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Tate Kobang and Lourdiz are officially Billboard Hot 100-charting artists. Both musicians earn their first career entries on the latest Dec. 23-dated chart, thanks to their featured appearances on Nicki Minaj’s new LP, Pink Friday 2. The set’s “RNB,” featuring Lil Wayne and Kobang, debuts at No. 80 on the Hot 100, led by 7.2 […]
Kanye West failed to drop his collaborative album Vultures with Ty Dolla $ign this past Friday (Dec. 15), but his spokesperson told Billboard that he has a new release date. The elusive album will arrive Dec. 31 on New Year’s Eve. Vultures has been the talk of the genre these last few weeks, considering West’s controversial […]
Nicki Minaj has a big week on Billboard’s charts thanks to the arrival of her new LP, Pink Friday 2.
The set, released Dec. 8 via Young Money/Cash Money/Republic Records, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (dated Dec. 23) with 228,000 equivalent album units earned in its opening week, according to Luminate. It’s the rapper’s third leader, after 2011’s Pink Friday and 2012’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.
As the new album opens at No. 1, Minaj also debuts 14 songs from the set on the Billboard Hot 100. Here’s a recap:
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Hot 100 Rank, Title:
No. 26, “Everybody,” feat. Lil Uzi Vert
No. 34, “Needle,” feat. Drake
No. 42, “FTCU”
No. 58, “Barbie Dangerous”
No. 60, “Are You Gone Already”
No. 63, “Let Me Calm Down,” feat. J. Cole
No. 64, “Beep Beep”
No. 73, “Big Difference”
No. 74, “Fallin 4 U”
No. 80, “RNB,” feat. Lil Wayne & Tate Kobang
No. 82, “Pink Friday Girls”
No. 87, “Cowgirl,” feat. Lourdiz
No. 89, “Pink Birthday”
No. 95, “Bahm Bahm”
(Three other tracks on Pink Friday 2 previously charted on the Hot 100: “Super Freaky Girl,” which debuted atop the chart in August 2022, becoming Minaj’s third No. 1, and first in a lead role; “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” which was No. 13, this March; and “Last Time I Saw You” at No. 23 in September.)
The 14 debuts bring Minaj’s total to 147 career Hot 100 entries — the most ever among female rappers. She passes Lil Baby and Kanye West for the sixth-most overall in the chart’s 65-year history, after Drake (up to 328, thanks to his feature on “Needle”), Taylor Swift (232), the Glee cast (207), Lil Wayne (186) and Future (168).
Minaj also lifts her career count to 73 top 40 Hot 100 hits, the fifth-most after Drake (202), Taylor Swift (138), Lil Wayne (88) and Elvis Presley (81).
Thanks to their featured appearances on the album, Tate Kobang and Lourdiz also score their first Hot 100 hits.
As Pink Friday 2 includes prominent samples on nine of its 22 tracks, several former Hot 100 hits are reintroduced to the chart in a new form, including Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over,” a No. 29 hit in 2019, via “Are You Gone Already,” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (No. 2, 1984; “Pink Friday Girls”). Other samples include Notorious B.I.G. and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “Notorious Thugs” (on “Barbie Dangerous”), Junior Senior’s “Move Your Feet” (on “Everybody”) and Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” (on “My Life”).
As per usual, it’s been a busy week in the world of hip-hop and R&B. With exactly one week to go before Christmas, the worlds of hip-hop and R&B extended their stay in Gag City. Nicki Minaj — who recently clinched her historic third Billboard 200 chart-topper — dropped off another version of Pink Friday 2, this time featuring collaborations with 50 Cent (“Beep Beep”) and Monica and Keyshia Cole (“Love Me Enough”).
The “Super Freaky Girl” rapper also dominated the news cycle with a pair of iHeartRadio Jingle Ball performances, a record-breaking stream with Kai Cenat, and her decision to brush off Kanye West‘s request to clear her beloved “New Body” verse for his and Ty Dolla $ign’s imminent Vultures album. Speaking of Vultures, that album never arrived. Nonetheless, we were treated to new LPs from Bas and YTB Fatt, as well as the highly-anticipated Color Purple soundtrack, which features new original songs by Halle Bailey, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Coco Jones, H.E.R., Megan Thee Stallion, Missy Elliott, Shenseea and more.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop. From A$AP Twelvyy’s heart-warming A$AP Mob reunion to Madison Ryann Ward’s gorgeous amalgamation of gospel and acoustic R&B, get into these six new picks and be sure to check out the rest of our recs in the Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Fantasia, “Superpower (I)”
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There was simply no way to bring The Color Purple from Broadway to the silver screen without a show-stopping new end-credits song. Leave it to Fantasia and The-Dream to deliver that and then some with their rousing “Superpower (I).” Anchored by ethereal strings and the driving melodies of Negro spirituals, Fantasia croons lyrics that beautifully capture the arc and triumph of both Celie and herself. “I pray you see past my scars/ And assumе all the joy inside/ We all got our own mountains to climb/ Wе’ll take our time goin’ down the sweeter side,” she sings. Known and beloved for her powerhouse vocals, Fantasia plays with her dynamics here, carefully oscillating between soft coos and levee-breaking belts that add new layers of intention and storytelling to The-Dream’s lyrics.
A$AP Twelvyy feat. A$AP ANT, A$AP Rocky & A$AP Ferg, “Yams Day”
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For this loving tribute to A$AP Yams — the late New York rapper who formed A$AP Mob — four of the collective’s brightest stars team up for three minutes of tender nostalgia. Built around a sample of DJ Zirk’s “Ana 4 Ya Hoez,” “Yams Day” draws from the same Southern hip-hop influences that inform Rocky’s sound. The track is the first of five new tracks on the deluxe version of Twelvyy’s Kid$ Gotta Eat and it aptly functions as both a memorial and a victory lap. Between Rocky’s refrain and Ferg’s hook — not to mention the strong verses from Ant and Twelvyy — “Yams Day” captures the beautiful synergy of A$AP Mob, one that feels renewed after some time to heal from Yams’ passing.
Fivio Foreign & 41, “Get Deady”
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Brooklyn rap trio 41 has enjoyed a breakout year in 2023, and they’ve capped off their run with a new Fivio Foriegn collaboration. Steeped in both acts’ Brooklyn drill sound, each rapper delivers a high-octane, punchline-ridden verse over a skittering beat courtesy of AyoAA, Lawyered Beats & Verbxse. “Like, okay, who tryna cyph’?/ Who tryna smoke on a body tonight?” Kyle Richh quips. The chemistry among 41’s members remains palpable (just check out the gusto that namedropping TaTa brings to the end of Jenn’s verse), but their ability to showcase their idiosyncrasies while holding space for Fivio’s dynamism is what really makes this track such a winner.
X4, “Call My Bluff”
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For his latest release of the year, LA rapper X4 opts for ominous synths and laid-back finger snaps to provide the foundation for “X4,” a brooding invitation for his opps to, well, call his bluff. The texture of X4’s voice is what elevates the track, equal parts whispery and hoarse, his tone is a stark contrast to gruff growling that’s currently dominating hip-hop on the other side of the country. He sounds unfazed on “Call My Bluff,” almost purposely monotone. In a way, his delivery underscores the mundanity of the scenes he raps about, and who are we to call his bluff?
Madison Ryann Ward, “Calling My Name”
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With a delicate timbre that recalls Yebba’s, Madison Ryann Ward unleashes an unbelievably tender amalgam of acoustic R&B, gospel, and pop. Her saccharine melodies immediately lodge themselves in your ear, but it’s her fluttery harmonies — ones that find her warping her malleable head voice — that add some intricacies to the melody’s broad strokes. Of course, there are also the lyrics: heartfelt couplets that exalt God and thank Him for being a constant presence in her life. The chorus interpolates portions of “Amazing Grace,” which pairs nicely with the apprehension and self-doubt that courses through her verses: “Help me with my unbelief/ This gonna preach, say I’m forgiven and free/ This is another degree, who, me?/ You really talkin’ to me?” she croons.
Bas feat. Blxckie & A$AP Ferg, “U-Turn”
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The late-night driving crowd is a silent but mighty segment of music listeners, and Bas may have just gifted them their newest anthem. Assisted by South African rapper Blxckie and A$AP Ferg in his second appearance in this week’s column, Bas coasts over mOma+Guy’s luscious production with inimitable sensual swagger. The smooth Afrobeats-inflected beat soundtracks his ode to spinning the block on a lover that you just can’t get out of your head and heart. While he’s present throughout the track, Bas doesn’t have a verse of his own, making “U-Turn” not just an enjoyable song, but also a deft showcase of his curatorial abilities.
Houston legend Scarface NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert arrived on Monday (Dec. 18), and the artist punched in an impressive six-song medley. FaceMob performed a half dozen classics ranging from “My Block,” “Smile” and Geto Boys’ “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” alongside his band and longtime producer Mike Dean. He paid homage to his Geto Boys […]
Bay Area rapper E-40 talks with Carl Lamarre — Billboard‘s deputy director of R&B/hip-hop — about his new album Rule of Thumb: Rule 1, collaborating with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Gucci Mane and Too Short on the album, almost working with Nipsey Hussle, his favorite memories of Tupac, his entrepreneurship side hustles such as his cookbook with Snoop Dogg and more!
Carl Lamarre:Happy birthday, brother E-40!
E-40:Thank you. Appreciate it, brother.
Carl Lamarre:We have these complimentary birthday shots — any word you want to say.
E-40:I ain’t above you.
Carl Lamarre:I ain’t above you.
E-40:I ain’t below you.
Carl Lamarre:I ain’t below you.
E-40:But I’m right beside you …
Carl Lamarre:But I’m right beside you.
E-40:Cheers, playa.
Carl Lamarre:Cheers, playa playa!
What’s really going on, y’all? I’m Billboard Deputy Director of R&B/Hip-Hop, Mr. Carl Lamarre, and we are here with brother E-40. How are you? How are you feeling overall, man?
E-40:I feel good, man. I really feel good. I’m happy. I’m in a happy space. God is great.
Carl Lamarre:This year … 50 years of hip-hop. You’ve been celebrating a lot of wins, but I’m just curious: Overall, what does 50 years of hip-hop mean to you?
E-40Um, it means everything. They didn’t think to get this far, you know? Now it’s the No. 1 genre of music. Hip-hop, man, you see it in commercials, you see it in movies, you see it everywhere. It’s all related to sports and entertainment, and from the urban community. And look at it now! It even became even suburbian — it’s everywhere like air. You can’t get away from it, man! Fifty years — shoutout to … Kool Herc and the founders of hip-hop. Thank you!
Watch the full interview above!
In the span of just two years, RIOTUSA has become one of the industry’s in-demand producers — thanks to his hitmaking prowess with friend and best new artist Grammy nominee Ice Spice.
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RIOT, who started making beats at 10 years old on GarageBand, began producing songs with Ice Spice in 2021. Then the dynamic duo hit the ground running the next year with the TikTok-trending drill song “Munch (Feelin’ U).” Co-signed by Drake, the single was later certified gold. Next to arrive was Ice Spice’s 2023 EP Like..? Executive produced by RIOT, the project peaked at No. 5 on Billboard‘s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It also spun off two more hits, “In Ha Mood” and “Gangsta Boo” featuring Lil Tjay, the latter of which became Ice Spice’s first Hot 100 entry.
The creative rapport between RIOT and Ice Spice has since yielded several more Hot 100 success stories. Those include Taylor Swift’s “Karma” remix featuring Ice Spice (No. 2) and co-written by RIOT as well as the RIOT-produced “Princess Diana” by Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj (No. 4). RIOTUSA also produced Ice Spice and Minaj’s second teaming on “Barbie World” with Aqua from Barbie: The Album. Debuting at No. 7 on the Hot 100 and also claiming No. 1 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart, the song is a current Grammy nominee in two categories: best rap song and best song written for visual media. “Karma” is also a best pop duo/group performance nominee.
New York native RIOTUSA, who signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music this past summer, joined Billboard for a conversation on Threads. Here are some soundbites from the live Q&A session on Dec. 13.
On what his music appearing on the Billboard charts means to him and his career:
“It’s a blessing fr (for real). Billboard helped me understand how big the records I work on really are. It reminds you [that] hard work pays off. When I saw I was the No. 1 rap producer, I felt honored and grateful.”
On how he and Ice Spice met:
“We met in school [State University of New York Purchase] back in 2019. We had mutual high school friends and started hanging in the same circles.”
On what it’s like recording with Ice Spice in the studio:
“It’s a fun time because she really be saying how she feels in that moment … from picking out vibes or punching in lyrics on the spot.”
On working with Nicki Minaj for “Princess Diana” and “Barbie World”:
“Nicki is a legend, icon. She was so cool in person and welcomed me into her creative space. When I found out she was getting on ‘Princess Diana,’ I knew it was lit. But then finding out about ‘Barbie World’ with Ice too? I was like nah, this is New York City.”
On his other music idols and inspirations:
“Drake, Pop Smoke, Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Tyler, the Creator, Young Thug, Ye.”
On some of the artists he’s currently working with:
“Ken [Carson], Lil Yachty, Scheck Wes.”
On what fans just discovering his music should know about him and expect from future releases:
“Fans should know I produce and record too, so look out for my music. Also look out for new classics with Ice in 2024. We’re working on her debut album as we speak.”
E-40 has been enjoying a fistful of wins on hip-hop’s 50th birthday. Not only has he visited the White House, including a recent trip this week to see President Biden, but he’s also had a street renamed after him and released his newest cookbook, Goon With the Spoon, with his West Coast brethren Snoop Dogg.
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“It’s always good to have additional revenue streams,” 40 told Billboard as he also boasts a spirit line titled Earl Stevens Selection and his multi-flavored ice brand Goon With a Spoon. “You want your checks here and there. You want your wire deposits here. You wanna make money from all over the place. You gotta have octopus arms in this game. That’s one thing about me: I’ve always been in that mold. From selling tapes out of the car, I’ve been an entreprenaire. It’s entrepreneur and millionaire all in one.”
Despite his various wins across the business sector, 40’s passion for hip-hop remains sky-high, as proven by the release of his new album Rule of Thumb, Rule 1. The project is the first of a two-part release, with the second offering dropping in 2024. The first collection includes features from Gucci Mane, Larry June, Too Short and YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
“He’s an old soul,” 40 says of YoungBoy, who is featured on “Get My Life Right.” “He’s been there before. That’s a deep, young man. I always liked him. Birdman hit me one day and was like, ‘Hey, YoungBoy wants you on one of his songs.’ He sent it to me, we connected, and I knocked out one for his album.”
40 also spoke on his friendship with the late Nipsey Hussle and how he was initially supposed to on the Victory Lap standout “Grinding All My Life.” “He didn’t tell me when he needed it back. Next thing you know, I was like, ‘Oh man. This one of them ones too.’ Sometimes I’ll say, ‘When you need it back?’ We didn’t even discuss it. He just sent it. Next thing you know, he put a ticket to the face. I was like, ‘Damn.’ But, man, I miss Nipsey. He was really a good dude. He always showed me respect. He really patterned his hustle after mine. I really miss him and I think he would have really made an impact in rap right now if he was still living.”
Watch E-40’s full interview with Billboard.
Cardi B took to Instagram Live on Friday (Dec. 15) to open up about her recent split from Offset. “This motherf—er really likes to play games with me at my most vulnerable time. When I’m not the most confident,” a teary-eyed Cardi said to her followers in a video captured by The Neighborhood Talk. “He likes […]
For this year’s update of our ongoing Greatest Pop Star by Year project, Billboard is counting down our staff picks for the top 10 pop stars of 2023 all this week. At No. 2, we remember the year in SZA — who had the best 12 months of her career and confirmed herself as one of the inner-circle stars of 2020s pop music.
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When SZA’s SOS closed out 2022 with record-breaking stats — 318,000 units earned first week, the biggest streaming week ever for an R&B album, and (eventually) ten non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart — that moment seemed like the climax of a years-long campaign for the Grammy winner’s sophomore studio album. If anything, it turned out to actually just be the warning shot for an even more dominant 2023.
Billboard’s Greatest Pop Stars of 2023:Introduction & Honorable Mentions | Rookie of the Year: Peso Pluma | Comeback of the Year: Miley Cyrus | No. 10: Drake | No. 9: Doja Cat | No. 8: Bad Bunny | No. 7: Olivia Rodrigo | No. 6: Karol G | No. 5: Morgan Wallen | No. 4: Ice Spice | No. 3: Beyoncé
The Grammy winner entered this year still basking in the glow of SOS’ chart takeover. “Kill Bill” was essentially glued to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, while several album tracks – including “Blind,” “Love Language” and “Low” — were gaining traction on TikTok, and “Shirt” was still blowing through the competition at R&B/hip-hop radio, where it eventually peaked at No. 1. The early love for myriad selections from the 23-song set would soon give way to another year-defining hit single by the time the summer drew to a close.
Courtesy of RCA Records
Courtesy of RCA Records
But before that, by February, SZA had already gone back to dropping new music — this time assisting Lizzo with her “Special” remix. While the track was far from a major hit, it did reach No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay late in the year, making for a pleasant full circle moment, considering Lizzo helped honor SZA with her Billboard woman of the year award in March. The duo’s personal friendship and professional partnership was set to continue with co-headlining slots at Made In America, but the show – like a number of hip-hop festivals this year – was ultimately called off.
Nonetheless, SZA still dazzled on the road in 2023, visiting the U.S. and Europe on her 54-date headlining arena tour. Complete with cinematic interludes, explosive choreography and innovative props, the SOS Tour found SZA blooming into a top-shelf pop star with each new date. From February to October, she trekked across the globe, bringing out surprise guests such as Cardi B, Phoebe Bridgers, Sexyy Red, Travis Scott, Lizzo, Lil Baby and Summer Walker along the way.
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By April, a Doja Cat-blessed remix of “Kill Bill” helped vault the song to No. 1, becoming SZA’s first Hot 100 chart-topper and cementing its status as one of the year’s defining pop songs. Around that time, “Snooze” was getting ready for its moment in the sun. The song had been swirling around on TikTok for months, and its consistent streaming presence would ultimately keep it on the Hot 100 for an entire year, but the combined efforts of radio’s complete embrace and a star-studded music video (featuring the likes of Young Mazino and Benny Blanco) lifted the song to new heights. Justin Bieber – who also appeared in the music video – later guested on the acoustic “Snooze” remix, helping the track reach its ultimate Hot 100 peak of No. 2.
The summer months found SZA blessing some of her peers with hits, and, in doing so, she solidified her spot as the year’s resident hitmaker. In July, she gifted Travis Scott a standout verse on “Telekinesis,” which helped the song become an instant fan-favorite from Utopia, spending 11 weeks on the Hot 100 without an official single release. September brought on “Slime You Out,” a much-derided duet with Drake that still debuted atop the Hot 100 — thanks, in large part, to SZA’s commercial dominance. That much was proven the following month, when “Rich Baby Daddy,” a collaboration with Drizzy and Sexyy Red, emerged as the breakout hit and standout track on his For All the Dogs album. How could it not be SZA’s year when some of the biggest stars in contemporary pop music are running to her to guarantee a hit?
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To close out the year, SZA emerged from Grammy nominations morning with a whopping nine nods – the most of any artist this year, and a cool bookend to her artist of the year snub at the VMAs back in September. With nods across three different genres and recognition in album, record and song of the year, SZA’s Grammy nominations haul served as the perfect encapsulation of just how towering and ubiquitous she was a cultural figure and hitmaker this year. On Billboard’s Year-End charts, she boasts the No. 3 album of the year and the No. 3 (“Kill Bill”) and No. 9 (“Snooze”) songs of the year – the only artist with two unaccompanied solo entries in the Year-End Hot 100 top 10.
Truthfully, there’s only one pop star who can hold a candle to SZA’s dominance this year – and you probably already know exactly what their name is. The difference with SZA, however, is that she did it all without ever giving off the largely calculated, pre-scripted feeling that so often characterizes a run like that one she’s on with SOS. She moved at her own pace and reaped unbeatable dividends.