Tag Archives: Pharrell Williams

Daddy Yankee’s “Dura” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

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Daddy Yankee has another No. 1 on his resume…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican rapper-singer has earned his ninth No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, as “Dura” rises 4-1 on the March 17-dated list.

Daddy Yankee

The song collected 16.4 million in audience impressions (up 15 percent) in the week ending March 11, according to Nielsen Music.

“Dura” is the first single from Daddy Yankee’s upcoming studio album El Disco Duro.

“This song belongs to the people, not me,” Daddy Yankee tells Billboard.

Daddy Yankee replaces himself at No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart, as his featured turn on Wisin’s “Todo Comienza En La Disco” (also featuring Yandel) crowned the list a week earlier (March 10). On the new chart, is descends 1-5.

The last time an act replaced itself at No. 1 on Latin Airplay was on November 5, 2016, when J Balvin replaced himself atop the list. That week, Balvin’s “Safari,” featuring Pharrell Williams and Bia & Sky ceded the summit to Zion & Lennox’s “Otra Vez,” featuring Balvin. The latter jumped 4-1, earning Balvin his sixth leader. He’s since added a seventh No. 1 with “Mi Gente,” alongside Willy William, featuring Beyoncé.

On Hot Latin Songs — which blends airplay, sales and streams — “Dura” holds at No. 2 for a second week, and takes Greatest Gainer/Airplay honors. It also hits No. 1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, ascending 3-1. It’s his 17th leader on the list, extending his record for the most No. 1s in the 17-year history of the tally. In second place: Wisin & Yandel, with 14.

Demi Lovato to Serve as Co-Host at This Year’s Global Citizen Festival

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Demi Lovato is celebrating her global citizenship…

Global Citizen has announced several guest appearances for its annual Global Citizen Festival on September 23, including the 25-year-old part-Mexican American actress/singer.

Demi Lovato

Lovato will serve as a co-host, alongside Aaron Paul, Priyanka Chopra, Kal Penn, Lupita Nyong’o, Nashville‘s Connie Britton and many more.

Hugh Jackman and actor/producer Deborra-lee Furness will serve as lead hosts.

Dianna Agron, Freida Pinto, Wendy Williams, Mark Cuban, Bridget Moynahan, Daymond John, Camren Bicondova, Elaine Welteroth, Erin Richards, Latina supermodel Joan Smalls, Malin Akerman, Rachel Brosnahan, Michelle Monaghan and Serge Ibaka will also serve as hosts for this year’s festival, taking place in New York City’s Central Park.

The social advocacy group hosts the free festival each year to raise awareness of its goal to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Fans can earn their tickets by taking part in Action Journeys, a series of challenges designed to promote social activism.

This year’s headliners include Stevie Wonder, Green Day, The Killers and The Lumineers, with featured performances by The Chainsmokers, Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, Andra Day and Alessia Cara.

The one-day festival will also be broadcast live from Central Park on YouTube, Twitter and MSNBC.

To hear more from this year’s hosts and learn more about the festival, visit Global Citizen’s official site.

Kehlani to Appear on Calvin Harris’ New LP, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1

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Kehlani is ready to funk things up with Calvin Harris…

The 22-year-old part-Spanish American singer is set to appear on the Scottish DJ and record producer’s forthcoming album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1.

Kehlani

Harris released a video teaser via Twitter for the album with Kehlani’ name appearing as one of the featured artists on his LP.

Others include Frank Ocean, Travis Scott, Future, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Big Sean, John Legend, Khalid, Migos, Schoolboy Q, Ariana Grande, Yung Thug, D.R.A.M., Nicki Minaj, Lil Yachty, Jessie Reyez, Partynextdoor, and Snoop Dogg.

Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 gives the sense of a departure from the usual Harris sound, a hint amplified by the much groovier, toned-down disco funk vibe of the soundtrack tune. The sunset visual background fits perfectly with the song’s laidback style. The clip also features vocals from Khalid and Future.

Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 is scheduled for release Friday, June 30.

Kid Cudi Releases New Album, “Passion, Pain, Demon Slayin'”

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Kid Cudi’s Passion project has come to fruition…

The 32-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actor, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, has returned to his hip-hop roots with his sixth studio album Passion, Pain, Demon Slayin’.

Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi’s 18-track set includes appearances from Travis Scott, Andre 3000, Pharrell and Willow Smith.

Prior to the release of his new album, Kid Cudi offered his fans some musical releases, including “Frequency” and “Surfin'” featuring Pharrell.

Here’s the full track list:

ACT 1: Tuned

  1. “Frequency”
  2. “Swim in The Light”
  3. “Releaser”
  4. “By Design” feat. André Benjamin
  5. “All In”

ACT 2: Prophecy

  1. “ILLusions”
  2. “Rose Golden” feat. Willow Smith
  3. “Baptized in Fire” feat. Travis Scott
  4. “Flight At First Sight/Advanced” feat. Pharrell Williams
  5. “Does It”

ACT 3: Niveaux de l’Amour

  1. “Dance 4 Eternity”
  2. “Distant Fantasies”
  3. “Wounds”
  4. “Mature Nature”
  5. “Kitchen”

ACT 4: It’s Bright and Heaven Is Warm

  1. “Cosmic Warrior”
  2. “The Guide” feat. André Benjamin
  3. “Surfin’” feat. Pharrell Williams

Fifth Harmony Signs with Maverick Management

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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).

Miguel to Perform at “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America”

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Miguel is ready to shine a light on race issues in America…

The 30-year-old part-Mexican American Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is set to perform at “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America.”

Miguel

The concert will be broadcast across more than 135 countries on Lifetime and A&E Network beginning November 21 and continuing through December 15.

A+E and IHeartRadio are partnering to bring together Miguel, the Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, Jamie Foxx, Rhiannon Giddens, Tori Kelly, John Legend, Pink, Jill Scott, Ed Sheeran, Sia, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Pharrell Williams for the concert sparked by tragic shootings in Charleston, Baltimore, Chicago and Ferguson.

Performances will include a once-in-a-lifetime series of duets, focused on reconciliation and positive change around the world.

Additional performers will be announced in coming weeks.

The concert will be recorded at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 18th. The event will kick off A+E Networks’ worldwide campaign to confront issues of race, and to promote unity and progress on racial equity.

The concert and its ancillary programming will help raise money for the Fund for Progress on Race in America powered by United Way Worldwide. The fund will provide grants to individuals and organizations as well as provide support to Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in South Carolina and the broader A.M.E. denomination. The fund will support efforts to address racism and bias through public policy change, individual innovation, and community mobilization.

In the U.S., the two-hour special event will air across A+E Networks’ brand portfolio, including A&E, History, Lifetime, H2, LMN and FYI, as well as on iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations and the iHeartRadio digital platform.

Immediately following the concert broadcast, A&E Network will air the one-hour special, Shining a Light: Conversations on Race in America, (tentative title) featuring artists engaging a diverse group of residents in local communities at the center of the national conversation on racial inequality and violence.

Tickets for the November 18 concert are available through AEG Live at AXS.com and shrineauditorium.com.

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Fund for Progress on Race in America powered by The United Way Worldwide.

Aguilera Returning for Season 10 of NBC’s “The Voice”

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Christina Aguilera will be spinning again soon…

The 34-year-old part-Ecuadorian American singer will join fellow coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Pharrell Williams for Season 10 of The Voice, NBC has confirmed.

Christina Aguilera

Aguilera, who helped launch the reality singing competition as the sole female coach, appeared in the first three seasons before taking a break for Season 4, with Shakira filling her seat.

The Burlesque star returned in Season 5, but then took a long hiatus for Seasons 6 (Shakira) and Season 7, with Gwen Stefani replacing Shakira.

Aguilera then returned for Season 8, before taking yet another break for the current installment (Season 9).

The Voice is currently averaging a 3.5 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49 and 12.6 million viewers overall in L+3 in weeks 1 and 2 of the current season, according to Nielsen and the network.

The Emmy-winning reality series also debuted with six-month time-period highs for NBC on both Monday and Tuesday.

The Voice hails from United Artists Media Group, Talpa Media USA and Warner Horizon Television. The series was created by John de Mol, who serves as executive producer along with Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Lee Metzger and Jay Bienstock.

“The coaches on The Voice continue to bring incredible energy, unrivaled musical expertise and a want-to-win attitude that makes for the perfect ingredients of a two-time Emmy-winning show,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Late Night and Alternative Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We can’t wait to see what season 10 will bring.”

The 10th season of The Voice will begin in February.

Leto Named to GQ’s 20 Most Stylish Men Alive List

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He may be a talented actor and musician… But Jared Leto is also a sharp-dressed man.

The 43-year-old part-Spanish American actor and lead singer of the Thirty Seconds to Mars has been named to GQ magazine’s list of the 20 Most Stylish Men Alive.

Jared Leto

Leto, who won an Oscar for his supporting role in Dallas Buyers Club, joins a list of honorees that includes Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Jay Z, John Mayer  and Mark Ronson.

GQ’s judging panel excluded fashion professionals from consideration and focused on streetwear over red carpet looks, giving a reasonably egalitarian approach to the list.

“We even spent several hours just contemplating Jared Leto’s hair,” writes the men’s fashion magazine on its website.

The list appears in GQ’s July issue.

Mars’ “Uptown Funk” Makes History as It Logs 13 Weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100

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It’s Lucky No. 13 for Bruno Mars…

The 29-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter’s funktastic collaboration with Mark Ronson, “Uptown Funk,” is now the longest-leading Billboard Hot 100 single of the 2010s, ruling the chart for a 13th week.

Uptown Funk

It’s also just the 10th single in the Hot 100’s entire history to spend at least 13 weeks at No. 1.

“Uptown Funk,” released on RCA Records, passes Robin Thicke‘s “Blurred Lines,” featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams to take sole possession of the Hot 100’s longest command this decade.

Here’s an updated look at the hits to lead for the most weeks since the beginning of 2010:

Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1

13 (to date), “Uptown Funk!,” Ronson feat. Mars, Jan. 17, 2015
12, “Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke feat. T.I. + Pharrell, June 22, 2013
10, “Happy,” Pharrell Williams, March 8, 2014
10, “We Found Love,” Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris, Nov. 12, 2011

“Funk” also becomes one of an elite 10 singles ever to top the Hot 100 for at least 13 weeks, dating to the chart’s Aug. 4, 1958 launch:

Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1

16, “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men, Dec. 2, 1995
14, “I Gotta Feeling,” The Black Eyed Peas, July 11, 2009
14, “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey, June 4, 2005
14, “Candle in the Wind 1997″/”Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” Elton John, Oct. 11, 1997
14, “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix),” Los Del Rio, Aug. 3, 1996
14, “I’ll Make Love to You,” Boyz II Men, Aug. 27, 1994
14, “I Will Always Love You,” Whitney Houston, Nov. 28, 1992
13 (to date), “Uptown Funk!,” Ronson feat. Mars, Jan. 17, 2015
13, “The Boy Is Mine,” Brandy & Monica, June 6, 1998
13, “End of the Road,” Boyz II Men, Aug. 15, 1992

“Uptown Funk” is now just three weeks away from potentially tying Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” for the record, and four weeks from possibly claiming it all to itself.

Mars’ “Uptown Funk” Notches a 12th Week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart

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Bruno Mars’ chart-topping run continues…

The 29-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter’s collaboration with Mark Ronson, “Uptown Funk,” rules the roost on the Billboard Hot 100 for a twelfth week.

Bruno Mars

Released on RCA Records, “Uptown Funk” becomes only the fifteenth No. 1 in the chart’s five-and-a-half-decade history to rule for at least 12 weeks. It also ties for the longest reign of the 2010s: Robin Thicke‘s “Blurred Lines,” featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams, also logged a 12-week command beginning in June 2013.

“Uptown Funk” inks a 12th week atop the Digital Songs chart with 187,000 downloads sold (down 1 percent) in the week ending March 22, according to Nielsen Music.  It’s now within one week of tying the record for the most time spent atop Digital Songs: the T-Pain-assisted “Low” by Flo Rida led for a record 13 weeks in 2007-08.

“Uptown Funk” leads the subscription services-based On-Demand Songs chart (4.6 million U.S. streams, down 6 percent) for an 11th week and Streaming Songs (19.1 million, up 13 percent) for a 10th, adding top Streaming Gainer honors on the Hot 100. Helping fuel its burst in streams: a clip that YouTuber Carson Dean created (featuring the song’s audio), in which he dances, and gets in a good cardio workout, on a treadmill. It drew 2.2 million U.S. clicks in the chart’s tracking week.

On Radio Songs, “Uptown Funk” reigns for a ninth week with 173 million in all-format audience (down 3 percent).

Ronson and Mars’ smash, therefore, leads the Hot 100 and its three main component charts (Digital Songs, Radio Songs and Streaming Songs) simultaneously for a record-extending eighth week (non-consecutively).

Twelve weeks into its Hot 100 reign, “Uptown Funk” manages to widen its lead at No. 1, as it’s up by 3 percent in overall activity, while Maroon 5‘s “Sugar,” at its No. 2 peak for a second week, dips by 4 percent. “Sugar” holds at No. 2 on Digital Songs (156,000, down 13 percent) and No. 4 on both Radio Songs (129 million, up 5 percent) and Streaming Songs (9.8 million, down 1 percent).