Music News
From GloRilla to Latto, What’s Your Favorite Hip-Hop Song of 2022? Vote!
It’s been a banner year for hip-hop and Billboard recently rounded up our critics’ picks of the genre’s 15 best tracks of 2022. But now that we’ve run through our favorites, we want to know which hip-hop song you loved the most. The past twelve months have seen newcomers like GloRilla and Ice Spice explode onto the scene and rising stars like Latto finally break through, while hitmakers such as Kendrick Lamar, DJ Khaled, Cardi B and more continued to successfully crank out smash singles and fan-favorite album cuts. In fact, not one but two tracks by GloRilla have landed in Billboard‘s top 10 picks of the year — “F.N.F. (LET’S GO),” her debut release, at No. 1 and its Cardi B-assisted follow-up “Tomorrow 2” at No. 6. Lamar is another artist who delivered multiple hits this year: “N95” and “...
SZA Debuts 20 Songs From ‘SOS’ on Hot 100, Rules Artist 100 for First Time
SZA debuts a whopping 20 songs from her sophomore LP SOS, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated Dec. 24), including two in the top 10. The set launches at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking her first leader and sparking her first week atop the Billboard Artist 100 ranking. SOS arrives at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 318,000 equivalent album units earned, according to Luminate. That’s the seventh-largest one-week total of the year and the second-biggest among R&B albums, after only the first week of Beyonce’s Renaissance (332,000, Aug. 13). SZA scores her third Billboard 200 entry after her debut LP, Ctrl, reached No. 3 in 2017 and EP Z peaked at No. 39 in 2014. Of the 23 tracks on SOS, 20 debut on the Hot 100, including two in the top 10: “Kill Bill” (No. 3) and “Nobod...
Xman Xmas: Ed Christman’s Christmas Classics, Deep Cuts & Oddities
Christmas is a time for music and memories. In that spirit, this playlist is an excerpt from Ed Christman‘s yesteryear Xman Xmas mixtapes, compiled circa 1986-1988. The Xman XmasTape Ed Christman Encompassing well-known classics by Burl Ives and Bobby Helms, long-lost gems (e.g. The Gems’ “Love for Christmas”) and surreal oddities such as Edd “Kookie” Byrnes’ “Yulesville,” here are some Christmas classics to revisit and deep cuts to discover. In particular, Christman, Billboard senior editor/analyst, would like to call your attention to Dean Martin’s reference of Rudolph as “Rudy, the red-beaked reindeer.” Andy Williams, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” The Crystals, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt Kickers, “Monster’s Holiday” The Trashmen, “D...
Rick Anderson, The Tubes Bassist, Dies at 75
The Tubes has lost another member. Rick Anderson, bassist and founding member of the San Francisco rock band, died at 75 on Dec. 16, the group shared in a statement on social media. “We lost our brother on 12/16/22,” the band captioned a series of photos on Sunday (Dec. 18). “Rick brought a steady and kind presence to the band for 50 years. His love came through his bass. RIP.” The statement did not offer any additional details regarding Anderson’s death, which comes after the April passing of Re Styles, who sang with the group. The Tubes formed on March 22, 1972, in San Francisco, and was the combined forces of two Phoenix bands that came from the city to California in 1969. The first band, called The Beans, included Anderson as well as other members Bill Spooner, Vince Welnick and Bob Mc...
JoJo Siwa Claims She Was Used ‘for Clout’ After Avery Cyrus Split: ‘I Got Played’
Trouble is brewing for JoJo Siwa and ex-girlfriend Avery Cyrus. The former Dance Moms star recently claimed that she had been “used” for internet fame by someone she thought she was “in love” with, harsh words presumably aimed at Cyrus, who revealed only days prior that she and Siwa had broken up after dating briefly. On Monday (Dec. 19), JoJo’s mom Jessalynn Siwa posted a video to her own Instagram Stories of her daughter talking heatedly. In the video, the “Boomerang” singer paces back and forth as Jessalynn asks, “Why are you mad?” “Because I got used!” JoJo responds. When asked by her mom what exactly she was used for for, JoJo keeps going. “For views and for clout,” she continues, still pacing, though never naming Cyrus. “I got tricked into being told I was loved and I got f–king...
‘Almost Famous’ to Close on Broadway in January
The musical stage adaptation of Almost Famous will play its final Broadway performance on Jan. 8, the production announced Monday (Dec. 19). The musical, an adaptation of Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film, began previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Oct. 3 and opened on Nov. 3. This is the latest Broadway show to announce its closure, following KPOP, which closed on Dec. 11, two weeks after opening, and Ain’t No Mo, which received a closing notice, but is now extended through Dec. 23 after the production and celebrities backers rallied around the show. The closing notices come as tourism remains down in New York and as Broadway shows grapple with higher running costs and changing audience behavior. Almost Famous also rece...
Justin Bieber Claims H&M Released Merch Collection Without His Permission
Justin Bieber is calling out retail clothing company H&M for selling products featuring his image and song lyrics, claiming that the items were released without his approval. “I DIDNT APPROVE ANY OF THE MERCH COLLECTION THAT THEY PUT UP AT H&M,” Bieber wrote in an Instagram Story on Monday afternoon (Dec. 19), adding that it was done “all without my permission and approval SMH I WOULDNT BUY IT IF I WERE YOU.” “The H&M MERCH THEY MADE OF ME IS TRASH AND I DIDNT APPROVE IT DONT BUY IT,” he emphasized in a second Instagram Story. Bieber was referring to items that appeared online on H&M’s website including a tote bag, a sweatshirt, a sweatshirt dress and more. On a fan Instagram account that shared images of some of the products, Bieber left the comment “When everyone finds ou...
Kelly Clarkson Serves Up Holiday Sisterhood in Hilarious ‘White Christmas’ ‘Kellyoke’
Lord, help the mister who comes between me and my sister! Kelly Clarkson paid tribute to the holiday classic White Christmas on Monday (Dec. 19) with a “Kellyoke” cover of “Sisters.” Enlisting help from her backup singer Jessi Collins, the talk show host recreated the scene made famous by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen in the beloved 1954 movie musical — all the way down to the elegant blue dresses and giant feathered fans. “Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters/ Never had to have a chaperone, no sir/ I’m here to keep my eye on her/ Caring, sharing, every little thing that we are wearing/ When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome/ She wore the dress, and I stayed home,” the two sang in perfect harmony. Halfway through the number, two male members of Clarkson’s band Y’Al...
Shirley Watts, Widow of Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts, Dies at 84
Shirley Ann Watts, a former art student and prominent breeder of Arabian horses who met drummer Charlie Watts well before he joined the Rolling Stones and with him formed one of rock’s most enduring marriages, has died. She was 84. “Shirley died peacefully on Friday 16th December in Devon after a short illness surrounded by her family,” her family announced Monday (Dec. 19). The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood was among those mourning her. “We will miss you so much, but take comfort that you are reunited with your beloved Charlie,” Wood wrote on Facebook. While Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards all have had multiple wives and girlfriends, Charlie and Shirley Watts remained together for more than 50 years, until Charlie died in 2021. Their only known crisis happened in the mid-1980...
Beth Stern Names Foster Cat After ‘Angel’ Taylor Swift Following Singer’s Donation to Animal Rescue
Taylor Swift may be the “Anti-Hero” in some regards, but not when it comes to cats. Animal advocate Beth Stern revealed Sunday (Dec. 18) that the pop star made a big donation to her pet rescue foundation Beth’s Furry Friends, and in return, she named a new foster cat in honor of Swift, who turned 33 years old on Dec. 13. “Welcome new foster from Oman!!” wrote the Kitten Bowl host, sharing a photo of the new kitty. “Her name is Angel Taylor in honor of recent birthday girl, Taylor Swift who sent me a sizable donation to Beth’s Furry Friends to help me save more lives.” “When I learned about this horrifically abused kitty who was beaten and had her ears cut off, I reached out to @street_cats_of_oman to ask if I could assist in her journey to much needed medical help and a forever family,” St...
Ricky Martin, Kid Cudi, Daddy Yankee & More Celebrate Argentina’s Win Over France at 2022 World Final
Musicians around the globe are celebrating Argentina’s exhilarating win over France at the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. Artists like Ricky Martin, Kid Cudi, Daddy Yankee, Niall Horan and many more took to social media on Sunday (Dec. 18) to express their excitement over the thrilling match at Lusail Stadium, during which Argentina beat France in penalty kicks. “God. This was crazy!! Congratulations!!” Martin, wearing a blue and white Argentina jersey, captioned a video on Instagram of himself celebrating the win. “WHAT A GAME OF FOOTBALL!! Congratulations Argentina,” former One Direction member Horan tweeted. In one of the most dramatic World Cup games in history, Argentina beat reigning men’s champion France. In a 3-3 tie after extra time, Argentina sealed the victory with 4-2 in penalt...
Fans Choose The Weeknd’s ‘Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music
The Weeknd‘s latest offering “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” has topped this week’s new music poll. Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Dec. 16) on Billboard, choosing the bombastic ballad, which plays over the end credits of the long-awaited sequel Avatar: The Way of Water, as their favorite new music release of the past week. “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” beat out new music by Rosalía and Cardi B (“DESPECHÁ RMX”), Juice WRLD (“Face 2 Face”), PinkPantheress (“Take Me Home”), FLO (“Losing You”), and others. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” takes a sonic cue from Gerard McCann’s “Cry Little Sister” from the 1987 cult classic The Lost Boys. “I thought I could protect you...
