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Rosé and Bruno Mars’ are making chart history with their duet “APT.,” which continues its reign at No. 1 on the ARIA Singles Charts for its ninth non-consecutive week. The track now holds the title of the longest-running No. 1 duet since Elton John and Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” dominated for 10 weeks back in 2020-21.
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The milestone cements “APT.” as one of the most iconic duets of the decade, holding its own amidst fierce competition from Gracie Abrams’ emotional anthem “That’s So True” and Mariah Carey’s holiday staple “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” which had a brief resurgence during the festive season.
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Sabrina Carpenter is also celebrating a landmark moment with her album Short n’ Sweet. The record has now notched nine non-consecutive weeks at the top of the ARIA Albums Chart, making it the longest-running No. 1 album by a female artist since Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) held the spot for 14 weeks in 2023-24. Excluding Taylor’s catalog, Carpenter’s achievement is unmatched by a solo female artist since Adele’s 21, which spent an incredible 32 weeks at No. 1 in 2010-11. The only longer recent run by a female artist was Lady Gaga’s A Star Is Born soundtrack, credited alongside Bradley Cooper, which logged 11 weeks at No. 1 in 2018-19. Carpenter’s success with Short n’ Sweet is a testament to her growing dominance in the global pop scene.
The ARIA Singles Chart is also spotlighting emerging talent this week. British DJ Chrystal has broken into the top 10 for the first time with her remix of “The Days (Notion Remix),” which leaps from No. 18 to No. 7. Meanwhile, SZA continues to thrive with “BMF,” a fresh track from the new Lana edition of her 2022 album SOS. The song rises from No. 27 to No. 17 as the SOS album itself holds strong at No. 2 on the Albums Chart.
Morgan Wallen makes waves on the Singles Chart with his newest release “Smile,” which debuts at No. 36. The track, his third single from his upcoming fourth album, marks Wallen’s seventh top 50 hit in Australia and adds to his growing country-pop repertoire, which includes chart-toppers like “Last Night” and “I Had Some Help” featuring Post Malone.
Over on the Albums Chart, Lil Baby’s Wham debuts at No. 42, becoming his third solo album to chart in Australia. Previous entries include My Turn (No. 20 in 2020) and It’s Only Me (No. 7 in 2022), along with his collaborative effort with Lil Durk, The Voice Of The Heroes (No. 20 in 2021).
The top albums of the week are led by Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet in first place, followed by SZA’s SOS, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard And Soft, the Wicked movie soundtrack featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department.
Veteran actor Rob Lowe has used a recent episode of his podcast to reflect on how he almost embarked upon a music career thanks to Toto.
Lowe made the claim during a discussion with journalist, author, and fellow podcaster Bill Simmons as part of the latest episode of SiriusXM’s Literally! With Rob Lowe. During their chat, the pair switched their focus onto the world of ’80s music and nascent documentary Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary, for which Simmons is an executive producer.
“That’s the other thing about yacht rock,” Simmons said during a focus on the somewhat negative attitudes to the genre in recent years. “These songs were some of – literally – the biggest songs of the year; songs that won Grammys.
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“[The Doobie Brothers‘] ‘Minute by Minute’ won a Grammy, Christopher Cross won, like, four Grammys. Toto crushed at the Grammys. Toto crushed at the Grammys to the point that people got pissed about it. Like, there was a Grammys backlash. They were like, ‘Who the fuck are these guys?’”
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Lowe countered Simmons’ claims about Toto’s success at the 1983 Grammy Awards (in which they won six awards due to the success of Toto IV and lead single “Rosanna”) by recalling how he too had a brush with the Los Angeles rockers.
“I got one for ya. There was a minute in the ’80s where I was definitely doing too much Bolivian marching powder and just being a fucking lunatic,” Lowe remembered. “And [it was] also coming at the time in a young actor’s career where they’re too old to play the roles they’ve been playing, but they’re too young to play the roles that will last you the rest of your life, which are really the great ones. And you can kind of feel it.
“I love music so much, as evidenced by this talk and all of that, that I got it into my head that maybe I should think more about music and I cut a demo with Toto.”
“Wow, this is one of the reasons you’re the world’s most interesting man,” Simmons responded. “You were partying with the Showtime Lakers as they were winning titles during the Magic’s shots scenario. Who weren’t you involved with in L.A. in the ’80s?”
“Probably nobody, because I also took having fun very seriously,” Lowe added.
Lower did not elaborate on the track further, and it’s unclear what happened to the demo that he recorded with Toto, or if it may ever see a potential release – ideally on a future sequel to the Yacht Rock documentary.
The “most misunderstood entry” in the White Stripes‘ back catalog is getting a revisit for its 20th anniversary.
Released as part of the ongoing Vault subscription series from Jack White‘s Third Man Records, Get Behind Me Satan XX comes packaged as part of a special two-record set alongside an additional 7″ record and a Blu-Ray, serving as a companion to the original 2005 album.
“Often mistaken as a break-up album, a treatise on fame, or a ‘piano’ album, the record is most accurately described in Jack White’s own words as focused on the truth,” a statement from Third Man Records reads. “The fact that it was in no way Elephant, Part 2 only further confused, infuriated, and/or beguiled many.
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“Twenty years later and the album still stands out for how fresh and how timeless it sounds. In the face of newfound worldwide commercial success, no other contemporary rock band had the stones to introduce mandolin, tympani, hand bells and marimba into their arsenal, let alone embark on deep tours of both Central America and Eastern Europe. But as has long been established, the White Stripes were singular. They were never like anybody else. What enchants now, upon further reflection, is the disparate threads that all came together to make Satan so refreshing.”
The first disc of the new package comes front-stacked with previously-unreleased demos of the album and alternate studio takes. “At the same time both skeletal and enlightening, Jack White’s songwriting demos from 2004 and early 2005 – captured with zero concern for fidelity or thought that anyone else would ever hear them – are of prime excitement here,” the statement adds.
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Meanwhile, the second disc features previously-unreleased live recordings from the album’s 2005 tour, while the additional 7″ record boasts “one of the great white whales in Stripes history”, a recording of the long sought-after “Spitting Tacks”. Additionally, the Blu-Ray captures footage of the band during a tour of Central and South America in support of the original record.
“Armed with a mini-DV camera and free reign to capture whatever caught his eye, David James Swanson tagged along on the White Stripes Central and South American tour in 2005,” Third Man Records added. “A soundcheck here, rabid fans singing along there, it’s all crystalline visual quality on a handheld scale. While it would be too grandiose to deem this a ‘film’, the collection of sequences and behind-the-scenes moments captured here are a striking, complimentary statement of the unique and chaotic time that the White Stripes inhabited in this era.”
In typical fashion, the nascent package is rounded out by an expansive archival booklet which collects photos, concert posters, a comprehensive list of tour dates, “and all the exhaustive details fans have come to expect from these anniversary editions”.
Released in June 2005 as the White Stripes’ fifth – and penultimate – album, Get Behind Me Satan peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and saw the group win the Grammy for Best Alternative Album the following year.
While the original album has been occasionally reissued since its original release, Third Man Records’ Vault editions are not typically reissued, with those interested in the Get Behind Me Satan XX advised to sign up to the Vault before Jan. 31st.
John Mayer is sending a message to victims of the devastating wildfires across Los Angeles County, recognizing that many of the losses suffered this week are truly and tragically irreplaceable.
On his social accounts, Mayer shared a photo of a file folder containing photos of his 97-year-old father, Richard, “spanning his life from being a baby, an educator, a husband and a father,” which the singer/songwriter called “the most valuable thing I own.”
“It’s the only evidence of his life that will exist over time,” Mayer wrote in his caption. “These are the ‘documents’ you read about people taking from their homes. When you hear someone say they’ve lost everything in a fire, this is much of that everything, if not all of it. Those who say they’ll be okay still have their folders and their albums. Those who are inconsolable have lost them.”
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Many ordered to evacuate fire zones starting on Tuesday had just minutes to round up their families and pets and grab anything they could before leaving homes they might never return to. Mayer’s caption addressed those who didn’t have time to salvage anything beyond the essentials, like the sentimental treasures that can never be replaced.
“Just behind the immeasurable loss of life is the loss of the proof of life,” he wrote. “I don’t practice prayer but tonight I will say one for everyone who no longer has these items. It’s not about the art and the collectibles. It’s the photos, the letters, the class rings, the eyeglasses and the things we keep to remind us that those we loved were here. May those who have lost so much find some semblance of hope and support from their family and friends.”
Mayer ended his message by urging everyone to “stay safe, look out for yourself and for one another, and trust that humanity and all it entails, though sometimes hard to see, is alive and well. This is truly devastating.”
Five people have been confirmed dead after multiple fires raging throughout Los Angeles County, starting on Tuesday. Late Thursday, the latest blaze, called the the Kenneth Fire, was threatening the Calabasas area. Billboard has compiled an updating list of organizations offering relief for musicians and music industry professionals affected by the hugely destructive blazes, as well as an ongoing roundup of events and concerts canceled or postponed due to the fires.
Find Mayer’s full message below:
Just like Beyoncé and Post Malone before them, Australian children’s music group The Wiggles is going country.
The upcoming album Wiggle Up, Giddy Up! is slated to release March 7 and will feature music and collaborations between The Wiggles and country artists including Dasha, Dolly Parton, Lainey Wilson, Jackson Dean, Orville Peck, MacKenzie Porter and Lucky Oceans.
The album will also feature music from Australian and New Zealand-native country artists including Morgan Evans, Troy Cassar-Daley, Travis Collins, Kaylee Bell, The Wolfe Brothers and the late Australian country music icon Slim Dusty.
The album’s title track features “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” hitmaker Dasha, who released the project What Happens Now? in February 2024.
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“This is one of the most exciting projects we’ve ever been a part of, in fact, I’ve never spent so much time on an album before,” Anthony Field, who portrays the Blue Wiggle and is a co-founder of the group, said in a statement. “Country music is all about storytelling and connection. Combining that with The Wiggles’ fun and imagination and collaborations with these legendary country music artists felt like the perfect match. We can’t wait for families everywhere to hear these songs!”
Lachy Gillespie, who portrays the Purple Wiggle, added, “We’re so excited to share ‘Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!’ with families everywhere. It’s a song that’s packed with energy, fun, and plenty of country flair. Collaborating with the incredible Dasha, whose music has already brought country music to a whole new audience, was an absolute joy. Whether you’re three, thirty-three, or ninety-three, this song is all about bringing people together to sing, dance, and even try a bit of line dancing!”
The Wiggles have released music projects since 1999, and previously issued the country-themed album Cold Spaghetti Western in 2004.
The Wiggles will also tour in the United States this summer, when their Bouncing Balls Tour runs from June 1 to July 6.
Hear Dasha’s title collaboration with The Wiggles below:
Sesame Street has an impressive roster of special guests lined up for the 55th season of the beloved children’s show, which premieres on Max on Jan. 16. SZA, Noah Kahan, Chris Stapleton, Reneé Rapp and Samara Joy are set to appear on episodes this year, during a season that will center on teaching kids about emotional well-being.
Actor Michael B. Jordan, TV personality/hair stylist Jonathan Van Ness and tennis player Billie Jean King round out the list of celebrity guests Sesame Workshop announced on Thursday (Jan. 9).
This season’s celebrity guests will join the program for “Street Stories,” songs and other segments.
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New Sesame Street episodes will air every Thursday.
With its focus on emotional well-being, this season of the show aims to “help children learn accessible strategies to comprehend and cope with big feelings through fun, lighthearted, relatable and engaging stories,” according to a press release from Sesame Workshop.
“New episodes of Sesame Street will help young viewers understand and express their feelings, learn new mindfulness practices, and as always, have a blast with their favorite furry and funny friends,” Sesame Street executive producer Sal Perez says. “Whether it’s taking a volcano breath when angry, learning to give yourself a hug when frustrated, or wiggling it out when disappointed, we are empowering children with the strategies to help build resiliency and the foundational skills for emotional well-being.”
“This season’s emotional well-being curriculum was developed in response to the growing mental health crisis affecting children globally. Focusing on emotion awareness and social connection skills, children will learn that all feelings are important and that we all experience big feelings, as well as how to navigate social scenarios with friends, families, and the wider community,” adds Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Sesame Workshop’s senior vp of curriculum and content.
Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Ernie, Elmo, Abby and more keep joining in on the fun and learning on Sesame Street, which also continues to be available on PBS stations via streaming on PBS KIDS.
See the full lineup of upcoming guests announced for Sesame Street and watch the trailer for Season 55 below.
Reneé Rapp (Thursday, January 16)Michael B. Jordan (Thursday, Jan. 23)Samara Joy (Thursday, Feb. 6)Noah Kahan (Thursday, March 6)SZA (Thursday, April 10)Chris Stapleton (Thursday, July 24)Jonathan Van Ness (Thursday, Aug. 21)Billie Jean King (Thursday, August 28)
Universal has revealed the impressive sales on Jon M. Chu’s Wicked premium video-on-demand release. The movie-musical earned more than $70 million in the U.S. and Canada in its first week available to watch at home, per The Hollywood Reporter. The film, which stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, generated more […]
Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton and Tucker Wetmore will lead a night meshing music and sports, when they spearhead EA Sports Presents Madden Bowl at the Orpheum Theater on Friday, Feb. 7, with the concert happening just two days prior to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The show will also feature an appearance by Trombone Shorty with the New Breed Brass Band.
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Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” reigned supreme this year, logging 19 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, while Jelly Roll also reached new chart heights this year, notching his first all-genre Billboard 200 debut with his album Beautifully Broken. Stapleton continued to cement his status as a reliable hitmaker and award winner, earning CMA Awards accolades and seeing his song “White Horse” reach No. 2 on the Country Airplay chart. Newcomer Wetmore’s “Wind Up Missin’ You” has risen to No. 2 on the Country Airplay chart, and follows his breakthrough hit “Wine into Whiskey.”
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“EA SPORTS is a cornerstone of Super Bowl Week, and on Friday at Super Bowl LIX we’re bringing together fans, music, athletes, esports, and Madden in an unforgettable celebration of football,” John Reseburg, VP, Marketing, Partnerships, and Communications for EA SPORTS, said in a statement. “New Orleans is one of the greatest and most passionate sports cities in the world, and with a line-up including Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, and more, this is going to be an absolutely electric night at EA SPORTS Presents Madden Bowl.”
“2024 was an unforgettable year for me with a lot of highs, including performing at a NFL halftime show on Thanksgiving,” Shaboozey said in a statement. “Now I can’t wait to keep the party going with EA SPORTS and football fans from all over at Madden Bowl.”
Last year’s Madden Bowl, which was held in Las Vegas, featured artists and bands including Big Boi and Killer Mike, Breland, and Green Day.
Super Bowl LIX will be held at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9.
Chappell Roan has come first in the BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2025 list, an annual poll that recognizes rising artists with “the best chance of mainstream success.”
The pop sensation, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, was chosen as the winner by a panel of more than 180 music industry figures and artists, including global superstars Dua Lipa and Elton John. Further details of the panel and how the list was compiled are available via BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2025 website.
Roan (Island Records) beat out jazz group Ezra Collective (Partisan Records), who came second, and Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune), Myles Smith (RCA) and Mercury Prize winners English Teacher (Island). The achievement follows a breakthrough year for the 26-year-old, whose single “Good Luck, Babe!” peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September, five months on from its initial release.
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In the past 12 months, Roan has scooped the top new artist prize at the Billboard Music Awards; netted six Grammy nominations, including nods in each of the Big Four categories; toured the world over and drawn record-breaking crowds at festivals. Her 2023 debut LP, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, meanwhile, enjoyed a second wind and climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in August.
Roan will headline Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain, June 5-7 alongside Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter. She will also top the bill at Reading & Leeds Festival, England, Aug. 21-24 as part of a co-headline booking next to Hozier. Other festivals she is set to play through the summer include Oslo’s Øya Festival (Aug. 6), Budapest’s Sziget (Aug. 11) and Rock In Seine in Paris (Aug. 20).
BBC Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders said: “No one deserves this accolade more than Chappell Roan. She was the most exciting artist of the last 12 months and is now set to be THE artist of the next 12 months. The success is all her own doing: standing tall in the face of the doubters and keeping her community close to fuel the energy of her shows and musical movements. Congratulations Chappell, 2025 is your year!”
Last year’s BBC Radio 1 Sound of poll was won by baroque-pop band The Last Dinner Party, with runners-up including Olivia Dean, Peggy Gou and Tyla. Notable previous winners include Adele (2008), Florence + The Machine (2009), Sam Smith (2013) and Sam Fender (2019).
The 2025 longlist, which was unveiled in November, was comprised of 11 acts, including Kneecap, Mk.gee, Doechii, Confidence Man, Pozer and Good Neighbours.
Frances Tiafoe still can’t believe he’s famous enough to be in the same rooms as people like Taylor Swift, much less taking shots with the pop star.
But on the Jan. 7 episode of The Pivot Podcast, the tennis pro revealed that he and Swift did exactly that when their paths crossed recently. While recalling moments where he’s felt amazed by his own celebrity status, Tiafoe reflected, “I’ve said it in real time, whoever I’m with, like, ‘Yo, I’m out here taking shots with Taylor Swift.’”
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“Granted, I gotta keep it a buck, we’re here on The Pivot — I’m a Beyoncé guy,” the athlete continued. “But at the moment I’m like, ‘Man, this is crazy. She’s the biggest star out here.’”
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The podcast comes about two months after Tiafoe hung out with Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, following the football team’s victory against the Denver Broncos in November. At the time, the tennis player’s girlfriend, fellow athlete Ayan Broomfield, shared a selfie featuring both couples on Instagram, showing Kelce grinning wide as the “Anti-Hero” singer made a kissy face.
“Then Travis and [Patrick] Mahomes, they were like, ‘Yo, we gotta have you in [Kansas City],’” Tiafoe added of meeting the Chiefs players on The Pivot. “Them saying that is wild to me, that they would roll out the red carpet for me. It’s crazy because playing tennis and being able to reach that many people, and people want to meet me and hang out and actually do stuff … it’s why you do what you do.”
Swift and the New Heights podcaster have previously proven themselves to be tennis fans, attending the 2024 U.S. Open in September alongside Patrick and Brittany Mahomes. The outing sparked one viral moment for the 14-time Grammy winner and Kelce as the couple goofed off together singing along to “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness as it came on the stadium speakers in Queens.
Watch Tiafoe recall partying with Swift and meeting Kelce below.
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