Music News

07 Jan 2025

Chappell Roan to Perform at Elton John’s 2025 AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party

Chappell Roan is taking the stage to perform at the 33rd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, the organization announced on Tuesday (Jan. 7).

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The event, which takes place on March 2 is co-hosted by Elton John, David Furnish, Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, and raises funds in support of the foundation’s efforts to end AIDS and LGBTQ+ stigma. All funds raised during the event will support the Foundation’s partners in preventing HIV transmissions and discrimination, while expanding education and providing care to vulnerable communities. Since its inception in 1992, the Viewing Party has raised nearly $115 million.

Additionally, the event spotlights a star-studded Benefit Chair and Committee, including Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Sharon Stone, Sean Penn, Mick Jagger and Jeffrey Wright. 

Trending on Billboard

“Music has always been a force for change, uniting communities, raising awareness, and inspiring hope in the fight against AIDS. Today, as AIDS still claims a life every minute, that spirit fuels our mission to end the epidemic by standing against stigma and ensuring equal access to care,” said John. “David and I are thrilled to gather with friends and supporters once again, and we’re honored to welcome the bold and authentic Chappell Roan as this year’s performer, whose artistry embodies the power of music to inspire change.”

Roan has skyrocketed to fame in the year since she dropped her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. After a series of headline-making performances — including at Coachella and Gov Ball 2024 — the 14-track project earned a new peak of No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

07 Jan 2025

Jelly Roll Thinks He Can End Eminem & Machine Gun Kelly’s Feud

Eminem and MGK (formerly Machine Gun Kelly) have one of modern music’s longest standing feuds, but if one person can bring them together, it’s probably Jelly Roll. And on a recent episode of the Flagrant podcast, the “Son of a Sinner” singer said that he’s up to the task. 

While discussing how he’s worked with both the Detroit rapper and the “My Ex’s Best Friend” musician in the past, Jelly revealed that he hopes to someday “bring them together,” as he sees “so much more of them in each other than they know.” “They’re gonna get together one day, eventually,” he added confidently. 

Trending on Billboard

“I haven’t really brought it up to Marshall yet, ’cause I’m just still kind of glad that I’m still in that circumference to be able to have those conversations,” the country star continued. “I also gave [MGK] some perspective too: We all grew up watching Eminem take over the game early. If you got mentioned in an Eminem song, it was like being mentioned in a comedy special. You’re on f–king fire. You couldn’t be hotter.”

Em and MGK first started butting heads in 2012, when the latter — who was 22 at the time — referred to the former’s then-16-year-old daughter Hallie as “hot as f–k” on Twitter, which is now called X. In the years since, the two rappers have dissed each other in their music, and Slim Shady most recently name-dropped his opponent on 2020’s “Unaccommodating.”

“But when they ask me is the war finished with MGK? Of course it is,” Em riffed on the track. “I cleansed him of his mortal sins/ I’m God and the Lord forgives/ Even the devil worshippers.”

Even so, Jelly said that a truce between his two friends is “inevitable.” “I think that they’re gonna find each other’s heart more than they don’t,” he said on the podcast. “If they never do connect that way, [the feud] did more for both of them than it did to hurt either one of them.”

When asked how he balances his relationships with Em and MGK, Jelly noted that he simply stays transparent with both stars and their teams. The “Need a Favor” musician has worked with the “Emo Girl” artist on the tracks “Lonely Road” and “Time of Day,” as well as appeared on “Somebody Save Me” from Eminem’s Billboard 200-topping album The Death of Slim Shady. According to Jelly, neither of his friends has ever had an issue with him working with both of them, despite the two hip-hop stars’ famous beef. 

Listen to Jelly share his thoughts on Eminem and MGK’s feud on Flagrant above. 

07 Jan 2025

Kendrick Lamar Called a ‘Trash Rapper’ by WWE’s New Day During ‘Raw’

Kendrick Lamar has a couple more names to add to his opp list for 2025. WWE‘s Raw made its Netflix debut in Los Angeles on Monday night (Jan. 6), and wrestling tag team New Day called out the West Coast rapper in his home state.

“Think about it,” began the duo’s Xavier Woods. “The past six months y’all have been elevating this trash rapper Kendrick Lamar.” The heel turn was met with plenty of boos from the sold-out Intuit Dome crowd.

Kofi Kingston chimed in: “Boo him! We think he sucks, too. Boo him, yes!”

Trending on Billboard

New Day welcomed the cheap heat. “Doing this in LA is insane work,” one fan wrote on X. Another added, “Top tier trolling…”

Others online complained that the clip was seen only by those in the arena and Netflix subscribers who opted for ad-free plan, while it was cut from the streamer’s standard-with-ads plan.

Billboard has reached out to Kendrick Lamar and Netflix for comment.

It’s quite the crossover for West Coast rap and WWE fans. Fans will have to wait and see if the move makes it onto Kendrick’s radar, and whether the Compton rhymer offers up any response in his music going forward.

Kendrick wasn’t the only rapper in the mix on Raw. Travis Scott pulled up to the star-studded Netflix debut, as his unreleased track “4×4” was implemented as the show’s theme song. The “Sicko Mode” rapper’s appearance was first teased by WWE’s Triple H, who announced on Nov. 17 that the rapper would be taking part in the debut. Netflix then announced the next day that Scott’s music would serve as Raw‘s new theme song.

07 Jan 2025

Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn to Co-Headline Fenway Park Show

Three-time ACM entertainer of the year winner Jason Aldean and reigning 15-time CMA vocal duo of the year winners Brooks & Dunn are teaming up to co-headline a concert at Boston’s iconic ballpark Fenway Park on May 30. “Whiskey on You” hitmaker Nate Smith and “God Made Girls” singer RaeLynn will open the show, which will be held at the home of the Boston Red Sox.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Playing Fenway Park has always been a highlight for me over the years,” Aldean said in a statement. “I love the city of Boston, the people and the energy surrounding the city. Getting to play it with some of my musical heroes, Brooks & Dunn, is going to be one for the ages.”

Trending on Billboard

Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks added, “It’s going to be a blast playing such an iconic stadium like Fenway with our buddy Jason. See you in the spring, Boston!”

This isn’t the first time Aldean and B&D have teamed up. As part of the CMA Awards’ 50th anniversary show in 2016, they collaborated on a performance of Brooks & Dunn’s “Brand New Man.” In 2022, they also performed “Brand New Man” (along with Darius Rucker) to ring in the new year on New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash.

Aldean is currently in the studio working on new music to follow his most recent album, Macon, Georgia (which included hits “Try That in a Small Town” and “If I Didn’t Love You”), while Brooks & Dunn recently announced the 2025 dates for the first leg of their Neon Moon Tour, and released their album Reboot II in November.

Tickets for the Fenway Park show will be available on Friday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. local time via Live Nation.

07 Jan 2025

Bad Bunny to Perform & Co-Host on ‘Tonight Show’ Alongside Jimmy Fallon

Bad Bunny is slated to make a special appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday (Jan. 13) as both a musical guest and co-host, Billboard can exclusively announce.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The 30-year-old superstar will perform live a song from his latest album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which dropped Sunday (Jan. 5). The 17-track release is Benito Antonio’s sixth solo full-length, which is a riveting and charming homage to Puerto Rico, where he honors the native styles stylistically and thematically, encompassing new and traditional genres like jíbara, plena, salsa and reggaetón.

“I’ve been dreaming about this album for years, and seeing it come to life has brought me immense happiness,” Bad Bunny previously said in a press release. “I’ve always been honest with my followers, and through this new production, they’ll continue to learn more about me as I, too, discover more about myself. 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.”

Trending on Billboard

In 2019, Bad Bunny made his first English-language TV interview on The Tonight Show, where he performed “Bellacoso” alongside fellow Puerto Rican rapper Residente. His next appearance will mark the “El Clúb” hitmaker’s seventh time on the show. Prior to this engagement, Demi Lovato was the last artist to co-host the late-night show in 2022.

The episode starring Bad Bunny will be broadcast live on NBC at 11:35 p.m. ET and will also be available for streaming on Peacock the following day.

07 Jan 2025

Spotify Unveils The Weeknd Concert Film in Celebration of His 25 Billions Club Songs

Spotify is celebrating a record-breaking artist with a first-ever concert film.

The streaming platform teamed up with The Weeknd to launch a concert film on Tuesday (Jan. 7). The show, Billions Club Live With The Weeknd, is a 45-minute film capturing the star’s recent one-night-only Los Angeles concert honoring his record-breaking 25 songs with over a billion streams.

The OBB Pictures-produced film will be available on Spotify via iOS, Android, desktop or TV devices and will feature performances of his biggest hits, as well as new tracks from his upcoming album Hurry Up Tomorrow. Additionally, the project includes a number special voiceover moments recorded from The Weeknd, in which he “reflects on moments of transformation throughout his career and expresses gratitude for his global audience,” per a release.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Hurry Up Tomorrow is set to arrive on Jan. 24 via XO and Republic Records, and will serve as the third and final installment of his recent trilogy, following 2020’s After Hours and 2022’s Dawn FM. The project will feature previously released singles “Dancing in the Flames,” “Timeless” with Playboi Carti and “São Paulo” featuring Anitta. 

“The album I’m working on now is probably my last hurrah as The Weeknd. This is something that I have to do. As The Weeknd, I’ve said everything I can say,” he told W Magazine in May 2023, noting that he’ll still make music potentially under his real name Abel Tesfaye.

Trending on Billboard

He will also be releasing an accompanying psychological thriller film of the same name, directed by Trey Edward Shults and also starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.

07 Jan 2025

Cast and Crew Reflect on 50 Years of TV History in Trailer for Peacock’s ‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’

As Saturday Night Live continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Peacock has shared the first look of its upcoming four-part docuseries, SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. An immersive undertaking that honors the vast legacy of SNL, the new docuseries features over 60 contributors, including current and former SNL alumni, and covers decades of the iconic show’s history.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Anybody could do comedy,” says former cast member Tracy Morgan in the new trailer. “I could teach all of y’all in here how to tell jokes and do comedy, but are you funny?”

Morgan is joined by some of the show’s most notable cast members, hosts, and writers – including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jimmy Fallon, Al Franken, Amy Poehler, Bobby Moynihan, Bowen Yang, Pete Davidson, Tom Hanks, Kevin Nealon, Andy Samberg, Dana Carvey, Bob Odenkirk, Seth Meyers, Jon Lovitz, Keenan Thompson, and more – as they reflect upon the history and impact that SNL has had over the decades.

Trending on Billboard

“It’s an American institution,” adds former writer and host Larry David.

The first episode of the series, “Five Minutes”, goes deep into the SNL audition process, including previously unseen audition footage and firsthand accounts of the nerve-wracking affair from some of the show’s most notable names. The writing process, including the oft-overlooked writers of the historic sketches, is the focus of the second episode, fittingly titled “Written By: A Week Inside The SNL Writers Room.”

Episode three goes deep into the titular “More Cowbell” sketch and the lasting impact that the 2000 segment had upon comedy, while the fourth and final episode lifts the curtain on “Season 11: The Weird Year,” as it examines the pivotal year which helped to reset the show’s trajectory and cemented its place in television history with Lorne Michaels at the helm.

The broadcast is directed by Robert Alexander, Marshall Curry, Neil Berkeley, and Jason Zeldes, and produced by Tremolo Productions, Jonathan Formica, and Allison Klein. Academy and Emmy Award winner Morgan Neville also serves as executive producer alongside Caitrin Rogers.

“I’ve been obsessed with Saturday Night Live as long as I can remember,” says Neville. “For SNL50, I’ve been lucky to collaborate with some of my favorite independent filmmakers to tell some deeper stories of SNL. Taken together, these standalone episodes give a new perspective of SNL and what makes it work.”

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night will premiere on Jan. 16 as a streaming exclusive on Peacock. The documentary is part of a collection of celebratory programming, including the Questlove-directed Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music NBC documentary on Jan. 27 and a live primetime special on Feb. 16 on NBC and Peacock.

Check out the trailer below.

07 Jan 2025

Bailey Zimmerman Reveals Summer 2025 U.S. Headlining Dates on New to Country Tour

Since notching his first Billboard Country Airplay chart-topping hit in 2022 with “Fall in Love,” Bailey Zimmerman has ascended to headliner status and amassed a total of four Country Airplay No. 1s along the way.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

He’ll bring his arsenal of hits and energetic headlining stage show to 16 amphitheaters across the country this summer when his Live Nation-promoted New to Country Summer Tour launches June 6 in Indianapolis, with opening support from “Boys Back Home” hitmaker Dylan Marlowe and “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” hitmaker Drew Baldridge.

Following the tour’s Indianapolis launch, the trek will hit cities including Alpharetta, Ga., Richmond, Va., St. Louis and Denver, before wrapping Sept. 13 in Laughlin, Nev.

Trending on Billboard

Tickets for the New to Country Tour will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. local time at baileyzimmermanmusic.com. Fans can sign up for the artist presale until Wednesday at 8 a.m. CT. Presale access begins Thursday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. local time.

Zimmerman has steadily built his career to towering heights over the past few years. Zimmerman’s Religiously. The Album. entered the all-genre Billboard 200 at No. 7 and reached No. 3 on the Top Country Albums chart. In 2024, he sold out his first international headlining tour and earned his first CMA Award nomination, for new artist of the year. He was featured on the all-star soundtrack to Twisters: The Movie with the song “Hell or High Water” and just released his new song “Holy Smokes.”

See the full slate of Zimmerman’s New to Country summer tour dates below:

June 6: Indianapolis (Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park) *
June 7: Sterling Heights, Mich. (Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre) *
June 13: St Louis (St. Louis Music Park) *
June 14: Rogers, Ark. (Walmart AMP) *
June 19: St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine Amphitheatre) *
June 21: Alpharetta, Ga. (Ameris Bank Amphitheatre) *
July 27: Corning, Ca. (Obsidian Spirits Amphitheater at Rolling Hills Casino) *
July 29: Denver (Red Rocks Amphitheatre) *
Aug. 9: Canandaigua, N.Y. (CMAC)*
Aug. 14: Gilford, N.H. (BankNH Pavilion) *
Aug. 22: Bridgeport, Conn. (Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater) *
Aug. 23: Richmond, Va. (Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront) *
Aug. 29: Durant, Okla. (Choctaw Grand Theater)
Sept. 4: Council Bluffs, Ia. (Harrah’s Stir Cove)*
Sept. 12: Reno, Nev. (Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resorts) **
Sept. 13: Laughlin, Nev. (Rio Vista Outdoor Amp) **

*with support from Dylan Marlowe & Drew Baldridge
** with support from Dylan Marlowe

07 Jan 2025

Jimmy Kimmel Celebrated Selena Gomez’s Engagement To Benny Blanco With The Weirdest-Possible Gift

It’s a good time to be Selena Gomez. In addition to her dual nominations at Sunday’s Golden Globe awards for her co-starring role in the award-winning drug cartel musical Emilia Pérez and her long-running role on the series Only Murders in the Building, as you may have heard the singer/actress recently got engaged to longtime love music producer Benny Blanco.

So naturally, when she stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night (Jan. 6), the host had a special engagement gift for her. “It’s not a traditional gift and it’s not necessarily a practical gift, but I think you and Benny are really going to enjoy it,” said the host, before plunking a Daddy Saddle on his desk.

Trending on Billboard

“You can ride around on Benny in a very wholesome way,” he explained as Gomez covered her face in mock horror. “I don’t want you to think that anything is being suggested here that isn’t,
Kimmel explained, pulling off a bit of stray Christmas wrapping paper and admitting, “That may have been a regift.”

Elsewhere in the chat, Gomez said it was no big deal bouncing between two tables to spend time with her fellow actors from both her nominated projects, though she noted that Only Buildings co-star Martin Short did get a bit possessive. “No [I didn’t have to pick one table], I went to both,” she said, adding, “Marty was trying to steal my ring.”

Kimmel posted video of always-on Short tugging the ring, with Gomez confirming that the comedian was “twisting” it, which confused her. “I wonder, is he appraising it?… because he really gave it a…,” Kimmel said. “He wanted to know what was going on. I don’t think he cared. Maybe he had a little [drinking motion],” Gomez joked.

Given how close they’ve gotten over the past few years, Kimmel asked if Blanco called Short and fellow Only Murders co-star Steve Martin to formally ask permission for her hand in marriage — though her dad would have been the more obvious choice — with Gomez quipping that Short “wasn’t very happy” about the snub.

In keeping with the yes-anding she’s learned from the veteran comics, Gomez also mentioned that Martin sent her assistant and email so her assistant could tell her congratulations on his behalf. “He always tries to be polite and it’s very kind but it’s okay to send a little text,” said Gomez, who thought Kimmel’s idea that the two men could serve as the couple’s ring bearers would be pretty cute.

She also once again heaped praise on one of her movie icons, Salma Hayek, recounting the red carpet meet-cute at the awards show with her dad’s biggest crush. “Did you tell you dad you told her [about his crush]?,” Kimmel asked. “I didn’t have to tell him,” Gomez laughed.

Watch Gomez on Kimmel below.

07 Jan 2025

Robbie Williams Responds to His Song Being Dropped From 2025 Oscars Shortlist

In December, Robbie Williams‘ film biopic Better Man (Paramount Pictures) was released in cinemas globally, telling the story of the British pop icon, albeit with Williams replaced by a CGI monkey.

The film covers Williams’ rise to fame as a teenager in pop band Take That, his decision to go solo in 1995, his various controversies and struggles with addiction, his recovery and time in the limelight. The film was directed and co-written by The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey and divided critics and fans for its use of the CGI character instead of a traditional actor.

Better Man includes a number of Williams’ greatest hits including “Angels,” “Rock DJ,” and “She’s The One.” A new composition, “Forbidden Road,” is also featured in the movie, and last year was nominated for the Golden Globes as well as being shortlisted for best original song at the 2025 Oscars (March 2).

Trending on Billboard

That song, however, was eventually removed from the shortlist last month on the grounds that it incorporated material from an existing song that was not written for the film in which it appears. Williams co-wrote the song with Freddy Wexler and Sacha Skarbek, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences deemed that it shared similarities to “I Got a Name,” a 1973 ballad written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox for the Jeff Bridges film The Last American Hero. (The late Jim Croce had a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the song.) In a statement to its members about the removal of the track, The Academy said: “This is a decision that both honors our rules and protects the special nature of the Original Song and Score categories.”

The song remained a nominee for best original song at Sunday night’s (Jan. 5) 82nd Golden Globes, where Williams walked the red carpet. Speaking to Deadline, he responded to the disqualification of the song from the Oscars shortlist. Watch the full interview below.

“Listen, the rules is the rules and you have to go by them. It would have been nice, but also as an introvert, it’s another party I don’t have to go to,” he said. “I went through it, I’m on the other side. It’s all good.”

Williams’ song lost the award at the Golden Globes to “El Mal,” co-written by Clément Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard for the film Emilia Pérez, which also scooped best motion picture, musical or comedy.

Later this year, Williams will embark on a massive European tour and recently told NME that he was working on a new album which featured contributions from Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.