2022 was a big year for music, and it reflected on Billboard‘s magazine covers throughout the year.
Post Malone kicked off 2022’s covers by opening the doors to his Utah home, and the rest of the year featured intimate conversations with stars like SZA, Anitta, Sam Smith, Bad Bunny and many more.
To celebrate Women in Music, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey and Madonna were transformed into NFTs, and Billboard kept up with current events by diving into the Roe v. Wade overturn and Snapchat’s future.
Stray Kids also graced the cover in September, marking one of the year’s most popular issues. “What I can say is, we’re definitely trying to put on a good impression and be as genuine as we can for people who look up to us,” Bang Chan said in the accompanying feature of the group’s global superstardom. “Our goal ever since we debuted was to reach as many ‘stray kids’ as possible. To deliver our music and give strength to people who really need it.”
See below for Billboard‘s 2022 magazine covers.
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Post Malone
Image Credit: . Post Malone kicked off the year welcoming Billboard into his Utah home for the January 29, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Post Malone is Done Compromising: The Superstar Gets Real at His Mountain Hideaway
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Bronze Avery
Image Credit: Sami Drasin Bronze Avery won Samsung’s inaugural Billboard NXT competition and graced the January 27, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: Bronze Avery Earned the Gold in the Billboard NXT Competition, And Now, ‘The Sky’s The Limit’
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Madonna
Image Credit: Yam Karkai To celebrate Women in Music, Madonna was transformed into an NFT for the February 26, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Billboard & World of Women Celebrates Christina Aguilera, Madonna and Mariah Carey With NFT Magazine Cover
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Mariah Carey
Image Credit: Yam Karkai To celebrate Women in Music, Mariah Carey was transformed into an NFT for the February 26, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Billboard & World of Women Celebrates Christina Aguilera, Madonna and Mariah Carey With NFT Magazine Cover
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Christina Aguilera
Image Credit: Yam Karkai To celebrate Women in Music, Christina Aguilera was transformed into an NFT for the February 26, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Billboard & World of Women Celebrates Christina Aguilera, Madonna and Mariah Carey With NFT Magazine Cover
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Young Thug & Gunna
Image Credit: Diwang Valdez Young Thug and Gunna brought their sleek style to the March 12, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: How Young Thug & Gunna Relied On Risks & ‘Real S–t’ To Become Capital-P Powerhouses
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Kygo
Image Credit: Meredith Jenks Kygo brought the vacation vibes to the March 12, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: Can Kygo Build Music’s Next Margaritaville?
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Sebastián Yatra
Image Credit: David Needleman Sebastian Yatra discussed how he broke through from Encanto to superstardom for the March 12, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: From ‘Encanto’ to the Oscars: Sebastián Yatra Is Ready For Latin Pop’s Closeup
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Shawn Mendes
Image Credit: Sami Drasin Shawn Mendes opened up about his musical transformation for the March 12, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Shawn Mendes on Spirituality and the Biggest Tour of His Career
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Machine Gun Kelly
Image Credit: Vijat Mohindra Machine Gun Kelly was crowned pop-punk’s Crown Prince for the March 26, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: At Home With Machine Gun Kelly, the New Prince of Pop-Punk
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Travis Barker
Image Credit: Christopher Patey Travis Barker opened up about his role as a musical mentor for the April 7, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: How Travis Barker Became the Musician, Mentor and Executive Everyone Wants to Work With
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Pusha T & Steven Victor
Image Credit: Matt Salacuse Steven Victor and Pusha T graced the cover of the April 23, 2022 Managers Issue.
Read the cover story: Why Artists Like Pusha T and Nigo Trust Manager Steven Victor’s Vision
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Billie Eilish & FINNEAS
Image Credit: Matt Salacuse The team behind Billie Eilish and Finneas graced the cover of the April 23, 2022 Managers Issue.
Read the cover story: Billie Eilish and FINNEAS on the Managers That Always Treated Them Like Grown-Ups
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The Chainsmokers
Image Credit: Miller Mobley The Chainsmokers shift gears for the May 6, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: The Chainsmokers Are Back — And Yes, They Know What You Think of Them
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Anitta
Image Credit: Ramona Rosales Anitta shared how she committed to her global takeover for the May 14, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Anitta’s Global Vision: A Trilingual Takeover
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Burna Boy
Image Credit: Seye Isikalu Burna Boy chatted taking Afro-fusion to the next level for the May 14, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Burna Boy’s Global Vision: Taking Afro-Fusion to the Next Level
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Yo Gotti & Collective Music Group
Image Credit: Devin Christopher The May 19, 2022 issue spotlighted Yo Gotti and Collective Music Group.
Read the cover story: ‘Hustling Is a Talent’: Inside the Rise of Yo Gotti and Collective Music Group
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Brandi Carlile
Image Credit: Lia Clay Miller For the Pride issue on June 4, 2022, Brandi Carlile opened up about representing queer culture.
Read the cover story: Brandi Carlile Is a Queer Icon — And She’s Making the Music Business Better, Too
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Jimmie Allen
Image Credit: Eric Ryan Anderson Jimmie Allen graced the cover of the June 25, 2022, Country Power Players issue.
Read the cover story: Behind the Remarkable Rise of Jimmie Allen, Country’s Most Ambitious (And Bowling-Obsessed) New Star
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Roe v. Wade
Image Credit: Mark Harris Following the historic Roe v. Wade overturn, the July 30, 2022 cover was dedicated to taking action.
Read the cover story: After ‘Roe’: Music’s Leaders on How to Take Action
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Snapchat
Image Credit: . In a world of TikTok, Billboard dove into Snapchat’s future for the July 30, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Can Snap Bounce Back — And Change Live Music’s Future?
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Sam Smith
Image Credit: Charlotte Hadden Sam Smith discussed finding liberation and “queer joy” for the August 6, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: Stepping Into ‘Queer Joy’: With Sam Smith at Their English Country Getaway
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Romeo Santos
Image Credit: Grace Rivera Romeo talked bachata for the August 27, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Why Romeo Santos Refuses to Take Off His ‘Superman Cape’ For Bachata
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Stray Kids
Image Credit: Ssam Kim Stray Kids took over the September 8, 2022 issue to discuss becoming global superstars.
Read the cover story: Stray Kids Have Become Global Stars By Giving ‘Strength To People Who Really Need It’
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Maluma
Image Credit: Ruven Afanador Maluma talks his mogul role for the September 17, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Meet Maluma the Mogul: From Selling Sandwiches to Running an Empire
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Grupo Firme
Image Credit: Koury Angelo Grupo Firme were all smiles on the breezy September 17, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: How Mexico’s Grupo Firme Became a Stadium Juggernaut
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Camilo
Image Credit: David Needleman Camilo opened up about the man behind the moustache for the September 22, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: The Man Behind the Moustache: Camilo’s Barefoot, Linen-Clad Journey to Latin Pop Superstardom
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Steve Lacy
Image Credit: Kanya Iwana Steve Lacy talked his breakout year with Lenny Kravitz for the October 8, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: Steve Lacy & His Hero Lenny Kravitz Say Their Band Would ‘Sound Like Sex’: A Conversation
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Brad Pitt & Damien Quintard
Image Credit: Austin Hargrave Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard opened up about their French Miraval Studios revival for the October 8, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard Reveal the Rebirth Of France’s Legendary Miraval Studios
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Whitney Houston
Image Credit: Nazario Graziano Whitney Houston’s legacy and estate were the subject of the November 5, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: Can Primary Wave Transform Whitney Houston’s Legacy — and Her Estate’s Fortunes?
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SZA
Image Credit: AB + DM SZA revealed that ‘S.O.S.’ was on the way in the November 19, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: SZA Is Finally Ready to Release That Album (Yes, Really)
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Future
Image Credit: David Needleman Future talked fatherhood and longevity while gracing the November 19, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: Future Opens Up on Fatherhood, Marriage and Outlasting His Doubters
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Bad Bunny
Image Credit: Meredith Jenks Bad Bunny opened up about the real him for the December 10, 2022 issue.
Read the cover story: The Real Bad Bunny: Offstage and Personal With the Biggest Artist of 2022
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Trevor Noah
Image Credit: Peter Ash Lee Trevor Noah talked hosting the Grammys for the December 17, 2022 cover.
Read the cover story: Trevor Noah Returns as Grammys Host and ‘Anything Can Happen’