Videos

Black History Month Spotlight: MVD Publicists Massah David & Miatta Johnson | Billboard News

For Black History Month, Billboard is celebrating by highlighting some of the greatest Black executives in music, and today we’re celebrating MVD publicists Massah David and Miatta Johnson.

The sibling duo, who are repping Liberia, founded the boutique creative agency MVD Inc. with the goal of amplifying Black storytelling, and they do it by producing and creating some of the most imaginative music industry events. You would recognize their notable work with Kanye West during some of his biggest listening parties and more. Their events always highlight the excellence in Black culture as shown when they produced the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective ceremony at Resorts World Las Vegas, where they honored John Legend and more. In just this year, the events saw them create beauty on Grammy weekend with stars packing in the elaborate soiree that was honoring Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey and more.

The pair has said, “Culture is our pulse and keeps us inspired.” And you inspire us, which is why this month we honor you!

Billboard Explains: NewJeans’ Fast Rise on the Charts

Narrator:
NewJeans is just getting started on the Billboard charts, but the K-pop group has made quite an entrance, and that’s why they are Billboard‘s Women in Music Group of the Year. This is Billboard Explains NewJeans’ fast rise on the charts.

In just a few short years, the girl group has dominated the Billboard charts with five songs on the Hot 100, all in 2023, including “Super Shy,” which peaked at No. 48, and “ETA” at No. 81 on the chart. They have also made a steady climb up the Billboard global 200 with three top 10 hits: “Super Shy,” “Ditto” and “OMG.”

And if that’s not enough, they charted a No.1 album on the Billboard 200 with their second EP Get Up. NewJeans has proven that they are here for the long haul and earned their group of the year honor.

Ayra Starr on Success of ‘Rush,’ Her First Grammy Nomination & More | Billboard News

Ayra Starr talks about the international success of her song “Rush,” becoming the youngest African female artist to surpass 100 million views on YouTube, getting her first Grammy nomination, her aspiration to be a teenage pop star, the growth of popularity of the Afrobeats genre and where she sees the future of the genre going and more!

Ayra Starr
I wasn’t here two years ago, now I’m doing an interview with Billboard.

Rania Aniftos
Fresh off the Grammys, girl.

Ayra Starr
Hello, I’m Ayra Starr and you’re watching Billboard News.

Rania Aniftos
Hey everybody, its Rania Aniftos with Billboard News and I am so excited. We have the Afrobeats queen herself in the studio today, Ayra Starr.

Ayra Starr
Hello!

Rania Aniftos
Welcome to the studio.

Ayra Starr
Thank you for having me. I’m excited.

Rania Aniftos
You were just nominated for your first-ever Grammy nomination. How did that feel?

Ayra Starr
Amazing. I had a great time at the Grammys. All the parties even before the Grammys, I was just like, oh, like, I’m at the Grammys. You can see me at the red carpets. I was having a good time. Let me tell you.

Rania Aniftos
Was there something that surprised you over the course of the week that you were like, I was expecting this, but this happened instead.

Ayra Starr
To be honest like anytime I come to LA, I’m always like indoors and never do anything and people like people know me, but people don’t really know me. They know my music, but they don’t know me. This time, every room I walked into: Ayra Starr! I was fangirling over the people who are fangirling over me, like, “You know me!” And it was the best thing.

Watch the full video above!

Billie Eilish vs. TikTokers, Madonna’s Fall, Peso Pluma’s Tour, J-Hope’s New Album | Billboard News

TikTok Star Bryce Hall responds to Billie Eilish’s comments on TikTokers being invited to the People’s Choice Awards. Madonna takes quite the fall while onstage in Seattle. Peso Pluma is going back on tour with over 35 shows. BTS fans rejoice: J-Hope announces a new album and a six-part documentary coming soon. And more!

Tetris Kelly
Billie Eilish gets caught talking about TikTokers and they respond. Madonna takes a tumble. J-Hope takes on Beyoncé. And Peso Pluma take his show on the road. We’ve been down with Ayra Starr and we find out who’s on the top of the Hot 100. I’m Tetris Kelly, welcome back to Billboard News after a long weekend. It’s Tuesday, February 20th, and we’ve got to start today’s show off with some Billie Eilish thoughts. Billie Eilish is confused as to why so many TikTokers were at the People’s Choice Awards in a viral video, and one of the app’s biggest creators is firing back.

Bryce Hall
I’m just gonna address this clip of Billie Eilish being disgusted that TikTokers were at the People’s Choice Awards. I was one of them.

Tetris Kelly
In the video circulating the Net, Billie Eilish is seen apparently saying, “There’s some, like, TikTokers here,” and looking confused — and listen, sometimes I too am at events and wondering how did I get in the presence of Billie Eilish? Should people from the ‘Tok be invited to the same carpets as A-listers? Well, Bryce Hall had words for his 24 million followers.

Bryce Hall
First off, Billie Eilish, I am so sorry that I didn’t acknowledge your greatness and bow down to you being another human being, here there it is and, second People’s Choice invited us.

Watch the full video above!

Hot 100 Chart Reveal: Feb. 24 | Billboard News

Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” breaks into the top 10, Kanye West and Beyoncé also get top 10 debuts for new songs “Carnival” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” respectively. Watch the video to find out which track is at No. 1.

Tetris Kelly:
This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated Feb. 24. Noah Khan brings “Stick Season” to the top 10, “Greedy” slips to No. 9, while “I Remember Everything” falls to eight and SZA’s “Snooze” is at seven.

“Cruel Summer” dips to six, last week’s No. 2 — “Lose Control” — is at five, as “Beautiful Things” is at No. 4.

Kanye West along with Ty Dolla $ign and friends grabbed the No. 3 spot with “Carnival.” Beyoncé debuts at No. 2 with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Jack Harlow holds off stiff competition and nabs a sixth week at No. 1.

Watch the full video above!

Black History Month Spotlight: President, Founder and CEO of Femme It Forward Heather Lowery | Billboard News

For Black History Month, Billboard is celebrating by highlighting some of the greatest Black executives in music, and today we’re celebrating, President, Founder and CEO of Femme It Forward Heather Lowery.

Heather Lowery
I’m Heather Lowery, the president, founder and CEO of Femme It Forward.

Heather Lowery
Femme It Forward is a female led entertainment company. Our mission is to celebrate, educate and empower women.

Tetris Kelly
Heather Lowery is a champion for women as president and CEO of Femme It Forward, she uplifts women in music and entertainment. Femme It Forward does everything from presenting concert experiences to honoring accomplishments in music with events like their pre-Grammy high tea.

Heather Lowery
The celebration of women and all the amazing things that we accomplished. Despite our challenges and circumstances. I just want you to know that we see you, we feel you, we breathe you and we are so proud of you.

Tetris Kelly
Heather also creates panels where women can share their ideas and experiences and Give Her Flowers an awards gala highlighting and celebrating outstanding women.

Heather Lowery
I just wanted to #GiveHerFlowers just to celebrate women and music and entertainment. And so now and it’s manifested into a whole night where we give awards to the women in the industry that are doing dope things.

Tetris Kelly
As a partner at Live Nation Heather has created multiple music events. Using those successes and her unique vision she paved her own way and the way for other women to by creating Femme It Forward.

Heather Lowery
I want you to know that you are worthy of celebrating all your wins. All of them big or small.

Tetris Kelly
Today we celebrate President, Founder, CEO and all-around queen Heather Lowery.

Prince Royce Talks New Album ‘Llamada Perdida,’ Being Vulnerable About Heartbreak & More | Billboard News

Prince Royce talks in depth about his new album Llamada Perdida with Sigal Ratner-Arias, deputy editor of Billboard Español. He explains why he wanted to name his new album Llamada Perdida, being vulnerable and open about his heartbreak while making it, what his favorite songs are, what he learned about himself while making Llamada Perdida, collaborations with Maria Becerra, Ala Jaza, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Luis Miguel Del Amargue, Gabito Ballesteros, Nicky Jam, Jay Wheeler and more.

Prince Royce:
These are very in depth questions.

Sigal Ratner-Arias:
Look at the happy face.

Prince Royce:
When I was young, my slogan was “live life smiling,” and that’s still my email signature. So I try to remind myself to smile. What’s up? It’s Prince Royce and this is Billboard News.

Sigal Ratner-Arias:
Hi, welcome to Billboard News. We’re here today with superstar Bachata singer Prince Royce, who brings us his album Llamada Perdida. Welcome, Prince Royce! Last night I listened to the 23 songs from your album Llamada Perdida. I loved it from start to end. Congratulations! I feel I got to know you …

Prince Royce:
Really?

Sigal Ratner-Arias:
A little better. I thought it was a very personal album, maybe the most personal one of yours. Do you think it is more personal?

Prince Royce:
Yes. I think that at a composition level, it’s very personal. I tried not to overthink the album, to have fun, add personality. There are very serious concepts, and at the same time, I find ways to, make a joke, or find the brighter things. This album comes after an album that came out during COVID. My last album Alter Ego came out in 2020. I did four shows, then tour was canceled. It was a strange moment because usually, you release an album and you have your plan. I recorded the album, tours and those things happened. I wasn’t recording much or writing. Many strange things happened in my personal life. It was definitely, a weird time the recording of this new album.

Watch the full video above!

Ariana Grande & Mariah Carey’s “Yes And ?” Remix, Met Gala Chairs Revealed & More | Billboard News

Ariana Grande remixes her Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Yes And ?” with her idol and iconic diva Mariah Carey, Dua Lipa is officially in “Training Season” with her latest drop, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and Chris Hemsworth will co-chair the 2024 Met Gala, Gunna drops his latest single “Bittersweet,” Billboard reporter Rania Aniftos breaks down the inside scoop about Jennifer Lopez’s latest project ‘This Is Me…Now,’ Karol G teams up with DJ Tiësto on their latest song “CONTINGO” and more!

Tetris Kelly
Some of the biggest names in music will co-chair the Met Gala. We take you inside J.Lo’s movie premiere. Jennifer tells us more about her possible last album. Prince Royce stops by our studio and our Friday music guide is chock full of divas.

Tetris Kelly
Happy Friday fam. I’m Texas Kelly for Billboard News. It’s February 16th and we’re starting today’s show off with our Friday music guy and it includes my favorite dynamic duo. Ariana and Mariah on a non holiday track it is still feels like Christmas to me. Come on whistle tones.

Tetris Kelly
We’ll have more new music throughout the show. But first let’s get into our top story. The first Monday in May is almost here and we know some famous faces we’ll definitely be seeing it this year’s Met Gala. Zendaya has been named one of the year’s co-chairs of the 2024 Met Gala. She’s no stranger to walking those famous stairs and with her recent ‘Dune: Part Two’red carpet show steal. There’s no surprise she’s top of the list. Bad Bunny is also one of this year’s co-chairs. He’s always the talk of the town when he attends the gala. This year, it’s in honor of the exhibit Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion. While the exhibit sounds Disney it actually refers to clothing so fragile it can ever be worn again, thus sleeping in the archives. Another Met Gala staple Jennifer Lopez is our final musical co-chair, fellow actor Chris Hemsworth rounds out the fantastic four co-chairs with his first ever Met Gala appearance. We can’t wait to see how they adhere to this year’s dress code the Garden of Time. Some other artists we’d love to see at the Met Gala: Beyoncé of course, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B always blow us away with their looks. The girls of BLACKPINK always shines. Maybe we can get some more K-Pop artists. Plus Ariana Grande, Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift will all be coming off of album releases and we’d love to see what kind of fashion they bring.

Watch the full video above!

Black History Month Spotlight: Super Producer & Music Executive Quincy Jones | Billboard News

For Black History Month, Billboard is celebrating by highlighting some of the greatest Black executives in music, and today we’re celebrating, Quincy Jones.

Quincy Jones
To get to work with almost every major influencer in America, you know from Louis Armstrong to Billy Eckstine, Ella, Sarah, Ray Charles, Aretha, Paul Simon, everybody.

Tetris Kelly
For Black History Month Billboard is celebrating by highlighting some of the greatest black executives in music, and today we’re celebrating Quincy Jones.

Tetris Kelly
The incomparable Quincy Jones is a staple in the music industry with 25 songs on the Hot R&B, Hip-Hop Songs chart, four of which reached No. 1, he’s won an Emmy, a Tony, a humanitarian Oscar and an insane 28 Grammys, making him one of only 25 people to achieve EGOT status. He has an incredible resume and over 70 years of musical memories to be proud of.

Quincy
Meeting Ray Charles was number one, playing with Billie Holiday at 14 years old at the Eagle auditorium. Played with Billy Eckstine, played with Cam Calloway…

Tetris Kelly 1:08
But it’s not just his own successes on his CV, some of the biggest legends in music have Quincy Jones to thank for their achievements. In 1961, Quincy became the director of A&R for Mercury Records. Three years later, he will become the vice president becoming the first African American to hold a top executive position at an American major record label. Quincy has worked with some of music’s greatest and is to thank for creating the Michael Jackson we know to this day.

Quincy Jones
Michael that was an accident. We did ‘The Wiz.’ And he said, because he helped me find a producers and Michael, you don’t even have the song and the picture yet. Let’s not only think about that, let’s get to the song when he asked me about the producer to see what he could do that hadn’t been done before. I was thinking about the reins of his voice and just that’s the stuff that you do like the architecture of production, you know.

Tetris Kelly
There’s no denying Quincy Jones has changed the entertainment game.

Quincy Jones
I’ve been so blessed to be able to contribute to how that changes is how we are represented and received. We’ve come a long way from the time when you need to see faces of color on TV.

Tetris Kelly
Today we honor the music Titan Quincy Jones

Kanye West Calls Taylor Swift & Beyoncé “Big Inspirations,” Sexyy Red Gives Birth & More | Billboard News

Kanye West posted a message on his social media seemingly praising Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Drake drops the video for his track “Rich Baby Daddy” where Sexyy Red is seen going into labor. Shakira announced her new album ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ is coming in March. Maná is Billboard Español’s newest cover stars! Fher Olvera sat down with Billboard’s Leila Cobo to talk through the band’s tour, writing their hit tracks, their new album and more!

Tetris Kelly
Kanye, Beyoncé and Taylor part 2 plus March music madness and a labor inducing music video, we break down the top songs on TikTok, Billboard ranks Bob Marley’s best songs. You have a chance to see a ILLENIUM at South by Southwest and we sit down with the lead singer of Maná for the cover of Billboard. Welcome back to Billboard News, I’m Tetris Kelly it’s Thursday, February 15th. There’s so much going on and we’ve only got so much time. So here’s three of the top stories for today. Now that Beyoncé has a new track eyeing the No. 1 spot and so does Ye. Swifties were aiming to support Beyoncé just the block the problematic rapper he posted about Tay, “She and Beyoncé are big inspirations to all musicians. We always say how both sell out tours and movies. Also, I’m sure I’ve been far more helpful to Taylor Swift career than harmful. To all Taylor Swift Fans. I’m not your enemy. I’m not your friend either though. lol.” I say all is fair in stan wars and I’m sure the best song will come out on top. Drake is used to topping the charts and he’s got the people talking with his new video for “Rich Baby Daddy” where Sexyy Red goes into labor.

Watch the full video above!