Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Affleck (née Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential Latin entertainers of her time, credited with breaking barriers for Latino Americans in Hollywood and helping propel the Latin pop movement in music. She is also noted for her impact on popular culture through fashion, branding, and shifting mainstream beauty standards.
Lopez began her career as a dancer, making her television debut as a Fly Girl on the sketch comedy series In Living Color in 1991. She later rose to prominence as an actress, with leading roles in the films Selena (1997), Anaconda (1997) and Out of Sight (1998) establishing her as the highest-paid Latin actress. She successfully ventured into the music industry with her debut album On the 6 (1999). In 2001, she became the first woman to simultaneously have the number one album and film in the United States with her second album J.Lo and romantic comedy The Wedding Planner. She has since become known for starring in romantic comedies, including Maid in Manhattan (2002), Shall We Dance? (2004), and Monster-in-Law (2005).
Lopez released two albums in 2002: J to tha L–O! The Remixes and This Is Me… Then, the former becoming the first remix album to top the US Billboard 200. Media scrutiny and the failure of her film Gigli (2003) preceded a career downturn. Her subsequent albums included Rebirth (2005) and Como Ama una Mujer (2007); the latter broke first-week sales records for a debut Spanish album. In 2011, Lopez returned to prominence as a judge on American Idol and released the album Love?. In the latter 2010s, she performed a concert residency, starred in the police drama series Shades of Blue (2016–2018), served as a judge on World of Dance (2017–2020), and garnered critical praise for her performance in the crime drama Hustlers (2019). She has since starred in the films Marry Me (2022), The Mother (2023) and This Is Me… Now: A Love Story (2024).
Pitbull
Bilingual rapper and producer Pitbull, known for his shout of ‘Dale!’ and reggaeton-infused party pop music, rose to fame in the Miami hip-hop scene before dominating the mainstream charts in the late 2000s and 2010s. His dancefloor-filling hits, including ‘I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),’ ‘I Like It,’ ‘Give Me Everything,’ ‘Timber,’ ‘Feel This Moment,’ and ‘Time of Our Lives,’ have been consistent U.S. Top Ten singles. His albums Planet Pit, Global Warming, and Globalization achieved platinum status, with his Spanish-language LP ‘Dale’ earning him his first Grammy Award in 2015. Throughout the 2010s, Pitbull continued to release Spanish-language hits like ‘Dame Tu Cosita,’ ‘No Lo Trates,’ and ‘Me Quedare Contigo’ from his 2019 album ‘Libertad 548,’ and in 2022, he delighted fans with ‘Café Con Leche.’
Born Armando Christian Perez, Pitbull, also known as ‘Mr. 305,’ was instilled with a deep connection to his Cuban heritage by his first-generation immigrant parents. Immersed in the works of Cuban poet José Martí from a young age, Pitbull quickly grasped the power of words. Influenced by artists such as Poison Clan, Luther Campbell, Nas, and Lil Jon, Pitbull ventured into the music scene by making appearances on Miami mixtapes. His breakthrough came when his freestyle caught the attention of producers like Lil Jon and the Diaz Brothers, leading to collaborations on hit tracks like ‘Oye’ and ‘Lollipop.’ With the release of his debut album ‘M.I.A.M.I.’ in 2004, produced by Lil Jon, Pitbull’s journey to stardom officially began.
OneRepublic
GRAMMY nominated OneRepublic is an exceptional band consisting of singer/songwriter and lead vocalist Ryan Tedder, guitarists Zach Filkins and Drew Brown, keys Brian Willett, bassist and cellist Brent Kutzle, and drummer Eddie Fisher. The band made their debut with Dreaming Out Loud in 2007, featuring the Grammy nominated single “Apologize,” which set new records in digital sales and airplay globally. Their second album, Waking Up in 2009, spawned popular hits like “All the Right Moves,” “Secrets,” and “Good Life.” Native, their platinum-certified album in 2013, showcased the chart-topping hit “Counting Stars.” Following this success, Oh My My, their fourth full-length album, was released in 2016.
In 2021, the band released Human, introducing singles like “Someday,” “Run,” “Somebody To Love,” “Wanted,” “Didn’t I,” “Better Days,” and “Rescue Me.” The year 2023 marked the release of “Runaway” and “Mirage (for Assassin’s Creed Mirage),” following the massive success of “I Ain’t Worried,” featured in the blockbuster movie, Top Gun: Maverick. OneRepublic expanded their portfolio with the holiday track “Dear Santa.” Continuing their collaborations, 2024 saw the debut of “I Don’t Wanna Wait” with David Guetta and “Nobody (from Kaiju No. 8),” created for the end theme of the anime series “Kaiju No. 8.” They partnered with Meduza and Leony on “Fire,” the official song for UEFA Euro 2024. Recently, the band unveiled their latest single, “Hurt,” from their newest album Artificial Paradise, released on July 12th.
AJR
Re-envisioning what pop can be in the 21st century, AJR unassumingly emerged as a ubiquitous hit-making outlier and one of the biggest indie bands in the world. Since 2012, the multiplatinum indie pop trio—Adam [bass, vocals], Jack [vocals, guitar], and Ryan [ukulele, piano, vocals]—have generated billions of streams and earned one triple-platinum single, one double-platinum single, four platinum singles, and one platinum album. 2019’s Neotheater marked their biggest first-week debut, bowing at #8 on the Billboard Top 200, #1 on the Top Alternative Albums Chart, and #1 on the Top Rock Albums Chart. Cemented as part of the modern zeitgeist, Spotify touted “Sober Up” [feat. Rivers Cuomo] among the “Best Rock Songs of the 2010s,” while Apple Music included “Weak” on its “Best Alt Songs of the 2010s.” Not to mention, they remain one of the “500 Most-Listened to Artists” on Spotify. On the heels of Neotheater, they dropped the 2020 platinum blockbuster “BANG!”, which they performed on TODAY, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and even at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and raced up the Alternative and Pop Radio charts. Now, the band has opened up their world like never before on their fourth full-length album, OK ORCHESTRA.
Read MoreKey Glock
Memphis-born rapper Key Glock is known for delivering cold, stark, and uncompromising verses focusing on themes like sex, guns, and money. He draws inspiration from the woozy, narcotic style of Memphis legends such as Three 6 Mafia. Key Glock gained recognition and success from critics, fans, and the charts through projects like 2020’s Yellow Tape and collaborations with Young Dolph on two Dum and Dummer releases. After the 2020 mixtape Son of a Gun, Key Glock continued his streak by achieving a number eight ranking on the Billboard 200 with the 2021 release of Dum and Dummer 2, followed by the sequel full-length album Yellow Tape 2. The artist’s studio album Glockoma 2 made its debut in 2023, along with a deluxe edition and several hit singles.
Key Glock’s musical journey began with his debut mixtape, Glock Season, released under Paper Route Empire in 2017. The mixtape featured standout tracks like “On My Soul” and “Racks Today” with collaborations from artists like Jay Fizzle and production credits from Sosa 808, Izze tha Producer, and DJ Squeeky. Subsequently, in early 2018, Key Glock released Glock Bond, followed by the mixtape Glockoma later the same year. In 2019, he joined forces with Young Dolph for the joint album Dum and Dummer, setting the stage for Key Glock’s solo success with the impactful Yellow Tape in January 2020. The album showcased raw production and aggressive flows, resonating with audiences and marking another Billboard chart success. Just five months later, Key Glock dropped his second project of 2020, Son of a Gun, dominating the charts once again with a solo effort at number 37 on the Billboard Top 200.
The year 2021 saw the reunion of Key Glock and Young Dolph for Dum and Dummer 2, a powerful collection of anthems that soared to number eight on the Billboard 200. Additionally, Key Glock released the sequel to his earlier 2020 project, Yellow Tape 2, featuring hit singles like “Ambition for Cash,” “Da Truth,” and “Toolie.” In 2022, a deluxe edition of Yellow Tape 2 hit the shelves, followed by the single “Diapers” and a feature on Megan Thee Stallion’s Traumazine. Key Glock also treated fans to PRE5L, a five-song EP in 2022. The release of Glockoma 2 in 2023 marked another milestone for the artist, reaching number 13 on the Billboard 200 and receiving a deluxe edition. Continuing his momentum, Glock teased fans with “No Hook 2” from his upcoming project Glocktober, along with tracks like “One Me” and “Let’s Go.” The single “The Greatest” made its debut in 2024, further solidifying Key Glock’s position in the rap scene.
Three Days Grace
Since 2003, Three Days Grace has established itself as a prominent figure in the hard rock genre, achieving unparalleled success by setting records, dominating various charts, and selling millions of units globally. The band boasts an impressive tally of eighteen #1 records on Mediabase Active Rock and seventeen #1s on Billboard/BDS Active Rock charts. Noteworthy accolades include multiple nominations for the prestigious “Best Rock Album” category at the Juno Awards, along with recognitions for “Rock Song of the Year” and “Rock Artist of the Year” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Additionally, Three Days Grace maintains an astounding average of 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify, solidifying their position as one of the most popular rock bands worldwide. Their music has garnered over 5 billion combined streams, with standout hits like “I Hate Everything About You,” “Riot,” and “Time of Dying” resonating with audiences.
The band’s extensive list of number one hits encompasses tracks such as “Home,” “Just Like You,” “Pain,” “Animal I Have Become,” “Never Too Late,” “Break,” “Good Life,” “World So Cold,” and more, showcasing their versatility and musical prowess. Comprising Adam Gontier and Matt Walst on vocals, Barry Stock on guitar, Brad Walst on bass and backing vocals, and Neil Sanderson on drums, keyboards, and backing vocals, Three Days Grace continues to captivate fans with their dynamic performances and emotive lyrics. Their repertoire includes popular songs like “Misery Loves My Company,” “The High Road,” “Chalk Outline,” “I am Machine,” “Painkiller,” “The Mountain,” “Infra-Red,” “Right Left Wrong,” “So Called Life,” and “Lifetime,” further solidifying their status as a powerhouse in the rock music scene.
Saweetie
As a dynamic powerhouse, Saweetie continues to solidify herself as a multifaceted artist with her chart-topping songs, successful collaborations, philanthropic endeavors, and captivating on-screen performances. Born Diamonté Harper in Northern California, Saweetie was raised in a multi-ethnic household with her father being of African-American descent and her mother being of Filipino-Chinese descent. Saweetie was exposed to a wide range of music genres, which would later influence her own sound and identity as a trailblazer for young, culturally diverse individuals around the world.
After attending USC and earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Saweetie began to focus on her music career. Since then, Saweetie has accumulated over 5.4 billion career streams from her chart-topping hits such as the RIAA certified platinum “Tap In” and 4x platinum “My Type” and ‘Best Friend,’ featuring Doja Cat, which also earned two GRAMMY® Award nominations. In addition to numerous awards and accolades in the music space, Saweetie has also launched her own jewelry line “ICY” while also solidifying herself as a global brand through her brand partnerships and campaigns with companies such as McDonald’s, MAC, Crocs, Quay, Revlon, Champion, and PrettyLittleThing to name a few. With a comprehensive portfolio spanning so many different avenues, Saweetie’s global influence continues to grow with each subsequent project.
Godsmack
Godsmack has more Top 10 Rock Songs than Foo Fighters or their hometown heroes, Aerosmith. Stretching back to their four-times platinum self-titled debut, initially recorded in 1996 for $2500, the veteran band’s catalog of hits is enough to fill a marathon set without running out. Songs like “I Stand Alone,” “Awake,” and “Voodoo” are certified anthems deeply encoded into hard rock’s DNA.
Like the antiheroes of a heist movie planning one last score, the Lawrence, Massachusetts-bred quartet takes a victory lap with Lighting Up the Sky, dropping one more classic album as they ascend into the celebratory portion of their career. Sully Erna, Robbie Merrill, Tony Rombola, and Shannon Larkin climbed the creative mountain over and over. They are consummate rock fans themselves, so they refuse to finish as one of those bands where fans hit the beer line during “the new stuff”.
Lighting Up the Sky is undoubtedly a stunning swan song, should it truly prove to be the final studio album of new music from Godsmack. “Surrender,” the first new song in four years, earned well over a half million streams on Spotify alone in its first two weeks of release. Songs like “What About Me” and “Soul On Fire” stand up to anything in the band’s rich multi-platinum catalog. “Lighting Up the Sky is packed with melodies”, assures the frontman. The band’s body of work includes eight albums, four Grammy nominations, two iHeartRadio Music Awards noms, and a Billboard Music Award. (more at Godsmack.com)
Cruz Knox
Purrfectly entertaining cover songs produced by a group of talented musicians who have received the paw stamp of approval from adorable kitties. The artist, Andromeda, brings a unique and captivating twist to well-known songs, creating a musical experience that is both enchanting and delightful.
For more information or to connect with Andromeda, email: andromeda_ac@proton.me. Dive into the world of this gifted artist and explore a realm where creativity and feline companionship harmoniously blend to produce pawsitively mesmerizing melodies.
Thirty Seconds To Mars
Thirty Seconds to Mars is a band formed by Jared Leto and Shannon Leto. Their musical journey began with the release of their debut album, ’30 Seconds to Mars,’ in 2002, followed by the globally successful ‘A Beautiful Lie’ in 2005. Over the years, they continued to captivate audiences with ‘This Is War’ (2009), ‘Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams’ (2013), and ‘America’ (2018). In a remarkable comeback in 2023, they unveiled their sixth studio album, ‘It’s The End Of The World But It’s A Beautiful Day,’ delving into the depths of human experiences and resilient hope. The lead single, ‘Stuck,’ soared to the top of the Alternative radio chart and became a top 10 hit in Italy, setting a record for the band’s fastest climb on the charts. Their second single and tour’s title track, ‘Seasons,’ provokes contemplation on accepting life’s changes through different phases.
With a staggering record of over 15 million albums sold worldwide and consistently selling out arenas and stadiums across the globe, Thirty Seconds to Mars stands as a powerhouse in the music industry. The band’s achievements have been recognized with prestigious honors such as MTV Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and even a Guinness World Record for embarking on the Longest Running Tour in history. Looking ahead, Jared Leto made a grand announcement in November 2023 of the monumental ‘Seasons World Tour 2024,’ marking the band’s much-anticipated return to touring after a five-year hiatus. The announcement was made uniquely memorable by Leto’s daring feat of climbing the Empire State Building in NYC. Anticipation builds as the band gears up for another tour scheduled for Summer 2025.
October London
Foremost a soul-rooted artist whose smooth, heartfelt vocals recall giants of the past — especially Marvin Gaye — October London is a versatile artist who also raps and is equally comfortable with R&B throwbacks, slick house productions, and organic contemporary country ballads, among other styles. A longtime associate of Snoop Dogg, London has been featured on numerous tracks by the rapper, and has recorded for his Cadillacc Music, Doggy Style, and revived Death Row labels. London’s many notable projects include Please Leave a Message (2022), The Rebirth of Marvin (2023), and October Nights (2024). The South Bend, Indiana native (born Jared Samuel Erskine) began making music under the name Sam London. He appeared in 2013 with a cover of Juicy’s slow jam “Sugar Free,” coincidentally a hit the year of his birth (1986). Near the end of 2013, London released The Introduction, an EP that ranged from Motown-style R&B to folk-pop. The Latin pop-flavored “Baila Conmigo” followed in 2014. Two years later, he returned under the alias October London, and signed with Cadillacc Music, operated by Jazze Pha and Snoop Dogg. Color Blind: Love, London’s label debut, was issued in October 2016 and featured “Black Man in America,” a fiery protest anthem, as well as a bluesier title song that put his falsetto on display. Color Blind: Hate & Happiness landed the following April with “Top Down” including a guest verse from Snoop Dogg. London had made the first of many appearances on Snoop’s own records with the hook to “Revolution,” the finale of Coolaid.
Cadillacc Music shuttered, but London continued with the disparate independent singles “Delorean” and “Quarantina” in 2020. The next year, Snoop’s Doggy Style imprint was behind London’s equally contrasting “LSD,” “Lime Squeeze,” and “Tennessee Whiskey,” and major-label Def Jam issued the singer’s Caribbean-flavored “I Want You.” The year 2022 marked the start of a longer phase with the reactivated Death Row Records owned by Snoop. London started his Death Row era with “I Dont Give a Damn.” — something of a follow-up to the countrified “Tennessee Whiskey” — after which he temporarily returned to Doggy Style with the progressive R&B EP Please Leave a Message, then offered Crypto Winter, descriptively subtitled “The Dubstep/House Album.” In 2023, he went into full Marvin Gaye mode with The Rebirth of Marvin, delivered more club tracks on the Technicolor EP, and also issued a Christmas album entitled The Greatest Gift. Additionally, he recorded the ballad “Eternity” for the soundtrack of The Color Purple. The album October Nights — previewed with the Stylistics-referencing “She Keeps Calling” and another elegant tune, “A Beautiful Woman” — was released in October 2024. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi
Backstreet Boys
For 25 years, the Backstreet Boys, one of the most successful groups in music history, have consistently delivered top-notch pop music, solidifying their position as one of the most influential performers in the genre. With a string of chart-topping hits, groundbreaking tours, numerous accolades, and a global sales figure exceeding 130 million, BSB has rightfully earned the title of the best-selling boy band ever.
In January 2019, BSB unveiled their highly anticipated 10th studio album, titled “DNA,” under RCA Records. The album boasted the chart-topping 2019 GRAMMY-nominated single ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,’ in addition to other popular tracks like ‘Chances’ and ‘No Place.’ Continuing their musical journey, the Backstreet Boys embarked on “The DNA World Tour” on May 11, 2019, marking their largest arena tour in nearly two decades. Prior to this, in March 2017, the group launched their acclaimed Las Vegas residency, “Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life,” at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood. This show quickly became a sell-out success, setting records for ticket sales in Las Vegas and drawing the largest crowds in the history of Vegas headlining residencies. Experience the essence of Backstreet Boys through their essential tracks on www.backstreetboys.com.