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Drake made Justin Bieber’s hotline bling, but there was no reply. The 6 God is claiming that Biebs didn’t respond to his message regarding a potential collaboration on Instagram over the weekend. Drizzy dropped a comment in Bieber’s Instagram post on Sunday (April 6), which saw the “Baby” singer asking his peers to shoot him […]
SXSW London announced the initial batch of showcasing performers for the first-ever U.K. edition of the iconic music festival on Monday morning (April 7). Taking place from June 2-7 in Shoredictch, U.K., the event will feature sets from Mabel, Alice Glass, Sasha Keable, Miraa May and NAO, who will take the stage at more than a dozen venues, including Shoreditch Town Hall, Notion, Soul Surge, The Blues Project, Village Underground, Strongroom Bar, 93 Feet East, XOYO, Brick Lane Tap House, Colours, Juju’s and Jaguar Shoes, among others.
Among the other 100 Afrobeats, dancehall, blues, drill, drum & bass, dub, electronic, folk, funk, grime, hip-hip, jazz, metal, rock and soul acts from around the world slated to perform are: Aja Ireland, Ace Clvrk, Anthonia, Balter, Bemz, Benefits, Bison Rogue, Caleb Kunle, Cheb Mimo, Clara Serra Lopez, Coco & Breezy, Demae, Emmeline, Freddie Lewis, Gender Crisis, Gia Ford, Heartworms, Hiba, Hot Face, Hunnid22, Joejas, Kanis, Last Nubian, Lostchild, Mace the Great, Myylo, Nicole Blakk Sola Akingbola, The Deep, TwstXav and Zems, among many others.
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In addition to the traditional mix of music from all over the world offered at the annual fest in Austin, TX, the first-ever U.K. edition will feature conference programming covering the intersection of AI technology and human creativity and the crafting of branded product experiences, as well as the SXSW London Screen Festival, with appearances from actress Gillian Anderson and screenings of upcoming films and TV series.
Among the other musical acts slated to perform at the event that will feature such themes as “Diasporic Electronica,” “Independent Spirit” and “Future Sounds” are: Blasé, Cooper T, Deca Ota, El Combo De London, Gbrl Prkfv Ensemble, Ivy Lab, Jaz Elise, Korda Korder, Lewis G Burton, Majur, Mayelli, Micromoon, Montanera, Polldarier, Ras-I, Sarah Angel, Sean Focus, Tatyana, SophieGrey and Werkha, among others.
“One of the things I love most about London is that you can step out of any tube station and find yourself in a distinct community,” said SXSW London head of music Adem Holness in a statement. “That’s exactly how I want our festival to feel — each of our music venues will be a gateway into a different international new music scene. We’re collaborating with the most exciting pioneers in underground music movements to present the future of music from their unique perspectives, and I’m beyond excited by the artists they’ve chosen to platform.”
Three-day passes are available now here, with music wristbands slated to go on sale on April 14.
Billboard’s parent company PMC is the largest shareholder of SXSW and its brands are official media partners of SXSW.
Even at the young age of 26 years old, Clairo has done a lot of reflecting on her own life. And now, she’s revealing why she’s kept a “huge” part of it largely undefined. In a new cover story for Seventeen, the “Sexy to Someone” singer explained why she prefers not to put a label […]
“I’m working late, ’cause I’m a singer,” Sabrina Carpenter croons on “Espresso.” And with an avatar of the pop star coming to Fortnite Festival, fans can now experience what that’s like, too. As announced Monday (April 7), Carpenter is the game’s icon for season eight — which starts April 8 — meaning players can virtually […]
Jennifer Lopez is hitting the road this year, making her first official stop in Spain. Jenny from the Block announced dates to her Up All Night Live in 2025 stint on Monday (April 7), teasing an electrifying show during which she’ll be performing some of the biggest hits of her career. “To all my international […]
Founding Blondie drummer Clem Burke died on Sunday (April 6) at age 70. The group announced the passing of their longtime bandmate on Monday morning (April 7), writing, “it is with profound sadness that we relay the news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Clem Burke following a private battle with cancer.”
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The statement continued: “Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy, and passion for music was unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable. Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Burke (born Clement Anthony Bozewski in Bayonne, N.J. on Nov. 24, 1954) joined punk/new wave pioneers Blondie in 1975, not long after the group was formed by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein.
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Burke performed on all of Blondie’s albums, from their 1976 self-titled debut, to their breakthrough 1978 LP Parallel Lines (which featured their Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Heart of Glass”), 1979’s Eat to the Beat and 1980’s Autoamerican. He was behind the kit during a pivotal, world-changing time in mid-1970s New York when Blondie, along with The Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads and Television, were regularly playing in such legendary bars as CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, setting the stage for the punk revolution in America, and across the world.
Following their string of hit albums, the band announced their split in late 1982 before getting the original members back together for a brief 1997 tour and then a world jaunt the next year and a new album, No Exit, in 1999. The group’s eighth studio album, The Curse of Blondie, dropped in 2003, followed by more touring and 2014’s Ghosts of Download album and their final known recorded set with Burke, 2017’s Pollinator LP.
With an exuberant, high-energy style influenced by the Who’s Keith Moon and Beatles’ Ringo Starr — he played left-handed on a right-handed kit just like Ringo — Burke told Tidal in 2022 that he never thought of his day job as work. “Especially when I do things with my friends and my little side projects that I have with various bands,” he said. “With drumming, you kind of have to keep doing it. You don’t really wanna lose your chops. You wanna be prepared to play when you have to play. So it works both ways. I help people out by playing with them, and they help me to keep my abilities together.”
He also noted in that interview that the thing that initially attracted him to Stein and Harry was that he was on a quest to find his David Bowie, Jim Morrison or Mick Jagger. “I was emphatic about that. I needed to work with people that I felt had that sort of charisma and creativity,” he said. “Debbie was amazing. You could sense that immediately. And I’m not talking about just her beauty. I’m just talking about her whole essence as a human being, as a person. I would put her on the same level as Bowie, as far as the things that she comes up with creatively.”
After Blondie’s split in 1982, Burke stayed very busy performing and recording with a wide variety of bands, including the Romantics, Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop, Plimsouls, Bob Dylan, the Eurythmics, Joan Jett, Wanda Jackson, Dramarama, Nancy Sinatra and Johnny Thunders. He even briefly filled in for a couple of gigs in 1987 for his pals in the Ramones under the stage name Elvis Ramone. During his eight-year (1980-1988) run with the Eurythmics, Burke performed on three albums with the group, including on their 1986 Grammy winning single “Missionary Man.”
He also teamed up in 1983 with another ’80s punk icon, former (and again) Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, to form the group Chequered Past with vocalist Michael Des Barres and bassist Tony Sales and former Blondie bassist Nigel Harrison. In keeping with his indefatigable work ethic and affection for fellow punk-era players, Burke formed another all-star group in 2011, the International Swingers, which featured another Sex Pistols refugee, bassist Glen Matlock, as well as Generation X guitarist James Stevenson and Supernaut singer Gary Twinn.
Burke is featured on all of the Blondie’s No. 1 hits, which also included “Call Me,” “The Tide Is High” and “Rapture,” providing whatever the songs needed, from funky disco-leaning rhythms to reggae, funk and pop beats. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside bandmates Harry, Stein, founding keyboardist Jimmy Destri and bassist Gary Valentine and guitarist Frank Infante.
In their tribute to their lost friend, Blondie honored Burke’s many side gigs, writing, “Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie. A self proclaimed ‘Rock & Roll survivalist,’ he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists, including Eurythmics, Ramones, Bob Dylan, Bob Geldof, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Chequered Past, The Fleshtones, The Romantics, Dramarama, The Adult Net, The Split Squad, The International Swingers, L.A.M.F., Empty Hearts, Slinky Vagabond, and even the Go-Go’s. His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of.”
The message ended with condolences for Burke’s family, friends and fans across the world. “His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched,” Blondie said.
See Blondie’s post here and check out some of the classic tunes Burke played on below.
https://bsky.app/profile/blondieband.bsky.social/post/3lm7zdctjts2x
Duos lead this week’s crop of new music. Brothers Osborne returns with a hard-driving, barroom-ready new track, while another brother duo, Band Reeves, melds country and pop with a faith-leaning message. Duo the Band Loula brings a haunting song of shattering norms in favor of one’s own freedom and redemption. Bluegrass group Sister Sadie opens up about bringing an end to generational trauma with its devastatingly vulnerable new release, while Cody Jinks returns with a blistering indictment against devious people.
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Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below.
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Brothers Osborne, “Finish This Drink”
Sibling duo Brothers Osborne return with their first new music since its EP Break Mine, and with the hard-charging “Finish This Drink,” the bros are determined to keep the good times happening all the way ’til last call — and likely beyond. Written by TJ Osborne and Alysa Vanderheym, with production from TJ and John Osborne, the song is a sonic slab of vibrant, rock-tilted country, spurred by John’s blazing guitar work and TJ’s booming vocal.
Sister Sadie, “Let the Circle Be Broken”
This all-women bluegrass group serves up a haunting yet hopeful message about finding the courage to sever cycles of generational anguish, to halt the tide of trauma. “It didn’t start with me but this is where it stops,” sings Sister Sadie member Deanie Richardson, who wrote this deeply resonant song with Erin Enderlin and Dani Flowers. Fiddle plays an inspirational melody, while the members of Sister Sadie join their voices in haunting harmony. Essential listening from one of bluegrass music’s most-lauded groups.
The Band Loula, “Running Off the Angels”
This Georgia duo, featuring Malachi Mills and Logan Simmons, blend sabulous, soulful vocals with a story of finding grace and redemption far away from Sunday morning church pews. They first gave a preview of the song last year, but with its full-fledged release, fusions of organ, bass, fiddle and dobro heighten the dramatic, southern gothic feel. An immensely promising release from this duo.
Cody Jinks, “Snake Bit”
The longtime Texas stalwart Jinks follows his recent releases “Put the Whiskey Down” and “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)” with this new track, which finds him boldly calling out the deception of “snakes in the grass” in his life (a concurrent Instagram post from Jinks stated that the song was aimed at unscrupulous music industry types). The song brims with defiance, melded with Jinks’s classic country-rock instrumentation and the burly, world-weary vocal that has become his calling card.
Band Reeves, “Outrun You”
This brother duo blends country, pop and CCM on its debut single for this airy track with a heartfelt message, chronicling band member Jeramy Reeves’s own faith journey. The song’s polished, twangy vibe, closeknit sibling harmonies give it a resonant, relatable feel, while still keeping the song’s hopeful message at the fore. Written by Band Reeves’ Jeramy and Cody Reeves, along with co-writer and producer Jeff Pardo, this is a promising introduction to this new talent.
One year after J. Cole rocked the hip-hop world by apologizing and pulling out of the somehow still-unfurling Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef, the Grammy-winning rapper’s Dreamville Festival graced North Carolina for its fifth and final (sort of) edition from April 5-6 in Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park. The Thursday preceding the festival (April 3), via a press conference, the city’s festival organizers revealed that Dreamville Fest will return in the future under a new iteration, still in close collaboration with Cole.
Despite the surprising update, this year’s Dreamville Fest comfortably sat in a feeling of finality. The two-day festival’s star-studded lineup featured 21 Savage, Partynextdoor and Lil Wayne (with Hot Boys and Big Tymers) on Saturday (Apr. 5), and Cole, Tems and Erykah Badu on Sunday (Apr. 6). Additional performers included Keyshia Cole, Ab-Soul, Young Nudy, Chief Keef, Ari Lennox, Lute, Omen, Kai Ca$h & Niko Brim, Bas, Ludacris, Coco Jones, GloRilla, Wale, BigXthaPlug, JID, Anycia, Earthgang, Cozz and Akia.
With a general ambiance akin to a younger relative of Roots Picnic, Dreamville Fest 2025 offered attendees a strong selection of hip-hop and R&B’s biggest names peppered with the label’s own robust talent. Bas and Lute were two Dreamville stars who held it down for the whole team on Saturday, delivering equally poignant and high-energy sets that celebrated Dreamville’s history and legacy. On the festival’s first day, Chief Keef gave fans a fine set bookmarked by classics like “Faneto” and “I Don’t Like,” Kai Ca$h & Niko Brim won over new fans with their barred-up set, and Ludacris fired off several of his generation-bridging classes, managing to get the “Move B—h” hook to echo across the park. Keyshia Cole threw it back to 2005 with a special set celebrating her The Way It Is album, which housed massive sing-along hits like “Love” and “I Should’ve Cheated.” With choreography and costumes (for the backup dancers) straight out of the early ’00s, the R&B icon’s set was a beautiful celebratory moment for an incredibly impactful LP — despite her spotty vocal performance.
Before Lil Wayne rocked the stage, Partynextdoor played his most recent tour set, sprinkled with three cuts from his Billboard 200-topping Drake collab album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U — “Somebody Loves Me,” Drake’s “Nokia” and his own “Deeper” — none of which he actually sang. Instead, the DJ played the studio tracks, with the crowd singing along to a few particularly viral lines.
On Sunday, R&B newcomer Akia impressed with a set that included cuts from her newly-released debut EP (“Nobody”) and covers of ’00s R&B hits (Destiny’s Child’s “Cater 2 U”). “Back Outside” rapper Anycia only performed the first 30 seconds of her biggest hit — because she was going over her set time — but she still delivered one of the fest’s more enjoyable sets, anchored by bubbling hits like “Never Need” and her own irresistible charisma. At one point, the ATL rapper cracked that she could see the “reflection of her a–” in the seemingly crystal-clear skin of one particular audience member. GloRrilla and JID each mounted high-octane sets, while BigXthaPlug’s latest country crossover offering — the Bailey Zimmerman-assisted “All The Way” — landed favorably with the N.C. crowd.
Here are the seven best moments of Dreamville Fest 2025.
Coco Jones Cooks Up Some Heat
Superstar Rauw Alejandro kicked off his highly anticipated Cosa Nuestra World Tour in Seattle on April 5. Produced by Live Nation, the Broadway-inspired set — a nod to Rauw’s new musical era that symbolizes elegance, maturity and glamour — took place at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. With a live band in tow, marking the artist’s […]
Even though her career kicked off with a Hi-NRG bang 37 years ago when her cover of “The Loco-Motion” hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, Kylie Minogue achieved a historic first over the weekend. On Friday (April 4), she headlined New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden venue for the first time. (She […]