Congrats are in order for Eminem and his family, as his eldest daughter, Alaina Scott, whom he adopted in the early 2000s, gave birth to a baby girl earlier this week.

Slim Shady is a grandpa for the second time after his biological daughter, Hailie Jade, gave birth to a baby boy last March. Alaina Scott revealed that she and her husband, Matt Moeller, welcomed a baby girl named Scottie Marie Moeller on April 14.

Alaina Scott made an adorable post on Instagram on Thursday (April 16) featuring a photo of baby Scottie in a knitted onesie with her name emblazoned across the midsection.

“My heart outside my body she’s everything and more Scottie Marie Moeller born 4/14/26 welcome to the world my sweet darling,” she wrote of her bundle of joy.

The 33-year-old revealed the inspiration behind Scottie’s name, which comes from Scott being the last name of her birth mother, Dawn Scott, whose sister is Eminem’s ex-wife, Kim Scott.

Dawn Scott passed away in 2016 as she continued to battle drug abuse, while Em and Kim Scott got divorced for good in 2007 after rekindling their relationship.

“Scottie, in honor of my ‘scott sisters.’ The women who have given the name and my life so much meaning,” she wrote. “May she now give it a meaning of her own and always know how loved she is, by mom + dad, and her aunties. To my husband, I can’t believe she’s ours. Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of my life. I love you endlessly.”

Alaina Scott announced her pregnancy back in October when she posted photos surprising her husband with a positive pregnancy test and a pair of infant Nike “Panda” Dunks.

“THE BEST OF YOU + ME For months, I’ve carried a tiny heartbeat inside me, one that has already changed mine in every possible way,” she wrote on IG. “There’s something indescribable about knowing there’s a little life growing, dreaming, and becoming, all while you go about your day, whispering prayers and hopes only they can hear.”

Scott continued: “I’ve never felt more grateful for this gift and to grow our family, something we’ve wanted for so long. Thank you God for this blessing. Baby M, we can’t wait to meet you, little one.”

Alaina Scott and Matt Moeller have been dating since the mid-2010s. The couple got engaged in December 2021 before tying the knot in June 2023, which saw Eminem walk his daughter down the aisle.

SOCAN is reporting another record high for revenue distribution.

In its annual financial report, the Canadian rights organization that collects and distributes publishing royalties for musicians and rights-holders shares that its collected revenue grew to $587 million last year, with $511.9 million being distributed to writers and publishers — a 5% increase from 2024.

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Of the nearly $600 million in revenues, $445.5 million came from music use in Canada. It’s a weighty increase from last year’s numbers, which were approximately $23.9 million lower. This year’s stats are led by digital revenue sources totalling $232.8 million, an 11.5% year-over-year increase.

Meanwhile, general licensing and concerts revenue rose by 16.1%, and revenue from international territories increased by $3.9 million to $141.7 million, reflecting a rise in global demand for Canadian music, up 1.4% from last year.

While the numbers are high, the organization says its findings come during a fraught time as industry-wide conversations on discoverability, streaming economic challenges and generative AI are inciting mounting pressure on Canadian artists and rights-holders.

Artists like icon Anne Murray and pop singer Alessia Cara have become alleged victims of unlicensed AI works, after songs that eerily resemble their voices have been uploaded to streaming platforms and social media in recent months.

“As AI accelerates change across the creative industries, SOCAN has remained focused on a core principle: human creativity must be protected, respected and fairly compensated,” the report reads.

SOCAN has also become the first performing rights group to join the Music Fights Fraud Alliance (MFFA), an organization created to combat the streaming of fraudulent content. In February, the organization launched a national five-week member letter-writing campaign to put a stop to unauthorized AI music. That generated 8,700 letters to the Government of Canada to urge policymakers to reject any permits that allow the unlicensed use of music to train AI systems.

It was backed by many Canadian artists and labels, including Sarah McLachlan, Mac DeMarcoLeith Ross, BMG Music Publishing and more.

“SOCAN’s financial results show increased revenues but we all need to acknowledge that Canadian songwriters and composers are living a different reality,” says SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown. “There is an urgent need for modern protections rooted in consent, credit and compensation, to provide songwriters and composers with a reliable foundation from which to support their families and continue making music.”

Read more here

Canadian Vocal Producer and Coach Nevon Sinclair Passes Away

Canadian vocalist Nevon Sinclair has passed away.

The Toronto singer, vocal producer and vocal coach’s death was confirmed to Billboard Canada on April 14 by Jermayne Clayton, artist manager and vice-chair of government and community relations at Music Managers Forum Canada. Sinclair’s passing was unexpected, while he was abroad in Thailand.

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Due to his sudden departure, Sinclair’s family has launched a GoFundMe to raise money for his funeral and other related costs, including bringing him back to Canada. At the time of reporting, the family has received three-quarters of their $30,000 goal.

Sinclair was an active mentor in the city, providing intentional vocal development, vocal arrangement and coaching sessions to Canadian artists like Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson, Savannah Ré, Loony, Dylan Sinclair, TheHonestGuy and more.

In the 2010s, he launched The Vocal Alchemist, a hub to develop his services, in what he called “the home of intentional sound.” Nevon Sinclair built up a roster of talent over the past decade, helping them elevate their vocal potential.

Notably, he worked with Caesar on the Toronto singer’s breakout debut album, Freudian, in 2017. He provided coaching, background vocals, arrangement recording and tour support on the project. “Best Part,” a collaboration with H.E.R., went on to win best R&B performance at the 2019 Grammys. 

Canadian manager, producer and close Daniel Caesar collaborator Jordan Evans says “Nevon was a beautiful person and an incredible talent. He had a rare gift for bringing out the best in everyone he worked with, and he filled every room with his warmth and energy. His contributions to Canadian R&B were immense, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.”

Meanwhile, Toronto-based producer Matthew Burnett, known for helming hits for artists like Drake and Jessie Reyez and also a producer/manager for Caesar, calls Sinclair “a true unsung hero in this city who always understood the assignment.”

“Nevon Sinclair was one of one,” Burnett says. “He was part of my foundation early in my career as the go-to for all things vocals and always delivered. He was a quiet, beautiful soul with an impeccable sense of humour who was given a gift from God, which he made sure to share by impacting both the gospel community and the music industry at large. It was this sensitivity and understanding of both worlds that made him the perfect person for us to collaborate with on Freudian and so many other projects. His legacy will live on forever both tangibly through the works he touched but also through the impact he had in the hearts of many.”

Head here for more tributes from Savannah Ré, Dylan Sinclair and more.

Director Chandler Levack on the 2010s Montreal Artists Who Inspired ‘Mile End Kicks’

Chandler Levack is a scholar of Montreal’s indie music scene.

“The city has famously gone through so many exciting waves in music,” the Toronto-born director tells Billboard Canada. “There was Arcade Fire, The Dears, The Unicorns, Stars, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Wolf Parade [in the 2000s] which was electrifying. When I moved there, there was this new wave of artists like Grimes, Mac DeMarco, Silly Kissers, Think About Life, Cadence Weapon. There’s like a million artists I could name.”

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Levack’s move to the city that unknowingly laid the groundwork for her second film, Mile End Kicks, which premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and is now out in select theatres.

Before Levack became a filmmaker, she was a music critic. Citing Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous as her north star, Levack dove head first into the music world — she dropped out of her Cinema Studies program at University of Toronto to write full-time, interned at lauded music magazine SPIN, worked for now-extinct Toronto alt-weekly Eye Weeklygot the scoop on Grimes’ avant-garde world before she made it mainstream and even co-directed a couple of Juno-nominated music videos for Toronto punk rockers PUP.

Mastering the art of nostalgia is Levack’s forté. Transporting viewers back to the 2010s, Mile End Kicks is a semi-autobiographical take on Levack’s experience in Montreal. Lead character Grace (played by Euphoria’s Barbie Ferreira) is navigating the music landscape during a pivotal period for the city’s music scene, when the talent from homegrown artists was oozing out of the city and attracting international audiences. The scene was fuelled by cheap rent, a Québécois joie de vivre and nightly gigs by burgeoning acts, like DeMarco and Grimes.

“They were all playing these tiny loft shows,” Levack says. “Coming from Toronto, where I’d only ever really been to more conventional indie rock shows and venues, it was incredibly exciting to be at an abandoned warehouse at three in the morning, watching one of these artists perform for the first time.”

The film is filled with throwback tracks from Canadian artists, including Cadence Weapon, Sean Nicholas Savage, Peaches, Mozart’s Sister and Diane Tell. Levack worked with Montreal indie rock band Tops, formerly known as Silly Killers, to craft two original songs for the soundtrack.

We asked Levack to flex her knowledge of Montreal’s music scene, sharing seven songs from the early 2010s that shaped her and defined the era.

Check out her picks here.


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It’s only A Matter of Time before festival season comes around full force. To prep for dancing in the blazing sun and singing along to your favorite artists, Laufey has partnered with Etsy as part of Etsy’s broader Festival Shop to introduce a collection inspired by her third studio album, featuring both co-designed pieces created with Etsy sellers and a curated selection of items she handpicked. 

The co-designed portion of the collection brings Laufey’s world to life through custom pieces made in collaboration with independent Etsy sellers, while the curated edit extends the story with items selected by Laufey that reflect the same themes and motifs.

What to buy from Etsy x Laufey's collection online.

Laufey Collection Forget-Me-Not Journal

This one’s for those who love Laufey and journaling. The limited-edition piece is printed with forget-me-not flowers pressed into the exterior.


What to buy from Etsy x Laufey's collection online.

Laufey Collection Bag Charm

This isn’t your average bag charm. The style is affixed with strings of gorgeous glass beads and stones. For that extra Laufey twist, the attachable accessory features a clock charm.


The full collection shop features items such as beaded accessories, trucker hats, a crochet scarf, polaroid sets, decorative bow hair pieces and customizable crewnecks that will take your festival outfit game up a notch, alongside a vintage watch edit that ties back to the album’s recurring clock visuals. There are more than 331+ items to choose from, all inspired by or co-designed by the Icelandic singer. All of this, and so much more, is available for purchase on Etsy’s website

ShopBillboard is here to discuss some of our favorites from the collection. If you’re planning on getting festival ready the Laufey way, or you want some unique Laufey merch that you can wear in your daily life, you might want to act fast. All of these pieces are both practical and stylish, and for that reason, we’re sure they won’t be in stock for long. If you’re looking to capture memories from your time at a music festival, or you’re just really into jotting things down, we’d suggest picking up the limited-edition Laufey Collection Forget-Me-Not Journal for $24. The product is currently listed as in-demand, and it’s easy to see why. The journal is 5″x8.25″ and contains 48 pages. The exterior is embossed with vibrant blue myosotis, otherwise known as the forget-me-not flower. These flowers are pressed into the exterior throughout. Fun fact: This flower serves as a symbol of love and constancy.

What to buy from Etsy x Laufey's collection online.

Laufey Collection Crochet Scarf

Light blue and cozy, this scarf is crocheted out of soft angora wool. The piece can be wrapped around the neck or worn on top of your head, creating a timeless, elegant feel.


What to buy from Etsy x Laufey's collection online.

Embroidered Custom Lyrics Crewneck Sweatshirt

$24.75 $54.99 55% off

Buy Now at etsy

This is a customizable crewneck that is currently 55% off, a sweet deal for merch. You can customize this piece down to the color and lyrics on the front.


With the popularity of bag charms still in high demand, you know Laufey had to co-design one for her fans. The Laufey Collection limited-edition Bag Charm retails for $50 and is made with a mixture of delicate glass beads and stones that create colorful rows that hang off the gold hardware. The charm is also equipped with a clock charm, another clear reference to A Matter of Time. Bag charms can be used to spruce up your everyday tote or clutch, adding a touch of playfulness. They can also be attached to your keys if that’s more your style. 

For those cold festival nights, the Embroidered Custom Lyrics Crewneck Sweatshirt currently on sale for $24.75 should come in handy. Shoppers can customize the cozy item in one of many shades, though our favorite is the Laufey blue. You’ll also be able to embroider your favorite Laufey lyric on the front, either from A Matter of Time or some of the singer’s older tracks that speak to you. This is another high-demand item, with multiple people having added their custom crewnecks to their cart as of writing. 

On Tuesday (April 14), hundreds of people from across the music industry and around the world convened at Solotech Studios in Los Angeles for the third annual Music Sustainability Summit.  

Produced by the Music Sustainability Alliance, the day-long event included more than a dozen panel discussions looking at sustainability via topics ranging from live shows, fan travel, food, waste, mass events and more. Comedian Esteban Gast kept things light between panels, a plant-based lunch kept attendees energized, and a variety of product developers put on inspiring 90-second presentations on sustainable innovations to glowsticks, water fountains, guitars and more.  

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Furthermore, the first-ever winners of the MSA Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards, named after the late Grateful Dead founder and longstanding environmental advocate, were presented to Manchester’s Co-op Live, REVERB and Support + Feed founder Maggie Baird. “Bobby understood that music doesn’t exist in a vacuum,” Music Sustainability Alliance leaders Amy Morrison and Kurt Langer said while reading a statement provided by the Weir family during the awards presentation. “It lives in communities, it’s in the air that we all share, and he understood the responsibility that comes with bringing people together. He approached touring not just as a series of events, but as a living, breathing ecosystem, one that could evolve, improve and give back.”

With that very sentiment at heart, the summit made for an inspiring day of insightful conversations, presenting real industry-focused solutions to humanity’s most pressing problem.  

Below are nine action items discussed during the summit that the industry can take right now. 

Buju Banton has officially entered his newest era. On Friday (April 17), the Jamaican reggae and dancehall icon shared two buzzy pieces of news: the announcement of his signing to VP Records and the arrival of his heart-eyed new “Butterflies” single.

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“I have been working with VP Records for over 30 years, and I will say it again … they get it,” Banton, whose lengthy partnership with the storied indie Caribbean music label includes releases such as 2003’s Friends for Life, said in a statement. Label CEO Christopher Chin added, “Buju has always been a defining voice in reggae, and his return to VP Records reinforces our shared commitment to continue inspiring our culture that resonates across the globe.”

The Grammy winner celebrated the full-circle moment with the release of the Supa Dups-produced “Butterflies,” the first taste of his forthcoming LP, which also doubles as his first full-length VP Records release since 2006. Slated for a summer 2026 release, Gargamel’s forthcoming album promises to deliver “music that touches the soul to a point where it’s constantly playing your head … and you just wanna spread your wings and be a butterfly.”

Banton’s most recent album, 2023’s Born for Greatness, earned him his eighth career Grammy nomination. Featuring collaborations with Victoria Monét and Snoop Dogg, the album marked Banton’s second Roc Nation release, following 2020’s Upside Down 2020, which hit No. 2 on Reggae Albums and served as his first project since his December 2018 prison release.

This summer, Banton will also join forces with nine-time Grammy-winning reggae superstar Stephen Marley for a joint Roots and Rhymes Tour. Kicking off on June 17 at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash., the trek will visit major U.S. cities including New York, Chicago and Boston before concluding on July 25 at Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta. Grammy-winner Gramps Morgan will appear as a special guest on select dates, while Splackavelli will deliver lively DJ sets. Fans can purchase tickets via both Banton’s and Marley’s official websites.

Two years ago, Banton returned to the U.S. for his first live shows in the country in more than 13 years. “After not being here for quite some time, I look forward to reigniting that passion and euphoria,” he told Billboard ahead of two back-to-back sold-out headlining shows at New York’s UBS Arena. In 2025, he won the Caribbean Music Award for reggae collaboration of the year alongside Damian Marley and Bugle for “Thank You Lord.”

Buju Banton has sent 12 projects to the top 10 of Reggae Albums, with four of them also reaching the all-genre Billboard 200. “Champion,” one of his defining crossover hits, spent nine weeks on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales in 1995, peaking at No. 52.

Check out the dates for Buju Banton and Stephen Marley’s upcoming tour and listen to “Butterflies” below.


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Olivia Rodrigo leads a notably crowded New Music Friday with “Drop Dead,” the lead single from her forthcoming third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. Featuring an Amy Allen cowriting and a Cure namedrop, the new single welcomes the Grammy-winning pop princess back to the genre’s upper ranks.

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Fellow rock-adjacent pop star sombr also shared his new “Potential” single ahead of his set at Coachella weekend two slated for Saturday (April 18). Madonna also hyped up the dance floor with the first taste of Confessions II when she debuted new song “I Feel So Free” on iHeartRadio’s Pride Radio Friday. Tyla and Zara Larsson channeled the sensual pop duets of eras past on their steamy “She Did It Again,” while Demi Lovato paid tribute to Blackout-era Britney Spears with “Low Rise Jeans.” Lana Del Rey finally got her Bond theme (kind of) with “First Light,” a cinematic cut for the new James Bond video game of the same name. And Rosalía reloaded last year’s critically acclaimed Lux with a handful of new songs, led by the soaring “Focu ‘Ranni.”

This week also featured new singles from Riley Green (“My Way”), Midland (“Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey”), Inayah (“Outside”), WizTheMc (“Wait For You”), Buju Banton (“Butterflies”), Cody Johnson (“I Want You”), 21 LIl Harold & BabyDrill (“Spin”), Ava Max (“Out of Your Mind”), Belles & Dolly Parton (“Son of Jolene”) and Kenya Grace (“The One You Loved”).

In terms of larger projects, Nine Inch Noize — the collaborative outfit of Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize — dropped its 12-track self-titled set, featuring reimaginations of NIN classics such as “Closer.” One Direction alum ZAYN dropped his sultry fifth studio album, Konnakol, while Grammy-nominated MC Sexyy Red shared her new Yo Favorite Trappa Favorite Rappa LP. With some help from marquee pop names including Jack Antonoff, Charli xcx and FKA twigs, Anne Hathaway shared the full Mother Mary: Greatest Hits soundtrack for her new A24 film, which hits theaters this weekend. M.I.A. also debuted a fresh gospel pivot with her left-field new M.I.7 album.

Other notable album releases include new drops from Lewis Capaldi (Survive EP), Yaya Bey (Fidelity), Protoje (The Art of Acceptance), Jessie Ware (Superbloom), rjtheweirdo (At Least She’s Beautiful), Tokischa (Amor & Droga), Flying Lotus (1983), Amma (Middle Child) and John Summit (CTRL Escape).

Which new release this week is your favorite? Vote — or share your own pick — in Billboard‘s New Music Friday poll below:


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

Thalia, Todo Suena Mejor en Cumbia (Sony Music Latin)

From the opening chords of “Ojitos Mexicanos,” which opens the album, Thalia — recognized this year with the Icon Award at Billboard’s Women in Music — takes us on a journey that blends past and present, with covers of classics such as ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” Son By Four’s “A Puro Corazón” (reimagined here as “Cariño Mío”) and Daniela Romo’s “Todo, Todo, Todo” (featuring Yuri), alongside exciting new tracks and collaborations. Highlights include “Nueva Herida” with Valen — one of the rising voices of cumbia in Argentina — and “Me Fui Queriéndote” with Matisse, both tracks were co-written by the Mexican superstar.

The album also features “Aquí Es Mi Lugar” with Grupo Máximo and, of course, “Yo Me Lo Busqué” with Los Ángeles Azules, which reached No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart upon its release in May 2025. Having flirted with cumbia music throughout her career via major hits like “Piel Morena” and “Amor a la Mexicana,” Thalía now cements her love for the genre with a full-length album, gifting her fans a nine-track collection that is sure to have them dancing with joy. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Tokischa, AMOR & DROGA (Sol Entertainment Group/Warner Music Latina)

It’s hard to grasp that Tokischa’s first full-length album is Amor & Droga, given that the Dominican artist has been so steadily pushing out singles over the past five years. Amor & Droga, however, breaks rank. Produced in part with a cadre of top-line DJs,  Amor & Droga is as much about partying as it is about reflecting, but its production is elevated and textured, clearly part of an all-encompassing effort to show Tokischa as a sophisticated artist with a gravitas that supersedes her wild antics (like the breast-bring dress she wore at Premios Lo Nuestro).

Instead, here we have layered tracks like “Mi Novio,” a pulsating dance number with Diplo that spells out a toxic, abusive relationship, contrasting with “Surfboard,” a Bonafide love song that describes Tokischa’s current relationship. In the middle, tracks like “Perreo Llorando” — on the juxtaposition of success and pain — highlight how the dance floor and the raunch can coexist with elegance and soul.  — LEILA COBO

Edén Muñoz & Christian Castro, “Osadía” (EMC Music/Sony Music)

The regional Mexican star and the pop icon achieve a superb fusion of styles and voices in “Osadía,” a track about a breakup in which one party emerges more wounded than the other. Muñoz — who serves as both songwriter and producer — opens with his signature accordion, paving the way for elegant orchestration in which trumpets take center stage, supported by guitars and piano. Castro, returning to the recording studio after a long absence, demonstrates that his vocal power remains entirely undiminished. “I’ve been left without myself, without you, without us both/ And if anyone asks me, I don’t know what happened/ I’ve earned myself a wound/ While her smile returned — and she didn’t even say thank you,” they both sing with passion. — TERE AGUILERA

Nanpa Básico, Que Tin y Que Tan (5020 Records)

A Colombian rap star breaks expectations with an authentic 22-track journey, using the playful Medellín slang of “Tin” and “Tan.” Que Tin y Que Tan sweeps listeners through a wave of sounds, fusing rap, ballads, afrobeat, and more, all united by Nanpa Básico’s signature introspection and emotional honesty. The album builds on his evolving sounds, balancing raw, stripped-back moments with dense, layered arrangements. Sometimes his voice stands alone in the spotlight; other times, as in “Si Usted Quiere,” live guitar, trumpe, and keyboards create a rich, immersive backdrop.

Each track is thoughtfully crafted with his all-Colombian collaborators: Kapo brings guitar-driven soul to “AMIMA”; Camilo lends sweetness to the heartfelt ballad “EVAMARÍA”; DFZM turns “En Tu Boca El Humo Me Sabe Mejor” into a poetic ode to love’s transformative power; Miky La Sensa paints dreams of perfection in “No Salgas El Viernes”; Maisak explores self-reflection and the search for peace in “Diálogos de Paz”; and Kris R blends apology and trap in “Cariñitos y Flores.” — INGRID FAJARDO

Gusi, Vallenato Social Club (Gusi)

For the past two years, Gusi focused on gathering the most popular names in the vallenato music realm to bring to life his new album Vallenato Social Club. Crafted with the intention to honor the Colombian genre’s roots, but also introduce it to a new generation with its modern fusions, the 12-track set goes beyond a cultural statement. With brand new songs, such as “Son Para Ti,” “A Tu Medida” and “Acabaste Conmigo” — all composed and produced by Gusi himself — the set fuses traditional vallenato music with genres such as merengue, son and paseo.

“It’s a meeting point. It’s a way to honor our roots, unite generations, and show that vallenato is alive, evolving, and ready to conquer new hearts,” Gusi says in a press statement. “This project is born from a deep respect for the genre, as a space where vallenato is lived, shared, and connects us all.” Vallenato giants Elder Dayán Díaz, Alfredo Gutiérrez, Jean Carlos Centeno, Luifer Cuello, Iván Villazón, Jorge Celedón, Karen Lizarazo, Rafa Pérez, Diego Daza, José Martín Bernier, Felipe Peláez and Peter Manjarrés all join Gusi on Vallenato Social Club. —— JESSICA ROIZ

Manuel Carrasco, “Oh Si Pudiera” (Universal Music Spain)

In “Oh Si Pudiera,” Manuel Carrasco previews the sound of Pueblo Salvaje I, his upcoming studio album — a blend of rumba, flamenco and gospel set against a folk foundation that invites listeners to experience it live in concert. The track opens with a rumba rhythm setting the pulse, driven by rhythmic handclaps that gradually give room to a gospel-infused soundscape. “To see life the way children play it,” the Spanish musician sings, in a verse that flows effortlessly and serves to fully establish the song’s tone. Carrasco himself summed it up on social media as a refusal to look the other way — a sentiment also palpable in lines such as “let them shoot, for I will rise from the ground” — without ever losing its sense of lightness. The song navigates the space between the intimate and the collective, radiating an energy that already feels stadium-ready. — FRANCHESCA GUIM

Los Ángeles Azules & Belinda, “Por Ella” (SALXCO Records/OCESA Seitrack)

The iconic cumbia group and the pop superstar join forces for a second time—to energize the World Cup with a festive, distinctly Mexican track, set to the unmistakable style that characterizes both artists. Belinda’s melodious voice blends with the accordion, electric bass, timbales and saxophone, resulting in a masterful piece of cumbia — the musical genre that unites Latin America — which will ring out to cheer on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “What I would give for her/ For her/ So that she might shine here in my heart just like the stars/ So beautiful/ And to give her a kiss when I hold her in my arms/ To shout that I love her/ So that it can be heard all the way to heaven,” goes the chorus. The song’s accompanying music video serves as a colorful tribute to Mexican culture — and, in particular, to Mexico City, one of the official host cities for the planet’s most important soccer tournament. — NATALIA CANO

Camila Fernández, “Suéltame” (FONO)

The heiress of the Fernández dynasty presents a ranchera ballad with pop undertones, creating a modern sound while still honoring the foundations of the genre, accompanied by vihuela and trumpets. “Suéltame” speaks of a relationship sustained merely by habit — one that has ended and cannot be salvaged, even if moving past it will take time. There are no villains, only the courage to move forward. Through her vocals and distinctive style, Fernández infuses the track with just the right amount of drama to stir deep emotions in lyrics such as: “A half-hearted kiss and a feigned smile/ Promises that turned into empty words/ That is all that remains of the two of us.” — T.A.

Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:


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Sphere Entertainment announced David Dibble has been elevated to the role of vice chairman. Most recently, Dibble served as special advisor to the executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment. In this new role, Dibble will work with executive leadership to explore opportunities advancing Sphere’s proprietary technologies and deliver immersive experiences. Dibble will report to James Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment.

“David Dibble has been integral in helping shape the vision for Sphere from the very beginning,” Dolan said in a statement. “His commitment to technological innovation and his relentless drive to redefine what’s possible will be incredible assets as we extend Sphere’s leadership position, including a global network of venues.”

Dibble joined Sphere Entertainment in 2016 as CEO of MSG Ventures, which focuses on developing live entertainment technologies. Dibble was instrumental in building Sphere, with Dolan first outlining his vision for the venue in a conversation with Dibble back in 2016. Dibble oversaw the development of Sphere’s audio, video and connectivity technologies.

“Sphere has always been focused on using advanced technologies to create experiences that are unlike anywhere else in the world,” Dibble said in a statement. “The technologies that power Sphere are truly transformative, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Jim as we keep pushing boundaries and continue to solidify Sphere’s position at the forefront of immersive experiences.”

Prior to joining Sphere Entertainment, Dibble served as Chief Technology Officer at Cablevision Systems Corporation. Before that, he spent six years at Yahoo! in multiple executive roles including executive vp of central technology. — Ariel King

This week in dance music: Anyma was forced to cancel his weekend one Coachella performance after strong withs prevented the stage build; the artist will be back at Coachella tonight (April 17) to debut this new show on the festival’s mainstage. Meanwhile, earlier this week Rezz announced that she was cancelling her weekend two Coachella performance in order to look after her health. Moby also spread the news that he’s donating all of the profits from his two Coachella 2026 performances to four animal rights organizations.

Madonna teased her forthcoming Confessions On a Dancefloor 2, wiping her Instagram and posting a lyrical snippet from the 2005 original’s classic “Hung Up.” She later announced that the new album will be released on July 3.

We spoke with Honey Dijon about her new album The Nightlife, the culture of dance music, the best business decision the artist has made during her esteemed career (“I don’t have a Rolex,” she said. “I don’t have a big car. I don’t smoke cigars. I don’t do drugs. I don’t buy magnums of champagne. I put my money in the stock exchange, I buy real estate and I stay true to who I am.”) and much more. Ahead of Billboard‘s Woman in Music 2026, we also chatted with honoree Zara Larsson about her big byear, her big hits and why despite all the success, she “feels the same internally.”

And last but never least, these are the best new dance projects of the week.


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Billboard Women in Music 2026 Icon Award recipient Thalia talks about the heartache that helped shape her career, her lifelong love for cumbia music and what it means to receive the Billboard Women in Music Icon Award. She also breaks down her huge hits, “No Me Enseñaste,” “Entre El Mar Y Una Estrella,” “Marimar” and more!

Thalia:

First of all, I’m very relaxed in my life, happy in my own skin, and I feel that is a moment of celebration, and cumbia is exactly that. It’s party, celebration, families, memories, roots, and your hood. A project that is so dear to my heart. It’s like something so profound in my heart. It was just spontaneous and something that I needed to do, and my body needed to feel that energy, that music, and those arrangements to sing about love, happiness, broken hearts, and nothing sounds better when it’s made with cumbia. “Dancing Queen” is that epic song. That’s an epic song that everybody has a memory about somehow. It was just dancing in my living room with my family, with my sisters, and I remember that beautiful sisterhood, and I miss that. It’s also like that assurance that no matter what’s happening in your life, no matter what’s going on around, you have to keep your head up. You have to keep your crown shiny and up. You’re a princess, you’re a queen, you’re a king. Celebrate your life, your history. Have fun. Enjoy it. Dance. Don’t ever forget where you come from. And that’s how “Dancing Queen” happened. This is that group that happened at the moment that I was writing or creating the songs when we were basically concentrated in the studio about the story and what we were planning to say and how, and the sounds and the accordion and all of that. Then, these artists, they just came to me at the moment, right?

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