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Billy Ray Cyrus is making his next move following his Inauguration Day performance, with the country star announcing a new album Friday (Jan. 24).
Just four days after he took the stage at the Liberty Ball celebrating Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer revealed in a release that his next LP is slated to arrive at some point this summer. His son Braison served as producer.
“This is art imitating life, imitating art,” Billy Ray said in a statement. “It starts and ends with art. Braison is very talented and ‘25 is his year. I’m glad to be a part of it. This record is gonna be special. I’m gearing up for what will be the journey of a lifetime.”
Braison added, “I’ve spent this past year getting to know my dad better than I ever have.”
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“I’ve heard stories, jokes and songs that I don’t think anyone else has,” the “I’ll Never Leave You” musician continued of working with his father. “It’s an opportunity to tell my dad’s story through music and I’m fortunate to be able to take it. Music, stories and family are the most important things to my dad so to bring the two together is a full circle endeavor.”
Billy Ray shares 30-year-old Braison with ex-wife Tish Cyrus. They are also parents to 37-year-old stepdaughter Brandi and 35-year-old stepson Trace — both of whom the Hannah Montana alum adopted after marrying Tish — as well as 31-year-old daughter Miley and 25-year-old daughter Noah. He’s also Dad to 32-year-old son Christopher, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Kristin Luckey.
Trace recently spoke out about the country star, whose shaky, technical-difficulty-ridden performance at the president’s inauguration festivities made headlines. “The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life,” the former Metro Station guitarist wrote on Instagram Wednesday (Jan. 22). “Sadly, the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognize now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you.”
“Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you’ve pushed all of us away,” he continued. “We are all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew and hoping for the day he returns. You’re not healthy, Dad and everyone is noticing it.”
Billy Ray hasn’t commented on Trace’s words, but the “Old Town Road” artist did speak up after facing criticism for his Inauguration Day showcase. “I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not,” he wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday (Jan. 21). “I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me … I’ve learned through all these years when the producer says, ‘You’re on,’ you go entertain the folks even if the equipment goes to hell. I was there for the people and we had a blast. That’s called rock n roll!!!”
It’s late January, and Kane Brown is 21 days into crushing his New Year’s resolution — obliterating a long-held nicotine habit.
“Right now, I’m really going through it, because my New Year’s resolution was to stop nicotine, and I’ve been dipping since I was 18,” Brown tells Billboard. “So, 21 days without nicotine and it’s been kind of crazy, especially the last four or five days.”
In conversation, Brown sounds like a fighter in the thick of the battle, but also someone who knows he’s done hard things before.
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After all, this is an artist who overcame childhood hardships, numerous family moves and financial struggles prior to finding musical acclaim. A decade ago, he was working a job at FedEx and posting videos of cover songs on YouTube. He launched his musical career without the aid of a major Nashville label, funding his debut independent EP Closer with a Kickstarter campaign, then watching the album debut at No. 22 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
He quickly signed with Sony Music Nashville, and in 2017, became the first artist to simultaneously top all five of Billboard’s country charts. To date, the Neon Coast-managed Brown has earned 12 No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hits, became the first touring artist to play all 29 NBA arenas on a single tour. His boundary-less approach to his music has built a career that has resonated with audiences far beyond the confines of Nashville.
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Brown has often distilled his life story in his songs, such as “Learning,” from his full-length debut album, and his 2023 Country Airplay No. 1 “Thank God,” a romantic collaboration with his wife Katelyn. On his new, 18-song album The High Road, out today on Sony Music Nashville, the Georgia native offers a gripping look into his life now, both the high points and struggles, mixing feel-good songs such as the high-octane “Fiddle in the Band” and the sultry “Gorgeous,” with songs of deep resonance.
Perhaps chief among those songs is Brown’s duet with fellow genre-blurring singer-songwriter Jelly Roll, who joins him on “Haunted,” a song that addresses ongoing struggles with depression.
Of “Haunted,” he notes, “That song means more to me now than it ever has and it’s about to come out at the perfect time,” he says, adding that the support he’s received from Katelyn has been essential. “My wife has been amazing and she’s a hundred percent there for me,” he says, adding his hopes for anyone who hears “Haunted.” “I hope you have somebody like that in your life, and if you don’t, find something to take the depression off your mind, like video games or something like that.”
The song’s serious subject matter falls in line with Jelly Roll’s mission of supporting those who are incarcerated or hurting, a mission Brown supports. “Hanging with Jelly is fun, and you never know what he’s going to say — and I’m not a big talker, so it’s cool,” Brown says. “He’s funny and honestly just a comedian. I love what he’s doing. My dad’s been in prison since ’96, so everything Jelly has been doing with prisons, just going and giving them entertainment, kudos to him. He’s a great dude.”
Elsewhere on The High Road, Brad Paisley plays guitar on the traditional country-minded “Things We Quit,” which features a raw lyricism about pining for things that don’t serve a positive purpose.
As with his previous albums, The High Road reflects Brown’s ability to mirror his generation’s genre-fluid listening preferences, his songs fusing elements of country, rock, pop and dance. The album features six collaborations. He rejoins previous collaborators, teaming again with Khalid for “Rescue” and Marshmello for “Miles on It,” which reached No. 15 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and became the first song to hit the top five on both the Hot Country Songs chart and the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart (“Miles on It” spent 36 weeks at the latter chart’s pinnacle). “Miles on It” follows Brown’s previous hit Marshmello collaboration, “One Thing Right.”
“It has definitely surpassed my expectation, but I had a feeling it was going to be a bit song,” Brown said of “Miles on It.” “I remember getting offstage [after a show] and Mello calling me and saying, ‘You ready for part two?’ I listened to it like eight times and at first, I didn’t know, because it went against everything that I don’t like to sing about in country music, which is the trucks and tailgates and it had all those words in it. I’ve run away from those, usually. I showed it to my team and everyone loved it, so Marshmello came to Nashville, came to my house and worked on it in my studio. I’ve heard it everywhere—football games, random people working out to it—and it’s been fun to watch it [grow], especially across the world.”
Building on the success of their 2023 hit “Thank God,” Brown and Katelyn team up again on the smoldering R&B-inflected song “Body Talk” and “Do Us Apart.” Meanwhile, “Backseat Driver,” one of the few songs Brown himself didn’t write for the album, focuses on seeing life from a childlike perspective. Brown and his wife Katelyn are parents to three children, daughters Kingsley and Kodi, and their youngest child, son Krewe, born in June 2024.
Of his new role as a “boy dad,” Brown says, “I love my girls, but it’s just different being boy dad. With my girls, I’m like, ‘They’re so precious.’ Just this morning, seeing him in his little [rolling] chair going across the floor, I was like, ‘He’s fast. He’s going to be an athlete.’ It’s just different.”
He adds that his oldest daughter Kingsley seems to have picked up her parents’ musical inclinations.
“Kingsley can carry a tune. Kodi tries to do everything Kingsley does, but I think Kodi will be more an athlete. Kingsley’s taking piano lessons. If she sticks with it, I think she’s going to be a pretty good piano player.”
The closing song on the album, “When You Forget,” touches on facing another hard situation: helping a family member in their battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Brown wrote the song for his grandfather.
“It was a crappy thing to get told that my papa was forgetting things,” Brown says. “I remember calling my nana and just asking her everything I could about my papa. I wrote it all down and when I got in the writing room, I told the other writers about my memories of him. I remember getting teary-eyed while I was writing it, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to perform it without crying. But I’m excited for people to hear it and if they are going through it in their family, they can relate to it.”
He calls his grandfather “our family’s rock,” adding, “He made his own work on boats, like big ships to do the oil rigs. Any financial problems my family had, he had ‘em covered. There was never anything in my life that I could say my papa did wrong. Literally a gift from God. He was always on the move, cutting the grass or chopping wood. If I wanted to hang out with him, I was working. When he first taught me to drive, it was on the tractor or the lawnmower.”
Elsewhere, Brown reimagines the 2007 Sugarland song “Stay,” incorporating snipes of the song’s melody and lyrics into a composition he wrote with Gabe Foust and Jaxson Free (Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles also gets a writing credit on this track).
“That was my mom’s favorite song back in the day,” Brown says of the Sugarland original. “What’s funny is, the two writers I wrote with had not heard the Sugarland version before. I got this feeling like I’ll be showing another new generation this song, and then their parents will be like, ‘Oh, he took it from this song,’ and hopefully they will go back and discover the original ‘Stay,’ which I think is really cool.”
Brown will launch The High Road Tour in March and he’s laser-focused on elevating his live shows and crafting a setlist that envelops his new music alongside his canon of hits.
“Touring is my favorite part of the job,” he says. “We have band rehearsals coming up and I’m not normally part of the band rehearsal, but I’m going to go in and work on ideas that will make me love the show even more. Last year [on tour], we did a lot of up-tempo [songs]. This tour, I want that as well, but we have some really cool acoustic songs, like “When You Forget,” “Stay” and “Backseat Driver.” I think there’s cool stuff we could do with that.”
More than a decade into a career that has seen Brown achieve musical success on his own terms, the goals currently driving his work ethic and ambitions — both professional and personal — seem perhaps akin to those of the grandfather Brown so admires. “I just want to make it where [my family and my kids] have nothing to worry about,” he says. “When people ask about their dad in the future, hopefully someday they’ll say he’s a legend.”
J-Hope thrilled a crowd of 35,000 at Paris’ Le Gala des Piéces Jaunes at La Défense Arena charity gala on Thursday with a three-song set of his solo and group hits. The BTS singer performed at the show led by French First Lady Brigette Macron, who, according to a statement, specially requested he open the event.
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Dressed in billowing black cullotes, a pattered jacket and black leather gloves, the K-pop superstar took the stage after the audience chanted his name as he worked through a set of his solo songs “On the Street” — from 2024’s Hope on the Street Vol. 1 mini-LP — and “More” from his debut solo album, Jack in the Box, as well as the BTS classic “MIC Drop.” The latter two were re-arranged into orchestral pieces, “adding a layer of grandeur and intensity,” according to the statement.
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It noted that the high-point was an energetic run through “MIC Drop,” which reportedly caused the crowd’s energy to skyrocket “as they chanted the track’s official cheer in unison.”
“It’s been such a long time since I performed in Europe, and I’m so happy to have been invited to such a meaningful event,” J-Hope said in the statement. “I’ve once again realized how incredible it is to bring hope and comfort to people through music and dance. I’m beyond grateful to ARMY for their unwavering support, and I’d love to return to perform again whenever I get the chance.”
The show organized by the Opération Pièces Jaunes foundation — which is led by the First Lady, who also chairs the charity – was a fundraiser for hospitalized children and teenagers; the entire show, which also featured sets by Katy Perry, J Balvin, Burna Boy and John Legend, will be broadcast on France’s national channel, France 2, on Tuesday (Jan. 28).
It appeared that the performers were gifted with an oversized croissants, with Perry posting a series of photos and videos in which she cradled and crunched into the comically large pastry.
As BTS fans await the group’s expected return this year after all its members complete their mandatory South Korean military service, J-Hope recently teased “new music on the way” and announced the dates for his upcoming first-ever solo tour, Hope on the Stage, which will kick off in his native Seoul on Feb. 28.
Welcome to Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business.
We have compiled ways music companies are coming together to support those affected by the wildfires across Los Angeles, plus a running list of organizations offering relief for musicians and music industry professionals, as well as a tally of affected industry events. More coverage here.
There’s been a changing of the guard at Warner Music Hong Kong, where Robin Ch’i has taken over from longtime managing director Gordon Lee, who is retiring after two decades of leadership. He reports to Simon Robson, who oversees Warner Music Group’s APAC recorded business until a permanent leader is named. Ch’i has been with WMG for 15 years, most recently as director of A&R, brand and business. He previously worked at Warner Chappell Music, focusing on artist development and brand strategies. To land a smooth transition, Lee will support Ch’i until the end of March. Under Lee’s tenure, the company has become a major force in the Asian music industry, developing top artists like Janice Vidal, Khalil Fong and MC Cheung Tin-Fu, while achieving 2.5 times revenue growth in the past five years, the company said in its announcement this week. Robson praised Lee’s contributions and expressed confidence in Ch’i’s leadership, emphasizing WMHK’s commitment to supporting artists and driving innovation “in this dynamic industry.”
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“Music has always been a source of magic for me; it’s not just my career, but a passion that enriches my life,” said Lee, who said he personally chose Ch’i as his successor. “I’m grateful to everyone at Warner Music Group, especially my dedicated team, whose support has been invaluable. I also want to thank our artists for their trust, allowing us to help them realize their dreams.”
Meanwhile…
Sid Fohrman, a prominent music industry lawyer, joined Paul Hastings LLP in Los Angeles as a partner and chair of the firm’s music industry practice. Repeatedly recognized by Billboard in our Top Music Lawyers list — we are talkin’ six years running — Fohrman specializes in high-stakes music industry transactions, including catalog sales, music licensing and securitization. He also advises on emerging media business models, artificial intelligence, and global sponsorships. His clients include media companies, music labels, funds, talent, and entrepreneurs, with notable representations for Primary Wave, BMG Rights Management, Warner Music Group, TikTok and HYBE America. Previously leading Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s music and digital media practice, Fohrman enhances Paul Hastings’ entertainment and media platform, co-led by Erik Hyman and Ken Deutsch. Firm chair Frank Lopez praised Fohrman’s ability to handle complex transactions, “including in the dynamic music space” which he said “enhances our top-of-market capabilities for key players at the intersection of technology, media and entertainment.” Lopez added, “There are strong synergies between Sid’s practice and our roster of leading corporate clients as well as an evolving asset class for asset manager clients across many of our practices, including finance, M&A, private equity and funds, which will help us gain further market share.”
Joey Arbagey joined 19 Entertainment as the American Idol producer’s new executive vp of music, overseeing 19 Recordings, 19 Publishing and 19 Management. The music biz veteran is based in Los Angeles and will report to SPT nonfiction president, Eli Holzman, and EVP of production Rachel Dax. Arbagey was most recently the evp of A&R at Epic Records, where he played a pivotal role in the careers of artists including Camila Cabello, John K, Eddie Benjamin, Zara Larsson and AJ Mitchel, among others. During his lengthy tenure at Epic he worked closely with then-CEO L.A. Reid, overseeing a roster that included big names like Travis Scott, Meghan Trainor and Future. Earlier in his career, Arbagey worked in radio in San Francisco and later as vp of A&R at Arista Records and Island Def Jam Music Group. In 2007, he launched Near Records, later rebranded as Arbadel Productions, a consultancy, label, and production company. “We are so glad to bring Joey aboard as we work to evolve our music division to address the needs of artists in the music industry of today,” Holzman and Dax said. “His input will be invaluable as we continue to build the legacy of one of the most iconic institutions in music.”
Sony Music Publishing appointed Tatchara Longprasert as general manager of its new office in Thailand (SMP TH), making it the first international publisher with a dedicated local team in the country. Based in Bangkok, Longprasert will report to Carol Ng, president of Sony Music Publishing Asia. SMP TH aims to collaborate with Thai music industry stakeholders to foster international partnerships and develop opportunities for Thai composers and songwriters. Longprasert will focus on expanding SMP’s reach in Thailand’s growing music market. With over a decade of experience, Longprasert previously served as A&R Director at Sonray Music and held roles at Warner Music Thailand, BEC World PLC and S.M. Entertainment. Ng noted Thailand’s dynamic music scene, stating, “Thailand has a rich tapestry of sounds and stories. As Thai repertoire grows rapidly, more artists seek a dedicated music publishing partner with global networks and expertise. We look forward to supporting talented songwriters in SMP Thailand and sharing their work with the world.”
NASHVILLE NOTES: Kate Vastano joined Sound Talent Group‘s senior management team, focusing on maintaining its strong culture and aligning with future goals. An industry veteran, she brings expertise in recruiting, performance strategies and employee engagement. Vastano previously served as director of HR at The Agency Group and people operations manager at United Talent Agency … Shelby Paul, the director of communications at Big Machine Label Group, has left the company after nearly a decade. She began her journey with Big Machine in 2015 as an intern following her graduation from Central Michigan University and advanced to her director role in 2022. She’s reachable here … Alan Jackson appointed daughter Mattie Jackson as master blender for his Silverbelly whiskey. She has written two books about grief and hosts a podcast, In-Joy Life.
Mom+Pop Music co-owners Thaddeus Rudd and Michael Goldstone announced the launch of Pipes Music, a creative and digital agency that supports both signed and unsigned artists. Pipes offers content creation, social media strategy and management of select artist properties. Goldstone emphasized that Pipes helps artists streamline their creative process while maintaining their unique aesthetic across platforms. In a press release, Rudd highlighted the agency’s flexibility in supporting artistry. Additionally, Sullivan Brock leads the creative team, focusing on content shoots and live performance footage, while Emily Ferrell oversees user-generated content campaigns with assistance from Ella Parent and Shae Hicks. Pipes has successfully executed campaigns for artists like Maya Hawke and Magdalena Bay and is currently working with new Mom+Pop signing Chaparelle.
Cameron Kooklanfar is now an A&R manager at Prescription Songs, where since 2022 he has collaborated with artists such as Hayley May, Bantu, Shae Jacobs, Kevo, Dominique Sanders, Seb (1Mind) and Lourdiz. A standout achievement in the Angeleno’s career was organizing a songwriting camp with Insomniac, which resulted in the globally successful track “Sideways” by Gordo & Drake, co-produced by Bantu. Rhea Pasricha, Head of A&R, West Coast, commended Kooklanfar’s said Kooklanfar’s “tireless work ethic, knowledge across musical genres, and passion for identifying and nurturing the best talent makes him a great A&R.”
Concord elevated Megan Hall to senior vice president of business and legal affairs for Concord Music Publishing. Based in London, Hall will lead Concord’s UK legal team, oversee the global sub-publishing network, and manage the company’s relationship with digital licensing agent ICE. She’ll also work closely with svp Michelle Brown to support Concord’s songwriters on business affairs matters, while reporting to evp Duff Berschback. Hall brings over 20 years of legal expertise, with priors at DMH Stallard, Ministry of Sound and Sony Music Publishing. She joined Imagem Music in 2013 and transitioned to Concord following its acquisition of Imagem in 2017. Hall is also an active member of PRS’s Licensing Committee Advisory Group and the International Confederation of Music Publishers’ Legal Expert Group. Berschback praised Hall’s deep knowledge of the global music publishing environment, while chief publishing officer Jim Selby emphasized her strong connections. “As the Publishing division continues to grow globally, I know that Concord and the songwriters we represent will continue to be well served by Megan,” said Selby. “Her proficiency in legal matters and her deep roots in the music publishing community make her a great fit for this role.”
Phil Kano, a veteran rock promotion executive, has launched KILPHASO CONSULTING, focusing on promotion, marketing, and artist development. His first client is In De Goot Entertainment, where he will serve as an in-house consultant for projects involving Shinedown, Halestorm, Theory Of A Deadman, Black Stone Cherry, and Zero 9:36. Kano previously held the position of senior VP of rock promotion at Elektra Music Group and clocked over 25 years of experience with Roadrunner, Fueled By Ramen, Atlantic, 300 and Elektra, plus an early-career stint in RCA’s promo department. Phil can be reached here.
BOARD SHORTS: Cumulus Media appointed Steven M. Galbraith to its board of directors. A major shareholder of Cumulus, Galbraith brings extensive financial expertise, having held key roles at Kindred Capital Advisors, Herring Creek Capital, Maverick Capital, and Morgan Stanley. He has also taught securities analysis at Columbia University Business School and advised the Office of Financial Research. Beyond finance, Galbraith is active in non-profits, serving on boards for Tufts University, Success Academy Charter Schools and the National Constitution Center, and he holds positions on several corporate boards … The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) elected four new board members: Heather Cohen, Mike McVay, Sam Bush and Ernesto Mourelo. The LABF Executive Committee re-elected Gary Chapman, Mary Collins, Jack Goodman, David Kennedy, and Ginny Hubbard for two-year terms, with Dave “Chachi” Denes joining the committee. Additionally, the LABF Board elected Heather Birks, Mike Carter, Chandra Clark, Harry Jessell, Deborah Parenti, Walter Podrazik, Dan Spears, John Taylor, Joyce Tudryn, and Dennis Wharton to new three-year terms.
Collin Citron, a seasoned music publicist, joined 2b Entertainment, the PR team led by Bobbie Gale and Luke Burland in Los Angeles. Previously, Citron was senior director of publicity at Elektra Records since 2018, where he managed national publicity campaigns for artists like Bailey Zimmerman, Panic! At The Disco, All Time Low, NEEDTOBREATHE and Fitz and The Tantrums. This new role marks a return for Citron, who began his career in 2014 with BB GUN Press, which merged with MixedMediaWorks in 2023 to form 2b Entertainment.
The New York Convention Center Operating Cooperation announced Joyce Leveston as the new CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, effective March 10. Leveston, who brings over 30 years of industry experience, was previously the senior vp of convention centers at Oak View Group, overseeing 60-plus convention and conference centers in the company’s OVG360 portfolio. She has held senior roles at major convention centers across the U.S. and managed high-profile events like the Super Bowl fan fests and presidential inaugural balls. Hugh Carey, vice chair of NYCCOC, praised Leveston’s vision and passion, adding, “her leadership will not only inspire our team but will also enhance the experience for all who walk through our doors.”
ASM Global promoted Ryan Golden to GM of Pechanga Arena San Diego, a 14,000-capacity venue. Golden will oversee all aspects of daily operations, including purchasing, booking, marketing, finance, human resources, food and beverage, box office, production, maintenance, parking, security and emergency management. Golden has been with Pechanga Arena for four years as assistant GM to outgoing GM Steve Eckerson, who will transition to a part-time advisory role. Prior to joining ASM Global, Golden’s experience included a vp of events role for AEG’s Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE.
ICYMI:
Manu Ferradas
BMG named Johannes von Schwarzkopf as chief strategy officer and executive board member, overseeing global strategy, M&A and global licensing and synch operations at the Berlin-based music giant … Longtime rock and punk promoter John Reese and author Craig Duswalt joined forces to launch the Disrupt Artist Management Network (DAMN!) … and Manuela Ferradas joined SiriusXM in a senior role to oversee the Latin artist and industry relations team for SiriusXM and Pandora.
Last Week’s Turntable: Concord Forms New Digital Division
Current Grammy nominees Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, and Teddy Swims are the first performers announced for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Additional performers will be announced in the coming days. Live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and hosted by Trevor Noah, the show will be […]
For half a century, it has been one of the most coveted, sought-after gigs in music. Performing two music numbers on Saturday Night Live is a rite of passage, a gig that has drawn legends (Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, John Prine, Paul Simon), rebels who took the opportunity to make some noise (Elvis Costello, Rage Against the Machine, Sinead O’Connor) and just about every pop star known to man (Eminem, Destiny’s Child/Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson).
It’s all covered in obsessive detail in the upcoming anniversary doc, Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music, one of a barrage of specials and look-backs celebrating the pioneering sketch show’s storied history. The first trailer for the doc co-directed by Roots drummer Questlove teases behind-the-scenes footage and stories, interviews with famous performers and a dive into some of the show’s headline-making musical moments.
It opens with a montage of guest hosts uttering the iconic “ladies and gentlemen” intro, including Steve Carrell, George Clooney, Madonna, Quentin Tarantino, Sydney Sweeney, Travis Kelce, Ariana Grande, Timothée Chalamet and Chris Rock, among many others.
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Over glimpses of performances by the Grateful Dead, Wonder, James Brown, Lauryn Hill and Bruce Springsteen, Rage guitarist Tom Morello says that SNL has served as a “time capsule through the decades for America.” Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl adds, “for me it was the most iconic American show of all time” alongside adorably awkward footage of his younger self with his Nirvana bandmates making nice with host NBA legend Charles Barkley.
Dua Lipa talks about the pressure of not knowing what will happen on the show that notoriously switches things up until the moment cameras click on, with Cyrus hinting at the precarious nature of live TV, calling it “the tightrope walk… they wanna see you dangle, they don’t wanna see you fall.” Jagger chronicles running from a sketch to the stage to perform, “covered in sweat” amid sprints to quick-change between commericals.
Cast members from throughout the years also talk about the landmark early TV slots of hip-hop legends The Funky 4 Plus One More, Run-DMC and Tupac Shakur, as well as moments when acts such as Rage and Costello “went rogue” with envelope-pushing performances. It also promises to unpack one of the most controversial sets in SNL history: O’Connor’s infamous 1992 shocker when she did a cover of Bob Marley’s “War” before holding up a picture of the Pope and tearing it to pieces as she said “fight the real enemy.”
Along the way, there are stops at the legendary studio-trashing tornado unleashed by John Belushi favorites hardcore punk madmen Fear, as well as Ashley Simpson’s 2004 lip synch fiasco.
Among the other talking heads in the film are: Justin Timberlake, Paul Shaffer, Jimmy Fallon, Eddie Murphy, Olivia Rodrigo, Jack White, Kacy Musgraves, Conan O’Brien, Billie Eilish and Finneas, Andy Samberg, Chris Stapleton, Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, Bad Bunny and many former and current cast members.
The three-hour doc co-directed by Oz Rodriguez and Questlove will air on NBC on Jan. 27 and stream on Peacock the next day.
Watch the 50 Years of SNL Music trailer below.
Morgan Wallen is planning both new music and a new tour for 2025.
Right now, all he’s saying about the new album, his fourth, is the title, I’m The Problem. No word on the album release date, but the title track, written by Wallen, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Grady Block and Jamie McLaughlin, will come out next Friday (Jan. 31).
That’s the same day that the general on-sale begins for tickets for the corresponding I’m the Problem tour (the artist pre-sale, which fans can sign up for starting Jan. 28, begins Jan. 30.)
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The 19-date North American stadium tour will begin June 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, roughly a month after his new Sand in My Boots Festival in Gulf Shore, Alabama May 16-18.
The stadium tour will stop in 10 cities, playing two nights in each, except for Madison, Wisconsin, where, as of now, only one date is planned. Rotating direct support includes Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel, with opening acts including Gavin Adcock, Corey Kent, Ella Langley and Anne Wilson. Wallen is booked by The Neal Agency.
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“We made so many lifelong memories on the One Night at A Time World Tour, and I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for my fans and the way they showed up each night,” reflects Wallen. “As I’ve been working on new music, it has inspired me to get back on the road and share these new songs with each of you on the I’m The Problem Tour. See y’all there.”
The 87-date One Night at A Time World Tour grossed more than $300 million, making it the top-grossing country tour even, according to Billboard Boxscore.
Additionally, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album and One Thing At A Time, landed No. 1 and No. 6 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums of the 21st Century, respectively.
A portion of every ticket sold for the benefits the Morgan Wallen Foundation, which supports programs for youth with a focus on sports and music I’m the Problem tour.
Morgan Wallen 2025 I’m The Problem Tour Dates:June 20 // NRG Stadium // Houston, TX w/ Corey Kent and Koe WetzelJune 21 // NRG Stadium // Houston, TX w/ Corey Kent and Koe WetzelJune 28 // Camp Randall Stadium // Madison, WI w/ Ella Langley and Miranda LambertJuly 11 // Hard Rock Stadium // Miami Gardens, FL w/ Gavin Adcock and Miranda LambertJuly 12 // Hard Rock Stadium // Miami Gardens, FL w/ Gavin Adcock and Brooks & DunnJuly 18 // State Farm Stadium // Glendale, AZ w/ Ella Langley and Miranda LambertJuly 19 // State Farm Stadium // Glendale, AZ w/ Ella Langley and Brooks & DunnJuly 25 // Lumen Field // Seattle, WA w/ Anne Wilson and Miranda LambertJuly 26 // Lumen Field // Seattle, WA w/ Anne Wilson and Brooks & DunnAug 1 // Levi’s Stadium // Santa Clara, CA w/ Anne Wilson and Miranda LambertAug 2 // Levi’s Stadium // Santa Clara, CA w/ Anne Wilson and Brooks & DunnAug 15 // Huntington Bank Field // Cleveland, OH w/ Ella Langley and Miranda LambertAug 16 // Huntington Bank Field // Cleveland, OH w/ Ella Langley and Thomas RhettAug 22 // Gillette Stadium // Foxborough, MA w/ Corey Kent and Miranda LambertAug 23 // Gillette Stadium // Foxborough, MA w/ Corey Kent and Miranda LambertSep 4 // Rogers Centre // Toronto, ON w/ Gavin Adcock and Miranda LambertSep 5 // Rogers Centre // Toronto, ON w/ Gavin Adcock and Brooks & DunnSep 12 // Commonwealth Stadium // Edmonton, AB w/ Ella Langley and Miranda LambertSep 13 // Commonwealth Stadium // Edmonton, AB w/ Ella Langley and Brooks & Dunn
The gripping story of 1960s/early 70s musical supernova Sylvester Stewart, better known as Sly Stone, will unfold in the upcoming musical doc Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius). The first, heady trailer for the eagerly anticipated film directed by Roots drummer Questlove dropped on Thursday night (Jan. 23) and it promises to unpack the unbelievable highs, and shocking lows of the once-in-a-generation talent behind Sly and the Family Stone.
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The first look at the film that will begin streaming on Hulu on Feb. 13 hints at the too-much-too-soon supernova ride taken by Stone and his then-pioneering multi-racial band, who burst onto the scene in 1968 with their first hit, “Dance to the Music,” before becoming household names thanks to 1969 No. 1 hit “Everyday People.” The group that preached unity and brotherhood went on to score a number of other indelible Billboard Hot 100 top 10s, including “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Dance to the Music,” and No. 1 smashes “Family Affair” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again).”
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The two-minute trailer opens with Quest asking OutKast’s André 3000 if he believes in the concept of musical genius over footage of Stone in his musical heyday, owning the stage with his hyperkinetic moves, peacocking costumes, oversized shades and voluminous afro. A larger-than-life figure whose message of peace and unity was custom-built for the late 1960s age of Aquarius, Stone broke all the rules and inspired generations of Black (and white) musicians to come, as attested to by the film’s A-list line-up of talking heads.
Proof of that legacy comes with D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Terry Lewis and Living Colour’s Vernon Reid attesting to the Family Stone’s massive popularity at the time over footage of the group rocking the stage.
“Sly created this unique space,” says Q-Tip, with P-Funk icon Clinton noting that at that time a group with a “mixed” line-up of men and women, white and Black, was a new thing. “They sounded like nothing else sounds,” says producer Jimmy Jam of the group’s uplifting, life-affirming mix of soul, pop, R&B, funk and gospel on records such as “I Want to Take You Higher” and “If Want Me to Stay” at a time when the country was riven by division over the Vietnam War.
The film mixes in archival footage of the enigmatic singer and new interviews with Nile Rodgers, P-Funk singer Ruth Copeland and music industry icon Clive Davis, as well as Family Stone members Larry Graham Jr., Jerry Martini and Greg Errico. In addition to introducing a new generation to Stone’s music, it also seeks to understand the pressure put on Black geniuses by society’s expectations, and how that spotlight can sometimes lead, as in Stone’s case, to destructive results. Or as Stone says, “at the time… it was almost too much all at once.”
The preview makes it clear that Quest will delve into the “anxiety, the pressure, the drug use,” the latter a nod to Stone’s long struggle with mental health issues and substance use, which led to cancelled concerts, arrests and the bitter dissolution of the band whose public calling card was unity.
“If you’ve been on this heightened, explosive life… your body has taken in so much energy and you’ve given out so much energy and you stop… where’s that energy go?,” wonders André 3000 about the rocket ride to the top and nearly as rapid descent into chaos experienced by Stone.
A description of the film that premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday night promises that it, “examines the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sly Stone… [capturing] the band’s rise, reign and subsequent fadeout while shedding light on the unseen burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.”
It is the follow-up to Quest’s Oscar-winning 2021 Summer of Soul doc about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival (aka “Black Woodstock”).
Watch the Sly Lives! trailer below.
Teddy Swims has just unveiled the second instalment of his debut album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), released today (Jan. 24).
The 13-track album showcases standout collaborations, including “Are You Even Real” featuring GIVĒON and “Black & White” with Muni Long, along with”She Got It,” which unites Coco Jones and GloRilla.
The release arrives as Swims continues to ride the wave of his monumental success with “Lose Control,” the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping hit that saw his breakthrough. In March 2024, “Lose Control” climbed to the No. 1 spot after a record-breaking 32 weeks, marking the longest ascent to the summit by a solo male artist in the chart’s 65-year history.
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The track spent an impressive 48 non-consecutive weeks in the Hot 100’s top 10 and was crowned Billboard’s No. 1 song of 2024.
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Swims’ debut studio album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1), released in September 2023, furthered his global presence. The album charted in multiple countries, achieving top 10 positions in Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Australia, among others, and earned Gold certifications in the U.S., U.K., and several other regions.
In a recent interview with People, Swims revealed how his personal life has influenced the album, particularly his single “Bad Dreams.” He shared that the track was inspired by his partner, Raiche Wright, and her ability to help him navigate restless nights.
“I wake up sometimes every 30 minutes, and she’s been so wonderful and such a holistic person about, ‘Here, take some magnesium or take some of this and that,’” he said.
“It has just really helped me… regulating my little nervous system.” The release comes during a milestone moment for the singer, who recently announced that he and Raiche are expecting their first child together.
Stream I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) below.
Gracie Abrams is back on top. Her sophomore album, The Secret Of Us, has reclaimed the No. 1 spot—leaping from No. 6—on the ARIA Albums Chart for the week of Jan. 20, fueled by the release of its deluxe edition on vinyl.
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The record previously hit No. 1 in July 2024 and has continued to be a favourite with fans since its release. Abrams’ first album, Good Riddance, peaked at No. 30 in 2023, making her latest success a milestone in her career.
Sydneysiders Dear Seattle celebrated their highest-ever chart debut as their third album, TOY, entered at No. 4. This marks the band’s first time in the top 10, surpassing their prior records: Don’t Let Go peaked at No. 45 in 2019, and Someday climbed to No. 31 in 2022.
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Meanwhile, Robbie Williams made a strong debut at No. 5 with the soundtrack to Better Man, his biopic. The album features 13 tracks, including re-recordings and fresh cuts, contributing to Williams’ 15th top 10 solo album in Australia. Williams has previously claimed five No. 1 albums in the country, with Greatest Hits (2004), Intensive Care (2005), Rudebox (2006), Reality Killed the Video Star (2009), and The Christmas Present (2019). The biopic has also sparked renewed interest in Williams’ extensive catalog, with fans revisiting his biggest hits.
Mac Miller also returned to the ARIA chart with Balloonerism, debuting at No. 12. The posthumous release features collaborations with SZA and his alter ego Delusional Thomas, showcasing tracks recorded in 2014. It’s Miller’s third top 10 album in Australia, following Swimming (No. 7, 2018) and Circles (No. 3, 2020).
Meanwhile, Luke Combs’ upcoming Australian tour, which kicks off in Brisbane on Jan. 24, has also propelled his albums back up the ARIA chart. His 2017 debut album, This One’s For You, rises from No. 11 to No. 8 (it previously peaked at No. 7 in 2019 and again in 2022), whileFathers & Sons leaps from No. 77 to No. 20, continuing its impressive run after peaking at No. 3 last year.
On the ARIA Singles Chart, Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” extended its reign at No. 1 for an 11th non-consecutive week, becoming the longest-running chart-topper since Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” in 2023. Abrams also continues to dominate the singles chart, with her track “That’s So True” holding steady in No. 2.
For all the latest chart updates, visit the ARIA Charts.