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24 Feb 2025

BRIT Awards 2025: A.G. Cook to Collect Producer of the Year Prize 

The BRIT Awards has announced that A.G. Cook is the recipient of this year’s producer of the year award.

The British musician was an executive producer for Charli XCX’s Brat LP, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart. 

Cook has had co-writing and co-producer credits on a number of albums, including Beyoncé’s Renaissance in 2020, but he is best known for his working relationship with Charli XCX. Cook has played executive producer on several of Charli’s projects: 2017 mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2; 2019 LP Charli; and 2020’s How I’m Feeling Now. 

Speaking on the news, Cook said, “As someone who’s always felt like a bit of an outsider, I’m very flattered to be recognized by The BRITs. From the early PC Music days to the Charli mixtapes and beyond, I’ve been lucky to work on so much music that I truly believe in. In particular, I’d like to dedicate this moment to Sophie, whose vision and artistry is still a driving force for producers everywhere.”

The honorary producer of the year prize was first awarded in 1977 to The Beatles producer George Martin, and in recent years has been won by Fred Again.. (2020), Inflo (2022), David Guetta (2023) and Chase & Status (2024). Cook was selected for the prize by a panel of expert judges.

Cook has been a key player in the British and international pop scene for the past decade. In 2013, he established the influential PC Music record label, which is credited with spearheading the hyperpop sound. In 2024, he released his third studio album, Britpop, which appeared on Billboard U.K.’s albums of the year list, with Sophie Williams writing that the LP “felt like a safe, uplifting, candy-striped wonderland where one could hide from growing global anxiety.”

The BRIT Awards ceremony will take place Saturday (March 1) at London’s O2 Arena, and will be hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall. Performances on the night will come from Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Teddy Swims, Shaboozey and more, and the ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV and on streaming service ITV X from 8:15 p.m. GMT.

24 Feb 2025

Here’s How Bruce Springsteen Found Out About Hank Azaria’s Tribute Band

Hank Azaria‘s Bruce Springsteen tribute band has gotten The Boss’ stamp of approval.

The Friends actor joined Live With Kelly and Mark on Monday (Feb. 24), where he discussed his Springsteen tribute band, the EZ Street Band, and what inspired its formation. “I’m from Queens. Queens is just like Asbury Park but less water,” he joked of his and Springsteen’s different hometowns, before explaining while imitating the rocker, “I’ve been imitating Bruce since I was a teenager. A lot of my early impressions are based on hero worship, Bruce being at the top.”

When asked if Springsteen knows about the band, Azaria revealed that he does — thanks to his friend, who is an oral surgeon in New York City. “He texted me one day, ‘Text me your favorite video of the band.’ So, I text him ‘Thunder Road’ — he’s a big Springsteen fan,” he recalled. “Later that night, he texted me that Patti Scialfa, Bruce’s wife, was in his chair. I said, ‘Oh, dear, if I had known that, I really wouldn’t have sent the video.’ Then he sent me a text that Patti showed it to Bruce, and they had watched it twice, actually. What he got is that it’s a loving tribute, which is what it is. I was like, ‘Please make sure they know it’s all for charity.’”

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While Springsteen hasn’t made it to a show yet, Azaria said that “is a goal of ours.”

Azaria and the EZ Street Band went on to perform Springsteen’s 1985 hit “Glory Days” on the show, with Azaria looking and sounding exactly like the superstar. Watch the performance here.

The EZ Street Band are touring throughout the spring, with a full list of tour dates and ticket information available on the group’s website here.

Watch Azaria’s full Live With Kelly and Mark interview below.

24 Feb 2025

Kamala Harris Gives Moving Speech At NAACP Image Awards, X Reminded of What Could Have Been

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Kamala Harris Delivers Moving NAACP Image Awards Speech

Source: Unique Nicole / Getty / Kamala Harris

In her first TV appearance since leaving office, our MVP, Kamala Harris, delivered a moving speech at the NAACP Image Awards that left social media reflecting on the kind of energy we could have had in the White House instead of what we are currently dealing with.

Saturday Night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, everyone was on their feet as Kamala Harris accepted the organization’s Chairman’s Award.

“This organization came into being at a moment when our country struggled with greed, bitterness and hatred. And those who forged the NAACP, those who carried its legacy forward, had no illusions about the forces they were up against — no illusions about how stony the road would be,” said to the audience members.

She continued, “We use our power; we organize, mobilize, we educate and we advocate. Because, you see, our power has never come from having an easy path. Our strength flows from our faith — faith in God, faith in each other, and our refusal to surrender to cynicism and destruction. Not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. Not because victory is guaranteed, but because the fight is worth it.”

The applause didn’t stop as Harris continued her speech.

Harris ended her speech by saying, “While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter of our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office — nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by you, written by us — by we the people. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States.”

Social Media Had Plenty To Say

Social media was in their feelings during the speech, mainly reflecting on what could have been had she won the 2024 Presidential Election and not forgiving those who didn’t vote for Harris.

“I will never forgive any of you who voted against her or sat on the sideline. You get zero grace from me,” one user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.

Another X user said, “Ugh I can feel the pain and frustration of many people in this room. Every time VP Harris speaks, there’s hope, yes, but also a reminder that America messed up.”

A missed opportunity. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.

24 Feb 2025

Selena Gomez Wins First Ever SAG Award | Billboard News

At the 2025 SAG Awards, Selena Gomez won her first award for Best Ensemble for ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Keep watching to see her speech!

Have you watched ‘Only Murders in the Building?’ Let us know in the comments!

Tetris Kelly:

Selena Gomez is a winning actress as ‘Wicked’ walks away empty handed. We got your music news from the 2025 SAG Awards. The cast of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ won Best Ensemble at the 2025 SAG Awards making Selena Gomez an excited winner and thanks her cast mates that weren’t there. It was a well deserved win for Gomez though her fellow peer and musician Ariana Grande stepped away with yet another snub. ‘Wicked’ lost all 5 of its nominations at the SAG Awards going home empty handed including Female Supporting Actress where Zoe Saldana took home the prize again for ‘Emilia Perez.’ For more music and award show coverage hit Billboard.com.

24 Feb 2025

Beyoncé’s Success With ‘Cowboy Carter’ | Billboard News

Beyoncé’s been dominating charts and snagging awards left and right with ‘Cowboy Carter,’ and as we highlight Black and Latin artists, we dive into Beyoncé’s success. 

Do you like ‘Cowboy Carter?’ Let us know in the comments!

Tetris Kelly: 

She is the moment. And as we take this month to highlight Black and Latin artists, we hop on Beyoncé’s Internet to put the spotlight on the phenomenal entertainer. Beyoncé has had an incredible year after releasing the album ‘Cowboy Carter,’ which went on to win best country album and album of the year at the Grammys, and after displaying the project in Houston on Christmas Day with Netflix, she’s now taking it on the road for the ‘Cowboy Carter’ World Tour. From her beginnings with Destiny’s Child to becoming a full-blown superstar, she’s never met a stage she can’t slay. For that, we say thank you, Beyoncé.

24 Feb 2025

Yankees Will No Longer Play Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ After Losses

From now on, the Yankees will celebrate being the kings of the hill only if they’ve earned it.

As announced this week, the Major League Baseball team has decided to end its tradition of playing Frank Sinatra‘s “New York, New York” over stadium speakers at the end of each game, win or lose, now opting to save the track for victories only.

The ruling comes after players and staff reportedly complained about having to listen to the song after losses. Fans at Yankee Stadium can still expect to hear Ol’ Blue Eyes’ 1979 version of “New York, New York” on days where the team takes home a dub, but on days with less favorable results, one of a few substitutes will play after the final out, according to NBC New York.

In the case of the Yankees’ 4-0 spring-training loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, a different, much more apt Sinatra track was queued up at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.: “That’s Life.”

The incorporation of “New York, New York” into Yankee tradition stretches back decades, with Steinbrenner — who owned the team up until his death in 2010 — first commandeering the tune in 1980. The story goes that he first heard Sinatra’s recording at Le Club in Manhattan; after testing it out over the speakers at Yankee Stadium, Steinbrenner reportedly wrote directly to the crooner for permission to make it an official part of game days.

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Sinatra’s version of the song reached its peak at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. It was originally performed by Liza Minelli as the 1977 theme song from the Martin Scorsese musical film New York, New York, and her rendition sometimes played after Yankee losses before the team started using Sinatra’s on all occasions.

The Yankees’ partial retirement of “New York, New York” comes shortly after the team made headlines for implementing a different change: lifting its longtime ban on players sporting facial hair.

24 Feb 2025

Kevin Durant Tells Fans Arguing About Drake & J. Cole to ‘Listen to the Music and STFU’

Kevin Durant wants rap fans to stop arguing and enjoy the music.

Over the weekend, the Phoenix Suns star took to X to share his opinion on J. Cole‘s latest song “Clouds” in a since-deleted tweet. “I don’t care about none of that fake tough guy sh–,” he quote-tweeted over a post sharing the song. “This is mastery.” And of course, fans didn’t let him live.

When one fan tried to say he needed permission from Drake to support Cole while “throwing shade” at Kendrick Lamar, the future Hall of Famer replied, “I’m throwing shade at fans like you, been hatin’ on Cole this whole time. Just listen to the music and stfu.”

When another suggested that Drake and J. Cole make “fake tough guy” music, Durant disagreed and answered, “Rappin about protecting everything you’ve earned is not fake tough guy sh–.” Some also felt like his original tweet mentioning “fake tough guy sh–” was a shot at Lamar’s disses toward Drake; KD cleared that right up and said he was actually shading the fans. “I’m dissing all y’all fans who can’t listen to J. Cole without saying he’s ‘soft,’” he tweeted.

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And when one user told the NBA star that the new Cole isn’t going to get “playback,” Durant simply replied, “Gets playback in my AirPods, that’s all that matters to me.”

Fans got on KD for the crime of liking a J. Cole song, because he and Drake have a close relationship. Durant was credited as an A&R on 2023’s For All the Dogs and recently said Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime show didn’t “mean anything” to him.

24 Feb 2025

Watch Chilean Icon Myriam Hernández & Ha*Ash Live From Viña del Mar Tonight (Feb. 24)

Chilean icon Myriam Hernández headlines Day 2 of the 2025 Viña del Mar International Song Festival, performing Monday night (Feb. 24) at the Quinta Vergara amphitheater in the coastal city of Viña del Mar in Chile.

The Chilean singer has charted 13 singles on Hot Latin Songs and six times on Latin Pop Albums. In 2024, she was recognized as a Fundamental figure of Chilean music by the Sociedad Chilena de Autores e Intérpretes Musicales.

The singer, known for a roster of love standards that spans over three decades, will perform in her first full-length show at the celebrated festival in over a decade. In 2023, headliner Karol G invited Hernández to sing “El Hombre Que Yo Amo,” a Hernández hit Karol G had long professed to love. Hernández also hosted the festival for five consecutive years, from 2001 to 2006, but hadn’t performed a full set since 2001.

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Hernández is slated to perform at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Ha*Ash, the duo made up of sisters Hanna Nicole and Ashley Grace, born in Louisiana but raised in Mexico. The duo, known for their dramatic pop fare with a dollop of country, are slated to perform at at approximately 11:15 p.m. ET, closing out the show.

Both performances are part of the six-day lineup of the 64th annual Viña del Mar broadcast, which year after year is Chile’s highest-rated television show. Each night features a headliner, a supporting artist, a comedian and an international song festival in folk and pop categories, where contestants compete every night for a winner in each.

Viña will continue Tuesday (Feb. 25) with Colombian’s Morat headlining and Sebastian Yatra closing; Wednesday (Feb. 26) with Carlos Vives headlining and Carín León closing; Thursday (Feb. 27) with Incubus, Juan Carlos López and The Cult; and Friday (Feb. 28), urban night, with headliner Duki, Eladio Carrión and Kid Voodoo.

All nights will be livestreamed in the United States on Billboard.com and Billboard Español. Performances can be viewed on the player in this story beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET, or throughout billboard.com and billboardespañol.com.

24 Feb 2025

Roberta Flack’s Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits

Roberta Flack, the chart-topping, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose string of hits bridged sophisticated pop and vintage soul, died Monday (Feb. 24) at age 88. A product of piano-based classical training and the gospel stylings of the AME Church, Flack signed with Atlantic Records in 1968 after years as an educator and club performer around Washington, D.C.

In January 1970, Flack’s debut album, First Take, arrived on Billboard’s charts, including a No. 195 start on the Billboard 200. Among its eight tracks was a cover of a popular folk song, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which emerged as a mainstream hit after Clint Eastwood borrowed it for his film directorial debut, Play Misty for Me, in late 1971. The track became Flack’s fourth career hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1972, and by mid-April, became the singer’s first No. 1. Six weeks at the summit fueled “Face” to the year-end No. 1 Hot 100 honor, and it won Grammy Awards for record and song of the year in 1973. First Take, too, enjoyed spoils, pushing to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a five-week reign.

The following year repeated many of the same triumphs, with another No. 1 Hot 100 single, “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” and the record of the year Grammy Award. Flack nearly landed both victories for a third consecutive year, as her third and final Hot 100 leader, 1974’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” was also nominated for record of the year.

In all, Flack achieved 18 Hot 100 hits in her career, including six duets with her most frequent collaborator, Donny Hathaway, with classics “The Closer I Get to You” (No. 2) and “Where Is The Love” (No. 5) finding the strongest success. Her last appearance came in 1991, with the Maxi Priest collaboration “Set the Night to Music,” which peaked at No. 6.

Her material touched a new generation, too, through the Fugees’ rendition of “Killing Me Softly” from their seminal album, The Score. The hip-hop trio’s version soared to No. 2 on the Radio Songs chart from chart-topping results across multiple formats, including Pop Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, and won a Grammy Award for best R&B vocal performance by a duo/group.

To review the legend’s impact across popular music, here’s the official recap of Roberta Flack’s biggest hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Roberta Flack’s Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits ranking is based on weekly performance on the Hot 100 from its Aug. 4, 1958, start through Feb. 22, 2025. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at lower spots earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted differently to account for chart turnover rates during various periods.

24 Feb 2025

WNBA Star Cameron Brink Says Kendrick Lamar Saw a Clip of Her Choosing Him Over Drake

WNBA star Cameron Brink probably never thought an answer to a red-carpet question would eventually produce the “highlight of her life.”

Brink, along with other WNBA future stars, was asked by Complex last April to choose between Kendrick Lamar and Drake at the WNBA draft, and the Stanford alum was the only one to stand out among the players and give K. Dot the nod over Drizzy.

Cam explained that on a recent episode of her Straight to Cam podcast she was approached by an alleged Lamar associate at the USC and Notre Dame women’s basketball game in November, who revealed that Kendrick saw the clip and gave Brink her flowers as a hooper, claiming to be a fan himself.

“When the [WNBA] draft was going on, we were doing questions on the orange carpet. The question was: Kendrick or Drake?” she said. “And everyone chose Drake, and I was the only one that chose Kendrick.”

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The Los Angeles Sparks forward continued: “Fast-forward to USC-Notre Dame women’s basketball game a while ago, a guy came up to me with his super cute daughter. He was like, ‘I work with Kendrick, and he noticed that you were the only person who said him. And he f—s with you,’ he says, ‘You’re L.A.’ I was like, ‘Really? … I love you, Kendrick.’”

While Lamar keeps a low profile on social media, it appears he still keeps tabs on what’s being said about him in pop culture. Perhaps the Compton rapper will pull up to an L.A. Sparks game to support Brink when she returns from her torn ACL injury next season.

Lamar is still riding high in 2025 as he notched another No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, with the SZA-assisted “Luther” topping this week’s chart. It’s Lamar’s sixth No. 1 hit and SZA’s third.

Watch the clip below.