Tommy Torres, El Playlist de Anoche (Rimas Entertainment)For his first album in almost a decade, Tommy Torres teamed up with Bad Bunny to co-produce and co-write the nine tracks on El Playlist de Anoche. Torres and Bunny may not have a lot of things in common but both are very intentional with the music they write; they want their fans to feel via lyrics that are packed with tangible emotions. The pair does just that with this set that touches on love and heartbreak where Torres remains true to his signature alt rock-tinged, sentimental pop but integrates a rock star attitude after learning how to phrase the way Bunny does. The eclectic set kicks off with the sentimental pop track “Toda La Noche” – the only song on the album where you’ll hear Bunny as he sets the mood for the guitar-powered track with a short intro – and is then followed by alt-rock/pop anthems such as “Cactus” and “Inmortal” and contemporary ballads including “Demasiado Amor” and “Quisiera Ser El.” A departure from the album’s signature ballad-pop-rock sound, “Marea” transports you to a different mindset with its reggae/ska beat, showcasing Torres’ chameleonic ability to traverse between multiple styles. — GRISELDA FLORESGloria Trevi & Guaynaa, “Nos Volvimos Locos” (UMG Recordings)A couple of weeks back, Gloria Trevi told Billboard about an upcoming collaboration she was excited about. She now presents her new single “Nos Volvimos Locos” alongside Puerto Rican artist Guaynaa. Penned by Trevi, Leonel Garcia and Marcela de la Garza, the track is a back-and-forth between two people who like each other and, ultimately, hook up. “We have already gone crazy/ We have already lost control/ This is so different/ There is a risk of falling in love,” says the chorus. The flirtatious track, co-produced Yo Fred, Eduardo Bladinieres, and Gil Elguezabal, is an urban-pop song fused with clever EDM beats. — J.R.CNCO, “To’a La Noche” (Sony Music Latin)Marking the start of a new era, four-member boy band CNCO has released their new single “To’a La Noche,” a head-bobbing reggaeton track with an earworm chorus that drops before the minute-mark. “Please stay, I won’t ask for anything else. I know you won’t forget this night,” they sing over a sparse drum beat. Produced by Puerto Rican producing duo Los Legendarios, the track was recorded in Puerto Rico at Wisin’s La Base studios. “We wanted to bring joy and positivity with this song,” CNCO previously told Billboard. “It’s the perfect summer jam.” “To’a La Noche,” featuring band members Christopher Velez, Erick Brian Colon, Richard Camacho and Zabdiel de Jesus, is the first single from their forthcoming album. — G.F.Zion y Lennox, “Estrella” (Warner Music Latina)Zion & Lennox celebrate a prolific 20-year career with the release of their new single “Estrella,” part of their fourth studio album and first in five years, El Sistema. Though the duo has recently collaborated with artists such as Justin Quiles, Natti Natasha, and Lenny Tavarez, to name a few, on this single, they have gone solo, further proving why they’re one of the highly-respected duos in urban music. In true la Z y la L fashion, the captivating reggaeton song, co-produced by Dynell, Legazzy, and Yazid, highlights Zion’s high-pitched, sugary vocals and Lennox’s signature raspy voice. “Estrella” tells the story of a woman who’s enjoying the best stage of her life and a man who’s trying to catch her attention. “Estrella,” according to the Puerto Rican duo, was chosen as a focus track of the album because it best showcases their essence. — J.R. La Santa Cecilia & Lila Downs, “Quiero Verte Feliz” (Rebeleon Ent./Virgin Music Latin)Los Angeles-based bolero-punk quartet La Santa Cecilia has joined forces with Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs for a feel-good cumbia anthem titled “Quiero Verte Feliz (I Want to See you Happy).” Penned by Xieman Muñoz and La Santa Cecilia’s La Marisoul, Pepe, Oso and Alex Bendaña, the rhythmic track finds La Marisoul and Downs exchanging uplifting verses. “I need to stop and smell the plants and flowers, I want to dance and laugh and not apologize for it. Enough with all the suffering, I want to see you happy,” they sing. “I think that we’re experiencing one of the most complicated periods of our time because of the pandemic and ‘Quiero Verte Feliz’ is an invitation to get back to the great dance of life, and enjoy all the wonderful things that make us happy again!” La Santa Cecilia said. “Quiero Verte Feliz,” which follows La Santa Cecilia’s “Ella Me Enamoró,” preview’s the band’s forthcoming album. — G.F.
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“I’m happy he’s found Christ but there’s so much compromise,” the Twitter user wrote, referring to the direction ‘Ye’s music has taken since his back-to-back 2019 gospel projects Jesus Is King and Jesus Is Born, the latter of which is credited to the Sunday Service Choir. “And then to find out that he helped produce that demonic sonf/video that Lil Nas X made is so upsetting.”But the 22-year-old rapper shut that down immediately by responding, “There was nothing demonic about the industry baby video. just say u hate gay people musty.”LNX was also surprised to find out that people took issue with his latest video, which in one widely discussed scene depicts a group of naked men dancing in a prison shower. “Lil nas is definitely doing too much now,” another Twitter user wrote, to which Nas wrote back, “N—a i literally went to hell and twerked on satan but gay prison is where you draw the line ?!”The only through-line between the two visuals is the beginning of the “Industry Baby” video depicts a fictional courtroom scene between the rapper and Nike following the temporary release of his viral “Satan Shoes” in March, which he announced after dropping “Montero.” (The actual court case between Nike and MSCHF settled in April.)
Williams won multiple Grammys in all three of these years. He also took the 2003 award for best pop vocal album for co-producing Justin Timberlake’s solo debut Justified; the 2013 award for album of the year for co-producing Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories (and two other awards for its breakout hit “Get Lucky”); and the 2018 award for best pop vocal album for co-producing Ariana Grande’s Sweetener.Rick Rubin and Greg Kurstin are runners-up, with two wins each for producer of the year, non-classical since 2000. Rubin won the 2006 and 2008 awards. Kurstin won the 2016 and 2017 awards. Kurstin was the first producer to win back-to-back awards in this category since Babyface won three years running — 1995-97.Remarkably, Rubin produced or co-produced three of the 2006 album of the year nominees: The Chicks’ Taking the Long Way (which won), Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Stadium Arcadium, and Timberlake’s sophomore album, FutureSex/LoveSounds. (And this was back when there were just five nominees in the category.) Rubin was the sole producer of the albums by The Chicks and the Peppers and was one of five producers on Timberlake’s opus. Rubin won four other Grammys that year.Kurstin won three other Grammys — album, record and song of the year — at the 2016 awards for his work on Adele’s 25.Producers who have won producer of the year, non-classical once since 2000 are Dr. Dre, T Bone Burnett, Arif Mardin, Chad Hugo (Williams’ partner in The Neptunes), John Shanks, Steve Lillywhite, Mark Ronson, Brendan O’Brien, Danger Mouse, Paul Epworth, Dan Auerbach, Max Martin, Jeff Bhasker, Finneas and Andrew Watt.No female producer has ever won in this category, which was introduced at the 1974 awards. (Thom Bell was the inaugural winner.) Since 2000, two female producers have been nominated: Lauren Christy, who shared a 2003 nod with Graham Edwards and Scott Spock (as The Matrix), and Linda Perry, who received a 2018 nod. Perry was the first woman to receive a nod on her own in this category since Sheryl Crow and Lauryn Hill, who were each nominated at the 1998 awards.Here are the producers who have amassed the most Grammy nominations for producer of the year, non-classical since 2000:Six nods:Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (plus five more nods prior to 2000; their total of 11 nods is the most for any producer in the history of this category)Five nods:Danger Mouse, Nigel GodrichFour nods:Pharrell Williams, Greg Kurstin, T Bone BurnettThree nods:Dan Auerbach, Larry Klein, Dr. Dre, Rob Cavallo (plus two more nods prior to 2000), Rick Rubin (plus two more nods prior to 2000)Two nods:Dave Cobb, Jack Antonoff, Ricky Reed, John Hill, Blake Mills, Max Martin, Jeff Bhasker, Diplo, Paul Epworth, Dr. Luke, The Smeezingtons, will.i.am, Howard Benson, Chad HugoHere are the top winners in the producer category at four other awards shows:ACM AwardsJay Joyce has won this award (which was introduced in 2003) five times, more than anyone else. Dann Huff is runner-up, with three wins. Tony Brown and Dave Cobb have each won twice.Producers who have won once are James Stroud, Buddy Cannon, Mark Wright, Paul Worley, Frank Liddell and busbee. The latter producer won following his untimely death in September 2019.BET Hip Hop AwardsKanye West, DJ Mustard and Metro Boomin have each won this award (which was introduced in 2006) twice. West won in 2009 and 2012. The wins for DJ Mustard and Metro Boomin were consecutive, in 2014-15 and 2016-17, respectively.Producers who have won once in the category are Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, Akon, Swizz Beatz, Lex Lugar, Mike Will Made-It, Pharrell Williams, DJ Khaled and Hit-Boy.iHeartRadio Music AwardsNo producer has won this award (which was introduced in 2017) twice. Benny Blanco, Andrew Watt, Louis Bell, Finneas and Max Martin have each won once.Juno AwardsBob Rock and Daniel Lanois have each won producer of the year three times since 2000 at Canada’s premier awards show. Brian Howes has won twice.
Kanye West continues to keep fans on their toes as if they’re waiting to cop the next pair of Yeezys. But after Thursday night’s listening event for his 10th studio album Donda came and went, and the project never materialized at midnight ET Friday (July 23), fans were disappointed but not surprised.Yeezy fans crowded Spotify and Apple Music at the stroke of midnight just like the sold-out Mercendes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where he hosted the Kanye West Presents A Donda Listening Event to preview the highly anticipated LP. A rare verse from Jay-Z that alluded to Watch the Throne 2, reflections on his divorce with Kim Kardashian (who was in attendance), and collaborations with Baby Keem, Roddy Ricch and Lil Baby riled up in-person and online audiences.But at the end of the day, viewers felt like they had ultimately clowned themselves into thinking ‘Ye was going to give them an album he had just danced around to for an hour in an empty arena. Those who kept refreshing Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms were only met with ‘Ye’s more recent release: “Nah Nah Nah.”
Additionally, “Bezos II” streams grew from 263,000 July 18-19 to 304,000 July 20-21, a 16% boost.Combining the two, the songs were streamed 1.7 million times in the U.S. on on-demand platforms July 20-21, up 21% from 1.5 million on July 18-19.Neither “Bezos I” nor “Bezos II” has made a Billboard chart since Inside’s May 30 Netflix release and its soundtrack’s June 10 arrival. Another song from the set, “All Eyes on Me,” is bubbling under the Billboard Hot 100 and has hit No. 119 on the Global 200 (July 24). The album’s “Welcome to the Internet” is also bubbling under the Hot 100.Inside (The Songs) bowed at No. 116 on the Billboard 200 dated June 19 and has since risen to a No. 7 high (June 26) with four total weeks in the top 10 to date. It has topped the Comedy Albums chart in all six of its weeks on the list so far.
In a letter released with the new initiative, Lil Nas said that he wanted to use his platform to help bring about needed reform. “True freedom requires real change in how the criminal justice system works. Starting with cash bail,” he wrote. “This isn’t just theoretical for me. It’s personal. I know the pain that incarceration brings to a family. And I know the disproportionate impact that cash bail has on Black Americans.”The Bail Project’s national revolving bail fund helps pay bail for those who need it, with the money ultimately being circulated back into the fund to help free others. To date, the Bail Project has provided over $47 million in bail assistance for over 17,000 people.”Ending cash bail is one of the most important civil rights issues of our time. Donate what you can to the Bail X Fund,” Lil Nas wrote. “Let’s bring people home & let’s fight for freedom and equality.”To learn more, or to donate to the Bail X Fund, click here.
Good news from Berlin’s techno bvnker. Scene legend Boys Noize has announced his fifth studio album, blessing dance floors with a heavy yet funky dose of warehouse energy. “Nude” is a bipolar banger that flits between airy house euphoria and slamming, sweaty bass thumps. Estonian madman Tommy Cash sings dreamily over the top, repeating the phrase, “I wish we all were nude,” à la Prince in “Controversy.” It’s one of two dual singles released Friday, representing the dual nature of the forthcoming album, +/- (pronounced “Polarity”).“The album dives into the polar tension between the musical styles and worlds I find myself in,” Boys Noize is quoted in a press release. “When you combine opposites, something transcendent can take place, something greater than the two parts. And with music, it becomes a magic that can create new worlds.”The artist’s previously released single “Girl Crush,” “Buchla 100,” “Ride or Die,” “IU” and “All I Want” are also scheduled to appear on the album, set for release Sept. 24. “Nude” gets a wild music video, directed by Sus Boy. Strip down and check it out for yourself. — KAT BEINAlewya, “Spirit_X”Whatever rave Alewya is at is where you want to be. The London-based singer captured the industry’s attention last summer with a feature on UK rapper Little Simz’s “Where’s My Lighter,” but her debut single “Sweating” placed her on the club world’s radar with its primal, percussion-driven energy and dance-floor-dwelling music video. After sharing songs “The Code” and “Jagna” Alewya is back in the rave — sonically and physically — on “Spirit_X.” Co-produced by KidDrama and Breakage, it’s a drum & bass track that doesn’t need to be rip-roaring to bring the drama; its mellow headiness is almost sinister and made more hypnotic by Alewya’s raw-edged vocals, which skip, sprint and snakewind alongside the brisk production.“I know that the rave can be utilized as ritual and ceremony to transform, uplift and energize a person,” Alewya says of the track. “I love giving visceral experiences. I love drum and bass for that specific reason. ‘Spirit_X’ encompasses all of the above in my way.” — KRYSTAL RODRIGUEZDJ Snake & Malaa, “Ring the Alarm”Crank up your speakers, your woofers and your tweeters. The Pardon My French crew is making some big noise. DJ Snake and Malaa are set to “Ring The Alarm,” dropping a pulse-raising club slammer that’s as weird and quirky as it is frightening. The explosive jam is a high-octane bass ride built around the hook of Florida rap duo Dead Prez’ “Radio Freq.” Wonky synths and pounding drums clinch the funky hook, and if you like what you hear, you can catch the duo as they cross the United States on a summer mini-tour that touches down in Chicago, Denver, San Bernardino, Washington D.C. and Oakland. –K. BEINLeaving Laurel, “Winter in the Woods” Anjunadeep has today shared “Winter in the Woods” from Leaving Laurel as the lead single of the duo’s forthcoming debut album. (The song previously appeared on the label’s Anjunadeep 12 compilation.) The announcement, typically one of excitement, this time is bittersweet: Pierce Fulton, one-half of the group with Gordon Huntley, died this past April. The self-titled LP, which was completed prior to Fulton’s death, is dedicated to his memory.Leaving Laurel was named for Los Angeles’ sunny Laurel Canyon neighborhood where Fulton and Huntley lived as roommates, but the inspiration for “Winter in the Woods” takes listeners to the Connecticut and Vermont woods where the pair also spent time. Across seven minutes, the song itself mimics an act of nature. There’s a purity and crispness to it, like snow. It slowly defrosts amid soft piano keys and pattering, then bursts into bloom with blocky percussion and swirling synth melodies. It’s a stunning yet solemn first glimpse of Leaving Laurel, which is scheduled for release on August 20. — K.R.Zhu, “Monster” feat. John the BlindStep into Dreamland with Zhu’s latest summer tune. “Monster” is dark but sweet, a smooth groovin’ bit of melodic house with a kickin’ syncopated rhythm. Singer-songwriter John The Blind adds a touch of twisted romance, singing about the intimacy that comes when someone accepts you’re deepest and darkest self. Honestly though, it just jams.“I wanted to create a summer anthem for the kids who are finally able to go out,” Zhu is quoted in a press release. The vibe continues off wax as he takes his signature showmanship to the stage on the Dreamland tour, with sets planned in Vegas, L.A., NYC, Miami and more. — K. BEINClaude VonStroke and Walker & Royce, “Enthusiasm”The category is: collaboration. After linking up last month with Justin Jay on their leftfield Oh EP, Dirtybird boss Claude VonStroke has teamed up with another label friend, duo Walker & Royce, on new two-tracker Enthusiasm. The title track is built for festivals, with increasingly looming waves of sound powerful enough to rip through large crowds, one after another in quick succession, and a bliss-seeking vocal that effectively puts a voice to every punter’s serotonin levels at their peak. Synth melodies squiggle, squelch, chirp and strobe in the spaces between, making for a tech house track that in its fully-leaned-into weirdness is distinctly and belovedly Dirtybird. — K.R.
During a groundbreaking July 14 hearing in the conservatorship case, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny approved the 39-year-old pop star hiring an attorney of her own choosing, Hollywood power attorney Matthew Rosengart, who is working “aggressively and expeditiously” to remove her father, Jamie Spears, as her conservator. While Bass still remains concerned about the conservatorship system in general and the judge’s rulings, the 42-year-old singer has another main reservation.”The only thing that I don’t subscribe to is that she’s sending cryptic messages and all that type of stuff. It’s like when the conspiracy theories start, it’s a little much,” he continued. I like to stick with facts. But the main thing that I’m concerned about is court systems and this judge…. It’s scary.”Fellow *NSYNC alum and Spears’ ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake also showed support to her following her June 23 headline-making court hearing. “After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time,” he tweeted that day. “Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was… what’s happening to her is just not right.” Other boy band members, including Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean and Nick Carter and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, have also called out her conservatorship and publicly joined the #FreeBritney movement.Billboard has reached out to Jamie Spears’ lawyers for comment.Listen to Bass open up about Britney Spears and her conservatorship around the 35-minute mark here.
Below, check out seven things you didn’t see on TV:Becky GBecky G not only walked away winning awards for two of her three nominations, but also performed her latest single “Fulanito” with El Alfa. Backstage, she opened up about her new stage as a businesswoman. “I’m exercising my entrepreneurship as a young businesswoman,” she said. “I just launched my own makeup company. It’s all about representing the Latinx community in a more authentic and genuine way.” She also revealed that new music is on the way.Eslabon ArmadoEslabon Armado, nominated two times at this year’s Premios Juventud, expressed how they feel about recently earning their fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart with Tu Veneno Normal, Vol. 2, all in less than 13 months. “We’re grateful,” they said. “It’s thanks to our audience who support us with every album we release.” On that streak, the boys revealed more albums are in the works. “We’re creating a mega-album with a lot of artists that I can’t name right now.”Yotuel & Gente de ZonaBefore their powerful performance of “Patria y Vida” — which followed a speech by Pitbull and Emilio Estefan and a performance by Cuban artists Joncien, Lena, Malena Burke and Yailenys Pérez — Gente de Zona and Yotuel talked to Billboard about the #SOSCuba movement.“The youth is the one who changes things and moves the masses,” Yotuel said. “The Cuban youth took to the streets to say ‘enough’ and that’s the Cuba we’re representing to the whole world.” “This song has become a revolution anthem,” Randy of Gente de Zona said of their protest song “Patria y Vida.” “This song was created so that we can raise our voices for the more than 11 million Cubans who are repressed without human rights.”Justin QuilesJustin Quiles closed Premios Juventud with his summer anthem “Loco” in collaboration with Zion y Lennox and Chimbala, but first, he talked to Billboard on the carpet, revealing his next single. “This is nonstop,” he says. “I already have my next single ready. It’s a romantic reggaeton with Maluma, baby,” he fessed up exclusively. The upcoming track would mark the seventh collaborative effort between the Puerto Rican and Colombian artists.AnittaBrazilian superstar Anitta, a two-time nominee at Premios Juventud, took center stage to perform alongside Lunay on his “Todo o Nada” track. Backstage, she expressed that she can’t wait for fans to see the official music video but it all depends on when Lunay will release it. She also revealed exciting news for her loyal fandom, saying that a “powerful” song is coming soon following “Girl From Rio” and that her album will also drop this year. “My album is coming around October. It’s ready!” As for her return to touring? Anitta revealed that currently she’s enjoying life and she hopes to hit the road soon.Sofia ReyesTwo-time nominee Sofia Reyes is currently making the rounds with her Pedro Capo-assisted track “Casualidad,” saying it’s her favorite release and that she loves sharing this experience with Capo. Up next? A major collaboration. “They just gave me the news and it makes me want to cry every time I think about it,” she said. “Next week, on [July 30], I’ll be part of a new song with Sia and Yandel. This is very powerful and I’m very excited.” The Mexican pop artist also revealed that she’s finishing her album.El Fantasma & Los Dos CarnalesSweeping two of their nine nominations, it was an exciting night for Los Dos Carnales at Premios Juventud. They revealed they’re touring Colombia for the first time with El Fantasma. “He’s a key part in everything that’s happening with the group, we’re very happy,” the brothers expressed. During their Cabrones y Vagos tour, the boys will perform in Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Cúcuta. “We want to explore everything!” El Fantasma noted, “the food, the fans who support us and then paradise.”
With two younger sisters of her own, it’s no surprise that Selena Gomez relates to one of the most iconic TV big sisters of all time: DJ Tanner from Full House. The pop star posted an adorable TikTok on Thursday of her and 8-year-old sister Gracie lip-syncing to a classic Full House DJ-vs.-Stephanie argument.In the video, Gomez plays the part of DJ while Gracie performs as the super sassy Stephanie. “I’m older. I’m younger. I’m taller. I’m shorter. I’m smarter. I’m… not falling for that,” they say, trading lines back and forth. At the end, Gracie reaches to grab her big sister’s face.The singer has recently been really ramping up her TikTok videos, wherein she picks out funny audio clips and masterfully acts them out for her 31.6 million followers on the platform. She posted another TikTok that same day in celebration of her 29th birthday, mouthing along to Trap Beckham’s “Birthday Bitch.” And before that, she made one to poke fun at her younger self by mouthing along to audio of her speaking with an interviewer at Teen Vogue’s 2007 Young Hollywood party — the clip, which features 14-year-old Gomez excitedly describing the blue streaks in her hair, had already been circulating around the app.
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