Music News

08 Jan 2025

Rod Wave Concert at LA’s Intuit Dome Canceled Due to Wildfires

Rod Wave‘s concert scheduled for Wednesday night (Jan. 8) at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, has been canceled due to the ongoing L.A. County wildfires, the rapper announced on social media.

“Concert Tonight Cancelled By Gov. Officials,” reads a post on Rod Wave’s Instagram Story from Wednesday afternoon, over ABC News footage of fires raging across Los Angeles. “I Hope Everyone Stays Safe,” the rapper added with a prayer-hands emoji.

Intuit Dome’s social accounts also shared the cancellation news, writing: “Tonight’s Rod Wave concert at Intuit Dome has been cancelled due to the wildfires in Los Angeles. The health and safety of our fans and employees will remain the top priority. Tickets will be refunded at the original point of purchase.”

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There’s no word yet whether the concert — part of Wave’s Last Lap Tour that kicked off in October — will be rescheduled for a later date. The concert was set to feature opening sets by Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior and Eelmatic. The next date on the tour is set for Monday at Denver’s Ball Arena.

Wave’s tour is in support of his most recent album, Last Lap, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in October.

The concert is part of a growing list of events being canceled or postponed in Los Angeles, including the premiere of the Robbie Williams musical biopic Better Man set for Wednesday night and the Oscar nominations reveal moving from Friday to Sunday.

According to the Los Angeles Times, at least five people have reportedly died in the wildfires and more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other buildings have burned across the county. Firefighters are continuing to fight the blazes, which have recently arrived in the Hollywood Hills after burning in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena overnight.

08 Jan 2025

Ariana Grande Says Rumored Audrey Hepburn Biopic Would Have to Be Done ‘So Perfectly’

Ariana Grande is no stranger to the law of attraction, as she points out in her song “Just Like Magic” and as seen in a 2011 tweet in which she predicted she’d portray Glinda in Wicked one day.

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Before Grande was honored at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala on Tuesday night (Jan. 7), she spoke to Entertainment Tonight on the carpet, where the reporter pointed out that her pink structured gown and ponytail and bangs combo are reminiscent of something Audrey Hepburn might wear.

“I love the 50s, 60s glamour, that’s just kind of my favorite — Marilyn, Audrey, it’s just my favorite,” Grande replied. When she was asked if she’s in the process of “manifesting” a role as the late Breakfast at Tiffany’s icon, the “Yes, And?” singer seemed surprised.

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“That would have to be done so well and so perfectly,” she noted of a potential biopic role, and told the reporter that she’s “very kind” for making the comparison.

While rumors about a biopic have been swirling for years, there has yet to be any significant movement in the project. Actress Rooney Mara was most recently lined up to portray Hepburn in a Luca Guadagnino-helmed production, though she shared earlier this year that the director is no longer part of the film. Lily Collins was also reportedly suggested for the role, due to the duo’s uncanny resemblance.

08 Jan 2025

Lil Baby Has Joint Project With Future ‘Damn Near Done’ But Young Thug May Want In

Lil Baby isn’t wasting any time in 2025. Following the arrival of his WHAM album, he’s not slowing down with plenty of heat in store for the rest of the year.

The 4PF honcho gave Spotify’s RapCaviar access to “A Day in the Life With Lil Baby” where he revealed that he’s got a joint project with Future in the works.

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“WHAM album, Dominique album, Can’t Be F—-d With tape — a compilation remember I was telling you I got that coming,” he teased of what’s to come. “Me and Future was working on a joint tape. We damn near got the joint tape done. Now [Young Thug] came home and he ain’t going for that. He like, ‘S–t.’ And it actually [was] Thug’s idea.”

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Baby continued: “He [was] like, ‘Ay, call Pluto. I want y’all to do a tape together.’ [It’s] Completely Thug’s idea. You and Pluto need to drop a tape together. He damn near named the tape. This before he got out. Now he got out, he like, ‘I’m on the tape.’ We might got something big in store on that. I don’t know exactly but it’s gonna be a lot in the works.”

The Atlanta rapper explained that he’s got so many songs in the stash with Thugger since the YSL boss is a studio rat. In the two-plus months he’s been home, Baby claims they have 10 songs done. “We done made so many songs,” he continued. “Thug he a lab rat. All he do is God damn stay in the studio. He came home and we already made 10 songs together.”

Young Thug was released on Oct. 31 after reaching a plea deal in the YSL RICO case. He spent over two years behind bars in what was the longest-running trial in Georgia’s state history.

Thugger teamed up with Future back in 2017 for the Super Slimey joint project, so it could be a full-circle ATL moment if the duo joined forces with Baby and ran it back for another edition.

Lil Baby released his WHAM project last week (Jan. 3) and it’s expected to make a lofty debut on the Billboard 200. The LP features Future, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Rod Wave and more.

Watch the full video below. Talk of the joint project takes place shortly after the eight-minute mark.

08 Jan 2025

Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish & More Stars Share Helpful Resources Amid Los Angeles Fires

Several major fires are continuing to rapidly and dangerously spread across Los Angeles, and a number of celebrities are using their platforms to provide resources to the tens of thousands of residents that are affected.

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The west-side Palisades Fire has become the most destructive in LA history, according to the Associated Press. The blaze, fanned by strong, gusting winds has led to the evacuation of more than 30,000 people as it has grown to 15,800 acres with zero containment, per CBS News. Meanwhile, the east-side Eaton Fire has caused five deaths so far and doubled in size over the past day, currently burning 10,600 acres near Pasadena. As a result, more than 52,000 residents have evacuated their homes.

In light of the tragedy, Ariana Grande took to her Instagram Stories to write, “My heart is with everyone impacted by the devastating LA fires, sharing some organizations to support who are responding to those affected in real time.” She then linked to three organizations: the LAFD Foundation, California Community Foundation and Mutual AID LA Network. She also shared this graphic, with a list of evacuation and animal shelters in the area. The Weeknd shared the same post on his Stories.

Meanwhile, Billie Eilish also linked to the Los Angeles Fire Department, writing on her Stories of her hometown, “What’s going on in LA right now is sooo scary and devastating.”

Shawn Mendes shared the same resources, adding, “I’m sorry to those who have lost their homes already, I can’t imagine. As long as you are safe out there.”

Vanessa Hudgens urged fans to “keep an eye out for evacuation zones,” adding, “This is so scary. My heart breaks for everyone affected. Thank you to all the firefighters out there risking their lives.”

Paris Hilton wrote that she’s “praying for LA/California,” adding a graphic that promotes organizations including American Red Cross, Baby2Baby, Calfund Wildfire Recovery Fund, California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund, LA Food Bank and Watch Duty.

For health alerts, evacuation updates and shelter information, check out LA County’s emergency website here.

08 Jan 2025

Rolling Loud Co-Founder Accuses Drake of ‘Ducking’ Headlining Popular Festival

You know who’s never performed at Rolling Loud? Drake. And it’s not for a lack of trying.

Rolling Loud co-founder Tariq Cherif made an appearance on Big Boy’s Neighborhood recently and was asked which artist the festival hasn’t been able to book for whatever reason. Big Boy gave him an out by suggesting that he didn’t necessarily have to name the person in question, but Cherif didn’t hold back.

“I’ll say it. I don’t care,” Cherif replied. “I feel like Drake’s ducking us.”

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Adding, “I got no beef with Drake. I like Drake. I think he’s a great artist… We’ve been trying to book him forever. We even offered Drake three nights of Drake once. They were like, ‘You need to make it special.’ Like, ‘All right, three nights of Drake.’ You’d be the headliner for three nights.” Cherif then revealed that he heard rumors that a European festival is working on “stealing” their idea, but didn’t name names like he did with the Toronto rapper.

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@real923la

@Tariq Cherif thinks #Drake is ducking #RollingLoud ?? Would y’all wanna see Drake perform at @Rolling Loud⁉️ Listen to @bigboysneighborhood tomorrow morning at 7:30am for more with @tariqcherif ? Tap in to @real923la from anywhere on the free iheartradioapp ?

♬ original sound – real923la

During the month of February, Drake is embarking on an Australian tour where he’ll also be making a couple stops in New Zealand. The tour begins on the same day as the Super Bowl and will end on March 1.

Rolling Loud California will be on March 15 and 16 at Hollywood Park next to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The festival, which started as a three-day affair in Miami back in 2015, will be switching to a two-day format and will be offering up carnival rides, brand activations, and art installations to compliment more than 75 performances.

A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, and Mexican singer Peso Pluma will serve as headliners.

08 Jan 2025

Aly & AJ Open Up About One Sister’s First Kiss With Joe Jonas: ‘It Was So Innocent’

Aly & AJ Michalka just took a trip down memory lane on Call Her Daddy, with the younger sister recalling her first kiss with the Joe Jonas on the podcast episode posted Wednesday (Jan. 8).

When host Alex Cooper asked AJ to confirm whether the 33-year-old musician’s first kiss was really with the Jonas Brothers band member, AJ replied: “Yes, that is true. In a bowling alley.”

“It was so innocent,” she continued. “It was sweet.”

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AJ went on to share that she and the DNCE frontman dated for about a year and a half, about which her 35-year-old older sister and bandmate remarked, “I mean for a young relationship, like over a year is pretty good. That’s pretty solid.”

“We met on tour,” AJ continued of Joe. “The Jonas Brothers opened for us, and that’s when we started — like, there was a spark. I was like, ‘Oh, this would be fun.’ We started dating on that.”

The Michalka sisters met the Jonas Brothers when both sibling musical groups were working with Disney. Aly & AJ starred in Disney Channel’s Cow Belles, while Joe and brothers Nick and Kevin led two Camp Rock movies and a series titled Jonas on the network.

And while their teenage romance didn’t last, both AJ and the “Sucker” singer went on to find love elsewhere. While the former has been dating boyfriend Josh for six years, Joe was married to actress Sophie Turner — with whom he shares two young daughters — for four years before their split in 2023.

Listen to Aly and AJ discuss the latter’s first kiss with Joe Jonas below.

08 Jan 2025

Ariana Grande Thanks Ryan Reynolds for ‘Most Generous’ ‘Wicked’ Praise: ‘You Really Moved Me’

Ariana Grande is thanking Ryan Reynolds for his kind words about Wicked at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala.

At Tuesday night’s event, the Deadpool star presented the musical with the night’s main honors — and made the “Yes, And?” singer tear up in the process.

Taking the podium at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, Reynolds praised Wicked for its promotion of “togetherness” while giving special shout-outs to director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt. The Canadian actor also specifically commended Cynthia Erivo and Grande’s performances in the film, saying of the latter, “Your comedic athleticism and charm is never at the cost of emotional stakes.”

“I have watched your performance over and over again, and I have learned from you each and every time,” Reynolds continued of Grande. “If Gene Wilder were alive today, I think he would be in awe of you. The Glinda character is a high-wire act. Your entire performance is a trust fall, and you caught yourself. You are brilliant.”

Shortly after the ceremony, Reynolds shared a photo on Instagram Stories of the R.E.M. Beauty founder listening to his speech with tears welling up in her eyes. Grande then reposted it onto her own Story and wrote, “YOU REALLLY MOVED ME.”

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“CLEARLY LOL,” she added. “thank you for the [kindest] and most generous words last night am so serious they meant so much and i appreciate you !!!!!!”

The Victorious alum, Erivo, Chu and Platt were all on hand to celebrate Tuesday as Wicked took home the National Board of Review prize. At one point, the project’s two leading ladies gave a speech of their own defining the power of friendship-first collaboration between costars.

“It’s the singular ‘I love you’ text, or the random ‘I’m proud of you’ voice note,” Erivo said at one point before Grande hilariously dead-panned: “It’s being so good at acting that no one ever finds out how much we f–king loathe each other.”

The ceremony came two days after the 2025 Golden Globes, where Wicked took home the award for cinematic and box office achievement. Among the films it beat: Deadpool & Wolverine, which Reynolds starred in, co-wrote and co-produced. Following its Nov. 22 premiere, Wicked quickly became the top-grossing film based on a Broadway musical ever released. As of Jan. 5, the project has surpassed $681.3 million worldwide.

Its sequel, Wicked: For Good, hits theaters Nov. 21, 2025.

08 Jan 2025

Will SZA Ever Make a Joint Album With Kendrick Lamar? Here’s What She Has to Say

Kendrick Lamar and SZA have teamed up for a plethora of hit records over the years. From “All the Stars” to “Luther,” and most recently “30 for 30,” fans have long been clamoring for a joint project from the former Top Dawg Entertainment teammates.

With Dot and Solana set to hit the road for the Grand National Tour in April, perhaps the idea of a collab project coming to fruition is closer than ever.

SZA stopped by Sherri on Wednesday (Jan. 8) in promotion of her upcoming One of Them Days movie coming to theaters next week, and she also discussed possibly teaming up with Lamar for a joint project at some point down the line.

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“I would love that,” SZA said point-blank when asked about a collab album. “I think that would be amazing. He’s such a genius. And a part of his genius is like him being so elusive and so mysterious and I love it.”

SZA also admitted she had no idea what version of her vocals were appearing on GNX that ended up becoming “Luther” and album closer “Gloria.”

“I don’t know what’s going on as much as you don’t know what’s going on,” she continued. “When ‘Luther’ came out, I said, ‘OK, that’s the vocals we’re using, period.’ Same with ‘Gloria.’ I said, ‘OK.’”

The Grammy-winning singer appreciates the unknown of working with Lamar, because it pushes her creativity outside her comfort zone at times.

“That’s also part of the fumbling and finding,” she said. “He’s a huge part of my fumbling and finding era because I’m trusting his expertise and being thrust into these moments and spotlight and saying yes. He’s so good at saying yes, but staying grounded. So I’m just like, ‘Teach me, sensei, what you know.’”

SZA and Kendrick embark on their stadium tour across North America starting April 19 in Minneapolis. The Grand National Tour will hit Houston, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Seattle, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Toronto before wrapping up in Washington, D.C., on June 18.

Watch the Sherri clip with SZA below.

08 Jan 2025

Eurythmics’ ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’ Music Video Joins YouTube’s Billion Views Club

Talk about a sweet dream come true! Eurythmics’ music video for their classic 1983 hit, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” has surpassed one billion YouTube views. It marks the British synth-pop duo’s first clip to enter the Billion Views Club.

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The Chris Ashbrook-directed music video begins with member Annie Lennox giving a business meeting to Dave Stewart in a conference room while dressed in a sleek androgynous suit, chanting the instantly-recognizable opening chorus: “Sweet dreams are made of this/ Who am I to disagree?/ I travel the world and the seven seas/ Everybody’s looking for something.” The musical duo then meditate from the conference room and teleport into a colorful dream world. In their fantasy land, they play instruments in a farm amid a herd of cows.

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” was the final single and title track of the group’s 1983 sophomore album. On the Billboard charts, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, and peaked at No. 2 on the Dance Club Songs tally. It was certified gold in the U.S. by the RIAA and led to a number of popular covers including ones by Swing and Marilyn Manson.

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To celebrate Eurythmics’ latest accomplishment, rewatch the “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” music video on YouTube below.

08 Jan 2025

Diane Warren Says Beach House Burned Down in Los Angeles Fires, Confirms Her Animals Are Safe

As dangerous wildfires continue to rapidly spread across Los Angeles County, a number of famous residents are among the thousands of people whose homes were affected by the tragedy. Songwriter Diane Warren took to Instagram on Wednesday (Jan. 8) to reveal that her beach home was one of the properties that was burned down.

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Warren took to Instagram to share a photo of the rock on the beach behind her home that reminds her of her late friend, Leah. “This is the last pic I took of Leah’s rock from my beach house. I’ve had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite,” she wrote. “There’s a rainbow shining on it which I’m taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. The animals and the rescue ranch are OK tho which is the most important thing. Stay safe everyone.”

See her post here.

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The west-side Palisades Fire has cause 30,000 people to evacuate as it has burned at least 5,000 acres so far, fanned by strong winds, per The Washington Post. Meanwhile, the east-side Eaton Fire has doubled in size over the past day, currently burning 10,6000 acres near Pasadena. As a result, more than 52,000 residents evacuated in the Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge and Glendale neighborhoods.

For health alerts, evacuation updates and shelter information, check out LA County’s emergency website here.