Tag: Billboard

  • A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Announces New Project “Before Artistry”

    A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Announces New Project “Before Artistry”

    A TikTok video by @aboogievsartist has confirmed that the New York melodic rapper will release his highly anticipated project, Before Artistry, this Friday. The artist shared a snippet of a new track that features his signature blend of emotional lyrics and catchy, high-pitched hooks, sending fans into a frenzy across social media.

    The project is described as a “return to roots,” referencing his breakout 2016 mixtape Artist. A Boogie, who has become a staple in US Hip-Hop and a favorite in the Nigerian urban scene, hasn’t released a full-length body of work in over a year. The teaser has already garnered millions of views, with TikTok creators using the sound for “outfit of the day” and lifestyle transition videos.

    Music critics are watching closely to see if A Boogie can reclaim his dominant position on the Billboard charts. The release timing is strategic, aiming for a Valentine’s weekend impact given his reputation for making “heartbreak anthems.”

    * EARMILK reported: “A Boogie Wit da Hoodie’s New Project ‘Before Artistry’ Drops This Friday; fans are counting down.”

    * HotNewHipHop noted: “The Bronx native returns to his melodic foundations in his latest teaser.”

    Echotitbits take:

    A Boogie is the king of “sad boy” rap that actually makes you want to dance. By naming the project Before Artistry, he’s tapping into the nostalgia of his early career—a smart move when your OG fanbase is starting to miss your “old sound.” If the snippet is any indication, expect this to dominate the Spotify Top 50 by Monday morning.

    Source: EARMILK — https://earmilk.com/2026/02/11/a-boogie-wit-da-hoodies-new-project-before-artistry-drops-this-friday/ February 11, 2026

    Photo Credit: EARMILK

     

  • The Kid LAROI releases ‘Before I Forget’ and leans into heartbreak storytelling

    The Kid LAROI releases ‘Before I Forget’ and leans into heartbreak storytelling

    Per PEOPLE, The Kid LAROI released his album Before I Forget on Jan. 9, leaning into more personal songwriting and reflective themes tied to heartbreak.

    The rollout is being read as both a creative pivot and a strategic reset, as fans comb through lyrics for real-life references.

    New-release coverage also keeps the project in wider pop conversation beyond core music audiences.

    • The Kid LAROI (Instagram): “It’s also the most personal thing I’ve ever made.”
    • Billboard (Web): “Friday Music Guide…” (new releases coverage)

    Echotitbits take: Personal albums travel faster when fans turn them into story content. Watch for the lead single push, interview run, and how the lyric narrative shapes the tour aesthetic.

    Source: PEOPLE — 2026-01-09 — https://people.com/the-kid-laroi-gets-candid-about-tate-mcrae-heartbreak-on-before-i-forget-11882119

    Source: RollingStone – https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-kid-laroi-before-i-forget-breakup-album-1235494202/ 2026-01-09
    Photo Credit: RollingStone

  • Ciara hints at a 2026 tour after TikTok Awards spotlight

    Ciara hints at a 2026 tour after TikTok Awards spotlight

    Photo credit: People

    2025-12-22 12:00:00

    According to People, Ciara said she is “manifesting” a new tour in 2026 while speaking around her TikTok Awards moment and her music’s continuing traction on the platform.

    She framed the moment as a bridge between eras—older hits trending with younger audiences—while highlighting the realities of managing privacy and safety in social media posting.

    The wider context is TikTok’s growing role as both a performance stage and a distribution engine, where legacy acts can gain a second commercial life through viral sound reuse.

    TikTok’s newsroom announcement teased the show with “Ciara to perform,” while Billboard also covered Ciara headlining the inaugural U.S. TikTok Awards.

    Echotitbits take: If this tour talk becomes real, watch for routing announcements, promoter partners, and whether she leans on TikTok-native campaigns as the marketing backbone.

    Source: People — Dec 22, 2025 — https://people.com/ciara-says-shes-manifesting-a-new-tour-for-2026-exclusive-11873867

  • SZA blasts the White House over song use in pro-ICE clip, calls it ‘evil’ and ‘boring’

    SZA blasts the White House over song use in pro-ICE clip, calls it ‘evil’ and ‘boring’

    Photo credit: Variety (Instagram post referencing Variety coverage)

    According to Variety, SZA criticised the White House after her song was used in a pro-ICE social media post, describing the tactic as ‘evil’ and ‘boring’.

    The backlash spread quickly across entertainment media as artists and fans debated consent, political messaging, and the ethics of repurposing pop culture for government content.

    The story gained extra heat as outlets tracked the reaction cycle, including follow-up statements and broader comparisons to earlier music-use controversies.

    • Rolling Stone (website): “…calling their post ‘evil and boring.’”
    • Billboard (website): “White House Responds to SZA…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is bigger than one clip—it’s a collision between culture and messaging power. When artists push back, the next phase is usually legal and commercial: clearer licensing terms, faster takedown demands, and public positioning by brands that partner with artists. Watch for whether more musicians join in, and whether platforms tighten rules on how official accounts use copyrighted music.

    Source: Rolling Stone Australia— 2025-12-10 — https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sza-blasts-white-house-snl-song-ad-88609/

    2025-12-10

  • TikTok Crowns KATSEYE Its Global Artist of 2025 as Year-End Music Rankings Drop

    TikTok Crowns KATSEYE Its Global Artist of 2025 as Year-End Music Rankings Drop

    Photo credit: TikTok Newsroom (recap page)
    2025-12-09 09:00:00

    According to Billboard, KATSEYE has been named TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year for 2025, putting the group at the center of the platform’s year-end music conversation.

    The recognition comes as TikTok’s recap highlighted how viral moments increasingly correlate with broader chart and streaming performance, especially for emerging acts.

    TikTok’s Newsroom recap stated: “KATSEYE is TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year.”

    Forbes also reported the headline, noting: “Katseye is TikTok’s Top Artist of 2025…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: TikTok’s year-end lists are becoming a marketing instrument—almost like an award slate. Watch for how KATSEYE capitalizes next (tour dates, brand partnerships, major collaborations) and which artists try to replicate that TikTok-to-mainstream pipeline in 2026.

    Source: Billboard — Dec 09, 2025 — https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tiktok-katseye-global-artist-2025-1236132159/