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11 Jun 2025

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, Russ, Tito Double P & Dana Biondi Honored at Indie Power Players Party: Best Photos

The leading luminaries of the independent music world came together in New York City on Tuesday night at Billboard’s Indie Power Players event at Harbor NYC Rooftop to celebrate the most powerful executives and artists in the business, presented by Downtown, A2IM, Believe and Tunecore.

Featuring executives from companies like The Orchard, Virgin Music, BMG, EMPIRE, Beggars Group, Believe, Tunecore, A2IM, Peer Music, Mom+Pop Music, Hopeless Records, Fat Beats, Avant Garden, Pulse Music Group, Exceleration Music, Triple Tigers Records, Downtown Music, Better Noise Music, G59 Records, Double P Records, APG, Because Group and many more, the event was a major part of the Indie Week celebrations that have blanketed the city.

Welcome remarks by Billboard Editor In Chief Hannah Karp opened a series of honors, beginning with Russ, who received the 2025 Billboard Indie Trailblazer Award. Introduced by Believe’s global head of music/president of Europe Romain Vivien and Tunecore CEO Andreea Gleason, Russ spoke about his journey through the independent world with Tunecore, when he put out his first song in 2011 through the company after Googling how to get a song on iTunes. “As independents, we as artists no longer have to be chosen — we choose ourselves,” he said. Following Russ, G59 Records partner/$uicideBoy$ manager Dana Biondi accepted the award for Executive of the Year, for building his company’s business from the ground up almost entirely outside of the mainstream; and Peso Pluma appeared to honor his cousin and fellow Double P Records artist Tito Double P with the Billboard Indie Power Player of the Year Award, giving a speech in English and Spanish.

Finally, cover star “Weird Al” Yankovic was honored with the Billboard Indie Spirit Award, a nod to his 40-plus years as a trailblazing artist, satirist and all-around hilarious and positive person in the music world. Introduced by Billboard executive magazine editor Rebecca Milzoff, Al took the stage with a bit of trademark hilarity — “Ever since I was a small child, I always dreamed of one day winning the Billboard Indie Spirit Award; dreams really do come true” — he then delivered a heartfelt and, yes, very funny speech accepting the honor. “Apparently, when you start your recording career by playing your accordion next to a urinal in a public men’s room, you get an indie cred card for life,” he quipped.

Find the best photos of the night below.

09 Jun 2025

2025 BET Awards Red Carpet: See the Best Photos

On Monday night (June 9), the 2025 BET Awards returned to Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Hosted by Kevin Hart for a second time, BET recruited a bevy of A-listers to steer the show into prime-time excellence, with performances on deck from Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti, Leon Thomas and GloRilla.

Along with having some of today’s brightest stars in the room and on the red carpet, BET is honoring several legendary luminaries including Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx and Kirk Franklin at Monday’s show. Along with receiving the Ultimate Icon Awards, which celebrated “their decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact,” Snoop, Carey and Franklin will grace the stage with high-octane performances from their decorated catalogs.

The West Coast’s very own Kendrick Lamar leads the nominee pack, walking into the night with an astounding 10 nominations, including a nod in the album of the year category for his highly touted effort GNX and video of the year for his Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 record “Not Like Us.” Following Lamar are Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla, each with six nods, while SZA and Metro Boomin snagged five of their own.

The BET Awards is also honoring its revered flagship show, 106 & Park, as former hosts AJ Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J will reunite after spending years on the legendary NYC couches counting down hip-hop and R&B classics in front of a live studio audience. There, former 106 host Bow Wow will hit the stage, along with performances from B2K, Amerie, T.I. and Jim Jones.

But before it all went down, the stars took over the 2025 BET Awards red carpet, and you can find the best photos from the night below.

04 Jun 2025

Best Photos of Tems, Elton John, Ghazi & More at Billboard’s First Global Power Players Event

Billboard hosted its first Global Power Players event in London on Wednesday night, where Elton John and his husband and manager David Furnish, EMPIRE founder and CEO Ghazi Shami and Afrobeats superstar Tems were recognized with special awards.

John and Furnish collected the Creators’ Champion Award, with John saying in his speech, “Supporting the next generation of British artists is one of the major driving forces in my life.” He also took the opportunity to speak out against the U.K. Labour government’s controversial data bill – which proposes an opt-out approach for rights holders, as opposed to the preferred opt-in strategy and has been voted down by the House of Lords for an unprecedented fifth time.

“Copyright has to be transparent and seek permission,” John said onstage at the invite-only event at Shoreditch House in east London. “These two principles are the bedrock of the industry and they must be included in the data bill as a backstop. Let’s be clear: We want to work with the government, we want our government to work with us. We are not anti-AI and we are not anti-Big Tech.”

Also at the Global Power Players event, Tems received the Diamond Award from incoming Billboard Africa editor Nkosiyati Khumalo, saying onstage: “Being African and a musician is a whole new world and I feel like Billboard has been so supportive of not just African music but the whole scene and the culture.”

Finally, EMPIRE founder and CEO Ghazi Shami was given the Clive Davis Visionary Award, presented by Nigerian musician and YNBL label boss Olamide, saying in his speech: “I often tell people that EMPIRE is a philanthropy company masquerading as a record label. I truly believe that in my heart. It wasn’t always that way. Being a visionary means you see a need in your community and you try and figure out how to serve that need.”

Find the best photos from the inaugural Billboard Global Power Players event below.

21 May 2025

BTS’ Jin Transforms ‘Tonight Show’ Stage Into a Giant Bed & Takes Over Jimmy Fallon’s Desk: Exclusive Photos

For his return to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night (May 21), Jin transformed the stage into a giant bed — and Billboard has the exclusive preview photos to prove it.

The BTS member made himself at home in Studio 6B, getting extra cozy for his performance of “Don’t Say You Love Me,” the lead single from his just-released second solo EP Echo. Jin dropped the seven-track project — the follow-up to his November debut solo EP Happy — on Friday, May 16.

In addition to his comfy performance, Jin also sat down for an interview with Fallon — just like he did for his first solo appearance on The Tonight Show late last year. And this time, he turned the tables on Fallon too, jumping behind the desk to grill the late-night host.

Jin’s superstar group BTS — also comprised of SUGA, j-hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — first visited The Tonight Show back in 2018 for a performance of the Billboard Hot 100 No. 11 hit “Idol” and “I’m Fine.” In 2020, the boys made multiple Tonight Show appearances — including a couple of virtual performances on the show during the COVID-19 pandemic — before returning again in 2021 for performances of their No. 1 hits “Butter” and “Permission to Dance.”

Back in March, Jin’s BTS bandmate j-hope made his solo Tonight Show debut and got similarly cozy, rocking a pair of fluffy bunny slippers with his jeans-and-black-blazer ‘fit.

To watch Jin’s full performance and interview, tune in to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night (May 21) at 11:35 p.m. ET on NBC, or streaming on Peacock.

15 May 2025

Dragon Pony Is Billboard’s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for May: Exclusive Photos

Dragon Pony is a four-member Korean rock band bringing fresh energy and musical depth to the scene. Signed under Antenna, they debuted on September 26, 2024, with the EP POP UP, delivering raw emotion and a genre-blending sound. Their name comes from the members’ zodiac signs — leader An Tae-gyu is a Dragon, while the others were born in the Year of the Horse — symbolizing strength, balance and unity. Each member actively contributes to songwriting and production, creating music rooted in honest storytelling and rock’s dynamic edge.

With their debut EP’s title track, they announced themselves with an anthem of self-expression and bold ambition. Since then, they’ve played major stages like the Busan International Rock Festival, launched a nationwide club tour, and even sold out a show in Taipei. Their latest EP, Not Out (March 2025), signals further growth and ambition, as the band sets its sights on global stages and future collaborations.

Dragon Pony is not just a band to watch; they’re a force redefining what modern Korean rock can be.

Please introduce Dragon Pony. What kind of team are you, and what kind of music do you pursue?

An Tae Gyu: Hello, we are Dragon Pony. The music we make is all about sharing candid stories and emotions, built on band sounds and loaded with raw, passionate energy. We’re not stuck to any one single format or genre — we just want to make good music that feels right to us.

What’s the meaning behind the name “Dragon Pony”?

Pyun Sung Hyun: In Korea, your zodiac sign is determined by the year you were born. An Tae Gyu was born in 2000, so he’s a Dragon. The rest of us — Kwon Se Hyuk, Ko Gang Hun and I — were born in 2002, the year of the Horse. That’s how we came up with the name “Dragon Pony.” Dragons and horses are both strong, powerful creatures, and we thought that the energy fit perfectly with the rock sound we’re going for.

How did the members meet and form the team?

Kwon Se Hyuk: Pyun Sung Hyun, Ko Gang Hun and I went to the same high school. Ko Gang Hun and I passed Antenna’s audition together, but I had no idea that Pyun Sung Hyun had auditioned too. A few months later, when I heard a new trainee was joining us, I was shocked to find out it was him. Eventually, An Tae Gyu came onboard. As our leader, he’s done an amazing job bringing us together, and that’s how the four of us formed Dragon Pony.

What message did you want to convey through your debut album or title track?

Ko Gang Hun: The title of our debut album and lead single POP UP reflects our sudden entrance into the music scene as well as our drive to make ourselves known. Since it’s our first release, it sends a clear message: “Let’s show the world the kind of music we do best.” If you listen to the entire album, you’ll get a good sense of the sound Dragon Pony is bringing to the table.

How did it feel to be onstage for the first time?

An Tae Gyu: We played our first show at Club FF in Hongdae, Seoul. I was super nervous since the crowd was way bigger than we expected. There was this mix of anxiety and excitement as we waited to see how the audience would react to our music

What do you think is Dragon Pony’s unique musical color?

Pyun Sung Hyun: Dragon Pony is a band where all four of us take part in writing, composing, arranging and producing, which lets us explore a wide range of musical styles — and that’s definitely one of our biggest strengths. We’re all huge fans of ’70s and ’80s hard rock, and that influence runs deep in the sound we create. If you listen to “To. Nosy Boy” and “Waste” from our latest EP Not Out, you’ll quickly understand what makes our music unique.

What is the most important element for you when working on music?

An Tae Gyu: For me, the melody and lyrics are the most important. As a vocalist, I’m the one delivering the song directly to the audience, so I naturally focus on those two elements.

Pyun Sung Hyun: I think music should leave a lasting impression — and for me, it’s usually the melody that stays with me. That’s why I try to write melodies that really linger in your ears.

Kwon Se Hyuk: The melody and lyrics are the backbone of any song. You can change the chords and shift the vibe, but changing the melody or lyrics transforms the whole song. So when I start working on a track, I always begin with those two elements before building everything else around them.

Ko Gang Hun: I prioritize sound above everything. When I listen to music, the first thing that hits me is the texture of the sound. So when I’m writing, I focus on crafting fresh, distinctive sounds that grab your attention right away.

What aspects of stage performance do you pay special attention to?

Ko Gang Hun: Since performances happen live, right in front of the audience, I think their reactions and energy matter the most. That’s why we put a lot of thought into the overall flow, the performance itself, and how we deliver the message — so the audience can really enjoy the show and connect with us.

Are there any genres or concepts you’d like to try in the future?

An Tae Gyu: As a newly debuted band, each of us has different genres and concepts we’d love to explore. But for now, we’re focused on sharing music that really shows our unique color to the public. We’re also interested in incorporating classical instruments into our band sound and creating something fresh, fun, and different to listen to.

Do you have an official fandom name? If so, what does it mean?

Pyun Sung Hyun: We recently decided on the name of Dragon Pony’s fan club — it’s called Poyong. The name combines  the “Po” from Pony and “Yong,” which is the Korean word for Dragon, symbolizing the bond between us and our fans, where we support and embrace each other. In English, it’s written as “For Young,” which also reflects the idea of sharing the passionate moments of youth that the four of us in Dragon Pony hope to bring to our fans.

How did you feel when you met your fans for the first time?

Kwon Se Hyuk: When I first met our fans, it just felt surreal. We had a club show before our debut, and the fact that people came to enjoy our music even though we hadn’t yet officially debuted was so surprising and we were all really grateful. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

Is there a comment from a fan that stuck with you?

Ko Gang Hun: Before our debut, a fan said, “See you next time,” and I thought it was just a polite goodbye. I didn’t expect them to actually see us again. But when they did, it was incredibly touching and unforgettable. More recently, someone said, “Seeing Dragon Pony gave me a dream,” and that really stuck with me. It reminded me of why we need to keep pushing forward.

Any memorable episodes from social media or fan sign events?

An Tae Gyu: We’ve only just started doing a few fan signing events, so everything still feels new and a little awkward. At a recent one, we did a live acoustic performance with our songs and some covers — something we don’t usually get to do. The fans really enjoyed it, and since it was our first time performing live at a fan signing, it was a fun and memorable experience for all of us.

What are some goals Dragon Pony hopes to achieve in the future?

Pyun Sung Hyun: The bigger the goal, the better—and we’ve got a few big ones. First, we want to make it onto the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. We also hope to perform for fans in more countries, so going on a world tour is definitely on our list. One day, we’d love to headline major festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella. Now that I say it all out loud, we’ve got a lot of dreams — which just means we’ll have to work much harder to make them happen.

Is there a dream stage you’d like to perform on?

Kwon Se Hyuk: Like Pyun Sung Hyun said, we’d love to perform at Glastonbury, Coachella and even the Super Bowl halftime show one day. In the end, our dream is to headline every festival that invites us!

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?

Ko Gang Hun: Recently, Coldplay came to Korea for some concerts, and watching them perform was just incredible. I really admire how they’ve stayed together and kept making music for so long. If we ever had the chance to collaborate with Coldplay, it would be a dream come true.

Where do you see Dragon Pony in five years?

An Tae Gyu: Since we’ve only just debuted, we feel still young and inexperienced, and we have a lot to learn. But five years from now, I think we’ll be more mature and confident in ourselves. If we keep working hard, we’ll be performing at bigger venues and maybe even going on a world tour. We’re curious and excited to see how far Dragon Pony will have come by then. Please keep supporting our music until then!

If you had to describe Dragon Pony in three words, what would they be?

Pyun Sung Hyun: I’d like to express Dragon Pony through the three elements of music — rhythm, melody, and harmony. They’re the most basic yet essential components, and just as these three come together to create music, the four of us come together as one to make the kind of music we love and do best. That’s why I think these elements best represent Dragon Pony.

Are there any inside jokes or phrases trending among the members these days?

Kwon Se Hyuk: Among the members, we often say, “That’s kinda true.” It’s a meme that’s been trending among Korea’s MZ generation.

14 May 2025

Rihanna’s Best Pregnancy Fashion Moments, From the Super Bowl Stage to the Met Gala Red Carpet

Rihanna has always been one of music’s biggest fashion icons. And when she started growing her family, that certainly didn’t change.  

If anything, the Fenty mogul’s status as a trendsetter only solidified more as she began welcoming kids with partner A$AP Rocky, starting with RZA in 2022 and followed by Riot Rose the next year. Throughout her pregnancies with both sons, Ri stepped out in a number of memorable looks, forgoing traditionally conservative maternity styles and instead opting to highlight her baby bumps with cutouts, sheer fabrics and crop tops.

Fashion has also historically gone hand in hand with the way she chooses to announce her pregnancies; when she first revealed that she was expecting her second little boy in 2023, it was as she performed at the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show in a figure-hugging red bodysuit. Two years later, she shared news of her third pregnancy with the world at the 2025 Met Gala, debuting her bump in a tailored pinstriped gown. 

But while the “Umbrella” singer – who also designed her own maternity line for fashion brand Savage X Fenty – loves playing with pregnancy fashion, the real fun starts after those sacred nine months are up. “It’s fun, I literally, I enjoy it so much,” she told Access Hollywood of motherhood in October 2024. “I am just looking at them and living through them and I’m amazed by every new discovery of theirs, even their boundaries. They’re teaching me how to be their mom as much as I’m teaching them how to be in this world and guide them as best as I can.” 

Keep scrolling to see Ri’s best pregnancy looks – from the Super Bowl stage to the Met Gala carpet – below. 

08 May 2025

2025 ACM Awards Red Carpet: Best Photos

Country music’s best and brightest stars hit the red carpet on Thursday night (May 8) for the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards.

Making their grand entrance into the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, for the 60th annual awards show, country music icons like Reba McEntire — who’s hosting the show for the 18th time — and Wynonna Judd opted for fancy, all-black ensembles while LeAnn Rimes stunned in a nude illusion gown. Meanwhile, male artists like ERNEST, John Morgan and Parker McCollum dressed up their denim with fitted blazers, gleaming belt buckles and boots.

Jessie Murph arrived on the carpet carrying her pet pig Wilbur to celebrate her nomination for best new female artist, and the Backstreet Boys delivered elevated shades of boy band chic in sharp, monochromatic suits in the wake of releasing their duet version of “What Hurts the Most” with Rascal Flatts.

Ella Langley leads the pack at this year’s ACM Awards, with seven nods in her first year as a nominee, with Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson and Lainey Wilson all close behind with six nominations each. Keith Urban is also set to be honored during the telecast with the ACM Triple Crown Award after taking home trophies for new artist, male artist of the year and entertainer of the year across his acclaimed career.

Presenters over the course of the evening will include Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Jordan Davis, Little Big Town, Lionel Richie, Martina McBride, Rita Wilson and more, while Jelly Roll and Shaboozey, Dan + Shay, Sugarland, Kelsea Ballerini, Alan Jackson, Megan Maroney, Brothers Osborne and more are all set to perform.

Below, swipe through all the red carpet arrivals at the 2025 ACM Awards, including Mickey Guyton, Tucker Wetmore, Jessie James Decker, Gabby Barrett, Ashley Cooke and more.

05 May 2025

Omar Apollo, Bad Bunny, Shakira & More at Met Gala 2025: Best Looks From Latin Music Stars

Omar Apollo channeled a sly cheetah galán, J Balvin exuded dapper energy in a vintage pink suit, and Bad Bunny donned a traditional Puerto Rican pava hat. Monday’s (May 5) 2025 Met Gala was a visual feast, and the Latin music stars came out in full force at one of the year’s most eagerly awaited fashion events.

Other luminaries in Latin music at the Met Gala included Shakira, who turned heads in a dreamy soft pink gown by Atelier Prabal Gurung with a fluffy train. Rosalía wore an immaculate sculpted white gown by Olivier Rousteing, and Maluma honored zoot-suit-era pachucho culture at the coveted event.

Held at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, this year’s Met Gala celebrated the theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The official dress code is “Tailored for You,” a nod to the spring 2025 exhibition’s focus on menswear and is “purposefully designed to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation,” according to Vogue.

Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton served as co-chairs, while LeBron James served as honorary chair. Tyla, Doechii, André 3000, Usher, Janelle Monáe and more also served as members of the costume institute benefit host committee. Other artists who attended the Met Gala 2025 were Sabrina Carpenter, LISA, Diana Ross, JENNIE and Dua Lipa.

See all the best photos of Latin music stars on the 2025 Met Gala red carpet below.

05 May 2025

Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Megan Moroney & More at iHeartCountry Festival: Exclusive Backstage Photos

This year’s iHeartCountry Festival welcomed an array of top country hitmakers to bring the heat, Texas-style, over the weekend.

On Saturday (May 3) at The Moody Center in Austin, Texas, fans enjoyed music from Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn, as well as hitmakers Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, Cole Swindell and Sam Hunt.

Also blazing on the main stage were artists whose careers are surging to new heights, including “Am I Okay?” star Megan Moroney, “Fix What You Didn’t Break” singer Nate Smith, Bailey Zimmerman (who just earned a top 5 smash on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 with his BigXThaPlug collaboration “All the Way” and just released his Luke Combs collab “Backup Plan”) and “Austin” singer Dasha, who took her show directly into the crowd, walking through the audience and encouraging concertgoers to sing along.

Among more of the fest’s key performances were Smith joining Zimmerman for a rendition of “Backup Plan,” while B&D regaled the crowd with a rendition of their 1992 hit “Neon Moon.” Swindell performed his ’90s country-celebrating hit “She Had Me at Heads Carolina,” while Megan Moroney offered up a breezy rendition of “Am I Okay?”

The lineup for the Daytime Village at the iHeartCountry Festival included performances from Smith, Moroney, Dasha, Matt Stell and Tucker Wetmore.

This year’s iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One was once again hosted by iHeartRadio personality Bobby Bones and broadcast across iHeartCountry stations nationwide, as well as via the iHeartRadio app. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the benefiting charity partner of this year’s festival.

Below, see a collection of Billboard’s behind-the-scenes photos from the 2025 iHeartCountry Festival.

05 May 2025

Met Gala 2025: Best Photos From the Red Carpet

It’s the first Monday in May, which means the biggest artists, actors, athletes and more are showing up and showing out at the 2025 Met Gala.

Held at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday (May 5), this year’s Met Gala celebrated the theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The official dress code is “Tailored for You,” a nod to the spring 2025 exhibition’s focus on menswear and is “purposefully designed to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation,” according to Vogue.

“‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ explores the importance of style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora, particularly in the United States and Europe. Through a presentation of garments and accessories, paintings, photographs, decorative arts, and more, from the 18th century to today, the exhibition interprets the concept of dandyism as both an aesthetic and a strategy that allowed for new social and political possibilities,” reads a description from the Met’s website.

Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton served as co-chairs, while LeBron James served as honorary chair. James announced on X he had to cancel his appearance due to a knee injury he sustained at the end of the season. Tyla, Doechii, André 3000, Usher, Janelle Monáe and more also served as members of the costume institute benefit host committee.

Below find an updating gallery of photos from the 2025 Met Gala, including pics of co-chair Pharrell, Coco Jones and more.