Demi Lovato’s Clean-Bandit Collaboration “Solo” Joins YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Demi Lovato has a billion reasons to celebrate…

The 31-year-old half-Mexican American actress/singer and Clean Bandit’s five-year-old duet “Solo” has become the newest member of YouTube’s Billion Views Club.

Demi LovatoThe electronic dance track’s music video has been watched more than one billion times on the video platform since it was uploaded in May 2018.

The wide-lens project finds Lovato, whose vocals are featured on the song, singing to the camera in between shots of Clean Bandit’s Jack and Luke Patterson cooking up a mysterious drug in a basement lab underneath a laundromat.

At the end, a patron played by Clean Bandit’s Grace Chatto tests out the drug on her boyfriend — who promptly turns into a rainbow-colored dog.

“Since you been gone/ I’ve been dancing on my own,” Lovato sings. “There’s boys up in my zone/ But they can’t turn me on.”

“Solo” bowed at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 about a month after it first debuted on the chart in July 2018. It was also that year’s most searched song on Shazam, with Nicky Jam and J Balvin’s “X” and Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa’s “One Kiss” following close behind in second and third place.

The song soared to No. 48 on the Streaming Songs chart in August 2018, showing 14 percent streaming gains that month. Shortly prior to the spike, Lovato was hospitalized due to a near-fatal overdose.

The “Cool for the Summer” singer is currently gearing up to release A Very Demi Holiday Special on Roku. The December 8 program will feature live performances from Lovato as well as guest appearances from Paris Hilton, Tiffany Haddish and Trixie Mattell.

Pitbull Extends Global Publishing Deal with BMG

Pitbull is extending his global deal…

The 42-year-old Cuban American rapper, singer, songwriter, businessman and actor, born Armando Perez, has extended his global publishing deal with BMG.

PitbullPitbull first signed to the company nearly a decade ago, and under the renewed partnership, his back catalog of hits and future songs will be administered by the BMG team.

Pitbull’s feel-good anthem “Give Me Everything,” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated July 9 for one week in 2011, while “Timber,” his collaboration with Kesha, went to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart on January 18, 2014, leading for three weeks.

Pitbull has sold more than 25 million studio albums and over 100 million singles worldwide. His music video have over 15 billion views on YouTube.

He has won one Grammy, one Latin Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards and nine Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Karol G’s “El Makinon” Video Joins YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Karol G is celebrating a big (machine) streaming hit…

Two years after its music video was released, the 32-year-old Colombian superstar and Mariah Angeliq’s girl-power anthem “El Makinon” has surpassed the billion-views mark on YouTube.

Karol GThe three-minute clip for “El Makinon” is Karol G’s seventh entry to the Billion Views Club as a lead, featured artist or collaborator. She also claims No. 10 on YouTube’s Global Top Artists and No. 15 on U.S. Top Artists 

Featured on Karol’s 2021 KG0516 album, the infectious head-bopping, hip-swaying reggaetón song produced by Neo is about breaking all the rules with the girls.

“El Makinon,” slang for a “big machine,” tells the story of a girl who’s been independent since she was 16 years old, and now that she’s older, she still depends solely on herself.

“El Makinon” debuted at No. 9 on Hot Latin Songs and later peaked at No. 6 on the tally.

Most recently, Karol G performed a medley (“QLONA,” “Labios Mordidos” and “Ojos Ferrari”) at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, November 19. She also won two awards: top Latin female artist and top Latin touring artist. During her acceptance speech, she thanked her loyal fanbase.

“These awards mean the connection is there between all of you and me. I think you’re more than fans — you’re part of the team and the family. I give you half of all this because nothing would’ve been possible without you,” she said. “I always say awards are special because they’re an extra validation to what we do, but like I said before, to have your unconditional love, with or without music, with or without a tour, that will always be the best present ever and that’s what I hope will never fail or go away.”

Ralph Barbosa Launching “Super Cool Ass Tour” in 2024

Ralph Barbosa is preparing for a super cool trek…

Following a game-changing year that has seen him sell out venues across North America, make his debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and premiere his first Netflix special, the 27-year-old Latino stand-up comedian is expanding his comic presence.

Ralph BarbosaBarbosa has unveiled dates for the first leg of his 2024 Super Cool Ass Tour, which will see him graduate to performing in theaters, after making a name for himself in clubs.

Over the course of the tour’s first leg, Barbosa will visit 18 cities across the U.S. Tickets are on sale now.

Barbosa’s special Ralph Barbosa: Cowabunga, released October 31st, has spent two weeks in Netflix’s Top 10 television chart, debuting at #3. In it, we gain a glimpse into the world of this Latino gamer as he shares stories of growing up with his grandparents, running a hair cutting business out of his bedroom as a 13-year-old, why he asked his dad if he needed to go to the moon to return moon rocks, and his fantasy of being passenger prince to his street-racing dream girl.

His new hour was shot at The Kessler Theater in his hometown of Dallas in August.

Known for his disarming and laid-back style of stand-up, Barbosa’s set for the digital series Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring has topped 3.7 million views on YouTube.

The comic currently selling out venues across North America also last November teamed with Gwen La Roka on the HBO Max comedy special, Entre Nos: The Winners 3, after winning the Latino Stand-Up! Comedy Competition presented by The New York Latino Film Festival and HBO Latino in 2021.

He won the Funniest Comic in Texas competition in 2019 and has garnered over 4.8M YouTube views with a performance for secret pop-up comedy show organizer Don’t Tell Comedy.

Tour dates:
January 12, 2024, San Diego, CA, Balboa Theatre
January 18, 2024, Boston, MA, The Wilbur
January 19, 2024, New York, NY, Town Hall
February 2, 2024, Chicago, IL, The Vic Theatre
February 16, 2024, Atlanta, GA, Buckhead Theatre
February 17, 2024, Tampa, FL, Tampa Theatre
March 15, 2024, El Paso, TX, The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center
March 16, 2024, Albuquerque, NM, Revel Entertainment Center
March 30, 2024, Dallas, TX, Majestic Theatre
April 18, 2024, Nashville, TN, James K. Polk Theater
April 26, 2024, Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre
April 27, 2024, Portland, OR, Aladdin Theater
May 4, 2024, Bakersfield, CA, Fox Theater
May 5, 2024, Las Vegas, NV, The Venetian Theatre
May 17, 2024, Phoenix, AZ, Celebrity Theatre
May 18, 2024, Tucson, AZ, Rialto Theatre
May 24, 2024, Milwaukee, WI, Pabst Theater
May 25, 2024, Minneapolis, MN, Fillmore Minneapolis

Swizz Beatz to Perform as Part of Pass The Mic Live! Segment at Spirit of Life Gala

Swizz Beatz is embracing the spirit of life

The 45-year-old half-Puerto Rican recording artist, music producer and entrepreneur will perform at next week’s Spirit of Life Gala honoring Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube and Google.

Swizz BeatzThe event will feature a one-time-only edition of DJ Cassidy’s celebrated Pass The Mic Live!, a segment that will showcase more than a dozen hip-hop and R&B artists, including Swizz Beatz.

Others appearing in the showcase include Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Dru Hill, EPMD, Ja Rule, Memphis Bleek and T.I., all of whom have played a part in Cohen’s 40-year legacy spanning Rush Management, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Warner Music Group, 300 Entertainment and beyond.

The sold-out gala is taking place on October 18 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. It’s a fundraiser for City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States and a leading research center for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.

DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic series quickly transformed from viral sensation to primetime TV series on BET. Now a live tour, DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live! recently sold out Radio City Music Hall in New York with a one-time-only concert featuring 25 icons of hip-hop’s golden era.

“As a 10-year-old deejay and hip-hop kid growing up in New York City, I idolized Lyor Cohen long before he ever knew my name,” DJ Cassidy said in a statement. “Then, as his Def Jam intern in my high school years, a hero became a mentor. I am truly honored to bring Pass The Mic Live’ to City Of Hope and celebrate Lyor’s commitment to making the best health care available to hip-hop fans and performers by uniting a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of iconic artists who have influenced his massive musical legacy and hip-hop’s global influence as a whole.”

City of Hope is celebrating 50 years of partnership with the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) fundraising group. Over this period, industry executives and influencers have raised nearly $150 million to benefit City of Hope’s mission to transform the future of cancer care.

Rosalía Teams Up with Björk on New Track Aimed at Fighting Against Industrial Salmon Farming

Rosalía has joined one of Iceland’s biggest stars to fight against a controversial food production system.

The 31-year-old Spanish Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has joined voices with Björk on a new single that aims to raise awareness in the fight against industrial salmon farming in Björk’s native Iceland.

RosaliaRosalia and Bjork will donate sales of the track to help protesters cover their legal fees.

The track , which currently remains untitled, will be released later this month, though a short clip has been uploaded to Björk’s YouTube channel with the cover art featuring a fish in distress.

The acapella snippet features the two singers repeating, “Is that the right thing to do? I just don’t know.”

In a statement attached to the song’s announcement, Björk writes that they are looking to aid the town of Seyðisfjörður, where residents are combatting the industrial fish farming’s impact on local wildlife.

She said that farmed fish in the region suffer “horrid health conditions” and are in danger of extinction.

Netflix to Premiere Ralph Barbosa’s First Special for the Streamer Next Month

Ralph Barbosa is preparing to treat fans to a little laughter this Halloween.

Netflix has set a Halloween global premiere for the 26-year-old Latino comedian’s Ralph Barbosa: Cowabunga, its first special from the rising star.

Ralph BarbosaThe special was shot in August as part of his ongoing North American tour.

The hour-long special, taped at The Kessler Theater in Barbosa’s hometown of Dallas, premieres globally on Tuesday, October 31st.

At Netflix, Barbosa joins the likes of Matt RifeJamie Demetriou and Luenell, comics who have likewise closed deals for forthcoming specials with the streamer. The latter’s special, Chappelle’s Home Team- Luenell: Town Business, executive produced by Dave Chappelle as part of an ongoing series, is slated to premiere September 26th.

The impending arrival of Barbosa’s special is just the latest in a whirlwind year for the comic, who made his debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in January. His new hour offers a glimpse into the world of this gamer as he shares stories of growing up with his grandparents, running a hair cutting business out of his bedroom as a 13-year-old, why he asked his dad if he needed to go to the moon to return moon rocks and his fantasy of being passenger prince to his street-racing dream girl.

Eric Abrams directed the special, with Barbosa executive producing alongside Rotten Science’s Matthew Vaughan and 3 Arts Entertainment’s Zack Waxenberg.

Known for his disarming, laid-back style of stand-up, Barbosa’s recent short set for the digital series Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring has topped 3.5 million views on YouTube. The comic currently selling out venues across North America also last November teamed with Gwen La Roka on the HBO Max comedy special, Entre Nos: The Winners 3, after winning the Latino Stand-Up! Comedy Competition presented by The New York Latino Film Festival and HBO Latino in 2021.

Barbosa also won the Funniest Comic in Texas competition in 2019 and garnered 4.6M YouTube views with a performance for secret pop-up comedy show organizer Don’t Tell Comedy.

Bad Bunny Ties J Balvin on YouTube’s List of Artists with Most Videos on Billion Views Club with 14

Bad Bunny is a YouTube sensation… 

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar has logged his 14th music video with more than 1 billion views on YouTube as a lead, featured artist or collaborator with his collaboration on Nacho’s “Báilame (Remix),” also featuring Yandel.

Bad BunnyBad Bunny now ties J Balvin’s record as the artist with the most videos in the Billion Views Club.

The official music video of the infectious “Báilame (Remix)” came out on August 11, 2017, and features Nacho, Yandel and a then-rising Bad Bunny performing the song together. Nacho’s original track peaked at No. 5 on the Hot Latin Songs chart in October 20217.

Earlier this year, Bad Bunny earned his 13th title in the coveted video club with his collaboration on J Balvin’s “Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola,” also released in 2017. Other of his titles on the list include “Te Bote (Remix),” “Mayores,” and “No Me Conoce (Remix)” — all of which have now surpassed 2 billion views.

Bad Bunny’s next five videos in line to enter the Billion Views Club are: Lunay, Daddy Yankee & Bad Bunny’s “Soltera (Remix)”; Prince Royce, J Balvin, Bad Bunny, DJ Luian & Mambo Kingz’s “Sensualidad”; Bad Bunny’s “Yonaguni”; Arcángel & Bad Bunny’s “Me Acostumbré”; and Farruko, Bad Bunny and Rvssian’s “Krippy Kush.”

J Balvin and Bad Bunny previously surpassed previous titleholders Ozuna and Justin Bieber.

Shakira to Receive Video Vanguard Award at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Shakira is being celebrated for leading the way…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar singer-songwriter will receive the Video Vanguard Award at MTV‘s 2023 Video Music Awards on September 12, becoming the first South American artist to earn the award.

ShakiraShakira will accept the award and perform at the ceremony for the first time since 2006.

The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer is a four-time VMA winner and 30-time nominee.

She won her first VMA — the award for International Viewer’s Choice — Latin America (North) — in 2000 for “Ojos Así.” She snagged the same award in 2002 for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte” and also scooped up the trophy for Best Choreography in a Video for 2006’s “Hips Don’t Lie” as well as Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration for 2007’s “Beautiful Liar” with Beyoncé.

Shakira has also earned three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys in her career.

The Video Vanguard Award, named after Michael Jackson, went to Nicki Minaj last year. Previous winners include Beyoncé, Jennifer LopezKanye WestDavid BowieMadonna and RihannaThe Beatles and A Hard Day’s Night director Richard Lester won the award at the first VMAs in 1984.

Shakira is nominated for four VMAs this year: Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Latin for “TQG” with Karol G, and Best Latin for “Acróstico.”

Earlier this year, her hit collaboration with Bizarrap, “Music Sessions Vol. 53,” set a number of streaming records on Spotify and YouTube.

Shakira first performed at the VMAs in 2002 with her rendition of “Objection (Tango),” and was the first artist to perform a song entirely in Spanish at the ceremony alongside Alejandro Sanz when they sang “La Tortura” in 2005.

Taylor Swift leads this year’s VMA nominations with eight, while SZA comes in second with six nominations. Nicki Minaj, Doja CatMiley CyrusSam SmithOlivia Rodrigo and Kim Petras each have five nominations, and Blackpink and Diddy tie Shakira’s four. Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin, and Stray Kids are confirmed to perform at the ceremony, with MTV announcing more performers soon.

Mastercard Artist Accelerator Program Honoree Manu Manzo Among Five Artists Set to Perform on Livestream Hosted by Billboard

Manu Manzo is accelerating his music career… 

Billboard and Mastercard have joined forces to put the spotlight on emerging artists, including the Venezuelan singer-songwriter.

Manu ManzoManzo was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2015 Latin Grammy Awards.

Under a new partnership, five artists who took part in the previously-announced Mastercard Artist Accelerator program will perform on a livestream to be hosted on Billboard‘s YouTube channel, which boasts more than 3.7 million subscribers.

The livestream kicks off on Thursday, July 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

The Mastercard Artist Accelerator program was created to offer developing artists the tools to thrive in a tech-driven era. Participating acts represent a range of genres and geographies; all were chosen because of their unique stories, sounds and inclusion-oriented mindsets. They are:

Young Athena, a London-based R&B soul singer and BRIT School alumna
LeriQ, a Nigerian R&B and afrobeat record producer and songwriter
Cocoa Sarai, a Brooklyn-raised American-Jamaican singer
Emily Vu, a Vietnamese-American pop artist who advocates for LGBTQ+ rights

Manu Manzo, a Venezuelan pop singer, songwriter and producer