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Ariana Grande is reflecting on a highly productive and successful year.
On Tuesday (Dec. 31), the 31-year-old pop star and actress looked back on 2024, sharing a series of nostalgic photos and videos. In her Instagram post, Grande highlighted some of the standout moments from the past 12 months, including the filming of her record-breaking musical movie Wicked and the release of her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine.
“a year full of art and heart,” the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer captioned the post. “thank you eternally for your love and support, words truly don’t suffice. i love you always and am wishing you a all a very happy new year !”
Grande’s carousel begins with a stunning shot of her “Sleeping Beauties”-themed look, worn at an afterparty following the 2024 Met Gala. The gallery also includes photos with friends and Wicked castmates, including Cynthia Erivo and Bowen Yang, along with a playful shot of her in a Catwoman-inspired outfit from her “The Boy Is Mine” music video. Several heartwarming pictures with her mom, Joan Grande, and brother Frankie Grande are also featured.
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In her Instagram Story on Tuesday, Grande shared a mysterious clip showing her head tilted against what appears to be film equipment, with the caption, “to be continued…,” alongside a heart emoji. The image is reminscent of one of her Eternal Sunshine alternative album covers.
It’s been a monumental year for Grande. The two-time Grammy winner, who ranked No. 9 on Billboard’s list of Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century, scored her sixth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with Eternal Sunshine in March. Meanwhile, her new movie Wicked became the highest-grossing film ever based on a Broadway musical at the domestic box office, earning $634.4 million worldwide since its Nov. 22 release.
The year was rounded out with a milestone for her holiday hit “Santa Tell Me,” which reached the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time since its release in November 2014. The track landed at No. 9 on the chart dated Dec. 28, after peaking at No. 11 in 2023.
The Recording Academy made Beatlemaniacs happy on Nov. 8, when The Fab Four’s “Now and Then” was nominated for two awards – record of the year and best rock performance. But only the two living Beatles — Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr — are nominated for those awards. John Lennon, who died in 1980, and George Harrison, who died in 2001, are not.
Because Lennon and Harrison have each been dead for more than five years, they cannot meet the Grammy test for “new recordings” – “material that has been recorded within five years of the release date.” There is precedent for this. Nat “King” Cole was not nominated when daughter Natalie Cole won record of the year and best traditional pop performance in 1992 for their studio-created duet “Unforgettable.” He had died in 1965.
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Lennon’s last Grammy nomination was at the 1985 ceremony – best spoken word or non-musical recording for Heart Play (Unfinished Dialogue), a collab with Yoko Ono. The album, which reached No. 94 on the Billboard 200, consisted of excerpts from a Playboy magazine interview done shortly before Lennon’s death.
Harrison’s last Grammy nominations were at the 2004 ceremony, where Brainwashed, his posthumously released 12th and final studio album, was nominated for best pop vocal album. Two tracks from the album were also honored. “Marwa Blues” won best pop instrumental performance, while “Any Road” was nominated for best male pop vocal performance.
McCartney co-produced “Now and Then” with Giles Martin, the son of legendary Beatles producer George Martin, who produced the band’s four previous record of the year nominees, “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be.” Martin also produced McCartney’s one post-Beatles record of the year nominee, “Ebony and Ivory,” a 1982 collab with Stevie Wonder.
Both McCartney and Giles Martin are nominated for record of the year as producers of the single, as are eight engineer/mixers and a mastering engineer – but not John and George.
Bonus factoid: If “Now and Then” wins record of the year, McCartney will complete his sweep of the Big Four awards, though it will have taken him longer to do so than any other act in Grammy history. He won best new artist in 1965 (with The Beatles), song of the year in 1967 for “Michelle” (in tandem with Lennon) and album of the year in 1968 for The Beatles’ landmark Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Cardi B is in a New York state of mind. The Bronx native revealed on X over the weekend that she’s done with her Atlanta residence, and appears ready to unload the estate and settle down once again in the Big Apple. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news […]
Bad Bunny released the music video for his latest single, “Pitorro de Coco”, on Tuesday (Dec. 31), just as everyone is gearing up for the New Year’s Eve festivities.
The video, directed by Benito Antonio himself and Robinson Florian, features the Puerto Rican star decked out in a baby blue suit, sunglasses and a winter trapper hat, in a festively decorated marquesina — a space traditionally used for social gatherings in Puerto Rico. The setting is vibrant — with hung straw hats, candles around, an occasional woman that stops by to twerk and a sign that reads “Aquí te espero Boricua” (“I’ll wait for you here, Boricua”) — however, Benito’s demeanor seems a bit down.
“Another Christmas in which I asked you/ Another Christmas that you’re not here/ Happy New Year but not so happy/ You got a kiss at 12 o’clock/ And it wasn’t me who gave it to you,” he sings melancholically.
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The single, released Dec. 26, taps into the holiday spirit, named after a festive Puerto Rican rum drink and set to a jíbara rhythm, a genre rooted in Afro-Caribbean tradition. “Pitorro de Coco” delves into themes of loneliness and nostalgia during the festive season, with an interpolation from a song from Chuíto el de Bayamón’s Música Jíbara Para Las Navidades; the track was produced by MAG, Tainy and La Paciencia, with heartfelt lyrics penned by Bad Bunny.
This release follows “El Clúb” and “Una Velita,” and continues Bad Bunny’s trend of holiday drops, including X100Pre on Christmas, YHLQMDLG on leap day, Las Que No Iban A Salir on Mother’s Day, and El Último Tour del Mundo on Thanksgiving.
The single will be a part of Bad Bunny’s upcoming album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, set to release on Jan. 5.
Watch the video for “Pitorro de Coco” below:
Long before 2025 even kicked off, many artists were already starting to tease fans, hinting or downright saying they should expect new music in the upcoming year.
Take The Weeknd, for example. The artist born Abel Tesfaye began teasing his fans on Jan. 7, 2024, via social media. In an Instagram carousel, he shared the covers for After Hours and Dawn FM, followed by a black square with a giant white question mark in the center and a tiny parental advisory sticker in the bottom left. His caption? A single “3.” He finally revealed the title of the final album of his trilogy — Hurry Up Tomorrow — in September, and the day before Thanksgiving, shared its release date.
Then there was Lady Gaga. Mother Monster surprised the Little Monsters with a simple message at the end of the Gaga Chromatica Ball concert film, confirming that her seventh album is indeed in the works: “LG7 GAGA RETURNS.” But the tease, which debuted on the HBO Max film in late May, did not offer any hints as to when the highly anticipated release would arrive. It wasn’t until her September Vogue cover story that Gaga revealed LG7 would arrive sometime in February 2025. As of press time, a specific release date has not yet been revealed.
And of course, things don’t always go as planned. Joe Jonas announced in July that his new solo album, Music for People Who Believe in Love, would arrive Oct. 18, then shared in a September tweet that the set “is gonna come out later now” because he wanted to add some “final touches.” A new release date has not yet been announced.
With surprise album news, moving release dates and the sheer number of album announcements, it can be hard to stay on top of when new music by favorite artists is arriving. To help make sure fans don’t miss out on big arrivals, Billboard‘s calendar of 2025 new album releases — which will include the most notable releases from artists across genres, spanning hip-hop, K-pop, Latin, rock, pop, country and more — will be updated regularly as new music is announced.
The calendar is organized chronologically by month and week, and includes a section for albums that artists have announced, but have not given an exact release date.
Keep checking back for the latest 2025 album release dates!
January
SZA is firing back at body-shaming critics on social media.
On Monday (Dec. 30), the 35-year-old Grammy-winning artist shared a since-deleted throwback video on X reflecting on her time living at her mother’s house during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the mental toll the quarantine period took on her.
While many fans left positive comments, one user remarked on her changing appearance, writing, “aka before she got big and bbl culture like.” SZA quickly responded, explaining that such comments are part of the reason she has distanced herself over the years.
“Yall say weird s— like this and wonder why I’m different and don’t feel comfortable w yall anymore . Lol,” she wrote. “Yall do realize I mean different as in I don’t go on live+ talk and don’t communicate w yall like that anymore lmao not different as in change my appearance tf.”
While some fans noted that SZA seemed happy in the video, she clarified that the pandemic was an especially tough time for her.
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“Covid was hard … my granny had just died .. I was hella depressed n masking . Not eating. Over working out,” she explained. “but I always had my childhood home to n get lost . Still do . Grateful to be in a much better mental space now. s/o to those days tho.”
SZA has been open about her mental health struggles in the past. In a May 2021 Instagram post, she shared her battle with anxiety, writing, “I hate being outside more than I can explain,” she wrote at the time. “I really have debilitating anxiety and I’m only posting these cause Y’all woulda found em anyway. Thank you to my team n my mama. Least I’m alive.”
In her December cover story for British Vogue, the singer also discussed her decision to get a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and how she feels about the results. “I have other s— that I need to work on about myself,” she told the publication. “I need to get my f—ing mental health together … Not to say you can’t do those things simultaneously, just, for me, I realize wherever you go, there you’ll be.”
SZA hasn’t ruled out more cosmetic procedures in the future. “I’ll do a whole bunch more s— just like it if I want to before I’m f—ing dead because this body is temporary,” she said.
The hitmaker is currently experiencing a chart resurgence as the deluxe edition of her 2022 album, SOS, returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. SOS Deluxe: Lana, which includes 15 additional tracks, earned 178,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Dec. 26.
SZA also announced that SOS Deluxe: Lana will get yet another update in the coming days. On Monday, she revealed that she would be tweaking some of the songs on the tracklist and adding new music.
“Just got word all updated Mixes and new songs will be added Jan 6th,” SZA tweeted, noting that her fixes had been delayed until “the label comes back from holiday.”
Beyoncé‘s mom, Tina Knowles, has had a busy week flying her matriarch flag. First, on Friday, she took to social media to defend Bey’s eye-popping Christmas Day NFL halftime show during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. When some commenters took issue with the 12-minute set highlighting songs from Bey’s hit Cowboy Carter country-influenced album, Knowles wrote, “It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can talk ish about it later.”
Then, on the Run-Through With Vogue podcast Knowles, 70, talked about a recent social media hiccup in which it appeared she liked a post about allegations that her son-in-law Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted an unnamed 13-year-old girl in 2000; Jay-Z has denied the allegations.
“I’m a protector of my kids and I just feel like that’s my job,” Knowles said on the New Year’s Eve episode of the pod (social media talk begins around 21:30 mark). “And, you know, my kids are always like, ‘Mama, just ignore that.’ But it gets to the point where I’m just like, ‘I’m sorry. This is enough. It’s enough.’ You know? Because imagine being a mother and somebody’s lying on your kid. It’s hard to watch.”
That said, Knowles explained that just because she appeared to like a negative post about Jay doesn’t mean she did it on purpose. “It’s so funny because you know how many times I’ve liked something that was negative about my own children?” Knowles said. “Because if I’m busy and I’m going through the thing, I’m like, ‘Oh, there’s Beyoncé with so and so.’ I like that. And then the fans come back and say, ‘Miss Tina, please erase that because you’re liking some negative post.’ I mean, that’s what happens to 70-year-olds on social media. It’s true.”
Earlier this month, many fans were surprised when it seemed as if Knowles liked a post about the rape allegations against Jay-Z (born Shawn Carter) that are part of a civil suit against the two rappers; Combs is currently in jail awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering and is the subject in more than 10 civil suits related to allegations of sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment and other charges. Combs has also vehemently denied the allegations and Jay-Z has called the suit a “blackmail attempt.”
After Knowles initially liked the post, just days later, the like was gone and she informed followers that she had been “hacked,” adding, “As you all know I do not play about my family. So if you see something uncharacteristic of me. Just know that it is not me !”
Knowles did not take on the allegations against Jay, but she did share some sage advice the rapper has given her about social media etiquette. “I know that it doesn’t understand what I’m saying, and it’s got crazy stuff,” she said of her Insta comments, many of which feature captions that are created using voice-to-text and some of which are misinterpreted due to her Southern accent. “And my son-in-law, Jay will say, ‘Listen, if you’re gonna read somebody, at least spell your words right. Don’t misspell your words, Ma. You can’t do that. Take your time and go over and spellcheck your stuff!’”
While she appreciates the tip, Knowles admitted, “I don’t have time for that.”
The chat also found Knowles talking about fashion and shopping, describing how as a Texas native she’s always appreciated cowboy fashion. “I’ve always worn boots and cowboy hats,” she said, noting that some people used to make comments in not “such a great way” when she showed up in L.A. in her Cowboy Carter finest. She also reminded any lingering haters that costumes she designed for Destiny’s Child back in the day hinted at the family’s Texas roots, with “a lot of fringe and cowboy hats and cowboy boots.”
Twelve tracks from the deluxe edition of SZA’s SOS album explode onto Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, led by a No. 1 entrance for “30 for 30,” a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar. The influx, on the chart dated Jan. 4, 2025, comes after the long-awaited release of the SOS deluxe (dubbed SOS Deluxe: Lana on digital and streaming platforms) on Dec. 20.
For its coronation, “30 for 30” registered 17.5 million official U.S. streams, airplay audience of 385,000 and 2,000 digital song downloads in the tracking week of Dec. 20-26, according to Luminate.
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With “30 for 30,” SZA adds her seventh No. 1 on the Hot R&B Songs chart and breaks a tie with Rihanna for the most leaders by a woman on the chart since it launched in October 2012.
Here’s a review of SZA’s chart-topping collection:
Song Title, Artist (if other than SZA), Weeks at No. 1, Date Reached No. 1
“The Weekend,” one, Jan. 3, 2018
“I Hate U,” one, Dec. 18, 2021
“Kill Bill,” 30, Dec. 24, 2022
“Snooze,” 32, July 29, 2023
“Slime You Out,” Drake featuring SZA, two, Sept. 30, 2023
“Saturn,” five, March 9, 2024
“30 for 30,” with Kendrick Lamar, one, Jan. 4, 2025
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The new champ, notably, gives frequent collaborators, future joint-tour headliners and former Top Dawg labelmates SZA and Lamar their first Hot R&B Songs No. 1 together. The pair’s previous best on a shared track was a No. 2 finish for the Black Panther soundtrack single “All the Stars” in 2018.
Lamar, meanwhile, lands his second No. 1 on Hot R&B Songs, following “Die Hard,” with Blxst and Amanda Reifer. The track, from the superstar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers album, ruled for one week in 2022.
Elsewhere, “30 for 30” premieres at No. 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart – where another SZA/Lamar collaboration, “Luther,” is No. 1 for a third week – and at No. 45 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The disparity between the positions traces to holiday streaming’s apex triggering an avalanche on the Hot 100, with 35 of the 44 titles above “30 for 30” some type of seasonal fare.
As aforementioned, “30 for 30” leads a parade of a dozen new SZA titles onto Hot R&B Songs, upping the singer-songwriter to 57 career hits on the chart. Here’s the full account of this week’s debuts:
No. 1, “30 for 30,” with Kendrick Lamar
No. 3, “Drive”
No. 4, “Diamond Boy (DTM)”
No. 5, “What Do I Do”
No. 7, “No More Hiding”
No. 8, “Crybaby”
No. 9, “Kitchen”
No. 10, “Another Life”
No. 11, “Love Me 4 Me”
No. 12, “Chill Baby”
No. 13, “My Turn”
No. 15, “Get Behind Me (Interlude)”
Elvis Presley’s The Classic Christmas Album leads Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart for the first time, rising two places to No. 1 on the Jan. 4, 2025-dated survey.
In the week ending Dec. 26, the set earned 40,000 equivalent album units, a jump of 59%, according to Luminate.
The Classic Christmas Album was released in 2012 and features 17 holiday-themed hits from Presley’s catalog, including “Blue Christmas” and “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane).”
The collection, which previously reached a No. 2 best on Top Rock Albums over the 2020 holiday season, is Presley’s second No. 1 on the chart, which began in 2006, after Elvis Presley Forever led for a week in 2015. That album accompanied a “forever” postage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service that year.
Concurrently, The Classic Christmas Album jumps 9-4 on Top Country Albums and 46-23 on the all-genre Billboard 200. It’s a new peak on both charts, usurping its prior Nos. 5 and 26 highs, respectively.
“Blue Christmas” was the album’s top performer in streaming last week. It ranks at No. 2 on Rock Steaming Songs with 27.1 million official U.S. streams (up 61%). “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” also appears on the tally, at No. 11 (8.1 million, up 43%). “Blue Christmas” was the set’s top radio track, with 9 million in audience (up 33%).
On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, “Blue Christmas” rises to No. 21, a year after it reached a No. 18 best. The late Presley ties for the longest span of appearing on the chart – stretching across its entire existence, as he placed at No. 4 on the inaugural ranking (dated Aug. 4) with “Hard Headed Woman” and at No. 34 with “Don’t Ask Me Why” (both with the Jordanaires). Also with a 66-year and five-month span of hitting the Hot 100 from its first to its latest week, and likewise due to resurgent holiday hits: fellow late legends Chuck Berry, Nat King Cole, Perry Como and Dean Martin.
Joe Budden has been charged with lewdness in New Jersey, according to the Edgewater Police Department. The EPD released a statement on Monday (Dec. 30) confirming law enforcement was dispatched to an apartment complex in Edgewater on Dec. 4 for a report claiming a man was standing naked outside a residence around 7:21 a.m. ET […]
