Ever wondered what it takes to bring a massive Sphere residency from blueprint to opening night? In this episode, Billboard On The Record pulls back the curtain with Head of Sphere Studios Carolyn Blackwood and Head of Booking Josephine Vaccarello […]
DPR IAN has had various names, and with each name came a new sound. In the first episode of The Crossover Convo, DPR Ian shares his journey through music. From being a Daft Punk fan to entering K-pop as Rome in C-Clown, and now being independent as DPR IAN, the singer opens up about his journey with his Billboard 200 entry Moodswings in to Order and his song “Don’t Go Insane,” touring, his mental health, working on a new album and more!
Jeff Benjamin: Hello and welcome to Billboard. My name is Jeff Benjamin, and I’m here in Seoul to bring you guys a very special interview. We’re going to be talking to DPR IAN today, an artist who truly defines the crossover. Thank you for talking with us. Get comfortable. You’ve crossed from B-boying to K-pop. You’ve crossed countries, from Australia, Korea …
DPR IAN: Multitudes of countries, yes.
Yes, in the U.S. You’ve even crossed professions, you know, going from rap oriented, singing, video editing, visuals.
Wow, that is quite a lot. Having it laid out all like that, it really puts a lot of things into perspective. For me, it’s like I’ve just really been on the run, on the fly, and I haven’t really been able to process a lot of these things, and it’s been quite the journey.
You know, tell me what you’re comfortable with because I’m never sure if I should call you Christian or Ian or DPR?
Too many names. You could call me anything. OK so I’m called “Anything” now — just kidding. No, literally, like you just said, you pointed out there’s so many eras I’ve been through pertaining to those eras I think that’s where a lot of the names came out of. So without even me knowing, like Rome was from my C-Clown days, you know? And then it goes into Christian, which was the videography days, and now it’s Ian. So I guess, you know, I mean, Ian is perfect.
Keep watching for more!
This is partner content. In partnership with Billboard, Ralph Lauren brought the Ralph’s Club New York fragrance and the vibes to Billboard’s Hip-Hop/R&B Live in New York City. Attendees experienced an exclusive scent sampling and captured unforgettable moments at our […]
In this week’s Hot 100 show, we’re breaking down Justin Bieber’s return to music, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Tears,” aespa reacts to charting on the Billboard 200 and its song “Rich Man,” and KPop Demon Hunters‘ success on the chart from HUNTR/X and Saja Boys.
Keep watching for the full breakdown of the Hot 100 with Billboard staff, fans and more!
Tetris Kelly: Welcome to Billboard‘s brand new countdown, The Hot 100 Show. I’m your host, Tetris, and every week we’re going to run down the top 10 of the chart, and we’re gonna do it with our experts, of course, you the fans and some of your favorite musicians dropping by today. We got our girls aespa — you’re gonna wanna stick around for that. But for now, let’s run it down. This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated Sept. 20. “Daisies” is back in the top 10
Jerah Milligan: Tell me how do you feel about this new like, grown man Bieber.
Fan 1: You know, he’s been through a lot.
Fan 2: I think that “Daisies” is just, like, a really good song to, like, play and, like, have in the background. It’s just, like, easy listening.
Fan 1: The last two albums were very pop heavy, and now he’s working more R&B influences, back in the Purpose days, he’s working with Eddie Benjamin, a lot. Swag II just came out. I think both albums are fantastic.
Tetris Kelly: “Love Me Not” slips to No. 9.
Fan 3: I have been a fan of Ravyn Lenae since I was 16, which was the same age she started making music and getting into it.
Fan 4: I love her music. It’s a very like chill, soulful vibe, and she just always puts me in a good mood.
Tetris Kelly: HUNTR/X don’t miss, they’re up to eight.
Jerah Milligan: How you feel about “How It’s Done?”
Fan 5: Really good. I feel like it encapsulates K-pop as a genre really well. It’s just like a really nice introduction to the wider public about K-pop.
Keep watching for more!
Billboard awarded GELO, Ravyn Lenae and Odeal as Rookies of the Year and named Leon Thomas the Breakthrough Artist of the Year for Billboard‘s 2025 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players. We’re breaking down how these artists represent the future of Black music. Billboard staffers share why they believe each singer is transforming their respective genre, how their hits—“Mutt,” “Love Me Not” and “Tweaker”—resonated with fans, and more!
Carl Lamarre:
Billboard is always about chart success, but not only to have a cultural impact and see the buzz and how they’re resonating, not just online, but the streets as well. The kids are talking about you. Most likely we’re gonna cover y’all and see what’s up.
Fan 1:
Tonight, I’m most excited to see Leon Thomas and Odeal.
Fan 2:
Gag it, Odeal. What? Ravyn Lenae too.
Fan 3:
I’m most excited to see GELO, for sure.
Fan 4:
Leon as well. It’s gonna be my third time seeing him, and I’m gonna see him again on my birthday, so.
Interviewer:
Who are you most excited to see?
Fan 5:
Leon Thomas, plain and simple. You don’t have to finish the question. You don’t have to finish it.
Heran Mamo:
Leon Thomas had such a breakthrough moment. “Mutt” went No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs and three different radio formats.
Leon Thomas:
I think “Mutt” definitely resonated with the culture so much because it has a lot of essence of P-Funk, Bootsy Collins. I feel like post-pandemic everybody got into their little toxic energy, so it’s like, perfectly toxic.
Fan 6:
I’m definitely excited to see Ravyn, I love her music. It’s a very, like, chill, soulful vibe, and she just always puts me in a good mood.
Fan 7:
I’m absolutely excited to see Ravyn Lenae. I’ve loved her forever. I got onto her train when she came out with “Candy.”
Gail Mitchell:
She’s just the total package. In terms of her songwriting, the lyrics, very relatable lyrics, like her hot song, “Love Me Not.” Kind of a play on the whole daisy thing — he loves me, he loves me not.
Keep watching for more!
This is partner content. Billboard’s annual Hip-Hop / R&B LIVE took over New York City’s Webster Hall on Sept. 5 with unforgettable performances and a special partnership with State Farm®. Fans were treated to exclusive custom merch designed by HBCU […]
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