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With just one week to go before Halloween weekend, a wide range of artists fired off new music releases just in time for spooky season.
Megan Thee Stallion unveiled her second single of 2025, “Lover Girl,” a Total-sampling ode to her basketball star boyfriend, Klay Thompson. The new track leads a busy week for hip-hop and R&B releases, including new projects from Bruce Springsteen (Nebraska ’82), Miguel (Caos), Daniel Caesar (Son of Spergy), Leon Thomas (Pholks) and Halle Bailey (Love?… Or Something Like It).
Notably, Bailey’s album marks her debut solo full-length efforts following years of solo singles such as “In Your Hands” and the Grammy-nominated “Angel,” as well as acclaimed turns in movie musicals including 2023’s The Little Mermaid and The Color Purple. Thomas’ Pholks EP arrives on the heels of his “Mutt” success — and a week before his Mutts Don’t Heel Tour launches — while Caesar’s latest LP is the follow-up to 2023’s Never Enough, which became his highest charting effort on the Billboard 200 (No. 14). As for Miguel, Caos marks his first album in nearly eight years.
To coincide with Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere finally hitting U.S. theaters, The Boss shared an expanded edition of his landmark 1982 Nebraska album. The record, whose conception the Jeremy Allen White-led film chronicles, reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 during its original chart run. This new 4LP version of Nebraska features acoustic demos, little-known B-sides and the six long-rumored, E Street Band-assisted “Electric Nebraska” tracks.
On the pop side, Demi Lovato returned to dance-pop stomping grounds with her new album, It’s Not That Deep, and Alessia Cara issued a deluxe edition of her Love & Hyperbole LP. Brandi Carlile is also back with a new solo album, Returning to Myself, months after sharing a joint album with Elton John, and Shenseea, Hayley Williams, Sampha, Tee Grizzley and Samara Cyn all shared new tracks.
That’s a lot of new music to digest as we enter the penultimate month of the year, but Billboard still wants to know which new release you can’t get enough of. Tell us by casting your vote in the poll below.
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To celebrate the release of her debut solo studio album, Halle Bailey gets strikingly honest in the latest episode of Billboard’s Takes Us Out video series.
The six-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter took Billboard’s Tetris Kelly out to H.O.P.E. (Healthy Organic Positive Eating) in Studio City, Calif., where the pair dug into a spread of some of Halle’s favorite vegan bites. While conversing over spring rolls and green curry dumplings, the pair discussed The Little Mermaid, accepting the Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award in 2020, her first love, working with Mariah the Scientist and GloRilla, and Beyoncé‘s reaction to her debut solo album, Love?… Or Something Like It.
Released on Friday (Oct. 24) via Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, Halle’s new LP features collaborations with Chlöe, Mariah the Scientist, GloRilla and H.E.R., as well as the previously released singles “Angel,” “Because I Love You,” “In Your Hands,” “Braveface” and “Back and Forth.” Notable cowriters and producers include RAYE, D. Phelps, Freaky Rob, Sevyn Streeter, BongoByTheWay, and, of course, Bailey herself.
“I hear my sister on so many songs, I think it’s the way my brain is wired,” she tells Billboard. “I hear her, I hear what she can add, like, ‘She would be good on this; she would be good on that!’ When it came to our song ‘Feel Again,’ I was like, ‘I cannot do this song without Chlöe, I need to hear her on this.’ My sister is a freakin’ cool musical genius; she travels with her equipment. She can record wherever she is because she brings all her s—t with her.”
And if there’s been one constant in Halle’s life as she navigates the music industry — outside of her sister — it’s Beyoncé, the music icon who mentored the sibling duo and signed them to her Parkwood label.
“I played this one for [Beyoncé] too,” Halle reveals. “And she was obsessed with hearing our voices again together.”
The new record arrives as Halle’s first full-length solo offering since her sister duo of Chloe x Halle took a hiatus following the release of 2020’s breakthrough Ungodly Hour album. As her older sister embarked on a career that has yielded two solo albums and buzzy music videos, Halle focused on bringing Princess Ariel to life in the 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, securing safety and stability for her son Halo (whom she shares with ex DDG), and figuring out her solo sound.
Watch the latest episode of Takes Us Out above.
Trending on Billboard Since its release in August, Kehlani‘s “Folded” has quickly emerged as one of the year’s most beloved R&B songs. A hopeful plea for seemingly doomed reconciliation elegantly sung across ’00s R&B-evoking production, “Folded” has reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest peak of Kehlani’s career, and emerged as […]
Trending on Billboard Earlier this year at Coachella, funk forefather George Clinton gifted Leon Thomas a custom hat, lauding him as one of the contemporary torchbearers of the genre. A few months later, not only is Thomas still riding high on the success of “Mutt,” but he’s also doubling down on his funk inclinations with […]
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Now that Billboard’s R&B/hip-hop team has posted its Grammy predictions for four of the R&B categories in the 68th annual race — best R&B performance, best traditional R&B performance, best R&B song and best R&B album — it’s time to review the top prospects in the fifth and final category: best progressive R&B album.
Recent winners in the category include Lucky Daye (Table for Two, 2022), Steve Lacy (Gemini Rights, 2023) and SZA (SOS, 2024). Thanks to a tie, two winners took home the gramophone in 2025: longtime independent artist Avery Sunshine (So Glad to Know You) and the R&B/hip-hop super duo NxWorries comprised of Anderson .Paak and producer Knxwledge (Why Lawd?).
Formerly known as best urban contemporary album, the category was renamed best progressive R&B album in 2020. In recognizing “excellence in albums of progressive R&B vocal tracks,” per the Recording Academy’s definition, such entries are rooted in many of the elements comprising R&B but also embrace additional sounds including hip-hop, rap, pop, dance and electronic music. The rulebook further defines the category’s music as having “an emphasis on experimentation and innovation, often through unconventional song structures, dynamic production techniques and multi-genre influences that challenge traditional R&B conventions.”
Albums released between Aug. 31, 2024 and Aug. 30, 2025 fitting this category include familiar vets like Bilal (Adjust Brightness), Gallant (Zinc), Jessie Reyez (Paid in Memories), Kali Uchis (Sincerely) and Allen Stone (Mystery). A host of upstarts also waved the progressive banner in their own inimitable styles, such as SAILORR (From Florida’s Finest), Laila! (Gap Year), Jordan Adetunji (A Jaguar’s Dream) and Cautious Clay (The Hours: Morning).
In addition to those on-the-cusp contenders, there are others of note to consider. Chief among them is the group FLO (Access All Areas), KWN (With All Due Respect), Destin Conrad (Love on Digital), Fridayy (Some Days I’m Good, Some Days I’m Not), UMI (People Stories) and Kelela (In the Blue Light).
With such a cornucopia of projects to choose from, predicting the nods in this category isn’t an easy task. One scenario could have Kali Uchis, Destin Conrad, Fridayy and Jessie Reyez fighting for the last spot. Or perhaps there could be another surprise from left field a la Avery Sunshine at the 67th annual ceremony.
So which five albums will score nods for best progressive R&B album when the Recording Academy unveils its slate on Nov. 7? Check out Billboard’s predictions below.
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Janet Jackson has been delivering some of the slickest dance moves in the world for more than four decades — and she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
On Tuesday (Oct. 21), the Grammy-winning music icon received the Icon of the Year Award at The Gala of the Stars, an annual benefit supporting Dancers Against Cancer. Oscar, Emmy and Tony winner Liza Minnelli — a longtime friend of the Jackson family — presented the award in person, honoring the “What Have You Done for Me Lately” singer’s influence on music, dance and culture. This marked Minnelli’s first public appearance since the 2022 Academy Awards, where she presented best picture to Coda alongside Lady Gaga.
Between the British Museum Ball, reuniting with niece Paris Jackson at Paris Fashion Week, and gearing up for her final three live shows of the year, it’s been a busy few weeks for Ms. Jackson. Nonetheless, she carved out the time to accept an honor from a community to which she has greatly contributed over the course of her storied career.
“I love dance. I’ve always loved dance, and I remember, since I was five or six years old, always dancing with my brothers around the house. They were my first teachers and choreographers,” she reflected during her speech, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I want to thank all of you guys for sharing your creativity, but not just that, for your friendship through all these years. Thank you so much. I want to thank my family for their entire support and love and for always encouraging me. I also want to sincerely thank everyone who’s been there for me throughout this entire journey, and I want to thank God for giving me life, allowing me to have a career and to continue to do what I love and still enjoy.”
To close out her speech, Jackson also made it clear that she will always keep dancing, saying “In a few — more than a few — months, maybe six or seven months, I’m going to be 60 years old. I have to tell you, I have no plans to stop dancing!”
She also reflected on the honor in an X post on Thursday (Oct. 23). “I never take moments like this for granted. Your mission is profoundly important, and thank you for giving our community a meaningful way to give back,” she wrote in part alongside photos of herself at the event, including a clip of her speech as well as a snapshot of herself with Minnelli. She also addressed the star, writing, “Dear Liza, receiving this award from an icon & friend like you means more than I can say. You have been an inspiration to me and to the world, and I am deeply touched. I love you.”
Marking her second icon award of 2025 — she received an equivalent honor at May’s Jennifer Lopez-hosted American Music Awards — Jackson has spent the year tearing through a 22-show run at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas for her latest concert residency. On Dec. 29, she will play her final show of the year at Yaamava’ Theater in Highland, Calif. Earlier this year, Jackson hit No. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 with Cardi B’s “Principal,” making her just the third woman in Billboard history to reach that chart for a fifth consecutive calendar decade with new material.
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Halle Bailey takes Tetris out for a vegan lunch at H.O.P.E. Healthy Organic Positive Eating! While nibbling, they chat about the highs and lows of her first solo album, ‘Love? Or Something Like It,’ new collaborations with her girls, the legacy of ‘The Little Mermaid’ and growing up in the industry.
Halle Bailey:
Hi! Welcome!
Tetris Kelly:
Thanks for hanging out with me today.
Of course, thanks for having me here.
It’s like, what they know about you, we’re about to find out, okay? All right, Ms. Bailey, tell me about H.O.P.E. What is your connection to this restaurant?
Oh my goodness, okay. So, I was vegan when I first moved out to California about, oh my gosh, like, 14 years ago now. Geez, it’s been a long time since I’ve been here!
You’re a local now!
I was vegan for 13 years, but now I’m not anymore. When I got pregnant, I wanted to eat meat. But this place? I still go to this place. I swear by it—it’s so good. So, the fact that we’re here today is really freaking awesome, so thanks.
I love that. And then you said that when you got pregnant, you wanted meat. What was the first thing you needed so badly?
I needed… Oh, why are we saying this in this restaurant?
Oh, sorry.
It was Chick-fil-A nuggets.
You’re right, you’re right. Okay, I just needed to know—for my own research. I needed to know what the item was. Hey, how’s it going?
Waitress:
Hi! Great!
Okay, so can we please start with your spring rolls, then your green curry dumplings, and your Muay Thai wings, because I want him to try it just to see.
Waitress:
Of course.
Keep watching for more!
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Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab have been appointed executives-in-residence at the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The pair are the co-presidents of 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records Hip-Hop, R&B and Global Music.
Bass and Bouab’s appointment is in keeping with the center’s goal to connect Howard University’s students with top executives in the global music industry. The program provides one-on-one mentorship, master classes and practical insights about executive leadership, creativity and the future of the business.
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In the press release announcing the duo’s new roles, Jasmine Young, MBA, director of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business at Howard University, commented, “Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab are two of the most visionary leaders in the industry, and we are honored to welcome them as executives-in-residence. Our students will benefit directly from their knowledge, creativity and commitment to breaking barriers. This appointment reflects our mission to provide Howard students with direct access to the highest levels of leadership in the global music industry.”
“Howard University, together with the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business, has a strong legacy of cultivating bold, creative leaders,” said Bass and Bouab in a joint statement. “That mission aligns with what we do at our label, and we’re excited to share our experiences and help raise up the next generation of music business innovators.”
Bass took on an expanded role within the Atlantic Music Group earlier this year when she was appointed co-president of Atlantic Records Hip-Hop, R&B and Global Music. She initially joined 300 Entertainment as its first marketing hire in 2014. Promoted to senior vp of marketing in 2019, Bass was elevated to co-president of 300 Entertainment in 2022. A Billboard Women in Music and R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players honoree, Bass has helmed campaigns for Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug, Gunna, Mary J. Blige and PinkPantheress, among other artists.
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Since joining 300 Entertainment as well in 2014, Bouab later served as the label’s senior vp and head of A&R before being named co-president with Bass in 2022. Then again alongside Bass, Bouab added the co-president post at Atlantic Records Hip-Hop, R&B and Global Music this year. Along the way, he has signed, developed and collaborated with artists including Megan Thee Stallion, Fetty Wap and Tee Grizzley as well as Young Thug, Gunna and Jordan Adetunji. Bouab, who’s also established his own Unauthorized Entertainment label, is a multiple-year Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players honoree.
“Rayna and Selim embody what it means to lead with both innovation and integrity,” stated Julian Petty, executive vp and head of business/legal affairs for Warner Records and the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center’s Visionary. “Their careers represent the possibilities for our students, and their willingness to pour into the next generation is what makes this partnership so special. The center continues to set the standard for excellence in music business education, and I am thrilled to see Rayna and Selim take on this role.”
Trending on Billboard Monica isn’t a fan of sleepovers. Instagram entertainment account TheNeighborHoodTalk reposted a video of a single father expressing frustration with not being able to throw his daughter a slumber party because some of the other mothers weren’t comfortable having a male host. “When I found out why I couldn’t throw my daughter […]
In celebration of the late R&B legend D’Angelo, Billboard takes a look at some of his biggest hits and career highlights. The visionary performer, who died in October 2025 at age 51 of cancer, was an innovative singer, songwriter and producer who shaped the 1990’s neo-soul movement alongside contemporaries including Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Maxwell.D’Angelo, born Michael Archer, charted eight titles as an artist on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, three albums on the Billboard 200, and numerous entries on R&B/hip-hop tallies. His highest-charting Hot 100 hit, “Lady,” stands as his lone top 10, having hit No. 10 on March 30, 1996. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 1997 for best male R&B vocal performance. The single is from his also Grammy-nominated debut album, Brown Sugar, which reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200, as well as No. 4 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
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Brown Sugar additionally yielded Hot 100 hits in the title track (No. 27, August 1995), “Cruisin’ ” (No. 53, December 1995), and “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine” (No. 74, December 1996).
After a four-year break, D’Angelo returned with his sophomore album, Voodoo, which debuted at No. 1 on the Feb. 12, 2000-dated Billboard 200, where it reigned for two weeks. The LP ruled Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for four weeks. Its biggest single, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” hit No. 25 on the Hot 100 and dominated the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for six weeks (his sole leader on the list). Both the album and single won Grammy Awards in 2001, for best R&B album and best male R&B vocal performance, respectively.
Known for his lengthy sabbaticals, D’Angelo’s next LP did not arrive until December 2014. Black Messiah debuted at No. 1 on Top R&B Albums and No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The record also earned him two Grammy wins, for best R&B album and best R&B song, for the single “Really Love,” which peaked at No. 4 on Adult R&B Songs in May 2015.
D’Angelo’s Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits
1. “Lady” (No. 10 peak on March 30, 1996)2. “Brown Sugar” (No. 27, Aug. 19, 1995)3. “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” (No. 25, Feb. 19, 2000)4. “Cruisin’ ” (No. 53, Dec. 2, 1995)5. “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine” (No. 74, Oct. 12, 1996)
D’Angelo’s Biggest Billboard Hot 100 hits chart is based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100, through the Oct. 25, 2025, ranking. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.
