Cardi B Makes History in the U.K. as “WAP,” Featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Rises to the No. 1 Spot on Singles Chart

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B’s wap-ping her way into the music history books…

The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar’s smash “WAP,” featuring Megan Thee Stallion, has reached the No. 1 spot on the U.K. charts.

Cardi B’s “WAP” rises 2-1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, to become the first-ever female rap collaboration to reach the summit in the U.K.

After two weeks at No. 2, the track snags 65,000 charts sales, including 8.5 million streams, to take the title, the Official Charts Company reports.

It’s a personal best for both artists. Cardi B’s previous peak on the U.K. chart was No. 5 for 2018’s “Finesse,” her collaboration with Bruno Mars. Megan’s previous high point was a No. 3 for “Savage” in May of this year.

“WAP” is just the second female-led single to hit the top this year, following Lady Gaga’s “Rain On Me” featuring Ariana Grande in May.

You’d have to go back to September 2014 for the last all-female collaboration to hit No. 1, Jessie J, Grande and Nicki Minaj’s “Bang Bang”.

Bruno Mars Earns iHeartMedia’s Titanium Award for Surpassing 1 Billion Total Audience Spins for “Finesse,” feat. Cardi B

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Marsis a man of steel, so to speak…

iHeartMedia has announced that 32 artists will receive the company’s Titanium Award for reaching a threshold of 1 billion total audience spins of their hits throughout 2018, including the 33-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning crooner.

Mars will be recognized for his hit single, “Finesse,” featuring Cardi B. The remixed track peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

But that isn’t the only single to earn Cardi B a Titanium Award.

The 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation is also earning recognition for her chart-topping single “I Like It,” featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny, as well as her No. 1 hit collaboration with Maroon 5on “Girls Like You.”

Camila Cabellowill be recognized for surpassing the 1 billion spins mark for two of her smash singles, “Havana” and “Never Be the Same.”

Meanwhile, Demi Lovato‘s “Sorry Not Sorry,” which was released in July 2017, has also earned the 26-year-old part-Mexican American singer a Titanium Award.

Other recipients and their tunes are Bazzi‘s “Mine,”Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line‘s “Meant to Be,” Drake‘s “God’s Plan,” Dua Lipa‘s “New Rules,” Ed Sheeran‘s “Perfect,” Halsey for “Bad at Love” and her collab with G-Eazy “Him & I,” Imagine Dragons‘ “Thunder,” Khalid featuring Normani‘s “Love Lies,” Lauv‘s “I Like Me Better,” MAX featuring Gnash‘s “Lights Down Low,” NF‘s “Let You Down,” P!nk‘s “What About Us,” Portugal. The Man‘s “Feel It Still,” Post Malone for “Better Now,” “Rockstar” and “Psycho,” Taylor Swift‘s “Delicate,” and Zedd, Maren Morrisand Grey‘s “The Middle.”

The total audience spins is calculated based on Mediabase airplay multiplied by the number of persons listening to the radio at the time of those plays, equaling total audience impressions, which is the broadcast equivalent of the number of streams from a streaming music service. More Titanium Award recipients will be announced as artists reach the milestone throughout 2019 on iHeartRadiostations.

Last year’s winners include Alessia Caraand Zedd, Bruno Mars, DJ Snake, DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokersand Coldplay, Charlie Puth, Imagine Dragons, James Arthur, Kygoand Selena Gomez, Luis Fonsiand Daddy Yankee, Maroon 5, Niall Horan, Sam Hunt, Shawn Mendes, Rihanna, Zayn and Taylor Swift and French Montana.

Cardi B Earns Six Soul Train Awards Nominations

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B has plenty of Soul…

The 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation has earned six Soul Train Awards nominations, tying her for the most nods this year with her “Finesse” collaborator Bruno Mars.

Cardi B and the 33-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer earned five nods for their hit collaboration. “Finesse” is up for Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration Performance, Best Dance Performance and The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award.

Additionally, Cardi B’s “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin, is up for Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year, while Mars is up for Best R&B Soul Male Artist.

Other Latino nominees include Ashanti,Miguel, Daddy Yankee and Mariah Carey.

Filming on November 17 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, BET Presents: 2018 Soul Train Awards will air on BET and BET HER on November 25 (8 p.m. ET). See the complete tally of nominations below.

Presenters and performers for BET Presents: 2018 Soul Train Awardswill be announced in the coming weeks.

Here’s the complete list of nominees for the 2018 Soul Train Awards:

BEST NEW ARTIST
Daniel Caesar
Jorja Smith
Kali Uchis
Leon Thomas
Normani
Queen Naija

SOUL TRAIN CERTIFIED AWARD
Ashanti
Jorja Smith
Ledisi
Lenny Kravitz
MAJOR.
Tamia

BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST
Beyoncé
Ella Mai
H.E.R.
Mariah Carey
SZA

BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST
Bruno Mars
Childish Gambino
Daniel Caesar
John Legend
Khalid
Tank

BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Andra Day
Kirk Franklin
Lecrae
Snoop Dogg
Tori Kelly

RHYTHM & BARS AWARD (BEST HIP-HOP SONG OF THE YEAR)
Cardi B – “I Like It” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin
Childish Gambino – “This is America”
DJ Khaled – “No Brainer” featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo
Drake – “In My Feelings”
The Carters – “Apeshit”

SONG OF THE YEAR
Bruno Mars – “Finesse” (Remix) featuring Cardi B
Ella Mai – “Boo’d Up”
H.E.R. – “Every Kind of Way”
SZA – “The Weekend”
The Internet – “Come Over”

ALBUM/MIXTAPE OF THE YEAR
Chloe X Halle – The Kids Are Alright
Chris Brown – Heartbreak on a Full Moon
H.E.R. – H.E.R.
Leon Bridges – Good Thing
Miguel – War & Leisure
The Internet – Hive Mind

THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER’S AWARD
“Finesse” (Remix) – Written by Gene Hernandez, Belcalis Almanzar, Chris Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Ray McCullough, Klenord Raphael, Jeremy Reeves, James Yip, Ray Romulus (Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B)
“Summertime Magic” – Written by Donald Glover, Ludwig Goransson (Childish Gambino)
“Best Part” – Written by Ashton Simmonds, H.E.R., Riley Bell, Matthew Burnett, Jordan Evans (Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R.)
“Boo’d Up” – Written by Ella Howell, Dijon McFarlane, Joelle James, Larrance Dopson (Ella Mai)
“Focus” – Written by H.E.R., Darhyl Camper, Justin Love (H.E.R.)
“Broken Clocks” – Written by Solana Rowe, Cody Fayne, Adam Feeney, Ashton Simmonds, Thomas Beesley (SZA)

BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE
Bruno Mars – “Finesse” (Remix) featuring Cardi B
Chris Brown – “Tempo”
Ciara – “Level Up”
HoodCelebrityy – “Walking Trophy”
Janet Jackson – “Made for Now” featuring Daddy Yankee

BEST COLLABORATION PERFORMANCE
Bruno Mars – “Finesse” (Remix) featuring Cardi B
Daniel Caesar – “Best Part” featuring H.E.R.
John Legend – “A Good Night” featuring BloodPop
Khalid featuring Ty Dolla $ign and 6lack – “OTW”
SZA – “Doves in the Wind” featuring Kendrick Lamar

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Bruno Mars – “Finesse” (Remix) featuring Cardi B
Ella Mai – “Boo’d Up”
H.E.R. – “Avenue”
SZA – “Broken Clocks”
The Internet – “Come Over”

Camila Cabello Wins Big at the American Music Awards

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is havana very memorable night…

The 21-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer and former Fifth Harmony member took home four awards—her first as a solo artist—at the American Music Awards, making her the winningest Hispanic artist of the night.

Cabello was named New Artist of the Year, the first Latina/o artist to win the award since the category was introduced in 2004.

Cabello’s massive hit single “Havana,” featuring Young Thug, picked up the awards for Collaboration of the Year, Video of the Year and Favorite Song – Pop/Rock.

Cardi B, the best dressed Latina at the AMAs, won the first-ever AMA trophies of her career.

The 25-year-old rap sensation, who performed a sizzling rendition of her Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “I Like It,” was named Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop.

Additionally, Cardi B earned Favorite Song — Rap/Hip-Hop honors for her other No. 1 hit “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” as well as Favorite Song – Soul/R&B for her hit collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Finesse.” It was Mars’ ninth AMAs prize of his career.

Daddy Yankee was named Favorite Artist – Latin, the first win in the category for the 41-year-old Puerto Rican rapper in five attempts.

The American Music Awards, which aired in October for the first time in the show’s 46-year history, were hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross.

Here’s the full list of 2018 AMAs winners.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”

TOUR OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”

FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST
BTS

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST — POP/ROCK
Post Malone

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST — POP/ROCK
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP — POP/ROCK
Migos

FAVORITE ALBUM — POP/ROCK
Taylor Swift, reputation

FAVORITE SONG — POP/ROCK
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST — COUNTRY
Kane Brown

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST — COUNTRY
Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE DUO or GROUP — COUNTRY
Florida Georgia Line

FAVORITE ALBUM — COUNTRY
Kane Brown, Kane Brown

FAVORITE SONG — COUNTRY
Kane Brown, “Heaven”

FAVORITE ARTIST — RAP/HIPHOP
Cardi B

FAVORITE ALBUM — RAP/HIPHOP
Post Malone, beerbongs & bentleys

FAVORITE SONG — RAP/HIPHOP
Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST — SOUL/R&B
Khalid

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST — SOUL/R&B
Rihanna

FAVORITE ALBUM — SOUL/R&B
XXXTENTACION 17

FAVORITE SONG — SOUL/R&B
Bruno Mars & Cardi B “Finesse”

FAVORITE ARTIST — ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Panic! At The Disco

FAVORITE ARTIST — ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Shawn Mendes

FAVORITE ARTIST — LATIN
Daddy Yankee

FAVORITE ARTIST — CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Lauren Daigle

FAVORITE ARTIST — ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
Marshmello

FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By

Cardi B Leads Pack of American Music Awards Nominees with Eight

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is a woman on top…

The 25-year-old half-Dominican American actress has earned a whopping eight American Music Awards nominations, her first-ever nods.

Cardi B and Drakeare tied with eight nominations a piece, with the “I Like It” singer facing off against Camila Cabello, Khalid, Dua Lipa and XXXTentacion for New Artist of the Year.

She’s also up for Collaboration of the Yearfor her hit song with Bruno Mars “Finesse,” Video of the Year for her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 song “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” Favorite Social Artist, Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock and Favorite Artist Rap/Hip-Hop.

Cardi B’s other nods include Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop for “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” and Favorite Song – Pop/Rock for “Finesse” with Mars.

Camila Cabello, celebrating a remarkable year, has earned her first nods as a solo artist, a total of five.

The 21-year-old Cuban and Mexican singer and former Fifth Harmony member is nominated for New Artist of the Year and Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock.

She’s also up for Collaboration of the Year, Video of the Year and Favorite Song – Pop/Rock for her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Havana,” featuring Young Thug.

Bruno Mars, an eight-time AMA winner, has earned four nods.

The 32-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer is nominated for Tour of the Year and Favorite Artist Male – Soul/R&B, as well as Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Song – Pop/Rock for “Finesse.”

Demi Lovato is nominated for Favorite Social Artist, while Daddy Yankee, Ozuna and J Balvin are facing off against each other in the Favorite Artist – Latin category.

The American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of September 15, 2017 through August 9, 2018.

Voting begins now in all categories — except new artist, favorite social artist and collaboration — on Billboard.com.

Voting for the final three categories begins Monday, Sept. 24 on TheAMAs.com. The 2018 AMAs — hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross — air live October 9 on ABC at 8:00 pm ET.

Here’s the complete list of nominations:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Drake
Imagine Dragons
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Khalid
Dua Lipa
XXXTENTACION

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
Bruno Mars & Cardi B, “Finesse”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”

TOUR OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé & JAY-Z
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
U2

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Drake, “God’s Plan”

FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST
BTS
Cardi B
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Shawn Mendes

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST — POP/ROCK
Drake
Malone
Ed Sheeran

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST — POP/ROCK
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP — POP/ROCK
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
Migos

FAVORITE ALBUM — POP/ROCK
Drake, Scorpion
Ed Sheeran, ÷ (Divide)
Taylor Swift, reputation

FAVORITE SONG — POP/ROCK
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug, “Havana”
Drake, “God’s Plan”
Ed Sheeran, “Perfect”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST — COUNTRY
Kane Brown
Luke Bryan
Thomas Rhett

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST — COUNTRY
Kelsea Ballerini
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE DUO or GROUP — COUNTRY
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LANCO

FAVORITE ALBUM — COUNTRY
Kane Brown, Kane Brown
Luke Combs, This One’s For You
Thomas Rhett, Life Changes

FAVORITE SONG — COUNTRY
Kane Brown, “Heaven”
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”

FAVORITE ARTIST — RAP/HIPHOP
Cardi B
Drake
Post Malone

FAVORITE ALBUM — RAP/HIPHOP
Drake, Scorpion
Lil Uzi Vert, Luv Is Rage 2
Post Malone, beerbongs & bentleys

FAVORITE SONG — RAP/HIPHOP
Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Drake “God’s Plan”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST — SOUL/R&B
Khalid
Bruno Mars
The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST — SOUL/R&B
Ella Mai
Rihanna
SZA

FAVORITE ALBUM — SOUL/R&B
Khalid “American Teen”
SZA “CTRL”
XXXTENTACION “17”

FAVORITE SONG — SOUL/R&B
Khalid “Young Dumb & Broke”
Ella Mai “Boo’d Up”
Bruno Mars & Cardi B “Finesse”

FAVORITE ARTIST — ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Imagine Dragons
Panic! At The Disco
Portugal. The Man

FAVORITE ARTIST — ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Shawn Mendes
P!NK
Ed Sheeran

FAVORITE ARTIST — LATIN
J Balvin
Daddy Yankee
Ozuna

FAVORITE ARTIST — CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Lauren Daigle
MercyMe
Zach Williams

FAVORITE ARTIST — ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
The Chainsmokers
Marshmello
Zedd

FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By
The Greatest Showman
The Fate of the Furious: The Album

Cardi B’s “I Like It” Reaches No. 1 on the Billboard’s Rhythmic Songs Airplay Chart

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is replacing herself at the top of the charts…

The 25-year-old half-Dominican American has replaced herself in the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Rhythmic Songs airplay chart as “I Like It,” with Bad Bunny and J. Balvin, replaces “Be Careful.”

The new leader rises 3-1 with a 19 percent increase in airplay in the week ending July 8, according to Nielsen Music.

With her achievement, Cardi B is the first act to replace herself at No. 1 since Rihanna, who completed the feat via featured roles on DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts,” (also featuring Bryson Tiller) and Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.”

The former reigned for nine weeks before ceding pole position to the latter on Sept. 30, 2017.

Among artists in lead roles, the last act to pull a double domination was also Rihanna, back on Christmas Day in 2010. On the chart dated December 25, 2010, her “Only Girl (In the World)” surrendered the top rank to “What’s My Name,” featuring Drake, which rang up the first of nine weeks in charge.

As “I Like It” ascends, Cardi B claims her fifth No. 1 on the list, following her “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” (four weeks), a featured turn on G-Eazy’s “No Limit” (two weeks), “Finesse,” a collaboration with Bruno Mars (two weeks), and “Be Careful” (one week).

Bad Bunny, meanwhile, grabs his first No. 1 on Rhythmic Songs, as does J. Balvin, who previously maxed out at No. 2 with “Mi Gente,” alongside Willy William and featuring Beyoncé.

Camila Cabello Logs Two Tracks on Billboard’s Top 10 Radio Songs for First Half of 2018

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is pulling double duty on the radio…

Billboard has announced the Top 10 Radio Songs for the first half of the year, with the 21-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer landing two singles on the chart and nearly 4 billion audience impressions, according to Nielsen Music.

Cabello’s former No. 1 single “Havana,”featuring Young Thug comes in at No. 4 with 2.12 billion audience impressions, while her single “Never Be the Same” ranks No. 9 with 1.67 billion impressions.

Meanwhile, Bruno Mars and Cardi B come in at No. 3 with their smash single “Finesse.” The song notched 2.14 billion audience impressions in the first half of 2018.

Ed Sheerancomes in at No. 1 with his single “Perfect” earning 2.86 billion audience impressions.

Here’s a look at the Top 10 most-heard songs on all radio formats in the year’s first six months:

Rank, Title, Artist, Audience
1, “Perfect,” Ed Sheeran, 2,861,250,000
2, “Meant to Be,” Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, 2,294,858,000
3, “Finesse,” Bruno Mars & Cardi B, 2,148,973,000
4, “Havana,” Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug, 2,126,814,000
5, “The Middle,” Zedd, Maren Morris, & Grey, 2,040,210,000
6, “God’s Plan,” Drake, 2,025,720,000
7, “New Rules,” Dua Lipa, 2,023,348,000
8, “Lights Down Low,” MAX feat. gnash, 1,746,318,000
9, “Never Be the Same,” Camila Cabello, 1,677,640,000
10, “Bad at Love,” Halsey, 1,502,420,000

Cardi B Makes History as Her Latest Single “I Like It” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is making history…

The 25-year-old half-Dominican American rapper has become the first female rapper with two No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100, after her hit single “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin rises from No. 2 to No. 1 on chart.

Cardi B first reigned with her debut single, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” for three weeks beginning October 7, 2017.

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny and Balvin earn their first Hot 100 No. 1 each.

Cardi B passes four female rappers who previously topped the tally with one No. 1 apiece: Lauryn Hill, with “Doo Wop (That Thing),” in 1998; Lil’ Kim, with “Lady Marmalade,” with Christina Aguilera, Mya and P!nk (2001); Shawnna, as featured on Ludacris‘ “Stand Up” (2003); and, Iggy Azalea, with “Fancy,” featuring Charli XCX (2014).

Cardi B’s bilingual track reworks the venerable “I Like It Like That,” originally performed by Pete Rodriguez in 1967 and taken to No. 25 on the Hot 100 in 1997 (titled “I Like It”) by The Blackout Allstars; the latter act included Tito Nieves, who also recorded a notable solo version. (In between, the composition appeared in the 1994 film I Like It Like That and earned a synch in a 1996 Burger King commercial.)

“I Like It” is from Cardi B’s debut album, Invasion of Privacy, which launched atop the Billboard 200 chart dated on April 4 and includes “Bodak Yellow.”

Cardi B is the first artist to notch a pair of Hot 100 No. 1s from a debut album since Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, whose The Heist yielded “Thrift Shop,” featuring Wanz and “Can’t Hold Us,” featuring Ray Dalton in 2013.

Cardi B is the first soloist with a pair Hot 100 leaders from a debut LP since Bruno Mars, whose Doo-Wops & Hooligans produced “Just the Way You Are” (2010) and “Grenade” (2011).

And, Cardi B is the first female soloist with two Hot 100 No. 1s from a debut album this decade, and the first since Lady Gaga, whose The Fame generated “Just Dance,” featuring Colby O’Donis and “Poker Face,” both in 2009.

Prior to “I Like It,” Bad Bunny reached a No. 36 Hot 100 high with “Te Bote,” with Casper Magico, Nio Garcia, Darell, Nicky Jam and Ozuna.

J Balvin notched a prior No. 3 best with “Mi Gente,” with Willy William and featuring Beyoncé, last October.

“I Like It” concurrently takes over atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where Cardi B previously led with “Bodak Yellow,” for six weeks, and “Finesse” (one). It becomes her second No. 1 on Hot Rap Songs, after “Bodak Yellow” (eight). Bad Bunny and J Balvin lead each list for the first time.

Cardi B Makes Colorful Grammy Awards Debut, Performing “Finesse (Remix)” with Bruno Mars

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a memorable night for Cardi B…

The 25-year-old half-Dominican American rapper made her big Grammy Awards debut Sunday night, joining voices with Grammy-darling Bruno Mars to perform their hit collaboration “Finesse (Remix).”

Cardi B, nominated this year for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance donned colorful threads inspired by the song’s throwback music video.

The “Bodak Yellow” singer opened and closed the performance with fiery verses that bookended a choreographed dance from Mars.

Earlier in the night, Cardi B caught up with Billboard and shared her thoughts on people who said she didn’t deserve to be there.

“It’s just like, how do people with no credentials gonna make me feel like I don’t deserve my success?” she said. “And it’s like, there’s people from the Grammys, these are people that pick and choose who deserves it or not, and they feel like I deserve it, so it’s like… What’s popping? Who gonna say something?”

In usual Cardi B fashion, she described her mood for the night as, “butterflies in my stomach and vagina!”

Bruno Mars Becomes First Male Artist to Land Three Top Five Billboard Hot 100 Hits from First Three Proper Albums

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars has finessed his way into the music history books…

The 32-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer’s “Finesse (Remix),” featuring Cardi B, skyrockets from No. 35 debut to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 (dated Jan. 20).

The song’s performance on the charts gains Mars entrance to an exclusive club: artists with at least three top five Hot 100 hits from each of their first three proper albums.

He’s the first male and third act overall to boast such career-opening consistency, following only Mariah Carey and Beyoncé.

Here’s a chronological look at the elite three superstars, now including Mars, to earn such triple-triples (or, in Carey’s case, more) over the Hot 100’s 59-year history.

Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
“Vision of Love,” No. 1 on the Hot 100 for four weeks, beginning Aug. 4, 1990
“Love Takes Time,” No. 1 (three weeks), Nov. 10, 1990
“Someday,” No. 1 (two weeks), March 9, 1991
“I Don’t Wanna Cry,” No. 1 (two weeks), May 25, 1991

Emotions
“Emotions,” No. 1 (three weeks), Oct. 12, 1991
“Can’t Let Go,” No. 2, Jan. 25, 1992
“Make It Happen,” No. 5, April 11, 1992

Music Box
“Dreamlover,” No. 1 (eight weeks), Sept. 11, 1993
“Hero,” No. 1 (four weeks), Dec. 25, 1993
“Without You”/”Never Forget You,” No. 3, March 19, 1994

Daydream
“Fantasy,” No. 1 (eight weeks), Sept. 30, 1995
“One Sweet Day,” with Boyz II Men, No. 1 (16 weeks), Dec. 2, 1995
“Always Be My Baby,” No. 1 (two weeks), May 4, 1996

Carey is the only artist with at least three top five Hot 100 hits from each of her first four proper albums … a feat that Mars could match with his next LP.

Beyoncé (as a soloist apart from Destiny’s Child)
Dangerously in Love
“Crazy in Love,” feat. JAY-Z, No. 1 on the Hot 100 for eight weeks, beginning July 12, 2003
“Baby Boy,” feat. Sean Paul, No. 1 (nine weeks), Oct. 4, 2003
“Me, Myself and I,” No. 4, Feb. 21, 2004
“Naughty Girl,” No. 3, June 5, 2004

B’Day
“Deja Vu,” feat. JAY-Z, No. 4, Aug. 12, 2006
“Irreplaceable,” No. 1 (10 weeks), Dec. 16, 2006
“Beautiful Liar,” with Shakira, No. 3, April 7, 2007 (from the set’s deluxe version)

I Am…Sasha Fierce
“If I Were a Boy,” No. 3, Nov. 8, 2008
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” No. 1 (four weeks), Dec. 13, 2008
“Halo,” No. 5, May 23, 2009

Bruno Mars
Doo-Wops & Hooligans
“Just the Way You Are,” No. 1 on the Hot 100 for four weeks, Oct. 2, 2010
“Grenade,” No. 1 (four weeks), Jan. 8, 2011
“The Lazy Song,” No. 4, June 18, 2011

Unorthodox Jukebox
“Locked Out of Heaven,” No. 1 (six weeks), Dec. 22, 2012
“When I Was Your Man,” No. 1 (one week), April 20, 2013
“Treasure,” No. 5, Aug. 3, 2013

24K Magic
“24K Magic,” No. 4, Dec, 10, 2016
“That’s What I Like,” No. 1 (one week), May 13, 2017
“Finesse,” with Cardi B, No. 3 (as of Jan. 20, 2018)

Mars first released the EP It’s Better If You Don’t Understand in 2010, prior to Doo-Wops & Hooligans later that year.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Finesse