Here Is Who Won ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 13

After 16 episodes and even more memorable moments, season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race came to a close Friday night (April 23), and one of the top four queens — Gottmik, Kandy Muse, Rosé and Symone — got to claim the crown and the $100,000 cash prize. Spoilers ahead!

After a “lip sync for the crown” battle royale, Symone was crowned the winner of season 13, and America’s next drag superstar. Symone became a front-runner early on in the competition by taking home two challenge wins at the start of the season. Despite lip-syncing three times, Symone proved to be a fierce competitor, taking home a whopping four wins in one season.

The crowning came after a high-octane “lip sync smackdown,” as RuPaul put it, where the top four fought it out to the tune of three Britney Spears tracks. In the first round, Kandy Muse managed to knock out Rosé with her energetic lip sync to “Work Bitch,” while Symone overcame Gottmik in a lip sync to “Gimme More.” In the final showdown, Symone and Kandy duked it out to “Till the World Ends,” with Symone ultimately emerging victorious.

Wearing a sparkling yellow fringe dress with streamers emerging from the top of her massive updo, Symone tearfully accepted the crown and scepter from season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall. Calling back to her entrance line on the season, Symone kept her remarks sweet and simple: “I told y’all not to let the smooth taste fool you!”

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First Country: New Music From Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Reba McEntire & More

Blake Shelton, “Bible Verses”

Like Tim McGraw, Shelton has developed an unerring sense for what kind of songs work for him, and he’s got a winner with “Bible Verses,” which looks at those times when our actions seem to make God’s embrace feel so out of reach, and instead of drawing comfort from the Good Book, it is only a reminder of how much we don’t measure up. “I just want it to read like Bible verses and not the Bible versus me,” he sings in the gentle, acoustic song. Look for this one to be a major song of the year contender come awards time. How can it miss with lines like, “I’m just trying to give myself a little grace/ Until those words and me get on the same page.”

Eric Church, Soul

The third part in Church’s Heart & Soul trilogy focuses on the soul — from Motown to Stax to Muscle Shoals — that have influenced his life and music. Top cuts are the languid “Hell of a View,” about finding the perfect partner to go through life’s adventures with; the chugging, unapologetic “Break It Kind of Guy” and “Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones,” the kind of emotional storytelling song that so few artists even attempt these days, much less succeed with to the degree that Church does.

Keith Urban feat. Breland & Nile Rodgers, “Out the Cage”

Urban is country music’s most fascinating shape-shifter, easily melding different musical styles with complete ease. Here, he busts forth with a frenetic, nonstop banger with great assists from newcomer Breland and icon Rodgers on a tune about not allowing oneself to be limited in any way.

Reba McEntire, “Somehow You Do”

McEntire and Diane Warren reunite for the third time on this dramatic ballad from the upcoming film Four Good Days, starring Mila Kunis as an ex-addict and Glenn Close as her mother. The inspirational weeper is a reminder that even when the odds seem insurmountable, somehow you still pull through. Very on-brand for both Warren and McEntire.

Brett Young, “Not Yet”

Young returns with new music from his forthcoming album with this upbeat, sexy ode about how the romantic flame still burns bright — for the night and for a lifetime. Young is in peak vocal form here. He’s scored six straight No. 1s on Country Airplay. This will likely be his seventh.

Kip Moore, “Good Life”

Here’s Moore in a way you haven’t heard him before. Paired with producer Jay Joyce for the first time, Moore previews his next album with this rat-a-tat country rocker that will light up his live audience. Bolstered by a contagious drum loop and screaming electric guitars and vocal effects that may render his gruff vocals not immediately recognizable to his more casual fans, Moore sounds like he’s most certainly living the good life of the title. A little jarring, but good for him for shaking it up a little on this fun track.

Jameson Rodgers, In It for the Money

Affable collection includes Rodgers’ Country Airplay No. 1 breakthrough, “Some Girls,” as well as “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” his fun duet with Luke Combs. Other highlights include the nostalgic “Rolling Rock, Rolling Stones” and “Good Dogs,” just the latest country tribute to our four-legged friends and how much we miss them when they’re gone (see Chris Stapleton’s “Maggie’s Song” and Tim McGraw’s “Doggone”).

Chris Lane, “Fill Them Boots”

Lane sees a woman not getting treated as well as she should be and he’s just the guy to remedy the situation in this sweet midtempo toe-tapper that follows two consecutive Country Airplay No. 1s, “I Don’t Know About You” and “Big, Big Plans.” He is all too ready to offer his services in the lovelorn department.

Lathan Warlick, My Way

The marriage between rap and country proves a fruitful union on Warlick’s seven-track EP, featuring a gaggle of country artists, including Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard on the finger-snapping title track; RaeLynn on the infectious “Roots”; and Lauren Alaina and Russell Dickerson on two highly autobiographical tracks, “In His Hands” and “Gotta Be God.” Proof again that good music has no boundaries.

Adam Sanders, “What If I’m Right”

Sanders steps into the spotlight after penning such hits as Dustin Lynch’s “Hell of a Night” and Cole Swindell’s “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey” with what sounds like another surefire winner. With a touch of a twang and a pleasing edge to his voice, he wonders if this is the night that he trusts his impulses that he and his friend move out of the friend zone.

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Shuttered Venue Grant Applications to Resume Over the Weekend

The Small Business Administration will reopen the application portal for the Shuttered Venue Operator Grants program this Saturday, the organization announced on Thursday (April 22). The portal has been down since April 8 when it failed to launch.

News of the Saturday date dew criticism from struggling venue owners over the short notice given and since local government, lawyers, accountants needed for the complex applications will likely not be available on the weekend.

“We have completed rigorous testing and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal will reopen on April 24,” the SBA  announced on Twitter at 9 p.m. EST on Thursday. “We will provide updated documents and guidance tomorrow. Interested applicants should register for an account in advance.”

The link to the portal is svograntportal.sba.gov.

Since the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant was passed in late December, the SBA has been tasked with creating the program and processes from scratch. Andrea Roebker, a regional communications director at the SBA, told Billboard in March that while the SBA was able to distribute Paycheck Protection Program loans soon after the CARES Act passed in March 2020, those were handled by delegated bankers, and the venue grants program is a “different animal,” noting that this is the first time the department has created a grant process focused on for-profit entities.

While the news is likely a relief for struggling venue owners who have waited nearly four months for access to $15 billion in federal funding, the fact that the SBA was relaunching the application process on a Saturday did not go over well on Twitter.

 

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Digital Underground’s Shock G Dies at 57

Shock G, the bombastic rapper who fronted late ’80s/early ’90s hip-hop collective Digital Underground, has died, according to an Instagram post Thursday (April 22) from his onetime groupmate Chopmaster J. He was 57.

The artist’s passing was confirmed in a statement from his family. “Our son, brother and friend, Gregory Jacobs, also known as Shock G, suddenly passed away today,” the statement reads. “The cause of death is currently unknown. We truly, truly appreciate all the out-pouring of love and concern. Please keep us in your prayers at this very difficult time.”

Digital Underground was best known for their 1990 hit “The Humpty Dance,” and Shock G (real name: Greg Jacobs) was front and center for the song’s MTV-favorite video as his alter ego Humpty Hump.

“34 years ago almost to the day we had a wild idea we can be a hip hop band and take on the world,” Chopmaster J wrote on Instagram. “Through it all the dream became a reality and the reality became a nightmare for some. And now he’s awaken from the fame long live shock G Aka Humpty Hump and Rest In Peace my Brotha Greg Jacobs!!!”

Digital Underground was formed in Oakland, Calif., in 1987 by Shock G, Chopmaster J and Kenny-K, and the collective included a revolving door of more than three dozen members over its almost three decades of activity — including some of the earliest recordings from a young Tupac Shakur.

The group had four top 40-charting hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, including the top 10 smash “The Humpty Dance,” which also spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart in 1990 and peaked at No. 11 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The song also garnered a Grammy nomination for best rap performance by a duo or group. “The Humpty Dance” was one of two top 20-charting hits on the Dance Club Songs chart, alongside 1991’s “Same Song.” The latter track housed an early appearance of 2Pac on a commercial recording, as he raps the final verse on the track. He’s introduced in the previous verse by Shock G, who raps “2Pac, go ahead and rock this.”

The group also placed six entries on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, including a pair of top 10s: 1990s Sex Packets and 1991’s This Is an E.P. Release.

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Megan Thee Stallion Announces She’s Taking a Break From Music & ‘Recharging’

Megan Thee Stallion announced a temporary musical hiatus on Thursday (April 22), letting fans know that Thee Hot Girl is taking a hot minute to unplug and recharge.

The “Savage” rapper posted two sci-fi photos of herself on Instagram, where she’s wearing a chrome-plated respirator while submerged in an aquatic tank. Although the newspaper-printed bodysuit fits with her Good News album aesthetic, fans think the “What’s New” artist is ready to enter a new era of her career — she’s just taking some time off first.

The Grammy-winning rapper shared an animated video of a lab where a computerized message for the Hotties fanbase appeared, which reads: “Megan Thee Stallion is recharging! Due to the demands of the Hot Girl lifestyle <Meg> has now entered a period of regeneration to prepare for what’s next. ….In her absence; mgmt will manage all social posting on behalf of Thee Hot Girl Coach. [[Thee Hotties]] lead a brave //RESISTANCE in anticipation for the return of their Fearless Captain!”

Chloe Bailey of Chloe x Halle, Syd, Karlae and more applauded Meg on how she went public with her decision to take a much-needed break. In 2020 alone, the breakout rapper earned her first and second No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with her Houston hometown hero Beyoncé (“Savage” remix) and Cardi B (“WAP”); championed Black women and fought for their support after she was shot in an incident with Tory Lanez; released her debut album Good News; and made it on the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

The 26-year-old artist will need the “period of regeneration” before music festival season, when she’s scheduled to perform at Rolling Loud Miami and Afro Nation Portugal in July as well as Bonnaroo and Parklike (the latter of which she’s one of the headliners alongside Disclosure and Dave) in September.

She reassured her fans once more of the temporary status of her break on Twitter, saying, “I’ll be back when it’s time.”

See Meg’s announcement below.

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Machine Gun Kelly Shows Off Gruesome Razor-Sharp Neck Tattoo

Machine Gun Kelly is his own bloody Valentine with his latest razor-sharp tattoo.

The rapper, who turned 31 on Thursday (April 22), not only viciously sliced through a candy-filled birthday cake Wednesday night, but he also got some new ink that looks like someone sliced his neck. He showed off photos and a video of himself getting a gruesome vertical line tattooed in red ink down his neck, right above his tattoo of the title of his Billboard 200 No. 1 album Tickets to My Downfall.

“If anyone ever liked my neck,… it’s going to look different,” MGK deadpanned, writing “Bye bye neck” in his Instagram caption on Tuesday. Einer Banz, who co-wrote and -produced Polo G’s current Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Rapstar,” was easily deceived and “thought that was a legit slice in ur neck,” he commented. The rapper’s “Burning Memories” collaborator Lil Skies mused, “Wow love it!”

The “Bloody Valentine” singer also announced he “yatted the neck” on Twitter.

See MGK’s new ink below.

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Latin Artist on the Rise: Duki on Finding His Space in Music & Delivering a More ‘Mature’ Album

Duki’s writing process is simple. “I only need a microphone,” the Argentine rapper says. “I start improvising and from then I just start building. But I’m writing in my head as I freestyle.”

A self-described melómano (music lover) who grew up listening to Luis Miguel and The Beatles, the 24-year-old artist, who last year scored a Latin Grammy nod for “Hablamos Mañana” with Bad Bunny and Pablo Chill-E, started his career freestyling on the streets of Argentina, which would eventually lead him to be a standout in the country’s rap competition El Quinto Escalón. It was then that he knew he could make a living out of music.

“I was around 17 years old when I realized that it was my way of connecting to the world. And that music is what I’ve loved most. I found a space where I wanted to thrive in.”

In 2016, he released his first single “No Vendo Trap,” which, like most of his videos on YouTube, raked in millions of views. Subsequently, he released “She Don’t Give a Fo” and “Hello Cotto.” But it was his feature on Khea’s “Loca Remix” with Bunny and Cazzu that earned his his first entry on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs. It peaked at No. 45 on the chart dated June 23. To date, his catalog has earned nearly 50 million on-demand U.S. audio streams.

“I’m not the type to be looking at charts,” says Duki, who says he’ll collaborate with artists whose craft he admires. “But if it happens, it’s always a nice thing. What really motivates me is what a song can do for me or someone else. It’s rewarding to know that I’ve shown something different in a song that my fans appreciated. What’s important is to know that someone liked, understood and supported one of my tracks.”

While he doesn’t have a recording deal, his booking manager is Federico Lauría, who has guided the artist after meeting him 2017 and has led him to headline Buenos Aires Trap festival with Bad Bunny and perform a sold-out show at Luna Park, one of Argentina’s most prominent venues.

“Duki was a phenomenon out on the streets and instantly we knew we wanted to work with him,” Lauría previously told Billboard. “He’s the biggest Argentine trap exponent.”

On Thursday (April 22), Duki released his new album Desde El Fin Del Mundo featuring collaborations with Khea, Farina and YSY A. “The biggest difference in this album is that I’m more mature and more professional,” he says. “But I feel happy with the end result. You can stream his new album here.

Learn more about this week’s Latin Artist on the Rise below:

Name: Mauro Ezequiel Lombardo

Age: 24

Major Accomplishment: “To have been able to make something out of the tools my parents gave me. And now, I can give back and support them. I’ve achieved all of them because of their support.”

Recommended Song: “‘Piensa En Mí,’ which is not even one of my songs it’s Sticky M.A.’s and I’m featured on it but I love that song. It’s completely different from my early repertoire. And I love the lyrics and the message behind it.”

What’s Next: “I’m going to keep recording more music but this time I’m going to do more reggaetón and dancehall tracks, just more danceable music.”

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Orville Peck’s Signature Mask Has Been Turned Into a Collectible Ring

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Fans of Orville Peck can now get their hands on a piece of the country musician’s style – literally.

The alt-country artist has teamed up with accessories designer Pamela Love on a special ring, inspired by his signature fringed masks. First released in super limited-edition back in 2019, the ring is now available in two versions — a sterling silver and brass — in both small and large sizes.

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Love says the collaboration with Peck came about organically, explaining on her site that the two first met about ten years ago at a house show in North Carolina. The designer gifted Peck a couple pieces of jewelry, and he loved them so much, he designed to work with her on an original piece that could combine both of their styles and personalities.

The Orville Peck x Pamela Love collection features two vintage-styled rings that use Peck’s trademark cowboy hat as inspiration for the main band, and his fringe mask as the overlay. The rings also hark back to motifs found in American folklore, something both artists credit as inspiration for their work. The gender-neutral design makes it easy to wear the rings on any finger.

Though the rings were first introduced over a year ago, they’re back in stock online now. They’re a great gift idea for both music fans and jewelry fans alike, and make a great heirloom collector’s item as well.

The small sizes fit standard ring sizes 6, 7 and 8, while the large ring fits sizes 9, 10 and 11. Pricing for the Orville Peck ring starts at $115. Shop the full collection now at PamelaLove.com.

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Crab Exits ‘Masked Singer’ With Claws Held High: ‘It Was Just About Pure Fun’

[Spoiler alert: This story contains the identity of the eliminated contestants on Wednesday night’s (April 21) The Masked Singer.] 

The Crab scuttled off the Masked Singer stage on Wednesday night (April 21), but not before giving the judges’ panel all the feels over an emotional wildcard ride. In a dramatic two-hour, double-elimination Super Eight episode that swept away both Crab and Seashell as season 5 surfs to a close, the crustacean with the voice of a ragged angel said goodbye with his pincers held high.

The man behind the Crab left it all on the stage with a trio of performances that brought the judges to tears and an earlier dramatic exit following a costume-induced panic attack. Crab’s emotional cover of Bill Withers’ iconic 1971 weeper “Ain’t No Sunshine” was a clear indication that they were dealing with a heavyweight vocalist. And his take on Rick James’ 1981 bass-slapper “Give It to Me Baby” was a further indication that this dude could bring the funk and the soul. His final, surprising choice on Wednesday night, Phil Collins’ titanic 1981 ballad “In the Air Tonight,” brought out Crab’s rocky edge, which made sense, since frequently incorrect judge Ken Jeong earlier suggested the man under the mantle could be ageless icon Lenny Kravitz.

Robin Thicke was close, suggesting former New Edition member and solo star Johnny Gill or perhaps “Ghostbusters” singer Ray Parker Jr., while Jenny McCarthy thought it might be Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav and Nicole Scherzinger ended up being wayyy off base with her suggestion that it was either Kanye West or Keith Sweat.

Ken should have stuck with his initial guess of former New Edition and solo star Bobby Brown, who was indeed the sensitive, emotional crabmeat under that hard blue and purple exterior. The night’s other eliminated singer was Sister, Sister star Tamera Mowry.

Billboard spoke to Brown before his elimination to find out what happened the night he had to run offstage and why he’s psyched that his kids are now going to learn that titanic drum break in the Collins hit. Check out our chat with Brown below:

Whose idea was it for you to do this show?

Me and my kids watch the show every week. We’ve been watching it since the beginning, and so my wife and I thought it would be fun to do it and see if the kids could guess it was me… and they did.

I mean, your voice is so distinctive, so it wasn’t that hard. 

No, not really. I do have a recognizable voice and tone. So it was still fun to do and a lot of fun to be able to get out of the house during these times and do something.

You had to run offstage at one point because you got claustrophobic. Can you explain what happened?

I just got overwhelmed performing the Rick James song and not being able to move like I would normally move and trying to breathe at the same time.

Did you know beforehand that you were claustrophobic?

I did not know I was until I did The Masked Singer.

That’s a hell of a way to find out!

[Laughs] Yeah, that’s a hard way to learn, live on TV!

Why’d you pick the Crab costume? It seemed super cumbersome and sweaty and you even said it was hard to breathe during the Withers song.

It was just so well put together, with the claws and shell on my back and the mustache on the head. It was definitely hard to move around in it.

You usually move around a lot, but you seemingly couldn’t in that costume. What was the hardest part of performing in it?

Because it has so many layers and I’m so used to being free. I wear light clothes when I’m performing normally, and this had so many layers that it constricted me from moving like I do. But it was fun to have it on and I just had to deal with the fact that it was heavy and restrictive.

You’re so well-known — was there something about being anonymous that appealed to you?

Yes. In a lot of different ways. Knowing that the kids would be watching, I was like, “Why not do something out of the box that could be fun for me and kids?” So when we sit down and have TV time it would be fun for them. I know they’re enjoying every minute of it.

You talked in one package about the terrible stage fright you had at your first performance as a little kid — where you ended up being discovered — but if you knew that, why would you do this show? Is that what got in your head during the James song?

No, I didn’t have that in my head. Me having stage fright was so long ago and I’ve never [had it] again. It was so long ago and it’s never happened since that time, but having the costume on brought those memories back.

The judges guessed your old bandmate Johnny Gill, but also Kanye, Lenny Kravitz, Ray Parker Jr. and Flavor Flav. Were you surprised or offended by any of those guesses?

[Laughs] No, I wasn’t surprised. It’s just when you have the costume on, there’s no telling who the person is. Especially when you’re singing, you can sound like anybody these days. … Them guessing those names was a surprise.

How did you pick that Phil Collins song? It seems out of your wheelhouse, but you crushed it.

I just always loved that song, the way the drums come in at the end is just so powerful, it’s a powerful record. It was fun to sing that one on television and for my kids to be able to learn it. … They will [definitely] learn that one tonight.

You picked all emotional songs. What message were you sending with them?

I’m an emotional person. I just think that’s where my head was, where my heart was in singing those songs. It was therapeutic for me after going through everything I’ve gone through. Therapy is good.

Did you think you were going to win?

It wasn’t about winning for me. It was just about pure fun, because that’s what it is. I didn’t look at it as a competition, but just as a way to be able to get out of the house and have fun with my peers. I can’t wait to see who everyone else is when they’re revealed. I’ve been trying to guess myself and if people guessed me, that’s good for them. I’m still a big fan of the show and I’m trying to keep my numbers up [in the house] because I’m usually the one in the household who guesses the person right away.

Does Janet Jackson know you have a crush on her now that you revealed it in the clues? I mean, she does now, right?

[Laughs] I believe she does!

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J Balvin & Khalid’s ‘Otra Noche Sin Ti’ Debuts Top 10 on Hot Latin Songs Chart

J Balvin and Khalid’s first collaboration, “Otra Noche Sin Ti,” debuts at No. 5 on the Hot Latin Songs chart (dated April 24). The track earns Khalid his first entry and first top 10 on any Latin chart. J Balvin collects his 32nd top 10.

The song, a fusion of slow-tempo perreo and R&B, rallied to 5.6 million U.S. streams in the week ending April 15, according to MRC Data, after its first tracking week (it was released on April 9). The track also lands a No. 4 start on Latin Streaming Songs.

Sales, too, help its top five debut on the airplay-, digital sales and streaming-blended Hot Latin Songs list: “Otra Noche” registers 1,000 downloads, enough for a No. 4 launch on Latin Digital Songs.

“Otra Noche” joins another Balvin track on Hot Latin Songs. His recently released “Tu Veneno” (March 19), which is also part of Balvin’s forthcoming album, holds at No. 9 for a second week after its No. 6 debut and peak (April 3-dated tally).

Khalid, who secured his first Billboard Hot 100 chart entry with “Location” in 2017, makes his Hot Latin Songs chart debut with “Otra Noche Sin Ti.” He’s one of a number of primarily English-language recording artists to make their Hot Latin Songs debut straight into the top 10 in the past 12 months. He follows Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott, 6ix9ine, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Doja Cat and Sia. (All but 6ix9ine scored their debuts through a collaboration with an established Spanish-language recording artist.)

“Otra Noche” concurrently debuts on both Billboard Global charts: at No. 72 on the Billboard Global 200 and at No. 89 on the Global Excl. U.S. list. The song was produced by Lexus and songwriter Keityn, who also co-wrote Karol G’s “Tusa” and Sebastian Yatra and Guaynna’s “Chica Ideal.”

Los Legendarios’ Second Top 10: Elsewhere on Hot Latin Songs, producers Los Legendarios secure their second top 10 as “Fiel,” with Wisin and Jhay Cortez, jumps 12-7. It’s the second top 10 for Los Legendarios who just earned their first less than three months ago through another collaboration with Wisin “Mi Niña,” with Myke Towers (No. 10; Jan. 9-dated list).

“Fiel” pushes up the chart mainly boosted by streams. The song logged 4.7 million in the week ending April 15 (up 19%). As it takes the Greatest Gainer/Streaming trophy on the chart, it jumps 6-5 on Latin Streaming Songs.  Wisin scores his 12th top 10 and Cortez his seventh.

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