6ix9ine is hard at work on his next album, and he’s recruited Akon to assist in the process. The 24-year-old rainbow-haired rapper, who was recently granted an early prison release amid the coronavirus pandemic, took to social media Sunday (June 7) to share a clip of himself rapping new lyrics over the beat of Akon’s […]

Kane Brown‘s uplifting new song “Worldwide Beautiful” has topped this week’s new music poll. In the poll, published Friday (June 5) on Billboard, music fans voted for the Dann Huff-produced track, which Brown has dedicated to the movement against racism and discrimination. The uplifting number brought in nearly 50% of the vote. “I’m releasing this […]

Snoop Dogg is going to make his voice heard at the polls. The rapper called in to Big Boy’s Neighborhood discuss the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests on June 4, and shared that it’ll be his first time casting a ballot. “For many years, they had me brainwashed thinking that […]

Lil Wayne spoke about several different encounters he’s had with law enforcement on the latest episode of Apple Music‘s Young Money Radio, explaining his feelings about the police in light of George Floyd’s death and the nationwide protests against racism and police brutality that have followed. “My life was saved when I was young,” he reminded listeners […]

Lil Nas X is setting the record straight over comments made by Fox News’ Tucker Carlson. The “Old Town Road” rapper took to social media Friday night (June 5) to defend himself after the conservative television commentator blamed Lil Nas and other celebrities for “fueling” riots around the country by donating to causes that help […]

YouTube Originals’ “Dear Class of 2020” commencement ceremony, featuring Barack and Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, BTS, Lady Gaga, Maluma and more, will officially commence Sunday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The four-hour virtual graduation, which was pushed back a day to honor George Floyd’s memorial service, will open with Lizzo and the New York Philharmonic […]

This year, Black Music Month has taken a different turn. Following the horrific deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and more, we at Billboard hope to uplift and empower African Americans during this cloudy and dubious time. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the remainder of the month, an artist will provide a playlist designed […]

On Sunday (May 31), as protesters took to the streets for another day against police brutality, Kirk Franklin went live on Instagram in his studio with Fred Hammond, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Tamela Mann, and Marvin Sapp to infuse some inspiration into the day. Wearing “I Can’t Breathe” shirts (a nod to the final moments of […]

Republic Records is banning the word “urban” from its company verbiage, doing away with the term for hip-hop and R&B, which many consider an antiquated generalization that marginalizes music by black artists. The label, which is home to artists like Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and Taylor Swift, said on Instagram today that it will remove […]

In a week when the heart of the country is heavy with protests, police violence and the fight for racial justice, artists from Run the Jewels to Kane Brown and YG have channeled the national mood into powerful new music.  Soundtracking this particular moment in history feels more important than ever, and Billboard wants to […]