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R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Rjtheweirdo, Sekou, Lazer Dim 700, Marlon Craft & More

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It’s been a characteristically hectic week for the hip-hop world.

Last Thursday (April 2), Pooh Shiesty previewed the weekend with a shocking legal altercation barely six months after his release from federal prison. The Memphis rapper was one of eight men arrested on kidnapping and robbery charges tied to a physical altercation regarding his recording contract with Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records.

Ye quickly stole the weekend’s headlines from Pooh, thanks to his new Bully album, which opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 behind BTS’s Arirang, and its accompanying pair of SoFi Stadium shows in Los Angeles. At the final show (April 3), the controversial rapper brought out Ms. Lauryn Hill, Travis Scott, Zion Marley, YG Marley, CeeLo Green and André Troutman as special guests.

Despite packing one of the world’s flashiest stadiums and breaking the six-figure mark with Bully’s opening week total, Ye’s past antisemitic, antiblack and sexually violent controversies continue to muddy his comeback efforts. On Monday morning (April 6), flagship alcohol brand parent company Diageo and energy drinks company Rockstar Energy joined the growing list of sponsors severing ties with London’s Wireless Festival, which booked Ye as a headliner for all three nights (July 10-12). PepsiCo was the first sponsor to withdraw from Wireless, with PayPal also distancing itself from the Finsbury Park-set festival. As the summer approaches, all eyes will be on Wireless and Ye to see if the two parties can actually pull off this festival takeover.

Outside of the high-stakes headlines, we also got new albums from Arlo Parks (Ambiguous Desire), Swae Lee (Same Difference) and Earl Sweatshirt, Mike & Surf Gang (Pompeii // Utility).

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from a disco-infused Sekou to a new Lazer Dim 700 banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

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Asha Bhosle, One of India’s Most Versatile Bollywood Singers, Dies at 92

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Asha Bhosle, one of India’s most versatile Bollywood singers whose performances shaped the country’s musical memory and modern cinema, has died. She was 92.

The legendary singer across genres died Sunday (April 12) of multiple organ failure at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, Pratit Samdani, a physician at the hospital said. Her son, Anand Bhosle, told reporters that her last rites will be performed on Monday.

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Asha was admitted at the hospital on late Saturday with a chest infection and exhaustion, her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle said in a social media post.

Asha’s timeless voice resonated across a film-obsessed India for nearly eight decades, recorded on about 12,000 songs. She boldly embraced cabaret and Western-influenced melodies to forge a distinct musical identity that stood uniquely apart from her sister, Lata Mangeshkar, herself a legendary voice revered as the “Melody Queen.”

Asha’s death was widely condoled.

“I am deeply saddened” by her passing, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a social media post.

“Her unique musical journey spanning decades has enriched our cultural heritage and touched the hearts of countless people around the world,” Modi said. “From soulful melodies to spirited compositions, her voice carried a timeless brilliance.”

Born on Sept. 8, 1933, Asha Bhosle was initiated into music by her father Dinanath Mangeshkar, who was also a trained singer. All her four siblings became accomplished singers and musicians.

Asha’s first marriage, in 1949, ended in separation in 1960. Her second marriage was to iconic music composer R.D. Burman in 1980. She is survived by a son and grandchildren.


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BINI Previews ‘Big Responsibility’ of Its Coachella 2026 Set & Breaks Down New EP ‘Signals’

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If anyone needed another signal that BINI is about to break out big time, Coachella 2026 is your sign.

Just after releasing new EP Signals and music video for the single “Blush,” the Filipino girl group will see its docuseries hit Netflix just hours before the group performs on Friday (April 10) for the opening day of Coachella. The octet’s 4:15 p.m. PT set at the Mojave stage — in between fellow rising stars Slayyyter and Central Cee — marks a historic first with BINI’s debut marking the official arrival of a Philippines-based pop group’s performance at the influential tastemaker festival.

“We’re very aware that we are the first homegrown Filipino girl group to perform on the Coachella stage,” Maloi, one of BINI’s powerhouse vocalists, tells Billboard over a phone call in the midst of rehearsals. “The pressure will always be there, but we’ll take it on in a positive light for us to push further and to boost ourselves. And we know that there are a lot of people behind us who have our backs.”

Leader Jhoanna adds, “There’s definitely a responsibility — a big responsibility — but we don’t let it get into our heads. We don’t let it turn into pressure, we just see it as our purpose.”

BINI emphasizes that the group sees the opportunity as a way to further spotlight and open doors for more Filipino talent, with Jhoanna adding, “We take every moment and every stage as an opportunity for us to show what we have, what we prepared and what Filipinos got.”

The group also let out a loud cheer when noting how P-pop boy band SB19 will perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer.

“ Everything that we’ve been doing from preparations to the final outcome will start to open doors for more Filipino talent,” singer-rapper Colet says, “because we have a lot!”

Just like the group’s music moves from the effervescent bubblegum pop of “Blink Twice” to heavy rhythmic dance on “Shagidi” and harmony-heavy ballads such as “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi,” Signals ranges from festival-ready, feel-good tropical-pop tracks while also dipping into vintage beats such as Janet Jackson-inspired New Jack Swing on “Sugar Rush,” while “Step Back” winks to the ’00s pop and hip-hop production sound helmed by the Neptunes. BINI’s watchlist for Coachella is equally diverse, including the likes of Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G, BIGBANG, Major Lazer, Labrinth, Fujii Kaze, Disclosure, Tinashe, PinkPantheress and KATSEYE, with the girls hoping that reports that surprise appearances from The Marias as well as Anyma bringing LISA of BLACKPINK prove true.

With a new record, docuseries premiere, festival debut and fresh music video all within days of each other, the group is hoping both new and longtime fans — affectionately known as BLOOM — can keep up with all the excitement.

“We have been asked if we are overwhelmed,” youngest member Sheena shares. “But it’s more like if other people will be overwhelmed because it’s such a jam-packed day on the 9th and 10th. Right now, we’re doing great. We’ve been here in L.A. for a week, so we’re pumped up. It’s not that cold, it’s not that hot, so I think it’s perfect — perfect for Coachella.”


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Following BINI’s announcement as Billboard Philippines‘ Global Force honoree at Billboard‘s Women in Music 2026, read on for members Jhoanna, Maloi, Colet, Sheena, Aiah, Gwen, Stacey and Mikha exclusively break down Signals below.

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Bruno Mars Kicks off The Romantic Tour in Las Vegas & Receives Key to the Strip on ‘Bruno Mars Day’

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Bruno Mars kicked off The Romantic Tour on Friday night (April 10) with a sold-out show in front of more than 60,000 fans packing Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The pop supernova lived up to his billing as the King of Las Vegas entertainment as he ran through his plethora of smash hits within a 25-track setlist, which included five songs with his Silk Sonic running mate, Anderson .Paak, who joined him midway through the show.

If there’s one thing Sin City knows how to do, it’s throw a party. Friday was an all-day celebration for Bruno Mars ahead of his Romantic Tour launch.

“Bruno Mars isn’t just a global superstar; he’s one of the most electrifying performers of our time, and over the past decade, he’s become an integral part of Las Vegas,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of MGM Resorts International, in a statement. “From his early performances at Bellagio and MGM Grand to his record‑setting residency at Dolby Live, Bruno has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors and has created the kind of unforgettable, ‘only in Vegas’ moments that define this city. It’s only fitting that we help launch his world tour here today as we honor his extraordinary impact on Las Vegas and the energy he brings to our community.”

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Bruno started the day in style with a ride down the Strip in a vintage convertible for a parade honoring his contributions to the Las Vegas entertainment scene, as April 10 was renamed to Bruno Mars Day in Sin City.

The Grammy-winning artist was given the key to the Las Vegas Strip, while Park Avenue outside Park MGM was renamed to Bruno Mars Drive. He joins a decorated group to receive the honor, which includes Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin.

As Las Vegas has been a lucrative endeavor for Bruno, he made sure to give back to the community. The singer-songwriter pledged a $1 million donation to the future Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital.

The Romantic Tour continues on Saturday night (April 11) when Bruno Mars returns to the Allegiant Stadium stage for another cinematic performance. It’s the 40-year-old’s first trek in nearly a decade and his first time taking over North American stadiums.

Bruno’s The Romantic album arrived in February and debuted atop the Billboard 200 — his second No. 1 — with 186,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States in the week ending March 5, according to Luminate.


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