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HYBE has disclosed the sale of its remaining 9.38% stake in rival SM Entertainment to Tencent Music Entertainment (TME), a subsidiary of Chinese tech giant Tencent. The deal, valued at approximately 243.35 billion South Korean won (approximately $177 million), involves the transfer of 2.21 million shares at 110,000 won per share and is set to close on May 30, according to a new regulatory filing.
This transaction marks HYBEâs complete exit from SM Entertainment, a powerhouse K-pop agency behind acts like EXO, aespa and NCT 127.
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HYBE initially entered SME in 2023, acquiring a 14.8% stake from founder Lee Soo Man and later raising its holding to 15.78% through a failed takeover bid, ultimately losing out to Kakao, which now holds a 40.28% stake. After reducing its stake to 9.38% in May 2024, HYBE has now sold its remaining shares.Â
Why get out of the SME business? HYBE said on Tuesday that it has âdivested noncore assets as part of a choice and concentration strategyâ and that âsecured funds will be used to secure future growth engines.â
TMEâs acquisition makes it the second-largest shareholder in SME, behind Kakao. It operates leading Chinese music platforms such as QQ Music and Kugou Music and has existing ties to K-pop through partnerships with HYBE and others. TME also holds minority stakes in YG Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment, signaling its broader strategy to expand influence in the global K-pop landscape.
For SME, the deal could strengthen its reach in the Chinese market and enhance its digital distribution, artist promotion and content collaborations through Tencentâs various platforms. SME is coming off a strong Q1, with revenue up 5.2% year-over-year, driven by strong growth in concerts and recorded music. Concert revenue surged 58% thanks to tours by NCT 127, aespa and others, and recorded music rose 23.1%, led by Hearts2Heartsâ debut.
The acquisition reflects TMEâs ongoing investment in Korean assets and sets the stage for deeper cross-border collaboration in music and media. It also marks the latest shift in the balance of power within the K-pop industry, highlighting the growing influence of Chinese tech giants in South Koreaâs entertainment sector.Â
Meanwhile, HYBE is repositioning itself for future expansion, using the proceeds from this sale to invest in new ventures. The company continues to grow globally with its roster of artists including BTS, NewJeans and SEVENTEEN, and remains focused on developing next-gen platforms and talent. In the first quarter, HYBE reported strong financial performance despite a 5.9% drop in recorded music revenue. Total revenue rose 38.7% year-over-year, driven by a 252% surge in concert revenue and a 75.2% increase in merch and licensing. HYBE also expanded into Latin America with festivals and a music competition show.
Sabrina Carpenter might be a pro at dominating stages in the real world, but now sheâs set her eyes on the world of Fortnite, teaming up for their newly announced Dance With Sabrina Jam Stage Experience.
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Carpenter was initially welcomed into the Fortnite universe in early April, joining in for the festivities of Fortnite Festival season eight. Her involvement has already resulted in a handful of her tracks being made available as part of the Season 8 Music Pass, with her outfits and instruments also being offered up to those who like their gameplay Short nâ Sweet.
Now, sheâs expanding her virtual reach even further, with Carpenter inviting fans to jump onstage as she takes over the Festival Jam Stage. The newly announced Dance With Sabrina interactive music experience will be running continuously from Friday, May 30, at 3 p.m. ET until Monday, June 16, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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Dance With Sabrina will see players invited to take part in her vibrant and critically acclaimed live show. Players are able to test their rhythm as they match to the beat of Sabrinaâs 2024 Pop Airplay-topping singles âBad Chemâ and âEspressoâ as they fill their heart meter.
Those with the highest heart meter by the songâs end will be able to contribute to the gig as Dance Leader, Special Effects Pro or Video Artist for the next song. The skilled players who manage to match the most beats for the whole shot will ultimately be able to appear side-by-side with Sabrina in the finale snapshot.
âArtists come to Fortnite to connect with their fans and create in-game music experiences that are authentic to their music and style,â said Emily Levy, Director of Music, Talent & Influencer at Epic Games, in a statement. âWhen Sabrina came to Fortnite, we saw seas of Sabrina Carpenter Outfits populate matches and perform synchronized Dance Emotes, so we knew we had to celebrate this season with an epic dance party inspired by our players and their incredible energy.â
Alongside the newly announced experience, Fortnite have also dropped some further good news for fans of Carpenter, with her âBad Chemâ Jam Track and âBad Chemâ Emote set to be available in the âBad Chemâ Bundle when it arrives in the Fortnite Shop on Thursday, May 29, at 8 p.m. ET.
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Universal Music Group (UMG) is facing legal action from Lil Wayneâs producer, Darius âDeezleâ Harrison.
The producer claims UMG owes him $3 million in unpaid royalties for his work on Wayneâs 2008 album Tha Carter III. Harrison alleges that his contract with Cash Money Records entitled him to a 4% royalty rate for each track he produced on the album, which includes the hit single âLollipopâ. He further contends that a separate agreement for his contributions to Birdmanâs 2005 album âFast Moneyâ entitles him to an additional 3% royalty rate.
This lawsuit follows a previous legal dispute Harrison had in 2011 with Lil Wayne, Cash Money, and Young Money over similar royalty issues, which was settled confidentially. Harrison asserts that after the settlement, he began receiving royalty payments from UMG in 2012, but those payments ceased shortly thereafter, prompting the current legal action.
As the lawsuit unfolds, Lil Wayne is preparing for the release of his highly anticipated album, Tha Carter VI, scheduled for June 6, 2025. To celebrate the release, Wayne will headline his first-ever show at Madison Square Garden on the same day, marking a significant milestone in his career. The album features collaborations with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Andrea Bocelli, and his son Kameron, and is expected to showcase a diverse range of musical styles.
Despite the excitement surrounding the upcoming album, Harrisonâs lawsuit casts a shadow over the celebration, highlighting ongoing disputes over royalty payments in the music industry.
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Country music is a quintessentially American genre, but its global appeal is growing. Case in point: Morgan Wallenâs Iâm the Problem, which enters the Official U.K. Albums Chart at No. 1.
Wallenâs 2021 album Dangerous: The Double Album, debuted and peaked at No. 77 on the Official U.K. Albums chart. His 2023 album, One Thing at a Time, debuted and peaked at No. 40 on that chart, setting up his current breakthrough. Speaking to the U.K.âs Official Charts Company, Wallen said: âThe massive growth that weâve seen in the U.K. is truly something specialâŚ. I am so grateful and humbled my music is connecting in a place where we have spent time and worked to build a real and meaningful relationship with our fans there. Thank you guys so much!âÂ
Iâm the Problem is just the 11th album to reach No. 1 on both Billboardâs Top Country Albums chart and the all-genre Official U.K. Albums chart. All 11 of these albums, which we list below, have been released since the late 1990s.
None of the six artists who have had the most No. 1 albums on Top Country Albums appear on this list. George Strait, who has amassed a record 27 No. 1 albums on Top Country Albums, has never cracked the Official U.K. Albums Chart. Neither have Kenny Chesney, who has had 17 No. 1 albums on Top Country Albums, or the late Merle Haggard, who had 16.
Garth Brooks, who has had 17 No. 1s on Top Country Albums, just missed making this list. He peaked at No. 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart in 1994 with In Pieces. That album was No. 1 on Top Country Albums for seven weeks in 1993.
Willie Nelson, who has had 18 No. 1 country albums, topped out at No. 16 with his highest-charting album in the U.K., Legend: The Best of Willie Nelson. Tim McGraw, who has had 17 No. 1 country albums, topped out at No. 43 in the U.K. with his highest-charting U.K. album, Two Lanes of Freedom.
Two late, great singers â Glen Campbell and Jim Reeves â are also not present, even though they both topped both charts (but with different albums). Campbell had nine No. 1 albums on Top Country Albums, but his only No. 1 album in the U.K. (1976âs 20 Golden Greats) was not among them. Reeves, best known for his 1960 ballad smash âHeâll Have to Go,â had four No. 1 albums on Top Country Albums, and two No. 1 albums on The Official U.K. Albums Chart, but none of them overlapped.
Lionel Richie had one No. 1 album on Top Country Albums, 2012âs Tuskegee, on which he teamed with various top country stars, but it stalled at No. 7 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.
Here are the 11 albums that reached No. 1 on both Billboardâs Top Country Albums chart and the all-genre Official U.K. Albums chart.
Shania Twain, Come on Over
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Livestream WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark in action, as the Indiana Fever take on the Washington Mystics. The Fever-Mystics game takes place at CFG Bank Arena (formerly known as Royal Farms Arena) in Baltimore, Maryland, on Wednesday (May 28).
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When Does Fever vs. Mystics Start?
Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics broadcasts live, with a start time of 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
Where to Watch Fever vs. Mystics Online
Fever vs. Mystics airs on NBA TV. The game is available to livestream on Sling Orange + Sports Extra. Keep reading for more details on how cord-cutters can watch the Indiana-Washington game online with Sling.
How to Watch Fever vs. Mystics with Sling TV
A subscription to Sling Orange + Sports Extra â which comes with NBA TV â gets you access to live TV from local and cable channels, starting at $34 for the first month of service and $56.99 per month afterwards. Hereâs how it breaks down: Sling Orange goes for $23 for the first month and $45.99 per month afterwards, while Sling Sports Extra for NBA TV goes for an addition $11 per month.
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With Sling Orange, you can watch networks that carry WNBA games like ESPN, ESPN3 and ION Television, while you can also watch many cable networks, including ESPN2, FreeForm, Lifetime, AMC, A&E, BET, Fuse, CNN, Food Network and many others.
In addition, you can get a free month of AMC+ upon sign up. AMC+ is the home to original programming, like Gangs of London, Interview with the Vampire, Deadstream and more.
Please note: Prices and channel availability depends on your local TV market. You can learn more about Sling TV here.
Which Celebrities Are Making Appearances During Fever vs. Mystics Game?
Itâs likely there may be a number of celebrities and famous recording artists in attendance during Fever vs. Mystics, such as Caitlin Clark fans Jason Sudeikis, Travis Scott, Tim McGraw, Mila Kunis and others. Tune in to the games to find out whoâs sitting courtsideon celebrity row.
Starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT, the Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics airs on NBA TV on Wednesday (May 28). The WNBA game is available to livestream with Sling TV.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
The see-saw story of The Whoâs drummer chair continued to tilt over the weekend when former, then current and then former again time keeper Zak Starkey clarified that he had not been fired from the band but rather âretired.â The 59-year-old son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and in-demand session player wrote in an Instagram […]
Tom Morello has never been one to mince words when it comes to his thoughts on Donald Trump. The firebrand Rage Against the Machine guitarist and solo star joined his friend and fellow rock agitator Bruce Springsteen over the weekend in giving a NSFW salute No. 27 from the stage.
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Performing at the Boston Calling 2025 music festival on Sunday (May 25), Morello took the stage in front of a towering backdrop that featured a series of images of the president amid a sea of oversized buttons that spelled out âFâK TRUMP.â If that message wasnât clear enough, at one point during his set, Morello flipped his instrument up to play with his teeth and revealed another pointed message aimed at the current administration taped to the back of his guitar that read âFâk I.C.E.,â in seeming reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency charged with implementing Trumpâs aggressive deportation policy.
Introducing a cover of Bruce Springsteenâs âThe Ghost of Tom Joad,â Morello dedicated the track to The Boss, noting that the rocker has been âin a tussle with the president latelyâ after the Jersey giant recently dubbed the current administration âcorrupt, incompetent and treasonous,â a broadside that raised the ire of the commander in chief.
âBruce is going after Trump because Bruce, his whole life, heâs been about truth, justice, democracy, equality,â Morello said. âAnd Trump is mad at him because Bruce draws a much bigger audience. Fâk that guy.â According to Boston.com, at the top of his set, Morello invited fans to enjoy âthe last big event before they throw us in jail.â
In the midst of the Trump administrationâs attack on universities it claims are not doing enough to combat antisemitism, Morello also mentioned his alma mater, Harvard University, which has particularly drawn Trumpâs ire. In its latest actions, the administration has threatened to strip the school of more than $3 billion in grants following Trumpâs order to freeze more than $2.2 billion in federal funding grants for the university and threats to revoke its tax-exempt status. Morello praised Harvardâs recent decision to offer a free online course called âWe the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy.â
Morello, who graduated with honors from Harvard in 1986 with a B.A. in political science, described the class as a primer on âbasic U.S. government, understanding the Constitution, and how to recognize a dictatorship takeover of your country.â
The lash out against Trump by Morello amid the presidentâs slash-and-burn reshaping of democratic norms came after Springsteen kicked off his Land of Hope and Dreams tour in Manchester, England on May 14 by lambasting the blitz of strong-arm actions that many political pundits have deemed authoritarian.
âIn my home, the America I love, the America Iâve written about, and has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration,â Springsteen told the crowd. âTonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experience to rise with us, raise your voices against the authoritarianism, and let freedom ring.â
As is his wont, Trump replied to Springsteenâs harsh words with one of his all-caps Truth Social disses, calling the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer âhighly overratedâ and âdumb as a rock.â The president continued, âNever liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, heâs not a talented guy â Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country.â
On the precipice of what many financial experts say could be a ruinous global recession sparked by Trumpâs unpredictable, see-saw tariffs, the president continued his attacks on Springsteen over the ensuing days, adding in another of his favorite targets: Taylor Swift. On May 16, the 78-year-old leader of the free world wrote, âHas anyone noticed that, since i said âI HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,â sheâs no longer âHOT?ââ
While Swift has not responded to the unprovoked attack to date, Springsteen was unbowed, doubling down on his disdain for Trump on May 17, telling a crowd in Manchester, âThings are happening right now that are altering the very nature of our countryâs democracy, and theyâre too important to ignore⌠In my home, theyâre persecuting people for their right to free speech and voicing their dissent. Thatâs happening now⌠In America, the richest men are taking satisfaction in abandoning the worldâs poorest children to sickness and death. Thatâs happening now. In my country, theyâre taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers,â calling Trump an âunfit presidentâ who is running a ârogue government.â
Gorillaz has announced details of four special London shows to celebrate the virtual bandâs 25th anniversary.
The group â led by Damon Albarn and illustrator Jamie Hewlett â will take over east Londonâs Copper Box for a four-night residency where they will perform some of their classic albums in full. The group released its debut EP, Tomorrow Comes Today, in November 2000 and have released eight full-length LPs since.
The shows will take place on August 29, 30 and Sept. 2, 3 and coincide with the upcoming House of Kong exhibition taking place at the same venue between August 8 and Sept. 3.Â
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Each night will feature a unique performance from the band. On night one (Aug. 29), the group will perform its 2001 self-titled debut in full and recreate the early live performances. The bandâs first show at Londonâs Scala in 2001 saw the live musicians perform behind a curtain while the avatars of the groupâs virtual members â Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D â were projected to the audience; Albarn and his band of musicians will perform in a similar way on night one.Â
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The following night (August 30) will honor 2005âs Demon Days, which featured hit singles âFeel Good Inc.â and âDare.â The LP landed at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and scored them their sole Grammy Award to date for best pop vocal collaboration (âFeel Good Inc.â). The live performance will pay homage to the limited run of shows in Manchester (2005) and New York (2006), where the album was also played in full, and Hewlettâs visuals for the show will also be resurrected.
On Sept. 2, their third LP Plastic Beach, will be performed in full for the first time since 2010. The record hit No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and the U.K.âs Official Albums Chart, and the group headlined Glastonbury Festival that summer after U2 were forced to withdraw due to injury.Â
The residencyâs final night (Sept. 3) is billed as a âmystery show,â and promises special guests alongside the group. Earlier this year Albarn revealed that he was completing work on an upcoming Gorillaz LP, which would be the bandâs ninth.
Ticket holders to the House of Kong exhibition will have priority access to tickets when they go on sale later this week (May 30). Passes for the House of Kong exhibition are on sale now.
Gorillaz U.K 2025 tour dates:
August 29 â London, England @ Copper Box â Gorillaz in fullAugust 30 â London, England @ Copper Box â Demon Days in fullSept. 2 â London, England @ Copper Box â Plastic Beach in fullSept. 3 â London, England @ Copper Box â Mystery Show
Jennifer Lopez left it all on the floor during her whirlwind 2025 American Music Awards hosting gig on Monday night (May 26). After dancing to a breathless six-minute, 23-song medley of the yearâs biggest hits in a sparkling Tron-like futuristic leotard on the stage at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas â and kissing a couple of […]
05/27/2025
Taylor Swift was shut out at the AMAs for the first time since 2007.
05/27/2025
