Music News

12 Feb 2025

George Strait & Chris Stapleton Extend Stadium Shows for 2025

Fans will have options to see Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait and 11-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton on the road this summer, as the two have extended their run of stadium shows, adding five concerts for 2025.

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“Burn It Down” hitmaker Parker McCollum will be the special guest on four newly added shows, slated for Philadelphia (set for May 10); Pittsburgh, Pa. (May 31); Buffalo, N.Y. (June 14); and Foxborough, Mass., (June 21), while Little Big Town will be the special guest on a newly added show on July 19 in Inglewood, Calif.

“I keep trying to slow down a bit but you keep calling me back,” Strait said in a statement. “Please don’t ever stop. I still love it just as much as I always have. Thank you for an amazing year last year
and I can’t wait to see you for a few more again this year. Chris will be back and glad to have
Little Big Town with us in L.A. For the other cities, we’ve added Parker M. to the show which
will be outstanding. Can’t wait to see you!!”

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Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. local time via Strait’s website. American Express
will also offer card members access to Amex presale tickets, available for purchase starting
Thursday, Feb. 20, before the general public onsale.

No doubt, these upcoming shows will see Strait infuse his setlist with some songs from his most recent album, Cowboys & Dreamers. The album also features the Stapleton collaboration “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame.” Meanwhile, Stapleton is fresh off of his latest Grammy win; he picked up best country solo performance for “It Takes a Woman.”

See the full listing of the five new shows below:

George Strait w/ Chris Stapleton and special guest Parker McCollum:

  • May 10: Philadelphia, Pa. @ Lincoln Financial Field
  • May 31: Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Acrisure Stadium
  • June 14: Buffalo, N.Y. @ Highmark Stadium
  • June 21: Foxborough, Mass. @ Gillette Stadium

George Strait w/ Chris Stapleton & special guest Little Big Town:

  • July 19: Inglewood, Calif. @ SoFi Stadium

12 Feb 2025

Sabrina Carpenter & Billie Eilish Return to Top 10 on Album Sales Chart Post-Grammys

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet and Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft surge back into the top 10 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart (dated Feb. 15). The albums jump 12-5 and 14-7, respectively, following the performers’ turns on the Grammy Awards’ broadcast on CBS (Feb. 2).

Carpenter performed a medley of the Short n’ Sweet hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” on the show, while Eilish sang her album’s “Birds of a Feather.” Carpenter also won two Grammys, including one presented during the CBS broadcast, for best pop vocal album (for Short n’ Sweet).

Short n’ Sweet sold 8,500 copies in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 6 (up 42%), according to Luminate. Hit Me Hard and Soft sold a little more than 7,500 (up 46%).

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Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album (TEA) units and streaming equivalent album (SEA) units.

Another Grammy performer, The Weeknd, arrives at No. 1 with his latest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, selling 359,000 copies in its first week (his best sales week ever). Grateful Dead, who was honored as the Recording Academy’s 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year (on Feb. 1), debut at No. 2 with its latest from-the-vaults live album: Dave’s Picks, Volume 53: Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, OH – 10/2/76 (19,000 sold).

Chappell Roan’s chart-topping The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess also basks in the Grammy glow, as it climbs 10-3 with 12,000 sold (up 66%). Roan won the best new artist award and performed “Pink Pony Club” (from Princess) on the show.

Stray Kids’ former leader HOP jumps 8-4 with a little over 8,500 sold (up 6%), while the chart-topping Wicked film soundtrack steps 7-6 with 8,000 (down 8%).

Gracie Abrams’ former No. 1 The Secret of Us moves 9-8 (6,500), Mac Miller’s chart-topping Balloonerism falls 6-9 (6,000; down 32%) and Teddy Swims’ I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) drops 1-10 in its second week (nearly 6,000; down 77%).

12 Feb 2025

Central Cee Praises Billie Eilish’s ‘Birds of a Feather’: ‘I’ve Listened to It Maybe a Thousand Times’

Central Cee has shared his love of Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” in a new interview.

On the west London rapper’s four-part CRG Radio show, which is available via Apple Music 1, Cench — born Oakley Neil Caesar-Su — discussed his all-time favorite artists, past and present. In addition to praising Lil Durk, Drake, Damian Marley, Amy Winehouse and dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, he spoke about playing Eilish’s music on repeat.

“You see me, I don’t know lyrics. I was saying I know ‘Juicy’ by Biggie Smalls just about off by heart and that’s the only song,” he began. “And then, after listening to it maybe a thousand times, I know Billie Eilish’s ‘Birds of a Feather.’”

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“I need to listen to something for time to hear [song] lyrics,” he continued, before describing his attraction to Eilish in the “Birds of a Feather” music video. “I think I fancied her first. I was looking at her, I was just watching the video to look at her and then I started thinking, ‘Yeah, no, this [song is] actually cold. And now I don’t know if it’s ‘mind games’; I’ve just heard it so much, but I love it. I just love the music now. It’s not even about [Eilish] anymore.”

Trending on Billboard

He added: “I’ve just been told that [‘Birds of a Feather’] was one of the biggest songs of last year, and it kind of makes me think that when something’s so popular — I know people do it with my music — that I’m not actually as unique as I think I am for liking that song. But I am in my circle!”

The latest episode of CRG Radio will also be the last. Previous installments of the series have seen the 26-year-old speak with U.K. rappers Headie One, Blade Brown and Nemzzz, while there has also been an appearance from England midfielder Cole Palmer.

On Jan. 31, meanwhile, Cench beat competition from Teddy Swims to top the Official U.K. Albums Chart with his debut LP, Can’t Rush Greatness. He will support the record with a 39-date world arena tour through the spring, kicking off in Oslo on April 1. 

Cench also recently scooped a trio of nominations for the 2025 BRIT Awards; the ceremony will be held March 1. He is up for best U.K. artist, best song (“Band4Band”) and best hip-hop and grime.

12 Feb 2025

Mustard Says Drake Should Avoid ‘Tactics’ & ‘Gimmicks’ When Asked About Drizzy’s Next Move

Everyone has an opinion on how Drake should maneuver with his next venture to turn the page to 2025. Coming off of his appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show over the weekend, Mustard stopped by Big Boy’s Neighborhood on Monday (Feb. 10) to share his thoughts on just that.

Big Boy asked what Drake’s next move should be, and Mustard made it clear his response wasn’t directed at the 6 God, but all artists.

Trending on Billboard

“I actually don’t think about what he could do. I have no idea. I just try to stay aligned with pure s–t, just being pure and being on the right side of things — not doing no tactics and gimmicks,” he said.

Mustard continued: “I’m not speaking at Drake or for him, but a lot of s–t that’s going on — the tactics, the things that you do just to get attention. You don’t need to do that. Just make music, man. Make good music and you’ll be fine.”

The “Not Like Us” producer is far from the first artist to publicly dish out some advice for Drake. 50 Cent revealed to Billboard last year what he told the OVO boss following the battle with Lamar.

“I was telling him, it’s not him. I’m listening on the outskirts, it’s not you,” he said. “Don’t let yourself think that for a second. On some real s–t, I said, ‘They said you lost, OK. Well what did you lose?’ What exactly did he lose if he got $300 something million on his last tour? You didn’t lose a motherf—ing thing, man.”

Drake will attempt to turn the page this year with the arrival of his joint album with PartyNextDoor, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, which will fittingly hit streaming services on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) for the lovers.

Watch the full interview with Mustard below. The talk about Drake’s next move comes around the 12-minute mark.

12 Feb 2025

Tems Joins San Diego FC Ownership Group as Club Partner

Tems is joining San Diego Football Club’s ownership group as a club partner through her company The Leading Vibe, the club announced on Wednesday (Feb. 12). She becomes the first African female to be involved in MLS ownership.

“I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture and the power of community,” Tems said in the press release. “Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”

San Diego FC announced earlier this week that Issa Rae also joined as a club partner.

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The Nigerian singer-songwriter-producer (real name Temilade Openiyi) is joining the soccer club in partnership with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm that was involved in leading a group of strategic investors to invest in NBA Africa in 2021. Tunde Folawiyo, chairman of Pave Investments, and Kwamena Afful, founding director of Pave Investments, are also joining the San Diego FC ownership group.

According to the release, Tems’ status as an icon of empowerment and cultural connection aligns with San Diego FC’s vision to unite communities through the global game, and these new additions to the ownership group will bring their individual global platforms, influence and personal commitment to amplify the mission of Right to Dream Academy — a youth association football academy system — and San Diego FC: to inspire and empower communities meaningfully on and off the pitch.

“Tems is an extraordinary artist and cultural force worldwide. We are honored to have her join our Club and bring her visionary perspective to San Diego FC,” SDFC CEO Tom Penn added. “Her passion for empowering the next generation aligns perfectly with our mission, and her commitment to creating opportunities for young talent domestically and globally reflects the core values of Right to Dream. We also look forward to creating meaningful connections between the music world and San Diego FC, uniting communities through the shared power of culture and sport.”

12 Feb 2025

Taylor Swift Personally Tips Individual Workers at a Grammys Afterparty in Newly Surfaced Clip

Taylor Swift made sure to show her appreciation to employees at a party after the 2025 Grammys.

In a newly surfaced clip from the night of the Feb. 2 awards, the pop star — dressed in a sparkly silver party dress and combat boots — heads toward the exit of a building with her group. When she realizes that she’s passed a group of four people working the event, she doubles back to personally hand each of them some cash. 

“We appreciate you so much,” the “Fortnight” singer tells them earnestly. “Thank you.” 

The video started making rounds online more than a week after Swift attended the Grammys, where she was nominated for six awards. Though she didn’t end up taking home any new golden gramophones, the musician did appear to have an excellent time dancing during performances from Billie Eilish, Charli XCX and more, hanging out with Alicia Keys’ son Genesis and snagging Janelle Monáe’s jacket during the Quincy Jones tribute. 

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After the ceremony, Swift headed to the post-show gathering with Sabrina Carpenter, Jack Antonoff, Margaret Qualley and more friends, as captured in film photos posted by the “Espresso” singer. 

The footage of the “Karma” artist thanking the party’s employees is just another example of her showing her gratitude to service workers. In December 2023, a viral photo captured Swift appearing to slide cash tips through a door at Gillette Stadium after a Kansas City Chiefs away game. A couple months before that, she made headlines for reportedly gifting all of her Eras Tour truck drivers $100,000 bonuses, totaling an estimated $5 million. 

12 Feb 2025

Cynthia Erivo to Receive GLAAD Media Award for Promoting LGBTQ+ Visibility

After defying gravity in 2024’s Wicked, Cynthia Erivo has raked in plenty of nominations during the 2025 awards season. Now, she’s add at least one trophy to her collection.

On Wednesday (Feb. 12), LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD announced that Erivo would be the recipient of its annual Stephen F. Kolzak prize at the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards. Presented each year to a queer celebrity who “made a significant difference in raising visibility and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues” the year prior, the award will be presented to Erivo at the organization’s Los Angeles ceremony on March 27.

Erivo, who is nominated for best actress in a leading role at the upcoming Academy Awards for her portrayal of Elphaba, came out publicly as queer in a 2022 interview with British Vogue, explaining that she wanted to help any other up-and-coming actors weighing whether or not to come out. “Some young Black queer actress somewhere will know coming in that she’s not alone,” she said at the time. “I could feel myself actively hiding that part of myself and it didn’t feel good. That takes a lot of energy to uphold and there is zero return.”

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In a statement shared with the news, GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis applauded Erivo’s work in pushing forward narratives around intersectionality in the entertainment industry. “Her legacy is defined not by her numerous accolades and honors but by how with each new platform and milestone, she continues to show up for Black, queer and other marginalized peoples amid her well-deserved success,” she wrote. “As she continues to shatter glass ceilings, I am certain her commitment to showing up as the intersectional and authentic person she is will never falter, and it is a privilege to present her with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards.”

Erivo won’t be the only musician receiving a GLAAD award in 2025 — fellow LGBTQ+ artists including Billie Eilish, Doechii, Elton John, Adam Lambert and Omar Apollo were announced as nominees in the show’s music categories in January.

12 Feb 2025

2025 Billboard Women in Music to Honor JENNIE, Erykah Badu, aespa, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Tyla & More

Women dominated this year in music, and Billboard is ready to celebrate today’s groundbreaking artists at its annual Women in Music event.

This year’s honorees include a diverse group of artists, ranging from rising stars to seminal veterans, from pop and country, to R&B, Latin and beyond. The 2025 event will honor aespa, Ángela Aguilar, Erykah Badu, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, JENNIE, Megan Moroney, Meghan Trainor, Muni Long and Tyla.

Laverne Cox will host the 2025 Billboard Women in Music event, which will take place Saturday, March 29, at YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.

Presenters, performers and the coveted 2025 Billboard Woman of the Year will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The 2025 Billboard Women in Music celebrates the incredible women who continue to drive innovation, inspire change, and reshape the future of music,” Dana Droppo, Billboard‘s Chief Brand Officer, said in a statement.

Billboard‘s Editor-in-Chief, Hannah Karp, added, “From rising stars to legendary icons, this year’s honorees are redefining what it means to be a trailblazer in the industry. We’re honored to highlight their outstanding achievements and contributions through unforgettable performances, powerful tributes, and an evening that will truly shine a spotlight on their impact. It’s a privilege to continue Billboard’s tradition of recognizing the women who are pushing the boundaries of music and culture, and we can’t wait to share this incredible night with our global audience.”

Sponsors for the 2025 Billboard Women in Music event include official whisky Partner Crown Royal, HarbourView Equity Partners, Bose and Honda Stage, the presenter of the Rising Star Award.

A limited quantity of early access tickets will be available for purchase on Wednesday (Feb. 12) starting at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT with code WIM25. Public on-sale then begins Thursday (Feb. 13) at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster here. Prices begin at $89.

See below for the full list of 2025 Billboard Women in Music honorees so far.

12 Feb 2025

2025 Love Rocks NYC Benefit to Feature Cher, Beck, Alicia Keys, Kate Hudson, Trey Anastasio & Others

The 2025 Love Rocks NYC benefit concert will feature sets from Alicia Keys, Beck, Cher, Kate Hudson, Mavis Staples, Michael McDonald, Peter Frampton, Phish’s Trey Anastasio and many more. The ninth annual benefit for God’s Love We Deliver — an organization that cooks and delivers medically tailored meals for people too sick to shop or cook for themselves — will take place at New York’s Beacon Theatre on March 6.

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The show, executive produced by fashion designer John Varvatos, along with New York real estate broker Douglas Elliman and concert producers Greg Williamson and Nicole Rechter, will also include performances from Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart featuring Vanessa Amorosi, the Black Pumas’ Eric Burton, Grace Bowers, Jesse Malin, Struts singer Luke Spiller, The War and Treaty and more acts to be announced.

It will also have appearances by comedians Alex Edelman, Amy Schumer, Susie Essman and Tracy Morgan.

Trending on Billboard

God’s Love We Deliver was founded in 1985 as a response to the AIDS pandemic and now serves people living with more than 200 different diagnoses. The organization has served more than 40 million meals to date, with this year marking the group’s 40th anniversary.

“As we prepare for the 9th Annual LOVE ROCKS NYC concert, we’re reminded of the power of music and community to create change,” said God’s Love We Deliver CEO Terrence Meck in a statement. “This year is especially meaningful as God’s Love We Deliver celebrates having delivered more than 40 million meals since our founding in 1985. We are so proud of our work nourishing our neighbors affected by severe and chronic illness, and we are grateful to Love Rocks NYC for the visibility and funds it raises for God’s Love We Deliver.”

Since the annual show launched in 2017, it has raised $50 million and helped fund more than five million meals. This year’s show will support God’s Love as well as their Food Is Medicine Coalition peer organization Project Angel Food in Los Angeles as part of a response to January’s devastating wildfires.

Past performers at God’s Love shows have included: Keith Richards & The X-Pensive Winos, Jon Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews, Robert Plant, Norah Jones, The Black Crowes, Dave Grohl, Ziggy Marley, Cyndi Lauper, Hozier, St. Vincent, Marcus King, Nathaniel Rateliff and many more.  

Pre-sale tickets for this year’s show will go on sale on Thursday (Feb. 13) at 10 a.m. ET, with a public onsale going live on Friday (Feb. 14) at 10 a.m. ET here and here.

12 Feb 2025

Backstreet Boys Announce Summer 2025 Sphere Residency: ‘Into the Millennium’

The Backstreet Boys will be the first pop group to take the stage at Las Vegas’ Sphere. The man band announced the dates for their summer 2025 “Into the Millennium” residency at the futuristic venue, which will find them performing nine shows in July.

“Fans can expect an unforgettable experience as the Backstreet Boys bring their legendary Millennium album to life, alongside a selection of their greatest hits,” read a statement announcing the run of shows, which will find the group performing such hits as “I Want It That Way” and “Larger Than Life” in the venue that has wowed attendees with its immersive sound and wrap-around, high-tech visuals.

The group — Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough — will perform at the Sphere on July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27. Fans can sign up for an artist presale now (through Feb. 17 at 10 p.m. PT) here for the first six dates. The Backstreet Boys Fan Club presale will kick off on Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. PT, with the artist presale launching on Feb. 19 at 9 a.m. PT. Additional presales will run throughout next week ahead of the general onsale that begins on Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. PT here.

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Tickets for the final three announced shows are available now via an artist presale through Feb. 17 at 10 p.m. PT here. The Fan Club presale for those shows will begin on Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. PT, with an artist presale beginning Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. PT, followed by additional presales throughout the week until the general onsale begins on Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. PT here.

“We’re heading ‘Into The Millennium’ once again! ?? Relive your Backstreet Boys Y2K memories, but this time… LARGER THAN LIFE at @SphereVegas starting this July!,” the band said in an Instagram announcement that included images of the quintet projected on the outside of the venue.

U2 helped launch the venue in Sept. 2023 with their U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency, which had them stay put through March of 2024, making way for a four-show run by Phish and a 30-show stint by Dead & Company. The Eagles will play 32 shows in a run that kicked off in Sept. 2024 and is currently slated to run through an April 12 gig. EDM artist Anyma’s 12-show run kicked off on Dec. 27 and is slated to wrap on March 2, with Dead & Co. slipping back in for 18 more shows from March-May of this year, after which Kenny Chesney will touch down for 15 shows in May and June.

Check out the Sphere announcement below.