If you’re just waking up on this glorious Friday, you’re about to discover what much of Twitter already knows: Selena Gomez and Blackpink’s epic new collaboration “Ice Cream” has arrived. We know what we’ll be doing for the next few days: “Ice cream chillin’, chillin’, ice cream chillin’!”
Plus, we’re heading into VMAs weekend, and you can brush up on your music video history ahead of the big night by checking out our list of the 100 greatest music video artists of all time.
Take a look at all of that — and more of the week’s biggest music happenings — below.
Taylor Swift’s Folklore ruled for a fourth week
Swift’s latest set topped the Billboard 200 chart once again, with 101,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 20. Billboard’s Keith Caulfield reports, “As Folklore spends a fourth week at No. 1, it becomes the first album by a woman to rule for its first four weeks since Adele’s 25 topped the list in its first seven weeks (of its total of 10 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1).” Congrats, Tay! Check out the full rundown for this week’s Billboard 200 here.
BTS’ “Dynamite” blew up the charts
Look what can happen with a little funk and soul! BTS made its grandest entrance yet on Billboard‘s Pop Songs radio airplay chart, as “Dynamite” debuted at No. 30 on the list dated Aug. 29. They also broke a major YouTube record, as the music video for “Dynamite” counted 101.1 million views within 24 hours of its release. All in a day’s work for RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook.
The 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards got a new date
The 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards have a new date and venue, as Billboard and Telemundo announced on Monday (Aug. 24). (The show was originally set to take place in April, but was of course postponed due to COVID-19.) Now, the ceremony will broadcast live Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Get the details here.
It’ll be Brandy vs. Monica for the next Verzuz battle
Get ready for the queens: Brandy and Monica will face off on Monday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on Instagram and Apple Music. “#History,” Brandy wrote on social media. “Thank you @monicadenise and @verzuztv for making this happen. Let’s celebrate!!!!” Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming battle.
Beyoncé gifted the wider world with the stunning video for “Brown Skin Girl”
Just weeks after unveiling Black Is King exclusively via Disney+, Bey uploaded “Brown Skin Girl” as a standalone video. The visual features appearances from Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, Kelly Rowland and, of course, Bey’s eldest daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Watch the stunning video here.
Cardi B launched a waterproof “WAP” merch line
The rapper is making the most of her “WAP” summer! Cardi unveiled a line of waterproof merch to slide off the success of her hit Megan Thee Stallion single on Tuesday (Aug. 25). There’s a transparent pink “WAP” raincoat ($125), black and pink “WAP’ umbrellas ($25) and a “WAP” crop biker set ($40) that comes with a nylon spandex bra. Check out the offerings here.
Billie Eilish performed for NPR Music’s Tiny Desk series
For an intimate performance of “My Future” and “Everything I Wanted,” Eilish and her brother Finneas beamed in from home — but made it look like they were in NPR’s Washington, D.C. offices. How, exactly? You’ll have to watch for yourself and hear Eilish explain how they pulled it off. Watch the ingenious Tiny Desk (Home) Concert here.
The full list of MTV Video Music Awards performers and presenters was confirmed
Bebe Rexha, Jaden Smith, Kelly Clarkson and more will present awards at the 2020 VMAs, while Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga, BTS, Miley Cyrus and more will perform. The 2020 MTV VMAs will broadcast live around various NYC locations at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday (Aug. 3). See the full list of stars who will appear at the show here.
Billboard celebrated the 100 greatest music video artists of all time
From Lady Gaga and Beyonce to Madonna and The Cure, Billboard took a look back at the artists who have given the most to the music video, whether through heavy MTV rotation or millions of YouTube views. Check out the full list ahead of the MTV VMAs this Sunday (Aug. 30) here.
Selena Gomez and Blackpink debuted their sweet new collaboration
We all scream for ice cream! If you haven’t seen the colorful music video for this week’s most talked-about collab, do so immediately. Plus, celebs showed their support for the team-up, Billboard spoke to insiders about the accompanying campaign, and Gomez and Blackpink sat down with Apple Music for an interview.
Artists didn’t hold back during Billboard Live At Home performances
This week, folk rockers The Avett Brothers, pop singer Carlie Hanson and rising rapper Pink Sweats partnered with Billboard for a new round of Live At-Home sessions, providing fans with quarantine entertainment while benefiting some worthy causes. Watch all three performances here.
New Music Friday was stacked
“Ice Cream” aside, this New Music Friday featured fresh cuts from Katy Perry, Halsey, Calvin Harris and The Weeknd. There were also can’t-miss releases from JoJo, Ty Dolla Sign and Nicki Minaj this week — if it all seems overwhelming, get the TL;DR on everything you need to know about the best new music here!
