Music

10 Jun 2025

Meet Carranga Kids: The Children Stars Bringing Colombian Folk to the World Stage

“Long live carranga!” shouted Sara Lu. The Carranga Kids were celebrating their big win on the reality show La Voz Kids Colombia 2024, and in the heat of the moment, that was the first thing the teenager could think to say. The other kids joined in, jumping with excitement — they all seemed to agree. After all, it was carranga that got them there.

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Almost a year and a half later, the young group — who had already released an album before joining the competition — dropped their album A Bailar Carranga (or Dance Carranga) in May and are now gearing up for a new one in the coming months, along with a collaboration with their former La Voz Kids coach and Latin Grammy winner Andrés Cepeda.

But what exactly is carranga, and how did it win over this young quartet? Born in the Cundiboyacense and Boyacá of Colombia, this musical genre blends Indigenous, African and European elements while celebrating love for the countryside, ecology, good humor and social critique, with Jorge Velosa as one of its greatest pioneers.

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Sara Lucía, who plays the requinto guitar and sings backup vocals, listens to reggaetón, vallenato, merengue, and salsa — a mix of trendy music and the sounds she picks up from her parents. But it was her grandfather who introduced her to carranga. “It’s a genre that’s purely Colombian, and we feel the need for young people to learn more about it,” says the 14-year-old.

The origins of Carranga Kids trace back to a musical tribute Contreras wanted to dedicate to his late grandfather. The group already existed, having formed during school breaks, but this would be their first big live performance.

Jerónimo Arias Villamizar (guacharaca and backup vocals) recalls that, at first, carranga wasn’t even one of his favorite types of music. But the experience of playing with the other musicians was so special that the 14-year-old decided to stay. At the time, Carranga Kids also included a set of twins who eventually left the group. They were replaced by Juan José González and Esteban de Jesús Suárez, who are 10 and 12 years old, respectively.

“I was invited during a school break, and I’ve been singing since I was three years old — thanks to my dad, who’s a mariachi,” says Arias Villamizar, highlighting that the success of Carranga Kids isn’t just rooted in their deep knowledge of the Cundiboyacense musical genre, but also in their ability to learn from other styles. For example, Jero, as he’s called, shares his deep admiration for the late Mexican legend, Ariel Camacho, leader of the popular group Los Plebes del Rancho.

With their original lineup, they recorded their first EP, Huellas Coloridas, in 2021. However, one of the prizes from the reality show was the chance to record an album with Universal Music Colombia (the other prize was 150 million Colombian pesos, roughly $35,000, which can only be used for their college education). This led to the release of their first studio album, A Bailar Carranga, in May of this year. The most popular song from the album was “Coquetica y Juguetona” (meaning “coquettish and playful”) a response to the hit “Coqueta” by Heredero, which went viral on TikTok.

The song came from a reflection by Contreras that is as simple as it is brilliant: “‘Coqueta’ is a song that men relate to, so we wanted to create a response that offered a female perspective.”

“A Bailar Carranga” and “Al Campo Me Fui” (meaning “to the country I went”) were also songs that were well-received on streaming platforms.

They haven’t even finished promoting this album, and they’re already working on their second record with Universal, which will feature Andrés Cepeda as a collaborator on a version of “Los Sabanales,” a song they performed during the final stage of the popular competition.

One of the reasons behind Carranga Kids’ success is that, as children, they can captivate both the traditional audience of the genre and younger listeners who might not typically engage with this type of music. Sara Lu also recognizes that blending genres has helped them reach new audiences, emphasizing that while carranga is their foundation, rock and urban music can also be part of their fusions.

She also hints that now that they’ve conquered Colombia — or at least a large part of the country — it’s time to expand across the continent. “There are many Latin American rhythms that are very similar, like what’s happening in Peru with its sound, which is highly globalized.” She brings up “Coqueta” again, but this time not to talk about their response song, but to emphasize how Heredero’s hit reached unimaginable places, even in Europe.

She concludes, “Now, taking carranga to the international stage is much easier.”

This story was originally published by Billboard Colombia.

10 Jun 2025

Ángela Aguilar Talks Producing New Album, Artist Rights & Immigration Crisis: ‘I Have a Responsibility’

Singer, songwriter, and now producer Ángela Aguilar continues to carve her own path in música mexicana as the youngest of the Aguilar dynasty. In an interview with Billboard, the 21-year-old star spoke candidly about producing her own music for the very first time and launching her producer era with Nadie Se Va Como Llegó, her latest album released May 28.

“It made me really appreciative of my father and everything he’s done for me,” Aguilar says, speaking of her legendary dad Pepe Aguilar, who had produced the her music prior to her new LP. “Have you heard of when someone pushes you into the pool so you learn how to swim? That’s what my dad did. He really said, ‘I have to focus on my album, I have a bunch of things to do, I don’t have time, why don’t you start looking for songs?’ And I was like, ok.”

The new album includes a song with Marc Anthony, the only collaboration on the 12-track set. Aguilar shares the “honest” version of how that collab came about.

“We were at a party, and when I say party, my husband [Christian Nodal] and I don’t have friends so it was just Nadia [Ferreira], Marc, me and my husband, and we were just having fun and drinking and showing each other’s projects,” she says. “Two weeks later, I received a message from tío Marc and it said, ‘Comadrita, is it ok if I bring it down two tones?’ I had not only sent him the arrangement, but the lyrics, everything. I was like, ‘At what [part] of my party did I think Marc Anthony was going to sing with me? At what part of my party did he actually sing with me?’ It was amazing.”

For the album, Aguilar — the granddaughter of the legendary Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre — recruited a handful of Mexican women to help write songs, which was intentional. It’s what she’s committed to do after being “the only woman in the studio” in the making of her previous albums, and other projects she’s been a part of.

“I was recently part of my husband’s songwriting sessions and it was just me and my friend Amanda Coronel. We thought, this is strange. It’s very important to have this platform and give women a voice,” she says.

The new album comes just months after Aguilar was honored at Billboard Women in Music with the Breakthrough Award, where she gave a passionate speech about immigrant rights. “It’s very taboo to talk about things like that in awards and just anywhere,” she says. “And people tell you not to do it but again, I have a responsibility as a Mexican American to speak about injustices that are going on because it directly affects my people, people that go to my concerts and consume my music. There’s nothing worse than to not have a voice and to have people speak for you.”

Watch the interview above where Ángela also talks about an upcoming new tour and her ever-growing family that includes five new pugsitos. “The are the most precious little babies. We now have 20 dogs in total, 40 horses and I’m working on [adding] a few miniature cows, too.”

10 Jun 2025

Chris Colfer Celebrates Former ‘Glee’ Love Interest Darren Criss Winning a Tony: ‘So Proud of You’

Klaine forever. Following Darren Criss‘ historic Tony Award win over the weekend, Chris Colfer shared a sweet message of congratulations on Instagram Monday (June 9), writing that he’s “so proud” of his former onscreen love interest.

Posting a photo of himself and his Glee costar holding up the statuette — both men smiling wide into the camera — Colfer wrote, “DARREN WON A TONY!!!”

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“And then he left it with me completely unattended!” the Golden Globe winner continued, also sharing a solo photo of himself holding the prize while Criss was nowhere to be found. “Congratulations my friend! I’m so proud of you and can’t think of a more deserving person!”

The ex-Warbler won best performance by an actor in a musical at the Tonys on Sunday (June 8), becoming the first actor of Asian descent to triumph in the category. Criss took home the prize for his performance in Broadway’s Maybe Happy Ending, which was the top winner at this year’s ceremony with six awards total, including best musical.

The win comes a full decade and a half after Criss made his debut as Blaine Anderson in the second season of Ryan Murphy’s beloved musical dramedy series. His character had an epic on-off romance with Colfer’s Kurt Hummel that would last until Glee ended in 2015.

In real life, Criss is married to Mia Swier, with whom he shares two kids. During his acceptance speech Sunday night, the actor praised his partner for taking, “a massive swing on allowing me to do this … to make this logistically possible, and for bearing the brunt of raising two tiny friends under three, so that I could raise a singing robot at the Belasco Theatre eight times a week.”

The American Crime Story star is just the latest Glee alum to take home a Tony. Jonathan Groff won best actor in a musical in 2024 for his performance in Merrily We Roll Along, while Alex Newell, Ali Stroker and Jenna Ushkowitz have also all previously earned hardware.

10 Jun 2025

Mau5trap Is Dropping Its Next ‘We Are Friends’ Compilation in 2026 — And Seeking Submissions

Mau5trap will release the next volume of its long-running We Are Friends compilation albums in 2026, marking the first new edition of the series since 2023 and the first edition since the label partnered with Create Music Group earlier this year.

Launched by mau5trap in 2012, the tastemaking We Are Friends has long featured music from rising electronic producers and has over the years included tracks by artists like Rezz, Attlas, Blackgummy and i_o. The label is currently seeking music for the next compilation; artists who are interested in having their work included can submit music here.

We Are Friends Vol. 12 is set for release in January 2026. A rep for the label says a 2024 edition of the series did not happen due to internal restructuring at the label, which was founded by deadmau5 in 2007. As reported by Billboard in March, both the deadmau5 and mau5trap catalogs were recently acquired by Create Music Group in a deal valued at $55 million.

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In tandem with this news, the label is also launching the ongoing mau5trap presents We Are Friends residency, which is set to happen monthly over the summer at Los Angeles nightclub Sound. The next event is June 12 and will feature sets by BlackGummy, Allizen and Jozik.

On July 24, the label will also host a one-off We Are Friends night in London at Unlocked Shoreditch. The night will feature a set by deadmau5 and yet-to-be-announced special guests.

The label’s radio program, mau5trap Radio, also continues every Thursday night at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on SiriusXM’s BPM channel.

10 Jun 2025

David Byrne Announces ‘Who Is the Sky?’ Solo Album Featuring Hayley Williams, St. Vincent and Tom Skinner

Just days after performing the Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” with Olivia Rodrigo at New York’s Governors Ball over the weekend David Byrne announced his 11th solo album, Who Is the Sky? The follow-up to Byrne’s 2018 LP American Utopia is due out on Sept. 5 via Matador Records.

Produced by Kid Harpoon (Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles), the 12-track album will feature collaborations with Paramore’s Hayley Williams, St. Vincent and The Smile drummer Tom Skinner, with arrangements by the New York chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra. Byrne previewed the album on Tuesday (June 10) with a video for the universalist anthem about the emotions and feelings we all share.

“Everybody laughs and everybody cries/ Everybody lives and everybody dies/ Everybody eats and everybody loves/ Everybody knows what everybody does,” Byrne sings over strummed acoustic guitar and a bouncy rhythm in the clip in which the camera scoots from left to right as dozens of people act out the lyrics and bust into an impromptu marching band performance when they’re not dancing with selfie sticks.

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“Someone I know said, ‘David, you use the word “everybody” a lot.’ I suppose I do that to give an anthropological view of life in New York as we know it,” said Byrne in a statement announcing the album and the single. “Everybody lives, dies, laughs, cries, sleeps and stares at the ceiling. Everybody’s wearing everybody else’s shoes, which not everybody does, but I have done. I tried to sing about these things that could be seen as negative in a way balanced by an uplifting feeling from the groove and the melody, especially at the end, when St. Vincent and I are doing a lot of hollering and singing together. Music can do that – hold opposites simultaneously. I realized that when singing with Robyn earlier this year. Her songs are often sad, but the music is joyous.”

Producer Kid Harpoon (born Tom Hull) added, “It took me a second to realize, oh yeah, these songs are personal, but with David’s unique perspective on life in general. Walking around New York listening to the demo of ‘Everybody Laughs’ was so joyous, because it made me feel like we’re all the same – we all laugh, cry and sing. The thing about David that resonates with a lot of people is that he’s in on the joke. He gets the absurdity of it all, and all of these personal observations are his perspective on it.”

Byrne said there are “more story songs than usual” on the new album, tracks he describes as “mini-narratives based on personal experience including “She Explains Things to Me,” “A Door Called No,” “My Apartment Is My Friend” and “I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party.” The “jaunty” song with Paramore’s Williams, “What Is the Reason For It?,” is focused on codifying “love in a way logic can rarely accomplish.”

“Does it do something useful?/ Nobody understands,” goes one line from the song.

“I suspected that intimate orchestral arrangements would bring out the emotion I sense is there in these songs,” Byrne said. “It’s something that folks don’t always hear in my work, but this time for sure I thought it was there. At the same time, I also see myself as someone who aspires to be accessible. I imagined that Kid Harpoon would help with that, as well as being a set of trusted ears, since there was a lot going on. People think of producers as people who mainly make a record sound good, and Kid Harpoon did that, but he was also aware of how important the storytelling is.”

The collaboration with St. Vincent comes more than a decade after the two musicians teamed up for the 2012 album Love This Giant.

Among the other contributors to the LP are American Utopia percussionist Mauro Refosco, who has toured and recorded with Byrne for more than three decades. “At my age, at least for me, there’s a ‘don’t give a s–t about what people think’ attitude that kicks in,” Byrne said. “I can step outside my comfort zone with the knowledge that I kind of know who I am by now and sort of know what I’m doing. That said, every new set of songs, every song even, is a new adventure. There’s always a bit of, ‘how do I work this?’ I’ve found that not every collaboration works, but often when they do, it’s because I’m able to clearly impart what it is I’m trying to do. They hopefully get that, and as a result, we’re now joined together heading to the same unknown place.”

Byrne will hit the road with a new live show featuring a 13-person troupe of musicians and dancers to support the album on a world tour slated to kick off on Sept. 14 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence, R.I.

Watch the “Everybody Laughs” video and check out the Who Is the Sky? tracklist and Byrne’s 2025-2026 tour dates below.

Who Is the Sky? track list:

  1. “Everybody Laughs”
  2. “When We Are Singing”
  3. “My Apartment Is My Friend”
  4. “A Door Called No”
  5. “What Is the Reason for It?”
  6. “I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party”
  7. “Don’t Be Like That”
  8. “The Avant Garde”
  9. “Moisturizing Thing”
  10. “I’m an Outsider”
  11. “She Explains Things to Me”
  12. “The Truth”

North America 2025 tour dates:

  • Sept. 14: Providence, RI @ Veterans Memorial Auditorium
  • Sept. 16: Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center PAC
  • Sept. 17: Columbus, OH @ Mershon Auditorium
  • Sept. 19: Akron, OH @ Akron Civic Theatre
  • Sept. 21: Schenectady, NY @ Proctors
  • Sept. 23: Syracuse, NY @ Landmark Theatre
  • Sept. 25: Buffalo, NY @ Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
  • Sept. 27: Washington D.C. @ The Anthem
  • Sept. 28: Washington D.C. @ The Anthem
  • Sept. 30: New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
  • Oct. 1: New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
  • Oct. 3: Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
  • Oct. 4: Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
  • Oct. 7: Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre
  • Oct. 8: Portland, ME @ Merrill Auditorium at City Hall
  • Oct. 10: New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
  • Oct. 14: Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater 
  • Oct. 16: Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
  • Oct. 17: Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
  • Oct. 21: Toronto, ON, Canada @ Massey Hall
  • Oct. 22: Toronto, ON, Canada @ Massey Hall
  • Oct. 25: Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
  • Oct. 28: Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
  • Oct. 29: Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
  • Oct. 31: Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium
  • Nov. 3: Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
  • Nov. 4: Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
  • Nov. 6: Denver, CO @ Bellco Theatre
  • Nov. 7: Denver, CO @ Bellco Theatre
  • Nov. 11: Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
  • Nov. 12: Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
  • Nov. 16: San Francisco, CA @ The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
  • Nov. 17: San Francisco, CA @ The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
  • Nov. 20: Los Angeles, CA @ Dolby Theatre
  • Nov. 21: Los Angeles, CA @ Dolby Theatre
  • Nov. 25: Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
  • Nov. 26: Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
  • Nov. 28: Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
  • Nov. 29: Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
  • Dec. 2: Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
  • Dec. 3: Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
  • Dec. 5: Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre
  • Dec. 6: Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre

2026 Australia & New Zealand dates:

  • Jan. 14: Auckland, New Zealand @ Spark Arena
  • Jan. 17: Brisbane, Australia @ Brisbane Entertainment Center
  • Jan. 21: Sydney, Australia @ ICC Sydney Theatre
  • Jan. 22: Melbourne, Australia @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl
  • Jan. 24: Adelaide, Australia @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena
  • Jan. 27: Perth, Australia @ RAC Arena

2026 Europe & United Kingdom dates: 

  • Feb. 12: Berlin, Germany @ Tempodrom
  • Feb. 15: Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live
  • Feb. 16: Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live
  • Feb. 18: Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National
  • Feb. 21: Milan, Italy @ Teatro degli Arcimboldi
  • Feb. 22: Milan, Italy @ Teatro degli Arcimboldi
  • Feb. 24: Frankfurt, Germany @ Jahrhunderthalle
  • Feb. 27: Zurich, Switzerland @ The Hall
  • March 2: Cardiff, UK @ Utilita Arena
  • March 3: London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
  • March 4: London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
  • March 6: Glasgow, UK @ SEC Armadillo
  • March 7: Glasgow, UK @ SEC Armadillo
  • March 9: Manchester, UK @ o2 Apollo
  • March 10: Manchester, UK @ o2 Apollo
  • March 13: Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena
  • March 15: London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
  • March 18: Paris, France @ La Seine Musicale
  • March 19: Paris, France @ La Seine Musicale

10 Jun 2025

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony & Three 6 Mafia Plot 2025 North American Thuggish-Ruggish-Mafia Amphitheater Tour

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Threw 6 Mafia are set to join forces for the Thuggish-Ruggish-Mafia Tour later this year.

The 24-city North American trek is set to kick off on Aug. 21 in Arkansas and then make stops in Indianapolis, St. Louis, New York, New Jersey, Virginia Beach, Charlotte, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Phoenix before wrapping up in California on Oct. 4.

DJ Quik and Tech N9ne are slated to serve as special guests on the amphitheater tour. Artist pre-sale tickets are currently on sale, while the general public will have their chance on Friday (June 13). Various VIP packages are also slated to be available.

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All five members of Bone Thugs will be on the tour (Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Flesh-n-Bone) alongside Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul and Juicy J.

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“WE GOIN ON TOUR!! @three6mafia THE THUGGISH-RUGGISH-MAFIA TOUR ‼️LETSSSS GOOOOOOO Bone Thugs-N-Harmony x THREE 6 MAFIA x TECH N9NE x DJ Quik,” Juicy wrote on IG. “Tix on sale this Friday, June 13th @ 10AM local.”

Plenty of fans were hyped at the announcement, in addition to some of the rappers’ peers. “This big,” Curren$y wrote, although some voiced their frustration about no hometown shows scheduled for Memphis (Three 6) or Cleveland (Bone Thugs) on the trek. “How yall touring with Bone and not hitting Cleveland,” a fan asked.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony solidified their reunion with the release of “Tha Crossroads” crew’s comeback single “Aww Shit” in April, which marked the Cleveland icons’ first full collaboration since 2010.

Find all of the dates for the Thuggish-Ruggish-Mafia Tour below.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Courtesy Photo

Aug. 21 – Rogers, Ark. @ Walmart AMP
Aug. 23 – Indianapolis, Ind. @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park^
Aug. 24 – Clarkston, Mich. @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
Aug. 28 – St. Louis, Mo. @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Aug. 29 – Tinley Park, Ill. @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Aug. 31 – Darien Center, N.Y. @ Darien Lake Amphitheater
Sept. 4 – Wantagh, N.Y. @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
Sept. 5 – Camden, N.J. @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Sept. 6 – Holmdel, N.J. @ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sept. 7 – Virginia Beach, Va. @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
Sept. 10 – Charlotte, N.C. @ PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. 12 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Ascend Amphitheater
Sept. 13 – Huntsville, Ala. @ Orion Amphitheater
Sept. 14 – Alpharetta, Ga. @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sept. 18 – Jacksonville, Fla. @ Daily’s Place
Sept. 19 – West Palm Beach, Fla. @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Sept. 20 – Tampa, Fla. @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
Sept. 25 – Dallas, Tx. @ Dos Equis Pavilion
Sept. 27 – Austin, Tx. @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Sept. 28 – Houston, Tx. @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Sponsored by Huntsman
Oct. 2 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Oct. 3 – Chula Vista, Calif. @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Oct. 4 – Concord, Calif. @ Toyota Pavilion at Concord

10 Jun 2025

Mariah Carey Is Ready to Risk It All in Casino-Themed ‘Type Dangerous’ Music Video Teaser

Last week, Mariah Carey dropped her first proper single in years — and now, “Type Dangerous” is getting a music video, as revealed Monday (June 9).

As teased in a clip posted by the vocalist on her socials, MC’s new visual will arrive on Friday (June 13). The preview finds a characteristically glamorous Carey walking into a casino in a sparkling floor-length dress. The vibes are fun and carefree, with the exception of a hint of danger when the camera pans to a man holding a knife behind his back.

“To show my appreciation for your support, thank you, DJs,” Mimi says on the track over more shots from the video, one of which finds her sporting a glittering New York Knicks tank top in front of a wall of PO boxes, just weeks after the Knicks were eliminated from the NBA finals by the Indiana Pacers in game six of their Eastern Conference showdown.

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The “Type Dangerous” music video will arrive exactly one week after the song dropped on June 6. Carey teased the new single for a few days prior to its release, also hinting in one post that her long-awaited 16th album would be following soon after. The Songbird Supreme hasn’t dropped an album since 2018’s Caution, which reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

Carey’s video announcement also came on the same day she gave “Type Dangerous” its live performance debut at the 2025 BET Awards, where she was also honored with the Ultimate Icon title. “My life and career have been quite the adventure,” the superstar said while accepting the award, which marked her first-ever BET honor. “It took me a while, but I realized life is far too short to live for anyone else’s approval.”

See Carey’s video preview below.

10 Jun 2025

Miley Cyrus Schools Monica Lewinsky on the Meaning of ‘WAP’

Miley Cyrus educated Monica Lewinsky on the meaning of the acronym “WAP” in a new episode of Lewinsky’s podcast, Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, offering a humorous yet insightful reflection on her past controversies.

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In an exclusive clip shared with Billboard ahead of the episode’s release, Cyrus jokingly explains to Lewinsky, who admitted being unfamiliar with the term, exactly what “WAP” means.

“A couple years ago, like, WAP…” Cyrus began, prompting Lewinsky to admit, “Wait, I don’t know what that is.”

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Laughing, Cyrus replied, “Are we telling Monica Lewinsky what WAP is about? Should I tell her?” before playfully clarifying, “It stands for Wet A– P—-. Okay?”

The “Flowers” singer then compared her infamous 2013 MTV Video Music Awards performance, which faced significant backlash, to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s celebrated rendition of “WAP” at the 2021 Grammys.

“It got performed at the Grammys. I dressed as a teddy bear and got shamed,” Cyrus remarked. “But Cardi B isn’t for kids. She’s not a child star. For me, it was so hard to go but like why is Rihanna not in trouble? But it was because I was a kid star, so it’s like the babysitter went rogue. I was like a babysitter for America’s children.”

Lewinsky’s podcast Reclaiming features candid conversations where guests explore the concept of reclaiming narratives that have been taken or lost. The podcast engages a variety of recognizable figures, experts, and everyday people in open and often unexpected discussions.

This episode’s timing coincides with the release of Cyrus’ ninth studio album, Something Beautiful, which debuted at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album continues Cyrus’ tradition of chart success, following her previous No. 1 albums Breakout (2008), Bangerz (2013), and Endless Summer Vacation (2023).

Fans can catch the full episode of Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky at 12 p.m. ET on June 10, available early and ad-free for Amazon Music subscribers and Wondery+ listeners.

Watch the “WAP”-torial below.

10 Jun 2025

‘When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go!’: CoComelon Is Back With a New Potty-Training Anthem

For every milestone in a kid’s life, there’s a CoComelon song — and now parents have a brand-new potty-training anthem to add to their toolkit, premiering exclusively on Billboard Family.

As part of the “CoComelon Can Help” campaign, an animated video for “When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go!” hits CoComelon’s YouTube page on Tuesday (June 9) to help steer kids and caregivers alike through the often trying times of potty training.

JJ, the face of countless CoComelon clips, stars in the video as he figures out what to do when that moment strikes.

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“I gotta go, go/ Oh no/ When you gotta go, you gotta go!” J.J. sings in the instantly familiar CoComelon tune. “Trying something new can be hard/ And being brave is such a good start/ So come on, come on, it’s time to be smart/ ‘Cause when you gotta go, you gotta go!”

Watch the “When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go!” video here:

In addition to the new song, CoComelon has also curated a Potty Time Songs playlist, filled with a lineup of previous CoComelon potty tunes, as well as a YouTube playlist of potty-training videos, in which JJ and his toddler buddies model real-life scenarios that kids run into when they’re potty training.

Finally, for families in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville, the Gotta Go Zone! tour is heading your way, with CoComelon Gotta Go Zones that include a family restroom designed for little ones with step stools, a soap bar and sensory play. There will also be music, kid activities, face painting, giveaways, snacks and character meet-and-greets. (You can RSVP for the events here.)

Need more CoComelon? The CoComelon: Sing-A-Long Live Tour is also currently on the road, with dates through June 29 in Louisville. You can also watch the CoComelon animated series on Netflix before it makes its way to Disney+ in 2027.

10 Jun 2025

Conan O’Brien, Ryan Murphy and More to Be Inducted Into Television Academy Hall of Fame

Don Mischer, whose credits include the legendary program where Michael Jackson first unveiled the moonwalk, is being honored posthumously.

Conan O’Brien

Conan O’Brien at Featured Session “Claiming the Future of Entertainment” at Austin Convention Center on March 11, 2025 in Austin, Texas.

Andy Wenstrand

Music and variety programming are well-represented on the list of six 2025 honorees set to join the Television Academy Hall of Fame. The inductees are talk show host Conan O’Brien, prolific composer Mike Post, producers Ryan Murphy and Don Mischer (who died on April 11), and actors Henry Winkler and Viola Davis.

The 27th Hall of Fame ceremony will be held during the Televerse Festival on Aug. 16.

The Hall of Fame honors persons who have made outstanding contributions in the arts, sciences or management of television over a lifetime career or via singular achievements. The 2025 Hall of Fame honorees join more than 150 individuals previously inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1984. (The ceremony is not quite annual; this is the first induction class since 2022.)

“These trailblazing performers, creators and producers have left an indelible mark on our industry. Their groundbreaking work has shaped and elevated the television landscape in profound ways,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy. “We are honored to welcome these legends into the Hall of Fame and to recognize their exceptional contributions to the evolution of television.”

“All six honorees have elevated the art of storytelling and have had an extraordinary influence on television culture and history,” said Rick Rosen, chair of the Hall of Fame selection committee. “Their transformative leadership and innovative work have made a lasting impact on the medium, and the Television Academy is proud to honor their legacy.”

Televerse is an immersive festival experience for industry insiders and fans of television from Aug. 14-16 at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE. Attendees can register here to receive news and information when sessions are announced. The Hall of Fame will be separately ticketed and will be open to Academy members and the public for purchase.

Here are capsules on each of the six 2025 honorees: