On Tuesday (July 15), Ashe and Finneas announced that they will be embarking on An Evening With the Favors Tour in support of their debut collaborative album, The Dream, which is set for release on September 19. The headlining tour – the duo’s first proper shows as The Favors – is scheduled to kick off on September 18 at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, with additional performances at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on September 26, and Central Park Summerstage in New York City on October 1, followed by two appearances at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on October 3 and 10. Tickets for select shows will be available starting on Friday (July 18). Finneas and Ashe will be accompanied by their collaborators Marinelli and Ricky "Rat" Gourmet on the road, and the duo have already teased their forthcoming album with two previously released singles, "The Hudson" and "The Little Mess You Made." (Rolling Stone)

Drake's recent surprise release track, "What Did I Miss?," debuts at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart this week. This achievement marks a record-extending 31st chart-topper for the Toronto rapper, while solidifying his place as the act with the most weeks at No. 1 with 140 total weeks. The song also earns Drake his 21st No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart, and 15th career leader on the Digital Song Sales survey. Additionally, "What Did I Miss?" knocks Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Luther" off the top spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, after it spent a record 28 weeks at No. 1 between December-July. This chart battle continues Drake's ongoing rap feud with his rival Lamar, with the Canadian hip-hop superstar hinting at a forthcoming project rumored to be titled, Iceman, that will feature his new chart-topping hit. (Billboard)

The first trailer has been shared for the upcoming Eminem documentary, Stans, which delves into the rapper's career and music, while also exploring the stories of some of his most passionate fans. The film, directed by Steven Leckhart and co-produced by Eminem himself, will screen at participating AMC Theatres in a limited run beginning on August 7. Stans offers a deep dive into Eminem's complex relationship with his dedicated followers, providing insights into the 15-time Grammy winner’s creative process as well as examining the mystique surrounding his public persona.

“Through stylized recreations, rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and an exclusive original interview with Eminem himself, it offers a raw, loud, and revealing journey across his career — and the passionate audience that has grown with him,” reads a synopsis of the film, which premiered at SXSW London in June. The project will also be accompanied by an original soundtrack containing previously unreleased music. (Rolling Stone)

During an interview on Good Morning America on Tuesday (July 15), Miley Cyrus candidly discussed her hesitation about touring again, citing the difficulty of maintaining sobriety and mental wellness while on the road. “I do have the physical ability, and I have the opportunities to tour,” she shared. “I wish I had the desire, but I don’t. It’s really hard to maintain sobriety when you’re on the road, which is a really important pillar of stability in my life.”

The 32-year-old pop superstar also reflected on her surprise guest performance with Beyoncé at a recent Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Paris, where they performed their Grammy-winning duet, "II Most Wanted." “I stood toe-to-toe with Beyoncé,” Cyrus says with pride. “When you’re standing beside her, you can actually feel her desire and her passion.” Bey gave Cyrus a warm hug and kiss on the cheek after their collaboration, with Miley reflecting, “That to me is a win. It’s not a trophy, it’s not something physical that you hold or put on a shelf, but it’s something that I have that’s a true win.” (Billboard)

Beyoncé's 2024 Netflix special, Beyoncé Bowl, which captured her halftime show performance during an NFL game on Christmas Day, has earned the musician double Emmy nominations for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special and Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards. This marks Beyoncé's return to the Emmy Awards after she received four nominations in 2019 for Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé, with the singer still awaiting her first Emmy win. The special, which Beyoncé co-directed with Alex Rudzinski, is also up for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special nomination.

In additional Bey news, prior to her Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Atlanta, hard drives containing the singer’s unreleased music, footage plans for her show, and past and future set lists were stolen according to a police report. The theft was reported by Beyoncé’s choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue, who disclosed that two suitcases filled with the musician's sensitive information were stolen from their car. Amid the investigation, a pair of AirPods taken from the vehicle led officers to a suspect, although no charges have been made public. (Rolling Stone)

At the FIFA Club World Cup Final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday (July 13), Coldplay made a surprise appearance during the halftime show, which also featured performances by J Balvin, Tems, Doja Cat, and Emmanuel Kelly. The 15-minute set, presented by Global Citizen and curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, opened with J Balvin's "Mi Gente," followed by Tems performing "Love Me JeJe," and Balvin returning for "Reggaeton." Doja Cat performed "Woman" before Coldplay closed the show, with Chris Martin and Emmanuel Kelly duetting "A Sky Full of Stars." The performance aimed to raise $100 million for global education access, and took place on an innovative stage setup in the upper level of the stadium. “By building our platform high in the stands, we ensured that the newly installed natural grass remains untouched while delivering an unforgettable show that is designed to be time-efficient and visually stunning,” said Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen. (Rolling Stone)

Drake headlined all three nights of London's Wireless Festival over the weekend, where the Toronto rap superstar brought out a series of high profile special guests, including Lauryn Hill, 21 Savage, Sexxy Red, Burna Boy, Vanessa Carlton, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Latto, Bryson Tiller, and more. The biggest headline came during Drake’s second set on Saturday (July 12), when he asked the crowd to "name another artist" who matches his performance level, and the audience began chanting "F--- Kendrick." Drake responded positively to the chant, as he smiled and told his longtime associate Chubbs, "Grab me a shot. I’ll drink to that." The incident comes amid his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, with Drake recently dropping his new single, "What Did I Miss?" – which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week – that calls out the "traitors" in his life who attended Kendrick’s infamous Pop Out concert in Los Angeles in June 2024. (People)

During his concert at Suffolk’s Portman Road stadium on Sunday night (July 13), Ed Sheeran got emotional when he shared the stage with one of his musical heroes, James Blunt. The two music stars performed a duet on Blunt's 2004 hit "Goodbye My Lover." Sheeran called the experience “a dream come true,” and he took to Instagram to share footage of the special collaboration while expressing why Blunt means so much to him. “I saw @jamesblunt when I was 13 opening for @eltonjohn at Portman Road. I bought his album that day, then got obsessed,” Sheeran wrote. “He became my favourite singer songwriter. His songs moulded me, his performing inspired me. I wanted to be him.” The two have gone on to form a close personal friendship, with Sheeran even serving as godfather to Blunt’s son. “Don’t meet your hero’s, unless your hero’s are James Blunt,” Sheeran added. “Love you mate.” (Billboard)

Rosé surprised fans at Blackpink's second sold-out concert at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday night (July 13) by inviting Bruno Mars to join her on stage to perform their worldwide chart-topping duet, "Apt." Fan shot footage of the collaboration captured the musicians sporting matching jackets for the performance, which culminated in a confetti-filled dance party alongside Blackpink’s backup dancers. The K-Pop group are in the midst of their highly-anticipated Deadline reunion tour, performing a series of 18 stadium shows throughout the world, including upcoming stops in Chicago, Toronto, and New York throughout July, followed by a scheduled performance at Japan's Tokyo Dome in early 2026. Blackpink launched their tour last week at Seoul’s Goyang Stadium, where the group debuted a new song, “Jump,” with the show marking their first live performance together in nearly two years. (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (July 14), Bad Bunny surprised fans by releasing his brand new single, "Alambre Púa," the first track released since dropping his chart-topping album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, back in January. The song – which translates to “Barbed Wire” in English – made its debut as the opener during Bad Bunny’s historic 30-date residency at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The track is also accompanied by a music video featuring a woman dancing on a beach. The residency, which began on July 11 and runs until September 14, serves as a prelude to Bad Bunny's upcoming world tour, which spans Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, and runs through 2026. In addition to his flourishing music career, Benito is also set to appear in two films this year, Happy Gilmore 2 with Adam Sandler and Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing. (Rolling Stone)

Alex Warren’s first career Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Ordinary,” has now spent six weeks atop the chart. Elsewhere in the Top 10, two tracks cracked the tally for the first time this week, as Drake’s “What Did I Miss?” debuts at No. 2, pushing the Canadian rapper’s record setting career total to 81 Hot 100 Top 10s, while HUNTR/X’s “Golden” vaults up 17 spots to reach No. 6, on the strength of being featured on the KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack, which surged to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen claims his 10th week with at least three simultaneous Hot 100 Top 10s, a career mark that only five acts — and no country artists — have previously reached.

Walen’s “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, falls one spot to No. 3, “Just in Case” drops one slot to No. 4, and “I’m the Problem” falls three places to No. 8, all of which are lifted from his chart-topping album, I’m the Problem, which is spending an eighth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The rest of the Top 10 is rounded out by Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy), which drops one spot to No. 5, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” falls one slot to No. 7, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” slides down one place to No. 9, and  Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” drops one slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (July 9), Harper’s Bazaar published their list of the 50 “Hottest Men Of All Time,” which includes Tupac Shakur at No. 2, Lenny Kravitz at No. 3, Bad Bunny at No. 8, and Elvis Presley at No. 17. Other musicians like Maluma, Zayn Malik, and A$AP Rocky also made the list, along with actors such as Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Keanu Reeves. The No. 1 spot was claimed by actor James Dean, with his fellow Old Hollywood stars Paul Newman and Marlon Brando also making the list. According to the tally, Bad Bunny reached his “peak” hotness level in March when he showed off his abs in his steamy Calvin Klein ads, while Pac’s hottest moment was during his shirtless appearance in the “Hit ‘Em Up” music video, and Elvis’ hotness peak occurred every time he did his notorious “Jailhouse Rock” dance moves. (Billboard) 

Kanye West's Shanghai concert on Saturday night (July 12) faced backlash as fans demanded refunds due to his late arrival, erratic behavior, and early departure. The show, billed as Ye’s first full-length concert in nearly a year, was marred by technical issues and minimal stage production, with the rapper performing alone in the rain at Shanghai Stadium. Attendees were left confused and frustrated by West's delayed start, and once he finally did take the stage,  technical issues with the DJ caused Ye to stop and restart multiple songs. Following the rapper’s abrupt early exit, fan shot footage captured the crowd chanting for refunds. Fans paid upwards of $400USD for tickets to the show, and took to Chinese social media to voice their displeasure, with one user saying they had “never seen such a poorly organized concert.” (Consequence of Sound)

Travis Scott and Cactus Jack released the highly-anticipated JACKBOYS 2 compilation album on Sunday (July 13) in honor of ‘713 Day,’ paying homage to the area code of Scott's hometown of Houston. The set serves as a sequel to Scott’s 2019 JACKBOYS project, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Scott hyped the new collection with an Instagram post on Friday, with a promotional image boasting, “The Jack is back with 17 new tracks full of trunk rattling classics in the making. Hosted by Bun B of UGK.” JACKBOYS 2 features Scott alongside hip-hop stars like Sheck Wes, Don Toliver, GloRilla, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Waka Flocka Flame, and more. Scott also offered fans various merchandise collections tied to the release, and CD/vinyl bundles featuring alternate cover art. This continues a busy year for Scott, who headlined Coachella in April, after scoring another No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “4×4” in February. The rap star also made a series of surprise appearances at high-profile WWE events. (Billboard)

During her Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Atlanta on Thursday (July 10), Beyoncé swapped out her flying red convertible stage prop for a gold mechanical horse that she rode above the crowd during her performance of "16 Carriages." This change followed a scary stage malfunction in Houston on June 28 when the red convertible tilted mid-air during the song, leaving the 35-time Grammy winner suspended at an awkward angle while they lowered the car to the floor. Beyoncé previously rode on a silver horse during the Renaissance Tour in 2023, mirroring the album's cover, with the singer also sitting atop a horse on the album cover for Cowboy Carter. Beyoncé continues her Cowboy Carter Tour with the final show of a four-night stand at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday (July 14), with the tour concluding on July 25-26 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (People)

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem has now spent its first two months at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, after it debuted atop the chart following its release on May 16. Wallen’s three chart-topping albums (I’m the Problem, One Thing at a Time, and Dangerous: The Double Album) have spent a combined total of 37 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, tying the country superstar with Harry Belafonte and Drake for the fifth-most weeks at No. 1 among solo male artists in chart history, trailing Elvis Presley (67 weeks), Garth Brooks (52), Michael Jackson (51), and Elton John (39).

Other notable moves in this week’s Billboard 200 Top 10 include the KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack hitting a new peak by climbing one spot to No. 2, while Toby Keith’s former chart-topper, 35 Biggest Hits, vaults up 34 places to reach No. 9 due to streaming surges around Independence Day. Elsewhere in the Top 10, Wallen’s One Thing at a Time jumps up three spots to No. 3, SZA’s SOS climbs three slots to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet rises four places to No. 5, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album vaults up five spots to No. 6, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos jumps up nine slots to No. 7, Karol G’s Tropicoqueta falls three places to No. 8, and PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U rises seven spots to No. 10. (Billboard)

Tomorrow X Together have announced that they are bringing their highly-anticipated Act: Tomorrow 2025 World Tour to the U.S. The K-pop boy band will make stops in seven major cities, including the U.S. tour kickoff on September 9 in San Jose, followed by a high-profile stadium stop in Los Angeles, before hitting arenas in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington D.C., and finishing with a two-night stand at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on October 1-2. This tour follows their successful run of shows in the U.S. in 2024, and marks their third world tour in as many years, with prior stops scheduled in Europe, China, and Japan. The announcement coincides with the July 21 release of the group’s fourth studio LP, The Star Chapter: Together, which marks the second and final instalment of the band's Star Chapter series. (Rolling Stone)

Kanye West faces new accusations of sexual battery and sex trafficking from his former assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, who initially sued him in 2024 for wrongful termination and sexual harassment. The amended complaint alleges that West coerced Pisciotta into sexual encounters, made lewd comments, and subjected her to harassment and assault. Pisciotta began working for the rapper in 2021 as an A&R during the making of his album, Donda, and eventually became his personal assistant. She is demanding a trial by jury to seek general, economic, and punitive damages, including past and future lost earnings. Representatives for West have not made a statement about the new accusations, though at the time of Pisciotta’s original lawsuit in 2024, West’s lawyer put out a statement calling her accusations “baseless” while claiming that they planned to countersue. (Variety)

Temple University has unveiled a groundbreaking new course, "Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City," to be taught by Professor Timothy Welbeck in Fall 2025. The class will focus on the cultural impact of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, with students giving close listens to Lamar’s Grammy-winning albums, while also receiving guest lectures from his collaborators. “Kendrick Lamar is one of the defining voices of his generation, and in many ways, both his art and life is reflective of the Black experience in many telling ways,” Welbeck says, while revealing that the college was very supportive of his course idea. “My current department chair was very open to the idea and received it almost immediately,” he says. “Our department at Temple has embraced the study of hip-hop in academic spaces.” The course, which begins in August, is now open for enrollment. (Rolling Stone)

Jennifer Hudson is set to headline the Whitney E. Houston Legacy of Love Gala at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta on August 9, on what would have been the late singer's 62nd birthday. The event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Houston's groundbreaking career, with music industry legend Clive Davis serving as honorary chair. Hudson, an EGOT winner, will be joined by R&B artist Meli'sa Morgan, who sang on Houston’s self-titled debut album, along with the foundation’s Cover Song Competition winner Jimmy Vance, and a symphony orchestra previewing the upcoming North American tour of The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration. The gala will honor Houston's legacy while also continuing her mission of supporting children and empowering youth, by offering grants to organizations like Kids in the Spotlight, and awarding scholarships for students attending HBCUs. (Billboard)

Justin Bieber is set to surprise fans with the unexpected release of his long-awaited seventh album, Swag, on Friday (July 11) via Def Jam. The highly-anticipated project, which Bieber put the finishing touches on during a getaway to Iceland in April, will likely feature collaborations with Gunna, Sexyy Red, and Cash Cobain, who recently participated in “jam sessions” with the singer. A series of social media posts that surfaced on Thursday announced the impending arrival of the surprise album, including a billboard in Iceland featuring the possible cover art that includes a black-and-white photo of Bieber alongside the word “SWAG.”

Bieber himself also shared an Instagram post featuring a Times Square billboard displaying the surprise album’s 20-song tracklist. Bieber's dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming release, which marks the 31-year-old pop superstar’s first album since 2021’s chart-topping, Grammy-nominated, Justice. Bieber has since undergone considerable changes in his personal and professional life, including becoming a father and parting ways with longtime manager Scooter Braun. (The Hollywood Reporter)

During a recent appearance on the StageLeft podcast, Olivia Rodrigo's guitarist, Daisy Spencer, revealed that the singer generously paid for free therapy for her crew throughout the Guts Tour, as well as during their time off the road. Spencer expressed gratitude for the accessible and free therapy, emphasizing the impact it had on her mental health and well-being. “I have never had anything like that,” Spencer said. “And that reignited the importance of therapy to me because I had just kind of fallen off for so long, and then suddenly I had this free resource of incredible therapists. Honestly, that was one of the coolest things that has ever happened on tour.” Spencer detailed how Rodrigo's gesture allowed her to regularly access therapy and work through unprocessed trauma from her younger years, describing it as one of the best gifts one can receive. The act reflects a growing trend of artists openly discussing mental health struggles, with Rodrigo being a leading proponent of prioritizing mental well-being. (Billboard)

In a recent appearance on the School of Greatness podcast with his brothers Nick and Joe, Kevin Jonas revealed that he faced financial ruin after losing "almost all" of his money following the split of the Jonas Brothers. Kevin eventually restored his assets due to the group's reunion in 2019, and reflected on his personal journey from financial success to near bankruptcy on the show. “I’ve seen the beginning of the success to financial success — not knowing what money really was and understanding it — to not having [it], to losing almost all of it,” Kevin said, revealing that he lost “most of” his money, “like, down to the one 10 percent left.” Kevin didn’t share specific details of his ordeal, though he said it happened around nine years ago. “I invested in a bunch of property and doing other things and I was building at the time,” he explained. “Sadly, it wasn’t the right partnership.” (Variety) 

The new Netflix competition series, Building the Band, is dedicated to the late Liam Payne, with host AJ McLean honoring the One Direction member in the premiere episode. “When we came together to film ‘Building the Band,’ we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend Liam Payne,” McLean said at the beginning of the episode. “Liam is a guest judge in later episodes, and through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. It’s through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.” Payne will appear posthumously as a guest judge in later episodes set to arrive next week, alongside fellow judges Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger. Payne filmed scenes for the show in the summer of 2024, with his last scenes captured in August, before his tragic death in October. The first four episodes of the series are currently available for streaming, with additional episodes set to be released on July 16 and July 23. (Variety)

Ed Sheeran will showcase his Jackson Pollock-inspired paintings in London at the Heni Gallery in Soho, starting on July 10 and running until August 1. The exhibition, titled "Cosmic Carpark Paintings," will raise funds for his Ed Sheeran Foundation, which focuses on providing music education for young people. “So last year in between shows I was doing these paintings,” Sheeran wrote in an Instagram post announcing his exhibition, while adding, “I love painting, more for fun and to give to friends, but this time I was encouraged to do a show of them by @DamienHirst and @Heni.” The musician explains that, “I paint when I’m not working on a record, just to do something creative with my brain,” while admitting, “I am by no means ‘an artist’, but I do love making art, it makes me feel great, and I love the end result.” Sheeran says,”The paintings are for sale if anyone fancies it, and my proceeds from them will all go into the @edsheeranfnd so art will fund art. I like the idea of that.” (Rolling Stone)

Sean "Diddy" Combs will be sentenced on October 3 for his two prostitution convictions, after his defense team reached an agreement on the sentencing timeline with the prosecution. The defense's sentencing memorandum is due on September 19, and the prosecution’s will be expected the following week, which was agreed to and signed by presiding Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday (July 8). The government is seeking a prison sentence of between 51 to 63 months, while the defense is recommending between 21 to 27 months, with Combs expected to receive credit for over a year of time served. Following a nearly two-month trial, Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges. He will remain in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center until the sentencing. (People)

On Monday (July 7), Frankie Grande took to Instagram to announce that an upcoming remix of his song, "Hotel Rock Bottom," will feature his sister, Ariana Grande. The track is set to be released on Friday (July 11) as part of the deluxe edition of his debut album, also titled Hotel Rock Bottom. This collaboration marks the siblings first music collaboration together, while showcasing Frankie's transition from Broadway to his own music project. Frankie captioned the post: “This song is so personal to me, and having her on it makes it even more meaningful. Can’t wait for you to hear it!!” Ariana showed her support by commenting on the post, “love you so much 🥹🥲 ♡ so proud of you and grateful to be a part of this deluxe!” Ariana remains focused on her acting career, continuing her portrayal of Glinda the good witch in the highly-anticipated Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, which will hit theaters on November 21. (Rolling Stone)

On Monday (July 7), Jessie J shared an emotional update on Instagram where the English pop star revealed that her breast cancer had not spread following a mastectomy. In the touching video clip, her two-year-old son Sky Safir is shown saying, “Mommy’s gonna be okay.” Jessie captioned the post: “And…I AM OK Results = I have NO cancer spread 😭😭😭 Happy tears are real 😭😭😭😭😭😭 Thank YOU for the prayers, the love, the well wishes, the joy and all the positive energy. 🥹” The singer also disclosed her plans for further reconstructive surgery to ensure a full recovery. “Lots of healing to go and one more surgery to make these cousins look more like sisters. But for now it’s gratitude time.” This positive news comes after the musician's initial announcement of her breast cancer diagnosis on June 3. During an appearance at the Summertime Ball at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 16, Jessie declared it was her "last show before I go to beat breast cancer!" (People)

In an Instagram post on Monday (July 7), Justin Bieber shared a couple adorable snapshots of his 10-month-old son, Jack Blues, joining him in the recording studio. sparking speculation about his possible musical inclinations. In the photos, Jack is seen in striped dungarees standing by a coffee table surrounded by Justin and his friends, two of whom are playing guitars, while Justin lovingly gazes at his son. The proud dad captioned his post, “💕💕💕💕💕💕💕.” This heartwarming moment follows a video posted on Sunday featuring Justin affectionately playing with Jack, as well as a carousel of snapshots featuring Justin and his wife, Hailey, sharing a sweet embrace, which the singer captioned, “My forever n always 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕.” These tender glimpses into Justin’s personal life capture the love he has for his family, while he remains at work on the long-awaited follow-up to his chart-topping, Grammy-nominated 2021 album, Justice. (People)

Janet Jackson and Maxwell sparked romance rumors when they were spotted smiling and holding hands as they attended the 1,500th performance of Cabaret in London on Monday night (July 7). Jackson, a five-time Grammy-winning singer, and R&B star Maxwell, were captured by fans arriving together at the Playhouse Theatre, with Jackson donning an all-white pantsuit and Maxwell in all black. Fellow celebrities Eddie Redmayne and Helena Bonham Carter also attended the event. The 59-year-old Jackson divorced Wissam Al Mana eight years ago, with the former couple sharing an eight-year-old son, Eissa. In May, Jackson received the ICON Award at the 2025 American Music Awards, and recently wrapped a 10-date residency at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas on May 31, with six additional dates scheduled for September. (People)

During his concert in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday night (July 5), Ed Sheeran delighted fans by bringing out his childhood band along with Wheatus frontman Brendan B. Brown to perform the 2000 indie rock hit, "Teenage Dirtbag," a song he considers one of his all-time top 10 favorites. Sheeran, 34, explained that he reunited with his high school band earlier this year to perform at a friend’s wedding, and got the idea to play the song with them during his 2025 stadium tour. He then reached out to Brown to perform his band’s classic track on stage with them. Sheeran shared a video of the performance on social media, captioning his post: “Used to play Teenage Dirtbag with my high school band when I was 12. I cheekily asked Brendan from @wheatusofficial to come over and rock it with us, and being the ledge that he is, he did. One of my fav moments ever on stage. What a night.” Wheatus' Instagram page commented on the post, "BEST DAY EVER!!!! 💛🩵." (People)

Lauryn Hill took the stage at the Essence Festival in New Orleans in the early hours of July 5, starting her performance at 2:30 a.m. due to the festival lineup running behind schedule. With a sparse audience in the 83,000-seat Superdome, Hill still engaged with the small crowd, took requests, and performed alongside her sons – Zion Marley, 27, and Joshua “YG” Marley, 23 – before concluding her set at 3:37 a.m. Videos of the near-empty stadium circulated on social media, prompting fans to defend the singer while absolving her of responsibility for the late start. Hill was a late addition to an already overcrowded lineup – which also featured Maxwell, Babyface, the Isley Brothers, and GloRilla – with the evening running behind schedule from the start, with some acts finishing their set an hour after the next performers were scheduled to begin. The Essence Festival 2025 concluded on Sunday (July 6), featuring a lineup including Boyz II Men, Master P, NAS, and Doug E Fresh. (People)

During her second sold-out headlining show at BST Hyde Park in London on Sunday night (July 6), Sabrina Carpenter surprised the 65,000 fans by bringing out Duran Duran for a performance of their 1982 hit, "Hungry Like the Wolf." Before their collaboration, Carpenter had the audience howling at the moon and then introduced the legendary band to the stage. Carpenter sang harmonies while vocalist Simon Le Bon and bassist John Taylor led the way, before Sabrina took over the lead on the second verse. The Duran Duran members were clearly thrilled with the experience, sharing photos of the night on Instagram while captioning the post: “Thank you @sabrinacarpenter for having us at her epic headlining show in Hyde Park last night! “Hungry” has never sounded so good!” Carpenter is gearing up to headline Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 3, and will release her highly-anticipated new album, Man’s Best Friend, on August 29, which has already spawned the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Manchild.” (Rolling Stone)

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” tops the Billboard Hot 100 once again, as his first career leader on the chart scores a fifth total week at No. 1. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen notches his fifth week in 2025 with at least three songs simultaneously charting in the Hot 100’s Top Five, as “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, remains at No. 2, “Just in Case” rises one spot to No. 3, and “I’m the Problem” holds at No. 5. Wallen ties Kendrick Lamar for the most weeks with three or more concurrent Top Five hits in a single year among solo artists, with Lamar also posting three such weeks this year. Among all acts, only the Beatles have more such frames with eight, achieved during their historic breakthrough year of 1964.

The rest of the Hot 100 Top 10 is rounded out by Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” jumping up three spots to No. 4, Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” holding at No. 6, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” drops four slots to No. 7, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” moves up one place to No. 8. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” drops one spot to No. 9 – marking the longest-charting song in the Top 10 ever by a woman artist at 45 weeks, while also surpassing The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” for the longest such stretch for a collaboration. While Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” returns to the Top 10 by jumping up one spot to reach No. 10. (Billboard)

During a visit to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in May, Kelsea Ballerini continued her involvement with Musicians On Call, a music-based charity that brings live and recorded music to patients in healthcare environments. In a heartwarming TikTok video shared by the charity, Ballerini sang Justin Bieber’s 2010 hit, “Baby,” with a young girl in a hospital bed, playfully passing the “mic” back and forth between the two of them during their special duet. Musicians on Call captioned the clip, “Huge thanks to @kelseaballerini for bringing joy and brightness to patients by playing their favorite songs 🎶💛 Your talent brings smiles to many!” Ballerini has been a part of the organization for nearly ten years, after helping launch the program – which now has a roster of volunteers which includes Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Trisha Yearwood, and Dolly Parton – in Phoenix back in 2016. After her most recent visit, Ballerini said, “it’s a beautiful way to let music be what music is, which is powerful.” (Holler)

Kelly Clarkson postponed her Las Vegas residency hours before the opening night due to vocal damage she suffered from rehearsals. In an Instagram post on Friday (July 4), the three-time Grammy-winning singer wrote: “I am devastated to have to postpone tonight and tomorrow’s opening at Caesars. The prep and rehearsals have taken a toll on my voice. I want the shows to be perfect for y’all and I need to protect myself from doing serious damage so I am taking this weekend and next week to rest up so that we can deliver what you all deserve.” Clarkson is aiming to officially kick off her Studio Sessions residency with scheduled shows on July 11-12 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The performances are slated to run every Friday and Saturday through August 16, with encore dates scheduled for November. Rescheduled dates for the postponed shows have not yet been announced. (Rolling Stone)

LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan decided to cancel their appearances at a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in solidarity with nearly 10,000 striking city workers. LL posted a video on social media on Thursday (July 3) that he captioned, “Dear Philly,” where the rapper explained his decision. “There’s absolutely no way that I can perform, cross a picket line and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage,” he said. “I hope that the mayor and the city can make a deal. I hope it works out.” Sullivan, a Grammy-winning Philadelphia native, wrote in an Instagram Story on Friday that she would support the striking workers “until the city and the union find a way to bring fair living wages to our working class. I love my city and I believe in you. Hopefully we will get to celebrate when things are better.” (Billboard)

On Friday (July 4), Drake hosted a livestream event called, “Iceman Episode One,” where the 5-time Grammy winner shared a brand new song titled, “What Did I Miss?” The track delves into the theme of fake friends and fractured loyalties, possibly related to his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar. While not directly naming Lamar or any of his friends, the Toronto rapper references an incident at Kendrick's Juneteenth 2024 Pop Out concert in Los Angeles where the Compton rapper performed his Drake-dissing track, “Not Like Us,” five times, while questioning the company his supposed friends – like NBA stars LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan – choose to keep. This release and accompanying livestream – where Drake drove around Toronto in a van for an ice delivery company called The Iceman – have fueled speculation of a new album, potentially titled Iceman, on the way, although no official details have been confirmed. (Rolling Stone)

On Saturday (July 5), it was revealed that Ed Sheeran's Grammy-winning 2017 single, "Shape of You," has topped Apple Music's list of the 500 Most-Streamed Songs of the Decade. The British pop superstar’s smash hit – which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 12 weeks – surpassed The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" (which came in at No. 2 on Apple’s list) and Drake's "God's Plan" (No. 3). The Top 10 is rounded out by popular tracks by Post Malone (“Sunflower” and “Rockstar”), Drake (“One Chance”), Travis Scott (“Sicko Mode”), Sheeran (“Perfect”), Chris Brown (“No Guidance”), and Billie Eilish (“Bad Guy”), in that order. Drake has the most songs in the Top 500 with 27, followed by Taylor Swift with 14. Apple released their list to celebrate the streaming service’s 10-year anniversary. “No one can take away the song,” Sheeran reflected to Zane Lowe in an interview surrounding the announcement. “I’ll be able to play it forever … I’m just grateful that I have songs like that, that you could be anywhere in the world and someone gives you a guitar and you can make someone happy with it.” (Billboard)

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem sits atop the Billboard 200 albums chart for a seventh consecutive week, since first debuting at No. 1 following its May 16 release. The record earned 173,000 units over the past week, marking the the largest total for an album in its seventh week on the chart since Adele’s 25 earned 194,000 in its seventh week back in January 2016. Three big releases debut in the Top 10 in this week’s Billboard 200 chart, as Lorde’s Virgin premieres at No. 2 – with the pop superstar also claiming her first career No. 1 on the U.K. chart – while KATSEYE’s BEAUTIFUL CHAOS launches at No. 4, and Russ’ W!LD starts at No. 10.

Other significant moves in this week’s Top 10 include the KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack jumping up five places to reach a new peak of No. 3, while Playboi Carti’s former chart-topper MUSIC vaults up twenty spots to claim No. 8 after the record was finally released on vinyl. The rest of the Top 10 is rounded out by Karol G’s Tropicoqueta, which falls two spots to No. 5, Wallen’s One Thing at a Time drops a spot to No. 6, SZA’s SOS plummets three slots to No. 7, and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet slides down three places to No. 9. (Billboard)

Foo Fighters are marking their 30th anniversary with the release of a new track, "Today’s Song," the first new music from the band since their 2023 album, But Here We Are. The song – which features cover art drawn by Dave Grohl’s 15-year-old daughter, Harper – was accompanied by an emotional essay from the band’s frontman that he shared on Instagram on Wednesday (July 2). “We have followed this road together, with each other, for each other, no matter what,” Grohl wrote to his band and his fans. “Because in life, you just can’t go it alone.” He also paid tribute to the group’s beloved late drummer, Taylor Hawkins: “Your name is spoken every day, sometimes with tears, sometimes with a smile, but you are still in everything we do, everywhere we go, forever.” In additional Grohl news, the musician and his wife, Jordyn Blum, were spotted together at Wimbledon on Wednesday, their first joint public appearance since Grohl revealed that he fathered a child outside of his marriage in September 2024. (Billboard)

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has had his Australian visa canceled due to the release of an antisemitic song titled "Heil Hitler" in May. “He’s made a lot of offensive comments that my officials looked at again once he released [that] song,” said Tony Burke, Australia’s Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. “We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.” The decision comes more than two years after the musician wed Bianca Censori, who is from Australia. This follows a series of antisemitic remarks and offensive social media posts by Ye, leading to the termination of a series of major brand partnerships while generating backlash from the Jewish community. In May, Ye claims to have experienced a change of heart, writing on X: “I am done with antisemitism. I love all people. God forgive me for the pain I’ve caused.” (Billboard)

In Los Angeles on Monday (June 30), Mariah Carey took part in an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden to celebrate 10 years of the streaming service. During the chat, the 5-time Grammy winner revealed that her upcoming sixteenth studio album is finished, while hinting that the project will include "some Mariah ballads." "What is next? The album coming out,” Carey said. “I don’t wanna tell too much about it because I just don’t want to reveal the whole thing," she teased, while adding, "It’s finished." Carey went on to share that the album will consist of either "11 songs, or 12,", including her recent single, "Type Dangerous," which debuted at No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100. Carey went on to disclose, "A second single is coming soon. I’m very excited about it," while describing the track as "very summer-y. I like the beat as well." Carey’s forthcoming new album will mark her first since 2018's Caution. (People)

Frustrated fans are experiencing playback issues with Lorde’s crystal clear Virgin CD, with many of them unable to play the disc on a variety of CD players. Discussions on Reddit and multiple TikTok posts feature annoyed fans experiencing compatibility problems with older models or in-car CD players, expressing their disappointment with the design choice and lack of alternative CD options. “Seems like older models with older sensors won’t play it,” a fan wrote. “Pretty disappointing, I know it was for an aesthetic but at least press it on normal CDs, too.” Lorde’s website shows only sold-out listings for the translucent CD, with no other CD pressing options currently available. A spokesperson for Lorde declined to comment on the issue, leaving frustrated fans hoping for a smoother listening experience with any potential future CD releases or deluxe editions. (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (June 2), Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, potentially facing up to 20 years in prison, while being found not guilty of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. The split verdict prompted a jubilant reaction from Combs, who pumped his fist and mouthed “thank you” to the jurors. Members of his family shed tears of relief following the verdict, and they were shown leaving the courthouse amidst chants of “Freedom!” Following the gruelling eight-week trial, the defense advocated for Combs to be released on a $1 million bond before his sentencing date on the prostitution charges, while prosecutors felt he should continue to be held due to the severity of the conviction. The judge later ruled that Combs will remain in jail until his sentencing (with the date yet to be determined), citing his history of domestic violence. (Variety)

In their first collective WeVerse stream in almost three years, BTS confirmed their reunion and shared plans for a new group album and world tour in 2026. “We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year. Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music,” BTS shared. “Since it will be a group album, it will reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas. We’re also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We’ll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you’re as excited as we are.” This announcement comes after a lengthy hiatus that allowed members to fulfill their mandatory military service in South Korea and pursue solo projects. In addition to the reunion news, BTS’ record label Big Hit announced on Monday (June 30) that the first-ever live album from the K-pop group is arriving on July 18. Permission to Dance On Stage — Live will feature live performances of their hits, including Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers “Dynamite” and “Butter,” recorded on BTS’ 2021-2022 Permission to Dance On Stage Tour. (Rolling Stone)

At the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Monday night (June 30), Katy Perry brought the 15-date Australian leg of her tour to an emotional close. The pop superstar finished the show in tears, following her recent split from Orlando Bloom. “Thank you for always being there for me, Australia. It means the world,” Perry said as her eyes welled up with tears and her voice cracked slightly, before adding, “Now let’s sing ‘Firework!'” Reports of Perry’s split from Bloom surfaced last week, and in the following days it was reported that the couple ended their engagement after nine years together. In August 2020, the couple welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove. Despite these personal challenges, Perry remains committed to her ongoing Lifetimes Tour, with the North American leg kicking off on July 10 in Denver. The massive tour concludes in early December, after a total of 89 shows around the world. (Rolling Stone)

While attending the Glastonbury music festival on Saturday (June 28), Harry Styles was spotted kissing a mystery woman in the VIP section in video footage obtained by The Sun.  The woman has now been identified as producer Ella Kenny, with Styles spotted dancing and making out with her while in the middle of a crowd. This public display of affection with Kenny follows Styles' previous high-profile relationships with actressess Taylor Russell and Olivia Wilde in recent years. The Grammy-winning singer concluded his successful Love on Tour in 2023, though Styles continues to make headlines with a series of surprise public appearances as of late. He was seen in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on May 8 to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, as well as participating in the Tokyo marathon back in March, where the musician finished ahead of over 20,000 runners with his sub-3:30 race time. (People)

In an Instagram post on Monday (June 30), Lorde opened up about the challenges of creating her new album, Virgin, after the record had been out for three days. The Grammy-winning pop superstar singled out "Favourite Daughter" as the toughest to write, produce, and sing. The track, which Lorde admits “Kicked my ass,” delves into her complex relationship with her mother, the poet Sonja Yelich. Lorde shared a series of insights about various tracks on the album, revealing that the record-closing tune, “David,” was the “First song started (and second to last finished),” while “Clearblue” was the “Last song started,” and “Broken Glass” was the final song she finished for the album. She also disclosed that she removed a favorite song of hers from the tracklist last minute, but hinted at the possibility of releasing it as a B-side in the future, teasing the existence of a “Couple really good B sides knocking around actually.” Lorde will launch her Ultrasound World Tour on September 17 in Austin, Texas. (Billboard)

Sabrina Carpenter's charitable fund under the nonprofit PLUS1 has raised over $1 million in just 12 months, making it the organization's fastest-growing artist initiative. The Sabrina Carpenter Fund supports causes close to the pop superstar’s heart, including mental health advocacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and animal welfare support. Carpenter integrates fundraising into various aspects of her career, such as dedicating a portion of ticket sales to her causes, and collaborating on charity projects with brands like Erewhon and Catbird. PLUS1 founder Marika Anthony-Shaw, the former viola player in Arcade Fire, established the organization after seeing the impact from the band’s ticket sales donations towards Haiti relief following the devastating 2010 earthquake. “Sabrina’s approach to philanthropy shows what’s possible when an artist truly commits to embedding impact across their work,” Anthony-Shaw said in a statement. “Sabrina is setting a new standard, one where social impact becomes woven into an artist’s career to create meaningful, lasting change.” (Rolling Stone)

During a recent concert, Gavin Adcock blasted Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning Best Country Album, Cowboy Carter, during an onstage rant. In fan-captured video footage of the incident, the country star takes issue with albums that currently outrank his own on Apple Music’s country albums chart. “One of them’s Beyoncé — you can tell her we’re coming for her f—in’ a–,” Adcock said, before adding, “That sh– ain’t country music and it ain’t ever been country music, and it ain’t gonna be country music.” Adcock took to Instagram on Monday (June 30) to share a video statement clarifying his remarks. “I’m gonna go ahead and clear this up,” he says. “I really don’t believe that her album should be labeled as country music. It doesn’t sound country, it doesn’t feel country, and I just don’t think that people that have dedicated their whole lives to this genre and this lifestyle should have to compete or watch that album just stay at the top, just because she’s Beyoncé.” (Billboard)

Miley Cyrus' visual companion to her latest album, Something Beautiful, will premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on July 16 in the United States and Canada, and on July 30 internationally. The film, directed by Cyrus, Jacob Bixenman, and Brendan Walter, made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, which was followed by limited screenings in movie theaters. Cyrus is not embarking on a full-scale tour in support of Something Beautiful in order to focus on her sobriety along with her vocal and mental health, but she did perform some intimate shows at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles around the album release, and also made a surprise appearance alongside Beyoncé at a recent Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Paris to perform their Grammy-winning duet, "II Most Wanted." Something Beautiful, Cyrus' ninth album, features hits like "More to Lose," "End of the World," and the title track, and serves as the follow-up to her Grammy-winning 2023 album, Endless Summer Vacation. (Consequence of Sound)

Charli XCX is hitting back at critics of her Glastonbury performance on Saturday night (June 28), who were dismissive of her reliance on autotune while denouncing her for not using a traditional band on stage. “Really enjoying these boomer vibe comments on my glastonbury performance. it’s super fascinating to me,” she wrote in a social media screed, where she continued: “Like the idea that singing with deliberate autotune makes you a fraud or that not having a traditional band suddenly means you must not be a “real artist” is like, the most boring take ever. yawn sorry just fell asleep xx.” While Charli is clearly tired of defending her performing style and sound, the Brat star went on to admit, “I enjoy the discourse.  imo the best art is divisive and confrontational and often evolves into truly interesting culture.” Charli continues her Brat World Tour with a series of European summer festivals, including Roskilde, Sziget, ØYA, Way Out West, and more. (Consequence of Sound)

The trial of Sean Combs is now in the hands of the jury, as they began deliberation on Monday (June 30) on the charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution against the disgraced music mogul. The process is expected to take several days. If convicted, Combs faces a possible life sentence for racketeering, a minimum of 15 years for sex trafficking, and a maximum of 10 years for transportation to engage in prostitution. The judge commended both the defense attorneys and federal prosecutors for their "great lawyering" at the end of the seven-week trial, stating that “the case was really exceptionally tried by both sides.” The trial saw lengthy closing arguments, with the prosecution portraying Combs as the head of a criminal enterprise, while the defense claimed that his activities were part of a consensual "swingers lifestyle." (Variety)

During her headlining, festival-closing set at Glastonbury on Sunday night (June 29), Olivia Rodrigo surprised fans by bringing out The Cure's legendary frontman, Robert Smith, during her set, where they performed his classic hits, "Friday I'm in Love" and "Just Like Heaven." “He’s perhaps the best songwriter to come out of England,” Rodrigo said enthusiastically while introducing Smith. “He is a Glastonbury legend and a personal hero of mine. Would you please welcome, Robert Smith!” This marked Rodrigo's first time headlining the Pyramid Stage, and she delivered a triumphant performance full of her current hits and early singles, with the Grammy-winning pop star blown away by the support from the massive crowd. “This is the most people I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” she said as she took the moment in. “This is a dream come true, I actually can’t believe this is my life right now.” Rodrigo concludes the U.K. leg of her Guts World Tour with a two-night stand in Manchester on June 30-July 1. (Variety)

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” remains at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as his first career leader adds a fourth week atop the chart. Elsewhere in the Top 10, Cardi B’s new single “Outside” debuts at No. 10, becoming the Grammy-winning rapper's 13th career Top 10 hit. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen claims his sixth week with at least three simultaneous Hot 100 Top 10s this year, surpassing Kendrick Lamar for the most such weeks in 2025. The country superstar’s duet with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” rises one spot to No. 2, while his single “Just in Case,” remains at No. 4, and “I’m the Problem” moves up one slot to No. 5, as his chart-topping album of the same name spends its sixth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The rest of the Hot 100 Top 10 features Sabrina Carpenter’s new single,“Manchild,” dropping one spot to No. 3, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” falling one spot to No. 6, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” holding at No. 7, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” remains at No. 8, and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” stays at No. 9. (Billboard)

LL Cool J delves into the birth and evolution of rap in New York City in the new trailer for the upcoming docuseries, Hip-Hop Was Born Here. The five-part show features interviews with rap luminaries such as Method Man, Grandmaster Caz, Roxanne Shante, and Big Daddy Kane, while providing a historical and musical tour of the five boroughs, showcasing how the city shaped the genre. The trailer features LL visiting the birthplace of hip-hop, with the rap legend making a pilgrimage to the Bronx park where DJ Kool Herc set up his equipment and threw his groundbreaking first parties. Other NYC-centric stories will be featured in each episode, while also exploring the global impact of rap music. Hip-Hop Was Born Here will premiere on July 22 on Paramount+, with the docuseries hosted, executive produced, and co-created by LL Cool J, in collaboration with NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. (Rolling Stone)

Dua Lipa continued the U.K. leg of her Radical Optimism Tour by covering a pair of legendary local artists during her recent shows in England and Ireland. Lipa performed the Beatles' classic, “Hey Jude,” during her stadium show at Anfield in Liverpool on June 25, and covered the Zutons’ “Valerie” – which was popularized by the late Amy Winehouse – with the Liverpudlian rock group’s singer Dave McCabe the night before. Lipa then paid a touching tribute to the late Sinéad O'Connor by performing her Billboard No. 1 hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday night (June 27). “Tonight, I am honored to perform a song by a late Irish legend,” Lipa said before her emotional rendition of the Prince-penned classic. This continues Lipa’s trend of covering hometown artists during stops on her tour – performing hits from AC/DC, Lorde, and Kylie Minogue on the Australian/New Zealand leg – while also collaborating with local stars Charli XCX and Jamiroquai's Jay Kay during her recent London shows at Wembley Stadium. (Rolling Stone)

Kendrick Lamar and SZA have broken the touring record previously held by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, as the duo’s ongoing Grand National Tour is officially the highest-grossing co-headline tour of all-time. Kendrick and SZA just completed the North American leg of their tour, which grossed $256.4 million from 1.1 million tickets sold over the course of 23 shows. The Grand National Tour surpassed the total gross of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's On the Run II Tour by a 1% margin. While Bey and Jay still hold the co-headlining record with 2.2 million tickets sold, there is potential for Lamar and SZA to surpass them in total tickets sold by the end of the tour, which continues with a series of European dates beginning in July. In addition to this milestone, Lamar also just announced a Latin American leg of the Grand National Tour which will take place without SZA, as the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper will perform in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, with opening acts Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso. (AV Club)

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem spends a sixth straight week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. I’m the Problem earned 177,000 units over the past week, netting the largest total for an album in its sixth week on the chart since Adele’s 25 earned 363,000 in its sixth week in January 2016. Three new releases debut in the current Billboard 200 Top 10, as Benson Boone’s American Heart lands at No. 2, marking his highest-charting album and biggest week of his career, while Karol G notches her third career Top 10 album with the No. 3 arrival of Tropicoqueta, and the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack enters at No. 8, becoming the first soundtrack released in 2025 to reach the Top 10, and the highest-debuting soundtrack of the year. The rest of Top 10 is filled out by all former No. 1 albums, as SZA’s SOS holds at No. 4, Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 5, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet stays at No. 6, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX rises one spot to No. 7, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album is steady at No. 9, and PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U sticks at No. 10. (Billboard)

During Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour stop in her hometown of Houston on Saturday night (June 28), the airborne car she rides in during her performance of “16 Carriages” experienced a technical mishap, visibly tilting mid-air and causing the singer to stop the track mid-song. Despite the alarming moment – which was caught on fan-shot footage shared on social media – Beyoncé was eventually lowered to safety and continued the song and finished the show. She reassured the hometown audience at NRG Stadium upon her return to the stage by saying, “If ever I fall, I know ya’ll catch me.” Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment released a statement shared to their Instagram Story which reads: “Tonight in Houston, at NRG Stadium, a technical mishap caused the flying car, a prop Beyonce uses to circle the stadium, and see her fans up close, to tilt. She was quickly lowered and no one was injured. The show continued without incident.” Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour continued with another performance at NRG Stadium on Sunday (June 29). (Billboard)

Brandy and Monica made an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday (June 25), and the Grammy-winning singers confirmed their plans to collaborate on new music alongside their upcoming joint tour. They duo just announced The Boy Is Mine Tour, a 24-date trek which is set to begin on October 16 in Cincinnati and concludes on December 7 in Houston, with support coming from Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and Jamal Roberts. “It opens the door, for sure,” Brandy said of the tour inspiring them to make new music together. Host Jimmy Fallon suggested they could have a studio on their tour bus, while Monica quickly dismissed that idea. “No, we’re not doing the studio tour bus. We’re seasoned women. We need proper rest, alright?” She added, “So what we’re going to do is just be smart about it. We’ll start working on the music immediately, and then we can just be promoting it while we’re on the road.” (Rolling Stone)

On Wednesday (June 25), Cardi B took to social media to explain her decision to include the popular singles "WAP" and "Up" on her forthcoming album, Am I the Drama?, despite the songs first being released back in 2020 and 2021, respectively. “This will be the last and only time I’m gonna address this,” the Grammy-winning rapper started, “WAP and Up are two of my biggest songs, my fans have been asking me to put them on an album, they deserve a home. At this point I’m giving my fans what they want!” “WAP,” Cardi’s first collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, made history by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending four weeks atop the chart, while "Up" also reached No. 1, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance in 2022. On June 20, the rapper shared her new single, "Outside," which will also be included on Am I the Drama? when it drops on September 19. (People)

Lorde shared an Instagram Story on Thursday (June 26) that seemingly confirms that she will be performing a secret set at Glastonbury 2025. Lorde's post features an aerial photo of the festival’s Woodsies tent, which conspicuously has an unannounced slot remaining at 11:30 a.m. on Friday (June 27), which coincides with the release day of her highly-anticipated fourth album, Virgin. Lorde previously expressed interest in returning to the festival during a recent BBC Radio 2 interview, with the two-time Grammy winner responding to a question about playing Glasto by hinting, “I’m pretty keen, honestly, ‘cause the album’s gonna be coming out right around that time. I am quite tempted by what’s going on because I’ve got lots of friends playing as well. We’ll see if I can pull some strings and get there.” Other rumored secret sets at Glastonbury 2025 include acts like Lewis Capaldi, Haim, Pulp, and Chappell Roan, with the festival set to be headlined by The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo. (NME)

Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson's cause of death was revealed in the Los Angeles County Department of Health's death certificate, which disclosed that “respiratory arrest” was the primary cause, with sepsis and cystitis listed as contributing factors. The certificate also revealed additional health issues at the time of Wilson's passing, including obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory failure, and a neurodegenerative disorder. Wilson's family had previously shared his battle with dementia in February 2024. Wilson's death on June 11 left fans and the music world mourning the loss of a musical genius, with the Beach Boys paying tribute to his legacy by writing at the time: “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of the Beach Boys — he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever.” (Rolling Stone)

After nine years together, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have officially ended their engagement. The famous couple first met at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2016, and briefly split in 2017 before getting back together the following year. The couple revealed that they were engaged in 2019, with Perry describing the moment to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel: “It was very sweet. It was Valentine’s Day … we went to dinner, and I thought we were going to go see some art after dinner, but we pulled up to a helicopter. We landed on a rooftop [in Los Angeles] — my whole family was there, and all my friends. He did so well.” The couple welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove, in August 2020. Bloom also has a 14-year-old son, Flynn, from his previous marriage to Miranda Kerr. Neither Perry nor Bloom has commented on the status of their relationship, and their reps have not issued a public comment. (Rolling Stone)

During Louis Vuitton's ‘Spring/Summer 2026’ fashion show in Paris on Tuesday (June 24), Doechii and Tyler, the Creator previewed their upcoming Pharrell-produced collaboration. “Get Right.” This marks the two Grammy-winning rappers second partnership, following their 2024 joint track, "Balloon," from Tyler’s Billboard 200 chart-topping album, Chromakopia. Doechii worked closely with Pharrell, Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director, on her H-to-T LV look that she wore to the 2025 Met Gala. Doechii also served as one of the members of the costume institute benefit’s host committee, while Pharrell served as one of the co-chairs. The soundtrack for the runway show also featured Pharrell's production of Clipse's “So Be It Pt. II,” as guests like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, J-Hope, and Future occupied the front row. After the show, Pharrell presented Beyoncé – who just finished a three-night run at Paris’ Stade de France on her Cowboy Carter Tour – with a bag fresh off the runway. (Billboard)

Olivia Rodrigo surprised fans at her sold-out show in Dublin's Marlay Park on Tuesday night (June 24) by performing a cover of Fontaines D.C.’s “I Love You.” Rodrigo’s Ireland show was part of her ongoing Guts World Tour, and served as a warm-up for her largest U.K. gig to date, a sold-out headline show at London’s Hyde Park on Friday (June 27),  which will be followed by her highly-anticipated headlining slot at Glastonbury on Sunday night. “Lately I’ve been obsessed with this band Fontaines D.C.,” Rodrigo told the audience, paying tribute to the Grammy-nominated, Dublin-based rock band. “I’ve been playing this song alone in my room for fun, and I was wondering if it’d be cool if I played it for you guys.” Rodrigo performed her stripped-down version solo at the start, before eventually being joined by her full backing band, as the track built to an emotional climax. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (June 25), Sabrina Carpenter unveiled an alternate cover for her upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend, amid the controversy surrounding the original provocative image on her record cover. The new black and white photograph – shot by Bryce Anderson, who also took the original cover photo – features Carpenter standing close to a man in a suit, offering a less controversial option to fans and critics alike. The Grammy-winning pop star made light of the uproar in the caption to her post, writing “i signed some copies of Man’s Best Friend for you guys & here is a new alternate cover approved by God available now on my website 🤍.” Additionally, Carpenter also revealed her second drink collaboration with Dunkin’ Donuts, “Sabrina’s Strawberry Daydream Refresher,” in a playful ad campaign by photographer/director Nadia Lee Cohen that showcases the singer as a charming “Daydream Matchmaker” who answers vintage-style hotline calls. (Variety)

On Saturday (June 21), lifelong Dodgers fan Ice Cube was honored with his very own bobblehead day during a game at Dodgers Stadium. Despite the home team’s loss to the Washington Nationals, the event drew a record-breaking attendance of 54,154 fans, surpassing the previous attendance record for the 2025 season. The bobblehead features the hip-hop legend sporting a matching Dodgers jersey and jacket with the team’s branding. In addition to the limited-edition collectible, an Ice Cube-themed drone show was organized by the Dodgers to honor the rapper. While Ice Cube couldn’t attend the event himself, TMZ caught up with the N.W.A.-alum at the airport. “It felt great,” Cube said of the bobblehead tribute. “Amazing — something I never expected to have. Sorry I can’t be there.” Cube performed before Game 2 of the 2024 World Series, with the Dodgers ultimately winning the championship against the Yankees, and he brought the World Series trophy into the stadium during opening day of the 2025 season. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at a benefit concert in Nashville on Tuesday night (June 24), with the music superstar performing "Shake It Off" on an acoustic guitar at the 1,200 capacity Brooklyn Bowl. The impromptu performance took place at the end of Kane Brown's set, stunning the audience and delighting fans who had gathered for the 'Tight Ends & Friends' charity event, which was hosted by Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Swift used a guitar she borrowed from Chase Rice, who performed earlier that evening, playing a stripped-down version of her lead single from her Grammy-winning album, 1989. She took a moment mid-song to praise Brown’s contribution to her performance, “Honestly, have you ever seen a tambourine played like this? This is fantastic work over here by Mr. Kane Brown.” Brown later shared a photo of him with Swift and Kelce on Instagram, joking in the caption, “When you think you’re the special guest BUT you’re not 😂.” This impromptu performance marks Swift's first live appearance since The Eras Tour wrapped up in December. (Variety) 

Bobby Sherman, a top teen idol of the late 1960s and early '70s, has passed away at the age of 81 after battling kidney cancer. The sad news was announced by his wife, Brigitte Poublon, on Instagram on Tuesday (June 24). “It is with the heaviest heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Bobby Sherman,” she wrote. “And though our family feels his loss profoundly, we also feel the warmth of his legacy—his voice, his laughter, his music, his mission. Thank you to every fan who ever sang along, who ever sent love his way. He felt it.” Sherman rose to fame starring in the hit ABC TV series, Here Come the Brides, which ran from 1968 to 1970. Sherman's music career was marked by a run of chart-topping success in the span of only two and a half years, which featured a string of gold-certified Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits, “Little Woman,” “La La La (If I Had You),” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me.” Sherman also had three Top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 – Bobby Sherman, Here Comes Bobby and With Love – which were all certified gold. Bobby is survived by his wife, sons Tyler and Christopher, and six grandchildren. (Billboard)

Brandy and Monica just announced that they are launching their first-ever co-headlining The Boy Is Mine Tour, with special guests Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and American Idol winner Jamal Roberts. The 24-date arena tour kicks off in Cincinnati on October 16, and includes stops in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn, before concluding in Houston on December 7. The tour is named after their iconic 1998 duet, “The Boy Is Mine,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 13 weeks, earning them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. In 2024, Brandy and Monica teamed up with Ariana Grande for “The Boy Is Mine (Remix),” which scored them a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.“This really is a full-circle moment,” Brandy said in a statement. “To share the stage all these years later is bigger than a reunion—it’s a celebration of growth, sisterhood, and the love our fans have given us from day one.” Presale for the tour begins on Thursday (June 26), with general on-sale starting Friday (June 27). (Variety)

In the new trailer for the upcoming Netflix competition series, Building the Band, the late Liam Payne is shown offering guidance and encouragement to aspiring musicians. The show, which is set to premiere on July 9 and will be hosted by AJ McLean (Backstreet Boys), blends elements of The Voice and Love Is Blind, and features singers blindly selecting potential band members based on their vocal talent alone. The competitors will be advised by star mentor Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls), along with guest judges Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child) and the late One Direction singer. Despite Payne's unexpected death, the show will go on as planned, showcasing his insights and advice to contestants as they compete for the chance to be crowned the winner. Recording for the series was completed in July 2024, four months before Payne’s tragic death. Netflix initially halted production on the show, only setting a premiere date after Payne’s family approved footage from the series. (Rolling Stone)

On Tuesday (June 24), the prosecution rested its case in the high-profile Sean Combs trial, where the disgraced entertainment mogul is accused of five felony charges of sex-trafficking and racketeering. The defense team has announced that they don’t plan to call any witnesses, with Combs choosing not to testify in his own defense. The court has seen six weeks of witness testimonies, emotional accounts from three alleged sexual-abuse victims, and a mountain of evidence presented by the prosecution, including documentation of a series of alleged "freak-offs" with Combs' ex-girlfriends and an array of male escorts. Combs' defense team confirmed that they do not plan to call any live witnesses and will rely only on introducing exhibits before resting their case. The trial is expected to conclude before the July Fourth holiday, with jurors potentially beginning deliberations as soon as Friday. Combs faces life in prison if convicted. (Rolling Stone)

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” reclaims the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, one week after being knocked off the top spot by Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” In addition to Warren claiming his third total week topping the Hot 100, “Ordinary” also becomes his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Radio Songs chart, while spending a fourth week at No. 1 on the Adult Pop Airplay tally and a second week at No. 1 on Pop Airplay, while also cracking the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart with its No. 9 peak. Meanwhile, Carpenter’s “Manchild” – her second career chart-topper –  drops one spot to No. 2 this week.

Morgan Wallen’s “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, sticks at No. 3, with the country superstar’s “Just in Case” holding at No. 4, and “I’m the Problem” remaining at No. 6, with all three hits included on Wallen’s I’m the Problem, the No. 1 album in the country for the fifth week running. This also marks Wallen’s fifth week charting at least three simultaneous Top 10 hits this year, matching Kendrick Lamar for the most. The rest of the Hot 100 Top 10 is rounded out by Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” holding at No. 5, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” stays at No. 7, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” sticks at No. 8, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” keeps at No. 9, and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” remains at No. 10. (Billboard)

On Monday (June 23), Reneé Rapp announced dates and details of her 2025 Bite Me Tour, which will hit up arenas and amphitheaters this fall. The 17-date North American jaunt is set to kick off on September 23 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, stopping in major music markets like Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, before winding down on October 29 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rapp’s self-professed “my favorites” Syd and Ravyn Lenae will open select dates on the tour. Rapp’s upcoming dates include a headlining appearance at Toronto’s inaugural All Things Go festival on October 4, where she will be joined by fellow headliners Kacey Musgraves, Role Model, and Remi Wolf. Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Friday (June 27), preceded by an artist presale on Thursday (June 26). The tour is in support of Rapp’s forthcoming new album, Bite Me, which is set to be released on August 1, and features lead single, “Leave Me Alone.” (Rolling Stone)

On Sunday (June 22), one day after celebrating her 40th birthday, Lana Del Rey took to Instagram to announce the opening acts for her U.K. and Ireland stadium tour. Lana revealed that London Grammar, BANKS, and Addison Rae will join her on select dates of the run, which is set to kick off this week. London Grammar provided support on the opening night of the tour on Monday (June 23) at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, while BANKS will be the special guest opening act for three dates – June 26 in Glasgow, June 28 in Liverpool, and June 30 in Dublin – and Rae is set to open both highly-anticipated shows at London’s Wembley Stadium on July 3 and 4. Del Rey excitedly captioned her post, “Lettttts go!,” while also sharing glimpses of her birthday celebration, and adding, “So excited to see everybody starting tomorrow on tour and for all the folks joining us. Truly thank you thank you love you.” (Billboard)

On Monday (June 23), Maroon 5 announced the details of their upcoming eighth studio album, Love Is Like, which is set to be released on August 15 via Interscope. The band also revealed that the record will be accompanied by a 23-date U.S. arena tour, which kicks-off on July 11 in Endicott, N.Y., hitting major music markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Nashville, Houston, Chicago, and New York City, before finishing up on November 25 in Detroit. Claire Rosinkranz will be the opening act for the entire tour. A fan club presale begins on June 25, with general onsale starting on June 27. The band also dropped their latest single, “All Night,” on Monday, with a music video arriving on Thursday (June 26). While the official tracklist for Love Is Like hasn’t been shared yet, it will include the new single as well as the recent collaboration with Lisa of BLACKPINK, “Priceless,” which debuted at No. 76 on the Billboard Hot 100. (Billboard)

Seven years after her Grammy-winning debut album Invasion Of Your Privacy, Cardi B has announced the upcoming release of her highly-anticipated sophomore record. The rapper revealed that her new album Am I The Drama? will arrive on September 19th. Cardi shared the album cover on social media, which depicts her posing amid a flock of crows. In an Instagram post, Cardi expressed her eagerness for the album's release, saying "The time is here. The time is now." She recently informed fans that she had delivered the completed album to her label. Last week, Cardi premiered the new single "Outside" during a performance at the Cannes Lions festival, which includes references to her ex-husband Offset and her current partner, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The album's release comes after Cardi has dropped numerous singles and guest features over the past several years. (Variety)

During the final show of her three-night stand at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday (June 22), Beyoncé was joined by her husband, Jay-Z, who made an appearance at her Cowboy Carter Tour for the first time. The couple sang “Crazy in Love” together – marking the first time they performed together since 2018 – followed by Jay-Z performing “Ni**as in Paris,” which featured the rapper altering the lyrics to reference his wife instead of the original mention of Kanye West. Beyoncé also treated the crowd – which included  her mother, Tina Knowles, as well as Cardi B and Kelly Rowland in the V.I.P. section – to a mashup of “Drunk in Love” and “Partition," the first time she has performed those two hits on this tour. During Friday night’s show, Beyoncé brought out Miley Cyrus for the debut live performance of their Cowboy Carter collaboration, “II Most Wanted.” Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour continues with two homecoming shows at Houston’s NRG Stadium on June 28-29. (Rolling Stone)

On Saturday (June 21), Morgan Wallen made an impressive entrance during the second night of his I'm the Problem Tour stop in Houston, walking out with rap superstar Drake and baseball legend Roger Clemens at NRG Stadium. This surprise walk out followed a similar moment during Wallen's Friday show, where he was joined by NFL legend Andre Johnson and businessman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale before his show at the home of the Houston Texans. Wallen shared the moment in an Instagram video, captioning his post, “all summer long.” The star-studded, pre-show walk out has become a signature of Wallen's live shows, with previous guests including Travis Kelce, Tom Brady, Mike Tyson, and the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team. These shows kick-off Wallen’s 20-date I’m the Problem Tour, which is in support of the country superstar’s Billboard No. 1 album, which has ruled the chart for five weeks straight. The tour is set to hit 10 cities throughout the U.S., and will run through September 13. (Billboard)

During an appearance on Today on Friday (June 20), Machine Gun Kelly confirmed that it was, in fact, Bob Dylan narrating his recent album announcement trailer for Lost Americana. “A magician never reveals his secrets,” MGK said about how the unlikely collaboration ultimately came together, before admitting that it was the result of “pure desperation. Just knocking on his door relentlessly, not going away.” MGK went on to praise Dylan and his involvement in the promotional video for his new album, which is due out August 8. “I have been blessed with… I don’t know, maybe it’s just one pioneer seeing something that I am doing that, in the long term, will be looked back [at] and be understood,” MGK said, before quickly clarifying: “Not calling myself a pioneer, but him.” Their improbable relationship developed from Dylan coming across an old video of MGK rapping, which led to an in-person meeting at the Hollywood Bowl stop on Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival in May. (Rolling Stone)

Cavin Yarbrough, one half of the chart-topping 1980s R&B duo Yarbrough & Peoples, passed away on Thursday (June 19) at the age of 72 due to complications from heart disease. “He was the love of my life, my protector. Now he’s my guardian angel,” Yarbrough’s wife and longtime music partner, Alisa Peoples, said in a statement. The group was known for their breakout hit, "Don't Stop the Music," which topped the R&B charts in 1981, and also reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Don’t Stop the Music” went on to become an RIAA gold-certified single, and was featured on the pair’s gold-certified debut album, The Two of Us, which also spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The duo also achieved commercial success with other hit songs like "Don’t Waste Your Time," "Heartbeats," "Guilty," and "I Wouldn't Lie." The duo was discovered by Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band, who in turn introduced them to Lonnie Simmons, who signed them to his Los Angeles-based label, Total Experience Records. (Billboard)

On Friday (June 20), Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent in a London courthouse. The singer is accused of attacking music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw with a tequila bottle in a nightclub in 2023. Brown is also facing two additional charges – for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and another for carrying an offensive weapon –  with his trial scheduled for October 2026 after a follow-up hearing on July 11. Released on $6.7 million bail after a brief jail stint in Manchester back in May, Brown has since resumed his summer world tour, which began with a series of U.K. and European dates, and is scheduled to arrive in North America in late July. Rapper HoodyBaby, Brown’s longtime friend and collaborator, was also charged in connection to the incident, and pleaded not guilty to the assault charge against him on Friday. (Rolling Stone)

Dua Lipa brought her Radical Optimism world tour to London’s Wembley Stadium for two sold-out shows on Friday and Saturday (June 20-21). The pop superstar surprised fans by bringing out Charli XCX to perform her Brat standout, “360” during Saturday night’s show, while also collaborating with Jamiroquai on their Grammy-winning 1996 track, “Virtual Insanity,” the previous evening. This collaboration with two British music  icons continues Lipa's trend of covering and performing with local artists throughout her tour, which includes renditions of songs by AC/DC, Lorde, and Kylie Minogue while playing in In Australia and New Zealand, while also being joined by special guests including Troye Sivan, Tame Impala, and Crowded House’s Neil Finn. Lipa is set to perform in Liverpool and Dublin this week, before kicking off the North American leg of her tour in Toronto in September, with her first U.S. shows set to take place in Chicago at the United Center on September 5 and 6. (Rolling Stone)

Bonnaroo organizers are now offering full refunds to fans over the cancellation of three of the festival’s four scheduled days of the 2025 event, which was ultimately cut short due to heavy rains and flooding. This move is in response to backlash and online criticism the festival received over their initial offer of only 75 percent refunds to festival-goers. In addition, organizers said they are making plans to improve the festival grounds going forward, but are holding off on announcing future dates. “We want you to know that we're still listening and actively discussing plans to improve The Farm that we love so much,” the official statement reads. “At this time, we will not be announcing future dates. When plans for the future take shape, you all will be the first to know.” The 2025 cancellation marks the festival's second weather-related cancellation in four years, after the 2021 installment was called-off before it even began. (Rolling Stone)

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem tops the Billboard 200 albums chart for a fifth straight week. This marks the first album by a man to spend five weeks at No. 1 since Wallen’s last album, One Thing at a Time, spent its first 12 weeks atop the chart back in March-June of 2023, on its way to 19 total weeks at No. 1. Three albums make their debuts in this week’s Top 10, as ATEEZ claims their seventh Top 10 with GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 premiering at No. 2, Lil Tecca notches his highest charting album of his career with DOPAMINE launching at No. 3, and Brandon Lake earns his first ever Top 10 with King of Hearts bowing at No. 7. The rest of the Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by all former No. 1 albums, as SZA’s SOS rises one spot to No. 4, Wallen’s One Thing at a Time jumps up three slots to No. 5, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet moves up one place to No. 6, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX vaults up two spots to No. 8, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album jumps up four slots to No. 9, and PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U moves up one place to No. 10. (Billboard)

In a new Instagram post, renowned studio musician Carol Kaye announced that she has declined induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “People have been asking: NO I won’t be there,” the 90-year-old Kaye wrote. “I am declining the RRHOF awards show. Turning it down because it wasn’t something that reflects the work that Studio Musicians do and did in the golden era of the 1960s Recording Hits.” Kaye also has long objected to the use of the "Wrecking Crew" nickname for her group of studio musicians, which was coined by drummer Hal Blaine.

“I was never a ‘wrecker’ at all,” she writes. “That’s a terrible insulting name.” In addition to Kaye’s Rock Hall induction, her musical legacy also came up in the wake of the death of Brian Wilson, with Kaye playing on Pet Sounds and many other Beach Boys’ classics, including “California Girls,” “Good Vibrations” and “Heroes and Villains.” Kaye also was part of the studio teams assembled by Motown, Phil Spector, and Quincy Jones, playing on songs by Frank Sinatra, Sonny & Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, the Monkees, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Joe Cocker, and Ray Charles. (Variety)

On Wednesday (June 18), Lorde took to social media to announce the upcoming release of “Hammer,” her final single shared in advance of her highly-anticipated Virgin album drop on June 27. The post includes the track’s album art shot by Talia Chetrit, which features Lorde’s reflection repeating infinitely on bathroom mirrors. The Grammy-winning pop superstar captioned the post: “Hammer. Last song before Virgin. First song on the album. An ode to city life and horniness tbh.” Lorde didn’t give a specific release date for “Hammer,” but the track will be the third advance track released ahead of the new record, joining “What Was That” and “Man of the Year.” Virgin is released via Republic Records, and features production by Jim-E Stack, Fabiana Palladino, Andrew Aged, Buddy Ross, Dan Nigro, and Dev Hynes of Blood Orange. “I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A DOCUMENT THAT REFLECTED MY FEMININITY: RAW, PRIMAL, INNOCENT, ELEGANT, OPENHEARTED, SPIRITUAL, MASC,” Lorde says of her new project. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (June 18), Erica Nichols, the manager of The Bluebird Cafe, posted a video where she addressed rumors that Olivia Rodrigo's team requested the removal of Taylor Swift photos when she performed at the intimate Nashville venue. "We did have a filming with Olivia Rodrigo here. Olivia's people did not ask us to remove an image of Taylor Swift. Nobody did,” Nichols clarified. “We removed an image of Taylor Swift that was in a position where the filming was taking place. When we have filmings, we are required legally to remove images that are under copyright. We don't own those images, so we cannot give permission for those images to be used in any kind of broadcast. That's the sole reason that the photograph was removed from the place it stood." The rumor started after a video circulated online where an employee claimed that the club removed "any visible sign of Taylor Swift before [Rodrigo] performed there in 2023." (People)

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Carly Simon defends Sabrina Carpenter's provocative and controversial artwork for her upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend. Simon states that the image – which features Carpenter on her knees in front of a man as he grabs her hair – "seems tame," despite criticism of being anti-feminist and over-sexualized. “She’s not doing anything outrageous,” says Simon. “So I don’t know why she’s getting such flak. Any press is good press, so I wouldn’t worry about the press. And as far as her being salacious, I certainly don’t think it’s that.” The 81-year-old Simon went on to express her gratitude for the younger generation of pop stars who have embraced her work, including covers of “You’re So Vain” by Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. “I love it that the younger girls are discovering me, and that I’ve had attention from them,” she said. (Consequence of Sound)

Bad Bunny is gearing up for his upcoming world tour that will hit stadiums throughout Latin America, Europe, and Australia starting in November. The run of shows is in support of his chart-topping album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. The ambitious global trek is set to break records after already selling over 2.6 million tickets, but the Puerto Rican superstar advises fans to temper their expectations, clarifying that his tour will not follow the career retrospective format of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. “First of all, I’m not Taylor Swift,” he said in a new interview with Variety. “I want to clarify now so that they don’t get so excited: It’s not going to be organized that way. It’s still very much a tour for DeBÍ, with some older songs sprinkled in.” Before launching his worldwide tour, Benito will perform a historic 30-date residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, which is set to draw an estimated 250,000 visitors to his native Puerto Rico this summer. (Billboard)

In an Instagram Story posted on Wednesday (June 18), Drake shared the figures of the staggering amount of losses he’s experienced through sports betting over the past month. According to the post, the Canadian rap superstar placed nearly $125 million in bets during the last month, resulting in over $8 million in losses. “Gotta share the other side of gambling…,” Drake wrote in his post. “Losses are so fried right now I hope I can post a big win for you all soon cause I’m the only one that has never seen a max.” He didn’t reveal the specific wagers that led to big losses, but the NBA and NHL playoffs games have dominated the world of sports betting in recent weeks, with the musician also publicly sharing a $750,000 bet he placed on a recent cricket match. Drake isn’t letting the setbacks stop him from making big wagers, as the rapper placed an $800,000 bet on Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals. (Billboard)

On Wednesday (June 18), Burna Boy announced the dates and details of his upcoming No Sign of Weakness Tour. The Nigerian Afrobeat artist’s 17-date, 16-city North American tour is in support of his upcoming album, No Sign of Weakness, which is set for release on July 11. The jaunt kicks off on November 12 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, and concludes with a two-night stand in Toronto on December 17-18, making stops in Seattle, Oakland, Inglewood, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, and Montreal along the way. These shows – excluding the Red Rocks date – will feature Burna Boy performing on a unique 360-degree stage in the middle of the arena floor. An artist pre-sale starts on Tuesday (June 24), followed by a public on-sale on Friday (June 27), with VIP packages available. No Sign of Weakness is Burna Boy's eighth album, and features previously released singles like "TaTaTa" with Travis Scott, "Sweet Love," “Update,” and “Bundle By Bundle.” (Consequence of Sound)

Ariana Grande's beloved "Nonna," Marjorie Grande, has died at the age of 99. “Marjorie (Nonna) Grande passed peacefully in her home and was surrounded by her family and loved ones for every moment of her last few weeks,” reads a statement from the family. “We thank you for your love, support, and for respecting our privacy as we grieve and celebrate her beautiful, extraordinary life.” The Grande matriarch made history last year by becoming the oldest person to land a song on the Hot 100 chart, as Nonna was featured on "Ordinary Things," the closing track on Ariana’s Grammy-nominated 2024 album, Eternal Sunshine. Ariana had previously revealed that it was Marjorie who first introduced her to Wicked, and after the film came out, Grande flew to Boca Raton “to watch with Nonna.” Ariana's brother Frankie shared a photo carousel of Nonna alongside a heartfelt letter on Instagram, thanking her for the “countless lessons you wove into my heart over the years.” (Rolling Stone)

Lil Wayne's Tha Carter VI debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. This marks Weezy’s 11th chart-topping album in this category, which includes the five most recent entries in his Carter series – the first installment, 2004’s Tha Carter, debuted at its No. 2 peak on the tally. Wayne becomes the eighth artist with at least 11 No. 1s since the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart launched in 1965, following The Temptations, who hold the record with 17 chart-toppers, Drake and Future (16 each), Jay-Z (14), Kanye West and R. Kelly (12), and Eminem (11). The album also entered the Top Rap Albums chart at No. 10, and the Billboard 200 at No. 2. Additionally, 17 tracks from Tha Carter VI made their way onto the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, giving Lil Wayne his 53rd Top 10 hit of his career, surpassing Aretha Franklin for the third-most Top 10s in the chart's history, behind only Drake (138) and James Brown (57). (Billboard)

In the new Rolling Stone cover story, Sabrina Carpenter revealed that she is contemplating the idea of banning cell phones from her future concerts. The pop superstar says that she was inspired by a phone-free experience at a recent Silk Sonic show in Las Vegas. “I’ve never had a better experience at a concert,” she recalls. “I genuinely felt like I was back in the ’70s — wasn’t alive. Genuinely felt like I was there. Everyone’s singing, dancing, looking at each other, and laughing. It really, really just felt so beautiful.” Carpenter acknowledged that implementing a phone-locking policy, a practice already adopted by other artists like Madonna, Paul McCartney, Jack White, and Adele, could face some backlash. “This will honestly piss off my fans,” she concedes, while adding, “I can’t blame people for wanting to have memories. But depending on how long I want to be touring, and what age I am, girl, take those phones away.” (Consequence of Sound) 

A genealogical study by noted genealogist Henry Louis Gates Jr. featured in a recent New York Times article has revealed that Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, is distantly related to a variety of celebrities, including Madonna, who is his distant cousin. Other notable relations on the pontiff’s family tree include Hillary Clinton, Justin Bieber, and Jack Kerouac. Gates traced much of Pope Leo’s family roots to his Creole ancestry in New Orleans, along with a mix of French, Italian, and Spanish heritage. A link to a common French-Canadian ancestor, Louis Boucher de Grandpre, connects Pope Leo to a lineage that also includes Angelina Jolie and former Canadian Prime Ministers Pierre and Justin Trudeau. Madonna marked the exciting revelation by posting an Instagram story with her father, Silvio, who just celebrated his 94th birthday on June 3. Madge excitedly captioned her post, “Silvio! We’re related to the Pope! Strike A Pose!” (Consequence of Sound)