Entertainment

Afroman’s Catalog Rises Over 500% Following Legal Victory

Published

3 weeks ago

March 26, 2026

Vicky

Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up newsletter, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip.

This week: Afroman turns a headline-capturing legal victory into newfound streaming popularity, while Nothing But Thieves gets a huge look from an Amazon Prime superhero show and 3OH!3 benefits from an animated dance challenge.

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Afroman Turns Legal Victory into Streaming Triumphs, Led by “Lemon Pound Cake”

“Because I Got High” rapper Afroman found himself back in the zeitgeist after winning a jury verdict last week (Mar. 18). The jurors sided with the Cali rapper in a lawsuit filed by seven Ohio cops, who claimed the MC defamed them by releasing music videos mocking them after a failed, guns-drawn raid on his home in 2022. Naturally, the quirky lawsuit caught the public’s attention, as did Afroman’s testimony that the music videos fell with his First Amendment rights — a hot-button topic across the States right now. As a result, the rapper’s catalog exploded over 500% in streaming activity in the week following the jury’s decision, according to Luminate.

During the week of his the four-day period leading up to his trial (Mar. 13-16), Afroman’s discography earned 1.12 million official on-demand U.S. streams and just over 100 U.S. digital downloads. In the four-day period following the verdict (Mar. 20-23), those figures jumped 511% to 6.8 million official streams, and 2,113% to over 2,500 paid digital downloads. The buzziest track is “Lemon Pound Cake,” in which Afroman jeers at one deputy for apparently eyeing a cake on his counter. That song jumped 9,353% to 2.12 million official on-demand U.S. streams following the verdict (Mar. 20-23), and leapt a whopping 126,300% to over 1,200 U.S. digital downloads.

The streaming love isn’t exclusive to Afroman’s raid-related joints. His signature hit, the Grammy-nominated “High,” earned over 600,000 official on-demand U.S. streams on the Friday following the verdict (Mar. 20), up 133%.

Lemon Pound Cake, the album that compiles Afroman’s police disses, has already hit No. 8 on Billboard‘s Comedy Albums chart (dated Mar. 28), and bigger gains could very well be in store. — KYLE DENIS

‘Invincible’ Season Premiere Revives Decade-Old Nothing But Thieves Single

English alt-rock band Nothing But Thieves has never totally crossed over on the Billboard charts, but it’s been a fixture on various rock charts for a decade now, since the release of its 2015 self-titled debut album. That set generated multiple hits on the Rock & Alternative Songs chart, and also led to a Billboard Hot 100 hit in 2024 when country superstar Morgan Wallen put his spin on the Nothing But Thieves deep cut “Graveyard Whistling.” But now, it’s one of the less-known singles on the debut that’s getting its moment in the spotlight: “If I Die Tonight.”

The power ballad, which never reached a Billboard airplay, sales or streaming chart during its initial mid-2010s release, got its biggest look yet this month with its inclusion in the latest season of Amazon Prime’s hit animated superhero series Invincible. In the season four premiere, “If I Die Tonight” plays over an opening montage showing the fallout from the previous season’s finale — and plays for over three minutes, giving viewers plenty of opportunity to make it one of the most Shazamed songs in the country the past week.

Plenty of those viewers went on to check out the song on DSPs, as well. After totaling under 17,000 streams during the first four days of the previous tracking week (Mar. 13-16), that number was up to 345,000 for the same period this week (Mar. 20-23) — a gain of 1,942%, according to early data provided by Luminate. It could lead to a big moment for Nothing But Thieves, and to even bigger musical moments on Invincible, now that it’s been confirmed as one of the more valuable shows for synch placements in 2026. – AU

Animation-Inspired Dance Trend Revives 3OH!3’s “Richman”

On Feb. 4, user @/hymnuslop shared an original animation featuring two My Little Pony-inspired characters dancing to Denver electro-pop duo 3OH!3’s “Richman,” setting into motion a streaming resurgence for the 18-year-old deep cut. The clip finds one character lip-syncing in the foreground while the other dances in the background — and the trend has now transferred to real people.

User @/janabananathings was the human to kick the trend into high gear with her March 2 post, which has since garnered nearly four million views and over 540,000 likes. The accompanying sound, which originates from user @/hymnuslop’s clip, boasts over 52,000 TikTok posts. The official 3OH!3 TikTok account got in on the fun, sharing several clips of the EDM duo performing the song throughout the years.

The week user @/janabananathings shared her video (Feb. 27-Mar. 5), “Richman” logged 429,000 official on-demand U.S. streams, up 193% from the week prior. The following week (Mar. 6-12), which accounts for a full week of the trend truly taking off, that figure leapt a further 133% to a little over one million official on-demand U.S. streams. Continuing its ascent, “Richman” jumped another 44% to 1.44 million official streams the next week (March 13-19).

Over the past four weeks, “Richman” has exploded over 1,800% in streaming activity, bringing 3OH!3 back into the center of the pop conversation — with a song that was never even an official single. — K.D.

Entertainment

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

Published

13 minutes ago

April 13, 2026

Vicky

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.

Entertainment

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

Published

13 minutes ago

April 13, 2026

Vicky

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.”

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.

Entertainment

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

Published

13 minutes ago

April 13, 2026

Vicky

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.