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22 Oct 2025

Swapmeet, 水中スピカ Suichu Spica Win Justin Cosby Music Prize For 2025

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Swapmeet and 水中スピカ Suichu Spica are winners of the third annual Justin Cosby Music Prize, presented following their respective appearances at South by Southwest Sydney 2025.

Hailing from Adelaide, Swapmeet scoops the Justin Cosby best emerging artist honor, awarded to the local or international artist showing the most potential, a nod to their artistic merit and “export readiness.”

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“Since we announced Swapmeet on the lineup, the band attracted a significant amount of industry interest thanks to their quality songwriting and cohesive production,” explains SXSW Sydney head of music Claire Collins. “Throughout the week, they backed up the buzz with a compelling show, producing gorgeous indie anthems punctuated by a punk spirit. We can’t wait to see what they do next.”

Meanwhile, Kyoto, Japan math rock act 水中スピカ Suichu Spica collect the Justin Cosby best performance prize, recognition of an outstanding live effort at an official SXSW Sydney event.

Their “flawless live sets throughout the week were one of the true highlights of SXSW Sydney this year,” says SXSW Sydney music program manager Reg Harris. “Each show featuring a tight setlist filled with intricate guitar tapping, sparkling vocals, ever changing time signatures and cinematic crescendos.”

Also, Jamaica Moana is named as recipient of the Walk to Austin Award, presented for the first time in partnership with Johnnie Walker Black Ruby. As part of their victory spoils, the trailblazing Māori/Samoan rapper and songwriter will perform at SXSW 2026 in Austin, Texas.

A music industry panel selected Moana on the basis of exceptional creativity, originality and potential to connect with a global audience.

The Justin Cosby Music Prize is named in the memory of Inertia Music co-founder Justin Cosby, who died in June 2021.

The much-loved independent music executive was a regular attendee at SXSW and his meticulously-prepared spreadsheet planner was shared widely among the Australian industry professionals making the journey to Austin each year, notes SXSW Sydney organizers in a statement.

The judging panel comprises industry leaders from independent record labels, community radio, venues, festivals and local and international media.

The inaugural Justin Cosby Music Prize was awarded in 2023 to Otoboke Beaver (best performance) and Miss Kaninna (best emerging artist), and was last year presented to Voice of Baceprot and DEVAURA.

TEG produced the third-annual SXSW Sydney, which was presented Oct. 13 – 19 and featured a program heaving with 1,600 events and networking sessions, plus a music festival lineup with more than 300 performances.

22 Oct 2025

We Played ‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ In Mouse Mode & Actually Enjoyed It

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Nintendo / Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Mouse controls on the Nintendo Switch 2 might be one of the console’s most niche features, but after experiencing them with one of the console’s most anticipated titles, a case could be made that they be among the most innovative design choices.

When Nintendo first announced that mouse controls would be a thing with the Nintendo Switch 2, I had to admit, I let out the loudest of “MEHS” while watching the Switch 2 reveal stream. 

Then, people who got their hands on the device tried out the mode and were not impressed, which only added to the skepticism I already had. 

Add the reviews for Drag x Drive, the wheelchair basketball that uses the Switch 2’s mouse controls, also didn’t help sell it for me. 

But that all changed when I played Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. 

While at the holiday preview for Nintendo, I was very excited to learn that I would finally get to play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, in addition to previewing other titles on the Nintendo Switch 2. 

Upon sitting on the couch, the guide totally took the wind out of my sails when he said, “Are you ready to play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond… with the mouse controls?”

Now, this is a game I never envisioned myself playing on PC, because that’s not how I enjoyed the previous titles in the franchise, but that all changed with this brief experience. 

Mouse Controls With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Felt Right

It wasn’t a smooth transition from controlling the legendary space bounty hunter with a controller to using mouse controls; in fact, it was a clumsy experience at first. 

There were multiple times the guide had to show me what to do as I tried to get comfy with the setup, but when I did, I was honestly very impressed with how well and intuitively the mouse controls were with Metroid Prime 4. 

It just felt right to move Samus with one Joy-Con and aim and shoot with the other. Using the scan mode was a breeze, taking out enemies was fun, and the one boss battle I got to experience was exhilarating. 

The mouse controls were actually clutch, especially when aiming at the boss’s vulnerable spots to damage it. Once it was defeated and the demo ended, I walked away thinking, Hey, I might actually play Beyond with the mouse controls when I get my hands on the game. 

It also made me think that the possibilities are endless regarding how Nintendo can implement the mouse controls in other titles.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Nintendo / Metroid Prime 4

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on December 4.

22 Oct 2025

Jelly Roll Calls Cheating on Wife Bunnie Xo One of His ‘Worst Moments,’ But ‘We’re Stronger Than We Could Have Ever Been’

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Since Jelly Roll arrived on the country scene over the past three years, he’s always put his wife Bunnie Xo and their relationship front and center at awards shows and on red carpets. But there was a time years ago when the hitmaker was struggling with substance abuse issues and their marriage wasn’t always picture-perfect.

During his appearance this week on the Human School podcast, Jelly Roll got candid with host Miles Adcox about one of his lowest points.

“I don’t talk about this publicly at all, but one of the worst moments of my adulthood was when I had an affair on my wife,” Jelly said. “Because it was the first time that I was like, ‘I really can’t get this right at all. I know I’m in love with this woman.’ It was just such a, just really, really, really blew me back.”

To get where they are now, Jelly said “I did a lot of work to repair that relationship, you know what I mean? The repair has been special. And we’re stronger than we could have ever been. I wish our story would have went in a way that it never had an affair, but – and I’m in no way glad it happened – but man, I’m proud of who we are today.”

Jelly Roll acknowledged that he was running with a much different crowd when he cheated on Bunnie, and among his friends at the time, abusing drugs and being unfaithful to your partner were par for the course.

“I was hanging around a bunch of people that were cheating on their wives,” he said. “When I was doing cocaine, I was hanging around a bunch of people that were doing cocaine. When I was drinking a lot, I was hanging around a lot of people that were drinking a lot.”

Since then, he’s dropped those friends, gotten clean and devoted himself to the marriage. When it comes to the friends he surrounds himself with now, Jelly said: “I wanted to be friends with people I wanted to be like.”

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo have been married since 2016 and they renewed their vows in 2023. They share two children from previous relationships and have been very public about their IVF journey, with plans to keep growing their family.

You can watch the full hour-plus Human School interview below, with the affair conversation starting around the 48:30 mark.

22 Oct 2025

Luke Combs to Open Second Category 10 Venue in Las Vegas: ‘This Takes It to the Next Level’

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Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) will bring a new Category 10 entertainment venue to the Flamingo Las Vegas next fall. Inspired by Combs’s chart-topping 2017 hit “Hurricane,” the Category 10 brand’s flagship venue opened in Nashville in late 2024.

The three-story venue will feature Hurricane Hall, a main dining hall that will include three bars, a central stage and dance floor, as well as state-of-the-art video, acoustics and lighting. Hurricane Hall will offer curated artist lineups daily and host the brand’s free line dancing lessons. The second floor will include The Still, inspired by Combs’s songwriting talents, which will offer a more intimate area with a view of the stage, as well as an extensive collection of bourbons hand-selected by Combs. The Still will also have an adjacent outdoor patio space.

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The third level will hold The Eye Rooftop, a covered rooftop space featuring a DJ booth, dance floor and bar with views of the Las Vegas Strip. The venue will also feature the Beautiful Crazy Women’s Lounge, located inside the women’s restroom on the first floor, which will offer a champagne bar, makeup counters, soft seating and Hollywood vanity mirrors.

Combs said in a statement, “I am stoked about having a second Category 10 location in Las Vegas. 2026 was already going to be an awesome year, but this takes it to the next level. I can’t wait for Bootleggers to have their own place to party on The Strip.” 

Combs is set to headline more than 20 dates in Europe and North America next year on his My Kinda Saturday Night stadium tour. He was recently named the highest RIAA-certified country artist in history, with more than 168 million units sold.

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“With Luke’s enormous international appeal, securing the right Las Vegas location for Category 10 has been a priority since we first announced the partnership back in 2023,” Colin Reed, executive chairman of OEG parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties, said in a statement. “The United Kingdom ranks as the leading market for international visitors to Las Vegas outside North America. Combined with the UK’s continued embrace of country music and Luke, this is an ideal moment to bring Category 10 to one of the world’s great entertainment playgrounds.”

Reed continued, “We have formed a wonderful relationship with Caesars Entertainment through our Ole Red Las Vegas location, and we look forward to bringing more country music experiences to the market.”

“The addition of Category 10 continues to build on the momentum of a tremendous year transforming Flamingo Las Vegas,” added Dan Walsh, senior vp and general manager of the resort. “With exciting new experiences like the Go Pool, Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Gordon Ramsay Burger and Havana 1957, we’ve brought a whole new level of energy to our iconic resort. Category 10 elevates that energy even further, bringing one of the biggest names in music to the Flamingo and offering live performances with great food and cocktails at the best location on The Strip.” 

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22 Oct 2025

Lil Yachty “Endless,” Hit-Boy & The Alchemist ft. Havoc “Celebration Moments: & More | Daily Visuals 10.22.25

2025 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash

For a minute there, it seemed like Lil Yachty was actually leveling up his sound and speaking in comprehensible rhymes and sentences. But now it looks like the polarizing rapper is back to his “mumble rap” roots and giving his day-one fans the Yachty that they’re used to.

Dropping off some new visuals to “Endless,” Lil Yachty takes the viewer on a journey into himself as we travel into countless windows that feature the rapper in every last one doing what he does and rapping while dancing to his heart’s content. We’d be shocked if any of his fans can catch every one of his rhymes on the first listen.

On the flip side, Hit-Boy and The Alchemist give some Hip-Hop purists something they can understand, and for their Havoc-assisted clip to “Celebration Moments,” the three artists take to the streets of New York to do a meet-and-greet before taking in the bright lights of the City That Never Sleeps.

Check out the rest of today’s drops, including work from Curren$y, DJ Premier and Ransom, and more.

LIL YACHTY – “ENDLESS”

HIT-BOY & THE ALCHEMIST FT. HAVOC – “CELEBRATION MOMENTS”

CURREN$Y – “POV”

DJ PREMIER & RANSOM – “AMAZING GRACES”

ISAIAH FALLS & SIR – “BROWN SUGAH”

MONTANA 700 – “WHITE ONES”

JAMAL – “GODSPEED”

BHAD BHABIE – “HONEST”

—

Photo: Getty

22 Oct 2025

UMe’s Bruce Resnikoff Honored, John Mellencamp F-Bombs Antisemitism at Ambassadors of Peace Gala 2025

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More than 550 entertainment industry leaders gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday (Oct. 19) for Creative Community for Peace’s (CCFP) seventh annual Ambassadors of Peace gala to promote dialogue and unity through the arts. The event was held at the Beverly Park residence of Haim Saban, chairman and CEO of Saban Capital Group.

This year’s honorees were Bruce Resnikoff, president/CEO of Universal Music Enterprises; Jonathan Strauss, CEO of Create Music Group; David Kohan, showrunner and executive producer of Will & Grace and Mid-Century Modern; his wife, Blair Kohan, partner and board member at United Talent Agency; and actor Jerry O’Connell.

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The event featured a performance by John Mellencamp, who said, “I don’t like to call it antisemitism. It’s too polite a word for what it really is. Hatred is what it really is. And I may just be a guy with a guitar and sing some songs, but I promise this to the Jewish people: I will remain a staunch ally to you guys as long as I’m on this earth. And to the Jewish haters, I say f—k you.”

“In order to make a difference, sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone, and that’s what I’m doing tonight,” Resnikoff said. “In the Jewish community, especially during an epidemic of undeniable and widespread antisemitism, we will always need more voices, and particularly in the music industry. CCFP brings caring people together to help amplify our voices, and I’m proud to do my part tonight.”

Strauss added, “Great companies and great cultures are not built in an echo chamber. Disagreement doesn’t mean division; it means engagement. And there’s nothing worse than apathy.”

CCFP chairman and co-founder David Renzer opened the event and said, “We have to push back. We have to educate. We believe in coexistence. We believe in the power of music and arts and culture to help build bridges and that it should not be shut down.”

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Ari Ingel, CCFP executive director, added, “Jewish pride means knowing where we come from and taking control of where we are going. It means speaking Hebrew with joy, wearing your Magen David in the open, loving Israel, not with blind nationalism, but with eyes wide open, with commitment, with critique and care.”

Among those paying tribute to this year’s honorees were Ringo Starr, Def Leppard, Paul Rudd, Nick Kroll, Rebecca Romijn, Howie Mandel, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing, Greg Berlanti, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.

Artists and entertainment leaders in attendance included Gene Simmons of KISS; Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records; Gary Barber, co-founder Spyglass Media Group; Suzanne de Passe, co-chairwoman of de Passe Jones Entertainment Group; Jody Gerson, CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group; Jacqueline Saturn, president of Virgin Music; Michael Rotenberg, founder and partner at 3 Arts Entertainment; David Zedeck, global co-head of Music at UTA; Jacob Fenton, UTA partner; Larry Rudolph, founder and CEO of 724 Entertainment; and Phylicia Fant, global head of music industry & culture collaborations at Amazon Music.

Previous Ambassador of Peace honorees include Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren, reggae star Ziggy Marley, music mogul Scooter Braun, chairman & CEO of Sony Music Latin America Afo Verde, and CEO and co-chairman of Warner Records Aaron Bay-Schuck.

More information on Ambassadors of Peace can be found on the event’s website.

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22 Oct 2025

Monica Explains Why She’s Against Letting Her Kids Go to Sleepovers: ‘That Would Be a No for Me’

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Monica isn’t a fan of sleepovers.

Instagram entertainment account TheNeighborHoodTalk reposted a video of a single father expressing frustration with not being able to throw his daughter a slumber party because some of the other mothers weren’t comfortable having a male host.

“When I found out why I couldn’t throw my daughter a slumber party I got very sad and depressed,” TikTok user markdjangocrazy‘s caption read. However, during his explanation he revealed that he was once taken advantage of by an older woman that he trusted when he was younger and still couldn’t understand why some parents would be apprehensive in letting their daughters stay over at his house.

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Of course, a bunch of discourse went down in the comments, and Monica’s opinion was one that stood out. “We don’t do sleepovers,” the R&B singer wrote before suggesting that maybe he should’ve considered asking some of the moms to be chaperones. “My mother didn’t, I don’t either and that applied to my sons & daughter! In his case inviting some moms to be there overnight to chaperone may work but that would be a no for me as well.”

Many of the replies agreed with her, with the comments suggesting he shouldn’t take it personally, it’s just the times we’re living in.

In other Monica news, she and Brandy just kicked off their “The Boy Is Mine” Tour and hit a bit of a snag this past Saturday when Brandy abruptly left the stage at Chicago’s United Center after feeling out of sorts. “To my dear fans in Chicago,” she wrote. “Thank you all for the overwhelming love, support, and—most importantly—your prayers. I sincerely apologize for the abrupt end to last night’s performance in Chicago. After weeks of nonstop rehearsals, last night I experienced dehydration and feelings of wanting to faint. Everyone involved agreed that prioritizing my well-being was of the utmost importance.”

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22 Oct 2025

Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 Photo Booth: Ozuna, Aitana, Tokischa & More

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Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 is bringing the biggest Latin music stars to Miami for a weeklong conference, including Ozuna, Tokischa, Yailan, Aitana, Pablo Alborán, Yami Safdie, De La Ghetto, Silvestre Dangond and many more. The artists – who spoke at panels and/or performed at showcases – also posed for Billboard’s photo booth.

Puerto Rican hitmaker Ozuna spoke at the Afrobeats panel alongside Goyo, Kapo, Humby and Venesti who talked about fusing their signature sound with Afrobeat. “I didn’t know much about the rhythm, but I was interested in learning, I was into reggaetón, and this rhythm opened doors for me,” Ozuna said.

Meanwhile, Tokischa sat down with Ivy Queen for a one-on-one conversation about feminism, sexuality and music. Toki also spoke about her upcoming album. “I finished my album mid-year. I worked on a super intimate project, spending seven months in the studio all day,” she said. “[On the album] I’m talking about my story — beyond being Tokischa la perra, la bellaca, I’m raw and honest, in terms of all the traumas I’ve overcome, from my years as an addict. I had an unstable moment because I had to uncover all those traumas and record. In my career, I’ve had to start over from scratch twice.”

Artists including Daddy Yankee, Laura Pausini and Kali Uchis took centerstage for Superstar Q&As. Other returning panels included Making the Hit Live!, this year featuring Pablo Alborán and Julio Reyes Copello, and the Women’s Panel with artists Aitana, Silvana Estrada, Yailin, Ela Taubert and Yami Safdie.

Latin Music Week also coincides with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, set to air Thursday, Oct. 23, on Telemundo and Peacock, where Bad Bunny will be honored as Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century.

See some of the best photo booth gems captured backstage throughout Latin Music Week.

22 Oct 2025

Joe Budden Calls Drake a ‘Bi—‘ Following Universal Music Group Lawsuit Dismissal: ‘It Was Finally Confirmed’

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Joe Budden added another chapter to his feud with Drake earlier this month, when he called the 6 God a “bi—” after a federal judge tossed his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group.

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“The Drake news broke about the lawsuit,” Budden said during a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast. “To me, it’s not that important. I was never one that believed that was going to go a different way.”

Budden then interrupted Marc Lamont Hill’s review of the lawsuit to give a summed-up version of how he viewed the proceedings.

“For the people that missed it, yesterday evening, somewhere around 6 or 7 o’clock, it was finally confirmed,” he said. “The news broke that Drake’s a bi—.”

The rapper-turned-podcaster continued: “The same sh– that I told y’all 11 months ago rang true yesterday at around 6 o’clock. Some tweet was going around that said Drake lost the n—a way and the white way. That was a good one. And people just started having fun with this.”

Essentially, a federal judge didn’t believe Kendrick Lamar was truly labeling Drake as a pedophile in diss tracks like “Not Like Us.” The judge looked at the heated back-and-forth as a “war of words” and said some of the subsequent lawsuit tied to the battle was “logically incoherent.”

Budden also trolled Drake with a post to his IG Story following the lawsuit ruling, as he posted a photo of Drake looking a bit fatigued.

Even back in February, Drake had some fun at Budden’s expense when posting a video of him getting out of a car on his PlotTwist burner Instagram account.

Budden fired back, calling Drizzy a “corpse.” “Drake, don’t shoot at me now that you’re ice cold,” he replied. “I’m not doing the back and forth with a corpse… Don’t go get shot all year and then pop up like Bernie in Weekend at Bernie’s wanting to shoot at me now.”

Watch the clip below.

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22 Oct 2025

Recording Academy Set to Open Grammy House in Egypt, First Location Outside the U.S.

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The Recording Academy’s immersive pop-up experience, Grammy House, will expand globally in 2026 with the launch of Grammy House Giza in Egypt. Previous Grammy House activations have occurred in Los Angeles and New York. 

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Halle Bailey arrives for the Recording Academy and Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California on February 4, 2023.

Grammy House Giza will unite artists, producers, songwriters and industry leaders from around the world for several days of programming in October 2026. The event will feature live performances, cultural exchanges, educational panels and collaborative sessions.

“It is a thrill to expand the Grammy House experience globally, and to see it come to life at one of the world’s most iconic locations,” Harvey Mason jr, CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “Grammy House Giza represents the spirit of the Recording Academy’s vision to amplify music people worldwide and create meaningful gathering places for our entire music community. Next year’s event will be a beacon of collaboration, discovery and inspiration, and will continue to connect us to the creators, innovators, and fans who are shifting and shaping culture.” 

The announcement was made on Wednesday (Oct. 22) during a celebration at the Great Pyramids of Giza that honored Egypt’s musical heritage with performances by composer Omar Khairat and regional pop star Carole Samaha. In attendance were leaders from the Grammy organization, Taitan Capital Japan and Global Entertainment Holdings, the Academy’s official partner for staging Grammy House Giza in 2026. During the event, the Grammy House logo was displayed with the Great Pyramid in the background.

Grammy House Giza is part of the Recording Academy’s global expansion initiative, first announced in 2024. In the coming years, additional Grammy Houses will launch in key international regions, serving as gathering places for creators to collaborate, learn and celebrate the shared power of music.

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