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Forrest Frank’s Child of God II arrives at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart (dated May 24). Released May 9, the 20-song set earned 33,000 equivalent album units in the United States in the week ending May 15, according to Luminate.
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Frank adds his second Top Christian Albums No. 1, as Child of God II dethrones his Child of God after 35 weeks on top beginning last August (the third-most weeks at No. 1 among all titles this decade).
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Concurrently, “Your Way’s Better,” which is on the deluxe version Child of God and the new Child of God II, ascends a spot to No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs, where it’s Frank’s first leader. The track, which the Fulshear, Texas, native and Pera Krstajic co-wrote, drew 7.9 million official U.S. streams (up 3%) and likewise lifts 2-1 on Christian Streaming Songs, also marking Frank’s first No. 1. Plus, track sold 2,000 downloads. On Christian Airplay, it climbs 22-19 for a new best (1.1 million audience impressions, up 29%).
The single, which went viral on TikTok, previously became Frank’s first solo hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Notably, Frank is the first artist to lead Top Christian Albums and Hot Christian Songs simultaneously since Brandon Lake on the Nov. 4, 2023, charts. That week, his Coat of Many Colors blasted in at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums as “Praise You Anywhere” rose to the summit on Hot Christian Songs.
Concurrently, Child of God II enters the all-genre Billboard 200 at No. 12, bestowing Frank with his highest rank. Child of God, his lone prior entry, arrived at its No. 28 peak last August.
If it seems as if Jennifer Lopez has been a part of the American Music Awards for decades, well, she has. Lopez was just 21 in 1991 when she made her AMAs debut as a dancer behind New Kids on the Block. She first performed on the show as a star attraction in 2001. She […]
Grammy-winning artist Ciara, stylist and creative director June Ambrose, and music executives Phylicia Fant and Sylvia Rhone will be honored on Tuesday (June 3) at the inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner. The event, which honors Black women “for their contributions to music and for shaping popular culture,” will be held at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles. The event was originally set for Jan. 28 but was rescheduled due to the L.A. wildfires, which devastated the region in January.
The Black Women in Music Dinner will serve as The Connie Orlando Foundation’s first fundraiser focused on supporting breast cancer awareness and research. By raising funds and driving attention to this critical cause, the foundation aims to empower women with the knowledge, resources and support they need to fight breast cancer and improve health outcomes.
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“Black women in music continue to be a transcendent and driving force of creative expression, shaping the musical landscape and enriching diverse cultures worldwide,” said Orlando, founder of The Connie Orlando Foundation, in a statement. “Their contributions are not just transformative; they are the heartbeat of innovation and culture. It is an immense honor to celebrate the trailblazing careers of Ciara, June Ambrose, Phylicia Fant, Sylvia Rhone, DJ Kiss, and Flo Ngala at our inaugural event. These powerful women come from diverse paths, yet they share a unified commitment to pushing boundaries and sparking meaningful change across the music industry.
“As we embark on this momentous journey to celebrate Black women in all their brilliance and as ‘guards’ of an ever-evolving industry, we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of HarbourView Equity Partners as our founding partner, and Sherrese Clarke, whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing this mission to life.”
In addition to being the founder of the foundation that bears her name, Orlando is the executive vp of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET. She is serving as executive producer of the 2025 BET Awards, set for June 9.
Here’s a closer look at the 2025 Black Women in Music Dinner honorees:
Ciara, a singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, will receive the Avant-Garde Award, recognizing her artistry and influence. Ciara topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004 with “Goodies” featuring Petey Pablo, topped the Billboard 200 in 2006 with Ciara: The Evolution and won a Grammy in 2006 for best short form music video for “Lose Control.”
June Ambrose, a creative director, costume designer and entrepreneur, will receive the Guardian of Vision Award. Ambrose is best known for styling prominent hip-hop and R&B artists, such as Missy Elliott and Jay-Z, in high-fashion pieces. Ambrose has designed for more than 200 music videos; published a book, Effortless Style, in 2006; and was hired at Puma in 2020.
Phylicia Fant will receive The New Guard Award, celebrating her role as a transformative leader. Fant is the head of music industry partnerships at Amazon Music and the former head of urban music at Columbia Records. She is also the founder/CEO of The Purple Agency, a public relations and marketing agency.
Sylvia Rhone, a trailblazing music industry veteran and the first Black woman to lead a major label, will receive the Vanguard Award. Rhone is the chair/CEO of Epic Records. Rhone previously served in senior positions at Universal Motown, Elektra Entertainment Group and Atlantic Records.
DJ Kiss, media personality and influencer, and Flo Ngala, editorial photographer and photojournalist, will be honored with The Guardian Angel Spotlights. This award recognizes individuals who serve as messengers, protectors and guides within the music industry, driving both artistic and commercial success.
H.E.R. was initially slated to be one of this year’s honorees, but that changed in the rescheduling, with Ciara now being honored instead.
Additional program details, including host, performers and presenters, will be announced at a later date.
LONDON — Field Day festival has issued a new statement in response to controversy around their parent company and a lineup boycott. The festival is due to take place in Brockwell Park, south London this coming Saturday (May 24).
Field Day festival is one of a number of music brands operated by Superstruct Entertainment, alongside Sónar Festival, Boiler Room and more. Superstruct Entertainment is owned by global investment firm KKR which, per Mixmag, holds stakes in weapons manufacturing companies, the Coastal GasLink pipeline, and multiple Israeli corporations that operate in occupied Palestinian territories.
In an open letter, a number of artists including Massive Attack and Brian Eno called on the festival to distance itself from KKR’s dealings, and 11 acts removed themselves from the lineup in protest. Last week (May 15), the festival issued a statement regarding the ownership situation which acknowledged the people “hurt and angry,” but explained that partnering with Superstruct Entertainment helped secure the future of the festival.
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Field Day was first held in 2007 in Victoria Park, and in 2021 partnered with AEG’s Goldenvoice as part of All Points East Festival. In 2023, the festival was acquired by Superstruct Entertainment and moved to Brockwell Park in Brixton. This year’s event is headlined by Peggy Gou and also features James Blake and Jungle on the lineup.
Since the statement, however, fallout has continued with a number of acts continuing to withdraw from the bill, including Midland and Mall Grab. As of publication, over half of the artists booked have withdrawn from the lineup, with just 23 acts remaining of an original 42.
On Tuesday (May 20), the festival shared a new statement to their Instagram page, acknowledging that their initial message did not do enough to distance themselves from Superstruct’s parent company. “We are passionately opposed to KKR’s unethical investments in Israel,” it read, while calling for a “Free Palestine.”
The message continued: “We cannot control who owns our parent company but we promise to make our – and your – voices, and the ethical values we regard as non-negotiable, heard and understood at all levels.”
The run-up to the events in Brockwell Park have been disrupted by a protest by a group of local residents and uncertainty if the festival slate would move forward. Wide Awake, Field Day, City Splash, Mighty Hoopla, Across The Tracks, all operated by Brockwell Live, are set to take place over a three-week period beginning on Friday (May 23).
Last week a High Court ruled that Brockwell Live did not have the correct planning permission from Lambeth Council to host the events, and that the promoters had exceeded the amount of usage days of the public park. On Monday, however, the festivals confirmed they would be going ahead after applying to Lambeth Council “for a new certificate of lawfulness” which enables the events to move forward.
Field Day statement in full:
The statement released on Thursday did not explain in full the position of the Field Day team or directly address legitimate concerns about investments in Israel by KKR, the owner of Field Day’s parent company, Superstruct. We apologise and wish to put that right here by making our position very clear.
Last year, the International Court of Justice, the world’s highest court, ruled that Israel illegally occupies Palestinian territory, is in violation of the international prohibition on apartheid, and is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza.
We would like to say, clearly and directly, that we stand with the people of Gaza and support the peaceful aims of the Palestinian civil organisations and everyone working tirelessly to give them a voice.
This includes the artists and audience members who expect us to amplify their voices when it really matters, and who we failed by not addressing this earlier. We join them in calling for an immediate end to military action and occupation and the provision of vital aid in Gaza without delay.
We said previously that partnering with Superstruct secured the future of the festival and our creative and operational independence; that the Field Day team had no knowledge or influence in KKR’s investment in Superstruct last year; and that we retain the same deeply held values Field Day was founded on. All of this is true.
However, we are sorry we did not say earlier what we unequivocally say now:
We are passionately opposed to KKR’s unethical investments in Israel. We cannot control who owns our parent company but we promise to make our – and your – voices, and the ethical values we regard as non-negotiable, heard and understood at all levels.
Many of you rightly challenged our previous post. We’re grateful for your comments and we respect the artists who have taken a stance. To the other artists on our lineup, we welcome and support you using your platform to stand against all forms of oppression, discrimination and genocide.
We say with pride and determination that everyone is welcome at Field Day, regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender or sexuality.
We believe music is uniquely capable of bringing people together and providing a space to express ourselves freely without discrimination, and we hope you will join us in that spirit this weekend.
This is what we stand for, and we regret not making that clearer before. Free Palestine.
Michael B. Tretow, the pioneering Swedish sound engineer who helped craft the signature sonic identity of ABBA, has died at age 80.
His wife and son confirmed the news to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, with the band’s longtime manager Görel Hanser also confirming his passing. A cause of death has not been made public.
Best known for his studio wizardry, Tretow was often referred to by fans as the unofficial “fifth member” of ABBA for his indispensable role in shaping the band’s groundbreaking sound.
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He worked on every one of ABBA’s albums throughout their imperial phase, from 1973’s Ring Ring through to 1981’s The Visitors, and co-owned the group’s label, Polar Music. Notably, he was not involved in the group’s 2021 reunion album, Voyage.
”You meant more to us four in ABBA than anyone else,” Andersson told Aftonbladet. “I hope and believe that you felt it throughout all the years that have passed since we worked (and continuously laughed) in the studio. Our music lives on, it seems, and you are the one who made it timeless.”
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“You were a fantastic inspirer and joy-maker, and the finest sound engineer the world has ever seen,” he said, adding: “I miss you. And I’ve saved all your coconuts!”
Björn Ulvaeus added that Tretow’s significance “cannot be overestimated,” remembering him as “a warm, generous person and a good friend.”
Anni-Frid Lyngstad said, “No one fit the bill as well as you. For us, you are forever part of the ABBA sound and you will never be forgotten.”
Agnetha Fältskog reflected on their final moments together: “So glad I got to spend some time with you a few weeks ago… You were so sick, but your laughter and humor were still there. So many memories are preserved, your encouraging words during the recordings meant so much. We are sad now, a talented and unique person has left us. Sleep well Micke, you are in our hearts forever.”
Tretow is survived by his wife and son.
Robbie Williams is looking to hark back to “a golden age for British music” with his newly-announced LP Britpop, slated to land this autumn.
The album, which the singer says was inspired by the iconic musical era of the same name and the bands who defined it (Oasis, Blur, Pulp et al), will arrive via Columbia Records. It will mark Williams’ 13th solo full-length effort to date, and his first of non-festive original songs since 2016’s The Heavy Entertainment Show. A release date is due to be confirmed soon.“I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995,” he said in a statement. “It was the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British Music. I’ve worked with some of my heroes on this album; it’s raw, there are more guitars and it’s an album that’s even more upbeat and anthemic than usual.“There’s some ‘Brit’ in there and there’s certainly some ‘pop’ too – I’m immensely proud of this as a body of work and I’m excited for fans to hear this album.”
The news coincides with the release of the album’s blistering lead single, “Rocket,” which features Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi on guitar. Its accompanying music video is set to drop this Friday (May 23), though a press release states that it will feature scenes of Williams and Iommi together in the latter’s hometown of Birmingham.
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Williams will support Britpop with an extensive U.K. and European headline tour this summer, which features two nights at London’s 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium (June 6-7). Support will come from Warrington rock band The Lottery Winners, as well as Rag ‘N’ Bone Man on select dates.
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The artwork for Britpop, meanwhile, nods to one of Williams’ most iconic looks: the red tracksuit worn to Glastonbury Festival in 1995 when he partied with Oasis at the height of the Britpop era. He had departed boyband Take That shortly before this time, in order to pursue a solo career. It also features an illustration of two demonstrators in ‘Just Stop Pop’ t-shirts defacing the image, in the style of protest group Just Stop Oil.
In January, Williams secured a huge milestone on the U.K. Album Charts. Better Man, the soundtrack to his recent biopic of the same name, gave the pop icon his 15th No. 1 album, seeing him move ahead of The Rolling Stones (14) in the all-time rankings. He is now tied with The Beatles at 15 for the most ever.
The Voice wrapped its 27th season on Tuesday night (May 20) with a high-energy, emotional finale that crowned Adam David as this season’s champion.
Representing Team Michael Bublé, the Florida-based singer emerged victorious after a week of standout performances, beating out finalists from teams helmed by Kelsea Ballerini, John Legend and Adam Levine.
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David’s win marks Bublé’s second straight coaching victory, following his Season 26 triumph with Sofronio Vasquez. This season, the 34-year-old singer captivated both the coaches and audiences with powerhouse vocals, ultimately sealing his place as the Season 27 winner thanks to America’s vote.
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Before the results were revealed, Bublé took a moment to share his admiration for his finalist on air. “I love you, man,” he told David. “You’re my kind of artist. I love my sister and she wrote me this morning and she said, ‘You tell me when Adam David puts his tickets on sale ’cause I need to go see that show.’” The Canadian crooner added: “Congratulations, I knew you could do it.”
Jaelen Johnston from Team Kelsea followed David in second place, RENZO from Team Legend in third, Lucia Flores-Wiseman from Team Adam in fourth, and Jadyn Cree (also from Team Bublé) in fifth.
During the finale, each coach joined their finalist for a special duet. Team Legend’s Renzo kicked things off with a performance of Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” while Kelsea Ballerini and Jaelen Johnston delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Whiskey Lullaby,” originally by Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley.
Michael Bublé teamed up with Adam David for a stirring cover of The Band’s classic “The Weight,” and Adam Levine joined Lucia Flores-Wiseman on a moving take of The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Bublé then returned to the stage with his second finalist, Jadyn Cree, for a charming duet of Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe.”
The finale also welcomed Kelly Clarkson (debuting new single “Where Have You Been”), Blake Shelton (“Texas”), Alicia Keys with Amanda Reid, Chance the Rapper, Joe Jonas, Sheryl Crow, James Bay, Foreigner and Season 22 winner Bryce Leatherwood.
NBC has confirmed that The Voice will return for Season 28 in September, airing Monday nights at 8 p.m. with Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg all returning to the red chairs.
Adam David now joins the ranks of past winners like Cassadee Pope, Jordan Smith, and Bryce Leatherwood and with his victory, continues The Voice’s legacy of elevating fresh talent into the spotlight.
Months after receiving backlash for utilizing AI-generated imagery for her “Delusional” single, Kesha has announced new artwork for the track.
First released in November 2025, “Delusional” was issued as the second single from Kesha’s forthcoming sixth album, . (Period). However, the track’s original artwork – which depicted a number of handbags with the word ‘delusional’ spray painted on them, often incorrectly – was swiftly criticized for its use of generative AI.
Kesha did not respond to the backlash, or address fans’ requests to commission an actual artist to create new imagery for the single. However, on Tuesday (May 20), she took to social media to share new artwork for the single, along with an explanation for the update.
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“When making the single art for my song ‘Delusional,’ I wanted to make the point that it’s DELUSIONAL that the world expects artists to continue making art when we are so undervalued,” she explained. “I tried to echo my ideas in the form of a political single cover. I’ve realized that living in alignment with my integrity is more important than proving a point.
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“So I’ve decided to change the cover art for this song. She’s one of my favorites.”
Kesha also made a point to individually thank the creative team behind the artwork, including the photographer, videographer, stylists, and more. “Thanks to my crew for helping me live out here in my highest and c–tiest potential,” she added.
In closing her social post, Kesha also addressed the elephant in the room, directly shifting her focus to the work of AI and the toll it can take on real creatives in the process.
“AI is a Pandora’s box that we as a society have collectively opened, and I think it’s important that we keep human ramifications in mind as we learn how to use it as a tool and not as a replacement,” she explained. “Just me healing, in real time.”
The updated artwork arrives less than two months from the release of . (Period) on July 4 via her own Kesha Records label. It also arrives as her first LP since the 2023 settlement of a yearslong legal battle with Dr. Luke over Kesha’s claims that he drugged and raped her in 2005, after which he sued her for defamation while calling the allegations “false and shocking.”
“I’m really excited for the world to hear this, because I’ve been in control of everything,” she revealed on The Jennifer Hudson Show recently.
“It’s been all of my vision, all of my words, a lot of hard work, a lot of joy,” she continued. “Really coming back home to myself and feeling what freedom really looks like, feels like, sounds like.”
20 years since he took up the role of vocalist of Foreigner, Kelly Hansen has announced that he will be leaving the band this year.
Hansen’s news was shared on the season finale of NBC’s The Voice on Monday (May 20), where the band was on hand to perform a medley of their hits.
Following a rendition of “Feels Like the First Time,” Hansen took the opportunity to announce his plans to the audience. “After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner,” he revealed. “At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you; my friend Luis Maldonado.”
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Hansen then welcomed Maldonado for a performance of “Juke Box Hero,” before the pair shared lead vocals on “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” added Hansen. “But it’s time to pass the mic. Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future. I couldn’t be prouder to hand this off to him.”
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Hansen rose to fame in the ’80s as the vocalist for Hurricane, whom he fronted until their 1991 dissolution. Following years spent working with other bands, such as Air Pavilion, Unruly Child, Perfect World, and recording with Slash’s Snakepit, Hansen joined Foreigner in 2005 following the departure of co-founding vocalist Lou Gramm two years prior.
Maldonado, meanwhile, joined Foreigner in 2021, having previously served as the guitarist of Train and having worked with names such as John Waite and Lisa Marie Presley. “This music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Maldonado added. “I’m ready to honor Foreigner’s legacy and bring my heart to every performance.”
The status of Hansen’s role in the band had previously been the subject for debate in March, when it was announced that actor Geordie Brown, who is perhaps best known for his role in Foreigner’s own Jukebox Hero – The Musical – would be fronting the band for their Canadian Farewell Tour throughout October and November. Foreigner’s recent South American tour also featured Maldonado on lead vocals, while Gramm returned as a guest musician.
Foreigner was first formed in 1976 by former Spooky Tooth guitarist Mick Jones, with the band releasing their self-titled debut album the following year. They topped the Billboard 200 in 1981 with the aptly-titled fourth album, 4. The record also boasted top five songs “Urgent” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” though they would release their highest-charting single in 1984, with “I Want to Know What Love Is” topping the Hot 100 after it was issued as the lead track from Agent Provocateur.
Various lineup changes over the years have left Jones as the only original member of the band, though he has been absent from the live stage since 2023. In October 2024, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Sammy Hagar.
As Iron Maiden ready themselves to climb aboard Ed Force One and launch their Run for Your Lives World Tour, manager Rod Smallwood has asked fans to put their phones away.
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The veteran British heavy metal outfit will launch their upcoming tour in Budapest, Hungary on May 27, with the shows also kicking off their 50th anniversary celebrations. With the massive milestone in their back pocket, and the tour also set to see the debut of drummer Simon Dawson, there’s a lot worth documenting.
However, Smallwood has taken to the band’s website to share a post titled “Put away your phones and get ready to Run For Your Lives!” in which he urges fans to experience the shows “in the moment” rather than on smaller screens at a later date.
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“We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens,” Smallwood wrote. “The amount of phone use nowadays diminishes enjoyment, particularly for the band who are on stage looking out at rows of phones, but also for other concertgoers.
“We feel that the passion and involvement of our fans at shows really makes them special, but the phone obsession has now got so out of hand that it has become unnecessarily distracting especially to the band. I hope fans understand this and will be sensible in severely limiting the use of their phone cameras out of respect for the band and their fellow fans.”
Iron Maiden aren’t the first band to ask fans to put their phones back in their pockets. In 2015, Jack White shared a verbal plea for no phones during his Lazaretto tour, and by the time The Raconteurs toured in 2019, attendees were told to put their devices in locked Yondr pouches.
“We think you’ll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it in person,” a note from the band read at the time.
Other acts, such as Tool, have also employed a similar approach, requesting phones stay off their phones until their final performance. Guitarist Adam Jones explained in 2022 that while part of the reason was due to the loss of connection between band and fan, another factor was the limited technological know-how of some concertgoers.
“I think one of the problems is you get a lot of lights because people don’t know how to use their cameras correctly, which makes it very blinding onstage,” Jones explained.
As Smallwood added on Iron Maiden’s website, much of the urging for fans to stow their phones comes out of a plea for respect, for both the larger experience and the band themselves.
“We would very much like you to be ‘in the moment’ instead and be fully actively involved to enjoy each and every one of these classic songs in the spirit and manner they were first played,” he adds. “This show isn’t just a celebration of our music; it is, as you will see, also about our years of art, of Eddie and of the many, many worlds of Maiden we have created for you.”
“So please respect the band, respect the other fans and have the time of your lives as you join your Maiden family by singing your heart out, rather than getting your phone out!! It’s really not a lot to ask is it?”
The upcoming Run for Your Lives World Tour will be Iron Maiden’s first performances since wrapping their The Future Past Tour in São Paulo, Brazil in December. That tour was the last to feature drummer Nicko McBrain, who announced his “decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle.”
