Billboard France is finally here.
On February 13, 2025 (Thursday), Billboard officially launched the brand’s first French edition, Billboard France, marks the 12th international edition of Billboard after the launch of Billboard Korea in 2024. Joining forces with So Press – the publishers of other prominent titles such Society and So Foot, Billboard France marks a “significant step in the [Billboard’s] expansion across Europe” and is set to “enhance the visibility of French musical artists on a worldwide platform.”
Billboard France will be led by Ulysse Hennessy, Nicolas Baudoin and Tarek Brite, aiming to “become a pivotal digital platform, offering in-depth insights and news pertaining to the music industry and other creative fields.” “Our vision is to create a digital media platform that serves as both a reference for professionals and a source of inspiration for all music enthusiasts,” the founders of Billboard France expressed in a press statement. “Billboard France will cover not only music news and its industry but will explore digital creative industries. Our ambition is to become the voice of the music industry in France.”
Meanwhile, Billboard President Mike Van comments, “Billboard’s expansion into the French market is the next pillar in our global footprint and a natural progression of our long-standing commitment to celebrating achievement and connecting artists with their fans from around the globe“.
In addition, Franck Annese, President of So Press, expressed his excitement regarding the momentous partnership, stating, “From the first discussions with Ulysse and Nicolas, I loved their vision and their extremely modern approach to envisioning a media outlet like Billboard in France today.”
Alongside its launch, Billboard France unveiled its first ever cover star: GRAMMY-winning Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy. “From his studio in Port Harcourt to the world’s biggest stages, Burna Boy is redefining African music,” Billboard France stated in the reveal of their first cover, noting Burna Boy’s achievement as “the first non-francophone African artist to headline France’s iconic Stade de France in 2025.” “Behind his 7 billion Spotify streams and Grammy Award lies a cultural revolution. His “Afrofusion” – a unique blend of Afrobeat and hip-hop sounds – has conquered the world, making him the ambassador of Nigeria’s booming music scene.”