Photos

02 May 2024

T-Pain: Photos From the Billboard Cover Shoot

In retrospect, the signs were there. The vintage arcade games on proud display in his 2008 episode of MTV Cribs; the 2011 album inspired by steampunk aesthetics; the impulsive commission of a $400,000 meme in the form of a chain that said “BIG ASS CHAIN” (which is currently on loan to the American Museum of Natural History for a forthcoming exhibit on hip-hop jewelry). But it isn’t until I step into the basement of T-Pain’s suburban Atlanta home — a neon-lit bunker with both a theater-size main gaming station and a separate arcade room with soundproof doors (“for screaming and sh-t”) and distinct areas for Atari, PlayStation, Tekken, Sega and SNES — that it fully sinks in. The man whose voice defined late-2000s party music is an unapologetic, card-carrying nerd.

“I’ve been trying to tell people for a decade!” the 39-year-old singer says with a booming laugh, pacing the game room in sweatpants and slippers. “Nobody wanted to listen.” Ten years ago, few would have known that the artist who seemed to write hits in his sleep was regularly hopping on Twitch to play Skyrim with like-minded gamers, or that he’d tricked out his Hit Factory studio in Miami with a full stage for nightly Guitar Hero sessions. (“Any time an artist would come by the studio, I don’t give a f–k what you’re talking about — grab this guitar and meet me in the booth,” he says, pantomiming Pantera-esque riffs.)

Back then, flying his geek flag in plain sight wasn’t compatible with being the voice behind the buoyant, world-conquering records that have soundtracked nearly two decades of bottle service nightclubs, pro sports broadcasts and White House correspondents’ dinners — at least not according to the powers that be. “I never got to show that side of myself because management deemed it uncool. So instead of playing video games, we’d go to the Dolphins game,” T-Pain remembers, his perennially jolly voice tinged with only a hint of regret. “But I thought that the sh-t I wanted to do was the coolest sh-t in the world.”

Read the full digital cover story here.

22 Apr 2024

NYC’s The Nova Music Festival Exhibition: Photos From the Installation

The Nova Supernova Sukkot Gathering on Oct. 7 was supposed to be a fun, celebratory event of music and togetherness, but due to the devastating attack from Hamas militants, more than 300 people were killed and dozens taken hostage.

Thousands of Israeli and Palestinian people have been killed as the violence and conflict continues, despite pleas for a ceasefire in Gaza. To remember those who have lost their lives at the festival and beyond, the Nova Music Festival founders are teaming up with creative director Reut Feingold to bring a remembrance installation to New York City this spring.

The exhibition, titled The Nova Music Festival Exhibition: October 7th 06:29AM, first premiered in Tel Aviv for 10 weeks and will be open to the public in New York City starting on Sunday (April 21). The Nova founders include Omri Sassi, Yoni Feingold, Ofir Amir and Yagil Rimoni, and the United States partners for the exhibition include Scooter Braun, Joe Teplow and Josh Kadden.

Donations from the exhibition will go to the Nova Healing Journey, an initiative that supports mental health treatment for victims and families of the October 7 massacre. Tickets are available here.

See below for photos from the moving installation, which include remains salvaged from the festival grounds, including scorched cars, bullet-riddled bathroom stalls and personal belongings all left behind. The New York exhibit also includes video testimonies from survivors, volunteers and family members, as well as raw footage taken on Oct. 7 from both festival attendees and Hamas militants.

16 Apr 2024

Here Are Photos From All the Coachella 2024 Parties & Events

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival took over Indio, Calif., for its first weekend from April 12 to 14, and besides the exciting performance lineup at the festival itself, there are countless parties and events in between sets and after hours where fans can enjoy even more action — from Neon Carnival and Revolve Festival to Heineken House and beyond.

The annual Revolve Festival took place on Saturday (April 13), and the invite-only event featured performances from T-Pain, Ludacris, Sean Paul, the Ying Yang Twins, Nina Sky, Siobhan Bell and Kim Lee. Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, Rhode, hosteda photo booth for guests, while Supergoop! provided sunscreen. Kendall Jenner’s 818 tequila company served drinks, as did Kylie Jenner’s Sprinter Vodka Soda.

The after-hours Neon Carnival featured celebrities including Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Ice Spice, Paris Hilton, Kesha, Jon Batiste and more. The Neon Carnival, sponsored by Liquid IV, Patron El Alto, and Levi’s, featured performances from DJ Pee .Wee (a.k.a. Anderson .Paak), James Kennedy and DJ Hunny Bee.

Coachella returns to the desert on April 19 to 21 for weekend two. In the meantime, check out photos from all the exclusive parties and events below.

15 Apr 2024

Here Are the Best Photos From Coachella Weekend One 2024

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicked off its first of two weekends on April 12 to 14, and as expected, this year’s star-studded lineup brought the heat to their performances.

Notably, No Doubt reunited to perform for the first time in nine years on Saturday night (April 13), delivering a mix of their most beloved hits, including “Don’t Speak” and “Just a Girl.” Olivia Rodrigo joined to perform “Bathwater” with Stefani, whom she’s openly expressed her admiration for throughout her career.

Other performers of the weekend included headliners Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and Tyler, the Creator, as well as major artists like Shakira, Bebe Rexha, Sabrina Carpenter, J Balvin and more. The festival also included surprise appearances from Will Smith, Billie Eilish, Wizkid and Justin Bieber, among others.

Kesha joined Renee Rapp onstage to duet on her 2009 Hot 100 nine-week No. 1 “Tik Tok.” In response to a series of sexual misconduct allegations against Diddy, the pair changed the opening line to: “Wake up in the morning like ‘F— P. Diddy.’”

Coachella returns to the desert on April 19 to 21 for weekend two. In the meantime, check out our photos below from weekend one.

08 Apr 2024

The Black Keys Celebrate New Album ‘Ohio Players’ at Highland Park Bowl: See Photos From the Performance

Hours before their album Ohio Players dropped on Friday (April 5), Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys held an intimate release party and concert for fans. But instead of a traditional stage, the pair set up shop in a Los Angeles bowling alley — a perfect callback to their new record’s sporty cover, on which a woman in vintage clothing takes aim at a row of pins.

Standing in front of the lanes at Highland Park Bowl, the duo was joined by a section of horn players as they performed songs from the 14-track LP — which features cameos from Beck, Juicy J and Lil Noid — as well as hits like “Gold on the Ceiling,” “Howlin’ for You” and “Lonely Boy.” Auerbach and Carney were separated by a rack of red bowling balls for the performance. 

The event came nearly three months after the rockers dropped “Beautiful People (Stay High),” the lead single from Ohio Players. The track peaked atop the Alternative Airplay chart in March, securing the band its seventh No. 1 on the ranking. 

The new album was also led by singles “I Forgot to Be Your Lover” and “This Is Nowhere,” as well as “On the Game,” which The Keys co-wrote with Oasis singer/songwriter Noel Gallagher. “We had this epiphany: ‘We can call our friends to help us make music,’” Carney said of the collaborations on Ohio Players in a statement.

“No matter who we work with, it never feels like we’re sacrificing who we are,” added Auerbach. “We’d never worked harder to make a record. It’s never taken us this long to make an album. We took our time and did it right.”

See exclusive photos from The Black Keys’ whimsical bowling alley Ohio Players celebration below.

07 Apr 2024

2024 CMT Music Awards Photos: Winners, Performers, Backstage & More

The 2024 CMT Music Awards brought together the best and brightest of country music on Sunday night (April 7) to the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, to celebrate the top country videos of the year.

Leading the performances on Sunday’s show was an all-star tribute to late country legend Toby Keith, which included Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson and Sammy Hagar with Lukas Nelson, as well as baseball star Roger Clemens.

CMT brought more stars together onstage, including collab performances from Little Big Town and Sugarland; NEEDTOBREATHE and Jordan Davis; Old Dominion featuring Megan Moroney; and Parker McCollum featuring Brittney Spencer.

Rounding out the performers list were Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, a solo Moroney, Sam Hunt, Trisha Yearwood, Jason Aldean and Bailey Zimmerman. Plus, the night’s host, Kelsea Ballerini, pulled double-duty by also performing on the show.

Speaking of Ballerini, in a surprise mini-performance, Melissa Etheridge joined the host onstage for an impromptu duet on the singer/songwriter’s 1994 hit “Come to My Window.” In addition to her performance, Yearwood also took home the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award at the show.

Some cute couples stole the show in the crowd and backstage, including Ballerini and her actor boyfriend Chase Stokes and Jelly Roll and his ride-or-die wife Bunnie XO.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. For all the best moments onstage and backstage during the 2024 CMT Music Awards, check out the full gallery below.

01 Apr 2024

iHeartRadio Music Awards 2024: Best Photos From the Show

Between performers and winners, the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday night (April 1) at Dolby Theater in Los Angeles was a star-studded affair.

Justin Timberlake kicked things off for the show’s performers, starting the show with “Selfish” and “No Angels,” both from his just-released sixth album, Everything I Thought It Was. Other performers included Ludacris — who also served as the night’s host — as well as Green Day, Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson, Tate McRae and TLC, who enlisted Latto to fill in for the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes on her “Waterfalls” rap verse.

Cher also hit the stage as she received the Icon Award, introduced by Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep. Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to Cher by singing her 1989 hit “If I Could Turn Back Time,” before Cher herself joined Hudson onstage for the 1998 smash “Believe.”

And that was just the performers — we also saw SZA, Ice Spice and Fall Out Boy all take the stage to accept awards, as well as a video message from the night’s artist of the year, Taylor Swift.

Also on hand was Beyoncé to accept the Innovator Award from Stevie Wonder. “Innovation starts with a dream, and the road to execute that dream can be very bumpy,” Bey said in her heartfelt acceptance speech. “Being an innovator is doing what everyone believes is impossible. Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength. Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you.”

Below, find all the best photos from Monday night’s 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

26 Mar 2024

Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez & More Honored at First Billboard Philippines Women In Music Awards: Photos

Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Moira and more Filipina music icons were given the spotlight at Billboard Philippines’ first-ever Women In Music event, held on Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.

The evening marked the first-ever Women In Music event held in the Philippines, after Billboard Philippines officially launched in the country in October 2023. Following in the tradition of the Billboard Women In Music event held annually since 2007, Billboard Philippines will recognize and honor notable women in the Philippine music industry every year as well.

The event was hosted by actress, singer and entertainer Jolina Magdangal, who commenced the festivities shortly after welcoming remarks by Billboard Philippines Publisher Anne Bernisca and a three-song set by acclaimed pop-rock artist Barbie Almalbis.

The first two awards to be given out that evening were both fan-voted, with Belle Mariano winning the Listeners’ Choice award for her song “Bugambilya,” and Morissette bringing home the People’s Choice award. All the awards given out that evening were presented by men in the music industry, to highlight the mutual respect, support and admiration among genders in the Philippine music scene.

Young indie artist Zild went onstage to introduce his friend and peer Ena Mori, whose boundary-pushing pop earned her this year’s Rule Breaker award. The 2023 SXSW Festival performer then gave a compelling rendition of her new single “Heartache Generation,” giving the audience a taste of her offbeat-yet-catchy sound.

Afterward, the P-pop fans in the audience were thrilled by the presence of SB19’s Stell, who then introduced the recipients of the Rising Star award: fellow P-pop trailblazers BINI. The eight-piece girl group then launched into the debut performance of “Salamin Salamin” (Mirror Mirror) from their newly released EP Talaarawan (Diary), showcasing their precise choreography and infectious melodies.

Influencer and online sensation Mimiyuuuh then introduced Hitmaker awardee: singer-songwriter and best friend Moira. The most-streamed Filipina solo artist for seven consecutive years also performed “Before It Sinks In” from her multiplatinum 2018 debut album Malaya (Free).

Next, singer and actress Jackie Lou Blanco accepted the Icon award on behalf of her mother, Filipina music legend Pilita Corrales. The Icon award was presented by Billboard Philippines Editor-In-Chief Bret Jackson.

The Powerhouse award was given to the bestselling Filipino music artist of all time, “Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, for her enduring presence and influence on succeeding generations of artists and in the music industry as a whole. The award was presented by her husband and Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM) president Ogie Alcasid, an accomplished singer-songwriter himself. She then serenaded the audience with a heartfelt cover of Paramore’s “The Only Exception,” a staple of her ongoing Regine Rocks concert series.

Finally, the first Billboard Philippines Woman of the Year award went to Sarah Geronimo, fresh from her appearance at the Billboard Women In Music event in Los Angeles last March 7 as the first Filipina Global Force awardee. Husband, producer and actor Matteo Guidicelli presented the award to an elated Geronimo, who then brought the house down with a performance of two of her most memorable songs, “Dati-Dati” (Before) and “Ikot-Ikot” (In Circles), before host Magdangal closed the celebration with a toast to all women in the music industry who inspire and empower their fellow Filipinas to pursue their dreams as artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and other key roles in music.

All in all, the very first Billboard Philippines Women In Music event was a rousing success. Not only was it the pioneer Billboard Women In Music event to be held in the country, but it also marked the first time in which women were exclusively and properly recognized for their achievements and impact in the Philippine music industry. There are many more who deserve to be honored, and Billboard Philippines shall ensure that they are represented, celebrated, and remembered in the years to come.

See photos from the inaugural event below.

–This article was written by Jason Caballa for Billboard Philippines

26 Mar 2024

J-Hope’s ‘Hope on the Street’: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Photos

J-Hope‘s new album era is upon us. The BTS superstar is unveiling a six-part docuseries, Hope on the Street, which will “trail J-Hope’s dance journey” as he explores Osaka, Paris and New York, as well as Seoul and Gwangju in Korea, and meets street dancers throughout the cities.

To celebrate the upcoming series, Billboard can exclusively share photos from the documentary, in which the 30-year-old star is seen posing in his signature colorful outfits throughout the various cities.

Hope on the Street is directly tied to J-Hope’s forthcoming special album, Hope on the Street Vol. 1. Each episode of the docuseries is linked to a set of songs from the project through their narrative, sound and message.

J-Hope is currently completing his mandatory 18-month military service, which began in April 2023.

The first episode of Hope on the Street will premiere on Prime Video at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (March 27). The accompanying album — which includes main track “Neuron (with Gaeko and Yonmirae)” — will launch at midnight ET on Friday (March 29).

The project follows J-Hope’s 2022 solo album, Jack in the Box, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. A newly expanded HOPE Edition of the album was released in August 2023. It features the original album tracks, along with three live recordings from J-Hope’s history-making performance at Lollapalooza in 2022 in Chicago, plus two instrumental tracks.

See below for photos from Hope on the Street, shared exclusively with Billboard.

14 Mar 2024

Jelly Roll & Bunnie XO: Photos From Their Red Carpet Dates

Whether they are attending one of music’s most prestigious, all-genre awards ceremonies such as the Grammys, or a more laid-back, country music-focused affair such as the CMT Music Awards, one thing is certain: Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO always know how to shine on a red carpet.

The couple — who married in 2016 — might choose color-coordinated outfits, such their all-black attire at Spotify’s 2024 best new artist party, or looks that let the Dumb Blonde podcast host’s gleaming blonde hair and sparkling fashion sense stand front and center, as when country star wore a dark-hued outfit that accented Bunnie XO’s hot pink, lacy, Barbie-esque dress (with matching long gloves!) at the 2022 CMA Awards. At the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, which celebrated Jon Bon Jovi, Jelly Roll donned a black outfit with white writing on his jacket, while Bunnie stunned in a blood-red Latex gown.

No matter what fashion look they aim for, Jelly Roll has said there is one guiding principle that leads the couple’s red-carpet outfit decisions. “I say, ‘Get the wife whatever she wants and then figure out how I can accent it,’” the “Son of a Sinner” hitmaker told Entertainment Tonight at the 2023 CMA Awards. “I’m like an accessory piece. I’m an extra earring.”

Beyond their always eye-catching ensembles, the couple always seems joyous and in love on red carpets, with Jelly Roll often showering his wife with praise, telling reporters ahead of the 2023 CMA Awards, “She’s the best thing to happen to me by a country mile … I can directly correlate my blessings to her walking into my life.”

Read on for some of Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO’s top red carpet moments.