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 Hot 100 dated Sept. 13, we look at Sabrina Carpenter’s first two singles from her just-released Man’s Best Friend set, and which may have the
Lady Gaga and Tim Burton chose an island built using pre-Hispanic farming methods in Xochimilco, a tourist area in the south of Mexico City, as the setting to seal a new collaboration between the pop superstar and the famed film director. The project combines dark, gothic and fantastical elements, characteristic of the theatricality that defines
Lauren Alaina’s multitasking skills are being tested. She starts a half-hour phone call about her current single — “All My Exes” featuring Chase Matthew — while changing diapers for her daughter, Beni Doll Arnold, born June 11. As the chat continues, she veers briefly from answering a question to talking with the baby, consoling the child through a bout with
2 Chainz has had one of the more fascinating journeys to stardom in hip-hop and has continued to be an enduring presence in the culture for nearly two decades. The Georgia native unveiled his “most personal work” to date on Thursday (Sept. 4), as he’s adding ‘author’ to his laundry list of titles with his
In an odd year for pop music — the official song of the summer has never felt flatter, fictional K-pop bands are ruling the Hot 100 and nostalgia-mining reunions appear to be the name of the game — Tate McRae has maintained her focus. By way of her tenacity, she’s also properly cemented herself as
From performing with Olivia Rodrigo at Governors Ball this summer to getting married this week, David Byrne is truly living a wild, wild life. During a Wednesday night (Sept. 3) appearance on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Talking Heads legend shared how his surprise cameo during Rodrigo’s festival set came together while touching
At a time when social media rewards musicians who share their lives with the public, Japanese artist Ado is proof that mystery can also be a valuable commodity. Explore See latest videos, charts and news The 22-year-old singer spent the spring and summer performing at arenas in 33 cities across Asia, Europe and the Americas,
Peso Pluma is no stranger to history-making moments in music but today, the música mexicana star marks a new milestone in the fashion world. The 26-year-old hitmaker makes history as the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s (CFDA) first Mexican ambassador for New York Fashion Week. Peso Pluma (born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija) will help
Ice Spice and Latto have ended their feud, surprising fans with a thumping collaboration, “Gyatt,” that hit streaming services on Thursday (Sept. 4). It’s unclear exactly what caused the pair of rappers to turn the page and get back on good terms, but fans welcomed the admirable team-up with open arms. Explore See latest videos,
In the past six years, the creative polymath Devonté Hynes has kept remarkably busy. Despite a global pandemic flatlining the music industry, Hynes contributed to albums by Lorde and Turnstile, crafted film scores for Passing and Master Gardener, and just last year penned some original music for the Broadway play Job. In 2023, Hynes was
