During a recent interview in Variety with Grammy-winning producers Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, and Mustard, it was revealed that the Compton MC recorded “between 80 and 100” songs for the project, according to Sounwave.
“We have such a specific language between us, me and Sounwave,” Antonoff told the outlet. “And then we developed our own thing, the three of us. You have it or you don’t with people. When you have it, it’s really magical; when you don’t, you go home.”
Apparently, Lamar started working on his sixth album right after dropping Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers in 2022. “The beginning of it was throwing paint on the wall,” Sounwave said of their process in the beginning. “And it started to form this massive funky West groove that we love because [Kendrick and I are] from Compton. And in that, I started to realize the people who we should bring in to push it even further, like the Mustards, the Jacks. … I was very fortunate to have these friends who are very talented to push it to the next level.”
When it came to Mustard’s contributions, especially the beat switch on “TV Off,” the producer said that he made sure to send Lamar unique beats and never asked who decided to put two of his instrumentals together. “I knew that I couldn’t send Kendrick normal Mustard beats,” he said. “I was sending all types of s—t, anything that I thought sounded like something that I’ve never made before. That’s what I was going for, because Kendrick is different.” In regards to “TV Off,” he said that he “never asked” about the two seperate beats that were used, but Sounwave disclosed that it was Kendrick’s idea. “I care, but I don’t care. I was just like, that was great,” Mustard added.
They also spoke on how the No. 1 record “Luther” came together with Sounwave referring to the process as “spiritual.”
GNX, “TV Off,” and “Luther” have been nominated for a combined seven Grammys during the upcoming 68th Grammy Awards.
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In need of some new tunes from your favorite queer artists? Look no further: Billboard Prideis proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ+ artists.
From Jane Remover’s surprise EP to MIKA’s latest pop single, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week:
Jane Remover, ♡
After a massive year where they dropped a critically-acclaimed new LP, made their festival circuit debut opened for Turnstile at the height of the band’s popularity, Jane Remover would like to celebrate. That’s exactly what they’re after on ♡, their surprise-released, alternative digicore EP that serves as a followup to their frenetic 2025 LP Revengeseekerz. Across six songs — two of which, “So What?” and “Music Baby,” are brand new — Remover builds on the chaos they created on their latest album, while infusing it with a colorful, joyful new palette of musical colors, making ♡ an essential listen for anyone in need of a complete emotional reset this weekend.
MIKA, “Immortal Love”
Since the start of his career, MIKA has been uniquely adept at translating emotion into musical phrases — but nowhere does he do so more economically than on “Immortal Love.” With his latest single, MIKA seeks to sow a zen-like understanding of the perpetual nature of romance (and in many ways, humanity itself), and he succeeds by blending together clinking synths and lush vocal melodies to make this electropop opus sing.
Charlotte Day Wilson, “High Road”
For her latest single “High Road,” Charlotte Day Wilson decided to pull back while turning up the production to 11. The vocal performance she delivers on the entrancing track sees Wilson exhibiting a sense of control and calm, as she waxes poetic on a lost love. The construction of the song, meanwhile, follows a simple piano melody into a groovy, mercurial wall of sound, making “High Road” all the more enjoyable for listeners everywhere.
Dodie, “Maybe, Finally”
In times that can feel really dark and bleak, hope is an endless currency — and Dodie is ready to cash in. With her new bonus track “Maybe, Finally,” off her latest album Not for Lack of Trying, Dodie studies even the most average interactions in search of silver linings. Over a simple setup of guitars and some light drums, the singer comes to the conclusion that she’s done trying to bottle up the feeling, and instead just leaves herself open to every possibility — a message we could all stand to hear today.
Molly Grace, “Bow Wow”
Lesbians, wake up! A new anthem has dropped! Nashville-based pop singer Molly Grace got tired of getting caught unawares by a cheating ex — so she wrote “Bow Wow,” her sharp and hilarious new single, to tell her exactly how she felt. A stuttering beat and killer bass line joins her as she calls her ex … well, a dog, insisting that it’s “not my fault that you can’t go out without humping something,” while coming to the conclusion that “you don’t want a girl, you want a b–ch.” With her tongue firmly planted in her cheek, Grace spends “Bow Wow” reading her ex to filth in the most catchy way imaginable.
Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-12-05 20:22:272025-12-05 20:22:27Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Jane Remover, MIKA, Charlotte Day Wilson & More
In an industry filled with household names and viral news bites, the most significant music business transactions of 2025 had all the excitement of an accounting seminar: Asset-backed securities (ABSs) and joint ventures for off-balance sheet investments accounted for half of the 10 largest music deals of the year.
Dry and complex financial engineering lacks the pizazz of, say, the world’s biggest pop star finally buying the rights to master recordings that twice sparked her outrage by being sold to other parties. Still, ABSs have been some of music’s biggest deals in recent years, and off-balance sheet transactions are an increasingly common way for major labels and publishers to add to their I.P. empires. Sometimes the unsexiest transactions are the most impactful ones.
It wasn’t a bad year for music dealmaking, but 2025 had fewer big-ticket transactions than 2024. The top 10 deals of 2025 totaled $6.9 billion, slightly less than half of the $12.9 billion a year earlier. What’s more, half of this year’s list was under $500 million and wouldn’t have made 2024’s top 10.
Not that 2025 lacked a blockbuster deal. Taylor Swift’s purchase of her Big Machine masters made headlines around the world — even though the price tag wouldn’t have made the 2024 list. Last year, Queen and Michael Jackson rights changed hands for much larger sums.
This year’s list is heavy on fundraising but light on acquisitions and investments, which fell from $8.56 billion in 2024 to just $1.46 billion in 2025. This year’s list had three fundraises worth $1.78 billion and a joint venture deal worth $1.2 billion, whereas the 2024 list had zero fundraises and joint ventures.
Here are Billboard’s top 10 business deals of 2025.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-12-05 20:10:532025-12-05 20:10:53The 10 Biggest Music Business Deals of 2025: Taylor Swift’s Masters, ABS Billions & More
Rising pop star Madison Beer made it official with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. The pair took time out of their busy schedules to confirm their relationship at his football game on Oct. 5 in Los Angeles.
While Beer ramps up to the January 2026 release of her third album Locket – she put out her debut Life Support in 2021 and her sophomore effort Silence Between Songs in 2023 – and as Herbert – who was drafted by the Chargers in 2020 as the overall sixth pick that year – continues the 2025-2026 NFL season, they are not afraid to show off their romance.
As for her music, Beer is very “excited” for her new album’s premiere. “This album means the world to me, i’ve never been so proud or excited about something n i am soooooo beyond excited for you to listen,” she wrote in her Instagram post that announced Locket. But don’t expect any songs about her burgeoning love. “After writing the album, it feels like each song lives within this metaphorical locket for safekeeping. Each album feels like an era and once the albums are out in the world the chapter for me, usually with what I wrote about, is closed,” she said in a press release.
The “Bittersweet” singer, of course, joins Taylor Swift, who is currently engaged to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Megan Thee Stallion, who is dating Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Klay Thompson, in high-profile WAGdom of recent years. (Check out a timelines of Swift and Kelce here, and Meg and Klay’s here.)
Since their first sideline kiss in October, Beer and Herbert have taken in various sporting events, and even a reportedly partied with other Chargers players and WAGs. See a full timeline of their relationship below.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-12-05 19:56:002025-12-05 19:56:00A Timeline of Madison Beer and Justin Herbert’s Relationship
This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin playlist — curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features fresh new music including three new albums: Stendhal by Ozuna & Beéle, La Gran Señora (Banda) by Jenni Rivera and Banda Los Sebastianes’ Rancheras Pa’ La Parranda (En Vivo).
Sixteen years after its debut, Jenni Rivera’s 2009 La Gran Señora album is released in banda music, “where her iconic mariachi hits swap strings for brass and tamborazo-driven banda arrangements” and “the tracks still pack a punch,” according to Billbaord Español’s Isabela Raygoza. Under the creative direction of her son Johnny López, the set also includes previously unreleased audio recorded in 2008, four years before the Diva de la Banda’s passing.
Meanwhile, Ozuna and Beéle have teamed up for their joint album Stendhal, a 14-track production—helmed by Colombian hitmaker Ovy on the Drums and other producers—packed with sensual lyricism and fiery global fusions between Afrobeats, electronic, Latin urban and more. “This project was born from a real connection in the studio,” Ozuna said in a statement. “With Beéle, it was easy to build something different, playing with sounds, roots, and emotions. [The album] is a journey we took together to give people music they can feel.”
Other new releases this week include new music from Juanes and Bomba Estéreo, Julieta Venegas, Greeicy and more. Which release this week do you think is best? Give these new releases a spin and vote for your favorite new Latin music release below.
Editor’s Note: The results of the weekly New Music Latin poll will be posted if the poll generates more than 1,000 votes. This poll closes at 7:30 a.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 8.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-12-05 19:46:062025-12-05 19:46:06Jenni Rivera, Juanes, Greeicy & More: Who Had the Best New Latin Music Release This Week?
Pharrell has addressed the recent backlash he’s been getting over comments about politics and diversity he made last month at the 5th annual Black Ambition Demo Day where he said that he hated politics because they force people to pick a side and ultimately create division.
“I hate politics,” he said. “Like, despise them. It’s a magic trick. It’s not real. I don’t believe in either side. Because I think when you pick a side, you are inadvertently supporting division.” He then brought up diversity, equity and inclusion and said you should support businesses not because of skin color, but because they’re the best. “Now diversity is off the table, equity’s off the table, now inclusion’s off the table,” he began. “So, that makes me…I asked myself, ‘Okay, how do we survive?’ Well, are there Black people here tonight? And in your heart, do you think for what it is that you do, do you think you’re the best? Do you want the job because you’re Black or because you’re the best? Do you want someone to support your startup because you’re Black or because you’re the best?”
After receiving the Shoe of the Year award for his Virginia Adistar Jellyfish collab with Adidas at the Footwear News Achievement Awards recently, the Men’s Creative Director for Louis Vuitton decided to dedicate his speech to address to criticism he’s been getting online. “Sound bite this: since most people don’t like to read or do research anymore,” he began. “Sound bite this: God is the greatest. Sound bite this: I’m from Virginia. Sound bite this: You don’t know what I know. You ain’t seen what I saw. No, you ain’t been where I go. I’m from the mud. As a child, nobody’s been evicted more times than me, lights turned off, water turned off, and at times, had to pump the water.”
He then referred to himself as a lumpenproletariat which, in Marxist theory, defines a class of individuals that are apathetic to class consciousness and revolutionary advancement. “Sound bite this: Don’t be fooled by my bourgeois taste and heart. I’m proletariat,” he continued. “In fact, I’m lumpenproletariat. Sound bite this: I had to stay on my feet. Sound bite this: But I could never walk in the shoes of my parents’ parents’ parents, etc. All they had to endure while staying on their feet. Or my ancestors, who arrived as captives, enslaved, who had no shoes yet had to stay on their feet as they landed on the shores of Virginia. As Black and Brown people on this earth, we have to stay on our feet. We have never had a choice. Sound bite this: we’ve needed empathy for someone to walk in ours shows.”
Adding, “That’s why sound bite this: we created ‘Black Ambition,’ a philanthropic effort to support, resource, and mentor Black and Brown startups. Sound bite this: we have allocated $85 million dollars to Black and Brown startups. Sound bite this: that’s where the soundbite of me saying I hate politics, which was in response to the DEI support and donations drying up because of new policies. So yes, I got frustrated, and the sound biters, they caught me lacking. But sound bite this: I will never stop fighting. I will never stop raising money to help level the playing field. Never.”
Pharrell has been outspoken about politics in his own way. Last November, he told The Hollywood Reporter that tends to take a neutral approach and compared his stance to that of a federal employee. “This is what they do, come rain or shine, whether it’s a Democrat or a Republican in office, you show up to work every day, you serve your country,” he said. In the same interview, he also admitted to being annoyed by celebrity endorsements. “I don’t do politics. In fact, I get annoyed sometimes when I see celebrities trying to tell you [who to vote for],” he said. “There are celebrities that I respect that have an opinion, but not all of them. I’m one of them people [who says], “What the heck? Shut up. Nobody asked you.’”
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-12-05 19:35:442025-12-05 19:35:44Pharrell Addresses Backlash Over Recent Comments About Politics and Diversity: ‘I’m Lumpenproletariat’
Katy Perry is a mom, pop star, former American Idol judge and now an international diplomat. On Thursday (Dec. 4), Justin Trudeau shared a photo of himself and the singer posing with former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife, Yuko, after a formal lunch together.
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In a snap shared by Kishida on X, the two couples smile together in front of a colorful Christmas tree in an ornately decorated room. “Former Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau visited Japan with his partner and joined my wife and me for lunch,” the politician wrote.
“During [Trudeau’s] time as [Canadian] prime minister, we met multiple times as fellow leaders,” continued Kishida, who now serves in the House of Representatives of Japan. “I am delighted that we continue to maintain this friendship in this way.”
Trudeau was quick to reply to the post, writing that it was “great to see” Kishida. “Katy and I were so glad to have the chance to sit down with you and Yuko,” he gushed. “Thank you, Fumio, for your friendship and your continued commitment to both the international rules-based order and to a better future for everyone.”
The Canadian politician and singer started dating earlier this year. After weeks of rumors — and a batch of PDA-filled photos of the couple on a yacht — Trudeau and Perry confirmed their romance by stepping out together during late October in Paris for their first public outing as a couple.
However, they haven’t addressed their relationship on social media — until now. As one fan commented on Trudeau’s reply to Kishida’s post, “This might be the craziest hard launch in the history of the free world.”
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-12-05 19:30:402025-12-05 19:30:40Katy Perry Joins Justin Trudeau for Diplomatic Lunch With Former Japanese Prime Minister
Wu-Tang may be for the children, but Infinite Coles is for the gworls.
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Hailing from Staten Island, Infinite Coles represents the convergence between two of New York City’s most hallowed and dynamic cultural scenes: ballroom and hip-hop. The sounds of both worlds are inescapable across Sweetface Killah, Coles’ thrilling debut album, which recounts the enrapturing story of one of the most sidelined children of hip-hop royalty.
A vocalist and rapper, Coles is the estranged son of Wu-Tang Clan legend Ghostface Killah. His uncle also happens to be RZA — who he says has “always been a big supporter” — which means the blood of indisputable hip-hop icons courses through his veins. Growing up in a house exclusively soundtracked by hardcore hip-hop and classic R&B and soul, Coles gravitated towards women like Brandy, Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton.
“I didn’t resonate with the men,” he recalls. “And there was a lot of “[F-slur]” talk in Wu-Tang, so I felt uncomfortable. I knew who I was from the beginning of time, and my family threw it out there early in my life that being gay was bad.”
As Coles grew into himself and his sexuality, he connected with Mela Murder, a former Major Lazer back-up dancer, who got him off Staten Island and introduced him to the euphoric worlds of ballroom and house music. Coles and his father have been estranged for well over a decade now, but, in that distance, the rising star followed the music. Aly-Us’ classic 1992 house hit “Follow Me” served as Coles’ entry point into the genre, setting the scene for the splashes of ballroom-steeped house elements that appear across Sweetface Killah on songs like “Boots” and “DMs.”
An untraditional “nepo baby,” given his fractured relationship with his father, Coles has been making industry inroads for a decade. “My brothers had all of that,” he says of the opportunity to work with his superstar father in the recording studio. “I didn’t get invited to sessions or anything like that at all.” (Ghostface Killah declined comment for this article.)
In 2015, Coles starred in Clayton Vomero’s Gang short film, and by 2018, he featured on three songs on Everything Is Recorded, the debut studio album from XL Recordings co-founder Richard Russell. It was during the pandemic, however, that Coles zeroed in on the concept of Sweetface Killah, alongside close friend and executive producer Zach Witness. Together, the duo blended Coles’ idiosyncratic swagger, musical fearlessness and sharp storytelling skills into a resoundingly confident debut album.
Ahead of the London launch performance for Sweetface Killah (Dec. 5), Infinite Coles stepped out of the steam room to chat with Billboard about coming into his artistry, hopping in the booth with Ferg and challenging antiquated hip-hop norms.
How has ballroom influenced your approach to music, particularly the hip hop space?
I now understand that I have my community, who will understand my story. Before, I would try to write for everybody, like, “Oh, I want straight men to listen to my music.” But I’ve realized not everybody’s gonna like me — and that’s okay. I know where I’ll be liked for sure, and that’s my community.
From a musical standpoint, what do you bring from the ballroom world into your own music?
There’s the “hitika, hitika, hitika” sound that I like to add, as well as the dip beats. You’ll hear those in “DMs,” “Sweetface Killah,” “Thankful” and “Boots.” I also pull from commentary from people like Kevin Jz Prodigy and Snookie Lanore. There’s also other girls coming out and giving vocals while they’re commentating. I feel like everyone is taking our lingo already, so they might as well listen to the music, too. I’m so inspired by the strength of my people and my community. It’s not easy at all, especially dealing with family that don’t want you or disown you.
DJs are also my inspiration now. I love going to a function and the DJ is mixing Aretha Franklin’s vocals with some bad Afro-house beat. I’m like, “Oh s—t, I could pull that off — and no one’s gonna know because you only did it here!” [Laughs.]
When did you first start to feel a project coming together? When did you know that Sweetface Killah was finished?
I knew it was coming together when I finally felt my writing getting better. I lived in a shelter for a year during COVID. I released an EP around that time [2021’s Destiny], but it was just scraps I put together to get some quick coin. After that, I finally got my own place, and it felt so different. I could say whatever I wanted to say, I could scream without my mom or sister telling me to shut the f—k up, and I could blast my music and really get into myself. And that’s when “Boots” came.
My friend Zach Witness was staying with me for a few weeks, and while he was making the beat for “Boots,” I was like, “I want to be animated on some Nicki [Minaj] s—t.” I demoed it for him, and he was like, “Keep going, that’s the vibe!” Being in my own house in my own space and creating my own energy allowed me to tap into different characters. Now, I’m rapping, which I always wanted to do but never even gave it a try.
I knew the project was finished when I started comparing my friends’ reactions to my first EP versus the new music. They love my first EP, and they’re not going to tell me nothing bad, but I can feel when they’re like, “Oh, you ate that.” They be begging me to play new music at parties! [Laughs.]
Are you nervous about sharing this project with the world?
The nerves come from an expectation. I’m the only gay one out of my family. My brothers had a chance to be in the studio with my dad and be on an album. I was always the one who was not invited.
And not to toot my own horn, but I’m the best one out of all of us. My brothers love me, but I feel like they never stepped up like, “We should bring Inf around.” They didn’t have to, but it would have been nice. They all knew that I could sing, but “Sweetface Killah” came out as a rap song, and they were gagged. I’ve surpassed a couple of levels when it comes to them, and it’s no shade at all. I was the underdog, and I was sick of it.
I’m also nervous because of my dad still — especially because the blogs love to make “Sweetface Killah” seem like a diss record, or that I’m being disrespectful.
Walk me through writing and recording “Dad & I.”
It took me two or three years to finish writing “Dad and I.” I wrote the first half when Zach was at my house, and the other half got finished a year later because I needed to complete this project. Sometimes I have to step away from things to really get out what I’m trying to say.
In 2023, I aired my father out — I don’t like saying it that way because that wasn’t my intention, but I guess that’s what the hell I did. I had to tell my truth because I was going through something very deep and crazy with my family, and I felt like he was the only one who could save us. He has the resources and the money to help not even me, but my sister and her daughter. It gave he really don’t care about anything, not even the women in his family. It’s not just about me being gay, he doesn’t know how to be a father. I did all of that, and nothing happened, so I wrote a song about it.
I’m not a disrespectful person, unless I feel disrespected. But I will always speak my truth and my mind. “Dad & I” is really one of my best-written songs and some of the best storytelling I’ve ever done. Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father” was a big inspiration. I actually showed my Uncle RZA from Wu-Tang that song a while ago, and he had me replay it three times. And that was before the second verse was done.
Did you get a chance to play the full project for him at all?
I did send him the full project, but in person, I played a couple of songs. I didn’t show him “Sweetface Killah” or “DMs” because I thought he’d be like, “Oh, you’re too feminine.” I still have my insecurities. But apparently, he loves “Boots” and plays it all the time in the house, so I’m like, “I should’ve just shown you ‘DMs’ then!” [Laughs.] I love my Uncle RZA so much, he’s f—king amazing. My first studio session was with him.
What was that like?
We was living in [New] Jersey at the Wu-Tang House, which has been there since 1994. He still has that house. It was just the family house at the time; we had [spent the holidays] there. Uncle RZA used to call us downstairs to watch him make beats or give him vocals. At the time, he was working on [2000’s] Afro Samurai Resurrection soundtrack, and he wanted me on it. I had to do a song with him called “Brother’s Keeper”; I was around 12-13. He also wrote a song called “Student of Love” for me, but it didn’t go anywhere.
“Brother’s Keeper” did end up being on the soundtrack, and I appreciated him so much after that. I was still very insecure, and in the closet, so after I sung my bit, I probably went upstairs with cousins like, “Alright girl, I’m glad I left because I was nervous!”
Who do you consider your musical peers?
I don’t feel like anyone is going to be able to do what I’m doing or give what I’m about to give and going to give in the future. I don’t really listen to a lot of people because I feel like everyone talks about the same thing. No one makes me feel anything.
I love Doechii; [she and I] would be a great collaboration. I love Chika. I love Tierra Whack and Destin Conrad. Everybody’s feening to be fab and a bad b—h, and they’re forgetting to tap into real life and real emotions and tell a story. I think that’s what’s missing from music in my community.
Since you started rolling out the project, has your father reached out at all?
No. And he doesn’t have to. I didn’t do any of this for him to reach out. I am ready for my time to shine. I am ready for my light to beam. I’m ready for the world to see me for my authentic self. I’m not trying to hide who I am. Dumbing myself down and dimming my light for everybody else to live is done; it’s done no good for me at all besides making me depressed and left behind.
He doesn’t have to hit me up. It would be nice if he did, and in that case, I would totally be receptive and would love to have a conversation. I wish he would realize that if he did hit me up, it would change a lot. Three straight boys came up to me in the city the other day, and they recognized me and said, “If you and your dad did a conversation together, it’ll change the way hip-hop is for real; he is part of your key to help you open that door for everybody to have a moment to shine.” It don’t matter if you’re red, blue, white, black, gay, straight, trans — it’s hip-hop. Let’s accept everybody because that’s the only way it’s gonna change. Things need to elevate.
But I’m just excited to celebrate. I know that I can have that No. 1 song on Billboard. I know that I can win that Grammy at some point. And I’m so excited for my next album, it’s going to be even better. I was just in the studio with [A$AP] Ferg.
Wait what?
I’m still trying to get this verse together! I told him I had to take the beat home because I’m nervous and new to this. I went home, had my lil blunt, and felt like Eminem and Busta Rhymes. Ferg told me he wanted that “Sweetface Killah” energy, so I had to tap into a certain space, which meant leaving his studio for a bit. I was really with Ferg — and it’s possible with me being this feminine entity! He didn’t give a f—k about nothing, he just wanted to work with me because he loved my visuals and my sound and what I’m doing.
I say thank you to God every single day. It’s crazy when you want something, and you dream about it, and then you really feel and see it happening. And I just knew it was going to happen with this album.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-12-05 19:26:322025-12-05 19:26:32With ‘Sweetface Killah,’ Infinite Coles Steps Out of Father Ghostface’s Shadow & Into a Kaleidoscope of Queer Light: ‘I Was the Underdog, and I Was Sick of It’
Riyadh Music Week is a vibrant celebration of music that brings together the industry’s brightest talents and passionate enthusiasts alike. This year, we invite everyone to join us in a unique musical journey as we spotlight grassroots venues and emerging artists through our exciting Fringe events. Simultaneously, we will breathe life into our beloved public spaces, showcasing the diverse sounds and creativity that Riyadh has to offer. Together, these elements create an unforgettable experience that highlights the very best of our Riyadh’s music landscape.
Our Fringe events aim to highlight emerging artists and transform established grassroots venues into intimate hubs of creativity. Here’s a closer look at our curated Fringe sessions, where local talent takes center stage in unique locations across the city:
In addition to our Fringe events, Riyadh Music Week enhances the cultural landscape through vibrant public space activations. These experiences are designed to engage both residents and visitors, bringing music to the heart of the city and celebrating the spirit of Riyadh Music Week.
Riyadh Music Week is a platform powered by the Music Commission aimed at supporting and catalyzing the Kingdom’s music ecosystem through thought leadership, education, innovation, and international collaboration. We look forward to welcoming everyone to join us as we celebrate the rich history and build the future of music in Riyadh.
Riyadh Music Week presents its Fringe events and public space performances running from Dec. 7-10, extending its vibrant program beyond main stages into the city’s popular cultural venues and outdoor public spaces. Fringe spotlights emerging local talent and creative communities by turning established warehouses, studios, cafés and well-known outdoor spaces into intimate hubs of creativity and uses the platform of Riyadh Music Week to bring together artists and audiences to iconic locations through music.
From JAX District to Sports Boulevard and the Diplomatic Quarter, the lineup brings together some of Saudi Arabia’s most forward-thinking music communities, including URX (Underrated X), MDLBEAST Records, The Fridge, Bohemia Records, Merwas and The Warehouse. Each partner will host its own concept-driven night series, designed to complement Riyadh Music Week’s core program.
URX: Riyadh Rhythm at SALT, Riyadh Park On Wednesday Dec. 10, URX will showcase “Riyadh Rhythm,” a special Fringe Night at SALT Restaurant’s outdoor area in Riyadh Park. Blending curated house and electronic music with a community-led atmosphere, Riyadh Rhythm continues URX’s mission to uplift underrated DJs and connect Saudi Arabia’s artistic energy with the world. The session will run from 7 pm to 12 am, with capacity for up to 300 guests, and welcomes families and everyone, with easy access and public parking available at Riyadh Park.
MDLBEAST Records: IMMF showcase Saudi-based independent label MDLBEAST Records will host a dedicated Fringe showcase aligned with an International Music Managers Forum (IMMF) session. Featuring MDLBEAST Records AllStars and focusing on Arabic electronica and the label’s progressive sound, the night will highlight the imprint’s role in releasing, distributing and amplifying local, regional and global Arabic talent across indie, pop, hip hop and electronic music.
The Fridge: Open Mic featuring Little Legends On Sunday Dec. 7, The Fridge will launch “The Fridge Open Mic powered by Sennheiser” in KSA at Personage Warehouse C11, JAX District. The evening is split into two segments: Little Legends Open Mic for young performers aged 7 to14, followed by a regular open mic for ages 15+. Doors open at 6pm, with Little Legends from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and the main open mic from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. With a full professional backline and a supportive environment for emerging talent, the session is free to attend, with pre-registration required via The Fridge’s website.
The Fridge Presents: Emerging Saudi artists On Monday Dec. 8, “The Fridge Presents” will bring together three standout Saudi artists at Personage Warehouse C11: Shargeeya, Zain Faiez and Turki Al Abdullah. Doors open at 7 pm, with performances scheduled from 8 pm to 10 pm. The multi-genre showcase is built around discovery and original music – from Shargeeya’s stylish, soulful fusion of pop, soul and Afrobeat, to Zain Faiez’s hip hop-driven storytelling and Turki Al Abdullah’s modern pop and alternative sound grounded in Saudi heritage – with limited-capacity, free entry via advance registration.
The Fridge Concert Series launches in KSA with Tamtam On Tuesday Dec. 9, The Fridge will officially launch its long-running Concert Series in Saudi Arabia, again at Personage Warehouse C11 in JAX District. Headlined by Tamtam, with Khaleeji Blonde opening, the night focuses entirely on original Arabic pop, trap and R&B, positioning Riyadh as a key stage in what the organisers describe as a new golden age of Arab music. Doors open at 8pm with the show starting at 9pm, and entry is ticketed, with limited capacity and tickets available online.
Bohemia Records: Wax Head – A Bohemia Records Takeover Bohemia Records will take over TWH – J08 in the JAX Culture area, Al Diriyah, with “Wax Head – A Bohemia Records Takeover,” a two-night activation running Dec. 9-10 from 6pm to midnight local time. The program celebrates vinyl culture, crate-digging and underground sounds from the region through live DJ sets, live bands, interactive listening stations and a coffee-led “Beans & Beats” rave experience from 7 pm to 9 pm, followed by live performances from 9 pm to midnight. Entry is free but requires online registration and confirmation, with a capacity of around 60 guests for Beans & Beats and up to 250 standing for the late-night performances.
The Warehouse: Lammah and Jalsat The Warehouse – ذا ويرهاوس at JAX District will serve as a core Fringe hub on Dec. 7-8 with two signature oriental music nights, LAMMAH | اللمة and JALSAT | جلسات. LAMMAH, on Dec. 7 from 9 pm to 12 am, is “a night where the crowd becomes the star,” inviting audiences into an intimate gathering of classic Arabic melodies sung by the crowd and brought to life by a live band, creating a cozy, spontaneous celebration of timeless Arabic music. JALSAT, on Dec. 8 from 9 pm to 12 am, offers a cozy winter evening of Arab and Khaleeji songs celebrating the spirit of tarab, with a different artist each night bringing nostalgia, culture, and authentic traditional vibes in The Warehouse’s warm, grassroots setting, with capacity for up to 350 guests, JAX parking, and golf carts available for a fee.
Merwas: Studio tours and live band night Merwas, home to the world’s largest music studio complex, will host a one-night Fringe Session between Dec. 7-10 at its rehearsal space, with capacity for up to 150 guests. The evening begins with private studio tours from 7 pm to 8 pm, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at Merwas’ facilities and services, followed by a live band performance from 8 pm to 11 pm inspired by both Arabic and English music. Designed with interactive singalong moments, the session aims to connect audiences more closely to the performance while strengthening Merwas’ position as a leader in the creative and music industry.
Further announcements regarding venues, registration and additional program partners will be shared through official Music Commission channels in the lead-up to the event on X @MOC_Music and on Instagram @music_moc.
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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.
Ozuna, Beéle, Stendhal (Nibiru International/Sony Music Latin)
Two weeks ago, Ozuna and Beéle presented their first collaborative effort, “Enemigos”— but never did fans expect 13 other songs together would follow. The Afro-house track about a forbidden desire, which samples Aventura’s “Los Infieles,” marked the first taste of the Puerto Rican and Colombian artists’ joint album Stendhal. The 14-track production, produced by Colombian hitmaker Ovy on the Drums and others, is rooted in the Afrolatino fusion with other global genres such as reggaetón, kizomba, electronic, and dembow.
Tracks such as “Pikito,” “El Volcán,” “Cookie,” and “Explícito” evoke sensual and provocative emotions. In others, they pay homage to timeless Latin tunes: “Ale” is inspired by Fernando Villalona’s “Carnaval (Baile en la Calle)”; “Te Culié” by Las Ketchup’s “Asereje”; and “Antes de Irme” by Xuxa’s “Ilaríe.” The album’s name, Stendhal, is inspired by Stendhal Syndrome, where the art of great beauty profoundly impacts the senses and perception. — JESSICA ROIZ
Juanes, Bomba Estéreo, “Muérdeme” (Universal Music Latino)
Juanes’ rock guitars and Bomba Estéreo’s electro-tropical sound merge to create a flavorful, sensual retro cumbia in “Muérdeme,” the third single from the Colombian superstar’s upcoming album. Co-produced by Juanes and Nico Cotton, and written by Juanes, Bomba Estéreo’s Li Saumet, Gale and Emmanuel Briceño, the song speaks of rekindling passion in a relationship. “Bite me/ Come with your kisses, hold me/ Don’t think about it, stay/ Here in my arms, entwined, you and I,” goes the chorus. Juanes and Saumet’s unmistakable voices create vibrant harmonies, with the Bomba Estéreo vocalist delivering a couple of spoken verses that add dynamism to the arrangement. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS
Adriel Favela has gone from being a leading figure in corridos for the new generation to being part of the movement itself. His versatility has allowed him to successfully navigate even ranchera music. In “Afterlife,” he embraces the corridos tumbados style with all that it entails: the electric guitar in the intro giving way to trumpets, charchetas, and tololoche — essential instruments of the genre — in addition to acoustic guitar. His voice is joined by that of one of the biggest stars of the moment, Gabito Ballesteros — who, true to his interpretive style, lends a certain rawness to the explicit lyrics, which narrate an atmosphere of extreme partying, luxurious nightlife, and exclusive venues. This same hedonistic scene is showcased in the music video, filmed in natural settings in Sonora, the birthplace of both singers, and a dark location that adds to the drama. — TERE AGUILERA
Jenni Rivera, La Gran Señora (Banda) (Virgin Music Group
Jenni Rivera’s legendary 2009 album gets a thunderous update in La Gran Señora (Banda), where her iconic mariachi hits swap strings for brass and tamborazo-driven banda arrangements. Sixteen years after its original release, the tracks still pack a punch, now with enhanced production by Latin Grammy winner Luciano Luna (Banda El Recodo, Grupo Firme) and the gut-wrenching grit of Rivera’s enduring vocals. Intro song “Yo Soy Una Mujer” explodes with brass horns and a dynamic rhythm section — which also includes previously unreleased audio recorded in 2008 — while the title track unleashes fast-driving drumbeats beneath her fiery declarations: “Se necesita más que una cara bonita.” Even “Amarga Navidad” trades ranchera melancholy for a piercing trumpets, highlighting Rivera’s unmatched vocal prowess. Guided by the creative direction of her son Johnny López, this reimagining celebrates the eternal Diva de la Banda with force and heart. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
Caloncho, “Fairy Michelle” (Universal Music México)
The Mexican singer-songwriter infuses joy and good vibes into this new track, overflowing with emotion for his loved one, set to a cumbia and reggae rhythm. It’s the second single from his upcoming album, slated for release in 2026, and maintains the emotional tone that reflects Caloncho’s current happiness with his wife. “Fairy Michelle” also marks the artist’s introduction to a humorous and conceptual world, embodied not only in the song but also in the music video, which portrays him as a Neandercal (a play on words combining his name and the term Neanderthal), a primitive man who travels through time and arrives in the modern world bewildered by its rules, including those of love. — NATALIA CANO
Banda Los Sebastianes, Rancheras Pa’ La Parranda (En Vivo) (FONO)
With all the power of Sinaloan banda sound, including trumpets, snare drums, clarinets, and of course the tuba, this is an album that’s sure to be enjoyed from beginning to end as the holiday season approaches. Recorded in the genre’s mecca, Mazatlán, Mexico, this live production includes songs for every mood, from traditional tunes like “El Son de los Aguacates” and “El Gavilancillo,” to heartbreak in the focus track “El Amor No Se Vende,” and tributes to regional Mexican music greats like Lorenzo de Monteclaro and Invasores de Nuevo León. With a total of 12 tracks, all with their respective music videos, Rancheras Pa’ la Parranda (En Vivo) is an excellent way for Banda Los Sebastianes to close out the year, after dedicating 2025 to an extensive tour of the U.S. — T.A.
The Mexican singer-songwriter embraces her northern roots in the first single from her new album slated for 2026, celebrating the nostalgia of the past and the beauty of the present with a rhythm of wind instruments and requintos in the sierreño style, achieving a contemporary sound that keeps alive the melodic essence that characterizes her. “Let the golden times return/ The sweet futures we dreamed of so much/ Let the mystery and the boredom return/ The not knowing anything, the not knowing anything,” Venegas sings in one of the song’s verses, whose lyrics she co-wrote with El David Aguilar and Lara Artesi.
With its northern sound and lyrics, the track is reminiscent at times of “El presente,” a classic in her repertoire. In another verse, she even alludes to Baudelaire and his collection of poems, Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil). “Tiempos dorados” (Golden Times) is an invitation to reflect on the passage of time, while the music permeates her border roots between Mexico and California. — N.C.
Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-12-05 18:55:552025-12-05 18:55:55Ozuna & Beéle’s Joint Album ‘Stendhal’ & More Best New Music Latin