Videos

05 Jun 2025

Kendrick Lamar Leads BET Awards Nominations With ‘Not Like Us’: What to Expect From Awards Show | Billboard News

The BET Awards’ 25th-anniversary show takes place Monday, June 9, and we’re breaking what you can expect, including Kendrick Lamar’s 10 nominations, tributes to Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey, and more.

Are you excited for the BET Awards? Let us know in the comments.

Tetris Kelly: 

Kevin Hart, Tyla, Kendrick Lamar, Doechii and more will be at the culture’s biggest night. The BET Awards are turning 25 this year, and you already know they’re going to be showing out. Comedian Kevin Hart is back to host the show for the second time, bringing his quick comedic timing, likability and we hope a little playful celebrity roasting. This is Black Hollywood’s biggest night, celebrating the biggest and brightest in the culture. And with any BET celebration, the stars will be hitting the stage with some knockout performances. And this year’s lineup might be the best yet. We’re talking Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti, GloRilla, Leon Thomas and Teyana Taylor, each ready to blow the roof off the Peacock Theater. Oh, and you thought they were finished, nah. Hold up. Wait a minute, because that’s not all. This year’s show will also feature special tributes and appearances you don’t want to miss. Honorees include Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin and Mariah Carey, each being celebrated for their massive cultural impact. Speaking of the biggest, when it comes to this year’s nominations, living rap legend Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with a jaw-dropping 10 nods, including album of the year, best male hip hop artist, and video of the year for his smash hit diss track “Not Like Us.”

Keep watching for more!

05 Jun 2025

Ghazi Shami Accepts the Clive Davis Visionary Award From Olamide | Global Power Players 2025


Ghazi Shami accepts the Clive Davis Visionary award from Olamide at Global Power Players 2025.

Penske Media Corporation (which also owns Billboard) and film and production company MRC became investment partners of SXSW in 2021. Penske took majority ownership of SXSW two years later.

Mike Van:
Past years, the Clive Davis Visionary Award is usually presented at our Power 100 event before the Grammys. Yet due to the wildfires in L.A. this year, we were forced to cancel that event. As such, we could not go without presenting the award this year, and in many ways, this is an even more fitting room for the occasion given the incredibly bold vision of this year’s honoree. This remarkable leader has been making big bets around the world for years, investing in artists and executive talent from Africa to Asia to the Middle East and, of course, in the U.S., and making global waves. In the process, his company, Empire, has been part of 62 Billboard Hot 100 hits as an imprint or label, including Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song,” which tied the record as the song with the most weeks at No.1 in the Hot 100 as well as in history in last year, at 19 weeks. Empire has also been an imprint or label on eight top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and had a hand in distributing over 150 albums that have reached the Billboard 200 chart. To present this award, we’d like to welcome one of this year’s Global Power players and the founder of Nigeria’s most prominent record labels, YBNL nation. Please give it up for Olamide.

Olamide:
Thank you, Billboard, for having me today. Ghazi has partnered with YBNL for six years, and the Empire team has helped expand the global reach of not just YBNL artists, but music from African continent as a whole. Through its hard work and strong vision, Ghazi has shifted how artists and labels work together in true partnership. As Empire celebrates 15 years, we hope Ghazi and Empire team continue to set the bar for independent musicians globally. Thank you.

05 Jun 2025

Tems Accepts the Diamond Award From Yati Khumalo | SXSW London 2025  

Tems accepts the Diamond award from Yati Khumalo at SXSW London 2025.

Penske Media Corporation (which also owns Billboard) and film and production company MRC became investment partners of SXSW in 2021. Penske took majority ownership of SXSW two years later.

Yati Khumalo:
Created in partnership with the Botswana Investment and Trade Center, the Diamond Award represents the shared philosophy between the sustainable and ethical development of Africa’s mineral resources, which countries like Botswana have perfected, and our most noteworthy mainstream export — music. Generating more than $29.6 billion in revenue in 2024, music is the backbone of African culture, both on the continent and abroad. Alongside the Diamond Award, tonight’s winner will also receive an all-inclusive, curated tourism experience at Abercrombie and Kent travel group’s world renowned Chiefs Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

I’m so pleased to present this award to an artist who has been leading the vibe with authenticity, an unmistakable sound and an attitude of perseverance. Please join me in celebrating Nigerian singer-songwriter, producer, entrepreneur and the hit maker “Free Mind,” “Wait for You” and “Love Me JeJe,” Billboard and Billboard Africa‘s Diamond Award recipient, Tems.

Tems:
What an intro. Thank you so much. Thank you so much to Billboard. I’m really honored to be here to stand in front of so many beautiful people, so many, so many accomplished people. It’s an honor. It’s a great pleasure. And I really, really appreciate you.

05 Jun 2025

Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Kim Petras & More Gear Up for Festival Season | Billboard News

This is partner content.

This summer is packed with festivals, and we’re highlighting incredible stars such as Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Kim Petras and more, who will be bringing their hottest hits to the stage!

Tetris Kelly: 
The festival season is far from over, and as we gear up for the rest of the year, we’re breaking down three massive outings that you should have your eye on, presented by Amazon Prime. It’s Pride Month and Pride is bringing icons only to Washington, D.C., June 6 and 7. You can catch Paris Hilton and Kim Petras, Troye Sivan and Miss Jennie from the block, Jennifer Lopez. At the same time over in New York City, Benson Boone will be flipping his way into the Governors Ball, with a lineup that also includes Tyler, the Creator and Olivia Rodrigo. Olivia is a darling of festival season, as she is also headlining Chicago’s Lollapalooza. Tyler is making his way there as well, and on July 31 to Aug. 3, they will be joined by Doechii, Gracie Abrams and Sabrina Carpenter.

We will be following all the festivals all year long, so keep it locked at Billboard. 

03 Jun 2025

Jim Jones “Flu Game,” Starlito “Unblock Me” & More | Daily Visuals 6.3.25

It’s been a few months since Jim Jones dropped his eight studio album, At The Church’s Steps, and since then the man has been dropping visuals in support of the album on the regular and with the summer months officially here, Jones is looking to heat things up with more work for his day-one fans.

Dropping off a new video for the Trinidad James assisted “Flu Game,” Jim Jones leaves Harlem to take his talents to the Caribbeans where he kicks up some sand on the beach and ensures the warm weather doesn’t become too much to bare as he rocks all kinds of ice to keep him cool while politicking on the shore.

Elsewhere Starlito is finding out that the dating scene in 2025 is something else and in his clip to “Unblock Me,” the Nashville rapper takes it back to the days of Myspace and iPods to show how the digital era turned the dating scene upside down. It’s a digital zoo out there, b.

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Rated R, Amir Jackson, and more.

JIM JONES – “FLU GAME”

STARLITO – “UNBLOCK ME”

RATED R – “PRONTO LLEGARA”

AMIR JACKSON – “PUFF”

DONAE’O – “BOUNCE 25”

$NOT – “JUST HAVE PATIENCE”

SAINTE – “DORA”

DUCKWRTH – “JUNE 1ST”

HipHopWired Featured Video

03 Jun 2025

JoJo Siwa Talks Relationship With Chris Hughes, Her Sexuality, Rock Mafia & More | Billboard News 

JoJo Siwa takes us out to Priscilla’s and she shares her experience on Celebrity Big Brother U.K., her relationship with Chris Hughes, working with Rock Mafia on her new album, opening up about her sexuality, what fans can expect from her tour and more!

Tetris Kelly:
Well, I feel like I live the coolest life ever, because I’m just casually hanging in Burbank with JoJo Siwa. 

JoJo Siwa:
We’re locals. 

And this is Priscilla’s. So what is the story of this place? 

They have this blueberry vanilla coffee that became my favorite thing ever. 

OK so I wanna try. 

So what is really special about this? 

I would’ve never thought about blueberry and coffee. 

So strange, right? 

It’s awesome. 

But here’s what’s cool is it’s like, you can see all their coffee beans. The bean is what’s actually flavored. So the coffee bean is infused, essentially, with blueberry. It’s cooked, I think, in oil. I don’t know how they do it. And then it has a vanilla powder in it anyways, I’m on my-

What did you get? 

I’m on my English breakfast tea kick right now. 

Oh, Miss U.K. right now.

I’m missing my people over there.

From across the pond. You’re going on the 22-date tour. I mean, you’re not new to touring, but like, what’s gonna be different about this summer? 

I mean, I’m an adult now, which is crazy. There’s elements in this show that make it a lot different than just a typical concert. It’s been really fun. It’s been really fun to create it as it’s like, song, song, funny bit, song, song, dance moms reference song, song, Jojo the Bobo reference song, song, crowd interactions, there’s things from my life that people really like, quotes that I’ve said, half of them being with you- 

All the quotes being with me.

Keep watching for more!

02 Jun 2025

LL Cool J ft. The Overlordian “The Force,” Neek Bucks ft. Jadakiss “Break Down” & More | Daily Visuals 6.2.25

2025 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 1 - Day 2
Source: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty

Is it us or does there seem to be a resurgence of OG rappers from Hip-Hop’s golden era returning in 2025 with new work for the older heads to appreciate? After seeing the likes of Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Rass Kass return for the West Coast, LL Cool J has stepped up to represent for New York City and it sounds like the man is looking to show and prove he’s still a force to be reckoned with.

Linking up with The Overlordian for the visuals to “The Force,” Ladies Love Cool James takes his talents to Paree where he roams the streets of the city of love incognito as he rocks a Kanye-ish yellow face mask covered in rhinestones (diamonds maybe?) and spits his bars with a mug so mean that even that bright mask couldn’t hide his intensity. We’re surprised the man covered his moneymaker.

Back in the States, Neek Bucks and Jadakiss keep that New York vibe going and in their clip to “Break Down,” the two roll through the streets of NY with their respective crews before kicking it at a sports bar for a little R&R. 

Check out the rest of today’s drops and some joints you might’ve missed over the weekend including work from Hit-Boy, Big Hit and Dom Kennedy, Jim Jones and Yomel El Meloso, and more.

LL COOL J FT. THE OVERLORDIAN – “THE FORCE”

NEEK BUCKS FT. JADAKISS – “BREAK DOWN”

HIT-BOY, BIG HIT & DOM KENNEDY – “MONTE CARLO”

JIM JONES & YOMEL EL MELOSO – “LA NOTA”

OVERKAST. FT. VINCE STAPLES – “STRANGE WAYS”

BABY MONEY, G.T. – “ARMAGEDDON”

RICHIE RICH – “SQUIRREL”

FRISCO – “LOOK AT ME NOW”

HipHopWired Featured Video

02 Jun 2025

Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Countdown for June 7, 2025 | Billboard News

Will Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” take the No. 1 spot from Morgan Wallen?

Tetris Kelly:

This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated June 7th. “Beautiful Things” hangs on at No. 10. “Nokia” is up to No. 9, as is “Lose Control” to No. 8, “Die With a Smile” to No. 7, and “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” to No. 6. “Luther” is still at No. 5. Morgan’s “I’m the Problem” slips to No. 4, as does “Just in Case” to No. 3, and “What I Want” to No. 2. But grabbing his first week at No. 1 is Alex Warren with “Ordinary.” If you want more Billboard, make sure you hit the subscribe button and ring the bell to be notified on all our latest videos.

02 Jun 2025

Cynthia Erivo Gets Real About ‘Wicked: For Good,’ Coming Out & New Album ‘I Forgive You’ | Billboard Cover

Billboard cover star Cynthia Erivo is gearing up to release her new album, ‘I Forgive You.’ The actress and singer shares insights into how she created the album and discusses the differences between filming ‘Wicked’ and ‘Wicked: For Good.’ She also opens up about her queerness, the role ‘The Color Purple’ played in her journey of self-discovery, and her experiences performing on renowned stages such as Coachella and The Kennedy Center and more!

What was your favorite part of the interview? Let us know in the comments!

Stephen Daw:

Well, thanks for sitting down for this, Cynthia, I really appreciate it. I’m so excited to talk to you. First things first: Congratulations on your new album. I’ve been listening to it pretty much on repeat since they sent it to me. This is your second studio album. You put out ‘Ch. 1 Vs. 1’ back in 2021 and I know that you’ve talked a little bit about how you know you weren’t 100% satisfied with that process. Can you tell me a little bit about why that was?

Cynthia Erivo:

Well, most of it was made in the pandemic, which meant that I was apart from my producer, and though I worked with a lot of producers and a lot of writers, it was never — and they were all so lovely, and I had such a great time with each one of them — but they had different sounds, different things that they brought to it, and it didn’t feel like it was one uniform story. And it never quite felt like it was mine. This time, I felt like I could really sort of hone in on what it is that I wanted with one person, so that we could really create a sound that felt uniform to the whole thing, that felt like it was mine. I could create something that belonged to me. Yeah, that’s why it felt very, very different. 

And I know that you’ve talked in past interviews about, you know, maybe with the first album, you weren’t necessarily with the team that you’re with now, you weren’t necessarily with the right people.

Keep watching for more!

30 May 2025

Kehlani, Meghan Moroney & More Share Who They’d Party In Vegas With | Billboard News

Tetris Kelly & QTCinderella were at the AMA’s on the red carpet, and they asked Kehlani, Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, Becky G and more who they’d want to party in Vegas with.

Who would you want to spend 24 hours in vegas with? Let us know in the comments!

Tetris Kelly:

We’re in Vegas. If you’re going out with anybody tonight, you can pick one person to hit the streets with. Who are you taking? 

Shaboozey: Man, I’ll probably take Morgan Wallen. 

Okay. That’s gonna be a night.

QTCinderella: You would have to go. I think you might have to leave Vegas for that one. I don’t know Sin City. I don’t know if that’s God’s country.

Kehlani: Oh, my God. Bruno Mars, I watched this compilation video of him yesterday, of him purposely answering all the interview questions hilariously. And I think he’s hysterical. I would love to have a crazy 24 hours. 

Two Friends: I think someone that would be able to, like come on stage and do a couple songs with us. I think Eminem would be cool. 

Tetris Kelly: What?!

QTCinderella: That’s incredible. 

Two Friends: He hasn’t done really anything EDM. Eminem, if you’re watching this, let us know. 

Tommy Richman: I mean, people here, I’m trying to meet Janet Jackson, for real. I’m trying to, you know, get a number, make a song with her, man. 

Mark Manio & Scott Hoying: Lady Gaga, she’s my favorite. Beyonce. I mean, Ariana, Ariana, it’s just a super group of girls. It would be so cool. 

Tetris Kelly: Power group of girls, love that. 

Megan Moroney: I mean, I’d probably go with my girl, Lainey.

Keep watching for more!