Videos

21 Jul 2023

Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Big Freedia | Billboard

Big Freedia reveals five things you didn’t know about the rapper to Billboard.

Big Freedia:
Hey, this Big Freedia the Queen Diva, and here are five things you might not know about me.

I eat a lot of ice is one.

I have five dogs is another.

I grew up on Josephine Street in New Orleans. Central City.

My favorite kind of food is cabbage and cornbread. I love a good old smothered cabbage, honey. You can give me cabbage any day and I will devour it.

And the last thing that you might not know: I have a new collaboration with Black Opal with lashes and press-on nails and makeup. so be looking for it. You heard me!

Watch the full video above!

20 Jul 2023

Billboard’s Top 5 Songs of the Summer 2016 | Billboard News

Billboard looks back and counts down the top five songs that ruled the summer of 2016.

Rania Aniftos:
Hello, 2016! It was a hot one, and the music was just as sizzling. 2016 saw some bangers from Justin Timberlake, Sia and Calvin Harris. Let’s jump in with the No. 5 song belonging to the DJ of the moment, Calvin Harris. “This Is What You Came For” featuring Rihanna kicks us off at No. 5.

Our favorite mysterious songstress comes in at No. 4. Sia’s “Cheap Thrills” featuring Sean Paul is next on our top 100 songs of 2016.

The Chainsmokers burst onto the summer scene with their huge hit “Don’t Let me Down” featuring Daya to claim the No. 3 spot.

Justin Timberlake had a summer smash on his hands with the No. 2 song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” from the massive summer blockbuster Trolls.

And finally, the song you had stuck in your head all summer long. The No. 1 song of 2016 belongs to Drake and “One Dance” featuring Wizkid and Kyla.

More fun in the sun when we dive into 2017 next week.

20 Jul 2023

Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Jason Mraz | Billboard

Jason Mraz reveals five things you didn’t know about him to Billboard.

Jason Mraz:
Five things. They all sound like answers to those security questions. “What’s your mom’s maiden name? What was your pet’s first name? What street did you grow up on?”

Hi, I’m Jason Mraz, and these are five things you may not know about me. Do you know that I grow coffee? It’s true — FRINJ Coffee Company is the only California-grown coffee company in the United States.

I am a cat lover. No offense to dogs. I’ll stop and talk to a dog on the street. “What up, buddy?” In fact, I’m looking for dogs all day long. They’re the best thing about going out in the world. But if I have to share a flat, I’m sharing a flat with a cat.

That is who I’m at. No. 3: I am a certified yoga teacher. How about that? Let’s all take a deep breath together.

No. 4: I have played music on all seven continents on this green earth. That’s right. I once went to Antarctica and participated in a climate summit with many great thinkers and scientists, and I got to perform for penguins and big icebergs.

And No. 5: I have a tramp stamp. Not proud of it, but there you go. I highly recommend keeping it to yourself.

Alright everyone, thanks for tuning in.

19 Jul 2023

Loren Gray Gets Her Chart Read, Explains Quick Rise to Fame & More on Billboard’s ‘Reading the Stars’

Loren Gray chats with Billboard‘s Evan Burke about her astrological placements — which revealed her quick rise to fame — communication style and more in the first episode of Billboard‘s “Reading the Stars”!

Evan Burke:
I already noticed you have your Aries sign tattooed …

Loren Gray:
I do.

Evan Burke:
Right there on your finger.

Loren Gray:
I do, it was a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Evan Burke:
Oh yeah, well that is a very Aries thing to do.

Obviously, you know your sun sign, which is Aries. Are there certain things about Aries that you really identify with?

Loren Gray:
Definitely: Impatient.

Evan Burke:
Yeah.

Loren Gray:
I feel like I have a lot of fighting energy. I love being in charge. Like, I like being the leader in most situations.

Evan Burke:
Those are all huge Aries qualities. Aries is kind of a baby of the Zodiac. It’s the very first sign. There are times when Aries will maybe jump the gun a little bit and they’ll get passionate about it and go for it without, like, really thinking about it.

Loren Gray:
Yeah, that’s one of my flaws.

Evan Burke:
It’s OK. We have a whole chart to work with, so you’re not just Aries. The sun is who you are at your core deep down inside. The moon is who you are emotionally and so how you interact with the world and your feelings. And you’re a Cancer Moon.

Loren Gray:
Yes.

Evan Burke:
Cancer Moons feel all the feelings.

Watch the full video above!

19 Jul 2023

Jason Aldean Controversy, Usher Serenades Quavo’s Girl, Doja Cat’s New Music & More | Billboard News

Usher serenades Quavo’s rumored girlfriend during his Las Vegas Residency show. YG & Saweetie announce tour as they continue to spark dating rumors. Doja Cat vows to stop making music that is “palatable, marketable and sellable.” Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” has caused quite a controversy. CMT has pulled the video after the social media backlash it received and Sheryl Crow gives her unfiltered reaction to the track. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
We’ve got updates on the hottest Hip Hop and R&B concert. Doja Cat says she’s done making music that’s sellable. Jason Aldean’s music video gets pulled from the air. French Montana teaches us his favorite slang. We get astrological with Loren Gray, and we’ve got a major Latin Music Week announcement.

We’ve got a jam-packed show for you today. I’m Tetris Kelly for Billboard News. It’s Wednesday, July 19th and let me start by giving you a Hip Hop and R&B headline roundup. Doja Cat is committed to not making commercial music, Usher needs to be careful serenading Quavo’s girlfriend and YG and Saweetie are taking their rumored relationship on the road. Let’s talk about our superstars of Hip Hop and R&B.

Usher got in a lot of trouble after a viral clip with Keke Palmer caused drama with her and her baby daddy. So when Quavo and his reported new boo gymnast Erica Fontaine went to his Vegas residency Usher was careful.

Usher:
“And Quavo, I hope you don’t mind if I just serenade your lady. I’m just getting alright, you know what I’m saying?”

Tetris Kelly:
Speaking of Quavo’s ex, Saweetie is rumored to have moved on with YG and after being spotted in LA holding hands, they are making some big professional moves. They are joining Tyga on the Str8 To The Klub tour playing 14 arena shows starting September 21st.

After releasing ‘Attention’, Doja is doubling down on her sound in a new cover story for V magazine. She stated, “I’ve been making music that’s palatable, marketable and sellable. These upcoming projects are going to be very different. I am excited. I do not care if people are not.”

Watch the full video above!

19 Jul 2023

French Montana Reveals His Favorite Moroccan Slang | Billboard

French Montana reveals his favorite Moroccan slang while chatting with Billboard.

French Montana:
What up? What up? It’s your boy, Moroccan Montana today, and this is my three Moroccan slang.

[Speaking in Arabic] … that means “f–k off.”
[Speaking in Arabic] … that means “Go f–k yourself.”
[Speaking in Arabic] … that means “D–khead.”

Shout out to all my Moroccans. Respectfully.

Watch the full video above!

18 Jul 2023

Greta Van Fleet on Making Their Third Album ‘Starcatcher,’ Touring With Metallica & More | Billboard News

Greta Van Fleet talk about their thought process making their third album ‘Starcatcher,’ how they feel about doing tour dates with Metallica and more.

Josh Kiszka:
Jake, do you want to do the Greta Van Fleet? I’ll do the Billboard News.

Jake Kiszka:
Hello, we’re Greta Van Fleet!

Josh Kiszka:
Oh, I wasn’t ready.

Jake Kiszka:
All right, well, you tell me when you’re ready. Hello, we’re Greta Van Fleet…

Josh Kiszka:
…And you’re watching Billboard News!

Lyndsey Havens:
Hey, I’m Lyndsey Havens for Billboard News and we are here with Greta Van Fleet. What is up, guys?

Lyndsey Havens:
We’re here to talk about your stellar third album ‘Starcatcher’ out in July. Yes, stellar.

Josh Kiszka:
That’s a really appropriate term for an album called ‘Starcatcher.’

Lyndsey Havens:
When did you start talking about even making a third album? Like how do you know when it’s time?

Daniel Wagner:
The funny thing is, is we’re always moving on to the next Yeah, we’re actually about to start the next album as we speak.

Lyndsey Havens:
That’s why we brought you here today?

Josh Kiszka:
There are songs that go in and out of time for us. Some get shelved, and then you pick them up again, because they make sense for that thing that you’re looking for. And a lot of this stuff just comes about and spontaneously ends up on the record that we’re working on. The ‘Starcatcher’ record was something that we were working on about the time of the Strange Horizons tour.

Watch the full interview above!

18 Jul 2023

JC Chasez Talks Partnering With Meow Mix & Joining a Cat Boy Band | Billboard News

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

JC Chasez opens up about working with Meow Mix and joining their Cat Boy Band!

Shop Meow Mix here: https://amzn.to/475GZ6a

To learn more about this story: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jc-chasez-meow-mix-interview-nsync-musical-theater-1235373359/

JC Chasez:
I’ve never in a million years thought I would be in this situation, but when this whole thing came about, they’re doing this whole new campaign and it’s based around the ’90s. And they’re putting together their own cat boy band. So when they were kind of looking for references, that’s when I got involved. And as you can see, I like cats a bit. The song is iconic, and they do a little remix on it because they’re remixing the food as well. It’s been fun to kind of be a part of something like that.

Tetris Kelly:
Wait, wait, wait, wait… so you’re singing with a cat boy band?

JC Chasez:
Well, I don’t know how they’re gonna cut it together. I will say I’ve definitely sung along. I’ve done my share of singing along to this thing.

Watch the full clip above!

17 Jul 2023

Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Kevin Gates | Billboard

Kevin Gates reveals five things you didn’t know about him.

Kevin Gates
Hey what’s happening? For those who don’t know who I am, my name is Kevin Gates. And here are five things that you may not know about me.

Kevin Gates
I like black coffee in the morning.

I eat one meal a day.

I got a crazy workout routine, like really crazy.

I’m super into yoga and animals and nature — I guess that all go in the same category.

And you can look forward to seeing me on big and small screens, no kidding. It’s a big secret. It’s a secret.

17 Jul 2023

Ariana Grande & Dalton Gomez Divorce, Taylor Swift Makes Chart History & More | Billboard News

According to TMZ, Ariana Grande and her husband Dalton Gomez have been separated since January and are heading toward divorce. They tied the knot in May 2021. With ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ reaching No. 1, Taylor Swift achieves her 12th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and surpasses Barbra Streisand for the most chart-toppers among women. Drake goes on “The Really Good Podcast” and leaves the internet confused. And more!

Tetris Kelly:
Ariana Grande has reportedly separated from her husband Dalton Gomez. Taylor Swift is back on top of the charts. Drake gets interviewed in bed. Selena Gomez gets roasted on TikTok. We learn five things about Kevin Gates. And Carly Pearce goes Fishing for Answers.

Welcome back to a brand-new week of Billboard News. I’m Tetris Kelly, it’s Monday, July 17th. We do have to start today’s show off with a sad one.

Well, it’s time to say “Thank You, Next” for Ariana Grande as reports are saying the pop star is getting divorced. Hopefully, she will be still grateful for this ex. According to TMZ, Ari and her husband Dalton Gomez have been separated since January and are headed towards divorce. They tied the knot in May 2021. She did show up to Wimbledon over the weekend without her wedding ring, sparking the rumors. According to TMZ’s source, Ariana and Dalton have been thousands of miles apart since she started filming ‘Wicked’ in December but they were having problems even before that, adding that a few months back the two tried a reconciliation but it failed.

Watch the full video above!