Music News

13 Jan 2025

The Weeknd Delays ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Album & Cancels Rose Bowl Concert Amid LA Wildfires

The Weeknd has delayed the release of his highly anticipated album Hurry Up Tomorrow in light of the ongoing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles. His album release show at the Rose Bowl, which had been slated for Jan. 25, has also been canceled.

The hitmaker broke the news to fans Monday (Jan. 13) with a post on Instagram. “Out of respect and concern for the people of Los Angeles County, the Rose Bowl Show has been cancelled and the album date has been postponed to 01.31.25,” reads the message, which he signed, “With love, Abel.”

“The city has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and my thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time,” it continues. “My focus remains on supporting the recovery of these communities and aiding its incredible people as they rebuild.”

Trending on Billboard

Hurry Up Tomorrow, the highly anticipated third act of The Weeknd’s album trilogy — which began with 2020’s Billboard 200-topper After Hours and continued with 2022’s Dawn FM — had originally been slated to arrive Jan. 24. He had planned to celebrate the release the next day with a “One Night Only” performance at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena; the arena is currently being used as a donation collection site for L.A. residents affected by the fires, according to NBC4 Los Angeles.

Fans who purchased tickets for the showcase through Ticketmaster will receive refunds automatically. Those who bought seats from a third-party reseller should reach out to their points of purchase.

The Weeknd’s announcement comes about six days after wind-fueled fires first broke out in Pacific Palisades, rapidly traveling across the Los Angeles area faster than first responders could put them out. More blazes have since broken out in areas affecting the Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, Altadena, Sylmar and Calabasas, displacing tens of thousands of residents and burning down countless structures across a combined 38,549 acres, according to CNN. The news site also reports that at least 24 people have died in the destruction.

The Weeknd’s concert is just the latest L.A. event to be canceled due to the fires. Multiple other shows in the area have also been removed from the calendar, as have a number of pre-Grammys parties. The Grammys are still expected to go live Feb. 2 at Crypto.com Arena, while the Critics Choice Awards have been postponed from Jan. 12 to Jan. 26.

See The Weeknd’s announcement below.

13 Jan 2025

Machel Montano Brings the Islands to NPR ‘Tiny Desk’ With Series’ First Soca Set

2025 has been around for less than two weeks, and Machel Montano is already making history.

On Monday (Jan. 13), the Trinidadian music icon treated NPR’s Tiny Desk series to its very first soca set. Born out of ’70s calypso in Trinidad and Tobago, soca music is characterized by its fast-paced, high-energy rhythms sourced from the traditional Indian percussion and rhythms that recording artist Lord Shorty (later Ras Shorty I) added to calypso.

Montano — who boasts a staggering four-decade career that included a 1986 appearance on Star Search and a hit single from his primary school days — delivered a warm, lively set that included hits across groovy and power soca such as “One More Time,” “Dance With You,” “Fast Wine,” “Like Ah Boss,” “Famalay” and “Soca Kingdom.” Every member of his backing band wore Monk Music T-shirts, a nod to Montano’s self-founded record label, artist services and music distribution company.

“Today we made history. For the first time ever, soca music has graced the iconic NPR Tiny Desk stage, and I am filled with gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of pride, to represent our culture on this global platform,” Montano wrote on his official Instagram page. “This isn’t just my moment, it’s OUR moment. A moment for every Soca lover, every Caribbean soul, and every person who carries the rhythm of the islands in their heart.”

Trending on Billboard

At the age of 9, Montano performed at The Theater in New York City’s Madison Square as a support act for Mighty Sparrow and other major calypso acts. Years of local success, hit singles and carnival road anthems followed, and by 2010, Pitbull tapped him to serve as special guest art for the U.S. leg of his Mr. Worldwide Canival Tour. Two years later, Montano became a Triple Crown Winner, with “Mr. Fete” earning the Groovy Soca Monarch title, while “Pump Your Flag” snagged Power Soca Monarch and Road March victories. In 2014, he won the Soul Train Music Award for best international performance with “Ministry of Road (M.O.R.),” beating out stiff competition such as Sam Smith‘s “Stay With Me.” By 2016, Montano brought soca all the way to the Coachella Valley, coming out as a special guest for Major Lazer‘s topline set; he remixed the EDM trio’s Ariana Grande-assisted “All My Love” in 2015.

Machel Montano has earned three top 10 Reggae Albums: 2015’s Monk Monte (No. 2), 2016’s Monk Evolution (No. 5) and 2019’s G.O.A.T. (No. 1).

Watch Machel Montano make soca music history at Tiny Desk below.

13 Jan 2025

Metallica Donates $500,000 to Los Angeles Fire Relief Through All Within My Hands Foundation

Metallica is using their platform to give back to communities within Los Angeles that have been affected by the catastrophic fires across the city.

The band’s philanthropic foundation, All Within My Hands, is granting $500,000 to relief efforts carried out by the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, per a press release. The foundation “dedicates itself to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services,” says its website.

The devastating fires started last week in the Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles, and by Altadena in the east. Other areas, including Studio City and Runyon Canyon, also had fires — though they have since been contained and put out.

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At the time of publication, the Palisades fire has burned more than 23,000 acres and is only 14% contained, while the east-side Eaton fires are 33% contained at 14,000 acres.  In the past week, the city has suffered 24 deaths, nearly 100,000 people under evacuation orders, and more than 12,000 structures destroyed.

A number of resources are available for those who have lost their homes or need assistance in other ways. MusiCares and the Recording Academy have launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to support music professionals impacted by the crisis, making a combined pledge of $1 million to kick off the efforts. People who have worked in the music industry for more than five years may qualify for immediate assistance, including up to $1,500 in financial aid and $500 in food vouchers.

13 Jan 2025

Doja Cat Designs Merch Collection to Support ‘My Beautiful State of California’ Amid LA Wildfires

Doja Cat is doing her part to give back to her home city as wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles.

On Monday (Jan. 13), the rapper — who was born and raised in the L.A. area — shared on Instagram that she has partnered with the American Red Cross to specially design a line of merchandise benefitting the charity organization’s relief efforts in California, where tens of thousands of people have had to evacuate since the outbreak of unrelenting wind-fueled fires last week. At least 24 people have been reported dead so far, according to CNN, while countless structures have fallen as the blazes have torn through a collective 38,549 combined acres.

“Please help me and @americanredcross support my beautiful state of California,” Doja wrote, captioning photos of some of the pieces. “100% of proceeds go to American Red Cross to support the people of California affected by the wildfires.”

Designed in partnership with artist Pini, the merch line features T-shirts and hoodies in different shades of blue and gray. One graphic features a sketch of Doja hugging the outline of California while modeling a dress made out of ocean waves; another shows a similar sketch riding the Golden State like a surfboard.

The “Paint the Town Red” musician first shared one of the designs two days prior, writing, “Holding my state with love.” Pini also posted about the collaboration on Instagram Saturday (Jan. 11) and wrote, “LA has been my home for the last ten years, to see the destruction of these fires over the last couple of days has been devastating.”

The clothing pieces are available for purchase now online. Billboard is also collecting resources and ways to support L.A. residents in crisis.

Doja is just one of many Californians left reeling amid the wildfire crisis, which began Jan. 7 when a rapidly spreading fire first broke out in Pacific Palisades. More blazes soon emerged in areas affecting the Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, Altadena, Sylmar and Calabasas, with numerous residents — including stars such as Mandy Moore, Jhené Aiko and Tina Knowles — reporting losing their homes in the destruction.

One loss that may hit close to home for the “Woman” artist is the burning of Malibu’s Harbor Studios, where Doja worked on her 2023 album Scarlet. Owner Zach Brandon announced on Instagram that the legendary recording space had been lost to the fires Jan. 8, writing, “Harbor was taken from so many artists who cared so deeply about Harbor. It was a place of musical freedom… a sanctuary in the most literal sense of the word.”

See Doja’s post and designs below.

13 Jan 2025

SZA Tells Drew Barrymore Why She Named a ‘Ctrl’ Song After Her

On her fan-favorite Ctrl song “Drew Barrymore,” SZA sings about feeling insecure and lonely — but the track’s real-life namesake makes her feel the exact opposite.

While serving as a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday (Jan. 13), the R&B hitmaker got the chance to tell her muse face to face exactly why she used the actress’ famous name as the title for her song. “It was inspired by you, it wasn’t just the title,” SZA begins in a clip from the interview as the talk show host listens intently. “The energy you carry.”

“The carefree, the understanding,” continues the “Kill Bill” singer, joining hands with Barrymore. “I wrote you this letter that I never sent you, but it talked about how, when you’re younger, and you’re a black woman, there’s not a lot of examples all the time. One of the few lovely white women that I looked up to so much on television was you, because you were so yourself.”

Trending on Billboard

“You were quirky,” SZA adds. “Your smile wasn’t perfect. I had a slight speech impediment … I love the way you talk and the you-ness of you. It just reminds me of all the things about myself that make me nervous, but on you, shine so brightly. It gave me permission to be myself.”

The four-time Grammy winner dropped debut album Ctrl in 2017, bowing at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. That June, she shared a music video for “Drew Barrymore” in which the Charlie’s Angels actress made a brief cameo, walking past SZA during a quiet moment of introspection and smiling at her reassuringly.

“We did the music video and I was just so excited to show up for you,” Barrymore recalled Monday, to which SZA remarked, “I couldn’t believe you did that.”

Eight years later, SZA is now fresh off of extending her reign at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with SOS, the deluxe version of which she dropped in December. The album has now spent a collective 12 weeks in the top spot, with the project first debuting at the chart’s summit upon its initial release in December 2022.

But the One of Them Days star has long been open about her love for Barrymore. In a 2017 interview with Billboard leading up to the release of Ctrl, SZA gushed, “She’s so casual. There’s nothing more beautiful than people who are comfortable and casual in their selves but also filled with energy and good vibes and bubbliness, and that’s her vibe. She’s chill, but she’s confident, but she’s shy. So when I wrote this song, I imagined different moments of seeing her.”

Watch SZA talk about “Drew Barrymore” on The Drew Barrymore Show above.

13 Jan 2025

Green Day, Justin Timberlake & Noah Kahan to Headline BottleRock Festival

Bay Area punk rockers Green Day will join pop icon Justin Timberlake and folk singer/songwriter Noah Kahan to headline this year’s BottleRock festival in Napa, California, May 23-25, topping off a stacked lineup that includes something for nearly all musical tastes.

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Since launching in 2013 and later being purchased by its current ownership group Latitude 38 Entertainment in 2014 (and later selling a majority stake to Live Nation in 2017), BottleRock has become a booking bellwether for the festival business with a lineup that would often provide a preview of the year ahead. Scheduled for Memorial Day weekend each year, BottleRock’s early summer date (late May) places it early on the festival season calendar, with many of the bands announced for one of its half-dozen stages typically booked for other major festivals later that summer.

Green Day, for example, is also booked to play Coachella this year and will headline 10 rock festivals in Europe and the U.K. over the summer, while Justin Timberlake is scheduled to play Lollapalooza festivals in Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Paris. Other acts appearing at this year’s BottleRock festival include “Beautiful Things” singer/songwriter Benson Boone, experimental Texas outfit Khruangbin, alt rock veterans Cage the Elephant and hip-hop legend Ice Cube, who dropped his 11th studio album Man Down in November, garnering 8 million views from the album’s lead single “It’s My Ego” on YouTube.

Trending on Billboard

Also performing at this year’s BottleRock festival is legendary Bay Area rapper E-40 (a member of hip-hop supergroup Mount Westmore along with Ice Cube), Long Beach reggae and punk legends Sublime (now led by Jakob Nowell), EDM superstar Kaskade, Cali-roots reggae outfit Rebelution, surfer-soul duo G. Love & Donavon Frankenreiter, Mexican singer/songwriter Carín León, jam band Goose, NYC electro-duo SOFI TUKKER, rap icons Public Enemy, Icelandic tour-de-force KALEO, Americana couple The War and Treaty, Texas troubadour Bob Schneider, Hollywood actress Kate Hudson who released her cover of “Voices Carry” last Spring, Beastie Boys turn-tablist Mix Master Mike, Doors founding guitarist Robby Krieger, the Linda Perry led 1990s alternative pioneers 4 Non Blondes and many, many more.

Known for its high-end food and wine pairings and embrace of the culinary world, this year’s BottleRock festival will once include the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, featuring a number of world renowned chefs, celebrities, performers and artists. Organizers also announced that it will be supporting California wildfire relief by matching every dollar donated by fans for the first $50,000 to support FireAid, a benefit concert dedicated to aiding those affected by the devastating wildfires.

Tickets for BottleRock go on sale Tuesday (Jan 14) at 10 a.m. PT. Three-day general admission tickets, including all fees, begin at $456 per person, and a special layaway plan is available for fans who want to pay as they go, starting with a $100 deposit. Learn more at BottleRockNapaValley.com.

13 Jan 2025

Macy Gray Storms Off ‘The Masked Singer UK’ Stage After Being Unmasked

Macy Gray was unmasked as the Toad on The Masked Singer UK on Saturday night (Jan. 11), but she choked as she tried to say goodbye.

The superstar was visibly upset and stormed offstage after being eliminated when the judges — Mo Gilligan, Maya Jama, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and guest panelist Suranne Jones — chose to save the mystery celebrity Bear instead of her during the Sing-Off, according to news outlet The Sun UK as well as videos circulating on social media of the moment.

After a bit of confusion from everyone onstage, the show’s host Joel Dommett told the crowd, “OK, I’m told Toad in the Hole will return to the stage.” Gray then reappeared in her costume for a noticeably terse interview.

“Did you have fun on the show?” Dommett asked Gray, to which she quickly responded, “Yeah.”

Trending on Billboard

It’s hardly the neo-soul superstar’s first time in The Masked Singer franchise. She made it to the sixth episode of Australian version of the show’s third season, dressed in the Atlantis costume. In the U.S. version, she made it to the finals of season 10 as Sea Queen, and placed in fourth behind actors Janel Parrish, John Schneider and winner Ne-Yo.

“It’s an awesome show, and it’s always fun with the fans,” she told the American audience at the time, continuing with the powerful advice, “Be good to yourselves, be good to each other, don’t take no s— off nobody.”

13 Jan 2025

Check Out These Exclusive Photos of Bad Bunny Subway Busking With Jimmy Fallon

Bad Bunny tried out his subway busking skills on Monday (Jan. 13), just before taking the on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon stage as both a musical guest and co-host.

In photos shared exclusively via Billboard ahead of the episode, the duo are seen in long curly wigs and matching beards, dressed in 1960s-inspired attire as Fallon performed on the tambourine and Bad Bunny sang. While down in the subway, the duo performed a cover of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” as well as “NUEVAYoL” off the Puerto Rican star’s freshly released album Debí Tirar Más Fotos.

The 17-track release is Benito Antonio’s sixth solo full-length project, and he’s set to perform a song from the set during his musical guest spot. “I’ve been dreaming about this album for years, and seeing it come to life has brought me immense happiness,” Bad Bunny previously said of the album in a press release. “This album is the result of the experiences that have led me to get to know myself better, even getting to know the rhythms I enjoy most — the ones I truly enjoy singing and creating.”

Bad Bunny’s Tonight Show co-hosting gig marks his seventh time on the show, stretching back to his first English-language TV interview on the program back in 2019.

The full subway performance and Bad Bunny’s co-hosting gig will air during the Jan. 13 episode of the Tonight Show, which will broadcast live on NBC at 11:35 p.m. ET and will also be available for streaming on Peacock the following day.

In the meantime, check out the exclusive photos of Bad Bunny and Fallon’s subway performance exclusively via Billboard below.

13 Jan 2025

Cam’ron Responds to Jim Jones & Questions Rapper’s Harlem Roots: ‘You Were a Fan’

Cam’ron has issued a scathing response to Jim Jones as he fired back at his Diplomats running mate during an explosive episode of It Is What It Is on Monday (Jan. 13).

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Killa Cam’s comments came after Jones’ appearance on Justin Laboy’s podcast earlier this month, where Cam pushed back against Capo’s claim that Ma$e continuously disrespected Cam’ron after signing to Bad Boy and questioned Jones’ Harlem roots.

“You’re a guardian angel in designer, n—a,” Cam began. “You are from The Bronx, bro. You are not from Harlem. I did not grow up with you, my n—a.”

Trending on Billboard

Cam set the record straight. According to his account, Jim Jones wanted to be cool with him after hearing his freestyles and mixtapes buzzing around the city. “Basically, you heard our freestyles and you came up to me one day and you said, ‘Yo man, I heard the freestyles. Y’all killing s–t. My grandmother died if y’all wanna come by and just hang out, y’all more than welcome,’” he claimed. “You were fanned out and you begged n—s to come to your house after you heard all these mixtapes.”

Cam’ron continued to allege that Ma$e taught Jimmy how to rap and went on to play several interview clips of Jones saying the same.

“We taught you how to rap, n—a,” Cam added. “How you ran the whole organization? How you made Diplomats? N—a, you ain’t made none of this! You were a fan. I put you down ’cause you had a free crib and you were a nice guy.”

Jones took issue with Cam having 50 Cent on his Talk With Flee YouTube show recently due to their past friction, as they reflected on his Dipset teammates Juelz Santana and Jones joining 50 at a G-Unit show in 2007.

“I didn’t think it would be a big deal because you make up with every n—a that put hands on you,” Cam clapped back. “I see you with C-Gutta from Junior M.A.F.I.A. I see you taking pictures with Tru Life. Mendeecees, y’all having sit-downs. Gunshots were let off with that! Y’all having sit-downs to work it out.”

50 never minces words, and didn’t waste an opportunity to insert himself into the feud. “Individual 1, I mean joMo, jimmy you better holla at Cam privately and chill out,” he wrote in his Monday repost of Cam’s rant to Instagram, while urging them to hash it out privately.

Don’t expect Cam’ron to speak on Jones publicly again, as he claimed this is the final time he will discuss their relationship. “This is going to be the last time I address this,” he stated. “I’m not doing this every seven, eight, nine, 10 years. Whatever you got to say after this, I wish you luck. I got other s–t to do.”

Watch the full video below.

13 Jan 2025

Producer Madlib Loses Home & Music Equipment in Los Angeles Fires

Legendary hip-hop producer Madlib has become one of the thousands of people to lose their homes in the devastating fires that continue to rage across Los Angeles.

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In a post shared to X on Monday (Jan. 13), DJ Premier shared a Donor Box link to help Madlib and his family rebuild after the tragedy. “Another great legend @madlib has completely lost his entire home and belongings to the California fires,” he wrote. “A donation box has been set up.”

The donation link via nonprofit LOVElikeWWATER description reads, “We are reaching out with heavy hearts to ask for your support in helping legendary producer Madlib and his family after losing their home, decades of music, and equipment in the devastating LA fires. Your donation, no matter the amount, will provide assistance to help Madlib with immediate personal needs, essentials like clothing, temporary housing, transportation costs and the tools Madlib needs to continue creating the music that has touched so many lives.”

The catastrophic fires started last week in the Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles, and quickly spread to other areas over the next few days, including Altadena, Studio City and Runyon Canyon.

At the time of publication, the Palisades fire has burned more than 23,000 acres and is only 14% contained, while the east-side Eaton fires are 33% contained at 14,000 acres.

A number of resources are available for those who have lost their homes or need assistance in other ways. MusiCares and the Recording Academy have launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to support music professionals impacted by the crisis, making a combined pledge of $1 million to kick off the efforts. People who have worked in the music industry for more than five years may qualify for immediate assistance, including up to $1,500 in financial aid and $500 in food vouchers