SZA releases her highly anticipated ‘SOS Deluxe: LANA’ with the help from Ben Stiller who stars in the music video for ‘Drive.’ The album features SZA in an alien costume as well as another collab with Kendrick Lamar called “30 […]
Jennifer Hudson shares to Billboard Pop Shop hosts Katie Atkinson and Keith Caulfield about why she wanted to make her Christmas album ‘The Gift of Love,’ how she chose the songs both classics and new originals she co-wrote, interviewing Michelle Obama on her talk show and more!
Jennifer Hudson
I don’t know what could top ever top her as a guest is hands out my favorite by far.
Tetris Kelly
Jennifer Hudson dropped by Billboard’s Pop Shop podcast with Keith Caulfield and Katie Atkinson to discuss her new holiday album, The Gift of Love,’ and her recent interview with Michelle Obama. We talk about the song selections for the album, the inspiration and why now was the time to do it?
Jennifer Hudson
Well, because I’ve always wanted to do a holiday album, and I couldn’t think of a better time than now. The question to me, I think, is, why not now, you know? And I finally was able to narrow it down to my favorite Christmas songs…
Keith Caulfield
Your favorite things?
Jennifer Hudson
Yes my favorite things there you go, yeah, and pick, you know, the songs that was most personal to me for this holiday album.
Keith Caulfield
You know, this album has familiar favorites, like, we just, I just sort of hinted at “My Favorite Things,” but also some new material that you co-wrote. What was the process like for you to determine the songs that you wanted on the album? Like, how did you decide what would ultimately be on the album?
Jennifer Hudson
Originals or classics?
Keith Caulfield
Well, let’s start with the classics.
Jennifer Hudson
Well, okay, so that’s what I’m saying. Like, it was difficult to say, I love all holiday music first of all. So it’s like, how do I narrow it down to know what to put on the holiday album? But I picked what was most personal to me, like “The Christmas Song.” For instance, my grandmother used to love that song, so I recall hearing that as a little girl throughout each and every holiday of her playing that song.
Watch the full video above!
Giorgi Gigashvili is gifted when it comes to his music, and Billboard Georgia named him as No. 1 for Billboard’s ‘Global No. 1s’ series. Giorgi talks on his different personalities when it comes to creating his music on the piano, his […]
This Billboard Explains episode dives into how Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee compete for No. 1 on the Hot 100 with their Christmas classics “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” respectively, during the holiday season.
Tetris Kelly:It’s the battle between the Christmas queens Mariah versus Brenda. Every holiday season, Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee battle it out for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, but how did these two Christmas classics become the top song? And what’s the story behind this holiday competition? This is Billboard Explains: Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee’s Battle for the Christmas Throne.
There are many holiday classics that are in rotation every December — Wham’s “Last Christmas,” Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” and Burl Ives’ “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” just to name a few. But two songs are always fighting for the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100: Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas Is You” and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” So how did we get here? Let’s go back to the beginning.
Nearly 14 year old, Brenda Lee released “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 1958, and it debuted on the Hot 100 dated Dec. 12, 1960. The song originally peaked at No. 14 two weeks later, but it re-entered the Hot 100 decades later during the 2013-2014 holiday season. It first hit the top 10 during the 2018-2019 holiday, and spent nine weeks at No. 2 during the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 holidays, right behind Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Speaking of Mariah, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” first appeared on the Billboard charts in 1994, and it hit the Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time in December 2017. It reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the first time in 2019, and has continued to dominate every holiday season since then, but that all changed in 2023 when Brenda’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” finally reached the No. 1 spot and spent three weeks at the top, while Mariah’s carol led for two weeks last holiday season.
But what is it about these two songs that keeps the battle going every Christmas? With the rise of streaming and curated holiday playlists, these two tracks are always staples on those lists, which helps bring them back to the chart every year. Plus, radio airplay and sales are always strong for both songs, among many other seasonal standards over the holidays.
But the stars play into the fun, too. Mariah has her viral “It’s Time” videos, while Brenda filmed a music video for her classic hit last year, and even joined the world of TikTok to promote the song.
Regardless of why these two songs are the songs of the holiday season, we can’t get enough of these two Christmas queens.
Diljit Dosanjh is coming in hot as Billboard Canada’s No. 1 for Billboard’s ‘Global No. 1s’ series. Diljit shares what it’s like to be an outstanding voice within the Punjabi community and making a way for other Punjabi artists, his […]
In this episode Billboard Unfiltered, Billboard staffers Trevor Anderson, Kyle Denis, Damien Scott and Carl Lamarre rank the best rap and R&B albums of 2024, go through the biggest scandals of the year, share their predictions for 2025 and more!
Damien Scott:You’re out here talking, you know, making the 2024 song about dating and getting into arguments and s–t.
Kyle Denis:In 2024 specifically.
Damien Scott:This is all Kat Williams’ fault.
Trevor Anderson:That’s really where it started.
Carl Lamarre:In case y’all missed last week’s episode, there were talks about y’all potentially being gone because Amber and Regina killed it.
Trevor Anderson:Oh, was that the conversations in the back?
Carl Lamarre:Yeah, but the OG squad is here!
Trevor Anderson:I see those conversations got squashed quickly.
Carl Lamarre:We got Charles and Kenny back, you know what I’m saying?
Damien Scott:We’re what’s best for the show.
Trevor Anderson:Shout-out to Kenny, man.
Carl Lamarre:No, I was happy to have the gang back especially for this last episode of 2024. We unveiled two fire lists this week, which include the Best Rap Albums of 2024 and the Best R&B Albums of 2024, so what we’ll do, I’m going to give a quick breakdown of the top 10. The full list is on billboard.com, so here’s the top 10.
For the Best Rap Album of 2024: No. 10 Freddie Gibbs’ You Only Die 1nce; nine: Future, Mixtape Pluto; eight: Latto, Sugar Honey Iced Tea; seven: Megan Thee Stallion, Megan: Act I and Megan: Act II; six: Schoolboy Q, Blue Lips; five: GloRilla, Glorious; four: Tyler, the Creator, Chromakopia; three: Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal; three: Future and Metro, We Don’t Trust You …
Keep watching for more!
Valentino Merlo & The La Planta paired up for Billboard Argentina as the 2024 No. 1 for Billboard’s ‘Global No. 1s’ series. The artists teamed up to create chart breaking “Hoy,” and they share how the song was created, how they knew it would be a hit and more!
Billboard is launching its inaugural ‘Global No. 1s’ series, an initiative to spotlight top-charting artists from around the world. Billboard has partnered with its ten-plus global editions to showcase distinct voices topping their local charts around the world in exclusive interviews. Stay tuned throughout the week to discover who’s No. 1 in the UK, Brazil, Korea, and more!
The La Planta:
What’s up, friends from Billboard? This is Nico, The La Planta.
Valentino Merlo:
And this is Valentino Merlo. We are the Global No. 1s cover.
The La Planta:
Well, thank you. Thanks for the warm welcome and the congratulations. It’s truly a pleasure. Honestly, we felt it. When we recorded it, there was something extra, an extra energy with the song. But personally, I didn’t expect to be, as I said, five months at No. 1 on Billboard Argentina. It was completely surprising.
Valentino Merlo:
For me, it was actually the opposite. I mean, really the opposite, right? I enjoyed it a lote, and it was a pleasure to work with Nico and his whole team. I’m also really happy to have been No. 1 on Billboard Argentina for such a long time. That song was incredible.
The La Planta:
The video is still no. 1 on YouTube, “Hoy.” It’s unbelievable, and it’s nearing 300 million views. It’s crazy, and it’s not stopping, so… it was amazing.
Valentino Merlo:
Honestly, I didn’t expect it to go so far, but he did. He did say, “When I wear this hat, it’s going to blow up.” And it did! It blew up because of the hat – the white hat he wore.
The La Planta:
You could feel it. The song was going to hit. I felt it. Like I said, it’s about sensations. They were overwhelming. It’s rare because that doesn’t happen with many songs I record. From the moment I recorded it, when I sent it over, I said, “If it works for you, let’s release it.”
Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” rises even higher in the top 10. Will she be No. 1? Keep watching to find out! Narrator: Christmas hits slip while classics climb up the chart. The choir version of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” rises […]
Rob 49 plays this or that, shares the craziest thing a fan has ever done to get his attention and more at Rolling Loud Miami 2024.
Kyle DennisBillboard is here at a Rolling Loud’s 10th anniversary with the one and only Rob 49, how you doing man?
Rob 49Good Brother, what’s you on?
Kyle DennisI’m chilling man, I gotta know what’s your pre-show ritual?
Rob 49Nothing
Kyle DennisNothing, just chilling
Rob 49Chillin with the bros, Yeah feelin’ comfortable.
Kyle DennisWhat’s your favorite song to perform?
Rob 49Probably like “What’s Happening” for real. I love that song. Crazy.
Kyle DennisYes, sir.
Rob 49I’m not gonna lie.
Kyle DennisI got a couple questions for you. Alright, what do you have to do as soon as you leave the stage?
Rob 49Get some drink, get some food. My head be hurting. Yeah, I’d be having bad headache
Kyle DennisIf you had to live in any if you had to live in any Hip-Hop music video from the past. Which one would you pick?
Rob 49Um Tupac.
Kyle DennisIf you could erase one trend from hip hop forever? Which one would it be?
Rob 49Topping up other people?
Kyle DennisAlright, this or that? Freestyle or written?
Rob 49Freestyle.
Kyle DennisEast Coast or West Coast?
Rob 49like Pac and Nine you hear me?
Kyle DennisTupac or Biggie,
Rob 49Biggie, I’m a real, Biggie fan.
Kyle DennisCome on, what’s your favorite Biggeie song, all of them, freestyle, everything, okay?
Sneakers or jewelry?
Rob 49Shoes,
Kyle DennisStudio or stage?
Rob 49Stage.
Kyle DennisAlright, if you could throw a private listening party for only three people in the world who’s on the invite list,
Rob 49Three people in the world?
Kyle DennisYeah.
Rob 49My mama, probably Frank Ocean, probably like Tyler the Creator
Kyle DennisIf you could have dinner with any three entertainers, living or dead, who would they be?
Rob 49Any three entertainers? Halle Berry, Beyonce and, and, and,
Kyle DenisThem two, no third? Yeah, just you two. Alright. Last question, what’s the craziest thing a fan has ever done to get your attention?
Rob 49Pull they breast out.
Kyle DenisTrue, were they good and nice?
Rob 49 There’s so many, I can’t keep track, I’m not Catholic.
Rob 49Appreciate you Billboard.
Kyle DennisAppreciate you, man.
4Batz reveals his favorite song to perform live, how much he loves performing live, his top 5 rappers and a small cameo from Cash Cobain at Rolling Loud Miami 2024.
Kyle Denis
Billboard is here at Rolling Loud’s 10th anniversary with our guy 4Batz. How you doing tonight?
4Batz
Man, I’m doing amazing, yeah, for sure. So I’m good. So, like, you know, you know, I feel like, right now, I feel like, you ever you seen that, uh, that chill guy emoji, yeah, little dog, yeah. I’m just, I’m just a chill guy.
Kyle Denis
That’s what’s up just a chill guy, yeah, what song are you most excited to perform tonight?
4Batz
Man I’m excited to perform f*cking we can cuss on here right? Yeah, I got a song called “Act Four F*cking You.” I can’t wait as soon as that song come on like I’m on that timing so.
Kyle Denis
Yeah, you’ve been on tour this year. What do you think you’ve learned from that tour that you’re gonna bring to the stage tonight?
4Batz
That I got the energy, I got what it takes to perform so, and I love performing. I didn’t know I like performing that much, but I actually love it, you know, yeah.
Kyle Denis
What’s your favorite thing about being on stage?
4Batz
Just, just like, every every second, it’s kind of like, I like the feeling of just like, I don’t know, like a buzzer beater feeling, yeah, I’m saying, like, Oh, we got to make sure this is this, like, I like that feeling. What’s up my boy, shout out. My boy, Cash Cobain. Say something to him real quick.
Cash Cobain
Shout out to Billboard, shot the Batz Man.
4Batz
Yeah man I just love that tingly feeling, like that, that nervous feeling, yeah, but it just make you so, like, good. It makes you so right, keep you on point.
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