Mariah Carey Earns 19th No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 with “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

It’s a pre-Christmasgift for Mariah Carey

Completing a journey 25 years in the making, the 49-year-old half-Venezuelan American singer’s 1994 insta-holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” crowns the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, jingling 3-1 on the chart dated December 21, 2019.

Mariah Carey Christmas

Originally released in 1994 on Carey’s album Merry Christmas, the modern classic reached the Hot 100‘s top 10 at last in December 2017 and rose to its prior No. 3 high last holiday season (and matched the rank last week).

Carey adds her 19th Hot 100 No. 1, extending her record for the most among soloists. She also moves to within one of The Beatles‘ overall-record 20 Hot 100 No. 1s.

Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is the second holiday No. 1 ever on the Hot 100, joining The Chipmunks‘ “The Chipmunk Song” (with David Seville), which ruled for four weeks in 1958-59. 

Carey joins an elite club of acts with Hot 100 No. 1s in the 1990s, 2000s & 2010s. Its previously-inducted members: Christina AguileraBritney Spearsand Usher.

Carey’s decade-by-decade breakout: 14 No. 1s in the ’90s, four in the ’00s and now one in the ’10s.

Notably, no act has ever logged time at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in four distinct decades, consecutively or otherwise. Thus, if “Christmas” is No. 1 on the chart dated Jan. 4, two weeks from now, Carey would become the first artist to achieve the honor.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming, radio airplay and sales data. 

Cardi B Lines Up Las Vegas Residency at the Palms Casino Resort

Cardi B is heading to Sin City…

The 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation is the latest artist to line up a Las Vegas residency at the Palms Casino Resort. so is a great show for people who like to go to Casinos (even the ones that gamble online on PlaySlots4RealMoney.com)  to be able to gamble, although you can also do bets online if you’re interested, and learning how to play craps could be essential if you want to make some money on these Casino websites. You will definitely make good money by playing poker online.

Cardi B

Cardi B will perform a string of dates this spring at the casino’s forthcoming day and night club, KAOS.

KAOS officially opens in April after a $690 million renovation. 

While Cardi B hasn’t yet publicly addressed the residency, the venue her residency in a graphic on its website

While Cardi B’s KAOS residency dates are not yet available, the Palms confirmed to Variety that the rapper will perform five-to-six shows over the course of the next year, with the first appearance expected to be scheduled in the spring.

Cardi B joins a fleet of artists likeLady GagaJennifer LopezGwen Stefani,AerosmithBilly Idoland Britney Spears– who recently postponed her upcoming residency – to schedule an extended engagement in Las Vegas.

Cardi B will next take the stage February 2nd at Atlanta’s Super Bowl Music Festand at the Grammy Awards

Camila Cabello Pulls a Rare Double as She Earns First No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Havana”

It’s a rare double for Camila Cabello

The 20-year-old Cuban and Mexican singer and former Fifth Harmony Member has reached the summit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated January 27) for the first time, as “Havana,” featuring Young Thug, rises from No. 2 to No. 1.

Camila Cabello

The song was released on SYCO/Epic Records and is the 1,070th No. 1 in the Hot 100‘s history, which dates to the chart’s August 4, 1958, inception.

Cabello’s Hot 100 coronation accompanies her No. 1 entrance on the Billboard 200 albums chart with her debut solo set, Camila.

Additionally, “Havana” becomes Cabello’s first No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart, jumping from No. 5 with a 34 percent gain to 44.9 million U.S. streams in the week ending January 18, according to Nielsen Music.

The track charges 4-2 on Digital Song Sales (which it led for two weeks), up 57 percent to 80,000 downloads sold in the week ending Jan. 18, aided by a 69-cent iTunes Store sale price. It claims the Hot 100’s top gains in both streaming and sales.

On Radio Songs (which it topped for four frames), “Havana” holds at No. 2, with 131 million in all-format airplay audience (down 5 percent) in the week ending Jan. 21.

Cabello had previously peaked as high as No. 4 on the Hot 100 both as a soloist and a member of vocal group Fifth Harmony, which she departed in December 2016. Her own “Bad Things,” with Machine Gun Kelly, hit No. 4 on February 11, 2017, while 5H‘s “Work From Home,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, reached the same rank on June 11, 2016.

“Havana” spent seven (nonconsecutive) weeks at No. 2 before topping the Hot 100. That’s the most time for a song at the runner-up spot before hitting No. 1 since Justin Bieber‘s “Sorry” logged a record-tying eight weeks at No. 2 in 2015-16 prior to leading for three weeks beginning January 23, 2016.

“Havana” hits No. 1 in its 23rd week on the Hot 100, equaling the longest rise to the summit for a song by a female artist in the Hot 100’s history. It matches Sia‘s “Cheap Thrills,” featuring Sean Paul, in 2016, and Patti Austin‘s “Baby, Come to Me,” with James Ingram, in 1982-83.

Only six songs overall have taken more scenic routes to No. 1 than those three, led by Los Del Rio‘s “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)“: 33 weeks in 1995-96.

Beyonce was the last artist to earn both firsts as a soloist simultaneously, with “Crazy in Love,” featuring JAY-Z, and Dangerously in Love, on July 12, 2003. The song began an eight-week Hot 100 reign the same week that her first solo album apart from Destiny’s Child (and including “Crazy”) launched at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Still, Beyoncé had previously topped both charts as a member of Destiny’s Child.

Counting purely first weeks at No. 1 on the tallies overall, Cabello is the first artist to earn both firsts in the same week since Britney Spears, whose “…Baby One More Time” ascended to No. 1 on the Hot 100 dated Jan. 30, 1999, the week that her debut album of the same name opened atop the Billboard 200.

Meanwhile, Cabello is the first artist to top both the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 concurrently at all since Kendrick Lamar, who did so “Humble.” and DAMN., respectively, on May 6, 2017.

The last woman to double up at No. 1 on the charts before Cabello this week? Rihanna, with “Work,” featuring Drake, and ANTI, nearly two years ago (April 2, 2016).

Mariah Carey Returning to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest

Mariah Carey is getting a second chance…

The 47-year-old half-Venezuelan American singer will return to the scene of her infamous major malfunction in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, agreeing to another performance this year for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

Mariah Carey 

Carey was the victim of an alleged technical malfunction when she appeared on the globally televised program in 2016-17, though her bizarre off-camera demeanor made others question whether sound was the issue. Carey wound up walking around the stage without singing in what many described as a meltdown.

A representative for Carey blamed Dick Clark Productions. saying “production set her up to fail”; DCP called that claim “absurd.”

This year, Carey will take another stab at performing in the New Year’s Eve celebration, taking the stage at 11:45 p.m.

Carey recently changed managers, and the switch to Roc Nation might have prompted the return.

Other performers scheduled to appear include Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas and Sugarland. Britney Spears will appear for a remote cameo from Las Vegas.

VH1 to Spotlight Ricky Martin’s Las Vegas Show with One Hour Special

Ricky Martin is giving you an intimate look inside his Sin City show…

VH1 is chronicling the seven-week preparation for the 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer’s current Las Vegas residency with a new one-hour television special set to premiere next month.

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin: Behind The Vegas Residency will offer fans a look at every candid moment that led up to the “Vuelve” singer’s mammoth live show, which hit the Park Theater of Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in April and continues with scattered dates through September 23.

The show includes intimate interviews with Martin himself, encounters with fans and family, backstage footage and other tidbits.

Martin first announced his Vegas residency last November, joining the likes of Mariah CareyJennifer Lopez and Celine Dion, who have all notched the music career bucket list item.

The live concert was produced by the legendary Jamie King, who has worked on shows for the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears, and also serves as executive producer on the newly announced VH1 series.

Ricky Martin: Behind The Vegas Residency is set to go live on Monday, September 4 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on VH1.

Martin Reenacts Tom Cruise’s Infamous “Risky Business” Underwear Scene on Spike TV’s “Lip Sync Battle”

Ricky Martin isn’t afraid of a little risky business

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican superstar got down to his skivvies in an all-out effort to beat Kate Upton on Lip Sync Battle.

Ricky Martin Lip Sync Battle

In a preview clip of the episode airing Thursday (April 20), Martin takes on Bob Seger‘s “Old Time Rock n Roll,” and recreates Tom Cruise‘s famous Risky Business scene featuring the song — underwear and all.

Sliding onto the stage in socks, boxer briefs and an Oxford shirt, Martin nails every move, as well as every lyric in his lip-syncing. He even uses a candlestick like the one Cruise used as a microphone in the scene.

Martin’s opponent Upton also recreates an iconic vid for her performance, lip-syncing to Britney Spears‘ “…Baby One More Time.” Dressed as schoolgirl Spears, Upton dances just like the pop singer did in her video, and puts up quite the fight against Martin’s Risky Business reenactment.

The full episode, hosted by Chrissy Teigen and LL Cool J, airs Thursday (Apr. 20) at 10:00 pm ET on Spike.

Dorough & the Backstreet Boys Launching 18-Date Las Vegas Residency

All bet’s are on for Howie Dorough..

The 42-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer and his fellow Backstreet Boys band mates will kick off an 18-date trial residency at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on March 1, 2017, according to Billboard.

Backstreet Boys

“If you’ve ever been to a Backstreet Boys show… it’s going to be that on steroids,” says Brian Littrell.

“We’re going to call the show Larger Than Life, and we’re taking that theme and we’re going to run with it,” adds Kevin Richardson.

The show, split between March and June/July runs, is a joint venture between Caesars Entertainment and Live Nation, and promises to be a “one-of-a-kind, over-the-top” production featuring the Grammy-winning group’s greatest hits and more.

The quintet’s arrival in Las Vegas cements a burgeoning era of pop music residencies on The Strip, with acts including Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez having breathed new life into traditional residency set-ups in recent years.

“The AXIS marked a new era of entertainment, bringing the first pop music residencies to the famed Las Vegas Strip,” says Jason Gastwirth, Caesars Entertainment senior vice president of marketing and entertainment. “Introducing the Backstreet Boys further solidifies our reputation as a premier destination for live entertainment.”

Tickets for the shows will start at $39, plus fees and taxes, and go on sale at 10am on October 1st, with various pre-sales kicking off from Monday.

The dates are:

March 2017: 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18
June 2017: 14, 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30
July 2017: 1

Hernandez to Serve as a Presenter at the MTV Video Music Awards

Laurie Hernandez is ready to make music… or at least a music-related announcement.

The 16-year-old Puerto Rican gymnast, a member of the gold-winning Final Five and a silver medalist on the balance beam at the 2016 Rio Games, is heading to the MTV Video Music Awards.

Laurie Hernandez

Hernandez and her teammates, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian, will present awards at Sunday’s show in New York City.

Jimmy Fallon, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys and Puff Daddy will also present awards, while attendees at Madison Square Garden will include Kanye West, Bryson Tiller, 2 Chainz, DNCE, Desiigner and Troye Sivan.

Britney Spears, Rihanna, Future, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Nick Jonas and the Chainsmokers will perform during the live show.

Beyonce is the leading nominee with 11, followed by Adele with eight nominations.

Beyonce, Adele, West, Justin Bieber and Drake will compete for video of the year.

Gomez Among 24 Artists Featured on Orlando Shooting Charity Single “Hands”

Selena Gomez is lending her hands to help the victims of the Orlando Shooting.

The 23-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress is among 24 artists featured on a new recording to raise money for the victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre.

Selena Gomez

The all-star release, entitled “Hands” — a charity single from Interscope Records with support from GLAAD — was conceived by hit songwriter Justin Tranter, co-writer of Justin Bieber’sSorry” and hits for Gomez, DNCE, Fall Out Boy and Gwen Stefani.

In addition to Gomez, the single also features Jennifer Lopez, who has worked on her own charity single with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stefani, Jason Derulo, Meghan Trainor, Juanes, Pink, Mary J. Blige and Britney Spears.

The June 12 shooting at the gay nightclub in Orlando, which killed 49 people and injured 53, is the most deadly mass shooting in American history and the deadliest act of violence against the LGBT community.

Funds from the song will aid families with medical care, counseling and will also be used for education.

“Like the rest of the world I woke up to the news that morning and was horrified and sad and scared,” says Tranter, who has raised money and awareness for LGBT causes since coming out at age 14.

“Hands” is available on iTunes.

Proceeds will be distributed by Equality Florida Pulse Victims Fund, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and GLAAD.

The idea for the all-star project came together one day after the shooting.

L.A.-based Tranter and songwriting partner Julia Michaels had been on the road with Gomez writing songs aboard her tour bus in Miami the weekend of June 11 when news of the bloodshed prompted Tranter to switch course. That afternoon he signed on as a volunteer at The Center Orlando, the region’s chief LGBT community center.

“I called them and said, ‘If I fly up is there something for me to help with?'” he tells Billboard. “They say, ‘We need as many hands as we can possibly get.'”

“Hands” took hold the next day when Tranter met GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis who had arrived at the center from New York.

Beyond their immediate efforts — distributing food and water and GLAAD’s work with media — both were looking to make contributions that would have ongoing benefits. They point out that the massacre was also a profound attack on people of color, as that Saturday evening had been a popular “Latin Night” at Pulse. Most of the victims were of Latin heritage and Ellis says she does not want that point forgotten.

“When you hear the song it talks about hate being the driver here,” she says, “and that’s important because we have to be able to identify what’s driving these cruel acts in order to stop them. Artists using their platforms to accelerate acceptance is very powerful.”

Aligning with Interscope for the release, Tranter, GLAAD and Interscope president of A&R Aaron Bay-Schuck put the word out that a fundraiser was in the works. Within days artists from all spheres of the business had lined up — also among them Halsey, Ty Herndon, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, Adam Lambert, The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, MNEK, Alex Newell, Mary Lambert, Prince Royce, Jussie Smollett, Nate Ruess and RuPaul — all recording separately from their homes, local studios, touring locations or wherever they happened to be at that moment.

“We assigned everybody what we thought would be the best part for their voice,” Tranter says, “and we asked them all to sing an additional part, just in case. But everybody got it done in time so we ended up with extra vocals.”

In Los Angeles “Interscope let us use their studio,” he notes. “Mary J. Blige recorded in New Orleans. Britney Spears in Thousand Oaks, I think. Pink in Santa Barbara. MNEK recorded at home in London. Selena recorded in her studio bus. Dan Reynolds recorded in his home. Adam Lambert was in Luxembourg. Ty Herndon the country star was in Spain. Kacey Musgraves, Nashville. Everyone just got it done.”

Another goal of the record, according to GLAAD, is to fund educational programs.

“This was an American guy who was born in Queens,” Ellis says of the gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, who was killed by police after a three hour stand-off. “He learned that hate here in America. This happened on American soil, against a particular community.”

While politicians and lobbyists have focused in recent weeks on Islamic terror and familiar narratives about gun ownership, Ellis, Tranter and others in the LGBT community want people to remember that this was a hate crime.

“I’m not educated enough to speak on the political details,” Tranter says. I’m a songwriter, not a politician. It could have been a million things but clearly, 100 percent, this was an attack on the LGBT community and people of color.”

“Hands” grew out of an unfinished piece that Tranter, Michaels and co-writer and producer BloodPop (formerly known as Blood Diamonds) had been working on and then shelved.

“The song didn’t ever finish itself and it didn’t ever feel right,” Tranter says of their initial efforts. “Now we know why.”

Mark Ronson also co-produced, while vocal engineer Benjamin Rice finessed the disparate tracks: “He helped us find the structure and make sense of it all.”

Warner/Chappell publishing executive Katie Vinten brought in numerous artists, among them P!nk, whom Tranter calls “a lifesaver,” adding, “Her vocal on the chorus is like from heaven directly.”

Spears opens the song with the plaintive line, “Can hold a gun or a hold a heart.” RuPaul is heard quietly toward the end, saying “take my hand baby.”

The songwriters had no specific plan as they entered the studio — only that they didn’t want the piece “to ever sound dated.”

“We didn’t want to have any trendy electronic elements,” Tranter notes. “We wanted it to sound classic, timeless and human. We want this anthem of positivity to be played for years to come.”

Download “Hands” here at iTunes.

Fifth Harmony Signs with Maverick Management

Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello and Lauren Jauregui are mavericks…

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members have signed with Maverick Management, according to Billboard.

Fifth Harmony

Maverick hinted at the arrangement with a tweet, which featured a photo of the girl-group along with the caption, “Welcome to the Maverick family, @FifthHarmony!”

The all-girl group, which was named Group of the Year at Billboard’s Women in Music 2015 ceremony, is now onboard with a management enclave that counts Pharrell Williams, Madonna, Alicia Keys, U2, Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus among its clients.

Fifth Harmony had previously been repped by Jared Paul at Faculty.

The pop-quintet’s debut full-length album, Reflection, opened at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The 2015 set has yielded two top 40 hits, “Worth It” (No. 12) and “Sledgehammer” (No. 40).