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05 May 2025

Alanis Morissette, Sublime, Lenny Kravitz & More Hit the Sand for BeachLife Festival 2025: See the Best Photos

The vibes were both mellow and musical at the 2025 BeachLife Festival, which took over the sand for three days in Redondo Beach, California, this past weekend, from Friday through Sunday.

Lenny Kravitz headlined on Friday, bringing the first night to a close with massive hits including “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” and “Fly Away.” Saturday night’s lineup was led by Sublime, fronted by late singer Bradley Nowell’s son Jakob Nowell, who deftly took the reins of his dad’s SoCal band for “What I Got,” “Santeria” and more hits tailor-made for the oceanside fest. And the weekend came to a close with Sunday night headliner Alanis Morissette, whose set was jam-packed with her biggest hits, including Jagged Little Pill standouts like “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket” and “Ironic.”

Other Friday highlights included Train starting their set with “Calling All Angels” and wrapping in epic fashion with the top five Billboard Hot 100 smash “Drops of Jupiter,” plus O.A.R. Aloe Blacc, The Struts and Digable Planets.

Saturday included Pretenders, with Chrissie Hynde wailing on “Back on the Chain Gang,” “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and more rock classics, as well as Cake closing their set with the one-two-three punch of “Never There,” “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” and “The Distance,” with frontman John McCrae’s between-song commentary keeping the crowd on their toes. Also on day 2: Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, Skip Marley, Sugar Ray, Alo and the Sublime spin-off Long Beach Dub Allstars.

Finally, Sunday included a set from The Beach Boys, with longtime friend and collaborator John Stamos joining the Mike Love-led group just down the road from their Hawthorne, California, beginnings, as well as Jackson Browne, Mt. Joy, Marcus King and Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

To get a glimpse at the three-day festival, find some of the best photos from the weekend below.

02 May 2025

Pharrell Williams’ Style Evolution: From 2002 to Now

Pharrell Williams has always had impeccable style. From his early days as a producer and performer with the Neptunes and N.E.R.D working on songs for Wreckx-n-Effects, the Clipse, Jay-Z and Nelly, Skateboard P always put a premium on looking good while sounding excellent.

When the world first met Williams — who is a co-chair for the 2025 Met Gala — he was rocking distressed, baggy jeans, track jackets and trucker hats before launching his own bespoke fashion label, Billionaire Boys Club in 2003, followed by spin-offs Ice Cream, Bee Line and Billionaire Girls Club. All along, the multi-hyphenate has relished being a bridge between what the kids are wearing in skate parks and clubs and what’s pushing the envelope on the runways in Milan.

As his client list expanded to include production, songwriting and collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Migos, Beck, SZA, J Balvin and Rauw Alejandro, Williams also branched out on the fashion side, co-designing a line of glasses and jewelry for Louis Vuitton in 2008, followed in 2013 with a sunglass line for Moncler.

Constantly juggling his own music, a heavy production schedule and voicing himself in the 2024 LEGO autobiographical film Piece by Piece, Williams also teamed with G-Star Raw in 2014 on the “RAW For the Oceans” denim collection made from recycled ocean plastic. He followed with a 2014 collab with Uniqlo called “i am OTHER,” then paired with Adidas on a 2016 “Human Race” edition of shoes, and in 2017 designed an $1,100 sneaker for Chanel/Adidas.

His crowning fashion achievement, though, was in February 2023, when Louis Vuitton announced that Williams had been appointed to serve as their men’s creative director, with his first collection for the famed fashion house hitting runways during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in June 2023.

Check out Billboard‘s chronicle of Williams’ fashion evolution.

02 May 2025

A$AP Rocky’s Style Evolution: From 2011 to Now

While A$AP Rocky‘s career in hip-hop came from his meteoric underground rise as part of Harlem’s A$AP Mob collective, the New York rapper quickly established himself as a budding fashionista as well. Even on his debut album, Long.Live.A$AP, he called himself a “Fashion Killa.”

For nearly a decade, he’s made the most out of that moniker, meshing colorful wardrobes together in unexpected ways.  In 2016, he walked the Grammy red carpet in a cozy knit sweater and patchwork jeans while carrying a Goyard bag. In 2018, he rocked a white lace button-up alongside some shimmering silver leather pants. The odd combination of clothes made him an unconventional fashion icon.

As time has gone on, Rocky’s style has gone from being more sophisticated to far more dad-focused. This is in part due to him becoming a father after welcoming sons RZA and Riot Rose with partner Rihanna.

“If I could define my dad style, I would say it’s way more focused,” Rocky said in an interview in December 2024. “Prior to that, it was really just like absurd outfits, just mismatching everything for the sake of it. But now I think it’s a bit more quiet luxury.”

He still makes room for some loud pieces, though. Earlier in 2025, Rocky — who is a co-chair for the 2025 Met Gala — rocked a snakeskin Bottega Veneta bag at the company’s spring show, even though he was wearing a casual suit jacket and pants combination. Regardless of the times, Rocky’s always gotta do something to make good on that “Fashion Killa” nickname.

Check out the evolution of A$AP Rocky’s unique style in the photos below.

01 May 2025

Rihanna’s Style Transformation Over The Years, From Red Carpet Newcomer to Fashion Icon

Rihanna holds a lot of titles. To date, the singer is a a nine-time Grammy award winning artist with eight albums under her belt, a makeup and lingerie mogul thanks to her successful Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty lines, once held the title as the youngest self-made female billionaire, and, of course, is also a dedicated mother.

But since day one, RiRi has been a style icon. Since stepping on the scene in 2005 with her debut hit, “Pon De Replay,” the multi-hyphenate superstar has rocked all kinds of looks on the red carpet, on stage and out and about. She always keeps it fun, classy and cool.

In 2025, Rihanna spoke about her love of fashion in an interview with Harper’s Baazar, saying that after finding herself lacking inspiration for her styling, she finally felt locked in once again. “Now I’m starting to just remember what I loved about [fashion and styling-: the juxtaposition, putting the things together that don’t make sense,” she told the publication at the time. “My fashion has always been driven by my mood, and my mood was on mom mode for a minute.”

Even Rihanna’s long-time partner A$AP Rocky has commented on how the star can make herself look good in just about anything — including his clothes. “For me, it’s not fair that my girl could just go in my closet and take anything from it and wear it,” he said in a podcast interview. “She does it to me all the time, man! Sometimes you just see her on an interview or see a paparazzi photo, like, ‘Wait, there goes my Miu Miu f–king jacket! What the f–k? I was looking for that since 2021!’”

Below, take a stroll down memory lane and witness Rihanna’s style evolution, from her rise to fame in 2005 all the way to today.

17 Apr 2025

Revisit the Style of 2005 With Missy Elliott, Hilary Duff, Fall Out Boy, Rihanna & More Music Stars

From Mariah Carey‘s iconic gold Emancipation of Mimi gown to Destiny’s Child‘s grown and sexy Destiny Fulfilled… and Lovin’ It tour looks, 2005 was stacked with memorable fashion moments across pop culture.

As the midpoint of the ’00s decade, 2005 housed the last vestiges of Y2K style before the culture slowly began its transition into more ’10s-adjacent looks. Hip-hop icons like Missy Elliott and 50 Cent loved a velour tracksuit moment, R&B/pop sirens like Jennifer Lopez, Ciara and Beyoncé routinely tore up stages with booty-teasing low-rise jeans, and beloved rock bands like Fall Out Boy and Green Day preferred to contrast their arena-rocking headbangers with formal attire.

2005 was also the year of the statement belt. Kelly Clarkson — who boasted two top 10 entries on that year’s Year-End Hot 100 in “Since U Been Gone” (No. 4) and “Behind These Hazel Eyes” (No. 10) – loved flaunting her pop-rock leanings with a studded belt, while fellow pop princess Hilary Duff would use oversize belts to add dimension to her form-fitting dresses. And how could we forget the endlessly long necklaces and rich earth tones of the boho-chic movement that ran through Hollywood like Lara Croft.

Of course, there are always a few stars who stick to their unique lanes. Queen of Pop Madonna kept her Confessions on a Dance Floor fashions consistent with a constant rotation of vibrant leotards, and Pharrell Williams was rarely seen without his blindingly bright N.E.R.D. character pendant chain.

While there were certainly a few dominant fashion trends in 2005, one striking throughline is the individuality our biggest and brightest stars brought to their fashion.

Check out Billboard’s handy gallery of some of the most memorable style moments of 2005.

15 Apr 2025

2025 Coachella Best Photos: JENNIE, Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Tyla & Becky G, More

SoCal’s high holiday of music festivals, Coachella, returned to Indio, California, this past weekend, April 10-13.

As always, the event offered far more music than one person can possibly consume, with some of the biggest music stars in the world turning up and turning out across the festival’s many stages.

As an acutely hot Friday afternoon turned into balmy evening, Lady Gaga gave what will likely come to be remembered as one of the all-time great Coachella headline performances, dazzling the crowd with a stunning multi-act show that transformed the stage into an opera house. Saturday headliners Green Day reminded the giant crowd assembled to see just how many hits they’ve accumulated over the last 30-plus years, and Post Malone closed out the main stage on Sunday with a show that highlighted his talent, charm and expansive catalog.

The very weekend one phenomenon of artists bringing out other artists as surprise guests was also in full effect. Zedd brought out stars including Maren Morris and John Mayer, Zedd himself was a guest during a performance by Gustavo Dudamel and the L.A. Philharmonic, Charli xcx brought out a gaggle of Brat-adjacent friends including Lorde, Billie Eilish and Troye Sivan during her main stage show, Benson Boone brought out Queen’s Brian May, Addison Rae made a surprise appearance during Arca’s set and — in one of the weekend’s buzziest surprise appearances — Senator Bernie Sanders introduced Clairo during her Saturday night show and told the crowd that “We need you to stand up and fight for justice, to fight for economic justice, social justice, and racial justice.”

K-pop and J-pop also had a strong presence at the festival, with big shows from LISA (who joked that her dazzling stage outfits are what the character she played on The White Lotus wears when she’s not working), JENNIE, XG and ENHYPEN.

All in all, the weekend was a reminder why Coachella’s prestige and influence is unparalleled. See some of the sights from the first weekend of Coachella 2025 below.

14 Apr 2025

Fashion Photographer Nicolas Gerardin on Capturing Shakira’s Record-Breaking Tour (Exclusive Photos)

Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour has been making waves across the globe, selling out stadiums, smashing records, and solidifying the Colombian superstar’s legacy as one of the most powerful voices in music and culture. But behind the eye-popping performances, emotional highs and dazzling fashion, French photographer Nicolas Gerardin has been translating the energy, intimacy and humanity of it all into images that speak louder than words.

Known for his work with celebrities across industries — including Lisa of BLACKPINK, Nick Jonas, Jeff Bezos, Leo Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo — the fashion and celebrity photographer brings a unique mix of precision and emotional storytelling to his photography. His collaboration with Shakira began two years ago, right around the time of her groundbreaking Bizarrap release that marked a new milestone in her career. Since then, Gerardin has become an integral part of her creative team, joining her on her current world tour, which kicked off in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Feb. 11.

“When photographing Shakira, I focus on capturing what makes her a legend — her presence, energy, and the essence that has made her an icon for decades,” Gerardin tells Billboard Español, who also shot her on recent magazine covers for GQ, Elle, and Marie Claire. “It’s about telling her story in every shot. I always aim to showcase her true essence, her artistry, and the depth of her impact.”

“She’s aware of everything, from production to lighting. She knows everything about cameras. She knows what’s best for her,” he explains, noting how her hands-on approach ensures every moving piece of her tour aligns with her meticulously curated vision. 

Despite her global fame, Gerardin credits her sensitivity and emotional connection with her art as the driving force behind her appeal. “She’s very involved emotionally in everything. She always wants the best for her fans. She’s a woman full of emotion, very sensitive. She’s caring for everyone… She wants to give the best for the fans,” he shares. 

His dedication to capturing Shakira’s tour goes beyond the stage or performance photography. Gerardin’s work often focuses on backstage moments, the quieter fragments of her life away from the spotlight that tell their own story. “My vision is to create an iconic image that’s going to stay forever,” he says. “It can be her putting her makeup on or her after finishing the last song exhausted.” These fragments come together to create a portrait of a woman in motion — a legend embracing transformation in real-time.

Among his favorite images he took is a high-concept promotional shoot for her latest album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. In one particularly striking shot, Shakira is captured arm wrestling a man. “It was an exciting challenge because I wanted to capture both her strength and the bold energy of the album while keeping the visual storytelling dynamic and impactful,” recalls the photographer.

For this shoot, Shakira granted him full creative freedom, an example of the trust and respect their working relationship has cultivated.

Despite touring with Shakira, Gerardin emphasizes that he does not define himself as a concert photographer. His background in fashion photography shapes the unique angle he brings to his work — whether backstage or during live shows. “Most global artists that work in the music industry, when they take me on tour, they don’t expect me to shoot the live show. I’m here to capture the fashion side of the tour,” he explains. With Shakira, he adds, “We just want to create history at this point.”

Check out the gallery below for an exclusive look at Gerardin’s stunning photography.

11 Apr 2025

From a Cat Who Hates Music to a Dog Named After a Rock Star, Meet the Pets of Billboard Staff

“You make me laugh and I like it/ You get away with murder so innocent/ But when you throw a moody/ You’re all claws and you bite/ That’s all right!” To those unfamiliar, these may seem like lyrics written by a loving pet parent — and they’d be right. Those sweet and amusing words were penned by none other than the late, great, cat-loving rock icon Freddie Mercury of Queen, for the band’s Innuendo track “Delilah,” which is about his beloved feline of the same name.

So, musicians — they’re just like us! Or is it that we, the normies, are just like them? After all, which of us with furry family members hasn’t made up silly little ditties to sing to our much-adored dogs and cats? (Granted, we don’t get to record them for Billboard-charting albums, but whatever.) Billboard staffers are no different. Not only do we love our four-legged pals, we sing to them, and sometimes, even name them after our favorite musicians!

There’s staff writer Hannah Dailey, who has an adorable kitty named after her “songwriting hero” Stevie Nicks. “Stevie is the first pet I ever owned by myself, so I wanted to give her a name that was particularly special,” she says. “And because she makes me so happy, it only felt right for her to share a name with someone whose music has also added so much to my life.”

Senior photo editor Jenny Regan nearly named her mini goldendoodle Robert Plant because the pooch’s golden locks resembled those of the Led Zeppelin singer in his youth. “But [we] didn’t like ‘Robert’ for a dog,” she shares, noting that her husband is a fan of the band. So the pup was named after another member — Jimmy Page.

While not everyone on our staff has a pet named after a famous artist, some of our furbabies do have their own favorite (and least favorite!) songs and musicians. Take kitty Boba, who prefers to never hear Alvin and the Chipmunks’ cover of “I Gotta Feeling” ever again; good boy Riggins, who is partial to Bad Bunny; regal Paco, who prefers Norah Jones’ soothing tunes during thunderstorms; or Murphy, who’s a huge Swiftie, just like her mom.

Want to meet and learn more about the Billboard staff’s beloved pets? Keep pawing down!

10 Apr 2025

Jon Pardi Previews New ‘Honkytonk Hollywood’ Album at Australian Concerts: See Onstage & Backstage Photos

Five-time Billboard Country Airplay chart-topping artist Jon Pardi releases his new studio album, Honkytonk Hollywood, on Friday (April 11), as he gears up to launch his headlining Honkytonk Hollywood Tour in the United States later this month. But in March, the “Friday Night Heartbreaker” singer took his high-octane, neo-traditional country sound Down Under, giving Australian fans shows that previewed some of the songs on the new project.

The “Head Over Boots” hitmaker took his rowdy swagger and down-home grit to headlining shows at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena (on March 19) and Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion (March 20), before playing a set during the Australian country music festival CMC Rocks on March 22. Newcomers Larry Fleet and Zach Top joined Pardi for his shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

Pardi’s shows are known for blending pulsating rock energy with plenty of fiddle and twang, while alternating hits like “She Ain’t In It” and “Dirt on My Boots” with Pardi’s accessible, good-time vibe, as he cracks jokes and offers up stories from his life. His new album, produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town), further fuses the feel of his live shows and albums, as Pardi welcomed his band to join him in the studio to lay down the tracks, adding an extra shot of tightly-woven musicianship that comes through piling up years of road-tested camaraderie.

Below, find a photo gallery that highlights Pardi’s vibrant, packed-audience live shows, as well as behind-the-scenes pics of Pardi with show openers Top and Fleet backstage.

09 Apr 2025

Behind the Scenes at Dreamville Fest 2025: Exclusive Portraits of Some of This Year’s Performers

J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival returned to Raleigh, North Carolina, for its fifth — and final, at least as we currently know it — edition under the Dreamville banner on April 5-6. Held at Dorothea Dix Park, the sold-out festival drew over 50,000 fans who braved the scorching heat to experience two days of hip-hop, R&B, and unforgettable moments. (See some of our favorite moments from the memorable festival weekend here.)

From the larger-than-life photo opportunities to the diverse food vendors and the exclusive pop-ups, Dreamville Fest 2025 was more than just a music event — it was a full-fledged cultural experience. The lineup featured legends and rising stars alike, with Lil Wayne (alongside Hot Boys and Big Tymers), 21 Savage, and Ari Lennox performing Saturday (April 5), while Coco Jones, GloRilla, Wale and J. Cole took over Sunday (April 6). Additional performers included Tems, PartyNextDoor, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Keyshia Cole, BigXThaPlug, J.I.D, Ab-Soul, Lute, Chief Keef, Omen, Young Nudy, Anycia, EARTHGANG, Bas, Cozz, Akia and Kai Ca$h & Niko Brim.

While Dreamville Festival as we know it has come to an end, a similar event will continue under the direction of the city of Raleigh. J. Cole made sure to give fans a proper send-off, running through classics from his discography like “No Role Modelz,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “Lights Please,” and “Lost Ones.” As fireworks lit up the sky for the final time, he closed his set — and Dreamville Fest —with “Farewell.”

Billboard captured exclusive behind-the-scenes moments with some of this year’s performers, shot on the Leica Q3. See intimate portraits of Dreamville stars Coco Jones, Wale, Ab-Soul, Lute, Chief Keef, Omen, EARTHGANG and Cozz below.