Billboard

The Weeknd Ties Michael Jackson’s “Billboard” Record

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The Weeknd has tied Michael Jackson’s Billboard record for having multiple No. 1 hits that stem from three separate albums. According to the outlet, Michael Jackson earned multiple No. 1 hits on his albums Off The Wall in 1979, Thriller in 1982, and Bad in 1987. The Weeknd has now achieved multiple No. 1 hits on 2015’s Beauty Behind The Madness, 2016’s Starboy, and 2020’s After Hours.

The Weeknd earned his seventh No. 1 on Monday after he and Ariana Grande’s duet “Die For You” jumped to the top of the Hot 100 chart. The song is featured on The Weeknd’s album, Starboy. The Weeknd reacted to achieving the feat on Instagram, Tuesday, sharing the news with a star emoji in the caption.

The Weeknd & Ariana Grande

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been retouched) (L-R) In this image released on May 27, The Weeknd and Ariana Grande perform onstage at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, which was broadcast live on FOX on May 27, 2021. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

The new feat is far from the first historic Billboard accomplishment The Weeknd has achieved. With the release of Dawn FM, he earned 24 songs on the Global 200 chart, six of them coming from the album. Those included “Sacrifice,” “Take My Breath,” “Gasoline,” “Out of Time,” as well as “Is There Someone Else?” and “How Do I Make You Love Me?.” It was the first time a male artist had ever done so. Kanye West and Drake have both come close, however, with 23 and 22, respectively. The Weeknd has also broken the all-time record for most monthly global listeners among all artists on Spotify.

The Weeknd was even compared to Michael Jackson by Timbaland in 2022, following the release of Dawn FM. “Yo… this album different y’all. This shit right here, this on some Thriller shit,” the iconic producer said at the time on social media. “Trust me when I tell you. And the way he dropped this shit, yo. Congrats, this shit is amazing.” The video went viral with people arguing both sides of the opinion.

The Weeknd’s Response

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Lil Yachty On His New Project: “F*ck Any Of The Albums I Dropped Before This One”

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Lil Yachty discussed his growth as an artist as well as his new psychedelic album, Let’s Start Here, during a candid interview with Billboard published on Wednesday. He says that the new project reflects who he is in a more candid way than any of his previous work. For Let’s Start Here, Yachty teamed up with Mac DeMarco, Nick Hakim, Alex G and members of MGMT, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Chairlift to create his new sound.

“I did what I really wanted to do, which was create a body of work that reflected me,” Yachty told the outlet on the day before his listening event at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J. “My idea was for this album to be a journey: Press play and fall into a void.” He also remarked: “Fuck any of the albums I dropped before this one.”

Lil Yachty At Rolling Loud

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Lil Yachty performs during 2023 Rolling Loud Los Angeles at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 05, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/WireImage)

From there, Yachty reflected on the state of hip-hop when he came onto the scene. “I came into music in a time where rap was real hardcore, it was real street,” he says. “And a bunch of us kids came in with colorful hair and dressing different and basically said, ‘Move out the way, old fucks. We on some other sh-t.’ I was young and I didn’t really give a fuck, so I did do things that may have led people to the assumptions that I was a mumble rapper or a SoundCloud kid or I don’t appreciate the history of hip-hop.”

He also discussed his love for Bon Iver, Pink Floyd, and other artists outside of his genre. “But to be honest, I’ve always been so much more than just hip-hop,” he said. “There’s a lot of kids who haven’t heard any of my references. They don’t know anything about Bon Iver or Pink Floyd or Black Sabbath or James Brown. I wanted to show people a different side of me — and that I can do anything, most importantly.”

Yachty released Let’s Start Here back in January to mostly positive reviews from critics. It also debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200, earning 36,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. It’s his first studio album since 2020’s Lil Boat 3.

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LL Cool J Praises Chuck D In Response To Greatest Rappers List

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LL Cool J praised Chuck D on Twitter, Tuesday, in response to the Public Enemy rapper’s opinion on greatest of all time lists. He was recently named No. 34 on Billboard’s list of the Top 50 Rappers of All Time. In his post, Chuck made note of the talents of the many rappers who don’t make it on similar lists.

“Know This. The reason I don’t get shook by NOT being on any GREATEST rapper lists is simple. Once i see one of my PEer group on it , im good,” Chuck D said. “Thats how my fraternity rolls. #OGseniorCircuit.” LL Cool J later wrote back, “You have one of the greatest if not ‘the’ greatest voice in HipHop history. Song writing on another level!!!!! What’s touching Terror dome ?? You’re a [goat emoji] MC CHUCK D!!!”

LL Cool J In The 1980s

LL Cool J Performing Live At Hanover Nightclub, London 01/01/1985 (Sony Music Archive via Getty Images/Terry Lott)

The back and forth on Twitter comes days after Melle Mel came under fire for his various opinions on the aforementioned Billboard list. Appearing on The Art of Dialogue, the legendary Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five rapper called Kendrick Lamar overrated, argued that Eminem wouldn’t be ranked as high if he weren’t white, and much more. Chuck D came to Mel’s defense on social media after he began catching backlash. “Understand Melle Mel was so dominant over the rest of the pack in the first 5 years of records its hard to comprehend for born after MC folk,” Chuck D said. “Its why i call him Wilt Chamberlain and Wilt had a crate of critiques for the rappers after him including ME. Just Let Mel be Wilt lol.”

As for Kendrick Lamar, who lands at No. 2, Mel remarked that his music doesn’t “translate into the street part of Hip Hop.” He explained: “I don’t know what records he made like that. I might know one or two of them, but I don’t think you even hear Kendrick in the club like that.” Mel admitted that Eminem is talented, but said it’s his whiteness that makes him as popular as he is.

LL Cool J’s Message For Chuck D

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Latto Slams Blogger For Calling Out Her Billboard Chat Position

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Latto went back and forth with a blogger named Armon Wiggins on Twitter, Wednesday, regarding the chart position of her single, “Lottery.” The track landed at No. 83 on the latest update to the Billboard Hot 100. Many other fans of Nicki Minaj joined in on trolling the rapper for the lack of success. Latto and Nicki famously went at each other online in 2022.

“I thought Yalll said this was the one! It didn’t even Break top 50! Let alone top 20 Top 10, Top 5, Top 3, NUMBER 1…” the YouTuber wrote. “I was wondering why it was soo quiet [laughing emojis] But like I always say Anything in the Top 100 is a Hit!” In response, Latto fired back: “What have u done in life besides talk about what everybody else doing w theirs? I’m really sick of y’all LOW LIFE GROWN ASS MEN speaking on me! PUSSY! Mfs ain’t doing HALF of what I’m doing but want me to be ashamed of my accomplishments?” From there, Latto added that she’s going to focus on starting a family: “I quit! For I catch a case! I’m finna start a family!”

Latto At The Grammys

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 04: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Latto attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons Honoring Julie Greenwald & Craig Kallman at The Beverly Hilton on February 04, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

In response, the blogger clarified that he likes Latto’s record, but continued criticizing her. “Let’s be clear I like the record but the facts still remains YOU SOUND LIKE A FEATURE on your own Record!” they said. “And when you Released the teaser for BIG Energy RELOADED Mixed with Say so.. Everyone thought it was an IMMEDIATE HIT! Soo did you!”

The disappointing chart position of “Lottery” isn’t the only thing resulting in drama for Latto from the track. She also dealt with a wave of backlash on social media for working with Dr. Luke on the production of the song. The industry veteran has faced allegations of sexual harassment, misogyny, civil harassment, infliction of emotional distress, and more over the years.

Latto’s Tweets

Latto Reflects On Beef With Nicki Minaj

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Latto recently reflected on her Twitter beef with Nicki Minaj in a new interview with Billboard. Of course, their social media spat surprised many, especially considering that Latto said she’s been a fan of Nicki since childhood. However, things got murky when the Grammys put “Super Freaky Girl” by Nicki in Pop categories, and kept Latto in Rap. While the initial debate led to back-and-forth insults and posting private conversations, tensions have since died down a bit. With that time and space for healing in mind, the 777 artist spoke to Billboard about how she feels about it now.

“It’s difficult navigating through situations like that because there’s a disconnect. I will look at myself as a fan of someone and they will view [me] in a whole different light,” she remarked. “It’s disappointing. You just got to take it to the chin and keep pushing.” Previously, her messages aimed at Nicki took a harsher tone. “With all this being said this wasn’t JUST about a Grammy category,” she tweeted. “[You] being funny bringing me up to defend [your] case knowing our last convo didn’t end on good terms. [You] literally told me I’m not ‘flourishing’ and no one cares about my ‘little song’ [on the phone] lol @NICKIMINAJ.”

Latto Is Moving On From Nicki Minaj Beef

Furthermore, Nicki’s side of the story registered with more conciliatory undertones for many. “I have no prob being moved out the RAP category as long as we r ALL being treated FAIRLY,” Minaj tweeted. “If SFG (Super Freaky Girl) has 2B moved out RAP then so does Big Energy! ANY1 who says diff is simply a Nicki hater or a troll.” However, it’s not like the “Do We Have A Problem?” MC took no shots at all. As later tweets showed, it seems like Latto reaching out to her personally struck a nerve.

“This Karen has probably mentioned my name in over 100 interviews,” Nicki tweeted. “Says she waited in line for Pink Friday w|her Barbie chain on, bangs, pink hair…but today, scratch off decides to be silent; rather than speak up for the black woman she called her biggest inspiration.” Regardless of your take, come back to HNHH for the latest on Latto and Nicki Minaj.