling and overall awareness.”

The new charts will also serve as a complement to the continuing airplay and album rankings for Latin pop, regional Mexican, Latin rhythm and tropical.

Here’s a recap of all Billboard Latin charts (all updated weekly on Billboard.com), in order of their premiere dates:

Launch Date, Chart
June 29, 1985, Latin Pop Albums, Regional Mexican Albums, Tropical Albums
Sept. 6, 1986, Hot Latin Songs
July 10, 1993, Top Latin Albums
Oct. 8, 1994, Latin Pop Airplay, Regional Mexican Airplay, Tropical Airplay
Nov. 12, 1994, Latin Airplay
May 21, 2005, Latin Rhythm Albums
Aug. 13, 2005, Latin Rhythm Airplay
Jan. 23, 2010, Latin Digital Song Sales
April 20, 2013, Latin Streaming Songs
April 12, 2025, Hot Latin Pop Songs, Hot Regional Mexican Songs, Hot Latin Rhythm Songs, Hot Tropical Songs

28 Mar 2025

‘Badman Forward Badman Pull Up’ Singer Ding Dong Announces Debut Album — 20 Years After His First Single

It’s been 20 years since Ding Dong’s “Badman Forward Badman Pull Up” became an ocean-crossing, generational anthem for dancers and revelers — and the man behind the iconic track is finally unleashing his debut studio album.

Billboard can exclusively reveal that, on May 5, Ding Dong (born Kemar Ottey) will release From Ding Dong to the World, an album he promises will be a breath of fresh air for the dancehall scene. Featuring production contributions from Ricky Blaze, Khalfani, Felva, Dunwell, and Black Spyda — who mixed and mastered the entire project — From Ding Dong to the World will also house collaborations with scores of dancehall superstars, including Skeng, Skillibeng, Stalk Ashley, Govana, Afro B, Popeye Caution, Vanessa Bling and Grammy-nominated rap icon Busta Rhymes. Fans can pre-save the album here.

At a succinct 13 tracks, Ding Dong’s new album aims to place him in the pantheon of dancehall greats, several of which he names as inspiration, like Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and Sean Paul, whose 2002 “Gimme the Light” music video he cites as one of the most important moments of dancehall’s dance culture being highlighted on a global scale.

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“This album is the evolution of Ding Dong,” the dancer-turned-recording artist declares. “I want to show people that I am a rounded artist, not just a dancer. This style of dancehall hasn’t been done on an album in a long time. I never knew the difficulties and the challenges of doing an album. It’s not a simple thing to get [samples] cleared, so I think the time is now. I am always current. It’s God’s will!”

Ding Dong finished the album last year, but sample clearances cosmically delayed the album release timeline to coincide with the 20-year anniversary of “Badman Forward.” One of those samples was Kris Kross’ “Jump,” which Ding Dong lifts for his new Kaka Highflames and Skeng-assisted single, “Street Jump.” Serving as the set’s lead single, “Street Jump” transposes the audacious energy of Kris Kross’ 1992 Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper into a floor-quaking dancehall banger that plays on Skeng’s own penchant for leaping into the sky during his live performances. The new single arrived alongside its official music video on Thursday (March 27).

“Kris Kross was one of the artists I really messed with growing up,” explains Ding Dong. “I remember when Khalfani did the riddim and I walked in the studio and he played it – without thinking, the first thing I did was [start rapping “Jump”] over the riddim. I recorded that right away, and then mi seh, “I haffi get Skeng pon di song.”

And he did. On a clip shared to his official Instagram page — which has amassed nearly 200,000 views — Ding Dong plays the “Street Jump” riddim for Skeng as he characteristically vaults into the air because the beat moved him so much. It’s similar to what happens when a DJ drops “BadMan Forward” at a function, people simply feel compelled to move. Playing on the legacy and timelessness of “Badman Forward,” Ding Dong also included a bombastic remix of the classic featuring new-age dancehall giant Skillibeng.

“’BadMan Forward’ is the first song I recorded. If you notice, there are no verses, I just wanted to buss a dance, not a song. The version that you hear is the demo version, it’s not mixed,” reveals Ding Dong. “At the time, the willie bounce was everything but I realized di people dem wan change. So I made the song with the dance to make my mark as a dancer. When I chose the name of the song, I was told it was too long. Mi seh mi nah change it. If you wan mek change inna your life, you have to do things differently. It started in Jamaica, went to England, and then New York. The energy, the kick of the riddim and the dance itself made the song a staple within so many generations.”

Watch the official “Street Jump” music video below.

28 Mar 2025

Lil Nas X Collects Recent Singles on ‘Days Before Dreamboy’ EP

Lil Nas X has been on a tear lately. Since November, the rapper has dropped a series of songs, beginning with the dance-y “Light Again,” and the propulsive “Need Dat Boy” in late 2024. Then, this month he’s kicked things up a notch with a string of single releases in the lead-up to the as-yet-unscheduled release of Dreamboy LP, the anticipated follow-up to his 2021 debut full-length album Montero.

The flurry of activity has resulted in the surprise drop on Friday morning (March 28) of the 8-track EP, Days Before Dreamboy. The mini album collects all of Lil Nas’ recent output, including “Dreamboy,” the hard-hitting apparent title track on which he warns, “B–ch, I’m back like J. Christ,” the latter a seeming reference to his failure-to-launch 2024 single “J. Christ,” which created more controversy than chart action.

Just two days later, he was back with the no-games-played “Big Dummy,” on which he rapped “I’ma send this to the group chat/ They gon’ be like ‘who’s that?’/ I’ma be like, ‘Big X, dummy,’ now y’all know I’m comin’.” The next day (March 12), LNX hit us again with the more low-key “Swish,” the basketball metaphor-twisting ballad where he sings, “Swish, they gotta make this shot, gonna make this hot/ Swish, they gotta make this shot, gotta hit this/ I won’t miss/ Another one in, another one in.”

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He wasn’t nearly done, though, dropping the bass-thumping party jam “Right There!” on March 13, a chronicle of a wild night out, as well as a broadside against those who thought he was done. “Last year, a n–ga went missin’/ This year, I’m washin’ these n–gas like I was just doin’ the dishes/ My b–ches is n–gas, these n–gas is b–ches/ I’m drunk as f–k, what is the difference?,” he spits over gospel-like backing vocals and a crisp beat.

He capped off his frenzied release week with the Neptunes-like banger “Hotbox” and the take no mess “Lean on My Body.” They’re all collected now in one place as fans wait for news on the Dreamboy album; at press time it was not clear if all the songs on the EP will also appear on that full-length release.

Listen to Days Before Dreamboy EP below.

28 Mar 2025

Ice Cube Delivered the World Series Trophy to His Beloved L.A. Dodgers on Opening Day in Classic Style

Ice Cube proved his hometown bona fides on Thursday (Mach 27) when he hopped in his custom blue Chevy Impala for a slow drive into Dodgers Stadium to make a very special delivery for the home team on opening day.

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A die hard Dodger fan for life, Cube was among the A-listers on hand for the first game of the year by the defending World Series champs, and he made his mark on the day by presenting the Commissioner’s trophy in classic fashion. After driving onto the field, Cube was handed the trophy, which he then hoisted over his head as the crowd went wild.

The rap legend then placed the award on a pedestal and shook hands with team manager Dave Roberts. A lifelong Dodgers supporter, Cube performed before the team’s World Series game 2 last year against the Yankees and then performed again and celebrated with Roberts at the championship parade.

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“I think I blacked out. That was my ass dropping right there,” Roberts told Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts on his podcast after the Series win while joking about being Cube’s backup dancer and describing his own tricked-out car back in the day. “I would love to go on tour with Ice Cube. I’m telling you Mookie, this took me back to 1988 when I had a red Nissan Sentra and I had my two 10s in a wood box. That’s what you did back in the day. You used to get a box made and you used to put your woofers in the trunk and your license plate would be beat up… I would listen to N.W.A. and Ice Cube all day long so that kinda took me back.”

The best part? The Dodgers beat the Tigers 5-4 in their home opener, where their world-beating superstar pitcher/hitter Shohei Otani smashed a home run in the seventh just days before he’s expected to throw a bullpen session on Saturday on the way to pitching again in a game for the first time since injuring his elbow in 2023.

Watch footage of Cube’s deliver below.

28 Mar 2025

Twelve Times Sweet: Sabrina Carpenter Tops ARIA Albums Again

Sabrina Carpenter has returned to the top of the ARIA Albums Chart, as Short n’ Sweet scores its 12th non-consecutive week at No. 1. The milestone comes as Perth duo Old Mervs land at No. 4 with their self-titled debut, marking their first top 5 appearance.

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Comprised of David House and Henry Carrington-Jones, Old Mervs previously peaked at No. 33 in 2023 with their Give It Up EP. The band’s name is a tribute to their childhood dog, Mervin.

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Selena Gomez also makes a strong showing, debuting at No. 5 with I Said I Loved You First, her first full-length collaborative album with fiancé Benny Blanco. Gomez has previously hit No. 14 in 2011 with When the Sun Goes Down (as Selena Gomez & The Scene), No. 8 in 2013 with Stars Dance, No. 3 in 2015 with Revival, and No. 1 in 2020 with Rare.

For Blanco, this is his second appearance on the ARIA Albums Chart, following his 2018 release Friends Keep Secrets, which peaked at No. 39.

The Cat Empire also return with Bird in Paradise, debuting at No. 18. It’s the tenth album from the Aussie jazz/funk outfit and their second since a major lineup change in 2021. The band has previously enjoyed six top 10 albums, including two chart-toppers: Two Shoes (2005) and Rising With the Sun (2016).

On the ARIA Singles Chart, influencer and singer Alex Warren lands his first No. 1 with “Ordinary,” which rises from No. 4 last week. Warren first charted in 2023 with “Carry You Home” (solo or featuring Ella Henderson), which climbs to a new peak of No. 20 this week.

Teddy Swims also enjoys a chart resurgence following the announcement of his upcoming Australian tour. “Lose Control” rebounds from No. 22 to No. 14, “The Door” jumps from No. 36 to No. 26 (it peaked previously at No. 19), and “Bad Dreams” climbs from No. 45 to a new peak of No. 27.

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