YNW Melly’s double murder trial has been postponed yet again, this time until January 2027 — nearly eight years after he was first arrested.

Melly has sat in jail for years awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges over accusations that he and another YNW rapper shot and killed Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. in 2018.

Now, the wait will go on even longer. A trial had been set to kick off Sept. 10, but on Friday (Aug. 8), Judge Martin S. Fein postponed it until January 2027, prosecutors confirmed to Billboard. That will be almost eight years after Melly was arrested in February 2019.

The delay is due to ongoing appeals lodged by both sides over what evidence will be admitted in the trial. Last week, an appeals court granted a “stay” ordering Judge Fein to halt all proceedings until after that appeal is resolved. Both prosecutors and Melly’s defense team had asked for such a delay.

Prosecutors say Melly (Jamell Demons) carried out the October 2018 killings of friends Williams and Thomas after a recording session in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rapper and Melly associate YNW Bortlen (Cortland Henry) then allegedly faked a drive-by shooting to cover up the murder; Henry is charged as an accomplice and will face a separate trial.

A trial was initially scheduled to start in April 2022, but was called off at the last minute. After a long appeal over whether Melly could face the death penalty, the trial finally kicked off in June 2023. But following weeks of testimony and days of deliberation, it ended in a mistrial after the deadlocked jury was unable to reach a verdict.

The case was set for re-trial in October 2023, but was postponed amid disputes over evidence. With the case finally set to be re-heard in September, Judge Martin S. Fein urged prosecutors earlier this year to stick to that date.

“Mr. Demons has now been in custody for 2,202 days, and if one state attorney is not available, maybe one of the other two assigned to this case can stand in, and if all three are not available, maybe one of the 150 state attorneys upstairs might sit in,” the judge said, according to NBC 6 Miami.

But with both sides pursuing appeals over evidentiary issues, they once again asked for the trial to be pushed back. When Judge Fein denied that request, both sides asked Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal to grant a stay ordering such a freeze.

“Simply, without a stay, the state loses its ability to prosecute a serious case on its full merits,” prosecutors told the appeals court last month. “This error cannot be corrected once it is inflicted.”

Melly’s defense attorneys similarly urged a delay until the appeal is resolved: “Appellee cannot adequately prepare for trial,” they wrote in their own filing. “Appellee’s due process rights will obviously be violated and he will be denied a fair trial if he is not afforded an opportunity to complete discovery.”

Oral arguments in the appeal are scheduled for next month.

Sitting on a couch her Midtown Nashville apartment, Alexandra Kay makes a bold prediction: She’s going to reach No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart. 

“I truly believe my song ‘Straight for the Heart’ will be my first No. 1 at country radio,” she tells Billboard’s Behind the Setlist podcast. “And I have no problem saying that, and I say it on stage all the time.”

Long before she was named to Pandora’s 2025 Artist to Watch: Country and CMT’s 2025 Next Women of Country lists, Kay built a career as an independent artist. After getting dropped by a label in 2019, she poured herself into social media and amassed 8.5 million social media followers with the help of her “coffee covers” videos in which she sings a cover of a familiar country song — “Everybody loves ‘90s country,” she notes — while preparing a coffee drink. 

She boosted her original music by leveraging the popularity of her coffee videos. After a cover song gave her “a lift in the algorithm,” Kay would immediately post an original song. “That’s how I ended up getting millions and millions of streams of my original music,” she explains.

Even though she built an online following and toured as an independent artist, Kay needed help hurdling the next obstacle: country radio. BMG’s BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records will release her second album, Second Wind, on Oct. 24, and she’s betting the label group, home to Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson, can take her career to the next level. BMG, she says, has “one of the best country radio teams in the game right now.”

Country radio, though, is dominated by men. Women account for just seven of the 60 songs on the current Billboard Country Airplay chart (eight if you include Tate McRae, a guest on Morgan Wallen’s “What I Want”). The top female track on the chart, Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo,” is No. 17. 

Kay is undeterred. “I really don’t let that bother me at all, and I don’t let it slow me down,” she says. “Because my experience is going to be what God intends for me, and I know for sure that I’m not going to have my foot off the gas.”

Listen to the entire interview with Alexandra Kay, which covers the opening of her coffee store in her hometown, her non-stop social media prowess, her relationship with her fans and the trick to writing a song everybody can relate to. Use the embedded Spotify player below, or go to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart, Podbean or Everand. 

Sabrina Carpenter has one last cover variant for new album Man’s Best Friend up her sleeve, and this time, it features an exclusive bonus track.

The pop star unveiled the fourth and final edition of the LP in an Instagram post on Friday (Aug. 8), three weeks before the project drops on streaming services. The artwork shows Carpenter holding court at a dinner table, looking glamorous in a sparkling blue gown as she commands five tuxedoed men surrounding her.

“the final alternate cover for Man’s Best Friend features such a special bonus track called ‘Such A Funny Way’ available only on vinyl,” the Grammy winner wrote. “pre order now + a limited number of signed vinyl.”

Carpenter also noted the short amount of time before her seventh studio album, which fans have been waiting for since she first announced the project in June. “3 weeks left!!!” she added. “can’t wait for it to be yours x.”

The Man’s Best Friend cover art has been a quintessential part of the album’s rollout so far, whether or not Carpenter intended it to be. When she first debuted the original artwork — a risqué photo of herself down on all fours, held in place by a man grabbing her by the hair — discourse erupted online over whether the image was empowering or regressive for women, a topic that even made it’s way to The View.

Since then, the Girl Meets World alum has released multiple variations of the artwork, including a black-and-white photo of herself leaning on a man’s shoulder as well as a colorful snap of Carpenter basking in a room filled with flower bouquets sent by admirers. All four versions of Man’s Best Friend are available for purchase on the singer’s website.

The additional cover comes just a few days after Carpenter finally unveiled the Man’s Best Friend tracklist, which features 12 songs including Billboard Hot 100-topping lead single “Manchild.” At her headlining Lollapalooza set this past weekend, the star played the track for fans in Chicago as well as duetted with special guest Earth, Wind & Fire.

See Carpenter’s fourth and final Man’s Best Friend variant below.

Cardi B reigns on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart for the ninth time, leaping two places to No. 1 on the Aug. 16-dated ranking with “Outside.”

“Outside” also ascends a spot to No. 1 on Rap Airplay, becoming the rapper’s eighth ruler.

The track is Cardi B’s first leader on Rhythmic Airplay since 2021, when “Up” dominated for three weeks. In between “Up” and “Outside,” she notched nine entries, including four top 10s, paced by No. 2 peaks in 2023 for Latto’s “Put It on Da Floor Again,” on which Cardi B is featured, and the Megan Thee Stallion collaboration “Bongos.” She first led in 2017 with her premiere entry, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves).”

Cardi B has the fifth-most No. 1s on the chart by a woman, after Rihanna (17), Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj (12 each) and Doja Cat (11).

On Rap Airplay, Cardi B likewise first hit No. 1 with “Bodak Yellow.” She most recently led with “Tomorrow 2,” with GloRilla, in 2022. She now ranks one behind Minaj for the most No. 1s among women.

Most No. 1s, Rap Airplay:

“Outside” debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early July, becoming Cardi B’s 13th top 10. It ranks at No. 60 on the latest tally (Aug. 9).

“Outside” is the latest taste of Am I the Drama?, Cardi B’s second studio album, due Sept. 19. Predecessor Invasion of Privacy topped the Billboard 200 upon its April 2018 debut and has earned 7.1 million equivalent album units to date, according to Luminate.

All Billboard charts dated Aug. 16 will update Tuesday, Aug. 12, on Billboard.com.

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

Armenta, Portate Bien (Street Mob Records/Warner Music Latina)

Armenta steps into the spotlight with Pórtate Bien, a debut album that positions him as one of música mexicana’s brightest voices. The curly-haired wunderkind, known for crafting hits behind the scenes of the Street Mob corridos clan, takes a bold leap forward here with a genre-spanning collection of 15 tracks that balance his knack for storytelling with fresh sonic directions. From aching indie rock to steely corridos tumbados, flirtatious reggaetón Mexa to heartfelt boleros, Armenta captures a kaleidoscope of moods while staying rooted in raw emotion.

The album opens on a vulnerable note with “Ansiedad,” a melodic indie rock track that channels longing into its soaring melodies. Corridos remain the project’s backbone, with tracks like “Ondeada,” a lilting duet with Jorsshh, standing out for its intricate guitar lines. Armenta ventures into unexpected territory with “Buscándote,” where he blends Jersey club bounce and reggaetón rhythms into a shimmering ode to nightlife chaos. Collaborations further expand the album’s reach, including the romantic corridos “Ojitos Lindos” with Jonatan Caro, whimsical sierreño “Balenciaga” alongside DannyLux, and the graceful bolero closer with Colombian singer Manuel Medrano.

“This album was born from difficult moments and decisions that shaped my path. It’s an honest reflection of everything I am,” the artist says in a statement. ”I want this album to speak to those who have loved, lost, fallen, and kept going — to let them know that there is also beauty in the chaos.” It’s a fearless debut, equal parts exploratory and intimate. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Wampi & Cimafunk, “Que Bola” (Awaken Music/Virgin Music Latin)

As a preview of his forthcoming El Rey de la Habana album, Wampi has teamed up with his “favorite artist right now,” Cimafunk, for “Que Bola.” Marking their second effort following 2024’s “La Pomada,” the new track is a groovy funk song marked by deep bass tones, saucy saxophone and trumpet melodies, and rhythmic percussion — all bringing to life the essence of Cubanía music.

Written and produced by the self-taught musician, Wampi, the track celebrates Cuban culture and nightlight with local street slang in the lyrics: “Asere, qué bola, que vuelta?” they smoothly ask, loosely meaning “what’s up” in Cuban jerga. “Wampi is the real deal. He’s from the streets and has that cred […] He’s the future of Cuba’s urban movement and this song is a treat,” Cimafunk said in a press statement. “It’s a VERY Cuban song with the grace and flow of how we speak.” — JESSICA ROIZ

Juan Gabriel, “Nunca Es Tarde” (Virgin Music Group)

This ranchero classic by the iconic Mexican singer-songwriter, written by Juan Gabriel for the Spanish singer Rocío Dúrcal during the golden age of this incomparable composer-performer duo, is reborn almost five decades after its original release as the third single from Eterno, the upcoming posthumous album by the so-called Divo de Juárez, scheduled for September. It’s an emotional version that includes vocals recorded by Juan Gabriel shortly before his death in 2016, as well as a new mariachi arrangement by maestro Guillermo Hernández Galicia, his arranger, musical coordinator, and director of the mariachi that accompanied him for nearly 23 years.

Originally released in 1978, “Nunca es Tarde” is a tribute to love through saying farewell, in a hopeful tone of gratitude for that special person that has passed away. The song is accompanied by a music video with AI-generated images, showing a traditional Mexican lottery whose cards allude to the singer-songwriter and the sentiment he seeks to express in this passionate musical piece. — NATALIA CANO

Luna Luna, “Ven y Ven” (Luna Luna Music)

Texas indie pop band Luna Luna delivers a flavorful cumbia perfect for summer in their new single, “Ven y Ven.” With a contagious, laid-back rhythm, the song speaks of longing for the return of an old lover who seems to be doubting the relationship. “Come, come and give me your love/ Don’t wait anymore/ I’m yours, yours, yours now/ What’s going on,” goes the infectious chorus. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Diferente Nivel, Carolina Ross, “No Soy Tu Prioridad” (JEM Records)

If there’s a female voice in Mexican music that wraps you with its sweetness, it’s that of Carolina Ross. And on “No Soy Tu Prioridad,” her first collaboration with Diferente Nivel, the singer manages to convey a deep melancholy, as the artists talk about a relationship worn down by a lack of interest. “I prefer you to tell me the truth/ That it tastes like a lie when you say ‘I love you more’/ Because I know it’s an habit that can’t be fixed/ It’s become very clear to me now, I’m not your priority,” Ross and the band’s lead vocalist, Arturo Balderas, sing passionately in this norteño pop ballad driven by guitar, piano, and accordion. The result is an extremely romantic collaboration in regional Mexican music. — TERE AGUILERA

Check out more Latin recommendations this week below: