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”.
There’s another high-profile collaboration in Cardi B’s future…
The 27-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar is joining voices with Megan Thee Stallion for a scorching new track.
“WAP” will be released this Friday, August 7, according to Megan Thee Stallion’s announcement on Instagram, which was accompanied by the song’s cover art.
The image features Meg and Cardi B in matching “WAP” gold hoops, with their hair entangled together into a flowing, curled bun.
“WAP,” Meg captioned the post with a tongue out emoji and a water droplet emoji. “@iamcardib and The Hot Girl Coach this Friday !!!”
It’s Cardi B’s first pre-release single of her upcoming second studio album, which is scheduled to be released in late 2020. Her most recent collaborations: “Yes,” with Fat Joe and Anuel AA and “Please Me” with Bruno Mars.
This all-female collab follows Meg’s previous “Savage” remix featuring Beyonce. In May, the song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the “Hot Girl” rapper’s first-ever topper on the chart, and the seventh for Bey as a solo artist (to go with the four she notched as part of girl group Destiny’s Child). At the time, it was also just the seventh No. 1 in Hot 100 history to credit multiple female artists on its listing.
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.
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 Monae, Patti LaBelle, Raphael 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 B, Chronnix, Elephant Man, Kranium, Max Glazer, Maxi Priest, Shenseeaand 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 Smoke, Demi Grace, Doug E. Fresh Presents The Real Hip-Hop and R&B Party, Elah Hale, Goldlink, Jac Ross, Jamesdavis, Jidenna, June’s Diary, Kiana Lede, Kitty Cash, Leikeli47, Masego, Mr Eazi, Oswin Benjamin, Rapsody, Saweetie, SiR, Smino, Stokley, Tamia, Tank and the Bangas, TeaMarrr, The 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.”
Following months of talks, Disney has set a deal with the 34-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer to develop a music-themed theatrical narrative feature that Mars will star in and produce.
The plot is being kept under wraps, but will reportedly consist of mostly original music that Mars will write and perform.
Mars previously appeared in Honeymoon in Vegasand was a featured voice in Rio 2.
Mars has won 11 Grammys, and has sold more than 200 million singles worldwide, establishing him as one of the bestselling artists of all time. He swept the 60th Grammys, winning six trophies including the “Big 3” — Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. A two-time Super Bowlhalftime performer, Mars has had more No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100than any other male artist in the last decade.
Mars previously showed his charismatic and exceptionally versatile acting chops as a host on Saturday Night Liveseveral years ago.
Michelle Obama is hoping to inspire people to exercise more in the new year by sharing her 2020 workout playlist, and the 27-year-old half-Dominican American singer is her go-to gal.
The former first lady, a dedicated health advocate, shared some of her favorite tunes to listen to while hitting the gym.
The 35-song playlist includes three tracks from Cardi B. Along with her single “Press,” Cardi B’s collaborations with Bruno Mars (“Finesse”) and Ed Sheeran& Camila Cabello(“South of the Border”) get Obama’s blood pumping.
Bruno Mars has a second song, “Perm,” on Obama’s playlist.
Jennifer Lopez gives Obama’s playlist a little old school magic with her “Feelin’ So Good Remix,” featuring Fat Joe & Big Pun.
And when it comes to her post-workout cool down, Obama turns to Miguel and Alicia Keys’ “Show Me Love,” among others.
It's about that time when New Year's resolutions get a bit harder to stick to. To offer a little inspiration, I want to share my go-to #WorkoutPlaylist with you. These songs always seem to give me that extra boost to get through my toughest workouts. What's on your playlist? pic.twitter.com/GFP56Yi9A6
The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar is sharing a small snippet of new music as she readies her next album.
After being asked to “spill the tea” on her forthcoming single on Twitter earlier in the week, Cardi B tantalized fans with a quick three-second teaser of her Wheezy-produced track.
Though Cardi B only utters “Don’t shake / Earthquake” on the snippet, it did more than enough to cause a frenzy on social media.
“OMG SOUNDS LIKE A BOP… YOU’RE SUCH A TEASE,” tweeted one fan. “Can’t wait for your new album!!”
Last year, Cardi dished out a bevy of singles, including “Press” and the Bruno Mars-assisted jam “Please Me,” with the latter vaulting its way into the top five on the BillboardHot 100.
In November, Cardi B unleashed a blistering minute-long freestyle on Instagram, which served as an appetizer for her highly-anticipated sophomore album.
This month, Cardi B is up for best rap performance at this year’s Grammysfor Offset‘s thunderous record “Clout.” The record peaked at No. 39 on the Hot 100 last May.
The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation picked up her second straight Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop trophy at this year’s American Music Awards, which aired live on ABC on Sunday night.
Camilla Cabello has also picked up her second straight trophy in the Collaboration of the Yearcategory.
The 22-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer and former Fifth Harmony member, who now has five solo AMAs trophies and a sixth with5H, won alongside Shawn Mendes for their chart-topping single “Señorita.” Last year, Cabello won for her chart-topping hit “Havana,” featuring Young Thug.
Bruno Mars picked up the Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B trophy, the second win in the category for the 34-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer.
Mars beat out Chris Brownand Khalid for the award.
The third time proved to be the charm for J Balvin…
The 34-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer won the Favorite Artist – Latintrophy for the first time, after losing out for the award the previous two years.
J Balvin beat out Bad Bunny andOzuna for the prize.
Hosted by Ciara, the evening included performances by Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Lizzo, Christina Aguilera & A Great Big World, Kesha& Big Freedia, Post Malone& Ozzy Osbourne, Halsey, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Artist of the Decade Taylor Swift
Artist of the Year Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year Billie Eilish
Collaboration of the Year Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello “Señorita”
Tour of the Year BTS
Favorite Music Video Taylor Swift “You Need to Calm Down”
Favorite Social Artist BTS
Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock Khalid
Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock Taylor Swift
Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock BTS
Favorite Album – Pop/Rock Taylor Swift “Lover”
Favorite Song – Pop/Rock Halsey “Without Me”
Favorite Male Artist – Country Kane Brown
Favorite Female Artist – Country Carrie Underwood
Favorite Duo or Group – Country Dan + Shay
Favorite Album – Country Carrie Underwood “Cry Pretty”
Favorite Song – Country Dan + Shay “Speechless”
Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop Cardi B
Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop Post Malone “Hollywood’s Bleeding”
Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B Beyoncé
Favorite Album – Soul/R&B Khalid “Free Spirit”
Favorite Song – Soul/R&B Khalid “Talk”
Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock Billie Eilish
Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary Taylor Swift
Favorite Artist – Latin J Balvin
Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational Lauren Daigle
Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Marshmello
Cardi B’s next album could be a real eagle, or at least a birdie…
The 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation teased fans about her sophomore album plans during an Instagram Live session Thursday morning.
“Everything that I’m working on right now is straight to my album. Straight to my album,” she said, while having her eyeliner done in the car. “And I think I’m gonna name my album Tiger Woods. I think I’ma name my album Tiger Woods ‘cause remember when everybody was talking shit on Tiger Woods and then he fucking came and won that green jacket? That’s what I’ma name my album.”
Cardi B is referring to the star golfer who won his first major tournament since 2008 earlier this year at the Masters, after extramarital affairs and a slew of knee and back injuries nearly derailed his entire career.
Cardi B has remained hard at work completing the anticipated follow-up to her Grammy-winning hit Invasion of Privacy.
She released one single this year, “Press,” but has delivered on several features alongside Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello, Post Maloneand French Montana, Bruno Mars, and Lil Nas X.
He may be more of an R&B/funk singer, but Bruno Marsis making his mark in the rock world…
The 33-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer’s rockin’ collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapleton “Blow” debuts at No. 3 on Billboard‘s Hot Rock Songs chart dated July 20.
It’s Mars’ first-ever appearance on the rock chart.
The closing track from Sheeran’s album No.6 Collaborations Project, released on July 12, opens with 7.5 million U.S. streams, 1.5 million in radio reach and 26,000 downloads sold, according to Nielsen Music.
The sales sum also sparks the cut’s No. 1 debut on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart, marking each artist’s first leader. Sheeran is the only member of the trio with a prior history on the tally, having reached a previous No. 3 best with “Lego House” in 2013.
“Blow” also bows at No. 40 on the Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart, a first for Sheeran and Mars.
On the all-format, streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Billboard Hot 100 (the same formula employed by Hot Rock Songs), “Blow” begins at No. 60.
Ed Sheeranhas released the official music video for “Blow,” his collaboration with the 33-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer and Chris Stapleton.
The tongue-in-cheek music video for the unexpectedly hard-rocking track was directed by Mars and doesn’t feature any of the performers, whose roles are played by glammed up female doppelgangers.
Cementing its rock vibe, the clip was shot at The Viper Roomin Los Angeles.
The all-girl band, fronted by America’s Next Top Model’s Cherish Waters(Sheeran), model Jordan Kelly DeBarge(Bruno Mars), and actress Cheyenne Haynes (Stapleton) lip-syncs and rocks along to the song on-stage.
“Blow” is the latest track released from Sheeran’s forthcoming No. 6 Collaborations Projectalbum, which comes out Friday.
