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31 Dec 2024

Not-So-Sneaky Linking: Mariah Carey And Anderson .Paak Spotted Holding Hands

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Mariah Carey Celebrates Grand Opening Of Her New Exclusive Engagement, Mariah Carey: The Celebration Of Mimi Live

Source: Denise Truscello / Getty

It seems Mariah Carey is restarting her soft girl era. She has been spotted holding hands with Anderson .Paak, and she is all smiles.

As spotted on Bossip, the iconic songstress may have a new man in her life. Earlier this month, she was seen out and about with Anderson .Paak in Aspen, Colo. While neither performer addressed the nature of their outing, it seemed that the two were out on a date. Now, it looks like the two might be an official item, as they were spotted again in the snowy vacation town on Sunday (Dec. 29.) Mariah Carey and Anderson .Paak were holding hands leaving Duemani, a popular Mediterranean restaurant in the area. She was wearing a three-quarter black fur coat with a shimmery dress. He, on the other hand, played it more casual with a newsboy cap, a blue suit and a tweed overcoat.

An unnamed source tells The Sun to be close to them says the pair have been hanging out for several months now. “Mariah and Anderson have been hanging out for months, and have a flirty connection,” the insider says. “But he has a reputation as a ladies’ man in Hollywood and is still legally married to his wife.” Anderson .Paak met his wife, Jaylyn Chang, while at music school. They would wed in 2010 but would file for divorce back in January. They share two children Soul Rasheed and Shine Tariq. Mariah Carey also has two children Monroe and Moroccan, with ex-husband Nick Cannon. 

You can see the two holding hands below.

31 Dec 2024

Looking Ahead: A Release Calendar of Upcoming Albums in 2025

Long before 2025 even kicked off, many artists were already starting to tease fans, hinting or downright saying they should expect new music in the upcoming year.

Take The Weeknd, for example. The artist born Abel Tesfaye began teasing his fans on Jan. 7, 2024, via social media. In an Instagram carousel, he shared the covers for After Hours and Dawn FM, followed by a black square with a giant white question mark in the center and a tiny parental advisory sticker in the bottom left. His caption? A single “3.” He finally revealed the title of the final album of his trilogy — Hurry Up Tomorrow — in September, and the day before Thanksgiving, shared its release date.

Then there was Lady Gaga. Mother Monster surprised the Little Monsters with a simple message at the end of the Gaga Chromatica Ball concert film, confirming that her seventh album is indeed in the works: “LG7 GAGA RETURNS.” But the tease, which debuted on the HBO Max film in late May, did not offer any hints as to when the highly anticipated release would arrive. It wasn’t until her September Vogue cover story that Gaga revealed LG7 would arrive sometime in February 2025. As of press time, a specific release date has not yet been revealed.

And of course, things don’t always go as planned. Joe Jonas announced in July that his new solo album, Music for People Who Believe in Love, would arrive Oct. 18, then shared in a September tweet that the set “is gonna come out later now” because he wanted to add some “final touches.” A new release date has not yet been announced.

With surprise album news, moving release dates and the sheer number of album announcements, it can be hard to stay on top of when new music by favorite artists is arriving. To help make sure fans don’t miss out on big arrivals, Billboard‘s calendar of 2025 new album releases — which will include the most notable releases from artists across genres, spanning hip-hop, K-pop, Latin, rock, pop, country and more — will be updated regularly as new music is announced.

The calendar is organized chronologically by month and week, and includes a section for albums that artists have announced, but have not given an exact release date.

Keep checking back for the latest 2025 album release dates!

31 Dec 2024

Here’s How SZA Responded to the ‘Weird’ Body-Shaming Comments About Her on Social Media

SZA is firing back at body-shaming critics on social media.

On Monday (Dec. 30), the 35-year-old Grammy-winning artist shared a since-deleted throwback video on X reflecting on her time living at her mother’s house during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the mental toll the quarantine period took on her.

While many fans left positive comments, one user remarked on her changing appearance, writing, “aka before she got big and bbl culture like.” SZA quickly responded, explaining that such comments are part of the reason she has distanced herself over the years.

“Yall say weird s— like this and wonder why I’m different and don’t feel comfortable w yall anymore . Lol,” she wrote. “Yall do realize I mean different as in I don’t go on live+ talk and don’t communicate w yall like that anymore lmao not different as in change my appearance tf.”

While some fans noted that SZA seemed happy in the video, she clarified that the pandemic was an especially tough time for her.

Trending on Billboard

“Covid was hard … my granny had just died .. I was hella depressed n masking . Not eating. Over working out,” she explained. “but I always had my childhood home to n get lost . Still do . Grateful to be in a much better mental space now. s/o to those days tho.”

SZA has been open about her mental health struggles in the past. In a May 2021 Instagram post, she shared her battle with anxiety, writing, “I hate being outside more than I can explain,” she wrote at the time. “I really have debilitating anxiety and I’m only posting these cause Y’all woulda found em anyway. Thank you to my team n my mama. Least I’m alive.”

In her December cover story for British Vogue, the singer also discussed her decision to get a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and how she feels about the results. “I have other s— that I need to work on about myself,” she told the publication. “I need to get my f—ing mental health together … Not to say you can’t do those things simultaneously, just, for me, I realize wherever you go, there you’ll be.”

SZA hasn’t ruled out more cosmetic procedures in the future. “I’ll do a whole bunch more s— just like it if I want to before I’m f—ing dead because this body is temporary,” she said.

The hitmaker is currently experiencing a chart resurgence as the deluxe edition of her 2022 album, SOS, returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. SOS Deluxe: Lana, which includes 15 additional tracks, earned 178,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Dec. 26.

SZA also announced that SOS Deluxe: Lana will get yet another update in the coming days. On Monday, she revealed that she would be tweaking some of the songs on the tracklist and adding new music.

“Just got word all updated Mixes and new songs will be added Jan 6th,” SZA tweeted, noting that her fixes had been delayed until “the label comes back from holiday.”

31 Dec 2024

Joe Budden Charged for Allegedly Being Naked Outside Neighbor’s Door

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UnitedMasters SelectCon 2024

Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty

What in the pump it up is going on? Joe Budden is being charged after getting caught in 4K (literally) on a neighbor’s Ring camera butt naked outside. Court docs obtained by TMZ show Budden was charged with lewdness on December 4 in Edgewater, NJ. On December 30th, the Edgewater Police Department was called about a man completely naked outside their home. The caller says there’s footage of the podcaster trying to punch in a code on someone’s door a few times before going back to his own apartment in the building. The court papers say the resident and her two kids saw the whole thing on their phone.

Joe Budden said he got kicked out of his apartment for recording his podcast there. He’s also talked on his podcast about being a sleepwalker. Nima Ameri (Joe’s attorney), made a statement on his behalf, “Mr. Budden is saddened by Police Chief Martin’s press release. Mr. Budden has been waiting weeks for his cross complaints to be processed which include substantially more serious charges include possible felony charges against the persons behind these charges against him. The Chief has in our opinion sat on those but instead used his time to gain some free publicity for himself. Chief Martin should seek publicity by doing notable policing not inflaming disorderly person allegations.”

More news to come as the story develops.

31 Dec 2024

Tina Knowles Shares Social Media Advice Son-In-Law Jay-Z Gave Her After ‘Hacked’ Account Liked Rape Allegation Post

Beyoncé‘s mom, Tina Knowles, has had a busy week flying her matriarch flag. First, on Friday, she took to social media to defend Bey’s eye-popping Christmas Day NFL halftime show during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. When some commenters took issue with the 12-minute set highlighting songs from Bey’s hit Cowboy Carter country-influenced album, Knowles wrote, “It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can talk ish about it later.”

Then, on the Run-Through With Vogue podcast Knowles, 70, talked about a recent social media hiccup in which it appeared she liked a post about allegations that her son-in-law Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted an unnamed 13-year-old girl in 2000; Jay-Z has denied the allegations.

“I’m a protector of my kids and I just feel like that’s my job,” Knowles said on the New Year’s Eve episode of the pod (social media talk begins around 21:30 mark). “And, you know, my kids are always like, ‘Mama, just ignore that.’ But it gets to the point where I’m just like, ‘I’m sorry. This is enough. It’s enough.’ You know? Because imagine being a mother and somebody’s lying on your kid. It’s hard to watch.”

That said, Knowles explained that just because she appeared to like a negative post about Jay doesn’t mean she did it on purpose. “It’s so funny because you know how many times I’ve liked something that was negative about my own children?” Knowles said. “Because if I’m busy and I’m going through the thing, I’m like, ‘Oh, there’s Beyoncé with so and so.’ I like that. And then the fans come back and say, ‘Miss Tina, please erase that because you’re liking some negative post.’ I mean, that’s what happens to 70-year-olds on social media. It’s true.”

Earlier this month, many fans were surprised when it seemed as if Knowles liked a post about the rape allegations against Jay-Z (born Shawn Carter) that are part of a civil suit against the two rappers; Combs is currently in jail awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering and is the subject in more than 10 civil suits related to allegations of sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment and other charges. Combs has also vehemently denied the allegations and Jay-Z has called the suit a “blackmail attempt.”

After Knowles initially liked the post, just days later, the like was gone and she informed followers that she had been “hacked,” adding, “As you all know I do not play about my family. So if you see something uncharacteristic of me. Just know that it is not me !”

Knowles did not take on the allegations against Jay, but she did share some sage advice the rapper has given her about social media etiquette. “I know that it doesn’t understand what I’m saying, and it’s got crazy stuff,” she said of her Insta comments, many of which feature captions that are created using voice-to-text and some of which are misinterpreted due to her Southern accent. “And my son-in-law, Jay will say, ‘Listen, if you’re gonna read somebody, at least spell your words right. Don’t misspell your words, Ma. You can’t do that. Take your time and go over and spellcheck your stuff!’”

While she appreciates the tip, Knowles admitted, “I don’t have time for that.”

The chat also found Knowles talking about fashion and shopping, describing how as a Texas native she’s always appreciated cowboy fashion. “I’ve always worn boots and cowboy hats,” she said, noting that some people used to make comments in not “such a great way” when she showed up in L.A. in her Cowboy Carter finest. She also reminded any lingering haters that costumes she designed for Destiny’s Child back in the day hinted at the family’s Texas roots, with “a lot of fringe and cowboy hats and cowboy boots.”

31 Dec 2024

SZA & Kendrick Lamar’s ’30 for 30′ Debuts at No. 1 on Hot R&B Songs Chart

Twelve tracks from the deluxe edition of SZA’s SOS album explode onto Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, led by a No. 1 entrance for “30 for 30,” a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar. The influx, on the chart dated Jan. 4, 2025, comes after the long-awaited release of the SOS deluxe (dubbed SOS Deluxe: Lana on digital and streaming platforms) on Dec. 20.

For its coronation, “30 for 30” registered 17.5 million official U.S. streams, airplay audience of 385,000 and 2,000 digital song downloads in the tracking week of Dec. 20-26, according to Luminate.

Trending on Billboard

With “30 for 30,” SZA adds her seventh No. 1 on the Hot R&B Songs chart and breaks a tie with Rihanna for the most leaders by a woman on the chart since it launched in October 2012.

Here’s a review of SZA’s chart-topping collection:

Song Title, Artist (if other than SZA), Weeks at No. 1, Date Reached No. 1

  • “The Weekend,” one, Jan. 3, 2018
  • “I Hate U,” one, Dec. 18, 2021
  • “Kill Bill,” 30, Dec. 24, 2022
  • “Snooze,” 32, July 29, 2023
  • “Slime You Out,” Drake featuring SZA, two, Sept. 30, 2023
  • “Saturn,” five, March 9, 2024
  • “30 for 30,” with Kendrick Lamar, one, Jan. 4, 2025

The new champ, notably, gives frequent collaborators, future joint-tour headliners and former Top Dawg labelmates SZA and Lamar their first Hot R&B Songs No. 1 together. The pair’s previous best on a shared track was a No. 2 finish for the Black Panther soundtrack single “All the Stars” in 2018.

Lamar, meanwhile, lands his second No. 1 on Hot R&B Songs, following “Die Hard,” with Blxst and Amanda Reifer. The track, from the superstar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers album, ruled for one week in 2022.

Elsewhere, “30 for 30” premieres at No. 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart – where another SZA/Lamar collaboration, “Luther,” is No. 1 for a third week – and at No. 45 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The disparity between the positions traces to holiday streaming’s apex triggering an avalanche on the Hot 100, with 35 of the 44 titles above “30 for 30” some type of seasonal fare.

As aforementioned, “30 for 30” leads a parade of a dozen new SZA titles onto Hot R&B Songs, upping the singer-songwriter to 57 career hits on the chart. Here’s the full account of this week’s debuts:

  • No. 1, “30 for 30,” with Kendrick Lamar
  • No. 3, “Drive”
  • No. 4, “Diamond Boy (DTM)”
  • No. 5, “What Do I Do”
  • No. 7, “No More Hiding”
  • No. 8, “Crybaby”
  • No. 9, “Kitchen”
  • No. 10, “Another Life”
  • No. 11, “Love Me 4 Me”
  • No. 12, “Chill Baby”
  • No. 13, “My Turn”
  • No. 15, “Get Behind Me (Interlude)”

31 Dec 2024

Elvis Presley’s ‘The Classic Christmas Album’ Dashes to No. 1 on Top Rock Albums Chart

Elvis Presley’s The Classic Christmas Album leads Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart for the first time, rising two places to No. 1 on the Jan. 4, 2025-dated survey.

In the week ending Dec. 26, the set earned 40,000 equivalent album units, a jump of 59%, according to Luminate.

The Classic Christmas Album was released in 2012 and features 17 holiday-themed hits from Presley’s catalog, including “Blue Christmas” and “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane).”

The collection, which previously reached a No. 2 best on Top Rock Albums over the 2020 holiday season, is Presley’s second No. 1 on the chart, which began in 2006, after Elvis Presley Forever led for a week in 2015. That album accompanied a “forever” postage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service that year.

Concurrently, The Classic Christmas Album jumps 9-4 on Top Country Albums and 46-23 on the all-genre Billboard 200. It’s a new peak on both charts, usurping its prior Nos. 5 and 26 highs, respectively.

“Blue Christmas” was the album’s top performer in streaming last week. It ranks at No. 2 on Rock Steaming Songs with 27.1 million official U.S. streams (up 61%). “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” also appears on the tally, at No. 11 (8.1 million, up 43%). “Blue Christmas” was the set’s top radio track, with 9 million in audience (up 33%).

On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, “Blue Christmas” rises to No. 21, a year after it reached a No. 18 best. The late Presley ties for the longest span of appearing on the chart – stretching across its entire existence, as he placed at No. 4 on the inaugural ranking (dated Aug. 4) with “Hard Headed Woman” and at No. 34 with “Don’t Ask Me Why” (both with the Jordanaires). Also with a 66-year and five-month span of hitting the Hot 100 from its first to its latest week, and likewise due to resurgent holiday hits: fellow late legends Chuck Berry, Nat King Cole, Perry Como and Dean Martin.

31 Dec 2024

Joe Budden Charged With Lewdness in New Jersey

Joe Budden has been charged with lewdness in New Jersey, according to the Edgewater Police Department.

The EPD released a statement on Monday (Dec. 30) confirming law enforcement was dispatched to an apartment complex in Edgewater on Dec. 4 for a report claiming a man was standing naked outside a residence around 7:21 a.m. ET

According to the release, the person who called police had been alerted to a man at their door by the doorbell camera, and the caller recognized the man as 44-year-old neighbor Budden. The clip showed Budden attempting to enter numbers onto the keypad multiple times before heading back to his residence across the hall.

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Budden was charged with lewdness, a disorderly persons offense, on a complaint summons. He’s due back in court on Jan. 16 at 3 p.m. ET.

“These charges are merely accusations,” chief of police Donald A. Martin noted in the press release. “The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Billboard has reached out to Joe Budden’s reps for comment.

The “Pump It Up” rapper detailed his absence from his eponymous podcast and the incident earlier this month. “I just sleptwalked somewhere I shouldn’t have sleptwalked,” he told his co-hosts. “You know how I sleep — butta–. Nice nakeda–. Good naked sleepwalking. I just did it again.”

Budden continued to explain to his puzzled co-hosts: “Nobody could go through this stuff but me. It’s only me. So you gotta deal with what comes with that. You would’ve never guessed it.”

“No need for think pieces guys, I’m dealing with a personal family matter, pls allow me to do so personally,” Budden tweeted on Dec. 10. “Super grateful to each member of the crew for holding it down in my absence, thank you.”

In the time since, Budden returned and The Joe Budden Podcast has been filming episodes at a different location.

31 Dec 2024

Britney Spears Praises ‘Genius’ Son Jayden, Says ‘Earth Shakes’ When He Plays

Britney Spears can’t stop gushing over her younger son, Jayden James Federline, following their emotional Christmas reunion.

On Tuesday (Dec. 31), the 43-year-old pop icon took to Instagram to share a series of photos of her 18-year-old son, reflecting on their similar appearances and appearing to praise his musical talents.

“Mine forever !!! It’s weird we’re like twins but he’s a boy and I’m a girl !!!” Spears wrote in the caption, adding, “He’s mine I hadn’t seen him in 2 and half years or maybe 3 !!! I’m in shock !!!”

The post includes several photos of Jayden sporting a maroon colored T-shirt, baggy blue jeans and white sneakers, while gazing into the distance against a backdrop of a dirt patch and blue sky.

“He came back and he feels older and smarter than me !!! He’s a man and I cry everyday of my life because of the miracle and genius he is !!! When he plays the whole earth shakes !!!” Spears shared.

Trending on Billboard

Jayden recently showcased his musical skills in a video posted on Instagram on Dec. 21. In the split-screen clip, the budding artist is seen nodding along to a catchy beat.

Spears’ latest post follows her Christmas Day message, where she expressed her joy at finally reuniting with Jayden after a lengthy separation. “Best Christmas of my life !!! I haven’t seen my boys in 2 years !!!” she shared on Instagram. “Tears of joy and literally in shock everyday koo koo crazy so in love and blessed !!! I’m speechless thank you Jesus !!!”

The “…Baby One More Time” singer also shared a sweet video of her and Jayden spending time together in front of a cozy fireplace.

Spears shares Jayden and his older brother, 19-year-old Sean Preston, with ex-husband Kevin Federline. The couple married in September 2004 and divorced in July 2007. After the split, Federline gained custody of the boys, who relocated to Hawaii with him last year. Spears also had a brief reunion with Jayden in early November when he visited her at her Los Angeles home, according to People.

31 Dec 2024

‘Grand Theft Auto 6’ Expected To Reel In $3.2 Billion In Its First Year

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'GTA 6' Expected To Rake In Billions In Its First Year Alone

Source: Rockstar Games / GTA 6

We still don’t know much about GTA 6. However, according to one analyst, the next installment in Rockstar Games’ iconic video game franchise will likely earn a lot of money before it even hits shelves and digital stores.

The Financial Times reports GTA 6, undoubtedly 2025’s most anticipated game, could earn a whopping $3.2 billion in its first year. According to DFC Intelligence analysts, the game could earn $1 billion in just pre-orders. 

According to Yoshio Osaki of IDG Consulting, the anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 is “greater than anything” they have ever seen. We think it’s going to be one of the biggest entertainment launches in history, not just in games but for all of media.” 

No kidding.

To keep the hype building, which is already at an all-time high, Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, agreed with Osaki’s take, adding, “I think Rockstar Games will once again deliver something absolutely phenomenal.” He also tried to exhibit chill and lower expectations in the same breath, adding, “I never claim victory before it occurs, but the anticipation is high.”

Expectations Are Already Through The Roof

It might be too late. Since the first trailer premiere a year ago, expectations for GTA 6 have been through the roof. As expected, outside of “leaks,” Rockstar Games has been silent about the upcoming title, leaving gamers in limbo and thirsty for information about the video game.

The game’s release date and whether it’s still locked in for Fall 2025 have been the subject of discussion. Some believe the game will have its wig pushed back, forcing Rockstar Games to reassure fans that they can still expect to get their hands on it in 2025.

Like everyone else, we are at the mercy of Rockstar Games as we patiently wait for a new GTA 6 trailer and the game’s official release date.