Rod Wave’s next album is on the way. The Florida rapper/singer announced Tuesday (June 16) that his Don’t Look Down project is set to arrive before summer ends on Aug. 28.

Rod released a bittersweet trailer to coincide with the announcement, which takes place at a funeral and finds the “Heart on Ice” artist plotting with his crew.

“No more sneaky business, no more side deals. Keep building our own machine. Keep going and don’t look down,” Rod says in the clip before being asked about his next move. “Album.”

The trailer closes with a preview of a soulful track, which appears to be on Don’t Look Down. A press release confirms that a single is “coming soon.” “I am the chosen one/ The only one they banking on/ Real s–t that raw s–t they waiting on,” he croons.

Billboard caught up with Rod Wave at a homecoming show in St. Petersburg, Florida, last year, where the Grammy-nominated artist spoke about the growth he felt going into this LP.

“Growth,” he said when describing the project. “I feel like every album, as I grow older, is different. I paint a different picture, because I’m a different version of myself. Every album’s a different chapter. I feel like it’s all real-life stuff.”

The 27-year-old continued: “We all can agree that life goes up and down. So every year, what I basically do is I just talk about where life has taken me up to that point, and people connect with it. We’re all growing up together.”

Rod Wave’s most recent album, Last Lap, arrived in 2024 and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Watch the Don’t Look Down trailer below.

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A year after the death of New York City nightlife fixture Billy Jones, a foundation has been launched in his honor.

The newly announced Billy Jones Forever Foundation encompasses a scholarship and mentorship fund that will annually award a group of emerging music professionals with direct financial support to use for relocation, housing, equipment, travel and more. Recipients will also receive long-term mentorship and access to a network of industry relationships intended to create lasting support.

Donations and scholarship applications are now open here. The Billy Jones Forever Foundation is a fund of Make Something, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

A musician, curator, club owner, manager and more, Jones died last June at age 45 after facing glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He is remembered by friends, family and colleagues as someone who loved music, nightlife, culture and New York City. He co-founded and owned beloved Brooklyn indie venue Baby’s All Right, a 280-capacity club that opened in 2013 and hosted performances by a host of luminaries including SZA, Cypress Hill, Lil Yachty, Blood Orange, Charli xcx, Mac DeMarco, James Murphy, David Byrne, Hot Chip, Courtney Barnett, Willow Smith, Jack White and Billie Eilish.

“Billy was devoted to music, to New York and to the creative, talented dreamers and risk takers who make this city what it is,” Jones’ sister BreAnn Tassone said in a statement. “Though he had to leave us, he still has work to do. We are excited and grateful to know he can still do the work he was so passionate about through the recipients of this organization. We are so proud that Billy’s legacy is one of connection, inspiration and community. His positivity, magic and ‘Yeah, let’s do it!’ spirit can live on here. For us, his family, that means more than words can say.”

“Billy was one of the most true blue real rockers I have ever met in all my travels,” adds his close friend David Jacobs, “and because he lived with such integrity and unwavering commitment to his music community, we wanted to honor that spirit forever, and this scholarship felt like the perfect way to pay it forward, just as Billy did every day we were lucky enough to have him around.”

Morat scores big this week, earning its second No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as its update of Los Bukis’ 1986 classic “Tu Cárcel” surges from No. 10 to the top of the June 20-dated ranking. The new version also hits No. 1 on both the Latin Pop Airplay chart and the multimetric Hot Latin Pop Songs survey.

The act from Bogotá, Colombia, previously led Latin Airplay with “Me Toca a Mí,” with Camilo, for a week last August.

“We’re incredibly grateful to celebrate our second No. 1 with ‘Tu Cárcel,’” Morat shared with Billboard. “It’s a song that has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember.”

“It was a great honor to have produced this version,” Argentinian producer Nico Cotton tells Billboard. “It’s an undeniable classic, and the challenge was to live up to the original song. I love that it reflects so much of Morat’s sound. The truth is, when there’s a great song and a great band, my job becomes much easier!”

Morat’s “Tu Cárcel,” on Universal Music Spain/Interscope/Interscope Capitol, owes its Latin Airplay coronation to 7.6 million audience impressions in the week ending June 11, according to Luminate.

“It’s an incredible surprise,” Cotton adds. “When I make music, I never think, ‘This has to be a No. 1,’ but when it happens, it’s something to celebrate and enjoy. In this case, it makes me very happy to see such an incredible classic rediscovered through Morat, and to have been able to contribute my little grain of sand from the production side.”

Before Morat revived “Tu Cárcel,” the Marco Antonio Solís-led Los Bukis took the original to No. 3 on Hot Latin Songs in 1987. (Formed in 1973, the grupero band has notched 17 career top 10s on the tally, in 1987-96, following the list’s 1986 start.)

The song has also found renewed chart life through other versions over the years. Los Enanitos Verdes took their soft-rock rendition to No. 22 on Latin Pop Airplay in 2004, while Los Tigres del Norte’s regional Mexican take, featuring Solís, reached No. 30 on Regional Mexican Airplay in 2016. “Tu Cárcel” has also been covered by Hermanos Espinoza, Alta Consigna and Yahritza y Su Esencia in regional Mexican styles.

Morat’s “Tu Cárcel” is on the soundtrack to the Disney+ and Hulu original series Dear Killer Nannies: Criado Por Sicarios — based on the late drug kingpin/politician Pablo Escobar’s upbringing — produced by multi-award winner Julio Reyes Copello; the set was released via his Arthouse label in partnership with Universal Music Latino/UMG.

“I’m deeply glad I suggested to my friends Morat to record this song and make such a spectacular version alongside the great producer Nico Cotton,” Reyes Copello tells Billboard. “The production, direction and musical language are all a tremendous success. I’m thrilled that it has reached beyond the series and, above all, that new generations won’t miss out on hearing [it]; and with work as disciplined and consistent as Morat’s, it’s a luxury.”

“It’s very special to see ‘Tu Cárcel’ continue finding new audiences beyond radio and live shows,” Morat added. “We grew up as huge Disney fans, so having our music featured in a Disney+ and Hulu project is incredibly meaningful. We love seeing our songs become part of different stories, and it’s exciting to know this classic can keep reaching people in new ways.”

Meanwhile, “Tu Cárcel” is the latest Spanish-language charting song from a Disney film or series — and the first to crown Latin Airplay. Notably, Encanto produced Sebastian Yatra’s “Dos Oruguitas” and Carlos Vives’ “Colombia, Mi Encanto,” which reached Nos. 2 and 6, respectively, on Hot Latin Songs in 2022.

Morat added that “Tu Cárcel” is also the first single from its album Ya Es Mañana Parte 2, which is “currently in the works. The project is inspired by celebrating and reinterpreting the legacy of Spanish-language pop-rock, so seeing this song connect with a new generation in such a meaningful way makes this achievement even more special.”

Mikal Bridges of the New York Knicks was still celebrating the team’s historic run to an NBA title on Monday and gave fans an IG Live to remember.

During one clip that was spliced out by Internet sleuths, Bridges got serious for a moment as he poured a shot of tequila when Kendrick Lamar‘s song “Count Me Out” popped up on his playlist and told fans why he loved the song and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers so much. “Let me let you know, let me be honest about this song, about this album, if y’all can hear me right now over this music,” he said before revealing that he was really down after his Suns lost to the Dallas Mavericks in seven games during the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. “I was really depressed, bro. We lost to Dallas, I was in Phoenix, I was f—in’ depressed, bro. This album came out. I was just liftin’ bi’s and tri’s, chest, and that sh– got me through it. I love this f—in’ album, for real. I will never forget this album. Ever.”

He then continued to vibe and rap along to the chorus as Lamar rapped, “I love when you count me out.”

The combo shooting guard/small forward can relate to that very phrase, especially during this past season. The Knicks famously staked their future on Mikal when they traded six first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets in 2024 and signed him to an extension in 2026. However, fans have given him a nickname after the organization won their first championship in 53 years and he now goes by Mikal “F— Them Picks” Bridges.

Mystikal (Michael Lawrence Taylor) has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to WBRZ. The “Shake Ya A—” rapper was sentenced in Louisiana’s Ascension Parish Court on Tuesday (June 16).

Mystikal pleaded guilty to a third-degree rape charge in March after being arrested in July 2022.

The Grammy-nominated rapper was arrested following an altercation with a woman at his Louisiana residence, which saw him allegedly choke, assault, rape and rob the victim.

Per WBRZ, Mystikal is accused of holding the woman’s keys and keeping her against her will until she sent him money through CashApp.

The victim faced the court on Tuesday, where she claimed that Mystikal “punched her, choked her, pulled braids out of her hair and forcibly raped her.” She was also hospitalized and treated for minor injuries at the time of the 2022 altercation.

“If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence,” Mystikal reportedly told the courtroom.

Prior to entering a plea agreement in March for a solo third-degree rape charge, Mystikal faced charges for first-degree rape, felony domestic abuse by strangulation, false imprisonment, simple robbery and criminal damage to property. If convicted of first-degree rape, Mystikal would have faced life in prison.

WBRZ also reported that Mystikal and his attorney filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea last week, citing that the rapper didn’t “have sufficient opportunity to fully consider the consequences.” However, that motion was dismissed by the court.

The New Orleans rapper has a history of sexual assault allegations prior to the 2022 arrest. In 2004, Mystikal was convicted of sexual battery and extortion of his hairstylist. He served six years behind bars and was released in 2010.

Mystikal was arrested on rape and kidnapping charges in 2017. After posting a $3 million bond in 2019, the charges were dropped in 2020.

Mystikal is best known for early 2000s hits like “Shake Ya A–,” which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also hopped on Joe’s “Stutter,” which topped the Hot 100 for four weeks in 2001.

Billboard has reached out to Mystikal’s attorney and the District Attorney’s Office for comment.

Rocky Horror Picture Show fans will be shivering with antici…pation for Sphere’s newest movie experience.

The cult classic musical is coming to the Las Vegas venue in 2027 via a special arrangement with Primary Wave Music and 20th Century Studios, Sphere Entertainment announced on Tuesday (June 16). As it did with The Wizard of Oz, Sphere Entertainment says it will use its “advanced technologies to enhance” the original 1975 film for the venue. In the case of the former film, Sphere used AI to expand the film’s visuals to better fit the venue’s curved, 160,000-square-foot screen. It also digitally restored them using an AI-powered “super resolution tool” to render the images in “ultra-ultra-high-definition,” according to Google, which worked with Sphere on the project. Due to the expanded canvas, “composites” of characters were also added to some scenes in which they were originally absent.

“Through Sphere Studios, we are building a slate of original experiences that push the boundaries of technology and storytelling for this new medium, while always keeping the audience at the center of the experience,” said Jim Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, in a statement. “Since The Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered in 1975, it redefined audience participation and became a cultural phenomenon. With Sphere, we have the opportunity to take that spirit of immersion to an entirely new level.”

Also on Tuesday, Sphere Entertainment announced that The Wizard of Oz at Sphere has now generated more than $400 million in ticket sales, with more than 3 million tickets sold since the experience debuted at the venue on Aug. 28, 2025.

For updates on The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Sphere, visit thesphere.com and sign up for the Sphere newsletter.

Father’s Day — traditionally held the third Sunday in June — is right around the corner, and to celebrate, Billboard has curated a poll asking our readers to vote for their favorite dad in the Latin music realm.

Among 13 celebrity dads in the poll is Maluma, who recently announced he and girlfriend Susana Gómez are expecting their second child. The Colombian artist revealed the gender in a recent exclusive interview with Billboard, stating: “It’s a boy! We’re still thinking about the name, but we have many options […] With this baby — and especially knowing that it’s a boy — I am filled with a happiness and joy that is very different from my first pregnancy.”

Maluma became a first-time dad in 2024 with the birth of his baby girl, Paris.

Another artist who’s recently going viral on social media for publicly sharing his journey as a first-time dad is Jay Wheeler, who has a daughter named Aiunii with Venezuelan singer-songwriter Zhamira.

The Puerto Rican star has not only released music inspired by his new stage as a family man, but has opened up his personal life with his fans, showcasing his day-to-day adventures with his adorable and spontaneous baby girl.

Other music stars who have not shied away from flaunting fatherhood in their music, on social media, and while on tour include J Balvin, Guaynaa, and Mike Bahía, to name a few. The former of the three even has a new alter ego called “Shein Balvin” thanks to his witty son, Río.

In light of the sweet holiday on June 21, vote for your favorite Latin music dad below:

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.

It is hot almost everywhere. Whether you’re reading this from California or Texas, we all feel the heat. Lucky for you, we’ve conjured up a way to keep cool with help from a piece of tech that will craft an icy treat that you can make in the comfort of your very own home.

The Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker whips up frozen goodies in as little as 15 minutes — and you don’t need ice to get the job done. Ninja’s Slushi, which retails for $298 (regularly $349.99) at Walmart, utilizes RapidChill Technology — a two-part system that spins 360 degrees and turns liquids into slushy goodness.

For a Frappe, the Ninja Slushi is your go-to. To bring you up to speed, a Frappe is an icy blended coffee drink made extremely popular by coffee chains like Dunkin’ and Starbucks. You can find a ton of Ninja Slushi recipes for Frappes online, but this one comes directly from the test kitchen, so you know it’s good.

For two to three servings, you’ll want one cup of half & half, two cups of black coffee, one teaspoon of vanilla extract and third cup granulated sugar. To make it sweeter, you can swap out the granulated sugar with brown sugar. Mix this delish concoction up and pour it into the vessel.

You’ll then click the Frappe preset, which will start at the default and optimal temperature for ideal texture. However, you can adjust the temperature if the presetting is not cold enough. Once it’s frozen, you’ll wanna serve it up asap topped with whipped cream, caramel and mini-chips.

The Slushi features temperature controls to customize the thickness of your frozen concoctions and five settings: Slush, Spiked Slush, Frappé, Milkshake and Frozen Juice.

If you fancy slushies, margaritas, daiquiris, frappés, frosé  or other frozen drinks, Ninja Slushi should be high on your list of must haves. It keeps drinks frozen for up to 12 hours, making it perfect for summertime parties, gatherings and get-togethers.

And if you’re a music fan, break out the Ninja Slushi for your next dance party, or watch parties for your favorite concert specials, music documentaries and award shows, and to pregame before attending a concert or music festival.

And since the Ninja Slushi is from Walmart, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping, which this frozen drink maker is, so you’ll get the free shipping with or without Walmart+.

However, if you’re not a member, then you’re in luck: You can sign up for a trial for just $1 to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts, streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.

In addition, Walmart+ comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels like “The Coffee House” for stripped-down songs from Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers and others. Learn more about what Walmart+ can offer you here.

On sale for $298 (regularly $349.99), the Ninja Slushi is available at Walmart. The machine is also available for purchase at other retailers, including NinjaKitchen.com, Amazon, Target, Best Buy and Kohl’s.

This week, “I Knew It, I Knew You” becomes the 15th Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 of Taylor Swift‘s illustrious pop career — and the 10th from this decade alone. But it also marks a first for Swift: It’s the only one of her 15 No. 1s to come from a movie soundtrack.

Swift has a long track record of notable movie songs, including a pair of No. 2-peaking Hot 100 smashes with 2010’s “Today Was a Fairytale” (from Valentine’s Day) and 2016’s “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” alongside ZAYN (from Fifty Shades Darker). But it’s the Jack Antonoff-co-written/co-produced “I Knew It,” from the upcoming Toy Story 5, which becomes her first to get over the top on the chart — while also becoming the former Nashville hitmaker’s first song in over a decade to be embraced by country radio.

How long do we think the hit will last? And do we think it presages a full country pivot from Taylor? Billboard staffers discuss these questions and more below.

1. Is it surprising to you that this is Swift’s first soundtrack No. 1 — either that she’d never had one before with any of her many movie songs, or that this was the song to finally get her there? 

Eric Renner Brown: I was initially surprised – partly because I simply didn’t realize how many soundtrack songs she’s made – but after digging in to the specifics, it makes sense. It’s easy to forget, but Taylor Inc. is a relatively recent phenomenon; before the late ’10s, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that her singles would go No. 1 just by virtue of their sheer existence. Plus several of her soundtrack songs came much earlier in her career: five before Billboard adjusted its chart criteria to include streaming, and four of those before Red, her true pop crossover.

So really, the question is why her four other soundtrack singles from 2016 onward didn’t top the chart – and they mostly have explanations, whether its being attached to a more risqué property (Fifty Shades Darker‘s “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”), a more maligned property (Cats‘ “Beautiful Ghosts”) or no traditional property at all (“Only The Young,” from Netflix’s Miss Americana documentary about Swift herself). Why Where The Crawdads Sing‘s “Carolina” from 2022 not only didn’t top the Hot 100, but stalled out at No. 60, is the only real headscratcher. But Swift is now bigger than ever, Toy Story is an iconic property and the Disney machine is among the most powerful in pop culture – so it’s easy to understand why this Swift soundtrack song was the one to finally get her to No. 1.

Christopher Claxton: Toy Story might be the biggest film franchise she’s ever had her music featured in. Behind it, the closest comparison might be The Hannah Montana Movie, where she contributed “Crazier” — but that was 2009, long before streaming became the cultural force it is today. So it’s not surprising that “I Knew It, I Knew You” became her first soundtrack No. 1. Toy Story is a true behemoth; a Disney-commissioned study estimates the franchise has generated $16 billion in revenue and roughly $50 billion in economic impact over 30 years. That level of legacy naturally elevates anything attached to it, especially when paired with an artist as globally dominant as Taylor Swift.

Lyndsey Havens: Not really… only because her output outside of soundtracks is so strong that I don’t really associate her to any soundtrack in particular. When I think of Taylor Swift, I think of Taylor Swift. It makes perfect sense, then, that this would be the soundtrack song to finally get here there because everything about its rollout and release was entirely Swiftian — from the many easter eggs to the live debut and heck, even to her approaching Disney with this idea and song. Sure, it’s a song for Toy Story, but it’s just as much a song for Taylor’s world, which is why I think it’s such a success — as she surely “knew it” would be all along.

Danielle Pascual: It feels surprising with the way we understand Taylor Swift in 2026, but flashing back to 2022 (the last time she released a movie song), and thinking about what her name meant then, I would say no. Swift obviously been a giant pop star for over a decade, but it wasn’t until launching the Eras tour in 2023 that she completely dominated pop culture. Since then, it almost feels guaranteed that any song she releases will debut at No. 1, especially if she follows the same promotion strategy she has done for most of her singles over the past few years. 

Andrew Unterberger: It makes sense. As big as those two No. 2-peaking soundtrack smashes of hers were, they weren’t exactly signature songs for Taylor — it was a testament to her star power and commercial dominance (in two very different pop eras, no less) that those songs did as well as they did. “I Knew It” is not just one of her best soundtrack songs, and for arguably her biggest film partner yet, but in 2026 she’s just on a different level as a chart superpower than she was even in those prior eras. It would’ve been a little surprising if it didn’t debut at No. 1.

2. Does the pairing of Taylor Swift and the Toy Story franchise make particular sense to you, or would the song have been a similarly sized hit coming from just about any movie? 

Eric Renner Brown: I never necessarily thought of Swift and Toy Story together, but there’s a certain baseline appreciate for Toy Story that most Millennials have. And with Toy Story 5‘s plot (mild spoiler alert!) foreground Jessie, it makes sense that Swift would find this installment of the franchise particularly appealing. Still, while I think the beloved I.P. and Disney’s clout helped turbocharge this single’s success, given the rarefied pop cultural air Swift occupies, I bet any song she had made for a major film franchise at this juncture in her career would have topped the chart.

Christopher Claxton: It makes sense when you look at it through the lens of initials, Taylor Swift and Toy Story both being “TS.” Even more interesting, two of the franchise’s most iconic characters are a cowboy and cowgirl, which adds a subtle country tie-in that fits her broader storytelling universe. I don’t usually think of Taylor Swift and Toy Story in the same conversation, but when you zoom out and look at major Disney franchises alongside global pop stars, both “TS”es stand firmly on those lists.

Lyndsey Havens: I think the pairing is a large part of why this song is a hit, because of the story surrounding it, tracing back to Taylor as a little girl. The personal connection and anecdotes she’s shared on Instagram and at the film’s Los Angeles premiere all make the listener buy in that much more — it’s not just a song for a movie. Plus, as Swift herself wrote, it’s a “musical departure and coming home at the same time,” as the single tugs her back toward her country roots, and I don’t know if any other movie (or character other than a cowgirl named Jessie) would have brought her there so naturally. 

Danielle Pascual: Most likely the latter. Yes, Toy Story is a franchise everyone already knows and loves and has been a staple in kids’ lives for the past two decades. But if Swift followed the same marketing strategy for any other film — the real-life billboards, the countdown on her website, the variant dropping, etc. — I think she’d still be able to cinch the No. 1, especially with the way her fanbase has grown since the Eras tour. 

Andrew Unterberger: The Toy Story franchise definitely helps — both for the connections Swift has to the movies, and because, well, it’s Toy Story. But a brand new Taylor Swift song at this point is just almost always going to have the inside track to pole position on the Hot 100, especially when it’s not competing with any other brand new Taylor Swift songs.

3. Do you think that the song will end up being a long-lasting hit, or will it fade along with initial excitement about its (and the movie’s) release?

Eric Renner Brown: Swift just had a long-running No. 1 — 10 weeks straddling either side of the new year with “The Fate of Ophelia” — and another No. 1 in February (“Opalite”), both from last fall’s The Life of a Showgirl. The culture is awash in Swift, and at times it feels like she is almost competing against herself. She’s set a high bar, and I’m not sure that “I Knew It, I Knew You” necessarily stacks up with her other recent hits, purely from a pop hit standpoint. Considering some of the other hits currently impacting the charts, this one simply may not have the juice for a long run, and it doesn’t seem so distinctive that it would make it into a career survey on a theoretical Eras Tour 2 (is that a thing?).

Christopher Claxton: I don’t think this one has much staying power once the excitement around the movie fades. There’s a lot of tough competition on the Hot 100 right now, between Drake, Ariana Grande and Ella Langley, and that momentum might be hard to sustain long-term compared to the big hits by those other artists.

Lyndsey Havens: At least speaking for me personally, it’s a lasting hit. In fact, it’s one of my favorite songs from Swift in a minute. There’s a beautiful ease to it, which is perhaps in part due to that “coming home” appeal she wrote of in her Instagram caption. And I think because it was written for the film, there’s really no guessing game surrounding its lyrics — it has the freedom to just exist as a great song. And I think here, that’s a benefit.

Danielle Pascual: I love the song, so I hope it’s long-lasting! This is Swift’s first country No. 1 since the Red era in 2012, and its clearly something current music listeners crave, with the chart dominance of songs by Morgan Wallen, Ella Langley and Shaboozey over the past few years. “I Knew It, I Knew You” being a country song combined with Swift’s pop culture prowess seems like a good formula for a long-lasting hit. At the same time, timing is everything — and with the continued success of Drake’s ICEMAN, plus a new Olivia Rodrigo album, its unlikely she’ll continue holding the top spot even though I do think it’ll continue landing elsewhere on the chart for at least a few more weeks.

Andrew Unterberger: I don’t think it’s gonna be a quick-fader. Affection for the song already seems pretty high, and the movie’s not even fully out yet — if it gets to soundtrack a big emotional moment that spurs a ton of additional listening, we could be looking at one of the biggest hits of the summer. And if not, well, it’s still a song people really like by the biggest pop star in the world. It’s not disappearing overnight.

4. Much has been made about this being Taylor Swift’s quasi-official return to country — how much of a pivot do you actually see this as being, and do you think she’ll continue further down that direction in the next couple years? 

Eric Renner Brown: Swift is nothing if not a shrewd observer of cultural trends. She knows when to swim with the current, and even when she decides to swim against it, it feels extremely deliberate – and usually pays off in the long run. I’m sure she has seen the surge country has had on the charts in recent years, and especially how well woman-made country music from Beyoncé to Ella Langley has fared. Not that I think Swift ever stopped caring about her country roots – far from it – but if there was ever a savvy time to pivot back to them, it’s now.

Christopher Claxton: I think Taylor Swift is an artist who’s always been in tune with trends, and right now country music is beyond hot, so it only makes sense she circles back to where it all started for her. Ella Langley has also been everywhere on the Hot 100 lately, while Beyoncé has already reshaped how the Grammys approach country music altogether. So if this really is Taylor’s return to the genre, it feels less like a revisit and more like a calculated move to re-enter a space she’s fully capable of dominating.

Lyndsey Havens: Sonically, sure. I hear it. I don’t think it’s as big a pivot as it’s being heralded as, but I also think it were a massive leap that may have not landed quite as well in this moment. Like everything Taylor does, I think this was a smart move — and I definitely think it hints at her continuing in this direction for whatever is coming next.

Danielle Pascual: I don’t think so. In my opinion, the only way Swift would truly return to her country roots with new songs is if (hopefully, when) she drops “From the Vault” tracks from the hypothetical re-record of her debut album, Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version). Since Swift’s transition into pop, she’s only grown in popularity, so why would she go back? Not to say she’d completely abandon her country roots forever, I just don’t see us getting a whole project like Fearless any time soon. 

Andrew Unterberger: I don’t read country from this at all, to be honest — or at least, if it was from an artist who lacked the country history that Swift has, I don’t think “country” would be the first thing anyone would think to call it. And nah, I doubt it’s gonna be a full pivot taking her all the way back to Nashville, though I could certainly see it being the start of a more stripped-down, acoustic, nostalgic-feeling Taylor Swift era.

5. What’s your favorite Taylor Swift movie soundtrack song?

Eric Renner Brown: This one, more or less by default. It’s a nice song for a heartwarming franchise and nicely evokes her roots. I’m excited to see how it’s used in the movie!

Christopher Claxton: I would say “Crazier” from the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack, since Hannah Montana is one of my favorite franchises.

Lyndsey Havens: It’s a tie between “Crazier” from Hannah Montana: The Movie, mostly for the nostalgia, and “Safe & Sound” with the Civil Wars for the Hunger Games, because it’s such a haunting song that has very much continued to haunt me nearly 15 years later.

Danielle Pascual: Honestly, “I Knew It, I Knew You” is up there, but “Today Is a Fairytale” slightly surpasses it, mainly because of how nostalgic it makes me feel.  Her Valentine’s Day song came out when I was in middle school and obsessed with the idea of love without having experienced it. Swift whimsically captured that sort of uncomplicated puppy love that any teenager imagines a relationship to be. 

Andrew Unterberger: Love this one, love “Fairytale,” but gotta be “Safe and Sound.” Those harmonies with the Civil Wars during the wordless breakdown section!