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Christie Brinkley is showing her support for ex-husband Billy Joel following news of his recent health diagnosis.
On Saturday (May 24), the 71-year-old model took to social media to share a heartfelt tribute to Joel, 76, just one day after he revealed he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a type of brain disorder.
“Dear Billy, the whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery,” Brinkley wrote on Instagram. Her message was accompanied by video clips of herself and daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook — whose father is Peter Cook — attending one of Joel’s past concerts.
“I was looking for some cute photos of you and Alexa to send you, when I came across this clip from a recent concert,” she continued. “It made me laugh … but it also reminded me of all the joy you create, and all the sensational sing a longs you’ve lead… You turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison.”
Brinkley closed her message with an emotional note of encouragement.
“I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone in that room when I say please take good care of yourself, we all want you back in that white hot spotlight, you’re OUR piano man,” she wrote. “And we’re always in the mood for your melodies And we all hope you’re feeling alright! We Love You, the kids, me and an arena or two!”
Brinkley and Joel married in 1985 and welcomed daughter Alexa Ray Joel that same year. The couple divorced in 1994 after nearly a decade together.
Just last month, Brinkley was spotted in the audience at Joel’s concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden, smiling and dancing along to his 1983 hit “Uptown Girl” — a song he famously wrote with Brinkley in mind. In his 2014 biography Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography, the iconic musician revealed that the track was initially inspired by the models of Manhattan, but he changed the title from plural to singular after beginning his relationship with Brinkley.
Earlier this week, Joel announced he would be canceling all upcoming shows due to complications from NPH.
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance,” he said in a statement. “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.”
The cancellations include several scheduled appearances throughout summer and fall 2025, as well as early 2026, including joint shows with Sting, Rod Stewart, and Stevie Nicks.
George Floyd, a resident of Minneapolis, Minn., lost his life at the hands of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes. On the fifth anniversary of his death, many on social media are honoring George Floyd’s life.
On this day (May 25) five years ago, George Floyd was arrested after a store clerk at Cup Food alerted the police that Floyd used a counterfeit $20 bill inside the establishment. Officers J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane arrived on the scene shortly after 8:00 PM local time. The officers approached Floyd’s SUV and ordered him to show his hands before pulling him out of the vehicle.
Chauvin and Officer Tou Thao arrived next, making it a total of four officers on Floyd. The officers pulled Floyd out of the backseat of a squad car with Kueng, Lane, and Chauvin physically holding down Floyd. Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, who repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe, and was suffering from an anxiety attack, according to onlookers.
The officers ignored Floyd’s complaints about his discomfort, with Thao, who kept bystanders at bay, reportedly telling folks, “This is why you don’t do drugs, kids.” The observers noticed that Floyd was no longer moving, and officers discovered that he no longer had a pulse. Witnesses say that the officers did nothing to attempt to revive Floyd as he was lying face down on the pavement.
The death of George Floyd sparked citywide demonstrations and protests around the nation, calling for the arrest of the four officers. Floyd’s murder bolstered the “Defund The Police” movement, and tensions between police officers and Black and other minority groups grew as a result.
Chauvin was later charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter, and was sentenced to 22 and a half years. Chauvin pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating Floyd’s civil rights for ignoring his pleas for help, not administering medical care, and for using extreme measures to subdue him. The other three officers faced similar charges.
Lane pleaded guilty to state level charges of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and sewas ntenced to three years to be served alongside a 2 and a half year federal sentence. Kueng pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to 3 and a half years in state prison to be served with his 2 and a half year federal sentence. Thao waived his right to a trial but was later found guilty of aiding and abetting manslaughter and sentenced to almost five years in prison.
Naturally, right-wing trolls and MAGA enthusiasts are pushing the theory that Floyd overdosed on drugs instead of focusing on the charges that the officers actually pleaded guilty to. If these tough-guy officers believed they didn’t commit a crime, protests and folks calling for their heads wouldn’t have made them fold. It didn’t stop them from killing a Black man in broad daylight, right?
On X, George Floyd’s name is one of the top trending topics. We’ve got those reactions listed below.
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Crunchyroll, the global brand fueling anime fandom, revealed the winners of the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards during a live ceremony held at Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo on Sunday (May 25). Creepy Nuts won best anime song for “Otonoke,” the opening theme from anime of the year nominee DAN DA DAN. Hiroyuki Sawano won best score for Solo Leveling, which won anime of the year.
The ninth annual Anime Awards was co-hosted for the third year in a row by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira. The winners were revealed by celebrity anime fan presenters, including Grammy-winning singer Kacey Musgraves; Canadian director, musician, and actor Finn Wolfhard and American actor Gaten Matarazzo, both from the hit series Stranger Things; global superstar and anime collaborator J Balvin; Italian singer-songwriter Damiano David; musician and actor Rina Sawayama; Brazilian pop icon Pabllo Vittar; American snowboarder Chloe Kim; and screenwriter Zak Penn.
During the awards show, fans enjoyed performances from Creepy Nuts, the 2025 Anime Awards winning hip-hop duo, who performed “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” the opening theme from Mashle: Magic and Muscles. Rock band FLOW performed “DAYS” to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Eureka Seven; and LiSA, Spotify’s most streamed Japanese artist globally in 2020, performed three songs — “crossing field,” “Datte Atashino Hero,” and “gurenge,” the hit from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
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During the ceremony, Attack on Titan was awarded the Anime Awards’ first global impact award. The final film Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK premiered in late 2024, marking the end of the longstanding anime. Yuichiro Hayashi from MAPPA accepted the award on behalf of all the creatives who brought the series to life over the years.
This year, a record 51 million votes were cast by fans worldwide to celebrate their favorite series, films, and actors. The 2025 Anime Awards will be available to stream as video-on-demand shortly on Crunchyroll’s YouTube and Twitch Channels, along with SONY PICTURES CORE and the Sony Group Corp Japan and Global YouTube Channels.
“Fans form deep emotional connections to anime. These are not just series, films or songs, but rather works of art that help define the identity of anime fans,” Rahul Purini, president of Crunchyroll, said in a statement.
Sony Music Solutions Inc., part of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Dempsey Productions supported Crunchyroll in the execution of the Anime Awards this year.
Here’s a complete list of 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominees and winners.
Anime of the Year
DAN DA DAN
Delicious in Dungeon
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Kaiju No. 8
WINNER: Solo Leveling
The Apothecary Diaries
Best Anime Song
Abyss – Yungblud – Kaiju No. 8
Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Creepy Nuts – MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc
Fatal – GEMN -【OSHI NO KO】Season 2
LEveL – SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Solo Leveling
WINNER: Otonoke – Creepy Nuts – DAN DA DAN
The Brave – YOASOBI – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Best Score
BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict- Shiro Sagisu
DAN DA DAN – kensuke ushio
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc – Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Evan Call
Look Back – Haruka Nakamura
WINNER: Solo Leveling – Hiroyuki Sawano
Film of the Year
HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle
WINNER: Look Back
Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain
My Hero Academia: You’re Next
SPY x FAMILY CODE: White
The Colors Within
Best Original Anime
BUCCHIGIRI?!
GIRLS BAND CRY
Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night
Metallic Rouge
WINNER: Ninja Kamui
Train to the End of the World
Best Continuing Series
BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict
WINNER: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
My Hero Academia, My Hero Academia Season 7
ONE PIECE
【OSHI NO KO】【OSHI NO KO】Season 2
SPY × FAMILY, SPY × FAMILY Season 2
Best New Series
DAN DA DAN
Delicious in Dungeon
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Kaiju No. 8
WINNER: Solo Leveling
The Apothecary Diaries
Best Opening Sequence
Abyss – Yungblud – Kaiju No. 8
Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Creepy Nuts – MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc
Fatal – GEMN – 【OSHI NO KO】Season 2
LEveL – SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]: TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Solo Leveling
WINNER: Otonoke – Creepy Nuts – DAN DA DAN
UUUUUS! – Hiroshi Kitadani – ONE PIECE
Best Ending Sequence
Antanante – riria. – Ranma1/2
Burning – Hitsujibungaku – 【OSHI NO KO】Season 2
KAMAKURA STYLE – BotchiBoromaru – The Elusive Samurai
Nobody – OneRepublic – Kaiju No. 8
WINNER: request – krage – Solo Leveling
TAIDADA – ZUTOMAYO – DAN DA DAN
Best Action
BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict
DAN DA DAN
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
Kaiju No. 8
WINNER: Solo Leveling
WIND BREAKER
Best Comedy
Delicious in Dungeon
KONOSUBA -God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3
WINNER: MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc
My Deer Friend Nokotan
Ranma1/2
SPY × FAMILY Season 2
Best Drama
A Sign of Affection
DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION
WINNER: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
【OSHI NO KO】Season 2
Pluto
The Apothecary Diaries
Best Isekai Anime
KONOSUBA -God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (season 2, Cour 2)
WINNER: Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3
Shangri-La Frontier Season 2
Suicide Squad ISEKAI
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3
Best Romance
A Sign of Affection
WINNER: Blue Box
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
Ranma1/2
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
The Dangers in My Heart Season 2
Best Slice of Life
Laid-Back Camp Season 3
WINNER: Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
Mr. Villain’s Day Off
My Deer Friend Nokotan
Sound! Euphonium 3
The Dangers in My Heart Season 2
Best Animation
DAN DA DAN
Delicious in Dungeon
WINNER: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Kaiju No. 8
Solo Leveling
Best Background Art
DAN DA DAN
Delicious in Dungeon
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
WINNER: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Pluto
The Apothecary Diaries
Best Character Design
WINNER: DAN DA DAN
Delicious in Dungeon
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Kaiju No. 8
The Apothecary Diaries
Best Director
Fuga Yamashiro – DAN DA DAN
Haruo Sotozaki – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
WINNER: Keiichiro Saito – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Megumi Ishitani – ONE PIECE FAN LETTER
Norihiro Naganuma – The Apothecary Diaries
Yoshihiro Miyajima – Delicious in Dungeon
Best Main Character
Frieren – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Kafka Hibino – Kaiju No. 8
Okarun – DAN DA DAN
Maomao – The Apothecary Diaries
Momo – DAN DA DAN
WINNER: Sung Jinwoo – Solo Leveling
Best Supporting Character
WINNER: Fern – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Himmel – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Jinshi – The Apothecary Diaries
Seiko – DAN DA DAN
Senshi – Delicious in Dungeon
Turbo Granny – DAN DA DAN
“Must Protect at All Cost” Character
WINNER: Anya Forger – SPY × FAMILY Season 2
Frieren – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Okarun- DAN DA DAN
Senshi – Delicious in Dungeon
Tokiyuki Hojo – The Elusive Samurai
Yuki Itose – A Sign of Affection
Best Japanese Voice Artist Performance: Aoi Yuki (Maomao) – The Apothecary Diaries
Best English Voice Artist Performance: Aleks Le (Sung Jinwoo) – Solo Leveling
Best Arabic Voice Artist Performance: Hiba Snobar (Anya Forger) – SPY × FAMILY Season 2
Best Brazilian Portuguese Voice Artist Performance: Charles Emmanuel (Sung Jinwoo) – Solo Leveling
Best Castilian Spanish Voice Artist Performance: Masumi Mutsuda (Sung Jinwoo) – Solo Leveling
Best French Voice Artist Performance: Adrien Antoine (Kafka Hibino) – Kaiju No. 8
Best German Voice Artist Performance: Daniel Schlauch (Monkey D. Luffy) – ONE PIECE
Best Hindi Voice Artist Performance: Lohit Sharma (Satoru Gojo) – JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 2
Best Italian Voice Artist Performance: Ilaria Pellicone (Kyomoto) – Look Back
Best Latin Spanish Voice Artist Performance: Miguel Ángel Leal (Eren Jaeger) – Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2
When Shakira announced the stadium tour dates for her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran trek, Chicago was not part of the list, leaving fans wondering why the Windy City was left out. Soon after, it was unveiled that she’d headline Sueños Festival and on Saturday (May 24), the Colombian star closed out day one of the two-day event in Chicago’s Grant Park.
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What was originally billed as a two-hour performance starting at 8 p.m., Shakira went onstage closer to 8:30 p.m. and played a 90-minute set. The crowd — which had quickly dispersed after Peso Pluma’s set — slowly returned to find a good spot to watch Shakira and the empty spots filled up, especially when the main stage lights were turned on.
Shakira’s crowd was multigenerational, which is noteworthy given that Sueños caters to a younger, perhaps Gen Z-leaning crowd. Many women in attendance paid homage to Shakira, wearing her signature belly-dancing hip belts. And Colombians proudly waved their flags, eager to hear La Loba howl.
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“I was really looking forward to being with you tonight,” a beaming Shakira said, speaking in a mix of English and Spanish. “This is incredible. This city, wow I’m in love with this city, it’s so beautiful. Thank you for making me feel at home. There is definitely no better reunion than a she-wolf with her pack. Chicago, tonight, we are one.”
While it’s hard to replicate a stadium tour stage in a festival setting, it’s safe to say Shakira gifted Chicago fans an unforgettable night. Going from wearing a shimmery white jumpsuit and large black sunglasses to a sparkly pink dress in a blink of an eye, the “Pies Descalzos” singer, backed by a troupe of fierce dancers, kicked off with bangers, including “Girl Like Me,” “Las de la Intuición,” “Estoy Aquí,” “Inevitable,” “Te Felicito,” “TQG” and “Don’t Bother.”
“These last few years have not been easy for me, nobody is saved from falls. But if I have learned anything, it’s that the fall is not the end but the beginning of a higher flight. We, women, get up a little stronger, a little more wiser, every time we fall,” Shakira said, a nod to the empowering theme of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran era, inspired by the healing that comes from a heartbreak.
During her 90-minute set, Shakira’s hypnotizing dance moves and choreography were on full display, including her unmatched belly-dancing in “Ojos Asi” and the champeta and calypso footwork during “Waka Waka.” But a fan favorite moment was when Shakira revisited her rockera roots, singing “Pies Descalzos, Sueños Blancos” and “Antología.”
Of course, she closed with the global hit “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” which had all the women in attendance singing at the top of their lungs, ending an epic reunion between a she-wolf and her pack.
Sueños continues on Sunday (May 25) with Grupo Frontera and Don Omar as headliners. Meanwhile, Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran is set to visit Boston, Atlanta, Miami and Los Angeles next.
Sueños fans waited one year for Peso Pluma to headline the Latin music festival in Chicago’s Grant Park after his set was canceled by festival organizers last year over thunderstorms.
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“It’s good to be in Chicago,” Peso told attendees at the top of his one-hour-and-15-minute set on Saturday (May 24). “Remember last time we got rained out? Well, no rain can stop me this time.”
The significant crowd that gathered to see him perform at the event’s main stage roared, crowding the stage area to be closer to Peso.
Although the air was crisp and unseasonably cold temperatures had festival-goers rethinking their summery wardrobe choices, it did not rain. This time, mother nature was on Peso’s side. And so he went on to sing his biggest hits, including “AMG,” “Rubicón,” “Nueva Vida,” “La Patrulla,” “Rompe La Dompe” and “Lady Gaga,” to name a few on his Sueños setlist.
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Dressed casually in jeans, a black T-shirt with a black puffer jacket over it and a black and white Chicago White Sox baseball cap (which he later traded for a beige one), Peso was accompanied by his band composed of nearly 10 musicians — giving life to signature sound powered by instruments like charchetas, trombones and trumpets and following Peso’s lead.
“They are my family,” Peso gushed about his band. “Over the past three years, we’ve grown this project together.”
A handful of artists joined him onstage as special guests, including Oscar Maydon and El Alfa — both who had performed earlier in the day — and labelmates Tito Double P and Jasiel Nuñez. Throughout his show, Peso expressed his Mexican pride and wrapped a Mexican flag at the end of his set saying, “Viva la cultura mexicana!”
And, although he didn’t address head on the bans on narcocorridos in Mexico and the U.S., and how they’ve impacted a few of his fellow regional Mexican hitmakers, Peso made note during his set that he’s focusing on romantic corridos.
According to Sueños’ website, as of Saturday, about 95% of the passes to the event were sold, although actual daily attendance figures were not made readily available by festival organizers. Now in its fourth edition, day one of Sueños featured other acts like NSQK, El Malilla, Dei V, Oscar Maydon, El Alfa and Arcángel. Shakira closed out Saturday with a 90-minute set.
Don Omar and Grupo Frontera will headline day two of Sueños on Sunday (May 25).
Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, has departed the organization after five years as executive director, according to an email sent to staff by Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares.
The memo announced a “key leadership transition” heading into Memorial Day weekend, revealing that Segura is “no longer with MusiCares” — and that Theresa Wolters, who’s been serving as MusiCares’ head of health and human services, “is stepping into the role of interim executive director.”
No reason or details regarding Segura’s departure were given. Billboard reached out to the Recording Academy and MusiCares on Saturday (May 24) for comment.
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The leadership and staff directory on MusiCares’ website no longer includes Segura’s name and lists Wolters as interim executive director.
Segura was named executive director at MusiCares in 2020, after serving as vp of membership and industry relations at the Recording Academy.
She was honored at Billboard‘s Women in Music, which recognizes top executives in the industry, in both 2022 and 2023.
Segura and Wolters, who is now MusiCares’ interim executive director, co-penned a guest column for Billboard, “Health Insurance Isn’t Enough — Music Also Needs a Financial Safety Net,” published in March.
MusiCares, founded by the Recording Academy in 1989, provides a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community. The U.S. based, independent 501(c)(3) charity offers financial grant programs, support resources and crisis relief.
Earlier this month, MusiCares reported that nearly $10 million raised for Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts during the 2025 Grammy Awards was distributed to recipients across the region. As of May 2, $6,125,000 was disbursed to more than 3,100 music professionals across L.A, and $3,969,005 had been directed to the community-based organizations California Community Foundation, Direct Relief and Pasadena Community Foundation.
An additional $16 million was raised by MusiCares and the Recording Academy during Grammy weekend with the MusiCares Fire Relief campaign and its annual Persons of the Year gala. $6 million of that amount was allocated to longterm fire relief efforts, and $10 million will go toward the organization’s year-round mission delivery.
“What moved us most in the days following the Grammy telecast wasn’t just the scale of support, it was the spirit behind it, Segura said in a statement on May 2. “Thousands of people gave what they could, and together, their generosity became a lifeline for those in crisis, which reached far beyond our industry. That’s why we partnered with trusted community organizations who are helping Angelenos across the region access the care, resources and support they need to rebuild.”
Sophie Turner seems to be streaming her ex’s new album. The actress posted Joe Jonas‘ Music for People Who Believe in Love on Saturday (May 24) in an Instagram Story, where she also shared a note of support for his latest solo release.
“Go go @joejonas,” Turner wrote on the post, which showed an image of the album on Spotify and tagged her ex-husband’s Instagram profile.
Her reaction to Music for People Who Believe in Love‘s release comes after the former couple — who co-parent their two children, four-year-old Willa and two-year-old Delphine — finalized their divorce in September 2024. Jonas, who outside of his solo endeavors is one third of the Jonas Brothers, met Turner in 2016. They were wed in 2019.
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Though Jonas and Turner initially had a disagreement over custody, they voluntarily entered into a confidential parenting plan and separation agreement that was in the best interest of the family, a judge declared on final judgement paperwork for the divorce, dated Sept. 6, 2024.
“After four wonderful years of marriage we have mutually decided to amicably end our marriage,” they said in a joint statement that first announced their split in 2023. “There are many speculative narratives as to why but, truly this is a united decision and we sincerely hope that everyone can respect our wishes for privacy for us and our children.”
Turner later said the breakup “was incredibly sad.” “We had a beautiful relationship, and it was hard,” she told Harper’s Bazaar.
Music for People Who Believe in Love was released on Friday (May 23) via Republic Records. The set is Jonas’ second studio album as a solo artist, following 2011’s Fastlife, and features the singles “Work It Out,” “What This Could Be” and “Heart By Heart.”
Working on the personal project “was scary at times, and also freeing,” Jonas told Billboard last summer. “I’m not trying to come for anyone on this album. I’m not trying to put stuff on blast. I have a beautiful life that I’m grateful for. I’ve got two beautiful kids. I’m a happy person, and the music needed to resemble that — but also, the journey to get here.”
Billboard has learned the identities of all six individuals killed in a fiery jet crash early Thursday morning (May 22) in San Diego, California.
The victims of the crash include Kendall Fortner, Emma Lynn Huke, Dominic Damian and Celina Kenyon. Billboard previously reported that talent agent and the flight’s pilot, Dave Shapiro, and Daniel Williams, former drummer with metal band The Devil Wears Prada, were among those who perished in the crash early Saturday morning just two miles south of an executive airport in San Diego. The crash caused a massive fire as it tore through the residential enclave, damaging homes, melting vehicles and causing panic in the coastal suburb where residents were shocked but, thankfully, uninjured from the violent crash that killed all six passengers.
Fortner, 24, had interned at Sound Talent Group while a student at San Diego State University, joining the company after graduating in 2021 with a degree in business. Fortner was born in Glendale, California, and raised in Santa Clarita, attending West Ranch High School.
Kendall Fortner
The Fortner Family
“Ever since Kendall’s father took her to concerts at a young age, she was hooked on music,” a letter from Sound Talent Group reads. “From 1950s doo-wop to classic rock, Green Day to Ed Sheeran, Kendall loved it all. She taught herself to play a variety of instruments, including piano and guitar.”
Fortner had expressed interest in working in the music business as a teenager, “and the job at STG was a perfect fit that showcased her work ethic and ability to plan tours and festivals nationwide,” the letter continued. “Fiercely independent and strong-willed, Kendall was the life of the party and lit up any room she entered.”
Fortner is survived by her parents Gary and Kristin, her brother Justin and his wife Hannah and their son, Theo, and her brother Jordan and his wife Kailey.
Huke, 25, was born and raised in Orange County, California, and attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where she was part of a national championship-winning dance team.
Emma Huke
The Huke Family
“After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2022 with a degree in journalism, Emma completed several internships in the music industry before joining Sound Talent Group in 2024 as a booking associate,” according to STG.
“There was nothing Emma loved more than live music. She worked hard to save up money so she could travel to concerts and festivals. And while she loved all genres of music, her favorite artists to see live were Taylor Swift and The 1975,” the letter read. “Emma also brought that passion for live music to her work. She was smart and organized, helping STG plan and promote their biggest tours. Clients and friends called Emma a force of nature, and she was a beautiful soul who brought joy and a light to everyone in her presence.”
Huke is survived by her parents, Tim and Allison, and her younger sibling, Ellis.
Damian was a personal friend of Shapiro and worked as a senior software engineer, according to his LinkedIn page.
Damian held a black belt in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu who trained at Baret Yoshida’s gym in San Diego, where Damian lived. The gym is honoring Damian on Monday (Mat 26) in a special event.
“Dom was intelligent, thoughtful and had amazing jiu jitsu. A really kind guy who will be missed,” one online poster wrote.
Kenyon, 36, was a professional photographer who had joined the group to take photographs at a concert. Kenyon “decided to fly home to San Diego with other crew and friends on a late night private flight rather than a commercial flight so she could get home early to take her daughter to school,” a letter from Kenyon’s family reads, describing the San Diego resident as “an amazing mother, daughter, sister, grand-daughter, partner and friend.”
“Celina’s legacy is her daughter and partner, her parents, as well as countless family members,” they continue. “Our family is devastated beyond these words. The world has lost a beautiful bright light.”
The letter from STG also included additional information about Shapiro, who had moved to Alaska in 2020.
“Dave’s superpower was his ability to recognize new talent, work with their unique skills and sound, and give them the counsel and resources to make a living in the music industry. Some of your favorite bands wouldn’t be on your playlists right now without Dave,” the letter read.
“Dave impacted the lives of countless people in the music industry, but on a personal level, he was the best friend you could ever want – funny, full of life, always passionate about music, and never jaded. He was the guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,” according to the letter.
Shapiro is survived by his wife, Julia; his sister, Jennifer, and her children, Isabella and Jonathan Lee, and Dave’s beloved dogs, Amigo, Juneau and Monster.
Williams, 39, is a former drummer and founding member of the band The Devil Wears Prada. He was a native of Dayton, Ohio, who began playing drums in the sixth grade.
Williams left the band in 2016 to pursue a career in the tech industry, serving as a senior software architect at GoPro and Apple Inc.
D’Angelo has dropped out of the 2025 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, citing medical complications related to a previous surgery.
On Friday (May 23), the iconic R&B artist announced through social media that he will no longer headline the Roots Picnic, scheduled for May 31 and June 1 at Philly’s The Mann in Fairmount Park. The decision was made following medical advice related to an “unforeseen” delay in his surgical recovery.
“It is with the deepest of regrets that [I] must cancel my performance at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia next weekend,” D’Angelo wrote in a statement shared through the Roots Picnic’s Instagram page. “But, due to an unforeseen medical delay regarding surgery [I] had earlier this year, [I’ve] been advised by my team of specialists that the performance this weekend could further complicate matters.”
The festival added its support in the post’s caption. “Due to a longer-than-expected surgical recovery, @thedangelo won’t be able to join us at Roots Picnic this year. We’re sending love and keeping him in our thoughts as he continues to heal!” organizers wrote.
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The 17th annual Roots Picnic will still go forward with a stacked lineup including headliners Meek Mill and Lenny Kravitz. Other performers include GloRilla, Miguel, Tems, Latto, Kaytranada, and Jeezy.
D’Angelo was originally slated to perform alongside festival curators The Roots. Stepping in as his replacement is fellow neo-soul icon Maxwell, the festival announced Friday on Instagram.
“It is nearly impossible to express how disappointed [I am] not to be able to play with my Brothers ‘The Roots,’” D’Angelo added. “And even more disappointed to not see all of You.”
The singer closed the message by thanking fans for their continued support, hinting at new music on the horizon. [I’m] currently in the Lab & can’t wait to serve Up what’s in the Pot!” he wrote. “LOVE U All and will see you very soon!” he wrote.
D’Angelo last performed at the Roots Picnic in 2016, during the festival’s first-ever New York City edition. The appearance followed the release of his acclaimed third album, Black Messiah, which reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 in January 2015.
Sacha Jenkins, a pioneering hip-hop journalist, author, filmmaker and cultural historian, has died at the age of 54.
Jenkins passed away on Friday (May 23) at his home due to complications from multiple system atrophy, his wife, journalist and filmmaker Raquel Cepeda, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
Throughout his multifaceted career as an author, producer, magazine founder and filmmaker, Jenkins was widely regarded as a key authority on hip-hop culture. Born in Philadelphia and raised in New York City, he moved to Queens in the late 1970s — a formative time when hip-hop, punk, graffiti and skateboarding were all rising cultural forces.
Jenkins was the son of Horace Byrd Jenkins III, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker who worked on 60 Minutes and Sesame Street. He began his own career by founding Graphic Scenes & X-plicit Language, an early magazine dedicated to graffiti art. Jenkins later co-founded the hip-hop newspaper Beat Down with childhood friend and fellow music journalist Elliott Wilson.
In 1994, Jenkins and Wilson launched the influential hip-hop and skateboarding publication Ego Trip. The magazine ran for 13 issues and spawned two acclaimed books: 1999’s Ego Trip’s Book of Rap Lists and 2002’s Ego Trip’s Big Book of Racism! Alongside team members Jefferson “Chairman” Mao, Gabriel Alvarez and Brent Rollins, Ego Trip also branched into television, producing several shows for VH1, including 2007’s The (White) Rapper Show.
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Jenkins contributed his writing to publications like Spin, Rolling Stone and served as both music editor and writer-at-large at Vibe. He recently held the position of creative director at Mass Appeal, according to Rolling Stone.
As a filmmaker, Jenkins directed and produced a range of projects. His work includes Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues (2022), Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James (2021), Fresh Dressed (2015), All Up in the Biz (2023) and Harley Flanagan: Wired for Chaos (2024). His 2019 docuseries Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men earned him an Emmy nomination.
Jenkins is survived by his wife, Raquel Cepeda, and their two children.
