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Sir Rod Stewart is set to receive a lifetime achievement award at the 2025 American Music Awards. He will also perform one of his classics, marking his first time on the AMAs stage since 2004 when he performed the Louis Armstrong classic “What a Wonderful World.” The ballad was featured on his Billboard 200-topping and Grammy-winning album Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Volume III.
Stewart, 80, is one of several artists set to perform on this year’s AMAs who are over 50. Others are host Jennifer Lopez, 55; Gwen Stefani, also 55; ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson, 59; and Gloria Estefan, 67. (To be sure, the show has also booked such younger performers as Benson Boone, 22; Reneé Rapp, 25; Lainey Wilson, 33; and Blake Shelton, 48.) This dramatizes how TV producers like to build a big tent to attract audiences of all ages and musical persuasions.
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The AMAs are set to “kick off summer” from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, on Monday, May 26. The 51st AMAs will air live coast to coast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Stewart, who co-hosted the AMAs in 1989 with Anita Baker, Debbie Gibson and Kenny Rogers, has received several previous lifetime achievement accolades, including a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1993; a Legend Award from the World Music Awards, 1993; the Ivor Novello Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, 1999; induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, 2006; and the ASCAP Founders Award, 2011.
Stewart is also a two-time inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was enshrined as a solo artist in 1994 and with Faces in 2012.
“Sir Rod Stewart is a master showman whose charisma and energy have defied time and embody the very spirit of rock and roll,” executive producers Barry Adelman, evp, television, and Alexi Mazareas, svp, programming & development, Dick Clark Productions, said in a joint statement. “We are looking forward to another epic performance on the AMAs stage as well as celebrating his incredible body of work when he receives the Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Stewart has amassed four No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. His No. 1 singles are the double-sided smash “Maggie May”/“Reason to Believe” (1971), “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” (1976-77), “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” (1979) and “All for Love,” a collab with Bryan Adams and Sting (1994). His No. 1 albums are Every Picture Tells a Story (1971), Blondes Have More Fun (1979), Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Volume III (2004) and Still the Same…Great Rock Classics of Our Time (2006).
This summer, Stewart will launch the North American leg of his “One Last Time” world tour, which ranked among the Top 20 Global Concert Tours of 2024. He’ll return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in May-June and September-October 2025 with “The Encore Shows.”
The American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted awards show. Tickets to the show are available now on Ticketmaster.
Kendrick Lamar leads this year’s AMA contenders with 10 nominations, followed closely by Post Malone with eight nods, and Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey, with seven each.
Nominees are based on key fan interactions – as reflected on the Billboard charts – including streaming, album and song sales, radio airplay and tour grosses. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and Luminate, and cover the data tracking eligibility period of March 22, 2024, through March 20, 2025.
Fan voting is now closed, with the exception of collaboration of the year and social song of the year, which will remain open for web voting through the first 30 minutes of the AMAs broadcast via VoteAMAs.com.
The AMAs and Easy Day Foundation, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit organization committed to helping veterans transition to civilian life, will partner to present several in-show moments that celebrate veterans while raising funds for a variety of national and local organizations.
The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.
Joey Bada$$’s war of the words with the West Coast is heating up. The Brooklyn rapper returned fire on what was a busy Monday night (May 19) in hip-hop as Joey directed his attention at Ray Vaughn, Kendrick Lamar and more on his scintillating “My Town” diss track.
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“I’m the real boogeyman, y’all n—-s should be afraid/ Get the general, I’m killing his troops,” he raps while teasing Lamar. “Don’t make me Pulitzer, better be wise because/ I’m dottin T’s and cross your eyes like Whitaker.”
Joey had plenty of smoke for TDE’s Ray Vaughn and sniped at AzChike, who threw his hat into the ring on Monday with his “What Would You Do” diss track.
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“Look, Ray Vaughn was so last week/ Now, I’m hearing s–t about some nigga named ‘Ass Cheek’/ Who wanna be the next victim/ How many Top Dawgs will it take to sick ’em,” Joey spews.
The 30-year-old pays homage to Cam’ron’s “Welcome to New York City” with his own spin on the Big Apple staple to close out the outro.
Kendrick has yet to address Joey’s shots, as the Brooklyn native previously taunted the Compton legend on “The Finals” earlier in May.
Ray Vaughn didn’t waste any time in returning fire on Monday with “Golden Eye,” which finds him rapping over 50 Cent’s classic “Back Down” instrumental.
“Vaughn Wick” jabbed at Joey Bada$$’s relationship with Diddy and claims that there’s a video implicating Joey in crimes with the disgraced Bad Boy mogul. “If you’re standin’ next to Diddy, then you shouldn’t mention dick/ ‘Cause if they ever show that footage, you gon’ have to plead the fifth,” he raps.
The explosives are still seemingly dropping out of the sky every hour as Daylyt returned on Tuesday (May 20), going after Joey on “Ayo.”
The Joey Bada$$ versus the West Coast battle began on New Year’s Day when Joey gritted his teeth on “The Ruler’s Back.” He appeared to reignite the flame last week during the “Red Bull Spiral Freestyle” alongside Ab-Soul and Big Sean.
Monday brought about a barrage of lyrical missiles fired as AzChike, Daylyt, CJ Fly, Kai Ca$h, JaeWon, Joey Bada$$ and Ray Vaughn all exchanged diss tracks.
Find a timeline to keep up with the entire battle below.
Great day in hip hop 🏆 5.19.25 Joey vs. West (21) https://t.co/pptn4lxeYEJoey Bada$$ “The Ruler’s Back” 1.1.25DAYLYT “HIYU” 1.7.25Ray Vaughn “Crashout Heritage” 1.8.25Joey Bada$$ “Sorry Not Sorry” 1.20.25CJ Fly “HIYU Freestyle” 1.27.25DAYLYT “YHRR” 2.3.25Ray Vaughn…— Elliott Wilson (@ElliottWilson) May 20, 2025
On May 20, 2000, Faith Hill’s “The Way You Love Me” hopped two places to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for its first of four frames in the penthouse. It became the eighth of her nine leaders on the list. The hit was authored by Michael Dulaney and Keith Follesé and produced by […]
Since launching her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in Brazil earlier this year, Shakira has surprised attendees by inviting a number of fellow hitmakers to join her onstage. From Grupo Frontera, Carlos Vives and Maluma — all three joined her in Latin America — to Wyclef Jean, Alejandro Sanz, Ozuna and Rauw Alejando […]
After speaking out for the first time about her newfound gender identity leading up to new album Virgin, Lorde has announced that the project’s next single will be “Man of the Year,” a track about embracing her own masculinity.
On Monday (May 19), the pop star shared the track’s cover art — a close-up photo of her chest covered by a strip of duct tape, the waistline of her jeans poking out from the bottom of the frame — and wrote on Instagram, “Man Of The Year. An offering from really deep inside me.”
“The song I’m proudest of on Virgin,” Lorde added. “Out next week.”
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“Man of the Year” will mark the second track fans are getting from Virgin, which arrives June 27. The New Zealand native previously released “What Was That” in April, debuting at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In her Rolling Stone cover story from earlier in May, Lorde opened up about writing “Man of the Year” after stopping her birth control and realizing that her gender felt more fluid than she previously realized. Just before penning the track, she taped her own chest with duct tape — just as it appears on the artwork — in an effort to realize a vision of herself “that was fully representative of how [her] gender felt in that moment,” she told the publication.
“I felt like stopping taking my birth control, I had cut some sort of cord between myself and this regulated femininity,” she continued. “It sounds crazy, but I felt that all of a sudden, I was off the map of femininity. And I totally believed that that allowed things to open up.”
Lorde would later tease “Man of the Year” through her 2025 Met Gala look, wearing a strapless, slate strip of fabric adhered to her chest that mirrored what the song’s cover art would look like. “This is my creation,” she told Vogue‘s Emma Chamberlain on the red carpet at the time. “It’s something of an Easter egg … To me it really represents where I’m at gender-wise. I feel like a man and a woman, kind of vibe.”
The rollout cycle for Virgin — which will follow 2021’s Solar Power — has marked the “Royals” singer’s first time opening up about her broadening gender identity. Though she still prefers “she” and “her” pronouns, she explained to Rolling Stone, “[Chappell Roan] was like, ‘So, are you nonbinary now?’ … I was like, ‘I’m a woman except for the days when I’m a man.’”
Lorde has also shared that overcoming her struggles with an eating disorder — another experience that informed Virgin — allowed her to embrace her true identity. “I had made my body very small, because I thought that that was what you did as a woman and a woman on display,” she recently told Document Journal. “It had the effect of making me [feel] totally ungrounded. I was very weak. I look back now, and I don’t have that same feeling of floating away.”
Steve Miller is set to become the 2025 recipient of the Les Paul Spirit Award on Monday, June 9, at a private event at the Gibson Garage Nashville. The event will take place on what would have been Paul’s 110th birthday. Miller is the fifth recipient of the award, following Bob Weir (founding member of Grateful Dead), Nile Rodgers, U2‘s The Edge and Peter Frampton.
The annual award, created and presented by the Les Paul Foundation (in partnership with Gibson Gives, the philanthropic division of Gibson), goes to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the late Les Paul through innovation, engineering, technology and/or music. In addition to the award, a grant from the Les Paul Foundation will be made in the honoree’s name to the charity of his choice.
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“I cannot think of anyone more deserving to be honored with the Les Paul Spirit Award than Steve Miller,” Michael Braunstein, executive director of The Les Paul Foundation, said in a statement. “Not only is he an extraordinary talent and a wonderful friend of the Les Paul Foundation, Steve holds the very distinct title of being Les’ godson. They had a very unique relationship which Les cherished. If anyone understands the ‘spirit’ of Les Paul, it’s Steve.”
The Steve Miller Band’s enduring popularity has been demonstrated twice in the past year. The band’s 1982 hit “Abracadabra” was interpolated in Eminem’s “Houdini,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 2024. The band’s hit-laden 1976 album, Fly Like an Eagle, was inducted into the National Recording Registry this year.
Miller had three No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 – “The Joker” (1974), “Rock’n Me” (1976) and “Abracadabra” (1982). He never quite landed a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, but four of his albums – The Joker, Fly Like an Eagle, Book of Dreams and Abracadabra – reached the top three. In addition, Miller’s 1978 compilation Greatest Hits 1974-78 has received a RIAA Diamond Award with U.S. shipments of more than 15 million copies.
Miller was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2016) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2022).
Miller and Paul were both signed to Capitol Records in their heydays. They also had a long and personal relationship. Their connection began in Miller’s early childhood in Milwaukee, where his parents frequently attended Les Paul and Mary Ford’s performances. Miller’s father, Sonny, was even the best man at Les Paul’s wedding. A young Steve Miller was introduced to Paul, who gave him his first informal guitar lessons and taught him his first three chords. Miller has often recalled how these early experiences watching Paul perform and receiving personal instruction were pivotal in inspiring his own musical journey. Miller joined Paul on stage at the latter’s 90th birthday concert in New York City in 2005.
The Les Paul Spirit Award is made from hand-carved acoustic boards built by Paul that he used in his home studio. Given the unique nature of the studio pieces that are being used to create them, no two Les Paul Spirit Awards will be exactly the same.
Paul, who died in 2009 at age 94, won Grammys for best instrumental performance in pop, rock and country categories, a sign of his broad influence. He received a trustees award from the Recording Academy in 1983 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early/musical influence in 1988. In addition to his innovations with the guitar, Paul was half of one of the top vocal duos of the 1950s. Les Paul and Mary Ford’s biggest hits were “How High the Moon” and “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You).”
Elegance. Showmanship. Unmatched flair. Rauw Alejandro made his triumphant return to New York City on Monday night (May 19), kicking off a three-night takeover at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center as part of his Cosa Nuestra tour.
For the Puerto Rican singer, these performances carry deep significance, blending his personal story with the cultural legacy of the city’s Nuyorican community.
“Rauw Alejandro performing Cosa Nuestra live, where it all began, here in the city of New York,” said the man of the night while commanding the stage with superstar swagger. “New York is very special to me, it’s my second home. It’s where my father was born. My grandfather — they came here to work hard, to earn money for their family. Cosa Nuestra was created right here in New York. Tonight is special. This concert is a little bit different from the others.” And he was absolutely right about that.
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The energy in the arena was electric, with fans dressed to the nines per Rauw’s “dress code” for the night — a glam celebration that felt more Broadway than your typical Latin music show. And Rauw’s performance delivered high-octane drama in four acts, crafted like a theatrical masterpiece, at times invoking West Side Story, in others Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” video, to his own arsenal of hits from his new album — “Revolú,” “Déjame Entrar,” “Mil Mujeres” — and even some Rauw classics such as “Tattoo,” “Todo De Ti,” “Desesperados” and more.
The show was filled with imagery that depicted New York’s iconic landmarks and its Latin roots, with the Brooklyn Bridge and the city skyline as a backdrop. With his impeccably tight choreography, tailored and glitzy wardrobe and the vintage muscle car in one notable scene, his homage to the Boricua diaspora was heartfelt and unapologetically vivid — a tribute to resilience, culture and identity.
“New York is a special place, especially for this show, for Puerto Rican culture — for me being Puerto Rican from New York,” said an attendee who looked dapper in vintage-looking slacks and a flat cap. “There’s a lot of history here, a lot of culture, and it’s good to see all the people come together for a special event like this that celebrates us.”
The city is also the cradle of Puerto Rican salsa, the birthplace of the late ‘60s and ‘70s Latin music revolution defined by legends such as the Fania All Stars. That golden era of big-band artistry sparked the vision for Rauw’s Cosa Nuestra album and the theatrical brilliance of the night’s performance — a seamless fusion of tradition and modernity that felt like a love letter to New York’s Puerto Rican roots.
Rauw’s Cosa Nuestra topped Billboard‘s Best Latin Albums of 2024 (Staff Picks), and reached No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, where it remained at the top for six weeks.
His next stops include Atlanta, Orlando and several dates in Miami before wrapping up his U.S. tour with a four-night series of shows at the iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico. This summer, he’ll take his Cosa Nuestra tour to Europe.
Megan Thee Stallion is slamming Tory Lanez and his legal team after they claimed that there is allegedly new evidence to prove that the Canadian rapper didn’t shoot the “Savage” artist, but that someone else did. “At what point are yall gonna stop making me have to re live being shot BY TORY !? At […]
Best known as a dancer, rapper and singer-songwriter in BTS, j-hope has long stood out, with a magnetic stage presence and captivating dance moves that helped propel the group to global stardom. Now — as ARMY around the world anticipate the group’s remaining members completing South Korea’s mandatory military service and BTS reuniting in June, with group activities on hold until 2026 — the charismatic 31-year-old is distinguishing himself further, carving out a bold solo identity that showcases a versatility and creative range that extend far beyond his BTS persona.
Following his 2022 debut solo album, Jack in the Box, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, and his 2024 Hope on the Street, Vol. 1 EP that rose to No. 5 on the chart, j-hope has already released collaborations this year with stars including Miguel, Don Toliver and Pharrell Williams. And with his Hope on the Stage World Tour, which kicked off Feb. 28 in Seoul, j-hope is reaching new heights: His show at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium made him the first South Korean male solo artist to headline a U.S. stadium. (His bandmate Jin will hit the road this summer.) The tour — which will wrap June 1 after visiting 15 markets across North America and Asia, including a May 31 show in Osaka, Japan, that will be broadcast live to cinemas around the world — has mirrored his own artistic growth as he prepares for the next stage of his solo journey with his upcoming album. J-hope sat down with Billboard Korea in Los Angeles for an exclusive chat about his music, touring and inspirations.
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Louis Vuitton shirt, jacket, and pants; Audemars Piguet watch.
Julian Dakdouk
What does it mean to you to be on the cover of Billboard as a solo artist?
Growing up, Billboard seemed like a completely different universe to me. I’d follow the charts to see where my favorite artists landed, and that’s how I got a sense of the era’s musical flow and what sounds were defining each moment. So having my own music recognized by Billboard still feels surreal and exciting. To me, Billboard remains a dreamlike presence, and the amazing thing is, that dream is still unfolding, much like my song, “Sweet Dreams.”
You’re widely regarded as a symbol of hope — not only for your fans, but also for many Asian artists globally. How does it feel to have that kind of impact?
Just as I drew inspiration from the artists I admired growing up, shaping my own music through their influence, I’d be honored if my work could inspire others and pass on that same positive energy — that would mean the world to me. Above all, I hope to continue growing into an artist who brings light and encouragement to others wherever I go.
Louis Vuitton jacket and pants, Audemars Piguet watch.
Julian Dakdouk
Is there a particular message you want to convey with this tour?
Embracing my identity as j-hope, I found myself reflecting more deeply on the true essence of hope. I realized it’s not something to be taken lightly, so I wanted to channel that sincerity into my music and bring it to life through Hope on the Stage, sharing it with as many people as possible. I was hands-on with everything — stage design, choreography, fashion and even the props — pouring my heart into every aspect. I hope the audience left with a sense of genuine positivity and inspiration. Moving forward, I want to keep creating authentic performances that unite everyone through the power of music.
You made history in April as the first South Korean male solo artist to headline a U.S. stadium. How did that feel?
Having performed at countless stadiums with BTS, I was always part of a seven-member team filling the stage. This time, I was on my own, and honestly, I wondered if I could handle that immense energy and pressure by myself. But I pulled it off and that means a lot to me — it’s a milestone I’ll always cherish.
Louis Vuitton shirt, jacket, pants and shoes; Audemars Piguet watch.
Julian Dakdouk
You’re often hailed as a fashion icon. What ignited your love of style?
Ever since I was young, I’ve had a genuine passion for clothes. I don’t really see myself as a fashionista — I just have a deep, genuine love for fashion. To me, clothing is a powerful way to express my identity. Even during BTS world tours, I’d make time to visit local boutiques and explore different styles, which really helped shape my personal aesthetic over time. For my solo world tour, I handpicked every outfit for each performance, ensuring every look was distinct. I believe my approach to fashion adds a fun, dynamic element for fans to enjoy while watching my shows.
Your recent single, “Mona Lisa,” debuted at No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was released in March two weeks after your Miguel collaboration, “Sweet Dreams.” What’s the story behind these tracks?
I believe my music should evolve as I grow. Before my enlistment, I leaned into my roots in dance, experimenting with a variety of sounds to express different facets of myself. But just a week after my discharge, I headed straight to the U.S. because I wanted to explore how the American producers I admire would interpret my sound. “Sweet Dreams” featuring Miguel — an artist I’ve long respected — has a smooth, soulful vibe that feels deeply personal. On the other hand, “Mona Lisa” brings a hip-hop-driven performance energy. Both tracks are easy to connect with, yet they offer a glimpse into the broader, more evolved musical world I’m building. This is just the start — I have plenty more musical experiments in store.
This story appears in the May 17, 2025, issue of Billboard.
Best known as a dancer, rapper and singer-songwriter in BTS, j-hope has long stood out, with a magnetic stage presence and captivating dance moves that helped propel the group to global stardom. Now — as ARMY around the world anticipate the group’s remaining members completing South Korea’s mandatory military service and BTS reuniting in June, […]
