On Thursday (May 29), Clipse announced on Instagram that they will finally be releasing their long-awaited fourth studio album, Let God Sort Em Out, on July 11. The album is produced entirely by Pharrell Williams, and marks the first release from the Virginia rap duo – featuring brothers Malice and Pusha T – in 16 years, following their 2009 album, Til The Casket Drops. Clipse signed to Def Jam last year, but the album will now be distributed and marketed by Roc Nation. The group also shared the album art for their new project, which was designed by KAWS, who also did the art for Clipse’s last release. The album announcement follows the reveal of the lead single, "Ace Trumpets," which was released at midnight on Friday (May 30). The duo has previously hinted that the album was delayed while they waited for a verse from an unnamed guest artist, with fans speculating that it could be Kendrick Lamar or Jay-Z. (Rolling Stone)

On Thursday (May 29), Shawn Mendes announced details of his 2025 On the Road Again Tour, which will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his chart-topping debut album, Handwritten. Following a hiatus to focus on his mental health, Mendes is set to make a triumphant return to the stage. “I feel like time away has allowed me to come back and recognize and remember how unbelievably special it is to get to play live shows,” Mendes wrote on X. “It’s an honour and i’m just beyond grateful that you guys keep showing up after 10 years with so much love. I almost forgot i have one of the best jobs in this world.” The tour launches in Europe in August, with the North American leg kicking off on September 25 in Boston, and finishing on October 17 in Los Angeles. Support acts for the tour are Eddie Benjamin, Maro, and Lubiana at select dates. General on-sale begins on June 6, with pre-sales starting on June 4. (Rolling Stone)

Smokey Robinson has filed a $500 million cross-complaint against his four former housekeepers, alleging defamation and elder abuse after they sued him for sexual harassment and rape. The 85-year-old Motown legend claims the women, who had previously received substantial gifts and were treated as family during their employment, conspired with their lawyer to fabricate their claims for extortion. “The only sinister acts that occurred here were those of plaintiffs and their counsel by slandering the Robinsons’ good names and reputations,” the new cross-complaint states. The lawsuit by the housekeepers, seeking $50 million in damages, alleges instances of rape and sexual assault, with some citing fear of job loss and immigration-related consequences as reasons for not reporting the abuse earlier. Robinson’s lawyer, Christopher Frost, has previously stated that the housekeepers’ lawsuit was based on “vile, false allegations.” (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (May 28), Lorde took to social media to share the 11-song tracklist on her upcoming album, Virgin, which is set to be released on June 27. Along with the project’s lead single, "What Was That," the record also includes the just released track, "Man of the Year,”  with Lorde also sharing a Grant Singer-directed music video for the song as well. The rest of the highly-anticipated new record from the two-time Grammy winner features the lead off track, “Hammer,” followed by “What Was That,” “Shapeshifter,” “Man of the Year,” “Favorite Daughter,” and “Current Affairs.” The second half of the record includes “Clearblue,” “GRWM,” “Broken Glass,” “If She Could See Me Now,” and album closer “David.” “From me to you” Lorde adds in the caption following the tracklist reveal, with the Insta photo including a different view of the x-ray cover art, with the song titles written along the length of her spine. (Rolling Stone)

During her rain-soaked Cowboy Carter Tour stop in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Wednesday night (May 28), Beyoncé surprised an expecting couple in the crowd by taking part in their gender reveal. In a heartwarming moment during the show, Beyoncé spotted the fans holding an envelope in the crowd requesting that the 35-time Grammy winner reveal the gender of their baby from the stage. Bey assured the couple that “I will come back, I promise,” before continuing on with the performance. True to her word, after she finished “16 Carriages,” Beyoncé returned to the couple and had them pass her the envelope. “My hands are sticky,” the singer joked as she struggled to get it open in the rain. Pulling the envelope apart, Bey smiled as she held up a piece of paper saying “cowboy.” “It’s a boy! God bless you. Congratulations! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it,” Beyoncé affectionately said to the couple, before holding up the ripped envelope and announcing, “I’m keeping this.” (Billboard)

During an appearance on a new episode of the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, Reneé Rapp credits her mom for manifesting her music career by purposefully giving her a memorable name. “My mom chose my first and last name to both have R’s,” Rapp told Poehler. “She was like, ‘Alliteration, just in case she wants to be a pop star.’ Rapp admits that her mom’s decision was “conceited,” but adds, “I’m obsessed with the way she did it.” Poehler replied, “She gave you a pop star name just in case, because Reneé Rapp is a huge pop star name,” with Rapp agreeing, “It’s a really good one!” Rapp also proudly discussed her decision to come out as a lesbian on a recent episode of Saturday Night Live. On Monday (May 26), the singer debuted her new song, “Leave Me Alone,” at the American Music Awards, which is from Rapp's upcoming album, Bite Me, coming out on August 1. (Rolling Stone)

SEVENTEEN faces significant changes over the next few years, as most of its 13 members prepare to enlist in the South Korean military. Despite these new responsibilities, the K-pop group remains focused on their continual musical evolution, releasing a new album, Happy Burstday, on Monday (May 26), which features a solo song performed by each member, in addition to three full-group tracks. In a new feature in The Hollywood Reporter, the members of SEVENTEEN also revealed plans for a series of upcoming solo projects, and a big group comeback post-service.

“This is something that has been inevitable for us all along,” Hoshi told the publication about the group's enlistments. “We have been prepared. We have a lot of projects that we have discussed with [Hybe] very thoroughly up until now.” In additional SEVENTEEN news, the group is the top K-Pop act on Billboard's midyear Boxscore charts, ranked No. 3 overall with $120.9 million earned and 842,000 tickets sold between Oct. 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. SEVENTEEN becomes the highest-ranking Korean act ever on the all-genre midyear list, surpassing BTS’ No. 4 rank in 2022. (Billboard)

Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, and Jamie Foxx will all receive the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards. The live event will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, and it will feature special performances from Carey, Snoop, and Franklin (with Foxx also on hand to receive his award), alongside Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti, and Leon Thomas. “Thank you @bet this is an honor 🙏🏾,” Franklin wrote on X on Wednesday (May 28). This year’s Ultimate Icon recipients will be celebrated for their contributions to entertainment, music, advocacy, and community impact, with the event also paying tribute to the 25th anniversary of 106 & Park, featuring a star-studded lineup of former hosts and performers. “We’re setting the tone for a night that celebrates 25 years of impact, creativity, and Black culture,” Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, said in a statement. “BET Awards 2025 will be a can’t-miss celebration of everything the culture represents.” (Rolling Stone)

During a private performance for fans at the Chateau Marmont on Tuesday (May 27), Miley Cyrus hinted at her future musical direction while treating the audience to intimate performances from her forthcoming album, Something Beautiful, due out Friday (May 30). “My next album is about to be extremely experimental, so have fun with that,” the Grammy-winning singer announced to the small crowd. Cyrus was joined by pianist Michal Pollack, drummer Maxx Morando, and guitarist Jonathan Radowhile during her 45-minute set, which featured new tracks, “More to Lose,” “End of the World,” and “Easy Lover,” along with renditions of “The Climb,” from her 2009 film Hannah Montana: The Movie, and her Record of the Year-winning hit, “Flowers.” Ahead of her album release, Cyrus is currently promoting her new single "Easy Lover" with a series of behind-the-scenes clips on her Instagram Story, which showcases her dance choreography rehearsal and costume fittings. (Rolling Stone)

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's appearances at the American Music Awards on Monday (May 26) drew criticism from fans who felt "lied to" after discovering that their performances were pre-recorded. During the telecast, Shelton performed his new single, “Stay Country or Die Tryin,” and later “returned” to introduce his wife, Stefani, who performed a medley including her hits “The Sweet Escape” and “Hollaback Girl,” along with the recent single, “Swallow My Tears.” Despite being shown videos of the couple's performances during the live event, attendees revealed in a series of TikTok videos that the artists were not physically present on stage, sparking disappointment among fans. While some fans voiced their expectations to see all previously announced artists perform live, it's not unusual for televised awards shows to include pre-taped segments. While Stefani wasn’t physically at the awards show, she appeared to be “live-tweeting” several of the performances. Representatives for Shelton and Stefani did not immediately respond to the controversy, and the AMAs declined to comment on the issue. (Rolling Stone)

Teddy Swims’ monumental hit, “Lose Control,” has set a new record with its unprecedented 92nd week on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing Glass Animals’ 91-week run on the chart with “Heat Waves.” “Lose Control” originally debuted at No. 99 back in August 2023, with the song eventually reaching No. 1 for only one week in March 2024. The track also spent a record-breaking 63 total weeks in the Top 10. “Lose Control” has even outlasted the chart trajectory of Teddy Swims’ two subsequent follow-up singles, with “The Door” reaching a Hot 100 peak of No. 24 last October, and “Bad Dreams” climbing to No. 30 earlier this May, with both songs also reaching the Top 10 on Adult Pop Airplay and Pop Airplay charts. Another of Teddy Swims’ hit singles, “Are You Even Real,” with Giveon, reached No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart in April. (Billboard)

Sabrina Carpenter has teamed up with Fortnite for the new ‘Dance With Sabrina’ interactive music experience, which will run from May 30 to June 16. The gameplay allows players to dance along with the pop superstar while she takes over the Festival Jam Stage, and match her moves to the beat of her hit singles, “Bad Chem” and “Espresso,” in what the game is calling a “first-of-its-kind dance party.” This new collaboration follows Carpenter’s success in Fortnite Festival season eight. “When Sabrina came to Fortnite, we saw seas of Sabrina Carpenter Outfits populate matches and perform synchronized Dance Emotes,” said Emily Levy, Director of Music, Talent & Influencer at Epic Games, in a statement. “So we knew we had to celebrate this season with an epic dance party inspired by our players and their incredible energy.” Alongside the immersive experience, Fortnite will also release a “Bad Chem” Bundle featuring exclusive offerings of Carpenter’s music and emotes on Thursday (May 29). (Billboard)

Fresh off of hosting the American Music Awards on Monday night (May 26), Jennifer Lopez took to Instagram to announce the dates and details of her new Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The upcoming run of shows is titled, Jennifer Lopez: Up All Night Live in Las Vegas, and the residency will feature four performances starting the week of New Year’s Eve – on December 30-31 and January 2-3 – with eight additional shows scheduled throughout March 2026. “SURPRISE JLOVERS! We’re back!” Lopez wrote. “I’m doing a residency in Las Vegas! Join me for Up All Night Live In Las Vegas At The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.” Lopez previously had a successful Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino dubbed, Jennifer Lopez: All I Have, which ran for 120 shows from 2016 to 2018, and grossed over $100 million. A variety of pre-sale offers run from June 2-5, with general on-sale starting on Friday, June 6. (Variety)

Morgan Wallen’s new collaboration with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” debuts at No. 1 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track is lifted from Wallen’s new album, I’m the Problem, which also claims the No. 1 spot on the current Billboard 200 chart. “What I Want” is Wallen’s fourth Hot 100 chart-topper, and is McRae’s first. Wallen currently holds the top three spots on the Hot 100, and six places on the Top 10. “Just in Case” vaults up nine spots to reach No. 2, and “I’m the Problem” moves up a slot to No. 3, with Wallen becoming the first country music artist to claim the top three songs in a single week over the chart’s 66-year history. He also joins The Beatles, Taylor Swift, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Ariana Grande as the only artists to ever achieve the rare chart-topping triple. Wallen's other three songs in the Top 10 include “I Got Better,” which debuts at No. 7, “Superman” jumps eight spots to reach No. 8, and “Love Somebody” vaults up eight spots to reach No. 10. This marks a total of nine Top 10 hits from I’m the Problem, with only Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department and Midnights (10 top 10s each) yielding more.

Rounding out the Top 10, Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” drops two places to No. 4, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” falls to No. 5 after spending 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” slides down three spots to No. 6, and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” drops five slots to No. 9. (Billboard)

In an Instagram post on Friday night (May 23), D’Angelo announced that he had to cancel his highly anticipated comeback performance at the 2025 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, citing an unforeseen medical issue related to surgery earlier in the year. This would have marked the four-time Grammy-winning R&B star’s first major performance since 2016. “I’ve been advised by my team of specialists that the performance this weekend could further complicate matters,” he wrote. D’Angelo expressed gratitude towards his fans for their continued support, and revealed that he has new music in the works. “I’m currently in the Lab, and can’t wait to serve up what’s in the pot!” he shared. The Roots Picnic is set to take place in Philadelphia from May 31 through June 1, and will now feature a headlining set from Maxwell as a replacement for D’Angelo, joining a lineup featuring Lenny Kravitz, GloRilla, Miguel, Meek Mill, Kaytranda, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, and more. (Consequence of Sound)

The 70th Ivor Novello Awards ceremony took place on Thursday (May 22) in London, with U2 receiving the organization's highest honor, the Ivors Academy Fellowship, becoming the first Irish recipients of the prestigious distinction. Charli XCX was named Songwriter of the Year for her breakthrough album, Brat, admitting in her acceptance speech, “I’m sure you’ll agree, I’m hardly Bob Dylan. But one thing I certainly do is commit to the bit.” “Messy” hitmaker Lola Young was recognized as Rising Star, performing that number as well as a stirring cover of “With or Without You,” which was a request from U2 themselves.

Bruce Springsteen took a break from his ongoing European tour to present the Special International Award to Brandon Flowers of The Killers, with The Boss quipping, “Most bands end up in Las Vegas. They don’t come from there.” Self Esteem received the Visionary Award, Bloc Party was recognized for Outstanding Song Collection, while Robbie Williams was honored with the Icon Award. Ed Sheeran presented U2 with their honor, with all four members of the legendary group giving personal speeches. The band performed a stripped-down rendition of "Sunday Bloody Sunday," and a ceremony-closing rendition of “Angel of Harlem,” which they renamed “Angels of Harlesden,” to pay tribute to their early North London fanbase. (Variety)

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the third chart-topper of the country superstar’s career, following 2023’s One Thing at a Time and 2021’s Dangerous: The Double Album. The release claims the year’s biggest week with 493,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States, while also landing the largest streaming week for any album in 2025. In addition, One Thing at a Time remains at No. 4 on this week’s chart, making Wallen the only act with two concurrent albums in the Top Five in 2025.

Elsewhere in the Top 10, Jin makes an impressive debut at No. 3 with his new album, Echo, as the BTS singer notches his highest-charting effort of his career. The rest of the Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by SZA’s SOS rising one spot to No. 2, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX jumps two slots to No. 5, Sleep Token’s Even in Arcadia falls five spots to No. 6 after debuting at No. 1 last week, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet moves up one spot to No. 7, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U drops three places to No. 8, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos climbs up one spot to No. 9, and Fuerza Regida’s 111XPANTIA falls four spots to No. 10. (Billboard)

On Friday (May 23), Billy Joel announced the cancellation of all 17 of his upcoming concerts after receiving a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder causing hearing, vision, and balance issues. “This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” reads a statement from Joel’s team. “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.” The 76-year-old Joel adds in his own statement, “I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.”

Joel had initially planned to resume touring in July after a medical condition necessitated surgery and therapy, but he will now focus on recovery. All tickets for the canceled shows will be refunded. Joel’s wife, Alexis Roderick Joel, shared a personal update on Instagram on Monday, writing: “Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received. We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.” Joel and Christie Brinkley’s 39-year-old daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, took to Instagram on Saturday to pay tribute to her dad, writing “My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I’ve ever known… and he’s entirely committed to making a full recovery.” NPH affects thinking, memory, and movement, and resembles dementia, but it can be reversible if diagnosed and treated early. (Rolling Stone)

The 2025 American Music Awards returned on Monday (May 26) after taking a two-year hiatus, with the ceremony for the “biggest fan-voted awards show in the world” taking place at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Billie Eilish was the night’s big winner, taking home Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft, and Song of the Year for “Birds of a Feather,” along with Favorite Female Pop Artist, Favorite Touring Artist, and Favorite Pop Album and Song. Jennifer Lopez served as the host, and she opened the festivities with a six-minute dance routine set to 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Janet Jackson was presented with the Icon Award, and she also delivered her first live TV performance in seven years. Rod Stewart was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by five of his children, who truly surprised Sir Rod. The 80-year-old singer closed down the show with a spirited rendition of his classic hit, “Forever Young.” With the award ceremony taking place on Memorial Day, there were tributes to military members throughout the show, with hundreds of service members in the crowd.

The night’s other winners included Gracie Abrams who took home New Artist of the Year, Bruno Mars won Favorite Male Pop Artist, as well as Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Music Video for his chart-topping collab with Lady Gaga, “Die With A Smile,” with Gaga taking home Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist. Beyoncé won Favorite Country Album for Cowboy Carter and also was awarded Favorite Female Country Artist, while Post Malone won Favorite Male Country Artist, and his collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help,” took home Favorite Country Song. Eminem won Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist and his The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) took home Favorite Hip-Hop Album, while Megan Thee Stallion won Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist. Kendrick Lamar was the night’s most nominated artist with 10 nods, though he only won one award as “Not Like Us” took home Favorite Hip-Hop Song. Kendrick’s Grand National Tour-mate SZA won Favorite Female R&B Artist and her “Saturn” won Favorite R&B song, while The Weeknd won Favorite Male R&B Artist and his Hurry Up Tomorrow took home Favorite R&B Album.

Latin music icon Gloria Estefan returned to the AMA stage for the first time in over 30 years to perform a medley of her hits, while Becky G was named Favorite Female Latin Artist and also performed, while Bad Bunny won Favorite Male Latin Artist and his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS won Favorite Latin Album. Twenty One Pilots won Favorite Rock Artist and Favorite Rock Album for Clancy. RM won Favorite K-pop Artist, while Tyla took home Favorite Afrobeats Artist.

As for the rest of the performances, Alex Warren performed his Billboard Global 200 No. 1 hit, “Ordinary,” and Lainey Wilson delivered the debut performance of her new single, “Somewhere Over Laredo.” Gwen Stefani celebrated the 20th anniversary of her first AMAs by performing a medley of her hits, while her husband, Blake Shelton, performed at the ceremony for the first time. Benson Boone performed his new song, “Mystical Magical,” while Reneé Rapp delivered her new single, “Leave Me Alone,” from her forthcoming album, Bite Me, which is due out August 1. (Variety)

On Wednesday (May 21), during the first night in Los Angeles on her co-headlining Grand National stadium tour with Kendrick Lamar, SZA surprised the audience by bringing out Lizzo for a special performance of “Special.” The duo previously collaborated on the remix of the title track of Lizzo’s Grammy-nominated 2022 album, Special, and the besties took the SoFi Stadium stage together in matching black outfits to deliver a powerful rendition of the track together. Lizzo later shared a video of the performance on Instagram, excitedly captioning the post, “BABYS FIRST STADIUM PERFORMANCE— I love u @sza u r THEE DIVA!” SZA and Lamar continue their Grand National Tour with two more L.A. shows on May 23-24, with the duo currently riding a record-setting 13-week streak atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their hit single, “Luther.” Lizzo, meanwhile, is prepping the release of her upcoming fifth album, Love in Real Life, and recently performed on Saturday Night Live on April 12. (Rolling Stone)

Cardi B is set to receive the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Voice of the Culture Award, in recognition of the hip-hop superstar’s groundbreaking influence on music and culture. The award ceremony will take place during a private, invitation-only event on Sunday, June 8, in Los Angeles, with Cardi set to follow last year’s winner, Usher. “Cardi B has left an indelible mark on the culture of hip-hop by redefining and challenging the norms for women,” ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams said in a statement. “Having broken through countless barriers with her unapologetic authenticity and talent, she continues to use her voice to advocate for and inspire others, a true testament to her undeniable impact.” In 2020, Cardi made history by becoming the first woman to receive the esteemed ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year Award two years in a row, while also being awarded eight ASCAP Pop Music Awards and 23 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. (Billboard)

This spring, a series of tribute concerts dubbed "Jillith Fair — Loving Jill Sobule" will honor the late singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, who tragically died in a house fire in Minnesota on May 1. The events will feature appearances from Tom Morello, Lisa Loeb, John Doe, Margaret Cho, members of the Go-Go's, Joan Osborne, and more. The various tribute shows will be held throughout the country, with the first event set to take place on May 31 in Northampton, Massachusetts, featuring performances by Marshall Crenshaw and Madeleine Peyroux, and hosted by Erin McKeown. Organizers plan to make Jillith Fair an annual celebration on Sobule's birthday of January 16, as well as during Pride Month, supporting causes she championed in her lifetime. Sobule’s management says she had two partially completed albums at the time of her death, with a full-length documentary also in the works. Sobule’s F*ck 7th Grade – Original Cast Recording will come out on June 6, and a vinyl reissue of her 1995 self-titled album – featuring her enduring hits “I Kissed A Girl” and “Supermodel” – will come out the same day. (Rolling Stone)

Beastie Boys and Universal Music Group have settled their lawsuits with Chili's parent company Brinker International, over the unauthorized use of the band's 1994 hit, "Sabotage" in social media ads, which also mimicked the famous Spike Jonez-directed music video. The legal dispute began in July 2024, with the band and record label seeking damages of at least $150,000. “The plaintiffs do not license ‘Sabotage’ or any of their other intellectual property for third-party product advertising purposes,” states the lawsuit. “And deceased Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch included a provision in his will prohibiting such uses.” This continues a series of legal victories for the Beastie Boys when it comes to protecting their intellectual property and honoring the late MCA’s wishes, including a $1.7 million verdict against Monster Energy in 2014, and an undisclosed settlement that same year with GoldieBlox over the unauthorized use of their song “Girls.” (Rolling Stone)

On Thursday (May 22), Miley Cyrus unveiled the trailer for her new short film, Something Beautiful, a visual companion piece to her forthcoming record set to be released on May 30. The clip features Cyrus singing an unreleased song from the record, "Easy Lover," as well as a theatrical blend of sights and sounds. “13 original songs,” the onscreen text reads. “A striking visual album fueled by fantasy.” The film will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on June 6, before a one-night-only theatrical release on June 12 in the US and Canada, followed by a worldwide screening on June 27. Cyrus just revealed the complete tracklist for Something Beautiful, which will feature the previously released songs, “Prelude,” “Something Beautiful,” “End of the World” and “More to Lose,” as well as collaborations with Alabama Shakes’ frontwoman Brittany Howard and supermodel Naomi Campbell. (Billboard)

During a recent appearance on The Zane Lowe Show, Miley Cyrus confessed to lying about the existence of two new songs after her godmother, Dolly Parton, inquired if she had any hits during a visit two Christmases ago. This fabrication spurred the Grammy-winning pop star to create the songs "More to Lose" and "Every Girl You've Ever Loved" for Cyrus's upcoming album, Something Beautiful. Cyrus and her songwriting partner Michael Pollack set a quick deadline for themselves to write the songs, with that sense of urgency helping fuel their creativity. Cyrus eventually shared “More to Lose” with Parton, who immediately challenged her by asking, “Got any more?” Cyrus credits her godmother's inquiry as the driving force behind their creation, admitting, “I hadn’t even written the songs yet, so all because of her did those two songs ever get created.” Something Beautiful features both Parton-inspired songs, and is set to be released on May 30 along with an accompanying film. (People)

Gorillaz will mark their 25th anniversary with four standalone live shows at east London’s Copper Box Arena on August 29-30 and September 2-3. The performances will coincide with the opening of an immersive exhibition, House Of Kong, which will offer fans access to the virtual band’s headquarters, while chronicling their animated history since the release of their debut EP, Tomorrow Comes Today, in 2000. House of Kong is open from August 8 to September 3, with exhibition ticket holders having exclusive presale access to the special shows. Tickets for the exhibition are currently available through the Gorillaz website. In a recent interview with the French publication Les Inrockuptibles, frontman Damon Albarn confirmed a new Gorillaz project is in the works. “I’m finishing a new Gorillaz album,” Albarn revealed. “One opera and one new Gorillaz album seems like enough for 2025!” Gorillaz last album, 2023's Cracker Island, hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200, while reaching No. 1 on the U.K. Albums Chart, marking their first British chart-topper since 2005’s Demon Days. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (May 21), Robbie Williams announced the details of his upcoming album, BRITPOP, which is set to be released this autumn via Columbia Records. “I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995,” Williams writes, calling the era “the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British Music” while revealing that he’s “worked with some of my heroes on this album.” One of those idols is Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, who is featured on the album’s lead single, “Rocket.” Williams is hitting the road on an extensive U.K. and European headline tour this summer, highlighted by a two-night stand at London’s 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium on June 6-7. Earlier this year, Williams notched his 15th No. 1 record on the U.K. Album Charts with the soundtrack to his biopic, Better Man, tying him with The Beatles for the most British chart-topping albums of all-time. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (May 21), Addison Rae revealed the track list for her debut album, Addison, through a unique underwear-themed rollout on Instagram. The TikTok star turned pop singer used a rack of panties to provocatively display the names of her 12 songs, such as "Fame Is a Gun," "Life's No Fun Through Clear Waters," "Money Is Everything," and "Times Like These," alongside her previously released singles “Diet Pepsi,” “High Fashion,” “Aquamarine,” and “Headphones On.” Rae previously announced the album's June 6 release by showing off the date on the back of her underwear during an appearance with Arca at Coachella in April. “I love the entirety of this project with all of me,” Rae previously wrote about Addison, calling the album, “A mirror. A deep desperation and desire to understand myself better. A true collection of my proudest work yet.” Rae co-wrote and produced all twelve tracks on the record alongside Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd. (Rolling Stone)

In a new interview with Culted while attending the Cannes International Film Festival, Charli XCX reflected on the success of her Grammy-winning 2024 album, Brat, and dismissed any expectations surrounding her eventual follow-up record. “I don’t really feel the pressure to create another record like Brat, because when I was making it, even though I really believed in it and totally knew what I wanted to do with it, I had no idea how it would be received,” Charli said. “I was really doing it for myself and marketing it in the way I wanted to for myself, but I had no clue that people would kind of connect to it in the way that they did.” Charli went on to share that she isn’t concerned about how her next project will be received, with the pop superstar adding,  “I feel that you can never really do the same thing twice, and my next record will probably be a flop which I’m down for to be honest.” (Billboard)

On Wednesday (May 21), Chris Brown was granted a $6.7 million bail by a British judge, with the R&B superstar released from custody following his recent arrest over an alleged 2023 London nightclub attack. Brown was initially held without bail after being arrested in Manchester on May 15 on charges of causing grievous bodily harm to music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw, who alleges that the singer hit him with a tequila bottle and stomped on him, resulting in his hospitalization. Brown was ordered to post £4 million ($5.4 million) immediately, and an additional £1 million ($1.3 million) within seven days to secure his release. As part of his bail conditions, Brown must surrender his passport (except for touring purposes), reside at a specified address, and refrain from contacting the victim or visiting the nightclub where the incident occurred. Brown has not officially entered a plea, and his next hearing is set for June 20, amidst his European tour that kicks off on June 8 in Amsterdam. (Rolling Stone)

On Tuesday (May 20), Lady Gaga moved closer to achieving EGOT status following her Sports Emmy win for Outstanding Music Direction for her performance of “Hold My Hand” at the Super Bowl. Gaga’s Emmy win follows her 2019 Oscar for Best Original Song with “Shallow,” and her 14 Grammy Awards, with the pop superstar needing only a Tony Award to complete the EGOT. The Emmys highlighted Gaga’s achievement with a social media post, sharing a photo of her award-winning performance along with the caption, “Putting the "E" in @ladygaga's E-G-O...she's just short of the T!” There are a total of only 19 people who have previously achieved the coveted EGOT status, including Elton John, who joined the elite group in January when he was awarded an Emmy for his Disney+ show, Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium. Other EGOT winners include Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, Audrey Hepburn, Rita Moreno, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. (Rolling Stone)

Sir Rod Stewart is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and perform at the 2025 American Music Awards, marking the British rock legend’s return to the AMA stage for the first time since 2004. The 80-year-old Stewart joins the lineup of artists over 50 set to perform at this year's awards ceremony, including Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson, and Gloria Estefan, alongside younger acts like Benson Boone, Reneé Rapp, and Lainey Wilson. Stewart has received numerous accolades throughout his celebrated career, including two inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – for his solo work and with The Faces – and a variety of Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition of his four No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. Stewart will launch the North American leg of his "One Last Time" world tour this summer, as well as continuing “The Encore Shows” residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from May-June and September-October 2025. (Billboard)

Hasbro is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Jem and the Holograms by releasing a new album, featuring six re-recorded songs from the original voice of Jem, Britta Phillips. Jem was an animated series that ran from 1985-1988, which featured outrageous ‘80s fashion and a synth heavy music soundtrack. In July, Hasbro is planning to release Jem and the Holograms on vinyl and digital platforms, including a reimagined version of the show’s theme song that just dropped, as well as updated renditions of "Only The Beginning" and "She's Got The Power." Phillips is excited to have the opportunity to revisit these classic tunes – and that iconic character – after all these years. “Seriously, I was thrilled to be asked to sing these songs again,” Phillips says. “I had listened to and sang many Jem songs at Jemcon last year, so they were very fresh in my mind. And I’m so excited for the Jem fans to hear them.” (Billboard)

On Monday (May 19), Lorde revealed on social media that her next single, "Man of the Year," is on the way soon. The post includes the single’s cover art – shot by American photographer Talia Chetrit – which features Lorde’s chest covered with a strip of duct tape, along with her caption: “Man Of The Year. An offering from really deep inside me. The song I’m proudest of on Virgin. Out next week.” The track will be the second single lifted from the pop superstar’s upcoming album, Virgin, following the April release of “What Was That,” which debuted at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While writing “Man of the Year,” Lorde shared with Rolling Stone that she taped her own chest with duct tape, a gesture “that was fully representative of how [her] gender felt in that moment. It sounds crazy, but I felt that all of a sudden, I was off the map of femininity. And I totally believed that that allowed things to open up.” Virgin is due out on June 27. (Billboard)

During a recent appearance on Outlaws with TS Madison, Chappell Roan candidly reflected on her experience of being labeled a 'villain' in the public eye, while expressing frustration with toxic fan behavior and societal expectations of pop stars. The Missouri native, who rose to fame in 2024 with her breakout hit, "Good Luck, Babe!," emphasizes her struggle to combat misperceptions and maintain boundaries amidst intense public scrutiny, drawing parallels to malicious past treatment of celebrities like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. “That behavior is still, they’re still doing it,” Roan explained. “Do you want me to just get to the point where I become agoraphobic? Or so stressed out or so anxious to perform? You want me to get to that point? If I do not stand up for myself, I will quit because I cannot bear this.” Roan is a first-time nominee at the upcoming American Music Awards, receiving seven total nods, including Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor's Version)" made a surprising appearance in a recent episode of The Handmaid's Tale. The reworked version of Swift’s lead single from her chart-topping 2017 album, Reputation, was featured in the opening scene of the penultimate episode of the Hulu series, as a group of rebellious handmaids walk purposefully in formation. “I’ve been wanting to use a Taylor song for many years on the show and we finally found the perfect spot for a track from her,” says the show’s star and executive producer Elisabeth Moss. “And I’m so glad we waited because there could not be a more perfect song for a more perfect moment. It’s such an honor to be able to use her music in the final episodes of our show.” Swift has been re-recording her first six albums in an effort to reclaim her masters, and only Reputation (Taylor's Version) remains, with fans speculating a possible album announcement at the American Music Awards on May 26. (Rolling Stone)

Jelly Roll was joined by special guest Eminem for a surprise performance of the rapper’s 2002 Oscar-winning hit, "Lose Yourself," at Detroit's Ford Field on Sunday night (May 18). Jelly started the song on his own before Em joined him during the second verse, with the duo joining together on the track’s rousing chorus. “Detroit, what up?! Make some noise for Jelly Roll!” Eminem said to the crowd as he was leaving the stage. “Long time, no see. I love y’all. Peace!” Jelly Roll was clearly thrilled to collaborate with the rap superstar in his home city, announcing to the audience, “If you can’t tell, that was a childhood dream come fu**ing true, Detroit. This is the greatest show I’ve ever had in my fu**ing life,” while adding that Eminem’s music “helped me through the darkest moments of my life.” The show was part of Post Malone’s ongoing Big Ass Stadium Tour, which is set to hit U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Tuesday (May 20). (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (May 19), the Whitney Houston Estate announced dates and details of "The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration" Fall North American Tour. The series of eight shows will honor the late singer's legendary music career with performances that feature "the original master and remastered recordings of Whitney’s vocals set to new arrangements in a unique and one-of- a-kind reinterpretation of her classic hits and landmark songs." The press release adds that the events will be "accompanied by never-before-seen video footage and interviews, along with some of her historic performances." The tour will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Houston's music career, and it will kick off with two shows in Cincinnati on September 20-21, which will feature the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra with conductor Daniel Wiley. The tour will then make stops in cities such as Wilmington, Thousand Oaks, and Palm Desert, before wrapping up in Mesa, Arizona on November 22. Additional dates for 2025 and 2026 are set to be announced, with international shows being planned. (People)

On Monday (May 19), Miley Cyrus took to social media to unveil the tracklist for her upcoming album, Something Beautiful, featuring collaborations with supermodel Naomi Campbell and Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard. The 13-track album is set for release on May 30, and includes songs like "Golden Burning Sun," "Reborn," "More to Lose," and "Give Me Love," alongside Campbell’s contribution on “Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved,” and Howard’s collaboration on “Walk of Fame.” with the teaser showcasing the new track, "Easy Lover." “All 13 songs have a special place in my heart,” Cyrus captioned her post. Accompanying the album is a short film of the same name directed by Cyrus, which is set to debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, followed by a nationwide theatrical release on June 12. The visual project is described as “a one-of-a-kind pop opera from the mind of Miley Cyrus.” (Rolling Stone)

On Sunday (May 18), Drake lost a $1 million bet on his hometown hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who lost a deciding Game 7 to the Florida Panthers. After the Leafs crushing 6-1 defeat on home ice, the rapper took to his Instagram Story to jokingly place the blame on the "Bieber curse," after Justin Bieber attended the game alongside his wife Hailey. Drake also pledged his support to fellow Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the NBA MVP, writing “MVP R U DUMB” over a photo of the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, who also made a cameo in Drake's "Nokia" video earlier this year. Bieber, for his part, shared photos of him and Hailey on Instagram, alongside words of encouragement for his favorite hockey club. “I don’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t been obsessed with the leafsssss. This year we made it farther than we have in so long and im happy about that. I can be patient cuz I know this is the team to do it.” (Billboard)

On Monday (May 19), Billie Eilish announced additional dates on her Hit Me Hard & Soft Tour. The pop sensation added 21 more U.S. dates, alongside two new shows in Tokyo in mid-August. The U.S. leg kicks off with a three-night run in Miami on October 9-12, followed by a series of multiple-night stops in Raleigh, Charlotte, Long Island, New Orleans, Tulsa, Austin, and Phoenix, before finishing with a two-night stand in San Francisco on November 22-23. Eilish marked the one-year anniversary of her critically acclaimed third studio album – which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 –  by sharing a heartfelt message to fans on social media. “Can’t even believe it’s been a whole year since the album came out,” Eilish wrote. “Here’s some little clips from when i first played it for some of my friends :’))) truly some of my favorite memories ever. ♥️♥️♥️😭 love you guys. thank you all for giving this album so so much love.” (Billboard)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” spends its 13th consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single now moves into the Top 15 longest-leading No. 1 hits of all time, dating back to the survey’s start on August 4, 1958. "Luther" has also logged the third-most time spent at No. 1 on the Hot 100 among duets by co-billed lead acts, behind only the 16-week runs of “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (featuring Justin Bieber), and “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men. Also notable on this week’s chart, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” remains at No. 7, adding a 91st overall week on the Hot 100, tying Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves” for the longest run on the chart of all-time.

The Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 is rounded out by Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” holding at No. 2, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” stays at No. 3, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” sticks at No. 4, Drake’s “Nokia” remains at No. 5, Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” vaults up four spots to No. 6, Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” holds at No. 8, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” drops three slots to No. 9, and Doechii’s “Anxiety” falls one spot to No. 10,  while also ascending to No. 1 on the all-format Radio Songs chart, becoming the week’s most-heard airplay hit. (Billboard)

On Friday (May 16), the BET Awards announced a star-studded lineup of performers to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary. The event will feature live performances by Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, Playboi Carti, GloRilla, and Leon Thomas, with the ceremony set to take place at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater on June 9th at 8 PM. The show will be hosted for the second time by Kevin Hart, with Kendrick Lamar leading all nominees with 10 nods, followed by Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla with six nominations. The show will also include a tribute to 106 & Park, with appearances by the show’s beloved hosts and performances from Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and Bow Wow. “We’re setting the tone for a night that celebrates 25 years of impact, creativity, and Black culture,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “With electrifying performances from some of the biggest names in music and an iconic comedic host, ‘BET Awards’ 2025 will be a can’t-miss celebration of everything the culture represents.” (Rolling Stone)

Ed Sheeran has just announced that his upcoming song, "Drive," will feature Dave Grohl and John Mayer, and the track will be included on the soundtrack for the Formula 1 movie F1, set for theatrical release on June 27. The film’s official Instagram account previewed a snippet of the track on Thursday (May 15), with Sheeran sharing additional details about the song via his Instagram Story. “Sneak peek of the song I did for the F1 movie,” Sheeran wrote. “Mayer on guitar, Grohl on drums. A lot of fun making this, coming out next month with the movie.” The F1 soundtrack will contain 17 tracks, featuring contributions from Burna Boy, Raye, Tate McRae, Madison Beer, Tiësto, and Chris Stapleton, along with previously released singles “Lose My Mind,” from Don Toliver and Doja Cat, and “Messy,” from Rosé. Sheeran is set to release his new album, Play, on September 12, which features the singles “Azizam” and “Old Phone.” (Rolling Stone)

Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Chicago experienced a tumultuous start on Thursday (May 15) when severe weather delayed the concert for several hours, causing attendees at Soldier Field to seek shelter due to a tornado warning and intense thunderstorms. Video footage captured the extreme wind and rain that hit the area shortly before showtime, with fans finally allowed access to their seats at 9:15 p.m., though floor seating was not opened until 9:45 p.m. The weather cleared for Beyoncé's two additional Chicago shows on Saturday and Sunday night (May 17-18). Officials in New Jersey are concerned about potential transit issues affecting Beyoncé's upcoming performances at MetLife Stadium from May 22-29 due to a train engineer strike impacting NJ Transit. "Meadowlands service for the Beyonce concert remains TBD," NJ Transit spokesperson John Chartier said, following the cancellation of rail and bus service to two Shakira concerts at MetLife Stadium on Thursday and Friday (May 15-16) that caused chaotic transportation delays surrounding the shows. (People)

A representative for Justin Bieber issued a public statement on Friday (May 16) refuting online rumors by denying that the singer was ever abused by Sean Combs. “Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him,” reads the statement. “Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.” The rumors of Combs’ abuse of Bieber stem from resurfaced videos featuring the disgraced music mogul and the then-teenage singer. “Where we hanging out and what we’re doing we can’t really disclose. But it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream,” Combs said in one clip. “For the next 48 hours, he’s with me. And we’re gonna go full buck, full crazy.” As for Combs’ ongoing trial, his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura finished four grueling days of testimony on Friday (May 16), where she shared graphic details about the abuse she suffered by Combs over the course of a decade. (Rolling Stone)

Sleep Token’s Even in Arcadia debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking the English rock band’s first career chart-topping album as well as their initial appearance in the Top 10. Even in Acadia also claims the biggest week by units for any rock album in nearly a year, and the biggest for any hard rock album in two years, while setting a record for the largest streaming week ever for a hard rock album. Kali Uchis also made a strong debut on this week’s Billboard 200, as Sincerely, premieres at No. 2, becoming the singer’s third Top 10-charting record of her career. Elsewhere in the Billboard 200 Top 10, SZA’s SOS holds at No. 3, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 4, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U climbs up two places to No. 5, Fuerza Regida’s 111XPANTIA drops four spots to No. 6, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX slides down two spots to No. 7, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet falls 6-8, The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow vaults up 18 places to reach No. 9 due to the release of new CD and vinyl editions of the album, and Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos falls 9 places to No. 10. (Billboard)

On Thursday (May 15), Alex G announced the dates and details of his 2025 North American tour, which will feature some of the biggest shows of the indie rock pioneer’s celebrated career. The esteemed British musician Nilüfer Yanya will be the opening act for the entire 16-show run. The tour kicks off on September 11th at Roadrunner in Boston, and will feature high-profile shows at notable venues including the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and Radio City Music Hall in New York City, before finishing up at the Fillmore in Philadelphia on October 11. An artist pre-sale starts on Tuesday (May 20), and general on-sale begins on Thursday (May 22), with Alex G partnering with PLUS1 to contribute $1 per ticket to local youth services. Alex G's recent works include scoring Jane Schoenbrun's 2024 horror film, I Saw the TV Glow, while his latest studio album was 2022’s God Save the Animals. (Consequence of Sound)

Lizzo joined host Jake Shane on a recent episode of Therapuss, where the music superstar reflects on the impact of viral fame and shares insight into her upcoming album, Love in Real Life. Lizzo also discussed the unexpected breakthrough moment for her 2017 single, "Truth Hurts," which was featured in the 2019 film Someone Great, propelling the track to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “The sync changed my f—ing life,” Lizzo recalled of the track’s inclusion in the movie. “They put it in Someone Great in 2019. I was like, ‘Okay, cool.’ That s— went so crazy. It launched ‘Truth Hurts’ to the No. 1 song. A song that had been out for three years.” Lizzo also opened up about the emotional process of writing music, while emphasizing the personal nature of her new album, which is slated for release later this year. (Billboard)

The visual accompaniment to Miley Cyrus' forthcoming album, Something Beautiful, will be screened in theaters worldwide. The short film, which is described by Cyrus as a "pop opera fueled by fantasy," will feature all 13 songs from the album. It is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, which will also include an exclusive conversation with the Grammy-winning pop superstar following the screening. That event will be followed by a one-night-only showing in North American theaters on June 12, with international screenings set for June 27. “Something Beautiful is my dream project come true—fashion, film, and original music coexisting in harmony,” Cyrus said of her new record and the accompanying 55-minute movie. Miley is producing the project as well as directing the film alongside Jacob Bixenman and Brendan Walter, with engineer Alan Meyerson mixing the music specifically for movie theaters. (Rolling Stone)

In a revealing new Rolling Stone cover story, Lorde shares her past struggle with an eating disorder, detailing her obsession with being thin while vividly recounting moments of feeling hungry and weak. Despite her newfound freedom onstage and joy from connecting with fans during her 2022 Solar Power Tour, Lorde grappled with an eating disorder that began during the pandemic and continued through her 2023 breakup with longtime partner Justin Warren. Once Lorde was able to overcome her fixation on thinness, she allowed herself to take up more space physically, creatively, and emotionally, leading to the creation of her new album, Virgin. “Once I stopped doing that, I had all this energy for making stuff,” Lorde said. “I could see that if I cut that cord, maybe I would get something back that I needed to do my work. And it was totally true. Got it all back, and way more.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Lorde opens up about discussing her gender identity with Chappell Roan, who has become a close friend over the past year. “[Chappell] asked me this … She was like, ‘So, are you nonbinary now?'” Lorde recalled. “I was like, ‘I’m a woman except for the days when I’m a man.' I know that’s not a very satisfying answer, but there’s a part of me that is really resistant to boxing it up.” (Rolling Stone)

Chris Brown was arrested in Manchester, England on Thursday (May 15) over an incident at a London nightclub in February 2023, and he was subsequently charged with suspicion of grievous bodily harm. The arrest came after music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw filed a $16 million lawsuit against Brown in October 2023, alleging that the R&B superstar attacked him with a tequila bottle and stomped on him during the nightclub altercation, which resulted in him sustaining severe injuries. “A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester on Thursday, 15 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm,” London police said. “He has been taken into custody, where he remains. The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.” A representative for Brown has yet to comment on the charges, and it remains unclear how the arrest will impact the singer’s upcoming 20th-anniversary tour in the U.K., where he has a series of stadium shows scheduled throughout June. (Rolling Stone)

Only five months after dropping Missionary with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg has surprise released his new album, Iz It a Crime?, on Thursday (May 15). The 21-track project features collaborations with Wiz Khalifa, Sexyy Red, Pharrell, and more, along with a title-track that appropriately samples Sade’s “Is It a Crime.” “Just some of the things that I do, that I’ve done, that have been speculation, and I just want to ask the question, ‘Is it a crime?’ Is it a crime for me to do the things that I do,” Snoop said in an Access Hollywood interview on Tuesday (May 13). “Is it a crime for me to take care of people, to love people, to be there for people? Is it a crime for me to be me?” An accompanying Iz It a Crime? short film provides a visual companion to the album, with the movie premiering during a private screening in NYC on Tuesday night.

In additional Snoop news, as part of his NBCUniversal deal, the rapper will host a two-hour variety special from Miami titled Snoop Dogg’s New Year’s Eve, which will air on NBC on December 31 from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET. (Billboard)

Jennifer Lopez is recovering from a nose injury she sustained during rehearsals for the 2025 American Music Awards, where she is set to host for the second time on May 26th. The entertainment icon revealed on her Instagram Story that she underwent emergency treatment by plastic surgeon Dr. Jason B. Diamond and receiving stitches, though Lopez did not reveal how she sustained the injury. “Thank you for stitching me up Dr. Diamond,” Lopez said. “A week later and a whole lotta ice, I’m good as new.” JLo shared a series of images documenting her recovery, where she was holding an ice pack to the bridge of her nose, with a red wound visible on her face. As for the AMAs itself – which returns after a two-year hiatus – the ceremony will feature the first TV performance by Janet Jackson in seven years, with the musician also set to receive the ICON Award during the event. Kendrick Lamar received the most AMA nominations with ten total nods. (Rolling Stone)

Charli XCX is marking the 5th anniversary of her album, How I’m Feeling Now, by sharing a heartfelt letter to fans on Instagram. She also announced a music video for the viral hit track, "party 4 u," which recently entered the Billboard Hot 100 five years after its release. “I made the album in just five weeks, from conception to release, entirely publicly in collaboration with all of you,” Charli wrote about the album’s origins, which was created during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was so special. I felt like I rediscovered myself, my sanity + my sense of connection with the world, at a time where we were all so alone.” Despite the record’s modest commercial success – peaking at No. 111 on the Billboard 200 chart – it remains a fan favorite, and the social media buzz surrounding “party 4 u” prompted Charli to unveil plans to release an accompanying music video on Thursday (May 15). Charli just finished her Brat Tour in the U.S., and she’ll kick off the European leg on May 31 in Poland. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (May 14), Rihanna took to social media to announce the upcoming release of her first song in nearly three years, "Friend of Mine," which will be featured on the upcoming Smurfs movie soundtrack. In addition to her music being included as part of the film, Rihanna will also provide the voice of Smurfette in the movie, alongside fellow stars John Goodman, James Corden, Nick Offerman, and Sandra Oh. The song – which is officially set to drop on Friday (May 16) – is featured in the new trailer for the animated film, which will hit theaters on July 18. In addition to RiRi’s highly-anticipated new song, the Smurfs soundtrack will also feature a contribution from Tyla as well as the track “Higher Love” by DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and DESI TRILL, which was released back in February. “Friend of Mine” is Rihanna’s first new release since 2022’s “Lift Me Up” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, while her last studio album was 2016’s Anti. (Rolling Stone)

The 29th annual Webby Awards were held on Monday (May 12) at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. During the ceremony, Ice-T presented fellow rap legend Snoop Dogg with the Webby Entrepreneur of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership in the online cannabis industry, his record label, and multiple other ventures. “Of course, the internet changed the game,” Ice said during his presentation speech. “But one thing didn’t change: Snoop Dogg. He’s never gonna change, and Snoop is still on top.” The event was hosted by comedian Ilana Glazer, with a series of awards honoring the technological achievements of music artists such as Questlove, Kendrick Lamar, Laufey, and U2, whose U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere, won for ‘AI, Immersive & Games, Best Performance 2025.’ New Webby Awards executive director Jesse Feister said, “What I love most about the internet is that it gives talented, self-made, creative people a way in. And tonight’s winners are proof of that.” (Billboard)

On Tuesday (May 13), Kali Uchis announced the dates and details of ‘The Sincerely, Tour.’ The 24-date North American arena trek will feature special guest opening act Thee Sacred Souls, and is set to kick off on August 14 in Portland and finish up on September 25 in Denver, while making high-profile stops at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles (August 20) and Madison Square Garden in New York (September 11). The tour is in support of Uchis new album, Sincerely, which was released on May 9, with the multi-lingual singer’s shows set to feature her “most intimate and vulnerable body of work to date,” with songs that are “a testament to the curative power of deep love, and a powerful representation of the way Uchis romanticizes life and her inner world.” Presales for tickets begin on Wednesday (May 14), with general sales launching on Friday (May 16) via Uchis's website. (Billboard)

Abel Tesfaye has been hinting that he will bring an end to his long-standing musical alter ego, The Weeknd, following the release of his sixth album and the accompanying movie of the same name, Hurry Up Tomorrow. Despite previously stating his intent to retire the persona at the culmination of his current album trilogy – which includes 2020’s After Hours, 2022’s Dawn FM and January 2025’s Hurry Up Tomorrow – the 4-time Grammy winner now suggests the possibility of a new direction during a recent interview with EW. “It feels like it [the end of the Weeknd],” Tesfaye says. “I mean, I’ve kind of toyed with the idea in the past with albums.” He adds that this isn’t the first time he’s considered doing away with his alter ego, “But it could also just be a rebirth. Who knows?” he teased. The movie, which premieres on Friday (May 16), features Tesfaye playing a fictionalized version of himself, also named Abel, who goes on a wild adventure with Anima, portrayed by Jenna Ortega. (Billboard)

Janet Jackson will receive the ICON Award at the 2025 AMAs, and is also set to perform at the ceremony, marking her first television performance in seven years. The event is set to take place on May 26 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and coincides with Jackson's ongoing residency at the Resorts World Las Vegas, which is set to start back up again on May 21. Jackson has won a total of 11 AMAs over the course of her four-decade career, and she will become only the third recipient of the ICON Award, following Rihanna in 2013 and Lionel Richie in 2022. Jackson last performed on television in 2018 at the Billboard Music Awards. The AMAs return after a two-year hiatus, and will introduce three new categories to mark the occasion – Album, Song, and Social Song of the Year. Jennifer Lopez will host the show, with Kendrick Lamar leading all artists with 10 nominations. The live broadcast will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. (Rolling Stone)

Cassie Ventura took the stand on Tuesday (May 13) and testified in a packed courtroom against her ex-boyfriend, Sean "Diddy" Combs, accusing the disgraced music mogul of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse spanning over a decade. Ventura described instances of physical abuse and detailed disturbing "freak-offs" orchestrated by Combs that made her feel humiliated and degraded. “He would smash me in my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me in the head if I was down,” Ventura said of Combs' history of abuse. She testified about Combs' control over her life, including dictating her actions, appearance, and music career, alleging that her talent was stifled under his influence. Ventura – who confronted Combs in the courtroom for the first time since their 2018 breakup – is a key witness in the criminal case, with her testimony mirroring her previous civil lawsuit from 2023 that ultimately launched the federal investigation. Ventura is the third witness to testify in the high-profile trial that is expected to last eight weeks, with Combs facing five felony counts and the possibility of life in prison if convicted. (Rolling Stone)

After a fan stole Twenty One Pilots' drum during a performance in Manchester on Sunday night (May 11), the band's fanbase mobilized to help investigate and recover the stolen instrument. The thief was caught on video leaving the venue with the drum, prompting fans to launch a makeshift investigation in hopes of identifying the culprit. With the help of the fan community and key details provided by witnesses, the drum was successfully tracked down to a hotel across from the arena, where it was retrieved by the band's security team. “We Have The Drum!!!!!!” Twenty One Pilots’ crew member Sax shared on Instagram the next morning. “Thank you for all the tags and information. You guys rock!🤘” The incident sparked outrage among fans, who saw the theft as a violation of their close-knit community, and they expressed relief and gratitude once the drum was safely returned to the band. (Rolling Stone)

Model Denise Bidot has accused rapper Lil Wayne of abuse after he allegedly broke up with her via text message on Mother’s Day. Bidot detailed the ordeal on her Instagram Story, revealing that Wayne’s assistants ejected her and her daughter from his residence despite her ongoing recovery from recent surgery. In her posts, Bidot accused Wayne of emotional abuse and claimed that the rapper physically harmed her, while expressing her plans to pursue legal action and seek support from lawyers. “It’s not just the emotional abuse,” Bidot said. “This man has actually laid a f—ing hand on me. And I took it. And you know what’s crazy is, they always say we’re so stupid for love, and I thought it was a mistake. But I know other women he’s put his hands on.” Bidot and Lil Wayne had been in a relationship since 2019, and the couple made it public in 2020. They briefly split in 2022, and reunited thereafter, though recent events have led to Bidot speaking out against the rapper’s alleged mistreatment. (Billboard)

On Sunday (May 11), Kid Cudi announced the upcoming release of his debut book, Cudi: The Memoir, which is scheduled for publication on August 5 via Simon & Schuster . The Cleveland rapper will delve into his upbringing and the highs and lows of his music career, while sharing personal stories that reflect on his struggles with mental health. The book will be a collection of life lessons and experiences that is accompanied by Cudi's own artwork, which is featured on the cover and throughout the 320-page book. “I cannot wait for u guys to read it. Its filled w so much about my journey from my first memory to turning 40,” Cudi wrote. “I hope this book does what my music does for u and gives u guidance and hope that u will make it through those difficult times. Get ready, you’ll all understand me a lot more after this.” Cudi also just released his new single, "Neverland," ahead of the June 7 premiere of his short film of the same name at the Tribeca Film Festival. (Rolling Stone)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a 12th consecutive week. The hit collaboration now holds the record for the most weeks spent at No. 1 among duets by co-billed lead solo men and women, surpassing Puff Daddy and Faith Evans’ “I’ll Be Missing You” (featuring 112), which topped the charts for 11 weeks in 1997. “Luther” also becomes the longest-leading R&B/hip-hop No. 1 on the Hot 100 this decade, surpassing the 11 week rule for Roddy Ricch’s “The Box” in 2020.

Another historic milestone is set by Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which rises one spot to No. 4, securing a 44th week in the Hot 100 Top 5, surpassing The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” for the most weeks ever spent in the upper tier. Elsewhere in the Top 10 this week, Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” remains at its No. 2 peak, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” holds at No. 3, Drake’s “Nokia” falls one spot to No. 5, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” stays at No. 6, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” remains at No. 7, Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” moves up a slot to No. 8, Doechii’s “Anxiety” jumps up one spot to reach a new peak of No. 9, and Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” drops two spots to No. 10. (Billboard)

Tory Lanez was hospitalized after a prison stabbing on Monday morning (May 12). Following the brutal attack, Lanez was rushed to a nearby hospital in Bakersfield, California, to treat his injuries. The Canadian musician was reportedly in the prison yard of California Correctional Institution when he was stabbed, though details of the attack and its motive remain unclear. Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2023 after being convicted on three felony counts related to the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. On Friday (May 9), just days before the stabbing, the hip-hop star shared an Instagram slideshow of him surrounded by fellow inmates, while giving an update on a future project he has in the works. “UPDATE : 2025,” Lanez captioned the post. “IYKYK LESS IMPORTANT UPDATE : 2ND ALBUM 100 % RECORDED, MIXED & MASTERED NEW ALBUM. NEW GENRE: SLUTTY BASS SUMMER 2025.” No update on Lanez’s condition has been shared as of yet. (Billboard)

Madonna is partnering with Netflix and director Shawn Levy for an upcoming limited series about her life and music. The show is separate from a previous Madonna film project affiliated with Universal Pictures that was halted back in January 2023. Details regarding the new limited series, including which part of Madonna's life will be depicted and who will portray her, remain unknown. Madonna previously put the Universal biopic on hold to conduct The Celebration Tour in 2023-2024, which was one of the fastest-selling tours of all time with more than 1.2 million tickets sold, eventually grossing $225.4 million from 80 shows worldwide. Madonna was personally involved in that shelved project, co-writing two drafts of the film's script with Diablo Cody and Cressida Wilson, with Ozark’s Julia Garner apparently tapped to star as the singer in that film. (Variety)

Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, jumping six places to top the charts due to its release on vinyl. It’s the fourth total week at No. 1 for the Spanish-language project, following three consecutive weeks atop the chart from January 25-February 8. This is an historic week for Latin music on the Billboard 200, as Fuerza Regida notches its first Top 10 release with 111XPANTIA, which debuts at No. 2. This marks the first time in the 69-year history of the all-genre chart that Spanish-language albums are Nos. 1 and 2 at the same time. 111XPANTIA becomes the highest-charting Spanish-language album by a duo or group, and the highest-charting regional Mexican music album of all-time.

Key Glock scores his fourth Top 10 album on the Billboard 200, as the rapper’s new project, Glockaveli, premieres at No. 8. Elsewhere in the Top 10, SZA’s SOS drops one spot to No. 3, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 4, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX falls two spots to No. 5, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet falls one spot to No. 6, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U slides down one slot to No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album rises one place to No. 9, and Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going falls two spots to No. 10. (Billboard)

Fresh off releasing her new single, “More To Lose,” on Friday (May 9), Miley Cyrus posted an Instagram Story that personally addressed the rumors that she is currently feuding with her parents, Tish and Billy Ray. When fans noted that Tish had recently unfollowed Miley on Instagram, people speculated that the two of them had a falling out. “I rarely comment on rumors,” Miley noted. “But my mama and I are too tight for anything to ever come between us. She’s my best friend. Like a lot of moms, she doesn’t know how to work her phone and somehow unfollowed me–simple, coincidental, and uninteresting.” As to her complicated relationship with her father, Miley adds, “My dad and I have had our challenges over the years. Now, in my thirties, family is my priority above all else. I’m at peace knowing bridges have been built and time has done a lot of healing.” She concluded her message, “Grateful for the good health and love that flows through my family.” (Billboard)

Lola Young’s "Messy" jumps up two spots this week to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. This achievement follows “Messy” topping the Alternative Airplay chart for a week back in April, marking the first debut hit by a woman to reach No. 1 on both charts since Lorde's "Royals" in 2013. “Messy” was released by Day One/Island Records and promoted to radio by Republic. The track becomes just the sixth song by a solo woman or female-fronted group to top both Pop Airplay and Alternative Airplay charts in the 32-plus years that these rankings have coexisted, joining Billie Eilish’s “Therefore I Am” (2021) and “Bad Guy” (2019), Lorde’s “Royals” (2013), Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life” featuring Paul McCoy (2003), and Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic” (1996). Among all acts, only 28 total songs have achieved the rare feat of reaching No. 1 on both Pop Airplay and Alternative Airplay charts. (Billboard)

Harry Styles was among the thousands of spectators who crowded St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on Thursday (May 8th) to witness the announcement of Pope Leo XIV as the successor to the late Pope Francis. Despite attempting to remain incognito while dressed in a blue jacket, sunglasses, and a baseball hat emblazoned with the phrase, "Techno Is My Boyfriend," a now-viral fan photo confirmed the pop superstar's presence at the historic event, which featured the election of the first ever US-born Pope. This marks one of Styles' rare public appearances following the conclusion of his "Love on Tour" back in 2023, following his impressive finish in the Tokyo Marathon in March – where the singer crossed the finish line in 3 hours 24 minutes and placed 6,010th out of over 37,000 runners – as well as taking part in a random running club session in London in April. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Paul McCartney, Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay have joined more than 400 artists advocating for copyright protection in light of advances in A.I. technology. The group all signed an official letter urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to update U.K. laws to help safeguard their creative work ahead of a vote in the House of Lords on Monday (May 12). “Creative copyright is the lifeblood of the creative industries,” the letter reads. “It recognizes the moral authority we have over our work and provides an income stream for 2.4 million people across the four nations of the United Kingdom.” The artists are in support of the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which aims to ensure developers are transparent with copyright owners when utilizing their material for training A.I. models. The letter states that “the first job of any government is to protect its citizens,” while adding that the bill would “put transparency at the heart of the copyright regime and allow both AI developers and creators to develop licensing regimes that will allow for human-created content well into the future.” (Rolling Stone)

As Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani approach their tenth anniversary, the country music superstar reflects on their enduring love in a new interview with People. "It honestly does [feel like time is flying by]. It's like, how did this happen so quickly?" says Shelton, 48. He admits that "10 years is a long time," but affectionately says that the relationship "still feels new for me." "I feel like that might be the key to happiness, is that it feels just as exciting and new and happy," Shelton says. In addition to their successful marriage, Shelton collaborated with his pop superstar wife on his new single, “Hangin’ On,” which is featured on his current record, For Recreational Use Only, which was just released on Friday, May 9. The couple even saved one track they worked on in that recording session for a possible future release. "We were both so fired up about both of them that we ended up holding one back for the next project," Shelton revealed. (People)

On Thursday (May 8), Lorde announced the dates and details of her 2025 Ultrasound World Tour in support of her fourth studio album, Virgin, set to be released on June 27. The North American leg of the arena tour kicks off on September 17 in Austin, and concludes on October 22 in Seattle, while stopping in Chicago, Nashville, Toronto, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Portland, and more. The tour will feature special guests Japanese House, Blood Orange, Nilüfer Yanya, Chanel Beads, Empress Of, Jim-E Stack (who produced Virgin), and Oklou on select dates. “Every show I play is a collaboration between you and me,” Lorde said in her tour announcement. “We meet in a room and we make music together, our bodies and the machines in search of something bigger together. 12 years of meeting up and making sound that's just for us. Since last time I've been stripping away unnecessary layers, finding us more room to move. I think that Ultrasound could be our masterpiece.” Ticket presale starts on Wednesday (May 14), with general on-sale starting on Friday (May 16). (Rolling Stone)

Calum Hood is gearing up to release his debut solo album, Order Chaos Order, on June 13, and the 5 Seconds of Summer bassist just shared his latest single, “Call Me When You Know Better,” on Thursday (May 8) alongside a music video directed by Andy DeLuca. The vulnerability of Hood’s new track compliments the emotional sentiments of his previously released single, “Don’t Forget You Love Me,” which will both be featured on his new project. “‘Call Me When You Know Better’ is a love letter in the form of an apology,” Hood shared in a statement. “For maybe not being the best lover or friend to the people who mean the most to me. It’s a reflection on mistakes made, perpetual regret and self pity.” Hood becomes the last 5SOS member to release a solo album, following in the footsteps of his bandmates Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, and Luke Hemmings, who each released solo projects in recent years. (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (May 7), Universal Music Group filed a motion to dismiss Drake's amended defamation lawsuit regarding Kendrick Lamar's song, "Not Like Us." The Canadian rapper is accusing UMG – his and Lamar's record label – of intentionally defaming him through their promotion of the track. UMG's lawyers claim that in the amended complaint, Drake “removed obviously false factual allegations” while adding that the “new allegations are astonishing.” The company claims that the lawsuit only serves as an attack on the commercial and creative success of Lamar’s chart-topping song, rather than addressing the content of the lyrics. In a separate statement, a UMG spokesperson said, “Drake’s lawyers believe that when Drake willingly participates in a performative rap-battle of music and poetry, he can be ‘defamed’ even though he engages in the exact same form of creative expression.” (Variety)

On Thursday (May 8), the full list of nominees were revealed for the 2025 BET Awards, with Kendrick Lamar leading the field with 10 total nods. Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla all received six nominations, with SZA and The Weeknd each receiving four nods. The BET Awards is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and the ceremony will feature Lamar competing in categories like Album of the Year for GNX, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” Viewer’s Choice Award nominations for “Not Like Us,” “Luther,” featuring SZA, and “Like That” with Future & Metro Boomin, and Best Male Hip Hop Artist. Rising star Doechii – who won Best Rap Album at the recent Grammy Awards – is up for Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice Award for “Denial is a River,” and Best Female Hip Hop Artist. The BET Awards will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 9, and will be hosted by Kevin Hart for the second time. (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (May 7), Fitz and the Tantrums shared the funky title track to their upcoming album, Man on the Moon, which is set for release on July 25 via Atlantic Records. Following a short run of previously announced southern shows in May, the Los Angeles indie pop band will embark on a 31-date Man On The Moon Tour, which kicks off July 24 in San Diego, and finishes up with an ACL Live show in Austin on August 31. “I decided I was simply going to write for my heart and for my soul and nobody else,” frontman Fitz Fitzpatrick said of the group’s 14-track album. “At this point in our career, myself and the band feel we have complete creative license. So I’m not going to chase some vapor in the wind. I’m going to just do what I want.” Special guest opening acts on select dates of the tour will be Aloe Blacc, Neal Francis, Gable Price and Friends, Ax and the Hatchetmen, and Snacktime. (Rolling Stone)

The title-track of SZA’s chart-topping album, SOS, incorporates lyrics and the melody of Beyoncé’s song, "Listen," from 2006's Dreamgirls soundtrack. With a comment on a recent Instagram post, SZA revealed that she still owes Bey money for the interpolation, but the 35-time Grammy winner has yet to ask her to pay up. The original social media post made light of the extensive number of co-writers that are routinely credited on Beyoncé's songs, with SZA responding in the comments, “I literally owe her half my publishing off interpolation alone on SOS and she never pressed me lmao a generous QUEEN 😭.”  SZA, who is currently on the road with Kendrick Lamar on their joint Grand National Tour, is a self-proclaimed Beyoncé fan, praising her in a 2024 interview, "I just admire her. She's a masterclass on poise, grace, artistry, beauty and kindness." (People)

Former One Direction singer Liam Payne died without a will, leaving Cheryl Tweedy, his former partner and mother of their son, Bear, to be named administrator of his $32 million estate, alongside music industry lawyer Richard Mark Bray. Tweedy – a former member of Girls Aloud – will work alongside Bray to oversee Payne's finances, property, and possessions, potentially putting much of it into a trust for their son. English and Welsh laws dictate that a person's spouse and children have first claim to the estate in the absence of a will. Payne tragically died on October 16, 2024 at the age of 31, following a fall from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires. While the initial charges against the hotel workers and Payne’s friend have all been dropped, two individuals accused of selling him drugs remain detained while awaiting their pending trial. (Rolling Stone)

In a phone call with The Daily Mail on Wednesday (May 7), Smokey Robinson responded to allegations of sexual assault made by multiple former employees in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday (May 6). The four Jane Does are accusing him of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and creating a hostile work environment. The complaint detailed disturbing incidents of forced sexual acts spanning nearly two decades. "I am appalled," Robinson said of the charges, while adding, "I can't speak about this right now." Robinson's wife, Frances, was also implicated for allegedly enabling his behavior, and failing “to take the appropriate corrective action” to prevent his “deviant misconduct.” The plaintiffs, all former housekeepers of the 85-year-old Motown star, are also accusing the couple of failing to pay minimum wage and overtime, and are seeking damages of at least $50 million for the alleged misconduct. (People)

In a new ELLE digital cover story, Kelsea Ballerini is advocating for inclusivity in country music. The 31-year-old singer expressed support for artists transitioning into the genre – like Beyoncé, Post Malone, and Lana Del Rey – while also stressing the importance of embracing diversity. "If we, as country artists, feel like we can have a collab on top 40 or have a collab with an R&B artist, why wouldn’t we give a welcome to someone else?" Ballerini said. "I think that’s where people who are pushing back really need to check themselves, because music is for everybody. And specifically country music, the marquee of it is it’s the people’s story.” Ballerini also reflected on the rewarding experience of headlining her first ever arena tour. “I really like to be inclusive and I feel like I have songs truly for everyone," said Ballerini, who ensures "that the boyfriends and husbands that have been dragged there unwillingly by their girls also feel welcome, because they are." (People)

On Tuesday (May 6), Yungblud took to Instagram to reveal that his new album, Idols, will be released on June 20 as a part of a planned double LP. According to Dominic Harrison, who performs under the Yungblud moniker, his fourth album is “a love letter to self-reclamation … to rock music … [and] to life in all it’s f–king madness.” The 12-track project was recorded in Leeds, near the singer’s hometown of Doncaster, England, and it features previously released singles, "Hello Heaven, Hello" and "Lovesick Lullaby." The album was produced by Yungblud’s frequent collaborator Matt Schwartz, along with Bob Bradley, and touring guitarist Adam Warrington, and marks his first release under Island Records (U.K.) and Capitol Records (U.S.) after leaving Geffen/Interscope. Yungblud's previous albums, Weird! and Yungblud, both hit No. 1 on the U.K. Charts, with his self-titled release reaching a career high peak of No. 45 on the Billboard 200 album chart. (Billboard)

On Sunday (May 4), Quavo's Rocket Foundation hosted a Mother’s Day brunch for moms who have lost children to gun violence. The Migos frontman was joined by his mother, along with the event’s co-hosts – TakeOff's mother and grandmother – who all honored the late Migos rapper who was killed in a shooting in 2022. The event aimed to provide healing and support to the community, featuring panel discussions with anti-violence groups, floral arrangements provided by Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, and memorials and photos paying tribute to the lives lost. This was the fourth event of its kind hosted by the Rocket Foundation in Atlanta, which aims to meet with members of congress this summer. In addition to taking part in this event, Quavo also just released a posthumous collaboration with TakeOff, “Dope By Phone,” on May 2. (Billboard)

During a recent appearance on an episode of Ann Wilson's After Dinner Thinks podcast, Chappell Roan praised the Heart singer, while reminiscing about the power she felt covering their classic hit,"Barracuda," at the Austin City Limits festival in 2024. “You’re rockin’ mama! I’m rockin’ because you rockin’, really, truly,” Roan praised Wilson. “I think you have the best voice in rock.” Roan and fellow guest Lucy Dacus discussed the transformative power of rock music with Wilson, while contrasting that electric energy with pop. Roan went on to proclaim that “Barracuda” is the “coolest song ever,” while admitting that performing the track live made her “feel like a rock star.” Wilson went on to share her approach to singing the rock anthem with the young musicians, saying,  “A song like that… you can’t hold it in. It has to be an independence of the soul where you just let it go. This is a physical event.” (Billboard)

On Tuesday (May 6), the lineup was revealed for the 2025 Austin City Limits Festival, which will showcase a diverse set of headliners such as Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Doja Cat, Luke Combs, and The Strokes. ACL will take place across two weekends in Austin’s Zilker Park from Oct. 3-5 and 10-12, with performances spread out over nine stages. In addition to the headliners, the festival will also feature appearances from Cage the Elephant, T-Pain, Empire of the Sun, DJO, Pierce the Veil, Rilo Kiley, Maren Morris, Mk.gee, Zeds Dead, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Modest Mouse, Wet Leg, King Princess, and many more. The event is once again set to stream on Hulu, which will air select live performances and interviews during the first weekend, with a full broadcast schedule to be announced later in the summer. A variety of three-day ticket packages went on sale on Tuesday (May 6), with single-day tickets available at a later date. (Billboard)

Beyoncé has removed a visual of the Sphere from her Cowboy Carter Tour after receiving a cease-and-desist order from the venue’s owner. An image of the Sphere was included in the show’s “400 Foot Cowboy” visual interlude where the towering singer picked up the venue from the Las Vegas strip. During Sunday night’s show (May 4) in Inglewood, the image was appropriately replaced with footage of Vegas’s Allegiant Stadium, where Beyoncé is set to perform in July during her Cowboy Carter Tour. Following the show, Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, shared the new clip on Instagram, captioning the post, “What happens in Vegas starts with a BANG.” The cease-and-desist letter was reportedly issued by Sphere Entertainment Group, who claimed that the footage of the state-of-the-art venue was used “without permission,” and misled fans by prompting speculation of a potential Sphere residency for Beyoncé. (Rolling Stone)

Jury selection began on Monday (May 5) for the sex trafficking and racketeering trial of hip-hop mogul Sean Combs. Both the defense team and prosecutors questioned potential jurors about their views on wealthy individuals and Combs' self-professed "swinger" lifestyle. The jury selection process – which involves whittling down 150 prospective jurors into a final pool of 12 men and women and six alternates – is expected to last three days, with opening statements set to begin next week. The trial itself is expected to last at least eight weeks, with Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, facing five felony counts and up to 15 years to life in prison if convicted.

The heart of the case alleges that Combs used his billion-dollar business as a "criminal enterprise" for sexual gratification, including the alleged sex trafficking of two former girlfriends. The defense – who already rejected a plea deal – will portray the alleged sexual encounters as consensual and part of Combs' alternative lifestyle. One of the key witnesses against Combs will include his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who was allegedly sex trafficked between 2008 and 2018, with a 2016 surveillance video surfacing last year of Combs violently assaulting Ventura in a California hotel. (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (May 5), Benson Boone announced the dates and details of his 2025 American Heart North American Tour. The 30-date trek is in support of the pop superstar’s upcoming album, American Heart, which is due out on June 20. Boone’s arena tour gets underway on August 22 in St. Paul, Minnesota, before stopping in major music markets across the U.S. and Canada, including high-profile shows at Madison Square Garden in New York and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, eventually finishing up on October 8 in Salt Lake City. General ticket sales start on May 9, with a fan presale launching on May 8. Boone recently made his debut on Saturday Night Live on May 3, showcasing his new American Heart singles, "Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else" and "Mystical Magical," which he also debuted at Coachella back in April. (Rolling Stone)

Bad Bunny has announced his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, where the Puerto Rican music superstar will headline stadiums throughout Europe, Australia, Latin America, and Japan. The 23-date trek is set to begin on November 21 in the Dominican Republic, and will conclude on July 22 in Brussels, while hitting major cities in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Italy along the way, including Bad Bunny’s first ever dates in Australia, Brazil, and Japan. According to a tour press release, these shows “will bring [Debí Tirar Más Fotos] to life, fully immersing audiences in its world, celebrating the essence and culture of Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican heritage.” Before embarking on his expansive global tour, Bad Bunny is set to perform a historic 30-date homecoming residency at El Choli in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Benito is set to draw an estimated 250,000 fans during those summer shows. Tickets for the world tour go on sale on Friday, May 9. (Billboard)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for an 11th consecutive week. The track matches Puff Daddy and Faith Evans’ 1997 chart-topper, “I’ll Be Missing You” (featuring 112), for the most weeks spent at No. 1 among duets by co-billed lead solo men and women. Other notable moves in this week’s Hot 100 Top 10 include Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” rising a spot to claim a new career high of No. 2, while Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” remains at No. 5 – notching its 43rd week in the Top Five, matching The Weeknd’s 2020-21 run with “Blinding Lights” for the most total weeks spent in the top tier all-time – while Doechii’s “Anxiety” returns to the region by matching its previous peak of No. 10. Elsewhere in the Top 10, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” drops one spot to No. 3, Drake’s “Nokia” remains at No. 4, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” stays at No. 6, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” jumps up two spots to No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” drops one spot to No. 8, and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” moves up a slot to No. 9. (Billboard) 

In a new interview with Variety, Blackpink's Lisa confirmed that a new album from the K-pop girl group is on the horizon. “We were in the studio a few days ago,” Lisa told the outlet on Saturday (May 3). “We’re all so super excited to get back together and go on tour.” Blackpink’s upcoming world tour kicks off with a two-night stint in Seoul, South Korea beginning on July 5, then heads to North America for a series of shows in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and New York throughout July, before heading to Europe and the UK. While a specific release date for Blackpink’s third studio album has not been revealed, Lisa assured fans it is on the way. “You have to be patient about it,” Lisa said. “It’s coming soon, I promise. It’s about time.” In additional Lisa news, the singer has collaborated with Maroon 5 on their new single "Priceless," which is taken from their upcoming eighth studio album. The track is accompanied by a cinematic music video directed by Aerin Moreno, which features frontman Adam Levine and Lisa acting out a Mr. & Mrs. Smith-themed clip. (Variety)

Ghost reaches the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time in their career, as the Swedish hard rock band’s new record, Skeletá, debuts at No. 1 this week. Skeletá is the first hard rock album to lead the Billboard 200 in over four years (since AC/DC’s Power Up in 2020), and marks the ninth time the group has charted on the Billboard 200, reaching a previous high of No. 2 with 2022’s Impera. Ghost claims the biggest week of 2025 for any rock, hard rock, or alternative album, while the vinyl sales of over 44,000 represent the biggest week for a hard rock album on vinyl in the modern era (since 1991).

The rest of the Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by SZA’s SOS dropping one slot to No. 2, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX falls a spot to No. 3, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time slides down one place to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet drops a spot to No. 5, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U falls one slot to No. 6, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos slides a spot to No. 7, Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going vaults up 37 places to No. 8 following a deluxe reissue on April 25, Playboi Carti’s MUSIC falls two spots to No. 9, and Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album drops a slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

The owner of the Sphere has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Beyoncé regarding footage of the singer picking up a version of the iconic Las Vegas venue that is shown during her current Cowboy Carter Tour. “Beyoncé — many orders of magnitude larger than the Sphere venue — leans over, picks up the venue, and looms over it,” the letter reads, which has led to “significant speculation that Beyoncé will end her tour with a Sphere residency.” The letter alleges that the footage – which is featured in an interlude for Beyoncé's show – is unauthorized and used “without permission,” and has upset Sphere Entertainment Group's CEO, James Dolan, who has tried to book the 35-time Grammy winner at his venue. Despite those past negotiations, Beyoncé will instead bring her Cowboy Carter Tour to Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on July 25-26. Beyoncé launched her highly-anticipated tour in Los Angeles on Monday, April 28. (Rolling Stone)

On Sunday (May 4), Julien Baker and Torres announced that they have canceled all remaining dates on their 'Send A Prayer My Way' tour. “Due to recent events, Julien Baker is prioritizing her well-being and taking time to focus on her health,” reads a statement on Baker’s Instagram. “Therefore, the Julien Baker & Torres ‘Send A Prayer My Way’ Tour has been canceled. This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the disappointment this may cause for fans. We deeply appreciate your understanding.” The joint tour had previously kicked off on April 23 in Richmond, Virginia, and was set to run through September 13, featuring a series of high-profile festival appearances including Utah’s Kilby Block Party, Oregon’s Pickathon, the Newport Folk Festival, San Francisco’s Outside Lands, Milwaukee’s Summerfest, and Louisville’s Bourbon and Beyond Fest. The duo’s last performance was a sold-out show on Thursday (May 1) at Tipitinasas in New Orleans. Refunds for all cancelled shows will be issued by the ticket companies. (Rolling Stone)

Jill Sobule, the pioneering singer-songwriter behind the 1995 hit, "I Kissed a Girl," tragically passed away at 66 in a house fire in Minneapolis. The news of her death was confirmed by her representative to Variety. Known for her groundbreaking music and advocacy for human rights, Sobule's song "I Kissed a Girl" is recognized as the first openly lesbian pop song to reach the Billboard Top 20, setting the stage for visible LGBTQ+ representation within the music industry.

Her untimely death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from fellow artists and activists, including her frequent collaborator, Sarah Thyre, who wrote on Instagram, “This one hits hard. Jill Sobule was an amazing, generous artist. She ALWAYS showed up and showed out.” Recent tourmates The Fixx also paid tribute to Sobule, writing on Facebook: "We are absolutely devastated and shocked to hear the news of Jill Sobule's untimely passing. Jill just finished a tour with us days ago...and was so full of life and talent. Our hearts are broken. We will always miss her."

In addition to her notable other work, Sobule's popular track, "Supermodel" was featured prominently on the Clueless movie soundtrack, adding to the groundbreaking musician’s lasting legacy. (People)

During a recent Instagram Live session, Cardi B expressed her frustration over the delays surrounding her long-awaited new album. The Grammy winner sympathized with her impatient fans who have been waiting years for the follow-up to Cardi’s chart-topping 2018 debut record, Invasion of Privacy, with the New York rapper blaming the delay on unfinished contributions from the album’s special guests. “I really need these fu**ing features,” Cardi said. “I’m not really trying to press or go crazy on these artists because I love them down. But it’s like come on now, I need that. I need that right now. Y’all don’t want to miss this opportunity.” While the highly-anticipated album doesn’t have an official release date or title, Cardi remains confident that the project will be worth the wait, even if she has to finish it on her own. “I’ll sing this sh*t myself,” Cardi said. “But I really need y’all to hurry up and I love y’all. I feel like nobody want to miss being on this album.” (Rolling Stone)

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are set to release a deluxe edition of their collaborative album, I Said I Love You First, on May 2. The expanded version – titled I Said I Love You First…And You Said It Back –  will include guest appearances by GloRilla, Cigarettes After Sex, and DJ Sliink, though what tracks they will be featured on have not yet been revealed. “There are some new songs, some favorites you might recognize, and reimagined songs from the original album,” Gomez wrote on Instagram on Wednesday (April 30). “Can’t wait for you to hear them! Thank you to @glorillapimp, @cigsaftersex, @djsliink and of course, benny 🖤.” In addition to the deluxe album announcement, Gomez also shared exciting news about another new project on the way. “Oh, and don’t forget to pick out your prom outfit…Talk video out tomorrow night at 9pm PT!!,” she added. Gomez and Blanco recently went on a “Prom Date” together, with the engaged couple taking a stretch limo to the mall to take some adorable prom photos together. (Rolling Stone)

On Thursday (May 1), Ed Sheeran revealed details about his upcoming eighth album, Play, a 13-track record that is set to be released on September 12 through Gingerbread Records/Atlantic Records. Along with the album announcement, Sheeran also dropped his new single, "Old Phone," a nostalgic track co-produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh and Blake Slatkin. In an Instagram post announcing his new album and single, Sheeran shared some insight into the making of his new record, which he calls “a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish.” “Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life,” he shared. “Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring. I made this record all over the world, finished it in Goa, India, and had some of the most fun, explorative creative days of my life.” (Variety)