Sir Elton John collected the Creators’ Champion Award at Billboard’s Global Power Players event in London on Wednesday (June 4) and used his speech to warn the U.K. government that “we will not back down” in relation to its controversial AI data bill. Joined by his manager and husband David Furnish, John was awarded the inaugural trophy by Billboard editor-in-chief Hannah Karp in recognition for standing up for the creative industry and calling for fair usage and protections for music rights holders in relation to AI models. As referenced in John’s speech, the Labour government’s data bill – which proposes an opt-out approach for rights holders, as opposed to the preferred opt-in strategy – has been voted down by the House of Lords for an unprecedented fifth time. Led by Baroness Kidron, the ping-pong between the Houses of Commons and the upper house has lasted for weeks and resulted in John calling the government “absolute losers” in a recent interview. Trending on Billboard Taking to the stage, John thanked Billboard for the accolade as he was honored alongside other industry leaders such as Empire’s Ghazi and Tems on the night. “Supporting the next generation of British artists is the one of the major driving forces in my life,” he said and thanked the Lords who backed the amendment saying “you rock.” He continued: “The onus is now on the government to do the right thing and have transparency added to the bill. We’ve asked them so many times to come to us. We’ve had so many meetings with them saying that we wanted to work with you. “Copyright has to be transparent and seek permission,” he continued. “These two principles are the bedrock of the industry and they must be included in the data bill as a backstop. Let’s be clear: We want to work with the government, we want our government to work with us. We are not anti-AI and we are not anti-Big Tech.” John added in his passionate speech: “We are not against Labour and we want a solution. We want to bring all parties together in a way that is transparent and fair and allows artists to maintain control of their work.” He concluded: “We will not back down and we will not go away quietly. This is just the beginning.” Read the full speech below. Elton John’s full speech at Billboard‘s Global Power Players event “Thank you to Billboard for honoring myself and David with this incredible award. Supporting the next generation of British artists is one of the major driving forces in my life. It’s so important. As everyone in this room is aware, the data bill is currently looming over us and our musicians and our industries and the future of the livelihood of all artists. It is an existential issue. In the last few hours the government has been defeated for an unprecedented fifth time by the House of Lords – that’s never happened before. The Lords, who have backed our crucial amendment to the bill – thank you so much – you rock.  The onus is now on the government to do the right thing and have transparency added to the bill. We’ve asked them so many times to come to us. We’ve had so many meetings with them saying that we wanted to work with you. I voted for you, you promised me that you wanted to get young artists into Europe. I did a show for you and to get more finance into the country and investment. I did a show at St Paul’s Cathedral… and we’ve heard nothing. Copyright has to be transparent and seek permission. These two principles are the bedrock of the industry and they must be included in the data bill as a backstop. Let’s be clear: we want to work with the government, we want our government to work with us. We are not anti-AI and we are not anti-Big Tech.  We are not against Labour and we want a solution. We want to bring all parties together in a way that is transparent and fair and allows artists to maintain control of their work. It’s so fucking important. A machine is not a human being; it doesn’t have a soul. An artist when they create or they write or they sculpt or they paint or they photograph has a soul, it’s coming from the feeling of a person. And it’s so important if we ever lose that, we are well and truly fucked. We will not back down and we will not go away quietly. This is just the beginning and thank you Billboard and Baroness Kidron for standing up for our world beating artists and journalists and playwrights and authors. Let’s put it like this: The entertainment industry brings £125 billion to the United Kingdom and is the second biggest industry in this Great Britain. And they are treating us like shit. They are treating us like idiots. They have their head in the sand. The Labour government at the moment should be called the Ostrich Party. I will fight for this until it’s done and people have a fair deal. Every young artist or new person who writes a song, I want them to have a future and have their copyright respected. There’s 2.4 million people in this industry in Britain, and 70% of them live outside of London. This isn’t a case of wealthy London people, this is a nationwide thing. Please listen to us, government. If you don’t, there’s going to be trouble. If you don’t, I will come banging on your door. But let’s get together: give me a call! Let’s have a cup of tea! So far, you haven’t responded to anything we’ve suggested. Thank you!”

As the 2025 Stanley Cup Final kicks off with Wednesday night’s (June 4) Game 1 showdown between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, players and fans alike have no choice but to rock out to the NHL‘s brand-new promo starring and soundtracked by Linkin Park. The promo — which opened the TNT broadcast of […]

Epic Records chairwoman/CEO Sylvia Rhone being presented with the Vanguard Award was one of several highlights that took place during the inaugural Black Women in Music dinner, held Tuesday evening (June 3) at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles. The Black Music Month fete also honored Grammy-winning artist Ciara, music executive Phylicia Fant, creative director/costume designer June Ambrose, media personality DJ Kiss and photographer/photojournalist Florence “FLO” Ngala. Celebrating the global impact of Black women in the music industry, the dinner also served as the first fundraiser for its presenter, The Connie Orlando Foundation, which supports breast cancer prevention, care and research in Black communities. As the first Black woman CEO of a major record label, Rhone accepted her award from Grammy- and Stellar Award-winning gospel powerhouse Yolanda Adams. In making the presentation to the industry trailblazer — also known as “The Godmother of the Music Industry” — Adams said of Rhone, “You are a beacon of hope and a powerful champion for change.” Trending on Billboard Flo Ngala, DJ Kiss, Sherrese Clarke, Phylicia Fant, Connie Orlando, Ciara, Sylvia Rhone and June Ambrose attend Black Women in Music Dinner convened by The Connie Orlando Foundation at Audrey Irmas Pavillion on June 03, 2025 in Los Angeles. Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Connie Orlando Foundation Grammy-nominated artist Normani presented the Avant Garde Award to Ciara, saluting the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/entrepreneur as “the blueprint for leveling up.” Emmy-winning actress Niecy Nash stepped onstage to honor hip-hop and R&B style pioneer Ambrose with the Guardian of Vision Award. “She taught hip-hop how to wear its crown — and how to do it in a fresh pair of heels,” Nash remarked. Grammy-winning singer and actress Andra Day, alongside co-presenter/entrepreneur Lori Harvey, paid tribute to veteran music executive Fant (Warner Bros. Records, Columbia Records, Amazon) and her work in music marketing and advocacy for equitable representation. “Phylicia has a deep understanding of how crucial Black artistry is to the future of business, and her work stands as a testament to this,” Day said. Giveon attends Black Women in Music Dinner convened by The Connie Orlando Foundation at Audrey Irmas Pavillion on June 03, 2025 in Los Angeles. Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Connie Orlando Foundation HarborView Equity Partners founder/CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares — also founding partner of Black Women in Music — gave out special Guardian Angel Spotlight awards to aforementioned culture-shapers DJ Kiss and Ngala. Citing Black Women in Music as a “platform to reshape narratives around Black artistry and leadership,” Clarke Soares further commented, “At HarbourView, we believe artists deserve more than just a seat at the table. They deserve ownership of their stories and the freedom to build their own.” In thanking the audience as well as the evening’s supporters and sponsors, Orlando addressed the call to action needed to fight the breast cancer crisis affecting the Black community. “It is a privilege for me to curate this event to give these extraordinary women their flowers, to shine a light on how vital they’ve been to global culture and to just say, ‘Thank You,’” added Orlando who is also exec. vp/head of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET.  Connie Orlando attends Black Women in Music Dinner convened by The Connie Orlando Foundation at Audrey Irmas Pavillion on June 03, 2025 in Los Angeles. Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Connie Orlando Foundation The inaugural Black Women in Music dinner/fundraiser was hosted by actress and comedian Zainab Johnson with performances by Giveon, Alex Isley and YULI. Hip-hop icon MC Lyte voiced the tribute videos, while DJ Midi Ripperton provided afterparty entertainment. In addition to The Connie Orlando Foundation and founding partner HarbourView Equity Partners, the event’s prestige partners were BET and BET HER; contributing partners included Jesse Collins Entertainment, Flavor Unit, Quality Control, CMG, Epic Records, Atlantic Records, OWN and Universal Music Group. Zainab Johnson attends Black Women in Music Dinner convened by The Connie Orlando Foundation at Audrey Irmas Pavillion on June 3, 2025 in Los Angeles. Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Connie Orlando Foundation

When Lady Gaga asked Gesaffelstein to appear during her Coachella 2025 weekend one headlining show, the French producer’s answer was obvious: “oui.” “Of course we had to say yes,” says Alexandra Pilz-Hayot, the founder and director of Savoir Faire, the French company that’s long managed the electronic producer. “He really wanted to be there with her for the launch of the tour.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news His team worked with Gaga’s to figure out logistics like where the artist born Mike Lévy would stand onstage and what equipment he’d use. Beyond that, “we didn’t really ask that many questions,” says Pilz-Hayot. Trending on Billboard Gesffelstein and his team arrived at Coachella, surprised to see that only one name was on the list of guest artists for Gaga’s Mayhem Ball: Gesaffelstein. “We literally asked [Gaga], ‘But are there other guests?'” says Pilz-Hayot. “No, no, you’re the only one,” she told them. “We were like, ‘Oh my god.’” Hours later, Gesaffelstein was onstage alongside Gaga and her fleet of dancers, performing for the tens of thousands of people on the field and the millions more watching around the world via livestream. “GESAFFELSTEIN, OH MY GOD IT’S GESAFFELSTEIN,” at least one person in the crowd screamed when the producer appeared onstage in his signature all-black everything — trousers, jacket, gloves, shimmering mask formed in the shape of his face and hair — at the start of the show’s third act. The slender producer towered behind musical equipment held up by shimmery black pillars, as he and Gaga performed their sexy, funky, playful pop romp “Killah,” a collaborative track from Gaga’s March album, Mayhem. The moment was a figurative exclamation point on an unrelenting year. The last 12 months have contained Gesaffelstein collaborations with Gaga and Charli xcx (Brat‘s “B2b” and “I Might Say Something Stupid”), the release of his own third studio album, Gamma, and the launch of the tour behind this album, a run that began in April of 2024 on Coachella’s Outdoor Stage and has hit global festivals and standalone arenas like Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. The tour has indulged the dark, minimalist, deliciously intense and undeniably tantalizing world the producer — long a revered figure of the electronic underground — has erected with both his tough as nails industrial-leaning electronic music and corresponding aesthetic, with this tour easily being one of the best electronic shows on the road in 2024 and 2025. Julian Bajsel  Julian Bajsel The tour’s production design was conceived by Lévy and Pierre Claude, who’s worked with the artist for the last 12 years, since the tour for his 2013 debut, Aleph. In his role as production and lighting designer, Claude is in charge of designing the show’s set and lighting schematic while coming up with the ideas it takes to make it all hit hard while also avoiding de facto electronic live show elements like fire, confetti and soaring LED screens. “Mike is very involved with his own tour for sure, from the design and the story,” Claude says. “For this, he wanted something massive — a big set piece, very theatrical, no technology or automation or anything futuristic, just a theatrical set. And black, of course — everything is black with Mike.” “You have one person on stage who’s doing everything with machines,” adds Pilz-Hayot. “So it’s trying to make it almost like a ceremony. That’s always been the brief all his life. Of course, we wanted something bigger, that had the spirit of something that would be monumental.” (Adding to the mystery of it all, no one has interviewed Lévy since circa 2014, a streak that would not be unbroken for this story. Pilz-Hayot explains that “he’s always been very protective of himself; what he wants to share with the audience is never the ‘behind the scenes.'”) Together, the team conjured a design that puts Gesaffelstein on a raised podium, bookended by his equipment and structures fabricated in the shape of long black crystals, a sort of phantasmagorical flourish in an otherwise tidily designed structure meant to evoke the theater. The setup includes between six to eight towering pillars (depending on the size of the stage) with Gesaffelstein and his podium placed atop a set of stairs. Altogether, it gives the feeling that he’s playing from within a sort of Blade Runner-style Pantheon — and not even necessarily performing from within the set, but being part of it. “That’s why he’s wearing a mask,” says Claude. “It’s not like a DJ or performer on stage. Mike wanted to be part of the design.” The set was built in Burbank, Calif., given the city’s proximity to Indio, where Coachella happens. This routine was the same as for Gesaffelstein’s lauded tour behind 2019’s Hyperion, which also began at the festival. “We started at Coachella every time on the Outdoor Stage,” Claude says, “which is very stressful for us, because we have no rehearsals before.” Did everything at Coachella 2024 go according to plan, despite having no official run through? Claude considers it: “Yes, actually. Yes.” It helps that this current show is easier to pull off than the one for Hyperion, given that it’s a static piece that involves less technology and moving parts.”We just wanted to work out the lighting with music, so we don’t need technology besides lights and music,” Claude continues. “The plan was to do something very simple, but intense.” If you’ve stood in front of the stage on this tour, it’s hard to deny the show’s ferociousness, which ramps up over the course of the hour-plus show as Gesaffelstein manhandles his synthesizer. Throughout, he’s bathed in washes of mostly white light and surrounded by lasers as the music builds to a place of pure pummeling. His only interaction with the crowd is when he briefly turns to face forward, extends an arm and wags his middle and index fingers to make a sort of “come with me” gesture. Adding to the intrigue is that it’s impossible to read his face, given the aforementioned mask. This costume piece, which Pilz-Hayot says was partially inspired by the themes of beauty and sin in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Doran Gray, became part of the Gesaffelstein canon on the Hyperion tour. This time, however, the eyes of the mask glow unsettlingly, an effect that adds the surreal feel and helps the show achieve its intended sci-fi mood — even if it does also obscure the artist’s objectively perfect face. “When he told me he wanted to wear a mask for the Hyperion tour I was like, ‘What the f–k?'” recalls Claude. “He’s like, one of the most beautiful artists in the world, and he wants to hide his face? I was a bit disappointed, because he looks so cool onstage smoking cigarettes or for an hour [while he played]. But when he came for the first show with the mask on, it was like, “What the f–k — It looks so good!'” “It’s not an artist anymore,” says Pilz-Hayot. “It’s a character.” On both aesthetic and functional levels, the mask also adds to the intensity. While it’s thin in design and equipped with a fan, Claude reports that “it’s difficult for him to hear.” He uses an in-ear monitor “like an F1 driver,” but the situation is exacerbated by the fact that “he can’t see a lot. He can see like, the first row.” But “for him, it doesn’t matter,” Claude continues. “His music is intense, so he doesn’t want to have a good time on stage. He just doing his job.” Julian Bajsel  Julian Bajsel In terms of lighting, the one moment of color comes during the slinky, G-funk inspired 2013 classic “Hellifornia” during which the stage is bathed in deep red light. “We really wanted to have a dirty strip club mood,” Claude says of this color choice. Given the emphasis on simplicity, Claude worked to “hide all the technical stuff.” Lights, lasers, cables and even musical equipment are hidden behind columns and under the steps, which are in fact just props and unable to support any weight, making them easier to transport. With no technical elements visible, Claude says the show is almost the “total opposite” of the current lights and lasers bonanza that Gesaffelstein’s friends Justice are currently touring with. The producer and his 10-person touring team have brought the show to dance-focused festivals around the world. U.S. stops included San Francisco’s Portola, San Diego’s CRSSD, Miami’s Ultra Music Festival and last month’s EDC Las Vegas. Given that some of these dance fests have stage that are fantastically shaped liked butterflies and flowers, Claude says it’s often “very difficult” for him to adapt the minimalist show to the whimsical surroundings. (To wit, it was a striking juxtaposition when Gesaffelstein played EDC’s lotus flower-shaped NeonGarden stage as a fireworks finale lit up the sky behind him.) “There is not a place that really suits him,” says Pilz-Hayot. “He’s obviously very different from what happens in the EDM scene globally, musically or in live production.” Still, the dance festival world has warmly welcomed him, and Pilz-Hayot says the team received many show offers after the 2024 Coachella debut. (This type of organic marketing is helpful, given that he doesn’t speak publicly or even have an Instagram account.) His sound also makes it possible for him to exist at major multi-genre festivals at Coachella, Paris’ We Love Green (where he plays this Saturday, June 7) and San Francisco’s Outside Lands, where he plays in August, while making him a fit for other genre-focused events, like Germany’s Rock am Ring and Rock im Park metal festivals — where Gesaffelstein played in 2014, taking the stage after Iron Maiden. “We were the last act,” says Claude. “The metal fans walked towards the exit and Mike was playing there, and they all stopped and really enjoyed [the performance],” with Gesaffelstein’s heavy canon sharing obvious DNA with the hard, loud and head-banging metal realm. This ability to exist across worlds while also doing something uniquely his own has arguably been the draw for pop stars like Gaga, Charli and The Weeknd, the latter of whom collaborated with Gesaffelstein on 2019’s “Lost In the Fire.” “He’s so outside of trends and really wants to follow his path and his artistic proposal,” says Pilz-Hayot. “In a way, he’s been doing this same approach and very particular sound since day one, so the way he produces is so specific that people just want Gesaffelstein’s stamp on their music.” But those bewitched by the darkness of his sound should not discount the pop sensibility that also lies within. “He has a very strong sense of melody and pop,” continues Pilz-Hayot. “You hear it on the Charli song and the Gaga song, especially on the track ‘Killah.’ It’s the meeting of two artists who really understand each other musically. It’s been the easiest collaboration.” But you will not hear the track or any of his other pop collabs (which include an official remix of Gaga’s electro smash “Abracadabra”) in his current setlist, which instead pulls from his own catalog, and builds to a place that feels like blissfully getting punched in the face with a battering ram of drums. He’s got festival dates on the calendar through mid-August, then, Pilz-Hayot says, “I guess all he wants is to be back in the studio and making new music. You never know what happens next… but clearly a new album would be the next target.” When this new album is ready to tour and further build out the dark kingdom of electronic music’s so-called dark prince, fans will be ready, and the team will be too. “I’ll be touring with the with him forever,” says Claude. “He’s a good friend, and I f–king love his music.”

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Sam’s Club offers great deals on everything from technology to home goods, and a membership with the warehouse club can really enhance your shopping experience. A standard membership will run you $50 a year and will get you some pretty great perks. But right now, you can join as a Club member for just $20 to celebrate Member’s Mark Month. The offer ends June 16. Standard club members can enjoy no fees for curbside pickup on orders over $50, 2% cash back loaded monthly on the membership for most purchases made, and additional discounts on prescriptions beyond your current membership. Upon signing up, you’re given a Sam’s Club Mastercard. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The best part? You have access to membership-only deals that’ll save you tons of money. A Sam’s Club Plus membership will run you $110 a year and include all the benefits previously mentioned including free shipping on orders over $50, early shopping hours, free delivery from the club on orders over $50 and pharmacy, optical, tire and battery savings. Trending on Billboard While it’s quite a bit more than a standard membership, there are far more perks exclusive to Plus members that we think are well worth the splurge. With a membership, you’ll be able to shop under the Member’s Mark category, a brand of products exclusively sold at Sam’s Club that prioritizes quality and value. We’ve picked out a few products under the category, from bedding essentials to footwear, that you can shop now. Member’s Mark Pink Smiley Trendy Decorative Pillow  $6.98 $9.98 30% off A pink decorative plush pillow. Looking for cozy and cute decor for an affordable price? Well, you’re looking in the right place. Member’s Mark features a slew of decorative throw pillows retailing for $6.98, a steal for members to snag up. Each pillow is made with either plush recycled polyester or BCI-sustainable cotton. They’re extremely unique and ultra-colorful, coming in psychedelic pastels and neon hues. Available shapes are square and circle. These variations give shoppers endless styling opportunities to mix and match these pillows with each other, instantly brightening any room. Sizing options include 18″ x 18″ and 20″ x 20″. These pillows would make a great accent for a child’s bed paired with equally colorful bedding. Member’s Mark 3-Piece Gauze Comforter Set $36.98 $49.98 26% off A three-piece gauze comforter set in orange and floral print. This three-piece comforter set can liven up any old drab bed, and for cheap too. Retailing for $36.98, the set is made of a gauzy textured fabric and is available in full/queen and king sizes. Our favorite of the bunch is the Penny Lane Old Rose colorway, a unique burnt orange hue with blooming florals on one side that offer a peekaboo effect. Hidden zipper closures featured on the shams offer a secure and tailored look that gives your bed that freshly made “hotel” feel every time. The full/queen set comforter is 90″ x 96″ with 22″ x 28″ shams, while the king features a 108″ x 96″ comforter and 22″ x 38″ shams. Member’s Mark 12-Piece Bamboo Melamine Dinnerware Set A 12-piece dinnerware set in sky blue. Good dinnerware is a must-have for hosting this summer. Member’s Mark has made dinner party prep easy with help from this 12-Piece Bamboo Melamine Dinnerware Set. The set comes with everything you might need to serve up a good meal from bowls and dinner plates to salad plates and cereal bowls. Each piece is made of plant-based materials that are food-safe, 100% BPA-free, dishwasher safe and break-resistant. Our personal favorite of all the sets is the sky blue option, which is equipped with rustic blue accents and a free-flowing tile-like design in complimentary shades of orange, green, blue and cream. Whether you’re dishing up your latest creation to a group, or serving yourself, this set is a great thing to have in your cabinet. Member’s Mark Women’s Sandwash Short Sleeve Dress $12.96 $14.96 13% off A blush pink short-sleeved dress. Cozy and comfy, this Sandwash Short Sleeve Dress is a basic you’ll want in your closet. The garment is made of plush sand-washed double-knit scuba fabric that’s breezy and stretchy. The crew neck opening gives way to casual short sleeves and a skirt fitted with a curved hem that sits just above the knees. Nifty on-seam pockets offer the piece utility, a feature that is pretty rare to so in women’s clothing. If the pink hue isn’t your thing, this Member’s Mark dress also comes in yellow, washed black, light blue and a whimsical striped tan and black print. We can picture this dress worn with low-top white sneakers and an oversized baggy jean jacket. Or dress it up with help from a pair of platform espadrilles. Member’s Mark Everwash Washable Accent Rug A green washable rub sized 2’x 3’7″. Accent rugs are a great way to add to a space without much effort. This one from Member’s Mark currently retails for $10.98 and comes in a slew of prints made with distressing for a vintage and lived-in look. Sized at 2’x 3’7″, the rug is machine washable and affixed with skid-resistant backing so your rug won’t slip and slide even in the most high-traffic areas of your home. Every design has its own unique charms but our favorite is the rustic green hue fixed with a sprawling leaf-esque print. Styled in the kitchen as a runner or set before a door, this rug livens up any room. Member’s Mark Women’s Asymmetric One-Piece Swimsuit $12.98 $16.98 24% off An asymmetrical black and white one-piece swimsuit. Summer is fast approaching, which means you need to get your swimwear game together pretty quickly. Not to worry. This asymmetric piece from Member’s Mark is everything you need in a good bathing suit. Made of soft and stretchy recycled fabric, the suit’s key features include adjustable straps with one removable strap for a customizable fit along with a built-in supportive bra with removable cups. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of piece that can be worn a slew of different ways. The asymmetric design is a stand-out for sure, while the contrasting color scheme leans slightly retro. A cool plus is that this suit offers UPF 50 + sun protection. Member’s Mark Laundry Hamper A rustic laundry hamper standing at 19.75” W x 14.5” D x 23.2” H. This hamper gives rustic country house vibes. Standing at 19.75” W x 14.5” D x 23.2” H, this piece is a great fit for most space given it’s small enough and versatile in color. The hamper holds up to 50 lbs which means no more overflowing hampers for you. Its construction is very sturdy, comprised of a steel wire frame with a hinged lid. The handwoven polyethylene weave is a nice decorative touch, marrying both form and function seamlessly. Additional nifty features include built-in handles and a removable, machine-washable polyester liner. With this hamper in your home, even your laundry can look chic.