Shakira and Rauw Alejandro add a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Te Felicito” holds atop the June 25-dated ranking. It’s the third collaborative title to rule at least two weeks in 2022, after “Entre Nosotros,” by Tiago PZK, Lit Killah, Nickie Nicole and Maria Becerra, which topped the ranking for nine weeks this year (16 overall), and Paulo Londra and Bizarrap’s “Paulo Londra” Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 23” (two weeks).
Bad Bunny joins a selective group of artists who have placed four simultaneous titles in the survey’s top 10 as “Moscow Mule” rebounds 13-10, one spot below its prior No. 9 peak (May 21-28-dated rankings). The Puerto Rican’s three other top 10 titles include “Me Porto Bonito” at No. 4, “Ojitos Lindos,” which lifts 6-5, and “Titi Me Preguntó” moving up 7-6.
Here’s a look at the artist scoreboard with most simultaneous top 10 titles on the chart:
Following the release of her new Kanye West and Lil Durk collaboration, “Hot S—,” Cardi B hosted a fun “Ask Cardi” session on Twitter, encouraging her fans to send questions in.
The “Bodak Yellow” sent Twitter ablaze when she responded to a question asking who her favorite member of BTS is. Cardi, an ARMY member herself, promptly responded with a photo of Jimin.
Cardi also responded to some questions about her family, revealing that she wants two more children to join her daughter Kulture and son Wave. She also shared that her next tattoos would be of her kids’ names on her neck and face.
Though both their parents are musicians, Kulture and Wave like the same music any normal kid would. “My kids are mostly into kids music …KK likes lay lay ,Jojo siwa and Wave likes Joolstv,” Cardi shared.
As for Cardi’s tips on being a “bad b—-” the expert herself replied, “Acting like one ,knowing you one but being well POLISHED!!!”
While her upcoming sophomore album has yet to be officially announced, the rapper shared that it’s got “a lot of different vibes.” She also revealed that she hopes to work with her husband Offset on a future mixtape, plus a Spanish album following the success of “Taki Taki” and “La Modelo.”
See some of her responses below, and check out the full Q&A session on Cardi B’s Twitter page here.
Over the course of the genre’s history, country music has had more than its share of sweet, romantic moments. Whether it’s about finding your soulmate, realizing the one you love has been there all along or, heartbreakingly, unrequited love, country music is filled with tunes reminding us that love is real.
One could even say love songs have seemingly helped to define the careers of many of the format’s biggest stars. The appeal of Johnny Cash’s fiery 1963 hit “Ring of Fire” spans generations. George Strait’s musical meet-cute “The Chair” is among the King of Country’s biggest hits. Taylor Swift’s re-telling of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet in “Love Story” has become a modern classic. And Dan + Shay’s Grammy-winning “Speechless” has been a wedding perennial since its release in 2018.
Though colorful lyrics and a distinctive form of storytelling are at the heart of the genre, country music is filled with real-life love stories, too. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill may be country music’s reigning powerhouse couple, celebrating over 20 years of marriage. But Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s long-time friendship turned romance make the couple fierce runner-ups.
To celebrate the genre’s storied past and present, we’ve gone back in the history books and picked out 50 of the best love songs country music has to offer. This is by no means a definitive list. It’s likely that a song that may have a special place in your love story might not have made this list. However, these are some moments that are worth revisiting when trying to set the mood for a romantic moment.
Minions: The Rise of Gru hit theaters on Friday (July 1), released along with its star-studded soundtrack which includes a new cover of The Carpenters‘ “Goodbye to Love” by Phoebe Bridgers.
“I must live my life alone / And though it’s not the easy way / I guess I’ve always known / I’d say goodbye to love,” she sings in her take on the 1972 track.
Released originally on The Carpenters’ album, A Song for You, “Goodbye to Love” peaked at No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated August 26, 1972. The track spent 10 total weeks on the chart.
The Jack Antonoff-led Minions: The Rise of Gru soundtrack also features songs from Diana Ross and Tame Impala, St. Vincent, Kali Uchis, Bleachers, H.E.R., Gary Clark Jr., Brockhampton and more.
“I think there’s certain songs that live in the moment and then certain songs that kind of live forever,” Antonoff told Billboard of the soundtrack, which includes a number of throwback covers with a modern twist. “I think the songs that I chose, regardless of this project, live forever. So this can just be another point in the long story of all the songs which are going to go way into the future of mankind.”
Listen to Bridgers’ take on “Goodbye to Love” below.
Perhaps more than any other genre, country music has been linked with patriotism, for better or for worse, for decades. Attend any number of country concerts, and you’re likely to see an artist pay tribute to members of the American military, or witness audience members waving American flags or chanting “U.S.A.!” at some point during the show. Numerous songs with patriotic or military themes have dotted Billboard‘s country charts over the years. Here, we look at 10 country songs that center on patriotism in various ways, or honoring those who serve.
Toby Keith, “American Soldier”
During the course of his career, Keith has earned hits with many military and patriotic-themed hits, perhaps most notably the post-9/11 song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).” But it is perhaps this song that tops the list of Keith’s patriotic song canon, with a clear-eyed look at the daily sacrifices military members make.
Key lyric: “I don’t do it for the money, there’s bills that I can’t pay/I don’t do it for the glory, I just do it anyway”
Billy Ray Cyrus, “Some Gave All”
This 1992 release is also the title track to Cyrus’ smash hit debut album, and honors military members who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Key lyric: “And if you ever think of me, think of all your liberties and recall/Some Gave All”
John Conlee, “They Also Serve”
In this song from his 2004 album Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Conlee honors the families of those who are deployed, recognizing the sacrifices that mothers, fathers, children, grandparents and more make when a loved one is on military duty.
Key lyric: “They don’t wear a uniform or carry a gun/ But they’re still in the war”
Trace Adkins, “Arlington”
Sung from the point of view of a fallen soldier laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, this song was inspired by United States Marine Corps corporal Patrick Nixon, who died during battle in 2003.
Key lyric: “And I’m proud to be on this peaceful piece of property/ I’m on sacred ground and I’m in the best of company”
Tim McGraw, “If You’re Reading This”
This 2007 release marks one of McGraw’s most impactful songs, crafted as a letter from a soldier of war to his lover in the event that he was killed in battle. McGraw co-wrote the song with The Warren Brothers’ Brad and Brett Warren.
Key lyric: “So lay me down in that open field out on the edge of town and know my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go”
The Warren Brothers, “Hey Mr. President”
The Warren Brothers’ Brad and Brett Warren are top-notch songwriters in their own right (see the McGraw track above). However, in their own 2005-released song, penned by illustrious songwriter Tom Douglas, the composition forgoes the chest-thumping, flag-waving imagery so prevalent in perhaps the majority of centering on the concerns of Americans on both sides of the political aisle, in a still-timely message of people who hope for peace and to simply see their children grow up.
Key lyric: “And we pray that we dance at our daughters’ weddings/and our sons grow to fine men, and for peace on our land”
Johnny Cash, “Ragged Old Flag”
In this Cash classic, the American flag bears several of its own triumphant “medals” of survival, from a hole where Washington flew it while crossing the Delaware, or a powder burn during the night Francis Scott Key watched it while writing the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Key lyric: “And she’s getting threadbare and wearing thin, but she’s in good shape for the shape she’s in/’Cause she’s been through the fire before, and I believe she can take a whole lot more”
Brooks & Dunn, “Only in America”
This Brooks & Dunn release from 2001 paints a lyrical picture of a New York City school bus driver looking in the mirror at the students on board, and pondering the myriad of possibilities the future could hold for those youngsters.
Key lyric: “One kid dreams of fame and fortune, one kid helps pay the rent/ One could end up going to prison, one just might be president”
Merle Haggard, “Fightin’ Side of Me”
This Haggard classic was nominated for single of the year and song of the year at the 1970 Country Music Association awards.
Key lyric: “And I don’t mind ’em switchin’ sides and standin’ up for things they believe in”
Lee Greenwood, “God Bless the USA”
Love it or hate it, this is still the song that blasts out of radios across the nation every July 4th. Written and recorded by Greenwood, this 1984 release is filled with national pride, and earned greater renown in the early 1990s during the Gulf War.
Key lyric: “I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today/ ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.”
Festival organizers announced Friday (July 1) that Day N Vegas 2022, which was originally slated for Labor Day weekend, has been canceled.
“We’re sorry to announce that a combination of logistics, timing and production issues have forced us to cancel Day N Vegas for 2022,” read the announcement on the festival’s socials. “The refund process will begin immediately, and funds will appear back to your account within the next 2-4 weeks. All orders will be refunded to the credit card used to complete purchase. If you purchased a festival pass(es) via AXS and have questions about the refund process, please contact AXS via http://support.axs.com. For Fuse Hotel Package support, please visit http://daynvegas2022.com for more info.”
The full lineup for the three-day festival was announced on June 7, with Travis Scott, SZA and J. Cole as headliners. The festival had also booked Playboi Carti, 21 Savage, Baby Keem, Summer Walker, H.E.R., Jhene Aiko, Trippie Redd, Jorja Smith, Pusha T, Joji, Aminé, City Girls, T-Pain, Vince Staples, Freddie Gibbs, Steve Lacy, Tems, Syd, Sabrina Claudio, and more. It would’ve marked Scott’s first festival appearance since crowd surges during his 2021 Astroworld festival in Houston resulted in the deaths of 10 people and injured many others. The Astroworld rapper was supposed to headline Day N Vegas 2021 a week after the Astroworld tragedy, but he was dropped off the bill following the incident and replaced by Post Malone.
The festival, which is produced by Goldenvoice — the AEG-owned concert promotion company that produces Coachella — was supposed to return to the Las Vegas Festival Ground from Sept. 2-4, 2022, two months earlier than when the festival occurred last year during the Nov. 12-14, 2021 weekend.
Billboard recently ranked Day N Vegas No. 14 in our top 50 festivals of 2022 list because “when one compares the cost of a ticket with the event’s ROR (return on rappers), there are few better options for fans looking to max out their music dollars than this deeply booked music experience,” according to Billboard‘s senior director, live + touring Dave Brooks.
Ella Mai’s “DFMU” goes up to No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart to give the singer-songwriter her fourth champ. The single ascends from No. 2 to lead the list dated July 2, following its 2% gain in spins to become the most-played song on U.S. monitored adult R&B radio stations in the week ending June 26, according to Luminate.
“DFMU,” on 10 Summers/Interscope Records, secures Ella Mai’s fourth leader on Adult R&B Songs. Her run began with breakout single “Boo’d Up,” which ruled for 13 weeks in 2018. She then followed with the nine-week champ “Trip,” and gained two more weeks at the summit through her featured turn on Usher’s “Don’t Waste My Time” in 2020.
“Honestly, I’m really honoured and grateful to have achieved another No. 1 record at radio,” Ella Mai tells Billboard via email. “Like many others, due to the pandemic and just really wanting to take my time and create timeless music, I haven’t released any music in almost 3 years so to come back and have it be received so well is incredible.”
“DFMU” appears on Ella Mai’s sophomore full-length studio album, Heart on My Sleeve, which debuted and peaked at No. 2 on Top R&B Albums in April. The set also includes another Adult R&B Airplay hit in “Not Another Love Song,” which reached a No. 2 best in April 2021.
In addition to its adult R&B victory, “DFMU” has enjoyed strong reception among mainstream R&B programmers and fans. The song peaked at No. 9 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart earlier this month, and the twin success at both formats sent the song to No. 5 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, which ranks by audience at both adult and mainstream stations. Thanks largely to its strength in the R&B/hip-hop radio market, “DMFU” reached a No. 38 high on the all-genre Radio Songs chart.
Beyond “DFMU,” Ella Mai also scores a new top 20 hit on Adult R&B Airplay, as “Keeps on Fallin,” her collaboration with Babyface, debuts at No. 20. “Getting to work with someone who has inspired me and my music before he even knew I existed is literally a dream come true,” Mai writes. “So much doesn’t exist in R&B without Babyface, so to be a part of that in some way is amazing.” Ella Mai and Babyface performed “Fallin” on the BET Awards on Sunday (June 26) during her medley, which also included “DMFU” and current Rhythmic Airplay and Sleeve single “How,” featuring Roddy Ricch.
Notably, the song gives Mai her highest debut among her seven career entries (the previous six have all reached the top 10). “Getting to witness the song take off so quickly with the Adult R&B radio audience is a great achievement because I aspire to make music for R&B lovers of all ages, so it’s an honour that it’s taken off in an audience that really value authentic R&B music.”
“Fallin,” meanwhile, will appear on a forthcoming Babyface album, Girls Night Out, featuring appearances from Mai, Ari Lennox, Kehlani, Queen Naija, Doechii and more.
The 2022 Essence Festival of Culture clarified its admission policy Friday (July 1), saying its coronavirus safety measures remain in place after an announcement via social media saying a negative COVID test result would be allowed for admission to its events was sent in error.
Essence said proof of a COVID vaccination remained mandatory for admission, a spokesperson for the festival said. Negative test results will not be accepted for entry, organizers said.
The messaging on the festival’s admission policy has been confusing from the start. Auto-generated information that came with electronic Ticketmaster receipts for comedian Kevin Hart’s Thursday show said that either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result was good for admission. But that was not the case.
In the days leading up to the festival, Essence officials and the festival’s messaging on the “frequently asked questions” section of its website insisted that only proof of vaccination was acceptable. That policy remained in effect, organizers reiterated Friday.
This comes as Louisiana is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases. As of Friday, 2,237 new cases had been reported. Those not fully vaccinated accounted for 57% of the cases reported between June 16 and June 22, the Louisiana Department of Health said.
Still, there are currently no coronavirus restrictions in place in the city of New Orleans.
The festival annually brings more than 500,000 people to New Orleans over the 4th of July holiday weekend. This year’s lineup includes Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson and New Edition as headliners.
As residents approach the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department is warning people that COVID is resurging in the county.
The Centers for Disease Control has now classified Greene County as a medium impact area as the area has sign a rise in weekly COVID-19 cases over the past month.
Last week, Greene County saw a rolling average of 87 cases per day, up 10% from the previous week.
With the medium impact designation, the CDC now recommends residents:
Wear a face mask while indoors if you are at high risk for severe illness or have frequent contact with a high-risk person.
Get tested if you are exposed or have COVID-19 symptoms.
Stay up-to-date on vaccines and boosters
SGCHD recommends, if you or your family plan to celebrate, to consider an outdoor gathering to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Those interested or in need of a vaccine or booster shot can visit vaccine417.com for information regarding locations and appointment times.
First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.
Carlos Rivera feat. Carlos Vives, “Te Soñé” (Sony Music México)
Carlos Rivera pens a heartwarming love letter to his hometown Tlaxcala, Mexico and recruits the ever-so poetic Carlos Vives to serenade fans with “Te Soñé.” A beautiful vallenato, Rivera co-wrote this track with Julio Reyes Copello (who also produces the track), as the first single off Rivera’s forthcoming album. “‘Te Soñé’ is a love song to my homeland; It is the best way to tell people who I am, what my roots are,” Rivera shares in a statement. The music video to the prideful song is as colorful as its lyrics showcasing traditional and symbolic costumes and dances that give life to the Carnival of Tlaxcala. — GRISELDA FLORES
J Balvin & Ryan Castro, “Nivel de Perreo” (Universal Music Latino)
For his first perreo track of the year, Balvin recruits Castro, an emerging artist also from Medellín, to deliver a new, sizzling summer single. Together, they bring forth hypnotizing beats that will make you play this song on repeat. The traditional perreo thumping beats fused with reggaetón drums and the duo’s skills give life to the track. — INGRID FAJARDO
Santa Fe Klan, “Luka” (Cuatro Siete Tres Music)
The Mexican rapper Santa Fe Klan trades his hard-hitting rap sessions for a stripped-down tender ballad that is inspired by his newborn son, Luka. Powered by a striking piano note, the emotional song finds the Guanajuato-born artist delivering a poem where he narrates a life-altering moment that has changed his perspective. “I hope our love is forever, I want to be the best for you,” he sings. “Let’s walk this world together, just ask the moon how much I love you.” For the first time in his career, the music and lyrics were both composed by Santa Fe Klan. The single will be part of Klan’s upcoming album. — G.F.
Marc Segui, “Agua Salada” (Warner Music Spain)
Spanish singer Marc Seguí thrives with this new experimental track, “Agua Salada,” which fuses elements of flamenco and reggaetón. This track brings Seguí’s soft yet evocative vocals at the forefront, taking him out of his comfort zone — but the artist still manages to remain true to himself in this heartbroken track. “You are sweet as salt water, a jewel worth nothing/ Sincere as your look when you said that you would die for me,” he sings in the chorus. — I.F.
Zion & Lennox & María Becerra, “Berlin” (Warner Music Latina)
A departure from Zion & Lennox’s signature reggaetón anthems, the duo drop a head-bobbing dance track this week, for which they recruited Argentine star María Becerra. The high-energy track finds the three artists trading verses about love becoming more elusive nowadays. “Berlin” was produced by Robbie Meza and marks the first collaboration between the duo and Becerra, which adds to her long list of collabs — including team ups with Prince Royce, Cazzu and J Balvin. If the song doesn’t do it for you already, watch the music video with multicolored LED panels and strobe lights that will transport you to a nightclub. — G.F.
JENCARLOS “Antes y Despúes” (Alkatraks Music Group)
After going on a journey of self discovery, Cuban-American singer JENCARLOS returns with a powerful message. His new track is an invitation to heal and come back stronger than ever. Penned by JENCARLOS and produced by the Dominican singer-songwriter Maffio, “Antes y Después” is the artist’s most personal song yet. This poignant track is a must-listen on this long weekend. — I.F.
Paulo Londra, “Nublado” (Warner Music Latina)
The Argentine singer-songwriter is on a winning streak, releasing back-to-back singles under his new deal with Warner Music Latina. This time around, he places all bets on a pop-rock track to stand out from a crowded field of releases. Showcasing his chameleonic ability to dabble in multiple genres, including R&B and trap, “Nublado” narrates a heartbreak story and accepting that it’s time to move on. — G.F.
Deorro, Orro (Ultra Records)
Deorro’s new album is like a rebirth of sorts. For one, it’s the Mexican-American DJ and producer’s first album since 2017, when he released the all-English Good Evening. This new 19-track set is a departure from its predecessor, as it thrives on Latin rhythms like norteño and cumbia, which he effortlessly fuses with EDM beats. It’s a testament to Deorro’s versatility and adaptability experimenting with multiple genres while staying true to his core genre, dance. “ORRO is all about rediscovering my love for music,” Deorro says in a statement. “For a while, I thought I was going to quit and buy a taco truck. To fall back in love with music, I had to focus on who I really am and where I come from. That helped me dig into my Latin roots and made the process fun again.” For ORRO, the 30-year-old recruits heavy hitters such as Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Gente de Zona, Fulanito and Alex Rose, among others. — G.F.
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