Lana Del Rey, Cardi B & More Are Honored In ‘Billboard’s Year In Music’ Issue
As 2017 comes to a close Billboard is honoring the likes of Lana Del Rey, Cardi B, Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Lil Uzi Vert in their annual Year In Music issue. The publication selected the artists who have left a lasting impact on the year to feature on four individual covers, and each of them delivered something memorable.
Released today (December 21), Lana and Cardi are particularly stunning on their respective covers. The “Love” siren nabbed hers because of the sonic switch-up that defined her latest release, Lust For Life. Released this July, the album represented a shift in the 32-year-old’s artistry as she moved from her melancholic musings to a more engaged, determined sound. “I think a good word [to describe Lust for Life’s shift in mood] would be present — less from the outside looking in, and a more integrated perspective lyrically,” she explained in her featured interview.
Lana presents a suitably ethereal look on her cover. Dressed in a black dress, she looks back longingly in a field of tall grasses. In the accompanying photos she delivers more whimsical poses in the meadow and then takes to the streets to strut down the center of a winding road. It is yet another evocative shoot for the hitmaker who has delivered multiple high-profile photoshoots in 2017.
Cardi B is similarly resplendent in her shoot. Rocking a series of high-fashion looks she delivers a series of empowered poses within a Los Angeles home. Her cover is particularly enchanting. Showcasing some serious leg in an open jacket, she is the image of the successful star on the rise.
The “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker enjoyed a banner year as she soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with her debut single. Since then the up-and-comer has pulled down consistent wins. As her feature on “MotorSport” sits in the top 10 on the charts, the 25-year-old becomes one of the few acts to have her first three releases go top 10.
She reflected on her experience with fame in her interview. Although she said that she enjoyed watching the charts with her fiancé, Offset, she also commented on the negative side. “A lot of fake people, a lot of people throwing you hate, trying to discredit your work, a lot of men always talking shit, the drama, the pain, the tears, the sweat, the stress,” she admitted in a raw moment. “It’s annoying. I suck it up. I cry sometimes. I get very upset.” However, she added that her work ethic gives her the strength to keep going as do inspiring women around her.
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee reflected on the impact of “Despactio” on the music world, while Lil Uzi Vert talked about finding crossover success via authenticity. Check out all of the pics up top!
Do you love the photos? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!
