
Courtesy of Vive Claro.
Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, who helped pen hits including “Money (That’s What I Want)” and “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” has died following an extended illness at a Los Angeles hospital, her family said Saturday (Aug. 22). She was 87.
Bradford Hobbs was born in Charleston, Missouri, and later moved to Detroit.
She was introduced in the late 1950s to Motown founder Berry Gordy by neighbor and singer Jackie Wilson. She joined Motown as a receptionist in 1958 and like many of the company’s employees took part in the creative process that helped make Motown a music industry powerhouse.
She and Gordy co-wrote “Money (That’s What I Want).” The song was recorded in 1959 by Barrett Strong and became an early hit. It was covered by The Beatles and also became one of that group’s hits.
“Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” first was recorded by The Temptations and later became a hit for Marvin Gaye. Bradford Hobbs also wrote songs for Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas and others.
“Janie was there with me from the very beginning, before there was even a Motown, and she will always hold a very special place in my heart and in the Motown family,” Gordy said in a statement.
“Janie was one of a special group I have always thought of as the original Motown family — the unsung heroes who believed in the dream before anyone knew what Motown would become,” Gordy continued. “She was one of the people who helped make Motown what it became.”
Bradford Hobbs later became head of Writer Relations for Jobete, Motown’s publishing company. After leaving Motown, she founded the annual Heroes and Legends Awards. The event spanned about 30 years, honoring music icons and awarding scholarships, according to her family.
She is survived by her husband, Wardean Hobbs; daughter, Nicole Hobbs; son, Lance Finney; and two grandsons. Funeral services have not been completed.
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Whether you’re a die-hard tennis fanatic or novice sports watcher, the 2026 U.S. Open Tennis Championships is packed with must-see moments and exciting tennis action. The Grand Slam tennis tournament begins on Sunday (Aug. 23) and goes until Sept. 13.
Some of the best and brightest tennis stars from around the world are scheduled to play, including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Alex Eala. Additionally, Serena Williams is likely to compete.
The 146th edition of the U.S. Open takes place at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
The U.S. Open airs starting on Sunday (Aug. 23) at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. The Grand Slam broadcasts across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
To start fan weekend during the U.S. Open, indie folk band The Lumineers with special guest Petey USA are scheduled to perform.
Throughout the tournament, there’s likely to be a number of celebrity appearances, such as past sightings, like Taylor Swift, HAIM, Bruce Springsteen, Spike Lee, Usher, P!nk, Joe Keery and Bizarrap.
Meanwhile, DJ and record producer Zedd is set to headline the official U.S. Open Finals Afterparty at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
If you’re a sports fan and cord-cutter, then there are a number of ways to watch the U.S. Open without cable — especially if you want to watch for free. For example: DirecTV offers a five-day free trial to try out the streaming service, while others like Fubo and Hulu + Live TV offer free trials too, so you can watch ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 without spending money up front.
A subscription to DirecTV gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, including ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, at $59.99 for the first month of service ($89.99 per month afterward). The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now.
You can watch local networks, such as NBC, CBS, FOX and PBS, while you can also watch many cable networks, including FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, Cartoon Network, ESPN, FS1, VH1, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, Lifetime, CNBC, BET, MTV, Paramount Network and many others. It comes with access to ESPN Unlimited too for even more ESPN networks.
Sling TV offers Orange + Blue plan, which comes with ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. With more than 50 channels, the streaming plan goes for $69.99 per month and comes with a free cloud DVR and additional 600 or so free channels. Please note: Pricing and channel availability vary from market-to-market.
UNLIMITED DVR
Fubo is an affordable option offering a five-day free trial for new users who sign up.
Fubo starts at $63.99 for the first month ($88.99 per month afterward) with more than 210 channels — including local and cable, like ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 — that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers. And with a five-day free trial, you can watch for free, if you act fast and sign up now.
The service gets you live access to local broadcast networks including NBC, CBS and FOX, while it has dozens of cable networks, such as FX, Bravo, TLC, E!, FS1, MTV, CMT, ID, Ion, OWN, Paramount Network, TV Land, VH1 and much more.
Broadcast networks ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 are available to watch with Hulu + Live TV. Prices for the cable alternative start at $89.99 per month for more than 100 live channels, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited at no additional cost. Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one package. It features many other networks, like CBS, NBC, FOX, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, Hallmark Channel and more.
ESPN Unlimited is the official streaming platform for ESPN. A subscription includes instant access for $29.99 per month. However, you can save almost 17% off by purchasing an annual subscription for $299.99 per year. It features every ESPN network, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, SEC Network+ and ACC Network Extra — all in one streaming service.
In addition to live sports, ESPN Unlimited has original programming to stream on demand. Although the service doesn’t offer a free trial, you can still watch ESPN Unlimited with a clever workaround to watch online for free. Learn more about how to get a free trial to access ESPN Unlimited here.
If you’re overseas and you’d like to stream the U.S. Open internationally, you can sign up for a VPN, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN and PureVPN, which lets you access a number of streaming platforms, like the ones mentioned above — legally.
The U.S. Open Tennis Championships broadcast across on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 beginning on Sunday (Aug. 23). One of the best ways to watch the Grand Slam tennis tournament is with DirecTV.
Check out a complete schedule on the U.S. Open website.
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.
Sam Reid is stepping back into Lestat’s shoes — and this time, he’s taking the vampire’s music to the stage. The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only LIVE brings the actor’s season three performance to a special concert event featuring six original songs from composer Daniel Hart.
Filmed at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on June 2, the standing-room-only concert saw Reid perform in character as Lestat. The evening began with a screening of the first episode of The Vampire Lestat before the actor took the stage for the musical performance.
The full concert special will be available to stream on AMC+ beginning Sunday (Aug. 23). The special is an AMC+ exclusive, but viewers don’t necessarily have to subscribe through the standalone AMC+ app.
Fans can also access AMC+ through participating services including DirecTV, Philo, Sling, Prime Video and Apple TV. Those who already have one of these services can check their account for an AMC+ add-on. Depending on the platform and current promotions, eligible new subscribers may also be able to sign up for a free trial and watch the concert without committing to a full month.
DirecTV offers new subscribers a five-day free trial, while its Entertainment plan includes more than 90 live channels for $59.99 for the first month, followed by $89.99 per month. AMC+ is required to stream The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only LIVE, but some DirecTV packages include AMC+ with ads at no additional charge. If you have a qualifying plan, such as MyEntertainment Pack, simply open On Demand, select Networks and choose AMC+ to watch.
Sling offers a lower-cost way to access The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only LIVE through its AMC+ add-on. You can subscribe to AMC+ directly through Sling for $5 for the first month, with the regular price set at $9.99 per month, without purchasing a Sling Orange or Blue plan. For live TV, Sling Orange and Sling Blue both start at $45.99 per month, while the combined Orange + Blue plan starts at $69.99. Once AMC+ is active, use the Sling app’s search bar or Premium networks section to find the concert.
Philo is an easy way to stream the Lestat concert, especially for new subscribers. Its Core plan includes more than 70 channels, unlimited DVR and AMC+ at no additional cost. Plans start at $25 per month, and new users can also sign up for a seven-day free trial to watch without paying upfront. On Aug. 23, search for the concert in the Philo app or navigate to the AMC+ network page to start streaming.
For Apple TV users, AMC+ can be added directly through the Apple TV app, so there’s no need to download a separate streaming app. Eligible new subscribers can take advantage of a seven-day free trial. Open Apple TV, search for AMC+, select the AMC+ Channel and click Try It Free to sign up. Once your subscription is active, you can stream the Lestat concert on Aug. 23.
You don’t need a separate AMC+ app if you prefer watching through Amazon. Add AMC+ as a Prime Video Channel and eligible new subscribers can get a seven-day free trial. To get started, open Prime Video, search for AMC+ or The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only LIVE and choose Watch with AMC+ (start your free trial). From there, you can stream the concert and other AMC+ movies and shows directly through your Prime Video account.
The six-song setlist includes music written specifically for The Vampire Lestat by Hart, including “The Loneliness” and “Brutal Love.” Hart has said “The Loneliness” is his favorite song he wrote for season three because of its varied rhythms.
The concert arrives after season three’s run and ahead of the series’ next chapter, Anne Rice’s Queen of the Damned, which was announced as season four during San Diego Comic-Con in July.
From career milestones to new releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
The Latin music industry is coming together to support communities affected by recent earthquake events. On Sunday (Aug. 23), “Colombia: Voces por la Vida” will bring together artists, promoters, companies and media partners at Bogotá’s Vive Claro Distrito Cultural to raise funds for the country’s rebuilding efforts.
Led by Ocesa Colombia’s Luz Angela Castro, the lineup includes Maluma, Kris R, Miguel Bosé, Greeicy, Silvestre Dangond, Eladio Carrión, Draco Rosa, Sebastián Yatra, TIMØ, Pedro Capó, Manuel Turizo, Juan Duque and more, with Karol G joining via livestream through her Con Cora Foundation. More artists are expected to participate. The initiative quickly grew into a collective effort involving Ocesa Colombia, MOVE Concerts, Páramo Presenta, CMN, Villalón Group, Diomar García Eventos and many others.

Courtesy of Vive Claro.
More than three decades after its release on their groundbreaking ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños?, Maná has become the first Latin act featured in Apple Music’s Rediscovered series. Fronted by Fher Olvera, the band — comprised of drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Calleros, with additional backup members — performed a new version of “Oye Mi Amor” at Apple Music Studios in L.A.
The session, recorded in Spatial Audio and released exclusively on Apple Music, celebrates one of Maná’s most recognizable hits while adding another milestone to the Mexican band’s legacy. With more than 50 million albums sold worldwide, four Grammy Awards, nine Latin Grammys, and 10 No. 1s on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, the band continues its Vivir Sin Aire Tour across the U.S. and Latin America. Maná’s performance joins recent Rediscovered sessions from Goo Goo Dolls, Norah Jones, Estelle, Ne-Yo, Billy Idol and Third Eye Blind. Watch their performance below.
Elvis Crespo is returning to the Bronx for a hometown celebration. The Puerto Rican Grammy-winning merengue star will headline the finale of the 2026 Bronx Summer Concert Series on Sept. 6 at Orchard Beach Pavilion. The free, family-friendly event will run from 1-5 p.m. ET and close out the borough’s annual summer concert series.
“Performing in New York City, where I was born, makes this moment meaningful,” Crespo said in a statement. “I can’t wait to bring the energy of merengue back to the city that will always be part of who I am.”
Bronx Borough president Vanessa L. Gibson added, “From salsa and merengue to freestyle and Caribbean sounds, this concert series reflects the vibrant energy and diversity that define our borough. We are also thrilled to welcome the legendary Elvis Crespo for our Labor Day Weekend finale and invite everyone to join us as we close out another unforgettable summer in the Bronx.”

Courtesy of the artist.
ZZK Records — the indie Latin American electronic music label and cultural platform — is bringing its Onda Latina dance night back to Los Angeles on Sept. 10 at Townhouse Venice. The lineup will feature an evening of deep Latin sounds from Argentine producer Chancha Vía Circuito, Mexico-born, Amsterdam-based DJ and broadcaster Coco María, and ZZK’s own El G, who will close out the night with a DJ set.
The event continues ZZK’s mission of spotlighting adventurous Latin electronic music, digital cumbia and folkloric sounds for L.A. audiences. Since relocating to the city in 2019, the label has hosted more than two dozen events featuring artists from 11 countries, helping connect the region’s underground scenes with new audiences. Buy tickets here.

Courtesy of ZZK Records.
D Smoke and Drezz, who perform together as the Los Angeles-based Afro-Latin duo STA-BN (short for ‘Sta Bien), released “Mujeres” on Friday (Aug. 21). The bilingual, mid-tempo track blends a sultry groove with lyrics celebrating women, individuality and connection across cultures.
“Mujeres is not only an ode to womankind, but a celebration of the individual woman, uniquely powerful and special,” D Smoke tells Billboard. “It champions she who, amidst a crowd, maintains her center and her protects own original energy.”
The song marks another cross-cultural release from the Grammy-winning artist, who continues to bridge English- and Spanish-language sounds through his music. Listen below.
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