Jin Says He'd Love to Collab With Bruno Mars in Puppy Interview
Jin sat down with a group of playful puppies for a new interview released Monday (June 10), in which the BTS vocalist opened up about his new solo album Echo, his dream collaboration, and what fans can expect from his first-ever solo tour.
In a new episode of BuzzFeed's The Puppy Interview, BTS' Jin answered fan questions while playing with a group of adorable pups, offering insight into his solo career, musical influences and tour ambitions.
More from Billboard
DJ Akademiks Denies Taking Payola From Drake During Kendrick Battle
Raekwon and Ghostface Killah Release Trailer for 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' Documentary
SEVENTEEN Have a Good Time Being a 'Bad Influence' in Futuristic Video For Pharrell-Produced Single
'I've only met him in passing, but I'd love to collab with Bruno Mars one day. It'd be a lot of fun, I'm a huge fan of him,' Jin said, adding, 'I often practised my vocals by singing 'Just The Way You Are' before debut, it's one of my favourite songs.'
On May 16, the K-pop star unveiled the project featuring seven tracks: 'Don't Say You Love Me,' 'Nothing Without Your Love,' 'Loser' featuring YENA, 'Rope It,' 'With the Clouds,' 'Background' and 'To Me, Today.' JIN first announced the mini-album about a month before its release, with a statement describing Echo as offering the musician's 'perspective on universal life experiences, capturing everyday emotions with warmth and sincerity.'
The new EP arrived about a year after JIN became the first member of BTS to be discharged from the South Korean militaryEcho follows the November release of Jin's debut solo EP Happy, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200. The project featured single 'Running Wild,' which marked Jin's second Billboard Hot 100 entry separate from his mega-famous boy band, following 2022's 'The Astronaut'; the two tracks reached Nos. 53 and 51 on the chart, respectively.
'Built on dynamic band sounds, the album showcases his versatile vocals across a spectrum of moods and styles,' the description continued at the time. 'It reflects a deeper layer of vocal maturity and personal storytelling that underscores Jin's evolving artistry.'
Watch Jin's full BuzzFeed Puppy Interview here.
Best of Billboard
Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1
Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits
H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘United We Rise': Fuerza Regida, Maná, Becky G & More Latin Artists Take a Stand Against Trump's Immigration Crackdowns
The L.A. raids coupled by the Trump administration's immigration policies have sent shockwaves through the Latin music world and beyond, bringing cultural and political tensions to the forefront. More from Billboard Natti Natasha Reveals She's Pregnant with Second Baby in Adorable Video Inside Manuel Turizo's 201 World Tour: 'We're Going to Create Chaos' Pitbull Responds to Viral Trend of Fans Dressing Up as Him at U.K. Shows: 'Priceless' From abrupt visa issues disrupting major touring schedules from Mexican stars like Julión Álvarez and Grupo Firme, to Donald Trump's deployment of 2,000 California National Guard to quell protests, the stakes are higher than ever. Regional Mexican and Latin artists, many of whom are and come from immigrant families, are using their platforms to speak out against these injustices and stand in solidarity with affected communities. In the face of increased ICE raids, revoked visas, and inflammatory rhetoric, stars like Ivan Cornejo, Fuerza Regida, Chiquis and more are delivering hope and empowerment. 'The people being attacked today are not 'illegal aliens', they are human beings with RIGHTS,' wrote Becky G on Instagram. 'We must understand that an attack on them is an attack on OUR DEMOCRACY and an attack on what this country was made to stand for.' 'It no longer feels like the country of hope they told us so much about,' added DannyLux. Their activism doesn't stop at words. Many have donated to community organizations and shared resources, such as Cornejo with (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights); and Peso Pluma and his manager George Prajin's labels Double P Records and Prajin Parlay, who shared links to immigrant rights organizations: (Immigrant Legal Recourse Center), (National Immigration Law Center), and more. 'The peaceful and non violent fight for justice, dignity, and humanity for our immigrant community is one we are proud to be part of,' the two aforementioned labels wrote. The growing wave of Latin artists using their platforms to push back against Trump's immigration policies also includes Maná, Don Omar, Pepe Aguilar. Check out how they're speaking out with messages of resilience to inspire Becky G, activism is personal. As the proud granddaughter of immigrants, the singer took to Instagram to share an emotionally charged post emphasizing the humanity of immigrant communities and the importance of treating them with dignity and respect. 'The people being attacked today are not 'illegal aliens', they are human beings with RIGHTS,' she wrote on Instagram. 'We must understand that an attack on them is an attack on OUR DEMOCRACY and an attack on what this country was made to stand for.' She continued, 'We want safety and protection for our immigrant community — in a country where the right to protest, peacefully, has consistently changed the course of history. Our hearts are broken but our spirit & will to fight back is not!' The Inglewood native also revealed she has been 'donating, speaking with organizers, and gathering reliable, immediate resources and information' with those affected by ICE raids and Rivera has voiced her solidarity with immigrants in the U.S., offering words of caution and support. In an interview shared on the program Sale el Sol from Imagen Televisión on Tuesday (June 10), the singer warned, 'There is going to be ICE everywhere. So if you don't have papers, I suggest you stay home.' She continued, 'Do your best not to go out for the next 30 days if you don't have to…think about what might happen tomorrow.''My dad came to this country illegally at 17 years old with the dream that his children would have a better future… like many of our parents,' wrote DannyLux on an Instagram post. He lamented the harassment of Latin communities, especially in L.A., while reflecting on the struggles of immigrant families. 'It hurts me so much to see everything that's happening in Los Angeles and throughout the Nation. It no longer feels like the country of hope they told us so much about,' the Mexican-American artist continued, highlighting the disconnect between the idealized image of the U.S. and the harsh realities immigrant communities are currently facing. The artist recognized the protests as 'a cry from a community tired of being ignored and criminalized just for seeking that dignified life!'Don Omar shared a heartfelt message on an Instagram video, celebrating the resilience and hope that define the immigrant experience in the U.S. 'There is something very beautiful about being an immigrant, and that very beautiful thing about being an immigrant is the desire to improve oneself,' the reggaetón icon said. 'It is time for all of us migrants and immigrants to come together, we must see ourselves as one people,' said the Puerto Rican artist, urging them to view themselves as one unified pueblo. See the clip below. // Regida, alongside their label Street Mob Records, sent a message of solidarity via social media to their fanbase amid the current immigration crackdown. 'We're sending love and strength to our Latino communities during this difficult time,' they wrote. 'These are our people, our fans, the very communities that inspire our music. We see your strength and resilience.' The band further expressed their commitment to action, revealing plans to support those directly impacted by these events. 'Stay safe, stay strong, and remember, juntos podemos lograr todo,' they for their cross-border appeal and cultural pride, Grupo Frontera is clear in their resolve: they will not stop fighting for their people. In an Instagram story, the border band showed their solidarity for immigrant communities facing hardship and discrimination across the U.S. 'We're watching everything that's happening in Los Angeles, Texas, and across the country, and we want you to know that you're not alone,' they wrote. 'As immigrants, we understand the pain, uncertainty, and fear that many are experiencing. It hurts to see our people go through this, and that's why we want to speak out.' 'Now more than ever, it's time to come together, to look out for one another, and to keep moving towards dignity and hope. We continue to show our solidarity with our community, because your well-being is what matters most to us,' they Cornejo shared a message reflecting his personal connection to the struggles faced by immigrants today. 'America was built on the backs of immigrants like my father, and now we're being targeted, undermining America's core values,' the Mexican-American artist wrote in a statement. The singer, whose father was granted amnesty in 1986 under then-President Ronald Reagan, spoke of the cultural and economic contributions immigrants have always made to the country, while expressing sorrow over the current political climate. He emphasized his commitment to using his art as a form of solidarity and launched efforts to raise funds for immigrant advocacy organizations such as Humilde, the founder of Rancho Humilde, shared a poetic message that celebrates unity and resilience within the Mexican-American community. 'United we rise. Together we stand, hand in hand, Mexican and American, united we band,' the poem begins. His message reminds us that, even in times of political and social pressure, the strength of community and shared heritage can inspire hope and collective action. Read his full message below.'People like you, the only thing you have done is to work and work, and make this country great,' Fher Olvera, frontman of the legendary Mexican rock band Maná, hold his immigrant following in an Instagram video, acknowledging the countless contributions of Latinos to the U.S. 'Don't give these foos any excuses to take advantage of you or call you criminals and thugs. Protest peacefully so you don't give these guys any reason to blame you. […] That's how you'll win.' The Guadalajara singer-songwriter urged his audience to reject violence and protest peacefully, particularly those facing hardships in L.A. Olvera, alongside Maná, have long been defenders of immigrants in the United States, often fostering solidarity during performances and beyond. // iconic Mexican artist shared his perspective on the realities facing immigrant communities during these challenging times, emphasizing unity and dignity as tools for overcoming adversity. 'One has to keep going and keep working, doing one's best to keep doing things with the utmost dignity and pride,' he expressed in a heartfelt video. Pepe Aguilar underscored the importance of remaining united, as he believes collective strength can help 'reverse any situation.' In line with his values, Aguilar offered a sneak peek at an unreleased song that captures the perspective of the immigrant experience. '[It is] a peaceful resistance with art, with memory, with culture, with tradition,' he said. 'It has to do with traditions, with Mexico, not forgetting where we come from and who we are.' // Pluma is taking action to support immigrant communities during a time of distress and fear. He shared a statement from Double P Records and Prajin Parlay on his Instagram story, providing information from organizations that help immigrants navigate these times of uncertainty (see links in the introduction). 'We are deeply heartbroken over what is happening in Los Angeles and all across the country. This country was built by our ancestors, hard working immigrants who came to this country to build a better life for us,' says the statement. 'As children of immigrants and immigrants ourselves, we know this struggle personally. We know the strength it takes to build a life, to sacrifice everything for a better future, and to keep moving forward even when the odds are stacked against you.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Meet the Drag Performers Teaching Everyone How to Fight Back Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Threats in 2025
On a chilly evening at the start of March, drag king Blaq Dinamyte found himself looking out at a crowd of young activists eager to make change. He was certainly proud of the turnout — as the president and co-founder of drag activism group Qommittee, Dinamyte had organized that evening's march on the Kennedy Center weeks after President Donald Trump replaced 18 board members of the arts organization with MAGA loyalists, was appointed chairman by those new members and vowed to end any and all drag shows or 'other anti-American propoganda' featured by the center. More from Billboard The 100 Greatest LGBTQ+ Anthems of All Time You Can Shop Addison Rae's 2000s-Inspired Look From Her 'Times Like These' Music Video Now with Free People Mariah Carey Celebrates Pride Month in Style With Rainbow Merch Available on Amazon But the D.C. drag performer also couldn't help but think about his fellow protester's safety. What would the consequences of protesting outside the center look like for them? 'There were a lot of young faces protesting for the first time, and a lot of things that they didn't realize could happen,' he tells Billboard. 'We really wanted people to understand what it is they are risking, what could actually happen to them, and how to counter that effectively.' Three months later, Dinamyte and his colleagues at Qommittee have created exactly the kind of guidance he wanted to provide those protestors. The organization published the Drag Defense Handbook in May, a 43-page guide for drag performers around the country dedicated to providing tools on how to respond when met with threats, harassment and violations of their personal freedoms. 'We want to address all of these elements that you can't really think of when you are literally in the middle of it,' Dinamyte says. 'We want everyone to have a plan ahead of time before all of this happens.' Separated into seven sections — including 'crisis response,' 'threats of violence and harassment' and 'protections against defamation' — the handbook offers step-by-step guides for what performers can do when dealing with different, unwelcome scenarios. Each of those sections were created, Dinamyte says, with the help of drag performers who have experienced firsthand what the latest wave of right-wing backlash looks like. 'I am in such support of this handbook,' says Miss Cali Je, an Idaho-based drag performer who volunteers with Qommittee. 'It has a lot of vital information that I was grasping for two years ago that I did not have available.' Je serves the Idaho-based non-profit Reading Time with the Queens, where she and her fellow board members perform a 45-minute drag storytelling events for kids and families at a local library. But in February 2023, a group of Christian churches and anti-LGBTQ+ groups began opposing the event, staging sit-in protests at the public library where the event was held, harassing the performers online and claiming that the event was putting the children attending in danger. 'It's ironic when a lot of that hate is coming from a group of people who seemingly are there to 'protect the children,' when in actuality, at the time that they were protesting the loudest by taking up all of the space in our room at the library, they were scaring children that were there,' Je recalls. 'I didn't want that to happen anymore.' Je kept the performances going, even with protestors taking up space in the room with her. But when city officials refused to provide the resources necessary to make the reading event safer for everyone involved, the performer decided — with the help of a number of community members — to move the event to a local synagogue. 'What it boils down to is not giving your oppressors what they want. They want you to not exist, and that can look as simple as you just not holding your program anymore,' Je offers, matter-of-factly. 'Sometimes the solution that is easiest and is the most safe is to not hold that program, which I get. But I think all of us had a feeling that it was just like … everything was fine until a Christian-nationalist hate group decided to rain on our parade. The idea of backing down and not being ourselves, of bending to their will and their understanding of where queer people are allowed to be and not to be, was out of the question.' That experience helped inform a section of the handbook, which instructs performers to put in the work building a community around them that, if and when the time comes, can offer support where necessary. The guide asks performers to not only establish those connections, but to create action plans with those community members by creating 'clear roles and communication protocols,' while also training those community members about de-escalation techniques. Yet some of the most pervasive threats for LGBTQ+ performers don't come in-person — they're instead issued online, via social media accounts mounting hate campaigns that result in persistent threats of violence and death. It's a tactic that Los Angeles-based drag king Jack King Goff knows all too well. 'I wouldn't even recommend having a personal social media page at this point,' they say. Back in 2024, Goff was starting his fourth year as a public school teacher in Washington state. Their co-workers and bosses all knew that they were a drag performer on the side, but they kept that information from students and parents, feeling that it wasn't important information for them to know. But, when a student discovered a years-old tagged photo on Goff's out-of-drag Instagram page, they created a fake account and started a cyberbullying campaign against him. 'That's the fun thing kids do now,' Goff says. 'They make anonymous Instagram pages, and then they will take photos and videos of people without their consent and write terrible stuff about them.' Before long, the campaign caught the attention of far-right activist group Moms for Liberty as well as a number of conservative influencers, who began petitioning for Goff to be fired from his job. In the process, he was also inundated with anonymous threats on his life, some of which required the intervention of the FBI. Goff ultimately decided to leave his job and his home, moving down to L.A. to try and start over. Today, Goff recognizes that the situation could have been much worse than it already was, thanks to the fact that they and their partner were already paying for a data removal service to scrub as much of their personal information from the web. 'Who knows if people would have shown up to my apartment if they found my address online, or if they called me or something,' they say. 'Cybersecurity is super important, but unfortunately, I think this country is absolutely terrible at it.' After working with Qommittee to help navigate their hate campaign, Goff consulted on the handbook, reading over the guide's lengthy section on online harassment and digital security and offering feedback. The section advises performers to keep their personal and professional accounts entirely separate, reminds performers to always document any threats issued against them, and to drive their community members to report and block all hate accounts involved. Goff adds that, with recent news of the the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) being granted greater access to Americans personal information — as well as the Trump administration's recent expansion of data technology firm Palantir's access to federal programs — cybersecurity ought to be the first step queer people everywhere take to protecting themselves. 'With DOGE taking all of this data and giving it to Palantir, and now having more biodata being stored, we have to be really careful,' he says. Dinamyte agrees, pointing out that because younger drag performers rely heavily on platforms like TikTok and Instagram to gain a following, cyberbullying has become one of the most common forms of anti-LGBTQ+ threats in recent years. 'They're going to be reluctant to lock that down, to make that non-visible,' he explains. 'So, being able to show them, 'Hey, here's some things you should think about when you're online,' feels like it's having the biggest impact on the community.' While attacks on the LGBTQ+ community have been steadily rising over the last few years — whether in the form of coordinated legislative attacks, online threats or actual instances of physical harm — a recent report from GLAAD revealed that, in 2025, attacks on and threats against drag performers dropped by 55%. Some attribute this sharp decline to the numerous court rulings that have affirmed drag performers' First Amendment rights to perform in public, without restriction. But Je cautions against thinking that the courts alone will solve the problem, pointing to the federal appeals court that overturned a previous decision allowing a drag performance in Naples, Fla. to take place outdoors. 'This is why I have so much trouble really trusting anything coming out of the courts,' Je says with a sigh. 'If there's this much disagreement about what a First Amendment right is, then something is inherently flawed.' Goff also points out that the 55% drop in threats may account for the fact that many venues and organizations have pulled back on hiring drag artists in 2025. 'Just with Trump being back in office, I've watched shows that I've been booked for being cancelled, shows that have been going on for years and years,' they say, as Dinamyte joins them in agreement. 'The political implications of having a drag performer come to your event have fundementally changed.' That's why Dinamyte hopes drag performers — and everyone else in the queer and trans community, for that matter — adopts the strategies within the Drag Defense Handbook to better prepare themselves for the scary new reality we're living in. 'Violence happening to a minority group is not specific to drag. There is nothing 'new' in this handbook,' he says. 'So, I really hope other groups take the information in here and help protect their communities with it.'Best of Billboard Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train Will Bring Their Holiday Hits to iHeart Christmas Concert Fox Plans NFT Debut With $20 'Masked Singer' Collectibles 14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Here's What People Are Getting Wrong About The Diddy Trial According To A Domestic Violence Expert
Warning: Discussion of sexual abuse. If you've seen anything about the ongoing Sean "Diddy" Combs federal trial, then there's a chance that you've seen some social media takes that aren' Prosecutors allege that the music mogul attempted to "engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice." He is facing five criminal counts and has denied all allegations. As with any high-profile case of alleged sexual misconduct, people can be quick to misunderstand the dynamics of that can potentially underpin an abusive relationship. So, BuzzFeed spoke to Dr. Shanita Brown, a licensed counselor and teaching assistant professor at East Carolina University who primarily works in the field of intimate partner violence. Related: Here Are 16 Actors Who Saved Their Skin By Turning Down Roles In Movies That People Notoriously Hated One of the main things Shanita has seen in discourse surrounding the trial is a false idea of what consent is — namely, that "previous consent in sexual activity implies ongoing consent." She explained, "That's just simply not true. And so it's important for people to understand that consent is required at every interaction. Asking questions, such as, 'May I proceed? Are you comfortable with this? Do you want to keep going? Would you rather stop?'" Another misconception is that if things were really that bad, then the romantic partner would have just left. The reality is very different. As Shanita put it, "It takes seven attempts for a survivor to successfully leave, and that's due mainly to trauma bonding. This idea that we have this attachment to someone who has caused you harm, it's similar to a drug. Think about the brain, the love bombing, the up and down, they're nice one time, then they're harmful to you — and so the brain is confused. We can't dismiss that. People like Cassie, they love their boyfriend, they love their partners, and they want it to work out." "It truly is a cycle. There's a period of hope, and there's this period of abuse and affection, and then there's disappointment, and so that kind of reinforces that attachment to stay in that cycle," she added. Shanita has subsequently had conversations with people who will point out that Cassie was a participant herself in the "freak-offs" and "could have just left." To that, Shanita says, "I've had conversations in hair salons with friends and groups, helping them understand that she was coerced. She was afraid for her life. People don't understand that." Related: 18 Celebrities Who Called Out Other Celebs On Social Media For Bad, Problematic, Or Just Plain Mean Behavior "Yet they are making jokes about [lubricant] Astroglide. They're making tons of jokes," she continued. "I'm encouraging my clients, who are survivors and currently in the relationship, to pull back off of social media and the media, and to watch those conversations that they're having with family and friends, and be mindful." As for how coverage of the trial has impacted survivors, especially Black women, Shanita said, "It's revisited PTSD for survivors who are currently in a DV relationship or have experienced sexual assault. It's bringing up a lot of flashbacks, so I'm checking in with my clients to see how they're doing regarding self-care, making sure they are honoring their boundaries and protecting their mental health. It can bring up a lot of flashbacks about the system, how it treats Black women survivors, how they are impacted, how they're not believed. The legal ramifications of survivors, Black survivors, who speak up is really important, too." Of course, the trial has yet to be concluded, and so it's hard to draw conclusions as to whether this will be a net positive for survivors. At the same time, Shanita hopes people can look to Cassie and say, "It's about sharing her story and getting free, right? It's about freedom. It's about empowerment, and she gets to do this in her own way." She further reminded people that physical abuse, such as in the video of Diddy appearing to attack Cassie in a lobby, is not the only "valid" form of abuse. "The non-physical forms of violence are just as damaging and just as valid as physical assault," she continued. "I've had conversations with people who ask, 'Is he hitting her?' Why would you ask that question? Does it matter? Abuse is abuse." Shanita has further seen assumptions that survivors choosing to wait a while before reporting their experience impacts how credible they are. She cited "Mia," Diddy's former assistant, who said she didn't come forward sooner because she was "terrified and brainwashed." Shanita explained, "Due to fear, due to shame, due to trauma, there are many reasons why survivors will wait. Just because they didn't report immediately doesn't mean that it didn't happen." One thing that Shanita thinks is largely absent from the conversation is the men who have accused Diddy of rape and sexual assault. She said, "It's important that we acknowledge and validate all survivors of sexual assault, regardless of their gender. Let's not forget about them. There's a myth that male victims are not credible, and that's just not true. Men can be sexually assaulted. Let's make sure we lift them up and honor their experience as well." Well said, Shanita. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here. Also in Celebrity: 17 Actors Who Said "No" To Nudity And Sex Scenes Out Of Respect For Their Partners, Families, Religion, And More Also in Celebrity: Chrissy Teigen Posted The Results Of Her Hairline Lowering Surgery, And Ouch Also in Celebrity: Here's Why People Are Raising Their Eyebrows Over Chris Pratt's Post About The Fatal Shooting Of His 'Parks And Recreation' Costar Jonathan Joss
