Author: Kyle-Brandon Denis
Billboard owned the past week in R&B and hip-hop with a weekend full of events celebrating the movers, shakers and tastemakers of both genres. Things kicked off with Thursday night’s (Sept. 5) 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event, where Megan Thee Stallion and Playboi Carti were both honored as artist of the year. Rachelle Jean-Louis, manager […]
The Harris-Walz campaign’s love affair with pop music continued in full force on the second night (Aug. 20) of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Related What Can Kamala Harris’ Presidential Campaign Tell Us About the Current State of Pop Fandom? 08/14/2024 After Patti LaBelle delivered the night’s first performance with a stirring rendition of “You Are […]
Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” may have been a clear favorite of the audience inside the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA last night (June 30), but the 2024 BET Awards were more concerned with highlighting that different types of “us” that make up global Blackness. Between the world-stopping Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef, a […]
In 1998, Bryan Adams was promoted to the rank of Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions to popular music and his philanthropic work across a number of causes. Twenty-six years later, the (Everything I Do) I Do It for You” singer’s commitment to animal rights has landed him a new target that’s […]
Although Taylor Swift‘s chart-busting Tortured Poets Department dominated the news cycle of the last weekend in April, the hip-hop and R&B worlds kept churning out hot new tracks and buzzy news stories to keep us occupied. Related Conway the Machine Announces New Album ‘SFK’ & Reveals Cover Art: Here’s When It Arrives 04/26/2024 In yet […]
When the Orion Sun-sampling “Whatever She Wants” reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 (chart dated March 16), Bryson Tiller not only earned his first unaccompanied Hot 100 top 20 hit in nearly a decade, he also pulled off the feat with a sound that notably diverged from the sultry trap-inflected R&B that brought […]
Shirley Chisholm, Brooklyn-born with a distinct British West-Indian accent, shattered barriers by becoming the first Black woman to seek a major party’s nomination for president. Her prominence started in 1968 when Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and represented New York’s 12th Congressional District. She would serve seven terms in office through […]
Shirley Chisholm was a trailblazing figure in American politics, known not only for her groundbreaking achievements as the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress but also for her distinctive style and presence. Chisholm’s style was a reflection of her boldness, confidence and commitment to breaking barriers. Chisholm’s style undoubtedly inspired a […]
Curating a playlist for Women’s History Month that celebrates the trailblazing contributions of Black women artists is an opportunity to showcase their innovative sound and empowering anthems. From the soulful melodies of Aretha Franklin to the rhymes of Queen Latifah, the playlist can span decades and genres, reflecting the diverse talents of these visionary musicians. […]
Since her Billboard Hot 100 debut with the Mac Miller-assisted “The Way” back in 2013, Ariana Grande has evolved into a generational pop titan. Her awe-inspiring vocal prowess and fearlessness to move through the myriad subsects of pop, R&B, dance, hip-hop and musical theatre have resulted in a discography that is as creatively fulfilling as […]