No Cable Necessary: Here’s What Makes DIRECTV the Best Place to Watch Live Sports

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If you’re looking to watch live sports online, then a great streaming service option that offers just about all of the major sports networks is DIRECTV — it’s your one-stop destination for live sports. And right now, you can save up to $625 in value.

watch Live Sports with DirectV Stream

Ends 1/6/2025. Must select offers. Requires CHOICE package or higher. To access up to $625 in value, customer must redeem all offers: i) $240 via $10 bill credit each mo. for 24 mos.; ii) 3 months of Movies Extra Pack (MEP) and Lifetime Movie Club (LMC) On Us PLUS $200 Visa Reward Card with subscriptions to MEP and LMC ($100 Visa Reward Card with subscription to MEP only); Redemption req’d.; iii) 3 mos. of Premium Channels on us. MEP, LMC and premium channels are included for first 3 months and auto-renew monthly thereafter at then-prevailing rates unless canceled (currently $4.99/mo. each for MEP and LMC, $16.99/mo. for Max, $12.99/mo. for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, $10.99/mo. each for STARZ and Cinemax, and $6.99/mo. for MGM+). New residential customers w/ 24-mo. agmt. Select sales channels only. See details below.

Depending on the package, you can have access to more than 35 networks that carry live sports, including NBC, ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports, Fox Sports 2, Sportsman Channel, Surfer TV, Tennis Channel, T2, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, FanDuel TV, Pickleball TV, Players TV, Fight Network, Fuel TV, MotorTrend, NBA TV, NHL Network, Origin Sports, Pursuit Channel, SportsGrid, TNA, TUDN, MLB Network, TBS, TNT, USA Network and more*

DIRECTV also carries over 30 regional sports networks (RSNs), so you can catch your home team action.

Regional Sports Networks included in CHOICE Package or higher. Avail. of RSNs varies by zip code and pkg.

Think of DIRECTV as your one-stop destination for live TV, on-demand movies, TV shows, and access to popular streaming apps like Max, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. It’s a versatile and convenient content aggregator that enhances its range of live sports and more, contingent on the subscription package selected. DIRECTV offers a comprehensive entertainment experience, tailored to meet all your needs.

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How to Watch Live Sports with DIRECTV via Internet

DIRECTV via Internet packages gets you access to live TV, local* and cable channels.

You can watch local networks such as PBS*, while you can also watch many cable networks, including Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.

In addition, DIRECTV offers music-centric networks, such as MTV, VH1, BET, Fuse, CMT and much more. Now you can get the best in entertainment, sports and music all in one place with DIRECTV.

All sorts of live sports are available to live stream with DIRECTV.

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$240 IN BILL CREDITS OFFER: Receive $10/mo. credit for 24 mos. with CHOICE pkg or higher. 24-mo. agmt. req’d. Customer must activate service and account must remain in good standing to receive all credits. You will lose this offer and/or any portion of this offer if you cancel your service. LIMIT ONE $240 BILL CREDIT OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. May not be combined with certain offers.

MOVIES EXTRA PACK and LIFETIME MOVIE CLUB 3 MONTHS ON US OFFER: Ends 1/6/25. With min. ENTERTAINMENT package or higher. Customer must select Movies Extra Pack and Lifetime Movie Club (currently $4.99/mo. + tax each) and maintain subscriptions for 3 months to receive all credits. Account must remain in good standing. Movies Extra Pack and Lifetime Movies Club auto-renew monthly unless you change or cancel. Cancel anytime online at directv.com or by calling 800.535.5000. However, once you’ve canceled, you can access Movies Extra Pack/Lifetime Movies Club through the remaining monthly period. No refunds or credits for any partial-month periods or unwatched content. If you cancel your service, you will no longer be eligible for this offer. Returning customers who disconnected service within previous 12 months are not eligible for offer. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. May be combined with other promotional offers on same services. Offer may be changed or discontinued at any time. LIMIT ONE MOVIES EXTRA PACK AND LIFETIME MOVIE CLUB OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT.

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Trina, DJ Alex Sensation and More Honor Celia Cruz’s “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” as the Timeless Anthem of Miami’s Resilience and Pride

Tres Generaciones Tequila, a 50 year old brand introduced by the family that elevated tequila to a symbol of Mexican pride, and Billboard are partnering together for a year-long celebration of music’s transformative power to unveil the top songs that have energized, uplifted and excited six select cities, known as the ‘Get Up Anthems.’ These playlists are curated through a mix of editorial insight and data analytics, and honor the songs that define each city’s history and culture. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

It’s a hot, sunny, quintessential Miami day. Inside a sleek studio nestled in North Miami, adorned with vibrant tropical accents, local legends Trina and DJ Alex Sensation joined forces with Billboard editors Jessica Roiz and Heran Mamo to celebrate the Magic City’s rich musical heritage. Over Tres Generaciones Tequila’s Coconut Ranchwater, Rocsi Diaz moderated a lively debate as the group sifted through a series of iconic local hits.

In the end, unanimously one song stood out above the rest: “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” by Celia Cruz. Released in 2001 and produced by Sergio George, this salsa-meets-reggaeton masterpiece became a cultural touchstone, seamlessly fusing Afro-Caribbean rhythms with an urban edge that resonated deeply with Miami’s diverse communities. Cruz’s bold declaration of self-love and confidence—“el que no tiene de Congo, tiene de Carabalí”—cemented her as a trailblazer who embraced her roots unapologetically.

The driving force of the track is the rhythmic energy that infuses both its lyrics and beats, mixing percussion with horns in a way that feels at once classic and contemporary. The song’s incorporation of reggaeton-style dembow rhythms gave it an added commercial edge that resonated with both younger and older Latin music fans.  In addition to its cultural significance, the song achieved commercial success, landing as a Top 30 hit on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in 2002 and soaring to No. 4 on the Tropical Airplay chart, helping propel the album to the Top 20 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.

For Miami, a city built on the vibrant interplay of cultures, “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” is more than a song; it’s an anthem of resilience and pride. Its infectious rhythm has kept it alive in clubs, family gatherings, and street festivals for over two decades, proving its timeless appeal. The song was embraced by fans across generations, from young listeners in Miami to long-time aficionados of salsa and Cuban music. 

Cruz’s powerful, unmistakable voice added a layer of authenticity to the record, as she became the embodiment of the song’s bold and self-assured lyrics. Her vocal delivery, infused with confidence and joy, matched the song’s theme of embracing one’s roots and identity with pride.

Miami, with its unique mix of cultures—particularly its large Cuban and broader Latin population—has always been a melting pot of musical influences. Celia Cruz’s music became a unifying force in the city, as her tracks transcended language and regional boundaries, connecting people from various Latin backgrounds and her impact on Miami cannot be overstated. As the Queen of Salsa, she helped shape the city into a global hub for Latin music, connecting diverse cultures and bringing people together through her music. The song, and Cruz’s entire catalog, is now woven into the fabric of Miami’s cultural consciousness, representing the city’s spirit of resilience, pride, and cultural exchange. 

Today, Celia Cruz’s legacy continues to shape the sound of Miami and the broader Latin music landscape. Her presence in the city remains a source of inspiration for artists across all genres, and her music continues to be played in clubs, on the radio, and in celebrations that define the rhythm of Miami. “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” isn’t just a song—it’s a powerful reminder of the cultural bridge that Celia Cruz built, one that continues to connect Miami to Latin America and the world.

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Creepy Nuts, Snow Man & Mrs. GREEN APPLE Top Billboard Japan 2024 Year-End Charts

Billboard Japan has unveiled its 2024 year-end charts, tallying the weeks from Nov. 27, 2023, to Nov. 24, 2024.

The No. 1 Song of the Year on the Japan Hot 100 is Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born.” The opening theme song of the anime series MASHLE Season 2 was released Jan. 7 and racked up 547,310,791 streams during the tallying period.

Related

Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE Talk Topping Billboard Japan 2024 Artist 100 Chart & Look Back on Busy…

“We still feel like, ‘We’re able to make a living doing music!’” shares rapper R-shitei of Creepy Nuts upon hearing the news of topping the year-end charts, “We never planned to make songs that would be listened to around the world. It’s really just about expressing what we want to get out and releasing the pent-up expressions we’ve been holding in, basically.” DJ Matsunaga adds, “Now that we’ve returned to a lifestyle focusing on music, it feels like the irresponsibleness that I had before is back. Express bad stuff like it is. It feels like we’ve regained the courage to do that.”

Coming in at No. 2 for the year is “Bansanka” by 15-year-old singer-songwriter tuki., and Omoinotake’s “IKUOKU KONEN,” the theme song of the drama series Eye Love You, follows at No. 3.

Snow Man
Snow Man

The No. 1 Album of the Year on Billboard Japan’s Hot Albums chart is Snow Man’s RAYS. The fourth album by the nine-member group sold 1,183,100 copies during the tallying period and topped the CD Sales ranking as well.

“We’re very happy that our fourth album RAYS has been crowned Billboard Japan Hot Albums of the Year 2024. We’re truly grateful to everyone who received our work and touched our music, and to the encouraging staff who were involved in the production,” says Snow Man member RAUL on behalf of the group. “RAYS has a very special place in our hearts because it can be interpreted as the culmination of the first chapter of Snow Man that sublimates the powers we’ve honed and the support we’ve received over the four years since our debut into music. It was challenging, but we always imagined our fans close by as we worked on it. We’re deeply touched that our precious fans have listened to it and given us so many positive comments.”

“The group will be celebrating the fifth anniversary since its debut in 2025, kicking off with a best-of album set to drop on Jan. 22, the day of our debut,” he adds. “We’re also currently planning to spend more time with our fans, so we hope you’ll look forward to it!”

At No. 2 is Kenshi Yonezu’s LOST CORNER, and at No. 3 is SEVENTEEN’s 17 IS RIGHT HERE.

Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE takes the top spot on the Artist 100 of the Year ranking compiled from the results of the Japan Hot 100 and Hot Albums charts. The three-man band charted 17 songs on the Japan Hot 100, including hits like “Lilac” and “Que Sera Sera.”

“I’m very grateful. I was so surprised that I teared up a little,” says Mrs. GREEN APPLE keyboardist Ryoka Fujisawa. Guitarist Hiloto Wakai adds, “We released a lot of songs this year, so I’m genuinely grateful that they’ve reached so many people in a proper way.” Frontman and principal songwriter Motoki Ohmori notes, “I topped the year-end Top Lyricists and Top Composers charts last year, and those results allowed me to believe in the things I create and the things we think are interesting, and work on them in a positive way for the past year. I’m happy to have received this kind of recognition in what was such a fun year.”

Following at No. 2 on the year-end Artist 100 is back number, rising a notch from its position on the mid-year round-up. The three-man band charted 10 songs on the Japan Hot 100 including “Suiheisen” and “Takaneno Hanakosan.” At No. 3 is YOASOBI, the breakout hitmakers whose performance at Coachella in April made headlines in their home country.

As Japanese artists continue to branch out globally, Creepy Nuts’ music is reaching listeners on a global scale after “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” became a long-running hit both in Japan and overseas. Total global streams for the hip-hop duo has jumped significantly and as a result, “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” achieved 12 No.1s on Billboard Japan’s 2024 year-end charts, including the newly announced year-end Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart, which ranks songs from Japan that are being listened to in over 200 countries around the world excluding Japan. 

Billboard JAPAN Hot 100 of the Year 2024

1. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” / Creepy Nuts

2. “Bansanka” / tuki.

3. “IKUOKUKONEN” / Omoinotake

4. “Idol” / YOASOBI

5. “Lilac” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE

6. “Que Sera Sera” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE

7. “Show” / Ado

8. “Kaiju No Hanauta” / Vaundy

9. “Ao To Natsu” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE

10. “Dance Hall” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Billboard JAPAN Hot Albums of the Year 2024

1. RAYS / Snow Man

2. LOST CORNER / Kenshi Yonezu

3. 17 IS RIGHT HERE / SEVENTEEN

4. THE VIBES / SixTONES

5. SPILL THE FEELS / SEVENTEEN

6. No.Ⅰ / Number_i

7. GIANT / Stray Kids

8. No.O -ring- / Number_i

9. SCIENCE FICTION / Hikaru Utada

10. +Alpha / Naniwa Danshi

Billboard JAPAN Artist 100 of the Year 2024

1. Mrs. GREEN APPLE

2. back number

3. YOASOBI

4. Vaundy

5. Official HIGE DANdism

6. Ado

7. Creepy Nuts

8. Kenshi Yonezu

9. King Gnu

10. Aimyon

Billboard JAPAN Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan of the Year 2024

1. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” / Creepy Nuts

2. “Idol” / YOASOBI

3. “SPECIALZ” / King Gnu

4. “NIGHT DANCER” / imase

5. “Shinunoga E-Wa” / Fujii Kaze

6. “KICK BACK” / Kenshi Yonezu

7. “Where Our Blue Is” / Tatsuya Kitani

8. “Yoru Ni Kakeru” / YOASOBI

9. “TOKYO DRIFT(FAST & FURIOUS)” / TERIYAKI BOYZ

10. “Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me” / Miki Matsubara

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Trina and DJ Alex Sensation Curate Their Miami Top 10 Get Up Anthems: See the List

Some songs possess the rare ability to define eras, celebrated for their infectious beats, experimental sounds, poignant lyrics, and enduring appeal, earning them the status of true classics. In partnership with Tres Generaciones Tequila, a brand that champions the journey and not just the destination, we continue our exploration to round up the top Get Up Anthems over this next year from six iconic cities: Houston, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami. Guided by curated panels, we dive deep into each city’s vibrant sonic history, highlighting tracks that embody resilience, authenticity, and innovation while celebrating the power of music to inspire listeners to rise and chase their passions.

Miami’s music scene is a melting pot of cultures, defined by the pulsating rhythms of Latin music and the bass-heavy swagger of Southern hip-hop, creating a soundtrack for dreamers, partygoers, and innovators alike, blending genres in ways only this city can.

The Top 10 Get Up Anthems from Miami were crafted through a blend of editorial expertise, data-driven analytics, social impact, and personal sentiment to create a ranked list of songs that have inspired, captivated, and energized the Magic City. Spanning decades from 1979 to the present day, Miami’s playlist [click HERE to play] features tracks that represent the city’s rich cultural history and unique sound, hand-selected by local icons Trina and DJ Alex Sensation, Billboard editors Heran Mamo and Jessica Roiz, and moderated by Rocsi Diaz.

Did they get it right? Or were they off the mark?

Check out the Top 10 Get Up Anthems from Miami:

Tie at No. 10

10. “Get Low” – Flo Rida (2008)

Flo Rida’s “Get Low” (2008), produced by DJ Montay, is a dancefloor juggernaut that captures Miami’s high-energy nightlife. Its booming 808s and repetitive hooks make it impossible not to move. Peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, the track established Flo Rida as a staple of Miami’s club sound and a global hitmaker.

10. “Act Up” – City Girls (2019)

Produced by Earl on the Beat, “Act Up” (2019) is a sassy, bass-heavy anthem that put City Girls—and Miami’s new generation of female rappers—on the map. The track’s infectious beat and bold lyrics became a viral sensation, peaking at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its success highlights Miami’s evolving hip-hop scene, where women are unapologetically taking center stage.

Tie at  No. 9

9. “Shake Whatcha Mama Gave Ya” – JT Money & Poison Clan (1992)

JT Money’s “Shake Whatcha Mama Gave Ya” (1992) is a Miami bass classic that exudes the city’s unapologetic party culture. Produced by Mike “Fresh” McCray, the track is a thumping celebration of twerking and Southern swagger. Its local success in Miami solidified Poison Clan’s place in the Miami hip-hop canon, where bass-heavy anthems dominated the club scene.

9. “Esa Morena” – DJ Laz (1998)

DJ Laz’s “Esa Morena” (1998) is a Miami freestyle and reggaeton fusion that became a club favorite across South Florida. With its infectious rhythm and bilingual appeal, the track reflects Miami’s multicultural identity. DJ Laz’s production combines freestyle’s melodic charm with reggaeton’s rhythmic punch, making it a timeless Miami anthem.

8. “Bailando” – Gente de Zona feat. Enrique Iglesias (2014)

Produced by Carlos Paucar, “Bailando” (2014) is a Latin pop juggernaut that brought Miami’s vibrant Latin scene to global audiences. The song, with its flamenco-inspired guitars, reggaeton beats, and infectious hook, topped the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart for 41 weeks and peaked at #12 on the Hot 100. A collaboration between Cuban and Spanish artists, it reflects Miami’s role as a cultural melting pot and remains a celebration of the city’s dance-driven energy.

7. “Hustlin’” – Rick Ross (2006)

Rick Ross’ “Hustlin’” (2006), produced by The Runners, is a gritty ode to Miami’s hustle-and-grind mentality. The track’s hypnotic piano riff and booming bassline became instantly iconic, and its “Every day I’m hustlin’” hook is a cultural mantra. Peaking at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Hustlin’” announced Ross as a major player in the rap game and painted Miami as a city of relentless ambition. Its impact on local culture and music is profound, with Ross becoming one of Miami’s most celebrated hip-hop figures.

6. “Culo” – Pitbull & Lil Jon (2004)

Pitbull’s breakout hit “Culo” (2004), produced by Lil Jon, introduced Miami’s bilingual party culture to the world. Sampling Mr. Vegas’ “Pull Up”, the track is a sweaty, high-energy blend of reggaeton and crunk that became a dancefloor staple. It peaked at #32 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart and announced Pitbull as Miami’s charismatic ambassador. “Culo” encapsulates the city’s unique ability to merge Latin rhythms with Southern hip-hop, creating a global sound that remains quintessentially Miami.

5. “I Wanna Rock” – Uncle Luke (1992)

A bass-driven masterpiece, “I Wanna Rock” (1992) by Uncle Luke is a Miami bass classic that helped define the city’s unique hip-hop sound. Produced by Luke himself, the track is built around infectious call-and-response vocals, rapid-fire hi-hats, and a pulsating 808 bassline that rattled trunks across South Florida. While it didn’t chart nationally, its local success cemented Uncle Luke’s status as a pioneer of Miami bass and a champion of free expression in music. The song’s legacy lives on in Miami’s clubs and block parties, where its raw energy continues to spark dancefloors.

4. “All I Do Is Win” – DJ Khaled ft. Ludacris, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross (2010)

Produced by DJ Nasty and LVM, “All I Do Is Win” (2010) is a victorious anthem that embodies Miami’s aspirational energy. Featuring a star-studded lineup, the track’s triumphant horns, booming bass, and T-Pain’s iconic hook make it an unstoppable rallying cry for success. It peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 8x Platinum, becoming a ubiquitous sports anthem and a staple at Miami Heat games. Khaled’s ability to unite heavyweight artists reflects Miami’s collaborative and celebratory nature, further solidifying the city as a hotspot for hip-hop innovation.

3. “Da Baddest B**” / “Pull Over” – Trina (2000/2001)**

Trina’s “Da Baddest B***”* (2000) and “Pull Over” (2001) are unrelenting declarations of female empowerment, sexual agency, and Miami swagger. Both tracks, produced by Derrick “Bigg D” Baker, epitomize Miami’s brash, bass-heavy rap scene. “Da Baddest B***”* set the tone for Trina’s career as the unapologetic queen of Southern hip-hop, while “Pull Over” delivered a twerk-ready anthem driven by booming 808s and provocative lyricism. Neither song dominated the Billboard charts but their influence on Miami’s club scene and their role in solidifying Miami as a hub for raw, female-led rap is undeniable. These tracks remain staples of Miami nightlife and a testament to Trina’s enduring legacy.

2. “Conga” – Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine (1985)

The 1985 hit “Conga”, produced by Emilio Estefan Jr., is a pulsating anthem that put Miami Sound Machine—and by extension, Miami—on the global music map. With its explosive blend of Afro-Cuban percussion, horns, and pop melodies, the song became a universal dancefloor favorite. The relentless energy of its production mirrors the vibrant nightlife of Miami, where Latin rhythms dominate. “Conga” charted at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, a groundbreaking achievement for a Latin song in the mid-80s, and cemented Gloria Estefan as an ambassador of Latin pop. Its legacy remains deeply rooted in Miami, where it’s celebrated as an unofficial anthem of the city’s multicultural identity.

1. “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” – Celia Cruz (2001)

Produced by Sergio George, “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” is a fiery testament to Celia Cruz’s indomitable spirit and her enduring impact on Latin music. Released in 2001, this salsa-infused anthem blends Afro-Cuban rhythms with reggaeton and hip-hop elements, making it a groundbreaking track for its time. The song’s message of self-confidence and embracing individuality resonated globally, and its vibrant music video showcased Cruz’s iconic flamboyance. While it didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it topped the Tropical Songs chart and became a Miami favorite, paying homage to the city’s deep ties to Cuban culture. The song’s production features sharp brass, syncopated beats, and a driving tumbao rhythm, embodying Celia’s timeless energy and salsa’s dancefloor appeal.

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Alex Sensation & More Debate Best Get Up Anthems of Miami | Billboard x Tres Generaciones Tequila

Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila are partnering to find out the Get Up Anthems of select cities, and for this stop, we’re in Miami, Fla. In conversation with Rocsi Diaz, Miami natives Alex Sensation and Trina sat with Billboard’s Heran Mamo and Jessica Roiz to curate their top 10 Get Up Anthems for Miami. The list includes songs that inspired and energized their city, by Miami artists, presented by Tres Generaciones Tequila.

Alex Sensation:
It was only, like, a couple of years ago that I really found out that Flo Rida is Florida. I didn’t know that.

Rocsi Diaz:
The door is over there. I’m gonna need you to exit stage left. 

Alex Sensation:
I never put it together.

Rocsi Diaz:
Hey, guys. I’m Rocsi Diaz alongside Billboard and Tres Generaciones Tequila. We’re embarking on a journey to celebrate the profound impact of music both personally and within communities. Our mission? To uncover the ultimate Get Up Anthems for cities across the nation, and today, we’re in the vibrant beautiful city of Miami, Fla. Thank you, Hector. Contributing to this discussion, I’m joined by Miami’s very own Diamond Princess, Trina, radio phenomenon Alex Sensation and Billboard’s Heran Mamo and Jessica Roiz.

Just a few days ago, we began the selection process for Miami’s Get Up Anthems. Now, it was challenging, but with Billboard’s exclusive chart data, we narrowed it down to just a few tracks that are now in this bowl. These selections are up for discussion as we finalize the top 10 list and crown Miami’s No. 1 Get Up Anthem.

Rick Ross’ “Hustlin’.” First of all, let’s just talk about how Rick Ross came on the scene. Talk about blowing up, and I think it was his voice, Trina, that captivated the world. I think for me, it was Biggie, but then he came on and it was like a voice that filled a void that we were missing.

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From Maria Becerra to Thalia: Songs & Albums to Add to Your 2024 Latin Christmas Playlist

Christmas season is here, with a whole new offering of holiday songs in Spanish or Spanglish, including original songs or covers, and more than one album. While must-have classics like José Feliciano‘s “Feliz Navidad,” which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, remain in the top 10 of Billboard‘s Holiday 100 chart, artists like Maria Becerra and Thalia have new releases to add to your playlist this month.

The former released a bilingual version of the American classic “Jingle Bell Rocks,” adding verses in Spanish to the voice of Bobby Helms on the iconic original 1957 recording for a refreshing duet. The latter released the six-song EP Navidad Melancólica, fusing rhythms such as bachata and cumbia, and uniting pop with Christian music in a collaboration with Marcos Witt.

“This album was born from my need to preserve my childhood memories, transforming them into memories full of joy, hope and strength to fill my life with faith on these special dates,” Thalia wrote in an Instagram post.

The Latin music offering this Christmas is wide and varied, with songs to dance to, reflect on or simply enjoy with family or friends. Among those who released full albums is David Bisbal, with the 10-song set Todo Es Posible en Navidad, which includes an original song of the same title as well as Spanish versions of American classics. There is also Luis Angel “El Flaco” — with a Deluxe edition of his 2021 LP Feliz Navidad, to which he adds three new songs — and the Venezuelan musician Beet Acosta, with the luminous Christmas Express EP.

For those far from their loved ones, Joaquina captures the feeling of nostalgia in the song “Airport.” And, in a beautiful reflection, Ricardo Montaner addresses the story of Jesus’ birth from his mother’s point of view in “María”, to the rhythm of bachata.

The helpless romantic will enjoy a beautiful version of “Santa” performed by Zhamira Zambrano and Jay Wheeler, while another beloved couple of Latin music, Camilo and Evaluna, recorded “Navidad en cada corner (“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas).”

DJ Deorro with “Querido Santa Claus,” and Ryan Castro, Juanes and SOG with “Chucu Chucu,” bring laughter and fun just in time for the holidays, while Lupita Infante spreads her joy with “¡Navidad! ¡Navidad! Remix.”

Below, enjoy our list of Latin Christmas songs and albums released in 2024.

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Here’s How V of BTS’s Collaboration With Late ‘Idol’ Bing Crosby Came Together

In October 2021, when Primary Wave first acquired a stake in Bing Crosby’s estate, the members of the new guard sat down together and came up with two objectives.

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“One is: we want to make Bing the king of Christmas and holidays, every season, every year,” senior marketing manager Jack LeVine recalls to Billboard of the late pop icon, who delivered the definitive 20th century renditions of “White Christmas” and other seasonal staples. “And two is: just exciting, educating and engaging global and young audiences around Bing and his catalog.”

Nearly 7,000 miles away, the person who would turn out to be key to both goals was in the midst of an era-defining career explosion as part of South Korean boy band BTS, which brought renewed global attention to K-pop in 2021 with a breathtaking run of sunny dance singles – most prominently the 10-week Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Butter” — dazzling audiences with sleek visuals and snappy group choreography and enjoying the support of an ever-expanding, relentlessly passionate fanbase dubbed ARMY. But while the performer known as V was, to the world, one of seven young men at the helm of the year’s most polished, cutting-edge wave of contemporary pop dominance, the artist who grew up Kim Tae-hyung was, in his personal life, a reverent fan of a much different genre: jazz.

And his favorite performer? Bing Crosby.

You could call it kismet, then, that three years later, V can now consider his hero a duet partner, their voices coming together over generations and lifetimes on a revamped version of “White Christmas” — fashioned out of an extremely rare recording found in Crosby’s extensive personal archives, voice-isolating technology and redone instrumentals — that dropped Friday (Dec. 6). But the project is actually the result of years of Primary Wave brainstorming, coordinating and consulting with Crosby’s daughter Mary and son Harry on how to not just preserve the iconic star’s legacy, but push it forward in a way that changes with the times.

There are many, scattered moments in the story of how the new “White Christmas” came together that could be considered the starting point, from V’s numerous posts about loving Bing over the years to Primary Wave’s discovery of the recording, a necessarily intimate 1950s radio performance that had only been released on limited physical products in the past — and could be perfect for recreating the magic of Crosby and David Bowie’s 1977 era-bridging “Little Drummer Boy” duet, with the help of a new modern star. But it’s the moment that those two worlds came together that proved to be the most fateful: when Primary Wave’s Sarah Nekich, digital and audience engagement, was scrolling X in her free time and came across a vlog posted by V in July 2022 in which he sang Crosby’s “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” in his car. At that point, months had gone by since the estate had considered the duet idea, stalled without a clear choice as to who was fit to join the late legend on the track. But now?

“It was just too perfect,” Nekich remembers of seeing V’s video. “He just had a beautiful jazz-like voice that sounds very similar to a young Bing Crosby. It was a no-brainer: These two are meant to be on a song together.”

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The rest of the team – including Harry and Mary Crosby – were similarly impressed, and Primary Wave quickly reached out to V’s camp at HYBE x Geffen, who “were really receptive,” says Levine. The estate went to work on fleshing out a proper sketch of what the duet would actually sound like with V in the mix, tapping experienced jazz and classic pop producer Gregg Field to oversee the music, while Nekich — having already reposted V’s cover of “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” on Bing’s channels, and getting rocked by a tidal wave of ARMY engagement in response – continued interacting with BTS fans on social media to maintain momentum.

“The fact that V was such a huge fan was so heartening to us,” recalls Mary Crosby. “Until he came along, there wasn’t the right person. Because of V, Dad is going to be reaching an entirely different audience.”

The pieces were coming together, but making them connect would take more time than anticipated — especially as other projects repeatedly pushed the duet lower and lower on the to-do list. “The challenge with Christmas is no one is thinking about it in January or February,” Levine explains, laughing.

In late 2022, however, something lit a fire under the enterprise. “The BTS solo members announced that they were enlisting [in the South Korean military],” the executive continues. “There was a new sense of urgency. We were racing against a deadline that we had no visibility into.”

If Field had been able to take his time constructing the song before, he definitely couldn’t anymore. The producer – who’s previously worked with John Williams and Herbie Hancock – assembled the track using all-new instrumental arrangements by Rob Mounsey, recording rhythm section backings in Los Angeles and the orchestra and choir parts in Europe. Doing everything fresh was essential to making the finished product palatable to “2024 ears,” Field says, as was the process of separating Crosby’s vocal from the radio recording through iZotope’s Music Rebalance technology, revitalizing it to sound “like it was recorded yesterday” — sort of the musical equivalent to restoring aged paintings or worn-down buildings.

“That’s a perfect analogy,” Field tells Billboard of the process. “It’s getting all of the years of crud away from it and exposing what’s there.”

The last piece of the puzzle was V’s contribution, which he recorded remotely just before shipping off in December 2023 for 18 months to complete his mandatory service. His raw talent blew Field away. Says the producer, “The musical decisions [V] made – he understood who he was singing with.”

When the mix was finally complete early this year, all Primary Wave had to do was keep the collaboration a secret until finally announcing it in November, to the absolute delight of V’s biggest champions. Nekich reports that Crosby’s accounts have been absolutely flooded with heartfelt messages from ARMY ever since, with the late crooner’s following on X doubling “almost overnight” and his engagements skyrocketing by 300,000% within two weeks of the reveal.

Many of their comments, Nekich says, express genuine pride and happiness for V, who shared in a statement at the time of the announcement, “I feel incredibly fortunate and honored to have sung along … with the voice of someone I consider an idol.”

For Mary, the project represents everything that was important to her father in his lifetime. “If you look at what Dad did in terms of technology, bringing voice on tape … he was always ahead of the game and always incredibly interested in musical experiments,” she reflects. “This collaboration with V is kind of a continuation of that. Many people [from Bing’s era] would’ve not been able to wrap their head around this, but I think Dad would have.”

As for whether her father, who died in 1977, would’ve chosen to do the duet with V if he were alive today, Mary says, “Dad would’ve jumped at the chance.”

“He tried everything and sang with everybody,” the actress adds. “That sparked him. There are so many popular singers that list Bing Crosby as an influence, but Dad was always 100% ready to be musically influenced by someone else.”

With the track finally out in the world after three years of build-up, Primary Wave has officially made good on the goals they set at the beginning of their relationship with Crosby’s estate. But, galvanized by the breathtaking support of ARMY and the realization that, through technology, more doors are open to them than previously imagined, the team is ready to think even bigger. Nekich hopes the duet becomes a “new Christmas classic” — one that’ll serve as the jumping-off point, not the end of, Crosby’s relationship with V. And, she’d “love to see it go to the top of the Billboard charts this Christmas — we’re shooting for the stars.”

On that note, Levine is also adding an unofficial third objective to the bulletin board. “Respect to the queen,” he tells Billboard, “But I hope we outperform Mariah [Carey] this year.”

Listen to Bing Crosby’s brand-new version of “White Christmas” featuring V of BTS above.

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Jinkx Monsoon & BenDeLaCreme Deliver Laughs & Hard-Earned Truths With ‘The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show’

Early on in their Thursday night (Dec. 5) performance at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, NY, drag stars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme told their crowd of a few thousand fans that they intended to do things a little differently this year.

The pair have been performing together in various iterations of their annual Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show for the last seven years, with each successive variety performance becoming more involved, plot-driven and deeply meta than the last. Their 2023 show, as they point out during this year’s production, revolved around their show itself turning on and trying to kill them.

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So for 2024, the dynamic duo told their audience that they just wanted to keep things straightforward — some lighthearted fun, some good laughs, and that winning parody combination of “a pop song you heard on the radio all year, plus Christmas,” as DeLa put it. Nothing fancy, just an easy, simple holiday show.

What ensued, while it was of course not at all what the duo described at the outset of their performance, proved exactly why these Drag Race alumni make such a perfect pair on the stage. Across two acts and two hours, Jinkx and DeLa managed to not only encapsulate the manic brilliance of their now-historic run together, but to also deftly (and often bluntly) address and audience still reeling from the political chaos of the last month.

Fans of the The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show will have plenty to celebrate with this year’s iteration, as the pair keep on the tradition of building a loose narrative around a Christmas-themed concept. This time around, Jinkx delightfully informs the audience that they’re doing a Nutcracker riff (or “nut-gobbler,” as DeLa accidentally calls it), as the pair get shrunk down to toy-size and participate in the well-loved Christmas ballet. It’s a welcome shift, seeing the usually-grinchy Jinkx getting excited for the holdiays, while the often-optimistic DeLa gets her opportunity to make fun of the centuries-old ballet at every given opportunity.

The song parodies are also back, and arguably better than ever. Jinkx and DeLa once again meld their own original songs with new versions of holiday classics, American standards and a heaping helping of 2024 pop hits. A now Broadway-minted Monsoon flexes both her musical and comedic chops on the early standout performance of “Secular” (to the tune of Wicked‘s “Popular”) as she delights in leaving the more Judeo-Christian aspects of the season behind. Meanwhile DeLa stuns with a rendition of Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” that sees the star crooning about missing snow in a globally warmed winter of unseasonably warm weather — although, when it happens this much, we really shouldn’t call it “unseasonable,” as DeLa points out.

The standout running gag from the show, though, comes in the form of the pair desperately trying to find an appropriately funny (and Christmas-y) Chappell Roan parody. DeLa tries her best early on — conjuring up clunky visions of a “Red Reindeer Place” and attempting to incite a “Femininomenon” in the city of Bethlehem — before Jinkx tells her to just give it up. But the pair finally triumph with their own, double-meta version of Roan’s breakout hit “Hot to Go,” this time singing about the difficulty of coming up with a Chappell parody before settling on spelling out “Hot Coco.”

While the show certainly has plenty of fun songs and hilarious jokes — Jinkx’s ongoing infatuation with and seduction by The Nutcracker had the Brooklyn audience in stitches — the show’s core comes into full focus during it’s second act, when both Jinkx and DeLa partially drop the facade of the show to look at the context they’re performing it in.

In an interview with Billboard back in October, both Jinkx and DeLa expressed their desire to get to the core of our current system of political division, and how those divisions have made the holidays and even harder time of year for everyone, especially in the LGBTQ+ community. “At a hard time of year, a bunch of people get to come together and look at some beautiful visuals, outfits, props and performances from our brilliant cast,” DeLa said at the time.

While I won’t give away the show’s clever plot, I can say that the Act II breakdown from Jinkx & DeLa landed exactly where they wanted it to. As the pair use the structure of their show itself to process Donald Trump’s re-election in November, they dig even deeper to get to the emotional crux that the audience at the Kings Theater was feeling. When Jinkx woefully declared that she — like many of us — was “so tired of caring,” DeLa delivered the needed reality check: “I’m tired of people not caring.”

The fabulous costume design and gifted background performers helped elevate 2024’s Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show to new heights, that’s for certain. But the thing that always made this zany show work is what worked best for the 150th time on Thursday night; a pair of best friends and talented performers who know exactly how to balance the real with the delightfully absurd.

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Doechii Impresses With Jazzy Tiny Desk Concert Performance: Watch

Doechii is blossoming into a star. The Top Dawg Entertainment rapper checked off another box within her ascension on Friday (Dec. 6) by making her Tiny Desk concert debut at NPR’s headquarters.

The Swamp Princess didn’t disappoint with her set either, as she brought the Black Girl magic and some friends along for the magic carpet ride. The all-female band boasted a nine-person arrangement of horns, and vocalists rocking braids with beads styled to match Doechii’s for the jazz-tinged concert.

Most of the setlist stuck with Doechii’s acclaimed Alligator Bites Never Heal mixtape as the 26-year-old burgeoning rapper ran through the smooth “Boom Bap,” “Boiled Peanuts,” “Denial Is a River,” “Catfish” and fan-favorite “Nissan Altima” before moving into “Bullfrog” and “Hide n Seek.”

Prior to closing out her electric set with Oh the Places You’ll Go‘s “Black Girl Memoir,” Doechii glanced at the Black women in the room and delivered a poignant message.

“I decided to perform this record because I think there’s been a lot of heightened emotions with the current state of our country, and I wrote this song specifically for Black women. As a dark-skinned woman, there’s a very unique experience I’m trying to internalize,” she said ahead of the 2020 track. “This is a song I think other dark-skinned women will relate to. So this is dedicated to all the beautiful Black women in the room.”

It’s been a special year for Doechii, who is coming off the release of her Alligator Bites Never Heal mixtape, which came in at No. 10 on Billboard‘s Best Albums of 2024 List.

The Florida native’s rise also resulted in her jumping to No. 6 on the Hottest Female Rappers list for 2024 after not appearing on the first iteration earlier this year.

Watch her performance below.

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Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century Podcast: List Recap With AJ Marks & Final Thank Yous

On today’s (Dec. 6) episode of the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century podcast, we’re finally out of new rankings and pop stars to discuss — so we take a look back at the top 10, and the entire Greatest Pop Stars project, with some help from AJ Marks, moderator of Reddit’s r/Popheads forum and host of the stellar Main Pod Girl podcast. (AJ previously joined the podcast to talk about the list’s first half, find his previous podcast appearance here.)

Host Andrew Unterberger talks with Marks about his big-picture takeaways from our rankings — what parts of the ordering did or didn’t make sense to him, and if he feels like he has a better understanding of the Billboard editorial staff’s definition of pop star greatness than he did when the project started. We also of course talk a little Taylor Swift and Beyoncé — and about the r/Popheads reaction to the entire rollout of the top 10, leading up to our No. 1 reveal — and look forward a little to our upcoming 2024 Greatest Pop Stars rankings, with AJ offering his predictions for some of the most likely artists to be in the mix for the top spot.

We close with AJ by asking him the questions we’ve asked for every pop star on this list so far — making him choose between the total pool of choices for all 25 artists. Then, Andrew closes by offering some much-deserved thanks to the dozens of folks on staff who helped make this entire list possible.

Check it out above, find all our past episodes here, and be sure to subscribe to Billboard‘s Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century series wherever you get your podcasts! (And definitely remember to check back next week as we begin the rollout for our Greatest Pop Stars of 2024.)

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