Author: Rap Hooks

Social media was flooded Friday (Oct. 10) with messages of joy and congratulations for Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was announced in the morning as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize — including posts by several Venezuelan singers in exile.

“What a source of pride, my GOD. Waking up to this news today is something historic,” wrote singer-songwriter Danny Ocean, who has spoken openly (and even sung) about Venezuela’s political crisis, in a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter). “Today, peace has the face of a woman, and nothing is more inspiring than waking up to news like this,” expressed singer-songwriter Elena Rose on her Instagram Stories, calling the honoree a “warrior of the light.”

María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” according to the announcement on the official social media accounts of the prestigious award. “As the leader of the democracy movement in Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado is one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times.”

“Ms. Machado has been a key and unifying figure in a previously deeply divided political opposition, an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government,” continued the statement about the former presidential candidate, who has been forced to live in hiding in the past year. “This is precisely what lies at the heart of democracy: our shared willingness to defend the principles of popular rule, even though we disagree. At a time when democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to defend this common ground.”

Machado was set to challenge President Nicolás Maduro in the July 28, 2024, presidential elections, but the government disqualified her, and opposition candidate Edmundo González took her place. Venezuela’s electoral authority declared Maduro the winner with 51.2% of the vote (without presenting supporting evidence), while the opposition denounced irregularities in the vote count and asserted that their candidate had received nearly 70% of the votes. The protests that followed turned violent due to the repression of the Armed Forces and police. An arrest warrant for González forced him to seek asylum in Spain, while Machado was compelled to go into hiding.

The issue was addressed last year in a historic Billboard Español cover story with multiple Venezuelan artists speaking out from exile for democracy in their country.

Below, read some reactions from Venezuelan musicians to the news of María Corina Machado’s 2025 Nobel Peace Prize (listed alphabetically by name).

Carlos Baute, on X: “Today, the world recognizes what Venezuela already knows: María Corina Machado is a symbol of freedom, democracy, and hope.”

Danny Ocean, on X: “What a source of pride, my GOD. You know… as a child, I had the great opportunity to live in a country very close to South Africa. I lived there during Mandela’s presidency. Seeing how my friends and classmates adored Madiba had a huge impact on my life. Waking up to this news today is historic — not just the fact that María Corina is ours, not just the fact that she is a Venezuelan woman, not just because of her bravery and her struggle… but because of the impact this will have on the future. I know that, like me, many children will have María Corina as their role model, and some of them will sing about the pain and longing of many, while others will continue to defend, fight, and push the horizons of freedom. What an immense joy. Congratulations on such an admirable recognition, Mother.”

Elena Rose, on her Instagram Stories: “Today, peace has the face of a woman, and nothing is more inspiring than waking up to news like this. María Corina Machado, woman, Venezuelan, mother, warrior; I honor your courage and resilience, which you defend with love and which is echoing around the world and in the hearts of many. The true beauty of Venezuelan women lies in her two well-placed ovaries. I embrace your soul, warrior of the light; this news embraces all of us. A Nobel Peace Prize for Venezuela and all Venezuelans. What a powerful signal.”

Ella Bric, in a video shared on her Instagram Stories: “This is a moment of celebration. Venezuela has a Nobel Prize. This has been a beautiful day for the country, and we must all celebrate it together, above any differences or disagreements. Bravo. Bravo, bravo, bravo.”

Franco De Vita, on Instagram: “What a great example you have set for the entire world. Venezuelans could not feel prouder of you, María Corina Machado. You are the greatest thing this country has ever produced.”

Jerry Di, on his Instagram Stories: “Wow, aunt Cori, what an incredible piece of news to start the day. You deserve it so much.”

José Luis Rodríguez “El Puma”, on his Instagram Stories: “María Corina Machado: Our warrior who has what some men lack. Those of us inside and outside Venezuela pray for you so that you never give up and so we can reclaim our country in freedom and recover it spiritually, economically, and with the patriotic values that should never have been lost. Long live a free Venezuela.”

Ricardo Montaner, on X: “María Corina, you’ve just given me a hopeful awakening. Congratulations, you represent the feelings of millions… May God bless you to the very end.”

The second season of The Vince Staples Show finally has a premiere date and a new trailer, heading to Netflix on Nov. 6.

The series started on the Long Beach rapper’s YouTube page back in 2019 and was quickly picked up by Netflix, but the first season of the repackaged show didn’t premiere on the streaming service until 2024 due to the COVID pandemic. Often drawing comparisons to Donald Glover‘s Atlanta (Staples told Complex that he consulted Glover and his team), the show is loosely based on Vince Staples‘ life and has a surreal vibe to it. While the first season was centered on the random adventures and situations that he finds himself in as a somewhat famous person, the second season focuses on a death in the family and the trauma that comes with it, but in a way that can only come from the creative mind of Vince Staples.

Earlier this year, Staples explained how he helped Netflix executives grasp the concept of the show. “The way the show was written — and this was always the intention — The Vince Stapes Show is not about Vince Staples as a character,” the rapper and actor told the After Hours podcast. “It’s about a perspective. It’s The Vince Staples Show because I made it not because it’s about me. I think that was a hard thing for a lot of people to grasp. Going from writing for me and then writing for the characters it became kind of a disconnect because they’re expecting me to come in and write a show about myself, but I’m writing a show about other people and how they view me in the world.”

If you haven’t checked out the show yet, the first season’s logline reads as follows: “Who’s Vince Staples? Well, that’s a tricky question. He’s kind of famous, but he’s not. He’s kind of rich, but he’s not. He’s also kind of a criminal. But he’s…not? Follow him on his daily adventures, where anything that can go wrong usually does.”

Season 2 kicks off Thursday, Nov. 6.

Check out the trailer below.

Migo Fest, positioned as a trailblazing event celebrating the new wave of música Mexicana, has been canceled, organizers announced on Friday (Oct. 10). The decision comes just one day before the festival was scheduled to take place on Saturday.

In a statement shared with Billboard Español, organizers said they were forced to cancel after “receiving a call [on Wednesday night] that made it impossible for the festival to move forward without all of our performers.” According to the festival’s representatives, the cancellation was due to the current “political climate, artist visas that were denied and because one major artist had to drop out.”

The cancelation coincides with ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the nation, which have heightened fears within Latin communities, as well as visa issues for international artists and concerns about potential threats to audiences from ICE enforcement.

Billed as the first music festival of its kind in the New York Tri-State area, Migo Fest aimed to spotlight the rise of Mexican music while celebrating the cultural contributions of New York’s Mexican and Puebla York — the population of Puebla origin, which has a strong presence in the city — communities. However, a series of challenges in recent weeks culminated in the abrupt cancellation.

Yet the festival had already faced setbacks, including changing the venue from Jones Beach Theater to the Coney Island Amphitheater on Oct. 2, with organizers citing accessibility concerns. Additionally, headliners Netón Vega and Alemán were removed from the lineup, which was subsequently reduced from 17 acts to 10.

Though New York’s Mexican community has historically been overlooked in the larger Latin music scene dominated by Caribbean-rooted styles, Migo Fest aimed to give Mexicans visibility and celebrate their contributions to the city. It did so by including emerging NYC-rooted, Mexican-American talent, like The Bronx’s Selines, Brooklyn’s SpliffHappy, and Queens’ Santy y Su Estilo Único.

The statement also added that “this isn’t the end of Migo Fest — it’s just a pause.”

Furthermore, organizers promise to return “stronger” in the future “for our people, our artists, and our community,” as per the statement. Refunds will begin processing next week, they confirmed.

Read the festival’s full note about the cancellation below:

With every inch of our hearts broken, we have to announce the cancellation of Migo Fest.

On Wednesday night, we received a call that made it impossible for the festival to move forward without all of our performers. From that moment, we did everything we could—down to the very last inch of our being. But as Mexicans do, we never gave up trying.

Migo Fest wasn’t just one person’s dream—it was the dream of many. We had artists ready to share the stage with their idols, photographers hoping for their first big break, local clothing vendors preparing their booths, and creators from New York’s Latino community pouring their hearts into this. Migo Fest was built to give our people a platform, and canceling it feels like letting them down.

We put every part of ourselves into this—our hearts, our time, our money, our investors, our business partners—everything. We believed in this with all our souls. That’s why this hurts so deeply.

To the thousands who bought tickets and believed in us—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Refunds will begin processing next week.

Thank you to Live Nation for working so hard to bring this show to life, even though it couldn’t move forward in the end.

This isn’t the end of Migo Fest—it’s just a pause. We’ll be back stronger, for our people, our artists, and our community. Migos never stop. -MIGO Fest

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Crocs dropped a collection of official Wicked clogs last year to celebrate the first movie in the two-part film series. Now, fans have one more chance to pick up the coveted shoes with a surprise sale that discounts the Wicked x Crocs collab by 50% off.

Add a magical touch to your footwear rotation while expanding your Wicked merch collection when you throw on a pair of the Elphaba Clogs or platform Glinda Siren Crocs. They’re on sale now starting from just $35 online, with multiple sizes still available as of this writing.

Keep reading to shop the Wicked Crocs collection below.

LIMITED-TIME DEAL

“Wicked” Elphaba Classic Clog

$35 $69.99 50% off

Buy Now on crocs

Have your defying gravity moment when you slip on the official Elphaba Crocs featuring a statement-making metallic green upper that’ll have you shining with every step. The adjustable heel strap comes with a textured black design inspired by the Wicked Witch’s billowing black cape.

---

SELLING FAST

“Wicked” Glinda Siren Clog

$47.50 $94.99 50% off

Buy Now on crocs

Feel as though you’re floating in these cushy platform Crocs inspired by the pink-loving Glinda. Along the sole is a white shimmery bubble pattern while the upper has a bubblegum pink shade with a glittery design that’ll have you ready to belt out “Popular.”

---

Each pair features intricate details inspired by the characters including exclusive Jibbitz charms you can only get with the Crocs. Since there are two pairs up for grabs, you and your bestie can channel your inner Glinda or Elphaba as you practice “What Is This Feeling” before the film’s premiere.

If you can’t bear to choose between the two, you can also snag a five pack of Wicked Jibbitz charms ($24.99) that feature the movie’s logo, flying monkey’s and the Emerald City for you to decorate your other Crocs with.

It’s common for Crocs collaborations to sell out quickly, which means you’ll want to snag a pair before they’re gone “For Good.”

In addition to Crocs, Wicked has been casting its spell on other brands, giving you ample opportunity to collect exclusive merch — especially as you prep your movie outfit. Some of the most recent collaborations include a fragrance drop at Ulta, official Mattel dolls and new Funko Pop vinyl figurines.

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best comfortable sandals, platform heels and knee-high boots.

Drake’s defamation lawsuit surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” against Universal Music Group was dismissed by a federal judge in New York City on Thursday (Oct. 9).

Ten months after initially filing the lawsuit, accusing Lamar of defaming him while labeling him a “certified pedophile,” it was thrown out by Judge Jeannette Vargas, who granted UMG’s motion for dismissal.

“The artists’ seven-track rap battle was a ‘war of words’ that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse,” the judge wrote. “Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff.”

While Drake can still appeal the ruling to a federal appeals court, fans from both sides of the coin didn’t waste any time flooding social media with their reactions.

Lamar fans and Drake detractors mocked the OVO faithful on X and IG, while the rivalry was seemingly renewed with the famed 2024 battle now in the rear-view.

“From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day,” UMG relayed to Billboard in a statement. “We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career.”

“Not Like Us” arrived in May 2024 and served as the killshot in Kendrick’s battle against Drake. The scathing diss track produced by Mustard topped the Billboard Hot 100 and swept all five of its nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards, including record of the year and song of the year.

Find some of the reactions to the lawsuit ruling against Drake below.

For more about the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud, read Billboard’s timeline:

Danny Jacobson has been promoted to head of A&R at Hallwood Media, a recording, management, publishing, distribution and merch company. He will oversee A&R across all divisions of the company, guiding a roster of over 100 signees.

News of the promotion comes after Danny, who is the cousin of Hallwood founder Neil Jacobson, spearheaded Hallwood’s controversial but groundbreaking AI artist signing strategy, including the signing of Xania Monet — the AI artist Billboard reported had signed a multimillion-dollar record deal with Hallwood last month.

Monet, the alias of poet Telisha “Nikki” Jones, who uses Suno to transform her words into songs, made headlines for her record-breaking deal with Hallwood, but also for her appearance on the Billboard charts. Her single “How Was I Supposed to Know” reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s R&B Digital Song Sales chart and was the No. 1 most-added song at R&B radio last week.

Danny, however, has signed far more than just Monet. According to a press release about his promotion, he has inked other so-called “AI-powered” talent, including China Styles, Bleeding Verse, Drew Meadows, Lone Star Lyric House, David Sven and several other projects still to be announced.

In a press release about his new position, Danny notes that he’s “thrilled to step into this new role and continue pushing the boundaries of what A&R can be. At Hallwood, we move first and fast, spotting talent early and helping them turn momentum into careers.”

Since joining Hallwood in 2020, Danny has worked in both management and A&R positions at the company and is said to have played a key role in shaping Hallwood’s A&R strategy, including building out its research department and developing a pipeline for discovering and supporting emerging artists.

Neil says of the appointment: “Danny has been an integral part of Hallwood since day one, building our research department, signing incredible artists, and proving himself as a visionary. To be promoted to this role at such a young age is a testament to his uncanny eye for talent, deep understanding of youth culture, and relentless work ethic — he’s the future of A&R.”