R&B/Hip-Hop

07 May 2025

PinkPantheress Says Hitting Pause on Music Last Year Was ‘For My Own Good’

PinkPantheress is ready to step back into the spotlight after taking a few months to herself. You might recall that last August the 24-year-old British singer born Victoria Walker canceled all of her remaining 2024 tour dates — including festival shows and slots opening for Olivia Rodrigo and Coldplay — to focus on her physical health after saying she’d “hit a wall.”

Now, in a new interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, the singer says that despite the pushback from her team on hitting pause when things were really starting to hit for her she knew it was the right thing to do.

Trending on Billboard

“100%. But not even just because things are rolling, but more because of financial reasons why,” she told Lowe. “If you agree to do shows and you don’t follow through, there’s a lot of money being missed out on. There’s also a lot of… the opportunity for backlash to be. Really the least of my concerns, was the money.”

Pantheress said she’s naturally someone who is prone to not looking after herself in an effort to “push through” difficult times, which has caused problems in the past. “And that’s honestly one of the reasons I lost my hearing this ear because of that,” said the singer who in 2022 called off a performance at Spain’s Primavera Festival due to “partial hearing loss” that left her 80% deaf in her right ear. “So after that happened, I don’t know what it was. I think it was when I started cutting my hair with razor blades where I realized, you know what? I’m actually going to stop now.”

The singer who moved to Los Angeles two years ago and now spends her time bouncing between L.A. and London debuted a chopped bob earlier in January and told Lowe that when she cut her hair off she had an epiphany. “I was like, ‘you know what? I’m going to probably take a step back and chill,’” she said. “And I’m not someone that generally… I don’t really suffer with any kind of lapse in judgments when it comes to myself usually, but that’s when I knew… I had an impulse to literally get follicles of hair off of me. So I needed to… I was full up.”

That’s whey she made a decision to step out of the spotlight, something she has no regrets about. “There was something that I needed to address and so I had to leave,” she said. “And I did that for my own good. And obviously it was a very sad moment for people that wanted to see me but couldn’t see me. But obviously, what goes around comes around, and I’ll be back again.”

At the time she hopped off the tours, PinkPantheress told fans, “It is with the heaviest heart that sadly have to announce that i will not be able to continue with the rest of my live shows this year in order to focus on my physical health and overall wellbeing. It appears i have reached a wall which i am struggling to penetrate through. this will include my GUTS tour, Field Day, Summer Sonic, FORM, III Points, and Australia/NZ appearances.”

In January, she was featured on Shygirl’s “True Religion” single, which she followed up in April with her own songs, “Tonight” and “Stateside,” which will appear on her upcoming nine-song sophomore mixtape Fancy That, due out Friday (May 9).

Watch PinkPantheress describe her break to Lowe below.

07 May 2025

Playboi Carti Claims He’s Banned From the Met Gala: ‘Felt Like We Got Kicked Out of Prom’

While the 2025 Met Gala was a star-studded affair on a rainy Monday night (May 5) in NYC, one influential face missing from the hip-hop realm was Playboi Carti.

The Atlanta native took to Instagram to post a dapper photoshoot he had with his girlfriend, Gio, where Carti claimed he was banned from attending the Met Gala, which had him feeling like “we got kicked out of prom.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“MET GALA BANNED ME FELT LIKE WE GOT KICKED OUT OF PROM BUT WE GOOD @ft.gioo WITH ME IM A HAPPY MAN FUCK EM @chromeheartsofficial,” he wrote.

Trending on Billboard

Carti didn’t provide an exact reason as to why the alleged ban was put in place, as he never attended the gala, but this year would have made sense for him to go after setting the bar in rap with his Music album, and close friend A$AP Rocky serving as a co-chair for the exclusive event.

Billboard has reached out to the Met for comment.

The Opium frontman brushed off allegedly not receiving an invite and posed for a hotel room photo shoot with Gio, which saw Carti rocking a leather jacket and pants to match his Chrome Hearts beanie. The couple even recreated Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Kim Kardashian’s famous 2018 hotel hallway running photo.

Vogue‘s Anna Wintour keeps the inner workings of the Met Gala under wraps, but there’s a ban on cell phone use inside as well as smoking. (Megan Thee Stallion did manage to sneak hers in this year, and even shared a video of herself with Doechii and Angel Reese tasting some of the appetizers.)

On the music front, Carti has enjoyed a banner year so far, with Music topping the Billboard 200 in March. All 30 tracks from the album also hit the Billboard Hot 100. And there’s possibly more on the way as Carti continues to tease Baby Boi.

07 May 2025

Lil Wayne Kicks Off ‘New Era’ of Young Money With Reveal of the Fresh Faces on His Roster

For years, the roster for Lil Wayne‘s Young Money crew has included such bold named stars as Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Lil Twist and Jae Millz, among others. But as Weezy prepares to finally release his long-awaited Tha Carter VI LP on June 6, the Young Money CEO popped into his Young Money Radio show on Apple Music to introduce the next generation roster.

In addition to long-time members Cory Gunz and Twist, Wayne introduced his new artists, who include Jay Jones, Allan Cubas, Domiio, Euro and Lucifena, an East Los Angeles metal-edge singer whose vocals are informed by Nirvana and the Deftones. Also in the crew is New Orleans rapper Poppy, who Wayne said he’s so hyped on he thinks of the MC as like his “motherf–kin’ son.”

Wayne caught up with Gunz, noting that the Bronx rapper has been busy, dropping the Loosie Pack 3 EP and, last July, The Militia mixtape. Gunz said up next for him is “elevation,” raising the bar to the next level, just as Wayne has shown by example in his career. “We got to make each thing better than the last one,” he said while also chopping it up about his resurgent New York Knicks’ run in the NBA playoffs.

Trending on Billboard

Twist also provided an update, saying he’s stepped into “a whole ‘nother genre” thanks to picking up a live band. “I’m rocking with the alternative hip-hop rock,” he told the boss, who knows about dipping into the rock side thanks to his guitar-heavy 2010 Rebirth album.

New gen Young Money signees Jay Jones and Allan Cubas, both New Orleans natives as well, were up next. Wayne noted that after hearing Honduran-American artist Cubas rap and then go into his “Latin s–t” he was hooked. “That’s something we’ve never had at Young Money,” Wayne said of the sound. Hollygrove-bred MC Jones talked about his January mixtape, Almost Forgot Who I Was, as well as the collaborative Flight 504 project he’s working on with Cubas that will be a “fusion” of their styles.

The sit down also included chats with Euro and the one of the freshest signings, Domiio (aka Drizzy P), with Wayne saying of the latter that his confidence is “through the roof.” The session ended with Wayne introducing Lucifena and Poppy, with Weezy joking that he helped raise Poppy like his son, joking that he was shocked at how “dirty” the MCs sound was. He also described being blown away hearing Lucifena scream on a song called “Tyrant,” which inspired him so much that he laid down both a guitar solo and a verse on the track.

Watch Lil Wayne roll out the next generation below.

06 May 2025

Ye Storms Off Piers Morgan Interview: ‘We Can Circle Back When You Can Count’

Ye (formerly Kanye West) joined Piers Morgan for another interview on Tuesday (May 6), but the combative chat was short-lived as West stormed off just minutes into the sit-down.

Within the first few seconds, things got contentious when Morgan called him “Ye West,” with Ye responding that he’s dropped West to lose his “slave name.”

“You see that view,” Yeezy said with a serene balcony view of the ocean off the Mallorca coast behind him. “Judge me by the view,” he said when asked how his life is “at the moment.”

Trending on Billboard

Morgan felt that reply was in “direct contrast” to the sentiments Ye has expressed with unhinged rants on X in recent months.

“I already disagree,” Ye cut off Morgan. “It’s not in contrast. It’s so many people and artists that are championing the idea of expressing who they really are and having to go through the war of being attacked by the banks and to still be here with this view, that’s the win.”

Right before things went off the rails, Ye was offended that Morgan got his follower count wrong on X. Morgan listed 32 million when the exact number is upward of 33.3 million at press time.

“You’re not gonna take inches off my di–, bro,” the Chicago native said. “I’m a gift, bro. Why do all you people in media act like you haven’t played my songs at your weddings, or graduations or at funerals or when your child was born?”

He continued: “You take someone like that’s living, like a [John] Lennon or a Michael Jackson. That nuance right there is idiotic. It just shows the hate that you put out for people that put out love. There’s so much love in the art that I put out.”

The Uncensored host was taken aback, and then West stormed off. “This is what you get for now, we can circle back when you can count.”

Morgan called Ye a “sniveling little coward” and took out his frustrations on streamer Sneako, who was seated next to Ye during the interview. Morgan wanted to “hold Ye accountable,” and he pressed Sneako about standing next to Ye in recent months after the rapper had expressed antisemitic remarks and praised the likes of Hitler and Diddy.

Watch the full interview with Ye below.

06 May 2025

Bebe Rexha Reveals Pregnancy Loss After Azealia Banks’ Met Gala Criticism: ‘I’m Tired of People Commenting on My Weight’

Bebe Rexha is tired of people commenting on her body.

The pop singer/songwriter clapped back on social media after Azealia Banks was trying to play Joan Rivers as she watched the 2025 Met Gala. “Sis gives me – hormonal birth control implant or something,” Banks tweeted on Monday night. “It’s giving Implanon/NuvaRing she needs removed or depo shot that needs to stop happening (I’m not even tryna play her).”

Rexha responded by quote-tweeting that the Harlem rapper should seek some help.

“And you might wanna jump on some type of therapy, sis,” she wrote. “Lexapro worked great for me. something that helps with the deep rooted sadness and chaos you keep projecting. Healing looks good on everyone. Try it.”

Trending on Billboard

Then in another tweet that has since been deleted, Rexha expressed mental fatigue when it comes to seeing comments online about her body, saying that she suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome and that people should think twice before sharing their opinion on the way someone looks.

“I’m tired of people commenting on my weight,” she tweeted. “I have PCOS and struggle with infertility. I got pregnant, and it didn’t work out and I’ve been carrying that pain in silence. I never owed anyone that truth, but maybe now you’ll think twice before commenting on anyone’s body.”

Over the years, Rexha has been an open book with her fans. In 2019, she revealed on social media that she suffers from bipolar disorder. “For the longest time, I didn’t understand why I felt so sick,” Rexha wrote at the time. “Why I felt lows that made me not want to leave my house or be around people and why I felt highs that wouldn’t let me sleep, wouldn’t let me stop working or creating music. Now I know why.”

She added: “I’m bipolar and Im not ashamed anymore.”

06 May 2025

David Oyelowo Says He Lost Points With His Kids When He Asked: ‘What’s a Doechii?’

David Oyelowo says he lost points with his children after not knowing who Doechii was.

Sitting down for a chat on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Monday (May 5), Oyelowo spoke about his family, which includes his musician wife and his artistic children. However, while the British actor is very close with his family, but clarified that his kids definitely don’t think he’s cool.

“I’m transitioning into full on uncoolness,” Oyelowo said. “I was cool for so, so long and this was really typified the other day. My son is in the music scene, I’m not … and I made the mistake the other day of seeing this word on my phone and saying, ‘What’s a Doechii?’ And they went, ‘Like Doechii?’…”

This is now the second time the Grammy-winning rapper and Billboard‘s 2025 Woman of the Year has come up on J-Hud’s show in recent weeks. Back in April, You star Penn Badgley hit Doechii‘s signature “Anxiety” dance on his way down the backstage spirit tunnel.

Trending on Billboard

Doechii co-signed Badgley’s dance by commenting: “Exactlyyyy.”

The Swamp Princess’ “Anxiety” dance still has consumed the world. Earlier in April, LISA and her White Lotus castmates all attempted the challenge as well, hopping on TikTok to take part in the Internet craze. “Anxiety” is Doechii’s first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 10 last month.

Watch David Oyelowo stop by The Jennifer Hudson Show below.

06 May 2025

Loyle Carner Shares Pair of Intimate Singles From Upcoming LP, Announces World Tour

Loyle Carner shared two new songs on Tuesday (May 6) from his upcoming album hopefully !, due for release on June 20 (Island EMI). “about time” and “lyin” are the third and fourth songs to be released as singles from the record following “all i need” and “in my mind,” which were released in April.

Both tracks were inspired by his role as a father, with “about time” – the LP’s closing track – featuring a snippet of Carner speaking with his young son, and “lyin” being informed by the changes in his life since having children.

The recent Billboard U.K. cover star recently announced a world tour that kicks off in October and runs through the U.K. and Europe, Australia and North America into 2026; his four shows at London’s historic O2 Brixton Academy in London sold out instantly. On June 27, he will headline Glastonbury’s Other Stage alongside Charli XCX and The Prodigy; headliners on the Pyramid Stage are The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo.

Trending on Billboard

Speaking to Billboard U.K., Carner discussed the new indie influences on the record such as Fontaines D.C., Mkgee and Big Thief, as well as forming his own band for the recording sessions. “I loved the anonymity of being in a band,” he shared. “I wanted to be around when the magic is happening and to not just be sent a beat after all the fun parts had already happened. I wanted to move away from the words being all that I can contribute.”

He added, “As a rapper, the insecurity is that I don’t have any musical talent or whatever, so I’m like, ‘F–k, I better fill every gap so people know that I was there, too.’ But now I don’t mind people hearing a song and I’m barely on it, because I’m so across from everything else [in the creative process].”

Carner’s new album, hopefully !, will be his fourth and his first since 2022. Carner’s debut Yesterday’s Gone (2017) was nominated for the Mercury Prize; Not Waving But Drowning (2019) landed at No. 3 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart; hugo (2022) landed a second Mercury Prize nomination and saw the Londoner headline the 35,000-capacity All Points East Festival in the capital.

Listen to his two new songs below:

Loyle Carner ‘hopefully !’ World Tour Dates

  • Oct. 7 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Annexet
  • Oct. 8 – Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene
  • Oct. 10 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFS Live 
  • Oct. 11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live
  • Oct. 13 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ KB Hallen
  • Oct. 15 – Berlin, Germany @ UFO im Velrodrom
  • Oct. 16 – Hamburg, Germany @ Sporthalle
  • Oct. 18 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith
  • Oct. 19 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622
  • Oct. 21 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Jahrhunderthalle
  • Oct. 22 – Cologne, Germany @ Palladium
  • Oct. 24 – Paris, France @ Zenith
  • Oct. 25 – Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National
  • Nov. 2 – London, England @ O2 Academy Brixton
  • Nov. 3 – London, England @ O2 Academy Brixton
  • Nov. 4 – London, England @ O2 Academy Brixton
  • Nov. 5 – London, England @ O2 Academy Brixton
  • Nov. 7 – Cardiff, Wales @ Utilita Arena
  • Nov. 9 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena
  • Nov. 12 – Glasgow, Scotland @ O2 Academy
  • Nov. 13 – Glasgow, Scotland @ O2 Academy
  • Nov. 14 – Glasgow, Scotland @ O2 Academy
  • Nov. 18 – Newcastle, England @ O2 City Hall
  • Nov. 19 – Newcastle, England @ O2 City Hall
  • Nov. 20 – Birmingham, England @ O2 Academy
  • Nov. 21 – Birmingham, England @ O2 Academy
  • Nov. 23 – Manchester, England @ O2 Victoria Warehouse
  • Nov. 24 – Manchester, England @ O2 Victoria Warehouse
  • Nov. 25 – Manchester, England @ O2 Victoria Warehouse
  • Dec. 2 – Brisbane, Australia @ Fortitude Music Hall
  • Dec. 4 – Sydney, Australia @ Sydney Opera House Forecourt
  • Dec. 6 – Melbourne, Australia @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl
  • Dec. 9 – Perth, Australia @ Metro City
  • Feb. 19, 2026 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
  • Feb. 21, 2026 – Toronto, ON @ History
  • Feb. 22, 2026 – Montreal, QC @ Beanfield Theatre
  • Feb. 24, 2026 – Boston, MA @ Royale
  • Feb. 26, 2026 – Washington, DC @ The Fillmore
  • Feb. 27, 2026 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
  • March 3, 2026 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
  • May 3, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo

06 May 2025

The Pointer Sisters Soundtrack Epic New ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ Trailer

Rockstar Games unleashed the second trailer for the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI on Tuesday (May 6), and fans are headed back to Vice City.

GTA has a penchant for perfectly curating the soundtrack to match the game’s vibe, and they did it again with The Pointer Sisters‘ 1986 hit “Hot Together” playing throughout the trailer to the forthcoming Bonnie and Clyde crime saga.

About a minute into the trailer, the groovy instrumental begins to play as the main protagonist duo, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, reunite when Lucia gets out of prison. The couple rekindle their flame and pick up with they left off, making plays across the city.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Jason and Lucia test their romantic bond while executing crime missions to stack cash and play even harder, indulging in the fast life that the state of Leonida has to offer.

Trending on Billboard

“Hot Together” arrived as the title track for The Pointer Sisters’ 1986 album, which peaked at No. 48 on the Billboard 200. The Pointer Sisters grew up in West Oakland and reached mainstream acclaim in the 1970s and 1980s. The R&B/soul group won three Grammy Awards and has seven Billboard Hot 100 hits to its name, including “Automatic” and “Jump (For My Love).”

June, the youngest Pointer sister, tragically passed away from cancer in 2006. The group has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and released 15 studio albums in total, with the last being 1993’s Only Sisters Can Do That.

As for GTA VI, it’s been a long and arduous road for the much-delayed video game’s ultimate arrival, which will finally come on May 26, 2026. It’s been over 12 years since the last GTA, as Grand Theft Auto V was released back in 2013.

Check out the full trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI below:

06 May 2025

A$AP Rocky Opens Up About His Gun Assault Trial: ‘I Was Definitely Scared for My Freedom’

A$AP Rocky has opened up about his gun assault trial for the first time, calling the experience “gut-wrenching and nerve-wracking.”

In a new interview with Variety published on Tuesday (May 6), Rocky talked about what it was like sitting in the courtroom for his gun assault trial in February — he was accused by former friend A$AP Relli of shooting him in November of 2021. Rocky was found not guilty on all charges. The rapper said the experience taught him to “focus on his own actions,” adding that he is “blessed” to be able to get back to work.

“You got to stop yourself from thinking like that,” Rocky told the publication when asked whether he was worried about being found guilty. “Because that could get the best of you, and you can manifest that energy by mistake. I tried to stay positive at all times. But it was definitely gut-wrenching and nerve-racking, and I was definitely scared for my freedom. I was so thankful that the jury made that decision. I was really thankful for how the judge was respectful and treated me like a first-class citizen. And I was thankful for my team and my lawyer, my family and my mom for being there with me the whole time.”

He added that his character in Spike Lee’s upcoming Highest 2 Lowest film, which Rocky stars in alongside Denzel Wasington, was heavily inspired by his own legal troubles.

Trending on Billboard

“I was able to act like a piece of s—t who was going away for a long time but didn’t realize the consequences, because in real life, I knew exactly what the consequences felt like,” Rocky said. He added that acting was his “only escape” during the trial. 

The trial’s most viral moment came at the end when Rocky launched himself into Rihanna’s arms after his “not guilty” verdict was read. The rapper told Variety that moment came from “being happy and wanting to get the f—k out that building.”

Now, the “L$D” rapper is moving forward with his life — and with some happy news, too. Shortly before the 2025 Met Gala — which Rocky co-chaired — began on Monday (May 5), Rihanna revealed that she and the Grammy-nominated rapper — who share sons RZA, nearly 3, and Riot Rose, 1 — are expecting their third child together.

06 May 2025

‘106 & Park’ to Celebrate 25th Anniversary With Host Reunion & Performances at 2025 BET Awards

106 & Park is back, at least for one night. On Tuesday (May 6), BET announced that 106 & Park is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a host reunion and a night of special performances at the 2025 BET Awards.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J will be packing on the nostalgia with a reunion after raising a generation of millennial rap and R&B fans.

“106 & Park was more than just a music countdown show — it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest rated BET programs for over a decade,” BET president Scott Mills said in a statement. “From Freestyle Friday to unforgettable live performances, it launched careers, influenced fashion,and became a platform where voices, style and sound converged. 106 & Park both celebrated and fueled many of the most important musical and culture evolutions that occurred during its two-and-a-half-decade tenure.”

Trending on Billboard

On the performance side, Mr. 106 & Park himself, Bow Wow, will hit the stage with B2K, Mya, Amerie, Jim Jones and T.I. on June 9. The BET Awards will kick off at the family of BET Networks at 8 p.m. ET.

“106 & Park served as a cultural touchstone, embodying the energy, creativity and authenticity of a generation,” stated Connie Orlando, who serves as the EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “It provided artists a direct connection to their fans, transforming everyday moments into lasting memories. The show’s legacy continues to influence how we engage with music, connect with talent and celebrate Black creativity. We are thrilled to commemorate 25 years of this iconic series at this year’s BET Awards.”

There will be plenty of activations for fans to get in on the festivities in Los Angeles for culture’s biggest week. The BET Fan Fest (BETX) will be set up at the L.A. Convention Center with the 106 & Park stage throughout the weekend on June 7 and June 8, leading into the BET Awards.

Launched on Sept. 11, 2000, 106 & Park enjoyed a fruitful run filled with appearances from music’s biggest stars, and went off the air after a 14-year run in 2014.