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09 Apr 2025

PlayStation Drops Updates For PS5 & PS Portal That Should Make Gamers Happy

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Getty Images / PlayStation / PS5 / PlayStation Portal

The PS5 and PS Portal just got exciting updates.

PS5 owners have been screaming for PlayStation to give them the ability to customize their PS5 homepages with themes, specifically dynamic ones like on the PS4, and we are finally getting something in that same vein.

PlayStation Lifestyle reports that PlayStation has been slowly rolling out an update that allows PS5 owners to change their welcome screen with one of many new animated backgrounds.

Players with access to the new animated backgrounds will be greeted by a system notification about adding the animated themes.

A screenshot revealed that players can access themes from these games: Days Gone Remastered, Ghost of Yotei, Ghost of Tsushima, Demon’s Souls, God of War Ragnarok, the Horizon Zero Dawn games, and more.

https://twitter.com/Genki_JPN/status/1909954530080444446

The PlayStation Portal Also Gets A Significant Update

The PS Portal has also gotten a significant update that dramatically improves it. Now, players can access many new features that will enhance their gaming experience while using Cloud Game Streaming Beta.

Here is a breakdown via the PlayStation Blog:

Sort

You can now sort games in the Cloud Streaming (Beta) catalog screen. There will be a new sort icon added to the top left corner, allowing you to sort games by: Recently added to PS Plus (default), Name, and Release date.

Capture gameplay

The Create button on your PS Portal will now be enabled during a Cloud Streaming (Beta) session. Here is what you can do:

  • Press once: Display the create menu
  • Press and hold: Take a screenshot
  • Press twice: Start/finish recording a video clip**

Images and videos captured during a streaming session will be automatically uploaded to the cloud server, which can be accessed from the PlayStation App by selecting [Library] > [Captures]. Your captures will be stored for 14 days after they were created. 

Queue

You can now wait for your turn to play when the streaming server is full. The estimated wait time will be displayed on screen, and the game session will automatically start as soon as it’s your turn.

Pause

During a Cloud Streaming (Beta) game session, gameplay will now pause in the following situations:

  • Gameplay will pause when you open the PS Portal quick menu. You can open the quick menu by pressing the PS button, swiping left from the top right corner of your screen, or tapping the quick menu icon from the status bar.
  • When you press the power button once, PS Portal will be put into rest mode and the game will be paused. You can un-pause and get back to your game play by pressing the power button again. If PS Portal remains in rest mode for more than 15 seconds, the cloud streaming session will be disconnected.
  • Gameplay will also pause when a system error message is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Note that the pause feature will not be supported in some cases, such as during an online multiplay session.

Notification of inactivity

You will now receive a system notification when your streaming session is about to close due to inactivity of over 10 minutes.

User feedback screen

We have added a user feedback screen at the end of the streaming sessions to rate the quality of your streaming experience. This will help us identify what went well or could be improved, as we continue to enhance the quality of our service.

09 Apr 2025

A Brand New Day With Greeicy | Billboard x Lysol

This is partner content. 

Latin superstar Greeicy gives Billboard a glimpse into her life after a long string of shows and tells us how she gets the house ready to host friends and family by using Lysol’s latest line of Lavender & Cotton Blossom scented Brand New Day products.

Greeicy:
Hey, guys! Welcome! I just got back from an amazing trip. I did a lot of shows, and it feels so good to be home.

Today, we have some friends coming over, but first I need to get everything in order. A clean space allows me to clear my mind and let creativity flow. In this house, we love parties, dancing and having fun with friends. And that means shoes might end up on the furniture — or if someone gets a little too excited, even on the coffee table! That’s why I use Lysol disinfectant spray. And the new lavender scent, it smells incredible.

For me, the heart of a home is the kitchen. It’s where the day begins — with a coffee shared with family, laughter while cooking. We eat very Colombian at home since I live with my family. There’s always sancochito, beans, pork rinds — lots of delicious food. I trust Lysol All-Purpose Cleaners — it kills 99.9% of germs, keeping my family and friends protected.

The one place I always worry about when guests come over is the bathroom, but I keep Lysol Disinfecting Wipes handy to easily clean and disinfect.

Ever since I became a mom, keeping things clean has been super important so Kai can play peacefully and I can feel at ease. That’s it!

Keep watching for more!

09 Apr 2025

Mumford & Sons Scores Sixth Top 10 on Album Sales Chart With ‘Rushmere’

Mumford & Sons return to the top 10 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, as the band’s first album in over six years, Rushmere, debuts at No. 3 on the April 12-dated list. It’s the sixth top 10-charting effort for the group overall.

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The album also takes a bow in the top 10 on Top Alternative Albums (No. 2), Top Rock Albums (No. 2), Americana/Folk Albums (No. 2), Independent Albums (No. 2), Top Rock & Alternative Albums (No. 3), Vinyl Albums (No. 3) and Indie Store Album Sales (No. 5).

Elsewhere in the top 10 on the Top Album Sales chart, Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine reenters atop the list following its Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead expanded reissue, while the latest efforts from Lucy Dacus, Alison Krauss + Union Station and NAV all arrive in the region.

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Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album (TEA) units and streaming equivalent album (SEA) units.

Rushmere launches with 20,500 copies sold in the U.S. in the week ending April 3, according to Luminate. Vinyl accounts for nearly half of that sum. The set’s first-week sales were bolstered by its availability across six vinyl variants (including a signed version), four CD variants (including two signed versions), a cassette tape and a standard digital download.

Atop the chart, Ariana Grande’s 2024 album Eternal Sunshine reenters at No. 1 with 61,000 sold (up 5,338%). Its sales surge was caused by the release of its Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead expanded reissue with six previously unreleased songs. (All versions of the album, old and new, are combined for tracking and charting purposes under the title Eternal Sunshine.)

Sales of Eternal Sunshine were aided by its availability in a variety of permutations released for the Brighter Days Ahead launch. The original Eternal Sunshine album had 13 tracks, and the core Brighter Days Ahead album added six cuts: one extended version of the album-opening “Inro (End of the World)” and five new songs.

Grande’s webstore sold three exclusive variants of the download edition of the album: the 19-track edition, a version with the 19 tracks plus instrumentals of the same cuts, and another version with the 19 tracks and a cappella renditions of each cut (all with alternative cover artwork). Grande also released two vinyl variants and six CD editions of the reissue (some signed by the artist), containing the 19 tracks plus the three bonus tracks originally found on the album’s “slightly deluxe” reissues last year. Vinyl accounted for 26,000 of the set’s sales for the week – it reenters at No. 1 on the Vinyl Albums chart.

Lucy Dacus nabs her first top 10 on Top Album Sales, and with her largest sales week yet, as Forever Is a Feeling bows at No. 2 with 24,000 sold. Sales of the project were helped by its availability across nine vinyl variants (some signed), three CD variants (including a signed edition), a cassette tape and a standard download album. (Vinyl accounted for 17,500 of the album’s first-week sales. It debuts at No. 2 on the Vinyl Albums chart.)

Lady Gaga’s former leader MAYHEM falls 2-4 on Top Album Sales (nearly 10,500; down 22%), Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping GNX dips 4-5 (almost 9,500; down 18%) and Sabrina Carpenter’s former No. 1 Short n’ Sweet rises 7-6 (just over 9,000; down 4%).

Alison Krauss and Union Station’s Arcadia – the first album from Krauss and Union Station in 14 years – debuts at No. 7 with nearly 9,000 sold. Krauss and Union Station last released a new studio project with Paper Airplane in 2011. The new set was issued across three vinyl variants, three CD variants (including a signed edition) and a standard download album.

NAV’s OMW2 Rexdale rounds out the debuts in the top 10 on Top Album Sales, as it enters at No. 8 with nearly 7,500 sold. It was available to purchase on vinyl, two CD variants (including a signed edition), four deluxe boxed sets (containing a copy of the standard CD and branded clothing), a standard download album, and eight artist webstore-exclusive variants of the download album (each with bonus tracks and alternative cover artwork).

Closing out the top 10: Selena Gomez and benny blanco’s I Said I Love You First falls 1-9 in its second week (7,000; down 90%) and Chappell Roan’s chart-topping The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is a non-mover at No. 10 (nearly 7,000; down 4%).

09 Apr 2025

‘Twilight’ Concert Tour to Hit 60 Cities This Fall

Bella, where have you been, loca? Twilight‘s going on tour!

GEA Live and Lionsgate announced Twilight concert tour on Wednesday (April 9), according to Variety. The 60-date run will span across U.S. and kick off with a preview performance in Spokane, Wash.,on Sept. 12. It then opens in Seattle on Sept. 13, a.k.a. National Twilighters Day.

The live-to-film experience will show the original 2008 movie accompanied by an onstage 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians, who will synchronize their performance to scenes in the visual. Tickets go on sale this Friday (April 11).

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The five Twilight films (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 & 2) are based on the popular Stephanie Meyer book series of the same name. The first novel, released in 2005, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. To celebrate, publishers Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is releasing a new edition of the series for a new generation of fans. The Twilight Saga Deluxe Hardcover Collection features five hardcover books, including the four main entries in the series as well as Midnight Sun, the companion novel published in 2020. 

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See the full list of dates of the Twilight concert tour below.

September 12 – Spokane, WA – First Interstate Center for the Arts
September 13 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
September 14 – Bellingham, WA – Mount Baker Theatre
September 15 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
September 17 – Idaho Falls, ID – Frontier Center for the Performing Arts
September 18 – Boise, ID – Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
September 19 – Eugene, OR – Hult Center for the Performing Arts
September 20 – Sacramento, CA – SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
September 21 – Modesto, CA – Gallo Center for the Arts
September 23 – San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Theatre
September 24 – Costa Mesa, CA – Segerstrom Center for the Arts
September 25 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Theatre
September 26 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
September 27 – Reno, NV – Pioneer Center
September 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater
September 30 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
October 1 – Riverside, CA – Fox Performing Arts Center
October 2 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center
October 3 – Tucson, AZ – Fox Tucson
October 4 – Albuquerque, NM – Popejoy Hall
October 5 – Denver, CO – Buell Theatre
October 7 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theatre
October 8 – Oklahoma City, OK – Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre
October 9 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre
October 10 – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theatre
October 11 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
October 12 – San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
October 14 – New Orleans, LA – The Mahalia Jackson Theater
October 15 – Jacksonville, FL – Moran Theater 
October 16 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
October 17 – Sarasota, FL – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
October 18 – W. Palm Beach, FL – Kravis Center
October 19 – Miami, FL – Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center
October 21 – Wilmington, NC – Wilson Center
October 22 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
October 23 – Greensboro, NC – Tanger Center
October 24–25 – Washington, DC – National Theatre
October 26 – Wallingford, CT – Oakdale Theatre
October 28 – Cincinnati, OH – Proctor and Gamble Hall
October 29 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory
October 30 – Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Civic Center
October 31 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
November 1 – Utica, NY – Stanley Theatre
November 2 – Boston, MA – Emerson Colonial Theater
November 4 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
November 5 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre
November 6 – Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
November 7–8 – Chicago, IL – Cadillac Palace Theatre
November 9 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
November 11 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Center
November 12 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre
November 13 – Portland, ME – Merrill Auditorium
November 14 – Buffalo, NY – UB Center for the Arts
November 15 – Providence, RI – The VETS
November 16 – Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre
November 18 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
November 19 – Baltimore, MD – Lyric Opera House
November 20 – Dayton, OH – Victoria Theatre
November 21 – Richmond, VA – Dominion Energy Center
November 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Met Opera House
November 23 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center
November 25 – Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
November 26 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
November 28 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre
November 29 – Cleveland, OH – KeyBank State Theatre
November 30 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theatre

09 Apr 2025

Climate Impact Studies From MIT, Reverb & Columbia to Be Presented at 2025 Music Sustainability Summit

A trio of in-depth environmental impact reports are set to be presented for the first time each at next week’s Music Sustainability Summit in Los Angeles.

Representatives from MIT will be at the event to present their Live Music Emissions in the UK and US report, a comprehensive study of the live music industry’s carbon footprint.

The report aims to create a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between live music and climate change, identify primary areas where the industry and concert goers can make tangible improvements to reduce emissions and provide analysis of the latest developments in green technology and sustainable practices. This study has been co-funded and supported by Warner Music Group, Live Nation and Coldplay.

Additionally, Madeline Weir, director of impact at REVERB will present the longstanding organization’s Concert Travel Study, which highlights concert travel — one of the largest sources of live music-related emissions — and shows how the broad music community can address it through collective action. This report is based on insights from more than 35,000 fans at over 400 shows and offers practical, scalable solutions to create more sustainable concerts.

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Finally, representatives from sustainability programs at Columbia University will present a report analyzing current practices, surveying the regulatory landscape and identifying challenges and opportunities related to implementing sustainability practices in venues. An accompanying toolkit will offer tips on how venues can integrate sustainability into their business operations. This report was done in partnership with the Music Sustainability Alliance, with support from OVG and AEG.

The second annual Music Sustainability Summit happens on April 15 at Solotech Studios in Los Angeles. The day-long gathering will offer a robust schedule featuring talks, panel discussions, networking opportunities, performances and more. See the complete program here.

Passes for the Summit are available here. Billboard is the official media sponsor of the event.

“Providing a platform for our partners to present their research at MSS25 is about turning knowledge into momentum,” says Amy Morrison, CEO and Co-founder of the Music Sustainability Alliance. “Whether it’s fan travel, venue operations, or the emissions footprint of live music, these studies help identify where the biggest challenges and the greatest opportunities exist. At MSA, we’re here to ensure the industry has the tools and insights it needs to lead on climate.”

09 Apr 2025

Ernest & Snoop Dogg Team Up on New Country Track ‘Gettin’ Gone’: Listen

Four-time ACM Awards nominee and three-time CMA Triple Play winner Ernest has teamed with rap superstar Snoop Dogg for the new song “Gettin’ Gone.”

The song marks the first release from an upcoming project on Ernest’s newly-minted DeVille Records, which he launched in partnership with Big Loud Records. “Gettin’ Gone” was written by Ernest, Snoop Dogg, Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and Mark Holman, with production by Jacob Durrett.

The song embodies a hybrid of captivating melodic hooks and a solidly driving, folk-rock honky-tonk sound, creating the preview for what fans can expect from the expansive sounds on Ernest’s upcoming Cadillac Sessions mixtape-style compilation, out May 9. The set will highlight two new original songs and a cover song from DeVille Records artists Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden and Rhys Rutherford.

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Leaning into the song’s good-time vibes, the video for “Gettin’ Gone” highlights the camaraderie between the two creative forces, featuring Snoop Dogg and Ernest driving around Nashville in Ernest’s Cadillac DeVille, as well as footage of the pair outside of Williamson County, Tennessee’s Castle Recording Studios, where “Gettin’ Gone” was produced.

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Over the past few years, Ernest has steadily been forging a reputation as a multi-faceted hitmaker and industry kingpin, notching his own hit songs such as “Flower Shops” and “Cowgirls” (both featuring Morgan Wallen), as well as his work penning hits for artists including Wallen, Post Malone, Kane Brown, Diplo, Chris Lane and Florida Georgia Line. He also launched the music publishing venture ERN’s Cadillac Music in 2023.

This isn’t Snoop’s first time in the country space — the rap legend recently teamed with rapper-turned-country star Jelly Roll for “Last Dance With Mary Jane,” which flips the Tom Petty classic “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.” The pair introduced the song last year during Jelly Roll’s headlining show at Bridgestone Arena. Earlier this year, Snoop Dogg made a surprise performance at Nashville venue Losers Bar and Grill, and more recently made his own imprint on downtown Nashville with the the new bar, Still G.I.N. Lounge by Dre and Snoop, on 2nd Avenue in Nashville.

Check out the video for “Gettin’ Gone” below:

09 Apr 2025

2025 AIMP Nashville Country Awards Winners Revealed

The Association of Independent Music Publishers celebrated the work, successes and creativity of Nashville’s independent music publishers and songwriters on Tuesday evening (April 8) during the AIMP Nashville Country Awards held at Marathon Music Works. The evening awarded winners in eight categories.

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Hosted by media personality Storme Warren, the event saw many of Nashville’s songwriting and publishing elites gather to fete top songs, songwriters, artists and publishers. Rising artist-writer of the year and artist of the year nominees and winners, both past and present, paid homage to various tunes that have previously won the song of the year category.

2025 AIMP Nashville Awards

2025 AIMP Nashville Awards

Kayla Schoen

HARDY performed the Little Big Town-recorded “Girl Crush,” Jordan Davis sang Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Hailey Whitters offered a rendition of Midland’s “Drinkin’ Problem” and Carly Pearce performed Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow.” Lee Brice performed the Maren Morris hit “The Bones,” while Jackson Dean performed Brice’s “One of Them Girls.” Old Dominion sang Morgan Wallen’s “Sand in My Boots,” while Ashley McBryde sang Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave.” Hannah Ellis and Nick Wayne teamed up to perform Davis’s hit “Next Thing You Know.”

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The evening also included a tender video tribute to the late Warner Chappell Music Nashville president/CEO Ben Vaughn, who passed away in January.

Wrensong Entertainment’s Ree Guyer said in a statement, “What a magical night celebrating the Nashville independent community of writers and publishers. There was an undeniable sense of community in the room. Thank you to my amazing awards committee, who worked incredibly hard to bring this night to life.”

2025 AIMP Nashville Awards

2025 AIMP Nashville Awards

Kayla Schoen

See the list of this year’s winners and nominees below:

Rising songwriter of the year:

*7 nominees (because of a tie)
Abram Dean – Independently published by Concord Music Publishing
WINNER: Jon Decious – Independently published by OneRiot, Reservoir
Lalo Guzman – Independently published by SMACKSongs
Wyatt McCubbin – Independently published by 50 Egg Music, Tape Room Music
Steve Moakler – Independently published by Creative Nation
Daniel Ross – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Chandler Walters – Independently published by Ern’s Cadillac Music, Big Loud Publishing

Rising artist writer of the year:

George Birge – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Laci Kaye Booth – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Dylan Marlowe – Independently published by Play It Again Music, Relative Music Group
Vincent Mason – Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing
WINNER: Zach Top – Independently published by Major Bob Music
Tucker Wetmore – Independently published by Back Blocks Music

Artist-writer of the year:

Ashley Cooke – Independently published by Back Blocks Music, Big Loud Publishing
WINNER: Jordan Davis – Independently published by Anthem Entertainment
Jackson Dean – Independently published by Little Louder Music
ERNEST – Independently published by Big Loud Publishing
HARDY – Independently published by Relative Music Group
Carly Pearce – Independently published by Altadena Music

Song champion of the year:

WINNER: Courtney Allen – Sr. Director, A&R, Concord Music Publishing
Greg Gallo – VP, Creative, Reservoir
Shannan Hatch – SVP, Creative, SESAC
MaryAnn Keen – Director, Creative, BMI Nashville
Sara Knabe – SVP, A&R, Big Loud Music
Melissa Spillman – VP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing

Publisher pick of the year:
“Casseroles” written by Hillary Lindsey, Tom Douglas, and James Slater; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing
Performed by Hailey Whitters
WINNER: “Hell Is A Dance Floor” written by Vincent Mason and Chase McDaniel; Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing 
Performed by Vincent Mason
“Killed A Man” written by Joe Fox, Geoff Warburton, and Jimi Bell; Independently published by Liz Rose Music, Big Machine Music, Range Music Publishing, Worktape Music 
Performed by Post Malone
“Made In The USA” written by Ben Stennis, Emily Falvey, and Adam James; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Kobalt Music Publishing, Young Guns Publishing 
Performed by Cody Johnson
“Midwest Rock & Roll” written by Ryan Hurd, Mark Holman, and Randy Montana; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Big Loud Publishing 
Performed by Ryan Hurd
“The Loneliest Girl In The World” written by Laci Kaye Booth, Jon Stark, and Aby Gutierrez; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Dream3 Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing 
Performed by Laci Kaye Booth

Song of the year:

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” written by Mark Allen Williams, Joe Kent, Sean Cook, Collins Obinna Chibueze, Nevin Sastry, and Jerell Jones; Independently published by Kobalt Music, Seeker Music, Range Music Publishing
Performed by Shaboozey
“Burn It Down” written by Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Parker McCollum; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Liz Rose Music, Creative Nation
Performed by Parker McCollum
“I Had Some Help” written by Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Walters, Ashley Gorley, Morgan Wallen, Austin Post, Hoskins, Louis Bell, Ryan Vojtesak; Independently published by Big Loud Publishing, Ern’s Cadillac Music, Domain Capitol Group 
Performed by Post Malone & Morgan Wallen
“Lies Lies Lies” written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins, Josh Miller;  Independently published by Big Machine Music, Concord Music Publishing, Boom Music Group
Performed by Morgan Wallen
WINNER: “The Painter” written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins; Independently published by Big Machine Music
Performed by Cody Johnson
“Wind Up Missin’ You” written by Tucker Wetmore, Chris LaCorte, and Thomas Archer; Independently published by BackBlocks Music, Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing, Combustion Music
Performed by Tucker Wetmore

Songwriter of the year:

Rocky Block – Independently published by Big Loud Publishing
WINNER: Jessie Jo Dillon – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Ashley Gorley – Independently published by Domain Capitol Group
Hunter Phelps – Independently published by Tape Room Music
Taylor Phillips – Independently published by Tape Room Music
Jonathan Singleton – Independently published by 50 Egg Music

Top independent music publisher of the year:

Big Loud Publishing
WINNER: Big Machine Music
Concord Music Publishing
Purple Rabbit Music

09 Apr 2025

Travis Scott Says He Purchased the Bugatti From the ‘GATTI’ Video Featuring Pop Smoke

Travis Scott and Pop Smoke connected in late 2019 for “GATTI,” and the gritty visual saw the duo riding in style inside a lavish Bugatti Chiron.

Instead of renting the luxury sports cars, Scott wanted to make the video authentic, so he ended up buying the Bugatti Chiron — reportedly worth more than $5 million — off the lot, which he explained to Complex‘s Joe La Puma as part of the publication’s On Display series.

“I remember I was doing the song, and Pop’s like, ‘You know, we gotta bring Bugattis out, man!’ I forgot who was helping us with the video,” Scott recalled. “The guy was like, ‘Yeah, man, I know somebody that can bring some Bugattis out for us.’”

La Flame continued: “I’m thinking, ‘Bring ’em out for us?’ Nah, f–k that. So I’m like, ‘Naw, I’m just gonna go and get this.’ We was at the shoot, me and Pop. He was like, ‘Man, damn bro. This s–t smells brand new.’ I was like ‘Yeah, bro. I just got it like a week ago.’”

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“GATTI” went on to serve as a standout from Scott and Cactus Jack’s JACKBOYS label compilation project in December 2019. The drill track peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Pop’s first Hot 100 entry. The Brooklyn rapper was killed less than two months later in February 2020 during an armed robbery shooting in L.A.’s Hidden Hills.

Pop Smoke was just 20 at the time of his death, and Scott had envisioned an extremely bright future for his friend as one of the superstars that would change the rap game.

“You one of the illest rappers,” he recalled telling Pop in 2019. “I feel like you changing the whole sound of New York. I don’t even know if you know right now, but from the sound of the beats to the way you putting it together, it’s gonna create an allegiance of sound and the creatives so you gonna have a million [Bugattis].”

Watch the “GATTI” video and Scott’s sit-down with Complex below.

09 Apr 2025

Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse Leave 124 Dead

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DOMINICAN REP-ACCIDENT-NIGHTCLUB-COLLAPSE

Tragedy struck in the Dominican Republic this week after a popular nightclub saw its roof collapse, leaving at least 124 people dead and scores more injured. Among those hurt in the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse were two former MLB players and at least one U.S. citizen, according to still-developing reports.

NBC News reports that early Tuesday (April 8), the roof of the Jet Set in the Dominican Republic collapsed as attendees were at the venue to see a performance from merengue singer Rubby Pérez. Among the attendees were politicians, former professional athletes, and government officials.

Rubby Pérez was among those who perished as a result of the collapse. Also among those named who perished in the collapse were  Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, both of whom played in the United States for Major League Baseball. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the Montecristi province, was also killed in the collapse.

“His energy, positivity, and zest for life were infectious to all who had the pleasure of knowing him,” Dotel’s agent, Dan Horwits, shared in a statement. “We pass along our thoughts and prayers to his entire family as well as everyone affected by the tragedy.”

As rescue efforts continue to persist, the number of those injured remains unknown but could number well over 150 as workers scramble to help survivors left under the roof. It isn’t known yet what caused the collapse, and officials say there is video of the incident that will be included in the investigation.

Current MLB analyst and former player Pedro Martinez says that some of his family and friends were at Jet

Set the morning of the accident and says that he’ll remain “strong” as the situation continues to unfold.

Our warmest thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim of this tragedy.

—

Photo: FRANCESCO SPOTORNO / Getty

09 Apr 2025

Los Alegres Del Barranco’s ‘El Del Palenque’ Tops LyricFind Global Chart After Cartel Imagery Controversy

Los Alegres Del Barranco’s “El Del Palenque” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s LyricFind Global chart dated April 12 following interest in the 2021 song amid the Mexican band’s controversy over a concert during which it showed images of a cartel leader while performing the tune.

The LyricFind Global and LyricFind U.S. charts rank the fastest momentum-gaining tracks in lyric-search queries and usages globally and in the U.S., respectively, provided by LyricFind. The Global chart includes queries from all countries, including the U.S. The company is the world’s leader in licensed lyrics, with data provided by more than 5,000 publishers and utilized by more than 100 services, including Amazon, Pandora, Deezer, Microsoft, SoundHound and iHeartRadio.

“El Del Palenque” tops the LyricFind Global survey after interest in the song’s lyrics jumped 232% globally following the concert and ensuing news coverage, according to LyricFind.

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The song also enjoyed a 46% bump in official U.S. streams, rising to 2.1 million listens in the week ending April 3, according to Luminate.

In all, the band’s catalog drew 13.6 million U.S. streams in that period, a gain of 30% over the period of March 21-27.

On April 1, it was announced that the U.S. State Department had canceled Los Alegres Del Barranco’s work and tourist visas after it showed images of Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, during a concert in the band’s home country on March 29. The corrido act had been scheduled to perform in the U.S.

The band apologized on April 2, saying that it “was never our intention to create controversy, much less cause offense.”