Latest news with #YourWay'sBetter
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rod Wave Arrested on Assault & Gun Charges in Georgia, Secures Release on Bond
Rod Wave (born Rodarius Green) was arrested on Tuesday (May 20) in Georgia and booked into Fulton County Jail on aggravated assault and possession of a firearm charges. According to jail records viewed by Billboard, he was hit with 12 additional charges including aiming a pistol at another person, reckless conduct, criminal damage to property, obstruction of law enforcement, evidence tampering, conspiracy to commit a felony and simple assault. More from Billboard Joe Jonas Sets the Record Straight on Whether He Inspired Aly & AJ's 'Potential Breakup Song' Connie Francis Says 'Pretty Little Baby' Going Viral 'Gives Me a New Lease on Life' Forrest Frank on the 'Invisible Market' That Turned 'Your Way's Better' Into a Hot 100 Hit There aren't many details, but records show that the singer's arrest was tied to an alleged April 21 altercation. He posted a $50,000 bond on the same day of his arrest and secured his release. 'There is no truth to these charges,' Green's attorney Drew Findling tells Billboard. 'Rod Green was a victim of a burglary and committed no crimes. How he was even charged as a result of this situation is incomprehensible. This will absolutely be resolved favorably to Mr. Green.' Billboard has reached out to reps for Rod Wave and the Milton Police Department for comment. On the music side, Green has released a pair of singles in 2025 with 'Westside Connection' and 'Sinners,' the latter of which was included on the Sinners soundtrack and played in the final credits scene of the Ryan Coogler-directed blockbuster. Rod Wave's most recent album, Last Lap, arrived in October 2024 and reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The project featured assists from Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Rylo Rodriguez and more. Green was previously arrested on gun charges in April 2024. He was charged with illegal possession of a weapon or ammo in Manatee County, Fla., as police tried to tie him to a gang-related shooting at a sports bar in St. Petersburg. According to local NBC affiliate WFLA, he was later released as he had been 'detained based on inaccurate information.' The musician was also arrested in May 2022 on a felony charge of battery by strangulation, which was dropped later that month. 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
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Forrest Frank on the ‘Invisible Market' That Turned ‘Your Way's Better' Into a Hot 100 Hit
Three years after initially earning a top 20 pop hit on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 as part of the duo Surfaces, singer-songwriter Forrest Frank began to compile contemporary Christian music hits. He's become one of the genre's fastest-rising artists, melding elements of pop, hip-hop and gospel on songs such as 'No Longer Bound,' a collaboration with Hulvey, which cracked the top 20 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. But it's the ebullient, summer-ready 'Your Way's Better' that becomes Frank's first solo Hot 100 entry — the hit has reached a No. 61 high on the chart and crowns Hot Christian Songs for the first time this week (charts dated May 24). Meanwhile, his recent team-up with country artist Thomas Rhett, 'Nothing Else,' resides at No. 4 on the same chart. Frank originally released the pop-inflected 'Your Way's Better' in October 2024, but the song's success was spurred by TikTok momentum earlier this year, thanks to a viral TikTok dance that both resonated with fans — and took Frank, then on a social media hiatus, by surprise. More from Billboard Christian Music Is Surging on Billboard's Charts, Thanks to These Two Artists Lady Gaga Wins 2025 Sports Emmy for 'Hold My Hand' Pre-Super Bowl Tribute to Disaster Victims A$AP Rocky Teases New Song at Cannes During 'Highest 2 Lowest' Premiere In the past year, Frank has released music at a dizzying speed, stoking fervor in the industry and his growing fan base. His July 2024 album, Child of God, was nominated for a Grammy for best contemporary Christian music album and nominated for top Christian album at the Billboard Music Awards. By that November, he returned with a deluxe version of the album; on May 9, he released its follow-up, Child of God II. The two installments currently hold Nos. 1 and 2 on Top Christian Albums, with his more recent project leading the chart. 'That's kind of a theme for me in my career,' Frank tells Billboard, calling while on the road during the second part of his sold-out Child of God tour. 'I love pushing the boundaries, and I feel like my career is busting myths.' Below, Frank talks about 'Your Way's Better,' Child of God II and Christian music's current Hot 100 surge. How did 'Your Way's Better' come about? I was having a hard day and had gone for a drive. I remember pulling into my neighborhood and that chorus came spilling out. It was just a prayer that ended up having a melody with it. I recorded a voice memo of it on my phone and didn't do anything with it for a few months. Then, backstage at [Frank's 2024 Child of God tour], I pulled out my laptop and produced the beat for it. Then, my producer friend PERA came out to a session and we were jamming on this song and I said, 'What if you play something kind of somber?' He starts playing it, and I freestyled the melody [and] some of the words that ended up on the track. You released 'Your Way's Better' last October, but a dance that went viral on TikTok and social media helped boost it. How did that happen? It was my 12th- or 13th-highest streaming song at a daily rate — it was not making a big splash. There's a couple, David Myers and Bridgette [Nicole], and they post a new dance almost every day to different songs, and it was one they did [in February]. What's interesting is that I was taking a social media break — I had posted maybe three times in a four-month period. At first, I didn't really engage with it, but then I saw a significant jump in my streams. I'm seeing these kids doing the dance, and it's kind of like this vacation Bible school type thing, [learning] the dance to go with the song and do the hand motions and stuff. It is like that energy, but not in an enclosed church space. It just kind of feels like it's across the whole world. You just released your new album, , on May 9, just 10 months after and six months after its deluxe edition. Why did you want to drop another full album so soon? They say you have to upload a song about a month before it comes out to make sure that all the distributing partners have enough time to add it to playlists and can properly program. I remember a year or two ago thinking, 'Is that really the case?' So, I uploaded music closer to the deadline, like 48 hours before a release and it made it on [Spotify playlist] New Music Friday. With Child of God, I had a song with Connor Price called 'Up!' and that splashed and two weeks later, we released 'Good Day,' which became the next biggest one. We kept dropping songs every two weeks because that's the pace I was writing music. Rather than hold back music for months, why not just put everything out there and see what happens? I feel like life is short: My time and moment is finite to a degree, so if I'm excited about these songs and the fans are excited, why would I hold stuff back? There are a lot of crossover efforts between contemporary Christian music and country happening now, such as your collaboration with Thomas Rhett on 'Nothing Else.' Why do you think that's the case? I think including God is pretty common in country music, [but] I've noticed that transition in my heart and the fullness I get to experience in praising God specifically. I think the country space is starting to feel that as well. I could see in the next year or two, a lot of the A-list country artists just making straight-up Christian worship songs. With Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll's 'Hard Fought Hallelujah' also on the Hot 100, what's your take on the surge in Christian music's popularity? I think it's just the people. Yes, it's the artists who are expressing their genuine love for God, but also, it's the consumers that are supporting it and championing it. With my tour, there's this family thing going on: We didn't expect for families to come to the show, but 'Your Way's Better' has become the music for the car ride, the music on the way to school. It was like an invisible market. I knew that there was kind of a starving family market, but here it is. A version of this story appears in the May 17, 2025, issue of Billboard. 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
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Timeline of Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco's Relationship
Fans have a lot of reason to want to see Selena Gomez find love. The singer-actress has been open about her struggles with heartbreak in the past, and her on-off relationship with Justin Bieber, as well as their painful final breakup in 2018, was highly publicized. More from Billboard Turnstile Shares New Video & Songs Featuring Vocals From Dev Hynes & Paramore's Hayley Williams: Listen Sheryl Crow Gives Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo & Phoebe Bridgers Their Flowers: 'Caliber of Writing Is Just So Good' Hot 100 First-Timers: Forrest Frank Makes Solo Debut With Christian Hit 'Your Way's Better' But while 2023 brought several dating rumors relating to Gomez — including Zayn Malik and The Chainsmokers' Drew Taggart — they all ended up being fruitless, with the Rare Beauty founder confirming her single status several times with funny posts on social media. That is, until Benny Blanco came along. The pop producer, who was previously linked to model Elsie Hewitt, proved to be the real deal for Gomez. He started off as one of the 'Lose You to Love Me' singer's collaborators, having also engineered songs for artists such as Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Halsey, Kesha, Britney Spears and, ironically, Bieber. The unexpected couple privately started dating midway through 2023, keeping their relationship out of the spotlight for several months before going public. Since then, the two stars haven't been shy about sharing sweet photos of each other on social media, as well as showing their love through custom accessories. And in addition to pop music, the pair also has a love of cooking in common; Gomez is the host of Max's Selena + Chef series, while Blanco is the author of cookbook Open Wide. See a timeline of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's relationship below, from when they first went public with their love, to their before they became an item, Gomez and Blanco collaborated on the producer's song 'I Can't Get Enough,' which also featured J Balvin and Tainy. In March 2019, the quartet released a music video for the track, complete with flirty shots of the Spring Breakers actress interacting with Blanco in a teddy bear costume. Though it may have just been a cheeky teaser for her then unreleased song 'Single Soon,' Gomez posted a hilarious TikTok announcing her solo status to a team of soccer players. 'I'm single! I'm just a little high maintenance,' she yells in the clip.'Single Soon,' Gomez's first and only release of 2023, arrived in August, and was co-produced by Blanco and Cashmere Cat. Gomez would later reveal in December that she'd been dating Blanco for about six months, meaning they were likely already dating when the song October 2023, Gomez hosted her inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit, which supported youth mental health. And guess who was on the guest list? One Benny Blanco. And though they hadn't yet gone public with their relationship at the time, the pair was already an item at this point. Following rumors of the pair's romance, Gomez confirmed her relationship with Blanco in a series of comments to fans on Instagram. 'He is my absolute everything in my heart,' she commented on a since-deleted Instagram post by a fan account, before replying to other commenters. 'I don't understand. If you actually care about me. This is my happiest. If you don't, feel free to say whatever you want. But I will never allow your words to guide my life. Ever. I'm done. If you can't accept me at my happiest then don't be in [my] life at all.' She also said at the time that she and the producer had already been dating for half a year by that point, telling one fan, 'It's been 6 months bb.' Gomez followed up her comments about her relationship with a few photos of Blanco on her Instagram Story, as well as a snap of a letter 'B' ring — presumably a tribute to her new beau's initials. Gomez shared her first pictures with Blanco on her Instagram feed, including one of the couple posing with a group of friends and one of the producer wrapping her in a romantic after the 'Calm Down' singer confirmed her romance with Blanco, her cover story with Vogue México y Latinoamérica went live. In the interview, she revealed that she prioritizes a 'special connection' with a partner that 'allows for self-respect and holds space for the feelings of others.' 'Honestly, I have to start being attracted to the right kind of people, because it's a bit of both,' she added at the time. 'It's very hard to find someone who can listen to you and care about you, but I know when it happens it will be great and you will want it to be healthy.' Just a couple days after Christmas, the Only Murders in the Building star posted snaps from her date with Blanco at what appeared to be Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, an amusement park-inspired art exhibit in Los Angeles. In addition to a cuddly couple's selfie in front of a many-mirrored structure, Gomez shared a picture of Blanco admiring the same pink-hued construction (see below). Gomez and Blanco rang in 2024 together, based on a picture of the couple the 'Lose You to Love Me' singer shared on her Instagram Story over New Year's weekend. In the snap, the producer sweetly wraps his arms around Gomez and appears to kiss her, while she holds his arm and leans her head into and Blanco kicked off the new year by embarking on their first public outing together, attending a Los Angeles Lakers home game and cuddling up after the 2024 Golden Globes wrapped, Gomez shared a photo on her Instagram Story of her smooching Blanco in what appeared to be a backstage storage room filled with boxes. The singer-actress was still in her crimson Giorgio Armani gown in the snap, while the pop music engineer sported a suit jacket and gold necklaces. And even though Gomez lost for best TV performance by a female actor, musical or comedy, she definitely left feeling like a victor that night. 'I won,' she sweetly captioned her photo with Blanco. Gomez brought Blanco to the 2024 Emmys, where her show with co-stars Martin Short and Steve Martin Only Murders in the Building was nominated for best comedy series. (The award ended up going to FX's hit project The Bear.) In one clip from the night, the producer blew a kiss to Gomez before parting ways with the actress so that she could take on the red carpet solo. Afterward, Blanco joined the 'Love On' singer in taking their seats inside Los Angeles' Peacock Theater next to Short and Martin. Gomez commemorated V-Day by sharing a selfie on Instagram Stories of her and Blanco flashing peace signs for the camera. 'I love you,' she captioned the post, simply but powerfully. In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1, Gomez opened up about the security Blanco gives her. 'Without getting into too much detail, I think it's just really important to meet someone that respects you,' she told the radio host. 'And I think it's really nice to also lean on someone who understands the world that I live in.' 'I'd have to say overall, it's the safest that I feel and it's been really lovely,' she added. 'I've only grown through it, so it's awesome.' In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Blanco revealed that he first realized he had feelings for Gomez while the pair were in a recording session together. 'I was the last one to know,' he noted. 'It's crazy how your partner could just be sitting there the whole time, right in front of your eyes, and you don't even notice, and then you have that Clueless moment where you're like, 'Wait, I'm in love.'' The producer also told the publication that he and the singer, who share a passion for cooking, often work together in the kitchen. At one point, they collaborated on a steakhouse dinner for their families, with Gomez's corn casserole and his own corn bread with honey butter stealing the show. During an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Blanco was forthright about his longterm plans with Gomez: having kids, which he hinted at wanting sooner rather than later. 'That's my next goal, to check the box,' the hitmaker said of becoming a father. 'It's always a topic of conversation to me every day.' As for proposing, Blanco said of Gomez, 'I take everything a day at a time and I just know that when I look at her, I just say, 'I don't know a world where it could be better than this.' That's what I always say to her.' Gomez said in her May TIME100 cover story that she's also all aboard the parenthood train. Of Blanco's remarks on Stern's show, she joked, 'He can't lie to save his life … If he's asked a question, he'll answer it.' The star went on to reveal that even if she hadn't started dating Blanco, she would've had kids on her own anyway. 'I was alone for five years, and I got really used to it,' she told the publication. 'I probably tortured myself in my head for like two years being alone, and then I kind of accepted it. Then I came up with my plan, which was I was going to adopt at 35 if I had not met anyone.' In an adorable TikTok, Gomez and Blanco revealed details about their respective roles in the relationship, including who said 'I love you' first. (Spoiler: it was Gomez.) On her 32nd birthday, Gomez celebrated by the beach with Blanco and some friends and showed off her letter 'B' charm necklace on social media. Plus, the producer made a sappy post reflecting on one of their first collaborations: 'I Can't Get Enough' with Tainy and J Balvin, for which he dressed as a white teddy bear. 'i used to play a teddy bear in ur music video and now i get to b urs in real life… happy bday bb ! i love u !' he wrote. Later that day, Gomez posted a photo of him kissing her forehead on her Story and wrote, 'Love of my life.' In her Vanity Fair cover story published Sept. 9, Gomez gushed about her boyfriend and her excitement to start a family someday while revealing that she won't be able to experience pregnancy due to medical issues. 'I haven't ever said this,' she told the publication. 'But I unfortunately can't carry my own children. I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby's in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.' 'I've never been loved this way,' she added of Blanco, noting that she's open to starting her family via surrogacy or adoption. 'He's just been a light. A complete light in my life. He's my best friend. I love telling him everything.' Pop the champagne! Gomez announced in an Instagram post that she and her producer beau are engaged. 'forever begins now..' she captioned her carousel of photos, which began with a closeup snap of her ring. Commented Blanco on the post, 'hey wait… that's my wife'On their second Valentine's Day as a couple — and their first as fiancés — Gomez and Blanco unveiled plans to release a joint album titled I Said I Love You First. That day, the couple also dropped the project's lead single, 'Scared of Loving You.' 'I always trick you guys,' Gomez wrote on Instagram when announcing the 14-track record. 'My NEW album I Said I Love You First with my best friend @itsbennyblanco, is out on 3/21 … We can't wait to share this special project with you soon!'While attending the 2025 Oscars after Emilia Pérez — in which she starred alongside Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón — scooped 13 nominations, Gomez had her favorite plus-one at her side. While appearing on Hot Ones together, Blanco revealed that his partner had introduced him to the music of someone very important to her: Taylor Swift. 'Before we started dating, like obviously, I was aware of Taylor Swift's music,' he said on the show while powering through bites of spicy hot wings. 'But I wasn't, like, a true Swiftie until I was with [Selena]. And now I'll be like, 'Put that song on. How's that one go again?' And we're in the car, and I'm like, 'Wow I'm just singing Taylor Swift songs from 10 years ago and I feel free.'' 'They're timeless, what can I say?' Gomez added of her bestie's songs. A little over a month after announcing the project, Blanco and Gomez unveiled their first collaborative album, I Said I Love You First. The project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and sold 120,000 units in its first week. 'It just felt like it was a little taste of what we are and how we made this together, and how much we loved it and how much we love each other,' Gomez described the project in an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe. 'And it just felt like it was meant to be.' In an adorable Instagram video, Blanco showed off the sweet way he gave Gomez the prom experience after learning she never attended the dance when she was a teenager. Inviting her to get all dressed up as he donned a tuxedo, the couple took cheesy photos together at the mall. Shortly prior, Blanco revealed on The Jennifer Hudson Show, 'Selena had never been to a prom before, so I thought I'd throw us a prom for my birthday.' While guesting on Table Manners With Jessie and Lennie Ware, Blanco and Gomez recalled the story of their first kiss — which, due to the way her skin reacted in the moment, left the latter 'a little embarrassed.' 'Her heart started beating quickly, she started getting a rash on her face, and she was so nervous,' Blanco added, while his partner explained, 'When you feel something behind the kiss, it's completely different.' 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
