The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week, for the upcoming Billboard 200 albums chart dated Jan. 18, 2025, we look at whether new releases from Lil Baby or Bad Bunny can unseat a reigning blockbuster that
Corridos singer-songwriter Netón Vega is igniting curiosity with new single “Loco.” His first venture into reggaetón, the track rallies 18-2 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart (dated Jan. 11), to become his fourth top 10 and ties his best rank. The chart blends streams, airplay and sales to rank the most popular Latin songs of
“Singer gets first national chart ink exclusively in Billboard,” read a caption on page 65 of the issue dated July 1, 2006. “Song title name-checks fellow artist.” The blurb included an arrow pointing directly to the single debuting at the No. 60 anchor spot on the Hot Country Songs chart: “Tim McGraw,” by then-16-year-old Taylor
LaVar Ball’s only rival might be the late Joe Jackson. LiAngelo Ball #18 of the Charlotte Hornets stands on the court in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Spectrum Center on Oct. 5, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Eakin Howard/Getty Images This song is everywhere. Last night (Jan. 7), the Inside the NBA
LaVar Ball’s only rival might be the late Joe Jackson. LiAngelo Ball #18 of the Charlotte Hornets stands on the court in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Spectrum Center on Oct. 5, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Eakin Howard/Getty Images This song is everywhere. Last night (Jan. 7), the Inside the NBA
For Drake, his next move better be his best move. The 6 God revealed he’s back in the studio as he turns the page to a clean slate in the new year. Drizzy took to Instagram for a colorful post on Tuesday night (Jan. 7) as he got back to work while showing off his
Jonathan Bailey and Selena Gomez were the only actors to receive 2025 Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for both film and television work. Bailey was nominated twice for Wicked, as member of the ensemble cast and in the supporting actor category, and once for Bridgerton, as a member of the ensemble cast. Gomez was nominated
Travis Barker‘s children Landon and Alabama are safe and sound amid the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County’s Pacific Palisades. Both the rock star’s son and daughter — whom he shares with ex-wife Shanna Moakler — gave updates on Instagram Stories as wind-fueled flames rapidly traveled across parts of L.A. Tuesday night (Jan. 7). “Just
The upcoming Field & Stream Music Fest has revealed its slate of performers for the Oct. 3-5 event set for Winnsboro, S.C. Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, Bailey Zimmerman, Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top have top billing at the festival, which is co-produced by Field & Stream alongside key investors Church, Morgan Wallen and
Alt-folk duo The Lumineers have announced that the release date for their upcoming fifth studio album, Automatic, which is due out on February 14 on Dualtone. The Denver group comprised of singer/guitarist Wesley Schultz and drummer Jeremiah Fraites previewed their follow-up to 2022’s Brightside on Tuesday (Jan. 7) with the LP’s rollicking first single, “Same
