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17 Mar 2025

Beyoncé Cowboy Carter Tour Sells 94% of Ticket Inventory, Plus a New Date Is Added

Ticket sales for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour are off to a galloping start.

Barely a month after pre-sales began and with six weeks until opening night, the world tour is at 94% capacity across all dates, according to new stats from promoter Live Nation. 

The Cowboy Carter Tour was announced on Feb. 3 with 22 shows in eight cities on either side of the Atlantic. In the ensuing days, demand forced additional dates in six of the eight markets, including two add-ons apiece in Atlanta and London.

But Queen Bey isn’t done yet, adding a 31st — and so far, final — date in a new location. Live Nation said on Monday that Beyoncé will bring the tour to Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on July 25, returning to Sin City after playing two shows at the same venue during the Renaissance World Tour in 2023. 

The BeyHive Presale begins on Thursday, March 20 at noon PDT, with the Artist Presale at the same time on Monday, March 24. Additional pre-sales for Citi card members, Verizon Up, and Mastercard will also roll out in advance of the general on-sale (Tuesday, March 25). 

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The Cowboy Carter Tour follows the release of its namesake album. The set debuted atop the Billboard 200 last April and went on to win three record-extending Grammy awards, including album of the year and best country album. Beyoncé performed a Christmas Day NFL halftime show on Netflix, offering the first televised live performances of Cowboy Carter tracks and teased the tour announcement later that day.

Upon Beyoncé’s initial tour announcement, Billboard projected final earnings of $294 million from 1.1-1.2 million tickets. With her newest addition to a packed three-month schedule, Cowboy Carter Tour should exceed $325 million.

17 Mar 2025

Watch Sadie Sink Star as a Visionary Troubadour in ‘O’Dessa’: Exclusive Clip

Fans of Sadie Sink may know her best as Max Mayfield on Netflix’s Stranger Things or as the female lead in Taylor Swift’s All Too Well: The Short Film, but they will see a completely different side of her as the titular character in O’Dessa, a dystopian rock opera penned by PattiCake$ director Geremy Jasper.

The Searchlight Pictures film, which also stars Regina Hall, Murray Bartlett and Kelvin Harrison Jr., premiered at SXSW on March 8 and is available on Hulu starting Thursday (March 20).

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Jasper’s plot was ambitious in its breadth. “The original inspiration for the film was a sci-fi musical retelling of the Orpheus myth set in a world that combined the Dust Bowl of the ‘30s with a retro, futuristic, psychedelic sci-fi world,” he says.

In the featurette below, premiering exclusively on Billboard, Sink is a traveling troubadour in a wasteland communicating with her music, but runs afoul of a charismatic dictator, Plutonovich, played by Bartlett. Sink, Jasper and the other main actors also talk about the music in the film in the clip.

It was Sink’s performance in 2022’s The Whale that convinced Jasper to cast her. “Like the rest of the world I knew Sadie as Max, but when I saw her in The Whale, I was knocked out and convinced she could carry this film. Boy, did she,” he says.

Jasper, who has helmed such music videos as Selena Gomez & The Scene’s “Love You Like a Love Song” and Florence + the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over” (2010 version) also directed the film and co-wrote the songs.

Coming from the world of music videos, Jasper says there was a learning curve when he segued into feature films. “The major skill I learned from making Patti was working with actors, which I had very little experience with,” he says. “It’s become my favorite part of the filmmaking process.”

The movie is billed as a rock opera, which Jasper defines as “the fuzzier, looser, dirtier cousin to the normal musical.” Previous rock operas through the decades left their mark on him.  “My favorite is Diamond Dogs by David Bowie. He was trying to make that concept album a stage show and was obsessed with doing a film version. O’dessa is extremely influenced by it,” he says. “Also, The Wall by Pink Floyd and Jesus Christ Superstar are all-time classics.”

The cast album for O’Dessa is out now on Hollywood Records. “I couldn’t be more excited for people to hear Sadie sing these songs,” says Jasper. 

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17 Mar 2025

YG Kicks Donald Trump Look-Alike Off Stage During “FDT” at Rolling Loud

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Rolling Loud California 2024

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YG shut down Rolling Loud with one of the hardest performances of the weekend, mixing West Coast bangers with real talk.

The Compton rapper made a statement early, bringing out a Donald Trump impersonator who started spitting over-the-top MAGA nonsense like, “We’re going to build a beautiful wall, it will be solid gold.” The crowd was half-laughing, half-booing until YG cut the act short. Right in the middle of the fake Trump’s speech, YG kicked him off the stage, and just like that, the energy flipped.

If keeping the same energy was a person, it would DEFINITELY be YG. As soon as the beat for “FDT” (F**k Donald Trump) dropped, the whole place went crazy. Even though the track came out in 2016, it still hits just as hard today, especially with Trump still making noise in politics. Fans were screaming every word, turning the whole set into a protest anthem moment.

YG didn’t just rap, he made a statement, proving he’s still one of the realest in the game when it comes to speaking on real issues. The Bompton rappers set wasn’t just about politics. YG made sure to rep for the West Coast heavy, running through classics from “My Krazy Life” like “BPT”, “Left, Right”, and “My N***a” Keeping it raw, showing love to his day-one fans while keeping the new generation tapped in. He also took time to touch on serious issues like police brutality, keeping that same energy he’s had since day one.

Check out some of the reactions to YG bringing out a Donald Trump look-alike during his Rolling Loud set.

17 Mar 2025

Yandel to Embark on U.S. Sinfónico Tour: See the Dates

Yandel is set to take his sinfónico concept on the road.

The reggaetón hitmaker unveiled a four-date U.S. stint that will launch on May 30 in Miami and make stops in Orlando, New York and Chicago. The trek will be preceded by his special Sinfónico show in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on May 10, where he will be joined by the Orquesta Filarmónica de Puerto Rico, directed by Maestro Angel “Cuco” Peña. 

The U.S. Sinfónico Tour, produced by Live Nation, is billed as an “innovative live experience” with a live philharmonic orchestra powering Yandel’s reggaetón hits, including “Encantadora,” “Nunca Me Olvides,” and “Noche de Entierro,” to name a few. The songs are also part of his upcoming Sinfónico En Vivo album, scheduled for release on April 3.

For the U.S. shows — directed by Javier Mendoza, professor of the FIU Symphonic Orchestra — Yandel will perform alongside local symphony orchestras. Music arrangements will be done by Rodner Padilla. The Puerto Rican artist’s band and dancers will join with each orchestra in all cities, traveling with a team of around 40 people. 

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The U.S. trek follows Yandel’s concert in Miami in October, where he performed for the first time a few of his hits in a classical format, a different approach to música urbana in general fusing reggaetón and symphony.

Yandel launched his solo career in 2013 after countless hits as part of reggaetón pioneering duo Wisin & Yandel. He’s released a total of 11 solo albums, including his latest, ELYTE, which peaked at No. 15 on Billboard‘s Latin Rhythm Albums chart.

Tickets to Yandel’s U.S. Sinfónico Tour will go on sale Thursday, March 20 at 12 p.m. local time at Yandel.com. Check out the dates below.

May 10: San Juan, Puerto Rico (Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot)*
May 30: Miami (Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts)
June 1: Orlando, Fla. (Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts)
June 7: New York (SummerStage in Central Park)
June 8: Chicago (The Auditorium)

*Not a Live Nation date

17 Mar 2025

Stevie Wonder to Headline London’s 2025 BST Hyde Park Series

Stevie Wonder has added another major stop to his Love, Light & Song U.K. tour. The R&B legend will headline BST Hyde Park for the third time when he performs on the Great Oak Stage on July 12; support act will be named later.

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Tickets for the BST gig will go on general sale at 6 a.m. ET on Friday (March 21) here. Amex customers can access a pre-sale beginning today (March 17).

Wonder joins an already packed roster of BST Hyde Park 2025 headliners that includes: Olivia Rodrigo (with The Last Dinner Party and Girl in Red) on June 27, Zach Bryan with Dermot Kennedy, Mt. Joy, Gabrielle Aplin, Willow Avalon and many more on June 28 and 29, Noah Kahan with Gracie Abrams on July 4, Sabrina Carpenter with Clairo and Beabadoobee on July 5 and 6, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts with Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Van Morrison on July 11 and Jeff Lynne’s ELO with the Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison on July 13.

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Wonder’s U.K. tour will kick off with a July 3 show at the Lytham Festival in Lancashire, followed by a July 5 gig at Co-Op Live in Manchester, a July 7 stop at Utilita Arena in Birmingham and a July 9 gig at Blackweir Field in Cardiff.

The “Master Blaster” singer was on hand last week at the celebration of life honoring the legacy of Roberta Flack at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. He joined a large contingent of fellow stars, executives and family paying tribute to the late singer that included Valerie Simpson, Phylicia Rashad, Dionne Warwick, Alicia Keys, India.Arie, Peabo Bryson and Clive Davis, among others.

See the Wonder BST announcement below.

17 Mar 2025

Conan O’Brien Already Set to Host 2026 Oscars

Well, that was fast. Just two weeks after Conan O’Brien hosted the Oscars for the first time, the Motion Picture Academy announced that he will be back to host the 2026 show. O’Brien is the first first-time host to host again the following year since Jimmy Kimmel in 2017-18.

“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien said with characteristic dry wit. (The best actor winner set a new record for the longest acceptance speech – it clocked in at 5:36 – in Oscar history.)

It can’t be a coincidence that the Oscars chose to make the announcement on St. Patrick’s Day. O’Brien was famously raised in an Irish Catholic family. The host announcement is much earlier in the year than normal, a strong vote of confidence in the new host. Last year, the Academy announced O’Brien as host on Nov. 15. O’Brien’s success as an Oscars host makes up for his bumpy, eight-month run as host of another legendary franchise, The Tonight Show, in 2009-10.

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O’Brien, 61, has won five Primetime Emmys. He is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on March 23.

Last week, the Golden Globes made a similarly early announcement that they are bringing back first-time host Nikki Glaser to host their 2026 show.

The 2025 Oscars, held on March 2, delivered a five-year high in both total viewers (19.69 million) and adults 18-49 (4.54 rating) and ranked as the No. 1 primetime entertainment telecast in both total viewers and adults for the 2024-25 season. The show earned 104.2 million total social interactions, ranking as the No. 1 most social TV program for the season to date, outperforming both The Grammy Awards (102.2 million interactions) and The Super Bowl (62.4 million) this season for the first time on record.

The 2026 Oscars will air live on ABC on Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. It’s the third year in a row that the telecast will start at 4 p.m. on the West Coast – in an effort to make it so that East Coast viewers can find out who wins the biggest awards before they go to bed. (This year’s show ended at 10:50 p.m. ET, making that goal a reality for all but the earliest risers.)

The show has aired on ABC every year since 1976, when that network took over from NBC, which had aired it in the five previous years. The Academy’s current deal with ABC, signed in 2016, allows it to televise the show through 2028, which will be the year of the show’s 100th anniversary.

An Academy statement did not mention Hulu, which livestreamed the show this year for the first time. Technical glitches marred the livestream.

The show will again be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Theater in Hollywood, its home base for every year but one since 2002. (The best-forgotten 2021 pandemic show was held at the Union Station in downtown L.A.)

Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will return as the show’s executive producers for the third consecutive year. They first served in that capacity in 2024, when Kimmel hosted. They each won Primetime Emmys for outstanding variety special (live) for that show. Kapoor had previously won for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) for his work on Adele: One Night Only.

“We are both so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars,” Kapoor and Mullan said in a joint statement. “We can’t wait to work with Conan and his entire team as we continue to explore even more special and heartfelt opportunities to celebrate next year’s nominees and the impact of film around the world.”

Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will return as producers for a second time. Sweeney will also serve as a writer. Sweeney has won three Primetime Emmys for previous productions with O’Brien. Ross has won one.

“We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff and Mike for the 98th Oscars!” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang in a joint statement. “This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host – skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”

17 Mar 2025

Now You Can Order Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s ‘First Date Shrimp’ At One of Their Favorite Restaurants

For Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco love is definitely on the menu. Literally. The couple announced on Sunday (March 16) that they have teamed up with the authentic Thai restaurant Jitlada in L.A. to help other couples enjoy the fried shrimp with curry the singers shared on their first date at the spot.

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“My very first date with @itsbennyblanco was at @jitladaLA on Sunset Blvd [heart emoji] To celebrate our upcoming album, I Said I Love You First, we only thought it was right for you to experience it too!,” the singer wrote on X. “Visit Jitlada if you want to try First Date Shrimp, starting today.”

The post featured a graphic image for “Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s First Date Shrimp” over two shrimp formed into the shape of a heart; the meal is available now through March 23.

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Last week, Gomez celebrated fiancé Blanco’s 37th birthday with an adorable Insta post in which she wrote, “I’m not sure what I did to deserve you but damn am I glad you were born.. happy birthday baby,” she wrote along with photos of the couple snuggling and smiling. As part of the celebration, Gomez and Blanco went back to Jitlada, the restaurant where they had their first date.

Gomez and Blanco continued the roll-out of their first joint album last week with the release of the single “Sunset Blvd.” Like the restaurant shrimp, the song is inspired by a crucial point in the couple’s relationship, in this case the location of their first date. The album, I Said I Love You First, is due out on March 21; the project will feature the previously released singles “Scared of Loving You” and “Call Me When You Break Up” featuring Gracie Abrams.

Check out the First Date Shrimp promo below.

17 Mar 2025

BTS’ j-hope Drops Thumping Preview of Upcoming Solo Single ‘Mona Lisa’

BTS‘ j-hope previewed his upcoming solo single on Friday, giving ARMY a nine-second taste of the thumping tune. With a buzzy, glitched-out beat and woozy bass line, the first taste of the tune lacked audible vocals, though there did appear to be some chopped-up voices buried in the mix.

A first taste on X featured a montage of images of the singer in stylish outfits flipping by in a series of fashion shoot-like shots. In an announcement on Weverse, BIGHIT Music described the track as, “a hip-hop and R&B track that celebrates a captivating person by playfully comparing them to the iconic masterpiece ‘Mona Lisa,’ which has charmed the world for centuries. Through this song, j-hope conveys that true allure lies not in one’s external beauty but in the unique qualities that make the person special.”

The new single is due out on Friday (March 21) and it comes on the heels of last week’s late night TV debut of hope’s recent single “Sweet Dreams” with Miguel.

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The digital single is further described as a “heartfelt surprise gift” from J-hope to his fans in appreciation of their “unwavering love and support.” All he asks in return for his gratitude is for ARMY to kindly offer up their “enthusiastic support and interest in j-hope’s future endeavors.”

Hobi rolled out the debut live performance of “Mona Lisa” during his debut U.S. solo concert at the Barclays Center in New York last Thursday during the first date on his Hope on the stage tour. “Love the way you take the stress and Louis off of me,” he sang on the sultry track while pulling off some hip-swiveling, sultry dance moves and bragging, “I like my girls pretty, so fine/ One plus the nine/ How you get me goin’/ Might just blow it.”

Check out the “Mona Lisa” preview below.

17 Mar 2025

Iggy Azalea Calls Out UMG: ‘You Will Pay Me What’s Owed’

Iggy Azalea has accused Universal Music Group (UMG) of withholding millions of dollars in unpaid royalties, taking to social media to demand what she claims is rightfully hers.

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The Australian rapper, known for her 2014 smash hit “Fancy,” claimed in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, claiming that UMG has failed to pay her international royalties throughout her career. “Crazy how in my entire career I was never paid a single royalty by Universal Music for anything outside of the USA. They owe me millions of dollars in back pay, that they technically stole from me, as per my contract I am due payment. The amount owed is in the 8-figure range,” the rapper wrote.

She further revealed that UMG attempted to settle the matter with a payout far below what she believes she is owed. “Last week they tried to respond to my lawyer and offer me a settlement of 18k. I’m told this is a normal response from their lawyers and after appearing in court they end up paying millions as they’re supposed to.”

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Azalea, whose real name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly, signed with Island Def Jam under the UMG umbrella in 2013 before moving to Island Records and eventually parting ways with the company in 2018. Despite her departure, she claims that the label has continued to withhold her earnings, particularly from outside the United States.

Beyond her own case, Azalea expanded her criticism to UMG’s treatment of artists in general.“I’d like to publicly say that I think Universal Music are criminals who actively take advantage of ALL of their artists in perpetuity for their own gain …  Universal music really needs to do better in their treatment of the artists who quite literally earn them millions via intellectual property they had zero part in creating. Yuck.”

The rapper didn’t hold back in her final statement, making a direct demand to the label: “Universal music mark my words you ugly b**** – You will pay me what’s owed.” She added that her dispute with UMG has been ongoing for “over two years and counting.”

UMG has not publicly responded to Azalea’s accusations. However, this is not the first time the label has faced allegations of withholding royalties.

Limp Bizkit previously sued UMG, claiming they had not been paid their due earnings due to a software system allegedly designed to “systematically prevent artists from being paid their royalties.”

Azalea has remained independent since leaving the major label system, releasing music on her own terms. While she has not announced any specific legal action, her posts suggest that the fight for her royalties is far from over.

Azalea has earned four career Billboard 200 entries, including her Grammy-nominated debut studio album, The New Classic (No. 3), her highest-charting entry on the ranking to date. On the Billboard Hot 100, she has notched three top ten hits from 13 total entries, including “Problem” (No. 2, with Ariana Grande), “Black Widow” (No. 3, with Rita Ora) and “Fancy” (No. 1, with Charli XCX). Her most recent musical release is last year’s “Money Come,” which received a remix featuring Ivorian Doll and Big Boss Vette.

17 Mar 2025

Ed Sheeran Surprises New Orleans with Unreleased Song ‘Azizam’

Ed Sheeran gave fans in New Orleans an unexpected treat on March 15, debuting his unreleased song “Azizam” during a surprise street performance in the city’s historic French Quarter.

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The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, accompanied by The Soul Rebels brass band, drew an excited crowd as he performed the track live for the first time.

Sheeran stepped out of a black SUV just after 11 a.m. local time, carrying a portable amp and microphone. “We’re gonna do one song here – we’re filming a bit of content – and then we’re going to do a parade and walk down and play some songs, if you want to come with us,” he told the audience, per Nola.com.

The performance marked the live debut of “Azizam”, which Sheeran revealed would be released in the coming weeks.

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“I’ve got a new song coming in a couple weeks that no one’s heard. This will be the first time it’s ever been played live. We’ll play it once now and then we’ll walk down, play some songs that you know, and I’ll play this song again,” he continued.

Sheeran later shared a video of the performance on Instagram, showing himself rolling his amp through the streets as the crowd grew around him. “Playing some new music today on the streets of New Orleans with @thesoulrebels thanks to everyone who turned up!” he captioned the post.

The New Orleans pop-up was just the latest in a series of unannounced performances from Sheeran. Earlier in the week, he surprised fans in Nashville by performing an impromptu set at Tootsie’s bar, delivering a mix of his biggest hits along with a cover of Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time.”

His love for impromptu performances has been a recurring theme. Back in February, he attempted a street concert in Bengaluru, India, drawing a large crowd before local authorities intervened. Despite the show being pre-approved, officials shut it down due to security concerns. Sheeran later addressed the situation on Instagram, clarifying that the performance had been planned in advance and assuring fans it was all in good spirits.

With speculation surrounding his upcoming album, Play, Sheeran has been teasing new music in creative ways. “Azizam” is expected to be one of the project’s lead singles, and if his recent pop-ups are any indication, fans can likely expect more surprise performances in the lead-up to its release. His previous album, Autumn Variations, debuted in 2023, earning a spot on the Billboard 200.