Check out all the impossible music moments of the week below.
Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: the double album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200
Dangerous debut in record-setting way, and got the biggest streaming week ever for a country album. The 30-song album – Wallen’s first leader – recorded the biggest week, by merit, for a country in more than two years. On top of that, Jazmine Sullivan started at the best number 4 in her career Heaux Tales. See the full Billboard 200 list for the week ending January 14 here.
Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” debuts at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
The single, released on January 8, is the first 17-year-old Rodrigo’s first Hot 100 no. 1 after the first week of availability. The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Star’s “Drivers License” was also promoted by investigating the lyrics, the song’s TikTok presence and a co-sign by Taylor Swift. Check out the full review for this week’s Hot 100 chart here.
More Super Bowl artists announced
In addition to the rest period The Weeknd, the NFL has announced that HER ‘America the Beautiful’ will be performing, and Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church will be singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl LV in 2021 on February 7 in Tampa Bay, Fla. aired during the CBS Kick-Off Show at 6 p.m. ET. Learn more here.
Artists performed during the inauguration of Biden-Harris
This past historic Wednesday, Lady Gaga singing the national anthem, while Jennifer Lopez gave an intimate performance of “This Land Is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” and Garth Brooks singing “Incredible grace.” Later, Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons sang their original collaboration ‘Better Days’, and Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard sang ‘Undivided’ during the Four America primetime special. Watch all the musical moments of Inauguration Day here.
Anuel AA and Ozuna grace the digital cover of Billboard
The reggaetón stars who rewrote the rules of the genre discussed their joint album Los dioses and save their unparalleled business, from owning their masters to operating their own labels with great resources. Read the full digital cover story here.
Ashanti and Keyshia Cole’s Verzuz finally went down
The R&B hitmakers of the early aughts gathered 1.1 million viewers on Thursday for their highly anticipated fight after being scheduled twice. The nostalgic evening also paid tribute to artists with whom they have collaborated in the past such as 2Pac. See Billboard‘s scorecard and winner here.
Billie Eilish and Rosalía teamed up for the Spanish single “Lo Vas a Olvidar”
After teasing worldwide superstar fans about their collaboration since the spring of 2019, they have joined forces on ‘Lo Vas a Olvidar’, a slow-paced, melancholic ballad that boasts the Spanish skills of Eilish and Rosalía’s enchanting harmonies. The song was teased earlier this week on the official trailer for a special episode HBOs Euphoria “Part 2: Jules”, which premieres on Sunday (January 24). Check out the English lyrics here and what Eilish had to say about singing in Spanish.
DJ Khaled has been announced as the host of MTV Africa Music Awards
The collaborator will serve as the international host of the MTV Africa Music Awards Kampala 2021 (MAMA) on 20 February, which will be broadcast worldwide for the first time. DJ Khaled will perform the honors from his home in Miami, along with African rivals, while the awards will be based in Kampala, Uganda. Learn more here.
Silk City made their return with a new single featuring Ellie Goulding
The power duo of Mark Ronson and Diplo returned with their new glittering house song ‘New Love’ with Ellie Goulding. This is Silk City’s first new song since their Grammy-winning Dua Lipa collab ‘Electricity’ in 2018. Watch the ‘New Love’ music video and learn what the artists had to say about returning here.
Lil Wayne and Macklemore dropped songs about Trump at the last minute
Lil Wayne expressed his gratitude to former President Donald Trump after he forgave him at the last minute by releasing a new track “Ain’t Got Time”. Meanwhile, Macklemore has expressed his relief over the outgoing leader with his scathing ‘Trump’s Over Freestyle’. Listen to ‘Ain’t Got Time’ and ‘Trump’s Over Freestyle’ here.
#ShantyTok has taken over the internet
My wood is shaking: it’s 2021, and socks have taken over TikTok! TikTokers have created dance remixes, turned pop songs into sea chants, performed hilarious sketches and even donned their best sea costumes for a little cosplay. Check out some of the best and funniest TikToks here.
Freaks and Geeks returned to streaming with its original soundtrack intact
Fans of the cult-favorite high school drama that began the careers of Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, James Franco and Busy Phillips have returned to streaming services after music license issues pulled the program from them in the past. The entire series is now available on Hulu, and songs from the original soundtrack featuring Grateful Dead, The Who, Cheap Trick, Van Halen and Rush will appear in each episode. Learn more here.
Mariah Carey revived # MC30 celebration with Beggar bracelet remix EPs
Mariah Carey has released a series of remix EPs featuring several versions of favorite songs from her 2002 album Beggar bracelet as part of her ongoing # MC30 celebration. Look at them here.