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Chris Brown was arrested at his hotel in Manchester, U.K. on Thursday morning (May 15) over what British authorities alleged was an attack on a music producer at a London nightclub two years ago. According to The Independent, Brown, 36, was detained by Metropolitan Police at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Salford just hours after he arrived on a private jet.
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The singer was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, with officials telling the paper, “A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 2am on Thursday, May 15 on suspicion of grievous bodily harm,” without naming Brown, per protocol. “He has been taken into custody where he remains. The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on February 19, 2023. The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.”
According to the paper, producer Abraham Diaw accused Brown of smashing him over the head with a bottle and kicking him at the Tape nightclub on that night, with Diaw previously telling The Sun on Sunday that Brown “hit me over the head two or three times. My knee collapsed as well.” Diaw has also lodged a civil complaint against Brown for $16 million seeking damagers for injuries and losses as a result of the alleged incident, according to The Independent.
At press time a spokesperson for Brown had not returned a request for comment on the arrest.
Brown has a long history of arrests and allegations of violence, including his 2009 beating of then-girlfriend Rihanna, which led to him being charged with felony assault; that incident resulted in the U.K. denying Brown a visa to travel there for a short tour in 2010. In 2012 he was involved in a brawl with Drake and his entourage at a N.Y. nightclub that injured eight people, followed by an altercation with Frank Ocean over a parking space in West Hollywood in 2013.
The singer was also arrested for felony assault for punching a man outside a hotel in Washington, D.C. in 2013, which led to him being charged with a probation violation and a sentence of 131 days in lockup. He was also allegedly among the men behind an assault on a man during a basketball game at Palms Casino Resort in 2015, an incident his team denied he was involved in. In 2016, Brown was arrested at his home on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and, a year later, was court-ordered to stay 100 yards away from ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran after she told a court he’d repeatedly threatened her. Among other similar incidents, Brown and several members of his entourage were named in a lawsuit over an alleged assault following one of the singer’s shows in Fort Worth, Texas in which Brown and several accomplices allegedly “brutally and severely beat” four men.
Brown is preparing to launch the European leg of his Breezy Bowl XX Tour, which is slated to kick off on June 8 at Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. It was not known at press time if Brown’s arrest will hamper his ability to play a planned series of June shows in the U.K. on the tour.
At press time it was also unclear if Brown was still in custody and it did not appear as if he’d commented on the arrest on his social feeds; a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police department had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment at press time.
Billboard Country Live is set to return to Nashville this summer, with the Bud Light-presented, two-day tentpole celebration highlighting rising country stars and industry tastemakers on June 5-6 at venue Category 10 in downtown Nashville.
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The country music celebration will launch on Wednesday, June 4, with an exclusive gathering held on the rooftop of Category 10, honoring Billboard’s Country Power Players and recognizing the most influential executives shaping and leading the country music genre today.
On Thursday, June 5, a showcase concert presented by Bud Light will spotlight rising artists, with live performances from Alexandra Kay, Ashley Cooke, Drew Baldridge, Max McNown and Reyna Roberts. Inside Billboard’s video lounge, Major League Baseball will film exclusive interviews with the country stars featured in players’ walk-up songs.
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The celebration will continue Friday, June 6, with a second evening of music that will feature “Country on the Rise,” honoring the future of the genre with a lineup set to be announced in coming weeks.
Each of the artists featured in the showcase concert on June 5 have earned ever-heightening career milestones in recent years. In 2024, Baldridge earned a top five hit on the Country Airplay chart with “She’s Somebody’s Daughter (Reimagined).” Kay, who signed with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville this year, also released her latest single “Cupid’s a Cowgirl.” Cooke earned a No. 2 Country Airplay chart hit with “Your Place” and recently teamed with Joe Jonas on the song “All I Forgot.” McNown broke through with his song “A Lot More Free,” while his song “Better Me for You (Brown Eyes)” cracked the top 30 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Roberts released her debut album, Bad Girl Bible Vol. 1, in 2023 and last year was featured on the song “Blackbiird” from Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning Cowboy Carter album, as well as providing background vocals on the album’s track “Tyrant.”
Since its origin in 1894, Billboard has become the essential barometer of music success, through its authoritative charts, news, detailed analysis, multi-platform storytelling and multiple events that celebrate artists and various industry sectors. Billboard’s annual events also include the Billboard Power 100, Billboard Women in Music, Billboard Latin Music Week and Billboard Live.
Universal Music Group has announced the expansion of two of its most storied labels — Deutsche Grammophon and Blue Note Records — into greater China, marking a significant move to tap into the country’s rapidly growing classical and jazz music scenes.
“At UMG, we are committed to supporting the development of diverse music cultures around the world,” said Adam Granite, UMG’s executive vice president of market development. “The launch of Deutsche Grammophon China and Blue Note Records China reflects this vision in action and marks a meaningful step forward in the evolution of our multi-label operations in the market.”
Announced at an event in Shanghai this week, Deutsche Grammophon China will focus on discovering and promoting new classical talent across China, plus provide artists with access to UMG’s global resources, including recording, international promotion and touring. Chinese musicians Lang Lang, Yuja Wang and Long Yu will serve as artistic advisors, guiding the label’s artistic direction.
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DG China’s debut release, Bach: The Cello Suites by acclaimed cellist Jian Wang, is set for May 23. Additionally, DG China will collaborate with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to record and release the complete Shostakovich Symphonies by 2029, celebrating the orchestra’s 150th anniversary.
Dr. Clemens Trautmann, president of Deutsche Grammophon, highlighted the label’s growing presence in China over the past decade and noted that the partnership with Blue Note and the involvement of international artists underscore UMG’s global reach and creative ambition. “We are proud to co-invest in the future generation of outstanding classical performers from Greater China, together with our esteemed colleagues at UMGC to foster the success of amazing new talent across recording, touring and brand partnerships,” Trautmann said.
Stacy Yang, Timothy Xu, Dr Clemens Trautmann and Adam Granite in Shanghai.
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Blue Note Records China is set to champion original jazz talent within the country, beginning with its inaugural signing: INNOUT, an avant-garde duo known for fusing improvisation, modern jazz, and experimental soundscapes. This partnership underscores the label’s commitment to bold, boundary-defying artistry.
BNRC is also partnering with JZ Music, a key player in China’s jazz scene, to promote live performances, tours, and festivals.
Don Was, president of Blue Note Records, praised INNOUT’s visionary talent and expressed excitement about launching the label’s Chinese chapter with their music. “Xiao Jun and An Yu are two of the most talented and visionary musicians I’ve ever met,” Was said. “Their music is going to ‘blow people’s minds’ all over the world. It’s a thrill and an honor to be able to launch Blue Note Records China with their music.”
For her 34th birthday, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Valentina decided to give herself some peace of mind as a present, when she came out as a transgender woman in a new social media post. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In a post to her Instagram on […]
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One thing is for certain: Jennifer Lopez‘s ’90s shoe style was and is iconic.
The “On The Floor” singer practically ruled the ’90s with her footwear choices, holding relevancy even in today’s trend cycles. And fans are waiting with bated breath to see what look the singer can turn as host of this year’s American Music Awards on May 26.
Ahead of the sweltering summer season, we are throwing it back to the ’90s, pulling styles from Walmart that remind us of Lopez’s shoe moments from back in the day. Affordable and fun, these picks will have you feeling like a ’90s pop star — without the hefty price tag.
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HSBDNZQ Women’s Suede Clogs
HSBDNZQ Women’s Suede Clogs
Black clogs with suede uppers and adjustable buckle closures.
Coming in at $24.99, these suede babies are reminiscent of wedge clogs Lopez used to rock while gracing red carpets and walking the streets of the Bronx. These clogs feature textural black suede uppers that transition into slip-resistant and durable EVA outsoles, offering the shoe a non-slip feel, no matter the surface. Buckle accents in gold round out the backless set, imparting a touch of shine. Worn with a breezy maxidress or capris, you’ll be channeling your inner “Jenny from the Block” in no time.
London Rag Fetish Croc Rhinestone Strap mules
London Rag Fetish Croc Rhinestone Strap Mules
Patent leather mules in tan with rhinestoned straps and square toes.
The ’90s were all about rhinestoned everything. Nobody is immune to the charm of a little shine. Lopez sure wasn’t, opting for rhinestoned sandals in a variety of styles during her summer days in the ’90s. These picks from London Rag are imbued with heaps of style, from their tan patent leather uppers to the rhinestoned straps.
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The square toe is breezy and playful, while stiletto heels offer the silhouette a subtle lift. The sparkling accents on the mule would wear particularly well with a formal little black dress. You could also go the full ’90s route with a casual maxiskirt and cropped tee.
Forever Link Forever Villa Metallic Sandals
Forever Link Forever Villa Metallic Sandals
Leather metallic silver sandal heels with short kitten-esque heels.
It’s plain to see that shine is never going out of style. From the ’90s to 2025, Lopez still wears metallic styles of all kinds. There’s something extremely sophisticated about a metallic finish that works well on red carpets. Whether silver or gold, metallics tend to draw the eye, acting as a statement piece. Walmart’s Forever Link Forever Villa metallic sandals retail for $19.98 and create the same effect, but at a fraction of the price.
The style is equipped with stiletto heels, sturdy straps and open toes. Padded footbeds help cushion the wearer’s feet, protecting them from the aches and pains heels usually bring. For these, we suggest you make like ’90s J. Lo and pop on a floral slip with minimal jewelry. When styling metallics, less is often more.
Wild Pair Women’s Square Toe Booties
Wild Pair Women’s Square Toe Booties
Leather ankle booties with a clear block heel.
J. Lo was capitalizing on the grunge aesthetic that was taking over the music and fashion scenes in the ’90s. Although she wasn’t a major participant in the trend, the performer was known to wear an edgy boot or two, much like this pick from Wild Pair.
These booties come equipped with all the usual suspects — leather uppers, zipper closures and platform soles. The square toe is dramatic, much like J. Lo’s ’90s styles. The shoe departs from the classics, however, with the addition of modernized platform soles and see-through block heels. Worn with classic denim, Wild Pair’s booties are sure to turn heads.
Atticus Ross was named a BMI Icon at the 2025 Film, TV and Visual Media Awards on Wednesday (May 14), in recognition of his body of work across film and television. The private ceremony held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., was hosted by Mike O’Neill, BMI president & CEO, and Tracy McKnight, BMI vp, creative, film, TV & visual media.
O’Neill presented Ross with the BMI Icon Award, expressing that his “innovative spirit and passion for pushing the boundaries of composition have literally reengineered the way we experience storytelling.” He went on to say, “we are very proud to honor your incomparable contributions to the world of music as a composer, a rock pioneer and an icon.”
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Ross was emotional upon receiving the honor and stated, “The thing I love about film music is that there aren’t any rules, there aren’t any pros. Essentially, to my mind, it’s all about how we make people feel, and that’s what music is about.” Moreover, he voiced, “I put a lot of effort into making sure that this never feels like a job. I wake up every day grateful for the opportunity to make music, this is my dream, and I don’t take it lightly.”
Ross is a multifaceted musician, composer and producer who has received two Oscars, two Grammys, one Primetime Emmy, one BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards and three Critics Choice Awards. He’s also won 18 BMI Film, TV and Visual Media Awards, as well as one BMI Country, one BMI Pop and one BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Award.
In addition to his work as a composer, Ross has had a successful career as a member of Nine Inch Nails and a longtime collaboration with bandmate Trent Reznor. Together, they’ve created some of the most memorable film and TV scores of the past two decades, including The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Soul, Challengers and Watchmen. Ross has also collaborated with his brother Leopold Ross and wife Claudia Sarne on movies such as The Book of Eli and Triple 9 and series like Black Mirror, Dear Mama and Shōgun.
Previous BMI Icon Award recipients include Terence Blanchard, Mychael Danna, Alexandre Desplat, Ramin Djawadi, Harry Gregson-Williams, James Newton Howard, Christopher Lennertz, Thomas Newman, Rachel Portman (PRS), Mike Post, Alan Silvestri, Brian Tyler and John Williams.
During the ceremony, composers were honored for music featured in the past year’s top-grossing films, top-rated network television series, highest-ranking cable network and streamed media programs, and the most popular video games. Multiple award winners, in addition to Ross, included Fil Eisler, Tom Howe, Andrew Lockington, Blake Neely, Julia Newman, Mike Post, Carlos Rafael Rivera, Tyler Strickland and Atli Örvarsson.
The event celebrated 29 first-time award winners including Kathryn Bostic, Goh Nakamura, Kara Talve, Dara Taylor and Zack Ryan.
For a complete list of winners, visit here.
A group of legal scholars say Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is “dangerous” because it will have a “chilling effect” on hip-hop and encourage prosecutors to use rap lyrics as evidence in criminal cases.
Filed in January, Drake’s case claims that UMG defamed him by releasing Lamar’s scathing diss track, which tarred the Canadian rapper as a “certified pedophile.” He says that millions of people took that lyric literally, severely harming his reputation.
But in a legal brief filed in the case on Wednesday, a group of professors from the University of California, Irvine School of Law say that Drake’s argument is “not just faulty—it is dangerous.”
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“Drake’s complaint rests on the assumption that every word of ‘Not Like Us’ should be taken literally, as a factual representation,” professors Charis E. Kubrin, Jack Lerner, Adam Dunbar and Kyle Winnen write in the court filing. “[We] urge this court to recognize the danger that assumption poses.”
Diss track lyrics are a creative artform that are understood by listeners not as “factual arguments or a series of news reports,” the professors write, but as “hyperbole, bluster, and demonstrations of disrespect” that are “designed to entertain and impress their audience.”
The professors warn that the consequences of endorsing Drake’s literal interpretation of Kendrick’s lyrics would extend far beyond his case – including to the long-controversial practice of using lyrics as evidence in criminal cases against rappers.
“When courts ignore rap music’s history and artistic conventions, the effect is to deny rap the status of art and instead to flatten lyrics into literal confessions or statements of specific intent,” write the UCI professors. “This problematic treatment has introduced racial bias and unfair prejudice in countless criminal cases [and] has created a demonstrable chilling effect across the industry.”
The use of rap music as criminal evidence has been widely criticized, both because it threatens the right to free speech and can sway jurors by tapping into racial bias. One empirical study – authored by Kubrin and Dunbar – found that listeners who viewed violent song lyrics responded more negatively if they believed they came from a rap track than if they were told the exact same lyrics came from a country or heavy metal song.
Over the past few years, the practice has drawn backlash from the music industry and led to efforts by lawmakers to stop it, including a landmark California statute. But it has persisted in high-profile instances – including Young Thug’s gang case in Atlanta and briefly in Lil Durk’s federal murder-for-hire case.
Moving to dismiss Drake’s lawsuit, UMG has argued that Lamar’s lyrics are “rhetorical hyperbole” — the kind of statement that might sound bad but cannot actually be proven false. Since defamation only covers false assertions of fact, statements of hyperbole can’t form the basis for such cases.
In making that argument, UMG has pointed to Drake’s own public support for a 2022 petition criticizing prosecutors for using rap lyrics as evidence in criminal cases. That letter, also signed by Megan Thee Stallion, 21 Savage and many other stars, criticized prosecutors for treating lyrics as literal statements of fact.
“As Drake recognized, when it comes to rap, ‘the final work is a product of the artist’s vision and imagination,’” UMG’s lawyers write. “Drake was right then and is wrong now.”
A rep for Drake’s legal team did not immediately return a request for comment on the arguments made by the professors.
Heads up, Tems fans. Billboard has launched an exclusive Pinterest board honoring the Nigerian chart-topper’s latest role: Billboard cover superstar. On Thursday, May 15, the board was released, offering fans all the behind-the-scenes action of Tems’ newest feature. The shoot, which took place in London in April, was led by photographer Zoe McConnell. Throughout the […]
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New claims are shaking up the case between Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez.
Bradley James, who worked as a driver and bodyguard for Megan’s former friend Kelsey Harris, says he heard something shocking. According to him, Kelsey allegedly told someone that she was actually the one who shot Megan, not Tory.
This all goes back to a fight in 2020 after a party. Megan said Tory shot her in the foot, and he was later found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The Canadian rapper has always said he didn’t do it. The only people there were Megan, Kelsey, and the driver. Now, during a press event held by a group helping Tory’s legal team, a rep named Walter Roberts shared what the driver claims. He says Kelsey allegedly told someone she fired the gun three times, and Tory tried to stop her by hitting her arm.
That’s when the gun went off two more times. Roberts said this means Tory never fired the gun at all.
These new claims might change how people see the case, but it’s not clear if anything will happen legally. The court had already decided Tory was guilty based on evidence and Megan’s story. Still, with this new info, people are asking more questions about what really happened that night. More news to come as the story takes an interesting turn.
Megan Thee Stallion and her lawyer, Alex Spiro, quickly responded to new claims about her shooting. Spiro told XXL that the case is already settled and not up for debate. He said, “Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers, and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system. This is not a political matter, this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.”
Megan’s team made it clear they’re not here for rumors or drama, the court made its decision, and that’s what they stand by.
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2025 American Music Awards nominees Benson Boone and Lainey Wilson have been added as performers on this year’s show, which will air live from Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Monday, May 26. Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani and Reneé Rapp have also been added as performers, joining the previously announced Jennifer Lopez (who is also hosting) and Janet Jackson (who will receive an ICON Award).
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.
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Breakout artist and first-time American Music Award nominee Benson Boone will perform his latest single “Mystical Magical,” from his upcoming sophomore album American Heart, which is due June 20.
Three-time American Music Award winner Blake Shelton will make his AMAs performance debut with a track from his new album For Recreational Use Only, which was released on May 9.
Gloria Estefan will mark her first performance on the AMAs in 32 years, celebrating five decades of her career in music. Estefan co-hosted the AMAs twice – in 1990 (with Alice Cooper, Anita Baker and The Judds) and again in 1993 (with Bobby Brown and Wynonna Judd).
American Music Award winner Gwen Stefani will perform a medley celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut solo album Love.Angel.Music.Baby, including her Billboard Hot 100-topping smash “Hollaback Girl,” and a song from her newest album Bouquet, which was released in November.
Fresh from winning four awards at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, country music star Lainey Wilson will perform. Wilson has recently headlined shows across Europe ahead of embarking on the U.S. leg of her Whirlwind World Tour.
Pop star Reneé Rapp will make her AMAs performance debut with new music off her upcoming sophomore album. Rapp performed on the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, on the Extended Play stage, a platform for new and breaking artists.
As previously announced, Janet Jackson will receive the ICON Award, which recognizes an artist whose body of work has marked a global influence over the music industry. The 11-time American Music Award-winner will also take the stage, marking her first television performance since 2018.
Fan voting is now open via VoteAMAs.com and the @AMAs Instagram profile in all award categories. Voting closes tonight (Thursday, May 15) at 11:59:59 p.m. PT, 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.
Kendrick Lamar leads this year’s nominees with 10 nominations, followed closely by Post Malone with eight nods, and Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey, with seven each.
American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans. 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.
The American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted awards show. Tickets to show are available now on Ticketmaster.
This Memorial Day, the AMAs will pay special tribute to our U.S. troops and veterans through performances and moments.
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.
