Pop
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12/18/2024
Conan Gray, JADE, Remi Wolf and many more served up pop tracks that should have crossed over this year.
12/18/2024
Billie Eilish celebrated her 23rd birthday a day early on Tuesday (Dec. 17) at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles when she invited Charli XCX up on stage for a surprise collaboration on their “Guess” remix. The singers paired up to perform the Grammy-nominated, high-energy song from Charli’s remix album, Brat and It’s the Same […]
Rihanna was just a regular ol’ member of the Lambily on Tuesday night (Dec. 17) when she was spotted freaking out during Mariah Carey‘s final Christmas Time tour show at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The “Love on the Brain” singer was filmed having the time of her life at the gig where MC returned to […]
No performers have been announced yet, but if the Oscars come calling, Ariana Grande says she’ll be there. The singer, who recently received her first-ever Golden Globe nomination as best supporting actress in Wicked, is a frontrunner for the same category at the Oscars in March. Though the songs from Wicked are not eligible for […]
Billie Eilish is Apple Music’s 2024 Artist of the Year, and to celebrate, the superstar and her brother Finneas performed a live acoustic set in their hometown of Los Angeles earlier this month. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The performance featured a Q&A as well as […]
Jennifer Hudson is no stranger to covering songs and making them her own, after getting her start on American Idol and continuing through her Emmy-nominated daytime talk show. So when she started work on her first-ever holiday album, The Gift of Love, Hudson understood the assignment: She would need to Jennifer-ize some of the most beloved Christmas classics of all time.
“Any time I do a classic — which I get to do a lot — I always want to stay true to the base but then allow space for my artistry to come through, which made making this album the most fun I have ever had recording an album,” the EGOT winner tells Katie & Keith on our special Christmas episode of the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast (listen below). “Whether it’s me lyrically or musically, my expression is there in some form, in my interpretation. … So it was fun to reimagine the classics, Jennifer Hudson-style. I call it ‘Jennifer-izing’ them.”
How did she choose which holiday hallmarks to tackle? “I picked what was most personal to me. Like ‘The Christmas Song,’ for instance, my grandmother used to love that song, so I recall hearing that as a little girl throughout each and every holiday of her playing that song — Nat King Cole with the satin voice — so that made me want to pay tribute to her in that way,” Hudson says. “Or ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain,’ I grew up singing that in church during the holiday season and ‘Carol of the Bells’ in high school. ‘Hallelujah,’ that’s my favorite song; that’s the heart of the album. And ‘O Holy Night’ is my favorite Christmas song.”
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She was also conscious of bringing a diversity of sounds, styles, genres and tempos to the project, because, according to Hudson: “There are different Christmases. Some years it’s a winter wonderland Christmas, it’s a big-band Christmas, it’s a North Pole Christmas with the reds and the greens and the candy canes for the kids, a ‘Jingle Bells’ type of Christmas. It can change through each year — which is why my album has a lot of variety in it, because it’s like: Is your Christmas the icicle Christmas? Is it a green Christmas? Is it a white Christmas? What type of Christmas do you want, baby?”
Hudson spoke with Katie & Keith from the set of The Jennifer Hudson Show, and she said it was her tightknit work family that was the original “inspiration towards why the time is now to do a holiday album. Our [show] theme is ‘Choose Joy.’ And on the Christmas album is the song ‘Let There Be Joy.’ So that’s what it’s all about, and that’s what I love to do. And the best gift and the best way I know to do it is through music. And it’s just a blessing to come in here every day and work with such beautiful people. And it’s like a party every day. We call it The Happy Place.”
The 15-song project also includes a half-dozen originals, all co-written by Hudson. Below, J-Hud breaks down the messages behind four of those brand-new holiday songs.
“Santa for Someone”
“My assistant inspired it because he he’s a scrooge. [Laughs] And I was like, ‘What is it about the holidays you don’t like?’ He’s like, ‘Getting gifts for everybody and trying to figure it out.’ So that’s where ‘Santa for Someone’ came from. Because we all can get frustrated looking for those gifts. Will we get it in enough time? Will we get them what they want? … I can’t think of too many men, like uncles and brothers, that are listening to ‘Jingle Bells,’ so how about I give them something to bop to throughout the holiday season? So I was trying to think of everyone, as we do during the holidays.”
“Find the Love”
“It meets the times that we’re in, and I feel like it’s a song that could be played throughout the year. … We’re in such a difficult time as a people, and it’s like, what unifies us? Music. We’re all human. We all have to go through a season no matter what — no matter if it’s the holiday season or life has seasons in itself. But that one thing that can bring us together on one accord is music, and that’s why the album is called The Gift of Love. And a song like ‘Find the Love’ is on there because it doesn’t just sit within the holiday season; it’s something you can carry throughout your life, and it can speak to you and it can speak to the times.”
“Make It to Christmas”
“‘Make It to Christmas’ is my son’s favorite song. It speaks to like, we all work all year, right? But we are waiting to get to the end of that tunnel, where the lights are red and green, to that holiday season, where we can go home at that one time of year and enjoy each other and our families.”
“Go Tell It on the Mountain”
“‘Go Tell It on the Mountain’ is for the mourners, those who may have lost. It’s kind of like a remake of that song, but from a personal perspective.”
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Also on the podcast, we’ve got chart news on how Taylor Swift spends a 17th week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with The Tortured Poets Department; how Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” nets a 16th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, tying “One Sweet Day” as her song with the most weeks atop the list; and how Sabrina Carpenter’s “Fruitcake” flies into the top 10 for the first time on the Billboard 200 with the single-largest sales week in the modern era for a holiday album on vinyl. Plus, Madonna announced new music with her longtime collaborator Stuart Price coming next year, and we’ll hear from the Queen of Pop’s biggest fan, Keith, about why this is especially exciting news.
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard’s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard’s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber are enjoying a wedding in Costa Rica, and have been sharing snaps of their tropical trip on Instagram. The “Love Yourself” singer took to Instagram on Monday (Dec. 16) to post a series of caption-less photos of from the vacation and wedding, including a number of selfies with Hailey, in […]
From making music to acting on screen, IU can seemingly do it all — and she commands unparalleled love and support from K-pop fans and the broader Korean music community. Her generation-spanning popularity was on display in 2024, when she dominated the charts. Her single, “Love Wins All,” climbed to the No. 1 spot on Melon’s TOP100 chart just an hour after its Jan. 24 release, becoming the second song to achieve this feat since the platform’s chart reform. The massively successful track led the weekly chart for four consecutive weeks, topped February’s monthly chart and on iChart achieved 339 perfect all-kills (the term describes when a song simultaneously tops iChart’s real-time, daily and weekly components).
The achievements helped propel IU to becoming Korea’s representative for Billboard’s Global No. 1 artist series. “It’s a bit humbling, a bit surreal, and honestly, it feels really special,” she says of the recognition.
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Her success extended to the road. Starting March 2, IU embarked on a 31-performance world tour that played shows in Japan, Europe and North America — and was attended by some half a million fans, a record for a Korean female solo artist. She followed four sold-out shows at Seoul’s KSPO Dome with a performance at Manila’s Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor venue, where she became the first Korean solo artist to headline.
On Sept. 21 and 22, IU held encore concerts at Seoul World Cup Stadium, becoming the first female artist to perform at the venue and drawing 107,000 attendees across two nights, which set the record for the largest concert engagement by a Korean solo artist and female artist in Korea.
What are the advantages and challenges of being a solo act in Korea’s music industry?
If I had to pick one challenge, it’s that there’s no one to share energy with onstage. Groups have distinct roles, which create a synergy that’s hard to replicate as a soloist. But on the flip side, I get to enjoy all the love and attention by myself. (Laughs.)
Many Korean artists are making waves on Billboard charts. In your opinion, what sets them apart?
There are countless strengths, but what stands out is how K-pop groups maintain their individuality while being deeply respected by their fans. As a K-pop listener myself, I see how each group’s unique identity is cherished and upheld, which makes them so special. Of course, the music is top-notch, but the visual elements and storytelling also define K-pop culture. For instance, the distinct characters and worlds that exist only onstage for groups are something I, as a soloist, sometimes envy. These unique traits captivate fans, offering an experience that engages the ears, eyes and heart. Ultimately, it’s this blend of individuality and fan support that makes Korean artists shine.
IU photographed for the Billboard Korea Global No. 1s Issue.
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Do you have any plans to collaborate with global artists?
In the past, I received many amazing offers, but the idea of collaborating with artists who spoke different languages felt daunting. I turned down those opportunities then, but I don’t feel the same way anymore. Now, I’m much more open to the idea of working with global artists.
You’re known for having a strong bond with your fans. What do they mean to you?
Initially, most of my fans were older than me — big sisters, older brothers and even uncle fans. At the time, I was a young solo artist without a solid footing, so I often felt cared for and protected by them. As I entered my mid-20s, fans my age became the majority. They resonated with my lyrics and music as peers, and we built a mutual understanding and grew together. Now, I have many younger fans, and I find myself wanting to support, encourage and nurture them. I see UAENA [IU’s fandom] and myself as having a steady, balanced relationship where we constantly exchange the best of what we can offer each other.
Why do you think you have such cross-generational appeal?
Without meaning to downplay myself, I think I appear relatively ordinary and less distinctive in my looks and personality compared to other remarkable stars in Korea. This might make me seem more approachable and relatable. Plus, Korea is a country with a lot of warmth, and I believe the support I’ve received reflects appreciation for my consistent hard work. Still, it’s fascinating that even teens connect with me these days.
You’ve encountered fans all over the world. Are there any memorable moments from your performances abroad?
It’s hard to pick just one, but Auckland [New Zealand] comes to mind. Their unique way of cheering made the entire experience unforgettable. Another standout was Jakarta [Indonesia], where the audience sang along to every song from start to finish. That level of enthusiasm left a lasting impression on me.
You’re often credited for both your meticulousness and flexibility. How do you balance these seemingly contrasting traits?
I feel like I’m constantly at a crossroads. You could say I’m flexible, or, less flatteringly, that I’m good at justifying things. (Laughs.) I’m naturally stubborn and like to plan everything thoroughly, but I’ve learned that things rarely go perfectly. Over time, I’ve practiced being more adaptable, and in doing so, I’ve figured out how to protect my mental well-being.
Beyond music, you’ve made your mark as an actor. What’s in store for 2025?
The drama I filmed throughout 2023, When Life Gives You Tangerines, will premiere on Netflix in 2025. It’s a project filled with the cast and crew’s hard work, and I’m excited to promote it. I’ll also be filming a new drama with a completely different vibe — glamorous and fun. Although I’ll be focused on acting for most of 2025, I’ve already started working on new music, so fans won’t have to wait too long for something fresh.
This week on the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, we have begun unveiling the top 10 of our Greatest Pop Stars of 2024 list — and already, we have some absolutely iconic artists with truly unforgettable 2024 runs to talk about, even in the lower stretches of this list. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard […]
12/17/2024
See our editorial staff’s list for the greatest artists from an all-time year in pop stardom, rolling out throughout December.
12/17/2024