Kid Cudi to Perform at Pharrell’s Something in the Water Festival

There’s something in the water for Kid Cudi

The 39-year-old half-Mexican American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor and fashion designer will take part in Pharrell’s Something in the Water festival.

Kid CudiSponsored by AirBnB and Walmart, the three-day soiree taking place in Virginia Beach, Va., between April 28 and April 30.

Other artists set to participate include Lil Wayne, The Clipse, Summer Walker, Grace Jones, Lil Uzi Vert, Kehlani and more.

Last year, the festival took place in Washington, D.C., after Pharrell voiced his disappointment in his hometown’s handling of his cousin’s death the year before. His letter, written in October 2021, discussed the decision to move the festival due to what he called a “toxic” environment.

“I was disappointed with how the local municipal government handled the loss of my cousin’s life,” he told Billboard ahead of last year’s festival. “It is one thing for the officer to make a mistake, but it is another to follow up the way they did. I did not feel there was enough love, respect and reverence for his life. Him being a fellow Virginian, his life and the loss of his life should have been treated like anybody else’s. When we start seeing situations handled differently, not only with African Americans but with minorities in general handled differently, then coming back is something we can think about doing again.”

Along with a bevy of performances, Pharrell’s team-up with Walmart will look to impact communities in Virginia. “Strengthening local communities is core to Walmart’s DNA,” said Cedric Clark, executive vice president of store operations for Walmart U.S., in a press release. “By investing in our associates and in the communities we serve, we help build a foundation where people can live their full potential every day. We’re excited to team up with Something in the Water, returning to a special place to Walmart, Virginia’s Hampton Roads, to help celebrate and empower this community we’re so proud to be a part of.”

Fans will see a mixed bag of talent, including revered legacy acts such as Wu-Tang Clan, Mumford & Sons and SWV, to burgeoning stars including Kid Laroi, Lil Durk and Latto.

Karol G Makes History as “Mañana Será Bonito” Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart

Karol G is celebrating a historic moment…

The 32-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter’s new album Mañana Será Bonito is making an unprecedented splash on the Billboard 200 albums chart dated March 11, as the set debuts atop the tally.

Karol GIt’s both the first No. 1 for the artist and the chart’s first No. 1 all-Spanish-language album by a female artist.

“I feel so very special. More than happiness I feel special,” Karol G tells Billboard, who spoke with her as the news was reported. “My last album did so well and had all those big hits, like ‘Bichota,’ so the bar was high. But I didn’t want to make music because I felt pressure. I wanted to make the music I wanted to make, and the fact that I’ve hit No. 1 with an album that is so personal is enormous.” 

Previously, only two all-Spanish albums led the list, both by Bad Bunny. (Un Verano Sin Ti in 2022 and El Ultimo Tour del Mundo in 2020).

Mañana Será Bonito earned 94,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending March 2, according to Luminate. Its starting sum was largely powered by streaming activity.

Of Mañana Será Bonito’s 94,000 equivalent album units earned, SEA units comprise 83,000 (equaling 118.73 million on-demand official streams of the set’s 17 tracks), album sales comprise 10,000 and TEA units comprise 1,000. The album’s sales were largely powered by its digital download album (8,500), though there was a CD available in limited quantities, selling about 1,500 copies. The digital album was also offered in two alternative cover variants on Karol G’s official webstore.

Mañana Será Bonito logs the largest week, by equivalent album units earned, for a Latin album by a woman since the chart began measuring by units in December of 2014. (Latin albums are defined as those that have hit or are eligible for Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.) Further, as Mañana Será Bonito generated 118.73 million official on-demand streams for its songs, the set registers the biggest streaming week ever for a Latin album by a woman.

Mañana Será Bonito is also the first Latin album by a woman to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 since 1995, when Selena’s posthumously-released, mostly-Spanish effort Dreaming of You topped the list for one week. (The 13-song Dreaming of You album has six tracks in Spanish, five in English and two duets that blend English and Spanish.)

Only three mostly-non-English-language albums by women have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 – the all-Spanish Mañana Será BonitoDreaming of You and The Singing Nun’s all-French-language self-titled album in 1963.

Karol G made her Billboard chart debut in 2016 and has been a force on Billboard’s Latin genre charts ever since, notching 17 top 10 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart – including five No. 1s (through the most recently published chart, dated March 4). On the Top Latin Albums list, she’s previously logged a trio of top two-charting sets, including one No. 1, her previous release, KG0516, in 2021.

Mañana Será Bonito is the fourth charting album for Karol G on the all-genre Billboard 200, but first to reach the top 10. She previously visited the list with KG0516 (No. 20 in 2021), Ocean (No. 54 in 2019) and Unstoppable (No. 192 in 2017). Preceding the release of the new album, Karol had logged five top 40-charting hit songs on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, but with three of them coming in 2022: “Mamiii,” with Becky G (No. 15), “Provenza” (No. 25) and “Gatubela,” with Maldy (No. 37). Both “Mamiii” and “Provenza” became Karol’s first top 10-charting hits on the all-genre Streaming Songs chart, reaching Nos. 5 and 10, respectively. (Both “Provenza” and “Gatubela” are included on Mañana Será Bonito.)

With Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito replacing SZA’s SOS at No. 1, it’s the first time a woman has replaced another woman atop the list in over a year. It last happened when a trio of leading ladies traded off the top spot from November 20, 2021-December 4, 2021. Summer Walker’s Still Over It debuted at No. 1 on the on November 20 chart, Taylor Swift’s Red (Taylor’s Version) then opened atop the list on November 27, and Adele’s 30 bowed at No. 1 on the December 4 chart.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.

Kali Uchis Releases New Album “Red Moon in Venus”

Kali Uchis is over the (red) moon

The 28-year-old Colombian-American singer and songwriter has released her new album Red Moon in Venus, which Complex calls a “fully realized universe made possible by the singer’s confident vision.”

Kali UchisWhile Uchis’ latest album isn’t without guests (Don ToliverOmar Apollo, and Summer Walker lend their vocals to the album), the bulk of the 15-track release keeps the focus on her.

“Phase 1 complete,” Uchis told fans when rolling out the new album.

“Love is the message,” Uchis previously said of the new album. “Red Moon In Venus is a timeless, burning expression of desire, heartbreak, faith, and honesty, reflecting the divine femininity of the moon and Venus.”

Red Moon in Venus follows 2020’s Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), which went on to earn a Grammy nomination and appeared on numerous year-end lists.

A tour in support of Venus is slated to kick off in Austin, Texas on April 25 and also features stops in Atlanta, New York, Boston, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas and more.

Cardi B Teams Up with Kay Flock, Dougie B & Bory300 on New Single “Shake It”

Cardi B is shaking it up…

The 29-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar has joined voices with Kay Flock, Dougie B and Bory300 on the just-released hip-hop banger “Shake It,” with an accompanying music video.

Cardi B

Cardi B made her triumphant return to Twitter and Instagram on Thursday to tease the track ahead of its release, writing, “SHAKE IT MUSIC VIDEO OUT AT MIDNIGHT …..GO GEEK!”

Flock began promoting the new tune last month, sharing a sneak peak from the music video via Instagram on March 30 with the caption: “We Bout to Shake It Up … Thank you @iamcardib Coming Soon! My Hearttttt.”

The drill rap collaboration comes just three weeks after Cardi B appeared on the extended remix of Summer Walker and SZA’s hit track “No Love.”

Cardi B’s latest collaborator, Flock, was named Billboard’s R&B and Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month back in November.

At the time, he spoke about his plans to help push drill music forward. “I just gotta keep going, you feel me?” Flock told Billboard. “And [with] other artists that are trying to come up through drill, just help them out too. Just gotta keep putting people on. I don’t know, to me, it don’t really mean nothing that I’m in the industry or whatever. That sh– don’t mean nothing to me. I’m still the same dude. If I could get a million [dollars] or better, my people can too. They most definitely could.”

Danny Pino to Appear on Soundtrack for Film Adaptation of Broadway Musical “Dear Evan Hansen”

Danny Pino isn’t just starring in Dear Evan Hansen… He’s also appearing on the soundtrack.

Universal has announced the track list for the film adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, with the 47-year-old Cuban American actor among the talents appearing on the album.

Danny Pino

Pino appears on the film’s track “Requiem,” alongside Kaitlyn Dever and Amy Adams.

The soundtrack, which will be available on September 9 – the same day as the film’s theatrical release via Interscope Records, will also feature Sam Smith with Summer WalkerSZACarrie Underwood with Dan + Shay, Finneas, and Tori Kelly. They’ll be performing reimagined versions of the musical’s Tony Award-winning songs and as well as original recordings from the film’s score.

Dear Evan Hansen

Songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul also wrote original tracks for the movie adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen. The album also features 16 tracks that include recordings by the film’s cast.

“Pasek and Paul’s songs from the Dear Evan Hansen stage play are so amazing and timeless — newly recorded by our film’s cast for the soundtrack (and freshly produced by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Alex Lacamoire and Dan Romer, and supervised by Jordan Carroll) — and they’re now also complemented by two new original songs written for the film (with one of them co-written and performed in the film by Amandla Stenberg),” Mike Knobloch, president of global film music and publishing at Universal Pictures, tells Billboard.

Pino portrays Larry Mora in the film.

 

Selena Gomez Teams Up with Trevor Daniel for “Past Life” Remix

Selena Gomez is livin’ in the Past

The 27-year-old Mexican American singer/actress is joining voices with Trevor Daniel to drop a remix of his single “Past Life” this Friday, June 26.

Selena Gomez

After Daniel posted a mirror selfie wearing Gomez’s merchover the weekend and she reposted it on her Instagram story, fans speculated whether the two had a song in the works — and it turns out they were correct in their assumptions.

Gomez and Daniel are dusting off his melancholic R&B record from his debut studio album Nicotine thathe released back in March and breathing new life into it with Gomez’s vocals.

Previously, blackbear and Summer Walker hopped on remixes for Daniel’s TikTok-fueled hit “Falling.” 

Bruno Mars to Headline This Year’s Essence Festival of Culture

Bruno Mars is sharing his essence in a big way…

The 34-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has been named one of the main stage headliners for the Essence Festival of Culture.

Bruno Mars

Mars will co-headline the event with Janet Jacksonas Essence celebrates its 50th anniversary. 

Mars’ appearance will be his first time performing at the festival — and his only 2020 U.S. festival performance.

Essence Festival of Culture will expand for the first time from three to five days (July 1-5) in New Orleans, marking one day for each decade. This year’s theme is “Own Our Power.”

Jackson will be making her third appearance at the festival. Her appearance will take place during her newly announced Black Diamond World Tour, titled after her upcoming 12th studio album.

In addition to Jackson and Mars, the festival’s three-night concert series will include the following lineups at the Louisiana Superdome:

Main stage: Ari Lennox, Janelle MonaePatti LaBelleRaphael Saadiq (performing songs across his entire career from Tony! Toni! Tone! through his solo albums, including Jimmy Lee), Estelle Presents Reggae & Afrobeats Link Up featuring Afro BChronnixElephant ManKraniumMax GlazerMaxi PriestShenseeaand more, Summer Walker,  Swizz BeatzPresents In the Zone featuring guest artists. 

Hosted by Loni Love with music by D-Nice, the main stage lineup will salute music icons each night, including a special anniversary celebration on July 4. 

Superlounges: Casmé, D SmokeDemi GraceDoug E. Fresh Presents The Real Hip-Hop and R&B Party, Elah HaleGoldlinkJac RossJamesdavisJidennaJune’s DiaryKiana LedeKitty CashLeikeli47MasegoMr EaziOswin BenjaminRapsodySaweetieSiRSminoStokleyTamiaTank and the BangasTeaMarrrThe New Respects and Umi.

 “This is a milestone year for Essence and our community as we celebrate 50 years of creating opportunities for our culture to shine and the role of black women in making it possible for us to do what no other brand has done,” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of Essence Communications, Inc.“To be able to say that at 50 years, we are black-owned, diversified across media, technology, commerce and live events, and impacting our culture in new and even deeper ways than ever before is a blessing – and one that comes with a tremendous responsibility to our community to continue to evolve, innovate and transform. That remains our focus and commitment as we work to ensure that we are here serving black women deeply and advancing black culture, economic ownership and inclusion globally for the next 50 years.”

Regarding Mars and Jackson, Ebanks added, “These two powerhouses, along with our robust slate of programming, performances and tributes, will continue our legacy of cultural excellence and dynamic, only-at-Essence experiences that excite, elevate and inspire.”

For more information, visit Essence.com/festival.

Miguel to Perform at This Year’s Mala Luna Music Festival in San Antonio

There’s a bad moon rising for Miguel

The 33-year-old half-Mexican American singer is set to perform at San Antonio’s Mala Luna Music Festival.

Miguel

The Grammy-winning singer joins a lineup that includes Russ, Diplo, Juice WrldYGand Playboi Cartifor its 2019 edition. 

TheHalloween weekend festival hitting Texas from October 26-27 at the Nelson Wolff Stadium parking lot will also feature sets from DababyTrippie Redd, Summer Walkerand Jessie Reyez.

Ari Lennoxof J.Cole’s Dreamville Records will perform in support of her newly released debut album Shea Butter Baby, while Houston’s own Megan Thee Stallion will also perform following her run on the Legendary Nights Tour with YG and Future.

The downtown San Antonio festival is returning for its fourth year with performances from DaniLeigh, MeliiUMI and Alaina Castillo.

In a continued effort to support and shine a light on Texas’ growing music scene, several local artists will be performing including FRITOGANGHoodlumJay Wileand Doeman.

In 2018, Mala Luna welcomed more than 30,000 attendees to the music festival that also pays tribute to the local culture and the San Antonio community’s annual Diá de los Muertos celebrations. live art installations, local food vendors and merchants, and highly curated themes and designs, costumes and more are once again expected at the annual event produced by Texas-based promoter ScoreMore Shows.

Tickets for Mala Luna are available now with single-day passes starting at $79.