Take a look at Billboard‘s weekly roundup and the “awards” it gave to this week’s headlines.
Happiest Music News: Lil Nas X gives birth to debut album Montero
Lil Nas X finally brought his bundle of joy he’s been carrying — a.k.a. his debut studio album Montero — into the world on Friday (Sept. 17). His genre-bending project contains star-studded features from Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, and of course, Jack Harlow on his Hot 100 No. 2 hit “Industry Baby.” Stream Montero here and read our critics’ picks here.
Sweetest Music News: Britney Spears is engaged
Congratulations are in order for Britney Spears and Sam Asghari, who announced their engagement on Sunday (Sept. 12) after five years of dating! The pop superstar showed off her sparkling ring on her Instagram account, which she later deleted in order to celebrate her engagement more privately. Spears later joked that Asghari popping the questions “was way overdue” but “definitely worth the wait.” See her sweet announcement here.
Savviest Music News: Halsey launches first-of-its-kind augmented reality treasure hunt
Halsey partnered with Verizon and FriendsWithYou to launch a first-of-its-kind H1DD3N treasure hunt this weekend, where fans can enter an immersive art installation and potentially win Apple’s new iPhone 13 Pro. “I’ve always had huge artistic ambitions,” she told Billboard. Learn more here.
Music News: Daddy Yankee and Karol G star on Billboard‘s latest covers
Reggaetón leaders Daddy Yankee and Karol G take their reign over to the cover of Billboard this week. The Big Boss discussed building up the genre and its newcomers, while Karol opened up about bolstering her career following the pandemic and coming into the title of the genre’s leading lady. Both artists are also set for Billboard‘s 2021 Latin Music Week next week in Miami. Read his cover story here, and her cover story here.
Most Nostalgia Music News: 2021 VMAs honors MTV’s 40th birthday
Madonna kicked off the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards Sunday night (Sept. 12) by rewinding through MTV’s history as young stars from host Doja Cat to Olivia Rodrigo to Lil Nas X took over the show. Check out the winner’s list here, best moments here, recap here and ranked performances here.
Most Record-Breaking Music News: Drake’s Certified Lover Boy makes serious achievements
Champagne Papi had plenty of reasons to pop bottles this week. His latest album, Certified Lover Boy, earned the OVO rapper his 10th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, as well as the biggest week for any album in over a year, starting with 613,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 9, according to MRC Data. Plus, nine songs from the album debuted in the top 10 of the Hot 100, led by “Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future and Young Thug, at No. 1. Drake becomes the first artist to score nine top 10 hits in a single frame, and his total reign over the top five breaks The Beatles’ 57-year record. Learn more about CLB’s chart performances here and here.
Most Fashionable Music News: Olivia Rodrigo, Rosé and more strut at the 2021 Met Gala
It might not have been on the first Monday of May, but the biggest musicians stepped out on fashion’s biggest night Monday (Sept. 13). Olivia Rodrigo and BLACKPINK’s Rosé posed together for a selfie, Lil Nas X made the Met Gala bathroom selfies trend again when he snapped a pic of him with Pete Davidson, Lil Uzi Vert, Jack Harlow and Erykah Badu, and Rihanna shut down the red carpet with boyfriend A$AP Rocky. See all of the musicians’ looks here.
Most Influential Music News: Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and more make the annual TIME 100 list
On Wednesday (Sept. 15), Time revealed its annual 100 Most Influential People list, which included Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X and more artists. Kid Cudi wrote about Lil Nas X, saying, “There’s a homophobic cloud over hip-hop, and he’s going to break that s— down.” Meanwhile, J Balvin made sure to give Bad Bunny his flowers, writing, “People wait for someone to die to say, ‘Oh, he was a legend.’ But I’m telling Benito now: You are one of the greatest artists in Latin music history.” Read Cudi’s essay on LNX here and Balvin’s essay on Bad Bunny here.
